// Companion(s) Equipped! //

// //

// //

___

Heck, that person must be wearing armor or something-

You don't focus much on who's in front of you, but nonetheless, you thoughtfully say "very sorry" loud enough as you try to pick up all the books you dropped. Making sure no scratch or harm was done on them-

You would positively cry if they do...-

Before you know it, a metallic hand touches with yours by accident.

"O-Oh!" You quietly say as you retract your hand quickly once you notice the hand. You look up to see a light-haired, young man with a red, thunder mark(?) near his right eye.

"My apologies, miss..." Says the young man with a deep, raspy voice. "I should have watched where I was going."

He sounds very calm and friendly... despite looking so serious.

"No no! Is alright, I should have been more careful with my surroundings, too,,," You admit, chuckling softly.

You continue picking up the books along with the man, who seems to also wanting to help you pick them up as his hands are already moving.

You didn't question him if he's using prosthetic legs or something related, it must seem pretty rude to suddenly ask that... So you just keep interacting casually.

"If I may ask, sir... What kinds of books do you like to read, any genre to be specific." You ask politely, making some eye contact with him as you look up.

The man with metal arms hums. "Mm... That's a good question..." He admits, "I like many genres..."

"Mm.. BL...?" The young man then says as he reads the label of the book he just picked up, an eyebrow slightly raising in confusion.

"O-Oh yes,,," You nervously spoke as you hide half of your face with the books, the light-haired man can only do nothing but look down at you in curiosity, as if wanting you to explain more about the label.

"W-Well,,, It is short for "Boys Love".... The book consists in the genre of romance between two boys,,,," You quietly explain, pretty embarrassed that you're kind of talking so openly about this literature topic,,,,

"Oh, I see..." The man hums, scrutinizing the book cover in thought. "I actually saw these kinds of books with the term as the label... But couldn't have the chance to take a look at them."

"Oh really...? Then, if you are interested... I-I would recommend you this one." You hand him one of the book that is in your arms as the man returns the other book to you. "It's a much more decent, wholesome concept... Feel free to take a look at it whenever you're free."

"Wholesome..." The light-haired man mutters quietly, eyes sparkling as if he just found something so interesting. "Thank you... Miss Y/N."

"No problem-" You say with a smile. "Wait a minute, how do you know my name...?

"I-"

"Oh, hello Fulgur!"

Ike's voice was heard from behind the light-haired man with metallic hands, so you two turn back to face him and seeing him approaching you both with Vox behind him. It seems Vox just finished checking on whatever he was interested to buy by the medium-sized shopping bag he is holding.

"And there you are, Hjärtat. I've been looking for you." Ike says as he gives you a quick embrace, making your head bury deep into his white coat for just a minute before feeling a hand patting your back gently. He is holding like 2 books so you can feel their cold surface brush against your cheek slightly...-

But does it bother? It's hugging rights with Ikey we're talking about- soft boi+books=life-/ih

Though, it seems Vox falters his smile slightly at the sight of the new person that was beside you.

"Red Kettle...?" Vox suddenly questions as he squints his eyes at the man, who seems to be alternatively known as "Fulgur".

"Old man...?" Fulgur questions back as he squints to Vox as well. Their stares May be blank few seconds ago but-

You can only see the tension growing between these two, noticing the long staring contest.

"Oh, you know him?" You turn back to Ike and Vox once you decide to ignore the staring, pretty impressed by how these men can actually touch grass and meet such unique people despite not looking like it(same goes to you though lol-). The Novelist smiles in return as he motions Fulgur to come closer, who obligues with a small smile when facing Ike.

"It seems you have now met him... Y/N, this is Fulgur. He's my literature buddy and a friend of mine."

"Ooh, hello! What a surprise,,," You say as you shake your hands with Fulgur, who sends you a tiny, friendly smile.

So many pretty people to meet and talk with- not that you mind..- ;)

"A pleasure to see you personally, Y/N-San."

"C-Call me Y/N! That would be enough." You insist shyly as you beam, not used to being addressed with such formal manner.

"Alright, Y/N..." Fulgur starts, before chatting a gentle kiss on your knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you, once again...~"

You can feel someone's glare burning towards Fulgur, but you are much focus on Fulgur and Ike at the moment.

"If you're about to ask how Fulgur knows you- I'll explain more." Ike says. "But first, let's go sit somewhere quiet...." He looks around for any standbys before guiding you all to a certain spot of the mall.

___

Fulgur turns out to be Ike's friendly cyborg friend who he first met at a bookshop after the cyborg got teleported to the present. They learned that they share a similar passion for literature and befriend one another. Fulgur pretty much reunited with the Novelist to help him spy on the red androids from the future, watch over you, and keeping you safe from harm through one of his disguised clones he creates as a part of his abilities; Legatus.

Vox actually have met Fulgur before individually, as Ike didn't know that the Voice Demon also has a connection with the Archivist/Cyborg. But it seems the first impressions between the red men didn't turn out so well, judging by the asphyxiating atmosphere with these two in one room together.

"Where's Luca and the others, Ike?" You ask to the Novelist, who turns back to face you.

"I last saw Mysta and Luca going off to the arcade section....- while Shu decided to look after them as he went along with them."

