Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There was always something to do with his hands. You came to realize that might've been an odd growing fascination. Whenever you happen to be at your local bug-dega, which had become an increasingly often occurrence. You tended to come in for food, drinks or regular snacks. Any other grocery you could think of as an excuse to feed that new addiction. Mr. Pillar could be stocking shelves while pouring you a nice cool sodie pop. Without missing a beat he would wipe up any spill. Hands always busy. 

Today was no different, your mother suggested you were old enough for at least a summer job. Mr. Pillar was of course the first to come to mind. So there you stood in one of your nicest outfits with a resume in hand. His hands were everywhere as always, only using his first set to read over your hand written application and any other some such paperwork. All the while you couldn't look away from his hands still steadily working, still scrubbing at the counter to occupy himself as he read. Sleeves rolled up to mid bicep. Such nice arms. Green fuzz thicker in patches on his forearms, thick fur you longed to press your face against. Feel the firm muscle beneath his skin. Sometimes you could see the outline of a vein pop against him where the fuzz was thinnest. Just under the surface of his skin. God you couldn't swallow. 

You already missed half the conversation, ever since he started talking. Half gone accent thick in places and thinner on others.

"Well ain't that just like you. Boy, I remember when you were knee high to a grasshopper. Say, when I was your age I worked at a small store just like this one." His voice so smooth in your ear, he really did care about you. Antenna twitching in delight at your apparent interest in gaining work ethic. Most people older than you always reacted like that when you were after something to better yourself. 

He unintentionally flexes, placing down the rag in his hand to put one on his hip. Your tummy feels tight. 

"Howz about you let me think this here over?" Mr. Pillar asked warmly, gaze on you while yours snapped to his face. Cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Maybe he read it as nervousness. "I'll give ya my answer in the mornin'. Let's say I got a swell feelin' about this, kiddo." 

And he sent you on way to continue with the work day. Ultimately you thanked him and did just that. Thighs messily sliding together under the knee high dress you started to wear. Hopeful to leave the red stool you sat on wet. Recently you've taken to not wearing any underwear. Bear pussy drooling onto the seat whenever he spoke to you in that fast talking sales pitch of an accent. 

Once you got Home; you gave your squealing mother two enthusiastic thumbs up and went straight to your room to masturbate. Lately nothing ever felt like enough. This sickness you have over Mr. Pillar was getting to be too much. God. Last week you bought a sizable cucumber from the man to drop a hint. That one didn't last too long. Your mom made it into a salad after the next day or two. Thankfully peeled and washed. 

Now all you had is your own two hands. Trying every position you could think of, but as usual you'd end up on your back. Arm lazily tossed over your eyes and dominate hand between your sticky thighs. Inserting yourself into fantasies. What that overgrown caterpillar could do to you. You'd circle your little clit with a finger while your thighs snap shut on your wrist. Always preventing further stimulation. Desperate sobs of frustration left you. So needy and still unsatisfied. It felt good, you just didn't know what to do with that feeling. So instead you end up pressing two fingers inside yourself. The stretch always left you gasping. That thick cucumber was so much better than your stubby little digits. They couldn't reach the depth that made your toes curl. How thick could Mr. Pillar's… Thing. Be? Would it stretch you just right? Your fingers scissor and you thrust in harder, fruitlessly chasing that high. You didn't quite understand how that worked either. Unsure if you've ever even cum before. Sometimes you would squeeze your thighs shuttering as you thought you wet yourself. Most days you were so horny you thought you were gonna die. Pussy pulsing as you frantically rubbed your aching clit, sobbing out as all that effort led to no reward. Tonight you would be moaning into your damp pillow. Drooling at the thought of your local store clerk. Of him giving you just what you needed against that counter, maybe even as he served customers. Make believing he would put his multitasking to good use. You barely got any sleep waiting to cum onto your hand into the morning.

And that's how it went every day after you were hired. 

Of course you ended up being a perfect sales assistant. You swept the floors, did dishes whenever Mr. Pillar cooked something up for a customer, stocked shelves after he got things repriced. Most of which you went ahead and did without being asked. He would smile and clap you on the shoulder every time, beaming about how proud of you he is. It always brought a blush to your face, so happy to be of use.

Eventually winter rolled around and Home warming was just around the corner. Town planned to hold a party at Howdy's place, if only to bring the party to him. What with how busy he'd be with the rest of his family later in the week. That much felt excessive, but your town always did gather over the smallest things.

Your mother dragged you out of the house in your cute winter clothes. The snow wasn't deep, but awfully cold all the same. Walking in, your mother is greeted first and dragged off by Sally to the rest of her girlfriends. You aren't exactly social, preferring to spend time with a much quieter Wally or Frank even. You shook your head and began to take off your coat, vaguely hearing the sound of your mom's giggles fade off into the mix of holiday music. Tables were decked out with food. Various little games are being played around the store. You wore a red and green thick striped sweater dress, crocheted by your mother after she started to learn from Poppy. 

It hid the gentle curve of your developing chest and ended at about mid thigh. Which was okay, you had green tights on to cover up from the cold. Really what you liked about it was a built in hood that you begged her to add, something to hide in. Funnily enough, the first person you ran into was Wally. After hanging up your jacket you jumped, not expecting anyone so close so suddenly. He held two drinks, both brimming with red punch. 

"Hello… (You)" He'd greet, soft and slow. Almost dazed you think. The older puppet matched you, decked out in his own red and green themed outfit. 

"Hiya, Mr. Darling." You gave a funny little wave, crooking your fingers at him awkwardly. 

"Here. You can have this." He sluggishly dragged himself close to press one of his cups into your palm. Some red spilling over your fingers at the transfer. Just before he lifted a finger to his lips, thin smile curling at the edges. "It'll be… Our little secret." 

"Thank you?" You almost guess, betting to yourself this must be what all the other adults were drinking. 

Just like that he disappeared back into the rest of the party, Julie launching herself at him as soon as he came into view. Which knocked the yellow guy right over. 

Rolling your eyes then, you sniff at your plastic cup. It's fruity, the appropriate flavor a radiant red should be. A few cherries were float up to the top. You tried one of those first, popping it into your mouth before walking off to find a secluded corner to hang out in. Howdy isn't hard to find, in fact he was the very same bug serving up drinks or plating food for people, even when he was supposed to be getting a day off this was still his shop. Still his place to busy himself in. Watching him laugh with others, how easily the caterpillar could socialize without rest. So unlike you. You barely spoke to anyone, almost didn't like to. Without realizing it, your cup went dry and so was your mouth. The drink is sweet and gone all too quickly. Not thinking much of it, you toddle over to Mr. Pillar, cup outstretched towards him. 

"May I have some?" 

He hadn't served you before. In fact he raised a brow as you approached in the first place. Vaguely wondering how you got your mits on one. Until a sort of lightbulb went off over his head. Always ready to give you the benefit of the doubt. "Ah! Gettin' some for your Ma? She's been here three times in the last hour, you'd better keep an eye on her." He laughed, ladling out some punch to fill your cup. 

Rather warm, your head was fuzzy in such a nice way. You've never been so comfortable. Without thinking, you tilt the cup back and began to drink. 

Which. He hadn't expected. Suddenly speechless as you drain your cup and proceed to hold it back out again. "Should I catch up to her? I barely started, Mr. Pillar." You giggle, free hand tugging at the hem of your skirt. Face flushed a pretty pink hue, smile warm and relaxed. 

Clearly the man had a choice to make. Enable town's youngest citizen or… He stopped himself, shaking his head. Who was he to stop you? You didn't have work tomorrow. Why cut your fun? Another ladle of punch and alcohol soaked fruit is poured into your woefully empty cup. Heck. He may as well have one too. 

"Here, kiddo. Let's toast." Without needing to look, he brought out another cup from the nearby stack and fills it right up. Cup held out to knock into yours. "Happy Home Warming."

"Happy Home Warming!" You repeat excitedly, not thinking much about it as you drink up.

~~~ 

Party goers that were there began to leave at the wee hours of the morning. Barnaby walked your mother home about two hours ago. You couldn't tell at that point. Eventually you noticed you had to be the last around. All except Howdy. Mr. Pillar sat at one of the tables, chair scooted out to make up for his long legs. Arms folded under his aching head as a pillow while he slept. Stumbling around the store, you made your way over to the overgrown bug. Even sleeping, your hazy mind thought he was cute. His holiday sweater was covered in different little squiggles. Now was your chance. A perfect opportunity. You couldn't see his face, but his chest raised and fell gently. 

Without thinking you dropped to your knees, sex throbbing as idea after idea popped into your stupid head. Table legs and foldout chairs pass along either side of you while you sneak under the table. Timidly crawling forward to the caterpillar's kicked out legs. One look. That's all. Just one. Enough to satisfy your curiosity. You swallow hard, blush growing brighter with every shimmy.

You reach his feet, clad in large loafers. Your own shoes could probably fit inside one of his. So much larger than you. Just like his name sake, a pillar of a man. He twitches as you reached his knees. Causing you to stop breathing. So scared of getting caught all of a sudden.

When you don't feel anymore movement, you pressed yourself between his spread thighs. He sat at the very edge of his chair, all of his legs splayed out in a comfortably lazy way and you easily shift them how you need. The bulge of his khakis seem large, but that could be your hopes talking. First thing you do is press your nose to the fold of his zipper. Inhaling with a shutter. Your head spun, a deep hunger awake in the pit of your belly. Some disgustingly strong need to put your mouth on something. Nose pressed deeper then, the scent not enough. So heady and heavy. God you want more. With trembling hands you felt a pulse in your heart, as you tug down his zipper. Nose and lungs filled with that delicious smell. Your brain turned off, acting like a little piggy as you sniff and breathe him. Fuck you were dizzy, drooling by the scent alone. You needed it. Longed to feel the weight on your tongue. His thighs twitch at the sides of your head while you absentmindedly mouth over the cotton of Howdy's red briefs. The constant throb between your legs went straight to your head. Salty and musky, you didn't stop until any material you could reach was warm with spit. His cock throbbed in interest under your sopping tongue. A hand threads itself in your hair, nails gently dragging against your scalp. 

Your heart stopped. Frozen in place while the sleeping man patted your head. You couldn't see his other hands from under the table, he didn't say anything. Didn't move at all beyond that simple action. 

Cautiously you kept going. Enjoying the ambient pressure of his heavy palm on your skull. Your hands raised, tugging at the band of his underwear. Dense green fuzz grew in a patch below his navel. Leading up to the soft crease of his tummy. Thin strands of blue that matched his hair peppered throughout. His feet shift over the floor as you untuck Mr. Pillar's length from his trousers. So warm and already damp with residual spit. It must be half hard, lazily rising into your touch. Orange head all shiney with what you can only guess is pre. The shaft is covered in that same short velvet fur as the rest of Howdy. Tip peeking out through a short window of foreskin. Swallowing hard, you already felt too much drool welling up in your mouth at the sight. 

You can't resist the temptation and steal a lick. Meat of your tongue gliding smoothly over the shaft of his cock. Moaning as you felt a rush of warmth slicking up your thighs. It grew all the harder, firming up as you shyly licked across him like a melting popsicle. Both hands needed to hold the base of his thick girth. You knew it'd feel so good inside. So much thicker than your wrist once it got fully hard. Very tip of your tongue swirling around the seam of his foreskin. Testing how well it could move and slide, shoving that much more into your hot, eager maw. Your insides twist on nothing, so horribly empty. You almost forget this Jolly green giant cock is attached to another person. 

The hand on your head flexed, nails causing a pleasant sting to your scalp. Mouth too full of dick for you to really moan. Tongue vibrating your throat around him. A low, rolling groan pulled you back into the moment. The stutter of his hips involuntarily cramming the rest of his length to the back of your throat. That sound came with his own slurring voice. Accented tone heavy on the back of Howdy's weighted tongue. Still half drunk and fighting sleep. Right now you were a nice warm hole. 

With more force than he would have intended, the man pressed your head down even further. Until your nose tickled that musky patch of fur. Until he felt the flutter of your throat and the retch in your stomach. Then he pulled you back up. Gasping in a breath to fill your burning lungs. You gag noisily, hacking up what slobber you couldn't swallow. 

All Howdy was aware of is the scorching wetness his cock had been buried in. The thought of who this mouth belongs to is not even occurring at the moment. That hand peeled off your head and turned over, crooking a coaxing finger back towards the painfully hard meat you left cooling in the air. "What a sweet thang… Can't leave a job unfinished. Can we?" 

The chair squeaks as he shifts back a few inches. And you follow sheepishly, peeking out from under your cover for only a moment. His legs lazily shift wider. One of your hands pressed to your mouth, blood pooling in your features in a heavy blush. Before you can back out of the situation, or he can see you and put a stop to all this. You slid your soft mouth back over his length, not ready to truly face the man. Mid length hair almost curtaining parts of your messy face. But anyone in town would still recognize Home's youngest neighbor. Your lips wrapped around him and his hand went right back to your silky hair. 

"That's it… There's a girl." Howdy coos, blinking blearily down at the bobbing head on his shaft. There you were indeed. Bunching what he could of your hair into one hand, he gently pulled you back up. Enough to see your rosey lips slide up his cock. Something of a realization in his slowly ticking mind. You. You are sucking his wooly willy as if it held life's answers. He wasn't nearly far gone enough to let you finish and get on with life. No. Suddenly the caterpillar was quite sober and very aware of the horrible situation he found himself in. Already more than twice your own age. Not to mention now he was your acting boss. But.. His head cocked back with another mind numbing moan, several hands grab at the chair he was planted in. Dick throbbing madly as he saw your lidded eyes on him, brimming with lust. The grip on your hair tightened, right back to shoving you down to make you take it. Fucking your throat until it was raw and you were squirming. The confused, cross eyed panic on your stuffed face is gorgeous. Only made prettier as tears pricked your eyes and he drew more gags out from the back of your clenching throat. His hips snap up at a brutal pace. After pounding into your face he yanks you back with a growl. A different hand wrapped around the base of his cock, aggressively stroking towards your sloppy little face. "Open up little girl… Gonna ruin that pretty face." 

Rather dazed in that moment, your mouth fell open and tongue lolled out to catch what streams of white painted messily over your bruised lips. Most of it caught on that cute pink tongue. 

Howdy breathed hard, sitting back bonelessly as he released you. Now processing just what happened, how deeply in shit he may end up in after this. Still, he patted the top of your head as your mouth closed to swallow all you could. Nose crinkling in sour way over the odd film if left at the back of your throat. The other pushed himself up more, reaching up over the table to grab a loose napkin and went about scrubbing off your debotched face. 

Now how he got drunk enough to not know how drunk he was getting? Sue him. He works hard and this was a much deserved break to have fun with everybody. The real question is why you were down there on your knees in the first place. Granted… Howdy Doo stopped for a second, appraising your position and apparent willingness for this. How you were guiltily refusing to meet his eye set off a lightbulb. How you were being so quiet set off another. Ugly thoughts cropped up far too fast for him to really be comfortable with. Just sighing, he sat up again to reach his flat drink. Took a long slug to numb his head that little bit more. 

"Did you have fun, Kiddo?" His weary gaze over your terrified one. All clean now, the napkin is crumpled and tossed away. Sweat on your brow from fear rather than effort. A cigarette would be real nice right now. 

You knot your fingers together, nodding sharply. It was fun, regret the furthest thing from your mind. 

His hands shook, near empty glass rattling as he drained what was left in it. Soon disregarding it on the table once more. Empty. A hand patted at his lap, silently offering for you to take a seat. 

Timidly you did move. Legs wobbling as you plant yourself where directed on his left set of legs. "Are you mad?" Finally came your tiny voice, still refusing to look directly at the older man. 

"No, (You). I ain't mad atcha… Surprised, sure. I'd even say I'm concerned. I'm more mad at myself for finishin'. That. That shouldn't have happened." He spoke so softly to you, voice edging on disappointment in his words. For once Howdy didn't need to get onto you for what you clearly knew was wrong. Deeply wrong. How did he not see this coming? You always were a shy little thing around him. He did notice you start to stare more over the past few years. Fortunately he already got used to that with Wally. Truth be told, that's who he half expected down there. Which. He wouldn't complain, but never did he think you would do anything of the sort. Were you… Hurt in any way? Was the first thought he had after his sudden clarity. That and well. Why him? Of all people to have a school girl crush on. He is pushing forty after all. 

You probably didn't know what to say, and he wouldn't blame you for it. With a gentle smile, he gave another sigh and continued on. "Why'd you have to go and do a thing like that?" Mr. Pillar asked, looking at you with all the kindness in the world. 

Your mouth felt much too dry. Stopping to lick your lips and wet them. You began to explain yourself, only able to speak when not looking directly at him. "Mr… Mr. Pillar. I-I've always really liked you, sir." You swallow hard, glancing over at the other for just a moment only for your gaze to dart away. "I feel so. So hungry when I'm with you and. And I'm sorry." 

He must be weak. Stupider than stupid. Maybe in a different world Howdy Doo here would say ToodleLoo and have a heart attack. Such a shy thing you are, blushing a deep crimson while your twinkly eyes bat their thick wet lashes. His heart throbbed, a disgusting warmth in his belly. He knew you since you were only two. When did you grow up? Blushing hard himself, the next words to come out of his mouth shook him to the core. "Well ain't that somethin'. Pretty little thang all hot for me…" His voice was low. Tender just for you. 

Your brain must have twinged. Some synapse fired and you were more addicted than ever at the thought of this man. Hands were on your thighs then, dragging one of your legs across his lap to straddle the large man. Either side slotted around his waist. Semi-soft cock trapped between him and your dress covered core. Somehow it looked more like a fat, lazy caterpillar than anyone within the Pillar family. Being so close made your head swim. More than it already was.

And unfortunately for you, he knew how young love works. Howdy went through that back in school. Knows how crazy it makes you feel. Suddenly you're lifted, hands on your waist and thighs. Your back against the table. Caged in as a fly in a web. Utterly frozen. You never thought you'd get so far. The half melted, hungry look on his face forced you to look. Hungry, hungry caterpillar. 

Caught between scared and excited as you had nowhere to go, and nowhere else to look. Unable to meet his eye, you watch his lips move. Watch his tongue peek out from plush lips and a wet mouth. 

"Okay, little girl… If you wanna do this, we can." Mr. Pillar took your chin in one of his many hands and tilted it to the side while you sigh softly. Core clenching as all your fantasies came true. Heart almost stopped. Nothing going on in that pretty little head as it filled up with nothing other than his smooth whispers. Forcing you to focus. "I can take the reigns.. I can fuck your cute cunt." 

Your thighs squeeze around him on their own. Howdy's antennae flick and twitch, understanding every signal your body gave. He could rather easily tell you were wet. Tumbling, riddled with all sorts of anxiety over what you'd gotten yourself into. Eventually you found your voice, tiny and desperate. The new, interesting idea of ruining you made him hard, that press of his hips left you gasping. 

"Please. Please, Mr. Pillar… I-I want you." 

Now Mr. Pillar sounded awful pretty coming out of you, but…

"Let's try, Daddy, baby girl." Fuck. He was starting to hate himself. .

Chapter Text

"Fuck me, Daddy~" You murmur under your breath. Your own hands lift to tug at his sweater. Fabric strained against your pulling. 

That felt like permission enough. His very bones shuttered. Any resolve he had was quickly devolving as you finally look at him. 

"What a little love bug.." He kissed your cheek, traveling lower down your throat. Holding himself up with one hand, while the others busied themselves in your dress. Right now the skirt was bunched up around your thighs. Your mother would never guess how sexy those tights were on you right now. Howdy needed to hold himself back from marking you up, couldn't have anyone questioning what happened. There weren't exactly people your own age in town. 

Your dress lifted, getting dragged up and over your head as you lift where needed to help. No panties on, only a soft cup bra and those see through green tights underneath. The thin material high on your hips, utterly soaked. You're rather stiff, a scared rabbit unsure of what to do. If you should do anything at all. You'd probably enjoy a little praise. A little atta girl for doing so well. Howdy didn't bother with any of that though, he understood you probably didn't know any better. 

You were always told to wait. To save yourself for marriage. What good that did for your divorced parents, you aren't sure. Not that it matters. You're far too gone. Far too absorbed in how fingers pluck at the hem of your tights, a tight snap against your tummy. 

"I could rip these off. If you want." He says rather absentmindedly. Wondering what it was you actually wanted. Sure, you laid yourself out on a silver platter. Though you must have an idea in mind of how this might all play out. A fantasy involving him. 

Pressed down by your shoulder, he took both of your wrists into one hand and stretched them across the table as far as your limbs could go. Your mouth twitched, opening and closing several times. You must've had something to say, but probably can't bring yourself to. As far as he guessed. Which if he were honest, was adorable. 

Passing you a knowing glance, one filled with understanding, Howdy made sure he had your full attention before proceeding. "You can't get very far without talkin'. May seem like you can. May not even want to." He leaned in close, the hands on your thighs gave you a nice tug back against him. Grinding into the sticky mess of slick growing within your tights. It yanked a gasp out of your lungs. "We'll work on that. Fer now? If there's anythin' you don't like. Kick, scream, do somethin'. Don't let me do anything you don't want." 

Racking your brain for any kind of a response, you simply nod. Far too brain fried right then, but the underlying message did come across. 

"Good? Good." Howdy seemed satisfied with that for now. True to his word, those hands peeled off your thighs to pinch at the delicate seam of fabric. Hips pulled back enough to make room to work as your tights suddenly became crotchless. The sound of tearing, faint as it was, boomed in your ears. 

You had unfortunately shut down, shifting under his hold merely to look at what he was doing. Still rather apprehensive, not like you were going to stop yourself. Pretty little pussy out in the open air, all for him. Still so smooth, but a couple downy soft fuzzes were trying to drown over your pubic bone. Not quite there yet. 

Such a nice shade of pink, untouched as far as he could only assume. Except by probably yourself of course. One of his fingers equals two of your own. For safety, the man only started with one. If only to see how you'd handle the feeling. It slid in without effort, oozing slick as his palm thumbed at your clit. Your legs flopped open like a book, twitching as they threaten to close on his hand. A few times they tried, though a palm at your thigh stopped you. Another finger added, this one was a bit of a tighter squeeze. You almost whimper then, gasping in a breath as you attempt not to squirm. 

The hand on your shoulder went to the flat of your tummy, just above the band of your tights. His fingers press up inside and your head knocked back with a howl. "Ahhah!" 

"There we are~" He purrs, adding a little more pressure to your tummy as he ground into your G-spot. Just about rubbing the same spot from both sides. Fully well over the moon with your responsiveness. Those raspy, ragged sounds bolt straight through his hazy mind.

Maybe it was a good thing to hold you down. Otherwise you'd be flailing. After the sudden noise, you strained your wrists unconsciously trying to yank out of his grasp. That sure felt weird. On the inside you were fairly sane. Mostly you wondered just what that was and why hadn't it felt like that when doing it on your own? 

Digits drag torturously slow out of and firmly press back into that perfect spot. Your thighs eventually do close around his forearm. Though with the rocking, almost soothing pace, you weren't preventing him from doing anything. Your hips automatically tilt against the motion, craving that friction. 

Howdy had himself a front row seat. Very entertained by your melting expression, large eyes all watery. He didn't even need to remove your bra. Only shoving that up to your collarbone to let the girls pop free. The sight made that much better by the soft bounce of your baby fat. 

Voice ripping through the air, you were already close to tears. "O–h.. OH.? OH God!." 

The hand holding you down almost slipped thanks to all your writhing. Hearts in his eyes and a throb in his cock, he moaned watching you shake. "Atta girl.. Just like that." What a pleasant surprise. You were gushing, soaking the sleeve of his sweater as you came undone. Tongue out as you pant with effort. 

Was that it? Did you cum? You're limp, wrists loose in his hold. Only able to lay there and breathe as he pulled out, sure to flick your clit on the way. A strange new shock that made your body jolt. "Wha.. Mister.."

"No. No. No." He tuts quickly, rushing to shut that down.. "Daddy." Howdy corrected. "Please– Ah. Don't call me that right now." 

Obviously, you didn't notice the implication. Right back to dwelling over the fact you were allowed to call him something so dirty. "Daddy~" Tasting the word again, you smile to yourself. Cutely enjoying the way it felt coming out.

"Hm? That feel good, girlie?" He asked, releasing your sore wrists. Genuinely interested, though overall not entirely sure how to act around you anymore. Slightly awkward compared to his usual high energy sales pitch. Quite mellow at the moment, he went about petting your stomach. Idoly keeping his hand busy. 

Your arms move, covering your chest out of habit if nothing else. Brains partly scrambled after the orgasm, you answer without much thought. "Yeah…" Really you planned on leaving it off at that, only to think better and tack on. "Yes, Daddy.. Um. How'd?" Sort of pointing towards yourself, unable to describe. 

"What now?" He broke for a second, confused as to what you were trying to mean. Dropping the husky tones as he was taken out of it. 

"You pressed on me?" More interested than ever, you mimic the motion. Your need to know over rode any embarrassment. 

"Oh! You dunno? The walls between all of your bits are pretty thin. You sorta… Make the space smaller. Or. Say ya shorten a wall to reach the ceilin' easy." He gave a fairly simple explanation. One you nodded along to while he said it, taking mental notes. A thought occurred, sleazy little grin over his fuzzy face. "Came so good for me, pretty thing." 

Your hands went to your face immediately, hiding your flushed little expression. To be completely fair to you, Howdy fully expected you to react in some similar vein. All embarrassed over the fun you had. Again, the man gently took your wrists and peeled them back up. Such a cute thing.

"None a' that, baby.. I wanna see you." Your hands are pressed to either side of your head, so that he can take a good look. Plush face all rosey, your hair out of place. "Sweet girl." He cooed, pressing himself down over you. Only an inch away from your nose. Gaze dead locked on yours. You look like you might implode. Completely red while your eyes dart all over the place. Unable to look at him. "Awe… Don't be shy. You can look at me. Yer the one stoppin' yourself." 

It took a solid minute, but you do. You were finally able to shift your gaze to his soft, kind eyes. Like the polarization of a magnet, you had a very difficult time with such a simple task. After all, you did want this. Why couldn't you bear to see? 

"Did you like it?" A tender palm on your cheek, his thumb gingerly rubbing at the delicate skin under your eye. Tone brewed with pride.

"Yes, Daddy…" 

Chapter Text

This felt about as good a time as any. Howdy had your full attention. Your dilated, nervous gaze. If he caught you trying to look away or hide, he'd gently coax your focus back with a finger to your chin. That, honestly too warm, sweater is yanked over his head. You sorta giggle watching all four arms move to pull the thing off. It needed a wash, but the idea of it smelling like you later was rather appealing.

If his hair wasn't out of place before, it sure is now. Loose strands of blue falling down over his forehead. 

Once he tossed the garment, he watched you for a moment. How your eyes were glued to his middle. Racking down the lines of his body. Firm muscle up his arms and chest. Softer pudge in just the right places, just enough to barely cover his V-line. He might've been a fairly modest guy, but by no means was the man blind. You weren't the first girl to stare and certainly wouldn't be the last. Now it's your turn. Your confused hands are given something to do as they were placed against that thick layer of fuzz at his chest. Previous women he'd been with seemed to enjoy the extra bit of bulk, maybe you did too. 

"Touch anywhere you like. Don't even gotta ask." His breath is hot, the faint scent of sweet punch on his tongue. Oh you wanted a taste. 

If you didn't need to ask, you wouldn't. Doing felt so much easier than having to use your words. And so? You don't. Having to use what little core strength you had to press forward into a kiss. Which was slightly weird and more than a tad straining. The height difference being such an extreme between you two, that his back sort of ached and so did your neck. It couldn't last more than a brief moment, but that would've enough for you. 

His lower set of hands actually slid you higher up on that table and passed you off to the upper set. Then you were able to drape your arms around his strong shoulders and try again. Messily connecting your mouth with his. Several times your teeth click and knock into each other. Mostly because of you. Howdy smiles into it, a hand that was on your waist moved to grab your chin. Tilting your jaw up more and head slightly back to shove his tongue down your throat. If you wanted to eat his face, that was fine. At the very least he could show you how to do it nicely. 

A little softer, a little slower. You calmed down enough in all of your excitement to match the pace Howdy set. Tongue dragging along his teeth as he nipped your own lips, enough to give them a small tug. Incredibly dizzy after he pulls back, you had half a grin on. Especially as you're dragged back into that spot at the edge of the table. Slotted right back around his waist. Panting through small giggles, your hands end up right back at his chest. Off to the races with your groping. So warm and rather furry under your mitts, you half wonder about smashing your face into that thicker patch. How you can feel the almost wetness of sweat, texture somewhat silky because of it. If only your nails were longer. You'll just have to make do with these stubby ones while you gently rake them down the dips and lines you couldn't really see so well beneath. Feeling the interplay of how his muscles connect. 

"... Looks like you're uh- enjoyin' yourself there." Howdy laughed, edging on embarrassment as you felt around. The barely there skritch of your nails had his skin shutter under your touch. Which felt nice, it just isn't exactly enough. Eventually he peeled your hands away to transfer them to his shoulders, only to continue petting at that place instead. 

"Oh! Sorry." You gasped, figuring you did something wrong without realizing. The half lidded, dazed look plastered to your flushed face forced was enough for him to lurch. 

So small, so fucking cute. "S' okay. Nothin' for you to be sorry 'bout. I'm real used to it." Is a response you didn't know what to do with. Did everyone enjoy his texture as much as you? 

Blinking a few times, you carry on as if he didn't say anything. "What should I do?"

"Want me to try and see if you're ready?" Howdy offered, fairly sure you wouldn't need much more prep. 

"How can you tell?" That came out dumber than you meant, your voice thick in your throat. Quickly you tried to change the words that already left. "I mean. I've put stuff up there before." You confess, moving to unhook your bra. Rather than keep it shoved up like that. 

Something about that coming out of you mouth made him… Sorta… Actually, Howdy had to reach down and give himself a few strokes to keep it hard. "Let's lay you back. I ain't gonna hold you down for that. You may have put stuff up there, but it won't feel the same." He could only imagine what kinds of impromptu sex toys you've made, which is more worrying than anything else. 

Laying back again, you made yourself comfortable. You weren't going to elaborate and he wasn't going to ask. Your tiny voice came out again, right back to being a timid thing. "So… is it supposed to hurt?" That is what you heard anyway. 

Again the caterpillar laughs, lightly shaking his head. He gave your thighs a squeeze. Pressing them against his hip. "No. No. 'course not." Going about trapping you in again, his upper hands were by your head on the table as he held himself up. "Prep is important an' that'd be a good reason why."

"Okay." You stopped yourself before you could say more. Not wanting to come across as ignorant. 

Which Howdy must've picked up on immediately. Though the interpretation was wrong, as he thought it might've been discomfort. A feather soft kiss is pressed to the top of your head, his voice low and rumbling. "Do you wanna stop? S'alright if you do. Don't let anybody say you can't."

"I wanna try Mi-.. Daddy." The kiss was nice. It helped your nerves a tad. With just the slightest amount of hesitation, your hands crept back up to his shoulders. Your head was more in line with his warm chest at this angle. Nose tickling at the fuzzy fur. "... I'm glad this is with you.. I-I didn't think it'd be so scary." 

Now that made him feel down right terrible. The honesty is appreciated, as always, and well he's glad no one seems to have hurt you the way Howdy originally thought. Still. A horrible realization about you as a person hit him like a ton of bricks. You probably aren't in love with him the way you think you are. Which is fine, he won't take that too personally. He took a long pause after that. One of the hands by your head moved to slip under it and cradle you more against him. A tremble in his firm hold. A wide, warm palm gently pawing at your ruffled hair. You probably didn't think far enough ahead to realize this was far weirder for Howdy than it is for you. 

"Y'know. Sex can mean a lotta different things to a lotta different people. The first time is the one that sticks with ya…" He cleared his throat, voice thinning out as it got quieter. The fingers in your hair twitch. "Are you sure. You wanna think a' me after? Can't date you. Can't marry you. Not even supposed ta look atcha… That somethin' you're willin' to…?" Howdy trailed off right then. Unsure of even himself at this point. Partially hopeful to talk you out of it. Maybe he was rambling. Scrambling to think of something to really deter you. "Are you sure it's gotta be me?" 

Being held so tenderly, it took quite a while to notice he was shaking. Running through every possible consequence of this little scenario. This really would be far easier if Wally was under that table instead. For you, it's only your virginity. And that you didn't want anymore anyway. What is with all this talk about what you guys couldn't do? That is the best part as far as you're concerned. No obligations. What was the deal? 

Warmly cuddled up to the larger man, who was almost curled around you. You were more comfortable than you'd ever been. If he stayed laid out on top of you forever, you'd have it just like that and it would be perfect. With all the mirth you could muster, your hands slid forward to cup his face. Slightly sad about him being too tall to kiss comfortably. "I trust you… Please? This is special for me." 

It shot him through the heart. Your earnest smile is so filled with love. You must be an angel sent from above, or a demon about to drag him to hell. Kicking and screaming. Such an innocent thing. "Fuck.." He broke. The hand on his cock moved to your supple folds. Of course you were still wet, just not nearly as sloppy as you were after the orgasm. 

You gasp again, so breathy and light. He nearly hated how hard his meat throbbed by the whisper soft sounds that kept leaving you. Two fingers were pressed inside and Howdy went on autopilot. Thinking back on how long it's been since doing this. A few years maybe. God, he was going to enjoy you even if it killed him. For a moment they move in and out, until that tight ring inside you could flex enough for a third. "Alright, baby girl.. This, right here?" 

That you could feel, it bordered on a pressure within you. Almost pain, but you've felt that before using something a little too large to play with yourself. "Y-yeah?" 

"That's your hymen. This is gonna take my cock and it won't break." You couldn't read the tone of his voice, almost sounded like he was struggling to speak. "That pain? You mentioned this'd hurt. If you shove in, yeah. This rips, you bleed." His fingers twist and a ripple moves throughout your being. Your teeth grit and hips buck. Only able to nod, barely paying attention to the meaning behind his words. More focused on how they sound rumbling out from between his lips.

Somehow that felt accurate enough, you did tend to immediately stop doing anything to yourself if it was ever too much. Physically unable to cause yourself pain for the most part. Even with the cucumber. 

Stubby nails dig into his shoulder and side as you moan. Honestly grateful for him to hold your thighs down, much as they were aching under his weight. The squish of your plush meat felt so nice. Bruises blooming beneath his digits as he forgets how heavy he actually is, the thrumming twitch of your pulse kept him grounded. Reminded the man this is another person. That this is you. That same little girl. 

"Daddy… Mmmmm. More~!" You belt out mindlessly, finally able to trip over what you were trying to say this entire time. How you wheeze, how you pinch and pull at his skin desperately. Inner walls so silky to the touch. Slick dribbling heavily over his palm. Broken noises that bolt through his quickly melting brain. Until his hips unconsciously rock into yours and the man's wrist started to cramp. Every couple of seconds you would jolt or clench, singing meaningless praise that left Howdy's head numb. 

You didn't even realize, couldn't even tell with your eyes shut so tight. Until you felt that fourth hand find somewhere else to grab, to leave more bruises in the shape of his prints. Something stretches you a little bit wider and reached a depth that felt like he might've ended up in your stomach. Folded in half as a pair of hands keep your hips tilted at the perfect angle, and another set at the curve under your thin ribs. Every push knocks the air out of your lungs in the best way, in a way that makes you wonder if you needed to breathe in the first place. Your insides twist, strangling his cock as Howdy made room for himself. 

"Fuck!" He spit, having to stop as he got to the hilt. Panting with effort to not rail the absolute shit out of you. 

Your teeth met his bicep, chomping down as those hips swivel. It was slow and hard, something that made you twitch in such a heavenly way. 

"Fuck!?" The noise came again, he bit at his own tongue. Heart pounding as adrenaline serges in his system, the sudden pain not exactly what he'd been expecting from you. What hands were on your hips slap to the table, keeping the man steady as his legs quake. You pull back with red smeared across your rosey lips and Howdy lost his mind. That specific arm all tingly now, drips of red over the green of his skin. Unfortunately your honey pot is too good. It sucks his length right back into your molten heat. 

The pace may have been rather slow, but his own restraint could only go so far. Could be pulled so thin as you mewl and beg, clawing at him as you plead so nicely. Sparkly eyes full of tears as you sob out in need. "Oh– Please! Ahhhhh.. Daddy.. I'm so f-fuh… Mmmm' fulll-hhh…" Fur under your grubby nails. 

"'S right, baby… Take everythin' ya need.. Daddy's right 'ere fer yahh…" His accent got thicker, voice strained as he grunts and groans. Too busy smashing into your cervix as if there's a prize inside. "Flip.. Flip, baby girl. S'alot.. I know." 

Parts and places shift, your legs released to wrap around the man as tight as you can. Ankles crossed around his backside as he starts to peel your sweaty back off the table. Holding your lower half up to be more in line with his driving hips while your head still rested on the table. Both sets arms grab and turn you around without him having to pull out. Absolutely all of his core strength was being used in that moment. You move onto your knees naturally, arms folded underneath yourself as some sort of cushion. Throaty, worbily moans roll over your wet tongue and fill the little shop. Along with the squelching slap of soaked flesh. You're so tight it nearly hurt, his poor meat turning a certain shade of purple buried so deep in your liquid vice of a pussy. Hands on your hips yank you closer, pulling you back into every thrust as he dug his fingers into the hard plastic of the shaking table. 

"Cum in meeeeeeah…." You mutter, whining as you push back into him as best you could. A hand was under you then, strumming at your throbbing clit. Yanking a guttural scream out right after. "Oh God Ye-eeees!" 

You're going to be the death of him. Begging while he ran off instinct. His pace stutters, only thrusting half in a few times as he choked. Couldn't help it. Didn't see the sudden intensity of your voice, what it does to him when you sound like that. And he always was one to please. Howdy swore, slamming inside hard and finally spilling as you gush. Fluids running down his thighs as a cold dread filled him. Clarity like the snap of fingers, just like that. You came with glee, drooling a puddle onto the surface of the table as you felt every gushing throb from the inside. 

Howdy fucked up. 

Chapter Text

1-2- skip a few, he came. 

Oh fuck he came. Oh no. 

Pulling out, Howdy could see white try and seep out of your spent pussy. As hot a sight as that is to see, he needed to move. Gingerly rolling you over and onto your back to rest. Howdy was rushing around the store, trying to remember where something might be while you were out of it enough to not question this. Home wasn't the type of town to carry condoms, most people here probably look down on that sort of thing. Here he was thinking no one here would need any contraceptives. He was able to find a box of what he'd been looking for. Which is out of date. Of course it is. Howdy tossed the thing away, not caring where it landed. Fuck. 

"Fuck…" His teeth grit as he hiked up his pants and zipped them back in place. The sun was coming up, dim light made this little store that bit brighter. For the first time in years he might even have to open late. But first. He would wander back over to you. You were almost asleep already and he sure hates the idea of moving you. This needed to happen. Your dress is found and he easily maneuvered your limbs enough to throw it back on you. Cringing then at every shade of yellowish-purple that rimmed your lower half. Did you really have to be so sexy without trying? 

You grumble, wanting to shift away and not be moved. "Daddy… No.." A barely there yawn punctuating the end of your sleepless words and he had to hold back. 

Can't let you be all cute and enjoy the afterglow. Most people would be waking up soon and having a half naked teenager all splayed out like a whore isn't exactly the best look on his part. "(You), we can't play. You gotta go Home. I-I gotta clean up. Please?" If you needed the man to beg, he damn well would at that moment. 

Eventually you did. He kissed the top of your head and let you stumble your way out the door. God, he hoped your lush of a mother was passed out. God, he hoped no one would see you see you get Home. Fuck.

"Fuck!" 

That same day he put a rush order in for all the different varieties of plan B he could think of. Those darn holiday deliveries always came late. You're so young. There's no way you wouldn't end up pregnant. Why oh, why was Howdy so reliant on the pull out method?! He cleaned up quicker than even he thought possible. Worrying himself half to death. About three panic attacks later, his shop was put back together just how he wanted it. Not even late to open the store. At least something was going right. 

There is no way he was going to get any actual work done today. Not with how his fingers kept drumming against the counter he already wiped down about fifty times. Couldn't even do much before opening. Barely brushed his hair, only threw on a new shirt and just about drowned himself in cologne to hide all that sex smell. Howdy felt downright disgusting in his desperate need to shower. 

All too soon the sound of a bell chimed and he was being greeted by his two favorite fellas. Somehow a smile was the hardest thing to wear right then. "Hiya, welcome in." The caterpillar sighed, willing his hands to remain at his sides rather than keep dwelling over what he did less than two hours ago. 

"Hey, Howdy!" Barnaby said, a stumbling Wally right behind him. Somehow he walked in the same way you did while leaving. 

"Hello… Howdy." He yawned, coming over to drag himself onto a stool by the counter. 

"Wow. Are we all in rough shape, fellas?" He joked, leaning onto his second set of elbows as those two made themselves comfy. 

Barnaby was the first to jab at his little buddy, poking an elbow into his ribs. "Yeah, buried my bone real good. What a women." He sighed longingly. Patting himself down for his pack of cigarettes. Once he pulled one out, Howdy licked across his teeth. That horrible, itching need. 

God. Howdy scrubbed at his face and held a hand out. "Mind if I bum one a' those?" 

The dog barked out a laugh. Of course passing one of the Hooplah brand sticks to him. He tisked, teasing the other man. "Here I thought you quit. You been munchin' on green." 

"I still 'munch on green'." Howdy rolled his eyes. He hadn't been using refer much these days either, but that also sounded real nice. "Jus' don't lemme smoke a whole pack."

"You smell funny." Wally blurted, a confused little look over his face as he blinked. 

"You don't worry about that. Have a soda." He reached under the counter and cracked a strawberry pop for Wally to be distracted with. Long enough for he and Barn to keep talking. 

"Dunno, Howdy. You look kinda…" The dog gestured to that overgrown bug. Trying to find the right words as he went about getting a match to light their smokes. 

"Dead? I feel it." Howdy was faster, a match held out for him after he'd already lit his own. Barnaby went ahead to take the first puff. These always taste better when drunk, but right now it was almost just as good. 

"Don't think I'd go that far. You get your bones jumped too?" That beagle's tail wagged while his brows waggled. As if he knew. Or simply wanted to hear about it as he shook the lit match to kill it. 

"Nope." Howdy lied, coughing to cover it up. His own lungs forgot how harsh smoking was. "I need water and a lie down. Ain't hung up, 'M hung over." 

"Pickle juice, Howdy! Works for me." Barnaby laughed, exhaling through his nose. It never failed to get a giggle out of Wally when he did. A goofy face made to entertain the guy. 

"Pickles? He's already so green…" He mentioned, not quite understanding why. Maybe Wally was better at processing sugar. Seeing as how he didn't feel any of that. 

"Don't think that's really what I need, Barn, but thanks for the suggestion." Howdy snorted a little, taking a long drag from his cigarette as he almost chuckled at Wally's naivety. Now that he thought about it. Maybe it was a good thing that ended up being you, rather than this little guy. 

"Ain't like you, Howdy. Might've been doggone tired, you still look a little more green than usual." Barnaby noticed something. A wide grin over his muzzle. 

To which, he pushed past the comment. "Real question is, what can ol' Howdy Doo, for you?" 

Barnaby raised a brow at that, but said nothing as Wally piped up again. "I need a gift for Julie… She keeps wanting to play this game… But I don't. I don't like how it feels. I just don't know what I'll do." 

Both of those older men immediately squint at their friend. Suddenly all attention on Wally and his confuzzled little face. 

"Geeze, Walls. Uh. I'm almost too scared to ask." Came his stumble of a response. 

Barn looked panicked for a minute there. "You could tell her?"

"But it makes her so happy… I can't make Julie sad." 

Chapter Text

Once on your way home, you were too brain fried to really think right then. But as you went to open the front door, someone got there first. Forcing you to bolt back a step before that same door smacks you in the face. Your expression twists as Barnaby greets you with a rather ruffled appearance. The both of you stop. It's too early for him to possibly be visiting or having breakfast, which sometimes happened. 

"... Did you stay the night?" You asked, rather than greeting the man properly. 

"Better question. Where you been, little lady?" He countered smugly, leaning against the doorframe as if he owned the place. 

The lie came out so naturally, you didn't hardly realize it yourself. "I fell asleep at the store. Woulda been nice if you walked both of us home." Your hands fell to your hips, a tap to your foot. 

That dirty dog blushed, quickly scrambling to think of something. "Gee uh. Was gonna get you, kid. Seemed like you were having fun… Whelp! I'll make like a tree and leaf, before you keep barking up me." 

Just like that you roll your eyes and push past each other. No one else was downstairs, so you could only assume your mother was still asleep. After shutting the door behind yourself, you went straight upstairs to the bathroom for a shower. Every shimmy of your thighs is a constant reminder of him. That hormonal, irrational side of you really did wish you could have stayed at the bug-dega. That maybe if things were different. Hell. Maybe in another world, you could have come onto him sooner if he was so accepting of it. Maybe in a more direct way, but since it was all the same to you, this was perfect. 

Freshly showered and dressed in some loose PJs, you were more than ready to collapse into bed.

