Chapter Text
Mirage had been living with V2 for a while now, 2 months to be exact. She’d like to think they’ve gotten used to each other but she still isn’t over how they got there and she’s pretty sure V2 isn’t either.
I mean finding a half dead corpse from hell in your driveway isn’t just something you get over. V2 was cagey for the first month and only recently started accepting a more domestic lifestyle. As far as mirage is aware all they seem to know is fighting despite being built during a time of peace.
V2 fights to protect things however, and she respects humanity to an absurd degree. They weren’t all that great, and anyhow mirage still finds the whole humanity being wiped out thing to be crazy!
They learned about the war during schooo obviously everyone knows about that but V2 was built for peacetime which means they did not fight in the war, right? That means they were built after the war but that can’t be because the war happened hundreds of years ago and V2 remembers it recently! Or recent-er?
So after a lot of prodding Mirage came to find out V2s origin story which, if true, means V2 is supposed to be dead and if they’re supposed to be dead then what does that make mirage? She’s very much fucking alive thank you, or she thinks she is.
V2 has made her question a lot more things lately, is her existence false? What does that make of the other machines? The entire city? What happened to V2, and why were they sent here from hell.
Literal hell.
Mirage had a headache. It was all so confusing still 2 months later. As long as they’re both alive everything should be fine. Alive as in living but what does living look like, because mirage certainly isn’t the definition of living due to the fact she’s in heaps of depression hell. That and she hasn’t done much with her life yet, although saving V2 is the most remarkable thing she’s done. And talk to that strange figure in her dream about how life is meaningless and this whole world is meaningless.
She’s gotten better about that, thanks to someone that isn’t even real she’s really been thinking about how maybe there’s stuff worth living for. Despite how corny that sounds, but V2 is flipping her world upside down because what if life is meaningless, you just get stuck in a loop of living and eventually when you “die” you get sent somewhere else.
Was death this complicated for humans? Probably, it’s not like they could cope with death either considering they believed undyingly in God and angels and the afterlife that would bring them peace if they never sinned. Such a corrupt system really but what does she know, a lot actually.
What was she even thinking about before?
Right, V2, said machine was currently leisurely sitting on the couch. Their legs were pulled beside them as they scrolled the channels through the TV, they were as still as a statue when Mirage had first found them and they’ve certainly relaxed since then.
They’ve made themselves at home, mirage hopes at least because from the sounds of it the only home V2 has ever known was a laboratory and hell, two very not homey things.They tried to argue earth was their home but mirage said that didn’t count because really… what the fuck?
Mirage was pretending to do her college assignments, she knows V2 could tell she wasn’t working, they probably knew mirage was secretly staring at them too but they didn’t say anything. V2 was still very much an enigma and mirage was determined to crack their frame and figure out what lied beneath.
She knows it’s a sensitive topic but V2 still never explained how they got here, mirage is inclined to believe they don’t know. V2 only mentions things about a predecessor, an existing V-model, and other blood fueled machines. Mirage can’t piece together a story with that but V2 won’t elaborate so mirage has greatly been left with nothing.
Their so called origin story was brief and they aren’t very inclined to sharing. That’s fair though, it’s not like mirage has shared anything like that either.
Mirages long running theory is that V2 tried to commit suicide and jumped off the apartment building across the street and woke up with amnesia and a broken memory. Mirage would not share this with V2 because she was pretty sure they’d get upset but well, mirage is stumped.
“Are you going to keep pretending to do your homework or are you going to put it away and call it a day after admitting to yourself that it isn’t getting done today?” V2 asked.
“You think you know everything huh smartass? I finished an hour ago, not that’d you’d know anything about finishing homework since you’ve never had any.”
“Not physical homework on whatever you’re majoring in, because I already know things.”
“Sure, like you knew what dragonfruit was?”
“I’ve never seen it before fuck off!” V2 hissed, mirage snorted, checkmate.
