Chapter Text
They ended up staying on that bench for a while, not really talking, but it wasn’t an awkward silence. The Biograft decided to join them on the bench, but it creaked heavily under its weight, before the old bench snapped and they all tumbled down with it.
She laughed as they hit the ground and the Biograft looked away, ‘embarrassed’- she knew it couldn’t really feel, but it learnt from others. “It was bound to happen anyways,” she reassured it.
Subspace, meanwhile, had hit the back of his head on the wood of the chair as it collapsed. He scowled as he rubbed the spot, and Vinestaff rolled her eyes. “Oh relax, I know you’ve had worse than that.”
“Shush!! I’m not complaining!!” He hissed right back. They stared at each other, then burst into laughter. Eventually, they calmed down, and she wiped at her eyes with a small giggle. It was easy to banter with him, it was almost like hanging out with Slingshot or Shuriken.
She sat up and offered him a hand so that he could join her. He took it but ended up falling against her as she pulled a little too hard. He immediately pushed himself off with a surprised laugh. “Careful!!”
She didn’t laugh, though, sighing as she remembered just how underweight he was. “I… hey, how about we go to a cafe or something?”
He blinked a few times, clearly confused by the sudden topic change, but shrugged. “Uh- okay!! You know a spot??”
“Yeah, I actually work at one. C’mon, let’s go.” She stood up and dusted herself off, while the Biograft offered a hand to Subspace. Once they were ready to move, they headed down the hill, and she brought him to Crossroads- after all, Slingshot’s cafe should still be open at this time, it didn’t close until late.
As they entered Crossroads, the Biograft suddenly seemed to shift into a more serious mood, marching behind the two and keeping an eye out. She frowned and glanced to Subspace. “What’s up with that?”
“Oh, it’s a security measure!! Not many people like me outside of Blackrock, so I’ve programmed my Biografts to be on guard in populated areas like this!!” He explained, waving his hand casually like he was talking about the weather.
“What, do people threaten you?” Her frown deepened at the thought that he had to enable specific security in certain places.
He simply shrugged. “Sometimes!!”
“I… don’t know how to feel about that,” she mumbled, moving just a bit closer to him as they walked. The Biograft could definitely handle most threats that would come to him, but still, she felt more secure keeping an eye out too.
Finally, they arrived at the cafe, which was practically empty at this time. She glanced to Subspace before eagerly pushing open the door, a bell chiming above them.
“Just a second!” Slingshot called out from the back, and he really wasn’t kidding when he said this- as just a moment later, he stepped out and in front of the counter. “Welcome to Slingshot’s Cat Cafe, where everything we serve is purrfect a-”
She snickered as the realisation dawned on him, but it was too late. He was in uniform and Subspace stared at him. He cackled and practically doubled over from laughter, while Slingshot sent a glare to Vinestaff, a bright blush on his face.
“Hey Sling!” She grinned and walked up to the counter, leaning on it. “Just thought I’d bring my friend along here.”
“You are a menace in disguise,” he hissed playfully. He glanced over to Subspace, who quickly joined her in leaning on the counter. “Surprised you came around here, though.”
Subspace scoffed, “yeah, well, Vinestaff here convinced me to!!”
“Mhm,” he glanced back at Vinestaff, mouthing ‘why?’ but turning back to face both of them. “Well, what can I get ya?”