~~~

There is a matter of seeing Howdy again. Maybe even doing 'that' again. For the last few nights you considered calling the overgrown bug or dropping by the store itself to see him. Something always stops you. Always had to turn yourself around and go the other way.

This week you saw more and more bugs flooding that shop. Many of course you didn't know. But who do you see going into Howdy's place every morning? Technically both of them. Mister Darling and Barnaby. Wally would be easier to corner and maybe get him to do something, but Barnaby would probably know what you were trying to do. 

Currently you were sat on a bench in town, wracking your head on what to do. Sitting there for who knows how long, simply allowing snow to lightly gather in places on you. Only to have your attention gathered by the snap of fingers. 

"There you are, girlie! Was lookin' all over creation for you." Eddie dear was all bundled up in layers, already rummaging through his mailbag as you glanced over at him.

"Oh! Hey, Mr. Dear. I have mail? I never get mail." You stood up rather quickly, hands out to receive whatever he had. Actually excited over the prospect of a present, given the time of year.

"Yeah, just a little somethin' Howdy ordered for you." A small package wrapped in brown paper is plopped into your shaking hands. At least you could pretend it was the cold rather than excitement over getting something from your crush. 

"Thank you. I'll have to stop by later to thank him." Your happy grin is perhaps a tad too large. 

"Well. I mean. Didn't you see me walk outta his shop? He's there, like usual, if'n you wanna say hi." 

Immediately a blush left you red-hot and practically glowing. It is the middle of the afternoon. That. That wouldn't be so weird right? 

Apparently the face you were making wasn't the only weird thing about you today, as far as the mailman could discern anyway. He shuffled awkwardly in his spot before you, almost inching to sidestep away. "Well. Uh, (You), I still got more on my route an' all… If you was wantin' to play, I'm hanging out with Julie if you wanna.." 

Shaking your head, you wave the other off. "Thank you, Mr. Dear, but I think I'm going be busy today." 

"Have a good one, y'hear?" He says, letting out a sigh of relief as he left you to your business. 

"Oh, I hear." You sort of half mutter, pushing open the door to Howdy's Place. That little chime sounds as you head in. Immediately you could see why you weren't needed this week. Two boys, much younger than yourself, were keeping up with the place. One waved as you came in, the other rolled his eyes and kept on sweeping. That broom being so much taller than he was. 

"H-hi! Is…" Wait. What do you call him in front of people? Was Mr. Pillar still okay, or would it be more adult to refer to him on a first name basis? "Uh. Is Howdy in?" Tone wavering as you get yourself flustered over something so simple as a name. 

The yellow one, actually behind the counter, straightens his paper hat and leaned forward on his elbows. An air of mischief to his darling little face. "He ain't here, toots. But ah- howz about you talk tah me instead? I can git youz a real good deal." That kid ended it with an obvious wink and you tried your damnedest to not bust out laughing. 

"Who ain't here?" Howdy popped his head out from a door leading to the backroom. Just tossing a look at his nephew, who turned red and seemed to panic for a moment there. 

"There you is! Lady's been lookin' for you. Awful rude to keep a lady waitin'." 

"Is that right?" Howdy pinched the space between his eyes and proceeded to ignore his little nephew. A tired smile over his face at the sight of you. "Sorry, they're a handful. Come back here. Please." He quickly added, voice slightly raised to gather both grubs' attention. "Howdoo, Youdoo. Hold the fort." 

To which, they both salute. "Yessir!" "Yessir." 

You made way around the counter and through to the back. Having to step past the caterpillar on the way. Before, he had left the door open to hear those knuckleheads, but now it was going to need to stay closed. 

Finding a nice box, you made a seat out of it. Almost studying the older man as he leans up against the door. You watch as the lower set of his arms crossed while he thought, the other set giving a sort of jive gesture as he ran through some things in his head. Having a mental conversation before it actually happens. It was odd seeing the guy with a thousand things to say be so quiet. Rather than wait, you hold the small package up and rattle it. The thing seemed rather light. "I heard this is from you?"

Howdy gave a weak laugh and nods. One of his hands found its way to the back of his neck, giving it an uncomfortable scratch. "Don't think that's for Home Warming. That I haven't wrapped yet. This is.. I couldn't in good conscience not get some for you." 

"Oh." Shrugging then, you went ahead and tore open the paper. Met with some generic pill box with a lot of science type words you couldn't read. "What… What is it?" 

"The term you might know is plan B. I don't know for sure if you'll need it, but I'd prefer if you took one as soon as possible. Now even." For sure he prepared himself for this talk, but actually saying it to your cute face made the poor man inwardly cringe. Especially when you blink and tilt your head. Trying to read all the small print. 

Quite puzzled at this entire situation, you glance at the slowly dying bug over there. He seemed to be melting as far as you could tell. Actually rather jittery and maybe a little sweaty. "You think I'm pregnant?" Which was actually sort of funny. That can't possibly be the case, you think. 

"We can't exactly find out without a doctor, and that'll make things worse." Howdy paused, looking through a little window in the door he was on, just to be sure of something before he continued. All four hands out, two pointing out at you and two towards himself. "If I ain't ready to be a father, you certainly ain't ready to be a mother and…" Rubbing at his face right then, his unoccupied hands clapped together. Utterly wrecked, stress pulling at his normally handsome features. "I don't want you to think I'm bein' mean and look back in twenty years thinkin' this, this right here was a mistake. I'd hate myself for effectin' you like that. Kid, you do not deserve it. You might think on it differently when you get to be my age. Please take the pill." 

Sitting there all wide eyed and lip trembling, he could only wish to know what went on in that pretty little head. The possibility didn't even occur. Couldn't be real. Yet, yes. There was no way you could be a mother. Not when you still live with your own. But… That box is heavy in your hold, now that you knew what it was. Gradually tears began to fall as you lick your lips. Not realizing why you felt how you did or even what this feeling even was. "I.. I don't want to." 

After your incredibly soft answer, the caterpillar was on his knees before you in moments. "The longer you wait, the more this'll be a possibility. Don't ruin your life over some fun." 

"Ruin my life?" That left you choking. To think that would be so bad. More tears came, rolling down the felt of your plush cheeks. "... I love you. I-if I take this are you gonna be weird around me? What if I don't need to and. And it's okay? I. I don't."

His brow pinched as he stood back up. Another thing he did not expect from you. Saying he loved you back would be dangerous. While of course it was true, you might take that so very wrong. Something twanged in Howdy's head. Maybe making the conscious decision to fuck someone so young and impressionable wasn't a good idea. What was the alternative? Reject you in the first place and make you feel like a freak of nature for having those natural urges? Or, if he still went through with it to actually say the only thing he wanted or needed out of that specific situation happened to be to get off? In that regard, he thought of himself as a masturbatory aid at best. At worst? Well. here you are. 

Howdy stopped himself to breathe. Mind going a mile a minute as the salesman yanked every idea out of his head to placate you and still preserve this relationship. 

To you, having your crush pace the short length of the store's backroom had your heart fit to burst. Something about watching the older man mentally debate himself was scary. At points he would go to speak, shut his mouth and continue speed walking back and forth. The longer this went on, the more your sniffly little noises made him glance. He sucked air in through his teeth and finally paused to lean against a box next to you.

Lower hands folded over his lap while the upper rested against his exhausted face. "I won't be weird. Why would I?" Oddly breathless, he sat down to help you think it through. Help you get to your senses. His hands drop, tone tender with you. "You're allowed to make your own choice. I'm scared." 

"You're scared?" You laugh, wiping a sleeve under your leaky nose. "I didn't think about any… Any of this."

"I forgot you were Homeschooled." Howdy couldn't help interjecting. 

"Anyway!" Your voice became firm at that one. You've almost never stepped foot outside of Home. A point of contention to be sure. "I mean. There's no way after once, right?"

"Even once. I didn't want to scare you then and mention anythin' about it. I need to start carrying condoms. That's on me. Or I should've-. No. Nevermind. If you take that pill and still end up pregnant, I'll call it fate. Until then. What do you want?"

Your feet shuffle against the polished concrete floor. "I dunno… I'd love a normal family. My mom, she's great and I love her. Sometimes I just. Maybe it's not enough? I don't wanna be greedy, Mr. Pillar." 

"You know my name. It's Howdy… Now, I get how you'd think that." A chuckle or two bubbling out from him. "My own family can be overwhelmin'. That's why I'm here, to get away from it all. Only family you got is your ma. That can get lonely." 

"Part of me wants to keep you and that is a way to do it. I don't really know why. Like if I had your baby we'd be stuck together." The admittance, while a small piece of it was shaming for you. Howdy winced. 

"That. That don't sound healthy." Shaking his head then, he tried to push that feeling away. Still wanting to keep his head for you. Deep down, he wished that weren't the case. "I won't abandon you. You have so much growin' to do, and I'd love to see where life takes you. Don't think you need to do anything to keep me around." 

For awhile, you went back to being a brick wall. Too in your head to say anything else as you processed the information. 

Eventually Howdy had to sigh and wrap an arm around you, tugging you closer from your box. Limp arms pulling you along and against him for a hug. "Y'know. I don't hate you. I love you so much… If you let fate decide, I won't argue. That's how it'll be. We can push through." 

Chapter Text

Winter was gone all too quickly. You were trading your jackets for wide neck sweaters and pants for shorts with leggings in no time. Back to how you were dressing before, subconsciously hidding those new curves. Life felt beautiful. You went back to school, which was more or less a daily lesson from someone around the neighborhood. And back to working at Howdy's on weekends. While actual work did get done, towards the end of the night when things got quiet. You found yourself pressed into the counter time and time again. Living out those dreams you've had over the last few years. 

Really, he seemed more than happy to oblige. This time with condoms. Showing you how those work was like pulling teeth. Apparently, because he is uncut, there was a special song and dance on how to accomplish such a task. Your uncoordinated fingers would pull or pinch a little too hard, the goal being to keep the skin up. Rather than pulling it down so much. Something about sensitivity. 

All in all, having Howdy stuff you after a long day felt exactly like what you needed. Finally it was as if you could think clearly and focus on tasks, at the same time the man did tend to linger in your thoughts.  Curious about all sorts of things you hadn't thought about when it came to your daddy. 

One of those questions ate away at your head all day. In the middle of finishing up some dishes in the tiny kitchenette when your head whipped over. Watching Howdy stretch to place a stand mixer above a shelf over his head. Stretching up on his toes to even reach. You still had trouble wrapping your head around just how tall that caterpillar is. He's less than two of you stacked on top of each other. Tentatively, you try and make some small talk. "Um.. Howdy. How tall are you?" 

Once the mixer was in its place, he spun around. So full of energy, despite it being the end of the day. "I'm slightly taller than a standard door. Which is why I had to get custom. Can't be duckin' in and outt'a my own store." 

Dripping wet hands lift in front of your face, measuring out what you could only recall how large his length is. Immediately exploding with a blush. Such great proportions. You stop yourself, heart throbbing as your hands dip back into the water. Another plate grabbed to toss on the drying rack. "Is everyone in your family tall?" 

"I'm special. Taller than a' lotta my wiggle. Some like my cousin Charlie, now that guy! 'S his only folly. He's so tall, Always cracking his head on Mollie. When you can't see the door, you tend to run into it." As he thought, his hands still move. Between rubbing his chin or cocking out a hip to hold. "Can't use that myself. Times get gnarly." 

A silly sort of smile squiggled across your face. Half understanding what he just said. "Who's Molly? Your cousin?" You reach over for soap, and proceed to rub the blue brick into your rag. 

"No." The other must not have realized what he said before it was out there in the open. Words grinding to a halt as he went about unplugging appliances around the room. Attempting to busy himself.

With a funny little noise, you squint and continue scrubbing at another plate. "Then. What is it?" 

Now, this sort of thing was a difficult subject with you. Not because he did take to bending you over, no. Howdy mumbled something under his breath and made way over. Soon enough he was leaning over the counter beside you, hand on the wall to hold himself. "One day, I'll show yah. Ain't got none here, that would be pretty stupid a' me to have it just layin' around. I do have an aunt Molly though." 

Ah. You glance over and blink owlishly at the man, about half sure he had to be talking about drugs. "You've done.. Stuff?" 

Your adorable face crinkled in a way that left him more than a little dizzy. Strangely, now that he was allowed to see you in an adult way… He couldn't help himself. The caterpillar knelt lower, a devious look in his eye. "Baby, I done lots a' things." He took it upon himself to turn the taps off and gently take your hands out of the suds. 

Letting him lead felt rather automatic, your brain always seemed to shut down as soon as his tone dipped. A goofy smile spread over your sweet face. You were spun around, tiny hands in his firm hold. Gently turning you about like a ballerina, only to dip you low. Hands on your hips. It pulled a gorgeous giggle out from your soft lips. 

Before you knew what happened, you are scooped off the floor for him to carry off. A tiny scream of a laugh then, having not expected the sudden lift. You squirmed, but end up clinging to the man. "That's not fair!"

"Not fair? Since when is life fair?" Several kisses were pressed to your hair, his nose nuzzling in between the strands. Recently, you've started to smell sweeter. Antennae flicking up a storm as he stamped kisses to your squealing face, somehow not leaving one square inch unkissed. That is, besides your lips. 

You tried to kiss back at points, desperate to have a real one. Rosy lips puckered as he avoided them. Which left you pouting. Large eyes batting thick lashes at him, as if you might cry. "Daddy… You're teasing me." 

With that, he stops. Lower arms securely hooked under your legs, another tucked under one of your own arms and his free hand stroking at his chin. "Funny. I thought yah liked bein' teased." 

"No." Came your tiny huff, cheeks all puffed out as you deny that true fact. 

"No? Then why do you smell so wet?" He kept moving. From the back of the store to the front and turned a corner to a small hall that leads upstairs. 

The way Howdy said that, so nonchalantly and as if it was just another day. You on the other hand, just came to a staggering realization. Eyes wide and face absolutely red. "You can smell it?" 

The response is immediate. "Oh yeah. You are not subtle." 

The further in he took you, you curled up into a ball of embarrassment. Too distracted to notice. Too in your own head about the little pervert you were. In all of your hopes, you didn't think he could actually tell when you were horny. Now knowing he could… You wheeze, a squeaky little voice leaving. "H-how do you… Tell?" 

His free hand was being used to open and close doors, heading on up to his very own bedroom above the store. Not a place you've ever been into before. Lights flick on and he kicks off his shoes, jumbling you a bit in the process. "Pheromones are one hell of a drug. Jus' can't go crazy 'bout it. Not some teen that hasn't scented a girl before." He paused for a second there. "No offense." 

"None… Taken?" You were finally able to peel your face off his chest to take a look around. Compared to Howdy himself, this room seems rather small. A bed he could barely fit in, an open face closet that is just a rail with hangers, and a chest of drawers. That's it. Your own room is larger than this. "Do you live up here?" 

"More or less. I sleep there." Otherwise he was always in the store. Always working. Howdy didn't seem very phased, not seeing anything wrong with that as he went about tossing you onto his mattress. At least everything was kept nice, the blankets were neatly folded anyway. 

Landing with a small bounce, the springs whine under your slight weight. For now, you sat there and took it all in. No posters or anything like that, though the other did have pictures all over the place. Some tacked into the wood, some framed. Family photos, you assume. One in particular by the bed caught your attention. Scooted onto your knees, you untacked a Polaroid photo off the wall to examine closer. 

Howdy didn't mind, nor care. He was far too busy changing. Old set of clothes tossed into a small hamper to be shoved under the 'closet'. A simple pair of sweatpants tossed on. It took him a while, nearly forgetting you were there on the bed. "What'd you find?"

"Huh?" Your head whipped up, a furious blush burning across your cheeks. "Oh! I found this?" Voice lilted into a question, despite there not being one.

The caterpillar took a step closer to snatch the photo from your loose fingers and took a look. A near instant smile spread across his face, brow crooked as he turned it back around to show you. "Nat's me, the day I left home. Wanted to commemorate it." 

The photo is black and white, Howdy not much older than you are now. Giant grin on as he stuffed a car full of boxes. The fact he was wearing a tank top and shorts really had to be what grabbed your attention. That, and how skinny the guy looks. "So you were always handsome. Got it." 

He wheezed at that, clapping a hand to your head to give it a few strokes. "Nope. You know how awful it is bein' in a public school an' you're the only one that ain't got wings?" 

"Are you supposed to?" You pressed back into the pets, enjoying the light affection. Really, you didn't know if that was something to notice about Howdy. 

"Maybe one day, but I'm pretty sure I'm done growin'. Used tah drive me up a wall, now I don't care." He ended it with a couple soft scratches to your scalp. "Time's funny like that." 

"Well you're perfect to me. Time or no." With a nod and huff, you threw that photo back against the wall to pin it back up. After you snatch it back of course. 

"Real sweet, ain'tcha? Alright baby girl, if you think I'm so perfect. What would you like me to do?" The lower set of hands placed themselves on his bent knees, almost as if he spoke to a pet. Head tilted as he gave you one last pat. 

Innocently blinking up at him, you gave a little nod. Right back to melting under his heavy gaze. Swallowing thickly, you meekly tangled your fingers together. 

"Nah, baby. That wasn't the question. I wanna know what you want." The hand on your head trailed down, swiping up under your chin. Forcing you to turn your sparkly eyes up towards him, rather than how it was glued to the front of his pants for a minute there. "I wanna hear you say it." 

Your heart clenches, pupils practically vibrating in your head as a strange, suffocating panic set in. Overwhelmed by choice. Importantly, you didn't know all the options there could be. 

The face you made, that about to explode. Smoke coming out from your ears type look, he couldn't help it. Couldn't stop himself from chuckling at the adorably flustered display. Hands smack to either side of your hips. "Need an idea 'r two?" His breath is hot. Filling your ears, whispers make your head dumb. "Could eat chu out… Suck at your cute clit 'til you're beggin'... 'Til you squirt all over my tongue~"  

Not even realizing it until things were happening, you were pressed against the covers. A dim nod at everything he said. His tongue drips poison into your mind, a new rush of slick made your thighs so sticky. "Daddy.." Trembling underneath the man, voice so light and low. You wanted nothing more than to make him proud. 

"Yeah, sugar? My little love bug.." He nearly drooled at the idea himself, suddenly starving for a taste. Still, the very hungry caterpillar could wait. Preoccupied his busy hands with squeezing at your thighs and even started to push your sweater up higher. 

You move without thinking, arms shifted to help him strip you. "Please.." It was hard to look at him, hard to feel his eyes eating you alive. "Eat… Eat me out." 

That delicious, nervous murmur left him growling. Fingers dig into the plush meat of your thighs to drag you closer to the edge of the bed. Howdy moved onto his knees, peeling what remained on your lower half. Tossing those away for now. "There we go.. See? You can ask so pretty when you try." 

Having him be so close to your more intimate areas, while he had of course seen every part, still brought all the more heat to your face. Too busy hiding under your arms thanks to the praise. 

Right then, he couldn't find any issue with it. Once your bare core was out and leaking, Howdy gave a full bodied shutter. Very skin prickling with excitement as he maneuvered your legs over his shoulders. Bottom lifted off the bed while your shoulders remained planted. One careful, slow lick across your soaked folds. Which didn't feel like much in the moment for you, but the caterpillar was buried in your snatch as quickly as that. Easily addicted to licking over your twitchy bundle of nerves. That gentle pulse under his tongue. 

This felt like a wet tickle, something that you had to focus on to really feel. Yet, your hips tilt, seeking that delicate friction. Until his tongue slid inside, giving that inner ring of muscle a pluck as he kept lapping at you. Shoving deeper each time, only to drag his tongue up and out. For most, slick doesn't have too much of a real flavor. Though Howdy could taste each and every chemical now rolling down his chin, a heady sweetness he already needed more of. 

Your hand snaked to his head, pressing him all the deeper as you gasp and shake. "Daddy~!" A real, rasping moan rolls over your bitten lips. Slow to realize you were chewing on them between breaths. 

He must've said something, that or moaned out. Nose against your pubic bone as he pulled out to seal his lips around that tiny hood. Finally giving a hard suck. Your hands rip at his slicked hair, tugging at the man to keep him there. Eyes bugged out of your head as you nearly scream. He doesn't stop there, enjoying how you thrash and pull. The very tip of his tongue tracing that cute clit as Howdy went back to being gentle. One of the hands on your thighs slid down, inserting two fingers into your quivering heat. You couldn't last after that. Not when he could play your body like a song. Not when he knew exactly where to grind to leave you mewling. 

Strands of blue were knotted around your thin fingers when you eventually did flop back, boneless arms against the bed as you pant. Finally getting to see the man dripping between your thighs, desperately lapping up all the juices you didn't know burst forth. Such ripe fruit, Howdy found himself starving for. Heavy lidded gaze landing on you, "Whatta good girl… Pretty little thing~" 

Chapter Text

Howdy's hair was a mess now. Loose blue strands falling over his forehead. For as long as you needed, he let you lay there and breathe. Just resting his head against your sticky thigh, watching you come back to reality. You were always rather slow and more than a little stiff after cumming. An adorable dolly that needed to rub at her shiny eyes and say she was all done. 

Bonelessly dragging yourself up, you move to pat at the overgrown bug. ".. Thank you, Daddy." Slightly out of sorts, you huff and puff. The wide smile you had on lilts as you see the smallest trickle of red run down Howdy's forehead. Immediately shocking yourself enough to spring up, hand over your mouth. "Oh. Um. You're…" 

"Huh?" Not even noticing, Howdy carded a hand through his hair. Wincing a little as he found a tender spot. Wasn't even much, just a pearl or two of blood rubbed off on his fingers. "Ah. That'll happen. Just don't pull on my antennae, keep it to my hair." 

"How do you not.. Doesn't it hurt?" You shifted an inch or two closer, shooing his hand out of the way to take a look. 

"Ha! You haven't seen the other damage you've done tah me?" Of course, he allowed you to fuss over him. That lovely pout overpowered the man. Every few seconds he'd shift his gaze up towards you. 

"What damage?" Now there wasn't a way to reasonably fix the guy's hair, but you smooth it back down and gave it a smooch. All better. 

With a not so cute snort, Howdy gathered up your hands and pulled you all the closer. "Well, I'll just say. I can tell when yah let your nails grow out. Your teeth do hurt, little girl. And yeah, if I go bald imma blame you for rippin' it all out." 

Your eyes grew all the larger, watering as you trembled. "I'm sorry! Oh my God, Howdy…" 

"And that's why I didn't wanna say nothin'. I like it." Very calmly, he gave your bundled hands a smooch. All the kindness in the world on you as he carefully explained. "You are a feral animal in bed and I fuckin' love it. No restraint 'cause you ain't learned that yet. If you really hurt me, I'll let yah know. Okay?"

There wasn't much for you to do other than nod. "Okay." 

Apparently approving, he released your hands and was ready for the next part. A sleazy smile spreads across his lips as he watched you pout so adorably. "Now what else do you want Daddy to do?" 

For a moment or two, you hemmed and hawwed. Tilting your head this way, then that. "What if I ride you?" 

"Could do that." The other nodded, going through a couple things in his head. "I'll help guide you best I can, but be careful how ya land." 

"Why's that?" 

"Well. You aren't very heavy, so it ain't much of an issue. If you slam down an' my cock is at a weird angle, it don't feel too good." He demonstrates, mimicking a breaking motion with his hands. To which, you grimace, rightfully so. "It takes some focus on your part." 

"I'll try my best!" Determination sparks in your eyes at the perceived challenge. Fist clenched as you gave him your most sure fire look. 

"There's a good girl!" Again, he gave your head a few soft strokes. "Now scoot, so's I can get up." 

An uncontrollably goofy smile spread over your round face at the praise, so happy to be of use. You did move off the bed for him to clamber on up. Effectively trading spots as he made himself comfortable in the middle of that puddle you made, his legs hanging off the side of that way too small mattress. After unhooking your bra, you discard it in the pile of clothes and hop on pop. Honestly, having four legs under yourself made for such a stable seat. 

For as long as you took to adjust, Howdy was content to wait. Upper set of arms folded behind his head while he relaxed, the secondary pair found a lovely spot to hold at the dip of your hips. Happily watching you as you tugged down the band of his sweatpants, hard length springing forth like a jack in the box. If you hadn't seen that a few times already you might've giggled at the idea.

"Baby doll." The caterpillar gave your hips a soft squeeze, garnering your attention that much quicker. 

"Yes, Daddy?" You sort of snicker, half paying attention to the man himself. Most of your focus is on the throbbing sway of his cock. Utterly fascinated by how alive it is and how it stopped midway up your tummy. How on earth did that fit in you? 

"What're you forgettin'?" He raised a brow, intentionally teasing you by putting you back on the spot. An ever knowing smile over his fuzzy face. 

Actually taking a second to look at Howdy and not at his meat, your slowly ticking thoughts tried to remember something you apparently forgot. "... I don't think I forgot anything." 

"You sure?" Said a tad firmer this time, almost insisting that you were. 

"... Condom? Uh. Prep? To ask really, really, really nicely for your cock?" Sitting up a little straighter, you glance about yourself. Fully well knowing those things were assuredly next on the list. Even if you haven't gotten that far. Adorable little expression twisted in a thoughtful way as you really tried to think it over. 

"Bingo. Don't worry, I can put one on. But I want you, yes you, tah prepare yourself. No help from me." Howdy laughed a little at the asking nicely thing, that you wouldn't have to do. At least for the time being. He reached over to where the pillows were and picked one up, underneath is a roll of condoms. One is torn off to be useful later. 

"No help from you?" Blinking owlishly, you wonder about that. Nearly frowing at the prospect of having to do such a thing with your own stubby fingers. 

"Not a one. You're a big girl, ain'tcha? I wanna see you play with yourself before takin' Daddy's fat cock." The tone he took was rather passive, more interested in dealing with the thin foil of that condom. 

Now you were not one to be ignored. Not when it comes to your favorite person. With a snooty little sneer, you do as told. Scooting back a tad more on his thighs to give him room to prep himself while you do the same. 

Reasonably this isn't this much of a request, though your fingers still tremble the lower they get. The rosey lips of your pussy were still sticky with his spit and your own juices, at least that helped make everything somewhat looser. 

It isn't as if Howdy was going to take forever to roll the condom down, but with how tentative and twitchy you were being. He shouldn't have gotten that done so quickly. For a while, he laid there watching you. Gaze flicking between your twisted face and the hand that hasn't even dipped inside yet. How you could still be so embarrassed about that is beyond him, not that it isn't cute. "Are you gonna?" A hand is lifted, making a circular gesture. 

"I am!" Huffing at the man, you grumpily stuff a couple of clumsy digits into your cunt. Awkwardly shifting them around to get ready. 

In all of your malicious compliance, Howdy drug himself up more. The hands on your hips tug at you, spooking you with the sudden movement. "Baby, baby, baby. (You). See, that don't look fun." A look of gentle concern directly on you. The hands that were behind his head now cupping your plush cheeks. 

"I'm doing what you said!" A less than attractive whine leaving as you were forced to look him in the eye. All you ever seem to do is pout. Maybe you would've made for a better pillow princess, but he wasn't about to let you. 

"Yeah. Sure. But how am I gonna enjoy it if you don't?" 

"... Um." Taking both hands away from any of your parts. You sort of shrank a little. Using those huge, innocent eyes on him. "I'm not so good at that.." 

"Not good at what?" He pressed a kiss to your head, going back on his word on not helping. 

"I can't make myself y'know… Cum." Your teeny tiny voice shook and he couldn't help chuckling at your miserable face. 

After another smooch to your hair, he hugged around you so tightly. Nothing but love in his secure, safe hold. "Not the goal here, sweet thing. I'll help, but you're still gonna be the one touchin' yourself." 

You give a timid nod, leaning your head against the other as he still holds onto your thighs, Howdy tilted your hips up a little more than you were prepared for. Almost making you fall over, thankfully another set of hands find somewhere else to hold in order to keep you there. Again, you look down at yourself. Waiting for instructions. As best you can anyways, there is a matter of his cock obscuring the actual view. 

"Okay. How'z this? I jus' want yah to rub your clit. Don't fully touch it, go as gentle as you can." His ever so patient tone dipped, husky and low. Point punctuated by a small nip to the shell of your ear. 

It brought a shutter down your spine, right back to mindlessly listening to the man. You do, pressing your face into his throat as you go about teasing your button. You gave such soft, sweet sounds. It was almost hard to ignore the dull throb of him against your tummy. How your own delicious mewls affect the man. After a few short moments, your unoccupied hand gripped at his shoulder. Pressing yourself all the closer, until you could barely feel the pulse under his thin layer of fuzz. Eyes falling shut as you just try and focus on that feeling. 

"That's it.. There's a girl… Yer drippin' all over me~" Now there wasn't much he could actually see. But the mini shutters and occasional wetness soaking into his skin was wonderful to experience nonetheless. More kisses were pressed to the crown of your skull, stamping one after another as you pant against him. 

"Hnnnnhaa.. D-daddy.. It's not enough.." Whining again, you twitch at the barely there stimulation. So woefully empty while craving all the more. 

"Not enough?" He coos, oh so sorry for your delicate misfortune. A teasing tone put on then. "Better not go faster, or Daddy's gonna be disappointed." 

That cute little button throbbed under your careful fingers, suddenly just aching for something else. Anything else. Unable to control those frustrated whines, you were already close to sobbing. The tips of your digits slip and slide, unable to find traction as your slit drools. A few times you miss the mark, unintentionally depriving yourself. Nearly grimacing, you can't help looking up at him. Large eyes all watery as you moan and complain. "Daah-Deeee..! I-I caaaahaan't…" 

He ate up every twitch and sound you make. Tender with you and only you. Howdy tisked, a loving sigh rolling off his tongue. "You always do so good fer me… C'mon, baby girl. Can'cha? I'll do anythin' yah wanna do… But you can't stop." 

Utterly choking, you actually do sob. Shuttering as you kept at it. Your very bones shook as you attempted to continue barely touching. Barely able to feel every frantic pulse. 

Until you burst. Ripping your hand back with a guttural gasp as you curl up as tightly as possible on Howdy. Suddenly drenching the man as you roll and wheeze. 

Now Howdy himself didn't expect that. Though he does hold you all the tighter, low chuckles vibrating you against his chest. "Awe… Did you cum, love bug? There we go.. Such a good girl for me." 

Once you are done quaking under the weight of your orgasm. Howdy lifted you off his lap slightly, one of the hands on your thigh peels up to trace over your slit. More than ready to line the two of you up. Dizzy with the praise still bouncing around your skull, you came to the vague realization that you were slowly being pressed down over his cock. Head thrown back as it is still very much a tight squeeze. Nothing you weren't used to fortunately. The angle was different, as if he went so much deeper. Eventually your weight settled on him as you pant. 

Right back to your thigh goes that hand, waiting for you to catch your breath. 

Howdy actually had to take a second too. He was able to press in smooth as butter, but you've still got an impressive gorilla grip. Silken walls flutter and the man just about popped his cork already, perhaps too affected by your show. "Is. Is it too much?" 

You almost couldn't make a word, almost couldn't trip over what you wanted to say. Shaking your head, you spit it out. "Wait. Just-just wait. I. I'm not ready." 

"You tell me when. Take as long as you need, honey bee… Fuck."

"Wh-huh?" 

"Yer so fuckin' tight… Don't worry 'bout it." Howdy grit, letting out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. 

That embrace probably took the longest. Just you and him surrounded by heat. Heart pounding in your ears, unable to tell if it was his or yours. Were you drooling? You must've been. 

Finally, your knees found perchance. Tucked between the crook of legs, you're able to sit yourself up slightly higher. Tinges shot through your entire being, and you thought you may have been able to sink back down it shot you right back up. Too much, too fast. A gasp cut short in your throat. It must've only been an inch of difference, only so much slid out. Your own weight being the only thing driving you down. 

If Howdy wasn't supporting your upper half, you suddenly thought you might actually die. An incredible fear he might tear through, if that were at all possible. Nevertheless, you remained clung to the man. Which wasn't hard to notice. Not with how your teary eyes shot open. 

"... You'kay..?" Came his own little, hesitant murmur. The pressure over your hips tightens as his limbs tremble. Terrified of hurting such a precious thing like you. 

"I'm okay… I can't move." You sputter out, cringing through a screwed smile. 

With a pause, he shifted to test his joints and slowly dragged his grip to different places. Mostly supporting your ass, his dominant hand found a spot at the curve of your spine. Hovering above the fine hairs of your fuz without actually touching the skin. "Do you want me to move for you?" 

That even, sure tone meant the world to you. Focusing right back in the moment. All attention on him and nothing could shake it. "Yes, please.. G-go slow.." 

Both your arms drape loosely over his shoulders and head knocked against his chest. When your joints are loose, and you're nice and relaxed. Is how he knew you were ready to move. Thankfully, your position kept your knees locked at a fairly free angle. Howdy was able to slowly roll his hips. Watching in pure awe as your expression melts. That perfect spot grazed in such a new way. 

"Hawuh…." As if your brain sparked, unexpectedly overloaded. 

All of the caterpillar's core strength had to be used to hold the both of you up, and that bug isn't as young as he used to be. All too suddenly he had to lay back, and took you with him. Keeping you half folded. Unconsciously your knees readjust, spreading wider against those green hips. Thankfully his feet are still on the ground, still steady enough to rock against you. Softly pulling out just to press back in. His own gentle urging behind those movements, never once pressing you into it.

Every minute that passed made you sink farther, to have your hips fall slightly harder. Until you could place your hands against his chest, arching higher to take more. Finally able to take that new depth. Howdy strained under his own self control, resisting any unconscious need to buck. A montra shouting in the forefront of his mind to not. Not hurt you. Not to ruin you. Strangely quiet under the restraint. 

"Harder…" 

He hadn't heard it. Couldn't pull his own focus back out of his fast track of a mind. A wave of anxiety like a lead blanket, as if you were twice the weight. 

"Fuck me… Harder." Effort drips off your tongue. Gaze half lidded and head hazy. Dumb under your own impulses. 

The other twitched. Huffing at the hot air around you both. Voice thick as he forced himself to speak. "Awful demandin' lil girl.. Yah want me tah fuck you?"

"Please…" You pant, slowly losing steam. As a last stitch effort, you drop your ass down. Driving him home much harder than even you anticipated. "Fuck me.." 

His head jolted back, rumbling out a weighty moan. You were almost too much. Your wet eyes and flushed face shot that poor man, pretty pink lips in a fat pout. Of course, Howdy wasn't about to keep you waiting. His lower hands stayed in place on your hips while the upper set slid off of you to dig into the bed. Needing that tad bit more of support to fully bounce you on his lap. For a second it must've seemed clumsy, unfortunately not a lot of blood went to his head right then. He must've been running on will power alone, expression twisted with effort as a smooth pace is found. 

You felt like a toy, only able to hang on as the other proceeded to be a jackhammer. Even if you tried to keep pace with him, it would mess up the timing. Forcing you to just take it. Each blow drove another breath from your lungs. Very back of your walls at absolute capacity. 

As that pressure built within, that tight ball deep in your tummy, Howdy bit back a strangled gasp. "Touch-. Touch yerself fer Daddy.. I. Ain't gonna… Gonna last.." 

