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Medkit had resiliently pushed through many difficult tasks in his life, especially during his time in Blackrock. But now he found himself face to face with a challenge he found near impossible to overcome.
Saying the words ‘do you want to go on a date?’.
He’d been thinking about asking Boombox on a date – an actual one, not just sex and a movie – for a while now. But there were too many variables to consider; what day was best? What time? Where should they go? What should they do?
Medkit first thought about taking him to see a movie. It had worked out well enough for them so far. But that was the problem, wasn't it? They’ve already been doing that; there was nothing special about it. The only real difference would be that instead of getting Boombox all to himself in the comfort of one of their homes, he’d be sharing it with a bunch of strangers who probably hadn’t showered. Not to mention that their movie nights always ended in sex, and he wasn't about to do something like that in the middle of a filthy theatre. And who the hell wanted to pay for something they knew they weren't going to watch?
His next idea was a nice restaurant near Crossroads – Sword took Rocket there and said that the atmosphere was peaceful and the food was incredible. It was special enough for a first date and the chances of them being bothered by others was minimal. The more he looked into it however, the more he realised just how little it seemed like somewhere Boombox would like to go. For starters, the menu was so expensive it could've been extortion. Medkit knew he would be able to afford it, but there’s no way Boombox could. Even if Medkit offered to pay for his meal, he knew the other would either refuse knowing he couldn't afford to pay the doctor back or he wouldn't order enough food and would end up going hungry anyways.
It was Wednesday evening. He sat on his apartment couch, venting his embarrassingly pathetic problem to Sword over a bottle of red wine.
“Me and Rocket were gonna go out on friday. You two can come, if you’d like.”
“I’d rather not intrude.” Medkit sighed melodramatically, tipping the quarter filled glass towards himself.
“Trust me, Rocket would be happy to have you two come along. He’s been asking for a double date for a while.”
“He’d be okay with Boombox? I thought he didn't like the Playgrounds.”
“Oh, he doesn't hate them or anything. He just wouldn’t really hang out with them.”
“...and you’re sure he’d want Boombox to be there?”
“He doesn't have anything against him in particular. He just kinda dislikes the Playgrounds as a collective. I’ll call him if you’d rather hear it from him.”
“That would be helpful, yes.”
Sword swiped his phone from where it sat on the coffee table in front of him. A few moments later, Medkit could hear it ringing.
“Hello?” Rocket's voice asked from the other side.
“Hey, babe. I know you’ve been wanting to go on a double date and all, so for Friday I was wondering if-”
“We’re actually doing it!? Medkit agreed!?”
“Excuse me?” Medkit deadpanned at Sword.
“There's a chance I maybe accidentally let you seeing someone slip.”
“ Sword .” Medkit glared.
“I never said who!” Sword reasoned, throwing his arms up defensively.
“Sword? Are you still there?” Rocket’s slightly distorted voice rang through the apartment.
“Yeah, sorry about that, love. Medkit just wants to know if you’d be bothered if his date was Boombox.”
“Boombox?”
“Yeah, he was wondering if you’d be okay with him being there since he knows you aren't a huge fan of the Playgrounds.”
“Boombox is cool. I ran into him at a gig he DJed at, he’s actually a lot less playgroundy than I thought he’d be.”
“What does that mean?” Medkit asked in a way that might’ve sounded a little rude but wasn't really intended to be.
“So, a lot of people from Playground have this like..vibe about them. This kinda lack of awareness that you see and it makes you go ‘yeah they're definitely from Playground’. Boombox doesn't really have that.”
‘Lack of awareness’ was the perfect way to describe Boombox in Medkit’s opinion, but he had a feeling he knew what kind of ‘awareness’ Rocket meant. And he agreed.
“So us and Medbox on friday? Sounds like a plan!”
“Medbox?” The doctor asked with furrowed eyebrows.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Thankfully, Medkit was drunk enough not to.
“What are we even doing?” He asked instead, sipping on the now less cold drink in his hand.
