Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Subspace darted around the lab, tinkering with half-built inventions and scrambling to complete his research—all at once. His chaotic energy filled the room, a whirlwind of reckless experimentation and barely contained mischief. Meanwhile, Medkit worked in quiet focus, meticulously advancing his own studies—or at least, he tried to, if not for Subspace’s relentless antics grating on his nerves.

Both scientists were deeply immersed in their research—studying the latent energy within rare crystals and how they could revolutionize Blackrock’s technology. 

“If I’m right, this crystal could be the ultimate energy source—imagine the possibilities! New inventions, unlimited power… Oh, the boss is gonna love this!” Subspace crowed, his voice crackling with excitement. Medkit didn’t even glance up from his notes. “Could you at least try to work quietly?” Subspace waved a dismissive hand. “Nope! My lab, my rules!” 

A slow, exasperated sigh escaped Medkit as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You mean  our  lab, Subspace.” 

“I was here first!!” Subspace shot back, as if that settled the matter.

Medkit didn’t dignify Subspace’s outburst with a reply. Instead, he exhaled sharply and returned to his notes, the scratch of his pen the only sound cutting through the tense silence. For a rare, fleeting moment, the lab was still—both scientists absorbed in their work, precision guiding their every motion. Every measurement, every hypothesis was checked and rechecked; perfection wasn’t just a goal—it was the expectation.

Then, Medkit pushed back from his desk with a quiet scrape of his chair. He crossed the lab, his steps measured, and dropped a stack of neatly organized papers onto Subspace’s cluttered workspace. Adjusting his glasses with one finger, he spoke flatly.

“Here. This might help your research.” Subspace blinked, then eagerly snatched up the notes, scanning them with a furrowed brow. His grin faltered slightly.

“Hmm… Good data, Meddy, but something’s missing. Needs more calculations, don’t you think?” Medkit didn’t bother looking up. Just a tired hum—half acknowledgment, half resignation—before retreating to his desk. The pen resumed its steady rhythm.

Subspace was slumped over his desk, scribbling frantic equations across scattered papers when Medkit reappeared beside him. Without a word, he slid the revised notes into Subspace’s line of sight. “What about now?” Subspace snatched the pages, eyes darting over the fresh calculations. After a beat, his usual manic grin returned. “Hmm… good enough!” He tossed the notes onto his own chaotic pile, then flashed Medkit a smile sharp enough to cut glass. “Thanks a lot, Meddy!” Medkit didn’t grace him with a response. Just turned on his heel as he retreated to the sanctity of his own workspace.

Hours passed before Subspace and Medkit finally wrapped up their research—though Subspace’s inventions still needed more work. Medkit stood, pushing his chair back. “I’m taking a break,” he said, heading for the door. Subspace barely glanced up, still tinkering. “Yeah, yeah, whatever, Meddy.” The door clicked shut behind Medkit, leaving Subspace alone with his work. 

Medkit moved through the bustling halls of the Blackrock facility, a silent figure amidst the chatter of coworkers laughing and chatting in groups. He walked alone—as always. Conversation wasn't his habit; solitude was.

Then, someone unfamiliar collided with him. A woman with twin purple horns and a shark-like tail, dressed in a purple tank top with an exaggerated collar. "I-I'm so sorry!" she stammered, already stumbling away before he could respond. Medkit watched her go.  Odd , he thought. Then, without another glance, he continued on his way.

Medkit stepped outside, his boots sinking into the thick snow with each heavy crunch. The world around him was silent except for the soft whisper of falling snowflakes. Before him stretched Blackrock's mountains—towering, pristine, their peaks dusted white under the gray winter sky. He exhaled, watching his breath curl into the cold air. His mind wandered, as it often did when he was alone.

Subspace.

Annoying. Loud. Unbearable , really. And yet...  tolerable . Somehow.

A pain in the ass, yes—but one Medkit had learned to endure. Maybe even expect. The thought unsettled him. With a sigh, he dug into his coat pocket, pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes, and lit one with practiced ease. The first drag burned familiar, the smoke curling into the air before dissolving into nothing. He exhaled slowly, watching it fade.

Alone. Always alone.

Medkit wasn’t the type to linger in crowds or waste words on small talk. He’d rather stand in the cold outside Blackrock’s facility, cigarette in hand, than force himself into conversation. Smoke was easier. Silence, even more so. Medkit took another slow drag, the ember flaring briefly before he exhaled a cloud of smoke. Exhausting . That was the only word for today. And with Subspace buzzing around like a deranged shadow, it was even worse. The scientist’s manic energy drained him—every demand, every erratic laugh, another weight on his shoulders.

He could ask to work alone. Should, even. But for some reason—whether it was stubbornness, obligation, or something else entirely—the words never came.

Medkit returned to the facility, the sterile hum of fluorescent lights greeting him as he made his way back to the lab. The door clicked shut behind him—and there was Subspace, still hunched over his desk in the exact same position as before. “Back so soon?” Subspace quipped, not bothering to turn around. Medkit responded with a noncommittal hum, slipping into his seat.

“By the way,” Subspace added, “I submitted our research to the boss. He said it’s exceptional!”

“Oh really? That’s great.”

Subspace finally spun around in his chair, goggles askew, only to find Medkit already buried in his own work. “‘Great?! It’s astounding! Come on, Meddy, show some enthusiasm!” He flailed his notes for emphasis, sending a few loose papers fluttering to the floor.

Medkit only hummed again, the sound barely audible over Subspace's tinkering. Exhaustion weighed heavy on his shoulders—the kind that settled deep in bones and blurred vision. He pushed his glasses up, pinching the bridge of his nose before turning to the remaining research papers. The screech of metal, the clatter of tools—Subspace's workspace was a symphony of chaos. Medkit sighed, long-suffering.

Typical Subspace.

"You didn’t take a break today."

Medkit’s voice was flat, his gaze fixed on Subspace—still hunched over his workbench, fingers twitching between wires and tools. The scientist didn’t even glance up, just let out a breathy, distracted chuckle.

"Breaks? Pfft—I don’t need breaks! Work is way more important, Meddy!" His voice crackled with manic energy, like a live wire about to snap.

Medkit stared at him for a beat. Then, with a quiet, "Okay," he turned and walked back to his desk.

Medkit sat at his desk with nothing left to do. He'd already submitted his research - first to Subspace, then to the boss. Flipping through his notes, he sighed. His once-neat pages on energy sources were now covered in Subspace's messy scribbles and corrections. He pulled out a crystal, turning it in his hand. Studying its energy patterns would at least give him something useful to do while he waited.

As Medkit studied the crystal's faint glow, a wave of exhaustion hit him. His eyelids grew heavy, the crystal's light blurring before his eyes. With a tired sigh, he set it aside and rested his head on the desk. Within moments, he was fast asleep.

"Meddy! Isn’t this view just perfect?" A figure loomed beside him—horns nearly identical to Medkit’s, voice too loud, too bright, like glass shattering.Medkit didn’t turn his head. "I suppose it is." The Blackrock mountains stretched before them, jagged and beautiful.

"You’re always alone, Meddy. Doesn’t it get lonely?" The figure leaned in, purring. Too close. Medkit finally looked—the face was almost Subspace’s, but blurred at the edges, like a half-remembered dream.

"Subspace." His voice was flat. "You’re too close."

"Aww, but what’s wrong with a little closeness?" Subspace giggled, draping an arm around Medkit’s shoulders. His touch felt wrong—too warm, too heavy. "Just imagine, Meddy! The two of us—the greatest scientists Blackrock’s ever seen! Doesn’t that sound amazing?" Medkit exhaled. "I guess it would be." Subspace pouted, childish and exaggerated. "Oh, come on! Where’s your passion?"

“Meddy?”

"I'm just... exhausted." Medkit's voice came out hollow, his words dissolving into the space between them.

Subspace's giggle skittered across his nerves like nails on glass. "Oh Meddy!" The way he drew out the nickname made Medkit's skin crawl. Cold fingers suddenly cupped his face, the touch intimate yet wrong. "You're absolutely adorable when you're like this!" Medkit forced himself to meet that face - the one that was almost Subspace's but not quite. The features kept shifting, blurring at the edges like a reflection in disturbed water. His stomach twisted.

"Stop this." He batted at Subspace's hands, but the scientist only pressed closer, his grip tightening possessively. "You're not real. Get out of my head."

Subspace's laughter bubbled up again, high and unnatural. "But Meddy, I'm exactly where I belong!" His breath was warm against Medkit's cheek, yet somehow it carried no life. "Right here with you. Always."

“Meddy!”

Medkit jolted awake, his forehead damp with cold sweat. The lab's harsh lights stung his eyes as he blinked away the remnants of his dream. His gaze landed on Subspace, who was peering at him with raised eyebrows. "You passed out at your desk again," Subspace chirped. "It's lunchtime, sleeping beauty!"

Medkit rubbed his temples, the  “nightmare's”  edges already fading. "Bad dream," he muttered, pushing himself up. His stiff muscles protested from the awkward position.

"Aren't you eating?" Medkit asked.

Subspace waved him off without looking up from his contraption, sparks flying as he welded something. "Later! This baby needs me more than my stomach does!"

Medkit watched the manic energy crackling around Subspace for a beat. "Right." The word came out flat. Turning on his heel, he left the scientist to his madness, the door hissing shut behind him.

Medkit walked through the busy Blackrock cafeteria, grabbed a tray of mediocre food, and sat alone. As he ate, a cheerful voice interrupted: "Hey! You're the guy I bumped into earlier! Can I sit here?" He looked up. It was infact the scientist who bumped into him earlier.

"...Fine," Medkit said, returning to his meal.

"I'm Grav!" she said through a mouthful of food, pointing at herself with her fork. "What's your name?"

"Medkit."

Grav's eyes lit up. She nearly choked in her excitement, swallowing quickly. "Wait—you're Subspace's partner? The famous research duo?" Bits of food sprayed across the table.

Medkit leaned back slightly, nose wrinkling. "...Unfortunately, yes."

"Oh man, that's so cool!" Grav nearly knocked over her drink in her excitement. "I've heard all about your work! You two are, like, legendary in the labs!" Medkit gave a noncommittal hum as he continued eating, letting her words wash over him like background noise.

"I'd love to work with you guys someday! If you'd have me, of course," Grav added quickly, nearly bouncing in her seat. "My research partner Warp is awesome too—you should meet her!"

Medkit took a slow sip of his drink. "I'll see," he said, his tone making it clear this conversation would go nowhere.

An awkward silence settled between them as they ate. Grav finished first, scooping up her tray with a clatter. "All done! See you around, Medkit!" She flashed a bright smile and waved enthusiastically with her free hand. Medkit offered a half-hearted wave in return. As she walked away, a thought crept in:  Oh my Illumina, I'm terrible at this.

Socializing had never been his strength.

The lab doors hissed shut behind Medkit as he entered. Subspace remained hunched over his workbench, tools scattered wildly across the surface. "Made a new friend today, Meddy?" Subspace sing-songed without glancing up. Medkit paused. "Just an acquaintance," he replied flatly, choosing not to question how Subspace knew. Returning to his desk, he rubbed his tired eyes before picking up the abandoned crystal. Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically as he resumed his analysis, the familiar work providing a small comfort. 

Medkit's days followed the same tired routine:

Wake up

Get dressed

Drag himself to the lab

Endure another day with Subspace

Every. Single. Day.

He'd lost count of how many times they'd butted heads over the crystal energy research. Their approaches couldn't be more different - where Medkit valued precision, Subspace chased reckless innovation. Maybe today's the day, Medkit thought as he walked through the lab doors.  Maybe today I'll finally request solo assignments.

Yet again, the request died on his tongue. There was something about Subspace—something that stayed Medkit’s hand every time he considered filing that transfer. Maybe it was the absence he’d feel without Subspace’s chaotic energy buzzing beside him. Maybe, against all logic, he’d even miss the reckless experiments that made his temples throb. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Medkit didn’t care to dwell on it.

Medkit's pen scratched across his notebook as he recorded the crystal's energy fluctuations. If I hadn't dozed off earlier, I'd be done by now , he thought with mild irritation. A shadow fell across his notes as Subspace leaned in too close. "Whatcha working on, Meddy?" His breath smelled faintly of energy drinks and chemicals. Without looking up, Medkit continued writing. "Notes. Did you finish your project?" 

"Finished ages ago!" Subspace hummed "Just making some... improvements." The manic glint in his eye suggested these "improvements" might violate several safety protocols. “Just dont cause a ruckus.” Medkit muttered, not lifting his eyes from his notes.. “I’ll see!” Subspace said happily, shuffling over to his new invention to test it out.

He infact caused a ruckus

And Medkit had to clean up the mess Subspace started whilst he cheerfully explained how "this failure actually proved something super important!"

"I won’t always be around to clean up after you." Subspace spun in his chair, grinning like a child who’d just gotten away with mischief. "That’s why you’ll never leave! Who else would keep me from blowing up the lab?" The worst part? He wasn’t entirely wrong.

Medkit let out a long, suffering groan. Subspace's grin widened—he knew that sound. "Fiiine," he drawled, slinging an arm around Medkit's soot-streaked shoulders. "Lunch is on me tomorrow! Consider it... hazard pay." Medkit stared at the smoldering wreckage of the lab, then at Subspace's hopeful expression. "...Fine."  Another defeat.

After finishing up on cleaning the whole lab, Medkit sighed in exhaustion. He finally cleaned all the mess that Subspace started, he finished cleaning in about hour,  not bad . Medkit looked around and saw he spotted Subspace spinning lazily in his chair, clearly bored now that the chaos had ended. Without a word, Medkit stepped into the hallway—only to nearly collide with Grav and an unfamiliar woman."Medkit! Perfect timing!" Grav bounced on her heels, dragging her companion forward. "This is Warp! Warp, this is the scientist I told you about!" The woman—tall, with sharp eyes that matched her firm handshake—smiled. "Warp. Heard plenty about you." Her grip was solid, her tone professional but warm.

Medkit gave a curt nod. "Likewise."

