Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rocket looked dumbly at Sword, standing in the doorway recovering from the momentary confusion.

“I’m sorry, you want me to do what? ” Sword looked sheepish.

“Look,  the SFOTH Ball is happening in like a week. I need a plus one, and you’re the only demon I can think of!” Sword scratched the nape of his neck, glancing at the floor. “Though, even without the short notice, you’d be my first pick.”

Rocket felt his heart skip a beat. Him? Out of all demons, Sword not only thought to ask Rocket to accompany him, but to a ball where some of the most prestigious and powerful people in all of the Inpherno were gathering? The SFOTH themselves were going to be there! 

He gulped. “Why not Medkit? He’s probably way more suited for this than I am.”

“He’s already going with Ban Hammer,” Sword sighed. “C’mon, please? I’ll make it up to you!” 

“Dude, I don’t even know how to dance. Considering who your father is, you're probably expected to dance at least once!” 

“Well, if I’m with you, I don’t really care if it looks a little messy. You don’t need to dance if you don’t want to.” Rocket felt his face warm up. “And besides, it’ll be fun! I’ll cover everything you’ll need – my dad’s paying for it anyways.” 

Rocket sighed. “Fine, I’ll go. You only live once.” Rocket dodged Sword as he leapt to tackle him into a hug, resulting in him promptly crashing into the floor. “But you better make it up to me!” 

“Yeah of course! I’ll come pick you up when it’s time.” Sword said, picking himself off of the floor and beginning to walk away, only to quickly double back. “Oh wait, right, dad said I need to coordinate outfits with whoever I bring. They’re to go to this specific tailor to get outfitted.” Sword handed Rocket a wrinkled piece of paper. “Like I said, don’t worry about the cost or anything, but maybe head over a few days before the ball?” 

Rocket nodded, unable to get any words out. Matching outfits?! Sure he wasn’t the most fashionable demon, but matching clothes with Sword? Everyone would start to think things!

…he’d know, (he’s one of them.) 

Sword flashed Rocket one of his signature megawatt smiles. “I’ll see you in a week!” He waved goodbye before walking off.

Rocket closed the door and rested his forehead on it. His face felt like it was burning. “Am I dreaming?” Rocket muttered to himself.   This felt like a fantasy, one where he’s actually able to tell Sword how he feels. He poked himself with a claw. 

“Nope, this is real.”

Rocket heard someone chuckle behind him. He whirled around to see Zuka with an amused smirk on his face. “Finally, something is happening between you two kiddos. It pains me hearing you rant about Sword only to not do anything. At least one of you took initiative.”

Rocket figured he must look like a tomato at this point. “DAD! It’s not like he has a choice! I’m his first and only option! You really think he could pry Medkit away from Ban Hammer, of all demons?” 

Zuka raised an eyebrow. “You do realize he could’ve just gone by himself, right?” He points out. “Venomshank may be a deity, but he’d crumble under the weight of his son’s request to just go alone.” Rocket opened his mouth in rebuttal, but couldn’t find anything to say. Zuka walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder. “Regardless, accept that you were chosen and you said yes. It would probably be best to go to that tailor now, rather than later.” 

Rocket sighed. Feels like he’s been doing a lot of that within the past couple of minutes. “Alright, I’ll head out now. Need anything while I’m out?” Zuka shook his head. “I’ll be back.” As Rocket left the house, closing the door behind him with a click, a faint smile graced his face. 

It did feel good to be chosen. 

*****

Rocket looked down at the address scribbled on the paper Sword gave him before fixing his gaze upon the building in front of him. He knew that the SFOTH and their families were loaded, they’re the deities of the Inpherno after all, but…

There’s no way Sword really meant to send him here , right? 

The entire building screamed upper-class, from the intricately carved marble, to the tall glass windows displaying various clothing and accessories he could never think of affording, The sneers of disgust being sent in his direction by the customers also certainly added to the air of upper-class snobbery. Rocket was just itching to bring out his gear and blow the place up (and maybe some of the people) into smithereens, but he couldn’t do that to Sword and Zuka. One would probably be embarrassed about sending him to the store, with the latter drowning in debt due to his actions. 

With a forced grin, he pushed open the gilded glass doors and stepped in. Immediately after entering, a well dressed attendant strode up to him and lightly bowed. The Inphernal wore a well fitted suit, with a blue and black mechanical glove covering one hand.

