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The air was cold and crisp, the sky dark that sparkled with distant stars. It was nighttime, yet Crossroads is as lively as ever. Neon signs shined brighter than the street lights on the road. The Crossroad’s tower was lit up a light, neon green that blended with the other neon lights from other buildings. While other civilians talked and chatted along the sidewalks. It’s loud, too loud for nighttime. But yet again, it’s almost natural by now.
“Slingg..” Shuriken drawled, hitching his hood further up. Shivering from the coldness, the hood shadowing his eyes. “Are we almost there..” He pestered the blue horned inphernal, tone soft and whiny.
The two were walking through the cramped Crossroads, both of their steps were light, barely audible in the air. Slingshot was looking for Skateboard’s apartment for a midnight hangout. Constantly glancing around his surroundings. They were encircled with different buildings and apartments, stores that are closed for the night, and some that are still open. Along with some shady alleyways here and there, and some plants that decorated the sidewalks.
“You’d think living in Crossroads would make it easier to navigate it.” Slingshot sighed to himself, glancing at a closed store before resuming his pace.
Shuriken only groaned behind him, not being of any use and simply complaining. Grumbling under his breath about the coldness or how they’re practically lost, as always. Receiving a harsh jab to his torso by Slingshot.
“Hey!” The thief whined, now rubbing the side Slingshot jabbed at. Glaring at his roommate. Who shot him a glance that basically said ‘Not my problem.’
Turning around, Slingshot spotted an apartment, relief filling his eyes. “There it is!” He smiled, casually ignoring Shuriken’s dramatic whine. A finger pointing towards an apartment. It was like the other buildings, built with concrete and steps leading up to the door. Beside it was a large window, illuminating a light that shows there were people inside.
“Why’d you drag me into this anyways.” Shuriken huffed as he followed Slingshot towards the apartment. Shoving his hands in whatever pockets he had.
“You need to get out more, Shuri.”
“What are you talking about-“
“How many friends do you have?”
“…Not cool, dude.”
The two walked up the stone steps towards the apartment. Shuriken trailed his hand over the steel handrails, the material cool the touch.
Slingshot raised his hand and racked his knuckles on the door, driving Shuriken’s attention away from the railing and towards the entrance to the apartment. Watching as it cracked open with a soft creak. A yellow-orange light pooling out onto the stairs.
At first, Shuriken was greeted by the warm air inside, blowing against his face. A stark, yet welcoming contrast from the chilling air of Crossroads. But then, someone stood at doorframe. He had green horns and a visor on. Displaying two green, pixelated circles for eyes. The inphernal turned his head to glance at Slingshot, then at Shuriken. Shuriken blinked, then blinked again. He recognized this guy.
“Boombox.” Slingshot greeted simply. Waving a hello to his friend.
Turning back to his the cafe owner, Boombox smiled. “Sling! Took you long enough!” He joked light heartedly, tone joyous and surprisingly friendly. Boombox gestured inside, stepping out of the way so the two could step inside.
Following Boombox into the apartment, Shuriken watched him. Silently digging into his mind, trying to recall the memory of seeing him before. The visor, green horns, a cap worn backwards.
Then, it clicked.
“Ah.” Shuriken muttered to himself, gaze distant as they rounded a corner. Ending up at the living room.
Boombox, he’s the guy who goes around asking for peoples music tastes during intermissions. Not to mention that he’s probably the nicest inphernal Shuriken’s ever met. Like, literally. Even if they only talked for a short amount of time.
“This isn’t fair.” Skateboard hissed, staring at the chess pieces as if they personally offended him. His hands balling into tight fists. The frustrated voice knocking Shuriken out of his thoughts.
“Hey, it’s not my fault you suck at chess.” Coil sneered, leaning on the table and propping his head up with his hands, his face resting on his palms. Earning an eye roll from the opposite sitting across from him.
Skateboard let out a huff, abruptly standing up and slamming his hands on the coffee table, causing it to tremble and knock down some chess pieces. “Whatever, I wanna do something else anyways!”
The moment the Playgrounder looked up, he spotted Shuriken and Slingshot (his gaze more directed at Slingshot though). An audible gasp leaving his mouth.
“Oh, dude, you’re finally here!” He snickered, mood completely changing as he rushed over to Slingshot. Slinging an arm around his friend’s shoulders and tugging him towards the couch. Already talking about his day, or something.
Honestly, Shuriken couldn’t care less. Because right now, he’s standing in the middle of the living room, alone, and more awkward he’s ever been in the past 22 years of his life.
He stayed standing for a bit, just watching the others, staying silent while doing so. Unsure if he should speak.
Slingshot and Skateboard were still talking, their topic now about their past Phighting matches, but they moved spots since then, the two now at the kitchen. With Slingshot deciding to bake some pastries.
Coil seemingly disappeared, the chessboard long abandoned on the coffee table. The chess pieces still messily scrambled on the checkered board.
Boombox was chilling on the couch, his gear gently playing some calm music. The type that cafes would use or the kind of music you’d play while doing homework.
Then, there was Shuriken. He just stood there. Staring at, well, nothing in particular. Absentmindedly fidgeting with his clothing, not out of anxiousness, but out of boredom. He wasn’t really friends with anyone in this room, aside from Slingshot.
He could try socializing with the others.
…Maybe when he gets the energy for it.
