Family Among Us

Part 6-Black what are you doing???

Y/N was excited to meet up with her friend, Emma, who had just returned from a long vacation. She gathered her bag, made sure the crewmates were occupied with their little crafts on the living room table, and said, "Alright, I'm heading out for a bit. Behave yourselves, okay?"

The crewmates chirped their cheerful responses in unison. Black, however, stood off to the side, eyes narrow and watching Y/N with a thoughtful expression. As soon as she closed the door and the sound of her footsteps faded, Black made a quick decision.

"Prrr-twee, whurr!" he whispered to the red crewmate, who looked up in confusion as Black slipped out through the barely ajar window and disappeared down the street, following Y/N.

Black stayed close behind, making sure to blend in with the shadows. His small figure darted behind mailboxes, trees, and parked cars, always staying out of sight. He kept his eyes locked on Y/N as she walked down the street, eventually stopping at a modest brick house.

"Emma!" Y/N's voice rang out as her friend opened the door. The two girls embraced, laughter spilling out as they caught up on missed moments. Black's little heart thudded as he watched the two of them, his jealousy simmering when Emma said something that made Y/N laugh so hard she had to hold her sides.

"Rrr-pwee," Black muttered under his breath. He knew it wasn't right to feel this way, but watching Y/N be so carefree with someone else was stirring something deep inside him. Still, he reminded himself that he didn't want to ruin this moment for her. He crept closer, careful not to draw any attention.

The sun was setting by the time Y/N and Emma sat on the porch, drinking lemonade and chatting. Black hid behind a potted plant, trying to hear their conversation without being seen. His eyes darted between Emma's animated gestures and Y/N's smile. A small rustle of leaves made Y/N's ears perk up.

"Did you hear that?" Emma asked, turning toward the source of the noise.

Y/N squinted, then gasped when she saw black peeking out from the pot. "Black?" she whispered, surprised. She stood up and walked over, crossing her arms when she found the imposter huddled down, trying to look as innocent as possible.

"Wree-pwee(uhhh...hello)?" he squeaked, feigning ignorance.

"Black, what are you doing here? You were supposed to stay home with the others!" Y/N said, half-exasperated and half-amused.

Emma looked over Y/N's shoulder and gasped. "Is that one of your little friends? He's so cute!"

Black straightened up at being called cute, his small chest puffing out just a bit.

Y/N shook her head, hiding a smile. "I'll explain later. I think this little guy just couldn't help himself." She gently picked Black up, who glanced between Y/N and Emma with a sheepish nod.

"Alright, Emma, I should probably get him back before the others realize he's gone," Y/N said with a laugh. She hugged her friend and waved goodbye.

As Y/N made her way back home, Black nestled comfortably in her hands, feeling relieved and a little proud. He looked up at Y/N and whispered, "Prrr-twee(I'm sorry)."

"I know, Black. You were just curious," Y/N said softly. "But next time, let's stick to the rules, alright?"

Black nodded, a smile curling up the corners of his tiny face. They reached the front door just as the stars began to twinkle in the sky, and Y/N knew that no matter what mischief they got into, having the crewmates in her life made every day feel a little more special.

As Y/N walked home with Black cradled gently in her hands, the streetlights cast a warm, golden glow on the quiet neighborhood. The little imposter's eyes shifted nervously, avoiding her gaze as she held him close. The faint rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets were the only sounds accompanying their walk.

"Hey," Y/N began softly, glancing down at Black's tiny, sulking form. "You know, it's okay to feel a little jealous sometimes."

Black's eyes widened, and he looked up at her, a mix of surprise and embarrassment crossing his face. He let out a small, unsure chirp.

Y/N chuckled gently. "I mean it. I know it's probably strange seeing me spend time with someone else, but that doesn't mean I care about you any less." She adjusted her hold on him slightly, making sure he was comfortable. "Emma is a friend I've known for a while, but you and the others—you're special too."

Black's posture relaxed just a bit, and he let out a soft beep that almost sounded like a sigh.

"Try to get along with the others," she continued, her voice soothing. "Having more friends is good for your self-esteem, and it's fun, too. You all bring so much joy into my life, and I bet if you gave it a try, you'd see that having more friends can bring you joy, too."

The imposter tilted his head thoughtfully, his eyes reflecting the soft light of the street lamps. He let out a series of beeps and chirps, this time more contemplative, as if weighing her words.

Y/N smiled. "See? You're already thinking about it. Trust me, Black, you don't have to be alone or feel like you need to compete with anyone. You're important to me, and I think the others feel the same way."

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Black's mouth, and he nodded once a tiny but genuine gesture.

They reached the front door of Y/N's house, and as she stepped inside, she placed Black on the counter. He looked up at her, his dark eyes soft with understanding and a newfound resolve.

"Welcome home," Y/N whispered, patting his tiny head. Black chirped in response, a little more confident now, as the rest of the crewmates scurried into the hallway, eager to greet them both.