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A lot of things happened in the span of a few days. Everyone is dead, the aliens are dead, and the only ones left are them and Red. This wasn't something they could've expected when they decided to accept Red's job offer. They wished things went differently. Maybe they could've prevented some of the deaths. Maybe even save Heracles.
No, now wasn't the time to think about that. They were alive, Red was alive, that is what's important right now.
Purple tried to sit up, only to hiss from the pain in their back, and with the adrenaline of the fight dying down, it was only getting worse. They had almost forgotten they were thrown hard into a metal crate full of ores.
Red looked over in concern "Woah woah, you okay there, Purps?" One hand holding Purple's (shoulder??) side.
"Augh... My back hurts a little, we were basically being thrown around in there." Purple replied.
Red felt around their own chest, having landed pretty roughly on their ribs. "Oh, right. We should go to Medbay."
"Do you even have any medical experience?"
"Nooo," Red drawled, looking away for a moment before returning their gaze. "But we can find a medical book or something in there! And besides we'll be helping each other anyway."
Purple huffed fondly, a small smile forming. "Alright then, let's go."
It took them a while to get there. It wasn't far, just hard to get to in their current state. Red having to help Purple balance since they were starting to feel the glimpses of an incoming headache.
"I'll go lo-" Purple tried to say when they got there, but was immediately interrupted.
"Nuh-uh. You take a rest, you're in a much worse condition to move than I am!" Red argued, forcing them to sit on one of the beds.
Purple had to admit that their concern was admirable, especially after everything that happened. But it was also mildly irritating.
"Red I'm not helpless."
"I know that, Purps. But just let me worry. I didn't worry enough for the rest of the crew, atleast let me do it now for you..." They said sincerely. It surprised Purple that it made them flustered. In which they chose to ignore it.
Purple nodded, staring at the ground and fidgeting with their cap.
-
Red was digging through some drawers with a... decent amount of medical equipment, another one of MIRA's many shortcomings, and found a big book on injuries and how to fix 'em up. Flipping through the pages, they found that both their injury, and Purple's, needed some ice.
"I'll be right back, Im gonna head to the kitchen to get some ice. Uhh," They flipped a page or two. "And try to stay still. Don't wanna strain your back."
Then they headed off.
-
When they returned, they were carrying a tray of ice and placing it on a table nearby, wrapping a towel they found around some ice.
"You feeling alright?" Purple asked suddenly.
"What?" The other questioned, before getting the point. "Oh yeah, Im just peachy, I probably broke a rib or two, but no biggie!"
Purple gave them a questioning look. "I don't think that's a "no biggie", Redsy."
"Yeah you're probably right." They blushed at the nickname. Purple had already said it a few times already, but still they can't help it! It was nice to hear again.
"This whole thing was a mess, wasn't it?" Purple mumbled, fidgeting with their fingers as Red hopped onto the bed beside them. "We could've died."
"But we didn't..." Red said as firmly as they could. They did feel guilty, they did. Everyone's gone and they almost always made the wrong decisions. They could admit that now. They were responsible for all of this, for everything that happened.
"Could you turn a little?" They asked, trying to get their mind off of the crew's deaths, and Purple complied.
They went silent again, Purple removing their backpack and letting Red lay ice on it to soothe the aching. Purple found comfort in it.
"We were badass out there." Red says to lighten the mood, which it did almost immediately. Purple laughs, a quiet melody to Red's ears.
"You're right about that. Though maybe you shouldn't have waited to come up with a one liner." They rolled their... visor... though it wasn't to show any real irritation.
"Eh," They shrugged. "Agree to disagree."
-
Their friendly banter went on while Purple helped to check Red's ribs. Fortunately, only one rib was broken but the displacement doesn't seem to be causing any red flags. They did still apply some ice though.
"Hey, Purple" Red spoke, their tone lacking their usual optimism. It was oddly calm. Purple tilted their head.
What they didn't expect was Red hugging them, (around their neck, not their back) but the movement could've jostled their own ribs. But they didn't seem to care at the moment.
"Im sorry. I really am, Purps. For everything." Red whispered. "I shouldn't have abandoned you like that. Signing the NDA after you refused to."
Purple was stunned by their sudden apology. Instinctively, they hugged them back, but was a little more careful doing so.
"A-and.. just b-eing so... irresponsible this whole trip. I should've listened to you."
Purple shook their head, smiling into their side (technically shoulder if they had any).
"Hey, this isn't all your fault. Sure, you were a coward, and annoying, and have such a large ass ego." Red groaned miserably, causing Purple to smile a bit. They pulled away to look them in the eye- visor. "But the only ones who should be held responsible here is MIRA and what they even wanted to do with alien eggs." Purple reasoned. It was true. They were sent on a mission with highly dangerous products on board, and if things went wrong, which it did, they would've died.
Red sniffled, pulling away to wipe their tears. "You're right. Agh.. I hate how things turned out."
"Same, but there's nothing we can do about the past. All we can do now is... plan for our future."
Though it's possible that they would be separated at Industria. Purple already knew that Red won't let them. They will stay together. They trusted them enough to believe it.
"Y'know, as long as you're with me, I'll be just fine." Red smiled to themself, not noticing the way Purple's face turned red.
Purple punched them as hard and as softly as possible.
"Hey! Ow, take it easy on me, broken rib over here." Red said dramatically, barely hiding their smirk.
"Oh shut up, Redsy! Why did you have to say that?" Purple covered their visor, trying not to look at them. Red gently took both of Purple's hands and held them tightly.
"Cause I'm not lying." Red said earnestly. "This time I won't leave you behind. I want to have what we had back then... I want to be your friend again. I won't fail you this time."
Purple smiled at them. "Okay then, I believe you."