Chapter Text
007n7 blinked open his eyes, staring at the ceiling of his cabin for a few moments through blurry vision before pushing himself up and off the bed. He reached up to rub at his eyes as he made his way to the bathroom, letting out a yawn as he scratched his stomach through his onesie.
“Morning, 007n7.”
“Morning.” He said mindlessly, pushing the door to his bathroom open and stepping through. He made his way over to the sink, turning on the tap and splashed his face with water. Then he got to removing his onesie, and placed his burger hat on the table as he stepped into the shower.
It was only after he was done, dried himself off and in fresh clothes did he even this to quest Guest 1337's presence. He stepped out of his bathroom, closing the door behind him as he looked at the man in question. Who was sitting on a chair that 007n7 was sure was from the kitchen he barely stepped foot in.
“Why are you here?” 007n7 asked, fiddling with the tail end of the rope, unsure of if he wanted it tighter or looser. Thankfully, it wasn't wet. For some reason.
Guest 1337's eyes briefly flicked downwards, before moving back up to his face. “You agreed to let me stay the night yesterday.” he said slowly as he got up from the chair. O07n7 blinked before decorating his face with a sheepish expression and chuckled awkwardly.
“Oh, I did, didn't I?” He didn't remember agreeing to anything yesterday. Actually, he didn't remember anything that happened yesterday. But if he didn't, then it probably wasn't important. “Well uh… I'm gonna go to the docks. Wanna come?”
Guest 1337 said nothing, for a moment, before simply saying. “Sure.”
“Sweet!” 007n7 made his way to the door, a pep in his step with Guest 1337 following behind him. He opened the door, taking a breath of the fresh, cold air before making his way to the docks. As he grew closer the scent of salt became more prominent and it worked well to put him even more at ease.
It was familiar, and familiar was good.
He sat down at the edge criss crossed, resting his back against one of the pillars. He looked down at the water, resting his hands on his legs as he smiled.
Guest 1337 stood near the water's edge, arms crossed and back straight as he looked out at the water. He never truly understood what 007n7 did out here most of the time, and he was sure he could see the appeal of the silence to clear your head.
However…
He glanced downwards, eyeing how… At peace the other man looked, and the smile on his face. It wasn't a blank one, or a false one. But one that showed he was well and truly happy, and he wasn't locked away in his mind going over happy memories either. Guest 1337 could see the subtle shift of his eyes as he looked at something beneath the water.
It was good. To see him smiling for once.
Guest 1337 eyed the rope around 007n7's neck.
“So.” He began, stifling the urge to drag him away from the water. He could trust 007n7, he had to remember that. The man in question let out a questioning hum. “What do you do out here?”
“Think, mostly.” 007n7 said, swaying back and forth slightly as he started to hum lightly. It sounded like a lullaby. “There's a lot to think about, really. But sometimes I like to try and count the amount of fish I see, if there’s any around at all.”
“There's fish?” Guest 1337 asked. He genuinely wanted to know the answer, it would certainly put a new food option on their table aside from pizza and, well, chicken if Shedletsky ever felt like sharing once in a blue moon.
“Yea! There's a lot because, you know, ocean!” He said, throwing his arms out to gesture at exactly that. Which, it did make sense. “I was surprised too the first time because, fishes? Here? Crazy, right!” 007n7 giggled to himself at his own words, uncrossing his legs as he shifted off the pillar to rest on his hands, kicking his legs back and forth gently.
“I… Suppose so.” Guest 1337 said, scanning the utter (unfortunately) alien sight of not only 007n7 smiling but giggling as well. He had never seen the man so… Carefree, for a lack of a better word. He was always closed off, hunched over to make himself seem smaller, less threatening despite being the furthest thing Guest 1337 had ever seen from it. “It is odd that a place like this would have fish.” He glanced at the water, trying to peer beneath to try and spot one of said fish, before kneeling down when he couldn’t to try and get a closer look. “You think they’re edible?”
It would help, extremely, if they were.
“No clue!” 007n7 said enthusiastically, and Guest 1337 wasn’t sure why he expected him to know. “I don’t even know what type of fish there are, it’s just fun to count them! Why do you ask?” 007n7 tilted his head.
“I wanted to know if we could catch a few and eat them.”
“Oooh.” 007n7 said, realising crossing his face before he turned back to the water, then shrugged. “I mean, we could try. Nooo idea how’d we do that though. Don’t suppose you have a spear lying around, do ya?”
“No.” Guest 1337 grunted. He wasn’t one to carry around a weapon like that, and if he even had one he was sure it would disappear in some way if the entity that controlled this place had anything to say about it.
His fists worked just fine, anyway.
But he wasn’t sure how good he would be catching fish in their own territory.
Or how deep the water of this place was.
Maybe Chance could help?
Guest 1337 narrowed his eyes, as if it would help him see what 007n7 could easily.
“Pardon me, Blessed One and Sentinel.”
Guest 1337 tensed. Every instinct screaming at him in a singular moment to turn around and attack, yet he forcefully prevented himself from doing so.
“Hi Two Time!” 007n7 said as Guest 1337 slowly stood up, giving the other survivor a large wave which, when Guest 1337 looked back, they returned with a more subdued–mechanical–wave of their own. “We were talking about fish!”
Guest 1337's willed his pounding heart to calm, forcing out the tension in his shoulders. He thought he had gotten used to Two Time and their ability to sneak up on him, but it seems he hadn't.
He nodded his head to the cultist in leu of a greeting. Which was returned with the same mechanicalness he gave 007n7.
“The Pizza Worker has declared it time for breakfast,” Two Time said, lowering their arm back to their side. “Thus bestowing upon me the duty of fetching you.”
“I see.” Guest 1337 nodded, making his way across the docks and nodding –this time in thanks– when he was passing by.
“Blessed One, are you not coming?” He heard Two Time ask behind him.
“Oh.” 007n7 sounded surprised. “I’m invited?”
Guest 1337 paused.
Two Time's smile widened, becoming just the tad bit less artificial as their eyes curved.
“Why of course, Blessed One!” They said enthusiastically, part of their attention on the Sential in the corner of their eye. “I am certain the Pizza Worker would not reject your presence.”
The Blessed One tilted his head curiously, an act that was unlike him before the events of yesterday's passing. Even more so when the Blessed One so openly looked opposed to their words.
“Are you sure?” He asked, uncertain in tone and expression. Not a move yet made to get up.
“Very.” Two Time said. Tone certain, calm and composed. “The Spawn favours not those that lie with malicious intent.”
Ah, the Blessed One truly was blessed. To not only be granted The Spawn’s favour, yet also washed away of sins and insecurities to be born anew. Bound no longer by chains that left him so… Pitiful.
“Ookay then.” The Blessed One said, moving away from the edge and getting onto his feet. He dusted off the back of his pants. “But if he gets mad, then it'll be your fault, not mine.” He said casually.
Yes, bound no longer indeed.
“Of course, Blessed One.” Two Time said, smile widening just the slightest bit more as they eyed the rope –the symbol of The Spawn's love and divine favor– around his neck. Before stepping aside to allow him to pass. “But I do believe the Pizza Worker would be far from angry.”
Two Time fell into step behind 007n7, close to touch if they so wished, yet far enough to not intrude upon personal space. Shadow-like. They turned their head slightly, giving Guest 1337 a practiced, friendly smile and the slightest tilt of their head.
“Are you not coming, Sentinel?”
Guest 1337 briefly looked as if he had swallowed something bitter, before he shook his head. Expression settling into a neutral scowl as he followed behind them.
“Of course.”
As soon as 007n7 stepped through the door, everything went quiet.