"Hey, Dyl?" Scott's voice rang through the house, accompanied by Dan's shortly after.

"Yo, Dyl! We got a question!" The purple-haired man walked down the stairs, rubbing his eye.

"What, babe? Mini-me?" He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what Dan was holding. Or rather, what was draped around their shoulders.

"I-is that...?" Dan nodded, smiling.

"His name is Monty! He's a ball python."

"Dan and I just bought him. We have to keep him here, though. The apartment complex has a single pet policy. Mike and Jeremy have Cecil, so that's the single pet for them." Dylin was silent, watching Monty carefully as the snake slept.

"Y-you two couldn't have gotten fish?" Dan pouted slightly.

"C'mon, Dyl! He's really sweet. Besides, fish are boring," Dan proclaimed as they stroked Monty's head.

"Are you scared, Dyl?" Dylin swallowed harshly, tearing his eyes from the python to look at Scott.

"Wh-What? Of c-course not!" Dan raised an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh. Then c'mere and hold him." Dylin's eyes widened, and he took a small step back.

"I-I take it back! I'm terrified of snakes!" Dan sighed.

"He's not gonna hurt you. Besides, if I take him back to the apartment, I'd get in trouble with the manager."

"Dyl, he's just gonna be in the spare room. You don't have to deal with him if you don't want to. But he's gotta stay here," Scott comforted, walking over and hugging Dylin tightly. Dylin hugged back briefly, still watching Monty carefully.

"Now, I've gotta go get the tank and stuff," Scott said as he stepped back, heading back outside.

Dan leaned against the counter, Monty shifting to curl around their arm, having just woken up. Dylin stood, still watching the python.

Scott came back inside with the tank and other stuff for Monty, walking past Dylin. Dan followed, Dylin moving to keep space between him and the snake.

∞-X-∞

Dylin and Scott sat curled in the window seat, Dylin's arms wrapped around Scott. Scott's fingers carded through Dylin's hair absentmindedly, Dylin's eyes closing slowly.

"Hey, Dyl?" He grunted softly, shifting to look at Scott. "Why are you so scared of snakes?"

"Why are you scared of spiders?" Scott gave him a blank stare.

"Cause I got bit when I was a kid."

"Oh. Well, that's actually why I'm scared of snakes." Scott nodded a little.

"Makes sense. You don't have to even look at Monty if you don't want to, hon. I've always wanted a snake growing up, so when Dan suggested getting one, I jumped at the opportunity." Dylin nodded.

"I'm gonna try to get over it. If I'm gonna live with a snake, I might as well get over my fear."

I really do want a snake. And if it is a ball python, it's name is more than likely gonna be Monty. Like Monty Python. Get it? Okay, I know I'm not funny, but I saw the opportunity and took it.

-Immortal-trash389

Hiraethsyzygy38