Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hyperlaser was more outgoing in his younger years, and one thing he loved to do was swerve through the skating rink.

He could forget everything and just feel the friction of the floor against his wheels.

Admittedly, he hasn’t been there in a while. His skills have softened and his memories have rusted. He’s simply traded the skills for other things.

He just hopes the rink will do the same for Katana.

He soaks up the commotion of Crossroads and keeps a watchful eye. He was dressed casually since he was off-duty, but he couldn’t help habitually laying low. The two tickets were stuffed in his pocket and a few bux was sandwiched in his wallet. At the very least, if the skating went horribly wrong he could treat the ronin to some concessions.

They had both agreed to meet up at the entrance, but Katana seemed a bit hesitant to enter a bustling skating rink.

Hyperlaser found himself a bit lost in thought at the entire idea, enjoying the sunny outdoor seating.

A deep tone cut him out of his accidental daydreaming.

“Hyperlaser.”

He perks up, meeting Katana’s gaze. He stands in front of him, casting a slight shadow.

“Katana. I’m glad you could make it. I didn’t think it was like you to attend something like this, “ Hyperlaser smiles.

“It’s not. The others convinced me to come,” Katana sighs, his neighbors peeking from behind him.

“Ah. Hello you three,” Hyperlaser waves.

“I didn’t expect them to want to skate as well. If so, I would’ve bought them tickets. Maybe I could—“

“It’s alright, Hyperlaser sir. Slingshot was able to buy us tickets to skate,” a gentle voice replies, noticing the rise in stress in the mercenary. Vinestaff waves with a slight bow, nudging her sibling to show respect as well.

Letting out a quiet ‘hmph,’ Shuriken looks at her snidely and greets Hyperlaser with a quick bow.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Slingshot adds.

“It’s not a problem.” Hyperlaser nods. He could recognize the intimidation in their faces. He wishes they could separate him from his work.

He gets up from the chair, pushing the door open. He’s met with the demon behind the glass, requesting his tickets.

“Tickets please.”

Hyperlaser could feel the suspicion in the worker’s gaze as he slid the tickets beneath the gap in the glass. He and Katana went to join the line to get some skates.

The trio behind them gave their tickets as well, excitedly lining up.

——

“I can’t believe we seriously got Katana to go,” Shuriken yell-whispers to Slingshot, the two standing behind Vinestaff.

“Yeah. He refused to pay though… those tickets were like, 50 bux in total!” Slingshot groans.

“It’ll be worth it,” Shuriken smirks.

“Have you even skated before?” The baker asks.

“Uhh, like, once. It doesn’t matter, though.” The ninja shrugs.

“Alright. Enjoy your time, make sure to rent a locker.” The employee hands the skates to Hyperlaser and Katana.

The trio got their skates soon enough as well, and everyone was crowding around the lockers.

Swing, slam. 

——

Katana had immediately grasped his claws on Hyperlaser’s shoulder as soon as he had the roller-skates on. Despite the man’s imposing stature, his legs were trembling.

Hyperlaser grunts, quickly balancing himself at the sudden thudding weight.

“Katana, you’re going to knock me over,” he warns the ronin, quickly sliding over to the nearest rim and holding onto it for support.

Katana shakily lets go of him, digging his claws into the carpeted wall.

“…Apologies. I’m not experienced with this type of thing.”

“I can get you a trainer if you’d like,” he chirps.

Katana keeps his tail slack straight, perfectly poised in order to keep himself upright. His posture stiffens in an attempt to appear more stable. His face shifts to stare at the small red and white frames being handed out to children and teenagers.

“Don’t burden yourself,” he replies, a bit embarrassed at the idea of desperately holding onto a trainer half the size of him, legs fruitlessly scrambling across the rink’s surface.

Hyperlaser stares at him for a moment, squinting. He reluctantly nods and skates over to the rink’s entrance with little effort.

He waves his hand, encouraging the other to follow suit.

“Give me a moment,” Katana grits his teeth, shifting his feet across the carpet in a panic. He makes his way over to the mercenary at a scathing pace and tightly grabs his outstretched palm.

He straightens his buckling knees and lets himself be dragged along by the other.

Hyperlaser smoothly glides over the skating rink, moving backwards to face Katana as he keeps his worried grip steady. He moves his legs in a perfect rhythm, occasionally adjusting to Katana’s fumbles.

The two roll across the rink in relative silence, letting the omnipresent music fill their wordless exchange. Katana could just tell Hyperlaser was uncharacteristically beaming behind the helmet.

Everything was going pleasantly until they had to make the turn.

