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Jamato looked over the desert the warm wind brushing through Jamato's hair. Jamato had intentionally stayed behind the others: Spoke, Jumperwho, and Mapicc.
Spoke was obviously been suspicious of Jamato, but Jamato knew that he had planned for that but what he hadn't plan for was complaining.
"It's so hot!!" Spoke whined flailing his arms as if that wouldn't worsen his hot temperature.
"well maybe you wouldn't be so hot if you didn't wear mostly black." Mapicc shared his input which Jamato silently agreed with.
"if you guy's really want I think there is a cave over there," Jumper pointed over to a cave, "but only for a little bit 'cause we should try to get to the stash."
"please, please, please!" Spoke said before running off toward the cave without another word, Mapicc followed in pursuit.
"Spoke, wait up!" Mapicc called out.
Jumper groaned picking up her pace to follow the other two.
Jamato while much slower followed as well a bit annoyed they where straying from the path he had originally planed, but alas Jamato would adapt.
entering the cave Jamato could agree it was much cooler inside, for that he was grateful.
Spoke was deeper inside the cave jumping up and down dramatically Mapicc by his side pestering him from what Jamato could tell.
Jumper put her back against the cave wall then slid down to the ground resting against the cave wall exhaling from relief to sit down and rest her legs.
Jamato decided against sitting down in case something where to happen.
"stop jumping, bro. what if the cave collapses or something." Mapicc grumbled with baseless worry.
"your no fun! that's the point—I wonder if this cave goes any deeper?" Spoke had stopped jumping but now was looking for more trouble to get in.
"Spoke, calm down; we dont need to be doing anything stupid right now." Jumper spoke who at times felt like the only other sane person here to Jamato, which he silently thanked her for being the voice of reason.
Jamato nodded in response to Jumpers words.
Spoke crossed his arms making his way over to Jamato in hopes to annoy him. Spoke poked at Jamato "you chill out." he commented.
Jamato raised a brow "I am chill?" he shooed Spoke's hands away already annoyed by Spoke being anywhere near him.
"sit down" Spoke put his hands on Jamato's shoulders attempting to push him down. Jamato uncertain of what Spoke wanted from him now decided to take a seat, his legs where slightly tired from the run here.
Spoke sat in front of Jamato "let's play rock paper scissors." his tone lively despite their situation.
"alright." Jamato watched as Mapicc crouched beside them like this was the most serious thing ever.
"rock paper scissors, shoot!" Spoke said his hand in a scissor gesture Jamato's hands in a rock, "I win" "out of three, out of three!" Spoke insisted.
Jamato sighed "rock paper scissors, shoot." Jamato said this time his hand now in a gesture of paper Spoke's hand scissors again.
"oo, one/one." Mapicc said his hands pressed against his mouth taking this very seriously.
Jamato rolled his eyes. "rock paper scissors, shoot!" Spoke's hand scissors—again— Jamato's hand rock.
"two/one… Spoke lock in." Mapicc commented which earned him a shove from Spoke.
"I am locked in!" he huffed. "rock paper scissors, shoot!" Spoke had chose scissors (…again) Jamato had caught on to his game choosing rock, "you can't pick scissors ever time."
"what ever, I won." Jamato exhaled leaning against the cave wall leaning his head back the cold cave wall feeling nice on the top of his head.
Spoke put his hands on Jamato's knees bouncing forward on his own knees, "again, rock paper scissors, again!" Spoke pestered his voice on the edge of a whine that could make Jamato cover his ears.
"no, you're just going to play scissors again." Jamato shifted his legs trying to to shoo Spoke off.
"wait duel me." Mapicc began to beg to play as well.
"no." Jamato closed his eyes and crossed his eyes hoping ignoring them would work and the two of them would leave him alone. was this apart of Spoke's plan to wear him down—no that's too stupid.
Jumper made her way over to the three of them sitting beside Jamato as well, "you guy stop bothering Jamato you can duel."
"um no thanks, I need to beat the expert."
"Jamato is an expert at rock paper scissors?" Spoke questions curiosity beaming in his eyes.
"I—no? where did you get this information?" Jamato questions the two of them with a raised eye brow.
"Mapicc, you lied…" Spoke looks heart broken—god the heat much be getting to his head why would he ever believe such an obvious lie?
Jamato shares a glance with Jumper as the two in front of him start to bicker.
