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It was a hot, real hot afternoon, and Rocket was finished with lifting supplies for Zuka’s thiga-majigs that the old man has going on. Feeling the heat prickle his skin as he fidgets with his lock necklace, he hears a very familiar voice call hims even “Hey Rocket!” Sword called from behind, his arm waving excitedly with a medium-sized bouquet in his hand. Reminds him of the day they soon called their ‘anniversary’. Those blue and yellow hydrangeas were already dying from their lack of heat tolerance and unmistakable smell of oils and metals- Hold on.. If Sword was buying him that, was today the exact date of that day? He dove into the hip bag he was coincidentally wearing, trying to find or come up with something to show his appreciation to one dear to him. He went through the clanks and screws inside, yet only to be met with an open marker bleeding his bag purple and 5 bucks that hasn’t been stained. "Uhhh... happy.. anniversary?" He says, pulling out the five bucks and holding it in his hand. "Look Sword, I swear I bought you something... it's just.." He turns his head, frantically looking for the answer. ".. Coming soon?"
Ah this lovefool, a young boy so in love, but still a fool. "Coming soon?" He looks behind the blue horned inphernal. "Really? That's the best you came up with? You saw the coming soon billboard for the Flipside's new album?" Despite this chain of events, Sword jumps into his bestfriend boyfriend's arms which leaves the other in shock and a slight relief. "Well, you know what?" Sword says, pulling away. "Your presence is the best present! I loove you bro!" He continues, with a sweet smile on his face. "Bro? I mean.. I'll take it.." Rocket responds, fixing his goggles and bag. "This might not be the right time.. but uh..
We both stink, Sword."
He pauses with a crooked smile. "N-NOT JUST YOU.. ME TOO! A-AND THE HEAT IS MAKING IT WORSE!! but you stink more-"
"ALRIGHT I GET IT.. But you're not wrong." Sword says, not wanting to continue that conversation. "Anywho, after we clean up and stuff we should go to Thieves Rest! I got a voucher because I helped Slingshot get with Skateboard." He adds. "You know what? Hell yeah. I'll pay this time, just think of it as my gift." Rocket says. "But.. I have the vouche–" He's interrupted by Rocket hitting his chest with the other inphernal's elbow. Which he responds with a slight whimper.
And so they do just that, clean up and meet at the local cafe. Rocket just decides to wear the hoodie closest to his hand. <a/n: boi u bum> Oh, and if it'll matter to you, he also puts a bowtie on it. Sword doesn't wear anything better, just the shirt and sweatpants he bought when he was at the store with his so called 'boyfriend'. But clothes don't matter in their little world. What matters is that whoever the chef in Thieves Rest is they hope that the person doesn't add too much cream cheese to the red velvet milkshake. Sword waves to his buddy, if he can still call him that. And he notices Rocket holding something..
Oh.
It's a bouquet.
Like, the boquet he gave Rocket, but smaller yet more colourful in his eyes. "Ahaha.. uhh.. I just, wanted to return the.. love? In this case?" Rocket mutters out. "Also, did you know that there aren't any natural yellow hydrangeas? I guess the guy scammed you, bro." His blabber mouth opens again, but Sword never minds when Rocket speaks about his day, like how weird and annoying The Broker was or how noisy Medkit is to him. I guess that's what makes Rocket, well.. Rocket. Sword pecks his cheek and pulls his boyfriend to the inside of the cafe. They get seated near the window, where they are exposed to both the light and sound pollution of the Crossroads. But it's alright, as long as long as they have good food and a good time.. right?
"Ahh, the red velvet shake.." Shuri says, tapping the pen on his cheek. "I think that's all sold out. Do you want anything else?" Well, that didn't go according to Sword's plan. "Well.. is there anything similiar to that?" He asks, still having hope for some comfort cafe food. "We have normal milkshakes.. or some cheesecake if you still want something cakey." The never ending noise of crowds and eating from both inside and outside of Thieves Rest fill the awkward silence between the three of them, and Sword really wishes he was somewhere else right now. "I'll just have a vanilla milkshake then.. thank you." He says, attempting to keep the good vibes he came in with. This day is supposed to be about him and Rocket anyway, and it's just a milkshake. Shuriken starts re-reading their order but he's too zoned out to listen, and everytime the waiter looks at him he just slightly smiles and nods.
Once they're all by themselves, he listens to his 'pookie wookie's conspiracy theories, like how he thinks the Flipside is secretly making music to hypnotize people so more of them live in the already crowded crossroads. He's awake, but he feels like his brain is turning into mush and his milkshake tastes like the vanilla flavouring is seperating with everything else. What does make him snap out of it is when skateboard rides into the cafe and crashes into an empty table. "MY TABLE- WHAT THE HELL MAN?!" Slingshot screams, still panting since he ran from the kitchen to there. "Sorry babygirl." Skateboard cooed.
....
"I mean, genuinely.. uhhh. I can.. pay you back..?" He added, putting his hand on the owner's shoulder but definitely not trying to hold back his laugh. Sling doesn't say anything back, instead he drags Skateboard by his collar to the back of the cafe. Sword just hopes they stay as a couple. Because who knows, maybe if they have a really good relationship Sword can keep getting vouchers. Which means him and Rocket can go on more dates without losing a lotta money. Which also means that his relationship will improve. It's a double win!Although, his drink-sharing fantasies are cut off when Rocket snaps his fingers at him. "You alright man?" The other inphernal asks. "Ahh, speaking of which, if you want we can sleep at my place tonight. Zuka's out right now anyway. Perfect time to play games 'till midnight.. or cuddle.. or.. you know." Rocket rambles on, winking and doing a pretty good job at convincing his boyfriend. "Actually yeah, that doesn't sound too bad." He mutters out. He must've drifted away for a short while, when he regained consciousness he found himself staring at Zuka's shop, the familiar wrenches or tools and Rocket taking his shoes off. Wanting to lay down after this long day, he followed suit as Rocket opened the door and the surprisingly cold air hit his skin. It wasn't the bad kind of cold, it was the kind where the breeze is something you can feel in your hair or when you're at the beach and the sun is setting. They enter his room, Sword jumps onto Rocket's hammock and almost falls over. Rocket rolls his eyes and sits on it too. With every little movement, they're about to trip and hit their heads on the floor, but neither of them seem to mind.
"Soo.. this has been a pretty good day, huh?" Rocket attempts to start a conversation. "Well yeah. I mean, every day is good when I'm with you though." Sword says. He feels Rocket's hand and body move closer to his, and he can't take his eyes off this stupid jerk. His stupid jerk. "Honestly.. Thanks for everything, Sword." Before he could answer, Rocket continued. "I feel like you're a real one, you know? I can tell you things I can't tell Zuka or whoever else I know. And.. without you I don't think I'd have anyone else man. Like, there's only one Sword in this whole Inpherno. And for some reason you're my friend.
I know I'm a loser and I'm troubling but.. I care about you, Sword. So uhh, I know you're probably stronger than me, but if there's anyone bothering you I'll kill them."
"Okay Rocket, I sure will tell." He answers, and they both laugh. As if they've been friends since forever (which they have) and there wont be another moment like this. (there probably wont) And then they played whatever new video game Rocket bought last weekend and fell asleep in each others arms.
and then everyone lived happily ever after, the end