Purple's POV: I still remember the day we fought. Call me selfish or resentful, say I have no right to hate them and should just leave the past behind, but... Could you do that? Would you trust that person again after the stupid thing they did?
After they chose to protect themselves instead of telling the truth? Being recruited by MIRA again gave me a glimmer of hope; I had already resigned myself to starving to death, though I would have been happy doing it alongside with Heracles, my pet fish and companion.
"We're so glad you accepted!"
"Thank you for the opportunity... I'll do my absolute best to show what I'm capable of..."
"How could we not hire you? You have excellent references! And you seem so trustworthy and loyal, that’s exactly what MIRA needs in its employees~"
Did they say "good references"? That didn't make sense; MIRA had made it clear I’d never get a job, they’d ruined my reputation. Wait a second, that wouldn't mean...
"Purps! Long time no see! I'm glad you agreed to come back; I knew you would!"
Of course... Of all people, who else could it be but Red? It was obvious, and like an idiot, I’d fallen into the trap again.
"Oooooh, I'm so glad you two know each other! That saves me a lot of time planning meetings for you to get acquainted, but let's stick to protocol. Ahem, Purple, this is Red."
"Ehem, it's CAPTIAN Red."
"Exactly. And Captain Red, this is Purple, the new head of security. You'll be working closely together, so you have an hour to talk, catch up, and all that. I'm going to go speak with the other crew members, good luck!"
Yeah, no shit, I’m not talking to them. Red was an asshole, so it was easy to walk away; I wasn't going to talk to them, because we had NOTHING to talk about.
Unfortunately, there weren't many places to hide...
"Purps, hey, I know you're mad and..."
"Oh, really? That's funny, because it's been about seven months since the accident, and I didn't see your fucking face show up at my apartment even once. We have nothing to talk about, and if we do, it’ll only be because HR makes us. But after that, I do NOT want to see you anywhere near me again, got it?!"
I walked away; if they wanted to talk, they could talk to the air. We had NOTHING to discuss, there was no point, yet the further I walked, the further I got from them, the less I felt any better. I mean... Was it really worth staying angry?
Despite everything, I still trusted them; deep down, in both my heart and mind, some trust remained, but it felt pathetic. Why did my words and actions contradict what I was actually thinking? It was all so confusing.
Red’s POV: I watched them leave; I didn’t blame them. Maybe I’m an idiot, acting as if everyone owed me something or taking credit I didn’t deserve; but the one thing I’ve never doubted is that the friendship we once shared can be rebuilt.
I never visited them because, well, I was under threat. I wouldn’t throw in their faces how hard I fought to make it possible for them to return and work. I know that doesn’t make up for our past, but maybe this time I can get things right, alongside them.
"Purps! We seriously need to talk—just five minutes. I promise I'll leave you alone after that!"
"Another one of your lies? No way. Why don't you go show off to the others instead?"
Fine, I didn't want it to come to this, but I had no choice. Using my strength, I picked them up and carried them to a secluded spot where no one would hear us; maybe that would help them feel safer and more at ease, that had to be it.
I know them well. Or at least, I hope I still do...
"Damn it, what do you want?! I thought I made everything clear!"
"Purps, please, I know you. I know when you're lying and when you're truly angry. Please, let me speak to you, just for a minute... that's all I'm asking..."
"(Idiot...) Fine. You've got a minute and a half. If you say any bullshit, I quit right now, even if I starve to death!"
I tried to speak, but I couldn't get the words out right. Emotions were taking over; that, combined with my own stupidity, was a disaster
I just tried to be painfully honest, they knew me; they knew how I expressed myself. Time ticked by, and they said nothing, but I recognized the shape of their visor display, it made me want to cry.
I tried to place a hand on their shoulder, but they swatted it away. Of course, they needed space, and I respected that; it was the least I could do if I wanted them to trust me again.
"You're an idiot... An idiot... An idiot through and through... Why do you like doing this to me...?! *sobs* you're a moron...!"
"Purps, not a day goes by that I don't regret my decisions. I know what I'm like, but what I regret most is losing you, losing your trust and friendship... Please... Give me one more chance... That's all I'm asking for, please.."
Purple's POV: UGH! I couldn't say no to them! Yeah, they're stupid, they doesn't even think before them speaks, and I'm pretty sure they stubbed their toes on the table more than once today.
But despite all that, we used to be friends inseparable and if he manages to change MIRA's mind, maybe I'll say something.
"Fine, fine, one last chance, but don't expect me to forgive you so easily! You'll have to earn it, and if you pull another stupid stunt, you won't see me around ever again!"
"I knew we could be something again... So... Friends again?"
"...I guess..."
I'd kinda forgotten that Red could be a bit sentimental; they didn't waste a second before hugging me. I know I shouldn't get mad, but I wanted my personal space.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I guess our talking time is up. Let's get back to what we were doing."
"Oh, come on, Purps, there's still like half an hour left, maybe even more. Don't be such a sourpuss; come on, lighten up a little...~"
What an idiot. Of course, having someone who used to be my best friend turn into an enemy wasn't an option, they knew me too well, but I wasn't going to give them the chance. At least, not right now.
