Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The cold wind pounded against the spire, yet could never knock it down. The inhabitants made sure, for if it fell, they would perish in the boiling hot sunlight. As the sun set, the drones awoke, their wings scraping against each other making soft clicks and clanks. 

One unwrapped her tail from the ledge, falling down she flipped upright and used her metallic wings to ease her landing as she collided with the floor. She then stood up, brushing the snow off of her suit, fixed her pigtails, adjusted her yellow armband and waited for the others.

The others took some time to wake up. In that time the disassembly drone had her breakfast, discarded parts and oil from the body’s of worker drones she had brutally killed days before. Oil was the only thing that kept them cool, without it, they’d die a horribly agonizing death, being melted from the inside out. The limbs from the corpses helped too. It helped them be able to regenerate faster. 

With a few clinks and chinks it signaled to her that one of her teammates were here. 

“Finally! I was wondering if you and N were ignoring me!” The first drone spoke in a somewhat harsh and annoyed tone as she was turning around. 

“Oh no! I really care that you're mad at me J!” The second drone said, her voice being sarcastic with hints of venom. Her neon yellow eyes narrowed on J. She was wearing a dark gray short sleeved crop coat that had some fur on her collar. She also had a yellow armband and a red scarf.

“Well Unless you want to hunt with N, I'll happily stay back here V.” J said, knowing that V would back down because she mentioned her and N hunting, and frankly J wouldn't want to do that either, He’d mess up the hunt. Like she predicted, V backed down and stomped off to get some oil, a wise choice. 

J muttered under her breath “You guys were two peas in a pod, now you avoid him like the plague.” But just then N landed beside her. “Hi J! How’d you sleep?” 

N, J thought with as much hate as she could muster. She saw yellow eyes, the black coat with a belt around the waist Something he probably stole from her! And a pilot hat on top of his silvery hair.

“Go get some oil, we’re having a meeting.” 

So he ran off.

To J it felt like a million years had passed with how slow N and V ate their food. N ate his like a sane drone, right by the pile, but V, she likes to grab a portion like an arm or leg and fly back up to her nest. It was inefficient, wasted time, and wasted oil. J was infuriated and was tempted to pair them together to hunt, but decide against it. 

They all huddled together right by the entrance to the tower when J cleared her throat. “Me and V are going elsewhere to hunt. N!” She liked randomly snapping at N, it always made him straighten up and look right at her. 

“You are going to stand guard here and kill any drones who decide to toy with death, you got that?” Her tone never lightened while talking to N. 

“G-got it J!” He spoke while saluting, something that slightly peeved her. J and V  walked out further and extended their wings out and launched up, high into the sky. They were coming, and those little workers better be wary.

Chapter Text

“BYEEEE- oh you're already gone” N spoke aloud, his tone, while happy, was a bit damp with loneliness. He walked back to the landing pod in the middle and clambered inside to see if J had left anything for him to do.

His eyes drifted to the small workbench J had made, on some sticky notes N read aloud “Patch up holes in the spire, Check for workers, Clean up the floor, Dig a hole and die in it N!” N droned on reading the things he needed to do, “heh heh, classic J, telling me to die.” A small smile formed and he threw it away in the trash can beside him.

N ran out of the pod, and looked up at the spier, and a thousand red “Errors” watched him. Even after he moved to clean up, they were there ever watching, hopeful for downfall.

As N picked up arms, legs, hardhats, bolts, and screws. He would fly up on top of the spire, Use his blowtorch to melt the material to the tower and then let it cool. With the bolts and screws he would just snack on them.

N walked out of the spire, scanning the area, then with a crack he was launched up into the sky with his metal wings. Will I find any drones tonight? I hope I will! then J might tell him he did good! yes!

Then and only then, did N hear noise other than the wind whispering. The soft ‘Pshh’ of the piston doors. Bingo! Best to see how many there are! N was giddy, we can barely find any workers roaming around! And I found some! Hooray!

N hovered in the air, not wanting to alert the drones. But when he finally saw the drone he was perplexed. They were holding a kid?! And took them outside?! Why!? To use as bait!? You know what!? I’m done with drones thinking that! I'll scare them! I'll show them there is no mercy out here! Especially if you bring a kid . N thoughts changed from confusion to anger.

The drone had purple but almost lilac hair. And was wearing a black hat? It was too hard for N to see from so far away. Along with some gray clothing.

As N stared to hover closer he could hear the kid was asking her questions left and right to the mom’s annoyance. 

“Mom, where's dad?”

“He’s going to come out later!”

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere far away from any colony!”

“Why? What about Doll?”

“So you aren't hurt sweetie! And Yeva will bring Doll later!”

The mom answered in a tone of worry and fear, one the kid didn't react to. What is in the colony that scared you away from it? Isn’t it supposed to be a haven ? What do you know that I don’t.

As N dived down to be behind them he changed his hands into claws. With a loud ‘thump’ he told them about his presents. 

“Do you think having a child with you will protect you from death?”

Chapter Text

The mom turned around. her eyes, somewhat light color of purple, were hollowed out with 3 rings under them, mouth agape slightly. Her child on the other hand had eyes full of amazement and wonder. This kid has no idea what could happen, that’s just sad. N’s wings were fanned out, he was slightly hunched over, Yellow ‘X’ blazed on his visor. He was slightly smiling, bearing his teeth.

“Are you a REAL Murder drone!” the child yelled happily. The mom’s face filled with more worry, and N was startled out of the ‘X’ on his face, which now displayed a pair of confused eyes. “Um uh, Yes?” N was perplexed to say the least. So the kid does know about us, yet she’s happy to see me? Why isn't she afraid? Is this so they willingly go to use so the parents don’t get killed!? But a voice broke through his thoughts “Zizi! No!” The mom was struggling with the kid on her back, who was trying to get down.

“No! I want to say hi to em!”

“Well I think you can say that to me on your mom’s back?” N spoke, trying to help the mom a bit. The smaller drones obliged “Well then, hi there! What's your name?”

N was stunned, even his visor said so with a loading icon displayed. “Um, it’s N? What are you and your mom doing out here?” N was trying to steer the conversation to where he could kill them, now without guilt.

“There is a danger that can’t be killed, so we flee from it. But only me and my sister can see it, everyone else is blind to the truth, Thinking that It’s amazing and should be honored.” The mom spoke, her voice full of fear but determined.

N saw his chance, so he took it

“Are you willing to die for your child’s safety?”

Chapter Text

“Pa-pardon me?”

“You heard me, Or do I need to repeat myself.” N looked at her with a dead straight face. Regardless of what she picks, I'll drop the kid off at another colony. If you care so much to save her I'll at least honor it.

The drone inhaled, then spoke “I would be, but before you do can I at least leave you with help?”

“O-Okay, what help will you leave me with?” N didn’t know how to respond 

Her eyelights light up “A way to help you as Uzi grows up! I’ll put everything on this phone and you can access it and I'll tell Yeva about what happened, or well what will happen, so that way if you need help you can ask her! And-and-and um-uh, Oh-I'll add a-bunch of stuff-oh-i-know-i-can add-a-letter-for-Uzi-when-she’s-18 so-I-can-tell-her-everything-” 

N stopped paying attention to her and rather to the kid she let off her back, who was now wandering over to him. She was blissfully unaware over what her mom was doing on the phone she had pulled out, or what was going to happen. She wanted to look at N better. 

Oh, I messed up, and now this drone is asking me to raise her kid. I could say that I'll let her go, but J and V might not be as kind as me and kill both of them. But if I take her to the spire I can guarantee her safety, which would be better, But-

His thoughts were interrupted by the droneling staring right at him, with one of the biggest similes he had ever seen. He smiled softly at her and slightly waved at them. She looked just like her mom, just darker hair and eyes, she was wearing a black beanie that had a pom pom on it. her jacket was a dark gray and was way too big for her, it almost reached her black boots.

“Hey Yeva? Yes yes, I'm outside, just one thing, What no I didn’t forget anything! It’s just,” She inhaled, Sweat rolling down her visor. “Uzi-is-going-to-be-raised-by-murder-drones-and-I-wanted-to-tell-you-so-you-could-help-N-because-I'm-going-to-die-for-her-safety!” The mom said it so fast N could barely keep up 

“I-... I know, but Yeva! What if he needs your help!? Nonononono please don’t hang up! I-I’d-I” the phone let out a low but audible ‘beep’ signaling that the call ended “Love… you.” The drone’s voice lowered, Showing some despair, N knew that look all too well.

N felt a tug on his coat, as he looked down he saw Uzi.

“Do you want to play with me!” The child blurted out. She could barely hold in her excitement! 

“Um, We could later? I don’t think I'm going to be leaving you anytime soon.” N was anxious. I definitely play with her, but how long until V or J Would demand she die? Or just straight up kill her themselves?

Uzi’s face fell a bit, but then she smiled again, satisfied with the answer. She wandered a bit away, N watched a bit mournful for her future.

“Well, Here’s everything you would need to raise her. All on this phone. I also recorded a few videos for her to listen to when she needs them. I-I, I would like to tell her bye before I go, Please?” Nori looked melancholic. I wish I could go back on what I said, she looks so sad. But of course she would be, she had to leave the only home she had, and someone dear to her hung up, and she won’t be able to see her kid grow, and she won’t see the sunrise this morning. And I don’t want to go back on my word. J doesn’t want us going back on anything we say, something about ‘professionals don’t go back on what they say’. It was weird.

“O-of course! I-I couldn’t imagine not allowing you!” N could feel the digital sweat drip down his visor. Nori’s expression softened into a small but weak smile, her eyes expressing sympathy.

“Thank you, N. I’ll go do it right now.” Nori walked to Uzi, leaned down and talked to her. It was too faint for N to hear, and he didn’t need to, it was a conversation between mother and daughter.

After some time, Uzi and Nori are ready.

“Hey Uzi! Do you wanna play hide and seek? I’ll count and hide somewhere you can see from here!” N figured this would be the best way to stop Uzi from seeing it.

“Oki!” And Uzi ran off, N kept track of her with one of the 5 eyes on top of his head, His smile faltered. He glanced over at nori, who displayed a happy yet sad look.

N swapped his hand into a blade and asked a simple question “Is there somewhere you’d like me to put your body? I-It-Um It just feels right to ask, y’know?”

As Nori turned around, kneeling in the snow, she answered “The cabin fever labs, I’ll add the coordinates to the phone if you want.”

“Y-yes please.”

“And the password is Uzi's birthday, 1031.” And Nori handed him the phone. “I feel like Uzi is in good hands. Thank you.”

N raised his blade, but before he hesitated, looked around, and swung.

Chapter Text

N  didn’t feel any resistance when he swung, Did-did I miss? Then he heard it, the ‘thunk’ he had heard so many times before, the one signaling /.that he completed his task. He had never paid any mind to it before, but now, he realized what he was doing, what it meant. So he made a vow, one to only kill what was necessary, and he would stand by it till he forgot about Uzi, which he never would. Not if J or V or Uzi kill-, No, No don’t think like that. Even if Uzi passed on before him, he would still stand by it till the end of his days.

N sighed, and covered Nori’s body with some rubble. He didn’t want V, J, or Uzi to see it. Then when he was done, he looked for Uzi. she can’t have gone that far, could she? 

He scanned the area, and found the small boot prints she left. 

“Bingo!” N jogged along the tracks when he heard some giggles.

“I knew you would use my boot prints to track me! I’m not that dumb! Best if you actually look instead of following!” Her voice surrounded N, He couldn’t even identify where the voice came from! It sounds like the dead are talking. Does she know how to do that?! Use the body’s voice box to record her? J had done that once, but only to stop anyone from going into her nest when she wasn’t home.

N stopped to think. If I was a little drone trying to hide, where would I? N slowly backed up and accidentally kicked a body. He whipped around so fast some snow lifted up.

In front of him was a small pile of bodies, It probably had around 9 to 12 bodies. His tail flicked anxiously. Where was Uzi? But then he heard another giggle, coming from the pile itself.

Without warning a body near the bottom pounced on him. His systems flared in his head. Threat! Kill! Danger! His eyes melted into the infamous ‘X’, Claws came out.

By the time his processor caught up He was slightly hunched over, claws at the ready, teeth bared, growling at a confused Uzi.

“N?”

N finally realized what he was doing, and frantically stopped. His eyes filled with worry, hands replaced his claws, backing up slowly.

“I-Uzi-Uh, I-I didn't realize that you would jump at me, I-I thought I was being attacked” N said sheepishly. “Can you not do that again? I don’t want to hurt you!” Uzi simply smiled and said ‘Kay’ so they went to the corpse spire.

Chapter Text

J was proud of their hunt. They were bringing home 4 workers for later. She could just see the top of the spire.