The three fell into an easy rhythm of conversation—Warp’s excited ramblings filling the air while Grav interjected with animated remarks. Medkit found himself listening, actually  listening , without the usual urge to retreat. For the first time in years, warmth bloomed in his chest.  Friends.  The realization startled him enough that a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"C’mon!" Grav suddenly seized both their hands, her grip firm and insistent. Before Medkit could protest, she was dragging them down the hallway—destination unknown, but her laughter infectious.

Subspace’s fingers dug into his palms, nails leaving crescent marks.

Through the lab’s observation window, he watched them—Medkit, smiling faintly at something the other two said, actually  engaging  instead of just tolerating their presence. That unfamiliar warmth in his eyes—Subspace had never earned it, not once. "Since when does he waste time on nobodies?" he hissed to the empty lab, voice cracking. His chair screeched as he kicked back to his desk, tools rattling from the force.

Then it hit him.

If Medkit had time for them, he’d make time for Subspace too.

By force, if necessary.

Chapter Text

Subspace stormed into the hallway, shoving past clusters of scientists. The noise of the Blackrock facility’s usual chaos grated against his nerves—too many bodies, too much  interference . His gaze locked onto Medkit up ahead, laughing (laughing!) with those interlopers like they mattered. Like he wasn’t the only one who understood Medkit’s work, his genius, his value.

It was supposed to be them against the world. The greatest minds in Blackrock, inseparable.

A snarl twisted Subspace’s lips as he stalked closer.

Mine.

The thought came unbidden, acidic and possessive. He didn’t pause to name the feeling—just let it fuel his steps.

Subspace's boots clicked sharply against the tile as he marched forward, each step punctuating his growing fury. There Medkit stood—actually smiling, relaxed in a way Subspace had never been able to elicit. His fingers twitched at his sides. "Meddy!" The sing-song greeting dripped with false cheer as Subspace slung an arm around Medkit's shoulders, grip just a shade too tight. His eyes flicked to the intruders. "Making new...friends?"

The last word came out jagged, barely masking the snarl beneath.

"Oh! You're Subspace!" Grav practically vibrated with excitement. "One of Blackrock's greatest scientists!" Subspace's head tilted slightly, his smile stretching like a rubber band about to snap. "Why, hello there!" His voice dripped sickening as his gaze flickered over her. "And you are...?"

"Grav! I'd love to collaborate with you sometime!" She thrust out her hand, oblivious to the way his fingers twitched. The handshake was tight—just shy of painful. Grav's cheerful grin faltered into a nervous laugh as she subtly tried to wiggle free.

“Oh, and uh… This is Warp!” Subspace’s gaze flicked to Warp, who offered a casual wave in return. Subspace forced a smile—tight, unnatural—before his attention snapped back to Medkit.

“I know you’re all having fun, but…” His grip on Medkit tightened, fingers digging in just enough to be noticeable. “Meddy here has to leave. Work calls.” The sweetness in his voice was cloying, dripping with false charm. “So if you don’t mind…” His smile stretched wider, sickly sweet, as his hand slid down to Medkit’s arm—claiming, possessive. “I’ll be taking him back now. Alright?” 

“Oh, of course! Have fun, you two!” Grav waved cheerfully as Subspace dragged Medkit away, his grip unyielding. The moment they were out of earshot, Warp leaned in, voice low. “There’s something… off about Subspace. Don’t you think?” Grav hesitated, glancing back before whispering, “I-I’m not sure…” But the unease in their tone said otherwise.

Medkit barely had time to brace himself before Subspace hauled him back into the lab, the door slamming shut behind them with a metallic clang. “Meddy!” Subspace’s voice was all sickly sweetness as he circled his desk, fingers tapping idly against the surface. “I didn’t know you had friends to hang out with. How… interesting.” Medkit’s eyes narrowed. “What are you trying to imply, Subspace?” His voice was ice—flat, controlled, but with an edge that demanded an answer. 

“Nothing! Just wondering!” Subspace’s grin was too wide, his voice too bright. Medkit exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. “I just met them, yes. They’re friendly. Interesting.” Subspace’s eye twitched.  Interesting? More than me?  The thought slithered through his mind, venomous. “Oh, really? That’s great, Meddy!” His cheer was razor-edged, sickly. “But don’t let them distract you. Can’t have your work performance slipping because of… people .” The last word curled with disdain, as if the very idea of Medkit’s attention wandering was an insult.

The exchange lingered in Medkit’s mind— odd , but not worth dissecting. Subspace had his moods, and today was clearly one of those days. With a quiet sigh, Medkit returned to his desk, the familiar hum of the lab settling around him. His hands moved on autopilot, organizing files, adjusting instruments—routine, methodical. If Subspace wanted to seethe over nothing, that was his problem. Medkit had work to do.

Yet, even as he focused, the weight of Subspace’s gaze prickled against the back of his neck

The lab lights hummed weakly against the evening gloom as Medkit packed his bag. Across the room, Subspace remained hunched over his desk - fingers twitching erratically across blueprints, ink smudged along his cheekbone. The man hadn't even noticed the time.

Medkit adjusted his bag strap and turned toward the exit.

"Ah ah, Meddy!" The sing-song voice froze him mid-step. "Can't you wait for me?" Medkit's fingers tightened around the doorframe. "You always work late. I'm going back to my dorm." His words came measured, final.

"Pleeease?"

That plaintive whine made Medkit's shoulders tense. In months of partnership, Subspace had never once begged for his company. The unnatural request hung between them, as jarring as a discordant note in a familiar melody. A long exhale escaped through Medkit's nose. "...Fine." The word tasted like surrender as he lowered his bag to the floor. "But not all night."

Subspace's answering grin glowed too bright in the dim lab.

Subspace twirled the volatile crystal between his fingers, its jagged edges catching the lab's harsh lighting. "With this beauty," he crooned, "my invention won't just improve - it'll revolutionize!" The crystal pulsed ominously as he slotted it into a grotesque mechanical assembly. Medkit's eyes tracked the unstable glow. "You're testing that tomorrow?" His voice dripped with exhausted skepticism. "Bright and early!" Subspace chirped, completely missing (or ignoring) Medkit's tone. He cradled the contraption like a beloved child. A sharp pinch at the bridge of Medkit's nose. "When this turns the lab into a warzone again," he muttered, "you're cleaning every last bolt yourself."

Subspace’s chuckle was low, almost conspiratorial, as if he alone were privy to some unspoken joke. He carefully set the volatile contraption aside—too carefully, Medkit noted—before stretching his arms high above his head with an exaggerated yawn. "Mmm, I’m getting sleepy," Subspace mused, his voice dripping with false innocence. He scooped up his bag in one fluid motion, slinging it over his shoulder with a careless flair. "Let’s go now, Meddy?" Medkit’s hum was noncommittal, but he fell into step beside him regardless. The lab door hissed shut behind them, sealing away the lingering crackle of unstable energy—for now.

The walk was painfully silent, save for Subspace’s relentless chatter—always about work, always about his projects. Medkit’s replies were clipped, indifferent. Each one-word answer made Subspace’s fingers twitch at his sides, his smile straining at the edges.

They had nothing in common. Nothing but the lab, the experiments, the messes Medkit was always left to rationalize.

When they finally reached the dorms, Subspace spun on his heel with a dramatic flourish, flashing Medkit a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. "Well! Goodnight, Meddy!" His voice was too bright, too forced. Medkit didn’t even glance back. He just kept walking, his footsteps echoing down the sterile hallway until his door clicked shut behind him.

Subspace’s smile dropped.

Subspace stepped into his dark dorm, too tired to even turn on the lights. He changed clothes mechanically and collapsed onto his bed without bothering to shower - not that he ever did.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind kept circling back to Medkit. That rare, genuine smile he'd given those other scientists - a smile Subspace had never received. The thought burned in his chest. He clenched his fists in the sheets. Why wouldn't Medkit look at him that way? There had to be a way to make him... to force him to…

A slow, determined smirk spread across Subspace's face in the darkness. He'd figure it out. He always did.

Medkit pushed open the laboratory door to find Subspace already hunched over his desk, engrossed in some project. "Hi, Meddy!" Subspace chirped, flashing a grin that didn’t quite reach his tired eyes. Medkit offered only a curt "Hey" in response before striding past him to his own workstation, the silence between them heavier than the air in the lab.

Subspace tinkered with his latest contraption, fingers twitching with manic energy, while Medkit scribbled notes in silence. The lab hummed with the usual tension—Subspace’s chaotic enthusiasm clashing against Medkit’s weary indifference.

A sharp click, a flicker of unstable energy—then Subspace’s voice cut through the quiet. “It worked!” He grinned, holding up a crackling device infused with a volatile crystal. “See? This thing actually stabilized the reaction! Well, mostly. Probably.”

Medkit didn’t look up. “…Good for you,” he muttered, flipping another page.

Subspace’s grip tightened around his tool.  Why does he always have to be like this?  But he swallowed the irritation—patience was part of the plan, after all..

Subspace clenched his jaw, forcing down another wave of frustration as he adjusted the volatile crystal in its housing. Patience. Just a little longer. He shot a glance at Medkit—still buried in his notes, indifferent as ever. "Hey, Meddy," he called, voice straining at the edges with forced cheer. "Could you help me stabilize this thing? It’s… uh, finicky." A beat of silence. Then, with a sigh, Medkit pushed back his chair and stood. "Fine. But don’t get reckless," he warned, already summoning a pulse of energy between his fingers. Subspace watched, rapt, as Medkit’s magic enveloped the crystal, its erratic glow steadying into a subdued hum. "Perfect…" he murmured, more to himself than to Medkit. A stiff, almost grudging "Thanks" escaped him before he turned away, attention snapping back to his invention.

Medkit didn’t linger either. Without another word, he returned to his desk, the quiet between them thick with things neither would say.

Hours slipped by in silence, broken only by the hum of machinery and the occasional scratch of Medkit’s pen. Then, the blare of the lunchtime alarm shattered the quiet.

Medkit pushed back his chair, his movements weary but deliberate. He didn’t spare Subspace a glance as he headed for the door—until a voice cut through the sterile air.

“Meddy,” Subspace called, uncharacteristically hesitant. “Let’s eat lunch together?” Medkit froze. That was new. Subspace never sought him out—not unless he needed something. Suspicion prickled at the back of his neck, but after a beat, he muttered a stiff, “Okay.” Subspace practically bounced up from his desk, closing the distance between them with a grin that felt too wide, too bright. “Great! Lunch is on me, remember?” he chirped, falling into step beside him.

Medkit didn’t return the smile.

The walk to the cafeteria was thick with silence, the only sound the echo of their footsteps on sterile tiles. Subspace fidgeted, racking his brain for something—anything—to talk about besides work. Nothing came.

Medkit grabbed a tray without a word, and Subspace mirrored him, their movements almost synchronized in their stiffness. When the cashier rang them up, Subspace quickly swiped his card for both meals before Medkit could protest. They settled at a table, the clatter of cutlery and distant chatter of other scientists filling the air between them. Subspace shoveled food into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in days—cheeks puffed, crumbs scattering. Medkit watched, brow twitching in quiet disgust.

Finally, Subspace broke the silence. “Meddy,” he said through a half-chewed bite, “wanna hang out later at break time?”

Medkit stared. “…Sure?” he muttered after a beat, then snatched a napkin and thrust it at him. “Clean up. You’re disgusting.”

Subspace just laughed, wiping his face with exaggerated clumsiness. “Aw, you do care.”

Medkit exhaled sharply through his nose and went back to eating.

"Medkit!" Subspace’s spine stiffened at the sound—that voice, grating and buoyant in equal measure. He didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

Grav and Warp approached, all easy grins and effortless camaraderie. Medkit’s usual stoicism melted away as he raised a hand in greeting, the faintest smile touching his lips. "Hey," he said, voice lighter than Subspace had heard in weeks.

Something hot and thorny coiled in Subspace’s chest.

Unfair.

Why did they get that version of him? Why did Medkit’s walls crumble for everyone but him?

Subspace’s fingers dug into his tray, plastic creaking under his grip. He forced a laugh, sharp and brittle. "Oh, great. The fan club’s here."

"Can we sit here too?" Grav asked, already sliding into the seat beside Medkit before waiting for an answer.

"Sure," Medkit replied, his voice warmer than it had been all morning.

Subspace’s grip on his fork tightened as Grav and Warp settled in, their laughter too loud, their presence too bright in the sterile cafeteria. They launched into some animated story—something about a botched experiment in the lower labs—and Medkit actually listened, his usual detached expression softening just enough to make Subspace’s stomach twist.

Unbearable.

He stabbed at the remains of his food, the screech of metal on ceramic drowning under their voices. Every instinct screamed at him to leave—but he couldn’t. Not when Medkit was still here.

So he stayed. Scraping his plate. Grinding his teeth.

A forced chuckle escaped Warp. "You should’ve seen the explosion—it was like a fireworks show!"

Medkit huffed—almost a laugh—and Subspace’s knife slipped, gouging the tray.

Subspace stood abruptly, the legs of his chair screeching against the floor. The conversation cut short as all three pairs of eyes snapped to him. "I’ll take a breather," he said, his smile sharp enough to draw blood. Without another word, he snatched his tray and strode off, his shoulders rigid with tension.

A beat of silence followed.

"Subspace isn’t much of a talker, no?" Grav mused, twirling his fork absently.

Warp shrugged. "He is, usually. Just not… like this." Medkit’s gaze lingered on the door Subspace had disappeared through. "He’s unpredictable," he admitted, voice low. "Especially when it comes to… whatever that was."

Grav snorted. "Dude’s a walking hazard sign."

Medkit didn’t laugh. He just stared at his half-finished meal, his thoughts as unreadable as ever.

The cold Blackrock air bit at Subspace’s cheeks as he trudged through the snow, his boots leaving deep imprints in the fresh powder. The jagged mountain peaks loomed in the distance, their dark silhouettes cutting through the pale sky.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Each step punctuated his simmering thoughts. "Stupid Meddy," he muttered, kicking at a snowdrift. "What does he even see in them?" The words hung in the frosty air, unanswered. His wandering led him to a dimly-lit convenience store, its neon sign flickering weakly against the winter gloom. The bell jingled as he pushed through the door, the warmth inside doing little to thaw his mood. "Can’t Meddy do the same for me as well?" The question escaped in a whisper as he grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the shelf, tossing bux onto the counter without meeting the cashier’s eyes.