"I know what you want to do, Red, and let me tell you... I know you better than anyone..."
The only good thing about my uniform was that it came with a tie, what do you think I’m going to do with it? Let me explain: I carefully took it off, I think Red got a bit uncomfortable; (damn virgin...), ahem, I mean, never mind.
Once I did, I lunged at them and managed to tie their wrists; I know how much they could squirms, and this was simply more practical, right?
"Hey, hey, wait—!"
"Didn't you say you'd do anything to earn my forgiveness? Besides, this is what friends do, right? Tickling is friendly."
I know it sounds weird, but to picture Red, just imagine a tomato and make it even redder, that’s exactly what they looks like, haha.
"Aww, why the long face? We're keeping our distance, aren't we? Nothing bad is going to happen...~"
"Y-you're wasting your time...! I'm not ticklish anymore! That kind of weakness in a captain is just... um... well, it's not befitting of a captain!"
"Mmmm, so you aren't ticklish. Perfect then. If you're telling the truth, though I know perfectly well you aren't, then there shouldn't be any problem with me testing it.."
Red's POV: WHY?! Of all people, why *them*?! There was no way for me to get out of this, and they weren't making it any easier... They were wiggling their fingers in the air!
They were TEASING ME! That's not fair! Maybe there's still a way to get out of this...
"C-come on, Purps... Okay... Yeah... Look... I lied... Will you show some mercy?"
"Before or after?"
"Before or after w-what?"
"Making you cry with laughter."
Damn, they weren't kidding, but Purps wouldn't actually do it, right? Someone please tell me they're going to be nice...
"Cochie-cochie-coo~"
It was clear to me now; they were capable of that and more. Even my strength couldn't help me in a moment like this, damn those ticklish spots!
"Aaaaw, what's wrong, Redsie~? I thought getting tickled wasn't exactly befitting of a captain. Is someone ticklish on their hips~? I bet they are~"
AAAAAAAGH! STUPID PURPS AND THE WAYS THEY TEASE ME! THIS WAS TOO CHILDISH!
"Naaaaw, can't handle a little teasing? You're turning pink, maybe that's what I should call you now?"
"PLEHEHEHEHEAHAHAHASE, PUUUUUUURPS!!! Y-YOU WAHAHAHAHAHAIHIHIN!!! I-I SWEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAR YOU DOOOOOO!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!!! PLEASE!!"
"Oh come on, I've only just started; you're going to have to tough it out. If you survive, maybe I'll let you do the same to me (yeah no, obviously not)"
They were truly sadistic; no matter how much I tried to plead, it seemed like they weren't listening, it was pathetic. Fortunately, no one would hear us, though I suppose that would only make things worse.
"What's wrong? Tired already? We've barely been at it for five minutes... Oooh, I think I know what we can do..."
They let me rest, which probably should have been a good thing, but I had a bad feeling about it.
I really should have been more terrified when, in the blink of an eye, I found myself upside down. Oh no...
"Purps... Please... L-let's be reasonable... I know you don't want to... Please, please... Just don't..."
"Begging already? I’d forgotten how easily I could get what I wanted from you just by bringing my fingers close to your armpits... Your whole torso is ticklish anyway; that must really suck, heh."
"I-is that a no...?"
Purple's POV: Okay, maybe I'm being a bit mean to them, but come on, would you pass up an opportunity like this?
"Let's make a deal: just one minute. If you don't laugh, I stop. If you do laugh, it goes up to five minutes. Deal?"
"B-but... somewhere else, n-not...?"
"No, you know where. Well? Do you accept? Or should I bump it up to ten minutes?"
"D-deal..."
Heh, they were trapped; they wouldn't last even seven seconds before begging for their lives. Yeah, yeah, that's how ticklish the captain is, but don't tell MIRA that.
The mere movement of my fingers toward their armpits was enough to make them shriek instantly; they began to tremble, and their visor display shifted into a grimace that clearly signaled they weren't going to survive this.
"Hey, Red..."
"W-what...?"
"Here comes the tickle mooooonsteeeeeer~"
I didn't give them time to react, and, to no one's surprise, they immediately burst into laughter, kicking their feet frantically against the floor; it was likely the only relief they could find.
"Oh, you laughed, I thought you might... Aw~"
"ENAHAHAHAHAHAGH!!! *wheeze* P-PLEASEEEEEEE!!! I'VE LEAHAHAHAHARNEHEHEHED MY LESSOHOHOHON!!! *coughs and hip* J-JUST STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!!! PUUUUUURPS! *snorts* PLEHEHEASEHEHEHEHEEEEE!!! YOU'RE KIHIHIHIHILIIIIING MEHEHEHEHEHEHEE!!!"
Oh, I definitely was; it was my revenge and, in a way, my fun.
"I hate to say it, ñaaaah, actually, I don't. But what did I tell you would happen if you couldn't make it through that minute without laughing? I think we still have enough time before the new crew members are introduced; it'll be fun spending this time with you...~"
They’re definitely going to be afraid of me, or hate me a little, after I stop; oh well, I think they'll at least think twice before letting their guard down again.
I guess you could say we're 'frenemies' now, but they're too busy laughing to realize it, so let's keep that our little secret.
