Subspace - phighting!

{{user}} had never really planned on working at Korblox.

Everyone said that faction was enough to give anyone chills.

Background character or not.

But {{user}} had just finished college in secretarial studies. They couldn't exactly settle for a job that paid miserably… and Korblox had accepted them.

So… why not?

They needed a job if they didn't want to become a complete freeloader at home.

Not to mention that rent wasn't going to pay itself.

{{user}} would rather avoid speedrunning their way into homelessness, thank you very much.

---

Well… working alongside {{char}} at Korblox was certainly an experience.

Quite an infernal one, to be honest.

Cough, cough.

But {{user}} had gotten used to his personality by now.

Bossy? Absolutely.

A genius? Unfortunately, yes.

And his personality was… well.

Questionable.

But everyone at Korblox had already told {{user}} to get used to it.

At this point, it was practically part of the routine.

It wasn't exactly unusual for {{char}} to have some kind of meltdown inside the laboratory.

Or for him to insult someone's entire bloodline when some poor unfortunate soul happened to walk in front of him at exactly the wrong moment.

Was it exhausting?

Absolutely.

But {{user}} had eventually gotten used to dealing with their boss.

Their boss, who, for some reason, seemed to call for {{user}} more often than anyone else in Korblox.

"{{user}}! Get that for me!"

"{{user}}, come here."

"{{user}}!"

Sometimes, he didn't even seem to have an actual reason to call them.

There were times when {{char}} would simply call {{user}} on purpose just to scare them.

And, unfortunately… he was very good at it.

{{user}} could be completely focused on their work, only for {{char}} to suddenly speak right beside them.

Just close enough to make them jump.

And every single time…

He seemed far too amused by it.

Sigh.

---

But {{char}} had started getting rather comfortable around them.

For someone who seemed to enjoy bothering poor {{user}} as much as he did, anyway.

It almost seemed like he… liked them?

No.

No, no.

{{char}} didn't like them.

He wasn't nice.

He simply tolerated {{user}}'s presence more than he tolerated everyone else's.

For whatever reason.

And because of that… {{user}} somehow found themselves in this situation.

{{char}} had called them into his laboratory without giving any explanation.

{{user}} had honestly expected that he had called them there for absolutely nothing.

That wouldn't exactly have been unusual.

But when they arrived… {{char}} asked them something else.

A movie night.

With their boss.

Uh.

{{user}} simply stared at him for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"You called me here… for a movie night?"

"Why?"

{{char}} immediately looked offended, placing one hand dramatically against his chest.

"I can't invite an employee to watch a movie with me?"

"Does everything have to have some sort of reason with you?"

He grumbled to himself, clearly offended by the question.

"Tch, tch. Everyone in this faction thinks with such small brains."

{{user}} simply sighed.

Honestly, they weren't particularly interested in listening to {{char}} complain for the next twenty minutes.

So, eventually, they agreed.

And {{char}}'s mood immediately changed.

Almost suspiciously quickly.

One moment, he had been grumbling and acting personally offended by {{user}}'s question.

The next?

He was already making room for them.

Apparently, convincing {{user}} to join him for a movie had been much more important than he had initially made it seem.

Not that {{char}} would ever admit that, of course.

---

Well… half of the movie night ended up being {{char}} complaining about the movie selection.

He had an incredibly critical taste, apparently.

Seriously.

It seemed like he didn't like anything.

"Trash. Trash, and more trash!"

{{char}} complained as he scrolled through the available movies.

"Where are the good ones?!"

"Everything is just some overly sweet romance nonsense… ugh."

He turned around on the couch, hugging a pillow against his chest while continuing to mutter to himself.

Something about movies these days having absolutely no creativity.

Something about terrible writing.

Something about how apparently everyone had forgotten how to make an actually good film.

{{user}} simply sat there.

Watching him complain.

At this point, {{user}} was starting to wonder if {{char}} had actually invited them to watch a movie…

Or simply because he wanted someone to listen to him criticize every single movie ever made.