Back outside, he leaned against the facility’s outer wall, patting his coat pockets with growing irritation. No lighter. Of course. He sighed, watching his breath curl into the air in frustrated puffs.

"Need a light?" The voice came from behind him, smooth and familiar. Subspace turned, and there stood Medkit, gloved hand extended, a silver lighter resting in his palm. The glow from the facility’s windows cast long shadows across his face, making his expression unreadable.

For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the distant howl of wind through the mountains

Subspace snatched the lighter from Medkit’s hand with more force than necessary, the metal clicking sharply in the cold air. He fumbled with the cigarette, holding it between his fingers like an unfamiliar artifact. The flame wavered as he brought it to the tip, the paper catching slowly. He placed it between his lips—but only let the smoke curl around his mouth before exhaling awkwardly, the gray plume dissipating into the winter air.

Medkit took a step closer, his breath visible in the space between them. "You’re not inhaling," he observed, voice laced with amusement.

Subspace bristled. "I’m  grown ," he snapped, though the way his throat clenched at the next attempt betrayed him. "I know what I’m doing." Medkit arched a brow. "Are you sure you don’t need a tutorial?" He gestured to the cigarette, now dangling precariously from Subspace’s fingers. "Because you look like a teenager sneaking his first smoke behind the school." Subspace’s face burned. "Shut up—"

Medkit didn’t wait for permission. In one swift motion, he plucked the cigarette from Subspace’s grip and brought it to his own lips. His inhale was practiced, effortless—the ember glowing bright before he exhaled a smooth stream of smoke.

And then, for the first time in what felt like forever,  Medkit smiled .

"You’re kinda stupid sometimes," he said, voice warmer than Subspace had heard in months. He held the cigarette back out. "Now you try."

Subspace stared. The filter was slightly damp.

Was that… an indirect kiss?

His pulse stuttered.

Subspace brought the cigarette back to his lips, this time with more confidence. He took a slow drag - the smoke burning hotter than expected as it filled his lungs - then exhaled in a controlled stream. The winter air carried the gray plume between them like a fragile bridge.

"See? Now you know," Medkit said, his shoulder brushing against Subspace's as he leaned against the facility's outer wall. The contact was brief but electric in the cold.

Subspace let out a defensive "hmph," the cigarette bobbing with the motion. "I've never smoked before... okay?" The admission came out quieter than he intended, almost lost to the howling wind. Medkit's lips quirked. "I could tell." His voice held none of its usual sharpness - just something warm and knowing that made Subspace's chest tighten in a way that had nothing to do with the nicotine.

The snow continued to fall around them, catching in their hair and on their coats, but neither moved to leave. For the first time all day, the silence between them felt comfortable rather than charged.

Chapter Text

"Meddy," Subspace murmured, his grin softening into something unbearably fond. "You finally smiled at me." Medkit blinked. "It was because you were being stupid," he retorted automatically, though his usual sharpness faltered. "Also—what does that even mean?"

Subspace didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer—too close—until the winter air between them vanished. His gloved hands rose, cradling Medkit’s face with a gentleness that contradicted everything they were.

Medkit stopped breathing.

Subspace’s thumb traced the curve of his cheekbone, slow and deliberate, like he was memorizing the shape of him. "I like it better when you’re like this," he admitted, voice low enough that the wind almost stole it. His breath ghosted over Medkit’s lips—warm against the cold—sending a traitorous shudder down his spine.

Then, just as suddenly, Subspace pulled away. He flashed Medkit one last unreadable smile before turning on his heel and disappearing back into the facility, leaving nothing but footprints in the snow.

Alone, Medkit’s hand lifted to where Subspace had touched him. His skin still burned.

What the hell was that?

The lab doors hissed shut behind Medkit as he returned, the sterile air heavy with the hum of machinery and the faint metallic scent of experiments left brewing. His footsteps echoed against the tile floor—too loud in the quiet. Subspace was already there, slumped over his workstation in that familiar boneless sprawl. But the moment Medkit entered, his head snapped up like a hound catching a scent.

"Hi, Meddy!" His grin was all teeth, voice bright with something dangerously close to genuine enthusiasm.

Medkit didn’t pause. "Hey." Flat. Automatic. He moved past him toward his desk, the ghost of Subspace’s touch still prickling on his cheek. But Subspace followed—too close, as always—and dropped a stack of papers onto Medkit’s workspace with a soft thud. "Boss wants this finalized," he said, uncharacteristically calm. No manic edge, no theatrical flourish. Just quiet, steady words. "Figured I’d leave it to you."

Medkit eyed the documents, then Subspace. The man was still smiling, but it was different now—softer at the edges, like he knew a secret.

"...Hmph." Medkit pulled the papers toward him, flipping open the first file.

Subspace lingered a second too long before retreating, the lab settling back into its usual rhythm, except for the way Medkit’s pen hesitated over the page, just once, before he forced himself to focus.

Medkit couldn’t help but replay their earlier interaction in his mind—Subspace fumbling with the cigarette, clueless on how to blow the smoke properly. The memory alone tugged a rare, amused smile onto Medkit’s lips. And then there was the way Subspace had stared at him, as if witnessing something impossible—him, actually smiling at him.

But the strangest part? The fleeting brush of fingers against his face. The whole thing felt surreal, like some half-remembered fever dream.

Medkit was still lost in thought when—

BOOM.

The lab shook, the sound of shattering glass and twisting metal echoing through the halls. There he goes again. Medkit didn’t even need to look to know—Subspace had blown up another invention.

With a long-suffering sigh, he pushed himself to his feet, the remnants of his reverie scattering like smoke. Across the wreckage, Subspace stood amidst the chaos, grinning sheepishly, his posture shrinking under Medkit’s dead-eyed stare. He looked like a guilty child caught mid-mischief, seconds away from a scolding.

Another mess. Another disaster. And, as always, another cleanup for Medkit.

Medkit wiped the last traces of soot from the counter, finally done cleaning up—with Subspace’s "help," if you could call it that. The scientist had mostly just shuffled debris around while offering half-hearted apologies, his usual manic energy subdued under Medkit’s withering glare.

With a tired sigh, Medkit pinched the bridge of his nose and trudged back to his desk. Right. The paperwork. He’d been in the middle of finalizing reports before the explosion derailed everything. But even now, his thoughts kept drifting, stubborn and uncooperative.

No. Focus. Whatever it was— whatever he was —could wait. Duties came first.

The hours dragged, but Medkit finally scrawled the last signature on the papers just as the break-time alarms blared through the facility. He pushed back from his desk with a quiet groan, rolling the stiffness from his shoulders before gathering the documents. Subspace’s workspace was, predictably, a disaster—scattered blueprints, half-dismantled gadgets, and what looked like coffee stains? Medkit dropped the stack onto the least cluttered corner. “Here. Pass these to the boss.” He turned to leave—

A hand caught his wrist.

“We’re spending break time together, right?” Subspace’s voice was uncharacteristically small, his grip loose but insistent. When Medkit glanced back, he was met with wide, hopeful eyes—the kind that made refusing feel like kicking a puppy.

Medkit held his sigh behind clenched teeth. “...Right.”

Subspace scribbled the last of his notes and sprang to his feet, practically vibrating with energy. Medkit trailed behind as they delivered the documents to the boss’s office, then followed Subspace’s aimless, eager path—until the scientist whirled around, eyes bright.

“Let’s go outside, Meddy!”

Medkit responded with a noncommittal hum, but he didn’t resist as Subspace led them beyond the facility doors. The cold air hit them instantly, the world hushed under a blanket of fresh snow. For a while, they just stood there, the silence between them comfortable, untouched.

Then Subspace broke it, as he always did.

“Y’know, I never got break time,” he mused, kicking at a clump of snow. “Always figured working was more fun.” Medkit exhaled, his breath a wisp in the frosty air. “Hm.” Undeterred, Subspace leaned into his space, grinning. “Hey, Meddy! I don’t know anything about you outside of work. tell me more about yourself!” Medkit stiffened, shoulders tensing. “I… don’t know what there is to say.”

Subspace pouted. “Why not?!”

Another sigh. “I just don’t.”

For a moment, Subspace looked like he might argue—then he shrugged, turning back to the snow-dusted horizon. “Okay! Whatever you say!” His cheerfulness returned as quickly as it had faded, and Medkit found himself oddly grateful for the reprieve.

"Meddy, let's go to a cafe!" Subspace declared, already in motion before Medkit could form a protest. His fingers wrapped around Medkit's wrist with surprising strength, pulling him forward with infectious enthusiasm. The sudden movement nearly made Medkit stumble, but he quickly righted himself, resigning to being dragged through the crowded Blackrock streets.

Snow crunched underfoot as they navigated the bustling thoroughfare, their breath forming little clouds in the frosty air. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting colorful reflections on the icy pavement. Subspace's head swiveled excitedly from side to side, his grip never loosening even as he nearly collided with pedestrians.

"Look! There's a perfect one!" Subspace's voice rose an octave in delight as he spotted a cozy-looking cafe with steam-fogged windows. Without warning, he released Medkit's arm and bounded forward like an overexcited puppy, leaving Medkit to follow at his own pace, shaking his head at Subspace's boundless energy.

The warm embrace of coffee-scented air enveloped them as they stepped inside, the cafe's cozy ambiance a stark contrast to Blackrock's chilly streets. Medkit's shoulders relaxed slightly as he surveyed the space - worn wooden tables, the quiet hum of conversation, steam rising from ceramic mugs. Maybe... this wouldn't be so terrible.

At the counter, Subspace practically vibrated with energy. "So, what'll it be, Meddy?!" he asked, fingers drumming an erratic rhythm on the glass display case. The barista looked faintly alarmed at his manic grin.

"Black coffee," Medkit replied, his voice the very picture of calm restraint.

"Same for me!" Subspace declared

They claimed a corner table - Medkit settling into his chair with perfect posture, hands folded neatly before him like he was attending a board meeting. Across from him, Subspace hunched over the table, one leg bouncing wildly, fingers twitching as if still adjusting invisible lab equipment. The contrast would have been comical if it wasn't so painfully characteristic.

"I’m sorry for almost destroying the lab… again." Subspace just had to bring up work outside of work. Medkit exhaled, long-suffering but resigned. "It’s fine," he said, because it always was—no matter the mess, no matter the chaos. Subspace grinned, bright and unrepentant, as their drinks arrived. Medkit took a slow sip of his black coffee, savoring the bitter warmth. Across from him, Subspace grimaced after his first tentative taste.

He never really knew what he liked—he just followed Medkit’s lead.

"You don’t like black coffee, do you?" Medkit glanced at Subspace, who was forcing down another bitter sip with a poorly concealed grimace. "Err… uhh… Nope! I’m doing fine, actually!" Subspace laughed, too sharp to be convincing, before gulping another mouthful like it was medicine. Medkit didn’t blink. "I know you don’t like it, Subspace." He took a slow, deliberate sip of his own coffee, watching Subspace over the rim of his cup. "Okay, fine!" Subspace slumped, pouting. "But if I ordered something else, we wouldn’t be matching!" 

"Do we really need to match?" Medkit asked, his voice flat. Subspace beamed, undeterred. "Of course! We’re partners, after all!" Medkit didn’t dignify that with a response. He simply took another sip of his coffee, letting the silence settle between them—heavy, unyielding.

Subspace stood up to grab a sugar packet—then another, and another—but no amount could mask the coffee’s bitterness. He slumped back into his seat, pouting. Medkit observed the spectacle in silence, his own cup already empty. "You should’ve just ordered something else." Ignoring him, Subspace dumped a mountain of sugar into his drink, stirred violently, and took a defiant sip. "I don’t want to." Medkit sighed. 

They finished their coffees in silence, stepped out into the winter air, and were immediately met with the sharp kiss of snow against their skin. Subspace grinned, bright and unbothered, while Medkit stared back with practiced indifference.

Before Medkit could protest, Subspace snatched his hand and dragged him into the current of Blackrock’s bustling streets. Medkit didn’t resist—just let himself be pulled along, as he always did, while Subspace wove through the crowd with the confidence of someone who believed they were exactly where they belonged.

Medkit allowed himself to be led back to the facility, Subspace’s grip firm around his wrist as they pushed through the thrumming corridors. Around them, the chaos of the facility buzzed—shouting scientists, hissing machinery, the sharp tang of ozone and oil—but Subspace carved a path through it all with single-minded determination.

For once, there were no interruptions. No  pests clawing for Medkit’s attention. Just Subspace, grinning like he’d won something, and Medkit trailing in his wake.

The lab doors hissed shut behind them as Subspace bounced toward his workstation, unable to contain his energy. "I had so much fun today, Meddy!" he chirped, the nickname dripping with affectionate mischief. His gloves made a soft thump as he planted them on his hips, grinning like he'd discovered perpetual motion.

Medkit watched him for a beat before turning to his own station. "...I'm glad," he replied, the words carefully measured - not quite cold, but not warm either. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as they settled into their familiar routines.

Hours have passed by and it was finally the end of their shifts,  Medkit arched his back in a long stretch, vertebrae popping after hours hunched over reports. His workstation sat pristine - every file logged, every sample stored. Across the lab, Subspace remained buried in his latest project.

Medkit's gaze drifted from his preoccupied partner to the exit, fingers already loosening his tie.

"Meddy, wait for me will ya?" Subspace called without looking up, tongue poking between his teeth in concentration.

A beat of silence. Then, with the resigned sigh of someone who knew arguing was pointless:

"...Okay."

Medkit was already fast asleep at his desk, head resting heavily on his arms as he waited for Subspace. The lab was quiet, save for the hum of machinery and the occasional flicker of fluorescent lights overhead. Subspace, finally finished with his overtime work, stretched his stiff limbs and stood. His workstation was left in its usual state—scattered papers, half-empty coffee cups, and disorganized tools. He spared it no glance as he made his way over to Medkit, his footsteps light against the tiled floor.

“Meddy…” he murmured softly, poking the other’s shoulder.