Jumper puts a hand on her fore-head wiping the sweat off ignoring the annoying voices that filled the room.
"this heat is killing me." she sighs lightly banger her head against the cave wall.
"It's not the heat that bothers me…" Jamato gestures at Spoke and Mapicc who seem to be play fighting now, how they had the energy to do so neither Jumper nor Jamato knew.
Jamato reached into his inventory and took out a water bottle sipping at it. how long would he have to deal with these people he didn't know.
once Jamato lowered the bottle of water from his mouth looking at his surroundings again he saw Mapicc and Spoke had finished fighting now they lay on the ground panting like they just did a full work-out.
"can we go deeper into the cave it might be cooler?" Mapicc asked between labored breaths.
"yeah, I'm getting wifty from the heat!" Spoke complained.
Jumper shrugged "sure, why not?" Jumper's gaze bounced to Jamato to see what he thought being met with a nod she got to her feet.
Mapicc was first to go further in to the cave with Spoke following behind and even further behind the two was Jumper and Jamato.
making their way further into the cave it did indeed get cooler thankfully, once they reached a dead end of the cave Spoke collapsed against the wall with a sigh the cool wall feeling heavenly against Spoke's warm back.
Mapicc sat next to him placing his head on Spoke's shoulder causing Spoke whined but didn't move Mapicc's head.
"bro you're too warm get off of me."
Mapicc shook his head and Spoke groaned and layed down on the floor Mapicc layed beside him "bro, this heat is making me sleepy."
Jumper shrugged and propped herself on the cave wall beside the other two.
Jamato did not join the three of them instead going to sit on the opposite side of the room.
arising a complaint from Spoke "why are you over there? dont you wanna be near us?" Spoke questioned.
"I dont want to be more hot then I already am. and no not really." Jamato sighed closing his eyes the heat really did make people sleepy and the four of them where evidence of it.
"that's boring." Mapicc added to the conversation Jamato could tell he was already drifting to sleep.
"please—" Spoke began to beg much to Jamato's annoyance he didn't stop instead slowly getting louder in till Jamato's hands covering his ears was not enough to block out the ever irritating noise.
"okay—fine, my gods." Jamato stood then made his way over to the group of people sitting next to them.
Spoke took this chance and leaped on to Jamato causing him to let out a high pitched yelp attempting to push Spoke off to no avail his warmth polluting Jamato he groaned at the weight off the other on him.
"is it pile time?" Mapicc questioned. Spoke nodded Jumper sighed and shuffled closer to the res to of them.
Mapicc attaches himself to Jamato's arm Jumper is simply leaning against Spoke's back.
Jamato is very confused about how to feel in this situation but he knew for sure the warmth made him uncomfortable.
"Jamato do you have any water left?" Jumper asks like he wasn't covered by to very warm individuals unable to move.
"yes, but I cant get it…" Jamato gestured to his situation, Jumper hummed and took his water bottle off its belt loop taking a sip "thanks!" she smiled placing the water down beside her on the cold floor then closing her eyes.
Spoke was curled up on Jamato's chest like some cat you couldn't get rid of while Mapicc already began to drool on Jamato's arm much to Jamato's annoyance.
Jamato surrendered placing a hand on top of Spoke's head soon closing his eyes to.
Spoke grinned his plan was working… what plan do you ask? well coaxing Jamato in to being his friend once more so he would forget about all the 'wrong' he did.
and so far, it was working.
Spoke's tail ghosted over Jamato's leg.
Spoke had made sure to turn his face away from Jamato so he wouldn't see the glint of mischievousness that shimmered in Spoke's eyes as listened to the breathing of his friends slowed that he could tell was from sleep.
and not long after Jamato's breath joined the others in soft chorus that then lolled Spoke to sleep as well before he knew it.
once morning came the cave twisted in a way where the light only slightly bounced off the walls which only allowed for a low hue of the cave to be dusted with light.
when Spoke awoke he found himself still clinging to a sleeping Jamato.
yawning Spoke stretched they may have gotten a bit side tracked with sleep but if Spoke's gut was right this was a good and necessary part of the plan.
looking around to see if anyone else was awake seeing no one stir not even from his gaze Spoke leaned back down pressing his head against Jamato's chest a soft purr rumbling in his chest, this brought back memories from when Jamato and him would fool around with exploits.
but that was a short lived time before Jamato started to ramble about how it was "too much power"… what none sense he still ended up in the position.
maybe it was bad to manipulate someone to be your friend again but what did Spoke care he was greedy, and his greed told him to cuddle his friends.
