Alright, just gotta deliver these parts then I can go on break..!
Grav let out a small breath of relief, picking up a small crate filled with mechanical tools and parts. Xe began to hum xeir favorite song quietly, exiting the storage room and stepping through one of the many large, cold hallways of the Blackrock Science and Medical Division.
Xeir footsteps echoed, as well as the mechanical ones of the Biografts patrolling the halls and walking here and there completing tasks. It had always unnerved Grav how so many employees were laid off in place of Biografts. They could be more efficient in some scenarios, but they also had the common habit of getting things very wrong.
Xe paused mid-step, hearing a faint scream. Xe froze up in fear, then took a few deep breaths to calm xemself. Someone probably just got scared, right? But, the scream sounded… pained, not just terrified. Something inside xem told xem to check it out, but xe figured it wasn't xeir business.
Grav continued on xeir way, but with less content humming. Then xe heard it again. Another scream. This time, xe was more worried, xeir pace picking up into a jog with the contents of the crate rattling around inside. It felt almost eerie how none of the Biografts around xem cared even the smallest bit for what was going on.
Eventually, Grav reached Medkit and Subspace's lab, the same lab xe had been assigned to drop off the tools and parts at. As xe was about to open the door, xe was almost hit in the face with it. The door swung open wildly, giving Grav barely enough time to jump back and out of its range. Blinking in surprise, xe saw Medkit sprint out of the lab, a small trail of blood following him. That was… definitely more concerning.
" Wh- M-Medkit? " Grav called out, but xe didn't receive an answer, instead watching as Medkit turned the corner and disappeared. Xe swallowed the lump in xeir throat, anxiously stepping into the lab to see-
Oh.
Oh SFOTH.
There was blood splattered on the ground, the smell of rot and burnt flesh emanating from the room. Subspace laid on the ground hardly breathing. Broken beakers and shattered crystals were strewn about, only adding to the horrifying atmosphere of the scene.
Grav's grip on the tool crate weakened, and it soon crashed to the ground. Xe wanted to vomit at the sight of the blood and rot alone. Xe took a step back, then another, xeir instincts telling xem to run. Pure dread filled xeir stomach, xeir legs wobbly and suddenly struggling to support xeir full weight.
And so xe ran, sprinting down the hall and shouting for help. It alerted some Biografts, but Grav knew they couldn't do much for first aid. Eventually, an inphernal employee's attention was caught, and xe skid to a stop in front of them.
" L-Lab 03- " Grav panted, xeir tail between xeir legs in terror. " Get fi-first aid, please- "
The staff member nodded quickly, pulling out a walkie-talkie from their belt and swiftly turning it on. " First aid team at Lab 03. I repeat, first aid team at Lab 03. " A static-y reply of affirmation was received, and the employee put the walkie-talkie back on their belt. " What happened? You sound out of breath. " They questioned with a confused gaze.
" I- I don't- kn-know- " Grav tried to steady xemself with some deep breaths, but it didn't do much to help xem. " It's… b-bad. " was all xe could manage.
The employee eyed xem for a moment, then nodded slowly. " …Go take a break. You look like you've seen enough for today. " They said gruffly, vaguely gesturing to the other end of the hallway and in the direction of the personal quarters.
Grav weakly gave a thumbs-up to them, then speedwalked over to the quarters. Xe eventually made it to xem and Warp's bedroom, opening the door in one fluid movement. The soft smell of a citrus candle hit xeir nose, calming xem down just a fraction.
Warp glanced up in curiosity from her lunch, meeting Grav's shaky gaze. " What's wrong? " She asked gently, setting down her sandwich and getting up to make sure her girlfriend was okay.
Grav looked away, xeir tail curling around xeir legs defensively despite there being no threat. " I… f-found s-something bad. Something ha-happened to Medkit and- a-and Subspace. " Xe breathed out, feeling a tear form in the corner of xeir eye just remembering the bloody scene.
" Wha? Could you tell me more..? " Warp's eyes had a hint of wariness to them, her hand slowly reaching out to rub Grav's shoulder reassuringly.
Grav froze, the scene replaying vividly in xeir head and making a tear roll down xeir cheek. Xe shook xeir head, abruptly stepping forward and pulling xeir girlfriend into a tight hug. Xeir mouth opened, as if to speak, but no words came out, only weak sniffles.
Warp let out a small noise of surprise upon being brought into the warm embrace, but she soon wrapped her arms around Grav, pulling xem closer. " It's okay, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. You're okay, dear. " She whispered comfortingly, rubbing xeir back tenderly.
" I- I… " Grav murmured, swallowing the lump growing in xeir throat. " S-Subspace, he- th-the blood… " Xe's voice cracked as xe let out a muted sob, nestling xeir head into Warp's soft orange scarf. It smelled of citrus and of xeir girlfriend, the small fuzz gentle against xeir skin. It was reassuring to xem. Reassuring xem that xe was safe.
Warp made a heavily concerned face, her voice a tender whisper, continuing to rub circles in the small of Grav's back. " Is he alright..? " Grav knew Warp and Subspace had never been close- Warp had always been much closer with Medkit- but her fear was evident.
" …I do-don't know… " Another sob escaped Grav's throat, sounding akin to a croak. Xeir tears began to wet the scarf, though Warp didn't mind. Xe wanted to speak, to say something, but xe just couldn't. Xe repeatedly opened and closed xeir mouth as if xe were about to talk, but nothing came out except more sobs.
Warp's frown only grew, her hand pressing a bit harder against Grav's back to push xem closer, with Grav practically melting into Warp's puffy red jacket. " Shh, dear, it's alright… It'll be okay. " She tried to soothe xeir cries, and it worked somewhat, xeir sobs turning down in volume. " Do you wanna cuddle..? " Warp hesitantly asked, trying to think of any way to calm her girlfriend down.
Grav weakly nodded, clutching onto Warp's sides like a lost spawnling. Warp gently guided xem over to their bed, letting Grav settle down first then lying next to xem. She held xem close, with xem nestling xeir face into her scarf, inadvertently wiping xeir tears away with it.
Warp let out a small sigh of contentment, her loving gaze fixated on her girlfriend's barely visible face, which was slowly relaxing into a calm, tired expression. " I love you, y'know..? " She murmured, her fingers carding through xeir hair soothingly. Grav let out a small, muffled mumble in response, which Warp identified as " love you ".
Warp tenderly pet Grav like xe was a dog, which also made xeir tail wag slowly against the blankets. Xe quietly hummed in appreciation, the sound muted against Warp's fuzzy scarf. " Do you wanna take the day off? " Warp asked, despite her own workaholic attitude, she could tell Grav needed it. Grav nodded after a moment or two of consideration, letting out a deep breath.
Xe was safe here. Xe was safe.