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“You’ve been sleeping in that thing?”
Proto Man pointed at the machine that felt like it was staring at him. Eddie was already a robot that gave him the creeps. This was like a nightmare.
“Yeah. The repairs aren’t done yet. Dr. Light and Rock…well…”, Roll pulled a stray hair behind her ear. She looked awkward trying to come up with an explanation.
“…”
“Seeing you might cheer him up.”
He had to will himself not to laugh. Proto Man doubted there was much he could do, he mostly swung by because he wanted to confirm Mega Man beat Dr. Wily. Most importantly, he wanted to hear that he beat Bass.
Roll guided him around the corner. It was a lot to take in how much damage had been done. And this was in a semi-repaired state, Proto Man felt his rage burning all over again.
“Did he hurt you?”
She was touched by his worry. Roll laughed at the thought now that there wasn’t a threat around. She didn’t feel the need to tell Proto Man that she had been afraid in the moment but thankfully, Bass wasn’t interested in her or Auto.
“No, I was fine. I just had a giant mess to clean up.”
The red Robot Master didn’t move. He was facing Big Eddie still. Proto Man almost thought the eyes were tracing his movements. Without thinking, he spoke again.
“And Dr. Light?”
“He knocked him out but Dr. Light said he was fine…he said…”, she was mumbling.
“What?”
“Bass wouldn’t kidnap him for some reason. He was surprised to hear Dr. Wily yelling at him to do it but…”
“Great. He didn’t kidnap an old man. Give the guy a medal.”
“I didn’t say he did the right thing, I just…I’m glad he didn’t, Rock was already really upset!”
He could imagine. “So where is he? I’m not going inside that thing.”
The girl smiled, “I’ll get him for you.” Roll went towards the entry hatch. She turned around just before getting pulled up. “Thank you, Blues.”
“W-wait, how do you know my—-“
He didn’t get to finish asking his question, Roll waved at him before disappearing.
He was left alone outside, that giant structure looking at him.
Proto Man paced around the corner, his mind was overworking itself trying to think what he could even say on the subject.
‘Hey, sorry you got your feelings hurt. For what it’s worth, I never liked that guy anyway.’
‘Cheer up, buddy, you’re a million times cooler than him even before you beat him up.’
‘For what it’s worth, you have me.’
That last one made him feel pitiful. They were friends but it’s not like they were close. Proto Man didn’t know how to be close to anyone anymore, even if cognitively he knew Mega Man was the last person to betray him. He was so kind hearted, that was exactly why it enraged him so much that Bass—-
An idiot, that’s what the black android was. Thinking that following orders was reason enough to hurt a small robot. Blues warned Rock, he could see the signs. But then again, there was a part of Blues that was hoping it was real, too. He didn’t want to be right, he took no pleasure in Bass hurting Mega Man. Whatever vindication he could have died at the thought of the younger robot not being able to trust anyone for a while.
It pained Proto Man seeing the boy emerge from the structure in just lab clothes. Rock looked small and weak without his fighting suit. This was furthered by the sadness on his face. The boy forced out a smile, he was holding up a shield.
“I’m glad you came when you did, I finished this not too long ago.”
Blues looked between the shield that was now in better condition than when he gave it to the boy and the small robot. He was glad he had his vizer, he didn’t need Rock seeing that he was happy to have helped. Even if it was such a small way.
“…you used it…”
“Yeah. Thank you.” Rock pushed the object into Blues’ hands. “I don’t think I could have gotten through Wily’s fortress without it.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Blues held it for a moment, then pushed back lightly. “If you’d like, hang onto it a little while.”
Rock shook his head then pressed back, “It’s ok, I won’t have to fight. Not until…I don’t think Dr. Wily will show up anytime soon.”
Proto Man accepted his shield this time. He spoke while strapping it onto his back. “What makes you say that?”
The boy’s face became duller. It was taking so much strength not to burst out into tears again. He crumpled into his father’s arms when he came home, Rock didn’t want to do that to one of his few robot friends that didn’t betray him.
“I messed up. I don’t know what came over me.”