Despite proving V2 right, especially since she hadn’t even started on her work, she did close her notebook and put her supplies away. No use pretending anymore since V2 was just so observant.
It was something mirage found interesting because V2 was always very hyper aware of things happening around them, it was also annoying, case in point this exact scenario.
“And here i thought you were supposed to know everything.”
V2 flipped them off, another day of successfully annoying V2 and another win in mirages book.
Both machines sat in silence for a moment, would now be a good time to ask them about their experience with death? Too soon? Too sudden? Mirage never was good with timing.
“V2, what do you think about death?”
V2 seemed to freeze before glancing over at mirage, “Why? That’s such a weird question to just ask somebody.”
“I guess, i’m just curious is all you’re mysterious circumstances on avoiding a near death experience and ending up here by pure luck is weird in itself is it not? And you don’t seem very bothered by it in the sense you don’t question how you got here.”
“Because I told you I don’t know! I was supposed to die, but i lived somehow and ended up here…. i’m starting to think this is some kind of limbo and none of this is real.” V2 said, mirage couldn’t tell if they were being sarcastic or not.
“So you are bothered by it?” Her suspicions died down.
“Of course I am! By all means I shouldn’t be here! I should be… well, I don’t know, where do machines even go when they die? Is it just a black void or an eternal sleep they’ll never wake from?”
“Does it bother you, that you don’t know what happens after you die?”
“No. I don’t have to worry about that because I’ll live for a long while yet, I have to keep on living, pushing and proving that my creation was worth something.”
Mirage had her answer, even if it was morbid and sad it was an answer that gave her even more insight on V2. Unfortunately, V2s body language was more closed off, mirage was pushing her away trying to get to the bottom of her.
“If you were worthless, those scientists wouldn’t have made you at all. Your purpose is simply just to live.” Mirage sounded like a poet, maybe she should consider writing poems? No, they’d all be corny and she’d have to kill herself out of embarrassment.
V2 was staring at her intensely now and mirage felt her frame crawl. “What am I accomplishing by just… living a domestic life?”
“Well, aren’t you carrying on humanity by living like they once were? That counts for something.”
V2 stared blankly, “I don’t know about that.”
“What? You’re living on for them, you’re a creation of them, they live on through you.”
“I never really thought about it like that I only focused on them being dead and me not being dead yknow?”
“I can’t relate to that but maybe try thinking about your life outside of your sworn purpose or whatever.”
“Yeah…” V2 hummed.
“So why’d you ask that? It was out of the blue.”
“I’ve started to wonder some things, I still don’t understand the meaning of it all.”
“Nobody does, no matter how hard they try to pretend they only know as much as they’ve seen!” V2 huffed. “Is that really all? I know you don’t quite believe my story but it doesn’t really matter now can’t we just move on?”
Deflecting, they don’t want to talk about it anymore. They saw right through mirage and they know she wants to get to the bottom of her appearance but well V2 was right, they should just move on. Mirage can just stick with her suicide theory and chalk it up to V2 having partial amnesia.
It was just weird especially how V2 mentions how she should be dead sometimes but that kind of proves mirages theory. Maybe she’s been focusing on the wrong thing, she actually wants to get to know V2, not just the circumstances around their supposed death. Her own projections were seeping through and she was using V2 as an outlet selfishly.
“You’re right you’re right, it’s just something I wonder about myself.”
“Death? You shouldn’t worry about that.”
“Why not?”
V2 shrugged and mirage squinted at them.
“Sometimes you’re very cryptic and I don’t like it.”
“I could say the same about you.”
Mirage shrugged, “Hungry?”
“Not really,”
“When was the last time you refueled?”
V2 didn’t answer which was answer enough, mirage let out an annoyed sigh and got both of them blood bags from the fridge. She handed one to V2 who begrudgingly accepted it. For the first few weeks they actually thought mirage had poisoned them or something, how the hell would she even do that?
“Why do you let me stay?”
“And you said my question was out of the blue.”
“Mirage.”
