Like yeah Eddie is . Eddie’s Eddie, bro i dont need to say more i GET it. But why he get all the love, huh? Volt is F I N E . I ADORE volt, but it seems like everyone prefers Eddie :(
Just a few things I like to think about in post realization for the Breaker Box boys + player.
Spoilers ahead. Sfw, just thoughts and fluff really. Cut for length
General life stuff
- Both Eddie and Volt are natural short sleepers (Short Sleep Syndrome). Typically only needing 4-5 hours of sleep a night. But when they're out, they're out. It can be a struggle to wake either of these men up. (Which is handy if you need to climb over one of them to get to the bathroom)
- It takes some time for the two to grow comfortable with long distance and long term separation. This is why they sought jobs in the same work place/space when first stepping out into the world.
Previously, even if they spent most of a day apart doing different things, they'd still be in the same house. Volt typically gets more anxious if he hasn't heard from Eddie in a day, although he has settled down a lot since being realized and trusting (player) to have Eddie's back as well.
- Eddies hands/arms are still always full of cuts, bruises and stains from his work in repairs and renovation. Though his injuries are superficial and a lot less frequent than in The Breaker Box when he was over worked and over tired.
Relationship stuff (player romanced)
- Eddie is a home body. He still loves his solitude, but also loves his family/partners. He likes what he likes, and while he will indulge in occasional adventures, such as his trip to Berlin with Volt, he feels comfortable in a low energy, high compassion style of relationship.
- Touch starved and emotionally guarded. He discovered, on being realized, just how much he craved touch and affection. He knew it on a mental level in some region at the back of his mind, but having someone to hold, and be held by, opened the flood gates to something he'd buried long ago. He still needs Volt to prompt and prod for him to verbalise his true thoughts/feelings sometimes. But he is always honest when pressed by either Volt or [Player].
- Despite craving closeness, Eddie still struggles with initiation. He is the most likely to walk holding hands, but only if [player] takes hold of his first. When brave enough, he will walk closer to them, and 'bump' the back of his hand to theirs - his cheeks flushed and eyes averted - letting [player] know he's available.
- Volt loves noise and lights and movement. He is the extrovert to Eddie's introvert, and still suits being the centre of attention. Thrives on it. He is flirty, and playful. He enjoys the game, the banter, the compliment of drawing someone's attention.
- But it is just a game, a thrill. Many would-be-suitors may look on jealously while they try to fathom how [player] managed to wrap Volt around their little finger. The one who will hold his gaze at any event they both attend.
- Compassion is the answer. Volt was created to be a protector. And while the buzz of club life and socializing does wonders for his entertainment and energy output, seeing [player] put so much of themselves into the world captivates him.
Helping objects around the house solve their problems. Stopping to go into the road to shoo some ducklings out of the way of on coming traffic, or, most of all, watching them tend to Eddie.
Seeing [player] tend to a fresh cut or scrape on Eddie's hands, or watching them stroke his hair after a long day of work, makes Volt swoon. It encourages his sense of purpose and eases all worries he had over Eddie's well being and emotional vulnerabilities.
The Breaker Box boys have by far had the greatest impact on me recently. So they hold my focus and heart.
!Spoiler warning for anyone who has not played through Eddie and Volt's full story!
Are they the same thing/person?
No. My personal descriptor for the two would be; Soulmates. Not one thing, but not two either. They're connected.
The player can ask about game lore at various points, and while it is all a bit 'hand wavey', (personally I enjoy this because it allows for more headcanons and interpretations), I think it's fair to take Eddie's words at face value when directly asked if they are one and the same thing. He has no reason to lie about it.
Personally I like to think of their story as something akin to Japanese folklore; in which an item/object can gain a soul/personality, if their owner has a strong enough sentimental attachment to it. Combined with a mental/emotional break on Eddie's part. That Eddie's emotion, and needs were so strong, he was able to form sentience within something already there.
What does that make Volt, exactly?
We have 'Gods/Goddesses' in the game canon. Airyn and Rongomaiwhenua claim as much. We also see the element of water given form in River. I feel it safe to assume something as powerful as storms/lightning/electricity would exist in this world. A wild form of a thunder god/goddess.
Perhaps Volt is a fragment of this greater element. A piece which splintered off into his own being and person, anchored to a point of powerful emotion that was Eddie?
Eddie was so alone, so burned out, and desperate, he took those broken pieces of himself and pushed them into his closest natural entity; electricity.
Volt was born of a plea for help.
Indulgent sick fic, vaguely following Overcurrent. Volt used up too much energy, and isn’t giving himself the needed time to recharge. Eddie needs to be firm about him taking time out of work, and calls on their Live Wire (f) to help.
Spoiler Warnings for end of game/post realization. Whump fluff with Eddie X Volt dynamic explored.
Part 1 of ? I will post this to AO3 once completed. Cut for length.