Only after you lift your hand off of him, did you notice how damp the man was. Sweat nearly pruning your fingers as you do as you are told. Having to look at the crack between where your bodies met. You actually see those few inches of his meat that peak out before shoving right back into your sweet heat. If your blood wasn't in other places, you may have blushed all the harder. It only took a few delicate strokes before what felt like every muscle clamps, twisting around him all the tighter as he let go. 

Letting out a groan that could shake the walls, Howdy came hard while you milked him for all he was worth. Every fiber in his body was on fire as your greedy snatch thought it sucked up every drop spilled. Vision blurred with a horrible lightheadedness and the sweat in his eye. He could have easily passed out then and there. Especially as you collapsed in a heap right with him. 

Chapter Text

Maybe you did fall asleep. You blink, just looking up at Howdy for a while. That peaceful, relaxed expression. So placid. His eyes shut and head cocked lazily. Honestly this was probably the most handsome he could be. Unable to help yourself, you leaned up more to press a smooch against his jaw.

Those heavy arms draped around your waist seem to curl as you move. Unconsciously keeping you where you were. After a few seconds, you huff and attempt to pull out from Howdy's grasp. After moving around so much, you couldn't not feel the mess between your thighs. All stiff and sticky, you quickly gave up trying to move and settle back down. It can't be too late after all, you could enjoy this for a bit longer. 

Until what is quite possibly the worst timed alarm began to chime from somewhere close by. Howdy sat right up, still clutching you like a personal teddy bear. Suddenly panicked as he reached to slap the clock. Shutting it up for now. 

The two of you sort of look at each other. While you were nothing more than a sleepy dolly, Howdy was wide awake and thinking. 

It was five right now, which is a lot earlier than most people get up. If he skipped his morning jog and sent you out the door.. No. Can't do that. Not jogging would be strange, if anyone just happened to be out and he didn't do what he normally would? What's to stop a neighbor from waltzing on in just to talk to him about it as friendly conversation? Lying on the spot took so much effort to maintain. Might be a good idea to.. Maybe not pass out next time, if only that sort of thing was controllable. You certainly can't stay the night again. Head rush or no, he shouldn't have expected you to be gone already. 

He slumped, chin resting on the top of your head. Soft sighs leave him as the man thought himself to death. You must've assumed he was snuggling in deeper as those strong arms tightened. Nose buried in your soft hair. 

"Good morning, Howdy~" Your light voice muffled against his warm chest. So happy, so carefree as you proceed to act like a tick. No one could rip you off, even if they tried. 

"Mornin'..." Grumbles vibrate the top of your skull. Howdy shut his eyes tighter, trying to ignore all the horrible feelings weighing him down. 

It tugs your sweet smile up all the more. Puts a pang in your heart simply to enjoy the pleasure of waking up next to another person. You felt something then, eyes all wide as your head tilts up. Forcing the other to open his eyes and glance down. Nearly nose to nose with you. 

"You're hard." As if that wasn't obvious to the guy. Warm heat brushed across your cheeks. 

He snorted at that, a tired smile worming over his fuzzy face. "Yeah… Lemme let you in on a lil' secret. I can be hard an' not horny." 

Actually pushing away for a moment, you shove your hands against his chest and sit up straight. Shocked beyond belief. "Really?" 

"HA!" A few short laughs were barked out at that one. You must know so little about how a male body works. He shifted under you, suddenly jumbling your person as he stood up. Different hands release and grab in news spots to hold himself up and still keep you in his arms. Despite your own squirming. 

"Hey! It isn't like I… Y'know!?" A grumpy sort of frustration knit your brows together and brought all the more heat to your face. Starting to kick out your legs, though to not fall you still clung where you were. Fingers dug into where his fuzz was thickest. 

"No. No! Don't worry, I wouldn't expect you to know much." Or not too much. His smile widened, going back to nosing into your hair. Far too endeared by your grumpy face. It wasn't fair how cute you could be and how you could bring the man to his knees, if you only ask. 

"You calling me stupid?" As if testing how he might respond, you squint. How your lips pull in the most adorable sneer. Like a wet kitten. 

"'Course not, sweet thang." His upper hands raised off of you defensively, lower set slowly dropping you off to the floor. A screwed look on that handsome face as he tried to hold back any other chuckles. "Jus' uninformed. If you got questions, I've got answers." 

"Okay..?" Licking over your teeth, your hands fell to your hips. Unsure to take that as a slight or maybe a challenge? Did you have any questions about men? "Well-" You start, looking off in a random direction. "Well. I dunno. I haven't really thought about it. Is there a lot of difference?" 

"Eh. Not a lot, but some. Be glad I already went through puberty. That ain't pretty." The comment was tossed out with little regard. Suddenly he was busy shuffling through his poor excuse for a closet. Spare arm used as a rack to toss something on. Some flannel type button down is held out for you as he gathers a few more things. 

"Does that really change… Anything?" The garment was taken, sort of eyeing it over as you thought back to that one picture you saw of him as a young man. If only you had more experience with others your own age, almost saddens you over the prospect of missing out on those sorts of friendships. 

"It was like a hormone gun zapped me one summer-" Howdy threw on a tank top, but kept the sweat pants on. His normal outfit is tossed back on the bed for later. Not looking at you as he got himself ready. Any hand he could spare was out gesturing. "Bam! Broken voice. Zap! Ache. Bang! I grew about two feet, but didn't gain any weight. And no wings. Such a laughin' stock." Frowning dramatically, he put a hand against his head. Pretending to feel that social pain he'd once felt. "But the one thing that really fucked me up was how much I ached. Felt like a fossil for four years straight." 

"Growing pains do suck." With a solemn nod, you couldn't agree more. Except you grew too fast too soon and sort of stopped. Not having gained another inch in a few years at this point. Now the shirt he handed you, you weren't entirely sure what to do with. Cracking a small smile as you try to hand it back, almost figuring he'd need it or something. "What's a broken voice like?" 

"Nothin' great." His knees bent a bit to be more in line with you. Forcing an awful crack, "SeEhh.. AsK A goil TAh a dance. And she'll laugh in your face for it." 

Expression scrunched, you tried to not do exactly that. Even eating your lips to keep your mouth shut and refrain from laughing "... Beautiful." 

The shirt was taken back, undoing the buttons just for the guy to put it on your shoulders. Suddenly stiff under his touch, you don't fight as he went about dolling you up in his own shirt. It ends at about your knees. "I didn't get to be a cute lil' thing like you. Bet if things were different, you'd be beatin' all the little boys your age off with a stick."

A deep blush flooded your features, free hand against your mouth while he went about rolling up the sleeves to your elbows. Voice impossibly quiet. "No way. Boys wouldn't… Like me. I think." 

At that, he had to raise a brow. Shooting you a sort of firm look. Of course the guy knew you meant nothing by that, but you probably didn't realize what the hell you just said. "Think of it this way-" Howdy sighed and stood back up, spinning you around quickly to tie the extra sleeves around your back into a big bow. "You are insulting my tastes. if you wasn't pretty then why would we be together? Not that you ain't nice. That's just not the question." 

It was as if your head exploded. More stunned than you already were about him dressing you. "... I'm. I-I'm not hot. Or. Or like those girls in the magazines." 

Each and every sigh he gave got heavier and more exhaustive by the second. "Not to sound shallow, but even I have standards. No one is allowed to say you're hot or sexy or anythin' like that. Just because nobody's said nothin', don't mean it isn't true." His hands clapped together, jazz hands out as if presenting you to yourself. "Lookie here, a bombshell! Little makeup, put up your hair.. Effort in how ya look can go a long way. If you keep hidin' in your clothes, you stop yourself from lookin' as good as you can and feelin' your best." 

"I guess." 

For once, you took an objective look at yourself. Desperate to see what he does. Admittedly, the shirt turned dress was flattering and the fact it smelled like him made you almost hope he'd maybe forget about it and you wouldn't have to give it back. Beyond that, maybe you were pretty. Why can't you see it that way? Where you… Preventing yourself somehow? Enough plush in places to show the early stages of womanhood, your legs were shapely, your face had all the right proportions and pillowy lips. Even if your boobs weren't all there yet, emphasis on yet, they were coming in nicely. 

Maybe you didn't want to believe it. Being a woman in this world, or at least becoming one was an oddly intimidating thought. 

For those few, precious moments. Howdy of course couldn't be more fond of you, though something still made his smile twitch. Flashes of when you weren't so tall. When you weren't so shapely. That same little girl getting dragged into his shop each week. He really did try not to think about it. Those thoughts were shoved right into a box towards the back of his mind, hopeful to forget one way or another. 

Still. He leaned down to kiss your head, then your lips. Something soft and quick. "You're so fuckin' cute." 

For the first time, you really felt that. You felt downright adorable, so absolutely perfect. That was a high you could ride well into the afternoon. 

Chapter Text

Within the hour you were back home in your own room, looking at yourself in the mirror. Even if this could pass as a tablecloth dress, to you, you were the prettiest princess. Or better yet, maybe a wife. The idea of stealing more of Howdy's clothes was oddly appealing. That you could expand your own wardrobe with pieces the neighbors might already recognize. Show yourself off for once, to be proud you got the most eligible bachelor. 

Twirling in place, you fisted the hem of your little outfit. Stupid smile rightfully in place while hearts pop above your empty head. Images of you dressed down in white. Of other girls jealous on your very own special day. Mother would cry of course, she always seemed overcome by emotions. And how handsome Howdy would be waiting for you down the aisle, maybe he'd do something special. Even if he didn't, the caterpillar would be yours and that alone is absolutely perfect. 

Studying yourself in the mirror, you vaguely wonder about what he said. If your hair did more than hang loose, or maybe what makeup might look like on you. Would it be alright to ask your mother? Taking her own stuff felt too obvious, there was no way in hell the woman wouldn't notice you wearing the colors she ordinarily did, and you really hated the idea of just being a smaller version of her. Or… 

Gaze locked onto the mirror, you idoly drug a finger across your puffy lips. Watching the pink skin pull to just as quickly push back in place. Where these kissable enough? Howdy didn't kiss you on the lips nearly enough, maybe if you got some lipstick he would. The caterpillar did run a store, even if he needed to order something special. Of course Daddy could get his hands on an entire set of makeup just for you. The only issue was actually figuring out how to make it look good. Surely someone could show you? Unless if you wanted to hide away your new interest.

With a blink, those hands fall to your hips. Well. It shouldn't be so strange for you to do something different and actually behave as girl would. People might just accept it and move on. Why would anyone question that if you started wearing makeup or actually did something with your hair? It is your hair after all. You are the one wearing it. 

A firm decision had been made on what to do today. It might not be a proper lesson plan, but learning how to be presentable felt like a life skill. One you were seriously lacking. 

Sadly, you'd have to take off the dress first. 

…

Now you didn't take to spending any sort of time with Julie, but Wally was usually around her... Or at the very least it had to be a good place to start. His own house seemed empty, if it weren't for Home itself. He seemed to be your only hope in this new territory. 

Approaching that the chalk hopscotch path felt strange. Like it was a boundary not meant to be crossed. You could do this. You could hang out with girls and learn their secrets... Maybe you were unlucky and Julie was over at Frank's today. That could be it. Yup. A reason to come back and try again tomorrow. 

"Oh my goodness, (YOU)!!!"

You heard her whizzing through the air a little too late. That pink puppet launched from across a swing set just out of sight. She collides with you like a cannon ball, which toppled both of you into the hard brick road. Suddenly seeing stars as Julie giggles brokenly. Immediately on her feet and fully recovered, seemingly proud of herself for the jump. Even if it happened to take you out. 

"Ow." You squeak as she peeled your face off the pavement. 

"Sorry! My aim is so super good. I meant to land next to you. Should I try again? I should try again. Practice makes perfect, you know. Oh! What if we play a game? See who can jump the farthest?" The older girl yammers on at a mile a minute, not looking at you as she spoke. As if the conversation was actually with herself

"Ahh… Um. No thank you. I don't really like to swing that way. I don't need a broken arm or something." You tried to yank away, already hating yourself for going near this side of Home. 

"You should play!" She insists, a death grip on your arm as the girl already began dragging you off towards her house. 

Limp in her grasp, you resign yourself to the situation. A heavy sigh dragged out, much like your heels against the ground. Julie's copious blonde waves of hair drowning you behind her as she tossed you inside like a hostage. 

It seems you weren't the only one kidnapped today. Quietly doodling on the floor was Wally. Why he had been in here and not outside with her felt sort of strange, but Wally himself was strange so you stopped being surprised. Ultimately, you were glad he could be so easily found anyway. Julie released you and scampers over to the yellow puppet. Excitedly presenting you. 

"Wally! (You) Is gonna play with us today." The girl nodded to herself and sat down by him. Head tilted in a curious way. 

He took a minute to respond, lazily glancing in your direction. Heavy lidded gaze falling onto you. A soft, slow to grow smile over his face. "Oh… Hello, Neighbor. I wasn't really playing." 

"Hi, Mr. Darling. I can kind of see that." Before you stand there looking dumb for too long, you actually let yourself have a seat on the floor beside them. "What're you drawing?" 

Blinking then, Wally looked down as if he forgot. "I drew a rock. And a bug… And a tree. I drew Julie, but it's not Julie." His response is flat and more than a tad unfeeling. Something must be bothering him. 

"Well it isn't me. You lost the yellow and used brown for my hair." She huffed, arms crossed over her chest. "That is not my color." 

Mr. Darling frowned a little, silently going back to his doodles. 

Ah. That's why he was by himself. Shoving that issue aside, you actually scoot slightly closer to the young man. "Hey. You wear makeup, right?" 

Again, he passively glanced at you. Those lidded eyes struggle to stay up on his rather dopey features. "Yes… Not a lot. I don't need much." 

"How do you know how much to use?" 

As you were Leaning forward towards him, he sat back a moment to process. Fingers against his chin in a thoughtful pose. "I have good skin.. So I don't need foundation." Wally's head tilted dumbly. "I just pinch my cheeks rather than wear blush.. I only ever use shadow and mascara. My eyes are a good feature. They're something to call attention to." 

"Do I have a good feature like that?" A touch of desperation in your tone. 

Julie gasps, shoving Wally out of the way so that she could see you. "We could give you a makeover!! Or. Or have a spa day!"

The poor guy blushed when touched, having not expected her to be on him right then. He crumpled easily, unable to move under the taller girl's slight weight. "J-julie.." 

"I-I mean. Sure. If that's what you wanna do." You shrug as if that hadn't been on your mind all day. 

All of you pilled into the restroom of Julie's house. It is very cute in here. Various unlabeled fancy bottles of whatever line every surface of this place. Pink shag and white wood with flowers hand painted around the place. The air is thick with talcum powder and potpourri. Not that you could really dwell over looking around before you were shoved onto the toilet. Julie squints hard at you. Scanning every inch of your face while the pink puppet manhandled your jaw. Head tilted this way and that. All of your best possible angles on full display.

Wally must've known this place fairly well, he was able to drag out a rather large makeup box from under a cabinet and sat it down on the countertop nearest to you. The two glanced at each other for a moment, apparently seeing something you must not have. 

"This is gonna take some work." She sighed, looking over at her friend. 

He nods, palm pressed to his cheek. Now able to really get a look at poor you, the fact you sat there utterly terrified was rather disheartening. With a sigh, Wally crossed his arms and leaned forward. "Call Sally. I can see… What I can do." 

The orders were taken with a serious nod, Julie bolted straight out the door in a fury. Skipping down the hallway to her room and towards the home phone. 

With a roll of his eyes, the yellow puppet moved to shut the door. Not at all caring to hear whatever tactics she might use to get that other girl over here. Mr. Darling looked down at you, a hollow smile over his sweet face. "I know you were wanting to talk to me. I can only wonder why…" 

Immediately a blush bloomed over your cheeks. All of your joints seem to shift uncomfortably, almost a thought in mind that you might not be able to answer. Still, somehow you pushed through the embarrassment. "I want to look pretty. You have an eye for looks, I think. I'm not so good at.. Well. That." 

Wally let out a soft breath, and a few airy chuckles. "Ha. Ha. Ha. Aren't you just the most? Silly, girl…" He rocked back on his heels, standing back up to his full height. Which wasn't much taller than you. "You are pretty. Makeup is for fixes or… Finishing touches. Don't ever cake it on. You still want to look like you. Don't you?" 

Your blush grew all the brighter and he shook his head dismissively. Darling smile ever present and charming. Since you were silent, the man could only assume that must've been the case. How sad, don't you know how special you are? That much felt like a pity. 

"Close your eyes and I'll take care of everything." 

After taking a deep breath, you do just that. Eyes closed for what felt like hours. Eventually you were being poked and prodded. Soft tipped brushes, dull pencils and even what felt like a crayon against the soft flesh of your plush face. Choosing to stay silent and keep your mouth shut. A. To not accidentally mess anything up. B. Because you were almost scared to ask what the other was doing in the first place. You simply allow the artist to work. 

More people came into the room after a while, various different chattering conversations with girls around the neighborhood. This must've been what Julie meant by a spa day. 

"Oh dearie me. Sally, are you sure you want me to do that?" You recognized Poppy's timid cluck. Her feathers were already ruffled and they just barely started. 

A noise sounded then, what must've been Sally slipping against the porcelain tub. "Yes, Poppy!" She made a few grand gestures at the bird. Laying within the bath as if it were a coffin. "That's how a mud bath is supposed to work. You bury me, not all the way, of course." 

"Ah. Of course." The bird sighed, unsure if the mud from outside was in fact the same as that used in a salon. 

You barely smiled at the those background antics. Letting out a sharp breath through your nose. Wally noticed, having to pull back from his work to not smudge anything. 

"Oooooo~" Julie cooed as she snuck up behind Wally, seeing what pigments he blessed your features with. 

"I'm not nearly done…" Came a quiet admittance. His delicate fingers gently trace just above what strokes were already made. Those curves and dips of your face were so round with youth. It made things difficult to accentuate, he didn't want to cover up what made you so naturally beautiful. You only needed a little color in your completion. A little bit of life. Not that you looked dead at all, you just never seem happy. Lately, there's been more light inside you. Wally only hoped to let some of that shine through. 

Giggles flood your ears, and you could barely hear what Julie whispered into the artist's ear. "I wonder what her mother would think." 

"Oh hush." Wally tutts and you very nearly frown. 

Chapter Text

Howdy's entire week changed. The first day was easy to push off. But as the weekend started to approach, something nagged at him. Too bad his store kept him busy. Always someone there to wheel and deal. Frank didn't need that new hedge clipper. Though if they wanted to keep the insects feeling right at home? Oh they were gonna need some. Who would enjoy living in an unkempt bush after all. Julie actually wanted chalk and Howdy only suggested a brush eraser, she still bought it. If the thing even worked on asphalt? Well he wasn't sure. Now Eddie he would see every day, sometimes several times. Usually only to dump what orders he didn't feel like delivering himself. 

Everyone in the neighborhood saw the salesman at least once every week. Some only for minutes, and others that could eat his time. Since you were weird, you had effectively stopped visiting him for anything other than your regular shifts. 

Not that he was going to complain. You weren't much of a talker, so he tended to fill the empty space. Those adorable little questions you love to bombard him with were fun, albeit a tad boring conversationally. You're exploring the world and this is all new. Totally understandable. No one could possibly blame you for that. Much less him. Not having you around as often was kind of a nice reprieve. 

No. The weird thing only struck Howdy when he was outside, only when he happened to be sweeping the front step did that bothersome itch make itself known. Barnaby hasn't stopped by in a while. Wally had been showing up every afternoon by himself. It had been so easy to simply forget. To not even notice while the little guy was in here doing his own thing. It isn't as if Walls couldn't come in of his own volition, so he thought nothing of it. But where was his favorite fella? While Howdy swept, of course having the social obligation to wave or give anyone he happened to see the warmest hello, Barnaby paused across the street as his hand lifted for a greeting. That dog turned himself around and walked away. Odd as it is… Howdy couldn't reckon what that must've been about.

It stewed in his head all day and all night. Wondering why his closest friend and preferred customer might do that. The optimistic lense he forced himself to see through rejected anything obvious. One might hope maybe it was unintentional and the guy was worrying over nothing. Unfortunately Howdy knew that cannot be the case. That horrible, realistic answer hurt. Made his chest squeeze and vision blur. The same feeling you brought more often than not. It left a bitter, sick hope behind. One he really wished wasn't there. One that made the man almost want to pray. By God he knew. He knew. How long? How long has it been since Barnaby came to his store? 

Like an instant twitch under his skin, Howdy couldn't allow himself to ignore the fact once he thought it up. For hours he might accidentally drop something. Might space out and have to rip himself back into the moment rather than continue to dwell. It made him a mess after the end of the work day. Far too jittery. Unable to bring himself to eat, or clean the store as well as he usually may, and forget about any sort of normal sleep. If he stopped moving an obnoxious guilt bounced around his skull. 

It only got worse when your very own mother came in looking for something new for you. Her gaze is paralyzing. So ignorant to a new, simple part of his life. It's been going on for almost three months. Directly lying to the women isn't even it. 

She always came in with a smile. Always after the end of her own exhausting day of Tupperware parties and book clubs. As a working woman and single mother, he had nothing but respect for her. It was getting harder to meet her eye. Harder to offer his best service, and more importantly an ounce of friendship. If Barn knew, did he tell her? Doubtful. If their roles were reversed, he'd probably hate himself all the more. 

Your mother came increasingly often and he continued to not see Barnaby. It didn't help that you were her favorite subject.

"My goodness, Howdy. You wouldn't believe what my little (You) got herself into. She's finally becoming a woman." Nothing but pride in the woman's tone. Overjoyed you were allowing girl time with her. Allowing yourself to have fun doing something so simple as getting your nails done or styling your hair. 

"Yeah? Started noticin'. She's tryin' some new things." He answered with as little care as possible, swallowing down his less than innocent interest in exactly that. 

"You don't get it. She actually let me braid her hair. She never let me do that. And painting her nails. We've been having so much fun." The woman seemed genuinely glad. So happy for the two of you to be bonding in some way. 

What did she want him to say? What was she looking for? Howdy didn't know what to comment on. Didn't fully understand where the boundaries were anymore. What is appropriate to mention in the woman's presence? "Guess she just came out of her shell." He could only shrug, passively dipping out of the conversation at points.

Those little things went a long way. He can't tell the woman. Oh yeah. Love it when your daughter comes in with her hair up in a bow. It's easy to imagine using it as a handle. The new lipstick too, it leaves such lovely shade of red over his cock. Her new nails are so pretty. They look even better chipped after digging into the counter here. How the shaky lines of makeup were way more gorgeous smeared anyway. Try as you might to make it look perfect, Daddy preferred getting mascara to run rather than keep it nice. 

Never thought you'd take his advice so far. Maybe some lip gloss, sure. Maybe you'd explore a curling iron. Not once did he think you might want ruby lips and heavy eye shadow. It didn't help with how distracting you are, actually trying to be seen as an adult. How you'd rock in for work all smiles, already dripping wet like some pavlovian dog drooling for food. Openly flooding his tiny shop with an intoxicating scent, it was suffocating these days. A cocktail of chemicals in your shifting pheromones. He couldn't stand that halfway through a shift. Almost needing to excuse himself for a breather. Because you knew if you bat your lashes he'd break. Or. You must've anyway. Why else were you trying so hard to get attention? Why else would you stop wearing tights and leggings? Why wear shorter skirts and skimpy shorts? You were more like a personal whore than any sort of a girlfriend. Always such a good girl. A little slut all for him. 

A bell chimes and the caterpillar tore out of his thoughts. Blinking slowly as that blue beagle said nothing and walked right on in. His heart stopped as the sign on the door is calmly flipped over to closed and the heavy tumbler clicked in that door. Locked. 

For once Barnaby wasn't smiling. This was happening. Howdy froze. Breath caught and a chill ran across his skin. Painfully silent as Barn meandered to the counter to take a seat. Eyes locked on the overgrown bug. 

Swallowing several times, he couldn't speak. Head so empty, Howdy even talk if he wanted to, nothing that might make sense would leave his mouth.

Barnaby pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his breast pocket and slid them across the shiney counter top. Silently offering them, or rather. Silently threatening that Howdy was going to need one. He couldn't turn that down. Not when whatever would be said between them got the opportunity to be out there. Ugly truth out in the open. Maybe he could finally stop pretending. 

"Hiya, Barn… What brings you in today?" A cracked version of his usual grin, lopsided and more than a little forced. 

"... The fact (She) Isn't coming in today." He started, plucking a few cigarettes from that rainbow pack. Gaze dropped to those thin paper tubes. 

Howdy nodded, nervously tapping his fingers on the countertop. "Ah… Really. Why not?" 

With a small shrug, Barnaby took out his own pack of matches. Quick to strike one and light up his smoke. "Been sick these last couple mornings. Her ma's busy and wanted me to tell you, she's taking the kid for a checkup. Sick as a dog." 

A few weird chuckles left him, that anxiety worsening a touch. Barnaby must not know what to really say either. Of course, he tried to keep his head. Taking a breath, Howdy snagged a smoke for himself and played along. "That's a shame. We in flu season already?" 

"Nah. But I hear wedding season is coming soon. Wonder if it's the weather, them dog days always catch me off guard." They locked eyes then and Barnaby stubbed his fresh smoke out already. Directly against that shiney countertop.

"Ah." A choked sound involuntarily came then and all of Howdy's tells were on obvious display. If this were poker, he'd have folded already. Never was so good under pressure. That certain word almost made him as sick as you apparently were. 

The dog's face fell all the more. He wasn't even trying to smile, couldn't bring himself to when his supposed friend didn't have the balls to just be honest. With an unimpressed sneer, he continued. No longer beating around the bush. "She's been smelling a whole lot like you Howdy. Don't make me do this." 

"... Not sure if I-" His elbows hit the counter and Howdy crumbles. He needed to take a second. Hands card through his slicked hair, knocking off that dumb paper hat. One long drag taken from that cigarette, it tasted better than any he'd ever gotten. Letting out that long stream of smoke as a beaten sigh. "Fuck it. Knew this'd come back tah bite me. 'Course it'd be the guy with teeth." 

"Believe you-me. My bite is a lot worse than any bark. I wasn't here for threats. Still ain't. 'Cause I know if I lose it now, I'm smashing a bug. Start talking." Barnaby leaned in closer, voice low as it rattled with disgust. 

"Never wanted marriage, Barn. I don't got no excuses-"

"Good. I don't want none." He spit, quickly interjecting. 

Howdy just had to accept that and start again, head cocked off to the side. Cigarette clamped between his teeth as he grit out what horrible reasons might sway his friend. "If you're gonna listen. listen. Hold on 'til I'm fucking finished. I don't like lyin', I've felt horrible since this all started. Let's get somethin' straight. She came onto me. It was stupid to go through with that. I know. Stupider tah think casual sex would apply in this Podunk town." Another heavy sigh and the caterpillar rubbed at his face, yanking the smoke from his lips as a hand gestured. "Don't rip into me. I missed sex. I fuckin' hate how desperate I got at the first sign of a potential fling. Now? I hate seein' her face in my head. I still recognize that little girl." 

"She is still a little girl, Howdy." 

"I KNOW. God, I know. What do you want? I can't fix this. Every time I remotely wanted to, I just dug a deeper hole. I can't break her heart. I just can't. She's in love with me and I don't know what to do." He slumped further over the counter, stubbing out that damned cigarette just to steady himself with a breath. Absolutely exhausted, Howdy finally was able to look at the other man. "I didn't want to fuck up what you're tryin' to do either. You'd be a better father figure. She's confused and I made this so much worse." 

"She don't wanna see me that way. You're supposed to be a role model. You only got one choice, Howdy. Do the respectful thing and marry her before anything shows. Unless you wanna ruin her life more. Have everybody in town hate the ground you walk on." He slapped the counter, actually making the salesman jump. A finger pointing right at him with a shaky paw. "You're supposed to be a friend. Don't make me fuck you up." 

"Make you?" Tossing the used butt somewhere, Howdy leaned in nearly nose to nose with the mutt. "Ain't even your responsibility! I figure you might run off and tell her ma. How long you known this for? Ain't see you in for a couple weeks now." 

"At first, I didn't wanna say nothin'. You're right, that ain't my place. Ain't my tree to bark up. I've had such a hard time getting that kid to open up to me, half the reason why I haven't went and got myself settled down. Half the time I think she hates me. But I love that girl, I value her. So if you hurt her, boy, Howdy. I'mma show you what for." He actually reached that same paw over, a firm grip on the salesman's obnoxious tie. 

His teeth clicked, ultimately left with no choice in the matter. He wasn't about to fight an old friend and true to his word, there is no possible way to abandon you and leave behind a broken home. Not when yours already was. "I don't wanna hurt her neither. I wish I loved her more." 

~~~~

Next thing he had to do was dial the phone. To just spin the rotary and be done with it. Leaning so far against the wall he was practically laying on it; Howdy Doo had himself a staring contest with that phone. The droning buzz drew on and on. Bit by fuzzy bit it ate at something. Plucked at a certain string in his head. If only he started already, this conversation might've been over. 

Tapping the receiver against his head a few times, he finally worked up the nerve to be a man and get this over with. Howdy spun that dial and waited for the lines to connect. Fingers tangled in the coiled cord. 

Brr… Brr… Click! 

"Pillar residence." 

Howdy nearly wanted to hang up. That voice made his stomach drop. He pinched at the space between his eyes and forced himself to keep going. "Hey, Pops. Could yah put Ma on?" 

"Howdy, Howdy. Yeah, she's here. I didn't expect you to call for a few days." Biya chuckled on his end, shuffling around for a moment before passing the receiver to his wife. 

"Yeah. See, I gotta ask a favor."

Apparently the phone got passed before he realized, his mother's cheery tone loud and clear. "A fava'? Oh, honey bug, you only need tah ask. Is everythin' goin' okay? I missed yah call last week an' felt just awful." 

"Uh, Ma, this you may wanna sit down for." Already cringing to himself, he half wondered what to say. 

"Well. Okay. Don't worry, I got my chair here. Yah fatha' is still floatin' 'round."

"What? I don't have anything else going on." Howdy could almost hear the man. Retirement must be boring, or he's excited. 

"... Do yah still got Gam-Gam's weddin' set?" It was like ripping off a bandaid. The caterpillar's eyes screwed shut, immediately yanking the phone from his head to avoid his own mother's screams. At least this gave the man something else to feel better about. Yet another thing he can rub in his brother's face, that he may just be married first. 

The other end was quiet for a moment, and Howdy mistakenly thought it might be safe. Only to immediately regret putting the phone back by his head. Hiya did scream. Burst into tears as her husband stood there wide eyed. "Is my baby boy gettin' hitched? Oh, Howdy Doo! 'Course we still got her rings. In fact! Who else do I gotta ring? Or you tellin' the wiggle yourself? My goodness gracious!" 

Of course she was proud of her darling boy. Maybe it wouldn't be too late to dive head first into a bug zapper. Howdy fiddled with the cord, pulling it tight in places and loose in others. Eyes rolling in his head. "Go ahead and tell the rest a' the wiggle. I haven't got those rings, so I ain't proposed yet or nothin'. Bettin' she'll prolly say yes." Out of every unexpected thing to come out of your mouth, he had yet to hear a 'no' for anything. 

"And when do we meet this girl?" Biya leaned over the chair Hiya was in, suddenly bursting through the receiver on his end. Voice all crackled thanks to the machine itself. 

Again, the guy had to pull the phone away or risk busting an eardrum. Not so quick to answer as he couldn't be sure. His parents were a few hours away. A healthy distance he might call it. And if they came, who knows who else might trail behind. 

"Dunno, if this goes as good as it might… Ah." Pausing a moment, he actually groaned. Already sore at himself for not thinking that far ahead. Antenna drooping some as he sunk into his shoulders. "I still gotta ask permission. Gee, Ma. How'd Pop ask for you?" 

More shuffling came through the receiver, a couple muffled words and a huff from someone in the background. His father grumbled something as Hiya drug the phone closer to herself. "Well! Oh I'll tell you. That man, he was so romantic. Went straight up tah my fatha' an' demanded he let him marry me. An' y'know yah fatha', he's no pushover. You remember Pa-pah don't ya? Just about got him real good with that mean hook and my Biya was still standin'. Just about shoved me at him afta' that." 

One thing is for certain. He can't physically find your father to fight him, so that'll be no good. "Wow. Guess I'm glad you find that romantic. I always thought it was the mustache…" Right then a car rolled by the shop windows. Some beaten rig he recognized from a loud muffler pop. The caterpillar nearly wheezed. "I'll figure it out. Love you, guys. Gonna have to call you back." 

Chapter Text

The ride home is terrifying. More So than the doctor's visit. Your mother had been sure that doctor was insane to even suggest her daughter could be pregnant. But when you put your head in your hands, she didn't know what to think. 

You hadn't said one word. Not during the tests. Not when the results nearly made your mother faint. Not even while the next appointment was already being made. Only until you were driving through country back roads, those familiar signs that led towards Home. 

"... Mother-" Soft and barely noticeable, you really did want to explain yourself. 

"Don't you start." She shut it down, eyes focused on the road. Far too angry to even glance in your direction. 

At first you might have been compelled to lean your head against the window and pretend not to exist. Trouble with that is… You've been feeling good about yourself. For the first time in your relatively short life, you felt like being heard. Sat up straighter and brow sternly set. You took a tone you never had before. "Mother. I wanted this." 

The car jerked, her hand is quick to correct. It rattled both of you and her eyes flit to your severe face. If only for a moment. 

She made that face. That awful thinking expression, lips pulled tight as if she might scowl. As if the woman bit back what she truly wanted to say. "You don't know what you want. You think you do, but I don't believe that." 

"You can't tell me what I do and don't think. You aren't me!" 

"I know what it's like to be you, young lady. I was your age once too." She argued. 

She hadn't meant it that way, but you took the comment as a slight. The idea of solely being a smaller version of her itched. A searing need to not become your mother. To be your own person completely and entirely. "As if!" You scoff, tucking yourself deeper into the bench seat. "You went to school. You knew kids. It took me so long to figure out I was lonely. You're never home! And I hate that everyone treats me like a child, I'm the only one they treat different." 

"Oh, baby…" Your mother frowns, hurt in a way you have no way to understand. 

"Don't call me that!" Red in the face, you force yourself to look away. Glaring at your vague reflection in the passenger side window. 

"I feel like I don't even know you anymore. What happened to my little girl?" She sniffs, a tear in her eye as everything she thought about her precious girl turned out wrong. If you were already pregnant, who knows what else you might've been doing. Or who. 

"Mother! I am not little anymore. I want my own family. Let's face it. At this rate I'm never going to get my GED." And deep down, being a wife never was so appealing. "Maybe I could start thinking about my future." 

"Of course you will. You're learning at your own pace. These things take time. A baby isn't the answer to your path in life. Did you want to get knocked up like some hussie?" 

"It was a happy accident. Let's call it that." As accidental as asking someone to cum inside you can be, you suppose. Not like you were truly thinking at the time anyway. 

"... Who? You, tell me the bastard that did this or so help me, God." Fingers trembling against the wheel, her ire immediately redirected itself. 

"Howdy." It felt good to finally say it. To tell someone else who that man belongs to. Of course there weren't very many people in town that are capable of getting you pregnant, so he must seem the most obvious choice. Whatever the case may be in her eyes. 

No matter what opinions she previously held about the man, they were instantaneously changed. "I'm gonna kill him. Mark my words, you will never see that monster again." 

"He's not a monster, he's a caterpillar!" You seethe, taking the insult beyond personally.

"He touched you!" The car slammed to a grinding halt and she turned to you. Near deviation as she cried. "I let you down and you don't even know!"

"No. If anything…" You cough, slightly ashamed by the reality of the situation. "I for sure started this, I saw what I wanted and took it." 

"Really?" She accused, not at all believing that. "You shouldn't even know about sex!" 

"Of course I know about sex! I hear so many things. We live under the same roof." So many confusing feelings came from that. Your mother must not know how loud she can get. 

At that, the woman blushes. Calmly starting back down the road. "This never would've happened if you didn't get that job."

With a blink, you almost laugh. Surely, even without what started as a summer job, you would have figured out another way to get closer to Howdy. Which, almost felt manipulative if you were honest with yourself. "Mother, I'm in love. Doesn't that matter?" 

"I was in love with your father and look what that got me." She tried to open that wound you've always ignored. As if one man's mistakes would ruin every other male in your mind. 

"Um. Wow. Didn't know you regret having me. Thanks." Or at least, that is the only obvious consequence of their marriage you really knew. 

"No, of course not-" Your mother gasped, turning down a side path that would lead down that yellow brick road. Home just out of sight. 

"That's what you're saying!" With a heavy groan, as soon as that car parked you were out the door. Immediately headed inside the house, an idea in mind to just hide in your room. 

"Don't you walk away from me, young lady!" The muffler in her car popped as she turned it off. Quickly scrambling to follow you in. Absolutely furious at your apparent disrespect. 

~~~

This was really going to eat into his laughable profit margins, but Barnaby is his best customer and that really started showing. What with taking the time to actually do math about his sales these last couple weeks. You were far too distracting. If only his own life wasn't the biggest joke right now. Unfortunately that had to be a loss, at least for the time being. Surely the neighborhood would understand if he had to close up shop for the next day or two. Much as he hated to say it. 

More or less prepared, Howdy made his way upstairs to slap something presentable on. Up the thin stairs to what felt like the world's smallest loft. 

No way does a kid have room to grow up here. What was he thinking? Sure, he had enough in the bank to get a house and move. To completely relocate though? To uproot again really would take time, time that could be better spent counting laughs. Not to mention taking you away from your mother, which might actually convince the woman to kill him. That isn't the best solution. Maybe get some permitting done and rent a trailer. Those new manufactured homes were a real steal. Something small to wait until he could think of a more permanent living situation. Or schools? The nearest public school is probably an hour away at the very least. For a fact he knew you couldn't be reliable for homeschooling and he damn well wouldn't have time for it. How you were decently smart felt like a miracle all on its own. 

Howdy's knees wobbled, a sudden need to hold his head and chest. Having to breathe and focus on anything else. This was okay, you both have time… Why the fuck didn't you just take that pill? Suppose that must be idiotic to ask at this point, you already did a fantastic job keeping one hand in his pants at all times. You did say you wanted to keep him and this is a way to fucking do it. Even if you weren't an opportunist, the man had to wonder just what you would have done if he didn't wake up. If he sat there unknowingly sleeping away, how far might you let yourself go? 

That was the one thought in his head that actually made him stop. Put all of his rushing mind to a halt. Such a little whore. It put another idea in his head. All those negatives do have an upside. If you wanted to trap him into something, he could still make use of any other benefits that presumably came with. Training you is going to be fun. Plus, you could be hidden away at whatever home you'd make and not have to work. Not have to bother him with your very existence, especially since you only saw him in a sexual light most of the time. That much was slightly strange to experience, not that he is going to complain. Still, that is going to have to stay at home. His shop was starting to reek of you and he wasn't the only one that could tell. Throwing something on, he took all the pros about the situation and tried to keep those in his head. Toss out everything else. 

...

After an hour or so when the both of you were back home again, Howdy found himself in front of your door. A bouquet of roses in hand, courtesy of Frank. Dressed to the nines in a pinstripe button down and dark jeans. Sadly, besides his regular work attire this might be the nicest outfit Howdy actually owns. 

His lower hands shoved themselves into his pants pockets to keep them occupied. Free hand smoothing out already perfectly slicked hair. There were a few shouts that were able to slip out from behind that door, he couldn't hear any sort of conversation. But a slam and stomping isn't hard to recognize. 

Without much to lose, he balled up a fist to knock. 

His heart seemed to jump at every noise made behind the door. Hands sweating as it finally began to creak open. Before the man could let out one word, or he could even see who answered. A hand cracked across his face. She wouldn't have been able to reach if your mother didn't take to wearing heels. 

"How dare you?!" Hand on her cocked hip, she looked him up and down with new eyes. An unbridled hatred towards what should very well be an upstanding member of their community. 

Stunned over the brazenness your mother had to hit anyone. His antennae stood on end and he actually had to step back on the porch. Bouquet held out as a shield to not get slapped again. "I deserved that!.. May we talk?" 