“It’s not like you have anywhere else to go and I have the room, plus now I don’t have to do all the household chores.”
“You’re extremely irritating.”
Mirage laughed, “And yet you stay around.”
V2 looked away, “This is the first home that has ever felt like a home.” They admitted, mirage was making progress.
“That’s sad, sometimes you say sad shit that makes me want to squeeze those scientists till they pop.”
“I was treated with respect.”
“But not as a person right? Typical of fleshy beings.”
V2 let out a string of beeps that sounded annoyed. Mirage thought for a moment, “You know I think you’d like transformers.”
“Trans what?”
“Okay that’s funny out of context, anyway it’s a movie about alien robots and their leader optimus prime who wants to protect humanity.”
V2 perked up, mirage would smirk if she could.
“It doesn’t sound as insufferable as mean girls was.”
“Come on admit you liked that!”
“I didn’t like it.”
“You’re the worst and your taste is shit.”
Mirage sighed dramatically, taking the remote and sitting down next to V2 who eyed her. She put on transformers and gestured at the TV indicating for V2 to focus on that instead of her. V2 begrudgingly obeyed and their glare was now directed at the leader of the autobots.
V2 was practically glued to the screen, absorbing everything happening on the TV. Clearly, they were a fan. Mirage had watched this movie a bunch of times before so she wasn’t exactly paying attention all too well, she was more focused on V2s reactions.
They were more expressive than mirage would think of someone that was basically raised as security. Eventually mirage focused back on the screen as to not be a fucking weirdo and stare at V2 the whole time, even if they were being discreet.
The light outside faded into a pink and orange sunset glow, illuminating the room for only half an hour before they were plunged into darkness, the the glow of the TV the only light source besides their yellow optics.
Mirage was beginning to feel her systems shut down, she was used to going to bed late but the peaceful atmosphere made it hard to not become drowsy.
“I like transformers.” V2 said suddenly.
Mirage didn’t glance over but they could tell V2s optic was bright.
“I knew you would, it’s a match made in heaven, I bet optimus prime is your favorite.”
“I can’t be that easy to read.” V2 vented.
“No you are it’s incredible how predictable you are.”
“Predictable?!” V2 hissed.
Mirage shrugged and V2 sighed, “That explains some things…”
“Explains why you’re so easy to read or…?”
V2 didn’t respond and mirage didn’t care enough to push any further than that.
The movie was a little over halfway over, V2 deciding that was more important than answering. Mirage was glad they enjoyed it though. The two machines sat in a comfortable silence and for once mirage didn’t feel so alone. She slowly slipped into recharge, her head falling onto the shoulder of a certain red machine who in turn let out a small surprised beep mirage barely registered before she full shut down.
——
She came back online to the sound of birds chirping outside, the sun shining through the window. How cliche it felt.
It took her a minute to realize she was currently leaning on something that was decidedly not the couch behind her. She jerked away and looked beside her to see V2 sitting as stiffly as a statue.
She immediately felt incredibly embarrassed, she had fallen asleep on V2 that’s so fucking awkward. Why hadn’t V2 pushed them away?! They turned to glance down at mirage, their head tilted to the side.
“You fell asleep during the movie.” V2 stated, like the dumbass they were.
“No shit- why didn’t you wake me up or something?!”
“I thought you’d get upset, and you looked peaceful.” V2 said awkwardly.
Mirage couldn’t describe the flurry of feelings she was feeling right now. She needed to start deflecting.
“Did you stay up all night?”
V2 shrugged which meant yes they did because they were a dumbass who claimed they didn’t need to recharge and they only needed blood blah blah blah. Recharging was basically a way to clear their systems, but V2 didn’t seem to understand that. Also did they seriously stay up all night with her? Oddly she felt touched.
“Why? You could’ve recharged, it’s not like I was snoring all night and keeping you up.” Mirage said.
“I wanted to make sure you stayed comfortable.” V2 said, looking away.
