XR was flying back in the tour cruiser with his best friend. "It's that bad?" XR asked.
"Well… maybe?" Mira couldn't give a straight answer. "Maybe your boyfriend can repair your goggles- wait are you and Nos….?" Mira asked.
XR only smiles. "We're as of today and we'll be going on a date this weekend." He smiles but frowns. "And Buzz didn't know until now I was the guy Nos was with at the incident. I still can't believe we got into a fight and… probably hurt his feelings."
Booster perked but pats his friend's back. "Well I'm sure Buzz will get around this. We're a team and we can talk it out. It'll be nice to get to know Mr. Atu and I'm sure Buzz will get to know him better."
XR pauses and looks at Mira. "That…. Might be hard to make that happen but maybe you can meet Nos. I just hope he can fix my goggles, he made me these." He takes out his phone Nos gifted him before and calls him. "And he doesn't want to kill Buzz."
20 minutes later
At the shop.
Nos cups his face and scans it and all XR can do is wait till he's done. 'I can tell he's pissed.' He sees the broken goggles on the side were already fixed but nos was very much worried about him after hearing he got into a fight. He thought Nos would be happy to hear XR stood up against Buzz but he was more worried after checking him more than once.
"Give me one good reason why I should not raise hell over there." Nos spoke calmly but his eyes were glowing. "Or go and punch Buzz."
"Because Buzz is not worth it and I laid the first punch so be mad at me." XR was being honest with him. "Plus if you go there, Vanet will be very sad you're using violence." He can tell Nos was mulling over it. He held his hands together. "I got mad and punched him because he called you a low life but we both started getting at each other's throats."
Nos glares softened and squeezed his hands. "You should not throw yourself in a fight, not even to defend my honor." He cups his face.
XR holds onto the hand cupping his face. "Babe as your boyfriend, it's my duty to defend your honor." He grins and Nos raises a brow. "Can I get a kiss to treat the spot that got hit? I heard they make it better." He pouts but feels Nos kiss his cheek and melts into it. "I also got hit here-"
"XR!" Mira shouted from the other room.
"Hey, stop over hearing our conversation!" XR felt a bit embarrassed and Nos was flustered. "Maybe later?"
"When we are alone." Nos covers his face. "Would your friends wish to wait at the cafe while I pick up Vanet? I know they are important to you and would feel comfortable if you were there with them."
"They just want to meet you properly before heading back and I still want to go pick up Vanet with you." XR got up from the metal stool. "I want to be a great boyfriend."
Nos hugs him tightly. "You already are a great boyfriend."
XR hugs him back and lets go to lead his boyfriend to meet Booster. He looks to find Mira looking around the shop. She seemed really interested by the set of cups Nos made.
"How much are these Nos?" Mira asked, she, like her father, has an eye for beauty when it comes to tea sets. Nos made some pretty good cup sets and found some that seemed to be perfect for her father as a gift. She remembered her father used to collect tea sets.
"You can have the set Miss Mira." Nos walks over and carefully takes them.
"No, please let me buy it, I insist." Mira follows Nos to the counter.
"It is alright, besides it seems no one has yet bought this set and I prefer to give this set a proper home." Nos recalled Vanet showing him a tea set she saw in books she brought from the library. He was curious about the design and made a few using the key ingredient which was grounded bone he purchased from a meat shop. He made two sets but this set seemed to be less intriguing to be bought.
"So what made you get into making sculptures and ceramics?" Mira asked.
"It was thanks to my Tata's support to create as a pastime and later was more of a career choice." Nos spoke. "But I have been busy working at GAF. I have had limited time to work here but I enjoy the time I get to be here."
"That's pretty cool!" Booster spoke up and smiled. "You must really enjoy it alot and I see why XR likes coming here!" Booster beams at the many small glass forms of animals that were amazing. However he was worried about breaking them.
Nos set the set in a special container and walked over to show Booster they were sturdy. "These glass figurines can withstand pressure and I have had customers that wish for figurines that were strong and sturdy."
"Really!? Then I would like to buy these!" Booster smiles. "Please let me buy them Mr. Atu. I love animals and they are really beautiful."
