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The sun beat down harshly on the few open sections of Playground. Skateboard found himself shielding his eyes with his hand as he trudged forward through the busy, humid streets. Shoving past demons of all colors, gears, and varieties, it was home.
Ah, at last, what he was looking for. The colorful ramps of the skatepark and the demons mulling about within. Some with skateboards as their gear, most with them just for fun. Skateboard didn't really know a lot of other Skateboards out there, and that was probably for the better. It got confusing, at a certain point.
That aside, Skateboard swung open the metallic gate fencing off the skatepark from the rest of the city. A few demons lifted their heads in acknowledgment of the sound, but otherwise ignored Skateboard. It was better that way, as on some days he'd be fending off all sorts of people who recognized him from the Phights. Euh.
There was a reason why there was so little Phighters from Playground. The more rural areas were much more relaxed, and didn't really care as much, but the city… Skateboard grew up in the midst of the city, only a few demons around being from his little group. Boombox.. etc. Skateboard's face scrunched up at the memory. As much as he missed those two, he knew there was really no way to get all of that back.
As much as he wanted to talk… maybe it was for the better that they didn't. Being from Playground, entering the Phights was always met with backlash. Especially if he or Boombox landed on the same team as someone from Blackrock. Like Subspace, or Hyperlaser, or a Biograft. It was always met with some sort of scorn from those around him. Whereas Boombox didn't come crashing into Skateboard's life for a long while, he and… that guy, you know who, they..
Well, okay, it was rough growing up. A lot of street violence might not have worn Skateboard himself down into a husk of violence and anger, but he at least knew what he was doing in a skirmish or two! Especially being a well recognized demon in the most violent sport out there, he had several legs up on snarky teens who wanted his wallet or whatever.
Suddenly not feeling the motivation to get some tricks in, Skateboard instead opted to climb up the half pipe, content to sit at the top and watch the demons below mill about and do what they pleased. Places like the skatepark were always much more calm, just a lot of stoners and the like hanging out and doing whatever the fuck they do. For someone like Skateboard, it was a perfect place. And way less crowded than the BOGIO Skatepark, which was much further into the city. Demons would always go there after Phights, trying to catch a picture with a tired Phighter, or a group would go to try and jump Subspace. Again.
Even though Blackrock really sucked and did a lot of terrible things, Skateboard couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the scientist. He seemed really sick almost all the time, and you sort of learn to vibe with someone you see often, even if you still dislike them. There's a lot of examples in Skateboard's life about this, such as…
"Hey, Skate!"
Skateboard's head snapped up, his hand coming up and adjusting his helmet briefly from where it had apparently slipped forwards. Boombox stood at the bottom of the half pipe, smiling face ever unknown to Skateboard's internal monologue.
Boombox, the only real one out there. And Skateboard's roommate.
"Hey Boom, come up here, I was just chillin'." Skate gestured, happy that his friend was now here. It would be made more perfect if Slingshot was also there, because then the trio would be all together, but..
Slingshot was either in Crossroads or Thieves' Den, both of which were a fair distance from Playground. And no matter, Boombox was here anyway! He came in for a hug, clashing awkwardly against Skateboard's pads. It didn't really matter, though, because Boombox was always warm.
"Sooo, Skate, what brings you here? Sling said that you canceled your meet yesterday. Thought to check up on you."
Skateboard rubbed the back of his neck. "Just needed some time to think, I guess. Reflecting?"
Boombox laughed lightly. "Look at you go, thinking for once!" His expression grew a little more serious, looking at Skateboard with concern. "Are you okay, though?"
"...As fine as I can be, I guess."
Boombox was silent for a second. He seemed to be thinking over his next few words carefully, and Skateboard had an inkling of a feeling that he knew what the green-themed DJ would bring up.
"Are you thinking about…him, again?"
Skateboard sighed heavily, looking away from Boombox. The sun had just began to set in the distance, showing warily through the tall skyscrapers and through the battered chain-link fence. For once, the noise of Playground fell away as the world became just him and Boombox. "Something like that."
"I don't think it's bad that you want to talk to him again. I know the whole thing was rough for the both of you. But I also don't think it was your fault. Or his, actually."
Skateboard let his head fall silently onto Boombox's with a dull thump, leaning more into the physical contact. He missed this sort of affection.
"Sometimes it still weighs on me, though. I wonder how he's doing.. but at the same time I don't want to come off as weird or obsessive or, gods forbid a loser , or somethin'..."
"You're not a loser for wanting to know how someone is even if they're not your friend anymore," Boombox said, hesitantly. "I'm always asking how people are. Even if they don't really like me. Like Medkit."
Skateboard nodded, submerging himself in his thoughts again. He watched the city begin to transition into its night life, the street-lights turning on and demons mulling about. Rush hour had just about ended, and the next one wouldn't be until early morning, when all of the night shift workers would be getting out. Playground wasn't really the safest at night, and so Skateboard shifted to get up.
"..Thanks. For that. Do you want to just order a pizza or something? I'll put on some random cartoon and we can chill." Skateboard said, gently nudging Boombox to get up as well. "I'll text Slingshot, too." He added on, after a minute.
"Sounds good to me. The usual?"
"Yeah, sure. Just don't put pineapple on it again, you know I hate pineapple!"
Boombox giggled. "No promises!"
And even though his wounds were still sore from that incident all that time ago, Skateboard thought to himself, walking home with Boombox. Things could get better, and as long as he has Boombox and Slingshot, they will get better. Even as the sun's final rays beamed into his eyes, making him hiss and bring up his hand, to the sound of Boombox's laughter, the thoughts lingered.
He just had to try.