Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Typically, for Sebastian, Most Expendables don't tend to catch his attention. They tend to be annoying or uninteresting. Despite going as far as to shoot some of them, either ghost-killing or regular bullets, it didn't matter in the end.

All of these rotten Expendables are often nuisances, but not this one. Actively protecting Sebastian from annoyance when with others, this Kind Soul would prevent the fellow Expendables from flashing him with flash beacons. Or even giving him research and Data despite not buying anything, “as thanks for supplying people with useful goods.” They were always the odd ones out, being respectful and kind to the Saboteur.

This unfortunate Expendable's name was Kia, with short Blonde hair in a fluffy undercut style, deep brown eyes, pale skin, wearing a scarf and a face mask, with a distant and reserved personality.

Over time, Kia warmed up to Sebastian as the shopkeeper was the only man who is a constant presence down here. Every group he went in was always new faces somehow, so he was able to come out of his shell and form a bond with Sebastian.

Soon, Sebastian didn't even realize it, but he ended up watching him from afar. Not for the usual reason of grabbing redacted documents that people find along their journey.

He just… felt compelled to return his kindness. To make sure he's safe. Protected somehow.

While watching over Kia, Sebastian gathered information on this calm-hearted character.

What items he preferred, what entities he thought were easier than others, and his favorite room types.

Even learning unrelated information, such as his favorite color, his favorite meal, and what time of day was his favorite.

All from small talk and details he gathered while eavesdropping on Kia while he's on expeditions, solo or in a group, Kia seemed to find comfort in talking, even when no one seemed to be around.

To subtly gain Kia’s favor, Sebastian would always make sure to have whatever Kia liked: Medkits, blacklights, hand-cranked flashlights, Spri-nts, and Wall dweller chunks.

Whenever he needed them, Sebastian would have them in stock, always available, always there.

All while subtly lowering the prices of things so his precious favorite customer could always be able to afford the stuff he sold, even if he didn't have a lot of data at that time.

And even if he's already been past Sebastian's shop, he'd leave items for Kia to find, knowing how much of an explorer he is.

Leaving Medkits in drawers when he got hurt, a Blacklight on the table, and a few batteries scattered about a side room when he was getting low.

He spoiled Kia, all without him even realizing it.

The Saboteur slowly came to realize that he had grown such an odd obsession over Kia. Always making sure he's well-kept during his runs,

And he'd chipped away at the small inconveniences in Kia’s path, making everything perfect for his favorite expendable.

All because Kia made him feel acknowledged, feel human. Feel like he's not alone. Feel like he's more than some sort of NPC in a video game to upset for a few laughs. The small talk Kia would offer while wrapping up his damaged leg, the tiny jokes he'd make under his breath to him when it's just the two of them, the extra Data he'd hand over just to do something nice for Sebastian, and all his hard work. He had actual human interaction, actual humane conversations. He was treated like a person, the person he once was, the one he misses; Kia revived that part of him.

Sure, Sebastian has Painter, but… Painter can only do so much; Kia is human. He craves human interaction, and that's what Kia fulfills in him.

Painter subconsciously reminds him of his current form, this monstrosity. All while Kia feels like someone he would've met in college, someone he would've befriended on the surface. He feels human. 

Sebastian just adored every detail about him, and today, he wants to get closer to him. He wants to officially be friends, to be the closest ally Kia has...

Chapter Text

At Door 52, Kia opens the door, before being greeted by the familiar layout of Sebastian's shop room, as the vent flies off the wall, and His voice calls out 

“Past, hey. Over here!”

Entering the vent, Kia saw the all-too-familiar location; he knew this place all too well at this point.

Sebastian turned on his light, tugging at his Angler Lure to illuminate the makeshift shop room.

“Welcome back, Friend. Got some goods for you. You know the drill, yeah?” Sebastian chuckles as Kia immediately approaches his tail, where his items lie.

A Wall Dweller chunk, Perithesene 'Cocktail’, A Blacklight, a Gummy Light, and a new item, the Necrobloxicon.

Kia's eyes widen with curiosity before he immediately stretches his hand to the strange book.

“Ah, that. I saw that and thought you'd like it! It's one of the best things I could scavenge around here.” Sebastian started, grinning to himself as he watched Kia recoil his hand.

He seemed a bit hesitant.

Before he looked up at the shopkeeper, “Oh, hm.. it seems nice, but I don't think I could afford that and everything else I'd like to get.” The expendable admitted sheepishly.

Sebastian chuckled in reply before he plucked the book off his tail and offered it to him.

“Oh, come on, take it. You deserve it! Being such a loyal customer to me. You've done so much, let me return your.. generosity.” Sebastian hums, his tail swishing a bit.

The Expendable's eyes stare at the book, before he looks even.. more hesitant. Kia was completely unaware of Sebastian's quiet devotion to him, thus. Kia was a bit cautious.

In his mind, it was possibly a trick or something! Sebastian is known as ‘The Saboteur.’ He'd kill Kia without a second glance if he even dared to use a flash beacon or get on his nerves…

Or well, that's what he assumes, anyway.

But, as Kia's head was swarmed with paranoid thoughts, Sebastian chuckled at his growing blank expression as Kia went deeper into his spiraling thinking.

Before he then leans towards Kia, grabbing his hands with a gentle tug, and placing the Necrobloxicon in his grasp with a pleased grin plastered on his face.

He hums as Kia comes back to reality, looking at the book.

“Don't think about it too hard, alright? Just.. test it out.”

Kia then tilts his head at the book, before opening it up, staring at it in confusion.

Before he felt the urge to grab at the book between the pages.

A glowing cube comes out as he pulls at the book, and Kia seems... impressed.

“Whoa…” he mutters, tossing the hovering cube around in his hand, a smile creeping on his face, although hidden by his facemask, his eyes reflected that fascinated grin. Hearing his joyous curiosity, Sebastian hums proudly to himself.

He continues watching Kia mess around with the Necrobloxicon, before speaking up, “and don't worry about batteries, too. Just close it for a little bit, and it'll be good as new.” Sebastian explains.

Kia closes the book at that. “This is genuinely really cool! Ho– How much for it?” He asks, shutting the book with his hands.

Sebastian scoffs, rolling his eyes playfully.

“I said, I was returning your generosity, didn’t I?” He hums again.

“Take it! Free of charge, for being such a good customer of mine.” Sebastian continues, his tone reflecting his insistence on taking the book.

That didn't sit right with Kia, before he fidgeted with the book, his fingers tapping rhythmically against it for a moment while thinking of a reply.

“N– No, no.. I...” Kia faltered before he went to the items on Sebastian's tail.

“Uhm, Here! ..uh-” Kia replied, before taking the wall dweller chunk, a few batteries, and the blacklight as well, tipping very generously.

Sebastian grinned even wider. Not only was Kia satisfied with the stock he had, but he did his usual song and dance, giving him everything in return.

Then, after messing with the Necrobloxicon a bit longer, getting a feel for it, Kia nods to himself. “Well.. Okay, Alright.” He huffed, ready to take on the rest of his expedition now, “I'll get out of your hair- I’m sorry for staying so long.” He apologized.

Sebastian shook his head. “Oh, don't give me that. I like your company, y'know.” He replied.

He seemed visibly baffled by that, blinking at the Shopkeeper. He... likes him?

‘He's probably just being nice,’ Kia thought to himself as he made his way to the table where the keycard usually is, wanting to leave. But–

The keycard wasn't there.