Dysfunctionality at its finest (1x1x1x1 unwillingly gains a son)

by krool_aid

Summary:

1x1x1x1 recently arrived to the server, and don't take kindly to being bombarded with questions and interactions from they eventually learn is a child. Despite this, the server holds no mercy for their peace of mind, and they're forced to settle.

Notes:

• Inspired by forgive an old god for what he can't do by andyrxa

HI SO. all of the canon for this fic is based off of the fic that it's inspired by, I love that guy's fic and their canon it's just perfect and real and true to me personally. Lots of warnings, like yknow. The graphics depictions of violence. Uhh that's all I can think of rn.

c00lkidd's pronouns change from it/its to he/him halfway because it's all from 1x's POV. And through different segments 1x's pronouns change too. Nobody acknowledges it BC they're just cool like that ig hope you enjoy !!!!

Chapter 1: An Adjustment (and a battle to the death lol)

1x1x1x1 barely tolerated this prison that he was confined to. 

 

Though in some part, he enjoyed the killing, the bloodshed, it was all mindless. Numbing. None but one of those feeble creatures deserved the repetitive killing anyway, but if he was going to do it, he'd do it well.

 

The company that he had to endure in the time to wait was arguably the worst aspect. Jason, the masked slasher, would not speak. At most, he would sigh, or breathe heavily. This was something that 1x1x1x1 tolerated, and if he were not repeatedly engaged by those other burdensome monsters, then he would have pretended to be the same way.

 

1x1x1x1 made the mistake of glancing in the direction of one of them, the monstrous red one, and it immediately sprinted up to him, yapping about whatever came to its mind. If it were a normal robloxian, then 1x1x1x1 would have likened it to a child. 

 

-

 

“Hi! Hi! Hello!” The red thing tapped on 1x1x1x1’s shoulder, something that should've gotten it killed immediately. 1x1x1x1 whipped around, driving his sword through its chest, straight through its heart unremorsefully. It should have considered the consequences of approaching him, of trying to, what? Strike up a conversation ? When did he give off the impression that he wanted to make conversation with any of the miserable creatures this place held?

 

His eyes narrowed when not only did the thing not flinch, but its smile turned into a frown. “Hey, I thought you were on my team…isn't it break time?” Its claws wrapped around the sword, pulling it out of its chest. “Did you switch sides?”

 

1x1x1x1 sighed miserably, tearing his sword from its grasp. Maybe it was a fluke. “Leave me.”

 

“Anyway, my name is c00lkidd,” 1x1x1x1 drove his sword into a lung now, the sword surely pushing through its body. It cut off, just to break into a fit of manic, childlike laughter, the sound sharp and grating. “Oh, are we back to playing already?! Silly me!” 

 

It impaled itself further on the sword abruptly, its flesh mending around the blade as it lunged its own sword (seemingly conjured from thin air), slashing it against his arm. It did not hurt much, sizzling slightly, but he could tell that this “c00lkidd” creature had struck as hard as possible, remorseless. It could either sense his potential knowing it would not hurt him so badly, or it was a merciless killer, betraying its childish mannerisms. He suspected it was the latter. If it were the former, then the creature would not have dared to approach him so casually. It would have been able to grasp the fight it had chosen.

 

“Playing?”

 

1x1x1x1 dug the blade of his sword into its bony ribcage horizontally. The cut was thin, but it entangled the creature, who choked on glitching code. It quickly recovered, before it slammed its claws into his chest, fracturing the bone as 1x1x1x1’s blade found its new target, cutting into sinew, unexpectedly tough sinew. This creature did not give way under his blade as easily as a robloxian would, and cutting against the grain of muscle seemed to work even less.

 

Still, every attack it pushed on him seemed weak, pitying. 1x1x1x1 swung his sword at the distance that had formed between them in a moment. c00lkidd ducked, the strike going over its head and through the wooden wall. It leapt at the opportunity, cracking 1x1x1x1’s ribcage with its meaty knuckles, giggling while it screeched “Tag! You’re it!” before sprinting away.

