Current A/N-The og plan was to make this a quick fic and write a more in-depth Sly/Matt fanfiction at a later date. But this one seems to make it easier to develop and expand on. So this will be the main fic, it upgraded from side hoe to main hoe. Past self's need to escape stress rly helped current me out a lot.
Past A/N-This is a stress-induced Matt/Sly fic. I needed to do something or I was going to lose it. I've been doing a stupid term paper and I need to get away from that stress life. Originally was going to be a chapter, but isn't life funny like that? Honestly, I just need more fluff from these boys.
The light filters through the cracks in the blinds. The inside of the bedroom begins to light up, a new day about to begin. A small blue device lays beside a bed, counting down slowly. A small figure is sleeping quietly bundled up under multiple blankets. The device ends its countdown.
*Beep Beep Beep*
The figure shuffles around disturbed by the relentless beeping. The covers lift revealing the face of a brown-eyed teenager. He turns to the device, still covering himself in blankets, grabs the alarm and turns it off. He rises up and looks around, rubbing his right eye. He yawns and stretches slightly. Leaving the bed, he wraps a loose blanket around himself and opens his closet. In the moment, he grabs the last of his clean clothes and changes.
He feels his stomach ache and realizes he's starving; he without delay walks down the short hallway, briefly stopping to look at a certain bedroom door. The room is still locked and undisturbed. It's not like the teen it needed to be unlocked; it just would be nice to see it finally in use again. He turns away looking down the small hallway to the kitchen area; the rest of the house is beginning to light up. The teen walks the rest of the way, the blanket dragging across the soft light blue carpet. He walks into the kitchen and begins prepping breakfast. He sits in his chair and eats his chocolate flakes slowly.
Since its quiet and there is nothing to do. He grabs a notepad to doodle some ideas down, keeping his mind busy. Occasionally glancing at the chair across from him. Amidst his doodling, he detects something, he smells a vile scent. Turning in his chair, he notices the pile of dishes growing in the sink.
I'm gonna have to dishes today, aren't I?
Eventually, he finishes eating and begins on the dishes. He scrubs, rinses, and puts away the plates, forks, and cups. A little later he is finished and starts the dishwasher. He looks up to see the time. It's about time for him to start his work. He heads through the door connected to his garage and opens it. The garage door slowly trudges open and the sunlight hits Slider in the face. It is a perfect sunny day out. Slider pulls out his notepad as he sits on his workbench and begins building what he was doodling.
A few hours pass.
Amongst all the tinkering, Slider's mind was beginning to wander. In midst of all the mindless tasks he completes daily, he began to turn inward. An inward study of himself. Since there is little else to think about right now.
Slider had always known himself to be relatively calm and collected throughout his short life. He never felt the need before to overreact or react the way most would expect. Even amongst the Radsters he was considered almost obnoxiously cool. While most would be more expressive, loud, or attention seeking in life. Slider would remain carefully aloof. All his friends had asked him at some point "Hey do you ever get angry, man?" Or "I don't think I've ever seen you cry, Sly."
He would respond the same: smile briefly and shrug. That was usually the answer that would end the mock interrogation.
The young builder supposes it had all started when he was young. Recalling when he wiped out on his first rock 'n roll attempt. His board didn't properly grip the ramp edge and he put too much weight on the front. In less than a second he lost his balance and fell off, sliding down the ramp. Accordingly, his skateboard hit him on its way down.
He didn't cry or scream, just let out an pained sigh. The brunette pulls himself as his Dad frantically runs over. Coop quickly assessed him, looking up and down for anything more than a scratch. Seeing Slider perfectly fine he tersely laughed,
"Wow, you took that like a champ Sly."
Slider stops tinkering with one of his many gadgets; briefly studying the blank wall in front of him. His eyes fill with tears. Briskly he rubs his eyes and sniffles quietly. It had been awhile since he saw his Dad. The last few days with him, his Dad seemed distracted, moody, and quiet. Slider at the time had decided to give him space.
Slider lets out an angered breath, Why didn't I care a little more? What's wrong with me?
While being distracted, the tool he is using slid out of his grip, nicking him. Slider recoiled instantly, shocked and worried about his finger. He inspects it, finding only a small groove of a cut in his silicone finger. Slider puts down the gadget.
