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So.
This isn't what Hyperlaser thought would happen tonight. It was a bit unexpected.
To put it simply: they had met up with Katana, their acquaintance, to go have some drinks. Totally casual. Totally innocent. They've done this a few times before. To simply catch up over some drinks
But what they never expected was for Katana to actually end up intoxicated...
Katana had a good tolerance for alcohol, despite not drinking much, as they had once said "There is no time to indulge". Always so pent up over this corruption they want to eradicate. A noble pursuit Hyperlaser could understand. But it felt as if it was the only thing they even lived for. They had to remind Katana a few counted times to remember to eat or drink. For someone so mature, they could be such an obstinate inphernal sometimes...
Hyperlaser stared silently at his companion. Yes. Definitely inebriated. How could one describe Katana in this state...? The biggest difference from their usual self was... the giddiness. Katana was a silent and stoic individual, not often showing emotions. But in such a state, you could hear tiny giggles and huffed laughter from time to time. Their usual steady, calloused hands, also took a noticeable tremor. Hyperlaser could not see their face. They could only catch small glimpses of their mouth and part of their face scar as they moved up their mask to drink whatever was inside of their glass. Katana had also started slurring their words, something also unusually strange in them. But when alcohol takes over, one isn't themselves anymore.
"Hmmm..." Katana had simply hummed, as if they were deciding on what to say now. Hyperlaser simply stared back, tilting their head a tad to the left, as if letting Katana know they were listening to whatever drunken rambling was about to commence.
"... are you sure you are alright, my friend? You seem..." Hyperlaser started, unsure of how to continue this ephemeral conversation.
"Hmm?" Yet another hum came out of them. Their head moved. Their big, red horns caught the light of one of the many bulbs inside of the bar, glinting ever so gently and creating a small reflection of it. "I am perfectly fine, my friend... I don't see what troubles you so about my state..." They had hushed a small laugh, as if what remained of Katana's composure fought back against the alcohol in their system. The crystal eyeball behind their mask caught some light as well, making it seem as if it was glowing.
"..." Hyperlaser simply didn't reply. How does one even converse with someone under the effect of the ethanol inside of their veins and make them listen to whatever plea one can have?
"Cheer up... shall I order us another round?" Hyperlaser had heard this for the last hour or so. They had lost count at how many rounds they have had. But judging by the number of glasses on the table, it was around... 7 or 8.
"I firmly believe we should stop here... let's not poison ourselves with alcohol just now" Hyperlaser laid one of their gloved hands on top of Katana's larger one "It is getting late... we should head back home"
"What? Nonsense! I am completely fine" This was one of the very rare moments Katana raised their voice. Normally they spoke in hushed, more gentle and mindful tones. Unless a member of the "Church of The True Eye" was present. That was when one could very clearly hear the venom in the red horned inphernal's voice. The helmeted inphernal maintained a state of silence, the words formulating into their head to come as a gentle way of coax the red horned inphernal to leave.
"I insist, my friend. We should not overstay our welcome in the establishment" The blue helmeted inphernal answered, their hand simply squeezing gently the larger one underneath, a tiny, silent plea for them to heed their words. As if a switch had flipped, Katana stopped and stared silently at Hyperlaser now. A minute sigh had escaped the older inphernal's mouth.
"I... hear you. I am sorry for worrying you..." The antennae on Hyperlaser's helmet moved ever so slightly downward, like the ears of a puppy that has just been scolded by their owner. Hyperlaser was never one to explicitly express their emotions. Unless it was to their beloved cat Princess. She was their confidant. Although the small horned animal could probably not understand their rambles about their rotting contractor, their peculiar contraptions made for Blackrock or their work, Princess was still there.
Katana seemed slightly dejected by the idea that they both had to leave the bar. They were so engrossed with the idea of sharing drinks with their acquaintance that they had forgotten completely that they were NOT in their small apartment. Although that itself wasn't the brightest idea, as it could probably be bit too cramped for both inphernals to comfortably share drinks and conversations.
"Do you need me to aid you back to your apartment? It would be very rude of me to leave you stranded here, especially in your current state" the blue inphernal stood up from their chair, holding out one of their gloved hands out to their friend. The dim light from the bar reflected against their helmet as they looked down at the larger inphernal silently.