 

1x1x1x1 immediately pursued it, assuming he would catch up quickly due to the limited amount of space in the wooden cabin. He was wrong. It kicked the wall, and the wall blew out, the incision made it the wall helping as it was blown away.

 

He didn't even think as he started his pursuit. Even though his chase was relentless, sprinting after it, the creature seemed to only ever gain more distance on him, even when they both were walking. 

 

It seemed to effortlessly dodge each projectile he threw at it. It made sense, considering their distance. He had begun to think it was pointless, the creature was as cowardly as any robloxian, and twice as fickle. It only ever ran. 

 

He had just made the decision to still, moving back, giving up his chase when he felt a sharp impact with his head. It snapped backwards, nearly falling off of his body, and he twisted it back on tight as he looked down at the ground, his eyes lingering on a cement block, stained with black ichor—his blood.

 

c00lkidd chuckled that sharp, bright, strained chuckle, the one that felt like a needle through his ears, before it started running again. “Catch me if you can~!” 

 

1x1x1x1 sprinted towards the reddened monster, pouncing onto it before it could make distance. He rolled with it, skewering its shoulder into the ground to pin it there before his fist dropped harshly on its face, not making as much of an impact as he would’ve liked.

 

Its lips were twisted up into a manic smile, or something crude mockery of one, its beady eyes taunting him. Every single ability it possessed was one cheap trick after another. Its speed, its sword, its hard-hitting…

 

“At least I don't use wall hacks!” It cried out, already squirming beneath him, kicking his ribcage, his hip, its hand getting jammed between two of his ribs. He wasn't aware he'd spoken out loud. His hatred consumed him, though it was finely mixed with a blend of annoyance in the face of this hideous creature. “No fair! No fair at all! Why don’t I get a cool sword?!” It whined in a petulant, childlike manner.

 

He punched it again, wrapping his hands around its throat and squeezing . “Be quiet .” That awful, high-pitched, ringing voice, like an alarm bell. He'd make it stop.

 

Its fist smashed into the ground beside it, and it twisted one of his ribs as the ground parted to make room for the things that rose out of it.

 

He squeezed harder, hoping to break its neck before they could make a move, but c00lkidd’s durability was ever present. It wiggled out of his grasp as claws scraped at 1x1x1x1’s spine, attempting to restrain him, c00lkidd’s muscle indented around its neck, coughing up the corruption and code but still giggling brightly, like this was fun . “Gotcha! Check out my minions! ” Its arm socket was ripped to the armpit from pulling the sword through it in its escape, the limb almost wholly torn off. “Catch me! Catch me!”

 

1x1x1x1 rose, black ichor dripping down his back as he ripped his bloodied sword from the ground. “You…” He made quick work of the creatures that held an uncanny resemblance to c00lkidd, except in the same pizza uniforms that the healing survivor had. After that, he began his pursuit again. Though he was injured, he was confident that it was far more injured than him, close to death, close to being rid of it at last.

 

The next cement block came, and he sidestepped it, taking the moment to chase c00lkidd up a flight of stairs. It squealed in the way a child would if an adult were playfully chasing them, like it considered this a game, supported by everything that 1x1x1x1 had heard it say.

 

1x1x1x1 growled, penetrating the thin muscle of its back with his blade. “Stop delaying the inevitable.”

 

“Ouch!” It stiffened, more blood and code leaking from its mouth. It shuddered as parts of it lagged, trying to move away, finally feeling the pain sink in. At last. “Nuh uh!”

 

“If you stop in your tracks, I may desire a quicker end for you.” He endured another brick to the face, claws tearing out one of his ribs. It was a lie, of course. He'd make it slow and painful, if possible.

 

“Cheater meanie says what?!” It said, far too fast for him to even process the words at first. 

 

“Wh—” 1x1x1x1 immediately slammed his sword through c00lkidd upon breathing the syllable, punching it in the face again.