Hyperlaser slowly leans, switching his pattern. Katana immediately stumbles at the shift, scrambling to stabilize his footing.

He fails to catch himself and he immediately falls over with a thud.

——

A small gasp comes from a green demon across the rink.

“Hah! Katana fell. You owe me 5 bux, Sling!” Shuriken snickers, poking at the blue demon with a better-than-you attitude despite holding onto his trainer for dear life.

“Oh, whatever…” Slingshot groans, “At least I can actually skate , unlike someone … ! ”

“ Whuh— well, you and Vinestaff wear roller-skates at work! Obviously you’ll be good at it,” Shuriken sneers, attempting to catch up with the baker.

“It just sounds like you need a job.”

“You two need to quit bickering and enjoy this,” Vinestaff spins around on her skates, pointing an authoritative finger.

——

“Katana—!” The mercenary shouts, immediately being dragged to the ground alongside him. He attempts to screech to a halt, to grab the nearby rims, something—but his hands miss the edge.

“I sincerely apologize…” Katana grimaces, watching each demon pass them as they both lay flat on their asses.

Hyperlaser lets out a soft chuckle, causing the ronin to quickly look up. He just couldn’t believe he seriously signed up for this, and now one of the only individuals he was close with was about to laugh at him.

“It’s alright, just let me get up first,” Hyperlaser mutters between entertained chuckles, quickly lifting himself using the rim of the skating rink.

He reaches out a palm and pulls Katana up with a slight bit of resistance. He could feel the relief settle into the ronin’s posture as he cheerfully smiles at him.

“Would you rather just get concessions?” he chirps, tilting his head at him.

“That would be appreciated,” Katana nods.

The two slowly head over to the overpriced concession stands, being weary to not get bumped into as they went against the flow of traffic.

“Back of the line,” the worker groans at a whiny child who had cut in front of anyone else. The small inphernal angrily skates away and the two move forward, Katana’s gaze following the little angry demon.

Hyperlaser grazes over the menu, a slight bit of whiplash hitting him at the changed options. He really hasn’t been here in a bit, huh? 

“May I get a large pretzel?” he asks in a monotone voice, looking to Katana for his order.

“…Oh, I’ll get a tea, please.”

“The name on the order should be Hyperlaser,” he hands over the bux stuffed in his pocket. 

$12…

“Alright, go wait over by the counter. We’ll have your order ready soon,” the worker murmurs and points to the left.

The two both wait patiently. Hyperlaser habitually takes in their surroundings, noting anything that sticks out to him. Katana just watches the two other workers prepare their order in the queue of others.

…

“Have you enjoyed the trip so far?” Hyperlaser breaks the silence.

“It’s been… alright. I’m just glad we can enjoy a meal together.”

Hyperlaser nods. Maybe he just shouldn’t have dragged the ronin here .

“ Err , Hyper…lahzer?” A voice calls.

The mercenary flicks his tail, grabbing the order.

“Thank you,” he nods and walks to the nearest semi-clean table.

——

“Alright, now watch this!” Shuriken yelps to his siblings, attempting to do a trick on his trainer. He immediately fumbles, but somehow manages to balance himself.

“That was great,” Vinestaff huffs, smirking.

“Really?”

“No,” she chuckles quietly and skates over to stabilize her brother. She’s greeted with obviously grateful body language, but he groans loudly with annoyance.

“Katana and his friend are eating concessions.” Slingshot points, feeling a bit hungry. The baker seems more intrigued by what could be peeking under their face coverings rather than his hunger, their lips peeking out each time they take a bite or sip their drink.

“Why don’t we get some?” Slingshot proposes.

“That would be nice,” Vinestaff nods.

“I’m not spending my money on that overpriced food. I can just make some at home,” he smirks, eyes still on the red and blue demons.

“It’s just not the same,” Shuriken muses.

“Then you buy some.” The baker shrugs, turning back to face the others.

——

The two finish their food and drink with a content silence.

“I appreciate you paying for the concessions,” Katana coos.

“Ah, it’s no problem.” Hyperlaser replies, his palm stretching outward.

“I suppose I should round up the others and get going now.”

Hyperlaser twitches his tail, a tad disappointed. He can’t just keep the ronin, though.

“Right.”

He pauses.

“…Did you enjoy the stay?”

“It was alright.”

Hyperlaser nods. Maybe he had disappointed the man. He hopes not.

“Do you mind if I walk home with you?” The mercenary inquires.

“That would be nice,” the ronin nods.

The two take their leave, nodding goodbye to the employee at the window and beginning the long walk to Thieves’ Den.