“We planned on going out for a few drinks and walking around Crossroads, nothing fancy.”
The doctor was unfortunately not drunk enough to not feel a bit embarrassed. He could’ve thought of that himself. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened his messages; making plans for a date without Boombox even knowing there was going to be one was probably not a good idea.
We’ve been invited to join Sword and Rocket on a double date this friday.
WAIT RLLY (°ロ°) !
LIKE AN ACTUAL DATE ?????
Yes.
SJDBGSKIV MEDDD ＼(≧▽≦)／
We’re supposed to meet at Crossroads at 4pm.
I can pick you up if you need me to.
dw abt it !!
i can just catch the bus (b ᵔ▽ᵔ)b
If you insist.
I’ll see you on Friday.
———————————
Medkit parked his car on the side of the road, looking around for any sign of the demons he was supposed to be meeting. It didn’t take long for him to see Rocket and Sword, the latter recognising his car and waving him over. They were holding hands, because why wouldn't they be? He got out of his car to join the two where they stood outside of the bar they chose, making sure to lock his vehicle behind him.
“Hey, Medkit! I haven’t seen you in a while.” Rocket smiled at him.
“Where’s Boombox?” Sword asked, searching over Medkit’s shoulder.
“I offered to drive him here, but he said he’d just take the bus. Hopefully he’s not too late or else he’s footing the bill.”
“HEY GUYS! LONG TIME NO SEE!” The three heard the familiar voice echo around the busy street.
Boombox was wearing a velvety black coat Medkit was all too familiar with. Sword recognised it too, at least according to the smug look he was failing to keep under wraps.
“Hello, Boombox. It’s nice to see you.” Medkit said, not trusting his ability to hold a smile that didn’t look awkward and stiff.
“Hey, where’d you get that coat? I swear I've seen it somewhere before.” Rocket narrowed his eyes.
Medkit’s palms grew a little sweatier than he liked to admit. They were literally on a date together, surely Boombox having his coat wasnt that weird, right? Why was he worrying over nothing?
“It was a gift. I don't really know where it’s from because there’s no brand on it.” The DJ responded casually. Medkit almost sighed in relief, which made him feel even worse.
“Shame. It looks really good quality.” Rocket grabbed the front of it gently and ran his thumb along the velvety fabric. Why couldn't he just go back to clinging to his own date?
“It is. It’s my favourite.” Boombox smiled back, and Medkit had a feeling the reasoning had very little to do with the coat itself.
Rocket released the clothing and wrapped his arm around Sword’s shoulder instead. The latter responded by putting an arm around Rocket’s waist. Have they always been that touchy? He looked at Boombox, who stood next to him. Was he meant to be doing something like that, too?
Boombox laced their fingers together, like he’d been listening to the healer’s internal monologue. Medkit tensed up and yanked his hand away reflexively. A gross swarm of embarrassment filled his brain. He could’ve sworn he heard the musician giggle at that.
The 4 walked into the bar. One look at the interior told Medkit that Sword was the one who chose this place. The decoration was very obviously inspired by Lost Temple, despite its many inconsistencies. It looked like the interior designer went there once and worked from memory. Medkit was sure Sword was probably the first person who was actually from Lost Temple to step foot in there.
They took a seat in a booth at the back. Rocket tripped over one of the plastic cactuses trying to actually get to his seat, which caused Boombox to laugh so hard he stepped backwards and tripped over another plastic cactus.
“Why the hell are there so many cactuses?” Medkit asked.
“I know right? I can’t remember the last time I saw a cactus back home. Especially not these deformed ones.” Sword responded, still grinning from watching the cactus domino effect.
“You shouldn't cactus shame. You’ll make them insecure.” Boombox jokingly scolded him, gripping the end of the table for support as he picked himself up.
“Good. I wanna blow them up, that phucking hurt.” Rocket huffed, playing with the tote bag he’d brought with him (who the hell brings a tote bag to a bar?). Medkit had a feeling he knew what was in it from that comment alone.
