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“Oh my gosh, you did not.” Bad breathes staring down and then raising his gaze to Skeppy’s in bewilderment.
“I did.”
“I helped!” Puffy chimes in and they wear matching grins as they look down on him.
“You know I did ask you.” Skeppy puts a comforting hand on Bad’s shoulder, but he can’t contain his grin. It’s just too funny, just close enough to trolling Bad online but better because it’s in person and hilarious.
“Yeah I didn’t think you were being- b- honest! This isn’t fair!” Bad whines and Skeppy muffles his laughter.
“This is the funniest thing I’ve ever done,” he mutters to Puffy and her eyes sparkle mischievously.
“Sowwy Bad, I did t’ink I was the shortest, I didn’t mean to upstage you.” She says in an overly pouty tone before giving him a jokingly look.
“Upstage me?! We’re supposed to go out there and you’re just gonna! going to- wear those?!” He points an annoyed finger at the boots.
“Pretty much.” Skeppy gives the slightest tilt of his head, microscopic but it says so much, it says pride and confidence and smugness and Bad glares up at him.
“I can’t believe you’d do this to me,” Bad folds his arms and Skeppy dips his head, leaning down to be eye to eye with him.
“How’s the weather down there?”
“I am gonna, I don’t know. I don’t even know! I’m so mad at you- the both of you!” Bad fumes.
Skeppy stretches his hand out and with the flat of his palm, pats Bad twice on the head, enough to get the brunette to snap his gaze up incredulously.
“What was that. Why did you do that.”
“You always talk about how cute and small Rat is... Like doggo, like owner.” Skeppy pushes and Bad wants to burrow away in embarrassment.
“No you know what, fine, fine! It doesn’t matter, height isn’t a big deal, it’s fine, you two actually look like clowns. And if either of you trip and fall over then it’s all worth it because you’ll deserve that-”
“He’s jealous.”
“He’s definitely jealous,” Skeppy agrees with Puffy.
“You’re on soon you three,” the young attendant who’s been looking out for the three of them pipes up. In her grasp is a iPad and she mutters something into her headset before jerking her head, indicating to them they’re heading off. “We’re going back stage now.” She explains, the three of them flanking her like ducklings.
“Thanks for helping Maddie,” Puffy says cheerfully.
She gives them a look over her shoulder and her expression brightens. “Hey thanks,” she says, genuinely seeming to appreciate the acknowledgement.
Once they head through a long corridor, up a small fight of steel stairs, and down another passage, they reach a door to the backstage area. The sound of the massive room is amplified here, the echo of the previous panel bounces around, mixed with the ambient excitement of the crowd.
“I’m off, no idea if I’m giving you guys the run down after your panel so hope it goes well, have a good time, and be safe!” Maddie says quickfire, and she's gone in a flash, pony tail and baseball cap disappearing around a corner.
“She was so nice,” Bad says in quiet happiness.
“Yeah, I hope no one shitty gets to her,” Skeppy says, clear concern at the idea on his face.
Puffy hooks an arm around each other their necks, encouraging the three of them to leaning into a team huddle. “Okay number one you guys are super sweet, but number two we are about to go on stage in front of a lot of people, so perhaps that’s something to focus on?!” Puffy cheers softly, her eyes bright with excitement.
Bad tenses visibly, and Skeppy and Puffy exchange a look. Skeppy slips around so that Bad’s in the middle of them, but before they can say anything another attendant walks up to their little group. A hushed explanation is given to them describing how the microphones are going to be on a chair for them each, then they should each make sure the mics are turned on, and not to speak too close to the devices. She gives them a once over and they nod to indicate understanding. She moves a couple of paces away to watch the group on stage finish up their slot, and Skeppy turns to the two of them.
“It’s going to be fine okay? We got this, it’s exactly how we do it online, there’s just people seeing us too.” Puffy nods eagerly, her excitement eclipsing any worry.
Skeppy’s gaze lands on Bad.
“They’re just people, they like us.” Skeppy assures gaze softening.
