Work Text:
After losing count on the amounts of job he had done, all the missions well done and even those who he had failed, he decided that enough was enough and wanted to take a break, a vacation, anything that could get his head off the stress he had been going through, and to escape for once from Disco Head's jokes and flirts, he needed something different, a different setting, a different view, a different planet, ANYTHING to get his mind off work and to keep him from actually going insane.
He was familiar with the Q.Z, despite knowing the dangers that laid inside it, it's not like he hadn't worked with people from it, and it wasn't like he cared much about the health risks, he had always been someone careful with what he did, though he had to admit he had been reckless in the past, you learn from mistakes, he had certainly learned from all the wounds and experience he had gathered. So after careful consideration, and after giving it a thought more than once and making sure he wasn't going crazy, he decided to pay a certain osteon a visit, for once.
Jaw Bone's planet wasn't really the best, but it wasn't the worst thing either, the terran inspiration was obvious, and Armstrong had to admit it threw him slightly off, even though he had been there before. On some streets, it was filled with vendor stalls and others walking around, on other places it was so empty it almost scared him, it definitely wasn't a ghost town, and it was certain civilization wanted to thrive there, but thinking about the reason why it would be so empty gave him a strange feeling in his stomach. But after ignoring his gut, he decided to keep walking to the place he was meant to be, because he wasn't heading directly to the osteon's basement, no, he knew he would be somewhere different that evening, and he probably wouldn't have known if he hadn't been bragging about it for the past few weeks.
He got to the front of a building, loud music faintly leaking to the outside, looking at the door he took a deep breath, adjusting the collar of his shirt and walking in. As he walked further in, the sound of Trash Metal became louder, already recognizing the voice of the vocalist, and once he paid for his entrance, he stepped in a small show room, almost completely filled with people, as he looked over at the stage and let out a small chuckle at the scene.
Jaw Bone stood tall at the front, with Knee Cap on drums and Rib Cage on bass, clothes being slightly different to the usual attire, the three of them on the same stage seemed to bring an entirely different energy to what he was used to seeing on an everyday basis. The three of them seemed to know how to hype up an audience, even considering the general tone of the music and such, Scythelord seemed to have a really dedicated, really invested audience, despite not throwing many shows because of their limitations, that day seemed like a big accomplishment to them as a band and for their future as such. Armstrong stayed at the side of the door on the very back until the show finished, just making sure he wouldn't get dragged into a pit he wouldn't get himself out of, and then waited until everything was over to walk up to the front.
Rib Cage, who had finished talking with someone else, noticed Armstrong on the floor and looked over at Jaw Bone, giving him a little sign to look over at where the smaller was standing, and once the osteon noticed, his serious facade shifted and smiled, sitting down on the side of the stage to look at the grey more clearly.
“You actually came! I thought metal wasn't your jam.” Jaw Bone said, slightly leaning back as he looked at him.
Armstrong shook his head with a small smile. “It isn't, but it's not like I can't appreciate something out of my comfort zone.” He crossed his arms, looking up at the osteon. “B’sides you were bragging so much I had to see for myself.”
The taller laughed, standing up and walking over to reach for the jacket he had taken off mid performance. “So tell me, you plan on staying around? Or are you busy as you always say you are.” Jaw Bone said, putting on the jacket and turning around to see him.
The floor had already started to clear, Knee Cap and Rib Cage were already packing their stuff to go back home while Jaw Bone got himself distracted talking to the grey, not like he had much to pack either way.
“I'm done with work for now, so I hope you don't mind me sticking around for a bit longer.” Armstrong said, getting the attention of the taller and letting out a small laugh upon seeing his surprised face. “So, you need help?”
Armstrong helped Jaw Bone and his band pack his things back to their bikes on the back of the building, getting things done in no time now that they had that little extra hand, and as Rib Cage and Knee Cap were ready to part, JB looked back around to see Armstrong, looking at him back and then raising an eyebrow. The osteon gave him a motion to get on, and the grey just followed, sitting behind him on a small space as he held onto the sides, he wasn't really used to ride on a vehicle like that, and Jaw Bone wasn't the softest driver there could ever be, at least it was better than having to walk all the way to their home building that was almost at the outskirts of that city.
After getting there, Armstrong helped carry some boxes inside as well leaving them where Rib Cage would tell him to and then sat down on the couch once they were done, Jaw Bone leaned onto the back of the furniture and let out a sigh, looking down at him.
“Thank you for that egghead.” Jaw Bone said, rubbing his hand on the top of his head and laughing as the grey alien shoo'd his hand.
“Do that again and I'm never considering lending you a hand ever again.” Armstrong said, sitting up straight and then clearing his throat. “Anyways, thank you for having me at your ‘home’, I know it's been a bit since I last visited.” He said, turning around slightly to face the osteon in a more comfortable way.
Jaw Bone clicked his tongue, turning around from the back of the couch to sit next to him, almost plopping himself down. “Don't even mention it, thank you for sticking to the end of the show, I know it must've been like an angel singing in your ear to hear me sing.” He joked, giving him a gentle push with his elbow.