But as she veered closer, she heard laughing? Was N going insane? No, his laugh was different, this, this was a worker’s. Well then he did something but what caused a barely sentient toaster to laugh in the disassembly drone’s lair! D-Did he make a fool of himself!? J was enraged.

“Come on, He had to do that ?!” V all but yelled

“He’s N, what else did you expect?”

“No, No you don’t understand. It’s worse.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll see,” V said sourly, and slowed down. 

So she wants me to take charge? But why? What does she know that I don’t? J pondered as she excelled to the spire.

“-Ink it’s funny, huh!? Well I got to teach you a thing or two!” Then some giggles followed. N what did you find?! Whatever it is, you're going to have to lose it. J swooped down low and landed right in front of the entrance to the spire and piering inside she saw N abruptly stand and step around something.

“Huh? What's going on?”

“Don’t worry, I won't let her get to you, so stay behind me.”

“But N!”

“No. Your safety is my priority. And I don’t know how she’ll act.”

When the snow-dust had settled down, J could see N standing in front of a small worker drone. Oh this is what V meant. So why does he have it?

“N. What. Is. THIS?!”

“I-Um-You se-”

“This is not company standard! Have you lost your mind!? You know what? I SHOULD DISASSEMBLY YOU MYSELF!” J screamed The fool brought home a drone! And got attached to it!

“J! I don’t care! I’m willing to die for her! And besides you didn’t let me keep the robo puppy I found so I'm going to keep her.” N sounded like a whiny kid. This drone. Then a thought occurred to her

“Well if you want to keep her. It’s your job, I’m not helping you at all. And if you leave her alone, I will kill her. That’s a promise.” It was the best thing J could do right then.

“Deal.” His tail whipped around him, but it stayed away from the drone. J was done with him, just done with today, so she flew up to her nest, right as V came in like a speeding bullet. She quickly dropped the two workers she had flown with in the pile and sored up to her nest. Never fails to amaze me how smooth she moves. Never stopping, never hesitating, oh so graceful. 

As the sun rose, J wrapped her tail around the rebar that stuck out of her nest, deployed her wings, And took a leap of faith. Her tail hung her up, as she swung slowly, wings shielding her. She could hear the drone though. Get her to sleep N. If not I’ll kill you then the drone, technically she’d be all alo~

But her systems overpowered her, forcing her into sleep mode. One of deep sleep where nothing would disturb her.

Chapter Text

N almost fainted when J left. He had never, never , confronted J like that. Well she didn’t kill me, or uzi. She's safe. 

“Hey buddy! You ready to go to sleep?”

“No! I just woke up! I wanna play!”

“Fine, we can play for a bit,” N said with a sigh. If he knew any better he would have taken that nap beforehand. The kid was bouncing all over the place.

“Well what do you want to play?”

“Go fish!”

—————

“I win!” Uz proclaimed. They had gone through 12 different games, all which they played about 2-3 rounds of. N was exhausted. It had only been what? 3 and a half hours? 4? It didn't matter.

“Hey, can we sleep now?”

“Why? It’s the middle of the day! It’s a good time to play!”

“Yeah, I sleep when it’s day.”

“Why?”

“The sun burns me, like I’ll die .”

“Oh, I’m sorry. You can take a nap, I’ll be right by you!”

“Really?” N was surprised by her reaction and he wanted to decline, but a nap, that sounded so good right now, and if he stayed awake for too long his systems would just shut down until he was fully charged.

“Yeah! My ma would do that all the time! And I would draw her picture for her when she wakes up!” The kid was ecstatic! It seemed like nothing could slow her down!

“All right, But wake me up If you need me or V and J wake up.” N said as his systems were put into a light sleep.

“Mo-hey!” Uzi said but N couldn’t decipher. 

—————

N awoke but himself. Why am I on the floor? N got up, stretched, and laid his eyes on Uzi. A worker? What are they doing here? Then the events hit N like a truck. He almost stumbled. Oh right! Uzi! Wonder what she’s doing? Looks like she has something.

As N got closer he saw she had a roboroach. 

“Ehehehe! You're tickling me!”

“Whatcha got there?”

How Uzi reacted told him something, She knew she wasn’t supposed to have that. I didn’t tell her she couldn’t play with it, But h er mom miGHT HAVE!

Uzi as soon as she heard N shoved the roboroach in her mouth and looked at him with fear and worry. Her visor displayed sweat and hollowed eyelights with some stress lines.

N’s visor was in a similar manner. Then he heard a very soft ‘Crunch’. 

“NOOO! DON’T EAT IT!” N reacted with worry. He sprung into action, opening Uzi’s mouth and grabbing the bug, which was slightly crushed.

N shoved the roach into his pocket and pulled out the phone Nori gave him. Then he searched the doc she had given him.

“Roboroach, Ah here! Don't let Uzi play with them because she wiLL EAT THEM?! UZI!?” N looked at her with concern. Uzi looked back with guilt ridden eyes and a mischievous grin.

“Uzi I’ll let you play with the roaches, but no eating them ok?”

“Oki can do!”

“Glad you can” N checked his internal time I slept about 2 hours, I should ask if the kid need some food or something. What do they even eat? N typed that next into the search bar. F-oo-d, and search! Oki, Oki, ah here we go! Batteries, and nothing else, great. I’ll just ask here what she can have.

“Hey zi? You feelin hungry?”

“Nah! But I feel a bit sleepy…” N they picked her up one arm under her legs and the other supporting her back. 

“You ready to fly for a bit?”

“Yes.” Uzi looked determined to fly. An outsider would say she looked indifferent, but N knew that she really wanted to. So N deployed his wings and flew up to his nest.

N landed in his nest and set Uzi into the pile of pillows he had, then grabbed a blanket to toss over Uzi. Then he laid his head onto the pillows and they drifted off to sleep together.

—————

The next 2 days consisted of the same things. Wake up, play with Uzi, give her some food, Take a nap together, play with Uzi, rest while she plays beside him, give her some food, and finally rest for the night. But as the hours marched on, his power lowered, his sleep didn’t restore all the power he needed. With less power he was grouchy, slow moving. Some of his programs were off, like his night vision and print trackers. His hand attachments were also affected too, like his rocket launcher and chain saws.

He was laying on the ground, sleeping lightly, and Uzi was playing beside him. He felt like he was dying, melting from the inside out. He hadn’t had any oil since he did the tasks J asked him to do. He didn’t even know if the others were here or not. It didn't matter, they wouldn’t help him. 

I-1-I   C4-a-ant-t   1L-L-3-Tt   u-z-z-z-z-1-i   S-e-3-3-3-3e   m3   .   .   . 1l-i1-K3   Th-1-1-1-1-i-S.   P-1-4a-n .

‘Thunk’ N Jumped at the sudden noise, ‘X’ on his visor, snarling and claws ready.

“N? Are you ok?”

It was V. I just acted aggressive to V . As the ‘X’ went away, worried eyes replaced it. 

“I-I U-uM So-0-Orr-y-y…” His tail lowered and swayed side to side. He looked down and tried to make himself smaller.

“Ok. N. How much power do you have? How much oil do you have? Tell me.” Her voice was calm and neutral.

“Y-Y0-ou d-0n’t-t N-33e-d t0-o w-o0-O-ry a-b-0ot m-33.”

“Your voice is glitching out. Tell. me. NOW.” Now V’s voice was cold and sharper than any blade. N winced and started to fidget with his hands. Digital sweat dripped down his visor but was glitching out from his lack of charge and oil.

“31% a-4-An-d-ddd 17% F-0-oo-r  o1-1il-1?”

V just looked at N, Sighed, and pointed to the pile of drones. “Go. Eat. and get some charge. I’ll take care of … What-it’s-name for you.”

“N-o-O Uz-1-1i  1-i1s my Re-33-sp-9-0-o-n-s1ib-i–11-1l-1-i-1t-y!” N muttered in a glitchy and garbled way, one almost unrecognizable.

“And you don’t want to be the reason she dies, yes?”

N looked down and muttered “o-0k” but smiled at V and went over to the pile of drones.

Chapter Text

The only thing V remembered about her life before the manor was that she helped with kids. Not from her memories, but her code, something the solver didn’t remove unfortunately. She could kill all day, but her code cried for her to comfort the little drones, to tell them it would be alright, to help them sleep, to protect them. So when N brought home one, it was miserable for her. N was a good caretaker, just not a good single dad. 

And now because I know how upset he’ll be, and because my code is screaming at me, I have to take care of the brat. Lovely~. 

“Oi! Tyke! Whatcha doin?” V kept her voice calm but couldn’t remember her name, and she couldn’t tell what N called her with his glitch voice. Was it Uzi? No, why would the kid be named after a gun? Fusiey? Was it a nickname of sorts? Would that imply that her name was Fuse?

The kid looked at her and her face lit up with excitement. Why is the kid so happy? Because of you. No, not because of me. Shut up code. V hated that her code could “Talk” to her. Yes it was useful when she needed to help calm things down, or help Tessa when she was injured. But not here! She had hardware to kill, but software to care.

“What’s your name! Where did N go? Is N ok? What about mom?” V was bombarded with questions. V! He is taking a break! Yes! She’s fine! V gritted her teeth. It’s still going? Just. Shut. Up! I can handle this! I. Don’t ! Need. Your! Help. V strode over to the kid.

“My name is V, N needs a nap is all.” If I can, I’d like to leave that mom question.

“Oki… What about my mom? Is she okay?” Shit. She’s ok! Don’t worry! Let me give you a hug! I’ll keep you safe! Shut! Up! I don’t need you!

“I-Uh, Don’t know? You’d need to ask N about that…” V Sat beside the kid, Angling herself to look at them. She was about to reach out to the kid but retraced before it could happen and shook her head. Stop! Please. I don’t need to get attached. I can’t let myself. The kid just looked at her and smiled.

“That’s okay! Can we explore outside?” Uzi gave V a grin. She trusts you! I know that, Shut up.

“When N goes to sleep, Then we can.” V gave a small smile, her tail swaying faster than before. She wants to do something with me already. Yay! Fun! Bonding time!  

From her optics, V saw N. He looks, better. N looked around before his eyes landed on her. Hi N! How are you? Are you going to sleep? Shut up. N’s eyes had lines under them from a lack of sleep, His hair was slightly messy.

“H-Hey V! Thank you for watching Zi for me! I can take over for you now!” O h h e l l n o ! You are not doing that! you need sleep!

“Tough luck! You are going to go to sleep and if you don’t I’ll fly off with the kid!” 

“Yay! I get to fly!” Uzi said while jumping up and down.

“No! Not yay! I’ll leave you far away from anyone and I won’t tell N where you are!”

“I’ll walk back! I just need to see the spire!” A smile formed on V’s face,

“I’ll leave you up high and where you can’t see the spire!” The smile started to turn into a smirk. 

“Then I’ll yell until N finds me!”

“Not if you're far away~!” 

Uzi’s visor displayed a loading icon, Then she huffed

“Fine, Then N need to go get sleep.” Uzi dropped down, sat crisscrossed with her arms folded. She turned away and started to playful pout.

“See? The kid agrees with me! You. Need. Sleep. End of story.” V said as she turned to him, the playful grin replaced by a determined look.

“No, J said That I need to take care of her.”

“She said it was your job. But who said that you can’t have a break for a day or two, hm? Besides, I think she was implying that she wouldn't help.”

“D-I-Um, Fineee I’ll go sleep” N slouched over, showing his defeat

“Thank you.” V let out with a sigh

“Oh but before I go!” N shoved his hand in his pocket, and pulled out a dark gray rectangle. “Here! It’s a phone for Uzi, so you, uh, fact check it or ask questions!” N handed her the phone, backed up, and took off for his nest.

“Thanks, N” V said after N left. And he forgot to tell me the password, cool. V quickly ran to the pod, put the phone in her marked drawer, climbed out of the pod, and fear hit her core like lightning.

Chapter Text

J was behind her.

J, the only drone to make a threat

J, the only drone who hated her

J.

J was raising her blade above her head. She is going to swing at her. SHE IS GOING TO SWING AT HER!

V shot forward like a bullet, hands becoming blades. J was arcing down.

‘Shing!’ The blade was stopped

“V.?” J asked, Clearly pissed, but curious.

“J, were you watching the whole time?” V stood up from her crouched position and looked J in the eyes.

“Are you protecting a worker?” J asked with a stern voice. “How do you think corporate would react to that!?” I think they might find it “charming” or “cute”.

“I’d say let N have one little thing he likes. I only stepped in so he didn’t overheat and go on a rampage.” V mimicked J’s tone, but added venom to it.

“Then he’d learn not to get attached-” 

“Then he’d kill himself.”

