"And this is Joe's library!" Tango announced, opening the building's grand doors. Impulse smiled tiredly and followed him in.

Tango had insisted on continuing the tour, because apparently they still hadn't seen everything. What the town lacked in size, it made up for in density. It seemed there were stories in every pane of glass and each pebble in the road. And Tango wanted to tell him all of them.

He was incredibly thorough with his tour. Yesterday he'd gone on the longest tangents about the littlest things. Like the missing railing on the bridge from where Cleo had leaned a little too much and fallen into the stream below, or the random but suspicious sink hole that Scar had fallen into about 23 times at this point. Apparently Stress really wanted to plant a tree or something there so that Scar would stop ending up in the infirmary due to hole related injuries.

Oh, and don't even get him started on the random barrels of tomatoes that were scattered around the place. They weren't for consumption, no no no, they were to throw at Ren in case he got a bit too far into his "acting." Impulse wondered what must've happened to cause them to even need to add those in the first place.

Hermit village was a spectacle, with each little thing making it odder and odder still. And Joe's library was no different. It was gorgeous and grand.

"Tango," came a disgruntled sigh from next to him. Both Impulse and Tango spun around to see Joe themselves, and hand on their hip and irritation in their face. "What did I say about yelling in my library?"

Tango gave his own sigh in response. "Only if there's an emergency, I light your books on fire again, or if Cleo decides to try and end the world," he recounted as if he'd said the phrase several times before.

"Thank you." Joe said sarcastically, shooting Tango a thumbs up.

Impulse glanced across the library, taking in the place. He noticed Bdubs scurrying around in the back corner and subconsciously took a small step back. He still felt wary around the man, considering he could spill Impulse's secret at any time.

Bdubs was putting books back up on the shelves in a hurry, though he kept one under his arm. Once he was finished, he made his way to the front, where Joe, Tango, and Impulse were still standing.

"Hey Joe, can I borrow this one?" Bdubs stuttered out, holding out an ominous looking thick black book.

Before Joe could answer him, Tango leaned in close, reading the book's cover. "Ooh, Demons! Another new niche interest?" Bdubs nodded slowly in response.

Impulse felt his breath catch in his throat. Of course Bdubs, the only one who knew he wasn't human, was reading a book about what he truly was. Bdubs shot him a weird, wide eyed look, and the two held each other's gazes in what felt like a standoff. Impulse didn't know what was going to happen, and he was terrified.

Tango nudged him with an elbow, somewhat breaking him out of his stupor. "Don't think I didn't hear that gasp. But never fear! Demons are nothing to be afraid of! If there was ever a demon in town, I'd beat em up, Bam bam!" Tango cackled, throwing his fists at empty air. Tiny flames licked across his knuckles.

Impulse felt himself internally deflate, but bit his tongue and said nothing.

"Ugh," Bdubs frowned and stopped staring at Impulse. "There's no way you could defeat a demon, Tango."

"Hey! I totally could." Tango protested. "You know I grew up in the same place as demons. I was practically sparring with them daily."

"No you didn't Tango." Bdubs rolled his eyes and flipped open the demon book. He searched for a specific page for a moment, and when he found it, he turned the book towards Tango. "Look, you didn't at all. There's three layers of the nether. You grew up in the second, where all the structures and hostile creatures are. Demons are in the lowest one, the third, and only they can go to that layer. Plus," Bdubs flipped to another page in the book, "demons are crazy powerful, there's no way you could fight one."

"I could too!" Tango folded his arms across his chest, sneering at Bdubs. His hair was smoking slightly "I'm also pretty powerful you know."

Impulse clenched his hands into fists at his side, digging his nails into his palms. Tango was threatening his life. It wasn't like he knew what he was doing, but it made Impulse want to run away. He felt a hand on his shoulder and nearly jumped.

It was Joe, giving him an apologetic smile before stepping away and in between the bickering hermits.

"You two, stop this." Both Bdubs and Tango quit scowling at each other and turned to Joe. "Tango, you are powerful, but none of us can really fight a demon. Not even Xisuma, as strong as he is, could defeat one. And Bdubs, you don't need to turn everything into an argument."

