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Medkit and Boombox sat down together near the edge of the Thieves' Den with the rushing of cars passing the highway in the distance and the sound of the wind blowing over the grassy fields nearby. It was a pretty cliché date spot, but Boombox had heard that apparently the light pollution over there was minimal enough to see the stars. Turns out the rumor was right. Boombox was playing a surprisingly slow and relaxed pop song that they both enjoyed. The gentle pulse of the speakers comforted the both of them.
It had been a while since they had a simple night out.
Usually, Medkit was busy attending Phights, medical emergencies, church duties, even just simple hangouts with friends filling up the last time slots in his schedule.
Boombox had just as many responsibilities to stretch him out as well. Phights, helping out all of Skateboard's family, and a relentless schedule of DJ gigs.
Of course, they both were satisfied with their own busy lifestyles. Both of them thrived in the chaos when they didn't have time to think.
But it left a small space between them. They hadn't spent time together for a long time. Medkit had requested for Boombox to keep secret about their situation and only tell close friends in fear of the True Eye using Medkit’s rebellions as a reason to punish or even recruit Boombox. Sword had only found out because he was nosy and too overly involved in the chance of Medkit having a love life, but even then Medkit gave Sword a gruesome example of what could happen to him and Boombox if Sword let out a peep to anyone besides him and Rocket.
So the only people to know anything about them were about three other people in this world, and them two.
Boombox felt confined by this, but understood why it was necessary. Medkit personally felt a bit lost. How can you possibly act like you're in a happy relationship when you're too busy worrying about if they'll be next on the chopping block? Watching over your shoulder or wondering if any information got out.
Boombox turned over to Medkit, in her happy chippy voice. "What got you so quiet Med? You were just talkin' in the car."
Medkit stiffened a bit, but tried to loosen himself up. He practiced being honest about his feelings, now was the time to execute it. "...I was just thinking about how I want to be a better partner for you."
Boombox's LED eyes flickered as he processed that. She looked at Medkit for a while. Boombox gently turned the music down enough that the soft whirring sound from his visor was audible. She smiled and started pinching some grass out of the ground.
"Meds, you're doin' great. We get coffee together, drinks together, you text me when you can… It ain't your fault you're in a tight pinch yknow?” Boombox threw the torn out grass to the ground, brushed the leftover grass off his hands, and started to wave his hands around.. “I'll be patient, hell, I told you already I'll negotiate with those cult members if I have to. I aint a push over!"
"And yet,” Medkit countered, “I feel like I am a burden to you. You have a life, Boombox. Friends, reputation, a job you love. My time is spent slaving away doing jobs, the people I know aren’t safe, and the ones that are safe I can't let know what's going on… I just feel bad for interfering and ruining your life.”
Boombox's smile went down to a more sympathetic look. He grabbed Medkit's hand and laid down, tugging on Medkit. Boombox adjusted his visor to lay comfortably on it. She was looking at Medkit, and Medkit avoided the direct gaze.
"I don’t think you’re ruinin’ anything, Meds.” He said gently. “I wanted to be with you and I meant it. I love you despite your situation in life. I love you for who you are and how you bounce off me. But hey! Maybe we can try to tackle one of those issues if you'd finally let me help, yeah?"
Medkit gave an amused huff. Ironic for Boombox, considering she was well known for adamantly accepting help when she was the one in trouble. Boombox knew of this irony as well, not very sneakily avoiding Medkit looking right at him.
"....You know what, sure. We got time to discuss possibilities. What would you help me with."
Boombox took a second to think.
"How 'bout the tasks part yeah? You say tasks, are you talking ‘bout your job or your home?"
"Both, I suppose."
"So what's annoying?"
"Mostly anything medical related or paperwork related.” He said with exhaustion. “It's the frustrating thing about being one of the few with healing capabilities. I don't believe I've ever heard anyone need me for anything more than healing and easy organization."
Boombox was stunned, his electric eyebrows furrowing.
"Shit, you never told me about that Meds? I always thought those snarky comments about it were situational and also sort of…” She waved his hands. “Your brand? I thought you picked this for yourself."
Medkit gave a sarcastic laugh. "Helping people all day? Does that sound like me?"
"...Well, yeah. You’re always running to help everyone, even when you’re not getting paid and grumbling about it."
"..."
"Sorry Meds. Why don't you take a break from all of that then?"
"One, money. Two, the family would have my head.”
"...Right, right.."
The silence between them grew, much heavier than it was earlier. Boombox decided to move herself to face towards the sky. Medkit looked at Boombox for a bit longer. It's odd how Medkit was so infatuated with someone who was so fundamentally annoying and loud, not like he ever got annoyed nowadays.. In a way though, Medkit wonders how much of that annoyance was envy from before he knew what Boombox's life was like. He wished he could be so carefree. Now he knows a bit better. That’s just what Boombox likes to present himself like.
Boombox spoke up. "So, what do you like doing?" Boombox said playfully in hopes of breaking the tension. "Hobbies? Anything? Even if it was far in the past, I'm curious."
"Robotics was one, now it's just work. I also liked chess. I haven’t played in years though.."
"I'm total trash at both,” she laughed, “but would you like to hang out and try one of ‘em? I'll be willing to learn!"
