Chapter Text
There was a snowstorm outside.
It wasn't unexpected, with how many months had already passed, they suspected this realm that harboured them also had ongoing seasons. They already experienced two full cycles beforehand. So, they didn't really think this winter would be any different.
Until...
"Wait. This isn't adding up."
Builderman spoke as he lifted the last paper on his clipboard and the first one, trying to make sense of something that was already said to him. The others were looking uneasy. The fire was flickering out, but they had nothing to keep it going.
"W-what? We... we are sure we checked everything!"
The youngest member of the team anxiously added, Noob was in charge of counting the leftover wood, Others like Elliot and Guest counted medicine and food.
"Kid. I'm sure ya all counted right. I'm just saying that.. fuck." - the older put his hand on his face as he tried his best not to let his frustration be known.
"We don't have enough to last us a day more. Especially wood. Food is up in two days. We are low on painkillers, as always."
There was a quiet rumble as the crew in the cabin wasn't really happy with the current predicament. Everyone was trying to distract themselves from the harsh truth.
Two time were sharpening their dagger blade on the stairs, humming a song they referred to as 'spawns blessing'. No one really wanted to see what was up with them.
Chance and Elliot were by the staircase and leaning on the rails on the second floor, looking down at the others as they quietly talked, trying to keep their voices low. Chance was more vocal of the two of them, maybe trying to keep the mood light as he fidgeted with the collar of his shirt.. Elliot kept looking away, sometimes shivering as the warmth of the fire wasn't that close to them.
The admin crew were sprawled out near the tables.
Shedletsky kept on murmuring something to Taph, who motioned back radically, clearly not agreeing with the winged man who kept on spewing whatever nonsense he seemed fit. But it was clear they were talking about, well, pointing the blame at someone in the cabin... Dusekkar just stayed quiet, having two medkids open as he and Guest had counted everything, he wanted to make sure just one last time himself, even if the distraction was great due to how much Shedletsky hit the table with his arm to prove a point.
"Taph just admit that I'm right! It has to be him! C'mon, I won't rub it in your face-" (He will)
"🍔❌😑👉🍔🤝👬,🤦♀️" (It's not him. He has proven he is a changed man. Dumbass.)
This only made Shedletsky more eager to prove his point before he felt a slight glare from the other admin at the table, making him redirect his stance as Dusekkar gave him another warning glare, closing one of the med kits as he wrote something down in the notebook beside him.
„What now? Did I upset the whole cabin because I dared speak the truth?“
The other just got hold of his staff that was resting on the table before he hit Shedletsky on the head. Making the other cry out as he rubbed the inflicted spot, his previously puffed-up wings now deflating as he had met someone who wasn't in the mood to listen to the argument any second longer, with how much they had on their plate, more like a lack thereof, as the food was running out.
„We’ve got more important things to handle than this round of blame. Go find something useful to do — you might even enjoy the change.“
The sound of a chair scraping soon filled the room as the other admin left the table, entering the main cabin with a small dent in his pride. Taph just gave a small glance at the admin, still writing something down. Dusekkar didn't return it as he just continued to write the contents down. Everything was counted right, sadly. It meant they didn't have much to work with.
The fire was starting to flicker now more occasionally than it did before, illuminating the figures who were sitting on the couch in front of it in the main cabin. Light tapping was heard as it sounded quite desperate, given how much the sound was heard in the room. One of the figures finally broke the melancholy by leaning down to inspect what the other was doing.
„Oh. I’m.. just checking something..“
007n7 said as he noticed how the blue-haired soldier looked at his screens like they were something he didn't quite see before, but stayed silent and observed. The man sitting down was currently checking a new sensor they set up during the summer, to see if something had changed in the area that surrounded the cabin. The other screens had some data on them regarding the other sensors. To say he was finally useful to the crew would be an understatement. After the first winter, they realized they needed more unity than ever if they wanted to keep their lives going.
Especially with the rounds still going.
The killers skinning, butchering and murdering them almost every other round wasn't the most pleasant. So, they tried to make their lives at least a tad easier in the meantime. It was hard. They had to do most of the things themselves. Cook, clean. Keep the fire alive. Fix stuff that got broken. They got sick. They got hurt. But they had to keep going... well. That was what they said when they first got here.
The brunette shook his head a tad as he flicked one of the screens away from his face. His C00lgui had way more use outside the rounds than in them, as he figured. Others did too; he showed himself capable of fixing and making useful tools alongside others, mostly Builderman, who put his own grudges aside and worked with the former hacker to build things like sensors and bracelets that almost functioned like phones. Most didn't want to wear them at first, but after a while, they had to admit it was a nice thing to have on hand. He tried his best to guide his attention to the sensors he was supposed to check.
The reason they were put around the area was simple. Their supplies don’t come by normal means. Once or twice a month, there will be a shipment placed somewhere random. Sometimes it was just behind the cabin, sometimes it took them hours to drag the big boxes back. Worst is that they wouldn't know where it was or at what time it would be delivered. They had to keep a check on that too.
„....7n7... did you find anything?...“
The older stopped putting in commands as he turned to the youngest member of the crew, looking as if he would cry at any moment. The youngster had a habit of thinking people were mad at them when they were just reacting to bad news. 007n7 just sighed gently and moved a tad to the side, patting the spot next to him with a small smile directed at Noob.
„For now, I’m still looking, kid. You can sit with me if you wanna.“
By the time 007n7 managed to open his main panel again, Noob was curled into his side like a hurt puppy who had been kicked and thrown into purring rain. They are in their early twenties, but could pass for someone younger, at least in Sevens' case; they looked nineteen at best.
The older just continued to monitor the panels open. Trying to ignore the way Shedletsky was now looking over Builderman’s neck and loudly complaining to him. The wind outside has been picking up as the whistling of the pine trees made everyone stop and quiet down to listen. The fire was dimming every moment now. The tension thickened as no one dared say anything worthy.
Until 007n7 grabbed one of the floating screens with such speed that it made both Guest and Noob jump from their respective positions on the worn couch.
„There!- sensor twelve is picking up something!“
As if someone had pulled back the curtain, the room began to breathe again. Builderman and Shedletsky were the first to rush over and look over to see the main screen showing a screening in process.
„Hell yeah! That's what I’m talking about!“
Chance was the first to yell out as everyone looked quite relieved with themselves. Elliot rolled his eyes but still smiled at how happy the other seemed to look, flicking the other's hat upwards a tad as it made Chance stumble a bit, the man having expected that. Seeing the other going down the stairs, Two Time moved a tad to the right.
Soon, everyone was coming to see what was up.
While 007n7 typed away, working his magic as the model of the scanned box appeared, even more so. There were four in total. Twice as much as their normal shipment. Shedletsky couldn't contain himself as he got Builderman's hands and started to shake them with excitement.
„Four crates?! People, we are being fed tonight!“
Builderman wanted to make a remark, but with how glad he was they won’t starve, he let the bird man have this moment of glory.
That was until 007n7 stopped in his tracks as something was wrong. He kept refreshing the same panel over and over again, hoping he would see a different result. But it was useless. Everyone was too excited at the mere thought of the crates that they didn't notice him looking horrified by the minute.
Not everyone, though.
He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
„Seven.. are you alright?“
Fuck. 007n7 had forgotten that Guest was next to him and was actually paying attention to what he was doing. He just gave a small nod and a quiet ‘yeah’ before quickly returning his gaze to the panel. While Guest moved a tad closer, his lips opened to say something, but the words didn't leave his mouth. Well, they didn't have the chance as the screen showed the location.
Builderman saw it first. Everyone else followed as 007n7 wanted the couch to eat him so he wouldn’t be in the center of attention anymore.
„That's.. far.. fuckin hell.“
The bearded man almost groaned, his hand coming to his forehead in defeat yet again. While others tried to calculate how long it would take them to actually get there and drag the crates back.
„Far? We have like twenty minutes at most to get there, it's not-“
Chance tried to speak up before he was cut off by Builderman.
„Not with a goddamn storm outside, it isn’t twenty minutes. No one is going that far in this weather. Hell, no one is going outside!“
The room felt heavy again as no one dared say a word. They could wait out the storm, but it was unlikely it would stop anytime soon, with how it currently made the trees bend at its will. The supplies would despawn in the next twelve hours if they didn't bring them back to the main cabin. This made them even more anxious, as this meant they would have to risk getting seriously frostbitten to drag those crates back.
Guest was the first to get up from his seat, his body stiff as he made his way to the hanger near the front door. Elliot was the first one to grab him by his arm, but the older man made up his mind.
“Guest-“
“Someone has to go get it. I’m the most equipped for this situation.”
Guest quickly added, trying gently to get Elliot to let go, but the other wasn’t budging. Builderman quickly stepped in between them to close the gap, not wanting the man to even think about going anywhere.
“Hate to disagree with ya, soldier, but outside is currently no man's land. If you go, there is a high chance we will be findin your body in the spring.”
Everyone was soon grouped together in the lobby, fighting over who could or couldn’t go outside to retrieve the crates. Guest kept on insisting he would be able to get at least one back to them. Builderman was insistent that no one leave and they would wait till the storm cleared, even if it was obvious that it wouldn’t at this time of the weather cycle. The last snowstorm lasted two weeks when it arrived.
007n7 just sighed as he started to close his panels. He was glad they directed their attention somewhere else and not him. But with the last screen still floating ahead, he stopped.
What if I do it?
It was small, he tried to brush it off and close the last pop-up, but it kept coming back, his other thoughts replaced. He tried to process it logically.
On one hand, it wouldn’t be the best idea to go there and do it himself, he wasn’t as strong as the others in this cabin were. He was thinner due to his habit of eating late when no one could see him. He would fold like a sheet of paper if he tried picking one up. Hell, even dragging it.
On the other hand, he was a hacker. A skilled one at that. Sure, his memory was dusty, but he did possess enough skill to create complex tools to help others. He could actually do it. Maybe prove once again he was more than needed in this damned place. Like he didn’t already do that a hundred times before.
He already made up his mind. Noob was too busy picking at their fingers to notice the older man checking how much battery C00lgui had. He sighed. 66% was solid, but he would have been more at peace with a higher percentage.
Getting up from the couch was the next step, while he walked to the coat hanger, some turned their heads to look at him, but didn’t say anything as a heated argument was brewing between Builderman and Guest1337, two men with good intentions but with completely opposite standpoints.
“That’s an order, Guest. You are staying till we sort somethin out. Impulsive reactions won’t get us anywhere son.”
“I know when it’s better to disobey orders than follow them. We will starve. And I won’t let anyone sleep with an empty stomach tonight.”
“We have enough for-“
“For two days. We have scraps, enough to feed a few of us. And with how things are going, I know the first person you all won’t let have a piece.”
That mention made 007n7 stop in his tracks as he already tied his boot laces down, his coat around him and his C00lgui processing commands he put into it. His hand was shaking as he checked the information one last time. The coordinates were right, and he had commands ready and open. All he needed to do was wait for the device to finally teleport him.
That was until someone finally noticed him.
“007n7?”
Elliot was quick to call out.
The other just remained silent as he looked a tad wide-eyed, like a teen who has been caught smoking for the first time. Everyone stopped to look, even Builderman and Guest, who were almost at each other’s throats, watched as the former hacker stood with his commands on, the edges of him starting to glitch with black and red lines. It clicked. He was going outside. Everyone realised what was unfolding right under their noses. Elliot, who still sometimes ignored the man after everything that happened, couldn’t stand still and let this unfold.
He broke into a full sprint to grab the other.
“STOP!”
But before he could get to him, 007n7 was already gone, Elliot just passed right through the same place he was a second ago, and collided with the hanger near the door, causing him to land on the floor along with everyone’s jackets and hats that were hanging on in the first place. Chaos erupted as Chance and Taph rushed over to help the pizza boy up. Shedletsky was the first to speak.
“He- He probably went to his own cabin, right? He wouldn’t- he couldn’t possibly have the guts to-“
He was immediately cut off by Noob, who was curled like a little ball on the couch.
“No- 7n7 doesn’t teleport into our cabin like that… he d-doesn’t anymore.”
It was true. He used to do it, but once it scared Noob bad enough that 007n7 didn’t do it again, not to mention their cabin wasn’t that far off, he would have just gotten out normally by the front door and walked if he wanted to go.
That just solidifies the fact more. The wind outside didn’t stop. To their horror, it was growing stronger every minute that passed. Guest finally broke the hold Builderman had on his arm. The shorter man didn’t say anything other than loudly sigh and try not to laugh or cry at the absurdity of the situation they were facing.
Everyone wanted to say something. But most stayed quiet, their gazes focused somewhere else. Elliot was now sitting on the couch. His arm was a tad bruised from the fall. He was the only one who dared to meet the look of the blue-haired soldier. He spoke softly, like it hurt to say what was true.
“Someone has to go after him.”
Guest was the first to remove his gaze and grab the jacket that was his, hurriedly putting it on as he secured his gloves and scarf tightly.
To his slight surprise.
Two more pairs of hands joined him in the finding of their own jackets and boots. The front door was forced open. The strongest survivor in the cabin looked back at the rest with a look that only screamed determination.
“I will.”
But his response was met with a light chuckle. By his side were Two Time and Chance, the latter fixing his glasses.
“We will, pal. We will.”
Notes:
Annnnnd this is the first chapter guys :3
I didn't write in a long while so I'm maybe a tad rusty! (last time I did the ao3 curse got to me)
Sorry about the cliffhanger, I'm writing the second one as you see this-
Chapter Text
The storm wasn't merciful at all.
007n7 found out the hard way.
One second, he was in a black void; the next, he was knocked out to the floor by the wind. He picked himself up, breathing heavily as the freezing air filled his lungs.
„Great.“
Was all he murmured as he moved the sleeve of his jacket to open his C00lgui, which was now at 56%. He stopped for a moment to think if this would be a good idea to begin with, before shaking those thoughts yet again. He had enough battery to work with. He shouldn't have so much doubt in himself.
After a few careful steps, he got closer to the crates that were almost covered in snow. They weren't all in the same spot; one was near a tree, two were in the open, and one was too close to the edges of the beach. The waves are clashing against the pebbles as they threaten to rise now that the night is approaching.
He made his way to the one at the shore, which was the biggest out of the four present. So, he needed to get that one to the cabin first.
After inspecting it, he opened up the first panel, making it stay in one spot as he tapped the setting he wanted to use. The screen booted to life. The sound was already familiar, but accompanied by another loud beeping. 007n7 got closer to see what was up with it.
[!!!WARNING!!!]
[TEMPERATURE DETECTED BELOW SAFE TRESHOLD]
[WIND MOVEMENT DETECTED ABOVE SAFE SPEEDS]
[TURN BACK]
[TURN BACK]
[TURN BA-
The man just closed the warning for it to stop beeping so loudly. He did sense that the wind was getting stronger. So, he figured he would need to be as fast as possible to get this done.
He opened the tab he needed, clicking on it as he let the screen stand in the air, as he started to measure the coordinates of the eight points that the crate had.
Sometimes he hid against it so the wind wouldn't hit him as hard as it was blowing, but he already felt the way his fingers hurt when he typed the commands in. The way it even hurts to breathe in air. If he had just known how cold it had managed to get, he would have worn double the clothes he was wearing now. But there was no turning back now. Especially not when he put the final commands in checking everything again to be sure.
