Chapter Text
Despite his fear, Momo truly had looked for a way around that damned door in the sewers, for any way to follow the cat and drone duo into the unknown depths. Sure, he was terrified of the sewers and the Zurks infesting the area, but Momo was more worried about having possibly led the little cat and drone to their untimely deaths. If the nasty little mutants could chew through metal, he didn’t even want to think about what they could do to an organic creature. But of course, the machinery in the sewers was all broken down. Unfortunately, any path he discovered was cut short by more of the same doors, their functionality disabled by years of neglect. It didn’t matter what he tried, he couldn’t get any of the doors to stay open. The rusted pipes didn’t seem like a safe option either, creaking loudly whenever he leaned his full weight onto one. He’d been fortunate enough to avoid any Zurk encounters so far, but he didn’t want to test that luck. Eventually, Momo was forced to turn back.
When he’d been allowed back into the slums, Momo headed straight back to his flat. He couldn’t stand to look anyone in the eyes, too ridden with guilt and the realization that he’d been left behind once again. Slamming the door behind him, Momo let himself slide down to the floor into a sitting position. He gently traced the scratch marks the little furball had left behind on the dusty wooden surface, digital tears threatening to spill. He hadn’t even known them for that long, but they were certainly long gone by now. Momo hoped, more than anything, that the two would make it through the sewers safely. Sure, they had Doc’s weapon with them, but they were so small and organic... no. Thinking about this for too long would do him no good. Momo knew he couldn’t just sit in his flat wallowing in negativity forever. But for now, recharging wouldn’t hurt.
Momo had found that life in the slums without the little furball and B-12 was… rather dull. He watched over the slums from his balcony, heaving a gravelly sigh. There was no little orange blur leaping across the rooftops and knocking bottles and flowerpots over. There were no more cute sounds from the cat echoing through the streets. Kosma had even scrubbed all of the paint off of the street in front of the laundromat, wiping away any footprints that may have been left behind along with it. All that was left at this point were the memories the Companions had of their little friends. Oh, what Momo wouldn’t give to hear the pitter-patter of little feet scrambling along the roofing below and up the wall units to his flat again.
-CLANG-
A sound similar to what he’d just been reminiscing, yet much less graceful, snapped Momo out of his thoughts. What was that sound, and where–?
“Doc?!” Momo chirped in surprise as he peered over the railing at the scientist balancing on top of an air conditioner.
“Momo, my friend! You really must have some proper stairs built out here one of these days!”
“Doc, wh-what? What are you doing up here?!”
“Coming to visit you of course, what sort of question is that?” Doc shook his head, extending an arm forward. “Now come, help me up to the balcony, would you?”
Momo hurriedly reached for Doc’s hand, doing his best to pull his fellow Outsider up onto solid footing. Doc simply dusted himself off and stretched, leaving Momo to catch his nonexistent breath.
“You do know... I have stairs around... the back, right?”
“Oh, do you?”
Momo only grumbled in response as he opened the door for his unexpected guest. Doc happily stepped inside, taking his time to look around and admire Momo’s cozy home like it was his first time seeing the place. Momo couldn’t really blame him though; he’d lost count of how many years Doc had been missing by this point that he’d all but given up hope. Until that little cat had come along... but that was beside the point.
“ Doc, why did you want to see me?” Momo asked, his rainbow screen flashing a question mark.
“Why did I want to see you?” Doc turned to face Momo, his tone incredulous. “It’s been so long, Momo. And I barely got to see you after that little creature brought me back. Is it really so wrong to want to see a friend?”
“I... well no, but-”
“Besides, Guardian told me that you hadn’t left this flat since you returned a few days ago.”
Ah.
Doc sat down on the couch, patting the cushion next to him as an invitation to sit down. After some hesitation, Momo joined him.
“Can you tell me what’s bothering you? I know I may not be as wise or patient as Zbaltazar, but-”
Momo cringed at the mention of the Outsider’s name, the expression on his screen warping into a frown.
“...That’s it exactly,” Momo sighed. “I miss them. I miss Zbaltazar and Clem, and when you went missing, I didn’t know what to do.”
“I’m back now though.”
“Yes, but only because of the cat! I was too much of a coward to look for you. If I had taken a moment to think about how Seamus felt, or just tried a little harder-”
“Momo.” Doc took Momo’s hands in his own. He hadn’t even realized he’d begun fidgeting. “You’re okay, I’m okay. And I’m glad that you’re safe. I’d much rather find you here in the slums than hear that you tried to be a hero.”
Momo sat motionless, processing Doc’s words as he began to calm down.
“I know it isn’t much, but I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. Not without you and Seamus at least.”
“...Really?”
“Of course.”