“I landed ass first on that thing. At least you had a chair to break your fall.”
“That must suck for Medkit.” Sword snickered.
The healer kicked his leg under the table. The other giggled at that.
“Even the menus have little cactuses on them.” Rocket laughed as he pulled one out of the holder.
“So weird. Why not a palm tree?” Boombox mused.
“...because there are no palm trees in the desert?” Medkit deadpanned.
“Really? But they have them on the beach.”
“What does that have to do with the desert?”
“No, I can see where he’s coming from. Both have sand.” Sword chimed in.
Medkit rolled his eyes and reached for a menu of his own. This was the first time he actually noticed what the bar was called, and he wished he didn't because who the hell names a bar ‘Temple of Secrets’? He skimmed through the surprisingly large variety of drinks. What’s something that’ll get him really drunk really quickly?
“You better not order anything. You’ve still gotta drive, remember?” Sword chuckled and Medkit didn't have to look up to know it was directed towards him. God phucking damn it.
Boombox let out a small gasp from beside him. He peered over at the other’s menu and immediately caught what he must've been looking at. It was a section of drinks that honestly looked like they were more suited for a 6 year olds birthday party instead of a bar. Neon coloured, fruit-flavoured drinks that probably barely contained any alcohol at all. Medkit recoiled at the sight of them – no living being would be able to stomach that crap, surely.
Of course Boombox would order one.
“If we all know what we want I can go get the drinks. Can someone help me carry them?” Sword asked, already getting out of his seat.
Medkit couldn't volunteer faster. They made their way towards the bar, navigating around some of the most awkward furniture placement he’d ever seen. The more time he spent in this place, the more the healer was convinced the interior decorator did their job blindfolded.
Sword made small talk with the bartender as he ordered the three drinks. Medkit couldn’t find it in him to be even remotely invested in the discussion, opting to look back at the booth instead. Boombox and Rocket were happily engrossed in conversation. The only context he had to what they could’ve been discussing were the lively hand gestures the former made. Boombox could never just talk – he had to use his entire body to go along with his words. He put an extra amount of effort into everything he did, regardless of how important. It was beyond Medkit where the energy to do so came from.
“Medkit.” Sword’s voice tore through his line of thought.
“Hm?”
“The drinks are done? You are so out of it today, I swear.” The red demon snickered knowingly, holding two drinks in his hands.
“I’m getting through this sober, so excuse me for being a little less focused than usual.” Medkit huffed, reaching for the fluorescent green drink his date had ordered.
It looked like the insides of a glowstick had been drained into a glass. It had a lime slice wedged onto the side of the glass and the ice cubes were shaped like stars. He took a double take when he noticed that there was glitter swirling around the liquid. Was this even safe to consume? Did he have a moral obligation to throw the drink out before Boombox had a stroke in the middle of the bar?
He didn’t have time to decide, because Sword was making his way back to the booth and he wasn’t about to just stand at the bar alone like he was freshly divorced and going through a midlife crisis.
“That took less time than I thought it would.” Rocket smiled as the two returned.
“Look around, Rocket. It’s us and like, ten other demons.” Sword laughed back, passing one of the drinks he held to his boyfriend.
“God, this place is dead, isn't it? I wonder if they have a karaoke machine.” Boombox hummed, scanning the area.
“Absolutely not.” Medkit shook his head.
“Wh- but I'm a performer! You can't expect me to see a microphone and not perform!”
“Do it and I leave.”
“ You were the one who asked me out!”
“I mean, technically it was us who asked you two to come.” Sword interjected, grinning in amusement. Rocket burst into laughter.
“Stop laughing, this is a serious discussion!” Boombox pouted.
“Sorry for laughing, it's just- when Sword mentioned to me that Medkit was seeing someone, never in a million years did I think it would be you. How the hell did you two happen, anyways?” Rocket raised a knuckle to his mouth like that would magically stop the laughter.
