Just your friendly Scar/BadTimes sorta-angst train! Fulltime_Failure asked about some GoodTimes/BadTimes (I just used Scar for instead if that's ok) to be written in, so here it is! Not blood/gore angst, just.. Regretful angst?

Word Count: 2,832
__________________________________

Scar twisted the crisp paper between his fingers. In it were two, young, smiling children. Each had an arm around the other and pure happiness was evident in both of them. He looked at the paper again, taking in the detail as if the delicate sheet was about to crumble to ashes and dust. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but the hopes to recreate this fresh memory had. It seemed like just yesterday the photo was taken..

"Scar, Scar!" BadTimes called from across the lawn. BadTimes was Scars' best friend, as he was BadTime's. "Scar!" He called again, waving Scar to the tire swing. "Push me! Push me!"

Scar smiled, hopping over to his friend. At the time, both of the boys were just young children. Neighbors, in fact. But they were close, really close. One was always at the others house, and never left the other's side for long- Some people often mistook them for brothers.

"You love the tire swing." Scar said as he pushed his friend for the second time today. "Well you love the slide." BadTimes countered. Scar smiled and jumped on the tire with the other, both yelling and holding on for their dear lives.

"Scar?" BadTimes asked, once the black rubber came to a holt. "Are we gonna be friends forever?" Scar nodded and smiled. "Of course, silly! Bestie best friends!" BadTimes nodded then pointed across the street to what was basically his second house. "Look, your momma's home!"

Scar looked over at the silver minivan just pulling in and smiled, racing over. "Momma! Momma!" He jiggled the door handle, stepping back as it opened. BadTimes smiled, showing off his teeth. "Hi Miss other mommy!"

Scars' mom smiled as she hugged both the boys. "Hello to ya too, you two! Are ya havin' any fun?" She asked. They both nodded and she smiled. "Well that's just amazin' then! C'mere get close together for a picture okay? " She smiled towards BadTimes. "I'll send it to your momma, ok?" BadTimes nodded, knowing his mom was only a few houses down at the neighbors anyway. "Okay Mrs. Other mommy! Can Scar stay over please please please pretty please?"

He and Scar both dropped down, pleading with puppy eyes, whimpers, and jutted lips. Scars' mom smiled and nodded. "I already asked your momma and she said ye-"

"Yay!!" Both of them exclaimed, throwing arms into a hug. The mother laughed, holding up her phone for a photo. "Say cheese!" Both of them looked at her, smiling happily. "Cheeeesssee!"

Click.

Scar sadly smiled, gingerly tucking the photo back into the box. Such good times those were.. Maybe if things had gone differently, he'd still have his best friend. Maybe if he'd tried a bit harder, pushed a bit more, it'd all be the same. Maybe. But would he have met the other hermits if he hadn't blown up at BadTimes? Probably not. But was he ok with that? Did he even want to fix his mistake and leave his makeshift family behind at the cost of just one person? Not really.

Deep down, did he truly think something else? Something he wouldn't ever admit out loud? Yes, yes he did.

He slowly brought up the calling keypad. The page with ten numbers, twelve total buttons, and one green call sign. Despite the time, he still knew the digits. They'd imprinted themselves in his brain a long, long time ago. He stared at the number, willing his eyes not to blink. Sometimes though, such as this very moment with this very figure, the subjects never listened to their king. He looked at the green button again.

Was it worth it?

Yes.

Yes, it was.

So he pressed the green and white button.

It rang. Then it rang once again. Scar set the phone on the floor, waiting the agonizing silence. He probably changed numbers by now anyway. Said his brain. Who even keeps the same number all this time? It said again. Yeah, and even if he had, why would he respond to you?

He limped his head against his knees as he pressed them to his chest. His eyes watered over again, staring at the machine. It was useless. Useless useless useless. Completely, utterly, usele-

"Hello..?" Said a familiar voice.

Scar jumped a bit. "H-hello?"

"Oh!" The voice sounded shocked. "Scar? Is that you love?"

"Yeah, it's me.." He smiled a bit, remembering Ms. BadTimes. She was a nice lady and had black hair. Once, she accidentally scared them because it blended her into a shadow.

"Oh Scar dear, it's been a long time. How've you been?"

"I've been.." Made new friends? Sorry for yelling at your son? Am finally calling after multiple years of steady silence? "I've been good."

"That's nice to hear dear boy. May I ask why you've called me?"

He had to admit it was nice to hear her voice. It was inviting and warm, like honey. And sweet. Really sweet. While he had his actual mom, Ms. BadTimes could've passed for his actual mother too. She'd been there for him quite a bit.

That was another thing the boys did. They went to each other's moms a lot for things like help and injuries when their actual parent couldn't make a presence.

