Work Text:
BadBoyHalo stood in the middle of the room, panic rising like a tidal wave in his chest. His hands trembled as he lifted them to his face, feeling skin where horns should have been. His claws, usually long and sharp, had softened into simple human nails. His wings—he felt his back for them—were completely gone. He was smaller, fragile even, and it was terrifying.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Bad had always been in his demon form, the one Skeppy was used to, the one that was familiar and safe. But now, without warning, he had transformed into something else, something he hadn’t been in so long: his human form.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at his reflection in the nearby mirror. It didn’t feel like him. His human face looked strange—too soft, too vulnerable. His dark hair fell in messy waves over his forehead, his skin pale and freckled. His eyes, no longer glowing white, were a muted shade of green.
Bad’s stomach twisted with insecurity. Skeppy had never seen him like this. What if he didn’t like it? What if he thought Bad was ugly? Unlovable? What if this form changed how Skeppy felt about him?
He couldn’t bear the thought.
Just as his panic was starting to spiral, he heard the familiar sound of Skeppy’s footsteps approaching from the hallway. Bad’s heart lurched, and he instinctively backed away from the door, his hands shaking.
“Skeppy… I—I don’t think you should come in,” Bad called out, his voice trembling. He hated how small and weak he sounded.
The door creaked open despite Bad’s warning, and Skeppy’s head peeked through. “Bad? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
As soon as Skeppy stepped into the room and saw Bad standing there in his human form, his eyes widened in surprise. He froze for a moment, just staring.
Bad flinched under the gaze, his insecurities flaring up like wildfire. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to make himself smaller, trying to hide. “I—I don’t know what happened,” he stammered. “I just woke up like this, and… and…”
Skeppy blinked, clearly caught off guard, but his expression softened almost immediately. He took a step closer. “Bad, hey, it’s okay. It’s still you.”
“No, it’s not!” Bad snapped, panic making his voice sharper than he intended. He hated how pathetic he felt. “Look at me, Skeppy! I’m—I'm just… human. Small and weak and… ugly.” The last word came out in a whisper, his throat tightening as he tried to keep his emotions at bay. “You’re used to me being… different. Better. I’m not me like this.”
Skeppy frowned, his brow furrowing as he stepped closer. “Bad, don’t say that.”
But Bad couldn’t stop the flood of insecurity that washed over him. He couldn’t stop the way his body trembled, how his chest ached with the thought that Skeppy might not want him like this. “I don’t understand why this happened,” he muttered, his hands clenching into fists. “I—I know I’m not… as strong or intimidating now. I know I look weird. But… but I don’t want you to hate me for it.”
“Hate you?” Skeppy’s voice was incredulous, and before Bad could say another word, Skeppy closed the distance between them, his hands gently resting on Bad’s shoulders. “Bad, why would you think I’d hate you? I could never.”
Bad’s heart raced, but this time it wasn’t out of fear. Skeppy’s touch was grounding, steadying, and yet he still couldn’t meet Skeppy’s eyes. “Because… look at me. I’m not what you’re used to. I’m not a demon right now—I’m just… this.”
Skeppy cupped Bad’s face gently, tilting his chin up so their eyes met. “You think I care about that?” Skeppy’s voice was soft but firm, full of conviction. “Bad, you’re the same person I fell in love with. This—" He gestured to Bad’s human form. "—this doesn’t change who you are.”
Bad swallowed hard, still unsure. “But what if you don’t like me like this? What if—”
“Bad,” Skeppy interrupted, his hands slipping down to hold Bad’s smaller ones. “I love you. No matter what form you’re in. Demon, human, it doesn’t matter. You’re still mine.”
Bad’s breath caught in his throat at Skeppy’s words. He hadn’t expected such a quick, heartfelt response. He hadn’t expected Skeppy to just… accept this without hesitation. His insecurities still gnawed at the edges of his mind, but Skeppy’s steady gaze, his touch, and his words were slowly pushing those fears aside.
“I… I don’t feel like me,” Bad admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I feel… weak. Like this, I don’t feel like I can protect you. I don’t feel strong enough.”
Skeppy frowned, his hands squeezing Bad’s gently. “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Bad. You protect me in so many ways, but you don’t have to be a demon to do that. You don’t have to be anything other than yourself.” Skeppy leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Bad’s forehead. “And you’re still beautiful to me, you know?”
Bad blinked, the heat rushing to his cheeks. “Skeppy… I don’t… I don’t think that’s true.”
