Chapter Text
Rocket walked through the illuminated streets of crossroads. The sun had long since set and he was walking a dangerous path far too close to territory he had been exiled from.
The train station to playground was still miles away from him and yet he still felt he was too close. He had been aimlessly walking, thinking and walking, thinking and walking. He had not watched where he was going.
The sound of a skateboard screeching to a stop across the pavement pulled him from his thoughts.
He looked over at a red inphernal who was watching him, they wore a skate helmet their board pulled to a sudden stop. Rocket narrowed his eyes and the other grinned, walking up to him. He tensed.
“Whatcha doin out here all alone man?” They asked.
“Whats it to you?”
“Hey! Just tryin to make small talk.” They shrugged.
“And just who are you? Why are you out here alone?” Rocket shot back.
“You’re very hostile, I like that! I’m Skateboard, guess that wasn’t obvious enough.” He said and Rocket scowled.
“Why are you talking to me Skateboard?” He questioned.
“Bored.” They answered simply and Rocket scoffed starting to walk away.
Skateboard, unfortunately followed them, their board in hand. “So, who are you? Usually when someone tells you their gear you tell them yours.” Skateboard said, his voice was giving Rocket a headache.
“It’ isn’t any of your business. I’m not out here to entertain your boredom.” Rocket said.
“You lookin for a fight?” Skateboard asked.
Rocket paused and looked over at him, “Ohhhhh you’re totally down for one aren’t you?” They grinned again.
“Don’t got it in me to fight with you.” He said after a moment. He left that life behind him.
“Yes you do I see that fire! Cmon- cmon one little fight won’t hurt anybody. Well, it’ll probably hurt you but you know what I mean.” Skateboard said.
“What you think you’d win?” Rocket asked bewildered.
Skateboard smirked, he knew he had Rockets attention now. “Duh, you’re pretty short I doubt you could even hurt the littlest of playgrounders.”
Rocket inhaled sharply, “You don’t know me, I could take you.”
“Take me? At least buy me dinner first!” Skateboard snickered and Rocket found himself loosing the last bit of resistance he had on not fighting.
“Okay Skate, if you’re lookin for a fight let’s have one.” He said.
“I knew you’d come around, cmon.” Skateboard grinned.
Rocket angrily followed Skateboard to an abandoned part of crossroads, soon it’d be revamped and packed with shops and apartments. But for now it was empty and barren, perfect for an illegal brawl.
“Neat right?” Skateboard said. “When I first visited I found it, I doubt they’ll keep this place around much longer so might as well make use of it.”
“You don’t live in crossroads then? Why are you even visiting this late.” Rocket asked, mildly curious.
“Some of my old playground buddies wanted to hang and we stayed out later than expected.” The skater shrugged, he got his skateboard ready.
“Playgrounders…” Rocket muttered.
Skateboard heard, “Got something against us?”
‘Us’ Rocket felt his blood boil beneath his skin.
“Only a little, nothing personal.” He said.
“You from blackrock or somethin?” They joked.
“Try playground.” Rocket rolled his eyes.
Skateboard paused, “Huh, interestin. I knew I got those vibes from you, crossroads must’ve made you softer though huh?”
Rocket only scowled. “Alright well, let’s get this thing started i’m itching to see what you’ve got in store.” Skateboard said.
Rocket adjusted his goggles and summoned his rocket launcher, grinning as Skateboards eyes widened a smidge.
“I’m guessin your names Rocket? based on the rocket launcher an all.” They other guessed.
“Wow, you’re annoying and a genius.”
Skateboard rolled his eyes, “Whatever you say Rocket.”
They shot forward and Rocket sloppily dodged. He was out of practice, he only did phights every so often and sparring with sword. He shot out a rocket at Skateboard who easily dodged and hit him with his board.
Rocket was sent tumbling back. He de-summoned his gear and decided to do this the old fashioned way. He waited till Skateboard skated close enough to punch him in the stomach. The boarder let out a small hiss and stumbled off their board.
They retaliated with their own harsh punch which hit Rocket in his good arm. He summoned his gear again and hit Skateboard upside the head with it. The other groaned and knocked Rocket off his feat. He hissed- not good he couldn’t let this punk get an advantage.
He knocked over Skateboard and he ended up on top of Rocket much to the rocketeers distress.
“Bad move.” Skateboard smirked.
They headbutt rocket hard, at least they had a helmet on rocket didn’t have anything so it hurt like hell. He let out an involuntary yell and hissed kicking Skateboard hard.
Skateboard rolled off of him and rocket tried to collect himself enough to punch him again. The skater dodged and punched Rocket in the stomach. He slammed himself against Skateboard and jammed his elbow in their side.
