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English
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Published:
2024-08-02
Words:
553
Chapters:
1/1
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9
Kudos:
56
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Gil Builds a Friend

Summary:

Gil builds Zoing. Klaus isn't mad, he just wishes it was a little less sticky.

Work Text:

Klaus raised an eyebrow.

Gil looked away.

“H’lodere,” squeaked the creature hanging in Gil’s arms. Its antennae waved in a friendly manner. Klaus was not sure if the orange hat and coat that hid most of the creature from view were part of the creature’s body, or if Gil had had them on hand when he built the thing.

“What I do not understand,” Klaus said, “is the jam.”

The floor, walls, and ceiling of the laboratory were coated in great piles of the stuff. The smell of raspberry was almost overwhelming. As Klaus waited for an answer, a large blob fell free of the ceiling and hit the ground with a wet splat.

Gil hugged the creature to his chest more tightly, and didn’t answer.

“I am not angry, Gilgamesh.”

Gil finally looked at him, his expression wary.

“You’re not?”

“No. In fact, I’m quite impressed.”

Gil’s eyes went wide.

“I wasn’t expecting a breakthrough for another six or seven years, at least. And most breakthroughs are significantly more…destructive.” He looked around at the lab. Other than the raspberry jam and a few dismantled appliances, it was fine. “Mine certainly was. I find it interesting that instead of a death ray, you built…”

“Zoing!” the creature said, happily.

“Zoing,” the Baron finished.

“Gonnabe bezfrenz,” the creature announced.

Something in Klaus’ chest squeezed unpleasantly. He was aware of the isolation his son’s lack of position had brought on him. It was why he had not intervened when Gil had befriended Sturmvoraus—as much as he knew it had been a bad idea, he had been reluctant to rob his son of his first real friend.

And now he had done just that.

It couldn’t be helped. Sturmvoraus had proven himself too much his father's son, and Klaus could only imagine what Aaronev Sturmvoraus would do with information like Gil's true parentage. 

“I’m proud of you.”

Gil’s eyes went wide, and Klaus worried about how small and hopeful the smile was.

“You are?”

“Hooray!” Zoing buzzed, waving its claws, its single eye screwed up in apparently genuine joy.

“Very,” Klaus said. Gil beamed. Klaus reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “And I am going to help you hide your Spark.”

Gil’s smile faded.

“What? But…”

“Do you remember what I told you, about how you must remain unobtrusive?”

“For my own safety,” Gil parroted.

“Breaking through at 10 years old is very obtrusive.”

Gil looked down at Zoing, and then up at Klaus. He said nothing, but his expression was desperate.

“You found Zoing hiding in the cargo hold,” Klaus said. “I am uncertain which Spark’s lab he came from, but he seems harmless enough. Since he has taken a liking to you, I entrust you with him.”

Gil relaxed with a sigh of relief. Zoing twisted so it could look up at Gil.

“Izzitgud?”

“Yes,” Gil told him, and once more the creature waved its claws and cried “Hooray!”  

“Though your Spark must remain hidden, I have no wish to stifle it. I will show you the secret entrances to this lab, and you may use it as you wish.”

“I can?” Gil asked, bouncing on his toes.

“Yes.” The Baron struggled to hide his smile. “Once you’ve finished cleaning up.”

Boy and construct looked about the room, askance.

“Hooboy,” Zoing said.