 

c00lkidd cackled, pointing at him even as 1x1x1x1 maimed it. “You said—you said—ow!” Its claws dug into 1x1x1x1 as the sword dragged down, fracturing bone and tearing sinew. Its wounds glitches, the next idiotic sentence cut short by lag. “I-I-I don-don’t—”

 

1x1x1x1 cut off the words that it would've eventually found by wrapping his hands around its throat. He saw red as his body was torn at, shredded through claws and injured, the wounds sizzling by a sword as c00lkidd tried to escape, to make it stop. For just one instance, real fear entered its eyes, and it scrambled to escape, kicking and biting and scratching like a cornered feral animal, trying desperately to get a breath of air. 1x1x1x1 felt his vision darkened as black ichor poured out of his wounds (which were now just the entire front of his body) like rainfall, his muscles weakening.

 

Just as c00lkidd stopped squirming, 1x1x1x1’s muscles gave out, collapsing onto the ground beside it. He slowly managed to push himself back up, forcing his body to work at the edge of its life. He would recover. He would persevere.

 

He stood to his feet uneven, looking down at its mangled corpse, sword wounds littering it, a lifelessness in those beady eyes. After just a moment, he left it, sighing sharply.

 

-

 

You could not begin to fathom the horror. The utter dread he felt when upon returning. 

 

He pushed the door open, and that horrific, reddened monster stared directly into his eyes, the same monster he'd left dead behind him just a moment ago.

 

“Good morning!” It grabbed ahold of his arm, already starting to yap again as he stared ahead, sheer depression and resignment casting a shadow over his face. John Doe gave him a pitying look. “I had sososososososo much fun playing with you yesterday! Do you want to play again? Oooo, ooooo, maybe hide and seek this time! Not that I don't like tag! It just gets a little boring sometimes, you know?”

 

“I slaughtered you not twenty minutes ago.” 1x1x1x1 stared down at c00lkidd, his eyes narrowing. “What are you referring to?”

 

“What? You didn't even beat me that bad!” c00lkidd whined, tugging at him to get him into the cabin, but he resisted. “And that was yesterday , silly!”

 

1x1x1x1 raised a hand to the still-present claw marks carved into his body, giving John a disturbed look. John shook his head, waving his hand briefly as he looked down at the kid. 1x1x1x1 understood somewhat, in that moment, that maybe something similar had happened with this insufferable child, and it was not worth the breath. 

 

He shoved c00lkidd off of him, walking past him and into the cabin to patch up, trying to ignore that high-pitched, incessant noise that followed him around.

 

-

 

From that moment on, c00lkidd seemed to take a liking to 1x1x1x1, always following him around. He could not muster up the strength to kill it a second time. Considering how difficult it had been, how he had come within an inch of his life, just barely managing to crawl back to the cabin, he might not even be able to best it next time. The reason it decided not to pick a fight with him was beyond conceptual thought. He had choked it to death with his bare hands, chasing it down for engaging in conversation, and it seemed more chipper than ever to follow him around and talk to him, despite that fear that he'd seen, despite that survival instinct. 

 

Repression, perhaps? That was 1x1x1x1’s leading theory. That every time it died, it chose to block the memory from its childlike recollection, unlike when it murdered robloxians. It was amusing, the thought that death was so much worse than murder to it.

 

1x1x1x1 had grown from his distaste of this place. The abrupt placement had thrown him off at first, but eventually, he found it joyful, the taking of lives. Especially his creator’s. The most joy he found in this place was slowly tracking Shedletsky, turning his friends into mindless ghouls to tear him apart. Sometimes, he would kill him quickly, his brutality getting the best of him. Other times, he would draw it out, his sadism getting the best of him. Overall, he grew to enjoy being in such a place.

 

Over these large spans of time, nothing changed. It was the same routine of wandering and murdering. 1x1x1x1 was not sick of it quite yet, but it seemed as though he may get over it much sooner than he thought he would. 

 

Surprisingly, c00lkidd came to that point first.

Chapter 2: He's getting tired (FUCKING COMFORT FAMILY DYNAMICS DARK AND EVIL FAMILY DYNAMICS)

Summary:

1x1x1x1 has already learned that c00lkidd isn't worth the effort and risk to kill. Just as they begin to warm up to it, for some strange reason, it loses its motivation, its killer drive.