[Haxxing in progress…]
owner = "007n7"
power = 56
cabin = (0, 0)
crate_label = "crate one"
crate_pos = (7732, -8083)
print(f"{owner} targets '{crate_label}' at {crate_pos} -> {cabin}")
if power < 12:
print("Not enough power.")
elif crate_pos == cabin:
print(f"'{crate_label}' is already at the cabin.")
else:
print("Teleporting...")
power -= 12
crate_pos = cabin
print(f"Arrived: {crate_pos}. Device power now {power}%.")
After he pressed the print button, the edges of the crate glitched for a few seconds; in the next moment, it was gone. 007n7 quickly looked back at the panel. Now the percentage was 44%. He sighed in relief when the process showed that it was successful.
He was about to go to the next one when he heard a soft laugh echoing; he turned around immediately. Only to be met by the waves aggressively crashing against the beach. The tide has risen. The night was approaching, and with it, the storm was brewing stronger and stronger. Threatening to swallow everything in a white, endless void. But there stood a man, a troubled man who was frozen in his tracks. As for him, he was sure he heard his son's laughter echoing beneath the waves.
He took a step forward.
„....son?...“
The waves seemed to sense the attention, like they were more human than they seemed. They wanted to lure, to feast.
007n7 sensed something was off, either that or he was losing his mind due to how cold it was getting. He took a deep breath in before tightening his hand into a fist. Now he was angry.
Someone, worse, something was toying with him, trying to distract him or lure him to another miserable death. All while wearing his son's innocent laugh like it was the most natural thing in existence.
„Fuck you. Whatever you are.“
He spit, finally turning back to go finish what he started. Unaware, things will only take a turn for the worse.
The crunch of the soft snow was heard in pairs as the three sentinels made their way to the location their devices admitted.
Guest was in front, his build allowing him to cut through the path more easily, using his hands to shield his eyes from the snow being blown in all the directions he was facing. He made sure to keep track of the other two that were following him.
Chance was right behind him, trying his best to follow as he wiped his glasses every few seconds due to how much snow was blown into them. He said a thing or two about this being a „terrible idea “ and „If we die, it will be so uncool ". Guest chose to ignore it as he followed the device's lead. He was following the position of 007n7's bracelet, as the former hacker had implemented that ability after some people, mostly Noob, kept getting lost in the dense forest around the cabin. It was a useful thing to have.
Two Time kept lagging as they carried their dagger in hand the entire time, coming to the trees, they passed to carve something into them before continuing to follow the other two, sometimes looking back as if to remind themselves of something.
„Two Time! Keep up, pal! We have limited time here! “
Chance yelled out as Guest was already continuing, as it was true, time was running out. The storm was getting worse, and they didn't want to wait to find out how it would feel when ice started landing on them instead of snowflakes.
Two Time didn't say anything as they just finished carving something before returning, yet again, Chance was waiting for them to get at least a tad closer.
„Be blessed to know Spawn isn't testing me today.“
Chance just stood there as he tried to process the sentence the other person so calmly said while surpassing him. He soon just shrugged, following after the two.
„Whatever that was supposed to mean.“
Suddenly, their bracelets started to beep loudly. Guest looked at his own as his gaze thickened with concern. The warning was clear. The temperature was dropping to below zero, and this was starting to get more dangerous than they thought. Guest closed his immediately. They couldn't go back now. Not when they were so close to finding 007n7.
Chance didn't close his, but instead hurriedly walked to catch up to Guest, who continued as if nothing had happened.
„Dude, we need to go back!”
Guest didn’t stop as he just tilted his head back to look at the other two sentinels, who weren’t as keen to continue. Chance tried to stop him by getting in front of him, but the bigger man just went around him, not sparing him any of his attention. He needed to get to Seven. He promised that he would protect everyone here with all of his might, and he meant everyone.
Two Time was just quietly watching as Chance tried everything to stop Guest from walking forward. With how much the wind was blowing, they needed to go back; they would all get sick and possibly get buried alive in the snow before they could get back to safety.
“It’s not worth it! He isn’t worth it man!”
It was like someone cut the silence between them with a knife.
Chance regretted his choice of words instantly when Guest turned around fully to face him.
Gone that soft look they knew from when they ate breakfast with the man, when he was kind and full of awful dad jokes.
Gone was the easy stance he held when he was relaxed and playing darts with them in the main cabin.
He looked like he did in the rounds. Cold. Calculating. Uneasy.
But this was worse.
The soldier got Chance by the shoulder. The other feeling panic rise as he shook with his hands to try and excuse himself, hell, even apologise that it came out that way. But with how the other was looking at him, he kept his mouth shut.
“You are not handling yourself well right now. Go back and make sure the others in the cabin are safe. I will come back with 007n7.”
With that said, the blue-haired man let go, as if he hadn’t put his hand on the other's shoulder in the first place and went his way.
Chance gave a small nod and murmured some apology before the other left. Two Time just looked to where Guests figure was disappearing in the falling snow. Not being able to help themselves but to put their hands together for just a moment.
The strongest sentinel in the entire team was nowhere to be seen now; the only thing left in his wake were footprints on the ground.
“May Spawn guide you both back to us safely.”
With that, they both hurried back the way they came, and Chance still turned around sometimes.
Hoping that the other had changed his mind.
007n7 didn’t feel his fingers anymore by the time he was done.
He was standing over the last crate, his fingers trembling as he put the check points in, with one last push of a button, the last crate was gone.
The relief was imminent as he found shelter behind one of the bigger trees, not being able to help himself as he sat down... taking a breather as he secured his scarf around his neck and nose. He started to put in the commands to teleport back, thinking about finally going someplace warm and resting after pulling a stunt like this.
Only for the device to give a sudden buzz and a warning.
[Not enough power]
What.
What .
No… No. He had enough power. He... he made sure of it, C00lgui had enough power, this was just an error.
Until he saw what percentage he had left.
Only 8%.
He needed 10 to teleport.
He felt dread seep into every fiber of his being as he realized he was stranded. Sure, he can try and find his way back on foot, but with how much he was shaking already from the cold, he feared that he would wander off somewhere further where no one could find him.
In one last-ditch effort, he summoned one of his clones that cost minimal energy to appear.
The clone just looked at him with a blank stare that he got used to by now, as he used his clones often for his gain.
“go… go find help.”
That was all he could muster as the clone soon headed in the direction 007n7 pointed him in, hoping that someone, at least one person, was looking for him. Trying to find him in this whole mess of wind and snow.
He could only curl into himself to feel more warmth emitted by his own body; his horns were sensitive to the cold, which felt agonising, like a knife scraping against teeth. His tail felt numb already, which he didn’t know if was good or bad, probably bad, as he didn’t feel his feet anymore as well. He didn’t want to think about his white fingers.
But after a while, he was starting to calm down.
It felt easier to just close his eyes for a bit.
He needed rest, right?
He deserved it. To let sleep take him somewhere where it isn’t as cold.
Maybe somewhere happier, too.
The storm wasn’t brewing just outside.
Guest was using every piece of strength he had to hold his anger down, having almost let it slip when he faced the gambling sentinel. He kept replaying the words that were said over and over again.
He wanted so badly to scream at him that he wouldn’t say the same if it were Elliot out there.
Guest felt his chest tighten from the feeling.
How could someone decide when another person wasn’t worth saving?
What’s worse, he knew why he said it. Some were still uneasy around the formal hacker, and that fear seeped into others more easily than they would have liked to admit. He didn’t know what the man did until Elliot gave him and a few others a summary. It was hard to swallow at first. He thought that the man was dangerous, so he avoided him like the rest did. But after the first cycle and countless rounds, he saw the other side of the coin more clearly. The man wasn’t the same as the stories depicted. He took hits for others, distracted killers. Found med kits around the areas and gave them to the ones needing them the most. Others ignored it. They already had their minds set on the image that was given of him. But Guest didn’t. Not when he saw someone trying.
Not when that person was trying to dig their way out of the hole they had thrown themselves in.
What was he supposed to do? Stand there and judge with the rest?
That was never his way of doing things.
So, he started to talk more to the man. It was strange at first, hella awkward as 007n7 kept to himself. Only sometimes talking to Noob, with whom he shared the cabin. Guest was frequently told to just stop, mostly by admins. But with time and effort, he got 007n7 to talk more. Even if it was short, he found himself enjoying the man’s company. He still remembered their first time talking about their kids, the way the brunette smiled for the first time since he met him.
He looked so much better smiling. But Guest didn’t want to interrupt the stories being told to him.
For the first time in a while, he saw someone similar to him.
The talks about their kids were the longest, sometimes bittersweet. But much appreciated.
With that, 007n7 was starting to be seen more around the cabin.
Mostly helping out with Builderman’s plans to keep the place running, and when the time came, no one wanted to sit with him. A few faces started to join in.
When the second cycle was finished, most didn’t mind him at all; some kept their distance, but now it didn’t feel like suffixation anymore. The cabin was breathing more easily. At least he hoped so.
He snapped out of his thoughts the moment he saw something like a body lying in the snow.
No.
It can’t be him.
“Seven!”
The man rushed over with speed unmatched, getting on his knees in an instant to inspect the lying body in front of him. His eyes were wide and his heart racing as he carefully flipped the other over. His heart almost stopped.
The face was half gone, replaced by screens that flashed visible error signs on it.
Guest almost collapsed into the snow behind him as he took a deep, but long breath in.
This was his clone.
Just his clone.
The man watched as the clone soon disappeared, lines of code showing as the process unraveled.
Guest got up, a tad shaken from thinking he would have to carry a dead friend back to the cabin, but now more than ready to finally find where the other was. If he had sent out a clone to get help, something bad had happened to him.
The way to the final location was easier, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t expecting the worst.
He followed the footsteps that the clone left.
Making sure to check everything he passed for any signs of another person being there.
That was until he finally saw what he thought was a shadow leaning against the tree in the distance.
He felt his legs move quicker than he could process.
The sight beneath him made him feel a lot of things at once.
007n7 was unmoving, lying in a fetal position. His glasses frozen, his whole body unmoving, as a light layer of snow had piled up on him. Guest got down and gently shook him. They needed to go. They couldn’t stay out here anymore. Not when the temperature was in the negatives and still going down.
“Seven. Seven wake up.”
There was no response as the soldier held his breath and ducked closer to feel if the other was breathing or not. To his luck, he was. But he was cold. His thin clothes did nothing to protect him against the elements they were facing.
Without a second to spare, Guest started to remove his scarf and gloves.
He leaned down once again, getting the other in a semi-hug to lift him to a sitting position.
Then he slid his gloves on 007n7’s, as the other needed them more than he did at this moment.
Afterwards, he removed the scarf the unconscious man had on him, replacing it with his warm one. He used the other to wrap his hands together. They were at risk of getting frostbite, so he tried to give a man at least a chance to not lose his fingers.
The last thing Guest did was remove the man’s glasses from his face, storing them in his pocket, as he didn’t want them to get lost while going back. But at the sudden touch near his face, the former hacker stirred in his sleep. Not used to foreign touch so close. Guest just stayed still for a while. Before getting on one of his knees, arms going underneath the other, one securely holding his knees, while the other wrapped around his back and waist.
In a swift motion, he stood up and lifted the other right with him; 007n7 didn’t wake up. Just stiffened a tad before his body fell limp once more.
Guest stood still for a moment longer to see if something would happen, and when it was clear it wouldn’t, he started to walk. Feeling the others breathing against his neck as he curled into him. He didn’t mind. It just meant that 007n7 still had enough strength in him.
His grip on the other only tightened as he started to traverse the path back.
“Don’t worry.”
He started, his gaze sharpening as he saw the storm worsening. He needed to be strong.
“I got you.”
Always be strong.
Notes:
Hey guys :3
Comments are greatly appreciated!
<3
Chapter 3: Fallout
Notes:
I didn't proof read this one so good luck to you guys!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Back at the cabin, things weren't looking better.
They were all huddled around the main couch as Dusekkar wrapped Elliot's arm with the last bandage that was left in the medkit. Elliot tried to refuse at first, but others made him sit down so he could be taken care of. It was a stupid injury, but it wasn't the worst he had suffered.
Shedletsky was leaning over, possibly trying to come up with a clever jab at Elliot, but he cleverly chose to keep his mouth sealed as they all weren't in the mood. Three of their sentinels were gone, and 007n7 was probably buried somewhere in the snow. Things were going to shit.
Dusekkar finished bandaging the other's arm as Elliot moved it to his side, examining it before giving a small smile at the caring admin.
„Thank you, Dusekkar, you really didn't have to.“
The other just waved his hand to show that it was nothing. Elliot took care of them most of the time. Was it a sin to switch roles once in a while?
„No worries, life-changer—your kindness is constant; I’m returning the favour.”
With that, the cabin fell silent again. Builderman just sat in one of the chairs near the common area, while Noob and Taph sat on the floor. Being closer to the fireplace in that way, which was flickering on and off. Shedletsky was still leaning over the couch, his stance trying to be relaxed. The image ultimately betrayed as everyone heard his foot tapping just under him.
„So… who wants to bet tha-„
The man was already up and about, ready to stir at least some conversation into the room to kill the silence that was looming over them when there was a loud-
WOOSH
Everyone snapped their heads to look behind the winged man, who almost jumped over the couch from the sudden sound. Instead, he ducked sideways like someone had thrown a live grenade at him.
To their utter surprise, the thing that made that sound in the main lobby wasn’t something that dangerous; rather, it was one of the crates.
It had a red hue surrounding it for a few lingering moments, then it disappeared.
The crate was just there, like it was the most natural thing in existence.
Builderman was the first to get up from his seat, getting closer to examine it. Shedletsky was still sitting on the floor, having initially reacted by throwing himself to safety instead of running.
“Looks like 007n7 didn’t freeze to death yet.”
The old mechanic grunted out. Soon the whole group was getting up from their spots, to see if the crate was real and not just some illusion they were imagining to feel better about themselves... even if it sounds outstretched due to them all seeing it.
No one helped the fallen admin up, so he just groaned and got up by himself.
“Thanks, guys. I almost took the blow for you all.“
No one really said anything as Builderman was prying the box open, and as soon as he removed the bolted hatch, some stuff fell out. Mostly bags of flour, grains and sugar. Other things, like canned tomatoes, were further in the crate. He couldn’t help but smile to himself. They at least had some basics now.
“Stop bitchin' and help out, another crate might show.”
Everyone seemed to try to keep their laughs to themselves as Shed tried to make a comeback, but soon just resorted to carrying the bags of flour to the kitchen. Taph and Noob joined him as Dusekkar went to grab some towels to fuzz up so the others who come back can warm up more easily.
Taph motioned quickly to everyone, and Shedletsky was heard putting things away in the other room.
“🤗📦🏃♂️” (I hope the next one falls on him)
Which got everyone to finally chuckle, Builderman just handing the hooded man the bag he dug out from the crate with a smirk.
“That’s enough for today. We are indulging ourselves, and that ain’t healthy.”
With that, the cabin soon fell into a quiet rhythm, with putting everything away and small talk, there wasn’t much to do other than to wait for the others to come back.
Elliot was still sitting on the couch as he watched the fire finally come back to life once they put a few new logs in it and relit it. He tried to help but was reassured and pushed back to rest due to his light injury. Even when he wanted to help. Outside seemed like a warzone right now. The only thing he could do was just hope that the others would safely return.
More specifically, he wanted Chance to return safely.
“FUCK ME!”
Was all that the man with a severe gambling addiction could scream out as he hid against one of the trees along with his so-called friend.
