2019

"You're wrong."

"No, YOU'RE wrong!"

"Uh-uh, you are most def wrong here, little woman"

Mira raised a brow at Anti, "Seriously?"

"What? You ARE a little woman!" he shrugged defensively.

"Oh whatever but I REFUSE to back down on this! The Ipliers aren't AFRAID of me . . . . anymore! We're cool!"

Anti rolled his eyes, flopping in the kitchen chair, "Mira, even WARFSTACHE is cautious around you and that's saying something"

She shook her head, continuing to cook them up some bacon as per Anti's request, "By the way, I am NOT that little. . . . I'm five feet tall"

Anti cracked a smile, amused, "Still 8 inches shorter than me . . .  and you didn't deny it. About coo-coo bird, that is"

"Wil is just constantly being reprimanded by Dark to leave me alone is all. That's it"

" . . .  sure. . ." Anti stood up and walked closer up behind her, coming up to her side, "But you and I both know I'm right.  . . bacon done?"

"And you and I both know you haven't left because you're afraid of talking to your brothers"

"You're full of shite. I ain't afraid of nothing!" he lightly shoved her, being careful as to not endanger her in front of the stove, "I just don't like the bastards and Jackie is just waiting for the opportunity to either lock me away or kill me"

"Sean wouldn't let him"

"Yeah? And how would you know that?" he nicked a piece of bacon straight from the pan, hissing at the pain in his fingers.

Mira rolled her eyes at his impatience, "I saw him just last week. He was visiting Mark when I went to visit him, Ethan and Amy. Sean, Ethan and Amy, I mean"

"Still holding that grudge on Mark, huh?"

"He treats me like a ticking time bomb. At least Amy and Ethan were there to keep him at bay. And Chica, Henry and Spencer"

The bacon was done, so she set it on a plate and let Anti gorge, taking a piece for herself, too. Anti thought about what to say to her. It was odd having to think like that but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. It was new to him but he kept his mouth shut about asking anything more about the grudge. It was a soft spot for her taking about Mark as it was.

"So  . . . what was said between you and Sean?"

She leaned her back on the counter trying to hide a little smirk, "So you're curious?"

"Just fuck off and tell me already"

"Alright, alright. So-"

"What are you two doing in here?"

They turned to see Bim Trimmer at the door looking quite disgusted.

Mira snorted at him, "Standing. That okay with you?"

Bim huffed, "Well you don't have to get all uppity with me! Geez."

"And you don't have to be an ass to me for no reason but that's not stopping ya" she shot back at him.

Anti was both amused and on edge about this encounter.

'Bim and her haven't gotten along the best since Dark used one of her ideas for a video instead of his. That and he's buddy buddy with Wilford. Practically one of the only Ipliers that can talk to Warfstache except for Dark and the Jims. . . .  she better be careful'

It wasn't like Anti to worry but if Wilford came into play, there'd be trouble.

"Look Mira" Bim sneered with a smile, "I don't care WHAT you do with your little boyfriend but could you at least not advertise it?"

. . . . . .

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

Mira went to attack Bim but Anti caught her, pulling her back, "Easy there, lass! He's just trying to rile you up!"

"Yeah, listen to your boyfriend!"

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND, YOU LOW-RANKING DOUCHEBAG!"

Bim gasped at the audacity and just huffed, stomping out of the room.

Only then did Anti finally release her but her anger wasn't over. She whirled on HIM, then, "Why didn't you let me go after him!? He can't talk to us like that!"

"Look . . as much as I love a good fight and chaos . . . attacking Bim isn't going to make you look better to the other Ipliers . . if that's what you really want"

Mira sighed and rolled her eyes, "I guess you're right . . . Hm. If only you'd take your own advice sometimes"

Anti snorted and just went back to his bacon, "Yeah yeah. Whatever. I'm a hypocrite. Fuck off and eat some bacon before I finish it and let's go play some VR. I'll kick your ass at Beat Saber"

"Oh, you're so on"

Later that night

"Mira" Dark pulled her into the hall after dinner, "I think it's time for Anti to move out"

She glared at him, "And why would you say that?"

"Don't get angry with me already. It's just . . . It's been almost a year since he's been here. I just think it's about time that he can-"

"Bim said something to you didn't he?! That's why he was smirking at me at dinner! Dark, whatever he said-"

"It's not that, Mira" Dark tried to argue, "I just think that-"

"What did he say?!"

"This has nothing to do with what Bim said"

"But he said something, huh!? Tell me or I'll pry it out of him myself!"

"For fucks sake, Mira! He said you and Anti were secretly dating, alright? I just think you don't know what he's capable of and you'll just end up hurt, okay?! THERE! You happy!?"

". . . ." Mira glared deep right into his soul, "So you'll believe Bim without even consulting or asking me first? Dark. . . Anti and I are NOT dating. There's no reason to-"

"Even if you weren't, my words still stand, Mira"

She shook her head, "He wouldn't hurt me. We're friends"

"He's hurt many people. Innocent people. His own brothers. Whose to say he won't turn on you next?"

