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Bass was really tired of how many times they went over this. He understood why it was still too early to expect Mega Man to act like it wasn’t such a big deal sitting together. That was probably why he kept distracting himself with the influx of sweets, failing to hide his giddiness over something as simple as spending his time with Bass.
If Bass had known the entire robotics community sent the Light house gifts like this, he wouldn’t have bothered. Mega Man waved away that comment, insisting that Bass’ gift was special because it came from him. Never mind the fact that what Rock had to offer was hand made and looked like it took him weeks to build.
“I know you’re trying! Really, I appreciate this…” He was so happy over something as silly as confections, finishing off the last marshmallow heart. It would rot his circuits but Rock loved these things and Bass…well…
“Wonderful… I still can’t believe how much crud your friends sent you.”
“Yeah.” Rock was almost embarrassed looking at the table full of sweets and toys.
The original numbers couldn’t be together but they tried to celebrate holidays, even when apart. This led to the postman dreading his visits to the Light house every special occasion.
Bass glanced at Roll’s desk and noted she had a lot more gifts than her brother. Rock caught his line of sight and covered his mouth, attempting to withhold his amusement.
“You don’t need to pout over that!! She’s more popular than I am, and for a good reason I might add!”
“Bull. You risk your neck out on the frontlines.”
‘And I kind of hate you for it…’
He wouldn’t say that, it would make his rival sad. He had been trying to get better about his acid tongue. On days like this, where it was important to be kind to those you cared about, he really wished they could just have a spar like the good ol’ days. Then Bass could go home and pretend that just gracing the Light bot with his presence was enough.
He could almost hate them for making him learn that he could be better. It was a lot more work than it was worth having to think about his actions. Bass really didn’t realize how much he had destroyed something special when he broke the Blue Bomber’s trust. It still made him upset thinking how good he could have had it if he just…
If he had only made the right decision, sided with the right people instead of following his programming mindlessly. Thinking about the past was meaningless, Rock said he forgave him. Even when Bass was still being a headache, Mega Man would always say they weren’t enemies.
Bass agreed eventually. He said this once and only once, it was an accident. It was after a scheduled duel that blew up in Bass’ face when the smaller robot stilled after a taunt went too far. Bass learned the hard way that certain words shouldn’t be used around his rival, even in jest.
After several minutes of sitting in silence, Rock told him not to worry about it. These things happened, he was still himself. He just had a new reaction to certain circumstances due to the experience he gained. He didn’t mind how it happened anymore, and neither should the Wily bot. It helped Rock grow.
Bass didn’t understand what Proto Man meant when he said something alluding to as much. Mega Man was back to being himself but he had matured. He was changed in some ways, not as likely to be tricked. He would be more guarded but not in an unhealthy way. Unlike those unfortunates who stuck around evil scientists, Rock could heal in a safe space with a supportive family.
It still made him annoyed that it was like this at all. There was still that sick part that wanted Mega Man to yell he hated him. Blast him in his face, come at him with the same intensity Bass used to bring. Instead, the boy was giggling at him for some reason.
“And she’s helped me every time! Roll can’t fight but she finds other ways to be useful. That’s courage.”
“…”
“You learned that already… the hardest thing is finding out what to do when you can’t fight.”
“Stupid…”
“Hey, help me eat these.”
“No. I hate sweets.”
Mega Man was doing that thing again where he didn’t listen to Bass’ words. “No, you don’t. Try this one and say that again.” Rock handed him a ball wrapped in orange tinfoil. That was the one Bass brought him because the boy mentioned they were his favorites.
It was dark chocolate shaped like orange wedges. He bunched his nose at it, his scent had been programmed to be sensitive to certain stimuli. The larger quantity of cocoa in this one compensated for sugar in the others. Maybe Rock was right and he would like this one more, they had similar specs.
He put a slice in his mouth and regretted being born. “It’s worse, this one is bitter!!! Why would you enjoy this?!”
“Sorry!! I thought you’d like that more, maybe we just need to find a happy medium…”
“Or maybe I just don’t like chocolate!! Ugh, what more do I have to do before you get that?”
This time when Mega Man looked at him, Bass felt something stir in his chest. He knew that expression.
“You said you hated me, remember? Let’s just try a few more, it’s no good to give up before we tried all our options.”
The war machine huffed, slumping in his chair. “You don’t know how to quit, do you?”
“Nope!” Rock took the remainder of the chocolate orange and popped two slices into his mouth. He searched around his stash of gifts while chewing. “Only if you decide to quit on you, then I’ll stop.” His words came out muffled by the food in his mouth.
Bass watched his profile the entire time. He made the guy happy just because he was willing to try these things. Rock handed him a candy bar that read ‘35% cocoa’ and Bass grinned.
“…”
“Go on! If you don’t help me, I’ll eat all of these and then Dr. Light will get mad that I’m sick!”
“Emotional blackmail is what you’re using, huh?” Bass took the offered bar. He laughed lightly. “Sure, one more of these won’t kill me.”
Rock leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I like the bitter ones, you should know that. You’re my favorite…” It was confusing when the Blue Bomber’s face suddenly turned red.
“What? What did I do?”
“N-nothing!! I just wanted to say that you’re my favorite…”
“Well?”
“Ones like you. You’re my favorite kind of sweet.”
The bar that Bass held up to his mouth was crushed in half. It fell out of his hands onto the ground. Rock was laughing at him again despite his own embarrassment.
Mega Man proved him wrong again. He did like sweets. The boy sitting across from him was his favorite, too.