Notes:

FAMBILY. THEY R. also 007n7 is this chapter I hope I wrote him accordingly,,

“One by one…” c00lkidd stumbled into the cabin, whining annoyingly. “I’m tired.”

 

Its limbs oozed partly ichor and partly blood, covered in gashes. Not quite dead, but getting there.

 

1x1x1x1 nodded, leaning back against the wall. They sighed sharply, looking down at the ground. They could recall a few times where they'd turned up like that, when survivors got particularly sick of the cycle, and finally stood up. 

 

“1x…” c00lkidd approached them, its claws flexing at its sides, a sharp huff pulling from its chest. “I don't want to play this game anymore.”

 

1x1x1x1’s eyes widened slightly. John perked up, his eyes narrowing, and Jason fully turned to look at him.

 

They had never suspected that c00lkidd, the one who seemed to take the most joy in the killing, to sicken of it quickest. They suspected it might be Jason, given his motive was vague, or themself. But c00lkidd stood in front of them, with a resigned, weary look on its morbid face, a rare moment where it was devoid of joy and sadness.

 

“Why.” 1x1x1x1 tilted their head to the side slightly, pushing c00lkidd back slightly where it had gotten slightly too close for comfort. A demand more than a question.

 

c00lkidd looked up at them, its beady eyes shining with tears. “They're…they're being mean to me!” It ignored their earlier action, immediately approaching again. “My arm hurts. I don't want to play anymore!”

 

1x1x1x1’s eyes narrowed dangerously. It would not ruin this for them, not before they were done. They did not know what the repercussions of c00lkidd refusing to take part in this senseless bloodshed might be, but in the case of it ending for all of them, then 1x1x1x1 would murder c00lkidd. Again, permanently this time. 

 

 “You—”

 

John had come up beside c00lkidd, slapping his hand down on its uninjured shoulder. “Well! Let's play a different game, then,” He growled, pulling c00lkidd slightly closer, baring his teeth in a crooked smile. He had come to the same consensus, but had some…different…ideas on how to handle it.

 

c00lkidd’s eyes lit up immediately, and it grabbed John’s hand, claws digging in. “Oooh! Oooh, what will we play?!” c00lkid got closer, holding his hand in both of its as its crooked, sharp smile returned. 1x1x1x1 pushed back a small shot of relief through them at the familiarity. “Tag? Hide and seek? Peekaboo?!”

 

“Dodgeball!” He yelled, shoving it back harshly as he raised his corrupted limb, breaking off a large spike with a grunt and immediately throwing it outwards. 

 

It screeched as the spike landed into its shoulder before giggling. “I love that game!” It reached behind its back, throwing a concrete block at John, who dodged out of the way to let 1x1x1x1 take the hit.

 

They caught it in their hands, a sharp rattle sounding in their chest. “Go outside.”

 

John scoffed, kicking the door down to head outside. c00lkidd looked up at them, before bolting after John, thoroughly intimidated.

 

-

 

By the time they sensed the game was over, they walked outside. Only John had come back, clipping their shoulder as he walked inside. 

 

1x1x1x1 stepped into the large, forest-like area. They looked around briefly, their eye flashing as they glanced around.

 

There it was, the shape of a creature huddled in on itself, on the far side of the forest. They approached slowly, making their footsteps louder than usual. They didn't consider it necessary to be unknown.

 

“You.”

 

c00lkidd sat in the grass beside a lake, in the fetal position. It shook, wounds gushing blood, tears rolling down its cheeks. It didn't look up, still, hugging its legs even tighter.

 

“…c00lkidd.” 

 

It sniffled, looking up at them. “I'm tired. When can we go home, 1x?”

 

They didn't respond. They stared at the ground for a moment, before they carefully took a seat on the floor beside it. Its little sniffles, its cracked voice, it all made their long dead heart tear apart, an agony in their chest. They didn't know how to make it stop.

 

“We…we can go home, right? I want my dad,” It pleaded, tears rolling down its cheeks.