“I wouldn't have heard the end of it if I didn't show up.” The alien replied, placing his hands behind his head as he looked at him with a small smile. “Seems like you guys do have quite a following huh? And here I thought you were all talk.”
Rib Cage walked in, listening to the conversation and walking over to the arm chair close to the couch, sitting sideways as one of his legs rested on the arm and the other on the floor, he had just finished storing the last few boxes and getting things back in place.
“We realized that holding a show somewhere familiar would give us better chances of getting something done, instead of going far, we gotta start somewhere after all.” He said, getting the attention of Jaw Bone and Armstrong.
Jaw Bone smiled, his expression becoming happier as he stood up and walked over to his friend, going to the back of the armchair and shaking it a little. “We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my main man!” He laughed. “I've seen how hard he had been trying to get a venue to host us, we got lucky! Hopefully we get to see this happen more often.” He added, reaching to give him a pat on the shoulder and then walking back to sit next to the smaller.
“Sometimes you just gotta give em a little motivation, you know?” Rib Cage said, laying on his side as he looked at them. “Let em know that the name ‘Scythelord’ is not decorative.” He added.
“JB sometimes seems to think too big, good to know there's someone in the group that thinks more grounded.” Armstrong said, looking at Jaw Bone with a smirk.
Rib Cage just laughed as Jaw Bone's face shifted to embarrassment for a second, scratching the back of his neck as he looked to the side. “Right, but we also wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for him. As much as he can fuck things up sometimes.” Armstrong flinched at the scratching sound in his ears from the swear, but hearing Rib Cage's genuine words gave him a different view of the group.
“Don't ya think you're letting him know too much?” Jaw Bone said, looking at Rib Cage, who just laughed it off and shook his hand.
“No, I think it's appropriate after what he did for us today, you would be a good part of the team, but I feel like Jaw Bone has annoyed you enough about that, hasn't he?” Rib Cage said, looking at Armstrong as he rested his head on his hand.
The grey thought to himself for a second, hearing the echoes of Jaw Bone's voice as he talked to Rib Cage, a thought that had crossed his mind, Plague Walking, warnings would blare in his head, but the temptation was still there, and why wouldn't it be? Gathering treasure like a pirate and living off potential fortunes sounded like a good deal to anyone, but his way of life was different, and his risk taking, albeit similar, was much more comfortable than the guaranteed death that would await him if he further interacted with what laid inside the zone he was in.
“Despite, tempting, Plague Walking is far from my desired job, although I wouldn't mind a few escapades from my usual routine.” Armstrong said, getting the attention from the two osteons who just looked at him and smiled. “If you ever need an extra hand, and I don't happen to be on a mission, you can count me there.” He added.
Jaw Bone gave him a strong slap on the back, making the other jump a little and lean forward at the pain that came right after. “That's what I like to hear!!” He said, a laugh escaping his mouth right after. “Say, why don't we go out n celebrate huh? Today was our day after all.” The osteon added, looking over to Rib Cage for a word of approval.
The other laughed. “Go get some drinks, I can manage the food, I'll stay here with Knee Cap.” He said, shaking his hand for them to leave.
Armstrong gave Jaw Bone two pats on the shoulder and got up, stretching and then walked towards the door, the taller following behind as he waved goodbye to Rib Cage.
The sun was setting but everything just seemed to get livelier, walking around, a few places were opening that during the day would be closed, it seemed like the city hated sleep, or at least the day, and selling what would normally be deemed illegal at night was a better business strategy than risking anything, despite laws not really existing in the Quarantine Zone, it was better not risk the sudden appearance of someone unwanted, which with Armstrong not being someone from around those parts, were a reason for people to give him looks.
They got to a liquor store, stepping in and getting two packs of beers, for a second the alien thought that it would be enough with those two, till he saw Jaw Bone grab two more, giving him a look, the osteon just looked at the things he had gotten and then scoffed.
“What? ‘Think it's too much? You won't even realize when they're gone.” He said, walking towards the cashier to buy the things they had gotten.
After a while, they walked back home, talking about whatever came to mind, being work, things about the past, or whatever bugged them, straying away from getting existential for the moment, Armstrong would ask the questions he had in his head when the time was right. Getting home, they walked into the basement and left the bags of drinks on top of the dining room table, which was small and located inside the kitchen itself, with an open view into the living room.
“Hey bro, I was thinking.” Rib Cage said, getting the attention of Jaw Bone. “Mind if we take this to the roof? I doubt anyone's gonna complain, and the night is nice, we can take things up once the food gets here.” He suggested.
“The roof? Do you guys even have access up there? I thought even being in the basement would be enough risk.” Armstrong said, pointing at the very visible pipes that were all over the roof and some walls.
Jaw Bone laughed. “Risk? Nah up there is the safest you can be, don't even stress about it.”
