EriSol Petstuck

Chapter 13

As weeks progressed, Eridan grew frustrated at Sollux's lack of help. The house grew messy quickly, as Sollux stayed at home, and he refused to clean it up. He was eating their food and wasn't paying for it.

Eridan got fed up one day and stormed into the office he'd allowed Sollux to sleep in. 

"Sol, I'm kickin' you out."

His horns sparked and he looked up in panic. "Wh-what...?"

"I'm kickin' you out. You havve one hour to pack up your stuff an' leavve."

Eridan watched as Sollux looked like he was about to cry. He felt bad but stood his ground.

One hour later, Sollux was gone.

Eridan and Sollux met up a week after the eviction at a coffee shop. He was upset to see Sollux had deteriorated since.

"The community iith biathed againtht throllth being conthidered free and having a mind of their own. I did thome rethearch and... motht trollth are put down at my age becauthe they aren't conthidered cute, or could be a threat to thociety."

Eridan sipped his coffee, frowning. "Havve you found a job or an apartment?"

"Yeah. I'm working in the back room of a Coldthtone to enthure cuthtomerth don't thee me, and I have a dingy apartment down in the urban area of the city."

Eridan nodded slowly. "Wwell sounds like you're getting' on wwell."

"I goeth.... I've gotten a couple threatth via noteth on my doorthtep."

"From wwho?"

"Dunno. They all theemed to be written in eightth."

"Shit," Eridan cursed, setting his coffee down.

"What?"

"Nofin."

Sollux glanced at the time and stood up. "I gotta go. Break'th almotht over."

"Kay. Talk to you later."

Sollux nodded and left.

Eridan returned home later and grabbed a piece of pizza from the fridge.

"Hey Eri?" Cronus called form the family room.

"Yeah?"

"I think your pet is on the newvs."

Eridan choked on the pizza and ran over.

"A pet was found shot earlier today. No suspects have been brought forward, and he was  moved to a veterinary clinic to be cared for."

Eridan felt sick. "Wwhere is he?"

"Looks like the nearby vet. Come on." Cronus stood up and the two hurried down to the vet.

Sollux's gray skin looked pale. He had a bandage around his midsection and a breathing mask pressed to his face.

Eridan held onto Cronus's hand, tears in his eyes. He only had a fifty percent chance of surviving the gun wound.

He stirred slightly and looked over at them.

"Hey Sol..." Eridan murmured.

Sollux smiled weakly. "Hey ED...." He whispered

Eridan sniffed.

"Hey... come here."

Eridan looked at Cronus before slowly stepping forward.

Sollux gently reached out and took hold of Eridan's hand. "Don't cry..."

"B-but wwhat if you don't make it...?"

"I won't go down without a fight." He smiled weakly.

Eridan nodded.

"Drug him for surgery," someone called.

"Don't lothe hope ED..." He murmured before being knocked out. 

Eridan gently kissed his forehead before starting to cry.