Alex stood in the store just glancing around at the shelves. He walked through the aisles and he stopped in front of one of the shelves. He grabbed a bottle of shampoo pulled it off the shelf only to see Nicholas’ face right behind it, “Jesus!” He half shouted as he jumped back.

“Hello.” Nicholas smiled.

“How the hell did you get right there?” Alex questioned.

“Well first I woke up…” Nicholas started.

“Never mind…” Alex sighed, waving his hand dismissively.

Nicholas climbed past the shelf, knocking several objects to the floor as he transferred from his aisle to Alex’s, grunting as he hit the floor.

“Why are you here?” Alex asked, staring down at Nicholas.

“What? I can’t follow you when I want to?” Nicholas asked, standing up and looking down at the mess he made of nearly half the aisle.

“I’d find it more creepy if I didn’t know you.” Alex said. “And I’m not picking up that stuff.” He said, waving at the mess.

“Oh don’t worry about it, the people who work here will pick it up.” Nicholas said.

“Why… You know what… I have things I need to do.” Alex sighed, walking down the aisle towards the counter.

“Don’t walk away from me.” Nicholas picked up a boxed sponge and threw it at the back of Alex’s head.

“Why can’t I?” Alex asked.

“Because I said so.” Nicholas said, lobbing a shampoo bottle at Alex.

Alex dodged it and stared at Nicholas.

“What’s the matter?” Nicholas asked, picking up several bottles and chucking them one by one off the shelves.

“Stop throwing shit at me!” Alex shouted as he moved behind another aisle to protect himself from the oncoming bombardment. A few moments later the bottles stopped coming. Alex peeked around the corner and saw Nicholas had disappeared. “Oh god…” Alex mumbled. There was a small rustle as he looked up, seeing Nicholas standing on top of the shelves with a bottle of Hershey syrup and ketchup, immediately squirting them down at him

Alex shielded his eyes and ran out from the aisle.

“The shampoo was a ruse! A clever ruse! HAHAHAHA!” Nicholas laughed maniacally as he jumped from shelf to shelf after Alex.

Alex threw the bottle hard at the area where he figured Nicholas would jump to next. Nicholas landed on the bottle, his foot shooting up into the air and making him tumbled into the aisle. All Alex heard was a loud crack.

Alex walked over to the aisle and saw a few of the shoppers stood around Nicholas’ body.

Nicholas lie on the ground, his neck twisted around, assuming now that that is what the crack was.

“Oh my god he’s dead…” A woman said.

Alex sighed and put his head in his hands.

A couple people screamed as Nicholas stood up and glanced around at everyone. “Hello world. Hey world, why are you tilted?” He questioned. “Why is everyone walking on the walls? Why am I on the wall?”

“Your neck’s broken.” Alex said bluntly.

“Oh.” Nicholas said. He put his hands on his head and started twisting, followed by a series of cracks as his neck returned to normal. He tilted his head and stretched. “And the world is right again.”

All the people around him quickly scurried away and out of the aisle.

“Had anyone decided to call the cops I would have been arrested right there…” Alex sighed.

“Ohhhh I wouldn’t let them do that. I’d just wait for them to get here, pop up, go rawr, and bam all fixed.” Nicholas smiled.

“No… You probably would have popped up in the morgue, scared the shit out of EVERYONE, and then come to get me out because of a misunderstanding.” Alex said.

“No I would have waited till they did the autopsy, then wake up and shout in pain, then sue them for money.” Nicholas corrected.

“So I would have spent a few days in a cell because you wanted money?” Alex questioned.

“Phhh… a few days. More like a week.” Nicholas said.

“Mmmhm. I see the way it is.” Alex said, shaking his head.

“What? I’m just joking.” Nicholas chuckled.

“Sure…” Alex nodded sarcastically.

“Okay how about this. I’ll let you use anything in this aisle to get back at me.” Nicholas said.

“Okay.” Alex said, looking around at the various kitchen supplies around the aisle. “Like I want to make them clean up blood…”

“Blood? You don’t remember what happened last time you ‘accidentally’ stabbed me through the heart? You know… the things normal people do when they’re angry?” Nicholas asked.

Alex just stared at Nicholas.

“What? It’s absolutely non-psychopathic to impale your opponent on his own blade, the person training you to use said weapon.” Nicholas said. “I mean right? I went through that phase where I wanted to gut my teacher with a kitchen knife and kill him in a fit of rage.”

“Yeah that’s exactly what I was thinking of.” Alex said, staring intently at one of the meat hammers.

“Go on, take your pick.” Nicholas said, poking Alex in the side of the head.

“No. I’m fine.” Alex said, walking out of the aisle.

“You’re no fun. Are we still on for practice tomorrow?” Nicholas asked, following beside Alex.

Alex sighed but didn’t say anything.

