𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞?

by kuripurini

Summary:

₊˚⊹ ⟡ 𓌉◯𓇋 ♡ 𓌉◯𓇋 ⟡ ₊˚⊹

𝐇𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤.

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞? 𝐧𝐨, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.

𝐈𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

₊˚⊹ ⟡ 𓌉◯𓇋 ♡ 𓌉◯𓇋 ⟡ ₊˚⊹

 

Note:

Longfic and Slowburn, I want to explore Mafioso and John Doe's characters so there will be a lot of dialogue.

There are also instances of non-con between them because of John Doe's corruption inflicting his brain both physically and mentally.

Notes:

This is my first work in the Fandom! which is somehow hilarious because it's a rarepair, but the thoughts have been gnawing at me for days so CATCH, I blame that garshapoon John Doe and
Mafioso edit on TikTok for fueling this fanfic.

Also English is not my first language, despite how fluent it may sound grammar errors will appear and I have no one to proofread this so...go figure

Chapter 1: Forced Acquaintances

     Robloxia is a wide place, you can get lost in it more often than not getting into different servers and worlds, some even grow to get addicted to staying with the lure of robux and unending entertainment.

 

But Mafioso likes staying in his own lane, he wouldn't move to any other server nor world to chase and satiate his need for entertainment like the others do, he likes it here in his little apartment, with his little ruffians who would drop by every now and then to say hello when he's not on work, but his work is more or less described as illegal in layman terms but still work.

 

Currently he isn't tasked on any duty by Eunioa, his boss so to speak, a very kind yet physically tough woman if he can sum it up, yes she is literally physically tough being made out of steel her body is. To everyone she seems menacing but to Mafioso? He only sees an empathetic android, he can't really disagree nor ask for another boss in the organization since she's hyper-intelligent. Who else but her can lead them and use him to his fullest?

 

The man had been lounging around his dingy apartment the entire day, when he first bought the place he thought it would be good cover if the admins ever tried to hunt him down but really who cares about him? he just collects debts, takes out needed hits, the only robloxians admins hunt down are the notorious ones, specifically the hackers, he can list off a few and he wishes very much that he doesn't meet their kind, not even in this server.

 

But aside from hackers...there's also griefers, exploiters, a whole other list of notoriety when it comes to infamous people.

 

He doesn't outright hate these kind of robloxians, because he's a criminal himself ironically, it's just that he doesn't want anyone messing with his perfectly curated life here, he's doing well with money, he has a comfortable roof over his head, and most of all a group of close people he sees as friends outside work, if he can even call his goons as friends, his eyes often see them as immature children bouncing around with unending energy.

 

Ruffians, great word to describe them and he always uses that.

 

Though there were times he had to leave this server of his, to go outside his comfort zone in work and visit other worlds, he's seen what people do and it disgusted him.

 

 A notable robloxian would be Chance, a dapper fella with a fedora and black suit who ran off from his own world after acquiring a large sum of money overnight gambling intoxicated which was very questionable but when asked how he won he said it was all up to lady luck and his coin memento. Maybe lady luck didn't last long enough at his side and left because he also spent all the money...overnight, he managed to stumble into debt in Mafioso's world spending all his money there and so the moment his studs went into the negatives Eunoia sent him out to catch said debtor because- who in the world spends their winnings on gambling again? of course it's either you drain it or you multiply it, guess it was the latter.

 

He never managed to catch the sneaky guy, it irritated him really because by that point when he found out where he was hiding Chance had already left the server by paying out some hackers allowing him to leave discreetly, where he got the money is also very questionable.

 

All that Mafioso knows now is that the gambler is out in Robloxia most likely in the main servers as the heavy population allows him to conceal himself. Smart move he'd say inwardly, but dear God is it even more annoying to track the debtor down. No other debtor was like this, he's just- he always manages to get out free from his grasp right when he's so near at his collar, sometimes he just thinks of grabbing his hair instead.

 

But the man didn't want to think about that right now, it's his day-off, contrary to what people think he doesn't spend his days taking out poor robloxians then promptly smiling like a maniac, no, he has designated tasks and rules but now Eunoia just seems to have no task for him and his goons today and it made him antsy on what to do, he just can't keep on lounging in his apartment sifting through TV channels while half-dressed on the couch he might gain some weight over time with such a sedentary lifestyle and he can't have that!

 

Seriously though...what can he do? he barely has any other hobbies and he doesn't see the need to find one other than- well he does have one thing that he does occasionally and that is cooking, he can't admit it himself nor say it out loud to his goons and even his boss but.

 

He likes cooking.

 

His upbringing in his family may have influenced how he carries himself with cooking because maybe once a month he ends up buying store-bought pasta absentmindedly then finds himself at home with fresh produce from the farmer's market, guess he can't help but miss the taste of a home cooked family meal his mother used to do.

 

That's also another thing he can't admit openly, he misses his home but good riddance it was blown to pieces by some random hacker he can't stomach the smell of cigar and alcohol, only his mother hasn't succumbed to those vices his father and other relatives are into.

 

Now that he thought about it he hasn't made pasta at all last month because of his tight schedule, with that in mind he turned off the T.V. which he plans to change because certain channels are just plain static, maybe he should complain about it to the landlord and said landlord would most likely fix the antenna immediately because of his scary reputation, a quick glare can do and make him go up and running, he isn't paying a thousand robux a month for his apartment rent just for his nice TV with a 30 year warranty to have static channels.

 

Yes, that 30 year warranty was a very nice deal, his goons wouldn't understand.

 

Mafioso found himself wearing a casual get-up rather than his usual fedora and trench coat, he wore a wife beater and a pair of black wrinkled slacks and some old spectator shoes, he needs to fix the laces soon it's been bugging him how they are fraying at the ends, to top it all off he wore a black wool cardigan fit for the cold evening weather which he didn't even realize until he opened his blinds. He hates the afternoon sunlight, hurts his eyes.

 

Locking the door behind him he pocketed his keys and checked his wallet as he went down the stairs, when he chose his apartment he also thought about it being specifically on the second floor, he had to fight off some other willing tenant for it and now he has to pay a thousand studs per month, the reason why he chose the second floor specifically was because...if the building collapses at least he can get out quickly, fires too happen often, and burglary, Mafioso didn't think it was paranoid of him to think like that but other judge, his goons especially but he shuts their trap immediately.

 

He went through his routine, buying the pasta from the nearby supermarket them head off to buy on-sale fresh produce but since the farmer's market is already closed at around 6:00pm sharp he looked down at his pocket watch seeing it's already 7:22pm, he begrudgingly goes down the produce aisle and carefully looks through the selection they have, of course he knew better than to pick the ones placed on top, he scavenged for the bottom ones and found newer and most likely fresh tomatoes, he grabbed onions and bell peppers after that.

 

With grocery bags full of ingredients he walked down the sidewalk heading back home to his apartment, his shoes making distinct clicking noises down the empty road.

 

He found it weird though that a few of the lampposts began to flicker along the way. Is the city gaining so much people in debt themselves that they can't handle directing electricity into the suburbs anymore? Just when he looked up and saw his familiar apartment building from afar all the lampposts went off leaving Mafioso in the dark.

 

The man immediately set down his groceries quietly fearing someone may come up behind him to use this chance to pounce on the famous debt collector after all over the many years of collecting debt he gained a very large following of people who aren't fans of him.

 

That's when he felt something far more cold creep up into his spine other than the cold evening weather, he felt his body restricted, unable to move against his will, and then a slow methodical sound of footsteps came from- in front of him? whoever this is has some real grudge against him because they probably hired a hacker to paralyze his movements.

 

He soon came to realize it wasn't some former debtor seeking out to kill him.

 

It was a hacker, a real-life hacker walking in front of him, despite the dark sidewalk he can make out their face from the red glow that came from their corrupted right side, he knew what happens to hackers when they toy too much with Roblox's code and it seeps into their body becoming an unstable part of them.

 

Then, the hacker spoke.

 

"Pat-ch m-e up" The hacker said through garbled noise, most likely their corrupted side hindering their voice. "I- n-eed fo-od, wat-er, spa-re of clo-the-s" 

 

The darkness from before lifted from the sidewalk allowing the lights from the lampposts to brighten the area once more and the sight that greeted Mafioso became even more worse.

 

The hacker is John Doe.

Chapter 2: This Apartment Doesn't Accept Tenants

Summary:

Mafioso is threatened by John Doe to patch him up basically.

Notes:

TW: graphic depictions of a wound being sewn, yes somehow it's that detailed because surprise I'm a med student

     A loud bang hit the steel walls of the ship container as a noise of whimper came from the man tied to a chair, the shot earlier from the gun nearly hit him in the head grazing him in the cheek, he was an average looking man just like any other debtor Mafioso met, someone who is down on their luck and tried to bargain more than what they can take.

 

Currently he's back on duty with his goons taking charge on threatening the man to pay his debt, one that totaled to a high sum of twelve thousand studs.

 

"Now listen here boyo, you better pay up tomorrow or else your cheek isn't the only one getting grazed" Soldier said holding up a crowbar near the poor man's cranium as if planning to bust his head open like a locked door, not the intended use for a crowbar.

 

Contractee lowered his 38. caliber revolver as he reloaded it once more intending to shoot even closer to the man's cheek if he doesn't say a word.

 

"Alright alright! I'll pay!" The man finally cried out as the goons either sighed or gave a chuckle.

 

Mafioso didn't care though, he was rather preoccupied with the fact he has a hacker living in his apartment, it all happened too quickly last night and now his once-a-month pasta days are ruined after that hacker gobbled it all down, it left a sour face on Mafioso after that interaction and much worse the hacker decided to take his bed, his own bed! to which he was forced to sleep on the couch.

 

His mind lingered on it, he backtracked to what happened and wondered why out of everyone is Dreamsphere the notorious hacker named John Doe approached him for help.

 

---

 

Mafioso stared at the now brightened sight of a battered hacker, blood staining the man's clothes, looking at him more clearly he noticed how he was also limping towards him no wonder his footsteps sounded light earlier when he felt him approach, but it seems that the mafia boss's unabashed staring made John Doe agitated.

 

"H-elp m-e o-ut a-lre-ady" The hacker staggered for a moment as he went more closer to Mafioso.

 

Mafioso almost laughed at the request, him? Help a hacker? in your dreams and so he responded with a rude tone.

 

"And why exactly? why should I help someone with the likes of you, in fact I think you deserved what was coming for you, I presume the admins got a hold of you-"

 

Before the mafia boss can react he was now in a chokehold, he felt the corrupt code grazing his neck and he was irked by the feeling, he fell sick to a virus once and he wouldn't like that to happen again, so this same feeling gave a nauseating churn in his otherwise empty stomach.

 

"Bet-ter th-ink wise-ly be-fore be-ing sn-ar-ky w-ith me Mr. Ma-fioso, I m-ay be inju-red but I can sti-ll type dow-n commands, you we-re paralyzed earlier right? I c-an do that again"

 

The chokehold became tighter before John Doe abruptly pushed the mafia boss away from him as he began to cough blood on the sidewalk, his normal hand bracing the wall as he coughed even more.

 

Mafioso merely stared again at the injured man, he noticed how the wounds are mostly in his chest area, blunt chest trauma, might be the reason why he's coughing up blood, though he didn't want to help really but he should at least inform the hacker why he's coughing up blood and make him stop holding on to his already bruised chest.

 

Oh right he has to help anyways because John Doe can kill him right here right now if he doesn't help.

 

With a heavy sigh Mafioso came near the coughing man and pulled his corrupted hand away from his chest that he had been gripping on to. "Stop it, you'll cough far more blood if you hold on to your chest more-" The mafia boss then began to see more wounds trailing down, he saw his dislocated knee and had to grimace at the sight, guess he has to play doctor tonight. "Hang on to me" Surprisingly the hacker obliged and hung his normal hand over to Mafioso's shoulder as they both walked carefully along the sidewalk.

 

The mafia boss grabbed his groceries with a small tilt then slowly but surely went up the stairs heading on to his apartment.

 

Mafioso may have been a little rude when he encountered the infamous John Doe outright saying he doesn't want to help him but truthfully this is the scenario he never wanted to happen, first off the hacker might leave his digital footprint in his apartment, second the admins might be actively pursuing said fleeing hacker- and three, his apartment Is going to become a battleground. So without further ado he quickened his pace towards the bathroom dragging the limping man beside him as he sat him down inside the tub, the bright light of the tiled room now showed a far more clearer view of John Doe.

 

The bruising earlier in his chest wasn't just blunt trauma; it looks to be an open wound near his ribs, his torn shirt showing how unsightly it is.

 

He didn't even ask before grabbing the hacker's shirt pulling it up but it seems that John Doe is a man of modesty and promptly pushed Mafioso's hand away grumbling either to himself or that the mafia boss just tried to undress him, he undressed himself throwing the bloodied shirt to the white tiles, sighing he leaned back on the cold wall as Mafioso began his work inspecting the wounds first.

 

The mafia boss wanted to ask how the hacker ended up this way while he began to grab a disinfectant and suture needle from the medicine cabinet but witnessing how disagreeable his face is- or what most of his normal face is decipherable to look at he doesn't look to be in a good talking mood about his current situation.

 

But Mafioso can't hold himself back as he suspiciously eyed the wounded hacker asking "Why me"

 

 A small wince came from John Doe as the mafia boss's hands quickly sewed up his wound not caring that his patient would most likely punch him in the face later for being so rash.

 

"You were carrying groceries, I assumed you were making dinner...that and you looked rich enough to have good supplies at home" he replied as a more obvious wince came from him to which Mafioso responded with a scoff paired with a small snip from a scissor as the wound was sewed shut.

 

"Me? I look rich?" Mafioso gestures to his dingy apartment, the brick walls needing maintenance. "Look around you, I'm no rich man"

 

Instead of throwing punches which the mafia boss expected after his continuous counts of annoying the hacker, John Doe pointed weakly with his normal hand to his shoes, his very polished shoes. "No poor man would wear those either, those look antique and look too good in shape"

 

Mafioso gave another scoff at the accusation. "So what, I like keeping old shoes clean and in proper shape"

 

"Really? in Robloxia? in this economy?" The hacker rolled his eyes.

 

Mafioso set his eyes on the dislocated knee from earlier then pushed the wounded hacker's pants up but he was careful not to touch the corrupted blots on his right leg as he fixed the joint back in place, years of having to deal with this kind of injury inflicted on him felt like it was muscle reflex for him to just know how to put it back, he even does it for his goons, so when he placed the joint back in place in his usual quick manner of course the man in front of him nearly grabbed his shoulder to brace for the pain the surged up his leg but instead he grabbed the mafia boss's hair.

 

“Take your hand out of my hair, I don't appreciate being grabbed like that” Mafioso said with an underlying tone of anger, he didn't like that his slicked back hair was now disheveled.

 

“I need something to hold on to, the tub is slippery and your hair is very grippable”

 

The mafia boss nearly gave another scoff before John Doe stood up from the bathtub, his corrupted hand leaving dark marks on the white ceramic, that shut Mafioso up as the now patched up hacker looked down on him. "Give me some privacy, and a spare of clothes, I'm taking a bath" 

 

With that a shower curtain was closed in front of Mafioso allowing John Doe to shower alone, the mafia boss didn't like that the hacker was using his water but he can't really complain since he isn't actually that frugal much to his dismay in trying to lie earlier, it's just that John Doe is using his shower...the John Doe, didn't even say please before telling him to fetch him some spare clothes like a paid butler. Mafioso shut the door behind him as he ventured over to his bedroom trying to find something suitable for the man currently increasing his water bill.

 

What followed irritated Mafioso more as John Doe shouted at him to bring the clothes, his hand hanging outside the half-opened door of the bathroom making grabbing gestures for the mafia boss to hand him the spare clothes.

 

"You at least out of all people would have some semblance of decency, what do you say before you ask for something? Mafioso said to the man behind the bathroom door, he can imagine John Doe's annoyance has tripled.

 

"You want me to walk out there naked?"

 

Mafioso nearly made nauseating sounds but it only appeared as an expression, he thanked the door currently blocking both of their views to each other. "Dear God no, but for human decency sake at least say please and thank you"

 

"Please and thank you" John Doe hurriedly said before trying to grab for the spare clothes, his face partially outside the half open door reaching for it but Mafioso took it out of his reach and instantly the hacker looked mad.

 

"What?! Just give it already!" an exasperated tone came from the hacker as he glared at the man holding the spare clothes.

 

"That wasn't the proper way to say it, say it in a sentence"

 

"That was a sentence, unless your prestigious private school made you learn more than that, sorry if Robloxia has a poor school system because I am not saying anything more than that" he replied mocking noting how Mafioso had a posh accent

 

Mafioso sighed annoyed. "Fine, walk about naked-"

 

"Gladly" a smirk appeared on John Doe's face.

 

The mafia boss immediately threw the spare clothes at the hacker before he managed to make a step outside the bathroom as he walked away grumbling at how indecent the man is.

 

"I thank thee for thou hospitality" 

 

---

 

"Hey boss?" a familiar voice went into Mafioso's ears, he shook his head slightly returning himself back to reality looking down at one of his goons, the familiar voice was Contractee holding a dented crowbar. "You good? you looked kinda out there"

 

"I'm fine boy, I'm just...I have things I need to think about" he replied crossing his arms as he nodded the the other goons dragging the unconscious man outside that they were interrogating earlier presumably to return him to the alley they found him smoking idly by before they proceeded to knock him out.

 

“I know we just employees to you boss but..you do know you can talk to us right? I know it ain't easy after all that stuff with Chance getting away, he had a lot of debt after all and Miss Eunoia looked very pissed-”

 

Contractee rambled about how annoying the debtor was which the mafia boss agreed to with a small nod, he fixed his fedora as he looked down at his pocket watch checking the time seeing it’s 3:43pm.

 

3:43pm…I need to get home, who knows that that hacker might do

 

He should get home before the evening strikes, though the merry faces of his goons from afar felt like he'd be spending more time with them for a bit, but he isn't planning on drinking with them.

 

Contrary to what the goon believed the mafia boss isn't actually thinking about that, he was thinking about the hacker lounging around in his apartment right now, the afternoon sun hitting the dingy walls of brick, so his mind wandered again.

 

---

 

“That's all? I swear I saw you buy more…” The hacker had the gall to complain as he picked at the steaming plate of spaghetti in front of him, playing with the meatballs as he looked disappointed with the amount he was given. John Doe was sitting in the small kitchen aisle, his face much more presentable compared to his earlier appearance on the sidewalk. 

 

“You…” Mafioso turned around from the sink as he finished up washing the cooking pan from earlier, the smell of the tomato sauce gone.

 

“Were you stalking me?” he asked as he placed the cooking pan on the drying rack facing the hacker with a suspicious squint from where he stood.

 

“Well, you were the only one inside the store buying so” John Doe took a mouthful of the steaming spaghetti gobbling it down not caring if it burned his tongue, the slight change in his eyes made it seem like he's actually enjoying it, more open and bright.

 

“That and you grabbed a pasta pack, I was craving pasta”

 

Mafioso made a baffled sound “You chose me out of everyone in Dreamsphere because you were craving pasta?” Mafioso probably shouldn't have said that but the hacker didn't look as annoyed as before when he made quips.

 

“You're good by the way” He added another mouthful of spaghetti, his plate nearly empty now.

 

The mafia boss looked at him in surprise at the sudden compliment before shrugging off the apron hanging it on the fridge as he approached the kitchen isle grabbing his own plate to eat, he didn't respond to the compliment, it's not that he didn't expect for the hacker to say such a thing it's just that maybe he should have actually expected it since almost everyone who tasted his cooking complimented him, it reminded him of his goons who happily emptied the whole pan of lasagna when he agreed to cook for them after a long day of work.

 

Maybe it's not because he's a hacker, maybe because he's John Doe.

 

“Thought you were supposed to say thank you after that” The hacker spoke up after the man decided not to respond as he finished his plate, sighing as he leaned back stretching his arms in the air.

 

“Well I don't, I'm used to the praise” He replied as he began eating as well, before grabbing a nearby wine glass intending to drink the wine his goons brought the other day as a thank you for handling the situation with the nosy lawyer snooping around their organization, honestly his goons shouldn't send him more wine as thanks…he may have to buy a wine cabinet soon but he didn't like the look of it in his apartment, reminded him too much of home.

 

“You cook a lot?” John Doe asked curiously.

 

“No, occasionally” 

 

“You should cook more, you're a good cook” The hacker replied complimenting him again as he yawned.

 

Mafioso can't believe that a hacker is complimenting his cooking skills, he'd die on a grave and put that as a quote and no one will believe him and so he continued eating his own plate of food as he went silent again, but it seems like the hacker wanted to be talkative now.

 

“What do you do? office work? or are you unemployed?”

 

The sudden question made the mafia boss almost look up at the hacker straighter for a moment but it wasn't that obvious, it felt like he was being interrogated, is this why the man started to butter him up with compliments?

 

“Why are you asking me that? you're here because you ran away all battered from the admins- then, you leave tomorrow, you only needed me to patch you up”

 

John Doe's brightened features faltered as he glared at the man eating, probably because Mafioso assumed that's what happened and how he ended up in his current predicament, he shouldn't have become too casual and kept it to himself. “God forbid a man is interested in his savior, I'm making conversation here”

 

The mafia boss put down his fork clearly agitated to where the conversation is taking them, he doesn't want to talk further with the hacker, he just wants him to leave he didn't even want him inside the apartment in the first place much less help him patch up it was supposed to be just him, alone, eating in peace. “Well I don't want to make conversation-”

 

“I'm not leaving tomorrow” The hacker cut him off before standing up pushing the chair back under the counter gently as he walked all the way to the couch sifting through the pillows to presumably find the TV remote.

 

“What do you mean you aren't leaving tomorrow?!” Mafioso's voice rose as he also rose from his seat. He then pointed at the hacker frustrated “I can't have you here in my apartment! My work is important and you-”

 

“And what about your work that's so important?”

 

“...” His hand went down quickly, the mafia boss zipped his mouth shut not wishing to answer that, earlier it felt like he was being interrogated and now he feels that John Doe was trying to use information against him, thankfully he isn't a talkative one or else the hacker may have used something to threaten him, after all these kind of people use blackmail more often than not as threats as they dig up information on people in robloxia.

 

John Doe gave a small smirk, the same smirk he gave when he was teasing the man earlier. “Oh that kind of work? not the office work type then, you're one surprising man I surely thought because of how you wore slacks and those shoes you were one”

 

“What?” Mafioso was confused at the hacker's reaction, what is John Doe assuming about his line of work?

 

“No no- it's alright I don't judge, after all people barely get by in robloxia and we turn to much dirty ways, as I am one myself-”

 

The mafia boss didn't like what the hacker is insinuating, in fact he wants him to shut his trap right now before he says something indecent so he mutes out most of what John Doe is saying, his fingers pinching the bridge of his noise as he groaned, until the hacker proceeded to say something that riled up Mafioso.

 

“-I understand if you don't want me scaring off your clients, wouldn't want to make your work awkward”

 

“I do not do that kind of work you are insinuating, I don't sell my body” Mafioso was glaring at the hacker casually standing in the living room, he bluntly said it as it is, and he wanted to avoid adding more headache to his already tired body tonight.

 

“Oh, then what work do you actually do?” He asked again, the hacker was honestly persistent.

 

“You don't need to know that”

 

“I am if I'm staying here for a little while longer”

 

“You are not!” 

 

“And?” John Doe shrugged, plopping himself down on the couch making himself comfortable as he looked over his shoulder. ”What choice do you have?”

 

To be fair…yes Mafioso didn't have a say if he could drive the infamous hacker out his apartment much less say no at the man’s half-corrupted face.

Chapter 3: A Mouth to Feed

Summary:

Mafioso gets distracted by bunnies, goes home then is forced to cook for his hacker tenant lol

     Mafioso was uncharacteristically distracted, yes he was distracted as he looked at the various bunnies looking up at him through the glass windows of the pet store. He had walked along this sidewalk multiple times when he came home from work and he always caught a glimpse of the pets within the store but it was always the same small white bunnies that caught his attention.

 

He may have purposefully chosen this path to walk home because sometimes he gets to feed the bunnies, a sprinkle of adorable faces once or twice a week isn't bad, especially with his strenuous work hours.

 

But he can't have a domestic animal right now, or ever, he isn't even always at home and despite his good financial status the poor pet will probably develop separation anxiety for being left alone in his small apartment for long periods at a time, he can buy two sure but then both of them will also have the same problem.

 

So like before he walked past the pet store as he headed home.

 

---

 

 

He forgot he actually had a domestic pet at home, one that he found on the sidewalk that he fed then allowed to sleep on his very own bed, or rather an unfortunate situation in which a hacker decided to stay at his apartment forcibly using his own bedroom making him sleep out on the couch.

 

Good deeds come back to you so they say, then why is it coming back as this? 

 

John Doe was on his living room couch surfing through the numerous channels on the T.V. making tsk tsk sounds whenever a static channel appeared, Mafioso barely made a sound but the door gave away his presence and so the hacker sat up immediately looking over his shoulder.

 

Instead of a “welcome back” from his definitely very nice guest he was met with a straightforward question. “What’s for dinner” 

 

The mafia boss noticed how the man's eyes went to look at his hands seeing nothing, and that in turn made him frown, he was probably expecting Mafioso to bring in groceries.

 

“Why are you looking like that, expecting a treat? may I remind you that you forced yourself into my home threatening me" Mafioso responded scoffing as he took off his trench coat hanging it on the back of the entry door.

 

“May I also remind you that now I am slowly healing” John Doe then raised his corrupted hand attempting to type a command to threaten the man standing at the hallway entrance.

 

The mafia boss sighed with his back turned to the hacker comfortably sat on his couch as both his hands went to his face. 

 

“God save me” He mumbled behind his hands as he turned around heading straight for the kitchen lest he gets another threat from John Doe that actually becomes true.

 

Opening the fridge, he made a quick mental list on what he has and what he can make.

 

1. 7 eggs…he already made omelets this morning
2. A variety of vegetables, 3 potatoes, 1 small carrot and half sliced cabbage in the bottom tray.
3. A dented can of evaporated milk.
4. Which sat beside spoiled milk, he needs to throw that out .
5. Leftover fried chicken takeout.
6. Tupperware filled with chopped onions he used last night.

 

He didn't want to use any of the frozen produce so with the list he has in mind, he thinks maybe a hot soup would do, that dented can needs to be used one way or another and he doesn't want to be reminded of how his goons almost ran their car inside a convenience store to which they had to apologize by buying out at least a few broken cans of evaporated milk.

 

Sopas it is then.

 

But before he could start he went through the kitchen cabinets from above and pulled out some store bought macaroni that was already halved, he forgot why it was already half it's portion but it was still most likely his goons.

 

He began his preparations, grabbing the apron from the fridge he donned his usual attire and took all the needed ingredients as he placed them all near the sink for the moment to wash each of the vegetables. This attracted the attention of the hacker who was on the couch, though Mafioso should have expected it the same hacker teleported himself to stand by the mafia boss's side almost making him defend himself by reflex using a- a cutting board…

 

“Really? a cutting board?” John Doe chuckled as he looked around the kitchen, his gaze slightly lingering on the neatly organized knives and cooking utensils.

 

Mafioso sighed as he lowered his cutting board back on the sink counter returning his focus on the washed vegetables. “You scared me, don't do that inside my apartment” 

 

“Alright, wouldn't want you chucking the vegetables at me next”

 

As the hacker curiously looked around, Mafioso began cutting the vegetables, grabbing the work knife from the knife holder he cleaned it properly before cutting, and so he grabbed the potatoes peeling it not needing any actual working peeler, he had gotten used to using the knife for almost everything at this point he even uses it to open canned food which he'll do later on to the dented can of evaporated milk.

 

Dicing the potatoes he did the same set of actions with the single carrot, he wished there were more carrots but he only has himself to blame since when he bought the carrots he gave two of it the the pet store owner when he passed by the bunnies seeing how the new rescues were severely malnourished, he may be a hardened debt collector but that sight softened him a bit, those carrots were on sale anyway so better to give it to the small bunnies than to use those.

 

Mafioso liked potatoes more than carrots anyways too, though he didn't actually think if John Doe would want this certain type of dish, what if he disliked vegetables? He did notice he picked at the bell peppers last night and completely ignored it.

 

Picky eater.

 

But he also noticed the hacker went immediately to eat the meatballs, carnivorous type then? it made sense that someone like him would gorge more on meat with that much movement and fighting.

 

He thought about it for a moment and considered if he should add in the leftover fried chicken takeout from the fridge that he ignored, maybe he can peel off the skin and just add in chicken straps for a bit of protein for the man. So after cutting the vegetables he too the leftover fried chicken takeout and turned it into chicken straps, he didn't know what to do with the peeled skin though but that question was answered immediately as John Doe sauntered over eating the chicken skin locking on it, Mafioso didn't appreciate that he grabbed his hand eating from it though felt like he was feeding him.

 

“If you want to eat the chicken skin then don't grab my hand like that” The mafia boss pulled his hand away disgusted as he wiped it on his apron, he didn't want to think about the possibility of being infected with the corruption from the hacker via saliva.

 

“You always complain about being grabbed” The hacker licked his own hands and that made Mafioso finally utter a disgusted noise.

 

As John Doe helped with the chicken the mafia boss was finally able to begin cooking the sopas, he looked up and took the pot that hanged along with the other cooking utensils as he placed it above the stove, turning the burner to medium heat he poured oil inside allowing it to sizzle before adding the cut onions he made the night before, he made too much and so it resulted to him storing some of it in a Tupperware to save for another time at least he was able to use it tonight since the onion would have gone bad despite it being stored inside the fridge.

 

Usually Mafioso would think of this little hobby as peaceful, whenever he cooked it was a methodical step-by-step process and he enjoyed that each result would be perfect, but then there's that man hovering over his shoulder like a child eager to eat, he didn't know which was more annoying, the hacker's presence or him breathing down his neck.

 

“Can you not?” He spoke up after a few minutes of tossing the chicken straps inside the pot as he looked over his shoulder, brows furrowed. “Make yourself useful and boil water over at the kettle” Mafioso added as he pointed with his wooden ladle at the nearby electric kettle.

 

Surprisingly the hacker moved grabbing the kettle as he took some water from the sink faucet- which thankfully is connected to a filter because God forbid Mafioso would drink tap water nor include it in his cooking, as the electric kettle boiled the mafia boss took a cup full of the store-bought macaroni pouring it inside the pot as he made gestures with his hand for John Doe to hand him the boiling water.

 

As the macaroni boiled Mafioso took a seat from the kitchen aisle and sat down on the stool, unfortunately this prompted the hacker to be talkative again.

 

“If you don't do office work then do you do work as some head of a company? I mean seeing how proper you looked earlier when you left I doubt now that you're actually doing a desk job” His tone still sounded curious, he prodded again with the same question as before.

 

Mafioso gave in, sighing as he rubbed the temple of his head. “Yes I'm the boss” thinking about it what use does John Doe have with this information in the first place, it’s probably harmless too.

 

“Huh I should of thought of that before assuming you were an office worker, I mean the shoes gave it away”

 

“You keep coming back to my shoes what is the problem with my shoes?”

 

“Oh no problem at all-” John Doe then decided to pull a stool for himself and sat down directly beside Mafioso, which he greatly disliked, he didn't like how he sat to his right where his corrupted arm is so the mafia boss inched a bit away. “I like your get-up”

 

“Sure…”

 

The two of them sat in the stool awkwardly silent, Mafioso didn't peg for the hacker to be actually talkative, maybe he actually isn't and is forcing himself to talk because if it is then he's doing a poor job of ‘making conversation’, from what the mafia boss knew about the hacker from the news John Doe terrorized most of if not a lot of servers and worlds within Robloxia, photos captured of him by brave ones were always menacing and his reputation is notorious mainly for anarchy, from the start Mafioso didn't like that he ran off all the way here to Dreamsphere to hide, it's a very quiet world and not many Robloxians cause issues aside from the occasional debtors that he himself has to manage.

 

“Why here, why Dreamsphere” he blurted out, it made him wonder why he asked it out of nowhere but it had been gnawing at him, he doesn't like the possibility that he may be helping a hacker cause the destruction of Dreamsphere.

 

“Oh so that's what this world is called?”

 

Hail Mary and Joseph this man doesn't even know what server he ended up in?

 

The look Mafioso gave to the hacker was one of absolute exasperation, so the man most likely jumped between servers while being chased by admins then ended up here battered and bruised with no more stamina left in him, maybe the adrenaline rush ran out. If he was hurt that badly then the admins clearly were trying to catch him, the wounds he sustained were serious if John Doe was being persistently hunted then that would mean-

 

“What? I was trying to save myself from the admins, don't blame me for not knowing what world I am in right now-” John Doe replied, looking away as he crossed his arms nor wanting to see the look on the mafia boss's face.

 

“Builderman is after you” 

 

The hacker turned his head to his side seeing the stern gaze thrown at him, he replied awkwardly. “Yeah he is…and a few others”

 

“God, I'm going to be arrested for helping a hacker” Mafioso said, burying his face in his hands.

 

“Well I wouldn't worry a few acquaintances are coming over to retrieve me, problem is I don't know when and how they'll be able to find me”

 

That just made the situation sound even worse is what Mafioso thought, he didn't want more trouble coming to this server and now the hacker just casually mentioned other people he knows are coming to take him? Those people are most likely hackers themselves as well.

Chapter 4: Unwanted Guests

Summary:

Mafioso does his work then goes home, argues with John Doe like the hard-headed rude pair they are.

Notes:

TW: Graphic depiction of gunshot wounds, and the like

     “Boss this is kinda bad isn't it? I mean…the guy ran off” Soldier said out loud as he huffed in between words trying to catch his breath wiping the sweat that accumulated on his brows, the others were trying to catch their breaths as well some hunching over.

 

But Mafioso didn't look the least bit tired, he was the only one who looked as if running didn't affect him the slightest which is phenomenal seeing how he wore a black trench coat and three-piece suit.

 

“Give me your eight-bolt rifle Caporegime” He asked and the goon immediately threw it at his boss as he sat on the sidewalk fanning himself with Soldier's hat.

 

Swift movements came from his hands, reloading was natural to him as he pointed it at the debtor that is currently running away.

 

“He isn't going to get away, not without functioning legs” he said under his breath.

 

A loud crack came from the barrel of the gun as the bullet went straight to the debtor's Achilles heel, a painful cry came from the man as he stumbled hard into the asphalt road, screaming in pain he clutched his leg close to himself as he shouted obscenities in the air.

 

“Nice shot boss-” Soldier piped up but his sentence was cut off as Mafioso shot again this time at the debtor's thigh, as if the first shot wasn't painful enough the second one was just rubbing salt to the wound.

 

“Get him boys” The mafia boss exclaimed loudly, the goons stood up as they finished recuperating themselves and ran to the screaming man.

 

Only one goon remained and Mafioso looked over to see who it was. Caporegime looked up at his boss with a weird look the mafia boss hadn't seen before, maybe because he was used to the shades the goon wore and he can't always see his expression.

 

“You good big man? that first shot was brutal already” He said as Mafioso handed him back his own gun allowing him to pull out his pocket watch to check the time, he always checked the time whenever he's on the last debtor of the day.

 

1:30pm…a bit earlier than anticipated

 

Mafioso responded looking at the goon in front of him after he closed his pocket watch, returning it in his pocket suit. “I'm doing well, why the sudden concern?”

 

“Me and the others think you've been very harsh with your beat-downs lately, is the number of debtor's stressing you?”

 

“No…not actually” The mafia boss replied as he looked over to his other goons tying the runaway debtor up as they dragged him into the car, most of them humming a tune.

 

No, actually Mafioso is stressed over a completely different reason, and that is once again John Doe in his apartment, he didn't know what to do with the fact that the hacker admitted to him just a few nights ago that a few of his ‘acquaintances’ will be coming over, the mafia boss contemplated on telling Eunoia about it if she can supply a good solution to this current dilemma, but in most cases she'll probably call the admins over and then the whole world along with this server is doomed. He needs to get John Doe out without anyone knowing, he doesn't want any casualties from both sides.

 

“Well if you want big man you can cook for us again, that seemed to have lightened you up a bit last time, remember when you cooked that half-burnt lasagna cause Soldier was messing around in your kitchen?” Caporegime tried to make small talk to cheer up his usually deadpan looking boss.

 

“Half of that lasagna was given to the homeless” he replied, his tone still flat, it looks like he didn't find that funny.

 

“Oh…right, we didn't get to eat much of it” The goon scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Still, we'd be happy for you to cook again, even Eunoia told me your serotonin levels would increase when you'd cook, isn't that like happiness?”

 

I'm definitely not happy cooking for a hacker

 

“Really?” Mafioso crossed his arms amused at the information, Eunoia had been keeping an eye on him? it made his hard expression soften slightly knowing now that the intelligent android was making sure he actually isn't…internally flat like his physical features, he never smiled often so.

 

“Yeah so like…” Caporegime then hesitatingly asked as he kicked a pebble from the sidewalk “are you going to cook tonight?”

 

“You all just want to eat my cooking again aren't you” A chuckle finally came out from Mafioso as he realized what the intentions of his goons are.

 

“I- well- well yes boss, sorry boss”

 

“You don't have to, I don't mind cooking for you all, I'm flattered you all find my cooking subpar”

 

“It ain't subpar boss!” Soldier shouted from the car stopping right in front of Mafioso and Caporegime as he rolled down his windows, opening the passenger seat to his boss. “We all love your cooking!”

 

“Soldier- c'mon shut up you're embarrassing us all, what if Mafioso doesn't want to cook because of what happened last time with the lasagna?” Contractee spoke up behind the driver seat poking at the other goon who sat in the driver seat.

 

Mafioso sighed, shaking his head laughing inside at the situation as he got inside the passenger seat closing the door behind him, Caporegime followed behind going in the next row of seats behind him.

 

He didn't actually mind cooking for the goons, in fact he was feeling more risky today and wanted to try making pizza, it had been a long time since he made one from scratch and he supposes that maybe he can try it for his goons to eat, no harm in trying to go back and learn his old skills that he got from his mother, all the cooking came from his mother after all and he liked behind reminded of her presence despite it not being actually present 

 

---

 

This was bad, really bad, Mafioso completely forgot that John Doe was in his apartment after taking the entire afternoon baking the pizza over at the organization's safe house, and now he has his goons behind him waiting because he himself said he wants them to take most of the wine back home because he can't handle it taking up much more space in his cabinet. It would be rude to say they have to stay outside- maybe tell them then to wait for a bit and then go in to tell the hacker to hide? that would make it seem suspicious to his goons and then they'd get curious as to who he has inside his apartment, then they'd assume heinous things like he has a romantic relationship then they endlessly tease him for it.

 

Better to get teased than to possibly get his goons killed in a matter of seconds by the hacker.

 

“Can you all wait here for a moment, I think my kitchen isn't clean” He tried making an excuse to leave them outside but they happily responded instead.

 

“Oh no worries boss, we'll help clean! after all that pizza was great we would like to give our thanks-” Soldier exclaimed with glee before Mafioso cut him off.

 

“No, stay” Mafioso said harshly and immediately as expected they all got suspicious.

 

Contractee raised an eyebrow “What are you hiding, boss?”

 

“Yeah boss…” Soldier added as he began to smile ear to ear as he closed in on Mafioso. “whatcha hiding behind that door” 

 

Soon the other goons began to pipe up with their own teasing questions as the mafia boss simply sighed, he opened the door quickly then closed it behind him leaning on it before they tried to break it down, muffled sounds came from his goons shouting saying he's a coward.

 

“Boss is hiding someone!” Soldier shouted a little loudly, so much so his voice was clear cut through the thick door.

 

“Huh, who are those rowdy #####” The hacker had been most likely standing near the door the entire time the spectacle went down, his arms were crossed and he smelled like his soap, must have taken a bath then before he got here.

 

Speak of the devil…

 

“My goons,” Mafioso replied as he locked the door behind him as securely as possible, for good measure he grabbed the chair near the entrance placing it under the doorknob, yeah secure enough.

 

“Goons?” John Doe asked, raising a brow surprised at the new information thrown at him.

 

“They work under me, as for the locked door, I think that's self-explanatory”

 

“Hm, yeah” He nodded as he walked away heading towards Mafioso's bedroom which he unfortunately hasn't slept in for a while, the hacker made it look like it was his own room now. “I'll hide, knock when I can go out”

 

Right when the bedroom door closed the entrance door collapsed, shards of wood flew all over his apartment, nearly hitting Mafioso as he covered his face with the sleeve of his trenchcoat.

 

“Y’all are dumb! told y'all not to do it!” Consigliere shouted at the fallen comrades of his, some bearing a few splinters in their hands from falling over.

 

Mafioso was simply quiet as he stared down at his goons all over the floor- except for Consigliere of course he just stood all over them reprimanding them for their actions which he is glad for, he didn't have the time nor will to shout at them tonight, he just wanted them to take half of the wine bottles inside his cabinet then tell them to leave. Which he does.

 

“Just take the wine bottles and leave…” Sighing he crouched and picked up a shard of his poor wooden door staring at it intently “ I’'ll deal with the door myself”

 

---

 

Once all the goons were gone he walked over to his bedroom door knocking on it, a familiar face appeared and John Doe's gaze immediately fell to the broken shards or Mafioso's wooden door, the hacker made a small snort and it did not make the mafia boss in front of him any more amused, in fact his face looks like he ate a lemon.

 

“You find this funny?”

 

The hacker let out a muffled chuckle behind his hand. “Well- I mean how many goons do you have?”

 

“4…”

 

That made John Doe double over in laughter, his sounds can be described as a mix of a tea kettle and window wiper as he held on to the wall to brace himself. “They broke down your door!”

 

“This isn't funny” As if Mafioso's sour face wasn't sour enough his brows furrowed further crossing his arms as he glared at the hacker.

 

“Yeah I know” The man finally stopped laughing letting out a small exhale as he crouched and grabbed one of the fallen wooden shards from the broken door. “I'll help”

 

“What help can you-”

 

It was the first time that Mafioso witnessed a hacker with a command panel, it was so seamless how the man crouching before him typed out numbers and codes he can't understand, he didn't understand how hackers worked but seeing one do their specific actions in front of him made him stare in awe, he shouldn't stare in awe this was wrong and there's so many things wrong in his life right now that the mere presence of John Doe added more to the problems.

 

 With a flick of his wrist the broken pieces of the door disappeared and a new one appeared seemingly attached to the doorway already, there was no need to call for a repairman nor buy one from the store, it just..it was like magic.

 

“I…” Mafioso was baffled, he always thought hacks were harmful, dangerous, causing mayhem to everyone involved yet this, this was new to him.

 

“No thank you?” John Doe scoffed as the command panel flickered away “what a hypocrite-”

 

“Thank you, that was…that was nice of you” The mafia boss gave his gratitude to the hacker, his tone genuine, in turn John Doe stared up at him surprised at the genuine tone.

 

“Oh, you’re welcome I suppose” He stood up from the ground dusting off any soot that clinged to the knees of his jeans.

 

As the hacker went over to the kitchen aisle he sat on the stool plopping himself down as he looked over his shoulder to ask. “What’s for dinner?”

 

“Right, dinner” Mafioso grabbed the plastic container that sat on top of the kitchen counter and took off the lid showing it to the hacker, John Doe’s eyes brightened slightly seeing what’s inside. “Pizza, homemade”

 

---

 

He woke up that morning slightly haggard, mostly because he came home late, he yawned stretching his limbs as he got off the couch, he missed his own comfortable bed but he can't argue with the hacker currently occupying his bedroom. Mafioso was getting more and more backaches from his time in spending most of his sleep on the couch, if he can't argue with John Doe then they could at least reach an agreement where…they share? no absolutely not, but if they changed places then the mafia boss can't guarantee the corruption wouldn't be transmitted to him via the bed sheets.

 

He wouldn't like to think about that.

 

A sudden honk from a car loud enough to make him jump made Mafioso grumble as he stood up heading straight for his windows opening it to see who in God's name decided to honk their horn in front of an apartment building filled with sleeping tenants.

 

Instead what he saw was a random old car, a car he hasn't seen ever in this server grace his eyes, a 2002 Honda civic.

 

“What in the world…” Mafioso felt suspicious seeing the car in front of the road, looking around it was actually the only car within the vicinity that's in front of the apartment building.

 

Then someone walked out of the car, the mafia boss immediately closed his window upon seeeing the familiar neon green crown color.

 

What is 1x1x1x1 doing in Dreamsphere?

 

He took a peek through the closed window and witnessed one more person go out of the car- wait no, a red creature? what is the man doing bringing something like that with him? the thing didn't look well, the red skin looked rather gruesome, as if it were a burn victim.

 

“What are you doing peeking like that-” John Doe finally woke up as he approached Mafioso from behind yawning himself as well before his eyes widened and pushed the mafia boss off to the side as he opened the window.

 

“1x! I'm up here!” He shouted through the window as he peeked his head out waving the man in.

 

Good God no! why is he inviting him inside?!

 

Mafioso pulled the hacker inside, both his hands grabbing the mans's shoulders. “What are you doing?!, shouting like that- you want everyone in the server to know you're living with me?” He then proceeded to close the window.

 

“You looks scared enough not to invite him in, he's one of my acquaintances, he's here to help me”

 

“Help you? that's 1x1x1x1!”

 

“And? you have some grudge against him?” John Doe eyes him up and down wondering if his so called acquaintance pissed off some good looking fella before dressed in a suit.

 

“No, fact is that's 1x1x1x1, you're dragging more problems here, is he not being hunted by Telamon?”

 

The hacker merely shrugged, a signature move he somehow always does whenever he doesn't have a response to Mafioso, either that or he's completely careless, the mafia boss assumed that what John Doe meant by acquaintances is some low-life hacker who can immediately get him through a backdoor out of this server not some- high-profile wanted man who is also on the run like him, though it sort of made sense the two knew each other, they are both hunted down relentlessly by the well-known admins.

 

John Doe began to move past Mafioso unbothered as he went down the stairs of the apartment to greet 1x1x1x1, the mafia boss sighed seeing it's useless to argue with him, if he can even argue at all.

 

Opening the entrance the hacker gave a small nod to the neon green abomination that was leaning on the wall, the red child earlier clinging to his side as he looked up at the two.

 

“1x, you have my things?”

 

A grey bag was thrown at John Doe's way as he catches it, the grey bag looked worn and torn from use. 1x1x1x1 then finally spoke up, his arms akimbo.

 

“You better fix this problem with the admins, they haven't stopped chasing me down either-”

 

“I'm hungry lemme eat now!” The red creature shouted at the man he clung to, his prominent claws making grabbing motions.

 

“I don't have robux kiddo”

 

Both John Doe and Mafioso stared in shock, though maybe mostly John Doe, he probably didn't expect 1x1x1x1 to bring a child with him.

 

“You…" The hacker pointed to the child still complaining about being hungry at this point he might throw a tantrum. "is that a child?”

 

“I- kiddo I literally don't have robux” 1x1x1x1 sighed as he grabbed the child by the scruff of his neck as he began to flail and throw a tantrum.

 

The neon green abomination turned his gaze to John Doe, tired, as if he were an actual parent to this red creature. “Yes, unfortunately this red creature decided to jump in my car, I don't even know his parents- ow!” Said red creature then bit 1x1x1x1's finger allowing him to run free, to which he decided to run towards Mafioso as he made the same request.

 

“I'm hungry!” He said to Mafioso directly, surprisingly the mafia boss reached out and grabbed the child by the hips then made him sit on his shoulder. John Doe didn't expect for him to be good around children, though with him and 1x1x1x1 they really aren't good parent models.

 

The child squealed happily as he played with Mafioso’s slicked back hair turning him disheveled. Mafioso didn't care and instead turned to the two men in front of him. “I'm feeding the child, I'll help find his parents maybe they’re from around here” The mafia boss walked away as he headed upstairs, the sound of the child making gleeful noises disappeared.

 

Without the child in sight 1x1x1x1 finally asked. “Who was that guy?”

 

“Oh him?” For a moment John Doe tried to rack his brain and remember the man's name, then he realized he never once asked his name for the entire duration he was living in his apartment, forcibly that is. “I…I don't know his name” He said bluntly.

 

1x1x1x1 made a sound akin to an amused laugh. “You don't know his name?- wait you were inside that apartment weren't you? was that his? and you don't even know his name?”

 

John Doe sighed going silent as he turned his face away not wanting to receive a teasing remark but as the neon green man began to laugh out loud in the sidewalk he figured he'd be teased anyways so he accepted it. “You- you decided to stay in his home without even knowing his name! you're a squatter!”

 

“I'm not a squatter! I'm not homeless!” The hacker argued, he said turning his head at him.

 

“Yeah you are, you've always been” 1x1x1x1 mockingly wiped a tear a from his eyes as he calmed himself down from laughing. “So what's your plan?”

 

“I'm not sure right now actually, if I leave this server the admins will get notified of movement”

 

“I had to push through firewalls to get here buddy, it's a miracle none of the admins tracked me down, especially with that…thing”

 

“What thing?” John Doe asked wondering what 1x1x1x1 meant.

 

“The red child with me earlier, I think he's also a hacker”

 

The hacker wondered why 1x1x1x1 would assume such a thing, especially since children that young couldn't have had experience unless their parents were former hackers, still curiously he asked for the neon green amn to explain. “Explain, I'm not getting the whole gist here”

 

“Well…he may or may have not been the one to have helped break down the firewalls”

 

“Seriously?” He was baffled at the information, he knew 1x1x1x1 had some skills with hacking but multiple firewalls breaker down by a simple child? that's a feat.

 

“Seriously” The other replied without missing a beat.

 

“And why are you telling me this?”

 

“Because if that kid's a hacker, then his parent may also be a hacker which means-”

 

John Doe sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You're saying you messed up big time”

 

“Yeah…I need to get that kid back to his parents but he doesn't know their names”

 

“I'm not even going to-” John Doe raised his arms in the air now completely clueless on what to do with 1x1x1x1's stolen child situation, he has enough on his plate as it is with being chased down by countless admins and now 1x1x1x1 comes here with a stolen child? he turned back to the neon green man again, crossing his arms “How'd that kid even end up in your car?”

 

“He snuck in himself” He then muttered under his breath. “Sneaky ####”

 

“Why'd the kid even do that in the first place”

 

“I don't know, he was crying to me in the backseat telling me he hates his dad”

 

“That's…very straightforward, where’d you pick him up?”

 

1x1x1x1 stood there as he thought hard, pondering, where did he managed to pick up the child? was it in Bloxburg? Brookhaven? Near Builder Brother's Pizza? he can't remember, in fact all he remembers is the kid suddenly appearing behind the backseat as if he teleported which was already explained with the possible fact that he's a child of a hacker.

 

“I actually don't know, he just teleported to the backseat”

 

“####, guess we have to make a rundown on the list of hackers who probably have a kid”

 

1x1x1x1 chuckled at the statement, though knowing John Doe he'd probably do it because he doesn't want more than just admins on his tail. “You sure? even I don't think any hackers would have kids, much less you”

 

In an instant John Doe glared at 1x1x1x1 for bringing that topic up, he was touchy about it especially since...Jane Doe's disappearance.

 

“I'm very aware of that- maybe the kid is adopted” John Doe pulled up his command panel and a large list of hackers were displayed to him, both he and the neon green man stood looking at the list of infamous hackers.

 

“Okay no shot does Noli have a kid”

 

The hacker nearly busted out laughing. “Him? having a kid? what a joke”

 

“Then who do you think might have an adoptive son? no one on this list seems to have an inch of parental lovingness in them”

 

“Maybe it's your creation of hatred, no wonder it appeared in the back of your car”

 

“Hah! no…" His expression turned glum, as if he actually experiences the child's tantrums first hand" if it was he would have worse tantrums” he added shaking his head.

 

John Doe continued to look through the list grumbling trying to narrow down names but each one felt more worse than the last, who in the world would have a kid? much less one that is a very bright red.

 

Guess he'll have to put that off for later.

Chapter 5: New Tenants + random child

Summary:

Mafioso feeds c00lkid carbonarra, then 1x1x1x1 and John Doe hatch a plan to get out, but it includes the red child's father to work, oh well.

     Mafioso couldn't imagine himself as a parent, much less one that would adopt but after cooking the red creature- I mean child some carbonarra he whipped up last minute, he didn't mind a rowdy ball of energy jumping around in his apartment, he'd rather have this than the hacker staying in his home.

 

“Thank you boss man!” The child said through a mouthful of food as he licked his plate clean.

 

“You're welcome” He replied as picked up the plate and used utensils from the kid, he turned his attention to the sink and began to wash the dishes as well as the dirty pan.

 

While he worked on the sink the child sauntered over curiously, as he tried to peek over the sink.

 

“What else do you do boss man?”

 

When he started cooking the carbonarra earlier Mafioso allowed himself to drop some information about his job, the kid seems to have taken a liking to him after he promised he'll cook him food, he did want the child to be on his good side since there's a possibility it'll take some time before he finds his parents, the kid hasn't stopped asking him though and so far what he has told was that he's a boss of a organization, the same thing he told John Doe a day earlier.

 

“I collect debts” The mafia boss responded to the the child's curiosities, but as he was about to place the washed plate to the drying rack the kid tool it from him immediately.

 

“I'll do it! I always dry the plates back home with dad!” Mafioso obliged and gave a clean towel to the child as he began to dry the washed dishes as the mafia boss handed it to him.

 

“You do this often with your dad?” he asked, the mention of the child's dad piqued his interest.

 

“Yeah! he buys takeout from the nearby pizzeria then we pretend we're in a high-class restaurant”

 

And immediately Mafioso frowned.

 

Takeout? is the child even being fed properly? is that why he looks so malnourished?

 

“Takeout huh…is it the Builder Brother's pizzeria?”

 

“Oh yeah that place! how'd you know?”

 

Mafioso handed the last washed dishes from the sink to the child as he dried his hands facing him, though more like staring down at him.

 

“Just a guess”

 

“You're a smart man boss man- I mean not as smart as my dad of course, he's really smart!”

 

If he's so smart then why isn't he feeding you properly-

 

The mafia boss's inner thoughts were cut short as the door to his apartment opened, and in came the hacker and his neon green abomination of an acquaintance. As if his frown wasn't low enough it went deeper as he excused himself from the child's presence.

 

“Pardon me kid, I'll have a quick chat with Mr. John Doe” He said making a mock action of tipping his fedora despite it not being there, he was used to the action and so he did it anyways.

 

“Okay!” The kid continued drying the dishes and even went to dry the utensils.

 

Mafioso walked around the kitchen aisle as he went straight on towards John Doe intending to have a proper talk with him in regards to 1x1x1x1 being in his own apartment, that and his plans of leaving soon because with his so-called acquaintance being here now then he can surely leave immediately right? possibly today?

 

“Let's talk” He said as he grabbed the hacker by the shoulder pulling him away from his friend who just looked all too amused but disinterested in the same time.

 

He lead him into his bedroom for some privacy- though it felt more like John Doe's room now with the nights the hacker spent inside there and opting to make Mafioso sleep on the couch, locking the door behind him Mafioso turned to face the hacker crossing his arms.

 

“What really are your plans? your friend is here now you can go off and leave so why are you still here?”

 

John Doe sighed as he ran his corrupted hand through his hair. “That's…the situation might be more complicated, I can't leave without alerting the admins of any movement if I need to move we need someone better in breaking down firewalls so we might have to wait, again”

 

“So you're saying you're staying here for a much longer duration?”

 

“Yeah”

 

“John Doe…”

 

John Doe sighed once more already expecting the man to berate him, he isn't actually that mean to Robloxians usually, they're just collateral damage in his exploits but with him taking over the entire apartment like it was his, forcing the man to cook for him, then this? honestly he takes the man's patience for granted and as a decent human being- partially that is, he should apologize, he should even try to ask for the man's name for God's sake.

 

So he tries to distract the currently red-faced man. “What's your name?”

 

Somehow his plan worked and Mafioso looked at him baffled at the question, and soon he realizes why the man asked it and it's not to distract him but realizing John Doe genuinely hasn't asked for his name before nor knows it.

 

“You never once asked for my name” Mafioso crossed his arms, frowning.

 

“Yeah bad mishap on my side, can't really ask while I was coughing blood up-”

 

“Yes- yes- I know” The man raised his hand shushing the hacker from further adding reasons as to why he didn't ask, actually Mafioso assumed he didn't ask in the first place because he didn't care.

 

After all, why would a hacker who often hopped between servers ask some random man's name, human decency?

 

“Mafioso” He answered quickly “now tell me what you plan to do with the firewall problem-”

 

“Mafioso?” John Doe raised a brow at the new information. “Huh…I think I've heard of you before”

 

“You, you have?” Mafioso stood there dumbfounded, is he that well-known now? Well, he has been jumping between servers lately to catch debtors. Maybe there were eyewitnesses in the vicinity of his work.

 

“I heard rumors running around that a relentless debt collector was gunning down debtors mercilessly, are you that man?” A small smirk began to form on the hacker's face as he finally pieced together who the man in front of him actually is, he had been fed crumbs so far and now the man seems more interesting than ever before.

 

The silent reply was enough to make his smirk widen.

 

“You're a debt collector! that's- now I understand why you have goons, the suit- it all make sense now”

 

“What use do you even have for this information”

 

“Oh no nothing really, I just find you interesting”

 

Mafioso's already sour face nearly soured again, John Doe finds it amusing that he can always do that, he did want to reassure the debt collector he isn't using any of the information for blackmail, especially knowing now where said debt collector lives, intimately that is.

 

“And here I thought you didn't want to ask because you didn't care”

 

“I do have some human decency in me, or what's left of it” He said that as if it were a rare occasion for him to ask someone's name…out of human decency.

 

“Yeah alright Mr. Human decency, your plans, now”

 

John Doe rolled his eyes, his arms now akimbo, it seems he can't avoid the topic with this man, he's persistent. “Me and 1x1x1x1 are planning to call a few friends to see who can help with my predicament, because even 1x1x1x1 can't get out here-”

 

“No!” Mafioso then looked away exasperated as he went over to the window leaning on it slightly “don't you dare force me to harbor more of you” he added turning to point at the hacker.

 

“More of me? okay fine I not only apologize for not asking your name- I also apologize for forcing myself into your care” He said taking a step closer to the debt collector. “And I also apologize for the one-” John Doe paused as he remembered 1x1x1x1 actually brought in a child “I mean two new tenants” The hacker added as he raised the number two on his fingers, on his normal hand.

 

Mafioso was still facing the window, likely out of consideration because he's so close to punching John Doe, his patient is wearing thin.

 

“I can't keep on feeding you and…that neon green abomination, as for the misplaced kid I can feed him enough”

 

“So you want robux? I can duplicate-”

 

“I may be breaking a few laws trying to catch debtors but I am not participating in money laundering!”

 

John Doe snorted, an upstanding man he seemed then. “Fine, what do you want me to do? clean the dishes? massage your shoulders?”

 

“My patience is getting very thin boy”

 

“Boy-” The hacker laughed out loud as he clutched his stomach. “I'm in my late 20's!”

 

“You don't look like it”

 

“I'm now going to assume you're an old man”

 

“I'm not- I'm not that old!” Mafioso argued as he turned to face John Doe, not anymore focusing his attention on the window. “I'm 34, now stop this nonsense about our ages, you will do the house chores along with your neon green friend, that's the least you can do, compensation for the food and shelter, I don't want your money because I know you didn't get it through legal means”

 

“As if Builderman regulates the system enough, no one would notice!” 

 

“Right, says the man standing in front of me jumping between servers because of his crimes, they really didn't notice you did they?”

 

“My crimes are far more bolder than money laundering, plus aren't you in the mafia? with the whole get-up that you have, aren't you supposed to be in the money laundering scheme?”

 

Mafioso ran a hand through his face, losing patience. “I'm not the typical mafia man, you shouldn't believe what you see on movies”

 

“Well alright, apologies coming from Mr. Human Decency himself” He added a mocking bow at the end to top it all off.

 

Their banter was cut short as the sound of a child screaming loudly came from the living room, followed by a scream of a man, Mafioso was the first to leave his bedroom, low and behold he witnesses a gruesome crime scene, and that is the red-skinned child climbing 1x1x1x1's leg as he tried to reach for his crown. John Doe followed after him and upon seeing the chaos unfold he just bursted out laughing seeing the neon green man struggle with a single child.

 

“All of you stop standing there! gawking at my expense-” He proceeded to grab the red-skinned child by the scruff of his shirt like many times before as if he were handling a newborn kitten “kid stop that! I'm not giving you my crown!”

 

“Boss man!” The child cried out to Mafioso, tears falling down to the hardwood floor as he pointed at 1x1x1x1. “He wouldn't play with me! he's a meanie!”

 

Mafioso then soon chuckled at the response as he approached the kid carefully taking him away from the so-called victim, seeing how 1x1x1x1 sustained a few more bites he sighed as he carried the child in his arms. “You shouldn't bite people kid, they might think you have rabies”

 

“Oh what's that?” child-like curiosity filled his eyes as he expectantly looked up at the mafia boss.

 

“A disease from dogs and cats, they bite you then you start frothing at the mouth”

 

“Ew! I don't want to froth at the mouth, that's weird” He immediately replied making disgusted noises at the information, even sticking his tongue out.

 

As Mafioso busied himself with the child 1x1x1x1 finally got to rest sitting down on the couch- and hopefully manage the bites on his arms, John Doe approached him, his loud laughter from earlier simmering down to snickering as he also joined him on the comfortable couch of the living room area.

 

“That child is a spawn of Satan I tell you that much” He spoke up as he massaged the bites on his arms.

 

“Eh I think he just didn't have enough attention at home…”

 

1x1x1x1’s hard look from earlier softened momentarily hearing the hacker’s comment, his eyes wary. “Is that why she left”

 

John Doe’s eyes flickered, his corrupted side becoming a little more unstable at the mention of Jane Doe. Everytime she was brought up he could never seem to forget her face, he couldn't forget how she treated him with the genuineness a man can ever receive. People nowadays are never genuine, their passing compliments and smiles all felt fake yet hers despite the rarity, it was true, all of it was true. Then…she decided to leave.

 

“No…it was just me”

 

Both men turned to look as the kid ran towards John Doe staring at his corrupted arm, fascinated, possibly wanting to poke at it. “Woah…what hacks did you do to get that? my dad got horns like me through hacks too!”

 

“Woah- wait kid your dad has horns?” 1x1x1x1 latches on to that information immediately as he tried to make a list of hackers with horns, finally the kid is making some sense and now they can get him back home.

 

“Yeah! and he's got a burger hat on! but he manages so that the hat don't look weird with the horns on”

 

Everyone in the house turned quiet as the child continued to describe his father, eerily so, 1x1x1x1 turned to John Doe slowly as his hand went to his shoulder. “John…”

 

“I think I know now how we can get out here"

Chapter 6: The Lost Boy

Summary:

They all go shopping, then Mafioso and John Doe go out with c00lkid to buy vegetables, the red child yearns for mangoes so they buy it, somehow the mangoes made him vent.

     The supermarket was always almost completely empty during the evening hours, and as such Mafioso chose to go shopping during those times, unless there was a sale and it wasn't in the evening then he would go out to the supermarket. His face was known in the server, and the entirety of Dreamsphere so out of consideration he chooses to go during the night to go shopping, his face scares off people that's all.

 

Right now though he isn't alone shopping.

 

Fluorescent lights flickered momentarily as Mafioso and along with a few new scary faces stepped inside the supermarket, the sliding doors making a small beeping sound announcing their presence, safe to say the only cashier working that night wouldn't have anyone belived a thing he said. 

 

“It's a perfect plan” John Doe said as he looked through the canned goods aisle, the red child following behind him looking around as well, though mostly out of child-like curiosity rather than trying to find reasons to look away.

 

“No it's not” The mafia boss punctuated his statement by throwing in a pack of canned sardines inside the shopping cart, the wheels rattling.

 

“We've done ransom many times before who says this won't be different” 1x1x1x1 spoke up as he picked up canned cornbeef, grimacing slightly then placing it back down.

 

“Ohh ransom? I know what that means!”

 

Mafioso sighed hearing the child cheekily speak up seeing how he raised his hand as if answering for a question in class.

 

“Yes, ransom, very fun right c00lkid?” the neon green abomination replied sarcastically as he smiled.

 

They found out immediately upon the child's description that his father is none other than 007n7, the moment they heard he had a burger hat the list of hackers that may be the child's parent pointed down to one person only, another infamous hacker just like John Doe, in fact his reputation precedes him but for some years now he hasn't shown his face to the public, some imagine he actually was caught by the admins then consequently hit by the ban hammer, others think he retired off to some secluded private server but knowing what they know now…adopting a child feels random for the notorious hacker and so unlike him.

 

Oh yes, and they also found out said adoptive father named the red creature c00lkid, what kind of man names his kid like that?

 

“You need to think about this thoroughly, as if you even do such a thing” Mafioso said through gritted teeth as he grabbed a pack of canned peas, both John Doe and 1x1x1x1 looked at it and barely hid their disgust because they know the mafia boss is feeding them that if he's buying it, c00lkid though didn't look like he minds, unlike John Doe he isn't a picky eater.

 

“We have and how else can we call in 007n7? He went MIA for years and now we have his…little red goblin” 1x1x1x1 gestured to the child who has turned his attention to the aisle signages spelling the names…poorly.

 

“He may have been gone for how long but who knows what he'll do when he hears you took his child?” 

 

John Doe stared at Mafioso for a second before responding. “He'll come running here obviously”

 

“Yes but that's besides the point- he's still a hacker like you, he's done numerous damage to Robloxia, what chaos do you think he will bring here to Dreamsphere?”

 

“Are you worried about your little world? nothing bad will happen, when he comes running here we'll bargain him for his help in breaking the firewalls for his kid, you're saying as if he's still the same hacker, he's gone soft”

 

The mafia boss stopped the shopping cart in its tracks “You are incredibly daft, gone soft? that's his child, no father that is willing to adopt a child so mangled will come here whining”

 

Then 1x1x1x1 spoke up unhesitatingly trying to defend John Doe's plan “Mafioso we wouldn't even try anything on the kid, in fact we're basically lying to the guy- you are not buying that what are we to you convicts?” The neon green man pointed at the canned meatloaf clearly even more disgusted than before with the canned peas.

 

Mafioso looked down at the canned meatloaf wondering why the entire time both of the runaways looked as if they were going to puke at the sight of canned food, he grew up frugal mostly or rather the lifestyle was despite being in the mafia family, the family stuck to their ways buying canned food and throwing in fresh ingredients, it felt natural and it was their own thing even now Mafioso despite his financially stable life he chooses to buy canned food.

 

“Boss man, can we buy Yakult?” c00lkid tugged at Mafioso's sleeve looking expectantly, his thoughts were pulled away.

 

“Sure kiddo” His leather gloved hand ruffled the child's hair as he giggled running off as he shouted.

 

“Okay! I'll get them”

 

John Doe went near Mafioso as he pushed the shopping cart, the rattling wheels returning, 1x1x1x1 followed slowly as he continued looking around absentmindedly. 

 

“You're good with children aren't you?” said John Doe as he leaned on the shopping cart, his gaze fixated on the mafia boss.

 

“Oh really?”

 

“Yeah…you are, I doubt I can be like that” 

 

Mafioso felt a suspicious thought nag at his head, but he pushed that away, especially with the tone that the hacker said his statement.

 

“Because when children see you they run away?”

 

A small snort came from him as they all took a turn down the beverage aisle, from afar they can all see c00lkid trying to reach for the pack of Yakult too far from his reach. A couple of other packs of beverages were at his feet, juice packs and the like, then Mafioso realize the child had been climbing the fridge-

 

“Little rascal-” 1x1x1x1 ran to the child pulling him away from the fridge from scaling it further using the shelves inside.

 

“I can't get the Yakult!” He flailed in the neon green man's arms as he complained.

 

“Because you're too small for that” John Doe chuckled as he took the angry child from 1x1x1x1 before he decides to make him his chew toy again, he then promptly set him down on the tiled floors but then Mafioso nudged him, nodding towards to the fridge were the Yakult was up top, he was telling the hacker to pick up c00lkid again and allow the child to take the Yakult with his help in height.

 

And so he did.

 

The child was clearly happier than before and not as…rabid so to speak, when they walked out in the chilly night the red skinned-child was holding his pack of Yakult like he won it in a jackpot as he drank his second bottle.

 

John Doe's mouth slowly turned to a smile as he carried the groceries alongside Mafioso, 1x1x1x1 only carried the gallon of water, carrying it over his shoulder. From an outsider's perspective it looked like a horrific mash-up of scary men and a child pretending to be a family.

 

Mafioso unlocked his car, a Lincoln Continental passed down from the former mafia boss, his father, he took care of it enough to not have the seats and windows scratched, it's a luxury car after all.

 

Everyone climbed inside after placing the groceries in the trunk, John Doe didn't question the numerous guns inside it though.

 

c00lkid was already at his fourth bottle of Yakult by the time they got home and he was still holding the pack like some treasure he stole, he did complain when Mafioso took it away saying having more than one bottle a day is bad for your health, it's milk with probiotics after all and shouldn't be consumed in high amounts despite how good it tastes…yes Mafioso himself also finds that a cold Yakult is nice during the summer, reminds him of the milk his mother brings and chills in the fridge to drink during summer too, but Dreamsphere is slowly turning to winter now.

 

---

 

c00lkid tagged along when Mafioso decided to go to the farmer’s market the next day, it was late in the afternoon when the mafia boss dropped by and managed to snag a couple of vegetables on sale, it wasn't only the red child who came along but John Doe too, 1x1x1x1 stayed behind at the apartment wanting to clean the red child's mess, by mess he meant the mess currently invading the bathroom because c00lkid decided to play scientist and mix laundry supplies making a poisonous concoction using laundry detergent.

 

John Doe was only keeping to himself and watching over Mafioso and c00lkid from behind as they walked through the stalls, he wore a grey jacket and cap hopefully to shield his face from any onlookers who might call the admins but it seems as though no one would dare to do that when Mafioso is here, it's as if his shadow is scary enough.

 

The farmer’s market was bustling with robloxians and the people from the stalls are busy picking out the best produce on sale. John Doe almost chuckled seeing Mafioso pick through them so expertly, but knowing him now and how he works he assumed that yes the man is actually well versed when it comes to this type of setting.

 

Mafioso was sifting through potatoes on sale when c00lkid looked up at him pointing to mangoes from the fruit stands.

 

“Can we buy mangoes, boss man?” The child asked as John Doe trailed from behind looking at the mangoes that the child pointed to, it would be nice to have mangoes.

 

The mafia boss placed the potatoes he picked in his eco-bag as his gaze went to where the red child pointed, seeing that the mangoes weren't actually on sale, of course it wasn't on sale especially during the cold seasons.

 

“It's not on sale c00lkid-”

 

“I can buy it” John Doe intervened as he went closer to Mafioso nudging him like how the mafia boss nudged him last night at the supermarket with his shoulder.

 

“Thanks Mr. Doe!” The child hurriedly went over to the mango stand, Mafioso sighed seeing the rambunctious kid ran off as John Doe followed promising to buy it for him.

 

As Mafioso returned to picking on sale vegetables John Doe paid a hefty amount for the mangoes that now c00lkid is currently carrying in a plastic bag, he continued following the kid as the ball of energy walked around the farmer's market until he asked the hacker a question.

 

“Mr. Doe how did you end up here?”

 

John Doe found it surprising that the child would ask him that but knowing how the child ended up here through a little road trip courtesy by 1x1x1x1 he thought nothing of it.

 

“I was chased down by admins” he replied as they continued walking, his gaze not leaving both the child and where Mafioso is currently standing among the stalls.

 

“My dad got chased by admins too! then he got wahbammed! by the ban hammer, then he found me at his doorstep”

 

“I see…”

 

“He changed now though he isn't like the normal hacker like you Mr. Doe…I thought he was cool”

 

Mafioso's steps were heard from behind as he followed the two then joined them side by side, joining the conversation.

