~Chilled's POV~

"Have you guys seen Nanners around?" I panic at the question, feeling a bit of guilt for having the sick man holed up in my house but I keep the panic contained. Gassy glance between me and Ze, seeming suspicious since we all know Nanners loves to hang out at the shop more than anywhere else.

"Are you sure he's not just at home?" Ze asks curiously, the one oblivious one out of all of us. Gassy must have forgotten to tell him about it, though it's understandable. How do you just go up to one of your friends and bring up the fact you had a fight with a good friend to the point of kicking them out of your home? Gassy sighs and leans his head on his palm, seeming as tired as Nanners was with the entire ordeal. Hopefully he doesn't just explode right here and becomes as sick as Nanners suddenly became yesterday.

"We - uh - we had an argument. He...broke a deal so he had to move out," Gassy explains quickly for Ze who seems shocked while I just look at the two, unsurprised. Gassy notices my lack of surprise and eyes me suspiciously.

"I know where he is," I announce before I have any wild accusations thrown at me. "He's staying at a hotel but he's actually sick right now so I doubt he'll be coming for a few days. Don't worry about him," I explain making htem both stare at me seeming to be shocked. I don't understand why they have to be so shocked when they knew I was good friends with him.

"So you've been around him? Just..." Gassy pauses, seeming to need to think about what to say. Both Ze and I wait for him to finish but the door to the shop opens, distracting us all as Tom and Mrs. Pennington walk in, Mrs. Pennington talking loudly like always.

"Good morning boys! Oh I was hoping to find Adam here," she says in disappointment looking to us all. I hesitate before shaking my head.

"He won't be here, he's sick," I explain slowly, watching as the old woman's face morphs through several different expressions from worry, to realization, to anger, and now at panic. Every one of us can automatically tell what exactly is going through her mind.

"Don't worry Mrs. Pennington. I promise if Nanners isn't better by the time of the festival I'll be his replacement," I explain before she can say anything and go on a rant about how irresponsible us young people are. Immediately Ze opens his mouth and starts to say something but stops himself although it's clear to everyone here with his dissatisfied expression that he wants to say something to me badly.

"I will hold you to that Anthony." Mrs. Pennington turns away gracefully and leaves the room, clearly up to something bad by the smug and devious smile on her face. I stare after her, hoping she isn't off to go poison the banana man so I would have to take his position, though she has no idea where he is. After last year the giant mess we had of dodging Mrs. Pennington and trying to prevent the changes I'm pretty sure Mrs. Pennington is out for some sort of revenge on me by making me it again this year. At this rate I just might be with how terrible Nanners' condition seemed to be in earlier today. Or at least I think earlier today, I lose track of time easily having changed once already today, no where near Nanners but still a bit close. I guess now that I have a roommate I have to actually be cautious about that thing in my own house now too.

"Why did he go to you?" Gassy suddenly asks, bringing me back and making me glance to him as he stares at me with a serious expression. "Did he... say anything to you?"

"Well yeah he said a lot, but I'm pretty sure he was just going delusional because of his fever," I note, recalling the couple of things he said to me that made no sense at all. "Don't worry too much about him. I'll check up on him late-"

"Is that really a good idea?" Ze interrupts making us both look to him. When we meet eyes I can immediately tell he's annoyed with me, pissed even. Then again, I am suddenly making all of these declarations in front of him without discussing with him like we usually do for my sake. "You know what happens when you get sick," Ze explains and for a second I have no idea what he's talking about. I hadn't even thought about the possibility of getting sick from staying around Nanners. I was more worried about his well being to worry much about mine. That combined with the fact I hardly ever get sick, although when I do it really is terrible and typically worse than others'. That plus the fact I change into a hot plushy doesn't really make sickness my favorite thing in the world. Definitely not my favorite thing in the world. Nothing can beat popcorn.

"I guess, but I just wanna make sure he's okay," I mutter, blinking down towards the counter feeling pressure on me now that Ze is here to be angry at my carefree nature. Ze and Gassy both stay silent but I can feel their gazes settling on me, probably feeling guilty when all I want to do is see my friend. Glancing up towards Gassy he stares at me blankly for a few long seconds before signing and turning away.

"It was me who Nanners had a fight with. I told you not to trust him Chilled, he'll only do bad for you in the end," Gassy says casually, crushing my hope and friendship. Of course Gassy had told me the very moment I met Nanners not to trust him but how can I not when we've become so good friends? Plus we're living together now so I can't exactly stay away from him anymore unless I decide to camp out in the shop everyday. I have to get along with him, Gassy does, or at least used to, so why is he so insistent that Nanners is a bad person? Gassy and I lock gazes, almost challenging each other, both clashing our views on Nanners until I'm the one in the end who breaks off. He knows Nanners better than I do, if he was there I'd probably guarantee that he would understand the jibberish Nanners was speaking yesterday, good or bad.

