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Hyperlaser sat in the corner of the rundown bar. The floorboards were peeling off, and so was the old, smeared, and worn wallpaper, but the drinks were cheap and did the bare minimum of not making him want to gag. There were no other inphernals around, save for the two making out in the booth on the other side of the small, cramped room. A small jukebox was positioned in the middle of the bar, playing slow jazz music. It sputtered now and then, making an awful buzzing noise each time.
Hyperlaser took a shot of his drink, the burn pleasant after a long day. He had taken his helmet off due to the lack of others around, although he was still paranoid that someone would start asking the wrong questions. He stayed in the bar for what felt like hours, occasionally getting another drink and relaxing to the calming jazz.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt that familiar tap on his shoulder. Katana. Turning his head, even with poor vision, he saw the taller man by his side. Long, black, and fluffy hair down, sported in his signature haori, and his mask. If you asked Hyperlaser, he'd say Katana was the most gorgeous inphernal he'd ever laid eyes on. What he wouldn't give to be held in those strong arms, or to be petted with those soft and skilled hands, or-
"How are you doing today, Hyperlaser?" Katana inquired, his voice soft and quiet.
Right. The two of them were just friends. Bar friends. Nothing else.
"Honestly? Tired. And I have a headache."
"Tough day at work?" Katana slid onto the other side of the table. A server appeared next to him as he ordered a sake.
"You don't know the half of it."
The two sat in silence, occasionally breaking it to talk for a few minutes, and then going back to silence. Hyperlaser's mind wandered to what it would be like to date Katana. He imagined waking up wrapped in those big, strong arms, his head resting against Katana's pillowy soft chest as his steady heartbeat soothed him. Hyperlaser was yearning, and he knew it. Despite his desperate urges to cling to Katana and confess his undying love to him, he couldn't. He knew he couldn't. On one hand, he didn't want to accidentally ruin their friendship, the bond that they've spent years building. And on the other, the KORBLOX administration was very much against dating other factions. Not that they'd fire or demote him, but it was looked down upon, and Hyperlaser already had enough on his plate at his workplace.
The hours ticked by, Hyperlaser getting a little more wasted by the minute. Katana was still rather composed, although his usually stoic demeanor was turning into something a little more relaxed.
"Katana, did I ever tell you that you remind me of my kitty, Princess? She's an adorable little thing. I think you two should meet. You'd get along well."
Katana chuckled at the remark. Music to Hyperlaser's ears.
"You've mentioned her on a few occasions. Not that you've ever told me much about her. Tell me, why do I remind you of your cat?"
Hyperlaser hiccuped. The alcohol was starting to take control of his brain, and Swords be damned, he was going to say something dumb.
"You're both soft and cuddly."
Yup. It's over, thought the still somewhat logical part of Hyperlaser's brain. All the years of building up their relationship thrown out the window immediately. His face was flushed red, his helmet not on to hide it.
Katana laughed out loud. Hyperlaser gaped. In all his years of knowing Katana, he had never heard him genuinely laugh.
"You're so drunk, Hyperlaser. It's endearing."
The jukebox sputtered for the nth time that night before a slow ballad began playing from its aged speakers. Katana stood up, stretching his arm out.
"Hyperlaser, may I have this dance?"
Hyperlaser thought, for a second, that he was joking. But the longer Katana held his toned hand out, the more he began to think he was serious. He already called the other soft and cuddly; what more did he have to lose?
Hyperlaser secured his helmet back on, gripping onto Katana's hand with his own gloved one. Katana pulled him towards the jukebox, placing his arm around his waist and still holding Hyperlaser's hand gently. Hyperlaser placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to remain calm as the man he adored more than anything in the world held his waist so romantically.
Neither of them knew how to dance, especially with how inebriated the two were. Regardless, Hyperlaser loved every second of it; the closeness, the welcoming touch. It was the closest to heaven he was ever going to feel.
When the song ended, Hyperlaser lingered for a second longer than he should've. Katana lifted his chin to get his attention, saying, "Hyperlaser, would you like me to accompany you back to your home? Or perhaps you'd like to stay with me. I'd hate for you to go home alone in your condition."
"Uh, could I stay with you? We're in Thieves' Den anyway. Thank you so much for your hospitality, Katana."
They paid for their drinks and headed out, hand in hand.
The pair arrived at Katana's home close to midnight. Hyperlaser placed his gear down and untied his boots while Katana did the same.
"Would you like some tea?"
Hyperlaser shook his head, taking a seat at the kitchen island.
Katana brewed himself some tea before taking his mask off. Hyperlaser had seen his face a few times, but it still took his breath away. His left eye was replaced by a pale glass eye, and the right part of his cheek was exposed to the open air, showing off his sharp teeth. He was beautiful, in Hyperlaser's opinion. He took off his own helmet to match with Katana.
The taller man stepped towards him, leaning against the counter next to the assassin.
"Hyperlaser, may I kiss you?"
What?
Hyperlaser stared at him, seemingly at a loss for words.
"R-Repeat that again?"
"I said, may I kiss you?"
Hyperlaser grabbed both sides of his face and kissed him, burnt, chapped lips pressing up against softer ones. Katana leaned in, placing one hand around his waist.
They pulled away for breath, looking at each other with love and adoration for one another.
"I love you, Katana."
"I love you too," Katana said, burying his face into his neck, pressing soft kisses as he cooed. Hyperlaser leaned into the touch, smiling as Katana worshiped his skin.
Katana gave him another kiss, softer than their first one.
Suddenly, the lights in the living room turned on, showing a Shuriken and Slingshot, mouths hanging open at the sight.
"'TANA! EW GROSS!! TAKE IT TO YOUR ROOM OR SOMETHING!" The green inphernal shrieked as the other tried to silence him.
"Idiot! You're gonna wake Vine Staff up!"
"I'm already up," she grumbled as she stepped down the stairs, eyes widening upon seeing Katana in such a romantic position. "Katana, while I'm extremely happy for you, please do this in your bedroom, for Sword's sake."
Katana nodded, removing his hand from Hyperlaser's waist. "Yes, my apologies, Vine Staff."
The trio headed back up the stairs before Katana hoisted Hyperlaser into his arms, bridal style, and headed to the stairs, and presumably his room.
Oh, how lucky Hyperlaser was.