High Voltage Realty. The office was a recent move to the main high street uptown. They had a shop front now, if one could call it that. More of a luxury reception area with a plush, elegant sofa set, espresso machine and walls lined with framed images of properties for sale, with some before and after shots in for good measure.
It was here that Volt usually entertained their clients, settling them in and building relationships with the goal of future business arrangements. If all went well, they would move into the large office space for more private discussions and dealings.
Eddie had found his partner sat on top of his preferred desk, a small sphere being rolled between his fingers as he finished up a conversation on the phone. The set of metal balls, each magnetic, had been a gift from their live wire back in their early human days. When construction work had been leaving Volt under stimulated and stressed. A fidget toy, she’d called it. Several of the balls were missing now. Dropped, lost or swept away. But that went to show that the object had been well used and well loved.
“Excellent! I shall forward the appropriate documents for your perusal immediately.”
Volt offered his standard, charming farewell and hung up the call before immediately turning his head to cough into his own arm. He cleared his throat afterward and turned to Eddie with a smile which didn’t quiet reach his eyes.
“Eddie! A little early for celebration, but I think we have a promising bid for the café on Willowline street.”
Far too used to Volt to fall for his misdirection Eddie raised one eyebrow and looked at him, perching himself down on the opposite desk. A faint twitch along Volts jaw suggested he wanted to cough again but was withholding it.
“You look like shit.”
An exasperated sigh released from Volt, followed by that cough he’d been holding in. He placed the ball back into the cube made up of many of its kind with a little click and lifted himself from the desk to walk over to the wall mirror.
“Charmed, Eddie..” he drawled, examining himself there.
Handsome though he was, even Volt had to admit he wasn’t at the top of his own game – just not out loud. His eyes were dark and tired. Nose red, lips dry and skin pale. He hadn’t any meetings to worry about yet, but when he did a little touch up with foundation would be enough.
“I’m fine. A little tired, perhaps, but a good night of sleep will fix that.”
“You sound like me, back in the club. And look where that got us both. C’mon Volt, it’s been days. You’re sleeping more than usual and still getting worse, not better. Even she’s noticed.”
Being blunt was the one way to throw Volt off of his game, if only for an instant, and the comparison caused him to hesitate. So far only two had managed to catch him out; Eddie was Eddie and knew Volt intimately. While their chosen other, well, she was perceptive to say the least. Especially when it came to adopting other people’s problems as her own.
“No need to bring Live Wire into this, she doesn’t need to worry. It’s just a cold! Humans get them all the time!”
“Humans also rest to get over them,” Eddie argued.
“Not all of them. I have seen many workers power through their days with a bit of a throat tickle.”
“Would you recommend it?”
Silence. Because, no, he wouldn’t, and that was a weak argument at best. Only further serving the belief that Volt wasn’t up to even half of his usual standard.
“Speaking of powering through..” Eddie continued watching Volt’s shoulders tense with knowing at where this was heading. “Are you sure this is a normal ‘human’ cold? This all started the night of that storm, and you haven’t been yourself since.”
“Eddie…”
“What are you not telling me?”
Volt looked to his partner’s eyes. Vitality had returned there after the reset, something not even Volt had ever seen before that moment. But after realization, Eddie’s eyes positively glowed with life and vibrance. The same old Eddie, but renewed. Reborn.
“I just don’t want to leave you alone with all of this.” Volt gestured vaguely to the office, the business. “I need some time to ‘recharge’, yes, but I can just as easily sit at a desk as I can an armchair.”
“You need rest, and being at a desk, answering phone calls, emails, marketing, working on the details is still work. You need to clock off. Just for a few days Volt. I can handle it.”
The role reversal touched a little close to home for even Volt to talk his way out of. That, or he had finally relented. Breathing felt like he was dragging in air to his lungs through a nettle bush, while his eyes constantly wanted to close or water up. The cough persisted, making his head pound, and all together his persona and decision making had been suffering for it.
“Alright, if you insist. Just let me send these documents and you can do whatever you want with me.”
Volt was an awful patient. After days spent hiding the exhaustion in his eyes and forcing his back straight the second anyone entered the room Eddie had reached his own limit. Despite taking on the challenge of forcing him away from work, work had followed Volt home. Every time Eddie turned his back to attend something, he’d find Volt on a call, or tapping his temple while working on a spreadsheet – eyes half shut while the computer lit up his worn face. After implementing a ‘no screens’ policy and arguing Volt to bed, Eddie took out his own phone to call for reinforcements.
“Please, could you watch him? Just for a few hours, until I get back.”
“Are you sure? I’m not saying no, of course I care about Volt, but that leaves you on your own.”
“I’ll manage,” Eddie sighed, looking through the open doorway to offer Volt a warning glare. The lighter haired man lay back down in bed, very unhappy about doing so. “I’ll get the delivery guys to help me out.”
