Work Text:
Gammagraft held its keycard to the door and entered after it herd the unlock click. It pushed its way through the door and quickly made its way to where Subspace sat.
"You have a meeting today at two, which is in approximately thirty minutes Subspace. They expect you to be in the suit today so we should quickly do that before heading over as it is in the next lab over."
However, Subspace didn't respond or even look at Gamma when it entered. He was hunched over his desk, knees pulled to his chest, staring off into his desk. It seemed as if one of his experiments spilled as a clear substance dripped off the table and around the floor, it was likely for whatever his 'next great invention was' Gamma didn't dwell on it, it saw a mess and its creator unmoving.
It smelled to be rubbing alcohol, nothing difficult to clean or too dangerous that warrneted medical attention, which is why it was peculiar that Subspace sat there so quietly. Usually with incidents like these he is cussing up a storm, stomping around and angrily cleaning the spill. So Gamma approached carefully.
It reached its hand to hold his shoulder which earned a large flinch from the pink horned inphernal. Which Gamma reponded by stepping back. It would instead reach for his chair and swiveled it around to face itself.
Subspace's eye was red and puffy from crying, his face flushed, and snot ran down his nose. It wasn't like him to react this negatively to a simple mistake. So Gamma kneeled so it could be eye to eye with Subspace.
"What happened here Subspace? It is just a spill, everything will be alright."
It tried to comfort him, making a show of standing up straight and grabbing a roll of paper towels which it used to quickly clean the spill on the desk and floor.
"See, an easy fix! Dry your eyes Subspace, its all taken care of now."
It reached for his face, cupping his cheek in its hand. Its thumb came up and carefully wiped away the tears that stained his cheek. However he didn't stop crying. Once Subspace finally moved it was to throw himself into Gammagrafts arms. The robot opened its arms and pulled him in, rubbing his back as he cried into its shoulder.
It became apparent that Subspace likely wasn't all mentally there at this moment. So Gamma stayed quiet and continued to comfort its creator. Eventually leading him to the storage closet turned makeshift bedroom adorned with only a twin sized bed and a night stand which held and extra change of clothes for the scientist.
"Lets sit in here my star. We can turn the lights off and you can wrap yourself in blankets. Everything will be alright."
Subspace quickly made himself comfortable, climbing into the bed and curling himself up, legs to his chest. He grabbed a rather old and beat up stuffed animal and hugged it as Gamma laid a blanket over his form.
"You may stay as long as you need in here alright? I need to attend that meeting as it is mandatory but you know how to contact me. I love you Subspace."
Gammagraft then leaned over to plant a 'kiss' on his forehead. It ruffled his hair then turned around to exit the room. The lights were turned off and the door was closed behind itself.
As it wandered through the halls it ran into Hyperlaser. Gamma decided to stop him as from its understanding on who Subspace interacts with, Hyperlaser is someone who is often around and Subspace realitively likes. That of course is being generous, Subspace didn't particularly like anyone, but the two have been seen engaging in non work conversations every so often. A perfect candidate for what Gamma needed.
"Hyperlaser! Hello mercenary! I have a very important task for you, are you busy?"
It tilted its head and looked right at him.
"Uh.. I am not doing anything at this moment no."
He was a bit nervous of what the Biograft was going to ask. Had Subspace seriously asked Gammagraft to give him orders instead of doing it himself? How lazy has he become.
"Lovely! See, Subspace is dealing with some.. personal issues.. right now and I need someone to keep an eye on him while I attend his meeting! All I need you to do is sit in his lab and make sure he doesn't leave it! The meeting should only take an hour, afterwards I will return to relive you! Can you do that for me?"
What an odd and vague request, however he had nothing better to do and was still on the clock, why not use this time to simply relax and receive pay while doing so?
"Fine. Just sit in the lab and make sure he doesn't leave. I understand."
Gamma was already contining to get to the meeting, it did not want to be late, so it waved at Hyperlaser and gave him one last "Thank you!!" before leaving the building.
Hyperlaser turned to the lab door that had many 'do not enter' and 'danger' warnings plastered over the doors. He took a breath, what did he just get himself into, then scanned into the room.
As he entered he looked around for any signs of the pink inphernal, Gamma surely wouldn't have just ordered him to sit in an empty room, he had to be around there somewhere.
He poked around, the lab was only so big so there wasn't much to hide in, still unable to find Subspace. He stoped in front of the storage room door, another door littered with bright signage warning of entry. Surely this is where Subspace was, an odd space to be, but he wanted to confirm that he was actually here for a reason.
