Chapter Text
During their many years working at the colour café. Swatch had met Mr Ant Tenna twice. Both of these times he had been accompanied by Spamton, had spoken little more than a few words to Swatch and overall left a pleasant impression. Even from the few interactions they had shared, it had been clear to them that the two were close. And that Tenna had been important to Spamton. When Swatch had asked about Tenna the first time, Spamton had completely shut down and refused to talk for almost an hour. It had taken a while for Swatch to learn more about Spamton’s past. And a lot of care and attention. But eventually, Spamton had told him about his past friend. About their work together, their somewhat ambiguous relationship. And Spamton had seemed happy. Each second he spent reminiscing showed Swatch a Spamton he remembered. The bright and bold salesman who never let anybody knock him down. That was at least until they got to the phone call. The call that had ruined everything. Transformed Spamton from a successful businessman into the man he is today. The venom in Spamton’s voice had shocked him. It was almost impossible to believe that he was still talking about the same CRT. After that, Swatch had vowed not to bring up Tenna again. Too afraid of losing what progress they had made in building back Spamton’s confidence.
When Ralsei arrived with news that the TV world inhabitants would be moving into Castletown, Swatch had (embarrassingly) panicked a little about how to bring the news up to Spamton. Which is what led them to where they are now. Tail twitching at their side as they sat awkwardly next to Spamton.
“SERIOUSLY [Big bird]. JUST [Spit it out!] ALREADY.” Spamton says, watching each violent flick of Swatch’s tail with a raised brow.
“Right, of course… It’s just-“
“SWATCH.”
“Kris and the others went to TV World, and now all the inhabitants are moving into Castle Town.”
The words come out in a rather jumbled heap, and it takes Spamton a moment to register what they had said. He frowns, it’s barely noticeable, but it's a frown nonetheless. And he glances away, his fist clenching and unclenching as he mulls over his reply.
“EVEN… [Him}?”
“I believe so. Although I have yet to see Mr Tenna, the others have mentioned that he is already set up in the castle.”
There’s a shift in the air around them as Spamton continues to stare down at the ground. The frown becoming more prominent on his face. It gets to a point where the air feels like its beginning to choke them, and Swatch finds themselves regretting even bringing up the TV World. But it wasn’t like Spamton was never going to find out. With the salesman helping them out at the colour café more often than not, he would have seen all the new people moving into Castle Town. They reach out, their hand hovering over Spamton’s back.
“Spamton, are you alright?”
“I WANT T0 [Have a chat!] WITH HIM.”
Now it was Swatch’s turn to frown. That anxious energy from just a moment ago returning with a force. They hadn’t expected this outcome.
“Really? Are you sure that’s the best idea?”
He shrugs, not meeting Swatch’s gaze as he says.
“PROBABLY N0T. BUT I CAN’T [How to avoid your ex.] FOREVER.”
“I suppose.”
In the end, Swatch asks Ralsei to bring Tenna down to the Colour café. There was a small area around the back that was private enough for the conversation Spamton wanted to have. They had originally planned to bring Tenna back to their house. But had decided against it after considering the potential negative consequences. It wouldn’t do Spamton any good if he began to associate the one safe place he had with the TV host. The Colour café, while familiar, was neutral enough ground for a civil conversation. Not that Swatch held any belief that this conversation would remain civil. They’d heard the way Spamton had talked about Tenna after all, and he wasn’t exactly one for hiding his opinions on a person. Swatch tried their best to act collected, while Spamton paced back and forth between the two sides of the alley. His glitches more present than usual as he stressed himself out.
Soon enough, two voices echoed down the alley. One, the familiar voice of Prince Ralsei, while the other Swatch barely recognised. Spamton froze, turning to face the entrance like a deer caught in the headlights. And Swatch followed his gaze. Ralsei and Tenna stood at the entrance, backs turned to the pair as they engaged in a polite conversation with one another. The TV host gesturing widely. Yet somehow stiffly at the same time. The motion limited mainly to his hands. Not much had changed with Tenna’s appearance. He still wore a bright red suit (A suit Swatch was certain Spamton used to own a matching set of his own). The tailcoat framing his tail, which currently hung limp behind him. The TV host towered over the rest of them, even about themselves. It wasn’t until Tenna turned around that the Swatch noticed that something was different with a TV host. And judging by the muffled gasp that Spamton let out, it was clear he noticed it too.
A thin crack stretched across Tenna’s screen. Starting at the top of his screen, around the middle and travelling down in a diagonal line to the bottom left. The black line stood out against the bright white glow of the CRT’s head. So the rumours were true, about the knight. Swatch almost couldn’t believe it. It was a miracle that Tenna had managed to survive that attack, let alone receive so little visible damage. They glanced down at Spamton, expecting the salesman to have made a comment by now. But instead, they found their partner staring at Tenna with barely concealed horror. His glasses filled with that horrible static that never meant good for either of them. They crouched down, grabbing Spamton by the shoulder.
