Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Three rodents sit together at a computer screen, preparing for their biggest and most difficult job yet. And although it's a job that won't pay in cash, it's one that offers a reward even more valuable. Something more personal.

The shortest of the three is typing away on his keyboard with a squirrel and chipmunk sitting close by, the harsh light illuminating his face, until he finds what he is looking for.

"We've got him now." 

"Took you long enough," says the squirrel.

"Oh shut up," The shortest, a rat, retorts. 

"Hey," the chipmunk, the tallest among them, says. "How about you both shut up."

"Sorry, but it's not my fault we got an ungrateful brat on our team!"

The squirrel huffs. "You're lucky we're on the same side..."

"What'd I just say?" the chipmunk says.

The rat and squirrel exchange their last words through glares before getting back to work. 

The rat, Daniel, turns back to the monitor, searching for an optimal route to get to the house, making sure to give Stacy the occasional annoyed glance. She's always impatient when it came to Daniel's work. She can never leave him alone for more than five minutes. It's always her asking why it's taking so long, or why can't he go faster, as if he can simply speed up the process by yelling at the screen or something. But it'll all be worth it when he finishes. He's already got the easier half done, with another half to go.

Stacy gives Daniel a glance back before lowly grumbling. To her, Daniel is just a glorified distraction. She's glad she's gonna be able to move on from this team and onto better things. She still has the rest of her life ahead of her, and she doesn't wanna waste it, despite only being twenty. After giving one more dirty look for good measure, she goes back to prepping their weapons.

"I saw that," the chipmunk says. He squints at both of them as they stare back apologetically. Pathetically. "We have a week; keep that in mind. Let's go to lunch."

"Alright, Mab," The rat says.

The chipmunk turns back to Daniel. "It's alright, boss."

"Got it... boss."

Stacy snickers and walks with Mabuz, leaving Daniel to curse under his breath, powering off the computer. Soon after he pushes the button to do so, the screen shines Chip's address for one more second before cutting to black.

Chapter Text

Panic induced adrenaline is flooding Chip's veins. He's rushing around his house, making sure to pick up every wrapper off every table, and to flick off every crumb left on his sofas. It's only an hour seperating now from their arrival, and Chip is making sure each minute counts. He has to make sure tonight is perfect. It's the first planned get-together they've had since...

Stop it, Chip says to himself. He needs to move on from that wrap party, it's in the past now, and is staying in the past. Yet a part of him wants to hold onto those hateful feelings, wanting to stay bitter. It's something Chip can't shake away, even though he's already forgiven his friend. 

But have I...?

Chip forces himself out of thought, trying to remain focused on cleaning. He goes to his room, because even if it's unlikely someone would go in there, he'd still prefer to keep it nice and clean. And he doesn't want anyone finding anything he'd rather keep secret...

Chip hurries over to his nightstand, picking up a picture frame with a polaroid of him and Dale, with a heart he'd drawn in the bottom left corner. He opens the frame, letting a small note fall on the table. It was neatly folded, and still in good condition despite being written back when they were in 8th grade. How long ago is that? He couldn't come up with a good answer, but the memory attached to the note was clear. He still can't believe he was actually gonna tell Dale he-

Snap out of it! 

He promptly leaves the frame face down on the table and hastily walks out, not bothering to close the door. He's determined to finish cleaning, or to do anything that would keep him busy or distracted. He's gonna keep the past in the past. Besides, they're just friends now.

He speedwalks to the kitchen and continues cleaning.

Chip desperately scrubs a stubborn smear on his kitchen counter when another noise besides the squeaking of granite and Chip's low swearing rings throughout the house. It's knocking.

Chip, confused, walks cautiously towards the door. 

He doesn't know who it can even be. Mail? A wrong house for a pizza delivery? Did someone come early...? There's only one person who'd do that, but it can't be him. He, nor the house are ready! 

Chip gently places his hand on the doorknob, not wanting to see who it is. Because there's only one person who'd whistle the Rescue Rangers theme song as they wait at a door, or anywhere for that matter. 

His breaths become quick, and shallow. He's getting sweaty, and feels close to a full panic attack. He's starting to regret not getting that therapist when a voice comes from the other side of the door. "Chip? Chippie!~ I'm here early!"

He takes a deep breath and opens the door.

Chapter Text

Chip's shaky hands slowly open the door. He's starting to feel like throwing up. The room begins spinning, and a sharp pain is growing in his stomach. Chip swallows hard.

"Guess who came early!"

Chip attempts to smile, but he can only imagine it looks like he got hit over the head with a pipe. "Gee, I wonder who'd be willing to come to a party an hour before it even started."

Chip sees Dale in his classic Hawaiian button up, and a pink scarf. He's also carrying two large paper bags filled to the brim with junk.

Dale laughs. "C'mon, let's get decorating!"

"Is that what all that's for?" he says, gesturing towards the bags.

"You know it! Now, where should I put these?"

Dale walks inside the house, looking around.

"Anywhere is fine. Just be careful not to make a mess," Chip says.

"No promises!" he shouts, walking about the house like how a child would when exploring somewhere new. "Nice place you got here."

"Thanks. Being clean helps."