This was always the chaotic part. With a new property Eddie inevitably had to deal with this headache stage of deliveries, pick-ups and surveyors. All to get ready for renovation to start. Live Wire, and often Volt would typically help him, or hang around for moral support, but it was help he could live without as a one off.
“Alright. Let me pack a few things and I’ll try to be there before you leave.”
“Great. And, thanks.”
That, really, was the easy part of the plan. The difficult part was going to be coaxing Volt to behave himself. He looked miserable. Inactivity never suited him, and the boredom brought a dullness to his eyes akin to the living dead. It made Eddie feel wretched inside, and if he wasn’t so certain this was all for Volt’s own good, he knew he wouldn’t have the will power to insist he stay at home and rest.
Pulling the wardrobe door open, Eddie picked out a work shirt. All were stained with paint, plaster and marks of a tradesman, but he didn’t need to look presentable for a building site, just dressed and comfortable. He used the wardrobe mirror to glace at Volt, who looked away when their eyes met.
“Don’t be mad Volt..”
“I’m not mad, Eddie.” His words sounded true, if not whole. Through the rattle in his chest he wheezed out a tired reply that fell short of a sentence or two. His chest heaved with struggling breaths, but for some reason, despite looking ready to drop, his eyes refused to close for sleep.
“Then, what are you?”
A silence stretched between them, broken only by the shifting of sheets and the barking air ripping through his partner’s windpipe. Eddie moved to sit himself at the edge of the bed, looking over the parallel circuit to his life. Volt had been there for him during the most difficult time of his own life, and Eddie wanted nothing more than to be there for him in return. If they were still objects, a wire fix, a replacement of a few cables or screws; that he could handle. But this was new, and it tormented him that he didn’t have the right answers.
He was trying. Storms know he was trying, but, desperate, he’d turned to the one who’d helped them out before. If nothing else she understood human bodies better than either of them did. He opened his mouth, needing to try and reach out again but Volt spoke first. His head finally turning to look back at Eddie, heavy lines beneath his eyes.
“Sick,” he answered simply. “Bored.” His chest heaved for another breath and for a moment it looked as though there would be a third answer, but it never came. Instead, Volt tried to smile, swallowing around some lump in his throat he was trying to ignore.
“I am sorry I won’t be there today.”
Eddie scoffed, in what he hoped was an affectionate tone. “Not for a lack of trying. I can handle it, and I’m sure you’ll have more fun with her around. You two always find some way of entertaining yourselves.”
Volt nodded, a slow and accepting kind of motion, while his eyes bored into Eddie seeking something he was unsure how to find. What he did find was Eddie’s fingers lifting, calloused skin brushing his cheek as the man moved to brush some stray hairs behind his ear. His head leaned into that touch.
“Try to get some sleep Spark, and I’ll be home before you know I’m gone.”
Nicknames were of a rare supply from Eddie, and felt all the more meaningful when he said them as a result. Volt smiled, softly, closed his eyes in a slow blink, and nodded, mourning the loss of the hand on his cheek until he replaced it with the soft pillow and watched Eddie lift himself to go.
Bond securing? fluff or relationship comfort while characters discover some unresolved issues? I don't even know what this is trying to be. Anyway, this is a thing I made. Perhaps an outline to a bigger thing?
An Ex of the reader (GN) suggests Eddie isn't worth a relationship with and the reader gets upset about it, remembering Eddie's history of neglect and self worth issues.
Cut for length
“Them? Pah, whatever you’re telling yourself. The pretty boy I could almost understand but philanderer ain’t usually your type, and him? Have you looked at yourself? C’mon you know you can get better.”
Volt’s heckles raised at the degrading rejection of the idea that Eddie could hold their partner’s interest. A striking crack of thunder struck across the ex’s cheek, but not from Volt – their Live Wire had been faster. And living up to their nickname. He still moved though. Placing himself between them and glaring down his nose at their unwanted guest so as to dissuade further escalation.
Unpleasantries exchanged before the ex finally took the hint and left, leaving the trio to continue their journey home. Typically, Volt drove, seldom drinking at events he was working at, which left his companions to seat wherever they liked. That night, they were both in the back, with the heavy silence of a fight’s aftermath.
“You ok?” Eddie’s voice sounded, breaking that silence to draw the attention of their partner from staring absently out the window.
It took a while for them to answer, a debate of careful wording or soothing lies passing through their mind before they finally uttered, “No. No I’m not ok. I hate the way he spoke about you!”
“What?” Eddie scoffed. “Is that what’s on your mind? C’mon, you know I’ve got a tougher skin than that. Anyway.. I’m used to it-“
“You shouldn’t have to be!!”