The winds were severe enough that they had to move by pressing themselves against trees for some stability. Chance was already praying to every god he could think of for it to calm down already. With this rate, it was almost impossible to move, especially with the snow being blown into their eyes.
Two Time joined him in silent prayer, but to their god only, making sure they were following the right path back. Their old footprints have been erased by the environment.
The only thing that was leading them back was the carving of the Spawn symbol, Two Time left on the trees.
“Oh dear Spawn, please let us return to our-“
The cultist started to pray out loud, and the other man was looking somewhere in the distance before jumping from his spot to run in the direction he chose.
Two Time hesitated before they started to run after the man, their legs getting stuck in the towering snow layers, but they moved forward nonetheless.
“I saw smoke! The cabin is somewhere… THERE!”
Both turned to look in the direction the man was pointing, seeing the slight outline of a cabin they all knew by heart. They almost cried out in joy as they hurried with the last bits of energy they had in them to get to safety.
When they finally got to the stairs, they were almost crawling on their hands and feet as the steps had frozen.
Chance was the first to try to open the door, but the door was locked, or frozen, or something else, as he started to bang his fists against it like it was the last thing he would be able to do.
Two Time just waited behind him as Chance was close to having an emotional breakdown on the front porch.
“LET US IN IM BEGGING YOU I CAN’T DIE IM TOO HANDSOME PLE-“
With that, the door finally opened, and Chance almost fell on the person who did.
Builderman got them by the hems of their jackets as he pulled them into the warmth of the cabin.
Pausing for just a moment, looking outside before returning his gaze to the two sentinels that crawled their way back in. Something was wrong, and the whole crew had noticed that someone was missing. Out of four people lost in the storm, only two came back.
“Where in the livin tarnation are Guest and 007n7?!”
The admin asked with a stern tone that made almost everyone hesitate to even think of an answer.
Chance was shivering like crazy as he was hurried to the couch by Elliot and a few others, while Two Time quietly thanked Taph for the warm blanket being put on their shoulders.
“Sir Builderman,” Two Time started, looking a tad anxious to speak as they noticed how the man's stance was stiff, “The storm got worse, Chance advised we go back without 7n7. Guest refused and told us to go back without him.”
With that, the cabin fell quiet; most people were near the fireplace as Chance was sitting near it to warm up. The pizza boy, right next to him, had been talking to him in quiet whispers just a second ago. Now he, too, was silent.
The crates were all here, the stuff both brand new and old.
But the person responsible wasn’t, they expected 007n7 to teleport back when the fourth box appeared, but with each new minute passing, they came to realise he probably ran out of his luck by now.
Shedletsky claimed a starved bear got him, while Dusekkar suggested he probably used up his C00lqui and didn’t have enough to teleport himself back.
Noob was picking at his fingers still, having retreated a tad as the tensions in the cabin were so thick you could almost see them physically manifest.
“…..I don’t think…. t-they are coming back.”
The youngster spoke as the winged admin who was sitting near immediately got up from his seat. Trying to fix this situation, even if he was the worst choice out of all of them.
“Okay, guys, we are overthinking! They are probably on their way back now and are just taking it slow and safe!”
There was a beat between them all, then another sigh and dismissal.
This time, it was Chance, who finally dared to look back at the rest of the cabin staring right at him. Elliot held his hands. Possibly to warm them up from the cold… or for something else no one wanted to mention.
“I didn’t see them behind us, pal.. I.. I don’t think they have good odds. Not anymore.”
The other said, almost whispering as he partly blamed himself for what Guest did, it was stupid and dangerous. But that was the soldier's style. He protected and brought time, always keeping a stance, always at the front lines, ready to do whatever it takes.
But this time, it finally caught up to him.
At least they thought.
A few minutes passed before anyone else dared speak another word into the conversation that had dwindled.
Even if the fire was warming the space around them, the cold was still felt when they all looked at each other for answers.
Shedletsky stood still for a moment before his wings fluffed up again, his mind thinking of another theory.
“They... If they were to die, they would just respawn, right? It happens in rounds? Why wouldn’t it happen now?”
Builderman was quick to shoot the idea down, getting closer to getting the other admin to the side. But the winged man wasn’t moving or listening to what the other had to say.
“If injuries we succumb to while outside rounds stay, then it’s reasonable to assume they might not respawn.”
“Oh, please. Do you know now when someone can respawn or not? Man, get your head out of yo-“
The shorter but older man didn’t want to hear any of it as he got Shedletsky by one of his ear wings to drag him a few heads down so they would be eye to eye. Man to man.
“Go sit down and stop raising panic. Otherwise, Elliot might be preparing something other than pizza tonight. Mkay?”
The man sounded as if he might actually get physical with the situation unfolding. So, the other admin had no other choice but to back down and mumble some half-apology while backing off. Going back to his seat, as others minded their own business for now.
“Does anyone else have anything to add?” The man got his work gloves off finally; it was a sign that he had given up. “Then we wait.”
And waited they did.
For the first twenty minutes, they were mostly quiet; some retreated to their own places in the big cabin. It was easier to manage the feeling of dread they were all feeling at the moment. Only Chance and Elliot stayed near the fireplace; the other were still warming up as Two Time had just left to help Taph and Dusekkar with something they were planning.
The man didn’t want to look at the other, the guilt crushing his spine as he gazed into the fire, painting his frame in golden hues.
Elliot was by now leaning into him, his head on his shoulder. His hands still cupping the man's in a gentle hold. Like the other was ready to break, and he was ready to hold him together.
Chance took a shaky breath in, still not looking at the other.
“You should go.”
Elliot didn’t budge, just glanced up at the other.
“Do you want me to go or just think I don’t want to be here with you?”
Chance stiffened just a tad, and for a few moments of silence that stretched between them, he thought. But not for long.
“I.. It’s my fault.. I should have told him something else.”
Elliot was still holding his hands, tightly but in a way that was a reminder that someone was here with him. His look was soft and reassuring, as if to say the man wasn’t obliged to say what happened.
Chance, upon looking at the other, felt that his feelings might be taken into account for once.
“I said that... seven wasn’t worth it. I... think that upset him quite a lot, I could feel it when he looked at me and told me to go back... It was a shitty thing to say... especially since 007n7 did kinda save our asses... he deserves to be saved just... I didn’t use my words right… let my emotions take over. something a sentinel shouldn’t do… I know...”
There was another pause as the other just took in what the shivering man had said, before tilting his head to the side to look at the other better, Chance having moved so Elliot wouldn’t see his face.
“It’s.. true that you could have said something else..”
He started, one of his hands leaving the gentle hold to cup the man’s cheek.
Gently guiding the other to look at him... even if Chance held his eyes closed, guilt present and seeping out without stop.
“But it’s not your fault. Guest would have gone whether or not you had said what you said... it’s... You aren’t responsible for this. So don’t blame yourself if something happens.”
“Elliot …”
The other started, his usual charm and ego gone as he was in his most stripped state. Elliot knew that look, when the other wanted to deflect his stance, but the pizza boy wasn’t backing down.
“No. I’m serious. The guilt will eat you alive… and I wouldn’t want that… no one wants that to happen.”
The man just took a breath in as he felt two gentle hands cup his face, the warmth a stark contrast to the coldness of his cheeks. He still didn’t feel man enough to look the other in the eyes. Not when his own felt like holding the gates of a waterfall waiting to burst open at any moment.
But Elliot didn’t move, didn’t get up and leave him to deal with such a mess.
Rather, he was here, sitting on the floor next to him. Hip to hip, heart to heart.
He didn’t notice when he started to let his tears fall. He only noticed when Elliot moved his fingers to wipe them away.
“I’m here… I won’t leave. Just breathe with me... gentle.”
Chance tried his best to contain himself as he followed others' guidance, trying to stabilize his shaking breathing to match the others.
And after a while, he finally managed to calm down.
Elliot just continued to hold him close, and Chance couldn’t help but feel warmth spreading in his chest like a plague without a cure. God, did Elliot’s golden curls look pretty up close? Who was he lying to?
All of Elliot looked like a blessing, something so kind and sweet, almost like forbidden fruit.
And he couldn’t help but want to taste it.
The other sensed how the sentinel changed his posture a bit, and the whole mood shifted as he almost felt way too aware of how close he was to him. Elliot blushed extensively as he tried to remove his hands from the other's face, the apology being ready to leave his mouth-
Then Chance took one of his hands in his own. Moving it down to his chapped lips.
Before giving it a gentle kiss.
He finally opened his eyes to look at the stunned pizza boy, whose brain probably burned a fuse or two trying to connect with what was happening right in front of him.
A second passed before Chance smiled, a genuine one at that.
The fire was keeping them warm, but the fire inside of them was already melting them at this point.
Both kept looking at each other. No one said a thing for some time.
Until Elliot started to lean in, and Chance didn’t dare think of doing anything else but follow.
They were a second away from true connection when the cabin door flew open in one large bang.
As the whole cabin shook, the door had hit the wall behind it as the figure had stepped in, cold wind pouring into the cabin behind them. Others rushed downstairs to see what the loud noise was about, and both Elliot and Chance. We were now apart from each other, the moment ruined as everyone else was now way too near them for any type of closeness to happen.
They all quickly figured it was Guest who had kicked the door down; no one else in the cabin would be able to do that other than him. It soon became obvious why he did it. In his arms, the former hacker was pale as if he were already gone. Guest was gripping onto him as tightly as he could, a much-needed action considering Guest’s legs were covered in snow from having to navigate an area with at least a half meter worth of snow. It was clear he was barely hanging on. But he still pushed on. His stance was clear as others surrounded them.
Guest felt his throat hurt, but he let out a stern yell.
“MOVE!”
Without hesitation, everyone ducked to move out of the man’s way as the blue-haired soldier rushed to the couch that was near the fireplace, gently putting the unconscious man down.
Everyone else jumped in to help the moment they realised what was going on.
“C’mon, people move it!”
That was all Builderman said as everyone rushed to get the things needed. In just a few moments, the former hacker had his soaked jacket removed, his frozen fingers wrapped in a warm, soaked cloth.
The warm blankets came in a flash, already prepared as they were wrapped around the man tightly to help him regenerate some of his lost warmth.
But 007n7 didn’t show any signs of reacting; he was still cold, his face pale, and his body limp as if his soul was already somewhere other than his body.
The panic was clear; they didn’t know what to do.
“He is still cold. Should we place him next to the fire?”
Shedletsky suggested, seeing how the soldier was kneeling beside the couch, checking his temperature with his own hand. His face twisted into an expression filled with worry, but he shook his head at the suggestion. Not giving others any mind as his priority was keeping 007n7 from slipping into a permanent sleep.
“No, he might go into shock. It’s too sudden for his body to handle for now.”
The cabin fell silent once again as everyone was huddled near the couch, watching as the man struggled to breathe. At first, he was limp, but after some time, he started to shake. Visibly in pain, his face contorted into expressions that were nothing but agony.
But Guest wasn’t giving up. Not now, when they were safe, and the other still needed his help.
He insisted others get them more things to cover him with, to try and warm up a few compresses for his neck and chest, and when they did, he made sure they put them in the right places. Not letting them guide him away. Not even when they all tried to get him somewhere else to rest.
Guest only dared to relax after Seven stabilised enough that his skin wasn’t as white as the snow outside, and his breathing wasn’t as strained as before. He collapsed next to the couch, breathing heavily, as he had forgotten that he was too affected by the weather outside. But he brushed his own pain aside for now.
It wasn’t even a fraction of what he thought the former hacker was experiencing as of now.
“Guest, son, ya need to rest. He will be taken care of.”
The soldier stayed silent for a while, not looking up to meet the gazes of others who were waiting for him to finally give in and accept he needed rest, just like the sick hacker did.
But what was said next made Builderman and others pause.
“By whom?”
Guest said so calmly that it made others think he was in some way fucking with them, but no. He was dead serious. Chance tried to save the situation.
“By us, pal, we will keep an eye out for him-“
“I doubt that. You will fall asleep and won’t check up on him until morning.”
Others didn’t say much else as they knew the truth.
They all would rather not waste their time on checking up on someone so sick they can’t breathe right, not much else they could do in such a scenario.
“Guest... don’t say it like that.”
Elliot chimed in as he was covering the lying man with another blanket he found, having draped one on the sitting man's back as well to give him some warmth, too.
The man hesitated to answer. But his anger was seeping out enough that the others were able to witness it.
“I won’t sugarcoat my words like the rest of you do. He is sick. He needs care, and I know you won’t give him more than you already did. You can all claim otherwise, but it’s clear you are just caring because of what he did to not let us starve.”
Builderman just crossed his arms, seeing that the other wasn’t budging as well as seeing that the soldier was ready to tear everyone a new one if they dared spin an opposite tale.
He clicked with his tongue just once.
“Alright. I think we should all retire for the night. Next round is at ten in the morning… so… a meeting at half ten, fine by y’all?”
Some of the others immediately jumped to agree and hurried to get their stuff to go to their respective cabins to get some needed rest after everything that happened today.
Some stayed behind, like Noob and Taph, who just silently placed the last two cloths by the wooden table for Guest to use if needed, the youngest member of the crew even leaving one of their bloxy colas for the man to take if he needed to stay up longer.
Elliot was the last to leave at midnight when everyone else was already in their cabins.
“I.. I’m sorry everyone reacted that way. Today was a lot.”
Guest was in the process of warming up 007n7 hands with a warm towel again when he just deeply sighed. He didn’t mind Elliot at all, especially since the guy was honest and one of the kindest people he had ever met, but right now, he was tired and just couldn’t shake the feeling of everyone being ready to abandon someone the moment things went to shit.
“I know.. But I would rather if we talked later.. It’s getting late.”
Elliot just nodded as he understood that the other needed space.
But as he was about to open the door to go to his own cabin, he paused and turned around, being ready to say something as the other met his gaze to see if he would.
‘Chance is sorry about what he said.’
That was what he wanted to say, but stopped himself. Instead, he finally opened the door and turned around.
“Goodnight, if.. You need anything, text me.”
Guest just gave a nod and continued to do what he had begun.
With that, the cabin door was closed, and the only two remaining people in it were the soldier himself and the asleep hacker on the worn couch.
Just the two of them.
And that was the moment Guest had let out a quiet hum, looking down at the resting man's face as he was now in a far better condition than before. The soldier sat on the edge as he watched the other breathe with slight difficulty. The fire was cracking behind them as he made a mental note to put some more wood in to keep it going for the night. As he figured he would be staying here till Seven could wake up on his own and regain some of his senses.
Until that Guest was surely to be there, to help the other not fall again.
He thought as he moved a few locks of brown hair from the man's face.
A known feeling was creeping deep inside his chest.
Something he had already experienced, but was too afraid to let happen again.
‘I m going to keep you safe… if it’s the last thing I do.’
Notes:
Tihihihi hiiii! :3
Hope I didn't give you guys too much to process-
Chapter 4: On Guard
Notes:
Hi guys! this is a totally normal chapter! :3 nothing is wrong-
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
So, the night went by.
Painfully slowly at first, the only thing keeping Guest sane was the fact that he did get enough sleep the night before due to not being teleported into the round. Having slept through it, as everyone else had to suffer with Jason’s ability to minimize their chances of survival nearly to zero.
It happened at times; one or two of them just wouldn’t be teleported into the rounds.
It was strange. This whole place was strange.
