Final Space Oneshots

Its Okay Not To Be Fine

Takes place after Rocket Man

Avocato drummed his claws against the table, staring up at the ceiling. His eyebrows were furrowed, deep in thought, as his son nibbled on his toast.

"I like it when Da – Gary makes them better." Little Cato stared at his toast which he had made himself. Avocato watched as he licked some butter off the crust. "He somehow gets them just right, and the butter sinks in...he's the god of toast...and all cooking, actually."

Avocato smiled at his son for a few seconds, pushing his worry back.

He had heard his son refer to Gary as "Dad" before, which was understandable. He had been gone – presumed dead – for so long it was only natural. It was actually comforting for him to see that Gary had fulfilled his promise to the point where his son called the human "Dad."

"It's okay to call Gary "Dad" around me you know." Avocato told his son, smiling. Little Cato's eyes lit up.

"It is? I just thought you might get mad, or jealous or something..." Little Cato babbled. Avocato chuckled, patting his son's back.

"I don't mind. You can have two dads." Avocato sighed. "You deserve that much at this point."

Little Cato nodded, biting his toast again.

"Where is Gary, anyway?" Little Cato asked. The tone of voice told Avocato that this wasn't something his son had just noticed – the smaller had been worrying for some time. In truth, everyone had been worried since they found Gary singing alone, his voice grief filled and hollow.

The voice had been haunting Avocato for a while now, and he needed to talk to Gary. Despite his insistence, the blonde wasn't fine.

"He's still upstairs, fixing HUE up a bit." Avocato looked back up at the ceiling. "Usually Nightfall would do this kind of thing, but she's out with the others."

The ship was indeed much quieter, with less chaos happening than usual at that time in the morning. Ash, Fox and Nightfall had volunteered to stop off at a nearby planet to buy supplies, leaving Avocato, Little Cato, Mooncake, HUE and Gary in the ship.

"Chookity pok!" Mooncake chirped from under the table, hugging Avocato's leg. They had made a strict rule not to let Mooncake be at the table when they ate, as they always inhaled all the food before they could pour drinks.

"Are you gonna eat that?" Avocato watched as his son dropped the toast, shaking his head.

"It's just not the same." Little Cato replied sadly, sighing. Avocato looked at the ceiling for a few seconds, tapping his foot.

"He's avoiding us." He said sulkily, glaring at the roof.

"I know." Little Cato replied. "He usually makes me toast each morning. It's kinda...sad without him."

Avocato stood up, chair scraping against the floor.

"I'm going to talk with him. Don't feed Mooncake." He said, moving to the lift.

"Chookity!"

"I won't Dad. Just get him back down here again."

Avocato nodded, jumping to the upper floor. Immediately, he heard the murmurings of conversation through the hall.

"Gary, I've been fixed for a while now. Why am I still here?" HUE's robotic voice asked through the door. Avocato paused, leaning against the wall as he (shamefully) listened in.

"Because...I need to make sure you are fixed...yeah, that's it." Gary replied. Avocato frowned.

"That is the third time you have said that Gary. It seems like you do not want to go back to the others." HUE's voice was laced with concern, only something those who had been around HUE long enough could hear.