The reaction startled all three of them. So sharp and intense. Eddie could see their eyes now, red and damp with both shed and unshed tears, and he wasn’t sure what to do about them. Aware that the mirror had been adjusted so that Volt could keep an eye on them, he glanced over for help, but Volt remained silent. Waiting to hear this play out.
“Sorry..” Their Live Wire deflated. Their shoulders sagging and body becoming small with the lack of a true enemy to face. “I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean- .. I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I just..”
Wiping their eyes with the back of their sleeve they once again fell into sorrowful contemplation. What were the words they needed to use?
Seatbelts unclipped and clipped, Eddie changing his seating position to better reach them, and pulled their body towards his own in a hug. “Why are you so upset about this? I’m fine, I promise.”
“Because..”
‘Because no one ever has before’
“Because, I don’t want-“ The feelings were there. Burning with intensity but expressing them was difficult around all that unspent energy and upset. Eddie’s calloused hand found the side of their head, petting down their hair and awaiting his answer. Their shoulders shuddered and they breathed through their teeth, feeling like a fire burning on limited fuel. Calming took time. The boys waited.
“Because I love you, and I’m scared that, if – if you don’t think yourself worth anything then you might doubt that… But I do! I do, I love you so much, I-“
“Shhhh, it’s ok. We’re ok.”
Their head buried into his shoulder where he could feel the material of his jacket becoming wet with fresh tears. He hadn’t thought of it before; how his feelings about himself might affect his partners. He glanced over to the mirror, where Volt’s eyes met his for a moment before returning to the road. It was long enough for Volt to read the unspoken question.
“You and I have our connection Eddie, so I am privy to some of your truths. Our Live Wire, on the other hand-“
He left that open, creating a gap for Eddie to fill. Returning his full attention to where it was most needed. Emotional openness was not Eddie’s strongest suit, but he was all in when it mattered. When a bond was suffering and needed that bit of extra care. He brushed some hair over their ear, and tried to untangle them from his jacket.
“Don’t let that asshole get to you like this. I don’t doubt your feelings. Might have asked myself ‘why’ a lot in the beginning, but I’ve come along way since then. We all have. And, honestly, I can’t imagine a life without all three of us in it anymore. I love you. Both of you.”
A red and puffy face looked up from his shoulder, seeking his steel eyes. They found nothing but softness in his features – a look reserved exclusively for moments shared between the three. No walls, no guards, just open trust.
Eddie offered a cheeky smile and continued talking. “Only thing I do regret is that you clocked the guy first.” Their eyes widened and he chuckled adding, “What? Did you doubt I’d fight for you? I’ve thrown my fair share of rowdy drunks and obnoxious humans out the club, I can handle myself Live Wire.”
They laughed. Quietly, but they laughed at both the mental image and the reminder. Eddie was quick to encourage that line of emotion.
“Ah, there it is. So you do remember how to smile. C’mon, show me.”
Self-consciousness took over with the request, and they tried to look away only for Eddie’s hand to catch their chin and direct their eyes back to his own. His voice lowered to a near whisper, coaxing them back towards himself, unwilling to let them go.
“C’mon.. Just a little more wattage. Show me.”
The smile widened. A little lopsided at first, as they tried to overcome the embarrassment of being on the spot, but genuine the further they got lost in those endearing grey eyes and softness of his touch.
“There we go. Beautiful. Soggy, but beautiful.”
“Soggy kisses?”
Kisses were kisses, wet or not, and Eddie wasn’t about to turn them down. But neither was he going to turn down a chance for banter.
“Alright, but be careful. We know what happened the last time someone got water in my sockets.”
CW non-permanent character deaths. Indulgent drabble - because I want happy things from sad things ok?
It felt strange to be back there. The club looked just as they'd left it. How many decades ago now?
They both understood it would happen. That one day, their realized dream of humanity would end. They would pass. And their vibrations would return them to their true selves; Electricity in a Breaker Box.
Mechanically, Eddie lifted the old rag, still hung around the railing of the bar where he'd left it that day their dearest had come to them; the brightest spark he ever did see. Their smile radiant as they offered freedom.
That was the hardest part.. Volt moved just as quietly; an unusual trait for him. Long fingers dragging along the beer stained wood top, white hair electrical once more.
Neither said anything. They didn't have to. They shared in understanding of this pain on a connected level. Loss. Grief of an unspoken magnitude. Theirs was a love they would cherish, and mourn, eternal.
"It's about time you two showed up. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep up with maintenance alone?"
Both men jolted, and turned, watching a familiar yet very different figure approach from the club's entrance.
"What!? You! - It's - Is it really you?"
"Live Wire! Well now, look at you! The new look suits you."
Smiling, they turned, showing off their new form. Reincarnation? Afterlife and rebirth as an object? It didn't really matter. Life as a solar panel fit their idea of a great beyond just fine. If it meant they got to live on supporting and sharing their energy and life with their dearest Eddison and Volt.
