Your Father Isn’t Well.

by Nikks_purgatory

Summary:

Noli attempts to comfort c00lkidd after a match. He does his best.

Notes:

Btw this is a swap au thingy that I love a lot and wrote in a single day. Secondly in my swap au c00lkidd is a sentinel! He can charge in a similar way that Guest does. I like to think that when he gets brave, he becomes stronger. He also is half drakobloxxer in my mind, so I like to think that he gets really, really strong bursts of power from time to time that he uses to defend against killers. Also in this au Noli is basically his other father since 007n7 is a killer. Noli isn’t the step dad he’s the dad that stepped up

The round was over. Thank god.

 

Noli felt his body lurch forward against the table, hands bracing against the wood like he was about to fall face first into the surface. Across from him sat Azure and 1x, both who looked just as shaken as he did. Mentally, he was already going through what had happened like a recorder.

 

It was one of those matches that weighed heavier on him than it would for the others. The killer was 007n7. It was always a pain, a sting in the heart to see him looking so vile and angry. He was angry at everyone, regardless of what they’d tell him. Noli remembered the first match he ever had with 007n7. It stuck to him like a gross layer of sweat. He had tried to reason with 007n7, tell him that it was all gonna’ be okay. That c00lkidd was- “c00lkidd!” Noli felt himself jump up from his seat, hands bracing against the wooden table. Dammit. Poor kid.

 

He sucked in a breath, looking up to see that 1x had already left, and Azure had only stopped to see Noli’s frightened stand. “Was the little one… not with you?” The botanist asked confusingly, adjusting his wide brimmed hat. “He- He was. But then Seven came around and I tried to get him to focus on me, but no matter what I did that bastard just went for his kid.” Noli’s stance shifted, causing him to let out a pained sigh. Azure looked remorseful, lips pursed together in a thin line.

 

“Maybe he’s in his cabin. The little one likes to hide away after seeing his father, doesn’t he?” Azure suggested, tucking his chair in- and doing the same for 1x’s. Noli mindlessly mimicked the action, nodding slowly. He brushed a curl of hair from his face, fingers tapping idly on the wood.

 

He felt like such a bad replacement. He still remembered the promise he made to 007n7 all those years ago. He promised 007n7 that he was going to take care of c00lkidd if anything happened to him. That he was going to never let a bad thing come his way. Yet there he was. Witnessing what had to be the tenth time he screwed up and let 007n7 down.

 

He was such a terrible boyfriend. Well. Ex-Boyfriend at this point. 007n7 barely recognized him. He’s not even sure if he had love in his heart for him still. As he bid goodbye to Azure, Noli made a quick exit from the cabin. “C00lkidd, you out here?” He called. As the youngest of the survivors, c00lkidd was cared for by everyone. It was more or less a team effort to take care of him. Sometimes they’d take turns babysitting him in matches, other times they’d all pitch in to make him smile after. Noli was more than thankful each time someone stepped in when he was too tired to care for the little guy, but there was always a wave of guilt that came over him.

 

C00lkidd was like his own. In a way, Noli was his father. He and 007n7 were together at the time, when 007n7 had called him in a panic saying that there was a baby on the doorstep. Noli had never ran so fast in his life. He still remembered the night fondly. He tripped over a trash can, fell face first into a puddle, gotten chased by not one, but two dogs, and then finally smacked face first into 007n7’s door. He laughed a little at the memory, of 007n7 panicking even more when he saw Noli’s beat up face. The way the baby in his arms giggled when he pulled on Noli’s hair.

 

The smile 007n7 had when he watched Noli clumsily hold the swaddled up baby in his arms. Noli felt his heart ache at the memories. Shaking his head as if he was trying to push them down, the exploiter continued onwards to go to c00lkidd’s cabin.

