Finding Foundations

Chapter 2: Love

Life was finally starting to settle down again. A few months had passed since the greenhouse incident, and a month since they'd actually technically moved, yet it had taken this long to get their new house into a state where it felt like a house rather than a 'work in progress', in the most literal sense imaginable. Even now, boxes of stuff still littered the halls of their new house proving mildly hazardous to walk around, yet neither Vee nor Masha could be bothered to unpack them fully, instead just extracting single items by trial and error whenever they needed something. Still, Vee was happy to have their own shared space, their own rules and their own bed. It had taken them longer than expected to get to this stage however, and now the next big event to plan for, Luz and Amity's wedding, was looming later that very week.

"Do we have a present ready?" Vee questioned one breakfast, nervously. Masha knew exactly what she meant immediately, the big day was at the forefront of both of their minds.

"Uhhhh, there could be something in all this stuff." They answered, uncertainly. Vee forced a smile, but shook her head.

"Silly, we need something better than hand-me-down junk."

"I mean..." Masha responded. "They understand our situation, and they're both wonderful people, I'm sure they wouldn't mind at all." Vee paused, considering it for a moment, before shaking her head.

"No, it's because they're such wonderful people that we can't just throw any old crap at them and call it a day. Masha sighed.

"I suppose you're right. Well, what should we do then?"

"Well, go shopping? How else do you get things?" Masha rolled their eyes.
"You know what I meant, silly. Where do we shop?" Vee thought about it for a moment.

"You know how practically everyone we know has been taking trips to the demon realm suddenly?"

"Uh, yea, to see our new place." Masha answered, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you ever notice how they always seem to leave with an extra bag at least?"
"Or 3 in Janna's case." Masha snorted. "Still gotta go figure out what she swiped."

"Ok, but Janna's the exception." Vee continued, slightly exasperated. "I'm saying it seems likely that given Luz's affinity for the demon realm, everyone's probably getting their gifts from the demon realm."
"And you're saying we should do the same then?" Masha questioned, a slight smile on their face. Vee shook her head.
"The opposite actually. What could stand out more now than a gift from the human realm?"

"Ah, of course!" Masha exclaimed, gleefully.

"Plus, It's been a little while since we visited earth properly."
"Masha, it's been maybe two weeks." Vee pointed out, smirking.

"Exactly." Masha giggled. "I love it here, don't get me wrong, but I love home too." Let's go!"
"...Right after breakfast." Vee filled in.

"Right after breakfast." Masha agreed, smiling ruefully.

As Vee and Masha had quickly learned, the process of going from the demon realm to the human realm took a little bit longer when they actually lived in the demon realm, but Gus was still relatively lenient with them.

"Main thing is just if you have any infectious ailments you've picked up here? Don't want any infections spreading that the humans aren't ready for."
"Gus." Masha began. "I am human."
"So? The question stands." Masha sighed.

"Well, I have a bit of chest pain." Vee looked across at them at that.

"That's still bothering you?"
"Well, 'bothering' would be a really strong description for such a minor problem." Vee wasn't exactly happy with that, but let it go as Gus referred to a big book from under his desk.