Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It is fascinating to you, how there is a mini city blooming inside your house, complete with its own running government, and you—unknowingly—is the center of it all.

You have lost count on how many occupants are in the house, but it’s easily touching a hundred. Celia the ceiling is the Mayor (because she overlooks everything, get it?) with her Secretary, Florence the floor, and a bouncer-slash-security-slash-the only-form-of-law-enforcement-around Dorian the door.

And with every community that exists, problems and conflicts naturally arise on occasion. But sometimes, multiple problems arise simultaneously without your knowledge. Just like with everything you do in life, you keep on stumbling into situations you aren’t equipped for.

Thank Heavens for Dorian. If there is someone the whole house would listen to, it’s him. 

You learn early on that Dorian is as dependable as he is sturdy. During the first few times you navigate the wonderful and overwhelming world of Dateviator, he was there with information about the occupants of the rooms and his personal opinions on them.

Well, you figured, he knows everyone better in the house so I should probably listen to him. 

…You tried. Kind of. But curiosity killed the cat and dragged you into the wonderfully complex world of some eccentric personalities that Dorian advised you to avoid. 

Despite his title, Dorian was not one for the scene in the Breaker Box. He’s more keen on keeping a watchful eye out rather than the inside, and you have been informed that it was normal upon inquiring about it to Volt and Eddie. 

“Oh? The big guy? He prefers to, ah, keep to himself around these parts. Not his kind of scene, unfortunately.” Volt informed you, one end of his mouth tugged in a smile. 

You hummed thoughtfully. Dorian had been adamant about his opinions on certain objects in the house, and the Breaker Box bragging about their open mic policy was definitely not scoring nicely in his list. So far, you’ve seen him the happiest in the gym closet, gleefully inviting you to jump and run around. 

“Sounds like someone I know.” You teased, knowing that Eddie was listening intently despite being elbows-deep in washing the glasses. 

“Shuddup. You’re not being cute.” Eddie rolled his eyes, trying to sound annoyed, and you giggled at Volt’s exaggerated gasp. “Eddie! You take that back!” 

That had been that, and it had become a norm to know that only Tony, Volt, and Eddie are usually around the vicinity of the closet. Beau is always adventuring on some deep corner of the house, but she left her traces enough—re: the boxes. Cardboard boxes piled all over the place, resembling a tiny hill on this end.

With Tony and his working site around, the whole area near the Breaker Box feels like a forever on-going project, despite being a once-forgotten closet.

Tonight, you’ve bravely sat through yet another one of Johnny Splash’s performances, helped out the boys with the closing, and said your goodbyes with said boys. 

“Be careful on your way back, Live Wire. Wouldn’t want you to hurt that pretty little head of yours.” Volt says, sweeping you in a side-hug. He gives an electrical kiss to your forehead before passing you to Eddie’s arms. 

“What he said.” Eddie snorts, though his arms capture your waist firmly and he breathes deeply into your hair.

“Guys, it’s literally less than ten steps to the bedroom. I’m not that much of a walking hazard.” You roll your eyes, glaring at Eddie’s raised eyebrow. 

‘Are you sure? I’ve seen you fall from a damn stair before.’ He doesn’t say, because Eddie is still not ready to leak his secret to Volt, despite your dynamics with them changing. And you, respecting his choices because…Well, is it really your place to tell Eddie what to do with his creation-slash-partner? 

One day, you promised yourself. You’ll sit them down and you will all talk about your feelings and hug it out. 

By the weary sigh Eddie lets out, you know he’s thinking what you’re thinking too. 

With that, you turn around, hearing the tattle tale of the boys’ footsteps trudging back to the bar and their subsequent apartment above. 

You touch the rim of your Dateviator, about to take the glasses off before you hear a faint whine coming from somewhere.

“Huh?” You look back, but the bar is silent and still as you left it. Heartrate picking up a bit, you glance around. In a house where every object can turn into humans—or humanoids—it is not unfamiliar to hear squeaks and noises when walking around the household. 

This one, though… You have a weird feeling about it. 

Keeping up your Dateviator, you push down the urge to call for Volt and Eddie. It is most probably nothing, and you don’t want to interrupt their rest. And, if it did become something, you can always call for them later. The closet is not that big, anyway.

You walk slowly, closer to Tony’s site, but you notice no movement inside, save for the safety lights and cones spread around the project. 

Shaking your head, you decide to check it out in the morning. No use in running around in the dark, is it?

But then, an unmistakable bark comes from the opposite direction, right around Beau’s boxes. 