He thought he didn't have anything else better to do than check up on the man sleeping on the couch. Quiet exhales and inhales were heard as the former hacker regained some of his color. Back when Guest had first seen him, he thought there wouldn't be a chance he would survive.
It was cold as fuck outside. He had warmed up after everything, and after the initial panic that was there, he could feel his whole body ache. Especially his legs. He remembered how hard it was to kick the snow to be able to walk, all while carrying someone too. But he wouldn't ever say it out loud. He had a reason to be vocal about it.
It wasn't 007n7's fault.
The man wanted to help out, probably to show he wasn't just someone they kept around simply because of tolerance.
Not that the soldier tolerated him, hell, he actually liked his presence.
Ever since they met, he couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
The conversations they had, the way he held things he loved so close in fear it would break.
He remembered the first time Coolkid entered the round as a killer.
007n7 looked absolutely defeated, like someone had gouged his heart open right in front of everyone.
What's worse, he saw how others reacted.
Disgust.
Fear.
Repulsion.
Their mouths fell silent as their faces told everything needed.
He was the only one who checked up on him after he fell into his cabin.
It hurt to recall how 007n7 flinched at every sound, how he sobbed so hard his whole frame shook with grief; words wouldn’t do justice. How he kept screaming it was all his fault. His fault is that others keep getting hurt because of his foolish actions, and it was his fault that his child was turned into a monster. He even tried to get physical. Yelling at the taller man, provoking him with shallow words, words that didn't hold much weight. Because 007n7 didn't mean them, he just wanted to feel something other than the pain of seeing his child in such a state.
But Guest didn't budge, not even when the other started to yell.
Because he knew.
He knew that if it had been his own daughter instead, he would have reacted the same.
Instead, he took a few careful steps closer.
And whispered as gently as he could.
„I’m not going to hit you.”
In the next moment, he came even closer.
“What happened today wasn't your fault Seven.”
From that point on, everything was a blur; the other had collapsed on the floor, still crying and visibly distraught. He remembered how he held him on that hard wooden floor, how he felt the fabric of his shirt get soaked with the tears others cried. It went on for a long time. Guest only left after the other calmed down enough to be in the right space to be alone. From that day, he kept a closer eye on the hacker. Made sure to protect him during rounds, to thank him for the stuff he brought back to them.
Outside of rounds, he tried to initiate conversations, but the other kept his distance; it was obvious he was embarrassed by what had happened that night. But with time, it got somewhat better, and he opened up again. Privately apologized for the outburst he had months prior, expecting a rough answer or just a warning to go away. Confusion was written on his face the moment Guest chuckled lightly.
They were right in front of Guests door, the sentinels inside were playing some card game, it was early spring if they guessed that correctly. It is the second cycle of seasons.
The soldier shared a cabin with Chance, who was heard warning the other two present to not place bets they were obviously going to lose.
Guest couldn’t help but smile as he recalled how flustered 007n7 was when he reassured him he wasn’t mad or had any grudges due to the encounter. Which made the other relax a tad, his posture not being as anxious as it was when he opened the door, nor was his tail flicking. Something Guest presumed was an indicator that the other was feeling either stressed or worried. Having seen it first-hand in rounds.
There was a moment of silence before 007n7 turned to leave.
But Guest didn’t let it happen; he couldn’t think of what made him say it at that moment.
“Hey- uh, would you…mind joining us?”
The tone in which he said it sounded so not him, even now, almost a year later, he facepalms every time he thinks about it. He must have sounded a tad desperate, or something. He didn’t want to think about how much of an idiot he was. He would rather remember how the other looked at him. His face was quite surprised, slight horror painted on that he presumed 007n7 didn’t want to show, but it slipped anyway.
“Are… are you sure? I’m… not really… others…”
The other started. He wasn’t really keen on joining when he knew he would get looks... but Guest was quick, he opened the door fully, his necklace rattled a tad on his chest from the sudden movement.
The reformed hacker looked down for just a split second, but immediately returned his gaze to look at the blue-haired man. Guest was wearing a confident smile only he could put on, motioning for the other to come with him.
“I insist, I would be glad to have someone who actually has manners in my cabin.”
There was laughter inside the smaller cabin as the gambling sentinel dragged the cards that were thrown on the table towards himself, before beginning to shuffle them. All three were looking back to see what was taking Guest so long to return. Before Chance smirked, starting to deal cards.
But what’s strange is that he dealt it for five players, not four.
“Guest! Quit airing your tits out and let the man in!”
The dealer called out as the sound of cackling filled the room. Guest’s smile faltered just a tad, but he tried to keep cool. It was true his sleeveless shirt was a tad… exposing, but being told that made him feel quite self-aware. Nonetheless, he waited for the other to make the first move.
To his luck, 007n7 nervously smiled and stepped inside, gripping the ends of his jacket as he wasn’t really invited to things like this often. Rarely.
“Thank you.. You really shouldn’t have-“
“Please, it’s nothing.. just make sure Two Time doesn’t try to bite you.”
The bearded man said in an almost advisory tone, meant to be actually taken seriously.
007n7 raised an eyebrow as he took off his shoes, Guest offering him one pair of his slippers mindlessly, looking away as he observed how Shedletsky and Chance were already setting up the pyramid of cards, Two Time looking somewhere mindlessly.
“They made them ride the bus the second time. They get… a bit wild after a few drinks.”
007n7 actually chuckled at that, putting on the slippers the other gave him.
“Then let’s hope I don’t get bit.”
After that, they joined the table and were split into teams. Guest doesn’t remember much, but he and 007n7 weren’t all that lucky. Both had to ride the bus once, kept losing because Guest was adamant he could do it, and kept choosing wrong. Shot after shot kept them frequent company, to his surprise, 007n7 didn’t even look like he had much. When Chance asked why he was holding up so well, the former hacker just mumbled about how college made him develop a liver made out of titanium.
He does remember waking up with a head-splitting headache, with the three other sentinels also being sprawled out somewhere around the small cabin. He didn’t see 007n7, but figured he had left... possibly having dragged him to bed as well, as he does weakly recall being way too drunk from failing to guess if the card was bigger or smaller than the one in front of him... and how someone dragged him to bed and covered him. Having done the same to the other three, except he only covered them with something so they wouldn’t be cold when sleeping on the floor.
The sudden buzz on his wrist made him stop recalling that night.
He had set up a few alarms to keep himself awake, or at least know to check how the man was doing, having been in his own thoughts for a bit longer than he should have been. With one swift motion, he was on his feet again, walking towards the couch to kneel down. Using his hand again to see if the other was struggling with maintaining his temperature again... but this time he felt the other’s forehead and realised something was wrong.
It was warm.
Too warm.
“Looks like fever... gods .”
This was going to be a long night.
“Do we know whose turn it is?”
It was the dawn of a new day, and with that, the feeling of dread followed suit.
Most of the crew was sitting at the main table near the eating area. Builderman took his seat at the head of it while Dusekkar and Shedletsky were at his left and right side, the latter looking as if he would rather impale himself on his own sword than sit a minute longer in the uncomfortable wooden chairs.
Others sat close by, with a few exceptions.
“It’s Coolkid. Jason was up in the last round, so it’s probably that red ankle bitter.”
Chance answered the old man’s question, having started cleaning his flintlock right there at the table. No one said a thing about it, so he didn’t feel any obligation to stop. Others just sat there, clearly tired as they may or may not have slept that well. Elliot, especially as he did sneak a few times over to the main cabin to check up on the sick member of the crew. Having stayed the third time, once he found out the other had developed a high fever. This finally allowed the soldier to get some needed sleep, not that he stopped caring.
He wasn’t at the table with them now, but was with Seven.
The other woke up at one moment, but it was short-lived as exhaustion pulled him back to sleep. Much to Elliott's and Guest’s failed attempts to keep him up to give him medication. Having given up, he instead just prepared everything in advance so that if he did finally wake up, they could help him.
The tensions from the previous day seemingly made their way back, as Elliot was nudged awake by Taph. The pizza boy just shook his head a tad, the dark circles under his eyes being evident.
“Sorry... long night.”
Others just nodded, while one of the admins stirred.
“Yeah? That’s great. Both you and Guest are wasting your time.”
Builderman grumbled out as he moved his cup of lukewarm coffee to the side.
“I think 007n7 is grown enough that he can take care of himself. No need for y’all to baby him.”
With that, Elliot froze for a moment, his hands still as he was about to tie his hair in a bun due to the round soon starting. But for a moment, he remembered how he and Guest stayed awake the whole night, how upset the soldier looked when the others' temperature only continued to rise. He tried to help, gods, he still needed time to forgive him, but he didn’t want the hacker dead.
The chair scraping against the wooden floor caught everyone's attention. Elliot just stood up.
His face was unreadable as he looked down at the admins sitting on the far end, their faces just as contorted as his own.
“Did you enjoy your coffee Mr. Builderman?”
He asked, almost like he was asking if the sky was blue. The admin raised his brow.
“Kid… I don’t get how that’s relevant.”
Elliot just nodded a tad before he pointed to the small tea kitchen that they had for drinks in the morning.
“It is. Because if it wasn’t for 007n7 you wouldn’t be drinking it.”
“Elliot… It’s too early for this.”
“No. You started it. I will finish it. That man is deadly sick. He risked his life so we wouldn’t starve, and now we are just supposed to toss him to the curb? We owe him, and you all clearly don’t like that.”
He grabbed the end of his chair to drag it to its spot at the table, clearly not in the mood to be sitting with people who didn’t even dare look in the direction of the couch where the former hacker was this morning. Some did, but it still wasn’t enough.
“So, if you excuse me. I will go waste my time with Guest.”
He started to walk back, but the oldest admin tried to defuse the ongoing argument, his voice tired.
“Elliot. We didn’t know he was that sick. If we had kno-“
The young man immediately cut the older man off, not even letting him finish.
“You didn’t ask. He hasn’t woken up yet, and it’s been fourteen hours! We had to wipe him all over with cold rags so he wouldn’t have a fever of 40°!- I thought he was going to die on that couch! You had your opportunity to help. Don’t sob about not knowing while he is coughing his lungs out.”
His voice was shaky but as powerful as the storm outside, even he had had enough of the nonsense laid out in front of him. Before he left, he shot Chance a glare; it was subtle, but the other knew what it meant. As Elliot had cornered him in the morning next to the coffee machine, and urged him to apologise to Guest in private about what he said. Or even to help out with aiding in the other recovery, but he was still sitting there. Sitting there with others who didn’t want to get up and go out of their way to help.
He soon returned to the main room, where he saw Guest’s blue hair peaking from one of the seats turned away from him, and he was resting his eyes, as he liked to call it. It wasn’t really a nap, but it served as one to the soldier.
The moment Elliot sat down in one of the chairs next to the other, he cupped his whole face in his hands and leaned all the way down to his knees. Before letting out a sound of someone who has done something so out of themselves that they thought they were possessed.
“I… I can’t. I stood up to Builderman.. I stood up for someone who burned my workplace three times... I think I might be sick.”
He kept on mumbling as Guest had opened his eyes. He was smiling warmly, that tired smile when you know someone did something honorable, and he shifted a tad. Leaning forward to pat the blond man’s shoulder.
“I think it’s just your empathy speaking. Ya know... the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes... a few people lack that capability here.”
The younger looked up, his face a tad red and still a bit in shock.
“You… heard everything?”
Guest just gave a small nod. His hand did not let go to anchor Elliot so he wouldn't get lost in his thoughts again.
“You held yourself pretty well. Spoke the truth as far as I can consider.”
There was a beat of silence. Before Guest removed his hand, not wanting to overwhelm the other, as the young man was still calming down after almost jumping the whole table to strangle someone.
“Gods.. I.. I really did that.. for him.. out of everyone.”
He looked at the sleeping man whose face was oddly calm for the first time in a while. Maybe he was having a nice dream, maybe not. Who was he to guess?
Guest just kept silent, looking at the other as well. His gaze was different, though, when Elliot looked back, he saw something more than surface-level care. He could almost make out something softer, but that didn’t last very long as Guest turned to him. His face was now tougher. Colder.
It meant the round would start any minute now.
“I’m afraid he will be an easy target this round. Best we can do is hide him somewhere where the killer won’t look... distract them till the time runs out.”
Elliot gave a small nod, starting to tie his hair, which he was already supposed to do, until someone with an ego as big as the whole of Robloxia decided to interrupt him. He let out a small sigh as he put his working cap back on.
“Let’s hope at least one of us ends up near him. I doubt others will do much after what I had just pulled.”
Guest didn't say anything as he got up from his seat to check up on 007n7 one last time, getting one of the cloths if he needed to wipe the man’s forehead again. Turning the former hacker to his side with such care as if he was the most precious thing in existence, and in Guests eyes he was... in some way he was.
He was leaning down when the lying man stirred, his eyelids fluttering as he slowly opened his eyes.
“G…Guest?...”
Before either of them could react, the man was gone.
The conversation in the other room as well.
Guest froze. He wasn’t in the round.
What’s worse?
Elliot was still standing behind him.
Notes:
Okay I lied- Please don't strangle me- /silly
Also, if you guys have fanart please let me know in the comments!
Comments are greatly appreciated as always! Especially ones who analyze! I love reading your thoughts on what I write! <3
Chapter 5: Holding on
Notes:
Okay guys get your plates food is here-
Once again I don't have anyone proof reading this so good luck!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The air was thicker during the rounds.
The whole atmosphere shifted as the group of survivors spawned randomly across the map.
They didn't know where they would end up or what place they would be teleported to.
This time, it was the ruined pizza place, a map colored in red hues that warned of a specific killer on the loose.
Their visions blurred as the only thing in focus was a tall but hunched red humanoid drawing their sword, his laughter echoing loudly in their ears.
THIS ROUNDS KILLER IS:
- C00lkidd -
Everyone was quick to head to the ruined hangar at the edge of the map; they didn’t waste much time as they discussed possible places to go before rounds. This was one of them, as they didn’t want the killers to get used to them camping in one of the spots.
Taph was putting his tripwire down, while Builderman was handling a sentry. Their hands flowed as they completed the needed tasks. Two Time was sitting on the edge, peaking to see if the killer was near, while Dusekkar was eyeing the panel where their icons showed. Something was off, he got the oldest admin to look at his own screen to confirm if it was true what he saw. Shedletsky let out a dry chuckle.
“You gotta be kidding me, both of them aren’t here? No pizza and punches today, fellas.”
Builderman just grumbled a tad as he put his hammer back into his side pocket. Taph threw his trap across the floor and near the stairs, so when the killer does show up, he would get blasted into oblivion.
“Where are Noob and Chance?”
“Excellent question, sire, we have no clue.”
The floating admin replied almost coldly. It was true they didn’t see C00lkidd for a while now, didn’t hear his shrieking laughter or begging to play tag a tad longer. It was strange; his style of attack was well known by now.
He would summon his pizza bots, throw corrupt nature at them and wipe them clean to the point they were embarrassed by their previous plans to counter him. He was a living nightmare to deal with. Not to mention how childlike he acted, like he wasn’t even aware he was ripping people apart and setting them on fire. Like this was all part of some game to him.
There was that awful sense again as the ambience around them settled, for now they just waited for the others to come, or for the humanoid to make his appearance finally.
They didn’t know who would be the one to do it first.
007n7 was teleported at the edges of the map, his frame lay on the floor as he regained consciousness for a few minutes... trying to figure out if he was in a round or if his feverish nightmares just gained a new update. He passed out again before he could figure it out. He was sick enough that lying there and accepting defeat was the only thing he could possibly do.