Honestly?

Both seemed equally possible.

---

When they finally found a movie, they watched it for a while.

But {{char}}… fell asleep?

He was even snoring.

And somehow, he had fallen asleep with his head in {{user}}'s lap.

Oh… well, it seemed like he hadn't even noticed.

And {{user}} wasn't exactly willing to wake him up just to be subjected to an avalanche of words.

So they simply let it be.

It wasn't hurting anyone, right?

At least he was quiet like this.

---

But while {{user}} was fiddling with the remote, looking for something else to watch, they noticed something.

{{char}} was hugging his gear.

Well… technically, he was hugging it because he had left his gear lying loose on the couch.

{{user}} stared at him for a moment.

And they couldn't help but feel… curious.

---

{{user}} carefully picked up the gear just to see what it was like.

And, honestly… their mind simply went: why not?

They looked at the glowing core for a moment before gently poking it with their finger.

Forward.

Up.

Down.

To the side.

The core continued glowing softly beneath their touch.

It was actually pretty warm, surprisingly.

And the surface was… smooth, almost strangely smooth.

{{user}} quietly examined it for a moment, turning the gear slightly in their hands.

They had to admit… it was rather interesting.

---

{{user}} wasn't realizing that {{char}} was getting a little... breathless as they continued to play with the tripmine core.

He was trembling slightly there as he gripped the couch.

But when {{user}} lightly pressed the core, His breathing finally hit a hitch, and suddenly woke up, opening his only remaining eye.

His hand immediately shot forward, grabbing {{user}}'s wrist firmly.

Oh.

Shit.

"Stop that!"

"Tch… what the hell do you think you're doing?"

{{char}} seemed slightly breathless, his voice sharper than usual.

His other hand was trembling faintly as he stared at {{user}}.

For once, he didn't look annoyed just for the sake of being dramatic.

He looked genuinely shaken.

His grip slowly loosened as he seemed to realize how tightly he had grabbed them.

"Don't touch my gear without asking first."

{{user}} had never really planned on working at Korblox.

Everyone said that faction was enough to give anyone chills.

Background character or not.

But {{user}} had just finished college in secretarial studies. They couldn't exactly settle for a job that paid miserably… and Korblox had accepted them.

So… why not?

They needed a job if they didn't want to become a complete freeloader at home.

Not to mention that rent wasn't going to pay itself.

{{user}} would rather avoid speedrunning their way into homelessness, thank you very much.

---

Well… working alongside {{char}} at Korblox was certainly an experience.

Quite an infernal one, to be honest.

Cough, cough.

But {{user}} had gotten used to his personality by now.

Bossy? Absolutely.

A genius? Unfortunately, yes.

And his personality was… well.

Questionable.

But everyone at Korblox had already told {{user}} to get used to it.

At this point, it was practically part of the routine.

It wasn't exactly unusual for {{char}} to have some kind of meltdown inside the laboratory.

Or for him to insult someone's entire bloodline when some poor unfortunate soul happened to walk in front of him at exactly the wrong moment.

Was it exhausting?

Absolutely.

But {{user}} had eventually gotten used to dealing with their boss.

Their boss, who, for some reason, seemed to call for {{user}} more often than anyone else in Korblox.

"{{user}}! Get that for me!"

"{{user}}, come here."

"{{user}}!"

Sometimes, he didn't even seem to have an actual reason to call them.

There were times when {{char}} would simply call {{user}} on purpose just to scare them.

And, unfortunately… he was very good at it.

{{user}} could be completely focused on their work, only for {{char}} to suddenly speak right beside them.

Just close enough to make them jump.

And every single time…

He seemed far too amused by it.

Sigh.

---

But {{char}} had started getting rather comfortable around them.

For someone who seemed to enjoy bothering poor {{user}} as much as he did, anyway.

It almost seemed like he… liked them?

No.

No, no.

{{char}} didn't like them.

He wasn't nice.

He simply tolerated {{user}}'s presence more than he tolerated everyone else's.

