Work Text:
Subspace tapped on his desk, brows furrowed as he stared at the papers that all seemed to blend together into a jumbled mess of nothingness before groaning and pulling himself from his desk. Today was rather slow, his speed-dial mercenary for hire was out on another mission, his Biografts were busy with tasks he'd rather not do himself, and not even the screams of his victims down the hallway that no one but him can seem to hear from such a distance from his office could entertain him today.
Glancing at the clock placed on the wall, he sighed and hastily stood up, and after regaining his composure, paced around it. The results from yesterday's experiment were yet to be concluded, and as he cursed himself for making it take too long, his eyes trailed to the microscope sitting on another desk. He was just about to approach it when he remembered that he just used it five minutes ago, and he doubted that there would be a change in results already, which only made him groan louder.
Running out of ideas, he went back to his main desk and picked up the telephone, which, why does a research institute as advanced and as self-proclaimed 'peering into the future' still use telephones? He scoffed and thought of submitting a suggestion to phase them out for more modern ways of communication, dialing the number to the secretary desk that sat at the first-floor entrance to the lab, and waited.
The beeps seemed to become longer and drag out the more the phone didn't get picked up, his teeth clenched, and he blinked. 'I swear, if that secretary fell asleep on the job-'
His thoughts were interrupted by a rather loud knock on the door. It sounded rather demanding, and unlike any other knock Subspace was heard, almost as if someone much larger was behind it. Grumbling to himself, he put the telephone back and rushed to the door to open it and was greeted with a sight (or rather demon) he certainly couldn't predict.
"You... What are you- What are you doing here!?" Subspace sputtered, nearly falling back.
The demon's large frame, almost violet purple horns, along with his armor and accessories, were unmistakable and belonged to no other in the Inpherno, their arms crossed as their humongous dragon tail (that could certainly destroy the wall if it wanted to) swished back and forth behind them.
"Good afternoon to ya, Subspace."
"I- How did you get through?! What happened to my secretary!?"
"Dozin' off!" Ban Hammer laughed. "Maybe don't hire such sleepyheads on the front desk!"
Subspace had to fight the urge to stomp his foot. "That idiot!" He looked over to Ban Hammer's eyes, or rather, his blindfold. He couldn't tell if the warden was staring back at him, he hoped not. "And how did you get through the doors!? They require keycards!"
Banhammer huffed. "Well, I couldn't help but search yer secretary's belongings fer one... couldn't get through otherwise."
"Are you INSANE!?" Subspace's voice seemed to be getting louder by the minute. "We have security cameras! And you're a big demon, anyone could have seen you! How you slipped away unnoticed is just so-"
"Why, I didn't know ya cared so much fer me!" Ban Hammer interrupted. Subspace blinked, trying to get a sense of what he just said. "What...?" he tried to ignore the ever so light flush of his cheeks.
Before they could continue their little doorway conversation, a voice in the hallway called out. "Subspace? Is everything alright?"
Subspace froze. Without thinking, he grabbed Ban Hammer's arm. "Get in, get in!" he ushered, trying to make sure the warden's massive body and horns didn't break the frame. He slammed the door behind him as he walked away from Ban Hammer, who was quick to study the office.
"What a dull place." He commented, taking off his blindfold and revealing his four eyes. He paced around, the monotone black and white of the walls, ceiling and floor, occasionally broken by some color, such as the plants (that were probably fake as they wouldn't survive in such close proximity to Subspace), folders and vials filled with either mysterious liquids or minerals. Subspace himself was fuming over some files on his main desk, not noticing the confused and bored Ban Hammer.
"Hallway usually gets crowded at this time. Of all times you had to come here..." Subspace whispered. At least he was aware that he brought him here in the first place.
Ban Hammer shrugged. "Not my fault I dunno the schedule."
He headed over to the vials with the crystals, eyeing them with great interest. How the cracks and uneven edges glistened against the low light, as it floated in a slow spin, its multidimensional nature, an almost alien-like presence to it as its pristine coating had the warden nearly entranced. Perhaps there was some kind of voice, beckoning him to come closer and inspect it in all its glory, to screw off the cap to truly take it all in, and just as Ban Hammer was about to pick up the vial-
"DON'T TOUCH THAT!"
Subspace appeared from behind, snatching the vial off the table, glaring at Ban Hammer while his scorpion tail was curling inward out of annoyance. "What on Inpherno are you doing here again!? You're lucky I didn't let you get seen!"
