One Helluva Ride

Chapter 22: Aftermath

          Lin held Millie's arm gingerly as she wrapped it. "I can't believe you let him trap you, Millie! Haven't we taught you better?" She scolded. Millie huffed, glancing down at the cast on her leg. "I was seein' red, ma! And he was slippery." She complained. Lin shook her head disapprovingly. "Excuses. You're better than that, Mildred." She said.

          Moxxie's brows furrowed as he witnessed the exchange. "Y'know, she protected me. And maybe I'm not a strong, beefy dickhead, but Millie has strength enough for the both of us! You two are getting on her case about being hurt by a psychopath you hired? Shame on you." He crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head disappointedly.

          Blitzø lit up like a proud father. "Aw, Moxxie, look at you! Speechin' like a big boy with his big boy pants!" He cooed. Joe glared over at Moxxie, before nodding curtly and leaving. Millie lit up. "Wow! He nodded! I don't think he's ever acknowledged your input before." She exclaimed excitedly. Moxxie blinked confusedly, before smiling like an idiot. "So.. is that progress?" He asked. Millie grinned in response.

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          Splice spent the next few days bedridden. Their encounter with Striker had rendered them unable to do much of anything. "This is fucking ridiculous." Splice muttered annoyed, burying their face into their pillow. Blitzø, who had been watching over them, sighed softly. "As great as it would be to have you come back to work, but you're a liability right now. You could get hurt." He explained.

          Splice glanced up from their pillow with an annoyed expression. "Why are you still here, anyway? What are you, my babysitter? Don't you have a company to run?" They asked sarcastically. Blitzø looked over at them with an unimpressed glance. "I'll have you know, dick, that I have someone else to look after you today." He answered. Splice scoffed. "Yeah, right. Like you could find anyone to do the job." They replied.

          The doorbell rang. Blitzø perked up. "Be right there!" He called, hopping up and heading toward the living room. A few moments later, Blitzø returned with Moxxie. "You two are gonna keep each other company for the day. That way, neither of you can cause problems and fuck up any more than you already have." Blitzø explained with a smug grin, already turning to leave. He slammed the front door on his way out.

          Splice flinched. ".. sure likes to make an exit, doesn't he?" They asked with a chuckle. Moxxie was quiet for a few moments, shifting awkwardly. "Uh.. d-do you need anything? Soup? Or- I dunno, water?" He stuttered. Splice rolled over onto their back to stare up at the ceiling. "Nah, I'm good." They replied.

          Moxxie tentatively took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Then.. do you want me to leave you to rest?" He asked softly. Splice shook their head. "I'd prefer if you stayed, to be honest. Being alone sucks." They answered, pulling themself to sit up. They let out a soft breath to steady themself. There was silence for a few awkward moments.

          "Uh.. sorry. Y'know.. for that." Moxxie said sheepishly, gesturing to Splice's bandaged arm. They chuckled. "It's all good. Plus, it'll probably leave a cool scar." They replied with an amused smile. Moxxie glanced away, clearly conflicted. ".. You okay?" Splice asked, scooting closer to their distressed co-worker.

          "I just.. feel bad. The bullet wasn't supposed to hit you." Moxxie explained sheepishly. Guilt pooled in Moxxie's stomach as he fidgeted with his hands. "Don't worry about it, Moxxie. I know it wasn't on purpose." Splice comforted, gently placing a hand on Moxxie's shoulder. "Besides, you basically would've preemptively redeemed yourself even if I was upset."

          Moxxie looked over, cocking his head to the side. "What do you mean?" He questioned. Splice shrugged. "You know.. the whole helping me through my panic attack thing. You didn't have to do that. I appreciate it." They explained. He smiled embarrassedly. "What else are friends for?" He muttered. Splice chuckled.

          "Speaking of that night- why do you and Mils have so many playbills lying around?" Splice asked. Moxxie's face lit up in embarrassment. "Oh! I, uh.. I'm something of a theater nerd." He replied. Splice grinned. "No way! What got you into that sort of stuff?" They questioned, eager to learn more about the smaller imp.

          Moxxie looked away sheepishly. "Well- I'm kinda a musician myself. I've always found safety in the theater environment, y'know? It just sorta feels like home." He explained. Splice smiled encouragingly. "Yeah, that makes sense. It's a safe space for me, too." They replied. Moxxie looked over and chuckled. "Safe space? What do you have to run from?" He questioned, a curious smile crossing his face.

          Splice shrugged. "Just stuff from my past. You know, silly stuff." They replied. Moxxie's curious, happy expression fell. "Splice..." He muttered. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." He looked away. Splice practically scoffed. "What is there to know? Two imps in the lust ring have a one-night stand, unfortunately resulting in pregnancy. They abandon their newborn child, who's found hours later by a stranger. The child is raised by said stranger and blah, blah, blah..."

          "Then the kid turns sixteen and gets shipped off to work at a club. Like I said, silly stuff." Splice said with a goofy grin and a wink. Moxxie looked at them with a horrified expression. "That sounds pretty serious." He replied. Splice rolled their eyes. "Eh, I can't remember most of it, so it's fine. If I don't have a past, it can't hold me back." They said. Moxxie opened his mouth to say something, but fell quiet. "I.. guess you're right." He muttered.