"What would help even more is some decorations," he says, putting down the bags on the kitchen counter he just cleaned, pulling out fake spiders, cobwebs, and other rubbish.

"Where did you find all of this junk? A Party City dumpster?"

"It's not junk! It's art. And very expensive. And you are gonna help me put this art up everywhere," he says as he begins placing fake ghosts on tables, and leaves other ghouls around the house with annoyingly cute phrases attached to them. Chip groans and begins grabbing decorations out of the bags, letting Dale put things up.

It's nice having Dale back, but something about him is different. It makes him nervous every time he talks to him. It makes his cheeks grow red, and makes him feel very warm. Especially down there-

What's wrong with you? He doesn't like you like that. He's normal. Besides, even if you were together, he'd just end up leaving again.

His last thought makes him wince. He can't say that. Dale has helped him so much in his life. He'd never even be where he's at without him. He's nothing without Dale. Hell, his friend even came to a party an hour early to help with a party that he is supposed to throw. Dale bought crappy decorations, snacks, drinks, and everything he should've gotten. And now Chip is doing nothing while Dale had already walked over and started decorating in his room minutes ago-

Dale is in Chip's room.

Chip rushes to his room to see Dale unfolding a note.

He reaches his arm out. "Stop!" 

"Oh! Dale quickly puts the paper down on the nightstand. "Sorry, I got kinda distracted by this super cute picture of us! Do you remember?" he says, holding it up to a slightly out of breath Chip.

"Of course I remember, that's why I have it there."

"We should go back there some time in the summer. The food there was incredible!"

"And the sights were really nice too," he says. 

Chip remembers that trip to Aulani. He could never forget it. It's not everyday you get a free vacation to a Disney resort. And having Dale with him there made it all perfect. It was nice, and relaxing...

Until Dale ruined it.

"Aww!" He says. "You even drew a little heart there! How adorable!"

Chip swiftly snatches the portrait, and lays it face down on the bedside table, using it to hide the note.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he says. He's starting to feel nauseous again.

Dale gives Chip a big hug, squeezing out what little air he had.

"Not too tight, please!" Chip says in a strained voice.

"I love you too!~"

He can't help but smile. After a good twenty seconds, Dale finally lets go, leaving Chip relieved, and somewhat sad.

"Hey are you okay? Are you grumpy because I teased you about the cute little heart you drew?"

"No, that'd just be petty," he lies. "I'm just... anxious about the party."

"What's there to be anxious about? It's just our friends, the Rescue Rangers team, getting back together!"

That's exactly my point, he thinks. 

"You see Dale," he explains. "I have this strange little thing, where anxiety makes me anxious."

"Fair point," he says with his thumb and index rubbing his chin. "But you know what just might help?"

Chip groans. He can practically read Dale's mind. "What might that be?"

"Decorating! Now let's start moving, we have like, 30 minutes to hang all this art up," he says, walking out of the room.

Chip sighs, and follows.

Chapter Text

Chip is finally getting towards the bottom of the decoration bag after what feels like way too long. It's been the longest 25 minutes of his life, and there's still more to go.

"See?" Dale says as he walks over to Chip, getting more supplies. "Much better."

Chip looks around. "Yeah, it's not bad actually."

"Not bad? It looks amazing! Sometimes a little change is all you need," he says, now focusing on Chip.

Change, he thinks. A little change is all I need...

"A little risk, taking a chance..." Dale trails off.

No, I have to just be seeing things that aren't there.

"Yeah..."

Knocking breaks through the dense air surrounding the two chipmunks.

"Oh boy," Chip exasperates. "Is everything ready? We have snacks? Games? Oh my God- music! I forgot-"

"Hey, hey, you're fine. I got it. Tonight's gonna be perfect. It's not like it's a huge party or anything. Just a get together with some old friends." 

Dale smiles his infectious smile, passing it on to Chip. Dale is infectious. His happy mood always brings out the best in people, especially Chip. Just him being near can make everything feel better.

"Your right Dale."

"I always am."

That might be half true...

More knocking and a familiar voice interrupt once again.

"Oi! Chip! It's your best mates!"

They both chuckle, knowing full well that it's true.

"Well, there's no point in waiting. Life is short after all. Go get 'em Chip," Dale says, lightly punching Chip's shoulder.

"You don't want to greet them with me?"

"I would but there's just one thing I have to do before the party starts."

"What's that?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll be back in a jiff," he says, already speed-walking somewhere.

He watches Dale head off to do who knows what, before proceeding to the door.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

Chip takes another deep breath and prepares to open the door.

Chapter Text

Oh God, Chip thinks. Oh God oh God oh-

"Try calling him. Maybe he's busy doing something right now," a different voice says.

"Alright then." The other voice takes a very audible breath in. "CHIPPAAAH!"

Chip fell back, his entire back slamming onto the floor. But Chip doesn't even feel any pain. He can only feel a fuzziness creep into his head, taking over his mind. Rapid breaths, shaky hands and the pain gradually being realized in his back; Chip is starting to feel like he's falling asleep involuntarily.

Well, that's actually exactly what is happening.

Countless thoughts race through his mind. A mish-mash of everything from the party to the wrap party. From Aulani to the decades he spent alone, waiting for something, anything. Chip musters a single word before his vision went dark.

"Dale?"