Great another thing I can't repair. If Dad were here I could actually afford replacements.
Slider covers the cut with a bandage, it would suffice until he could muster up some money to get it properly fixed. He looks at the bandage before heading back to his work station.
Why did this happen? Where are you Pops?
Slider sits down slowly, feeling a lot older than he is. He was tired of being alone, from the first day until now. He can clearly remember waking up. It was late and his Dad hadn't come to wake him up. He walked out in the hallway, grumbling at him. He opened the garage and it was still closed. He went to his room and it looked like a mess.
Slider looked everywhere. Searching the garage again, town, even calling people. He told himself to remain calm, he would find him. He always did. He would be out shopping, hanging with friends, or maybe doing an odd job. Coop would come back, he always did.
But a day later, he filled out a missing cyberperson report. Everyone commented on how well he was handling himself. How he was so brave. Slider would nod and believe so. But from the fourth night and on, Slider began to feel differently. Time wore him down, he got to the point where Radsters would see him mope around or his smile would grow tight to hide the tears. Occasionally snapping viciously at people that would carelessly shed his Dad in a more negative light. It didn't stop the gossip though,
"He was always a deadbeat, I know he left poor Slider behind. They'll prove it soon enough.""He probably never wanted to be a Dad. Being a single Father must be so hard. No one wants to be with someone with baggage.""I wonder what will happen to the little snob now?"
People talked non-stop as more information was discovered. Apparently, Coop left willingly. He went off-world leaving with no words, notes, or reasons. And that's all they knew because the trail went cold. Slider couldn't believe it. He looked right at the Suit and didn't seem to understand him. He couldn't be right, this wasn't right. His Dad wouldn't leave him.
But a little later something inside him clicked. It clicked when he looked in Coop's room and saw the mess it was. It looked like he was in a hurry. He was running away. It was possible. It happened, he left. He left Slider. He said he loved him. He lied. Slider was suddenly furious.
He tore through his house that evening, breaking anything he could get his hands on. Screaming and cursing and crying for his Father. He didn't understand, there was no way his Dad would leave him. But he did. Coop left him, didn't even say goodbye, wasn't he good enough for a goodbye? Slider remembers hoping Coop would never return. If he did Slider would slam the door in his face. He would curse his name, tell him he wasn't his problem anymore. Maybe scream at him that he really was a good for nothing. Or if he felt brave enough that Slider hated him.
But as time clicked on; Slider's attitude seemingly changed. Was it him? What if he was better? Maybe if he did better his Father would come back? He had to come back eventually, right? If he came back Slider would never ignore him again. Was he somewhere else with someone else? If he were more interesting would Coop come back? He would lay awake night after night, morning after morning, day after day, the thoughts suffocating him.
No more board practice, late night talks, dinner, fixing stuff, or just support he didn't know he had until it was gone. He felt numb. He felt tired all the time, but he couldn't sleep either. He found himself withdrawing from others and his skateboards growing dusty. Slider concluded one night that even if Coop returned Slider probably wouldn't be there to see him. And that was okay. He remembers one day lying in his bed, somewhere between sleep and consciousness.
He heard a knock on his door, he promptly ignored it. They had to go away eventually. But 10 minutes of knocking later. Slider's grumpily cursing their name and dragging himself to the door. The door opens letting the afternoon sun shine through the doorway; King Dudicus stands there. Slider blinks, "Dee?" The ruler looks Slider up and down, his frown deepening, "Slider, you look terrible. Where have you been?"
Slider shrugged. King Dudicus tries again, "Slider can I come in?"
Slider nodded no, "It's messy."
"I don't mind."
"Dee, I don't want to do this right now. Just go." Slider begins to shut the door, a hand stopped the door. King Dudicus gives him quite a glare, powerful and urgent.
"Slider, move aside."
Slider looks at him, then his hand, and tries again to force the door shut. King Dudicus fights against him, "Go away Dee! I don't need you here!"
"Slider stop it."
"NO!"
King Dudicus uses a surprising amount of strength to force himself in and make Slider yield. The teen looks at him in slight contempt, breathing heavily. He gives Dudicus a weak look. He turns from him, wrapping his blanket closer around him.
"Do what you want. I don't care. I'm going to bed."