“If you’re worried about me stabbing you, I promise I wont.” Nicholas said. “I was going to use blunt weapons this time.”

“Yeah I don’t want to have every bone in my body broken.” Alex said.

“But that’s half the fun!” Nicholas joked.

“Oh sure because I want to live on the street again.” Alex said quietly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nicholas asked.

“I’m pretty damn sure that if I come home with any more injuries Scootaloo’s going to either, destroy my ass for lying to her, or kick me right out of the house.” Alex said.

“Oh she won’t do that… second part. She’s just a little bit uh… what’s the word… bitchy?” Nicholas said.

Alex waved his hand dismissively.

“You know she’s on her period right?” Nicholas asked.

“No.” Alex said, stopping in his tracks and just staring at him.

“What? I keep track of everyone’s menstruation cycles.” Nicholas said.

“Why?” Alex questioned.

“Well one, I don’t know. Two, I’m a doctor. And three! I don’t know.” Nicholas shrugged.

“Oookay then.” Alex said.

“And guess what.” Nicholas said.

“What?” Alex questioned.

“You’re here to get shampoo for a woman that has been waiting in a shower for about… an hour.” Nicholas said, looking at his watch.

“BECAUSE OF YOU!” Alex shouted.

“I didn’t make you make me throw bottles at you then jump onto the shelves to chase you down with ketchup and chocolate sauce.” Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head. “You kids and your stories…”

“If I die then I will fucking find you after death and NEVER leave you alone.” Alex said bluntly.

“And when and IF I ever die, I will see you there.” Nicholas said, waving Alex goodbye as he snatched several things off one of the shelves and ran out of the store. A small alarm went off immediately.

“HEY!” A guard shouted, chasing after Nicholas.

Alex quickly grabbed a bottle of shampoo and walked up to the counter to buy it.

-----------------------------------------------

Alex walked quickly into the house and back to the bathroom to find Scootaloo was still in the shower, shaking as the water had turned ice cold. “Oh god… I’m so sorry… Nicholas just showed up and started to throw thing at me…” Alex said quickly as he rushed towards her.

Scootaloo turned the shower off and stepped out, still shivering as she started to dry herself off.

“Scoots… I’m sorry I was so slow…” Alex mumbled.

“I’m glad you’re alive.” Scootaloo said, putting her clothes on slowly. “Because anything less than that would be the only excuse.”

Alex remained silent and stared at the ground.

“Where’s mom and dad?” She asked.

“I don’t know.” He said quietly.

Scootaloo walked out of the bathroom and into the living room, taking a seat on the couch and immediately hearing a squeal. She jumped up and looked down at the couch.

Alex rushed out after her, “What was that?” He asked quickly.

Dusk popped her head out from between the couch cushions and stared up at the two of them.

“Oh… It was Dusk.” Alex sighed.

Scootaloo smiled and picked her up. “What are you doing out of your crib you silly little sneak.” She questioned.

Dusk giggled and wiggled around in her grasp as Scootaloo peppered her with kisses.

Alex smiled a little as he watched the two. He heard a small whimpering as Star tugged on his leg.

Alex leaned down and lifted Star up, “Hey there.” He smiled.

Star stretched out, his small wings extending and twitching randomly, the feathers on it tickling Alex’s hand gently.

Alex laughed a little.

Star reached out and put his hands over Alex’s eyes.

“Hey… What do you think you’re doing?” Alex asked, playfully pulling Star back.

Star put his hands over his own eyes and then moved them away quickly. “BAH!” He babbled.

Alex laughed even more. “Okay we can play a little.” He smiled as he sat down on the couch with Star, sitting him on his lap. Alex then covered up his face.

Star looked up at Alex curiously, staring intently at him.

Alex pulled his hands back, “Peekaboo!” He said with a wide grin.

Star stared motionless at Alex. He paused for a moment before falling backwards off Alex’s lap and onto the couch, staring blankly up at the ceiling.

“You alright?” Alex asked, tickling Star’s stomach a little with his finger.

Star quickly took Alex’s finger into his mouth and started chewing on it.

“I think you broke his brain.” Scootaloo laughed.

Alex laughed a little and his smile widened.

Dusk’s horn lit up, a rainbow aura drifting towards Alex.

Alex stared at the aura.

The aura encompassed Alex’s upper body and he started to feel a tingling sensation.

“She’s not even a year old and she’s doing magic!” Scootaloo said giddily, staring at Alex as if waiting for something to happen.

“Um…” Alex mumbled uncertainly.

Alex tensed up as his clothes became rock solid.

“Oh… God damn it…” Alex muttered.

“Baby uses starch field, it’s super effective!” Scootaloo giggled.

Dusk bounced in Scootaloo’s arms and laughed loudly.

“I’m… Going to go change… Before something happens…” Alex mumbled as he slowly stood up as best he could manage, waddling towards his room.

