Chapter Text
It starts when Karl tries to cook dinner. He keeps saying something about surprises and exotic dishes and taking a long trip while Sapnap and Quackity chat idly at the table. Eventually he comes over with three bowls of…
"What is this?" Quackity asks, prodding at the puckered flesh with his fork. He doesn't like the way it jiggles.
"Pufferfish!" Karl exclaims proudly, plopping into his chair. "It was actually pretty hard to get but I thought you guys would like it and -"
Karl looks so excited. Quackity never could say no to those eyes.
After exchanging a glance with Sap he saws into the fish, the texture already making him stomach churn. He stabs a piece with his fork and again turns to Sapnap, who has done the same.
Sap gives him a lopsided smile. "Don't be nervous," he murmurs, staring into Quackity's eyes. Quackity is a bit taken aback. It's the first time either of them have told him how to feel. Or rather, how not to feel. Schlatt used to do it all the time. Be happy. Be sad. Be strong.
"Is that what you want?" Quackity asks.
Sap cocks his head. "Is… what what I want?"
"Do you want me to not be nervous?" Quackity is surprised it took them this long to ask. He knows how annoying he can be when he's not controlling himself.
"I, uh… yeah. Of course," Sapnap says, a furrow appearing between his brows. Quackity hears the unspoken implication there: I wouldn't have asked if that wasn't what I wanted. You should just listen to me the first time instead of questioning everything I say. Isn't it obvious what I want to change about you?
But it's not. Quackity wishes he could fix himself on his own, that he didn't need to inflict himself on those he loves just to be useful, but he's always needed a firm hand, a gentle admonishment. Guidance.
Quackity resolves to listen to his lovers more closely, to make sure he follows any rules they set up. He wouldn't want to be a nuisance.
That's why even when Sap rushes to the bathroom, even when nausea roils hot and heavy in his gut, Quackity keeps telling Karl how good the meal was. He makes sure to finish his plate. Nausea and refusal might not exactly be part of being nervous, may not be part of Sapnap's original order, but Quackity knows what they want. So of course he'll give it to them.
And if he throws up once they both head upstairs, if he heaves so hard he starts crying, well that's okay. Because they didn't see. And he still did what Sapnap asked. So it's fine.