Chapter Text
X-Ray had gone alone. He knew he shouldn't have; it was stupid of him to think he can come without Vav, but he didn’t have a plan, not really, and Gavin hated not having a plan, especially when it came to something as risky as this. He knew meeting with the Mad King was a whole new level of stupidity, but he needed answers. He needed to know about Mogar, and that was another reason why he came alone. Gavin would have brought Ash with them, or Ash would have followed them again, and it would’ve just made things worse. God, he really despised Ash. No, what? He wasn’t jealous. Shut up.
But really, Ash was ruining everything and distracting Gavin from their mission.
It didn’t take long for the Mad King to break into his mind. It happened in just about a split second. Out of stubbornness and plain stupidity, he broke and the words came tumbling out, all his emotions laying bare for the Mad King. Worst part was, he didn’t even realize how much he told him. Up until he began picking him apart, jabbing at his weak spots and purring that Gavin didn’t need him anymore, that Gavin was going to leave him, that he was never going to grow up…
Ray tried to ignore the Mad King’s words. He tried to push them away, tell himself that he was lying, that Gavin will never leave him, but when Gavin showed up at his apartment, with files on Mogar, courtesy of the Mad King, Ray knew the Mad King was right. Here Gavin was, now ditching him for Ash. When Gavin walked out the door, Ray resisted the urge to throw something. He resisted the urge to cry, to shout, to chase after Gavin and insist he stay with him, or let him join them. He wanted to learn about Mogar too, despite his annoyance with the vigilante.
It didn’t take more than 10 minutes before Ray broke down. He curled up in bed and buried himself under his covers, sobbing his heart out, thankful that no one was home to hear him.
After about an hour, his sobs subsided and he laid there, hiccuping softly. He sniffled and huffed in annoyance with himself. God, he was pathetic. It was no wonder Gavin didn't want him anymore.
Ray sat up and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes before he got up. He pulled his glasses back on, then he moved to leave the room, heading for the bathroom and washing his face. When he finished, he walked out just as the news anchor on the TV announced that the Mad King had broken out. A crime! Perfect! He can go and capture the Mad King! He didn't need Vav. He can do it all on his own.
As he searched the streets for the Mad King, he wasn't expecting Gavin and Ash to be out and about. Probably searching for the Mad King too.
No! This was his moment! He was going to capture the Mad King! He was going to prove he was worth it.
"X-Ray?!" Gavin asked in surprise when he saw the brunet, but Ray ignored him and continued on. He heard Gavin muttering to Ash and he huffed when he caught his name before he took off running, not wanting to hear what Gavin was saying about him. He turned a corner, glancing behind him before he collided with someone, bouncing off the other person's body and falling to the concrete.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" X-Ray yelled, then froze when brown eyes met wicked blue. A split second passed before he reacted. "You!" He growled before launching himself at the Mad King and tackling him down. A rush of pride raced through him at both the look of surprise the older man had on his face and the fact that Ray had him pinned beneath him.
"Hello X-Ray." The Mad King purred when he recovered from the surprise.
"You're not getting away with this, Mad King. I'm gonna lock you back up, just you watch." Ray growled, not realizing he was straddling the Mad King now as he held him down.
"Oh? S'that so, X-Ray?" He cooed, then he glanced around before letting his gaze rest on the hero on top of him. "Where's your partner?" He purred, eyebrow raised mockingly.
The younger male tried not to fidget at his question, simply huffing. "None of your business." He answered wittily, but by the smirk on the Mad King's lips, Ray knew the Mad King knew he was bluffing.
“My my, X-Ray. Looks like someone’s words came true.” He hummed.
Ray averted his gaze, hoping he didn’t see the hurt in his eyes. “Yeah? So what? I’m still gonna kick your ass into next week.” He told him.
“Just by yourself? X-Ray, you’re not capable enough to handle me. If you weren’t good enough with Vav, what makes you think you’re good enough on your own?”
