One Shots

Funhouse Queen

"I like you... you know, a lot"

Ray's heart stuttered, a confusing mix of happiness and dread. She couldn't help but feel elated by what she heard. He likes her, all these months of not knowing whether she was just reading too much into things, finally having a clear answer.

"I like you", the words kept ringing in her ears, making her heart flutter.

She thought that his offer to be his Queen was just something that he said in order to make her feel welcome. Something to make her feel useful to the Clowns. Out of anyone in the city, Chatterbox was the only one who understood how much she wanted to be useful. He was the only one who knew this part of her.

"Every time you come around, I feel a... peaceful feeling that I never ever really had for years and years, and you know."

Hearing those words gave Ray's heart a hiccup or two. He was able to put into words the feelings that she's been experiencing these past few months. The clowns have welcomed her, and have made things enjoyable for her. But more than that, they made her feel at home.

There is no holding back, she decided. These past few months have been the happiest I've ever been, and I want him to know that. I want to tell him how I feel.

...

Her skin felt like it was tingling after she finally said those words back, finally confessing what she's been feeling for who knows how long.

It didn't start as liking Chatterbox, Chatty, not completely. She found him interesting at first, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. A deadly puzzle who terrorizes random people. But that wasn't all. He wasn't doing it to be mean or scary, it was just for the funnies.

Getting to know him is one of the best things that she's ever done, realizing that he's much more complicated than a puzzle that only shows one thing. He's many things, his passion, his protectiveness, his leadership.

Ray Mond hasn't felt like this in a long time. And it's both amazing and scary, especially thinking about the last time she felt like this about someone.

Thoughts of her former mentor entered her mind, making her dread her newfound relationship with the Clowns.

She's felt this way once before. Once again, she couldn't help but compare and see the similarities in their dynamics.

Ride or die. Will save her, will do anything for her.

But this is different, she told herself firmly. So different.

She could see how it's different as well. Chatterbox is not like Randy Bullet. Chatterbox cares for her, makes sure that she's okay. Chatterbox actually talks to her. Something that she never experienced 5-7 years ago.

Sure she had her first calls of the morning with her mentor. But Chatty and her communicate. They talked about things that matter, like when they were in the mines.

Getting to know Chatterbox, her Chatty, has been the best thing that's ever happened to her. And Chatty getting to know her? She just hopes that he won't ever regret it.

No one has ever gotten to know her like this, no one ever asked her about her past, her deep fears. April came close but that's different, they were going through the same loss and longing.

But Chatty? He took the time to be patient and to give her strength. He took the time to listen, to understand.

No one ever tries to understand.

Looking at Chatterbox now, so confident in his leadership of the Clowns, making plans to make the Funhouse a safe place for all of them, and making sure that Ray, Hiccups, is recognized right there beside him.

She took the hand he was offering her, not having any doubts about this decision.

"She's gonna be the Funhouse queen" he said, looking at her.

Even underneath his mask, Ray could feel how excited he was to announce this. She could feel how much he lo-

No, that's too soon of a word. But... it's not a bad word to think about, to hope for.

She squeezed his hand, smiling at him and hoping that that little gesture could convey everything that she wants to say, everything that's deep inside her.

I like you, Chatty. I'll make sure that we'll see our dreams for the Funhouse come true. I'll be by your side.

She's still scared, she's still worried that she'll push him away or that he'll get hurt and go away. But she's holding on to what he said in the mines all those months ago. The people who want to stay won't allow themselves to be pushed away. And Chatty has proven time and time again that he'll stay.

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A/N: Just something short to start with, I wanted to write some things that could be going through Ray Mond's mind during their confession. I honestly got too lazy to write down the whole transcript of the confession cos I had an idea for a different one shot / story and had to write that. 

I'll probably be focusing on this arc and these relationships now, so I probably won't update my older story but I will keep it up there. I'm also not too worried about mentioning a certain banned character cos I recognize that he was an integral part of Ray Mond's past and lore.

I hope everyone enjoyed this! Will update soon with a different story, it's already lined up <3