This wasn’t as big a deal to them as it was for mirage apparently. This disgustingly vulnerable moment was causing her insides to fry. She slept leaning on V2 all night- if that wasn’t a show of trust she didn’t know what was.
V2 might be the death of her, surely that couldn’t have been comfortable for them all night. Were they sitting so stiffly to make sure they didn’t wake her? God she couldn’t think about this anymore or she was worried she’d start thinking about unpleasant things. V2 probably didn’t even really know what romance was.
Mirage stood up, “Next time just sleep.” she huffed. “Ugh I slept in my school clothes, gross.” She tsked.
“They’re not even gross though… and you wear them everyday.” V2 said.
“I also wash them frequently, and I wear pajamas to bed thank you very much, you really don’t understand clothes do you? Have you even worn any…? You’re literally just showing off your plating to the world, very forward of you.”
“You don’t even need to wear clothes, you’re a machine.” V2 said irritably.
“Don’t go sounding like a pervert now.”
Mirage chided, V2 muttered something rather rude in return.
She brought a finger to her chin in thought, “You need clothes, come to think of it.”
“Me?? I’ve never worn- nor do I need to wear anything.” V2 said sounding disgusted.
“Oh my god we are going shopping and we are going to find your style! Come on you’d look pretty in clothes.”
“I don’t need to look pretty.” V2 put air quotes around pretty, “And clothes seem restricting and stupid.” She added.
“Well you’re stupid so congrats, they were practically made for you. I’m going to change and when I get back we’re going to the mall.”
V2 groaned and sagged into the couch. Mirage ignored them and happily got ready, throwing on a simple black dress. She hurried back to V2 whom she basically dragged off the couch, taking their hand and heading out the door.
“Don’t you have school?” V2 asked.
“It’s tuesday.” Mirage replied.
“Yes, you have school on tuesdays.” V2 deadpanned.
“They won’t miss me for one day don’t be a buzzkill.”
They arrived at the mall and mirage couldn’t hide the giddy feeling she felt at being able to dress V2. “Okay, do you want something more masculine or feminine?”
“What’s the difference?” V2 asked.
Mirage paused, “Both it is then.” She said.
She picked out a number of different clothing of various styles and colors for V2 to try on. V2 of course picked some things out too after a lot of angry prodding from mirage.
Now was the time for a fashion show, mirage sat in a chair in front of the changing rooms waiting for V2 to come out in the first outfit she’d prepared.
They came out in a black skirt with a black tee that had a skull on it with a black and white stripped undershirt, finishing it off with black boots.
“You look so good! I knew you’d rock that sort of emo look.” Mirage said.
“Emo…?” V2 muttered. They studied themselves in the mirror for a long time, a long enough time that mirage was convinced they still thought clothes were ugly and useless. However, V2 swirled the skirt around awkwardly and said, “I’ve never actually seen myself in clothes before. It’s not so bad I guess.”
“So you like them then?”
“I guess.”
Mirages optic curved upwards into a semi circle as V2 admired themselves. They did look rather pretty in them, even if the clothes themself were basic.
They left the mall with a lot of clothes and half of mirages paycheck being down the drain. It was worth it to actually see V2 working around in something instead of nothing at all.
V2 seemed to like skirts because of their airy feeling, mirage could see that. They got home and mirage helped V2 put their new clothes away and taught V2 how to fold them properly so they wouldn’t wrinkle.
“All these clothes are necessary?” V2 asked.
“Yes it’s good to have variety.”
V2 hummed, “Why do you only walk around the house in your panties and a tank top then when you aren’t wearing your uniform?”
“It’s also good to be comfortable smartass stop talking about my panties.”
“I’m comfortable sleeping in nothing.”
Mirage wasn’t even going to dignify that with any sort of response.
“Is your uniform not comfortable?” V2 asked.
“It is, but sometimes i just don’t want to wear a lot, plus a school uniform isn’t proper sleeping attire anyway.”
“I could I try it on?”
“My uniform…?” Mirage asked slowly.
