Work Text:
Once again, Bass was acting off. He had been acting weird for a while, and it kept getting worse. No matter how hard Proto Man tried to get him to admit something was wrong, he never faltered.
Proto Man liked Bass. He had caught feelings awhile back, so seeing him acting so distant crushed him to pieces. Was it something he did? Did the black robot somehow find out he liked him? He was sure his friend didn’t feel the same: he just didn’t seem to be the type to fall in love, and he had never given any hints that there was something beyond friendship. Alas, there wasn’t much he could do about it.
“Bass, can I ask you something?” They were in the middle of another round of Mario Kart.
“Sure.” Proto Man hesitated before turning off the console. He felt nervous; something he barely experienced. He was anxious, sure, but this was a crushing feeling in his chest. He had never been scared to tell his friend anything, but now, it was hard to even speak.
“Why do you not like me anymore? And I want a real, honest answer. Don’t try to pretend like nothing’s wrong; you’ve been acting… off lately. If I did something wrong, then I want to know. You’re my best friend, and I don’t want us to fall apart if there’s something I can do about it.” Bass seemed surprised at what he said, which he couldn’t blame him for; Proto Man hardly ever talked about feelings, or this ‘soft’.
“I don’t hate you dude: I promise. It’s just… I’ve had things going on lately. It’s kind of you, but like, not really. Don’t worry about it.” The black robot turned his attention back to the tv, which was now a blank screen. “Why did you have to turn off the game for that? I was winning!”
The red robot couldn’t handle it anymore. Time and time again he put his feelings off and ignored him. He was tired of it. He got up, and before Bass asked where he was going, he snapped.
“I’m just…” What was he even feeling at this point? “I’m done. You can’t even tell me you don’t want me around. If you respect me that little, I don’t see the need to stay.” He felt tears pricking in the corner of his eyes as he made a huge leap out of the window onto the forest ground below, not even bothering to turn around to see how his friend reacted. And he ran.
Proto Man ran as fast as he could. Bass was his first friend, his bestest friend. He loved him, and now, all he could do is wish things could’ve worked out differently. But, he was an idiot for making friends with him, let alone falling head over heels for a stupid robot who didn’t care about his existence. He was too emotional to think straight, causing him to run as far away as possible.
Soon it was dark out, and he was growing tired. He stopped near a tree, and leaned against it for support. He tried to stand up, but soon his knees gave in, and he collapsed on the ground, a sobbing mess.
He was pathetic for being this upset over his crush not liking him back. Bass was an idiot, but truly, he didn’t believe that. He was the most important person in his life, and he cherished every moment with him. He wished every day he would wake up right next to him, and they would spend the whole day together without a care in the world. His whole life revolved around his visits with Bass; it was the only reason he kept going. It was the reason he no longer wanted to die. Losing someone this precious to him tore Proto Man even more than when he first ran away from his father. He was an idiot for letting this happen. He felt like the tears would never stop until he heard footsteps slowly approaching him.
“Proto Man!” He wanted to disappear.
Bass came running towards him, but he shot up quickly enough to shove him away.
“Leave me alone!” He didn’t even mean to sound aggressive, but it was the only thing he could think to say. Bass grabbed him by the shoulders.
“I’m not going away! I want to tell yo-” Again, he was shoved away. Before he could try to speak to him, Proto Man cut him off.
“Just stop talking for once!” Was that even him speaking? He never got this emotional: never.
“Nothing you say right now is going to make me feel better! I don’t get what your problem is with me, but you know what? I’m sure you’re right! I am a fuck up! I was born that way, and I’ve remained that way for my whole life! I wish I didn’t fuck up our friendship, but I did! I don’t know if you found out or if I did something else but-” Proto Man began crying again, and this time, he now had the crushing feeling of embarrassment, knowing his friend was standing right there.
“I love you, Forte!” The black robot stood there, completely shocked.
“What?” Proto Man didn’t even hear him, nor did he care.
“I don’t know when it exactly happened. but I used to think you were the most insufferable, selfish, brattiest person ever; and when we became friends, I slowly started to like you, but then it started turning romantic, and… I don’t know, it’s a mess. Every night when I’m out here alone, in the dark, I imagine sleeping next to you in your bed with the nightlight and Treble, and that’s the only way I can sleep peacefully. My life was meaningless before you. All I ever did was wait to die, and sometimes I wished it came right then! But after I met you, I didn’t want to anymore. You give me meaning, and you complete me.” More tears welled down his face; so much his sunglasses fogged up, and he could only guess what Forte’s expression was.
“…But I know you don’t feel the same way. I mean, this sounds stupid, but I highly doubt you’re even into guys in the first place. Your behavior recently is enough to show me you don’t want me anymore, and in general, why would you ever like me? I want to still be friends, but I understand if you don’t want to.” He turned around, trying his best to wipe away his sorrows. “I’ll just go.” Proto Man turned to walk away, but Forte grabbed him by the arm. And he hugged him.
They’d only hugged once before when he was suffering through one of his worst core pains yet. His friend held him tightly then, and somehow managed to hold him even tighter now. Neither of them were particularly touchy, but right now, being held by him felt euphoric.
“Blues, I’m so fucking sorry. You never did anything wrong. I… I love you too.” That was something he never expected to hear. Being loved by someone seemed impossible at this point. He wanted to say something, but he could tell his friend wanted to continue.
“But, I’m also a complete dumbass, and I have no idea how to handle my feelings, let alone something I’ve never felt before. So, instead of actually fixing my problem, I just suppressed it. That only caused it to get worse, and it got to the point I couldn’t handle being around you because I just felt so awkward and guilty. I felt like if you knew I liked you, I’d never hear from you again. And I can’t live without you! I’m sorry you thought I hated you, and I understand why you’re pissed at me. I want to be your friend.” He also never expected to hear his friend be so… sweet. The two stood there for a while completely unmoving, not knowing what the other was going to say.
“Forte, you’re a complete idiot.” Blues smiled; a genuine, real, happy smile. “I’m still pissed at you for not saying anything to me, but well, I’m glad you like me back…” Again, there was awkward silence. “So like, do you wanna like date or something… maybe… I don’t know.” Forte almost started laughing.
“I don’t know.” The red robot stared at him. “Of course you idiot! I’ve been wanting to date you!” He hugged his boyfriend as tight as he could until Blues had to forcefully push himself away.
“Should we go back to the fortress?” Forte shook his head.
“No. Wily’s there, and I don’t want to risk you getting hurt.” He pulled out a blanket. “I brought one to give to you actually. I didn’t want you to get cold.” He put the blanket over Blues who had taken off his helmet.
“Thank you Forte… I love you.” Hesitantly, he rested against his boyfriend’s shoulder.
“I love you too.” And with that, Blues and Forte drifted off to sleep, together.