 

Really, it was Noli’s cabin, but c00lkidd usually slept on the bed while Noli took a nap in the chair nearby. The only times Noli was allowed on the bed was when c00lkidd was having a nightmare, or sleeping over in someone elses’s cabin. Noli knocked on the door, just to give c00lkidd the alert that someone was entering. He rolled his shoulders, as if preparing to put on some sort of funny act for the kid. “Heyyyyy kiddo!” He smiled underneath his mask, entering the cabin with his hands out like a jester. The light poured in from the room nearby, with c00lkidd sitting curled up on the bed.

 

Noli couldn’t help but feel his heart tighten even more. There he was. Sitting with his knees tucked up, shuddering every once in a while with sobs. Tears stained the covers below, his little plush toy tucked tightly in his arms. His ears were flat against his head, and his hair was a mess. Maybe he should give him a good brushing too. That always calmed him down when he was younger.

 

He couldn’t see c00lkidd’s face, but he knew it wasn’t a smile. His own smile faltered, shoulders sagging. “Mind if I… uh, sit with you, buddy?” He sheepishly asked, walking closer. c00lkidd just curled in on himself more. Tiny claws gripping at his bright red shirt. Noli’s lips pursed together, bouncing on the heel of his feet. “I heard from.. er, John that we’re having pizza tonight… Isn’t that awesome?” He chuckled nervously.

 

Noli was never good at comforting c00lkidd. Well, not really at least. He let c00lkidd lean on him when he needed, and he was the only one that would allow c00lkidd to get angry at him too. He knew more than anyone that c00lkidd didn’t mean to be hurtful, or do stupid things. He was no older than ten, his birthday being only a few days before… all of this happened. He still dragged around that little drakobloxxer toy that 007n7 had got him that day. It wore a tiny red shirt, with the same team logo that c00lkidd had. Noli stepped closer, sitting on the bed beside c00lkidd.

 

“You did… really well today.” He said softly, hesitating to put his hand on c00lkidd’s back. His tail was thrashing wildly, a sign of danger. The silence passed through them both for a few minutes, only broken up by subtle shifts and whimpers. “Why does he do it?” c00lkidd’s tiny voice finally spoke out, catching Noli off guard. What?

 

Of course a kid wouldn’t get it. No child would ever understand why their parents would lash out at them so violently. “Why does he wanna hurt us all so bad? Did I make daddy angry?” c00lkidd sounded like he was on the verge of tears. Noli immediately jumped to shaking his head. “No, nononono, no! You didn’t do anything. This isn’t your fault, buddy. Your father isn’t angry at you, he just-“ “Then why is he hurting everyone? Why is he so mean?” Noli felt that familiar sting at the edge of his nose, the one that followed with the prickle around his eyes. He let his head fall, cracking his knuckles as if it would release any of the pressure he had.

 

“Listen, c00lkidd… your father, he…” How was he ever going to say it? Hey, buddy! Y’see, when you went missing, your daddy got really mad at the world! So he shoved a gun five inches deep in his throat and killed himself! Your old pal Noli here had to scrape his brains off the goddamn floor before he went to go find you! No, not like that. Don’t be an idiot, Noli. “He’s a little under the weather, y’know? Do you remember when you got lost after your birthday?” Noli saw c00lkidd turn his head around, nodding slowly.

 

“Well, your dad got worried. Really worried. Even I couldn’t seem to make him feel better, no matter how many times I gave him kisses.” Noli’s hands went to cup c00lkidd’s face, squishing the soft cheeks between his hands. He could see the tear stains that marked the red cheeks, but the more he squished and pulled, the softer c00lkidd’s eyes got. “So, your daddy made a tiny mistake. He didn’t mean to do it, though. I-“ Noli swallowed. “I helped him clean up. He had to go away after, though. So I went to go find him. He’s really good at hide n’ seek, you know that? He must’ve learned from you.” NoIi chuckled, seeing c00lkidd giggle at the joke.