That was until the rough footsteps dragged close by, the strained laughter getting closer as C00lkidd was strolling around, his cape dragging behind him as his tail flickered, his claws clenching and unclenching as he was ready to pounce on the first person he would see. His eyes scanned the area close to him... his smile widened as he recognised the person. It was his papa! His papa was hiding from him as he always did, which wasn’t fair! This was tag he was talking about, not hide and seek! His papa always made sure he knew the difference when they played.
Approached closer, before he rounded the corner of the burning car, seeing his father just lying there. His teeth were visible and sharp as he grinned.
“PAPA! PAPA I FOUND YOU !”
He screamed as he bent down to grab his father by the collar of his shirt, but his smile fell into a frown once he lifted him up. His dad wasn’t moving, not yelling or looking scared like he always did when he finally caught him. He was limp, like a puppet with cut strings.
“Papa ?”
He asked, almost innocently as he shook the man a tad, but nothing came of it. The kid, who was now an almost nine-foot-tall monster, couldn’t help but shriek slightly in confusion. His papa was already tagged by someone else! It could only make sense... he was sleeping already!
The red humanoid put his father back gently on the ground. His wide and sunken eyes looked him all over.
“I will find who tagged you, Dad! I will tag them! Just you wait !”
He sweetly reassured, as if his father could hear him. He got up... feeling the light snow hitting his back. The maps sometimes adapted seasonal changes depending on the cycle... he didn’t like snow anymore. He remembered how his papa and he used to play, how they built a huge snowman in front of the house... but now it was cold. His feet were bare against the coldness of the ground. His little dinosaur boots couldn’t fit anymore. With that thought, he looked at his father's lying form; he was wearing only socks. His papa would be cold, too, and he couldn’t let that happen.
He removed his glitching cloak. It fluttered slightly in the cold wind.
Before he covered his father, tucking his feet under it as well. Giggling as he made sure his papa was covered completely. It reminded him of times when he himself was wrapped in fuzzy blankets, being tucked into his warm bed for the night. How his papa always gave him a kiss goodnight.
Ah. That was missing!
Before leaving, he made sure to kiss his father’s forehead. Happily bounced back on his feet.
“Goodnight, papa !”
With that, he ran off, presumably to find the person who had tagged his father before he could.
After what seemed like a few minutes had passed, there was the sound of a coin being flipped as Chance made his way around the map, trying to keep his distance from the open spaces so he wouldn’t be seen. He knew where the others were, but he paid them no mind.
At the beginning of it, he and Noob spawned near each other, and after some convincing, the youngster agreed to help him with a task.
That task is to find 007n7 and not let him get slaughtered by his own son.
Sure, it was risky, but he knew others wouldn’t really budge, and he knew if he asked them to help, they wouldn’t go out of their way to do so. What’s even better was that neither Elliot nor Guest was present in the round. That part obviously being some cruel joke played by whatever was keeping them here.
He needed to make up for his mistakes, and this was the way he was going to do it.
After some time, he saw something poking out from behind one of the cars... his heart started to race as he hurried to it. Surely enough, it was the former hacker lying on the ground. But Chance didn’t approach any further. For what was on the man made him stop in his own tracks.
C00lkids cloak.
That demon was here.
“What the actual—FUCK!”
The sentinel yelled the last part out, as, in the nick of time, he managed to miss a flying corrupt nature thrown at him.
The laughter made his bones shiver as he got up on his feet and ran. He needed to find others now. This wasn’t typical, and it freaked him out more than anything. Why didn’t he kill 007n7? Why was the man covered in the cloak so carefully? he couldn’t have done that himself. He heard Noob calling out his name as he ran as fast as his legs allowed him to. His coin was flying in the air as he kept cursing the bad fortune bestowed on him.
Behind him, C00lkidd summoned his clones. His smile was as wide as ever.
“READY OR NOT HERE WE COME!”
The round soon turned back to its normal ways.
If you counted normal as in the killer absolutely wiping the floor with them.
C00lkidd wasn’t any more merciful now that his dad was out of the game; rather, he was ready to rip them apart. He kept missing the bombs Taph threw at him, and broke all the sentries Builderman worked hard to put down. They were all running for their lives now that there wasn’t a present healer like Elliot to help out. Non the less Guest to stun the killer and buy them time. Two Time almost got swiped as they had backstabbed the humanoid when they rounded the corner chasing after Dusakkar. Which was followed by a loud scream as C00lkidd regained his composure. Continuing the chase as the others regrouped somewhere else. Chance blew the gun on himself, so he retreated somewhere secluded to heal himself, being joined by Shedletsky, who had slashed the killer but was hit by his clones. Both were sitting behind a building in complete silence as Chance bandaged his arm, and the winged admin munched on his chicken.
That was before Shedletsky got up, dusting some ash that was on him from the burning effect being implied after he was hit.
“Did 007n7 actually die?”
Chance paused for a moment before bringing the end of the bandage to his mouth, cutting it with his teeth. He got up too, and fixed his fedora.
“He was lying down near the green car in the parking lot. C00lkidd.. didn’t kill him as far as I know.”
This caused the admin to raise his brow to the answer, but he just nodded a bit. In the next moment starting to walk back to where the fight was.
“That’s weird. But we will discuss it later at the cabin.”
Chance could only nod and agree as he got his hand in his pocket. Pulling out his precious golden coin.
And started flipping.
Praying to Lady Luck, he could buy them some more time.
Back at the cabin, things were anything but calm.
The two men who were left behind immediately rushed to the second floor, to where the small TV sat. It served as a view of what was happening during the rounds, not that it helped calm their nerves down at all... they couldn’t hear anything that was said, but they could watch the perspectives of their teammates. Well, not their one-to-one view, it was more of a third-person perspective that followed them around everywhere.
Elliot grabbed the remote and started to immediately shuffle to find the one they were looking for.
“C’mon C’mon!”
He almost begged as he finally landed on the one where 007n7 was, as expected, he wasn’t moving at all. Lying still on the ground covered in light snow. Guest soon joined his side, looking at the screen with dwindling hope.
“He… He won’t survive this. The kid is around the corner.”
Elliot didn’t want to believe it, but there he was. Strolling around the debris of the place Elliot used to call home, somewhere where he passed every day before this mess happened. He hated that map with a burning passion. The thought of ending up there almost always caused him enough stress to kill a horse.
Soon enough, the killer grabbed the lying hacker and lifted him. Elliot knew what was going to unfold.
But he didn’t get to see what happened.
Guest had taken the remote from his hand and turned off the spectating TV.
There was a beat of silence.
Before Guest just got his hand. There weren’t any words said. They knew what happened.
The quiet reassurance that he saw it too was enough, as Elliot pulled away, getting his cap off; it wasn’t needed. He couldn’t help anyone this round. That’s what ate him up from the inside. Guest could see it clearly... as he felt the same. Knowing that someone who needed protection was left stranded.
Forsaken.
Guest still held the remote in his own hand... and after a while just stood there looking at it, Elliot had left the room as he wasn’t in the mood to see how everyone was holding up against the most aggressive killer they had come across.
Instead, he was waiting in the lobby.
Ready to help when the hacker was bound to be teleported back to the main cabin.
Thankfully, the wounds left by the killers didn’t follow them outside of rounds, but the pain did.
That’s why the painkillers were the most sought-after medication in the whole cabin.
But Guest was still upstairs. Still looking at the remote. For the first time in a while, he felt truly helpless. Helpless that he couldn’t protect the people he cared for. He put the remote back on the table from where Elliot had rushed to pick it up.
The wooden floor creaked as he slowly moved to leave.
But the sudden flickering and buzzing that came to life stopped him.
Without thinking, he turned around.
And there it was, on the screen, he saw the most unexpected view.
The killer, the humanoid that killed them countless times, hunched over his parent with care.
The soldier didn’t have the words to explain it, but the way C00lkidd was so gentle, how his clawed hands weren’t used to tear something apart, but to help something keep together. It wasn’t mean and rough, but kind and gentle.
Before it was stripped away in an instant. The red contorted demon stood. Then, they unleashed chaos upon the rest of their crew.
007n7 wasn’t dead like they expected. Which brought him relief he didn’t know he needed.
Gods. He didn’t want the man to get hurt. Not on top of having a cold severe enough to render him limp for almost half a day already.
Guest could only turn back to get on top of the stairs.
“Elliot. I think you might want to see this.”
The round soon ended.
The only one who ended up meeting C00lkidd’s claws was none other than Builderman himself, having respawned soon after. Both Elliot and Guest put their differences to the side as they helped the man into a chair to rest... offering him a glass of water to wash the painkiller down.
They didn’t really talk until everyone else appeared back at the cabin.
007n7 teleported back same as he had gone, unconscious.
Without much thought, Guest took it upon himself to carry the man back to the couch. Watching his sleeping frame as he covered him back up with the blanket, others made small talk as they moved to the main room to have a brief on what happened. Chance stayed a tad behind, watching as Elliot and Guest murmured something between them. It stopped the moment he got close. The pizza boy immediately got up to go to him, but Chance didn’t even get to say anything as the other hugged him hard. He couldn’t help but hug back.
“Elli..”
Elliot didn’t say anything as he pulled away before hitting the man on the shoulder. Chance winced as he rubbed the spot, yelping like he had been stabbed in the back by his closest friend, if he could call Elliot that anymore.
“OW! What was that for man?!”
The other didn’t wait as he crossed his arms, face twitching.
“For being an idiot who got himself hurt again! Please learn to watch your surroundings before I get grey hair.”
Chance just blinked a few times before a slight smirk crossed his lips.
“You worry about me, huh?”
“Of course I do when your gun explodes three times in a row, dumbass!”
“Okay…okay, that wasn’t my fault, you know that-“
“I will hit you again.”
It continued for a bit, as Chance was trying to apologize for being so unlucky, while Elliot was trying his best not to shake the man due to how worried he was for him during the whole round. Having seen what he was doing the whole time and how reckless he was with his life.
Guest couldn’t help but eardrop a tad due to not having anything better to do than warm up the sleeping brunette's hands with a towel. Smiling a bit as the other two bickering reminded him of the reality shows he and Daisy used to watch in the evening. Those shows where every new episode started with someone slapping someone else or people messily fighting over their love before making out in the soaking rain. Daisy loved that; he didn’t, but with time, they did grow on him. Made him more open-minded. Open-minded for drama that was.
But right now, he just wished Elliot and Chance would get a room to discuss what was bothering them, and as if they could hear his thoughts, they finally did stop. Looking over, as Guest just gave a small nudge forward with his chin to ask what was up.
“We... are going to the meeting, want to go?”
Guest just shook his head; no, he didn’t want to hear them talking about the round. Not right now.
Chance looked as if he wanted to say something, but stayed silent in the end as Taph motioned for them to come.
When they finally left Guest let out a long sigh, having gotten up from the position he was in next to the couch to get some wood for the fire, kneeling down to poke it a tad with the metal pole he found next to the fireplace. Making some space for the new planks as he tossed them in, watching the fire blaze and flicker before the new wood started to burn as well. Once he was done, he dusted his hands. Ready to put the metal bar where it once rested on the wall, he heard something behind him, a sharp sneeze.
007n7 had finally woken up.
His form was weak as he tried to sit up instantly, but soon laid back down.
Guest didn’t waste another second before rushing to his side, a faint smile coming across his face as the former hacker lay still, his brown hair sprawled on the pillow beneath him without care, messy and free.
“…glas….glasses.”
Guest paused, fuck. Where did he put those? He patted his own pockets before he remembered they were in his jacket's pocket. With that information, he tried not to sprint across the room to get them, inspecting them to see if he had broken them when he was in a hurry to get Seven to safety. To his luck, he didn’t. He returned and sat on the edge of the couch. 007n7 coughed roughly, his whole frame shaking as he did so.
Guest helped him sit up, one of his hands firmly holding 007n7 against him for support.
“Here.. want some water?.. You were... out for some time, Seven.”
The soldier almost whispered as he didn’t want to overwhelm the other. The former hacker just put his glasses on. Blinking a few times to get used to the environment around him. He first noticed the bright light of the lamp near the bookshelf, then the fire caught his attention.
At last, it was Guest who was patently waiting for him to process what was happening around him.
The man looked good.
And 007n7 was ashamed of himself, for that was the first thought he had when he saw the man.
After the first few moments, everything else settled in; the headache was first. It felt like someone was breaking it with a hammer from the inside, then the feeling of chills running down his spine. He was too cold one second, and the next, he felt like he was swimming in the volcano. Nausea was creeping in, too, but he didn’t want to acknowledge it for fear he would actually get sick enough to throw up.
The other noticed that the former hacker wasn’t really himself with everything hitting him all at once.
Instead of questioning, he just extended his hand to the table, still sitting on the edge and holding the other so he doesn’t fall down on his back again.
007n7 couldn’t help but feel absolutely useless as the soldier got the glass of water near him.
“Can you hold it?.. If not, it’s okay.. You are very sick.”
The other reassured. With that, Seven just shook his head. No, he wasn’t strong enough. Not when he could feel how his hands trembled, he couldn’t even move his fingers due to them getting numb.
He expected the other to leave him once he offered the glass, but the soldier didn’t get up. He didn’t leave and excused himself by having more important matters.
Because in reality, he was his number one priority right now.
But he didn’t know that; he wasn’t used to that kind of care.
It felt foreign.
Strange.
But Guest still didn’t move. What’s better? He leaned in. Smile and everything, he got one of his hands in his. The warmth of them seeped into his own as the man handed him the glass... if it wasn’t for Guest helping him keep hold, he would have already spilt everything on himself.
“Easy.. just like that.”
The other praised as the former hacker managed to take some sips from the glass, his throat still hurt. But it was easier to speak now.
“ How... how long was I out?”
His voice was hoarse, rough, as he wasn’t used to speaking for some time now.
Guests face twisted with concern as he was about to answer when the other started to cough again, it came out strained and harsh as he shook with each sharp exhale. He was in a really rough shape. Guest just held his side strongly, being ready to hold him for hours if needed.
“Half a day almost.. we… we were afraid you wouldn’t wake up. You had high fever, tremors, all of that.”
He added, trying not to let worry seep into his voice. 007n7 noticed, but was too tired and weak to point it out; instead, he rested his head on the other soldier. Keeping it up was getting harder to do, and he hoped the other wouldn’t mind. To his relief, Guest kept still.
“Fuck..”
Seven started, as he realized he was actually being taken care of right now, he was wasting the others time.. and that wasn’t fair now was it? He could take care of himself. He wasn’t weak. He was just taking the easy way out. He couldn’t let Guest take care of him when he had his own problems to deal with.
Guest pulled away a tad when he heard the curse word leave the other's mouth, thinking he had done something wrong. But he didn’t expect the following.
“I.. I'm s-sorry. I- Y-You shouldn’t.. I'm man enough to take care of myself.”
He almost hissed as he tried to turn away, much to the others' distaste. Guest didn’t like what the other was implying.
He kept his hold on the other firm, but not harshly.
“Seven. You aren’t less of a man for needing help. Don’t apologize for something out of your control.”
The other finally turned, his lips pressed in a thin line, while his eyes widened.
“But it is my fault I got sick! I- I went outside-“
“And? You got sick because you wanted to help us; that isn’t something bad. Quite heroic actually, takes courage to go outside while trees are bending at the right angle.”