"Slider, wait."
Slider retreats to his room, hearing King Dudicus sigh behind him. He closes his door and pulls the covers over his head. The next thing he knows he waking up to a nice smell, it smells warm and hearty. Slider peeks his head out of his door. He doesn't see Dee and decides to follow his nose and ended up in the kitchen. He sees Dee. King Dudicus gives him a careful look with dinner prepared on the small table. Slider froze knowing sitting down was resigning into Dee's trap. His eyes flicker hungrily to the meal, but his mind keeps nagging him to hide away again in his room. King Dudicus had to give up eventually. Everyone did.
"Slider we need to talk. I would appreciate not having to deal with another temper tantrum. But I will if I need to."
Slider jumps slightly at the sudden voice in the silence and looks at him.
"Well?"King Dudicus challenges. Slider thinks carefully weighing his options, he glances at the door behind him. Slider turns to leave.
"You know, you aren't the only one who wanted to hole himself away and die y'know." King Dudicus pops a grape in his mouth. Slider turns back looking unsettled,
"What?"
King Dudicus shrugs, waving his hand in a dismissal manner, "Oh no, I'm sure you'll find your answers in that room of your's Sly."
Slider glares, "You don't know me. You don't understand."
King Dudicus laughs a hollow laugh, "I didn't want rule, I still don't. I wasn't raised in a palace. So, when everything dropped in my lap and I couldn't adjust. I wanted to die. I almost did. But someone came and helped me."
Slider takes a step closer, "Dad?"
King Dudicus nodded no, "Coop and I weren't in a good spot in that exact moment in my life. No, no it was actually a monk. He kinda pulled me out of my funk." Slider flicks his eyes to the table, "Oh." It is quiet except for the noise of Slider's fork scraping the food off his plate. Slider's eyes flick to King Dudicus who waiting patiently on him,
"I don't know what to say."Slider admits softly.
"Me neither, just try. That's what I do."
"Uh, I, well, I just."Slider's voice trails off. He takes a moment to collect himself, just a small thought, a small truth,
"He left me." His voice trembles slightly. He tries again, making his voice firmer,
"He left me behind."
King Dudicus listens. Slider's voice begins to burn in his throat.
"It hurts and I don't want it anymore."Slider feels the tears coming, words are getting harder to form.
"He doesn't love me.""He never did." Dudicus cocks his head to one side; he seems confused with that sentence.
"I don't know how to live without Dad. I don't want to be alive. Not if Dad's not gonna be there."
"Slider, I can't lose him and you. I can't."
Slider shakes his head, tears begin to come down, "I don't know. I don't know Dee, you might have to."
"Little Dude, not an option. I know how this looks right now. And know you want it to end but I know Coop. I know that, this, I'm not good at this, but Coop loves you. You can't give up. Not on Coop, especially not on yourself. He's gonna come back or we are gonna find him. You can't leave me or Coop. He would die if he knew you weren't here waiting for him. He needs you, I need you."
King Dudicus pulls him into a encompassing hug. It's tight and warm and somehow perfect. Slider cries silently in his grip. The tears hurt. Each breath is ragged and burns. His body aches. His mind is all over the place. His whole soul seems like it's trying to express the depth of this wound."It hurts so much."Slider says inbetween shuddering breaths. Dee nods,"I know Slider.""I don't think I can do this."
"Sly, I got your back. You gotta have mine."
Slider needs one more thing. Just one thing to hold onto, "Prove it.""About Coop?" Slider nods in his shoulder. King Dudicus lets out a weary laugh, he let Slider go slightly, "When you came into this world, Coop cried like really hard when he first held you. He doesn't cry. But he did for you Slider, he cried so hard. He was so loud, the Doctor from another room brought him tissues. And when he looked at you for the first time it was like his whole world was in your tiny brown eyes." It was quiet. But in the quiet Slider let himself remember his Dad. He remembered his smile and laugh. He remembered his hugs and kisses. He remembered about everything he loved about his Father. He remembered how much he loved him.
"Okay." Slider nods in resignation. Dee looks at him a little surprised,
"Okay?"
"We'll find him Dee, we'll find him together,"
King Dudicus lets out a watery laugh and nods, "Okay,"
Slider smiles back, this time after the tears he felt better, not worse.