 

He felt a little better when he saw him giggle. Poor thing doesn’t even know what he means, does he? “Instead of finding him, though, I found you! Kidd, you had everyone so worried! I’m so glad some good people found you n’ cared for you until I got here.” Noli remembered the first time he stepped foot into the lodge. The exact details of what he did to get there… he didn’t want to think on. But he never ran so fast the moment his eyes landed on the /red/ of c00lkidd’s hair. He had actually landed a punch square in John’s gut, thinking that they had all kidnapped c00lkidd. He apologized profusely after once c00lkidd informed him that no, nobody there had hurt him.

 

“Is he gonna get better?” C00lkidd asked, crawling into Noli’s lap. His tail curled around Noli’s wrist, leaning back into the exploiter. Noli closed his eyes. No. Not unless by some goddamn miracle he gets turned into a survivor. “We’re still working on finding what’ll make your daddy feel better.” Noli swallowed quickly when he saw the way c00lkidd’s ears droop. “—But! We are making progress, buddy! I was able to talk to him last match! He really, really misses you, c00lkidd.” He wouldn’t stop screaming at Noli to tell him where his son was, not realizing the corpse he was walking over was the exact thing he was searching for.

 

“He does?” c00lkidd looked up almost excitedly. Noli felt himself grow remorseful. No better time to lie to a kid, he guessed. “Oh, like crazy. He said he doesn’t want you getting sick, though, so he can’t see you right away! And he said he’s sorry for hurting you, snd everyone else. When your father isn’t feeling well, he often gets snappy. Y’know, like you do!” Noli added. c00lkidd nodded slowly. “Can he take a nap? Or eat something yummy? Oh! Can we bring him pizza?” c00lkidd asked, ears flicking into Noli’s hands.

 

How was he going to tell the poor kid? Noli couldn’t just tell him that none of that stuff worked. He thought for a moment, brushing his hand slowly down c00lkidd’s cheek. “I’m sure… that would work wonders to make him feel better! He’s probably cranky because he doesn’t get to nap that often. I’d know. He used to be the worst when he was tired!” Noli chuckled. The last part wasn’t even a lie.

 

007n7 usually stayed up late, having a bad, tired attitude in the mornings. Once, it had gotten so bad that he had fallen asleep mid exploit. Noli had to drag him all the way into the back of an alley and slap him until he woke up. That then ended with Noli getting slapped in return, tumbling into a full on fist fight in the alleyway. That may, or may not have ended in their first rushed makeout, but Noli can’t remember all the details.

 

“Really?” c00lkidd smiled. Noli knew that he’d have to inform the other survivors that he might’ve told c00lkidd some white lies so he wouldn’t have him find out the truth of what happened to his dad. They’d probably kick his ass, but it was worth it. As long as c00lkidd didn’t find out, it would all be worth it.

 

He gently rubbed c00lkidd’s back, seeing the way the little kid leaned into the touch. God, he was so cute. No wonder 007n7 didn’t just drop him off at the nearest adoption center.  He was like a little red fireball of joy. He never stopped bouncing off the walls when he was excited. When he got brave, oh, boy. Killers had a hard time finding their footing once he headbutted them into the ground. Often times, it would be Noli watching from afar, cheering the boy on. Then, he’d have to grab c00lkidd in record time when the killers started getting pissy at the young boy.

 

“Say, kiddo. Pass me the brush from the drawer. Y’hairs all messy from the crying. I don’t want Jason breathing down my neck about how I don’t take care of you. I take great care of you, don’t I buddy?” Noli scoffed, holding his hand out for c00lkidd to pass the wooden brush to him. He held the object in his hands, slowly putting the bristles down on c00lkidd’s scalp. He used to do this with him. When 007n7 was too tired to do so. They’d be sitting on c00lkidd’s bed, with 007n7 sleeping behind them.

 

It was silent for the time, with Noli brushing out the soft red tufts of hair that poked out like sharp edges on c00lkidd’s head. For someone who looked so sharp like a little devil, c00lkidd was just the sweetest when he was in a good mood. Really, what kid wasn’t a little monster when they were mad? Noli couldn’t help but think of himself as the same when he was only ten. After a few more minutes of brushing out the soft hair, Noli gently patted c00lkidd’s cheek, getting the kid to giggle. “There we go. All better. Now you look good as new! Don’t suppose you’d be against having a bath now, would you?”