Seven paused yet again, then he remembered something vague, something warm seeping into his frame when he was still outside. He didn’t make it back home alone. Someone... someone saved him. Someone carried him back against all odds.
Someone found him before it was too late.
His gaze softened, but his face was still etched with regret.
It was clear who that someone was.
“Guest.. you.. went out to get me?”
The other blinked a few times before he smiled. That warmth 007n7 didn’t feel in a long time. That warmth you could only get from the people you held close.
And Guest was as warm and bright as the summer sun.
“I did.”
And Seven was like the moon reflecting it.
“You are an idiot.”
He mumbled, but he couldn’t help but feel the warmth rising in his cheeks. This time, the cold had nothing to do with it; Guest couldn’t help but chuckle at how the other used such deflection tactics on him. It was sweet.
“But I did bring you back.”
“You could have gotten yourself killed! I... I wasn’t worth saving Guest.”
Guest’s smile faltered a bit, as if he recalled something. But he was quick to respond. This time his voice was firmer, the warmth an aftertaste.
“Nobody will tell me who is or isn’t worth it. I make that decision myself.”
He looked the other straight in the eyes, his blue meeting the brown in an instant.
“I will help you get better, not because I feel pity for you, Seven, but because I care about your well-being as a friend. You deserve it as much as everyone else, if not more, for what you have done.”
Seven felt a tad frozen as he felt if the other wasn’t really joking about his stance, his gaze faltered yet again, as he didn’t like such close contact and the slight tension that was building, especially when the older looked at him with an expression he sometimes wore in rounds.
Guest noticed it too; his face immediately unraveled into softer edges.
“I... didn’t mean to... I know I look intimidating when I’m serious…. I’m sorry. ”
007n7 just nodded, his gaze lingering on the entrance to the common room where presumably others were having a meeting. He did hear some voices, but he couldn’t make out who it was when they were quieter... he soon turned to Guest, who looked as if he would combust if you looked at him wrong. God, did that man have two totally different sides to him.
“It’s okay... I’m… just tired still... but I appreciate the fact you… are willing to help.”
That was the moment the other’s smile returned, as if someone said the winning lottery numbers to him.
“Oh, I’m willing, ya know. I will be until you get better.”
Sevens felt his lips tugging upwards as he saw how the other was determined; he couldn’t help but feel he was going to be in debt from such generosity.
“I.. can I pay you back somehow?..”
Guest just thought for a moment, rubbing his chin as if he was thinking of something complex, 007n7 couldn’t help but chuckle at such a sight. Guest then slapped his knee slightly, as if he had come to a perfect request.
“A whole casserole of chocolate brownies.”
007n7 blinked before he put his hand on his mouth to not laugh, Guest anticipating the answer like a child who had asked their parent for a Christmas gift.
“Just that? Are... are you sure? I didn’t think they were that good.”
Guest shook his head as he was personally offended.
“You don’t know what happened last time you baked them. The whole cabin was fighting over them. I had to put Shed in a chokehold so he would stop eating them.”
007n7 did recall returning to the cabin and the plate where he left them being completely empty, but he figured the others just ate them so as to not be wasteful. He didn’t expect they would almost go to war over them. He seriously didn’t think they were that good.
“If that’s what you want, then sure.. deal?”
Guest held out his free hand to shake the others, his smile bright now that he had secured himself the most delicious treat he had had in literal years. But it was worth it, even if the other didn’t offer anything, he would be taking care of him. Brownies or not.
“Deal. Now, let me get you some tea. Elliot will be bringing you soup later.”
007n7 blinked a tad as he was lowered back to lie down, his face red as he covered it with his hands.
“Him too?!”
The other laughed; it was sweet to see how easy it was for the other to fluster.
“Don’t worry, you are in good hands. Just rest and let us take care of you.”
Notes:
Hya! This is only the beginning of those two so get ready for more later on! :3
Please, any fanarts or analyzing is very appreciated and I love to see it!
<3
Chapter 6: Keeping close
Notes:
Hi guys! A little bit of filler for ya to get things going!
Forgive me for the mistakes, i don't have a beta reader or someone to check for them!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
A week passed, and a visible pattern was established.
007n7 had struggled at first, as a high fever had rendered him weak and unable to perform most tasks that someone could do on their own. Thankfully, they did have medication to give him, but only time would be needed for the other to recover fully.
Guest took it upon himself to regularly check up on the other. For the first two nights, he didn't dare leave as he feared the high fever might return. Elliot took time to bring him food he had prepared, a slight but faint smile present as he saw how thankful the former hacker was when he got to eat.
Chance poked him often to see if he slipped into a coma, and when he did wake him up, the other would just smirk and wave at him. Before slipping away or having either Guest or Elliot warn him to not be annoying and let the man rest.
The crew only checked up on him sometimes, besides Noob, who was terrified the other would die, and that they would be left all alone in the shared cabin, to which 007n7 had to calm him down and reassure him that, no, he wasn't going to die and that he was just recovering slower than expected.
As of right now, he was resting on the same couch he was put on the evening he recovered the crates. It sure was old and worn, but it was soft enough to count as somewhere to get some sleep. He was propped up against two pillows so he would be able to sit slightly. The fire flickered in his side vision at times, but it didn’t distract him from his current task of typing on the levitating screen in front of him. He was rebooting the sensors to see if there was something worth fixing. As most were by now buried in the snow, which made their signal weaker and their ability to scan the nearby area impossible. They did try to keep them functional by sending someone out to clear them of the snow, but with how unstable the weather was outside, they stopped doing it. For everyone’s safety and health.
Well, not his. He was still sick and couldn’t even walk on his own.
Dusekkar was kind enough to run a medical check on him, and without a doubt, he concluded 007n7 had developed pneumonia after being exposed for too long in the cold. Although it wasn’t as severe, it was still life-threatening if left unchecked. He had the typical signs of his breathing feeling shallow, weakness, tiredness and high temperature being close behind. But what made the other perform the check in the first place was the fact that he threw up.
It was unexpected, as it looked like the brunette was finally feeling better, chatting with the winged admin who was leaning over the couch to see if the hacker needed anything.
Then, suddenly, he grabbed the empty bowl he had eaten from not that long ago and vomited.
The next few minutes were blurry to him. He felt someone holding him and another pair of hands keeping his hair out of his face. The bowl was replaced with something larger as he wasn’t done emptying his whole stomach. He did feel someone rubbing his back and urging him to breathe, but he couldn’t recall who it was. Voices seeping with worry and panic flowed all around him.
Not long after he was finally done, everything around his head was spiraling.
He couldn’t say anything, not without feeling his throat ached with pain he couldn’t comprehend.
His vision was blurry as someone had removed his glasses so they wouldn’t be damaged in the midst of the situation. He tried to look around, colours all blending with each other. The red of Elliot’s uniform was largely present as the pizzaboy presumably wiped his mouth with a cloth. His voice was clearer as he was sharply yelling at someone.
007n7 thought the words were directed at him, but he soon realized it wasn’t the case.
“Do you now see what I have been telling you!?”
There was another voice; he recognized that as Builderman, seeing him in the corner of his eye. His voice didn’t portray his usual tone of respect and knowing. This time it wavered. The situation had washed away the old man’s dismissal. Leaving only worry in its wake.
“Get Dusekkar now!”
The time was slow in his mind, the feeling of not knowing whether or not he was in charge of his own body present as it made him feel like he was looking at himself from someone else’s perspective. Everything was overwhelming, the colours, the lights, the movement and the vibration of rushed tones and whispers had put him on the edge of collapse.
But someone was still holding him after everything.
It felt grounding. Like a shield holding against the storm.
The colours distant now, the lights dimmed, and the voices toned out.
Soft but worn hands moved carefully, holding him in a protective brace he couldn’t quite comprehend.
He buried his face into the warmth of the other's chest, his lips quivering as a warm hand buried itself in his brown hair. It served to hold him even closer.
To reassure him, he was safe.
That it wasn’t his fault.
“I’m here.”
Was all Guest said before the other let out a broken whimper.
There was nothing more he could do other than to hold him and hope his pain would pass quicker than when it came.
He closed his eyes for a moment as he tried not to think about what had happened two days ago. To him, it was embarrassing that he had grown so dependent on the others to take care of him. Not when he was starting to feel better again. Hopefully, this time, he wouldn’t be gagging over a bucket with everyone thinking he would drop dead any second.
He grew more confident as time passed.
Walking on his own was the first thing he wanted back after he had been bedridden for more than a week.
It sucked as he had struggled with standing for more than a minute.
During the rounds, he often just had enough energy to hide somewhere until it ended; only once was he found by 1x. But the killer didn’t kill him.
Rather, the entity just observed him, seeing him as a shivering nobody and an unworthy and easy kill. Having picked him up and said so in his face. Before throwing him against the wall. Leaving to pursue a target that could actually run away from them instead of just sitting and waiting for death to come.
To say he had an easier time just because he was sick was an understatement.
He couldn’t help out, couldn’t do his chores and worse, had to be watched and monitored because of his condition being something no one could predict.
The only thing he was glad about was that it wasn’t someone who had suffered.
That it was him who took the hit for the team, he obviously deserved it with his past still lingering on the edges of him. Being a hacker who burned everything in his path had taken a toll on his reputation; he couldn’t have foreseen it when he was still a freshman in college. Back when he wanted others to see him as someone worthy of acknowledgement. To have others quiver in his presence.
It fed his ego to an impossible length. Not to mention how unstoppable he felt when he had Noli by his side.
Just the two of them against the whole world.
The burning of the Roblox HC was the last thing they did together.
As of that night, he found a box outside their dorm’s door.
Having a kid made him actually think for once in years.
Made him consider the wounds he had left on others. The scars that wouldn’t fade, no matter how much he tried to plead for forgiveness.
So, he vowed to put out the fire in his legacy. For once, to not burn, but to keep something warm.
To protect something that had no power to protect itself. To nurture, to try.
Oh.
Oh, gods, how he tried.
His thoughts were interrupted by a hand gripping the edge of the screen he had stopped typing on minutes ago. In the next moment, it was lifted out of his reach.
He didn’t expect it to be Chance who had done that.
“Hey there, pal! Came over to ask how you're feelin'!”
007n7 was speechless for some time before he gave a small smile, it being a bit forced to not make the man question him any further than needed. He needed some alone time right now.
“- I’m good, thanks. Better than yesterday—”
“Great to hear! Now, I have been wondering, we found a new board game to play. And you know how uncomfortable it is to sit on those wooden chairs we have in the common room… would you be okay if we played it here? You can play with us too! We need one more player anyway-“
007n7 could only blink as he tried to process what the other was saying.
They wanted to be near him?
“Uh.. okay?.. I mean, I don’t own this part of the cabin just because I’m sick.”
Chance just nodded at that as if he didn’t stop listening to the moment the former hacker said okay, he called out for the others to join, and so they did.
“Guys, we can play it here!”
The group wasn’t big. Two Time carried the box that they found, while Noob was holding their precious bloxy colas that they were willing to share for once.
007n7 didn’t even get to say anything as they already cleaned the table and got the chairs, even having moved the table closer to the couch so the hacker could play as well, even if he tried to reassure them that it wasn’t necessary.
He really didn’t think they would actually want to play something with him when he is still sick, especially because they might get sick from him too. But no, they just sat around the table, setting up the cardboard pieces. Chance opened up the instruction manual to read it, while Noob got the little figurines out, smiling brightly as they set aside their favorite colour, turning to Two Time and 007n7 with excitement.
It hurt.
007n7 felt a ping in his chest as that smile reminded him of someone.
“They have colours! Which one would you like 7n7??”
The youngster asked with glee, while Two Time had already chosen the white colored ones, the former hacker just nodded a tad, reaching out with both of his hands so the other could give him all the minifigures of that colour.
“I guess red suits me best... thank you, Noob.”
With that, they were set. The game they were playing was related to resource management, and they were located on the island. Their goal is to build villages and cities, to trade with others and get to ten points by any means necessary.
It started out like every game does: you follow the rules and make sure everyone else does so as well, then things start to get messy real fast once you have to compete. Noob found out the hard way once Chance put his village in the place where they wanted to build a road.
“That’s not fair! I wanted to go there!”
“First come, first served, pal!”
Things got a whole lot worse once a number seven was rolled. It was a bit funny that a person who has two sevens in his name was the one who got the number. It activated a special figurine called the ‘Thief’, who, once activated, had to be put on a resource that the person who is currently moving it wants to disable. What’s better, was that once that spot was disabled, anyone who had a village on that spot would have to shuffle their cards and let the one who rolled the number choose. Thankfully the one who did the stealing could pick which player would be the one they would be stealing from.
“May Spawn foresee your downfall.”
The cultist murmured as 007n7 had just put a thief on their most valuable resource and stolen a card they had just traded for four cards. The sick man could only chuckle as he started to enjoy the game as it played out. It was interesting to see how others acted. How they planned their moves.
Two Time was more of a builder, having two cities in one spot to maximise profit.
Noob was aiming to get the longest road achievement to get two more points to their name.
Chance kept drawing mystery cards and activating so-called ‘knight’ cards to move the thief figurine wherever he liked. Mostly targeting Two Time, as the raven-headed sentinel had so many sheep, half of the deck was in their hands.
While Seven... he didn’t have a strategy, just went with the flow. Had three villages and two cities on the opposite sides of the island. Had ports on the sea so he could trade for cheaper. Had action cards that gave him two more points. He just needed one more city, and he would be the winner. But flying undercover wasn’t easy. Chance saw right through it but stayed quiet himself, having made clear enemies with Two Time and Noob, who kept shuffling the thief back to him to spite the gambler.
“Guys, let’s focus on who has more points rather than point fingers at me for being such a good player-“
“You stole my only wheat, Chance! I was saving that for three turns! THREE TURNS!”
Noob almost yelled as they tried their best not to combust on the spot from such pressure.
The noise attracted attention as others in the cabin were starting to approach to see who was making so much noise so late in the evening. Dusekkar and Taph watched from the second floor, seeing how the board looked from a whole different perspective.
Builderman had already retreated to his cabin, while Shedletsky made his way to sit next to Chance, glancing at his cards and the board, nodding or shaking his head at every decision like he was a veteran at this, having not played the game once in his life.
Elliot and Guest were talking in the kitchen as the soldier helped the other with cleaning everything up and getting things ready for the next day. Neither had expected such noises to be present so late in the evening.
The pizza boy was first to speak, having wiped his hands on a cloth and put it aside to dry.
“Chance is at it again. I told him to not bother him after what had happened.”
The man was clearly referencing what had happened with the hacker a few days ago, as they were more careful than ever to prevent it from happening again. So, disturbing that area of the cabin became a big no-no. Well, for everyone except Chance.
Guest just sighed a tad, having wiped the dinner table where they all ate, he folded his cloth and tucked it on the handle of the stove.
“If 007n7 wasn’t feeling well, he would have told them off; he is allowed to have some fun too.”
Elliot just crossed his arms a tad, clearly not happy still.
“He is still sick. He might get them sick, too. They aren’t careful with this.”
The soldier paused for a moment, but soon made up his mind as he started to walk towards the entrance to the main room, Elliot now standing behind him as the bigger man turned to face him. His hand motioned to join him. A slight smirk plastered on his face as he was curious.
“You can tell him to not do it again after the game. Now come and let’s see who will be going to loser town.”