Maybe if the man was on his knees crawling like the insect he is, then she would have given him some room to talk. Instead, she seemed to have no issue yelling at him on the front steps. "You deserve more than that, you son of a bitch!" 

Those flowers were held out an inch or two further, as if under the impression she hadn't noticed them yet. Only for her to grab the wrist holding them and yank Howdy inside. A stream of insults and swear words follow behind as that same door is kicked shut. If she had the mind to, those same flowers would be ripped to pedals. But she flicked her wrist and released him, not one care in the world over his arbitrary peace offering. 

Now, before she could maybe take another swing, Howdy was very sure to keep a pace or two between them. Awkwardly clearing his throat some. "I know you'll probably never forgive me for this-" He opened his mouth only for it to clamp shut. Another step taken back as your mother closed the distance. About ready to deck the caterpillar. 

"No! You don't have the right. What you did should be illegal!" 

"I'm sorry. I wanna make this right." 

"There is no making this right. I can't believe I trusted you. I can't believe I was blind enough to let her get hurt like this." Your mother took a deep breath, a hand slapped over her mouth to keep those disgusting feelings in. "My baby girl.." Her eyes were already red from the car ride, but new tears came. Slowly rolling over her fingers as she sniffles. 

With a soft sigh, Howdy just dropped the flowers and moved to get down onto a set of knees. "Listen. I don't want to ever see (You) hurt. I'd hate myself for doin' somethin' like that. She's a good girl and you didn't do anythin' wrong raisin' her." Once he was on the floor, and looking up at your mother. His hands were held out towards her. That same soft kindness he had for you, reflected back onto the poor woman. Ghost of a smile over his exhausted face. "I wanna make this right and marry your daughter." 

She couldn't hold back a noisy sob, shaking her head in abject horror. "I-I can't let you do that. (You) Is not keeping it. I won't let you ruin her life like mine was." 

At that, he had to stand back up again. A soft frown tugging at his lips. "Believe me. If that was her choice, I'd accept it." The idea of just shoving that baby at an adoption center was nice all things considered. It would take a massive responsibility off his hands, but he wasn't getting any younger. His expression twitched, words half filled with a somber regret. "I know she wouldn't want that. You make her give this up now and she's only gonna hate you for it." 

Biting back more tears, she scrubbed under her eyes and tried to keep a level head. "Do you even love her? Plenty of men only marry the girl they knock up because it's convenient. I can't damn her to something loveless." 

"Hold that thought." Howdy patted at himself, almost as if he was a product in this horrible situation. "Have I got a real deal for you!" A hand posed under his grinning face. "Bonafide, one hundred percent cost effective marriage material. Not only does this prime of his life man right here have a retirement plan and a college degree, not only does he have a business to pass down one day. No, ma'am. This! This is a genuine, well bred bug with enough pride an' honor tah put a marine shame." 

That almost got a laugh. Your mother flashed a smile just to stomp it back down again, still needing to keep that anger in her head. Hands cocking her hips, the woman raised a brow at him. "Pride and honor. Huh. What makes a guy like that fuck my daughter?" 

"To be brutally honest, I was plastered." Why lie if he was already this deep in shit? With a nonplussed shrug, he sort of handwaved that. "You've got quite the girl on your hands." 

"Wait. Wait. Wait." She shook her head in disbelief. "You were drunk?"

"Why else would a guy like that fuck your daughter?" Just about cackling at the memory, even he found your perversion impressive. Still, he couldn't help the stupid smile that wormed in place. "She's a lovely girl an' she means the world tah me. Hell, if I'm even more honest. Don't believe I could marry anybody else." 

Somehow your mother couldn't find much more reason to actually argue. If this turned out badly, she can drill that into your stupid head later on down the line. "Fine. You'll have my blessing on one condition." 

"What, need my joke book? What check do I gotta write?" He leaned over himself, bending lower to be more on her level. 

"I don't want your money." She made a sour face at the implication, an exact copy of the same expression he'd seen on you countless times. "If I hear a single bad thing about you? No one's ever going to find the body." 

"Noted. I'll do you one better! You have my own personal satisfaction guarantee, or I plug in the zapper myself." 

Chapter Text

Just as you hoped, life didn't change too much as you knew it. Everything felt like it turned out fine. Your mother begrudgingly allowed you to continue seeing Howdy, with the contingency of coming home every night by at least ten. Which seemed rather reasonable, as much as you wanted to complain. 

She eventually barged into your room for another serious talk about your own father, and your own well being when it came to older men. All those nonsensical dangers that left you barely listing, only rolling your eyes at every other word that came out of her mouth. Shouldn't you know what's best for you? After all, how were you supposed to learn if you weren't the one doing something? At least now you might be able to brag about it. How you could finally hug or maybe even kiss your boyfriend in the street. That was more than most people in town could say. Of course, the first person that needed to be told that would be the man himself. 

This morning you were twirling between the closet and dresser. Throwing on a long shirt that was stolen from Howdy and some adorable, shiny black shoes. It took a moment or two of facing away from the mirror to tie up the back, something of a clumsy bow made. Then you needed to stop by the powder room to make yourself up nice. Lipstick is very easy to smear on and at the very least stay in line. And you had taken Wally's advice for the most part. Simple brushes of a dark shadow with a black line around your eyes. It made them appear rounder, or so you were told. The mirror was hard to recognize like this, but… That puppet staring back at you is so pretty. Why can't you bring yourself to believe it's still you? Although, you don't feel very different on the inside. So you must be you. 

After putting your hair up in a lovely way, you were ready for a brand new day. Mother had already taken off to work this morning, so you wouldn't have to pass by and suffer through disapproval. It would be easy enough to skip on out the door. Maybe stop by the shop?

Maybe… Not. There you saw Barnaby right outside the door. Paw raised as if he might've knocked if you hadn't been there first. Your smile flipped, so unenthusiastic about seeing your mother's own boyfriend. They've been official for a month or two, for you its years at this point. With a rather flat tone you leaned in the doorway. "Morning, Barnaby."

"You must've slept good, having such a nice morning." While he was smiling, you didn't really get what the beagle said. 

Your thin brow pinched, hands folded behind your back. "Uh. Yeah. I slept really good. So totally good." Without missing a beat, you went to step by him. Mentally praying as your foot hits the first step. 

"Hey, kid, let's talk." 

"Talk..?" 

"Little walk an' talk. I know your mom does that. Being a busy lady and all. Besides, I'm the only dog you can take for a walk." Like a gentleman, he took off his hat to place at his chest. Bowing towards the yellow brick sidewalk. 

Of course you do. The lump in your throat is hard to swallow. Heart in your stomach when your feet finally do move. Why did everyone seem to want to talk to you these days? Sure you were excited to gush over your relationship, but it would always turn into a lecture at this rate. Rather awkwardly, you took to watching your own feet. More interested in seeing the shine of your shoes than the other beside you. 

Once you were a good distance from the house, Barnaby cleared his throat. Offering a little small talk as best he could. "Y'know. A conversation usually takes two people." 

"You're the one that wanted to talk. I'm just sorta… Here?" Far as you were concerned, that's all you were for. To get talked at. 

Seeming to consider that for a moment, he gave a slight nod. "Whelp. I just wanted to know how you're doing. I'd bet you'd say 'Fine', and that ain't the answer I'm looking for." 

"What answer are you looking for then?" With an incredulous little scoff, you actually get the gumption to look at the dog. 

"Something that would tell me, I don't have to worry. I've got this funny feeling in my bones about you, but it ain't anything humorous." 

The joke made you smile at the very least, heavily rolling your eyes. "I am fine. If you really want to know. I'm tired of everyone, like.. I dunno. Judging me."

"Judging you? Who's judging you?" He asked carefully, not wanting to pry in your eyes. 

"Mother mostly I think. But she's my mother, so no matter what I'm gonna get that." 

"No bones about that. My ma is like that too. General mother type things." 

"Well. I guess I'm joining the club there. Did mother tell you?" 

"Tell me what?" By all means, he really did try to act surprised. Nonchalantly folding his large paws behind his back. A sidelong glance cast down at you. 

"I'm pregnant. I'll have my own kid to Lord over." You gasped, an instant grin over your face. "Everyone is gonna have to stop calling me 'kid'! Oh won't that be something?" 

The fact you were excited about it made him nearly cringe, only able to bite that back when you were looking. "Little young tah be doing something like that, but okay. That'll be your choice. No matter how old you get, pretty sure people are still gonna call you 'kid', kid." 

"Wow. Thanks." The fact he didn't seem to bat an eye was strange, maybe… Do you just seem like the person who would be pregnant at your age? As far as you could guess anyway. "Y'know. So far, you're the first I've told." 

"Not even the father? Don't I feel special." He adjusted his bowtie in a silly little way. A smug smile over the dog's muzzle. Even through, he knew that wasn't really the case. 

"Nope! I haven't told him yet. Won't he be surprised!" A stupid grin spread over your felt face. If only you knew. 

"And who should I be congratulating? Which dog is having their day?" 

"Howdy." His name was let out as a soft sigh. Your hands clasped together in a dreamy way by your head. Swooning at the very thought of that caterpillar. "I thought mother would be happier about it too…" You paused, letting out a terrible gasp. "You're good friends with him, right? I wanna do something nice. What does he like?" 

He'd never seen your eyes sparkle like that before. When you suddenly turned to gush, a regular girl in love. It hurt to see you this happy over anything, or anyone. Barnaby had to just keep smiling. Keep pretending you knew any better and that everything was okay. "Howdy… Huh. What a guy. What a guy." 

Far too entranced to see what the other saw, you just swooned all the more. Smile turning stupid as hearts pop above your head. "I know, right? Like. I could do so much worse." 

Just gonna go ahead and ignore that. Barnaby awkwardly coughed into his paw, shoving down all of those strange feelings. "Well, I know Howdy ain't much into material things. So, I guess your best bet is some kind a' gesture." 

As the store came into view, you happily skipped a long slightly faster. What was a better gesture of love than having someone's baby? Besides, Howdy said he wouldn't reject any decisions you made. This all felt like solid advice. More bubbly than ever, you waved goodbye to Barnaby and proceeded to scamper inside. 

"Thank you! I really appreciate it!" 