 

“Really? why not?”

 

The child began to pout as he looked down at his plastic bag full of mangoes “He makes me go to school even though my classmates hate me, and then we stopped going to the pizzeria because I accidentally burned it”

 

Both John Doe and Mafioso nearly stopped on their tracks hearing how the child may have been an arsonist, but before John Doe could ask more Mafioso asked first.

 

“I'm sure your dad only wants the best for you, even though it may seem as if he wants to hurt you, like how I force you to eat vegetables, don't you want to be as big and strong as Mr. Doe?”

 

The hacker's eye glanced at the mafia boss amused that he was being used as a comparison, he does take it with stride though.

 

“Right, don't you want to be like me c00lkid?”

 

“I mean…yeah…it's just that so many hate me” The child began to sniffle, which then barreled down to him crying.

 

Mafioso sighed seeing the scene, but before he could set down the eco-bag and deal with the crying child John Doe decided to pick up the child, placing him over his shoulders.

 

“Sometimes in life you have to go through some struggles, not everyone will like you, but there will be some who are bound to end up truly being your friends, sure you can't eat at the pizzeria anymore but who's holding you back from making one at home?”

 

Mafioso's eyes slightly widened at the sight, he picked up his eco-bag again as he watched the hacker soothe the child.

 

“See how tall I am from up there? maybe when you're older you'll be as tall as me too”

 

“Yeah…” c00lkid wiped his tears with his sleeve as he sniffled.

 

John Doe looked over at Mafioso and found himself with a faint smile creeping up not only at his face but the mafia boss as well.

 

“Yknow what kid, we can visit a park from here, let's eat those mangoes” Mafioso spoke up as he led the way, John Doe following with c00lkid on his shoulders.

 

“Onward!” The child said pointing forward, pretending to be a pirate as John Doe becomes his vessel, the hacker chuckling amused at his antics.

 

---

 

By the time they arrived at the park it wasn't as busy as earlier, in fact it was nice that not many people were there, John Doe set down c00lkid as he took the hood off his head enjoying the cold breeze.

 

While the red child ran towards the slides he found himself drifting towards Mafioso who was sitting down on a nearby bench opening mangoes with a Swiss knife, the hacker sat down together with him as he looked at the swift movements of the mafia boss's handiwork.

 

“Didn't expect the kid to cry like that” sounds of peeling became the background noise as Mafioso talked.

 

“Well…life isn't easy when your father is supposedly one of the most hated exploiters”

 

“I see that, sometimes I wonder what life would be if I had a child of my own” 

 

John Doe's corrupted side flickered for a moment, his red eye specifically as he heard the man beside him speak, he also wonders on what life would be if he too had a child in this world, he knows he isn't the best parent but he'll try, is that what 007n7 thought when he adopted the red child? That despite his faults and past grievances he can do better for an innocent child?

 

“I think you'd be a great father” The hacker blurted out, he himself was surprised why he said that.

 

Mafioso’s nonchalant posture stiffened slightly hearing the compliment, he heard many from the man beside him but it always surprises him nonetheless that the hacker thinks he can be a good father figure, he chuckles as a response then hands a slice of mango, cut into cubes to John Doe.

 

“You've been complimenting me so much on being a good parent, I'm now having second thoughts if I should have a pet”

 

“Well having a pet isn't so far off from becoming a father”

 

The mafia boss nodded agreeing, maybe he should finally get the bunny from the pet store after all, he can try and manage his time during work and go home early so that the bunny wouldn't develop separation anxiety. He'd been thinking about it for a while now every time he passed by the pet store going home. At this point he may have been the main sponsor for the pet store because whenever he came back from the farmer's market he'd be feeding the bunnies leafy greens.

 

John Doe nudged Mafioso with his knee as he asked, curious. “Do you have a pet in mind?”

 

“Bunnies”

 

“What?” 

 

Out of all the pets John Doe assumed the hardened mafia boss would take a liking to it was not bunnies that popped up in his mind, it was so far off from what he expected, he expected a pitbull, but maybe he shouldn't actually judge a book by its cover as people often say.

 

“Bunnies” Mafioso replied, stating his answer again as he ate the newly sliced mango in his hand.

 

“I never imagined someone like you would adopt a bunny as a pet” The hacker chuckled lowly.

 

“What were you expecting I'd adopt?

 

John Doe took a few seconds to choose his reply carefully. “Dogs, though maybe I have a bias since I like dogs”

 

“I hear people say the pets you adopt reflect you, you're probably like a feral dog”

 

“You? a bunny?” he countered paired with his signature smirk.

 

To which Mafioso countered by stepping on the man's foot making him hiss in pain, his mango nearly falling from his normal hand.

 

“That was uncalled for”

 

“I meant in personality, don't compare my physical attributes to a bunny”

 

“You act like a bunny, you stomp your feet when you get mad sometimes”

 

Mafioso's face turned into one that is offended by the comparison, John Doe on the other hand- well his smirk has turned into a grin.

 

He scoffed before replying “Since when?”

 

“You don't notice?”

 

Before they could continue their banter the red child ran up to Mafioso, eyes fixated on the cut mango slices, he was about to grab them before the mafia boss took it away from within his reach.

 

“Go wash your hands first”

 

“I want to eat nowww” c00lkid complained as he stomped his foot on the ground, hands turning into fists as he pouted at the man who held his treasured mango away from him.

 

“No” he replied without missing a single beat, then he realized he himself also stomped his foot.

 

John Doe laughed immediately seeing how the man realized he actually does stomp his foot when he is slightly aggravated, he is like a bunny. The realization only made Mafioso more angry as he glared at the laughing hacker beside him.

 

“Why's he laughing?” The child pointed at the hacker who is currently having a laughing fit.

 

“See?! you do stomp your foot!”

 

“I do not!” Mafioso glared even further.

 

“Yes you do!” 

 

As John Doe continued to laugh Mafioso sighed handing c00lkid a sanitizer from his inner pockets within his trench coat for him to clean his hands, after cleaning his hands the child cheerfully ate through the mango that the mafia boss sliced for him into cubes.

 

“Thanks boss man” As the child ate, fully satiated from playing in the park John Doe’s laughter mellowed.

 

“You sound like a hyena when you laugh”

 

“I thought you compared me to a feral dog” The hacker replied to Mafioso's comparison, undeterred by the underlying insult.

 

“Maybe you aren't one”

 

The three of them fell into a comfortable silence, the sounds of chewing filling in the background as they ate through the plastic bag of mangoes, Mafioso did leave a few for 1x1x1x1 to eat when they would come back home later, that and the red child will most likely look for more if they come home so he saves around 4 to keep before the three of them eat through it all..

 

“I don't go out to parks a lot, I get teased and then I get mad” c00lkid said through a mouthful of mango cubes.

 

“You don't?” John Doe asked, he doesn't know much about the kid's life at home or how his life has been living with the infamous 007n7 but from what he and Mafioso knows up until this point it wasn't all too nice, in fact it felt as if the kid was bullied relentlessly and he responds immediately with violence, it's a concerning habit since he actually does respond occasionally by biting.

 

“Yeah…we also don't eat food like this, boss man, are you also a chef?”

 

“No” Mafioso chuckled hearing the child assume.

 

“I kinda don't want to leave”

 

The hacker and mafia boss looked down on the child seated between them as they listened to his wish, they both had the same thoughts running through their head, they do recall that 1x1x1x1 told them how the child said he got in the car because he quote on quote “hated his dad” and so he left home, it felt like the whole story wasn't piecing together. Mafioso assumed 007n7 really is a caring father, if he wasn't the red child sitting on the bench right now wouldn't be here if he didn't adopt him when he was placed on his doorstep.

 

“c00lkid why did you go in 1x1x1x1's car in the first place?”

 

The red child stopped eating when he heard the question thrown at him, he looked up at Mafioso with an almost guilty face.

 

“I- I don't hate dad I…I just thought his life would be better without me in it”

 

“Oh…kiddo” John Doe said in a lower voice as he ruffled the kid's hair, his hand settled on top of his head. “Don't think like that, just because you and your dad are struggling doesn't mean you're the problem”

 

“But I am…he has to buy food, and it costs a lot, and I make a lot of mistakes”

 

“You’re a child c00lkid, you're supposed to make mistakes, you aren't perfect-” Mafioso tried to reason with the red child, no kid should think that because his family is going through a tough time he's the reason behind it, much less worry about money, that's what an adult should worry about, most especially a parent, when he was a child Mafioso's own father didn't want him to be concerned with the money but over time made him realize the importance of it and the essence of frugality.

 

“I burned down my favorite pizzeria…” and then the tears began to form.

 

“Was it Builder Brother's?” John Doe asked, trying to turn the child's attention away from being guilty, he’s cried enough today.

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Well did you know that boss man over here can make pizza?” He said pointing at Mafioso.

 

“Really?” 

 

“Absolutely” to which he added by stepping on the mafia boss's foot to make him speak up because the entire time he had been silent during John Doe and c00lkid's exchange, he did throw a glare at the hacker's way when he felt his foot being stepped on, he didn't want his polished shoes being damaged.

 

“Yeah I can make pizza, better than the pizzeria you go to” He replied smiling fondly before returning to his glare when he looked at John Doe, but the hacker was just snickering.

 

“Okay!” Said c00lkid as he got off the bench and grabbed the plastic bag, now with lesser mangoes. “I'll race you to the apartment!” he declared impromptu as he ran off.

 

“God…and here I thought the kid ran out of energy” Mafioso inwardly sighed as he threw the mango peels to the trashcan nearby as he and John Doe walked together following behind the red child.

 

“Kids huh?” The hacker responded.

Notes:

I promise 007n7 won't turn out to be a bad father in the next chapters, i feel like im building him up to be neglecting 😭 he does care its just that c00lkid is so worried about adult responsibilities

Also thank you for those who comment! It pushes me to continue this fic despite how very few view it huhu

Chapter 7: It's Hard to Make Friends as a Fugitive

Summary:

Of course the usual cup of Mafioso and John Doe banter, and 1x1x1 taking c00lkid out to play in the park, then someone else arrives.

Notes:

TW: Open wound being stitched with a needle, again.

     “If you weren't itching that day to go and shower immediately then I would have sewn the wound better” Mafioso complained as he sat on a small stool while John Doe sat on the toilet seat inside the bathroom.

 

Currently the mafia boss is trying to fix the sewn wound that reopened near the hacker's rib, much to his dismay, though he does blame himself for the haphazard work he did since he was being rude during that time to John Doe and quickened his suture and thus this is the result, three days into recovery and the sewn wound has reopened.

 

“Yap all you want just fix it- argh-” This time the hacker didn't try and grab the man's hair and instead grabbed the edge of the tub, bracing himself for the needle to pierce his skin again.

 

“Thank you for not grabbing my hair” Mafioso allowed himself to show the faintest of a smirk.

 

John Doe noticed the smirk and nearly punched him as a response “Might grab it right now if you don't do this quickly”

 

He in fact didn't do it quickly, he carefully sewed the wound and tightened the knot on each stitch causing the hacker on the toilet seat to grit his teeth, it made the mafia boss chuckle slightly seeing how such a notorious hacker can become so compliant and vulnerable from a wound, the wound didn't even look bad but the procedure does hurt especially without anesthesia around.

 

“Hurry up already” John Doe complained as he tried to stave off the pain of the needle inserting him by gripping on the tub even more stronger.

 

“I can't quicken my pace, you want this to reopen again? you barely even did anything strenuous. What did you do to make the stitches break?-”

 

True to his word John Doe did grab Mafioso by his hair gripping it tightly.

 

“Sew it shut now” he said, tone demanding.

 

“Why you- let go of my hair!”

 

Both men began to tussle, with Mafioso inadvertently trying to avoid poking his supposed patient with the large needle as he tried to sew the last portion of the wound. He managed to tie the last knot as another pained noise came from the hacker, this time he pulled the mafia boss's hair flinging his head back slightly.

 

“I'm now thinking you're just sadistic for wanting to pull my hair”

 

John Doe gave out huffs trying to steady his breath as he pulled his hand away, he closed his eyes leaning back on the toilet seat resting his corrupted hand on the sewn wound gently. He soon replied a little later after catching his breath.

 

“Based on my past counts of property damage? I might be”

 

The mafia boss scoffed at the sarcastic reply before his frown turned to a small smile, he cleaned up the medical supplies returning them to the medical cabinet, as he stood up from his stool to return it he realized there were no more bandages, he wondered why since he always had a large stock of it and tried to recall, that's when he remembered the day his goons broke down his door out of accident and he gave them away as they all left his apartment.

 

Now I have to run down to Eunoia's shop…

 

He hasn't seen Eunoia in some time now so this would be great timing to catch up, though he does want to exclude the part about harboring two wanted robloxians and an accidentally stolen child, yes definitely exclude those.

 

Turning his head to look over his supposed patient still on the toilet seat he spoke up. “I may have to run down to a store, there's no more bandages in the cabinet”

 

“Seriously?” John Doe groaned as he tried to lean forward. “Or are you trying to get away? promise I wouldn't grab your hair again, Doctors shouldn't leave their patients-”

 

“I’m not leaving you because of that, we actually don't have bandages anymore” He replied deflecting the sarcastic remarks, Mafioso knew the hacker will most likely grab his hair again.

 

“Oh I see, well off you go great doctor” The hacker responded waving him off.

 

“You little-” Mafioso turned around fully, arms crossed as his brows furrowed “I'm still not getting anesthesia for you, you know that right?”

 

“For a man who collects debts you're so poor not to afford anesthesia” John Doe made a tsk tsk sound before leaning back again.

 

“I'm not poor…I just like living this way, it makes me feel grounded” The man shrugged.

 

The hacker's eyes found himself looking back at the mafia boss he's such an enigma to him, not only does he live in a dingy apartment but he chooses to buy canned food even though he has enough money to buy fresh produce and meat, yet he only buys those from the farmer's market when they are on sale, he even has an expensive TV in his apartment but all the furniture seems to be either old- which John Doe assumed, or it's handed down possibly from his family, his kitchen is 8the only one that seems more modern than the rest of his apartment, which was well equipped. 

 

To the hacker it felt like this lifestyle is supposed to restrain Mafioso, to hold him back from enjoying money, and as a debt collector isn't that…a little virtuous? well that and he's actually from the mafia, people from the mafia are supposed to live not just alongside violence but money itself. It confuses him, why does Mafioso want to lIve this way, he also doesn't have a family which confused John Doe more since from what he knew the mafia were family-oriented, is that the reason why Mafioso often thinks about having children? to him he's way too careful, he plans everything so straight-cut and stays on his own lane.

 

“Hey” Fingers snapping came to view as John Doe looked up at the man he was thinking about, Mafioso snapped his fingers to catch his attention.

 

Sighing, the mafia boss grumbled “I feel like I'm taking care of a pet…”

 

The hacker rolled his eyes at the comment. “I'm no pet to you”

 

“I feel that you are”

 

“I'm not, didn't I tell you to get one yesterday? with all that fatherly aura you have”

 

Mafioso's neutral face turned to a frown at the description. “I'm not fit to be a father, forget about it...whatever I said at the park”

 

“Why not?”

 

Another grumble came from the mafia boss as he closed the medicine cabinet behind him taking a step closer to the man sitting on the toilet seat.

 

“Because I do dirty work, I'm in the mafia, and there's people like you running around” he said, his tone serious.

 

“People like me? so you're just grouping me with the other exploiters again?” John Doe's tone also turned serious at the accusation that he's dangerous, of course he is, but the way Mafioso worded it made it seem like he's endangering families.

 

“Aren't you? when you first met me my instinct was to run not help you, the fact you had to threaten me is enough evidence you aren't a safe person to be around”

 

“I had to” The hacker gritted his teeth remembering their first encounter. “You were the only one that night I saw walking, and you had a gun on you”

 

“And you're a hacker, what is a gun to a man who can warp reality to his will?”

 

“Sometimes we all forget, we're still human, power makes you feel indestructible, that's how I got hurt”

 

Mafioso scoffed, this time an annoyed tone. “Lament all you want, I don't see you as nothing more than a anarchist”

 

“I thought you saw me differently by now”

 

“What?” The mafia boss looked down at the hacker, confused what he meant because he surely didn't see him as anything less than a notorious hacker.

 

“When we were with that kid, you always somehow knew what to do to cheer him up, and you somehow told me how to do it, you wouldn't say it out loud you just…you just knew I'd understand what you meant, I thought by now you know there's at least some humanity in me” John Doe knew the implications of the things he said and how it made him sound like, vulnerable, open, it's a scary thing to be when you're supposed to put a front you're unkillable.

 

“...” Mafioso was silent at first, then his eyes softened for a moment, John Doe saw that. “You just- it felt like you knew what the kid went through”

 

“Really? nothing else?”

 

“If you're expecting redemption from me then fat chance you're getting one, because I'm not the right person for you to gain it”

 

“And you think the admins are?” John Doe replied, his voice low in volume.

 

The mafia boss was wondering what the man is aiming for, redemption? forgiveness? Mafioso thinks and said outright he isn't the right person for it, and he shouldn't be dragged into these…emotional tirades by the hacker.

 

“I just think I'm not the right person, if you want to change which is…sudden to hear from you and laughable” Mafioso did laugh and he looked away while he did so, because he can't handle looking at John Doe right now, he doesn't know if he's being genuine or not.

 

“007n7 had a child, he stopped hacking completely didn't he?”

 

“That's different, we don't know much about him yet”

 

“And you don't know me much either” The hacker argued as he stood up, he as well can't look at Mafioso right now.

 

They both stood in silence in the white tiled bathroom for a few seconds before Mafioso decided to move, excusing himself to buy the bandages like he said so earlier before he and John Doe went and talked about his probable redemption, the mafia boss thinks he can't change.

 

“I'll be heading out now, I need to buy those bandages for you”

 

He went past the hacker fixing his fedora as he closed the door behind him leaving John Doe in his lonesome.

 

---

 

Walking to Eunoia's shop was easy and she had many posted up around the Dreamsphere, Mafioso thought, though with the winter coming closer the sidewalks have become slightly slippery from the ice, he grimaced as he almost slipped near a fire hydrant, sighing he continued his walk, a few more blocks and he'll reach his destination.

 

While he walked, his thoughts returned to the conversation he had with the hacker back in the bathroom, for the man to suddenly be so up-front and genuine, it irked him, his initial thoughts had always been this picture of a hacker who destroyed and killed wherever he went but thinking more about it and the current happenings…is it possible John Doe can change?

 

He stopped in his tracks as he looked up to see Eunoia already standing outside her shop as she greeted the debt collector.

 

“Good Morning Mafioso” a fond smile appeared on her face.

 

“Morning to you too Eunoia” he replied as he entered the shop, her following behind him, she took her place behind the counter as she allowed the debt collector to buy what he wanted from the shelves.

 

Mafioso dropped the pack of bandages, wire gauze and saline solution on the counter as Eunoia checked through it, the man's total came to 173 studs on her cashier machine.

 

“173 studs total, card or cash?”

 

“Cash” he handed his cash in hand as Eunoia packed his wares, then she began to make conversation between them.

 

“Why the bandages?”

 

“Goons, as always” He lied, though most of the time that was the actual reason he buys medical supplies.

 

The android nodded as she handed the plastic bag to the man, her smile faint. “I see, do take care of them more”

 

“Say…Eunoia” Mafioso asked as he stared at the contents of his plastic bag. “When a person commits past acts of great crimes, is it alright to give them the chance to redeem themselves?” he then looked up at the intelligent android hoping for an answer.

 

“It depends, you humans have a varied sense of morals, some are very forgiving, others deem it unjust to forgive someone who committed past atrocities, even you whom I know wouldn't forgive someone easily”

 

“Oh…thank you” 

 

“That and laws also influence a person’s morals, to some it may be easy to forgive someone who committed murder but how about those with a stricter lifestyle?”

 

Mafioso nodded, understanding her broad viewpoint as he fixed the collar of his trenchcoat, continuing to listen to her.

 

“Though it also depends if the person you are willing to forgive has formed a relationship with you or you are currently in a close relationship with, it allows the one who was hesitant to forgive to understand the side of the one who made the mistake, thus reconciliation, your answer is very broad and there are many variables that needs to be explored so I apologize if I'm not able to give a concrete answer”

 

Well that didn't help is what Mafioso thought after replying thoughtfully, he didn't know how to approach John Doe's ’s case, because he is certainly someone who committed numerous past atrocities and proceeds to continue acting on those set of actions, the possible reason behind him running away might also be that too and how he ended up in Mafioso’s care.

 

As he turned to leave Eunoia surprisingly called out to him.

 

“But it would be a great change for you to become forgiving, I know you hold grudges over debtors” paired with her signature fond smile she waved Mafioso off. “See you soon Mafioso”

 

The man looked over his shoulder, eyes slightly wide at the comment before nodding, tipping his fedora as he walked out the shop plastic bag full of first aid supplies in hand.

 

---

 

John Doe retreated to the bedroom to lie down instead of sitting on the toilet seat even further, it was uncomfortable at best. He decided not to toss and turn every now and then when he sleeps because that was most likely the reason why his wounds stitches reopened, he didn't want to say the truth to his “doctor” though, he'd be berated over and over and the hacker would just have to mute him out.

 

A knock was heard on the bedroom door and 1x1x1x1 opened it without even hearing the man on the bed invite him inside.

 

“Hey, I'm taking c00lkid out, he's being antsy and wants to play outside” He shouted through the doorway, John Doe can see despite lying down that the red child is clinging to the neon green man tugging at his arm.

 

“Let’s goooo” c00lkid said impatiently as he pulled 1x1x1x1's arm.

 

“Alright alright-” the neon green man sighed “John I'm off” he said waving goodbye to the wounded hacker.

 

“Hm, sure, take care of the kid” he simply replied as he heard the door shut, muffled noises of the red child shouting at 1x1x1x1 to hurry up, their footsteps faded away and soon the front door to the apartment was open then closed.

 

John Doe was left alone in the bedroom and the entirety of the apartment to his lonesome, he wondered how far the debt collector had to walk to buy the bandages since from what he's seen Mafioso barely uses his Lincoln Continental to drive around Dreamsphere, damn cheapskate of a man. It's not that he wants him to come back sooner he just…well yes maybe he does want him to come back sooner because either his stupid humane part feels lonely or he wants his wound to be bandaged already.

 

As if his prayers were answered the door to the apartment opens, then a small sound of the door locking followed next, faint footsteps of Mafioso’s shoes echoed through the nearly empty apartment as he opened the bedroom door, his face turned to an immediate frown seeing the scene in front of him.

 

“What are you doing?” he said, referring to the hacker's position currently lying down, still half-naked with no shirt on, the front of his body flat on the bed as he rested his chin on his hand.

 

“Getting myself ready for you-” a plastic bag was thrown to John Doe's face as he chuckled at the response.

 

“Don't do that” He pointed at the hacker as he soon grumbled under his breath as he sat down on the bed at his side. “I just stitched your wound this morning”

 

“Shouldn't a doctor not hurt his patient? that's malpractice”

 

“And I'm not an actual doctor” The mafia boss argued.

 

John Doe shrugged absentmindedly at the response, and it seems that he can't get anything entertaining today from the debt collector since they had a rather bumpy conversation this morning and Mafioso is still probably not in a good mood. Should he- should he try and cheer up the man? well there's actually not much he knows about him, although…he can try and cheer him up by saying he'll try and return the bedroom to him? he did forcibly take the man's bedroom.

 

“Are you still mad?” he asked bluntly as Mafioso began to unroll the bandage he bought, throwing away the plastic wrapper. to his side.

 

“What am I supposed to be mad about?”

 

“Well early this morning I guess- ow!-” John Doe made a noise akin to a pained moan as he felt Mafioso's bandage around his chest tighten with every turn. “What was that for?!”

 

“Oh sorry I didn't realize”

 

“What?!” It annoyed John Doe that Mafioso is purposefully doing this and acting so innocent, and so he did what he does best whenever he feels pain when his supposed doctor is patching him up.

 

He pulled the mafia boss's hair, like many times before.

 

“You better stop doing that on purpose”

 

He garnered a reaction from the debt collector, a evident hard glare coming from his eyes as his hair was pulled back, head slightly tilted back. “And you stop that as well, what do you think you're doing pulling my hair again?”

 

“Catching your attention obviously, don't think I don't know what you're doing-” John Doe pulled a little harsher this time at this hair and Mafioso outright slapped his hand away as he fixed his hair.

 

“Fine be that way, bandage yourself” he responded letting go of the roll of bandage.

 

Both men, stubborn and unmovable stared at each other with glares of their own, the hacker sighed inwardly hearing Mafioso's declaration out loud, he picked up the roll of bandage and lent his hand out to the debt collector, his face turning from a hard glare to softening slightly as he apologized.

 

“Sorry” he said, coming out more forced than he intended to.

 

The mafia boss's eyes eased up at the sides, not anymore staring at John Doe with the usual harshness whenever he's about to berate him.

 

“Thank you”

 

And so these simple words were said before Mafioso continued his work, this time his hands were gentle as he worked the bandage around John Doe's chest, not anymore tightly wrapped like earlier. Their argument subsided as it turned into a much more casual exchange between the two men.

 

“Do you want to share the bed?” John Doe said out of the blue.

 

Mafioso made a face, a very disgusted one at the proposition. “Why on God's name would you ask that? I wouldn't want to sleep in the same bed you are in, what if-” his eyes quickly darted towards the man's corrupted hand before locking gazes with him again. “Nevermind, it's a no, I am not sharing a bed with you”

 

“Why not?” The hacker asked, but he did notice earlier the way the mafia boss's eyes went to his hand and the pieces clicked. “You aren't going to get corruption from sleeping at my side, that's just some baseless rumor”

 

“What about the people with cases of corruption?” Mafioso was undeterred from John Doe's explanation.

 

“That's self-inflicted, those develop on the person and the person only, it's not transmittable” he continued explaining hoping that he'd actually gain the mafia boss's good side if he lets him sleep in his own bedroom again, seeing him day after day complain under his breath that his neck hurts is making the hacker guilty inside for forcing his own occupation on the bedroom…which isn't his.

 

“I don't believe a single word you are saying-” Before he could finish his debating statement, he felt his empty hand being pulled, a touch of static crept up his arm, it wasn't uncomfortable, it was just slightly unpleasant. 

 

Mafioso looked down and realized his hand was in John Doe's, he's touching his corrupted hand without any form of harm coming his way.

 

Pulling his hand away immediately the mafia boss inspected it seeing there are no signs or symptoms of corruption, it seems that John Doe was speaking the truth, still he shouldn't have done that without asking. “You shouldn't have done that”

 

“You wouldn't believe me otherwise, see? I'm harmless”

 

Mafioso snorted at the proclamation. “What do you mean you're harmless? since when”

 

“I meant the corruption” the hacker's brows furrowed at the claims.

 

“Sure…”

 

As the roll of bandage was all used up he pulled out a metal clip from the plastic bag, finishing the process by safely fastening the end of the bandage.

 

“There, done” Mafioso stood up from the bedside where he sat picking up the plastic bag, he was standing for a moment before he was pulled back down on the bed by none other than his supposed patient.

 

“You- let go of me!”

 

“We aren't done talking” The hacker’s arms encircled his waist tightly, intending to keep him there far longer, Mafioso didn't like this arrangement, especially since his back was turned to John Doe, he doesn't know what he can do this close behind his back, a chill went down his spine when he felt the man's words near his ear, tone low, instinctively he turned his head away but that didn't stop the hacker from still speaking in his ear.

 

“What can I do to make you see me differently?”

 

“All this nonsense over redemption again?-” Mafioso's breath hitched when he felt the man's corrupted hand grip his side, the claws prominent.

 

“It isn't nonsense I tell you much, I genuinely want you to see me in a different light, I already thought you did, when you and I interacted with the lost child, when you would smile at me fondly and make me believe I'm not some corrupted hacker”

 

The mafia boss listened to the hacker's tirade, then bursted out laughing, it felt like a confession, a little bit. “With my back turned to you I don't know if you're a blushing school girl confessing their love or someone who is very lonely”

 

“A bit of both”

 

“Don't jest with me John, why are you so dead-set on this” he asked, tone serious.

 

John Doe was careful with whatever he's playing with right now, not only is Mafioso most likely going to punch him afterwards for even daring to touch him this intimately, he'd most likely stop talking to him, and he didn't want that- but…why, it didn't make sense to John Doe why he's so persistent.

 

“I guess I just wanted another friend”

 

“You're joking” The debt collector responded, baffled.

 

“I'm not…”

 

“You're clinging to me like some poor neglected pet- let go of me first”

 

“Not until we talk this out” 

 

“We will talk when you will let me go!”

 

---

 

1x1x1x1 didn't actually want to go outside today, but with the persistent red child and bed-ridden John Doe he had no choice but to take matters into his own hands as he led the unending ball of energy into the park, it was around 10:12 am when they reached the park c00lkid immediately ran faster as he took a seat on the swing, playing by himself the neon green abomination sat down on a nearby bench, pulling out his phone he checked the live news scrolling for updates, he did grumble slightly seeing his and John Doe's face plastered everywhere as wanted criminals.

 

He can hear c00lkid's laughter even from afar so at least it notified him where he is, that and he has minions lurking around, suddenly the laughter stopped, immediately he turned his head up pocketing his phone.

 

“####” he said under his breath as he locked eyes with none other than 007n7 who is currently holding his adoptive child in his arms, c00lkid didn't look like he was fighting back though, he was just silent as he hugged his father, but looking closely 1x1x1x1 realized he put him out to sleep.

 

“1x1x1x1, didn't expect you out of everyone to put a ransom on my child” 007n7 spoke up as he walked closer to where 1x1x1x1 sat before. “But then again you and John Doe are on the run aren't you?”

 

Before 1x1x1x1 can pull out his sword he felt someone poke him from behind, 007n7's presence may have been damning as he's an infamous hacker but turning his head around and seeing another one made his stomach drop, it's Noli.

 

“Wassup buddy, you abduct kids now?” He said, signature mask and all.

 

007n7 is most likely pissed if he brought along Noli, 1x1x1x1 didn't expect this to turn out this way, he can't fight out of it physically, hackers are more or less reality warpers and John Doe isn't here to help him.

 

Well ####. 

Notes:

Rahhh omg ppl are seeing my work? thank you again for the comments! please if you want to yap go for a yappathon I don't mind, if you want to dissect my characterization of the characters then YES PLEASE, I want yappers in my comment section.

Also 007n7 and Noli has appeared, best of luck to 1x1x1 and his minions.

Chapter 8: He Isn't a Deadbeat Dad, Really.

Summary:

007n7 beats the hell outta 1x1x1x1 nearly killing him with a pipe, John Doe and the gang arrive to save the day.

+2 new tenants

     1x1x1x1 felt himself being knocked down to the ground as a steel pipe from the nearby construction site hit his left abdomen hard, it began to hurt badly, staggering he stood up clutching to his side as he finally pulled out his sword, the atmosphere around him darkening as he prepared his proper stance, the stance he took many times before when he'd fight.

 

The hacker meanwhile still holding on to his child gave out a small exhale. “Noli take c00lkid away from here”

 

“Aight” taking the child from the father's arms, Noli’s command panel appeared as he whisked himself and c00lkid away from the upcoming chaos.

 

With them gone 007n7 returned his attention to the staggering embodiment of hatred, eyes locked on the neon green man the hacker pulled up his coolgui, 1x1x1x1 knew what was about to happen next and braced himself.

 

The grounds of the park began to crack, the once peaceful morning turned into a cacophony of rubble and debris as 1x1x1x1 felt the ground move from beneath him, slabs of the broken ground went above as he jumped from each one narrowly missing death before managing to get back his feet on stable soil.

 

Debris flew in the air at a stand-still, and then it went directly at him.

 

“Minions!” he shouted, the lurking minions from earlier that surrounded the park now making their presence known with small sounds of oi oi's filling the air, they flung themselves towards the debris blocking it.

 

As they blocked the flying debris, one single swing came from 1x1x1x1 and in perfect synchronization the minions threw it in the air as the sword’s strong wind current allowed enough momentum to fling the debris back at the perpetrator. 007n7’s reaction time was instant and he didn't fail to block the debris flying back at him, the stone broke into pieces as it fell to the ground, now useless but the hacker already had his next move prepared.

 

A clone suddenly appeared in the corner of 1x1x1x1's eye and he blocked the incoming punch, but the clone's hands grabbed the swords sharp end, hands bleeding, it didn't care.

 

007n7 quickly came up from behind intending to knock down the distracted man before he was tackled by his minions.

 

“oi oi!” they all said in a chorus as the hacker kicked them off, pushing them aside, even throwing them across the park.

 

The clone from earlier fell to the ground as 1x1x1x1 stabbed it straight through his core, the facade began to flicker, sputtering before disappearing completely. Turning his head the embodiment of hatred sauntered over to 007n7 who is still on the ground unable to recuperate with the minions still trying to tackle him, having had enough he typed out a command on his coolgui, the minions turning into ragdoll mode as they were thrown from afar away from the park.

 

Now the fight is just between them two.

 

Coolgui in hand 007n7 suddenly teleported 1x1x1x1 in the air, it was instant, the neon green man barely had enough time to think as he grabbed his sword mid-air as he fell down faster and faster, the hacker from below prepared himself as he grabbed a pipe from the nearby construction site again intending to impale the embodiment of hatred.

 

“WHAT THE ####?!” 1x1x1x1 shouted seeing the metal pipe coming closer to making him meet his end, his voice carrying through the air very likely because he can see 007n7 smiling.

 

When 1x1x1x1 expected the cold steel to push through his body, closing his eyes, he instead found himself in familiar leather gloved hands when he opened his eyes, he was being carried in the arms of the debt collector.

 

“Mafioso?” he asked, confused, not only was the mafia boss present but he heard the sound of choking, thankfully not from him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw John Doe choking 007n7 above the ground, his corrupted hand at his side.

 

“Thankfully we got here before you were impaled” Mafioso chuckled despite the serious predicament 1x1x1x1 almost found himself earlier, no thank you steel pipe.

 

Setting the embodiment of hatred down to the ground, their focus shifted to the two infamous hackers.

 

“We made a deal” John Doe said as he threatened to grip the hacker's throat more in his hand.

 

“A very messed up one- what were you thinking taking my kid?!” He said through what he can manage with what very little oxygen he can breathe right now.

 

The man threw the hacker to the side, the hacker started to cough as he breathed in the sweet air.

 

“We didn't take your kid on purpose, he jumped in my friend's car, or rather teleported, we actually don't know how he got in” John Doe responded unsure at the end of his statement, he then immediately started to look around as the mention of the child was dropped. “Where is he”

 

“Where is he? are you being serious? you took my child of course I had to get him to safety!” 007n7's expression was one of absolute bafflement, why is the suspected kidnapper asking where his kid is. 

 

Noli then suddenly appeared out of thin air holding said missing child, c00lkid was thrashing in his arms screaming obscenities that even the admins might cry. The red child's high pitched screams were enough to make everyone go silent, except for the one holding him of course.

 

“Seven! your kid woke up- ow!” The purple masked man screamed as well, but out of pain. 1x1x1x1 snorted from behind Mafioso seeing that the same predicament he had been through before had befallen on Noli. “This is Uncle Noli kid, why are you biting me?!”

 

“Let me go!” c00lkid demanded as he bit on Noli's arm this time and finally managed to scurry away as he ran not to 007n7 but to John Doe instead.

 

“Mr. Doe stop fighting Dad!, can't we all leave? we'll leave here all safe no admins chasing us”

 

“c00lkid…John Doe isn't a nice man-” 007n7 spoke up as he tried to come near his own child before c00lkid threw an angry expression at him.

 

“No! I want Mr. Doe out here safe!”

 

“c00lkid please calm down and let's talk, I'm sorry if I did anything wrong to upset you and you ran away-” The father kept getting cut off as his child shouted at him.

 

“I'm not coming back home Dad…”

 

“What? c00lkid you aren't actually-”

 

“If you don't get Mr. Doe out safe then I'm staying here”

 

007n7's hopeful expression faltered, he didn't know what John Doe did to appease his child nor how he got close to c00lkid but he sensed something wrong, he can't have the child on their side, especially on the side of dangerous men.

 

“c00lkid, we are going home whether you like it or not” the tone that 007n7 took changed to one of sterness, it wasn't a request anymore.

 

“I'm staying!”

 

“You are not staying with these dangerous men!”

 

“Then why is it that when I hang out with them I don't feel like I'm the weird one…” c00lkid's face began to scrunch up, throat tightening as the waterworks began to dare break down again.

 

“kid-” The father's face turned to shock as he witnessed the notorious hacker himself pick up his own child as he soothed his cries, cradling him like it were his own son. As c00lkid cried into the nook of John Doe's neck Mafioso calmly approached the devastated father seeing his child trust someone he barely knew for a week than him.

 

“007n7…I believe a proper conversation is better than a brawl in a calm park” The mafia boss said, tone neutral as he gently guided the retired hacker near him.

 

“Y-yes…yes it is” the father nodded.

 

And so everyone leaving the mess behind them, began to walk towards Mafioso's apartment, movements languid as they tries to push away the thoughts of the former scenario that unfolded earlier.

 

After all, Mafioso might be making them lunch, and wouldn't want the talk over food to be awkward.

 

---

 

It was unbearably awkward.

 

As c00lkid happily ate his mushroom rissoto in the living room excluded from the adults, which Mafioso specifically made only for him, he and the other…adults, had beef and bean stew, John Doe helped in the preparations as he diced the potatoes and carrots thrown into the pot of simmering tomato and carved beef cubes. The beans were added much later to prevent them from disintegrating, Mafioso didn't want the beans to just disappear halfway through the process.

 

Now they are all eating, a little crammed in the mafia boss's dingy apartment sitting around the kitchen isle, with 1x1x1x1 even standing as he ate his plate, leaning behind the kitchen sink.

 

Noli was the first to break the silence, being the most talkative one out of the bunch. “So uh…John, you just want 007n7 to break down some firewalls and make you leave here undetected?”

 

“I didn't agree to that, yet” 007n7 said after the other hacker, his voice spiteful as his gaze went from his plate of beef stew to John Doe. eyes matching the tone of his voice.

 

“Cmon seven…I mean it's an easy thing for you to do-”

 

“Easy for you to say, I can't just help him out here after he took my son for almost a week without informing me the moment he had him! it's like he planned this!” he said, gesturing to the half-corrupted hacker.

 

1x1x1x1 argued from behind John Doe where he leaned on the kitchen sink, he set down his plate loudly near the sink. “Hey big reminder dip####! we didn't kidnap your little red goblin he jumped in my car! in fact he loudly proclaimed to me that he hated you that's why he ran away”

 

“That's not-” 007n7 tried to argue back. “Listen you misunderstand, what happened back then that made him leave was because of personal issues he shouldn't have thought about”

 

“Yeah? like the electricity bills and water bills?” Mafioso finally chimed in having had enough of the man's reasoning, his hand tight on his spoon.

 

“You- what is wrong with you people?! I'm his father. What right do you all have to judge? I'm a father of three! I have a lot of problems to think about and it shouldn't have made c00lkid think he's a burden…”

 

The three men opposite to 007n7 and his fellow hacker friend in purple across the kitchen counted nearly choked on their spoons, rather 1x1x1x1 nearly choked on it while Mafioso and John Doe stared baffled at the new information, they initially thought c00lkid was the only adoptive son of 007n7 but now they find out he has two other siblings? Are they adopted as well or from other mothers? no wonder the man was struggling with bills and it made c00lkid worry about their future.

 

“Three kids?! Are you insane?!” The embodiment of hatred shouted at 007n7 in shock before John Doe pushed him back with his hand not looking behind him, wishing for him to shut up.

 

“I…yes I adopted three children, I adopted c00kid first and then bluudud followed, then pr3ttyprincess next-” he replied, eyes fond seemingly remembering their faces.

 

“First of all, weird names, second aren't you unemployed?” John Doe said, speaking up for his side of the kitchen counter.

 

The father went uncomfortably silent at the accusation, eyes darting to his own plate of steaming hot stew focusing on the beef and beef alone as he tried to avoid the gaze of the three men in front of him, Noli who sat beside 007n7 nudged him with his elbow urging him to speak but seeing that he has no response he sighed and spoke up for the retired hacker instead

 

“Well…it isn't easy when you're trying to reform as some notorious hacker and no establishment would accept your resume” he added a chuckle afterwards hoping to ease the tense situation because right now the gaze on 007n7 is very scrutinizing.

 

“No, there's one place…” the man beside Noli spoke up, his gaze still on his stew.

 

“Oh no please don't go back there, you know how that one cashier hates you-”

 

“What place is he talking about?” Mafioso asked, wondering what 007n7 meant and why he looked so pale at the mention of it.

 

“Builder brother’s-” Noli replied but wasn't able to say the entire title before the three men made sounds of grumbling and disagreeing noises.

 

“Wasn't that the pizza place your kid burnt down?” John Doe questioned 007n7, confused why the same establishment that possibly blacklisted them after his child’s pyrotechnics antic went down would still offer him a job. 

 

007n7 nodded, face still glum. “I mean, they offered it, Builderman himself actually, but I know he's just offering it so he can watch over me, make sure I'm not going to cause more damage in robloxia, the establishment will pay me the minimum wage but still…” he paused, choosing the right words. “Even with that wage I need to work overtime, and the children at home, I can't trust bluudud to take care of them alone even if he's the oldest”

 

“Then…who's watching over them at home now?” 1x1x1x1 asked, if 007n7 and Noli were here then who were taking care of the two other siblings?

 

“Oh don't worry I hired a nanny to watch over them while we ran here” The masked hacker replied reassuring 1x1x1x1, still their stance in the conversation isn't helping them in the slightest with how they are being judged.

 

The group returned to the uncomfortable silence they had before and continued eating their lunch, Mafioso was the first to stand up alongside John Doe as they retreated to the sink, which left the two other guests under 1x1x1x1, the faces they made weren't that far from grimaces as they tried to eat under the scary look he's giving them, to which he smiled sardonically as a response.

 

“He's irresponsible, even someone who doesnt have kids knows that” The corrupted hacker whispered to the mafia boss as he handed his finished plate to him.

 

“Don't say that while he's behind us” he replied to the man beside him, his eyes narrowing at John Doe.

 

“Can't help but say the truth”

 

“You better shut up before I make you guzzle down liquid soap” Mafioso threatened him holding said container of liquid soap. “I may have the same opinions as you but have some decency”

 

“Very funny”

 

Instead of standing idly near Mafioso he went to grab a towel from the drying rack taking the plates that the debt collector washed, drying them, soon other plates piled up in the sink and the other adults went off to the living room to busy themselves, both Mafioso and John Doe can hear c00lkid's faint laughter as he presumably chased poor 1x1x1x1 around the apartment, playing tag, their heavy steps were heard clearly as the racket began to annoy the mafia boss, but hearing the hacker beside him snort at the sounds he restrained himself not to ruin the fun the child is having, after all the child probably hasn't experienced playing with others besides his siblings and father, even Noli from earlier seemed hesitant to hold him.

 

“It's a miracle the kid is still being fed when he has two other siblings” The hacker said through their little dish-washing escapade.

 

“You noticed?” Mafioso isn't the kind to judge people's IQ on the spot but he didn't expect John Doe to notice the child is an absolute glutton despite the malnourished state he is in the moment he arrived in the apartment and under their care.

 

“I mean…it is worrying, he must be very hungry, that and his family is going through a rough time financially”

 

“He was probably comfortable enough to ask us to buy food-”

 

“Do you think he'd ask the same things to 007n7? it's like he knew you had money” John Doe's chuckle lightened the mood of the serious conversation slightly. “With the dingy apartment and all that”

 

Mafioso sprinkled faucet water onto the man beside him directly at his face. “Stop teasing me about my apartment, you always try to find ways to tease me about”

 

The hacker didn't seem to mind being thrown water at his face, he wiped it away with the back of his hand. “No I'm being serious, why do you live like this aren't you like…in the mafia?”

 

“Yes and? What difference does that make?”

 

“What difference-” He looked at Mafioso baffled. “What do you mean what difference does it make? you're rich!”

 

“So? doesn't mean I have to live like one, I am satisfied with the life I'm living”

 

John Doe sighed, it seems he can't argue with a man who is straight laced, that and he can't budge him from his ideals either, what a peculiar man.

 

---

 

When evening rolled in the weather became far more colder than before, the windows felt as if it were the only thing keeping the warmth inside. One of the many disadvantages of having an apartment is not having a fireplace which was the only thing Mafioso missed from his old home, but at the same time it would be a reminder of his old home if he were want to install one, and so he relies on the expensive heater keeping the apartment floors warm all night long during these kinds of weather.

 

But why should he complain if it's expensive, he does have the money…

 

c00lkid was fast asleep on the carpet of the living room, tired from running around the hardwood floor of the apartment, thankfully 1x1x1x1 had the kindness- which is ironic, to give him a pillow from the couch to lay his head comfortably, Mafioso planned on letting them all stay in the guest room for the meantime and bring out the extra mattresses but 007n7 as well as Noli seemed to have resigned themselves to the couch out of consideration, and opted to give the matress to the child, they did try to kill the embodiment of hatred just this morning then presumably also tried to kill John Doe.

 

Mafioso began to roll out the mattress in the living room, the warmth of the hardwood floor seeping through his knees as he leaned to attach the comforter and bedsheets, he felt someone's presence behind him expecting it to be John Doe again, he seems to have a grown a habit of clinging to his side nowadays.

 

Instead he met eyes with 007n7.

 

“I'll help, it's the least I can do after acting irrationally this morning” he said apologetic, scratching the back of his neck.

 

Mafioso didn't know why he expected to see John Doe but help is good nonetheless. The mafia boss nodded as he opened the bedsheets unfolding it allowing the retired hacker to grab the other end. With comforter and bedsheets attached he grabbed a few pillows from the couch throwing it to the mattress on the floor leaving the other two for Noli and 007n7.

 

At the corner of his eye the debt collector saw 007n7 taking c00lkid from the carpet, holding him carefully as he laid the child on the mattress tucking him in with the blanket that was draped over the couch earlier.

 

He had this inexplicable fond look in his eyes Mafioso can't describe, it reminded him of his mother, the unconditional love she gave despite the people that surrounded her, the house she was forced to live in. The mafia boss sat on the warm floor wondering again why 007n7 adopted such a child, was it for redemption? martyrdom? or was it an unselfish act of being humane.

 

“How did you find him?” Mafioso asked, sitting down on the armchair thankfully not beside Noli on the couch who is already lolling his head off to the side, drooling in his sleep.

 

“Oh, well it feels like this story has been said so many times but he was left on my doorstep, when I went to the hospital to get him checked out I found out he's a pill baby hence his…outcome” he replied referring to c00lkid's physical appearance.

 

So the malnourishment had never been- he had been like that all along?

 

“Which made it more harder to take care for him, I mean I'm not a mother, much less a model father figure, I had to buy baby formula, and ended up turning my own bedroom into a nursery” he chuckled as if the memory weren't an experience he struggled through. “But I pulled through, despite what I lack I managed to make up for it-”

 

“Can you cook?”

 

007n7 looked up from where he sat on the matress, confused with the sudden question. “What?”

 

“I said, can you cook” Mafioso repeats his question, straightforward and blunt.

 

“I- well…it's either takeout or canned food so” 

 

“Canned food is fine every now and then If you're low on money, that's what it's made for, but fresh vegetables can be thrown in” he said giving a piece of advice to the retired hacker. “Do cut down on takeout”

 

“I see…I'm sorry about what I said earlier, saying you're dangerous- I mean John Doe and 1x1x1x1 is but you seem nice” 007n7 replies, albeit shy to admit it.

 

---

 

c00lkid woke up to the smell of sizzling meat filling the air, he found himself sleeping on the floor with the comfortable matress, he woke up groggily wiping his eyed as he absentmindedly followed the smell trudging towards the kitchen like a man possessed, he found himself fully awake seeing everyone present in the kitchen.

 

His dad is cooking chicken broth, boss man is sighing at his side yapping about the heat which is too high, Mr. Doe and 1x1x1x1 are chatting freely with Uncle Noli, then his dad, turned around.

 

“c00lkid morning! I uh…breakfast is ready in a minute?-” he said awkwardly before boss man nudged him to return his attention to the steaming pot. “Oh god sorry wait”

 

“Don't belive your dad, he and Mafioso had been awake since 5:00am and it's now 8:12am” 1x1x1x1 piped up as he laughed a little loudly before Mr. Doe sighed beside him, burying his head in his arms as he seemingly went to sleep on the kitchen counter, either that or he returned to sleep because it seems that he had clothing marks on his face.

 

c00lkid walked near his dad, face a little guilty as he looked up.

 

“Sorry about yesterday dad…and for running away”

 

“It's fine kid” he felt a hand ruffling his hair, it soon landed on his shoulder gently squeezing him. “It happens, you're a kid, and you should be one”

 

“I know…I'm sorry”

Notes:

I come back with more words, told yall he isn't a bad father, the c00lkid arc is ending here and we'll be moving back to the main conflict with John Doe and 1x1x1 being chased by admins (with a special appearance from two people :^)

Chapter 9: Domesticity

Summary:

This always happens istg, blame them both for causing angst to each other in this chapter, they do hash it our later on.

Usual banter and them fixing the broken park lol.

     007n7 decided to stay for a little while longer in Mafioso's apartment for the sake of his child, he agreed to learn how to properly cook and with Noli's help in continuing to pay the nanny back at home he somehow ended up in a mafia boss's cooking lessons for free, in his very own home. He didn't mind the current change his lifestyle took, waking up at 5:00am every morning just to cook breakfast but sometimes Mafioso's intimidating face is the thing that actually wakes him up.

 

That and of course the other men in the apartment.

 

---

 

Mafioso had to pull some strings so that the entirety of Dreamsphere doesn't go down into chaos with the little squabble between 007n7 and 1x1x1x1 that went down at the public park, sure barely anyone was there but nearby homeowners felt the tremors and were confused to find out no earthquakes occurred near their area.

 

So what he did is to deploy his goons early in the next morning to help rebuild the public park, that and 1x1x1x1 as well had to pitch in by summoning his minions for reparations, he didn't want to bother 007n7 because he's currently back at the apartment cooking breakfast lest he makes c00lkid throw a tantrum so John Doe instead took his place as he used his command panel to fly things around easier and replace broken materials

 

It seems that Mafioso didn’t have to hide his little secret anymore since his goons didn't mind knowing he was friends with notorious individuals like John Doe, to be frank they were ecstatic because it was apparently good to make connections with varied people, especially someone with credentials and a background like him. While the goons busied themselves alongside 1x1x1x1 and his minions, the mafia boss caught himself in another conversation with the corrupted hacker while they were moving metal pipes meant for the monkey bars.

 

“I used to think this thing being set in a playground is ridiculous, it's a child hazard” John Doe exclaimed as he screwed back bolts to make the monkey bars stand on all fours again forming the base.

 

“Well the playground was always meant for energetic children, like c00lkid, would've been a tad bit gloomy if this weren't here” Mafioso handed the corrupted hacker the other metal pipes one by one as the man screwed it to the base.

 

“Oh don't get me started on the spinning wheel over there” he said pointing at said spinning wheel that they just fixed earlier with his wrench. “You can probably get a kid stuck underneath that”

 

“Wow inspector Doe how inquisitive, refurbish the entire playground then, you can't avoid accidents” Mafioso replied chuckling as he handed the last metal pipe completing the monkey bars.

 

“I'm just saying…maybe make the playground more safer?”

 

“When did this occur to you, is it because of the child? c00lkid?” the mafia boss asked as he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

 

“Maybe, that or I have nothing to talk about”

 

Mafioso’s unnoticeable smile from earlier became more evident, albeit small, he helped John Doe finish up fixing the monkey bars before they both sat down coincidentally on the same bench he and c00lkid ate mangoes before, the trashcan is missing unfortunately and they both don't know where it flew across the server to when 1x1x1x1 and 007n7 were throwing blows ignoring their surroundings.

 

John Doe's thoughts went back to the time he and Mafioso sat on this bench talking about pets and so he brought that up instead.

 

“I feel bad for this…commotion” he said gesturing to the half-repaired public playground. "Do you want me to buy you a bunny?” John Doe suddenly said, mentioning Mafioso’s former likeness to bunnies as a pet.

 

“A bunny? John- I'm fine, I'm not actually serious on getting a pet bunny”

 

“Oh come on, you said you would” The corrupted hacker insisted as he nudged Mafioso with his elbow.

 

“I did not” The mafia boss nudged back with his elbow as well “you must have been deaf”

 

“Now you're just making up stories” he chuckled, but he didn't miss the fact that Mafioso, for the first time called him by his name, it was a weird feeling being called by your name after someone who initially hated you is now comfortable talking to you, it felt like some one-time accomplishment in life you cannot experience again.

 

He can't help but smile wider at that.

 

Mafioso noticed his strange attitude and this time nudged him with his foot, unlike before when he stepped on it.

 

“You're grinning like you won the lottery” The mafia boss said, suspicious.

 

“That's such an old- uh, what is that term…simile! yeah simile” he exclaimed, snapping his fingers finding the right word.

 

“Simile?”

 

“Why?”John Doe replied, an underlying tone of offense but his smile hasn't gone in the slightest. “I'm not a kindergartener of course I know that word” 

 

“You always make me wonder what's in that head of yours…I rather not busy myself with that” Mafioso said looking away, a wide smile also appearing on his face matching John Doe.

 

From afar they looked like grinning idiots, and that's exactly what 1x1x1x1 thought when he caught a glance of the two of them, they usually both looked intimidating and now they just look goofy, he sighed looking away as he returned to work.

 

---

 

This little conundrum wasn't what Mafioso wanted to deal with tonight, just two days ago and the day before he had no problem with this arrangement.

 

That is sleeping beside the corrupted hacker.

 

He did hold his hand before, John Doe showed how he can't be infected with the corruption and it was just some baseless rumor, either that or he was too tired and out of it when he decided to instinctively sleep on his own bed days prior forgetting the hacker also occupied it, fixing the park and waking up early to teach the c00lkid’s father was a hassle.

 

So why is he being shy now?

 

John Doe was already on the bed sitting as he leaned back on the headboard, comfortable, eyes shut and arms behind his head, Mafioso? the furthest he can be from him at the edge of the bed also sitting down and is polishing his shoes as an excuse to be that far away from him, he didn't like how domestic this setting felt like to be much less how the corrupted hacker behind him seems to just be casual about it.

 

“I've never asked this, why do you keep your shoes maintained?” The corrupted hacker asked, one eye open as he peeked to see the man in front polishing his shoes.

 

“It was never mine to begin with, passed down the family” the sounds of a brush going over his shoes were heard, polishing it to shine.

 

“I see…you're a family man?”

 

“You see children running around?”

 

John Doe chuckled at the response. “No, I meant that you're close with your family”

 

“I'm not”

 

“You…you aren't?” surprised with the information, he couldn't help but come closer to the man, he left his comfortable position on the bed and went near, right behind him as he looked over to see him still polishing his shoes.

 

“Yeah, haven't I said this before?-” Mafioso stopped speaking then and there recalling how this similar conversation went down and decided to hold back his words. “Forget about it”

 

“I'm still buying you one” he replied, referring to the pet.

 

“No you aren't, not with that money”

 

John Doe rolled his eyes at the comment. “You complain about everything, what's the problem if my money is duplicated? for a mafia man you're a stickler to rules”

 

“Like I said, I'm not the typical mafia man”

 

Mafioso set down his shoes now polished to a shine as he slid it underneath the bed, not fully disappearing but only the soles peeking out, now he doesn't know what to do to distract himself and further busy himself, it felt awkward to sleep beside the corrupted hacker. Can he just…sleep on the floor? the floor is warm…

 

Now that he thought about it he can try segregating the laundry by color-

 

“Sleep already, it's 10:32 pm, what else do you have to do besides thinking of what to do?” Mafioso felt the voice behind him far more closer than he expected compared to earlier, turning his head slightly he realized John Doe had leaned closer, his face near his ear. “Or are you shy?” he said, teasing the mafia boss.

 

“I'm not shy”

 

“Really? you've been trying to find ways to avoid sleeping beside me, the couch is occupied, the guest room is too, you have no choice” Before the mafia boss can escape by loudly saying he has to deal with laundry, he, like before, was pulled by his waist, his back didn't meet the comfortable bed but the chest of a man he used to loathe.

 

He went still at the physical contact, sure he felt this before but this was intentional, his throat tightened as his body went rigid unable to process what to do in response.

 

John Doe then whispered close, reassuring him. “See? now let's go to sleep-”

 

---

 

Mafioso kicked out John Doe from his own bedroom.

 

Not figuratively, more like literally, kicked him in the face, damn flexible man, kicked him right in the nose, he retreated to the guest room where 1x1x1x1 occupied the single bed, unlike Mafioso's queen bed this one had to be strategized on how to share it.

 

“He kicked you? in the face?” The embodiment of hatred became the embodiment of teasing as he started to laugh right at John Doe's hurt face. “Oh my god- you're even bleeding at your nose!”

 

“I mean, I should have seen it coming, he isn't the type to like physical contact”

 

“Yeah no keep on doing that I want to see what he does next to you”

 

“You and your joys of entertainment…” John Doe rolled his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose looking downwards as he waited ten minutes for the nosebleed to go away.

 

“He doesn't have a woman does he?” 1x1x1x1 asked as he grabbed a pillow from the guest room bed, plopping himself down on the bed, his friend followed after as he continued looking downwards, careful not to let the blood drip on the bed sheets lest he gets another kick on his face.

 

“He doesn't, not from what I know”

 

“Sure? he looks like he does”

 

John Doe hit his friend in the face with the pillow nearby, he heard bouts of laughter again, sighing he then thought about it carefully. “He's just…he seems to have a set of rules he always follows, he doesn't launder money, doesn't even steal, he doesn't even- can you believe he chose this ugly apartment on purpose?” he exclaimed gesturing to the ceiling.

 

“So you think he doesn't fool around?”

 

“Have you seen him visit a bar? I haven't even smelled alcohol from his breath once, though wine seems to be normal to him, I don't think he does fool around”

 

“Huh, I thought he would…he actually looks good for a guy older than you, what did you say he was? early 30's?”

 

John Doe nodded to the question. “Yeah”

 

1x1x1x1 had this look on his face that the corrupted hacker knew was brewing mischief, he didn't like that look.

 

“Have you ever tried to ask what type he likes?”

 

“No” he answered bluntly trying to avoid the topic and from further digging a hole he didn't want to be in, 1x1x1x1 is onto him.

 

“Maybe he likes rugged types” The embodiment of hatred said, brow raising.

 

“I don't think he'd be into that, and for what it's worth he's the kind of man who be into a serious relationship”

 

“Like Jane?”

 

The corrupted hacker's red eye flickered at the mention of her name, he has forced himself to bury memories of her, but every now and then he'd see her, like some messed up hallucination following him around.

 

“Yeah…”

 

He's just like her 

 

1x1x1x1's face turned to concern, he shifted closer to the man beside him, his hand gentle as he shook him slightly. “Hey, have you heard from her yet?”

 

“No” The tone of his voice became more somber.

 

“Was it really that one thing you think you both fought over? I mean…you can talk it out right? you were both together for so long I thought you agreed to ma-”

 

“She shouldn't have thought about that in the first place” 

 

1x1x1x1's expression turned to a scowl, he didn't like people being unreasonable. “John, you know you can tell me what happened right?” 

 

“The woes of being married that's what, we didn't even get a divorce or annulment we still share the same last name if you pull up our information on site”

 

Marriage is a strong word for John Doe, and having Jane herself say she wanted to marry, of course he agreed, but no one warned him of the detrimental results that came after when she asked to have children, the corrupted hacker didn't see himself fit to be a father much less to be in a relationship with such a woman, he, in simple words, went along, but she wanted to start a family, a whole new life for him to leave his own past mistakes behind.

 

And now here he is, single, and running away from admins because he got hit by the ban hammer at his side, he could've reasoned with Builderman but…Telamon was there, the admin never says no when that godly being is there.

 

“Anyways, let me sleep already, what's the use of mulling over the past like this” John Doe didn't even look at 1x1x1x1 before he shifted in his position, wiping the dry blood from his nose, taking the leftmost part of the bed as he laid down to sleep.

 

1x1x1x1 was silent before he responded, his former scowl turning softer “Alright…night John”

 

“G’night”

Notes:

Heyyy very quick update right? well I'm gearing up for the next thing this fic is going for so this is just a little snack before we go for the big chapters

That and of course laying the foundation about John and Jane's former relationship

Chapter 10: Minimum Wage and the Debts

Summary:

2 new characters appear! and one of them has debt so Mafioso chases them down the supermarket while John Doe goes grocery shopping.

Oh yeah, and Mafioso finally feeds John Doe some meat, I don't mean that meat, I meant the food.

     Mafioso felt bad for kicking out the corrupted hacker last night, he was glad to be able to experience the soft comforter and queen bed again after John Doe occupied it for almost a week though his back felt much more lighter than before and less tense just after one night of sleep back on his bed so he doesn't fully feel guilty for what he did last night.

 

He deserved that kick to the face.

 

But of course he has some humanity within him left and decided to wake up early to head to the butchers and buy around 4 kilos of pork for the corrupted hacker, he isn't buying meat just because John Doe has a more carnivorous diet, he did also want to buy meat since the entire household- which he is disappointed to describe their current situation, had been eating primarily on vegetables and he noticed how c00lkid despite being the opposite of a picky eater had began to steer away from the dishes both he and 007n7 have been cooking, so yes meat is needed back on the menu.

 

When he returned home, he closed the door behind and he was met with a weird feeling crawling up his slacks. It was soft, but it felt like it had a body, definitely not a pillow. Looking down he nearly doubled over and started to cuddle the little white dot of fur at his feet, a small smile began to form as he crouched inspecting the fragile animal.

 

It was a bunny, a small one to be exact, and it looked like it wasn't fed well, if he were to assume it was a rescue.

 

But why is a bunny at his apartment?

 

“You like him don't you?”

 

Mafioso's smile faded immediately, realizing the reason behind the sudden appearance of the bunny at his own home. “I told you not to buy me one” he said looking up from where he crouched on the hardwood floor.

 

John Doe met Mafioso's harsh eyes with a soft expression contrasting the mafia boss. “Don't look at me like that, c00lkid actually found him, I didn't buy him, promise”

 

“You did not drag that child into our squabble”

 

“I didn't!” he exclaimed, partially offended that the debt collector assumed he'd stoop that low just so he can be in Mafioso's good graces.

 

Sighing, Mafioso picked up the small bunny from the floor, cradling it like it were his child. “You better help feed this guy or you're-”

 

“Yeah yeah I know, don't talk to me like that you're sounding like a nagging mother”

 

As Mafioso turned around to set the small animal and plastic of pork on the kitchen counter he noticed how quiet the apartment was, it was around 8:12 am when he arrived back from the butchers so it was uncharacteristic for his home to not be filled with c00lkid's laughter and other grating noises from his uninvited tenants, he looked over his shoulder confused.

 

“Where are the others?” 

 

“Oh them? they went out to eat at the nearby diner because they were getting sick of the vegetables, told them I'd wait for you”

 

“They- and here I bought pork!” he gestured to the plastic filled with great protein “Now what do I do, this is too much between the two of us”

 

The corrupted hacker's eyes brightened upon hearing about meat, he perked up as he hurried over to the kitchen counter seeing that Mafioso was telling the truth as he opened the bag of plastic, like a child in a candy store he looked up at the debt collector expectantly.

 

“Can you cook it all?”

 

“You're a damn glutton if you think I'd let you eat all that for breakfast”

 

“Ouch” John Doe said as he mockingly put his hand to his chest feigning hurt at the remark about his appetite.

 

Mafioso paused before speaking, carefully choosing his words “I- actually…this was supposed to be for you, I felt guilty about last night when I kicked your face”

 

“I'm touched, really” he replied, throwing a wide grin.

 

“Oh shut it, now I'm wondering what to do if I should fry it or marinate it” The mafia boss stood behind the kitchen counter pondering what to do with the pork as John Doe hovered over his shoulder. “Should I cut it into cubes then fry it? we do have some gravy in the fridge leftover from the mashed potatoes”

 

“That would be nice”

 

“Yeah…or should I use some chicken broth 007n7 made?”

 

“I don't mind-”

 

“We can have some green beans tossed in soy sauce too”

 

“That sounds tasty”

 

He had enough and Mafioso nearly choked the man then and there, he was being compliant the moment meat was mentioned, as if he were drooling at the sight of it, he can barely give proper answers. The mafia boss turned his head to face John Doe over his shoulder as he glared.

 

“Stop answering like that, what do you actually want me to do with the pork?” he asked, wishing for a straightforward answer.

 

“Like I said, I don't mind at all as long as pork is in it, I miss pork…” as if all the man's thoughts drifted away he trailed off to whatever imagination land he was on to about pork, Mafioso poked him at his side garnering a annoyed reaction, and he did that on purpose too right at his wound.

 

“You didn't have to do that y'know, gosh in my recovering wound too”

 

“I’ll saute it in onion then, possibly the most blandest breakfast I'll ever make” Mafioso as he took the plastic bag as he headed over to the sink to wash the raw pork, soon he grabbed a cutting board and sharp knife to begun his work, taking around a kilo of pork he sets aside the other as he figures he can use it for dinner and actually buy ingredients to pair with it as well when he goes grocery shopping later that night.

 

He cut the pork into cubes, eye-balling it and choosing not to measure it accurately.

 

Soon he gestured for John Doe to take the onions from the pantry, as he focused on seasoning the pork, Mafioso generally disliked having meat dishes with no paired ingredients but this is the most he can do after he diminished most of his stock in the pantry after teaching 007n7 how to cook, it's a miracle he still has onions with how much the retired hacker burnt them to a crisp when he set the heat too high, that too, he's astonished at the fact he still has gas in the tank for the stove with how much was used.

 

He felt the corrupted hacker's presence return at his side, but instead of handing the onions to him directly, John Doe decided to grab a knife as well from the organized knife set in the cupboard, and then proceeded to grab a ceramic plate to which alarmed the mafia boss because- who decides to use a plate as a cutting board alternative!? He moves quickly and grabs the ceramic plate first, holding it as if it were a victim.

 

“You are not using that as a cutting board”

 

The hacker shrugged unbothered. “You were using the cutting board so I thought-”

 

“A ceramic plate?!” Mafioso cut him off, raising said ceramic plate to the man's face when he shouted, then promptly returned the plate where it belonged on the drying rack “have some common sense”

 

“I don't want to just stand here behind you, I want to help”

 

“Help by not touching anything then”

 

“But you let 007n7 cook and touch all of this, and he's an even worse cook than me”

 

The debt collector scoffed, the statement from the man beside him laughable “Since when did you cook?”

 

“I do? you just never let me”

 

“Then I'm glad I don't, you almost used a ceramic plate as a cutting board!”

 

“Then I'm sorry?!” The man replied matching the angry mafia boss's tone, it was sarcastic, but not mocking, because what followed was a chuckle from him.

 

Mafioso returned to the raw pork in front of him, sighing as he wished he can actually trust John Doe when it comes to cooking but he has never seen- not once, that the man ever tried to cook anything in his kitchen and he prefers it that way, what if he does worse damage than 007n7.

 

At least the pork came out well, the smell as it sizzled with the aroma mixing with the onions was nice. And of course, the great result that came with it.

 

John Doe shut himself up and just ate happily.

 

---

 

The corrupted hacker sat in the front passenger seat as Mafioso drove his Lincoln Continental to the nearby supermarket, the same supermarket they always go to at night when there aren't any people wandering about, it felt as if the population decreased whenever they were out shopping, but John Doe knew the mafia boss does this on purpose, to only leave when the sun sets to buy what's needed, he has a reputation within Dreamsphere and it's an ugly one.

 

Though he's probably glad with the decisions he makes, because he too has an ugly reputation, outside that is.

 

He tilted his head, the wind from the open window of the old car whipping at his face as he looked over at the mafia boss, it was rare to find him without the iconic fedora, much less see him so…relaxed, maybe the car is also a hand-med-down and brings back good ole’ memories to the man beside him he assumed.

 

“Is this car a family heirloom or something?” John Doe asked as he rested his chin on his hand, elbow on the edge of the window.

 

“More or less, the former mafia boss gave it to me”

 

“Your father?” he prodded, asking more.

 

“Yes…”

 

His expression was nigh unreadable, gone was the relaxed expression and the air in the car felt tense, John Doe cursed at himself inwardly because sure the car may have some good memories but he didn't expect that bringing up the man's father may have some consequences that followed, it felt as though the more he tried to understand Mafioso the more setbacks he took, he can never truly say he is friends with him.

 

Or is that what he really wants?

 

The car suddenly stopped making the corrupted hacker aware of where they are now, the parking lot of the supermarket right at the back, Mafioso always parks his car behind the establishment instead of the front and John Doe never questioned it, only assumed it was another of his own set of “rules” he followed.

 

Mafioso was the first to leave closing the car door behind him as John Doe followed suite he heard the luxury car lock behind him as he walked, but then the man in front of him stopped making him wonder if he halted in his tracks because he forgot something or he's going to berate the corrupted hacker. Instead he spoke up with a tone of confusion.

 

“There's another car, in the parking lot”

 

John Doe followed where his gaze was pointed towards and found himself also questioning why a red sedan barelt visible under the lamp lights was in the same parking lot as them as well, right around 7 o'clock in the evening.

 

“That's…weird” he said, unsure what to say.

 

“Let's shop quickly, that car is suspicious, haven't seen it in Dreamsphere before, much less in my server” 

 

They both hurriedly walked towards the supermarket, taking the back entrance as usual, the smell of chlorine and cleaning supplies hit their noises as they walked through the aisle of home cleaning products. The cold air-conditioned supermarket brushed against them.

 

“Okay you head over to the condiments and grab a sack of rice, here's the list” Mafioso said as he handed the corrupted hacker the note, the words written behind a old receipt “I’ll head over to the canned foods and we meet back at the beverages”

 

“Alright, see ya” John Doe saluted half heartedly to the mafia boss as he went off on his own adventure.

 

Mafioso was left on his own on the aisle of home cleaning products as he walked in a brisk pace, heading straight for the canned goods aisle as he took a basket from the stack that he passed by, he didn't like the feeling that was forming in his gut seeing that unfamiliar car from outside, he knew the cars that drove in the server and that wasn't the usual brand of car that he would see being driven around, and it being parked in the back was no coincidence.

 

He turned a corner and skimmed through the options of canned goods, quickly taking note of what he needed back in his depleted pantry, with each can in his basket he moved to another shelf to scan through it. Then he heard a voice from the other aisle, right across him to his left, he didn't look nor did he move his attention away.

 

“All I'm saying is that they're going too far! they send you out here to some random world for some random fat### customer who ordered 10 boxes and now we're stranded just because you just had to do it for money, have some dignity man” The accent from the man from the other aisle was familiar, reminding Mafioso of a Boston accent.

 

The person they were supposedly arguing with then responded, contrasting their brash tone, the typical customer service voice. “C'mon…I need it okay? the rent, the food, sure we split the expenses but I need the money, we need the money”

 

“And I'm trying to find solutions here, you don't have to keep doing this, they know you'll keep saying yes and so they give you the farthest orders”

 

Their argument became background noise to Mafioso as he finished taking what he needed from the canned goods aisle, he walked past the two ignoring them, and hopefully they ignored him as well.

 

Then, stupidly, he looked over and a flash of a familiar fedora caught his eye.

 

The idiot…

 

The runaway…

 

The one who owed him the most debt-

 

“You” Mafioso said, no restraint on the malice behind his rising voice as he fully turned to face the man who had been running away from him all these years avoiding the consequences of his actions, he walked towards him possessed by his hatred.

