https://archiveofourown.org/works/58719643/chapters/163007512
The last chapter of Strawberry Felon <3 There's more to their stories I hope to tell someday, but this wraps up their time in dimension 46'\!! I uploaded an excerpt yesterday as well but heres another small snippet of Bill and Sixer's Definitely not codependent relationship.
"Bill maintains most of Sixer's physical needs, but not always to a healthy degree." 17 explained. "It's why he can sometimes deteriorate quickly when they're separated."
"Deteriorate quickly is a bit harsh. I simply start aging again, requiring regular maintenance such as eating, drinking, and oxygen."
"That may be true physically, but there's a reason for your nicknames for each other." 17 countered.
"He means us calling each other My Mind. The human mind becomes.... heavy when asked to live as long as I have. Bill helps keep things maintained. Of course, I still have access to any thought or memory at my own discretion, but in day-to-day life, Bill will tuck most of it away deep into my subconscious. Situations and devices like what I was attached to today unravel those boundaries Bill has in place for me, which can be deadly."
17 looked at him not unlike a kicked puppy, and Sixer gave him a smile to reassure the silver-fox Ford he didn't hold it against him. 17 cleared his throat and got the examination back on track. Soon enough he was weighed, which he removed his coat and boots for, then had his blood pressure taken, lungs checked, temperature checked, 104° F, within his normal range, and the question he was dreading was asked.
"I know of some, but any recent injuries since our last examination?"
Sixer's mind fought him. One part of him feeling like a cornered animal, not wanting to give up the idea of weakness. Another was in denial. His pain receptors were still turned off, part of the temporary fix His Mind provided him. Did the injuries really matter if Bill would fix him later? Bill always fixed them, never letting them fall apart for too long.
"Sixer?" 17 asked, making him jump. Where was Bill when he needed him? He would be able to push these thoughts away for him. Without him he was barely treading water. 17 asked for him again, but he couldn't hear, he couldn't breathe. Something warm cupped his face, and he leaned into the touch, trembling as he forced it to ground him. 17's voice came in slowly, and he tried to keep his breathing at an even tempo.
In - pause - out - pause.
In - pause - out - pause.
Slowly the static receded.
How embarrassing. Falling apart in front of Bill, or even 17 was one thing, but it brought a new wave of shame for another Ford to see how unstable he could be. He supposed if they continued with the exam, being stripped down wouldn't be as embarrassing as that.