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Chapter Text

“.. Looks like Shannon said no to the Harvest dance this year, huh?”

The smell of leaves and a cold breeze entered the blonde boy’s senses as he walked outside, looking around for the bus before he’d glance down at his shorter metal companion. Other kids flooded out of the doors, the two of them stepping off to the side out of the way of the stampede.

The robot standing beside Socks looked less than pleased, letting out a disappointed metallic hum back at him. Indeed, a year had passed since the first harvest dance Jones had attended, and they had moved onto 8th grade at this point. Polyneux was hardly any different- to Socks, at the very least. It was anyone’s guess as to what was going through Robot’s brain, but Socks liked to think he knew the little guy pretty well.

“Don’t let it get you down, Robut. I mean, ya didn’t come to the dance with someone last year and still had a nice time.“ He replied, offering a sympathetic smile back at him.

“I suppose you are correct. I just cannot help being disappointed with myself. Perhaps I am not suited for the human courting process, after all.” Robot finally responded, his tone still more drawn out and upset, unlike the usual monotone. 

“Are you kidding?” Socks adjusts his scarf, giving Robot a slight nudge with an elbow. “Shannon’s missing out!” 

“Missing.. Out?“ Jones chimed back, with a mechanical click.

“Sure! She just hasn’t gotten the chance to see what a wicked cool dude you are.”

Socks glanced over and noticed Cubey rolling over on his skates, Mitch in tow.

“Besides,“ Cubey spoke up, smiling at the two. “Who says we need girls to have fun anyway?”

“See, Robut?” Socks gestured a hand. “We’re not going with anyone this year, either!”

“I am,” Mitch started to say carelessly, eyes glazed over a game screen. Cubey felt a sudden heat rush to his cheeks as he’d smack Mitch on the elbow, waving his arm around feverishly to get his attention. Mitch would fall silent, looking as if he just realized something.

“Woah, you got a date, Mitch? Who is it?” Socks asked, raising a brow. Robot stuck his head out a bit toward the two, curious.

Cubey moved his hands behind his back quickly to avoid suspicion, as Mitch would struggle to get any words out, mashing the buttons of his game frantically.

“.. Oh, my date.. uh. It’s this.. totally cool.. Girl. Yeah. She doesn’t go here.” 

Socks stared blankly at him, before shrugging. “Cool.”

“.. Affirmative. Cool.. “ Robot nodded slightly, frowning and lowering his shoulders as he watched the bus arrive. 

As the trio boarded the bus, Robot wondered what part of himself was cool in any capacity. Sure Socks could say that, but if he had learned anything he knew humans knew how to spare one's feelings. Even programmed ones, for that matter. He then looked at Mitch. He seemed to have it figured out.

'So what wasn't computing for me?' Robot thought to himself, a little downcast again.

The taller boy plopped down in the seat next to Robot, watching him give this cast off stare out of the window as the bus picked up steam and started to head down the street. He could tell Mitch’s newfound status of going to the dance with a girl had some weight on the little dude. It’s not often he sees him in such a heinous mood. 

He reached out and gave him a pat atop his glassy round head, smiling sympathetically. “Between you and me, I think Mitch is yanking our chains. I mean, a girl from a different school?” He snorted.

“.. I do not think he has any reason to not tell the truth, either. It is OK, Socks-unit. You do not need to try and.. ‘Spare my feelings’. This is just another traditional human activity I have failed to understand. At this point, it is a wonder that I have not been recalled..” Robot replied with a low sigh, somehow looking more dejected. 

They sat in silence for a few moments, Socks discontentedly shuffling in his seat as he scratched his chin and tried to think up something to get Jones out of his negative state- before raising a brow. 

He’d smile again, moving his hand away and tucking it into his jacket pocket, shaking it around and making a slight jingling sound.

“.. Well. Um. Wanna head by the arcade today? And.. you know, since you’re so bummed.. Quarters on me!” Socks announced quietly, making sure their other two friends didn’t catch wind of it. “Uh, Miss Ferguson let me mow her lawn, so I got some extra cash to spare. I-” 

Before he could explain any further Robot’s eyes lit right back up again as he turned fully toward him and grinned widely.

“VIDEO GAMES. VIDEO GAMES. VIDEO GAMES.” The little guy repeated over and over, shaking in excitement at the prospect. The lamps in his eyes shifted hue, flashing blue and white. The noise you’d hear winning a casino game played choppily from his speakers.

Socks couldn't help but let a chuckle escape him as he watched how quickly Robot's mood flashed into one of excitement as he brought up the arcade. The blonde took a few moments to think as he watched Jones happily shift about, coming down from his high.

He didn’t really know how it happened, but Robot Jones of all people had turned out to be his best friend. He knew he couldn’t exactly narrow down a best friend before, but he wouldn’t deny he had some popularity among his peers to speak of. And he certainly didn’t consider the guy ‘best friend material’ at the beginning of last year.. But now, if it was anybody he hung out with alone it was Robot. And he really didn’t mind at all.

He almost felt lucky.

On the surface, it seemed kind of difficult to be best friends with a robot. But Robot Jones isn’t really like the evil robot guys you see in horror flicks. Even if it’s just code, he’s an emotional, well rounded person with his own insecurities and everything. He’s also pretty well intentioned, from what Socks has seen anyway. He just struggles with manners sometimes, is all. And.. temper. You wouldn’t think it but the little dude can get pretty hot headed when it comes down to it.

Despite that, Socks snickered as he thought about all the times Robot would unknowingly get ‘smart’ with teachers, and land himself into all sorts of trouble. At that moment, he felt like he could confidently say he was lucky to have him as a best friend.

It’s around 7 PM. Socks and Robot are finally parting ways after some hard earned quarters were spent trying to get the high score on the new Alien Blast game. 

“.. Feel any better?” Socks tugged his bag over a free shoulder as the night breeze blew through the trees painted in gold and marmalade. “Affirmative.” Robot replied simply, looking pleased.

“I’m sure Shannon will come around eventually.” The blonde would remark, wincing a little and hoping Robot would take that positively.

“Even before the dance?” Jones stared up at him, stepping a little slower as his eyes lit up again. Socks grinned, nodding. “Sure! Just gotta talk to her more. Get her to warm up to ya. Girls dig that.” 

As the two approached a divide in the road, Robot paused. 

“.. Thank you, Socks-Unit.”

