Chapter Text
He entered his new high school in crossroads, aimed to unite the factions by accepting any newspawn, a new concept. Rocket wasn't exactly fond of this idea, he thought it would bring too much chaos and drama.
But either way, he was there now, and he had to get to class. He was already grumpy, and riddled with disappointment knowing he would have to spend his year in solitude. Since Sword and Medkit, his best friends, weren't in any of his classes.
And no way he would make friends.
He was sure of that idea, as he sat down at the very back in the corner, and put his backpack down on the seat next to his. As they haven't gotten their lockers assigned yet, it was the first day.
As the bell rang, the other students filled in. He liked to enter early so he could pick out the back seats, the best ones, of course.
He spaced out, thinking of how he will respond to the inevitable ice breakers the teachers will give them out soon. Should he try to change how people see him? After all no one here knows him other than Medkit and Sword, maybe he could pass as a popular kid instead of the weird, angry one.
But he quickly shut down the idea. That act would pass for 1 day max, surely, his anger issues wouldn't let him. Plus “old habits die hard”, as they say.
But the sound of his backpack being tossed aside broke him out of his thoughts.
“What the hell are you-” He huffed out, in surprise.
“Sorry, only seat left” The yellow and blue horned inphernal smirked, sticking his tongue out.
Rocket immediately looked around, no way that was true right? And immediately, he saw multiple seats obviously empty.
That jerk! Who in their right mind thinks to decide to bother someone who clearly wants to be left alone instead of sitting literally anywhere else. And then the audacity to lie about it?
He glared at his new seatmate, who in response just smiled and offered :
“Thought you were lonely, needed a little cheering up?” He arched a brow, but he showed no remorse for his act.
Rocket felt a ball of anxiety rise in his throat, and his eyes watered, but he blinked them away. He was stuck with this arrogant prick for most likely months.
The teacher started explaining the schedules, rules of the school, no phighting inside the school unless if required for P.E or tournaments, ect. But he blocked out most of it, too busy side-eying the taller inphernal next to him.
What was his deal, really? Does he find pleasure picking on the quiet kids? Is he the typical stupid popular kid?
His seatmate wore a yellow hoodie, the sleeves cut off to reveal multiple scars and bandages on his arms. Along with a band-aid on his nose and other scars on his face.
That made him reconsider the image he created of him, was he a bully who fought his victims? Gets detention a lot? Maybe he phights in his free time in tournaments?
Basically, how did he get those scars?
“Done checking me out?”
Rocket yelped and looked up to lock eyes with him. When did he notice him staring at him? Embarrassed, he blushed and looked away.
“At least care to learn my name or-?” The inphernal grimaced dramatically, cutting himself off to give Rocket a chance to respond.
“No.” He bit out, a bit louder than he wanted to.
A few classmates came to turn their heads in his direction, clearly they heard that.
“Dammit.” He muttered under his breath, and stared holes at his desk.
“...”
“I'm Rocket.” He sighed heavily. He guesses there is not really a reason to keep that information private, he would figure it out anyway when the teacher did the roll call.
“Coil. Pleased to meet tch'ya.” Coil smirked, seeming content. Too content, it kinda pissed Rocket off.
The teacher then proceeded to talk about icebreakers.
Of course. Possibly the worst part of a new year of school. Public embarrassment.
Well some of them were to talk in front of the whole class, some of them with only a few inphernals, but in the end it was all the same awkward conversations that no one wanted to do.
For once he was hoping for the whole class one, at least he wouldn't have to talk with that jerk sitting next to him.
“Discuss with your seatmate for 10 minutes and talk about what you did this summer.”
Dammit. He had the worst luck.
He sighed audibly as he turned to Coil, eyeing the fact he seemed pleased about this.
“I mean honestly Rocky, why do you hate me so much?” He leaned back on his chair, his dreads falling over his yellow and blue eyes. Of course he had to be handsome too, probably a playboy.
“You- dont even start with those stupid nicknames. It doesn't work. You want me to call you Oil or what?”
Coil laughed. “Yeah actually- thats great!”
Rocket couldn't help but smile a bit, and Coil noticed at his dismay.
“Ouuu~, grumpypants is actually smiling! Can't believe it!”
Rocket frowned immediately, and Coil snickered at that too.
“Don't be shy cmon. It's alright if you like me, everyone does. I'm just that naturally funny and nice.” He stuck his tongue out. Grimacing like an idiot.
“No you are arrogant and stupid.”
“I saw you checking me out earlier, dont lie to me.”
“I- I wasnt! I was just wondering how you got those scars.” He glared at him. “Dont get any funny ideas.”
“Hmmmm. Not telling you ‘ya.”
Rocket wanted to punch him so bad. But he was somewhat enjoying talking to him. Somewhat. At least he wasn't judging him.
