Hi everybody.

Antrxx: Okay, your reasoning makes a whole heap of sense. Maybe I will include him. Of course I'll include Tina. She's practically my favourite character.

Guest who calls himself Mr: Your suggestion has been noted but just let the story play out. Also, your welcome and you'll just have to wait and see what happens.

I'm really struggling with writing at the moment. I just can't seem to think of any new ideas. My muse has abandoned me to go who-knows-where.

Just a little warning, there are some swear words in here so if you're sensitive or just don't like that sort of thing than sorry about that. The swearing may get worse as this fic progresses. Just saying.

Sorry I took so long. This chapter was an utter bastard to write.

Disclaimer: Not caring anymore.

Chapter 7: The Historian

"Morning everyone!"

His cheerful greeting earned Gen dirty looks from the other Vault Hunters, who were all seated around the dining table. Brick took it upon himself to fill the silence.

"Fuck off, Grass stain."

Gen actually looked a bit hurt but that expression rapidly transformed into irritation.

"Geez! You ruin one night of their sleep and you'd swear that you'd actually murdered their grandparents with the way they treat you." He muttered, stalking to the fridge and grabbing some breakfast. Zer0 offered him some steak as he went past, which the Splicer gratefully accepted.

"At least you don't hold grudges, Zer0." He said cheerfully, his good mood restored, "I'll be in my room."

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Gaige gently knocked on the door to Gen's new room. Most of his gear had somehow survived what he called the prototype for a Firestorm Grenade and he had simply dumped it in one of the spare rooms. When she received no reply she cautiously opened the door and peeked in, telling herself that if he was getting dressed or something like that she would leave but not quite believing herself.

She saw Gen busy with what appeared to be an entire makeshift laboratory, complete with beakers, test tubes and unidentifiable fluids. His jacket was draped on his bed along with the rest of his stuff. But what she was really paying attention to was the music playing as he worked. He occasionally sang along softly and tapped out the rhythm with whatever he was holding but otherwise seemed to ignore the song. As the music ended, Gaige decided to make her presence known.

"Who was that playing just now?"

Gen jumped about a foot into the air, swearing as something spilled onto the floor. It took him a few seconds to register that it was Gaige at the door.

"Holy shit, Gaige, don't scare me like that." He panted, eyeing the pool of liquid on the floor suspiciously.

"Sorry." She said, shrugging, before gesturing to the liquid and asking, "What is that stuff?"

The liquid was slowly changing colour from its original brown to bright blue. Gen shrugged.

"To be honest with you, I have absolutely no idea. I was just throwing some chemicals together and seeing what happened."

Gaige nodded slowly before remembering her original question.

"So, anyway, who was that playing just now?"

He scratched the back of his neck, a familiar sign of reluctance or embarrassment.

"It's a piece of music that I managed to dig up in an old archive from Earth. It was a cover version of a song called Radioactive that was done by a violinist called Lindsey Stirling and a vocal group called Pentatonix."

Gaige nodded before frowning and asking, "Wait, why were you digging through archives?"

Gen avoided looking her in the eyes when he replied, "I'm a bit of history nut. I like finding out about old cultures and lifestyles."

"So, why are you acting all embarrassed?"

He gave her a wry smile, finally meeting her eyes.

"Think about it: I'm green, smart and interested in history to boot. People just tended to use it as ammunition against me."

"Well don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

"…Thanks Gaige."

He suddenly stared at the liquid on the floor, which was now a bright red colour and beginning to hiss violently and bubble.

"I think we should get out of here." He said worriedly, the liquid changing to a dark purple colour.

"What about your stuff?"

"It's survived plenty of lab accidents before. I don't expect that to change in the foreseeable future." He said matter-of-factly, ushering Gaige out the door and closing it firmly behind him. A muffled boom came from behind his door. He turned and examined the yellow smoke leaking out from under it.

"…We should probably leave that alone for a while. You wouldn't happen to know any good places to visit for an hour or two, would you?"

She arched an eyebrow.

"You do remember that we're on Pandora, right?"

He nodded.

"So?"

"On Pandora, everywhere is either dangerous or….well actually, everywhere is just dangerous."

"Except here." He said happily.

"Fair point."

He thought for a moment before snapping his fingers.

"I know. Let's visit that bar we saw earlier. Moxxi's, wasn't it?"

"She won't give us anything alcoholic."

He gave her a strange look.

"What's that got to do with it?"

"…Nothing?" she suggested hopefully.

He still looked sceptical so she sighed and muttered, "I just wish everybody would stop treating me like a kid."

Gen nodded sagely before getting a sad look on his face.

"Funny, I keep wishing I was back to being a kid. You know, before all…..this." he said, with a wry smile and a gesture to his green skin. He sighed and muttered, "And now I could seriously kill for a drink or something."

"Why?"

He grinned at her. That same infectious, happy, mildly crazy grin.

"I've heard it helps you forget that anything is wrong."

He slung an arm around her shoulders.

"Now, onwards!"

"To where?"

"I have absolutely no idea but I'd rather not be here when the others find out that I've trashed another room."

So, what did you think? Read and Review people. I'm getting a bit worried about my lack of reviews.

The song and cover actually do exist. I suggest checking them out, the original for the fact that the person who thought it up must have been high when doing so and the cover because it's awesome.

This is the longest chapter I've written so far. Awesome.

Would anyone like to try and draw Gen for me? You would be credited in the story and I will post the link somewhere on either my profile or this story. You can draw him fighting, working in his lab or just chilling, whatever you choose. Please PM me or leave a review if you're interested.

Until next time,

Elemental Hybrid