High On Mushrooms

Part Three: Unwanted Friendship

Chess was awoken by Jack, who was shaking them quite aggressively.

They swatted him gently, taking a deep, tired breath, "What is it, love?" they asked, sitting up reluctantly, their hair more disheveled than usual.

"I forgot to ask you yesterday, so I'm asking you today; what was your girlfriend and her buddies here to tell you?" Jack asked quickly, sitting down and bouncing slightly.

"Girlfriend?" Chess questioned, staring at him for a moment before breaking their eye contact with an uncomfortable shutter, grabbing their red sunglasses.

"That blue haired pirate!" Jack exclaimed, sounding slightly defensive and hitting his fists on the bed.

"Uma?" Chess asked in confusion, putting on all of their rings.

"Yes!" Jack replied quickly, a bright, goofy smile on his face.

Chess got out of their comfortable blankets, going to grab clothes from their black and white checked dresser(Jack was already dressed).

"No offense to her, but why the hell would you think we're dating?" Chess prodded farther, half-heartedly running their fingers through their hair, ring's clicking.

Jack turned around so they could change, at this point entirely forgetting his original question. Like most people or creatures from Wonderland, he and Chess had a tendency to get sidetracked.

"You call her 'love'! And-and, the scary one-"
(that's how he referred to Harry)"-likes her too, that's why he hates you!" Jack stumbled over his words, moving his hands rapidly as he spoke.

"Love, Harry doesn't hate me." Chess stated in their usual, even tone, sounding a bit amused.

Jack whipped his head around in astonishment, mouth agape, upset that Chess wasn't on the same page as him.

Chess was pulling on a sage green undershirt, wearing their usual brown shoes and pants, along with socks that had little mushrooms on them.

Jack groaned dramatically, "But you guys would be so cute together!" He whined, flopping back onto Chess's bed.

Chess ignored him and pulled on a button up with wavy checkers like the ones on their dresser, that-just like everything else they owned-looked a bit too big for them: along with a bucket-hat covered in weed leafs.

They headed out soon after that, grabbing the requested chloroform and leaving a slightly disappointed Jack behind.

***

Chess arrived to the Fish and Chips shop as instructed, much to the annoyance of Harry, who had bet Uma that they wouldn't remember they were supposed to be there at all.

Shortly after Chess arrived, Uma explained the plan, informing Harry that he would be the one to nab Ben, "-and take Chess with you." she finished, gesturing to the druggy in question who stuck out quite a bit among the sea-pun intended-of pirates.

After everyone else was dismissed, off to go prepare things and whatnot, Harry quickly went over to Uma.

"Do I have to take them with me?" He questioned, knowing full well that Chess could hear him.

"Yes, as a matter a fact," Uma responded bossily as she placed a hand on her hip.

"Can't I take Gil instead?" Harry suggested with exasperation, his voice higher than normal.

"Gil is helping me with the swards, Chess is helping you with Ben," Uma responded, a mocking smile on her face.

Harry sighed and ran his non-hook-holding hand through his hair, knowing he wasn't getting anywhere with this argument.

"Come on, Gil," Uma called, patting Harry on the shoulder in an unspoken sign of affection before heading to the docks, Gil following close behind like a golden retriever.

Harry slowly turned on his heals; Chess was sitting on the counter, a conspicuous bottle and rag in one hand-they waved with the other.

Harry smiled, looking similar to an animal bearing its teeth, and jumped over the counter as he started towards the door, "Try to keep up or I might just loose you on the way. And what a pity that would be."