#beta(oc)

X sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose. He looks over at Brook, unamused and with a sly smile on her face.

“It was funny,” she says. X can’t help but groan.

“No. It really wasn’t”, X deadpans as he walks into Hunter HQ, Brook by his side. Brook just puts her arms behind her head. X shakes his head and rolls his eyes.

“You hang out with Axl way too much. That’s what he would’ve said,” Brook grins. X looks at her and rolls his eyes once again, sass taking over even though he doesn’t mean it to. “Look”, X says as he stops for a moment. Brook mimics him and stops with him. The reploid exhales, “I can’t always be watching you, Brook. And with that stunt you pulled today, I don’t know if I can trust you by yourself,” the teen gapes at the other.

“Wha- but-!” She says, unable to say a full sentence due to her surprise. X nods and crosses his arms.

“I need to find someone to watch you when I can’t. Someone who’s nice, a good example,” X scans the base, eyes landing on a certain newcomer. “Beta. That’s who,” X says with a smile but is then interrupted by Brook.

“No way! I don’t need a babysitter!” The azure hero sighs. “It’s not a babysitter. Think of it as a friend. A friend who will keep you in check and is a good example,” X says as he walks towards the newbie, Brook following behind, pleading for him to change his mind.

The hero’s mind was already made up, though.

Brook follows X hesitantly and stares at the guy he’s looking at. She studies him and his behavior. ‘Beta’ apparently is a newcomer. He has light blue eyes, white hair and almond skin. He’s about 5 '4, and has black face marks. The dude has black, white and gray armor. His chest and forehead gems are blue, matching his eyes. Beta looks nervous as he hands a report to Alia. She nods and checks his work, saying it’s good and he lets out a sigh of relief. Alia smiles.

“Hey, Beta.” X greets with a half wave.

Beta looks up and waves back with a small, shy smile. “Hello, Commander-Hunter. Hello Ms. Longsdale,” Brook smiles uncomfortably at the title.

X notices this and says: “Please. Just X, like I’ve told you many times. Call her Brook, please.” Beta looks sheepish and flushes slightly in embarrassment.

“Sorry. I feel the need to be polite is all. I didn’t mean any harm,” X shakes his head and smiles. “Nothing to worry about, kid,” Brook mutters something under her breath earning a light smack on the head from X.

“I was wondering, if you’re alright with it, if you’d keep an eye on Brook for me?” Beta’s eyes widen, he contemplates it for a moment, it’s written all over his face. He nods. Much to X’s relief and Brook’s displeasure. “Of course. I’d be more than happy to.” he gives a small smile. Brook groans, alarming Beta ever so slightly.

“Are…you alright, uhm- Brook?” X glares at Brook and bites back a sigh. “She’s fine. She just needs a good influence, such as yourself, to be with her for a while,” Beta flushes. “Thank you for thinking of me that way, I-I’m flattered,” the flushed bot scratches the back of his neck.

“No problem. I trust you to keep her in line, yeah? I’ll see how it goes today and maybe you can hang out with her more often?” Beta nods. “You can count on me Command- oh sorry, X. Ah…I’ll have to get used to that…” X smiles and bids Brook and Beta goodbye.

The first few minutes were…awkward to say the least.

Beta isn’t much of a talker. Brook doesn’t really care. Who was this guy? And why did X trust him? A good example? Maybe because he was boring just like X. Beta was also…very nervous a lot of the time. He tries to play it off but it’s fairly obvious, at least to Brook.

“Hey…are you okay?” Brook asks, making the other look at her, eyes wide even if ever so slightly. “Yeah…yeah, sorry” the white-haired reploid exhales. Brook eyes him weirdly. Beta bites his lip. “Sorry. I’m not very good at social interaction,” the boy sighs. “I’m really nervous. I just…how could X trust me? Me!” Brook can’t help but chuckle.

“Maybe cuz you’re boring like him,” Beta scoffs playfully. “I-I can be plenty fun. I just like following rules,” Brook chuckles at his stutter. “Breaking the rules isn’t so bad, though,” Beta grimaces and shakes his head. “No. I am not getting us in trouble. Especially when X trusted me to watch you!” Brook scoffs.

