Inspired by Cosmosdex

Cereal Killer

Things have been a little awkward ever since Wormwood moved into the house. He didn't know how to feel about it, either.
For someone with an odd and frankly scary history of doing anything ever, Aestus was the one keeping most things in check. The house was cleaned up, the morning was quiet. And there he was, making coffee.
Wormwood Forever Grub
Hey, good morning.
Aestus Weather Man
Good moring, Bean! Would you like anything? Coffee? Cereal?
These two have been friends since childhood, but there was one point where Wormwood had forgotten his face. In his defense, he was wearing the old suit and couldn't exactly see much...
But now that Aestus is standing there in front of him, he wonders if the news anchor was pissed about it.
He wasn't really the type to ask, though.
Wormwood Forever Grub
Cereal's good, yeah.
Aestus Weather Man
Fancy choice!
Aestus Weather Man
You know, funny story about this brand of cereal...
Aestus Weather Man
Apparently the CEO of this company got arrested recently! I thought it was for something like tax evasion, but...guess what? It was for homicide. Very strange.
Wormwood Forever Grub
What? That's awful.
"Who starts a conversation like that?" Wormwood asks himself, but nonetheless goes with it, given that nobody else was awake.
The two of them have had short conversations, just like this. As he listens to Aestus, Worm nods and crunches on the bowl of cereal given to him. Still he can't help but wonder...
Wormwood Forever Grub
Aestus, can I ask you something real quick?
Aestus Weather Man
—and when I asked him why he did it, he laughed and denied the crime on live TV! So cruel, it was.
Aestus Weather Man
Oh! Of course. What is it?
Wormwood Forever Grub
You, uh...You're not mad at me, are you?
Aestus pauses. For a moment, the air grows heavy, and Wormwood instantly realizes his apparent mistake.
Then, the snail tilts his head. Now he's confused.
Aestus Weather Man
Why would I ever be mad at you, my friend?
Wormwood Forever Grub
For...that time. You know. When I didn't recognize you?
Wormwood Forever Grub
Yeah. When you interviewed me, and stuff. I'm really sorry about that.
Aestus Weather Man
Oh, is that all?
Aestus Weather Man
.........
Wormwood Forever Grub
I know it was really messed up.
Aestus Weather Man
Worm, it's fine! You had to keep up the act, and so did I.
Wormwood Forever Grub
...Really?
Aestus Weather Man
Look, I get why you're apologizing. I do! But you know...
Aestus Weather Man
You, Siete, Cargo...were all the happiest parts of my childhood.
Wormwood Forever Grub
Huh.
Aestus Weather Man
Really, I couldn't be mad forever even if I tried.
Wormwood Forever Grub
...Huh.
Aestus pours some coffee for himself, and laughs like there's nothing to worry about. To him, there really wasn't. Wormwood was his friend.
But Bean, on the other hand, is realizing that even if he didn't see Aestus from eye to eye for a while, he still saw him and everyone else as people he cared for.
Wormwood Forever Grub
But I forgot you.
Wormwood Forever Grub
Lots of bullshit happened back there, with how you had to come back and report on the whole thing.
Wormwood Forever Grub
I didn't think you still cared about me.
Aestus Weather Man
I could say the same thing, you know. I really thought that everyone would want me to fuck right off after my trial.
Aestus Weather Man
And after...what I did...Ahaha...
Aestus Weather Man
....I seriously thought you would want to get away.
Wormwood didn't know anything. Not until recently. Not until it was too late.
And still, a part of him does care. In some twisted, fucked up way.
Wormwood Forever Grub
Call it even, then? You and me. Still buddies.
Aestus Weather Man
Only if you mean it!
Aestus Weather Man
I would hate for you to be stuck.
Wormwood Forever Grub
I'm already stuck, you know. Guess stuck people gotta...stick together...
Wormwood Forever Grub
Ha! ...Sorry.
Aestus Weather Man
Heh. It's alright.
These two were friends. Horrible people, good friends. And while Wormwood has that hint of uncertainty, he's sure they'll keep growing from their mistakes.