Spoke lay there for a while listening to the rise and fall of Jamato's chest the rhythm calming to Spoke's racing thoughts.
maybe liked the thought of being surrounded by his friends with not a threat in sight—except for the one he held in his arms. but did that count? no.
Jamato had woken up a few moments ago Spoke hadn't noticed, Jamato was taking in his surroundings some what surprised the only thing Spoke did while he slept was cuddle closer.
Jamato placed his hand on Spoke's head petting him softly. perhaps this black cat wasn't all bad luck.
Spoke purred subconsciously leaning in to Jamato's touch.
in void-ling culture void-lings would sleep in a pile while mostly done by family or close friends they would do so to watch each others backs in case a threat where to appear.
Spoke had told Jumper and Mapicc a while back so they would stay and sleep next to him when he was scared. Jamato simply knew this from a book he had read while trying to find a weakness he could exploit in Spoke.
"I knew the heat wasn't the only thing messing with my mind." Jamato whispers directed towards Spoke who gave a sly smile in response.
…
the nether being cold? what an odd thing… how could that be that was a question Spoke asked himself as he pressed himself in the corner of his cell in purgatory to scared to sleep but no one to sleep next to.
Spoke's breath grew heavier the longer he stayed awake in the eerie cold the filled his lungs.
the only ideas that came to his mind where to beg on his hands and knees but Jamato didn't deserve such a view not after the kindness Spoke had given.
and for the record Jamato did find a weakness in void-lings the cold could cause a void-ling to think un-clearly do to the constant shivering that came with a sharp cold.
"what ever." Spoke wouldn't crack even if the cold made his teeth chatter maybe a dive in to a pool of lava didn't sound so bad right about now.
Spoke had already caused enough trouble that two guards where now stationed outside the his cell.
"hey, guards…" he took a step closer to the bars that separated him and the guards. "can I go see Jamato—or your leader, I guess."
the null guards exchanged looks and seemed to be thinking and communicating in their own way.
after a while the jail door creaked open and Spoke exited the cell following the guards as they lead Spoke hopefully where he had asked to go. Spoke was ready to either argue his way to a warmer cell or argue in till he warmed up.
the walk to Jamato's office(?) seemed colder then it would be if he just sat in his cell which led Spoke to question how Jamato manged to make the nether this cold.
once they reached the Jamato the coldness seemed to subside even if it was just a by a little Spoke noticed.
"Spoke." Jamato pushed back a smile seeing the shivering void-ling on his door step.
Spoke jumped up and door in attempt to warm up before he spoke "Jamato. do you know how cold it is here?—how did you do that?" Spoke hoped the cold didn't make him look pathetic.
"well, I can do what I want in my own prison. and secondly that information will never be given to you." Jamato's finger traced a cup of tea he ad on his desk that he was idly sipping on before Spoke had entered.
Spoke narrowed his eyes at the lack of information he was giving shifting on his feet his hands around his arms in hopes of warming himself up.
"can I get a warmer cell?" Spoke said popping the question like he was having a normal conversation.
Jamato had to hold himself from laughing with a hand covering his mouth exhaling what seemed like a sigh to calm himself and regain his 'aura'.
"no." Jamato shook his head and took a sip of tea almost mockingly.
shifting on his heels Spoke scrunched up his face with annoyance from how fast he got rejected.
"how 'bout now? did you change your mind?" Spoke smirked blinking kindly at Jamato.
Jamato shook his head mouthing the words 'no' before leaning back in his chair putting his hands behind his head and staring seemingly blankly at Spoke.
Spoke opened and closed his mouth thinking about how to drag on this one sided conversation.
"can I have some tea?" Spoke grinned. did he like tea? no. was tea warm? yes! what a full proof plan— that is if Jamato gives in to his request.
Jamato clicked his tongue in thought for a moment before deciding in acquiesce gesturing for one of the null guards to pour another cup of tea—not bothering to re-heat the kettle.
Spoke blinked the delight from his eyes this was the only proper drink/food he'd had in days. Spoke shuffled over to Jamato's desk awaiting his cup of tea, which was soon given to him.
taking a sip; it was bitter. and slightly cold, whether that be from the room itself or the kettle being left out Spoke didn't know.
Spoke attempted to not scrunch his face up from the bitterness.
