November 30, 2022

Oleander is asleep in the guest room. There's a quiet knock at the door. Oleander wakes up, yawning. "Who is it?" He asks, mumbling a bit.

"T- er- It's Lock."

Oleander gets out of bed and opens the door, yawning. His hair is messed up and he looks like he was sweating pretty bad. He's wearing a t shirt and pajama pants. Lock is able to see a multitude of scars on his arms.

"I uh, haven't heard from you in awhile is everything ok?" Lock’s voice is a lot quieter than usual.

Oleander nods with a yawn. "Yeah, just sleeping a lot..." He sniffles, coughing into his arm. His voice sounds harsh, "Been a little sick."

"I didn't know you could get sick...uhm is there any way I could help?"

Oleander shrugs, "Not sure. Just been in here trying to quarantine myself," They say with a little laugh, "Don't wanna get anyone else sick."

"That makes sense. Are you bored or anything? being stuck in a room forever can't be fun."

Oleander nods. "Yeah to be honest. How are you doing?"

"Better? I can finally think for myself but it's a bit tricky."

Oleander nods. "How so?"

"Had some files in there forcing being talkative and being assertive, but uh, nevermind that. I could ask Isaac to go with me to go get some medicine if you need some."

"Sure, that sounds good I think," He says, coughing again, "I feel you on the whole not being controlled anymore feeling tricky stuff though."

"You do?" She tilts her head some.

Oleander nods. "Less in the literal sense I guess- but I grew up always being told what to do and what to be. When I finally got away from that I had no idea who I was. People are a lot more confusing than I thought,'' He admits with a chuckle.

Lock scoffs "You're tellin me. But does it get easier?"

Oleander nods. "It does. It just takes a while you know?"

Lock nods "So uh, any clue what medicine you need?"

"Standard cold medicine probably."

"Alright, I'm sure Isaac will know what that is, see you in a bit then."

"See you," he smiles and sits down on the bed. Lock leaves with a slight smile.

Later there's another quiet knock. Oleander gets up and gets the door. Lock has a large bag and holds it out to him. She sounds slightly nervous and quieter, "Here."

"Thank you," They take it, "Is everything okay?"

The bag feels a bit heavy. Oleander looks down and opens it to see what's inside. There's a box and a stuffed moose. He sets it on his bed, picking up the moose softly and opening the box. On removing the box he can see some medicine at the bottom of the bag. It's a box of different types of chocolates. Oleander blushes and looks back at Lock. "Did you pick these out?"

"Isaac helped- is it not right?" She rubs the side of her arm.

"N-no its right-its amazing im just- flattered-" They say, hugging the moose. Lock is quiet for a long moment.

She barely mumbles under her breath "...Kaz was never flattered-" She speaks up a bit "I uh. I'm glad you like it- Oh and Isaac said it doesn't have any nuts in the chocolate in case you're allergic."

"I'm not, don't worry." They look at the moose, "Want to help me name him? I've never had a stuffed animal before."

"You name your pets?"

Oleander blinks, "Yeah- is it alive?" He looks down at the plush.

"No? Since when are pets alive?"

Oleander looks at Lock in confusion, "Must be a cultural difference then."

"What do you think pets are?"

"In our world pets are usually animals like dogs or cats that live with us-"

"Feral or nonferal?"

"Feral"

"Oh," Lock looks down some

Oleander nods, "Do you guys not do that?"

"...Blair doesn't in particular," Lock sighs.

"Oh, thats fair." Oleander shrugs, "I've never had a pet either."

"So what do you call those then?" Lock gestures at the stuffed moose.

"Stuffed animals or plushies"

"Huh"

He shrugs and coughs a bit, "But wanna name him?"

"Uhhh..." Lock thinks "I'm not good at naming things."

Oleander sits on the bed and pats the seat next to him, "Do you have a middle name?"

Lock sits by him and fidgets her hands "Uhm...yeah but it's a bit embarrassing."

"I don't judge-"

Lock who can make a choice now, decides to lie, "Tango..."

"How about Tango then?"

"Sounds good," Lock nods a bit nervously.

He makes the moose do a little dance. "He's doin the Tango!"

"The what?"

"It's a dance”

Lock suddenly breaks down into to tears as she makes a high pitched squeak while hiding her face.

Oleander's eyes widen. "Are you okay??? What's wrong?"

"I l-lied that's not my middle name- I lied," The lie has already made her crumble

"It's okay- are you okay??" He asks, worried.

"I didn't mean to lie- it just slipped out- dont hate me- I didn't mean it- I won't do it ever again I promise."

"I don't hate you, okay? It's okay," He says softly. "It wasn't harmful."

She starts calming down "I’m sorry, I really am."

"Its okay… everythings okay…" He says.

Lock takes a deep break and sniffles some. Her crying has stopped "You should probably take that medicine."

Oleander nods, taking out the medicine from the bag, "Thank you for the moose and the chocolates… I love it."

