Chapter Text
It's Sunday today, the only day Medkit get some time for himself. He had asked Slingshot meet him up at around 9pm today at the center of Crossroad to hang out and exchange some gifts. Looking at the weather forecast, it seems to be a chilly day today in Crossroad, understandable as it's currently near the end of the autumn season, making way for winter to arrive. He went to his closet and pick out a warm and comfortable green sweater, surely this will keep him warm enough. He grabs the Lost Temple exclusive coffee bean he had prepared just for Slingshot and walk out the door.
he got out of the apartment and was immediately greeted by Sword, waving his hand excitedly at him and approaching him from the corner of the hallway. Next to the red energetic fella is a blue demon, completely unbothered by his enthusiastic greeting to Medkit. The demon in question was none other than Sword's bestfriend, Rocket. They seems about to go somewhere.
"Hey Medkit!!" The red warrior exclaimed with joy. His expression was cleared that he's about to ask Medkit if he'd be able to join him and Rocket to some sorr of hang out.
"Wanna co--"
"Sorry Sword, I have to decline you again. I've got other matters to attend to."
This is the 5th time Medkit had declined Sword's offer, leaving Sword quite disappointed. He uses his puppy eyes to try to guilt trip Medkit into changing his mind but sadly to no avail.
"ugh... c'mon Sword, you know that old man never wanted to hang out with us. He's too busy hangout with WoRk." Rocket said, mocking the teal man in front of him with a somewhat angry look on his face.
"alright alright... I'll try my best to find time to hang out with you okay, Sword? But right now I need to go somewhere else"
Sword looks down a bit and notice the specially prepared gift Medkit was holding "where do you need to go bringing that with you? Is it work related?" Sword questioned, tilting his head like a baby hawk.
Medkit looked away nervously, putting a fist near his mouth to quietly say "It's... not work related..." blushing a bit from embarrassment, shy to admit he made a new friend.
Sword, being the dense idiot that he is, did not caught up with that respond. "If its not then what is it?"
Annoyed by another question from Sword, Medkit just pats him on the shoulder and told him "it's nothing of your concern. Have a good day." He then proceed to the elevator and waits for the elevator and leaves
Sword was confused and again disappointed that he still couldn't managed to invite Medkit out for an adventure. If only Medkit wasn't so busy all the time, maybe he would be able to finay have some quality time with him like they used to when he first entered crossroad.
Rocket noticed his frowning face and decided to cheer him up. Putting his arm around Sword's shoulders, Rocket said with a soft smile on his face.
"Hey man, don't let that deer guy ruin our day when it hasn't even started yet! C'mon i'm sure one day he'll join us if that makes you feel better."
Sword looked at Rocket before growing a small smile on his face. "Heh, thanks man" they both giggles at each other before Rocket notice Sword is lacking proper coverage for the cold weather out there, how hadn't he saw that before they left the apartment? Well its too late to go back, they're gonna be late if they go back and get it.
Rocket thinks a bit before taking his own scarf and wrapping it around Sword's neck, letting him borrow his scarf. Sword was startled a but by the sudden cloth placed on his neck, blushing a bit before looking at Rocket, who's face is also starting to turn a shade of blue around their cheeks. "! D-don't look at me like that! You're not gonna go out there with nothing but a jacket. Now let's go before we're late for the movie!!"
Rocket pulled Sword to the elevator and they begin to run to the movie theater. A gush of wind flew pass Medkit, before he could react, he saw Rocket dragging Sword by the arm and Sword waving at him, classic Sword, he never failed to amuse him with his antics. In a way, he glad he met him, his silly actions were the highlights of his days no matter how tough work gets. As much as he sounds uninterested, he does looks forward to hang out with him again one day.
It wasn't long for the cold weather to get to Medkit. The harsh breeze crawls on His skin, sending slight shivers down his spine. Seems like the sweater he wore wasn't enough for this kind of weather, not sure if he'd be able to bare it for the entire meet up. He got to the center of Crossroad, holding his gift in hand with fist clenching around the handle like he was holding his suitcase. He scopes the area a bit, trying to find Slingshot in the fairly small crowd.