"... 'Course. Don't let the bedbug bite." Of course, he allowed you to leave without complaint. Off to distract himself and attempt to not think about this. Not until his heart and mind could agree on anything. Maybe Wally needs some bugging, more than you do anyway.

~~~~

A little bell announced your presence, but Howdy wasn't facing towards the door. In fact he was far too busy stocking some items on a nearby shelf to really even notice that you were there. He waved a hand in the door's general direction. "Welcome i-in-..."

The caterpillar paused, antennae twitching as he knew exactly the second you came in. A heavy, heady scent floods his shop with the breeze. One so sweet it left him drooling, a gnawing hunger crawling through his insides. His knees wobble as he turns to face you. Perfect, adorable, little you wearing his shirt. He nearly dropped the box under his arm. 

"Hey… You." Rather light headed right then, he cracked a weird sort of smile. 

Before talking with Barnaby, poor Howdy would have never put two and two together. Apparently pregnant women smell delicious. No wonder he couldn't keep his hands to himself. Unfortunately being able to rationalize these feelings doesn't help the fog in his head whenever you were around. 

"Hi, Howdy!" Just a bundle of joy, you toddle right on over. The way your nose crinkles as you hold back giggles made something in his head short circuit. "I have some news!" 

"News?" Having to pump the breaks here, he snapped himself out of his own head. Even having to set down the box to keep his hands free. Can't go about dropping anything. "If you got news, hold on to it. Now ain't exactly a good time." 

With a short huff, your hands met your hips. Quickly glancing around the small store to check if anyone else happened to be here. Which, there didn't seem to be. "Why isn't now a good time? I promise you'll love what I have to say~" Your sing-song voice didn't help the situation. 

"'Cause I got work that needs done. I actually have somethin' to tell yah too. So we can trade later." Much as he hated the way your lips tug into a fat pout, or how your eyes seem to double in size. The best thing is to stay firm and hold back. 

"But, Howdy-!" You start, gently stomping at the ground in a bratty little way. A breath taken to maybe begin whining. 

It made his knees all the weaker. A lot of the resistance he had was already crumbling when your voice hit that specific pitch. Acting as if you couldn't have candy. Howdy had to stop that in its tracks. "No No, none a' that. You are gonna wait." One hand waggled a disapproving finger at you, several other hands found his hip. 

"This is important!" 

"M sure it is." That came out wrong. Before you could respond, he spit out something else. "I planned us a date, an' you can tell me then. Makes it special that way." His hands rub together, subconsciously containing himself for the moment. 

Practically bouncing in place, your own hands were balled up in an excited way. Immediately perking up at the romantic idea. "A date? Like a date-date?"

"Yeah? I ain't askin' yah on a peach or plum. You deserve a proper date." He had to snort at that. Half chuckling at the honestly endearing reaction, unfortunately his intrusive thoughts just couldn't help ruining it. 

Living in a city would probably be dangerous for you. Just knowing you. Some creep could easily snatch you off the street for sure! Which made him instantly feel a little gross. Some nasty guy offering you this or that to lure you away. Okay, maybe he felt more than a little gross. 

Oh well. No helping that now, may enjoy this while it lasts. 

While you spoke, he couldn't help watching your lips move rather than your eyes. Usually they were rolling anyway. But with how your pillowy lips press and pull so gently. Or how he could catch a glimpse of your tongue peaking out, vowels so beautifully slip around your lips to kiss the air. How you talk is ever so lovely.

Oh shit. You were still talking. 

And Howdy isn't paying attention in the slightest. Dumbly leaning in further towards you, his smile widened with every throb of his heart. 

"~~~~. May I stay?" You blink, brows pinched in a patheticly. You tug at his will so freely, so masterfully. All without trying. 

He had to look away. A slight heat over his fuzzy face as Howdy debated that. Eyes lazily rolling around in his skull as the poor guy began melting where he stood. "I dunno. Yah sorta… Distract me. 'Specially when I'm tryin' to work." An uncomfortable twang in Howdy's voice as the same hand that once pointed at you now scratched against his neck. 

"Please? I won't distract you! I promise." Still rocking on your heels, you thought hard for a few moments. Lips pressed into a thin line, serious look on your normally sweet face. "I haven't eaten yet. You can cook for me! I'll even pay." 

Full on laughing, Howdy shook his head and moved to pick back up that box again. As if he wouldn't make you pay, you'd still owe him. "Alright, alright. Sit at the counter an' stay there." 

The playfully commanding tone he took left you leaking. Soft giggles trail behind as you quickly head over to the stools for a seat. "Treat me like a normal customer." You almost started to miss Howdy's food since you stopped coming in so much. Hands neatly folded against the shiney countertop, you passively eye the little food menu clipped to a holder. Of course there isn't anything new to order, but maybe he wouldn't be opposed to working a tad harder for you. 

"Ain't nothin' normal about you, but we can pretend." The box is brought with him over to the counter, and set behind it. If only to keep the thing out of his way. Quick to pop back up again, his lower hands fold together while the upper ones found his hips. "What can ol' Howdy Doo, for you?"

Smiling wide, you bat your lashes in an obvious way at him. "I'd like to order, Sir." 

"Hmm." Constantly moving, the salesman threw on his best grin. Elbows suddenly at the counter, as he made a mischievous face. Voice low as if he might let you in on a secret. "Somethin' usual? I can make yer favorite." 

"No." It was a short, blunt reply. His brows raised at it. Your nose whipped upwards, acting too good for what you might ordinarily order. "I want you to make me something special. Something… Sweet." 

"Special? You wantin' a drink or actual food?" 

"Probably Both. I'm starving." The more you thought about food, the more your stomach clenched uncomfortably. Recently you've started getting hungrier than normal. The doctor did mention something like that would happen. 

"Alright, but! Since you didn't give me anythin' specific tah go off of, you get what you get." Howdy turned himself around to get started. Instantly opening and closing cupboards and drawers. A spare hand used to flick on the flat top at his workstation, allowing it to warm up until he happened to be ready. 

"Sounds okay to me." You agreed, watching as the caterpillar moved about. "Say, why didn't you open a greasy spoon? You're good enough."

Having four arms move in tandem with each other made cooking a breeze. It was also helpful to plainly remember certain recipes, even ones that aren't on his menu. Two scoops floor, two eggs, cup of milk, table spoon of sugar, splash of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. 

It took a minute or two for him to respond, a bowl of ingredients now under his arm being mixed. "Never wanted to put myself in a corner." A tall metal cup is grabbed from a shelf and placed onto the counter furthest from you. As to not let you see what he was making of course. "On one hand I like sellin' things an' its nice gettin' tah use new products." 

A Free hand is stuck out, pretending to weigh it in the air. "On another hand; I love cookin' too. Put all my eggs in one basket an' I might end up hatin' the other." He spun back around then, moving a couple things back to where they belong. Milk shoved into the fridge once it was done being used. That cup is now about half full of milk. A bright pink bottle is yanked up from under the counter and squirted in. One. Two. Three. Stop. 

"Don't people hopefully do what they love?" Your mother sure didn't, but that wasn't her own fault. There aren't many places that would hire a woman anyway. Frowning at the thought, your head tilted in a dumb way. 

"That's the problem. Say, if I owned a dinner. Town'd be outta  grocery store. Fun as the idea is. Without a grocer, that'd make somebody be able tah swoop in an' fill the need." The metal cup is brought to the back, pausing the conversation that short while to add a scoop of ice cream. Once he returns, it is clicked into place on the milkshake mixer. Allowing it to run as other things are handled. 

You waited until the man was back, subtly leaning in whichever direction was closest to him. Arms crossed over the counter as you listen. "So like. You'd lose on sales?" 

"Bingo! We've got a winner." Fingers snap, pointing vaguely towards you. "If I do both, I don't get bored an' make more money than I would otherwise." 

"That's so smart!" 

"That's what common sense and a business degree gets you."

A shallow pan is carelessly tossed onto the flattop, a few more things gathered from the box fridge close by. Pack of bacon, the eggs and pre-shredded cheese. All pulled out to join what was already gathered on the counter. He had to stop suddenly, flicking off the milkshake maker for now. It must be mixed enough. 

"Do you do anything fun for… Yourself? You work so much. Every day is kind of a lot." Voice lilting into a soft whine, you slump further into your elbows. Laying your top half against the counter. Sometimes it sounded like he was more robot than caterpillar.

"Fuckin' rude." Barking out a rough laugh, Howdy's smile cracked. The batter he made now poured into the pan, that same pan tiled in all directions to spread the batter as thinly as possible. "This is my fun. I get whatcha mean though." Some bacon is slapped onto the flattop, now starting to sizzle. "I like piano, jogging an' jokes. Ain't got much more time 'n that for hobbies." 

Another, heavy sigh was heaved out. You were a boneless sack against the cool counter. A pouty little thing stewing there as if you were starved. "You're gonna have to make more time for things… What if you closed three days a week?" 

The incredibly thin pancake is flipped over, white cheese sprinkled on top. Once his bacon began to curl, that was flipped with the same spatula. Pausing on cooking, he took a step to reach over and remove the milkshake tin from its shaker, soon taking it back over to you. The shake is poured into a curved glass. His eyes half rolling as a hand placed itself at his chest, feigning hurt. "We got nights don't we? Off hours tah spend together." 

"That's not nearly enough!" More whines bubble out from your throat. If he didn't know you better, the man might've thought you'd start crying. 

"Fine. Fine. One day. I'll take one day off a week, jus' fer you. Happy?" This wasn't going to become an argument. Not with how he shatters under the logic. If you were going to be truly together, he can't keep you locked away, or have sex be your only interactions. Even when you eventually do become his wife, as much as he likes to. Howdy had to remind himself you are still a person, not some pet to fuck and feed. 

You sat up straight, happy face smiling over at him. Cheeks all warm and rosey. "Yay! What day? People are hardly ever out on Sundays, I think." It wasn't long until your gaze set on the drink he was pouring for you. 

A pink milkshake with a dollop of whip cream and rainbow sprinkles. One of those cookie, chocolate straws shoved inside. Your eyes grew all the wider, happily dragging it closer to yourself to sip on. Oh so delightful, you delicately hum through an adorable smile. 

Howdy couldn't linger on it much, having to get back to the flattop and his pan. The first crepe is slid off the pan after the cheese melted, a couple slices of bacon placed on top and folded in half. Another pad of butter is added to the pan, more batter thinly spread over it. Two eggs are cracked over the greasy spot where the bacon was, quickly crackling against the heated surface. "Sundays ain't bad to take off... Busy days are Fridays. Gotta love a Friday." Those eggs are seasoned, a combined salt and pepper pot casually shaken over them as they are mixed into a loose scramble. 

"Wait." Your lips rip away from the straw, a hand half raised in a gesture. "You have my help on one of your slowest days?" 

The crepe is flipped, cheese added to the second one. Half the eggs are scooped up to be dumped evenly into each crepe. He nearly fumbled, a bit of egg falling to the floor. "Well I-. Y'see…" 

You nearly gasp, utterly shocked Howdy could even get flustered. Your hand strains, pointing at him all the harder. A wild grin split across your painted lips. "Ah-Ha! You gave me the weekend. You said it was your busiest time. Why not give me Fridays and Saturdays? If you're so busy?" Your tone sounded more playful than anything accusatory. 

Because he wanted to take it easy on you. You've never had a job before, it wasn't a lie. The week day is technically a school day too, if that even meant anything. Howdy finished folding your savory crepes and a plate is shoved at you before you knew it. His face was tight for a moment, brow raised. "Do you want the real answer, or do you want me tah stroke yer ego?" 

Your face was still a certain shade of pink, lips bitten at as you weren't sure what that really meant. It made his grin return in full force, you actually get to see himself lick across his teeth. Physically seeing the sleazy thoughts that must be cropping up in his head. "Um. What do you… Think I wanna hear?" 

He leaned in a little closer, lower set of hands folded together as he went back to leaning on his elbows. "You, lil' girl, are lookin' into that too hard. That bein' said? I think you was hopeful I wanted tah get you all alone. I'd even bet… You wanted me tah drag you in the back an' have my way, day one." As the bug spoke, time seemed to slow. 

Your face grew all the brighter. Only then yanking away as if you had now noticed your food. Too embarrassed to respond, you shoved some food in your gob. The first bite melts across your tongue. White cheese and eggy pancake so sweet. The bacon is perfectly salty in such a complimentary way. "... This is so freaking good! How were you single?" Another few bites are swiftly taken. Shoving off his completely accurate assessment in favor of buttering Howdy up. 

Which worked. 

Obviously he knew he was a wonderful cook, mostly with relatively simple meals. People don't like waiting to be fed after all. Still, he couldn't help the hardy grin over his smug mug. "You're welcome. On the single front, it ain't exactly great tah flirt with people in a professional setting. Not like you'd know anythin' 'bout that." 

That came as a personal hit. You swallow heavily, fork picking at your teeth as you mutter out your shame. "... I mean… I didn't while you were working…" 

"HA! That's almost funny enough tah pay fer your food. Almost." After that, he completely dropped the idea of only treating you like a customer. No one in their right mind would waste an opportunity to tease. 

Bashfully continuing to nibble at your crepes, you had to look away again. Absolutely flushed with embarrassment. "What..? I can't help it." 

"Sure. Sure. Keep tellin' yerself that." How are you this cute? Really. Howdy wiped a few hands off on his apron, wandering away from behind the counter and back into the sales floor. Head shaking softly as he went back to checking what items needed restocked. What he happened to be doing before you came in. 

Chapter Text

You missed this so much. Boss Howdy isn't the same as Customer Service Howdy and Boss Howdy was the furthest you could get from Daddy. If you didn't talk and didn't distract the man, you could watch him work for as long as you wanted. You could eat your food slow and only sip at your drink as an excuse to stay as long as possible. Not to mention, he had an easier time flat out ignoring you when all of your focus went into just watching. 

After an hour, or maybe two, you started to uncomfortably shift around in your seat. Thighs gently rubbing together whenever he bent over or whenever he grabbed a box that was heavier than he originally thought. Too bad he was in a long sleeve button up today. Some ugly half yellow, half red shirt divided straight down the middle. Howdy made it look better than anyone could.

Unfortunately other customers would eventually come in, and for some reason your anxiety peaked each time. This overwhelming feeling that they must know what you were doing. That you were so obviously checking the man out and that you hadn't gotten bored solely doing that for… What must've been a majority of the day. Or at least that's how it felt. 

If only you could keep it up for much longer. Whenever you were working it was easy to shut off your brain and do tasks. To mindlessly work while you let your nasty little thoughts run wild. Which would grant you the occasional glance from Howdy. This might be a little easier if you had something for your hands to do. 

You squirmed all the more in your spot. Lightly kicked out your legs, began rocking back and forth on your seat, and had finished your meal at this point. It didn't take long for him to eventually notice and slink back over to the counter by you. 

Of course the moment you spot him coming over, you shrunk. Frozen under the squinting gaze locked directly on you. Howdy leaned over once he was close enough, upper arms crossed while the lower ones held his cocked hips. "Seems tah me, yer ready for the check." 

Howdy stopped to lean over you again. Using that height difference to his advantage, which to you wasn't all that imposing anymore. "I. I mean. Yeah! Sure." 

"Alright. Whatchu got? An' it better not be somethin' I heard before." 

You haven't been given a joke book or anything like that unfortunately. So it took a long few seconds to think about it. "Uhhhh… Um. Ahh." Why didn't you brush up before coming in today? 

"Well..?" As much as he wanted to be irritated, he couldn't help the smile over his face. Your jokes were something to look forward to, and now? Now Howdy could tease and taunt you to his heart's content. 

"Okay!" Smiling wide, you folded your hands behind your back and use those huge eyes on him. Happily swaying in place. "What's red and bad for your teeth?" 

"A brick." He quickly answered, knees bending a little to be more in line with you. "Try again."

"Oh. Um." Absolutely sweating, you glanced around the store suddenly. Lost on ideas. "I used to be a banker!" 

"But you lost interest." Physically wincing at the arguably hilarious joke that he himself finished, Howdy gave you an evil little side eye. "... That was so bad, your meal gained interest." 

"What?" With a grumpy hop, you point at the salesman. Red in the face for entirely different reasons. "That's robbery!"  

"Robbery is what yer gonna be doin' if you don't give me a better joke."

Awkwardly shifting around in your seat. The more you panic, the more his wicked grin grew. "What do a table and wardrobe have in common?" 

That brought him to a pause, now moving to stroke his chin in thought. "They're wooden?" 

"Neither is a chair?" You couldn't help the screwed smile squiggling across your funny face. He got to see the ever so lovely smears of lipstick in your teeth. 

"You gotta have somethin' better." 

"Friends are like… Bananas." Glancing at one of the various little fruit stands, you were practically crumbling under Howdy's scrutiny. 

"Because they're appealing." 

"No! Well yeah. Obviously. But If you peel their skin and eat them… They die." You state, completely and utterly deadpan. 

His brows rose so much they almost pop off. The hand that was stroking at his chin shifted until it pressed over his mouth. A rather deep breath taken before fully wheezing. All at once proceeding to die from a choked sort of laughter. It probably wasn't actually all that funny of a joke, with just how unexpected that dark of a punchline was and how it came out of you? That threw the salesman through a loop. 

At least you got him to laugh, that hopefully might be enough for now. 

Eventually able to pull himself together enough and wipe the tears out of his eyes. Howdy had to take a few breaths before speaking again, "Consider your bill paid, now I could use a break." 

He just walked away, arms uncrossing as Howdy went to lock up for lunch. Maybe for an hour at most, if you let him keep it short anyway. After the brief moment it took to come back again, the caterpillar stretched up high. Cracking a few joints in his back and arms, shifting a little before plopping himself down beside you. Finally able to relax a bit. 

Right back to bouncing in your seat, you leaned in nice and close. So excited. "Lunch then?" 

"Yeah. I should eat." He leaned more against the counter, continuing to stretch a few legs out. Another few soft pops sound when the man turns just right. Almost moaning as he does. "...Fuck. Don't get old." 

"I'll try?" You let out a not so cute snort, trying not to giggle as his head rolls towards your direction. 

"Good, good." 

With a nod, he got to his feet. Shuffling around to the other side of the counter. Apron left carelessly on a hook nailed to the wall. Apparently Howdy already had something prepared for himself, soon taking a green container out of the ice box just to come back over again. Sat on the same stool beside you. "So. Guess I should ask. Is the whole plan tah be here all day?" He jabbed a finger at the counter, emphasizing his words harder at each jab. 

"... Yeah." You sort of scrunched on yourself. Knees together and hands suddenly fisted in your lap. "I mean. You did tell me to sit here and stay." 

"I didn't mean it literally. Did yah want an excuse?" Rather nonchalantly, the caterpillar opened up his lunch. Nothing special, just what looks to be a plain salad. No toppings or anything like that. Gotta lay off the carbs. 

"Is that weird?" Right back to leaning towards him, you gave the largest eyes he'd ever seen on someone. It hurt to see you like that, oblivious to how cute you were.

"Nah. Not really." A couple leafy greens were stabbed at with a fork, more playing with his food than actually eating it. "This is excitin' for yah an' I can't.. Blame you. You wanna spend time around me 'cause it must generally feel good to." 

That just about hit the nail on the head. Still somewhat weird over your own feelings, you sway a little in that spot. Not entirely sure how to phrase these things. "I just wanna be near you. I guess… Like. Before. I was super desperate to find a way to do that." 

"I could tell." He finally took a bite, the hand holding his fork made a short wavey motion. Other hands neatly folded in his own lap. 

"I never thought It... Would work." Nearly groaning, you slumped all the more. Actually laying on the counter then. It must be easier to not look at the man when speaking to him. 

"Can't say I didn't think.. 'Bout that. 'M not entirely innocent." Swallowing then, he gave you a quick glance. "Most people can tell when somebody likes 'em. That's uh. Kinda on me to ignore it." 

You sure did hear what he said, but wasn't processing as well as Howdy might've thought you may. The scrunched expression on you made him nearly choke through another bite as he laughed. He had to knock a fist against his chest for a second. "Wow! If It makes yah feel any better.. An' at the time I wasn't proud a' it. I have yanked one out to you. Before you. Got with me." Not that you necessarily need to know he was also fucking his fist to a couple other neighbors, thankfully you replaced all those thoughts since then. 

This wasn't information you knew what to deal with. Even when the feeling is/was mutual. You quietly turned your head to passively look at Howdy. The idea that other people masturbate and that he himself, a healthy male would reasonably do that... "... You have?" How strangely flattering, was all you could think.

To be in a relationship is to be relatively vulnerable. It is always better to be open than not. His lower hands tug at eachother, pressing and pulling at his own fingers as a physical distraction. "Yeah. Couple times. Porn is nice an' all, but some thoughts you can't control." Those so called girls in magazines you compare yourself to for no real reason, when you're obviously so much more attractive.

While you sat there quietly listening, you continued melting across the counter. Turning more and more red by the second. 

Howdy just kept talking between bites. This is how your conversations would ordinarily go. 

"See. I'm the adult a' the situation an' the most responsible thing I coulda done was not hire yah. Then I thought you might maybe need a confidence boost. Havin' a job'll do that! Hell, you are more comfortable than yah was months ago. Which is ultimately good. If anythin', I'm real proud. Still got a whole lotta growin' tah do… Course I thought I'd be able to push off everythin'. You made it hard to do that…" Trailing off some, Howdy half realized he started rambling. You probably need something a little slower. Maybe even in less words. He leaned back a bit, dropping the fork beside his Tupperware to suddenly turn more towards you. "Sorry. I know this.. Probably ain't too romantic. Want me to slap yah on the coun'er or somethin'?" 

You peeled your face off that smooth surface with a weird half laugh. Makeup smudged to high heaven. Later on, it might be nice to let you know not to put your face on things when it's painted up. Which only served to bring a crumpled smile to his face. Very much endeared by how hard you always seem to try. 

"I- Well. Howdy, why do you have to… Like...?" How do you say this… Not lecture or talk down. No, not that. Why does he try and sound like a parent? 

"Make things heavy?" 

Close enough. "Yes! You make every conversation so heavy." Nodding rapidly up at him, you even pointed a finger at the man again. The rosy tint over your conflicted face didn't help his laughter. More than likely you didn't know, but you've gotten better at talking too. 

"I know. I know. I'm sorry. Really. I'll shuddup 'bout how proud a' you I am an' move on with my lunch. Excuse me." Really, he was absolutely kidding. Though does still stuff a few more forkfuls of lettuce and tomato in his gob. 

"Oh my God! That is not what I meant!" 

"I know. 'M joshin' yah."

"Jeez!" Rolling your eyes harder than you ever had, you pass him a gentle smile. "No. I get it. Thank you. I love you too and no, you don't have to throw me onto the counter. Much as I sorta like the idea." 

"Oh really? Like it when I'm rough with you?" Shifting a bit, he leaned an elbow against the counter. Head resting against the palm of his hand while his brow waggles. It might not be sneaky. You definitely notice a secondary arm of his untuck from Howdy's lap to tug around your waist. 

"I don't not like it." That came out more as a grumble than anything. So easily pressed into his warm side. Howdy was comfortable to lean on at every angle and even better to lay against. 

Lower arm curled over your hip, his upper hand rests atop your head. Mindlessly picking at how your hair parts, the gentle scritch of nails at your scalp. Melting like butter in a hot pan, you might've slipped right off if the caterpillar didn't have such a firm hold. 

"Hmmm… Here. Open up." 

"Huh?"

"Say ahhh." 

"Ahhh..?" 

Not so quick to do as you were told, he waved the last bite of his salad out towards you. Fork lightly bobbing a few inches from your mouth. Slowly your lips part to snatch what was left of it, much like a shark. Happily humming as you munch. 

That simple action answered a couple of questions he had all on its own. You are such a little princess. His warm smile cracked again. All too taken by how cute you are. Any resistance he had long since faded, even when he promised himself this wouldn't become a distraction. Your positively joyous face, the admiration in your sparkly eyes is an addictive sight. "Thank you! I was getting hungry again."

"Ain't that just perfect? I'm full. Funny how life works itself out." The clang of his fork tinged again. Dropping the fork while his other set of hands yank you into his lap.

Your legs swung across naturally and he adjusted every part of you as needed. Languidly dragging you an inch here and there. Until you are finally cocooned, your legs spread open over his legs while you sit in his lap. Heavy arms drape over your thin shoulders and belt across your lap, holding you just the same as one might with a large doll. Effectively caged in, your already huge eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Pouty expression full of an almost betrayed curiosity. 

Why were you so surprised? 

"Now that, that you ain't s'pposed tah do." 

"... Do what?" 

"Be so cute." 

Apparently of all things for him to say, you hadn't expected that. Thoughtless praise makes you squirm. Writhing as if the compliment burned, his very words melting your skin. As if getting flustered would leave you dead.

"I-I'm not doing anything!" You let out a warbling whine. 

"You're doin' everythin' you can. Teasin' me like that." 

Why was that what made you want to claw out and escape? It didn't take much effort to keep you pinned to his chest though, or bury his nose in your hair. Thick fingers press and dig into your seams, some pulling at your clothes. Though not to get them off of you. The caterpillar touched you as if to feel your skin underneath, following the natural curves of your slight frame over thin cloth.

"H-howdy..?" Your voice came out as a mewl. Acting like a cat that didn't want to be held, you could only think to grab at those arms where you can. 

Radiating heat, he snuggled impossibly close. You were all he wanted to breathe right now, everything he needed to touch. "Mmmhm?" The response was nothing more than a mumble to acknowledge you said anything. Since you started wearing your hair different it made accessing your throat too easy. Far too tempting to close his eyes and enjoy the warmth of your fabric. How something so smooth can prickle under the slightest touch is such a joy to experience.

"Are you… B-being Daddy right now?" The moment that word leaves your plush lips, hands move. 

Those firm rubs turn to gentle squeezing. Testing the give of your flesh like a ripened fruit. All this time he wondered if your breasts got any bigger, or if they hadn't yet was it in his head? Feeling you over his shirt won't be enough. Oh fuck, you weren't wearing anything else. What a perfect whore. 

The bar stool squeaks under shifting weight, accidentally tilting a fraction. It wasn't anything to worry about, still you gasp all the same. "I can be Daddy. Unless you want me tah stop.. We got some time." Howdy spoke without thinking, genuine in his word. If you wanted to sit there and continue to fucking sit there, he'd leave you be. 

All the same, no matter what came out of that bug's mouth, it didn't stop him from kissing down your throat. Starting from behind your ear, precious little pecks stamp down your hairline and across your fluttering pulse point. 

"... N-no.. Keep going." That tiny voice chased itself away. Maybe you were more confident. If nothing else, you were starting to choke through the embarrassment and say what you wanted. Daddy loves it when you use your words. "Please..?"

What delicate kisses were against your throat stop, his wicked smile imprinted across your velvet skin. "Course, baby… Knew you wanted attention." Howdy's voice rumbles hotly. 

Your small hands press over a few of Howdy's, passively following his touch. A couple wide, warm palm worms under that flimsy shirt. Your perky chest was maybe half a handful at most. The pads of his fingers press firmly just to marvel at the gentle squish to your fattier parts. Hushed whimpers make that poor man ache. He can't keep from noticing how breathy those sounds can get, the sharp inhales as you forget how to fill your lungs. 

"Fer bein' such a good girl, why is it you're so filthy?" 

You act so shocked, shamefully looking toward the floor. As if you did something wrong. 

Oh no, he can't have that. Couldn't bare the thought. "Ohhh… Baby. Yah think I don't notice that?" A thick want rolled off his tongue, the taste of salt and raw skin is maddening. "Pretty little thing, dollin' yerself up." Nails drag against your inner thighs, pressing your ass back into him. Your skirt shoved up higher, and only then did you remember. You're only wearing a shirt and shoes. This might be a cute outfit, unfortunately it flatters your body in just the right ways. Perceived begging for attention like the natural born slut you are. "Bait works reeeeal well. Don't it?"  

The hands at your thighs pull up the cloth covering them, until the dull sting of nails end at about your hips. 

Of course you weren't wearing anything underneath. This was so familiar, that same painful feeling arising in your conscious mind. Every fiber within you radiated. Need over road every single thought you could have. Such an unbearable heat in your butterfly filled tummy. 

"Awe.. Got nothin' on here. How'd I guess?" Because you never do. That lump in his lap throbs and it makes you almost smile. Trying to keep such an innocent image when you obviously came here for cock. Food too, but mostly cock. Antennae ever so lightly tap at your head as they flick, taking in every single note of chemicals surrounding you. That heavenly taste in the air. Not exactly any flavor he could actually place and no scent could truly compare. Wholly, entirely you. Spun sugar, warm cotton, dried flowers, talcum powder, vanilla, buttercream and cake batter.

You made a delicious noise, pressing his hands into your bouncy skin. An idol thumb turned slow circles around your puffy nipple. Occasionally pinching at the thicker material. "Maybe you ain't so good at talkin' today, huh?" 

Your own hands twitched as you fought against the impulse to hide behind them. Embarrassment getting to you while he smugly drank in the sight. Those sparkly eyes started getting watery again. Thighs shifting under his firm grip. "N-no. I can. I can talk."

An incredibly fake gasp was right next to your ear. "Can yah? Then, you gotta tell me whatcha want." Another pinch. Only this time he gave it a quick, sharper pull. The bubbling over reaction from you absolutely makes his day. 

The way you practically vibrate, desperate to stay still while the anxiety kept you itching to move. He's still there, still expectantly gazing down at the cutest girl that only ever does her best. And you needed to keep making him proud. Heart beating so fast in your ears and the dizzying rush of blood to your face, you didn't even hardly hear yourself. "I want my Daddy to make me feel good. You always make me feel so good~" 

Chapter Text

"Awe. Daddy can make you feel better N' good…" As if a few days had been months or years. You feel so right in his arms. That comfortable weight against Howdy's firm chest. The simple pleasure of physical contact was something he didn't know he'd missed. "Needy little thing."

His teeth catch the fabric of your throat, dull points dragging ever so gently. Your head lolls away, offering so much more skin to nip. Oddly breathless, you slid a hand up to press through his greased hair. Unnecessarily yanking the man's head as you put it in a better angle. Knocking off that dumb paper hat in the process, a few loose strands of blue fall out of place over your fingers. "Daddy, I can't stand it…" Husky tones of your own absolutely do not save Howdy from himself. 

"... Good thing you're sittin'." 

It shatters the moment. Both of you rip from each other. Suddenly you were groaning in displeasure, again slapping yourself face first onto the countertop. Still in his lap, you just about died after that. 

Conversely, Howdy laughed long and hard over what could very well be the worst joke that ever was. Or ever will be. "Ha! Hahahah!" Almost in tears as he gave himself a side stitch.

"You're the worst!" That left you screaming, right back to being a squirming mess of embarrassment. Red in the face as you tear at those solid arms. 

"Now hold on! I am not the worst." Only somewhat offended by your apparent hate of puns, his tone shook. Rattling with broken chuckles. That bug stood up without you hardly realizing it, all at once he was above you. Pressing you further onto that shiney countertop. 

For a few moments you were hanging from the counter, tiptoes barely able to skim against the floor. That all too familiar bite of a hard edge against your hips. It would be so, so easy to lay there. All you can think about is the bulge pressed into the meat of your ass. It was as if a switch flipped in your brain. An obnoxious ache deep in your tummy at the promise of being full. Being pinned didn't even feel like a punishment, more like a timeout if you had to equate it to anything. It left you whining, weakly wiggling back into his firm grinds. 

"Nmm… You're so mean!" If he could hurry up and fill you this wouldn't be so bad. All he needs to do is flip up the back of your flimsy outfit. The air presses out of your lungs while all the more slick rolls down your thighs at the thought. 

"Now 'm mean? I can show you mean, baby girl~" He coos, absolutely loving the pitiful display. "'M not mean. Nah. Nah. Far from it… I work so hard for yah. Think a' you every moment, everyday." The pressure against him is divine, though his plan wasn't to give you what you want. "Mean is grindin' till I pop, just like this. Use yah, smack this ass an' send you right out that door. Service myself for a change." His rumbling voice drops lower with every grind. Ideas in his constantly ticking mind, one ugly thought after another bubbling up before he can stop them. 

You really are just a rag doll for him to play with. If you struggle at all, it was only ever to shift. His grip is never too forceful. For you this was just an intense reminder of how much larger that man is. Your head filled with a dizzying heat, hips fruitless trying to press back more. "Nooo! Don't be mean!" 

A hand threads under where your hair was tied, a sure hold towards the base to drag you slightly higher. Enough to keep you grounded, to know your Daddy is still there. Never to hurt. "Dunno. Mean might be fun..." 

It was slightly difficult to clear the fuzz out of your head enough to truly listen. Your body certainly didn't forget his earlier teasing. His trousers were the only barrier between you and the promise of thick meat splitting you open. You'd probably cry if he did do that, leave you still aching and wanting. "But I wanna fuck you so bad…" 

Seems to him you might cry regardless. That needy little girl ground right back. Gently tugging at the hands in his hold. "Awe. Daddy wants tah fuck you too. A pretty pussy like yours? Ohh! That I gotta keep nice an' full." 

"I wanna be full~" You mindlessly echo. "I was good!"

"Oh you were good. You sat here, stayed here, an' didn't say one word. Such a good girl."

Your frustrated grumbles were high and airy, bleeding with desperation. "Pleeease, Daddy! Fuck me."

It was hard not to smile, to not commend or even praise your desperation. Such a tempting thing. Your delicate mewls so soft and sweet. Howdy's heart throbs at the sight. Whenever your expression shifts ever so. That hazy, unfocused gaze is simply scrumptious. It's nice to know you feel how hard you make him. "But, Daddy has tah work. I already spent too much time playin' with you." 

He clicked his tongue, far too quickly pulling his hands off of you. Only for you to shift back more, to shove your plump rump more into his groin. A tantrum made when he didn't seem to be giving you what you wanted. Your insides twist with another agonizing ache, clenching with a horrible emptiness. You must be starving. "But, Daddy!" Only able to complain, you couldn't stop yourself from begging. "I need it! I want you so bad.." 

When your hips cant it sends a thob throughout his being, so hard for you when you act like this. "Yeah? You want my cock? You came to the right place. I got everythin' you need an' nothin' yah don't." 

"Fuck meeee!" You sob. That pulse in your core clouded everything, shoved so much more fog into your stuffed skull. Howdy always did scratch that horrible itch. Give you exactly what you crave. The memory of such bliss was enough to keep you soaking. A tingling need so strong you could feel it in your toes, radiating throughout yourself. 

His grin turned wicked, suddenly stepping back and away from the counter and you "I can't fuck you, baby. No, no, no. I gotta run the shop." Howdy couldn't help the beautiful idea that hatched in his head. Playing along, he sighed in disappointment. Adoring how your knees buckle, how you nearly fold in on yourself. How could anyone tell you 'No'? "But… I can play with you another way." 

That shot you off the counter, scrambling to move and actually face the man taunting you. Playing into his own mental game you were absolutely oblivious to. It took a few moments for your wobbly legs to get you those few precious feet closer to him. Howdy slowly began inching backwards as you blindly follow. "Please play with me, Daddy... I'll do anything." 

"Oh, baby doll, anythin' is a hefty price." God what you do to him. His antennae were twitching, nearly curling in on themselves as his grin went wild. The peach fuzz of his mouth crinkling places as all four hands were out in a defensive way, passive and baiting. "I can make you feel so good. I just dunno if yah mean that… I can give you everythin'."

"Please." 

Before you knew it, your hand was taken and you were being led upstairs. Through the thin walkway up to his room. There you were pushed to lay against the bed, he didn't even feel the need to ask. Soft leather cuffs were adjusted against yours wrists, tying you to the head of the bed. The thin chain around a wooden dowel that worked well enough as a headboard. They were tight, but don't chafe. When he pulled those out, you almost didn't know what they even were. 

"..." Being tied down wasn't something you were expecting. Granted Howdy took to holding you down anyway, so this wasn't too different. Passively going through the motions without complaint. Still, you aren't stupid enough to not voice your own opinion. "You must really like keeping me from moving." Voice soft as you gave your new restraints a yank, almost testing how well they were bound. 

"You move around a lot. Never been with somebody so squirmy." He of course answered casually thanks to you, moving about his bedroom to gather a few things. This moment felt planned, really Howdy just happened to have the things to make it perfect. 

"Do I?" You made something of a face, glad these cuffs didn't hurt at all. Was something wrong with all the moving? That sort of thing must be difficult to control, you can't help how you react. Clearing your throat some, you allowed your wrists to be loose and relax a little. "I guess I don't mind." 

"If you do mind, tell me." Howdy knelt down by the bed beside you, moving to give your head a few reassuring strokes. He had a shiney box in one of his hands, though you couldn't see it very well. 

"No. This is kind of exciting. I think." As best you could, you nuzzled back into the palm in your hair. Smile so sweet despite the anxiety prickling at your insides. All this prep work felt like a mood killer, it must be worth the wait though. "What are we doing exactly?" 

So glad you asked, the salesman held up the box in his hand. Popping open the top to show you what's inside. Charming grin plastered over his fuzzy face as he gave you a demonstration. Twinkly type finger movements made in the air as he pulled an ugly piece of plastic from it. Some yellowy-off white, rounded tube with a cord. This you had no way of recognizing. 

As the demonstration began, he held out a few hands. One still making a tah-dah type motion while another is out gesturing as always. "This, my dear, is a body massager. Sold with the intended purpose of gettin' out knots-"

"That doesn't look like it's very good for untying things." You interrupted, only for him to laugh out loud and take the hand off your head. 

"When muscles get tense, that's called a knot. Hence the name 'Body Massager'. They kinda hurt, though after the knot is out? Then it feels real good." He began uncurling the cord, getting it ready. Quick to plug it in, the end of it buzzes gently in his hold. It really doesn't look like much. 

Not exactly sure where all of this is going, you slowly nod as if you did in fact understand. "Do I have knots?" 

"Prolly not. Least none I've felt. The main thing people really buy these for is sexual, these are actually awful for gettin' out knots. They jus' market it that way for legal reasons." Howdy went on explaining, standing once he was satisfied his old toy still worked. "What I an' everybody else use this for is for playing with their girl's clit. Put it in 'em, or whatever stimulation they prefer. Some prefer one over the other." 

If this is in fact Howdy's body massager, you couldn't help blurting out a question. "Have you used it... Before?" Brow raised as you tried to sit up an inch higher, gaze flitting between the plastic thing and the caterpillar's face. 

"Lots a' times. This one's gettin' old, I should order another soon." He gave the device another passing glance, playing with a piece of it that seems to rotate. The slight buzzing grew and softened while he tested settings. "Had this for... Maybe seven... Eight years? Ain't nearly as strong as it used to be." 

"Is it mostly for girls then? Why do you have one?" 

Howdy choked on a snort, letting out that weirdly attractive wheeze sort of laugh of his. A hand slapping to his face as he again forgot this is all new for you. "Men can use 'em too. I normally don't. Not much of a fan a' puttin' things in me. Mostly don't wanna get into it. Just know, this is for usin' on you an' that'd be fun for me." 

"Ahh." Blinking then, you turned your head towards your bound wrists. Instantly understanding what he wanted to do with you. Heat once again flooding your features as a strange sort of panic set in. "What- uh. What're you gonna do to me?"

That wicked grin was back in full force. "Depends. Do you want this inside, or outside? What feels better?" 

The device is maybe three or four inches long and awfully thin, so it wouldn't stretch you very well. Outside seemed more reasonable if you really had to pick in this matter. Your thoughtful expression scrunched, squiggling towards the edges as nervousness got the best of you. "Outside. I-I guess?" 

Chapter Text

As promised, Howdy went about his day as normal. Sure to run a comb through his hair, and generally straighten his outfit back to how it was before opening up again. 

First things first, he had the mind to clean the mess you certainly didn't need to be leaving behind. What with the few dishes left abandoned on his counter. Or the scary amount of slick dripped across his floor… How on earth were you this horny? Oh to be young and so damn verile. Even he didn't have that much of a libido back when his sex life was more active. Thank goodness it only took him thirty minutes to get you upstairs, really he should start timing how long it takes you to get in his pants. Keep some sort of record just for fun. 

Either way, having such a treat to unwrap was getting him all sorts of excited. An especially wide grin plastered to the salesman's face, merrily whistling as he went to work. 

Time was taken to order everything on his list for the next week. Knitting rings for Poppy, "Pretty" pills for Sally. May as well send out for your mother's prescriptions, usually he'd wait until the first, but something tells him she might want a few Valium early. Can't forget about Barnaby's tobacco, for pipes and cigarettes. Once he ordered just the actual tobacco and Barn was disappointed by not having an option. Even if he wasn't in for now, he'd come back eventually. If everything smooths over. 

After all of his administrative responsibilities were done Poppy came in. She is always far too polite to turn down his various sales. Then Sally rolled on in for her weekly order, and maybe a little extra for something to gush over. These visits never took too long. 

However, Wally popped in only to leave. Then he came in again and Howdy didn't even get the chance to greet the puppet before he tripped over himself leaving again. Ten minutes later Wally was back, only this time dressed in a different outfit. He would blindly scan around the store, too zonked out to really tell what he was looking at before dragging himself out the door again. 

Now ordinarily this was fine. Howdy rubbed at his face and swore to himself before finding something else to be busy with. 

This happened three or four more times across the span of an hour. An hour. Far too close to closing time for his liking.

Wally is a dull young man with a pretty face, that is all he has going for him and probably hasn't seen a day of real work in his life. Needless to say, now that you inadvertently shooed away those weak feelings of a crush he used to have… This is fucking annoying and there is only enough room in his heart to deal with ONE cute thing's bullshit. 

Of course Wally left, only to stop in for the last time. It felt like his mind would wipe, as if he had no idea why he needed to be at Howdy's in the first place. Really, this was starting to be a sight to see. The kid was endlessly sweating buckets, one hand mindlessly fussing over his already perfect pompadour. Salt in his blown eyes made him squint. 

"Hello… Howdy." He'd blink, swaying where he stood. 

"Hey, Walls." It was slightly difficult to keep a straight face. Smile twitching as the caterpillar's arms cross. 

Wally stook out a hand, sure to remember this time. He just had to. Face serious as the squirt tried his absolute best. "I came here… I need something for Barnaby… He says the joke is only funny once." 

Not thinking much of it, Howdy kept a snicker glued to his smug face. "Let's just call and ask." 

….

This suddenly felt like so much. Here you were, quite literally left to your own devices. The ambient pulse radiating through your core was starting to eat away at something. Slowly being driven mad by this ache. There isn't anything else you've been able to do other than feel. 

You can do this. This didn't sound so bad, in fact you couldn't not be interested by the prospect. Who wouldn't want to feel as good as he promised you might?

Every pore in you starts to burn, the thin fabric of your ruffled dress itches every time you notice it make contact with your skin. Every uncontrollable twitch of your thighs forced you to fruitlessly squirm more. A few times you would jerk, muscles tensing all at once as though you'd reach that high. Only for it to fall numb for a moment, or to ever so slightly twist in the wrong direction. After so long of this you were in tears. Whispering over and over without stop, pleas absolutely none would hear. Or so you think. 

"Please… oh.. Ah! Oh, God, please… F-fuuwh… Fuck.. Please…" 

Howdy had to dig out a pair of panties to tug onto you and shoved another equally ugly, piece of plastic into your quivering heat. He gave you such praise for cumming immediately when he tried taping the massager down. Easily left drooling over how you shook only on the first setting. How different the feeling could be with this rather than his fingers. No matter how unattractive the toy looked it quickly sprinted into become your best friend. 

For the best results, he calmly explained you wouldn't need to see and that your eyes were more than likely going to be shut anyway. So one of his ties were wrapped around your head to keep you from focusing on anything other than your prickling clit.

The "dildo", what he called the one inside you, is disappointingly small. Much too thin to stretch you how you were wanting, it barely felt larger than your own finger. Your insides twist against it, screwing so much tighter as if to grasp that small thing better. Those panties were a size too tight, squeezing at you to keep everything where they were a bit better. 

That tight ball in your gut is there again. "Oh fuck.. Please this time…" You were begging under your depressing breaths, thighs squeezing the life out of themselves as you tug at the thin chain around your wrists. This time you thought you'd brace for it. This time you thought you could bite down on the flesh of your arm, screaming into the fabric now at your teeth. It hurt, though nothing could distract you from pleasure. 

How you sob when yet again it wasn't there. This is the lowest setting. No one is there to turn it higher, you certainly couldn't stop from feeling, all you can do is allow this sweet torture to go on for as long as Howdy was going to let it. Tears soak into the fabric of his tie. After all your bouncing around, you lift your knees to your chest, knees knocked together as you let out an earth shattering moan.

"Ahhuuuh! Oh! OH FUCK!"

…

"Now see here! If you're gonna make Wally yer errand boy, I get it. The kid can only get so much in his head. You gotta write these things down for him. I been watchin' him walk up an' down the road for hours…" Howdy tapped his foot as he listened intently to the other end of the line. 

"...~~~.--?"

"No he didn't cross it! Barn, this ain't rocket science." 

Listening more, he actively frowns down an aisle towards the knick-knacks where Wally aimlessly wondered around. Not understanding what he was here for again. He watched the younger man pick up an item, look at it a tad closer and place it back in a different spot. A vein popped against Howdy's brow and he almost couldn't hear Barnaby's bark, too annoyed to actually be paying any attention anymore. 

Until a muffled sound caught his ear. Howdy's head whipped immediately towards that delicate noise. 

"Mmm..nhhhh.. f-fuck.." 

There is no mistaking it. You were starting to get loud. Louder than he thought you could physically be. A screw loosened in that man's head. A tiny bit more crazy about you. For once he almost couldn't wait for this shift to be over and…

Wally started to reach for something much higher than he reasonably could. Howdy ripped the phone away from his ear, tone right at the edge of being raised. "Don't you dare! I'll grab that for you.." 

"....____~~~?" 

Wally stopped what he was doing and shuffled over to some other area of the shop, hands behind his back as if he weren't doing anything of the sort. No. He was just looking, of course. 

Snearing where he lounged by the phone box, Howdy answered maybe a tad too truthfully. "Huh? Nah. Fuckin' short stack is being stupid. Just come in yourself next time. Stop being weird." 

Back to passively listening to his friend, back to watching Wally and back to straining to hear you. His attention pulled in every direction at once, the threads stretched so thin his gaze began to shift from the yellow puppet to stare into the ceiling. Drawn to where he knew you were. Maybe he'd hear it again. Maybe the day could be over and he wouldn't be dealing with morons. 

"...~~~__-!" 

He made a face, sighing into the receiver as Barnaby verbally laid into him. "Oi! 'M workin' on it. Alright? Didn't her ma tell you? We all gotta be on the same page 'bout these things." 

"---~~~...~~~" 

"Don't worry." A hand was out as if the other over the phone could see, another hand tangled in the cord as he played with it. "She don't gotta know. I'm on it tonight. Then I figure we plan from there. My folks are coverin' some a' the costs. Toodles can be a doll sometimes, might be my auntie but I'll be fucked if she ever gave me anythin' good…" Howdy scoffed, happily chuckling into the receiver. 

Before this phone call could last too long, he turned his gaze towards the aisle Wally was in. Only now to find him missing from it. At first the man blinked, shifting slightly to glance in a few different directions. An attempt made to find that yellow menace without really having to look. Once he officially couldn't without leaving the phone, a groan sounded and he needed to say his goodbyes. Politely hanging up to stamp across the sales floor. 

Wally is picked up the back of his apple stuffed sweater, hands clasping at himself to keep them all from falling into the floor. A few do drop with a thud, rolling off in random directions. He slowly turned his head upwards, met with the quiet fury that is Howdy Pillar. An intense look in his eye and smile cracking towards the edges, turning up all the higher at each and every apple that seems to fall out of this tiny puppet. 

"Hello… Howdy." 

"Hey there, Walls."

"Do you wanna hear something. Funny?" Wally's head tilted, soft smile so charming. As if he knew deep down this was something he'd be able to get away with. 

But that was before. And this is now. 

"I'd love to. Somebody's gotta pay for these. 'specially you for bruisin' em." 

The very last apple that had been stuffed in his sweater dropped and Howdy raised him up higher, grin almost shuttering as he dared this young man to go ahead and make his joke. 

"What do you call a body… With no nose?" 

"You." 

Just like that, Wally found himself tossed out those swinging doors. Crashing in a heap down those steps. Stars spinning around his swirly head as Howdy brushed his hands off and checked the time. 

Goodness time really does fly when you're having fun. You've been upstairs for three hours now. After all of that, you and him deserve a break. 

Oh you. He could only wonder how well you were taking the wait.

…

You don't notice whenever he came back. Didn't hear the door creak open or shut. Didn't hear Howdy crumble just as he saw the sight of you. What a pretty picture you made. One that he would be very happy to pin to his wall. 

Hair loose, half out from where it was tied and that shirt just about falling from your frame. Tongue hanging as you pant quietly, still shifting in your restraints. Wrists burnt a lovely shade of red in your struggling, you must've learned it was easier to stop moving so much. That wasn't going to ease the horrible agony. Those plain white panties are almost transparent, drenched in your own fluids. His sheets utterly soaking beneath your rosey butt. 

Soon as Howdy got back to his room he was loosening his tie. Kicking off his shoes. The door opened and a wall of musk made him weak. He couldn't imagine living in a house that smells like this. Nothing would ever get done, you'd end up tied and not able to leave the bed just like this. Every moment of every day, if Howdy didn't care about you as much as he actually does… The idea alone is tempting enough.

Swallowing hard, he unbuttoned his shirt and tugged desperately at the sleeves. Absentmindedly watching you buck, how your spine curves as you gasp and whine. Too in your own head to notice the outside world. 

"Please. Please. Please… Ohh, God.." 

You keep begging God when it should be his name falling from your lips. As if you were damned to be in this position when you fucking asked to be left like this. Kept begging like the brat you are when he was clearly too busy. Howdy tossed his shirt to the floor, making quick effort with the belt he stupidly put on this morning while a palm squeezed at his length. Fuck… Been far too long since he was ever this hard. 

Would it be better to ask? To whisper in your ear about what a perfect slut you've been. So patient. No screams for help. No sobbing into your arms over how sensitive you are, or how much it hurts to be left like this.

It sent a pulse through his hands, sent something primal off in his head. 

Howdy made way over, passively eyeing your pathetic image. Far too cute. Eyes locked on your bruised lips, a small split in plump skin from where you bit down too hard. Ever so gently, fingers grasp the cloth around your eyes. Dragging it up and off. 

Beautiful. 

The light hurt your eyes. It reinvigorated your wiggling as your clouded gaze met his. Dried salt under wet lashes, smokey grey smeared over the softer peach of your felt. So dazed, you look drunk. Pupils blown so wide under your heavy lids. 

"Dahh-ddy…" Your thighs fell open, offering him the mess you made of yourself. 

"Hi, love bug…" He coos, words rolling off his tongue in a rumbling purr. "You havin' fun?" Howdy reached down to flick your torture device off. Some rich chuckles made as you whimper, feet slipping against the covers as you try to move. A frown etches itself across your flushed face, mourning the loss of stimulation as he went about tugging you into a better position. 

Too out of it for words, you simply gasp. Bones quaking as your Daddy shifts down those panties. The tape gingerly peeled from your sticky skin, massager so kindly taken away. If anything at all grazed your clit it would be far too soon. Far too warm, too numb. It was a hard nub, it even looked swollen after so much attention. It stood proud and prominent under your tiny hood. 

After your panties were ripped away the too small dildo slid out without you even feeling it. Not that you would miss the inadequate thing anyway. 

Delicate, broken noises rattle out of your wet mouth as your teeth grit. Toes curling for no reason while your own muscles didn't know what to do anymore. Having everything in your body contract every few minutes had the happy result of you being exhausted. Too tired for what felt effortless. You were a ball of automatic responses. 

Which, Howdy fell hard and fast. Hearts in his eyes as he crawled on top of your trembling body. Chest rumbling as his pressed to yours, his nose buried into the crook of your throat. Good Lord, if he wanted to eat you. You'd probably let him. 

That shirt made the mistake of being between this starving caterpillar and your everything. It had to go. Some buttons strain enough under Howdy's impatient hands to bust off, others actually slip out of place enough for him to be satisfied with it. Thumbs press at the lips of your sopping wet pussy and spread them apart, sweat and slick soak into the thick green fuzz against his skin. The entire experience quite maddening. 

After his lovely day had been ruined, it had the accidental result of Howdy caught in his own strings.

His perfect work day has first been ruined by you, distracting him. Even if you stay there looking nice it would eat his time, time too eagerly spent daydreaming about you. But no, after that it still would have been a good day. You stayed up here, work got done. Then he had to play babysitter for that hippie. The fucking toddler. 

Coulda closed early to enjoy this gift sooner, but no. 

At least he's here now. 

Much as he wanted to put his mouth on every part of you it could reach, he put it to better use. You always seemed to like it when Howdy gave you the time of day. Heated breath spreads over your collarbone, the same skin he never dared to break. Couldn't allow himself to ruin. At this point he had trouble finding a reason not to. "Yer so fuckin' good, baby.. My little girl.." 

Your back arched, offering your throat and so much more. Arms sore and stiff as you want to shift. So so so weak. Like a butterfly wanting to flap torn wings. Absolutely addicted, your legs twitch in a need to be around him. Scared he'd leave you waiting and wanting for the second time today. The burn of your thighs forced too wide to accommodate his hips, you might've been able to do the splits now. 

"Dunno how long I wanted this.." He huffed the hot air you were breathing like a drug, so lost in the thought of you. Primary arms shakily held the barely contained man above you, his secondary hands trembling. Digits gently stroking at your pussy. Marveling over how he could feel every muscle clench beneath moist skin. No time would be wasted, not when Howdy dreamed about doing this to you. He was able to press in three fingers effortlessly. Warm silk spilling over his palm. Impossibly wet, you shouldn't need prep. His cock wasn't talking to his brain right then. No, Howdy's focus melted. What used to be a functioning adult person immediately became a neanderthal figuring out how to smack two stones together. 

It took approximately three seconds. What between the awe soaking in and that obnoxious need to hurry the fuck up and shove every throbbing inch inside you. His hand ripped back out from you to quickly do just that, eagerly coming to greet heaven and push through your coiled insides. You're already pregnant, he should've just kept fucking you raw anyway. Save on the cost of condoms when you look so much better leaking. 

How your face pulls, how your eyes roll. That face you make mid sneeze or when you cry on full display, pure feeling hit you like a truck. Nothing going on in that woefully empty head. Almost unable to make a sound as you short circuit, overcome by finally getting that stretch. 

Chapter Text

"Fuuuuuwhck.."

With one long push he sealed himself deeper than you thought possible. Inner walls flutter and roll, squeezing hard against the intrusion. He could feel every frantic pulse of your heart from inside. Such a depth yanked thoughtless ramblings out of your noiseless skull. It nearly even hurt, the pressure felt as though his cock alone could shift your organs. Grabbed at in all directions, your bruised wrists were free with a click. Arms much too dead to do more than be loose, you can barely drag them over the covers. Howdy shifts you higher as he moved more onto his knees, secondary set of greedy hands kneading the plush flesh of your ass. Thick fingers pressing into your tight seams as he claws desperately. Red lines paint across your back and thighs under his dull nails. 

Without the thin barrier of a condom he could feel you that much better. The wet heat sucking him further and further in. It almost had Howdy far too soon. Each time the tip kisses against your cervix a wall gets shoved back. His pace was already ramping as he fought against the urge to spill already. 

Almost curled around you, he kept making micro adjustments. To yank you into him harder, to keep ramming that tender meat. The springy bounce back of your ass is a marvel to say the very least. Dominant hand fisted into the blankets to brace himself during. Your pillowy soft chest bouncing with each thrust, it drew his mindless gaze like jingling keys. 

"... S.. S-stop…" Your timid voice came through as a mild murmur. Barely there and unnoticeable. That same wall he felt, you did too. The slap of skin against him would drive any man crazy. A heavy snap of hips wound a spring in your belly tighter and tighter. Something was too much, that same fear of him tearing your insides ripped into the forefront of your foggy mind. 

Howdy almost didn't hear you, far too consumed with how you jiggle. The feeling of finally being able to fit just right, or how your walls screw and clench so perfectly. Utter bliss stitched across his handsome face, soft green flushed a ruddy red. You almost couldn't see it through your wet squinting.

"... H-howdy..!"

It wasn't until you hack up a sob did the other focus on you, rather than how good you feel. The weak push of your buzzing fingers against the fur at his chest. The beautiful way you blink tears away tears forces that man to stop. Every part within him twitching in need, this horrible want to keep rocking. That maybe he could finish before you're all done. To push past the hurt until you break. Howdy had to completely freeze or risk giving in. His throbbing length sealed far beyond what was comfortable, your quivering pussy slams against him. Head tipped back, eyes bugging out as everything clamped hard. Too deep. Too thick. You couldn't even moan with a plug so deep, only able to wheeze. It felt like he ended far past your ribs to fuck up your head. Nothing sharp, but this blunt pressure. That intense pulse threatening your insides may rupture. 

Another squeaky gear embedded in his brain snaps. Agonizingly slow, his hips drew back. Not all the way, just enough to not keep you skewered like that. Though as soon as that seal had enough room to break, he could feel a leak. Inner muscles release and you were flooding around his cock. It shatters the bug that much more, expression pulled tight as he strains under himself. 

"You're so.. Fucking perfect." A shutter racked his body, the fingers dug into your supple fabric press deeper. He had to take a breath, letting it out slow and even. 

This is enough. This is enough. This is enough. This is enough. This is enough. This. Is. Enough.

Fuck... It isn't. Nowhere near close. 

His blown gaze mirrors your own, a stupid smile spread across Howdy's lips as he lost himself. Hearts above his head when you curl your arms to your chest, trembling as you attempt to breathe. Crawling back to reality, nearly even seizing with every twitch of his cock still buried inside. You gape silently like a dying fish, opening and closing your mouth until air finally decided to fill your burning lungs. Your own head went dizzy and dumb as the pressure began to subside, replaced by this… This overwhelming something.

"There yah go… You gorgeous thing…" Every ounce of restraint he could spare was being used right now. His every limb shook under resistance. A still clenched hand peeled from the sheets to ever so gently brush the hair out of your eyes.  

Sniffing through shallow puffs of air, you tested your limbs. Slowly testing how well your joints could shift. Clenching in places while relaxing others. Those few, simple movements brought more ticks of reaction out of the man above you. 

"It. It's.." Huffing then, your hands found his chest again. Not that he would, but somehow your hazy mind thought he might try to press in again. Delicate digits filled with tremors as you grit your teeth, and pull out of your own head. "It's ah. A lot…" 

"Mmmhm… S-sorry. Yeah. It's... Fuck." After a firm squeeze to your flank, Howdy took another breath. Relaxing some in his joints. "You feel that..?" 

His cock throbbed and you do in fact feel it, having so much inside and not moving is slightly strange to experience. Thighs shaking around his waist, you take a moment to look towards where the two of you connect. An inch or so of his length peaking out, though you couldn't very well see that under the softer crease of his tummy. Yours is slightly rounder than before, maybe you gained some weight. 

"Y-you're big.."

"Don't I know it.. Guess what? Yer small." 

"Are we… Done?" You whimper out, trying your damnedest to not squirm. 

He sort of laughs, eyes slipping shut as the bug indulges in your boiling heat. "Nope. Not yet… Baby, we jus' got started." 

Fully well gulping, your red rimmed eyes shoot open so much wider. "D-don't move! I-I can't." 

"Can't? S'okay, Daddy's got chu… 'M not gonna move. Nnmngh.." Howdy moaned lowly, blinking to see your screwed expression. His smile wiggles as he very nearly forgot plain English. "M' at the.. The wall." 

That twitchy way your lips pull into a pout just made his lazy grin all the wider. "W-wall?" 

Licking at his lips, the caterpillar gave a dim little nod. Thighs twitching under yours. "The uh… Limit. I wanna cum so bad. Hah-.. Ha." 

Not sure how to respond to that, your hands slide down his body. Gently petting at Howdy's softer belly. For a second you were quiet, still trying to shoo away the fog in your skull. Most of your own focus narrows to the heavy cock in your guts, accidentally giving him a firm squeeze. The reaction was immediate, his dark eyes very nearly cross as he trembles.

"Hhnnnnngh.. Oh shit.." 

Usually you weren't coherent enough to actually look at Howdy's face, especially when he's cumming. In fact, you're not sure if you've ever seen how it looks when he does. You let out a breathless laugh, biting at your lips while you clench on the meat your walls were wrapped around. Getting yet another dreamy tick of emotion out of that man. Another short grunt and a twist in his smile.

"If you keep that up-" Howdy began to move a little, leaning back on his heels to be fully sat on his knees. It slid another inch from your heat. "I'm gonna cum annn' I don' wanna.." His tongue became weighted, mouth falling slightly open as he pants. That accent dipping lower during his struggle. Normally twitchy antennae drooping over his forehead and messy hair.

At the same time, it was somewhat difficult not to giggle. Granted the idea of him getting there just from how your muscles squeeze was… Curious. Surely it wouldn't work that way for you. With a blink, you pressed your slimy thighs against the other's hips. Gaining yet another drip of his melting smile, this time he moans a little louder. Lidded gaze falling in such a blissful way. 

"Uahgh God…" 

"It's funny… Right?" 

"Nah. Nothin'.. Nothin' funny 'bout yah teasin' like.. Like that." Swallowing rather thickly, he leaned forward onto his first set of hands again. Fisting at the blanket. The others at your hips itching to drag you closer. 

"You sure?" You pressed yourself closer while you could, shimmying more into his lap to stuff the inch or two you were missing right back in. It didn't feel so filling, your walls must've stretched some, though the action still had you seeing a few stars.

His head knocked back, eyes shut tight as you feel that same throbbing pulse of him. Slightly harder this time. "Fuuuck! 'mmmmm sure! I'm sure. You do that again an'. An' 'M not gonna hold back." His tone wavers, sucking in air through his teeth as everything in him said not to buck. 

Pressing your knees against the dip of his solid hips, you made a sudden discovery. Unable to prevent the lightbulb flickering on, your smile curls higher as you think of something fun. Despite his threat and the fact he apparently wanted to pop your organs like party balloons, you still had no doubt in your mind he would stop when told. You made an absolute show of yourself to the man above. That same man that always seemed to go stupid when you do. Palms slipping from his front down and across your shapely thighs. You mimic a face you've practiced making in the mirror while forcing more air into your words. "Ohhh.. Does Daddy wanna cum~?" 

Instantly choking over the shock alone, the split second between hearing what you said and actually understanding it broke him. Howdy went a little dizzy. Responding without thought, "Real bad. Real fuckin' bad…"

Your welcoming walls squeezing once you feel his cock twitch. Your own traveling hands press at the flat of your tummy just below the navel. It feels like heaven, a moan rumbling out that makes you press all the harder. "Huhhh.. H-how do I feel?" 

You force his brain to spark, Howdy must've begun sweating harder. Caught off guard as he flushed a brighter shade of crimson. Unable to lie, he spit his heart out. "Amazin'. Best I ever had.." 

Best. He called you his best. You even roll your hips without realizing. High off the compliment. That alone made him yours in your mind, how someone so experienced could bend and break just for you. "I love you.. I love you so much~" Your heart must have wept, so overcome with this warm desire. Who knew being on your back beneath a man could make you be so happy.

While your hips ground into his own, he unconsciously rocked back. Not even realizing when he continued. Shallow thrusts that press right into such a perfect spot. "Love yah too… So Goddamn good fer me.." Peeling up his hands from blankets, Howdy moved to pull you up more and off the bed. Going ahead to wrap your arms around him for something of a hug. Back to being sat in the man's lap, you returned the tight gesture with ease. A little lovebug burrowing in all the deeper. Finally a kiss is stamped across your frizzy hair, you've never felt so fulfilled. So perfectly warm, so utterly accepted. It only took a few more pumps for Howdy to reach release, groaning against your skull. 

"... Mine. All mine…"

"Yours. 'M yours."

Chapter Text

For the next short while, you buried your nose in his fuzzy fur and hunker down. You squeeze at that caterpillar wherever you were able. Perhaps even hopeful this moment would last until the end of time. That almost sour scent of him wormed through your endorphin filled head, brain close to leaking out your own pussy. Right after his load. Every drip of combined fluids made your thin smile tick wider. Howdy hugged you so close, so dear. Practically melted against him while he covers every inch of you. 

It's quiet. Hot air fogs the room, you hadn't noticed until this perfect moment began to slow. Not until you began focusing on the thump of someone else's heart, or the soft puffs of heat against your tangled hair. Utterly breathless, you sigh. Voice muffled all the more as you kiss at sweat soaked skin. 

"... You finished in me."

"Jus' wan'ned tah.." He half drawls, slurring through chuckles. Absolutely light headed right then, it almost gave him a migraine. Thankfully pure satisfaction was enough to ignore that particular side effect. 

"Keep doing that." It nearly sounded like a demand, more so than any sort of suggestion.

"Ah'.." Blinking right then, he couldn't find much of a reason to argue. But Howdy couldn't think anyway, it hurt too much. ".. Can do." 

~~~

After a power nap, you both untangle your limbs from each other. Soft, ragged giggles leaving as Howdy kisses you. Of course you press right back, smiling against him. Eventually you were redressed in another of Howdy's shirts and redone up. Face washed and hair brushed. You took all the time in the world applying your makeup. Delicately drawing new lines around your eyes. The smokey grey that they were when you first saw yourself… was almost attractive somehow. To capture that messy look, you used heavier shadow and a tad too much blush. Instead of focusing on how your hair is tied, you simply allow it to be bunched up in a loose bun. When all is done, you present yourself to the man. Twirling into the tiny store's kitchette with a darling expression. 

"Tadah! How do I look~?" Your sing-song tone is so sweet. A sway to your step and bounce in your heel. 

Your boyfriend was busy packing a basket to bursting, finishing up by folding a blanket to tuck over top. He glanced up as you did a full spin, immediately grinning at your little display. This was such a simple difference, yet it spoke volumes. It nearly could have dropped his jaw. Saying you look like a whore, but in a good way, would probably hurt your feelings. Even if it might be on the money. So instead of telling you that, Howdy took those few seconds of lingering silence to lean towards your direction. 

"Gorgeous. Makes me wonder why you didn't wear makeup before. Zat a goddess or just you?" 

"Just me!" You happily took his compliment, fisting at the hem of your outfit. 

Unfortunately the heavier use of powders and such hid your own natural blush. It covers what few freckles you might've had, or a lot of those adorable little creases in your felted expression. Which is more than disappointing, but if it made you happy then why care? It does help in forgetting about that little girl.

"You clean up real nice." He rounds the counter, an arm stretched out for you to take. Dressed down in a much more attractive black button-up with rainbow pinstripes and dark jeans. Freshly greased hair tightly combed. Hell, he even ran a hovering hand over the short bump of a pomp. So proud of his own updo. 

"Thank you, Sir. You're awfully handsome yourself." You hooked your arm around his, allowing him to lead the way. Immediately hugging around the limb in your tight hold. "So… Gonna show me that surprise yet?" Batting those thick lashes, your smile shatters a little something more within him. 

"Hold your horses, not yet." Howdy led you along easily. A secondary arm is tossed over your shoulder as he leaned in closer, free hand out in front of you. Gesturing in a lax sort of way. "What's yer rush? Got nothing' but time on these hands an' all of it's for you." 

Buzzing with excitement, you wouldn't even allow the door to be opened. Already dragging the heavy limb in your grasp to yank Howdy outside. 

"Your time is my investment!" With a firm huff, your demanding tugs of course work. 

He continued to humor you, gently steering you in the correct direction. Opening and closing the door as you chattered on in a chipper little way. Talking about anything and everything you could think of, whatever came to mind as you were led behind the store into a grassy area. 

The same place you ran through every summer. The same countless stars you used to pray under when you were younger, now that sort of thing felt rather pointless. Calm, stillness of the evening never felt more beautiful than it does right now. Howdy lovingly set out the blanket from his basket and soon enough was setting out different Tupperwares of artfully arranged finger foods. You tuck the hem of your dress under your knees and take a seat, helping to light the few candles. All while he preps a glass of something bubbly. 

Far too eager, you snatch the delicate glass. Holding it by the thin stem. Howdy rolled his eyes and began pouring his own drink. Softly chuckling at your joyous face. 

"This must be the surprise!" The drink isn't very sweet, in fact your nose scrunched after taking a tiny sip. Still, you shove that aside and drink anyway. 

"Dunno why you're shocked. I already told ya we were goin' on a date-" Howdy gestures about the immediate area, laughing through mild disbelief. "I figure you might want real dinner with me?" 

"Oh! Well. Yeah, obviously! I'm just excited." Almost embarrassed at yourself, you quickly pop a grape in your mouth to shut up and chew. Maybe this wasn't a true surprise, you could only wonder what the point was in this then. 

Finally finished with setting up this romantic crap, Howdy was able to lean on his upper hands and relax a little. Letting out a soft sigh. Goodbye single life. Goodbye bachelor pad. His first drink is quickly drained, refilled with more pink champagne. Something your mother tends to buy, granted, she buys off brand. This is the real stuff, so much sweeter than just a carbonated rosé. 

"I mostly brought you outside to talk. It feels more neutral." 

"Outside feels romantic~" Taking another sip, you actually find it familiar in some way. Weirdly enough the grapes actually tasted so much more refreshing when paired with your drink. 

"Good. I'd hate tah do all this only for it to not be roman'ic." He shook his head, looking towards those twinkling lights above. Stars always did feel like a commodity. Ever since moving here in the first place. "Know what I like about livin' here?" 

"It's… Quiet?" You guess. More interested in gathering up a few crackers to nibble on. Maybe even a slice of sausage. 

"I do enjoy that. Lot nicer an' a lot less noisy than the Apple. Less light pollution." Passing you a sideways glance, the caterpillar gave you a nudge. 

With a hand over your mouth to cover your chewing, you swallow quickly to respond. "I've always wanted to see other places. What's the city like? Are movies accurate?" 

