Three Is Better Than Two As They Always Say (No one says that)

by Colfy

Summary:

After the defeat of Cyn, the drones lounge away and enjoy their lives in peace! Except for V, she still feels the need to talk to N and apologize to him after her last attempt was interrupted. Her talk with N eventually somehow snowballs into her joining N and Uzi's relationship... how.

Notes:

My first MD fic!! I've been reading fics for this show for a year at this point and I've noticed the releases of new stories and chapters of my fav ship have been slowing down as of late... so when you're not being fed as much, why not cook something for yourself! This fic is VERY... very self indulgent lol.

Please let me know if there are any mistakes! Constructive criticism is always welcome. :)

Chapter 1

 

The sounds of chatter and gossip fill the school sector hallway of the bunker, drones loitered at their lockers or walked from class to class. Lizzy was leaning against a wall, tapping away at her phone, V stood by her.

 

V was watching N and Uzi from a distance, they were both standing by the latter's locker talking about whatever they talked about, she didn't care. She wasn't interested in what topic they were currently talking about but rather, she was worried about N. More specifically how the hell she was going to properly finish her apology like the good healing friend she was trying to be.

 

Ever since Cyn interrupted her and later got defeated, V was never able to finish her apology to N… or really seriously talk with N for that matter. She thought that a conversation to make up with N was long overdue. But she didn't currently know how to go about it.

 

“You look like a weirdo stalker.” Lizzy commented, optics still glued to her phone.

V flinched, moving her gaze to her pink friend. “I'm just thinking, geez. You don't have to make it look weird”

 

“Tch, you look weird all on your own, girl. Just go freakin’ talk to him!” Lizzy replied, now looking up from her phone to look at V. In response, the disassembler simply rolled her optics. A bit miffed but endearingly so.

“Not now, it just doesn't feel like the right moment.” V objected as she looked back at the couple.

 

Lizzy moved her gaze toward where her friend was looking, glancing at N and Uzi for a moment. They look like they're just idly talking about nothing particularly interesting.

She looks back up at V. “Girl, I don't think you'll be interrupting anything important, stop contemplating and just get your healing process over with or whatever.”

 

V groaned. “Liz, it's not that simple. I just- it doesn't feel natural, okay? If I just walk up and start pouring my heart out in the middle of a school hallway, that's really gonna hurt my look.”

 

Not like she was worried about what the other toasters in this bunker thought of her anyways, no one was stupid enough to tease her about anything unless they had a death wish.

Instead, she supposes she's more worried about how the setting would make her look to them . Though she'll never admit it out loud, she does care about how those two see her… embarrassingly, not even she knows why. She wants to be taken seriously, and apologizing in the school hallway like it's some high school drama isn't the way to achieve that in her mind.

 

“Alright… I guess. Then just schedule a meet-up someplace less public. Easy.” Lizzy offered. 

 

Hearing Lizzy's suggestion, V slightly puckered her face in thought “A meet-up, huh?”

 

“Yeah…? Seriously, do I have to tell you how to do everything? Literally so simple, just ask him to meet you somewhere at a certain time and then you'll have all the privacy to do whatever weird crap you wanna do with him.”

 

V cringed at that last part “Please don't ever say something like that again… but yeah, sounds like a plan actually.”

 

The pink drone held her hip with one hand, the other still holding her phone as she smirked triumphantly “Obvi! You get it from the best! Even if it was, like, the most simplest, easiest thing to think of ever…” She muttered the last sentence.

 

V looked back at the couple for what felt like the twelfth time. Why was this so hard? Whatever, telling him to meet her somewhere outside was the easy part, get it over with!

She let out a faux exhale, mentally readying herself.

 

“Okay… I'm just gonna go ahead and ask, thanks for the help, Liz” V Thanked the blonde before promptly walking toward N and Uzi.

“Anything for my bestie! Good luck, girl.” Lizzy called out as she went back to scrolling through her phone.

 

V slowly made her way to the couple, making her presence known. Uzi was first to notice and stopped mid conversation (Probably has been yapping about nothing for the past 5 minutes) “Oh, hey V.”

As soon as Uzi's flow of conversation changed, N snapped out of some sort of stupor and turned to face the fellow disassembler. “Heya V! What's up?”

 

V hesitated for a second before speaking “Hey losers. I uh- N? Can you meet me near the spire outside after classes are over? Kinda important.”

Uzi raised an eyebrow as N's optics hollowed and his body stiffed for a moment, both of them caught off guard by V's quick change in attitude. N quickly composed himself “Um, sure! Is there something wrong? Is it serious?” He asked quietly.

 

“Not really? It's serious, but um. it's not urgent or anything.” V responded as she adjusted her stance.

 

N looked at Uzi, who shrugged, before looking back at V. “Okay! No problem, I'll be there.”

 

“Good. And don't bring Uzi, I just want to talk to you only. No offense.” V said, later turning to Uzi.

 

Uzi, kind of surprised at the usage of her actual name, awkwardly shrugged as N looked at her briefly “Alright, weird, but none taken.” She said as she hopped off her stack of books and closed her locker. “Just don't do anything weird I guess.”

 

“Calm down, you purple prude, I won't do crap.” V scoffed with a smirk, crossing her arms.

 

N grabbed Uzi by the hand and started to walk off before Uzi said anything to escalate the conversation. “Well, we've gotta head to class, I'll see ya soon, V!” He waved.

 

V waved back as she saw Uzi get practically dragged away, muttering angrily along the way. V breathed out a fond laugh and headed to her own class.

Despite her indifferent, sometimes grossed out demeanor around those two drones, she couldn't help but secretly enjoy N and Uzi.

She liked her playful banter with Uzi, getting under the small drone's skin and going back and forth with witty remarks was entertaining. Though she'll never admit it, V also just generally likes certain aspects of Uzi. Even if she can be a pain in the pelvic plate, Uzi does have some decent tastes and she finds herself having a couple things in common with her when it comes to human films or specific opinions.

 

Though, V can't help but feel like a third wheel whenever she hangs out with N and Uzi. She doesn't think she's jealous of either of them, it's more like she feels… left out? No that sounds weird, they're a couple for god’s sake! they're allowed to do couple-y things, why would she feel left out of all that stuff?

Whatever, she'll figure out these feelings later.