Ban Hammer leaned back on the table, unintentionally shoving more of the items on the desk (and Subspace prayed he didn't drop any of them). "I've received more and more reports of somethin' goin' on in this lab the past month, especially about ye... I jus' wanted teh come see what's really going on fer myself."
"That's it? I thought you got barred from investigating me in the first place." Subspace scoffed, turning his head to the side and crossing his arms. He then looked at Ban Hammer again, looking over him from up to down, the visible scorch marks on his armor, his heavily scarred face, his dreads that were draped on his back and over his shoulders, some having gold accessories on them, his sharp horns that could most likely stab a demon by itself- and how attractive it all looked.
Wait, what?
He shook his head, taking a few steps back as he looked at the bigger demon again. He needed him out, fast.
"Besides, someone as hot as you shouldn't be in a cold region such as Blackrock! You could freeze!" He said with a hint of sarcasm and playfulness.
Ban Hammer took his hand of the table, crossing his arms again. "Say that again?".
"Wha-" Subspace took a second before the realization dawned on him and he covered his mouth- or rather, his gas mask. "Dammit!"
Hang on. He could use this to his advantage. Get the warden confused enough to sneak him out and all will be fine and good! It felt like the cogs in Subspace's brain were finally starting to spin again as he smirked under his gas mask, and he believed, he hoped that the warden didn't immediately find out his scheming. He cautiously approached him, not taking his eye off him.
"I said you're simply too good for this place! A warden should be going on a cat and mouse chase with criminals and escapees, not wallow in his office doing paperwork all day like I'm doing now, hmm? You're not doing your figure justice!" Gods, what was he saying?!
"Oh?" Ban Hammer smirked. "We're playin' this game now, eh?"
He stayed still while Subspace walked even closer, now in way to close proximity to his armor, his chest which was almost, but not quite, as large as Subspace's torso. "Yes, yes, if I did do something in this lab, you could've arrested me by now! But you haven't." He traced his fingers on Ban Hammer's armor, taking in the tiny, almost unnoticeable dents, the rough texture, the way the black almost shone silver against the light as the purple crystal-like emblem glowed. He took a deep breath. "I guess it's like you said earlier, I care about you!"
"Heh. Care..." Ban Hammer mumbled. Subspace grinned, looks like this was working! Even if that lug implied that he knew what was going on... but at least he was playing along, maybe he'd take the hint soon.
"I had another thing to say, but you're so breathtaking it left me speechless!" Subspace exclaimed. He took his fingers off Ban Hammer's armor, looking at him in the eyes, admiring all four of them simultaneously blinking back at him as he leaned his head, seemingly flustered. "What about it? Why are you so gorgeous? No wonder you've got so many fans swarming you after Phights. Could you really be with someone as... vile as me?"
Ban Hammer took a big breath, then sighed. "Nah, yer a work of art..."
Subspace yelped as Ban Hammer suddenly took the same hand he used to feel his armor, rough but not enough to squeeze him harshly. "Well, here I am 'space. What're yer other wishes?"
"My... wishes?" His eyes widened as he took the warden in. He tilted his head, his thoughts coming to place like a bunch of jigsaw puzzles coming together. Ever since he met the warden, his thoughts were of avoidance, as he tried to evade the law, then finding out a way to make him a potential ally without finding out his not-so-secrets, if only he didn't reject every other idea of anything involving teamwork... he was a lone wolf, yes, and Subspace wanted so badly to close the distance. To be closer to him than just a spectacle, someone to worship so reverently and religiously.
Subspace unconsciously took off his gas mask, revealing the rotted residue of his flesh on most of his mouth as pink fumes escaped from inside the mask. Even so, there was a smile visible on his lips as he was in such close proximity to Ban Hammer as he leaned in. "Let's take this one step closer, yeah?" his mind seemingly got rid of the thoughts that were telling him he was insane for doing this, as he wanted the warden all to himself right now.
"Sure, cher..." Ban Hammer mumbled.
Subspace's felt that his heart has never beaten this fast as his arms wrapped around Ban Hammer's neck, the latter leaning himself closer to Subspace as they closed the gaps between their lips, feeling a strange new sensation, a spark, a flower blossoming- and it felt complete. He knew that the moment his lips met theirs, that it would never be quite the same again, as the world went silent around them- the very faint clinking of footsteps and voices in the hallway, the snowfall making its way to the windows of Subspace's office. He felt Ban Hammer's body against his, which was so much larger than he remembered even when they got close during phights, how he still felt so warm like he just came out of Banlands and the cold region didn't take that away. The heat felt so electrifying like fireworks, and Subspace wondered if he could cherish this moment, this feeling forever.
