<HIATUS> You Don't Belong Here [INFIDGET]

Chapter 7

Gadget had left Infinites' room so he can clean his mask without having the jackal staring him down every second. He approached the kitchen where he found Lucy making a meal, "Hey, Lucy? Do you have any cleaning supplies?" he asked.

Lucy hummed, "Yeah, I got some here." she opened a cupboard and placed a bottle of cleaning liquid along with a few cloths before turning back to Gadget and smiling, "I see this is some sort of trust exercise between you two?"

Gadget sat down and chuckled, "Yeah, it's not that bad though." he placed the mask on the table and started the thorough cleaning process, running the cloth through each crevice and curve, trying to get all the dirt out of the mask and making it as clean as possible to please the jackal.

It gave Gadget some time to reflect, the cleaning process was very satisfying and allowed his mind to relax. He thought about how this trust business is going to turn out in the end; he worried about the consequences if he messed up.

He shook his head to clear those intrusive thoughts, he needed to focus and work hard to make sure the trust lasts between him and Infinite, he knew he had a long way to go until they were 'buddies' as weird and slightly uncomfortable as that sounds.

Either way, he needed to develop some sort of bond with the jackal, they both knew they couldn't live here while there was tension, it wouldn't be a healthy household and Lucy wouldn't settle for that; this is her house after all and Gadget realised he had to show his gratitude for each day he stayed here, Lucy was very thoughtful to shield Gadget from the other jackals who definitely wanted to murder him so the least he could do was to show her the upmost kindness and respect.

He was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts when Infinite stepped out of his room, they locked eyes for a mere second before Infinite turned and went to the living room.

"Oh! Infinite, I need to check your ribs!" Lucy perked up as she heard the slightly older jackal enter the conjoined room. A faint - and slightly exaggerated groan in annoyance was heard from Infinite as Lucy rushed over to check on him. Gadget couldn't help but muffle a small chuckle at that.

However, Gadget resumed cleaning, he still had a lot to clean so he might as well get it done now then hang out with Infinite later. There was some form of boost to his energy when he thought of that, but he passed it off.

___

After what felt like two hours, Gadget exhaled in relief as he finished cleaning the mask, he was quite proud of his cleaning as the mask was literally squeaky clean; every detail was bright and not a speck of dirt lay on it anymore. He proudly sat back and rested, his hand ached from scrubbing the dirt off.

He felt a firm pat on his shoulder and turned to see Infinite nodding and giving a very small smile in approval at his work. His tail unexpectedly wagged as joy filled his brain. The sense of approval from Infinite was a lot and Gadget felt very proud of himself that he succeeded.

During the time that Gadget was cleaning the mask, he overhead Lucy giving Infinite the all clear about his ribs; Gadget did feel horrible that he caused such a debilitating injury but was thankful that the ribs had healed during his stay here and that Infinite could return to his normal self.

Maybe that's also why Infinite seemed happy...

Gadget had never seen him happy before, he felt...overjoyed, just to see the usually moody and angsty jackal smile for once. He embraced the smile and tried to remember it for the next time Infinite was being his moody self.

"Come on." Infinite gestured to the door. "Let's not waste any time."

Gadget couldn't help but grin, he was so full of amazing emotions. He stood up and followed the jackal out of the house, they walked side by side.

Lucy watched the two leave and couldn't help but smile, she was like a proud mother getting her boy's to get along. She was very proud of both of them and how far they've come; from hating each other and fighting, to talking and bonding.

She couldn't wait to see how far they'll go.

___

Infinite was a little nervous, he wasn't gonna lie. He hadn't properly socialised with others since before the war, his social skills were a little awol but he didn't care that much. He was aware that the other jackals in this town didn't like Gadget, so he tried to stay away from the centre of the town to avoid much contact.

And to protect Gadget, of course.

He wasn't going to let all this progress be for nothing in the end, he guessed it was just part of the deal; to protect each other and make sure they made it out alive.

Sounds a lot like the war...

He tried to not think about that, this was a new chapter in his story and he wanted to secure it; to make sure nothing ruins it.

"So," Gadget started, startling Infinite out of his thoughts. "What do you want to do?" he asked.

"Uhm, I'm not entirely sure." Infinite hummed, he didn't know this town as much as the town he lived in, and he didn't want to take Gadget around shops incase the jackals attacked him.

Pretty much everything he wanted to do was risky to Gadgets' life.

Infinite sighed, "A walk will suffice for now, this is a desert town so there won't be many things to do compared to the city." he explained, trying to ignore the disappointment on Gadget's face because whatever they did, it would be risky to Gadget in the end.

He didn't want to risk Gadgets life over something small. If, and when Gadget returns to the city he might follow but remain in the shadows away from the Resistance's sight.

Chaos, these feelings are really fucking with his head.

Gadget nodded, "You're right." he looked around as they walked on the outskirts of the town.

"I don't want to risk your life over something small." Infinite finally caved in to explaining why they couldn't do much. "You're still wanted in this town, I'm not going to let you die."

Gadget smiled at hearing that from him, it was sweet that Infinite was willing to go against his own kind to save him. He felt strong connections to this jackal, and by chaos he would be the death of him one day. He realised that there was no turning away from Infinite now, knowing that Infinite had let him gain his trust and get closer to him.

Infinite sighed, and after a while of walking he sat down for cover against the scorching sun in an alleyway. Gadget sat beside him, running a hand through his small tuffs of fur, he was sweating and it showed.

"I assume you're not accustomed to this heat, eh?" Infinite smirked, watching Gadget wipe the sweat off his forehead.

"No, definitely not." Gadget chuckled, "I don't know how you're not sweating, honestly." he smiled at Infinite.

Infintie shrugged, "I was raised in a town like this when I was little, I'm used to it." he returned the smile at Gadget.

It seemed that both males were getting used to each other, and both of them were secretly happy about the connection. Eventually, Gadget wanted to go inside and take a cold shower because of the heat outside, Infinite agreed as he knew Gadget wasn't used to the heat and followed him to Lucy's.

While Gadget got a cold shower, Infinite sat in the living room letting his thoughts run about today's bonding experience, he never thought he'd be open to making friends after his squad, but it seems that wolf stole what's left of his heart.

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A/N : What's this? 2 chapters in one day?! Madness lmao. I got a sudden urge to write this because I really wanted to develop their bonds asap because there's trouble on the way...