Now there’s a question Medkit was not nearly drunk enough to answer. At least it backed up the claim the Sword really hadn't told him much of anything. He shifted his eye awkwardly – it's like the ability to lie mysteriously vanished from his brain.
“I thought he seemed cool so I went over to his apartment and we hung out. He wasn't too happy to see me, though.” Boombox swirled his straw though his drink, passing a coy glance towards the doctor next to him.
“Hung out? I wouldn't have thought you two had much common ground. What did you do?” Rocket inquired, resting his head in his palm.
Medkit’s face felt shamefully warm and it made him want to punch the blue horned demon, but he could tell that Rocket was genuinely just curious and had no ill intent. He glanced towards Sword for help and was disappointed to see that he looked like he was about to have an aneurysm from how hard he was trying to stop himself from laughing. He’ll remember this betrayal the next time Sword needs his help with something important.
“...Am I missing something?” Rocket hummed, and Medkit’s sad little life may or may not have flashed before his eyes.
“Not really. At first we just got together to watch shitty movies and through that we found out we had more in common than we thought we did.” Boombox smoothly answered his question, a stark contrast to the way Medkit felt like he was melting into his chair.
The medic simply stared at him. Here he was struggling to form an answer, but the DJ was able to talk circles around the embarrassing details without issue. He didn’t seem to mind carrying the conversation and covering both of their asses, but it still seemed unfair.
“Initially, I thought he was annoying and ignored him, but I was just making assumptions about him without really getting to know him. Once I did, I found we suited each other.” Medkit was genuinely embarrassed at how saying that was enough to make him break out into a cold sweat.
His hand subconsciously rested on Boombox’s thigh. The latter placed his hand on top of his and squeezed it gently. Medkit's stomach fluttered and he felt like vomiting; if he did, he’d aim for Boombox’s drink and hopefully save him from whatever that concoction would do to him.
He caught Sword’s eye from across the table – the red-horned demon looked a little proud. Phuck off, Sword. You know what you did, you traitor.
“What about you two? I wanna know if you’ve been dating for as long as I think you have.” Boombox grinned at the couple on the other side of the booth.
Sword and Rocket went on a lengthy story about how they first met and how they started dating (with much more detail than what he and Boombox said for obvious reasons). Medkit had already heard it a hundred times before, so they weren’t the demons at the table he was focused on. Boombox listened intently, playing with the doctor’s fingers under the table. His other hand played with the silk lining of the coat Medkit had yet to regret giving away despite it once being his favourite. He occasionally took a sip from that god awful drink. Medkit noted the way the corner of his mouth briefly twitched downwards at the taste. Not even he liked it.
Time flew by, punctuated by outlandish stories that Medkit only half listened to because Boombox was absentmindedly playing with his fingers and it shot electric tingles through the appendages. Before they knew it, it was nearly midnight and they had yet to walk around like Sword said they were going to. They unanimously decided that they should get going after 2 of the 4 other remaining patrons got into a fistfight and almost crashed into their booth.
“I’ll pay the bill, just send me the money for your drinks.” Rocket offered, pulling out his card.
“I paid for our date last time. Now it’s your turn.” Sword smiled smugly at his boyfriend, earning a playful eyeroll in response.
“Fine, fine. Boombox still has to pay for his, though.”
The clarification was entirely unnecessary, as Boombox already had his wallet in hand. The DJ didn't take any offence, laughing along with Rocket and Sword.
“I’ll cover it.” Medkit’s sudden interjection raised a few eyebrows, mostly from the demon whose half-finished drink he was paying for.
“You gonna buy me dinner as well?” The musician smirked.
“What am I, your sugar daddy?” Medkit scoffed.
“Your words, not mine.”
“Speaking of dinner, any suggestions?” Sword asked the group as they walked out of the bar.
“McDonalds.” Rocket responded almost instantly. Medkit scrunched his nose at the idea. What were they, 5?
“I second that. I’m too broke for actual food.” Boombox nodded in approval.