“So…?” J asked blankly

V sighed. Of course, J. Never. Cared. N always did something to upset her. 

“So I would rather have a teammate who cares for more then “The company”. Someone who still cares for others.”

J stayed still. Then narrowed her eyes. “So you're saying you’d care for a worker. Glad to know who to report.”

“No. I’m saying N deserves something that makes him happy. Not for me.” V narrowed her eyes right back at J.

Uzi pulled herself up from the floor with V’s leg. Her face showed concern and some fear. She basically hugged it and peered to the side. V wanted to kick her off and to tell her to stop it, but didn’t. The kid looked like they needed comfort right then and there and her leg was helping with that.

“Why are you two fighting like Ma and Pa?” J glared at the kid, And her tail whizzed past, its target found.

V brought down her arm, cutting the tail. She snarled at J with one of her eyes being replaced by a ‘X’ “Didn’t you say that you would only kill her if she was alone?”

J screeched, and grabbed the end of her tail, it was growing back yes, but slowly. “Have. You. LOST YOUR MIND?! ATTACKING ME? WHAT? DO YOU WANT TO DIE?! I’LL HAPPILY DO THAT!” J raised her right arm up, preparing to attack.

V stood still, looked at J, then looked at Uzi. As fast as she could move she grabbed Uzi, deployed her wings, And took off in the direction of the entrance. She flew low to the ground, just barely above the lamp posts. She took a sharp turn and dived into an old apartment building. She laid her hand above Uzi’s mouth, trying to keep her quiet.

She heard J not a second later. The ‘crack’ of her take off made Uzi jump and V instantly started to rub her back to comfort her. 

Once she realized what she was doing she stopped, But Uzi started to whimper so she continued, releasing that Uzi needed comfort more than she needed her persona. She needs you. Can you be there for her? Please… Shut up, I’ll do as I please! Which may or may not be what you say! I do what I want!

J was zipping across the sky like a fly. Yelling out things like: “I’m still willing to talk!” and “I’ll make it quick! She won’t feel a thing!” V was resisting the urge to protectively hide Uzi with a hug and her wings. Darn code! Making me want to do stuff I don't want to! It’s not the code… Oh shut up!

V eyed J, who was still flying around. Just leave. Give up. Just like you did before. Just like you do every time. But then J left, and V sighed, but then remembered something. It’s her tactic, to let them think she’s gone, then strike when they're outside. Which also mea ns she knows where we are… We’ll move away from here. To the bunker, that’s where she headed to, she won't see us moving there.

“Follow me.” 

“Please?”

Chapter Text

V and Uzi walked toward the bunker, avoiding J’s watchful eyes.

“Why did you cut her tail?” Uzi asked in a soft, quiet tone.

“If I didn’t it would have gotten you.” V answered in a dull but also quiet voice. She scanned the area, the moon high above them. “But we get to explore like you wanted, right?” Is j going to just stand there until the sun rises? She's a fool to think that I would willingly stand out in the sun, there’s plenty of shelter around.

“Yeah, but we are going back, right? I don’t think N would be happy if i was gone too long… My papa never liked it when I was gone too long.” 

“Don’t worry, we’ll look around for a while then head back. Got that?” Uzi nodded.

As V and Uzi walked, They got closer to the bunker. V smelt oil. It’s… Fresh? Was this N’s kill? I’m somewhat low… And I can have Uzi run off for a bit.

“Hey buckaroo? Do you want to uh… play hide and seek?” V said as she was tracking where the smell was coming from.

“Sure! I’ll hide first!” And Uzi ran off. It’s coming from the ruble over there. Must have collapsed on them. V walked over to the concrete slab that laid atop her snack.

With some effort she got the slab off, but was then paralyzed. 

There was a body, one that looked like they accepted death. It looked like Uzi, lighter hair, Grey dress. Her head and a bit of her torso was chopped off at an angle.  

Th-That looks like Uzi…That’s probably her mom… N must have hidden the body, but why didn’t he feed from it? What's so wrong with it? Maybe respect? We shouldn't feed from it, there’s more at home, and beside you have a kid to care for. And you can go bother another drone. If  N doesn’t want it to be fed on, then fine! I can get food elsewhere! Now where’s Uzi?

Then something caught her eye. It was a necklace on the drone. One that said “02” under a triangle that had a skull inside it. Beside it were some trees? It was on a choker that had Flower jewels as the string. Well, I think she might want this, and I can ask N if he wants to give it to her. Who knows, maybe she would have wanted Uzi to have it, and she can’t really object now… V quickly grabbed it, careful to not break it though. She shoved it in her jacket's zipper pocket.

She moved the slab back over it and set off to find Uzi. She couldn’t have gone that far, could she? V looked around and found the track she left. Wait, there’s two tracks, both the same, and go in the same direction. Probably Uzi, N must have gone here too, I can see his tracks. V followed them. The moon is moving closer to the horizon. We’ll need to head home.

V walked into one of the “graveyards” they had made, it was beside a crumbling hotel, it had about 13 floors above the snow and ice ground. Piles of bodies surrounded V.

“I knew y0u w0uld use my b0-0o-t prints to tr4-ack-ack m33! I’m not that dumb! Best if you actually lo-0o-k instead of f01-10-10w1-1-1ng!” The voice Startled V, It was a glitchy mess, V swapped out her claws from impulse. She scanned the area, But it was dead drone after dead drone. 

V walked forward when something behind her made a noise. She whipped around Claws ready, Tail swaying side to side, ‘X’ on her visor, and maw open. Instead of being attacked, she was giving a hug. She immediately clenched up and froze. Her arms moved back into looking like T-rex arms, Her mouth shut, Hollowed optic came forth, and tail sticking up like a line.

“You looked like you needed a hug” The kid was hugging her legs right at the joint, V was stuck. A-Uh-Help!-What-do-I-do-?-kid!-Don’t-kick-her!-AHHHAGS. She was right! You did need a hug~   AND-YOUR-NOT-HELPING!!

V just stood there, petrified. She felt like her circuits were being fried. So much of her wanted to hug back, but so much of her wanted it to end. So much of her wanted to kill her, but so much of her wanted to cherish her. So she stayed still. She couldn't even speak, truly paralyzed. She felt whole, but also broken. She felt scared, but also happy. 

“You good?” V was brought back to reality, blinking several times. When did this kid let go? Ugh. Let's get home. Too much “Bonding time” for me.

“Yeah. Come here, we need to go home.” V replaced her claws with hands.

“Yay! Flying!”

—————

They landed at the spire, The moon gone, and the sun peaking over the horizon. J was already sleeping, and by the looks of it N hadn’t even woken up. Does he have a longer charge than us?

“Do you want to sleep now?” V asked as she lowered Uzi from her arms.

“Can I play for a bit? I can play nearby if you need sleep!”

“Fine, just wake me up if you need me.” V spoke indifferently but she happily accepted the offer. She. Was. Spent.

She walked a bit until she found where N was sleeping before. She laid down like a big cat, making a ‘(’ shape. Her tail flicked idly, as she put herself into a light sleep. Uzi started to draw nearby.

Chapter Text

N’s sensors fluttered online. Wha-Where? Uzi? Not hot? N released his tail from the rebar and landed on the ground. Oh Right! V said she would take care of Uzi for me! Then told me to get some sleep and oil! I need to thank her!

N jogged over to where he was sleeping before, and his core melted.

V was sleeping like a big cat with a slight curve. Uzi was sleeping against her, using her like a pillow. V’s tail swayed from her head to the end of her legs, Having it to where she could stab anyone. Her right arm had a claw but her left arm had a hand. She was resting her head on her left arm, and her right was Infront of her head.

Awwwwh! V’s is sooo sweet! N stepped a bit closer, but the crunch of a dead roboroach gave him away. V didn’t move but she hissed, moved her claws, and her tail flicked toward N. N stepped back a bit, and V stopped. Well then. I'll let her be. Uzi probably wore her out.

N turned around and saw that J was gone. Strange. Normally she wakes one of us up, or waits for us so we can hunt. Oh well. Oh! I should go put Uzi’s mom’s body where she wanted! Oh, I never got her name… Oh well.

N flew to the body, he had already imputed the cords into his map.

—————

When N arrived He saw that the slab had been moved. Did J find it!? I hope not. Please be the same, not shredded?

N moved the slab and looked at the body. Lilac hair, Grey dress, black helmet.

He got a good look at the body, The head was cut off with a bit of the torso at an angle. N grabbed both parts of the body, and saw a duffle bag beside her. That might be for Uzi… I’ll get to that in a bit. And N took off.

—————

Once N arrived at the location he looked around. “She wrote down to toss her into the pit. Now where is that?” But then his question was answered, there was scaffolding right above a pit, it looked like a void. And N dropped the body in there. “Bye Uzi’s mom. I hope I can make you proud.” and N flew back to the bag.

—————

“I wonder what’s in the bag!” N practically yelled as he walked into the spire. V growled at him for being so loud “Oh! Sorry V!” N quickly added in a hushed voice. So she’s still sleeping. Best to let them rest, although Uzi should get up, she needs to be on our schedule. N looked at the two. But that can wait, after all, we have at least 13 more years together. Hopefully?

N opened the bag and inside was a few packs of batteries, toys, books for kids and adults, plenty of note books, lots of clothes, and a laptop. “She was truly packing to escape… What was in there? Where is her dad?”

N climbed into the landing pod to wait for them to wake up.

“N why are you here? Thought you had a kid to take care of.” J said bluntly

“V isn’t letting me get close… So I grabbed the bag that the mom had.”

“Why? She wouldn't let you near your kid?” J questioned him.

“They're both sleeping?”

“Still!? They were asleep at dawn and they're still asleep!?” J’s voice was rising

“Uzi likes to play in the middle of the day… Maybe that’s what happened?” N shifted the bag around.

“Why the hell am I even talking to you!?” J was yelling at this point, it looked like she was boiling with hatred.

“And you clearly aren’t in the mood for a friendly chat, so I’ll be on my way.” And N proceed to leave. I don’t need to be yelled at right now, thank you very much!

“Are you leaving while we’re talking!? I’m not done talking yet!” J shouted at him, but N didn’t care. I'm not going to be a part of the reason they wake up. V will most likely kill me.

As N left, J followed suit, Still yelling. A cross popping veins was displayed on his screen above an eye. J.

“-ND YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST LEAVE!? WELL YOU  HAVE ANOTHER THING COMING AT Y-” N pointed his right arm at her, a sword right by her throat. One of his eyes turned into a ‘X’

“Shut. UP!” J looked confused and startled

“J. I don’t care what you do. Just leave Uzi out of it.” And V. “So that means letting her sleep, So shut up or I will.” His had turned into a long blade.

“You don’t have the guts to!” J was angry, fuming, yet, nervous?

N moved the sword to where it was touching the metal “Oh I sure don’t” N said in a dull but mocking tone as he lifted the sword away from her neck. J looked from the sword to N then back.

“Tch! Just what I thought! Your Wea-AHAHAGAHGAAGHAGAGHEE!” J screamed as N chopped her arm off. Dull expression staying.

“Leave me and my family Alone. Or your neck will be Next.” N pulled his sword to his side.

J’s eyes were filled with worry, then she snarled at him and took off to her nest.

“Hey, good job. Never thought I’d see you stand up to J. Twice even.” N turned around. The dull, life sucking. Plain gray look on his face. The ‘X’ over his eye was greeted by V, who was still lying down.

N visor quickly became one of a soft smile. “Ehn. It was nothing! I was just thinking about Uzi and I didn’t want Uzi to wake up to us yelling.” You included…

“Need me to get you anything? You look kinda stuck…”

“That's an understatement, all of my joints are frozen!” V gave N a face of pure annoyance.

“Well you tail is still mov-”

“Besides that! I can’t even move my neck!” Her tail was moving back and forth, increasing in speed with each sway.

Uzi’ eyelights were flicking open, she was awake now. Her eyes were tracking V’s tail. As the tail veered closer to Uzi, she grabbed it and bit down on the wire.

“AHAHAGGGG-LET-GOOOO” V looked like she was trying to move, yet she couldn’t. N was trying to hide his smirk. “N! HELPPPPP!” N jumped closer to V.

“Uzi! V doesn’t like that! Can you stop please?!” Uzi pulled the tail out of her mouth but kept holding it.

Uzi looked side to side, then a mischievous look appeared. “Nu.” And she bit back down. V screamed bloody murder.

“OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-LET-GOOOOO!” V was stuck. N grabbed Uzi, who was still gnawing on the tail. N could only think of one thing to stop Uzi. So N proceeded to tickle her.

“AHAHAHAHAHA-NOOOO!!” Uzi had dropped the tail and V got up. “No fair! I was having fun!”