Hyperlaser very carefully turned the handle down and pushed the door in, inside was Subspace laying on the bed, facing the wall with the stuffed animal still tight in his grasp. His body shook with each sob, something Hyperlaser would rather not dwell on. He closed the door once more and found a seat at Subspace's desk.
It was quite boring, the mercenary attemped to keep himself busy by counting the amount of items that were sitting around. 29 beakers. 6 wooden pencils. 17 ball point pens. It was a mess, he tried to make sense of where everything was, the system that Subspace had in place, but right as he began understanding something would appear out of place.
About fifteen minutes later the teary eyed inphernal emerged from the closet and looked around, spotting Hyperlaser he aproached, stuffed animal still in hand. Once close enough to have a conversation he hid it behind his back.
"Where Amma."
Subspace stared with a straight face and slightly furrowed brows. A small pout on his lips. He needed to find his robot companion.
"Gammagraft? It is at a meeting I believe."
Subspace frowned and began to tear up once more.
"I wan Amma."
A demand that was only met with an awkward shrug from the mercenary.
"I want Amma!!!"
Subspace's voice rose as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
"I don't know what to tell you Subspace, it is busy."
That was not the answer he wanted, so he stommped his foot on the ground and let the waterworks fall.
"Where is it!! Where Gammaaa!!"
He whined and yelled, sometimes hiccuping and sniffling, an attempt to catch his breath after accidentally holding it.
"I don't know where it is Subspace. Why are you acting like this?"
He was confused, Gamma would have likely explained age regression if it wasn't in a rush, but with no explanation or instruction other than 'dont let him leave' Hyperlaser could only stare and awkwardly deal with his commissioner acting like a child.
He didn't care for children, often imagining he would scare them off due to his job. Other than the cool helmet his stature and height could be intimidating. Even then, kids were just annoying and bratty, nothing he wished to meddle with.
As he tryed to make sense of his bosses attitude Subspace had wandered off to the doors. Quickly Hyperlaser stood and grabbed Subspace by the collar of his arm strap, carefully as he could yanking him back.
"I don't think so young man. Gammagraft gave me firm instructions to keep you in here. How about you find something to keep yourself busy."
Subspace was not having it, he flailed his arms around and kicked his legs as Hyperlaser dragged him back to the seat.
"No! No I need to find Gamma! You are bad at this Amma knows what to do!!"
This was going to be a long half hour. Hopefully that meeting ended early and god forbid it went on later.
"How about you show me around the lab. Tell me about your favorite things."
That seemed to make Subspace perk up. With a balled up fist he wiped his eye and went on a hunt for things to show the blue inphernal.
After a bit Subspace returned with an armful of different items that could be found around the lab. He took a seat on the floor in front of where Hyperlaser sat and looked up at him awaiting his whole attention.
Subspace started off by holding up a glass beaker, waving it around in an attempt for Hyperlaser to get a good look but ultimately just made it difficult to focus on.
"This is a beaker that you use to measure things! And then after you pour it into an even bigger bowl where everything you measured makes something really cool. Its science!"
The next item he held up was a drinking bird, the desk toy that dipped its beak into water and as it evaporated it would dip its beak in again.
"This is the thristy birdie. I cant drink like him Amma says I'm not aloud. But he just gets a small sip then goes back up until he gets thirsty again! Its really funny to watch!!"
Hyperlaser nodded along as if he was interested, in all honesty he couldn't care less, he just counted down the time until Gamma returned.
Subspace kept sharing his items, a pile of miscellaneous things stacked beside him. He then took the stuffed animal that he kept close the whole time and held it so Hyperlaser could see it.
"This is Tippy. He is name after me because I am the awesomest. Uhm.. I keep him in the drawer because I only have him out when I want to play. I work a lot so I don't have a lot of time for Tippy but he doesnt mind!!"
It seemed like Subspace was finally getting comfortable with having Hyperlaser around. He even pressed the stuffed animal into his hands as he stood up. He needed his hands empty to put everything away.
Hyperlaser examined it with his hands, feeling how ragged and loved it was. It made him smile just a bit, it was endearing to see something so simple be so valued.
Subspace returned quickly and grabbed Tippy from Hyperlasers hands, something that wasn't expected at all. Due to Hyperlasers grip and the speed the little yanked the toy, it ripped. A small tear, something that would take a minute to mend, but something that immediately caused Subspace to sob once more.
"You broke him you broke him!!! Why did you rip him! I hate you!!"
He squeezed it close to his chest, turning his body away from Hyperlaser who tried to reach out to assess the situation better. Subspace would not have it however, running back to the room and slamming the door.
The mercenary sighed staring at where Subspace disappeared into, rising from his seat to search for something to help.
