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Chapter Text

Pugsley was sitting up on his bed with his laptop on his stomach, typing away with a determined look, large shorts, a black and white striped sweater, and… shoes on the bed.

Their room was quiet except for the clacking of keys that bothered Eugene, who was trying to study at the desk across the room. 

“What are you doing over there?” He turned to Pugsley, annoyance in his voice. 

The other boy didn’t even look up. “Nothing.” 

“Lair. What are you doing?” Eugene replied, aware this was typical for him, secretive and mischievous. 

“Nothing.” He repeated acquiring a smirk.

Eugene shot up from his chair, paranoid it had something to do with him. As he approached the other boy, he yanked the laptop into his view, then pushed it back with a groan. 

“Roblox, are you kidding me?” 

Pugsley shrugged, “Just fighting with people…” 

Eugene rolled his eyes as he spun back around to return to studying, “Yeah, with like ten-year-olds…” 

Pugsley smiled widely, “Hey, they get pretty rattled when you tell them you can access their Robux…” 

“That's so evil. Why can’t you at least play Roblox like a normal person…” Eugene suggested, focusing on his books and papers rather than Pugsley. 

“Oh yeah, and what does that entail? Roleplaying in Bloxburg like a little freak?” He grinned with a chuckle, his eyes flicking between his laptop and Eugene.

Eugene shot him a look, “I shouldn't have told you I used to do that…” 

Pugsley knew a lot about him. Though they had a rough start, they got pretty close; neither of them ever really having a best friend to tell things to before. Eugene had a stark impression of the other boy at first. His wide and enthusiastic yet menacing eyes made him nervous, like he’d wake up in the middle of the night to the boy holding a knife against his neck. He quickly learned that Pugsley was mostly harmless, using his electricity power, for example, to help Eugene’s bugs rather than harm them. He mostly seemed curious and experimental. The powers must have been new to him. 

Pugsley's impression of Eugene, on the other hand, was filled with pure excitement. He was just happy to finally talk to a boy his age without fear, especially one that made Pugsley look the lesser bullied of the two. Thankfully at Nevermore, bullying wasn’t much of a severe problem as compared to normal schools.  

-

“Hey! Eugene!” Pugsley ran after him with excitement, his boots creating noticeable thuds. Classes had just ended and Pugsley spotted Eugene as he always did in the flood of students. 

Eugene turned around, knowing that voice anywhere. He smiled at him. 

“Hey, look at this.” Pugsley’s eyes were wide as he shoved a plant into Eugene’s face. 

He jumped back, almost hitting the lockers when he saw what looked like sharp teeth, exclaiming, “Ah! What the hell is that!” 

Pugsley giggled and yanked it back into his arms, “Heh. It's a venus flytrap. Anyways, you going on the camping trip?” 

Eugene adjusted his glasses. They had stopped in the hall, students walking past, “Uh, yeah, I am.” 

“Cool. You wanna tent together?” Pugsley asked hopefully. 

Eugene didn't know why he got suddenly nervous, but he swallowed and nodded, “Yeah, sure.”

Pugsley returned the nod, observing him, his voice quieter, “Cool, cool…”

Ajax suddenly appeared, “Ayy, look who it is. My tenants…” 

“Not your tenants.” Eugene shook his head at the joke. 

“Whatever, close enough,” He laughed, “You guys going tonight?” 

“Yeah, we were just talking about it,” Pugsley added, still cradling his venus flytrap like a pet. 

Ajax looked between the two boys, “Bet you guys are gonna sleep together right?”

Both their eyes widened, and Ajax’s smile dropped, “I meant like share a tent! Jesus…” 

“Ohhh…” Eugene expressed as Pugsley giggled. 

Ajax started walking off, going backwards as he still faced them, grinning, “I mean no one's stopping you…” he shrugged.

Eugene's eyes widened again, maybe even blushed this time and Pugsley laughed. 

“Joking! Sorry, that's crazy…” Ajax laughed, finally turned away from them. 

Eugene hit Pugsley’s arm, making him wince and rub his arm. 

-

That afternoon, Nevermore was having a schoolwide camping trip in the beautiful Vermont mountains. There were tall fluxes of trees with overcasting fog, a glimmery lake reflective of the sky, and plenty of space for tents and mingling. 

Pugsley and Eugene set up the tent, Pugsley doing most of the work, practically offering - to the point where the other boy sat down while Pugsley worked. Eugene watched him. 

Though Eugene would never admit it he always liked Pugsley’s dark and boyish outfits. He always wore those big shorts and sweaters, sometimes paired with a vest or a bandana around his neck, like today. 

Eugene was staring, wondering why that bandana made him so good. Was that weird to think? Must be some sort of envy. Right?...

