Work Text:
Slack hears the news about Speedy second hand and tries his damn best to not feel shitty about it. He knows that this isn't about him and that it makes total sense that Speedy would want to avoid having as many emotional/serious conversations as possible. And yet, the hurt is there; it can't be helped. He just focuses on his build and keeps his communicator open in case Speedy messages him.
"Hey Slack, you grab the newest pack yet?" D4 half yells as he lands his gyrodyne down next to Slack.
"Yeah! Finally we are getting some of us in there, I got a Tay card so hopefully I can get something good off her for the trade" Slack replies.
"Don't let Side know you've got that one; him and Speedy have been praying they get her or Nyx so they can torture them about it."
"Oh yeah, they would love that" Slack replies, hating that he felt the air shift as soon as Speedy was mentioned, as casually as it was.
"You heard the news about Speedy, right? I know you were off-world when she told Side, Shadow and me."
And again, he feels like a fucking moron, "She told all three of you together?"
"Eh, kinda. She awkwardly told Side but then properly told us as a group - she wanted to wait for you and G and D20 to get back from your different places but you know how impatient Side is; that fucker."
Slack can’t tell if Deluxe genuinely can’t tell how weird and insecure Slack is being about this or not but either way, the easy inclusion of him in a list with with G and D20 makes his heart settle once more, “Okay yeah cool. By the way, is there anything I should be doing differently when I see her?”
“Nah man, you’re probably fine. I mean try to shy away from calling her man or dude and shit like that but she knows it’s gonna take everyone a little bit to adjust – plus it’s not like this changes anything for you, right?”
“Of course not! She’s my friend no matter what – not that this would be a reason why—”
Luckily D4 cuts off the panic of his reply, “I didn’t mean it like I thought you were a piece of shit or anything, I just meant that you’re into chicks too, right?”
The blush that overtakes Slack’s cheeks is red enough to rival Mars. Is he getting some version of the shovel talk right now? “Yeah no, of course – not that that has anything to do with the situation here but yeah, I like chicks —women; I like women.”
“Okay yeah then I think you’re all good – just change up from calling Speedy hot and start saying some girly shit.”
“If you think I have ever told Speedy that she’s hot you just might be losing it.”
“Excuse me for assuming that you might not be a pussy all of the time.”
“You’re welcome to be excused.”
Deluxe cracks up a little at that and proceeds to gives Slack a shoulder bump before getting back into his gyrodyne, “For what it’s worth; she’s excited to see you.”
And well, Slack can’t say he isn’t looking forward to it as well.