“Davi?!” Your hands freeze mid-way. 

Oh, Mateo must be worried sick right now! How did he even get here?   

Before you know it, you’re standing in front of the piles of boxes. You confidently determine the boxes are climbable. Hey, you did win the rock climbing competition in junior high, Stepford definitely had it somewhere on the shelf. 

Also, this is the last legs on the Dateviator, you can’t possibly wait for another charge to rescue Davi.

Wringing your hands on the side to shake off the nerve, you put one foot on one of the bottom boxes. It creaks, but thankfully doesn’t fall on itself. Okay, this is definitely possible now, at least they are not as flimsy as real, empty cardboxes. 

This close, you can hear Davi’s cries more clearly. “I know, I know. Wait for me, Davi.” You murmur, slowly but steadily reaching up. You can see–and hear–Davi scuffling near the top, whines falling endlessly. 

You bit your lip at the sound, determinedly not looking downwards because hell no. 

Well, unfortunately you don’t have to look down to lose all your footings because the box does it for you. You step on one and lo and behold–this one is hollow, easily giving in to your weight.

“Oh, shi–!” You yelp, hands flailing in an attempt to stabilize yourself. As gravity greets you, you can only squeeze your eyes in hopes of lessening the impact. 

Instead of literally breaking your back on a pocket dimension-version of the ground, you found yourself colliding with a sturdy chest instead. Sadly, gravity still exists and that chest feels more like throwing yourself into a punching bag.

“—oof.” Someone wheeze underneath you. 

Chest heaving, you gasp loudly, “Dorian! I–wha–Are you okay?! Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!” You scramble to stand, but only results in elbowing your saviour on the ribs with your frantic movements.

“Calm down, Love. ‘m alright” Dorian huffs. “Heard you screamin’ from my post, glad I caught you on time.” He heaves a big sigh, somehow looking undisturbed on the ground. 

“Are you sure? I hit you pretty hard—Oh crap, Davi!” You whip your head around. 

“Dorian, Davi is still up there! I–I was trying to get him down, but the box gave way under me–” 

Dorian calmly listens, before pulling himself into a sitting position. “Alright. I’ve got it. Wait right here, I’ll fetch ‘im.” 

“Wait–really?” 

“‘Course. I know my way around here, sit tight.” 

“Okay…” You reply, watching in fascination as Dorian ditches his jacket and rolls his sleeves up. He’s–well, you never thought about it but somehow it makes sense that Dorian can easily climb the mountain and reach the spot you’ve just fallen from. 

Davi barks even more loudly as Dorian coaxes him into his arms. You let yourself flop onto the ground once Davi is safely secured, adrenaline leaving you in a flash. 

You hear jingles behind you, and a couple more footsteps than expected, when you realize that you’ve unintentionally closed your eyes. 

“–right, Live Wire? Goodness, Eddie, check their pulse?” Some rustling around your head, and you feel someone cradling your head now, away from the uncomfy ground. It’s softer now, and you can’t help relaxing further into the touch.

Noises filter in and out, snippets of conversations from voices you recognize, but can’t exactly name right now. What happened? “–calling Farya right now. You got them, right?” 

“–course. Go, and tell her Davi is here too. If he’s not badly hurt–” Bark! Bark! 

“–up now, darling. You’re scaring us–” More voices, closer but yet not registering in your brain. Heavy. Sleepy. 

The voices follow you until the darkness engulfs your senses.

A bright, glowing orb interrupts your little nap. You grunt, intending to swat at it, but your brain hasn’t connected to your arm yet.

Wait, when did you go to sleep again? 

“Wha–”

Surprised gasps echo around you, which is frankly a horrifying reaction to waking up, you think.

“Oh, you’re awake! Great, and you woke up on your own. Still dizzy? Feeling faint? You’ve got to tell me now.” A brown and red and white blob hovers menacingly over you, and you squint hard, pulling away in return. It’s a success, barely, as you are now able to put the culprit into focus.

“Farya? What are you doing here?” You frown, and try to shake your head. A horrendously bad idea, as the world also shakes along.

“You gave us a scare, Live Wire.” A deep voice sighs from behind you, like, directly above your head. 

Your head spin around to face Volt’s magnificent face etched into one of deep worry. You’re actually leaning your back against his chest, warm and beating erratically. A crack in his usually charming demeanor, one you’ve only seen when he’s talking about Eddie being stubborn.