Before he could react, a voice from behind called out his name. He turns around to see it's Slingshot, and he seem to brought the whole kitchen with him with too many gift bags that all seems to be food in hand that he was sure there is no way Slingshot's gonna give Medkit all of that. He quickly hurried over to Slingshot to give him a helping a hand with the gifts, god there's so much, just glad they don't weight as much as they looked.
"Jeez Slingshot, who are you giving these out to?" Medkit exclaimed with concern, there's no way Slingshot would go all out on just this one meet up.
Slingshot smiles brightly, a smile that would melts the icy layer of Medkit's heart right off. His face was nothing but pure joy to just get to hang out with someone he could finally bond with his interest. "Its all for you, Medkit! I didn't know what kind of coffee you'd like so i kind of bought every coffee-flavored products in Crossroad."
Medkit was touched by Slingshot's gesture, going through such trouble to just bring a gift that would make him happy. Now he feels kinda bad that he only brought just a bag of coffee beans. "O-oh! Well, you really shouldn't have... I don't think i could accept this much gift."
"Oh it's nothing! Just take it, think of them as a gratitude from me for being my number one customer!" Slingshot joyfully said, his face fins flutters a bit from excitement.
Medkit didn't know what to say, he's grateful for all he did for him. He just shyly hands him over his gift to Slingshot, a bit disappointed that he could've brought something better to give to Slingshot. "Uhm... well, this is my gift for you. Please do accept, i know it's not much but, it's the best i could offer for your kindness..."
Held out his hands to receive the gift, Slingshot looked at the coffee with amazement. He never be able to get his hands in Lost Temple's coffee, considering it was extremely dangerous to travel to there in the first place.
"no way... You have the Morganite's Lost Temple exclusive coffee?! You have no idea how far I had to go to find these bad boys!" He held the bag up like its a miracle, he couldn't thank Medkit enough for this seemingly tiny gift compare to what he gave to Medkit, either way he was grateful nonetheless.
Seeing Slingshot's happiness shines brightly as looks at the coffee bag reminded him of Sword. They're so easily amazed by the smallest thing in life, in away, he envy them. To gain joy so easily without having to work so hard for it, running away, facing the danger, doing what needs to ensure his own life won't be taken away so foolishly.
Before he could continue his long depressing monologue in his head, he sneezes a bit from the cold he was trying to bare, seems like he caught on to him. He quickly puts his hands to his face, blowing warm air to try to warm himself up.
Slingshot quickly notice and took of his own scarf, placing it around Medkit's neck. Medkit flinched a bit from the sudden warm scarf touching the back of his neck. Out of instinct, he quickly grabs Slingshot's arms.
"! W-what are you doing?"
"you seems cold, that sweater won't protect you from the cold for long. Please, take my scarf, I always have a spare in my hoodie."
Medkit looks at Slingshot's warm smiles, trying to put his scarf on his neck to try to keep him warm. This is too much, he's too nice to him, it feels nice but it fels wrong to be this vulnerable especially with someone he just met. He try to pull away saying he'll be fine and it's not need but Slingshot insisted that Medkit wear the scarf or else he could get a cold.
After a bit of resisting and insisting, Medkit finally gave in accepts Slingshot's kindness in keeping him warm. Still he doesn't like how warm and fluffy this felt, he's too used to how the world treated him, BlackRock workers never bat an eye to him, The cult only wanted to use him for their own sick benefits. The only people that were ever nice to him without any exploits were Sword and his old mentor.
He snuggles up to the scarf a bit, Slingshot's scent lingers deeply, it smells so sweet and fragrant, like a warm hug. Medkit quickly snaps out of it and reminds himself that Slingshot is just an owner of a famous cat café, he doesn't relate to him nor his job in anyway. He will just hang out with the guy for today and never again to avoid dragging both Slingshot and him into unwanted situations.