Rummaging through desks he found some things that he imagined could be useful. Some coloring pages and markers, a custom pacifier with Subspaces name, a sippy cup and other toys. Unsure of what would be useful he grabbed a bit of everything.
Still, he needed to find a sewing kit, surely Subspace had to have something sitting around somewhere, and eventually he did. It was under some papers and shoved into a metal box, but a sewing needle and some thread was really all he needed. So he pocketed the supplies and made his way back to the door.
Inside sobs could be heard, wails for Gamma to come back, how Hyperlaser was stupid and mean, why did it happen to Tippy and not himself.
It was all cut off by a knock at the door.
"Subspace, I have some things for you, may I come in?"
He was met with silence and then very muffled whispers.
"You have to apologize to Tippy."
Hyperlaser rolled his eyes and sighed but spoke up.
"I apologize for tearing your arm Tippy. I have brought some supplies to make everything all better."
It was stupid to apologize to a stuffed animal, but it was enough for Subspace. The door cracked open and the teary eyed little looked at Hyperlaser with a trembling pouty lip.
"Hey kiddo.. I brought you some things, I wasn't sure what you would have wanted so I got everything. A pacifier, some teething stuff, coloring books, uh-.."
Subspace perked up at the idea of coloring. Once again he would snatch what was in Hyperlasers hands, causing some items to fall to the floor. At least nothing broke this time.
Subspace put the pacifier in his mouth and ran to his bed with the coloring books, laying on his stomach and he poured every color out, flipping to a clean page that was ready to have a masterpiece on it.
Hyperlaser kneeled down to gather what was dropped along with Tippy who he carefully pocketed. He placed the extra little gear on the side table then took a seat on the edge of the bed to get to work sewing Tippy up.
Minutes passed in silence, Subspace finally calm once again now extremely focused on whatever he was coloring. Hyperlaser would interrupt him to hand him the now patched up stuffed animal.
A wide smile crossed Subspaces face as he sat up and quickly embraced Hyperlaser in a tight hug.
"Thank you Mr Laser!! Thank you!!"
It wasn't an unwelcome nickname, just an odd title. Hyperlaser pat the littles back and allowe him to pull away whenever. Subspace would quickly grab a new fresh sheet of paper before yelling at Hyperlaser to "Leave the room! I need to make a surprise for you gogogo! Leave!!" Of course Hyperlaser would listen and exit the room.
It took a while, he simply sat staring at the door waiting for it to open. Eventually it did with a very eager Subspace holding a paper behind his back.
"Close your eyes Mr Laser okay? Keep them closed until I say its okay!"
Hyperlaser would close his eye, not that Subspace could tell. He flipped the paper around and held it in front of his chest for Hyperlaser to see.
"Okay!! open them look look!!!"
It was a drawing of himself, Hyperlaser, and Tippy all holding hands. Hyperlaser smiled, it was a sweet gesture.
Subspace would push the paper into his hands and grin.
"Do ya like it?! I spend so much time on it see youre right here and im here. Thank you for saving Tippy! Even though you were also the one to hurt him.. Its okay! you made it better!"
Hyperlaser opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the doors lock clicking.
Subspace quickly ran to the door hoping it was who he thought it was.
"Amma!! Amma youre back! Come look at what I drew!!"
Hyperlaser would only sigh and turn the paper so the robot could see it.
"That is lovely my star, I am sure Hyperlaser is very greatful for the drawing."
"His name is Mr Laser Amma. You gotta respect him!!"
The robot would chuckle and place its hand on Subspace's back, rubbing small circles to calm him.
"I expected him to stay in the back room, I apologize if he was too much, but thank you so much for helping out!"
Hyperlaser nodded and stood, staring to make his way to the door.
"There were some bumps but I think this kiddo and I got along quite well... Anyways.. I must be leaving. Goodbye Gammagraft. Goodbye Subspace."
Gamma waved a goodbye to Hyperlaser before heading into the backroom to clean up the mess Subspace inevitably made.
"Wait! Mr Laser waaaaait!!"
He paused and turned to where his name was called, only to see Subspace running at him and throwing his arms around him once more. Subspace squeezed Hyperlaser in at least a thrity second hug before letting go and waving goodbye.
As the door closed behind Hyperlaser all the childish energy Subspace had drained and he lugged himself to the room, immediately flopping on the bed. Markers fell everywhere, but that was an issue for later.
Gamma sat on the edge of the bed and ran its fingers through his hair, its thumb once again rubbing his cheek.
"G'night Amma.. M' love you."
It was almost whispered, but Gamma picked up on it.
"Sleep well my star."