"That... would be wonderful, thank you..." said the older inphernal, getting up themselves from their chair. But due to their inebriated state, they couldn't seem to be stable on their own two feet and stumbled a bit. Hyperlaser immediately took notice and grabbed their shoulders, helping them stand. They allowed Katana to lean against their own body, putting one of their arms over their shoulder and letting their chin rest against the top of their helmet. Hyperlaser could have sworn they heard a small giggle come out of Katana. It was kind of cute-
No. They couldn't think that about their friend in such an intoxicated state of mind and being. They grunted lowly as both of them stabilized onto their feet, taking a slow walking rhythm to the counter to pay for the drinks they had just finished consuming. The blue inphernal bid a brief and curt farewell to the bartender that had served them and made their way out of the bar, keeping their free hand around Katana's waist to keep them as steady as possible.
Katana's masked cheek nuzzled against the top of the Blackrockian inphernal's helmet. A tiny, almost imperceptible giggle was produced out of the older inphernal. Their left arm was slung against the shorter inphernal's shoulder. Their bodies were so near, their warmth mingled together, forming a comfortable and peaceful ambiance between the individuals. Hyperlaser's hand squeezed Katana's waist briefly, walking slowly to their apartment complex in the Outer Ring of Crossroads. They had taken this walk countless times, they knew the route like the back of their hand by now.
"Hyperlaser... Have I ever told you... that i enjoy your presence dearly... hmm?" Katana had broken the silence with such a sudden question. Hyperlaser was taken by surprise. The statement of Katana appreciating their presence from time to time wasn't unknown to the Blackrockian. They both enjoyed their moments of mutual, quiet understanding. Being able to converse about your struggles, even if not the deepest ones as they both felt they had not reached such a point yet, was an amazing experience. None of them judged the other.
"Yes, Katana. You have informed me of this many times before" Hyperlaser replied flatly. They heard a small, surprised sound come out of the masked individual beside them. As if they didn't expect that answer from their friend. "Really...?" The red inphernal slurred with an incredulous tone to their deep voice. Their masked cheek nuzzled the top of the helmet once again, rubbing itself like a puppy asking for pet from their owner. The hand slung over the mercenary's shoulder squeezed what was under it. Hyperlaser tensed up. What was this sudden display of affection from this stoic inphernal? Was the alcohol affecting them so much? This was a first for the helmeted individual.
"May I ask... what is with this sudden appreciation?" Hyperlaser allowed themselves to ask the larger inphernal, still puzzled by their intoxicated statement. 'Don't ponder about this too much, Hyperlaser. Katana is inebriated. That might be the reason for the sudden appreciation of your presence. Nobody is sound in this state'
"Nothing... I simply wished to let you know... days are brighter with you... by my side" The Blackrockian's cheeks took an unnoticeable warm feeling to them, an imperceptible red hue coloring them inside of their helmet. It's antennae faltered, moving down as in a state of pure shock. Ok. What the phuck. How is one supposed to react to such a confession? Especially from a drunk person? Hyperlaser simply replied with an "Oh." unable to form any other thoughts and make them come out of their mouth. Their journey finally ended with them having just made it to the heretic's apartment complex. Hyperlaser could simply let them return to their apartment by themselves and forget what had just been said by them. But considering the safety of the staircases of this particular building, the Blackrockian didn't wish to let them fall down the stairs.
They held tighter onto the older inphernal as they carefully made their way up to the apartment, helping Katana take out the keys from the inner pocket of their robe. Hyperlaser could've sworn they heard a door creak and 3 pairs of curious eyes watching them from behind the door. Katana's neighbors. They knew them. Or at least heard their rambles about them. They had also met them at Thieves' Rest once. Slingshot was the owner, if they could correctly recall. They had felt their eyes staring at both of them one time Hyperlaser took Katana to the cozy café to get something to eat in one of their pigheaded moments. It was an awkward moment.
They closed the door behind them, helping Katana up the ladder up to their... room? If it could even be called that? The helmeted didn't remember this place being so cramped now that they thought of it. A small kitchenette, a closet, some dressers, a fan and... a ridiculously big flat screen TV... It was beyond Hyperlaser's understanding as of WHY Katana needed such a big television for their house. Hyperlaser moved the fan away from their path to avoid any mishaps in this cramped environment. A sudden moment of clarity hit the heretic.
"Hyperlaser... wait... please" a pathetic plea was produced out of their lips, having watched as the mercenary was going to make their way down the ladder to go back to their home in the cold region of the Inpherno. Hyperlaser turned their head to observe the intoxicated inphernal, awaiting for their next statement. "Stay for the night... please"
And... there it was.
If Katana were sober right about now, they'd reprimand themselves mentally about the stupidly clingy request and pinch the bridge of their nose in heavy amounts of embarrassment and shame. But since this is not the case, clearly, that did not seem to pass by their mind. The antennae of Hyperlaser's helmet suddenly stood up, pointing at the ceiling in utter shock. "Stay... for the night? Do you... perhaps feel... unwell? If such is the case, I shall stay"
"No... I... simply feel lonely... and I ask if you could... still accompany me for tonight" Oh SFOTH...
