Chapter Text
One second, I was attacking Doll. The next, everything went black.
—I let out a scream, whirling around to find her and she ran off. Uzi and N were shouting at her, something lame. My hands fly up to my headlights, but nothing comes from it—
—my foot connects with something hard. I go down. Another scream, louder—
—I pick myself up. Oil and sludge drips down my body, staining my hair and favorite jacket. My tail curls around something, and I throw it and hear a yelp—
—I hit a wall, letting out several curses. Footsteps deafen me as my other senses desperately try to recalibrate—
—I hear myself scream a name, but I can’t make it out—
—it hurts it hurts why does it hurt I’m a drone it shouldn’t hurt why does it hurt like that it really shouldn’t what is going on I’m scared it hurts it burns dammit it burns I can’t see I can’t see I can’t see I can’t see—
“Hey, it’s okay.” A girl’s voice, so calm and soothing, breaks my thoughts apart. “C’mon, she’s long gone by now.”
A small hand threads with mine, and she pulls me away. I hit another wall, and she murmurs a quiet apology. All I can see is darkness as she guides me out of the tunnel we were in, but that doesn’t change even when we get outside. I wouldn’t mind being burned alive right now if it meant I could see.
N and Uzi say something to each other even though I’m close by, but I can’t make it out. The hearing sensors only ring, and I hate it. I’m sure my visor is stuck on some stupid expression.
Uzi brings me to her room and helps me to her tub. She removes my jacket, and I feel myself flinch at the thought. Despite not being human, it’s still weird to be completely undressed in front of someone else……even if I only wore that cropped jacket…..
She splashes a bit of water on my casing, not enough to damage me, and cleans the sludge from my hair. After that, she pulls me out of the tub and sits me down on a stool.
“I’m just gonna brush your hair in a second, okay, V?” she asks, her tone almost fooling me into thinking she doesn’t really care.
“F-fine,” I mumble. “Can’t really do anything worse.”
It’s so weird, seeing nothing while feeling everything. Uzi’s hands are slightly sweaty—who even programmed that—as she places one on my neck for a second. I’m left there, naked and more than a little confused, when she leaves. She comes back after a second, and I hear the rustle of fabric.
“I found some clothes that N gave me. They’re too big for me, but I guess they’ll fit you,” she says. Then she picks up the brush and runs it through my hair. A weird purr escapes me, and I try to squash it down.
Bad feelings. This isn’t the right time.
We stay in silence as she continues, and I can’t even think of anything to say. The brush is almost as soothing as her voice, but then a thought hits me.
Why haven’t I recovered yet? I should have done that by now. How bad was whatever happened?
I guess the eyes featured on my visor close because I hear the tiniest sound, and I honestly don’t care.
The brush suddenly seems taunting.
A blind Disassembly Drone might as well be a dead one. If I can’t see, then I can’t help N and Uzi, can’t join Lizzy in whatever crap she wants to pull, can’t hunt down Doll, can’t fly, can’t fight, can’t-
“V.” Uzi’s words are quiet, gentle, and I feel her hand on my shoulder. It’s so little, so unlike N’s. I think I like hers more right now. “Are you okay?”
“No,” I say. “I don’t know why I’m not recovering like I normally do. This isn’t something that’s ever happened to me. I’m better at attacking than this…..at fighting…..”
“You’ll be fine,” she says. “It’ll just need some more time.”
“You better be right, Gremlin,” I manage to say. “If this is permanent, then I…..I…….”
She rests her head against my back and stays there. I don’t know what to do or say, so I don’t do it say anything at all. It’s better this way.
After a few minutes, she has me stand up and helps me put the clothes on. It’s difficult because I don’t know what it looks like or where or how it opens up, but I now know that. It seems to be a nightgown with a ruffled skirt. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was black or purple.
Something keeps hitting my back and hips, so I grab it a little too tightly. “What is this?” I ask.
“They’re…..wings,” Uzi admits in a very embarrassed tone. “Again, N thought it would fit me.”
“Thanks, Uzi.” I take her hands in mine and squeeze them. “You…..”
“Don’t mention it,” she mutters. “C’mon, it’s time for bed, Angel. You can sleep it off with me.”
I smile, and she leads me to her bed. I find her easily and hold her close. She’s like a little stuffed animal to me, so cute and precious. She squeaks but doesn’t fight, and I giggle softly. I lean my head against her shoulder, and I feel my systems turning off for the night. She pulls the blanket over us, and that’s the last thing I know of.