As Pugsley worked he caught his stare, “Why do you look mad?” suddenly snapping him out of it.

Eugene adjusted his glasses, “Mad? I'm not…” 

“Did I do something?” Pugsley suddenly looked sad, his usually intense eyes drooping with a depressing twinkle. 

That look always made Eugene feel terrible. He hated seeing Pugsley like that for some reason. 

“What! No.” Eugene shook his head, blinking intensely and having to physically look away from him. 

Morticia Addams broke the strange tension as she approached with a sly yet bright smile. Pugsley lit up again at his mother's presence.

“Hello boys…” 

“We’re almost done setting up!” Eugene beamed. 

Morticia looked over to Eugene who was sitting down, “We?” 

Eugene gulped, “H-he insisted…” 

She looked back at Pugsly, “Oh, good boy… protective already, huh?” 

Pugsley chuckled awkwardly and Eugene was only confused by that comment.  It was like he was missing out on a joke everybody seemed to know about. 

He noticed how Pugsley seemed suddenly awkward in his mother's presence. 

“Alright well I’ll leave you two now then…” She observed them as she walked off. 

-

Night approached and Pugsley had finished setting up the tent, it was spacious inside. There were plenty of lanterns to light up the place, a table, one corner piled with supplies and the other corner was their sleeping bags. 

“So we playing roblox or what?” 

Eugene rolled his eyes, “Dude, there's no service out here.” 

Pugsley followed Eugene to their sleeping bags, sitting down in front of him, each on their bags, “It could still work…” 

Eugene's heart raced a little faster as Pugsley sat so close to him. 

“I dont kn-” 

There was a snap. Like a stick from outside the tent. Pugsley shot up, startling Eugene more than the sound itself. Pugsley was quick to investigate, the other boy following, but Pugsly stopped him with his arm. 

“Ay what-” 

“Sh.” Pugsley whispered, watching the opening of the tent and keeping Eugene from going any further.

They stood in silence. 

The tent flap suddenly opened, but to no avail. They both jumped and yelled, Pugsley zapping Eugene in the process, the spark sending a shot of light throughout the tent. 

“Ow! what the f-” Eugene exclaimed, stumbling and holding his arm that got shocked.

“Sorry! Total accident…did that hurt?” Pugsley asked, his hands hovering around Eugene in case he needed to stabilize him, “like didn't feel good at all?...”

“Yes it fu- hurt….” The other boy exclaimed, trying not to swear, “Why would it feel good?!”

Pugsley shrugged, “I don't know it could…” 

“Shut up.” 

“Sorry.” Pugsley stepped back. 

Truth is it was more surprising than painful to Eugene. He was well aware of Pugsley’s ability; in fact he was a little frightened by it, but he hadn’t been zapped like this since he’d pissed the boy off one night when they were fighting over a simple Uno game. In short, cards went flying. 

The taller one suddenly pulled out a knife, holding it out to the boy, “Here, poke my arm.” 

“What! Why?” 

“Because I shocked you its only fair…” Pugsley smiled. He was way too happy about it. 

Eugene blinked, glancing at the knife, “No…”

He looked disappointed and put it back in his pocket, defeated, “Okay, fine.” 

They were soon summoned to the campfire by Ajax to roast marshmallows. Familiar faces surrounded them: Enid, Agnes, Bruno, Wednesday, and Ajax of course. Darkness filled the perimeter as nighttime was in full swing. The light from the campfire and surrounding lanterns lit the area in a soft orange glow.

Pugsley sat close to Eugene on a log behind the fire, their elbows touching. He was always clingy to Eugene to the point where it felt wrong for Eugene to be anywhere without him. 

Around the campfire, the others conversed and held their marshmallows out to the flames, the two boys trying their best to fit in.

As the night around the fire went on, Eugene felt Pugsley’s leg against his more and more. He looked around at the space between the others, ample room, no skin touching except for Enid all up on Bruno… Eugene noticed Ajax’s glare on those two. 

Eugene moved his leg away, thinking maybe it was weird, and Puglsey shifted, glancing at him almost awkwardly.

Moments later, Puglsey had accidentally zapped his sister Wednesday's marshmallow into the fire, and instead of apologizing, he chuckled; he was a little evil like that. Wednesday glared at him and the group went quiet. 

“Do that again and you’ll wish you’d lost all 5 of your senses…” she said ominously and unemotionally as usual. 

Pugsley laughed as the group watched the altercation, “Whoa, well maybe your marshmallow should watch out. Gotta test my ability somewhere…”

“Maybe you should watch out before your beloved roommate finds out about your more than fond feelings about him…”

The silence was loud. Jaws dropped all around the fire as Wednesday sat there unemotionally after totally dropping the bomb. Pugsley only had one roommate.

