This was not how things were supposed to unfold. Roy had envisioned a scenario where everything was meticulously under control, where he would emerge victorious and proud. The emergency pilot ejection button on the mecha was supposed to be a reliable safety net, but now it felt like a cruel joke. After countless trial runs, his proto pulse still wasn’t calibrated correctly, and to top it all off, he had somehow managed to get Robert blown up in the process. Roy felt like he had failed them all—his team, his friends, and most importantly, Robert.
Sure, Robert was okay now, just resting under careful observation while he slept off the ordeal, but it had been hours, and the fact that he still hadn’t awakened gnawed at Roy’s insides like a persistent itch. He couldn’t even bear to look anyone in the eye; the weight of his failure hung heavily on his shoulders. The medical staff had patched him up, wrapping his head in bandages and placing his arm in a sling, but physical pain barely registered compared to the turmoil inside him.
And so, here he was—hiding away in the men’s bathroom, tears streaming down his face as he sat on the toilet, feeling utterly defeated.
Meanwhile, you were at home, having finished work a few hours ago. The evening was quiet and calm, a movie playing in the background as you idly scrolled through your phone with one hand. Yet, despite the serene atmosphere, a nagging feeling in your gut told you something was very, very wrong. Roy wasn't home yet, and he hadn’t called to check in like he always did. He never missed those calls, not even when he was buried under a mountain of work. So when you realized how long it had been, a sense of urgency washed over you. You jumped up, grabbed your keys, and dialed Roy’s number.
One ring.
Two rings.
Three—wait.
“Yah...?” A quiet voice, but unmistakably Roy’s, came through the phone. So he was okay.
“Hey... are you alright?” you asked, your concern deepening as you noticed the whisper in his tone. There was a brief silence on the line before he replied, “Yah babe... I’m... I’m okay. Don’t worry about Roy.”
Roy had always been a terrible liar, and while he was undeniably smart, so were you. You could sense that something was off, and the tension in his voice only fueled your worry.