Aerith awoke with a jolt. They got into their bodysuit and head out to their hideout. Sequoia was leaning on the wall, as smug as ever. Aerith sighed. "Why are you here? This is my cave. What's your deal?"
"Met a civilian that reminded me of you." Sequoia shrugged. "I think it was the signature Allegro freckles."
"Wow, what are the odds?" Aerith laughed awkwardly. "A civilian that looks like me? God. That's hilarious"
"Well duh. But what were you doing away from your hideout? Are you a civilian?"
"No. I was just hanging out in the Cambrian Explosion." Aerith covered. They were as smug as Sequoia himself until he opened his mouth to speak again.
"You wouldn't be alive if you were "hanging out" during the Cambrian Explosion. The ozone layer was nonexistent and you would've been burnt to a crisp." Sequoia pointed out. He crossed his arms and frowned. "Where were you really, Allegro?"
"None of your business." Aerith snapped. "Why do you care so much anyway? It's not like I'm supposed to report all my whereabouts to you."
"If we're going to be teammates (we're not teammates!) I should make sure you're not working for the enemy."
"Enemy? What enemy? The burglars that ransack the bank? Not so much of an enemy, more like a nuisance." They placed their hand on the scanner. The robotic voice activated announcing the duo. Access Granted: Allegro and Guest Sequoia.
"Guest? Well shit. Didn't bring a present or anything. But back on topic, there's someone that's starting to show up around here. Chaff. They're becoming a blemish on this island." Sequoia rambled. Aerith was tapping away at a screen.
"Chaff? You sure they're a thing? Nothing's coming up about 'em." Aerith muttered. Sequoia came up beside them.
"How the hell? Nobody's figured anything out yet?" Sequoia grumbled. "The heroes here really are incompetent losers. Not you though. No offense."
"None taken dumbass," Aerith mumbled. Sequoia put his hand on Aerith's shoulder.
"We should totally be partners." Sequoia stiffened realizing what he said. "I mean partners in crime...crime fighting. Yeah."
"I'm just gonna pass until there's actually something about them. It's not like I don't trust you, I just want to fly solo. You know, like Batman." Aerith shrugged his hand off. Sequoia started to walk to the door. "It's not going to let you out without me. Security measures. Get comfortable. I'm not leaving. It's Saturday and I have nothing to do. I'm running antivirus programs and stuff."
"Ya got video games? Or is your hideout lame?" Sequoia rubbed his nails on his shirt. "Because you're no fun."
"No." Aerith continued tapping away at the keyboard. "And I don't care that you think I'm no fun There are chips in the kitchen if you're interested."
"Chips? Hell yeah! I like chips!" Sequoia proceeded to run to the kitchen and rummage through everything making a disaster zone of the room. He stuck his head out the door. "Where exactly?"
"In the cabinet." Aerith sighed. Was this boy that stupid? They turned from the computer screen and saw Sequoia's sheepish smile. That usually meant he did something he shouldn't have. Aerith got up from their seat and went into the kitchen and their jaw dropped.
"So I knocked over a few things. Where are those chips?" Sequoia laughed awkwardly.
"Yeah. Knocked over a few things. Sure." Aerith pulled a screwdriver from a drawer and began fixing a cabinet door. They tapped on the cabinet next to the one they were working on. "They're in this one. The only one you didn't destroy." Sequoia laughed and grabbed the chips.
"You're cute Allegro. The way you run antivirus software on Saturdays. Your superhero similes. The way you care a lot about your hideout. And I think I'm i-" Sequoia was cut off by Aerith's index finger over his lips.
"Don't. Just stop it. Take the chips and get out. I'll let you out. Just leave." Aerith was already marching to the door. They opened it and stuck an arm out. "Are you leaving or what?"
"I-you're just doing that? The island could be in danger and you kick me out when I'm the only one who seems to know anything about it?"
"Yeah. I am. And Mr. 'Oh the island is in danger oh noooo' saw it as a time to just try and get in my pants."
"I wasn't trying to. I was being genuine. I really like you Allegro."
"God! You don't even know me Sequoia! You know Allegro, not Ae-" Aerith caught themself before they revealed anything. "Just go!" Sequoia hesitated before the door. Aerith pushed him out.
"What did I do wro-" Sequoia was cut off by the door closing. Aerith slumped against the closed door, exasperated. They let out a shaky breath as tears fell out of their eyes and ran down their cheeks.