“Spamton?”
“IT CAME TRUE.”
Spamton’s voice was barely a whisper, and Swatch almost didn’t catch what he said. They tilted their head, still trying to get eye contact with Spamton.
“Pardon?”
He jolts, the static leaving his glances in a flash.
“HMM? S0RRY… NOTHING, [5 ways to forget] 1 SAID ANYTHING.”
They frowned. Not liking that tone one bit. Glancing between Spamton and Tenna (Who was still deeply absorbed in his conversation with Ralsei), they asked.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“I NEED [answers.]”
Well, there was no way they could say no to that. Letting out a sigh, they stretch back up to their full height. Dusting off their vest.
“Alright, just… try to keep it civil.”
The two of them made their way down the alley, not close enough to be clearly seen from the entrance. But close enough that the Tenna would be able to see them. Ralsei was the first to notice. Waving politely at them before turning to Tenna to say goodbye. Gesturing over to Swatch and Spamton before walking off. The TV host turned to them with a frown. Or at least, he frowned at Swatch. He didn’t even seem to notice that Spamton was standing right beside them. He heard Spamton let out a small groan of frustration before he called out to Tenna.
“[Trash heap]!?”
Tenna froze. His screen glitching to a flash of static before returning to normal. But it caught Swatch’s attention nonetheless. They’d seen that expression before, on Spamton’s face. When his partner had mentioned how similar they are, they hadn’t expected this. It was almost uncanny the way that they could both slide on a mask of indifference when they weren’t okay. His gaze flickered around the alley before he finally looked down at Spamton.
“Woah Mamma! The rats back!”
Another groan, this one much more glitched than the last.
“I’M NOT A [Vermin!]. IT’S ME [[number 1 rated salesman 1997]] SPAMT0N!”
“Spamton?”
Swatch watched as the TV host tilted his head. The confusion would have been endearing if it were any other situation. The acid had caused major damage to Spamton, and it wasn’t all that surprising that Tenna couldn’t recognise him. But the hurt on Spamton’s face was clear as day. And Swatch couldn’t blame him. They had known each other for so long, after all.
“WHAT YOU DON’T [5 easy ways to remember where you left something!] ME?”
“I remember him perfectly fine. It’s just that you look nothing like him.” Tenna said, leaning down to get a closer look at Spamton
“YEAH, WELL Y0U DON’T LOOK LIKE [A Million bucks] YOURSELF [Trash heap].” Spamton grumbled.
So much for being civil. Swatch fought back another sigh as they butted into the conversation.
“If I may Mr Tenna, I can verify the fact that this is Spamton.”
The CRT didn’t seem convinced, but the forced smile from before quickly disappeared from his screen. Leaving behind only confusion and hurt. Swatch might have imagined it, but it almost seemed like Tenna had shrunk ever so slightly. Now closer to their height than before. His antenna drooped over his face as he studied Spamton with care before saying.
“Oh… So it really is you Spam.”
“DON’T SPAM ME YOU !@%$.” The salesman lunged towards Tenna.
Quickly grabbing Spamton by the shoulder, they turned the salesman around. Before crouching down to look him in the eye. The irritation on his face was clear as day, and Swatch was already beginning to regret agreeing to this conversation. This was going to get them nowhere other than the resentment between the two darkners getting worse.
“You promised me you would be civil.”
“HOW AM I SUPP0SED TO BE [Calm and collected]?” Spamton growled, turning his head around to glare at Tenna before Swatch forced him to look back.
“You told me you wanted answers. But we will get nowhere if you do nothing but insult him.”
“1 KNOW [Easel], BUT…”
Whatever he intends to say is cut off by a groan as he begins to tap the floor sharply with his foot. His head twitching to the side in a way that was painful, judging by the way Spamton winced each time it happened. The stress was getting to him. Even if he didn’t want to show it.
“Look, why don’t I talk to him alone for a while, see what he has to say. “
They tried to keep the offer casual, but Spamton still looked displeased at the idea.
“I D0N’T KNOW, I DON’T [trust us to-] THAT [CRT[.”
“Do you trust me?”
“OF C0URSE! WE HAVE A [D3AL]!” Spamton glared at him.
They slide their hand along the bottom of Spamton’s jaw. Tracing their thumb over the faded red spot on his cheek. Swatch tried their best to give Spamton a reassuring look as their partner only stared back with an exhaustion that was far too common these days.
“So trust me to look out for myself, I’m sure Tenna wants answers just as much as you do.”
Spamton stared at them for a few more seconds, before letting out a defeated sigh.
“FINE, BUT ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES.” He relented.