Skeppy let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “Of course it’s true. Why do you think I call you angel so much, huh?”
Bad’s face flushed an even deeper red, his heart fluttering in his chest. Skeppy almost never used nicknames—that was usually Bad’s thing. But hearing Skeppy call him “angel” now, in such a soft, sincere tone, made Bad feel more seen, more cherished than he could put into words.
“Skeppy…” Bad started, his voice cracking slightly.
But Skeppy wasn’t done. “I mean it, Bad. You’re my angel. Whether you’re in your demon form or like this, it doesn’t change how I see you. You’re still my Bad, and I love every part of you.”
Bad felt like his heart was going to explode. He wasn’t used to Skeppy being this tender, this open with his words. It made Bad feel so vulnerable, but also so loved. Skeppy stepped even closer, wrapping his arms around Bad and pulling him into a tight hug. Bad’s face pressed into Skeppy’s chest, his smaller frame fitting perfectly into the embrace.
“You’re perfect, just like this,” Skeppy murmured, his chin resting on top of Bad’s head. “And now you’re smaller than me, which means it’s easier to do this.” He tightened his hold, swaying them gently from side to side.
Bad couldn’t help but let out a shaky laugh, though it was muffled by Skeppy’s shirt. “You like that I’m smaller?”
“Of course I do. Makes it easier to hold you like this.” Skeppy’s voice was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of affection that made Bad’s chest feel warm. “And it’s nice for once that I’m the big spoon.”
Bad’s face flushed again, and he ducked his head further into Skeppy’s chest, trying to hide his embarrassment. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true,” Skeppy replied, gently rubbing circles into Bad’s back. “You know I wouldn’t lie to you, right?”
Bad nodded, his throat too tight to speak. He felt safe like this, wrapped up in Skeppy’s arms, held so close and tenderly. Despite the panic and insecurity that had gripped him earlier, he was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, Skeppy really did love him in this form. Maybe it didn’t matter that he wasn’t in his demon body. Maybe it didn’t matter that he felt smaller and weaker.
Because to Skeppy, he was still Bad.
“Thank you,” Bad whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
“For what?” Skeppy asked, leaning back just enough to look down at Bad’s face, his eyes soft and full of love.
“For… for being so sweet,” Bad muttered, feeling embarrassed by how emotional he sounded. “For… for loving me like this.”
Skeppy smiled, his hand moving up to cup Bad’s cheek again. “You never have to thank me for that, angel. Loving you is the easiest thing in the world.”
Bad couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face, though his cheeks were still flushed. He leaned into Skeppy’s hand, feeling the warmth and comfort that came with it. “You’re really too nice to me sometimes, you know that?”
Skeppy chuckled softly. “Maybe. But you deserve it.”
They stood there for a few moments longer, just holding each other, the warmth of the embrace chasing away any lingering doubts or fears. Bad wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of this kind of affection—usually, he was the one who showered Skeppy with nicknames and affection, the one who doted on him. But now, standing here in his human form, with Skeppy holding him so gently and speaking to him with such love, Bad realized just how much he needed this.
Eventually, Skeppy pulled back slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. “How about we make some muffins? I know that always makes you feel better.”
Bad blinked in surprise. “You… want to bake muffins with me?”
Skeppy grinned. “Of course. But only if I get to hug you from behind the whole time. I mean, you’re the perfect height for that now.”
Bad groaned, his face flushing again. “Skeppy…”
“I’m serious,” Skeppy said with a wink. “Come on, let’s bake some muffins, and I’ll show you just how much I love this new height difference.”
Bad couldn’t help but laugh, the tension that had gripped him earlier completely melting away. “Alright, alright. Let’s bake some muffins.”
As they moved into the kitchen, Skeppy stayed true to his word, wrapping his arms around Bad from behind as they worked. He rested his chin on Bad’s shoulder, murmuring little compliments and teasing remarks the entire time. And as they baked together, Bad found himself smiling more and more, his heart feeling lighter than it had all day.
By the time the muffins were in the oven, Bad had completely forgotten about his earlier fears. Skeppy’s love, his affection, had chased away all the doubts, leaving only warmth and happiness in their wake.
And as they stood together in the kitchen, waiting for the muffins to bake, Skeppy pulled Bad into another hug, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. “I love you, Bad,” he whispered. “In every form.”
Bad smiled, leaning into the embrace. “I love you too, Skeppy. More than you know.”