 

The debtor, none other than Chance, looked at Mafioso, face paler than the shampoo container he was holding “M-mafioso?- heya buddy-” he dodged the mafia boss's hand that reached out for him, he nearly stumbled as he grabbed his fedora that almost fell. 

 

“Woah we- we can talk about this okay?! I've got a job now and I can pay you back-” A loud squeal came from the debtor as he ran through the hygiene aisle as the debt collector chased him. “Elliot help me!”

 

Meanwhile his friend, clad in red and his work attire of Builder brother's pizzeria, tired, just stared at Chance as he sighed, rubbing the temple of his forehead unwilling to chase after him, after all what can they do, stranded in Dreamsphere with no more gas after they drove all the way here. They both or rather, Chance can't escape what's coming for him and Mafioso is glad his friend is smart enough not to take action, and of course because the gambler now has no one to help him escape.

 

Chance ran through the tall shelves of the humble supermarket as he watched where he stepped, careful not to slip as his shoes made loud noises throughout the almost empty establishment, behind him a madman ran as well, his calm expression from before when he was shopping was gone.

 

“Get back here you bastard!” he shouted, his voice carrying weight through the supermarket as Chance ran even faster.

 

“Sorry! I know what you do to debtors like me, no thank you!” turning around a corner the debtor ran through stacks and stacks of kitchen appliances careful not to bump into any of it.

 

“At least you are aware little ####, stop running and trip over!”

 

“How about you trip over big guy?!” Chance responded with humor despite the predicament he is in.

 

“You! Need to pay up!” he lunged at the gambler hoping to tackle him but instead met the tiles, he groaned as he got back up before catching a glimpse of Chance's face laughing at him. “Why you-”

 

“Stay down alright?” The debtor said amused at the sight but before he could celebrate Mafioso ran again, this time taking large strides, Chance screamed in terror as he turned to another corner, the chase still not over.

 

They met at bifurcated exits, the only thing blocking them from each other are the display freezers for the ice cream and frozen goods, with both of them on opposing sides. Mafioso circled around and so did Chance, the mafia boss took slow steps as he tried to time his chances on grabbing the debtor, arms wide as if he were catching a runaway chicken.

 

“C'mon please, I actually do have a job now! I'm working as a dishwasher in a pizza place, I just don't have enough money!-” He yelped loudly as a hand reached out for his head intending to grab him by his hair, his fedora now on the ground, he ignored it as he tried to make plans on escaping, still walking around the display freezers.

 

“You've been running a long time now Chance, you're one of a kind debtor, now come with me before things get ugly in this supermarket”

 

“Don't tell me you're going to paint the white tiles red with my blood” The gambler chuckled nervously.

 

But Mafioso's grin that appeared confirmed the assumption and so Chance tried to run again hoping to make an escape, what he didn't expect is for the mafia boss to climb the goddamn display freezer leaping at him, they both slammed against the floor of the supermarket with a loud crack coming from the tiles. Then a pair of footsteps came near, one from a pair of crocs, second from a pair of adidas and third- from an employee.

 

They both looked up and saw their friends with a supermarket employee looking down at them with a grimace.

 

John Doe was holding a bag of groceries in his hand, his face almost confused at the commotion, he must have seen from afar and heard Mafioso's antics, the hacker had never seen the man lose his composure like that before.

 

As for Elliot, he just looked so tired.

 

And the employee-

 

“Can you all please deal with your arguments outside? and pay for the broken tiles?” he said through tired eye-bags.

 

---

 

Everyone walked outside the back of the supermarket each holding their own supply of groceries, though it was mostly John Doe and Elliot holding it as Mafioso was holding Chance's hair, making it far more painful for him to run away.

 

“Ow- ow- ow- my hair!” The gambler exclaimed as he was dragged through the parking lot.

 

“How much is your salary”

 

“Minimum wage!”

 

“How. much.” Mafioso asked again, as they all continued walking to his car, they all decided that since Elliot's work car is out of gas, they would use the mafia boss's car instead.

 

“7.25 per hour!” he shouted almost pitifully as he answered. “In robux!”

 

“Use a calculator and save up then, maybe you'd have enough money for rent and the debt! he said referring to Chance's earlier conversation with Elliot regarding the rent.

 

As the mafia boss berated Chance, Elliot was awkwardly shuffling in his feet, being a mere few inches away from an infamous hacker, he had never good experiences with any of them especially when the child of one burned down the pizza place. John Doe didn't care though and just stood there as he waited for Mafioso to end his rant before he could place the groceries in the trunk.

 

“I'm not helping you and your friend get out of here unless you pay me within this month the debt you owe me, in cash” Mafioso unlocked his car, with one hand on the door and the other still in Chance's hair as he looked around for stolen handcuffs underneath the driver seat.

 

The drive back to his apartment now gained two new passengers, Chance is handcuffed to the headrest behind John Doe's front seat while Elliot is sat beside him knocked out completely asleep, it's as if he didn't care his friend was nearly pummeled to a pulp earlier when the debt collector pounced on him from above the display freezers, the life of a minimum wage worker has a messed up sleep schedule.

 

“How much does he actually owe you?” John Doe asked, finally given the opportunity to after the ruckus earlier at the supermarket, he was trying to hide the grin that would creep up his face recalling the scene that unfolded.

 

“Around the ten thousands”

 

“You pounced on him like you were possessed” a chuckle escaped his mouth and finally a grin appeared.

 

“I've been chasing him for a long time, it was a stupid move for him to return here, much less in the same server I live in”

 

“I never expected you to act like that though, expected you to be more-”

 

“Civilized?” Mafioso answered for him, cutting him off “I am anything but civilized when it comes to debtors John, if you were one who owed me that much money as him then I would have acted like that as well”

 

“Pounced on me? I'd assume you aren't just after money”

 

“What else then?” The debt collector asked as he turned the wheel right, turning a corner as the streetlight turned green from above.

 

“You looked a little too happy earlier when he asked if you'd paint the tiles red”

 

“And? it was to scare him-”

 

“You like it don't you? you like chasing them, you like the thrill”

 

Coincidentally the streetlight in the next turn turned red as he stopped the car, placing his feet on the brakes to respond to the accusation. It was random, and Mafioso didn't know if it was because John Doe was curious or he wanted to garner a reaction with their current conversation.

 

Because…that would be immoral if he liked his job, that he liked when he would do interrogations, the actions he'd do, made it seem like he was some psychotic murderer, he's not.

 

“I don't, and that's absurd coming from you”

 

“I saw your smile” the hacker added, gaze laser focused. “That wasn't the look of someone who does your kind of job out of being just, there's something fun in it for you”

 

“And you think I find it fun chasing these kinds of people down?”

 

“I bet you do, you just aren't aware” John Doe responded confidently with his answer.

 

“That's-”

 

“Messed up? I've seen worse buddy, you're the tip of the iceberg, better to accept it than ignore it”

 

He took his foot off the brakes as the streetlight signaled green for him to continue driving, Mafioso drove forward, his attention back on the asphalt road.

 

“I'm not like that” he argued.

 

“Sure you aren't”

 

The mafia boss snapped as he slammed the brakes causing John Doe to recoil from his seat “So what if I do? what if I find excitement from my job does that make me a worse person than you, you're the hacker here between the two of us”

 

“Mafioso…” He uttered the man’s name, the first time he had done that, and it was a threat. “Don't you dare bring that up”

 

“You're making me out to be some kind of madman who takes pleasure in sick things!”

 

“And?” John Doe then added, trying to justify his words from earlier. “I was only joking-”

 

“You didn't sound like you were”

 

They both went silent as always when they'd argue about their morality and standing in society, they aren't both good people but aren't bad either, John Doe is just a hacker who went too deep on code and now has a corrupted illness clinging to him, Mafioso is just a man who had a position passed down to him, the roles of a mafia boss doesn't constrain him and he has his own rules he follows that are morally ambiguous at times.

 

Chance then spoke up from behind, his voice trying to speak up amidst the tense atmosphere “Are you all uh…done now? the handcuffs are kinda hurting my wrists-” 

 

“Shut up” they both said in unison to the gambler.

Notes:

Oh boy...I'm writing this like I have rent to pay, didn't expect Chance and Elliot huh? if you expected the admins then sorry lol, they'd be appearing a little later, for now have feral Mafioso trying to make Chance pay for his debt

As always your comments push me to write! Yap and comment what you want please :>

Little note as well, I might be including art for the older chapters so if you re-read you might be jumpscared

Chapter 11: Is Being 34 Valid for a Mid-Life Crisis?

Summary:

John Doe and Mafioso argue, Mafioso leaves abruptly so that he can beat Chance to pulp for him to pay up, goes back home, pets bunny, arranges who sleeps in which room.

Spoiler: He ends up sleeping with John Doe, NOT LIKE THAT, he sleeps beside him.

     007n7 decided to cook dinner of his own volition noticing that Mafioso and John Doe haven't arrived yet, they left around 6:32pm that evening and they still haven't come home an hour later from their grocery shopping, but all they have in the fridge is kilos of pork and a low supply of garnishes in the pantry, that and his leftover chicken broth so he decided maybe pork stew? he's unsure if he can properly cook it and if it ends up going in flames, he's also unsure if there's enough gas in the stove.

 

“Dad! boss man and Mr. Doe are back!” c00lkid shouted, his head out the window of the apartment, 1x1x1x1 walked over his side as he peeked through himself then frowned.

 

“Who are those two?”

 

“Woah, why is he in handcuffs?” The red child asked as he pointed at the man Mafioso was handling.

 

“Handcuffs?” 007n7 walked to the window now joining the two of them as he watched the scene unfold from above, from afar Mafioso and John Doe seemed to be arguing as they stepped out of the car, only that someone followed John Doe out of the car from the back seat, one in a familiar red work uniform and visor.

 

“But you wouldn't let me sleep in your room!” The corrupted hacker shouted as he closed the door of the front seat car with too much force.

 

“Sleep on the floor then-” The mafia boss said, undeterred from his decision as he grabbed Chance by the scruff of his collar. “Stop moving!”

 

“I am not sleeping on the floor, listen, we move 007n7 and Noli with the kid to the guest room, now we have space in the couch, then I can move in your bedroom-”

 

“Answer is no” moving Chance from the backseat he placed him in the front passenger seat handcuffing him again to the headrest as he returned to the driver seat, slamming the door shut. “Bring the groceries upstairs and we can talk about this later”

 

“And where are you going?” John Doe asked, crossing his arms at the response.

 

“Why would you like to know? it's work”

 

“It's the middle of the ###### night Mafioso!” he exclaimed, voice echoing through the empty road.

 

“Well I have a debtor to handle, what's wrong with you? you've been clinging to me for days now” The mafia boss answered calmly as he turned the engine of the car back on again, releasing the hand brake.

 

“Clinging?” John Doe scoffed. “You think that's what this is? I'm just trying to get to know you better”

 

“Funny coming from a man who threatened me-” He then turned his head facing the man outside the window and shouted. “then forced himself into my apartment! so apologies if I'm not meeting eye to eye with you!”

 

007n7 overheard 1x1x1x1 chuckling from beside him, he sighed as he pulled c00lkid away from the…mature scene, it sounded as if the two weren't actually good friends and the retired hacker wonders what actually went down between them, especially with the information about him threatening Mafioso and forcing himself into his apartment, it didn't sound nice to an outsider's ear but the embodiment of hatred was just laughing at their bickering.

 

When the argument finally died down everyone in the apartment heard the sound of the door unlocking, most of them were sitting on the couch watching T.V. but 1x1x1x1 was standing near the door with a grin, possibly to tease John Doe with what happened outside the road.

 

Of course they all expected John Doe to walk in with groceries but 007n7’s face went pale seeing the next person who walked in.

 

Elliot.

 

“What happened down there huh?” 1x1x1x1 asked as he draped his arm over John Doe's shoulder grinning. “Lover's quarrel?”

 

“No” he grumbled in reply as he set down the groceries on the kitchen counter. “Elliot come in here close the door”

 

The pizza delivery boy closed the door behind him and finally got to see who was in the apartment. He overheard voices from the window, one that was mocking and another that was younger, he already expected to see infamous faces but then his gaze landed on a familiar burger hat.

 

007n7.

 

They both stared at each other, wondering what a coincidence it was.

 

“Mafioso isn't coming back till morning so I don't know what to cook” John Doe said as he started taking out the bought groceries from within the plastic bags.

 

“Why Mr. Doe?” c00lkid ran over as he peeked at the kitchen counter, barely.

 

Elliot nearly flinched when he saw the red child run over to John Doe, why are they all here in this apartment? Is it some gathering of the most wicked anarchists? He gathered some courage and walked towards an armchair in the living room, it was a safe choice and it made him a few feet away from 007n7 from the couch.

 

“I don't know about him, his problems not mine” he responded annoyed, both at himself and Mafioso.

 

“Why are you fighting Mr. Doe, aren't you both friends?”

 

“Oh c00lkid, he doesn't want to be friends-” 1x1x1x1 wasn't able to say his words before John Doe stepped on his foot making him yelp in pain. “What is wrong with you?!”

 

“The kid doesn't need to know that” He said before grabbing the canned food and placing them inside the pantry.

 

“They aren't friends? I thought you and Mafioso were! you even saved a bunny from the road and gave it to him!” c00lkid argued not believing what he was hearing, he thought boss man and Mr. Doe were great friends, unless… “Oh! Are you both married? Is that why you always fight? I always see it on the cartoons”

 

The peace in the apartment shattered as 007n7 stared at his child, both in shock and almost petrified at his claim while 1x1x1x1 and John Doe looked down on him with wide eyes unmoving from the kitchen counter, the retired hacker went behind his child as he tried to slowly pull him back to the couch. “Uh c00lkid let's not assume okay?-”

 

“But they always fight! if they aren't friends and they aren't married then what are they dad?”

 

The neon green man turned to his friend and a grin back on his face “Yeahhh John what are you?-” 1x1x1x1 nearly had his foot stepped on again but he managed to save it in time. “Dude! don't do that! you can play footsie with Mafioso but not me!”

 

“We're none of those things c00lkid” John Doe replied as he planned to throw the plastic bags to the nearby trash can. 

 

“Then why are you both living in the same apartment when I came here? Mafioso cooks for you, you both go out grocery shopping, and you sleep in his bedroom!-” c00lkid argued with the facts laid before him and 007n7 placed his mouth over his child, shutting him up completely as he chuckled nervously.

 

“Um- yeah sorry kids are really curious aren't they? c’mon c00lkid let’s go”

 

He and his child returned to the couch where Noli sat, behind his mask chuckling can be heard as he spectated over the scene. “What was that about?”

 

“Best not to drag ourselves into their mess…” 007n7 sighed as he sat down with his child, who had a pout on his face. “c00lkid you shouldn't assume things about people like that”

 

“But…but they live together, they cook, they do groceries…they even took me out to the park like how parents do, then Mr. Doe bought me mangoes”

 

“They took you out to a park?” The retired hacker now began to wonder what truly was the relationship between Mafioso and John Doe, if he surmised it, it's most likely just a strained romantic relationship but they don't seem to have anything romantic going on, are they exes who just choose to live together?

 

“Yeah! then they talked about pets and so Mr. Doe saved a bunny to give it to him, like a birthday present! but he said it was because boss man was mad at him and wanted to make him feel better”

 

“That's…that seems nice” 007n7 is now confused on what to think of the two as he crossed his arms.

 

“Maybe they aren't in a relationship” 

 

All three hackers turned their gaze to the pizza delivery boy who had been quiet the entire time, Elliot looked haggard as he sighed.

 

“…Mafioso is just hiding John Doe because he's being chased by admins, isn't that right?” his attention was now on 007n7, eyes locked on him. “That's why you're here, you're here to break down firewalls so he and 1x1x1 can leave without being noticed, all of you here gathered isn't a coincidence”

 

Sometimes the retired hacker forgets how observant Elliot is, he's been to the pizzeria many times and the man had always asked questions whenever he and c00lkid would buy a pizza and it never felt customer service-like but more out of concern, that was before the incident happened and now the pizza delivery boy most likely loathes him.

 

“Yes, that's true” 007n7 answered, almost guilty at the admission.

 

“Plus doesn't he have a wife? Jane Doe?”

 

Noli then chimed in “Nah, he and her broke up years ago”

 

“Wait really? I didn't know that” The retired hacker looked over his friend perplexed at the newfound info, even Elliot too had the same expression.

 

“You didn't know? rumors circled around that they had a big fight, that she nearly blew up his house when she left him cause he didn't want her to leave”

 

“But those are just rumors right?” Elliot replied, thinking it thoroughly if it were true in a way.

 

“Mhm…still, the only thing that explains why he's currently single” Noli said as he hummed leaning back on the couch as he fell back asleep. “Either that or what he's doing now is scandalous” he snickered behind his mask.

 

“Scandalous? what do you mean” his friend asked beside him, c00lkid at his right side confused on what the adults were talking about.

 

“I mean c'mon, he and Jane Doe are still listed as married on the site, didn't get a divorce or annulment and now he's here fooling around with a mafia boss hiding in his apartment? People will get ideas”

 

“Don't say it like that, I'm sure Mafioso and John Doe aren't…like that”

 

“I beg to differ” a voice piped up from behind the couch, 1x1x1x1 grinning as he leaned forward on the couch, his head nearly bumping with Noli. “Y'all are blind if you don't see it “

 

“See what? I've only been here for like 20 minutes” Elliot replied, still he was interested where the conversation was going, it felt like they were all gossiping at this point which it in fact is the correct term.

 

---

 

The debtor was dragged into the dark warehouse, Mafioso's goons already waiting for him inside as all their attention went to Chance as he was thrown to the cold concrete ground.

 

Mafioso nearly knocked his teeth out when he was tied to the chair by the goons unable to fight back as the mafia boss asked him where his savings were to which he responded he didn't have any, sure he owed debt to the man but that didn't mean he was totally poor, he did have savings. But then Eunoia stepped in, walking through the warehouse, her steel steps echoing as the goons parted the way for her. She stops right in front of the gambler, eyes almost curious at the situation he found himself in.

 

“You came back?” She asked, expression neutral, arms behind her back.

 

“He didn't” The mafia boss replied as he pulled away, his hardened knuckles only turning red from all the punches he delivered, one of his goons handed back his leather gloves and he pocketed them instead of wearing it again. “He got stranded here with a friend”

 

“I see…did you provide options for him to pay his debt?”

 

“Asked him about his salary, then his savings, salary too low, but he wouldn't say a word about his savings” Mafioso circled around Chance then, promptly placed his hand on his shoulder, grip tight, he then whispered close to his ear. “I know you have money Chance, you aren't poor”

 

Chance turned his head slightly grinning despite the bloody nose. “You're not getting a dime from me old man-”

 

A hand quickly came to meet the debtor's face as he hit him right at his cheek, this time he nearly knocked out his teeth and Chance had to spit out the blood that came from his gums, unfortunately it landed right at Mafioso's shoes.

 

“Mafioso stop, we might not have a debtor by the time you stop punching him” Eunoia warned Mafioso as she gently pulled his arm away from Chance.

 

The mafia boss huffed as he followed where the android pulled her and he sat behind her, the chairs his goons had been using within the warehouse, crossing his arms he just stared at the gambler as Eunoia began to talk.

 

“Chance, I'm well aware of your tendency to…gamble, and for someone like you I know that for you to continue gambling you must have some way to save your money, after all what kind of man would continue gambling if he doesn't know he's fully aware of the consequences? unless you're on substances, a person like you knows that”

 

Chance let out a loud exhale, chest rising as he looked up at Eunoia. “Fine, I do have a bank account, but I know big guy over here has a grudge so I don't know if you can't guarantee you wouldn't drain it”

 

Mafioso tilted his head amused at the accusation. “You did crash my car multiple times just so you can get away so yes pardon if I have a grudge”

 

“You've got an ugly car anyway-”

 

“It's a Lincoln Continental you brat” The mafia boss leaned forward on his chair offended at the insult, it's his prized car after all.

 

“Peace people, peace” Eunoia intervened as she raised her hands.”Chance, I assure you that with your debt paid we will not use your bank account for other means”

 

“Crystal?” she asked, turning to both men, one with a bloodied face, the other glaring.

 

“Clear” they both said as they continued staring at each other.

 

---

 

Chance didn't know what time it was but he felt the handcuffs fall from his wrists, the chair pulled away from him as he felt leather gloved hands gently pry him away from where he sat, he still felt the cold concrete grounding him every step of the way, then bright lights nearly blinded him as he realized he was in a large bathroom. The same leather gloved hands placed him on a closed toilet seat allowing him to steady himself on his own.

 

His eyesight began to clear up from the blur earlier of being punched relentlessly, he found himself almost laughing realizing the same man who punched him is now cleaning his face from the blood.

 

“What the #### man, you punched me and now you're playing nurse?”

 

Chance wanted to face away from the hand trying to dab away the blood from his nose but his supposed nurse grabs his face still. “I am, because we still need you to access your bank account”

 

“Don't you have that hacker with you to do that?, didn't know you swing that way, you're even buying groceries with him”

 

The mafia boss pulled away seemingly confused by the statement. “I- What?”

 

“Oh wait you both aren't? I mean if you were I'd still support you-”

 

“No we’re not”

 

The gambler, now without a pair of glasses stared at Mafioso a little embarrassed that he assumed the two were going out, it felt like it was the obvious assumption based on how they argued earlier like an old married couple which was a weird comparison knowing how John Doe still has the same last name as his former wife.

 

“I mean…you both look good together” he added, though he'll most likely be punched again to add more injury because the mafia boss was looking at him like he was about to.

 

“You must be joking” Mafioso replied exasperated with how the conversation is turning out.

 

“Oh buddy I'm not, and to be honest you've got good looks so you can pull a man like that”

 

“I'm not- I dont-” He tried to argue, now fumbling with his words because he just started to imagine what life would be like with the- yeah no.

 

“Don't judge it till you try it”

 

“Chance”

 

“Yeah yeah sorry, I'll behave like a good patient”

 

If Chance had never met Mafioso as a debt collector much less a mafia boss he would have expected he were a doctor, he fixed him up quick and had good bedside manner, it was unbelievable how the man actually told him how he never actually had proper experience nor education when it came to medicine, if he had another life the gambler would immediately assume he'd want to enroll in a nursing course in college to pursue.

 

He later found himself sitting in front of the passenger seat of the same car he insulted a few hours ago. Shifting in his seat he turned to Mafioso who began to turn the key turning on the engine, with the car now moving Chance had the reason to look way out the window preferably away from the gaze of the mafia boss.

 

The car ride was silent all throughout, he didn't know where Mafioso was taking him but it was most likely to the same apartment they passed by and stopped earlier so he could be moved to the front seat.

 

“Am I…am I staying at your apartment?”

 

“God forbid I add more people to my home, but yes, until you and your friend can leave the server” he replied, running a hand through his hair, his iconic fedora occupying the back seat.

 

“You're awfully nice when you aren't chasing people with debt”

 

“Because it's my job”

 

Chance chuckled at the response, if only it were that simple, when Mafioso chased him down the supermarket aisles it felt like a game of tag to the mafia boss, to him? felt like the devil came to chase him for his sins. “Yeah, sure, your job”

 

When they finally got out of the dense forest where the warehouse resided, he looked outside the window and found small rays of the sunrise starting to peek, did he faint when Mafioso punched him? He couldn't remember clearly, then the shadows of the suburbs came to meet his eyes as they passed through each apartment, then they stopped in front of a familiar red brick building, a window from the second floor already open as the face of a corrupted hacker stared down at the car.

 

“Damn he looks scary from up here, just a few hours ago he was so domestic” he said bluntly before turning his head and seeing Mafioso not staring at him but at John Doe.

 

“Yeah, he looks scary but that man is annoying”

 

“Really?” The gambler quirked up a brow.

 

“He's a picky eater”

 

“Uhuh…”

 

“And then he decides to pick me out of everyone to mend his wounds when he ran away like a wounded- wounded dog?! I patched him up, and he also took my bedroom! Now there's more problems adding up because he can't get out of the server without notifying the admins of his movements. His friend is also stuck here, the person who's supposed to help him is now here taking cooking lessons from me! I want my apartment to be quiet again! and then you show up!” he said pointing directly at the gambler, his face flushed from the surmounting anger. 

 

“You got it all out of your system?” Chance replied after some silence between them. “I think you need to plan out who sleeps in what room because you're stressed out”

 

“It's not about just that!” Mafioso argued as he slammed his fist on the steering wheel barely missing the horn. “I…my life has been turned upside down the moment that hacker met me in this sidewalk I just- but I can't seem to want to return to my old life, I find myself liking this life more”

 

“Buddy I think you're in a mid-life crisis”

 

---

 

Mafioso did listen to Chance's suggestion albeit it sound immature and sarcastic, but maybe a sleeping plan needs to take place, and so when the sun dipped down as quick as it rose he gathered everyone in the living room, most of them taking occupation of the couch, 007n7 and Noli taking the space with c00lkid on his lap, 1x1x1x1 and John Doe also say on the couch with Chance awkwardly by his left, then Elliot…is in the armchair, he may not be on the couch but he is to the gambler’s left.

 

Picking the new pet bunny off the warm hardwood floor Mafioso cradled it in his arms for a few seconds before letting it settle on his shoulder, balancing himself perfectly, seemingly content with his position, he still hasn't chosen a name for the little guy but maybe soon.

 

After this debacle that is.

 

“We're becoming too crowded in my apartment” he spoke up in front of the group.

 

“Correction, ugly apartment” 1x1x1x1 piped up before John Doe looked at him once and he rolled his eyes, withholding any more sarcastic comments.

 

“Anyways…we need to properly segregate and organize everyone, I have plans on cleaning out the stockroom so the extra mattress can be placed in there, but I have another just in case one of you has to sleep on the floor in the guest bedroom” Mafioso then started to look over the group wondering who should be grouped in each room.

 

Obviously the little family of three needs to be together, 007n7, c00lkid and Noli should be in the guestroom, though 1x1x1x1 currently occupies it maybe he can add a mattress on the floor, then for the stockroom Elliot and Chance can share a mattress once they clear it out.

 

Problem is where should John Doe go?

 

He left that decision for later and instead decided to clear out the stockroom first and finally delegated which people go to each room. It was around 7:23 pm when he decided to organize everything right after dinner so everyone still had some energy left in them before they hit the bed so clearing out and cleaning the stockroom was easy, which allowed him to finally remove Elliot and Chance out of the problem as they immediately decided to sleep.

 

The guest room was the next problem, with 1x1x1x1 arguing he took the place of the guestroom first and wants to stay on the bed, 007n7 didn't argue and seemed even hesitant to say anything, meanwhile Noli was the one who argued with the embodiment of hatred with who deserves the bed more, the red child then ended up trudging in the guestroom yawning completely avoiding the conflict as he flopped on the bed sleeping away.

 

With the family and the neon green man out of the way Mafioso sighed as he turned around before meeting face to face with John Doe, he had avoided the man the entire day and honestly it was mostly out of being tired from last night's antics with Chance as he stayed up the entire night till morning then had to make breakfast.

 

“John”

 

“Mafioso”

 

They both replied to each other, the soft howling of the wind as the background noise behind their silence.

 

“Avoiding me again?”

 

Mafioso nearly rolled his eyes at the remark, yes this wasn’t the first time he avoided the man and it wouldn’t be the last, if the corrupted hacker wanted to be friends with him then he should choose his words carefully especially with the assumptions he made last night’s car ride.

 

“Where do you want me to sleep? If you say couch i'm throwing you out the window”

 

The mafia boss snorted, the unfamiliar noise leaving him. “I’m not planning that, you’re sleeping on the floor with a mattress”

 

“That’s even worse, what am I a squatter?”

 

“Aren’t you? You’re living in my apartment rent free” he countered in their debate.

 

“And I should be, who would pay rent for an apartment like this”

 

Mafioso pointed at himself, annoyed. “Me, John, me, I pay for this apartment, if you hate it that much then leave, I don’t even want you sleeping in my room even if you were on a mattress on the floor”

 

“I thought you wanted me to sleep on the floor of the living room” John Doe responded, amused at the fact that the mafia boss actually wanted him to sleep in his bedroom, initially.

 

“That’s…that’s a bit too far even for me”

 

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I were to sleep in your bed-” he asked, teasing him, hoping to be able to sleep in the queen bed once more.

 

“I do mind” Mafioso replied to him, tone harsh, it seems the corrupted hacker isn’t returning to the bed anytime soon.

 

“Mafioso I don’t know if I should assume…” John Doe crossed his arms as he stepped closer to the mafia boss, his signature smile appearing once more, it only appears when he has something diabolical to say or is enjoying a conversation, maybe it’s both maybe it’s not, Mafioso hopes and prays it’s either because the ending results from those have always been him getting irritated. “Not a fan of physical contact?”

 

“Physical contact?”

 

“Yes, physical contact” he stated again.

 

Mafioso’s brows knitted together wondering why the corrupted hacker is bringing up such a topic to him. “What do you mean?”

 

“You don’t like it when i'm near you unless you have to be near me, when you need to patch me up, cook, all that, are you so scared of touching me? Do you still get scared of the corruption?”

 

The mafia boss instinctively took a step back, he felt the same chill run down his spine that same night when John Doe circled his waist with his arms trapping him indefinetly, is he truly scared of physical contact and relents at the touch or does he hate the corrupted hacker’s touch? He cannot tell the difference nor describe what he feels in between because his thoughts were cut short when said corrupted hacker closed in on him, his back now flat on the door to his bedroom, he felt his bunny on his shoulder jump down easily from his arm and ran off leaving his poor owner on his own volition, what a traitor.

 

“It’s just you, me, and one bed, why are you so against it? It saves you laundry, and the bed is big enough for the two of us” John Doe said as he leaned close to the man who is currently staring at him wary. “Don’t worry I don’t bite”

 

“You look like you do”

 

“I can recall you compared me to a feral dog before, does the comparison still stand?” he asked, face entertained from the response.

 

“Maybe, the way you’re cornering me too feels territorial”

 

“That isn’t a feral dog that feels like you’re describing a stray dog”

 

“Because you are” Mafioso’s own smile also began to appear, now they both sported smiles. “ran to me wounded and asking for food and shelter”

 

John Doe chuckled recalling the memory, it was rather demanding of him and he hasn’t apologized properly for that yet and was instead taking space of the man’s property, still he persisted continuing their banter hoping in some way he convince the man to let him sleep in the queen bed, but how can he convince Mafioso? The man clearly hates when he’s touched regardless of his assumptions about the corruption that has spread through his arm and face, does he hate intimacy?

 

Then, the corrupted hacker had an idea, surely Mafioso wouldn’t say no to him when he offers-

 

“I’ll do all the laundry, let me sleep in your bed”

 

Immediately Mafioso laughed at his face but the corrupted hacker didn’t mind, he liked hearing the usually calm and neutral man laugh because it was always genuine, it was never a front he had to pretend to wear. “You? Do laundry?”

 

“Contrary to popular belief i'm actually a responsible adult” 

 

“You don’t even cook in my apartment” The mafia boss replied amused.

 

“Yeah? Well i’ll do the laundry”

 

There was silence, the howling wind from outside becoming background noise once more before Mafioso sighed, eyes closing momentarily. John Doe thought he looked peaceful like this, it was the same expression he saw when the man would drive his car, so relaxed, free from the stressful pressure of life, he wants to see more of that and less of…the berating.

 

“Deal”

 

Score.

 

And so he was granted access to the bedroom, Mafioso opening the door as he walked in first running a hand through his hair as he emptied his pockets of the car keys and other miscellaneous items on the bedside table turning on the lamps instead of the main light. John Doe followed suit looking around the familiar room he forcibly occupied a few days ago when he first arrived, he immediately plopped himself down on the bed enjoying the comfort that brought him.

 

“So what, you want me like 6 feet away from you?” he said, making small talk as he tried to continue the banter.

 

“No?” Mafioso replied as he began to undress, turning himself away from John Doe as he unbuttoned his dress shirt, choosing to wear a simple sleeveless shirt from his closet.

 

“You have nice shoulders” The corrupted hacker found himself saying that out loud.

 

The man he complimented turned around, still half-naked holding the sleeveless shirt on his hands as his dress shirt is down on the floor, crumpled and wrinkled, forgotten, and my god did John Doe nearly swear right then and there, eyes wide at the sight because- the man in front of him is still in his early 30’s but looks like that? He looks so…built.

 

“Really?” Mafioso asked as he then wore the sleeveless shirt, then proceeded to join the corrupted hacker on the bed.

 

John Doe’s mouth fortunately wasn’t agape because if it was he’d be embarrassed, why is he so affected seeing Mafioso in lesser clothing? He’s seen the man walk around in boxers before and in the same sleeveless shirt so why is the mere sight of him half-naked throwing his mind in a turmoil he has never experienced before.

 

“Uh yeah, you got that from work?”

 

“I don’t even notice it, but yes possibly, I do other work than hunting debtors down, we move supplies into Eunoia’s shop so hard labor may have turned my body more defined”

 

“Huh…alright” he awkwardly replied before laying down on the bed burying his face in the pillow to hide the shame that has crept to his face for being so affected with the recent memory of seeing Mafioso like that earlier, standing, barely any clothes.

 

“Sleep well John”

 

“Yeah you too” 

 

He felt the bed shift and realized Mafioso had hovered over him reaching for the lamp at the left side of the bed that John Doe is currently occupying, his throat paused breathing as the mafia boss’s hand reached out to turn off the lamp, it was the closest the man had been to him of his own volition, and even more now that they’re in the same bed.

 

Maybe he regrets offering that deal earlier.

 

He can’t handle sleeping beside Mafioso with the flustered expression that he is hiding out of shame.

Notes:

Dude...idk if this will be my usual upload schedule but 3-5k words each chapter daily is making me look down on my phone in horror cause I don't even drink coffee how am I writing this all out in a day.

This isn't the upload schedule and will most likely change because college is coming soon huhu.

As always your comments are appreciated and I hope yall comment more <3, your comments motivate me to write! if you can't write out a sentence then a <3 counts as another kudos for me

Chapter 12: Privileges of Being Nice

Summary:

Mafioso gets the flu so John Doe and 007n7 team up to cook. John Doe heads to actually do the laundry he promised to do and has a conversation with Chance.

     John Doe felt the sun pass through the curtains of the apartment, lightly warming his face as he sat up, body still not adjusting well, one of the many disadvantages and consequences behind the corruption, and so he decides why not and returns to sleep instead of waking up early.

 

But his peaceful slumber was interrupted when he felt a calloused hand shake his shoulder, the normal shoulder.

 

“What? there's no school” he replied sarcastically to whoever was bothering his sleep.

 

“What do you want for breakfast?”

 

Mafioso's voice felt far more bass than it had, and It nearly woke John Doe up to stand because whose morning voice sounds like that, fortunately he only shifted his body around to face the mafia boss who is currently sitting on the bed readjusting the alarm clock on his right of the bedside table.

 

“Huh? why are you asking that…”

 

He repeats his question, this time looking down at the corrupted hacker. “I said, what do you want for breakfast?” 

 

“You've never asked that before”

 

“Well I'm asking now”

 

John Doe squinted his eyes at Mafioso, he felt a weird feeling creep up within him. “Why are you suddenly nice”

 

“I'm offended you never thought I was nice before”

 

“Yeah, yeah, you are, sorry-” He apologized, sarcasm not gone from his tone, then right after he sat up beside the mafia boss staring at the ceiling wondering what he should request for breakfast, by now he knew how much of a good cook Mafioso is, he may as well cook some rotten lobster and it'll come out better.

 

“C'mon hurry up it's 7:00 o'clock in the morning”

 

“How about you let 007n7 cook, didn't you barely have enough sleep yesterday from work?” The corrupted hacker said, recalling how tired the man looked when he came back that morning.

 

“No I can't have him cook, he doesn't know enough-”

 

“Shush, go to sleep” John Doe immediately pushed down Mafioso back on the bed not paying mind to his excuses, hand steady on his chest, his gaze went to his eyes. “Can't you trust me and the others for today? promise we won't burn your house down and if it does we can just fix it right up like what I did to your door”

 

“That doesn't make me feel any better” a cough escaped the mafia boss, and both of them looked shocked.

 

“That…are you sick Mafioso?”

 

The debt collector instead responded with another cough and he sat right up again as the back of his hand went to his forehead checking his temperature.

 

“Damnit, I have a flu” he then mumbled a curse under his breath as he opened the drawer of his bedside table, taking a medicine container out, filing through the tablets and capsules. “Guess I really can't cook unless I want to contaminate the food”

 

“And fate decides to turn it around” John Doe hummed. “Who knew the gods would be at my side and make you sick so I can cook”

 

“You are not going to cook John, and right now you shouldn't be beside me. What if you catch the flu?”

 

“Nah I'm immune” he replied smirking.

 

“Have fun catching the flu then” Mafioso added with a cough as he turned away from John Doe, body shaking from how bad the cough sounds.

 

“That sounds awful, you want me to cook you some soup?”

 

“I repeat you do not cook in my home” The mafia boss glared stating his argument once more.

 

“Can you just trust me this once?”

 

Mafioso paused from replying, he didn't say another word, John Doe didn't know what he was thinking at that moment but the next seconds he nodded, ushering him out.

 

“Alright, go” his hands gesturing for him to leave as another cough left his throat.

 

---

 

John Doe left Mafioso's bedroom closing it behind him, he planned to tell everyone not to enter the room whatsoever lest they catch the flu, the living room was still quiet and it made him realize just how early the mafia boss wakes up everyday to the sound of absolute silence, walking up to the windows he opened the curtains allowing light to filter in, then unlocking the glass windows crisp air entered inviting themselves.

 

He did wonder what to cook for Mafioso, just a few seconds ago the other man was asking him what he wanted now he finds himself asking the same question.

 

What does Mafioso want to eat?

 

Stepping away from the now open windows he went inside the pantry turning on the lights as he skimmed through his options, for a second he thought he was alone until someone spoke up behind him.

 

“John? you're up early”

 

The corrupted hacker turned around to meet another hacker, albeit retired.

 

“007n7, you plan to cook?”

 

“Yeah- well…Mafioso seems to not be here so, I always smell something cooking around this hour and it was weird not seeing him in the kitchen”

 

“He told me I can cook for today” he replied as he grabbed a can of peas from the pantry, stepping out, turning off the lights as he shut the door. 

 

“Really? why?”

 

“He's sick that's why”

 

He then heard the quick pitter-patter of feet running towards him, the red child leapt at him mid air before he caught c00lkid in his arms.

 

“Mr. Doe! morning” he exclaimed out loud nearly waking everyone up in the apartment, he can be a great alternative to an alarm clock.

 

“Morning kid” he set the child down ruffling his hair. “You're up bright and early”

 

“Well dad says a growing kid like me should” the red child had his hair ruffled again this time by his father who chuckled, c00lkid giggled then ran off to the living room as he went off on his adventure trying to find the remote presumably to watch morning cartoons.

 

“He's only up this early because he wants to watch cartoons” 007n7 said chuckling.

 

“At least it motivates him to get out of bed”

 

Turning around he opened the fridge checking the freezer for chicken, he found cut portions of it and decided why not, taking out the frozen chicken he grabs a large bowl from the drying rack near the sink placing the frozen chicken inside as he poured water in to thaw it out.

 

He then opened the fridge once more taking out the needed vegetables, carrots and potatoes is all he needed. Handing the vegetables to 007n7 he figured maybe he can help speed up the process, they peeled the chosen vegetables before cutting it into bite-sized cubes, the sound of the morning program from the T.V. now filling the room as they heard c00lkid sing along to the song that came from the cartoon.

 

As he and 007n7 worked together in cooking which initially he didn’t plan to because he wanted to gloat to Mafioso saying he did all the cooking he didn’t mind the extra help now that he was actually boiling the thawed chicken in the pot, the cut pieces floating around.

 

The retired hacker who was beside him left and presumably went to tend to his child to sit with him in front of the T.V., he didn't turn his attention to them though and continued with his work.

 

---

 

“This is…” Mafioso stared at the hot bowl of chicken, cut carrots and potatoes with peas, he was still bed-ridden since that morning, covered in blankets and he'll most likely will be till tomorrow, and for what it's worth John Doe actually knows what to do when a person catches the flu, gave him a glass and pitcher of water that is. “It looks decent”

 

“Decent?” The half-corrupted hacker replied with slight disappointment with the review.

 

“Oh no I didn't mean it like that”

 

“You did, now I'm hurt, I'm going to avoid you the entire day I'm not going to-” standing up he intended to leave the mafia boss's side.

 

That garnered a low chuckle from Mafioso, John Doe actually seemed upset albeit it sounds sarcastic from his tone, the mafia boss pulled his arm preventing him from leaving.

 

“It's good” he added as he looked down on the bowl of steaming chicken soup, he didn't expect for the man to actually cook.

 

“No it's not, you said it looked decent”

 

Mafioso squeezed the grip of his hand on the half-corrupted hacker's normal arm. “John”

 

“Just eat it”

 

“You're like c00lkid throwing a tantrum, what do you want me to say? Is me saying it's good not enough for you? what do you want to hear me praise you for” he prodded John Doe with questions, teasing him, he had always been on the receiving end of the teasing so this was a new arrangement between the two of them.

 

“Oh come on just eat it, stop teasing me” He replied looking away as he sat back down on the edge of the bed near him watching closely.

 

A low rumble of a chuckle came from the mafia boss seeing how affected the man was, he should tease him more, after all he always gets teased by him why not the other party as well? let him experience the embarrassment it carries, he dipped the spoon inside the bowl slowly bringing the soup to his mouth, he can taste onions and bell peppers, it made him wonder how the man ended up coming to the conclusion of cooking this particular dish, it wasn't the usual chicken soup but rather it had focused more on the chicken and vegetables, the chicken wasn't in strips but in cut portions. He ate the carrots and was surprised with how it was cooked. Did John steam the carrots beforehand so that it would be easier to chew?

 

“So?” The man asked as he leaned close to the bed-ridden debt collector.

 

Mafioso was silent in response, he didn't know what to say, apologize? say he's wrong for saying he can't trust the man in the kitchen? He has some pride in him and he's ashamed to admit that.

 

“Wait, is it actually that bad?-”

 

“I- no no, it's not” He finally answered raising his hand in protest as he set the bowl aside on the bedside table to his left. “I'm just surprised since…this isn't the usual chicken soup someone would make”

 

“Oh…well I haven't cooked in a while actually, I've become a bit lazy and would order either take out or drive thru meals”

 

“What is it with everyone ordering take out? isn't that expensive with the shipping fee” Mafioso complained crossing his arms, he can't believe people near his age have resorted to ordering take out instead of cooking, but really who would cook in this economy.

 

“I don't have time to idle, I'm always on the run, I can't enjoy home cooked meals like yours”

 

The mafia boss's eyes softened at the corners, his harsh tone easing. “That's understandable”

 

John Doe was quiet for a moment, he was staring at the wooden floorboards instead of meeting eye-to-eye with the man in front of him, then he spoke up, careful almost.

 

“Y’know I haven't properly apologized to you”

 

“About what?” he returned to eating the chicken soup, gobbling down on the carrots first as he looked up at the half-corrupted hacker.

 

“Forcing you to take me in, feed me, and all that”

 

Mafioso's eyes became a bit more judgeful at that moment. “Why are you apologizing now?, you aren't exactly the pinnacle of morality, that and you had to do it, I can't blame you for trying to survive-”

 

“Yeah but now you have all these problems, by problems I mean all these people in your home”

 

“Have you ever asked me what I thought about it?” he suddenly asked the half-corrupted hacker, his tone wasn't recognizable to John Doe and he was worried what may come next.

 

“...”

 

“You don't have to apologize anymore John, I dont’t hate you, I don't hate anyone in this apartment, I just have some certain biases that may make me seem like I loathe you, and I used to, if doing the laundry and cooking for me is some sort of repentance for you because now you feel bad for intruding into my life then go ahead, because I certainly don't mind”

 

---

 

John Doe thought about it, he thought about it a lot when he went down to the laundromat downstairs in the ground floor of the apartment building, he of course didn't forget that he promised to do laundry in exchange of having some portion on sleeping in the bedroom, it felt more or less like an alternative to rent, he actually did propose the idea to Mafioso earlier but the man declined saying the same reasons, it didn't baffled the half-corruoted hacker anymore that he always says he doesn't want the money because fulls fully aware it's not legal.

 

He understands him now.

 

It felt like he tried to solve a rubix puzzle for the first time, and the satisfaction of solving it felt like euphoria. 

 

The dryer in front of him turned and turned around, he set it on 10 minutes so it won't be long before he left the laundromat to go back upstairs, he also realized why Mafioso agreed to the deal because…he had to go through the painstaking task of washing away splattered blood from his clothes, on white dress shirts, which was worse. That damn son of a gun didn't tell him that.

 

But he didn't regret saying yes to the deal, what's a few hours of washing clothes compared to sleeping in a queen bed? a very good deal.

 

And the added benefits…

 

He wouldn't like to think about that, those thoughts have been nagging at him since this morning and it has worsened when he saw Mafioso comfortably curled up on the bed with the pet bunny he and c00lkid grabbed from the side of the road comforting his owner, since when did he have these kinds of thoughts anyways? his mind absentmindedly returning to that one specific memory, looping over and over- he didn't want to think about the man like that, he was very aware on what he felt that night, he was lusting.

 

Shame was like bile in his gut that built up, how he suddenly obtained these kind of thoughts made him feel embarrassed at himself, even more so how he acted earlier when he cooked for him then promptly gave the soup, he acted like he was asking for praise and Mafioso teased him about it immediately, he doesn't even know if the man swings that way and he as well definitely hasn't before.

 

Burying his face in his hands the background noise of the dryer cycling continued, flickering lights from above due to unkempt maintenance.

 

“What am I thinking…” he mumbled to himself as he tried to chase away the looping thoughts.

 

He needs to stop it, or else it all goes downhill and he ends up imagining things he doesn't want the other man to know, then it spirals down to him dreaming, which was a dangerous boundary to cross when you're sleeping right beside the man you're dreaming questionable things about.

 

Then someone walked inside the laundromat, footsteps familiar, he thought it was Mafioso but instead it was Chance, the debtor the man chased in the supermarket, he was carrying clothes as well, gone was his work attire and was now wearing slacks and a button down shirt akin to Mafioso’s.

 

“Oh- hey man” he said waving as he walked up to one of the unoccupied washing machines, opening it as he inserted coins into the coin slot allowing him to use it.

 

“Hey…” John Doe replied half-heartedly as he looked his way.

 

“Is Mafioso alright? heard he was sick-” The gambler replied as he opened the washing machine, throwing the clothes in. “Can I ask for some laundry detergent I uh…I don't have any?”

 

The half-corrupted hacker picked up the sachet of cut laundry detergent at his side handing it to the man.

 

“Thanks”

 

“He’s fine” he answered the gambler’s question bluntly. “I’m taking care of him”

 

“That's actually nice of you not gonna lie, I mean I already expected it since you're the only two who somehow gets along in the apartment, the others are kinda scared of Mafioso”

 

“They are?” John Doe thought Mafioso actually got along with everyone despite his scary exterior, it was in fact the opposite.

 

“Yeah, they may not show it but they are, only you seem to be…carefree around him, c00lkid is an exception though that kid isn't scared of anything” he added as he chuckled with the mention of the red child, it was only a day he had spent in the apartment but even he is well aware of the the kid’s antics.

 

“I didn't know that, I thought you all seemed to be in good terms”

 

“We aren't, dude didn't you see me get handcuffed?”

 

A small snort came from John Doe. “Yeah I did, didn't know he had handcuffs on him in the car that was…that was random”

 

“I mean I'm not into that thing but hey people have their own kinks”

 

“What?” That nearly made the half-corrupted hacker straighten himself up from his seat, he didn't expect the man to be like that when it came to jokes, it caught him off-guard to be honest, but it isn't worse than 1x1x1's teasing.

 

“Oop sorry, wrong person wrong humor” and then he proceeded to laugh.

 

“Me and mafioso seem to be in good terms but we aren't ” he admitted truthfully, he and the man still are working through a wonky friendship, sometimes they end up saying unintentional remarks and that always causes some rift between them.

 

“Oh really? here I thought you were a perfect house husband and Mafioso is the trophy wife”

 

John Doe's eyes squinted at the remark coming from Chance but ignored it, at this point he had to ask, he didn't worry much about his standing in the apartment when he and Mafioso were alone but now with new uninvited tenants he was more or so wondering what everyone thought about him because it worried him with how the gambler described Mafioso's relationship with everyone being a little strained.

 

“What does everyone think of me though?”

 

“You?” Chance asked, surprised John Doe wanted an answer to such a question. “I don't know, we think you're scary at first just like Mafioso but now we just think you're a flirt” he added a shrug at the end.

 

“A flirt? since when-” he countered, baffled at the accusation.

 

“You and Mafioso”

Notes:

RAHHHH FINALLY WE'RE GETTING TO THE GOOD PART, if yall want to bet who's more oblivious bet now in the comments, because next chapter someone is gonna realize they like the other person 👀

Cast your votes, John Doe or Mafioso? who's more immune to romantic advances.

Chapter 13: Hands are Unconventionally Attractive

Summary:

This is literally 5k words of John shaming himself for realizing he likes Mafioso and sees Jane's visage in him, that and he's going through an episode so his mind isn't in a good place.

TW: non-con, John Doe inappropriately groping Mafioso and touching him multiple times.

     The mafia boss didn't seem to mind it at first but the more he thought about it the more it bothered him. What would he name the little bunny that John Doe “supposedly” saved from the side of the road and gave as a gift? he can't just name it on the whim the little guy is still young, he might regret it later on in life, he thought about food but then realized that isn't good either because that's too common, what if his pet gets lost and the authorities can't find him that easily?

 

He considered asking the red child for names but he didn't like the name “Gubby” ; it sounded like a name from one of his goons.

 

Of course he isn't asking John Doe for names, the half-corrupted hacker might give him something closer to a joke than one that is serious. Everyone else as well is checked off the list for possible people to ask for a name he can give to his bunny.

 

But during dinner- of course still bed-ridden, he had thought of names by listing down familiar words into Italian, proper names, he didn't want people to call his bunny an inappropriate name. Whilst he ate his dinner in bed his fragile white bunny snuggled close to his thigh enjoying the unfortunate warmth his body is exuding from the flu, at least the animal wouldn't be infected, though he only assumed that he isn't actually well versed in animal biology and how a flu works.

 

He definitely doesn't understand either how John Doe hasn't been infected by his flu yet despite the fact that he sleeps beside him every night and tends to him.

 

The dinner John Doe cooked for him was different from the others, and personally it was sad to look at, but he can't blame the half-corrupted hacker for cooking him rice porridge since his coughing has become more worse than lately and so his throat had began to hurt, it was probably out of concern that his dinner tonight has been rice porridge.

 

He heard the door of his bedroom open and the half-corrupted walker walked in holding a glass cup and pitcher of water he refilled.

 

“Are you feeling any better?”

 

Mafioso sighed as he leaned back on the headboard of his bed stroking the soft fur of the furry companion beside him. “No…I already contacted my goons that I can't work so I'm free until this gets sorted out”

 

The small bunny beside him started to move, nudging their head against his hand that he stopped petting with, Mafioso picked him up coddling him as a faint smile left his face amused by the attention-seeking animal.

 

John Doe went silent again, staring at the hardwood floor, he'd been pulling that move more often now when he's with the mafia boss and he didn't understand why, he was the most talkative one between the two of them based on their past interactions and it made him wonder what really is going on inside his head. 

 

The half-corrupted hacker can't stand to look at Mafioso as he played with the bunny with his calloused hands, his thoughts had worsened ever since Chance outright told him he was flirting with the mafia boss, he hastily grabbed the laundry from the laundromat that afternoon and just ran upstairs as the gambler teased him. Right now he's thinking what if he were that bunny, which is…concerning to him, so he looks away instead. He didn't want to think.

 

How those hands would touch him.

 

How it felt like to have his hand run through his hair.

 

How would it actually feel if it were the real thing, the man in front of him.

 

He had to snap out of these thoughts before bedtime came rolling in because Mafioso sleeps in early, he didn't want to struggle with these during sleep because surely some worrying result will appear in the morning, he didn't want to deal with that.

 

So how would he deal with it? through a hot shower of course, perfect plan. He stood up abruptly as Mafioso looked up at him pausing in his actions of coddling the small bunny in his hands.

 

“Shower” John Doe replied bluntly as he headed straight for the bathroom adjacent to Mafioso's bedroom placed at the left-most side.

 

But curse the gods and telamon himself because the mafia boss decided to pull his arm.

 

Bad move.

 

“You haven't been talking in a while, you're usually…chatty, did I upset you again? was it the comment I made about the soup-”

 

“No” he said, far too harsh to his liking, and so he turned around and noticed Mafioso actually did have a look of concern, but it slowly faded.

 

“I…apologies I shouldn't have asked that should I?” The mafia boss replied pulling his arm away, maybe it's the flu but his expression is more readable, he looked soft. “I'm aware of your past with your former…wife, and I overheard the others talking about you so I thought-”

 

John Doe found himself sitting back on the edge of the bed, a small look of surprise on his face.“The others were talking about that?”

 

“From what I've heard, yes, though I probably shouldn't have told you, is that the reason why you're so out of it lately?” Mafioso asked again, tone genuine.

 

The half-corrupted hacker knew that down the line he'd regret lying now but it's the perfect alibi, either that or he blurts out that he's imagining the man in front of him in varied inappropriate scenes that can make robux on a porno website, so he lied, because it was also the half-truth, he's still being plagued with thoughts of her every now and then at night when he'd miss her presence.

 

“Yes”

 

“Oh…” The man replied awkwardly.

 

Then the bunny in Mafioso's lap jumped at John Doe, it was so sudden the half-corrupted hacker found himself yelping in shock as the bunny tried to bury himself under his shirt, he didn't understand why the pet was doing it since his owner was clearly very warm enough due to the flu affecting him so the fact that the pet decided to go under his shirt was confusing.

 

“Mafioso!” He shouted as he tried to wrangle the bunny out.

 

Instead the owner began to laugh at his misfortune coughing slightly in between.

 

When John Doe looked as if he were truly not able to get the bunny out of his shirt Mafioso finally started moving, his laughs simmering down as he helped the poor man, the half-corrupted hacker was careful not to- and he fell to the floor. Mafioso laughed once more as he witnessed him fall from the bed, the bunny now calm and satiated as it snuggled underneath the fallen man's shirt. The mafia boss sighed as he got out of bed still fatigued from the flu bit seeing the ruckus earlier he was actually worried if the bunny was squashed but it didn't seem to be, it's just sitting underneath John Doe’s shirt.

 

The half-corrupted hacker also gave out a sigh himself thankful whatever the bunny was up to was over as he just laid on the warm hardwood floors, what he didn't expect is for Mafioso to pull up his shirt to grab the furry companion, it reminded him of how unabashed the man was when he tried to bandage his wounds in the bathroom, undressing him so bluntly.

 

Of course he reacted immediately and leapt to his feet pulling his shirt back down as the bunny went back to Mafioso's arms. He nearly had a heart-attack then and there, the image of Mafioso leaning over him, hand on his shirt as the other closed in on him, effectively trapping him, his dreams are going to be fueled to the brim tonight.

 

They both stood in the bedroom, the other embarrassed he was nearly undressed again and the other looking at John Doe suspicious.

 

“You always react like that when I try to pull your shirt off, I've seen you half-naked multiple times”

 

“Maybe I just don't want people taking my shirt off” He replied, turning his head away.

 

“There's no shame in having a bit of body fat” Mafioso shrugged as he set the now sleeping bunny on the bed as he burrowed his head into the warm blankets.

 

“It's not about that what made you come to that conclusion anyways?”

 

The mafia boss turned back to the half-corrupted hacker. “You gained a bit of weight ever since you started staying here, you came to me looking like you barely eat anything, though now knowing you often order takeout I think that's explainable now”

 

“You…you noticed that?” Instinctively John Doe cupped a feel on his stomach wanting to know himself if he did gain weight and it felt like he did. “It's cause of your cooking I swear”

 

“Don't blame me, either my food magically had made you gain weight or you like it”

 

“I-” He was about to insult the man's cooking but stopped himself. He did actually like the food he cooked, the meals he prepared, it felt like…this inexplicable feeling of knowing that when you come home someone is waiting for you, it felt safe to know that, that no one is leaving you.

 

Too bad the person he imagined that to be isn't waiting for him anymore.

 

“Yeah it's good” John Doe replied, crossing his arms, a tint of shyness appearing in his face at the admission.

 

“About what I said earlier…” Mafioso replied as he sat down on the bed again, he didn't bundle himself up in the blankets this time. “Is it true? you and Jane Doe-”

 

“We separated years ago”

 

“Oh, apologies if I brought up some memories” The mafia boss apologized, the half-corrupted hacker knew it was genuine.

 

“It's fine…” He sat down on the edge of the bed together with Mafioso, elbows on his knees as he leaned forward slightly “I should get used to people mentioning her and not- reacting so badly”

 

“You aren't, you're fine” Mafioso reassured him, looking his way.

 

“I still dream about her”

 

“You do?” The man beside him asked, wary if he should push forward with this conversation, John Doe didn't mind though.

 

“When I wake up in my house, sometimes I catch glimpses of her in the corner of my eye, I feel like I'm going mad, there's days where I can't get out of bed because I'm trying to remember what it felt like when she was beside me, it felt warm, now when I wake up I don't feel the same, It feels like I'm lost now without her and I don't know what to do, do I just-” He stopped himself for a moment, pausing if this was the right moment to open up to a man he just met a few weeks ago, the same man he's having reprehensible thoughts about.

 

He makes a choice.

 

“Do I just keep running from admins Mafioso? or should I finally just…stop?” The half-corrupted hacker searched for answers in the mafia boss's eyes as he turned to look at him. “Because I don't know if someone's there to tell me it's fine”

 

“John…I-”

 

The door to the bedroom slammed open, the sound of c00lkid crying filled the solemn atmosphere the room brought as he ran towards Mafioso arms trying to reach for his shoulders, presumably to ask for a hug.

 

“Boss man! Elliot doesn't play fair!” The red child wailed as Mafioso sighed.

 

“kid I'm sorry I can't play with you, I'm sick-”

 

“But you play fair!” He said as he stomped his foot on the wooden floor, throwing an impending tantrum, he then pointed to the pizza delivery boy who was at the doorstep. “He doesn't! he cheats”

 

Chance laughed behind Elliot as the pizza delivery boy's expression turned guilty, he wasn't actually cheating he just didn't expect the kid to throw a tantrum over a chess piece move he didn't know, it was the first time the child played with someone else other than Mafioso in chess, as the child continued to cry 007n7 finally barged in the smell of fried chicken following him, he and John Doe most likely made fried chicken for the others for dinner, he picked up the whining child soothing his cries as c00lkid cried into his shoulder.

 

“Sorry about that, he was playing chess with Elliot, he must have been shocked with the moves he was making I uh- sorry we should all leave you two right?- okay take care” The retired hacker hurriedly excused himself and the others out of the room, closing the door behind him.

 

c00lkid's cries were muffled as Elliot and 007n7 argued behind the door, it faded away slowly and the bedroom returned to the quiet peace they had earlier.

 

“You taught the kid to play chess?” John Doe was surprised, he didn't know the mafia boss had some chess set lying around.

 

“I did, father used to teach me so…that and he found it underneath the couch, he wouldn't stop pestering me if I could teach him to play it, he hasn't stopped playing it since then”

 

The half-corrupted hacker chuckled. “Would you teach me some day?”

 

“Hm…I wouldn't mind really”

 

---

 

Mafioso felt shifting beside him in bed, it was unlikely for John Doe to start doing that in the middle of the night, usually the half-corrupted hacker had been knocked out asleep already, body unmoving. Out of concern he sat up leaning over to his right as his hand reached out to shake the man awake.

 

“John? are you alright-”

 

“Help me, please” the man replied through his sleep, muttering as his breathing became rapid.

 

The mafia boss’s back straightened as he heard the plea, immediately his hand went for the man’s face, the back of his hand was placed on his temple, it felt cold, cold sweat was running down his forehead, he soon followed up by checking his pulse on his wrist, counting the beats of the pulse by 15 seconds and multiplying it by 4. The pulse rate was too high.

 

Then the next second, John Doe began to thrash screaming in his sleep, Mafioso surmised that with all the symptoms he was showing he is having night terrors, carefully he got off and stepped away from the bed locking the door preventing anyone from witnessing the scene or causing more distress.

 

“John- John you're safe, I'm not leaving you-”

 

The half-corrupted hacker's screams dialed down, hearing the man's words, but his breathing was still too quick. Curling up in the bed John Doe began to whine into the blankets. Making his move Mafioso finally approached, slowly again as he joined him in bed and was careful enough not to alarm him.

 

“Can you hear me John?” he asked as he took his place beside him, the bed dipping. “I'm here, you aren't alone”

 

He didn't know what the man is currently having nightmares about, but he's seen worse things happen to people with night terrors, he'd remember his father screaming in the night as his mother tried to calm him down while he was on the other side of the room hiding underneath his bed not knowing what may come next if he'll hear the sounds of furniture crashing or the sound of glass shattering. It was scary.

 

After a few minutes have passed the man beside him has begun to calm down, checking his pulse again the pulse rate had gone down, giving out a sigh of relief he slumped against the headboard, running a hand through his hair, he then felt an arm wrap around his waist.

 

Looking down he found John Doe's right arm, his corrupted arm finding comfort in him. He didn't push it away despite how he never liked being touched much less by the man's corrupted arm. Mafioso's hand drifted over to the half-corrupted hacker's hair, running his fingers through it to ease his panic. He didn't know what to do if morning came and how he'd explain to the others what the screaming was it would be better to just ignore it and move on-

 

“Don't leave me” A small plea came from John Doe's mouth. “Please, don't, not again”

 

“I won't-”

 

“Jane don't leave me”

 

It felt like a cold bucket of water was poured over Mafioso's head hearing those words, was it his fault for bringing the topic of her to John Doe? Is that what he meant when he'd react badly to the mention of her? This wasn't normal and he clearly needs medical attention especially when he is suffering through night terrors.

 

“John?...I'm not Jane” The mafia boss replied, trying to ground the man into reality.

 

“It hurts, my arm hurts, make it go away”

 

Seeing that trying to make some sense of the situation isn't working, Mafioso decides to give in and not try to argue that he isn't Jane.

 

“What do you want me to do?”

 

“Hold me, please” The man half-asleep replied as he pleaded, craving for the touch of comfort.

 

Reluctantly the mafia boss pulled his hand away from carding the man's hair and changed his position as he tried to encircle the man in a hug but instead John Doe moved of his own accord slotting himself in Mafioso's neck burying his face as his arms tightened around him not intending to let go anytime soon. The mafia boss's breath hitched as he felt the half-corrupted hacker breath in the smell of him, he knows the man isn't fully aware of what he's doing and let it be, despite what uncomfortableness he is feeling right now what matters is John Doe doesn't hurt himself nor his state worsens.

 

But what can he even say in this situation? he felt the half-corrupted hacker's hands drift downward trying to feel his chest.

 

“You aren't going to leave right?”

 

“No” Mafioso answered straight away, hoping John Doe would finally come to his senses if he just played along.

 

He felt the man's hand go underneath his shirt and the mafia boss immediately turned his head to look away, he can't handle not pushing him right now with what he's doing so he holds himself back. He also didn't want to assume anything because John Doe thinks he's Jane he's about to do something indecent, so he hammers into his brain that John Doe is doing this because he thinks he's his old lover, someone he confided in and took comfort in of the worst times, whatever he plans to do now he should forget in the future and not tell a soul.

 

John Doe's hand continued exploring Mafioso's body underneath the shirt before it finally pulled away. But that relief of not having a hand on him didn't last long before the half-corrupted hacker decided to touch his face tracing the lines of his jaw down to his collarbone.

 

That's all he did that night, it felt like he was trying to memorize every part of him, like he was scared that if he didn't remember him he'd disappear completely.

 

But Mafioso didn't try to think further about that, after all…

 

John Doe didn't see him, he saw Jane.

 

---

 

There was awkward silence between the two of them when they drank coffee in the morning, 007n7 and a few others had gone off to do grocery shopping. Meanwhile Elliot and Chance went to fetch their car to fill it with gasoline so they could leave that afternoon. The only people inside the apartment now were them two.

 

Mafioso's flu had finally left his body and he had planned to return to cooking, but hearing 007n7 tell him that morning that he planned to make shepherd's pie he opted out of it seeing that the retired hacker is capable enough for that alone now, he still didn't trust the others for what it's worth.

 

The half-corrupted hacker was the first to speak up, facing away from Mafioso as he stared at the sink, mug in hand. “I…I'm sorry for what happened last night-”

 

“No it's fine-”

 

“No it's not, I thought you were her and started groping you like a pervert”

 

The mafia boss sighed as he set down his own cup of coffee, crossing his arms he spoke up. “John, you weren't yourself and that's understandable”

 

“Didn't you feel revolted? that me, a man is doing that to you?”

 

“Can you not- John!” Mafioso shouted as he slammed his fist on the kitchen counter.

 

The apartment turned eerily silent as the two of them stared at each other, John Doe turned his back again ashamed of what he's done as he placed his hands on the edge of the sink wishing whatever happened last night was just some messed up hallucination.

 

“John…you weren't yourself alright? whatever you have done last night I don't blame you for anything”

 

“Stop it already”

 

“What?” Mafioso looked at the half-corrupted hacker's back, he stepped closer now worried. “Stop what? me, talking to you?”

 

“You're starting to talk like her”

 

The mafia boss didn't know what to say anymore, he felt man's hands touch him last night as if he were his former lover and now he's claiming that the way he is talking is just like her.

 

“What in God's name do you see in me, I'm a man in his early 30's” He replied baffled as he sat down on the armchair, elbows on his knees as he buried his face in his hands. His brain is muddled trying to understand John Doe but he can't. Was it truly night terrors that made him think he was Jane or was it something else.

 

“I'm sorry I- I might not be okay today after what happened last night, I'm still-”

 

“Yes, you aren't John” 

 

---

 

He had locked himself in Mafioso's bathroom. After that, he couldn't face the mafia boss anymore, curled up in the bathtub and buried his face in his arms. The mafia boss seemed to have left him alone and honestly that was better than meeting his face again. John Doe has now placed himself in the worst position, far more worse than his former standing with Mafioso when they had just met.

 

Of course he apologized multiple times but the man won't hear him out, he'd keep saying it was fine.

 

“What do you mean it's fine? it isn't” he said mumbling to himself, maybe the shower head being turned on cold will make this scene fit in a drama movie because he is ######.

 

When he came to himself he nearly punched the poor man in the face waking up that morning hugging the mafia boss as if he were some soft plush toy he bought. He knew he felt someone beside him that night, comforting him, the feeling of familiar calloused hands carding his hair. He then felt his own hands tracing scars against a warm chest, a jaw, and a collarbone, waking up he already knew who it was that he put all his hands over.

 

It made him feel incomprehensible shame.

 

A knock was then heard from the door, most likely Mafioso, he hasn't bothered John Doe yet ever since he locked himself in the bathroom but now he was knocking persistently.

 

“John? John open this door” The man knocked again.

 

Instead of opening the door, the half-corrupted hacker decided to turn on the shower head muffling the sounds of knocking as he let himself be drenched in cold water turning the temperature to the highest it can go.

 

“John- you are not using my shower” The mafia boss said warning him before barging in inevitably breaking the doorknob. With the door gone Mafioso witnessed John Doe's drenched state, he looked like a wet dog. Sighing he came closer to the man still buried in his arms as he turned off the shower head. “I planned to leave you here for a few hours, I don't want you wet in those clothes in cold water you'll get sick”

 

“Leave me alone already”

 

“I'm not leaving you alone while you're most likely about to experience an episode” Out of concern, he closed the door behind him despite the broken doorknob, the bedroom door is locked anyways so it didn't matter but it was for privacy sake. He sat on the closed toilet seat as his eyes stared at the half-corrupted hacker curled up on the empty bathtub. “Was it me mentioning her?”

 

“Didn't I tell you to leave me?”

 

“Not when you're sitting in my bathtub drenched in cold water”

 

John Doe didn't respond and stayed silent, because of that somehow the mafia boss thought it was a good idea to join him in the empty bathtub sitting down opposite of him.

 

“Do I remind you of her?”

 

The half-corrupted hacker finally raised his head from burying it in his arms as he looked up at the man in front of him, Mafioso's eyes widened momentarily realizing that John Doe had been crying quietly the entire time. He reached out slowly intending to provide comfort but his hand was immediately slapped away, the man didn't want to be comforted, he still carried the same shame he felt, he stood up planning to leave and find someplace else to distance himself from Mafioso but the man pulled him down on the empty bathtub forcing him into a tight hug.

 

“You are sitting down here with me and we will talk-”

 

“Let go of me! don't-” he thrashed around in Mafioso's arms wishing to disappear, being in his tight enclosure was so comfortable, he wanted this yet he just can't accept it. “stop- please just let me go!”

 

“Calm down…we're going to talk” Mafioso whispered calmly, his grip tight as he didn't let go of the half-corrupted hacker. 

 

John Doe then felt a familiar hand carding through his hair, those calloused hands instilling some sort of peace in his muddled mind. He leaned into it selfishly and he felt himself crying again, of course he didn't want the man behind him knowing he was, so he tried his best to deafen it, biting his tongue in the process. Another hand came to comfort him, the right hand guiding his head into the nook of Mafioso’s neck; it returned to his waist and kept him trapped with him inside the empty bathtub.

 

“Why do I remind you of her?” The man asked as he continued carding through John Doe's hair.

 

He hummed before replying, as if he were hypnotized by the soft actions he answered quickly. “The way you talk…and your cooking, she was good at cooking”

 

“What did she used to cook?”

 

“She’d cook whatever I liked” Closing his eyes as he rested his head on Mafioso’s shoulder. “I liked pork”

 

“When I cooked pork for you did that remind you of her?”

 

“Mhm…she’d get mad at me too, a lot, whenever I get hurt she'd fuss over me then berate me while she patched me up”

 

“Did everything I do-”

 

John Doe's hand moved of its own accord, it began to trace the mafia boss’s collarbone absentmindedly, the half-corrupted hacker felt like he was drifting in and out of consciousness, he didn't know if what he's doing right now is real or not, he just liked the feeling of having someone touch him again.

 

“John?...are you there?”

 

“Yeah, I'm here” he replied, he felt Mafioso’s breath hitch when he took in the smell of him, it was the same thing he did last night. “Mafioso what are you into?”

 

“What?”

 

“Are you into older women?” John Doe asked almost too bluntly, at this point Mafioso thinks the man is just not himself right now and is most likely in some mentally drunken state because of how he is acting. Either that or the corruption that laced around his arm and face is somehow affecting him too.

 

“I…I'm not”

 

“Men?”

 

Mafioso stared at the man in his arms confused with the sudden question regarding romance, but he entertained his questions seeing that it'll probably ease him.

 

“I've thought about it…sometimes” he replied, unsure if that was what the half-corrupted hacker wanted to hear.

 

“What kind?”

 

“What in the world do you mean by that” The mafia boss asked incredulously.

 

“Tall? dark? short?”

 

“I don't care as long as he respects me, understand me, and is mature enough, same goes for women”

 

John Doe was quiet after Mafioso’s response, until he started moving within the empty bathtub, on his knees he faced the mafia boss up front placing his hands on his shoulders now wet.

 

“What about me?”

 

“You?...”

 

The mafia boss knew where this was going, and he didn't know what to expect afterwards, with everything that has happened- the night terrors, John Doe’s incessant comparison between him and Jane, it was all too easy to conclude what the half-corrupted hacker was thinking.

 

He’s seeing Jane in him, and somehow he has become attracted to that despite the fact he's a man, that or John Doe is not himself right now.