Stubborn Eddie, who’s also conveniently situated next to your right. Farya to your left, watching with mild interest. What a weird sandwich situation this is quickly becoming.

“What part of ‘be careful’ do you not understand? Almost gave me a damn heart attack.” Eddie frowns, his voice stern and pissed off.

Crappity crap.

“What Eddie meant to say,” Volt interrupts swiftly, “is that he’s worried sick and wouldn’t leave your side even to call Farya. Don’t you go fainting on us anymore, Live Wire. We wouldn’t have been able to take it.” Volt chastises, but there are strains to his smile that aren’t normally there.

Eddie huffs, but looks at you tenderly. “...What he said.” He takes your hand, and squeezes it tightly.

“And I’ll say to never get near those mountains again, you hear me? You could’ve called for me and Eddison here. We would’ve come running.” Volt sighs, nuzzling your head. You begin to relax.

“How did you know, anyway?” You ask, looking at Volt’s thundering eyes from under his chin. He smiles, sweet and relieved now, and answers.

“I thought it was Tony at first, but the noise was too quiet for it to be him, and he doesn’t work this late anyway. Then we heard the dog barking and a scream.” 

Eddie snorts, shaking his head in disappointment. You squeeze back his hand that is still in you grasp, watching as his eyes turn soft in real-time. You grin smugly.

“Yup, you’re very lucky Dorian is always watching. Would have been much worse than a concussion and adrenaline crash, I tell you.” Farya informs far too cheerfully than a healthcare provider ought to. 

Or that’s what you think anyway.

“Thanks, Farya.” You say dryly. “Just..not very used to calling for help, y’know?” You say quietly. It’s been, well, almost a couple months of developing your friendship and relationships with objects around your house now, but you haven’t really been able to dig deep into your soul and bare it to them. 

It’s long overdue now, and it seems like it will get to you first before Tinfoilhat could say “gotcha”

Volt and Eddie exchange painfully obvious glances, a thousand words shared in a display of intimacy you barely gleaned from your relationship. 

You clear your throat, searching for another topic to settle on. “Where’s Dorian, by the way?” 

Farya perks up. “Oh, he’s down walking Davi back to Mateo. Said he’ll meet you in the bedroom soon, there are some things he needs to take care of first.”

“Oh…I’ll have him to thank him later then.” You mumble. You must’ve been out longer than you thought. But hey, at least the weird mood from oversharing is gone!

“You do that. If he weren’t there…” Volt frowns, his hand rubbing your arm in a comforting manner. Either for him or for yourself, you’re not really sure. “I don’t even want to think what could’ve happened to you.” He admits, small and unexpectedly vulnerable.

“I know. I’ll send him your thanks.” You peck Volt on the jaw, and Eddie comes to kiss your forehead. 

“You too, Farya. Thanks for checking on me—and Davi.” You nod at Farya, and she beams at you back.

“No problem! I’m always here if you ever got appedicitis, heartburn, or—Oh! Tell me if you got conjungtivitis, okay! I’ve got the…” 

Later on, after you escape Farya’s tangent about all of the illnesses she’d love to encounter, you stand face to face with bedroom Dorian. 

The Dateviator is bound to stop any minute now, but you want to talk to Dorian and you want it now.

“Dorian?” You call, raising a hand to touch your door. 

Instead of hard wood, a hand comes to grip your wrist gently. “Hello, luv. Farya took a look at you already?” Dorian murmurs, eyes scanning you from head to toe. He looks worried. It’s strangely sweet and touching to be able to raise his concern like that.

You let your hand be dragged closer onto Dorian’s chest, his thumb rubbing a circle on the side of your hand. “Yeah, threatened me with the needles and all, but the ol’ noggin is fine thanks to you!” You grin, muttering a cheerfulness that comes from the last of your energy.

“Good to hear that.” He smiles, genuine and curves into his mesmerizing eyes. “Call me next time if you need help. It’s what I’m here for.” He says, his tone back into his ‘I’m talking about serious business’ tone.

“I’ll try.” You smile sheepishly. “Thanks again, Dorian. If you hadn’t been there, I would’ve broken several bones or something…” You grimace. After you part from the safety of Volt and Eddie earlier, what-ifs scenarios start to pop to your head. Ones that you don’t want to touch with a ten-foot pole. 

Dorian’s finger catches your jaw, angling your face towards his. “Call me. I’m bloody serious. Whenever and wherever. I’ll be able to hear you from anywhere in the house and I’ll come save you.” His eyes are dark, and you can’t help but gulp at the combination of his promise and the way he stares you down. 