“Anything for my best buddy. Catch you later, Robut!” Socks gave a ginger wave as he started to walk off, and Robot nodded quickly, also beginning to head in the other direction and waving a metal prong back at him. “ Right! I will also ‘catch you later.’” 

Robot marched down the sidewalk, his confidence regaining itself as he thought over Socks words. However- his peace was short lived as his vision receptors began to catch something at the corner of his eye, causing him to turn a little to see noone there. Robot blinked nervously, turning and continuing to walk forward a little quicker.

Socks had a pep in his step as he continued toward his house, in the middle of brushing a curl out of his face before he suddenly heard a metallic yelp from behind. Startled, he’d stumble around before looking behind him and seeing Robot Jones being tugged by the arms into the back of a “JNZ ROBOTICS” vehicle. Socks dashed after the truck, gasping as Robot called out for him. As the two masked ‘employees’ got into the.. suspiciously short front part of the truck, Socks jumped into the back before it could close, eyes widening as he realized just what he had gotten himself into, facing Robot.

“SOCKS-UNIT. Thank spark plugs you are here. My worst nightmare has occurred. I fear I am due for a permanent recall..” Robot panicked, spilling out his words quietly.

“.. Uh. What’s that mean?” Socks whispered back, huddling closer and trying not to freak out as the truck began to take off. His mom was gonna kill him if he stayed out for too much later.

“I must be defective. You saw- I cannot achieve the basic task of finding a female companion to the school’s harvest dance for another year in a row. This must be proof. What if I am beyond repair?” Robot paced back and forth, clattering about in fear as Socks became similarly nervous. 

“What if I am replaced?? ” Robot put his hands over his eyes and thought about the horrors. Socks, just about ready to reach for his inhaler as he too felt the same paranoia as he stood up, also pacing.

“Augh.. Oh jeez.. No, no.. You’re good at a lot of stuff, Robut. Your grades are KILLER. Surely they can’t call you a defect.” Socks replied, itching at his chin and sweating profusely.

“.. Incorrect. I am programmed with full knowledge of the curriculum. My most important goal is to collect information on human behavior.”

Socks placed a hand on his shoulder. “Well you got a couple of good buddies like me, and Mitch, and Cubey, right? I’d say that you’ve succeeded in that right.” 

Jones thought about it, beginning to smile a little again and he looked back. “I suppose you are correct. But still- JNZ only takes away their robots if something is in error. I cannot help but feel..”

Socks squeezed his shoulder. “Scared? Don’t be. If it comes down to it, I won’t let them take you away. If you’re on the robot operating table, I’m right there with you. If you’re going to the robot.. Dump.. Uh.. I’ll be there too! No matter how scared I am!”

Robot beamed back up at him, feeling himself feeling his emotion receptors become a little unnecessarily happy for the situation he was placed in. “Okay. And if someone comes to take you to the human dump, I will also be there, Socks-unit.”

Socks laughed pretty hard at that, and Jones felt his mechanical heart swell with more pride than ever. Though- Robot perked up suddenly, stopping all his movements entirely as something foreign entered his senses, the lights in his eyes beginning to dim.

Socks’s nose then twitched a little as he smelled something funny entering the back of the truck. “.. You smell that too?” He’d yawn.

.. Robot would power down, slinking to the ground to Socks alarm.

Well, as alarmed as he could get as he too pretty quickly fell asleep.

When Socks woke up that night he found himself in a place that.. Didn’t seem terribly too similar to a robotics lab. Infact, it seemed a lot more like a bedroom. The bedroom of someone far too stuck up for his liking, the smell of cleaning supplies and carpet cleaner heavy in the air as he looked around, spotting Robot propped up against the wall, also barely awoken from his powered down status. He’d crawl over, feeling around his friend’s rectangular head before noticing a small red button, giving it a tap and watching Jones light up again.

Socks waved a hand in front of his eyes, head tilted. “Robut? You there, dude?” He questioned, gulping before Robot shot up, pupils shrinking as he looked up at his friend and their unfamiliar surroundings.. “.. This. This is not..” 

“Yeah, I didn’t think this looked like a high tech robot factory either. Man, they really let themselves go. I mean, what the heck do they need a kids bunk bed for?” He’d gesture to a wooden bunk bed near the two, before quickly realizing that this might not exactly have been the recall Robot was imagining. Just as Robot also caught onto this, the door flung open, revealing two dark silhouettes..

They let out dark, high pitched cackles as they fully entered the room, the trademark red cone-like hats of the Yogmans shining in the light of their room. Socks gasped, also rising to his feet. “I shoulda known!”

Lenny giggled mischievously, letting out a loud snort. “Yessss..” He hissed. “It wass us all along, Robot Jones and.. FRIEND.. I didn’t know he was here, Denny.” Denny chuckles a little more nervously before his brother would continue his speech. “Whatever.. Where was I? Oh yes.” He’d look over a script in one hand. “And at lassst- we have FULL access to your brain in our very own home. It would be wise to surrender now.” He’d place his hands on his hips, looking down at Denny who also giggled and nodded. “Right you are, brother! Right you are!” He’d add, which only riled up Socks more.

Robot angrily raised a metal prong, about to retort before Socks stood in front of him, holding out an arm. “Uh, yeah, fat chance I’ll let you get to my buddy just cause we’re in your stupid house. You know what my mom will do if I’m out past curfew again?” The blonde spat.

“That’s not our problem. You’re the one that jumped into OUR truck.” Lenny replied, crossing his arms and watching Denny back him up with some nods. 

Robot raised a prong to speak. “Guys-” Before quickly being cut off.

“Uhh, and you’re the ones that threw MY friend into your truck like a scary kidnapper! What was I supposed to do? Let him end up like every other kid on the milk cartons?” Socks would retort.

“There’s-” Robot started again, gesturing to the door.

“I don’t think they will go looking for missing ROBOT kids.” Denny commented. Lenny looked down at him, amused. 

“Exactly. If no one goes looking, it didn’t happen, snot for brains.” Lenny tapped his foot as he continued Denny’s sentiment.

“WELL I’D LOOK, YOU LITTLE FREAKS-” Socks took a step forward before Robot grabbed his arm. “SOCKS-UNIT.” Jones raised his voice. The blonde would pause, looking down at him. The Yogmans also finally diverted their attention to Robot, who was pointing at the bedroom door, wide open.

Outside of which, was Mrs.Yogman, watching this whole ordeal.