“Booooring!” Beta frowns. “Seriously?” Brook laughs.

“Alright, alright”, Beta smiles “how about you tell me a bit about yourself?” Brook shrugs her shoulders. “It’s okay if you don’t want to. We don’t have to get into detail. I just wanted to know stuff like: what’s your favorite color, hobbies, favorite food?” Brook smiles.

“Those are like little kid questions,” Beta flushes. “H-hey!” Brook laughs. This dude was a mess.

“Well how about we go out for some E-Tanks?” Brook opens her mouth to say something but is interrupted by Beta. “Right. You’re not a reploid,” Beta facepalms. Brook chuckles, “How about we do something fun?” The other can’t help but raise an eyebrow at her suggestion.

“Fun? Like what?” Brook gives a sly smile “Fireworks?” Beta shakes his head. “Nope. No way,” he pinches the bridge of his nose and looks back up, only to realize Brook was running away to the weapons room. He yelps as he follows her, almost tripping at first but getting the hang of it quickly.

“Brook! You can’t just-!” He’s cut off almost immediately. “Check these out”, she says as he holds two huge rifles.

Beta gasps, “Put those down! Your dad’ll kill me!” Brook puts them down, not because Beta told her to, but because she’s got eyes on something else. Beta has to practically snatch the bombs and detonators out of her hands before she actually figures out how to use them.

“Absolutely not! No way! Brook, please. Let’s just go outside or somethin’ we can do whatever you wanna do”, Beta pleads. Brook sighs, frustratedly, “Can we blow stuff up?” The nervous reploid can’t help but glare at the other, but then remembers who’s daughter she is and softens his glare.

“Please. Will you just listen? I want to be your friend here. I don’t wanna be boring but I also don’t want you to get hurt.” Beta eyes Brook oddly as she pouts like a small child, although she technically is a child, so is Beta, well er…mentally. “Please…just,” Beta groans, visibly stressed.

He lets out a shaky breath, “How about we go outside and we do something fun?” Brook thinks about it, “Like what?” Beta ponders on it for a moment and smiles, “What about paintball? Technically, it’s not violent. It’s safe and fun…?” Brook smiles.

“Now THAT is fun. Maybe I misjudged you. You can be pretty fun.” Beta can’t help but sigh in relief.

“I’m glad you don’t think I’m boring. Let’s get outta here before someone finds out you were in here.” Brook rolls her eyes and heads for the door. “Yeah, yeah,” Beta sighs and closes the door behind them. Brook texts X from her phone, asking if she can go even though she’s gonna go anyway. She smirks as she puts her phone away, not waiting for X’s response. Her question was more of a way of telling him that she’s gonna go out, whether he likes it or not.

Paintball is…filled with preteens. This concerns Beta and makes Brook smile evilly.

“I’m gonna wipe the floor with these kids,” Beta chuckles. “Just be sure not to go too far,” Brook nods as she gears up. “You and me, Beta” the other smiles confidently as he gears up as well. “You know it”.

It’s safe to say that after paintball, there were a bunch of kids vowing to never do paintball again. Brook is very skilled when she isn’t overtaken with the overwhelming urge of being violent. She wanted to wipe the floor with a few kids, yeah, but she was focused. Much to Beta’s surprise. He knew she was skilled but wow. He was blown away.

“That,” Brook exclaims as she takes her gear off “was awesome!” Beta can’t help but smile. “Sure was! The looks on their faces were priceless!” Beta says as he mimics the other, taking his gear off as well. Brook looks at him and laughs, leaving Beta confused.

“What? What’s wrong?” the reploid asks, concern and confusion evident in his voice. It takes a moment for Brook to calm down. “Your hair, man! It’s not so white anymore!” the other raises an eyebrow and looks at himself in the reflection of a window.

His eyes widened, “Oh…oh dear…”

Brook smiles and looks at her own hair, not paying too much attention to the paint she got on her arms and legs and even her chest.

“Good luck getting that out,” Beta then groans. He stares at his now neon pink, green and yellow hair. There was only a bit of white left. He exhales and smiles slightly.

“I can’t say I regret coming here, just that this is gonna be a pain. I’m gonna get teased so hard…” Beta says as he puts his hands over his face.