"Why are you so insistent in being his friend anyways?" Ze suddenly asks while giving a smug look as if he already knows why. Even I don't know why so it'd be impossible for him to know why. I lean my cheek onto my palm as I stare off into space, my thoughts all circling around Nanners. "Friend" wouldn't be the first word I call him, though I don't know what else I could call him. That's what he is, and yet I have a feeling in the back of my chest that tells me it's wrong, he's not a friend nor is he someone I dislike or hate. But if he's neither someone I like or dislike then I have no idea what he could be. Gassy widens his eyes with realization in front of me making me curious but before he can say anything the damn door to the dam shop opens again. Somehow I find that customers interrupt our conversations very often.

When the woman enters with several friends we all stare at them for a moment before Gassy picks himself up and waves us a goodbye without saying another word on the topic of Nanners. Ze and I continue talking a bit before Ze retreats to the back in order to do some inventory, leaving me alone in the store front once again. Nanners, since when have I started thinking about him more than my own problems? And I have a lot of fucking problems considering my positition. I've never thought about someone to the point of forgetting all the risks I'm under with them. Suddenly I feel my face become hot as I ponder on one possibility of my feelings towards Nanners and I quickly shake my head, trying to shake the possibility out of my mind. Impossible, I don't-....I really don't... I feel like I'm going to change.

~Nanners' POV~

My hand seems to gravitate towards the doorknob without me having to command it to, opening the door slightly, slow.y at first and as anticipation gets to me I practically force the door open with all of my might. The lack of anything popping out and a mini Chilled attacking me is a complete disappointment but I take it over Chilled actually jumping out of the room and attacking me, demanding why I'm snooping around. Surprisingly the room is pretty plain itself, not many decorative carpets or curtains really but there is a ton of junk over the floor and overflowing boxes and shelves. Curious, I sneak around the room and glance over at one of the shelves, a bit shocked to find a huge knife just sitting on the shelf casually. Slowly I pick up the knife and shift its weight around my hands when the thought runs through my head, "should I take it?" It is pretty, why wouldn't I take it? I really like pretty things anyways, it's one of the reasons for my habit to take anything pretty to look at.

I silently set the knife back down at its spot before glancing back around, reluctant to look at the knife again for the fear I'd take yet another thing of Chilled's. Gassy's words suddenly shoot through my mind making me hesitate in my next move, realizing I am in the man's house and there are countless amounts of things I could take here. I've already sort of stolen from him before, why should it change now? Hesitantly, I glance back towards the knife, my mind nearly urging me to just go and take it yet all my hand does is twitch, unwilling to go and take what isn't mine. Usually it's eager to go and take what isn't mine yet now that I'm challenging it, it doesn't seem to want to comply for once. I suppose it's natural for me to not want to take my friend's things, right? A wave of pain splashes through my head and I quickly hold my head feeling the heat on my forehead burn my fingers. I almost forgot I was sick from how I was just wandering around the house.

Without another look I leave the room, shutting the door silently behind me although I feel my hand linger on the door knob, my curiosity nudging at me and wanting to search the room more thoroughly. What would I find if I were to continue searching his belongings? Knowing Chilled I'd probably just find a lot of junk he somehow obtained while going binge shopping at one point in time on the Internet. Turning away from the office I slowly step around the unfamiliar house which Chilled has been living in for the past however long he's been here. Approaching the kitchen I open the fridge and frown at the completely emptiness in the inside. Does that guy just not eat? No, I'm well aware he loves to eat, it's just he never eats at home. Honestly, I don't remember ever going to the shop and hearing "Chilled is at home," or just ever mentioned being in his house. I wouldn't be surprised if anybody else would think that he lived in his shop. Stretching out I fall onto the white couch in the living room and flip on the television finding nothing but soap operas and cartoons on, not that I mind the cartoons. My eyes plainly follow the figures on the television, sleep pulling at them yet I force them to stay open and awake.

