{∘☼‹✧◦one-shots and art◦✧›☼∘}

{∘☼‹✧◦Bonds Both New and Old◦✧›☼∘}

(A/N: What's this? More of the Smiling Critters/Experiment AU for Pasha and Cassi? Why yes it is! This chapter is going to have some scenes both before and after the Hour of Joy just because I think it's a fun idea that I want to expand on!)

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{non-canon}

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The two newest additions to the Smiling Critters' crew hadn't been much of a problem.

Olivia [EXP. 1190] had adjusted fast and well to the environment and the other experiments. Plus, the children loved her.

Maybe that was because of how well [REDACTED] had gotten along with the kids.

Tough [EXP. 1191] had been...harder to coax. He was stubborn to say the least. But once the scientists had gotten him warmed up to the others, he was acceptable.

All ten experiments were a lot to handle, but the scientists had their heads on straight and were able to handle it. Plus it meant that they didn't have to deal with the children.

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Tough couldn't explain it - the words got caught in his throat whenever he did - but if felt like there were knots tied in his stomach. The others told him it was just 'first day jitters', but he wasn't sure.

The other critters were great...but even then, something felt...wrong.

"'Wrong'?" Bobby tilted her head at the tiger, eyebrow raised.

"Yeah...like I said, I don't know how to explain it." T (having been given the nickname affectionately from both Hoppy and Kicken) looked down at his paws, which were sitting clenched in his lap. "There's just-there's just something that feels wrong with me."

"Hey now," Bobby quickly moved her hand to his shoulder squeezing it gently. "There is nothing 'wrong' with you." T looked back to her as she continued, "Like we said, first day jitters. I'm sure these feelings will go away soon."

The tiger glanced away before sighing and nodding slightly, "Alright, I guess so-"

"-But," the bear cut him off, "If they do continue, you can always come to me, or any of the others. Okay?" She tilted her head and the permanent smile on her face softened ever so slightly, giving it more emotion. Tough was quiet for a moment before returning it, "Okay." He replied.

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Olivia currently had a few kids gathered around her as she took in their questions and spouted out answers.

It was nice. The kids' voices swirling with hers as the scent of bergamot traveled in the air. It was odd though. She felt the children radiating heat but she did not. Or was she just cold? She didn't know. But she swore she could still feel blood traveling through her body.

"Ollie?" The voice of one of the kids snapped her from her thoughts.

"Yes?" She answered, turning to the young girl who asked.

"How come we can't see your eyes?" She asked, pointing to the otters face where her bangs covered the top half of her face.

"Oh! Well..." to be honest, she didn't know. But she did have one answer. "It's just something that the scientists did, I guess I just don't have a full answer. Sorry Elizabeth..." she scratched the back her head.

"It's okay!" the girl responded, "Can you tell us more about otters now?" she asked, stars sparkling in her eyes as she looked up at the otter. Ollie chuckled as she nodded, "of course."

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"Olivia?" Tough poked his head around a corner of the Playcare seeing the otter toy and one of the scientists walking back in. The otters ears perked up hearing her name. She turned to see T looking over to her. She waved, glancing from him to the scientist. Who - with a slightly confused look - left back to the labs.

"Hey!" She replied finally as she walked over to him, "What's up?"

"Nothing much, I was just wondering where you were at." he responded, leaving out the very important detail of the fact that the knot got so much tighter when he didn't know where she was. But of course he wasn't going to tell her.

"Ah, yeah sorry about leaving to abruptly. The scientists just wanted to do a few more tests."

"Are you alright?" He asked, maybe a bit too quickly.

"'Course I am, why wouldn't I be?" she spoke with an air of cockyness and a joking tone to her before seeing the anxious look on T's face. "Look, T, I promise I'm fine." she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. He studied what he could of her face before sighing and nodding. "Alright, I believe you."

"Good," She responded, before poking his cheek lightly, "Now can we go to bed? I'm excruciatingly tired." she joked, rolling her head to the side as Tough snorted, "Oh boy, don't tell me you've been hanging out with Bubba more lately." he groaned, rolling his eyes at her.

"Oh come on, he's cool!...sometimes anyway." T laughed, feeling the knot in his stomach loosen for the first time in days. Maybe there wasn't something looming over them like he thought.

The two contiuned their quiet chatter as they made their way to the rooms the critters stayed in.

And as he talked to Olivia, he thought he could feel the knot untying all the way, but there was still a single stubborn strand holding on.

Whatever. He thought finally. It'll go away with time.

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The time after the hour had been...quiet, to say the least.

Tough didn't talk much anymore, and Olivia was to scared to.

But they had managed to stay together, but lost everyone else in the process.

They were sitting next to each other, leaning against a cold wall in the hidden room they had found and made their shelter in.

"Hey..." Olivia started. Her throat felt dry and her voice cracked as she spoke. T merely glanced at her. "...do you think Poppy's 'angel' has shown up?"

"...I'm not sure...I suppose so..." he replied with a shrug.

"We should help them if they have shouldn't we?" Olivia asked. T hummed before he nodded, "If they're the only one who can end all this...then yes. We should."

Olivia nodded, feeling something she hadn't for a long time. Hope? That seemed to be the only answer.

"Let's make a plan then." she spoke, determined to change their current situation. Tough seemed to pick up on her feelings and nodded.

They might have lost much during the hour, but they would make up for it.

That they were sure of.

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(A/N: Welp, I stayed up till 2:38 to finish this. Oh well. BUT ALSO! Happy new years! This specific fixation seems to be coming back somewhat soooo hopefully I'll get to writing more! But thank you for reading and have a good day/afternoon/night!)