“…”
”Sorry, I know that’s not what you’re here for..”
”It’s fine. Do you want to talk?” He said this then instantly regretted it. “Not that…I can’t imagine that this is easy but if you need someone to listen, I’m here.”
It was uncomfortable being this open. He could do this if it meant helping his friend. Blues felt better that Rock could still trust him.
Rock clenched his fists. His body was shaking from the effort to keep it together.
“I wanted to break everything I saw, it was like I wasn’t in control of myself. An old man was begging me for his life, I can’t—-I almost—-what kind of robot am I? Human boys don’t do that, either, what am I—-“
Proto Man approached him with slow, steady steps. Holding his shoulders and speaking softly, Blues tried to find the right words to convey how important this robot was.
“You’re my friend.”
Rock froze. His gaze went up to Proto Man’s face. “Blues…”
“I would pick you as a friend every time. You’re someone that I can fight for. I’m not saying that as your identity but until you can figure out who you are again, I hope you don’t forget that part.”
This time, Rock fell apart. It was too much to hear. Blues let him cry, he was sure the tears would keep coming for a while. He was surprised it took Rock this long, all things considered.
“It’ll be ok, Mega Man. Take your time. Your feelings aren’t wrong. Other emotions wouldn’t be the same without anger and sadness.” Blues put a hand on Rock’s head, ruffling the messy black hair. “Just don’t forget that you’re still you. You might not feel the same, you might look at things a bit differently. But fundamentally, you’ll always have you. There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“Why didn’t he want me…” The boy was barely audible.
“I don’t know. I can’t speak for anyone but myself.” Blues wanted to say ‘and why do you want him anyway?’, but he held himself firm. He didn’t want to mess this up and hurt Rock further. “There’s a chance he might not even know how to be a friend. He’s a Wily robot.”
“That’s…” Rock let out a shaky sob, “T-hat’s what makes it hurt…”
“…”
“He did know. He played me…and I let him. I saw the signs, it was just like when Dr. Wily would trick everyone but I was so stupid!”
“…”
Rock pulled away from Blues. He stood up and glared at the other android.
“I get that Bass was following orders. I’m still angry. You know what’s really pathetic?” The boy laughed, “I wish that he picked me over his father, how selfish can I get?!”
His yell echoed in the empty space. Proto Man sighed, getting onto his legs as well so he was standing in front of Rock.
“Sounds to me like you’re processing this normally. Again, there’s nothing wrong with you—“
“Are you listening?!”
“You got hurt. You wish he picked being good but he didn’t. These things happen, people you care about disappointing you isn’t easy.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better!”
“…”
“I’m sorry…I just…I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“I don’t like that rock formation.”
Rock blinked. Blues pointed at a large boulder. The red Robot Master sauntered over to it and aimed his buster. Mega Man flinched when a charged shot was fired at the boulder, making it shatter into small pieces.
Blues turned halfway and gave Rock a thumbs up.
“I know how you feel. You and I are special, you should know that by now. You’re probably one of the few people on Earth that can even begin to understand what I feel…every day, it’s the same.” Blues pointed his buster at another boulder. He fired again and watched the plasma disintegrate the dirt clods around it. “You feel alone. You feel angry. You’re sad and you want to be upset with the other person but you can’t, you keep beating yourself up instead because you thought you were smarter than that.”
“…”
“You thought you knew so much. You thought you were so smart and they made you feel good, so why not try and make it work? You wanted to believe in them so badly that you walked right into their fist.” He fired at a tree and this time Rock ran over to him.
“Stop!”
“You do that one.” Blues gestured with his buster arm towards one of the few walls still standing.
“What?” Mega Man was almost breathless. “I don’t—-“
“Destroy that. Break it. He did a shit job destroying your home. I’m glad you went to Wily’s castle to show him how it’s done. Go.”
“...”
The small robot went towards the rubble. Their new home was still in the planning phases, there was so much to do. So much that had to be repaired or thrown away. It was an unknown force that kept him moving. Rock had been coming here to sit by himself a few times, he knew what was here. In one corner he even left a book that he kept a piece of paper inside of for safe keeping.