 

---

 

The toxic cold of the planet's surface blew in the soft winds, the snow-like asbestos covering most of the surface as smaller fibers flowed through the air. It was after school was over when N flew gracefully to his destination, surveying his surroundings for his former squad mate. Soon enough, he spotted her waiting on a broken pickup truck, the vehicle having been unfunctional for a very long time.

He slowly glided his way toward her when she saw him, landing just next to her on the hood of the truck. He greeted her with a smile as he sat down just as she was.

 

“So… what's up?” N asked tentatively.

V's expression was unreadable as she kept avoiding eye contact. 

N patiently waited as V visibly composed herself. Then after deciding to jump straight to the point, she hesitantly spoke. “...I'm sorry.”

N, mildly confused, replied. “For what?”

 

“For everything…” V sighed. “I'm sorry I pretended I didn't know you, I'm sorry I actively avoided you, I'm sorry I was so mean to you, I'm sorry that I lied and kept things from you, I'm sorry that this is all kind of sudden and now I'm just rambling and getting all emotional and-” she shakily inhaled and stopped speaking for a moment.

N, thinking she was finished, was about to respond until she continued. “I know you're going to forgive me without a second thought but you really shouldn't. I was doing what I thought was gonna help us- help you - at the time. I was so wrong… all I did was toss out what we once had and probably made you think I hated you.

 

“I just wanted to let that all out now before I kept contemplating about it. N, I care about you and I always have. I'm so sorry I handled that so poorly...” V's optics finally started to produce small digital tears. She rested her crossed arms on her knees as she looked away slightly, trying to hide her tears. She felt so angry at herself but also glad she was finally able to properly apologize to this drone who had happily put up with her bull crap for so long. Too bad she looked like an emotional mess while doing it.

 

N, on the other hand, was flabbergasted. He was confused and surprised. He knew V had already attempted to apologize to him during that fight with Cyn, but so much was going on that she couldn't even do it face to face with him. He guessed this was a second attempt.

He took a moment to really absorb all that she said before he spoke. not really knowing what to do with his hands, he just fidgeted with his fingers. “V, I-” he stuttered. “I'm gonna be really honest, I've already forgiven you. But I guess… I will admit that all those things you did? Yeah they messed me up a bit… I was mad but I know that your intentions were good so I guess I can't really blame you when we were dealing with spooky eldritch horrors, you know?”

 

V slightly turned her head toward him, letting him see one of her optics. She looked so sad. And… vulnerable. Despite feeling pity for her, N couldn't help but feel almost happy she was softening around him again, just like old times. 

He smiled at her as he continued “It really makes me happy you actually took the time to tell me to meet here and talk, it means a lot more to me than you think.”

 

V faintly smiled back “What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?”

 

“...We're friends?” N lit up, wagging his tail.

 

“Well I sure hope the hell so!” V laughed as she playfully shoved him, making him laugh as well, dramatically pretending to lose balance and nearly fall off the truck. They both laughed together, the atmosphere grew fond.

 

After their mirth died down, they fell into a comfortable silence. V hadn't felt so… like her old self… in a long time. It was almost scarily nostalgic.

Then her train of thought stopped when she felt N come closer to her, their shoulders practically touching.

 

She suppressed a blush before N could even look at her. She mentally berated herself for having such a reaction. What the hell am I? Some kind of homewrecker? Calm yourself, V! She thought.

 

Both of them were facing toward the distance in front of them, looking at nothing in particular. The winds accompanied their comfortable silence.

 

“Y’know,” V heard N begin to say “I began to notice how none of this wouldn't have happened if Uzi didn't decide to risk her life for gun parts one night. If it weren't for her, we probably wouldn't have ever had the chance to have a moment like this…”

 

V nodded. She never really thought of that at all, but now that she thinks about it, that could be true.

 

N continued “And if it weren't for Uzi, I don't think I would've ever been able to stand up for myself! She really is a miracle.” He sighed before he paused with a flinch “Oh, biscuits, didn't mean to go on a tangent like that…! Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I know that you d-” 

 

“Nah, Uzi's cool.” V muttered under her breath almost subconsciously.

 

“...Huh?” N said bemusedly.

 

V's optics hollowed as her posture stiffened “I mean, uhh.”

 

N grinned at her “You like Uzi, don't you V?” He teased

 

“As if! How could I ever like that mangy little purple roach?!” V attempted to defend herself.

 

N continued “And to think just a couple months ago, you were trying to kill her!”

 

“I could still very easily do so!” V's voice pitched higher.

 

N laughed as V pouted and tightly crossed her arms, an anger mark showing on her visor briefly.

V scoffed “...I'm such an ass.”

 

N, caught off guard, stopped laughing “eh..?”

 

“Uzi was doing so great for you and at the time I was trying to take that away from you. I admit, Uzi is… not as bad as I thought. But I threatened her that night at camp and I think she still hates me for it.” V finished.

 

N tilted his head “Well, maybe you should talk with her too?...”

 

V looked at N with a very unsure look. “...You sure?”

 

“Why not! You talked to me, right?” He smiled.

 

“Yeah but… Uzi’s kind of prickly, you think she would even take me seriously?”

 

“If you're sincere enough, I'm sure she'll listen. She's prickly but all you gotta do is make her feel safe enough to relax her quills!”

 

V blinked “That was probably the smartest thing I've heard you say. I'll keep that in mind.”

 

“Attagirl!” N praised, patting her on the back which V responded to with a tail flick. “Speaking of Uzi, let's head back, I left her waiting by the bunker door. Maybe you should talk with her then?”

 

V pursed her lips “Maybe.”

 

N stood up from his spot on the truck, the sudden movement causing the vehicle to shake. He looked back at V who still sat on her spot and offered a hand to her. She hesitantly took it and let herself be lifted up from her previous position, violently suppressing certain thoughts along the way.

 

“You good?” N queried, looking a bit worried about her slightly distressed expression.

V simply replied with a slow nod, trying her best to get her face to appear neutral. 

 

Once their hands disconnected, she hesitated with a slow tail flick for a moment before going in for an awkward hug.

N, surprised before realizing what's happening, hugged her back tenfold.

His arms wrapped tightly around her torso as hers grasped at his upper back. Just this once, she let herself relish in the moment, half burying her visor into the fluff of his coat collar. N's own head nuzzled to the side of hers, more than happy to be hugging his lifelong friend like this again.

All the while, both of them internally questioned their feelings for one another.