"I'd feel terrible, I don't think it's your type of activity at all."
"Can't knock it till you try it! Cmon Meds! Besides I like tech stuff and I’ve heard enough chess motifs in songs to get the vibe, can’t be that different!"
Medkit couldn't help but crack a small smile. He was really sweet. Yet, Medkit knew how Boombox worked. Boombox loves to deflect her own feelings by fixing other people's problems. It’s a thing they’ve talked about and that it’s not fair to make Medkit guess, but old habits stick. They’re both learning.
"Alright, alright, I'll show you the basics of a simple build, I think out of the two you’d do well in that.. But what about you? Has anything been bothering you?"
"Nah, I’m all good!"
"Boombox."
Boombox sighed, her LED eyes looking away. She knew better than trying to argue against a curious Medkit. "Okay, well, I guess there's something."
"And it is?" Medkit questions, making himself comfortable.
"...It feels weird to not talk about us!” She said, quickly and stumbling over a few of the words. “I'm all about being out there and proud and I'd love to show you off! I know it's for our safety but…” He quieted his voice. “I'd rather be a target than have to hide something I'm happy about, y'know?
Medkit went quiet.
"Seriously though, I mean it. I mean, hell, I was up on that island way over there way back when!" Boombox pointed to the Splintered Skies, far in the distance. "I dealt with a bunch of shit! I'm willing to deal with some more if it's for somethin' I love."
Medkit looked uncomfortable. Boombox reached over to Medkits hand.
"You don't need to protect me, y'know. I'm not a job for you. I'm here for you, y'know, as a partner."
That seemed to land. Medkit opened his mouth, ready to say something or argue back, then Boombox grabbed both of Medkit's hands. Medkit didn't fight back. Medkit looked down and murmured.
"...I don't want to ruin the one good thing I have left. I don't want you to play the hand I was dealt in life.”
Boombox laughed a bit and squeezed Medkits hands. "Well, too bad! That's kinda what I signed up for! I'm all in!"
"What happens if something goes wrong?"
"Then we deal with it," Boombox said simply, rubbing Medkits hands. "I’ve got my gear, Skate’s got my back, and you’ve got me. Even those cult weirdos surely have limits. So... trust me? Let me show you off to my friends? The ones who won't snitch?"
Medkit went quiet, watching the flickering LEDs of her eyes. The fear was still there, but he wanted to trust Boombox with this.
"Give me some time. I don't think I'm ready to fully go public, but I think I could accept you telling close friends. I suppose there's no harm as long as it's contained."
"Yessss!” Boombox shouted, a little too loudly, making Medkit flinch back. Boombox sheepishly grinned and turned the volume down a bit. “Sorry, Meddy. Uh, but yeah! I know you’re anxious about it but I'll prove to you that we’ll be able to handle it" Boombox's visor glowed brightly, the lights dancing around on the screen.
"Is that all that's bothering you? No secret hidden other issues that you’re not mentioning?”
"For now, yeah. That's kinda what's been goin' on in my mind as I'm walkin' round town y'know?"
Medkit nodded. They both fell into a peaceful silence, the tension finally out of the air. Medkit let go of Boombox's hand and shifted his focus to finally look at the stars for real this time. The silence did not last for more than 5 minutes as Boombox put the volume back up on his music. The starlit sky was beautiful. With the pinpricks of light and the colors blending in the sky, it made their issues seem so small in comparison.
"Meds?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
It took him a second to respond. In the cold, clinical world of Blackrock it's not very often you'd ever say that to someone. If at all. Medkit’s throat tightened.
"... I think you're just as beautiful as the stars." He murmured.
Boombox beamed. He knew Medkit struggled with the big heavy words, so he'd rather Medkit be true to himself. Even if his metaphors were awkward, they were honest. It’s a lot sweeter than trying to force words that weren’t natural to him yet. Then, catching her by surprise, Medkit had clipped her visor off. Boombox looked over and blinked at Medkit in surprise. Medkit smiled and gave him a soft, quick peck on the cheek.
Boombox stared at Medkit. Utter shock, despite this being routine for their dates. Medkit chuckled a little. He could imagine the small loading screen that would be on his visor. Medkit looked at Boombox's eyes and smiled.
"We're both terrible at this dating thing, huh."
Boombox gained her composure and found her voice again, grinning, "Hey, at least we're bad together!"
Medkit chuckled. "Yeah, true."
They stayed there for an hour or two longer, talking about a whole lot of nothing, or not talking at all. It was always surprising how much they had in common when the world stopped demanding them to be doing so much. The way they perceived the world, the things they liked, the things they disliked, they were so perfectly aligned with each other. Sometimes, aligned perfectly in the sense that they were total opposites.
When the wind started blowing a little too much and the bitter cold of the wind nipping their hands and ears became too much, they retreated to the warmth of their car and began to drive over to Boombox's place. Almost immediately, Boombox started calling Skateboard in the car.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, Skate! Guess what I convinced Meddy to do!"
Medkit watched the road and faintly smiled. He figures it was worth it to open up a bit to others if it makes Boombox this happy. He also thought that the first build he'll show Boombox is a simple line-following robot. It seems like something she'd enjoy, especially if he put a speaker on it.