Your heart is officially melting right now, bubbling with a giddy joy you can’t help but express. Gosh, you love this man. “You’re just a big softie inside, aren’t you, Squeak?” You smirk, intent on pushing the blush away from your cheeks. 

“Har, har.” Dorian rolls his eyes. “C’mere.” He pulls you by the waist, joining your bodies together. You might’ve let out a small gasp, which he quickly cuts with a kiss, lingering and sweet. It’s an assurance, a ‘I’m glad you’re here’ kind of kiss. 

Oh, Dorian. You sigh wistfully in your heart as you part your lips.

He brushes his thumb along your cheekbone, serene and fond. He looks like he’d enjoy just watching your eyes forever with the way he’s staring. “I love you.” You whisper, the feeling is too big to keep inside your heart.

“I love you more. Now go and terrorize some other poor soul in this house.” He kisses your forehead, and stays there a while. Just breathing. Smiling.

You grin, and take it as a challenge that it is.

Chapter Text

It is a challenge not to notice the drastic differences the next time you’re going to the Breaker Box. Or in the path towards the bar, to be exact. 

Gone are those hills made of boxes, only the remains of Tony’s bright orange cones creating an outline of where the ‘crime scene’ used to be. 

You’re a little bit stunned. None of them had said anything much about it after the incident, but you know getting rid of those huge boxes should have taken more than a day. And yet here they are, clean and empty.

Tony must’ve worked overtime on it. Maybe you’ll visit him tomorrow. 

“Did you see the hill outside is just—gone?” You ask to one busy bartender once you’re inside. You take a seat in front of Eddie, who only deigns you with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yeah? It’s about time we did something about it. Add any more and it’d have caused an avalanche.” He says, polishing a glass with the utmost precision. You’re almost jealous of the way he caresses them.

(Not that you’re going to say that to him.) 

“Where are they being moved to?” You continue to wonder as Eddie slides your favorite whiskey sour. Tilting your head, you watch as Eddie slings a towel over his shoulder and shrugs. 

“Not really sure, actually. Dorian and Tony were the one moving them out. Check one of the closets, maybe.” He suggests, and casually stops to watch you drink. You feel heat rushes to your cheeks as he focuses on you, but refuses to acknowledge it, even as Eddie moves forward to tuck a strand of hair behind your ears. 

He smiles, amusement dancing in those electric eyes. “You didn’t think we’d just leave it there after what happened, wouldn’t you?” 

It’s your turn to shrug now. “I’m not really sure what to think. Wouldn’t Beau be looking for it?” 

“I assure you she’s not, Live Wire. If anything, we’re doing her a favor by removing them.” Another familiar voice drift into the conversation, an arm slung around your shoulder. 

You look up to find Volt smirking and giving you a chaste kiss to your cheek. “Don’t overthink too much, Live Wire. Your safety is a great concern for the household. We’ll take care of you.” 

“Aw, don’t say that! I can take care of myself, promise. Yesterday was just…a fluke.” You try to explain, knowing how weak your defense is from Volt and Eddie’s bemused stare. 

Eddie actually snorts to himself, “Yeah, well. I’ve seen you fall from a ladder, so that’s another point against you and high places, Spark.” He says, and you can only gape, a rebuttal sitting on your tongue as Volt speaks over you.

“When was that? What happened?” Volt frowns, and while he’s a gorgeous guy whose face is always smiling in your imagination, the sight of him looking displeased is rather disconcerting.

You shudder to think of what he’d look like when he’s mad. Guess you’re about to find out…? Not? 

“Well, uh—”

“Yes?” Volt asks, clearly undeterred by your hem and haw-ing.

You gulp. You could lie, kinda, but you always do better when you’ve had some time to prepare. Improv class wasn't never really your thing. “I had some adventures with the Hanks? Fastest ladder climber and all that, how crazy, right?!” You laugh, facing away from Volt to shoot Eddie SOS signals using your eyes.

Eddie grimaces in return. 

“Live Wire,” Volt narrows his eyes, his blindingly charged hair crackles just a little brighter. “I can tell you’re not telling the truth. What are you not telling dear old me, hm?” Is that the damn light flickering again? Oh crap.

Eddie clears his throat, reaching out for another glass to wipe. “It’s just an accident, Volt. They’re obviously fine.” He says, sounding bored as ever but you’re not sure how effective that is for Volt.

