Work Text:
WISE hated to admit it, but something in his core throbbed.
This ‘Planet X’, as he called himself, had an alluring aura. Even just admitting the fact was enough to make WISE internally grimace. But, still… seeing his melancholic, preoccupied expression made his insides twist. He had looked so small and fragile when he had left.
He figured that's why he had approached SIMP.
“What’s your angle? Using your gravity on him, questioning him? He almost left a minute ago.” WISE had enquired.
“If he is to become our ally—truly our ally, then we need to play a long game, WISE.” SIMP had replied.
“Why?” WISE hadn't known why he was questioning her so much. He had felt obliged to satisfy his own scraping curiosity. Perhaps he was nervous X would betray them? He wish he knew.
“Because, I will ask him to betray everyone he knows.”
Her reply echoed in his mind. The cold, directness of it almost sent a shiver down to his core.
Again, WISE hated to admit it, but her reply felt harsh. He knew it was for the greater good (in his eyes), but he still felt… something partial to X.
He scowled to himself. He didn't even know what he felt, and that was infuriating. Part of him wanted X gone, so he wouldn't learn more about their cause; but the other part of him wanted X here, tightly under his and SIMP’s watch. He was sceptical, and he had every right to be.
He knew SIMP had a plan, but he was rather in the dark, much to his dismay. He didn't want to press SIMP further—he was his majesty after all, and questioning her could go down a rabbit hole fast. If he didn't piss her off, first.
His mind was just… racing. He carefully analysed the entire situation but eventually, his mind landed right back onto Planet X. The innocent blue planet.
Subconsciously, he found himself following right after him.
Planet X was in the dumps: his core hurt with every harsh pang, his mind was erupting with overwhelming thoughts and his body was running on fumes. He didn't know what to make of the situation. He had so many options, but also only one. Realistically, joining the Rogues seemed like the path he was being dragged onto. He could always go back…
No. He couldn't. His second best option was to venture into the unknown. But did he really want that? He could be adrift for light years ahead, if not forever.
He didn't know where he was aiming to go now. He just wanted—needed silence. His own company, away from the many prying eyes of the Rogues.
So when Planet X deemed himself as alone, he stopped wandering. He took in the sights: the many stars, galaxies and constellations he was making up on the spot. Momentarily, his thoughts were lost to the void in front of him. He sighed, muscles relaxing.
His eyes felt so heavy as well as his limbs. He felt as if he wanted to cry, to release this pressure.
He recalled back the moment SIMP approached him: her patronising words that came out in a weak, false attempt to sound comforting, and her intimidating, overshadowing mass. He remembered it all vividly—it did just happen a few moments ago. And still, his frame was slightly shaking. Even his breathing felt alien. He was usually so much more composed than this, but the second SIMP used her gravity on him, he felt himself begin to shatter. X knew this was probably what she wanted, and that she shouldn't get under his skin, but it did anyway.
What was he meant to do? Her ‘thirteen centimetre’ threat didn't exactly sound empty.
X wasn't sure what his goal was anymore, but it definitely was not to become a thirteen centimetre black hole.
Fuck, man.
X heard himself pathetically whimper, his own identity scraping away. He had felt too many emotions in such a short time, not to mention the amount of callbacks to his blighting and harrowing past.
“Fuck sake, X. What have you gotten yourself into?” He breathily mumbled to himself, almost unintelligible. His voice sounded underwater, like incoherent bubbling rambles.
Oh stars, he was just being so dramatic.
He began pacing up and down, nervous yet also exasperated. He just… didn't know anymore, man. Should he stay, under the mercy of SIMP? Or pursue a different path?
His mind flashed back to being behind the Kuiper belt, watching over his… the solar system: observing the way the little family interacted with one another—his heart painfully thumping and his strong urges to just cry out.
And then his mind returned back to the present.
He now had to make a life-altering choice. And he would have to make that decision soon.
Who knows how long this SIMP will allow his free reign? With the way he treated her, he wasn't expecting a holiday. That's why he desperately had to make this choice, but the more he delved into it, the more his mind would spiral and his breathing would heighten. He sounded, felt and looked so pathetic, he was drastically out of character. His usual cocky, confident personality shattered the moment he was put in his place. Maybe he deserved it, but there was no need for it to substantially affect him. He was just so... vulnerable. Everything negative that had happened caused a colossal effect, for no apparent reason.
He wanted to go back to being alone. At least, he thought that's what he wanted.
Then, it all went south.
He felt the gravitational field of another, approaching, celestial object. A familiar gravity: one he was not fond of.
WISE.
Planet X immediately straightened up, his mind clicking into focus and his face slightly lifting. The sooner he could get WISE to leave, the bloody better.
None of them dared to speak first. It was beyond awkward. X just wasn't sure what to say; he wanted to be alone.
WISE approached X slowly, before stopping near him. He self-consciously observed X and the area around him, unsure of how to approach the situation. The ultramarine blue planet seemed so small and fragile and that saying one wrong thing could cause him to collapse.
Finally, X decided to engage the Rogue, feeling his eyes on him.