Is he coming back or not? Although I'm well aware and he well informed me that he hardly ever usually comes home I somehow expected him to check up on me since he knows I'm sick. Tired and disappointed I completely roll over on the couch and stare at the ceiling for a long time before shutting my eyes. Silence... Despite the clear television's constant noise all I can comprehend is the silence. How does Chilled live with such an empty and quiet home? Or maybe it just seems more quiet since I'm patiently awaiting for one sound in particular. After what feels like an eternity the noise I had been waiting for happens. The front door clicks open and immediately I open my eyes, silently listening to the steps heading into the living room. Finally the head I had been waiting for pokes over the side of the couch and I smile up at Chilled who, at first with a worried expression, smiled in return.

"I'm surprised the house hasn't burned down," Chilled comments and I just laugh and close my eyes again, relaxing my forearm on my forehead once again, feelign the coolness from my arm seep into my forehead while burning my arm.

"I thought it was, guess I'll have to try again," I comment making Chilled laugh and walks away. Curious, I open my eyes but they're immediately closed again as I feel the coolness of a cloth fall onto my forehead. Chilled kneels near me and looks to me with those huge dark eyes seeming confused but worried. He's...he's really worried about me. I laugh bitterly at the reality of how terrible of a person I really am while he's over here so worried about me. What would happen if I told him right here that I destroyed his plushy? I'd probably be kicked out again, second time in two days. I think that'd be imppresive at least.

"Have you been feeling better at all?" Chilled asks, glancing from my eyes to my forehead to my mouth and back to my eyes. He really is worried. Without warning I just giggle and pull his head towards me, holding his head onto my chest while holding onto the back of his head. Chilled oddly stays still despite my predictions he'd freak out and immediately pull away. I guess he's a bit tired as well, and from the feel of his cold head he's probably cold from being outside.

"Why were you out for so long?" I mutter into his hair and he stays still, his breathing bringing warmth to my chest while his cold hair cools off the bottom of my chin.

"I don't belong to you prick," he mutters harshly but I just laugh and let go of him, allowign him to retreat slightly. The dreamy look in his eyes makes me smile, watching him curiously as he drifts away slowly. What could he be thinking about? Maybe my own fever is affecting him, though I'd feel guilty if he were to get sick because of me I'd honestly want to help him just like he's been doign for me. A sick Chilled seems like it'd be a lot of fun for me, seeing the usually strong and confident man in a low place.

"Maybe you should," I comment, expecting a reaction and getting nothing. I shift in my seat, looking to the man who just lays his head on the couch and nearly instantly his breathing steadies. I'll take that as a "maybe I will" and carefully shift around the couch trying to avoid waking him up. Carefully I pull onto his arm and lift him up into my arms, shifting him around and trying to glance at his face, trying to see if anything seems off.

Carefully I step over to his office and set him down in the bed he has sitting in their, where he said he would sleep. After setting him down gently I cover him with the blanket and shift locks of hair away from his face. Curiously, my hand continues to roam around his face, oddly soft for a guy with facial hair. I rise from his bed and nearly leave before he suddenly coughs. Glancing back I notice him shivering, pulling the blankets close to himself. Is he really sick? I come closer before a loud knocking interrupts me, makign me glance back and hesitate for a long time before leaving the room. I only walk a few steps away from the room when the front door suddenly opens without warning and I soon run into Ze.

"I knew he was up to something," Ze comments as we meet eyes. Without another word he passes by me, gently pushing me out of the way and heading towards the office. I follow him, a bit confused as to why he's here but I guess he could have the key here, although it makes me feel a bit jealous. When we enter the office I have to blink several times, hundreds of times but Chilled was no longer in the bed. Ze glances around before sighing while I just stand there paralyzed. I could have sworn he was in bed just a moment ago.

"He does this sometimes," Ze suddenly notes, distracting me from my shock. "He disappears like this, not sure how he does it but he does." Ze walks forward, throwing the blankets aside, showing the empty bed, any sign that Chilled had been laying down there missing. I walk forward and stare at the bed, wondering where the man could have gone. The window isn't even open, how could he just up and vanish unless he's really just hiding? Glancing around I find a closet and quickly open it but nothing but clothes and random things scattered around the floor. Where is he?

"Anyways, just...Don't trouble him, okay?" Ze says, seeming tired with Chilled just like everyone seems. He is quite the handful, even I know that. "I'm going to go, Gassy's only looking after the shop momentarily. Make up with your friends, Nanenrs," Ze sighs as he leaves the room while I stay here, staring around the room my mind trying to come up with some sort of possibility. How did he just up and vanish? He must be in here somewhere. I take a step forward but suddenly a wave of pain brushes over my head and I stumble a bit, landing on Chilled's bed. Sometimes I forget that I'm sick and should be resting. I'll ask Chilled tomorrow where he went I guess.