"So you got anywhere in mind we could go? Perhaps another café just to try out what it taste like there?" Slingshot said, hold some of the gift that he bought for Medkit just because there were so much of it, it would be cruel to just let Medkit handle all of it.
Medkit thinks for a bit, looking around Crossroad to see if there's anywhere they could go. He's not a big fan of hangouts so there's not much of an option Medkit could think of. "Uhh... How about... hmm... How about..." Medkit scans the entire Crossroad for some kind of shop they could sit down for a chat. Bingo, there's a fairly small café near the edge, it seems to be rand new as well. "There, That café over there, would you like to try it out?".
slingshot looked over to the newly open café and was curious about it so he immediately accepts. "Ooo... Yeah that would be perfect! Let's go!!"
Slingshot grips on the gift bags tightly and runs towards the café with lightning speed, Medkit was caught off guard by the sudden speed Slingshot put up despite the amount of weight he is holding on. He could barely keep up with Slingshot, had to slow down a bit as he didn't want to waste all of his energy in trying to catch up to the fast demon. Be just slowly walks towards the café as Slingshot was at the door, waiting patiently for him.
"Jeez you're fast... how are you able to move that quick with all that stuff on your hands." Medkit exclaims, panting a bit as he made it to the door where Slingshot is looking at the architect of the building a bit before turning back to Medkit to answer his question. "Oh! Because of my shoes! They keeps my feet comfy and light, really helps with the speed."
"Moving that fast could not be health... won't your legs get sore from moving so much?" Medkit expressed concerns, being a doctor and all, he knows moving in such a speed without proper rest could lead to some serious injury. Slingshot chuckles nervously at the question and just push it aside " oh don't worry, I've got used to it pretty quickly! Beside I do give myself breaks every now and then when my legs gets sore" before Medkit could deny that, Slingshot urge him to enter the shop by opening the door and quickly gets in, prompting Medkit to do the same.
They went inside and it was pretty well furnished with decorative florals around the shop, warm lighting illuminates the place with a welcoming cottage vibe. The tables and chairs were a prefect match with the overall theme of the café as well, giving off a very convincing woodland cottage of sort.
Medkit was pretty surprised of how well the place looked, it almost felt as if he was visiting a mythical elf's café inside a magical forest. He looked over to Slingshot, he was already at the counter looking at the menu, thinking what he should get. He settled with the café's special caramel coffee, and a plate of small little biscuits to go along with it.
He looked back at Medkit and ask him what he'd to order, Medkit got to the counter to look through the menu a bit. It seems like the café only serve sweet beverages and biscuits, he didn't have a choice so he just order the same thing as slingshot, hoping he'd at least somewhat like it. "No pastries?" Slingshot asked, confused as Medkit always order croissant when he was that his café. "... I'm just nit in the mood for sweets right now." Medkit responds, but real reason was really he thinks no pastries could top Slingshot's, he was simply skeptical about liking other sweets that weren't make by his favorite chef.
They placed their orders, was a bout to turn around to look for a place to sit before they were spotted by 2 demons, one is a bright red skater with horns shaped like a bull despite his appearance is more resemble a dog, the other a is a green musician, he carries around a boombox on his back and have some sort of glasses? Visor? That displays his eyes expression for him instead of his real eyes, his body greatly resembles a kind of rat of sort.
Of course, Slingshot recognized them immediately as Skateboard and Boombox, two of Slingshot's bestest friends.
"Heyyy Sling!" Skateboard said, having his hands out ready to tackle him with a hug.
"oof!! Woah! Hey guys! What are you two doing here?" Slingshot asked as he got attacked by Skateboard's fatal hug, tightly squeezing Slingshot without letting go.
