Thunder Beam

Flash moved around the base of the huge tower he’d been working on non-stop for months. He didn’t trust a single robot on the Island to be able to work on this. He barely trusted the base bots he controlled to help. He had a huge wire plugged into the back of his neck as he walked around in his armored boots, body suit and lab coat. 

He taps on a tablet a few times, and then taps at a large arcade looking panel on the side of the tower. Actually it used to be an arcade game, aliens and zombies or whatever still emblazoned on the side shooting each other. But you used what you could work with, and humans dumped all kinds of useful shit at the dump constantly.

“Elec.” He calls, walking back towards an old car chair that was set up in a round wired faraday cage set up, floating just off the ground in side the base of the tower. “We are ready for our first ever RM testing!” He turns, looking pleased with himself, and dirty. His hair unkept and unruly pointing in every which way, his eyes holding just a bit less sanity then normal. 

Initially, he’d been wary, unsure of just how deep the loyalty ran in 014, but he saw now that the fears had been for nothing. Flash had made his vision his own personal project for months, and it seemed that all of the pieces were finally coming together. Kind of.

“It looks...” Like a piece of garbage? Not at all like the conceptual artwork? “Substandard.” Elec finally deemed, nudging what looked to be a strangely placed car window crank mechanism with the tip of his boot. 

>Eh, I don’t really. But I know DLN’s do a bit, so I figured why not. 

>I could come down there and be your valentine if you want.

He looks down at Elecman below, watching the DLN pace around, or look over plans. Or work on something himself. 

>Hey Elec.

>Do you Wily bots actually celebrate such a ridiculous holiday? Or is it just another good excuse to wrangle someone into your bed with you?

He smirks, finding the message amusing and sweet nonetheless.

After a struggle, the small DLN hoisted himself on one of the stools. He placed himself conveniently next to Elec. He was going to serve as Cut’s shield whether he liked it not. “I don’t drink. I snuck beer once but I hated it. The taste was bad. So I wouldn’t know what I like. Besides, it doesn’t do anything to me because I’m—”

Stuck in a child’s body.

The way Elec prattled off to him didn’t help either. It made him feel like a school kid being lectured, a staple in their relationship. At first Cut chuckled uncomfortably and then fell silent. Like if Flash told an extremely nasty joke.

"Funny you mention that Flash," he croaked. His voice cracking juuust a bit more than he intended.  He could feel his whole body cringe as he smiled. ”I already talked to Blues about it. I, uh…”

He really didn’t want bring the news up yet, especially not in front of Elec.

"I don’t want this body anymore. I made up my mind. …I’m not a kid so they can’t make me one." He tried to sound matter of fact, but couldn’t help but wonder the reactions. He recoiled. "But there’s nothing to do about it. I don’t want to be reset like Blues or held back like Rock."

Elec’s face looked forgiving and kind, but something about his tone pricked the boy’s skin. His apology was like 100 little needles.

And yet some irrational part still wanted to be with him. 

He sends back, before rolling his eyes as he looks down at Cut. “Come on, you little drama queen.” He reaches down and takes the glass. “Lets get some drinks, whats your poison, Cut?” He says, and pulls them all towards the bar.