Then the bell rang.
Coil bent over to pick up the backpack, still laying there on the ground, and handed it to Rocket.
“Ey. What class you got after this?”
“Math.” He wasn't sure if he wished to not be in another class with him, or to be.
Coil was somewhat interesting, but he hates how unserious he is all the time, and mocking him too. And acting all buddy-buddy with him when they just met, and-
“Ay me too! Let's go together hmm?” But it wasn't really a question, as Coil dragged Rocket by the sleeve through the crowd. He didn't bother protesting as he knew Coil wouldn't care. But he still didn't bother hiding his frown.
As they entered, Rocket eyed the back seats.
“Why don't we go to the front?” Coil smirked.
“Wh- no!” He elbowed him. Coil elbowed back.
“Hey Im just playing with you. Alright alright” He put his hands in the air in defeat, like a criminal getting caught.
He sat down at his usual spot, and Coil, of course, had to sit down next to him.
“Since when were we friends?” He arched a brow.
“Since I said so.”
“You literally didnt say-” He huffed.
“Wanna be friends?”
“…”
His boldness appalled him. He must be so sure he will get what he wants, doesn't he? A part of him, a big part of him, wanted to say no just to spite him. But honestly..
He was lonely. And he would be for the rest of the year if he rejected. He had learned no one reached out if he didn't reach out first, and he was too scared to be rejected himself. But now this all changed. He had been reached out, he had been wanted and sought after and that flattered him somewhat.
Maybe he should try.
“I guess.” He rolled his eyes.
“Fym I guess?” Coil mocked him “Dude yes or no?”
“Sure” Rocket smiled a bit.
“Augh- dude!” Coil laughed. “Well look how the tables have changed Rock.”
“...”
“Rock…? Seriously man?” Rocket grimaced.
“Yes! You can call me The Beast. Or Big C. Or-”
Rocket elbowed him.
“Okay okay, got it”
“Did you though?..”
“Naw.” He smirked.
“Rocket..? You, in the back.” The teacher suddenly called out, pointing to him. He was, to his dismay, having fun talking to Coil. He had forgotten the teacher was even there. He didn't even try and listen to what they were saying at all.
“Uhmm..” He looked around, and almost everyone was looking at him.
Dammit. Why couldn't they have chosen someone who wanted to answer whatever the hell they asked? He hated those types of teachers who tried to act all nice by choosing everyone.
Coil leaned on his elbow and covered from view his mouth with his hand casually as he whispered to Rocket :
“-6.”
-6? Was the teacher really trying to actually teach them maths on the very first day? At this point he would've rather had those uncomfortable ice breakers.
“-6..?” He repeated, not trying to hide the hesitation in his tone.
“Hm. Correct.” The teacher arched a brow, surprised. But turned back and seemed to continue the lesson.
“How did you-” Rockets mouth formed an o, as he whispered to Coil.
He thought maybe Coil would've wanted him to be publicly embarrassed by giving him the wrong answer but no. Was he less of a jerk than he thought?
“I'm not that stupid c'monnn. Plus we are friends, remember?” Coil shrugged nonchalantly.
“...”
Rocket was pretty impressed. But he didn't want to boost Coils most likely already sky-high ego. He let it go.
…
The rest of the class passed, as Rocket and Coil talked, or bickering, to pass the time. They had gotten warned to keep it down multiple times, but they hadn't been separated. Surprisingly.
“Wanna hangout with me during lunch?” Coil asked casually.
“What are we gonna do. And where. Exactly.?” Rocket hesitated.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to try and find Sword and Medkit and hangout with them instead. He didn't really want to introduce Coil to them though, he wasn't sure how to feel about the inphernal yet.
Again, he is friendly enough. But he doesn't know really anything about him, personally. And Medkit and Sword is like his safe space, not something he'd want to share.
“Oh we can get to know each other, like I'd like to know why you are so mad all the time.” He snickered.
“And..?” Rocket was intrigued, he'd already made up his mind about coming with Coil, but he didn't want to show that.
“The place is a secret! Just follow me. Trust.”
“Urgh. Can't you just be normal and say it dude.”
“Nope. Can't you be normal and trust your nice sweet trustworthy bestie?” Coil clasped his hands together and dramatically sighed dreamily.
“Thats-.. whatever.” He rolled his eyes at Coil's act. “Fine.”
Coil took his hand one again and led him behind the school, a few streets down, through an alleyway, through a tunnel- honestly he lost track.
But he trusted Coil enough to lead the way.
Until eventually, they reached a valley, there were green hills and one big tree.
It was.. beautiful.
“Woah.” He took the sight in as he just stood there.