So after waiting for a few minutes for the food to arrive, they headed up to the roof. The building was small so they didn't really have an elevator, but going up a few flights of stairs wasn't going to kill them, and the extra help made things lighter. Opening the door to the terrace showed a few chairs and a table, a bit of dust on their surfaces showed that people didn't go up there as frequently, and the state of it reflected the lack of care even more.
Despite this, they brushed off some of the dust and sat down with no care in the world, as stars started to show in the night sky, they talked with no care in the world, celebrating accomplishments, throwing jokes, Armstrong felt almost like he's known them his whole life, despite only being familiar with Jaw Bone since the times before he became a Plague Walker, it was like him being there felt just right, but despite the feeling of wanting to stay grew on him, he knew he had other things to do, but maybe for just one night he could make himself believe that he belonged with them. As the night fell, they grew more tired, Rib Cage and Knee Cap deciding to go back downstairs for the night as Jaw Bone and Armstrong stayed on the roof, it was too late for him to drive back all the way home, and he definitely wasn't sober enough to do that either, so the osteon offered him to sleep on the couch for that night, the alien, despite knowing that JB and his group were jokesters, took the offer, after all what was the worst thing that could happen? He just had to make sure to wake up before they could write something on his face and pretend nothing happened.
As they looked down to the view of the city, Jaw Bone looked up, staring into the night sky that held a not too bright green hue, a lively city on their feet made him think, life in the Q.Z was harsh, but he also knew things could be worse, it took him long enough to climb to where he was, aware that others would kill for his spot, but the thought of that only filled his ego. He let out a chuckle, looking back down as he took a sip of the drink he had in his hand, Armstrong looked at him with a raised eyebrow, wondering what he thought so much about.
“Y’know, it's kinda funny to think about how things were before I got here.” He said, looking down at the lights of other buildings in the distance. “The Q.Z is not as bad as people outside of it say, they just haven't experienced the thrill of it for themselves.”
Armstrong chuckled, looking off into the distance as he squinted. “To me it just sounds like you got lucky, you do know the Q.Z has its flaws, like any other place, right?” He said.
Jaw Bone clenched his fist, then relaxed, he couldn't fight that he was right, but definitely if it had been someone else saying that, they would be at the bottom of the building.
“Right, but at least it's no shit hole being run by the trinity of all things.” The osteon replied. “Despite all that's wrong, I have a place I can call home.”
“Maybe I wouldn't mind being around here.” Armstrong said, getting the attention of Jaw Bone. “It's not like our motives stray too far.” He added.
Jaw Bone looked at him in silence, eyes wide open, almost not being able to believe his words, but he decided to not press further.
“You don't wanna be here.” He said, taking the last of his drink and throwing the glass bottle in the trash. “You're better off at your own place.”
“What made you change your mind?” Armstrong asked, turning around to look directly at him. “I thought you would want me to join your gang?”
The osteon chuckled, turning around, his back to the precipice in front of them, as he rested his body on the railing and looked at the grey next to him.
“I'd rather have you around as what you are, not for what you'll become if you end up joining me.” He said, crossing his arms as he looked down at him.
“Scared I'll be better than you at your own job?” Armstrong teased, making Jaw Bone let out a loud laugh that could definitely be heard from the first floor. He was confident in his abilities, but also confident enough in his own pirating skills.
“Keep dreaming, I'd just rather do my own thing than hear your yapping next to my ear every time you do something ‘better’ than me” Jaw Bone replied, a joking tone to his voice. “You can come here as an escape, sure, just don't get too comfortable staying around too long.”
The osteon walked away from the railing, taking some of the things they had brought to the terrace to bring down to the basement to either throw away or store.
“It would be a shame to not see you again.”
Armstrong looked at him, almost like he finally understood what he meant, and decided to just follow him back downstairs, making sure they hadn't left too much trash up there, not like someone else would go up any time soon, but it's not like he liked to leave litter everywhere he went. Getting to the basement, Jaw Bone put away the leftover drinks they had, leaving them in the fridge as Armstrong face planted on the couch, tired from both drinking and walking downstairs. The osteon followed the noise of his voice and let out a laugh, peeking over the back of the couch to look at him, crossing his arms as he looked down.
“Wanna go to the market tomorrow before you live? I know where they sell junk that you would probably like.” He said, reaching over for a blanket that one of them had left close from other times someone had stayed on the couch.
Armstrong laid there in silence, almost drifting off to sleep. “Sure, yeah, that would be great.” He said, looking to the side to look up at him.
Jaw Bone just smiled and threw the blanket at him, covering him with it and then walked away.
“G’Night Pipsqueak!” He said, waving off as he went to his own room.
Before Armstrong could say anything or protest at the nickname, the sound of a door closing interrupted his thought, letting out a sigh as he dropped his head back down on the couch, making himself comfortable as he turned and cuddled the blanket he covered himself with, the usual sounds of a basement hit his ears, mixed with the sounds of a city that didn't seem to sleep, sounds that became oddly comforting as he drifted off to sleep.