“Welcome, Sir Rocket. We’ve been expecting you!” Rocket blinked. How did they…? “Lord Sword had informed us to expect your arrival sometime this week. My name is Psychokinesis Glove, but you can just call me ‘Glove’ for simplicity's sake. If you could please come this way.” The two walked their way through the store, weaving through racks and shelves of expensive clothing, shoes. and a variety of other merchandise. “Lord Sword was adamant we give you the best service we can provide. I believe he is paying it out of pocket.” The demon glanced back at him. “He must care a lot for you, if he is willing to splurge on you.” 

Rocket’s steps faltered for a moment. “I thought Venomshank was paying for it?” 

Glove shook their head. “Lord Venomshank was present during the transaction, howeverLord Sword insisted on paying for everything.” Rocket’s mind was going a mile a minute. Sure, he and Sword had bought one another gifts many times before, but those were only small and relatively inexpensive! A snack here or there, maybe a throwaway joke item on occasion, but clothes this expensive? He doesn’t even see price tags on anything, and there’s no way that means they’re cheap. 

“Ah, we have arrived.” 

The two entered through a nondescript door near the back of the store and entered what looked to be a personal tailoring room. Tables and dressers lined the walls with various sewing machines strewn about. Bolts and swathes of cloth are neatly organized wherever there is leftover space. In the centre of the room are two raised circular wooden platforms side by side, with a familiar figure already standing on one of them. Rocket’s eyes widened in recognition.

“Medkit? I wasn’t expecting to see you here!” Rocket exclaimed as he walked up to the other demon.

“I could say the same to you. This place isn’t quite your style.” The words, although delivered dully, had no bite behind them.

“Oh, Sword asked me to come here since he and I apparently need matching outfits for the upcoming ball. I wasn’t expecting to come somewhere so… grand.” Rocket swears he heard Medkit mutter ‘finally’ under his breath, but brushed it off. “What’re you here for?”

“I have just finished being fitted for an outfit for the upcoming ball as well.” Medkit looked at Rocket’s slightly unnerved look. “Glove is one of the best in all of the Inpherno, you’ll be in good hands.” Medkit nodded at Glove before making his way out of the door, only to be paused by Rocket grabbing his hand. He raised an eyebrow in question.

“Could you stay with me for a little? I’ve never done this before…” Rocket scratched the back of his head with his free hand. Medkit looked at his watch, pondered for a moment, then sighed.

“It looks like I have a few minutes to spare.” He walked back into the room, and, after a couple of small instructions from Glove, the process of measuring and trying on clothing began. Time blurred past for Rocket, if he’s being honest. After a moment of silence, he spoke up about the one thing that’s been gnawing at his mind.

“...Medkit, it’s not too big of a deal that I don’t know how to dance, right?” He looked over to the aforementioned demon, who stared at him with a deadpan expression from where he was leaning against the wall.

“You’re going to a ball, a dance , without knowing how to dance?”

“Okay, well, when you put it like that, it sounds really bad but-”

“Why don’t you just ask Sword to teach you? He’d be more than willing to, overjoyed, really.” Medkit muttered. 

“But what if he’s busy? He’s Venomshank’s son, he’s probably preparing to do, I dunno, important stuff!” 

“Rocket, Sword would drop literally everything if it meant being with you.” Rocket’s mouth opened in shock. Would Sword really…? “Have you really not noticed?” Medkit mumbled something about ‘two dense bricks,’ but Rocket was caught up in his own little world. As he thought back on it, Sword was always so enthusiastic about hanging out with him. Even if it was a little boring or mundane, Sword always seemed to smile when he’s around. Medkit sighed. “Look, if it helps you at all, contact him about it and he’d probably choose you over me for the ball, even if Ban Hammer was out of the picture.” 

Rocket stayed silent for a moment. “I’ll call him after this, then.” 

“Good.” Medkit got off the wall and checked his watch again. “It’s best I go. I’ll see you at the ball, Rocket.” Rocket began to wave goodbye before his arm was yanked down by Glove, who was still comparing fabrics.

As a comfortable silence filled the room, Rocket began to think about his and Sword’s friendship. Could Sword really see him as more than just a friend, or was he overthinking things? Dang it, why couldn’t he be as confident with his feelings as he was with his launcher?!

‘ Learning to dance with Sword…’ Rocket thought with a smile. ‘I think I’m looking forward to it.’