Both sighed and turned their heads down. Tango looked like he wasn't going to start a fire any more.

"I'm sorry, Bdubs. And Impulse." Tango apologized, eyes downcast and glum.

"I'm sorry too," Bdubs returned.

"Don't worry about it, everyone argues from time to time." Impulse reassured. His voice was shaky, but the others didn't seem to notice.

Bdubs squeezed the book in his hands, turning to face Joe. "So, can I still borrow this?"

Joe reached out and took the book from him, looking it up and down before handing it back. "I'm technically not supposed to let people borrow this one, Xisuma keeps telling me it's cursed. But just for a little bit should be fine, so return it tomorrow."

"Cursed?" Bdubs whispered, concern flashing across his face. He shot a glance towards Impulse, so quick that it was barely noticeable.

Joe's eyes widened and they started laughing. "Pfff, noooo it's not cursed! You shoulda seen the look on your face!"

Bdubs didn't laugh, staring at Joe angrily. "Not funny."

"No, it was pretty funny man!" Tango said, laughing with Joe. Bdubs just rolled his eyes. "I'll get you back for that Joe, you've been warned."

Joe raised their hands above their head and stifled another laugh, before retreating back towards their desk.

"Oh, wait Joe!" Bdubs called, and Joe walked back. "I actually had a question for you, regarding this," Bdubs tapped the book, and Joe motioned for him to continue. "Do you think, and I mean hypothetically, that there's any way demons could be, I dunno, good?"

Impulse bit back a gasp. He already knew the answer to that, and it was no. Demons were horrid and cruel, all they did was hurt people and break things around them. He wasn't good. He couldn't be, and would never be good. Demons were monsters.

Joe scrunched their face up and furrowed their eyebrows together. "I've definitely never heard of it, but then again, there's very little that's actually known about demons in the first place. They're rarely seen topside. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's possible, but not probable."

"Come on Bdubs, a demon? Good?" Tango scoffed. "The day I see a nice demon would be the day the nether freezes over, or when pigs start flying."

Impulse swallowed, blinking back tears. Of course Tango had to say that. It wasn't like it wasn't true, it just still hurt.

"What do you think, Impulse?" Bdubs asked, and they all turned towards him. Bdubs was accusatory in his tone, something the others didn't notice. "Can demons be good?"

Impulse hesitated, taking a few quick breaths. But when he spoke, it was with faked confidence. "No. You guys are right. They're monsters, demons can't be good."

He looked down at his feet. At his stupid, demon body that would never do anything right. He reached up, scratching his fingers into his arms. His stupid demon hands and demon claws that would only ever cause others pain.

"Impulse?" Bdubs said quietly, cautiously. He knew. Bdubs knew, and he was confused.

"I'm sorry," Impulse's voice was wobbly, "I just really don't like demons."

That wasn't a lie. That was true. He hated demons, and he hated being one. If Impulse was anyone else, he would've made himself suffer for being born the way he was. He waited for the others to agree with him, to slander demons some more. Give him more to cry about when he was alone.

But just as Joe opened their mouth to say something, the door to the library opened slowly, it's squeaky hinges the only sound in the place.

"Tango, there you are. I've been looking for you everywhere."

Impulse peeked over his shoulder to see who'd just come in. It was Zedaph, eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out what he'd just walked into. "Sorry, did I interrupt something?"

"Nah, you're fine," Tango said with a wave of his hand. "We were just talking about demons!" He shifted his stance to do an impression of a demon, his fingers making horns on his head and his teeth barred.

Zedaph and Joe both huffed in laughter. They found it funny. Impulse found it offensive.

"Anyways, what's up Zed? Why're you looking for me?" Tango pulled out of his impression, a hand on his hip and a stupid grin on his face.

"Ah, well I was gonna see if you wanted to help me with a new contraption," Zed paused, cutting off into a quick yawn. "But I didn't realize you were still touring Impulse around..."

"I- oh, hmm..." Tango flicked his gaze back and forth between Zedaph and Impulse like he was deciding between them.

"You can go with him Tango, it's fine." Impulse offered. He would certainly be fine if they stopped parading around the town. He clearly hadn't had enough caffeine for that today. "You've basically shown me everything already."