 

Playing it safe, Mafioso decided to answer vaguely. “I think it depends whether you actually apply yourself to the things I just said”

 

“But I respect you, I say sorry when I make mistakes"

 

“How about understanding me?-”

 

“You're a man who has a set of rules he follows, you go to the farmer’s market every weekend when it's about to close because the sales are good, you only go grocery shopping at night because you don't want people seeing you, you always wake up at 5:00 so you can have enough time to take a shower and dress after you cook, you follow these because it feels comfortable, that's why you're pissed off at me the moment I came into your life right? I'm that random variable”

 

The mafia boss found himself speechless at the long rant, he didn't expect John Doe to day all that out loud, it almost made him feel embarrassed to be called out like that.

 

“I- okay you can stop-”

 

“Am I not mature enough for you? Do I act childish? what will I have to do for you to see me differently”

 

It was that same question he asked before at the park, Mafioso can clearly recall it, what does the man want to see in him? “You’re- John stop you aren't well-”

 

“Should I do things like what you do?”

 

“John we need to dry you and take you to bed-” The mafia boss stood up, he tried to intervene every time but John Doe was persistent.

 

“No I want us to stay here”

 

Their roles seamlessly changed as now Mafioso is the one being held back to sit down once again on the empty bathtub, John Doe trapped him in a tight encirclement around his waist, the same thing he once did when he teased the man about physical contact.

 

“What is mature to your standards?” he asked, whispering in Mafioso’s ear. “Is it being older? I'm 29, am I mature?”

 

“I- no not in that context”

 

“Is it having some sort of knowledge and common sense then? I'm smart, I write scripts and codes”

 

“John please stop this already what are you trying to get at”

 

John Doe prodded with more questions for Mafioso to answer. “Is being mature…doing things only adults do?”

 

Alarm bells started to ring inside the mafia boss’s brain as he struggled against the grip to get out, he didn't like where this was heading to and the impending doom of the next question is telling him to knock out John Doe to sleep and hope for the best.

 

“What can we do that's mature?”

 

He felt the man’s hands trace his neck again, going downward as it soon rested on Mafioso’s right thigh.

 

“John Doe”

 

Somehow that snapped the man out and the mafia boss thanked whatever God was up there that helped him.

 

“I-”

 

“Am I talking to you or am I talking to a drunk man?” Mafioso asked sighing as he slowly pushed him away as he got out of the empty bathtub, eyes wary.

 

He'll never forget this, not even wine can drown this out.

 

Notes:

Things are about to get angsty and freaky, diabolical combo, to explain why John Doe looks like he isnt aware of what he's doing, his corruption is seeping through his brain now because from the start of this fic he had never acted like this but then again who knows what if 1x1x1 is aware that John Doe does act like these during his episodes and night terrors.

But im not telling more lest I spoil the next arc that's gonna take place is with the admins cause those guys are gonna explain a whole lot more.

As always comments push me to write <3, I feel like I'm the only one writing a longfic for this ship huhu

Chapter 14: The Cracks are Showing

Summary:

John Doe and Mafioso talk it out properly, with some help from outside advice.

Elliot and Chance run off but the gambler is vehemently against Elliot reporting the hackers residing in Mafioso's residence.

He does end up calling someone though.

      Breakfast was served by 007n7, the retired hacker decided for something simple and went for eggs and bacon, it isn't what Mafioso would usually cook since that man somehow has an automatic brain meant to conjure up recipes, it was just that somehow the mafia boss despite being not ill anymore wasn't awake early that morning, and John Doe wasn't there either to help like he did last time.

 

What's more worrying was that the two haven't left the bedroom. It was 8:23 am already and not a single sound came from the door.

 

“Who's betting they argued or they ######” 1x1x1x1 said behind 007n7 as he ate his plate of eggs and bacon standing near the kitchen counter.

 

“1x! we have a child here!” The retired hacker complained as he placed the used pan in the sink. “Don't say those things when c00lkid is near”

 

“What?” He replied with a mouth full of bacon. “it's not like he's clueless” His hand pointed with the fork towards where the red child sat on the carpet watching the T.V. for morning cartoons “he knows those two have something going on and it's so painful to look at”

 

“Tell me about it” Chance chimed in as he placed his finished plate in the sink as he washed his hands. “I'm not crazy right? I'm not the only one who sees it”

 

“See what?” 007n7 asked as he took off the apron hanging it on the fridge.

 

“That those two are fumbling with each other that's what” 1x1x1x1 supported the gambler’s statement. “They act like they argue so much they can't stand each other and then John just tells me- oh I have to do laundry as a deal so I can sleep in his bedroom, what the #### man that's some domestic type thing I've only ever seen house husbands do”

 

“Wait, is that why he did laundry a few days ago? that wasn't his that was Mafioso's clothes?" Chance asked, baffled at what the embodiment of hatred just dropped on him.

 

“Yeah! and then he cooked for him when he got sick, I haven’t seen him cook in so long, dude it's like he's going for some training to be in the top 10 house husband TV show” 

 

They were about to spiral down into another gossip session like they did last time, honestly 1x1x1x1 was all to blame since he was the one who started it before, during dinner, but then the door to the bedroom slammed open or rather, someone slammed it open. Mafioso was the first to come trudging out as if he came back from the trenches of war, hair sticking in all the places, shirt that had scratches. Last thing the people remembered was that Mafioso didn't have a cat that can do that but he did have a bunny-

 

Then John Doe followed and he looked even more worse, he had a deep set of eye-bags and he didn't seem to have had enough sleep.

 

The two of them sat down on the living room, it looks like 1x1x1x1's bet is way off course because what the hell happened between the two, it didn't look like they argued or they had some rough romp, instead they look like they powered through 5 hours of making a research paper before its deadline. But what surprised everyone was the half-corrupted hacker leaning into the mafia boss, his face buried in his neck as he drifted to sleep despite having come out of the bedroom.

 

1x1x1x1 stared in shock as he slowly turned his head around to meet Chance's twinning expression.

 

“Bro…” The gambler said, the volume of his voice low.

 

“I'm not even going to question what happened” 

 

Mafioso yawned into his hand and let his head fall back to the couch as he also fell back to sleep, his arm draped over his face as he shielded himself from the bright light of the morning sun.

 

007n7 came near the mafia boss sitting down to his right, face worried. “Mafioso? Are you alright? I cooked breakfast since you weren't up early”

 

“Yes I know…thank you for the consideration” he replied, tone tired and weary.

 

“We heard screaming from the other room, did…did something happen?-”

 

“Nothing happened, it's best you all don't know” Mafioso felt the man beside him shift and immediately his hand reached out to run his hand through his hair instilling some sort of peace within his troubled mind. “It's complicated”

 

“Complicated? buddy you're running your hand through his hair and he's sleeping on your shoulder, what happened?” Chance said gesturing to the complacent John Doe, it was uncharacteristic of him to act like that.

 

“1x” The mafia boss said, calling out to the embodiment of hatred. “Did you know about this? the night terrors?”

 

1x1x1x1's face darkened at the mention of it, stepping closer to Mafioso he crossed his arms as he answered, face stern. “It's Jane isn't it? I mean that and he actually isn't in a good place right now with the admins chasing him but- but how is he letting you touch him he always locked himself telling me to go away” His eyes then widened upon realization. “#### don't tell me he's going through one right now and thinks you're her? only she can hold him like that”

 

“Unfortunately yes”

 

As if John Doe wanted to add more fuel to the fire, his arms went to wrap around the mafia boss's waist, tightly, and buried his face further into his neck as if wishing to tune out the voices.

 

“Why is he acting like this? he isn't acting like himself” Mafioso asked confused, the entire night John Doe wouldn't let go of him and would cling on to him.

 

“It's the corruption, it's been changing him for a while now, even…even she tried to help, tried to take the pain away in the little ways she can” 1x1x1x1 replied, sighing as he turned his face away. “It just wouldn't stop, sometimes it makes him act out, and you pair that with this he doesn't even realize what he's doing, as if he were on auto-pilot. Sometimes I had to lock him in his room and I can hear him muttering things, next thing I knew he bursts out into a rampage running off into the city”

 

Mafioso's chest felt heavy as the information was laid in front of him, the more he knew of John Doe the more he realized maybe…maybe he isn't what he thought he was, an anarchist, a morally dubious hacker, he isn't is he? he's just a simple man who played with robloxia's code too much and this was the consequences.

 

He can't deny it anymore, he can't keep saying he's a bad man, because of all the things he's seen and experienced he had never been that to him.

 

The same man in his arms was the one who soothed c00lkid's cries, bought him mangoes because he thought it was the good thing to do, he saved a bunny off the road because of some prickly feeling that he thought Mafioso didn't like him and then gave said bunny to him, the way he cared when he caught the flu and tool into consideration what he should or shouldn't cook for him. Why did he ever have such a strong bias against him? Was it his stubbornness to accept hackers aren't a bunch of reckless immature people who did things what they want and when they want?

 

John Doe isn't that at all…he's human.

 

The man beside him stirred then pulled away, waking up as he yawned, for a moment Mafioso stared at him unsure what to say, he doesn't know if the man is himself right now or if he's still drifting between what's real or not.

 

“John?” The mafia boss asked before he felt the half-corrupted hacker shift his weight, the man sat up straighter as if coming to his senses, then he stood up looking around confused.

 

“I- Mafioso what happened last night?” he asked worried, his hand coming up the right side of his head where the corruption made itself known. “I can't remember a thing, did I do anything to you?-”

 

“No no no- John calm down you didn't do anything” 

 

“No I feel like I did something, how many days has it been?” Mafioso can sense the man’s panic rising as he tries to make sense of his situation.

 

“2 days, do you want to go back to bed?” he asked warily as he stood up his hand finding its place in John Doe's shoulder. “It's fine don't worry about me you didn't hurt me-”

 

“No- no I did something, you just wouldn't say it”

 

Everyone inside the apartment began to step a few inches away from the duo as they witnessed John Doe spiral, 007n7 picked up c00lkid from the living room carpet as Noli shielded them up front, meanwhile Elliot and Chance came closer to the front door intending to run out if the half-corrupted hacker ends up going into a rampage just like 1x1x1x1 described him to be when he'd be in this state.

 

The embodiment of hatred stayed close behind Mafioso as he allowed the mafia boss to handle the situation, if his theory is right then the man can ease John Doe's worries if the half-corrupted hacker sees pieces of Jane in him.

 

“We're going to bed, now” Mafioso suddenly said amidst the eerie silence.

 

Everyone turned to look at him confused at his declaration, but somehow John Doe listened, his eyes following the mafia boss and him alone.

 

“Are you sure? what if I-”

 

“You aren't going to hurt me you dumb####! How many times should I repeat that?! listen to me, I'm going to stay beside you until this goes away and you aren't stopping me from that because why? because I care, I care if you end up hurting yourself in the process!” He snapped at the half-corrupted hacker, he had never gotten this furious before and usually it was just a passive aggressive tone when he berated John Doe.

 

John Doe stared in shock as he was shouted at by Mafioso, 1x1x1 who stood behind the mafia boss began to move and usher everyone out expecting the worst to come because nothing good ever happens when someone gets mad at the half-corrupted hacker in this state. Everyone filed out the front door quietly, with 007n7 and c00lkid going out first and 1x1x1x1 last as he closed the door.

 

“Mafioso…do you actually care?” He asked, the corruption at his side now glitching wildly. “You aren't her, you know that right?”

 

“Yes I'm not Jane I know that”

 

“Yet I keep seeing her in you- I just- oh god” The half-corrupted hacker fell down to the carpet on his knees as he clutched his head in his hands. “No no this is wrong”

 

“John? John tell me what's wrong” Mafioso followed John Doe to the ground kneeling beside him as his hand instinctively went to his shoulder.

 

“Everything is wrong! Do you want to know why I was touching you? feeling every part of you? that was disgusting, and all because i-”

 

“No, John stop it you weren't yourself and I understand that now”

 

“You don't! I wasn't touching you just because I thought you were her, it's because I- I-” his response was stuck in his throat, he had already been crying for the entire duration of his meltdown, tears falling to the well-made carpet. 

 

“You don't have to answer now, it's fine, listen you need to calm down and we need you to-”

 

“I like you” The man blurted out.

 

Mafioso stared in shock at the revelation, either God is playing with him or this was the truth. Slowly he formed a coherent response, careful with his words.

 

“John…we need you back in bed you aren't aware of what you're saying, you're seeing Jane not me”

 

“No! I do see you Mafioso, I see you”

 

“John Doe you better stop this instance or i'm-”

 

John Doe cut him off as he grabbed the mafia boss's arm pulling him close, grip tight as he didn't let him go. “Or you're what? you're leaving? like the others, like her?”

 

“I wasn't going to say that”

 

“Mafioso I like you why won't you believe that” he said insisting as if it were true.

 

“Because you aren't well right now John! you're unstable”

 

“I'm not!” 

 

“You are and you should be aware of that”

 

“I'm not!” he repeated once more as his voice rose in anger, the corruption now flaring together with his heightened emotion.

 

“John stop!”

 

They both fell into silence, the tension that rose in the room now simmering down as they caught their breaths from their argument, Mafioso was the first to stand, with John Doe still on the floor of the carpet, eyes red from crying.

 

“John…c'mon now, let's go to bed”

 

---

 

Mafioso didn't know what to do now, after that heated argument and the sudden confession he found himself at a loss, currently he had returned to his work under Eunoia with his goons.

 

The list of debtors today were far longer and it'll take him some time before he gets home. He's worried on what's going on right now because if he isn't in the apartment chances are no one is there to control John Doe. 1x1x1x1 was the only one brave enough to say he'd watch over him but they both agreed to take precaution and let him stay in Mafioso's bedroom alone, if worse comes to shove then they lock him in the bathroom.

 

Even 1x1x1x1 himself said he can't touch him, let alone take him down.

 

Sighing he pushes that thought into the back of his mind as he looked over to his goons who were now dragging the 6th debtor of the day, the list had around 14 people, including this one, sometimes Mafioso thinks these debts accumulate because Eunoia allows it, she's too kind for her own good.

 

Soldier, noticing the man was still awake, knocked him out with one punch square to his face as he and the others threw him into the trunk of the car, closing it. “We good here boss!” he shouted waving over to the mafia boss.

 

Mafioso nodded to his goon as he walked over his car, he stopped momentarily when he saw Caporegime sitting on the sidewalk reloading his eight-bolt rifle, instead of entering the car he went beside his other goon sitting down with him.

 

He can't exactly ask Eunoia for advice like last time, she's too smart for that not to notice he is asking specific questions pertaining to a certain person.

 

So he goes for the next best thing, which is unfortunately one of his goons.

 

“Caporegime, what do you do when a person who…hasn't known you long enough suddenly confesses they like you? romantically”

 

“Confession?” The goon replied confused with the sudden question, as he slotted another bullet into the rifle, looking up at his boss. “Well I don't know, it depends if I like them and honestly boss it doesn't matter how long a person knew another for one to confess, what matters is they formed a bond, how else did the person who confessed ended up falling in love? it's kinda counterintuitive if the one who confessed barely knew you and don't even lIke you-”

 

“No, here's the thing, there's this…” Mafioso paused as he chose his words carefully before asking. “This person, let's organize the two shall we? person A only knew person B The one who confessed for about say a few weeks, person B confessed after that short duration of time they spent together”

 

“Boss I literally can't just say a concrete answer without knowing what happened with person A and person B, or how person B fell in love with person A” Caporegime responds as he gestured with his hands, putting aside the eight-bolt rifle as he took the matter seriously. “Did person B like anything about person A?”

 

“Well-” Now that he thought about it the mafia boss wasn't sure what John Doe found in him that attracted the man, but recalling their past heated conversation he frowned immediately. “Cooking, person B liked person A's cooking, but the problem is whatever person A did it reminded person B of a past lover and that's why it feels like the confession isn't right”

 

“Oh- oh wait damn…this is tough, Mafioso are you sure this isn't a telenovela you watched?-”

 

“No” He answered bluntly, hoping his goon would return to the matter at hand.

 

“Oh well alright, well that info makes things a little complicated, I mean how do we make sure person B likes person A for who they are and not for their ex?” Caporegime added after a few beats of silence, now engrossed in the topic. “Wouldn't it make it seem that…person B is just using person A as a replacement? especially if- that is if I'm assuming, that person B misses their former lover”

 

Mafioso stared back at his goon, eyes wide at his conclusion. He knew Caporegime was one of the more critical and smarter of the team but despite the man not knowing what was the real intention behind the mafia boss's question, he somehow manages to give a concrete answer.

 

“So…that would make it seem that the confession was only driven by some nostalgic feeling of their former lover?”

 

“Well- yeah, but I'm assuming over here” The goon replied unsure if his answer pleased his boss. “Are you alright boss you look a little pale”

 

“I'm fine” He stood up abruptly from the sidewalk and looked down on Caporegime. “Let's go catch some debtors”

 

“Aight” The other man replied as he picked up his eight bolt rifle.

 

Mafioso actually wasn't that much pale, it just felt like something else dawned at him in that moment, if he were to ask John Doe now if he truly liked him, what will come next?

 

---

 

John Doe waited by the bedroom window like some tortured imprisoned princess until night time appeared, but he doesn't look like that; he just looks like he's intimidating anyone who crossed the nearby sidewalk and would dare to look up, then promptly look away out of fear. After all, who wouldn't when seeing the infamous face of a notorious hacker like him?

 

He heard Mafioso's car from afar roll down the street and he perked up at the sound, the Lincoln Continental pulled up at the side of the road with the mafia boss exiting his car by the driver seat, by coincidence he looked up and their eyes caught a glimpse of each other.

 

The half-corrupted hacker immediately closed the window, backing away embarrassed he was caught staring as if he were mooning over the man, it doesn't help either that earlier he confessed out of the blue.

 

He heard the door of the apartment open and sounds of c00lkid greeting the mafia boss cheerfully.

 

“Boss man! welcome back” The red child exclaimed, jumping from the kitchen counter stool as he ran towards Mafioso.

 

“Hey kid, tell me did your father cook well for dinner?”

 

“No! it was weird and bad” he then made disgusted sounds at the mention of dinner.

 

“c00lkid c'mon that was just beef and broccoli” 007n7 chimed in. “Hello Mafioso”

 

The mafia boss nodded to the greeting before surveying the apartment and finding it less packed, he realized two people were missing, it was Elliot and Chance, usually the two would be in the stockroom-turned-guestroom or lounging at the living room playing with c00lkid.

 

“Did Elliot and Chance leave?”

 

“Oh yeah, they told me they're sorry they couldn't say goodbye, they also left a note for you at the T.V. stand” The retired hacker pointed to the note taped down on the wooden maple table meant for the t.v. “They got their car filled up and ready to go so they didn't waste any more time”

 

“I see…well that's good news”

 

Mafioso's eyes wandered over to the door of his bedroom, knowing he has to face the half-corrupted hacker on the other side sooner or later, he's hoping he has come to his senses and is now stable enough to be talked to, hanging his trench coat and fedora on the back of the apartment door, he walked over to the bedroom door, unlocking the doorknob he walked in and witnessed John Doe bundled up in blankets on his bed. He then proceeded to lock the door behind him as he approached the half-corrupted hacker.

 

“John? I know you're awake” He sat on the edge of the bed at its left-most side right where John Doe was supposedly sleeping. “C'mon, let's talk”

 

“No…let me die of shame in this bed”

 

“Yes, my bed, in my apartment, so I have the right to ask you to talk” Mafioso replied straightforwardly, wishing the half-corrupted hacker were to open up more easily if he were to start some banter. 

 

“You can be a lawyer with that mouth”

 

The mafia boss chuckled hearing his remark, it seems John Doe is back to himself, albeit carrying some shame from the earlier debacle. “Really? Well poor me I'm just some boy who ended up becoming a boss of a mafia organization”

 

“Mafioso stop trying to make me talk, let's just forget whatever happened alright?” John Doe sat up in bed still wrapped in blankets, almost making it seem like he was going through a fever with how much blankets he was drowning himself in.

 

“Well I want to talk, you can't just blurt out a confession and curl yourself up in my bed”

 

“Oh sorry but I think I can” He replied as he went back down on the bed, but then he felt hands pull him back up, arms around his waist forcing him to get out of bed. “Stop that!”

 

“We are going to talk whether you like it or not-”

 

John Doe began to thrash around Mafioso's arms, kicking him in his legs in the process bit the mafia boss didn't care, he easily picked him up raising him in the air with just his arms around his waist, it felt like he was handling a much more larger version of c00lkid throwing a tantrum.

 

“Please stop this already I'm so god damn embarrassed” The half-corrupted hacker replied as he covered his face with his hands, his feet now on the ground as Mafioso stood behind him, holding him in place.

 

“There's no need to be, I'm going to to hold you like this until you make a peep”

 

“Is this what you do to debtors when you interrogate them?”

 

Mafioso replied, face close to John Doe's right ear. “Only you”

 

“Lucky me…”

 

They both stood in Mafioso's bedroom for a few seconds, silent and unmoving, until John Doe finally spoke up groaning as he ran a hand through his face. “About the confession earlier…”

 

“Mhm” The mafia boss hummed in response.

 

“I'm sorry if it sounded as if I-” He forced the words out of his mouth, his brain arguing not to say it. “If it sounds as if I only liked you because I saw Jane, my night terrors…she was the one who got me all through it and without her, I apologize if it felt like replacing her with you and that's why you probably could not belive me and yes it's wrong that I tried to make you believe that what I was saying was the truth-”

 

“John, it's fine if you see Jane in me, glimpses of her, we can't help that and remember people from the past in people we now know”

 

“Yeah…” His embarrassment doubled as he felt Mafioso's hand carding through his hair, he remembered those hands soothing him despite how he can barely remember what happened when his corruption affected his memory. “Can you not do that? I- oh my god I'm just a little overwhelmed you're touching me-”

 

“Oh apologies- it's just that when you were having your night terrors you calmed down when I was running my hand through your hair” The mafia boss finally pulled away, sitting down on the edge of the bed at its south portion.

 

“Really? I acted…like that” 

 

“I can't exactly tell you everything that went down, you might be more embarrassed than you are now”

 

“No, no tell me” John Doe insisted as he sat down together with Mafioso.

 

Unsure if he should actually tell the truth, Mafioso gave in, sighing as he looked away as he himself was also embarrassed with what happened. “You were, very clingy, and you'd keep saying you want me to hold you-”

 

“Okay stop I think I get it” The half-corrupted hacker replied hastily as he too looked away, face flushed. 

 

“But to be honest John…I want to understand if your confession was directed towards me, or was it just you talking to some memory of Jane”

 

“Mafioso-” John Doe said raising his hand “Please just push that past behind us I doubt that if that confession was genuine you'd like me back-”

 

“So you do like me? truly?” Mafioso responded leaning closer to the half-corrupted hacker. 

 

“I- I do like you it's just that now with all that happened I'm worried if I'm just using you as a replacement”

 

“I did feel like that before, but you weren't yourself John” The mafia boss then placed a gentle hand on John Doe's shoulder, grounding him “isn't it reasonable that I would doubt your confession in such a state?”

 

“Yeah I know, I sounded crazy-” He replied, chuckling.

 

“Confess to me, again”

 

“What?” The half-corrupted hacker turned his head, shocked by what he heard, he had to make sure he wasn't schizophrenic. “Mafioso what did you just say?”

 

“Confess, I want to hear it from you, right now, right here” He prodded again, persistent in his question.

 

“I- I like you”

 

“And?” The mafia boss added tilting his head amused.

 

John Doe took a deep breath, asking some courage from whatever God was looking down on him right now because this will either turn out great or he’s locking himself in the closet right after this.

 

“You're the first man I found myself looking at more often than I can hold myself back to” He paused as he slowly turned his face to look at Mafioso. “I dont know when it started, or if it had been festering inside me the entire time, but you're different, you're you, you can cook, you can handle so much obligations so easily it makes me envious of you, you're such- I admire how you always uphold your morals and…you're so ####### genuine about it, I can't understand why this is pulling me towards you you're so-” His tirade of a confession of a confession was cut off as he felt the mafia boss's hand cover his mouth, shutting him up effectively, the other hand now placed gently over on his own hand.

 

“Thank you, John, I think...you finally do see me”

 

---

 

Elliot pushed down on the brakes hard, nearly flinging him and Chance towards the windshield. The Builder Brother's worker was sweating bullets as he ran earlier towards his car itching to get out of Dreamsphere, but the gambler had been arguing with him the entire time as they drove out into the borders.

 

“Elliot you don't have to call your uncle please, c’mon listen to me-”

 

“Chance I can't believe you're willing to hide them, all those hackers, in one place! you can't expect me to be soft-hearted, we need to report them to roblox hq”

 

Chance pleaded again as he buried his hands in his face. “Oh god…they have a child with them Elliot have some sympathy”

 

“The same child that burned down my pizza place” Elliot replied as he pulled out his phone from his pocket as he scrolled, then pressed on a number as it began to ring.

 

“Elliot you're going to regret that, I know you're better than that, didn't we just spend days with them? they may be hackers but they aren't bad people! we sat together and ate with 1x1x1x1 for crying out loud!” He exclaimed loudly trying to persuade his friend from stopping the call.

 

The phone continued to ring in Elliot's hand as he raised it to his ear. Then a familiar voice rang out through the car, instilling silence.

 

“Roblox Headquarters, how we may help you?” The voice of an older man answered, his tone welcoming.

 

“Uncle…I'm sorry for calling you but I have to report something”

 

“Elliot? Is that you? What's wrong?” His tone shifted to concern, the man from the other side can be heard shuffling around.

 

“I’d like to report sightings of multiple hackers within Dreamsphere”

 

Chance looked at his friend in shock, hearing the words come out of his mouth as he then hurriedly tried to reach out for the phone.

Notes:

Scared yall with the angst earlier sorry, don't worry Mafioso has the patience of a saint they'll hash it out no worries.

Who could that uncle be? Oh jee I don't know a roblox admin?

As always your comments are appreciated! <3

Also bonus messy sketch at the end cause now I know how to upload art in here, I'm crying so hard bro it was complicated to understand felt like an IT student

 

Chapter 15: Rosso, Red

Summary:

Chance gets left behind by Elliot, fluff moments with John Doe and Mafioso, also yes the bunny finally gets a name.

Rosso, red for Italian.

     The gambler grabbed Elliot’s flip phone and threw it out to the empty road, in great timing a car drove past effectively making the poor flip phone a hit and run victim.

 

“What the #### chance!” The pizza worker turned his head as he shouted at Chance, enraged at his actions. “I was calling-”

 

“I know who you were calling, that was your uncle on the other line, Mr. Builderman himself!” 

 

“Yeah! because it's the right thing to do” Elliot argued back, slamming a fist down on the horn of the red sedan.

 

“Bull####, you know that, the Elliot I know wouldn't do this, you played chess with the kid just a few days ago and now you want to report all of them?”

 

Elliot went completely silent, not wishing to argue any further as he looked away. “Get out”

 

“What? Elliot you can't be serious right now”

 

“I said out, if you want to protect criminals that badly then I'm leaving you here”

 

“They- fine!” The gambler, agitated, got out of the car slamming the door as he then spoke through the open window at his friend. “Elliot you don't understand what you are doing man, c'mon please tell Mr. builderman that call was wrong”

 

“Goodbye Chance” He replied as he looked straight ahead and drove off, disappearing from the world as he left the server, leaving Chance on the side of the road all on his own.

 

The gambler, rightfully mad, took off his fedora and threw it harshly to the ground as he ran both his hands through his hair swearing as he paced around, he soon crouched burying his face in his hands.

 

“####, Chance calm down your friend isn't going to do that right? God #### this isn't going as planned- why did he call his uncle?!” he shouted at the empty road, furious. “We were supposed to go home and just forget this…#### damnit Elliot!”

 

As he stewed in resentment, he stood up walking towards the border of the server slowly, until he halted in his movements.

 

Mafioso doesn't know that Elliot called Builderman, and someone should tell him.

 

Pulling out his phone he tried to find a signal, but even with that he forgot he didn't have any more load in his balance to call, and he doesn't know the mafia boss's number either. Sighing he grabbed his thrown fedora from the ground as he quickened his pace turning around as he walked back to the suburbs, he was jogging at first until it became a full blown Olympic run, he ran as fast as he can through the empty road under the dark skies, stars illuminating his impromptu marathon.

 

“####! I gotta get back!” he shouted alone, his voice echoing.

 

---

 

John Doe didn't know what to describe what he was feeling, was it something higher than happiness? he didn't understand. All he cared about now was that the mafia boss listened to his confession, a proper confession that is. He also can't explain what he was feeling right now when Mafioso told him he can hold him when he slept if he needed to, just in case his night terrors haven't fully gone away yet. Hugging the man at his right he slotted his face into the nook of his neck as he slept.

 

He still isn't sure if Mafioso liked him back but this was great progress right? and the man didn't seem to mind the physical contact anymore.

 

“Mafioso?” he whispered, mouthing the words into the mafia boss's neck.

 

The man stirred awake as he rubbed his eyes, turning around to face John Doe. “What is it?”

 

“Nothing, I just want to say thank you, for understanding me”

 

Mafioso looked at him trying to read his expression despite the darkness of the bedroom, he then shifted closer, he too, whispering. “That's the bare minimum a human should do to another John”

 

“And I'm barely human” The half-corrupted hacker added, correcting him.

 

“No, you are one, the corruption may have gotten to you but you'll always be human, hackers and admins sometimes forget they aren't wholly invincible” He paused, choosing his words wisely. “You shouldn't believe what others say”

 

“Then what should I believe in?” He asked, wondering where this conversation will lead them to.

 

“At least believe in me, what are you if not human enough to believe in another person?”

 

“You're starting to sound like a motivational speaker right now” John Doe started to chuckle as he buried his face in a blanket to muffle his noise, hoping it wouldn't wake the others.

 

“You clearly need one, and a therapist”

 

The half corrupted-hacker began to laugh and Mafioso had to muffle it with his own hands as he too began to laugh. 

 

“I do need one don't I? but I have you”

 

“Me? I'm barely a doctor John I'm unlicensed”

 

“You're enough for me” John Doe replied, eyes staring at Mafioso's own, he found himself getting lost in it, the mafia boss rarely takes off his fedora and it always covered the half of his face, seeing it up close and a mere inches from him, it felt unusual but right at the same time.

 

Mafioso didn't respond to the half-corrupted hacker's answer, he only stared back as well, his expression, one that is unreadable. John Doe hopes that maybe in the future he'd be able to understand him more than just his weird quirks when it came to time and organizing the pantry as if it were light work.

 

“I'm enough for you John?, I'm not a woman” he responded after a few moments of silence.

 

“And? why does that matter, it doesn't matter to me”

 

“What if you wanted children in the future?” The mafia boss argued, but his tone wasn't argumentative.

 

“We adopt then”

 

“What if I take too much time at work-”

 

“We make do with the time we have”

 

Mafioso was about to say another sentence before the half-corrupted hacker raised his hand placing it on top of his mouth, the same gesture the mafia boss did earlier when he wasn't about to stop ranting his confession.

 

“You did your best to understand me Mafioso, I’ll have to understand you too” He then pulled away his hand and instead started to play with the man’s stray bangs.

 

“God why did you fall for someone like me anyways…” 

 

“Cause you're unique”

 

“That's so corny” Mafioso replied snorting as he leaned into the touch, the deft fingers playing with his hair. 

 

“But it's true, to me at least”

 

“What if I don't like you back?” 

 

John Doe continued to play with the man’s hair before tracing his jawline, staring at his lips as he heard the question. “Then that's fine either way, I have to respect you right?”

 

“You- you remember that?” Mafioso replied, baffled, that the half-corrupted hacker remembered what he said a few days ago when he was so out of it inside the bathroom.

 

“Yeah, you said I had to respect you, be mature and all that right?”

 

“Well…yes”

 

“I'll do all that then” 

 

The mafia boss tried to argue once more. “But what if I don't end up returning your feelings despite all that you're doing?”

 

“We don't even know that yet Mafioso, stop worrying”

 

“I just have to make sure you aren't regretting this…pursuing me that is-” Mafioso was then caught off guard as he felt lips touch his cheek, John Doe had given him a light peck to his cheek and pulled away. Immediately the mafia boss’s face turned red, evident even with the lack of light illuminating the room.

 

“I hope you didn't mind that, I just can't hold it back anymore”

 

“I-”

 

“Do you know what I think about when you're at work? I think of you, I think of how those hands would feel on me and how it would feel to kiss you” He said unabashedly. “I'd even think of things you wouldn't dare imagine, so no I don't regret chasing after you Mafioso, because I like you that much”

 

The mafia boss stared back, words unable to form as his throat tightened at the genuine response, he even found himself flustered, how can another man make him this affected by just words? he might reconsider his choices in life now and wonder if he's truly into anyone at all because this was the first time he's felt such a thing, to be pulled, gravitating to another person without force. John Doe from the start had made him feel that, he always found himself near the man despite their past grievances and his biases, and he noticed too that the half-corrupted hacker would deviate towards him, he couldn't separate himself.

 

Then, the man beside him spoke up again. “Mafioso…” He said, tone careful as the hand that traced the debt collector's jaw began to lower, moving to his lips as he brushed his thumb over it. “Can I kiss you again?”

 

A beat of silence came after his question, eyes pleading as he looked at Mafioso. 

 

An answer came shortly.

 

“Y-yes you can-” He said before it was cut off with a sudden kiss.

 

The mafia boss was still unsure where this relationship will progress, he's scared, he doesn't know enough how to feel to love another that's so wholly different from him, Someone who bears the burden of past unwanted sins. A person he judged so blindly. That same person is now kissing him on his lips, gentle, as if he didn't want to scare off a stray he had just found. Then he kissed him again with much more force this time when he realized Mafioso wasn't pulling away, he accepted him.

 

John Doe's human hand cupped the man's face carefully, guiding him as he kissed him again and again. When he finally pulled away his eyes couldn't leave the mafia boss's own, they looked back at each other, a mismatched pair of eyes meeting the dusty brown color of soil. Mafioso didn't notice it at first but he felt the legs of another intertwine with his, not intending to let go anytime soon. He gently bumped his forehead with the half-corrupted hacker, staring more closer into his mismatched eyes of bright red and black.

 

John Doe began to laugh, small and hearty, the mafia boss had a lot of things he still didn't understand and this was one of them, he didn't understand why he liked how the man's chest rumbled and how he could feel him laugh.

 

“I remember saying you weren't a fan of physical contact” The half-corrupted hacker brought up the topic.

 

Their legs brushed against each other, Mafioso's left arm slowly encircling John Doe's waist.

 

“Maybe I am, just not to you I suppose”

 

“So I'm a special case?” He replied, tone full of amusement.

 

“I don't know, you make me feel things I don't understand, things I'm only experiencing with you as a first”

 

“Don't say that as if I'm the more knowledgeable one, that sounds so wrong” a chuckle followed.

 

Mafioso too, chuckled. “I mean…when it comes to these things, I expected to just retire and live a life of old age, having no one beside me” he paused, eyes looking away. “Then you came along and forced yourself into my apartment”

 

“And I'm very sorry about that I should've chosen a different approach”

 

“If you did you wouldn't be here”

 

John Doe went quiet for a moment, his hand came up to turn Mafioso's head back to him, to turn his attention to only him.

 

“I know, and I'm grateful you saved me that night”

 

---

 

Either 1x1x1x1 was hallucinating or he won the bet because when he woke up from the guest room, sauntering over to the kitchen as he followed the smell of onions and garlic in the air he blearily opened his eyes rubbing it, as he yawned he witnessed possibly the the most unbelievable thing.

 

The scene plays out like this.

 

Mafioso per usual was awake early, with his flu gone and him going back to work of course he'd return to being the chef of the apartment so of course he'd be cooking on the kitchen stove.

 

The weird variable was John Doe, who was handing him ingredients, when he handed all that the man needed he just hovered over his shoulder, normally the mafia boss would then response agitated that the half-corrupted hacker has to back off and let him cook on his own, instead he didn't and what did he do next? He hugged him from behind, placing his chin on the man's shoulder as he began to whisper things to his ear that 1x1x1x1 couldn't comprehend. What's more shocking was that Mafioso didn't push him away, he allowed it.

 

It looked so…domestic.

 

1x1x1x1 almost felt envious, because he's never seen something like that before, much less from his own creator, that kind of genuine love.

 

c00lkid's footsteps were soon heard as he ran over to the kitchen, saw the domestic moment and started asking. “Boss man did you and Mr. Doe make up? no more fighting?”

 

“Maybe a little fighting” Mafioso said, a faint smile creeping up his face as he tossed in the canned tuna he drained of excess oil earlier.

 

“No we don't …” John Doe added as he buried his face in the mafia boss's neck, now hugging him tightly. “I thought you love me loving couples don't fight”

 

“John sometimes they do fight and that's normal”

 

“Well we don't, we're perfect” He responded, voice muffled because of his face buried in the nook of Mafioso's neck.

 

“No one is perfect though?

 

“Let them believe that” 1x1x1x1 immediately pulled the red child away the moment he saw John Doe kiss the man's neck, then began to whisper again into his ear.

 

Yeah he doesn't want the child to see whatever goes down in the kitchen.

 

He and c00lkid retreated to the living room, the red child then, as always, turned on the T.V. as the room filled with the sounds of the morning cartoon program, 1x1x1x1 found himself watching alongside the child as they waited from breakfast. He ended up sitting with him together on the carpet as they shouted answers at the T.V., the main lead with the brown bob was speaking Spanish every so often with some English words so he surmised maybe this is actually educational, he somehow learned what 1 to 10 is in Spanish just by sitting for 15 minutes there.

 

007n7 went past the kitchen together with Noli also sporting the same shocked face 1x1x1x1 had when he saw the domestic scene, it did disappear quickly when he started to chuckle at the embodiment of hatred literally sitting down with his child on the carpet as they shout the numbers 1 to 10 in Spanish.

 

“Watching Dora?”

 

“Yeah!” c00lkid exclaimed while 1x1x1x1 beside him was still shouting out the numbers in Spanish.

 

“Who knew the embodiment of hatred can be distracted by watching Dora” Noli said amused as he leaned on the archway of the living room, left hand in his pocket. “If I end up fighting you I just pull up a Dora episode from my phone”

 

“Shut up Noli I need to get the answers right-” He quickly argued before returning his attention to the t.v. 

 

“No way, you're actually serious?” The hacker sporting his iconic purple mask began to laugh so hard, it was unbelievable that the spawn of Telamon was watching Dora the Explorer so laser focused.

 

“Noli c'mon don't tease him”

 

007n7 sat together with his friend on the couch as they too eventually watched the show together with the two contestants on the carpet answering questions as if it were some olympiad quiz bee. But the retired hacker would often catch glimpses of Mafioso and John Doe on the corner of his eye, visible from where he sat with the two chuckling in the kitchen, of course the half-corrupted hacker was still hugging the man from behind but every now and then the mafia boss would turn his head to face him to whisper things. 007n7 isn't that much knowledgeable about what goes on between them but from the gossip they circled around the apartment they all knew the two were into each other.

 

It was about time they got together anyways, their fighting and unintentional flirting was getting out of hand.

 

The show ended and commercials rolled in, the next show that came up was about robots and honestly he didn't mind tuning into that, albeit it wasn't as interactive as Dora earlier, the show was funny. He didn't understand the concept of robots turning into cars but c00lkid seems to favor this show over the others, he does plan on getting him a toy from the show despite how atrocious the price is. As the opening theme song played they all heard footsteps come near, John Doe appearing at the archway knocking on the wall.

 

“C’mon guys breakfast is ready” He shouted as he returned to the kitchen, presumably to return to Mafioso's side.

 

As they all filed in the kitchen, each taking their own seat on the stool, c00lkid grabbed the running bunny on the floor as he played with its ears.

 

“c00lkid let him down and wash your hands” 007n7 said as he grabbed the plates from the drying rack along with eating utensils.

 

“Okayyy” The red child set the white animal down back on the floor as it hopped over to his rightful owner, sniffing at his polished shoes the bunny looked up at the mafia boss expectantly, smelling the scent of food in the air.

 

“You haven't named him yet right?” John Doe asked as he took his seat beside Mafioso on the kitchen isle. 

 

“Well…no”

 

“Can’t you just name him like white wine? or something along those words? I mean, the bunny is white” The half-corrupted hacker said as he grabbed a plate from 007n7, setting it in front of him along with his utensils.

 

“I can't just name the bunny vino bianco, I don't even lIke white wine” He said, arguing against the name.

 

“Thought it sounded appropriate, you drink a lot of wine”

 

“I drink pinot bianco and those are imported I don't just drink cheap wine from the convenience store”

 

John Doe chuckled as he looked at Mafioso amused. “What other wines are there? you keep saying it in Italian can you explain that”

 

“Vino bianco is white, vino rosso is red, the wine I mentioned earlier is a brand of wine, typically they call it Pinot Blanc but we call it pinot bianco, Pinot Blanc wines have a distinct character, crisp and aromatic, with flavors of green apples, citrus fruits, and subtle hints of almonds” as the mafia boss talked about wine the half-corrupted hacker merely listened as he ate his food, the fried tuna mixed in the scrambled eggs.

 

“How about rosso then? because your bunny has red eyes” 

 

“Rosso? You want me to call him rosso?-” Everyone at the kitchen isle heard a loud thump, looking down Mafioso realized the bunny was mad stomping its feet, most likely because he wasn't being given attention or John Doe had forgotten to feed him.

 

“That's so cute I didn't know bunnies did that” Noli exclaimed as he snickered.

 

“Well Mafioso does that and he isn't even a bunny” John Doe said as he took a bite of the fried tuna, teasing the man beside him.

 

“John, did you feed him?” he asked instead, deflecting the teasing as he picked up the white bunny, now seated in his lap.

 

“I did? I gave him some celery this morning”

 

“Well clearly he's still hungry”

 

1x1x1x1 spoke up from behind as he set his finished plate inside the sink washing his hands. “What a fat### bunny, didn't the kid grab it from the side of the road looking malnourished, why is it suddenly so gluttonous- ow!” He yelped as John Doe slapped him on his arm making him complain in pain, and it wasn't even his corrupted hand that hit the embodiment of hatred it was his normal human hand.

 

“Don't talk about our bunny like that he isn't fat” The half-corrupted hacker said, though his tone wasn't malicious nor did he hold contempt over the insult.

 

“Oh so now you have a joint ownership on the fat### bunny? I'm betting it's cause Mafioso feeds him whenever he comes home that's why he grew so big, you need to hold back even though he looks cute”

 

“He always seems to be hungry actually…it's concerning” Mafioso noted, tone full of concern over the bunny on his lap as he continued eating.

 

“Maybe get him to the vet? I do notice he's becoming a little obese, c00lkid is having a tough time carrying him now” 007n7 also noted, the weight was actually worrying for a bunny that used to be malnourished, gaining weight that quickly isn't normal. “Oh right what name did you end up with? you do have to sign a form and fill out information so you need a name for him before you go to the vet”

 

“I…I'm still not sure”

 

“Rosso is a good contender isn't it?” John Doe said pushing Mafioso to choose that name specifically.

 

“Fine” The mafia boss gave in to the suggestion as he sighed. "I'm naming him Rosso, happy?”

 

“Hear that Lil guy? you got named after red wine cause this guy drinks that every night”

 

“What do you mean I drink it every night, I don't do that” Mafioso debated with the half-corrupted hacker.

 

“I keep seeing you take it out the pantry when you come home late, I think you need to go visit to a doctor too with how much alcohol you're consuming” John Doe replied as he took the bunny from the mafia boss's lap as he ran his hand through the soft white fur. 

 

“I don't do that, and I'm perfectly fine”

 

“Don't blame me if you get liver failure in the future, we have a bunny to raise” The man beside Mafioso raised the bunny in the air as if it were a reenactment of the Lion King. “Right Rosso? you don't want Mafioso to have a bad liver?”

 

“Oh put him down, he doesn't want to be lifted that high it's uncomfortable”

 

---

 

They both did end up going to the veterinary nearby, with Mafioso cradling the white bunny now named Rosso, the half-corrupted hacker followed behind tagging along as he hid his face in the hooded grey jacket, the same get-up he wore when he went to the farmer's market with Mafioso and c00lkid. John Doe can't really walk in broad daylight without being seen so he has to put up with the heat just to hide his face from the public.

 

Entering the establishment the bell that was placed above the door rang announcing their presence, it was late in the afternoon and barely anyone was in the waiting room. By then they might be the last clients of the day.

 

Taking a number from the registry, Mafioso approached the nurse in the front desk.

 

“We'd like to have our bunny get a check-up, we- I mean he” He said pointing his thumb over to John Doe behind him. “Initially found him on the street and we took him in, he was malnourished” Lo and behold the mafia boss placed the large bunny on the desk making the nurse look at it quizzically. “And then he got big, very big, I think that's obvious”

 

“Well sir thank you for coming in. I do think it's worrying he gained a lot of weight- where did you say you picked him up from? and how long ago was that?” She replied as she looked over at the furry companion.

 

As the veterinarian nurse and Mafioso talked in the background John Doe found himself sitting at the waiting area alone as he fiddled with the drawstrings of his jacket, hood still covering his face. A few minutes passed as he leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes to take a nap. He heard the click clack of footsteps drawing near, so he looked up, tilting his head slightly peeking one eye open.

 

“That was fast, what did you talk about?”

 

“Apparently you picked off a giant flemish breed from the road” The mafia boss said, as if unamused with the fact. “You, in the most simplest way I can explain, rescued a large breed”

 

“What?” John Doe then stood up confused. “No way that's true, are you sure?”

 

“John, where have you ever seen such a large bunny? clearly Rosso was either obese or it's because of his breed now come on” He said nodding towards the exit as he carried the white rabbit in his arms.

 

They walked until Mafioso and he passed by a pet store, now that the mafia boss thought about it he recalled barely buying anything for the pet, he stared at the door for a moment until John Doe spoke up behind him. 

 

“You know…we should probably get a fence for him, and a carrier”

 

“That's what I was thinking about”

 

“Realistically you can't cradle him like a baby every time you go out” The half-corrupted hacker added as he chuckled. “That and I think he doesn't even like anyone carrying him”

 

“He likes being carried, just not by you” He countered as he and John Doe walked in the pet store.

 

---

 

With Rosso inside the pet carrier Mafioso was able to carry him with ease as he and John Doe nearly spent the whole afternoon until evening buying food for the bunny, he did take into consideration the recommendations the nurse at the veterinary had given him in regards to the balanced meals his pet was supposed to eat, based on the notes he took down in his mind he can remember that his pet could eat a variety of fruits and nuts, aside from leafy greens of course.

 

As the mafia boss and half-corrupted hacker walked back to the apartment, hands full with plastic bags, they walked on the sidewalk, both silent as the lamp posts brightened the dark path above them.

 

“Isn't this the same sidewalk you found me in?” John Doe suddenly said amidst the silence, their footsteps making all the sounds against the concrete.

 

“That's…yes that's true”

 

“How long ago was that even?” He asked, wondering as he looked up momentarily, trying to find the answer to it.

 

Mafioso halted in his tracks as John Doe too stopped, they stood below a flickering lamp post, it looked familiar to the half-corrupted hacker, then he realized this was the lamp post he was underneath when he first talked to the mafia boss. Mafioso turned around as he faced John Doe still holding the pet carrier.

 

“It must have been a month already or more, I don't know actually” He too tried to recall how long ago it was.

 

“I still can't believe you were walking alone at night in this same sidewalk probably thinking about dinner and I managed to get you to help me”

 

“No” Mafioso corrected him, chuckling low. “You forced me to help you”

 

“Well sorry, didn't you say you can't blame me for trying to live?” John Doe threw a smile at his direction.

 

“I do recall saying that” and he smiled back, faint.

 

They both then continued walking, the image of the familiar red bricked apartment building coming to view, their steps still slow as they enjoyed the silence of the empty road.

 

The silence was broken unfortunately as another set of footsteps came running behind.

 

Turning around their eyes widened seeing a familiar face run towards them, Chance, the gambler with a notable fedora was waving his arms frantically in the air as he began to shout at them, a few blocks away.

 

“Mafioso! get everyone out of your apartment!” The man running towards them said out loud. 

 

“What?” John Doe said under his breath confused, Mafioso also sported the same expression as he and the half-corrupted hacker stared at the running man. But a strong sense of fear began to coil in his gut.

 

“You all need to leave! an admin-”

 

It was sudden.

 

All he heard was an explosion, and ringing followed as he fell to the sidewalk, he felt John Doe shielding him from the rubble whilst Chance ducked screaming.

 

When the cloud of debris started to fade away, all Mafioso saw when he looked up was the red brick building nearly torn in half. The half-corrupted hacker still held him steady as he feared for what would come next.

 

The second floor, nearly decimated into pieces, wooden shards and concrete was all its left.

 

And then the screams of a child followed.

Notes:

Any guesses on who the admin that arrived would be? of course I know a lot of yall will say Builderman since Elliot called an "uncle" but heyyyy who knows, I might jumpscare yall with a admin barely anyone writes about

As always love your comments! I appreciate them and I love seeing yappers <3

The cartoons that c00lkid watch in the morning are mostly based off from what I watched as a kid in the 2000's, growing up I watched Dora the Explorer, Barney, Transformers: Prime, Ben 10 and the like, though I did gravitate more towards Shawn the Sheep cause of the stop motion

Chapter 16: To Kill A God.

Summary:

A group of admins arrived to take down John Doe and his little group of friends, they all run away to a convinience store to recuperate but end up fighting them anyways.

     1x1x1x1 coughed as smoke filled his lungs, blinking away the debris he struggled to stand up, his ankle sprained as he tried to throw him to shield the red child earlier from the massive explosion. Looking down at his arms he can hear c00lkid screaming in pain, tears dripping to the once warm hardwood floors now dirtied by rubble.

 

“Shh it's okay, it's okay, c’mon kid we can get out here- argh!” He tried to stand up to pick up the child but it was no use, the sprain in his ankle wasn't just a sprain, the pain shot up through his left leg.

 

 It was a broken bone.

 

c00lkid continued to scream in his arms asking for his father, the scene nearly broke 1x1x1x1 reminding him of memories he wanted to push down beneath his feet so far he can't dig it back up. His closed his eyes shut forcibly trying to chase the memory away.

 

---

 

“Stop screaming, it shall pass” The voice of his creator spoke, low and as if insulted by the sight of him.

 

“But it hurts!” 1x1x1x1 said as he clutched at his side, blood dripping from the side of his mouth.

 

“You are human, it will always hurt” He replied, uncaring.

 

“Then- then I don't want to be human"

 

His creator chuckled, amused. “Oh you will always be human, you can not change that, you will feel pain”

 

---

 

Breathing heavily he pushed through and stood up, the fire around the kitchen was already spreading near the living room and he had to act fast. Carrying the child with him the embodiment of hatred became the one and only hope c00lkid had to escape the fiery blaze of the nearly collapsing apartment. He ran down the stairs, wooden beams creaking as it dared to fall beneath his feet, he didn't know where 007n7 and Noli were among the flames, he hope and prayed that they were alive.

 

1x1x1x1 managed to run out of the burning building into streets where he found Mafioso standing amongst other people who also escaped the apartment building, eyes wide in shock as he stared at the embodiment of hatred running towards them, his leg limping as he tried to push down the pain that would shoot up his leg with every step of the way.

 

John Doe stood beside him holding his arm whilst Chance was a few steps away looking at the red child in 1x1x1x1's arm in horror.

 

"Maf- mafioso, the kid" The neon green man said as he handed the red child to the mafia boss, coughing from the smoke, he felt an arm steady him and as he looked up he found his friend still hiding underneath the hood of his jacket.

 

"Where are the others?" John Doe asked looking around for any sign of 007n7 and Noli.

 

"I don't know it, it happened out of nowhere-" He coughed again and that's when blood appeared on his hands.

 

"#### man, we need to get you to a hospital if I can't fix that" The half-corrupted hacker said as he turned to Mafioso who was still carrying c00lkid in his arms, frozen in shock. "Mafioso? Mafioso we need to move" he said trying to shake the man, bringing him back to reality.

 

A few seconds later he spoke up, nodding as he looked at John Doe.

 

"I- right, we need to go" Mafioso said after some hesitance as he pulled out his radio, contacting his goons. 

 

His goons appeared a few minutes after, with Consigliere driving the Lincoln Continental, as they filed out the mafia boss handed them the child first seeing he needs the medical attention the most. 1x1x1x1 declined in riding in the car to go to the warehouse as he surmised that the admins already know where he is, if he ends up tagging along then that would compromise c00lkid's situation, especially since he's 007n7's child he may be used for bait to lure them out.

 

Chance did come with them as he isn't a part of the hitlist, that and he assumed someone needs to look after the red child, someone with a familiar face who he wouldn't be scared off, he took Rosso with him, holding the pet carrier carefully in his hands.

 

Mafioso stayed with the two, he trusted the goons enough and even if Eunoia does find out...he knows she'll understand what kind of trouble he just brought in the server.

 

With the car gone driving off c00lkid into safety along with Chance, the mafia boss gave out a sigh of relief before another explosion appeared from behind the three of them, 

 

1x1x1x1 looked up at the burning apartment and swore. "Mother######, why did they send him"

 

Above the burning building stood a Roblox admin barely anyone saw, nor was he popular enough, he was only known for making one world within Robloxia, a world that mostly revolved around natural disasters appearing at random, 1x1x1x1 knew of his reputation.

 

Stickmasterluke or simply known as Luke stared down at the trio, face hidden behind his white cloak. The man just stared at them from down below before another contender appeared.

 

That's when John Doe realized they didn't just send one admin, a whole group is here, nearly the entire administrative group is surrounding him as he felt pieces of their code overwhelm his senses with each move they made around the suburbs. It felt like they were prey thrown into a enclosed space filled with a pack of lions.

 

Mr. Doombringer stood behind Luke, hefting his heavy hammer on his shoulder, crouching as he too looked down. He's most likely the reason for the second explosion earlier, and the first coming from Stickmasterluke himself.

 

"We have you cornered now John Doe, so stop running"

 

1x1x1x1 felt his face pale at the voice he knew who that belonged to, thankfully his friend didn't turn around to meet the face of his creator.

 

"Lose the hood too you look hilarious with it, trying to blend in?" 

 

The admin's footsteps were light as he approached from behind before circling around the trio, his wings dragging behind him, feathers falling as he then stopped in front of the apartment building, his black robes also dragging along.

 

"And here we thought you two disappeared into the void, turns out you were hiding in a dingy apartment owned by a debt collector no less" He turned around facing them as he clasped his hand together. "Unfortunate we have to cut your domestic bliss, it was fun while it lasted”

 

Telamon stood unbothered by the surrounding chaos brought by the explosion and fire mixing together in the background like a dramatic movie set as another explosion was set off, his cloak whipping in the air as the shockwaves flew by.

 

Despite the dark hood covering half of his face 1x1x1x1 can feel the underlying disdain he had, as if judging him for being so carefree and enjoying a false facade of normalcy. Even with the broken ankle he prepared himself for what's to come, his hand ready to pull out his daemonshank.

 

“Come with us calmly and no harm shall be done unto you-”

 

"Move away!" Everyone turned their attention to the voice, and they all saw 007n7 running at them at full speed carrying a steel pipe behind him.

 

Mafioso grabbed John Doe by the hood while the half-corrupted hacker dragged 1x1x1x1 with him as they narrowly avoided the incoming pipe.

 

A steel pipe flew towards Telamon hitting him at his side distracting him, he yelped in pain as he clutched his side falling to the sidewalk. 1x1x1x1 nearly jumped up and cheered but he couldn't with his current predicament, he also didn't want to cheer so loudly , the retired hacker ran towards the three of them, hands swift as he typed out the code on his coolgui as he teleported everyone out of the suburbs landing them behind a gas station.

 

007n7 panted as he wiped the sweat off his brow as he put his coolgui away, flickering into absence.

 

"Oh my god I hit Telamon" The retired hacker exclaimed as he realized what he just did, he buried his face in his hands embarrassed.

 

 

"No way! you hit him?!" Noli said who was behind the gas station's convenience store as he ran up to his friend, draping an arm around him in excitement. "You should be proud that's a once in a lifetime achievement buddy"

 

John Doe set 1x1x1x1 down on the parking lot of the convenience store as he checked his foot, with just a flick of his hand and inexplicable words he typed out a script fixing the broken ankle. The embodiment of hatred seethed through his teeth as he felt the pain subside, he immediately stood up without his friend's help and complained.

 

"I didn't expect them to bring the whole team" 1x1x1x1 scoffed at the notion.

 

John Doe then replied as he stood up from the parking lot. "What we should be asking is how they managed to find us, none of us stepped out of the border-"

 

"Wait...Elliot did"

 

They all turned around hearing the mafia boss's overly critical yet simple answer. It all dawned on them that the pizza worker must have reported them all to his well-known relative, Builderman. Now Mafioso didn't want to assume the boy's morals and where he stood, but the fact is, the boy left the border leaving Chance all on his own as he went off presumably to report them.

 

And that's how the current admin team chasing them pinpointed Mafioso's apartment, that bastard.

 

But he did recall how he wasn't that much agreeable the moment he began to live in his apartment, he'd be hesitant to even enter the kitchen or sit down with them, he'd always take his food into the temporary stockroom turned bedroom.

 

"That little- I knew he was up to something!" The embodiment of hatred exclaimed loudly as he shouted.

 

007n7 spoke up as he fixed his glasses. "He wasn't actually that open to anyone back in the apartment...that and he held a grudge against me" 

 

"Remember when he said he knew why we were all gathered there?" Noli added, tone serious lacking the usual whimsy. "He wasn't buddy buddy with anyone at all"

 

As they said their complaints John Doe merely stepped close to Mafioso, this time his hand brushed against his as he spoke up close to his ear so that only they could hear each other as they talked.

 

"That was quick of you to find out it was Elliot who ratted us out"

 

"Well...there isn't anyone else I can say who would report us" He replied, tone flat showing no extreme reaction unlike the others voicing out their complaints in the background.

 

"Did you expect it?"

 

"Yes" The mafia boss nodded once, before turning his face slightly to look at John Doe directly. "But I had some hope he wouldn't report us despite his relations to an admin”

 

The half-corrupted hacker paused, his brows furrowed as he frowned hearing the man’s response. “You knew…yet you let him and Chance stay?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“I’m sorry your apartment was blown up, I should have left sooner-” His apology was cut short as he felt his own corrupted hand intertwine with a leather gloved hand, his frown was replaced with an expression close to a pleasant surprise, he hadn’t expected the mafia boss to hold his hand much less the one infected with corruption.

 

“If you did leave, how would I have known you liked me? It would have been annoying to me not knowing you were withholding certain feelings towards me” 

 

“I…” The half-corrupted hacker laughed quietly at the genuine reply. “Did you also know about that then?”

 

“No actually, if you weren’t so blunt that night then I would have never known, and you…” Mafioso leaned closer, his leather gloved hand clasped tighter around John Doe’s. “You’d have a nagging feeling eating away at you wondering what would have been if you did confess”

 

“Oh that’s true” another quiet laugh followed.

 

“Don’t feel guilty for my apartment, I knew from the start you brought trouble, seeing your face in my sidewalk already had me thinking of the possibilities that may happen but somehow you managed to stay long enough you made me reconsider what I assumed about you and that alone is surprising to me, I don’t know what I saw in you that made me rethink maybe ” 

 

The mafia boss reassured the half-corrupted hacker, their moment ended abruptly as 1x1x1x1 called out to them loudly, turning their attention to the embodiment of hatred as they saw him stand at the glass doors, the other hackers are already gone, possibly inside of the convenience store.

 

“Can you make out later and get in you ###holes? We’re running from a team of admins and you’re just talking outside!”

 

“Shut the #### up 1x” He promptly raised a middle finger to his friend but Mafioso pushed down his hand glaring at his rude response.

 

“Don’t do that” The mafia boss reprimanded him.

 

“Sorry” reply was immediate.

 

1x1x1x1 started to bark out a laugh seeing the half-corrupted hacker so compliant, he’d never seen his friend act like before aside from him recalling certain fading memories about John Doe and Jane Doe’s earlier relationship when they just started dating, it reminded him of that fondly.

 

“Oh stop laughing, you too should hold your tongue on profanities” Mafioso said as he pointed at 1x1x1x1, he and the half-corrupted hacker then walked towards the convenience store.

 

It seems that Noli and 007n7 walked in earlier than them and chose a table in the far off corner near the bathroom, the mafia boss assumed it was better than the tables near the wide glass windows, they need to hatch a proper plan first on how they can all leave but Mafioso isn’t sure if he’s part of the plan as the admins didn’t seem to have plans on hurting him but since Telamon mentioned his apartment and how a debt collector owned it maybe the admin team roaming around Dreamsphere are on the lookout for him too.

 

Which is concerning to say the least.

 

Sitting down with the group, John Doe sat to Mafioso's left as 1x1x1x1 joined 007n7n and Noli on the opposite side of the table. 

 

The retired hacker was crying into his hand as his purple masked friend comforted him.

 

“It's fine man you didn't know they were going to explode the apartment-”

 

“My kid nearly died!” He exclaimed, removing his hand from muffling his sobs. “What excuse is that for me not being able to save him? If 1x didn't grab him in time he would have been thrown out of the apartment because of the blast!” 007n7 returned to his sobbing session as Noli sighed, rubbing a hand behind his back.

 

A sigh too was heard from 1x1x1x1 as he stood up not long after he sat down as he nodded his head towards the aisles. “John c’mon, let's buy some food, I'm starving while he…uh…” His eyes went to the crying father and he looked away. “Yeah while he does that”

 

The half-corrupted hacker joined his friend standing up as he left Mafioso with the other two hackers. He felt the mafia boss's eyes on him from behind staring, he thought nothing of it.

 

In fact he liked it.

 

It was no surprise that 1x1x1x1 was hungry, they had no dinner after all. Now that he thought about it, everyone in the group actually had no dinner so he thought maybe he should buy snacks for everyone as an alternative.

 

Walking through the convenience store aisles he and the embodiment of hatred skimmed through the options, it's a typical convenience store with either branded or imported goods and the usual knock-off brands parents buy for their kids that are dirt cheap. Something bright and pastel caught John Doe's eyes, he made a pivot returning to where that brightly colored packaging was from and his gaze landed on a cup with an obnoxious cartoon drawing of a girl holding breadsticks. Picking up the plastic cup he realized it was breadsticks packaged with a strawberry sauce for dipping, he knew c00lkid liked sweets so he took that with him just in case this entire ruckus was over.

 

1x1x1x1 on the other hand was piling his arms with an assortment chips and instant cup noodles.

 

“Is that even healthy?” He commented on his friend's chosen pick of food.

 

“You're starting to sound like Mafioso”

 

John Doe crossed his arms at the notion, face deadpan.

 

“Alright alright- I'll pick some actual food out from the front register”

 

As they walked closer to the counter John Doe looked over to their right and had to take a closer look at the varied sandwiches and microwavable food within the glass fridge, he knew Mafioso wouldn't like junk foods and decided to open it surveying if the mafia boss would be into tuna or ham and cheese, he picked both since he too didn't feel like eating instant cup noodles for dinner.

 

When he returned to the counter 1x1x1x1 replaced the now unconscious cashier, currently laid on the floor.

 

John Doe frowned at the sight.

 

“What? not my fault I'm that famous”

 

“Infamous, not famous” The half-corrupted hacker corrected, he didn't expect the cashier to faint at the sight of seeing 1x1x1x1 though that was a bit extreme, usually people just gasp and point then cower at some ill-begotten corner.

 

“Same thing-” The embodiment of hatred shrugged then stretched out his hand. “alright pay up boy”

 

John Doe chuckled at his friend playing cashier at the register, setting down the packed sandwiches he allows 1x1x1x1 to scan them. The half-corrupted hacker did pay for it as he handed it to the neon green man's hand still acting as cashier. Once it was all done 1x1x1x1 jumped over the counter as he grabbed his goods.

 

As they finished up paying for it all, they walked away leaving the unconscious cashier behind the register but 1x1x1x1 had some decency in him and went back to make the cashier sit upright before nodding and running off back to their table in the far off corner.

 

John Doe sat back down beside Mafioso as he handed him the two sandwiches, it was still cold from the fridge so of course the mafia boss looked at it weirdly, either that or he didn't like what the half-corrupted hacker bought for him as his so called dinner.

 

He paid 55 robux for that though…inflation is a pain.

 

“It's cold” He says outright.

 

“Yeah? you need to microwave it” John Doe replied as he grabbed a bag of chips from 1x1x1x1's pile.

 

“Well now that just takes up time, can't they just store it in a warmer place?”

 

“You aren't used to this aren't you” A faint smile began to form on the half-corrupted hacker as he shook his head amused, he stood up again taking the microwavable sandwiches from Mafioso. “Let's go microwave it”

 

Mafioso followed suite as he left the table with John Doe, the embodiment of hatred looked at them warily before throwing a cup of instant noodles at his friend's head. 

 

“Boil that for me!”

 

The half-corrupted hacker caught it in time before it fell to the ground and he just threw it right back at 1x1x1x1 landing at his face, thrown like a professional baseball player.

 

“You do that! I'm going to microwave sandwiches!” He complained at the request before turning around as he led Mafioso away from their table heading to the public microwave within the convenience store.

 

The mafia boss snorted momentarily catching John Doe's attention when they approached the microwave.

 

“You could have just taken the cup noodles”

 

“Yeah but I didn't want to, I'd like to prioritize you first” He replied leaning close to Mafioso, their eyes locking with each other as his gaze lowered intending to pull the man into another kiss like last time.

 

“What do you plan to do then, with the admins chasing you” The mafia boss quickly changed the subject as he took the packed sandwiches from John Doe throwing it in the microwave as it began to turn, with the press of his finger he typed 3:00 minutes into the appliance.

 

The half-corrupted hacker didn't hide the evident pout on his face but he did answer the question. “We’re already near the border so…007n7 can get me and 1x1x1x1 out first so that the attention will be taken away from them, after all me and him are high priority on the hitlist. But I am worried about the kid on how 007n7 can get him out-”

 

“It's fine I can take care of c00lkid until all this subsides, you can all run away now while you still have time”

 

“What about you?”

 

The faint hum of the microwave filled their silence as they stared at each other, Mafioso’s attention wavered as he looked away unable to answer it.

 

“Mafioso…you know I wouldn't be able to come back right?”

 

“...”

 

“Mafioso”

 

“Don't, just don't” He replied raising his hand in protest “like I've said before I knew what trouble you brought but I didn't expect for you to fall for me, do what you must so that you don't get hunted down by the admins even if it means you wouldn't see my face anymore”

 

“Mafioso no…I can't just up and go- I can't just forget about you-”

 

“You should be doing exactly that” The response was sharp, no space for John Doe to argue.

 

“You can't be serious, I just- ####, Mafioso don't do this to me”

 

Mafioso’s face began to contort to one who is guilty, ashamed, he felt as if he just led him on to believe he had a chance with him but really what chance did he have from the start?

 

He’s a corrupted hacker, and that's what everyone else sees.

 

“Stop saying my name like that, don't say it”

 

“Can't we work this out-”

 

“We can’t!” He shouted at him, breathing heavily as he closed the gap between them, arms tight around John Doe’s forearms as he shook him. “John look around you, 1x1x1x1 and c00lkid were nearly killed in an explosion, a whole team of admins is in this server hunting you down, my apartment is blown into pieces- what makes you think you can turn everything back to normal?!”

 

“Then come with me”

 

“What?” Mafioso’s eyes widened at the sudden reply.

 

“Come with me, to the city, I have a house we can live in, you don't need to worry about money and you don't need to work everyday. You can cook as much as you want and I’ll always be there” John Doe’s corrupted hand took Mafioso’s own as he pulled it away from his forearm raising it to his cheek, the warm touch of another seeping through him. “We don't need to hide, I don't need to hide, we’ll be safe from everything”

 

“John you're asking huge things, I can't leave Dreamsphere”

 

“Can't you? for me?” His eyes were pleading, begging for the man to just say yes and go with him, he didn't want to let go nor forget about the mafia boss.

 

“I want to but I can't…” Pulling his hand away Mafioso looked away, brows furrowed pained by his response “I'm sorry” 

 

---

 

They all walked out of the convinience store with full bellies albeit two out of the five of them looked like they’re about to cry, well yes 007n7 looked like he was about to cry, again. 

 

But John Doe was a rare case, the embodiment of hatred didn't eavesdrop on his friend’s conversation with the mafia boss out of consideration but seeing how the half-corrupted hacker went back to their table distraught he had to know what happened. 

 

Before he can ask the ground began to shake, cracks appearing beneath his feet. Turning around his eyes went wide as he instinctively pulled out his sword from his side as he blocked the incoming attack from Mr. Doombringer, his hammer heavy as he tried to withstand the force.

 

“You and your little gaggle of hackers really had to eat that badly?” The admin asked as he swiftly pulled away his hammer then went for another strike.

 

“We had no dinner you piece of ####, your admin friend exploded the kitchen!” He responded with malice as he withdrew his daemonshank, jumping in time before the hammer hit him.

 

Stickmasterluke soon joined the fray as he fell from the sky as he lunged at Noli intending to knock him unconscious, 007n7 acted quickly with his coolgui as he typed out a line of code for his clone to appear blocking the admin’s path effectively, the white cloaked man groaned at the impact as he instead was the one who almost got knocked out unconscious.

 

“What the hell man aren't we buddies? I promote world peace-” Noli exclaimed before yelping as 007n7 pushed him off to the side battling the admin instead head-on.

 

“Noli hit him from the back!” The retired hacker barked out orders as he continued fighting the white cloaked man with his clones and quick line of codes.

 

The purple masked hacker chuckled, a small screen flickering to his side as he too readied himself. “Yes sir”

 

Whilst the hackers and admins battled John Doe frozen on the spot as his corrupted eye began to flicker in and out as his vision blurred, Mafioso instead was the one who pulled him out of the situation as they went back into the convenience store running as they narrowly avoided debris flying in the air. The windows shook from every impact the blows the ongoing fight was producing. The mafia boss didn't understand why the half-corrupted hacker froze up but he began to shake him out of it.

 

“John! John you imbecile snap out of it!”

 

The half-corrupted hacker merely had a blank face, no words coming out of his mouth.

 

“Goddamnit- John you need to get away!-”

 

The door to the convenience store opened, announcing the presence of someone very tall and imposing, the same familiar light footsteps. Another also followed closely behind but no footsteps were heard. 

 

Mafioso straightened up immediately hearing the footsteps as he dragged John doe’s heavy body across the white tiles of the convenience store, quietly he opened the bathroom as he locked himself in with the half-corrupted hacker. Backed into the furthest corner as he tried to shake the man awake again.

 

“C’mon you- wake up!” He slapped John Doe albeit he was against that but he needed him to snap out of the trance soon or else they become a pile of rubble.

 

Then, the door to the bathroom opened.

 

Mafioso turned his attention to the door he was sure he locked and he too froze up.

 

Telamon stood at the doorway, hand behind his back as he looked down at the pair as if amused by what he was seeing.

 

“It seems the corruption is more worse than I thought…” He commented, but before he took a step inside the mafia boss swiftly pulled out a gun from inside his trench coat, pointed directly at the admin’s forehead, his finger ready on the trigger.

 

“One step and I blow your head out, you are no godly being to me” 

 

“That's a first” Telamon laughed as he raised his hands to his head. “I assure you we won't harm a civilian, you were probably coerced into taking him in if I'm correct? he threatened you, in fact I believe he’s controlling you which I worry dearly so”

 

“He had never done that” The barrel of his gun turned, the bullet loaded. “What were you saying earlier, about the corruption”

 

“Ah yes the corruption, you see Mr. John Doe has a special condition called corruption, it has infected his right arm plaguing him for years, it has finally reached his brain and has started to change him from the inside out, playing with Roblox code isn't ethical much less safe” The admin still didn't move from the door way, hands still in the air. “He played with Roblox code Mr. Don Sonnellino, or were you not that much aware of his background?”