Medkit stirred with a grumble, his vision blurry as he lifted his head. “What time is it?” he muttered, voice thick with sleep. Subspace grinned, bright and unapologetic. “Twelve AM!” Medkit jolted fully awake, blinking rapidly as the late hour registered. Subspace couldn’t help but smile wider at the reaction.

“C’mon, Meddy!” he said, already turning toward the door.

With a tired sigh, Medkit pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes before following. He locked the lab doors behind them, the click of the latch echoing in the empty hallway as the two made their way back to the dorms, the dim corridor lights guiding their path.

“Do you wanna crash at my dorm while we’re still here?” Subspace asked as they walked, his voice bright despite the late hour. Medkit blinked at him groggily, exhaustion weighing down his words. “I need to rest, Sub…” Before he could finish, Subspace cut in, grinning. “Just for a little while!”

Medkit sighed in defeat. “…Okay.”

When they finally reached the dorms, Medkit followed Subspace down the dimly lit hallway, his steps sluggish. The moment they stepped inside, he barely registered the room before collapsing onto the bed, his body surrendering to fatigue.

Meanwhile, Subspace, ever the workaholic, kept rambling about projects and experiments—even now, long after hours. Medkit’s eyelids drooped, his thoughts dissolving into haze. A yawn escaped him.

“Getting sleepy, Meddy?” Subspace teased.

But Medkit was already gone, face half-buried in the sheets, his breathing slow and steady. Subspace watched him for a moment, the soft snores filling the quiet room. Against his usual restless energy, he couldn’t help but smile.

Subspace gently draped a blanket over Medkit, tucking it loosely around his shoulders. The dim glow of the hallway light seeped in through the doorframe before he flicked the switch, plunging the room into soft darkness.

Carefully, he scooted onto the bed—narrow as it was—shifting until they both fit, limbs inevitably brushing. The mattress creaked faintly beneath them, but Medkit didn’t stir, his breathing deep and even.

Subspace turned his head, studying the way Medkit's usual guarded expression had melted into something peaceful. A quiet fondness settled in his chest.

“Goodnight, Meddy,” he whispered, barely audible.

And then, for once, Subspace let silence claim the room—content, just this once, to let work wait until morning.

Chapter Text

Morning finally came as Medkit slowly fluttered his eyes open. His body registered warmth—too much warmth—and an oppressive weight coiled around him like a vice.

Something was hugging him.

Still half-asleep, he turned his head with a groan, only to find Subspace’s face buried against his shoulder, arms locked around him in a death grip. The scientist clung to him like a starfish to a rock, limbs tangled in the blankets, breath tickling Medkit’s collarbone.

Medkit’s brain finally caught up.

He stiffened, then tried to wriggle free—only for Subspace to unconsciously mumble and squeeze tighter, nuzzling closer like Medkit was some oversized plushie. A futile shove did nothing. Another attempt just earned him a sleepy grumble and Subspace’s knee hooking over his hip, effectively trapping him.

Medkit exhaled through his nose, staring blankly at the ceiling.

…This was his life now.

Defeated, he let his muscles relax, resigning himself to an indefinite imprisonment. Subspace’s breathing evened out again, smugly content.

They’d be here a while.

An hour later.

They hadn’t moved an inch.

Medkit exhaled through his nose, his arm now half-numb under the weight of Subspace’s relentless cuddle assault. Just as he contemplated drastic measures—like elbowing him—he felt the scientist stir against him, grumbling incoherently into his shoulder.

Finally.

Subspace’s eyelids fluttered open, blinking in drowsy confusion. Then, realization struck.

His gaze flicked down. Up. Down again.

“G-Good morning, Meddy!” he squeaked, immediately recoiling like he’d been burned. He scrambled upright, nearly kneeing Medkit in the process, and bolted to the far edge of the bed—as if putting physical distance could erase the last few hours of octopus-like behavior. Medkit sat up slowly, rubbing his stiff shoulder before reaching for his glasses on the nightstand. “Slept well?” he deadpanned, sliding them on with deliberate calm. Subspace’s face burned crimson. “I have  no  idea what you’re implying,” he huffed, stubbornly avoiding eye contact. The bed creaked as Medkit stood, stretching out his back. “Mhm. Sure.” Subspace opened his mouth, closed it, then pointed dramatically at the door. “We have work! Important work! Right now!”

Medkit didn’t even grace that with a response.

Medkit headed back to his dorm shortly after to prepare, and Subspace did the same. Once ready, they both made their way to the lab, falling back into their usual routine as if nothing had happened earlier.

After finishing the remainder of his work, Medkit caught movement in his peripheral vision—someone was watching through the observation window. A quick glance confirmed it was Grav and Warp, their faces alight with excitement. Medkit stood abruptly. "I'll talk to them for a while." Subspace’s gaze snapped toward the window. His jaw tightened.  Them . The word burned in his mind like an accusation.

As Medkit stepped outside to greet his friends, Subspace turned back to his work, fingers gripping his tools a little too tightly. He buried himself in calculations, desperate to ignore the bitter sting of jealousy gnawing at him.

Medkit stepped back into the lab, the faint echo of laughter still lingering behind him. Subspace glanced up, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Enjoying your time with them,  Meddy ?” he asked, the nickname dripping with false sweetness. “Yeah,” Medkit replied, oblivious to the tension. “They invited me to get lunch with them later. Do you want to join?” Subspace turned sharply back to his invention, his grip tightening around his tools until his knuckles whitened. “...No. Thank you,” he muttered, each word clipped.

He  hated  this—the way they always swooped in, stealing Medkit’s attention. It should’ve been just the two of them. 

The hours crawled by until the lab's clock finally signaled lunch. Medkit was out of his seat in an instant, barely offering a glance back as he strode toward the door.

Spending time with them instead of me.  The thought coiled in Subspace's gut like a venomous snake.

He remained hunched over his invention, refusing to eat. Dark ideas flickered through his mind - sabotaging Warp and Grav's experiments, perhaps? Too obvious. Snatching Medkit back to the lab? Tempting, but that would only earn him Meddy's irritation.

Fingers twitching around his tools, Subspace cycled through increasingly desperate scenarios, each more unworkable than the last. Meanwhile, the imagined sounds of Medkit's laughter with those interlopers echoed painfully in his skull.

Somewhere in the cafeteria, Medkit was undoubtedly enjoying himself, oblivious to the storm brewing back in the lab. The image alone made Subspace's vision swim with barely-contained fury.

Medkit stepped back into the lab, the door hissing shut behind him. In his hands was a small paper bag, its warm aroma already filling the sterile air. Subspace didn’t turn around, his back rigid as he hunched over his workbench. “Hi, Meddy!” he chirped, voice dripping with forced cheer. His fingers never stopped moving, tightening screws with unnecessary force.

“You didn’t eat,” Medkit observed flatly. Subspace let out a high-pitched giggle. “I don’t need to eat, Meddy! Work needs me more than—” A crinkling sound cut him off. Subspace finally turned—just in time to see Medkit dragging a chair beside him and dropping the food bag onto his cluttered desk. Without a word, Medkit unwrapped the container, revealing a still-steaming meal. He scooped up a spoonful and held it out, unwavering.

“Say aah.” Subspace’s face burned. “Wh—Meddy, I’m not a kid!” he sputtered, but Medkit’s deadpan stare was impenetrable. A beat passed. Then two.

Defeated, Subspace slumped.

“...Aaah.”

Outside of the lab, Grav and Warp were giggling whilst watching Medkit feed Subspace.

"Seriously, you don’t have to—mmph!" Medkit silenced him by shoving another spoonful into his mouth. Subspace chewed indignantly, glaring up at him like a scolded child.

"How many times have you neglected yourself for work?" Medkit’s stare was unrelenting, the kind that made Subspace’s excuses wither before they even left his throat. "I don’t always neglect myself, Meddy!" he protested, though his disheveled hair betrayed him.

Medkit’s eyebrow arched. "When was the last time you showered?"

Subspace’s eyes darted away. "I—uh—work requires—"

"Subspace."

"...A week ago," he muttered, slumping in his chair. "But showers aren’t important! I’ve been busy!" His voice cracked on the last word, as if even he didn’t believe it.

Medkit sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You’re a grown adult. Start acting like one."

Subspace let out a dismissive "Hmph!" before dramatically tossing his head back. "Whatever. My point still stands. Showers aren’t important—work is!" he insisted, though his defiance lacked its usual bite. Medkit didn’t dignify him with a reply, merely continuing to lift another spoonful toward his mouth. "I can’t believe I’m being fed…" Subspace muttered, bitterness lacing his words.

What he didn’t understand—what gnawed at him more than hunger or exhaustion—was this: Since when did Medkit care enough to bring him food? Since when did he care at all?

Once Medkit finished feeding him, he crumpled the empty food bag and tossed it into the trash bin with a quiet thud. Without another word, he turned and walked away, already slipping back into work as if nothing had happened.

Subspace stared after him, uncharacteristically silent. The gesture—so simple, yet so unlike Medkit—left him caught between disbelief and something uncomfortably close to gratitude. But more than anything, it confused him.

"Meddy!" Subspace sing-songed, spinning lazily in his chair before planting his feet to lean toward Medkit’s desk. "Let’s hang out later at break time, yeah?" His grin was all teeth, half-genuine, half-prodding—like he already expected rejection but couldn’t resist poking anyway. Medkit didn’t even glance up. Just a noncommittal "Hm," the scratch of his pen never pausing. Subspace’s smile twitched. "…Okay!" he chirped, too bright, before whirling back to his own work with a huff. 

Break time finally arrived. Subspace shot up from his chair before his work was even finished, nearly knocking it over in his haste. He darted to Medkit’s desk, hovering like an impatient shadow as Medkit—infuriatingly calm—merely glanced at him before standing. Subspace grabbed Medkit’s arm and dragged him. As always, Medkit let it be. 

The facility doors hissed shut behind them as they stepped into the biting cold. Snow crunched underfoot, their breath fogging in the air - until the shrill ring of Medkit's phone shattered the quiet.

Subspace watched as Medkit fumbled for the device, his gloves making his movements clumsy. The moment the phone reached his ear, his posture stiffened. His fingers tightened around it like a lifeline, knuckles bleaching white against the winter gloom.

Something's wrong, Subspace realized. The thought had barely formed when Medkit abruptly ended the call. "I have to go see Grav," Medkit blurted, voice fraying at the edges. He was already turning away, boots scuffing through the snow. Subspace's mouth opened - to protest, to demand answers - but Medkit was gone. Alone, Subspace stood frozen. The cold seeped through his clothes, but it was nothing compared to the hollow ache spreading through his chest. The vibrant gleam in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something brittle.

What could possibly be so important about them... The unspoken ending hung bitterly in the air:  ...that you'd leave me like this?

The moment Medkit vanished into the snowstorm, Subspace’s feet moved before his mind could catch up.

He slipped back into the facility, his boots leaving damp prints on sterile tiles as he wove through corridors. The distant murmur of panicked voices led him straight to Grav and Warp’s lab—where a crowd of scientists had gathered, their faces taut with worry. And there was Medkit, kneeling beside Grav’s trembling form, his hands glowing with that infuriating healing energy. Tubes and shattered glass littered the floor—an accident, clearly. Grav’s usually pristine coat was singed at the edges, her breathing labored.

Subspace lingered in the doorway, arms crossed. No sympathy tightened his chest; only a cold, curling amusement.

If you’re careless enough to fuck up in a place like this… maybe you don’t belong here at all.

His lips twitched. Then split into a grin.

The chaos had settled. The lab doors hissed shut behind the last of the dispersing scientists, leaving only the sterile hum of the facility in its wake.

Subspace leaned against the wall, arms crossed, tapping his fingers in a mockery of patience. When Medkit finally noticed him, exhaustion lined his movements—but Subspace’s grin didn’t waver. "There was an accident," Medkit said flatly, as if Subspace hadn’t already been watching.

"I  know ," Subspace drawled, pushing off the wall to gesture down the hall. "After you, Meddy!" His tone was light, but the edge beneath was unmistakable. They walked a few paces before Subspace added, "Personally? I’d leave if I screwed up that badly in a place like this." he said, words dripped with venom.

Medkit stopped. "What are you implying?" Subspace didn’t reply and just hummed louder, swinging ahead like he hadn’t spoken at all—like the venom in his words hadn’t lingered between them.

Subspace strode ahead, boots clicking against the polished facility floors, while Medkit trailed close behind—close enough that Subspace could feel the weight of his glare drilling into his back. “What were you implying back there?” Medkit’s voice was low, edged with something dangerous.

“Said what?” Subspace said, he tossed the words over his shoulder, all faux innocence.

A sharp inhale. Then—“Don’t act stupid.” Medkit’s voice cracked like a whip.

“Oooh, that!” Subspace spun on his heel, grinning as if struck by sudden revelation. “Just my two cents, Meddy! No need to get all… worked up over it.” A laugh, light and airy, slipped past his lips—deliberately careless, like scattering salt on a wound.

He turned again before Medkit could retaliate, humming as he strolled off.

The crunch of snow underfoot filled the silence as Medkit followed, patting his coat pockets with stiff fingers. He fished out a crumpled pack of cigarettes, tapping one loose. Subspace glanced over, his grin cutting through the cold. “Meddy! Pass me one, will you?” Medkit exhaled sharply through his nose—a silent protest—but tossed him a cigarette anyway. They came to a halt beneath a flickering streetlamp, the orange glow painting their breath in hazy swirls.

The lighter clicked. Medkit cupped the flame to his cigarette, the ember flaring to life in the dimness.

Then—Subspace stepped closer. Too close. Medkit stiffened, the cigarette between his lips nearly slipping as Subspace invaded his space.

“Relax,” Subspace murmured, leaning in until the tip of his unlit cigarette brushed Medkit’s burning one. A slow drag, the embers kissing, his eyes locked onto Medkit’s the entire time. “See? Resourceful.”

He pulled back, smoke curling from his lips like a satisfied serpent. “Thanks for the light, Meddy!”

Medkit said nothing. The snow kept falling. The light kept buzzing. And between them, the silence grew

The snow fell in hushed spirals between them, the only sound the faint crackle of burning tobacco. Subspace exhaled a slow plume of smoke, watching it dissolve into the winter air before breaking the silence.

