Chapter Text
He shouldn't be surprised.
Since Verity considered their last home compromised, with Twixxel being just next store, he took the two of them and some of their supplies to somewhere a considerable distance away. He then kept a firm eye on Mob as the two of them built a much smaller, though no less comfortable, home.
He was a little disappointed to leave everything behind, but he begrudgingly saw it coming. Verity was undeniably smart; He knew Twixxel would come after them, his heart too big for his own good. He was probably already speedrunning his healing to find a way to save him.
Idiot.
He did this for HIM.
...Didn't make him any less depressed, though.
If he was a reluctant prisoner before, well...he should just be grateful to not be chained on a leash. Verity was very firm that the two of them would be practically glued at the hip from therein on:
He had to use the restroom? Verity would escort him, though thankfully he looked the other way.
He needed food? Verity would hunt for him, why lift a sword?
He was tired? Verity would lie right next to him, staring intently at his face as he slept...if he could, that is.
Ugh. This was the worst!
Suddenly, the telltale creaking of a door opening echoed throughout the room.
...Speaking of the worst
He didn't bother turning around as familar humming filled the air, along with the overwhelming stench of iron. His nose scrunched up as he scowled, listening as Verity placed whatever it was that he killed for dinner down somewhere.
"Hellooo! Good to see you awake and at it, Mob! You've been...sleeping a LOT, lately."
Mob didn't respond, haven at some point decided to give the silent treatment to his keeper. Was it childish? Sure. Did it work in pissing Verity off? Yup. At this point he knew Verity was too obsessed with him to do any REAL harm to him, so he assumed he could get away with being a brat at least SOMETIMES.
"Still upset? Don't worry! I'll make your favorite tonight!"
Throwing a glare over his shoulder, he stubbornly shook his head. A part of him reveled in victory as Verity's trademark smile lessened some. Was he worried? Well, it didn't matter; Being worried and stressed was the LEAST of what he deserved!
"...You haven't eaten since yesterday."
"..."
"...You'd really starve yourself because you're a little upset?"
"..."
Verity was outright frowning now, standing tall as he made his way over in determined strides. Mob watched him keenly, fingers clenching his knees anxiously as he came to a stop right behind him.
"..."
"If I have to force you to eat, I will."
"..."
"If I have to force you to sleep at night, and wake up in the mornings, I will."
"..."
"If I have to brush your fur for you, and change you, and give you the resources you need I will. If I have to force you to exercise so you don't gain atrophy I will. If I have to-"
"V-Verity...stop."
He couldn't take it anymore, at some point he'd turned back around and shoved his face in his knees, body tense and feeling deeply uncomfortable as Verity kept saying these strange things with an even STRANGER vindiction.
Why was he so OBSESSED with him..?
"...I don't understand why you must be so stubborn, dear. We used to be so happy; Going on adventures together, joking together, dancing together, eating every meal together, sleeping beside each other-"
"Stop!"
Verity didn't; Verity got louder.
"We've held each other, you've told me about your past! I've made you dinner, I've given you EVERY answer to EVERY question you've ever asked me-"
"I get it!"
Gasping, Mob jolted as a strong hand landed on his shoulder, roughly turning him around against his will so he had no choice but to face his nightmare. Oddly, Verity wasn't in his monster form, but some third thing that was kinda human and still kinda ball.
And still a hundred percent terrifying.
"Do you?! Then I STILL don't mean enough for you to stay?! To be happy? What will it fucking take, Mob? Honestly, you're always far too stubborn-"
A loud, resounding 'SMACK' reverberated throught the room.
Mob's hand hurt.
Verity's head was facing the other way.
Both of them stared at each other silently, both surprised.
Mob was truly, irrevocably, undeniably FUCKED.