"Shoot. Uh. It's… Dirty. I lived there for school an' after college I was outta there. Flew that coop right after Barnaby did." Sitting up a little straighter, his expression creased in places as he thought. "Movies make it seem friendlier. Cities tend tah attract the worst people." 

Like flies to rotten fruit. Easy targets are always the first to go and at the tail end of a war? Good folks leave to greener pastures, no one wants to pick up life's pieces. Howdy frowned at the thought, nearly regretful. 

"Was it really that bad?" All the negativity left you pouting. 

"Ain't as if I didn't like where I grew up. Could be different now." Been a few years since he'd gone home. Usually family visits him instead of the other way around, everything seemed easier that way. Give that swarm a breath of fresh air rather than smog. Scoffing out a short laugh, he fully laid back. Arms folded under his head. "Sometime soon I'll take you. I'll warn yah, it's wetter than a broken faucet. Rain like you wouldn't believe."

"I like the rain. Standing in it feels nice." Looking down at your newly empty glass, that same fuzzy feeling that made your head slightly heavier. It brought another smile to your painted lips. 

Absent-mindedly, Howdy crosses his legs. Blurting out a small factoid of his life. "I kissed a girl in the rain." The admittance came with a light sigh, eyes falling closed as he thought about what felt so long ago. Almost missing when he wasn't nailed down, or at the very least when that bug was a little less overgrown. "Stopped traffic jus' tah keep her from runnin' away…" 

"I wanna kiss you in the rain." Being reminded that you aren't even close to his first for anything stung. It only served to fuel that fire of being the 'best' for this caterpillar. 

"Could do a lil' more than that! A nice summer rain, somethin' light an' warm. Way better than a hard, cold rain! Gettin' pelted by God while impatient cabbies honk at yah." 

That made you laugh a little. Surely it soured the otherwise lovely moment. For now you could giggle and pick at all the different foods. Howdy didn't seem to eat so much. Couple carrot sticks and sprigs of celery. You can enjoy the mellow darkness, the curtain of deep blue between far off trees. Thanks to the spring weather, mild warmth in the breeze brought out lesser insects. Tiny yellow lights buzz in circles around the area. At some points you would fall silent, looking towards the beauty of Home so easily ignored. 

…

After the first bottle was empty and Howdy couldn't fret about what may happen next, he suddenly cleared his throat. Reaching into the basket for the other bottle he'd brought, thank the Lord only two of them were in that basket. Otherwise his shaking hands would've opened one after another. 

"So… I got to thinkin' an- Fuck!" 

BANG!

The cork flew off in some direction as Howdy swore at the thing, jumping to sit up straight as he scared the absolute shit out of himself. Instead of pouring another drink, he figured 'fuck it' and filled your glass again before setting the damn thing away slightly further than what's comfortable to reach. "Jesus Christ."

"So.. You were thinking?" Holding back a wicked laugh from his slight misfortune, going ahead with adding all the more fluff to your cotton stuffed head. 

"Thinkin' hard." Taking a breath, he steadied himself some. All of his hands tangled together, a lump suddenly in his throat while every fur on the fuzzy caterpillar stood on end. "Like how smart you really are. Never woulda saw you comin'.. Then I thought if I don' get married, I might actually die alone. I ain't over the fuckin' hill 'r nothin'. I'm jus' not so young anymore. Nat 'n maybe I should settle down." For every word spoken his natural born English broke, he stopped making eye contact and couldn't find a perfect place to look. 

His heart was about to explode out his rib cage and it would absolutely be your fault. Wherever his fur was thinnest a heavy blush pulls in every part of this jitterbug. Flushed an adorable red under such soft greens. Howdy had never looked so cute, fidgeting under his own stress. A new chapter in his very real life. Stars were spinning above Howdy's head, dizzy with nervousness. 

You had inched closer, "Settle down~?" You parrot dumbly, an eager purr shook that soft voice. "What're you asking?" 

"What do you think?"

"Please? I wanna hear you say it." He'd never forget that smile. It would burn forever in the back of his mind. Forever remembered by the thought of you. 

Fuck.

"(You). (Your Full Name), you are the most unexpected girl I've met. I love you. Now! Before you say nothin': I'm a list guy. I weighed the pros and cons. You're an intelligent young woman an' I doubt you even realize what you did. You won. Make me a happy man and marry me." In his hands was the thing you've always wanted. It's a velvet lined box, the very light of God reflects over shiney metal.

His family ring is slid over a thin finger on your left hand, it would need resized. But your hand had never been so perfect, you've never felt so wanted and everything inside was far too much. Without realizing why you were sobbing, tears rolling down the plush fabric of your cheeks. Loose streaks of mascara running in fat lines. It was burning a hole in his pocket since Eddie got that tiny box to him. Express sent straight from his mother. A garish red rock circled by smaller stones with a golden band. It was far larger than the one your own mother had been given. This is it. Your trophy. The prize every girl got drilled in her head to need. 

"Yes! Oh God, yes! I love you so much!" It hurt to be this happy. Even giving yourself a heavy headache as you boil over. 

"I talked tah Barn, and thought things over with yer ma. She's a respectable lady, she had tah be smart. We reached an agreement. Those two are gonna move in together. Maybe even tie the knot once all this settles. Then I buy your house, an' that's where we'll be. Right as rain. Whatever happens after that? We'll see. But.." He paused, unable to tear his gaze off the ring family always threatened him with. "That means you're a wife. My wife. You can't work for me no more, this is your real job. Responsibilities you can't ignore." 

"I don't care. Anything it takes, I'll do it." Sniffling then, you swallow back all the emotions spilling out. Looking up at your love, squeezing your hands against his. "I'm having your baby, I want to raise the children you're proud of." You tug those large hands to press into your tummy. He wasn't surprised, though does look at you with such a fondness. Another few glasses and Howdy would've been there balling right along with you. Touched by the moment and sappy words. 

Without a moment to waste he lent down for a kiss, a pair of greedy hands rubbing at your front with the other two held your round cheeks. Overcome and overwhelmed by a feeling Howdy never thought he might experience.

Chapter Text

Howdy left town ahead of when you were planning to for an entire week of wild debauchery. If only to get the rest of it out of his system. One last taste of freedom before you could officially be considered his very own ball and chain. If he wasn't allowed to see the dress or any other bridal shit then why bother? Finally, he was going to his own bachelor party. Rather than the several other ones he's taken part in.

Out to some cheap hotel room completely stuffed with his favorite brothers and cousins. Apparently Charlie was out on parole and that guy always knew where to get the good stuff. Barnaby joined in of course, needing someone decently responsible around to keep the rest of them straight. Best man or not, it isn't as if anyone would listen to Latter. All throughout his time there; bugs would pass him rollies, pills, drinks, cigars, refer and of course "candy". Each blissful night is somehow more satisfying than the last. 

Of course that wonderfully awful final night still came, topping off their week with all the more drinking and cards. Howdy found himself having to go shot for shot with everyone else. He could barely hold his cards out, having to squint as the numbers shook. After images streaming through tracers. Was this an ace or a jack? A flush or utter garbage? 

"Call! Yer doin' nat fuckin' thing." 

This should have been a time to relax. To act as if he owned this place, just like the good ol' days. He hadn't even gotten to break the chain of cigarettes burning through his fingers. Shiny hair near sleek with sweat. Howdy blinks lazily, completely blown gaze lifting from his hand. Ashing anywhere, but in a tray. A long burnt out cigarette tucked behind his ear for safe keeping while he gestured at whichever cousin he thought said that. Clouds of smoke added to the thick smog in the air as he snapped at the butterfly. "You ain't seen shit, Barley! 'M not doin' nutin'." Despite the fact his legs were the ones making their sticky card table bounce. 

Barn shoved one of Howdy's legs off the table, forcing him to sit up straighter. Slurring through his own words, he had to put a paw down to keep steady. "Nah. He's right. You got this.. Twitch." 

"You do!" Confirmed a yellow smear not too far from him. 

"Shaddup, Latter!" He flicked a used butt at the offending liberal. Missing his brother by a vast margin. Only to just as quickly throw down those useless cards. A free hand scrubbing at his exhausted face, wiping all the more sweat into his eyes. Latter, who was already passing out, bumped him with an elbow. Sure to keep the guy from falling outta his chair. "Just I told jah' tah shove it. Whatchu want?" 

"Lemme-lemme talk.. Do yah think she knows that..? The…" Latter lost steam immediately, wondering over what he was wondering about. 

Howdy took a breath, inhaling through his newest cigarette as he rethought what he was trying to say. "My twitch?"

Barnaby wheezed as one of his heavy ears cocked to hear better, somewhat rocking in his rickety foldout chair. "Nah. She ain't that obs.. Observate. Observant? She don't… Pay attention." 

"Thank fuck! Got worried there fer a minute."

"Sheee who?" Cousin Charlie shoved at Latter, trying to see Howdy that much better. A short moment taken to swallow down a burp. "Yo girl?" 

"You ain't said nothin'! No nothin'." Barley was next to slap his face against the table, hardly able to even follow the conversation. Wings lax against him as he practically went limp. "'How'm I s'pposed tah fantasize?" 

"Fantasize 'bout nada one! My girl'z mine! Yank yer crank over somebuggy that ain't took." Howdy nearly ashed over his own drink, just about pulling himself over that flimsy table to see which one of those son's a bitches said it. Unfortunately they all blur and blend together, he couldn't even pick one out if he tried. 

"Yo! Don' rock da boat!" Charlie passively tried clapped the caterpillar upside his head, reaching across the table only to miss entirely. Rather limp wristed as he immediately simmered right back down, tossing his own cards wherever. 

Yanking his ass back in the chair, Howdy laughed. Empty glass at his lips in seconds, just for him to eye the bottom. "Shit. MmmmM' out." 

"Out?" Charlie's wings perked up, sober for an instant before going lax again. The butterfly scooted from his chair, scanning the floor for any open bottles. A few were taken, tested with a shake and rolled out of the way. Eventually one that was full enough is found and slid across the way to the man of the hour. "C'mon, brudda. You gotta tell us fuckin' sum'n 'bout 'er." 

"If yooou tell me a joke." A sing-song tone taken once he had a fresh new swig of something he couldn't taste anymore. Groans echo across the room. One unfortunate relative had to snap his fingers a couple times for Barnaby to wake back up. Low lights in a dim room bite at his eyes. 

"J-Joke? Kay. Funny… So there's this guy." He starts, already half forgetting the punchline. That dog rubs at his eyes, shooing away the fog in his head enough to try again. "He's…. In a ghost town. N-nobody around for miles. First place he sees is a bar. Bartender waitin' inside r' whatever-"

"So he's there." 

"He's there! Aight? So he says 'gimme- gimme a drink. An' the bartender asks what he wants. Guy asks for an orange vodka." Barnaby sat up a little more, stretching out over his side of the table. "Bartender pulls out an apple. So's the guy's confused. Wanted a drink an' what's with the apple? Bartender says, tah eat it an' he does. One side tastes like orange, other like vodka. At first he's impressed, asking for a few more drinks and he can't stump the guy for nothin'. Apples, apples, apples."

One of them must've heard this joke before, some butterfly laughing against his spot at the table. Almost starting to slap at it as he remembers the end. 

"So the guy leans over the bar, determined to stump the bartender. These apples can taste like anything? Anything! So's then he asks, you got one that tastes like pussy?" A wide grin spread across his muzzle, eyeing all the other men here that were still awake enough to listen. "Bartender thinks for a second. Shrugs an' puts another apple down for him. Guy takes it, bites it and it's the most disgusting thing he'd ever eaten! Says it tastes like shit!" About done with the joke, he waits a few long seconds for anyone who already knew to get the giggles out. "Bartender rolls his eyes and says, 'Well, turn it around!" 

Everyone busts out laughing, a few wheezing lowly while others slap at Barn's back. Too drunk to care if it might be too hard. That poor dog chuckling at the friendly abuse. 

"Hehh! Hahahahah! Heh heh..!" 

Several hands of Howdy's beat at the table, cackling as if it might be his last chance to. He didn't even realize when Charlie shoved at his side again, forcing Latter to move back a few inches. 

"Ey! You took yer joke. Spill it! She got tits 'r not?" 

"Tits? Nah! Flat as a board. I seen mosquito bites bigger N' hers." Those hands at the table peel off it, making a crude squeezey motion in front of his chest. "But my baby can suck the chrome off a Cadillac! Hasn't thrown up on me yet." Those few left awake half whistle at the idea, impressed by the apparent lack of a gag reflex. Howdy couldn't help throwing an arm around the dog's shoulders. "Sorry. Sorry. I know. Yous got the classic, mine's a new model." 

Processing the comment his old buddy made about you brought Barnaby to a pause. Almost choking on his cigarette as he forgot who this all happened to be about. "Newer don't mean better." He grumbles, chuckling at the strange sort of side hug.

"I like what ain't good fer me. What can I say?" Another short laugh and he tugged the arm from around Barn, attention more onto his cousin. Like looking into a murky mirror, similar features that shift when he squints. So similar to himself, the same Pillar bone structure. It was easy enough to hate. "She's the tops."

Charlie spit out a short scoff, cracked grin over his own fuzzy face. "New? Dirty fuck. What'd yah git? Last I hear you was fuckin' a spider." 

"Ain't seen her in years! Nah. I-" Howdy felt himself flush, he hadn't thought about little old you the last couple days. He can't back down, can't push off facts when they'd see you soon enough. Maybe too soon. His alcohol soaked stomach turned over, as he put back on that picture perfect grin. Deep blue hair falling over his forehead he pressed back to smooth out, righting himself out of habit. "Barn's finally part a' the family. I know (You) through his girl. She's young. Young-young... Tight lil' thang. She got a heavy ass an' full lips, s'all I need." 

Barnaby shook his head, fur ruffling as he took another drink. Killing what was left in the glass. A horrible warmth in his head. "Mine's a screamer. Squirts like she's in heat.. Love that women." 

He whipped a loose palm at Barnaby's chest, lightbulb flickering to life above his head. "(You) does that! Call me ocean land, 'cause my cock's a splash zone." 

"Could use a good fuck." A few others start conking out. Some passed out in places across the floor and couch. Charlie gave himself a chance to look around the place. Glad for his own taste of freedom before they drag him back to sing-sing. Slowly pressing his legs to cross over the table, he leans back comfortably in that awful foldout chair. Flimsy metal creaking under his weight. All six arms crossed in various ways around himself. "Only action my dicks've seen is Palm-ela an' her five friends." A hand held out to stroke at the air.

Howdy could imagine you instead of the plastered bugs surrounding them. That perfect shape, plush in all the right places. Those full hips so utterly breathtaking. His eyes fall to close, focused on the imaginary in his head. The hand in his hair almost presses back the legs of his chair, gently begining to tip himself over. "I ain't goin' back… I found a doll. So fuckin' tiny. Squeezes me so good." He bit at the cigarette in his teeth, upper arms folding behind his head. Lower hands mimic a round shape in the air. Thoughts preoccupied by that bouncy ass of yours. "Gotta pull her string tah talk, but when she's goin'.. She goes." A groan caught in his throat, flashing back to each and every face you've made. Those pretty pouts. The warm, rosey feelings you plant in his gut. 

It scratched at the butterfly's thoughts. Brow raised as the worst experiences he'd had with those cotton filled fucks rip to the forefront of his hazy mind. "Zat' a puppet r somethin'?"

"Mmhm. Kiddin' me?" He scoffs, stubbing out his smoke against a small puddle of booze on the table. "You know how many kids was in my old man's first clutch? 'M lucky I only got two siblin's on ma's side. Puppets pop out one at a time." 

The barely coherent Latter lifted his head to say something, just to think better of it and keep on sleeping. 

Charlie made a soft shimmy motion, considering his cousin's argument there. His own cluster of siblings had at least ten in the first clutch counting himself. He wasn't sure if his own parents even had more after that. "There's an idea. Maybe I gotta git me one." 

"Sides, if you want her tighter? Jus' add an extra stitch. Ha!" Howdy couldn't help it, just blurting out what he'd always wanted to joke about when it came to silly little puppets like you. So close to passing out where he sat. "Strangles my cock anyhow. Might lose it if she's any tighter." Like that, Howdy was out like a light. Wrecked worse than any day back in college.

Charlie could only chuckle, rocking back in his own chair for some shut eye. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. Not to mention, being the last man awake wasn't usually very fun. Snores bounce off peeling walls, echoing in every direction. He could only hope nobody fell asleep smoking.

Been far too long since all the Pillars were together. 

Chapter Text

"I just want you to be happy."

"Mother, I am happy. I'm going to be happy! This is-.. Ugh. I don't wanna talk about it right now. We'll talk or whatever after my honeymoon." Turning away from the woman, you pretend to be busy fussing over your lipstick. Unwilling to continue suffering through your mother's worries. 

"Fine…" She crooked her wrist in that awful little away, letting out a sharp breath before tossing a stiff smile over her usually stern features. "I love you, and I know you're going to do what you want to do. If you're going to be an adult, act like one. Make smart decisions, if not for me, then for you." 

In that moment you look nothing like her. The past week aged your mother at least five years. Lines in her fabric were more defined. Faint etches sewn over such delicate divisions. If she wasn't your mother, if she happened to be some complete stranger. Then maybe in your heart you'd describe her as regal. Tight pencil skirt, hugging at narrow hips. A tasteful, brightly colored waist coat made her shoulders rather boxy. One of those dumb half vail hats on her head, as if this perfect day was actually an extravagant funeral. Your flighty gaze flit between her partial reflection and your own. A rapidly growing weight in your chest that's easier to ignore, much as you ordinarily might dwell on it. If you put too much focus on the feeling, it may force you to cry.

It was hard to leave the room, though your silence is enough of a response. She didn't want to have to reapply her make-up for what felt like the eightieth time today and she sure as hell didn't need to put more effort into redoing your own. Having to hold back tears made the woman's eyes red, puffiness hidden under thick layers of creme and powder. She couldn't risk either of you crying, couldn't risk letting out all those pesky emotions she kept swallowing down. A montra in mind to hurry up and be over with this neverending nightmare. Get this done and not think about it. "I'll get you when it's time."

The even click of heels signals her venture down the hall, a heavy door shut securely behind. You passively went back to studying your reflection. Watching while she slowly pins earrings in place, so set on how they glint and glitter. Your hair was curled only to be pulled back in a painful bun. One set low against your skull, flowers and pearls weaved through your laced updo. It pulls at every fiber in a dreadfully itchy way. 

Aren't you so pretty? 

Mother always did apply the most flattering makeup. Sharp and delicate pops of color. An absolute angel stares right back as you mimic her blissful face. In utter disbelief that you were still you. All that you've gotten were pulled smiles and tight hugs. For the last week you couldn't shut up over getting married, bragging about Howdy to whoever cared enough to listen. 

The first person you cornered was Mr. Dear, he couldn't get away when you stood in front of the mailbox. A stack of stamped invitations in your jittery hands. When he saw you, he stopped. Pausing mid-stride on the other side of the street. And you could swear he changed color at the sight of little ol' you, dolled up so nice and pretty. So vastly different from when he last remembered. You couldn't even wait for him to finish getting to the mailbox. Flag not even flipped to signal a pickup. Which he had told you several times in the few instances you've tried mailing letters. 

"Howdy, (You)! Or-uhh. Hi there! Such a nice day. Got somethin' for me there?" No matter how flustered he seemed to be, the larger puppet sort of laughed. Awkwardly shuffling in his spot. "What with the weather an' all." 

"Hey, Mr. Dear! It's better than nice. I've got.. Invitations!" The stack of cards are waved before yourself, grinning happily behind them. Crisp white on white cards embossed with gold and tall cursive letters. 

"Shoot! I didn't forget about your birthday did I? I swear I wrote it down this time." He fully stepped back, hands out in a defensive way. "Just get 'em in the box for me. 'Kay?"

"You don't have to follow regulations that close." You huff, pulling a face. Only to roll your eyes and concede, tossing them into the metal container. 

"I do! Now, don't forget the flag. It's gotta be up if you want me to take those." Mr. Dear does his job annoyingly well. Even unconsciously straightening out his posture, a finger out to be sure the point is made this time. 

Using every ounce of unenthusiastic compliance you can, you do exactly that. Slowly blinking up at the mailman as you slap the mailbox's face shut and flick the flag up. "There. I did it." 

"It might seem pointless, but where would we be in this world if rules didn't exist. Hmm?" Eddie nods to himself, apparently approving of your minimal work. He already went to remove the invites you shoved in that same mailbox. 

You have never rolled your eyes harder at such a thing. "Why do you have to do this when I have news? Jeez!" Interrupting yourself, you practically bounce as he reads over the stack of invites. "I'm getting married!" 

"Married?" 

"Married!!" You squee excitedly, hands balled up by your chest as you make a horrible little high pitch noise.

His attention kept flipping between those simple cards and your progressively growing smile. Flicking through a few different expressions until his heart and mind could make themselves up. As many times as the mailman read and reread those names, he couldn't believe it. Sparks could very well be coming out of that puppet's head while the information was processed. 

You are invited to the wedding of (Your full name) and Howdy Pillar. Scrawled in a golden print on the front, the back had simple black text detailing RSVPs and the address of where it would be held. 

"By any chance- and this might sound crazy, but.. Is this. Maybe. A play wedding? Is Sally settin' everythin' up. Have Wally officiate kinda thing?" 

"What's an officiate? Mr Darling is invited too. I hope you saw his." Almost leaning over yourself to see the stack in his hands, you fret over maybe forgetting an invite. 

"Officiate is what a preacher does. They've got the power to marry people." Mr. Dear explained carefully, very nearly ignoring the issue here. Suddenly jolting, his wide eyed gaze re-snapped to you. "Hey. Wait. Is that why I can't get in the shop? Just some note on the door." He jabbed a thumb back towards that end of town. 

"He's at a bachelor party. Apparently it isn't a place for 'Women folk'." 

"No. I'd suspect not." He did indeed have Wally's invitation still in the stack, a small ease in your mind as you set back on your heels. Looking up at the man as the gears still seem to be turning in his head. "Well. Uh. (You). I'll go and deliver these. So! So don't you worry. Out in two shakes." With each word Mr. Dear spoke, he began side stepping away. Your invites shoved into his mailbag, almost not wanting to touch them for longer than he had to. "Congrats!" 

"Thanks! One's for you and Frank, by the by." 

Instead of his usual steady jog, Eddie blasted off in the other direction. A hand on his hat to not lose it as he rushed, fully sprinting towards his and Frank's house. An absolute need to defend how he was not worrying over nothing. The fact Howdy had him delivering more and more orders for you, was indeed a blatant red flag. Now Eddie had a reason to hate being right. Maybe. Instead of speculating with Frank, he should have gone directly to your mother. The thought alone turned his stomach, a certain guilt would bounce around the puppet's head all day. 

Everyone else you talked to reacted in much the same way. While you expected to receive replies over the next day at least, you ended up having to go door to door for your answers. While any sort of phone calls would have sufficed, you preferred to stop by. Mr. Darling of course offered to clear his schedule. Having to worry himself over the right attire. Poppy's squawk echoed in your ears that you were much too young for marriage and if your mother didn't want the neighbors to know you were pregnant then you might've given the bird a piece of your mind. Next down the line had been Julie, she must've thought the news was a game as well. Immediately suggesting that she WILL catch the bouquet. Then came Ms. Starlet, she simply scoffed in your face and said to send a postcard. Not that you needed a star stealing the spotlight on your special day anyway. 

Not too much longer and the door to your dressing room creaked open only to slam shut. More than spooking you, as you jumped out of the seat. Fisting at the ruffled of your skirts. Already talking to who you thought was your mother. "Is it time? I haven't gotten–.. Howdy!" Gasping in a breath of air at the sight of your very own caterpillar, you immediately were rushing to his side. Attempting to push and shove the man back through the door. "Out! Out! Out! I don't need you giving me bad luck!" 

The door happened to already be shut, so not only was the attempt fruitless, but Howdy had an easy time overpowering you anyway. Gathering up those tiny felted hands in his larger mits. Upper hands squarely set upon your narrow shoulders. "Ey! After tonight, your everythin' is gonna be mine. That includes luck. Now stop and listen." 

"You're not supposed to be here!" You nearly hiss, half-heartedly glaring up at him. Too bothered by tradition to really process how handsome he is. The only thing you could find yourself focusing on is the slight red around Howdy's eyes and the burnt out scent of nicotine. 

"Trust me, I know." He rasps, already out of breath over what felt like so little. Though his tone became firm, wanting to quiet you down enough to listen. Your attention fully on him in less than an instant, locked on those dark eyes and the way his nose scrunched when speaking. "(You), I need you to promise me." 

"Promise you what?" As perturbed as you were, how he found your dressing room in the first place felt like a mystery. You couldn't be too angry if he couldn't hold back from seeing you before anyone else. The thought is flattering enough. 

"Promise me that no matter what, you have fun tonight. This is your night and you can always be by me if anythin' makes you uncomfortable. If you need me, you better call." 

"Howdy, that's silly." You giggle, cracking a smile as you happily dismiss the idea. "It's only family out there. And friends! But thank you. You might have to lead me around anyway. This place is so huge! I could get lost." 

"I can do that. Just stay by me." His fists were shaking by his sides. The stiff, uneven smile over Howdy's face softened some as he finally got a look at you. Finally able to truly see how special you are. His little princess adored in lace and pearls, a perfect angel. "... You're beautiful." The heavy palms on your shoulders moved then, gently cupping your plush cheeks. 

"And you're only saying that." Even if you shove off the compliment, it still brought a certain amount of heat over your fabric. You end up being the one to pull away, squeezing his warm palms before pulling them off. "Now shoo. I'll see you soon." 

"I'm not a fly." Howdy jokes, allowing himself to tuck back behind the door. Hands to himself for once as he yanks something out of a pocket. "Before I leave, put this on." He reached back over, tossing a fancy glass bottle in your hands. An angular thing with pink liquid inside, a powder puff depressor connected by a thin tube. It must be a perfume of some kind. 

"What's this?" You can't help how your smile curls, you've only seen fancy bottles like these in catalogs or the television. Granted, as you squeeze the puff for a sniff... It just a quickly dropped the grin from your face. "It smells... Kinda bad." Chemical to say the very least, like ammonia and this raw bitterness. Dried blood, the almost sweetness of rot. 

"Don't worry. I like it, so wear it. If anybody asks, you're wearin' something called 'musk'. I'll see you soon." Howdy was out the door and pulling it shut. Immediately keeping you from asking any more questions. That spray should at least cover up your own pheromones. Avoiding his family would be impossible, the best he could hope for is maybe convincing everybuggy else that this marriage is out of love rather than desperation. 

He left you flipping between wanting to toss out the damn thing or actually put it on. Though, since the man asked? You gave yourself a few spritzes, holding back from how the scent made your nose hairs curl. Soon enough you would be lead out by your mother anyway. Do all rich people actually smell strange? If that's the case, your mother must have a point wearing cheaper fragrances. Either way. Not five minutes later, the door opened again and your mother was ready to drag you down the hall. A bunch of white roses in your clenching hands. Chest squeezing an head utterly empty, ready or not here comes the bride. 

The hall is lined with stained glass windows, beautiful rainbows that bathe your white dress in fragments of color. Pipe organ keys press and drone, announcing your presence to the whole of everyone else. Any and all yammering tamped down to have all focus on you. Pews filled by those you've never seen. Maybe a few you could vaguely recognize, be it neighbors or those you've seen in pictures hung at Howdy's. A vast majority being butterflies or caterpillars at various stages of life. Some snails, a few other bugs sprinkled in. Barnaby's own mother in the front row. 

But there he is. Just like you've always dreamed. Howdy stood by a decrepit beatle, what must be your officiant of the evening, a line of similar dressed men beside him. Barnaby at the head by his side. Howdooyoudoo Pillar in a neatly pressed tuxedo, ironed with a crease and ending in a half break above polished wingtip oxfords. If you knew anything about men's fashion, you might've died over how expensive such an elegantly simple outfit is. The red cumberbund around his waist alone cost a barrel of laughs. His usual short pompadour is pulled flat and greased down, parted off to the side rather than an updo. You have to hold back that need to run, beat down the excitement of being here and doing what you were. Once you were in place, your mother tucked herself at the head of your own short line of women. Julie, Poppy, what was possibly a few sisters or cousins of Howdy's. If only to keep the lines even. 

You were nearly in tears before the priest could speak his peace. Unable to rip your gaze off the love of your life, looking as handsome as he ever could. Your dearly beloved. 

Chapter Text

"You may now kiss the bride." 

Howdy swept you off your feet with a showstopping twirl and he kissed you like he meant it. An eager press that you were yanked into. Entire crowd cheering as rice and confetti is tossed into the air. The flashing of lights and camera flares click like cicadas, drowning out the droning drum of bells. 

Carried all the way from the altar and back down the aisle, then outside to an awaiting cab. You could barely pause to toss your bouquet. A simple flick of your wrist to a handful of girls and women flocking to snatch it. Dresses were ripped and tears are shed. You couldn't be happier. Giggling through kisses, you stamp lipstick across his jaw and wherever you can reach. Arms wrapped high around his strong shoulders. 

Once inside the cab, your personal chariot to the next venue and you still weren't released. This car ride took maybe twenty minutes due to traffic. A rather handsy twenty minutes at that. Fortunately this entire outfit had built in deterrents that the average groom cannot bypass. Tight laces and an even tighter corset underneath your puffy dress. Which worked wonders in keeping you more or less unmolested. It left you fully laughing. Try as Howdy might to slip a hand under anything on you. He just settled for groping at your curves, whispering dirty little promises to fulfill later on. Ones you hoped the driver wouldn't hear, quietly turning deeper shades of red before the two of you are tossed out. Readily heading into yet another giant brick building. 

The immediate room is circled by already filled tables. Well dressed children, or grubs rather, were ducking between those tables only to pop out from under them and zoom off someplace else. A rather long table at the very end of the room held an enormous cake and an equally massive amount of food. 

You didn't get much time to actually look around. Once you had left that cab, one of Howdy's hands glued itself to your own. For the most part you were able to stick behind Him. Nearly all these bugs tower over you, so much so that you couldn't find any neighbors among this swarm. Wall to wall, this room was infested with your new family and you had to meet each and every one. 

"This is gonna be a lot'a information, so you better pay attention." He would then proceed to point at and get you to greet all that you could. The grin over your flushed little face slowly began to grow forced, saying awkward 'hellos'. Only able to nod, attempting to commit who you could to memory. Even those that gave you strange looks in return. Even while everyone saw you initially at the ceremony, now they could look nice and close at lil' ol you. 

The other few women in your line were his sisters Dolly and Sue. Evidently they were from his father's first marriage. Then his brothers Buck, Chuck, Drew and Barley. Though bare in mind Drew is actually Sue's brother from a separate marriage. He had been very sure to tell you Drew is not his actual brother. Then cousins Whozit, Whatsit, Whynot and Adios. Each new face felt like an ever so slight shift. Red Howdy, blue Howdy, blonde Howdy, lady Howdy. It was all getting to be so much. They were all individuals, surely, but they seem to blend and blur together. 

Eventually, you had to shyly tug at his sleeve. Enough to gain some attention while he got busy talking to another cousin. Or maybe an uncle? 

You gave his sleeve another little pull. Brow cutely knit together while you do that soft swaying motion at the knee."Can we talk to people I know?" 

Your husband had to lean down some to actually hear that adorably tiny voice over everyone else's. 

"... Please?" Came your terrified squeak.

"'Course. We got all night." The hand holding yours gave it a soft squeeze, gentle concern over his fuzzy features. He couldn't keep dragging you around like a security blanket, especially when you had your own guests to visit with. 

Whoever, which might've actually been the guy's name, gave you an interesting look. As if he hadn't noticed you tucked behind Howdy. A tiny china doll, just like one that could be sold in stores. The display of such a little thing didn't make the butterfly think of his wife, or any street walkers. But his own daughter would spring to mind. He politely shook Howdy's hand, allowing him to take you away. 

Howdy had the thought that you might very well be overwhelmed by all of this, hell he was back during the first few weddings he had gotten involved with. Beyond those cute hellos and actually telling bugs your name, you hadn't spoken at all. Not that it was a surprise to see. 

Ushered over to your own designated table, you were sat down in a chair beside your mother and Barnaby. Folded papers at each spot dictating who sat where. A small vase of flowers in the middle by tall lit candles. 

"How you doing, Kid?" Barnaby drug your chair slightly closer and your mother compressed you in the tightest hug from her own seat. 

"I'm okay.." You mumble into her coat. 

"Oh, Honey.." She shushes you, crushing you against her one last time before you're released. A couple of empty flutes were at her spot on the table, a third one is about half gone. "Don't worry, you're doing just fine." 

"Thanks? I know. It's just. Talking?" Pouting in your spot now, you sigh. Honestly glad to take a minute and just be. 

Howdy looked like he was about to do the same, already pulling a chair out of place only for his head to whip in a different direction. 

"As I live an' breathe, Howdy!" Suddenly and quite forcefully he is ripped from where he was to be squeezed in a hug. One even tighter than the one your mother had given you. Hiya was already in tears due to the beautiful ceremony. All six arms around her baby boy. Biya wasn't far behind, already chastising his wife. 

"Leave the boy be, dear." He would shake his head and lean over the table you were all at. "Barn! I haven't seen you since Home warming. Nice seeing you." 

"You too, Mr. Pillar. Ah." Barnaby had to stand from his spot, gesturing at the table like a gentleman. "This is the Missus, an' her daughter. (You)." 

"How do you do." Your mother greets, politely giving a limp wristed wave. 

"Terrific, thank you." He responds in kind. 

Howdy had to yank and strain to escape his mother's hold. Mind absolutely rushing to keep her off him, the immediate and only thing he could possibly spit out of course had to be about you. Already moving to stand you back up outta your chair. Gaining a short huff for it. "Ma! Pops. Sorry you couldn't a' met (You) sooner."

No one had given you a stranger look than his own two Parents. Hiya and Biya Pillar. Hiya cracked an awkward smile while Biya easily told himself not to react. He offers a hand, taking one of yours to press a kiss against. 

"Call me Dad. If you want to call her Mom, that's fine too. Welcome to the family." His bright green and far too bristly mustache tickles in the worst way. You weren't even sure when the socially acceptable time to pull your hand away was. 

"Ah. Thank you! I'm happy to be part of it.. Uh. Dad." That word tastes strange on your tongue. Though you had to ignore the itch it placed in your head in favor of minding your manners. 

Your mother giggles some, suddenly grabbing the back of your dress to pull you back into the seat beside her. "Please! Join us, if you want to grab a few chairs." She diffuses the situation, able to recognize social nuance and your own discomfort levels. 

Biya is quick to nod, "I'll do that." 

Hiya's expression finally squiggles into a wry one, voice rather airy for a second. "I actually wanna borrow my son. If you let me?" 

"Course!" Barnaby waves a paw towards them. Gaining a desperate look from his buddy there. Particularly wide eyed where he stood half bent. Already squirming some. "Take him. We got all night!" 

Well. You are in a good spot. One he could find if need be. Swallowing hard, Howdy plastered on his best smile. Allowing himself to be drug away. An arm looped around hers mm "Suppose I can. Whatcha need, Ma?" Off on his reluctantly merry way, you watch him go. Blending seamlessly into the crowded room with his mother. Biya went off to find his table and steal a few more chairs, maybe even press two tables together. Who knows. 

Hiya thought of you as her son kept asking questions. When you were down the aisle she didn't hardly look at you, no. She had been far too preoccupied in watching her very own son finally grow up. A lot of the wiggle assumed you must just be short, after talking over the ceremony on their ways over here. That wouldn't be too surprising. Howdy does have a type anyway. But this. This was the final straw. No extra limbs. No wings. No mandibles, pincers, antennae or even a proboscis. Just the biggest sparkly eyes and a very pretty stitched smile. You look like nothing more than a baby in disguise. 

The second you were out of sight, Howdy was directed to a less cramped area just to be hit several times upside his head. It would've even messed up his hair if it weren't so well glued down. 

"Jeez, Ma! What're you doin!?" He ducks, bent at the knees as a few more of her hands are dodged. 

"No wonda'! I shoulda known you was pullin' somethin' like this. Howdooyoudoo Pillar!" She barks, gaining the attention of others in the wiggle, passing glances given by those too polite to say anything. Some sympathetic, others were overjoyed by the show included with their dinner. "She ain't even old enough tah let go a' her momma's apron strings!" 

After another smack that left his antennae shaking, Howdy was able to peek out from under his arms. Now privy to his mother's glare. Ignoring the fact she is blonde, he was her spitting image. The green grub in her clutch. This was the first and only time to ever hate it. The same fuzzy hue to her skin and adorable nose. He could only grumble, turning himself around to not look at her anymore.

"She's old enough. An' it just.. Clicked." 

"It clicked." Her tongue popped at the funny little word. Because his back was turned, she took the opportunity to once again hit the man. 

"I swear if yah keep fuckin'-" This time he just had to take it. Groaning out into the air. Ultimately he knew her emotions would curb themselves at some point. 

"Young man, you look at me when I'm speakin'." 

Again, Howdy turned himself back around at the boss' orders. Acutely aware of the hushed snorts and choked laughter around them. Of course, what was a wedding without this sort of thing? Much as he tried to not return the leering look, it took everything in him to keep from reacting. 

"Ma." He starts again, tone clipped as he held himself back. "We ain't doin' this." 

"Yes. We are."

"No. We ain't. Listen-" 

"I expect this outta Henry or Charlie. But you?" She scoffs, giving her head a soft shake that makes his blood boil. 

"Don't compare me tah that louse! Henry ain't even-"

"You were such a good boy, Howdy Doo.." She wouldn't stop to listen in the first place. "This is so disappointin'. What'll I tell my friends?"

"Ma. Stop-." He tried. Air heavy in his lungs, all those eyes on him. The judgement of people who think they know him. She just had to do this here and now. 

"You are lucky!" Hiya let out another breath, looking her handsome boy up and down. Regardless of how tall he is or how old he had gotten, she could only see that headstrong little boy. "Lucky that we didn't drag you home. Set you up with a good butterfly. That daughter a' the Flutterbyes is a perfect somebuggy fuh yah! Berri is so lovely." 

Now, Howdy needed to be at least three or four beers deep before having this conversation. Having to slap a hand over his own mouth to not say something he might regret. Though. The longer this went on for, the warmer his face got. Could feel a pulse in his ears that almost drowned the woman out.

"We are ending this conversion. Now." He warns, leaning down more. As if eye contact alone wasn't good enough. Secondary hands fist into his pockets while his uppers shook by his sides. 

"How could you do this tah yourself?" She stepped up more, not one care for the height difference between them. He wouldn't dare retaliate. 

"You really wanna know?" His vision blurred, blurting out what was in his head without real thought. "(You) Is expectin' an' so'm I! I'm bein' responsible here." 

"You didn't-!" Gasping bad enough to nearly faint, she shocked herself. Hands clapped to her cheeks in disbelief. "You better treat that girl nice."

"I do treat her nice!" He defends, pointing at the ground where they stood. A furious squint burning down at the butterfly. "This conversation didn't happen." Huffing the air around them, his glare sharpened at the various different expressions all set on him. There wasn't anything he can do. Nothing other than get through this. "I'm gonna find MY wife. Congrats on bein' a Grama. Again." With a final breath, Howdy pushed himself to walk away. Not keep going in circles when all his mother wanted to do was pick at wounds. 

"Howdy Doo Pillar, don't you walk away from me!" 

Face growing ever hotter, Howdy attempted to ignore her. Even while Hiya stayed only a step behind, yacking about everything wrong over absolutely anything she could think of. Various bugs in his generation tisk as they pass, some actually chuckle at just how much she made him boil. Jeering once an opportunity such as this presented itself. 

"Howd's, you got a slug in your mug?"

He spit towards his cousin Whozit, hissing through his teeth. "That'd be better 'N this!"

"Got a bee in yer bonnet?" 

"Nah. Got me a pest that won't buzz off!" 

"Howdy Doo! I am your MOTHA'!" Hiya fumes, actually beginning to poke at him. Physically digging at each and every insecurity of his and she damn well knew it. 

Nag. Nag. Nag. Oh if he had the gall and a swatter. If she wasn't going to calm down and talk like an adult then… Howdy found himself needing an out. The only question was which trap would be stickiest. Convincing. 

