A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 1: Another Bright Day

The mid-afternoon sun shone brightly down on the brightly-colored land below, bringing warmth with its rays.

A breeze, just at the right amount of force, blew through Pepperland, making the grass and flowers sway along with it.

Randel sighed as he felt it pass over him, leaning against the drummer next to him, who was also sitting against the apple tree. He closed his eyes, basking in the warmth that both it and Ringo brought to him.

Ringo, noticing his movement, put an arm around him, smiling all the while.

"So... comfortable?"

Randel glanced up at him for a moment.

"Yes. You couldn't tell?"

The warm feeling in Randel's heart grew as he heard Ringo chuckle.

"I just wanted to ask."

Randel nuzzled Ringo's shoulder for a moment.

"And... I just want to say..."

He pulled his head up to make eye contact with Ringo.

"This last month with you has been amazing."

Ringo smiled a little, even though that statement did bring back some bad memories.

"Yeah... just... not what happened before, obviously."

Randel looked down at the ground for a moment, remembering the creature.

"I'm just happy it's gone now."

A sigh escaped Ringo's lips as he looked up at the blue sky, the sun providing an excellent display.

His gaze shifted to Randel's tie, which showed the same scene.

He always liked how well it fit Randel.

"Did I ever tell you how nice your tie is?" He asked softly.

Randel's cheeks turned pink.

"Well... Not in those exact words."

Randel clasped his hands together in his lap, letting out a breath.

"If I had known what would happen that first day I saw you, I probably would have kissed you right there and then."

Ringo looked down at him, knowing what he was referring to.

"Well... Thanks. But, I'm pretty sure that the Chief would have been confused."

"Along with Jeremy and Max, I bet. And..."

Randel paused, thinking about his question.

"I mean, it must feel odd having two people look so closely to you."

"Oh, so yer talking about my alter ego, huh?"

"Yes. I mean,  I'm sure that there's enough people in this huge world for at least one of them to look like you, but to have two of them be just a walk away at most, I imagine that it does feel strange."

Ringo tilted his head.

"So... You don't know what triplets are?"

Randel looked up at him.

"Oh, I know about that. Basically like twins, only there's three. And besides, none of us are siblings, so that makes this case even more unique."

Ringo sighed lightly.

"Well, if you ask me, I'm sure that none of us have siblings..."

"Wait... Yer an only child?"

A momen of silence passed before Ringo responded.

"Yes, I am."

Randel's brow furrowed.

"Is.. Is there any reason you didn't tell me that before?"

Ringo rubbed the back of his head before continuing.

"I... I just saved telling you that whenever my friends and I go back to Liverpool."

Upon being reminded of Ringo's hometown, Randel hummed.

"When are we going there exactly?"

"Whenever my friends want to. But, it's not like we're just abandoning our home there, even though Liverpool is... Not quite as nice as Pepperland..."

"Not quiet as nice?" Randel asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just nowhere near as colorful and happy as this place is."

Randel nuzzled Ringo's shoulder again, wrapping an arm around the drummer.

"Sure, but anywhere would be perfect as long as I have you."

His distorted voice was soft and caring, and it made Ringo pat his head gently.

"Aw."

Randel smiled softly as he felt Ringo's gently rise and lower under his grip.

The pair were silent for a moment, thinking about how much they had both went through together.

"Ay, Ringo?"

Randel tilted his head up to meet the drummer's gaze.

"Yes?"

"I.. I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"For... Everything."

Ringo smiled as he leaned his head forward just a bit, making Randel blush lightly.

"Yer welcome."

Randel closed his eyes as he felt Ringo's lips connect with his own.