"Oh, I.. I was just calling to call. It's been a long time and I just wanted to check-in."

"Oh. Well, this is Bads' phone alright. Just not his most recent one-"

"Could I uh.. Have his number? The new one? Maybe?"

"Of course dear boy. Here you go.."

Scar grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down every digit that he heard, double and triple-checking it over with Ms. BadTimes. "-Thank you, really."

"Of course love." The sugary sweet voice replied. "Now I better get going, I'm visiting the new people across the street. You have a good day now, okay dear?"

"I will, you too Ms. BadTimes." He hung up, sighing.

The numbers were right there..

He'd already attempted it, why couldn't he do it again? He had the chance, and he took it. Why couldn't he reach for the chance a second time?

What if he hates you?

They were best friends.

Were. Not anymore.

But maybe they could be?

Maybe. Maybe if you hadn't messed up.

It was a simple mistake..

And a costly one at that.

A very costly one indeed..

Scar sighed, drumming his fingers against the floor. He knew he should, but he didn't know if he could. Hadn't he just wanted to? Hadn't he just tried?!

He had.

But it failed- And that small part of his mind, the one deep down and tucked away into the corner, that part, was quietly cheering over it.

Hot and angry tears began to water, and finally, fall down his cheeks. Memories- Guilt. The guilt he thought he had long ago burned and buried began the claw it's way up to the surface once again.

He hated himself for what he did. It was his fault and he knew it.

And it cost him his best friend.

He knew the answer was yes.

Yes, he should try to fix it. And yes, he would trade the hermits to have BadTimes without any hesitation. Yes, this may help the overriding guilt, and yes he knew he wanted to do it. He also knew that yes, the fear of being rejected sided with long-ago guilt may not be helping. But in the end, he knew it was worth the shot.

Slowly, he dialed the numbers, holding his hand above the call sign. He debated for a moment before squeezing his eyes and slamming his thumb down. It rang once before picking up.

"Hello?"

Memories flooded back, hitting him like a truck. He smiled at the voice, the voice of BadTimes. The voice that filled his childhood. Also the same voice you ruined, wretched, and left to burn. His mind reminded. He sighed. "Shut up.."

"I'm sorry, who is this?"

Oh, right. He was on a call. "Uhm.. this is-

"Scar?!"

"Yeah, kinda?"

"I'm sorry," The tone grew a bit more agitated, "But why are you calling and where did you get my number?"

"Well I uh- I got it from your mom. She gave it to-"

"Why. Are you. Calling??!"

"I.." Scar thought a moment. Why was he calling? To fix a ruined friendship after what? Ten years? To be rejected? To-

"Scar? Taking off with your 'precious space' again? Is my voice too much for you now also?"

"No! No, no I was just thinking-"

"About what you did?"

He winced- He really did regret that. "I just wanted to check in on you, it's been a while ya know?"

BadTimes barked a laugh. "So first you yell at me for ruining your life, needing to go away and never giving you space. Then, years later you come right back to 'check-in'? Yeah, no. That's not how it works Scar. Where have you been all this time, huh?"

Scar paused. He could almost hear.. pain? Pain in the other's voice? "Look, I'm sor-"

The other laughed again. "Sorry? You're sorry? If that's all you have to say then I'm doing myself the favor of leaving. Goodbye-"

"BadTimes! Wa- Wait..! Don't go!"

"Yes, Scar?" He said with a bite.

Scar stumbled over his words, never making it past the 'I' and 'Uhh.' He bit his lip, remembering a similar occasion happening a long time ago. Maybe if he hadn't messed.. Maybe..

They were both older now, fourteen to be exact. Scar smiled tiredly, looking down at the gift he'd worked so hard to bring alive. It was a simple, tannish brown cowboy hat with careful stitching along the edges and even more careful at the base.

It looked nearly identical to his own, and it was going to be the best present ever.

You see, Scar himself was in a bad, bad place. School was spitfiring all its chaos and his grades were slipping. His dad was away and his mom was too busy for anything. The weather also seemed to be gloomy, which hadn't helped. But even during this, he noticed that his friend was also rolling over the rocks.

So he made sure to find the time to make him a present. The hat. BadTimes had always said he'd wanted one like Scars, and hopefully exactly that would make his life a bit better.

Scar thought a moment, knowing he'd been avoiding BadTimes because of his terrible secret-keeping skills. Also school. Also he just wanted some space. Lately, BadTimes had NOT given him any space, which was irritating.

Hopefully he hadn't taken the avoidance too badly..

While BadTimes could get emotional, he had a temper and held grudges.

