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The lingering wind in the Lost Temple made a chilly effect, as a red demon walked along the sidewalk, two bags clutched against his fingers. He looked around the places he often recognized, knowing he was almost at his stop. He turned the corner, hearing a strange commotion in the alley. He let his guard up, deciding to walk towards the noise. His eyes widened, as he stood in horror. “Fucking die, you bitch!” He watched, as his friend Rocket was about to bash someone with a hammer. Without hesitation, he dashed towards the other, dropping his bags. “Hey hey, Rocket, stop!!” He grabbed him under his arms, as the demon started to growl and kick in his arms. “Get off of me, Sword! I need to kill this fucking bastard!” Rocket yelled, angrily clawing at the other on him, as Sword watched the demon Rocket had previously attacked scurry away with haste. “Damn it,” Rocket cursed under his breath, as Sword let him go. He stood, clenching his fist in anger. “Hey, Rocket, how about we just- get home, alright? It’s okay..” Sword placed a hand on Rocket’s shoulder in worry. “You don’t get it, Sword.” The shorter grumbled. “It’s my job, I need to do this, it’s the only way-“
“No,” Rocket stopped, glaring at Sword. “What?”
“Listen, Rocket, it’s not the same here, you’re safe, nobody is trying to hurt you anymore. So quit being like this.” Sword looked away. Rocket’s face scrunched up into one of anger, as he turned, grabbing onto the other’s shirt roughly. “Fucking shit, Sword! I’m trying to fucking protect myself here, you bitch! I don’t have a reason to trust you, so you if you could just screw off my life would’ve been better!” Rocket raised his hammer, as Sword’s eyes widened, and he flinched. “W-Wait..!!” Sword closed his eyes for a brief moment, before opening them back up carefully. Rocket let go of his shirt gently, as Sword saw a hand go onto Rocket’s shoulder. “Rocket.” A voice called from behind him. Rocket’s eyes went dark, as he lowered his hammer and backed up from the other demon behind him and Sword.
Sword stood there, speechless. “M-Mr. Zuka, I-I..” Rocket stammered, nervous. His face was unreadable to Sword. Zuka stood there, his expression one of disappointment and anger. Zuka pulled Sword behind him, as the red demon watched nervously. “Rocket, it’s fair to say im disappointed in you. Of all things, you almost hurt your own friend. Rocket, He isn’t like your old friends. Just quit it.” Zuka’s eyes narrowed at his son. Rocket was scared, and for a moment, Sword swore he could see tears start to run down from Rocket’s cheek. Rocket grit his teeth, running off into the alley. Sword looked up to Zuka, worried. “He’ll be fine. I’m glad you’re okay, you should get going now. I’ll get him.” Sword felt a pang of guilt for his friend, as he slowly stepped away from the soldier. His lips felt shaky, as he carried his bags back onto one arm and walked off.
It had been quite a while since what had previously happened the other day. Sword eventually decided to look for Rocket. He walked along the Crossroads, occasionally calling out his friends name there and then. He noticed a figure sitting at a bridge, approaching the figure to see it was his best friend, who was sitting along the edge of the bridge connecting to the lost temple. Sword sat beside him, but not too close out of worry. Rocket was looking down, curled up and his head on his knees. “..What do you want, Sword.” Rocket sniffled, looking away from his friend. “You don’t want a monster like me to be your friend. I could’ve hurt you back there,” Rocket muttered. “R..Rocket, I…” Sword started. “Are you going to tell me the same thing everyone else says? I know. I don’t care, it’s what they all told me.. ‘nd left me..” Rocket paused on the last part, his voice going quiet. Sword took a glance to Rocket, scooting closer. “It’s okay, Rocket..” He hesitantly patted Rocket’s shoulder in a soothing matter. “‘Hate it, here.. I wish everyone could just go away.” Rocket then buried his face deeper into his knees, sniffling. “..I’m here for you, Rocket. It wont matter if you hurt me, I still trust you, even if your feelings get the best of you at times.” Sword pulled himself away, yet still slightly close to the other. He noticed the other had been crying. “..Stupid, Mr. Zuka is just gonna get all mad at me ‘nd everythin’…” Rocket grumbled, annoyed. “It’s all stupid, really, nobody want’s a burden like me around.” Sword let out a sigh in worry, the silence growing for a brief moment. “Rocket, that’s not true, you know it’s not.” Rocket raised his head back up to look at Sword. “Oh, yeah, it isn’t, huh? So all those outrages that lead me into trouble mean nothing? I’m just a troublemaker, I can’t help it.” Rocket let out a sigh, putting his face in his hands. “Just.. Go away, you wouldn’t want to be here if you didn’t feel bad.” Rocket was right, but Sword really did trust Rocket, after all. He’d stood out from others, the most, and Sword was always happy to see him around. “But, I do, I do want to be here right now. You’re my friend, and I’m not going anywhere when you’re upset like this. You’re not a problem to me, you were never one to begin with..” Sword then avoided eye contact, as Rocket looked back at him, his eyes shining in the light. “M..Maybe..” Rocket murmured, feeling tears come down his cheek, as he wiped it in embarrassment. “God, I shouldn’t be crying like this..” Sword chuckled, lightly pushing Rocket’s hand away to wipe a tear from his face. Rocket’s face was wet and puffy from tears, but Sword was glad he could see his face again. “I forgive you, Rocket. Even if you couldn’t control yourself. It’s not your fault, Roc.” He cupped his face, making Rocket’s face light up a bit. He then pulled away Sword’s wrists. “Alright, alright, stop that, it’s making me look all weak..” Rocket turned away, slightly blushing. Sword smiled. “Let’s go home, Rocket,” Sword pulled Rocket up, pulling him into a warm hug. Rocket gave in to the tight embrace, wiping a tear. “..Mhm, let’s go home..” Sword took Rocket’s hand, guiding him to the Lost Temple.