Someone gave him that. It was a gift that made him want to yell at the world with how happy he was when he looked at it before Dr. Wily’s big reveal.
Proto Man was right behind him as Rock picked it up and read the poem.
‘For a friend like you.
If you ever feel lonely
I can be yours
——‘
His hands clenched the paper, it still hurt too much to look at the full thing. Mega Man’s body started to shake and he moved away from Blues trying to reach for him. He didn’t want to be comforted. He was angry all over again but not at Bass. He wanted to scream, he kept asking the android why he did this but there wasn’t even an answer.
He was just…doing what robots do. Following his commands. Carrying out his creator’s wishes. It was pitiful in that sense, he had to go home with Wily.
The only person he could blame was himself. He felt so much disgust with himself for falling that easily.
Rock looked between the red Robot Master and what was left of his home. The following seconds felt like a blur.
He didn’t have his buster but he could still summon a spark by contorting his hand. Using that, he set the paper on fire. He held it in his hand until it ashes then he dashed through the rubble and started hitting everything in his path.
Rock sprinted towards the wall and kicked it. He didn’t hold back, even when it was crumbling apart. When it was practically dust, he found that he couldn’t stop with just that. It was like his battle at the castle, his fists kept colliding with whatever was near him. He broke the little that remained of this cottage. This was his home. He let Bass in and it was his own fault that the black android was able to get inside and ruin everything.
He had to come back from the castle and see Dr. Light put on a fake smile to hide his pain. All the research and projects that they had stored behind those walls. It was the place Rock would run to after beating Dr. Wily. It was as much a part of himself as power-ups. His father built him here. His father would be there waiting for him each time, with open arms and saying how proud he was of him. They built the original Robot Masters here. His sister would push them out when she did her deep cleaning. She would be in the kitchen, asking him how his day was then talking his ear off with her own updates.
He was so happy showing that place to someone he thought was his friend. So stupid, showing off his projects and his toys in the hopes of connecting with the other. The black android was a skilled actor. Bass came inside and studied him carefully, taking in Rock’s world. Then using what he found, Bass broke his heart. It felt like he destroyed him more than a fight could. That was frustrating, he couldn’t fight this. There was no one there to hit that would make this better.
Rock stopped when Blues was suddenly behind him, holding his wrist back from hitting a metal frame.
“That’s enough for now. Your hands are about to break.”
Rock looked at his knuckles. They were covered in knicks, the synthetic skin had split open and revealed the hardware underneath. Some of his internal fluids were leaking out.
“Thank you, Blues…”
“You still don’t feel better.”
“…actually…I kind of do…” The boy pulled himself up. “I think that’s the part I can’t stand the most. I thought…I don’t want to be a monster.”
“You’re not.”
“I want to destroy things and I almost hurt an old man.”
Proto Man laughed softly. He saw that the gesture annoyed Rock, so he raised his hand to stop him from speaking. “Unsurprisingly, you’re imperfect. Accept those parts of yourself. Learn from it. But your thoughts don’t define you. You’re still Mega Man.”
“…”
The boy took Rock’s hand and they walked away from the debris. Proto Man gestured towards the projects that were currently being built.
“You have a future. It’s not the one you expected, I bet you thought you would have that house forever. You can learn from this. You can’t create without destruction being part of the process, you should know that. You’re a lab assistant.”
“Yeah…wait, how would you know that?” Rock tilted his head.
Blues stared off at the helper bots working with Auto. How, indeed…
“You’re the only person who can even begin to understand what I feel. That’s all.”
“Wait, Proto Man—-“
“I’ll be back later. I’m going into town but I want to see you again.”
“…”
“Go have your sister patch you up. Later, Mega Man.”
“Blues…I know you will. I’m sorry I’m like this but I want you to know…It means the world to me that I can trust you with my life.”
”…”
”I know we don’t see each other much but…I consider you my best friend. I’ll be waiting.”
Blues ran off. He teleported once he was in range. Rock did not need to know that the red Robot Master was crying, too.
He would be back later. He promised.
He would always come back to his brother, even death wouldn’t stop him.