Tango looked at him with a weird expression for a moment, before his face lit up with an idea. "But you haven't seen all of Zed's contraptions!"

"Tango..." Zedaph sighed, clearly already exasperated by Tango's energy levels. "You've got to give Impulse a break at some point."

"I gave him a break all of yesterday," Tango protested stubbornly, and Zedaph raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Guys, guys," Impulse interjected, irritated with how they were talking about him in front of his own face. "I'll come along, because I'm sure that your contraptions are amazing, Zedaph."

"Yeah! Let's go!" Tango did a small fist pump and hurried to the library doors. "Later, Joe!" He tipped backwards and out the door, Zedaph right behind him. Joe sighed, rolled their eyes, and gave the other hermits plus Impulse a wave goodbye.

Impulse waved back and followed the other two out of the library, and noticed Bdubs trailing behind him. The shorter man waved to Joe and shut the library doors with a soft click.

"Hey Impulse, wait up!" Bdubs called, hopping down the steps. Impulse stopped and spun around. He bit down on his lip, scared of what Bdubs had to say.

"You guys keep going, I'll catch up," Impulse said to Zedaph and Tango, waving them off with his hand.

Tango turned his head back, and for moment it looked like he was going to argue again, but Zedaph grabbed his hand before he could and tugged him along like he was a child.

Bdubs seemed to wait until they were out of earshot, his eyes glued to Impulse's the whole time. "What you said back there, a-about demons... did— did you mean it?" The hybrid asked in a voice just above a whisper.

Impulse dragged his gaze down to the black book still locked in Bdubs hands. "I did. Every word of it."

Bdubs sucked in a funny sounding breath, wide eyes narrowing in confusion. "B-but then if, but then... Why did you save me?"

Impulse was taken aback by the question, and he stood silently for a moment. "Why did I save you?" he laughed nervously. "I didn't save you, your real friends did. I do a little magic and suddenly I get all the credit—"

"But why?" Bdubs was pleading for an answer. "I was a complete stranger. And you're, you're a... a... a demon."

Impulse bit down on his tongue, any ounce of hope that Bdubs hadn't actually known draining away. "Because it was the right thing to do." His words came out bitterly. "And what I am is none of your business... just leave it alone Bdubs."

"But you're a good demon!" Bdubs exclaimed, throwing his hands out. "That's crazy! That's amazing! Imagine if we told the others, then they'd all realize—"

"Stop— Bdubs stop." Impulse choked out, backing away slightly. "You heard what Tango said. You can't just— I don't wanna be kicked out of another town, please. Please Bdubs, please."

He felt his heart beat faster as Bdubs took a step towards him. This was it, he was screwed. Impulse might as well kiss Hermit Village goodbye at this point.

"Sorry."

Wait, what?

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed." Bdubs shifted on his feet, and looked away from Impulse. "I got curious, and curiosity killed the Bdubs— that's what Doc always tells me. It shouldn't've mattered what you are. Whether or not you're a demon."

Impulse continued giving Bdubs a wide eyed stare, feeling frozen in place.

"You saved me that day, and I repay you by doing this?" Bdubs continued, chuckling nervously. "I'm sorry. I won't tell the others anything you don't want them to know."

"I-I..." Impulse stuttered, "Thank you— Bdubs, thank you."

Bdubs gave him a forlorn, pitying look, tucking his book inside his coat. "Yeah. I'll keep it secret, I promise," His expression changed as he flashed Impulse a grin. "Now go catch up with your little boy band!"

"Wha?— We're not a boy band, Bdubs. I've known them for like, three days." Impulse rolled his eyes, but smiled back.

"Eh, you're close enough!" Bdubs laughed and turned away. "See ya later, Impulse."

"Later, Bdubs." Impulse ran off down the path, loose rocks and dirt skittering behind him. He felt almost giddy. But he was worried at the same time.

It felt freeing now that Bdubs actually knew what Impulse really was, but at the same time, he was in a pickle. Impulse was trusting Bdubs with what was essentially his life right now. If Bdubs spilled his secret, it was all over.