Slider didn't know what he would've done without Dee. Dudicus really helped Slider find his turning point. From then on, Slider could feels himself healing with each day. He came to accept that to continue to heal there would still be days of anger and sadness. And that he had to heal at his own pace. He accepted that he would always miss his Father as he would always love his Father. So Slider decided to wait for him and hope these days would come to an end soon.
Hah and that my whole story huh? He chuckled without any humor.
He places down his tools and rubs his face in a stressed gesture. He needs a break. No more heavy thoughts, no more emotions. He went to the back part of the garage reaching for a skateboard. He picks one up and feels surprised when it feels lighter. He looks at the back, no wheels? He frowns in confusion.
Did I take the wheels off this one?
He took another one down. He discovers the wheels are gone as well.
What?He takes another down and another.
Did Haji take my wheels? She can't still be mad, like come on. Whatever, she better put them all back or I'm egging her house.
He flips the wheeless board in the air and catches it before it falls. Wondering what he was gonna do without his wheels.
"Aaaaah! NOOO! MY WHEELS BRO!" Slider looks outside of his open garage. Outside his garage door, Radsters were panicking holding up their boards in shock and grief.
"It's Hacker! Hacker did this!" One of them shouts. The radsters around her begin to groan and look around in fear. Slider feels his blood boil, he grips his board tight in his hands.
Hacker? Here, again? Great, but how did he take all the wheels in such a short time? I would've noticed. Did he become King again? No, I probably would've seen a line of sad radsters giving him their wheels. So how did he do it? It almost seems like magic. Oh, oh no, the ring.
Slider takes in a fearful breath.
If Hacker has the ring, we're all screwed. He'll wish Motherboard out of existence. Did he do that to Dee? Hacker wouldn't deactivate a borg, right? No, he totally would. Oh tite, I need to find Dee. Oh Motherboard, Dee don't be deactivated.
Slider looks around needing a quick replacement. He sees the empty cans he forgot to clean up. A determined look appears on his face.
Perfect.
~Time skip cause I'm lazy~
Slider skates along quickly, he wobbles slightly trying to adjust to having cans for wheels. He wished that he had his Dad's balance when dealing with this outrageous problem.
"Watch out dude!"A radster boards barreling towards him. Slider weaves to the right and they barely dodge colliding. Slider can feel the brush of his elbow pad brush his the sleeve of his hoodie. He twists his face in irritation as the same problem happens three more times.
I can't believe borgs who have skated all their lives are this bad. Just walk around if you can't handle it, you skating junkies. Or like go back to training wheels.
He swings wide around a corner, still trying to control his board and in the process he takes a wrong path. He lets out an frustrated breath,
No come on!
He looks ahead and sees a group of people rolling towards him. Slider squints to see who he has to avoid now, cyboid, two girls, and a boy.
Oh?
Slider scans him impressed, He's kinda cute. Do I know him?
Slider racks his brain, nothing coming to mind.
No, there's no way. I know everyone here. They must be from offworld. Poor tourists, worst time to sightsee. Hey wait, are they using a stone as a wheel?
He hears a loud bang and watches as the tire memorial comes crashing down right on the new guy and his friends. Slider blinks in surprise, he speeds up. Reaching the pile of tires, he hops off his board. He hears muffled voices under the tires. He pulls off a tire, seeing the back of one of the girls. She looks alive and fine. He smiles relieved. He reaches out his hand,
"Grab on!"
She smiles at him and accepts the hand. When their hands make contact, Slider cringes slightly as he pulls her up.
Ugh that feels so weird! Why do her hands feel so squishy?
He pulls her out fast. He sees the other two pop their heads out. He pulls all of them out and as they dust off. He put one leg on his board. He would wait for confirmation they were really okay. Then he needs to find Dee and maybe they could find some way to take Hacker down.
Too bad, I'll probably never see the redhead again.
"Hey, um thanks for saving us." The boy smiles shyly at Slider.
Slider shyly smiles back and turns beginning to head out.
"Wait, you can't just leave us here. We need a ride!" The girl with the glasses demands, approaching him. Slider internally balks,
The nerve of tourists.
"Not my problem." He starts off. He hears another voice, the other cybergirl.
"But we have to stop Hacker-"
Like you stand a chance, Slider thought still trying to escape the situation.