“Leonard and Denard Yogman.” Their mother snapped.

Lenny groaned, turning himself and his brother around to face her.

“.. Yes, mother?” He said with an ounce of venom.

“Now what did I tell you about having friends over without asking? It’s far too late and you’ve woken up me and your father.” She’d tap her foot impatiently for his answer, adjusting the eye mask tucked in her hair.

“But mother. They’re NOT my-” He began, before she intervened.

“I don’t want to hear it, Leonard. You’ll just have to tell your little friends that they need to go home.” He rubbed the creases in her forehead tiredly, before looking over at Socks and Robot. “I’m sorry boys. Maybe you can come over some other time.”

“There won’t BE another time because they’re not-” Lenny stuttered, before his mom glared him down with a look of disapproval.

He gave in with a long exasperated sigh. “Yes, mother.” Lenny turned back to the two in embarrassment. “This is not the last you’ll hear from me, Robot Jones. You may have your victory now but one day this will all come together..” He’d say through hissed whispers.

Socks would quickly pick up the robot, trying his best not to burst into laughter as he started to walk out. “Yeah, yeah! We’ll definitely come back, LEONARD. So, so sorry Mrs.Yogman. We totally had no idea..” He made sure to rub it into the twins faces as hard as he possibly could, though their mother could be none the wiser as she smiled back at them as Socks quickly cut around the hall and ran out the front door with Jones in tow. “I’m glad to see you two have made such nice friends, dear. Now lights out. ” His mother exclaimed, shutting the light off and slamming the door with a loud thud. 

…

Despite how embarrassing that whole ordeal was, Lenny smiled widely down at his brother, his grin illuminated in the nightlight which glew softly in the corner in the room. “Well- even if we weren’t able to get his brain.. I’d say everything went exactly to plan, wouldn’t you say, brother?” Lenny cackled beneath his breath, holding up a floppy disk.

Denny similarly chuckled in tune, rubbing his hands together. “Yes, yes.. Right you are! They won’t know what hit em’..” 

“BOYS. I SAID, LIGHTS OUT. ” Their mother announced from down the hall. The two quickly grimaced, replying in unison. 

“YES MOTHER.”

As Socks placed his friend down on the sidewalk, the first thing Robot could manage to say was “I’m sorry.” Socks looked puzzled.

“For what? None of all that junk was your fault. You know how the Yogmans are.” Socks tilted his head, itching his chin.

“.. I am aware. I just want to make it clear that you are not obligated to.. ‘Hang out’ with me. Or engage in providing me with assistance when I need it.” Robot looked down.

“Whuh? .. Robut, do you hear yourself..?” Socks smiled slightly, prompting Robot to look back up at him in a little more confusion.

“I hang out with you and help you because I like you. We’re best pals, remember? We gotta look out for each other.” He’d pat him on the top of his light bulb head again. “I mean, you’ve done the same for me.”

As they’d walk together, Robot felt something in his internal processing shift with Socks words. He quickly shook his head.

“And you are not.. ‘Sparing my feelings’ again, are you?”

“No way. You’re getting the all-honest, real Socks Morton.” He’d put a hand atop his chest. “No sparing in the picture!” 

Robot smiled a little wider, but almost felt himself doubting his words- before something suddenly flew through the air and smacked him right in the face. He’d immediately panic, assuming the work of the Yogmans yet again and shaking his metal arms around before Socks would peel the flier off his face. 

“AAAAAAAAoh.” Robot settled quickly.

Socks chuckled again, pausing to read the flier he just peeled off Robot’s face, raising a brow. “You know what, Robut?” He’d look back at him from the top of the page, smirking as an idea erupted in his head. “I’ll prove I mean what I said! The fair’s in town this weekend.”

Jones paused, glancing toward him. 

“Wanna go together?” Socks grinned widely.

At that moment, the robot couldn’t figure any idea as to why but he found himself nervous to answer. Normally when Socks had asked him to go with him anywhere, it was always easy to respond. Now he felt like he was suffering some major internal lag before he could manage a response. “OKAY.” He said quickly, and loudly.

“ALRIIIGHT!” Socks said in the same volume, starting to run off down the street, waving at him. “I’ll let you know whether or not my mom’s gonna have me strung above the fireplace for being out this late!” He says in a more dire tone- though mostly jokingly. Robot hoped.

It wasn’t clear what Robot thought changed between them.

He knew long before tonight that Shannon was his favorite human.

 That was a seemingly obvious thing set into place as a fundamental within his life. But it seemed like now she struggled to keep the rank as Socks-Unit continued to prove himself more.. reliable. 

More reliable than he had on record of Shannon to be.

Chapter Text

The town could not have been louder than it had been right now as the fair hustled and bustled with all kinds of people. Socks and Robot however, had finally just reached the front of the ticket line. Robot messed around a bit with his ride wristband before the blonde could finally help him tighten it around his thin metal arm. Jones felt far more preoccupied with observing all the bright neons of the rides and the food stands and- were those games?

The moment that Socks stepped through the gates and caught a breath of the night air mixed with the scent of popcorn and the squeals of kids on incredibly unsafe rides, his heart started pumping with excitement. Or fear. He couldn’t really tell which was which. But, that was how the fair usually went for him so he couldn’t complain. He glanced down at Robot then, smiling widely.

“Whatcha wanna do first?” He’d ask, already following his gaze toward the carnival games with a raised brow. Robot pointed very obviously toward the line of games, tugging Socks by the arm, replying very fervently. “There, Socks-unit! I want to go there.” 

And so, there they were, among the array of carnival games.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been able to win a single one of these games before.” He commented, watching Robot trot over to the ring toss with a determined grin, as if he was being challenged by what Socks said.

Socks shook his head, slamming his change atop the counter and deciding to take a crack at it himself before Robot could try. 

“5 rings, my good man!” The blonde would exclaim proudly, the little metal dude at his side watching him intently before speaking up as the man behind the booth handed Socks the rings. 

“.. Socks-unit, I thought you had said you’ve never achieved success with these games?”

“Won’t hurt to try. You know, I’ve gotten PRE-TTY good with a frisbee..” Socks grinned smugly back, swinging the ring around one finger.

And soon after, he’d attempt the toss.

And for all 5 rings he’d thrown, not a single one of them made it.

His confidence quickly dissipated into thin air as he stepped back from the booth and watched Robot set his own change atop the counter.

“It’s all yours, buddy.” Socks smiled, checking around to make sure no one caught the embarrassing display he just put himself through.