“And that fun was hurting V! You need to be kind to V and me!”

“Yes, or I’ll give you flying lessons.”

“Yay!” Uzi said, pumping her arms in the air.

“That’s not a punishment?”

“She doesn’t have any wings?”

“V! Noooo!” V just gave a sly grin.

Chapter Text

Every 2-3 days V would help N for a day. All he needed was some oil and a good charge. All V needed to do was keep the child accompanied so J wouldn’t murder the child. They need to keep a close eye on Uzi considering, J keeps staring to find when is the best time to swoop down and slice her head off. She kept throwing dirty looks and growling at the two of them. Lines seem to fade in under her eyes, which looked, bigger?.

N had chatted to her about Uzi’s birthday. It was October 31 and if they wanted to do anything for her, then would be the best time. V already had a gift, It was the choker her mom was wearing. She had told N about it, he thought it would be fine.

It had been a month or two since N brought Uzi home. N had changed her into different clothes that fit her better. It was a dark purple T-shirt with a black ‘:3’ on it. She also was wearing some black sweatpants.

V was hanging from her nest, watching the two play some weird game N probably made. Uzi would stand about 10-15 meters away from N, and N would run at her with his claws and ‘X’ on his visor. Uzi was supposed to move out of the way, but N always made sure he swerved away from her.

Looks like they're having fun! You should join! No. I don’t need to play any games with them. They can do that. Not me! Well N might need help~! Ughhhhh. Fine.  

V untangled her tail And soared above the pod. Heading straight to Uzi.

N was running straight at her, neither paying attention to V.

V grabbed Uzi and took her up into the air. Uzi screamed at the top of her voice box. N was looking around in a hurry.

“EEEEAEAEAEAEAEAEAAAEA”

“UZI! WHERE’D YOU GO?!! WHAT HAPPENED??!”

“Up here moron bot!” V was grining, Uzi stopped screaming and looked around.

“V! YOU CAN’T DO THAT! I WAS REALLY WORRIED!” V chuckled No!No!NoNoNoNoNoNo! Don’t do that!! Heh, make me~

“I’m fine N-AHAAHAAHAHHAAAAAEEE” V lighty tossed Uzi about her by a meter. Then caught her, and repeated the process.

“V!” N launched up and caught Uzi. She clung tightly to the fur on his coat.  Now look at what you did! Poor Uzi is all shaken up! This is’n- Shut up, I can also identify when I messed up! Don’t need you!

Uzi slowly opened her eyes, N was landing. “Wait… That was kinda fun…” Oh? She liked it… TAKE THAT PROGRAMED CODE! I-I'm not-Never mind… You’ll figure it out soon…

V landed beside them. “We can do that some other time. N. I’ll take over. You still haven’t learned how to take care of yourself and a kid.”

“Hehe… Yea…” N shifted around and lightly kicked some snow. “Okay Uzi! Be good for V!” N lowered Uzi to the ground. She was so small compared to him. She doesn't even reach my waist! Smol babe. What-?

The second, Uzi was on the ground, she tackled V. Just like before, she froze up. She didn’t freeze up as bad, but it still happened. Uzi’s arms acted like rope and tied her legs together. V’s optic’s hollowed, hands hovering, tail straight, mind buzzing. Small thing! Why!?

N was trying his best to hide his laugh. “Uzi, please let go?” V managed to croak out. Sweat was dripping down her visor.

“Oki!” Immediately after Uzi wasn’t touching her, she stepped back a bit. She exhaled a sigh. Well, do you know why I locked up? I think we both know~ I-Y-Shut up.

N walked away, leaving Uzi with V. “Squirmy Wormy! You want to play for some time?”

“Oki!” Uzi Jogged to their spot. Now with Uzi being there for well over a month led to some changes. Now a mattress layed there. It had a fitted sheet with the design of rainbow dogs, N picked it himself. It had a drawer/cubby tower beside it. That was filled with art supplies, toys, and snacks. Resting between the two was one of those lap boards. The design was a misty memory at that point. Lines and color blotches filled it with playfulness. 

Uzi was jumping on the make-shift bed, laughing and giggling. V sighed, and sat on said bed, legs arching off of it. “What are we going to play today?” Uzi said, jumping with every word. She was eager to know.

“I-Um,Well, you see”

“Please? I really want to know!”

“How about,” V tapped a claw to her chin “Hide and seek.”

“Yes! I’ll hide in the best spot”

“You pick the worst spots, what are you talking about?” J shouts, peaking out of her nest.

“I’m sure you will” V said with some sarcasm but a cheery smile. She turned to J, her face sour and said with a tone that could kill a god “You are not a part of this.” her voice could freeze any living thing. The venom could kill a honey badger. Uzi is currently scared and crying in the corner after V just yelled.

“What i'm telling the snack the truth” J replies, her full head out. Her hair is a bit worse for wear. 

V just sighs and shakes her head. She turns back to Uzi, showing a soft smile. V tries to comfort Uzi saying “I’m sorry Uzi, I didn’t mean to scare you”. But Uzi isn't listening, Uzi is sobbing uncontrollably, scared for her life.

“Nice job with your toy, traitor.” J shouts mockingly  

V snarled and bared her teeth. She was in her fighting stance with claws at the ready “J . Leave me and this kid alone.” Her tone was cold, the venom in it could kill a fucking honey badger. Uzi started to whimper.

“Alright fine” J replies, curling back into her nest. The intense yellow eyes were gone from view. V immediately turns to Uzi and tries to comfort her. Uzi is sobbing. She sat down to be on her height. Her claws formed into hands, but hesitated to touch her. Uzi reached for the hand and pulled it to her face. Tears rolled down her visor. She was rubbing her head in V’s hand, seeking comfort from it.

V froze. I-Uh-Um-Help! Geez, You don’t know how to comfort a kid? What would you do for Tes- DON’T! Don’t say that name.

V took her free hand and put it on Uzi’s back, And pulled her in for a hug. It was a bit tight but nothing would break. Uzi just sobbed.

“Y-You sounded l-like the m-monstersss!” She was stumbling over her own words.

“What monsters?”

“T-the ones in t-the bunker!”

“Oh…” V kept rubbing her back. Happy home much? Or happy neighbors?

“I’m sorry.” V looked morningful “She was just being mean and that was  the only way I knew how to make her stop”

“I-it’s okay…” Uzi sniffled. Her tail wrapped around them.

—————

They stayed like that for sometime. V saw N out of the corner of her vision go to his nest. Ok, now he’s asleep. Good.

“Are you feeling better?”

A small sniffle came “Yea…”

“Alright, do you want to play hide and seek now?” V pulled her off her chest, hands on shoulders. She had a soft smile displayed.

“Yea..!” Uzi said, whipping the last tear off her face. She had her playful look back on her face.

“Okay, I’ll count.” Her voice was soft like a caretaker’s. She smiled as the kid didn’t even wait for the count down, she just ran to the pod. Time to count I guess.

“1”

“2”

“3”

“...-...”

“18”

“19”

“20!”

“Ready or not! Here I come!” V was grining. She had her claws out for fun, walking towards the pod.

She circled around the pod.

Then again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

A shadow covered hers. She turned around and snarled at the foe.

The threat.

Chapter Text

Eyes too big for normalcy, lines under. Her hair was messy. “Looking for something~?” J lowered herself down, displaying her catch : Uzi.

“Why do you have her.” V coldly questioned her. Standing upright and staring her down.

“Thought I might join your game~” J moved slowly and sloppily.

“You would be the last person I would want to join this game, especially with Uzi” V replied coldly. 

“Ahww, Really? Don’t you trust me~?” J was holding Uzi by her clothes. Uzi was gagged and tied up. Eyes screamed worry and fear.

As an arm from the spire falls in the background J looks behind her for a  second, when J looks back there is a thin blade in the middle of her visor.

“Never. Touch. UZI.” Then the blade goes through J’s head. A sickening scream could be heard for miles as J drops Uzi, J’s final breaths are made before leaking all her oil out.

“One day, she will, perish.” as J lies silently on the floor.

V pulled the blade out to help Uzi be free. She swiftly and precisely cuts the bounds of her.

“A-Are you ok Uzi?” She kneeled down to her height. Taking her eyes off the body.

As if on command, the body rose back up, regenerating the wound. V Grabbed Uzi and bolted out the door.

The chase had started.

“GET BACK HERE SO I CAN RIGHTSIZE YOUR EXISTENCE!”

How about, No? V ran into the abandoned building to her left, it was a messy office complex filled with scattered paper everywhere, and perfect hiding spots.The walls and floors had crumbled through, chunks of rocks, metal, and cement covered the ground.

V had Uzi in the left arm and used her right as claws to help navigate through the place.

J slammed into the wall behind them, hissing wildly. Clawing at nothing.

V ran around corner after corner. J was catching up.

“There! 10- O’clock!” Uzi pointed to a lit cave hidey hole perfect for her.

“Stay” And that was what V told Uzi as she changed course. She shoved Uzi into the place and took off. J mainly wants me. 

She turned corner after corner, tripped over some ruble, clawed upwards running on all fours, pushed herself up, stumbling, and ran on two legs.

J swiped the back of her jacket, some of it tore. J was madly hissing at V but keeping her eyes on her.

As V turned the corner and saw that it was caved in, barely a sliver was at the top.

V leaped into the gap, and landed on the other side. J was persistent although her claws were already scraping the rock.

V looked around and saw an opening in the floor above her. She swiftly climbed into it and turned around. Preparing her rocket launcher for J.

J climbed up, a wild expression painted on her face. Her tie crooked, jacket wrinkled, pigtails messy, one eye bigger than the other, Mouth open lazily, she’s twitching a lot, ponytails out of place, Her tail was sporadic, eyes darting every which way, her breathing was audible.

V raised her arm and fired. J screeched with pain, she stumbled back and fell.

V turned around and ran. She was running to the edge of the building when she heard something that shocked her to her core.

“MOOOOOOOOM!”

V snapped.

V grabbed the edge of the decaying wall and used it to pivot to the lower lever.

J was hunched over the spot Uzi was hiding in, ready to grab her.

V lunged at her, pinning her down. J was hissing and clawing frantically but V wasn’t letting go.

“LE-T GO O-F ME!” J’s voice was raspy and harsh.

“Like hell I'd let you.” V was as cold as a blizzard, Venom dripping from every letter.

“I AM Y-OU-R LE-A-DE-R! Y-OU LI-S-T-EN TO ME!” She was fighting back, trying to kick V off. V was staying put.

“I think you need to reevaluate your choices.” V’s right claw became a blade.

“Wha-Wait-WAIT-WAIT-WAITWAITWAIT!” J panicked. Claws tried to protect her, yet didn’t. The blade cut her neck.

V took a deep breath, and exhaled for a while.

She turned her head to Uzi, who was picking out at her.

“Come on, let's go home.”

Uzi yawned. “Yea…”

—————

V had put Uzi to bed. The sun would rise in an hour and V didn’t see J anywhere. She was slightly worried.

I’m going to get her. Why? If you bring her back, she’ll just try to kill Uzi again. But she might not. I did kill her. She could learn to stop.

V launched up into the sky. She followed her path, or whatever J left. The office looked the same. Might take some time to find her… best to start where I left her. V swooped into the decaying wall, her eyes immediately landed on a pile of metal. It was J, arms hugging her legs.

Is-Is she crying?! That's, uh, new… Don’t trust it, she could be manipulating you.

“J?”

Her voice was hoarse and scratched at V’s audio receptors “What? Here to mock me? Kill me over and over until you're bored?” J lifted her head to look at her sourly.

“What? No, I came to bring you back. Don’t need you dying on us.” J’s eyes flew open in confusion.

“W-why?”

“We’re a team, and we might not agree on the same things, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be worried about you.”

J just sat there, a loading icon glitching in and out on her visor. She then stood up and looked at V “Let’s go” And she flew off.

V followed her, adding extra spins and curves to her path, she knew J loved watching it.

V went down to Uzi, and curled up to her. Uzi immediately snuggled up to her. It was a long day for both of them. Uzi rested her head on V’s arm and V draped her other over Uzi. They slept peacefully.

Chapter Text

When N awoke he immediately went to the play spot. N landed beside the bed. V lifted her head up to face him. She looked drowsy, lines under tired eyes.

“What?” It sounded like glue was stuck in her voice box.

“Well, one of us needs to hunt… and I was going to see, if-uh, you could…” N’s voice lowered as he spoke, not wanting to upset V.

“Can you do it? J really got my battery worn out.” V curdled back to Uzi, a low and soft rumbling noise came from her chasses. N giggled a bit and his tail swayed faster.

“Yea, I can.” V made some noise to confirm she heard him. Time to face J… What could go wrong?!

