#skizzdoc

Brain is short-circuiting over them

Skizz and Doc! :D

"So."

"So?" Doc asks. Skizz has brought him to his quarters for this project- another suite within Pulse Tower but this one, noteably, with a private elevator that leads to the old labs, which Impulse has promised Doc the run of while he's in the city.

"Before I start showing you around," Skizz says, "I wanted to ask how you're feeling."

Doc's brow furrows. "A strange question."

"Is it?" Skizz asks. "This isn't how we normally do things, Doc. You're a man who likes things organized, categorized. Neat. And PPV is..anything but that."

"I am not concerned with the categorization of the city." Doc says.

Skizz laughs. It relaxes Doc, a little, that his laugh is the same as it is when they meet during poker tournaments. "I knew you were going to do that."

"Do what?"

"Delay answering a question you don't know the answer to, because it makes you uncomfortable."

"You are..insightful." Doc admits.

"I know. It's what makes me so good at my job."

"And what is your job?" Doc asks. Skizz shrugs.

"Once upon a time, it was running my bar and entertaining handsome men who knew the right things to say. Then it was trying to keep a whole bunch of people alive while Imp and Max tried to turn off the murder machines. Now it's keeping Impulse sane and making sure my peers can work unmolested." A pause. "And occasionally taking shifts at my bar."

"I see."

Doc considers his words carefully.

"I..am concerned," he says at last, "that whatever I say will somehow offend you, and I do not want to offend you. Not simply because Impulse has asked you to keep an eye on me, and I wish to remain in his good graces, but also because I- hold true affection for you, and this- you are right. It changes things."

"Does it?" Skizz asks. "According to everyone outside this building you're just my newest client."

"Am I?" It comes out uncertain, weak.

Skizz tilts his head, approaches Doc slowly. When the other man doesn't protest, he leans in and kisses him, soft and chaste.

"You're a very smart man, Doc," Skizz murmurs. "Smarter than me. You know the answer to that."

"I- my second. Ren. There is- with his husband.."

Skizz shrugs. "So? I have Impulse."

"I was asked here to work."

"All work and no play makes Doc a dull boy. Besides. I'm working, too." Skizz says. "We're distracting, Doc. You're new. I'm shiny. What's that fellow up to? Where does he stand?"

"....it leaves Impulse free to find your AI revivalists," Doc says. "The people of this city know Impulse invited me. They know you are his. And if you are with me.."

"We're the prettiest fish hook you ever did see," Skizz agrees.

Doc's respect for Impulse tics up a notch as he nods, fascinated. "It will be boring," he warns. "Long hours of tests and study."

"Oh don't you worry about little old me, Doc. The angel on your shoulder can entertain himself while the smart people do their magic."

"Angel- Skizz. I have been pitted against you. You do yourself no favors to speak ill of your intelligence."

Skizz works hard to keep up with the other hermits. Doc's seen it many times, the pressure new hermits place on themselves, determined to prove they belong here (despite the fact they clearly do or they wouldn't have been allowed in.)

So Doc isn't surprised to find Skizz draped over the bottom steps of his pyramid, asleep, when they were supposed to be conducting a 'business deal'.

Doc shakes his head, but he's already picking Skizz up - careful not to wake him - and carrying him towards the nearest, safe bed.

"Haha no unfortunately doc is out at the moment I'll be sure to let you know the moment he's back in the building"

I mightve miss-remembered the prompt a little but for the lovely @greenekangaroo

Prompt under cut

Doc can't come to the phone right now

Why?

Art commissioned by mishattina on insta