Your scars remain

Chapter 6: Lost and Found

Wilbur and Tommy think it's a good idea to bring Karl Outside.
It's a very bad idea
At least for the first half, Karl does make a new friend (Kinda)
Then he learns how to read :D

"No, Tommy, you're not giving him one of your shirts," Wilbur huffed. "I'm not having another Tommyinnit running around when there's already enough of that."

"What the fuck does that mean?!?!?" Tommy growled back.

"It means you're annoying," The brunette crossed his arms. Karl's head was snapping left and right, watching the argument as if it was a ping pong match.

"No, you are! And he's not going to wear one of your stupid sweaters!"

"It's comfortable, and it's so much more stylish than that ragged old thing!"

"Excuse you!" Tommy gasped. "This shirt is the peak of fashion! It attracts all the ladies! I bet that's something your moth-eaten sweater can't do."

"May I remind you that I have a partner, and you do not ," Wilbur rebuked.

" Boys ," Master chuckled, pausing the bickering between the brothers before it could get even more nonsensical.

"Sorry Phil," Both Tommy and Wilbur frowned, folding their arms.

"Don't worry, I have something for you," The avian turned his attention to Karl. Karl shrunk down a little under his gaze, a subconscious habit. "Do you like this?"

Master held up a hoodie. It was nothing special, just a plain black with white text on it. Karl squinted. He made out... an F. That was it.

"Hey! Is that Techno's old Manifold Band hoodie?" Wilbur smirked.

"It might be a little big," Tommy commented.

"It might, but it was the only thing I could find that wasn't too big," Master explained. "Try it on."

Karl instantly pulled the hoodie, right over the still slightly damp white T-Shirt-

Karl squeezed his eyes shut as warm water cascaded over his head, but he stayed perfectly still.

Be perfect, do as told, don't disobey.

After a moment it actually started to feel... nice. Like a...

What were they called, when others wrapped their arms around you, but not in a bad way...?

"Alright, I'm going to see if I can get all of the dirt and stuff out of your hair," Master hummed gently. The water stopped, Karl almost wined at the sudden cold but managed to hold himself.

Gently, the avian rubbed something into his hair, scrubbing his scalp and pulling strands that fell down back up into the soapy birds-nest of his hair.

Karl wearily watched a few bubbles that fell down from his head as if they were going to explode and attack him at any moment.

"Close your eyes, please," Master said gently, and Karl obeyed. "Don't want to get any soap in them."

The warmth came out. Karl smiled as the soapy-stuff was washed from his hair, bringing dirt and dried blood with it. He was feeling much better already.

He couldn't help but hum happily as the blonde carded through his hair, getting all the soap out.

Master made a chirp back.

Karl froze and made no other sounds. He'd done something wrong, hadn't he?

Soon the water stopped once again, and he could feel Master rubbing yet another soapy thing into his hair. This one felt different though.