"We just wanted to see the newly built café, just to yaknow, see if they're any better than yours." Boombox said as he try to pull Skateboard away from Slingshot, trying to pry him from the hug like opening a sealed jar of jam. "C'mon bro, you're squishing the poor cat to death!"
A little bit of struggling finally got Skateboard to let go of Slingshot, the three of them giggles at each other before Slingshot quickly introduce Medkit to the gang. "Guys this is Medkit, my number one customer and also my new friend!" Hearing Slingshot referred to him as a friend, he was about to correct him before another demon showed up behind Skateboard, having his hand on his shoulder and another in his pocket with a smirked look.
"Friend, huh? I would say otherwise but consider my situation right now, i'm in no position to judge that." The mysterious demon looked at medkit with a interested glare. "Right, Medkit?"
Medkit was rightfully startled by this suddenness. Someone out of nowhere came straight up to him and starting saying things like he personally knew him, who is even is this demon? Medkit expression went from shocked to fear, he backs away a bit trying to hide behind Slingshot a bit, his hands were noticeably shaking.
As tension grew between the both of them before Skateboard jumps in "dude what are you talking about?" The other demon turns to him with an innocent smile like he hadn't said anything so jaw dropping. "Oh it's nothing man, don't worry about it!"
Slingshot had never seen this demon before, giving how odd he talked and had seemingly knew Medkit before they even met, he noticed the teal demon nervousness and try to stand in front to shield for him making sure he have space to feel some what safe. "Uhm... who are you?" Slingshot asked, his expression were a mix of confusion and annoyance, just the other's vibe alone gives Slingshot the ick.
Boombox quickly break the tension and introduce the mysterious guy "oh right you two had never met each other, this here is Coil. He's a new addition to our group and out fraction. Coil, this is Slingshot, he's the third member of our gang that we mentioned to you about."
Coil steps forward to give Slingshot a handshake "Nice to meet you Slingshot! I've heard a lot about you, hope we'd be able get to know each other better!" Coil smiles, not sure if he was sincere about that or not but either way, his present is making Medkit uncomfortable. "R-right... nice to meet you too, Coil." He pulled out his hand to repay the handshake, he looks at Coil a bit before looking at Medkit behind him.
He seems to be calming down now but he's very much avoiding eye contact with the other demon, Coil on the other was eyeing Medkit the entire time, leading Slingshot to suspect something is going on between the two of them.
Boombox chimes in, trying to help relieve the tense atmosphere. "Uh.. h-hey that seat over there is perfect for the 5 of us! How about you and Medkit just go have a seat and we'll catch up with ya'll when we finish ordering?" Slingshot looks over and nods in agreement " yeah sure, let's go Medkit." Medkit didn't say anything and just followed Slingshot to the table. Great, what've he got himself into.
He was supposed to just hang out with Slingshot for today and then distance himself from him. Didn't think trouble would catch onto him that quickly. He regrets agreeing with Slingshot to meet up today, what a pain.
They both sit next to each other as Medkit isn't comfortable sitting with anyone else. Out of all the people in this café, he could only trust Slingshot- wait, but why? They have only met for a few days, how is he so vulnerable around him already, even as much to try to hide behind him. Did Medkit really became soft because how much he had sent time with Sword before? He ponders to himself, completely dazed by why he was acting like this before Slingshot puts his hand on his shoulder.
"Medkit, Are you okay? Did that Coil guy and you had some sort of history?" Medkit's expression soften when Slingshot tried to check up on him, but of course because of his strict nature of 'keeping-everything-to-yourself' he just blur out an answer.
"Not that I could think of. Either way, it's nothing to your concern, Slingshot." That answer just caused Slingshot to become more worried, not sure what to do, he trust Medkit's words and just prepare for whatever that multi-colored horn demon wants to throw at them.
not long after they've sat down, the three had finish ordering and came over to sit with Slingshot and Medkit, with Skateboard and Boombox on the other side of the table and Coil sitting just beside the table with the extra stool the café provided. Slingshot look at Coil a bit before asking his two friends. "Soooo... how did you guys met Coil?"