“What if they’re not, what if-”
“Don’t think about that.” Skeppy squeezes Bad’s shoulder comfortingly, “They’re here because they want to see us hang out being ourselves, nothing else. They just want to see you and hang out Bad.”
Bad takes a deep breath and lets it out focusing on the stage just barely visible. “Okay,” he mutters.
“We’re here with you muffin,” Puffy comforts, the term used jokingly to lighten the mood.
“You’re on!” The attendant gestures for them to walk out of the wings. One more group squeeze and the three of them drop their hands to walk out into the blinding stage lights.
“Woah hey hey, check these guys out!” Eret grins at the boots and Skeppy preens because of course he does. Attention is addictive, it’s fun, and he likes engaging with people.
“Eret! How are you? What's your day been like?” Skeppy chatters excitedly, because when he’s in the mood for it conversation comes easily to him. Bad lets out a silent breath as he stands beside Skeppy, a moment of reprieve from having to be switched on all day. The panel was fun, very gratifying to hear and speak to people, but it’s just a lot. A lot of people, a lot of voices, a lot of sounds, a lot of lights. His social-sensory battery is running low.
“-to the arcade, have you guys been there yet?”
“No, not yet!” Skeppy nods along, and Eret perks up.
“Well since we’re going, do you want to come with us?”
Skeppy has a considering look on his face, and chances a glance at Bad. They make eye contact for a second, and Skeppy turns back to Eret with his same jokey smile. “Not tonight, we’re a bit fucked, we only arrived today and... Well I came for Bad not parties.” Skeppy grins and Bad sparks to attention.
“Skeppy!” He chastises, only to be immediately shushed.
“Okay, alright, I see you guys have got it sorted. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t need people to hang with.” Eret gives them a smile before heading back to their group and presumably off to the arcade.
Bad watches follows some of the DSMP gang leave for a second. “Did we find Puffy after we went to the food place? Or is she just gone now?” Bad asks as he turns to face Skeppy.
The taller shrugs and pulls out his phone, instinctively stepping closer to Bad when a rowdy group of -tictokers? Bad assumes- walks past them.
“Uhmmm,” Skeppy hums softly under his breath. “She hasn’t replied to me,” he grins slightly and straightens up to slip his phone in his pocket. “But judging by her Instagram story she’s got it covered.”
“What does that mean?” Bad asks, falling into step beside Skeppy as he starts walking.
Skeppy ducks his head with a giggle. “She posted a glass of water followed by a bunch of friends just hanging in one of the hotel rooms, a ‘deep and meaningful convo’ apparently,” he quotes, and Bad finds himself smiling along with him. He can’t help it, Skeppy has an infectious smile!
They walk towards the entrance of one of the many convention centre buildings, and Skeppy huffs a few paces from the main door. “I can see why Puffy went home though, my feet are killing.” He complains.
“That’s because you shouldn’t wear heels! That’ll-”
“-Learn ya,” Skeppy finishes in time with him and he laughs when Bad sends him an offended look.
“You can’t steal my words from me!”
“Yes I can,” Skeppy nods assuredly.
“Hey. No, that’s mean!”
“Oh come on Bad, don’t be like that,” the eye roll Bad is sent can only be described as fond as the automatic doors slide open and they step out into the night air.
“So. Where we headed now?” Skeppy’s voice is soft, the very slightest tad strained as they wait for a car to take them from the convention centre back to the hotel. Bad peers up at him thoughtfully.
“Bed for me,” he mutters “I’m tired.” Skeppy seems to relax at hearing the words.
“Thank fuck, me too.” He runs a hand through his hair, silhouetted against the navy blue night and the harsh street lights of the sprawling car park.
“Language.” Bad mutters reflexively and Skeppy steps over to nudge him in retaliation. The message is obvious it says; ‘we’re not around anyone dumbass’.
“There’s no one around Bad, no kids here.” Skeppy shrugs. “An’ I’m too tired to put effort into stopping swearing,” he mumbles through a yawn.
“Where else would we go Skeppy?” Bad rolls his eyes in response to Skeppy’s previous question.