Volt blinks and straightens up slowly. Your eyes follow his move nervously

“Eddie.” Volt opens his mouth, slow and pointed. Eddie’s hand doesn’t stop wiping. “You obviously know how much I care about your health.” Volt states. “That applies to them too. I want you two to be happy and healthy.” 

Eddie sighs, putting down the glass. “That is not what I said–” 

You cough, trying your damnest to steer the conversation away. “Um, I was really fine, though, Volt. Didn’t even have a scratch! Promise I’m not going around changing lightbulbs again–” 

Volt takes a sharp breath. “Changed lightbulbs? Why, isn’t that something you could’ve informed us? Pray tell, Live Wire, which bulb were you changing exactly?” Now the white-haired man turns to fully face you, and you are suddenly aware of the height he has over you. Towering over your head like this, his blazing eyes just get a little too much to take.

“I–” 

Volt continues, actually cutting you off. “Because I know prior to you waking your ability to see us, you’ve never even touched a single light bulb before.” Tension rises in the air, and it feels like you can just touch the flow of electricity in the room with your finger. 

“Volt.” Eddie calls, his voice louder. A warning even you recognize. 

“The last time you tried to, you failed so miserably you shocked yourself! I can’t be the only one around here keeping both you and Eddie from overworking yourselves to an early grave!” The volume or his voice echoes around the empty bar, and you take a surprised step back. 

When Eddie first suggested keeping the repairs a secret, you humour it mostly out of kindness to Eddie. But now, staring in the face of a distressed Volt, you reconsider whether that deal was also made to keep you safe from the consequences.

“Volt,” You try, but it’s coming out in a rasp. “That’s–that’s not fair to Eddie–” Your breath quicken and fuck you can face his temper, but you can not handle this pressure of being yelled at, of being the root of it all, the troublemaker.

Shouldn’t he be happy that I helped? Your mind gasps, as you try to squash down the panic. I saved Eddie–I saved you! Shouldn’t that be enough? 

“Hey.” A low voice calls out. From one second to the next, the bartender is suddenly standing next to your stool. “I’ve got this.” Eddie promises. He’s not looking at you, focused on watching Volt instead.

It should be a relief. Eddie will explain it all. But as Eddie puts his hand on Volt’s shoulder and drags him into the back, you’re left with watching their backs disappear into the staircase towards their apartment. 

You’re left there, wondering what just happened and what it all means for your relationship.

They don’t look back once.

“Teddy.” You call, after dragging yourself to your bed once you realize they are not coming back soon. “Have I always been bad in relationships?” 

“Old friend. Whatever has happened?” Your faitfhul—and slightly abandoned— plushie asks, patient as ever. He’s the perfect cuddle buddy, but you need to get this out first. 

“Tell me.” You frown, fisting the blanket underneath you. Hopefully Mateo doesn’t feel it. “You must’ve seen me and my parents growing up, right?” 

Teddy nods, looking uncertain. On any other times, you would’ve taken some pity on him.

“Was I always ruining every relationship I’ve ever had?” Tears start to collect on your eyes and you harshly blink them away. “Is that why they left me?” Your parents, Volt and Eddie, aren’t you just a perfect relationship breaker? 

(Someone used to say that a trio doesn’t work, and you’re starting to see why.)

Teddy’s face turns sad, and if that wasn’t another goddamned sign of your own doing then you don’t know what is. 

“My friend. Let me tell you a story.” Teddy says softly, patting a spot next to him on the bed.

“Teddy—no. No, no! I–can you give me your tips instead? For relationships, I mean.” You beg, aware of how fast you’re losing the fight with your tears. “Tell me, how do I be good at one? How do I make people not leave me, please!” You sob, hugging your own arms for purchase.

Everyone in your life leaves eventually and without fail. It’s one of the first lessons you learned, and yet you still fail to grasp it every time. You thought it would be different now, because everyone is confined to your house. But oh, how naive that was. 

Even distance doesn’t matter in the end, because you are the only common factor in it. 

A pair of fluffy arms pulls you into an achingly familiar hug. Its warmth does nothing but prompt your eyes to finally let go of the dam even more, leaving you gasping.

“I can’t go around fucking everything up, Teddy! Something is wrong with me!” You scream, blessedly muffled by Teddy’s plush brown jacket, and his arms tighten around you. 

He rocks you two back and forth. “Oh, kiddo. You are enough as you are. Perfect as you come. We are so, so lucky you finally get to meet us.” He says, hand brushing away your bangs. “We were so happy. So, very happy.” He promises, but it sounds too good to be true. Or perhaps it was true at first, but not anymore. 