If Bdubs spilled his secret, Impulse would lose the friends he'd made in Tango and Zedaph, lose the trust and safety that Xisuma had given him, and lose the community that was Hermit Village. Impulse didn't want to lose that.

Bdubs better not break the promise he'd made.

Impulse bit back the sour expression that had been forming on his face as he approached Zedaph and Tango. He slowed to a walk next them.

"Impulse! You're back!" Tango exclaimed cheerily.

"Hey." Zedaph gave a little wave, but he was frowning. "Please help, Tango's trying to convince me he could beat up a demon and I don't know why."

Impulse sighed as Tango began to argue yet again about why he could. "Okay, maybe if they were a weak demon you could."

"Impulse! Don't encourage him!" Zedaph cried out, throwing his hands in the air. Tango gave him a smug expression, giggling. The three were silent for a good moment, the only sound being the gravel crunching under their boots.

"Zed? Do you think a demon could be good?" Tango pondered. "Bdubs asked us all that earlier, and I've been thinking about it."

Impulse looked away from the other two, not wanting to hear Zedaph's response.

"I- I've never met a demon, so I don't know," Zedaph started quietly, "I think that they could be nice, because it would be rude to assume something about someone I haven't met."

Tango looked flabbergasted. "What? But Zed, demons are like, the literal embodiment of evil, aren't they?!"

Zedaph sighed, rubbing a hand across his eyes. "I dunno... I'm just saying we really shouldn't divide things into being evil or good. They're stupid titles is all. We're here now anyways."

Impulse's head was spinning from what Zedaph had said. Demons could be good. What did being good even mean anyways? Did it even matter? It mattered to Tango, who huffed and rolled his eyes in response.

Impulse tugged his head away from the ground as the others slowed to a stop in front of Zed's place.

"Well, whether or not demons are good or bad, welcome to Zedaph's!" Tango exclaimed, turning and holding his arms out.

Impulse swallowed his bias, and anything he would've added to the demon argument, taking in the building before him.

It was a smaller, quaint little building, but it had a large windmill at the top, spinning sluggishly. A few little gardens dotted the yard around it. The three made their way inside, and to Impulse's surprise, it was incredibly messy. But somehow, it was an organized mess. Gadgets, gears, and gizmos littered every surface, and contraptions in every size filled the rooms. Most were small, and looked a lot like little music boxes.

Impulse's eyes lit up in awe as they gazed across the place. Zedaph smiled at him softly, before grabbing one of the contraptions and a screwdriver off his table.

"This here is the one I wanted your help with Tango," Zed paused, let out a small yawn, and then showed off the object in his hands. "It's a mini model of my house, but the gears are real small and I couldn't get the windmill to spin the right way around."

Impulse was about to wonder about Zed's yawn and the obviously tired expression that he'd been sporting the whole time, but he instead leaned down to look at the little building closer. It was an incredibly exact replica, and had all of the house's details even though it was so small. "That's really cool, Zedaph." He breathed out.

"Thanks," Zedaph set the contraption back on the table. The three sat down and began to work on it, opening up the top to see the inner mechanisms. It ended up being a pretty simple fix to get the windmill spinning the right way, and Zedaph was really thankful for their help.

"No problem Zed!" Tango had responded, "You must've worked on it for a while, it looks so good— and you look tired."

Zedaph laughed nervously. "Yeah, I stayed up a bit too late last night."

Impulse couldn't help but wonder if that wasn't the truth. But he brushed it off as he and Tango spent the rest of the day and Zed's place. Sure, the sheep hybrid was a bit tired, but it didn't make the visit any less fun.

Impulse got shown all of the contraptions, got offered a position as a test subject, and the three also ended up making a mini Zed to put with the house contraption. It was nice, because for just a little bit, Impulse could let go, and ignore the looming threat that was Bdubs.

But even that didn't seem so frightening anymore. With what Zedaph had said about demons, Impulse suddenly felt like maybe, just maybe, this wasn't all going to end in a flaming disaster.

...

Maybe.

~ end chapter 8 ~

A/N: I know Tango was a bit of a douche in this one but this is a one time thing I promise. Fun fact, this is the longest chapter so far. (And, next chapter's gonna be with Etho! Hooray!)