"Ah... I see, hope they don't get too lost." You nod with a tiny smile, already thinking of many ways the three boys would do at a mall by themselves-

"Ah- Vox... What did Fulgur do to make you not like him...?" You quietly question to Vox, slightly bothered by the tense air as you struggle to read a mystery novel while sitting between Vox and Ike. Fulgur is sitting on the other couch that is across from the one you're sitting on.

You have to somehow snap this once collective man out by distracting him for one second.

"Voxxy???" You try to ask again, but more cutely with a pout.

Little did you know, you just triggered something within Vox. He just internally thanks the skies and the underworld for existing...-

"Yes, darling?" Thank gosh he snapped out-

"Get yourself together, will ya- what did he do???" You question as you try to slap the Voice Demon's cheeks gently, you're this close to yeet a shu on him...- not the real shu, of course.(hehe-)

"He..." Vox trails off, looking down as if trying to remember. "Oh, right. He once made fun of my sandals by giving me crocs-"

"You just simply look ridiculously unprotected down there, old man- just saying." Fulgur adds in.

Oh, boomer slander moment...-

"The point is- we have a history..." Fulgur states, but not explaining much.

This really feels like some book with a cliffhanger AGHHH-

"Interesting- but what on earth did happen???" You say calmly, despite the many question you're getting rather than answers in your mind.

"Let me guess... Some silly argument over something so small." Ike states as he looks at Vox and Fulgur with a 'really?' Look.

"Let me explain- he freaking just simply say that making the finest dishes is not a big deal- and that food is just food, not made through big effort and dedication...-" Vox argues as you can start seeing him having an irl mark on his head.

"Don't you people already have food delivery? Calories are calories." Fulgur argues back, now sending a dark look at the Voice Demon.

"Don't you have tastebuds??? Or some cybernetic tongue??? What a hollow life you're living right now-" Vox cries,

"The tongue is silver, and my life is full of birth-"

"You'll be full of girth if you don't watch your mouth-"

"Ho ho? Pfff, don't make promises you can't fulFILL, Voxxy."

Oh gosh, the thing is getting heated so fast-

Ike is just silently observing these men... Shu is Ike, and Ike is Shu it seems-

"I have a can of gas right here if you're running low, rook b*tch-"

Oh-

"I don't need to know how a 400 years old gets it up. Unlike someone, I never die-"

"Having a cyber genetically-enhanced dick is not only awfully telling but I also feel bad for the day you'll eventually rust, sheep boy-"

Ouch...- Good thing you're actually not hearing much from it since Ike is actually covering your ears for some reason-

"They're really going for it, Yin..." Ike mutters near your ear as he still glances at the two giants' conversation from the corner of his eyes.

"Okay, gentlemen, you're literally talking with such manner around a lady, settle down- I think she already knows the gist on why you're not getting along...-" Ike calls out with a firm tone, pretty much now done with this-

"...." You just get quiet for a moment with a blank look, making the 3 guys get concerned.

"Y/N, baby? You okay?" Vox asks, now eyes on you.

.

.

.

"...No daddy..." You spill out straightforwardly with lack of emotion, "I'm not okay- hhhhhhhh...-" you were still replying so quietly, yet you end up wheezing behind your long sleeves. Not sure why you just say that- You just couldn't take this seriously right now but gosh-

It seems to leave the 3 men in front of you flabbergasted.

But despite not processing for a bit- Vox now seems much in a better mood.

"Can you say that again?" Vox asks gently.

"Literally, I'm definitely not okay- Ike, I need a drink...- I'm thirsty." You say, trying to play oblivious now but seriously- you wanna drink a Can4da Dr4 or something.

"" Ike, Vox, and Fulgur say as they reach out their hand that is holding 3 different soda cans.

Where did they get those??? Gotta find some soda machine here actually-

"I did meant Ike, but thank you anyway- mm..." You trail off, now wondering which drink you want to drink first, but eventually choose a drink which turns out to be Fulgur's.

"Can you call me that again?" Vox repeats once again, making you look at him with the chibi, confused face.

"Vox, no." Ike warns the demon, not amused at all.

"But she did ask before if she can call me "daddy" back then-"

"True....-" You admit unhesitatingly as you open the can, making fizzling noise. Making the 3 look at you before Vox speaks.

"Exactly~" Vox turns back to you with a seductive tone in the end. You just sweatdrop while giving him a chilled smile.

"Yin is freaking wholesomely seiso by nature, leave her alone d*mn it,,,," Ike says as he wraps his arms around you protectively.

Sure Ike, you can say that, any reader may be seiso or not...- (ówò;

"Come on, say 'dada' at least-" Vox pleads a little. He really is desperate to get that sweet nickname out of your cute mouth- (HAHA-)

"Da-" You we're about to say it, until Fulgur covers your mouth. You look at him confused until you see him giving you the look-

That hot look-

"Wrong man, babygirl... call me daddy instead...~" The cyborg groans as he grabs your face.

I think you stop breathing for a second-

"Eh, eh- ehehehhdhjsm,,,, Tskr...???" You confusedly yet still SINCERELY say as you sweatdrop, not processing any more words.

"NOT YOU TOO-" Ike exclaims to the Cyborg before dragging you away from these two-

"Wait for me-" Vox reminds you both before walking to your direction, as he is actually coming with you and the others in the first place- Fulgur seems to have his own mind, so he decides to follow you guys anyway.

___

// Meet the New Companion! //

// A Cyborg from the future with unparalleled strength. His body is partly cold steel, and who's to say if he has a heart? //