Chapter Text

“Look kid, nothing’s gonna happen if you don’t stop staring at your phone.” Zuka called out to Rocket from the couch. The latter had been pacing back and forth in the living room of their home in front of the former for the past ten minutes. “Any more of your pacing and you’ll wear out the floor.” 

Rocket groaned and palmed his face. “I don’t get it! Sword and I have hung out more times than I can count, so why does this feel so hard? Why does it feel so different when it really isn’t?”

Zuka cocked an eyebrow at his son. “What if it is different this time?” Rocket stopped pacing and stared at him. “Something’s changed between you two and you’re either blind or in denial of it. Didn’t you want this to happen?”

“But what if the wrong things change?” Rocket plopped down beside Zuka, burying his face in his hands.

“Well, that’s life kiddo. You gotta roll with the punches before you topple over.” Zuka scooted closer to his son. “Also, for the love of all things mighty, please call him already. You’ve hesitated and chickened out multiple times over the last three days, and if I have to witness anymore of your pining I will drag that boy here myself.” 

Rocket wanted to melt into the floor. “DAD, it’s not pining its-” he promptly shut up at his father’s deadpan look. “Okay fine, I’ll call him!” Rocket made a show of opening his contacts on his phone (ignoring the look Zuka gave him when Sword’s contact had a little heart next to it) and began calling Sword, putting it on speaker.

Rocket stared at his phone as he listened to it ring. “Wait I’m not-”

“Hey Rocket! What’s up?” Sword’s ever cheery voice piped up from the device. 

It had been less than three seconds!

“And that’s my cue to leave,” Zuka got up from the couch and made a beeline to his room. “Good luck kid.” 

Rocket opened his mouth to retort when he heard Sword giggling from the other side of the phone. “What’s all that about? Got something to confess?”

‘ Ha, more than you think,’ Rocket thought. “Nah, don’t worry about it! Just a little thing between dad and I.” Rocket leaned back into the couch. “So uh, I was just wondering about that ball happening in a few days…” 

“I’m so excited for it! There’s going to be so much free food! And you’ll be there with me!” 

“W-well, uh, y’know I can’t dance, right?” Rocket stammered.

“Rocket, we went over this! I don’t care if you can’t dance. If it’s with you I don’t care if I look silly in front of a crowd.” Rocket’s face felt warm.

“I was just wondering… could you teach me to dance? Just the two of us?” 

Sword stayed silent on the other line, making Rocket’s anxiousness grow. “Uh, Sword? Hello? If you’re busy and can’t do it-”

“N-no, no, I’m not busy at all! I’ll make time for you, always.” Sword sounded flustered, but definitely a lot happier. “Got a time in mind?”

“I was thinking tonight maybe? Where is the best place to practice? You’re the expert after all!” 

“Somewhere with no people around and a wide, open space, huh?” Sword pondered. Rocket heard him snap his fingers. “How about BOGIO Skatepark later tonight? It’s open, and no one is usually there late at night. Maybe around 10?”

“Sure thing.” Rocket said with a smile. “I look forward to it.”

“Alright, cya!”  

*****

Rocket strolled into the skatepark, only minutes before their assigned meeting time. The sun had long since set, making the lamp posts positioned sporadically around the park the only source of light. The area was devoid of other Inphernals, much like Sword predicted, with the usual sounds of the park replaced by Rocket’s footsteps clacking on the concrete. 

Rocket made his way to the centre of the park and sat down on an elevated ledge, letting his legs swing as his mind ran free. He looked around, reminiscing about all the moments he and Sword had spent here together, all the times they had tried doing combo moves that should have never worked, yet somehow succeeded every time. He thought about the way Sword would smile at him the entire time, how whenever they won Sword would always rush over and smother him in  a crushing hug even if they just suffered a crushing defeat, still battered and bruised from the phight. Rocket turned his gaze towards the sparsely dotted sky, remembering Zuka’s advice.

“Would I really be okay if things turned out for the worse?” Rocket murmured to the stars. He shook his head. “Of course not. But part of me wants to be a bit selfish — wants more. With him .”

“With who?”

 Rocket jumped and fell ungracefully off the ledge, collapsing in a heap on the floor. He heard the person behind him rush over as he groaned. “Shit. Rocket, are you okay?”