"You know, Meddy..." His voice was light, almost playful, but something darker coiled beneath it. "I really enjoy being with you." He took another drag, the ember flaring like a warning light in the dimness.

Medkit remained still, the cigarette between his fingers forgotten as ash gathered at its tip.

Subspace continued, his tone dropping to something low and honeyed. "I really don't like it when you're with somebody else." A pause. The snow caught in his eyelashes as he turned to face Medkit fully. "I only want us to be together. Forever. Just the two of us scientists." The words oozed from his lips, thick with possession.

Medkit stared. His mind went frighteningly blank.  Did he really just say that?  The cigarette burned dangerously close to his fingers, but he didn't feel it.

Before he could respond, Subspace took one final, hurried drag and flicked the butt into the snow where it died with a hiss. "Break time's over, Meddy!" he chirped, already stepping backward. Then he turned on his heel and sprinted toward the facility, his laughter trailing behind him like smoke.

Medkit stood frozen, the cold creeping into his bones, his own cigarette now extinguished in the snow at his feet. The imprint of Subspace's words lingered in the air, more suffocating than any smoke.

Medkit once again, sighed.  Unpredictable . That was Subspace in essence—a live wire dancing between childish whimsy and something far more unsettling. One moment he was lighting cigarettes with intimate proximity; the next, he was spinning declarations that felt less like confessions and more like landmines disguised as affection.

Chapter Text

Medkit returned to the lab, the hum of machinery a dull contrast to the silence in his head. Subspace was already there, slumped over his desk in a feigned—or perhaps genuine—state of exhaustion. Medkit took his seat, intent on work, he then recalled about what happened earlier.

Subspace’s words replayed, sharp and invasive:

Just the two of us. Forever.

Was he insane? Or just calculating? Medkit tried to dismiss it, to bury the thought under logic and routine—but it clung, persistent and unwelcome. He couldn’t decide what unnerved him more: the possessiveness in Subspace’s voice, or the part of himself that hadn’t immediately rejected it.

The lab settled into its usual rhythm—the hum of machines, the scratch of pens, the focused silence of work. Medkit buried himself in data, and Subspace lost himself in manic invention.

Neither spoke of the cigarette glowing in the snow, the words spoken too close, or the possession simmering beneath a joke. It was easier that way—to forget, to pretend, to let the routine wash over the rift neither knew how to cross.

For now, the work remained.

Work has ended and the lab was quiet now, emptied of everyone but them. Medkit rose from his chair, stretching the stiffness from his shoulders before slinging his bag over his arm. “Meddy,” Subspace chirped, not looking up. “Want to go for a walk with me?” Medkit paused, glancing at the dark windows. “It’s late, Subspace.”

“It’s never too late!” Subspace finally looked up, his grin wide and undeterred in the dim light, a flash of unwavering energy in the silent room.

“I need rest, Subspace. And so do you,” Medkit protested, his voice layered with weary reason. Subspace only giggled, a sound that skittered off the lab’s sterile walls. “Rest? I don’t need rest! I need this!”

In one fluid motion, he abandoned his invention and sprang to his feet, his hand closing firmly around Medkit’s wrist. Before Medkit could pull away, Subspace was already dragging him toward the door, locking the lab behind them with a decisive click.

The cold night air hit Medkit’s face as they burst from the facility. His protest died on his lips, his attention caught by the sight of Subspace’s hand locked around his own.

The heavy facility door sealed behind them, locking in the light and the hum of machines, leaving only the vast, silent dark of the night. They stood for a moment in the quiet. Medkit’s eyes were on Subspace, who was already staring upward, his manic energy momentarily stilled by the expanse above. A rare, almost peaceful expression softened his features. Following his gaze, Medkit looked up. 

And for a breath, his objections fell away. The sky was a breathtaking tapestry of indigo and silver, an endless depth punctuated by countless shimmering stars. It was a beauty so profound it felt like a secret they were the only ones awake to witness.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, Meddy?” Subspace’s voice was uncharacteristically soft, his eyes still fixed on the cosmos. Medkit offered a noncommittal hum, his own gaze tracing the glittering expanse above. “Look—” Subspace’s hand shot up, finger tracing invisible lines between the stars. “That one’s Andromeda.” He shifted his aim, brimming with excitement. “And that cluster there—Canes Venatici! The hunting dogs!”

“I’m not really interested in constellations,” Medkit replied flatly. “Aw, come on! Try to spot one, like me!” Subspace urged, his cheer undimmed.

After a moment, Medkit’s hand lifted almost reluctantly, pointing toward a distinct, curved pattern. “That one.” Subspace’s breath hitched with glee. “Scorpius! Just like me!” He giggled, a bright, unrestrained sound in the quiet night. “Isn’t it great?”

Against his will, Medkit felt a faint, almost imperceptible smile touch his lips.

“Ooh, I know which one looks like you!” Subspace announced, his finger tracing a new set of stars. “There—Orion. Some call him the hunter, but I’ve always thought he looked more like a stag.” He giggled, a light, airy sound that seemed to dance with the starlight. “Solitary. Standing tall. It looks exactly like you, Meddy!”

A faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaped Medkit. “Is that so?” he replied, his tone flat yet not entirely dismissive.

Subspace simply hummed in affirmation, a soft “Mhm,” as his attention drifted blissfully back to the cosmos, leaving the comparison hanging in the cold, clear air between them.

The question slipped out, quieter than Medkit intended. “Do you really think we’ll stay together…  forever,  Subspace?”

Subspace’s star-gazing grin didn't fade; it simply sharpened as he turned it fully on Medkit. “Of course!” He seized Medkit’s hand, his grip tight and feverish. “We’ll be the most celebrated scientists Blackrock has ever seen. Just imagine it!” His eyes, wide and burning with conviction, locked onto Medkit’s, refusing to let go.

Medkit held his breath. The proximity was stifling.

“We’ll always be together,” Subspace whispered, the cheer in his voice hardening into something more like a warning. “So don’t you ever betray me. Okay?” Medkit managed a noncommittal hum and pulled his hand free, the cold night air feeling sudden and sharp against his skin. His thoughts spun, a frantic, dizzying whirl. His heart hammered against his ribs—a frantic, irregular rhythm that felt nothing like fear and everything like danger.

A single, terrifying question echoed in the silence left behind:

Is this feeling… or a trap?

Medkit’s thoughts shattered with a sudden, deep yawn.  I’m overthinking this , he told himself, a weak attempt to smother the unease coiling in his chest. He removed his glasses, rubbing the exhaustion from his eyes before settling them back onto the bridge of his nose.

Subspace watched him, head tilted. “Sleepy, Meddy?” he asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft, almost tender.

Medkit only hummed in reply, too tired to form words.

A smile—gentle, but with that familiar, underlying intensity—touched Subspace’s lips. He took Medkit’s hand, his fingers lacing possessively through his. “Then let’s go.”

He led the way back toward the facility, pulling Medkit along as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Medkit followed, too drained to protest the clinginess, the way Subspace’s touch felt both confining and, disturbingly, like it belonged.

The dorm halls were silent, their footsteps the only sound in the drowsing quiet. “Which one’s yours, Meddy?” Subspace whispered.

Medkit gestured vaguely. When they reached his door, his fingers fumbled clumsily with the key, sleep making him clumsy. Wordlessly, Subspace took it from him, unlocking the door with an easy click.

“…Thanks, Subspace,” Medkit mumbled, his voice thick with fatigue.

Subspace’s smile didn’t fade, even as Medkit gently closed the door between them.

Alone at last, Medkit changed and collapsed into bed. But sleep didn’t come easily. His heart still thrummed, a restless echo of the night—of held hands and whispered promises and a question that lingered, heavy and unanswered in the dark:

What is this feeling?

But for now, he buried it deep. It was time to sleep.

Medkit pushed open the lab doors, the usual hum of machinery and manic energy replaced by an unfamiliar silence. The lights were dimmed, the workstations clean and still. His eyes scanned the room, lingering on Subspace’s conspicuously empty desk.

That’s odd, he thought, a faint prickle of unease cutting through his morning grogginess. He’s always here first.

Before he could dwell on it further, an arm slung familiarly around his shoulders, making him jump.

“It’s a holiday today, Meds! Whatcha doing skulking around here?” Medkit turned to see Grav leaning against him, a bright, easy grin on her face. “You… startled me,” he replied, his voice tighter than intended as he subtly straightened his glasses.

Grav chuckled, giving his shoulder a friendly squeeze before releasing him. “Sorry, sorry! Force of habit. I just came by to drop off some reports for the boss, but yeah—no work today. Why don’t you actually take a break for once? Go relax!”

Medkit let out a quiet hum, the suggestion feeling foreign yet not entirely unwelcome. “I… suppose I could.”

“That’s the spirit!” she beamed, already turning to leave. “Don’t let me catch you working!” Grav then left without a word, leaving Medkit alone in the silent lab. The emptiness felt heavier now, charged with a question he hadn't asked: If it’s a holiday… then where is Subspace?

Medkit retraced his steps through the quiet dormitory halls, the usual daytime bustle absent thanks to the holiday. He paused before a familiar door, one he’d only seen in passing. Taking a short breath, he raised his hand and knocked.

The door swung open almost instantly, as if Subspace had been waiting right behind it. There he stood, still dressed in pajamas. A wide, delighted grin spread across his face. “Meddy! Hi!”

His eyes quickly scanned Medkit’s fully dressed, professional appearance. “What’s all this?” he chirped, gesturing vaguely at Medkit’s uniform and gloves. “It’s a holiday! You’re supposed to be relaxing, not looking ready for a board meeting.”

Medkit sighed, a faint blush of self-consciousness coloring his cheeks. “I know…” he mumbled, more to himself than to Subspace. “I’ll… go get changed.” He turned to leave, feeling oddly flustered. Subspace leaned against his doorframe, watching him retreat with an amused and fond glint in his eyes, saying nothing but saying everything all at once.

A short while later, Medkit returned, having swapped his uniform for simple, dark trousers and a soft, grey sweater. He knocked once on Subspace’s door.

It flew open instantly, as if Subspace had been hovering just on the other side.

“Meddy! Oh—!” Subspace’s eyes went wide as he performed an exaggerated scan from head to toe, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Look at you! All dressed up like you’re going on a date!” he teased, leaning against the doorframe. A faint flush warmed Medkit’s neck. “This is… just my usual clothing,” he replied, his tone flat in a weak attempt to deflect.

Subspace just giggled, clearly delighted by the reaction. “Alright, alright. Well, don’t just stand there—come in, Meddy!” He stepped back, sweeping an arm out in a grand, welcoming gesture. Medkit stepped inside and was immediately met with the familiar chaos of Subspace’s dorm. Blueprints were strewn across the floor, half-disassembled gadgets covered every surface. In the middle of it all, on his small desk, sat a sparking, partially-soldered invention.

“You’re still working? Even on a holiday?” Medkit asked, though he wasn't truly surprised.

Subspace let out a bright, unapologetic laugh. “I’m not a fan of holidays—I’m a fan of work!” he declared proudly, as if it were the most obvious truth in the world. Medkit sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses. “You’re the one who told me to relax, yet you can’t even follow your own advice.”

Subspace blinked, then beamed, completely unabashed. “Oops!”

Medkit’s gaze had drifted from the invention to the inventor himself. He watched, almost hypnotized, as Subspace’s hands flew across components, his usual pajamas rumpled, his hair a mess, his focus so absolute it was its own kind of energy. A soft, ethereal glow emanated from his pink horns, casting a faint light on his intense expression.

Wait.

The thought hit him like a jolt.  Why am I looking at him like this?

He immediately jerked his head away, a hot flush creeping up his neck and burning the tips of his ears. He desperately hoped Subspace hadn’t noticed.

“...Were you even listening to me, Meddy?”

Medkit froze. Subspace had stopped working and was now staring directly at him, head tilted in curious suspicion.

“I—I apologize,” Medkit stammered, the words feeling clumsy and inadequate. It was the only defense he could muster.

With a final, satisfied click, Subspace set his tools down and sprang to his feet, stretching his arms high above his head with a contented sigh. “Okay, Meddy! All done for now. Do you wanna go outside?” 

Medkit gave a slow, single nod. “Very well.”

“Great! I’m gonna change, so no peeking!” Subspace announced, already pulling his pajama top over his head. Medkit immediately turned his back, his posture rigid as he focused intently on a particularly chaotic stack of blueprints on the wall, giving Subspace his complete and clinical privacy. A rustle of fabric and a soft, cheerful hum filled the room before Subspace chirped, “Okay! You can look now!” Medkit turned. Subspace now stood dressed in his usual vibrant, eccentric attire, his grin bright and expectant, as if waiting for a reaction.

Medkit’s eyes gave him a swift, analytical scan—from his boots to the tips of his glowing horns—before he simply offered a noncommittal hum. It was neither approval nor disapproval; it was merely an acknowledgment of fact. Subspace was dressed.

“Let’s go,” Medkit said, already moving toward the door, leaving a slightly deflated Subspace to follow.

They stepped out from the quiet facility grounds and into the bustling, snow-dusted streets of Blackrock. Subspace hummed a cheerful, off-key tune as he walked, his breath forming little clouds in the crisp air beside Medkit’s more reserved silence. “Let’s go to that same cafe we went to last time, Meddy!” Subspace said, his voice bright with glee. Medkit merely gave a curt nod, following as Subspace eagerly led the way.

The warm, rich aroma of roasted coffee and baked goods enveloped them as they stepped inside, a stark contrast to the winter chill. As Medkit’s eyes adjusted to the cozy lighting, he immediately spotted two familiar inphernals nestled in a corner booth: Warp and Grav. Grav noticed them first, her face lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. “Hey, guys! Over here!”

Medkit offered a polite, reserved wave in return. Beside him, Subspace’s cheerful expression tightened into a thin, forced smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

After ordering their drinks—a black coffee for Medkit and a frappe for Subspace—they found a table. Medkit sat with his usual impeccable posture, back straight and hands folded neatly on the table, every bit the composed scientist even in his downtime. Subspace, however, slouched deeply into his chair, one leg tucked under him as he stirred his drink absently, his mind seemingly still lost in schematics.

