Work Text:
"You fool! I told you to hold off from blasting the enemies!"
"I'm not taking orders from you, Lionface! Besides, stalling them has proven to be useless as well!"
"They're always like this, huh…."
The Master of Chaldea sat calmly while watching her two servants bicker once more. It has always been like this, from the moment the two were summoned.
The figure next to her, a petite, magenta-haired young lady, sighed and shook her head. "Honestly, even I wonder if they ever agreed on something."
It was already late during the hour. Almost everyone has decided to retire for the day and go to sleep.
Almost everyone except the genius, occupying himself within Chaldea's library.
The man, with a book in his hand, was reading intently. Trying his best to decipher and memorize the contents within the book.
So much so that he did not realize a figure was standing in front of him.
"Tesla? What are you doing here at such an ungodly hour?"
The man was startled. Dear God.
"That is none of your concern, Edison." The man spat out, as if cursing the other and his entire bloodline. Maybe he was.
The Lionman rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Well, I just wanted to let you know that it's late. Our beautiful librarian wishes to retire for the night and would love to close up the library soon."
The genius sighed, closing the book he read earlier and prepared to head back to his assigned room.
As he was putting back the books on their respective shelves, the Lionman helped set up the chair and papers that were strewn around during Tesla's study. He saw him eyeing his notes.
Tesla immediately bolted and yanked his notes out of Edison's hands. Now, Edison was the one startled.
"Don't you dare steal these ideas from me." Tesla spat out again, even more venomous than earlier.
Edison held up both his hands. "Now, now, easy there, my friend! I was just… Curious."
The man squinted, clearly distrustful with the other.
Edison sighed. "Really, I mean it! It seems to me that you're trying to construct… Some armor? What for?"
Edison has heard from the librarian that a certain someone has kept himself busy the past few nights in the library. ‘I worry for him but he’s quite intimidating when he’s like this.’ Murasaki mentioned, shuddering at Tesla’s intensity.
Tesla’s shoulders sagged, relaxing but still cautious. “Indeed. I am trying to construct a type of battle suit Mystic Code for Master.” He grunted. “I was hoping that with the help of this suit, she wouldn’t be so strained and exhausted after every battle.”
Ah.
“That is… Quite thoughtful of you. I am ashamed to admit that I have not thought of that.” Edison chuckled, scratching his cheek in embarrassment.
Tesla blinked, and then smirked. “Heh, well yes. All the more proof that I am the more brilliant one than you.” He boasted. “Though, that does not explain why you are here. Did Miss Murasaki tell you about my ‘nightly rituals’ and you wanted to take this opportunity to steal my ideas once more?”
Edison growled. This man.
“I swear I’m not! You can be distrustful of me all you want but I swear I am not here to steal anyone’s ideas.”
The man squinted once more. Oh, for the love of God.
“I really am not. In fact, I’m here because I may or may not have the same concerns as you.” Edison sighed in frustration.
“Huh?” Tesla tilted his head in confusion.
“About Master,” Edison continued. “I was worried about the times she would come back after every battle. It’s clear that these battles are damaging her, both physically and mentally. And I hope that I can just make something to heal her wounds.” He explained.
Tesla blinked, realization hitting him. “Oh…”
“Yes. So when I saw that you were already planning on doing the same, I wanted to propose that we collaborate.”
“I don’t trust you.” Tesla glared.
“I know.” Edison nodded. “But I think we can both agree that Master’s well-being is both of our priority.”
His eyes widened. Edison was right.
“Fine. You can help me with identifying what materials are best used for this and I better not see you taking all the credit to yourself. Got it?”
The Lionman shook his head and chuckled. “Whatever you say, Nikola.”
They were inside a cave. They were trying to fix a minor minute singularity but something happened and prevented them from returning back to base. Typical.
And now, Thomas Alva Edison was grunting in pain as Nikola Tesla was trying to patch up his wounds.
“You bloody idiot. You didn’t have to cover for us and be a meat shield. Now hold still!” Tesla growled.
Ritsuka was currently out with Mash and Helena, trying to rid of the anomaly that prevented them from returning to Chaldea. She insisted that Edison should stay and rest, Helena adding that Tesla should be the one taking care of the man.
‘That woman… She knows that I hate this man, right?’ Tesla grumbled to himself, accidentally tying the bandage too tight.
“OUCH! Hey!” Edison roared.
“Sorry, geez!”
Why did he have to be the one to stay with this insufferable man?
To say that they are “friends” would be an overstatement of the century. They hated each other. Sure, they still actively think of one-upping the other but the times they shared together has… softened them a bit.
Whenever Tesla was out of crafting materials for their shared project, Edison would immediately rush and fetch the materials he requested. Whenever Tesla was too tired to continue his tinkering, Edison would continue his work, with surprisingly no faults. And whenever Tesla finds himself sleeping on his desk, he would faintly feel a warm blanket covering his tired figure and a gentle hand petting his head.
Tesla blushed, shaking off those thoughts.‘Damn it, Nikola. You’re just starved for an actual, meaningful relationship. You would never like him that way.’
Said man coughed, trying to get Tesla’s attention. “You in there, Nikola?”
“Yes. What is it?” He asked, growing impatient. ‘What did I do to deserve this…? I just want to go back to Chaldea and rest.’
“Thank you.”
Huh? “What?” Tesla asked, dumbstruck.
“Thank you, for patching me up. I know how much you do not trust me and of course I would know how much you spite me. You could have indeed ditched me, left me to fade, or even just refuse Miss Blavatsky’s suggestion. And yet… I thank you, my friend.” Edison smiled softly.
Tesla’s face grew redder and looked away.
Edison chuckled. “Though I am curious. You of all people should know that we servants need no such things as worldly medicine. So why did you do it?”
Damn.
Damn him, he was right again.
“I…” Tesla inhaled, and exhaled. Preparing himself to answer. “I do admit that the idea of being near you and even caring for you is sickening but I… I guess I just didn’t want to see you more hurt than you should be.” He confessed.
‘You are the most insufferable man I know and almost all of my hurt and sorrow were caused by you. And yet, you are the only one here who truly understood me and my views. You are dear to me, and I find that to be the most infuriating part of it all.’ He said to himself.
Now it was Edison’s turn to be dumbstruck. A dust of pink was visible on his white fur. Was he embarrassed?
“I… Thank you. I didn’t want to see you hurt as well. You work yourself to the bone and try your best to protect Master and everyone else. I am grateful to know that Master has such a wonderful servant to protect her but who will protect you, Nikola?” Edison questioned. “That is why I am taking it upon myself to be the one that protects you.”
Tesla thought that his face couldn’t get any redder and boy, he has proven himself wrong once more.
Seeing that he has made Tesla speechless, Edison continued. “Let me protect you. Just like the way you protect Master and me.”
Tesla, who seemed to have regained his senses, nodded. “Fine… But please stop being so reckless. For both our sake.”
It was dark. But it never felt cold.
Not when there were warm hands holding and caressing him softly.
Tesla felt a sharp pain behind his neck. He groaned.
“We will not speak of this night, Thomas.” He turned his head, glaring at the man behind him.
A mischievous but understanding glint appeared in Edison’s eyes.
“Sure thing, Nicky.”