Eugene side-eyed Pugsley, who looked just as shocked as he did and not even a second later stood up abruptly and left, leaving Eugene to adjust his glasses in an awkward confusion. 

Bruno was the first and only to let out a small laugh. 

Enid blinked, “Wednesday! You can't just…” 

Ajax sat there wide-eyed and side-eyeing. He had his suspicions about Eugene and Puglsey, but never thought it would actually be true. 

Eugene looked to see if Pugsley was still in view, but he was long gone. He was unsure what to do. Part of him didn’t believe it, but a lot of things made sense now…

He decided to text the boy. He knew he should have gone and followed him or something, but he was bad at confrontation.

[ Eugene: are you ok? ] 

There was no response for a few moments before the three moving dots appeared and a reply was given. 

[ Puglsey: yeah it's whatever. 

    just wednesday being evil… ] 

[ Eugene: Why did she say that?]

There was a pause.

[Eugene: Pugsley???] 

[Pugsley: I dont know she just got mad…

    made something up to get back at me… 

    Typical Wednesday. ] 

Eugene found it hard to believe the boy. He knew him enough to know that if she said was in fact not true, Pugsley would have laughed it off or something, not look absolutely bewildered and betrayed before walking off. 

Ultimately, Eugene went along with it. He didn’t want to risk their friendship badgering him about the situation, but he couldn't stop thinking about it…

Chapter Text

The next few days didn't feel right to Eugene. Pugsley acted as he usually did, but Eugene seemed to pick up on the “normal” things he did that were maybe not so normal. 

For example, calling Eugene the "mommy" of his Venus flytrap plants, sitting on Eugene’s bed and yapping to him as he tried to sleep, giggling like a little weirdo when the other boy would fight with him, etc.

One night they were arguing about how loud they were being during quiet hours, ironically enough, but it was mainly Eugene telling off Puglsey for never shutting up. Pugsley would chuckle, which pissed Eugene off more. Did he think he was that ridiculous? 

Eugene pushed Puglsey, not hard, but enough to make him stumble, “Why are you laughing?” 

Pugsley giggled softly, infuriating Eugene. 

“You're so annoying!” Eugene exclaimed and plopped onto his bed. 

Pugsley blinked, suddenly feeling bad, “sorry…” he followed Eugene. 

“Don’t sit on my bed, weirdo,” Eugene said before he sat down, but instantly regretted it, seeing that look on Pugsley’s face similar to that night, not the shock, just the deep-down betrayal. 

The boy turned around to head to his own bed, a small sigh barely audible, causing Eugene to stand back up with a louder sigh and followed him, grabbing his hand. Pugsley spun around. He had never voluntarily made physical contact with him before aside from pushes and shoves, which Pugsley still seemed to enjoy. 

It went quiet and Eugene let go when they made eye contact, “Fine im sorry.” 

“Its fine. I get it. Im annoying.” Pugsley shrugged, no smile present. 

Eugene wasn’t used to this side of him and it bothered him. He almost wanted to do something that would cheer him up. 

“Im serious. Fu- What do you want me to do?” Eugene rolled his eyes, but suddenly had an idea and grabbed him, tugging him out the door. 

Pugsley clumsily followed, “Where are we going?” 

“The bee shed.” 

“Why? What are we gonna do in there?” He asked with a smirk. 

Eugene sighed and rolled his eyes, “Nothing, weirdo.” 

When they made it to the shed, Beeboy took a jar off the shelf, showing it to Pugsley. There was a singular bee buzzing around in there. Puglsey just looked confused. 

“You can have it.” He said blankly, pushing it into the other boys’ arms. 

Pugsley lit up, taking the jar, but his eyes didn’t leave Eugene, “Like to eat?” 

“Yes. But don’t think that’s one of my prized bees. That one’s mean. I had to kick that one out.” 

Pugsley finally looked down at the jar with his usual crazed happiness, “Wow. Thanks.” 

Eugene managed a small smile, “Mhm..”

He began to open the jar, Eugene immediately reached out for the jar forgetting to tell him, “Oh wait it-”

The bee flew out and started zooming around the shed, both of them panicking. 

“Control it!” Pugsley exclaimed, trying to catch it with the jar. 

“I cant! That was another issue with it!” Eugene swiped at the air, not even sure what he was doing. 

Anyone that would walk in on this scene would find it very ridiculous. They were flailing around the shed, bumping into things trying to catch the bee. 

Pugsley finally managed to capture it after a jump and quick swing of the arm in the air, but lost balance and fell right into Eugene, knocking him over and they both slammed onto the ground. 