Skateboard winced and whacked rocket on the back of the head with his board. Pain blossomed on the backside of Rocket’s head and he felt a bit dizzy.
Too many blows to the head and he was screwed, Skateboard knew this and he was definitely aiming for his head.
He didn’t know what the skater wanted out of a fight with a stranger but thinking back on his days in playground and as a teenager he missed that thrill and maybe, maybe that was what Skateboard wanted tonight. The thrill of a fight, wining and beating your opponent half to death.
He wasn’t sure how harshly they were aiming to fight but whatever it was, he’d be ready with a rocket to the face. His small scrapes bled and he felt the back of his head become mildly wet. He ignored this in favor of sending a punch Skateboards way, this time it hit him in the face and Skateboard grimaced at that.
They punched Rocket back and elbowed him in the head causing rocket to stumble back. Skateboard slammed them to the ground and pinned them holding his hands tight around rockets neck.
Rocket choked and shook off the dizziness momentarily to ram the side of his gear into Skateboards head. He heard a crack and noticed his helmet had split a little near the edge.
“You’re desperate when you fight.” Skateboard said.
“So are you, we both fight to survive.” Rocket spat, blood pooled in his mouth.
Skateboard grinned, but it held no satisfaction. “That may be true but you fight like a coward, i can tell you’re holding back, you can’t even get me off you, some fighter you are.” Skateboard said.
Rocket snarled and bit down hard onto Skateboards hand. The skater yelped and drew back and Rocket slammed them against the pavement.
Blood trickled down Skateboards head and they scowled, “Dirty move, your teeth are sharp.” Skateboard hissed.
They sent a nasty punch to Rockets face and Rocket drew back in pain. He sent a rocket flying at them and it just burned their side.
“You tryin to kill me?” Skateboard scoffed.
“Are you?” Rocket snapped back.
Soon the two started throwing punch after punch, shove after shove, shot after shot. They were both growing tired and more desperate to win but neither showed signs of stopping anytime soon.
They were bruised and bleeding and a few hits away from something getting broken and yet they didn’t care. Their movements became harsher and less calculated. She yanked Skateboard closer and shoved him to the pavement, the skater hitting his head and letting out a pained yell.
He tried to twist out of rockets grasp to no avail. He felt as if he was back in playground, fighting to stay alive. Fighting just for the hell of it, to feel something. He breathed in the smell of blood and it twisted and pulled at something Rocket thought he had buried for good.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins and he felt alive again. Skateboard hissed and kicked and punched and headbutt him again. Their horns clashed and Rocket tilted his head to point them at Skateboard who blocked them with his own.
The skater harshly threw Rocket against a brick wall and shoved them to the ground. Sharp rocks dug into Rockets back and he let out a small cry.
Skateboard grinned, “How’s it feel to be small?” He said and Rocket bit him again but this time Skateboard didn’t let go.
He ripped away a bit of flesh which did cause Skateboard to wince but he didn’t relent. Rocket snarled and shoved Skateboard to the side, successfully pinning them again.
This back and forth game they were playing seemed almost familiar. Skateboard scowled up at Rocket who grinned down at the skater, sharp teeth poking out.
Skateboards expression morphed into something Rocket couldn’t place and they let out a long breath.
“You look good in the moonlight like this.” He said.
It was so unexpected and Rocket lost his grip. He froze and simply stared down at the boarder, was this a distraction? Was this asshole flirting with him?! After that..? Skateboard found his turmoil funny and laughed, he shoved Rocket off of her and pulled them into a tight headlock Rocket struggled to escape from.
They yelled and snarled, “What the hell is wrong with you?! Why would you say that?” Rocket yelled.
“Stating a fact, got any compliments for me?”
“I was under the impression this fight was making you angry, why the change to flirting?!” Rocket hissed, shoved his hands onto Skateboards face and tried to push them away and release them from this chokehold.
“Nah it was, but i’m enjoyin this, most fun i’ve had in weeks.” They said.
“Well im so glad you’re having fun!” Rocket said sarcastically.
He threw Skateboard over his shoulder and into the sharp pavemented ground. The other winced but their grin was still there. He didn’t try and attack Skateboard again, only staring at her in a mix of anger and confusion.
They sat up and looked up at rocket, not a hint of fear in their eyes as if they already knew Rocket wouldn’t kill them.
“I thought fighting you would be more explosive.” She finally said.
Rocket scoffed, “If it were, you’d be a little more dead.”
Skate snorted, “Guess I got lucky. Next time don’t hold back yeah? I’ve see you in plights you can do some pretty cool stuff, not as cool as anything i could do but yknow.”