Nos was about to say no but saw XR and MMira silently telling him to let him. "Of course." Nos spoke softly and headed over to the counter.
Booster smiles and Nos places them in boxes to keep safe but hesitated to explain. "I must confess, I am not exactly organic-"
"Oh I know your Nos-4-a2." Booster answered and all three looked shocked.
"You knew who I am?" Nos asked.
"I learned at the previous mission at the banquet. You leaked a fluid that was last found from Nos-4-a2 and I sort of recognized your features when we met and I saw you absorbing a battery back at the last mission co-op" Booster explains. "But I saw the good you've been doing so I thought it would be better not to say anything."
Nos was perplexed, yet not surprised. "You are very impressive." He compliments the space ranger. "And thank you for keeping my secret."
"Promise me you keep XR happy." Booster spoke. "And please don't hurt XR."
"You have my word." Nos spoke. "I want to make XR happy and make every day worth it."
Booster smiles. "Thank you." He smiles.
"Hey Booster, Nos lives in the woods so there's a lot of animals there if you wanna come by next time to see?" XR asked.
"That'll be great!" Booster smiles excited to hear that."
"Next time but for now, me and Nos gotta pick up Vanet." XR hugs Nos close and grins as his friends.
"Well see you later then." Mira spoke and booster waves with her as they left. Mira smiles and frowns a bit. "Do you think Nos will keep XR happy?"
"Well I had my doubts before but I trust XR and I think Nos has changed a lot for the better." Booster answers and looks at his collection. Just as they walk away, someone runs past them, bumping into Booster and his box falls. He hurried to check to see the items but he was surprised to find them safe! There was no cracks or even scratches on the glass figures. "Wow! Nos is really good at this; he means it when he said these were harder to crack! Maybe I can tell my parents about Nos's shop." Booster grins as they leave. "Should we tell Buzz about seeing Nos and XR?"
Mira would say yes but right now was not a good idea to even mention about Nos. "Let's keep this between us. Buzz will think Nos was bribing us." She can already hear the lecture Buzz was going to give. "Plus Nos has that custody court case."
"So that's why XR was looking up those law books." Booster was wondering why XR was reading them. "I really hope Nos will be ok."
"Me too. It's actually nice to see another change for the better." Mira smiles, her mind was on Warp. They make their way out and leave.
XR and Nos walk together down the path to Vanet's School, both walking down together as they talk about where to go for their first date.
"You know I was thinking that on our first date we should go somewhere neither of us has been to before." XR was enthusiastic about his first date. He can't say his two first dates were bad, 42 chose a nice dinner date which was in tradeworld. Asnice as it was, he wanted to make this special because he and Nos got closer in a different way and now they known each other first.
"Would you like to go to the summer lotus festivals with me? I have never been to it," Nos asked.
"I never got to go to a festival either. I have been to this planet that's a themed world but it wasn't the best experience with mini clones tormenting you." XR recalled the clones. "So what is it exactly?"
"It is a special event that lotuses bloom on a certain day and it is also a time to light lanterns up in the sky. Tata told me they usually write wishes on the lantern." Nos grins and talks away and XR listens to him. He couldn't help but like how Nos talks and how he lights up. "I did not get to go last year because I was still adjusting. But I always want to go to it, even just once."
XR grins. "Definitely and I was thinking if you want to bring Vanet and your dad too?" XR knows Vanet and Nosfer means a lot to Nos and he would rather have Nos feel comfortable and happy.
"Are you sure?" Nos asked. "It would not be a proper date."
"Well as your boyfriend I want to make the night perfect and I know it's perfect if you know your daughter is having a blast. And since when do we ever follow everyone's way?"
Nos smiles and blushes holding his hand. "I cannot wait." He grins and they hear the bell ring. "I am glad you are here too. I was hoping to ask would you like to be on the list to reach out to in case of an emergency?" Nos asked.
XR felt that was special and an honor. "Yes- it's great!" He grins and wraps his arms around him and kisses his cheek. "It means alot I can be an emergency call."
Nos blushes and wraps his arms around him. "You have been a part of her life more and since you are very persistent, I want you as her emergency call. I know I trust Gravitina but unfortunately she has been more active in her hobbies."
