Top, Date:

Lucas and Ashley plan for a surprise date for Lake and Haiden, Lucas wants to make his surrogate father happy after all these years so goes all out while Ashley watches in fascination. Haiden meanwhile, knows his time with Lake is short but makes the most of it, especially since he’s still on the fence about Lake. Sometimes he doesn’t know if Lake wants to kiss him or kill him.

Middle, Upgrade:

Some old acquaintances of Haiden and Lucas, that knew they existed and were a ghost/True AI respectively, owe them both favours. Now that most of them are expert robotics engineers and have access to various parts, Lucas tasks them with upgrading Haiden. Now Haiden looks more human and can even wear clothes, a small illusion by Lucas to hide his joints and no one will be able to tell the difference. Of course, this means clothes shopping with Ashley, something Haiden isn’t very enthusiastic about as he still doesn’t get a humans obsession with looking good. Like Lucas he prefers what feels comfortable and is relatively cheap rather than what looks good.

Bottom, Fear:

Haiden and Lucas encounter Chessmaster Lake while snooping around Sunshines, the situation quickly turns sour. Lucas is too terrified to face Lake and takes refuge within his and Haiden’s shared mindscape. Haiden himself is also terrified as he thought Lake was burned along with the Funland and isn’t keen to face him after what they did. Knowing he’s talking to only Haiden now, Chessmaster Lake makes his move, quickly proving he knows about Lucas and expressing his desire for Haiden. Unfortunately for Lake, his approach and momentary desire to see Haiden and Lucas fear him backfires and Haiden is able to escape. Lake is pissed but reassures himself that he’ll be able to try again, while he loves Haiden and Lucas’ fear he’d rather them come to him willingly than out of fear.

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Instead of a Jacket/Blazer I made Chessmaster Lake wear a Duster coat because I want it to flare out dramatically along with his Cape (which will be included in the digital art I’m going to draw of him) when he’s doing something dramatic like lamenting about his love for Haiden.

Haunted Haiden, Chessmaster Lake design and Lucas (OC) by Me

Together Again by @SirMemphisto_Heisenmorg