 

John was supposed to make it feel better, not even worse . Surely, he did not even attempt to soften the blows on an already injured creature. Maybe he was aiming to make himself feel better.

 

“…We will go home soon.” 1x1x1x1 stared into the water, sighing sharply. “Just be patient.”

 

“I don't want to be patient. I want my dad!” It pleaded, its hands closing into fists, the claws drawing blood from its palms as it raised them to hit its own head.

 

They quickly snatched one of its hands out of the air, yanking it away. How stupid, to hurt yourself in such a wounded state. They couldn't wrap their head around it. But c00lkidd was never the height of rationality. It sobbed, covering its face with its other hand.

 

They felt that gashing, bleeding wound in their deadened heart widen, twisting, festering, choking. They released their grip, forcing their hand away, before very, very carefully resting it on its shoulder.

 

It looked up, salty tears rolling down its cheeks, surely leaking into the wounds on its face. It took the gesture immediately as an invitation to crawl into their arms, its long arms coming around them, claws digging into their skin. It hurt. The tight grip around them awakened long dead nerves, prickling with discomfort, unease.

 

They stayed put, their hand still on its shoulder. “Quiet,” They murmured, their hand moved to its upper back. “It has been a bad day…but you can do better, can't you?”

 

c00lkidd nodded, sniffling sharply, clutching to them like a child to its mother. 

 

“You will crush them. Leave no mercy in your wake. Maybe this game will get dull…” 1x1x1x1 sighed, their other arm wrapping around it. They felt the blood rubbing off on their skin, the bones close to the skin. It felt uncomfortably fleshy, but they'd grown far too familiar with the texture of flesh as of late. “You are still better at it than any of them…and you will prove that to them.”

 

c00lkidd nodded again, quickly, its grip loosening slightly. “Okay…can I take a little break, just for a match…?”

 

Ridiculous. 1x1x1x1 did their best job trying to comfort this mess of a monster, to ease its woes and calm it, and it asks for more favours. It should feel lucky. 1x1x1x1 should unsheathe their sword and skewer it, finish it off from its earlier wounds.

 

“…Okay.”

 

-

 

When it called for c00lkidd, 1x1x1x1 stepped out. They felt themself almost lift, for a moment, a few error sounds playing.

 

Just before they were transported, c00lkid crashed into them. “Wait! I changed my—”

 

-

 

1x1x1x1 fell sharply to the ground, catching themself before they rose, shoving it off of them. They couldn't see, glitches and errors in their vision. c00lkidd scrambled to get up, holding its head and groaning loudly. “AUGH…”

 

When their eyes opened at last, their vision clearing, they immediately closed them again. It was so unnaturally bright, the blue sky, the sun shining onto them. They hadn't seen the sun in such a long time…they can't remember the last server they'd seen with a sun. Why was the sky blue, instead of cloudy and black?

 

When they squinted, they made out the walls, bright and well-built, colours of a children's play place. Their vision swam with the overload of colours, they pushed c00lkidd off again when it clung to them, shaking.

 

“Why is it so dark?!” It asked, clutching to their arm still, refusing to let go. “I don't like this place, it's so scary…”

 

Their eyes widened as they looked down at c00lkidd. The horrific monster they'd known before now looked up at them, a small child, red-skinned with bright, round eyes. The text that was plastered onto his chest was now written in comic sans on his shirt. He looked so innocent.

 

“What are you talking about? It's too bright,” They snapped, squinting in the sunlight. “What did you do?”

 

“Nothing! I just…” c00lkidd inched closer to them, his hands gripping their arm tightly. No claws to dig in. “I don't want to be here…it's so dark. Do you see that?” 

 

1x1x1x1 looked up. They could clearly see a group of survivors, chuckling as they spoke, slapping buttons on a vague machine as opposed to the complex wiring that they always witnessed. They pried c00lkidd off of them, holding his hand instead as they walked towards them. “It’s…players. Come with me.”

 

They coaxed him into coming with. As they approached, though, Two Time accidentally stumbled into their path. Two Time chuckled anxiously, grinning like they were not about to die horrifically. They looked so happy, tilting their head to the side a little before they ran off. “Catch me if you can~!”