Hyperlaser pondered. Could they really stay? Was this just another drunken request from the heretic? But then again...
"Fine..." The Blackrockian replied after a short period of silence. What the hell. Might as well just indulge into this moment of closeness both of them will get to share. "Just... just for this once." Katana felt a small wave of ecstasy hit inside of their system. The mercenary had accepted. It was not very expected. But they were joyous that such was the case. Katana sat down onto the tatami mat and faced the closet, opening it with their shaking, calloused hands to retrieve a spare pillow and the best blanket they had at hand. Despite the ethanol running through their veins at the moment, the heretic was still well aware about the Blackrockian's skin condition. They were a guest in their apartment, might as well treat them with the respect they deserve.
The older inphernal placed the pillow down next to where they currently sat, settling the blanket over the pillow and the tatami mat underneath. Katana had no bed. The tatami mat fulfilled this function. It was uncomfortable when they first used it, but eventually got used to it and even enjoyed sleeping like this. Their Thieves' Den mask came off, finally revealing their scarred face to the mercenary and the quietness of their apartment. Their dark skin took a pinkish hue thanks to the alcohol. Their expression was docile, almost innocent and sleepy as they waited for Hyperlaser to settle next to them. The heretic took off their geta while the mercenary took off their boots and suit jacket, leaving them somewhere in the apartment. Katana offered them a small, warm smile as they lay down onto the tatami mat, using their right arm as support for their own head. They kept their left arm onto their chest as the mercenary sat down and took off their helmet.
To those who know the Blackrockian under the helmet, their state was an unfortunate one. A story full of survival, pain and endless suffering. Despite all of that? Hyperlaser's face was the most beautiful thing they've ever laid their eye upon. Katana themselves had many insecurities about their face and the massive scar running from their left eye down to a portion of their mouth, revealing the teeth inside. They didn't take off the mask unless they were at home or sleeping. Or, in the rarest occasion of them all: they felt completely at ease with the person that was with them at the moment. And right now, that was Hyperlaser.
Hyperlaser slowly settled themselves on the small pillow and blanket the heretic had arranged for them, slightly touched by the action they had taken. They could feel as the older inphernal's left arm came to surround them, their hand landing on the mercenary's upper arm. They squeezed. A small, reassuring gesture.
"I apologize for not having a bed" whispered the heretic in their low, gravelly voice, feeling slightly ashamed for not being able to provide a more comfortable resting place for their acquaintance. Hyperlaser let out their own hushed chuckle for the first time that night.
"Do not be. I have slept in far worse conditions and locations. This shouldn't be an issue" was their answer. And they were not lying. Nothing could beat the amount of discomfort and pain those many nights in the hospital caused them after their incident. They vividly remember trying to claw at the bandages covering their face, as if trying to prove that what the doctors surrounding their bed were lies. That they were fine. That nothing happend.
"Still..."
"I insist. Actually, I appreciate the action" the blue inphernal replied once more, their voice no longer muffled by their helmet. They allowed the silence to sit in the room, the heat between both their bodies creating a warm sensation, akin to a blanket during a cold, winter night. "... the pillow and blanket, I mean"
"It is the least I could do... you are my guest, after all"
Katana let out a breath they didn't know they were holding. If Hyperlaser said they were ok, they trusted their judgement. Their head shifted a bit, taking a look at the digital clock that sat next to his ridiculously big television.
2:17 a.m.
It was late. Later than their usual time of rest. The time had passed so fast with the Blackrockian, instead of the slow, tiring passage of time when they were alone.
A touch. A hand laid onto their chest. Hyperlaser's hand had rested onto the heretic's chest.
A wave of warmth surrounded Katana. They were glad the comfort was mutual between both of them. The red horned inphernal sighed one last time.
"Good night, Hyperlaser"
"Likewise, Katana"
Both of them fell into a comfortable slumber next to each other. This day was good. And this moment only solidified this statement
BONUS:
Katana waved goodbye to their acquaintance as they left their apartment. Their head throbbed horribly. Blame those extra drinks they ingested the night before.
Katana was not a stupid individual. They could feel their eyes onto them. Their gaze shot to the door that stood down the hallway, opposite to their own. There they stood, their neighbors, curiously staring at Katana and the individual that had just bid farewell to.
"Not a single word about this to anyone. I hope I made myself clear?"
They watched as the trio simply nodded and closed the door, putting some distance between all of them once more. Katana sighed, shaking their head in slight disappointment. But there was no venom behind this.