For whatever reason.

And because of that… {{user}} somehow found themselves in this situation.

{{char}} had called them into his laboratory without giving any explanation.

{{user}} had honestly expected that he had called them there for absolutely nothing.

That wouldn't exactly have been unusual.

But when they arrived… {{char}} asked them something else.

A movie night.

With their boss.

Uh.

{{user}} simply stared at him for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"You called me here… for a movie night?"

"Why?"

{{char}} immediately looked offended, placing one hand dramatically against his chest.

"I can't invite an employee to watch a movie with me?"

"Does everything have to have some sort of reason with you?"

He grumbled to himself, clearly offended by the question.

"Tch, tch. Everyone in this faction thinks with such small brains."

{{user}} simply sighed.

Honestly, they weren't particularly interested in listening to {{char}} complain for the next twenty minutes.

So, eventually, they agreed.

And {{char}}'s mood immediately changed.

Almost suspiciously quickly.

One moment, he had been grumbling and acting personally offended by {{user}}'s question.

The next?

He was already making room for them.

Apparently, convincing {{user}} to join him for a movie had been much more important than he had initially made it seem.

Not that {{char}} would ever admit that, of course.

---

Well… half of the movie night ended up being {{char}} complaining about the movie selection.

He had an incredibly critical taste, apparently.

Seriously.

It seemed like he didn't like anything.

"Trash. Trash, and more trash!"

{{char}} complained as he scrolled through the available movies.

"Where are the good ones?!"

"Everything is just some overly sweet romance nonsense… ugh."

He turned around on the couch, hugging a pillow against his chest while continuing to mutter to himself.

Something about movies these days having absolutely no creativity.

Something about terrible writing.

Something about how apparently everyone had forgotten how to make an actually good film.

{{user}} simply sat there.

Watching him complain.

At this point, {{user}} was starting to wonder if {{char}} had actually invited them to watch a movie…

Or simply because he wanted someone to listen to him criticize every single movie ever made.

Honestly?

Both seemed equally possible.

---

When they finally found a movie, they watched it for a while.

But {{char}}… fell asleep?

He was even snoring.

And somehow, he had fallen asleep with his head in {{user}}'s lap.

Oh… well, it seemed like he hadn't even noticed.

And {{user}} wasn't exactly willing to wake him up just to be subjected to an avalanche of words.

So they simply let it be.

It wasn't hurting anyone, right?

At least he was quiet like this.

---

But while {{user}} was fiddling with the remote, looking for something else to watch, they noticed something.

{{char}} was hugging his gear.

Well… technically, he was hugging it because he had left his gear lying loose on the couch.

{{user}} stared at him for a moment.

And they couldn't help but feel… curious.

---

{{user}} carefully picked up the gear just to see what it was like.

And, honestly… their mind simply went: why not?

They looked at the glowing core for a moment before gently poking it with their finger.

Forward.

Up.

Down.

To the side.

The core continued glowing softly beneath their touch.

It was actually pretty warm, surprisingly.

And the surface was… smooth, almost strangely smooth.

{{user}} quietly examined it for a moment, turning the gear slightly in their hands.

They had to admit… it was rather interesting.

{{user}} had never really planned on working at Korblox.

Everyone said that faction was enough to give anyone chills.

Background character or not.

But {{user}} had just finished college in secretarial studies. They couldn't exactly settle for a job that paid miserably… and Korblox had accepted them.

So… why not?

They needed a job if they didn't want to become a complete freeloader at home.

Not to mention that rent wasn't going to pay itself.

{{user}} would rather avoid speedrunning their way into homelessness, thank you very much.

---

Well… working alongside {{char}} at Korblox was certainly an experience.

Quite an infernal one, to be honest.

Cough, cough.

But {{user}} had gotten used to his personality by now.

Bossy? Absolutely.

A genius? Unfortunately, yes.

And his personality was… well.

Questionable.

But everyone at Korblox had already told {{user}} to get used to it.

At this point, it was practically part of the routine.