 

1x1x1x1 started after them, releasing c00lkidd to throw their sword. They easily left him behind, sprinting towards them to slash at them with their sword. “Too slow!” They chimed merrily, ducking comedically to dodge. 1x1x1x1 seethed, starting after them again.

 

-

 

Two Time walked into their path. Their eyes widened, filled with shock and mild terror…they looked so scared.

 

“Oh shit,” They mumbled, taking a step back before they ran off. “Gah—!” Their back arched as it was cut into, a gross, red stain on their back as they just barely moved out of the way in time.

 

c00lkidd looked down at his hand where 1x1x1x1 was holding it, his vision growing blurry with tears. The forest seemed to whisper to him so loudly, the darkness terrifying. He felt like there was something behind him.

 

He sprinted off, towards his friends, chest heaving as he sought for company.

 

-

 

1x1x1x1 quickly lost Two Time, but moved on. They had a headache from all of the bright light, but they persisted, their sword firmly hitting down Noob.

 

Noob twirled around dramatically, before he fell over, fast asleep. Had he fainted from terror? He was typically the most cowardly. Their sword didn't seem to do anything, just knocking into people with the blunt side, which seemed to be every side. No satisfying sink of darkness into flesh.

 

They persisted, moving away from Noob. There was someone in specific that they wanted to find.

 

They laid eyes on Shedletsky. He saw them, too, his sword readying. They chuckled darkly, knowing how little it served him in the past. Even this time, it seemed to be made of cardboard. How useless.

 

He laughed, he still retained the audacity to laugh . It sounded so light-hearted, like he did not know what was coming to him. “Come on, give it your best shot!”

 

Too blinded by their own rage to recognise that was something Shedletsky would never say, not to them , not in that tone, they pursued him, catching him once on the shoulder.

 

For some reason, pain shot through them as his cardboard sword knocked into their side. It simply determined them to go faster, harder. “Give up already.”

 

“Catch me, catch me~!” He waved his hands in the air as he ran, so disgustingly light-hearted. Did they all think this was a game? They were all simply delirious from the errors, the code. So was 1x1x1x1, their vision betrayed them. There was something so deeply wrong, the smiling sun so much more disturbing than what they were used to. They kept their pursuit, though. 

 

“I will end your laughter soon. How unfortunate, that you still have the joy to laugh at me after everything that I have done to you, creator.” They charged forward, landing a hit on his shoulder. 

 

“What—?!” Shedletsky stumbled back, chuckling softly. “Laughing? What are you talking about, 1x?!”

 

“Do not presume to fool me.” They slashed forth, their eyes seeping malice. “You should know better than this.” 

 

Finally, they entangled him, tripping him to the floor. 

 

“You’ve finally lost your mind. How disappointing, that I was not there to see the break .” 1x1x1x1 pushed their foot onto his chest, keeping him down. “I hope I was the cause of that. I hope when you come back, it gets worse .” 

 

Their sword bumped against his chest. They growled, trying it again. His eyes fell shut, but he was still breathing. Another one, asleep?!

 

They groaned agitatedly, seeing red. With no hesitation, they raised their sword, slamming it into him again, and again, and again, hoping to feel that jolt of death, the crack of ribs breaking, something . Even a blunt object should be doing something, anything other than putting him to sleep. They wanted him dead . They wanted to see his gore spilled out of his body, ribs and organs splayed against the floor, but he snored, and slept, so peaceful.

 

-

 

c00lkid ran after the adults, tears rolling down his cheeks. They easily evaded him, running away in terror. He was fast, but he tripped over himself. He needed to find someone, anyone, make them stay.

 

He ran around like that for a bit, the darkness growing more and more suffocating with every moment. Why did they all leave him? Why did they leave him alone? They must've been scared of the dark, too, why didn't they want company?

 

Just as his legs got tired from running, he took a moment, looking around. He spotted someone on the ground, distantly, 1x standing over them. His friend! Finally, someone who he knew wouldn't run—

 

As he approached, his eyes widened, he stopped dead in his tracks.

