Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

So, they did.

For only about five more minutes until Lizzy’s father stormed back in, Thad at his heels. V instinctively stood and stepped away from Lizzy, much to her dismay.

“Dad, she-” Thad was saying.

“You have overstayed your welcome, murder drone.” Their father spat, stepping right up to V’s face. “Leave.”

“Dad-” Lizzy started, annoyed.

“Elizabeth.”

She quieted.

V knit her expression, attempting to stay collected. “It’s fine, Lizzy. I’ll go.” She stepped to the door but stalled for a moment to untangle her tail from Lizzy’s leg.

She hadn’t even noticed.

Like her dad needed more reasons to hate me. Lizzy didn’t even say anything. How embarrassing.

The door shut, leaving her alone in the hall.

Did she. . . like it?

Suddenly, N and Uzi were beside her.

“She okay?” N whispered.

“Yeah, N, she’s. . . yeah, she’s more than okay.”

Uzi eyed her knowingly. “What’s with the glasses?”

“Oh, um,” V was definitely blushing and definitely wanted to kill Uzi for the unwanted smirk she was giving. “A ‘thank you’ gift. That’s all.”

“How sweet!” N chirped.

“Mhm.” Uzi mused, rolling her eyes.

V shot her a glare. “Anyway, I’ll be outside. Sparky needs some company and I should get outta here while all the ‘adults’ calm down.”

“Hey, my dad doesn’t blame you. He just wishes you hadn’t destroyed his door.”

“Of course that’s what he’s worried about.” V chuckled.

“My mom on the other hand. . .” Uzi started but stopped with a nod when she saw V’s grimace. 

“I’ll send you a message if Lizzy asks for you, okay?” N said with a sheepish smile.

Great. He knows too.

“Thanks.” She gritted a smile and turned away.

“And watch your back out there. Another J clone could still be active.” Uzi called after her.

V froze, unsheathing and sheathing her claws in an angry twitch. “Trust me. . . I’m not the one who should watch their back.” She kept walking until she was outside.

“How do they look?” V adjusted the glasses slightly. “I don’t look too different, do I?” Sparky shook his head and gave her face a lick. The metal-on-metal feeling wasn’t pleasant. “Ouch. Thanks.” He gave her a look. “What’s that for?” A chirp. “Oh, yeah. Yeah, it was a gift.” He sat and chittered. “Yes. From her.” A huff. “Oh, shush. I don’t care; you’re going to learn to like her. And no, I do not have any information about how she tastes. Weirdo.” They both chuckled.

Blip. A message.

HI, V! THEY LET LIZZY GO HOME. SHE ASKED WHERE YOU WERE BUT HER FATHER IS STILL MILDLY UPSET AND DOESN’T WANT YOU TALKING TO HER. I’M SORRY THIS IS ALL SO CRAZY.

She smirked and shook her head.

NO WORRIES, N. I’LL TALK TO HER.

A pause.

YOU’RE GOING TO SNEAK IN THROUGH HER WINDOW, AREN’T YOU?

Sparky snicked. She pushed him aside.

YES. TALK LATER?

OKAY! GOOD LUCK!

“I should go before things get crazier in there.” Sparky whined. “Hey. No. Whining. I’ll be back soon. A day maybe.” A huff. “No, I’m not bringing her along.” she laughed. “Get outta here!” He snickered and trotted off.

V turned back to the remains of Door 1 and saw it was already under construction. Khan, Uzi’s father, ordered a few drones around and handed around supplies. V stepped up to him curiously.

“And just when I thought they were- GAH!” He jumped when he noticed V next to him. “Phew! It’s just you! Thought you were the other one.” He relaxed slightly. “But you took care of that one, right?” V nodded and he relaxed a bit more. “Good, good. Can’t have any more of you guys running around.” He chuckled to himself and V forced a tight smile. “But seriously, I’m happy you brought that Lizzy kid back in one piece and all. . . but did you have to wreck my precious door?! I mean, look at it! It’ll take days to be operational again!” He rubbed his head, clearly stressed.

“I was in a bit of a rush?” V tried. He didn’t look soothed. “J isn’t gonna show her face here with me around so I wouldn’t worry about it.” He frowned. She got a twist in her core, like a need to do better. She hated it. “I could patrol?”

He brightened. “Oh, excellent! That would certainly put several drones’ minds at ease! Thanks, uh, V, was it?”

She smirked. “Yeah, that’s right. I’ll head out tomorrow.”

Lizzy laid on her bed, staring at the photos that decorated the underside of the bunk above her. Most were of herself but a few were with friends. A few from prom. A few from camp. A few with Thad. A few with V. She grabbed one and studied it. It was a selfie of V outside her window looking in. V had sent it to her one night about a month ago. It had scared the screws out of her but, of course, V had found it hilarious.

She slowly sat up and moved to her desk, pulling out her journal and pinning the photo to a page. She had to write her thoughts down before they made her explode.

V. You’re such an idiot. Trying to kill me. Not trying to kill me. Hanging out with me. Saving my life. Such an idiot. Acting like that. Looking like that. Looking at me like that. So stupid. Making me feel like this over a murderer that doesn’t even like me back. Sure, you care but that isn’t the same. I want to hear you say it. I know it’s selfish but I can’t help it. I’ve never felt this crazy before. So nervous and excited. Sure, I’ve liked some drones but, oh no, I’m in love, aren’t I? ROBO-GOD, I’m obsessed with you, aren’t I? That’s so lame. Maybe I should just ask you to kill me so I’d at least be getting two things I want.

TAP TAP TAP

Lizzy jumped at the sound, throwing her journal back under her mess of books. She turned slowly to the window and, sure enough, a pair of yellow eyes and five yellow bulbs greeted her. She sighed and stepped over, opening it to V’s upside-down face.

“Figured you’d wind up here eventually. Can’t stay away from me, can you?” Lizzy teased, loving how V flushed with embarrassment and failed to hide it.

“You are so full of yourself. But you’re a bit right.”

Lizzy smirked. “Worried?”

V smirked back. “Yes. . . and. . .?”

Lizzy didn’t have a coherent response so she just stepped aside. V crawled in, clinging to the ceiling a moment before dropping down.