—————

J was in her nest, so N flew up there. “Hey uh, J, you wanna go hunting? I’ll stay out of your way!” N added the last bit in a hurried, quiet tone.

“Ugh. What do you want from me!?” J sounded like an angsty teen whose parents wouldn’t give them 5 minutes to themselves.

N was taken aback “I-Um-Well I know you like to lead the hunts… and V isn’t feeling all too well…” N tried to make himself look smaller. He felt guilty for something, he just didn’t know what it was.

“Ughhhh. Fine, I'll lead the hunt, but I’m not helping you carry it back!” J stood up but hunched over. She looked worse than V, Eyes different sizes, lines varying under them, pigtails messy, outfit all scrunched up. Her visor would gitch out sometimes for a second or two. This is going to be fun? right?

—————

They were flying across the sky, heading to what some workers apparently called “Outpost 7” . They didn’t have any doors to protect them, but they could scatter and hide. J loathed going here, N just thought they were clever.

The land was bare out here, a house here or there in a sea of whites and light grays.

“What’s the plan boss?” N called out to J over the plain, snowy, dead landscape.

“Spook 'em, kill one or two, but mainly watch where they run to.” J stopped to hover, they had arrived

“Oooooo! That’s smart!” N circled her before hovering beside her.

“Lets go” And J dived to where the drones gathered, claws at the ready. N followed suit, choosing swords instead.

The drones liked to believe that they didn’t make much noise, but they did N could hear them. They were laughing, having fun, enjoying themselves. Then they came and reminded them about the danger there was up here, being free from humans.

The next thing happened like a slideshow for N. He never liked killing drones, so he didn’t choose to watch it. He chopped a head here, drained the oil, watched them run, J told him to go, he ran where they were hiding, he killed a drone here, there, up, and down. A dad was protecting his kid-

A dad was protecting his kid.

A dad was protecting his kid..

A dad was protecting his kid…

A dad was protecting his kid.

A dad was protecting his kid..

A dad was protecting his kid…

A dad was protecting his kid.

A dad was protecting his kid..

A dad was protecting his kid…

A dad was protecting his kid.

A dad was protecting his kid..

A dad was protecting his kid…

It played on loop in his head like a broken record. Realty crushed him. He had torn families apart, killed kids, teens, and adults. Uzi should have been raised by a caring mom, like V. V was better, V could do it. He couldn't, he shouldn’t. He’d somehow kill her like the rest, add another body to the pile he called home.

The ‘X’ blickned off of his visor. N couldn’t move. He couldn't go back to killing. The kid looked just like his dad, blue eyes, black hair. The kid had a tan hoodie on, and the dad had a ‘I love fishin!’ on a navy blue shirt. Their eyes hollow with fear, joints shaking, they were as frozen as him.

N looked down.

“Go. Run. I-I can’t” The two drones exchanged glances with each other, then ran off. N didn’t care where they went, just as long as he didn’t see them, things would be fine. Did I do the right thing?

[System Message Start]

[You did the right thing]

[If you had killed him and/or the kid]

[You would have guilt for an unknown amount of time]

[which would not be beneficial to you or anyone else]

[System Message End]

I guess so…

N left the building he was in and saw the carnage they had caused, he counted 7 dead bodies that still had a sufficient amount of oil in them. J was walking to him.

“Good hunt I’ll say. N you take 4 back, I’ll take the rest.”

“What-Why? I-If you don’t mind me asking…”

“Snow storm. By the time we get back, we’ll have ~10 minutes before the storm hits.” Oh, We need oil, better have some quickly. N grabbed at an arm and ate it as he went to the bodies.

Hands became claws and hooked into the bodies. Once N knew that the bodies would stay, he took off.

—————

N dived into the spire and went over to the pile of bodies. We have 13 bodies here, with my 4 that’s 17… and J’s is bringing back some too… I think we’ll be okay…

J dropped the bodies into the pile and N jumped.

“Hey, um, thank you for leading the hunt…” N rubbed his arm.

J stared at him “Your welcome? Just don’t forget about the storm, and tell V about it too.” And she flew up to her nest.

N walked over to V and Uzi and collapsed onto the bed with them. He covered Uzi on the other side and gave her a hug. N closed his eyes, and felt something rap around his leg, but he didn’t mind it, not even when someone laced his fingers with theirs. It honestly helped him sleep, they had done it several times.

They were safe.

They were happy.

They love each other.

Chapter Text

When N awoke his hand was laced with someone else’s. He tried to separate his from theirs, but they wouldn’t let go. He tried to move his leg but something had coiled around it. Let! Go! I want to get up!

[System Message Start]

[Open your eyes]

[They are safe]

[You are safe]

[System Message End]

Well, your help. N opened his optics and blushed. V was holding his hand. Their tails had curled around each other’s legs. They both had an arm over Uzi. Well then! I’ll just get up- He still couldn't move, V was subconsciously stopping him. Guess I’ll stay…

N closed the eyes on his visor, yet, kept the 5 on his headband open.

Some time passed, it was peaceful, N loved it. When V awakened she blushed too and quickly pulled away.

“Need me to untie my tail?”

“Perfe—WAIT YOU'RE AWAKE?! FOR HOW LONG?!” N unwrapped his tail from V’s leg, chuckling as his eyes opened.

“Only a minute or two. You wouldn’t let go.” V blushed more.

“Shut up!”

N untied his tail and rolled onto his back.

Uzi then jumps onto his midsection, making him wheeze.

“Uzi!” N said in a concerned yet playful tone.

“Haha! Got you dad!” The two disassembly drones froze.

D-Dad? Di-Did she just call me D-Dad?! That question looped in his head over and over and over. N’s tail started wagging. Hard.

“Did you just call him, Dad?”

“Yea! Cuz he's like one to me!”

That made his heart melt more. It felt like a dagger in his core was twisted. He couldn’t speak so he hugged Uzi tightly.

“Ahh! Ur swishin me!”

“Sorry!” N lossend his hold but was still hugging her. V chuckled.

Under his breath he uttered something only he and he alone needed to hear “I thought you would never call me, dad . Thank you, Uzi.” 

—————

It took some time for the shock to wear off. Uzi considers me, ME, her dad! HER DAD! AHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA! N was giddy. He was jumping all over the place, V had to tell him to calm down several times, yet he never could.

They were sitting on the bed, Uzi was playing with a wooden giraffe and elephant. 

“Has she called you mom yet~?”

“Noo-Actually, she might have”

“What!? When!?”

“Two days ago, when J chased me and her.”

“Why did J chase you?”

“She wanted to kill Uzi.” Nonchalantly V said.

“WHAT!?”

“Calm down, I don't think she’s planning on doing it again…”

V turned her attention to Uzi “Hey! Small size! Did you call me mom when J was chasing us?” She yelled.

Uzi yelled back “Yea!”

And that broke V. She was stuttering on what to say next. 

“No fair! Uzi called you mom before she called me dad?” N playful said.

It took V some time before she could respond “I guess so…”

—————

All 3 of them started to draw. 

“So V what are you drawing”

“Lizards, you?”

“I’m drawing some dogs!” N is laying on his side a bit, Uzi is laying across his legs.

“What about you Uzi?”

“My family!” Uzi lifts the paper up, showing a drawing of 3 drones, 2 tall ones and a very small drone in the middle. Above them reads ‘My FmiLEy’ and below the drone is ‘moM    mE    dAd’. “It's not done yet” and Uzi continued to draw.

V looks at the drawing, then at the ground. Sweat was dripping down her visor.

N was flabbergasted. N Couldn’t hold his excitement any longer, he gave a long squeak then pulled Uzi closer to hug her.  

“Th-Thank you, really.” His tail was swaying back and forth. V had to pull N off of Uzi before he broke anything in her with his hug. 

When Uzi finally got to breathe she smiled and said “I’m glad you like it. I worked hard on it!” 

N replied with “like it? I LOVE IT!” His tail swayed faster.

“I’m almost done with it!” Uzi held it back up. The new addition was another drone, under it read ‘ANT’.

V erupted with laughter.

—————

“What are you? A koala?” V questioned Uzi

“What’s that?”Uzi asked. V froze, a loading icon displayed on her visor.

“Do you know what a mouse is?” N asked.

“Yea”

“Like that! But bigger, fluffier, no tail, and clings onto trees!”

“Oh. Then yes!” Uzi proclaimed, She was lying on top of N, and wouldn't get off. She was practically demanding that N have her 24/7, so he obliged.

They were inside the landing pod in the lower level, N laying down on the couch as V sat on some pillows on the floor. They were watching a show on the laptop Uzi's mom gave them. The show that they had playing on it was about a family of blue and orange dogs doing family stuff.

“I’m hungry”

“Well For some strange reason I can’t move… Do you have any idea why?” N teased Uzi

“I’ll get them.” V stood up and walked over to one of the drawers. She pulled one open and grabbed a pack of batteries.

As V was walking back, she opened the bag and ate one of the batteries inside, then she handed it to Uzi.

“Fank Ou!” Uzi was already consuming the snack.

“Hey! Don’t talk with your mouth full!” V teased Uzi.

“I’ll do what I want!” Uzi matched V’s energy.

“Oh no you won’t!” And V pulled on Uzi’s leg, ready to play with her.

“Ahhhhh! Dad! Help!”

“Afraid I can’t squirt” N chuckled.

“AhhHHAHAHA!” V was tickling her.

“V-EHHEHEEHEE! STAHP IT!” Uzi giggled fiercely.

N watched as the two played. V would pretend to sometimes lose her grip, which Uzi would try to escape, But then V would grab her and pull her back.

By the time V stopped Uzi was worn out.

“Was that Sooooo Bad?” V softly punched Uzi, It barely moved her.

“Yes.” Uzi Said dully but with a playful grin.

“Well I’m hungry, oh look batteries!” V grabbed the bag and tossed one in her mouth. She was laying on her side

“Hey! Those are mine!” Uzi tried to grab the bag but V held it up out of her reach.

“Not anymore!~” V said in a sing-song voice.

“N! Catch!” V tossed the bag to N before he could register what was happening.

“I-Um-” Uzi was climbing onto him, trying to get the batteries. V was sitting up in a cross-legged manor.

“Here!” N tossed the bag back before Uzi could get it. She let out a groan and slipped off the couch and ran to V.

V then grabbed her, sat her down in her lap and gave her the bag. Uzi happily munched on the snack in her new seat.

Chapter Text

She called you mom~! She called you mom~! She called you mom~! She called you mom~! She called- Shut it! I know! I don’t need you to tell me! She told me that, like, 8 hours ago!

V was sitting on the bed, watching N and Uzi play their little chase game. They called it ‘Dash’ for some reason. V didn’t care all that much.

She could hear the storm outside. Its winds sounded like whispers and howls of the dead, like breathing, yawning, a heart beating.

V and N had been taking turns to get oil, not wanting to run too low.

N was running to V, Uzi moved out of the way, N passed her. You know what? V smiled.

She deployed her wings, and flew behind N. He wasn’t going fast.

N passed Uzi, and then she grabbed Uzi and lifted her up into the sky. Uzi squealed.

“Uzi?! Uzi!? UZI!” N ran around before looking up. Now. NOOOOOO WHY.

V tossed Uzi up and didn’t catch her. She fell screaming.

V glided down to the ground catching Uzi in her arms. Uzi clung to her like a koala.

“V! You're as mad as a cut snake! Why would you do that!?”

“Where did you learn that ?” V knew where he learned it from, it was from the elliots. They used a mix of Australian and old English phrases and sayings. He just hadn’t said any so she thought he had lost that little bit of him.

“I don't know, But that’s not important right now!” N was pointing a finger at her, a scowl painted his face. 

V sighed and lowered herself to the floor, Uzi was still clinging to her, but was looking around.

“V if you weren't fast enough Uzi would have died!” N was speaking frantically. Worry glued to his face.

“She didn’t die, and I have done it countless times before!” She then directed her attention to Uzi. “Are you alright?”

Uzi sniffled “Y-Yea, I’m okay…” Uzi loosed her grip on V

V in a softer tone spoke “See? She’s fine, but if it will make you feel better, I won’t do it…”

“Thank yo-” N started to be less tense before V interjected.

“-To a certain degree!” V cackled madly and flew up to her nest with Uzi.

“V!” N called, deploying his wings for flight. Dork, You little lovable dork… Oh aren’t you clever, bet you think so.

—————

“Come on, time for bed ankle biter.” V said begrudgingly

“Nooooooooo! No! No! No! NoNoNoNo!” Uzi was run around the pod to V’s annoyance.

“Small fry you need sleep. End of story.”

“Nooooooo! Why me? I bet you're going to stay up late!”

“I’m not really, you drain all the energy I have.”