Brook listens as they walk out of the paintball arena and walk on the sidewalk, making their way to Hunter HQ.

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad…” Brook says as she puts her arms behind her head, only to feel paint on it and retracting her hands immediately. She wipes her hands on her already painted clothes. “Easy for you to say. Your dad is famous and a very respected hunter,” Brook frowns, a conflicted expression on her face.

“He’s not my dad. But I guess that’s one reason people don’t hang out with me much. They’re interested, yeah, but none of them ever end up being friends with me.” Beta feels sympathy for her and sighs.

“Well, I…” he sighs and gathers his thoughts correctly, “there’s no need for you to feel that way. Because now…I’m your friend and you can talk to me about anything.” Brook stops for a moment, looking down at the floor.

Beta stops with her, worried, “You only say that because X forced you to hang out with me.”

Beta shakes his head rapidly.

“No way. I mean at first…I didn’t really want to turn him down since he’s my superior and could also kick my ass. But also, you’re cool. You may have your problems but still. I thought you were awesome. I just never got the confidence to talk to you for many reasons…” Brook looks at the other, eyes wide.

“You think…I’m cool?” the reploid nods. “Of course! Everyone in HQ knows about your story. Mostly because I’m sure X told Alia and Pallette forced it out of her,'' Brook can’t help but laugh. “Yeah…yeah. I guess so…” Beta frowns as he hears her uncertain tone.

“I know you’re not happy about being here. And a lot of times you try to play it off with frustration and anger, but know…you’re not alone in this, okay? Sorry if it’s weird I know we just met and all but, I’m here for you. As a friend. I’m here…” Brook smiles.

“Thanks, Beta. I didn’t know you were cool like that,” Beta smiles back.

“We should hurry back. Your…uh, X, is probably starting to worry a bit,” Brook rolls her eyes.

“I’m not worried,” Beta sighs.

“Well, I am! Let’s go!” Brook laughs as they walk a bit faster and make it back to Hunter HQ. They make their way to Central Command and sigh in relief. The two have a nice conversation while they wait for X. A few minutes later, X comes in with a smile, relieved to see the pair getting along. Though, his smile fades quickly once he sees the two covered in paint. Full head to toe, covered in it.

“Hey, uh wow…you guys are way more covered than I expected you to be,” X says as Beta grins sheepishly and Brook laughs. “Yup! So worth it, though,” Brook utters, proud of her paintball skills. X smiles, “I assume you two were okay with each other?” Beta nods. “Yup! We’re friends now!” Brook exclaims.

Wait…

Friends…? Brook considered him a friend? I mean sure, he said he was there for her as a friend but for her to actually consider him as one and say it proudly meant so much to him.

Beta’s eyes widened. He looks at X and then at Brook.

“You…think of me as a friend?” Brook nods and smiles cheekily.

“You have proven yourself as worthy,” she does a mock sort of empress voice, earning a laugh from Beta.

“I’m so glad,” Beta sighs, “I don’t have many friends. I hope we can become good friends, yeah?”

Brook nods and smiles “Yup!”

X chuckles at their antics, “I’m glad you two are getting along just fine.” Beta nods, “Yes. Brook is fun company despite her antics.” Brook furrows her eyebrows, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Beta shrugs his shoulders, “N-nothin’, I guess.”

X sighs, “Well, alright. Brook, you need to go wash up. Beta, I suggest you do the same.” Brook groans but complies, waving goodbye to the pair. X exhales as he watches Brook leave, “Thanks for today”.

Beta shakes his head “It’s absolutely nothing. I meant what I said. Brook is a friend now,” he smiles. “I’m not gonna act like her babysitter. I’m gonna be the best damn friend I can be.” This earns a small laugh from X.

“Thank you, though. She’s been needing friends,” the azure hero says.

Beta nods, “It’s no problem. If it’s not Zero or Axl, I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re gone. Although, from the little time I’ve known her personally, I feel like she’d also keep an eye on me as well.” X smiles and prepares to leave.

“Hey Beta?” the older says questionably. Said reploid looks up, eyebrow raised ever so slightly.

“Nice hair” X says as he waves goodbye. Beta flushes at X’s comment and sighs, mentally preparing himself for the powerwash he’s about to get.