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Tick-tock, hear the clock count down
Punz hadn’t been near his home in weeks, mostly sticking around the Egg and its roundtable. He was smiling at the crimson, appreciating the way the vines curled around the server.
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
They were oblivious to the corruption of the Egg, they were oblivious to the suffering it caused, they were oblivious to their brother's pain. They were so focused on recruiting people that they didn’t even recognize their brother begging for help.
So much to do, and so much I need to say
Instead he had stared at the purple eyes as Bad asked him to work for the Eggpire. He watched unsure eyes stare at them, trying to reason with them in the dark cave.
Will tomorrow be too late?
When they left that day Punz didn’t see the tear that slid down their brother’s face. They didn’t see the way their brother’s gaze lingered on them. they didn’t hear their brother’s sobs that night.
Feel the moment slip into the past
He didn’t think about how his baby brother, who always looked up to him, who wanted to follow in his footsteps, would cry himself to sleep, feeling abandoned.
Like sand through an hourglass
They didn’t know that their brother had slept in their bed at night, in an attempt to feel closer to them. Punz had spent most nights guarding the Egg instead.
In the madness, I guess I just forget to do all the things I said
He didn’t know about his brother’s pain. He didn’t think about how much his baby brother missed him. How much he just wanted his Punz back.
Time passes by
They stapled a new poster outside of the blown up Community House, replacing one of Puffy’s “Omelette” posters with a glare, a vague memory of the deal between the Eggpire and Purpled.
Never thought I'd wind up one step behind
He started down the path, headed towards the Egg, half recognizing a figure climb up Purpled’s UFO. He scoffed, watching the teen’s movements.
Now, I've made my mind up
The boy disappeared into the main body of the UFO, and Punz started walking again.
Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
The shatter of glass brought his attention back to the UFO. Back to Purpled’s small figure climbing up and out of the structure.
Gonna make every minute last longer
“Hey Purp, what are you doing up there?” They yelled up at the boy, brows furrowing when the teen didn’t respond.
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
“Purpled?” The teenager made no sign of recognizing his voice, taking slow, dragging steps to the edge of the UFO
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
“Purp? Hey PURP!” They yelled out, the teen now dangerously close to the edge. Purple eyes were glazed over, exhaustion evident in his stance.
Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
The teen took a final step, his foot sliding off the edge of the UFO, sending his body plummeting to the grass.
Reach out to somebody who needs me
“PURPLED!” Punz took off in a sprint, racing to their brother before he hit the unforgiving ground below him.
Make a change, make the world a better place
When his brother was seconds from hitting the ground, Punz dove towards him.
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
They slammed into Purpled’s side, arms wrapping around his way-too-thin waist, and flipped them over. The two hit the ground with a heavy thud, Purpled cradled in his sibling’s arms.
Tick-tock, hear my life pass by
Purpled had landed on top of Punz, held close to his brother’s chest. The gold necklace pressed into his ribs, sharp pain bringing Punz back into reality.
I can't erase and I can't rewind
“Purp? Please tell me you’re okay,” Punz sat up slowly, still holding their brother tight to their chest.
Of all the things I regret the most I do
Red eyes faded back to blue.
Wish I'd spent more time with you
Punz pressed two fingers against Purpled’s throat, feeling a faint heartbeat. They choked out a sob, moving their hand to pull Purpled’s head against their chest, gently kissing the ashy blond hair.
Here's my chance for a new beginning
He stood carefully, hooking one arm under his brother’s legs, the other arm around his back, making sure Purpled’s head was tucked in the crook of Punz’s neck.
I saved the best for a better ending
They held the teenager close to him, silently begging him to hold on. A voice behind them pulled them out of their thoughts.
In the end I'll make it up to you, you'll see
“Punz?” Antfrost stood behind him, eyes bright red, and carrying his trident, “the Egg can help him, you know. It can save him.”
You'll get the very best of me
“No.” Punz stepped away from the cat hybrid, keeping good distance between them.
Time passes by
“Come on, Punz, you trusted the Egg earlier, why don’t you trust it now?”
Never thought I'd wind up one step behind
“Ant, I’m only going to ask this once. Walk away.”
Now, I've made my mind up
Ant took a step towards them, grip tightening on the trident. “Shit,” Punz muttered, setting Purpled down against a rock and wincing when the teen let out a pained noise.
Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
His armor materialized over his body, sword appearing in his hand. He glared at the hybrid in front of him, “Ant, for the love of Prime, please turn around and leave.”