He looked up to see Sword with his hand outstretched, face etched with concern. Perhaps he hit his head a little harder than he thought, because as he stared at Sword — framed by the stars of the night sky — the first words out his mouth were:

“Wow, you look hot.” 

For a moment, they both stared at each other, before Rocket’s words registered in his head. 

Rocket felt his face grow hot. “Uhhh, shit wait you didn’t-” Sword chuckled above him, now shaking his still outstretched hand in Rocket’s face. Rocket took it, and with Sword’s help, heaved himself off the floor. Rocket’s eyes met Sword’s and-

Is… is he blushing?

“Well, you don’t look so bad yourself, Rocket.” Sword looked apologetic as he scratched the back of his head, a dusting of pink appearing on his cheeks. “I didn’t mean to startle you! Maybe you need your hearing checked. I wasn’t exactly trying to hide my footsteps or anything,” he teased. 

“HEY! My hearing is perfectly fine, thank you very much!” Rocket crossed his arms in mock irritation. 

“Sure, sure,” Sword said exaggeratedly. “Anyways, are you still up for practicing tonight?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” 

Sword led him to a large, open area, stopping as he looked around, nodded to himself, and set a music player down at his feet. 

“First things first: footwork!” Sword passionately exclaimed as he turned to address Rocket. “Get your footwork down and the rest of the dance should come naturally to you. The first thing I’ll teach you are the basics of a waltz.” 

He turned away, then glanced back at Rocket to ensure enough space to demonstrate. He began a series of simple steps in a square, repeating it a few times, all the while softly counting aloud. When he finished, he turned back to Rocket with a smile. 

“And that’s it! That’s the basic footwork to a waltz. Wanna try it together?”

Rocket and Sword stood side by side before the latter began counting aloud again, starting the steps to the basic box step, only a little slower than before. It was simple enough for Rocket to follow along, only mistepping here and there. After a few more repetitions, he could comfortably do it without stepping on Sword’s feet. Heck, he’d even say he could do it with his eyes closed!

“Perfect!” Sword gave him a thumbs up. “Now, onto the next step.” 

Sword paused before shuffling in place for a second. Rocket swore he looked almost nervous. 

“Sword? You okay?” Sword slapped the sides of his head and shook his head. 

“All good!” He cleared his throat. “The next step is doing it together while…” 

“While…?” Rocket urged.

“While holding hands.” 

Rocket fought the heat rising on his cheeks as Sword began to wave his hands around. “Well really the first is just walking back and forth while holding hands, so we don’t step on each other’s feet while we’re actually dancing, but still!” 

Rocket grabbed Sword’s flailing hands and brought them down, meeting his gaze. 

“Well then Sword, how about you demonstrate for me?” 

Rocket was internally screaming but didn’t let it show. How could he be so forward?! He swears he sees Sword short circuit for a second before recovering. Sword silently shifted Rocket’s right hand onto his shoulder, gently clasping Rocket’s left hand with his right. Sword then gently placed his left hand on Rocket’s side. 

“Let’s try walking back and forth for now, alright?” Rocket nodded as the two began to move back and forth, both making sure to not step on each other’s toes. The two avoided each other’s eyes and kept an eye on their feet. “Ready to start with the box step this time?” 

“More than ready, Sword.”

Rocket squeezed Sword’s hand in affirmation before Sword briefly let go to push play on the recorder, causing soft classical music to echo throughout the otherwise silent park. Sword quickly went back into position, and after counting softly aloud, they began. 

It was clumsy at first, as Rocket’s inexperience -coupled with Sword’s eagerness to teach- amalgamated into an act that resembled two newborn Inphernals just learning how to walk. Rocket still had his eyes glued to their feet, trying not to stumble over himself and Sword. But as the music swelled, and the more they danced, each footstep became more confident, each movement more refined and practiced. Rocket felt a smile creep onto his face and he looked up. 

Sword was smiling at him like always, yet this smile was different, softer, more gentle and tender than any of his smiles he'd gotten before. He couldn’t stop staring, though neither could Sword. Rocket raised an eyebrow in question.

“Is there something on my face?” Rocket asked. Maybe he didn’t brush off all the dirt off his face when he ate the ground earlier. 

“No, it’s nothing,” Sword replied. “I’m just admiring the view.”

‘The view? But he's staring at nothing else but me?’ Rocket thought, his eyes widening. ‘Could it be…?’ He shook the thought away, before another slithered into his head as they continued to dance under the stars. 