Scar got up, walking across his bedroom and to the door. Today seemed like a good fit to give it to him. But, as he was grabbing the knob, someone jumped out from his closet.

"BOO!"

Scar screamed, falling backwards against the bed. BadTimes laughed. "Aww I gotcha soooo good!" He laughed again, eyes twinkling mischievously. Scar glared. "Were you in my closet this whole time?!

"I've been in for about two hours now, if that's whatcha askin?" BadTimes said, offering a hand. Scar shoved it aside and stood up.

The hat dropped to the floor and BadTimes looked at it. Then he looked at the other one, hanging on the bedpost. Scar quickly snatched it and shoved it behind his back. "What're you looking at BadTimes?"

BadTimes opened his mouth, taking a moment to put the pieces together. "Is that.. For me..?" He asked tentatively, ruining the surprise.

Scar scowled again, his mood already sour. And now, with the person he wanted space from ruining their surprise, AND hiding in his closet for two hours, he snapped. "Yes! Yes, it was! But you ruined it, eh?! All because you couldn't take a little space! Why can't you just do this thing called, uhh, I don't know, minding your own business!?" Scar glared, yelling through his teeth and fists tightly balled up.

His friend looked down, already teary-eyed. "I- I didn't know-!"

"You never know! Why can't you find another friend or something?! Stop bothering me and ruining MY life!"

BadTimes whimpered, looking down. Scar pointed to the door. "Out! Get OUT!"

The other whispered an "I'm sorry" before running out. Scar huffed, hearing the door slam shut. He winced, chasing after the runner. He threw open the front door just as his neighbors closed. He stared at it for a long time, trying to form words to say once he'd walked over. Nobody answered and he went home.

A few drags of silence fell by. "Bad, I'm sorry-"

"You keep saying that, Scar."

"I- I know, and I'll keep saying it until you listen. I'm sorry I yelled, ok? I was upset and you didn't deserve that and I know I messed up and-"

"What about when you got back, eh? You go for a little trip to your grandma's and I never hear from you until today. Explain that."

Scar winced knowing what the other meant.

It had been three days, and every time Scar tried to knock on the door and apologize, nobody answered. And today would be his last chance in awhile. Today, his mom was taking him on a nice, long road trip to his grandma's. Normally, they'd take BadTimes too, it was one of many traditions the boys shared. But this time, it was just the mother and son. Scar was thankful his mom hadn't questioned his behavior and his denial for his 'friend' come.

And right as he was about to get in the car, the door withholding his hurt friend opened. Scar let go of his bag and held up a hand to grab BadTimes' attention. "Ba-"

BadTimes smiled, but Scar could tell there was a good bit of faking. Even as the smile was directed to the still-open door. He watched as another kid from a few houses down stepped out. They both laughed at something one of them said, and began walking towards Scars' direction. Scar quickly hopped in the car, and sunk down, watching them pass by with smiles.

And the same thing happened when he got back- BadTimes and that same kid were hanging out, making it official- Scar had been replaced.

"You- You were always hanging out with that other kid!"

"It was your advice to find another friend, Scar." BadTimes countered. "I did. I took your advice Scar and I found another friend."

"But-"

"I'm not done. I moved on then. And I've moved on now. I have a life, a family, and friends. I love my job and the people I work with. I love my new life. But your not apart of it Scar. Like I said, I moved on. You should too."

"But I-"

"I gave you what you want," BadTimes said, but it almost seemed pained. "You got it. Don't call me again. Goodbye Scar."

Scar watched as he was hung up on, then threw the phone across the room. It wasn't what he wanted. He wanted his friend back. Maybe he deserved this. He got what he said he wanted, but he lost what he had. He lost his friend and he missed it.

He wanted to help his friend. He wanted to save his friend from the gloom he'd already succumbed to. He just hadn't expected to break them both in the process.

And now, as he sat alone and rejected, he tried to comfort himself with the fact that he had tried. He tried to find happiness in what he still had- The Hermits, who cared, Jellie, his child. And-.. Nothing more. A cat and a group of friends. Did he love them all? Yes! But would he still trade them? Yes.

Scar angrily wiped off his tears, only to have more follow suit. Deep down he missed BadTimes. And he hated that. It was his fault he wasn't here, and it was Scar who had the blame. He shouldn't be complaining about something so petty, something that happened so long ago. He shouldn't have even called- No, he shouldn't have even tried! He already messed up, and some things, like this you couldn't fix. A lifetime full of regret, loneliness, and guilt was the end result, and he needed to except that. Was it what he wanted? Was it what he wanted to accept as the reality? No, it wasn't. In no way was it what he had wanted.

What he wanted was a bit of air.

And now all he had was space.

And that, was simply that.