“Then can you sleep with me?” Uzi looked as sly as a fox

“If I do, will you go to sleep?”

“Yes.” Uzi put her hands on her hips.

“Fine. I will.” V scowled. You act like I won’t, I've done it before, what would change it now.

“Yay! I’ll go tell N!” Wait what? Oh, OH. Luzer. I knew what was going to happen. Get a rope and make a noose.  

As Uzi walked to the bed V flew ahead and landed. N was there fluffing the pillows.

“N! N! V’s going to be with us tonight!” V gave N a ‘End my suffering’ kind of look and N chuckled.

“Okay Z! You pick out a book and I’ll read it to you!”

Uzi looked at the books and she responded “V can you read? You’ve never read to me before!”

“Fine… I’ll read.” Uzi gave her a book. The cover had a blue background, tall green grass that had some pink flowers at the top, in the grass were two white bunnies, a mom and a baby.

The 3 of them laid down on the bed, Uzi in the middle, V on her right, N on her left.

As she read, she felt calmer, she was doing something she loved.

“Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away. So he said to his mother, “I am running away.” 

“If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”” V read. I remember this book, one of the few kid’s books I loved.

After some time V had finished the book.

“I’ll go put it back!” N volunteered.

“I’m going to run away!”  Uzi said in a cheery tone, repeating after the book.

“Then I’ll fly after you~.” V calmly replied.

“Thank you mom,” Uzi whispered loudly. V froze a bit.

As N got up V felt something grab her arm. What is tha- Oh it’s Uzi.

Uzi nuzzled her head against V’s arm. N slipped back into the bed, readjusting the thin sheet that laid atop them.

“Good night!” N smiled.

“Night~.” V said, shuffling till she was comfortable.

"V one more book please” said with her puppy face

“Sorry sweet tea, no, but we can tomorrow, okay?”

“Aw man.” Uzi lightly kicked V.

“Oi! No! What did we tell you about kicking others?”

“Don’t kick other drones unless they are being meany heads Uzi softy said

“Bingo. Now it's time to sleep.”

As the storm quietly raged outside, they rested with each other's presents. V felt safe, secure, home .

—————

Thunder cracked outside the spire, hail fell down. nothing new to them, except Uzi. 

Normally storms pass them without them going through the storm’s eye, the strongest part. The spire always survived, but after one they always improved it, not wanting their home to collapse.

V could hear the storm’s soft wail… but as V’s eyes opened she realized that the cries were coming from Uzi.

V moved her arm to where Uzi could hold it, she latched on. V took her free hand and combed through Uzi’s hair.

One of the things the drones had programmed into them was the ability to affect others emotions. Caretakers could calm others, Bartenders/Waiters could make others cherry, And Paperwork/Construction could remind others of their tasks.

V hated to use it, but now seemed like the right time. Only use it as a tool to help, not control.

[System Message Start]

[<Admin V>]

[Want to activate the ability <Put others at ease> ?]

[<Y> or <N>]

[System Message End]

[<Admin V> Message Start]

[<Y>]

[<Admin V> Message End]

[System Message Start]

[Who do you want to use it on?]

[<Uzi Doorman>, <Sub-Admin N>, <Sub-Admin J> ?]

[System Message End]

God this is taking forever… Wait, I can use this on N and J? Noted.

[<Admin V> Message Start]

[<Uzi Doorman>]

[<Admin V> Message End]

Her last name is Doorman? Who would pick Doorman as a last name? Well, she is  staying with us… We can change that later.

[System Message Start]

[Are you sure you want to use <Put others at ease> on <Uzi Doorman> ?]

[<Y>, <N>]

[System Message End]

Oh come on!

[<Admin V> Message Start]

[<Y>]

[<Admin V> Message End]

[System Message Start]

[ Activating ability <Put others at ease> on <Uzi doorman>]

[System Message End]

Finally

“Shhhh, You're ok, I’m right here, you're safe,” V repeated to Uzi over and over till she was only whimpering. V moved her hand to Uzi’s back and rubbed it.

N grogley raised his head up. 

“Everything okay?” N’s voice was scratchy.

“Yeah, storm just scared her, got her to calm down tho.”

“Mmmmh” N was already falling back to sleep. He draped his arm around them and started to rub her back. Helphelphelphelphelphelp! What do I do! AAGAGAGAGRGRGRGGRARAG! Calm down, Jeez, he’s just being affectionate.  

V slowly died on the inside from N and Uzi’s combined affection. Uzi shuffled closer to her, rubbing her head against V’s chin. N on the other hand had curled his tail around her leg and laced their fingers together. She tried to pull away, but N held tight.

Accept it, It’s your fate lol. Di-Uh-Wh-Ha-Aggggh!

V somehow was able to fall asleep, and not even a second later she leaned into Uzi, and intertwined her tail with N’s before wrapping around his leg.

Chapter Text

Why? Why? Why?WHy?WHy?WHY!WHY!WHYWHYWHYWHYWHY- No, Breath, Your calm, Your stable, Your professional. Don’t pay it any mind! She is just a toy, something that will break soon! They’ll learn to not get attached! 

First it was N. He is the one responsible for this. But that wasn’t unexpected! What was unexpected was V . She got weak, and caved for it. It’s her fault! Not mine! 

Then N decided to fight back! To not listen to me! So I let him go, and then he thinks he can KEEP DOING IT!? THEN V!? Then N thinks he can walk away from me in thE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION! THEN HE THREATENED ME AND THEN TO CHOP OFF MY AR- “N! WAKE UP! LET GO!” What’s going on down there? 

J peaked over her nest. Was one not enough?… Oh, no they had the pile of scrap between them, so cuddles, fun.

“N! Please!”

“Ehehehee! But you're the one who did it!”

“No! You were!”

“Well the other ni-” N teased.

“Shut it! Shut it! Shut it! Shut it!” Ugh, she sounds like a child, ironic really. N moved away from her.

“Now, let me think about what we cou-Ghak! Uzi!” The thing had jumped onto V. Heh. Deserved~! She smirked to herself.

“Hehe! I got you mom!” J’s brows furrowed. M-Mom?! Did V encourage this?! No, she didn’t, it looked like she locked up when it said that…

“Come on Z, Leave V alone.” N spoke softly.

“Awh, she never plays with us!” It was sitting on V, arms crossed and pouting.

“Get off me or I’ll leave you in N’s nest.” V said in a gruff voice.

“N will just get me!” It had a smirk on its face.

“Not if I do it when he’s gone~!” she moved her head around.

V made eye contact with J, then displayed ‘TTYL’ on her visor. What in the corporate agreement is she on about? V looked back to her makeshift family.

J frowned her brow. Tired from looking at the happy gross family she crawled back into her nest. She began to move some blankets around till she found a wooden chest made for toys. She opened it up, inside were some fabric and stuffed animals. Small and big, accurate and colorful, old and new.

The fabric that was in there was light blue plaid on a white background, soft mint green with lilac dots on it, and a light orange with a moody pink in the pattern called hound’s tooth.

She had a variety of animals: a dark blue bat that needed to be fixed, a lama with pink wool, a brown wyvern that you could shape and twist, a gray wolf with blue eyes and white patterns, a human-ish black cat sitting down with gray toe beans and green button eyes, a shark with a 6-pack, a blahaj, a penguin that had a rabbit eared hoodie, a black blob that looked like a gingerbread cookie with white circles for eyes, a normal zebra that had rainbow stars on it’s fur, and a light blue whale.

J grabbed the whale and held it tight. Tears formed as she put the chest away. She curled up with the whale and cried quietly.

They are replacing me.

They want me gone.

They think I'm useless.

They should kill me.

They have a replacement already.

They know what to do.

I was too rough.

I was too rude.

I was too heartless.

I was too careless.

I was too self centered.

I was too blind.

No one cares.

No one wants me.

No one is here.

No one is warm.

No one is looking for me.

No one wants me.

Why did I have to come back.

Why did I have to be so rude.

Why did I have to hurt them.

Why did I have to live again.

Why did I have to forget my life.

Why did I have to feel.

I should have died.

I should have stayed in the pile of corpses.

I should have had the elliots kill me.

I should have helped.

I should have been kind.

I should have fought harder.

What’s the point.

What’s the meaning.

What’s the purpose of me.

What’s the end goal.

What’s the way to stop hurting.

What’s the meaning of safety for me.

What’s the life I want.

I’m broken.

I’m unrepairable.

I’m unfixable.

I’m hurt.

I’m hollow.

I’m a shadow.

Something that should be left.

Something that should be broken.

Something that should be hurt.

Something that should be killed.

Something that should be gone.

Something that should be forgotten.

J clenched her teeth, it played like static in her mind. She felt like she was being consumed by a void. She grabbed her tail and stabbed her hand, she barely flinched from the pain. She let her hand decay. It was a weak pain, one she was used to.

It had melted so much to the point she couldn't move her fingers. It left a nice round circle before J popped it in her mouth. Her mind began to wander again.

Heart pulled from her chest slowly, feeling all the pain.

An empty shell.

Deader than the trees.

Deader than the humans.

Deader than the drones she had killed.

She was falling without her wings.

Some days the sun didn't seem half bad.

She could be free.

She could stop living in this hell.

Not forced to be a sheep to the Shepherd.

The Shepherd.

The Shepherd is to blame for this hell.

The Shepherd.

The Shepherd thinks it's a game.

The Shepherd.

The Shepherd slaughters those it dislikes.

The Shepherd.

The Shepherd uses us like toys.

The Shepherd.

The Shepherd.

J cried herself to sleep, thoughts just looping over and over. 

—————

J woke up groggy. Something must have woken me… She shoved the whale under her pillows and she saw V’s claw pulling her up. Oh, right, she wanted to talk.

“What do you want?” J spat out

“Are you ok?” V looked at her with a concerned look. No, don’t break now, stay strong, stay resilient.

“I’m fine,” J said duly.

“You don’t look fine… Your hair is a mess, your clothes are wrinkled, I heard you cry early, so let me ask this again. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine!” J snapped back, she bared her teeth. “And I wasn’t crying!”

“We both know that I have the best hearing here, so do you want to try that again?”

“I’m Fine.” A low growl emerged from her voice box.

V looked unamused. “Follow me.”

“Why.”

“I said we would talk, now follow, I have stuff to show you.”

J just glared at her, tail flicking around.

“Do it or I’ll carry you like a kid” V firmly told J.

“... Fine…”

“Thank you, now follow.”

V glided down to the bed they had dragged in. J followed suit.

“Sit. I need to grab something.”

J sat on the bed. N was playing with the trash pile. Oh company leadership, what does she want from me. 

J waited for V. Is she going to tell me that I need to leave? That I’m replaced? Of course she will, what else would she want to talk about.

When V came back, she had a box with a handle.

“What’s in there?” J watched the box as it was placed down on the bed, eyeing it as if it would move without supervision on it.

“Just some stuff.” V sat down beside J and began rummaging through the box. She pulled out a hair brush.

“While we talk I'm fixing your hair.”

“I can do that myself thank you very much.”

“No.” V reached for the bow that held her hair in place.

“No! Stop! I can do it!” J swatted her hand away.

“The only reason you haven’t is because you don’t know how to do it.” V pulled the bows out, J’s hair fell down.

“I-I can!”

“If I remember correctly, you always asked for someone else to do it.”

“I-Uh-Fine, you can.”

While V brushed J’s hair they talked.

“So what’s going on?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I know you dislike Uzi, But why?” V talked in a soft tone.

“Because we need to kill her? Why do you like her, hm?” J shot back.

“... I don’t have an answer for you, I don’t even have an answer for myself.”

“Besides, I don’t need to tell you anything.”

“I think it’d help you to talk. I know it’s not the kid, but it’s something.”

“It is the kid, It’s what she means.”

“Then what does she mean to you?”

J snarled “She’s a replacement.”

“How?”

“You guys hate me, it was just a matter of time until you replaced me.” J said coldly.

V was stunned.

“How can you be replaced?”

“She’s a better candidate in your mind, of course you’d pick her over me.”

“Why can’t we have 4 drones? Why does it need to be 3?”

“... She is a replacement. Stop it.”

“You need to stop it!”

“Would she even like me. I've attacked her 3 times, well tried to.”

“She would…” V stopped brushing J’s hair to grab something from her box. She pulled out a piece of folded up paper and handed it to J.

J took the paper and opened it up. It was a drawing with 3 tall drones and a short one. Above them read ‘My FmiLEy’ and below each drone was a name. From left to right it read  ‘moM    mE    dAd    ANT’.

“One of you told her to make this, or N did.”

“No… She made it herself… She considers you a part of her family.” V started to brush again.

“You told her to add me.”

“No, she chose to add you and call you her aunt.”