"Your welcome," Lock smiles and gets up, "I'll let you rest now."

"You don't have to if you dont wanna-" They say quickly.

"But aren't you tired?"

"A bit-"

"Why did you say I don't have to? If you want to rest I can go."

"Because I want you to stay, I just-" He looks away, "I was too nervous to say it..."

Lock stares at him "So uh. how's it goin?" She nervously smiles in not knowing what the hell to do next.

"Uh, good. Wanna watch a movie maybe?"

"That sounds fun"

He gets his phone out and turns on a movie. Lock watches. Lock stays wide awake, not wanting to be rude. Sometime during the movie the benadryl knocks Oleander out, his head falling onto Lock’s shoulder.

Lock's eyes widen some but she doesn't move. For a long while she is staring ahead at the wall unsure what to do. Eventually she cant stay awake. Her head leans forward as she falls asleep sitting up. Oleander stirs after a bit, blushing when he realizes they fell asleep. He grabs his water, coughing a bit. Lock wakes up from the coughing and looks over at him, "You ok?"

He nods, downing some water, "Throats just a bit dry-"

Lock a bit nervously gets off the bed and straightens her hoodie, "I uh...I didn't mean to pass out there. I would have let you sleep in private."

"N- no it's fine," He blushes, "I don't mind-"

"Also, are you hungry at all? I know how to make pizza snack rolls now."

Oleander nods, "Hell yeah."

"Alright, I'll find you when they're done," Lock leaves the room.

Later there's another quiet knock.

Oleander gets the door and it’s Lock again. He smiles, "Hey."

Lock holds out a plate of pizza snack rolls.

He takes it, "Thank you"

"Are you feeling any better?"

He nods, "A bit. Are you excited for Christmas?"

Lock's face lights up as she smiles and nods, "Yeah, I hope I get a new pebble like last time."

"A new pebble?" Oleander asks, tilting his head.

"You don't get a handful of rocks for Christmas?"

"No??? I mean- I never got much but I know you're supposed to get things you like- Blair only got you fucking rocks?"

"Yeah? Christmas was logged in my files as a special occasion. If its the night before Christmas you have to go to bed early and behave or you wont get a gift."

"What else did Blair tell you?" Oleander says, clenching his fist.

"Good hadals got bigger rocks. If I was nicer, then Santa would give us bigger rocks," Lock is still a bit dumb and smiles despite what she just said.

"She lied to you. Most people on Christmas get gifts they want, like this moose and chocolate. Not rocks. I'm so sorry," He says gently. "I want to beat her up. "

Her smile drops a hint, "Oh...uhhh. Sorry I didn't know," She nervously laughs some, "What did you do for Christmas?"

"No- Lock you don't have to apologize-" He pauses. "Can I touch you?" He asks softly.

"Can you what now?"

"Touch you- just hold your hand. If that's okay?"

"Uhm" She thinks for a good moment "Sure?" She holds out her right hand.

He takes her hand and holds it, "What do you think about the way Blair treated you?"

Lock feels a bit tense "I mean she's not the greatest but she put a roof over my head and kept me alive. Why?"

"She didn't treat you well. You deserve a parent who doesn't use your code to control you or lie about Christmas to make you go to bed early and only give you rocks. I'm going to make this the best Christmss, okay?"

There’s a pause and she seems a bit confused "Uhm ok?"

He looks away, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Anyways- what's something you'd want?"

"I mean...I like pebbles?"

"Anything else?

"...pizza snack rolls?"

Oleander chuckles. "I see. Do you have a favorite animal?"

She smiles some, "I kinda like moose."

"They're so cool... Do you like bones? Or antlers maybe?"

"I have a lot of bones."

Oleander nods. "Noted. Noted. Um... ever played a video game?"

"I've heard of them. Blair said it'll rot your brain out."

"Well Blairs is a liar. They Are actually really fun!"

"You're calling my mother a liar?" Lock sounds uncertain.

"Yes. She literally made you believe everyday was Christmas!"

"Oh. Right yeah, sorry. I keep forgetting"

"It's okay,," He squeezes her hand. "What's your favorite holiday?"

"Christmas," She smiles.

Oleander nods, "Nice! What would you guys do on Christmas? Besides the rocks-"

"People in town like to eat fire on Christmas."

"Eat fire? Damn..."

"I could eat fire on Christmas. I just need the supplies to do it."

"What? What if you get hurt?"

"I've done it before behind Blaire’s back, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure??"

"Yeah Im sure. Worst it can do is cut my lip," Lock shrugs.

"Are you fire proof?"

"No?"

"Then the worst it could do is set you on fire!"

"Why would it set me on fire?"

Oleander blinks, "Because you are. eating. fire."

"Yeah? And?"

Oleander just stares at her. Like are you stupid?

Lock continues, "Anyway I'm going to see if Isaac will go with me to go get those supplies."

Oleander facepalms, "Okay”

"Get well soon!" Lock heads into the living room.

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