V2 looked away, “Well-“
“Sure.” Mirage shrugged, she had extra uniforms in her closet and so she got one out for V2 to try on. They slipped it on easily, the skirt surprisingly going well with their plating, in fact V2 pulled off the whole uniform. They managed to make themselves look studious instead of awkward and out of place.
“I like it.” V2 said, looking into the mirror mirage had in her room.
“You’d fit right in at school, well maybe not personality wise there’s probably no fixing that.” Mirage said.
“Whats wrong with my personality?! You’re just nitpicking.” V2 snapped.
Mirage tsked, “Case in point, anyway you should consider enrolling into college with me.”
“Wouldn’t I just embarrass you?” V2 scoffed.
“Probably yeah, but also I think you’d like it there and It’d be nice for you to not be a bum around the house all day.”
“A bum.” V2 repeated incredulously.
“Yes you need to get out and socialize.”
“Socialize with what? Husks?”
Mirage dragged a hand down her face, “You need to talk to people other than me, I know im the best around but you can’t just hide
away in my apartment forever.” Mirage said.
“You act like you socialize with others.” V2 said.
“I do, matter of fact, you don’t know what im doing at school.” Mirage snapped back.
“What would I even learn… don’t you have to pay for school?”
“Let me worry about that, I don’t know what’s something you’re passionate about?”
“Not going to school.”
“Not an option, nice try though you almost had me there.”
“You’re on a bit of a sarcastic streak.” V2 remarked.
“Are you seriously saying you aren’t passionate about anything?”
V2 pulled at the hem of their skirt, “My purpose has always been to protect and fight, it’s in my protocol.” They said.
Mirage hummed, “We can work with that… maybe you can try majoring in a science or form of healthcare, those are ways to protect people.”
“I’ll think about it.” V2 said, taking off the clothes.
“Well think about it fast because we’re enrolling next month.”
“We? Who’s we?”
“We as in you obviously since im already enrolled.”
“Mirage.” V2 hissed.
Mirage ignored them and shoved the spare uniform back in her closet. V2 let out a curse, heading back into their room. Mirage was certain V2 would like going to school more than being stuck in her house all the time.
The only thing they did was bother mirage and work on their own still partially broken frame which couldn’t have been interesting. They also used her computer to do research, on practically everything they were a sponge always absorbing knowledge they would thrive in school.
They just needed a little push, they’d probably do better than mirage most days she could barely find the motivation to continue going. Her tuition was completely paid off so if she didn’t go it would be wasteful but how could she focus on school when just living was hard enough.
She changed into short shorts and a loose tank top and headed into the living room. V2 would be sulking right about now, they’d get over it. Mirage poured herself a glass of blood, looking out the window. It was a beautiful day outside, the late afternoon sun shining through the glass onto her plating and making it shimmer.
It had taken a while to get used to V2, but now she thinks it might be hard to think of living without them. They had a sort of parasitic relationship, living off each other, even if V2 didn’t want to admit mirage was helping them.
Mirage didn’t really want to say out right they needed V2, but without them she wasn’t sure what’d she do. Continue being tormented by the voice in her dreams that for some reason instead of being condescending and fueling her fears, soothed her.
She hadn’t heard that voice in a while but her usually loud mind had quieted since v2 showed up. Like they changed something, something was clearly different now and it was weird.
V2 somehow had intertwined themselves in mirages life and mirage in turn had twisted herself into theirs, neither of them even had to pursue the other. It was as if it was meant to be, but fate was fickle and everything happened for one reason or another that would inevitably lead to nothing.
Mirage shouldn’t get so attached to a machine she’s only met 2 months ago. Whom she’s been very familiar with their inner circuitry, which was an intimate thing if you really thought about it which mirage didn’t want to, but V2s circumstances were different.
Whether she liked it or not V2 had impacted her life and damn her, she’s started to care about them and she was pretty sure V2 cared about her too, even if just a little. If last night was anything to go by… she should really stop thinking about that.