Endless Power (ELP)

I Know Who You Pretend I Am

Jay POV:

Cogs and grease. That was all Jay could focus on as he sat in the dimly lit workshop. They had a presentation in two days, which meant his work hours would stretch farther into the night every day the machine wasn't complete. He didn't mind though, he adored his job. Plus, he owed his boss pretty much everything for taking him in. Jay was happy to return the favor, no matter how many times his boss assured him he didn't need to.

He pulled out a silver wrench from the array of tools within the toolbox and began tightening cogs, the cold metal was a familiar weight in his hand and he worked quickly and methodically with it. Soon the high pitch screeching of air seeping out of the machine alerted him and he was up on his feet, traveling with his tools to the new location. He flicked his goggles down into his face as he grabbed a screwdriver and began working to screw it back into place. He stuck his hand into one of the openings, feeling around for the lever to test everything was in its proper spot, it took a moment before he found it and pulled his hand back out as it began.

His hand was now covered in grease. Great. The machine sounded good as it ran, nothing seemed to be loose, no air was escaping, everything seemed fine.
"Early morning?" A voice called out from the doorway, their silhouette blocking the light that was seeping in from the halfway before.

"No, late night. The work just never ends." Jay responded as he looked for his grease towel.

The figure's hand landed on Jay's shoulder, "Then just don't do the work. You have an option, you know?" Jay huffed out a laugh as he realized it was Silver standing behind him.

"Oh, come on. Silver, you know I won't do that. While I may have an option, I think we both know I'd be beating myself up if I didn't repay you." Silver opened his mouth to speak again before Jay's finger was in front of Silver's lips. "Don't. I owe you my life. No matter how much you'd like to deny it, you know I'm right. Plus, you recognize my talent. I'm like you, I would rather die than be sitting around doing nothing."

Silver let a fond smile crawl onto his face, he licked his lips about to speak before realizing Jay's hand was covered in oil and grease. He immediately ran over to the garbage can and began spitting it out. "You really are trying to poison me! As punishment for that you have to go to bed early."

"Hey wait a second-" Before Jay could get a word in, Silver had picked him up and thrown Jay over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Jay fought it for a moment before giving in and laughing. Silver smiled happily. Normally he'd never let anyone see him like this, but ever since the blonde teenager he held came into his life, he couldn't keep the smiles that followed. He'd protect Jay with his life, he couldn't let it happen again. No matter what.

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Plot is approaching.

Title from the song "Washing Machine Hearts" by Mitski

IMPORTANT!!!!

Please do not ship Silver and Jay! Silver is an adult and Jay is minor, plus Silver is aromantic anyways. They are just really close friends, pretty much brothers.

(535 words)