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The dorms are quiet as the students of the flight academy rest inside each of their rooms, save a few. Metal and boot footsteps pace the small area as the part copper cyborg refuses to sleep. Muttering to himself while Penny and Percy are curled up asleep in Percy's bed.
"No more falling asleep and shutting down. I need to stay awake so I can help them. No more glitching, no more sleep. Then I can protect them."
Sausage continues repeating similar concerns as his copper leg whirls loudly in complaint.
Below him a feline mage grumbles groggily, tossing and turning trying to ignore his upstairs neighbor's racket. They grab their pillow and cover their face growly slightly as another loud mechanical sound comes from above.
"I swear if he makes one more clank I'm g-"
He's cut off as a loud crash makes him jump out of bed hair standing on edge ready to fight. Breathing heavily he calms down and listens closely for more sounds but only silence follows.
"Just go back to bed, it's none of my business." They say aloud, only to find themselves walking to their doorway. They let out a sigh and grin. "Curiosity killed the cat and all that." before they disappear into the hallway.
Sausage rolls over and stares up at the loft in his dorm room from the floor. His leg locked up mid-step causing him to crash into one of the chairs and now he isn't certain if he should or could get up. He sighs dramatically reaching up with his non-robotic arm and he groans out.
"I can't even pace without glitching. What is wrong with me..."
"Well you're noisy for one thing."
The sudden voice spooks Sausage who screams and activates his Solar Ascension spell, rocketing himself into the roof and back down onto the floor with a loud thud. The smirk on Bubbles face is replaced with an apologetic grimace as his ears pin back. Scratching the back of his neck, he offers a paw to Sausage as he apologizes.
"My bad man, was trying to get back at ya for all the noise. Didn't think I'd scare you that much."
Sausage accepts the hand and is pulled to his feet, chuckling half-heartedly.
"Ya, I- I guess with everything that's been going on lately I'm jumpier. I need to stop using that spell in small rooms."
He rubs at a spot that it sure to bruise but gets distracted by the concerned look on Bubbles face. Sausage splutters out trying to reassure him.
"It's nothing I can't handle though!" Adding a forced smile as he continues. "Durable copper and I won't let anything stop me from protecting everyone here."
The concern only seems to have grown as Bubbles squints at the cyborg skeptically. Only breaking eye contact as Penny headbutts his leg softly. Bubbles reaches down an scratches lightly under her chin getting a happy chirp from the hatchling before turning his attention back to Sausage.
"Not buying that." Bubbles states plainly before probing him with an accusatory look and saying. "Pretty sure that loud banging I heard was how you ended up on the floor and all your late night clatter and clanking makes me think you aren't exactly in tip top shape."
Sausage opens his mouth then shuts it as he deflates, looking around sheepishly. Finally finding his voice its strangely meek as he confesses.
"Sorry Bubbles, I've been... trying to stay awake to keep me from shutting down again."
Bubbles tilts her head to the side questioningly before repeating back. "Shutting down?"
Sausage visibly winces and nods his head in confirmation. His speech still oddly quiet.
"You see... When I get overwhelmed by stress I- I malfunction... Apparently I start talking weird and asked Graecie, Zam, and Legs who they were like I had forgotten them. I... I really worried them. I don't want to forget them and it happened again during the middle of them trying to fix the corrupted ritual Cpk did. I even told them to tie me down if they have to so they don't have to worry about keeping an eye on me. I need to put a stop to it now though, they keep getting hurt while I'm asleep and I- I need to protect them!"
He pleaded the last bit as his voice raised in volume. Bubbles turns away and walks over to the ladder leading to up stairs before saying comfortingly.
"Look, I may not understand the whole mechanical copper stuff but I can relate to forgetting things. So, I think you should get over here and we can continue this chat while being more comfortable. What do you say?"
Sausage lets out a nervous chuckle but follows Bubbles up to the second floor where his bed is. They flop down on the soft mattress before making room for him to sit down as well. Sausage can't help but smile as Bubbles traps him in place by putting their head in his lap. They blink up at him expectantly and he realizes Bubbles is waiting for him to continue. He chews on his lip a bit trying to decide where to start before focusing on a corner of the ceiling. He's hesitant to start but allows himself to get more comfortable as he talks.
"I- I told you about waking up in the lab with no memories. All I know is I have these copper prosthetics and I want to use them to help people. Same with my solar magic too... But I can't do that if I'm malfunctioning and shutting down! Even when I was able to hold out during the doppelganger thing I still wasn't able to do anything. I had the spear Zam gave me but it chased around Graecie and Legs and I was useless! I even ran away from the real Legs and he had to grab me with his magic to prove it was him. Then I fell asleep and it came back after being banished and hurt them! Hurt Graecie... and I wasn't there. I was asleep! Again! I need to have Legs try and figure out what is going on with my bits. He's a tinkerer- but uh... Legs has been going through a lot himself learning about his magic. I had a feeling about iron before but his book confirmed a suspicion of mine, I think he can use it for good. He's a good guy. All of them are. It's why I want to be there for them. I wanna make sure they aren't hurt, especially ones who don't want to fight back like Zam and Graecie. So... That's why I wanted to stay awake. No more shutting down and forgetting them. No more."
Sausage sighs heavily as a calmness settles within him after telling someone his worries. He chuckles softly commenting lightly.
"I needed that, thanks Bu-"
He cuts himself off as he hears a soft purring and looks down in surprise as he realizes Bubbles has fallen asleep in his lap.
"Huh, well...." Sausage leans back into the comfort of his pillows and smiles genuinely. "Guess I'll follow your lead this time. It's not like I can move, waking a napping cat is a crime."
In the morning Legs finds the two still sound asleep in Sausages bed with Penny and Hibana curled up with them.
He quietly left the room and told Graecie and Zam to let them sleep in as it looked like they needed the rest.