You gasp wetly into Teddy’s soft, soft jacket, unable to bring yourself to stop crying. You feel the bed press insistently under your body, warm and unmistakable. A gesture of comfort far too good for you.

There is nothing Dorian detest more than dealing with the circus of a bar in the closet. Well, perhaps the laundry room’s “closet” comes second, but that is a thought for another time. 

The occupants here, in this closet, are one of the main reasons he stays away. That, and the poor performance of Johnny Splash that can be heard all the way to his post—he doesn’t need to step inside the place to hear it. Such is the life of a faithful door, forever professional in the face of duty. 

And duty it is when Dorian found, on an oddly restless night, the house’s sole human falling from Beau’s hill. 

Dorian had heard, and sniffed, something afoot in the closet beforehand. There was an anomaly inside, he was sure. But he deemed it safe enough, as nothing progressed once the evening waned and the bar got louder, and decided to keep an extra careful eye out that night. 

It paid off nicely as he discovered the sneaky little inanimal, whining still on top of the hill, where the human had been trying to reach him. 

Dorian didn’t even think as his feet brought him running over, hands stretched out to catch the human on time. By the bell, he’s never ran faster before in his life. 

But you were safe, and Dorian got you in time, and even the little inanimal was saved. Things were good. Dorian watched more carefully afterwards, making a mental note of the inanimals’ activities around the house. Just in case.

Days passed as peacefully as they can in the household, until one day Dorian noticed the human walking towards the bedroom after a night in the bar, eyes empty and blank. Dorian tried to catch said human’s attention to no avail.

Eventually, in the bedroom, the bomb went off as the human exploded, crying and begging Teddy to tell them ‘how to be in a relationship’ and things. They cried themself to sleep, Teddy’s hand comforting their hair and Betty gazing sadly next to their pillow. 

Dorian swore he’s going to get to the bottom of this. First stop was evidently the Breaker Box.

When Dorian steps inside the bar, he finds the place empty of the usual excitement. Instead, the two owners are arguing in the middle of the room, chairs and rags strewn about haphazardly.

“—literally to help you! Why can’t you see that?!”

“Well forgive me for trying to not make you worry when you were the one who keeps–”

“Eh-hem.” Dorian clears his throat loud and clear. Volt whips his head around, static electricity zapping his hair, while Eddie’s frown goes deeper. 

It takes a second for them to register he’s there, before Eddie speaks. “What do you want, Dorian? We’re in the middle of something here.” The bartender grits out, hands folded across his chest. 

Volt, in a not-so surprising display of agreement, nods along. “If you would give us some privacy, please.” 

Yeah, obviously not. 

“What did you two do?” Dorian asks, voice flat. It doesn’t take a lot to rile these two, and especially not now when they’re already so charged up.  

“What on earth are you talking about?” Volt demands, no longer maintaining the air of indifference anymore. Similarly, Eddie grunts lowly. “Leave if this is not important.” 

Dorian chuckles coldly. “Hah. Well, if you two do not consider the fact that the human was just crying themself to sleep is important, then I’ll take my leave.” He swivels on his heels, and can’t help the relish that comes from the twin gasps of surprise behind him.

“What? Are they okay? What happened?” Volt’s earlier energy zap in a different direction now, worry clearly etched in his voice. Dorian tries to gauge Eddie’s expression, but he doesn’t look much different, if not for the clenching and unclenching of his fist.

The light ahead flickers minutely. Dorian barrels on. “Of course they are not. I’ve warned them about venturing here, but they persisted. Now I don’t know what happened here before they got upset, but something tells me you two hotheads are responsible for it.” 

“Hey, watch what you’re saying—” 

“Eddie.” Volt stops him, an arm on Eddie’s shoulder. “Eddie, I–I think he might be right.” Volt admits quietly, though he’s not facing Dorian. 

“It was my fault I went off on them. And now, look at us. Trying to fix our relationship by ourselves to no avail.” He sighs. “You were bound to become unrepairable if it wasn’t for their interference. They deserve better from us. They deserve to be here. In this thing we call relationship.” 

“Volt…”

“I know you two are a package or sumthin’ so fix it like an adult.”

“And as a warning, if you ever made them cry again, I will close this forsaken place you call a bar once and for all.” He glares. It is nothing but the utmost seriousness. “Do you understand me?” 

“Yes.” Eddie grits out. 

 “We get it, Dorian, thank you.” Volt says tightly. 

“Good. I’ll get out of your wires then.” And he does so.