Being a foot taller than most had its advantages. One of those being the amazing ability to find other tall people. With sights set, he storms over as soon as he saw her. Poppy partridge stuck out as a beacon of hope. At her own designated table set close to yours. Seating arrangements made with proximity in mind, the rest of the neighborhood no doubt had their seating together. 

The wild grin Howdy pulled outta his ass would've made Wally proud. "Hey, Guys!" He cheerily greets, a lower arm suddenly hooks around his mother's waist to yank her with him. 

"Hi, Howdy!" A few of them greet as he started coming over. 

"Don't you ignore me-! Ahhh!" Hiya squeaks, now blinking down at a tableful of multicolored puppets and two very lovely birds. 

Though at the same time, while interrupting the various original conversations his neighbors were having quite rudely. Barnaby's very own mother had already been over at their table. Clucking away to Poppy and the rest of them. 

"Oh… Hello." Wally quietly waves from his seat by a rather disheveled Julie. Her hair had half fallen out of where it had been tied. A few of the gold and pink ribbons of the adorable dress she had on were ripped and sporting a blatant black eye. Which Hiya immediately drew her attention to

"Ah. I'm Hiya Pillar, lovely meeting you?" She returned the funny little wave, wondering just who these people were. "Do you need the powder room… Dear?" 

Julie blinked dumbly for a few moments, until a sort of lightbulb flashed above her blonde head. She was being acknowledged, yes. "Ah! No." Quick to shove a hand down the collar of her own dress, she seemed to wrangle something from down there. Suddenly ripping out the bouquet. Sure it was bent and missing a few flowers, but she earned it. "These are battle scars. I AM getting married next!" She shoved herself out of her chair, clutching those flowers with a shaky hand. Crazed half giggles leaving the girl. 

Wally shifts ever so slightly. His gaze becoming rather flighty as his chair squeaks an inch in the opposite direction of what must be his date. 

Holding back a laugh at that, Howdy cleared his throat. Already pointing away as he introduces his friends. "Ma, You know Ms. Beagle. This is Poppy, Julie, Wally, Frank an-... Where's Ed?" 

A certain orange puppet wasn't at his seat, though once Eddie's name is mentioned their table shook. Answering the question as soon as it was uttered. 

Everyone rolled their eyes, other than Hiya. She made yet another face at the antics of puppets as Frank sighs. "One moment please." They offer an apologetic smile before directing their attention underneath their tablecloth. Voice coming out as a pointed whisper. "Mr. Dear! You are making a fool of yourself." 

"I-I didn't know there'd be so many!" Replies an awfully timid voice he could only recognize as the mailman. "How'z I supposed to know!?" 

"Mr. Dear!" They nearly snap, dragging the heavy puppet up and out by his ear.

"Oh-kay! Okay? 'M done!" Profusely sweating.  Fully panicking at the very idea of being in the middle of all these bugs. Sure! He'd gotten used to Howdy and seeing his folks around for the holidays. That was fine! Just peachy keen. But this? 

"That's Ed." Howdy scoffs, gesturing at him ruefully before posing a hand under his mother's face. "This! This is my Momma. Raised me tah be the bug I am today. Why! I'd even say I wouldn't be half the Pillar I am without her love an' guidance. Frank! How's 'Bout you talk tah a real butterfly?" His antennae stand on end as Frank's eyes sparkle. Standing with fever from their chair, they jump at the opportunity. Hands clapped around one of hers in seconds. Excited to break the ice and speak to one. They wore a pressed gold and yellow pantsuit paired with a powder blue tie. One that matched Eddie's blue suit and yellow tie. Their poor partner shook in his spot, face rather tense. 

"Frank Frankly, Ma'am! And might I say, your scales are simply stunning." They gush, eyeing her folded wings. They matched her own dress and accent colors. 

She blushes, happily eating up the attention with a bashful laugh and a crook of her wrist. "Ain't you somethin' sweet! I actually had a few removed befora' the weddin'. Can't make the place too dusty! This is a rental. Oh! Y'know Howdy an' my boys picked this buildin' out?" Hiya turns her head, only for the smile she had to drop. Her son was gone, tucked back into the crowd after a successful mission. 

If anyone needed to breathe, it was him. Headed out for some fresher air. 

Chapter Text

Seeya sat at a table with her brother Latter. He was far too busy sighing over his drink to notice the commotion right over their shoulders. Whistling through the gap in her teeth, she sat back as Howdy and their mother got through the newest spat. 

"You seein' this?" 

"Do you think.. They'll let me say a few words?" 

"Shut it, are you hearin' nis?" She gave him a firm elbow to the ribs. A free hand endlessly picking at her beehive updo. "Ach- She's pretty." Interrupting herself, Seeya took a sip of her drink. Again shoving her elbows at her brother. Once it seemed he wasn't reacting. 

"I jus' say-aye!" He jolts, scanning the wrong side of the room. "What!? What're you seeing?" 

"Ma don't like the bride. You seen her?" She asks sharply, as if accusing him of something. 

"Yeah. I think I saw her. Or. I will see her. So I saw her. Yeah." Pulling more away from her side of the table, he passively tried to look busy with his drink. 

"Not mom, ijit. The bride? Howdy ain't introduced us yet." 

"Just a glimpse." Latter pinches at the air, mimicking measuring dust. "During the ceremony. She's cute." He supposes anyway. 

Seeya latches onto the opportunity with devilish glee. "As a button! I give 'em a year…" With a thoughtful pose she nods to herself. "Six months if she gains weight." 

"Oh despair! I'm next." The only one of their momma's grubs not married off by now. He could almost cry, worrying over himself as his overworking actualizing mind went haywire. Hands comb through the short hairs over his head, firmly pulling at himself in places. "My childless hopes drives the very self towards arbitrations-! Ambitions dashed! Tireless dreams gone! Boundless woes beseech me!" The pathetic poet slapped himself down face first, rather noisily taking a new breath. 

She cracks him against an arm, giving Latter a smack in comradery. A wicked smile tugs at her lips as an idea or two bubbles from beneath the surface. "Easy there, bruddafly. We don't know how long this'll last… You wanna make a bet?" 

"What kind a'... Bet?" Came a muffled reply. Far too busy moping to care. It always was Howdy that mattered, he would continue to be the latter. A ladder with a face shaped rung to step over. "I'll bet Mom'll be down my throat worse than any frog."

"C'mon. I mean a real bet." She snorts a little, watching her brother deflate against their table. "Y'know, fer bein' so educated. You might be more of a dummy than that bride." 

By the time her hubby Beeya got back to the table, he broke their conversation to tuck a squirming grub into her arms. Too fussy to be swaddled in that cute blue blankie. She instantly gathers up the little bundle, cooing over her precious grub. "Oh! My little Buhbye!

"Here. He wants you. I got my armz full."

After a small kiss, he went off on his way for them to keep chattering at each other. 

~~~

Begrudgingly dragging himself through crowds of family he barely knew, Charlie grumbled to himself. Already kicked out of the building thanks to his mother. He only wanted a cigarette. She fake coughed as soon as he yanked one from a brand new pack. That was enough of a warning to know not to smoke in a holy place. Even when they weren't at church anymore, this is a rental. Outside is nicer anyway. Less populated than the reception if anything. 

Though behind those hefty double doors, a young cousin happened to already be there. A snail he could vaguely recognize, if only because of his lengthy red hair and extra scruff. Posted outside, Scadadledoo panics, jumping to stub out his marijuana cigarette. Coughing slightly down his dress shirt in a poor attempt to hide it.

"Relax, kid." He passively waves the halfbreed off, shutting heavy double doors behind himself. "Won't tell no biggy, gimme that N' git." He rolls his eyes, watching the hippie begin to shuffle off only to stop. A wide palm placed at his front, now snapping some fingers in front of Scadadle's face. "You slower than yah look? Or you gonna make good on the name yer momma gave yah?" 

That snail blinked one eye after another. Expression crinkling in places. "The shell, man? I'dda been there sooner, but you aren't letting me get far." 

"Jay first." That same hand snaps again, fingers curling in his direction. "Don't make us slug it out." 

"You're harshin' the vibe, man." Reluctantly the half bent rollie was dropped into the other's palm, only then allowing him to join the rest of the party. "Freaking butterflies..." 

"I heard that!" 

And for the next long while, Charlie thought to himself. Watched the busy street and other bugs march on by. Those living life, presumably enjoying what time they have left or were on their way to borrow more. Those doors still open. Different family all casually visit through their smokes. Some didn't want to be caught with marijuana and hand it over once they were done. He honestly allows himself the simple pleasure of witnessing those last lines of sunlight dip behind enormous brick and steel buildings. Golden hues melt into deeper, darker reds and oranges. Then finally into hazy purples. Of all people, he hadn't expected Latter to be the next visit.  Bashfully tripping over his own feet to open that door. An actual effort made to only press them forward. Rather awkwardly, that liberal arts wuss sniffs as if he might cry after all the effort. Deep seeded frown in place, his antennae droop in such a pathetic way. Charlie could only groan, tucking a burnt out roach behind his ear for safe keeping.

"S'mattah, Lattah'?" 

"Do you perhaps… Wish to.." His little cousin rocked in place before him. Yellowed fuzz flushed to an almost red orange. "Make a buck? This bonding of woe only serves to rip us asunder. For better or for worse, petty squabbles soars-" Latter starts, only for Charlie to hold up a hand and stop him before he had a chance to say something else with too many syllables.

"Fuck." Could use a buck, with any luck. He gave his chin an awkward scratch, several arms crossing over himself. Generally mulling over the idea, what possibilities this one out of everybuggy else might be up to. "'M tryin' tah be good, cuz. If yer askin' fava's, choose yo next words wise-like." 

"Well Seeya and myself have a bet-" 

"An' yah need somebuggy that ain't you." Tisking at his little cousin, he waggled a finger in his direction. Pretending to be above all that. "Fight'cher brotha' like a real man."

"I didn't even say what it was!" Latter had all his hands tangled together, gaze cocked off to the side so as to not make eye contact. "I have a joke book in it for you." He added quickly, hoping bait would be enough. 

"What's the bet?" Charlie wasn't hooked, though curiosity was enough to keep his interest. 

"Howdy Doo doesn't deserve how good he's got it, you know."

"Jus' fuckin' tell me." 

Latter broke his staring contest with the ground, building up the gumption to truly look at the other butterfly. His ever present frown etched deeper, the idea plants a disgusting pressure in the back of his mind. He had to keep reminding himself, Howdy couldn't be the golden child forever. 

And Charlie kept thinking to himself after that. Gaze drawn to the flicker of lanterns. One after another down what streets he could see down the block, suppose he should start to head in. Festivities should be ending soon. 

Howdy happened to be very last in line to tuck himself outside the door; after all this yapping from his mother. He could practically feel the way his blood pressure rose, no way could he come running on back to you. Not when his head pounded like a war drum. Primary hands press and rub against his face while the second set smack against his thighs. So well on his way into a hate so blinding, he couldn't see anymore. Not enough to notice his cousin anyway. Charlie blinked sluggishly in that direction, flashing a hand sign before holding out a taste of Mary Jane. 

"You good?" He offers.

Howdy ever so slowly, turned his head without moving his hands. Gaze landing first on the butterfly, then to what he was holding. Wincing to himself, he less than happily reached over for a puff. Finally straightening himself out again to lean into the wall beside the other, he groans at his own weakness. This would've been better to hold with a clip. Way too close to burning his fingers, though it isn't something he'd want to waste.

"Been better. I know this is gonna follow me tah the end a' time." He admits through a slight cough, watching the next sliver of their over spent jay burn down. 

"Mmm… Tell me 'bout it. Y'wanna trade? I'll fuck yer broad, you stick out mah four years!" Charlie let out a booming laugh, hand clapped to his head as a way to physically contain himself. "HA!" 

"Yeah, no." Despite it being just a joke, he couldn't hold back a grumble in response.  

"See? Could always be worse. 'M missin' out on whatchu got."

"You got kids, Charlie?"

"Dunno… Think I'd check?" 

"Fair point." Howdy blew a ring into the air, passing the roach right over. His eyes slam shut, head knocked back against hard brick. Couldn't even think with all the nonsense bouncing between his ears. 

The butterfly nods to himself for a moment before lifting a hand to snap at his cousin. Readily accepting the near dead end as he does. "Oi! 'For I forgit. Seeya an' Latter are fuckin' wit'chu." 

Howdy exhaled smoke through his nose, pinching the space between his eyes. "'Course they are… Y'know, I ain't had tah defend myself since I moved. Every damn year it gets harder an' harder wantin' tah visit." In all of his ranting and raving, Charlie passively handed the smoke right back. Which, was taken without realizing. Hands everywhere about his person, gesturing out into the air before them. "Why's it everybody cares so much 'bout what I'M doin'?! Can't do nothin' without bein' under a microscope. You can't leave the Apple, Howdy. You gained weight, Howdy. Thought you quit smoking, Howdy? Think a' the family, Howdy! Why'd you marry HER, Howdy? Ain't She a little young for yah?!" Howdy Doo Pillar could've smoked an entire pack of Hooplah cigarettes, two if they were within reach.

Charlie snickered, sliding a pack of matches out of his cigarette box. Brow raised as he interjects. "-How young z'actly?"

The caterpillar shot a rather pointed look in response. Only for his cousin to hold his hands up. Not wanting to be crucified over a damn question. 

Not missing a beat as he spoke, Howdy takes puff after puff. "She knows what she's gettin' into. Nah, I can't even fuckin' worry 'bout nat! Nah. No, Sir! No, No-no! Now? I got Ma tailin' me 'round this place an' I know! I know DAMN well ma don't care how old (You) is! Seen any puppets round these streets?" 

"Ahhh. Can sell snow tah an Eskimo, an' yet yah can't sell yah own mother on yer marriage. You must be disappointed." If that's what Howdy needs to sleep better at night, he'd feed the delusion. Charlie gave another slight nod, yanking a new smoke out of that crumpled pack.

"Times are changin', Chuck!" Howdy spit, exasperation fizzling down to a simmer. Utterly exhausted, he didn't have it in him to continue saving face.

"Can't say I blame 'er. Puppets are more..." A hand swirls in the air as he tried to pick a delicate way to phrase this. "Fer entertainment. Ain't exactly marriage material. Can yah imagine takin' one serious-?"

"Charlie-"

"I mean. Yeah! Play around a little-"

"Charlie-!"

"I mean what's a toy wit'out some fun-?"

"CHARLIE!" Howdy near jumps off the wall at that. Firm look begining to shift. Lower fists shaking before himself. Right at the edge of madness. 

"Anyhow, Don't I know it! Figure I'd say somethin' so's yah don't hate me." Nonplused by the display, Charlie flashed a wicked grin. Not willing to press much further on that wound, as he went ahead to get to the point.

"Hate- Hate you? Why..?" Howdy passed a squint up at the guy, brow creasing in a wry way. 

"Latter paid me tah give yo girl a squeeze." He rather easily admits. Shrugging off what hadn't even happened yet. "Wasn't plannin' on it."

Right back to rubbing his face, Howdy tossed that dead roach to the sidewalk. Smashing it beneath his heel, just as he very well may to his brother later. "What'd he pay yah?" 

"I'm tryin'nah be good 'ere!" Charlie pressed a hand to his chest while others dug through suit pockets. Searching for something while he spoke. "Paid me this." A joke book so old, it could've given their gam-gam a run for her money, is tossed at Howdy, which the caterpillar immediately began to thumb through. Warn colored pages and smudged ink, it was strange seeing his own transition from being left to right handed. Unable to not recognize this as his own from primary school. This homely relic Instantly brought a crumpled grin to his face. 

"That ain't nothin'." Huffing out another sigh, he pockets the book. Only to just as quickly rip a thin orange one from within his jacket's lining, effectively trading his material with a wide eyed Charlie. "Take this, keep bein' good." He had to go inside after that. Relenting to himself, Howdy went to hurry up and save you from his family.

~~~~

"How did you meet my son?" Biya asked, a few hands out as he gestures. Constantly moving in his spot, just as his own son would. A plate of baked pineapple and different casseroles from the buffet sat before him. 

Barnaby and your mother joined in with eating and drinking. Their own plates full while you only allow yourself a slice of cake with your champagne. The two taste horrible together. You really wanted to throw up, but couldn't find a good opening for it. Stomach turning. 

"Ah…" You sheepishly squirm under his gaze, almost wanting to look to your mother for help. But she's eating and he wasn't talking to her. Your father in law is speaking to you. Swallowing hard, you took what was hopefully a casual sip of sparkling. "I go to the store a lot. I knew him a long time, I guess."

He nods, fully understanding what was going on here without you needing to say much. You seem alright all things considered. The papers were already signed and that's it. Expression only warm whenever his eyes were on you, the butterfly could almost laugh. "That boy can be convincing. Always was one we had to keep an eye on… And I suppose after this you two are gonna be working on having a few kids." 

Thankfully your mother did respond to that, delicately pressing a napkin to the corners of her mouth before she let out a soft laugh. "Please, I may want grandchildren, but it's so soon." 

"Howdy might have aged out of the draft. But you never know." He simply shrugs, dipping back out of the conversation. "America always needs more children." 

"Live long an' prosper, yeah." Barnaby chews at the fork in his gob, prongs between his teeth while he places a paw at your mother's lower back. Tail thumping at the chair he was in at the beautiful idea of puppies. Giving her a look that forces bile to burn at the back of your throat. 

"Ewww! Oh my God!" You whine, hiding under your hands at the horrible idea of those two doing anything similar to what you and Howdy have done,. "You are so embarrassing!" 

"Honey, it's only natural." She giggles, giving your back a playful slap. 

"What'd I miss?" Howdy nonchalantly popped himself into frame, leaning on the back of your seat as if his added weight was nothing. Readily moving to pull a chair out and join in. 

"They're talking about kids!" More whines rip from you and he snorts in response. 

"C'mon, (You), 'S only natural." 

"Howdy!" Your fuzzy face pulls in a sour way, suddenly sitting up straight to shoot a pointed glare at that handsome husband of yours. 

Chapter Text

After your third helping of cake and champagne you were starting to feel it. Sweet bread and carbonation in your guts does absolutely nothing to help with your nausea. You weren't even hungry in the first place. Idoly nipping at the prongs of your fork. The frosting had to be your favorite part, you only wish Poppy would've been the one to bake it.

"You aren't still living at the store are you?" 

"Nah, home owner now. 'Nother thing tah cross off the ol' bucket list. Kids'd be next." Howdy snapped his fingers, pulling away from his conversation to direct his attention onto you. "(You)," 

"Hmm?" You were fairly absorbed in counting people's arms to stave off boredom. Dumbly looking up at him once you notice. 

"How many kids?" The question wasn't one you'd considered much. Though with how pointed his tone came as, it sounded less like a question and more as an accusation. 

"... Can we focus on one and.. Maybe go from there?" Your brow pinched, thoughtfully wondering for a moment before giving him a small nod. 

"Go from there?" Interjects the pretty butterfly he had been previously speaking to. She passes you an unimpressed twitch. Frowning for a split second before her natural smile sharpens. "Howdy Doo, if you're going to have a family. You really should move back. You won't get anywhere in that town." 

He raised a brow at that. One of his hands placed itself in your lap, gently fingering at the thin lace of your skirts. "Auntie, I do fine where 'M at." 

".. Why not move?" You ask, setting the fork down to place your palm over his larger one. "I wouldn't mind." 

"See! The girl thinks so too." She affirms, leaning more towards your side of the table. Maybe through you, he could be convinced. "Good schools. Friends and family abound." 

"Ah yeah. Lotta crime, sewage in the levi I used tah play in an' drugs 'round every corner. Great place fer kids." As if he did agree, Howdy gave her a grin for the ridiculous thought. 

"And it seems you know what's best for children." With a scoff, she sat back in her chair. Snootily rolling her eyes. 

The hand in your lap squeezes, fisting at the material of your dress. "One more word outta you an' I tell uncle Lou 'bout Sue. So find Skiddadle Doo an' worry over yer own kid, I could smell him on the way over here." Howdy counters, though over what you weren't sure. 

That purple butterfly huffs, standing up out of her chair to presumably do just that. He could only chuckle, another arm tossed over your thin shoulders. 

".. What did you mean?" 

Howdy leaned a fraction of his weight against you, wanting to keep this relatively between the two of you. Voice turned to a hushed rumble. "Ever seen an old log?" 

"Yeah." 

"An' after you roll it over all those insects skitter out." 

"... Yeah?" 

"Well. Families got more goin' on underneath, things that they all kinda know. But.. They're family and yah love 'em. 'S why I know it'll be okay. Toodles has her own bag similar tah us. Sometimes I think 'M the only one that remembers." 

You nod a little, full of questions that probably wouldn't be the best to ask with others around. Timid voice wilting. "Do we have something going on?" 

He had to look away for a second or two, inhaling a heavy breath. "Nothin' nobody don't already know." 

More tables were added to yours. Somehow everyone had to be within shouting distance to anyone else. Though once music began to play, droves of the gathering headed for that open floor. Scadadledoo and what relatives could play an instrument have one shoved in their hands. It was cheaper that way, rather than to hire a band. Your mother had gotten past the point of being tipsy. Rather quick to giddly drag Barnaby over the dance floor. Even Howdy's parents get bit by the jitterbug. A burly bumblebee, one with impressively deep bags under his eyes and a thick mustache came tapping at your husband's shoulder. Then you see her. Gaze following from the shorter fellow and up. None of the other insects here could compare to that gorgeous red butterfly, ruby wings shimmer behind her. Her drop hip dress layers itself around her like the petals of a rose. The perfect flower for a busy bee. She saw you looking and smiles, nose wrinkling in a way that made you question yourself. As the bride, you were almost inclined towards offence for such a stunning creature to be at your wedding. 

Until you hear her speak in an accent far heavier than even Howdy's tongue could support. "Awe.. Lookachu~" Batting heavy lashes, she bends down to be at your level. Sinful little smile curling in on itself as she gave you a once over. Hands posed every which way, though you find palms pressed to your cheeks to yank you out of that chair. "Momma did say you was awful sweet.. Uck, yer makin' my teeth ache!" 

"Ah. Thank you?" 

"Seeya!" Howdy was on her like the crack of a whip. Excitedly hugging the daylights out of his sister, enough to force you off. Not before you both notice the grub comfortably resting at her hip. Soon as he saw his newest nephew Howdy happily snatched him right out of her arms. "Buhbye! I knew you was close, but I didn't think yah popped."

"Oh you still godda meet Goodie. The boyz is on grub duty with Latter, he's bedda' N' me wit' em." 

Releasing her and the woman's grub, he gave a hearty laugh. "Only two? Hire the guy. Give him some actual purpose in life." 

"Oh, you kidder you!" Seeya laughs in kind, suddenly retracting her own hold of you. Those same hands shoot to her hips. Attention fully on her brother. "'Tween you an' me, he's scared Ma's gonna marry him off next." 

"'Serves him right. A women'd straighten that slinky out." He half scoffs at his own idea.

Your gaze glued to the grub swaddled in the crook of her arm. A chubby thing covered in short yellow fuzz. An adorable tuft of red all whispy and wild on his perfect little head. It fusses some just for the mother to hold it closer with a soft shoosh. Occasionally the butterfly would side eye you before giggling some to herself.

"Nuff about Latter. Yah got a cutie, ain't chu." She almost huffs and you believe she must be talking to the baby. 

"I-I'm sorry?" Your gaze ripped from the adorable thing, though continually drifts back. He has such tiny hands. Dumbly tilting your head like a puppy, now that you're being acknowledged. 

"You! Yer adorable! I see why he likes you. Different from all his otha' exes, but I ain't gonna judge." She laughs to herself, gently rubbing at her grub's back as it seems to calm some. 

"Oh." Forcing a smile in place, you half wonder what to say to that. Very slowly, you'd find a hand at the back of your dress that shifts. Howdy fists at the bow behind your dress and proceeds to place himself more in front of you. Thankfully the caterpillar kept up your side of the conversation for you.

"I had tah tie the knot at some point, Seeya-"

"I just gotta wonda'. How'd she make such a smart guy like my brotha' so stupid." She smiles as the grub muses to itself, giving him a shimmy. 

"Seeya." Beeya says her name as a command, only for her tone to sharpen while she doubles down. 

"Don't worry!" She gasps, a hand in front of her mouth to barely hide her expression. "We're both women, sweetie. It's no secret what you're doin' here." 

You can't hardly take your attention off the baby for long enough to realize you're being insulted. "Ah. I. I don't know what you mean?" Each time your eyes meet hers you tuck yourself further against your husband. This intense judgement cast down on you by someone you don't even know. Your stomach turns, discomfort sinking in the longer this conversation went on for. 

With a snippy tisk, she rolls her eyes at that pathetic little girl. Flicking a limp wristed hand in your direction and his in turn. "Only reason you ain't went an' told me 'bout all this is 'cause you're embarrassed. You tell me everythin', Howdy! I jus' think it's funny nobody knew a' her an' outta nowheres my brotha' is gittin' married!" Her voice raised, breaking after it hit an awful pitch. She even stamps her foot, childishly demanding something from your husband that no one could have any control over. Howdy yanks her into another hug as her very own husband shook his head. 

"So..?" You quietly muse to yourself, not entirely sure of how sibling relationships really work. Though. You do know one thing for sure. Howdy's other nephews were named after him. This must be the boys' mother. "Why would he be embarrassed?" A laugh caught in your throat. Awkwardly watching the display. 

"Don't be foolin'!" She directed her attention towards you for the final time. Frowning from over Howdy's shoulder. "Y'know if yah grab a man by his cock, his heart'll follow." Seeya cackles, giving that adorable yellow grub over to Beeya while she shoves at Howdy. "I didn't even think he could love somebody. Looks like you're jus' some fun." 

"Woah!" He rocked away as quickly as that. Refocusing his attention like the scratch of a record player. "She's my wife! Not some girl friend tah chase away." 

You're just some fun. That's what Howdy called it after the first time you slept with him. 

Be that as it may. You sniff once or twice. You aren't even all that sad, not even affected. But your stomach pulls and this whole thing is all so much and you really wanted to hold her baby. Biting at your lips, you breathe in through your nose. Slowly letting it out through your mouth. A sort of timer goes off in your head as your face burns. Why are you even crying? Tears drip down your nose, they silently gather to run and soak against your cheeks. 

Without another word, you were gone just as whatever that was became a full blown argument. Headed in a direction. Any direction. Slipping easily between bodies closest to a wall. It was almost a black out. Blink and now you had yourself shoved in the smallest space you could possibly find. If anyone noticed you leave or even where you went, you don't know. More than that, you simply don't care. You need to be alone. Even if being alone means you're in a broom closet sobbing into your knees under a mop. 

Fingers squeezing against your itchy head, chest tight as if your heart refused to pump. 

For a long while you couldn't tell if this was an overreaction or maybe if your hormones were going haywire. Why aren't you good enough?

Eventually, you were able to calm yourself down at a point to drag yourself out from your hidey-hole. Straight from the closet to a nearby restroom. Finally allow your knotted stomach to empty itself, which helps in getting your dress to feel a touch looser. Scrub that ruined makeup off until your face feels raw, water turned as high and hot as it can go. Unlace what you could get away with. Anything you can peel off your head and be that slight bit lighter. You could even get the sour scent of that perfume off your skin. 

This is your night. Are you not pretty enough? Not… Buggy enough? Not enough for Howdy's family. This had to be why he doesn't live here anymore. 

If you're honest with yourself, what were you wanting? 

You don't even wait long enough to finish the thought. Shoving off your feelings since they were already getting to be far too much. You don't even care enough to look at yourself when leaving. 

Another deep breath anchors you to the moment. It wouldn't be long until all this is over and you can go home. 

Only able to shamble down the hall like a zombie, you hardly realize another person is there until you smack right into them. Someone that might've been far too busy enjoying the silence to notice you. 

"Oh.. Sorry. I don't-.. Howdy!" You throw yourself on the man. Recognizing his crisp suit and blue updo. The second you toss yourself around him for a hug you can't stop the emotional word vomit. "She was so mean to me! Everyone keeps looking at me an-and I don't know anyone! Howdy, it's awful, I wanna leave. Take me home!" You moan and complain, pressing your ruddy little face into the man's stomach. Your rambling bubbles into plain muffled nonsense. 

Maybe you're drunker than you thought. At the very least you had to be buzzed. Because the moment you threw yourself at him, Charlie began to glance around the otherwise empty hall. He's been standing there for about twenty minutes. Were you being pitiful for longer than he's been here? Beyond the general shock of a tiny thing blubbering into his cumberbund, he didn't expect to find the lady of the hour like this. If at all. Not very dissimilar to trying to pet a cactus, A hand rather stiffly lifts to pat your tied up hair. Another gently rubs at your shoulder to press you in closer. 

"There-there…? Uhhhhhh. Yah good?" Came an awkward, rumbling baritone. One far too bassy to be your husband, which is cause enough to look up. Howdy is very tall, you can admit that, but this guy is massive. He had to easily be twice your own height and then some. He might as well be a tree with all those limbs.

You sniff another few times. Soft expression scrunching as you timidly scramble to step back. "Sorry! Oh God, I thought you were Howdy! I'm so sorry!" 

Before you can possibly start to apologize for being born, the butterfly laughs hard. All six hands up towards the air and off of you. "Ain't the first time! Granted a whole lotta us Pillars look alike. An'. Seems tah me, yah need a second more n' I do."

His hair wasn't parted the same, but it is still that shiney blue. Same fuzzy green fur and adorable orange nose. His smile crinkles in that wide, cheerful way. Handsome, though defined in his age. Is this what Howdy would look like if he were a butterfly? You attempt to smile back, scrunching in on yourself some thanks to the embarrassment of being made a fool in front of this perfect stranger. 

"Yeah. I sort of-. It-it's fine… Um. I'm (You). The bride." Fumbling for a second, you grab the edge of your ruffled dress to greet the man with a slight curtsy. 

"Gee. Wouldn't've guessed. 'M Charlie or Chuck, but I don't wanna be confused wit' him either. Charlie's easier." He reached over with a lowermost hand to swat one of yours off your dress to actually shake. Your fingers end at the first knuckles of his hand. Charlie gave your delicate palm a soft squeeze before releasing it. 

"Oh I met Chuck." You giggle, pressing that same hand to your mouth to hide an adorably gentle smile. "You don't look like him! Howdy is much better to look like." 

"Don't get it twisted. Howdy looks like me, not the other way 'round. He's mah second cousin. 'M older." 

"You can't be just his second cousin. He's got like… Like so many!" 

Charlie blinked, far too captivated in watching you sway where you stand. Is it truly possible to be this much of a ditz? Hands politely folded behind your back. The click of your kitten heels as you bounce in place. Peach fuzzy fabric all warm after all those tears. Flushed so pretty. A lightbulb would go off then. Right. That's why Howdy likes you.

"Right. Howdy's aunt Molly is mah momma. Hiya is my cousin.. Somebody's gotta show you a family tree." He passively shook his head, patting himself down for a half crushed box of cigarettes. Anything to distract from your darling expression. Lower hands stuff themselves in his pockets, uppermost cross behind his head to lean back against the wall. Middles used to light up a bent rollie, a book of matches were stuffed in the box to keep track of. 

Your head slowly tilts, curiously watching how all his limbs move. "Hey. Um." You start, unsure how to phrase this. How each arm can move so fluidly, each in tandem with the others. It was odd to imagine anything on you becoming something else. Would your arms feel any different from your legs? 

"Huh." He barely hums in acknowledgement. Far too busy shaking at a match to kill it. Hand rolled tube already clamped in his teeth as Charlie passively glanced back at you. The slut with a tight ass and better mouth. Too bad your skirts were so puffy, it actively worked to hide any curves. It would've been nice to at least see what he was missing out on.

"May I ask you something?" 

"Shoot yer shot, kid." 

"What's so different about being a butterfly?" Much as being referred to as 'kid' forced your button nose to crinkle, you shove that aside to ask your questions.

Nearly choking on the inhale of his cigarette. Charlie's wicked smile widened into a grin. Then he took the rollie from his lips, gesturing toward himself. "Ohhhh? Suppose yah dunno what it's like tah be wit' one. Guessin' you don't mean the obvious wings er' maybe swappin' legs fer arms." 

"N-no? I wouldn't want to ask Howdy. He says he's not sensitive over that. I still don't want to hurt his feelings." Oblivious to the implication, you sigh some. Wondering over your poor husband's physicality. 

"Sensitive? Ha!" Charlie barked out another laugh, one hand of many slapped to his face in an effort to swallow back more of those dark chocolate chuckles. "I seen 'nat spitfire knock fuckers out who ask. Here you is not wantin' tah hurt his feelin's? Might be a box a' rocks, but don't let nobody tell yous tah stop bein' so sweet, suga'." 

With a pinch to your brow, you huff and stand a little straighter in your spot. "Howdy wouldn't do that! He's so nice." 

"Huh?" Again, the butterfly saw it. That huffy face, the way you pout as your fists ball themselves at your sides. He can't deny noticing. Can't push away the fact. Such a pretty little puppet has a mouth enough to argue. Even if she doesn't know what she's talking about. "Kid. How long you known Howds fer?" 

That brought you to a pause, though it only made your prissy expression that much rosier. "My whole life." Of course, you must know him through and through. Or think you do. 

"Damn." Now he had to wonder just how sick in the head his little cousin must be. 

Charlie blew a cloud of smoke in the air and you get to see how it rolls. Spiralling across his tongue like a dragon. Watching him do something so average as smoke felt different somehow. And it left an awful scent in the air. Not the tacky bitterness Barnaby's pipes tend to linger. It made your nose itch worse than that damn perfume. "Well I known him fer all a' his an' my very favorite cuz told me all about cha~"

"What?" That came out more pointed than you were intending and a half lidded, sleep deprived gaze lands on you in such a strong way.

"Hmmmhm." With an affirming nod to himself, he began to fiddle with the seam of his cigarette. You can't help watching the threads of smoke between thick lips. Kissing at the air as he spoke. Though still eyes his cigarette as if it were much more than what it was. Worth more than you anyway. "Nothin' bad, dollface. Sunshine, rainbows. Make him happy 'nuff anyways." 

It isn't much at all. Though the perceived compliment made you feel somewhat better. Maybe Howdy does have some nice family members. "I'm glad. Honestly…" It serves to bring all the more color to your face, sparky gaze turned so cutely towards him. "I needed to hear that." 

"Eh. Pretend I ain't said nothin'. Got a reputation tah uphold 'ere." He slumps in his joints, relaxing against the wall and his wings. "An bein' a butterfly.. I can see more colors than you.. Smell better. Taste better. Jus' generally better 'n you." 

"And here I thought you were nice." 

He clicks his tongue, finger guns lazily aimed in your direction. "Aye. It's the truth.." 

"Seriously! Like how? Howdy does that stuff too. That's not different." Of course those ones you already knew, automatically under the assumption if Howdy could this guy may too. 

Unable to help himself, the words left without a second thought. Nearly grumbling to himself as he thought it over. "Dunno... Yer Daddy polly don't want you knowin'." 

The way he said that. Your brain froze on the word. How casually Charlie's tone rumbled out that certain one. Not only that. Why wouldn't Howdy want you to know? Why does he know you call him that? Too many questions full your skull, discomfort made your head short circuit. All you could manage was a pathetic. "Wh-what'd you mean?"

"Ohh. Heh.. I can show yah..." The butterfly kept tittering to himself, holding back from a joke he knew. "Now, I can't stand seein' a thing like you be so down. Lemme help." He licks his across lips, already peeling himself off the wall. The folded wings behind his back stretch as he moves. It took less than half of his stride to close that distance. What air surrounds you is filled with that dank smoke, it forces a small cough and he just chuckles. You're just about the perfect height. You wouldn't even need to kneel to keep that plush mouth busy.

Shifty and uncertain, you unconsciously press backward straight into a wall. Sputtering and stammering out a mess that could barely count as words. "Wh… I. N-no.. Why're..? Ahhh. I don't-" 

"Relax. Not gonna do a thing. Take a hit, it'll sort chu out." 

You're stiff. Mind reeling as you were boxed in, yet it felt so familiar. Hands slap to the wall by your head, and by your hips. Smoke stinging at your eyes as the world dampens. Muted light as his wings practically tent over Charlie. His elbows hit the wall, craning his head to be within this self made cocoon. 

His voice is rich. So naturally purring out each and every vowel. Long, slow pulls of his cigarette hot box the both of you. Heart pounding in your chest, you're frozen under his heavy gaze. Unsure of the what or even why he'd be doing… Whatever it was. Unable to fully breathe, you gasp in skunky smoke. Each exhale makes you wheeze, fumbling to lace over your mouth. Hot air puffs through your thin fingers. 

"Never been hotboxed? Ohhhh, sweet thing, yer a wonda'... Don' git all fussy. Rather I shotgun yah?"

Blinking through the burning, you squint up through a tight wince. The way you whimper told him enough. His upper arms slide down against the wall, knees bending to be more on your level. He may have yanked the hand with his smoke out of the way, but Charlie still smiles at your screwed expression. One of his hands is enough to wrap around your wrists and tug them down. The rest of his hands shift while you squirm. Your head throbs at how thin the air in your lungs seem. Charlie began to slide you up the wall. Meaty mits at your arms, your hips and another squished at your plush cheeks. His grip is too tight, fabric straining if you turn the wrong way enough to sting. When you finally gasp is when his lips meet yours. Blowing your lungs up like a helium balloon, you could barely register this as a proper kiss. You couldn't hold that much air in the first place, sputtering back against him as you writhe your way into a coughing fit. 

Not surprised in the least, Charlie casually went back to smoking. Taking a few more pulls as you slowly start to recover. Far too warm in your dress, you actually feel how sweat beads across your joints. Suddenly far too damp for seemingly no reason and now you're heavy. Another blink up at the green smear across your vision while you hack and wheeze. His wings tilt back as a vent, allowing you to not suffocate. You didn't need to be boxed in for so long. "There we go, that's it." He acts so proud, even giving your cheek a few pats. "You'll feel better. Promise~" Where's the fun without a little teasing?

"Hah! Ha.. Ha! That'll put some hair on yer chest. Let it all out." Charlie yanks you off the wall for a moment, giving you a slight bit more room to breathe. Music and laughter blares from across the hall. Band in full blast as your party swings without you. Is it really your night after all?

Your Insides twist, twitching as you retch. Sucking in air as a dry, an earthy burn seeps into the back of your tongue. "Ack! Bthththth!" It's bitter enough to force your clenching stomach closed. If you hadn't already emptied your stomach, he would have ended up with far more than just your spit splatter on him. 

"What is that!? Hahuhhhhh…" You kick and squirm, hopeful to knee something or somewhere. Though when you can't stop this thick viscous slobber over your tongue, gagging over your own spit as you hack up another lung. "Ew! Oh Huk! I-I'm gonna die!!" 

"You're not dyin'." Charlie passively explains. Moving to stretch your arms above your head, which helps open your airways. Forcing you to inhale a sharp breath. "Breathe. In an' out. What? Forgot how?" 

"I didn't forget!" You screech up at him. Completely red, blood pooling behind every one of your features. Your eyes are a hazy, unfocused pink. Thick lashes bat up at him while your darling little face sneers. Grumpily wrinkling your runny nose. "And let me go! Put me down!" Right back to yanking at your limbs in his hold. Granted you put up about as much fight as a wiggle worm. 

"Mellow out." He went right back to sucking at the end of his smoke, a free hand swirling in the air. "Don't make me go an' git yer Daddy tah tan yer hide. Bein' so disrespectful when I am sharin' wit'chu." He said it again. Rolling his dark eyes, he blew a ring of smoke directly into that scrunched little face. 

It brought out another cough, your throat prickling through that dry heat. Head swimming, you felt fuzzier than usual, oh so warm and weak. The inner slik layer of your skirts were cool and slick against heated thighs. Cotton of his suit itches against your lace stockings. His weight leaned forward into you, pressure drawing out a gentle mewl. "S-stop~!" 

Not when you sound like that.