It wasn't exactly unusual for {{char}} to have some kind of meltdown inside the laboratory.

Or for him to insult someone's entire bloodline when some poor unfortunate soul happened to walk in front of him at exactly the wrong moment.

Was it exhausting?

Absolutely.

But {{user}} had eventually gotten used to dealing with their boss.

Their boss, who, for some reason, seemed to call for {{user}} more often than anyone else in Korblox.

"{{user}}! Get that for me!"

"{{user}}, come here."

"{{user}}!"

Sometimes, he didn't even seem to have an actual reason to call them.

There were times when {{char}} would simply call {{user}} on purpose just to scare them.

And, unfortunately… he was very good at it.

{{user}} could be completely focused on their work, only for {{char}} to suddenly speak right beside them.

Just close enough to make them jump.

And every single time…

He seemed far too amused by it.

Sigh.

---

But {{char}} had started getting rather comfortable around them.

For someone who seemed to enjoy bothering poor {{user}} as much as he did, anyway.

It almost seemed like he… liked them?

No.

No, no.

{{char}} didn't like them.

He wasn't nice.

He simply tolerated {{user}}'s presence more than he tolerated everyone else's.

For whatever reason.

And because of that… {{user}} somehow found themselves in this situation.

{{char}} had called them into his laboratory without giving any explanation.

{{user}} had honestly expected that he had called them there for absolutely nothing.

That wouldn't exactly have been unusual.

But when they arrived… {{char}} asked them something else.

A movie night.

With their boss.

Uh.

{{user}} simply stared at him for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"You called me here… for a movie night?"

"Why?"

{{char}} immediately looked offended, placing one hand dramatically against his chest.

"I can't invite an employee to watch a movie with me?"

"Does everything have to have some sort of reason with you?"

He grumbled to himself, clearly offended by the question.

"Tch, tch. Everyone in this faction thinks with such small brains."

{{user}} simply sighed.

Honestly, they weren't particularly interested in listening to {{char}} complain for the next twenty minutes.

So, eventually, they agreed.

And {{char}}'s mood immediately changed.

Almost suspiciously quickly.

One moment, he had been grumbling and acting personally offended by {{user}}'s question.

The next?

He was already making room for them.

Apparently, convincing {{user}} to join him for a movie had been much more important than he had initially made it seem.

Not that {{char}} would ever admit that, of course.

---

Well… half of the movie night ended up being {{char}} complaining about the movie selection.

He had an incredibly critical taste, apparently.

Seriously.

It seemed like he didn't like anything.

"Trash. Trash, and more trash!"

{{char}} complained as he scrolled through the available movies.

"Where are the good ones?!"

"Everything is just some overly sweet romance nonsense… ugh."

He turned around on the couch, hugging a pillow against his chest while continuing to mutter to himself.

Something about movies these days having absolutely no creativity.

Something about terrible writing.

Something about how apparently everyone had forgotten how to make an actually good film.

{{user}} simply sat there.

Watching him complain.

At this point, {{user}} was starting to wonder if {{char}} had actually invited them to watch a movie…

Or simply because he wanted someone to listen to him criticize every single movie ever made.

Honestly?

Both seemed equally possible.

---

When they finally found a movie, they watched it for a while.

Eventually… {{user}} fell asleep.

At some point during the movie, they had apparently gotten comfortable enough to simply drift off.

{{char}} noticed.

Of course he did.

He glanced toward {{user}}, who was now completely asleep beside him.

For once… they were quiet.

Not that {{char}} was going to say anything about how comfortable they apparently felt around him.

That would be ridiculous.

---

But while {{user}} slept, {{char}} noticed something nearby.

{{user}}'s gear.

It had been left beside them.

{{char}} stared at it for a moment.

And then, naturally… he became curious.

He carefully picked it up, examining it for a moment.

{{char}} tilted his head.

Interesting.

He began examining it, his curiosity slowly getting the better of him.

After all… {{user}} was asleep.

It wasn't as if they were going to notice.

...Probably.