They slid their hand over Spamton’s shoulders to give it one last reassuring squeeze. Before standing up from their crouched position. Turning around to find Tenna pointedly trying not to look at them. Spamton, on the other hand had chosen to stare at the wall behind Tenna. Purposely avoiding eye contact. The CRT glances over, catching eye contact with Swatch, and jolts. Despite the fact that Tenna had no visible eyes, Swatch could feel the way that the TV host glanced between them and Spamton.
“Is everything alright, folks?” Tenna asks with a sheepish smile.
“Everything's fine, I was just wondering if you’d like to talk to me alone.”
“I wouldn’t want to interrupt-“
“ITS [A-Okay] PAL.” Spamton’s expression said otherwise, “I’LL LET YOU AND [Big bird} HAVE SOME SPACE.”
Swatch gave Spamton a grateful look as the small darkner walked past them. A look that their partner paid no attention to as he grumbled under his breath about CRTs and deals. They gave it a few seconds before they looked back at Tenna. The TV host was clearly uncomfortable, tugging at the bright yellow tie around his neck. It felt strange to receive this sort of reaction. Swatch was used to serving customers, and none of them viewed them as intimidating. But then again, Swatch had no idea what Tenna knew about them. For a moment, there was nothing but silence, and Swatch realised they had no idea where to start this conversation. Well, there was no point beating around the bush. If this feud between the two stars was going to end, then someone had to bring some of the truth to light. Even if Swatch wasn’t exactly the most qualified Darkner to do so. Swatch leaned back against the wall, trying to keep the atmosphere casual as they said.
“He adored you, you know.”
Tenna jolted at this, his screen tinting to a light pink. Before he seemed to fully register the words. He frowned, turning to face Swatch.
“He did?”
The CRT sounded so confused, and Swatch was once again left wondering what exactly had happened between the two for Tenna to doubt this. Swatch had barely seen the two interact, yet even back then, it had been clear to them the adoration the two held for each other. They’d seen the way Spamton would look at Tenna when he thought the TV host hadn’t been looking. How had it shifted into the resentment that Spamton held today? It just didn’t make any sense.
“ When I finally got him to tell me about his past, he wouldn’t stop talking about you, about the work you did together. It was… endearing. It's rare to see him seem so happy these days.”
Some days, they still missed the old Spamton. The arrogant, loud and boastful man who always had to let his opinions be known. The man who would sit at the counter of the colour café and chat to Swatch like they were old friends. They missed his smile. Not the horrid, permanent grin that had been burned into his face. But the genuine smile that he’d give when he was away from the crowd. Everything had changed, and Swatch still didn’t truly understand why. But maybe, now that Tenna was here, they would have the missing pieces to the puzzle that had kept them up at night.
“What happened to him? I still can’t really believe that’s him ya know.”
“I don’t believe I’m the right person to tell you that I’m afraid. But perhaps if you came round sometime, Spamton would be willing to explain it to you.”
They were surprised when Tenna laughed. The sound was full of bitter resentment. While his screen showed a smile, there was something off about it. The edges too sharp, the lines too tight. A showman's smile for when he wanted to start a fight, but didn’t want to cause trouble on air.
“I doubt it.”
“And why is that?”
“…he betrayed me.” The CRT seemed confused that he even had to explain this to them.
Well, Swatch certainly hadn’t been expecting that development. Had Spamton been lying to them? They wouldn’t put it past Spamton, the salesman didn’t have the greatest streak of being honest with them. But the anger in their partner's voice as they explained how Tenna had abandoned him. It didn’t seem fake. Was this the centre? The piece of information that could help shift the tide of resentment that had washed its way into the two's relationship.
“According to him, you betrayed him.”
“What? No, I didn’t! That little mailman offered me the secret to his career. He was about to sign the contract and next thing I know he’s running off and leaving me behind because of goddamn spam call.” Tenna spat out the last few words with a venomous tone.
“Spam call?”
No, it couldn’t be. Please don’t tell them it was all because of-
“Yeah, he left his phone behind. And when I listened, all I could hear was static. I never saw him again after that.”
Swatch felt as their heart sank in their chest. Those calls. It always came down to those stupid calls. At the centre of every problem in Spamton’s life, at the centre of every success. It was always those fucking calls. The reason that Spamton’s body no longer cooperated with him, the reason he flinched whenever the phone at the café started ringing. The reason that Spamton lived in a garbage can for a large chunk of his life. If Swatch ever got their hands on the person behind this all, they were certain they would only be able to ask one thing. Why? Why ruin his life? Why isolate Spamton away from everyone he cared about? It didn’t make any sense. Did they really do it all for NEO? For power? Was Spamton’s life really worth so little in the callers' eyes that they would sacrifice everything he had for an old machine? Part of Swatch would always regret not destroying that thing the first time Spamton had tried to break into the mansion. The same way they regretted that they hadn’t fought harder to help Spamton when he had been driven insane.
