Disclaimer: I don't own Poppy Playtime (Video Game). I don't own the picture (cover). Or the song if I put one in.

(qwertuno and SilentReadersMatter)

(Centred around Kickin and Hoppy, don't think I made that clear enough sorry, lol.)

(Hope you enjoy.)

Watching another sleep in his arms was...strange. For so long, staying awake for hours and hours, fighting every threat, backs to each other to ensure they were there. As they reverted to this vulnerable state, exhausted from the days events.

Weird didn't even begin to describe it.

She's all I have.

He wouldn't let her leave him. And in return, she copied his wishes with killings, devotion, and often times, earned affection for her...attention. It wasn't love, nor was it anything less. Words weren't enough for what they had. Her head resting to the side of his shoulder, touching but never making contact. Her paws gripping his sides as he held her to soothe the internal nightmares plaguing her dreams.

Not even sleep eluded them to the factory's hidden horrors. Tucked in the corridors, kept away by their teeth, blood stained claws, and any other object unluckily used as a weapon. For every one enemy, another ten replaced them within another minute. It got tiring to fight them just to allow them another second of living.

Safe Safe Safe, always here, never out there there there-

Sometimes his thoughts dragged longer than he'd admit. Coming up with new solutions to keep her-...them safe. She discovered herself through the decade of their (self-imposed) exile. From the Playcare, their previous leader, and him.

Hatred wasn't the right emotion for his feelings towards him. Once good friends, now nothing but sworn enemies. Their leader's betrayal still affected them to this day. Choosing the mangy feline over them.

The smiling critters. DogDay's former friends-

"...Thinkin' too much'll hurt ya head. You always complain when it gets worse."

The rabbit tucked underneath his chin muttered. During the nights, Hoppy found herself rushing over to him. The chicken whose wings laid over her like a blanket. Settled and content, she smiled at Kickin further relaxing as she used her paws to trace features known to be sensitive. His face, beak, chest-

"Can't help it, just how I am."

Hoppy snorted, snickering at the thought of Kickin as normal. However, something more unsettling came over her features. She pulled away, half-drooping ear on her left obscuring the other eye. Truly the look of pure menacing. If Kickin hadn't known her for a decade, he would've believed her here to kill him. But ten years did something between two individuals.

"We lost 'Just how we are', long ago. What's the actual reason? Don't lie to me."

It built a connection. Some type of bond. And it told Hoppy that Kickin was spewing fibs. She didn't like liars. A well known fact Bubba could attest too. Seeing as Hoppy was the reason he no longer had half his trunk. Hoppy's paw curled around Kickin's throat, and the rest of her moved so she straddled the less than resistant chicken on the floor of their hideout. Tucked away in a private room, for once the others not disturbing them due to horrific nightmares.

"What'll happen if I do?"

Testing the waters.

"...You'll lose the ability to think."

Smoke leaked from Hoppy's mouth, Kickin tasting it as he covered a cough. Already he felt his body weakening, and in the hold of someone he trusted most, nothing he did would satisfy her until she dug for the truth. Then, and only then, would Hoppy happily leave him alone. Sounds and sights and smells often distracted from the bigger picture.

"You wouldn't."

A raised non-existent brow. More gas spewing into his nervous system, the laughter building, giggles forthcoming-

"Okay! Okay! I give! You win!"

Quickly as it began, it also stopped. True to her word, the rabbit simply lay on the chicken, keeping him pinned in place in case he thought of an escape true. Both knowing he wouldn't be foolish enough to try.

Nothing escapes the eye of a predator.

"Rumours floating around 'bout a human coming to save us. An Angel. They came from above. Is it bad that I...believe it?"

Hoppy froze from beneath him. An implication to carry on. The future call for her judgement based on what he said next.

"They killed him. And they killed her. Murdered them, in self-defense. You think they'll spare us if we stay out their way?"

As the leader, the other expected him to easily overpower the rabbit. Newly elected a few years prior, ruling over the critters with a loosely ironed first. He was no monster. They did what they wanted. Long as they kept to themselves, and ensured no harm came to the others. They all chose someone to be close with.

It just so happened that Hoppy and Kickin connected more...intimately. Feelings that would never be answered for, dangers of the factory threatening to take them away if entered any kind of companionship. And as the leader, their safety came first. Ripples shook through the waves, and her head glanced up to face his own. Equal level by their eyes, staring, watching, waiting.

...Hoppy laughed.

"And here I thought your motives were pure. If things work out, then a deal with the devil may suffice."

Kickin snorted. He booped the rabbit's nose, her own covered as she sneezed. More sensitive than the average mascot. She didn't think Kickin's eyes would be filled with the white pricks they were famous for. He drew her closer, the current leader's expression soft, something he only saved for her in private. Any creatures knowing of mutual affection damning them to hell.

"Nah, ain't my job to worry over anyone else but us. The others count, and we don't talk about them."

A minute to mourn the physical (and spiritual) loss of their former leaders.

"Say we came across this...human. Will we need to let them live? Or do I get to tear their heart out for stealing you away?"

The imagery of Hoppy in a violent act never ceased to amuse. She remained in Kickin's grip, his wings adjusting the hold as she buried herself in his chest. Being built from animal had its upside. Soft fur and plucky feathers was a bonus.

Although, winters suck.

But that wasn't for another six months. Kickin chose not to worry until then.

"Nothing will steal me, hun. Don't worry, I take care of myself. And you're welcome to join me in hell if anything happens."

"I really hope you share that sentiment."

"Why would I lie? To you?"

"...Good point."

Ride or die, that's how they were to everyone. Those knowing you couldn't see a Hoppy without a Kickin. And vice versa.

"On the subject of the human, how will they get past...him?"

The monster who ruined their lives. Taking comfort in her presence, an unneeded exhale leaving him as his mind planned everything necessary for this to work.

"Offer something of value."

A life for another life. An eye for an eye. But to even think of communicating with him, it was insane. It was crazy.

"You always know how to make me hurt."

It was so...them. And he knew she would go along for the fun of it. It's how they operated. Stupid plans and very bad consequences. Desperate times called for desperate measures. Sick of his rule over the Playcare, the unconfirmed reports of their former leader's presence. They craved normalcy.

A human entering their domain justified an inevitable reunion. Deception and disgrace were mild cases compared to their last experiments. Attempts of escape gone wrong. Losing something they cared for to him.

"But you know we're here for you."

"Annoyingly protective, one of your best qualities."

"Only the best for what is mine."

After all, the smiling critters weren't always sunshine and rainbows. Hidden beneath the smiles, lurked bark and bite that would unleash at the signs of any danger to what clearly belonged to them.

And nothing would change fact. Not death, their tormentors, or even him.