"good?" Jamato questioned a grin plastered on his face, knowing Spoke did not enjoy tea in the slightest.
Spoke have a rather ridged nod to appease Jamato—or maybe it was in acquiesce to avoid an argument wanting to keep Jamato in a good mood—none the less Spoke stayed quite.
Jamato hummed looking down at Spoke from where he sat.
"so about that warmer cell…" Spoke made a weak attempt to ease in to the topic once more.
perhaps Jamato's answer had chanced?
"Spoke I don't like repeating myself, no. the only warmer option I'll give you is staying in my office for the time being—" "I'll take the latter!" Spoke interrupted. he hadn't even spend time weighing his options…
Jamato blinked away his shock. "very well."
Jamato cleared his throat "but don't be a bother. that will get you kicked out."
Spoke wasn't fully sure how his blandishment had got him this far but who was he to complain he had no plans—yet— to do anything for the time he was in here except attempt at escape which could wait.
right now he would weasel back in to Jamato's some what good view.
Spoke looked up at Jamato through his eye lashes striving to seem more innocent then he truly was.
Jamato narrowed his eyes at this not falling for Spoke's foolish games—as of now—Spoke could be as tricky as he wanted to be as long as he didn't raise too much suspicion.
Spoke pushed the cup of tea away from him he didn't really want more then he had to drink.
resting his head on Jamato's desk Spoke was pleased—not happy— that he had manged his way to a warmer room but he was still cold and now quite bored…
Spoke thinks for a moment mind racing with things he wished he could do but not right now… Spoke's eyes lit up with mischief taking his head off the desk.
"do want tea?" Spoke asks Jamato who shoots him a confused look.
"I have some already." he raises a curious brow at what Spoke could be planing.
"no its okay I insist, you can have mine." Spoke pushes his tea cup over to Jamato on the edge of the desk. looking back at Jamato similar to how a cat that wanted to stir annoyance for seemingly no reason.
"Spoke." Jamato says his name as if its threat. "I will take you back to your cell personally."
Spoke closed his eyes and frowned pulling his hand away from the cup."I'll take you to your cell personally" Spoke mocked crossing his arms.
Jamato took the cup from the edge of the desk and handed it over to a guard who took it away.
"hey! I want my tea." Jamato shook his head "you dont." he shooed the guard away who had paused in the door way with a sigh.
"how will you be tomorrow, Jamato?" Jamato blinked at his question "good? Spoke—do you have anything of value to say?" Jamato was getting quite annoyed with Spoke (—as if that's not obvious ).
"can you be more detailed with your answer, I need to know how you'll be tomorrow." Spoke ignored Jamato's question continuing his pestering.
Jamato ran his hands down his face leaning back in his chair causing it to creak. "I will be upset tomorrow if you continue to ask this." Jamato groaned placing his hands on the desk.
"that's not good… but what if something good happens tomorrow?" Spoke smirks blinking innocently towards Jamato.
"Spoke, you have a minute left before I kick you out."
"what if I want to kick you out?" arguing was helping him warm up, and Spoke doubted the guards in front of his cell would argue with due to their lack of microphones.
Jamato narrowed his eyes sighing quietly, "you can't. plead your case."
Spoke blinked "you're kicking me out?" he frowned "but I'm having fun."
Jamato stared at Spoke waiting for him to say something of value.
"dont kick me out I'll—uh—do something so good you'll be happy tomorrow!" Spoke pleaded he really didn't want to go back to his freakishly cold cell—also it was boring there.
"what will you do, Spoke? enlighten me." Jamato watched in real time as the cogs in Spoke's head turned scrabbling for something to do or say.
"I'll clean your armour!"
"and you won't steal it? fat chance. another thing." Jamato leaned further back in his chair looking out the large window behind Spoke.
"I'll be on really good behavior all tomorrow!" Jamato hummed at this offer.
"serve me, for the entire week." Jamato queried taking another sip from his tea.
"a whole week?" Spoke's jaw hung low before he fixed himself back to 'normal' stance with a rather questioning look.
"yes, and you will get a warmer cell after wards."
Spoke shifted his weight from one put to the other seemingly deciding whether the deal was worth it or not. a week of possible torture but warmth at the end of said week or back to his cold cell where he'll probably be bored out of his mind…
Spoke had a tendency to choose temporary things over long lasting things.
"fine, I accept your deal." Spoke rolled his eyes crossing his arms, "what do I gotta do?"