“Woah, what’s got you looking so spooked?” Tenna let out a nervous chuckle.
“I don’t think that was a spam call.”
“What?”
They were supposed to be talking about that night, about the two stars. Spamton hadn’t agreed to this. In fact, he’d never even brought this up with Swatch after it happened. But if the phone calls were at the centre of this… maybe just maybe. This would help both of them understand what had happened better. They glance behind them, checking to see if Spamton had decided to listen in. When they couldn’t catch a glimpse of the salesman man they turned back to Tenna with a frown.
“Alright, I can’t tell you everything, but… one day, when I was in Spamton’s room, doing some cleaning, the phone rang. I tried my best to ignore it, but it just kept ringing, over and over, no matter what I did. So I answered it.” Their tail twitched to the side as they recalled the memory. “I don’t have any words to describe what I heard, and before I could even say anything, Spamton walked into the room. And he looked…”
Those black eyes staring at him from the doorway, the stiff nature of his posture. It was all burned into Swatch‘s head. Why hadn’t they noticed back then that something was wrong? Why hadn’t they asked? Could all of this have been avoided? Or had fate determined that Spamton was meant to fall?
“Annoyed?”
“Terrified. He snatched the phone from my hands, asked me if I’d been told anything. And so I told him it was just a spam call. That calmed him down, but he decided to check for himself. And it was the caller.”
The CRT frowned, his antenna drooping. The anger that had shown before had dimmed. Now, only replaced with frustrated confusion. So he didn’t understand. And neither did Swatch. But this was strange, very strange. Had this mysterious caller called that night as well. The night when everything went wrong. It would explain the fear they’d seen in Spamton’s eyes when he rushed past the colour café that night.
“Wait, so Spamton could understand that noise?”
Swatch fought back the urge to snap. That wasn’t noise. That was speech, garbled and haunting. They knew that what they had heard had been words. Uncomprehensible to them. They had been told a secret they could not understand; the caller had spoken to them. They had spoken to Tenna. Yet when they searched for the memory of what was said, all they would find was static. Like the words had been removed from their head.
“I truly don’t know. But whatever he was told terrified him so much he never brought up the phone call to me after that.”
“Yeah, he did seem pretty scared that night now that I recall.” There was a flicker in Tenna’s expression before he asked. “Did he ever tell you about who was calling him?”
“All I know was the person on the other side was his informant. And that’s how he got big. But the phone calls lead to the glitches, and eventually to him getting…”
“What?”
“I can’t-“
“I GOT A [Free vacation if you call now!] IN THE QUEEN’S [[100% Acid]] POOL.”
Swatch felt their heart jump as Spamton spoke up from behind them. And they quickly turned around to face their partner. How long had he been standing there? How much had he heard? They could feel their tail thrashing at their side. Their feathers occasionally brushing against Tenna’s leg.
“Spamton! That was not a few minutes.”
“SORRY [Big bird]”
He didn’t seem all that apologetic. But he did shy away when Swatch glared at him. This man was far too curious for his own good. Glancing at Tenna, the CRT was staring at Spamton with a tight frown. A frown with Spamton shrank away from, backing up until he stood by Swatch’s side once more.
“Is it true, was it really your informant that called you that night?”
Hesitantly, Spamton nodded. And Tenna’s frown deepened into a scowl.
“Were you ever going to tell me your secret?”
“I WANTED TO [Share with friends], 1 DID [Cathode]. BUT HE TOLD ME YOU-“
Spamton forced his jaw shut with his hands, a sudden terror crossing his face. He seemed to wait for something, his eyes darting around the room in panicked motions. The CRT frowned. His finger tapping impatiently against his arm as he tilts his head in curiosity.
“He told you that I was what?”
“HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE [hyperlink blocked]! “
Tenna let out a scoff of annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared down at Spamton.
“I’M [Try again!] TO TELL YOU [CRT]! ABOUT THE [Hyperlink blocked]. ABOUT THAT [dark and stormy night]. I WANTED TO [let me tell you-], I PROMISE. I WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE [Hyperlink blocked].” Spamton let out a glitched yell, turning around to punch a nearby wall “IT ALREADY HAPPENED DAMNIT, JUST LET ME TALK ABOUT THE £&!$%*! [Hyperlink blocked].”