"He won't"

"I don't know that. Why should I constantly take the chance and-"

"Dark" she stood her ground, her glare stern and unwavering.

.

.

.

Dark sighed, "Fine . . . . but just know that if anything more comes from the two of you, that's it. He's gone."

Without even letting her reply, he turned and walked off, leaving Mira to clench her fists.

She didn't know Anti had heard the whole thing.

'Why's he so concerned about us like that?' he wondered, 'It's not like I care for her in THAT way. I couldn't. But even so . . . I suppose I better back off a bit more from her. . .for her sake.'

A few days later (Still 2019)

Mira was at Mark and Amy's, having been dragged there by Dark who was doing voice-work for the new video project, 'Damien'.

But if Mira had to be there, then so did Anti. He had been trying to avoid her a bit more but Mira noticed, refusing to let him get out of this. They sat together in Mark's living room with Chica and Henry.

"You know, you don't have to stay away from me, right?" she dug into him.

Anti avoided looking at her but answered, "I know that"

"Then why have you been trying so hard? I'm not ignorant, Anti. Did Dark say anything to you?"

"No . . . . . . I overheard him and you talking"

"Anti-"

"He's right, you know" he started to rub Chica's belly.

She snorted, "No, he's not! Obviously not! You've never tried to hurt me!"

"Doesn't mean I can't"

"Just shut up, Anti. You're rubbing a dog's belly. Seriously? . . . . . And I'm not gonna let you go so you can just deal with it. You'll have me as a friend forever and that's just that!"

Anti couldn't help himself, smiling at her tone. He couldn't help but love her stubbornness.

"WELL LOOKY LOOKY LOOKY LOO!"

Mira glanced towards Wilford who literally waltzed in with a big grin on his face, "Hi, Wil"

Chica, Henry and Spencer all collectively bolted out of the room. Apparently they didn't trust Wilford's sanity either.

Anti nodded to him but tensed. He always tensed when Wil came anywhere near Mira. It made him anxious and he started to glitch.

"Well no need to get all tic-y!" Wil laughed and slapped Anti's back, "I ain't no trouble! It's Daddy Darky you should be worried about, uh-huh!"

Mira raised a brow at him, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, YOU KNOW!" He buckled out a sharp laugh, "But anyway, IS there uh . . anything going on between you twos? Anything  . . juicy? Huh? Huh?"

". . ." Mira glared at him deadpanned, "No, Wil"

"AW, SHUCKS!" Wilford snapped his fingers and wiggled his mustache, suddenly hopping on the couch next to he where she sat.

Anti swallowed, hating how Wil wrapped his arm around Mira's shoulder. He glitched again.

"Anti? You okay?" Mira asked, "Everything's alright. Wilford's just being silly"

Wil just smiled wholly, patting Mira's shoulder friendly, "She reminds me SO much like Celine, she does! Nearly exactly alike! Except well . ..  the fact that she's our sister is a bit different! Hahaha!" he slapped his own knee.

Mira didn't comment. It was already known that she hated being compared to Celine. They were nothing alike. At least not to her. But then again, she had never met her.

Anti could see how uncomfortable she was. It bothered him, too. But one wrong word to Wil and he might just snap.

But if anything had to go worse, it did.

Yancy, Bim, Host and Dr. Iplier walked in.

"Oh hey youse Mr. Warfstache!" Yancy smirked, "Didn't think youse'd be in here hanging around these losers"

Bim smirked but Host and Dr. Iplier seemed pretty indifferent.

"Oh well I just wanted to come on in and say hi!" he shook Mira's shoulder again, making her and Anti tense more and more, "Darky won't let me in on Marky-moo and his little project!"

"I fucking hate Mark" Bim mumbled to himself but it seemed the others agreed to an extent.

"Then why you idiots here?" Anti seethed, "You're not even in the project"

"Well that's the funny part, youse see!" Yancy laughed, chewing some gum, "Dark thinks youse needs watching, glitch-boy!"

Anti's nose scrunched up, "What?"

"Just fuck off, Yancy!" Mira huffed at him, "You have no business thinking anything bad of him when you get a short temper, too!"

"You think I have a short temper?" Anti asked her but was ignored.

"At least I've never tortured anybody!" Yancy snapped back at her, losing a bit of his accent, "Glitch bitch here's prolonged suffering! I haven't!"

Anti stood up in his way, blocking him from Mira, "You don't know a damn thing about me, asshole"

"Will you guys just get the fuck out!?" Mira was getting fed up, too, forgetting all about Wilford beside her just watching something in the distance.

Host stayed silent throughout the whole ordeal but Dr. Iplier rolled his eyes, "Guys, come on. Let's just-"

"Fucking slut"

Anti eyed Bim.

And in that instant, he just couldn't stop himself and he lunged.

Luckily for him, though, Mira had his back, "ANTI, STOP!"