Medkit’s eyes flickered over Subspace’s form, his brow furrowing slightly at the careless slump of his shoulders and the careless angle of his spine. “You should try to sit properly,” he remarked, his tone clinical yet faintly edged with disapproval.

Subspace blinked, as if pulled abruptly from a deep train of thought. For a moment, he looked almost puzzled—then, with a quiet, uncharacteristic compliance, he shifted in his seat. He straightened his back, squared his shoulders, and rested his hands neatly on the table, mirroring Medkit’s poised and proper posture almost exactly.

Satisfied, Medkit let out a soft hum of approval before taking a slow, deliberate sip of his drink.

Subspace took a long, slurping sip of his frappe, then set it down with a contented sigh. A mischievous glint lit his eyes as he leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a playful, teasing whisper. “Y’know… it’s almost like we’re on a date, isn’t it?”

The words hung in the air between them, light and casual from Subspace, yet they struck Medkit like a physical blow. A date!? His mind stuttered to a halt, his usually sharp thoughts scattering into static. A hot, unmistakable flush crept up his neck, coloring the tips of his ears.

“I–I don’t think this qualifies as a date,” he managed, his voice tighter than intended. He straightened his already-perfect posture, a defensive gesture. “This is merely a… a hangout. Between two colleagues.”

Subspace’s smirk only widened, utterly delighted by the flustered reaction he’d provoked. He rested his chin on his hand, his eyes sparkling with triumph. “Sure, Meddy. Keep telling yourself that.” He chuckled softly, the sound low and knowing. “But it looks an awful lot like a date to me.”

Medkit shook his head, a faint frown of disapproval on his lips. “You… have entirely the wrong idea,” he insisted, though his voice lacked its usual conviction.

Subspace only laughed, bright and unbothered, just as Grav bounded over to their table with uncontainable energy. “How are you guys holding up?” she asked, beaming. Behind her, Warp was making frantic, subtle gestures for her to return to their seat, her expression a mix of apology and secondhand embarrassment. “We are… fine, thank you,” Medkit replied stiffly, his eyes flicking toward Warp’s pleading motions. “And yourselves?”

“We’re doing great!” Grav chirped, either ignoring or completely missing Warp’s signals. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she glanced between them. “Y’know, you two look like you’re on a date!”

Subspace’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “Oh—we are!” he declared proudly, puffing out his chest. Medkit’s composure cracked. “W-we are not—” he stammered, a hot flush blazing across his cheeks. He gripped his coffee cup like an anchor.

Seizing the opportunity, Subspace sprang up, snatched an extra straw from a nearby condiment stand, and pranced back to the table. With a dramatic flourish, he plunged it into his frappe beside his own.

Leaning in, he fluttered his eyelashes theatrically. “Darling,” he cooed, voice dripping with faux sweetness. “Why don’t you come drink this with me? We can share… like a couple,”

Medkit looked utterly mortified. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Subspace’s gleeful gaze. “Subspace…” he warned, voice low and strained as he fought to maintain what little dignity he had left. “Quit it.”

Medkit released a heavy, weary sigh as he endured yet another one of Subspace's antics. He pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses, a dull headache beginning to form.

This day,  he thought, the sentiment echoing with utter exhaustion,  could not possibly get any worse.

The universe, it seemed, was always listening—and always happy to prove him wrong.

Chapter Text

They stepped out of the cafe and into the quiet, street, the sudden silence feeling heavier after the chaos inside. The cold air was a sharp relief against Medkit’s still-flushed skin, each snowflake like a tiny apology against his burning cheeks. He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, unable to look at Subspace just yet. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, strained with a mix of embarrassment and lingering irritation. “…Don’t ever do that again, Subspace.” Subspace didn’t even try to contain his glee. A light, airy giggle escaped him as he watched Medkit’s continued struggle to regain his composure. He said nothing—his delight was answer enough.

The two walked in a comfortable, silence for a while, the only sounds being the crunch of their footsteps and Subspace’s soft, jaunty humming. Medkit kept his gaze fixed ahead, a steady, silent figure beside Subspace’s more animated presence. Eventually, Subspace twirled on his heels to walk backward, facing Medkit with a wide, eager grin. “I know! Let’s go to the park, Meddy!” Medkit let out a noncommittal hum, the barest hint of a nod accompanying it. It was enough. Subspace spun back around and led the way, his pace quickening with renewed purpose as they turned their path toward the park.

They settled on a cold, frost-dusted bench, the silence stretching between them—a quiet that was neither tense nor empty, but simply present. It was Subspace, of course, who broke it. “Isn’t this great, Meddy?” he mused, his voice softer than usual, almost thoughtful. “Just the two of us…” Medkit didn’t reply, but his silence was permission enough. Encouraged, Subspace launched into his favorite topic: his inventions. He rambled with passionate energy about reactor cores and energy conversions, about how his brilliance would power the future of Blackrock itself. Medkit listened, the familiar words washing over him like a strange, chaotic lullaby.

A sudden, sharp chill cut through Medkit. He shivered involuntarily.

Subspace stopped mid-sentence. In one fluid motion, he unwound the long, thick scarf from around his own neck. Before Medkit could protest, Subspace had looped it around them both, pulling them closer on the bench in a shared cocoon of warmth. “There!” he chirped, his usual manic energy replaced by a note of genuine tenderness. “Now we can both be warm. Together.” Medkit was too surprised—and too cold—to object. He settled, the wool soft against his skin, carrying the faint, familiar scent of ozone from Subspace.

As Subspace resumed his enthusiastic rambling, a deep, unexpected drowsiness began to pull at Medkit. The cold was gone, replaced by a comfortable warmth and the low, steady sound of Subspace’s voice. His eyelids grew heavy. Slowly, almost unconsciously, he let his head tilt and come to rest against Subspace’s shoulder.

Subspace’s words cut off in a soft gasp. He went perfectly still, looking down at the rare, peaceful expression on Medkit’s sleeping face. A slow, genuine smile—so different from his usual sharp grins—spread across his own. He carefully adjusted the scarf to better shield Medkit from the cold and fell silent, content to simply sit and watch the snow fall, cradling this fragile, unexpected moment.

An hour later, Medkit stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, vision blurry with the last remnants of sleep as he shifted unconsciously against the warmth beside him. Subspace, who had been scrolling quietly on his phone, immediately noticed the movement. He tucked his device away and tilted his head, a playful grin already spreading across his face. “Hey, Meddy! Welcome back.”

Medkit’s mind, still foggy, slowly began to process his surroundings. The soft texture of a shared scarf… the solid support beneath his head… He was leaning on Subspace’s shoulder. His shoulder.  All at once, awareness rushed in. He straightened up quickly, putting a respectful distance between them despite the scarf still linking them together. His face warmed with a deep, unmistakable flush.

Subspace’s grin only widened, utterly delighted. “Did you enjoy your nap? Hm?” he teased, leaning in just slightly. “You looked real cozy.” Medkit averted his gaze. “I… suppose it was… adequate,” he mumbled, the words stiff and formal in a futile attempt to mask his embarrassment.

Without warning, Subspace shifted closer and looped an arm around Medkit, pulling him snugly against his side. He then nestled his head against the curve of Medkit’s neck, nuzzling gently into the warmth of his skin and the soft fabric of his sweater.

“You’re warm,” he murmured, his voice low and content, almost drowsy-sounding.

Medkit went completely rigid. Every muscle locked in place, his breath catching softly in his throat. He could feel the gentle pressure of Subspace’s head, the slight tickle of his hair, the rise and fall of his breathing.  Subspace seemed perfectly at ease, savoring the shared warmth and closeness. Medkit, however, remained frozen, his mind racing, hyper-aware of every point of contact—and utterly uncertain how to respond.

Medkit didn’t know what to feel. His mind was a frantic, scattered mess of calculations with no clear solution, and his heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. A confusing, warm fuzziness spread through his chest, clashing violently with his instinct to pull away.

Why does he do this?  he thought, the question screaming in the silence of his own mind.  Why does he constantly cross every line, invade every space, and say every thing that makes me feel… this?

This weird, flustered, fuzzy feeling that left him utterly paralyzed. It was illogical. It was unprofessional. It was entirely infuriating.

Oh.

Oh.

Do I… have feelings for him?

The thought arrived unbidden, shocking in its clarity. It was immediately followed by a wave of denial.

There’s no way. It’s impossible.

He was an inphernal of logic, of calculated decisions and controlled environments. He wasn’t supposed to feel this—this chaotic, fluttering panic that stole his breath and made his hands feel unsteady. He wasn't built for the dizzying confusion that came with Subspace’s smile, his teasing, his unexpected tenderness.

Yet, his heart stammered on, a frantic, traitorous rhythm against his ribs, insisting on a truth his mind refused to accept.

Medkit made a weak, half-hearted attempt to pull away, a final effort to re-establish the boundaries of logic and professionalism that usually defined him.

But Subspace only tightened his hold, pulling him even closer. “I’m cold,” he mumbled into the fabric of Medkit’s sweater, his voice a soft, pleading whine that brooked no argument. He nuzzled deeper, his contented sigh a stark contrast to the storm raging in Medkit’s chest as they both looked out at the serene, snow-blanketed park.

Medkit’s heart hammered, a wild, panicked drum against his ribs.

I am an inphernal of logic. I observe, I analyze, I conclude. I do not feel such things.

He tried to cling to the mantra, to armor himself with reason.

I am an inphernal of logic. I do not feel such—

The thought fractured, crumbling under the weight of a simple, undeniable truth: the warmth of Subspace’s body against his, the strange comfort of his weight, the terrifying leap in his pulse that felt less like panic and more like… yearning.

His resistance finally broke. The frantic rhythm of his heart began to slow, not into calm, but into a heavy, aching acceptance. The fight drained out of him, leaving behind a profound and startling realization he could no longer deny.

He, an inphernal of meticulous science and calculated distance, had developed feelings for his most chaotic, unpredictable colleague.

Medkit released a long, heavy sigh—a sound filled with the weight of his surrender and newfound realization.

It immediately drew Subspace’s attention. He lifted his head from where it was nestled, his glowing horns casting a soft pink light on Medkit’s profile. “Hm? What’s wrong, Meddy?” he asked, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “Care to share what you’re thinking?”

Medkit kept his gaze fixed firmly on the distance. To say it aloud would make it real. To give it a voice would be to finally admit defeat.

“…It’s nothing important,” he replied, his tone carefully neutral, betraying none of the turmoil beneath.

Subspace studied him for a moment longer, his head tilted. Then, with a simple, trusting “Okay!”, he settled back against Medkit’s shoulder, perfectly content to let the matter drop and return to watching the snow settle peacefully over the park.

“We should go. It’s getting late,” Medkit said, his voice soft but firm. He made another attempt to gently extricate himself from Subspace’s hold. But Subspace’s arm only tightened around him, pulling him back securely against his side. “Stay with me just a bit longer, Meddy,” he murmured, his tone deceptively gentle, but his grip unmistakably possessive. Medkit hesitated, then released a slow, conceding sigh. “…Okay.”

For a few moments, they simply watched the snow continue to fall. Then, Subspace broke the quiet, his gaze still fixed on the winter landscape. “What do you think my next invention should be? I’ve been thinking about how to utilize those energy crystals…”

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Medkit’s lips. “Is work really all you ever think about?”

“Not at all!” Subspace chirped, finally turning to look at him, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Then what else do you think about?” Medkit asked, curiosity getting the better of his usual restraint.

Subspace’s grin widened. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Maybe… you?”

A brilliant, crimson flush instantly bloomed across Medkit’s pale cheeks, burning all the way to the tips of his ears. He pulled away from Subspace’s hold as if he’d been scalded, hastily adjusting his glasses in a futile attempt to hide behind them.

“Subspace,” he stammered, his voice strained with a mixture of shock and profound embarrassment. “In the name of Illumina, Please… don’t say such things.” Subspace only laughed, a bright, unfiltered sound of pure delight at the reaction he’d provoked. “But it’s true!” he insisted, his giggles subsiding into a warm, earnest smile. “You’re all I think about.”

Medkit opened his mouth to retort, to deflect, to summon any shred of his usual logical rebuttal—but found nothing. His mind had gone utterly, completely blank. For the first time in perhaps his entire life, Medkit was left completely and utterly speechless.

“Let’s just go,” Medkit muttered, abruptly standing up in his flustered state. He turned to leave, completely forgetting the shared scarf still looped around them both.

The sudden movement tugged Subspace forward with a soft “Oof—!” “Hey! Wait for me, Meddy!” he chirped, scrambling to his feet with an excited laugh, thoroughly amused by their literal connection.

And so, for the rest of their walk back, they remained tied together by the woolen scarf—a perfect, awkward metaphor for the new tension stretching between them. Subspace filled the silence with cheerful, one-sided chatter, oblivious to—or perhaps delighted by—Medkit’s continued silence and the stubborn blush that still warmed his cheeks, a testament to the confession he couldn't quite shake.

Once they arrived back at the facility, Medkit made a direct path toward his dorm, seeking the solace of his own orderly space. Subspace, however, followed close behind like an eager, brightly colored shadow. Medkit paused at his door, turning to level a stern glare at his unwanted guest. “Don’t you dare try to mess the place up,” he warned, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Subspace simply smiled, all wide-eyed innocence as he gave an exaggerated nod. 

He slipped inside the moment the door was open, his head swiveling as he took in the impeccably clean room—the neatly made bed, the dust-free surfaces, the tools and books arranged with meticulous precision. It was the complete opposite of his own chaotic workshop. “Wow, Meddy! You really keep this place spotless!” he said, his tone a mixture of genuine amazement and amusement. He spun around, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. “Hey… maybe you could come clean my room, too?”

“No,” Medkit replied instantly, his tone flat and final as he hung up his coat.

Subspace’s bottom lip jutted out in an exaggerated, theatrical pout. 

Medkit took a slow sip from his mug, his gaze steady and unamused over the rim. “So,” he began, his voice a flat deadpan. “What are you actually doing here, Subspace?”