 

A repetitive, meaty thud as they repeatedly thrusted their sword into his torso. He couldn't even tell what was what anymore, a face turned into a puddle of blood and gore. He felt sick, a heavy weight in his chest.

 

They looked so scary, their eye glowing, mercilessly tearing into his friend, carving the organs out of his chest. c00lkid sobbed sharply, placing his hand over his mouth, backing up slowly.

 

He sprinted away, the gorey image painted clearly into his mind, the entrails and, and, the bones—he couldn't think clearly, running towards the nearest person. He grabbed them by the shoulder, and they cried out in pain, trying to tear away from him. They looked so familiar…

 

He sobbed sharply, his arms wrapped tightly around 007n7, so that his father could not escape. “Dad, dad, please, dad…”

 

The struggle stopped, his father looking at him for a moment. His father looked horrified, and heartbroken, still wiping a tear off of his face.

 

“Dad, please…it's so scary here…I want to go home ,” c00lkidd sobbed, burying his face into his dad’s shoulder. Why was his dad so short ? 

 

“Shhh, it's okay,” His father murmured, wrapping his arms around him in turn. His voice was cracked, strained, not so warm as when they were playing. 

 

“I'm so scared,” c00lkid sobbed, clutching at the back of his shirt. He closed his eyes when he saw the claws on his hands. “I don't want to play anymore. I don't want to.”

 

“We d-don’t have to play,” His father reassured him, grabbing his forearm. He looked so scared, like how c00lkidd felt. “Come here.”

 

“Wait! Don't leave me behind!” c00lkidd exclaimed, immediately letting his dad pull him along, following close behind. “Be careful. 1x is all wrong now…”

 

His father sat down on the castle, his back to the uneven stone wall. c00lkidd sat next to him, curling up against him, still clutching to his shirt. 

 

“It's okay, it's all going to be fine,” His father said, a little bit more firmly, more certain than before. Then, after a beat, his dad’s eyes welled up with tears, swallowing thickly as he muttered, “I've got you, kid.”

 

c00lkidd felt relief and warmth course through him. “I don't know what's going on, we were all just playing before…what's going on, now? Why is it all so scary, so wrong?!” He closed his eyes, so as not to see his strange new limbs. It had been so long since his father comforted him awake, he was always so tired after playing that he couldn't help it. His father had always fell asleep before c00lkidd head back to the cabin. He'd forgotten what a hug from him felt like…

 

“It's…just a bad dream. Close your eyes, c00lkidd…” He wrapped his arms around him, letting him rest there, coaxing him to sleep.

 

“No…I can't…”

 

007n7 trembled. A drop of something landed on c00lkidd’s cheek. “It's okay. Go to sleep. I'll watch out for the monsters, okay?” He kissed him on the forehead, something he used to do every night before he'd tuck him into bed. “I'd never let anything hurt you, kid.”

 

He remembered his dad’s abilities. An all-powerful hacker. He remembered his history of incredible exploits, things that used to amaze him, things that made him want to take after him. He could do anything .

 

“Can you…can you delete all of the monsters?”

 

His dad sniffled, rubbing his shoulder, soothing him with his presence. “Yes, c00lkidd. I deleted all of the monsters.”

 

c00lkidd felt relief run through him. He relaxed, laying on his father’s lap. He felt a question run through his foggy brain, trying to grasp onto it as consciousness faded. “Then…then why am I still…”

 

-

 

1x1x1x1 eventually broke out of their heated daze, pulling their sword back. Their arm was strained from swinging. There must not be much time left, now.

 

They walked up to the castle. Usually, this was where the survivors would congregate…they were too confused to enjoy the killing, but walking up the ramp was more instinctual than anything.

 

What they found surprised them. As they grew closer to c00lkidd, they felt the sky darkening slightly, the childish mirage fading. 007n7 held him close, and 1x1x1x1 could not help but stare as he gave a glare, gently laying his son down to stand protectively in front of him.