As Subspace opened his eyes, he was suddenly yanked and made to have his back press against the wall as Ban Hammer pulled away from the kiss, breathing against Subspace's neck as the latter could only stare at him in shock and curiosity.
Ban Hammer wasted no time in kissing him again, this time rougher, more passionate, and Subspace lightly yelped in his throat as he grabbed on Ban Hammer's hair, fiddling with his dreads and toying with the gold accessories. Ban Hammer held the side of his cheek that wasn't rotting, and their attempts to pull each other closer were honestly laughable, but it didn't matter, all they wanted was each other like yearning for a god's touch. It was not as tender as the first, more like chasing a wild animal and tasting a sweet, intoxicating wine.
Subspace felt as if his nerves were on fire, he never felt things with his mouth since that incident, and to have the first one he felt in almost eternity be from a kiss, from Ban Hammer of all demons, someone he should've considered an enemy, a liability, and now he felt like worshipping at his full glory.
He also felt punished in a way. To be wrapped in the arms of a deity proclaiming justice, when the mere mortal he was with went against the law, his very words, when he could be punished for his sins at any time and yet he can't bear to let go. He could not let his guilt- if he ever had one- eat him alive. He supposed it was a fitting punishment for a monster. To want something so much- to hold it in your arms- and know beyond a doubt he will never deserve it.
And yet, only made him treasure this moment more.
After what seemed like a long while, maybe minutes, hours, eons, didn't matter- they pulled away, panting as it took some time to process what they both just did. They looked away from each other, both in slight embarrassment and of wanting to satiate the feeling on their own. Subspace did his job of deterring Ban Hammer away from his investigations, but he wasn't ready for such a big cost.
"So- huff- that felt nice." Subspace spoke up.
"Mhm". Ban Hammer huffed, checking his hair. Despite Subspace's constant fiddling and pulling, it was mostly left unscathed, which was a relief.
Honestly, Subspace wanted him to stay longer. That was the downside of love- they'd leave one way or another. He didn't want that, none at all. If only his heart was as cold as he pretended it to be, he'd get over this already. But he couldn't. He loved Ban Hammer.
He only hopes that he felt the same.
"Say, 'space... let's meet in Crossroads tomorrow, yeah? Same time n' all..." Ban Hammer asked. "Tower could be a good place." There was that same old smirk and the corners of his eyelids going up, still looking as smug as ever, but that question felt genuine.
Subconsciously, the pink demon lightly nodded his head. "Sure... we could have a talk there, instead of cooped up in this joke of an office..." he couldn't help but gave a short, light laugh, did he really feel this way or was he only agreeing to satisfy Ban Hammer? The latter didn't seem too far from the truth, anything to please his deity at least.
By now, the footsteps and voices disappeared from the hallway. "Hey look." Subspace gestured towards the door. "You can leave now.".
"Aftr' all that?" Ban Hammer dramatically put his hand over his chest. "Why, I'm hurt!"
"I don't want you to get caught! Now go!" Subspace yelled, more out of worry than anger. Ban Hammer seemed to take the hint, spiritedly waving goodbye before heading out the door, careful not to destroy the frame again. Subspace sighed in relief.
He had all the time in the world to think about his feelings. What was simply a spur of the action moment quickly spiraled into a situation he couldn't even describe with words, as if they weren't invented and so he couldn't even begin to understand. It was much, much different from a scientific hypothesis, and Subspace had the urge to write a thesis, experiment, and come to a conclusion. One day, he'll come to that.
His thoughts were interrupted as the telephone rang on his desk. He sighed as he went over and picked it up.
"Hello? Mister Subspace...?"
"What is it now, secretary? I told you not to sleep on the job!"
The demon on the other side of the phone stammered. "I- I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"
"Sure you won't..."
"A- also, a non-employee entered the building. They just left. I think they borrowed my keycard... are you aware of them...?"
Subspace paused. He pondered, then shook his head. "He's authorized. It's fine. Just a little invitation from me, but next time, don't doze off and give him a guest card, got that?"
"Okay..."
He heard a keyboard tapping on the other end before his secretary hung up. He dismissed it and turned to look at the window behind his desk, showing off nothing but more snow and the occasional lights from the building across his. Now, his thoughts were filled with nothing but Ban Hammer.
If the only deity he'd worship was him, so be it.