 

c00lkidd squeaked, immediately hopping off Noli’s lap. “No way! I don’t wanna bath!” He giggled, running to the other side of the bed. Noli smiled widely under his mask. Oh, so he wanted to play tag now? He chuckled, hopping off the bed and slowly approaching c00lkidd. “C’mere, you little furball… everybody’s gotta get clean!” He laughed, hands out and slowly going after c00lkidd.

 

c00lkidd squealed with delight, running away from Noli to the other side of the cabin. Noli didn’t put any effort into chasing him. He was faster than c00lkidd, and he could easily rush to grab him if he used the void star. However, he didn’t want to catch c00lkidd. He could bathe the little munchkin later when he was too tired to make a fuss about it. c00lkidd ran across the space, hiding behind the chair, the table, and even worming under the bed with a giggle before popping out on the other side.

 

Noli quickly rushed to the other side of the bed, pulling c00lkidd up and out like a wriggly little fish. “Gotcha!” He laughed, spinning c00lkidd around in the air before pulling him into a tight hug. “There’s the little furball. Not so fast against me, are ya?” The exploiter grinned, pressing his mask close to c00lkidd’s face. c00lkidd didn’t stop laughing, kicking his feet as his tail wagged with joy. Noli felt his heart soften. He was still c00lkidd. He was still his son. 007n7’s little boy, his pride and joy.

 

He soon sat c00lkidd back in his lap, holding the kid tightly before letting him go.

 

“So…” Noli started, tapping his foot on the ground. “How about we head to the lodge? Grab something to eat, and then we get you ready for some shuteye? You must be exhausted, little man. All that fighting and running, must’ve worked up an appetite!” Noli said, ruffling c00lkidd’s hair gently. c00lkidd laughed, nodding eagerly. “Is everyone gonna eat with us?” Noli tapped his chin at the question. “I dunno, buddy… you know how they are. Everyone’s got their own agendas here…” He sighed. “Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssseeeeeeee?“ c00lkidd started, hopping off Noli’s lap and tugging on his arm. Noli let out a small huff of laughter.

 

Yeah, he didn’t care what everyone else was doing. He was going to strap them to the dining table chairs if he had too. “Alright, alright. I’ll get everyone to sit down n’ eat with us. Mind going to the lodge and gathering everyone there? I’ll grab the others from the cabins.” It was as if a flip switched in c00lkidd, sending him flying out of the cabin like a little blur of lightning.

 

Noli stood up not long after, taking his mask off with a long sigh. Dammit, Seven. He thought, slowly sinking to his knees on the floor like he was at an alter. Why? Why did you have to do it? Why did you do what you did? I could’ve helped, man. He let his hands fall over his face, slowly letting his head hit the floor with a soft thud a couple times. I’m a horrible replacement for you. Why can’t you just come to your senses? After a few more minutes of wallowing in his own sobs, Noli stood up, wiping the tears away before putting the mask back on.

 

He walked out of the cabin, ready to go barge into 1x’s place to drag her out to sit with the rest of them. It was for c00lkidd, after all.

 

There wasn’t a thing in the world Noli wouldn’t do for him, the same way there wasn’t a thing in the world Noli wouldn’t have done for 007n7. Call him a dog, or a lost stray with the way he would blindly follow 007n7 everywhere. Hell, he followed him here. He followed him here. The very thought sent a shiver down his spine. The smallest blip in his reality, the crashing realization that he followed 007n7 through death, only to become even more separated from him. God, Seven. He chuckled to himself, knocking on the cabin door.

 

You really know how to make a guy swoon, don’t you? Enough about thinking of him. Right now, it was all about his son. Noli’s son. The one he cares for because of 007n7. Their son. After a few more knocks and a few more memories, Noli stepped back. Right, back to the now.

 

“Heyyyy, 1x! It’s chow time, c00lkidd won’t eat unless everybody’s at the table!“