Chapter Text
•~~•
Emptiness (n):
The state of containing nothing/the quality of lacking meaning or sincerity; meaninglessness.
•~~•
The static crackled, a grating siren in Ronin’s skull, each burst of white noise a fresh stab of agony that rivaled the one currently blooming in his gut.
His breath hitched, a ragged, wet sound that tasted of iron and despair.
"Where the fuck are you guys?! I'm bleeding out here and you guys are fucking dilly-dallying?! What, did you find a goddamn convenience store full of artisanal kimchi?!" Ronin’s voice was a strained rasp, laced with a desperation he’d never admit to in polite company, or, hell, even impolite company.
But right now—pinned between a dumpster and a wall reeking of stale piss and forgotten dreams, politeness was a luxury long dead.
A groan, thick with exasperation and a hint of something softer, rumbled through the comms. "Dude, shut the fuck up. You’ll be fine, you dramatic bastard. You’ve been shot before, a little stab ain’t doing shit. Probably just a flesh wound, anyway. You’ll be good." The voice, familiar as his own heartbeat, echoed through the cramped alley, making Rogurt wince again. The device itself seemed to scream its defiance of his pain.
"I told you this shit was stupid," the voice continued, a weary sigh following, "but nooo... 'Rogurt knows best! Rogurt's got a plan!' You're lucky I like your ass enough to be this fucked team's medic, you suicidal maniac."
Ronin coughed, a wet, rattling sound that brought forth a fresh gush of crimson onto the grimy pavement. "Blah blah blah, whatever, man. Just get the fuck—" He leaned heavily against the cold, brick wall, his legs threatening to give out beneath him.
His vision swam, a dizzying kaleidoscope of grey and red. Another cough ripped through him, more violent this time, spewing a mouthful of warm, coppery blood onto his chin. "Shit."
Emptiness.
That’s what this was. Not just the alley, stripped bare of life, but the hollow echo inside him. The state of containing nothing. The quality of lacking meaning or sincerity. Meaninglessness.
God, this was a pathetic way to go out. In an alleyway, bleeding out like a gutted pig, listening to his best friend bitch at him through a comms device. What a fucking loser.
Now, in retrospect... a retrospect he was rapidly running out of, this plan had been stupid. Reckless. Over the fucking top.
But it was just something the one and only Rogurt would do.
A grand, explosive, utterly insane gesture. I mean, with a bit of help, of course. He wasn’t that crazy.
That didn’t hurt anyone… right? Except, well… him. And maybe his long-suffering medic. But that was just collateral damage in the grand tapestry of Rogurt’s epic, self-destructive life.
He slid further down the wall, the world tilting precariously. The emptiness was starting to feel… cold. But then, a distant siren, faint but growing, pierced the silence of the alley. A flicker of something, not hope, but pure, unadulterated annoyance, sparked in Ronin’s fading eyes.
Finally. Took 'em long enough.
Ronin inhaled sharply, his breath a ragged whisper against the static of his comms. "About time you got here, you lazy ass. What took you so long?"
A voice crackled back, formal yet tinged with concern. "Apologies, Rogurt. We encountered unforeseen obstacles. Rest assured, we are en route with haste." A robotic voice muttered
He chuckled weakly, the sound hollow. "Obstacles, huh? Hope it was at least something exciting, not just a traffic jam."
"Indeed," the voice replied, maintaining its calm demeanor. "We had a minor encounter with a security patrol. Nothing we couldn't handle, but it did delay us."
Ronin's eyes fluttered, his grip on consciousness slipping. "Well, hurry it up. I've got a date with a warm bed and a cold drink. Preferably before I bleed out."
The reply was steady, a comforting anchor amidst the chaos. "Hold on, Rogurt. We're almost there. Just stay conscious a little longer." The first voice spoke again, reassuring Rogurt.
Ronin managed a grim smile, one last quip escaping his lips. "I'll try, but if you take any longer at this rate I'm doomed". Ronin’s breathing grew more labored as he fought to keep his eyes open.