 

1x1x1x1’s eyes narrowed. “You think I would hurt him?” They sneered, their sword drawn. Everything was falling back to normal now, the sky a murky black. They felt so relieved that the nightmare had ended.

 

“I'm not so sure.” 007n7 shook, but stayed in place. “…Listen. I don't know what happened here. If he wakes up, and it's all back to normal…” 007n7 sighed sharply, his hands curled into fists at his sides. “Tell him that it was just a dream. Don't tell him the truth. My boy…he would not be able to handle it.”

 

“I do not owe you anything , mortal.” 1x1x1x1’s sword found 007n7’s stomach, but he stayed put, staring them down, embracing his fate.

 

1x1x1x1 stayed in place for a moment, staring at him. Their eye flashed, before they continued. “He will not know. I need him to stay oblivious just as much as you want him to, exploiter.” They twisted the blade.

 

007n7’s face contorted, but relief shot through his gaze before he fell limp on their sword.

 

They pulled it out, catching his body before it hit the floor to lay it down more easily, making it easier to think he was asleep. Enduring what c00lkidd enjoyed was utter torture. They understood, now, though, what they worked with. It was a game, a long, bright, joyful one, that lasted forever. To think he was foolish for believing what he saw…was hypocritical.

 

1x1x1x1 sat down next to c00lkid. He rested peacefully, his chest rising and falling, actually asleep. They heaved him up slightly, careful not to wake him as they let his upper body rest on their lap, more comfortable to sleep on than the solid stone floor.

 

The twisting in their deadened heart faltered for just a moment, replaced by such a foreign warmth. They languished in it, resting their hand on his shoulder, rubbing it.

 

-

 

1x1x1x1 hauled c00lkidd back to the cabin after being teleported. He was still asleep, crooked, gruesome body over her shoulder. Every once in a while, he would murmur something in his sleep, squirming and grimacing, his claws digging into her skin, but she didn't mind. She barely felt it.

 

As 1x1x1x1 stepped through the door, she dropped c00lkidd on the floor. His body slammed into the wood with a loud thud as he jolted awake, eyes turning to her.

 

He yelped, immediately backpedalling against the floor, whimpering. He looked terrified, eyes wide, face contorted into terror.

 

She didn't know what he could've seen, what he could've dreamt about. “Still yourself.” She walked to the wall, leaning against it, eyes narrowing. What should she care if he was scared? It would be all the better for her if he left her alone, never bothered her with his annoying, high-pitched voice, never seeked out her embrace with claws and a too-tight grip. 

 

“One by one—! But y-you,” c00lkidd breathed, tears welling up in his eyes. “I saw you—”

 

“I didn't do anything . What are you talking about?” 1x1x1x1 scoffed, crossing her arms. “I went alone. In your place.”

 

“Hmm…!” c00lkidd looked down at the floor for a moment, using all of his brain cells to try and figure it out. It was pitiful, watching how easily he could be lied to. “Well, must've been a dream!” He chimed, standing up to his feet.

 

She sighed, looking away from him. All sorted out. At last.

 

“1x! 1x! Do you wanna hear about my nightmare!” c00lkidd urged, now right back at her side. He was annoying, but the familiarity was undeniably comforting. 

 

“I do not care.” She stiffly turned to face the wall on the opposite side of herself.

 

Despite her words, he continued to make senseless noise, telling her about what she had just experienced. She was quiet, though, unwillingly listening to every last word.

Notes:

RAHHHHHH. Do not let the ending fool you. She loves him like a son she just doesn't know how to handle it or process it. They get healthier and happier I swearrr. Not that c00lkidd is really the best kid one could ask for, either.

Notes:

AUGH. I wrote this. Someone please write a double fedora fic I'll do anything. Just for fics for this game in general we need them to make a category I love this game and its content AUGH. Cursed forever to play forsaken. Next killer who kills me will be written into a family dynamic fanfiction I swear to fucking god.

Please comment. Please god please I spent like twelve hours on this. And also please play forsaken with me. If you send me your user I'll friend you I'm on here so often

If someone comments something really nice I'll post chapter two early I have it ready

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of krool_aid's forsaken fics ^^