He could just leave.
…Nah, it’d seem rude.
Wow, just his luck.
Why’d he get dragged into this?
Shuriken let out a sigh, long and full of defeat. Best bet? Sit on the couch and wait to leave.
Not too long after, he was sitting on the plush couch. His head leaning on the cushions, his gaze entirely focused on the ceiling. Gazing at every bump, scratch, or whatever his eye could see.
“Hi, hello!” Shuriken blinked out of his daze, turning his head towards the voice. Seeing the same visor again, it’s green eyes(?) staring right at him. ..Boombox?
“Hey!” Shuriken greeted, nearly matching the other’s energy. Shifting in his spot and sitting up straight, his legs crisscrossing over the cushions of the couch. A cheeky smile soon spreading across his face.
The other green inphernal smiled in return, bringing up his gear and settling it on his lap. The boombox was no longer playing music, its green glow slightly dimmed.
“Got any music suggestions? Or music genres you like?” Boombox questioned, tapping at his gear. The boombox brightening back up to its usual gleam. “I have nothing to play.”
“Oh, I don’t listen to music often! Too busy practicing my skills and-“ Shuriken paused his boasting, clearing his throat. “Probably pop.” He finally answered, giving a light shrug of his shoulders.
“You don’t listen to music that much?” Boombox stared at him, his pixilated eyes playing a blinking animation. Then, he smiled, a smile that held something Shuriken couldn’t quite grasp what. The usual eyes on his visor changed into green stars. Sparkling at the opportunity given to him.
“Let me introduce you to the many different types of music then!” Boombox stated, all too happily. A fingerless-gloved hand reaching out to grasp at the handle of his boombox. Hitching it up to rest on his shoulders. The thief only watched, his mind slowly processing the words.
“Ohhh, sounds good with me!” Shuriken agreed with a nod of his head.
“I’ll start with my favourite one. Edm!”
“I- er, what’s Edm?”
“Electronic dance music.”
“Ah, ‘Kay.”
After a quick moment, the music resumed. The sound of high-energy music playing through the speakers of the gear. It was loud, but not the ear-bursting loud, just enough to fill the room. Most of the songs he played were upbeat, filled with deferent beats, all distinct, yet somehow they all sounded similar.
Or, atleast, that’s what Boombox says. In Shuriken’s opinion, all of the songs he played sounded cool, it halfway reminded him of the background music during matches. Yet less chaotic and more disco-like, in a way?
The thief blinked and frowned, maybe he should let Boombox deal with the music stuff.
Soon enough, Boombox played another type of music. First, he’d talk about it, then played some example songs, and it’d repeat. And throughout all of it, Shuriken listened (for once). Making a few jokes here and there and eliciting laughs from Boombox.
—
“Grab a room you two.” Coil muttered with a roll of his eyes. Chowing down on a cookie. “And grab one of Slingshot’s cookies while you’re at it.”
Shuriken nearly screamed at him.
—
Time passes by, and it’s nearly 3 in the morning. Shuriken has fallen asleep, curled up on the couch and sleeping.
Boombox was still seated beside him, his gear now playing a more gentle music. His eyes were closed, but he’s not asleep. Just simply enjoying the calm silence.
But that didn’t last long.
Slingshot stepped up towards Shuriken, taking a single glance at the ninja, before grasping at his clothes. Roughly shaking him awake.
Shuriken sputtered, eyes fluttering open. His legs lazily kicking Slingshot away.
“Get up.” The blue horned inphernal stated, taking a step back.
“Whyy..” Shuriken groggily questioned, rubbing his eyes.
“We’re not sleeping here, Shuri, Vinestaff might get worried. Plus, we’ve got a cafe to run tomorrow.”
Shuriken groaned, falling limp and lying back down on the couch. “No.” He muttered.
“I’ll do your dishes tomorrow?”
Almost immediately, the thief shot awake, sitting upright. “Deal!” He smiled, reluctantly pulling himself off the couch. Standing up right and pulling his hood back on.
The two said their goodbyes. Shuriken turned to Boombox, seemingly more happy to say goodbye to him. With a smile and a simple wave, he exited the apartment. Slingshot following behind him.
Once outside, Shuriken was met with the sudden gush of cool air, and he’s back to shivering once again. The moon was high in the sky, and Crossroads seemed less alive at this moment.
They started walking, but this time, they had a sense of direction. Easily making it back to their house without getting lost for once.
Vinestaff greeted the two once she opened the door, her voice thick with sleep.
“Welcome back.” She hummed, leaving the door open the they could step inside.
“I made some food, in case you’re hungry, just heat it up.” Vinestaff stated, vaguely gesturing towards a pot of soup.
“Goodnight.” She muttered soon after, already heading upstairs.
“Night, sis!”
“Goodnight, Vine.”
—
Later in the day, Slingshot was resting in the break room of his cafe. Currently drying off his hands with a rag.
His phone buzzed in the pocket of his uniform, and he fished out his phone. Glancing at the caller before answering.
“Boombox! What’s up?”
“Hey Sling, just wondering if you could invite Shuriken along next time we hangout?”
Slingshot blinked at his words, glancing at Shuriken, who was lazily taking an inphernal’s order at the counter. Probably not focusing on his job.
“Uh huh..” He muttered, “Sure why not.”
“Alright, thanks!”