Jamato hummed lost in thought for a moment, crossing his legs he began his demand "isolate yourself from everyone but me."
Spoke had to stop himself from choking on his own spit.
"for a whole week? I've got places to be." Spoke raised a brow leaning closer to Jamato to make sure he wasn't pulling at his chain—an ironic saying for his situation.
"you're in purgatory, Spoke. you shouldn't really be talking to anyone." Jamato had finished his tea, he handed the empty cup to a guard who took it and left returning soon after.
"I need social enrichment!" he complained leaning even closer to Jamato.
Jamato put his finger on Spoke's forehead pushing him back "you're no animal. besides you can talk to me."
"I dont want to talk to only you that sounds horrible." Spoke bared his teeth in disgust at the thought.
"you're in my prison and have agreed to my rules, you don't have a choice." Jamato wiped the finger that touched Spoke on a cloth before dusting himself off and returning to a 'normal' sitting position.
Spoke whined kicking his feet and leaning back in the chair before promptly falling over with a yelp that the whole prison could hear.
Jamato winced at this gesturing at his guards to help Spoke up.
"I'm injured! I'm injured!" Spoke cried shaking the guards off of him like they could dirty him.
"you're not bleeding," Jamato sighed "unfortunately…" he said the second part quieter.
Spoke was really getting on his nerves.
Jamato stood up and grabbed Spoke's wrist pulling him up as well.
"lets go." Jamato demand
"where are we going?" Spoke questioned know he very well may not get an answer.
Jamato didn't respond just dragging Spoke by his wrist causing him to hobble slightly behind of Jamato, Spoke's face scrunched up with confusion.
"keep it a secret see if I care." Spoke huffed allowing himself to be dragged along.
Jamato rolled his eye's thankful Spoke couldn't see from where he walked behind him.
Jamato led Spoke to his pod (/room) his pod was colder then the rest of the rooms because Jamato preferred it colder when he sleeps,
for Spoke thought was horrible he thought he was doing good at making Jamato his friend again.
"hey, hey! this room is freezing!" Spoke cried.
Jamato slammed the door behind Spoke just the two of them in the bone chilling room. the sound of the door slamming caused Spoke to jump closer to the bed a hand on the foot-board's top rail.
"you act a fool in front of my guards, you act a fool in front of me… is that all you know how to do Spoke?!" Jamato grabbed Spoke ruffly by the front of his hoodie.
Spoke's ears pinned against his head as he put his hands up in defense.
"calm down!" Spoke took hold of Jamato's wrist the skin on skin contact making Jamato pull away violently as if it burned, causing Spoke to hit his back on the bed.
propping himself against the foot-board Spoke looked back up at Jamato who was staring down at Spoke—or his own hands—Spoke couldn't tell and at this time didn't care.
Jamato blinked the anger from his vision replacing it with shaky breaths, ignoring Spoke practically on the floor.
Spoke in a fit of panic and trying to de-escalate the situation hugged Jamato's legs from where he sat on the floor—surprisingly this worked— Jamato calmed down by some miracle.
and then Jamato collapsed down the floor with Spoke. he didn't speak a word just shook and let Spoke hug him for what felt like forever.
how pathetic crying to man who went down every wrong turn… head in his hands Jamato pushed back the piercing thoughts on why he couldn't cry or why he still cared for Spoke after all he had done.
Spoke was horrible at comfort so he just settled for staying silent while holding Jamato.
then Jamato reciprocated the hug resting his cheek on Spoke's head. Spoke while confused on the affection didn't dare push Jamato away.
"it's okay, Spoke. I will fix this, fix you." Spoke didn't know whether this was a threat or not and was to scared to ask.
"little brother…" Jamato hummed playing with the strings of Spoke's hoodie.
"me?" Spoke questioned aloud but rather quietly loosening his hug around Jamato.
Jamato nodded.
Spoke could not tell if the cold air had put some sort of spell on Jamato or if he broke the guy for it was scarily out of character to on the floor along side Spoke in a hug.
suddenly Spoke was picked up from the floor and on to the bed. Jamato held Spoke in his arms like he was the most precious thing in the world—this scared Spoke or maybe it was a mix of confusion on what this was happening in the first place.
after a while all went silent and if it weren't for the slowing of Jamato's breathing Spoke may have never un tensed.
and not long after that Jamato's breathing helped loll Spoke to sleep.