 

Mafioso's hand didn't waver the slightest with the gun when he heard his real name, he knew what Telamon is playing at and he isn't going to break down.

 

“Don't stray from the topic, what is the corruption doing to him”

 

“Well…in the simplest ways I can say it, it's changing him, he is barely human anymore, his brain is muddled with memories he can't organize and he often has episodes where he reacts violently to people especially in Robloxia, I'm sure you know of his past crimes, anarchy, property damage and the like, he moved with no mercy and affected hundreds of lives if not thousands” Slowly the admin took a step, that's when a shot was fired going straight to his wing making him halt his movements, the pain was…it hurt him. 

 

“One more step” The barrel clicked again as it loaded another bullet. “And you will lose your wing, I've shot countless bullets with a rifle before so much so the barrel melted, I'm betting I'll do the same with this gun”

 

Telamon didn't move, amazed at the simple human being so defiant, it made him look at the mafia boss with curiosity. “You…you are interesting little human”

 

“I've heard that twice and it is making me rethink on the type of people I'm attracting”

 

“Usually people look at me in awe and fear yet you dare raise your gun at me claiming I'm no God, very interesting indeed” The admin crouched by the doorstep as he looked at the pair inquisitively, he noticed how protective the man was with John Doe, how he held him in his arms with utmost care. Almost as if he loved him. “You care for Mr. John Doe?”

 

“Yes” He answered without a second beat.

 

“Despite his abnormalities?”

 

“Why should I care about that? he's him, he's John Doe and will always be John Doe”

 

Telamon sighed at the response, reminding him of his own problems with his little spawn of hatred. “Oh how I wish to learn that”

 

The mafia boss’s eyes squinted at the admin, frankly suspicious with his actions and how he responds. “If I give him up to you…what will you do”

 

“Obviously he will be blacklisted from almost every world and server then confined to the Roblox headquarters”

 

“Would you…would you be able to help him? his corruption?”

 

“I'm afraid not, if only he stopped running sooner then we wouldn't be in this situation” Telamon stood up from where he crouched at the doorstep as he ushered in another admin. “Dusekkar, help me with Mr. John Doe, and so please escort Mr. Don Sonnelino safely, I would like him to be checked if he were infected with the corruption”

 

Dusekkar floated to his side, the blue pumpkin on his head unmistakably him. “I believe he is not, he seems to not be showing signs of transmission”

 

Mafioso’s eyes darted from between the two admins as he held John Doe closer to his chest, not wishing for the man to fall into their hands.

 

“Very well then, let’s take-”

 

Telamon stopped speaking, breathing halted as well as he looked down to see a sword directly thrown into his heart. 

 

A perfect shot.

 

The pumpkin head wearing admin turned around quickly alarmed by the sudden attack before he too was attacked, thrown through the left of the concrete wall by 007n7 now bearing Mr. Doombringer's hammer heaving hard as he tried to catch his breath, the admin immediately disappeared from the Telamon's side as if he wasn't there to begin with. Then, 1x1x1x1 appeared from behind Telamon pulling out the daemonshank as blood dripped on the white tiles of the convenience store.

 

He grabbed Telamon by his hood daring to come a mere inches from his face.

 

“Rot in the pits...creator” He whispered into the winged admin's ear as he kicked him away from the doorway. Telamon began to writhe in the ground as he looked up in shock to see the embodiment of hatred help up John Doe with the mafia boss as they hastily walked out.

 

Telamon didn't know what 1x1x1x1 had been up to ever since he had run away. But seeing his own spawn, worry and care for someone so mangled and disfigured it made him wonder if it were wrong of him in the first place to cast him out? As his vision blurred all he saw was the trio carrying the half-corrupted hacker into safety, he can barely hear what they were both shouting at each other but it was most likely concern about John Doe, the half-corrupted hacker.

 

Maybe he shouldn't call that man the embodiment of hatred after all.

Notes:

This was probably the longest update I've taken but anyways here it is! c00lkid doesn't die but who does? yessir Mr. Telamon over here.

Also I just realized I've been typing 1x1x1x1's name wrong the past chapters so I'm slowly editing those rahhhh

For those who guessed who the admins that appeared are congratulations have a cookie, they don't get much dialogue but that's a given since this story is focused on Mafioso and John only, I might make a spin off on their shenanigans on them chasing them down but it'll be like an anthology and explain what also happened to the other characters and how they ended up in Mafioso's apartment, like a mini-series.

Chapter 17: Decisions, decisions, decisions

Summary:

John Doe and the whole group narrowly escapes death as they hide out in Mafioso's warehouse to heal.

Then, they promptly leave in fear of the admins returning.

TW: Non-consensual touching/groping during John Doe's corruption infected dream, it turns freaky real fast so you can skip it if you get uncomfortable but I must warn you this will happen a lot more in the future chapters because of his corruption worsening, he'll get worse dreams

     John Doe opened his eyes and was nearly blinded by the glaring light from outside, wincing as he covered his eyes with the back of his arm. As his vision steadied he blinked looking around him, the soft comforter beneath his hands, the warm feeling of another person beside him. The blinds barely covered the room as he looked around, vision clear.

 

It didn't look like Mafioso's apartment, of course it wasn't, this was his house.

 

But why is the mafia boss beside him in bed? he can't recall clearly what happened, all he remembered was the sound of explosions, flying rocks and the faint voice of a child screaming. His right hand went up to his head clutching it as he struggled to remember, his temple throbbed as it tries to but can't.

 

Then he realized his right hand didn't feel like it emmited static anymore, he pulled it away as he looked at it confused.

 

Why is it normal?

 

"John?..." a familiar comfort washed over him as heard the man's voice. "Are you alright?"

 

John Doe sat up in his bed as he looked down at Mafioso, the man wore casual clothing, usually he'd see him still wear his dress shirt when he would sleep it was a rare occasion if he wore his more comfortable clothing. The mafia boss wore a loose white shirt, crinkled and cotton by the touch. Rubbing his eyes Mafioso also sat up beside the half-corrupted hacker, but John Doe isn't sure if he should continue calling himself that since...

 

The man immediately got out of bed as he searched around the room for a mirror, this doesn't feel real none of this does, how did he end up in his house in the first place and why is Mafioso with him, he can vaguely remember the mafia boss saying no to him so why is he here. He called out to him worried.

 

"John? what's wrong-"

 

Finding a door to his right he hastily opened it as he stumbled in, the varied bathroom supplies clattering as he rushed through, hands on the sink he looked at himself close on the mirror as his hand went up to inspect the right side of his face.

 

He looked...human.

 

No this was wrong he didn't look human, he had black marks on his right arm creeping up like an infectious vine of weed up to his neck, crawling to his right cheek as if it were a reminder of his past immature actions, it reminded him of how foolish he was.

 

"John?" Mafioso called out again as he approached him, he went behind the man's back, hands circling around his waist as he hugged him from behind. "Nightmares again?"

 

"I...I don't know" He replied unsure.

 

But what concerned him more now was not that he looked human, but the fact that Mafioso is being so touchy with him, since when has the mafia boss been like that.

 

"Tell me about it" The man behind him asked, his hand didn't feel warm to John Doe as it carded his hair.

 

"Wasn't I- didn't I not look like this before?" 

 

"You did, but you're fine now or was that your nightmare? you thought you were a monster again?"

 

"I think so?" He replied utterly confused with what was happening.

 

He then felt the man behind him slid down his hand from his waist bordering near the waistband of his pants, his other hand still running through the strands of his hair, it was supposed to bring him comfort by why did it feel so unfamiliar, it didn't feel right, this didn't feel like Mafioso.

 

"It's alright...you're fine John, you're human you aren't a disfigured man" Despite his affirmations John Doe didn't feel reassurance, then the man whispered near his ear. "I'll make you feel better"

 

The hand slid down his pants, his breath hitched at the contact feeling the palm of Mafioso's hand at his crotch. Immediately he pulled the man's out from his pants shocked by the sudden turn of events.

 

"What- what are you doing?" He asked, his confusion doubled.

 

"You don't want to? you always wanted me to distract you whenever you had night terrors"

 

"Well- maybe not?"

 

Mafioso- or the man behind him looked wary of his response, with the mirror in front John Doe saw how his expression contorted to one of mischief.

 

"You don't want that then? you want me to do something else?" He said as he whispered close to John Doe's ear again. "Get on my knees for you?"

 

"No, no- okay I just want to sit down for a while" The hacker outright declined on the spot as he pushed himself away from Mafioso heading back to the bed as he actually did sit down as he said before.

 

The man followed him into bed and sat down beside him, his hand went up to comfort him on his shoulder but John Doe flinched seeing it come near.

 

"John? are you sure you're fine? why are you pushing yourself away from me"

 

"I'm not I just- is this real?" He asked as he gestured to both the man in beside him and the house. "I don't remember being...human"

 

"You are human John, you've been for a long time"

 

"No I clearly remember-"

 

"No you weren't" Mafioso opposed him as his hands went to cup both of John Doe's cheeks, the corner of his eyes soft . "You aren't a monster you were never one"

 

John Doe felt himself being pushed down the soft matress of the bed enveloping him, the man in front of him slowly began to shift his position as he straddled his hips, the same hand from earlier began to drift downwards bordering near his waistband once more, it felt more like a threat that the man was inching closer to pulling down his pants, hooking it with his fingers.

 

Then, he woke up 

 

---

 

What met him instead was a small dark room, barely a light seeped through as he took in ragged breaths, hands fisting the bedsheets as he looked around frantically, it wasn't his house and there was no man beside him. A door opened to his left as finally light met his eyes, Mafioso stood at the doorstep, eyes tired despite the shadow he cast over the room John Doe can see his face so clearly. Thankfully it wasn't the same man he saw in his...dream, or nightmare, either in between he didn't like it because it didn't feel like the man standing before him now.

 

"If you're wondering where you are, we're at my warehouse, 1x1x1x1 told me he can't leave without you so...we all went here to hide" The half-corrupted hacker sat up wishing to respond before the mafia boss cut him off as he continued speaking, raising his hand. "Everyone is here, and if you're also wondering what happened to the admins the others managed to take them down, 007n7 teleported them back to roblox headquarters but I'm not sure how much time we have left before you and the others can escape-"

 

John Doe suddenly pulled the mafia boss into a tight embrace, burying his face in his chest.

 

"John?" He asked why the half-corrupted hacker seemed to be clingy, though yes he usually is but not like this. "Are you- you're sweating badly, you feel cold, are you alright?"

 

"Can we just...stay like this for a minute"

 

"Oh, alright..." Mafioso replied as he allowed the man to hug him tighter, as if he were afraid he'd be pulled away.

 

"I had a weird dream"

 

"And?"

 

"You were in it"

 

The mafia boss looked down at the half-corrupted hacker in his arms, slowly he pulled himself away as he sat to his left.

 

"I was? well people do say you dream about someone close to you and they appear so" He replied thoughtfully, he recalled one of his goons telling him that it was most likely Soldier as he would occasionally ramble about random facts to fill in time when they would drive to their destinations.

 

"You are someone I see close to me, maybe closer than that"

 

"But what happened in your dream why was it weird-"

 

"No- just no, I wouldn't like to talk about it"

 

John Doe avoids mentioning the dream again, he'd rather jump off a cliff than describe whatever went down in his little puny human brain because that was atrocious, he didn't want to think about how submissive the mafia boss was either in his dream.

 

It must have been the corruption adding more fuel to the fire, worsening his mental state by showing such a delusional dream to him.

 

Mafioso hummed in response, taking off his fedora hat he played with the ends of it, the frayed threads now more prominent after their little skirmish with the admins.

 

"Why wouldn't you come with me?" He suddenly asked bringing the topic up again.

 

The mafia boss sighed hearing him ask the question, setting aside his fedora hat he faced John Doe, tone careful as he tip-toed around the landmine of a topic.

 

"John...I just-"

 

"You're just going to say something stupid, like you have work here and you can't leave, you can leave Mafioso! what's holding you back from coming with me, living with me in fact, we'd be more safer than here"

 

"No that's not what I'm going to say, that was actually a very stupid reason I apologize for saying that before-" Mafioso's sentence was cut off once more as John Doe looked at him furious.

 

"No! you've got other reasons and I know they're going to be even more stupid than this, is there something wrong with me? is it me that's the problem?" He said gesturing to himself with his normal hand.

 

"I- no you're not the reason why I don't want to go with you John"

 

"Then what is it?!" His voice rose and Mafioso stood up, his temper snapping.

 

"I have a life here! you can't expect me to leave it all on a whim, just- just leave my employees, Eunoia, my work, my-"

 

"See? you just mentioned your work!" He too stood up as he jabbed a finger at Mafioso's chest angering the mafia boss even more at the action.

 

"Of course I had to mention my work it was the sole reason I've been here, the sole reason I'm living comfortably"

 

"I can also make you live comfortably! Mafioso I've got more than enough money to support both of us, we can go into hiding, we can live the life we want or the life you want"

 

Mafioso groaned at the increasing pace of their argument, pinching the bridge between his eyes as his other hand placed itself on his hip, arm akimbo, it was getting him nowhere near to convincing the half-corrupted hacker on letting him stay here in Dreamsphere. 

 

"Oh so now you're mad? oh please-" He rolled his eyes as he witnessed the man pace around the room. "What's keeping you so tethered to this place anyways"

 

"I said it before and I'm not saying it again, I have a life here John"

 

"And?" John Doe replied tone puzzled.

 

"And? and?! can't you see I have my own people here? I have a organization to tend to and manage" He responds by pointing to the door outside, the warehouse they currently reside in. "Don't expect me to leave everything for you"

 

The half-corrupted hacker looked as if he were struck in his chest again by the ban hammer, his eyes began to water hearing the exact words come from the mafia boss's mouth, he heard that correctly and it hurt him so. His stomach felt like it was going to purge out all the food he ate, his breath quickened as he tried to control himself from having an emotional breakdown within the stupid room of a warehouse. Clutching his throat he tried to stomp down the feeling of crying as he looked away turning his attention at anywhere but the man in front of him.

 

Mafioso realized his words too late, turning his harsh tone around he quickly walked towards John Doe trying to get his attention as he apologized. "Wait no, I didn't mean it like that-"

 

"No- no you did mean that! I'd leave everything for you, throw away everything and you just come up and say you wouldn't do the same thing?!" He shouted at the mafia boss as the man tried to wrangle him into an embrace hoping to soothe his loud cries.

 

"John- I just found out this week that you liked me can't you give me time to reconsider?, I'm not even sure if I do like you back and would enter a serious relationship so soon-"

 

John Doe began to sob even louder at the response as he collapsed to the floor with Mafioso now trying to hold him together following him down to the ground, he hugged him tightly wishing he shouldn't have said such hurtful words, he knew the half-corrupted hacker had attachment issues based on his past night terrors and he may have just added more salt to the wound.

 

"John, John I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that earlier that was wrong of me" He said as he carded through the man's bangs, carefully holding him.

 

"Don't leave me please" The half-corrupted hacker pleaded through his cries, his tears dropping to the cold concrete floor.

 

"I am sorry I really am"

 

"Come with me Mafioso please, I don't want to be alone again, I don't want to live in a house that doesn't feel warm, I want you, I want you to make me feel warm again"

 

If Mafioso thought he wouldn't cry now he absolutely would, he had never cried in front of John Doe before and he had always deafened his emotions into a calm composure, the only time the man saw him lose it is when he chased down Chance in the supermarket. He held back the sounds of sobbing within his throat as he let out a shaky breath still holding the half-corrupted hacker in his arms.

 

As they sat on the floor after their heated argument John Doe buried his face in Mafioso's chest, his cries now simmering to a few hiccups as he tried to calm himself down.

 

"I shouldn't be forcing you to come with me that was kinda delusional" He said after a few second of silence between them.

 

"No it isn't, John it's okay, I understand you don't want to be alone but you should also consider that...I'm my own person, I have other people too not just you, I can't leave the life I made here out of nowhere, give me time"

 

"Would you promise you'll come find me when you had enough time to think?" He asked, voice slightly muffled as it was still buried in Mafioso's chest.

 

"I...that could be arranged" Mafioso nodded agreeing.

 

"Promise me"

 

"Promise you?" The mafia boss volleyed the request back wondering what the man meant by it.

 

"Promise that you'll find me"

 

Mafioso gently pulled John Doe's face away from his chest, cradling his face in his hands as he looked at the half-corrupted hacker with soft eyes.

 

"I will, I'll look for you, I'll look all over Robloxia to see you again"

 

---

 

1x1x1x1 stared off into the distance of the dense forest as the harsh winds whipped at his hair.

 

It was already winter.

 

The warehouse behind him was filled with sounds of ugly crying as c00lkid clinged unto Mafioso's arm not wishing to go back.

 

The mafia boss looked calm as always, mentioning the red child he'd visit them if he can. Meanwhile the goons behind him were adding volume to the cries as they waved goodbye to the kid, they must have felt heartbroken tending to the wounded red child last night and now that c00lkid was patched up they can't help but cry. They probably also played with him before he left.

 

"Nooo, boss man come with us!" c00lkid continued to cry as 007n7 tried to pull him away gently, prying his hands away from Mafioso.

 

"I'm sorry kid I can't, but you and your father need to go you aren't safe here anymore"

 

"C'mon c00lkid we have to go home- oof!" The poor retired hacker was elbowed in the face by his own son as c00lkid proceeded to run towards John Doe who was standing behind Mafioso by a few feet.

 

"Mr. Doe! tell boss man to come with us!" He pleaded.

 

John Doe's gaze moved from the child to the mafia boss who was now staring back at him, he knew he can't actually grant that wish, much less force Mafioso into coming with them.

 

"It's up to Mafioso if he wants to come with us c00lkid I can't force him..." Ruffling the child's hair he carried him on his shoulders as 007n7 sighed.

 

With the kid now calmer than before he pulled up his coolgui, the small screen flickering into existence as he typed out words and numbers, ready to teleport them out of the world back into the main city. The group gathered around as they said their farewells to the mafia boss, their gratitude and their waves of goodbye.

 

Chance then appeared behind Mafioso, walking as he handed Rosso back to him.

 

"You've got one large bunny"

 

"I do don't I?" The mafia boss replied as he cradled the giant flemish breed in his arms, though he knew Rosso will grow larger than he is now.

 

"I miss my one at home...he has a black coat though"

 

"What's his name?"

 

"Spade" The gambler replied smiling as he waved goodbye to Mafioso, he did run back and gave one last pet to Rosso before joining the group. 

 

The mafia boss chuckled at the gesture, he then placed down the large bunny at his feet as it began to hurt his arms with how heavy Rosso is.

 

The wind continued to blow past coldly as 1x1x1x1 felt a gentle pat on his shoulder and it was John Doe carrying c00lkid on his shoulders, gesturing for him that they need to leave now.

 

"You okay?" The half-corrupted hacker asked referring to his creator.

 

"I'm fine, for what it's worth he needed to die anyways..."

 

"You don't feel guilt? at all?"

 

"Why should I? he never treated me like I was his own" He responds coldly, matching the weather as he brushed past John Doe, the half-corrupted hacker knew the embodiment of hatred never had a great relationship with Telamon, but still...

 

His death was so sudden, and even if the reasoning behind it was to protect him during his vulnerable state it didn't sit right with him. Maybe it's because he was a well-known admin and his death will most likely have repercussions spreading throughout the entirety of Robloxia, he's expecting news for it to spread far and wide announcing that his own spawn of hatred killed him.

 

Still, 1x1x1x1 did what he had to do.

 

But that meant there were more eyes on them now, hackers, exploiters, griefers, Telamon's death will send a wave of outcry against criminals like them. He also isn't sure what Builderman will say in regards to the situation but it'll most certainly turn everyone's eyes at 1x1x1x1, he'll be mentioned everywhere.

 

"Alright everyone we good?" 007n7 shouted loudly, he then made a awkward expression realizing he made a squeaky sound at the end. "Okay, let's get out of here-"

 

"Wait"

 

Everyone turned their heads to the voice and it seems that the half-corrupted hacker had a few things to say before he leaves. Setting down c00lkid carefully from his shoulders, the child looked at him confused before he slowly walked towards Mafioso, eyes laser-focused on the man before him.

 

Before he knew it John Doe grabbed his jaw, kissing him forcefully.

 

The group stared mostly in surprise at the scene unfolding before them, 1x1x1x1 made a sound close to a snort while 007n7 shielded his child's eyes fearing c00lkid's innocence was stripped away too much already if he were to see John Doe and Mafioso kissing. Noli on the other hand whisteled loudly, as if supporting them.

 

The half-corrupted hacker pulled away taking in deep breaths, but he placed one last kiss on Mafioso's cheek, a small peck. The mafia boss clearly looked shocked at the sudden gesture as his fingers went to slightly graze his lips that were warmly kissed.

 

"Come find me okay? please" He begged as he slowly wrapped his arms around the man, his face in the nook of his neck as he breathed him in.

 

"Yes...I will" Mafioso replied as he placed his hand on his hair, gently petting him.

 

"I love you"

 

Three words, it was three words alone that could make the hardened mafia boss lose composure, for all his life he'd only heard such affectionate words from his own mother, he barely heard such things from his father. Hearing those same words come from a man who barely knew him a shy number of near a month only, he had to question once again how this infamous hacker fell for him.

 

Was it the glaring obvious fact that he reminded him of his former wife? Was he just a substitute to fill in the gaps of that broken relationship?

 

Or does John Doe truly love him.

 

Mafioso pushed the man away from him as he turned to look away, crossing his arm over his chest as a hand went up to his mouth trying to muffle any sound that dared to escape him.

 

"Mafioso?" The half-corrupted hacker was confused by the response, his hand wanted to reach out and ask him why he did that. "Maf-"

 

A voice called out for John Doe turning his attention away from the mafia boss.

 

"John we gotta go, now" 1x1x1x1 insisted, his face stern as he watched John Doe try to talk with Mafioso.

 

"But I-" He tried to reason but failed.

 

"Now"

 

Hastily he went back to the group still looking at the mafia boss, the embodiment of hatred nodded towards 007n7 signaling for him to teleport them out of Dreamsphere. Pressing his finger on the code he wrote out on the coolgui they slowly began to fizzle away from the server, pixels floating in the air as each one of them disappeared.

 

John Doe stared at Mafioso one more time, possibly the last he'll ever see of the man, his face scrunched up in pain.

 

But Mafioso didn't look back.

Notes:

Quick update rahhhh

As always your comments make me so happy and push this fic onwards to be completed!

Freaked yall out with that first portion huh, that dream is basically what's going on in John Doe's mind when the corruption is getting unstable, it'll unearth really nasty things but somehow it decided to be freaky this time around instead of flashbanging him bad memories.

Chapter 18: Things that happen at 12:00 am

Summary:

Mafioso sulks as John Doe and the group leaves Dreamsphere, his goons come up with ways to help find the half-corrupted hacker.

At night he ends up thinking of more indecent thoughts of John Doe, meanwhile the hacker too thought of Mafioso, though maybe not of his own volition, it was just a hallucination.

Notes:

Warning: NSFW

There's smut in this chapter. Yes. Smut.

Mafioso is mafiosing it.

     Soldier sighed as he finally fixed the dent on the Lincoln Continental, Mafioso's most prized possession. Hopefully the mafia boss doesn't see the fixed dent because it would've broken his spirits more than it is now with all his muffled crying from his room.

 

The goons weren't in a really good place at the moment especially since Mafioso began to be more strict with them but it was most likely because his supposed lover left him, hence the more irritable mood.

 

Or that's what they all assumed.

 

Despite the closed door to his temporary room due to his apartment being blown up, the goons can hear the mafia boss sobbing loudly, they tried to nudge Caporegime into talking with the man but he declined saying his job is more important than an attempted murder because Mafioso may as well throw them to the wall and they'd die then and there if they'd even try and think of comforting his sorrows.

 

"He's been crying non-stop for days now..." Contractee said, whispering among them as he shuffled the playing cards, their game of poker now over.

 

Consigliere then spoke up, putting away the reloaded guns. "Who was it that broke his poor heart anyway-"

 

"The hacker" Caporegime said out loud, he realized that time when Mafioso asked him advice about confessions he was most likely referring to someone who confessed to him. "John Doe"

 

"No shot! that ###hole broke our boss's heart?!" Soldier exclaimed before everyone shushed his blabbermouth, he lowered his voice by volume and whispered an apology.

 

"No way the infamous hacker? John Doe?" Consigliere asked the fellow goon, making sure he heard it right.

 

"Saw them sleeping together in bed in that very room" Caporegime pointed to the same room Mafioso is crying loudly in "I don't think it gets more obvious than that buddy"

 

"Wait Capo, my guy, are you sure? I mean- I'm not saying our boss ain't into guys but how are you sure he fell for that hacker" Soldier asked, perplexed on how their stone-faced boss could have taken a liking to someone so chaotic in nature, total opposites they both are.

 

"I don't understand it either" Said Contractee as he put away the deck of cards into his pocket.

 

Consigliere then nodded, shrugging. "Eh me too, they're so...it's like they're on different planes"

 

"Different planes what do you mean by that you talking like some smart### here Connie" Soldier spoke up, wishing for a more informal conversation.

 

"No no- like they're in different worlds, mafia boss and a infamous hacker? straight out of some wacky cartoon show plot I tell you" Consigliere added as he took out a cigarette from his cigar holder, lighting it, with the cigarette in his mouth he spoke once more. "And- how'd that even work I mean it's crazy"

 

"Crazy that they like each other? no doubt about that" Contractee shook his head sighing.

 

Soldier then spoke up "Okay but seriously what do we do with our boss? can't let him mope around in his room then come out all angry cause his hacker fella left him" 

 

"None of us are brave enough to do that Soldier, you think I want to die young?" Caporigime argued, yes he truly doesn't want to die at this age, not when he has a steady income of money.

 

The warehouse became silent as they decided on who should approach the mafia boss with his current problem, they ended up casting votes on who should go and unfortunately it was all three against one as Soldier got votes off to visit the mafia boss in his room.

 

"Wha- this ain't fair!" The goon protested with the decision as he glared at everyone.

 

"Nothin' in life is fair, democracy is though so-" Caporigime gestured to the room with his hands "off you go" 

 

"Yall better call up a funeral plan and my health insurance" before Soldier turned to meet his doom Consigliere threw him a wine bottle from under the table that they were supposed to drink, the goon caught it before it even fell smashing to the ground into glass pieces. Soldier glared at his fellow goon, nearly catching him off guard.

 

"For good luck" Consigliere said, smirking.

 

---

 

"Boss?" Soldier said quietly as he opened the door letting himself in the temporary bedroom.

 

All the blinds were shut, barely any light met the room's cold atmosphere, closing the door behind him the goon approached his boss carefully to the bed where Mafioso was hiding under blankets. Soldier took a deep breath before coming closer and shaking the mafia boss awake.

 

"Get out" The man spoke up as he hid himself even more under the blankets.

 

"Boss..." He said worried, sighing, he pulled away his hand as his voice became serious. "We can't let you fester in your room all day and night then come out only when there's a job to do"

 

"What else is there to do? my apartment is gone, most of my belongings are gone" Mafioso then added, as if avoiding to say his name. 

 

"He's gone too"

 

Soldier looked at his boss in pity, he sat beside his slumbering body still holding the wind bottle in his hands.

 

"I know it hurts when someone has to leave because they need to and you can't follow them, reminds me of my pet dog, it isn't the same situation you are in boss but...of course you already know what happened to him, I had to give him to my niece and of course what stupid ###hole am I to keep him while I have such dangerous work like this? People can hold a grudge against people like us" He paused seeing Mafioso shift in his position, seeing that the mafia boss was actually listening he continued speaking.

 

"Maybe that's what your fella though too, he had to leave to protect you because he's doing dangerous work like me, but you have a choice boss, you can go to him, follow him, I know you're a strong man and can handle whatever is thrown your way, hell- what happened a few days ago with your apartment shocked me! You held a good composure while everything was burning around you and you even managed to call me and the goons to save a kid"

 

Mafioso began to sit up slowly listening closer to his cheerful goon talk him out of bed-rotting in his bed, he wore casual clothing, the white loose shirt and gray sweatpants. He continued to listen attentively, blankets still hugging his body.

 

"So...you can go boss, don't worry about us, because we too are strong- like you! Eunoia can manage us don't worry bout' it"

 

The mafia boss stared at Soldier, eyes barely a light in his pupils, slowly he moved, and just when the goon thought he was about to embrace him then give a pat in his back as thanks-

 

He went straight for the wine bottle.

 

That wine bottle's contents were gone in mere minutes when the mafia boss set it down, completely empty.

 

---

 

Soldier somehow got out of the room unscathed with a disheveled looking mafia boss following in his steps holding the empty wine bottle. All the goons except Soldier went still as they sat ram-rod straight on the chairs surrounding the table that had playing cards strewn about. Mafioso groaned as he sat in one of the empty chairs placing the empty wine bottle, leaning forward he buried his face in his hands, elbows on the table.

 

Contractee awkwardly shuffled the cards as his eyes darted towards Soldier. "Uh...is the boss good or?"

 

"Of course he isn't you dumb#### don't you see? we have a broken soul right here" Soldier said as he placed his hand on Mafioso casually.

 

That's when their mafia boss began to sob, and they all turned their attention to him concerned. They all know Mafioso wasn't the kind to cry so openly even in front of them, the person who left him must have left such a deep wound in him that it's making the usually calm composed man so emotional.

 

"I should have gone with him..." He said, muffled by his hands.

 

"He asked you to come with him?-" Consigliere asked before he was shushed by Soldier who comforted their mafia boss.

 

"It's okay boss, you can still try and find him"

 

"I don't know where he went" and then he began to sob even more louder, ugly crying filling the halls of the warehouse as he slumped onto the table now hiding his face in his arms.

 

Even Soldier was stumped on how to deal with this peculiar situation with his mafia boss, he usually cheers up Mafioso to brighten his day but he figures that isn't viable right now with how bad he is crying into his arms. Soldier nudged Caporigime, seeing that the man is more competent than the rest and the mafia boss normally confides in him with issues, this one is more of a personal issue though.

 

With some hesitation Caporegime spoke up, tone careful. "Mafioso...if you would like we'd help find his whereabouts"

 

"We can't track him down normally, he hides himself behind coding so that the admins too wouldn't find him, how much more a normal human like me? we couldn't find him that easily"

 

"Then we'll find someone who can" Soldier piped up sensing what Caporegime is getting at.

 

"What?..." He replied as he finally raised his head from his arms, eyes red and puffy from crying for days on end.

 

"Yeah! remember that nice dad with his hyper kid? he'd know something about this" Contractee now too spoke up as all the goons began to support Mafioso in finding the half-corrupted hacker. "How about we ask him for help? What was his name again? seven? something with a lotta numbers in his name"

 

"007n7" He answered "I don't know where he lives either..."

 

"Oh" The goons all said in unison before their poor mafia boss returned to crying softly into his arms burying his face once more.

 

"Aw man...boss don't cry so much we get hurt seeing you like this" Soldier said comforting Mafioso as his hand made circles around his back trying to soothe his sobbing.

 

"We'll try and help you out the best we can!" Contractee exclaimed out loud before he heard Consigliere whisper under his breath.

 

"Are you sure that's a good plan? we don't know much outside Dreamsphere, much less our boss since he doesn't spend that much time in the other worlds"

 

Caporeigime answered the goon's question reassuring him. "We'll work something out, c'mon boss wipe those tears away"

 

The goon took a handkerchief from his pocket handing the mafia boss the white cloth, Mafioso turned his back to them as he wiped his tears away not wishing to show such a vulnerable sight to his goons. Soldier continued to comfort him with his hand on his back drawing circles with the palm of his hand.

 

---

 

It was a bit embarrassing to be frank, for Mafioso, a 34 year old employed man to be led back to his temporary bedroom like he needs help, he can walk back to his room perfectly fine, but his goons saw him cry so badly on the table earlier and now they all have some heroic sense drilled in them to help out their mafia boss in his complicated dilemma of trying to find John Doe.

 

Staring at the peeling wallpaper of the room, he tossed and turned in his bed unable to sleep with the thoughts nagging at the back of his brain.

 

His hands found themselves touching the same blankets the half-corrupted hacker used when he slept in the bed, ever since he left he'd begun to use that same blanket. Mafioso didn't understand what was pulling him to use it, the same pillow as well that he laid down on made him unintentionally cuddle it in his sleep more often than once, it made him feel ashamed trying to chase that feeling of warmth in some conventionally used items.

 

Why?

 

Why does he feel compelled to chase after him now that he left, he's chasing after a hacker for God's sake, and just yesterday he nearly tried to wear the worn out grey jacket John Doe used whenever he'd go out with him in public to hide, that same jacket was now inside a closet, tucked away in darkness.

 

Initially he never even planned to give him an answer back in regards to his confession but why are those feelings now rising beneath his usually unsympathetic attitude, he did want to admit that he liked how the half-corrupted hacker was around him. He liked his presence, albeit he carried such a chaotic one. 

 

But that kiss, that kiss just a few nights ago. It kept repeating in his head, and how domestic John Doe acted after, hugging him from behind, burying his face in his neck as he kissed it trailing the warmth of his lips down to his collarbone.

 

He wanted to feel like that again.

 

But why is the question, why? What does he see in that half-corrupted hacker that's now making him gravitate towards him. Was it his unusual matureness in certain situations when he's usually sarcastic and doesn't take things seriously? Was it him being unconventionally attractive? Well yes that's actually true, Mafioso now had that crawling feeling of attraction towards him.

 

Or was it the fact that John Doe had been the first to actually try and understand him, sure they argued but the man actually tried to understand his own side of the coin.

 

Not once had Mafioso met someone so debatable, he remembered how uncooperative the half-corrupted hacker had been when he'd patched up his wounds and then he would proceed to say something sarcastic. He missed those days when it was simpler and now look where he is.

 

He misses him.

 

And he hates knowing that he does.

 

Suddenly he stood up shrugging off the warm blankets as he approached the brown closet doors, opening it he reached inside shuffling through his hanged and folded clothes before finding a familiar worn grey jacket, unfolding it he hesitatingly brought it to his face, he felt embarrassed that he was doing this but it's pulling him to do so.

 

Closing the closet doors he went back to he went back to the bed, holding the worn grey jacket he finally brought it up to meet his face breathing in the scent, John Doe used the same detergent as him when he did the laundry so all their clothes smelled the same. He laid down, the worn grey jacket still up to his face as he cuddled it close.

 

"God...what am I doing?" He said under his breath as he pulled the worn grey jacket away from his face, a small red tint rising to his cheeks, flushed as he ran a hand through his face feeling how warm he was.

 

"Control yourself Sonnellino" Mafioso added, reminding himself by saying his real name, maybe that'd help take him out of the state he is in.

 

But no, his stupid uncontrollable hands decided to push the worn grey jacket up to his face once more taking in the scent of the one who once wore it, something began to churn down his abdomen as he continued to smell the clothing, he felt himself become warmer and gradually the room to felt like it was too warm.

 

Mafioso missed his presence, he'd chase after that same warmth, those same hands that would touch him so carefully as if the half-corrupted hacker were scared he'd run if he did too much. But he wants that, he wants that now. Those times when John Doe would tease him for being such a closed off person when it came to physical contact rang back in his head, he wanted that man to touch him, touch him in ways that wouldn't be appropriate to say out loud.

 

He felt slightly light-headed, eyes dilated as he moved not of his own volition but to the wants of his body, he grabbed a pillow, coincidentally the same pillow John Doe slept in with. He didn't know what he was doing and he didn't want to remember what he did tonight either.

 

Mafioso is going to regret doing this when he wakes up in the morning.

 

Moving slowly he went on all fours hovering over the pillow as he looked down on the jacket in his hands, he placed it down on the pillow staring at it wondering what's compelling him to do this, it annoyed him, there's so many questions he's asking himself and right now he really needs one to answer why he's about to do unthinkable things to this worn grey jacket. He buried his face in the jacket once more hiding his gaze from the scene that's about to unfold.

 

With his face on the grey jacket his hand went downwards finding its place on the waistband of his pants, he fiddled with the drawstring for a moment, loosening it.

 

Once his pants were loose enough, he groaned as he pushed his hand underneath, the growing bulge on his boxers craving to be touched, he breathed in the scent of the worn grey jacket once more before he began to palm at the tent of his boxers. It was a shameful act for him to do but his body wants it, needs it, in fact he wouldn’t want John Doe to know he's doing this to a jacket he once wore.

 

He already knows what he's going to say, he'd say something teasing, something that would make him flustered.

 

“You look adorable” is what he would probably whisper into his ear as he watched him with amusement.

 

Closing his eyes shut, he continued palming at the growing erection, breathing becoming heavy as his mind began to wander, imagining, conjuring up scenes that he’d be too humiliated to do with the real person, he’d rather imagine the half-corrupted hacker in his little brain than let him know what he’s thinking of.

 

His mind thought of a fake scenario, he allowed himself to drown in his fantasies as he gritted his teeth still touching himself with his cock confined to his boxers.

 

“Keep doing that” The fake John Doe he conjured up in his mind whispered beside him, coaxing him as he kept palming himself through his boxers, his voice purred. “You’re doing so well”

 

“Ngh…” A moan escaped his mouth as he finally pushed down his pants, and soon his boxers followed, freeing his cock from its unfortunate cage, the cold air of the room hitting his lower half garnering a small shiver from him.

 

“The sounds you’re making…can’t you be louder?”

 

“No, they’d hear” He argued as he returned to his neglected erection, now stroking it into hardness, legs quivering.

 

“Then let them hear, let them hear how you’re moaning for me”

 

Mafioso moaned, muffling it with the worn grey jacket on the pillow as his pace became faster, his cock dripping pre-cum onto the blankets. Sounds of wet skin to skin were heard, his hand quicker than before.

 

“I never took you for a vocal man, but you're making these kinds of sounds?” John Doe spoke up once more.

 

The mafia boss whimpered as he continued touching himself. “Ah- ah…”

 

“C'mon now…louder” His voice, demanding.

 

“Mmh-” He took his face away from the grey jacket, now not muffled he sat back on the bed, his hand still stroking his cock.

 

“Louder”

 

“Ah!-” Mafioso came, hard. Taking in deep breaths he finally opened his eyes witnessing his own crime scene. Ropes of his seed landed unto the worn grey jacket as evidence of his blissed out fantasies from earlier, John Doe's voice had disappeared and so was his presence beside him.

 

He let out a heavy exhale steadying himself before returning to reality and realizing what he had just done.

 

“####” The mafia boss doesn't find himself swearing often but right now was the right time to do so.

 

Mafioso just jerked off to his own fantasy of John Doe.

 

---

 

The mafia boss lost count of how many times he did it last night but he couldn't stop, he just couldn't, his body kept itching for that same release to the same thoughts of the half-corrupted hacker, he had to wake up early that morning just to do laundry in shame of the goons seeing his stained blankets…and the poor grey jacket he defiled with his- yes it's better not to think about that now.

 

His goons soon woke up around 7:36 am, an hour later after he woke up and to be frank, he didn't have the best hours of sleep. As Mafioso hanged all the laundry in the clothesline he sat down on the grass allowing the cold wind to brush against his face, soon enough snow would begin to fall. He could already feel the grass becoming less and less warm.

 

“Morning boss- woah you look like you didn't have a wink of sleep” Soldier exclaimed as he walked out of the warehouse, hair sticking up in all the ways.

 

“Yes…unfortunately”

 

“Is it…is it your hacker fella? thinking about him” He asked as he took his place beside the mafia boss. “Dear God the grass is cold”

 

Yeah sure, he really did think about him a whole lot last night.

 

Mafioso shook his head “No, I did not think of him”

 

Lie, absolute lie I tell you.

 

“Oh alright, well Caporegime managed to call up that old debtor of yours that you chased for like- years” Soldier said as he now tried to fix his poor mess of a hair. “He told us he was going back into the big city, opening a casino, he might be some help in tracking down your hacker fella with the connections he'll make, y'know? with his customers?”

 

The mafia boss's brow rose, curious, he wonders if Caporegime and his goons have actually planned something that could help find John Doe.

 

“Chance? He's opening a casino?”

 

“Yeah! Which is…weird? didn't he just pay off his debt from you” He replied, scratching the back of his neck.

 

“He isn't in total debt, he has savings, that man is rich he just hides it”

 

“Ohhhhh, why though?” Soldier asked, confused.

 

“I think…he was just intimidated by me and ran off afraid I'd actually shoot him”

 

The goon beside Mafioso began to laugh out loud clutching the side of his stomach. “Boss- everyone is scared of you! I think even we were scared before when you took over your pa's place, we were wondering what your mother fed you to get you that big”

 

“I see” He nodded, knowing himself that he does look scary. 

 

Soldier then replied awkwardly seeing how the mafia boss was quiet “Uh- I didn't mean it's bad that you're…tall y'know boss, and big, I think some people like that, maybe John also likes you because of that”

 

Mafioso didn't like to delve deeper into that topic, he also didn't want to continue talking about John Doe either with how his thoughts are still muddled about last night, especially about his own body because he concocted some nasty imaginations about it, he had imagined the half-corrupted hacker praising him, caressing his chest and each part of him on open skin, those fake words of encouragement making him act so willingly. He inwardly cursed at himself for thinking of that again while he is literally sat beside his goon.

 

“So do I get Caporegime to call Chance and ask where he is?-”

 

“Yes” He answered quickly. “Call the gambler”

 

---

 

John Doe gripped the edges of the sink as he tried to breathe, hyperventilating as he mustered the courage to look at himself in the mirror. His bare feet felt cold against the tiles of the bathroom he locked himself in. He hated seeing these visions while his corruption worsens during nights like this, most especially if it’s the mafia boss he's seeing. 

 

He began to dread his dreams ever since he came back, the cold house invited him with an icy shoulder.

 

Those dreams…he wasn't sure how to categorize it, were it nightmares? he didn't know how to describe it, the dreams felt so real to him, those hands that would touch his face, gently guiding his hand to touch the other man that he knew wasn't real. But by now he knew how to distinguish which is real and which isn't and it sickens him how he lets himself get taken away in these- “dreams”, dreams where he’d do unspeakable things with the mafia boss, sometimes he’d partake in pleasure, sometimes he would see the man in his hands bloodied and wounded by his own making.

 

He looked up at the mirror seeing no one behind him, he sighed of relief as he backed away, closing the bathroom door behind him as he walked towards his spacious bedroom. The light of the moon went straight through the wide glass windows of his lavish mansion, though he didn't like to call it that, he just calls it a house, it's nothing more than a husk of what used to be a home.

 

Walking past his large bed he approached the windows, his reflection bouncing back as it stared at him. He crossed his arms as he stared outside, the bright lights of the bustling city from far away seen from above. His normal hand grabbed the ends of the curtain intending to pull it, closing the view he was seeing before he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the reflection.

 

“Go away” He whispered, his hand pausing its movements as he looked away from the reflection, he knew who it was and he didn't like talking to it.

 

Sure it looked like the man he loved but it wasn't really the man himself.

 

Its just a facade.

 

“Do you hate me? Is that why you're telling me to leave?” Its voice called out to him, the fake image of Mafioso wearing an expression akin to pain. “Don't shut me out”

 

“You aren't real, god the infection is getting worse I'm now getting hallucinations-” John Doe said to himself as he gripped the side of his head where the corruption spread, his hand clutching it tightly.

 

“I'm real, I feel real, you felt real whenever we did it, you enjoyed it didn't you? you enjoyed how I made you feel” The voice spoke up, alluring but John Doe knew better than to be lured by it.

 

“Shut up!” He shouted at the reflection in the large windows as he finally shut the curtains, closing it fully as he panted, breathing rapidly.

 

But its voice continued, it taunted him.

 

“You know very well why you do this with me, you can't do it with him because why? you aren't even sure if he'll come and find you, you aren't even sure if he likes you back the way you yearn for him”

 

“Stop talking” John Doe seethed through his teeth as he walked towards his bed grabbing the blankets planning to bury himself and the voice in his head.

 

“But I like you, I love you, and you can't have that with him, because from the start all he saw was a disfigured-”

 

The half-corrupted hacker wrapped himself in the blankets wishing to shut out the voice “Get out of my head already” 

 

“Unlovable” it continued.

 

“Stop it”

 

“Mangled” it continued again.

 

“Please just shut up” He pleaded as he forced his eyes shut wishing it would go away, he could feel himself crying already.

 

“Monster”

 

John Doe felt his tears drop to the blankets that he wrapped himself in as he muffled his cries, burying it in the pillows. That same voice he found sanctuary in is also mocking him, he knows it isn't real but it feels real, he wished that Mafioso- wherever he is now would just appear at his doorstep telling him everything will be alright. He didn't care if the man liked him back or not all it mattered was his familiar presence grounding him back to reality.

 

“That man isn't here John…I'm here” The voice continued talking, tempting him to give in. “And I'm all you have”

 

“You aren't real, you aren't real, you aren't real-” He kept repeating it like a life-saving mantra as he took shaky breaths.

 

“But you thought I was real didn't you? it felt real when I would let you inside me-”

 

“No- no no!”

 

“And let you do as you please” The half-corrupted hacker knew better than to believe at the sudden presence beside him, a hand reaching out to touch him again, he didn't want those hands on him. “You even liked it when you'd cause wounds on me, you liked it when you'd see blood drip from your own hands you sadist”

 

“No I don’t-”

 

“Yes you do, so give in before it hurts even more, I'm all you have left now” The facade spoke low, whispering into his ear. “Give up”

 

“I'm none of the things you described me to be” He argued back as he then opened his eyes, but despite that the facade didn't leave him alone.

 

“Really? such lies” It responds, amused, before it straddled his waist forcibly pushing him down on the bed. “You’re a liar John doe, you've always been one”

 

“I'm not a liar either” He bites back.

 

“You are, you lied to Jane didn't you? you told her you'd give her the best life she can ever ask for but then what happened? you, selfish little you decided to play around with roblox code”

 

“I was immature, I was young I didn't know what I was doing-”

 

“Liar” The half-corrupted hacker can't look anymore, he can't look at the fake image of Mafioso straddling him while calling him a liar. “You lied”

 

“I didn't lie!’

 

“You did, but you can't admit that don't you?”

 

“I did want the best for her but I couldn't give it alright?! I was foolish, I was dumb- she wanted a family and I couldn't give that either”

 

The voice went silent hearing him speak, John Doe continued.

 

“I'm the worst scum of Robloxia to ever walk in its servers, I shouldn't live and I shouldn't be allowed to fall for another man like him, what right do I have to make him live with me? To take away his life from him because some infamous hacker loves him, I should just- I deserve this, I deserve to be isolated, if this isn't repentance then this is punishment for all the things I did” He took a deep exhale as he finished talking and by the time he opened his eyes again.

 

The facade and voice was gone.

 

And John Doe? he cried, he sobbed into his bed that night until he had fallen asleep.

Notes:

So like...what's the opposite of gay panic? gay calm???? cause Mafioso was legit too calm realizing he does like John Doe in other ways more than one here, nonchalant king

Surprised yall huh? I write fast and it hasn't even been 2 days since I updated

As always your comments are appreciated!

Chapter 19: Property Damage

Summary:

Mafioso finally leaves Dreamsphere in search of John Doe, sadly despite his smooth journey he ends up crashing his car into a casino becasue of a drunk man walking into the road.

Two men decide to help him out, and a angry wife too.

     The goons began helping out Mafioso immediately when packing his bags, the mafia boss had finally decided to leave Dreamsphere in search of the half-corrupted hacker. The mafia boss stood in the room of the warehouse looking down at his now neatly folded bed as if no one lived there before. The blinds were opened to let the light shine through, casting a warm hue to the usually dark atmosphere he festered in for nearly a week.

 

In his hand he held a suitcase containing most of his important belongings that he managed to salvage from his now burnt apartment, roblox headquarters did try and call him to ask if they can pay for the reparations as an apology but he declined, he didn't want to be in their debt and even interact with their admins more.

 

He had a grudge over them now, especially with the fact they nearly killed a child.

 

For all the things he prepared for he didn't expect admins to throw a bomb to his apartment, he expected a hacker, a hacker like John Doe and the little group of rascals he housed in his home, instead the opposite happened.

 

That's when he heard a knock come from his door, wood meeting against metal, he knew who it already was just from the sound of it.

 

“Come in Eunoia”

 

The android let herself in opening the wooden door, her neutral expression showing a steady calm as always.

 

“Hello Mafioso” She greeted, her hands behind her back as she walked through the doorway, her eyes surveyed the room as she then turned to look at the mafia boss who was still standing over the bed. “What are you thinking about?”

“A lot of things, the goons, the business” He paused turning his attention to her.”And you”

“You don’t need to worry about me Mafioso i’ll do just fine”

 

“Yet I still worry” The mafia boss replied, sighing as he sat down on the edge of the bed, setting his suitcase down on the floor.

 

“I myself worry despite my inhuman nature, but nonetheless I see good things coming your way Don Sonnellino, based on my statistics that is”

 

“Of course…” Mafioso knew the android can hold herself on her own with no problems at all. Maybe it was just the goons that he was fussing about and how they'd act if he were gone.

 

He trusts Eunoia.

 

“I suggest you pack more casual clothing, after all it would be unwise for you to walk around the big city with that formal attire, there are a number of people holding grudges over you” She replied, tone calm and mellow.

 

“I did”

 

“But you are currently wearing formal attire”

 

“Yes…I am” Mafioso responds as he promptly fixes his fedora, covering half of his face.

 

“Mafioso I am warning you”

 

The mafia boss sighed heeding her warning, he knew the repercussions that would come if he actually did walk through the city of Robloxia with his usual get-up, there are many debtors he had come across in that place and most of the time they are not happy seeing him. Obviously they aren't since he would occasionally choke them near oxygen deprivation so that they would pay up.

 

“I know, I know” He repeated as he stood up from the bed running a hand down his face, taking off his fedora he sets it aside on the bed.

 

“I suggest you wear a loose t-shirt and slacks”

 

“That would look awful on me” The mafia boss argued.

 

“You can take off your waist coat and unbutton your dress shirt for a more casual look”

 

Knowing he can't argue with the smart woman, he took off both his waist coat and trenchcoat neatly folding it on the bed as he soon unbuttoned his white dress shirt. With his current look you wouldn't know if he is an overworked IT student or a deadbeat dad.

 

“I look like my father” He says unamused.

 

“You do not look like him Don Sonnellino, you are far from what his features look to be”

 

“You're only saying that because you know full well I do look like him”

 

The android went completely silent as she allowed Mafioso to sulk, his face turning to a sour expression, the mafia boss opened his suitcase placing the folded waistcoat and trenchcoat inside.

 

“I do not lie” Eunoia went closer to the mafia boss looking down at his suitcase, she can hear him grumbling to himself.

 

“You do, because you don't want to hurt my feelings, for a robot you sure are sympathetic”

 

A click came from the suitcase as he closed it, now he carried it on his left hand with his fedora. Facing the android he spoke once more.

 

“I know I've grown to look more and more like him each day, even my mother looks at I feel like I'm a twin of him. Sometimes I'm scared I'm turning more into him, what if I start drinking more wine than I do now? what if I actually do enjoy tormenting these people for their debts?-”

 

“What brought this on?” She asked, concerned, though her face was neutral.

 

“I- I apologize Eunoia, I guess the thoughts were brought up once you mentioned people holding grudges over me…my father too made enemies from outside Dreamsphere”

 

The android nodded, understanding as always. “I see…but I did suggest the casual clothing out of concern, I am speaking the truth here, I am deeply sorry if bringing up the issue of your old debtors caused you to-”

 

“No” Mafioso raised his hand stopping Eunoia from apologizing. “No, don't say sorry Eunoia”

 

She nodded once more, hearing the man sigh she stepped out of the way as he walked towards the open door, his raised hand now in his pocket.

 

“Take care Mafioso” Eunoia said, a faint smile crossing her usually neutral face.

 

Mafioso stopped in his tracks as he looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting the android's cold gaze, yet deep down that look felt like she cared.

 

Despite what happened days ago and her finding out Mafioso harbored criminals in his apartment for weeks, she didn't reprimand him nor get mad. She nodded like always and gave a rational opinion to his situation, even now she still allows the mafia boss to leave Dreamsphere, to let him leave all his work behind as if it were nothing. Sometimes the man thinks she isn't really an android, she's too kind despite her tough and cold exterior.

 

And he's glad to have a boss like that.

 

He nodded to her direction as he left the room, walking as he carried his suitcase with him, head empty without his iconic fedora. Mafioso left that warehouse not as a mafia boss but as just a simple man looking for the half-corrupted hacker he grew to have feelings for.

 

 

---

 

 

Driving out the borders was an easy task, but going through the different worlds wasn't and it was hard enough to not get ambushed by griefers near these parts, if they do he wouldn't hesitate to pull out his weaponry, he did have his sword tucked away in the front seat just in case he has to resort to actual violence, as if a gun isn't violent enough.

 

Thankfully while he drove through the first city nothing of note happened.

 

And so did the next.

 

With each border crossed he was closer to the world that the gambler resided in, somehow that idiot thought it was a great idea to start a casino, if Mafioso knew better it was because that man wanted to fuel his own gambling addiction by dragging others with him.

 

He now entered Bloxburg, it wasn't a grand city but it did have its quirks, he did have to take a second look at the random large meteor he passed by on the road, he pushed that at the back of his mind ignoring it.

 

Parking near a diner he locked his car, he discreetly placed a pistol inside his shirt held by the waist of his pants, and a small dagger attached at his leg hidden by his slacks. He then promptly grabbed his suitcase intending to carry it with him.

 

Walking inside he looked around for a seat passing by couples and families talking amongst themselves cheerfully, the lively atmosphere making him feel warm inside, yet he felt out of place. He sat at the farthest corner of the diner, the table and two chairs opposite of each other, placing the suitcase at his feet as he picked up the menu from the table skimming through its contents.

 

A waitress soon appeared at his side, the usual welcoming voice.

 

“Good Evening welcome to- oh hello sir…what would you like?”

 

Mafioso heard the sudden pause and he paid great attention to that detail, he wondered what made the waitress pause in between and so he looked up from the menu seeing a woman, with blond hair in a bun and tacky red with white color palette for a diner uniform, the apron making it look even worse.

 

It seems that the mafia boss didn't have to worry about anything suspicious as the woman was…fiddling with her pencil and notepad, her eyes darting away ever so slightly as a red tint filled her cheeks.

 

“I'd like to have a chicken roast with mashed potatoes and some-” He looked down on the menu again before answering. “and iced tea, I'd also like to have black sambo for dessert, just give it to me after I finish eating my dinner”

 

“S-sure! right away sir” She fumbled for the pencil as she wrote down the order running off to the kitchen as she handed the note to the chef.

 

Mafioso’s eyebrows furrowed after that awkward scene, he didn't know what the waitress was thinking but soon he realized why she was acting like that when he received a steaming cup of coffee when he didn't even order one.

 

“Complimentary coffee, on the house” The same waitress said, sliding the coffee unto Mafioso bringing his attention to it, then he caught a glimpse of the receipt but he could already see the note written on it.

 

As the woman hurriedly left his side he took the coffee in his right hand as the other brought the receipt close to his eyes inspecting it.

 

It's a number, a phone number, specifically from the waitress as he surmised it.

 

He sipped on the coffee too sweet for his liking but he wouldn't turn down a free beverage, after all he still has to drive through the night and maybe this diabetic drink in a cup can help him stay awake until he reached his next destination. Mafioso did ignore the phone number and just crumpled it in his hand as he continued sipping his hot cup of coffee.

 

The mafia boss didn't expect the woman to be bold, much less hand him her phone number, usually people are too intimidated by him to come close. Is the casual attire more…attractive? His mind began to wander thinking what if John Doe saw him like this? The half-corrupted hacker didn't see him often in loose shirts and a pair of simple slacks, in fact he often comes home not even changing into pajamas and just heads straight to bed sleeping immediately ignoring the uncomfortable formal clothing he wore.

 

Then he remembered how weird the man would act whenever he did change, that time when he clearly can recall how John Doe complimented his back and he simply answered stating it must have been from hard labor.

 

By the time he finished his cup of coffee his eyes widened realizing why the half-corrupted hacker acted so awkward when he changed.

 

He actually must have liked him in those loose shirts and boxers.

 

And then his realization doubled when he also remembered that he would undress himself occasionally in front of the man witbout a care in the world.

 

The people in the diner may as well call the police and fire department in concern of a violent man because he nearly slammed the table with the empty cup shattering it to cermaic pieces. How stupid was he and oblivious not to realize how John Doe reacted to simple things that were clearly making him flustered. He simply ran a hand down his face out of frustration.

 

Stupidity is my middle name and moronic would be the last name.

 

Soon his dinner arrived, the aroma of the perfectly roasted chicken wafting through the air, he missed meals like this especially after his apartment was blown to bits. He did not like how his goons often order pizza out of convenience but he also blames himself for just staying inside his room most of the day and so barely any home made meals were cooked.

 

He digs in with a faint smile on his face, the butter they used for the mashed potatoes was perfect, though he does wonder if it was actually margarine because it was slightly sweet. As he finished his dinner his dessert soon followed with the iced tea he ordered washing down the savory meal.

 

When he stepped out of the diner he heard footsteps following him closely behind, by instinct he turned around his hand on the gun placed at his hip hidden underneath the shirt.

 

The waitress appears to be the one who followed him, the same waitress who took his order. 

 

“I- I never got to ask your name…sir”

 

Mafioso allows himself to loosen his stance and tense body, he stood in front of her confused by the sudden question and confrontation. “Why?”

 

“Well-” She began to stutter, fumbling like before. “You were handsome and I couldn't pass the opportunity so I- y'know…gave my number but then I saw you throw it away, I just wanted to know if you're single and of course your name”

 

“I'm with someone”

 

“O-oh” Her face changed to one of disappointment, but it seems that she accepted the fact the man she liked has a partner, respecting his boundaries. “She must be one lucky woman, with someone as handsome as you-”

 

The mafia boss cut her off replying abruptly. “He, he's a man”

 

The waitress's face contorted to one of surprise, and she gasped raising a hand to her mouth. “Oh- oh my I'm so sorry I assumed”

 

“Its fine, don't apologize”

 

“Still, what a lucky man he is to have you, I'm sure he loves seeing your face every day, the moment you walked through the diner I fell head over heels for you- oh I'm sorry I shouldn't say that, I must seem like some home wrecker” She laughed, and it was full of glee reminding Mafioso of one of his goons for a moment, maybe Soldier would like her.

 

“You aren't, though thank you for the meal, it was great”

 

“Of course-” The waitress nodded before waving goodbye. “Come again soon, thank you!”

 

 

---

 

 

Okay maybe the sweet diabetic cup of coffee wasn't enough to keep him awake at night as he drove in through another border, he even considered buying an energy drink but he knows what one bottle or can does to your stomach, acid reflux that is and he has gone through that many times before when he was younger, maybe he just has a sensitive stomach.

 

These long roads reminded him of his father, who drove him through the dark nights while he did his duties, occasionally he'd hear someone screaming in the back of the car's trunk, pleading for help.

 

But he can't hear those anymore.

 

Felt like his brain tuned it all out, muffled.

 

He still loves the car though despite its bad history, even when he was a child he hoped that someday it would be given to him, it's just that with such a nice vehicle it carried memories.

 

When he was born into the mafia crime family, as a young boy he never really understood the system he had surrounded himself in. He remembered how there were positions, respected members, people who you need to be careful with and watch out for. Secret handshakes and the way people pour out wine indicate how they think about you.

 

And being that he's the son of the head of the family, he too had to be careful and wary with everyone. 

 

He just didn't expect to be wary of his father too.

 

His father had great expectations for him, a select few would be to start a family, a big one like his own. He also wanted his son to expand their crime syndicate into other worlds, servers and the like, he probably assumed that with the new generation they would bring forth more better opportunities. But as Mafioso grew older he soon realized how his own values and morals contradicted his father, eventually he even argued with him with his business practices leading to most of the mafia crime family members separating due to the father and son squabbles. 

 

But Mafioso stayed, that loathing he had simmered down because he understood maybe his father had to turn to immoral ways for their family to survive, not the mafia, but their family, the actual family.

 

Still…he has some resentment over his dead father.

 

The mafia boss shook his head slightly trying to shake off the thoughts. He continued driving through the night until he passed the next border barely managing to open his eyes, now drooping due to his lack of sleep. Bright city lights greeted him as he entered the new world, the server welcoming him with loud noises from the passing bars. Mafioso assumed he may have gone through a different district because he didn't recall the main city of Robloxia having these many establishments of this kind. It did worry him how everything has changed, it had been a long time since he visited the main city.

 

He figured he should stay at a motel for the time being before he could go and find Chance, the roads aren't too busy at this hour and so he turned a corner hoping to find a motel he can stay in. But then a man stumbled into the middle of the road, seemingly drunk, the mafia boss swerved swearing under his breath in Italian slang narrowly avoiding the drunkard, turning his attention away from the man a car then appeared in front of him, headlights blinding, he put his car in reverse backing away and just as he thought he was safe another car passed speeding by making him also speed up.

 

“Are there even traffic laws in this city?!” He shouted as he turned the wheel, shifting the gear as he put his foot down on the pedal.

 

Before he knew it he hit the poor Lincoln Continental into a casino's concrete wall, the people loitering outside wondering why a car has caused such an accident. Mafioso wasn't able to get his bearings straight before the same drunkard from earlier started banging on the window of his car.

 

“You ####er! you tryin’ to hit a guy out there?!”

 

The mafia boss groaned, frustrated at his situation, he rolled down his window wishing to converse civilly with the drunkard, but the man on the other side pulled him by the collar of his shirt shaking him.

 

“You tryna kill me too! I know- wait a gaddang minute…” The man squinted his eyes at Mafioso before raising his voice higher. “You- you that debt collector! mother####er I'm gonna kill you for taking all my money!”

 

Mafioso was about to reach for his trusty gun hidden at his hip seeing the problem escalate until a fist met the drunkard’s cheek sending him flying to the ground.

 

“Did I- oh god Matt I hit him too hard!” His savior shouted concerned, the man's face then appeared clearer to the mafia boss's sight, a military-cut blue hair, paired with some black tee and green cargo pants. 

 

“He's fine man don't worry bout’ him, that idiot walked in the middle of the road and he had the gall to complain that this poor guy was trying to kill him” The other man said as he laughed out loud before approaching Mafioso, he had the same military-cut as the blue haired man, but it was brown, and his outfit more or less still looked the same as the other man who punched the drunkard.

 

His eyes then caught sight of the dog tags around their necks and realized why they had military-cuts to their hair, they're probably in the army.

 

“Hey- you good there man? you took quite a crash there…” The brown haired man said as he looked over at the extent of thr damage then winced. “Ouch…the front looks bad”

 

“Wait what?” The mafia boss said as he quickly got out of the car wishing to see the damage. Actually, it didn't look too bad, it looked more like the wall was damaged more by the crash and he's worried about what the owner of the casino would say to him in return, the corner of the bumper looked like it was crumpled paper.

 

“Gosh…you want me to call a tow truck buddy? to help you out?” The blue haired man asked, manner polite.

 

“That would be appreciated” 

 

“Hey Matt, can I use your phone? I ran out of load balance on mine” He asked the other man who seemed to be his friend, Matt groaned at the request.

 

“Dude, Daisy is gonna kill you knowing you don't have enough load, what if she calls and you don't answer back? it's like late at night now you should head home Guest”

 

Guest, as Mafioso heard his name to be, sighed at the notion. “I know, I know- c'mon let me borrow your phone so we can help this poor guy out”

 

Matt took out his flip phone from his pocket handing it to the other man as he dialed what the mafia boss assumed to be a tow truck company, minutes after a tow truck did arrive, a man went outside the car nodding his head to Guest as the two began talking, soon the tow truck driver approached Mafioso.

 

“You don't look like you're from around here”

 

“That's true, I'm not from this world” He answered truthfully.

 

“I knew it! I mean even with that outfit I knew you were old money rich, you've got a nice car so sad to see it get damaged”

 

“Lincoln Continental, handed down from my father”

 

The tow truck driver nodded, as he looked behind Mafioso at the poor luxury car that's currently near embedded in the concrete wall.

 

“Okay so here’s the plan, since you're probably a tourist we get your car fixed at my shop and let it stay there for a bit until you leave yeah?”

 

“I'm not a tourist I'm visiting someone” He lied, he knew if he told the truth everyone within his vicinity would have looked at him weird. How would these people react to him saying he's trying to track down an infamous hacker he's attracted to? especially since there's military men too, who knows what they'd say to him.

 

“Ohhhh, well then after your car gets fixed then take it from the shop, maybe your friend has a garage or parking lot you can stow it away in”

 

“That could be arranged”

 

The tow truck driver nodded again, his welcoming personality hasn't left his face. “Alright, oh by the way that good sir over there paid for your services you should thank him, you should also ask him where the shop is since I'm in a hurry, I've got other cars to tend to”

 

“Thank you very much sir” Mafioso said, he was about to tip his fedora hat but realized he wasn't wearing it so his hand stopped mid-air, habits die hard.

 

Guest soon approached the mafia boss patting him in the back. “Don't worry, I know him, he'll patch you car up in no time”

 

“Yeah cause you crashed yours so much-” The brown haired man piped up.

 

“That was because you were trying to drive the car drunk that one time! I had to take over the wheel” The other man exclaimed, but he wasn’t offended at all, his face then simmered down to a guilty expression. “Actually yeah…I did crash it a lot when I was getting my driver’s license…”

Matt then turned to Mafioso shaking his head amused. “So, where are you heading to bud?”

“A motel most likely” 

 

“A motel?” The brown haired man volleyed the reply back.”I thought you said you were visiting someone”

 

Ah…well damn

 

Mafioso swore inwardly, he should have lied more instead of dropping that information right to a military man’s face, Guest too began to look suspicious though the mafia boss assumed it was more than that based on his skeptical expression, it made him wary of the two and their unusual kindness.

 

“I am, I just don’t like to intrude in their space i’d rather stay in a motel for the meantime”

 

“Actually, man I think you shouldn’t try and rent a motel room here you see-” The blue haired man scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, as if shy to continue his response.

 

“People ####, they #### in the motels in this side of the city”

 

“Matt!” Guest shouted horrified that his friend said that out loud to a poor stranger they just met, sure yes it was true but for him to say it so bluntly was embarrassing to say the least.

 

“What? Dude i'm just trying to steer him away from trouble, who knows what this handsome guy will get into if a woman finds him in a motel? Better to suggest like- renting an apartment or hotel, cheap motels here are populated by affairs” Matt had a rational tone despite his bluntness from earlier, though Mafioso liked that he was being honest.

 

Sighing, the blue haired man rubbed his eyes, possibly he too lacked sleep. “You know what, let him ride in the car, there’s barely any taxis and buses in this hour, least I can do after punching that drunk man earlier I feel bad”

 

Matt turned to Mafioso, nudging him with his elbow which the mafia boss didn’t appreciate. “C’mon bud we’ll take you to a hotel”

“Thank you, and thank you for paying the-”

 

“No, no, no need to thank us, this city is getting more and more hectic each time we come home and honestly we’re used to it” Guest said declining the man’s gratitude. “It’s normal seeing a car accident cause of some jaywalking drunkard”

 

 

---

 

 

Unfortunately the closest hotel with vacant rooms that Matt found online was miles away, and with their already unlucky turn of events, the car decided to run out of gas in the middle of the highway. The two military men got out of the suv to push it to the side of the road as Mafioso tried to jumpstart the isuzu crosswind, turning the key as he stepped on the pedal, the situation got even more worse when rain started to pour down on the two making them swear loudly as they pushed the car out of traffic.

 

Mafioso soon realized it was a dead cause and just hopped out of the car too and helped push with the two men, with the added number they managed to move the suv out of the way parking it perfectly in the side of the road. 

 

“####! Man, how are we gonna get you to the hotel” Matt swore loudly as his voice fought against the loud heavy downpour.

 

“You know what let him stay at my house, you- wait I never asked you for your name, what’s your name big guy?” Guest asked as the three of them ran alongside the pavement seeking for shelter.

 

Mafioso knew he had to use his real name with how suspicious the two were already with him, despite the fact he argued against using it or even revealing it, and so he responded. 

 

“Don Sonnellino”

 

“Damn! Italian huh?” The brown haired man replied clearly interested in their newfound acquaintance’s name. 

 

The three of them found a bus stop from afar, they all ran faster hoping to not be soaked even more from the rain. With the shelter now shielding them they caught their breaths, panting and clearly tired, Matt leaned on the pole of the bus stop whilst Guest sat on the bench together with Mafioso. The mafia boss realized he had left his belongings in the car, and so he was about to stand up before the blue haired man pulled him down.

 

‘Hey woah, you good there? Don’t worry about your stuff the suv is fine, we can check it tomorrow”

 

Mafioso’s hand twitched for a moment, his eyes looking at where Guest gripped his arm, the army man noticed the uncomfortable expression and immediately pulled his hand away. 

 

“Oh- sorry, are you…you don’t like being touched don’t you?”

 

The mafia boss breathed out a sigh of relief, he sat back down and tried to wring out the water from his hair, he looked like he took a shower with no shampoo on. “No” He answered straigthforward.

 

“I see, I kinda noticed earlier, you didn’t like me patting you in the back”

 

“You did?” He replied, brow raising at the notion, he didn’t know he was that expressive, showing he didn’t like being touched by someone unfamiliar.

 

“Yeah, sorry about that too” Guest apologized, his tone sincere.

 

The rain continued to pour down as if taunting them, it probably wouldn’t stop any time soon. Matt crossed his arms looking forward as he stared at the raindrops from the roof of the bus stop. He grumbled but the mafia boss couldn’t hear it clearly, he was most likely complaining about the rain. Mafioso too was complaining about the rain though it was inside his thoughts, he heard Guest pull out a flip phone from his pocket, the same phone he borrowed from his brown haired friend earlier dialing someone. Before long the mafia boss heard shouting from the other line, he can make out the words and it was coming from a soft-spoken voice, it surprised him how scary it sounded.

 

“Stranded?! Guest it’s 1:23 am in the morning! This is why I keep telling you and Matt to not go to those reunions anymore you dumb- oh sorry sweety go back to bed your father is being really stupid he's stuck in a bus stop-”

“Daisy- Daisy- love i’m really sorry” The blue haired man tried to reason before another shout came from the flip phone speaker.

 

“Sorry?! You know how worried I was?! Next time, keep some spare balance on your phone so you can call back! I know this is Matt’s number”

 

“Yeah I know…sorry, look can you pick me and Matt up?” He then winced, bracing for another loud reprimand on the other side of the line before the voice’s volume lowered, Mafioso heard a sigh and soon they began to speak mellow.

 

“I’ll pick you and Matt up don’t worry, gosh this is why- you know what i’m not even mad anymore i’m just disappointed with the two of you” The phone call ended and Guest let out a heavy exhale as he handed it back to Matt who was snickering the entire time.

 

“Was that…your wife?” The mafia boss asked, curious.

 

“Yeah, she sounded mad didn’t she?” He chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair trying to fix it.

 

“You should properly apologize to her, cook her something in the morning, let her sleep in late”

 

Guest took a glance at Mafioso’s face, his expression surprised at the sudden suggestion, he didn’t expect a random acquaintance to share some opinions about- well…relationships, the army man may or may not have assumed wrongly earlier when he thought the mafia boss was having an elicit affair when he said he was visiting someone and chose to sleep in a motel, maybe he isn’t what he seems to be.

 

“You have a wife too? I feel like you’re saying that from experience”

 

“Oh, I don’t, but I do have someone in my life who somehow just ends up being happy whenever I cook for him” Mafioso found himself talking more casually, even dropping personal information about his life.

