Star Performer

Star Performer

A (once again) angsty Showtime fic

Woo! Haven’t written Showtime on here yet, i don’t think. They’re so silly!

Synopsis: Caine and Pomni recently got together, and a certain rabbit needs to make his two cents known about Caine’s priorities.

TW: Hurt/Comfort, Angst

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Caine wouldn’t say he had a favorite.

He barely even knew what the concept was, and he didn’t ever think about it. Just another complex human behavior he didn’t have the time or memory space to try and comprehend.

That is, until Pomni came along.

She was nervous and somewhat hotheaded, but Caine saw how much she tried to adjust. To enjoy his adventures. To make heads or even tails of what this world was.

And, over time, they had gotten closer. His worldview was a window, only letting a limited view in. Pomni pushed the proverbial window open, and he understood *so* much more now.

Her laugh, the concern she felt for others, what made her upset and made her smile, everything about her made him feel less like code and more like one of them.

They had just gone on another ‘date night’, as Caine had dubbed it. He’d make an adventure, a beautiful pocket of space just for her, and they’d indulge in the endless possibilities that awaited them.

It was a picnic date, after Pomni had pitched the idea (and explained what a picnic was). The digital moon was high in the sky, and the wind was soft and cool. Caine pulled absolutely every trick in the book to make it a beautiful landscape.

Sometime during the date, right near the end, Pomni yawned. She rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep on him.

Now, this shouldn’t be surprising for any other couple, really. This kind of thing was normal. Not for them.

Pomni was affectionate and sweet, but not touchy. Caine always respected this. He never put a hand on her without silently asking if he could. She loved in her way, he loved in his.

So when Caine felt a head burying itself in the crook of his neck (???), he almost blue-screened. Soft snoring came from the jester’s mouth as she slept on his shoulder.

He knew he absolutely couldn’t mess this up or waste the opportunity. He snapped his fingers, and his coat appeared over her as a blanket. She made a soft, contented noise and smiled just as soft.

He snapped again, wincing at the noise he made. The portal appeared, and he pressed a small kiss to her forehead and floated through.

It was nighttime, and he didn’t think anyone would still be up at all. He was halfway to the dorms to lay her to bed, when a voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Hey, ringmaster!” Jax. The tone was taunting and mischievous. Of course.

“Oh, hello Jax! I didn’t think you would be up at this hour.” Caine tried to keep his voice down as much as he could. Pomni was still dozing peacefully in his arms.

Jax’s eyes darted to Pomni, and then back to Caine. He strutted over. “So, how’s your favorite doing?” He had a terrible grin on his face.

Caine didn’t necessarily pick up on the sarcasm. “Oh! She’s alright! Though, I must ask you to be quiet. She’s sleeping.” He explained, hoping he would just leave.

But this was Jax, and this opportunity was golden.

“Oh, is she now? That’s a shame. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow you’ll find some way to put her on a pedestal.” He sneered, more venom than usual in his voice.

“Pedestal? Now, now, Jax! I don’t have any favorites in this circus.” He gave him a scolding look. He’d wag his finger if he wasn’t so intent on holding Pomni.

“Oh, yeah! That’s right!” He said in mock surprise. “Definitely no favorites! Please. Jingles here shows up outta nowhere, and you let her skip adventures and get whatever she asks for.” He snapped, standing over the two now.

Caine sighed a bit. “I’m afraid we must talk at a later date, Jax! I really do need to bring her to her room.” He said in a tone that implied it was the end of the conversation.

Jax was quiet for a second, and Caine inwardly sighed of relief. He started to float again down the dorm hallway. How did everyone else deal with him? It was something he’d need to figure out-

“Actually! I was thinking.” Oh god, why was Jax still talking? He caught up with the two, causing Caine to stop again. Pomni was still asleep, still peaceful.

“Pomni’s pretty desperate to date you.”

Caine stopped at that. It was like those words shook him to his core.

That funny feeling he got when thinking too hard about their differences. Human. Artificial Intelligence. They could never be equal. He could never give her what she needed. She’d leave, and he’d be alone, and she’d abstract, and he’d be alone, andandand-

A whimper of pain.

Caine’s eyes widened and he gasped softly. He was gripping Pomni in his arms, too emotional and angry and insecure to realize he was doing so.

Pomni looked hurt. Her mouth was a tiny frown and she curled up a bit. He instantly softened his hold. She seemed to calm down at that.

Caine just stared. He just stared down at her face. This was supposed to be good. Supposed to be a stepping stone in their relationship. Now, she didn’t know if she’d trust him like this again.

Jax burst out laughing, his mouth opened and chest heaving. “Oh, careful now! Wouldn’t want to hurt your little jester.”

Caine took a shuddering breath. He held Pomni closer and floated down the hallway once more without a word.

That small noise of discomfort would forever lodge itself in his code. His very being. She winced in pain and he was the one to do it.

He snapped his fingers to open the door to her room. It was decorated more now, with items and lights Pomni had requested.

He floated over to the bed, laying her very gently down on the covers. He even tucked her in. He put a gloved hand on her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. She smiled and leaned into the contact.

“Don’t you worry, my dear. I’ll be what you need. I’ll make you happy.”

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im happy w this one! i listened to ‘Washington On Your Side’ from Hamilton and thought ab what it would be like for Jax to suspect favoritism to Pomni

Reblogs are appreciated! See u guys next time!

Oh yeah #DweevilPosting Baby!

I had a dream last night where a game was made about dweevils (spider like enemies from Pikmin 2)

And everyone was so excited about it, I went online and #dweevilsarebackbaby was trending and everyone was posting memes and art about dweevils from Pikmin 2

They also added all the different dweevils as Mario kart characters

Hehe this one’s one of my favourites!

hits them with the hoomanization beam

Drzt da doot doot doot dadoo doot doo

(My best recreation of the sounds of oatmeal)

brothers.

what's it going to be, son? die in the water? or show me what you've got?

meat circus my beloved my beloathed

[Day 15 - Burrowing Snarrow (Free Space)]

I really do hope we actually get to see what this elusive beast looks like in some future game...