Gonna make every minute last longer
Ant said nothing, instead choosing to sprint forward towards them. Punz moved to the side, barely avoiding the sharp prongs of the trident, then thrust their sword out, slicing into Ant’s shirt. Deep red blood staining the fabric.
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
The hybrid yelped, swinging his weapon at Punz. Three long scratches tore through the material of his jeans, blood dotting the wound. Punz narrowed his eyes, diving towards Ant. His shoulder slammed into Ant’s diaphragm, knocking the wind out of the hybrid.
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
As Ant gasped for air, Punz pinned him to the ground, their knee pressed into Ant’s stomach, and their other foot holding the hybrid’s arm against the dirt, the edge of their sword against Ant’s throat.
Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
“I gave you a chance to leave, Ant. You should have taken it,” Punz lifted his sword, bringing it down into Ant’s chest. The hybrid’s wrist flashed as one of the hearts went gray, then the body below him disappeared into smoke.
Reach out to somebody who needs me
They stumbled forward slightly with the sudden loss of support, but recovered quickly. They stood, immediately running back to their brother. They crouched in front of the teen, making sure he was still breathing (which he was), then picking him back up.
Make a change, make the world a better place
He carried Purpled to his house, kicking the front doors open, then carefully placing him onto his bed. He looked around, surprised by the amount of dust that had gathered in his home, but more surprised by the distinct lack of dust on his bed.
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
They shook his head, forcing their thoughts to focus. They rummaged through the chests, finding healing and regeneration potions, they poured a healing bottle over the wounds on their thigh, clenching their teeth at the pain.
Your time is running out
Pulling himself to the bedside, Punz gently tilted Purpled’s head back, slowly pouring a regen potion into his mouth. The teen instinctually swallowed, allowing the potion to bring him back to full health.
You're never gonna get it back
Purple eyes shot open, scanning the room before landing on blue eyes.
So, make the most of every moment
“Hey, bubba,” Punz smiled, dropping the empty potion bottle on the floor, “How are you feeling?”
Stop saving the best for last
Purpled stared at them for a moment, tears gathering in his eyes, “Punz?”
Today, I'm gonna try a little harder
He nodded, thumb sliding over the teen’s cheekbone, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,”
Gonna make every minute last longer
A tear slid down Purpled’s cheek, followed by a second, then a third, until he was sobbing. He launched himself forward, wrapping his arms around Punz’s shoulders and shoving his face into their hoodie, leaving wet spots from his tears.
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Punz returned the hug, one arm wrapped around his brother’s waist, the other running through ash blond hair, gently carding through the soft locks.
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it
“I should have paid more attention to you, Purp. I’m so sorry,” The teen held them tighter, tears starting to soak through the hoodie, “I promise I’ll do better, I’ll take care of you like I should have been.”
Today, I'm gonna love my enemies
“What about the Eggpire,” Purpled’s voice cracked, muffled slightly from the hoodie, “they’ll want you back, I still have to deal with Puffy.”
Reach out to somebody who needs me
“We can move away from here. Far away from the Egg, far from all of this,” Punz pulled away from the hug, hands resting on Purpled’s knees. They used the edge of their sleeve to wipe away the teen’s tears, then held a pinky out to him, “I’ll take care of you, keep you safe, but that also means if you’re feeling like that again, you’ll come talk to me, okay?”
Make a change, make the world a better place
Purpled locked his pinky with Punz’s, then tapped their thumbs together, “Okay.”
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
That night, two brothers left civilization behind, a dog and a bee following close behind. All of their important belongings in bags strapped to their backs. They built a nice cabin millions of blocks away from the mainland. Purpled built a dome for Punz’s bees while Punz built Dogchamp a dog house.
One day too late
Punz still got messages from Bad and Ant occasionally, mostly about the Egg, saying they’ll find them and bring them back, they typically ignored those messages, deleting them before Purpled saw them, not wanting to worry the teen.
One day too late
Purpled had only gotten a couple messages, one from Ponk asking how he was doing, the other was from Bad, telling him the Egg would get its revenge. Punz had to comfort him after that, reassure him that there was no way the Eggpire could find them.
One day too late
Healing was a slow process, Purpled still had days where he stood at the edge of a cliff, thinking about how easy it would be to just, step off. Punz had days where they could hear the Egg calling to them, trying to bring them back.
One day too late
They had their bad days, but the other was always there, ready with open arms and willing to talk-or not-but no matter what, they always had each other.