 

---

 

The disassembly duo hovered and landed just in front of the open door leading into the bunker, a familiar purple drone waiting (im)patiently by it.

 

Uzi pocketed her phone as she noticed the two walk toward her “Took you two long enough. So, how'd it go?”

 

N spoke up “Hi Uzi! It went really well actually! I'll tell you more about it later, right now I've got something very super important to take care of, uh..” N thought for a moment “Thad needs me for… help? It's guy stuff. Yeah. I'll see you girls soon!!” And with that, he was gone, speed walking into the bunker with no further explanation.

 

Uzi and V blinked at the direction N disappeared to after he turned a corner. Then they blinked at each other.

 

Wow, thanks a lot for such a smooth setup, N. V sarcastically thought, slightly annoyed but she might as well just get this over with.

 

“Well that was. Weird? Seriously, what's going on with you two?” Uzi punctuated by crossing her arms, clearly suspicious.

 

Then V, feeling underprepared, realized she actually had to TALK to Uzi. Not like they've never had their moments of normal conversation, but V just didn't prepare for apologizing to her. She didn't even know where to start, she was NOT used to getting soft around this drone.

 

Realizing she's taking a while to respond due to Uzi's expectant look on her face, she finally spoke “Oh- uh… just clearing some stuff up. Unpacking some baggage and all that.”

 

“Oh. Well I guess that's nice.” Uzi nodded.

 

“Actually,” V added, “I'd like to talk with you too, since we're here.”

 

Uzi's stance shifted, picking up V's serious tone. 

 

V took Uzi's silence as a queue to continue “I was- a bitch to put it bluntly. To you and N.”

“Yeah no kidding.” Uzi snickered. In response, V gave her a warning glare. Uzi immediately regretted the badly timed comment “My bad, go on.”

 

V squinted “As I was going to say, I just wanted to apologize. For trying to kill you and threatening you during camp… and everything else.”

 

Uzi’s optics widened, not expecting this. “Huh. Didn't know you had feelings.” She teased out of habit.

 

“I'm trying here! Just take me seriously for a second, damn it!” V lashed.

 

Uzi raised her hands up slightly in defense. “Alright! Sorry! It's just that you kinda made up for all that crap you tried pulling off by practically sacrificing yourself for us. I forgive you, dude.”

 

“Oh.” V paused “Really?”

 

“Uh, Yeah?” Uzi confirmed with a shrug.

 

…

 

“I do kinda admire that you are doing this though…” Uzi sheepishly confessed “Apologizing, I mean. Happy to know you're not actually the heartless monster you pretend to be.”

 

V, kind of relieved, scoffed playfully “I could still be a heartless monster if I wanted.”

 

“Yeah right. You're a big softy at your core.” Uzi smirked.

 

“As if you're any better, you should see yourself getting all mushy and gross with N.”

 

“Wh- Bite me! You're the one who stares at us when we do!” 

 

“It's kind of hard not to when you do it literally in front of me.”

 

Uzi smirked with a quip “What? You jealous?”

 

V paused, surprised by the question. She repressed yet another blush “Ew, n-no?! Why would I be jealous of you two slobbering all over each other?” 

 

“First of all, we don't slobber all over each other. Second of all, then explain why you reacted like that when I asked!” Uzi pointed an accusatory finger at her, playfully smirking.

 

V growled “Are we seriously gonna do this right after I tried apologizing and having a nice moment with you for once?”

 

“You're avoiding the question!” Uzi pointed out.

 

Why do I like this drone enough to even be around again? V thought to herself.

With a flick of her tail, V walked off away from the bunker “Alright, we're done here.”

 

Uzi quickly caught up with her “Wait, I was just teasing, dude! You don't have to be dramatic about it.”

 

V kept walking, choosing not to respond.

 

“It's not like… you're actually jealous are you?” the goth tested.

 

Please stop talking. V thought as her visor displayed a slight blush.

 

Uzi noticed “So you are? Wait, of me or N?”

 

V remained silent as her stride faltered.

 

“Look, I won't judge. V, answer my question!” Uzi prodded as she kept following close behind V.

 

V abruptly stopped and turned to slightly face Uzi, who stopped just before bumping into her.

“I don't know!!” The disassembler exclaimed. Her face appeared frustrated but a blush adorned her visor.

“Both? Arghh, I don't know! Just stop probing me!” V clawed at her head.

 

Uzi's eyes hollowed, small blush marks appearing just under them. “I'm sorry… but w-what…? B-both?”

 

The bob haired drone instantly regretted the past few seconds. Her body stiffened as she unsheathed her bladed wings, wordlessly preparing to launch herself off this situation and perhaps never go near the bunker again.

 

“V, wait!” too late, V had flown off just as Uzi called out to her.

Ultimately deciding not to fly after her, Uzi stood there in the snow as she watched the other drone disappear into the clouds.

 

…What the fuck just happened??? She thought.

 

---

 

“I'm confused… you think you overstepped some boundaries and scared V off after she apologized to you?”

 

“I DON'T KNOW?! It all went so fast! One second we're having a semi-heartfelt moment then the next second we're having what I thought was our usual banter only for her to suddenly blow up and fly away??? Am I really that revolting when it comes to social interaction?!”

 

Uzi slumped onto her swivel chair, hands covering her face.

 

N stood in the middle of her room, facing his girlfriend with a concerned look. Maybe I should've let V prepare to apologize in her own time instead of setting her up on the spot… biscuits, it wasn't even a good setup! N thought to himself.

“How about we go find V later and talk to her between the three of us? And maybe this time keep the bantering to a minimum. From how you described it, V didn't seem all too comfortable with teasing her about… what was it, again?”

 

“Crap, I don't know??” Uzi lifted her head and shrugged in response. “I was teasing her about being jealous of us, y'know as a joke, but the way she responded to that made it seem like she really is jealous. And the most confusing part was that she said ‘both’ when I asked if she was jealous of me or you?!”

 

N blushed before scratching his faceplate in thought. “Do you think… maybe she might have a-”

 

Uzi's visor lit up as she covered her face with her arms, already predicting what her boyfriend was about to say. “DON'T SAY IT!!!”

 

“crush on… us?” N finished anyway, his voice clearly unsure.

 

“AAARGH!!” Uzi took her wings out and cocooned herself inside them, attempting to hide her glowing visor. “NO! No! I wasn't prepared to think of my relationship with V in that way AT ALL!” She yelled, directed at no one in particular.