 

Guest looked…surprised? No, pleasantly surprised. “You cook?”

 

“Yes, that I do”

 

“God I hope my genes gave me that talent, I burn everything I cook- you say your…”someone” just becomes happy when you cook for them?” He asked, fishing for more words from the mafia boss.

 

“He does, actually he favors pork the most though I just think he likes anything that’s to his carnivorous appetite, cooked it for him once and he was just drooling” 

 

Guest let out a low laugh at the sarcastic remark. “Must be one lucky guy then, is he your uh…partner? I don’t want to assume here”

 

“Sort of, we haven’t figured it out yet”

 

“Ah…I see, hope you both figure it out you seem like a responsible guy-”

A mini cooper suddenly drove near the bus stop, it halted in its tracks as the window of the driver seat rolled down, and out came the same soft-spoken voice from earlier that Mafioso heard over the phone line.

 

“Get in here now!” She shouted, most likely Guest’s wife.

 

“Oh uh actually Daisy we have someone who also is going to come along we were trying to help him but then the car broke down so now we can’t get him to a hotel-” Guest stood up trying to speak for Mafioso’s case before someone else appeared behind the wheel, a brown long haired woman, she responded with a honk coming from the car.

 

“Get, in, now” The woman repeated punctuating each word harshly. “We'll deal with that later- all of you get in!”

 

"M-molly?" Matt spoke out loud confused before another honk came from the car.

 

The mafia boss hasn’t met the two women yet nor known them for a few minutes but he already knew they're probably more mature than the other two army men he was with under the bus stop. They all piled in the car with Guest in the front seat while Mafioso sat with Matt in the back as they drove off presumably off to the blue haired man’s house.

Notes:

NEW CHARACTERS, BOOM BOOM, I forgot I removed them from the character list oops, let me add them back

I was so excited in finally introducing them into this chapter RAHHHH, I'm so glad I finally got to include them, hopefully the entire cast from forsaken would appear from here on out, the only ones who aren't here are like...a select few.

as always your comments are appreciated and loved <3 I love seeing yappers in my comments

Chapter 20: Character Designs! and Fanfic Details

Summary:

Just some character designs I decided to cook up in-between writing chapters, treat this upload also as QnA down in the comment sections if ya want, you can ask about anything upcoming with future chapters or just about the characters themselves but I will not say anything to spoil the ending.

Thank you everyone for those who read this far! I couldn't believe I have 2k hits now, maybe this little post is also to celebrate that lol, when I started this fic it was mainly inspired by another famous fic with the chickenburger pair, I forgot the title but it was also following this kind of plot where someone takes in a wounded person who just appeared in their doorstep (sidewalk in my case lmao)

Anyways thanks again for reading this fic huhu

Character designs for the HMCA cast! the way their names are written are my headcanons for their handwritings, some characters are missing here but yknow I drew the ones who appeared in the first chapters of the story.

I may draw the ones who appeared in the later parts in the future, I'm still deciding on how to make their character designs, especially Guest and Daisy as well as Matt and Molly, of course the admins wouldn't be forgotten.

I did forget about the goons...apologies lol

It had been mentioned often but yes their age in this fanfic has a mild age gap.

Mafioso is 34.

John Doe is 29.

I chose these specific ages because dude of course they must be adults and not yknow...young adults around their 20s, they arent old men technically like how John often teased Mafioso for when he dropped the number of his age.

In this au John Doe is way past his prime and his famous days of hacking are more in the past and he chose to stop doing it after the corruption infected him and of course Jane Doe alsp was a big part of it, she wanted him to stop doing it in favor of starting a family. He is still well known in Robloxia and rarely appears to cause some chaos when his corruption is affecting him badly taking control.

As for Mafioso, it has been a few years since he became a mob boss and only took the title when he was around his early 20s, so it's almost a decade of him being part of the mafia crime family.

 

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Other characters!, unlike the one above these aren't colored cause I was too lazy lol.

 

 

For their ages and other details:

007n7 too like John Doe is past his prime, I think I can classify him and the other hacker as just legends within Robloxia, he's around 30, because he found c00lkidd when he was 20 as the red child is 10 years old at the time the stuff in this fic are happening.

c00lkid is obviously 10, it's in the lore.

Noli is an age older than 007n7, 31.

1x1x1x1 is a young adult, around 25, but that's just the forged information he has lol, he's actually older than that but chooses to appear not to because he was created around the time Telamon was living when the God decided to make himself "perfect" and is most likely the same age as the other admins roaming around but a few years below them, John Doe knows this but accepts his friend's decisions on keeping it under wraps, he knows his actual age.

Chance and Elliot too are young adults, with Elliot being 22 and Chance 21, yes pizza boy is older than him.

 

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And this, I also drew this when I was racking my brain through that one chapter where Mafioso first appears with the goons and drew this on the side.

 

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MIscellaneous Information:

If ya'll wondered what Mafioso's apartment looks like it looks like those red-brick apartments from new york with the fire escapes from the outside, while the inside is more or less unkept with the vents visible, here's a picture and a floor plan I made for funsies, yes I made the goddamn floor plan.

 

The apartment:

 

Mafioso's apartment is at the second floor as mentioned multiple times in the first chapters, though I failed to mention it was a corner building which was why he had a lot of windows.

 

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The floor plan/interior of the apartment:

I know its like going overboard but C'MON MAN ITS FREE ONLINE, I HAD TO.

 

2D Floor Plan:

 

3D Floor Plan:

 

Now you can clearly see what's going on when Mafioso decided to organize where everyone will sleep when his apartment was full lol, ya'll can use this to visualize his apartment then reread the first chapters because I promise you you'll be able to see it more clearly now on where they were lounging around and sitting.

 

Living Room:

Just for some extra info, the TV mafioso uses is actually a Sony colored CRT, specifically the Sony kv-20FV12 , produced around the late 1900's until the early 2000s. Funny enough the inspo I took from this is because I actually have the SAME tv at home, and I remember watching morning cartoons on it, you can search up the tv and see what it actually looks like cause the 3d model here looks ugly.

 

Kitchen:

Seeing this in 3d made me realize how actually cramped his kitchen is, sure I described it was a tight space like a lot whenever they ate but golly bro this can't fit a family of 10 no wonder 1x1x1x1 was just standing to eat.

 

Mafioso's bedroom:

 

His bedroom is literally so barren, like that's it, it looks so sad to look at, but its hilarious to think about that his bedroom is larger than his kitchen.

 

Mafioso's bathroom:

 

I don't even want to explain this, yall are thinking what i'm thinking yes you can now visualize whatever freaky thing they went up to in that one chapter with John Doe being so out of it he must have been schizo when he was with Mafioso in the bathtub.

 

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For those who wondered what Mafioso's car looks like and what it actually is, it's a Lincoln Continental which actually has been used by actual mafia members back in the olden days, particularly the 1960's models, but the specific photo I have and reference for Mafioso's car is a black 1970 model, yes i'm very specific with cars even with mentioning Elliot's red sedan and Guest's isuzu crosswind (which was discontinued in making), is it obvious i'm a transformers fan- nah jk I just like cars.

 

Mafioso's car:

 

 

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Mafioso's pet bunny Rosso is a flemish giant breed, possibly the largest breed you can have for a rabbit. I may have forgotten to include a picture but his particular bunny has a white coat with red eyes hence why he ended up naming him Rosso, though John Doe did kinda influence him lol.

The suburbs that Mafioso lives in at Dreamsphere is more or less the equivalent of a urbanized area with small buildings, they don't have high rise buildings, big malls and in fact that's why Mafioso likes staying there, he doesn't want the bustle of the city (my own headcanon) and prefers to stay within his comfort zone unless he has to leave to do his dirty work. 

Other things to mention as well, the time period they are in are set around in the 2000's! hence the cartoons that c00lkidd would watch in the mornings (Dora the explorer and barney are great examples) and flip phones (That guest and matt was using) as well as lack of current colloquial terms they are saying, that and it is much more believable that most of the cast actually have houses and such that they own, dude if they lived today none of them would be living in proper homes.

 

That's all! see ya'll in the next update! 

 

Notes:

I'm really like really happy no seriously, I didn't expect for this fic to get attention but it is nearing the end now, this is like a checkpoint for where things go go downhill lol, so have a treat with character designs while I go back to writing the last chapters.

Chapter 21: The Debt Collector Becomes the Debtor

Summary:

Guest and Daisy help out Mafioso by allowing him to stay at their home for the time being as he continues his search for John Doe.

And then they end up dropping him off in the same casino he crashed in that was actually owned by Chance, searching for help wasn't easy and despite the gambler's hacker friend he actually needed to pay for the wall he crashed into or else the hacker friend wouldn't help him.

     Mafioso wasn't the kind to accept people's offers out of the kindness in their hearts, most especially when said kindness is allowing him into their home to stay for a night or two because the oh so gracious host had his suv break down in the middle of the pouring rain, in the damn highway.

 

He was also getting antsy about his belongings being left in there 

 

Daisy, Guest's wife, greeted the mafia boss with a smile when they got to his home, switching her agitated attitude. The house was a one-storey building, humble and warm, felt like those cliche American households you'd see on the television.

 

When everyone finally went inside the house, the  three men dried their shoes on the welcome mat, Guest's wife handed Mafioso a towel she seemingly procured out of nowhere but she didn't give any to the other two. The living room was dim, and the rain became more louder as a bolt of lightning struck a nearby transformer on the lamp post, illuminating the area for a split-second.

 

Matt closed the door behind them then promptly turned on the lights. The sounds of the heavy rain were now muffled behind the thick wooden door, no longer infiltrating their ears.

 

Whilst Mafioso dried himself with the soft towel Daisy and Guest argued on the nearby bookcase, slotted between the T.V. stand and stereo.

 

"I'm telling you now you should stop going to those gatherings, I swear Guest you and Matt always come home late and it's because those friends of yours keep on making you drink" She said, arms akimbo as she sighed turning away while her husband tried to coax her.

 

"I know- I know I'm sorry alright? we just had to help this guy out he crashed his car and-"

 

"Wait, he crashed his car?" The woman turned around, worry flashing her eyes as she looked Mafioso up and down possibly looking for injuries. "Are you alright?"

 

"Yes, I'm fine" 

 

"Oh thank god-" I thought this idiot over here brought in someone who needs to be driven to the hospital" She replied placing a hand on her chest breathing out a sigh of relief.

 

"Car stopped running cause it ran out of gas though I think it wasn't just the gas, I think it broke down" Guest added trying to explain the situation further.

 

"Must have been the battery?" Matt chimed in before Molly hit him in the back of the head. "Ow! I'm sorry too okay!"

 

"You should be, you know how worried I was? I went over to Daisy's because I thought you and Guest went back home together" The long brown haired woman was about to hit him in the back of the head again before someone's soft footsteps came out of a room, the sounds of sock pitter-pattering on the carpet floor.

 

"Pa?...you home?" A young girl stepped into the warm light of the loving room rubbing her eyes, yawning.

 

"Oh I'm here Lotte, papa's home" Guest said smiling seeing the kid as he crouched to greet her.

 

Mafioso finally managed to dry his hair out, though he does have to worry about his wet clothes, he wonders how to deal with that later. But the young girl whom he presumes to be Guest's daughter looked at the mafia boss curiously, her eyes scrutinizing him, the same look Daisy gave him earlier though this one was more out of curiosity.

 

“Pa who is he?” She unabashedly pointed at Mafioso to which her father put her hand down, chuckling.

 

“Oh no don't do that- he's a new friend, you see he crashed his car into a wall”

 

“Is the car okay?”

 

The mafia boss nearly gave out a small snort at the child's innocence, the fact she was more concerned about the car than the supposed victim of said car crash is making him recall c00lkidd's way of speaking. He did wonder how the red child was doing now and if 007n7 actually did take the cooking lessons to heart, feeding his red child properly rather than takeout or pizza deliveries.

 

The daughter caught sight of Mafioso's near snort and began to speak louder despite her half-awake state.

 

“Why are you laughing? is the car-”

 

“Okay, okay, c’mon now Charlotte we are getting you back to bed” Guest chuckled once more before grabbing the child's hand walking her back to her room.

 

“I'll get you some dry clothes” Daisy spoke up behind Mafioso, she went past him possibly heading into her and Guest's bedroom.

 

The mafia boss was left to his lonesome in the living room, he now questioned himself on where the brown haired man and his partner went to, maybe he also went to change his clothes with the help of- what was her name? Yes, Molly, Mafioso recalled how Matt saw her face and uttered her name clearly confused when she appeared behind Guest’s wife earlier in the car when they were picked up from the bus stop. He decided not to sit on the couch despite how comfortable it seemed since he isn’t full dry from the rainwater. Daisy soon came out from the same hallway the child walked through, their rooms are most likely just opposite of each other. The woman held a pair of old white jersey shirt and black shorts.

 

“Here, I don’t know if it would fit you but…you seem a bit taller than my husband so I chose his largest size” She handed him the clothes then promptly pointed to a white door down the hallway leading probably to the bathroom for him to change in. “The bathroom is over there”

 

Mafioso nodded heading towards the bathroom holding the clothes in his hands, entering the room the white tiles reminded him of his own apartment’s bathroom, the clean walls and smell of chlorine, but there was no bathtub.

 

He undressed himself slowly, there was a slight bruise that formed in his neck from the earlier scuffle with the drunk man, the mirror in front of him showed how much he lacked sleep, his eye bags dark under his eyes. It made him look like he was going through a mid-life crisis when in actuality he was just running on cups of coffee to stay awake continuing to push through sleepless nights in driving his car through other servers. He did think about his lincoln continental’s damage, he didn’t mind paying a high price for the fees but it seems that his newfound acquaintance just paid it for him right out of his pocket. Mafioso assumed city folk are more or less aggressive and confrontational than kind, maybe that drunk man from earlier was the embodiment of his expectations but that blue haired man was the opposite, even offering him a ride and despite his car breaking down he still offered more, generously enough he allowed the mafia boss to stay at his house and the fact his wife mirrors this compassion as well makes Mafioso ponder if they intentions were genuine.

 

He soon took off his slacks neatly folding them on the sink as he wore the black shorts, it wasn’t that bad but it did show off his thighs and he isn’t the type to show skin.

 

Mafioso found himself staring at his reflection, tilting his head slightly, it's not that he didn't see himself as handsome but it wasn’t the right word to describe him, he’s actually wondering now what that half-corrupted hacker even saw in his body, what he must have seen were all scars of his past skirmishes, yes it’s inevitably true you’d have a strong attraction to someone you like thus you’d be a bit blinded on beauty standards and wouldn’t care about their looks but…looking at himself now all he saw was a man in his early 30’s, tired and body heavy. 

 

The mafia boss’s thoughts began to drift to John Doe on how he was doing, of course he’s worried about his mental state and it may have worsened with his isolation, he has a sinking feeling that the half-corrupted hacker is all alone in his house and his mind would try and comfort him saying 1x1x1x1 is probably with him, but his paranoid side is saying that John Doe had shut himself out again, he recalled how the embodiment of hatred said that the half-corrupted hacker didn’t want anyone coming close to him, much less his friends.

 

He gave out a heavy exhale through his nose, pushing the concerned thoughts away.

 

Now wearing the loose jersey he also folded the button down and white shirt with his slacks, he didn’t want to bother Daisy even more with tending to him so he decided to just do the laundry on his own if morning would come around. Mafioso understood the woman wasn’t that much stress-free right now especially when she just picked up her supposed stranded husband from the heavy downpour.

 

Exiting the bathroom he stopped in his tracks seeing the same child from earlier now looking up at him. He heard Guest mention her name and so he spoke up awkwardly, but his gruff voice didn’t seem to voice out his awkward tone.

 

“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping now kid?”

 

“Aren’t you gonna sleep too?” She countered.

 

Mafioso didn’t know why he found humor in the child’s responses but he found himself laughing quietly, unlike c00lkidd she was more mature for her age, and the sarcasm was snarky.

 

“I am, but you’re blocking the way” He argued.

 

“You’re bigger than me, you’re the one blocking the way”

 

The girl argued as she pushed past the mafia boss as if he wasn’t a concrete wall taller than her by a mere 6 feet, in fact the man was taller than her father yet it didn’t deter her from the biting remarks she just said. The child slammed the door in Mafioso’s face signaling for him to leave her alone, he let out a sigh as he walked away from the bathroom hoping Guest’s daughter wouldn’t terrorize him. As he walked back into the living room Guest stood in front of the couch placing pillows down with a thick blanket to spare.

 

The army man then turned around “Oh- Oh hi so we don’t have a guest room but I have a few pillows and a spare blanket for you to use” he then gestured to the makeshift bed on the couch.

 

“I know it isn’t much but…at least you’d be comfortable”

 

Mafioso looked down on the couch, his face blank of expression, Guest shuffled on his feet a bit wary of the man’s reaction, he still hadn't fully understood the mafia boss’s intentions of coming here to the main city, and his vague answers made him suspicious, so he asked out of skepticism. He and Matt weren’t blind earlier, they saw through the wet shirt that Don Sonnelino had a gun hidden in his hip when they ran through the heavy downpour, but because of the rain it made it easier to see through.

 

And he has a family to protect, he isn’t about to go to sleep comfortably without knowing if this man in front of him is clear of his distrust.

 

“Sonnellino…uh buddy” He crossed his arms staring directly at the man. “I know I'm not at the right place to ask this but, what are you actually here for?”

 

The man looked at Guest, face still void. “I’m looking for someone”

 

“I thought you were visiting a friend”

 

The mafia boss knew now that the army man had grown more suspicious, he didn’t reach for the gun hidden underneath his folded wet clothes nor the dagger, he answered, truthfully, because he doesn’t want to end up harming a good natured family just because a father wants to protect them from harm.

 

“I’m…actually not, I came here with no prior knowledge of this city and I thought it best to just push on without stopping”

“Wait- are you finding someone who is missing?” The man’s tone shifted to worry. “You should have contacted the police or authorities, if you’re that intent on finding this person-”

 

“He-, he isn’t missing perse, it’s just that…” Mafioso paused, thinking, should it be alright to tell him why he’s trying to find a half-corrupted hacker? Or should he tell him half of the truth.

 

He decided to tell him half of the truth. 

 

“He’s being chased by people, I can’t find him and I need to find someone to help me track him down and they’re in this city, I’m worried about him since he isn’t mentally well and…i’m just-” The mafia boss sighed running a hand through his hair as he tried to gather his thoughts. “I apologize I shouldn’t be telling you all this I just met you”

 

Guest’s face softened, the prior suspicions gone as he pulled Mafioso down with him on the couch gently as they sat beside each other.

 

“It’s okay, I understand being worried, is it…is it that “someone” you told me about earlier? The one you cook for”

 

“Yes, it's him” He nodded.

 

“I see, god i’m a jerk for assuming something bad- you’re just trying to find your boyfriend, oh wait can I say that? Or should I refer to you two as something else” 

 

Mafioso was pleasantly surprised with how accepting the army man was, usually in this decade not everyone is as accepting when it comes to these kind of relationships, even the mafia boss himself when he was younger saw the prejudice first hand on the television, he didn’t understand it at first but now that he’s…well he’s this, he doesn’t have a word or label for it yet exactly but he’s slowly understanding their fear, the fear they carried in not telling the truth. Though in the mafia boss’s case it was being a paranoid man because surely what’s more scarier than revealing your sexuality to a random person than revealing the person you’re attracted to is an infamous hacker that admins are tracking down.

 

“Like I said, it’s complicated”

 

“Oh…” Guest replied nodding as he muttered some agreeing remarks. “I can help you out, who’s the person that’s supposed to help you find him?”

 

“He owns a casino, name’s Chance-”

 

“That guy?” A voice piped up from behind them, Matt ran over jumping on the couch beside Guest, a towel strung over his neck presumably still wet. “Dude I heard he had a lot of debt and paid it off from a debt collector just weeks ago and now he opened a casino to gain the money back with his savings”

 

Said debt collector is actually sitting beside them without their knowledge that he is actually the debt collector Matt was referring to, Mafioso was laughing inside his mind at the hilarious situation he put himself in.

 

“I mean, it’s an investment in a sense?” The blue haired man replied shrugging, he doesn’t really partake in gambling.

 

“Yes, that man”

 

“Why are you asking for help from him though?” The man beside Guest asked as he dried his brown hair with his towel.

 

“Connections, I need him to find someone”

 

“Woah wait what? I think I'm a bit lost here Guest can you like replay the story?” Matt turned to ask his friend, prodding him for answers, poking him at his side.

 

But his friend merely sighed, he may as well tell it all in one go so that he can help out Mafioso in the morning, after all the poor man must have driven from miles away just to get here to find his- supposed partner, yes that’s what Guest is going to assume for now.

 

 

---

 

 

Coming back to the same casino he crashed into early in the morning wasn’t in his checklist but he did, unfortunately the concrete wall he crashed into was actually Chance’s establishment, yes, coincidentally it was his own casino he crashed into. He didn’t mind paying the reparations but knowing the gambler and if he finds out it was Mafioso who damaged it he might pull something else, might even make him bet on a roulette table for fun as payment.

 

Stepping inside the now barren casino that usually housed gamblers from around the city during midnight, it felt eerily quiet, Guest and Daisy had dropped him off around 7:43 am with her mini cooper in the morning so of course it was silent inside the establishment. Mafioso decided to wear his formal attire so that Chance would actually recognize him, it did make the army man earlier back at his house look at him in awe, he even asked where he bought the suit. Thankfully all his belongings were fine and none were damaged, Guest had brought it all back to his house with his now fixed car after dropping the mafia boss off with his wife.

 

His polished shoes made soft sounds against the carpet floor of the casino as he walked through, leather gloved hand on his fedora as he fixed it.

 

Sounds of the machines pinging and rolling filled his ears, it wasn’t that annoying but it did make him steer away from the main hall where most of the slot machines were and deviated towards the roulette tables instead where most of the workers were just loitering around casually not paying mind to the well-dressed man in a black trench coat and fedora walking through their floors.

 

But he grabbed the attention of one person, one who too wore a formal attire like him, a blue waistcoat, his face covered in a black screen, the blond hair cut almost haphazardly without proper planning, and most importantly the sharp jagged crown on top of his blonde hair, it reminded him of 1x1x1x1 for a moment.

 

“I haven’t seen you around here before” He spoke up, arms crossed as he directed his gaze to Mafioso. “You aren’t the usual gambler I see”

 

The mafia boss looked over his shoulder, taking a garner at the man behind him. “Because i’m not a gambler”

 

Despite the black screen he can see from the body language that the man was perplexed. “Then why are you in this casino?”

 

“I need to meet the owner, Chance”

 

“And? You’re quite suspicious if I say so myself or are you here because you were the one who crashed into the wall of our casino with a car?”

 

First of all, Mafioso doesn’t know this man and he wasn’t informed with the fact that he owns the casino alongside the gambler, and second he doesn’t even know his name but somehow he knew that the mafia boss was the one who crashed the car outside their casino wall.

 

“I…yes I did crash into the wall outside”

 

The man laughed right at Mafioso’s face, almost tearing up with actually being right. “You? You crashed into the wall? Were you drunk?”

 

“On the contrary I wasn’t”

 

“Then that’s even more hilarious, do you even have a driver’s license or do you lack glasses for that poor eyesight?” The man continued to tease him and the mafia boss, instead of becoming agitated, found himself finding it familiar to hear, he used to hear the same teasing remarks from the half-corrupted hacker, he had this soft look to him, his expression mellow.

 

This made the man with a black screen for a face look at him, disconcerted for a moment with his reaction. 

 

“You…why are you looking at me like that”

 

Mafioso pushed those fond similarities away, he shouldn’t be thinking about John Doe, comparing his teasing to a man he barely knows. “Apologies, you remind me of someone”

 

“I do?” He tilted his head curious, one arm akimbo on his waist.

 

“Nevermind, you and Chance own the casino?” The mafia boss changed the subject seeing that the man in front of him has grown interested.

 

“Yes, and what of it”

 

“Listen I need his help on tracking down someone-”

 

Then, the gambler himself appeared walking from behind before slinging an arm around the man with a black screen for a face, casual and friendly. “Itrapped! What do we have here early this morning?- oh” 

 

Chance looked Mafioso up and down now concerned on why the debt collector is standing right in his establishment meant for gambling, is he here finding someone that ran away with debt or is here to just punch him for fun because last time that happened he was knocked out unconscious and found himself in a bathroom with the mafia boss playing doctor and he doesn’t want that happening again anytime soon.

 

“Uh…Mafioso! Hey big man what are you…what are you doing here?” He asked nervously while his co-owner looked at his way seemingly unbothered, but he did show a bit of caution seeing that the gambler looked wary of the trench coat wearing man.

 

“I’m here for you, I need-”

“Oh hell no! I paid all my debt right?” Chance began to back away using Itrapped as his shield.

 

“Yes you did but actually i’m here to-”

 

“Hey wait a minute” The other man stopped Mafioso in his tracks pulling out a sword from nowhere, it had a blue sheen comparable to the ice dagger aiming it at the mafia boss with the intent to slash him down. “He’s the debt collector? The one running around the servers gunning down people?” 

 

“How does everyone-” Mafioso paused, baffled that more people know him as just some random scary debt collector than an actual mob boss, it left him offended rather than proud about his reputation. “Let me finish speaking will you?” His anger rose momentarily silencing the two men, sighing heavily he tipped his fedora hat upward slightly, his eyes now meeting the gambler’s, voice lowering in volume. “I need to find 007n7, so he can track down John Doe for me”

 

“Oh…ohhhhh” Chance’s demeanor changed to playful as he then went near Mafioso as he nudged him with his elbow by his stomach. “Trying to find him now that he left you? Did that hacker do something in bed to make you-”

 

“You are not about to talk inappropriate things right in front the man you just paid your debt to then promptly, nearly, knocked your teeth out and then had to help patch your wounds on a toilet seat”

 

“Well sheesh fine” The gambler backed off, his hands in his pocket” I was just about to ask what kinda skills he has to pull a fine man like you”

 

“He didn’t do anything, he was just…him, and that was enough for me”

 

Chance stared at Mafioso, baffled he just heard him say that, did it count as the first ever genuine and corny response he heard from him? Maybe, so he began to laugh.

 

“I was being honest here and you chose to laugh?”

 

While Chance and the mafia boss conversed Itrapped just stood there now even more confused with the situation, he did hear that right? Right? He did not just hear the infamous debt collector say he is trying to find 007n7 but the notorious half-corrupted hacker himself too, well he too is a hacker but he wouldn’t like to involve himself in this issue. He isn’t much aware of what his gambler friend had in relation to the mafia boss in front of him, but it is worrying hearing the man say he was trying to find John Doe, did that man have debt over his head or something? Either way he didn’t want to include himself so he slowly, but surely, began to walk backwards but Chance grabbed his shoulder in time then introduced him to Mafioso, or more like presented him.

 

“This is Itrapped! Maybe he can help you out find 007n7, oh man I do miss c00lkidd actually- but of course the admins are becoming more strict now”

 

“Chance I am not helping-” He tried to intervene in the conversation but he was only overlooked while the two fedora wearing men talked. 

 

“The admins? What are they doing now”

 

“You didn’t see it on the news? Builderman is issuing a warning, and server hopping has a bunch of restrictions now, I thought you knew about this, it was to prevent hackers from…y’know…getting away” The gambler replied slowly, his voice somber. “Did…Mafioso what happened to Telamon that night?”

 

The mafia boss blinked once, then twice, he himself didn’t want to ponder about that and he knew full well he was part of the big problem now, sure the admins aren’t hunting him down but they will soon when they find out he’s an accomplice, they haven’t yet since they assumed he was just a civilian caught in the crossfire and the one who knew his accomplice acts with John Doe are…

 

Well he’s dead, Telamon is dead, saw it right in front of him then and there when 1x1x1x1 strolled up and put the daemonshank right through his heart.

 

“I don’t want to talk about it”

 

“Alright…we can talk more in my office for some privacy”

 

 

---

 

 

“Are you sure you want to find him? I mean he’s probably in some private server now hiding” Chance said as he sat on the couch right beside Mafioso, pouring out tea on a cup with the ceramic teapot, it smelled faintly of mint. “That and- if you do want to find him you actually need more than just one hacker, i’m not saying 007n7 isn’t talented but it’s hard to track down someone like John”

 

The ceiling fan whirred loudly, probably from old use or one of the screws weren’t tightened enough when it was installed, the office walls were brown in color, the wallpaper obviously new, a large office table was at the center while a couch facing a smaller table was in front of it, opposite to two armchairs. There were bookshelves surrounding them and a poorly watered pot of plant in the corner where no light can reach it, instead the light came from the window in the center basking the large office table with its morning glow.

 

“I know that”

“Even the actual admins themselves weren’t able to find him so easily” The gambler took the teacup from the coffee table in front of him, drinking it silently. “And all it took was one phone call…”

 

“Phone call…you mean?-”

“Yeah, Elliot called roblox headquarters, specifically Builderman since he’s like his distant uncle, he ratted you all out”

 

The truth hurt, though Mafioso knew it was him but hearing it from Chance confirming that it was the pizza boy who revealed their location on that night made him feel some growing grudge towards him.

 

If he didn’t invite Elliot and Chance into his apartment would all of this have not happened in the first place? 

 

That meant John Doe didn’t have to run away, they could’ve-, they could’ve lived together peacefully with no one bothering them, maybe even continue their little domestic life out in Dreamsphere hidden from prying eyes and from the admins. That small little thing called hate began to root now deep within him as he thought of the better possibilities he and the half-corrupted hacker could have experienced if the pizza boy didn’t report them to the admins.

 

“How is he, Elliot, the pizza boy” He asked out of human decency. He did wonder if the pizza boy was fine or not after he drove off leaving Chance in Dreamsphere.

 

“Oh he…um, he kinda stopped talking to me for a bit, I visit him him every once in a while at his workplace but he ignores me now, and then he kicked me out the apartment we were renting in so I had to resort into using my savings in buying out a casino so that i’d finally get some actual steady income”

“That’s- well that’s frankly sad”

 

“Pssh” Chance waved a hand in the air dismissing the mafia boss’s caring attitude. “I knew deep down he was growing tired of me already…even he can’t control my gambling addiction, it’s all on me”

 

“Still, wasn’t he your friend?”

 

“Not anymore he isn’t, but he was the nicest guy i’ve ever met in this stinking city, took me in when I was down my luck then managed to get me a part time job in his pizza place worked as a dishwasher for a bit” The gambler stared at the half-empty teacup in his hand stirring the contents around. “But even with all that help I messed up, now look where I am”

 

Mafioso wasn’t the usual go-to man for people to take comfort in, but seeing the former debtor look so down made him feel something akin to pity inside him, and so he spoke up comforting him.

 

“You aren’t a bad person Chance, if that is what you are thinking right now”

 

“Do you say that to John too?” He suddenly said out loud as he looked at the mafia boss’s way before realizing his harsh words. “Oh god sorry I shouldn’t have said that-”

 

“I do say those things to him, but don’t think I’m comparing your situation to him, he’s more…complicated”

 

“Complicated like what?” 

 

Seeing that he turned the man’s attention away from his impending depressive thoughts he thought it was better this way and so he braced himself for the teasing remarks from the gambler as he continued speaking.

 

“He sees his former wife in me sometimes”

 

“Holy ####” Chance replied, raising a hand to his mouth covering his agape gasp.

 

“Chance that is very uncouth of you to say that” 

 

“What else was I supposed to say?! Dude that is- holy mother of ####### god, no way, he sees his ex in you?” The man looked frankly nonplussed with the information thrown at his way. “That is such a messy relationship you’re going down in man”

 

“You think i’m not aware of that” Mafioso’s eyebrows furrowed hearing the man say another swear.

 

“Yeah- well I know you’re smart big man but jesus christ man you both need to talk about that more, and you’re trying to find him too, seriously when you see him again don’t kiss and make out straight away ya’ll need to talk”

 

The mafia boss avoided reacting to that part about Chance assuming he’d actually do something as vulgar as kiss and make out with John Doe straight away, he isn’t going to do that once he meets the half-corrupted hacker again. 

 

“We did talk”

 

“Yes but was that before you realized you’ve got feelings or after? Cause now you’re chasing after him, that must mean something to you”

 

Mafioso lost his voice, unable to respond. Thinking about his current predicament Chance was right, things have changed, he isn’t looking at the half-corrupted hacker the same way anymore as he would before when these feelings of attraction grew, how should he even approach the complicated topic with the man in the first place? Of course he decided to track him down because that was the plan, John Doe clearly said if he made up his mind and did like him back then he should find him, chase after him, he needs to talk properly with the man before they decide to…do whatever it is that people in romantic relationships do.

 

The mafia boss actually doesn’t know that much on what to do if he and John Doe end up being in an actual relationship, guess he should wing it and see where he throws himself into.

 

Or not, because it’s a goddamn hacker he’s planning to date.

 

 

---

 

 

“So…he’s going to help me out?” Mafioso gestured to the hacker opposite of Chance who was sitting cross-legged on the armchair, his arms too crossed over his chest.

 

“Yeah of course he is, right Itrapped?” The gambler looked over at his co-owner who was barely speaking the entire time, he had invited his friend in after he and Mafioso talked about- well…personal issues.

 

“I am not helping if he doesn’t pay for the wall he crashed into last night”

 

“Wait- you’re the one who crashed into our wall?!” Chance threw his gaze at the mafia boss beside him. “Were you drunk?!”

 

“No, you know me better than to get drunk at night outside the confines of my own home”

 

“If you weren’t drunk old man then you were certainly blind” Itrapped spoke up harshly, he must have been that mad about the wall.

 

“I’m not old you brat i’m 34 years old-”

 

Chance then stood up arms raising in protest as he tried to intervene in the growing tension between the two well-dressed men in his office, he didn’t want either of them drawing their weapons, most especially Mafioso since he knew despite being human he can actually do some big damage to Itrapped who’s a hacker, either that or he’s just insanely strong.

 

“Okay! Peace, world peace, equality, unity” He said out loud turning their attention to him.

 

“Did you pull out a dictionary from your ###, a bunch of synonyms?” The hacker replied scoffing.

 

“Oh shut up man, what did you want me to do” The gambler argued as he gestured to the mafia boss. “Let you two duel it out in my newly furbished office? What are you even gonna do to a mob boss he has an artillery of weapons behind that trench coat don’t be fooled”

 

“I’m not paying for the wall, an actual drunk man walked into the street and caused that accident in the first place” Mafioso spoke up not wishing to pay for damages he himself didn’t inadvertently cause, the drunk man should be the one to pay for it but unfortunately he didn’t know where that guy went off to after last night.

 

“Uhuh and where is the suspect? If he isn’t here then you’re paying for it”

“I was about to, but then remembered I'm not the actual one at fault for your poorly made concrete wall” He countered Itrapped with his own snarky response.

 

“Enough! Okay fine how do we settle this then?-”

 

“If he doesn’t want to pay for the damages then gain the money from him through making him gamble” Itrapped suggested, as if it was the most smartest move he pulled, or thought that is.

 

“Chance you know full well I don’t gamble” Mafioso said, his expression showed he was against the idea.

 

But the gambler had a creeping mischievous look on him, and even though the hacker in front of him didn’t have an actual face he can look at, his triumphant huff already suggested the hacker won.

 

Chance is going to make him gamble as reparations for the stupid concrete wall.

Notes:

Yippee another new character, welcome Itrapped

How...okay guys I really have to wonder how I end up just writing 5k words in a day cause this is concerning, maybe i'm just writing quickly because I want to get to John Doe's pov already

WE BOUTTA GET FREAKY WITH JOHN DOE DOEING IT, jk

As always love yalls comments, thank you for the support you all are giving this fanfics, your comments are enough to push me forward in writing <3

Chapter 22: Let's Go Gambling!

Summary:

Mafioso eats lunch at Guest's house, then goes gambling per Chance's request to make him pay for the damaged wall.

Doesn't end well though, the gambling goes on for hours and it ends with him having a hungry stomach.

     By the time Mafioso got back to Guest’s house it was around lunchtime, though he knew himself he wasn't staying long anyways so he won't be joining them in lunch and decided that afternoon he's booking for a hotel room, he should've thought about that in advance when he left Dreamsphere but due to his hasty departure he wasn't able to prepare an accommodation for him here in the main city.

 

It began to rain again, as if those stormy clouds followed his every step along the city streets, knocking on the thick wooden door. The face who greeted him wasn't his gracious host but his daughter.

 

Charlotte gave the same stare she always threw at the mafia boss's way.

 

“Who is it Lotte?” The blue haired man called out from inside, asking.

 

“No one!”

 

Why this little- 

 

“It's me Guest” Mafioso said pushing those agitated thoughts away, specifically being annoyed at the child in front of him, he can’t blame the girl for being hostile since he’s someone she just met last night.

 

“Oh hey bud!” Guest began to walk to the doorway, he ruffled his daughter’s hair before ushering her inside. “So how did it go?” 

 

“I may or may not have to partake in gambling so that I can acquire some help from Chance” 

 

“That’s…quite an odd request, what exactly happened?” The mafia boss walked inside the house taking off his fedora as he and the soldier continued conversing, the door shut behind him.

 

“The casino I crashed into last night was his and despite my claims that it wasn’t entirely my fault that caused the damaged wall- he wouldn’t help me if I don’t pay for the reparations so his friend suggested I should gamble my money, that way it would be fair, though personally I think it isn’t fair-”

 

“Why wouldn’t you just…y’know pay for it?” Guest interrupted him, crossing his arms as they both stood in the living room.

 

“It was the drunk man who caused that accident not me”

 

The blue haired man sighed hearing the reason, closing his eyes in the process as he continued to listen. “Okay…but it was your car that hit the wall”

 

“But i’m not the cause of the accident”

 

Guest put his palms together, another sigh coming from him, heavier this time as he pointed the joined palms at Mafioso. “Yes but you hit the wall, technically you also hold responsibility”

 

“Yes but-”

 

“Just- just go play in the casino, what’s the worst that could happen? Either way they’re going to make you pay for the wall, gambling it away is actually a far more fun option they gave to you”

 

“Still it was not-”

 

“Ah, ah” The soldier wagged a finger in front of Mafioso arguing against him. “C’mon be a good citizen, who knows maybe that drunk guy was having a bad day and he doesn’t have money either? Plus isn’t this Chance person your friend?”

 

“He is not my friend” He vehemently stated that, no way is he friends with a former debtor.

 

“Still, it’s the good thing to do right?”

 

“Papa!” His daughter shouted across the hallway, she stood under the archway of the kitchen. “Let’s eat lunch!”

 

“Oh right” Guest was about to nudge Mafioso at his arm before he decided not to remembering the man actually didn’t like to be touched. “Wanna eat lunch with us? I know you’re gonna book a room in the nearby hotel but Daisy wants you over for lunch”

 

The mafia boss didn’t decline the request, though he did say he wouldn’t eat lunch over at their house…he can’t say no to food, the man nodded and the soldier gave a faint smile, they both headed towards the kitchen where they found Guest’s wife holding a hot pot of chicken casserole, her hands in mittens as she carried them over to the dining table, the scent of the cream mixed with lemons wafted in the air a perfect blend of sweetness and tang.

 

Sitting down with Guest at the circular wooden table, Charlotte began to hand out ceramic plates and stainless steel utensils with her father saying thanks in return, when she faced Mafioso though she just stood in front of him.

 

“Um…Lotte he’s eating with us, be nice” He reminded his daughter, he must have been aware then of her attitude towards strangers because if she acts like this towards the mafia boss then she must be acting like this to other people she isn’t familiar with.

 

She did eventually hand the plate and utensils to the debt collector but she didn’t say anything else.

 

Mafioso wasn’t offended at all, in fact he appreciates the fact that Charlotte was wary of him, the soldier must have always reminded her to not trust strangers, sure it may be extreme but at least she actually has reasons behind it, because the mafia boss actually is a person she should be wary of. Maybe she has a keen sense of observing people.

 

Halfway through when the man was eating Guest was already done, his plate a clean slate as he went over to the sink with Daisy following suit, the mafia boss wasn’t a fast easter and that habit came from his slow metabolism, if he didn’t chew his food properly and just golfed it down he’d gain weight quickly, though while he was eating the mushrooms the soldier’s daughter poked his side alerting him of her presence.

 

It was only the two of them left at the dinner table.

 

“You’re not a nice man are you” she whispered.

 

Mafioso raised a brow at the accusation, amused. “You think so?”

 

“I saw the gun, when you were in the bathroom”

 

The mafia boss's expression changed from stillness to being alarmed, there's a possibility the girl would tell her father about it, who knows if she actually told him already.

 

“I won't tell papa, I just want you to do something for me”

 

“And that is?” He asked, wondering what Charlotte could possibly want in return for keeping her mouth shut.

 

“There's this…boy, he moved away and I can't play with him anymore”

 

“Oh?”

 

“He's very bright red-”

 

“Oh” Mafioso said out loud realizing he might actually know who she was referring to.

 

“Do…do you know him?” The girl asked, focusing her eyes on her plate of chicken casserole ignoring the mushrooms.

 

“Does he have horns? and is around your age?”

 

“Yeah? wait you know him?”

 

“I know his father” He replied as he took a slice of potato to his mouth, raising the fork. “And I'm actually trying to find him”

 

“Oh! well um…when you find his dad can you tell him that- I want to play again sometime? other kids avoid me because I roughhouse a lot and he's the only one who wanted to play with me…”

 

Mafioso finished his plate, standing up he looked down on the girl who merely wished to see her friend again, her eyes expecting the man to agree to her request.

 

“Of course, I'll tell him”

 

“T-thank you…” Guest's daughter replied as her eyes darted back towards her half-eaten plate, she continued eating once more.

 

The mafia boss turned around walking towards the sink with empty plate in hand, guess he doesn't just have to find the half-corrupted hacker, he has to find c00lkid too.

 

---

 

Mafioso stood among the crowd of rambunctious gamblers shouting out their bets at the roulette table in the casino as if it would answer all their wishes. It in fact wasn’t the good thing to do as Guest had primarily said.

 

This time around he wore a black three piece suit, discarding his black trench coat, he didn’t like how he looked similar to Chance though but at least he had a pinstripe waistcoat to differentiate himself from the gambler, that and he had a maroon tie.

 

“Having fun?” Said gambler appeared behind the mafia boss grinning. “I see you haven’t bet anything yet”

 

“And why would I” Mafioso slowly looked over his shoulder, his stare stern.

 

That look made Chance back off a few inches, sure he paid off his debt but that didn’t mean he wasn’t scared of the well-dressed man in front of him. “Okay…dude y’know I was actually serious you need to pay for the wall you crashed into”

 

The mafia boss folded his arms over his chest, his choice unmoving as he looked away, turning his attention back to the roulette table.

 

“Seriously? I thought you were better than that man” He sighed, as if disappointed.

 

Mafioso caught wind of how the man’s voice behind him wavered slightly, turning almost…sad? He didn’t understand how such a simple thing as disagreeing with paying for a wall he definitely didn’t damage would affect the gambler so, but his worry nagged at him to talk to the man. Maybe he should gamble, like the soldier said.

 

“Chance” He said his name, glancing over his shoulder.

 

The gambler then replied, tone sharp. “What?” 

 

“What would you suggest I'd play?”

 

He witnessed a smile form on the man’s face, and for some reason a chill ran up his spine, not in a good way, of course the gambler smiles occasionally but this one was with full intent of making Mafioso gamble his money away which yes is his actual goal for tonight.

 

Chance slung an arm over Mafioso’s broad shoulders poorly due to their contrast in height. “Oh we’re gonna have so much fun Mafioso, y’know what I feel like you’re a poker kinda guy, let’s go try out poker”

 

The mafia boss was led by the gambler into a rather silent room, barely any words were exchanged and the only sounds that came were from the cards shuffling on tables, chips being placed and betted, but he would sometimes hear grumbling from the gamblers surrounding the tables, some even complaining under their breath upon seeing the cards they were dealt with. In all honesty Mafioso barely played poker but he’d play it with his goons from time to time when they’d be resting in the warehouse during their breaks.

 

In the simplest way he can surmise, there are a total of ten combinations of cards you can use in the game, with the lowest combination being high card consisting of just one card and the highest which was synonymously known to the public as royal flush, a straight containing a ten, jack, queen, king and ace. Chances are you’d always be dealt with a poor pair in your preflop round and you need to stay in the rounds to actually have an opportunity in winning the chips.

 

So how do you play properly and win?

 

That is something Mafioso doesn’t know how to do because he actually barely pays any attention during the poker games he partakes in with his goons, usually Caporigeime wins the most and fools Soldier into betting higher stakes in the pot.

 

“Alright let’s get you seated-” Chance pulls a chair out for the mafia boss under the card table as they both take their seats. Mafioso did appreciate the polite gesture, but it’s most likely because the gambler is excited, they joined three other people who were already seated but seeing the casino owner and a new face their gazes turned sharp.

 

Chance had never played poker with Mafioso before.

 

And he severely underestimated him.

 

“Royal flush…” The mafia boss muttered as he threw his deck of cards to the table.

 

A crowd of onlookers had already began to populate their table seeing the casino owner himself lose to a newcomer, though some spectators has already began making assumptions about who Mafioso actually is, some said he had frequented other casinos but decided to play in this establishment seeing it was new, others said he was just lucky.

 

Chance? Well he thought the mafia boss was a madman, from the start of the round he barely made any bets or calls playing safe but decided to go all in halfway through and now the gambler has lost. He just couldn't read Mafioso, some people describe themselves as an open book but this man beside him? 

 

He's a goddamn vault.

 

“How much is in the pot that I won?” The mafia boss asked as he leaned back casually on the soft chair.

 

“Around 13,240 robux” The croupier said as he looked over the chips that Mafioso had accumulated over the rounds.

 

The people around him cheered for his winnings, but the gambler beside him didn't want to back down, he raised his hand then placed a firm grip on the mafia boss’s shoulder, his expression serious.

 

“Okay let’s try some other games maybe not…cards, how about roulette? You’ve been looking at those for a while earlier”

 

“Don’t tell me you’re becoming petty over me winning poker” A small smirk began to form on Mafioso’s face, he then taunted the gambler. “Don’t run now Chance, the last time you ran from me it didnt end well”

 

“I’m not running, you’re too good for someone who doesn’t even play poker often”

 

“You’re deflecting” The smirk grew to become a smile and soon a chuckle followed.

 

“Fine!” He declared boldly as he threw his cards to the table. “rematch”

 

The card dealer hesitatingly grabbed all the cards into one deck shuffling them around as the round began again, the people around Chance and Mafioso watched laser-focused as the casino owner and well-dressed man began playing poker once more, the pot is now back down to zero with the mafia boss winning all the chips from last round. The gambler played his cards recklessly hoping for a way he can turn the tide around for an opportunity to strike him. 

 

It seems that misfortune fell on him on this very day.

 

Every rematch just went poorly, and even more worse with every card he pulled from the deck, it was as if his luck was taunting him. At that point it felt like he wasn’t winning against Mafioso whose face he can’t even decipher beside him, the gambler felt a satin gloved hand on his shoulder pulling him away from his losing streak.

 

“Let me play” His friend, Itrapped whispered into his ear. 

 

“What? You?” He whispered back, surprised that the hacker would want to play in his place. “But you barely play poker, you don’t even like card games-”

 

“Trust me, lest you want to embarrass yourself further”

 

Chance wasn’t given the time to argue before the hacker pulled him from behind by the collar of his black blazer, switching their positions as he took his place on the card table, a new round begins with Itrapped as the new better. The mafia boss glanced to his side seeing a new face, or lack thereof due to the black screen covering most of it. Despite the lack of facial expression to base off the possible cards the man is holding, Mafioso wasn’t fazed by it, he turned his attention to his hands, or any other body language that may give him away.

 

Itrapped too wasn’t fazed, he took it as a challenge as the man beside him didn’t even take off his fedora upon playing, the gambler didn’t reprimand him anyways so he assumes the hat stays on and he’s unable to see half of his face.

 

The game went on for almost an hour.

 

Chance stood near the hacker anxious as he looked over his cards and so he did to Mafioso, his friend held a flush in his hands, a combination in poker where five cards are in sequential order, but not of the same suit while the mafia boss has four of a kind, consisting of four cards of the same rank. Four of a kind is higher in rank compared to a flush in poker.

 

It was obvious already on who was winning.

 

Then, Itrapped began to speak as he hid his cards, placing them downwards on the table showing he was folding. “Where’d you learn how to play poker?”

 

“My father” He replied as he raised, adding a chip to the pot.

 

“Must have been a bad one then”

 

“I’m aware of that” The mafia boss also folded, soon the other players in the game made their moves.

 

The gambler’s eyes widened, fearing that Mafioso might retaliate upon the mention of his father, but he couldn’t do anything right now, he can’t interfere in the game by literally whispering to Itrapped that he shouldn’t enter risky territory by bringing up the man’s father.

 

“You got anyone back at home?” The hacker asked as he drew a card from the deck.

 

“No”

 

“Figured as much” He added, his tone now becoming more presumptuous.

 

That garnered him a glare from Mafioso, who too drew a card from the deck; he did return his attention to his cards after glaring for a moment at the hacker.

 

“Nothing to say? I thought you would have said something in return”

 

Chance might as well start praying in the corner of the room with the passive aggressive remarks the hacker was saying, wasn’t the point of this poker game for Mafioso to lose and for the winnings be paid as reparations for the wall he crashed into? Yet he persistently refused to do so because he kept on insisting it was the drunk man’s fault which the gambler doesn’t even know if said suspect is true or not. 

 

Yes he isn’t losing at all but the way the gambler sees it Itrapped is trying to piss off the mafia boss as a way to defeat him, make him lose composure.

 

“Y’know for a man that’s good looking as you I would have expected for you to at least have someone clinging to your arm, but you’ve got no one on your side, you came here alone right?” Itrapped reminded him of his lonely arrival into the casino. “And you’re quite stubborn”

 

“Itrapped, that was your name wasn’t it?” Mafioso asked as he tipped his fedora, revealing his eyes.

 

“Yes? What about it” He tilted his head slightly, he was unsure with what the debt collector has him leading to by asking his name.

 

Suddenly, he leaned close to the man beside him, his voice close to his ear. “You’re a hacker aren’t you?”

 

“And? What of it”

 

“Nothing, just wanted to mention it” He leaned back on his chair, returning to the game.

 

It kept going like that for every round, they’d taunt each other with insulting words, something to get under each other’s skin, but soon enough the game ended and Mafioso came out as the winner now with the prize pool totaling to a whopping number of nearly a million robux, enough to buy him a mansion in Bloxburg or within the main city of Robloxia, Itrapped was currently burying his face in his hands, he had lost to the mafia boss, he felt humiliated.

 

“You piece of-” He was about to rise from his seat before Chance grabbed him preventing an altercation from unfolding between them, his arms tight around the hacker. “Let me at him! He’d been saying a ####load of bull!” 

 

“I- Mafioso you better get out right now I don’t know if I can handle him-” 

 

Itrapped wailed around in the gambler's arms as he threw a tantrum. "That ###hole wasn't playing fair!"

 

"Dude you weren't either-"

 

The mafia boss didn’t even reply before he rose from his seat, the amassment of money was left alone since he had no use for it, in fact maybe it was more than enough to pay for the damaged wall but it was hilarious to think about since…he barely brought any money with him in the first place yet he raised his bets higher during the game, he didn’t talk to the other people that swarmed the table as an audience to the entertaining match nor the other players who too had expressions of shame riddled on their faces, he parted the crowd as he fixed his fedora finally leaving the casino after spending hours at the poker table.

 

Sounds of the hacker screaming and thrashing became fainter and soon he pushed himself out of the glass doors, stepping out of the establishment he breathed in the crisp air of the night, a small cloud of steam escaped his mouth as he exhaled.

 

Actually he felt hungry right now, but as he hid his leather gloved hands in his pockets he looked around him, the bright lights of the tall buildings made him feel out of place, usually he’d never see such heights like this, he was so used to seeing the suburban houses, the apartments that barely peaked to hide the clouds.

 

He doesn’t fit in here.

 

Mafioso thought about it, the half-corrupted hacker telling him they can live together in the city, in his house, away from prying eyes. He can still remember how desperate he was in such a manic state.

 

Yet he still can’t come to the conclusion if John Doe truly sees him or as someone else, someone he wants to cling to because he finds solace in how comparable the mafia boss seems to be to his former wife, yes he thought that genuine confession was real, yes he believed every single word he said but there’s a point where you’d have to think rationally and just…ponder.

 

A half-corrupted hacker, whose infection by the corruption worsens more each day, with no cure, hallucinates thinking you're his former wife- occasionally speaking, proceeds to confess hastily to you out of fear that you'd leave them.

 

Not to mention said hacker is very infamous within Robloxia for his past crimes of exploitation, griefing and numerous acts of anarchy.

 

Mafioso would really like to just sit down on the sidewalk and rethink all that he did.

 

He also wondered if it was even right for him to reciprocate that warm kiss he felt that night, how he accepted it so easily, he's still grappling with the fact he might actually like John Doe, and he isn't even going to mention how he masturbated to the thought of him using his jacket.

 

Yes he'd like to forget that specifically, have a divine wish granted for him to avoid recalling that.

 

Maybe Chance is right, they need to talk properly-

 

Mafioso was pulled out of his thoughts as his stomach grumbled, reminding him of dinner, he actually should have started walking instead of standing on the pavement indulging himself in his thoughts about the half-corrupted hacker.

 

Another sound of plea came from his stomach, he sort of...lost appetite after digging up those old memories and racking his mind on how to deal with said memories, or problems. He sat on the sidewalk, cars passing by him. The mafia boss felt so small now, sitting as he stared at the high-rise buildings.

 

If only the world were smaller, and so were his current troubling predicament.

 

He then felt a hand on his shoulder, it was gentle, patting him slightly as if wanting to catch his attention.

 

Mafioso looked over his shoulder, assuming it were Chance inviting him back inside to collect his winnings, instead he was met with the face of a man, one who looked awfully carefree, brown hair with natural curls, he was hovering over him.

 

"Hey, I heard your stomach crying, are you hungry? Because...I'm heading over there to eat food and you looked quite pitiful on the side of the road, brooding" He pointed to the fast food restaurant from afar, the man wore clothes more fit to be seen inside a house, that white shirt with- the mafia boss didn't even want to read the words on it, and those pinstripe blue shorts, it sure was a choice to wear, that is if you're planning to go to the beach not to walk outside the city.

 

"I'm fine" The mafia boss replied wishing to be left alone, the gesture was appreciated though.

 

"Are you...are you alright? thoughts weighing you down?" He asked, though it felt like it wasn't out of concern but from curiosity, like he was trying to understand the stranger on why he looked so glum. "Or is the hunger weighing you down, to which I suggest food"

 

Mafioso didn't know what this random man wants to do with him, maybe he's actually homeless and is luring him into some fast food restaurant, eat with him then run out to make him pay for the food, dine and dash.

 

"Who- who even are you?"

 

"That is none of your concern, in fact I'd like to concern myself with your stomach, it's been begging for quite some time now" He replied pointing to the mafia boss's stomach, to which it unceremoniously responds with another embarrassing sound. "It seems it has spoken on your behalf, it's saying feed me"

 

"I'm truly fine you don't need to concern yourself with a random stranger's stomach" The debt collector stood up wishing to get away, and of course go back to the hotel he booked for.

 

"Wait!"

 

Mafioso stopped in his tracks as he turned his attention back to the presumable homeless man.

 

"I...You asked for my name earlier am I correct? sorry if I was so upfront- uh...I'm a new admin so I was naturally worried for your sake"

 

That made the mafia boss fully turn back, the man in front of him might actually be an admin. "I see...what's your name then if I may ask again"

 

"Shedletsky" A smile formed on the man's face. "I actually was worried though, you were all alone on the sidewalk and..." His eyes flickered over to Mafioso's complaining stomach. "you sounded hungry"

 

"Indeed I was"

 

"I'm heading over to a fast food chain for dinner, so I thought I'd ask you to come along, of course I'd pay for your meal, no need to spend robux" He said raising his hands, gesturing to the bright led sign of a newly opened restaurant, the large KFC logo standing out among the other large icons.

 

"Uhuh..." Mafioso wasn't so sure trusting a man who claimed he was an admin, but the sword at the man's hip said otherwise.

 

"So...will you be coming along?"

 

He thought about it and well...why not, if he isn't actually an admin then he can get away with ease, maybe even punch him for trying to run away not paying for their food, if he is one then he'd have a free meal.

 

"Sure"

Notes:

I feel like everytime I'm writing this fic I'm slowly becoming more and more of a speed typist lol, also I'm not good at poker so all the things mentioned here are just surface knowledge about the game.

As always thank you for the support this fic is garnering! your comments are always appreciated and push me onwards to write <3

Chapter 23: Some Sunny Day

Summary:

John Doe grapples with his corruption taking over his brain with the hallucinations, he distracts himself with gardening.

TW: Non-con with hallucinations

Notes:

Warning: NSFW

John Doe is doeing it in this chapter, these two are freaks and they don't know it yet

You can skip his freaky ahh in the bathtub and jump to when he's talking with 1x1x1x1.

     He dug underneath the soil, pulling out weeds, crouching as he cleaned the front yard getting rid of the ugly plants that began to root from lack of maintenance, John Doe was gone for quite a while and the house looked more or less fitting to be a squatter area. The towering two-storey white house stood out in the deep dense forest hidden away from the city, it was near the size of what you’d call a mansion with how vast the area it covers, it looked modern, large glass windows on the second and ground floors spanning around with barely any walls in sight.

 

Sounds of the birds chirping and running water from the nearby swimming pool echoed through the vicinity,the sun shone on him, his skin damp from sweat as he grabbed another weed near the entrance to his house, struggling as he had to dig down to its roots. He had been cleaning the area for almost the entire morning yet it felt like there was no progress, only miniscule changes.

 

The half-corrupted hacker knew better than to hire cleaners just to expedite the process because then they’d know who he was and what else would come after that? He’d be reported immediately to the roblox headquarters, and with how things are now he knows people wouldn’t hesitate anymore.

 

Upon Telamon’s death it was broadcasted a few days after his untimely demise with Builderman and a select team of admins standing in for the camera as he began to speak, he spoke against hackers, exploiters and griefers alike, how he wants to reform Robloxia of its criminals running rampant, and most importantly he sowed anger among the people.

 

Because Telamon didn’t just die due to natural causes, a hacker killed him.

 

He and 1x1x1x1 were in his house when they saw the live broadcast and of course his friend immediately reacted, furious, who are they to judge the lives they went down on, and who was he to say to the people that they aren’t human and that they should be treated as such.

 

Someone didn’t see him as that though.

 

A very unique man.

 

The embodiment of hatred left hastily after that, informing him that it probably wasn’t safe anymore for the two of them to walk around together especially with Builderman’s words persuading most of Robloxia to rally against them. 1x1x1x1 departed from the private server leaving barely any of his belongings so that his digital footprint wouldn’t be traced back to his friend, he didn’t want to drag him into this mess and he knew how John Doe already carried so many problems on his mind, in fact his mind right now is a problem.

 

Groaning out of frustration he stood up from his position where he crouched on his heels, with his arms on his hips he stared at the ground glaring at it, it looked like the soil wronged him.

 

“Why’d I even do this in the first place? I'm just torturing myself” He complained as if he wasn’t the one who decided to wake up early that morning just to do something else other than stay on the couch. 

 

He had avoided his own bed like the plague ever since that night when he had gnawing visions- or was it hallucinations? The half-corrupted hacker didn’t want to experience that again, especially if it was the mafia boss taunting him with such hateful words. 

 

It was even worse if he saw the two of them, Jane Doe nagging him while Mafioso would insult him in tandem.

 

The couch may not be comfortable but it was better in blocking those fake figures in his brain, he didn’t like his bed anyways it was too large for him, as if another person had to be beside him to take the empty space, he didn’t want to imagine who should be there right at his side comforting him through sleepless nights.

 

So maybe his horticulture adventure right now was because he wanted to distract himself, he did think if maybe he should have done this near the evening so that his mind would be clear of any…thoughts. 

 

He went back to pulling out the weeds, crouching once more as he threw the uprooted plants into the small pile to his right, his nails now had dirt underneath them from hours of tending to the front yard.

 

“Stupid ####### plants…” The half-corrupted hacker grumbled.

 

Whilst he did his chore of cleaning up the entrance from weeds, his mind began to drift thinking of breakfast as he hadn’t actually planned on what to eat that morning, he decided early on to just rid the yard of those unwanted plants so his mind was focused on that and completely forgot his human needs, John Doe though was stumped on what to eat since his fridge is nearly empty but he didn’t want to go out at this hour when people are usually crowding the streets and public spaces.

 

Maybe he should only go out at night like he did?

 

The half-corrupted hacker chuckled as he grabbed a particularly resistant weed from the soil realizing he might end up following Mafioso’s habits of only shopping during the dark, that mafia boss really grew on him. It was…it was something fond to think about, he recalled how he and the man often went grocery shopping together when the supermarket barely had any people, felt like they were the only ones who existed and he’s more than happy to wish that it was like that.

 

If only it were that easy to dream for a life so peaceful.

 

John Doe managed to rid the yard of all the weeds by the time the clock neared to 10 o’clock, he was happy with his progress and the front of the house looked more better than before, albeit he now has to clean up the pile of weeds and- yes take a shower, he smelled bad and the dirt under his nails have been bugging him.

 

Walking, he went through the front door, dusting off the dirt from his shoes on the welcome mat, removing them as he walked through the carpet floor with just socks on.

 

There were barely any walls that separated his living room and kitchen, but even though it was a wide space and free of claustrophobia, the loneliness he felt was immense. For a house that was supposed to be filled with a family, people arguing over the remote and what channel to watch.

 

It was eerily quiet.

 

He walked past the kitchen heading straight for the TV stand, taking the remote as he turned on the appliance, the large flat screen T.V. coming to life. Taking a few steps back he crossed his arms, remote in his hand, watching as more news of hackers being taken down appear on the screen.

 

The voice of a news reporter filled the living room, entailing the broadcast.

 

"Coming live from Roblox Headquarters, it seems that the admins have clamped down further on exploit and griefing activities, there are already a large number of hackers being arrested, most of which have been reported by nearby civillains" The man in the black suit and slicked back hair said, tone stern. "We have Ms. Brooks right now in front of hq reporting, live"

 

The scene switched from the news station to a woman standing in front of the tall iconic building, blue window panes covering the entirety of it. Yet there are people surrounding it, shouting in protest. The crowds of furious people swarmed around the entrance, some holding signs of protest as they are pushed back by people in riot gear, barricades shielding the building.

 

The cacophony of anger was obvious.

 

"Thank you Edward, right now despite the reforms that Builderman had taken action to after the death of Telamon one of Roblox's most well known admins, there are still protests against the unwarranted leveling of houses being done by the demolitionists, the demolition of houses was intended for banned or terminated robloxians but some have been revealed to be accidental terminations leading people to become homeless, some have now speculated this clamp down on hackers was just for publicity to steer away the attention from the unrest of people with a more bigger problem than just hackers-" 

 

The news reporter was cut off abruptly as angry shouts came from behind and soon someone brave enough decided to throw a bottle into the main entrance, their gloved hand coming out from the crowd.

 

That bottle was a molotov.

 

An explosion appeared, shattering the glass doors and confusing the people guarding the front as the protesters began to rush through, screaming profanities and words of encouragement among themselves to riot.

 

Chaos insued as the explosion signaled nearly everyone to topple the guards that barricaded the entrance.

 

"What the hell" John Doe said as he watched the chaos unfold from the comfort of his living room, absolutely baffled.

 

His eyes then widened seeing two young figures appear among the rioting crowd caught by the camera, someone heavily cloaked and the other hiding their face akin to a witch's hat, they looked far too young to be in a violent protest. 

 

It worried John Doe, are these teenagers?

 

The one who was heavily cloaked had the same gloved hands that threw the molotov from earlier.

 

"Break the windows!" A familiar voice came from the swarm of protestors, as if commanding the people.

 

The half-corrupted hacker's eyes widened even more, his corrupted crimson eye flickering at the sight he is seeing. What is his friend doing in this riot? he knew better than to join such a public spectacle or does he wish to make himself one?

 

"That mother######!-" He threw the remote the floor with no care to the damage as he went closer to the screen seeing the embodiment of hatred show himself among the people.

 

But somehow no one went against him, they did throw everything they have at the windows, bricks, cardboards, stones, anything they can pick up from their surroundings and began to batter the glass panes with all their might.

 

"I- Edward I'm sorry it's growing more violent by the minute we have to cut off the broadcast, the team needs to leave-" The news reporter said before she screamed in horror seeing 1x1x1x1 come close to the camera grabbing it.

 

"Hey, yeah all of you people watching, don't be fooled, that ###hole in that tall building?" He pointed the camera to the roblox headquarters. "He's doing nothing to help any of us, me? he didn't do anything either all he did was throw me and my other friends away, no rehabilitation no help, instead of facing the actual problems he decides to throw the attention to us! make us the problem!"

 

"No- no, no...oh god what is he doing" John Doe grabbed the T.V. by the sides as if that'll do anything to persuade the man from the other side to stop his rant.

 

"Listen, we aren't bad people, we're just people who were given a narrow path to walk on and no one tried to get us out of it! Join the better side-” 1x1x1x1 managed to say the last words to his speech before someone from the crowd shouted.

 

"1x! the admins are here!"

 

"Everyone scram!" The embodiment of hatred spoke out loud, ordering everyone to retreat.

 

The feed cuts off into static as it returns to the news station, the usually composed news caster now terrified.

 

"I...We'll be back once we gain connection to-"

 

John Doe picked up the remote from the floor turning the appliance off as he groaned into the palm of his hand, what was his friend thinking, this would turn into a full blown fight against the admins and them if 1x1x1x1 decides to side with the people, it was almost a joke, fugitives now allied with the people of Robloxia? he didn't want to chalk it up to injustice and the growing hatred the people have to Builderman because of his ignorance with the current issues plaguing Roblox which yes it was true- but that couldn't be the main reason that's now making hackers and citizens alike going side by side now united.

 

Actually it made the half-corrupted hacker more fearful if it were that case.

 

He turned his attention away from the black screen as he went upstairs to his left, wishing to wash those thoughts away by taking a shower, or better yet a bath in the tub, and of course make breakfast with whatever meager ingredients he had in the refrigerator.

 

---

 

He decided to go with the bathtub, after all his joints ached after crouching for so long under the sweltering heat. Locking the door behind him he stepped on the cold tiles of the spacious bathroom, he took off his socks throwing them on to the sink as he soon undressed himself until he was down to his boxers, his clothes too were in the sink with the socks.

 

Approaching the bathtub he turned on the faucet, turning the temperature to hot but not too hot that would burn him, just enough to soothe the aches.

 

As he watched the bathtub fill up he began to take off his boxers now fully naked as he submerged himself in the hot water.

 

Whilst he bathed himself he scrubbed with soap to get the grime off his body, the scent of lemon faint in the air. He cleaned himself until he deemed it appropriate to drain the dirty water, replacing it, hot water began to gush out behind him since he leaned on the faucet, he sighed of relief feeling the pressure from his shoulders and back ease.

 

He enjoyed the momentary peace while the bathtub filled up again, when it reached to his neck he turned off the faucet, body relaxed as he closed his eyes.

 

But that seemed to have fatal consequences, he shouldn't have let himself be so carefree, just when he thought he could get a moment of peace his corruption began to flare up again at his side, the throbbing to the right of his head became more noticeable.

 

He ignored it at first until he sat up opening his eyes.

 

"####" He swore as he saw another facade in front of him, even in the bathroom he couldn't escape him.

 

or it.

 

"Miss me John?" It spoke, alluring, he reminded himself it isn't the mafia boss no matter how much they look alike.

 

"No" John Doe replied sharply as he splashed water at it.

 

Somehow it reacted to the hot water because it began to chuckle. "Playful aren't you?"

 

"I'm not, leave me alone"

 

"Hm, I decline the offer" It began to draw forward to him, it too was naked, sometimes the half-corrupted hacker wondered how hallucinations could feel so real, the water wading around the fake figure looked real. "I'm not leaving you alone in this bathtub"

 

"You're annoying"

 

"You dislike me now? Don't you remember the time you laid your hands on me so eagerly? it was in a bathtub too" It's hand began to trace John Doe's thigh underneath the water. "Do you want me to reciprocate the gesture"

 

"No thank you" He knew it wouldn't feel the same anyway, he also knew this facade wouldn't make it feel real.

 

But he wants the real thing, not this floating hallucination his corrupted mind conjured up for him to take pleasure in.

 

He wants Mafioso.

 

Maybe that's why he's always tempted by this thing, because he's unsure if the mafia boss would actually chase after him, if he'd yearn the same way he did.

 

The hallucination still continued tracing his thigh until it brushed against his member, that elicited a reaction from John Doe as he grabbed the facade's hands pinning them to the south edge of the tub, he glared at it, as if offended he even allowed it to touch him.

 

"You say I'm the eager one, but who's actually touching me unprompted?"

 

"I- well hey now don't be so rough on me" There's that voice again, pulling him.

 

"You aren't him, he's different, he's more respectful and knows boundaries" He tightened his grip on the wrists.

 

"But you don't want that do you? you want him to let you have free reign over him" It paused coming close to his ear, but he can't feel a warm breath coming from it. "You want to touch him in ways he'd probably be repulsed by, you can't do that to him can you, so you do it with me-"

 

The half-corrupted hacker punched the wall beside him, hard.

 

It disappeared immediately, the facade now gone from his sight as if it were nothing but just a dream, he seethed through his teeth for knowing that yes-

 

He wants to do things to that man.

 

Things he can't say out loud lest he faces judgement he fears, he can't even say he would want to have sex with him, he can't say either that he'd want to bend him over and push his face down the bedsheets of his own bed, pull cries of bliss and unending whimpers. Every single time that mafia boss decides to show skin he would think of ways on how he can leave bite marks on him, how he'll taste.

 

He still feels shame for thinking like that.

 

But he knows very well now that Mafioso isn't comparable to Jane Doe, he's different, and dare say more interesting. There's so many things he likes about him and it was about time he'd start separating the man's qualities from his former lover.

 

First off, cooking.

 

God how he loves the way he cooks, and the fact that he leans more into eating savory foods just- it compliments him very well, he isn't a good cook but he's responsible enough to know he should eat some greens, but Mafioso somehow manages to make him eat it daily with a few portions of meat at the side of course, and it didn't make him dislike it at all.

 

He can't list everything off now while he's naked in a bathtub with a broken wall, but there's a few he can note.

 

The half-corrupted hacker also liked how he spoke, he'd recall how he would speak into his ear, low and careful with his words, the way those hands would card through the strands of his hair, the warmth of his body next to his.

 

He found himself reminiscing, he shifted back to his position earlier when he was leaning back on the bathtub, until he realized something.

 

He's hard.

 

Swearing under his breath he ran a hand through his wet hair, sighing as he turns his attention to his current predicament, looking down at it, how he managed to be bricked up just from the thought of the mafia boss is alarming, he feels like a lust-filled man with uncontrollable libido.

 

"He'd be disappointed in me won't he" He gave out a sarcastic laugh.

 

God he's a freak.

 

He lowered himself further into the bathtub, the water now a shy few inches from his nose and ears as his right hand too lowered itself, at this point he's done it way too many times that reprimanding himself with shame wasn't even enough to deter him from touching himself to the thoughts of the man.

 

So why does he keep feeling so ashamed about it, is it because he still fears he doesn't like him back? Maybe, but he wants to be selfish and just enjoy imagining what it would feel like if he liked him back.

 

Slowly, he pumped his hand on his cock, a faint moan coming from his throat.

