Chapter Text
"Where am I?"
Hyperlaser would have never thought about speaking to himself, yet he did. He curdled up, pulling his legs to his chest. He winces, his actions are slowed. Ever since that horrible phight with that outlaw, he hasn't had the strength, nor courage to leave. Considering all of the wounds, cuts, and bruises he endured, he was out of energy. Hyperlaser held his side, his glove over one of the deeper cuts.
"G-god. If I didn't open my mouth during that entire t-thing, this would have never happened." Hyperlaser spoke to himself, angry at the situation. "And if only I didn't run into her."
Hyperlaser scooted himself up against a wall, positioning himself in such a way to look straight down the alleyway. A large figure stood at the beginning of hallway.
Hyperlaser grabbed his railcannon, using his knee as a stand, he peered through the scope. He wished this isn't how he lived his last moments, not to be in this stupid alleyway, praying not to miss this shot. He looked again, the figure was gone..? Hyperlaser quickly looked up, aiming the railcannon in each direction he looked.
It was... empty... Silent... Almost too silent.
Suddenly, something slumped right next to Hyperlaser, causing him to jump up. Since of his extreme hurt condition, he fell back, growling from the pain. That figure inched closer, its claw reaching toward Hyperlaser's rail-cannon.
Hyperlaser crawled back, growling more. This figure stood up, snatching his rail-cannon and tossing it to the side. It knelt in front of him, waving its claws in his face. It spoke in a muffled voice, as if it wasn't intentional.
"I- I don't understand..!" He hissed, holding his claws in front of his face.
It's claws moved closer, holding onto his helmet. Hyperlaser tried moving them away, but he was far too weak. It pulled his helmet off his head, allowing Hyperlaser to properly get some air in. Along with hearing.
"God. It's like you had wool in your ears, Are you alright??" It spoke.
"U-uh. I am... who the hell are you..??" Hyperlaser questioned.
"And it's as if you don't recognize anyone."
"I really can't."
"...ah. I see."
"So, w-who even are you?"
"I am your drinking buddy, Katana. Ring any bells??" Katana placed his helmet on the floor, as he inspected Hyperlaser's ruined appearance.
Hyperlaser seemed confused at first, but got it soon enough. "Ah. Y-yeah. 'Tana. I remember."
Katana questioned him, "And why do you lay in this alleyway?"
Hyperlaser quietly responded, "...I didn't have a place to go at the moment."
"And I see you're horribly injured, what caused this?" Katana observed his appearance, his clothes were horribly damaged, along with all the blood.
"Nothing. N-nothing at all." Hyperlaser tried to move away from that question.
"It's quite funny how you lie." Katana chuckled, putting his claws closer to Hyperlaser's wounded body. "And it's like you don't think I notice how you're roughed up. Allow me to help you."
"Be gentle." He murmured, wincing a little.
"I can assure you, I will try." Katana softly grabbed Hyperlaser, pulling him up. His arms supported his back, while he slowly stood. He used his tail to grab Hyperlaser's railcannon. "I would suggest relaxing. Your shoulders are tense, they could lead to more tension and more pain for you."
"Since when did you know these things?" Hyperlaser asked, trying to relax in his arms.
"Vinestaff teaches me. She's the healer of that household." He replied, his hand slowly moving to support his head. "Do you want your helmet?"
"Uh. I-if you don't mind, I would want it on."
"Can you hear through it?"
"I... I don't think I could. At least at the time, no."
"Then you shouldn't have it on in the first place." Katana uses his sleeve to partially cover Hyperlaser's face while he walked. "And what would you have done if I didn't find you?"
"...I don't know." Hyperlaser mumbled.
"You must be glad that Prince saw you, even while you were quite unnoticeable at the time." Katana spoke to Hyperlaser, without looking down. "It's as if you wanted to disappear, at least without a trace."
Hyperlaser tried to respond, "...I wasn't trying to-"
He was cut off by Katana, holding his claw in front of his mouth.
"...Silence. Someone's up ahead." Katana slowed his pace down, slowly peering his head side to side, listening. It was quite eerie how his neck twisted, like an owl.
The gravel made a distant clicking sound while something approached, almost like the spurs of an expensive boot. Katana kept walking, covering Hyperlaser's face more with his sleeve. Hyperlaser did his best to stay silent and still. Katana and that mysterious passerby passed each other, without a glance. Not even a noise.
But.
Hyperlaser shivered. He felt something on in chest, more like a gut feeling. Like he was being watched. Like he was targeted. He tugged on Katana's clothing. Katana looked down at him, confused, tilting his head a little.
"Yes? What do you need?"
"... I feel like something's watching us. It's like my gut feeling."
"I'd take it that we should listen to it, you seem to have a strong gut feeling anyways. I wouldn't know much, you're more of the sniper anyways."
"...yeah, sure." Hyperlaser softly nodded. "Try speeding up, to wherever you need to take me."
Katana uncovered Hyperlaser's head, so he could properly speak. "I was thinking to take you to my home, but I am unsure about the others."
"Didn't you live alone?" Hyperlaser questioned, confused.
"Never have been. I've been three other people. At least we are all part of the same faction." Katana sighed, readjusting Hyperlaser's weight in his arms.
"...Are they nice?" Hyperlaser questioned once more.
"Maybe not to you, Since your horrific background." Katana bluntly responded.
"...you aren't wrong." Hyperlaser sighed.
"I am the head of the house, so, I won't let them mess with you. Either way, they are pretty afraid of my authority." Katana started to pick up the pace, walking faster.
All while Hyperlaser held a hand over his chest, gulping hard. He knew something was watching them, but he couldn't do much. He could only lay there and continue being carried. Katana kept looking down, for brieft periods of time, slowly rubbing his back while he walked with Hyperlaser in his arms.
The two of them walked in silence, before Katana started to hum a tune. A broken one. Hyperlaser listened, slowly catching on. He started to fill in the gaps, humming with Katana.
The two of them hummed together, a song to keep them company. The same way the two of them kept each other company.