He froze but Bim didn't and retaliated, punching Anti across the face.

Mira stopped holding back and she stood up suddenly, "ALRIGHT, THAT'S IT!" Glowing with her terrifying power and aura, she was ready to take down anyone who dared threaten her or-

And just as quickly, Wilford stood beside her, his gun to her head with a bright and cheerful smile.

Anti was sure he'd lose his entire mind if anything happened to her.

"W-wil . ." she muttered to him softly, "Put the gun down"

Even the other Ipliers stood frozen, unsure of what to do now. Yeah they were there to mess with them but not to get anyone killed.

Wilford just smiled big and started to shake. It was almost as if he were having an internal battle with himself, "What's . . . wrong? Why are you  . .. frowning?"

Anti couldn't breathe. He wouldn't have been too worried if it were anyone else but this was WARFSTACHE! He was a completely different ballgame when it came to Mira.

He could feel himself snapping inside. The very stitches she had placed there to heal him with her kindness ripping apart.

Wilford had tears running down his face as if he KNEW this was wrong but the gun was still off safety, loaded and pointed at her head, "Turn . ..  that frown . . . .UPSIDE DOWN!"

She tried again to calm him down, "Wil-"

Anti saw Wilford's finger go to pull the trigger and he that was the last thing he knew.

"ANTI! ANTI PLEASE! STOP IT! STOP IT!!"

He blinked and saw her in front of him, holding his arms. She glowed bright, that white sun-like aura surrounding her and filling up in her eyes. Like a goddess.

"Mira?"

Feeling the drastic change, she stopped glowing and it dimmed but she still held his arms, "I . . . I had to contain you . . . you almost . . ."

Anti looked around and saw all the others including Wilford were on the floor, softly twitching.

'Uh-oh . . . I electrocuted them all a abit. This isn't good'

"This isn't good" Mira voiced exactly what he was thinking.

And it most certainly WASN'T good.

"THAT'S IT!" Dark seethed. They were back at Raspy Hill after Bim had ran to Dark blubbering.

Mira stood before her brother unwavering, "You don't understand"

"THE HELL I DON'T UNDERSTAND! ANTI COULD HAVE KILLED YOU AND THEM!"

"He didn't"

Dark's black aura pulsed like a drum, turning to Anti instead, "I want you out of here. NOW"

Anti was just as pissed as Mira, though, "Look, Dark, I know you're pissed, but I'm sure Bim forgot to mention some key things"

"I don't care. You've been a thorn in my side for WAY too long! And I'm DONE!"

"DARK-"

"NO, MIRA! I'M NOT LSITENING TO YOUR FUCKING SIDE OF THINGS ANYMORE! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SEE IN HIM! YOU'RE DELUSIONAL!"

Anti snapped at him, "IF I HADN'T DONE WHAT I DID, THEN WARFSTACHE WOULD HAVE KILLED HER!"

Dark froze and thought about it for a moment but waved it off, "It doesn't matter. . . . Leave"

"If he goes, then so do I"

"Goddammit, Mira!" Dark's aura crashed into her own but was dwarfed. Of course Dark didn't care at the moment, "This is my house and I make the fucking rules and I say what goes! AND ANTI FUCKING GOES! And you will NOT fucking go with him, do you know why!?"

"Dark-"

"Because you step one foot out that door and I'll disown you"

Mira felt like she had been stabbed, "Wh . . . D-Dark . . . no you wou-"

"I would" He turned his glare to Anti, "It would just be best for you to leave. . . and never come back . . . . . As far as I'm concerned . . . you don't belong here. Stop corrupting my sister."

Anti knew what he had to do. He couldn't tear Mira's attachment away from Dark. He was all the family she had.

Anti looked over into Mira's eyes, looking just as heartbroken.

No.

Their friendship couldn't end like this.

They'd just have to make it work.

2022 (Before returning to his house)

'We should have stayed apart. . . . .' Anti thought to himself, 'It would have been better for the both of us if she wouldn't have kept sneaking off to hang around me'

He snuck his way into an abandoned apartment complex. It was small and worn down. Falling apart.

But he tracked the bastard here.

When he set eyes on him lounging in a dusty and old leather chair, he felt all his anger rushing back full force.

The demon sneered, "Well hello there. Come to fetch your little friend?"

"Where is she?" he was barely holding himself back.

The demon . . . this demon that stole his face . . he just grinned ear to ear at him, "Oh my dear stupid little Antisepticeye . . . Haven't you learned anything? Rushing in to attack. No plan. No one to back you up this time. . . but that's alright. This IS the last time you'll ever see her, I suppose"

He held up a smooth blue crystal ball about the size of a small fist. It looked alive. Strange.

The demon chuckled, curling it around in his own hand, "You two fit perfectly together, you know. Both stubborn fools"

"Stop fucking with me and TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!!" Anti howled, electricity snapping off of his charged body. He was ready to fight.

The demon just smiled, "I already showed you"

He held up the ball again in Anti's view.

"She's right here"