The hero glared at him, trying not to let his words affect him, but they stung, bad. He was at a loss of words. No witty one-liners, no sarcastic comeback, nothing. Ray growled, then he got off of him. Fuck this. Fuck it. He wasn’t going to do anything. He couldn’t, not on his own, but it’s not like it mattered. Gavin didn’t want him anyway. He was all he had, and he wanted nothing to do with him. His heart broke as he admitted that to himself and he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and die. No, that was too lazy, even for him. Maybe he should just surrender to the Mad King, let him take him as his prisoner like he tried to do with Hilda.
Hilda. Oh shit, he forgot about her! Without looking back at the Mad King, Ray took off, heading for Monarch Labs where he prayed Hilda was. Hilda would understand, right? Hilda would help him, right?
Ray made his way up to Hilda’s lab, his heart pounding in his chest as he prayed that Hilda would listen to him. Entering the lab, Ray was immediately greeted by Orf.
“Greetings, X-Ray.” The floating bot scanned the hero. “What has you upset, X-Ray?” Orf asked.
“It’s nothin’, Orf. I just needa talk to Hilda.” He said with a tight smile before looking around the lab, finding the purple-haired genius at one of the lab tables. Taking a deep breath, Ray walked over, approaching the scientist.
“Hilda… I needa talk to you.” The brunet stated, toying with the bottom of his cape.
“Sorry X-Ray, kinda busy at the moment, can you return later?” The girl stated as she worked on something.
Ray scratched the back of his head. “Oh, I uh… Sure. I mean, this is kinda important, but I’ll come back.” He said, then deflated when he earned a simple nod from Hilda before heading for the doors. God, what was the point? It’s not like Hilda truly cared. She just helped them with their gadgets, that was it. It’s not like they were actually friends. At least, to Ray, it didn’t seem that they were.
Ray waved to Orf, then left the building. He wrapped his arms around himself tightly, a habit he hadn’t done since he met Gavin. He regretted meeting with the Mad King today. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have these thoughts buzzing in his head. Sure, he’s had these thoughts, but they were always in the back of his head.
Without realizing it, tears began to roll down his cheeks as he walked down the sidewalk, his negativity clouding up his brain as he crossed the street. He saw a car speeding down the lane and instead of running across the street to safety, he simply stopped and stood still. It’s not like it mattered. He wouldn’t be missed. What was the point in trying so hard? Every person he’s ever loved has left him. So why bother fighting so hard to exist when you were easily replaceable?
Ray watched the car come closer and he made no moves to get out of the way, even when the driver blared his horn at him. He simply closed his eyes, waiting for the end, then a sudden force knocked into his side and sent him sprawling onto the crosswalk. He groaned, tears forming in his eyes, but not from the pain in his shoulder. “Fucking goddammit! Why’d you do that?!” He shrieked, opening his eyes to see the Mad King staring down at him. “What the fuck man!?” He yelled at him, ignoring the tears that threatened to spill.
“Are you crazy?” He asked him, shock in his eyes. God, he didn’t want it to get to this point. He didn’t even think it would get to this point. He just wanted to split him and Vav apart, not see X-Ray go down this path.
“Why do you care?” He spat as he moved to stand. “I’m not needed, I’m not wanted, so why do you care, huh? You should’ve just let me get hit!” He was angry. God, why did he have to save him?
“X-Ray, I may despise you and Vav, but even I don’t want to see you meet your end like that.” He said and for a split second, he seemed genuine, but Ray shook that away quickly. No, the last time he seemed genuine was behind the glass wall, when he urged him to open up, and look where that got him.
“Why don’t you go fuck yourself? You got what you wanted. Vav and I aren’t friends anymore, so you can leave me alone.” He said as he brushed off his costume. His voice had cracked and a tear had rolled down his cheek as he stated the obvious. Him and Gavin weren’t friends anymore.
“X-Ray…” The Mad King began, then he sighed and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Come with me, we’ll discuss this in private.”
The hero froze at his touch, then he wrenched away. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going anywhere with you.” He huffed, earning a sigh from the man.
“I won’t try anything, I won’t do anything to you. I just want to talk to you.” He said, keeping his gaze on his, nothing but sincerity in his eyes.
Ray swallowed hard, debating with himself. Be alone and consider death again, or go with the Mad King, the only person that seemed to want him, despite being a pawn in his game. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded. “Fine, but if you do anything, I won’t hesitate to kick your ass.” He said.