"She got arrested?" XR asked but Nos shook his head. "Has she been dating someone?"
"I wish it was the case but no. She has been disappearing very often and has not been telling me why but only telling me it is her hobby." Nos could not seem to understand.
XR took a moment and it clicked. "Is she having those personal getaway romance retreats? You know, one night stands? She is probably a lonely woman." XR didn't wanna know if that was it and Nos simply shrugs as an answer. He then hummed looking at Nos with some curiosity. "Were you ever lonely before? Like longingly alone or happy alone."
"A little between both though as a villain, being with someone was not exactly the top on the list. It was nice once to have you in my life now and-" Nos stops feeling embarrassed to express. "We are almost close to the school!" He takes XR's hand but he feels XR stop. 'What if he hated that time?' He turned to look but soon wished he did not.
"So master, shall I serve you again but in private quarters now~? I can reserve a place soon~" XR teases him and holds onto his arm.
"I regret answering now." Nos looks away but XR is in front of him. "XR-" Nos stops when he feels XR hugging him.
"I love you lots, Nosy." XR grins and hugs him tightly. "Just know I'm only teasing you and I like that you enjoy my company then and now and I hope we can tease each other like this but if it makes you feel uncomfortable, I'll stop." He adds and sees Nos blushing and reciprocates the hug.
"Can we tease each other privately?" Nos mumbles and sparks when he hears XR nuzzles him
"Of course, master." XR whispers and pulls back. "Better keep it pg here and out." He lets go but takes Nos' hand. They continue to talk and walk until they got to the school grounds. That was when XR noticed there were some space rangers there with their kiddos but he noticed they were eyeing him or at Nos with such tense glares.
He can sense the animosity from them already but he didn't hide away. He's committed and instead wrapped his arms around Nos by the hip.
Nos perked and was used to the glares but he can feel XR being protective of him. It was greatly appreciated.
"Papa!" Vanet runs out and despite the heat, she was wearing her cloak on and showed how cool she was. "And Viitorul tată." She smiles making XR confused but noticed Nos was dark blue so he used his translator and was surprised.
[Future dad]
"Hey sparky," XR grins and pats her head but instead ruffles her hair and earns a giggle. "We'll be heading home but first we gotta do something in the office, mind waiting for a bit?"
"Ok but can I get hot chocolate?" Vanet asked.
"Of course." Nos grins and holds her hand. He sees her hold her free hand to XR and he takes it.
"Can we go on the train this time too?" Vanet asked as they started walking.
XR noticed Nos was hesitant so he answered. "We'll see once we finish up at the office cuz it's around the rush hour time." He then remembered the incident Nos told him so he can understand the worry.
Entering the office reminded him of the star command main hall theme; only this was more kid friendly and less tense. He couldn't help but feel tense about it.
"Mr. Atu, is there something wrong?" The main office staff asked.
"I would like to add my partner to the emergency call list." Nos spoke and showed his ID but there were two. One was his GAF ID and the other was his capital planet ID which was his robotic form.
"Nice picture babe." XR grins, he really was complimenting the picture. He talked out his own but realized he needed another one since he only registered as a space ranger. "Would my space ranger ID and my registration count?"
"Yes but you do need to have a registered ID of the capital planet too." The staff answered him. "If you register today it should go through soon and you'll have it in an hour."
"Thanks." XR smiles but he was surprised, he never thought of being a citizen or living anywhere other than star command. But spending time with his team and exploring their worlds gave a sense of belonging and he thought he had it already. Now it feels like he's a bit lost. He snaps out of it and signs the papers and puts his name on the list and just looking at it gives him a great feeling. "Thanks." XR grins and left with Nos and Vanet.
The walk was pretty good but he had a lot to think about. Having XR the space ranger was an identity. Being a space ranger was it but he wanted more than just that. He hit back reality when Nos kissed his cheek. That caught his attention and realized they were in a park playground.
"XR, are you alright?" Nos asked.
"I'm just thinking now about registering my ID as either this face or my robotic self but you know it's a deep level thought but," he frowns. "I don't know why I'm so lost now." He frowns.
Nos sat him down as Vanet sat by XR, she did not want to play yet. "Is it because of the Registering ID?"