 

He thought about it often, would Mafioso be the kind to receive, or the one to dominate, he'd like both actually he doesn't care as long as that man is pushing him to the brink of pleasure, would he be quiet in bed? or would he be loud and uncaring, he wants to hear that, he wants to hear him say his name.

 

He brought himself up a bit from the water as he spoke, his pace becoming quicker on his hand as he stroked himself. "####, Mafioso..." 

 

It burned, not his dick being under water and the unusual sensation of having no lubricant, but inside, his insides burned of thoughts he wanted to act out.

 

There's so many things he wants to do to the mafia boss.

 

His corrupted hand braced for the edge of the bathtub to his right, his back arching slightly into his hand, he chased after the climbing bliss. The water splashed around him as he moved, a few of it escaping the tub as it flowed onto the cold tiles of the bathroom. 

 

"Ngh...hah-"

 

He stroked himself faster, he almost caught up to the peak he chased for, he almost felt light-headed. John Doe's breath hitched as he gripped his cock, edging himself, he took shaky breaths.

 

He imagined what would have happened if he did end up touching underneath the mafia boss's pants that day, inside the bathtub, if he allowed him to. He would have given him a handjob if he was being honest, but he'd go down on his knees too and suck him off if he wanted.

 

With a few final pumps to his dick he came, his moans coming out in staccatos, eyes rolled back as he splashed back down to the water breathing heavily. The bathtub's water compared to earlier was now halved due to his movements.

 

That's when he felt the right edge of the tub crumble at his hands, the same place he gripped earlier.

 

"Oh" He looked at it, and realized he may have held onto it too hard, cracks appeared as he lifted his corrupted hand away.

 

Oh well, it'll be fine. He'll fix it later.

 

---

 

That afternoon when he was throwing away trashbags of the weeds he cleaned up that morning, he sighed finally done with yard work. He turned around expecting to be alone but instead found a familiar face.

 

"1x" He said, tone flat.

 

"Hey John-" Instead of warm greetings the half-corrupted hacker decided to throw soil at him, effectively clinging to his pristine white hair. "What the #### man?!"

 

"How about I say that to you, what the #### were you doing at roblox headquarters?!"

 

"Okay listen let me-" Another round of soil was thrown in his way. "Dude! stop doing that!"

 

"Not until you admit what you did was wrong, are you stupid? showing yourself in front of the building? and that little speech you gave, are you high?" John Doe scoffed as he paced around the grass, his hand on his waist and the other on his hair. "Honestly- I thought you knew better!"

 

"No wait, listen to me for a moment" The embodiment of hatred raised his hands, he flinched when the man crouched again picking up dirt. "Hey no! stop that" He pointed at his actions.

 

"Do you know how close we are to a full blown war with the admins?" He stated, pausing in his movements as he threw the dirt not at 1x1x1x1's face but at his feet.

 

"I know that..."

 

"And yet you decided to side with the- what was it? protesters? rioters? humans, you're dragging people into this fight now"

 

"I know..." He crossed his arms looking away.

 

"1x, there were teenagers in that riot, you know better than to let those kids join"

 

"I joined impromptu alright? I'm not the one who started the protest" He replied raising his shoulders slightly. "Saw them struggling and thought how they were being ignored, no one is listening to them, what better ways for hard-hat head over there to finally listen?"

 

"And you decided to teach a kid how to make a molotov?"

 

"You- no! I didn't even know one of them was making one, that wasn't my doing" 1x1x1x1 defended himself, sure John Doe can trust his friend knowing he's responsible enough not to drag children into this fight but it was concerning seeing so many young faces on the screen.

 

"Do you know what you just did" The half-corrupted hacker stood up brushing off the soil from his hands.

 

"Yeah I know what I did when I said those things to the T.V."

 

"Do you know what you just declared out loud?" He said, coming closer, eyes glaring.

 

"I know that John" The embodiment of hatred replied looking away.

 

"I am not fighting against the admins, last time that happened it ended badly"

 

"I'm not asking you to do that" He responds, finally looking at John Doe, his eyes soft at the edges. "Because I know you have something more important to do, you're waiting for him aren't you"

 

The half-corrupted hacker went silent as he heard the statement, he had other reasons in not joining the coalition or the matter of fighting against the admins with other hackers to bring down the administration. But Mafioso? he was a new reason.

 

"You're locking yourself away here like you're rapunzel"

 

"I can't leave so freely you know that, people are more...angry" He replied, voice almost shaky at the thought.

 

"And what right do they have? you were an immature guy who needed someone or something to help him lead a better life, they can hate on what you were before but not who you are now, what you're doing is against your will" 1x1x1x1 tried to make reason out of John Doe's actions, due to his corruption he often goes out in a rampage when uncontrolled after the infection began to spread, his anarchism was more grandeur compared to when he was a normal human playing with code. 

 

"The fact the admins know and they just want to put you in a cell then blacklist you is so ####### appalling to me, they need to help you with the corruption, you're ill, you're not a criminal-"

 

"You think I'm not aware of that?" His voice became harsh, as if he were offended that his friend had to bring it up.

 

"I'm trying my best here John..."

 

"She tried too y'know, Jane" He added. "and look where I am now, all alone in this house, stupid hallucinations bugging me-" The half-corrupted hacker let out an angry shout as he threw a stone at the white modern house intending for it to break a window or two but it was no use, he made the house with the intent of it being safe. "On a stupid mountain!"

 

"And yet you're waiting for him, you aren't scared he would be like Jane too"

 

John Doe turned around, arms akimbo as he stared at the ground. "He's different from her, I already made up my mind about that, I shouldn't have compared him to her"

 

"Are you sure you aren't treating him like some cheap replacement to her? they may act the same at times but he has his own personality and will"

 

"He is not some cheap replacement" He paused, looking back up at 1x1x1x1. "He's him, he's Mafioso"

 

---

 

1x1x1x1 didn't actually come over to John Doe's house just so he can talk, he wanted to stay over because the half-corrupted hacker's house was safe from prying eyes, that and the admins aren't aware of the safe house either, it was hidden behind a barrier lock he himself made.

 

So it was actually more safer for him to stay with John Doe rather than leave even though he thought it was the better choice since he didn't want admins to trace his digital footprint back to his friend's house.

 

When evening striked he teleported out of the private server bidding farewell to his friend as he went off to buy groceries.

 

He can't be as carefree anymore compared to when he was with Mafioso back in Dreamsphere, he wore a black hoodie with a worn out print of some tourist spot in Brookhaven. Entering the supermarket he grabbed what he needed and quickly went to the register, he purposefully hid his corrupted hand by not using it and making it go limp as if it were paralyzed so that the cashier wouldn't recognize him, he instead used his left hand went paying and carrying the plastic bag.

 

With the plastic bag in his left hand he got himself out of the register, he must have been walking fast because he bumped into a man in a black fine three-piece suit, fortunately it didn't turn into a domino situation because that same man had a friend beside him wearing a white shirt with printed words he can barely make out.

 

"Sorry" He said before excusing himself, he wouldn't stay longer than needed.

 

Plus, he felt that the man in the white shirt was a new admin, he was so close to being found out.

 

When he stepped out of the supermarket and intended to go back immediately by teleporting himself behind the alleyway he caught sight of something moving near the trashbins.

 

The floating panel at his hand flickered, and soon he whisked it away as he approached the suspicious figure curling on itself.

 

"Uh...hello?" He asked wary as he stepped closer to it into the dark alleyway.

 

Then, it moved, or rather he? they? she? Whatever, John Doe didn't know what to refer to them. The person jumped from where they were hiding and immediately backed off seeing the half-corrupted hacker but it wasn't because they recognized him but most likely because they were just scared.

 

"Hey- woah hey sorry are you..." He noticed the robes the person wore and realized they were one of the demolitionists. "You're a demolitionist?"

 

The person in the black robe shook their head refusing to admit they were one as they raised their hands in the air.

 

"Wait no- sorry I'm not here to-" John Doe's throat tightened seeing the burn marks on their hands. "Are you hurt?"

 

They shook their head again as if wishing for him to just go away.

 

"I won't hurt you don't worry, I can help you" He was about to reach out with his hands until they began to hit him with their fists pounding it on his chest, they thrashed in his arms as he carried them, upon closer inspection it wasn't just burns they carried, they had wounds but because of the black robes you can barely see the blood. "What happened to you?"

 

He knew demolitionists had a bad reputation because of Builderman's actions destroying the homes of terminated and banned users, most of which were accidental terminations.

 

"Don't worry" He said, voice soft.

 

He didn't know why he was doing this, was it some sort of redeeming quality he was going for? it's not like he was mimicking Mafioso since that man was forced to help him not out of good deed. Still...the mafia boss would have wanted him to help the poor person despite what the people say about them.

 

And so he teleported them away from the dark alleyway, their bodies dissolving into pixels.

Notes:

BOOM, okay so I'm going to college this Monday and I'm so worried the updates for this fic will like...take a week now instead of daily or every two days, I mean I do write fast but it's only because I'm not doing anything at home.

As always thank you for the comments and supports thrown my way! your comments are so funny sometimes, see yall in the next update

Oh and I added the 3d model of Mafioso's apartment in chapter 20, I forgot to add that...yall can check it out again :D

Chapter 24: Comfort Food

Summary:

Mafioso and Shedletsky eat at a fast food chain restaurant, he proceeds to say some hurtful words and feels guilty so he helps the admin find ingredients to cook fried chicken to which it was interrupted by someone very famous within robloxia.

He also takes a visit to 007n7 with Itrapped and Chance's help.

     Under the buzzing lights of the fast food chain, Mafioso sat in one of their brightly colored chairs among the gaudy decor, sure it was supposed to look like that but it hurts his eyes whenever he catches sight of the reds and whites mixing. He looked out the window, streets nearly empty, he then took out his pocket watch seeing the hands move towards 11:00pm.

 

The smell of fried chicken hit his nose, the varying spices used lingering in the air. The man he met earlier who claimed to be an admin carried a the typical grey tray most fast food chains use, on it he carried a eight piece bucket of chicken, a classic chicken sandwich with fries and the drinks they ordered earlier, Mafioso chose iced tea while the other chose coca-cola. Shedletsky set it down on the table as he took the chair opposite to the mafia boss.

 

"Alright! let us dig in-"

 

"You paid for all of it?" Mafioso had to make sure he wasn't actually being duped despite the fact he saw from afar the man handing cash to the register.

 

"Of course, what kind of man am I to not stick to my promise of feeding a hungry soul like you on the street?"

 

"You're saying that as if I was some homeless person" Which he isn't, technically...even though his apartment is currently out of commission.

 

"Aren't you?" He replied without missing a single beat.

 

Mafioso's already growing suspicion grew more, if the man in front of him really was an admin then his reply shouldn't be pushed aside, his eyes scrutinized the supposed admin in front of him crossing his arms as Shedletsky began to eat a piece of chicken thigh from the bucket.

 

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that" The man added as he looked up at Mafioso, crumbs at his mouth.

 

"None taken..." His appetite was still low so he just stared while the other man ate but it seemed as though it creeped him out because he paused his actions and stared back.

 

"Uh...you should eat"

 

"I'm not that hungry at the moment"

 

"Well what would help with your current appetite then?" He asked, tone genuine and slightly interested. "I'm an admin I'm supposed to provide help, it is my duty"

 

"You keep saying you're an admin, are you really one?"

 

"Of course I am!" Shedletsky said as he proudly stated. "No person would just claim they are one that would be lying and against the law to pretend to be one, that would be impersonation"

 

"Apologies but I'm just suspicious of you"

 

"How so?" He asked.

 

After his apartment was consequentially blown apart to pieces nearly killing c00lkid and everyone else in it, having to experience hiding from a literal god in a  convenience store bathroom, it's fair to say he doesn't have that much trust in admins anymore, as if he had any in the first place with Robloxia's current state of affairs.

 

"You say you're a new admin, and then proceed to invite me to dinner-"

 

"Woah hey no!" The admin raised his hands in protest, fingertips with remnants of chicken crumbs. "I do not mean for it to sound like that, I'm not- I was genuinely concerned seeing you on the sidewalk, I can hear your poor stomach from a mile away, I wasn't...interested in you if that was what you assumed our first interaction to be"

 

Mafioso began to pick at the fries, his gaze lowered towards the food. It seems whoever this new admin he claims to be might actually be might actually be true.

 

Because he looks like a fumbling idiot who was just born yesterday.

 

"No I wasn't referring to that, I was just wondering why an admin would approach someone and offer a free meal, not- not whatever you just assumed I was thinking" His attention returned to Shedletsky who had just been sitting and lending an ear to what he was saying instead of returning to his food.

 

"Is it that unlikely that an admin would offer that kind of help?" Shedletsky asked, concern laced in his voice.

 

"Usually you and your lot would be in that tall building" He says, nodding towards where roblox headquarters would be outside the window, its height visible from afar. "Slaving away to fix any missing code that might break a world so easily, either that or you just make useless updates"

 

"Oh..." It was as if that simple statement hurt him, maybe the mafia boss shouldn't be so blunt because after all he's a new admin. "I never knew that's what the people thought, I thought me and my friends were doing our best-"

 

"You aren't, and that's the sad truth" He finally took a bite from the plate of food, munching at the fries ignoring the sachet of ketchup for its intended use.

 

"What do you think we can do, that's...better than what we are doing now?"

 

The mafia boss paused in taking another bite from the fries, he should properly consider what he should answer with, what if this will have fatal consequences?- as if he had any more patience to witness that.

 

"Talk to the people themselves?" The solution was simple, yet with how Builderman was handling things it was unlikely he'd show his face to the public, not just a screen or an article, himself. "What better way to gage proper feedback than talk to robloxians themselves? of course you all do that via messages and emails but sometimes one-to-one conversations are better- like what you are doing with me now"

 

Shedletsky's gaze was focused, but it wasn't the kind that looked serious, it was almost as if he was enlightened. Mafioso continued talking as he ate.

 

"Didn't the admins used to do that? you'd walk among the people, on this very ground, talking with us, but then you all just....stopped, I cannot recall when but now most of the younger generation don't even know the names of the administration holding Roblox together, it was as if you all have become untouchable, stuck in that tower, now you aren't humans to us whom we can relate to it feels like..." He paused, fearing he'd break the poor guy's innocence with what he was about to say, but he continued.

 

"It feels like you are all playing god"

 

The admin's curious eyes from earlier now looked like they dropped, turning pitiful.

 

"Are you...are you alright?-" Mafioso asked, maybe he shouldn't have actually said all those things but hey resentment is a strong emotion.

 

"Y-yeah I'm fine I- I feel so sad oh my god-" He replied after being quiet for so long, a hand now on his mouth muffling most of his words.

 

"Don't take my words to heart, I'm sure you will do great things as a new admin"

 

The mafia boss can already see his eyes being pricked at the corners by tears. "Are we just a bunch of ###holes to people? can you tell me" 

 

"No- listen you all aren't bad people, all I'm saying is that maybe listen to the people of robloxia more because with the current events I don't think anyone will like Builderman and his choices or even the entire administration as a whole if they continue shutting themselves out from the public"

 

"So we are ###holes!" Shedletsky exclaimed loudly in the nearly vacant fast food chain, the cashiers on the counter looking worried. As he was about to sob into his hands, Mafioso made the split second decision to pry his hands away-

 

To stuff a chicken leg in his mouth.

 

Obviously the admin looked shocked by the action the man opposite of him took, though he did halt his ugly crying session he was still sniffling slightly as he ate the chicken leg, biting into it.

 

"I apologize for that I just didn't want you to make a scene"

 

He knows he'll understand, after all, what would the people think of an admin crying in a KFC restaurant because he was hurt by some random man's words.

 

"I know...and I'm supposed to be an admin, what poor excuse am I to be put in such an important position" Shedletsky replied, the chicken leg now discarded to the bucket as he took another piece.

 

"I do think you'll make a great change, whatever it is you plan to do, as long as you put the people first then maybe you'll gain the robloxians trust again"

 

"Maybe...I'll try and convince the others"

 

Mafioso picked up the chicken sandwich, still warm as he bit into it, savoring the crispy chicken.

 

"That's good to know"

 

 

---

 

 

Mafioso did feel bad after that interaction at the restaurant that was uncalled for to be so blunt with the admin, after they left the fast food chain he walked alongside the admin, hoping he could comfort him in some way after those harsh truths he said earlier. The brown haired man had told him that he planned to learn how to make fried chicken at home so that he can bring some over at the office and since the mafia boss still held some guilty conscience he brought it upon himself to help him buy ingredients, even provide his own recipe on making it instead of...searching it online, because that was Shedletsky's initial plan.

 

Which Mafioso refused to follow.

 

It was near midnight when they invited themselves inside a supermarket they found nearby, they ran all the way without stopping because they feared the supermarket would close at such a late hour so of course when met with the strong winds from the air conditioner they stopped near the entrance relishing the coolness of it. Which resulted to the admin bumping into a leaving customer who wore a black hoodie, he did hear him apologize quietly so he brushed it off.

 

But Mafioso stopped in his tracks glancing from over his shoulder, the man they bumped into felt familiar, the silhouette reminding him of someone.

 

Maybe he's just imagining things.

 

As they walked along the aisles Shedletsky pushed the cart cheerfully, the wheels rattling as he sped through each section while the mafia boss tried to catch up as he listed off the ingredients.

 

"Slow down!" He grunted as he turned around a corner.

 

"What's next on the list?" The admin asked, voice loud enough the entire supermarket can hear.

 

"Flour, cornstarch, baking powder-" Mafioso caught up and grabbed the handle bars of the cart, breathing heavily. "Stop moving so quickly, we have a lot of time"

 

"Oh sorry, I'm just a little excited with the prospect of being able to cook fried chicken” 

 

"You-" The mafia boss sighed, fixing his fedora. "Nevermind, you buy those three that I just said and I head off to the spices aisle, let's meet up at the register"

 

"Sure thing" He nodded as he pushed the cart once more going their separate ways.

 

Once they gathered all the necessary ingredients they meet halfway through as they went in line of a cashier register, there was frozen chicken tenders and all kinds of assorted powders inside the cart, the process was quick as their items were scanned one by one by the man working as the cashier, his face clearly tired. The cashier said a quiet thank you as he handed the items now in plastic bags, the frozen foods separated from the other items.

 

Before leaving, Shedletsky turned around going back to the employee, Mafioso wasn't able to hear what he said but seeing how the man's face brightened he presumes maybe the admin said something encouraging, or at least comforting. As they stepped out of the supermarket plastic bags in hand they began to walk towards roblox headquarters, the building as always, visible within the naked eye.

 

The mafia boss dreaded coming closer to the tall tower, from his perspective it dominated the areas buildings as if it wanted to stand out, he didn't expect for his evening to unfold this way, he assumed he'd just hand the plastic bags to the admin and this would be all over, it seems that Shedletsky wants him to follow his steps.

 

It seems as though his fears came true the moment a black Toyota hilux come near his view, it pulled up near the sidewalk as a man, grey face famous to all, walked out of the driver's seat coming around the front stopping the man beside Mafioso from walking any further, arms akimbo, expression mad.

 

"Shedletsky! Where have you been?!"

 

"Oh Builderman, how are you? I was just about to eat outside when this man was out here in the sidewalk-"

 

Mafioso's newfound acquaintance was grabbed by his fellow admin, dragged to the passenger seat of the car, opening the door as he forcibly pushed him inside  but the other admin resisted.

 

"I looked everywhere for you! And I found out you were just at a KFC?!"

 

"Last time one of the interns brought it so I had to eat one for dinner myself..." He replied almost embarrassed at his admission.

 

By now Mafioso assumed he really likes fried chicken, as if him ordering an eight piece bucket for himself wasn't enough of a conclusion, and the printed words on his white shirt as well was a dead give-away.

 

"You're still healing, you aren't supposed to walk so freely" He said to the brown haired man, clearly frustrated with his decision to leave the building. "And don't gorge on chicken, you need a balanced meal"

 

"W-wait let me say goodbye to my friend first"

 

"Friend?" Builderman halted, turning his attention now to the mafia boss who was standing awkwardly to the side still holding the other plastic bag.

 

"Who are you"

 

"Sonnellino" That was the third time he had to introduce himself with his real name ever since he left Dreamsphere.

 

"Wait- you're the one who had his apartment blown to bits in Dreamsphere" The realization effectively made Builderman stop forcing Shedletsky inside the car, his hand still. "Are you alright? It must have been quite a shock, I sincerely apologize for the damages"

 

"He was the one whose apartment was blown up?!-" The brown haired man shouted before he was finally pushed back enough into the car, the door shut at his face as Builderman locked it with his keys.

 

"Now where were we, yes I'm very sorry for the explosion, the fire, that was- that was uncalled for"

 

Mafioso was still grappling with the fact that the creator of Roblox stood before him, that and he's apologizing for 

inadvertently causing said irreparable damaged to his now wrecked apartment, as if you can even call it an apartment. He still held a grudge, one that had begun to grow steadily and with Builderman himself now face to face with him it began to climb.

 

"There was a child in that explosion" He spoke up, tone cutting through the pleasantries.

 

"What? I wasn't informed of such a thing" The grey faced man replied, confused.

 

"Maybe because they had to run away, who wouldn't after a building is nearly parted into two"

 

"There must have been some miscommunication with me and the admins deployed to the case-"

 

"Then that's a big mishap on your side" 

 

Builderman felt the growing unease in the air, the atmosphere tense as he began to look at Mafioso more critically, his eyes looking at him as if he were just a bunch of binary numbers he had to understand, code to unravel, he crossed his arms as he stood just a mere feet from him. The mafia boss wonders how such a normal looking man can hold so much power yet be so clueless with the current state of his world.

 

"I can see that you hold quite a grudge...is there any way for me to hand over compensation? I heard from my secretary you declined the reparations"

 

Mafioso's face darkened as if agitated at the proposition the man offered. "Nothing, you will do nothing to repay me, I'd rather not be in the debt of a man who nearly killed a child because he was so hell-bent on chasing hackers-"

"One of which killed my closest friend" He cuts him off, the grey faced man bites back, mirroring the mafia boss's disdain. 

 

"I'm aware of that, but that doesn't mean children should be under collateral damage if you have a report to sign"

 

"Are you one of those protestors? siding with the hackers? because I can feel the loathing you have towards me"

 

Mafioso didn't know how to answer that, much less explain why he felt more biased now towards the administration, was it because of that half-corrupted hacker? has this growing attraction and likenment towards him changed his views so much he is know considering to say that- yes, he sides with the opposition right in front of the creator of roblox who may as well snap him out of existence with just a flick of his hand.

 

He decided not to, because that would have severe results.

 

"I'm not one of the protesters, but I do have a small grudge against you"

 

The grey faced man added. "Because of the apartment?"

 

"No" He disagreed, almost laughing at the assumption. "With the choices you're making, keep it up and you'll have the entire population against you"

 

"Is that a threat" It wasn't a question, it was a statement, and he wants it to be confirmed.

 

"What can I even use to threaten you? I'm just a normal human person"

 

The space between them that gave the mafia boss the comfort he needed lessened as the admin came closer and it made him instinctively reach for the gun hidden in his hip causing the grey faced man to look at him in surprise with his choice of action.

 

"I can see you've been deceived" He spoke up, calmly, he may be an all-powerful man but even a bullet can pierce through you.

 

"Deceived? what nonsense are you saying-"

 

"I can see traces of him on you"

 

He nearly bolted then and there hearing him say those words, does he know? of course he would know he's a goddamn admin and the creator of this world, he'd know, it made him feel uncomfortable at the notion that Builderman knows he's met John Doe, what's worse is if he is aware or not that he had been sleeping with him- not like that, like in a literal sense, if he knows how close the two are then he might also know the reason why he's actually here in the main city.

 

"Don't worry I won't arrest you, y'know I've wondered how he and the others were able to hide for so long, how no one reported of any sighting" The man didn't take another step, allowing Mafioso his own space.

 

But the mafia boss's hand was still on the handle of his gun, the grip tight and ready to pull it when needed, still the admin talked.

 

"You were hiding them weren't you? Or were you forced to, based on past accounts they forced owners out of their homes to hide, you though...were you coerced?"

 

"I was, but I have my own thoughts on the matter and I surely wasn't hiding them because I was forced to"

 

Technically yes he was forced to, only because he had no other choice, yet when the other hackers came over he didn't feel the need to do it because he had to, but because he wanted to, he understood their situation, he grew to understand them.

 

Most especially John.

 

"Still, the fact stands he forced you to take him in, did you know he can control people?"

 

"What" Mafioso wouldn't believe such an obvious lie, a desperate tactic to make him join their side, he knew if he gave in then the admin would find out more.

 

"Let me explain-"

 

"That's absurd, he wouldn't do that, he couldn't even do that"

 

The man raised a brow. "How'd you know that"

 

"Because he's a sick man, that corruption isn't giving him powers he's infected"

 

"Sonnelino...you're awfully friendly with that hacker aren't you, not everyone knows how corruption works, but you know, and it's either admins, hackers or his close friends who know" He took another step, and this time Mafioso took out the gun from his hip pointing it at his head point blank, this is the second time he pointed his own gun at an admin and ironically they both held high positions within the administration.

 

"Do you know where he is?" Another step, another reason for the mafia boss to be more cautious.

 

"I don't know where he is" His finger is now on the trigger, threatening to pull it at any second if the man dared to take another step towards him.

 

"Then what are you doing outside Dreamsphere, you've been operating locally and only leaving when you have to track down debtors outside your server" His questions have turned into an interrogation, it wasn't anymore the friendly atmosphere from earlier.

 

"I have other business to attend to other than debts"

 

"Like visiting Chance's Casino? I know he has a hacker friend too, Itrapped"

 

Mafioso didn’t know how to respond to that, he feels cornered despite the open road being available for him to run out of this situation, is it because the man knows so much? It perturbed him, he didn’t like it when people are knowledgeable about his own intricate details, may it be his past or his current reputation, most especially with his activities.

 

So he decides to throw a question instead, it was the only thing he can think of.

 

"What's your point?"

 

The man sighed, running a hand through his hair as he fixed his hard-hat. "Choose the people you want to side with wisely"

 

"And why is that"

 

"Because I have a gut feeling that my hand will be forced to act and robloxians alike will come to blows, and I'm sure you don't know who to ally yourself with"

 

Mafioso’s hand didn’t falter on the gun hearing those words come from the creator himself, him proclaiming a skirmish will break out. “I can handle myself just fine”

 

“Of course you do, you have people with power behind you, it’s comforting isn’t it?”

 

“The more you talk about my supposed friends, the more I'm inclined to actually oppose you”

 

“You do know they’ll all end up in a cell or blacklisted one way or another, choose your side wisely”

 

The mafia boss didn’t like the sound of that, he didn’t want to imagine John Doe in a cell, locked up and banned from walking amongst the people freely, and he didn’t like the look the grey faced man gave either, it was as if he was so sure this victim of collateral damage would be persuaded to join them with such meager threats. But it seems as though his methods of persuasion failed, he sighed once more and just simply nodded to the man’s way.

 

“Good night to you Mr. Sonnelino, I tried” With the final farewell he left, climbing his pick-up truck allowing Mafioso air to breathe as he relaxed, hiding the gun back in his hip, the car then promptly drove away.

 

He’d like to forget this confrontation with the creator of roblox.

 

 

---

 

 

“Was he really the man whose apartment we blew up?” Shedletsky asked in the passenger seat as he looked over to his friend, the hard-hat gone from his head.

 

“Yes”

 

“He…he didn’t seem bad at all”

 

“He isn’t, he’s a debt collector based on his files on site, he’s the kind to follow rules” He replied, his voice lacking any friendliness and welcome.

 

“Then why did you make me find him?”

 

The car drove quickly through the empty streets under the night sky, stars pin-pricks on the black void blanketing their world, Builderman made that, in fact everything around them he made, but he didn’t do it alone he had someone else supporting his efforts and they both succeeded in creating a world people could thrive and be free in, sadly that person isn’t here anymore.

 

Some robloxians though are unsatisfied with their current predicament and turn to exploiting this perfect landscape, greedy people whose hands know no bounds as they hack, breaking code, unraveling their hard work, and as if it wasn’t enough they would play with it too then they end up with severe consequences.

 

Corruption.

 

It’s a finicky little thing, it starts small then infects every part of you like cancer, those kind of people infected with corruption aren’t safe nor sane enough to walk around with other people in public, hence why they are on the highest list to prioritise when found, they need to be contained immediately. 

 

Which is why leaving morality and values behind, they need to find John Doe with whatever means necessary, he’s on his last hurrah before it fully consumes him.

 

His grip tightened on the wheel as he spoke up. “John Doe is dangerous, if someone, or a close friend is trying to find him then they can lead us to him”

 

“Can’t we find a cure? Stop the infection?” His fellow admin asked, hopeful.

 

“There’s no other way, no one has survived being corrupted this long and no one has lived surviving it either, he’s in his final stages”

 

“Are you sure this is the right way Builderman?”

 

The grey faced man looked over to him, someone who took his old friend’s place, he was still adjusting to the changes but he can’t help but see the confident and pompous god he was supposed to be, if he were Telamon he would agree to anything he said but he isn’t, he’s someone different, new skin and dark eyes, brown curly hair, they looked the same but not at the same time.

 

“Just- just follow my lead here Te- I mean Shedletsky” He corrected himself as he turned a corner following the signals of the stoplight above. 

 

“I’m not him, I know that…but if your grief can be lessened then you may call me-”

 

“No, you aren’t him, and you would never be”

 

Builderman understood that the man beside him just wants to comfort him after the death of his closest friend, but indulging yourself in believing he is still alive and real is delusional, so he pushes away the thoughts of guilt, is it for causing Telamon’s death because he was so hellbent on catching the hacker? Or is it because he feels as though he’s causing more pain to himself by acting like everything is normal.

 

He needs to grieve but he can’t, Robloxia needs him.

 

“Sorry I said that don’t take it to heart” 

 

“Okay…” He replied, voice turning low. “I forgive you”

 

“Thanks”

 

He hoped he could gain forgiveness from Telamon too.

---

 

 

Those words last night intrigued him, or rather unnerved him, he stood in Chance's Casino now donning his black trenchcoat and his usual get-up with his suit, he wanted to wear his three piece suit but that would be overkill with the fact that he's just going to visit 007n7, there was no need to be so formal with the man and his child, or children, because from what he knew he actually had three children not just c00lkid as his lone child.

 

The gambler went up behind him, slapping the back of his hand gently at his left forearm. "Ready to go Mafioso?"

 

With the look the man gave him- yes he was ready to go, that and he didn't like the physical contact.

 

"Alright..." He replied to his own question, coughing, uneasy as he saw the man’s face, he turned his face to his friend instead. "Itrapped teleport us"

 

"Didn't even say please" The hacker complained as he too appeared coming up from behind, he still had the black screen over his face but Mafioso can feel his hateful stare for losing last night to poker.

 

"Please? please teleport us" His friend pleaded almost childish as he saddled near to the hacker coaxing him.

 

"Fine! hold on to your hats"

 

Their bodies began to dissolve into thin air.

 

Mafioso didn't listen, he thought it was just the usual sarcasm he heard from Itrapped, this wasn't his first time being teleported but the first time was too sudden for him to react, this time he had the opportunity to actually experience the feeling of almost floating mid-air. He felt like he was frozen in time.

 

Until he landed on his face, his hat now gone from his head.

 

He heard the loud laughter coming from the gambler, and as he was about to stand up to smack him right in the head he realized he wasn't outside, he was inside a house, his face met carpet instead of an asphalt road or grass, 007n7's house specifically. Soon he heard another sound, and it came from a child.

 

"Boss man!" c00lkid ran up to the mafia boss who barely got his bearings before he was pushed back down to the carpet floor, it seems that he and the ground were destined to be.

 

He gave out a groan as the red child cheerfully hugged him, or tackled.

 

"Mafioso?" A familiar voice rang out in the room, footsteps light.

 

Mafioso looked up from his poor state and saw the retired hacker, standing underneath the doorway to the living room where he was currently tackled to the carpet floor. 007n7 looked far better than before, other than that he wore an apron too, and now with a clearer mind he can smell the aroma of buttered potatoes.

 

"007n7, you look well"

 

"Uhuh...you aren't though" The man chuckled seeing the mafia boss's predicament, coming closer he picked up c00lkid saving Mafioso from his battered state.

 

"No! let me play with boss man!" He complained as he was lifted into the air before 007n7 tickled him.

 

"Hey now give him some space, you pounced on the poor man"

 

c00lkid laughed at being tickled, he was then set back down on the floor as he ran upstairs, possibly leading to his bedroom as he began to announce loudly.

 

"Boss man is here! Uncle Noli get down!" 

 

The retired hacker sighed, shaking his head as he chuckled at his child's antics.

 

Sounds of his loud footsteps were heard even from the living room, but soon Mafioso heard other steps following, must be Noli and the other two children that the retired hacker adopted moving about upstairs. The mafia boss also wondered on how the exploiter was doing since he too has to suffer 007n7’s single fatherhood alongside him.

 

Mafioso was finally given the chance to stand up, with no help from the gambler whatsoever who just snickered.

 

"How'd the carpet taste?" He loomed over him, entertained by his misfortune.

 

"He did that on purpose didn't he" He was referring to Itrapped, of course he held a grudge and wanted to see him eat dirt- or carpet in this case, why is that man so petty over a poker game.

 

"I don't know what you're talking about" Chance shrugged as he plopped himself down on a couch.

 

"I apologize for my sudden visit-" Mafioso moved, his gaze on 007n7 as he apologized.

 

"Wait no no!" The retired hacker responds with waving his hands, not wishing to accept the apology. "Actually I'm glad you showed up, c00lkid has become a bit picky with his food and I was wishing I was able to contact you but of course we didn't have the chance to do that, don't say sorry"

 

"Oh...I see, though I'm here for something else I'm not here because you wished for that"

 

"What is it?"

 

"I need you to find John Doe"

 

007n7's face contorted to one of pleasant surprise, in fact it looked like he was more than happy to accept the request, but there was an underlying expression he can't describe.

 

"Really? you're...you're planning to go after him?"

 

"Yes, a bit too late aren't I?"

 

007n7 laughed quietly at the statement. "That's true, you're almost 2 weeks late"

 

"It's been that long already?"

 

"Dad! who's down there?" a voice he hadn't heard before echoed through the stairways, and soon someone other than c00lkid ran down, and this time he bore blue skin. "Is that c00lkid's mafia friend"

 

"He isn't just a mafia guy he's a mafia boss!" c00lkid followed closely behind the blue skinned teen. "He's cool, he cooks and drives a really nice car"

 

"I don't see a car outside, you're just lying" The teen argued with him.

 

"I'm not lying!"

 

"Liars go to hell-"

 

"Shut up both of you! I'm trying to host a party and you're ruining it!" Another voice came from the stairs, if Mafioso thought seeing two colored children was chaos then the third made him rethink if this was still his preconceived assumption, because the third one who stepped down the stairs had pink skin, her hair in pigtails as she jabbed at the other two with her pointer finger.

 

"Ow! my ribs!" The blue teen complained.

 

"Get a new one then!" She responds, her voice high pitched.

 

c00lkid began to pout as he pointed at his siblings."Dadddd, they're fighting again!" 

 

"Children don't fight on the stairs" 007n7's voice turned stern, his posture straight as his hands went to his hips commanding authority as an actual father. "You aren't eating any of the lunch if you won’t behave, we have a guest here”

 

“Sorry” They all said in unison as they raced down the stairs, drawing near to their father as they stood behind him, though it was only the blue and pink children who did so, c00lkid was beaming with joy as he instead went near Mafioso.

 

“Kids, this is Mafioso, he helped me and your uncle Noli, though maybe more of me since he taught me how to properly cook” He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

 

"Hi" They both said, before 007n7 nudged them to introduce themselves further.

 

"I'm Bluudude" The blue teen said, nonchalant, and soon his sister followed. 

 

"I'm pr3typriincess, nice to meet you" Her introduction and greeting were more welcoming compared to her brother, as if she does embody the name, but her attitude earlier wasn't with how she was quick to anger, sometimes he wonders what heavenly saint possesed 007n7 to adopt the three children of such varying cases. Mafioso simply nodded to the both of them as he returned to conversing with their father.

 

“Based on how the living room smells not of burnt food I surmise you did take it to heart” The mafia boss replied, voice now more playful.

 

“He keeps feeding us beans, we’re like soldiers in the trenches here save us” The blue teen exclaimed behind his father, a smirk on his face.

 

The retired hacker turned to the teen. “You- I do not feed all of you beans”

 

“He’s lying, save us mafia man” The blue teen added.

 

“Okay none of you are eating lunch if you all keep lying about the beans” 007n7 says, a smile forming on his mouth as he joked.

 

 

---

 

 

They were all gathered around the long rectangular dining table, the three children sat together as they argued, Mafioso found the sight reminiscent of his family gatherings during birthday parties, even during funerals it would play out exactly like this. He and Chance meanwhile sat opposite of the children, with Noli at their side as he struggled to pacify the children's antics. 007n7 sat beside c00lkid, watching over him so that he actually eats his lunch.

 

The lunch the retired hacker made was potato salad, and to be frank the mafia boss found it delectable. Last time 007n7 tried to cook anything organic he would nearly burn not just the food itself but his kitchen.

 

“It’s good” He said, complimenting the retired hacker’s food, he took another bite with his fork. “Better than what you made before”

 

“Thanks, I try, for them of course” The man held a bright expression, as he nodded to the children beside him, clearly he'd doing his best.

 

“So about John-” Mafioso looked away slightly, almost embarrassed at the thought, he didn’t want to look like he was so eager to see the man, which he is, it’s just that he might present himself like a bumbling blushing schoolboy.

 

“Oh right!” He perked up, finishing his plate before he returned to conversing with the mafia boss. “Ehem, so you plan to find John?”

 

“Yes”

 

“Well of course I wouldn’t make you pay for it that would be mean of me, second-” He paused as he pulled out his gui casually, showing the infamous tool to the mafia boss as if it were just some normal gadget. “For me to trace any digital footprint I would need something we can track him down with, do you have uh…i’m sorry to assume this but this would be the easiest method”

 

“Which is?” If it was the easiest method then Mafioso wouldn’t have to worry with whatever request the retired hacker makes.

 

“Do you have anything that belonged to him?”

 

It in fact was not the easiest method in Mafioso’s case.

 

Immediately the mafia boss’s mind was flooded with memories of the stupid worn grey jacket he may as well have performed multiple sins on, by sins it would be jerking himself off to the thought of John Doe taking him to the heights of ecstasy, he is definitely not mentioning that to 007n7 if he were to use it as means to track down the half-corrupted hacker.

 

After some prolonged silence, Chance nudged Mafioso with his elbow to make him respond.

 

“I- well I do have a jacket that belonged to him”

 

That caught almost everyone’s attention on the table, except for the children of course they were busy playing with their food which 007n7 ignored, his attention currently on the mafia boss.

 

“He left you a jacket?” The gambler’s tone was indicative of teasing, and already Mafioso knows what to expect from the rest.

 

“What did you do with the jacket anyways” Noli piped up, he simpered. “You’re looking guilty right now, what did you do?”

 

‘I did nothing to the jacket it was in my closet”

 

“If you brought it with you I’d be more skeptical” Chance sing-songed, it was as if he and the exploiter were ganging up on him just for keeping a jacket.

 

007n7 spoke up amidst the teasing.“If you did bring it with you then it would smooth out our process-”

 

“I did” 

 

He admitted out loud, his eyes now on the platter of potato salad alone as he avoided their stares, mostly the gambler and Noli because they had mischievous looks on their faces, they then began to barrage him with teasing statements.

 

“You miss him that much Mafioso? You hug it to sleep?-”

 

“I bet he wears it in his sleep-”

 

“All of you shut up before I break the table” He threatened the two but it was no use against their continuous mocking session, he just had to accept it at this point lest he makes a scene and throws them out the window, not out of anger, but because he was flustered.

 

“Oh my god you look red” Chance exclaimed as he laughed, almost choking on the potato salad.

 

“Choke on that potato salad” He replied, still focused on his plate.

 

“I bet you want him to choke you-” Noli spoke up soon after before Mafioso cast a strong glare his way silencing him, maybe teasing the same man who was able to wrangle John Doe into complacency when he was nearly going insane due to his corruption isn’t a good decision to make, he may be human but he can pack a punch.

 

007n7 just sighed at the commotion surrounding him. “If you can bring the jacket then we can find him”

 

“I’ll grab it right now if you can teleport me to my hotel”

 

The retired hacker nods. “Alright, sounds good to me”

Notes:

College is tomorrow huhu, this totaled around 6k words so maybe it's enough to feed all of you, plus after this we go back to John Doe's perspective, i'm just telling y'all prepare to wait for a week or like almost a week before the next update cause idk what to expect for college as a freshman, maybe the first week won't be so busy and I'll be able to push out 2 more chapters.

Also, OH MY GOD WE'RE SO CLOSE TO 100K WORDS HELLO??? I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BRO

As always your comments are appreciated and push me to write! <3

Chapter 25: The Five Stages of Grief.

Summary:

John Doe continued to go on with his life, the corruption worsening by the days that came by, he hoped for the presence of a man to be at his side, delusional hope.

and 1x1x1x1 just has a mental breakdown in John's living room while a traumatized demolitionist is on the couch watching everything unfold.

     His body felt the soothing warmth of the sun, the grass on his back tickling his neck slightly. The smell of newly washed laundry was in the air, he breathed it in slowly, then exhaled, relishing the way his lungs expanded. 

 

He felt the warm body of another person beside him, but it felt so distant.

 

"Are you awake John?" The voice of a woman spoke, strands of her pink fuchsia hair shaping her face, she too laid on the grass beside him, languid, enjoying the sun.

 

"I am" He replied.

 

"Does your head hurt?" She asked, the worry in her tone low.

 

"It doesn't anymore"

 

He shifted his position, burying his face in her neck, they huddled underneath the warmth of the sun, the throbbing that he felt in the right side of his head had faded away. Her presence a steady peace that instilled within him.

 

"I've thought about it"

 

"About what?" The hacker asked, now sitting up straight, his wife still on the grass.

 

"Starting a family"

 

"Jane...you know I can't-"

 

"Because you're scared?" She replied, voice wavering for a moment, as if she were dreading the answer he was about to give.

 

"Yes"

 

Against the grass that brushed her legs, she shifted now joining John Doe sitting beside him, her hand on his shoulder, gentle and soothing as always.

 

"I know you'll do well, you've treated me well, what's scaring you so much about-"

 

He gently pried her hand away, the action. "I just can't alright? what will happen if the admins find out?"

 

Jane looked at him, an expression akin to frustration as her husband continued to make reasons she find to be of no merit.

 

"So what? what's so wrong in having a child"

 

"What if they end up in the same path as me"

 

"They won't, you'll be a good father I just know"

 

John Doe wanted to believe her, after all she believed in him too it would be unfair to not show the same integrity as hers, for all the time they've spent she has always been a pillar for him to lean on, thoughts nagged at him, thoughts he can't push away, paranoia settling as he thought of the future if he were to have a family with this woman he loved.

 

He was silent for a long moment, and so Jane Doe spoke up instead.

 

"Is it...is it because of the corruption"

 

He looked over to his wife, eyes then cast downward as he let out a shaky exhale at the notion.

 

"Yes" John Doe answers, almost stopping himself from saying so.

 

"You know I don't blame you for that"

 

"Yes I know-"

 

She began to bury her face in the palm of her hand, running it down her face, her bangs getting caught in her fingers.

 

"John" Jane says, sharp, as if this conversation had been discussed multiple times already, it tires her.

 

"What if they-"

 

"We don't know that yet John!" 

 

He turns away from her, tone turning almost vulnerable. "I'm sorry alright I...I'm just scared for what will happen next"

 

Both of them didn't look at each other's pained expressions, the rustling of leaves and running water from afar became the only sound between them, clouds cast their shadows blocking the warm sun that brushed against their skin earlier, it looks like the weather is becoming cloudy, chance of rain perhaps.

 

Their house, a stark contrast to the now gloomy atmosphere stood in the dense forest, a lonely building meant to be unseen from others, that's what John Doe wanted, he wanted to keep her safe, safe from the admins, his old life of hacking, she wanted this kind of peaceful mundaneity with him but she wants more than that. Living together in matrimony and happiness isn't enough for Jane Doe. She wants to do more than lounge on the grass, swim in the clear waters of their pool, she wants a family, children who'll run through the stairs and doorways of their home.

 

Not a house, but a home.

 

Yet her husband had always avoided the topic, made excuses, she doesn't want to say he's a coward that bluntly, that would be too harsh knowing how the life he lead is influencing his choices especially now when he decided to stop his act of crimes, it's probably too soon to ask for something so hefty.

 

But sometimes she can't help but think he really is one.

 

"I'm going back inside" She abruptly ends their conversation as Jane Doe stood up, brushing off the blades of grass that clung to her jeans, and she walked away.

 

"I-" John Doe too stood up nearly stumbling as he called out, now alone on the front yard. "Jane I'm sorry"

 

The woman stopped near the front entrance, she can feel the weeds at her bare feet, no care given in pulling it out due to their carefree days spent in the house, Jane Doe stepped on it before taking another on the small steps, closer to the door as she looked over her shoulder. 

 

"I'm tired John"

 

John Doe stood there, clouds gathering up above as the sun now hid behind it, his heart began to thump against his chest rapidly as he stared at her figure dissipating into the house, the last thing he saw was her hand on the doorway.

 

The door shut, loud.

 

Darkness is what it felt like, it consumed him, sounds of static began to ring in his ears the throbbing in the right side of his head returning painfully, a reminder of his past actions. How immature he was, childish, uncaring, he let out pained cry as he suddenly knelt on the grass, his hand on his face as he clawed at the gnawing infection that seeped under his skin like a never ending wound that would refuse to heal.

 

He bent over, grasping at the grass and soil fighting against the corruption that pulled him more and more away from sanity. It burned, it wasn't like the warm kiss of the sun earlier it was scalding iron pushed unto his face.

 

Screaming into the ground he began to grab at the perfectly cut grass, failing to find solace in anything around him, he thrashed around on the ground, he felt his nails mark his face with wounds that would later scar him as he continued clawing at it.

 

It hurt.

 

And he wants it to stop.

 

Stop.

 

He opened his eyes, waking up on his bed. The entire room is a mess with blankets, pillows, and all kinds of belongings on the ground.

 

His curtains had blocked out the light from outside, his room shrouded in almost a muted color.

 

The closet and dresser is at his door  barricading it, preventing him from leaving if he ever so goes out on a rampage while his corruption was impending his ability to think rationally at this time. He predicted it would happen and so he took safety measures, with the help of 1x1x1x1 of course.

 

The half-corrupted hacker had returned to his bed because of a stray or rather a demolitionist he found on an alleyway is now in his couch, he did try placing him in his bed for him to be comfortable while he patched them up but the person refused.

 

So he resorted to bandaging them on the couch and letting them stay there to sleep instead while he...

 

While he takes his place on the bed that somehow causes him irreparable nightmares.

 

John Doe pushed himself off the bed, his back sweaty from his hurt driven nightmare, he must have actually thrashed around in his sleep like he did so in his mind. Looking down he noticed his nails had grown a bit, he finds himself often cutting it now it annoyed him with how fast his nails grew.

 

But it worried him as well, what if this is also part of the corruption growing?

He instead headed straight for the bathroom door to clean up, leaving the mess behind as he turned the shower head of the shower stall to cold, he wished to wash away the sweat that clinged to his body uncomfortably, he peeled off his clothes one by one as he assessed the damage he may have caused to himself, the night terrors have become worse, actions he'd thought were just enacted in his dreams bring consequences, there was red marks on his neck possibly due to him clawing at it.

 

John Doe sighed, then stepped into the cold gush of water from the shower head.

 

It stinged his neck slightly.

 

But he pushed through, wishing to scrub away the grime and buildup of sweat, he thought of ways to wash away the pain, or rather forget the thoughts that pained his mind to think about. He hoped for the steady warm presence of a man that wasn’t there, one who would correct him if we were to swear or make a mistake as simple as cutting a tomato, he didn't know what the difference was between a julienne cut and brunoise and to be frank he still didn’t know how to do that. Maybe if he cooked more often he can learn it along the way…it may be a way for him to cope as well without him at his side.

 

He should probably buy pork ribs.

 

---

 

 

The embodiment of hatred stood over the cowering figure on the couch, they still wore the black robes a demolitionist would wear, to be frank 1x1x1x1 doesn't hate the demolitionists for what they've done to robloxia, in fact Builderman should be to blame with the current protests not the poor workers.

 

But it seems as though this poor person wouldn't even dare speak to him despite his sweet-talking.

 

"Do you want me to cook you something?" He asked awkwardly, even though he knew he wasn't a great cook himself, but he was hungry too.

 

The black robed person shook their head immediately, must be a no then.

 

It was early morning, birds chirping absentmindedly blissfully ignorant of everything that surrounded them, sometimes 1x1x1x1 wonders how it feels like to be a bird, maybe if he wasn't someone's heavy baggage he could've been born as one.

 

Pushing those thoughts aside he returns his attention to the demolitionist who barely made a peep.

 

"Are you- can you even talk?" He asked, crossing his arms.

 

They shook their head again confirming 1x1x1x1's suspicions that the demolitionist was actually mute, no wonder the half-corrupted hacker didn't know their name. The demolitionist began to make hand gestures in the air, but the embodiment of hatred can't seem to understand what they are doing.

 

"I..." 1x1x1x1 stared trying to understand it, until he realized what they were doing so he raised his hands to stop them from further tiring themselves out. "Okay buddy I don't know sign language-"

 

Suddenly sounds of heavy footsteps came from upstairs, as if they were dragging something with them, the embodiment of hatred assumed it must have been John Doe, looks like he's awake then.

 

The demolitionist looked visibly alarmed hearing the footsteps or what's visible that is, the black hood made it seem impossible to garner their expression. It reminded 1x1x1x1 of Telamon's signature robes...though yes it does look similar, Dusekkar too also has a similar robe but his was grey, bearing the same markings. Maybe it's just a thing within the roblox administration to have those robes.

 

The half-corrupted hacker finally appeared coming downstairs looking haggard, but it looked like he had taken a shower so it did lessen his tired state.

 

"Are they doing alright?" John Doe asked, now stepping on the carpeted floor walking near to his friend.

 

"Yeah well...they might be mute, they just tried to do sign language but y'know I don't know that"

 

Said unnamed person is still on the couch, his fear doubled having to face two of Robloxia's most feared hackers, as if 1x1x1x1 was a scare enough John Doe's appearance worsened it. They began to shrink on themselves, hiding under the black hood pulling it down as some sort of shield against the unpleasant faces.

 

"Can you write?" The half corrupted hacker asked, getting straight to the point.

 

The demolitionist did not respond, though yes John Doe and his friend looked scary it wasn't that bad right? The mafia boss did seem to be fairly attracted to him at the very least.

 

"Go take a pen and paper-" 1x1x1x1 spoke up.

 

"I don't have that"

 

"Then make one?" His friend said, pushing all the responsibility of handling the demolitionist to which yes he should since he was the one who took in the wounded person.

 

"I'm not feeling well right now"

 

The embodiment of hatred stared at him, then it clicked, he must be limiting his access to his gui because of his corruption at the moment affecting him.

 

"Jeez...it's getting that bad?"

 

John Doe nodded, his hand on the right side of his face gently touching the corrupted skin. "Yeah, I've been having night terrors and hallucinations"

 

"Do you want me to uh...try and find him?"

 

"Who?"

 

"Mafioso"

 

That name, it rang inside his head over and over, it repeated  to be frank...he missed him.

 

He missed his warmth.

 

How his hands played with his hair.

 

How he felt.

 

He stood there unmoving before 1x1x1x1 nudged him, bringing him back to reality or rather before he drifted off and daydreamed delusionally.

 

"You miss him don't you? you know I can just-"

 

"No, I told him he can find me when the time comes for him that..." He paused trying to find the words from the tip of his tongue. "that he can finally understand his feelings towards me"

 

"You're awfully patient about that"

 

"He was with me"

 

There was a moment of silence between the embodiment and hatred and half-corrupted hacker, then John Doe felt a tug at his arm, it seems that the mute demolitionist had built up some courage to communicate with him. They guided the man's hand to open his palm, they then began to write with their finger, tracing out letters.

 

Thus piqued 1x1x1x1's interest, still with crossed arms he took a closer look at what the person was doing. "Are they trying to spell something?"

 

"T...a...ph? Taph? what's that?" John Doe asked, turning to his friend.

 

"I don't know why are you asking me?-"

 

The mute demolitionist gripped the half-corrupted hacker's wrist tightly, shaking it for a moment as he traced letters again, this time they spelled out the word "name".

 

"Name?" John Doe wanted the black robed person to clarify their answer. "Taph is your name?"

 

They began to nod energetically as if happy that they are now finally being understood despite the constraints of them being mute.

 

"Taph...alright Taph, you're a demolitionist correct?" The embodiment of hatred wasted no time questioning them.

 

The mute demolitionist nodded again, slowly this time.

 

John Doe then asked. "What happened to you in that alleyway I found you?" 

 

“He was probably one of those demolitionists whose residences were thrown rocks at, saw it on the news a few days ago”

 

“People do that to them?” He was in disbelief hearing that information from 1x1x1x1’s zipper of a mouth, he thought people were only protesting against Builderman by rioting at Roblox headquarters but to drag the demolitionists as well by targeting them? That is completely wrong and unjustified.

 

The embodiment of hatred shrugged, his shoulders rising slightly with the gesture.“I guess people just don’t know exactly where to throw their anger at, everyone is at fault here though- that’s my opinion”

 

“That doesn’t mean they should attack workers who were just told to do their job”

 

“But they could’ve stopped when they found out what they were doing was wrong-”

John Doe cut him off, brows furrowed as he argued. “They must have been under a contract, Taph were you under a contract?” He turned to look at the cowering figure still curled up on the couch who just nodded in response now fully joining in their conversation albeit just with the shake and nod of their head, it sufficed.

 

“That’s insane, if that were true wouldn’t that have been against some sort of labor law?”

 

“It is, isn't it? But they’re employed as a demolitionist so it is under their obligation to actually terminate houses, it is under their requirements”

 

1x1x1x1 sighed, staring at the ceiling, his arms still crossed over his chest as he mulled over the dilemma they were facing, he then asked the now named black robed person on the couch, looking at Taph directly. “Did you even like your job Taph?”

 

They perked up and for a moment both hackers expected him to nod but instead they shook their head, guess that was a straightforward answer.

 

“There should be a way that the demolitionists under Builderman not be dragged into this mess, they were just doing their work and they were under contract"

 

The embodiment of hatred replied harshly at John Doe. “Why are you suddenly caring? Didn’t you say you wouldn't be including yourself in this little rebellion going on?”

 

“Yes I wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean those who aren’t at fault and were forced should be part of the blame”

 

Both the hacker and demolitionist stared at the half-corrupted hacker in shock, though 1x1x1x1 was more expressive, he wore a wide set of eyes while the other was more or less expressive through their black robes, body language indicating he was surprised that the infamous hacker is taking his side of the problem rather than immediately assuming he too was an issue rather than a victim.

 

Suddenly John Doe felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist from where he stood and those arms were from the demolitionist, a faint sob can be heard under their hood as they cried into his shirt.

 

“Woah- hey are you alright?...” The half-corrupted hacker asked as he tried to comfort them, he did make sure not to touch them with his right hand he feared with his current situation it might make the infection worse if he were to use it.

 

Slowly, his friend spoke up, tone hopeful. “John…you should just join"

 

“I’m not joining you and your ragtag band of anarchists” His eyes drifted to the armband bearing the symbol of anarchy on his friend's arm.

 

“Weren’t you one as well?”

 

“Were, the key word was were” He replied, punctuating the past tense word. “I’m not one anymore”

 

“But you’re willing to help a demolitionist, if that’s the case then all the other demolitionists need help as well, sure you won’t be at the frontlines protesting"

 

“You mean rioting?” The half-corrupted hacker corrected him.

 

“Oh god damn it John-” The embodiment of hatred raised his hands in the air infuriated with the correction, then jabbed a finger at the man’s chest. “For once can you do something other than stay in this house?”

 

His friend’s voice then rose, almost strident in nature. “I can’t!”

 

The living room turned hushed, both parties speechless as they stood near the couch, meanwhile the other person in the room who isn’t a hacker was just on the couch watching the impending argument unfold, Taph was mildly interested but of course they had to remind themself that these are dangerous men not friends, okay maybe they are since John Doe helped them in the alleyway so he carefully took his arms away folding it in on themself as they watched the two squabble.

 

“Is this why she left you”

 

“You cannot be bringing her up now” The half-corrupted hacker nearly scowled at the notion.

 

“Yeah? Why not? Because the way I see it is you’re scared”

 

“1x you better stop talking now before you do something you regret”

 

“Like what? Killing Telamon?”

 

“No I-” John Doe groaned agitated as to where their conversation was leading towards, he ran a hand through his hair. “I was not referring to him you know me better than that”

 

“It felt like you are”

 

John Doe knew 1x1x1x1 had a rough relationship with the so called god living among them, or was living among them, but waking up that morning in the warehouse to find out soon after that his friend had actually killed the admin was like an anvil had been dropped on him, he still wasn’t so sure how he felt about it but he knew how the other man feels about the admin.

 

Hate.

 

Boundless of hate, is what he felt, sometimes whenever a smidge of Telamon is mentioned from the radio or the television he’d have this look in his eyes that screamed as if every inch and bone deep within him ached with the heavy loathing he felt, a burden he carried, deep resentment he prolongs just so that he can have a reason to continue holding a grudge over the man who supposedly brought him into this world not as his own person but as just a part of him, an embodiment of hatred. He was made just because Telamon wished to be perfect to cast out his side that was ugly. Some people say the more you hold a grudge on a certain person the more likely you’d kill said person, and that unfortunately came true in 1x1x1x1's case.

 

But sometimes John Doe wonders if such hatred has limits, is it never enough? Even when the person you held such loathing towards is dead?

 

“Stop looking at me like that” His friend finally said, irritated by the lack of sound.

 

“Like what”

 

“Like you feel pity, don’t pity me for what I've done because I wanted to do it, I wanted to do it for so long and I finally managed to do it! Aren’t you glad he’s gone? Another worthless admin eradicated from this world? All of them are worthless, even Builderman! Did he ever do anything to help with the corruption? He did nothing, didn't he? Yet you look at me as if killing Telamon was not the right path I should have taken-”

 

“Yes, you shouldn’t have done that” He outright disagreed and that angered the embodiment of hatred even further.

 

“Whose side are you even on?!” 1x1x1x1 asked him, now furious.

 

“No one!”

 

“Then why is it that you do? You aren’t doing anything to help, you aren’t making a move now that Robloxia is angry, we are angry John, you deserve to be angry too”

 

“But that doesn’t mean I should take it out on the admins! You killed Telamon and now you plan to do that to the rest of the administration?! You forget they built this world, who will be left to handle it then, don’t say that we hackers are going to take up that mantle because that is absurd to think about”

 

His friend was quiet and already he knew what that meant and so he replied despite the silence.

 

“No- no you can't possibly be thinking of- we are unequipped to handle roblox!”

 

“Someone needs to take charge, and that shouldn't be these admins who have grown ignorant of their own people” 1x1x1x1 says, as if it were even ethical to have exploiters, griefers and hackers alike to take a leadership role.

 

“That is the most stupidest thing I've heard from you in years!” 

 

“Then what else can we do?”

 

“Talk civilly 1x! We talk with them-” John Doe tried to reason with the neon green man but failed.

 

“I killed one of the admins. Do you think we can still talk with them?”

 

“Why did you even kill him that night?! You had no rational reason to do that and you could have just knocked him unconscious” He wanted to ask that question so badly, that sudden choice of actions coming from his friend has always been in-character but it was impulsive, it didn’t feel as though he did it because he wanted to save John Doe and Mafioso from the admin’s clutches.

 

It felt as though he did it because he can use his friend as a reason to kill Telamon.

 

“Because I wanted to!”

 

He finally admitted out loud, breathing heavily through his nose, chest rising with each inhale and exhale, he soon began to speak out the truth.

 

“I relished it, every god damn second of it, that moment of relief I felt was like freedom”

 

A smile then etched across his face. “He’s gone” he says as if it were the most liberating thing he’s done, he continued talking leaving no space for John Doe to speak.

 

“He’s finally gone, you’ll never understand the feeling of being compared, being associated with a man who you never wanted to know in the first place, you’ll never understand waking up everyday knowing you were made into this world because of another’s man selfish needs of satiating it, he wanted to be perfect and so I’m here, and I'm reminded of how i’m that ugly part of him he discarded to the side and left to rot, he should be the one to rot in some god-forsaken alley like I did! Imagine waking up only to be told right at your face that you only exist because you’re someone’s epitome of an excrement! He calls me an embodiment of hatred-” He pointed at his side as if the man he killed was still there standing. “But I'm not that! Why? For him to call me an embodiment of hatred holds a title that I'm his embodiment of hatred, I'm not! I embody hatred because I hate him!”

 

“1x…” The half-corrupted hacker was given the chance to speak, his expression showing clear worry towards his friend, so engulfed despising an admin who is now long gone.

 

“You’ve never seen the banlands before John, that’s where I used to be, you and the other hackers should be glad you were never caught, me? I was never caught, I was placed there from the start, as if I were born there, I'm not going back and I'm making sure that the other admins alive aren’t throwing me back in there!”

 

“You need to calm down, I know you're mad and you have all the right to be but please not in my house” He said, raising his hands, wishing to pacify the man before he proceeds to slash one of his walls.

 

“He’s gone but I still see him- even now I see him because of this demolitionist’s stupid robes!” 1x1x1x1 pointed straight at the innocent person on the couch who this entire time had been looking between the two, seeing that the attention was back on them they decided maybe now’s the time to move and began to slowly shift his position away from the soft cushions.

 

Seeing that the demolitionist was about to run off the embodiment of hatred almost leapt at the poor person but the half-corrupted hacker grabbed him in time allowing Taph some resemblance of safety as they stood in the corner of the living room almost as if a scared stray cat.

 

Maybe it really wasn’t a grace from god to be saved by hackers, mentally unstable most of them are.

 

---

 

 

John Doe made peace with his friend that afternoon, they always do, even though they may argue they reach an agreement as always. The embodiment of hatred went off to cool down then came back at his house apologizing, he did end up bringing the demolitionist with him when he left saying they might be integral to his “plan” whatever it is that he plans to do, the-half corrupted hacker didn't pry further into his antics as 1x1x1x1 is probably going to use Taph to help in his coalition, for him to speak out against the ongoings behind the scenes of how they terminated houses, though they are mute so John Doe isn't sure how his friend will make it work.

 

But 1x1x1x1 mentioning Jane Doe during their squabble struck another string deep within him that he’s been trying to hide for so long, to forget, but standing now in his bedroom all cleaned up after the ruckus of him waking up that morning-

 

He wanted to think clearly.

 

Looking back now he wondered what really went wrong between the two of them, him and her, it all went so easily with them, dating Jane Doe felt like it was destiny when he asked her out that one day, her hesitant yet contradicting welcome smile pulled him in, and so he invited her into his own life willingly. Despite his rocky past of being a criminal she somehow understood him past that, and he liked that about her, he liked how she wasn’t someone who’d judge another for their reputation or to be swayed by public perception, Jane Doe actually gave him the time of the day and didn’t force herself to be in his proximity, it was as if the woman read him as a book flipping each page slowly, reading each sentence with a genuine want to comprehend who he is.

 

He can’t experience that same feeling anymore, for another person to understand who you are completely and wholly, he wishes for that again, what would he give for someone to come into his life again who’ll listen to him intently, perceive him as human and not for the hacker that he came to be.

 

And then he met the mafia boss.

 

John Doe can’t explain what made him come close to that man that night, why he ran and ran then ended up in some random world only to limp towards an innocent guy who was heading home after buying groceries, for him to threaten him just so he can take him in like some wounded street dog.

 

Right off the bat he and Mafioso weren’t on good terms, after all how would you react to the same person who forced himself into your house threatening you that if you were not to bandage his wounds he'd straight up kill you?

 

He had no choice at that time, and honestly who does grocery shopping at night that's asking to be mugged.

 

But then again the mafia boss wasn't any ordinary man, he followed his own rules, and he saw that up close, nights of tagging along with him as they went to the supermarket, the white tiles and glaring lights, the aisles nearly empty, he'd recall those simple days with him and how he wanted to return to it. He also remembered how he went with him to the farmer's market, following behind him as he hid his face underneath the hood of his jacket, the broad shoulders of the man in front walking casually as he skimmed through their options, options which they ate later on.

 

John Doe sighed, feeling a pang of nostalgia, so he turned around, pacing in his room as he began to think about the man more, reminiscing over their shared  interactions, the time they spent was brief but the man made a lasting impression on him.

 

The half-corrupted hacker knew full well the decision he gave to Mafioso, how he told him to find him if he can sort out his feelings.

 

But it scared him.

 

He is scared that what if the man decided not to find him? what if he took longer than he intended to and when he finally found John Doe he'd be less of the man he knew and more of the monster that the people see him as? He didn't want that to happen and he wanted the mafia boss to still see him as human.

 

His eyes went to gaze at the large windows spanning across his bedroom overlooking the bright lights of the city, he wondered if Mafioso was there searching for him, if he was he could just send out a signal to track him down but he didn't want to do that, that would be stalking, he wants to allow the mafia boss the freedom to choose on his own to seek him out.

 

He didn't want to make the same mistakes he did with his former wife, his controlling and protective nature overpowering his care for her, how he built a house far away from civilization in fear of the admins using her against him.

 

John Doe wants Mafioso to make his own choices.

 

Yet his heart ached for his presence at his side, for him to soothe his cries every night as he thrashed in his bed, his mind barely keeping itself together as he borderlines reality and hallucinations every day, he didn’t want to grasp at empty bed sheets but for the calloused hands of a mafia boss he grew to gain comfort from. He wants to feel even a second of intimacy from another, he doesn't want to be alone but at the same time he can’t help but make himself lonely, his house the epitome of loneliness.

 

Can’t someone embrace him as he screams for help?

 

Suddenly a sound came from his stomach, a small noise of complaint as his hunger announced itself to him, his appetite asking to be fed.

 

"Oh, I forgot about dinner" He says, surprised with how time flew by.

 

He should actually get to buying the pork ribs he wanted to cook that morning, he had been craving it for a while now. It's evening so it should be safe to walk out and buy it from the supermarket.

 

God he really is turning into Mafioso, only shopping at night.

 

---

 

 

John Doe changed into a different set of clothes disguising himself as to not attract attention from the public, even though it was evening he still took precautions as to not let his identity be exposed.

 

He wore a different jacket this time, a maroon colored hoodie with a zipper and a plain print to the back, he added a baseball cap just in case.

 

Upon teleporting himself outside the vicinity of his house he appeared behind an alleyway hoping to make his entrance as normal as possible, he walked along the sidewalk breathing in the cold and crisp air, hands in the pockets of his jacket as he can feel winter now closing in quickly as the winds felt more frigid than usual despite the lack of snow. John Doe made a turn and entered a supermarket, almost desolate with the time he chose to step into the establishment.

 

Another set of steps followed behind, the doors opening, he ignored whoever it was that decided to shop as well that late at night, he focused on his own needs and it's better to not interact with anyone other than the cashier.

 

He immediately made his way towards the frozen foods section placed near the tall fridges meant for beverages, it too was near the small selections of fruits and vegetables which the person from earlier who followed close by decided to head towards there instead. Once again he ignored them, whoever it was, he opened the freezer sifting through options until he found a pack of pork ribs from underneath, taking that into his arms he closed the freezer shut as he walked away. Coincidentally the same person who entered earlier was now at the same cash register, he could feel their presence behind him and it unnerved him, he didn't want to assume anything but whoever was at his back lined up was suspicious. He was glad for the employee at the counter being quick with scanning his goods as he immediately took the plastic bag from the cashier’s hand leaving the premises.

 

As if mimicking his movements the customer at his rear too followed him outside, now John Doe isn’t the kind to impulsively act like his neon green friend, but right now it feels as though his gut is telling him to walk even faster.

 

What if it's an admin who knows him?

 

He stood near the pedestrian lane, the stoplight from above overlooking the intersection, pedestrian light at his left. The half-corrupted hacker tried acting normal as if he were just a civilian walking back home to his apartment after buying groceries, nothing is normal about buying groceries late at night though.

 

The same goddamn person from earlier now stood to his right, the soles of their shoes clicking.

 

He couldn’t move from where he stands beside the pedestrian light, the signal still red, if he were to run now then the person next to him will most likely be skeptical, it doesn't help that they’re probably an admin, but if it were just a simple robloxian then this case would be simpler so he fixates his eyes on the white lines of the pedestrian, head straight.

 

But then he heard the voice of a man, gruff, all too familiar-

 

“It’s cold tonight isn’t it” He spoke alongside him.

 

John Doe’s heart nearly dropped, his hand still holding the plastic bag carrying the frozen pork ribs now gripping on it tightly, he had to make sure it wasn’t a figment of his imagination, his corruption had already played with his mind far too much the past few days.

 

“It sure is” The half-corrupted hacker might be speaking into the cold air right now, but his heart hoped it really was the same man beside him, he was about to turn his head until he heard him speak. 

 

“Keep your head straight, walk normally, they might be watching”

 

Hearing him say that, as the signal turned green he began to walk, face forward, the same sound of shoes clicking followed but he had to ask, selfishly. 

 

“Is it you?”

 

“You told me to find you, I wouldn’t try and track you down for no reason, I’ve come far”

 

They both continued to walk now at the other side of the road, bright lights of the lamp posts leading their way along the pavement, at this point John Doe didn’t have to question who it was that was walking alongside him, he felt his breath quiver, knees weak, it seemed a little pathetic that he was about to cry in the sidewalk but he can’t help but feel like that right now.

 

“You…you tried to find me?-”

 

"I did, with some help"

 

"Who did?" John Doe asked, though it was more of a precaution to see if the person he's talking to really is the same man.

 

"That wouldn't matter now would it"

 

They continued to walk, side by side as they passed each lamp post with almost careful steps, it was as if they were both fearing what they may say or do now would scare the other person.

 

"You aren't a hallucination are you?"

 

"Has it gotten worse then?" He threw his own question back at the other man.

 

"It- it has actually..."

 

He was silent, until he heard the whishing of a trenchcoat against the cold air of the night, it might be an auditory facade but that sound was distinct, it wasn't fake.

 

"I'm sorry it took me so long"

 

"I understand...I know I can't force these unto you"

 

"You're really patient aren't you?" There was a hint of playfulness at the edge of the other man's tone, it reminded him of the days he was being carefree at the apartment.

 

"You were with me"

 

"I'm glad I was, you're not what people make you out to be, you know that right?"

 

John Doe nodded, he can feel his throat tighten almost threatening to let out a small mewl. "I know, you told me that before"

 

"I did didn't I?" He replied, coming closer as their shoulders brushed against each other.

 

"I waited for you, I didn't want to track you down myself because that would have been wrong of me, even though there were days I'd wish you were at my side, nights where I would wake up to an empty bed instead of you beside me, there were times I hoped you'd appear in my room and just embrace me, I wished for you to find me-"

 

A leather gloved hand soon came near his own corrupted arm as if steadying him, hidden underneath his jacket, it was as if he knew where his infected was, he wasn't met with the cold air-

 

It was finally warm.

 

The half-corrupted hacker turned to finally look at the man who walked to his right, wearing the same trench coat and black fedora.

 

“And I found you” The mafia boss replied.

 

John Doe stopped in his tracks and so did the other man, both stood underneath a flickering lamp post, it was almost deja-vu with how they both initially met on a sidewalk with the same flickering lamp post although this time they were in the main city, the half-corrupted hacker’s expression near sobbing as he choked back tears.