And that was the stick that broke the camel's back.

The tears fell slowly, but became rapid. She leaned into V, cries becoming soft but audible.

“Oh-Ah, you were holding it all back, huh?”

“Y-Yeah”

V started to pat her back “There there, you're fine, you're safe, I’m right here.”

J sobbed, hard.

“I-I just don’t want t-to be Forgotten…Replaced…Useless…Hurt…Killed. I just want to be helpful, not a disappointment, something that should be thrown away.”

“I promise you won’t” and a wave of calm washed over J. She stopped sobbing as hard. She melted into V, finding comfort in it. She felt drowsy.

“How d-do I know th-that for sure?”

“... You don’t, and there is no real way to prove it, but, you just have to trust…”

“But I don’t want to misplace my trust…” Not again…

“Sometimes, we have to take leaps of faith, if we don’t then, we’d be stuck.”

“Yea…”

“I think a way you could express your worries could be through poetry…”

“I'll consider it…”

V comforted J for sometime. J was lightly sleeping on her when she felt something grab her leg.

“Don’t kick, just look…” V whispered.

J opened her eyes, the thi-Uzi, Uzi had grabbed her leg and was smiling up at her.

“H-Hello?” Her voice was sore from crying. “W-What are you doing?” J looked at her quizzically.

“Hugging you! You looked like you needed one.” Her smile was so large and happy.

J’s expression softened. She is putting all her trust in me to not hurt her. 

Did she misplace her trust?

Did she worry about being replaced?

Did she block off all connections to her family?

Did she harm herself?

Did she hurt others?

Did she do anything I did to myself?

Did she do anything that I did to them?

No.

No she didn’t.

No she won’t.

So I’ll try to learn from her.

So I’ll try to play with her.

So I’ll try to be close.

So I’ll try to forget my worries.

So I’ll try to forgive them.

So I’ll try to care for them too.

So I’ll try to be better.

Just like her.

“Y-Yea,”

“I think I do…”

Chapter Text

N awoke slowly. As he tried to get up, he was reminded of V. “Do you mind letting go?” N asked in a mostly sleepily but happy way.

“Happily.” Spoke an annoyed voice. As he did, he couldn’t hear the storm.

“Storm’s over… but what are we going to do?” N worried.

“What do you mean?” V gave a confused look to him.

“We have barely any oil left… so one of us can’t stay back… and we shouldn’t just leave Uzi alone… So what should we do?” N stared at the snow that blocked the entrance.

“Simple, we take her with us.” V shuffled some before trying to sleep again. Will that work? N gazed worriedly at Uzi. What will we tell her? N flew up to his nest and laid there thinking.

—————

“N? N! N! N? N! Get up!” He slowly woke up and started to register who was talking to him.

“N! Come on! We’re getting oil. Now hurry up!” J scowled at him.

“J? Why are you here?-”

“V told me to get you!? Now hurry up!” J dove off the edge.

N followed after her.

“Dad!” Uzi ran up to him, arms open as wide as they could go. N scooped her up, did a loopy’d’loop and landed.

“So we’re going to go and bring Uzi, find a place for her to hide in, do what we do, then grab cargo and get her. Simple plan.” J announced. 

“Then let's leave now. The sooner we have food the better.” V deployed her wings. “Uzi, do you want me or N to take you flying?” Uzi smiled.

“N!” Uzi exclaimed.

“Got it, now let’s go.” V took off, N and J followed.

—————

“Now Uzi, We…. need to, uh, deal with some drones before we can go… So I'm going to need you to hide while we make sure it’s safe!” N proclaimed, proud of his excuse.

“V! Is dad teasing? I think he’s teasing!” Uzi mischievously looked at V.

“Nope.” V deadpanned. “He’s not. We need you to stay safe. hide and stay put until one of us gets you. Understood?”

“Awww, got it…..” Uzi dramatically sulked.

Now, where to hide her…… they were approaching a city, the snow white canvas getting splotches of decaying homes and gas stations gray grew as they flew closer.

Just on the outskirts of the tall buildings was a hotel. It looked like it wouldn’t collapse and already had a hole in it. 

“Think that’ll work?” N asked

“Most likely.” V replied and then dove inside, N followed.

The inside had debris scattered, the outside wall must have collapsed into the interior. The air had a melancholy feel to it, the walls a sad grey, creaks sounding longing and distant.

“Okay Uzi, think you can hide in here?” N asked.

“Yeah!” Uzi jumped down and ran to hide.

“Alright then,” V got ready to leave. N looked to where Uzi was hiding

“Let’s go…” N deployed his wings and the group flew and began to rampage on the worker.

—————

Once N snapped out of his killing spree, he looked at his teammates, they were finishing their kills. 

“Hey, we should probably head back and get Uzi…”

“Fine, but we need to grab more another time, got it?” J jumped on top of a nearby building. V hovered by.

“I’m not saying that I don’t trust Uzi, just I don’t think we should rely on her  for too long…” V dryly replied.

N took off in the direction of the old hotel. As he versed closer he heard yelling. His core dropped.

He soared faster to her. His mind raced. What's-going-on?-is-she-safe?-I-said-I’d-keep-her-safe! 

N landed in the old hole and walked forward. He could hear Uzi yelling and another drone talking fast.

A worker was trying to lead Uzi away. N ran to them, ‘X’ blazing proud as he hissed and snarled at the worker. His claws were readying for a kill.

The sage eyed drone protectively put himself in front of Uzi, meanwhile she was fighting back.

“Stay behind me kid!”

“NO! THAT’S MY DAD!”

N towered over the drone. His tail lashed side to side.

“Give me my kid back, and you live.” N spoke as cold as the air, if not, colder. His eyes narrowed onto him.

“LET ME GO TO MY DAD!”

“No! I’m keeping you sa-!” N used the backhand of his claws to launch the worker into the near-by wall.

N bent down to Uzi, a friendly face greeting her. “ Go to V and J, okay?”

“Okay!” Uzi ran to them. N gave a soft smile to them as Uzi ran.

As if nothing happened N whipped around to the drone, as he displayed his teeth.

“As for you.” N flexed his claws as he walked to the drone, his tail was all over the place, hissing like a snake.

“You should have listened to me, and given my child back.” The drone looked up at him, fear burned into his eyes.

“I-I’d-I-Di-Ah-Uh-AAHHHHHAG!” N’s tail punctured his wrist. Maniac grin plastered onto his face.

He grabbed the drone’s shoulder and tossed him to the other side, his tail dragged out of the wound. A small chuckle escaped.

He raced over to the drone, pounced onto them, and bit the hand he had damaged. The drone was screaming from the pain.

He drained the oil from the wound like a straw. One of the drone’s eyes changed into a ‘Low oil level’ warning. As the drone looked to be powering off N forced the oil back into the drone. The drone was gasping for air. N tossed him to the middle of the room.

As N scurried over, the drone tried to run, but it failed as N’s tail grabbed its leg, dragging it back.

N was hunched over the drone as he dug his claws into the chassis of the drone, then pulled it open, making all the gears and wires visible, and in the middle of it all, the core.

N carefully wrapped his claws around the fragile object then slowly applied pressure. The drone was screaming mad, his eyes glitched in and out of different warnings and shapes. N couldn’t control his laughter anymore, It was the first time he was enjoying a kill.

N dragged the core through the wires and gears, the drones' screams halted but still echoed through N’s mind, N cut up the metal and plastic inside and left the body, the only oil he consumed was from his claws.

He looked at the body. He was wearing a dark blue oil rig outfit that had a name tag which read ‘Koal’.

Once his claws were clean, he turned to the opening and saw J. J’s eyes display a concussion of emotions, proud, surprised, confusion, and fear.

N gave her a bright smile. “Thought you would have flown off with V… whatcha doing here?” His tone was cherry as he walked to the bodies he had dropped earlier.

“What in the Osha violation was that.?” J asked sternly, eye’s angry but hollowed.

“I-um, I don’t know?” N said with a sheepish smile and shrug.

“Please tell me next time you do that.” And with that J took off.

“Okay!” N grabbed the bodies and took off after her.

—————

N was tired as he got to the spire, Uzi and V were on the bed, J was on the pod’s roof talking to them.

“Well, now you know not to mess with him!” V teased J.

“YOU DIDN’T SEE THE BODY! YOUR KILLS LOOKED PG COMPARED TO HIS!” J yelled at V

“AND YOU DIDN’T WATCH IT AND SEE WHAT HE DID!” J exclaimed, V just cackled at J.

N dropped the bodies into the pile and flew over to the group.

“Sure, all let me guess, he ate the body so there’s no proof?”

“Oh, no it’s still there, I thi-”

“Watcha doin?” N bounced up to them like a puppy. J jumped like a cat, tail sticking up straight, eyes hollow.

“Customer support! You can’t just sneak up on me like that!”

“Hehe! Sorry!” N plopped down onto the bed.

“Look at the roboroach V found!” Uzi held up a particularly large one.

“Are you going to name em?”

“Yeah! His name is Chezy!”

“Oh? Is that so?” V looked over at her. Uzi just looked at the roach.

Then promptly bit it in half, tearing the wires and thin metal. N was the first to react.

“UZI I TOLD NOT TO EAT THEM! SPIT IT OUT!” N was panicking

V simply looked at the two of them. “Uzi, Spit it out. Now.” Her eye lights narrowed onto Uzi.

“M-HM-HE-HRM!” Uzi mumbled out as she clenched her jaw shut.

“Spit it out.” Her tail flicked side to side.

“MH-MN!”

V then lunged for Uzi and wrapped around her like a snake. She then put her in a head lock and she tried to pry the mouth open.

Oh I know! N started to tickle Uzi.

“N! What are you doing?! I’m going to lose my grip!”

“Trust me! She’ll open her mouth!”

After some time, Uzi couldn’t contain her laughter.

“Grab it!” V acquired the roach’s head from Uzi’s mouth and N stopped tickling her.

“No more for you.” V looked at her sternly.

“Fine…” Uzi said with a groan.

“N, here.” V tossed the roach to him.

“Uh, okay?” N put it in his pocket and felt something else in there. Oh, Uzi’s first roach, heh, wonder if I could fix it…?

“Ugh. I’m going to bed.” J Launched herself to her nest before climbing in.

“Do you think we should get ready for bed or wait?” N asked

Uzi yelled from a distance “Stay up! Stay up! I want to stay up late!”

V yelled back “I don’t know… I am awfully tired!” She was chuckling

Uzi ran up to her yelling “Nonononononono! Don’t sleep!” and once Uzi arrived at V, she punched her.

V just looked at her, picked her up, walked over to the bed, and tucked Uzi in.

“Punch me and you get an early bedtime bucko.” V started to walk away.

“Wait wait-wait-wait! I’m sorry! Really am!” Uzi pleaded with V.

“Fine, but no more punching or kicking us, got it?” Uzi nodded her head profusely.

N and V decided to read a story that Uzi had picked out. He curled up to them in the bed and entered sleep mode.

The only thoughts he had while drifting off were ‘My family’ and ‘Safe, Happy, Here’ . His tail curled around the two as he used Uzi like a plushie, holding it dear.

—————

N was brought back to reality covered in oil. Claws were lying in an open chest of a worker, the core was obliterated, the wires were shredded, everything was mixed together. The corpse was unrecognizable.

J walked up behind him, and patted his back. “I knew you would finally come to your senses N, now we have to get back to work.” J was getting ready to fly. 

N turned his head to look at her. His face etched with worry and confusion.

“I-I did good? W-what did I do?” J just left.

He saw V’s face lost in thought. “What did I do?” V looked at him, opened her mouth, then closed it again. She walked to the pod and never looked at N again.

N was still kneeling over the body, he felt the oil on his face.

Looking at the body, the face was mauled, the chest looked like he had dug his claws under it and pulled it open.

As he stood up, he looked around and called Uzi’s name.

“Uzi? Where are you? D-Did I scare you? I’m sorry if I did!”

A line appeared under his eyes, he looked back at the body. More lines grew with his next thought.

Awfully small for… a… work-er…

He looked from his claws to the body, over and over.

Chapter Text

The sun had just barely set. V was sleeping when N bolted upwards, he was breathing fast. V groggily looked up at him, he had his hand by his chest, tail wrapping around himself.

“N?” He jumped when he heard her voice. His eyes hollow, wide, and worried, lines under them with a trembling mouth.

“N? Are you okay?” V sat up too, hand reaching out to comfort.

“I-I-I-I-” N stuttered. What happened? “N? I need you to take a break, and recover from, whatever happened… okay?” N simply nodded.

N looked around and landed on Uzi, his paranoia seems to drop some.

“N? All it was was a dream-” He cut her off.