"Yeah and no." XR took a deep breath. "I never really thought of a planet or anywhere but star command as a home base. But ever since I went on missions and times I've been seeing my friends' homes, I felt a bit out of place. When I dated the first time I didn't want to live anywhere cuz my ex was persistent to registering at trade world, the expense there was alot but the point then I thought to myself Star Command is my only home. That is until today. I realize if I want to be a part of everyone's life, I need to put myself in it. Does it make any sense?" XR asked.
"It does." Nos answers. "When I was a Villain, I thought of not needing a home to call or come to. In fact I still thought of that even after coming back. What changed me was my time spent in the forest. I never thought of the capital planet as a new home or a planet to belong in but as a place to begin new roots."
"How do you know your choosing the right place to root in?" XR frowns. "How do you know it's the home home planet?
"You do not. Home planet is not a belonging to but to grow in and know your way next after. Maybe even migration to another planet." Nos grins.
"So even if I register here, I can still find another place to grow again but come back. Can I grow my roots with yours?" He asked.
"So long you feel like it is home." Nos replies but feels XR hugs him but feels a kiss on his neck. He smiles and hugs him back and Vanet hugs him.
"Viitorul tată, I hope you do live here too." Vanet smiles.
XR was still surprised she saw him as a future dad but now he sees why she calls him that. He made his stand and he wants to be with Nos and part of their lives, But she doesn't know where in her life or how long. "Then let's make it official."
"Are you certain?" Nos perked.
"I am and plus I really want to be an Emergency call because if you're not able to reach her, I want to be there if something happens. Besides, I do want to plant roots that aren't Star Command." He grins and ruffles her hair. "I'm not going anywhere aside from work but you know what I mean."
Vanet was surprised and so was Nos. "This is a very big step you are taking." Nos added. "Are you certain?"
"I'm very much Nos and I am not changing my mind." XR slips his hand in his. "So since we're near the office anyway, we can also kill some time since the city is already bustling like a hive so how about you two-"
"Can we go with you to the registration office!?" Vanet asked, startling XR and Nos from her unexpected loud request. "Please?"
"It might be a bit boring, Sparks and I know it can be a bit long." XR knows Vanet is a good kid but she shouldn't be waiting around in her summer! She's supposed to be a kid and have fun!
"But I really want to be there when your registering so that you know we're here…" She was mumbling, getting a bit shy of her being more talkative to her choices. This made XR feel proud of her and so was Nos since this was the most she talked to another.
"Ok but if it gets too boring, you tell us ok?" XR wanted to still give her a reassurance to still have options to play out here. He sees her nod and he feels like a proud dad already. "Ok then let's go get that paperwork done."
2 hours later.
'Quick work my vents!' XR was sitting and bored but he was surprised how Vanet was a literal ball of energy and so was Nos who was keeping alert in case they called his number.
"Number 234534534232422."
"Here!" Vanet raises her hand out and XR couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, I shall return with my registration and everything." XR gets up as Nos and Vanet waits by the entryway.
"See you soon, Viitorul tată!" Vanet shouted.
"We will wait for you here, Mica mea iubire." Nos spoke out but turned dark, making XR using his translator and soon he was flustered.
[Mica mea iubire=Love]
XR couldn't help but like that a lot. That was when he gotten his ID, both his robotic and organic form had the biggest grin. He was more than happy to be officially a capital planet citizen.
Meanwhile
Buzz was walking down the hall, his mind was puzzled about XR's changes but wondered when he began to be different? When did he really meet this agent of GAF? How deep are they together? 'Is this guy even in love with XR?' He was worried after the break up between XR and 42, he was jumping into a new relationship too quick. He had hoped his friend and 42 would make amends and date again due to their compatibility as a team.
When they began he thought XR was happy with 42, they seemed happy and XR was happy, giddy even when 42 joined them on missions. They were perfect together! "I mean XR wasn't bothered by 42 during missions." He said out loud but stopped at the lab to talk to the LGMs and their success in making XR the upgrade.
Only to learn they didn't do it.
"But how did XR get that new form?" Buzz was shocked, seeing the current log showed they didn't make any upgrades after Nebula did not approve of it. There was even a note that said, "We don't need organic impersonation!" He wondered how until thinking back to only one person XR was around the longest.