Skateboard got up, Rocket noticed he pulled something out of her pocket and scribbled on it.
“My phights…? You-“ But before Rocket could ask anymore questions Skateboard had skated away, a small note left in his wake.
“Weirdo...” Rocket muttered.
He picked up the slip of paper and saw it had a number hurriedly written down with ‘hmu?’ underneath it. He crumbled it up and shoved it into his jacket pocket scowling.
Like he was going to text that number.
He headed back home, his wounds hurting as she walked but nothing too bad, he had had worse anyway. He headed into the empty dark shop and walked upstairs quietly. Zuka had long since gone to bed so he had to be sure he didn’t wake them up, he would hate Zuka to see her like this.
He got some medical supplies and patched himself up in the bathroom. The only bad wound was where Skateboard had hit his head and even then it wasn’t that bad. Although it did hurt like hell. The fight had been more for fun clearly.
Once he was sure he was good to go he lazily threw his pajamas on and took off his prosthetics. He flopped into bed and sighed, it felt good to lay down after that fight.
He looked over at his jacket hanging from the chair beside his bed and took out the note. Rocket turned it over in his hand, frowning. He idly wondered if Skateboard had meant anything he said or if it all truly was a distraction, he didn’t trust anyone from playground.
Oh sfoth playground, he had a playgrounders number, he should tear up this number, punch Skateboard in the face next time she sees them. Yet, she didn’t tear up the number and she probably wouldn’t see Skateboard again so she could punch them.
Everything in her told her to discard it, burn it even but something buried deep prevented her from doing so. She hesitantly shoved the number back in her jacket pocket and turned to lay facing the ceiling.
He stared up at the glow in the dark stars he had plastered over his ceiling years ago. As much as he loathed to admit it the fight was fun… ish, even if Skateboard irritated her beyond imaginable it was still fun. He felt like he was back in his teenage years, getting a rush off of fighting others. It felt good and he hated it, he hated Skateboard.
This fight was different from the phights he signed up for, it felt more genuine. Maybe because this time it wasn’t used for entertainment. The phights filled a void in him that had to be filled after her gave up picking fights with randos off the street, for zukas sake.
Though if someone irritated him enough he might shove a rocket launcher in their face, no harm in doing that! Thinking back he liked how Skateboard didn’t hold back, even if they were just doing it for fun. The asshole was right, he had to quit holding back so much he couldn’t always resort to biting as a last resort.
He still had the image of Skateboards angry shocked face when he bit them and he fought the urge to laugh. He should not be thinking about this, or the compliment that has been floating around in his head since the skater had said it with that annoying grin on their face. She groaned and rolled back over.
He could worry about Skateboard and his stupid grin later. Her eyes squeezed shut and she found herself falling asleep in no time at all.
She woke up sore and unfortunately the fight from last night still lingered on her mind. He begrudgingly got up and freshened up a little (not at all) and headed down the hall into the kitchen and dining area.
Zuka was seated at the table and he eyed Rocket as she strolled in. In truth he probably looked terrible but maybe Zuka would take it as just another rough night, he still got the occasional nightmare about the incident.
“You were out late last night, thought you might’ve just decided to stay at Swords.” Zuka commented.
Rocket threw in some toast in the toaster, “Nah just went out for a walk, got distracted.” He shrugged.
“Does going out for a walk also include getting into a fight?”
Rocket froze and squinted over at zuka, “Nnnoo…” He said slowly.
Zuka frowned and quirked a brow unimpressed, no use lying.
“I got into a little fight. Not uh, official or anything. It was fun even if the other guy was irritating as hell.” He said.
Zuka sighed, “Just be careful alright?”
Rocket knew his mother disliked when he fought, yet he still did it and while it did make him feel guilty he couldn’t give up the thrill of it.
He’d be careful though, he couldn’t die, he wouldn’t do that to Zuka. “I will, promise.” He said.
Zuka nodded. She buttered her toast and sat down across from Zuka. Zuka busied himself with the newspaper, over Rocket going out and fighting.
“You need help with anything today?” He asked.
“Nope, you can go out. I hope I don’t find blood on the floor again when you get back though .” Zuka said without looking up.
Rocket cringed, he really did have to be more careful. “That was- ugh it won’t happen again.” He groaned.
“Better not.”
“I know I know.” Rocket said shoving the rest of his food in his mouth and heading back down the hall to get dressed and fix up his hair.
He put on his jacket and shoes and started out the door, “I’ll be back later kay? Don’t stay up.” He called.
Zuka gave an “Ok” and he was gone and out the door. Sword had said he would be busy training with his mentor so Rocket was on his own today. It’s not like Medkit ever wanted to hangout anyway too busy with work he says.
