Requested by: huyduc8877
lore: Licorice has the mentality of an angsty teen, oh well.
~
The past week had been especially rough for Licorice. The wrath of Dark Enchantress and Pomegranate had become overwhelming, leading him to "self kidnap" himself and lock himself in his room. At first, the deep seemed harmless and everyone was at the consensus that he would just come out when he needed to, but after days it didn't seem to be the case.
Somehow he managed to be able to self-sustain, using sink water and whatever he could summon as sustenance. He had his own bathroom, all of his belongings, and a window to which he had covered with his extra robes.
But it became a nuisance, though he didn't know it, Licorice was a huge part of Dark Enchantress's plans. After it was clear that Pomegranate couldnt coerce him out, she turned to Red Velvet to help.
"Why me?" He whispered in an angry tone as he stood by Licorice's door. "He's got two sidekicks just sitting around twiddling their... non-opposable thumbs!"
"Because I said so. Easy as that." Dark Enchantress said coldly, sauntering out of the room. "If he isn't out in a few hours, you'll hear my complaints loud and clear."
Red Velvet's mind raced at the thought of her punishments. No one was safe from them, not even Pomegranate. After a bunch of snapping his hand back, and over thinking, he knocked on Licorice's door.
"Which fucker is it this time!?" Licorice yelled through the door, unamused by the efforts of his crew to try and get him out.
"It's me, Red Velvet. Listen, she's forcing me to do this and I don't really care where you are, but she said that if you aren't out that I'm getting hurt." Red Velvet explained awkwardly. "S-So can you just open the door? Pretty please? I'll let you cuddle my cakehounds!"
"Go. Away." Licorice sternly said. Then, there was a loud thud and a bunch of swearing. "Can't you guys just leave me the fuck alone!?"
Red Velvet put his back to the door and slowly slid down, eventually landing in a sitting position. "Licorice, you do understand that we're busting your nuts because we need you, right?"
"Bullshit."
"It's true. Dark Enchantress could care less about your whereabouts, but we need you for the long run. We need your account of a-all of the interactions you've had with any real power! Or-or your knowledge on dark magic! It counters light magic." Red Velvet ran his fingers through his hair. "C'mon dude."
All of the sudden, he heard locks being gradually opened. He backed away from the door and Licorice peered his head out. "Inside. If you truly want to talk."
Red Velvet scrambled onto his feet and headed inside, then Licorice shut the door behind him. "It's good to see you haven't died and just had someone imitating you." Red Velvet joked to try and lighten the mood, but Licorice didn't seem pleased.
He sat down on his bed and put his knees to his chin, resting his head on them. He looked depressed more than angry, and Red Velvet quickly took note of that.
"What's been bothering you? Why are you so pissy?" Red Velvet asked, sitting next to and putting a hand on Licorice's shoulder.
"Same reason as to why Dark Choco left! Yes, I don't have shitty memories to relive but I still endure similar pain everyday!" He complained. "It's rinse and repeat, and to think I'd be recognized here!? BULLSHIT!" He grabbed the hood of his robe and ripped it clean off due to his rising anger.
Red Velvet grabbed Licorice's arm firmly with his claw. "First of all, stop ripping your life to shreds. Second of all, I see why you dislike it. But handling such power like this... it isn't going to be easy." He took a deep breath. "You hold so much intelligence, more than Dark Choco for goodness sake! You tell us things that we would've never guessed. And yeah, the two hardcores aren't as appreciative of their mistakes being pointed out, but at least they were!"
"How the fuck am I better at providing information than Dark Choco? The SON of Dark Cacao!" Licorice flailed his arms in confusion.
Red Velvet face palmed. "Do you see Dark Choco roaming the halls?"
"Well.. I-"
"Exactly. So stop whining and recognize that you ARE recognized. Some people just don't know how to show it." Red Velvet smiled and released Licorice's arm, then pulling him into a side hug. "Okay?"
Licorice immediately melted into the hug, a tearing streaming down his face before he buried it into Red Velvet's shoulder. All he truly needed was a hug. "Thank you..." He said, his words being muffled by the other's clothing.
"No problem. Are you going to apologize to her? Or do you maybe want to... h-hang out for a little? Just us." Red Velvet smiled weakly as Licorice pulled away.
"What would we do? I don't have much fun here..."
"We can improvise! Maybe we could... uhm... do you have stuffed animals?" He asked, somewhat joking and somewhat just being curious. Licorice nodded. "We can roleplay uhm... killing the ancients! I know you've wanted to do that for quite some time now."
Licorice immediately jumped down to the floor and opened an old box, pulling out failed voodoo dolls of the 5. "Already ahead of ya!"
Red Velvet blushed as Licorice's childlike wonder sprung into action. It was a small step to get them close, but it was surely an effective one. Next was gaining his trust, and then they could be in love forever. Be side by side to slay the ancients together, having their well deserved heroic moment. Or at least that's what Red Velvet wanted. As for Licorice? Who knows.