Skateboard was so ready to spill out everything, looking at Slingshot with a proud and exciting look on his face "well heh, you see, I found him in an alleyway the other night with bunch of scars on his body and took him in cause of how pathetic he looks. Thanks to my kindness he was able to recover from his injury! Isn't that right, buddy?" Coil scoff at Skateboard's obvious lies and just say "yeah sure, bro, it was actually Boombox who helped me get check out at the local hospital."
Slingshot kinda giggles a bit "and here I thought Skate finally do something for once haha!" Skateboard make a small "tsk" noise before saying "Boombox took all of the credit!" But Boombox was quick to fight back "hey! You were the one who suggested we should 'put him out of his misery' after learning that he was a Blackrocker!"
That word struck Medkit down to his core. He grips hard on the table, nearly breaking his hoof in the process. Coil noticed and glares at him, his eyes casting onto Medkit like an unescapable spotlight, making Medkit even more anxious and nervous. What does this man knows about him? His hands were visibly shaking, everything around him begins to ring as his vision start to blacken.
Slingshot was quick to snap Medkit out of that state with a pat on the back. Medkit look at Slingshot, his expression was clearly worried deeply for him. Medkit just taps Slingshot's hand that was on his shoulder, saying 'it's okay, I'm fine'. Of course Slingshot wasn't buying it but what else could he do?
Skateboard then ask Slingshot about Medkit. "What about you, Sling? How'd met Medic?"
"It's Medkit and it's a funny story actually. He's a regular customer at my café, he would often order coffee so often to the point Vine personally took him to the back door to let me meet him." Slingshot giggles a bit as he told the story on how he met the teal doctor.
"You two seems to be good coffee buddies amiright?" Boombox commented, seeing how close the close the two look already. "Ya sure you two aren't... yaknow~"
that threw both Slingshot and Medkit off completely, both of them were quick to deny it shaking their head and acting all flustered which made Boombox laughs "Hahaha!! Just kiddin'!! Hahahaha!"
Slingshot pout, crossing his arms before scolding Boombox "not funny, Boom!" Despite the denial, Slingshot does starting to consider his relationship with Medkit. Would it goes beyond friendship? Could it? Considering... you know what it's best if he not think about it. Medkit probably just think they're just friends.
Little did Slingshot knows, Medkit does starting to develop a tiny bit of feeling for Slingshot. The first time he ever fell in love for anyone at all so he was skeptical and unsure of what he's feeling towards him.
their orders had arrived at the table, everyone had a great time chatting and enjoying their food and drink. Slingshot complaining about is work and how tough it was to keep both Shuriken and Vinestaff in place. Boombox talks about how he's gonna have a huge collaboration with the Flipside brothers. Skateboard flexs his new cool skate tricks. Coil and Medkit on the other hand, were staring at each other intensely, both of them barely talked much, just an intense staring contest that last for the whole time the group were talking.
The conversations came to a close as the groups begin to spilt up but of course not without a proper goodbyes.
"cya Sling! Hope your business goes well!" Boombox said, waving to Slingshot before grabbing Skate and dragging him away, preventing him from continue clinging onto Slingshot for too long
"Kick some butts for me!!" Skateboard said as he's being dragged away
"sure will! Cya guys!" Slingshot waves, chuckles at Skateboard silly attitude.
while all of that was happening, Coil turns to Medkit and quickly whisper to him "Subspace is looking for you, he's close, you better run as soon as you can~" before turning away and runs after the other 2 demons.
Medkit stood there in horror, he started hyperventilating as he begins to panic from what Coil just said. Slingshot quickly came over to him "hey hey!? You don't have to continue this hang out with you're not feeling well. Please take a break, you're clearly not doing well." Medkit look at Slingshot, he tries hard to keep his composure trying to stay strong...
He can't break down, not now, not here, especially not in front of Slingshot.
...
..
.
"He's coming."