Jones scanned over the array of bottles with narrowed eyes, calculating the perfect angle and strategy in his mind to toss the rings. The man behind the booth tapped his grubby fingers on the counter impatiently. “I don’t have all night, kid.” He’d mumble, to which Robot let out an indignant metallic ‘hmph’ and took a step back, clutching each ring around one claw. He’d swing them around quickly before throwing them all at once. Each one of the rings landed perfectly around different bottles, all in a circle. 

Socks cheered triumphantly, grasping Robot’s hand and throwing their arms in the air. Robot’s eyes widened.

“WOOO! YEAH! That’s what I’m talking about, Robut!” He’d exclaim, Robot smiling with both a tinge of pride and a tinge of bashfulness.

“Winner winner.” The man behind the booth said boredly, looking to the prize wall. 

Socks looked up at the wall, raising a brow. Robot would point at a large bright green stuffed crocodile hung at the top of the shelf. “I would like that stuffed creature for my reward, human.” He’d smile cockily at the man behind the booth, who gave him a cross look.

“Uh, you need to win a little more than that to get one’a those.” The man replied, chewing on a toothpick.

“So what can we get?” Socks asked, peering a little lower at the display.

The man behind the booth turned around, crouching down and grabbing the smallest bear on the wall and handing it to Robot. “Here you go.”

As the two walked off with the bear, Robot looked sour as can be for a kid that somehow won an immensely rigged carnival game. Socks chuckled a little at his expression. “That was crazy! Even if you only won that crummy little bear, I’ve never seen anyone make every throw like that.” 

Robot felt himself smiling again on autopilot. “I simply calculated the perfect angle and speed to most efficiently land each of the rings. It is no big deal.”

He paused, noticing a larger ride that swings up into the air and around in the distance. “What is that? ” He tried to inspect the large machine from a distance, to which Socks would sweat.

“Oh, the Gravity Crusher? It’s, uh, a pretty fun ride..” Admittedly Socks had never stepped near that thing. He had a feeling Robot would want to try at least one of the rides but he couldn’t have anticipated it being this one.

“I want to try it.” Jones beamed up at him. A face that the blonde could not deny. Especially since he still wanted to prove to Robot how much he wanted to hang out with him.

Although saying Socks was terrified was an understatement once they actually found themselves in the line. He focused on how the seats would swing, the loud rapturous creek the ride would make each time it swung.. But Robot didn’t seem bothered at all. 

“Socks-Unit?” The little metal dude spoke, interrupting his train of thought. Socks jumped a little before grinning nervously. “Yeah??”

“My scanners indicate your hands are producing more sweat than they usually are. Is something bothering you?” Robot replied rather nonchalantly, to Socks’s immediate embarrassment.

“NOT SO LOUD, ROBOT.” Socks whisper-shouted, glancing around himself with haste to make sure none of the girls in the line caught wind of that before quickly averting his eyes back to Robot. 

“No. I’m not nervous . I’m just getting pre-ride jitters.” The boy said quietly down at him. Robot blinked, tilting his head. He supposed even Socks-unit could have his confusing human ways sometimes.

And so Robot replied a little softer, simpering up at him.

“Oh. My apologies. If it makes you feel any better I will also feel nerv-”  

“Wristbands, please.” A gruff male voice cut in unexpectedly, causing Socks to let out a high pitched shriek as they suddenly found themselves smack dab in the front of the line. The blonde quickly found himself regretting it though as he heard an array of girlish giggles from behind him. 

“Sorry. Here.” Socks furrowed a brow and held out his wrist, avoiding the snickers in his direction. Robot similarly avoided letting laughter rise to his vocal sector and held out his wrist just as Socks had.

Each car of the ride fit 2 people, which was pretty convenient in their regard. Socks didn’t know what he’d do if he had to get on here by himself. As soon as they’d both sit he’d buckle the two of them up with haste, pulling on the belt before dropping the safety bar into their laps.

“So this is how you keep yourself from flying out of the containment box. Interesting.” Robot commented, tapping a claw atop the bar.

Socks smiled down at him, starting to get a little less nervous as the ride started to move- albeit slowly. “Ha. Don’t put that image in my head.” 

‘This isn’t so bad..’

That thought in their minds was quickly squashed however as the ride let out its signature creak before starting to launch itself into the air with great speed. The sudden increase in speed made Socks let out another squirrel-like screech, Robot however just made microwave adjacent beeping sounds in surprise as they’d rush into the air.

…

And then, something incredible happened. Socks- in a fit of fear reached around and tightly hugged Robot as the ride spun about. 

More than ever, Robot felt all jumbled up and funny. He couldn’t tell whether it was just the thrill of being up so high- or if it were the arms wrapped around him. Whatever the case may have been though, not wanting to analyze it any longer, Robot just grinned and hugged Socks back. And to his surprise- Socks started laughing uproariously as they spun around a second time. 

Yeah. This was not so bad at all. 

Robot felt like he couldn’t contain the rush of feelings that swarmed in his chest panel.

The high for Socks however was pretty short lived, for as soon as he stepped off the ride and walked out of the gates a pang of dizziness hit him. Robot didn’t seem phased however, excitedly pointing at the other rides. “Socks-Unit!! We should go on that one next! And then this one- and then-” 

“Uh, Robut, can we sit for a minute? Spinning around like that’s got me lightheaded.” He’d laugh a bit.

“Sure, friend.” He hummed. “I nearly forgot you humans aren’t used to moving that quickly.”

“I mean, you don’t operate that quickly either.” Socks teased, sitting down at a bench and rubbing his forehead as Robot pretended to look offended back. 

… 

Robot’s eyes then widened, scanning the people around him as he caught a girl with high metal contents wearing a violet sweater and trotting through the fair. He’d quickly recognized this and shot upward, a dreamy smile widening across his features..

“What’s with that face?” The blonde peered over at him inquisitively.

“Shannon-unit is here.” He said obviously.

“Pff. Why don’t you go say hi? I’ll stay here and wait for the dizziness to wear off.” Socks smirked a little as he thought about the robot’s crush.

“OKAY.” Robot shot upward, throwing his arms into the air for a moment before awkwardly placing them at his sides as he ran off toward Shannon’s direction. Before he could think rationally about his approach he was excitedly waving and calling out for her.

Shannon grimaced, slowly turning as one of her friends looked over at her in confusion. “Do you hear that?”