“WISE, what do you want?” He enquired, voice on the weak, quieter side.
WISE momentarily froze. His stomach churned at the sound of his voice. Damn. He hadn't expected SIMP to affect him so drastically—not like this, anyway.
“I uh…” he stuttered, much to his own surprise. Pull it together, WISE! For star's sake.
“Look, joining the Rogue Kingdom isn't as bad as you may think it is.” WISE said as he moved to stand beside X, observing his shrunken frame from the corner of his watchful eye.
“Of course you would say that.” X’s reply was dry, but there was no malice.
WISE hesitated. Of course I would say that. I know what it's like first hand.
“X, I know this is a difficult time. But—”
“I understand, WISE.”
His reply was so blunt and direct, it almost hurt to hear it. WISE was immediately silenced. He desired to help, but if X continued to shut him down, he wasn't sure how to succeed. SIMP stated he needed X to stay, and he was required to help the outcome be positive.
He could try to empathise; to show X that he's not alone in this situation. Yeah… that could work.
“I saw the fear in your eyes when SIMP was questioning you.” WISE calmly stated, so he doesn't sound like a tease.
Planet X’s tone began to depict anger, taking it as tease anyway, “What's it to you, WISE? Have you come here just to—”
“No. I haven't, X.” WISE’s voice went even softer, admitting a harsh truth, “I, too, sometimes fear SIMP.”
X paused. Why was WISE telling him this? Probably an attempt to make X feel less alone, but why does WISE being afraid of SIMP matter to him? He couldn't care less. His situation was much more dire than WISE’s.
WISE noticed that there wasn't much change. This approach was negligible.
He sighed. This would be tough. He'd hardly met the planet, so knowing what cheered him up was up to chance and trial and error.
“To this day, I still have little moments of reflection. Was joining the Rogues the best choice at the time? Should I have gone down a different path?” WISE spoke slowly and clearly, at a low volume, “But then I remember how it changed me for the best. I spend my days helping planets—helping them to find their place in this universe. And that matters a lot to me. It gave me a sense of purpose and worth that I knew I deserved, and I know you do too.”
Planet X released a shaky breath. WISE fell silent again for a moment, watching the way X’s composure subtly changed.
X felt as if he deserved bugger all, and WISE saying that felt like an empty attempt at comfort. X knew WISE didn't mean what he said.
“I understand this may not mean much to you—but I went through this moment, too. You're not alone.” He had more to say, but X turned to face him, his tired eyes boring into his. WISE stopped in case X wanted to say something, but there was just silence, so he continued.
“You said you also wanted to help planets and that's what we do.” WISE stated, giving a soft smile, looking deeply at Planet X.
“You don't have to decide now. You can give it some long thought, but don't let it tear you apart. I would like for you to join us, X, but also to be mentally well.” WISE finished.
Planet X exhaled before looking back towards the empty expanse of space. WISE’s words snaked around his head. He wasn't sure what to make of all of it, but he was comfortable with the fact that WISE was somewhat compassionate. However, his statement of 'long thought' was bullshit to him, but he didn't dare to comment on it. He knew WISE was just throwing words at him to further analyse, but it still brought some reassurance. He felt a little less alone.
Planet X’s breathing steadied slightly, and WISE untensed, glad to see he helped—even if it was just minor. X’s frame naturally slumped; his exhaustion was clear but WISE was satisfied to see him stop putting on a façade.
“Thank you, WISE.” Was all X managed to say. He wanted to enquire questions, to quench his curiosity but he assumed WISE wouldn't answer them.
“I know you probably have enquiries, and I'm afraid I can't answer all of them—her orders—but I would like to…” WISE trailed off, shutting himself up. He was staying too much too soon. But, perhaps, it would make WISE seem more friendly, approachable and humane.
X just exhaled again, peering at WISE from his peripheral version. He noticed the titanic blue brown dwarf seemed awkwardly tense.
“Don't worry about me, WISE.” X stated, hoping the brown dwarf would get the hint, leave and do his service in peace. He wasn't used to being a burden to someone else, so it sent uncomfortable shivers to his core.
“Okay. I…” WISE wanted to tell X that he was here for him, but that felt… odd? He barely knew him, so would offering his shoulder to cry on be… weird?
X didn't press any further, so WISE just slowly turned around and drifted off, leaving X to stare solemnly at the many spots of light.
His shoulders felt less heavy, but he still didn't know if he wanted or needed to join the Rogues. He still felt absent, as if he were mentally somewhere else. He wished he were somewhere else, right now, and not having this mental dilemma.
He flicked back to WISE, watching the brown dwarf be absorbed by the darkness. Something about him was off, but he was relieved to hear he was somewhat humane.
As WISE moved away, he thought deeply to himself. He strongly hoped he had helped, for two reasons. One being for the sake of the Rogues, and the other being...
Another thing WISE did not want to admit. He had cared for Planet X, and he had done some of that as he wanted to see X stable.
He could not tell SIMP that, even if he were on his last life. His moral dilemmas will not affect his daily work, and he will stick to that declarative. If SIMP discovered his emotions were afflicting his performance... he feared what the outcome would be.