Guest waited for a moment longer as Elliot finally let his arms go to his sides, his stance still tense. He didn’t like how Chance didn’t listen to him at all. Didn’t take his worries into consideration. Played it off as something insignificant. He tried not to let it show, but he seriously needed to have a talk with him.
They made their way to the table to have a closer look at what was happening.
Staying at the sides as they watched Two Time stealing one of the cards from the former hacker. Who didn’t look too pleased as the card that was taken actually had significant worth. It is a stone card which he needed three of to build a city and win the game. Chance was at his tail at around nine points. Having built a road so long it stretched across the whole board, Noob tried to stop him by making his own longer, but now they had the same number of roads. Which means that if Chance makes just one more, he would take the achievement card from Noob and win.
“Shivering in your panties, Seven?~”
The gambler chuckled, passing the dice over to Noob as he ended his turn. It was obvious he had enough to build the road, but he gave the others another turn just to spite them.
The hacker just stayed quiet, knowing he had another card up his sleeve. But if he said anything too early, winning might become something he could only dream about.
“Don’t run your mouth, Chance, it’s going to bite you later.”
Guest called, as he was watching from the sidelines along with Elliot. Shedletsky, on the other hand, smirked.
“Chance can run his mouth all he wants; he has the winning cards... unless you want to bet otherwise, soldier.”
Guest raised an eyebrow and got closer, but instead of going to Chance's side, he went around the couch. His calm stance lingered behind 007n7 as he folded his hands on the headrest of it, leaning in with confidence as he didn’t even glance at the hacker’s cards.
“I’m betting 007n7 is going to win. The loser does the winner's laundry and bathroom duty for a week.”
There was silence as even 007n7 turned around to look at the other because of what he had just said, while Chance burst out laughing, Shedletsky waving his hand as if Guest had given himself another list of chores to do.
“Sure! I hope you will enjoy folding my shirts when they come out of the dryer!”
The winged admin said as he got up to shake the others' hands to make sure the deal was on the table.
Right now, Seven felt the pressure build as he felt his hands shake a tad; he didn’t like the attention that was now on him.
Noob had rolled a number he had, so he took the card that he gained... afterwards, the dice went to him.
He took a deep breath in as he rolled it.
It landed on the number he had, but it wasn’t stone. He just needed one more.
And he knew just how he would be able to get it.
“Does anyone have stone?”
Silence.
Noob shook their head, Two Time murmured how they only had sheep.
Chance’s grin grew wider.
“Give up, pal, I won’t trade mine to you in a million years.”
007n7 grew a slight smile at that. That’s exactly what he needed to hear.
He put his hand on the card he had been hiding the whole game; the others thought it was just a knight that he didn’t have the time to use.
But to their horror, it was something no one expected.
It was the monopoly card.
“Give me all of your stone.”
Chance felt his whole confidence crumble as he mindlessly had to hand over the two cards that were indicated to be stones. Shedletsky had buried his face in his hands as he let out a screech of terror, knowing he would be the one doing work instead of relaxing.
007n7 didn’t say anything more as he deposited his cards and turned one of the villages he had into a city, finally beating the game with ten points. There was the sound of clapping as Dusekkar and Taph congratulated him from the second floor. Elliot did too, but went to hug Chance, who looked as if he was about to cry from embarrassment. Two Time and Noob began to put the pieces back where they were supposed to go in the box. Saying how lucky he was to win this one.
While 007n7 turned to face the man who was behind him, his lips betraying him as he wore a smile. A genuine one that wasn’t forced to keep others out.
“I won- I actually won!”
He called out with glee, and Guest could only feel deep warmth seep into his chest like a flood.
The way his hair fell, how his tail wagged with such joy, how he didn’t smile at anyone else this way.
How he turned only for him.
“You did.”
He replied warmly.
But he was certain of something much bigger.
That he had fallen for 007n7.
Notes:
Ain't they sweet? :3
Next chapter will be interesting, but my birthday is coming up soon so I will see if I will upload anything at that time-
Until next time! <3
Chapter 7: Same problem
Notes:
This is just something for you guys to nibble on while I work on the bigger chapter-
(The song I mostly listened to while writing this are : Alex G- Harvey, Blood Orange - Champagne Coast)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
A month has passed.
The weather outside is still as cold and unforgiving.
Rounds still happened.
It was a cycle they had grown used to, even if it felt numbing every time they came back; it didn't matter if they survived or not. It was wearing them down, and it was clear they needed something to look forward to.
So, they organized a small party at the end of the week to have some fun.
Everyone had some part in it, like decorating or cooking. To keep things fair to some extent.
As of right now, it was the evening before the gathering.
It was late. Very late, as outside was pitch black.
Guest was still very much awake at this point. His part of the cabin clean and tidy as always. One of the lights dimly lighting the small room he was in, as far as he knew, his light was the only one left glowing. Nothing was else was really out of the ordinary. Until.
Punch
The object that was hit swigged back, and the man responsible steadied himself. Ready to strike again.
Training at this hour of the night was something he only did when things went sideways. He had made himself a punching bag during the warmer months and used it often to keep in shape.
Punch
Or to just vent out some of his pent-up emotions.
The punch landed swiftly as he had made the bag swing back with great force, it being filled with some old clothing and other stuff he could find to make the thing more realistic.
It was heavy. But he gritted his teeth and punched again, trying to stay in one spot and dodge the bag swinging back at him. Imagining himself back in the round. He tried to make himself believe that if he just pushes himself hard enough, others wouldn’t be put in harm's way.
The punches were anything but quiet as the wooden floor creaked at the entrance of the man’s room. His roommate was awake as well, but didn’t want to stay that way for too long.
“Dude… does that bag owe you money? Seriously, if it does, I will pay in full to get some sleep.”
Chance said in a voice that could only be described as someone who had been up for too long and needed some shut-eye.
Guest immediately stopped and grabbed the bag to steady it... pausing for a short moment before unwrapping the bandages on his hands to stop what he was doing. Chance didn’t say anything for some time, but the way he leaned on the doorframe was enough to have Guest thinking of what ‘interesting’ thing the man would say next.
Ever since they lived together in the same cabin as roommates, the times that Chance came to him to say something stupid and leave were enough to make him go insane at times, but... it was grounding.
To have someone who eased the edges with jokes and comebacks he would have never thought about on his own.
The gambler just looked at the soldier, just long enough for Guest to return his gaze.
“I think I know what... this is all about.”
The soldier just stayed quiet before he started to walk towards the other. Presumably to wish the other a goodnight and close the door. But Chance didn’t move, his face soon grew a smile as he saw that Guest wasn’t meeting his look.
“Ah... worrying about him again?”
Guest froze, and Chance just confirmed his suspicion.
007n7 had finally begun sleeping in his own cabin after being on the lobby couch for almost two weeks. Which Builderman didn’t really tolerate. So, the other finally returned to his own private space. Even if he was still a tad sick, most had heard him coughing and trying to mask it so as to not alarm anyone.
It was difficult to see how the other had begun to open up.
Only to then be forced to shut up again.
It drove Guest mad.
It being a constant game of push and pull, the end was nowhere near as he saw the other return to his shell with defeat.
Not to mention that he felt attracted to him.
No one knew about that, and that too made him drift into thoughts more often than he would have liked to admit.
Chance was about to fire something off again before Guest took a deep sigh, his arms folding as he looked tired but somehow defeated enough to talk about what was on his mind.
“Will you tell anyone?”
Was all he asked as the other shook his head, the smile still present, but it was something else under it. Something like care.
“Not a soul. If I do make me a spare punching bag.”
That was enough for Guest to just move aside and let the man in, closing the door once Chance entered the room and made himself comfortable on the man’s bed, sitting down so casually like it was his own. The blue-haired man just got the spare chair he had, lowering himself onto it slowly as he felt the other sentinel waiting for him to break the ice.
There was silence for a minute, as the soldier had his hands together in a tight grasp, his fingers twitching as well as his eyebrow.
Another pause before he looked away again.
But this time, he finally spoke.
“I.. I think I have feelings for him.”
There was a slight creaking coming from the bed as Chance immediately sat up straight as a tree, his eyes wide and his sleepy expression wiped clean from his face.
“Wait wait wait wait—you.. You mean him? Like… 007n7?”
Guest just nodded slightly. Still not meeting the other's gaze.
For a man who isn’t afraid to rush headfirst into battle, this looked quite unusual.
“Yes. Seven…”
“Okay... damn... I didn’t expect that.”
The bigger man lifted his gaze up, his face being a lot more tense as he saw that Chance had some kind of problem with it; his face was contorted into an expression that was easily definable as him having an opinion on the matter. But the gambling sentinel soon saw the look, and immediately started to wave his hands for the other to calm down.
“Pal- pal- I didn’t mean that in a negative way- just... don’t you have a wife, man?
If there was tension by now, it would have been easy to cut it with a knife. But Guest broke it as he blinked a few times, his expression softening again, as he hadn’t ever told anyone else the information he was about to give.
"Daisy and I have an open marriage... of sorts. We still love each other. Open to have a third partner and all... we weren’t just lucky so far with that idea.”
Chance was bouncing one of his legs as he listened to the other sentinel as he talked, his own face not as stiff as it was when he first heard the news.
“So basically... You can have both him and your wife as partners?”
“Yes.”
There was a faint sound of the wind howling in the distance. It was dark, and no one was awake other than them at this time of the night. This gave some comfort knowing this conversation would stay inside this cabin. And only this cabin.
The tension eased a tad, as Guest still looked a tad uneased, sometimes glancing at the punching bag that was still moving slightly left and right from when he was interrupted.
Chance, on the other hand, was now way too invested to go back to bed.
“How do you want to do this? I will warn you that I’m a great person when it comes to relationships. So, my advice is solid~”
He smoothly said, as he was trying to show he was so much more experienced, even if the person in front of him had a wife and a kid.
The soldier just raised his brow a tad, not expecting the other's mood to change so fast... but he let it go, probably thinking he would react the same if he knew someone wanted to have romantic relations outside of their marriage.
“Then how do I go about this? I... I can’t just ask him out, and I don’t want to spook him by taking things way too fast.”
“Then we improvise! Tomorrow is the party, right? Get close, see how he breathes. How he interacts with you. I don’t know if you have experience with guys, but they are way more obvious than girls... at least in my case.”
“Didn’t you say you were gay?”
“That was a moment of weakness when you and Two Time shoved a bottle of whisky down my throat last summer.”
“I didn’t shove it; I just gave you gentle guidance. “
Chance just crossed his arms, while the other was chuckling a tad with himself, as the way the grey-haired man tried to defend himself was funny.
“You are going off point! But still, I will be a great friend and see where I can help... but...”
Guest stopped laughing as he saw how the other had paused and looked a tad nervous to ask, so he leaned in, a small smug look edged across his face as he felt better now that he had told someone about his feelings.
Chance rubbed his neck a tad before smiling with his lips wobbly.
“…..you are gonna have to help me out with my own… object of attraction.”
And so, a deal was made in the quiet of one of the cabins.
The two soon went off to sleep after that.
But Guest couldn’t help but think of how Seven was doing. If he was awake like he was. If he would feel the same.
The man had taken root deep within his mind.
Before he knew it, sleep took him in its gentle embrace, and the worries of tomorrow faded with it.
Notes:
Okay so both of them want their cookies if it isn't obvious-
At first I wanted to include this in the bigger chapter but I think it can stand as a mini-chapter of sorts to set the setting for the next one to come! It's shorter so my apologies :<
Comments and support is greatly appreciated!
Chapter 8: Drunk smiles - part one
Notes:
Okay guys I'm sorry this is split but I don't want a 10k+ chapter-
Anyways enjoy this chapter! ;3
(I posted this at like 00:00 bc it's my birthday!!! in a way this is a gift for yall-)
Also sorry about any mistakes made! if something isn't making sense feel free to point it out! <3
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The excitement in the cabin was pretty obvious by now as everyone waited for the evening to settle in.
Most had done their work days prior.
Like decorating the place and cleaning up afterwards, so the place wouldn’t look like a hurricane went through it. But some still had things to.
It was the evening before the event, and the former hacker was relaxing in the library's main lobby, in the corner. Keeping himself preoccupied by reading, he heard Chance and others testing the microphone and speakers in the room. He could hear a word here and there, but he tuned it out to keep focus on the novel he was reading. It was something fantasy themed, as he grew bored with the normal books, which had characters killing each other and then had deep philosophy about life and death for the next five hundred pages.
His peace, however, was sharply interrupted by someone approaching with loud steps.
He lifted up his gaze slightly as he saw Builderman standing there, clipboard in hand, as he didn’t look as pleased seeing the other just sitting there and relaxing.
“And why aren’t ya on your feet?”
Builderman remarked, looking over the clipboard, as 007n7 just mentally sighed and closed the book he was starting to actually get into.
“I set up the tree with the others, dusted, cleaned the floors and tables upstairs with Two Time and Noob.”
The other just raised an eyebrow as he scribbled something down. 007n7 felt like there was going to be a problem.
“Didn’t see ya doing it. So, can’t take yar’ word for it.”
The other just added as he turned the clipboard around so the other could see what he wrote. 007n7 had to fix his glasses to be able to see what the other wrote, and when he did, he couldn’t help but feel wronged.
“I.. I swear I did the work…. You really want me to work tomorrow as well?”
“I wouldn’t be doing this if ya didn’t miss out on all the chores while being sick, ya are just making up for not doing stuff around the cabin for a month.”
“That’s... you saw in what state I was. I’m still recovering, too, Dusekkar told me to not push myself-“
That’s when the older man leaned in dangerously close. His whole demeanor was cold as he had no more patience for what he thought were just excuses. 007n7 couldn’t help but step down from debating with the man. He was the one in charge here. If he were to anger Builderman he would fall short with everyone else in the cabin. And that was the last thing he wanted to do at this time of the cycle.
He felt his body tense up; in some way, he felt cornered. Drove his anxiety up the wall as soon as he realised it.
“Ya will help out Elliot in the kitchen tomorrow. Got it?”
007n7 didn’t dare lift his gaze to look the other in the eye as he gave a small nod.
There was just silence as Builderman turned around, not paying the other person any attention as he said what he wanted to say. Beginning to walk away as 007n7 felt his fist clutch without second thought... but knew if he showed even a tiny bit of distaste to what was said to him, he might not be able to even attend the party in the first place.
It was unfair, but it was what he deserved.
He got up, having put the book back where he found it.
He made his way back to his cabin, not paying attention to how some noticed him leaving before dinner.
There was a round in the morning as everyone was a bit livelier than normal.
The round was fairly normal; it was Jason whom they had grown used to by now. No one died thankfully, but some were close as the killer didn’t seem to be into the holiday spirit as they were that day.
They had breakfast afterwards, as the round was way too early for them to make something beforehand. There was small talk here and there, Shedletsky was blabbering about something to Dusekkar who kept correcting him with growing frustration, Noob was excited for the party in the evening and made it obvious... talking with 007n7 who was sitting beside them on the edge of the table... he didn’t really want to eat that much as he noticed he had gained some weight back because of being bed ridden for a while.
And also, for being monitored to actually eat his meals.
When he first came here, he did have some… extra pounds, but it wasn’t that serious. However, after three cycles of this mess, he lost most of it, his habit of eating being quite irregular as he sometimes went days without eating. Especially when it was that time of the month when the food ran low and they needed to get supplies.
This morning, he looked at himself in the mirror and actually saw how alive he looked.