“Yes. Just pretend It’s not there and hope it goes away.” Shannon mumbled back, watching Robot hopelessly wave his arms around as he got closer. “SHANNON-UNIT!! HEY!! IT’S ME!! ROBOT!! I-”

However, what he couldn’t keep track of was how close he was and couldn’t slow down in time before he bumped right into her, bumping the drink in her hand and causing it to spill over her shirt.

“AUGH! ROBOT JONES!” Shannon looked over her shirt, aghast. “YOU ARE SUCH A DORK!” She shook her head, red in the face as she stomped off in a different direction, her friends quickly following behind. 

Robot stopped in his tracks, all the joy and excitement residing in his chest from before wilting and dying down as he watched Shannon trudge off from him in embarrassment.

Robot knew that this was not the first time something like this had happened- nor would it be the last, but it hurt all the same. 

And when he walked back, Socks could immediately tell.

“I have caused Shannon’s soda beverage to stain her attire and she had to leave.” Robot dejectedly spoke.

“Yeah, I saw once she yelled at you.” Socks replied without thinking, squinting off at her with disdain as she left. Robot let out a low, quiet beep of discouragement in himself to which Socks quickly clarified, “Well.. it was just an accident. You know she probably didn’t mean to get so worked up over it. And if she did- Well, what does she know? Girls can be so stuffy, sometimes.” He’d cross his arms. “I wouldn’t yell at you if you did something like that.”

“I know.” Robot said simply. Something about this conversation made him nervous all of a sudden.

“Hey, the ride for the ferris wheel is a lot shorter. Wanna check that out next? You can get a pretty good view of everything up there without all the moving and spinning.” Socks said, patting Robot comfortingly on the head as he did before.

“.. Yes. I would like that.” Jones smiles again and helps Socks onto his feet before they would approach the wheel.

Robot watched in awe as they slowly moved up off the ground and high up into the air, placing his metal hands on the side of the cart and staring out with curiosity over the food trucks illuminating all the pathways. Socks let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding, relaxing as he kicked back in his seat and watched the night sky.

Robot glanced back at his friend, pointing down and starting to open his mouth to speak. “Socks-Unit!! It’s..” He fell silent, staring.

Socks’s face was lit up in a way by all the bright neons and gold lights around them that when he flashed a soft smile in Robot’s direction, he felt like he couldn’t focus on anything else. And he didn’t know why. 

“.. Yeah?” Socks finally responded to which Robot looked away quickly back down at the views to get his head on straight. “It is incredible up here!” Jones said quickly, grinning. “Look! You can see the learning establishment from up here! And the deli, and the Super Coolers sign..”

“Oh hey, there’s 15 cents on the floor.” Socks would comment, reaching down and picking up a dime and a nickel off the floor. Rest assured, somehow somewhere Cubey’s Cubeysenses are tingling right now.

As that thought entered Socks’s mind it would leave it as quickly as the ferris wheel let out a harsh metal squeak before freezing in place, just as they had reached the top.

“.. Oh. Oh no.” Socks blinked, looking down and seeing all the other cars have similarly stopped moving. “Is something the matter, Socks-unit?” Robot hasn’t seemed to notice what’s happened yet.

“We’re STUCK up here!” Socks sat up and exclaimed, staring out of the other side of the car. Robot’s pupils shrank in surprise as he turned about quickly. “I did not know these machines could malfunction so greatly.”

“They fold these rides up and carry them around from fair to fair like a lawn chair. Of course they break down! Bah. Of course the one night we get to go together something has to go sour.. I’m sorry, Robut..”

As Socks spoke, he slowly realized just what Robot was doing. Robot was standing at the door of the cart, picking the lock before successfully prying it open. “No need to worry about that, Socks-unit. I will take care of it.” Robot smiled, his jetpack ejecting from his back as he stepped out of the car. Socks’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest before realizing Robot was flying at that point. His nerves did not rest however as Robot was now holding out an arm for Socks to follow. 

“A-Are you crazy, Robo-J?? There is NO way..” Socks stuttered, looking out over the vast sea of both concrete and people below.

“Do not fret. I will make sure by every part of me that you do not leave my grasp.” Robot now held out both of his arms.

Socks held his breath, knowing that if he wanted to get out of this quickly he’d might as well get it over with. He’d slowly step out of the cart, wrapping his arms tightly around the robot and hoping he could pull their weight. Robot felt his mechanical heart skip a few more beats than what was entirely necessary as Socks hugged him but no less he’d start to descend, making sure Socks had no chance of leaving his arms before they’d reach the ground. 

…

“Socks-Unit? You can let go now.”

Socks’s eyes shot open, not realizing his legs already met the concrete. “Oh.” He stood up, in awe as he watched the jetpack reenter Robot’s back. 

“Wow. I didn’t even feel a thing! That was incredible, Robut!” Socks exclaimed in a fit of astonishment.

“It was nothing.” Robot met his eyes for a moment before quickly looking away, cheeks heating up. “Are you hungry? I suppose now would be a better time than ever to regain our energy..” 

The blonde smiled again, dusting himself off and looking off toward a burrito truck. “Good thinking! I’ll grab a burrito.” 

After Socks had ordered his burrito, Robot had reached up to the window of the truck, resting his arms on the counter. “Excuse me sir. I have happened to notice your hot sauce dispenser is no longer operating property. May I unplug it and use the outlet instead?”

The man working the counter squinted but ultimately shrugged. “Uhh.. knock yourself out, kid.”

And so Robot and Socks found themselves behind the burrito truck. Socks leaned on it and watched Robot try to reach the top of the counter where the outlet was, before eventually giving him a lift and flustering Robot a little bit for some reason. Something about being with Socks made him feel so happy. And nervous. Much more than usual. Even when checking his records of being around him before, nothing matched up to now. 

After Socks ate, and Robot recharged, Socks smiled, pointing up to another whirling ride with a little more bravery. “Hey, Robut, wanna go on that next?”

Robot seemed a little worse for wear, each step he took slowing to a standstill. He’d yawn, nodding- before shaking his head. “I can not deny it. I am exhausted, all of a sudden. I think that outlet has drained some of my energy rather than charging it. I am sorry, friend.” Robot said, with guilt washed over his face.

“Oh, what? No, no, don't be sorry. I can take you home, dude.” Socks reached out and gently took a hold of his pronged hand. “Are you too tired to walk?”