"You better step on it, or I'll be a lost cause," he muttered, trying to sound lighthearted despite the pain.
The voice on the other end remained composed. "Rogurt, focus on your breathing. We've just crossed the last part on our end. ETA is five minutes."
"Five minutes," Ronin echoed, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Feels like an eternity. You know, I never thought I'd be so eager to hear your voice Zy."
The voice softened, a touch of warmth breaking through the formality. "Okay, slightly offensive... but it's mutual, Rogurt. You're not alone in this. Just hold on."
A weary sigh escaped Ronin's lips. "I'll hold on, but you owe me a drink for this. And maybe a story about that security patrol."
"Deal," the voice promised, the hint of a smile audible even through the crackling connection. "I'll even embellish it a bit, just for you."
Ronin managed a faint chuckle, his resolve strengthening. "You better. And make it a good one. I'm expecting fireworks."
"We're on the street right now Ronin. Hang in there just a moment longer," the voice reassured him, urgency laced with determination.
Ronin's vision blurred, but he clung to the sound of the voice—his lifeline. "I'll be waiting. Don't keep me too long."
•~~•
"Zy, we're almost there. How's Rogurt holding up?" Adrian's voice was steady, yet carried a hint of urgency.
"He's hanging on, but barely. We’re relying on that five-minute ETA, ADR."
Adrian's tone remained calm, though there was a subtle warmth. "I assure you, we're on schedule. Rogurt just needs to stay focused."
Zane's voice softened slightly. "He's doing his best, but I'm not sure how much longer he can last. You know how stubborn he is."
"Stubbornness is good. It means he's fighting," Adrian said, a slight playful tone in his voice. "And we're fighting to get to him."
"Yeah, well, let's hope that stubbornness doesn't run out before we arrive," Zane quipped, trying to keep the mood light.
[KEEP ACTING LIKE THAT’S HIM]
Adrian responded with a hint of amusement. "Zane, your optimism is noteworthy. Keep him talking, it helps."
Zane rolled his eyes, though there was affection in his tone. "You know me, ADR. I could talk a rock into giving up its secrets." Zane said, his smile faltering when he stared too long at Adrian.
"Just make sure Rogurt's not the rock that gives up," Adrian replied, the smile now more evident.
Zane chuckled weakly now. "Not on my watch. Now hurry up, or I'll have to start telling my own embellished stories."
"I wouldn't miss those for the world," Adrian said, [FAKE] sincerity lacing his words. "We're almost there. Just a little longer."
Zane nodded, though Adrian couldn't see it. "Alright, ADR. But if you don't get there soon I am so re-wiring your grabby arm." Zane said, looking away before adjusting his headset pausing and lingering on Adrian’s voice before getting back to Ronin.
"Rogurt, can you hear me?" Zane's voice crackled through the comms, his tone steady yet filled with urgency.
"Yeah, I hear you," Ronin replied, his voice a strained whisper. "Barely, though. Everything's kinda... fuzzy."
"Stay with me, buddy. Just focus on my voice," Zane encouraged, trying to keep his own anxiety in check. "We're almost there."
Rogurt exhaled a shaky breath, trying to ground himself. "Feels like I've been waiting forever, Zane. Are you sure you're close?"
"Absolutely," Zane affirmed, injecting confidence into his words. "Adrian's guiding us in. He's never wrong about these things."
Rogurt managed a weak chuckle, wincing at the pain it caused. "You guys better not be taking a scenic route, or I swear I'll haunt you both."
"Only one to truly haunt Ronin." Zane suddenly reminded, tone serious—too serious.
A moment of silence passed, Ronin’s ragged breathing the only sound. "You think you'll make it in time?" he asked, shifting topics.
Zane's response was firm. "I know we will. You're too damn stubborn to quit now, Rogurt."
A faint smile tugged at Ronin’s lips. "Stubbornness is my middle name, apparently."
"Good," Zane said, his voice steady but not exactly as warm as it was just a few seconds ago.
"Keep that stubborn streak alive. We're about to turn the corner."
