Chapter Text
"Well, this is a rare sight.”
Robert couldn’t help to raise his eyebrows as he enters Royd’s lab. The room was brighter than usual, and surprisingly, more chill as well. The temperature drop probably had something to do with the humungous machine that had been rolled into the center of the room. A massive robotic arm craned over a work table, thick valves and rods covered it’s imposing structure, which almost comically ended in a series of thin metallic fingers each holding the tiniest tools.
Royd was sitting a few feet back, controlling the machine from an actually modern looking computer set —a rarity in the SDN building — one hand on a joystick and the other hovering over an elaborate control panel. He actually looked like he was having fun, the hint of a smile cracking his in the zone furrowed expression.
The subject laying on the worktable being indirectly prodded by the intimidating machine, did not look as pleased.
“Urg! You’re gonna act like «petite brunette tried up and helpless» is not number one on your porn search history, Robert?” Visi side eyed him from where she was laying on the work table.
After some tough conversations, it was decided it was in the best interest of both the company and Invisigal for her augments to be put back in working conditions. Having an hero working in full capacity, was the kind of thing SDN was fully willing to break the bank for. Hell, compared to fixing Mechaman’s suit, this was pennies. And Robert, figured this was the least they could do after she took a bullet for him.
"Actually, I was referring to the fact that you're wearing a bra, for once.” He quipped, figuring by now they could joke about that heavy conversation in the the locker room. “The leather straps feel like a natural progression of your aesthetic.”
He actually felt really uncomfortable to see her like that. Even if it was for security purposes — and Robert had full faith Royd wouldn’t set the whole get up if it wasn’t strictly necessary — it looked excessive. A thick band stretched over her hips, other two just over her knees. At least the straps pinning her shoulders still allowed for some movement and she crossed her arms behind her head. The worst of all was that wrinkle between her eyebrows, betraying how on edge she really felt about the procedure, though she wouldn’t say it.
“Aww… Disappointed you’re not getting the show you came all the way down here for?” She dragged out the the joke as he approached.
“As your dispatcher, I’m just glad to see you respect the boundaries of at least one coworker in the building. I’m sure Royd appreciates it.”
“Anything to keep the man behind the curtain focused on task, at least while he has his robo-prick inside my lungs.”
Robert glanced at the procedural area. Tiny metal arms moved uncomfortably fast, zapping and twisting along the red glowing augment. One appendage did push what seemed to be a probe into the mechanism, and he wondered if Visi meant that literally.
“But, don’t worry Royd!” She looked over to the engineer. “I can give you a quick flash after we’re done, if you’re so inclined.”
“Visi, I can push a button and HR will be on speaker.” He threatened without looking up.
“Fiiiiine.” She groaned, then murmured to Robert. “What a buzzkill.”
She went for a dramatic sigh, but as soon as her chest rose she hissed in pain, having moved enough for the rig to pull on her.
Robert’s hand moved to hers, not grabbing, just letting his fingers brush with hers. She took the invitation and clasped the offered hand, breathing through the pain. Their eyes met but neither said anything about it.
The sounds of metal clinking and zoom of tools at work filled the quiet for a moment.
“You didn’t have to come.” Visi started. She loosened her grip but didn’t let go.
“I know.” He simply replied. “You guys started early.”
“I got here early. And Royd was eager to break in his new toy so…”
“You could have waited for me.”
“Forgive a bitch for being excited to have full lung capacity back.” She snarked, as if her foot wasn’t bouncing a mile a minute — maybe the straps weren’t so over done after all. “You, on the other hand, should be having your over-roasted morning coffee, so you don’t out-asshole the assholes you should be dispatching in… what, 15 minutes?”
“Twenty. But I’m not going anywhere until you’re done here.”
“Rob—”
“Chase is covering the line, and I’m not arguing on this. And for the record I’ve had my coffee to-go on the way here, so you’re getting nice caffeinated Robert.”
“Robert Robertson! You bought yourself a luxury item??” She feigned shock. “Who are you??”
“You’re not the only one allowed an upgrade every once in a while.” He smiled, and his fingers interlaced with hers.
“Huh! Some people would call that growth.”
“Some people?”
“Not me. I see your caffeine addiction for what it truly is.”
“I don’t think you could be in a worse position to comment on other people’s addictions. And I mean that literally.”
She gasped. “You’re not allowed to be mean to me, I’m having a medical procedure! I’m sick!”
Visi did her best impression of a doe eye, but Robert just raised his eyebrow expectantly. She wasn’t very good at it when she didn’t mean it.
“Poor baby, do you want to go for ice cream after the big man takes care of your bobo?”
Her eyes lit up. “You’re joking, but that actually sounds amaz—AAH!”
She flinched from the sudden pain, pulling at her restraints. Robert used his free hand to push her shoulder down, to help steady her.
“Keep still, Visi!” Royd warned from behind the desk.
“Shit!” Her face furrowed in pain.
“Sorry, Vis. This will just take a second.” Royd’s hands worked quickly on the controls.
“Does she have to be conscious for this?” Robert argued.
“Afraid so, Brotha.” Royd clicked a new combination of buttons. “Visi, I need you to take a big breath and then hold it. Oh, and try not to go invisible while doing that.”
The glance she threw at Royd had murder written all over it, but she did as instructed. Big gasped breath, chest rising, and she held it there. She closed her eyes focusing, her nails dug into Robert’s hand, but he wasn’t about to complain. Her body’s natural response would be to turn invisible but she was fighting it off.
