Work Text:
It seemed like a nightmare.
His hands, even though bloodied with his own blood, didn't ache from the adrenaline coursing through his heart at that moment.
How had he even gotten himself into this in the first place?
In any case, the first person who came to his mind was Multi. Quackity urgently needed to talk to him and, at the same time, he needed answers.
He reached the CNE location in a few minutes, the purple particles disappearing along with his warpstone.
— Multi? Hello? — His voice was much hoarser and less energetic than usual, exhaustion was truly taking its toll, if it wasn't already obvious in the dark circles under his eyes.
It was immediate when Multi appeared, practically running out of the reactor, his lab coat and clothes weren't even damp, indicating that he hadn't even gone through decontamination before seeing the bird.
— Quackity! What- What happened? Are you alright? — The scientist exclaimed, approaching, and when he reached to take Quackity's hand, his eyes widened. — What the hell happened to your hands?!
— Yeah, i'm fine, it's just... — In a somewhat nervous gesture, Quackity hid his hands in the pockets of his blue sweatshirt, now opaque and slightly torn. — It's uh... It's a long story, okay? Let's just go somewhere safe where we can talk.
Sigh. — Okay, okay, let's go to the operating room. — Multi seemed agitated as he walked ahead toward the hallway, which in itself made something strange happen to the younger boy's heart.
He really wasn't used to that kind of reaction after a kidnapping, usually people just ignored it or pretended to care, only to forget about it within minutes.
But not Multi.
Multi always seemed extremely concerned about even the slightest inconvenience that happened to Quackity, even with all his nonchalant act, he really cares.
— Are you really okay? You sound kind of... different. — As they went through the decontamination process, Multi allowed himself to look at Quackity's condition. His clothes were somewhat soiled with dark substances, his hands were horribly covered in ugly burns, it would be a miracle if they weren't third-degree burns, judging by their appearance. His small wings behind his ears were almost completely hidden by the beanie, but even with just a glimpse, they look more... dark red than the usual yellow.
— Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just a cold, I think. — Quackity gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood, even though it did nothing to calm the scientist down.
The conversation between the two was long; Quackity let out everything that had been stuck in his throat during those two days. In return, Multi reaffirmed his trust and the history of the federation.
— And that was it, they just gave me a favor for taking care of Nacho. — Multi finished, his throat feeling somewhat dry after talking so much, especially after his little meltdown, which he had intentionally scared the duck.
— Okay, okay. That's fine. I trust you. — It still seemed strange to place complete trust in anyone, even more so when a man called him "important to research." But Multi had his reasons, and Quackity had his. Even on opposite sides.
— So, I have something to show you. Come with me. — Multi seemed to remember the thing he wanted to show, starting to walk across the room and opening a heavy, dark, metal door.
What was there made Quackity's eyes immediately light up, all his exhaustion seeming to dissipate the moment he saw the literal missile in front of him, protected by a glass panel.
— What. the. fuck. is that? — The duck exclaimed, bringing his face closer to the glass to see better, it was big, very big, it would certainly cause immense damage. — When did you build this?
Seeming somewhat proud, Multi positioned himself beside him, observing with admiration not his own artwork, but the art that spoke Spanish and made his days brighter. — A couple months. It's not ready yet, but I should work on it and maybe it will be complete in a few weeks.
— You're insane, respectfully. — Even as he said this, Quackity felt the heat rising to his cheeks, furtively glancing at the scientist beside him, receiving a small smile in return. Why on earth did it felt so hot all of a sudden?
— Yeah, i know.
— But seriously, that's insanity! You could destroy the entire federation with that. If you wanted to, which you don't. Whatever. — Quackity looked more like himself now, and Multi was happy to have cheered him up, even if it was with a destructive nuclear weapon. — Do you think you can put me up there and active?
The disapproving look Multi gave him was enough to make him raise his hands in surrender.
— Jeez, chill. I was kidding. — Apparently, his suicidal jokes weren't really approved anymore. Well. — Anyways, have you ever thought about, I don't know, escaping? You spent months building these things but have you ever thought about just leaving? Maximus said that there are other islands, you could come with something, i think you're the only person here who's smart enough to come with a plan. You got time, resources...