Another yell, this one louder than before. And both the darkner’s watched in horror as Spamton punched the wall, again and again. His knuckles quickly turning black with his blood. It took Swatch a moment to get over their shock, but the moment they did, they reached out to their partner. They’d barely had a chance to move when Tenna reached out to Spamton. The CRT pulls Spamton away from the wall and into a hug. Kneeling on the floor, his arms engulfing Spamton as he holds the salesman to his chest. Even with his change in position, Spamton was still trying to attack. His blows created loud thunks with each hit of the plastic fists against Tenna’s body. And it didn't take long for Swatch to realise what was wrong. The glitch had turned physical. They were used to the sudden jolts of his head, the occasional twitch of a hand. But this? Swatch had only seen something like this happen once, many years ago. And they didn’t know what to do.
Tenna winced with each blow, but he didn’t let go. Cushioning each blow against his chest with ease. It's only when Spamton begins to headbutt the edge of the CRT’s head that Swatch steps in to help. Holding a hand between Spamton’s head and the edge of Tenna’s screen. The episode lasted for almost an entire minute. And the moment it ended, Spamton could do nothing but lean against Swatch’s hand as he tried to catch his breath. The tension that had been building in the air before had completely dissipated. Replaced only with concern over what happened. When it seemed that Spamton had had a chance to calm himself down, Swatch slid their hand through Spamton’s hair, prompting him to look up. From beneath the yellow and pink glasses, they could see the faint shine of tears.
“Are you alright?”
The salesman wiped away his tears with the edge of his sleeve. Nodding meekly up at Swatch.
“I THINK SO.”
Tenna glances between the two of them with a frown. His arms still curled protectively around Spamton’s body.
“Is somebody going to explain what just happened?”
“THAT [Keeps happening], IT’S A [Bonus prize!] 0F HAVING A [[body]] THAT DOESN’T [take control of your life] TO YOU ANYMORE. I SHOULDN’T HAVE [Keep pushing!] SO MUCH, IT WAS [All my fault!!].”
“Ah… So I guess I shouldn’t push on this topic anymore hahahah” Tenna laughs uncomfortably rubbing at the back of his neck.
The CRT’S gaze doesn’t leave the small trickles of blood on Spamton’s knuckles.
“ST0P [Staring into the void] LIKE A [Bad dog!] [CRT]. I WANT TO 3XPLAIN WHY I [[left]], IT’S JUST [select your difficulty] TO GET MY [Points!] OUT SOMETIMES. HE NEVER [hit the like button!] WHEN I PUSHED HIS BOUND ARIES AFTER ALL, BUT 1 ALWAYS FOUND A [Work around].”
What the hell did that mean? He didn’t like it when Spamton… pushed his boundaries? He had just glitched, hadn’t he? Sure, the glitches had started to get worse around the same time the phone calls increased in number, but that had just been the stress, hadn’t it? The way Spamton worded it, it was almost like he was implying the glitches were a punishment of sorts. And wouldn’t that make so much sense, the fear, the frustration. The change in personality. If this caller had been controlling what Spamton could say, then what else could they have done? What else had Spamton been forced to take the blame for? A shudder ran down their spine at the thought. How much deeper did this rabbit hole go?
“What!?”
Spamton flinches at the CRT’s sudden shift and volume. And Tenna jolts away, letting go of Spamton as if only just remembering the fact that he’s holding onto Spamton. But Swatch doesn’t move. Keeping up a level of gentle affection as they ask.
“What do you mean he didn’t like it when you pushed his boundaries?”
“EHAHAHAH DID I SAY THAT?” Spamton rubs at the back of his neck, pointedly not answering the question.
For a moment, there was silence, Tenna’s face glitched briefly before a look of terror flashed onto his face.
“…Did this all happen because of me?”
“[CRT]-”
Tenna cuts Spamton off the moment he begins to speak. His screen glitching again. It flickers for a moment, turning completely dark, and he turns his head down in a look of shame.
“If I hadn’t asked for your secret, if I had just trusted you then maybe-“
“1 WOULD HAVE LEFT NO MATTER WHAT [Trash heap]. I WAS TOO [-afraid of your future?].”
The conversation was beginning to draw attention. More and more onlookers were glancing into the alley to try and figure out what all the commotion was about. Swatch bristled up, trying their best to block Tenna and Spamton from the prying eyes. But it was difficult to block the towering mass that was Tenna. As the two continued to take the blame for what happened (it was becoming eerie just how similar the two men were), Swatch made a noise, drawing the attention towards themselves.
“If I may, gentleman. Perhaps this conversation would be better had indoors.”
They gesture in the general direction of their house. Looking to Spamton for approval. He turns around, catching a glimpse of the people walking by, before nodding to Swatch.
-------
Swatch was slowly beginning to realise that their house was truly only meant for swatchlings to occupy. Where Spamton was too small and had to have multiple stools placed around the place so he could navigate on his own, Tenna was just on the side of too big. He could walk around just fine, but his head was a bit too close to the ceiling for Swatch’s liking. The CRT didn’t seem to mind, however. The TV host sitting comfortably on the large sofa in the living room. Spamton climbed up onto the sofa next to him, while Swatch sat on the opposite end. The tension between the two had lessened after Spamton’s earlier outburst. And if anything, Tenna was staring with a rather guilty expression on his face as Swatch carefully bandaged up Spamton’s hands. They were sure they could hear the sound of the CRT’s fan running. Tenna made a noise, trying to break the strange silence that had settled between them ever since they entered the house.