“Almost there…”
Robert noticed the places where her skin would fade into invisibility to then be returned by her sheer stubbornness. He wondered how that worked. Visi had once told him the invisibility was like a instinctual self-defense mechanism. The same way you’d hold your breath if you were trying to hide from a threat very close by. It’s why her power was so connected to her breath, but it wasn’t a direct correlation.
“Pst!” He called her attention. Then as she glanced at him, he mouthed the words “Is this a bad time to ask what ice cream flavor you want?”
She gave him a look like she wanted to cuss him out, but there was that peek of a smile in her pursed lips that let him know she wouldn’t mean it.
“Also, do you want sprinkles? Are you a sprinkles girl?”
She rolled her eyes. But she was no longer tensing every muscle in her body, and yet, she was still fully visible.
“…and release.” Royd commanded.
She breathed out slowly.
“Motherfucker!” She accused with a smile.
“Was that for me, or the man stabbing you via robot?” He feigned innocence.
“Both?” She breathed hard. “Yeah, I guess both.”
“See, Royd? No mercy for us both.”
But the big man was too focused on the monitor to banter with them. And the robot was still furiously working on the device. At least Visi didn’t seem to be in pain anymore.
“Aight, Visi, when I say so, I’m gonna need you to hold another big breath.”
“Fucking again?” She complained.
“It has to be, we’re almost done.”
She groaned.
“Hey,” Robert interjected, “You got this.”
“Not like I have much choice at this point.”
“I’m right here with you.”
She gave him a half smile and squeezed his hand. Which, he knew by now, was her emotionally constipated version of a thank you.
After a moment, Royd queued her to breathe and hold again. She tensed up in position again. But Robert didn’t intent to let her struggle through it this time.
He placed his free hand on the side of her face, gently pointing her to him.
“Hey, look at me.” He whispered. When her eyes didn’t open, he repeated. “Courtney, eyes on me.”
Her eyes opened immediately, but her eyebrows spelled confusion.
“It’s okay. You’re okay. Just focus on me.” He said gently.
His thumb softly rubbed her cheek. He couldn’t help but to lean into her, when they held each other’s gaze like that is was magnetic. There was a tense beat before he spoke again.
“Do you think you can give Beef a walk tonight? I have some meetings that might run late.”
The accusatory, yet amused look returned. He could almost hear the complains, threats, and general profanity she had to hold in. It emanated off of her like body heat.
“I mean, the vet says he needs more exercise. I think he’s perfect just the way he is, but maybe you could—”
His ramblings got interrupted by a shift in the augment’s lights. The red light dimmed and a bright (almost mechaman-like) blue took over the apparatus. Robert didn’t notice his jaw drop.
“And Breathe.” Royd instructed at last.
Visi gasped.
“And we’re done.” He added after a few more quick clicks.
The thin creepy robotic fingers hurriedly soldered and bolted everything neatly then folded onto themselves retreating into the big craning arm. The imposing robot lifted and turned away from Invisigal, then bent and shifted until it looked like a big box next to the table. With the oppressive weight no longer hovering over her, Robert rushed to release Visi from the restraints.
Courtney breathed slow almost tentatively. She looked as confused and anticipating as Robert felt when their eyes met. The blue light softly contouring her face. But after a moment her sharp breaths turned into a laugh. It was a beautiful chirping sound that turned Robert’s own repressed anxiety about the whole ordeal into mush.
“Feel good?” Royd approached them.
“Feels great! You did it, Royd!” Visi flung her feet over the table and launched herself to hug the engineer.
“Okay, Okay…” He patted her back awkwardly.
“Great job. Thanks man.” Robert gave Royd his preferred bro fist greeting, while handing Visi her shirt back.
She didn’t bother to take it before also gracing Robert with a tight celebratory hug.
“I’m gonna get you back for that shit you pulled.” She whispered in his ear.
“You’re welcome.” He riposted.
“We shouldn’t celebrate yet,” Royd interrupted. “We still need to go through a stress test, make sure everything is in order. And make adjustments if needed.”
“A stress test…” Visi’s eyes lit up in a whole different way now, trailing up and down Robert’s body like her mind was already running a mile a minute with different «tests» to try out — which made it very hard for his mind not to wonder there too. “You boys wanna tire me out?”
“That is the basic idea of a stress test, yes.” Royd answered blissfully unaware of the heathen intentions behind her question. “We need to recreate the conditions that would usually trigger an asthma attach for you and…”
He trailed on, but Visi was not listening.
“Put your clothes back on, you pervert.” Robert unpeeled her from him with a warning look.
She pulled her shirt over her head and walked over to get her jacket. While her mouth didn’t argue, her eyes were still undressing him.
He turned his attention back to Royd. “And if everything goes well with the test?”
“Then Visi’s free to go about her day. I recommend to be cautious the next couple weeks, any discomfort or shortness of breath we should check it out and make adjustments. But if everything looks good today, You should be set. Needless to say, nicotine patches only from now on!”
“Two whole weeks to try it out, huh?”
He didn’t even bother to look back at her, he already knew what her face was doing.
“Yeah, I don’t need to know about that.” Royd finally caught up with the innuendos. “Just take a minute to rest up, the procedure was pretty intense. I’ll let you know when the test is ready.”
And with that he walked off.
Robert turned to Invisigal, meaning to hit her with a warning look. But truth be told, he enjoyed her teasing way to much.
“And after, ice cream?” She quipped, from her casual leaning spot in the worktables further back.
He chuckled, approaching her. It occurred to him, they were yet to see what genie they had let out of the bottle, now that Invisigal was fully unrestrained. But it was hard to come up with bad outcomes when she was just adorably bouncing off the walls out of the perspective of a sweet treat.
“Yeah.” He leaned next to her, and she rested her chin on his shoulder. “Ice cream after.”