 

N continued, “I mean thinking about it, she did seem more comfortable around us. Plus the conversation me and her had by the spire also has some signs of her possible feelings for us both.” 

 

“How can you know? She hides her emotions so well that I can barely ever tell what she's thinking! Talk about poker face…” Uzi pouted, peaking out from her wing cacoon.

 

“I've known V for… well, since almost as far back as my memory can go! I can pick up on subtle changes in her expression and body language.” 

 

Uzi, fully unwrapping herself from her wings, momentarily raised her eyebrows in an impressed expression. “I guess that makes sense. Still though, if she really does have a… y'know… on both of us, what do we even do?”

 

N rubbed the back of his neck “Well… um. You don't like V in that way, right?”

 

Uzi looked away with a blush, unsure. “I- I don't know! Do you? Because, like, if you still do m-maybe we could like, I don't know! I MEAN, UNLESS YOU DON'T!! I never really thought about… y'know me and V but like-” Her wings quickly surrounded her again “NEVERMIND! I HATE V!”

 

N tentatively padded over to where Uzi sat, kneeling down to her eye level and moving one of her wings to the side. “Uzi, it's ok, I won't judge. Communication is key! And… to be honest, and please don't get mad, but my feelings for V never really went away…” N blushed, but his unsure frown stayed. “But I still feel so much immense love for you Uzi, I really can't imagine my life without you in it, so that's why this is a little bit confusing to me…”

 

Uzi looked back at him, her visor still displaying a small blush “N…”

 

“We don't have to do anything right now, maybe we can just take some time to think and also let V have some space for a bit. O-or if you hate me, that's ok too! I can just repress my feelings, I still wanna be with you so I don't want to make you upset and-”

 

“N!” Uzi barked, moving her wings back to grab N by the cheeks. “I don't hate you, dude! Fine, admittedly, I'm not really against V possibly joining our relationship… if you think it'd work. I guess it's just that I never really thought about it, me and V, because well… I have you and I thought it'd be disloyal to just think about a possible relationship with her. But… if you still like her, maybe I could think about it this time?” She said, blushing.

 

N stared at her with wide optics, little digital tears forming, surprised at the lack of rejection or anger. Suddenly, he hugged Uzi tightly, earning him a yelp from his small girlfriend. “How'd I end up with such an amazing drone…” he sniffled “We can think about it then… I love you so much.”

 

“Alright big guy,” Uzi patted his back with a fond chuckle “nuff’ with the sap...”

 

N leaned back, only to steal a quick surprise kiss from Uzi with a big “Mwah!”

 

Uzi's visor lit up “DUDE, GROSS!” She exclaimed, failing to suppress a smile.

 

Taking that as an invitation, N firmly held Uzi by the sides of her faceplate before covering her entire face with little pecks, each one getting a loud “Mwah!” sound.

 

“BLEEGH!! N!!!” She squirmed whilst laughing.

 

N ended his assault with one last passionate kiss on Uzi's lips. She returned it as she melted into his touch. It wasn't long before they both leaned back from the kiss and looked at each other fondly with their foreheads touching.

 

“...Now imagine if I was V?” N quipped with a smirk.

 

Uzi's blush brightened as she pushed him off of her, sending him to the floor with a thud. “OKAY, THAT'S ENOUGH!”

 

–

 

V was laying down, her visor optics closed. “Are you done yet?”

 

“Almost! Just be patient, girl.” Lizzy replied.

 

…

 

“Okay there, you can open them.”

 

As V opened her eyes and sat upright on Lizzy's bed, the owner of said bed handed her a handheld mirror after setting down a tablet and stylus.

V saw that she now had some simple lashes drawn onto her display eyes. Lizzy even added a beauty mark, though it just looks like a stray pixel. All done by a ‘beauty tablet’ that was connected to her visor display via bluetooth.

 

“Not bad, I guess. But it's not my style.” V commented, still looking at herself in the mirror.

 

“Well duh, it's temporary anyways. Unless you brought the tablet with you, the changes would go away as soon as you leave the bluetooth's range. And like hell are you taking my beauty tablet!” Lizzy responded.

“Plus the part that matters the most is the process, wasn't it relaxing?”

 

V looked up from the mirror. “I guess I feel a little better. Thanks, Liz.” she smiled

 

“Anything for my bestie! Now, do you think you can spill the deets?” Lizzy scooted closer to V, eager to listen to the gossip.

 

V sighed as she set down the mirror. “Fine. Well, you already know how it went with N. When we flew back to the bunker doors, N had me talk with Uzi by setting me up. It went fine I guess, despite me not being prepared at all. Except that while me and Uzi were bantering, she brought up something that made me basically accidentally confess…to liking both her and N…” She blushed by the end.

 

“...like, as a crush?” Lizzy asked tentatively.

V simply nodded.

“And do you like them that way?”
V tensed up with a brighter blush “I-I don’t know! Maybe! I try my best not to think too much about those dorks but it's like my OS just shits itself when I’m around them! When Uzi joked about me being jealous, I just sort of short-circuited and panicked, started acting unlike myself.”

 

“Yeah, you’re down bad, the signs are obvious. Not gonna lie, I knew it. Like, there is no possible way you'd still want to be around them when you have me to hang out with unless you had feelings for them.” Lizzy said.

 

The disassembly drone slouched defeatedly with a blush. “This is so dumb. Uzi's probably already telling N what happened and now things are gonna be awkward and weird and… eugh.”

 

“Girl, relax, it’s not the end of the universe… anymore. Who’s to say they don’t like you back?” Lizzy offered.

“Tsk, as if. Those two dote on each other like nothing else around them matters, so why would I?” V countered.

Lizzy rolled her optics “Maybe you think so because you ‘try not to think too much’ about them. Next time you see them, actually try to look for any signs. Who knows, maybe they both secretly gush about you in private!”

V crossed her arms with an unsure look to the side, blushing.

Lizzy placed her hand on V’s shoulder “Look, tomorrow we can look for any signs. I know what yearning drones look like, trust me, I’m like the expert at spotting teenage crushes. It’s good gossip.”

“Tomorrow? At school? Like hell am I showing my face around those two!” V shrugged off Lizzy’s hand.

“Oh come on! I said I’m gonna help you, I’ll basically be holding your hand throughout the whole thing! Just try to act like nothing had happened the day before, they’ll probably do the same.”