Robot felt himself failing to give a response as the simple gesture made his head spin. “NOitisfine.” 

“My bad, I can-” Socks began to let go of his hand. Robot reached back out. “Well. Maybe not. I don’t know.”

Socks grabbed ahold of his hand again as Robot reached back out.

“Don’t worry. It ain’t a burden to ask for help, Robut.” He’d give a sincere smile back, squeezing his metal hand before starting to walk with him toward the exit. “Come on, let’s head back before the merry go round combusts into flames or something.”

The walk home after that made Robot question far more about himself than he was expecting. For one- why did he choose to take Socks-unit’s hand when he was perfectly capable on his own? It was like every turn he made tonight felt illogical and driven by something and he wracked his brain to figure it out. It just didn’t add up.

And then, Robot realized something. A pattern. This was not the first time he’d felt himself reacting like this. Reacting on a whim. 

He’d look up at Socks again, then back to the ground, then back up at Socks.

“Oh.” Robot said, plainly.

“Is something up, Robut?” Socks raised a brow.

“No. It’s fine. Just processing some data.” Jones smiled as if there was nothing wrong.

But inside, Robot realized the severity of what he felt.

Robot had it bad.

Terribly bad.

Chapter Text

 And just like that, all contact between the two ceased.

Robot had no shortage of words in the English lexicon he could think up that could fill in the extent of his emotions. But it was safe to say he was feeling something along the lines of ‘positively aghast.’ 

Robot had tried for days on end that week (what felt to him like millennia) to try and get Socks’s attention, wanting any excuse he could imagine to be around him- and yet Socks seemed to be inexplicably busy.
And due to that alone, Robot had felt just about ready to relocate himself to the nearest scrap metal junkyard and adapt himself to living with the long expired engines.

It left such a wide gap in his day-to-day life for analyzing what any of this could even mean..

In his mind, Shannon could barely even hold a candle to this rush of information setting himself aflame.

He had no idea where to even begin, still putting all of the pieces together and feeling particularly.. Out of tune. He got scolded plenty in the classes he’d normally excel with ease due to all the ‘daydreaming’ as his human teachers so eloquently put it..

Sure, Shannon was pretty. REALLY pretty. But Robot couldn’t say he even knew her that well, at least not as well as he’d known Socks.

And he was beginning to realize that Socks was awfully pretty too, in his own right.

 His personality was pretty, too. Shannon couldn’t quite make Robot feel as warm and prideful and all sorts of nice junk inside with her words. 

Which is probably why Robot couldn’t help but feel a pang of negativity bolt through him each moment Socks passed him in the hall without a word, or when the blonde had to run ‘home’ as quickly as he could without sparing even a passing glance back.

 Surely he had to have made an error that night at the fair. All of these incidents adding up could only lead to that conclusion. And in his mind, if he didn’t make things right soon, he could risk possibly losing Socks-unit forever. No matter a friend or a newly realized… thing, Robot needed to act fast.

He pondered every last bit of this while staring into the green leather of his bus seat on another ride home from school, before noticing a hole in the fabric with something crammed down into the cushion. He’d reach a pronged hand in, feeling around wrappers before eventually resting his claw on a bunched up wad of paper. He’d retract his arm, unfolding the paper curiously to discover it was actually a flier. 

A flier for..

a concert.

A flier, for a concert, for a band that, if Robot’s memory receptors aren’t failing him at the moment, Socks is known for having quite the stocked collection of merchandise for- and, you know, played for Jones so many times when the two were together. 

The literal gears in his head started to crank far faster than they usually do.

If he could get tickets to the concert before it’s too late, Socks wouldn’t be upset at him for.. Well, whatever he did.. and Robot would get the chance to spend more time with him. It was a perfectly logically sound plan. Nothing could go wrong. He decided right then, he would march down to the concert venue with his hard earned arcade money and get those tickets faster than someone could strum a ‘totally zombies electric guitar with flames and stuff’ like he saw in Socks posters.

…

However, when Robot arrived at the venue, tragedy struck.

“There’s nothing I can do, man. We sold out KIXX weeks ago. We don’t even have those seats all the way in the back that are all lumpy and misshapen with the sticky armrests open.” The dark haired man at the ticket counter would explain, his bleached sneakers kicked up against the underside of the table as he’d flip boredly through a magazine, wheeling back and forth in his chair.

“Please. Please. Please. Please. You don’t understand. It is for an important purpose. I’d do anything to get those tickets.” Jones begged and begged, repeatedly slamming his metal claws against the side of the counter in a praying gesture, trying to bargain helplessly with the ticket man, feeling as if he was losing his last hope.

The guy at the counter didn’t seem amused.

“NEXT!” And from behind the counter he craned his neck out, calling to the next person in line behind the little metal freak. Robot sank, sighing and slipping his claws slowly away from the counter, letting off a long drawn out beep of discontentment. As he trudged off toward the exit, he wondered if there was any other way he could regain Socks attention..

“Hey! Hey you!” A voice suddenly called out to him, before a short kid in a trenchcoat would slowly appear from the ominous dark dorito-scented corners of the venue. 

Robot stopped in his tracks, slowly stopping and pointing at himself in confusion.

“Yes! Yes you! Come here!” He’d gesture for Robot to come in his direction, motioning with a little grubby hand.

Robot, while unsure, decidedly makes a drawn out march in the kid’s direction, before planting himself right in front of him.

“Does something seem to be the problem, human?” Robot asked quizzically. 

The kid nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets.

“Hi there. People call me.. Trenchcoat. ” The boy said, adjusting his sunglasses.

Robot wondered why humans were so fascinated with identifying themselves with items of clothing. First Socks, then.. 

“I saw you up there, at the counter. Seems like whatever you got going on is really serious.” Trenchcoat said, gesturing to the ticket counter.

Robot nodded, being reminded of the ordeal causing him to let out another metallic sigh. The kid reached out, putting his hand on Robot’s shoulder.

“I could recognize that kind of begging at the ticket counter anywhere. You got a girl you wanna take to that show?” Trenchcoat asked.

Robot paused, feeling his circuits racing and his cheeks heating up.

“Something. Akin to that..” Robo-J answered quietly. 

Trenchcoat nodded knowingly, taking a long drawl from his fake plastic pipe, little bubbles going up into the air.

“I could see it from a mile away. Well don’t worry, my friend. I’m here to help.”

