Chapter Text
"What? Mech! Big Man, Shiv, hurry!" Frye shouted with increasing panic.
"We're almost there, come on Mechanic." Shiver demanded, her voice as steady as ever, despite the rising panic from the other two performers.
Black spots filled the Mechanic's view as they listened to Shiver's comforting drawl. A pressure began to build behind their eyes that was only worsened by the insecessant noise of ink being trailed behind the Salmonids above.
The Mechanic cracked an eye open when the noise slowly got louder. Their breath caught when they spotted a Cohock rounded the corner, followed by two small fry.
"Sn-tch-s." The Mechanic muttered, their voice cracking and rough. They stared up at the Cohock, trying to slide away from the looming creature but struggling to gain traction in the pool of their own blood.
A crash echoed through the room.
The three Salmonids that were approaching the Mechanic turned away, a new target in their sights. The Mechanic could have cried in relief.
The Mechanic saw an explosion of ink go off around the corner before some blurry motion. The fuzzy blob rushed towards the Mechanic, causing them to flinch away slightly.
"Mech! It's ok! I'm Shiver!" The blob dropped to their knees, leaning close enough to the Mechanic for them to properly make out her face.
"Hiiii~ Sh-v-r~~!" The Mechanic smiled.
Shiver looked even more concerned.
"I'm going to pick you up and take you to the exploration bot, ok?"
"Mmm" The Mechanic hummed in agreement, smiling slightly as Shiver's lithe yet strong arms scooped them up.
"Big Man! We ready to load the Mech up and get out of here?" Shiver called into her own radio.
"Ay! Ay, ay! (Yep! Come quick, we made quite a bit of noise!)" Big Man responded, Shiver took that as her que to sprint across the den.
Shiver carefully lowered the Mechanic into Big Man's lap, leaving his fins free to operate the Exploration bot. She shut the door and held onto the back of the bot tightly.
"Hi B-g Mannn!" The Mechanic snuggled up to the Manta Ray, smearing blue blood up his legs.
"Ay, ay? (Hi Mech, you stay there ok?)" He smiled gently when the Mechanic nodded.
"Let's go." Her tone cool and even, despite the anxiety coiled in her chest.
"Ay! (Roger that!)" Big Man pressed a series of buttons and the bot took off. The rumble of the engine mixed with the warmth they found against Big Man and blood loss quickly lulled the Mechanic to sleep. Their world faded to black as they sighed in content.
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When the Mechanic came to, their side ached and everything felt fuzzy.
They grunted as the forced their eyes to open. The light blinded them for a moment, their eyes struggled to adjust to the lighting.
"Mech!" A bubbly voice cut through the muffled sensation in their ears.
"Mgh." They grunted, a blurry, yellow silohette coming into view. "Fryeee?"
"That's me Mech! How are you feeling?" Frye spoke clearly, but the usual volume that came with her words was gone, toned down for the sake of the Mechanic.
"Like I got swallowed and digested by a Maws." The Mechanic deadpanned.
"Understandable. I'm glad you're awake, you've been out for 2 days now." Frye placed a warm hand on the Mechanic's tentacles, the touch calmed the anxious Mechanic.
"O- oh. Fuck. I'm sorry. Thank you for getting me out." Tears began to pool in the Mechanic's eyes.
"Don't apologise M, we're glad you're safe." Shiver's voice appeared in the doorway, causing Frye to visibily jump.
"Ay, ay! (That's right, you're stuck with us!)" Big Man grinned.
Frye suddenly hugged the Mechanic, causing them to draw in a sharp breath.
"Sorry!" Frye yelped, leaning back. The Mechanic wrapped their arms back around Frye's torso.
"No, hugs-" their breath caught in a whimper, tears still slipping down their face "hugs would be nice." Frye, carefully, fell back onto their chest. The Mechanic freed one hand to make grabby hands at their two saviours still stood in the doorway.
Shiver sighed as Big Man grabbed her arm and dragged her to join Frye and the Mechanic.
"Thanks fo-" A sniffle "For the save guys." The Mechanic smiled.
"Anytime Mech." Shiver murmured, sinking into the pile of warmth with a smile.