Birds were chirping, there was a river nearby with see through water, and plenty of fish of a variety of colors swimming in it. The tree had big lush leaves that cast a giant shadow underneath it.
It was like he was in a dream.
“Ho- how… th-did you find this place?”
“Hmmm. Secret!” Coil smirked, smug.
“Fuck you man.” Rocket elbowed playfully.
But he was still astonished, childlike whimsy came over him. And he started running around, bouncing.
“I bet I can go to that tree faster than you. Hah.” Rocket smirked. His usual walls fell down.
Coils' eyes lit up and he beamed. “No way!”
His friend's gear appeared, which was red coils bound around both of his arms, and his speed seemed to increase drastically.
Even though Rocket had had a head start, Coil was catching up fast. He wanted to take out his own gear and try to even the game by blowing up the ground behind him to go faster.
But he didn't have practice, and might blow himself up instead. And he didn't want to blow this beautiful place up either. Curse his stupid destructive gear.
The tree was around maybe 5 meters ahead,
The final stretch, but Coil seemed to catch up now. His longer strides and gear made him comfortably match Rocket's pace, which Rocket was having to use all his energy to run at.
“Not so sure now that you will win huh Ket?”
The stupid nickname made him lose his focus and his pace faltered.
2 meters before the tree. If he wanted to win he would need to use dirty tactics. ‘Fight fire with fire’
“Okay big daddy Coil!” Rocket said, and immediately cringed after. Sfoth, he would never live this down.
And Coil would probably never let him.
But hey, Coil was so off put he slowed to a stop. Rocket watched him smugly, a smirk spreading across his face-
Bam. He collided into the tree.
“Aufh-” a cry escaped from him as he almost fell on his back on the roots.
But right before hand Coil ran up and was able to stop him by the collar. Picking him back up easily and he set him down on the ground.
“Dude- I don't even-” Coil laughed. And he just couldn't seem to stop.
And then Rocket laughed too.
…
They sat down at the tree trunk. And started talking about anything and everything, school, home, their favorite foods, ect.
Although there was some stuff Rocket kept private, like how he got his arm and leg amputated, and Coil also had quite a lot of secrets himself.
He wouldn't talk about his parents.
Apparently the scars were from phighting robots? He still couldn't believe that.
Even though Coil was different from Sword or Medkit, he found that there was some stuff in common. Like how they both weren't scared of phighting.
“So you used to beat up newspawns?” Coil arched a brow, amused.
“...”
He eyed Coil.
“When they pissed me off.” He finally choked out.
Coils' smile disappeared and he seemed to think about it for a bit.
“Would you have beat me up?” He said, but unlike his usual self, he wasn't smirking or making a joke or anything. He was dead serious. He seemed worried.
“...”
Rocket shuffled his hands and averted his eyes. Would he have? The thing is, he doesn't know. The fact that someone he liked now he could've hurt made him guilty. There shouldn't even be that possibility, that doubt. But he really did use to hate Coil.
He had warmed up to him surprisingly fast. In all honesty, only a few hours together and he had already started to like him. Even Sword and Rocket hadn't become friends that fast.
Why? He looked at Coil, really looked at him.
“No.”
Coils eyes light up, and his shoulders relaxed as if a burden has been lifted.
“Im sorry if I was too annoying or too up in your personal space.-” Coil seemed to force a small smile.
“No.” Rocket frowned. “Im sorry..” he choked out “Im sorry I was too angry and judgemental from the get go..” he sighed.
“...”
“Wait dont we still have school..” Rocket suddenly realized he wasn't sure how long they had spent there together. Lunch break was surely over by now..
“Oh shit” Coil muttered, a nervous laugh escaping him. “Let's go ket? Wait.. are you gonna call me a -” He snickered
Rocket elbowed him and put his hand over Coils mouth.
“Don't. You. Even. Dare…”
Coil bit down ever so slightly on Rockets hand and he yelped.
“Oh you little…” Rocket muttered before running at Coil.
“Catch me if you can slow-poke!”
They both laughed.
…
By the time they came back, school was ending, and students were filling out.
“Ouu shittlings.” Coil muttered. But he didn't seem to care much.
Rocket was a bit worried about what Zuka would say if he found out he had skipped on his first day. Although, maybe if he tells him he made a new friend he wouldn't be so mad
“Well, got to go.” Rocket replied, but he felt a bit disappointed leaving Coil. It was weird because he knew he'd see his friend tomorrow.
But he ignored it, and hurried home.
…
For the next few months, they'd have classes together, and during dinner they would go back to that same valley. Although they would actually make sure to come back before lunch break ends.
Coil would tease Rocket, Rocket would playfully get mad. Or not so playfully…
They grew closer, and Rocket learned to trust him more. But maybe their friendship was more than just that?..