Work Text:
Bass stared out his window, leaning back onto his bed as Proto Man slept soundly next to him, Treble at the edge of the rather small bed. The bed was small, but was cozy at the same time. It’s not like it was built with the intentions of 2 teen robots and 1 large, robot wolf. The glass had become foggy as rain dripped down, practically pouring outside. Rain clashed onto the streets as thunder boomed, never catching a break. It would’ve been another night for Bass, his dad in his lab working on god knows what to kill Mega Man. They both knew it’d never work, but Wily never gave up, Wily never gives up. It would only prove how much more incapable he is of creating something as strong as what Dr. Light could make. But it wasn’t another night, surely not for anyone in the bed. Bass was laying- sleeping with a Light Number. One of Dr. Light’s Robots.
Bass snapped out of his thoughts as thunder boomed once more, the sky going white each time lightning struck. Treble winced, sure he was one strong wolf, but thunder still scared him like hell. Bass clicked his tongue, annoyed with how vulnerable Treble could be in the privacy of Bass’s room. Bass leaned forward, the bed creaking underneath the tons of metal that were applied to the poor mattress. Bass got close enough to Treble to pet him, scratching behind his ears and chin, providing comfort to the scared wolf. Bass cracked a small smile, rare for the angsty and rude robot. Treble had a rather thick and soft coat of snow white fur, despite it being synthetic. Bass had been mindlessly petting and comforting Treble that he had almost forgotten about the robot next to him in bed.
“Bass.. C’mon, it’s late as hell right now… Wait till mornin’ for that stuff…” Proto Man murmured, awoken from his rather deep slumber.
Bass looked back, looking at Proto Man with annoyance. But without a word, he returned back to bed like how he was told, now sitting next to the Light bot. Treble winced at the loss of Bass’s warmth, but curled up and closed his eyes once more. Bass huffed and looked out the window, completely lost in his thoughts again. He had lost track of time, but it was maybe 12 or so A.M. Bass leaned back into the pillows, bringing up his thick and warm blanket over himself as he tracked the small droplets of water dripping down the window. He wondered what Mega Man was doing right now. Maybe he was trying out a new weapon, preparing to show how weak Bass really was once they met again. Or maybe he was spending time with his sister, Roll. Or maybe he was spending time with the other Light Bots. Bass never really got along with them, they all had this sense of fear around Bass. Fear that Bass would crush them and turn them into scrap metal. Or maybe Mega Man was with his dad, the high and mighty, genius Dr Light. The guy was so praised and loved by the media, the scientist who saved humanity. The scientist who would bring down Dr. Wily, Bass’s creator and dad.
Bass had never gotten along so well with his dad. Even calling him “Dad” sounded weird. Bass glanced over to Proto man who was sleeping soundly next to him. He wondered if he ever thought about Dr. Light, how mighty and loved he could’ve become if he had just stayed. Maybe then Proto Man wouldn’t have to live with the fear of constantly feeling judged or looked down upon. Maybe then Proto Man wouldn’t have to be the one to give Bass the shoulder to cry on, wouldn’t be the one for Bass to be a burden to. Bass looked away from the Light Bot, knowing he was just starting to spiral. Proto Man didn’t think that low of him, right? He promised so many times on nights like these that he didn’t think of Bass as weak, nor a burden. Proto Man didn’t mind being the one to listen to Bass’s rambles, listening to how he never got along with Wily.
“…Bass, c’mon. just go to bed already.” Proto Man murmured, his voice groggy with sleep.
But Bass didn’t acknowledge Proto Man, and just continued to stare out the window, completely and utterly lost in his thoughts. Why did Proto Man care if Bass got sleep or not? It’s not like he really loved him, right?
“Dude, c’mon. Somethin’ up?” Proto Man spoke again but louder, but not loud enough to wake Treble.
Proto man sat up, wrapping his arms around Bass’s waist, his shoulder resting on Bass’s shoulder. He scooted closer, their legs practically touching underneath the heavy blanket now. He looked up at Bass with a lazy, tired smile.
“C’mon, I know something’s up.” Proto Man spoke up, squeezing his arms around Bass’s waist.
“Hm.? Nah, ‘m fine, don’t worry. Just.. Just tired, really. Go back to bed…” Bass replied, looking over at Proto Man with a half smile.
“C’mon, I know something’s up.. You’re usually out like a light by the time your head hits your pillow.” Proto Man chuckled, trying to shine some light on the rather strange situation.
Bass huffed, knowing that if he tried backing out of the situation Proto Man would only bug him about it constantly. He could always lie his way out of it, but even then Proto Man would notice. Bass also just didn’t think it was right to lie to Proto Man, his partner. Proto Man was the one who always listened to Bass, lying to him would only make the situation worse. Bass looked over to Proto Man, soon shyly hugging him back, awkwardly hugging him. Physical affection never really was Bass’s cup of tea. Bass rested his cheek onto Proto Man’s hair, the strands of brown hair tickling his nose.
“Do you think Wily really believed in me? …Sounds stupid I know.” Bass finally confessed what was on his mind, not all of it though, of course. The last thing he wanted was worrying Proto Man and putting even more on his mind.
“So that’s what this is all about.?” Proto Man chuckled, mindlessly playing with Bass’s messy black hair.
“I- yeah. Sorry if I woke you up.” Bass looked away, almost shameful.”
“I definitely think Wily believed in you, really.” Proto Man chuckled, whole heartedly honest.
“It wasn’t you that failed to beat down Mega Man, nor was it Wily’s. Mega Man’s just one tough guy to win against. Dr. Light really is as much of a genius as the media portrays him, huh?” Proto Man continued, smiling up at Bass.
“I guess so, yeah… But I still feel like I let down the old man. He believed in me so much just for me to become another one of his creations.” Bass huffed, looking at the window once more, the rain had quieted down, and the thunder was gone, soothed.
“Hm? Not true at all.! You became such a phenomenal and crazy creation, really. Wily had so much faith in you, he must’ve been ecstatic when his blue prints for you came along.” Proto man chuckled.
Suddenly, Proto Man held onto Bass’s waist tight, dragging him down with him onto the bed. Bass looked up at Proto Man confused, the man had just dragged him down onto the bed. Proto Man hugged Bass close, his head nestled beneath Bass’s chin as their legs tangled beneath the covers. Bass, still shocked, wrapped his hands around Proto Man, less stiff and awkward than before. Bass smiled, leaning down to rest his cheek against Proto Man’s hair once more. Bass brought the heavy and thick blanket over the both of them, providing a warmth and closeness the both of them never knew they needed.
“…Love you..” Bass murmured, snuggling closer to Proto Man, if possible.
But Proto Man didn’t respond, instead, he was already asleep. Bass sighed, but he knew deep within his “heart”, that Proto Man loved him dearly too.
Treble crawled over close to the both of them, curling up on their legs with his head and ears resting on Bass’s thigh. Outside, the rain had come to a stop, the dark skies calm and quiet. The rain drops on the window came to a stop, softly dripping down the window as the glass cleared of any fog. Tomorrow awaited fresh minds and clear skies. Baby blue skies.
