Chapter Text
Medkit could’ve sworn he heard a faint yelling of his name in the distance, however, he just could not have cared enough. With barely any energy, he rose from his bed, groaning frustratingly as he caught sight of Subspace running around with cooking utensils.
What is that bastard up to now…
“Morning, Meddy!!” Subspace’s raspy voice rang in the living room, “I made you breakfast!! Feast your eyes on this!!”
“... I’ll pass.” The latter replied, his eyes narrowed on the burnt toast with half-melted butter smeared on it while his colleague shrugged gleefully and took the plate for himself, the thought of eating it made Medkit’s stomach and brain quite unhappy.
“But why are you making breakfast today?” His question was cut short when Subspace shouted “It's my birthday, Meddy!! Did you prepare a gift for me??” Medkit couldn’t help but glance at his horns, which shined brightly, reflecting his excitement.
"About that–” Medkit trailed off, subconsciously rubbing the back of his neck. He'd completely forgotten about Subspace's birthday. How could he have been so careless? But, there was something he was preparing for them both, if it came down to that then he guessed he’d have no choice.
Subspace, sensing his hesitation, pouted dramatically. "You forgot, didn't you?" he accused, his voice laced with mock disappointment.
“Well it’s just another year closer to death, right? I don't see why people even celebrate it,” Medkit dismissed, a slight guilty conscience creeping up on his words.
Subspace rolled his eyes, “Gods, how do you even make birthdays mundane!? I forgive you though!! But you have to make it up to me!!” Subspace quickly added the last part, hugging Medkit tightly, almost suffocating.
The two scientists walked through Blackrock’s halls, Medkit admired the snowflakes that slowly drifted down and landed on the patch of uncovered grass outside, each one laced with minute details that tell a story in their own right as they join to build a serene layer of snow.
Subspace, on the other hand, was not so silent with his excitement. He squealed at the sight of snow even though Blackrock is notorious for its cold and erratic temperatures; “Meddy!! It’s snowing, are you seeing this!?” He hollered infantile, slowing down momentarily to trace the shape of a crystal with his finger on the foggy window.
“I know we’ve been colleagues for around… 4 years? Probably less,” Medkit muttered the last part, “Since when did you buy confetti for birthdays?” He raised an eyebrow as the pink demon hummed ignorantly.
“Meddy!! Don’t you know?!–“ Subspace started
“Stop calling my name so much; it’s irritating.” The other gruffly stopped him, though the real reason was that he didn't want other scientists to see them like this.
Subspace paused for a second, his mouth opened to retort but relinquished to Medkit’s desires. “Well, I’m turning 20 Today!! Well, er… Tomorrow technically, but my point still stands!! It’s going to be 5 years since we met!!” He joyously explained, grabbing Medkit’s stiff body and shaking him while saying it.
Medkit, for his part, mumbled a thanks and continued walking to the store, hoping to snap Subspace back to reality, “Cease your hugs, Subspace, we’re highly respected scientists, not children.”
He let go of Medkit but had a feigned sadness on his countenance, “Meddy–“ He started but Medkit shot him a glance, which thankfully was enough to cause the insistent pain in the ass to stop clinging to him.
They walked down the futuristic streets, shops and restaurants littered the cozy alleys, the moment of tranquility rare but comfortable.
"So, what do you want for your birthday?" Medkit asked, breaking the silence. Subspace paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I don't know," he admitted. "I just want to spend some time with you!!"
The other scientist didn’t ask further – they entered the store, Medkit only bought necessary items, asking Subspace if he needed it, usually faced with; “The more the merrier!!”, “Why not!?” or a “Promise I'll use it one day!!”.
With a basket full of decorations in their hands, they reached their shared complex, a proud grin on Subspace’s face as they walked in, Medkit sighed and set the bag of ornaments down on the living room counter, “There’s no way you can set all this up before midnight,” he protested, “It’s almost eight and we don’t even have the cake yet.”
Subspace simply shrugged, “Well I never said I was going to
use
all the decoration right now!!” His words worsened Medkit’s irritation, but Subspace finished the rest of his sentence before Medkit started chiding him, “But, I can either bake a cake with Hyperlaser, or you!!”
“I… Have things to do,” Medkit mumbled. Subspace nodded and skipped off to the kitchen, humming contently to himself as he called Hyperlaser up, he wouldn’t admit it, but Medkit had found Subspace’s joy (when he wasn’t conducting sadistic experiments) contagious.
He had to work fast, the guilt of forgetting Subspace’s birthday,
and
being empty-handed on one of his most major anniversaries gnawed at him.
Moving to his workplace, he tried to brainstorm any ideas to get Subspace a gift last minute, but nothing came to mind, frustration was bubbling inside of him. He had been working on a huge project that was meant to be revealed around a month later, it was in late development and Medkit had been testing some of the abilities on himself to know where its weaknesses and strengths were – it was not nearly complete.
But maybe, it was enough.
It was a risk, giving away the mismatched crystals that corresponded with their horn colors was downright reckless, but was it worse than seeing Subspace disappointed at such an important moment?
He spent the next few hours refining and assessing the crystals but focused his main objective on the pink one – Subspace’s one. Once Medkit reckoned it was stable enough, he looked at his watch – 11:49 – He cursed under his breath, he lost time completely, but at least the gift was overdue.
The present was carefully placed into a medium-sized velvet box he received at a Blackrock meeting, he couldn’t dwell on the presentation too much though, as the time was ticking. He found Hyperlaser and Subspace engaged in conversation, the cake imperceptibly rising in the oven.
“Ah, Meddy!! The cake’s almost done!!” Subspace started but his gaze dipped to the cushioned box the scientist held in his hands, not exactly concealing it well, “Right, the cake,” Medkit dismissively acknowledged, “I may have forgotten your birthday, but I do still have something prepared for you.” He handed the box to Subspace casually, hiding his hesitancy.
“Woah!! I’m not sure what this is, but it looks pretty!!” Subspace exclaimed, mesmerized by the sparkling gem. It didn’t look like a natural precious rock, but upon closer inspection, he found that it mimicked the crystals they were currently studying.
Medkit nervously narrowed his eyes (plural, for now) at the scientist’s curiosity, unsure of how he should reveal it, he glanced at Hyperlaser who held his hands up defensively in a ‘I don’t know either’ manner.
"It's... something I've been working on. A project for offensive enhancement. This particular crystal is specifically calibrated to interact with your own. I have a matching one for myself,”
Subspace lifted the crystal from the box, his eyes a mix of excitement and apprehension. He held it up to the light, marveling at the way it refracted the colors around them, “Thanks, Meddy!! This is the best thing you ever gave me!!”
While the two continued to talk, Hyperlaser took out the cake, decorating it with a fair amount of frosting, “Happy birthday, Subspace!” The mercenary congratulated, putting a single candle on the cake and lighting it.
As they all celebrated and ate the misshapen cake, Medkit couldn’t help but smile, a rare and genuine one, he watched Hyperlaser leave for training while he and Subspace relaxed on the couch of their shared apartment, his finished plate covered with tiny specks of leftover confetti as they shared the last few moments of celebration in peaceful contentment.