“Just get your sugar daddy to pay for it.” Sword snickered.
“I paid for one thing.” Medkit glared at his friend. The joke wasn't funny when he wasn't the one making it, he decided.
“Don't be so moody, Med. I’d make a great sugar baby.”
“How would you even know that?”
“Google is free.”
Boombox seemingly didn’t realise he’d told on himself until after the words had already left his mouth and he couldn't take them back. His desperate back-pedalling made Sword and Rocket crack up; Medkit felt himself give a little snicker, too. What a fun piece of trivia he never thought he’d hear.
“I don't mean this as an insult or anything, but out of every phighter, you’re the one I’d most expect to have a sugar daddy.” Rocket chuckled.
“Slingshot’s told me the same thing more than once so I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“More than once? Like you have a natural talent for pulling rich old guys?” Medkit retorted with a sarcastic eye roll.
“I pulled you.”
Sword choked out a gasp before doubling over with laughter. Rocket held an arm out to support him through his own hysterics. Medkit’s face burned.
“I’m only 30. How is that old?” Did that sound too defensive? Probably, but nobody seemed to care.
“Yeah, you’re going to the retirement home in a few years. Sorry you had to find out like this, man.” Sword wiped a tear from his eye, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to bring the shittiest movies I can find when I visit.” Medkit blushed and whacked him on the back of the head, because he knew exactly what he was referring to.
“I’m not fucking you in a nursing home, what the hell is wrong with you?”
Now it was Boombox’s turn to double over in shocked laughter, joining Sword at almost falling on the floor. What he said wasn’t that funny, surely.
“Hahaha, what?” Rocket’s laughter was replaced with confusion.
Oh my god. He forgot Rocket didn’t know.
Sword decided it was time to actually help, pointing at the lit-up McDonalds sign in the distance and describing his order to Rocket in an attempt to change the topic before it really had time to marinate. Dear god Medkit prayed Rocket was drunk enough to forget that colossal phuck up and not connect the dots.
He lit up a cigarette. If he couldn't drink to ease his nerves, he’d at least have this. Sword and Rocket walked a little in front of him and Boombox, drunkenly chatting about something Medkit was too busy thinking to listen to.
“Whatcha thinkin’ about?” The musician asked from next to him, quiet enough for the two in front of them to be oblivious but loud enough to tear Medkit out of his line of thought.
“Nothing important.” He sighed back, watching the smoke escape his mouth and intermingle with the crisp air.
“Then stop thinking it.”
Boombox didn’t give him a chance to respond, skipping forward to join in on whatever it was that they were talking about now. For the first time, Medkit noticed just how seamlessly he was able to integrate himself into a conversation with two people he wasn't particularly close with. He thought back to the pictures on his bedroom mirror. At least one with each phighter, including the ones he didn’t really like.
But why bother?
Medkit had always assumed that the way they thought about their image was opposite; the healer had always been aware of the ways others perceived him, negative or otherwise. He always thought Boombox simply didn't care or was oblivious to the way people thought about him, evident by his obnoxious music and constant blabbering to those who obviously couldn't care less about what he had to say.
The two had spent a great deal of time together over the past two months, in one of their apartments separate from prying eyes. Medkit has been aware of how he was able to let his guard down; he let Boombox cuddle up to him or give him a peck or two when it was just them. He never considered that might've gone both ways, not until now at least.
He reflected on the many nights they’d spent together and the mornings that followed. Something about Boombox seemed different when it was just them. A little quieter, a little calmer. It was subtle, but it was there. Puzzle pieces began to click into place. As much as he was letting Boombox in, Boombox was letting him in.
To Medkit’s dismay, they had already reached the Mcdonalds. He wasn't going to order anything, he stubbornly decided – he was 30 years old and he’d prefer to eat like he was. Between Sword, Rocket and Boombox there was an ungodly amount of food. Medkit nearly gagged; there’s no way they were going to finish all of that.