“Where were you living all these years? Before being brought here, I mean?”
“HEHEHE… I HAD [prime real estate]. NOTHING FOR YOU 2 [Don’t worry about it].“
Swatch gave Spamton a pointed look. This was about honesty, and if Spamton couldn’t even admit he’s been living in a garbage can for years on end then there was no way they were going to make any progress. In response, Spamton groaned. Ducking his head so that Swatch could only see the top of his head. The white of his hair was beginning to show again.
“FINE! 1 WAS [Living rent free!] IN A [GODDAMN GARBAGE CAN]! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO [Can anybody hear me?]”
“A garbage can!?”
A strange pop emitted from Tenna’s speakers as he yelped out the words, causing both Swatch and Spamton to wince. The CRT certainly knew how to project his voice when he needed to.
“NO NEED TO [[Shout to the heavens!!]] [Big shot].”
The CRT blushed, covering his mouth with his hand. And he once again seemed to shrink down a few sizes, this time to a degree where Swatch was certain they hadn’t imagined it.
“I didn’t mean to- I- A garbage can, really? Did you not have anyone else you could go to? Not even the other Addisons?”
Spamton let out a sharp bark of laughter.
“HA! THOOSE AS$%@*! LEFT ME THE MOMENT I [Want to make it big?]. THERE WAS [[No]] WAY I WAS [Crawling on my knees] BACK TO THOSE GUYS FOR [Help me].”
“Then what about Swatch?”
The salesman paused, frowning as he turned to look back at Swatch with a guilty expression. Swatch was sure a similar expression was reflected on their own face. Neither of them particularly liked to talk about their past. It had caused such a strain on their friendship in the past, after all. That’s why they had the deal. But if Tenna was to know everything, then he needed to know about this. They gave a small nod of encouragement to their partner, trying their best to flatten their feathers to appear less agitated. It didn’t work that well.
“WE WEREN’T EXACTLY [[Pals]] AT THE TIME.”
“Really? You two seemed to get along just fine.”
Fine was one word for it. But that day in the mansion had changed everything. The day that Spamton was evicted. The day he changed from a valued customer to an everyday thief that Swatch had to deal with as part of their duties. It had broken everything between them. But of course, Tenna wouldn’t know that; he hadn’t even known Spamton had been kicked out of the mansion. Had there not been rumours? Petty guesses as to where Spamton had vanished off to? He had made such a presence for himself that it felt strange that he had vanished from the spotlight so easily.
“I- HE…”
Spamton trailed off, his expression going dark. Swatch was quick to jump in, tugging Spamton closer to their side. Trying to snap him back to reality before his mind ventured too far. This day was truly the day where everything from the past was finally brought to light. It felt freeing in a way, but that didn’t change the fact that Swatch didn’t like to talk about the basement and its contents. It was one of the few things in their life that they wished they could just remove from their memory. They could feel Spamton shuddering against their side, but the dark tinge to his glasses had dissipated. When it became clear that Spamton wasn’t going to continue his explanation anytime soon. They cleared their throat. Bringing Tenna’s attention away from the shaking puppet at their side.
“While I can’t explain it as well as Spamton. From what I understand, this caller convinced Spamton that the only way he could fix anything was by retrieving something from the Queen's basement. And it was my duty at the time, as head butler, to stop him from doing so. It made our relationship… tense to say the least.”
“HE TOLD ME I COULD REACH [Heaven.]”
The sudden despondence to Spamton’s voice sent a chill down their spine. The salesman wasn’t looking at either of them, his gaze somewhere. Far off to a distant place that Swatch was sure they didn’t want to go to. But Tenna only looked more confused. Swatch couldn’t blame him. The explanation he’d been provided was sparse, to say the least.
“Heaven?”
“I WOULDN’T BE A [[Puppet]] ANYMORE! I WOULD BE [free], ALL I NEEDED WAS [[NEO]] AND I WOULD BE A [Big shot] ONCE MORE.” Spamton jumped up, slipping out of Swatch’s hold and moving closer to Tenna. “NO MORE [[Strings]], NO MORE [I’m sorry, make it stop!]. NOBODY COULD STOP ME FROM REACHING [Heaven!]!!”
He sounded manic. Just like the first time, Swatch had stopped him from breaking into the mansion. Heaven, freedom, None of it made any sense. Sometimes Swatch wondered if that’s what Spamton was even saying. If their name were to come out as Big Bird, or easel, more often than not. Then who's to say that heaven wasn’t something else entirely?
