Chapter Text
Daichi and Zoran were sat at the table laughing as Dr O’shay walked into the kitchen. It looked like Daichi really was adjusting well to his new life. Dr O’Shay sighed, hopefully he’d be a good influence on Astro, the boy was too serious for his own good these days. “Zoran, Daichi, did you have any snacks yet?”
“No Dr O’shay!” Zoran called cheerfully. “Can I have a chocolate milkshake?”
“After you’ve finished your water, of course you can.” Dr O’shay walked over to the fridge as Zoran poured her water down her throat. “Daichi would you like anything?”
“I’m fine with my water, but thanks.”
“No problem.” Dr O’shay said, making sure not to hit his head on the fridge shelf. He placed a bottle of chocolate milk in front of Zoran, then turned to fill the kettle. “So what were you laughing about?”
“Big brother!” Zoran grinned, already sporting a chocolate milk moustache. “He’s so silly sometimes, you know?”
Dr O’shay was about to tell Zoran that she shouldn’t talk and laugh about her brother behind his back when Astro burst into the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?” He demanded, glaring at Daichi.
“I- I was worried, after you stormed off earlier,” Daichi seemed to struggle to reply, almost hiding behind his bottle of water. “I just wanted to see if you were ok.”
“Oh really.” Astro sounded suspicious. “And that’s why you’re sat here chatting with Zoran and Dr O’shay, huh?”
“We were just waiting for you to get home, Astro!” Zoran huffed before grinning evilly. “I can’t help it if he likes me better than you.”
“Now Zoran, don’t tease your brother.” Dr O’shay sighed, pouring water over his tea.
Daichi rolled his eyes. “Look Astro, either we can talk, or I can go, now I know you’ve got home safe.” Daichi slipped off his chair.
“Fine, let's talk in my room.” Astro grumbled, shooting a look at Dr O’shay.
Once they had gone out of sight, Dr O’shay sighed deeply. “I just don’t know what’s gotten into him lately.”
“He’s got himself a boyfriend, that’s what.” Zoran giggled.
“Zoran, how many times do I have to tell you not to tease your brother?”
Zoran pulled her most innocent face. “I would never, Dr O’shay!”
Dr O’shay just sighed and drank some of his tea.
Daichi followed Astro up to his room, both apprehensive and curious. He’d never seen the other boy’s room before, but he knew Astro was none too happy that he was here.
They stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind them.
Daichi glanced around the room, one wall was mostly taken up by a window. On the left as they walked in was a bookshelf, giving easy access to the books when sat at the desk behind it. The desk itself was full of books, all opened but stacked neatly in piles, seemingly based on topic. Most of the wall opposite the door was taken up by a large window, with a cushioned sitting area where it extended beyond the walls. Astro’s bed was against the right hand wall, a shelf of trinkets above it, seemingly within easy reach when the smaller robot stood on the bed. And next to that, closer to the door was a small wardrobe. A few posters decorated the walls, as one corner of a poster from a wildlife preserve became unstuck from the wall, it revealed the edge of a scuff mark which, in any other circumstances would have made Daichi chuckle.
Astro dumped his school bag by his desk and turned to glare at Daichi with his arms crossed.
Daichi waited a second, hoping Astro would say something, but the other robot just continued to glare at him.
“So-” Daichi began but Astro cut him off.
“You were talking about me with Zoran and Dr O’shay, huh?” He bit out.
“I was just-”
“You thought ‘cause I wasn’t gonna say anything you should?”
“Astro, it wasn’t like that!” Daichi tried to reason.
“So you didn’t tell them anything?” Astro said accusingly.
“I did talk to Zoran about it, but-”
“I don’t want to hear it!” Astro shouted. “You said you would keep it a secret but you told Zoran! She'll tell everyone!”
Daichi was trying not to get riled up with Astro shouting at him and not letting him speak, but it was getting difficult to stay calm. He could hear the strain in his voice as he spoke. “She won’t Astro, look she said-”
“I don’t care what she said!” Astro snapped, face livid as he balled his hands into fists. “If you were a real friend you wouldn’t have said anything.” Astro stomped over to his bed, sitting with his back to Daichi. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore, just go.”
Daichi froze for a second, the sensible part of his brain knew that Astro didn’t really mean that, but the words still cut into him. He turned to leave but paused at the door. Astro was still sat there, practically steaming.
“Zoran already knew where you were going.” Daichi said quietly. “Her bird’s been trailing you. And from what she’s overheard, Dr O’shay knows too.” Daichi fiddled with his bag strap, but Astro didn’t turn around.
Daichi didn’t know what else to say. He felt like he should say something, but nothing came to mind. Even if he stood there until it did, his throat felt like it was closing up, so he wouldn’t be able to say it anyway. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and just walked out the house. Dr O’Shay and Zoran tried to stop him to talk on his way out but he just did his best to smile. “Gotta get home before the old man gets worried y’know.” He could hear the wobble in his voice and flew off before he could say any more.
Zoran watched as Daichi flew away. He looked like he was about to cry and that made her angry. She looked up at Dr O’shay, he was gazing at where the other robot had flown off, he looked troubled as he sighed deeply.
Zoran stomped her feet. “Astro made Daichi cry! I’m gonna teach him a lesson!” She shouted over her shoulder as she sprinted back to the house.
She could just about hear Dr O’shay call after her to stop but she pretended to to listen. She raced to the stairs and skidded to a halt outside Astro’s door.
She took a deep breath and shouted as loud as she could. “ASTRO YOU’RE A BIG MEANIE!”
Astro turned to glare at her from his seat on the bed.
Zoran faltered a second, he looked really angry, she’d never seen him this angry before. “You- You upset Daichi.” She accused as she shuffled closer to the door frame.
“Well maybe if you weren’t digging into other peoples’ business, he wouldn’t be!” Astro snapped at her.
“W-What’s the big deal?!” Zoran bristled, her fingers gripping the door frame and as she leaned further into Astro’s room, half hidden by the wall. “You’re the one who’s sneaking around to see Dr Tenma! It’s not like Houdini was being sneaky!”
“You were spying on me!” Astro snarled, jumping up and storming over to Zoran. “I bet you’re the one who told Dr O’shay too. You’re nothing but an annoying little tattletale.”
“I didn’t tell Dr O’shay!” Zoran scowled and stamped into Astro’s face, her anger at his false accusations winning over her apprehension. “I only told Daichi when he told me! Maybe if you were nicer to him he would like you more than me!”
“Maybe if you stopped stealing my friends and got some of your own, my friends wouldn’t take pity on you all the time!” Astro seethed as he slammed the door in her face.
Zoran took a step back, her eyes widening and filling with tears. Feeling her distress, Houdini flew to her, she felt him snuggle against her shoulder. “Th-that’s not true!” She shouted at Astro’s door, tears streaming down her cheeks as her voice cracked multiple times. “Pluto was my friend first! You’re lying and-! And mean! And- and-!” She ran away crying, not able to say anything more. She slammed her bedroom door, fell on her bed and sobbed.