“Just hanging out with you!” Subspace chirped, giving an experimental, tiny bounce on the mattress.

A single, sharp glare from Medkit made him freeze mid-bounce.

“There’s nothing… particularly interesting about this place,” Medkit stated, turning back to his coffee as if that settled the matter.

“There is!” Subspace protested, hopping off the bed with sudden energy.

Medkit gave him a skeptical, confused look. Before he could process it, Subspace was advancing toward him. Medkit instinctively took a step back, then another, until the cold edge of the countertop pressed into his lower back. He set his coffee down with a quiet clink, his eyes widening slightly as Subspace closed the final distance between them.

Then, instead of the confrontation Medkit’s racing heart anticipated, Subspace’s hands came up and gently squished his cheeks, squishing his face into a soft, ridiculous pout.

“Gah—!?” Medkit’s sound of protest was muffled by his own squished lips.

Subspace giggled, his eyes sparkling with pure, unadulterated delight. “You’re just so fun to bother, Meddy!”

Medkit froze, a hot wave of embarrassment washing over him. His hands remained stiffly at his sides, utterly paralyzed. “...Get away from me,” he finally managed to stammer, his voice strained and flustered. “You’re… far too close.”

Medkit moved to his small kitchenette, preparing a pot of strong black coffee with practiced, quiet efficiency. The rich, bitter aroma began to fill the room. Subspace, meanwhile, made himself at home on the edge of Medkit’s perfectly made bed, swinging his legs like an overexcited child.

“Meddy, you’re just too cute!” Subspace cooed, thoroughly delighted by the flustered expression he’d molded with his own hands. Medkit finally reached up, firmly pulling Subspace’s hands away from his face. “Please stop this. You’re a grown adult,” he chided, his voice a mixture of exhaustion and strained dignity. Subspace’s grin instantly melted into an exaggerated, childlike pout. “Okay…” he relented, drawing the word out with palpable disappointment before shuffling back to perch on the edge of the bed.

After a moment of swinging his legs, he flopped backward onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling. “I’ve decided! I’m sleeping here tonight.” Medkit pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses. “You have your own dorm for a reason, Subspace.”

“But I like it here!” Subspace protested, rolling onto his side to face Medkit, his expression pleading. “It’s cozy. And it smells like you.”

A long, weary sigh escaped Medkit. He knew a losing battle when he saw one. “…Fine,” he conceded, his tone utterly drained. “Aren’t you going to change, at least?”

“Nope!” Subspace chirped, snuggling deeper into the blankets, still fully dressed in his day clothes. “I’m perfect like this!”

Medkit simply shook his head, finishing the last of his black coffee in one resigned sip. The bitter taste felt fitting.

As night settled fully over the facility,  Medkit changed into his sleepwear with his back turned, maintaining what little privacy he could, while Subspace remained flopped dramatically across the bed, still fully dressed. “I’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight,” Medkit announced, matter-of-factly gesturing to a clear space beside the bed.

Subspace immediately bolted upright, his expression a mix of genuine hurt and confusion. “No! Why can’t you sleep next to me?”

“This bed is too small for two people. It would be uncomfortable for both of us,” Medkit replied, his tone leaving little room for debate.

“We made it fit last time!” Subspace insisted, scooting determinedly toward the wall. “I’ll make room! See?” With a resigned sigh, Medkit switched off the lights, plunging the room into a soft, blue darkness. True to his word, Subspace had pressed himself nearly flat against the wall, leaving just enough space for Medkit to lie stiffly on the very edge of the mattress.

“Okay,” Medkit relented, his voice quiet in the newfound stillness. “Goodnight.” He closed his eyes, hoping that would be the end of it. A moment of silence passed before Subspace’s voice piped up again, soft and slightly hesitant. “Aren’t you going to talk to me a little before sleeping?”

“We’ve talked enough today,” Medkit replied, not opening his eyes.

Another stretch of silence followed, heavier this time. Subspace seemed to finally accept defeat, settling into the pillows with a quiet, disappointed rustle.

Just as Medkit began to drift off, Subspace’s voice cut through the darkness one last time, softer and more gentle than Medkit had ever heard it.

“Okay… Goodnight, Meddy.”

The words were soothing, almost a whisper—a stark, tender contrast to his usual chaotic energy. And though Medkit didn’t reply, something in his chest eased at the sound, finally allowing sleep to pull him under.

Chapter Text

Medkit’s eyes fluttered open to the dim, pre-dawn light filtering into the room. His first conscious thought was a distinct feeling of suffocation—a pleasant, warm weight pinning him gently to the mattress.

Still groggy with sleep, he blinked slowly and glanced down. There, clinging to him like an oversized, overaffectionate octopus, was Subspace. One of Subspace’s arms was thrown possessively across Medkit’s chest, his face nestled contentedly against Medkit’s shoulder, his soft, even breaths warming the fabric of Medkit’s shirt.

Of course, Medkit thought, a long, internal sigh echoing through his mind. Who else would it be?

He considered prying himself free, but a glance at Subspace’s peacefully sleeping face—uncharacteristically soft and devoid of its usual manic energy—gave him pause. For once, he looked… calm. Happy, even.

Resignation settled over Medkit like a blanket. With another quiet sigh, this one audible, he relaxed back into the pillows.

Looks like we’re staying like this for a while.

“Subspace,” Medkit muttered, his voice still rough with sleep.  There was no response except for the steady, even rhythm of Subspace’s breathing against his neck.

Medkit tried again, this time shuffling his shoulders in an attempt to gently disturb the other man. Instead of waking, Subspace only let out a low, displeased groan and wrapped his arms more securely around Medkit, pulling him even closer and effectively pinning him in place. “Subspace…” Medkit tried once more, his tone shifting from a mutter to a strained plea. “We have to get up."

“Mmm…” Subspace nuzzled drowsily into his shoulder, his words slurred and thick with sleep. “Just a little longer… Wanna stay like this…” He held on tighter, as if Medkit were his personal teddy bear. “S’Sunday… more time for me…”

Trapped, warm, and undeniably comfortable, Medkit let out a long, surrendering sigh. It seemed his fate—at least for the next hour—was sealed.

Medkit’s eyes drifted toward the nightstand where his phone lay charging. If it was really Sunday, he needed to check the time—and more importantly, confirm there were no urgent messages from the lab. Carefully, he stretched his arm out, his body shifting slightly as he strained to reach it.

The movement instantly made Subspace tighten his grip, pulling Medkit firmly back against his chest with a discontented grumble. “Mmm… stop moving. S’annoying,” he slurred, his voice muffled by Medkit’s shoulder and heavy with sleep.

Medkit froze. He let his outstretched arm fall back to the bed, all resolve leaving him in a single, soft exhale. There would be no escaping this—not anytime soon.

So he relaxed into the embrace, allowing himself to be held like a captive teddy bear. The room was quiet, filled only with the sound of Subspace’s steady breathing and the faint, rhythmic beat of his own heart. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Medkit closed his eyes again. Maybe a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

A sharp, insistent alarm blared from Medkit’s nightstand, shattering the morning silence. Medkit stirred awake instantly, while Subspace let out a long, displeased groan, burying his face deeper into Medkit’s back. “Mmmf… turn that shit off,” he mumbled, his voice thick and slurred with sleep. “I can’t,” Medkit replied flatly, “not while you’re holding me like a stuffed toy.”

With a dramatic, grumbling sigh, Subspace reluctantly loosened his grip just enough for Medkit to slip out of bed and silence the blaring alarm. The sudden quiet felt heavy and inviting.

“Okay…” Subspace yawned, his eyes still closed. “Come back to bed now…”

“I can’t. I have to get up,” Medkit insisted, a man of habit even through his drowsiness. Out of routine, he picked up his phone to check the time—and paused. The screen clearly read:  SUNDAY . No meetings. No lab hours. Just rest.

Subspace groaned again, sensing his victory. “See…?”

Medkit released a long, surrendering sigh. Routine or not, even he couldn’t argue with a free day. He slid back under the covers.

Almost immediately, Subspace wrapped himself around Medkit again, letting out a soft, contented hum as he nuzzled close. “Mmm… plushie…” he murmured sleepily before drifting off once more, clinging tightly to his favorite—and only—Medkit.

Hours slipped by, and they remained locked in the same position: Subspace clinging to Medkit like a possessive octopus, and Medkit slowly accepting his fate as a living plushie, half-suffocated but too resigned to care.

Then, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

Medkit stirred. “Subspace,” he said, his voice muffled by pillows and proximity. “Let me go. Someone’s at the door.” Subspace grumbled incoherently in protest, his arms tightening for a moment before finally—reluctantly—slackening his grip.

Medkit slipped free, straightened his rumpled sleep clothes, and padded to the door. He opened it to reveal Grav standing in the hallway, a bright smile on her face. “Hey, Meds! I was just wondering if you wanted to hang—” She cut herself off as her eyes drifted past him into the room, landing on the still-sleeping form of Subspace sprawled across Medkit’s bed. Her smile shifted into something more knowing—and deeply awkward.

“Aha! You know what—nevermind!” she backpedaled quickly, waving her hands. “I’ll, uh… ask another time! Hope you two… enjoy your day!” She began slowly backing away, a poorly suppressed grin on her face. “I don’t even want to know what you guys  did …!”

Before Medkit could form a response, she turned and practically fled down the hall.

Medkit stood in the doorway, tilting his head in genuine confusion.

“…We didn’t do anything,” he said to the empty hallway, his tone completely earnest.

“Who was that…?” Subspace mumbled, rising slowly from the tangled sheets. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, blinking blearily toward the door.

Medkit, still standing frozen in the doorway processing the odd interaction, replied flatly: “Grav.”

Subspace yawned widely before slumping back against the headboard. “Oh… You can go hang out with her if you want,” he offered, though his voice carried a hint of reluctance beneath the sleepiness.

“And leave you unsupervised in my dorm?” Medkit countered, turning back with a raised brow. “No, thank you. I’ve seen what you do to your own room.”

Just then, Medkit’s phone buzzed loudly from the nightstand. He picked it up, unlocking it to see a notification from their dorm district group chat.

Grav: @Medkit

Grav: 😂

Medkit’s expression remained utterly blank. He typed a single, deadpan response:

Medkit: ?

Then, without waiting for the inevitable flood of teasing replies, he swiftly turned off his phone and let out a long, weary sigh. Some mysteries were better left unsolved—and some group chats were better left unread.

Subspace finally untangled himself from the bedsheets and stretched languidly before slipping off the edge of the bed. He padded softly across the room, pausing near the door where Medkit still stood.

“…Okay,” he said, his voice still soft with sleep but carrying a note of reluctant acceptance. “Let’s hang out later, Meddy.”

Medkit offered a noncommittal hum—a sound that was neither approval nor disapproval, simply acknowledgment. It was enough for Subspace, who offered a small, sleepy smile before shuffling out into the hallway, leaving Medkit alone in the quiet of his dorm once more.

Medkit completed his morning routine with practiced efficiency. In the quiet of his dorm, he dressed in his usual attire—crisp, dark, and professional—before making his way to the common room. He settled into a sleek chair, the low hum of the facility a familiar backdrop to his thoughts.

Before long, Grav appeared in the distance, offering a cheerful wave as she approached. But it was Warp who reached him first, her usual warm smile not quite reaching his eyes today.

“What’s up, Medkit?” Warp asked, taking a seat nearby.

“Nothing much,” Medkit replied evenly. “You?”

Warp’s expression darkened. “Not good, actually. Grav just had to take an emergency leave. There was some kind of incident at the Playground.” She lowered his voice. “She didn’t give details, but she said her parents might be in danger.”

Medkit’s composed demeanor faltered. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of genuine concern crossing his features. “I hope she’s alright,” he murmured, the words quiet but sincere. Warp nodded grimly just as Subspace bounded into the common room, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere.

“What are you two chatting about?” he chirped, his voice brimming with its usual manic energy. Medkit relayed the news calmly, though his tone carried an unspoken weight. Subspace listened, his excited expression fading into something more pensive. He let out a thoughtful hum.

“I see. Well, Playgroundians are always causing trouble,” he declared with a dismissive wave. “Wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve targeted Blackrockians again.”

Warp shot him a sharp, disapproving stare. Medkit’s eyes widened slightly, a silent plea for tact. “…Let’s not say such things,” he said carefully, maintaining his composure despite the tension.

Subspace’s smile returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Mm, okay—if you say so, Meddy!” He turned abruptly to Warp. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be borrowing Meddy here, okay?”

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Medkit firmly by the arm. “C’mon, Meddy! We’ve got things to do!”

And just like that, he pulled Medkit away, leaving Warp alone in the common room—staring after them with a mix of concern and confusion.

Once they were out of earshot, Medkit’s composed facade tightened. “You shouldn’t have said that in front of Warp,” he stated, his voice low and edged with disapproval.

Subspace shrugged, entirely unbothered. “I’m just stating facts. Who knows what those Playgroundians are capable of?” A careless, almost flippant tone laced his words, as though discussing the weather rather than a colleague’s potential family crisis.

Medkit shot him a sharp glare, but Subspace merely smiled wider—a bright, unnerving expression that didn’t match the gravity of the situation.

Deep down, Subspace was pleased. With Grav temporarily gone, he had Medkit all to himself again. No interruptions, no inside jokes he wasn’t a part of. Just the two of them—exactly how he preferred it.

Once they were outside, the cold air hitting their faces like a sobering splash of reality, Medkit let out a heavy sigh. His mind circled back to Subspace’s callous remark. It was true—Blackrock and the Playground had been on hostile terms for years, a conflict etched deep into the infrastructure of both societies. But this wasn’t about territories or treaties; this was about Grav. A colleague. Perhaps even… a friend.

He absently tapped the front of his coat, fingers brushing against a familiar shape in his pocket. He pulled out a slightly crumpled pack of cigarettes, offering one to Subspace without a word. Subspace’s face lit up with a quick, sharp smile.

Medkit lit his own cigarette first, cupping the flame against the gentle wind, then leaned in to light Subspace’s. For a moment, their faces were close, illuminated by the brief flare of the lighter, the glow reflecting in their eyes.