Nosferatu Atu.
"Thanks." Buzz left the LGM back to their work and thought about these newfound theories. 'Nosferatu, an agent who just appeared nearly a year ago, made a name for himself but never stayed in the spotlight for interviews or stepping out of the capital planet until recently. He said he was a criminal but I haven't found any records of him.' He had to guess GAF had a hand in it but then thought of the girl who seemed to be the biggest clue about this new agent. Based on the brief record, she lost her father in some mysterious unknown circumstance and lost her mother in an accident about a year ago. 'Nosferatu is supposedly a distant relative of the father's side, thanks to their similar features but the man had pale skin and round ears, human to be precise. But Nosferatu is the opposite and has pure red eyes and pointed ears.' He knows there's some inter-species families but something was not right! "I feel like I'm missing something…!" He then thought of the lab Nosferatu had. He remembered XR said he had known Nos for almost 2 years. "He might have been the one who gave XR the upgrade but why?" He felt confused until he came to the docking bay and saw Mira and Booster there.
"Buzz, you ok?" Booster asked.
"I'm fine. Is XR with his… boyfriend-"
"WHAT?!"
All three heads turn to see 42 was alarmed and shocked. "42-" Buzz can see she was mad.
"It was that creepy agent wasn't it?! I knew he was eyeballing him from the start when XR told me he was hanging out with him many months ago!" 42 glares angrily at the thought.
"Now wait just a minute!" Mira stops her. "I'm surprised to know about this, but you knew he was hanging out with this guy before?! You never thought of asking XR or tried talking to him about his new friend?" Mira had her hands on her hips. Booster was quiet and looked between Mira and 42. "And you're thinking you got the right to judge XR's choices? Fat chance! Maybe this guy is good for him."
"I don't think this guy XR knows is a good guy." Buzz countered. "He is hiding something." 'I just don't have the answer yet!'
"Buzz, I met the guy a few days ago, and he's a pretty good guy." Mira countered him. She couldn't tell Buzz he was really Nos-4-a2, and that he was protecting a kid from a psychotic aged monster bot.
"Mira, what do you know about him? For all we know he can be a secret agent to evil! He appeared out of nowhere, and made himself known for only a few months! Why haven't we heard about him before? Why does XR know him? How does he really know him?" Buzz wanted to know if this person was good and he's a bit bothered how close he was to Ozma, a love that sizzled like a dying star but he still had hope. Maybe that was part of the reason he was still bothered by this guy.
"Buzz I know you mean well, and worried about XR being in the wrong crowd, but this guy is really a good guy." Mira tried and hoped Buzz would be less suspicious of Nos.
"As if I trust a man stealing, creep!" 42 glares, she was angry how XR gave up on her for a guy! 'And he's organic! He could never connect like me and XR has!' She felt she had that on her part and can make this creep jealous enough! 'And XR will return to me after seeing the truth.' She thought with hope. "And what if this guy is really working for Zurg? Or he's trying to take down Star Command and GAF?!"
"Now you're just adding fuel to the now ticking time bomb 42!" Mira scowls. "Booster, do you think this guy is bad?"
Booster frowns. "Well," he pauses before speaking his mind. "Buzz said we don't fully know Mr. Atu-"
"Thank you Booster." Buzz grins.
"But I trust XR's choices and I think he is a good guy even after meeting him." Booster knows his best friend had it hard, the stress he has seen from time to time. But ever since XR hung out with Nos, he looked happier and even less stressed and confident with himself. He remembered catching XR calling and waving to Nos and his daughter on the comm during the missions. "XR deserves to be happy, we should be supportive of him."
"Booster! He's taking your friend from you." 42 scowls.
"Thank you Booster and no he's not stealing XR away from us or you. And maybe when XR is ready to talk, not cornering him, we can meet the guy on neutral ground." Mira stated, and slowly Nos can reveal the truth to Buzz but it would be better if 42 wasn't there. "Buzz, just trust XR."
Buzz frowned and nodded but he was far from trusting that agent. 'He's hiding something and I will expose his true nature if he's evil.'