“No, I-I-I can’t be around Uzi…”

“What? N that was just a dream..?”

“No, nonono… I-I-I can’t let myself harm her!” N said in a hushed and panicked tone.

“Did you dream about killing her?” N slowly nodded.

“Oh, N…” V sympathetically replied. I know that feeling, too well. V placed a hand on his back.

“I-I’m a risk to her safety, I-I-I should just leave her with you, she’d be happier and safer that way-” V looked N dead in the eyes.

“N. No. You are not leaving Uzi with me. We both know she’s a two-drone job. And I know you won’t hurt her.” She spoke in a stern, yet caring voice.

“V! How can you guarantee that?! I'd be doing more harm than help!” N’s arms exploded with movement, worry and fear engulfed him.

“J told me how you killed that worker that tried to take her… Did the bodies look the same?” N froze, thought, then nodded.

“Your systems are just reusing what you’ve experienced. We all know you won’t hurt her.” V Gently started to scratch N’s back.

“I want to trust you…” N brought his arms back to his chest, tail swaying by his side.

“Then do…” V brought her right hand to his chin gently rubbing it.

“I-I-I need to leave, clear my head…” N stood abruptly and flew off, V followed suit. Calling after him. Seriously? Did they both leave Uzi with me ?! This is worse than buying stock before it dropped! J watched from her nest.

Uzi started to turn a toss. Oh, she’ll wake up… Ugh, I don’t want to deal with her, I'll just fix the blanket. J flew down to the bed quietly.

J walked closer and grabbed the blanket, and laid it over Uzi.

Before J could walk away, Uzi grabbed her arm. “ Oh… Uh… No?” J looked at the little drone with worry. Uzi squeezed it closer as J tried to pull away. Kid, please, no.  

J tried to pull away some more, but couldn't. Great… I'm not fond of this… let go kid…

Uzi didn’t let go.

J sat down beside the bed, Uzi clutching her arm like a toy.

—

It wasn’t long before Uzi awoke, her half lidded eyes scanning around.

Now you’re awake. Good. Uzi started to yawn and J looked to the exit, one of her real eyes remained on Uzi, who was also staring at her, mouth open all the way from the yawn. Does the kid know about our eyes? Wait, wh- J Suddenly felt pain, it was bland compared to what she knew, but still pain nonetheless.

The kid had bitten her arm as tight as she could, and slightly glared at J. “Kid, let go, that’s annoying…” The kid almost recoiled from the words, a confused look filled her face as she let go. Slight dents… huh… J thought as she looked at her arm.

“Why didn’t you yell? N and V do that… “It's funny.” Uzi tilted her head, before laughing slightly.

“Because… I have felt greater pain before… Pain your simple bite couldn’t compare to…” J looked off to the side, sighing.

“Then I’ll just try harder!” The kid lunged for her arm. Really? Ugh…

J’s arm moved before the child could react, and before she could fall onto the bed J grabbed her by the back of her shirt and held her up at eye level. “Pointless endeavor really. You’d have an easier time boiling the ocean…” The little girl pouted, crossing her arms and frowning. “And your hair’s a mess.”

Her eyes flared with anger. “My mama did my hair! It’s just like her’s!” She flailed around, swiping at J best she could.

“When was the last time it was done?” J asked unamused, her deadpan eyes watching the youngster fail to make contact with her.

The child froze. “Uhhhh… Before N found me?” She said, raising an eyebrow. Am I really about to do this? Ugh, It’ll just bother me later…

“Wait here, I’m grabbing something.” J flew to the pod, went inside and grabbed a hairbrush, then flew back. “You can have your hat back in a second.” J grabbed the hat, setting it to the side.

“Hey! My hat!” Uzi tried to grab it but J already had her in her grasp.

“Just do as I say, and you’ll get it back.” J sat down on the bed, and placed Uzi’s back in front of her. “Now stay still.”

Uzi grumbed, but did as she was told. “You promise..?” J gently ran her fingers through Uzi’s hair, feeling the knots and tangles it had accumulated. Kids and their need to know, geez…

“... I promise…” J grabbed the brush and gently went through the hair, It snagged occasionally, but J never pulled hard.

“Owowowoww! Stop!” Uzi’s hand went under her hair, holding down what was being pulled on. “That hurt!” Her voice alarmed.

“Woah, calm down, I’m not pulling hard am I?” J moved the brush away as she gently grabbed her shoulders to turn her around. V was always better at this, kids ‘n stuff… But if I was able to do it with Tes her… Then Uzi should be no problem…

“No…” Uzi shyly replied, lowering her hand. J continued slowly. I think this might be harder than I first interpreted, but nothing I can’t do.

J gently brushed Uzi's hair, who whimpered every now and then from the tension of the brush and her hair. J kept on talking softly throughout it, a faint smile forming from memories of before.

“Hey… We’re almost done, okay?” J ran the brush through her hair again, It glided along smoothly.

“Okay…” Uzi dejectedly replied, holding her arm.

“Is there a reason you don’t like it being brushed? Also turn around real quick please.” Uzi turned, a tear dropped from her eye.

“I don’t like it pulling… I always cried when mama did it…” J started stylizing the hair back to how it was.

“I see, But hey, look I’m done now, okay?” J set the brush to the side and admired her work, softly smiling.

“...Thank you… Now can I have my hat back?” J muffled her laugh, causing Uzi to grin.

“Yeah yeah, here you go.” J haphazardly tossed the beanie to Uzi, who failed to catch it as it flew over her head.

“Hey! That was too high!” She stomped her foot.

“... Whoops. ” J smugly replied. “But you could have jumped.”

“Bite me!” She stomped her foot again, fists formed by her side as she pouted.

“N would kill me if I did, so no.” J smirked.

“IT’S A METAPHOR!” 

“I know that, it’s just funny how mad you get.” heheh, dumb child. Uzi glared at J, And stormed off to find her hat. If looks could kill…

J smiled as Uzi looked around, then N and V came back, and her smile was replaced with a dull expression. V looked slightly worried, but N’s face told a story of too many thoughts, and none of them helpful.

“Mom! Dad! You’re back!” Uzi ran to them as they landed, and N displayed a false smile.

“Ay! Uzi! How were you?” His voice lied about how he was feeling. N picked her up, and spun around, causing her to giggle.

“I was good! J brushed my hair…” She smiled.

“Oh? That explains why you don’t have your hat.” V chuckled then gave J a questioning look. Ugh… I can do nice things without a secret reason. J flew off to her nest, a strange bitter taste resided in her mouth.

I forgot to put the brush back… oh well… J landed in her nest, and layed down, Right as V showed up, a clawed hand holding her up. J grumbled.

“J-” V started before J cut her off.

“No. I simply did that because you guys left, and I didn’t need to deal with her cries.” J lightly glared at V, who was slightly shocked.

“I was just going to thank you?” Oh… “And I’d like to ask something… Why did you brush her hair?” V raised a digital brow.

“It was a mess.” J notchelantly replied.

“How were you able to brush it though? Whenever we ask her, she refuses…” V climbed into the nest, sitting by the edge of it.

“I somewhat forced it?” J sat up too, her voice slightly unsure.

“Of course you did… How was she then?”

“...”

V’s eyes narrowed. “J… Please tell me.”

“She may have been slightly upset?” J could feel V’s anger. “But she said it was from the pressure! A-And I promise I was gentle!” J slightly panicked.

V starred, contemplating on what to say next.

“I will possibly stab you.”

J half-heartedly smiled. “Understandable.”

Chapter Text

V had her claws out for fun and prowled around the spire, playing a game of hide and seek with Uzi. 

N and J were off hunting, leaving V to watch Uzi.

Hearing some muffled giggles, V knew where Uzi was. She rounded one of the small corpse towers and playfully pounced onto Uzi, then lifted her up, spinning around. Uzi joyously screeched.

“Found you!” V proclaimed happily, chuckling softly. She brought Uzi close to her, nuzzling their visors together.

Uzi pulled away.“Can we do that again? It’s really fun!” 

V rolled her eyes, and softly sighed. “Sure, now I’ll count to 30, so go!” V lowered Uzi and ushered her off, closing her eyes to count. She could hear the small footsteps of Uzi. And you said you wouldn’t get attached~. I AM NOT! You’ve been leaving me alone, so why now? I don’t know, maybe you just need help in releasing that you’re attached. V quietly growled.

V realized she wasted more time than she should have, she looked around the spire once more, she knew where Uzi was, but didn’t go to her right away.

“Oh Uzi… Where are you?” She exaggerated her words, causing Uzi to quietly giggle. 

“Are you here?!” She pretended to look in the wrong spot, causing Uzi to laugh more. “Not there…” A sly, but also genuine smile was on her face.

“Hmmm… Where is Uzi… Oh where could she be…” V tapped a claw on her chin. “How about here!” The small drone squealed from V suddenly grabbing them.

“Got you.” V softly said, then tossed her into the air,  giggles emitted from the child. When V caught her, she set her down, sighing.

Uzi looked up at V, a wide smile on her face. “Could we go for a walk? J has taken me on some!” No point in saying no…

“Sure.” V rubbed her hand over Uzi’s hair, making her beanie lopsided.

“Hey! My hair! J just brushed it!” Uzi glared at V as she fixed it. V smirked in response.

“Oh? Did I mess something up?” V did it again, aggravating the child.

After promptly fixing her hat again, Uzi watched V, and ran to the exit laughing like a gremlin. “Hey! You can’t just run off like that!” V quickly followed, catching up with no problem. Uzi didn’t even leave the spire yet.

V grabbed Uzi by the collar of her shirt. “Did you try to run from me?” V teased, holding Uzi up to her face.

“Yeah.” She smiled. “I know you’ll always find me!” V set Uzi down, and they slowly started walking, Uzi grabbed two of V’s fingers because of how small her hands were.

They walked through the snow ruins of the city, Uzi stuck by V’s side, but observed the area.

Skyscrapers crumbled around the deserted street only filled by cars and skeletons. Lamppost flicked on and off as the wind gently met them. The clouds blocked the starry sky, only letting glimpses of light from the two moons trickle into their apocalyptic home.

Uzi gently let go of V’s hand to walk over and observe some robo roaches nearby. They crawled over a long dead drone, who V recognized as her own work. “Uzi. Remember no biting.” V warily called out, slowly walking over. Well… I‘m glad she isn’t afraid of the body?

Uzi watched them intently as two of the roaches started to fight. The bigger one swatted at the significantly smaller one, and pierced through the body of the tiny pest, causing it to die.

“Aww… I was hoping the smaller one would win…” Uzi stood up and faced V, grabbing her hand.

“Well it was at a disadvantage.” They continued their walk, but Uzi kept the puzzled look on her face.

“Why? The bigger one was missing a leg…” V was slightly surprised Uzi noticed that, because she didn’t.

“Because of its size, it was weaker, whereas the bigger one was stronger.”

“That’s not fair… Size shouldn't matter…” Uzi pouted, crossing her arms. V muffled a laugh from the small drone’s actions.

“Well then… How do you suppose the smaller one should act? How should they gain their success?” V lighty mused.

“... Maybe… Maybe because it’s smaller it could be faster..? And-and like… hit the bigger one’s legs! Making them fall! So the smaller one could then attack it!” As Uzi thought, she gained confidence in her idea.

“That could work… But what if it doesn't? What then?” V bantered back, watching Uzi curiously.

Uzi stopped, and blankly looked at V. “Then I'll kill em.” Her answer caused V to laugh.

“Come on, let’s head home now, wanna fly?” Uzi’s eyes practically light up.

“YES!” She jumped up and down. V giggles and grabs Uzi before jumping into the air, wings deploying mere seconds after.

V glided past the street, heading to the spire with a soft thud signifying her presents. She lowered Uzi onto the ground as N landed beside them.

“Where were you guys?” N asked Uzi, who instantly hugged him.

“We went on a walk!” She smiled wide as Something caught her eye.

“That’s good…” A small chuckle leaked into the air, and suddenly Uzi grabbed V’s tail, causing her to almost stab the child.

“Uzi, stop…” V blankly looked at Uzi.

“No!” Uzi grinned, seeing how far she could push V.

“If you don’t then I’ll stop you.”

“Bite me!” Uzi giggled.

V then lunged at the small child, and grabbed the back of their shirt by her teeth. Her voice was muffled by the fabric.

“Let go of me!” Uzi flailed around, but to no avail. V chuckled and shook her head, causing Uzi to flail more. 

“V!” N called out, joyfully shocked at her actions, and V just rolled her eyes and dropped Uzi.

“There. Little brat.” V jokingly called Uzi, ruffling her hair.

Uzi frowned at V, and ran over to N’s side. “This is why I like dad better.”

V playfully gasped. “Rudeness.”