Scootaloo took a seat next to Star and set Dusk down next to him. The two stared at each other in awe, sitting there motionless.

Alex came back out of his room with a new set of clothes on. “What’s going on now?” Alex asked.

“I dunno, they’re just staring at each other.” Scootaloo shrugged.

“Okay…” Alex shrugged as he walked over to the couch and sat down next to Scootaloo. “Should we do anything about it?”

Star and Dusk stared at each other, reaching out to grab one another only to stop and put their arms down just inches away.

Alex glanced at Scootaloo and smiled widely.

“What are you two up to?” Scootaloo asked.

Star and Dusk put their hand on each other, quickly yanking them away.

“Why are you two so adverse to touching each other now?” Alex asked.

Star wrapped his arms around Dusk, forcing her to start squirming around and giggle. The two of them both fell onto their sides, pausing before bursting into a fit of laughter.

Alex smiled and leaned closer to Scootaloo, “They’re just so cute together.” He said.

Scootaloo clung to Alex and smiled along with him. “Yeah they’re s-” She stopped immediately.

“Something wrong?” Alex asked.

Scootaloo yanked herself away and crossed her arms. “I’m still mad at you.” She said.

Alex sighed, “I know… I’m already prepared to sleep on the couch.” He said.

“You’ll be sleeping with me, naked.” Scootaloo stated. “With a blind fold.”

“Can we… Please… Not use the blindfold… Please?” Alex asked quietly.

“Fine. But you… you d…” Scootaloo mumbled, her eyes glazing over as tears rolled down her face.

Alex instantly wrapped his arms around Scootaloo. “Shhh… Shhh… If it’ll make you happy then I will…” He said quickly, in a soft tone.

“I’m such a jerk…” Scootaloo sobbed.

“No you aren’t.” Alex said.

“I’m sorry… I’m just so… so emotional and…” Scootaloo said, clinging tightly to Alex.

Alex kissed her.

The two of them heard a whimpering. Looking down, they saw Dusk and Star tugging on Scootaloo’s leg, tears in their eyes as they tried their hardest to climb her leg.

Alex reached down and picked the two of them up and set them down on the couch.

Scootaloo took a seat next to the two and they immediately crawled into her lap and clung tightly. “Hey I’m okay… I won’t cry anymore.” She said softly, hugging the two babies close. They buried their faces in her stomach and stopped crying.

Alex nuzzled Scootaloo’s neck and hugged her again. “That’s better.” He said with a soft smile.

There was a flash of light as Dusk teleported onto Alex’s head and started chewing on his hair.

Alex laughed a little and his smile grew wider.

“Bah bah… bah.” Star said, waving his arms towards Scootaloo.

“Bah?” Scootaloo said, raising an eyebrow.

“Bah!” Star and Dusk both said.

“Okay…” Alex nodded.

“Go on.” Scootaloo said.

Star made a few whines and noises before staring at Scootaloo.

“That’s interesting.” Scootaloo nodded.

“I see.” Alex said.

Dusk’s tongue ran across Alex’s ear, getting drool all over it and inside.

Alex shivered, “Uugh…” He mumbled.

“Oh, wait… You missed a spot.” Scootaloo said, licking her finger and sticking it in Alex’s other ear.

“Nngah…” Alex groaned, shivering again.

Scootaloo’s smile grew to ridiculous proportions as she forced Alex to lie down on the couch and started licking his face. Dusk and Star both stared at Alex for a moment before joining in.

Alex squirmed around underneath them.

“It’s happening, accept it.” Scootaloo stated as Star started chewing on his nose and Dusk started patting Alex’s forehead with both her hands like a bongo.

Alex mumbled something.

Scootaloo picked up Star. “Can you say no to THIS face?!” She asked, shoving Star into Alex’s face as he started to get teary eyed.

“N… No.” Alex sighed.

Scootaloo let go of Star and let him plop onto the couch next to Alex. Star immediately clung to Alex and returned to chewing on different parts of his face.

Alex just stared at Scootaloo, not moving, or attempting to get the babies off of his face.

Scootaloo burst into laughter as she stared down at him.

Alex sighed.

Star went limp on top of Alex, his body lying over his entire face as he drooled.

“Aww he thinks you’re a bed.” Scootaloo smiled.

Alex just closed his eyes to keep the drool out of them.

Star climbed onto Alex’s chest and curled up, burying his face in it and yawning.

“Maybe you should take them back to their bed.” Alex said.

“Mm… I don’t really want to wake them up.” Scootaloo started.

“Well I’ll just sleep right here then.” Alex said.

“Yeah. You will.” Scootaloo said, taking a seat next to Alex and lying next to him.

Alex sighed and stared up at the ceiling.

Scootaloo wrapped herself around Alex’s arm and closed her eyes, nuzzling against him. Alex smiled and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep alongside the three of them.