Ronin’s eyes fluttered, exhaustion tugging at him. "I'll try, Zy. Just... just promise me a drink when this is over."
"Consider it done," Zane replied, relief evident as he spotted Ronin's position. "I see you now. We're here."
Ronin's vision dimmed, but he held onto the promise. "About time," he murmured, his grip on consciousness slipping.
Zane rushed to his side, Adrian following close behind. "We've got you, Ronin. You're safe now."
As darkness threatened to pull Rogurt under, he felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Thanks, Zane," he finally allowed himself to rest.
•~~•
Ronin’s eyes fluttered open, taking a moment to adjust to the dim lighting of the base. His body ached, but the pain was dulled, evidence of the care he'd received. He turned his head slightly to see Zane hunched over a workbench, meticulously tending to Adrian's robotic form.
"Morning," Ronin croaked, his voice still hoarse from exertion.
Zane glanced up, relief flashing across his face. "Ronin, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got run over by a fucking freight train," Ronin replied, attempting to sit up but thinking better of it. "But I've been worse."
"That's the spirit," Zane said, returning to his task. "We've been patching you up. Adrian's new features help a ton”
Ronin’s gaze shifted to Adrian's robotic frame. "How's he doing?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
"He's stable," Zane assured him, tightening a bolt with precision. “Stable enough with that new lead you managed if we track it down to a new source.”
[IT’S NOT ENOUGH. HE’S STILL GONE.]
Ronin shifted in the cot, wincing. "You two really pulled through for me back there."
Zane paused, looking at Ronin with sincerity. "We wouldn't leave you behind. Not now, not ever."
"Thanks, Zane," Ronin said, feeling a swell of gratitude although a pang of sadness washed over him, thinking too much into Zane’s simple words.
"I owe you both my life."
"Just cash in a drink, and we'll call it even," Zane simply said, losing the joking attitude he implied earlier.
Ronin kept quiet, changing the subject, "How long was I out?" Ronin inquired, trying to piece together the time lost.
"About a day," Zane replied, his focus now on rewiring. "We made it back just in time. You could’ve died Ronin."
"Sorry about that Zane, I know you’re still worried but I’m not dying anytime soon." Ronin sighed, the weight of exhaustion still heavy on him.
"You should rest more," Zane advised, glancing at him. "Your body needs time to heal."
"I will," Ronin promised. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay first."
"I’m fine," Zane reassured him. "Thanks to you holding on atleast."
Ronin closed his eyes for a moment, relief washing over him. "I'm glad we made it."
"Me too," Zane said, sincerity in his tone. "Now, get some sleep. I'll be here if you need anything."
Ronin nodded, feeling the pull of rest once again. "Alright. Wake me if there's any trouble."
"Count on it," Zane replied, returning to his work with renewed focus.
•~~•
Zane continued his careful adjustments on Adrian, his mind briefly wandering to how drastically life had changed. "It is unusual," he muttered to himself, glancing at Ronin, who was now drifting back to sleep. "But then again, nothing's been normal for a while now."
Adrian's systems whirred softly, indicating the progress Zane was making. "You know," Zane spoke, as if Adrian could hear and respond, "Seven months ago, I wouldn't have imagined nursing a battered friend while repairing another who's part machine. Life's funny that way." Zane said, his voice cracking and a hint of vulnerability showing.
He paused, tightening another bolt with meticulous care. "But strange as it is, this is all I've got left, better to be alive than dead though huh?" he admitted, the sincerity of his words hanging in the air.
Zane's focus returned to the task at hand, ensuring every connection was secure. "Once we're all back on our feet, once we find the others..." he promised, almost as a vow to himself, "we'll face whatever comes next together."
The quiet hum of the base was comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos they'd recently escaped. Zane took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm amidst the uncertainty. "Rest easy, both of you," he whispered, glancing between his friends. "We'll be ready for whatever happens next."
With renewed determination, Zane continued his work, the soft clinking of tools and the rhythmic breathing of Ronin accompanying him in the dimly lit room.