V groaned “Fine. But no gossiping about this! Everything said in this room stays in this room!” she punctuated with a claw pointed at Lizzy’s face.

The blonde moved the claw away with her finger, unbothered. “Sure, whatever drama queen.”

One tomorrow later, V was currently lounging in the school sector’s restroom with Lizzy, not even bothering to attend class. Obviously for V, it didn’t even matter, she doesn’t have parents and no drone would even attempt to reinforce the rules on her of all drones. But for Lizzy it was different, she had to take attendance before sneaking here.

 

“Alright so plan recap; next period, all 4 of us share a class so you try your best to get them to react to you or whatever, I just have to analyze them. Maybe even get something out of them in the hallway after class. Got it?” The aforementioned blonde drone explained as she was fixing her hair in front of the mirror.

 

V was leaning on one of the stall doors, her arms crossed and tensed. “Mostly. What the hell do you mean by ‘get them to react to me’?”

 

Lizzy shrugged as she looked at V through the mirror in front of them. “I don't know, act flirtatious or something. You figure that out, you know them more than I do.”

 

“I'm NOT doing that.” V sighed. “Whatever, problem for future me I guess.”

 

“And by ‘future you’ you mean you in like 5 minutes ‘cause classes are already switching.” The blonde said after she looked at her phone.

 

V quickly stood upright “Shit…”

Lizzy grabbed her by the wrist and began walking out the restroom “Just relax, girly, the sooner we do this the sooner you can happily have your threesome.”

 

The taller drone yanked her hand out of Lizzy's grasp before trailing behind her on her own “Don't ever say anything like that again, I swear to robo-god.” She cringed.

 

---

 

N and Uzi sat next to each other in the back of the class, N doodling in his sketchbook as students began filling in the classroom. Uzi was too busy thinking, her head propped up by an arm on her desk, staring at nothing.

I wonder if V would even bother to go to school today. Likely not… she's probably upset with me.

 

As if the universe was listening to her thoughts and answered her question, she looked up to see a familiar peg-legged disassembler in the front of class. Uzi picked up her head and gently kicked N from under their desks to catch his attention.

N, before confusingly looking at Uzi, looked up from his drawing to also notice V.

 

They both watched the bob haired disassembler walk to her usual desk and sat herself down.

 

Uzi heard N whisper to her “I didn't think she'd want to come today.”

“Me neither… should we talk to her?” Uzi whispered back, her nervousness picking up.

“Maybe after class.” N suggested, looking away from V.

 

Uzi awkwardly nodded, looking to the front of class when she heard the teacher speak up. All the students had already taken their seats.

As the teacher began class in his usual arid way, Uzi stole some glances toward V. So far she's acting normal. Maybe she's just choosing to forget yesterday ever happened? Should I do the same?

 

Uzi looked at N for a moment. He seemed just as distracted as she was, glancing at V. Though, not as usual, he was still somewhat trying to pay attention to class.

 

Uzi looked back at V. Ugh, what's even in your mind you stupid, weirdly hot, murder bot!

Thinking about it, V had always been very good at hiding her true emotions or intentions. The fact that she couldn't do the same when Uzi had made that joke was telling enough.

 

She wondered what she was like behind that facade. Perhaps something like how she was in the manor?

Not gonna lie, V seemed really sweet in those old memories… Her glasses were especially cute. I wonder if I could try to scavenge some glasses for V later, she probably needs them.

 

…And it'd be nice to see her in those glasses.

 

“-Doorman!”

 

Uzi was taken out of her thoughts when she heard her name called by the teacher. She looked to the front of the class to see him crossing his arms and ask her, 

“Is there something particularly interesting about V that is more important than this lesson?”

 

Uzi felt the oil drain from her head as her optics hollowed out. And to her dismay, a blush built up on her visor despite her greatest efforts. 

CURSE WHOEVER PROGRAMMED THAT, I SWEAR-

 

“D-duuuh I uh, nope. Just… distracted! Hormones amiright????”

WHY DID I SAY THAT WHY DID I SAY THAT WHY DID I SAY THAT-

 

Most of the classroom was now looking at her. She even heard some of them quietly laugh at her.

N just looked sympathetic and embarrassed for her.

But Uzi wasn't worried about the other students, they can bite her! But in reality, she was more worried about V's reaction. But when Uzi looked towards V, she was… unreadable.

 

“...Well then, please try to focus. This lesson will be covering a part of the next test which is half of your grade.” The teacher responded uninterestingly before continuing the lesson. He seemed more tired than anything.

 

Embarrassed, Uzi slouched on her seat until she was basically laying on it, hoping to hide herself behind her desk.

I feel like melting… robo-god kill me now!... she thought.

 

After that point, class felt like it went on for ages. Uzi kept looking at her internal clock, waiting for every minute to go by. And every so often, N checked up on her.

 

Eventually, Uzi was bored of just waiting for class to end and decided to bite the bullet and glanced at V again, just for a second.

V immediately noticed Uzi's gaze and looked at her. 

Uzi quickly looked away. CRAP! I forgot they could see out their headlights…!

 

N noticed the entire interaction and curled his tail around Uzi's leg to comfort her. Uzi felt the gesture and looked at him, giving him a small grateful smile in return.

Once N had her attention, he whispered to her “V seems a bit shy, probably from yesterday. Maybe she's here because she wants to talk?”

 

“I'm still so impressed that you're able to read her. But ugh, I don't know if I can even show my face after what just happened…” Uzi whispered back with a palm on her face in embarrassment.

 

“I think she's just mildly flustered by it. I can do most of the talking if you'd like?” He offered

 

Uzi tentatively nodded.

 

N smiled back then looked back towards the front of class.

The purple drone decided to just write down some notes from the lesson, scribbling on her notebook every once in a while, just to pass the time and distract herself.

 

---

 

After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang and drones began flooding into the hallways.

V quickly got up and walked over to Lizzy, who was still in the classroom gossiping with her clique of friends.

 

“-Yeah, ugh, I hate drones like that…” V heard the pink drone comment in conversation before noticing her. “Oh, hey Veeeeee! Give me a pretty pink moment, guys, I've got some important matchmaking business to take care of.”

Lizzy excused herself from her previous conversation, her friends wishing her luck. Then she beckoned V to follow her and walked out into the hallway.

 

Just as V was trailing behind the blonde, she stole a quick glance at N and Uzi.  Both of them were talking to each other, Uzi specifically seemed especially tense.