Pugsley chuckled at the exhilarating moment while Eugene groaned in pain at the sudden crushing weight of the other boy on him, “Ow idiot get off. Did you break the jar?”

Pugsley stayed on top of him, “Heh, nope.” 

He showed him the jar that managed to stay in his hand with his signature mischievous smile. 

Eugene started to panic at the sensation of another person on top of him, he could feel Pugsley’s leg right against his crotch. “Okay get off now.” 

“Fine, fine…” Pugsley pushed off of his chest, making the other boy wince and sit up. 

Pugsley jumped back onto his feet and Eugene made sure to check his own crotch just in case… He was so embarrassed, but was sure he didn’t get too involuntarily excited. 

Pugsley noticed him quickly check since he never seemed to take his eyes off Eugene. 

“Uhh whats up down there?” Pugsley chuckled, teasing. 

The boy stood up with a wincing look, “What? Nothing shut up weirdo…” 

“Whatever…” Pugsley laughed softly and looked at the bee in the jar. 

Eugene felt his face start to get red with embarrassment and he momentarily buried his face in the crook of his arm to try to stop the feeling while the other boy was busy observing the mean bee. 

Pugsley’s attention turned back to him and he took his arm away from his face, pretending to look busy with random stuff on the table. 

“Your face is red.” 

“No, it’s not.” He didn’t bother to look up at him. 

“Mm.” Pugsley grumbled for some unknown reason, “Fine, do you want your bee back?” 

Beeboy looked up at him, “No, keep it.” 

Pugsley grinned and stepped closer to him, “cool. Do you think you could make it sting me?” 

Eugene blinked and stared at him, “Why?” 

“Because. Then I’ll really forgive you.”

“What kind of apology is a bee sting?” Eugene squinted. 

Pugsley rolled his eyes, “It just is.” 

He hesitated before looking over at his bees in the little beehouse, “Well, I can't control that one but these I can.”

He got one of the bees to come out and led it with his fingers to Pugsley who was waiting excitedly, but patient, before tapping the air and the bee went at it. The bee decided to sting his neck, making Pugsley wince but chuckle. 

Gosh, hes insane, Eugene thought, but part of him was intrigued. 

Pugsley rubbed at his neck, fingers sliding against his skin which Eugene focused on for a second too long before snapping out of it and leading the bee back to the house, closing the top before walking over to the other boy. 

“Thanks.” He said smiling. 

“Shouldn’t be something you thank me for, but alright…” 

Pugsley’s head tilted slightly, “You dont seem to get it.” 

In fact, Eugene was starting to get it. Like when he wouldn’t get mad during their fights but giggle, the bee sting as an apology and basically offering for Eugene to use a knife on him…

He liked pain. 

He should have known. Pugsley was an odd one. 

As much as he should have been disturbed and part of him was, part of him also thought that was interesting. 

He also seemed to forget there was a chance Pugsley really did like him. In a more than friends way. 

Suddenly, Pugsley hugged him. 

“Oh- your hugging me…” Eugene stiffened at first, but gave into the hug just a bit. 

He was warm. 

“Thanks again…” Pugsley pulled back and held up the jar, reminding him. 

“Right.” He chuckled awkwardly. 

Then something really strange happened. Pugsley kissed him on the lips. It was a brief peck that made Eugene’s eyes widen and instinctively jerk backwards. The taller boy blinked, like he was confused by his reaction, his smile fading.

Eugene noticed that look in his eyes again, a gleaming betrayal or in this case regret, but he saw something else too behind that, the eyes he’d always feel nervous under yet would look in a crowd for. 

He made a strange nervous noise before leaning in fast and kissing Pugsley back, who excitedly accepted. 

You’d think Pugsley would be the type of boy to have chapped lips, but they were surprisingly soft, Eugene unconsciously moved his lips to feel, which Pugsley took as a sign to deepen the kiss. It was clear the both of them did not have kissing experience, but they did their best. Pugsley never broke between the other boy’s lips, but they moved softly against each other’s lips before Eugene pulled back. Pugsley blinked and Eugene looked embarrassed, blushing and he cleared his throat. He subtly covered his crotch, looking as if he was just being polite and chuckled. 

“We should go back…its getting dark,” Pugsley suggested slowly and grinned, making sure to grab his jar. 

“Right…” Eugene said quietly and followed Pugsley, but made sure to be the one leading so they didn’t get lost. 

Pugsley walked briskly next to him, he never walked very straight and would occasionally brush against his arm. At one point he even tripped and fell onto his stomach, but managed to save the jar again. 

Eugene knelt down, “Jesus christ dude, let me hold that….” he took the jar as Pugsley grumbled and stood back up, smiling once again. 

They walked back to their dorm, Eugene holding Pugsley’s snack cautiously in his arms..