"King Dudicus says he has the Totally Rad Ring!"The bird finally speaks.
Slider stops, Dee's okay.Another screaming radster flies past them. The girls glance at each other and the redhead looks at the radsters in concern.
"Where's he now?"
The blue bird shrugs confused before looking back at the redhead. Slider looks at his shoes.
Things will only get worse if I go looking for Dee. He's okay so I have to stop Hacker. I know about the ring so I can stop him, right? No, I definitely can.
He turns his head to acknowledge them, "What's Hacker doing with the ring?"
The cyboid speaks carefully still trying to read him, "He using it to ruin Radopolis. He'll use it on Motherboard soon."
"I see."
I'll need help. I don't think I can do this alone. Well the tourists want to stop Hacker too so I guess we'll be the Cybersquad before they arrive. I'll need to get them wheels. Back to the garage then.
"Come on!" He motions and boards off. He hears the boy say something about not trusting him. Slider felt a twinge of offense and also amusement. He was right they didn't know him, for all they know he could've set that trap. He grins in spite of himself.
Cute and sort of smart, huh. Today might be fun.
"Really, I think he's kinda cute."
"Me too."
Or maybe not.
~Another time skip bc I'm really wanting more Sly/Matt sorry to the plot ppl~
Slider has to physically stop from rolling his eyes. He couldn't believe that he convinced himself to work with literal children. They were loud, annoying, and made no sense. Plus the redhead keeps giving him dirty looks. A little disappointed by this, Slider pretends not to notice.
Would you stop shooting me dirty looks! I'm not doing anything!Slider would love to pretend he didn't notice the growing animosity coming from the redhead. The girls had only been here for a few minutes and they were really really flirty. Slider as he worked on making them boards noticed the more friendlier they got; the nastier the looks he got.
He has to be strait. Slider rolls his eyes, thanking his current luck. They always have to be cute. Love that.Slider had done this song and dance before. He meets a cute guy and his girlfriend or he meets a girl and the pining angry guy friend following right behind her. Or he's with a group of cute guys and girls flock right to him. Basically it ends the same with everyone mad at him for being good-looking.
Can't one of the guys I meet not be into girls, like come on.
Wait they were talking again, something about him.
"You expect these to work." The boy rudely remarks. Slider sucks on one side of his upper teeth in irritation. Regardless, Slider took the bait.
"You got a better idea." He says flatly. The boy rolls his eyes, but says nothing. Slider exults in the small victory.
"A so anyway. Thanks for the wheels and saving us. That was really cool of you."The girl with glasses blushes slightly.
"Yea we'd be in real trouble without you uh?"The girl with black hair leaves the question hanging in the air for him to answer.
He briefly entertains the idea of giving them a fake name. But he wasn't in the mood to be caught in a lie today.
"Name's Slider."
They give him their names in return: Jackie, Inez, Digit, and Matt. At least he could stop labeling them by their gender.
"We don't have time for this guys! We need to take down Hacker. Thanks for the boards Slider. But we have to go." Matt turns waving everyone to follow him.
"But Matt!"Digit turns around with a slight hop.
"Stop. You'll need this if you want to beat Hacker."Slider pulls out a map from one of his many work drawers. The drawer is full of old papers and plans. This particular paper though. It was Dudicus's and his Father's map of where to put the ring. Matt turns back to him, Slider continues.
"What's that?"Jackie places one finger on her chin in a thoughtful manner. Slider smiles, if he were into girls he'd probably be into Jackie. Everything she did was just pure and pretty.
"Its a map of the Circle of Supreme Safety."
"How is that going to help us?"Matt crosses his arms still giving Slider a doubtful look.
"It'll stop Hacker."
"Sounds good to me."Inez sweetly chimes in.
"After we get the ring back we gotta put it someplace it will be safe forever. That would be the Circle of Supreme Safety and it is somewhere in the Stokafied forest. It'll be faster if some of us find the circle and the others go get the ring back from Hacker."
"I like that plan, sounds pretty solid."Digit gives a few happy flaps of his wings.
"Thanks but we don't need your help."Matt grumbles and walks to stand beside Inez. Slider frowns.
"Matt don't be ridiculous."Inez elbows him. Digit nods,
"It's his map, he's in if he wants in."