Usually he’d just stay inside and play video games but he heard the cafe down the street had a sale going on and he did like their new breakfast sandwiches- which were served all day. Which was lucky for him considering he tended to wake up late, it was almost 1, oops.
He entered the cafe, the bell on the door ringing and was met with someone who he did not want to see. Sitting at a table was Skateboard who was with two other inphernals. They were all chatting and Skateboard hadn’t noticed him thank sfoth. Maybe he should take her food to go…
“Hi Rocket!” Vine Staff called, he cringed at his name.
Skateboard looked up and they locked eyes. Rocket quickly looked away and hurried to the counter.
“Hey Vine Staff.” He muttered.
Him and Vine Staff were sorta friends they had met outside of her job and sorta bonded. They weren’t very close or anything but she was pretty cool.
“How are you? You haven’t been by in some time.”She said.
“Eh got a little distracted with stuff sorry, how have you been?” He asked.
“Good, the cafes been busy Slings real happy about all the business we’ve been getting but that also means more work.” She pouted.
“You deserve a break.” Rocket laughed.
“Oh I wish, I don’t mind working so much though. As long as sling is happy yknow?” She said.
“Yeah… I get that.” He said.
Vine Staff was way too kind. Maybe that was why he avoided her sometimes, because he felt like he didn’t deserve that when it was directed towards him.
“So what can i get you?” Vine Staff asked.
“Oh uh, one of your new breakfast sandwich’s? Everything on it.” He said.
“Comin right up! You really like those huh? You’re going to be the reason they go out of stock!” She joked.
“Well they’re good!” He grinned.
“I can’t argue with that i’ll make sure to tell Sling that too.” She smiled and headed into the back.
Rocket sat down at a table far away from Skateboard but that did not deter the other in the slightest. He muttered something to his friends and Rocket watched as he strolled over and sat down right across from him.
“Didn’t expect to see you around here.” Skateboard said.
“I could say the same thing, seriously why are you here? You live in playground.” Rocket frowned.
“What a guy can’t visit his business owner bff?” Skateboard said.
Ah so him and Slingshot were friends that was not good he had to find another cafe to come to. But Vine Staff…. why had everything become complicated? Rocket narrrowed his eyes and skateboard grinned.
“Can you believe just last night we were at each other’s throats? Crazy huh. Did you not want to text?” Skateboard asked.
The skaters number was still in his pocket.
“Why would I do that? I’m not interested in you.” He said.
Skateboard didn’t seem to care for rockets hostility in fact he fed off it, “You sure? I see my number poking out of your pocket so obviously you decided to keep it. We don’t gotta fight though that would be cool, we can just hang!”
Rocket shoved the number deep into his coat pocket. “I don’t wanna hang, last night was a one-off thing to let off some steam.”
He said.
“Whatever you say.”
“I mean it.” He snapped.
Rocket scowled and Skateboard laughed. “I’m just tryin to be friends!”
“Go find someone else to be your friend.” He felt like he was a teenager again trying to get sword to go away.
He paused, should he give Skateboard a chance like he did with Sword? No, no Skateboard was nothing like Sword and even worse he was a playgrounder.
“Suit yourself, i’m always a text away though!” Skateboard said.
He got up and sat back with his friends who immediately started to make fun of him for something. Rocket stared for a moment before he averted his gaze.
He hadn’t interacted with anyone from playground in years. It made him weary and now this playgrounder wouldn’t leave him alone. He knew he was safe now and he knew that the people sitting a few tables away from him didn’t want to hurt him. But deep down there would always be that fear he would have to defend himself.
That fight with Skateboard had felt fun, all things considered and Skateboard didn’t seem so bad really. He was chill and knew how to spar well but none of that mattered because no matter what Rocket couldn’t help but feel uneasy around them. It would be easier to avoid them and lash out than to try and get close to people from a faction that had kicked him out.
He still held some of his playgrounder pride but it wasn’t enough to ever go back and it wasn’t enough for the playgrounders sitting near him. He had left that behind and he needed to let it go.
Vine Staff came over, pulling him from his thoughts, and handed him the sandwich.
“You okay?” She asked.
He blinked, “Yeah, thanks. Uh here.” He handed her the bux. “I’ll see you around.” He swiftly left, sandwich in hand leaving behind a worried Vine Staff.
Rocket walked down the street eating his food every now and then. Maybe he could talk to Sword about all this, Sword had said talking about your feelings can help you feel better. He squashed that thought down though, he shouldn’t concern anyone else with this.
She found herself taking out Skateboard’s number and looking at it. With some hesitance she tossed it aside and continued down the street. No use keeping a number he would never use.