“But wasn’t this caller the reason you fell off in the first place? Why did you trust him?”
“I HAD NO CHOICE!!!”
They winced at the sudden volume of Spamton’s voice. His voice crackled and popped, as if his voice box couldn’t physically handle what he was doing.
“Spamton-“
They tried reaching out and grabbing onto their partner, but Spamton jerked out of their hold once more. Gesturing widely at Tenna as he walks closer and closer. The CRT had to tilt his head down at an almost 90-degree angle to keep Spamton in his line of sight. He seemed to physically shrink away from Spamton. Although whether it was out of guilt or the sheer volume of Spamton’s voice, they didn’t know.
“D0N’T YOU GET IT[ TRASH HEAP]. I L0ST EVERYTHING. MY [[9-5]], MY [Friend request accepted], MY F$@%!&*; DIGNITY. THAT [Answer the phone, don’t ignore me] RUINED EVERYTHING. AND 1 HAD TO [[Watch here]] FROM THE [Goddamn garbage can!!] AS YOU CONTINUED TO [Growth!]. TO F0LLOW THE [Sweet dreams] THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED 2 FOLLOW [Together forever].”
“But that wasn’t my fault! You left me behind. You wouldn’t answer any of Mike's calls! What else was I supposed to do!?“
As Tenna yelled back at Spamton, Swatch was certain they caught a glimpse of sharp fangs in the CRT’s mouth. Accompanied by a low rumbling noise not all too dissimilar from a growl. As if his fans had begun to grind against something in his chest. Spamton faltered, anger sizzling away into shock.
“WELL I…[Mike!]? HE…[[Call us now to win]]?”
They didn’t miss the way Spamton flinched as the glitch perfectly replicated Tenna’s voice for a second. But that was buried to the back of their mind as they stared at the hope in Spamton’s eyes. He seemed to lean closer to the CRT, waiting with an anticipation which the salesman had only given to his calls. Tenna tilted his head. Frowning as he considered Spamton for a moment.
“I kept begging him to. We were both worried about you Spam, you’d been acting off for a while, and then you just vanished. But after a while I began to assume that…” Tenna’s screen flickers briefly as he talks. “ I thought you left because you didn’t need me anymore.”
“BUT THE D3AL-“
“What deal, Spamton!? You never finished signing it. All I had was a half-finished contract and no communication to suggest that you intended to sign it.”
The salesman tries his best to shuffle back towards Swatch. But he’s not very subtle about it. And Tenna tries his best to give him some space by leaning back in his seat. Although it does little to change the way he towers over Spamton.
“News doesn’t exactly travel to the TV world when no one wants to visit anymore. You left, and that was it. I mean I heard about your career but I didn’t know you were…”
“[Mentally unstable]?”
“Hurt. I was furious, I still am, but Spamton you have to believe me if I had known what was happening I would have tried to find you… I never wanted to give up on what we had like that.”
It’s silent for a while, Tenna’s confession weighing heavy in the air. But eventually Spamton crawls closer. Hesitating for just a second before resting one of his bandaged hands on Tenna’s arms.
“FOR WHAT IT'S [great values for-, [Big shot!]. I’M [Sorry, don’t leave me.] THAT I LEFT. I REALLY DID WANT TO [Seal that deal!] WITH YOU.”
Tenna gives Spamton a smile, and for the first time, it feels genuine to Swatch. The CRT’s tail curls loosely around Spamton’s body. Returning the touch he had been offered. Not wanting to ruin the peaceful atmosphere the two had managed to create. Swatch tries their best to keep the conversation going.
“If I may, what is this deal you two keep talking about?”
“Spam and I were going to have a TV show. A proper one, not just the one he’d join me on occasionally.”
“IT WAS GOING TO MAKE [Tv time!] LOOK [Sad? Depressed-] IN COMPARISON.” Spamton gestures widely with his hands as he speaks.
“Is that so?”
The stars seemed delighted to talk about the ideas they had for the show. Explaining it as best as they could. And when they had finished their conversation simply moved on to something new. Watching the two together, Swatch felt as if they had been transported into their past. Back to a time when seeing Spamton laugh was a daily occurrence rather than something that only happened once in a blue moon. The two former stars knew how to keep a conversation going. And they found they didn’t mind. The charming nature of the two of them created a sense of normalcy around this whole situation. Tenna easily slotting into the usual be and flow of their day. Into their home. In fact, the conversation had been going so well that nobody had noticed how much time had passed.
“Oh! Is it that time already? I should probably head back to the castle, Ralsei said he had something to show me.”
The CRT seems reluctant to do so, but he stands up from the sofa. His tail brushing briefly against Spamton’s side in what appeared to be a purposeful gesture.