Medkit took a long, slow drag, holding the smoke in his lungs before exhaling a steady stream into the frosty air. He tilted his head back, watching the gray plume dissolve into the softly falling snow. For a few seconds, the tension eased. 

“I… quite miss Grav,” Medkit admitted softly, the words leaving his lips along with a slow stream of smoke. “She was… fun. And kind. And—” He paused, the rest of the sentiment fading unspoken into the cold air. “I just hope she’s okay.”

Subspace listened quietly, uncharacteristically still. But as Medkit continued to speak fondly of her, a familiar irritation began to simmer beneath Subspace’s skin. His grip tightened slightly around his cigarette.

“Stop talking,” he muttered, the words sharp and low.

Medkit fell silent, though his expression remained troubled.

“Whatever’s happening with Grav right now,” Subspace went on, his tone deliberately cold and dismissive, “that’s her problem to deal with. Not ours.”

Medkit didn’t argue. He simply sighed again—a sound of resignation, disappointment, and unspoken understanding.

They finished their cigarettes in silence, dropping the spent filters into a public bin before turning toward the bustling streets of Blackrock. The air between them remained heavy, charged with unspoken disagreement.

Medkit finally broke the quiet, his voice low but firm. “You shouldn’t say such insensitive things, Subspace. Especially about a colleague who might be in trouble.”

Subspace glanced over, a sharp, practiced smile stretching across his face—a expression that didn’t quite mask the cool detachment in his eyes. “I’m just speaking facts, Meddy! Someone has to.”

His tone was light, almost sing-song, but the words carried a deliberate edge. It was less a defense and more a challenge—a reminder that where others saw compassion, Subspace saw only opportunity and us-vs-them logic.

Medkit didn’t press further. Some walls were never meant to be scaled.

The tension between them lingered like a charged current, even as they navigated the sleek, cold streets of Blackrock. Medkit kept his gaze forward, his posture rigid with unspoken discomfort.

Sensing his unease, Subspace finally glanced over, a performative sigh escaping him. “Alright, Meddy, I’m sorry, okay?” he offered, though the words felt hollow, rehearsed. “Something… happened with one of my inventions earlier. It put me in a foul mood.”

It was a lie—a smooth, effortless one. He wasn’t angry about his work; he was seething because Medkit had spoken so fondly of Grav. Because for a moment, Medkit’s attention had been somewhere else.

Medkit didn’t look fully convinced, but he replied quietly, “…Okay.” His voice was low, weary.

Without warning, Subspace grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the shadowy mouth of a narrow alleyway—a sharp contrast to the bright, orderly main street. Medkit stumbled slightly, confusion flashing across his face as Subspace pinned him gently but firmly against the cool metal wall.

“I’m sorry. Okay, Meddy?” Subspace repeated, his voice dropping to something more intense, more intimate. His gaze locked onto Medkit’s, searching, demanding.

Before Medkit could respond, Subspace leaned in and kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed or frantic—it was slow, deliberate, almost possessive. Medkit’s eyes widened in shock, his body stiffening for a heartbeat before something in him softened, thawed, yielded. Hesitantly, almost unconsciously, he began kissing back.

When Subspace finally pulled away, a smug, satisfied smile played on his lips. “Do you forgive me now, Meddy?”

Medkit could only nod, breathless and dazed. His mind was reeling, his heart pounding wildly against his ribs.

What in the Inpherno was that?  he thought, utterly bewildered.

Chapter Text

Medkit’s voice was low, a thread of suspicion weaving through his usually steady tone. “Are you trying to distract me?” Subspace’s smile was all innocence and sharp edges. “Distract you from what, exactly?”

“From what you said out there,” Medkit replied, his glare intensifying. “It was careless. Insensitive. And you know it.” He pulled away from Subspace’s grasp, turning to leave the cramped alleyway—to put space between them and the confusing heat of the moment.

But Subspace’s hand shot out, catching Medkit’s wrist and pulling him back into the shadows. “We can discuss it right here,” he insisted, his grip firm but not harsh. “I already said I’m sorry. What more do you want?”

His voice was pleading yet possessive, leaving Medkit trapped between the cold wall and Subspace’s unwavering gaze—and even more so, trapped between his frustration and the lingering thrill of what had just happened.

Medkit’s voice was quiet but firm, cutting through the tense silence between them. “…I want you to apologize to Warp.” Subspace offered a smile that was all wide-eyed feigned innocence. “I didn’t know it would hurt her feelings,” he said, as if the very concept were some strange, foreign notion.

Medkit took a slow breath, struggling to maintain his composure. “This is Grav we’re talking about. Of course she would be offended by what you said.”

Subspace was silent for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before his usual cheerful mask slid back into place. “Okay, Meddy!” he chirped, far too brightly. “If it matters that much to you… I’ll apologize!”

The words sounded agreeable, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes—leaving Medkit to wonder just how sincere that promise really was.

They stepped out of the alley and back onto the main thoroughfare, the stark industrial lights of Blackrock washing over them once more. Subspace walked ahead, humming cheerfully as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened—as if he hadn’t just tilted Medkit’s entire world on its axis.

Medkit followed a few steps behind, his mind reeling. His lips still tingled with the ghost of pressure, the memory of Subspace’s sudden kiss playing on loop in his head.

The kiss .

Why had he done it? So sudden, so deliberate— so Subspace . It wasn’t gentle or questioning; it was a claim, a distraction, a paradox wrapped in impulsivity. One moment they were arguing, the next…

Medkit ran a gloved hand over his mouth, as if he could physically wipe away the confusion. His heart hadn’t yet settled back into its usual rhythm.

God. He is truly… unpredictable.

And for the first time, Medkit wasn’t sure if that terrified him—or thrilled him.

As they were walking, Subspace suddenly slithered onto Medkit’s hand, holding his hand whilst they walked. Subspace then smiled while Medkit looked at him with a deadpan expression. 

“Is there something you want to do, Meddy?” Subspace asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft, almost tentative.

Medkit shook his head slowly. “No.” After a brief pause, he turned the question back. “…Is there something you want to do?”

Subspace hummed thoughtfully, kicking a small chunk of snow as they walked. “Hmmm… I dunno!” he admitted cheerfully. “I just like walking around with you. That’s enough.”

Medkit nodded silently, and they continued down the frost-glazed street side by side—two contrasting figures under the pale glow of the city lights, one buzzing with restless energy, the other quiet, contemplative, and still trying to piece together the fragments of the day.

They walked without a clear destination until the familiar park came into view. Medkit let out a quiet, resigned sigh. Somehow, they always ended up back here. “Ooh, we’re back!” Subspace chirped, already darting ahead toward the swing set. He dropped onto one swing, patting the empty one beside him eagerly. “Your turn, Meddy!”

Medkit followed at a slower pace, settling stiffly onto the offered swing. The chains creaked softly under his weight.

“Isn’t this nice?” Subspace said suddenly, kicking his legs to set himself in motion. “Just the two of us.”

Medkit nodded slowly, his gaze distant. Subspace began pumping his legs wildly, soaring higher with each pass like an overexcited child.

“You should swing too, Meddy!” he called out, “It’s fun!”

“It seems… childish,” Medkit replied flatly, though his hands tightened slightly on the cold chains.

“Aww, come on! Live a little! You’re so boring!” With another soft sigh—this one more amused than annoyed—Medkit finally relented. He pushed off gently with his heels, setting himself into a slow, measured sway. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make Subspace beam triumphantly beside him.

Subspace gradually slowed his swinging until he came to a gentle stop, his boots scuffing lightly against the damp ground beneath the swing. He turned to look at Medkit, a soft—almost genuine—smile gracing his features.

“I’m having so much fun with you, Meddy,” he said, uncharacteristically earnest.

Medkit offered a slow, silent nod.

After a moment of quiet, Medkit spoke again, his voice low and careful. “…I have a question.”

“Do tell!” Subspace replied, tilting his head curiously.

“Earlier… why did you kiss me?”

Subspace’s smile didn’t falter. If anything, it grew brighter, though no less elusive. “Hmm… let’s just say I felt like it!” he answered breezily, as if explaining something simple and obvious—like why the sky was blue or why chemicals reacted a certain way.

Medkit nodded slowly, but internally, his thoughts began to spiral.

Of course.

No meaning. No depth. Just impulse.

Perhaps Subspace was only playing with him. Perhaps what felt significant to Medkit was merely another experiment to Subspace—another variable to tweak, another reaction to observe.

Why was he even dwelling on this? He was a scientist, a rationalist. He shouldn’t be reading into fleeting gestures, reading emotion into chaos.

He shook his head faintly, as if trying to dispel the thoughts physically. And then it hit him—a cold, clear realization:

Maybe Subspace didn’t feel the same way at all.

“Why?” Subspace teased, leaning closer with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Do you  want  me to kiss you again?”

Medkit turned his head away, a faint flush coloring his neck. “I don’t want that,” he replied, though his voice lacked its usual conviction.

Subspace simply chuckled, clearly unconvinced.

Seeking composure, Medkit reached into his pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled pack of cigarettes. He tapped one out and brought it to his lips, lighting it with a steady hand. The flame flickered briefly in the dim air.

Subspace watched him, an amused smile playing on his lips. “Even in the park, Meddy? So rebellious.”

Medkit took a slow drag before answering. “…There aren’t many people around. My apologies if it bothers you.”

“It’s not like I’d tell anyone anyway!” Subspace replied cheerfully, swinging gently back and forth. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

For the next hour, they sat in comfortable silence—Medkit lost in thought, exhaling pale streams of smoke into the cool air, and Subspace swaying lazily on his swing, humming a faint, tuneless melody under his breath. The park around them was still, with only the two of them there to share it.

The walk back to the facility was quiet, the only sounds between them the crunch of snow underfoot and the distant hum of the city. When they stepped back inside, the sterile, warm air of the common room washed over them—and there, sitting alone on one of the sleek couches, was Warp.

Medkit shot Subspace a sharp, meaningful look.  Now.

Subspace answered with a bright, performative smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

As they approached, Warp glanced up, her expression neutral but her eyes lingering on Subspace with clear reservation. She was still clearly turning over Subspace’s earlier words in her mind.

“Warp,” Subspace began, clasping his hands behind his back in a show of contrition. “I would like to apologize for what I said earlier. I’ve come to the realization that my comments were… insensitive. And informal.”

Warp studied him for a long moment before sighing softly. “Though your words left a bitter taste, I forgive you. But please… refrain from speaking that way again. Especially about Grav.”

“Will do!” Subspace chirped, offering an overly cheerful nod before glancing sideways at Medkit as if seeking approval.

Medkit could only sigh inwardly. He knew Subspace better than that. The glint in his eye, the slight curl of his smile—it was all for show. Subspace had no real intention of changing. He’d simply performed the apology because Medkit asked him to, and that was the end of it.

They reached the dormitory hallway, the quiet hum of the facility’s control filling the space between them. Medkit unlocked his door, but didn’t step inside immediately. He turned slightly, finding Subspace lingering just behind him like a hopeful, brightly colored shadow.

Medkit sighed softly. “Are you planning on returning to your own dorm tonight,” he asked, though it sounded more like a tired statement than a question, “or will you continue to treat my room as your personal lounge?”

Subspace responded by whistling innocently and looking anywhere but at Medkit.

Shaking his head, Medkit finally entered, Subspace slipping in right behind him. Medkit’s eyes scanned the room, immediately zeroing in on a stack of notes left slightly askew on his desk. He moved to straighten them—a small, compulsive act of order.

Meanwhile, Subspace flopped onto the bed, bouncing experimentally on the mattress a few times until a sharp glare from Medkit made him freeze mid-bounce.

“Sorry…” Subspace mumbled, not sounding very sorry at all.

Medkit moved to the small kitchenette, preparing a pot of strong black coffee with methodical precision. The rich, bitter aroma began to seep into the room as he poured a cup. He took a slow sip, the warmth a small comfort against the day’s exhaustion.

His gaze drifted back to Subspace, who was now sprawled across his bed, hugging Medkit’s pillow tightly against his chest.

“Care to tell me  why  you’re really here?” Medkit tried again, his voice laced with weary curiosity.

Subspace nuzzled the pillow, his voice slightly muffled. “Am I not allowed to be here, Meddy?”

Medkit didn’t answer. He simply let out another long, deep sigh—a sound that seemed to carry the weight of every long day and every unpredictable moment spent in the company of the scientist now making himself at home in his personal space.

“Subspace,” Medkit began, his voice strained with exhaustion. “Please get out of my room. I have documents to write, and I can’t focus with you here.”

“No can do!” Subspace chirped, nuzzling deeper into Medkit’s pillow with a contented sigh.

“It’s almost night. Go back to your own room.”

“Nope!”

“I’ll have to kick you out myself.”

“You know you can’t do that,” Subspace sang, rolling onto his side to smirk at Medkit.

Medkit pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses. “…What do you want?”

Subspace’s eyes lit up. “Hmmm…” He tapped his chin theatrically before a sly grin spread across his face. “If we kiss, I’ll leave. Deal?”

Medkit stared at him, weighing his options. Anything to get this inphernal out , he finally decided. He set his coffee down with a quiet clink . “Okay. Fine. Go ahead.”

Subspace practically launched himself off the bed, closing the distance between them in a few eager strides. Medkit’s heart hammered against his ribs, so loud he was certain Subspace could hear it.

Subspace leaned in slowly, deliberately, giving Medkit every chance to pull away. When he didn’t, Subspace closed the gap, his lips meeting Medkit’s in a kiss that was surprisingly soft at first, then deepened with intent.

Medkit kissed back before he could stop himself, his hands trembling slightly at his sides. When Subspace finally pulled back, his expression was triumphant. “You like that?” he whispered, voice husky.

Before Medkit could form a reply, Subspace kissed him again—harder this time, more possessive. Medkit reciprocated almost desperately, his composure crumbling, until he finally broke away, breathless and flushed.

“…Okay. Stop. Get out,” he managed, voice unsteady.

“Okay!” Subspace beamed, looking far too pleased with himself. “See you tomorrow at work, Meddy!”

And with that, he slipped out the door, leaving Medkit alone—heart racing, lips tingling, and mind spinning as he tried to process what had just happened.