 

“Maf-”

 

 He was about to say his name but arms wrapped around his shoulders, a hand already at his hair carding through it, it wasn’t cold anymore, it was real and he felt warmth envelop him.

 

“It’s okay, I'm here now”  The man replied, comforting him, leather gloved hand in his hair.

 

John Doe buried his face in the nook of the man’s neck straight away breathing him in, and then the half-corrupted hacker began to sniffle, tears welling up in his eyes. He sobbed into the man’s shoulder embracing him in return, hiccuping as he tried to steady his breaths.

 

“I found you John”

 

---

 

 

“####!” The grey faced man shouted, furious.

 

Builderman threw his hard-hat at the tempered glass of the high rise building, his office room is at the top most floor, dark and isolated from most of his employees which he was thankful for or else they’d all witness him frustrated at their current situation he is unable to cope up with.

 

Multiple protests at different branches.

 

People’s opinion of him already at its lowest.

 

Telamon’s death.

 

It was too much and he can’t handle all of it alone, of course the other admins would lend a helping hand but he’d decline bearing all the burden in his lonesome, even the bright yellow faced man who wore that wide irritating smile who now replaced his closest friend wished to help him and he said no to the offer as well, it’s all his fault that everything that’s happening now has gone further downhill. 

 

His task of catching the hackers? That failed and it cost him the life of his most trusted admin, even though he was more strict now with the criminals running rampant it wasn’t enough.

 

The creator of roblox slumped down to the floor curling up as his knees met his chest, his back flat on the wide window as he turned his face slightly his cheek meeting the cold glass, he stared at the scintillating view of the main city, the same city he built with his own hands, his fingers went to touch the window tracing the silhouette’s of the buildings.

 

What use does he have now for this world?

 

When 2x2 called him into existence or rather made him, he was tasked with the sole purpose of making a world where people can thrive, run freely among the soft grass and lofty trees that would span across the landscape. But with each step he took in advancing towards a greater future for the world he was motivated to build further for.

 

But looking down at what used to be simple blocks and concrete, he felt a sense of despair, is it he who fell down far or the world around him did.

 

He didn’t know what to do anymore.

 

Wasn’t he supposed to be the pinnacle of boundless imagination and creativity? What is he doing sulking in a dimly lit room, grieving? How laughable, he shouldn’t be giving himself any time to rest, he needs to move and continue onward, to progress, for Robloxia.

 

Filled with resolution he slowly stood up grabbing the orange helmet from where he sat on the carpeted floor, his shadow looming over his table that was littered with unfinished blueprints, the bright lights of the city outlined his figure, he moved unhurried as he placed the iconic hard-hat on his head. He’s determined to right what was wrong in this world, he needs to fix his faults.

 

And that starts with finally erasing 1x1x1x1, no- he isn’t returning that embodiment of hatred back to banlands that was the first mistake he and his friend made.

 

He’s going to kill it.

Notes:

7k words? hell yeah im feeding the starving children who ship mafijohn

so my upload schedule will most likely be once a week now instead of daily or every 2 days, but at least this would give me more time to proofread and plan out the story! also thank you for everyone's support huhu im so overwhelmed by the appreciation this fic is receiving, it would be like receiving an award if this fic reaches 5k hits and even though that may seem small i'm already happy

as always your comments motivate me <3, yap all you want i'll yap in return

ALSO, 100K WORDS RAHHHHHH

Chapter 26: Reuniting with You

Summary:

Goods news is they met again!

Bad news is they can't leave the house lol

Notes:

Warning: NSFW

Yes you heard that right, what's gonna happen? oh yeah John Doe is gonna get freaky with Mafioso in this chapter

Okay seriously he isn't gonna do the boombayah with him he just wants to gobble his dih

     Mafioso now found himself whisked away into a spacious house, the walls white, the floors warm, as he looked up above there were barely any lights illuminating what seemed to be the living room, instead the moon reflected the windows that spanned across the entire area allowing light to seep through as if it were an abandoned building.

 

This must be John’s house

 

He recalled the early morning of their argument a few weeks ago, the half-corrupted hacker saying he’d take him and the mafia boss away into his home away from the people, it seems that he told the truth since the inconspicuous house stood out in the wilderness hidden by towering trees visible through the large windows, curtains barely blocking out the view, he was used to this kind of scenery since his warehouse too was in a dense forest.

 

“Mafioso…” John Doe whispered into the man’s ear almost alluring, arms tight around his waist.

 

The mafia boss forgot that the half-corrupted hacker had held him from behind when they ran off the sidewalk, hiding in the alleyway as they teleported away from the main city, the tall buildings disappearing from their point of view.

 

John Doe nuzzled his face into his neck once more, repeating the gesture as if to remind himself the man was actually real, of course Mafioso allowed it he understood how weeks of being apart may have added more harm to his current psyche, it wasn’t healthy though that he relied on his presence to be grounded in reality.

 

“Yes John?” He replied, both of them still standing in the moon-lit room.

 

“I missed you”

 

The mafia boss’s eyes turned to look at the half-corrupted hacker tenderly, his left hand reaching out to fix the stray bangs from the man’s hair, gentle and cautious.

 

“Me too”

 

He hasn’t heard the man giggle that much, though he has heard him chuckle at his expense more often than not but hearing him giggle into his ear like a newly wed eager to spend time has him feeling things he couldn’t appropriately describe. The embrace became more tighter until Mafioso finally made the move to halt him from further constricting his oxygen- or depriving him.

 

“Jo- John can you let me go for a moment” He felt his abdomen finally be freed from the half-corrupted hacker’s arms.

 

“Oh, sorry” The man pulled away from Mafioso, but he stood behind him, still close.

 

Now that he actually found him, the mafia boss isn’t so sure what his next step would be, he didn’t expect to find the half-corrupted hacker just from-

 

“How did you find me by the way…you didn’t answer earlier”

 

“Someone helped me” Taking off his fedora his eyes met John Doe’s, it was unbearably full of yearning, the kind you’d be overwhelmed to see and so he merely held on to his hat almost averting at the gaze. “But I don’t think you’d like to hear their name”

 

John Doe’s soft gaze turned to pondering and soon began to look at the man suspiciously. “You didn’t ask help from a weird hacker did you”

 

“No?’

 

“If it was one of those people I swear to god I-”

 

Mafioso chuckles at the reply, his hand involuntarily reaching out to calm him down playfully by stroking his hair. “No I didn’t do that, I initially asked help from 007n7”

 

“Oh him?” He paused and tried to read the mafia boss’s expression through the faint light of the room. “Then why are you saying it as if he wasn’t the one who actually helped you?”

 

“I can’t say their name John, they told me not to”

 

“Now you’re actually making me think it is one of those people”

 

Mafioso replied with crossing his arms pulling away from John Doe’s hair as he stared back at him, almost mirroring his scrutinizing face, his head tilted to the side slightly but not enough to show he’s becoming annoyed with the assumptions in fact inside he was glad the half-corrupted hacker was showing so much concern over his well-being but nonetheless he doesn’t budge, he didn’t want to say the name of the actual person who helped him find the notorious hacker in front of him right now.

 

“Mafioso…” The man let out a heavy yet quick sigh as his eyes went to look out the window. “At least tell me whoever it is wasn’t…a dangerous person, I know it’s hypocritical of me saying that since I am one”

 

“They aren’t”

 

The half-corrupted hacker nodded in return as he closed his eyes, a hand smoothing down his face as he turned his attention back on Mafioso. He took a long stare at him as he soon accepted the answer deeming it good enough, after all he trusted the man.

 

“I’m glad you’re fine, no one followed you right?”

 

“I wasn’t, where are we actually?” He asked as John Doe stepped a little closer to him once more, a smile now forming on his lips as he held the other man in the black trench loosely with his arms around his waist.

 

He then whispered into his ear, tone now affectionate. “My house, its yours now too”

 

“Really now?”

 

“Why not, didn’t I say you can live together with me?” Mafioso can practically feel the excitement emanating from the man holding him.

 

“I do recall you saying that”

 

Soon he felt a cold wetness seep through his slacks from behind his thigh and the mafia boss had to look down wondering what made that happen, the man was holding a plastic bag, it was leaking condensation- no wonder he sensed that, it seems as though it held something akin to frozen goods inside, upon squinting his eyes he realized that it really was what he assumed to be, and it was packaged pork ribs, still freezing cold.

 

“Did you buy this?” He was referring to the plastic bag now looking back at John Doe.

 

“Oh- right” 

 

Pulling away the half-corrupted hacker presented it to him, opening the plastic bag as if offering it, though it looked more like he was expecting Mafioso to cook it which yes he was actually already planning to do after finding out he had pork ribs in his plastic bag.

 

“So?...” John Doe asked almost expectantly, like a child eager for food.

 

“I know that look”

 

The man let out a quiet laugh, eyes crinkling at the sides. “Will you cook it?”

 

“Of course I would”

 

---

 

As the now lit room enveloped the kitchen area with an almost blinding light, Mafioso didn’t seem to mind it at all as he worked with what the man had at his disposal, he checked the refrigerator and it in fact barely had any ingredients he could use with, but a few seconds later John Doe appeared at his side seemingly teleported from nowhere as he carried another plastic bag filled with goods he most likely bought impromptu because the ingredients that filled the bag were miscellaneous, varying from vegetables and spices.

 

But the most random thing he found was a pineapple.

 

"What in the world am I going to do with a pineapple?"

 

"I saw dishes on the TV incorporating it though..." John Doe began to turn his head slowly away as if embarrassed he even bought it in the first place.

 

"Well people do cook it with chicken and ham from what I've seen, but I've never cooked with it before"

 

"But will you try?"

 

"I could" He paused thinking of anything that would come up that he could use as a reference for what could be an outcome of combining pork ribs and pineapple. "but I don't have a recipe in mind for it"

 

"Maybe the same as how people cook it with ham?"

 

"Oh right that could work-" Mafioso grabbed the pineapple out of the plastic bag placing it on the wide kitchen counter then promptly taking a cutting board that hanged nearby, it was overwhelming with how much space he was given he was uses to the cramp kitchen space in his former apartment.

 

Though he barely was able to cut through the pineapple with how blunt the kitchen knife is.

 

"Do you even sharpen this?"

 

The half-corrupted hacker set down the plastic bag full of goods on the counter as he saddled near the mafia boss looking over his shoulder, a familiar gesture.

 

"No? why would I need to do that"

 

"You- I swear you should never be near a kitchen"

 

"But you had me cook for you"

 

“That was because I was sick that one time” He recalled having caught the flu and was bed-ridden for the majority of a week, partially, even though he didn’t trust John Doe that much back then albeit they were both becoming more comfortable with each other, with all the playful banter, he did allow the man to cook for him and it wasn’t all that bad, he actually liked his version of a chicken soup.

 

“Still, I used your kitchen” The man was smiling, his arms now returning again on the mafia boss’s waist as he hugged him from behind.

 

“You’re being awfully clingy”

 

“Can’t I?” He whispered, nuzzling his face into Mafioso’s neck.

 

“I’m not against it, but do mind since I’m about to cut what’s supposed to be our dinner”

 

He merely hummed in response, closing his eyes as he rested temple against the man’s neck enjoying his warm presence. The mafia boss seamlessly cut through the pineapple after some struggle with how blunt it was earlier, he surmised that he’ll probably go through the same issue with the pork ribs later. He cut it into slices horizontally not too thick nor thin but enough to chew on. Putting that aside he finally grabbed hold of the packaged pork ribs opening it with the knife, thankfully despite it being blunt he cuts through the plastic now placing the cold pork ribs on the cutting board, peeling off the tenuous layer of skin, he discarded it to his side as he began to slice through in-between the bones of the pork ribs carefully setting aside the ones that have been cut.

 

Mafioso turned his attention to the pans that were hung underneath the wall cabinets, skimming through his options he chose a saute pan, he can’t seem to find the lid so he asks John Doe who still has his face buried in his neck.

 

“Where’s the lid for this?”

 

“Hm?” Unburying his face he looks at the pan the man chose. “I don’t know actually, what do you plan to do?”

 

“I was planning to stir fry it and then simmer it with the pineapples, though what else did you buy? Because I was also planning to throw in tomatoes”

 

“I think I did buy that” The half-corrupted hacker detached himself from the other man as he went to reach out for the plastic bag procuring tomatoes from inside. “Catch”

 

Throwing a perfectly ripe tomato at the mafia boss he nearly doubled over in laughter when the man wasn’t able to catch it in time causing the poor fruit to fall on the floor, fortunately it wasn’t squashed upon impact, of course Mafioso rightfully glared at him before sighing and picking up the poor tomato off the floor washing it on the sink as he then proceeds to cut it into it, he then returns to the kitchen counter focusing on dinner.

 

Seeing the mafia boss turn away from him and grumbling, the half-corrupted hacker began to chuckle lightly as he tried to apologize coming to his side. “You aren't mad right? C’mon i’m sorry”

 

Mafioso responds with silence and that just makes John Doe more persistent as he begins to enfold him in his arms from his behind once more.

 

“Hey i’m sorry, what do you want me to do hm?” He added playing with the man’s stray strands of hair with his normal hand.

 

“To not throw our dinner to the ground”

 

“I assumed you would be able to catch it-” He tried to reason with him before he was cut off unceremoniously.

 

“But I didn’t” 

 

The kitchen was silent for a moment aside from the sounds of the kitchen knife cutting through vegetables and the ongoing making of their dinner. The half-corrupted hacker’s eyes sharpened, focusing only on the mafia boss and the mafia boss alone, his breath warm as his mouth grazed the man’s neck, and then he gave a small peck.

 

He placed another kiss on his neck, trailing it downwards, his hand now tracing the man’s jaw almost playfully. “I’m sorry now”

 

“John” Mafioso’s tone wasn’t mad nor was it annoyed, but it sounds like he wants him to back off because he wants to focus on the food.

 

But he didn’t step away, the half-corrupted hacker began to pepper him with more kisses as if a way to coax the mafia boss, he could feel the man’s breath hitch slightly when he went lower closer to his collarbone.

 

“John Doe” He warns him again.

 

“Hm?” John Doe hummed against his skin, before he nipped at his neck, then promptly licked at it afterwards. 

 

That garnered a reaction from the mafia boss with a clear-cut moan coming from him, his attention wavering between the cutting board and the half-corrupted hacker as he tried to focus on the pork ribs that he now placed inside the saute pan though his feelings are more preoccupied with John Doe now touching him, his hands exploring his chest as it began to go lower intending to untuck his neatly tucked dress shirt to go underneath. Mafioso felt that he was bordering near letting another moan escape him so he bit his lip but not enough that the other man noticed so before that line was dangerously crossed he exclaimed loudly.

 

“John!” He shouted, turning his head to the half-corrupted hacker.

 

That made the man finally back off snickering slightly as he raised his arms in the air as if caught.

 

“Let me- let me cook first”

 

“Alright, I’ll head on over to the couch then” and with that the half-corrupted hacker left him alone whistling innocently pocketing his hands in his pants walking away as if he didn’t just try to rile up the mafia boss’s libido.

 

Mafioso let out a breath of relief as he finally turned on the stove, the fire taking up most of his view as he placed the saute pan, he can now start cooking.

 

---

 

The mafia boss held two plates of steaming pineapple pork ribs in tomato sauce with a side of cut potatoes, just a few steps away from the kitchen was where the living room was situated, it was far more larger compared to his own and despite how grand the house looked with its more modern aesthetic, it felt empty to Mafioso, of course he can’t judge how John Doe decorates his own home after all his own apartment wasn’t that well off either with his barren room and second-hand furnitures. The wooden floor clicked against his polished shoes as he approached the half-corrupted hacker who sat on the couch in front of the glowing T.V. 

 

The first thing that he noticed upon closer inspection was how the couch had blankets and a couple of pillows meant to be for a bedroom, he didn’t know what’s the reason behind that but he already has a couple suspicions lined up on why.

 

“John” He called out to him and the man turned his head to look at him, ecstatic, though he might have already smelled it from a mile away with how he was smiling.

 

“That smells good”

 

“Of course it is” Mafioso still isn’t too proud of his cooking but by now he knew the half-corrupted hacker would eat anything he’d cook, that and he’d often compliment him.

 

Placing the plates on the coffee table in front of the couch he took his seat beside John Doe handing him the utensils, he now joined him in watching whatever was playing on the T.V., he assumed he was watching some mainstream movie but he in fact was watching the news, that made him raise an eyebrow at the man’s choice.

 

“What’s on the news?” He asked, his eyes fixated on John Doe as he immediately began to eat the pork ribs ignoring how hot it was.

 

That made him snort seeing how the man suffered the consequences of being impatient, and gluttonous of course.

 

“Okay I deserved that-” The half-corrupted hacker said as he tried to fan his mouth that was burned. “Oh right the news, same old same old”

 

The mafia boss began to eat the pork ribs himself, blowing on the piping hot food before taking a piece as he savored the flavors of salt and sweetness mixing together with the ingredients he chose, maybe he should use pineapple more often in his dishes, plus it also looked like John Doe was enjoying it too but maybe its just him being hungry and favoring pork.

 

Mafioso hummed as his eyes now were on the T.V. watching the news unfold, but then he squinted ever so slightly seeing a familiar face among the group of admins once again talking about the rising protests and hoping to form some sort of peace with them, Shedletsky was at the front speaking on behalf of the CEO who is currently too busy to even talk with the press, a couple of other notable faces were being interviewed, they all sat in a long table as if they were panelists, the room seemed to be inside the Roblox Headquarters with the typical corporate design. 

 

One question rose among the reporters that not only caught the mafia boss’s ears but the half-corrupted hacker’s too.

 

“What do you intend to do with this Lazarus group? Are there plans of speaking with them? retaliation? or will they meet the same fate of those who were sent to the badlands?” A woman spoke up, raising not only her hand but her voice among the rowdy room.

 

The brown curly haired man replied, it was still the same cheerful tone he used when he met the mafia boss on that dirty sidewalk but the naivety was gone. “I believe with our past actions against them it would be almost impossible to talk with them one-on-one, but I myself dislike the idea of retaliating-”

 

The entire room immediately responded with a cacophony of arguments mixing with shouts and questions before Doombringer rose from his seat casting a long stare at the crowd of reporters before pointing a finger at them. “All of you are not getting a single answer if you all respond with this kind of attitude, pipe down” 

 

Slowly he turned his gaze to the other admin, nodding his way to carry on, and so he sat back down, hands on his thighs with his head hung low.

 

Seems that even the usually kind-hearted giant can scare off robloxians.

 

“Thank you-” The microphone picked up Shedletsky’s gratitude towards the fellow admin, he cleared his throat before continuing. “As I was saying, I myself don't like retaliation so I also believe this isn't the right action to take in, I…I also disagree with throwing them to the banlands, that place only sows more resentment among its prisoners making their escapes harder as they fight back much more ruthlessly”

 

“Then what does the administration really plan to do?” A male voice came from the reporters. “Robloxia is being overrun almost completely now by these fugitives, and with Telamon’s recent death it seems as though roblox hq is having a hard time managing with these cases, people are losing trust now and are joining the rebels”

 

“I-” With the mention of Telamon, the yellow faced robloxian almost paled at the name. “Um…I-”

 

Thankfully another admin helped him out, Brighteyes placed a gentle hand on his shoulder as she took his place in answering for the people.

 

“I will be completely honest with ya’ll, we don’t know what to do from here on out without Telamon guiding not just us but Builderman too but we are trying our best, it’s just so many cases being thrown our way that we don’t know what to do first or even prioritize, do ya’ll think it's easy? It's not, being an admin holding almost 64 million robloxians is not an easy feat, I understand why the people are turning to side with the hackers, they’re more grounded, approachable, they understand what it is like to grow up in the slums and being down on robux, and we sincerely apologize for how we have led today’s Robloxia to this-” She gestured to the window outside, a protest still ongoing but the microphone barely picks up the noise, the room was totally quiet now as they listened to the admin speak.

 

“But please, without us what would have happened? Without our guidance from the start and Builderman’s works we won’t be here today, so please don’t lose trust in us because we too trust in you all to do the right thing, I appreciate the help of those who consistently report hackers, exploiters, and griefers alike but…as for this Lazarus group it is clear they are a threat”

 

“Wait Bright-” Shedlestky who sat beside the purple haired woman tried to speak but he was effectively shut off as the other admins now began to speak on his behalf.

 

“They are all being led by 1x1x1x1, a infamous hacker and escapee from the banlands” Doombringer spoke once more rising from his seat again. “He is among the top of our watchlist ranking second and with John Doe at the highest”

 

Mafioso felt John Doe at his side halt in his movements, his eating paused as now his attention too was on the T.V. upon hearing his name being mentioned.

 

“We now suspect that almost 50 hackers in total are allied with 1x1x1x1- Clockwork can you bring up your laptop for me we need the list” He said asking his fellow admin who was only at the sidelines standing, the blue valkyrie helmet wearing man leapt to action as he grabbed his bag that was underneath a seat taking out a Dell brand laptop handing it to the other admin.

 

“Thanks, now this is just our draft but since this is important for the public to know we will now be sharing confidential information, please avoid coming in contact with these robloxians in the foreseeable future or even joining their group”

 

It took some time before the laptop was opened and booted up but soon after Doombringer turned it around showing the screen to not only the reporters but the audience on the other side of the screen.

 

“This is the current list we believe is under Lazarus”

 

The half-corrupted hacker stood up from where he sat on the couch, eyes wide as he took a step closer to the screen. It felt like a punch to the gut, because why? Half of the people on the list are hackers he knew albeit others were on his bad side but seeing the names of his friends made him stare in shock.

 

And it scared him.

 

Because he too was in the list.

 

1. 1x1x1x1
2. John Doe
3. Guest666
4. Ellernate
5. Caleb244
6. Itrapped
7. INC0MU 
8. Noli
9. 007n7
10. c00lkidd
11. Jenna
12. Tubers93
13. Blizzarian
14. KOH9lPaLol
15. WhyTheF0kYouLyin
16. Shootrang
17. Beste222
18. Internet102
19. tzenk96
20. P6X20
21. BobaFettyWapp
22. BannedForeverM8
23. dedoood
24. DevDays

 

The list went on as Doombringer began to scroll allowing everyone to read through every suspected name.

 

“As you can see, there’s a lot but most of the people on this list are now in the banlands and hopefully those who aren’t should be, I do agree with Shedletsky here but sometimes enough is enough, these robloxians have only continued to exploit this world, using it to their advantages, greedy, Builderman made this world in the vision of providing robloxians the freedom to create- what these hackers do? Is the opposite of that”

 

“Doombringer this isn’t what we talked about-” The yellow faced robloxian tried to speak with the helmet horned admin but was only brushed off, the man only continued to talk.

 

“Everyone on this list? Will be banned from Roblox, permanently, they will all be sent to the banlands I assure you that”

 

One of the reporters finally spoke up again, tone almost careful as they tried to speak with the tall admin who already loomed over them all with how he stood while they only sat.

 

“Then who would be the first on the list?”

 

“The one who had been avoiding us since day one, 1x1x1x1-”

 

By then Mafioso moved to grab the remote turning of the T.V. as the screen turned to black before the half-corrupted hacker could react, it was worse enough that the implications behind his words meant that the admins weren’t holding back anymore but in full faith would certainly send every single person on the list to the banlands, the mafia boss doesn’t know much on how it feels to live in a wasteland like that but based off of recountments it seems that it was never a good place to hold criminals. It might be the main reason why 1x1x1x1 had evaded capture so much because of his experience there and now John Doe is most likely or will end up there in the near future.

 

“John” Mafioso stood up from the couch as he joined John Doe from where he was standing near the screen, his arm trying to steady the shaking man,

 

“This is all my fault, if only I didn’t run to you that day and 1x followed-”

 

“It isn’t your fault, don't think like that” 

 

“It is! and then that stupid pizza boy just had to call his uncle!” The half-corrupted hacker was growing more and more angrier by the second, his corrupted side flaring as the pixels around him began to stutter, red eye flickering. “And just when I thought things were getting better this happens!”

 

“You need to calm down right now”

 

Breathing heavily he tried to calm himself down with the mafia boss still at his side like a pillar grounding him as always, his breath began to slowly become steady and with a deep sigh he looked at the man, eyes apologetic.

 

“Sorry…you weren’t supposed to see that, kind of childish of me no?”

 

“Its reasonable, after all they just claimed to send not just you but your friends into some place none of you may come out of alive”

 

“I’m so worried, seven and Noli were on the list, what will happen to his kids?”

 

“I saw it too” Mafioso crossed his arms thinking of what may happen to the red child if his father were to be imprisoned, same goes for his siblings. “I know Noli wouldn’t let things happen to them much less 007n7 himself but the way the admins talked looked like they were being serious now”

 

“I can’t believe children are being dragged into this” He ran a hand through his hair as he paced around the living room.

 

“Should we contact him?-”

 

“No, no we can’t” John Doe shook his head, hands on his hips. “We’re in a private server but they might be able to track down the communication line”

 

“Right…what do we do then?”

 

“I don't know Mafioso!” He replied a little too harsh for his liking as he raised his arms up high in the air, he then promptly apologized, mind all too stressed with the current problem at hand. “Okay i’m sorry I shouldn’t have raised my voice at you-”

 

“Goddamn it John stop apologizing, let’s sit down and talk about this properly, you look like you’re about to pop a vein”

 

They both went back on the couch, soft cushions meeting them as they sat down, John Doe leaned back allowing himself to slump against it while Mafioso was sitting up straight arms still crossed as he pondered on what they should do from here on out, of course they can't freely leave the house now with the admins on their tail once more but the mafia boss feels as though there should be more factors considered into this whole ordeal.

 

First off, 1x1x1x1 may be the top priority because he's the leading person of the anarchist group but with them mentioning John Doe it worried him, it meant that they're going to double their efforts of hunting him down.

 

Second, people he knew were on the list, Itrapped, Noli, 007n7- what would happen to them if they were sent away? He's not sure if Chance already saw the news or his hacker friend was aware of it but he's more concerned with the father, though thinking about it thoroughly, maybe they've already seen the news and have taken precautions. Now it just left him with what to do with their own situation.

 

Their food now sat on the coffee table untouched as they mulled over on what they may have to do and avoid in this upcoming harsher clamp down, Mafioso looked over to his right seeing the half-corrupted hacker is still slumped against the cushions.

 

“Do you have a plan in mind?”

 

“I don’t know what to do anymore at this point to be honest, we can’t just up and leave this server, they’d immediately find me” He turned his gaze over to Mafioso, eyes tired. “How about you?”

 

“I don’t have one either”

 

Both men stared at each other, thinking long and hard about their predicament, suddenly John Doe began to laugh, it started slow almost contemplative as if he feared laughing right now would agitate the mafia boss but soon Mafioso also joined him chuckling low before they both began to cackle loudly in the living room, their pained cheers resounding through the halls of the house.

 

“Is this some sort of joke?- I mean” The half-corrupted hacker snorted as he let out another string of laughter. “I just got you back and now it looks like we can’t go out”

 

“Must be Telamon in the afterlife intervening”

 

“He’d mess with us?”

 

“I’d expect it, after all I did point a gun at him-”

 

“You pointed a gun at him?!” He threw his head back now hiccuping from how much he laughed. “I don’t believe you”

 

‘I did”

 

Their laughter died down, both staring at each other with a crinkle at the corner of their eyes with John Doe laying his head on Mafioso’s shoulder sighing, his hand reaching near him to gently touch the man’s now uncovered hand on the couch, without the leather gloves he could trace the veins of a man who often used his calloused hands for hard labor, fingers rough. They savored the passing moment just like so with the half-corrupted hacker playing with his fingers and tracing his hand, he then began to speak again.

 

“I can’t even take you out on a date anymore”

 

“You…you wanted to?” 

 

“I mean I had plans for it” He admitted it, tone almost shy. “I was wondering about what kind of places you’d like to go to, what food you would want”

 

“And what did you come up with” Honestly the mafia boss was curious on what the man had planned if they were ever going to have a proper date, he hasn’t experienced that before and most of the time the near instances he would be close to experiencing it is when a person asks him out- to which he promptly declines. Already he assumes that the man would think he’d like upscale and fancy dining so he just waits for an answer.

 

“I don’t know…just going out with you to buy food you would want to cook? I’d pay for it. I wouldn't mind how expensive it would get- we can then cook it together at home and we would watch movies? We can also go to the cinemas instead if you would want but I assumed you wouldn’t want to be around crowds too much and would want a more personal one-to-one moment instead, just between the two of us with no onlookers”

 

The response he received was glaringly…true? It’s almost as if the half-corrupted hacker actually took into consideration what he liked and disliked based off of their past interactions, albeit it felt all too brief.

 

“Huh, I didn’t expect you to care that much”

 

“I do care, and I care because it’s you I'm talking about here” His hand clasped around Mafioso’s wrist gently, then began to slowly bring it up to his mouth as he kissed the back of it. “What would you want?”

 

“I-”

 

“Whatever you’d choose to do i’m open to it Mafioso”

 

He didn’t expect to be put in this position impromptu but thinking of things to do in a date had him stumped, he didn’t know what people do on dates in the first place aside from the occasional sights of couples giggling under trees and feeding each other with ice cream, he’s also often see them leaning unto each other in public places, sadly he can’t do that with John Doe. So he chose his reply from what little knowledge he knew and from his varied choices.

 

“Sometimes I wonder how it would be like to dance with you” The man blurted it out, and the aftermath of said response was no less than an ecstatic expression from the half-corrupted hacker.

 

“You want to dance…with me?” He replied, excitement creeping up to a smile.

 

“Forget about it, that sounded childish no man nor woman at my age would still go on dates just to dance-”

 

“No!” John Doe argued as he grabbed both sides of Mafioso’s face cupping his cheeks. “I want to dance with you”

 

“Really?”

 

“Truly, I would love to”

 

After a brief moment of silence between them Mafioso gently pried away John Doe’s hands from his face, a small apology came from the half-corrupted hacker as he took his hands away from the other man as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly with how eager he was earlier.

 

“You know-” The mafia boss says, voice almost walking around eggshells, though it seemed more of him being hesitant to say the words. “You don’t have to hold back touching me, you don’t have to say sorry every now and then”

 

“But I thought you hated physical contact?”

 

“Not with people I like” 

 

“Mafioso…” He replies, tone turning almost playful, sultry even.

 

“Yes?”

 

John Doe’s eyes looked as though he wanted to pounce on the other man and already the mafia boss knew what was about to unfold, with quick thinking he stood up from the couch intending to flee from the half-corrupted hacker who had the face of someone who’s about to eat him, not literally of course.

 

“You’re not getting away this time” The man exclaimed before he got hold of the mafia boss.

 

Mafioso was pulled down to the couch, the soft cushions meeting his knees as the half-corrupted hacker pulled him into a hug, hands exploring his back before it decided to go underneath his dress shirt untucking it, he traced those familiar scars he once felt before, face now at the nook of the mafia boss's neck leaving a gentle kiss trailing it down to his collarbone.

 

His corrupted hand already making work to unbutton the man's dress shirt allowing him more skin to explore, John Doe's mouth continued.

 

"John..." 

 

"If you want me to stop we can stop here"

 

 

"No, it's fine" His answer wasn't the same as before, hesitant and unsure

 

"Are you sure? Last time I got this close I was with you in a bathtub barely sane"

 

Mafioso chuckled recalling the memory. "You were weren't you?"

 

"Do you have anything you don't want me to do?"

 

The mafia boss found it endearing how the half-corrupted hacker was actually going lengths to make him comfortable, he doesn't know if John Doe had ever been with a man before but he himself sure hasn't, he allows himself to relax in his arms.

 

“I’m not sure myself really”

 

“So…” The man’s finger went to tilt Mafioso’s chin up to look at him directly, and now he can see how flustered he looked just by touching him earlier. “You want to explore things first?”

 

“If that’s alright with you”

 

“I’m more than fine with that arrangement” He grinned as he placed a kiss on the corner of the mafia boss’s mouth. “I want to know what sounds you’d make”

 

“John-”

 

It felt like a bolt of lightning went through his body when the half-corrupted hacker decided to unbuckle his belt and pushed down his hand underneath his black slacks not caring if he were to tear a seam or break the zipper with how impatient he was, he did end up undoing the man’s button and zipper with his other hand, his fingers now free to roam around as it began to palm against Mafioso’s crotch, a patch of wetness already forming as he began to continue on with his movements.

 

Burying his face once more in the mafia boss’s neck his warm breath grazed it as he began to say sweet words to praise the man. Mafioso let out a low groan as he found himself instinctively grinding his hips into the man’s palm, it was almost shameful for him to even know he’d doing this all on his own volition.

 

But then again he jerked off to thought of this happening right?

 

“Are you alright with this? Me touching you?” He asked, almost pausing in moving his hand before he even dared to continue palming the man’s already near hard member that stained his boxers.

 

“I’m fine with it just- just keep doing whatever you’re doing right now to me”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Oh I don’t know John maybe because I want it to happen?” The half-corrupted hacker didn’t miss how snarky the other man sounded but he liked it, he liked seeing this side of the usually composed mafia boss.

 

“You’re being a little mean to me tonight, you got mad earlier when I threw the tomato"

 

‘It was because it could have squashed itself on the floor- ngh”

 

Hearing that small moan urged John Doe to continue, driven by the incoherent sounds of near bliss he grins into the nook of the man’s neck as he kissed him every now and then whenever he would make a noise. He could feel how it ran through him, how every lust filled action from his hand would prompt the mafia boss to be vocal.

 

“You like that?” He asked, mouth now pressed up against Mafioso’s ear, nipping at it as the man shivered in unison.

 

“J-John-” Every time he said his name would just rile him up more.

 

“I know, I know” 

 

The half-corrupted hacker can’t help but chuckle at how responsive he was, breathing the man in he closed his eyes as his normal hand supported the mafia boss at his waist while his corrupted hand went under the man’s boxers, Mafioso felt the familiar sensation of static from his palm.

 

The feeling of it now wrapping around him, how it moved up and down, he’s imagined this many times before so why does it feel overwhelming, was it because it's real? Or the fact that John Doe himself is in front of him smiling into his ear as he stroked him. He didn’t know what to do in return, so without further ado he kissed him.

 

John Doe’s eyes widened in response but got over his surprise and returned the kiss moaning into it, he bit down on the man’s lip and doing so he heard him yelp.

 

“What was that for?”

 

“Can’t I do that?” He asked before getting himself even more enraptured by how much of a mess the man before him had become, gone was the fedora and iconic trench coat replaced by an unbuttoned dress shirt and undone pants.

 

“No, don’t do that”

 

“Alright, any more warnings?”

 

“You wouldn’t pull my hair would you?”

 

John Doe paused, now looking straight at Mafioso before he gave a short laugh. “Now that I would probably do”

 

This time he not only kissed him again, carnivorous in nature as if he were fighting with the man, with his tongue deep in him he groaned yearning for more. He pushed him down now towering over him, his hand still inside his pants as he now began to slide down the waistband of his boxers.

 

Mafioso was given a few moments to breathe as he pulled away panting, a string of saliva coming from between the two of them. “You thought about this didn’t you”

 

“I did” His hand slid down the waistband until it was at the man’s hip, cold air met his lower half and the other man’s breath hitched again. “Did you?”

 

The mafia boss was silent, usually he is but it looked more like he was doing it on purpose, wanting to garner a response he began to move his hand again stroking it.

 

“No answer?” 

 

He only moaned in response, an arm coming up to hide his face as his legs quivered.

 

“Come on Mafioso, I want to hear you”

 

What the other man didn’t expect is for John Doe to fully pull down his pants with his boxers following as he moved lower, his face near his already hard cock, spitting on his hand he coated it, his hand moving up and down as pre-cum began to leak from the man’s slit, his thumb coming over to swipe over it.

 

Mafioso only tilted his head back, arm gone from his face as he grabbed onto the cushion, his sounds only comparable to moans as he tried to speak.

 

“God- wait i’m not yet-”

 

“Oh i’m not waiting anymore” With that said he suddenly opened his mouth enveloping the man with the warmness of his throat as he swallowed him in.

 

“####!”

 

The half-corrupted hacker wanted to say something sarcastic hearing the swear but his mouth was a little occupied at the moment so he grinned instead but quickly returned his attention to the member throbbing inside him. He bobbed his head down in a slow pace allowing the man below him to adjust before going faster, his eyes fixed on the mafia boss as he witnessed him trying to brace himself on the armrest.

 

“John!” He exclaimed, eyes almost rolling to the back of his head, back arching into the warm mouth.

 

John Doe merely hummed hearing the man say his name out loud, he then proceeded to swallow him in deep, he could feel his cock at the end of his throat hitting, he stayed like that for a moment, heavy breathing of the mafia boss is all he could hear before he began to move again and felt Mafioso’s hips bucking in tandem.

 

Then, he stuttered.

 

It felt like a wave crashed down on him, every bone in his body shook as he mewled out the half-corrupted hacker's name whilst he came into his mouth. No seed was spilled as he swallowed it.

 

Allowing the mafia boss some air to breath in he pulled away wiping the excess on his lips, licking it from the back of his hand.

 

"Rate it from one to ten" He said, as if he didn't just gobble down the man so hard he sent him to heaven.

 

"You-" Mafioso tried to utter the words he wanted to say but he can't help but try to inhale as much oxygen as he wanted, he must have held his breath when John Doe gave him the blow job. "You have the audacity to say that"

 

"Wanted to know your experience that's all" The man chuckled as he ran a hand through his own hair fixing it.

 

"I don't know how to describe whatever you just did"

 

"First time?"

 

"Obviously" He said it as it is, though Jone Doe already expected he wasn't the kind to fool around but finding out that was his first time is even more of a surprise.

 

"No way, you're saying the truth?"

 

"Shut up" The mafia boss replied as he turned his reddened face away as he pulled up his boxers tucking away his now limp cock.

 

"C'mon I wanna know what else you haven't done-" The man tried to come near Mafioso before he was pushed away by the mafia boss's hand.

 

"No"

 

As of now he was already beginning to annoy the man but the half-corrupted hacker can't help but tease him.

 

"Who knows, we might find some hidden kink under all that trench coat, you into bondage?"

 

"Why would I be into that"

 

"Doesn't hurt to ask"

 

"I'm not" He furrowed his brows at the notion, he wouldn't be into...being tied up an all that.

 

"You like being praised?"

 

"I think you're the one who likes being praised"

 

That effectively shut up John Doe, his mouth forming a straight line as he looked away from where he sat, hands on his thighs as if wanting to remove himself from the conversation.

 

"You do don't you?"

 

"I don't know what you're talking about"

 

What met the half-corrupted hacker was a hand on his hair tousling it as it began to card through the strands.

 

"You did well"

 

John Doe let out a snort in reply. "God that sounds like what a teacher would say"

 

"Then what would you want me to say"

 

"I dunno...you could've said that while I was sucking you off- ow!" He felt the mafia boss pull at his hair slightly, not enough for it to be painful but enough to tell him he didn't like that.

 

"Don't remind me of that"

 

"So you didn't like it?"

 

"I did now shut up"

Notes:

I know not much happens in this chapter (WHICH IS AN UNDERSTATEMENR CAUSE ITS 8K WORDS HOLY SHI BRO) but in setting up what will happen in the future, with the news and all that especially with how the admins stand against the hackers

Meanwhile we just have these two in their own little world

For those who are wondering why the group's name is Lazarus is because I based it off of the actual group with the same name, only that they caused havoc in random games and would actually do devious things, the hackers listed as well are true people, though I'm not sure if you'll get the references I made hah

Yall can try and guess who actually helped Mafioso down in the comments while yall wait for another week lmao

See yall next time! I appreciate the kudos and comments sm <3

I also made a playlist inspired by this fic RAHHH, here's a link for it:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/17sUpNYbhXUWR69XYQiUVX?si=nTjKF_ETR4iEEkzv5ZJDoA

Chapter 27: Beds are Burning

     Waking up that morning in an unfamiliar couch as the parted curtains of wide windows beamed straight at him a ray of sun certainly wasn’t how Mafioso wanted to spend starting his day, that and he was nearly suffocated by the arms wrapped around him so tightly like a snake coiling around his lungs.

 

The mafia boss shifted his position allowing him to finally release himself from the tight grip of the half-corrupted hacker who was still in deep sleep, for a moment he caught a glimpse of his lower body and his face immediately turned red seeing the mess of of what John Doe has done to him last night, ropes of his own seed on his dress shirt staining it and the boxers still holding the same evidence.

 

The man in slumber suddenly grabbed him back down pulling him into the same entrapped embrace, his face now at his neck breathing him in, pressing in a short kiss. 

 

“Morning” The half-corrupted hacker said into his ear, eyes now open as he looked into the other man’s view of sight, gazing gently.

 

Mafioso groaned slightly as he turned to face him fully, neck aching as he tried to massage the back of it, soon he responds to John Doe running his hand down his face, haggard and eyes bleary. “Mhm you too”

 

“Slept well?”

 

“The couch isn’t as comfortable as it looked to be”

 

“Sorry” The man replies now sitting up as he pulls his arms away stretching his aching joints upwards, for a moment the mafia boss sees his waist, the shirt rising, he wasn’t focused on his lean figure but rather the marks of corruption at the right side of his abdomen trailing upwards.

 

“Like the view?” John Doe was grinning, arms still in the air.

 

“I didn’t know how the corruption had become this bad”

 

His hand went up to trace the black skin, almost as if it were charred from burning, with his attention on the marks of corruption and gentle touch, the half-corrupted hacker’s breath hitches feeling the fingers on his abdomen.

 

“I don’t know if you’re concerned or you’re trying to get me hard”

 

The mafia boss chuckles. “Maybe a bit of both”

 

“You know…you can always tell me if you wouldn’t be into things I want to do”

“Why?”

 

“Because I care” 

 

The words may have been simple but some part of the mafia boss began to grow, could it have been his dormant feelings? He didn’t know, but something pulled him, pushed him to come near the other man as he joined him sitting up on the couch, cupping the sides of his face with his hands as he kissed him softly before withdrawing from him, hands still on his cheeks.

 

The half-corrupted hacker laughed quietly at the eager action. “What made you do that”

 

“I…I actually don't know myself”

 

“I liked it anyways” He hummed in response then kissed him in return, short and deep. 

 

It didn’t take long before they were back on the soft cushions of the couch, making out passionately as John Doe went on top of him pushing Mafioso down, with each short breath he took the more the half-corrupted hacker became more greedy, the mafia boss barely had any time to take in the needed breaths he wanted before the man kissed him again, and again. He felt a tongue push inside his mouth, exploring the warmth, he detached himself from the other man, breathing in the sweet air he looked into the man’s yearning attention all on him.

 

“Can I- can I get some air for a second”

 

“Sure old man, your lungs failing you?-”

 

Mafioso promptly kicked the other man in his crotch in response almost playfully, but it wasn’t gentle either, John Doe reacted by grabbing the mafia boss’s ankle mid-air snickering.

 

“You didn’t have to kick me in my manhood”

 

“Let go of my leg”

 

“Give me another kiss first i’m hurt”

 

“Well poor you” The mafia boss replied sarcastically, but the moment he tried to pull his leg away from the man’s grip it wouldn’t budge, and so he looked up at him glaring. 

 

“Let go” He repeats.

 

“Hm? No” 

 

Chuckling he places Mafioso’s ankle on his shoulder, moving forward almost suggestively- not in the most appropriate manner of course. John Doe hovers over the man as his left hand is placed near his head supporting himself as he looked down.

 

“Where do you want to go today?”

 

“Today?” The mafia boss volleys the question back, he thought they reached a consensus that they couldn’t leave that often anymore from the half-corrupted hacker’s house because of the news last night.

 

“I mean- tonight? You said you want to go dancing”

 

“Don’t tell me you actually plan to do that”

 

“You know me” He pauses, his signature grin on his face appearing. “Whenever you say you don’t want it I’ll get it for you”

 

“Now you’re reminding me of the bunny-”

 

“Our bunny” John Doe corrects him, after all it was like their child, said child was currently back in Dreamsphere in Eunoia’s care, the mafia boss didn’t trust his goons enough for that.

 

“Of course our bunny”

 

A few seconds pass in silence before the half-corrupted hacker decides to gently pull up the other man into his lap, now straddling him Mafioso stares at him amused with his eager actions.

 

“You want me on the couch now you want me on your lap, what do you really want”

 

“Whatever you would want” He replied, his face now in the man’s neck once more as he wrapped his arms around him tightly.

 

“Don’t say that-”

 

“Come on Mafioso…” John Doe said into his ear. “I can teleport us in no time, just one dance”

 

“Where would we even go” He countered, knowing the half-corrupted hacker, he probably was nice enough to suggest it, but doesn’t even know what place they can even go to so he looks away turning his attention to the carpet on the living room which makes John Doe pout slightly.

 

“I know one place”

 

“Uhuh…sure”

 

“Oh don’t be like that” He then proceeds to fix Mafioso’s hair, pushing away the stray strands of hair from his eyes, his hand now turning his chin back to face him. “But if you don’t want to then I’m fine with that”

 

Then, a response from him comes. “I’ll think about it”

 

It was almost as if he perked up at the answer, if he were a dog right now the mafia boss could imagine the wagging tail. 

 

“Why are you looking at me like that”

 

“Oh no- nothing, I just…I really want to dance with you”

 

“Really?” Mafioso tilts his head, curious and then teases the other man. “You want to see me in a tight three piece suit?”

 

The silence that followed was deafening and now the man on the half-corrupted hacker’s lap was the one grinning.

 

“Oh you do?”

 

“I’m gonna go cook breakfast” John Doe says, excusing himself as the man on the couch began to laugh at his retreat, but yes he actually did want to see him in a three piece suit.

 

---

 

1x1x1x1 stared at the now blocked out windows of the abandoned apartment, ever since Doombringer’s announcement the numbers in their group dwindled, it concerned him obviously but aside from that he didn’t expect to lead, it started with just small protests, with him joining in the back as he threw jokes at the men in riot gear to instigate them, instead he’s here hiding with other hackers as admins tracked them down across Robloxia. 

 

He wants to throw something right now at the wall because in what world would you expect a group of hackers to work coordinately.

 

Sighing he peeked through the boarded windows, the light coming through as it met his crimson eyes behind the hidden walls. Arms on his hips he grits his teeth as he witnesses people just going about their day normally, some carrying groceries and others going to school, oh how nice would that be, he definitely didn’t go through that did he?

 

He keeps hearing his name, the sorrow of the people of losing an admin so loved.

 

Even in the news they would always say his name how the current administration was suffering without his presence. What about him then, he suffered too and they ignored his cries as he was forced to live through a wasteland he was born in because of a god’s fear of his abilities mirroring him.

 

Before he delved deeper into those thoughts a hand tapped him on the shoulder, turning around he faces Noli who recently joined them, contrary to what the helmet wearing admin said on the news most of the hackers on the list he prepared weren’t actually with Lazarus, most of them just want to be left alone to live out their lives, and others? Well the embodiment of hatred actually didn’t like how it was shown that he’d be willing to side with predators and exploiters, that was too far, either they assumed they were in his group or they did it on purpose to turn the public’s reception of Lazarus sour.

 

“What’s your plan now” The masked hacker asked, crossing his arms.

 

“Stay here until midnight, I know you’re worried with your…friend, we’ll get them out of the server first”

 

“No I need the kids out first” 

 

“Noli-” 1x1x1x1 tried to reason with the fellow hacker but he was met with a rebuttal.

 

“I can’t stay here until midnight and I can’t for the life of me leave the kids with seven at the house”

 

The embodiment of hatred sighs heavily turning his gaze back to the boarded window, stressed as he leans into it, mind filled with haphazardly made plans on how they could escape the main server which is ironic since they just got out of another server to escape the admins and now here they are again in the same predicament, with the admins right on their doorstep, not literally more like a few kilometers away sitting in their glass-paned offices, up in the clouds looking over them.

 

Other than their unwilling imprisonment in this server, he has a little rebellion he’s caught up in, can’t really juggle both duties alone while he’s about to get a migraine. He considered asking John Doe to help but he already knew no matter how much he’d ask the half-corrupted hacker for help he’d turn him away, he wouldn’t turn him away for food and shelter but still- 

 

He’d never raise his hand against another admin again after what happened with Jane Doe.

 

“How’s John by the way” Noli asked, seeing how tense the other hacker looked to be.

 

Yet that question only fueled 1x1x1x1’s rising stress, the embodiment of hatred’s gaze turned to the masked hacker almost glaring, but that’s just his usual expression so Noli wasn’t too scared he may have pissed off the other guy by trying to turn his attention away from the boarded window.

 

“Insufferable, as always” He replies, tone flat.

 

“Is he alright though is what i’m asking”

 

1x1x1x1 pauses before he responds with another of his snarky remarks, either that or he’s teasing someone else but his main victim isn’t here so he turns down both options and instead says something genuine in return.

 

“He isn’t, last I visited he was cleaning up his garden of weeds”

 

“Why does that sound like we have to be concerned? I mean isn’t horticulture great-” He tries to make light of the conversation knowing where it would lead concerning the not so mentally stable man.

 

“Last time he did that was because his ex wife left him”

 

“Oh”

 

He then adds. “And then he proceeds to demolish around 14 servers in one day”

 

“Oh.” The man repeats, not because he has nothing else to say but…well he actually has nothing to say.

 

A flash of light nearly blinded them through the boarded windows as an explosion soon followed making them near deaf, now turning both of their attention outside they squinted through what they can manage to see as chaos unfolds, just earlier it looked like the streets were normal but now cloaked individuals rampaged the sidewalks, bricks being thrown at a certain yellow faced admin trying to ease the tension as he dodged them, it doesn't help that he's just down on the ground with his hands waving about as his voice carried through the crowd of civilian onlookers and rioters.

 

1x1x1x1 scoffed at the pathetic display of peace, he's slowly accepted the fact that he can't separate himself from the rising unrest of Roblox, just a few days ago it was revealed how lax the administration was towards those who were…well the embodiment of hatred didn't want to mention what they did because it would just bring up unsightly thoughts but they banned a Robloxian who was helping in the cause of putting specific criminals behind bars and when the public heard of what the admins had done they responded with protest, of course they wouldn't join the hackers in their own little rebellion but they both shared the same sentiment.

 

They want Builderman to own up to his faults.

 

The masked hacker beside him sighed, fixing his own mask hiding his grotesque side.

 

“He's the new admin right? Shed-, shed whatta name is?”

 

“Shedletsky” He memorized it, just in case he has to go toe to toe with the cheerful face.

 

“He seems nice”

 

The embodiment of hatred took one long look outside at the man, he didn't like how casual he looked, it seems as though he's dressed up to go to sleep not as an admin.

 

“He only looks nice, don't trust admins so easily”

 

“I mean- there's Doombringer but he doesn't seem so…”

 

“Nice, he's not nice anymore”

 

“And here I thought he'd take our side-”

 

“Since when have you seen admins take our side” 1x1x1x1 bites back, snarky and almost rude.

 

“It's not bad to hope y'know” Noli's voice was almost hopeful which feels contradicting to his usual annoying attitude, maybe it's because 007n7's life is on the line and the kids- which the embodiment of hatred assumes he also sees as his own are also on the line.

 

“It is” 

 

“You're a sourpuss”

 

“Thanks for reminding me that”

 

Their conversation was cut short when the admin outside shouted, his outcry met their ears and they were pulled to listen.

 

“Can't you see we're all falling apart?! we need to meet some sort of consensus!” He shouts through the streets struggling to block the assorted items thrown at him, for a moment it stopped and 1x1x1x1 thought the people were listening to his tirade, instead a molotov coming from familiar nimble gloved hands was thrown at his way coming near his face, he didn’t dodge it and instead made it disappear into thin air, sounds of static and pixels appeared before the crowd.

 

The robloxians turned quiet, and they ran.

 

“Wait! Don’t leave-” He reached out to them, yet they were already gone by the time he had gained enough silence to speak.

 

Seeing a small work of his power already made them scurry away, no person was going to stay in the streets after witnessing how easy the man made the molotov disappear as if it were just a fly in his vicinity, but two teenagers stayed, specifically the ones who threw the molotov. Now the embodiment of hatred isn’t against allowing young adults join their little group but after meeting John Doe and hearing him be vehemently against it he had to turn them all away fearing they’d actually die under his responsibility, that and his half-corrupted hacker friend had drilled some sense into him that this war isn’t supposed to drag kids into it.

 

But those two were so persistent, claiming they’d like a taste of true freedom, he understood it, knowing their background and how they were brought up in a cult and recently escaped it he allowed them to stay only that they would work behind the scenes as they clearly have some knowledge behind making molotov probably what they used to take down their own cult, yet of course they’re teenagers…stubborn as hell, so they always managed to get under his nose and insert themselves into the frontlines.

 

“Are you speaking the truth admin?” The cloaked individual from earlier spoke up, tone formal and almost eloquent.

 

Shedletsky stared for a moment surprised at the scene in front of him, he chuckled then ran a hand through his hair sighing in relief “I…oh thank god at least two of you didn’t run” 

 

“I must repeat, are you speaking the truth?” Under the hood and scarf the admin can see sharp eyes staring back at him as if judging him in his entirety, his companion also had the same stare though you can barely see it with the large witch hat.

 

“I do want what’s best for us Robloxians but I can’t do that without speaking to everyone”

 

The other companion spoke up, but he wasn’t as soft as the other one “You and your administration have long since stopped visiting the mortal grounds, you are a new face, naive, how long will you adhere to your morals until you are lulled by the pull of power”

 

“I’m not like that alright? Dang you kids sure speak really well-”

 

1x1x1x1 was snickering behind the boarded windows seeing the yellow faced robloxian struggled to respond against the sharp-tongued teens, he didn’t expect the two to actually talk to the admin but he has his daemonshank ready at his side if the man tries anything.

 

“We don’t believe you” The teen crosses his arms at him, his hooded friend still standing straight. ”Apologies but Roblox has gone a downhill path, I doubt you can fix that single-handedly”

 

“I’m sorry, who are you two?” He finally asks, finger jumping between the two as he points at them.

 

“Former cultists, ever heard of spawnism?”

 

 

“Oh…I heard that”

 

“And your administration did nothing against it, saving kidnapped children from the hands of people forcing them into a cult”

 

“I wasn’t an admin during that time alright? I’m new and I'm still not- good…” Shedletsky stares at the rubble at his feet, averting his gaze from the teenagers in front of him, despite his cheery demeanour he’s still a person suddenly thrusted into a position with no guidelines, given reigns to a horse he can’t control, and that horse? That horse is Roblox.

 

The embodiment of hatred made his sword disappear at his side watching the scene unfold, he’d never seen an admin look so distraught before, someone so unsure of the future that would follow him, he can’t even respond with a rebuttal against the two teenagers. He pushes that nagging feeling down that’s telling him to take pity on the man but why should he. He’s another admin that will go down the same paths as the others, they have a clear-cut facade, one that many can see past because they still blindly hope that this little world Builderman made would still be working efficiently despite its many flaws. People continue to live here, breath, talk and eat because what else can they do other than that, they can also work themselves off to death if they want just to attain a miniscule of what money can bring happiness to them.

 

1x1x1x1 turns his face away from the boarded window before his thoughts would go somewhere else, that and he didn’t want to look at the yellow faced robloxian outside either because honestly he looked pathetic, just from looking at him the embodiment of hatred knows he does not have what it takes to have the public’s trust, that and he doesn’t seem to have any attributes that would help him either aside from the…overtly cheery demeanour, that he can push aside as maybe the man’s naivety to his newfound work.

 

That poor guy is going to be beaten up badly in the streets if he dares to show it again.

 

---

 

“I’m telling you John this is a bad idea” The mafia boss said, arms crossed.

 

“It isn’t alright? Have some faith in me”

 

They both stood near the kitchen counter with Mafioso leaning over the oven with his hand on the handlebar whereas John Doe was leaning back on the kitchen island, brightly lit by the afternoon sun barely hidden away by the large curtains pulled back to let it shine through. Marble countertops and expensive wooden furniture is all that Mafioso saw letting his gaze go through the area, honestly last night he wasn’t able to get a garner of his surroundings but with the curtains pulled back and natural sunlight- albeit too hot to step underneath right now because it is noon, he realized how the interior and overall decor screams I have money and I don’t know how to spend it other than buy lackluster designs to throw around my house.

 

Their poorly baked banana cake sat inside the oven, the aroma of the faint vanilla and melted chocolate chips filling the air, they have about 2 minutes before it finishes baking but because of how impatient the half-corrupted hacker was earlier with opening and closing it their time had to be adjusted, and so now the mafia boss is guarding it by holding the handlebar in place.

 

“I do have some faith in you but I’m not going out there at night knowing admins would shoot you on sight”

 

“Oh come on” He crouches near Mafioso’s feet as he stares into the oven, eyes reflecting the blazing furnace, still impatient. “It’s not like I don’t have some magic in me that’ll let us go undetected”

 

“One call is all it takes you know that” The mafia boss reminds him of their former friend, or if he was even a friend at all- called on them and immediately the admins appeared at their doorstep.

 

“They wouldn’t try that with me”

 

“You have all too much pride in you claiming that, people aren’t that scared of your kind now after what Builderman said on the news”

 

“I know they’re scared of me” He mumbles, his chin resting on his hand as his elbow met his knee. “I see the looks they throw my way, the people staring in shock before they would run, I know I look like a monster but I don’t act like one”

 

Mafioso looked down on John Doe, unsure what his following response should be especially if it concerns his looks, he’s never heard him complain about his exterior likeness before but knowing the man it really isn’t just about what he looks like, he’s talking about what the people think of what he looks like.

 

“John…what exactly happens to you, when the corruption flares up” He asks, toeing around the question.

 

The half-corrupted hacker continued to stare into the oven, his eyes fixated on the rising banana cake within the parchment covered rectangle pan. It seems as though he ignored whatever the other man asked but soon enough he responds, tone almost flat.

 

“I don’t know”

 

“You don’t know? What about the news, the articles, what people say when they witness you in public”

 

“Do you really believe those tabloids?” Soon the mafia boss hears a scoff from him. “Didn’t take you to be the kind of person into that”

 

“I’m not saying I believe them, I’m just wondering what really happens, they make you out to be such a-”

 

“Such a what?” John Doe replies, almost harsh as if he were also expecting a harsh description.

 

“You know that already”

 

“I don’t want to talk about this”

 

“You don’t?” Mafioso gave himself a second to pause. “Fine let’s talk about Jane Doe”

 

The sudden turn of the conversation to her name made the half-corrupted hacker nearly flinch. When he turned his eyes upwards to face the man beside him he wore a face near to a scowl, he didn’t expect the mafia boss to change the topic to that, and it’s far more worse than the former.

 

“Why’d you have to bring her up”

 

“Because I have the right to know what happened, I'm walking in the same house you both lived in and not only that you still haven’t explained to me what was happening to you all those nights ago”

 

“Is this why you asked me about the corruption? We can just exclude her-”

 

“Oh no no no” Mafioso shook his head, clearly unsatisfied with the arrangement. “We’re talking about all of it, now”

 

“Why the sudden questions” John Doe threw a question himself, he wasn’t that uncomfortable with the man asking questions about his past, not at all, but it concerns her so of course he isn’t all too happy recalling certain memories just to explain his situation.

 

“Despite the time I've spent with you and how much you claim you like me, I don’t know everything about you”

 

“Well that’s quite obvious”

 

“You know what I’m actually referring to here” The serious tone doesn’t deter John Doe from his foul mood, he already knows what’s coming next whenever it looked like the mafia boss was nearing his pressure point from boiling too much from annoyance, reminds him of the time they spent back in the apartment with him agitating the man.

 

“Okay fine!” He raised his hands in surrender angrily, standing up as he stepped away from the oven and the man. “I’ll give you a bedtime story and 40k word novel about it- happy?” he added as he glanced over his shoulder, arms on his hips as he then glared at the ground.

 

“Don’t reply with sarcasm here”

 

“You wanna know that bad?” He replies, attention still on the floor. “She wanted something I can’t give, I can’t give her the life she wants, I can’t even give her a family and I can’t even assure myself that we’d live to our fifties, I don’t even know if I’d still be alive or I’d be imprisoned by then, if I did give her a family then they’d suffer knowing their father is being chased down by the administration and worst of all I might even pass on whatever kind of sick infection I have!”

 

The mafia boss instead counters him, replying in the same furious tone. “Didn’t you say yourself you can’t pass the corruption on to other people?”

 

“That’s true but what happens if I have children? People with this condition don’t even live long Mafioso, god I-” Burying his face in his hands he tries to still his shaky breaths and rising temper, his red eye flaring as his corruption begins to appear again. 

 

“John…” Mafioso says his name almost carefully, taking tentative steps to the other man as his hand tried to ground him, arm coming around his waist. “Okay you don’t have to tell me anything i’m sorry I was forcing you” 

 

“And now you’re stuck here with me but I had the gall to say we can go out tonight and dance, i’m so stupid”

 

“You aren’t stupid, you just want to make me happy”

 

“I do want to make you happy”

 

The mafia boss stares at the man for a moment, his agitated expression now fading away hearing the genuine words come from his muffled mouth, slowly he pries away the hands from the half-corrupted hacker’s face, holding it gently in his own. The oven continued to tick away in the background with the timer now left with mere seconds until their baked goods were done.

 

They were both silent, questioning who would speak up first, neither of them did.

 

A small ding from the oven grabs their attention away from their tender moment, pushing himself up from their crouching position Mafioso takes John Doe’s arm pulling him up with him as they now both stand before the appliance, the banana cake inside now fully baked.

 

“Let’s…” The mafia boss speaks up first, running a hand through his hair absentmindedly. “Let’s push that problem aside alright? I’m sorry again for asking that earlier that was uncalled for-’

 

“No- no-, I should be the one apologizing, I shouldn’t be keeping her under wraps anyways on what happened during our fallout, you deserve to know it” The half-corrupted hacker interrupts the man disagreeing with him.

 

“Yes but I shouldn’t have asked it as if I were forcing it out of you-”

 

John Doe interrupts him again, now opening the oven. “Y’know what let’s just eat the cake i’m starving here”

 

“Wait John- the smoke!” 

 

Mafioso warns the man too late, as the aroma of the perfectly baked banana cake filled their senses, the smoke followed after and spread out in the kitchen reaching the fire alarm notifying it of possible arson which never occurred, the sprinklers immediately went to work.

 

And resulted in drenching them both in water.

 

---

 

After their fiasco during lunch and the soggy banana cake, evening crept up quickly on both of them. Resting on the couch now dry of the unprompted fire alarms the mafia boss stared at the ceiling or rather the spinning ceiling fan waiting for the half-corrupted hacker to come downstairs, he has never gone up the second floor and he’s unsure if he should. He has only spent one night and maybe half a day in the man’s house so he’s wary on where he’s allowed to come and go.

 

Currently he’s fiddling with the button of his worn-out shirt that he had to wash and dry earlier, now it smelled faintly of fabric softener, the kind you’d see that is a rip-off of another brand and you would know because the scent is too faint to smell. It had been around twelve minutes and counting ever since John Doe went upstairs, Mafioso didn’t know what he was doing up there but it was better not to question it. Soon he heard footsteps coming down, quick yet heavy, probably the half-corrupted hacker already walking down the steps. 

 

He thought about it, if he were to take the risk of going out with the man tonight, but his thoughts were stuck thinking about the repercussions that would befall on him if they were ever caught by the public or even worse the admins roaming about like hawks. But then again he’s come this far. He’s risked his life driving into the borders of each server and even met the creator of Roblox himself, he isn’t backing down now.

 

Before he could even open his mouth and say his sentence he stopped mid-way, lips parted half-way staring at who might be just-

 

A normal man.

 

He had to remind himself to blink as he tried to see if he was hallucinating or not, but it wasn’t, John Doe stood at the foot of the steps, arms on his hips, grinning at the mafia boss as if he just won a grand prize. Gone were the black marks of his corruption that traced down his arm and face, his red eye now a normal tint of black. Mafioso was still staring at the man from the couch and had to be snapped out of his trance with the half-corrupted hacker clapping his hand together.

 

“Hey, are you there”

 

“Oh- oh yeah i’m- i’m here” The mafia boss said, now slightly shy because what in the world was that reaction? Why did he have to stare so intently?

 

“First off, I didn’t find a cure and second, it’s a little magic trick”

 

“I can see that”

 

“Why do I feel like underneath that sentence you’re saying i’m not handsome”

 

“When did I ever say that?” Mafioso chuckled in response, his elbow now on the edge of the couch as he rested his chin on his palm.

 

“I mean- you agreed its a magic trick and like….”

 

John Doe trailed off, eyes fixated outside as he went silent, what came after is the mafia boss’s laughter filling the living room, standing up the man went close to the other teasing him as he encircled his arms low around his waist, he tried to turn the half-corrupted hacker’s attention to him.

 

“You’re handsome”

 

“That sounds so genuine, very believable” He retorts, still looking away.

 

“What’s the reason behind this?”

 

“Nothing I just…I just wanted to show you what I was before all this, if it never happened in the first place”

 

A hand came up to cup the man’s right cheek, brushing over the skin that used to bear marks of what immaturity and recklessness could lead you to at a young age, Mafioso wonders if this is truly what the man would have looked like if he hadn’t toyed around with the world’s inner coding.

 

“You look unfamiliar without it all”

 

“I do?”

 

“You look like just another person I would see across the street”

 

John Doe eases into the hand, cherishing the warmth. “That would be bad wouldn’t it, we wouldn’t have met if I were just a normal person walking about”

 

“You can take me out tonight”

 

“What?” He wasn’t surprised, rather he perked up the moment the mafia boss told him he can take him out to dance.

 

“I could take back what I just said-”

 

“No!” The half-corrupted hacker shouts unaware of how loud it was, he apologizes before speaking again. “Wait I’m not ready yet I don’t have the clothes for this occasion” 

 

“You mean to tell me you were lying when you said you have a place ready”

 

“Okay no I do know a place we can go to I just don’t have the clothes yet”

 

For the next two hours Mafioso and John Doe ransacked through his closet upstairs in his bedroom sifting through options he most likely wouldn’t be wearing if they were required to wear formal attire to whatever venue the half-corrupted hacker was planning to head to. The mafia boss himself had to find clothes of his own but since he left his belongings back at the hotel he had to make do with whatever horrendous match he would pull out of John Doe’s closet, thankfully it wasn’t too bad of a pair he chose since he managed to find a proper looking three-piece suit, he just had to iron it.

 

Meanwhile the half-corrupted hacker was still ankle deep in the pile of clothes he dug through trying to find anything proper looking.

 

“You know you could just wear a button down and a pair of slacks I'm fine with that”

 

“I would look like a waiter” He says complaining as he sifted through his options while Mafioso stares down at him from where he was crouching on the floor.

 

As John Doe surveyed his clothes of any formal attire the mafia boss began to look around the bedroom taking notice of how the curtains were blocking out most of the light outside as if it were done on purpose, he soon noticed the dents in the wall and the multiple scratches, it worried him on what may have happened to the half-corrupted hacker all alone in his room, isolated from the world.

 

A small line of light came from the bathroom door to his left, his feet began to move guiding him .Soon he foundfound his hand on the handle turning it slowly but a hand immediately closed the door slamming it very loudly, ragged breathing came from his ear and he realized it was John Doe, looking as if he ran over to stop him from opening whatever it was he didn’t want him to see.

 

“Are you hiding something”

 

“Nothing, nothing really”

 

“Then why did you do that?” He eggs him on with another question, a smirk appearing on his face as he teases the man. “We’re all adults here what do you have to hide from me”

 

“A broken wall maybe” The half-corrupted hacker retorts trying to speed-up the conversation.

 

“Now that’s concerning”

 

“Well I don’t want you to be concerned about that”

 

“Oh really now”

 

“You aren’t a construction worker” 

 

Mafioso raised an eyebrow at the continuous avoidant responses about the man’s bathroom, it was becoming more and more suspicious to him on what the man was hiding behind the bathroom door, and so he forcefully opened it revealing a broken bathtub and mirror shards tucked away in a towel on the sink.

 

“What in the world happened to you when you were alone”

 

“Got mad” John Doe responds almost nonchalantly as if there were no reparations to be paid.

 

“It looked like you were very mad” He replies concerned at the state of the bathroom.

 

“Uhuh, I was”

 

“Stop replying as if this is just a small problem your bathroom is a walking hazard”

 

---

 

“Did he say anything else?” The embodiment of hatred asked the two teenagers who sat on the floor preparing hand-made riot shields as he too helped alongside them.

 

“Nothing further than what he has repeated over and over, asking for peace and equality” The former cultist replies, his witch hat fixed on his head unmoving.

 

Two Time and Azure were one of the unlucky children kidnapped by Spawnism and now fortunately have gotten out of the wretched system, both of them still stayed after the news of the C.E.O. wishing to have a more stricter crack down on the hackers in their world, it was almost as if they weren't scared anymore after all that happened to them.

 

His friend then added, tone opposite of his, Two Time sounded more amicable between the two to be honest albeit his head isn't all there. “He also added he wishes to have a meeting with you if possible”

 

“That's absurd, he's asking to meet me?”

 

“Absurd yes but courageous”

 

“It is plain stupid Two Time do not defend the admin” Azure argued as he hammered down a nail on the wooden planks harshly. “As if he can still repair the damage the administration has done”

 

1x1x1x1 thought about it, and then proceeds to dismiss the thoughts of ever meeting the yellow faced robloxian because yes it is plain stupid to meet the admin, he only saw a smear of what the man can do earlier making the molotov disappear mid-air what else can he do?

 

“If he shows up in the next protest don't talk again with him, he might place some creepy tracker on you both” He says trying to scare the two teens so that they wouldn't try whatever it is they pulled earlier but it doesn't work at all.

 

“He might have information we can use, and with his amicable demeanour we can use it to our advantage” The teen in the witch hat says critically.

 

Sighing, it seems that the embodiment of hatred could never persuade the two to follow what he says.

 

“Alrigh…but be careful out there tomorrow, yeah?”

 

“Of course” Two Time answers for the both of them as they continue hammering away, but it looked more like Azure doing all the work since his other friend barely had the muscle to do so.

 

1x1x1x1 stood up from where he sat beside them and began to walk away taking the exit stairs to go up onto the rooftop of the abandoned building.

 

Each step he took echoed through the apartment complex, and thus he is left in his own thoughts.

 

Honestly whoever was this new hot-shot admin doesn't know who he's against, who is he to say he advocates for peace and equality? it'll be the same thing that happens over and over, empty promises meant to quench the thirst of the public for their needs, words with no meaning at all. The administration sees them as working ants, small and insignificant that they can use to their own whims whenever and wherever they would want, simple-minded and walking along to the rules, can't even swear without censors appearing unless you have a script for it but even he finds no use trying to counter such a useless code in the system.

 

Maybe that's why he's so motivated, he wants to topple down the administration, either that or his rebelliousness is taking hold.

 

As for Shedletsky and his hopeless acts of heroism, if he tries to meet with him then good luck, because he'd plant his face into the concrete ground.

 

Arriving at the rooftop he opens the rusty door open allowing the cold breeze to brush past him, walking against it, he fights against the incoming winter that creeps on to his skin, he pretends he can feel it but he knows he can't, he's long lost that sense of being able to feel anything but the hate that runs in his veins.

 

But why is it still there? wasn't the death of the man who birthed him into this world dead?

 

He stares down on the wide landscape of buildings and skyscrapers alike filling his views, the sun now coming near to nighttime. How he wished he experienced this when he was younger but all he saw were red skies and the darkness that followed him everywhere in the banlands. He takes a deep breath, exhaling it loudly into the cold air.

 

It'll be another day tomorrow, another day in these human grounds that he's never felt he belonged in.

 

But where else would he even go.

 

Notes:

IM.BACK RAHBHHH I know it's been some time since my last update but I'm back, prelim exams are done and not only do we have a new chapter we also have a new longfic in the works! yall can check it out if you want

As always comments and kudoses are appreciated <3