Chapter Text
A spider strummed the threads of the complex design in its meticulously crafted web, searching for prey that didn't exist in the timeless space it had made its home. There was no food, but there was also no danger as it idly watched the shadow passing through it with the frantic motions of something intending to kill.
Scarab slapped and swept his broom madly, fighting to reach a dimension he was no longer part of and rid the tiny nuisance from his space. He barely suppressed a frustrated growl and felt the handle begin to crack beneath his grip.
"Whoa, whoa, settle down there, Scrabby." Prismo piped up, only increasing his assistant's irritation. "Don't worry about the spider, man, she's cool. Why don't you take another break?"
The ex-auditor finally gave into anger and threw the broom down. "Why am I even here if you won't let me work!?"
He paused halfway through typing, shooting the other being a surprised and startled look. "You have been working, for like..." He raised his arm and looked down at his non-existent watch. "A while now. The floor isn't getting any dirtier and I don't see why we can't hang until there's something to do?"
"'Hang'?" Scarab scoffed, sitting down heavily as he mimicked quotation marks. "Can you not comprehend my unending hatred for you? You don't even like me!"
"I mean, yeah, you're a jerk, but I don't hate you. I actually didn't mind spending time with you, alright?" The Wishmaster shrugged nonchalantly. "And I thought you just hated me for the job stuff. You can...you don't gotta be here if you don't want to be here."
"Why do you want me here?" He demanded, glaring up at the other being.
"I just- I needed some help, okay? You wanted this job so badly, I thought...I don't know." Prismo huffed, throwing his arms up before crossing them. "...You're good at what you do, you could be good at what I do if you just had a shot. And I need someone to hold me accountable right now. You've seen the mess. I definitely started letting things slip when Jake...You probably don't know him, bu-"
"The dog. I am aware." Scarab cut in. "I heard rumours about your shift in socialization and lack of parties, so I did some digging. I was looking for something to exploit, but all I found was misplaced attachment to a deceased mortal."
"Wow. That's a pretty donked up reason, but that's totally you Scrabby." Prismo murmured, looking off to the side as he wrapped his arms around himself instead. "...You know what's more fucked up? This super busy guy who has hated my guts for I don't even know how long, took the time to notice something was wrong and find out why, but none of my friends or co-workers ever did."
The ex-auditor made a sound, but didn't respond, instead staring at him with a mixed expression of shame, pity, and confusion.
"Y'know, I've listened to Cosmic Owl talk about his problems for so long! When he was having girl trouble I was there for him, but when I was having relationship issues he just talked over me. And! And, I haven't seen or heard from him since the last time I threw a party!" He threw his hands up again, unable to stop the rant from spilling out of him. "I don't remember how long it's been since I've thrown a party! I can't! I can't stand the thought of smiling and listening to everyone talk about their problems when I know they won't listen to mine. It was fine before because I didn't have problems that mattered, but now..."
Scarab raised his hand, bringing it to hover over the other shadow's outline before hesitating and dropping it again.
"I started feeling more like myself when I got to meet the Fionna and Cake." The Wishmaster began again, tone showing they were on the same topic, just another point. "I started caring a little more again, but a lot of stress came with that too. You were definitely a big part of that stress, but also...you were the only other...no one else came to visit me. No one else 'checked in'. There were only mortals wanting wishes."
He sat there, unsure if he was being attacked or thanked as too many emotions painted the hollowness of the other being's tone. There was still nothing for him to say, so he simply listened.
"I know what you're thinking. 'Oh, Prismo is so selfish, complaining about doing his job. The job I wanted to do, what a jerkface.' and I am, aren't I? I'm just complaining away and you're stuck here because I saw the opportunity to have someone here with me. Even if you didn't care, even if you don't, you still listen." Prismo continued, gesturing between their seated forms. "You listened then. Like, sure, you wanted to incriminate and take me down, but you didn't have to listen to me talk about my pickles! You didn't have to chat with me in here or in the Time Core or involve me in your search! You cubed me, but you didn't throw me down the stairs or into a dark room or isolate me so you could focus. And yeah I was worried for Fionna and Cake, but it almost...it almost felt like I was part of an adventure for once. Even though you were the villain at the time, looking back, I had fun. I'm not trying to rub your failure in your face, but it's true."
He concluded, finding himself in more silence and feeling the creeping anxiety that came with the tension. He laughed nervously to try to dispel it, only to instantly realize how dickish his misplaced humour sounded.
"You know what? I should stop talking. You don't want to hear this." He muttered, his voice wavering under his nerves as he squeezed his eye shut and hit his fist to his forehead multiple times.
Scarab reached out once again, but retreated just as quickly, shifting his gaze around the room instead. Spotting a distraction, he made his way over to the remote laying in the middle of the floor and pointed to it.
"Perhaps we could watch some of your favourite universes?" He suggested, trying and failing to grasp the physical object, but he didn't give into his frustration this time. "...Or you could show me some the dog's adventures, if that would help? You can rewind time, correct?"
"I can, but you don't have to do that, Scrabby. This whole one sided conversation has been about how much you've already done for me." Prismo said, as his own hand grabbed for the remote. "It is a good idea, I just didn't mean to..."
"I do not know how to deal with you like...this." Scarab flippantly waved at the other being, who gave him a miserable smile. "I am not often confided in and though I loathe to admit my flaws, I have no skill when it comes to comfort. However, I know reviewing my past successes used to help me. It may help you as well."
Prismo paused, idly fidgeting with the controller as he looked down at his companion with a sheepish but lighter expression. "I mean...if you really don't mind, I think you're right. I-I'd actually like that a lot."
The ex-auditor didn't verbally respond initially, instead nodding once and taking a seat beside him once again. They both settled against the wall before Scarab indicated to the screen wall. "Where will we begin?"
"I am pretty partial to Ooo. Want to start there?"
He gave another nod, prompting the Wishmaster to jump to a random adventure between Jake and his human friend. Prismo excitedly provided the context behind what put the friends in such a situation. The ex-auditor absorbed the information, humming and watching intently, only breaking away when the other being would pause the replay to talk.
It didn't take long for the hollowness to be replaced with enthusiastic stories and vivacious movements as they jumped from adventure to adventure. They slowly worked their way out of the land of Ooo and shifted focus to moments of success.
Scarab was content to watch and listen, but was surprised to have the interest turned to him. He hesitated at first, put off, but gradually he began to suggest a few moments, then more, taking the floor to explain what led up to the happenings during each event. His pride was evident, even as it was haunted with the sense of failure in the end. There was a bittersweetness to revisiting a long gone past, but they both shared the feeling in their own respective situations. A mutual air of further understanding settled within the room.
Prismo sighed and rested his arm against the other silhouette, making them both pause at the unfamiliar sensation, but no comments were shared.
"Thanks, Scarab. I really needed this."