Robot was stopped in his tracks once again, the bulbs behind his eyes lighting up in curiosity as he’d turn back toward Trenchcoat. 

“How so? All of the tickets are no longer in stock!”

The boy briefly chuckled to himself, reaching into his pocket and retrieving two shiny new tickets for the show. Robot nearly thought he’d seen a halo over Trenchcoat’s head. Reaching forward to rip the tickets out of the boy’s hand- the boy pulled back, grinning.

“Aht aht aht!” Trenchcoat scolded, holding the tickets up into the air. 

“I don’t do charity, metal guy. I need something in return..”

“Currency?” Robot asked, feeling nervous about what kind of upcharge the strange kid was going to ask for.

“Nope. Just.. a little bit of unfinished work. If you can finish all of my missing assignments for the next week, I’ll give you these tickets for free!” Trenchcoat waved the tickets in Robot’s face, and the bulbs in Robot’s eyes instantly lit up in excitement. 

“That is easy! Where is it, human? I’ll start right now!” Robot exclaimed, a pencil shooting out from his palm mechanically and sticking into his grip.

Trenchcoat grinned, reaching into his many pockets and taking out a stack of papers taller than Robot.. But to be fair, a lot of things were taller than Robot.

“... These.. Must be all of the assignments, correct?” RJ asked from behind the tall stack of papers, slowly lifting them into his pronged hands.

“No, those are all I could fit in my pockets for today. I’ll meet you tomorrow to give you the next batch.” Trenchcoat replied, taking another sophisticated drawl from his bubble pipe.

Robot stared.

As if school wasn’t already a big enough ‘drag’ he now had to assess a large heap of someone else’s work while he wasn’t there.

.. Even then, he was persistent. If doing someone else’s homework was the only way to get Socks to notice him again then so be it.

RJ then let out a resigned (and computerized) sigh, leaving with the stack and promising Trenchcoat he’d be back the next day.

And so began Robot’s nightly trials of his patience. Not to say he struggled with any of the work.. In fact, he could complete a paper in only a few minutes.. it was doing so many at one time that ate up his time! It seemed like it perfectly got in the way of his usual afternoon arcade schedule.. But he refused to give up.

By the fourth day, annoyed was an understatement as Robot left a classroom by the final bell of the day and trudged through Polyneux’s halls with a cold scowl.

…

A particular blonde seemed chipper however, having a big proud smile on his face as he approached Robot.

“Hey, Robut! Big news! I managed to-” Socks said, before Robot quickly cut him off, holding up a prong hand as he walked by.

“Apologies, Socks Unit. I am extremely busy this evening, and do not want to waste any time small-talking with you. It is very important.”

And with that, Robot beelined out the door, leaving Socks to stare off at the dust in his path with a confused frown.

“Uh-.. Okay, dude..” Socks slowly lowered his waving hand, resting it in his jean pocket.

And by the next day, a similar narrative played out.

Socks is sitting behind Robot in Mr. Mcmcmc’s class, having finished whatever they were working on for the day. Finding this as good of an opportunity as any, he reaches out to tap Robot to get his attention. “Psst. Robut! Hey!” 

Robot didn’t turn back, holding up his pencil. “Apologies again, Socks Unit. No time to chat. I am finishing..” Jones turned back to squint down at the paper he was filling out. “Last year’s algebra project.”

‘That has to be an excuse.’ Socks thinks to himself, slumping in his seat sadly. What could he have done to Robo-J to upset him?

He pondered it until the bell rang- not getting any other words in edgewise as Robot was out the classroom door before the ringing could even stop.

Cubey would roll over alongside Mitch to meet Socks outside the classroom door, also staring off at Robot as he hightailed it out of the building. 

“.. I’m guessing you couldn’t figure out what his deal was?” Cubey asked, leaning on the side of the doorway as the classroom emptied and Socks and Mitch stepped aside. 

“Not at all, dude!” Socks replied, hefting his bag over his shoulder. “Normally he’s so excited to ‘answer all my inquiries’ or however he puts it- but now It’s like, I’m a ghost!”

“Maybe he thought you were standing too close to Shannon in the lunch line.” Mitch commented, fidgeting with a game in his hands.

Socks furrowed a brow, extending his arms. “There is no way this is over some.. Girl!” His voice cracked loudly, a couple people turning their heads as they walked past the group.

“Relax, Socks!! Mitch was just kidding.” Cubey said, elbowing Mitch. “I mean, maybe Robot DOES have a lot of stuff to do, like he’s been saying.”

“He said that he was doing last year’s algebra project.” Socks said, arms crossed.

Mitch glanced up from his game, replying with a smile. “I mean, I just finished writing a poem I was supposed to turn in last year..”

“.. Yeah, but Robut’s NEVER late. He always has time to finish his stuff in like, 3 seconds..” Socks concluded, bitterly rubbing his temples. 

“Well, whatever it is, you need to figure it out by Saturday so we can go to the arcade together.” Mitch stated.

“They’re putting in the new Fury Wheels game, and we NEED Robot to help us get the high score!” Cubey added, as if this alone meant life or death. 

“I’ll try talking to him again tomorrow. Maybe he’ll have gotten over.. Whatever I did by then.” Socks said, rubbing his neck. “But I don’t know. It’s so hard to get a word in, he just gets away so fast!”

Cubey stood there in silence for a moment, before feeling a smile cross his face. “.. I might have an idea.” Cubey spoke, and the others turned to look at him expectantly..

By Friday afternoon, Robot had a thousand knots in his cube shaped guts. He couldn’t be more excited to finally be done with Trenchcoat’s busywork and see the fruits of his labor as he watched Mr. Mcmcmc’s Math themed clock tick closer and closer to the 3 o'clock mark.

Socks, Mitch, and Cubey were a similar amount of antsy- having skipped their last period of the day just for their plan.. 

Tick, tick, tick..

And just like that, the bell rang through the school, and Robot bolted upward from his desk and sprinted out of the classroom- before immediately being stopped by Cubey.. On his roller skates. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

“Heeey, Robot! What’s up buddy!” Cubey moved toward him, and Robot quickly stopped in place. “I am sorry, Cubey. I have to leave the building right now. I have urgent business to attend to-” The bot shifted around, turning to move past Cubey and head forward- before Mitch suddenly stopped him.

… Mitch was.. also, on rollerskates. Huh.

“Come on, Robot! We just wanna talk to you for a minute-” Mitch held out his arms to block the way- and Robot immediately turned around, deciding upon going down the other side of the hallway and exiting from the back.