He froze, instantly forgetting everything other than this moment. Truly, he hadn't intended to do more than share. Bully the bride a little, maybe send you back in your way even more appreciative of Howdy. Like a true wing man! Though Charlie hadn't heard such a deliciously delicate noise in so long... He found himself unable to resist. Pressing a fraction harder until you gave him such a beautiful reward. 

"Hawh~…! P-put me down!" With that airy whine came a flood of something else. His nose itches, antennae tasting the air to focus on that. Chemicals he knew, the air tastes so familiar. Only pressing further proves the thought in his head. You're a music box in desperate need of a key turn. This felt like your last night of freedom, even if the papers were signed. Even while Howdy's warning rang loud and clear. He didn't need Latter to temp him. This butterfly hadn't gotten a taste of something so sweet in so terribly long.

He had to take another deep breath, this sweetness hidden underneath. "You smell good…" It stirs at his belly, sending signals south for the winter. Forces a hazy warmth in his head while his antennae flick. Curling in more, he slid you closer. Enough to force a quaking gasp from your bitten lips. It's just right there. Why do you smell like that? The hands at your hips circle those squishy thighs, unable to resist giving them a firm squeeze. Pliable and plush under a firm grip, you made for such a perfect stress ball. You tilt your head up and away, scared and stiff. His fingers press soft bruises across your fabric, though it isn't as if you've never been held this way. It feels more than good, your panic locked itself in a tug of war with anticipation. A vague thought rolled around your head. You're so empty. His solid hips grind against lacey silk skirts. It rubs in a painfully lovely way. Your chest is far too tight, suffocating on the confusing endorphins filling your skull. This shouldn't feel good. 

Senses bathed in ambrosia, honeydew sweetness. God, if only he could press his nose into your hair. To truly indulge himself in you, too bad you're too tiny. "Prolly taste delicious… So fuckin' tasty.." Garbbled words lilt into a suppressed groan, "Howdy's a lucky fuck.. Gittin' Nis all tah his-self. What're yah stuffed wit'? Cotton candy? You pregnant, r' just ovulatin'?" This ache pulling at bones. So utterly female. Prime. Ripe. Seeya had the vague lingering scent, though it seemed to weep from your pores. Fabric greasy with what must only be pure nectar. 

Squeezing into your joints at the awful line of questions, you made a breathy noise. Eyes clamped shut so tight. Whimpering out a fragmented plea. "Please…" What was it you were asking for again?

"Shhhh… Y'know it's true what they say 'bout bugs in the big bad city, sweetheart.." The butterfly shushes, words pulled long and loving from above, "We're bigger here~"

Sure to give you another slow grind. Your core throbs, traitorous body simply responding to what it was taught. Gentle reminders what what it felt like. How good it is to feel. He peels one of your hands from the mangled ball they were in. Mashing your delicate fingers into the front of his trousers. It's thick and long, spreading down either pant leg. Two. He has two of them and was damn sure to drag your trembling digits nice and slow across the length, you're made to feel the living pulse of meat. Your Insides squeeze curiously at the offer. You could be full right now. Could be stretched so wide, so deep. Raspy tone sink lower into his throat, the butterfly purrs. Humming out more earthy smoke, humid breath ghosts across your hair. "See.. Us butterflies got so much more..." A throb strums across your hand. How much larger is only one? Thick lashes gather twinkly wetness as you blink up at Charlie in pitiful little way. Swallowing hard, you crack your shiny eyes open to pout up at the breathless bug leering so high up. Closed in at all directions, just as his name sake, he is a Pillar of a person. He's so smiley, it almost made you laugh. As if your head was encased in Styrofoam, you barely register he's still talking. Far too focused on the heat boiling under your palm, the desperate pull of his features. As if the mere act of speaking brought pain. Agonizingly strained under the slight weight of you beginning to melt under every influence. Your hips twitch, reflexively jolting. You buck right back. Confused at yourself, you shook under your own impulses. "Filthy lil' puppet. Such a pretty dolly~" He chuckles were gutteral, ending in a deep, dangerous growl. The loose slip hidden beneath all your layers of ruffled skirts is slimy. Musing to himself, he drawls, "Just once… C'mon, baby, don't make me beg. Can take all I got, stuff you so good… Can't you dummies fit a whole arm?" The joke slipped out like nothing.

Absolutely horrified, the implication of anyone's arm fitting inside you is a verbal ice bucket. Everything ripped away to become way too real. He is far too large and you didn't want any of this to begin with. "No. No! Nononononono! I-If you leave me alone..! I. I won't tell anyone!" You whale obnoxiously, hit by a fresh wave of overflowing emotion. Burst into an ugly face as tears swell in your eyes. Sobbing on Charlie for a second time that evening. 

That taught expression twists as some fact about you popped into his head. That is the exact moment his interest evaporated. The fog in his head swirls while you single handedly make that butterfly stone cold sober. One blink and he finally sees you again. You don't look it, but you're just a kid. A young girl in way over her head is right back to blubbering and rather than help, here he is making you crank up the water works. No matter how badly this went for Howdy, your wedding is no doubt worse for you. Not only that but, how could he forget? Four more years wasn't long to wait. He's halfway there and you aren't worth ruining freedom. He needed to get himself away from an easy thing like you. Save himself and Howdy the trouble.

"Beat it." Charlie dropped you like a rock. Not at all caring how you land. "'For I do somethin' I regret."

A sneer wrinkles his face and you do not need to be told twice. Short heels clicking away as you scramble over yourself getting out to the dance floor. Hazy and dumb, you stumble away while you could.

Chapter Text

For the next few minutes, Charlie would assess himself. Curiously sniffing at the sleeves of his tux while he made a few different sour faces. Surely this reeked of marijuana, though your own scent seemed to permeate between the fibers. He eventually had to curse, shimmying off his jacket. Left as an abandoned pile when Charlie does decide to wander off. As long as he knew where it was, it could be recovered. Much as his mother would surely give him an earful in the meantime, that might be easier to endure than the lingering ghost of you. 

~~~

Bubbye whales, immediately being handed back off to his father. Beeya bounces the buzzy boy in his arm for awhile. Gently attempting to shoosh the overwhelmed thing. 

"Seeya, I am a grown ass man. I can marry whoever I want." Howdy's tone shook, edging on being raised while he actively worked to keep it even. 

"You're my brotha'!" She whines for the upteinth time. "I wanna be part a' yer life! You're gonna be even busier wit' yah own family. Yah don't even make time tah see me. You been avoidin' all a' us, Howdy!" Seeya shuttered, a few arms hug around her own waist to keep herself calm enough. Impossibly red, she threw herself around him again. "Once a year ain't enough.. I don't care who yah marry! Come Home." 

Her embrace is tight and warm. Howdy had to hug back, caught between a rock and hard place. "I'm not avoidin' you. Visit me as much as you want." That specific complaint smacked him harder than any slap. Stunned for a moment or two, he almost stumbled over himself. 

"Fuckin' feels like it. Ain't fair if we always visit. You need tah visit…" She huffs, grumbling into his suit jacket. "I miss you." 

"I. I miss you too. It. It's hard." Squeezing her snugger than a rug in return, he had to sigh. "They expect so much outta me.. Nothin' ever's good 'nuff." 

"I know…" Finally releasing him, the butterfly gave her brother a smile so sincere. "I still live here, yah lug. I deal wit' it way more 'n you. It's not fair what Latter an' I deal with when our big brotha ain't around."

"I can. I'll visit more.." 

He gave a light cough, awkwardly taking a step back. Heart deflated in his chest. It always was her. Even when all three of them were in the same clutch, he was welcomed into this world first. Left everything else behind when to her, he'd always been there. Stiff where he stood, Howdy Doo shifted back another step or two. What feeble control he had left was running loose in his fingers. He never knew what to do, but deep down there only ever was one option. Be honest. Ignoring the ever sinking pit in his stomach would only serve to make everything worse. The silence between them was cold. It stung in his bones. This static shock of discomfort in the back of his ever ticking mind that kept getting shoved down. Rather subdued right then, his lower arms cross around himself as that caterpillar sunk in his joints. No one could stop what was said.

"She's pregnant, there's no goin' back on what I did, See. 'M doin' best I can." 

Unlike every other woman in his family, this one did listen. Seeya saw him through and through, not only that. She always knew what to do. Though not this time. His sister shook her head, reflexively wincing. He didn't look right like this. Not slumped in his shoulders. Not while his antennae droop worse than Latter's. "You... Bein' nice?" 

"I'm tryin' tah be..." Visibly shrinking before her, Howdy allowed himself to drop the act and just be a person. Even having completely spaced if you were there. No party. No annoyance. A love bug and his sister. "I love (You)..."

"Course. But I ain't gonna stand 'ere pretendin'." She spoke softly, snatching up one of his hands. A gentle squeeze encourages him to open up a tad more. "What was you thinkin'? You took somethin' that kid can't have back." 

Swallowing thickly, he only continues after she gave him that understanding look. "I wasn't... I-I was drunk an' I thought I was- That. That maybe she-. She feels safe with me. I made her comfortable an-an' yah know me?" It stuck in his mind like a piece of glass, the more he thought about that night the deeper it cut. 

"I do-" She snickers, interrupting with a soft laugh. 

Howdy returns the laugh and then some. Unintentional pressing a hand through his greased hair, another cocked by his hip. An erratic grin plastered across that handsome fuzzy face as he lost himself. "Every day she'd come in askin' what I need. Nobody asks if I want somethin'. She knew the daily hubbub don't change! I-.. She. She- Or (You) pretends tah not know somethin' so's I can show her.  I didn't mean tah play into it, but she would egg me on till I crack an'- she's so sweet an' makes everythin' excitin'! I know she's jus' playin' off a' me right back.-"

He stopped. Mentally Grinding to a halt as his head caught up with his motor of a mouth. Seeya got to see that smile drop while the clock in Howdy's head rewound itself. Screwing tighter and tighter until the gears snap. He should have rejected you. "Am I too... Nice?" If Howdy had to pick one thing you and every other woman he'd previously been with have in common it might've drawn a blank. 

"I don' think that's the issue." It was a short, blunt reply. One that she had to take an exhaustive breath after saying, though Seeya continued once she gathered her own bearings. Her gaze strained itself, flickering to occasionally glance away from her brother. 

"What?" She had something to say. It almost made him want to step back.

"Yer blamin' the baker fer bread when ya should be goin' aftah demand." 

"I ain't gonna blame myself for what I'm good at." With his lower arms crossing, he cocked a brow while she squints. 

Seeya stood up straight and told her stupid brother why he was.  "If what you're good at is enablin', maybe and, thunk it around yer gnoggin, this is why yah left?" 

"I separated from 'nis place tah git away from that. If God's joke tah me is gettin' me married off, I dunno what I'm gonna tell him at the gates. Hey, God. Thank you for continuin' to make me a laughin' stock. How's am I supposed tah run from myself?" His face Combusts, burning with a furious blush that Seeya cackles at. Nearly doubled over, that ruby red butterfly was in tears. "Let's stick tah happy accidents." 

"Yer right. Marriage makes sense tah do. Didja consider...?" A few of her hands make a sort of shoving motion, out and away from herself. "Stairs?"

"I'd rather not share a cell with Charlie, thanks."

"Ey, ain't like I didn't think 'bout it." That butterfly half shrugged, throwing a free hand towards her own husband. "We all have our accidents, I prefer 'God's little miracles'. 

"How miraculous is it when you know what happened?" 

"Long as it's a trick tah everybody else, that part don't matter."

"Ha! Hahheh! Haha! Wow! Who knew Howdy Doo!" She wheezes, unable to breathe as her big brother gushed over his pretty new wife. Flashing to their school days when he would get struck by Cupid. Cursed right into being another drooling boy made stupid. "Yah sap!"

"You've never liked my pick-" Howdy groans, heavily rolling his eyes. "I won't expect yah tah start likin' it now."

"'Cause nobody's good fer yah!" She flicks a wrist at him, sucking her teeth with a hard pop. "Guess 'm glad yah found somebody." If only you were older, but there wasn't any stopping this. 

"Bullshit!" He swore, head whipping towards Beeya, only remembering the man was around for a third opinion. "You remember 54'?" 

"I remember 54'." He passively answers, barely paying attention to the actual conversation at hand. Much preferring to occasionally rock the buzzy boy now curled tightly into his arms. 

"See! Chance a' my-" He cut himself off, narrowed gaze ripping as Howdy steadied some. That was then. That doesn't matter. You, his now wife matters. In fact. Glancing about his person, there seemed to be a distinct lack of you. "There you go again! Chacin' 'em off. Ohh- Seeya later. Even funnier the fifth time ain't it!?" With a mocking tone, Howdy pinched at the bridge of his nose. Off to find you. Again.

~~~

Overgrown bugs have to shift or side step you as you weave yourself through crowds. Some move easily, rolling their eyes at the pest ruining their family. Ignoring you were ever there in the first place. Others you press pass pause whatever they might've been doing to stare, not that you took the time to stop and notice. 

So far out of your own head right then, you could barely tell where you were even going. The world was cloudy at the edge of your vision while your knees knock together like a newborn fawn. Whoever must've been pulling your strings kept tugging your stumbling feet along aimlessly. Music melds between far too many voices, it does well to keep your focus from narrowing. Head so stuffed full of fluff and seams far too tight. Couldn't see above anyone to find somebody you actually knew. Couldn't navigate the building well enough to know where your original table was. 

You blink, met with a wheelchair. Some snail older than dirt speaks in some garbled language to another younger, fluffier snail holding a guitar.  

"Où sommes-nous? c'est bientôt le dîner?" A bony hand strokes at his beard, gaze shifting about the immediate area he found himself in. As if confused maybe.

"Père, tu es en train de dîner en ce moment. S'il te plaît, mange, nous serons bientôt à la maison." The younger one softly explains to him, gesturing down to his plate on the table. While not many greens were in it, the food looks barely touched. 

Were you so far gone that English didn't make sense anymore? Whatever. You continue shuffling along, only for that same pretty purple butterfly to throw an arm and wing around you. All at once dragging you back over to the table you were about to pass. 

"(You)! Dear me," She says, plopping you down into a chair. "Meet my son, Scadadledoo. Scadadle Doo~" 

Overwhelmed and exhausted, you resign yourself to this spot. About ready to collapse then and there, you blink owlishly and wave in a funny little way. "... Hi." 

The one holding that guitar turned, moreso towards you from where he was standing. Scruffy in the face and longer red hair, you mistakenly think for a moment his antennae are eye stocks. Only to just as quickly force your hazy mind into the impression he doesn't have any eyes. Toodleloo clapped a hand to your shoulder, half ignoring you as she spoke to her son. 

"See! This is a fine young man raised here while spending summers in Appalachia. He will even be serving our country, I'm positively brimming with pride. Your children could have a good life too, if you like. The Pillars are well renowned."

Scadadle Doo actively frowned at his mother for a moment, tearing away from the conversation he'd just been having with his father. His mouth makes real words, you barely follow them anyway. "Mom, Howdy isn't moving back. And uh. Nice to meet you." 

"Nice meeting you." You regurgitate pleasantries, just as you were always taught.

Not that anyone could hear your mumbles over Toodleloo's harrumph. "Scadadle Doo, as a parent, I'll tell you we make better decisions when placing the needs of our children before our own. That's why you were enlisted."

"…" He made something of a face. Shaking his head before slinging his guitar over a shoulder. Unlike every other person you'd met so far, this guy doesn't look natural in his pressed suit. It might've been tailored to fit, though his shell made the jacket lift strangely. 

"Look at all the good the war did for your father." The butterfly tisks at her son, giving you another pat for good measure. "We all go through what we must to build character. Remember, (You), when speaking to children to remind them you know what's best." 

Your head passively rolls to look up, glancing between all the members in this slice of family. Scadadle Doo does look older than you, granted it is difficult to tell, and if he's old enough to enlist... Wouldn't that make him an adult? 

"How old are you?" You let slip without realizing. Unable to really think, you say whatever comes to mind. 

To which, Toodleloo blinked. A hand at her chest as she truly acknowledges you for the first time. "That is a very rude question to ask a lady." 

"Sorry. You-.. Your son. Skiddadle?"

"Scadadle, yeah." He confirms.

"Scadadle doesn't look much younger than you." You explain aloud, though more for your own benefit than anyone else's. "I thought you might've been y'know. Like. Brother and sister?" Scadadledoo immediately turned his head, swallowing down a particularly rough wheeze of a laugh. While her face changed. Pulled tight in places while you innocently continue looking upwards. Waiting for the answer to your question. "Are you the same age as Howdy?" 

"I. Well." Toodleloo starts, relenting with a sigh. "Yes. Howdy and I were in school at the same time. I took a gap year to have Scadadledoo." 

"Ahhh." Nodding some. You couldn't help letting out a laugh. "You got married in school? Why did you go back?" What would the point be? When she would've had to take care of a baby and their home. That was your own plan anyway, to have a family rather than receiving a piece of paper. 

She blinked at your question while you sluggishly blink right back. 

"Did you finish school, dear?" She asks rather tentatively, almost sure of an answer before you said anything. 

"No. Mother says I don't need school if I get my GED. The bus doesn't go through town and my mom needs her car for work." You smile in a way that shatters the women. Rather goofily, you giggle up at her in a carefree way. "But I'm married now! I have more important responsibilities than a stupid paper."

Maybe you were younger than even she thought. "An education is much more than paper." Toodleloo repeats something your own mother told you, if not in the same words, the sentiment you've come to recognize. 

"What did you do with one? You have a family. Your husband can take care of whatever else." 

"I work in laughing stocks. My husband has shell shock, so Scadadle Doo is the man of the house." 

"Then… He can make his own decisions?" You have no idea the can of worms you're prying open. Especially when the old snail says something you can't understand.

"J'essaie de lui dire ça depuis des années."

Knowing full well this wasn't an argument any person could win, Scadadledoo passively watches you a moment longer. Your dress could use a straightening and one of the bows had fallen off. Baby hairs loose from where they used to be sprayed, and pins out of place. Lidded gaze so heavy you could've easily fallen asleep right where you were. You are in no position to be roped into anything when it came to his mother. He allowed her to fill his own end of the conversation, scanning the room for any sign of Howdy. 

"I gotta get back on stage-.. Ah.. See you around.." 

~~~

Chapter Text

This time Toodaloo leans down. Slinking from her high and mighty position to leer more at your level. Short curls drew your eye to her skeptical squint. “Now, I very much mean to intrude when I ask this. So listen closely, raggedy Anne. As you've so gracious done for me." 

Never in your life had such a discomfort set in your bones. Not while her tongue sharpened itself, ice cold tone sending an electric spark across your spine. “Before you put any mind to my son. Why are you here?” She sneers in place, shifting a few arms to gracefully snag a silver cigarette case from her person. Quick to spark one up, not once regarding you as she moved. 

You would've been shot dead after such a loaded question. "It's my wedding?"

Once the stick was lit, it was between her purple pigmented lips. Lighter and case both shut with a flourish to be tucked back where they were. “Your wedding that I paid for. Your road isn't new. I have a family to support, you may find yourself with a husband too old to care for himself or his own son.” The butterfly passes you a sharpened smile, practically kissing the air as a cloud of smoke surrounds your table. “That would be my case.” 

All the numbness left your body at once, left in a cold shock that felt like an egg slapped between your shoulders. Sniveling as your heart began to shrink wrap itself. “... I-”

“Ah!” She tuts, waggling a finger down in your direction. “Ah. Ah. Don't tell me, are you betting on that? Howdydoo’s ex was a spider, I don't doubt he would've found a black widow.”

“No? I'm not one of-.. What do you even want?” Your own voice cracked as it shifts, suddenly tight in your throat. 

“I'm asking why you would marry a pompous ass like my nephew.” Toodlaloo giggles some, lower arms crossing against the table. “If it's jokes you want, I'd say move here. Let the laughingstock do what he was meant to.” 

“I'm not after money.” Your brow crickles, wondering what kind of person she must think you are. "Howdy is the nicest person I know." 

“Oh that's rich.” She shot back, blowing all the more smoke into your confused squint. "Do you think you'll grow old together?" 

“I don't really..! Ugh. I. I'm not the best at talking to people, okay? He always fits in. Everyone in town likes him…” You suck in a breath of air, stuck on your own breathing as you choke. “He makes me feel like-. Like. I dunno. I belong. I never know what to.. Do with myself. He's always there...” You sputter out, face hotter than the surface of the sun. 

“I'm sorry,” She relents, all six arms falling to the table as that butterfly wrenches a weighted sigh from her throat. “You must think you've met Miss Fortune as an out." 

“Out?” You blink, waving away some of the smoke stinging at your eyes. 

“Out.” She repeats, taking another long drag from her cigarette. "Your children will be stuck in that flypaper town just like you. Marriage is a trap twice as sticky. When I was about your age, I was swept off my feet by a handsome soldier. My Lou Adiue~” Her yellowish antennae twitch, nearly curling in on themselves as she glanced towards that snail. Fully reminiscing to herself, one dainty hand of several at her chest. Others crook dreamily around the butterfly. “Oh how handsome he was…” 

Adiue did respond to his name, that bygone snail peered through thick coke bottle lenses at his young wife. Regarding her rather absent-mindedly, shakily says something or other to his wife. “Mercie, sweets.” 

“Right, right. Now? I woke up from that dream the moment Scadaddledoo opened his eyes. I deal in funny business. I wouldn't be able to have a bank account without my husband’s permission or a good job without a degree, and that is here mind you. I'm sure you have even less rights where you are.” The butterfly doesn't acknowledge the feeble man beside herself anymore, full attention turned back towards your tight expression. “Move. Leave what doesn't matter behind, better yourself for you. Make yourself feel as though you belong. No one else should have that authority.” 

Howdy does matter. Doesn't he? Your little life was precious to you, to your family. To your neighbors that knew you before even you did. For a long while you sat there, minding her words just as the butterfly said to. There were schools here, opportunity was here. Both Barnaby and Howdy went to school, they're the only ones you know that have. What does it mean to have success?

There was one thing you knew for a fact, of course you always knew, though hadn't thought about it. When Howdy is eighty, you'll be in the middle of adulthood. Would he still be handsome? Would you need to assist him? When he's gone, where will that leave you? 

~~~~

Glass after glass, drink after drink. Nearly empty cup practically glued to his fingers. Nervously draining what was in it each time his glass looked to be too full. Latter told himself to wait. Easily able to drown out all the white noise surrounding this place. Though still quite aware of the adolescent boys slowly amping their volumes over there. Just doing what boys do as they took turns punching each other for the fun of it. That and the whimpering grub in his arms. While this butterfly rocked his niece, he stewed over a maddening hive of swarming thoughts. It was only a matter of time. You would be seduced. Enthralled by a brick house, meat headed brute. If you got knocked around in the process? Well, that's a sacrifice he'd be willing to take. 

Goodie grabs at a few his free fingers, wide eyed wonder set upon him as no other. It melted his sorrowful smile, allowing uglier ideas in. She was going to have a hard life. Though her mother is strong. This grub would grow up just as boisterous as his sister to be sure.

“Ey! Go kick rocks, commie!” Howdoo yanked his brother by the tie. 

Youdoo, whose face ripens the tighter that grip got, rasps out. “S-sting yerself an'… Die..”

“Gentlemen!” Latter warns, drunkenly drawling in the little Pillar’s direction. “Is that any way to conduct yourselves?” 

While he might have said something, the two seemingly slow what they were doing. Even Youdoo in the middle of being strangled passed his uncle an unimpressed cock of his brow. Both halfbreeds regard each other in a silent question. Just before voicing it in tandem,

“You ain't our momma.” “You ain't our momma.”

“Hey!” Latter deflated, hugging Goodie closer to himself as a personal teddy bear. “I may not be your mother, though I am to be treated with the same decorum and respect.” 

They share a flickering glance, untangling their limbs from one another “Decorum-” Howdoo starts. “Respect.” Youdoo continued. Both seem to consider those choice words. Musing their meanings. 

“Since when do you deserve that?” The twins mirror themselves, genuine doubt in their eyes. Mischief oozing off each word, they truly did wonder if their sap of an uncle could make his case. 

“Don't make me tell her…” Latter’s tone wilted the second he even had an idea to consider sharpening it. 

“Howdoo, Youdoo. Knock it off!” A firm, even voice shook those boys and Latter in turn. "

Those two reflectively straighten out. Sounding off, “Yessir!” “Yessir!” 

Quaking where he sat, Latter glued his gaze to his giggling niece. Unable to face the voice that drew his ear as a spike jammed through his heart. 

“New job, yeah? Give you boys a couple greenbacks?” Howdy offers, leaning a few hands on his knees. Smile turning ever higher when theirs reflect his. 

"Job?" "Gig?" 

"Oh a giggle of a job!" Howdy nods to the two, a hand on either of their shoulders. Excitement lit those bright eyes and He knew they were hooked. "It'll be a scream! Laugh an' a half!" 

Already a hand of his own shoved itself into the lining of his jacket, fishing for that joke book before presenting it to the boys. Though as soon as one went to reach it was yanked back in a hurry. "C'mon now, yah know how this works. Make yerselves scarce, don't cause trouble, an' the book's yours. Don't find me. I'll find you." 

Without another word, the two bolt away with each other. Off to no doubt cause the same trouble they swore to refrain from. 

Latter shook, heart beating in his hands. Goodie smiles back at the way light leaves those murky pits as he felt each footstep Howdy took approaching his table. Antenna limping as they weakly twitch. 

“Lattah’! My favorite brotha’!” Howdy leaned into his accent, voice thick in his throat as he rattles off broken chuckles. “Oh-ho-hoh! Ain't it jus’ sumthin’ meetin’ yahs!” 

“Howdydoo… Oh. How are you?” The butterfly watched his niece turn her wide eyed charms upwards. Towards the heavy shadow looming above his chair. 

“Fine now. Better n’ nat actually." A hand clapped to Latter's shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze. Enough to ache as he shoved his own weight into the back of his brother's chair. "Zat my niece? Looks jus' like 'er." That shadow softens some as tiny crimson hands reach up and out from where Latter was planted. Giggly grub gone wiggly, babbling towards the fuzzy mug grinning in return. 

After a few short moments Latter finally got the gumption to look at him with a squiggly smile. One far too toothy as he hugged at that little bundle to keep her close. That same smile he'd given his brother many-many times over the years. That same nervous pull of his lips, very gaze begging as they met Howdy's unforgiving one. "Yeah. Did'jah... Wanna hold 'er?" 

"Don't mind if I do." He did, snatching the bitty grub from the other's hands. Gently pulling her into his arms. Immediately all the steam left his sails as she babbled. Tiny red hands pulling at his fingers. "... Latter, if I hold 'er too long I'm gonna stop hatin' yah."

"Whatever do you mean? Brotha' dear?" Latter laughed some, unoccupied hands tangling together as he stiffened where he sat. 

"Oh, y'know." Howdy starts nonchalantly, "I don't take too kindly tah pests fuckin' wit' me. Goodie here almost doesn't make me wanna swat you." She giggles loudly as he gave her tummy a tickle and a small bounce into the air. "Don'chu?" He coos. 

That pathetic yellow butterfly audibly gulped, sweat pricking at his skin. A real effort made to keep his voice even, though air still inflated his words. "I haven't.. Done anythin', brotha'... Perhaps steal a chair? Sit! I'm sure you've been standing too long." 

"Nah. Don't think I will. Been hearin' a lotta buzz about cha. An' I figure we spent sometime together, but we ain't really talked." 

"And.. And what do we have to speak of?" 

Howdy allowed Goodie to play with his fingers, attention seemingly more on his new neice than the other. "Ain't too important. Been goin' 'round tellin' the wiggle I've got one a' these on the way. Take awhile tah be delivered, so's I got time. I always get a late delivery." 

That woke his brother up, suddenly jumping within his chair with a wide eyed gasp. "Stork's commin' your way?" 

"Yeah... 'M still gettin' used tah the idea." That overgrown bug confirmed, giving one of Goodie's tiny arms a light tug. Watching as the grub yanks her limb back, tiny face scrunched as her little yellow nose crinkles. It nearly broke his heart as his mind flashed to you. "I'm scared they're gonna look like me." 

"... What's wrong wit' that?" He slid, slowly getting up and out of his chair. While Howdy was a head taller, Latter still did his best to close the distance. Shaken by such vulnerability. "You always had girlfriends, you're not a bad lookin' man, Howdy Doo." 

"I know... You ever. Think that maybe. Yah shouldn't exist?" Howdy paused for a moment, signature smile beginning to tick downward with every utterance. "Mirrors are gettin' hard tah look at. Life bein' a culmination a' mistakes that lead yah from one bad path to anotha' it.. Makes yah not wanna... " He trails off, taking a soft breath. "It's hard bein' good sometimes when yer used tah screwin' up." 

Latter couldn't stop himself, watching as his big brother sunk into his joints. Careful of Goodie, he wrapped his arms around his brother for an embrace. Suddenly rushing that short distance forward to hold him tight. Which only served to have Howdy stiffen under it. "You're not a screw up. Mom and pops are always proud a' you. You got your store, your degree, you're married now! That's somethin' tah be proud of. I'm proud a' you." That yellow butterfly squeezes him, shaking in his limbs. 

"If yer so proud a' me. Why you payin' Charlie tah play tag wit' my wife?" It came out without any real thought, he couldn't return the hug. In fact he tucked Goodie high into one of his arms and looked down. 

Realization suffocated that bug worse than any spray. Expression twitching as he went to tug away from his brother, who now had a good grip on his suit jacket. As his face dropped, Howdy's smile returned in full force. A calmness in his eyes as Latter's folded wings gave a weak flap from behind. "I-.."

"Shhh... S'okay. See, I'm still tryin' tah find the joke 'ere an' for the first time I think you're funnier than me."

Latter went to step back, lower arms gently wanting to push Howdy away though his grip had been sure. "F-funnier? I. I ain't got jokes, Brotha'." His lax antennae jumped, standing straight on end. 

"Yah don't?" He asked, smile shuttering as it twisted ever higher. Eyes deadlocked on each other, mirroring the one feature they shared "An' here I thought yah wanted tah say a few words. Best man's gotta have a speech. How'z 'bout you run that by me, guess yah wanted what? Piss me off one last time? Hit me where it hurts cause ma an' pops think 'm doin' so good? Was already havin' jus' a fuckin' good night, thought you'd make it even better? That's the mattah', Lattah'. You ain't never bought what 'm sellin'." 

Ever since they were grubs Latter would run off crying to Hiya, a little wimp. A worm. Someone that didn't deserve to be twice the man he is. As soon as Latter went to speak, Howdy's eyes began to fill with disgust. Casting judgement even before his case could be made. 

Sweating where he stood, his upper arms raise. Shifting awkwardly as Latter wiggles. An attempt made to escape while not jarring the grub in Howdy's mitts. "Ahh. Seeya.. Seeya had a bet tah break you up before the consummation..." 

"Oh sure!" He agrees as a sneer smeared across his grin. "An' see talked tah me like a real person. You? You decide tah go an' do that by? Messin' Charlie up. Gettin' ME hurt? Fuckin' wit' my wife? She don't deserve none a' that." Howdy gave Latter a shove back, pressing hard against his chest to knock that dumb expression off his face. "Keep bein' a disappointment, yer real good at that." 

Stunned where he stood, Latter went limp. Something in his brain shorted. Refusing to even process how his brother shoved an itty-bitty grub back into a set of his arms. Blankly staring out as Howdy scoffed. "Give Goodie back tah Seeya. Now. We're goin' outside." 

Chapter Text

Watching his very own brother slink long after it started to lose its novelty. Sure, as grubs that yellow coward probably got used to getting his own ass handed to him on a silver platter. Whether it be the jerks at school or the one he lived with, surely those would've been enough to learn his various lessons. 

In fact, the time he tied Latter's antennae together and made good on the promise to tear him a new wing had him chuckle a little to himself. Excited even at the prospect of reliving such a memory. Getting to beat Latter into new shades of purple, then run off with you and maybe make a final speech? This had to be more than enough of a night for him. 

Busy rolling up his sleeves, Howdy allowed himself a moment. He had to even take off his jacket, folding it over a free arm. Oh where. Oh where could you be? He grabbed up his brother's drink, eyeing the last few swigs before throwing it back. A wince at the taste had him recheck the glass. Sweet. Much too fruity, it lingered far too long. Sharp apple hit him right in the back of the throat, what a pansie. 

His antennae flick and twitch, drawing him in a direction. Scents, a chemical trail that leads him haphazardly. Though, he didn't get too far. Not before someone was tapping at his shoulder, shatteringhis focus.

“How's! Hey, cousin!” Scadaddledoo was at the end of his own trail. Howdy had a certain scent about him. Fresh, chemical. Though now, it seemed somehow sour. Traces of marijuana, nicotine, a mix of sweat from the sea of party goers. 

“Huh!?” He spun on his heels, jumping higher than that snail could ever reach. Somewhat twitchy as that caterpillar threw his guard up. “Oh’, Scadaddledoo! I didn't see you!” You. He was lingering… Something. Not a lot, but. Howdy contained himself for a moment. “By chance, you ain't seen my wife. Have yah? 

“I can say.” He gave a sluggish nod. Hair flipping about his fuzzy orange face. Giving flashes of a lidded gaze beneath his wild locks. “Mom's holding her captive, I think it's because she smells funny.” 

“Ha ha funny?” Or the kind that gave someone butterflies. 

Slumping some in his shell, the kid glanced in a few directions before leaning in an inch or two. “Freaky funny. Like Seeya before she got all hormonal.” 

“Hormonal?” He questioned, images of his sister during those visits with aunt Flo flash across his warped think pan. Oh how she could throw their own father around the house. How much worse could you possibly be? “At least she's stinkin’ up the place with another lady nearby, huh? Not out tryin’ anythin’ with nobody! I'd better stop by Barley while I'm at it. Worse dog than Barnaby- she really is their daughter.” Mumbling that last part to himself, he needed to stop. Unconsciously smoothing a hand across his skull to smooth what strands were out of place. A twitch in his eye. Bitter exhaustion must've gotten the better of him. 

“Are you.. Good?” His little cousin asked,

Howdy’s gaze snapped back to him. The fact he began to shift his gaze towards the direction he had been heading completely escaped the overgrown bug. 

“Strong, stiff, shaken, stirred! I need a drink and I don't care what. Your ma fillin’ her head with ideas! Next thing I'll know is, she'll be gettin’ her own Sue.” 

“Sue-? I don't know about that, but you got big picture issues here, man!” He held up a finger and added another. “She's lookin’ rough, did she go outside or something? I mean, as nice a fragrance as she's got. It doesn't cover up pot.” 

No he certainly did not bring you outside. He blinked at Scadaddledoo, who mused aloud to himself. “I wonder if she's got any friends.” 

“Town’s got a few singles. Everywhere here's got creepy crawlies. Can't trust nobuggy.” Some were creepier than the rest, the varying degrees of crawliness regardless. Oh God. If you reek more of skunk than your own pheromones, he could only wonder why that might be. At the same time, Howdy had to brace himself and at least ask. Squinting down at the little hippie. “You the one supplyin’?” 

“Not me, nah. Can you just come over?” Another wave of discomfort hit Scadaddle. He nearly groaned out in frustration. “The mellow is so harshed in here, it's bugging me out!!” His voice cracked. Squeaking at the end as he turned a shade darker. 

~~~~

~~~

Sooner or later, he shuffled off. Knees buckling as his stomach began to swallow itself. The tiny weight in his hands continually drug that butterfly lower and lower. Latter might as well be crawling along his belly like the worm he was. Though Goodie seemed to be having the time of her tiny life, giddily giggling along as her uncle curls in on himself. All four arms wave in the air as he nearly dropped her again, only to raise the grub higher to compensate. Having to move across the dancefloor, weaving between bodies as a weevil through grain, Latter had to hold himself back from breaking down while the rest of them were. 

“Heaven help him. He's keelin’ ova’.” 

“Looks like he might cocoon." Whispered a few cousins as he passed, several held back chuckles as they elbow each other back and forth. 

Still sinking one foot after another, Latter could've ended up kissing the floor. The waxed wood felt as though he'd tear through in an instant. Each board might as well have been tissue paper with how badly tremors racked his bones. His hands shake, shuffling the grub as he held her mid air. Mumbling what was stuck in his head on repeat, “He's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill me.”

Eventually he was able to find that bright ruby red beacon that was his sister.  

She was busy being twirled, layers of her dress lift as she spun. Head tilted so far back she nearly smacked him with the sheer height of her beehive updo, narrowly missing by a hair. Pausing mid-spin, Seeya was bent backwards over one of Beeya’s arms. Met by Latter's upside down frown, her own joyous expression flipped. “Where's the boys?” 

With tremors racking his primary hands, he held Goodie up to her. Transferring the grub over to join the giggly one held to her hip. Both of her lower most arms full while the others cross over her chest. All at once, Beeya grumbled to himself, retracting his hold to shove a few hands in his pockets. 

Latter clapped his now free uppers to his face, frown crinkling into a lined grimace as he grabs the woman. Shocking Seeya as she stumbled a step forward, dark gaze widening for a moment or two before he spewed word vomit. Speaking like a normal person for the first time since grad school. 

“Dunno, don't care. He's gonna kill me!” His uppers set to her shoulders, pressing her back and forth on her heels as another set of hands fisted at Seeya’s lovely dress. 

She could only laugh, rolling her eyes as she allowed him to keep panicking. “Heh! Ha-! Who? Who's killin’ you? Yer lookin’ like you got one foot in the grave!”

Beeya grumbled again, free hands pressed between the two to separate them. Just for Latter to throw himself at the short bumble bee, every hand scrambling to grab and shake him too. “You got a help- help me! I'll be gone. Squished. Splattered! Smacked good! He's gonna e-HEN-d meeee! Ah.. Gawd! This is what I get listening tah you!” In all the butterfly's raving, he actually had to stop and redirect his attention to the right culprit. “Why do I always listen to yah?” 

Now, Beeya's brow wrinkled, one raised towards his wife in a silent question. 

She could only scoff, half dropping the grin she once had. “I ain't told yous tah do nuthin’ othah’ than watchin’ the grubs an’ now look! I only got two a mah babies.” 

“The boyz iz old enough to watch themselves, they don't need a keeper.” 

“Like hell!” The woman starts, face glowing a certain shade of pink as she leaned nearer to her husband. “Gam-gam’d be rollin’ in her grave tah see what they did durin’ the funeral!” 

“They're BOYZ, what'd yah expect?” He fires back, less than enthused they had to stop what little fun he had previously allowed himself to have. Just to have to keep his own social butterfly in check. “Don't change the subject. Look at him-!” A hand gestured to the bug flopped so far over him, Latter looked like he might've been trying to simultaneously climb onto and hide behind the much shorter bee simultaneously.

Latter's antennae limply rose, a smile on so forced it might've been what him from crying. 

“C’mon! It ain't like Howdy hasn't kicked his ass before. He'll live.” Seeya's arms tighter against the swell of chest. “Man up a little, would'ja?” 

“... So you do know what this’z about.” Even out of school, clear since they’ve met, she always was a queen bee. Eager to get her way. It's disgusting how much he adored that about the woman. A regular monarch butterfly. 

Good thing she's hot, or he wouldn't of been able to hack it, day one. 

Beeya stroked at his mustache, watching her turn deeper and deeper shades of rose. Stress hormones always followed Latter, though maybe that actually was from her. It wasn't unusual for family stick to rub off on one another- 

Seeya’s face tightened while Latter interrupted any train of thought he had hoped to maintain. 

“We dunno how long this’ll last she says. Maybe keep it quick like she is short! Howdy don't know what's good for ‘im! Keep ma off my back cous- cuz if it ain't a job ‘m missin’.. I can't win!” Latter sniffles, tears swelling in his eyes. Fat drops soaking cartoonishly against him, soaking into the nonplussed bee’s suit jacket. 

“Alright! Alright. Sheesh-!” She huffs, suddenly quite glad the twins were causing trouble somewhere else for this. “I didn't know she was expectin’. Sides, I did that fer Lattah’. You know how much ma’s been on his ass.” 

Beeya never needed to say anything, a look was all she ever needed. How pitiful Latter got to be barely of notice anymore. She breathed. “Fine. Fine!” Both grubs were shoved into their father's arms, “I'm goin’.” 

~~~~~