Boombox ate all of the fries in between whining about the ice cream machine being broken. It was annoying, but Medkit had grown fond of annoying. What he wasn't fond of was having a fry poke at his mouth, with his little nuisance insisting that he ‘just give it a try’. When he conceded and ate the thing (much to the apparent amusement of everyone at the table) he was unsurprised to find it to be just as salty and greasy as he imagined.
The three of them had in fact managed to eat an entire table full of mediocre food and it was time for them to head home. Boombox never finished the one drink he had ordered at the bar, so he was still sober, if not only slightly tipsy. But apparently that was enough for Medkit to insist he dropped him home, along with Sword and Rocket. It didn’t take long for the other couple to pass out in the backseat, squished together despite the amount of space.
“It looks like they’re making room for one of your imaginary friends.” Boombox giggled.
“Or your imaginary dad.” Medkit retorted. He overheard Slingshot joking about it when he thought nobody else could hear him, he had to say it at least once.
“I’ve never even talked about my dad. How would you know if he doesn't exist?”
“Say that again, but this time actually listen to what you said.”
“If you're gonna bully me, can I at least play music this time?”
“...Just this once. Do not raise the volume any higher than what I permit.”
“Oh, for real? Finally holy shit- your car has bluetooth, right?” Boombox excitedly clammered for his phone, almost dropping it in the process.
“I dont know.”
“Of course you don't. Wait, I think I found it..”
After a few moments, a song began to play. Medkit was pretty sure it was a separate genre to the EDM Boombox usually blared during phights, but then again he couldn't really tell because the volume was so low that he might as well have not been playing music at all.
“I can’t raise the volume even a little..?”
“No.”
“But I can't even hear it.”
“Be quiet and maybe you will.”
Boombox pouted and turned away, but did just that. It was a calm song, far less energetic than what he was used to the shorter demon playing. From beside him, he could hear the musician humming along to the singer’s voice. He had a surprisingly nice voice – soft and gentle, a stark contrast to how ear-piercingly loud he usually was. Medkit’s hand found its way to his thigh for the second time that night.
“..I was hoping to be a little more open in terms of physical affection.”
The chair next to him shifted; Boombox turned to face him. A warm, gentle hand rested atop his, the owner’s fingertips tracing soothing circles into the flesh.
“You’ll get there eventually. It’s not like I'm going anywhere.”
If he’d call Boombox anything (other than annoying or obnoxious) he’d say he was persistent. Persistent enough to not quit bothering him after essentially being greeted with a brick wall in response. He already knew he wasn't going anywhere, but hearing him say it made him feel that special kind of happiness he felt when they had shared their first kiss.
Medkit put the car on autopilot and leant over, wrapping his arms around Boombox. He buried his nose in his hair, taking in that artificial lime scent he’s memorised by now. It didn't take long for the other to reciprocate, embracing him just as tightly.
“I..don't intend on going anywhere, either. I suppose that means..” The words he wanted to say caught in his throat. He cursed himself for not being able to just say what he wanted.
“We’re official?” Boombox was smiling as he said it; he could tell from his tone of voice.
“If you’d like to be.” The healer fought to keep his composure intact as the words left his mouth. He was relieved the message got across, but waiting for a response gave him goosebumps and a horrific feeling of dread.
Boombox pulled back from the embrace. Medkit’s heart rate may or may not have picked up once he saw him remove his visor. He didn't get long to admire those emerald eyes before his face was gently cupped and he was being kissed. It was reminiscent of their first kiss; gentle and slow, like the other would shatter if they pushed too hard. It made that familiar fluttery feeling wash over him all over again. They eventually separated, faces still mere inches from each other.
“Does this mean I can tell Sling and Skate that we’re a thing? Because if I dont they might actually crucify me.” Boombox chuckled, eyes sparkling with joy. Medkit wondered if he’d ever get tired of looking at him.
“I suppose so.” For the first time in what might’ve been years, Medkit felt himself smile.
From the rear-view mirror, Medkit almost thought he saw Sword smiling, too.