“Dunno,” Skeppy breaks off to stifle an even bigger yawn, “I sorta thought we might go get changed and genuinely head to one of the better parties-”
“No, stop right now.” Bad says flatly. “There’s no way we’re going to a party, your feet are dead, I’m tiered, you’re probably also tiered, you probably don’t even know what you’re saying right now-”
“Bad!” Skeppy interrupts, “I get it!” He glances down at Bad and his smile goes gentle “I get it,” he murmurs.
“Well... I mean, you don’t have to come back with me Skeppy... I’m not gonna stop you going out-”
“I know you aren’t.” Skeppy puts a hand out to bump his fist against Bad’s hand for a moment of comfort. “Like I said, I’m actually glad to head back. It’s been fun, but I’d kinda like to be okay for tomorrow. We start early don’t we?”
Bad nods his head yes. "Nine I think," He mumbles thoughtlessly.
Skeppy makes a non-committal hum, and looks out over the carpark, all concrete and shadowy asphalt. Neither of them say much as they stand in the cool yet bareable night. Listening to the faint whistle of the wind and scanning for the car headed their way. It's relaxing. A moment of quiet to bask in, as the fresh air washes over them. They stand under the bright LED lights, just breathing in, and letting the booming feeling of a crowd, the music littered through the convention centre and the chatter of creators networking slip away from them.
BadboyhaloTM and SkeppyTM slowly settle back into Bad and Skeppy. The human beings, instead of the internet personalities.
“It sounds dumb, but I could get used to this.” Skeppy breaks the quiet.
“Doing conventions every day?! No way! Skeppy that’d be way too-”
“I don’t mean conventions Bad.” And a light wind tousles their hair as the uber pulls up, and Skeppy leads the way over. “I meant hanging with you.” He says gently, swinging open the door for them to slip inside the vehicle.
“Oh.” Bad mumbles because he needs a second to think of a response. “Okay well, I don’t mind it either...” He tails off and meets Skeppy’s gaze in the dim light of the car.
“I’d like to hang out more?” Skeppy says softly, and it comes out as a question.
Bad makes one of his quiet thinking sounds, and he watches Skeppy drop his gaze from Bad to his knees. “That might be okay. I don’t mind hanging.” Bad murmurs as a tentative promise.
And to be fair, they get to hang out the entire car trip to the hotel. They get to hang out as they take the lift up to their floor. They get to hang out when Bad whines that he still wants company, and Skeppy splutters a laugh before following Bad into his room.
They get to hang out playing on Skeppy’s switch, yelping excitedly at countless Mario Kart games. They get to hang out when Skeppy insists they dim the lights, and they lie head to foot on the bed, talking about whatever is on their minds. They get to hang out in the morning when they wake up together at the blaring of Bad’s alarm, followed by Skeppy scrambling for his room and a change of clothes.
They hang out backstage, on stage, while chatting with creators, when seeing friends in the halls, when grabbing a drink each from the vending machine. They hang when Skeppy orders them an Uber to some place forty minutes away. And they hang out in a booth, clinking their forks together like nerds before devouring a meal miles away from potential cameras. They hang when they get back to their hotel even more tiered than the previous day.
And when Bad pauses to use the key card for his room, there’s a lack of sound that suggests Skeppy is moving to his own room. And Bad grins at that.
It only takes a few days at Vidcon for Bad to bring up the soonest Skeppy can come to his for a visit.
“How about as soon as you get back there?” Skeppy grins and Bad shakes his head with a smile.
“You need to rest in between Vidcon and me Skeppy. Go home,” he rolls his eyes.
“What if you’re my home,” it’s said so casually Bad’s brain shorts out.
“What?”
“...How about three days after we leave here? It’ll give you time to clear the spare room for all my stuff.” Skeppy moves on breezily, and Bad falls into the familiar joking.
It’s annoying when clearing the spare room actually takes five days, and Skeppy ends up with a car full of stuff in the living room. Still. Bad has to admit that one, Skeppy is in fact taller, boots or no boots. And two, having Skeppy move in does feel just as great as hanging out with him.