“LEAVING S0 [soon] [[Big shot!]]?”
The CRT shrunk down again, his hands clasping and unclasping as he says.
“Sorry…”
Spamton lets out a snort.
“DON’T [I’m sorry.], [Cathode] I WAS JUST TEASING.”
Speaking of being transported into the past, the two were staring at each other with a strange look in their eyes. One that Swatch knew all to when well. Glancing between the pair, it was clear neither of them was going to make a move. So Swatch decided to do it for them.
“We’ll both be at the new colour café tomorrow, if you'd like to visit.” They kept their tone casual, not wanting to put any pressure on the CRT.
Tenna visually brightened. His posture straightening out as he smiles at the two of them.
“Really?”
“YEAH! COME [Join us-] [Trash heap.] WE NEED TO [Catch up on-]!”
“I’ll consider. I’m glad we could clear these things up, Spam.” As Tenna begins to walk towards the door, he hesitates for a moment. Pausing just before he walks out the front door, turning back to Spamton to say. “ I missed you.”
The noise that Spamton lets out is best described as garbage noise crossed with a dial-up tone. The CRT gives no reaction to the noise, as he’s already left the building. But Swatch was trying their best to hide their laughter with their hand. After a couple of seconds, that noise cuts off, and Swatch manages to get their laughter under control. They turn to their partner and pause. Spamton was still staring helplessly at the door, his cheeks tinged the faintest of pinks. Interesting. Their expression shifts as they feel a strange tug at their chest. Sentimentality maybe. After all, it had been years since Swatch had seen Spamton look at Tenna like this. The pure and hopeless longing that he had always tried desperately to hide. The same way the salesman would look at him whenever he thought Swatch wasn’t looking.
“You still like him, don’t you?”
The salesman jolted, as if he had forgotten Swatch was there. And the soft pink on his cheeks darkened into something more vibrant. They knew it. They knew they recognised that expression. For all the skills Spamton had gained during his career, he always had a terrible poker face. They chuckled at their partner’s startled expression. Although they decided to take mercy on him when the shock shifted into something too close to panic for Swatch’s liking. That wouldn’t do, that wouldn’t do at all. They had a plan in mind (Plan wasn’t the best choice of words, but they weren’t sure what else to consider it) , but they needed Spamton for it to work.
“I forgot how charming he was.”
“HA! CHARMING? YOU MEAN [I’m happy to help you!]. THAT [CRT] NEEDS TO [[5 tips to get better at] [[Free anger management]] ONCE IN A WHILE.”
“Is that what you wanted? For him to get angry at you?”
There’s a beat of silence before Spamton turns away from him with a frown. That gloomy atmosphere from earlier returning with a vengeance.
“…I DESERVED 1T.”
“You were being used. Manipulated. You needed help, and Tenna needed someone who could support him. It just wasn’t the right time for you two.”
Spamton’s gaze snapped back up to them in an instant. Curiosity piqued by what Swatch had just said.
“RIGHT [What’s the time?]”
“Yes, and now that you two have had a chance to talk things out perhaps you could?” They trail off at the end, hoping Spamton will fill in the blanks on his own.
“ARE YOU [Tell me your suggestions] WHAT I THINK Y0U'RE SUGGESTING [[Hot stuff]]?”
There’s a caution to his gaze, like this whole suggestion might just be a trap. But beneath that was longing and hope. Swatch smiled in a way they hoped was reassuring. Shuffling closer to the salesman until their bodies brushed against one another.
“Yes, that is if you would like to do this as well. You know him better than me, after all.”
“I- I DON’T WANT TO F%$@ IT UP [Again and again].”
There’s a sense of hatred in the words. A hatred that had been left to simmer for far too many years. It was something Swatch had come to expect. Spamton never seemed to talk about his past without finding some way to bring himself down.
“Well, you haven’t messed up with me so far. In fact, I think you’ve been brilliant.” They brush their hand against Spamton’s back, feeling the way their partner leans into the touch like a man starved. “You can’t predict the future, darling. The only way to know if this will work out is to try.”
He lets out a staticky sigh.
“I [Hate] 1T WHEN YOU MAKE SENSE.”
“I know you do. Now, how about we make some dinner, we can go over our plans for tomorrow once you’ve had some time to think it over.”
The pair make their way into the kitchen, followed by a strange buzz in the air. A mixture of anxiety and excitement. It hung over them as they went about the rest of their day. As they discussed what they hoped would come out of tomorrow. And with each passing hour, the two grew more confident in what they wanted, what they wished for. They talked of the past and of their failures. Of memories that had grown bitter with the passing of time. And as they dreamed of a future where two became three, tomorrow grew closer and closer.
There’s no way to know what tomorrow will bring you. But maybe, if you’re lucky, you will find the piece to you that has been missing all this time.