She seemed really embarrassed about the teacher calling her out. Heh, poor little gremlin.

 

When she and Lizzy reached the latter's locker, V spoke up. “Alright so what'd you got for me?”

 

“Alright so turns out you didn't even need to do anything because good lord they're beyond saving.” Lizzy explained as she opened her locker. “Seriously, you didn't even do a single thing and Uzi just outed herself all on her own.”

 

V repressed a blush. “And N?

 

“N wasn't as obvious but he definitely kept eyeing you.”

 

“...I don't know, Liz, maybe they're just being awkward about me being there after what happened yesterday?” V doubted.

 

Lizzy closed her locker “Well why not ask them yourself? ‘Cause they're headed your way right now.” She pointed out behind V.

 

Startled, V straightened out and composed herself. Looking behind her, she saw the couple walking over, just as Lizzy said.

When V looked away though, Lizzy had already begun walking away, not without calling out “Good luck, bestieee!” when V noticed.

 

Ugh I should've never gone to Lizzy for help.

V's thoughts were immediately interrupted when the couple stopped next to her.

 

“Heya, V!” N greeted blithely “Watcha up to?”

 

The peg-legged drone crossed her arms, hoping to appear impassive. “Nothing, I was just talking to Lizzy earlier.” 

 

N nodded “Nice! So uh… just wanted to say sorry about yesterday, for setting you up like that. Uzi told me what happened.”

 

“Yeah um,” V's tail flicked once. “It's fine.” Uzi looked like she couldn't even look at V, only silently standing there slightly behind N.

 

“If you want, could we talk about it? I think both of us want to tell you something. Only if that's fine with you, of course.” N offered.

 

Oh god is this going where I think it is. “Y-yeah okay uh, sure, but like. Could we do this not in a school hallway? Somewhere without, like, anyone?” said V

 

“O-oh! Yeah! Of course, yeah, it'd be better that way haha.” N scratched the back of his neck. “Maybe we could talk at Uzi's house? We could walk there right now, maybe hang out a little too, how's that sound?” he asked, both to V and Uzi.

Uzi simply nodded, still avoiding her gaze.

 

Right now? Fine, I suppose it's best to just get it over with. Gotta get rejected one way or the other. Knowing N, he's probably trying to be as nice about it as possible. V mentally sighed.

“Alright.” she said out loud.

 

---

 

The trio made it to the apartment, Uzi promptly letting the two disassemblers inside.

 

V, unsure where to put herself, stood in the middle of the main room with her arms crossed.

N immediately made himself at home, which makes sense considering.

Uzi went and sat on the couch, hugging her legs.

 

“Is Khan home…?” V questioned.

 

When Uzi didn't answer, N spoke up from the kitchen instead “No, he hasn't been for a while. Nori and him are hard at work planning and building new sectors for more drones now that the colony isn't in danger!” he'd say with a smile.

 

Not as much danger as before, anyways. V added in her mind.

“Well I guess that's convenient for you guys then.”

 

“Hm?” N hummed.

 

“You haven't slept in the spire for a couple days.” V clarified.

 

N blushed “Oh, right yeah… Haha! I've been hunkering down here for a bit! Sorry if you minded being alone in the spire… I meant to let you know but-”

 

“Tsk, why would I mind? I was just curious.” V interjected. Her face appeared indifferent, but N knew.

 

“You know…” N began as he walked over with 3 mugs of oil, two in his hands and the third being held by his tail. “You could stay here too for a while! I'm sure Uzi won't mind.”

As he handed V one of the mugs, they both looked toward Uzi, who flinched when she noticed their eyes on her.

 

“Whatever, I don't care.” She mumbled, looking away so that her hair hid her visor.

 

V looked at her mug “I just said I don't mind being alone.”

N was already by the couch handing Uzi her mug when he replied “Well yeah, but wouldn't it be better if you weren't?”

 

He sat down and patted the spot next to him on the couch, beckoning V.

 

She repressed yet another blush. She walked over to where the two were sitting and sat a small distance away from the spot N had patted. “I'll think about it.”

 

N, satisfied by the answer, beamed “Better than a no!”

 

A silence fell over the three of them. Not a comfortable one but not an awkward one either.

V took a sip of her oil and set it down on the small table in front of them. A little cold but it's edible. I wonder where they get their oil from…

 

She flicked her tail twice. She saw Uzi still looking away, not even drinking from her mug.

Is she mad at me? I didn't even do anything, she was the one probing me.

 

Then Uzi looked back at her before quickly looking away when she saw V's gaze on her.

 

Deciding she had enough, V barked at the small worker “Yo, shorty, what's your problem?”

V winced when Uzi startled and looked at her with an almost guilty expression. Crap, I didn't mean to sound so aggressive.

 

Instead of apologizing, V softened her own expression, showing her concern. Uzi seemed to pick it up as she shrugged, blushing lightly.

 

“...Wait” V smirked in acknowledgement “Are you still embarrassed from what happened in class?”

Uzi almost jumped in her seat, her blush growing “BITE ME, IT WAS A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS!” she yelled.

 

N giggled at the interaction.

 

After calming down, Uzi put down her mug and continued “I was just staring because I wasn't sure if you were still mad about yesterday or what… nothing else.” She half lied with a pout.

 

“Right, about yesterday, can we talk about that?” The taller male chimed in.

 

Alright, here we go.

V crossed her arms “I’m not mad...”

Blushing, Uzi added “Well, either way, sorry about prodding you so much yesterday… I didn’t know you…uh-”

 

“Look, just- can we forget about that?” V interjected, “I don’t want to get between you two or anything so we can just forget that ever happened and I can suppress these stupid feelings I never asked for!”

Uzi blushed even more.

N spoke up, fidgeting with his mug’s handle “...About that,”

 

He looked over at Uzi, silently questioning. Uzi wordlessly granted him permission to go on with a shy nod. 

 

He continued, “Me and Uzi were thinking and uhm…”

 

N began to blush, unable to get it out.

 

“What? And what?” V's patience was quickly thinning.

 

N looked away, too embarrassed.

 

“AARGH, WE LIKE YOU TOO OKAY!!” Blurted Uzi as she got up from her seat, frustrated by the stalling.

She quickly sat back down and attempted to hide her glowing visor with her beanie. “So um, yeah.”

 

N's blush was just as glowing, though he didn't attempt to hide it.