"I'm in."The brunette raises his chin to challenge the redhead. Matt sighes and gives up.
"Fine, who's going where?"
The girls look at Slider, who sighs knowing they're waiting on his answer.
"I'm going after Hacker."Matt rolls his eyes, catching onto the girls intentions.
"Then Slider and I, we'll go find the Circle."Inez answers quickly. Jackie shakes her head,
"No Inez, you're better off to go with Matt. You and him can take down Hacker easily. Slider and I can find the Circle."
"No way. Slider and I are going after Hacker. Jackie, you and Inez take the map and find the Circle."Matt firmly decides for the group.
"But-"The young fashionista starts to protest.
"Fine."Inez grabs the map from Matt.
Slider glares at the redhead not even trying to hide his displeasure.
"Let's just go."
"I'll come too, to keep the peace."Digit buckles his helmet; he waits for the signal.
Slider took a slow breath, Don't let him get to you. You've been through worse, heard worse. I'm not going to be caught up in this. Besides he's not even worth the energy.He looks back seeing everyone ready to go, he meets Matt's eyes, Try to keep up.
"Move out!" Slider and the gang part ways.
It's a few minutes of needed silence. Slider begins to feels lighter now. He is glad he gets a break from talking to Digit and Matt. He hears someone coming up behind him fast, he looks in slight perturbance as Matt flies past him. The sixth grader rolls around a bush or two trying to show Slider who was in charge. Slider mentally rolls his eyes and rolls past him, doing only slightly more than Matt did to annoy him.
The eighth grader looks back, smiling invigorated. Matt didn't even try to hide his displeasure. Slider hides a laugh. No one has challenged his boarding abilities since he was young. It felt nice to flex his skills, to try again. Slider turns back satisfied.
Digit yells something, but he and Matt were too wrapped in each other to notice.
~Bonus~
Bc slow burns kill me and not today death.
Matt glared at Slider carefully through the window. He had made dinner tonight and Coop was out so it would just be them. It was going to be a nice time to catch up, if Slider would ever shut up. Slider was outside leaning against their house chatting time away. Thin and long and attractive, he took his sweet time. He was talking to a Radster about how much it would cost to tune up his car and paint it hot pink. Personally, Matt hates that color but Slider was so mellow he would agree to anything it seems. He studies his partner's back it had been a long time since the first time he had met the then seemingly snob of a Skaterboi. And lucky for him Slider was able to make him realize he might be a little more.
Well mostly, there were times Slider was a real pain. Matt saw the Radster motion to his car and Slider follows in suite. Matt stands and heads out. Enough was enough he was too old to be ignored. He opens the door and follows quietly after the two of them. He nears the garage and stops when he heard them chatting softly.
"Yea my old lady wants the car to match her wardrobe it seems. Well, she does after I forgot our anniversary." Matt hears Slider laugh, a deep warm sound.
"I feel, the second I step in that door. I'm gonna get a quite an earful from a certain math nerd."
"How is being with one of the cybersquad anyway? Everything you ever dreamed of? Or…?"
Matt had half a mind to paint the car black for the or itself. There was a notable pause. He knew after years and years of dating and learning how to understand Slider it meant a million things were running through his head. He was trying to pick the best one.
"He's…more amazing than anything I ever dreamed of."
Matt feels himself blush. He doesn't want too, he was too old to be acting so silly. But he couldn't help it. Most times Slider would be very quiet about his feelings. He knew Matt knew where he stood and if in question would reassure Matt. But saying sweet nothings or elaborating on his feelings. Only sometimes. When Matt wasn't paying attention or sleeping or to grab his attention briefly.
Anyway, he walks back into the house to calm down and stop being red. Certain Slider knew he was there and was being a pain on purpose. Though he smiles tenderly thinking about what was said, storing it away for himself to remember and take out on rainy days.
Slider listens to the soft footsteps leave. He smiles outwardly,
"Something the matter?" The Radster asks. Slider looks at him the smile dropping a seemingly apathetic attitude returning.
"Oh no, I just had to get someone's attention."
Wow, when u make a stress fic and it turns out to be long and full of plot. And besides the bonus, you literally become the meme of the woman squinting and kneeling to find it. Well done SR!