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𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲'𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭, Dustin volunteered to try climbing into the air duct next. He was the smallest, so he had a higher chance than Lily. Everyone but her seemed to still be optimistic about Dustin fitting in the vent. Steve, who was determined for someone to fit, was balanced at the top of the ladder, peering into the vent.
"Flashlight" He said, and Dustin passed him a flashlight. After a pause, his confidence faltered a little, "Actually, I don't know if you can fit in here, man. It's super tight".
"No one can fit" Lily added, unhelpfully.
"I'll fit" Dustin insisted, "No collar bones, remember?"
Robin looked puzzled, "Uh, excuse me?"
"Oh, he's got some disease chrydo um-" Steve began. He paused and looked at Lily, expecting her to finish for him.
She shrugged, "I dunno, but it makes him bendy".
"Yeah" Steve nodded, "He's missing bones and stuff, so he can bend like Gumbo".
"You mean Gumby?" Robin corrected him.
Steve shook his head, "I'm pretty sure it's Gumbo".
By now, Dustin had climbed up to the vent. The top half of his body was already in. "Steve, shut up and push me!"
"Okay, Jesus!" Steve snapped, grabbing the younger teen's legs and starting to shove him, with little success.
"Not my feet dumbass, push my ass!"
"What?" Steve frowned, his eyes widening.
"Touch my butt, I don't care!" Dustin yelled. Lily and Robin to glanced at each other, eyebrows raised as they watched the strange scene unfold before them.
"You've gotta be kidding me" Lily scoffed, as Steve threw Dustin's legs over his shoulder and tried to shove him further into the vent, "And you seriously thought I'd fit".
"Push harder! You're playing with my legs!"
"I am pushing" Steve protested, almost stumbling backwards off the ladder, "I'm not playing. I have terrible footing!" He snapped, "I'm just gonna shove you, ready?"
Finding it too amusing to watch the two boys in such undignified positions, Lily rolled her eyes and turned her focus to the open serving hatch, where she could see Lucas' sister, Erica, approaching the back of the parlour.
"Ahoy sailors, all hands-on deck!" The younger girl called to them, repeatedly ringing the small bell on the counter, "Get over here and serve me some samples!" She yelled.
