Multiverse x reader One shots

Rekindled affection (CQ Bros)

Notes:
- this is a request from Miloxi_Illi I tried my best and I hope you enjoy

- this story takes place towards the end of the Momma CQ comic (Alaina Prana) when they are adults.

You just moved back to the city you grew up in, wondering how many familiar faces you would see. There are so many people you'd love to see again, mostly childhood friends who you've lost contact with over the years. How were they doing? Did they even live here anymore? Today, you plan to find out. But for now, that will have to wait. You've finished moving all your stuff in and you deserve a nostalgic look around, maybe some lunch too.

Taking a stroll toward the downtown shopping center, you felt a warm feeling wash over you as you recognized all sorts of things. Memories flooded back of your youth, sending you into a daze. It's nice being back in your hometown. Some of your favorite shops are gone, but a few of them are still there, including your favorite "mom and pop" restaurant.

You decided to stop in for some lunch, excited to try this place again. When you walked in, you saw some familiar faces sitting down and talking with one another, immediately one of them noticed you, "Oh, my stars! I haven't seen you in ages!"

A smile pressed against your face as Ink ran up and hugged you, he was just as energetic as you remembered. Just as short too, "Hi Ink, it's good to see you again."
He looked up at you, his eyes changing to two new shapes as he drags you over to sit with him, "Guys! Look who's here!" Everyone at the table looks up, most of them caught off guard. They either choked on their drinks or just gawked.

Finally, CQ spoke up from the silence of the skeletons sitting at the table with her, "(Y/N), it's wonderful to see you. My, my, you've grown so much." She stands up and hugs you gently, a huge smile on her face.

"Hi CQ, it's been ages. I didn't expect to see you guys at all." You smiled back, looking at how much your old friends changed. Error looked the same, just taller and more relaxed. Fresh was just as colorful as ever, except now he was practically a giant and was sporting a gold tooth, that's new. Decans looked so small next to him, he had to be barely taller than ink by the looks of it, not to mention how relaxed and content he looked. Geno looked the most different, appearing stronger and healthier than he did in his youth, but the biggest change was his wheelchair. You began to wonder what happened when you left.

Apparently, you were so distracted that Comyet had to practically pull you into your seat and repeat a question you apparently missed, "I'm curious too, (Y/N), what brings you back here?"

"Oh, well, um. I've wanted to move back here for a long time, and when I got offered a job down here I had to accept. It's nice to be back. To be honest I didn't expect to know anyone around here." You explained, trying to make up for the awkward staring.

"Really? Dats neat. Seems like you got your life planned out, huh?" Fresh asked with a chuckle. He leaned in to listen to your answer.
"Your job must be really important to bring you all the way back here." Error commented, sipping at his drink.

"Yeah, I love my work. It makes me happy, so I had to chase it when it came knocking. On a new note, how have y'all been since I've left?" You asked, still curious about your friends, "Last I checked you looked different."

Fresh, taking a hint about his tooth, shot a glance at Error. Error started to grow embarrassed, "I've apologized a thousand times, haven't I? Geez." He looked away, crossing his arms like a child. At least that hasn't changed.

"Stairs," Fresh answered simply, sticking his tongue out at his brother in a teasing way. "It's no big deal, makes me look pretty cool if you ask me. Gets some starry-eyed looks from some of the kids I work with, too."

"You work with kids now? What do you do?" You asked, amazed that fresh would even work with people in the first place, sure he was social but he found some people bothersome. Guess he's changed a lot more than you expected.

"I'm a researcher. I also help out at the hospital, Deccy here is my assistant. Can't do it without him. Kinda like how Ink can't do his artsy stuff without Error helping him stay organized on a task." Fresh side hugs Decans a little as he talks as if emphasizing their bond.

"Still as close as ever, eh?" You joked. Realizing Geno hasn't spoken yet, you turned to him, "And how's life with the eldest Crayon son?" CQ got a kick out of that title, giggling.

"Things are great. I'm a therapist now and I've helped a lot of people. Plus, other than the obvious, I've gotten a lot better health-wise." He smiled at you, a small blush on his face. "Plus, I've been helping take care of Uncle Asy, which is nice. His age is catching up to him so he needs the company."

"That's so sweet of you, Geno. I know you've always wanted to help people." You recalled a conversation you had as kids about it. You smiled at him as he nodded. It's nice knowing that he was doing well, that all your friends are doing well.

Soon, everyone broke out into conversation with one another instead of catching up. As you listened and joined in, you realized just how much you missed this. It's been years since you've had a nice lunch with your friends, with any other people really. It's been so long, in fact, that you had forgotten how good it felt to be surrounded by people you loved.

As time went by, and the whole group ate, you started to realize that your old feelings came back to you, almost like you never left. This caused a little bit of a problem since you had many complex feelings about the CQ brothers back in your childhood. Now that it was all rushing back, it was as confusing as ever.

Whenever they said your name it made our heart skip a beat, and you couldn't help but feel happy when they'd rest their hand on your shoulder or ruffled your hair, or even just walk beside you when you all left the restaurant. It all was overwhelming, but not necessarily in a bad way. You honestly just hoped they wouldn't notice you becoming a flustered mess.

You ended up going to hang out with them the rest of the day, and the longer you hung out, the more you find yourself falling for them. Fresh may not have many emotions, but he was still very kind and supportive. While Error doesn't like a lot of people, you can tell he can be a big sweetheart. Geno was always found the good in everything and always keeps a positive outlook.

As kids, despite the brotherly bickering, they were all close and made sure you were included in everything. Now, it was even more so. They answered any and all your questions, making sure you were never out of the loop. It was nice.
As the day faded, you felt a sadness rise in your chest. Now it was time for you to go, but you couldn't bring yourself to leave. "Today has been great," Geno echoed your thoughts with his words.

"Yeah, I kinda don't want it to end," You commented, crossing your arms and looking away. Why did this have to end so soon?
"It don't have to. Maybe for today, yeah, but we can do these things again soon. After all, you live here now." Fresh smiled, putting his hands in his pockets.

"He's got a point there," Error admitted.

You hug the three of them tightly, "That sounds amazing. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Yeah. tomorrow," They reply, hugging you back with smiles as wide and bright as ever.

In the short moment of that hug, you could feel warmth take over your soul, filling you with happiness. At that very moment, everything felt complete, everything felt whole. It was almost like nothing else in the world mattered.

Just like you had agreed, you hung out often with the Crayon brothers, and you felt your feelings grow more and more with each passing day. It may have just been your imagination, but you could've sworn they were feeling the same way.