— Uhm... I don't know, I hadn't thought about that. — How could he even think of escaping when he had already accepted that he would spend the rest of his miserable life in a radioactive laboratory while watching everyone he loved abandon and betray him? — I'm afraid that they might find you... and me.
Suddenly, Quackity fell into a suspicious silence, his dark eyes narrowing as if he had heard something absurd. — What do you mean by "you" and "me"?
— What do 𝘺𝘰𝘶 mean?
— I wouldn't go with you. I already told you, I'm going to die soon, either from radiation or from the Federation, or... you know what? I might just blow myself up. So don't include me in your plans anymore. You can leave with Nacho, maybe Katie, I don't know, I just want you to be okay.
Multi's expression inevitably struck Quackity in the heart, but he did not retract his cruel words. I mean, was he lying? He could die at any moment, and he wouldn't care at all, if he were honest.
— I'm not going without you, either we both get out, or I die with you. — The words came out so quickly, so without hesitation, that Quackity froze for a moment before taking a step forward, annoyed.
— What the fuck are you saying? I have nothing, you still have so much to live for. Stop being irrational and listen to me for once.
Multi pursed his lips, clearly equally frustrated with his stubbornness. — You're a hypocrite. That's what you said before, remember? When we were at the temple, you said that either we both get out or neither of us get out. If staying here means dying with you, that's fine by me, because I have nothing but you and Nacho.
The Polish accent seemed even more pronounced when Multi was annoyed, and Quackity mentally embarrassed himself for feeling pathetically attracted to it. But he still had dignity left and held back from giving in.
— Well, that was different. A lot has happened since then, Multi. You should know that everything on this island is happening at an abnormal speed, nothing is as it used to be. So just listen to me and stop worrying so much about someone who won't be here anytime soon. Anyway, why are we arguing about this? It was just a silly suggestion, nevermind.
— No, you started it so i want to finish talking. — Multi heard an exaggerated sigh escaping the bird's lips. — Ever since you got back you've been talking about killing yourself all the time, okay, you've always been kind of suicidal but this is really scaring me. You didn't tell me exactly everything that happened, I know you're hiding things and I don't want to pressure you because just by looking at you I know you must have been through literal hell these past few days.
Quackity was about to open his mouth to speak when Multi put a finger to his lips, causing him to let out an indignant sound.
— I'm not finished. I want you to open up to me. I know it must be complicated, i don't like sharing things either, but i tell you everything I do and think, even if we don't see each other often. And I care about you very much, i just want you to know that even though I don't agree with some of your thoughts, just as you don't agree with most of mine, i lo- like you a lot. I don't want you to think you're alone, because you're not. You have people who cares about you, while the only person who cares about me is you. So please just stop sabotaging yourself.
A deafening silence lingered for almost a minute, the only sounds being Multi's heavy breathing and that infernal buzzing he only heard when his vision began to flicker in shades of red.
When he least expected it, Quackity tilted his head to the side and smirked, that mischievous smile that always disarmed Multi. — ... Wow. Are you into me or something? And here i thought i was the fanfic writer, but you're on another level.
— Kurwa, imbecyl. — Despite this, he smiled too, looking at the beauty marks, more noticeable than before, on Quackity's now pale face. — Let's forget that. Maybe I'll work on a chip or a watch-shaped tracker like mine for you. Until then, stop causing trouble, okay?
Quackity let out a small "ouch" from the flick he received on his forehead, rubbing the spot dramatically as if he had been stabbed. — I already said it's not necessary anymore, kurwa... But whatever, do what you want. I think i should go now.
— Tak, tak, that's fine. Take care. — Multi said goodbye, watching Quackity turn his back, and frowning at the sight of his half-broken and blackened wings.
— Oh, and Multi? — Quackity stopped and turned to him once more.
— Yes?
With an almost comical little run, Quackity grabbed his face with both hands and sealed their lips together, their agitated breaths mingling in perfect synchronicity. — Bye, take care! — Multi didn't even have time to react before the little bird sped off and teleported out of the office.
For a long moment, the scientist stood there in shock, touching his own face and feeling the drier texture of oxidized blood stick through his fingers. A smitten smile crossed his face, his heart pounding with a strange, yet familiar, feeling.
It was strange. Multi had never felt this way about anyone, much less a man. But this only confirmed that perhaps their feelings were mutual.
And now that he knew this, Multi would do anything to protect his angel from the fate himself had sealed.