DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

"That's good!" Shuni grinned, his smile nearly taking his ears.  Ashton was holding his hand!  "Lex needs to be happy more."

Ashton nodded. "We can both agree on that. He seems to be a bit happier and more relaxed there at the house though."

"He is nicer now," Shuni agreed.  "Why is he so sad?  He has you.  Always has."

Ashton sighed. "To be honest, I wish I knew."

"Well, now you have help making him happy.  I will try to help make him happy, too," Shuni promised.

Ashton nodded. "Thank you." They reached a gas station, and Ashton led Shuni to the Krispy Kreme section, and picked up a couple boxes. "Grab one more, please?"

Shuni picked up one more box and balanced it carefully.  "This one?"

Ashton nodded. "Yup. Now let's get in line to pay for them." He said as he led Shuni up to the short line.

Shuni stood on tiptoe and whispered to Ashton, "You want to know something? I've never paid for anything before!"

Ashton laughed. "I pay when I can." He whispers back.

"Can I see the money before you spend it?" Shuni asked, excited about being able to pay for something.

Ashton carefully held two boxes in one arm and showed Shuni a crumpled twenty dollar bill.

Shuni stared in awe then frowned.  "Money isn't as shiny as I thought."

"This is a bill. The coins can be very shiny." Ashton explained. "We should get a few as change."

Shuni brightened at that.  "What is change?"

Ashton smiled and stepped to the counter. "You'll see." He paid for the donuts, and handed Shuni the thirty cents change and pocketed the bills. "Merry Christmas. Let's get these babies home for everyone."

"Okay!"  Shuni put the change on top of the box of donuts he carried and watched the coins sparkle, wide-eyed.  "These are so pretty!  Are they for me?"

"Yup." Ashton said. He didn't really want to carry a bunch of change around with him anyway. The more money you carried, the bigger of a target you put on your back.

"Thankyou!" Shuni cheered.  "I will keep it safe."

Ashton laughed. "You don't have to. You can save it at when you have enough money, buy something nice."

"Will you teach me how to use money?" Shuni asked.

Ashton nodded. "Of course." He opened the door to let Shuni in first when they got home.

Shuni padded inside and went to place the box of donuts on the counter.  "Donuts!"
"Who said donut?" Lex demanded, perking up from where he sat on the couch.

Ashton handed Lex a whole box filled with a dozen of his favorite kind. "That box is all yours, buddy."

Sam and Paul cheered and got ready to eat. Gaster grabbed a few donuts for True and went to his son's room.

"Serious?  Awesome!" Lex cheered, opening the box.  "Ah, man, you are the best!"  He licked his lips as he tried to pick which one to eat first.

True was hurting, but it was bearable.  He stroked Treble, talking to her softly.  "I'm going to be laid up fo a while then trying to hobble around, but I'll be fine!  No need to worry about me.  I just need to remember to call Kat before I go in for surgery."