An early Christmas gift of a chapter! Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it and Happy Holidays to anyone who celebrates another holiday this season. I hope you like this chapter!

(Y/N) POV

(Y/N) was having fun in the main room of the building watching television with Frye and Big Man. Suddenly, however, Frye got a notification on her phone.

Frye: Aw man, I'll see you guys later, my grandfather needs help with something.

She said while rubbing the back of her neck after getting up off the couch.

Big Man: Ay? (Does he have something important he needs your help with again?)

Frye: Probably not. He probably just needs my help with something mundane again.

She waved off to them as she left, and the two on the couch gave one back.

For a while longer, Big Man and (Y/N) were just playing video games together, until Shiver showed up.

Shiver: Yo, you two, where's Frye at?

Shiver asked while walking in front of the television, but (Y/N) and Big Man were just leaning to see behind her at the television.

(Y/N): She got a message on her phone and dipped.

Big Man: Ay. (Her granddad asked for her help with something).

Shiver: Hm, I see.

She thought for a second.

Shiver: Do either of you two boys want to help me out with something then?

Big Man started sweating a bit.

Big Man: Ay, ay... (Oh, uh, what time is it? I've actually got something I've got to do right now...)

He put down the controller and quickly made his exit. (Y/N) was a little confused by what was going on, but she was now leaning over towards him with her fan in front of her face.

Shiver: Lucky you, you get to be my assistant for the day!

She gave a little clap that didn't reassure him of anything.

(Y/N): This seems like it won't end well for me.

Shiver: Oh come on, it won't be that bad... for me. And you'll live and I'll put this towards your debt.

She gave an evil little snicker.

(Y/N): Has anyone ever told you you're a sadist before?

She snapped her fan.

Shiver: Not ones who have lived to ever say it again.

He sighed.

(Y/N): Fine, let's get this over with...

She held her fan against his chin.

Shiver: Now that's more like.

She said as she turned to lead the way for him to follow.

~~~

(Y/N): THIS is the place?

Shiver: This is the place.

(Y/N): Are you sure this is safe?

Shiver: I don't know about that, but the one who owes me money is in there.

(Y/N): I've just got to make sure. This looks like the kind of place you walk into and don't come back out.

Shiver: It'll be fiiine. They wear teddy bear ears and spend their time gambling at Table Turf, you can handle this person.

(Y/N): Wait, what's Table Turf?

Shiver: It's a card game. One this person is bad at. I'll show it to you later, now go get the money they owe me.

(Y/N): I'm going...

He walked into the place and saw a lot of people around the place. There was graffiti on the walls and the paint chipping off all around. He made sure to avoid a couple of people who were sleeping in the halls.

He then spotted a pair of teddy bear ears sticking out from around the corner.

(Y/N): [Huh. Seems like a small person, not too bad]

He walked over to the person, tapping them on the shoulder.

(Y/N): Shiver says ya-uh-oh-my...

He cut himself off as the person stood up and they dwarfed (Y/N) in size. The person just stood down at him.

(Y/N): Shiver says... you owe her money..?

Next thing he knew, he found himself getting chucked out of the front door of the building.

Shiver meanwhile just laughed lightly behind her fan as (Y/N) stared up at her before he got annoyed, stood up, and ran back into the building.

A few seconds later, he was thrown out of the building again. This time the person walks outside as well and just gives Shiver the coins owed to her.

She took the money and gave a sarcastic bow as the person grumbled to themself and walked back into the building.

Shiver: Not bad. Personally, I thought nothing would top watching you get thrown out of the building, but it is even funnier a second time.

She gave an evil smile and laughed at him while he was still picking himself off the ground.

(Y/N): Yeah, get your sick kicks in now. I see why Big Man didn't want to come now.

Shiver: Big Man's not much of a fighter, but thanks to you, I now have a personal dancing monkey.

(Y/N): Yeah, all I'm missing are some cymbals.

Shiver: Good point, I'll get you some next time.

He just glared at her as she smiled satisfyingly behind her fan and kept leading him around.

~~~

(Y/N): Remind me to never say yes to giving you help ever again. I'm pretty sure my knees are permanently scuffed now.

Shiver: Toughen up a little. How are you going to complain this much when protecting such a delicate lady like myself?

(Y/N): Delicate lady? WOMAN, YOU ARE ONE GIANT LUMP OF COAL.

Shiver: Wow, now that's just hurtful.

She said clearly unphased.

Shiver: If it makes you feel any better, we're done with asking people for their dues now.

(Y/N): Finally. So are we heading back now?

Shiver: Not yet, there's one more stop.

~~~

(Y/N) was shocked by what he saw. Shiver stood in the center of a group of raggedy children, giving some coins away to them. The children were smiling a lot and trying to play with her.

Many of the kids were trying to get her attention or talk with her and ask her various things.

Kid 1: Who is the guy you brought this time?

Kid 2: Is he your boyfriend?

Shiver: You kids have toys you like to play with, right? He's like that.

(Y/N) just gave her an expressionless look as this also caused some of the kids to start messing with him, treating him like a jungle gym.

Shiver: Okay, okay, kids. I've gotta get going, but I'll be back sometime soon.

The kids spoke of their disappointment but said their goodbyes as Shiver and (Y/N) left.

(Y/N): So, Shiver can actually do nice things for others without a price tag, huh?

Shiver: Aren't I magnanimous?

(Y/N): So this is why you're so money-obsessed?

Shiver: It's one of the reasons, yes. The main thing is just that we love to be bandits, but we don't really need the money and treasure we find as much, so we give it to those who do need it.

(Y/N): I wish this Shiver were around more.

Shiver: Yeah, well... too bad. You should've thought of that before you decided to be so fun to mess with.

(Y/N): Okay, softie.

Shiver: Y'know, now that I think about it, maybe there are some more stops to make.

(Y/N): I take it back, you're not a softie. You're a brick getting thrown my window.

Shiver smiled.

Shiver: That's more like it.

~~~

Shiver and (Y/N) walked back inside of the hideout. Frye and Big Man were playing video games on the couch.

Frye: Where did you two get off to?

She asked after giving a quick glance at them before looking back at the game.

Shiver: I took this one here on a business adventure.

Frye: Oh, how'd it go?

Shiver: Well, he hasn't learned how to fly yet, but he's giving it his best try.

(Y/N): Ha ha. Also, thanks for the warning, Big Man.

Big Man: Ay. (I'm sorry, I wasn't ready for her to suddenly spring that on us.)

(Y/N): It's fine. None of you also told me that you had a good reason for being a bandit crew.

Frye: We're always ready to rep our friends throughout the Splatlands- NO, BIG MAN, HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!

The television showed Frye had lost and Big Man had won.

Big Man: Ay, ay, aaay!

(Y/N): Hand me a controller, I'm joining in.

Shiver: Well, no reason for me to be the only one left out. Pass one over here too.

The three stayed up a little later than they probably should've, but they had a lot of fun hanging out and passing around the main room.

1325 Words

December 24, 2023 - 11:16 P.M.