No matter how Chomby thought about his relationship with Sarge, he couldn't fully grasp how it was working out. By any logical means, it didn't make sense. A few people Chomby had asked told him to be wary of people who were inherently kind, seemingly without a reason. Those people usually had ulterior motives for what they did.

One night in particular, Chomby felt like he had to ask Sarge this. While he was currently working on one of his songs. He cleared his throat and spoke out loud. "Sarge... I've been wondering something. Mind if I pick your brain?"

"What's up, Chomby?" the werewolf asked through the headphones.

"Maybe it's just me not understanding how humans work, but there have been a few people who've told me to watch out for people who are too kind and don't have a visible motive for being kind. Why is that?"

There was a bit of silence. "Is... everything okay, Chomby?"

"Yes... I mean... maybe? I don't know." Chomby pushed his chair back and placed a hand on his forehead. "I don't know," he repeated.

"Well, people who are kind without a visible motive can mean a few things. People say to be cautious of them because they're hard to read. Without any context of why they're being so kind, people usually assume they're secretly planning things -- like holding their kindness over someone's head to control them." Sarge's voice came out slowly. He seemed to be using his words carefully. Why?

"Is that how all kind people are?"

"No. Some people just want to be kind because they can," Sarge's voice remained calm, but his choice of words still came out slowly.

Chomby tried to think of something to say, but his mind was blank.

The silence lasted long enough for Sarge to continue. "That's how it is for me, at least. If you're wanting a motive for why I choose to be kind, it's because I can't stand seeing other people be hurt. I've had trouble making myself happy growing up, but I found the one way to make myself feel happy was to brighten someone else's day."

Chomby gulped. "I... never said I was talking about you, Sarge."

"I know," Sarge said. "But I knew that's why you brought it up. You aren't the first person to ask me this... and you probably won't be the last, either."

"Oh," Chomby placed his hands between his lap and hunched his posture over. "Sorry, Sarge."

"No need to apologize. I understand the fear that comes from not knowing. Though, I don't know how else I can reassure you that I don't have ulterior motives when I'm being kind. Maybe my wanting to feel happy by making others happy could be classified as selfish? Would that suffice?"

Chomby shook his head. "No, no. Don't worry about it. I just..." Chomby gritted his teeth. "Maybe you could... hurt me?"

"What?" Sarge asked.

"Hurt me. Like the time you slapped me... but not physically. More like emotionally. I know you have the capability to do it." Chomby closed his eyes and imagined the mindscape. He could see Sarge was sitting inside it, eyes wide in confused horror. "Whenever we have a disagreement when you're wearing me, I can feel your stress and anger... yet you never try to hurt me. Maybe if you just-"

"I'm not going to hurt you, Chomby." Sarge interjected quickly. "Don't be ridiculous! Sure, I can get mad, but anger is just an emotion! It comes in waves, and if I ride it out it'll eventually disappear!"

"But you have anger! You've been bottling it up!" Chomby snapped. "Why? Is it so you can actually hurt me when the time is right?"

"No!" Sarge's raised his voice. He was about to say something else but stopped himself. He placed a hand over his mouth and stared at Chomby with wide, terrified eyes. "Would it... make you feel better if I did hurt you? Would it make you happier?"

Chomby thought on this. He'd been going under the impression that something was amiss. The people he talked to implanted that small seed of doubt in his mind about his best friend. Yet, he'd been with Sarge almost literally twenty-four-seven. In no instances of the two being around each other had he ever once showed signs of animosity or hatred toward Chomby. He never once brought up their past arguments to manipulate things in his favor.

Right now, of all times, even, Sarge prevented himself from saying something hurtful. Chomby could see the werewolf was doing his best not to cry. He always had been the emotional type.

"No," Chomby looked down at the ground. "But, I can't shrug off the worry. It's still there." Chomby took a deep breath. "Yet I've known you for long enough, and been around you long enough to know you don't have ulterior motives... or at least you're impossibly good at hiding them."

Sarge lowered his hand from his mouth. He looked away. "I don't want to hurt you, Chomby, so there isn't much I could do to alleviate your worries." He lowered his ears. "Sorry."

"If you process your emotions so you can be happy, then maybe I gotta be the same." Chomby scratched one of his ears. "But, I did want to ask something else."

"What is it?" Sarge asked. He gave a side glance to Chomby.

Chomby folded his arms and tried to think of the right way to say what he wanted. It took him longer than he'd like to admit to find the right words, but he opened his mouth and said-

~~~~~

Another song cover!~ Wooo. Sarge and Chomby, though they're best friends, can ahve their disputes and doubts with each other. They trust each other enough to talk out problems, but sometimes, a subject can be very difficult to properly grasp.

https://youtu.be/nkimnE-UGDg

Take a gander if you're willing. There's even a little cameo of Sarge in this song, too.

~~~~~

Chomby/Sarge/Art ©  pikminpedia Me