“Yeah, we talked about it and we're willing to try… having you join our relationship. I-if you want, obviously! It's fine if y-you think you aren't ready or if you'd just rather not!” he stammered out halfway.

 

…

 

What.

 

V was utterly dumbfounded. She felt as though her chassis was locked in place. She wanted to speak but it was like any input from her OS wasn't being registered.

What is this?? Crap, I think I'm malfunctioning. Say something, idiot!

 

“V…?” she heard someone say, she wasn't sure who, her sensors were like static.

 

V fully expected rejection, she was ready to just leave and forget about her feelings. She wasn't ready to have the two people she likes most to like her back, much less let her in their relationship.

 

They want her in their relationship. Both of them.

 

V's eyes went hollow. She let a small blush appear on the bottom of her visor

 

Then her tail started wagging.

 

N noticed, “A-aww! V!”

“Huh, whuh? Is that a yes?” asked Uzi, unsure.

 

Finally able to muster up some movement, V held her head in her hands, covering her face as she nodded to what Uzi had asked.

 

N happily came up closer to V, gently hugging her from the side with a tail wag of his own. Although, his was much faster.

The purple worker soon got up to place herself beside V as well, hugging her other side sheepishly.

 

After much contemplation, V decided to give in and hug them back. Each of her arms wrapping around them both. After some adjustment, all three drones were comfortably embracing each other on the couch.

 

The peg-legged drone smushed between the two chuckled.

 

N and Uzi slightly loosened themselves from the hug to properly face V.

“...What’s so funny?” The purple one questioned.

 

“I fully expected you two to reject me. Like, what are the chances that you guys felt the same way for me when I caught feelings for you both? I guess, because of that doubt, I tried my best not to think about those feelings so I wouldn't come between you two. And look how well that went for me. Not that I'm complaining…”

 

“Hmph… tsundere…” Uzi blushed as she went back to cuddling V.

 

V scoffed affectionately “You dork. As if you're any better.”

 

The tallest drone grinned a grin so wide, it almost looked like he had gone half feral if it weren't for his happy display eyes and blush. “Aaaaawww!!! You guys have no idea how happy all this makes me, it feels like my core is gonna burst! My girls…” He gushed, going in to wrap his arms around both V and Uzi tightly.

 

Uzi fully indulged in the hug, nuzzling her face into V.

V, on the other hand, rolled her eyes in feign annoyance. “You two are already gonna make me puke. Ugh, I just realized now I'm gonna be included in your gross, mushy shenanigans.”

 

“Oh shut up, you're loving this.” Uzi dismissed.

 

“Bite me…” V sighed. But she was right, V was enjoying the hell out of this. Though she will never admit that to anyone but herself.

 

…

 

“Seriously though, I think I might overheat, you guys are so close.”

 

N quickly moved away from the hug “Right! Oopsies!”

 

Uzi also separated herself from the embrace. “Now what?”

 

V thought for a moment. She didn't want to jump straight into any mushy stuff, just wanting to do the things they normally did… but with the context of being a throuple. Robo-god that's crazy to think about, they're all officially a thing now.

 

“We could watch a movie.” She suggested.

 

“Sounds good to me.” Uzi accepted.

 

“Yay! Movie date!” N cheered with a fist pump.

 

“Ya dummy, we've watched movies with V before.”

 

“Yeah, but this time we're doing it as a throuple, so it makes it a date, right?”

 

V shrugged, an endearing smile sneaking onto her face “Sure.”

Uzi sighed with a small chuckle “Fine, I guess.”

 

“Yippee!!” N cheered, once more hugging both his girlfriends before going off to prepare the movie in Uzi's room, t he other two followed soon after.

Chapter 2: tooth rotting epilogue

Summary:

Taking place a few months after the previous chapter, Uzi invites her partners over and some fluffy activities ensue!

Notes:

Did yall hear that theyre making a retelling of murder drones in GRAPHIC NOVEL FORM !?!? Im super duper excited!!!! Hopefully this'll allow some extra time given to plot points, world building, lore moments, and/or sweet sweet filler for that in depth character growth!!

yall know imma milk every new character interaction out of nuvi interpretations.. mwahha

until then, have my slop

After a long boring night, Uzi decided to invite her partners over before the sun came up so they could stay for the day. N was the first to arrive, having not been far from the Doorman residence within the bunker. V, however, hasn't arrived yet, but a ping from her states she's on her way.

N and Uzi, waiting for their third to arrive, were currently both in the latter's room cuddling in her bed. Uzi's face nuzzled into her boyfriend's neck as N rested his chin on top of her beanieless head. His hands caressed Uzi's back while hers were gripping the back of his coat.
It was something nice to do while they waited for V. Uzi was hoping V would join them when she did arrive. They both knew V was still sort of apprehensive about anything too intimate, but she was getting there, maybe today she could give it a shot.

Like speak of the devil, V was heard just outside the door loudly shuffling her way to the bedroom door. It was clear from the sound of it that she came in the usual way she does, through the vents.
Without knocking, she opened the door and let herself in.

“Yo, sorry I'm kind of late, I was outside hunting for scraps when I-” then she looked up and saw the two on the loft bed.
“...Am I interrupting something?”

The both of them moved their heads to face V. (Uzi having to raise hers over N's body.)

N casually spoke up in a cheery tone, “Heya V! Also not at all, we were just cuddling.”
N sat up slightly, his elbows propping up his upper body.

V, unsure what else to do, began to turn back around towards the door. “Well then, I'll just be waiting on the couch while you weirdos finish doing that.”

Until Uzi's voice stopped her in her tracks, “Nuh uh, don't leave! Get your metal butt up here, there's space.”

“Oooh yeah! Join us for cuddles! Only if you want, of course.” N agreed.

V thought for a moment. She looked back at the two on the bed.
They do look comfortable. Even Uzi looks content. V knew she yearned for their closeness but something has always stopped her from engaging. Obviously, it has gotten better recently. She can tolerate light touches, hugs, and sometimes kisses every now and then, but as soon as things get a little too intimate, something in her blares at her to stop. She was afraid that would happen again.

Maybe it was the residual stress from Cyn's horrors. Maybe it was something more deep down. Before she became closer with her now partners, she hadn't let herself feel vulnerable, almost like a reaction from her systems making her reject any prolonged contact as soon as it lasted more than a minute. She chalked it up to a habitual response of some sort.