“My deepest apologies, but there is no time my friends, I really-” Robot started- before being stopped by Socks himself, who rolled in front of him on ANOTHER pair of skates the moment that Robot turned around. The blonde frowned. “Robut?” He asked.

And Robot couldn’t help but sputter on the spot,

“- Socks Unit, I- Apologies- I have to-” He looked around, feeling cornered- before getting an idea.

Robot suddenly placed his clawed metal hand to the floor, gripping it before his legs would extend upward in height, now above all 3 of them. Afterward, he’d very carefully step over Cubey- before retracting to his normal height and sprinting into the girls bathroom.

“HE’S GETTING AWAY!” Cubey squealed, stumbling and watching Robot make a run into the girls bathroom, ready to head after him- before just standing there in shock.

“Well I’m not going in there.” Mitch replied, a bit frustrated.

…

Mitch and Cubey slowly turned to look at Socks.

It took Socks a moment for him to realize he was being stared at, before he let out a groan and quickly rolled past the two into the girls bathroom doors.

Thankfully, it wasn’t being occupied at the moment as everyone was headed home. All except for Robot, who was currently in the process of crawling through the window near the ceiling.

“ROBUT!?” Socks exclaimed, rolling toward him. Robot let out a metallic yelp in surprise- his jets suddenly igniting as he’d blast himself straight out the open window and onto the lawn outside the school.

“ROOBUUUT!” Socks shouted after him, before turning back around. “Guys, come on! Noone’s in here, just give me a boost!” Socks pleaded, before Cubey and Mitch rolled in after him.

“You owe me, Socks!” Mitch let out a noise of disgust as he rolled past the floral hand soap and embroidered paper towels. 

“Over here, Mitch.” Cubey said, rolling over toward the wall. Mitch would follow, Cubey stacking on top of his shoulders before helping Socks up and boosting him up to the window. 

Socks looked over the edge of the window from that height and watched Robot make a run for it across the lawn and toward the street. 

Panicked, Socks squeezes his head through the window before shimmying the rest of his body out with it before- (very nervously) making a slide down the storm drain and down onto the lawn.

“Agh! Agh! Agh! I hit my knee against the storm drain!” Socks shouted in a high pitched voice, hopping on one skate and holding his leg.

Cubey stuck his head out of the window, shouting back. “Hurry up! I can see Robot halfway down the street from here!” 

Socks, ignoring his likely bruising knee, rolled across the lawn’s bumpy terrain before sliding onto the asphalt streets and chasing after the back of Robot’s gray shiny head. 

After roller skating down a couple blocks- Socks was ready to stop, before pausing as he saw Robot sprint into the concert venue.

“.. What’s he going in there for?” Socks asked himself as he stopped in front of the venue, deciding to just wait for him to come out as he changed out from the tight roller skates into his regular dingy sneakers. 

A couple minutes would pass by, Socks now sitting on the curb with his hand resting on his cheek- before Robot reemerged with a big smile on his face. He casually steps over to Socks as if nothing happened, waving a clawed hand. “Greetings, Socks-Unit.”

Socks just sat and stared. “.. What the heck did I do, Robut?” He asked Robot immediately, throwing his arms into the air in confusion.

“Huh?” Robot replied, blinking slowly. “What do you mean?” 

“I mean-” Socks was the one sputtering now. “You- you.. You’ve been avoiding me all week, man! Did I do something to you?”

Robot fell quiet, before speaking up again. “.. No. I was just trying to make up for what I did to you, friend. That is why I have been busy.”

.. That made Socks only more confused, now. “What? But.. What are you talking about?” Socks blubbered.

“Last week,” Robot started. “After attending the fair together, you similarly began to avoid me. I assumed that I’d done something wrong, so I wanted to make you.. Talk to me. Again.” He finished explaining.

Socks wore a blank expression briefly, before bursting into laughter, wiping an eye. 

“What is so funny?” Robot asked, putting his clawed hands on his hips.

“Sorry, sorry, It’s just.. I wasn’t mad at you, either, Robut! I was swamped with yard work that week. I was trying to save up money!” Socks exclaimed with a chuckle, before pulling out a..

Pair of KIXX tickets. 

“I’ve been waiting to tell you, but you were so busy.. I got us tickets to the KIXX concert before it sold out!”

…

Robot slowly took out the pair of tickets he just got from Trenchcoat.

Socks stared, wide eyed.

“Don’t tell me.” Socks uttered.

Robot nods slowly.

“Really? Trenchcoat? ” The blonde shook his head, smirking as he replied, “I appreciate it man, you have no idea, but like, that kid is BAD NEWS. He buys a bunch of tickets with his dad’s money just so he can sucker people into doing his work!”

Robot beeped sadly. “I had already initiated my desperate protocol and I did not want to give up there.”

“It’s okay,” Socks tilted his head. “You know what this means, right? We can invite Mitch and Cubey to the concert with us!”

Robot’s face suddenly lit up into a smile. 

“You are correct, Socks-Unit!” Robot beamed, holding the tickets in the air. “Let us go find them, so we can-” 

…

A vulture swoops from the air, grabbing a hold of the tickets in Robot’s claw and snatching them, before suddenly violently eating them and leaving the shreds on Robot’s head.

The two stare in absolute shock and horror.

“Or. I guess. Just us.” Socks slowly slips the tickets he got back into his pockets. “.. Uh. Sorry that you ended up doing all that work for nothing, Robut.”

Robot felt another smile cross his face despite watching his week’s work get ripped up by an ugly bird. “That is okay. I am just happy to know that my best friend Socks-Unit still likes me.”

Socks couldn’t be completely sure why, but hearing that made his stomach feel all types of tingly.

“Thanks, Robo-J. I’m glad you still.. like me too.” Socks said back with another warm laugh. “Oh- I forgot to mention. Mitch and Cubey wanna hit the arcade tomorrow, but.. Do you wanna hang out Sunday, too? They’re having a sale at the record store in the mall, and..”

… Mitch and Cubey, who were currently watching (and eavesdropping) from behind the corner of the building glanced at each other.

“Don’t you think they get kind of sappy when we’re not around?” Mitch asked.

“Ha, yeah.” Cubey chimed back.

..

...

.....

“Wanna follow them around Sunday and find out what they’re doing without us?” Mitch inquires.

“Totally.” Cubey answered, almost immediately.