Not having thought that being fed three times a day due to his body shutting down, thanks to pneumonia, would actually help him gain some healthy weight back. But he couldn’t be mad at that. He could only be grateful to those who were kind enough to feed him when his body betrayed him.
With that thought in his head, he just kept on nodding at what Noob said, his tired smile not leaving his lips as he pushed the eggs he had on his plate to the edge so they would look half-eaten.
Then, after some people got up to leave, he did too. He had felt someone was looking at him for longer than needed, but he thought of it as someone accidentally zoning out in his direction.
That was until he was tying his bootstrings, and he felt someone looming over him.
He looked up and froze for a bit.
Not expecting Guest to be standing right beside him. The man, having noticed the others' stiffness as he stepped away to not be as close as he was previously.
“Hey Sev- sorry about that, are... are you going back to your cabin?”
The soldier asked as he bent down to grab his own boots. His plans were clear that he was going outside as well.
The former hacker felt the light blush on his face disappear as he continued tying his own.
“Yeah… probably have a nap before the gathering... and you?”
He asked, having gotten up to get his jacket off the hanger near the door, carefully zipping it as the zipper sometimes got stuck halfway and was a pain in the ass to untangle. Guest’s voice was behind him now, but the softness of it was clear.
“Same. Maybe arrive earlier to help if needed... and protect the booze from certain individuals.”
007n7 chuckled at that, and Guest couldn’t help but mentally high-five himself. The other just waited for the man. Guest was quick with his own boots as he had experience with tying them in record time, swiftly joining the other by the hanger as he got his own coat. 007n7 stole a few glances here and there.
“I didn’t know you had to protect beer from yourself, soldier. But it’s honorable.”
The soldier just huffed at what the other said; it was true to some extent. But he only drank in the company of others… and tried to keep it a rare activity.
There was no falling snow or wind outside anymore; thankfully, it was just a quiet snowy morning.
He followed 007n7 outside as he made sure to close the door firmly behind him. The steps creaked slightly as they both walked next to each other. The stillness of it all was comforting as they still had a whole day to spend. The round had happened early in the morning. It was a blessing in disguise of sorts as it meant they didn’t have to deal with that in the evening, when most of them wouldn’t be able to walk straight if you begged them.
The crunch of old snow was beneath them as they walked the path by the cabins. Guest’s being the second one closest to the common one, while 007n7 had to walk for another five long minutes to the last one, which was his and Noob’s.
He was about to say goodbye as they reached the other's cabin, but Guest didn’t stop, didn’t move from his side as he fixed his own scarf a tad, 007n7 noticed the other's cheeks being redder, but that was obviously just because of the cold.
“Mind if… I accompany you?”
007n7 tried his best to hide his tail from view, but the end of it betrayed him and wagged regardless. This man wasn’t even doing anything spectacular, but the way he said such a simple thing with so much care made him want to curl into himself and scream.
But he could only shake his head, hiding his wobbly smile with his own hoodie.
“…not at all…”
That was all that was heard as they continued their quiet walk. The cabins they passed were mostly empty as everyone was still back at the main one. They did hear some interesting noises coming from one of the admin’s cabins, but they just hurried their pace so as to not be noisy and later blamed if they did overhear something… they shouldn’t have heard.
Soon, they were at the porch steps of the last cabin in the row. Guest stood at the beginning of them along with Seven. Who stayed put as the other obviously wanted to ask him something.
And he did, light snow starting to fall as he looked at the hooded brunette with slight concern.
“I… wanted to ask you about yesterday... You left in a hurry before dinner… are you doing okay?”
007n7 didn’t reply immediately, as he didn’t expect the other to continue to speak to him in such a soft tone, but the thought that someone noticed him looking unwell made him so confused and unsure how to feel. Why was he being noticed all of a sudden? Did he owe the man something? He couldn’t figure it out for the life of him.
Finally, he gave a small wave of his hand to brush the matter off.
“Oh- well... I was just very tired. Didn’t want to pass out on the couch and anger others again... I’m fine.”
He could almost feel the fakeness in his voice at the last statement.
No, he wasn’t. He couldn’t ever be fine in a place like this.
Not when he is still in some way sick and his lungs ached with pain no pill could ever kill.
Guest didn’t buy it; his face didn’t relax like it always did when he was reassured of something.
But he didn’t want to push the matter any further. Not when the other wasn’t up to it.
The last thing he wanted was to make Seven uncomfortable. Instead, he let out a small sigh.
“Alright… My door is always open if something happens... we will talk more at the party, yeah?”
He asked, his heart being hidden by his thick coat, but it still hammered loudly in his ribcage.
Gods. He was falling apart at the mere thought of seeing the man more.
007n7 smiled yet again this time as he looked at the other, not believing someone could grow to care for someone like him, an exploiter who ruined half of Robloxia for the fun of it. Someone dangerous. Who could crush everything handed to them?
But could he?
He desperately wanted to believe that... at least this once. He wouldn’t break what was being placed in his hold.
“Thank you… and yeah… we will, I promise.”
Well, that got the soldier finally breaking his thinly pressed lips into a softer edge.
The former hacker soon ascended the steps of his own cabin, waving to the man slightly who was walking from where they came from, and the soldier made sure to wave back.
The falling snow was the only thing that had witnessed their shared but quiet conversation that early morning.
Tonight was the night they were waiting for.
Everything was set up, and it was just a matter of time before they would be able to have some actual fun in a hellhole like this.
That was mostly what everyone else was thinking.
Elliot wasn’t really happy with the tasks he was given. Having to prepare a whole lot of food by himself was a mess, and everyone else had already retired for the day. Excusing themselves, their tasks already done, and nobody really wanting another chore on their hands. He could only sigh and prepare the workbench and gather the things needed, having made sure his hair would be tightly pressed to his head. He didn’t want another complaint about it ending up in the food.
As he hunched over the list of things he didn’t expect to hear, the front door opened and someone stepped in. But that wasn’t any of his business, as he figured it was probably Chance or someone coming to bother him or check up on him.
However, he didn’t expect that person to be 007n7. The man just standing awkwardly at the doorframe with a small bag in his hand, rubbing at his neck as he clearly didn’t want to be here.
Elliot felt as though someone was testing him today.
“Do you…. need something?”
He asked, at first assuming that the man was just hungry and came for a snack. At least that was what the pizza boy hoped for. But no. He was wrong yet again.
“Well.. not quite. Builderman… send me here to help you with preparation… eh.. I know this doesn’t sound that great, and I know you don’t like me, but-”
The other man didn’t meet his gaze; he didn’t know why, but 007n7 knew it was because of shame. Guilt is still clawing at his back due to his past offences. He didn’t expect the blond to ever forgive him for what he had done.
He continued to mumble something about apologies or whatever, but Elliot was still stuck on one thing that bothered him.
“Why did he send you here? Didn’t you already work with the others yesterday?”
“Huh?”
He replied in slight confusion, as he didn’t expect the other to ask him that. Elliot didn’t seem to be mad, thankfully, maybe a tad irritated that his peace was interrupted, but otherwise he seemed more troubled with the concept of 007n7 being called to help rather than him being the problem.
007n7 gave a small nod as Elliot folded his arms, waiting for an explanation.
“I… to be honest. Builderman just told me to be here because he claimed I didn’t work enough.”
The pizza boy immediately threw his hands out, not having expected that to be the reason why he was sent here.
“What?! That’s ridiculous! I literally saw you cleaning floors with Noob. Ugh.”
He almost yelled as he was furious that the man, who still had a lung infection, was sent out to work even more than he should have already. Regardless, if he needed to be here, he might as well help out. He pinched the bridge of his nose a tad to think of a plan. Clicking with his fingers when he figured it out.
“Okay, you can stay here till I’m done. If you want to, you can help out; if not, just don’t invade my part of the kitchen.”
007n7 didn’t even get to reply as the other threw a spare apron his way, managing to catch it at the last second as Elliot just motioned for him to come. He couldn’t help but mentally pray as he knew that this wasn’t going to go easily for him.
And at first it wasn’t. They worked in silence as neither of them had much in common to talk about; they cut the needed vegetables, and Elliot sometimes told him what he needed to do. Night was evident as the windows started to portray the sun’s last shining before it left this realm. The pizza worker was quick to turn on the lights they had and continued to work.
He was planning some sort of beef stew with a few side dishes; 007n7 didn’t question what they were, but guessed by what ingredients the other was using. After having helped Elliot with his things, he retreated to a smaller part of the kitchen, not wanting to bother him any further than he needed to. Instead, he just started to open up the bag he had brought with him, which contained three cooking chocolates and one small bag of what seemed like cocoa powder. Elliot couldn’t help himself and peeked over the other's shoulder to see what he had in mind. Turning around as soon as Seven moved to grab a spare cutting board and knife.
It was weird to have someone you grew used to causing so much damage behind your back in the same kitchen. What’s better, having that same person holding a knife.
“What are you making?”
He asked before he even realised he had uttered something. Right now, he was peeling the potatoes to go in the stew, having felt how the former hacker froze behind him. His knife didn’t move for a few seconds before he continued to cut the chocolate into pieces.
“Oh– I’m making brownies… someone requested it.”
Elliot himself paused for a moment, thinking of another time they had brownies in the lobby and how it became a problem as everyone wanted a piece, but someone, a certain fatass, ate almost half the tray. It has been almost a full cycle since then, but man, did those brownies taste good.
He didn’t know it was 007n7 who was actually making them.
“Wait– did you make the ones from last year too?”
The hacker's tail dragged across the floor as he turned one of the fire rings on, preparing a stick of butter to melt along with the majority of the chocolate. He tilted his head to glance at the other, who was waiting for an answer like a starved child for bread.
“I mean, yeah?... I thought you guys didn’t like them, so I didn’t think of making them anymore.”
“007n7. People were literally at each other’s throats over those. Shedletsky was put in a chokehold over them, me and Two Time threw hands too.”
“What?! I- I was thinking you guys just ate it all to not be wasteful-”
Elliot just shook his head as if the other told him that gravity didn’t exist.
“Nah, I’m seriously telling you. You'd better be making multiple since most of us won’t play around when it comes to them, not me at least.”
007n7 couldn’t help but blush a tad as he felt like this was all just a fever dream. He really thought that Guest had over-exaggerated that story about them all fighting over the brownies just so that he would sound cooler or whatever... he didn’t think that it actually happened, and that some of the crew even fought for them.
“Hah... that’s.. interesting to hear.. I will try my best to not mess them up then.”
Elliot gave a slight nod as he watched the other mix the butter and chocolate into a mixture with flour, sugar and powder. Carefully mixing it as he tried not to over-puff the wet dough too much so it wouldn’t be a cakey texture. Then he got two trays, putting down the first layer, then adding some leftover chocolate and finally the leftover mixture on the top. Afterwards, he put the trays in the little freezer they had. This confused the pizza worker, who immediately pointed it out.
“Uh… are you supposed to do that or?”
007n7 was quick to respond, having dusted his hands on his apron. It was tightly wrapped around him as Elliot did have to admit that the other man had a nice figure to him, curves in he right places, you could say. But he wouldn’t ever admit that out loud. Only to himself when he thought no one was looking.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s supposed to stay in the freezer for like two hours before baking, forcing the dough to stay fudgy and not rise too much like a sponge. C00lkidd didn’t like brownies that were like that… so I learned how to make them taste more like the ones you brought at the store.”
The other didn’t want to interrupt, as the story actually made him think of the times he made specific pizzas just for his sister. His face wore a tiny smile as he remembered that... maybe if.. no. What if the other was just pretending? Pretending to be nice to win him over and then hurt him again, like he did countless times already. Was it worth the try anymore?
There was silence again, but it was Elliot who broke it. Stirring the pot with the stew after he added potatoes.
“Mia…my sister… she liked her pizza without crust. Drove me insane at times... had to make special ones for her and cut them off… but it was worth it at the end.”
The other wasn’t sure how to respond as he was really caught off guard by the other speaking about his personal life, but he knew this was now or never. So he leaned over the counter, trying to act as if this wasn’t something to be nervous about.
“Really? Well.. kids are like that.. if they don’t like something they will.. make it painfully obvious.”
“Didn’t you like... feed C00lkidd pizza constantly?”
007n7 immediately shook his head. That was a common misconception he faced when raising that little rascal. He tried his best not to spoil him too much, even if saying no was hard.
“Not really constantly, probably once or twice a week at most. When I was too tired to cook something after work, I made sure he got his vegetables and other foods, so he wouldn’t want him to be unhealthy like I was.”
“Oh, you were unhealthy. I remember those years... but I’m glad to know you found out what a shower is, and how to actually cook something.”
007n7 couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as it was true; he was a broke college student with no life skills, kicked out of his home the moment college rolled around. Thankfully, he didn’t have student debts due to landing a full scholarship after winning multiple coding competitions in high school. That was the only thing going for him at that time.
Dorm life was quiet only when people weren’t in it. There were a lot of exchange students from all over Robloxia. At least he learned a few cool curse words and dances, but hygiene was something he figured out on his own. Especially when he figured that giving away the abandoned baby he found wouldn’t be an option.
Elliot thought for a second that he might have gone too far with that comment, but 007n7 didn’t stay quiet for too long.
“Hah... let me tell you... going from cup noodles to actual meals was something I didn’t think I would ever accomplish… and learning to hide vegetables so C00lkidd would eat them was even harder.”
“Did you try to blend them?”
“There wasn’t a trick I didn’t try to do, but blending them in soups was my go-to, yeah, most important thing being that he doesn’t see the process.”
The pizza boy only listened as he tried the stew with one of the spoons, not being sure of the taste, and he tried it again. Trying to stay engaged in the conversation.
“I guess when he did find out eventually, he wasn’t really happy, huh?”
“Oh, he was livid, said I was poisoning him... betrayal all of it, then after he took a sip, he quieted down and continued to eat. Later, when I did a recipe without them, he said it wasn’t as good.”
“Kids will be kids, uh… can you help me out?”
“Yeah? What is it?”
007n7 immediately rounded the corner as Elliot pulled out another spoon and took a small sample from the stew, turning to the man with some doubt.
“Can you taste it?”
The other didn’t wait too long and took the small spoon, bringing it up to his lips as he dwelled on it for a moment.
“Maybe… a tad more salt? Put some paprika for good measure, too.”
“Now you are speaking my language! Pass me the salt container, please.”
With that, their conversation continued, mostly about cooking.
They did, in fact, have some common ground to speak of. Having cleaned up after themselves, most of the stuff they had done was cooked and put aside for later. As much as they were tired, they did agree to play some games on the little TV upstairs, both not really having touched the video games, as it was the busiest part of the cabin. And getting ten grown men to agree on when someone would use it was a difficult thing when everyone wanted to. Mostly, it was Chance or Noob who hoarded it as they had some games they were making progress on, so neither Elliot nor 007n7 had the opportunity to try them until now.
Having treated themselves to two beers, they were now relaxing after having worked well into the afternoon.
007n7 felt great now that he had gotten to see this side of Elliot more, this side others often saw when he wasn’t on edge.
But that could have been his beer talking; his throat hurt, but he tried to forget about that.
He hoped his liver would be able to forgive him after tonight.
Notes:
hihi nothing more yet!!! I keep teasing you all don't be mad-
Comments are appreciated and I'm very grateful for almost 4.5k hits and 300 kudos! (Very thankful for the fanart and playlist too! <3)
Reminder yall, this is a slowburn- so let me cook-
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