Chapter Text
SFOTH had already been rebuilt too many times to count. Slingshot stood on the edge of the bridge, boots balanced just inches above a deadly drop. Below him, there was nothing, just an endless drop stretching out, waiting for the next mistake, one misstep. Nevertheless, he let out a lazy yawn, stretching his limbs. It felt good to be back, a familiar hot wind brushing against him, tugging faintly at his sleeves like the map itself was restless. Squinting against the bright sun which illuminated the map a fiery scarlet, he could vaguely make out a few silhouettes and the flashes of color of clashing weapons in the distance.
Slingshot swung his arm, warming up to prepare to flank his team. Suddenly, his eyes barely caught a lone figure darting away from the fight to hide behind an out of sight pillar behind the hill. Most phighters wouldn't have noticed if you left in the fighting and confusion. However, for someone with an eagle's eye view of the battlefield...
Free kill? Slingshot whistled to himself. Don't mind if I do.
He darted across the map, eventually taking cover under a broken down brick wall, continuing to stealthily move closer. Once he was close enough, he stopped, scanning the area.
No movement. But it didn't mean no one was there.
He listened carefully. Faint, heavy breathing. Slingshot turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing.
Someone was moving, hidden behind the pillar, footsteps sounding slow and breathing uneven. Definitely injured.
A faint smirk tugged against his lips.
He pushed off the edge and moved, quickly and quietly, keeping low as he moved closer. Every step was deliberate. He knew where the ground dipped slightly, where debris could shift underfoot and give away his position. He'd played this map enough to memorize its imperfections.
Slingshot's grip tightened slightly around the handle of his weapon. He slowed as he approached. He could definitely hear someone now- breathing heavier than usual, the faint click of the launcher being adjusted.
Rocket.
Slingshot leaned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse around the edge.
There he was.
Rocket stood with his back partially turned, one hand braced against the pillar, the launcher hanging lower than it usually did. Smoke still curled faintly from the barrel, indicating a recent fight. He clutched a gash at his side, gasping for air. He tilted his head back against the pillar like he was giving himself just a second of rest.
Slingshot stepped forward without a sound, wire snapping free in one smooth motion.
"KAMIKAZE!" he screamed, unleashing his full arsenal of ammunition on his friend without mercy.
Rocket spun around, eyes wide, bracing for impact. His heart pounded, mind was racing, only to be pelted with... fruity pebbles?
There was a pause.
A single flake slid slowly down his cheek.
"... you serious?" Rocket blinked.
Slingshot froze mid attack, glanced down at his ammo pouch, then back up with a sheepish grin.
In the rush to get to the phight, he'd packed the wrong pouch. Instead of grabbing his ammunition bag, he'd grabbed the breakfast Katana had packed for him.
Rocket stared at him, deadpan. Bits of cereal still clung to his jacket.
A moment of silence.
Slingshot's eye twitched.
"... okay. Plan B."
He lunged at Rocket, the wire of his slingshot snapping forward, looping around Rocket's neck as Slingshot pulled. Hard. They crashed into each other, boots skidding over crushed cereal, bodies slamming hard as Rocket fought back- twisting, grabbing, trying to force space between them. The wire only dug in tighter.
"Stop- fighting!" Slingshot gritted out, breath ragged.
"Then- stop trying- to kill me!" Rocket retorted, driving an elbow into his ribs.
The hit landed. Slingshot faltered for half a second- just enough for Rocket to twist, reversing their positions, slamming him back against the wall. The wire went taut between them, but now Rocket had leverage, one hand braced against Slingshot's chest, the other gripping his throat.
They froze. He could feel Rocket's hot breath between the little distance between them. Heard it was more ragged than before, their faces barely inches apart.
Slingshot knew that Rocket was tired. He could easily overpower him if he wanted to. His grip tightened- but not enough. Not the way it should've if Slingshot meant it.
Rocket noticed.
"... you're hesitating," he noted.
Slingshot swallowed, eyes flicking anywhere but Rocket's face. "You're not making it easy."
"That's kinda the point," Rocket retorted- but he didn't move either.
Slingshot's hand shifted slightly on the wire. He could break free. He knew he could.
Suddenly, footsteps. Vinestaff hurriedly emerged over the hill to the clearing they stood on. She smoothed out her long kimono, brushing out disheveled peices of hair from her face.
"I am so sorry Rocket- I didn't hear your pings-" she froze, eyes widening in surprise. "Well that's something you don't see everyday."
Rocket immediately climbed off Slingshot, cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I swear its not what it looks like Vine-" he glared at Sling. "Things got a bit heated but I swear we're not-"
"It's ok if you're fruity like those fruity pebbles," Vinestaff said. "I'm not surprised to be honest. We were all waiting for this moment to happen anyway." She sniffled a little in happiness.
"WHAT?" he jumped back even more, seemingly repulsed by the idea that he would be associated with Sling. He glared at Slingshot like this is all your fault.
Sling shrugged back, a mischevious grin on his face.
"I have to go tell everyone immediately! I'm so proud!" she hurried off.
"Oh, Vine, no!" Rocket sputtered exasperatedly. His eyes narrowed, turning to Sling.
"Oops?" Sling grinned sheepishly. That was all he got out before he was blasted off the map by a very angry Rocket.