“Sword, why did you pay for my clothes?” 

Sword staggered for a moment before continuing with the steps. He sheepishly looked away with a light dusting of pink on his cheeks, looking almost like a young Infernal who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. 

“I know you said your dad would pay for it, but I know otherwise.” The two danced in silence for a moment, their position slowly rotating around the music player on the floor. 

“I wanted to splurge on you a little,” Sword explained. “Is that so wrong?” 

“No, not at all!” 

Rocket shook his head. He paused for a moment, voice quieter this time. 

“It felt nice, actually.” 

He saw Sword brighten in response. 

“But I don’t know if I can pay you back for that. It’s custom-made! By one of the best tailors in Crossroads!” 

Sword stopped dancing, taking both of Rocket’s hands in his as they both paused. 

“Rocket, believe me when I say that I don’t care if you pay me back. I wanted to do it for you, regardless of how much it cost.” He squeezed Rocket’s hands as he gave him a soft smile. “If it means I can spend even a second more with you, I don’t care how much money it’ll take.”

Rocket felt his jaw drop slightly in shock. Was he overthinking things again? Or could it be…? He gulped and steeled himself. 

“Sword, I need to tell you something.” The mentioned Inphernal cocked his head to the side.

“What’s up?”

“I…I-” 

CRASH!

The two split apart, summoning their gear as they whirled around to the sound of people hitting the floor. As the groaning pile of Inphernals picked themselves off the floor, Sword’s eyes brightened as he put away his gear and rushed over, Rocket trailing closely behind.

“Oh hey—Boombox, Skate… and is that Coil?” Sword greeted. “What are you guys doing here so late?” 

Rocket felt his mouth tighten into a thin line. 

“Y’know we could ask you the same thing, but considering what we’ve been watching for the last couple of minutes-” Skateboard was promptly interrupted by a smack across the back of his head from Coil. 

“Dude, what the hell?!” 

“Shut it! You’re the reason we fell in the first place.” Coil shot back. “And as adorable as you both were, did you really need to do that in such a public area?” 

Rocket felt his face flare up. A quick glance at Sword reveals that he too had a dusting of pink on his face. 

“O-oh, I didn’t realize people still came here this late! My bad.” Sword scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. He looked over to Rocket. “We could go somewhere else and continue?” 

Rocket shook his head.

“I think we can end it here. It’s getting pretty late anyways.” Rocket shot a small glare at the trio, who had the decency to look a little ashamed. “I’ll see you in a few days?”

“Sure thing! See you then!” Sword exclaimed as he ran off, looking over his shoulder and giving Rocket a wave before disappearing from view. Rocket sighed. There went his chance to tell Sword how he feels. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Glancing back, he sees Boombox with an apologetic expression. 

“Sorry we interrupted your date, Rocket.” 

“It wasn’t a date!” Rocket argued. Boombox looked confused.

“So dancing together, by yourselves, under the stars, with romantic music playing isn’t a date?” 

“W-well when you put it that way…” 

“But still, I’m sorry either way.” Boombox dug through his pockets and produced a tape. “Don’t know why I grabbed it tonight, but it looks like fate aligns! This one is full of ballroom dancing music. Maybe you could listen to it on your player here and get used to some of the rhythms?” 

Rocket picked up the audio player, noting that Skateboard and Coil had been chasing each other throughout the park. 

“It isn’t mine. Sword must’ve forgotten it.” He turned it over in his hands. “I’ll just give it back when I see him again.” 

“Well either way, you could use it while you have it!” Boombox handed him the tape. “I hope you have a good night!” 

Boombox turned around and began to walk over to the other Playgrounders. Rocket swears he heard him mutter ‘I thought they were dating,’ but he couldn’t care less at that point. Tape and audio player in hand, he made his way home. 

*****

Zuka heard his son enter through the house, who beelined it towards his room. After a couple of minutes, he heard what sounded like classical music begin to play softly from Rocket’s room. After a beat, Zuka got off the couch and made his way to Rocket’s door and knocked gently a couple of times before slowly opening the door a crack. 

He saw Rocket, still fully dressed, staring at the ceiling with a faint smile on his face as the music flowed throughout the room. His son’s eyes flickered towards him before returning to the ceiling to reminisce. Zuka smiled softly before closing the door with a quiet ‘good night.’ As Zuka made his way to his own room, a thought entered his head.

‘Those two will be alright.’