Work Text:
Robert_The_Robot — Today at 5:03 PM
I am going to run errands.
BoosCafe — Today at 5:03 PM
Do you want me to come with?
Robert_The_Robot — Today at 5:03 PM
Yes, please.
BoosCafe — Today at 5:03 PM
Pog lmk when
Robert_The_Robot — Today at 5:03 PM
You need shoes.
It snowed several inches last night.
BoosCafe — Today at 5:03 PM
NO
YOU CANT MAKE ME
Robert_The_Robot — Today at 5:04 PM
You can not go into the city without shoes!
You will get ringworm.
Or step on a nail.
BoosCafe — Today at 5:04 PM
YOU COULD PLACE NAILS AND I'LL WALK OVER THEM
Robert_The_Robot — Today at 5:04 PM
Asdfghjkl.
BoosCafe — Today at 5:05 PM
the closest ill come to wearing shoes are my sandals
Robert_The_Robot — Today at 5:05 PM
I’ll take it.
—
Two friends walk down the snowy sidewalk, bundled up against the cold. The shorter of the two is wrapped up in a long dark jacket, red scarf poking out around the collar. The taller in sweatpants and a hoodie, though they are wearing sandals despite the snow, is loudly complaining.
Sun knows Robot has a sibling, Ro’s been trying to set Sun up with that sibling for months. Randomly Ro will drop information on Kent. She knows they like sour candy, knows Kent prefers the warmer weather. And now they know Kent owns and operates a greenhouse, the one they are on the way to right now, “Robot, I'm going to die.”
“No, come on, it'll be fine.”
“You are a cruel friend.”
“You're being dramatic, we're just going to the greenhouse.”
“Robot, I'll die.”
“I just need to drop Kents lunch off, then we can going to the store”
Sun pauses, “I'm in sweats! And I slept in this hoodie! What kind of first impression is that?”
“You're also wearing sandals in 30 degree weather.”
“Ro!”
“That sounds distinctly like a you problem.”
The two continue down the street towards a small building attached to several larger buildings with high windows. The sign above the door glows a bright yellow, Oasis Gardens written in bold letters. Robot pushes open the door and a bell rings softly.
Inside is warm and humid, almost uncomfortably so, with humming fluorescent lights lighting the room. Robot walks in without hesitation.
“I'm just going to put this in the fridge and text Kent. I'll be right back.”, when Sun nods Robot heads around the pond of fish bubbling in the corner to make their way through a door labeled ‘Employees only’.
Just as Ro passes through the door a voice calls from the other side of the room, “Oh hello! Have you been waiting long?”
Sun is stunned into silence, in front of them is a short gardener with acid green hair braided out of their face. They’re dressed for the temperature in the greenhouse, tank top and overalls smudged in dirt. With a thud they set down the large terracotta pot they were carrying, housing an incredibly round cactus.
The person frowns, tilting their head slightly with a smile “Are you alright?”
Sun blinks, “Your’re hot. Can I get your number?”
The gardener laughs, brushing a stray strand of toxic hair behind their ear, “You're not bad yourself. Take me to dinner after I close up and maybe I'll think about it.”
He flushes bright red, “Sure, what time?”
“We close at 6.” They grin, “Are you just here to hit on gardeners or are you buying anything?”
“Ah, I'm waiting for my friend. They went to the back. Apparently they know the owner.”
The stranger blinks like they're confused, “Im?… the owner:? Wait. Are you Ro’s friend Sun?”
“Yah? How did you know?”
“They keep trying to get me to go on a date with you.”
Before Sun can answer, Robot throws open the door to the employee lounge, shouting “KENT! I LEFT YOUR LUNCH IN THE F-” they make eye contact with Kent and Sun. “Oh. Hi Kent.”
Kent, apparently, laughs and accepts the hug Robot offers.
“I brought you lunch.”
“Yes I heard, and I got your texts.”
“Well! While we're here, Sun, this is my sibling Kent. The one I told you about.”
Sun is living in a sitcom (or maybe a fic written by a high school student trying to avoid the upcoming spring semester) They’re jaw drops.
She says,“You're shitting me. You're Robots sibling?” At the same time Kent says,“I know. We have a date tonight.”
Robot and Kent pause, stunned for very different reasons. Sun almost laughs at how similar they look.
Kent turns to Sun, “Wait did Rorion not like, show you what I look like? Im pretty distinct”
“I would have remembered if Ro mentioned the sibling they were trying to set me up with had neon hair.”
Kent laughs, “Yah, that's fair.”
Robot grins, “Ha! Spite and Nicole owe me twenty bucks!”
“Ro. Please tell me you did not make a bet with our little cousins about setting your roommate up with me.”
“Well, would you look at the time! I left the car running!” Robot waves and ducks out the front door of the shop.
Sun frowns, “We walked here?”
“Sorry Ro’s been pestering you. Are we still on for dinner?”
They smile, “Yah I'll see you at 6.”
—
“Can I ask why you're wearing sandals in the middle of winter?”
“For fucks sake.”