The Incubator (Astro Boy X Reader)

Chapter 6: Hopelessness

Six months have passed since the beginning of your slumber, and Astro continued to work tirelessly for your sake. The room you slept in was basically his second home now. During these six long months, many people had come by to pay both you and him a visit. Despite your cryonic-suspended state, you were surrounded by friends and family of all sorts. If you were conscious, this would have filled you with immense joy.

With his head buried deeply into multiple stacks of notes and data papers, he had yet to notice the presence of another as the main doors slid open. A pair of light footsteps hurried into the room and another stack of papers was added onto the already growing pile.

Astro looked up just in time to see the now overbearing pile topple onto him, making him cry out.

"GAH!" Astro quickly side stepped the toppling pile and he breathed in deeply as the papers scattered all over the floor. All of those moments organising his notes were wasted. His eyes dragged over from the fallen papers to the person responsible for them wearing a cheesy grin on his face. "Did you have to do that, Reno?" Astro began to complain as he gathered the papers on the ground. Reno clutched his stomach as he laughed.

"Sorry about that. But that isn't important right now. I've got some awesome news!" He exclaimed. Astro perked up at the mention of good news and he smiled at his friend.

"What is it?"

"Those papers I just gave you, they're records from previous cryonic patients. Dr U/n has done a lot of research into this machine. It's honestly amazing." Reno rambled on, admiring the machine itself. Astro heavily frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I personally don't like it. This machine hasn't saved any lives." Reno turned his head towards him and saw the disapproving gaze he held. He then sent him an apologetic look and averted his eyes.

"Sorry, I know this machine doesn't deserve any sort of praise. I just thought-"

"No, it's okay. If it was used for the right purposes, then maybe we could praise it." Reno eyed Astro carefully and hesitantly nodded his head. He then looked up at the machine and fixed his gaze on the visible parts of your body. Ice particles stuck to your dominant arm and leg. This sight sent a chill down his spine.

"Not to be rude or anything, but do you think we could, uh, cover up the machine?" Reno asked, making Astro look up at him with raised eyebrows.

"Why?"

"Well," one look at the machine and Reno was sent into a shivering fit. "It's really disturbing seeing her like that! I...I don't WANT to see her like that. I want to get her out of there as soon as possible..." he trailed off. Astro's expression immediately softened and he rested a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder, making him turn towards him.

"It's alright. We'll definitely get her out of there. We're so close now. At the rate we're going at, she'll be out of there by the end of this year." Astro spoke and gave him a reassuring smile. Reno's eyes steadily widened before he finally cracked a smile and nodded.

"Yeah. Come on, let's get these papers cleaned up." He said and made a move for the closest stack. Astro followed suit and began to pile them in their appropriate categories. The doors leading into the laboratory then slid open once again, making the two boys look up in wonder with their arms filled with papers.

Dr O'shay soon stepped into the room and he blinked in surprise upon coming across the pair.

"Oh, you're still here?" Both Astro and Reno eyed each other unsurely before giving him a sheepish grin.

"We couldn't tear ourselves away." Astro admitted. Dr O'shay released a heavy sigh and he shook his head. He then eyed the mess sitting before him and frowned. 'Have they been in here this entire time?'