Right now, though? Maybe she could give it a try. She had to admit to herself that she was very tempted to join them this time, especially since she'd begun to get used to being closer to her partners ever since they've made it official. Which is something she still can't believe happened, not that she's complaining.
And so V made the decision to accept their offer. She wordlessly climbed up and propped herself on top of the mattress, just in front of her partners.

When V was visibly unsure where to place herself, the two of them scooched apart, creating an opening between them for her.

V tentatively placed herself there, laying down with her arms by her sides.

From V's right, Uzi wrapped her arms around V's neck. N, from her left, gently wrapped an arm around V's midsection.
Trying to follow their leads, V moved her right arm, landing her hand on Uzi's back.

“Let us know if this ever gets uncomfortable for you.” N whispered.

V eventually let a blush form on her visor. Her display eyes became half lidded as she allowed herself to savor this sensation.
Uzi smirked, her visor had also adorned a blushed. She moved her arms down, hugging V's chest so that her head could take the spot on V's shoulder.

For a while, they stayed in this position. N and Uzi fully relaxed with their eyes closed. But V's were still halfway open.

“So, what? That's it? We just lay here?” V eventually said, her tone not aggressive or annoyed but just genuinely curious.

“We could stop and do something else if you want.” N suggested.

“No, it's fine, this feels nice.”

“Or… if this is too boring for you, I think I have an idea.” Uzi proposed with a plotting grin.

V raised a knowing eyebrow. “And what's that?”

Without elaborating, Uzi moved her head so that she could look at V in the face. The peg-legged disassembler looked back at Uzi's feigned confident face.
Then Uzi gave her a shy peck on the side of her faceplate.

N could be heard letting out a quiet “Aww!”

V reacted with strained composure. Her tail wagged faster, betraying her attempt at keeping an indifferent expression.

Misinterpreting V's strainedness as her being uncomfortable, Uzi slightly panicked. “Oh crap, was that too much?...I-I'm so sorry, I didn’t even warn you, I- ”

She was interrupted by V grabbing her by the faceplate.
“Shut up.” she said with a stern look before kissing Uzi on her lips.

Flustered, but relieved, Uzi reciprocated. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body, letting herself sink onto V.

Soon enough, they parted as V moved her hands back to their original spots on N and Uzi. Then they both turned to notice the one man audience next to them, his hands clasped together next to his face that adorned a huge adoring smile.

“...What’s with the goo-goo eyes?” V questioned with a chuckle.
Uzi laid her head back down beneath V's, looking toward N with a satisfied smirk.

N sighed fondly “Oh, I don't know, maybe it's because seeing my two favorite drones in the universe get along makes me very happy.”

Still smirking, Uzi laughed, “Oh yeah, we're getting along soooo well.”

V rolled her eyes “Gaybo.”

As the purple drone growled in mock offence, N asked V, “By the way, how do you feel about cuddles this time? Everything good so far?”

V gave it some thought for a bit, humming before her response. “Honestly, I wish my body didn't reject this so much, this feels… really nice. So far, I think I want to stay here just a while longer. I just wasn't used to all this, I guess. It was like my systems were always on edge. But now, it's gotten easier to ignore those false alarms… around you two, anyways.” She smiled.

N beamed back, hugging V “That's great! Just let us know if you ever get uncomfortable, okay?”

V nodded, half exasperated. “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Uzi quietly commented with a blush, “I'm just glad we can have more moments like this. Not trying to say I don't like your feisty attitude, I still think it's hot, but I also like when you're, like, soft and stuff?”

“You think I'm hot?” V jested.

The short worker glowed. “Bite me, you know what I mean…”

“It's fine, you're not too bad yourself.” V giggled.

N added “I love it when both of you are soft! It makes me feel very special knowing you two are comfortable enough to put down your walls around me and each other."

Uzi flustered. “Big sap…”

N then stretched out his arms to hug both his girlfriends, nuzzling into V at the same time. “...My girls!”

V moved her arm so that she could pet N's head. Her other arm tightened around Uzi.
N looked at V with an almost yearning look, happily leaning into her touch.

Catching his gaze, V whispered, “You can kiss me if that's what you want.”

N nodded excitedly “Oh, yes! Please!”

Without another word, he leaned in, V meeting him halfway. N hummed contentedly as they both shared a passionate kiss, both of their optics closed.

It wasn't long before they separated and noticed Uzi positioning herself so that she could pepper kisses on one half of V's face.
N, taking it as friendly competition, began to also pepper kisses only around the other half of V's face.

V, caught in the middle of a euphoric assault of soft smooches, felt like overheating. At that point, her visor was overwhelmed with a blush that nearly covered her tightly shut eyes.
Despite the touches and kisses that left her fans overworked from trying to cool her down, she was only focused on relishing in the moment.
She left herself at the hands of her two drones, fully forgetting about that side of her that would've wanted nothing to do with anything that was currently happening.

...

…Beep!

The sound alarmed all three of them, N and Uzi stopping in their tracks to see the warning symbol that popped up on V's visor that told them she was close to overheating.

“V, did you top off your oil reserves today?” Uzi was the first to question.

“Uhmm. You did ask me to come over while I was catching up on hunting.” V wheezed, still dazed.

“Dude, you should've said so! I have oil, hold on.”

Uzi shimmied out her spot on the bed and walked out her door.

…

N, still wrapped around V, smiled “You stopped hunting and came on your way as soon as she pinged, didn't you?”

V sighed, not even denying it. “Guilty.”

Notes:

Yup, still don't know how to end theseee. Hopefully it was decent, though! I'm still very new at tooth rotting (and I suppose fic writing in general, technically) so go easy on me loll. It was fun to write though! I cook for myself first and foremost.

Notes:

Because I love reading slow burn and confessions, this is what I've wrote... but despite that, I think V in reality would just gradually get closer to N and Uzi and eventually start getting lovey and mushy with them but never confirm anything. Sorta like a situation where they all do throuple things together and they are technically a throuple but V fully denies that she's with them when asked.

This fic is super self indulgent of the type of fics I like to read so lets just say this fic takes place in a different headcanon of mine that isn't apart of my main headcanon. I wasn't sure how to end the fic so sorry if it feels a bit abrupt.

BTW, I'm considering writing an epilogue/2nd chapter where all three of them do gross tooth rotting stuff so lmk if you wanna read that and keep an eye out for it. :D