Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I picked up my totally legal pen, opening the leather diary and began to write down scribbles in a pattern that read

“I, Carlos, have been working on a new scientifically interesting discovery! I’m in the lab currently with Cecil, my boyfriend, and we’re the only ones here. Cecil wanted to keep me company while I work over time but he’s been touching everything! Such a menace in the lab I tell you.

He’s already broken two beakers, made an explosion, and almost blew up the microwave! Hes lucky I love him so much

Cecil is messing with something I’ll continue writing after I deal with him…”

Closing the journal, I set it down on the table. I ran over to Cecil and grab his tattooed arm
“Cecil! Stop you’re gonna break it or cause another explosion!” I sighed

Cecil whined “c’mon babe, I just wanna know what the color yellow and white do when mixed!”

I was about to scold him before I paused “I… actually why haven’t we tried that yet?” I could see Cecil’s eyes light up as he grinned, taking my question as a ‘go ahead’ and mixed the two colors before I could protest.

Suddenly I saw Cecil’s hands shake as he dropped the beakers breaking them, the liquids began moving in a circular motion as the colors yellow, white and black created a vortex of some sort, Cecil looked in awe as I stared in confusion.

Suddenly Cecil stood up and approached the portal, I normally would’ve yelled at him to get back but this was so interesting! So we held hands as we both went through the portal, unaware of what would happen next…

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??? POV

On route 800 I skipped through excitedly, I was going to go visit my dearest double and his boyfriend(whom looks similar to my love Charles) oh how exciting! I held the smiling knife with a firm grip as I glided its cold texture against old scars on my face that formed a smile, not enough pressure to make the skin break obviously.

I saw a sign that read “welcome to night vale” and I knew I had finally arrived.

As I entered night vale I walked around somewhat sneakily, I still found it strange how dark it could get over here and how the sun could actually set, soon I found a lab I assumed belonged to my doubles darling, I entered it and saw a yellow vortex mixed with white and black, assuming that’s where Cecil Palmer and the scientist were, I jumped in without a second thought.
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When I awoke again, everything was dark, it sounded as if I were underwater yet as if nothing was there, a meaningless empty void so full yet empty. Not a single speck of color or light that could confirm where I was, an endless night as if day never knew it was meant to be, as if the darkness was the only thing both terrifying and comforting. I miss the sun.

Suddenly a voice ringed in my ears, it sounded like it echoed “well who are you little sunshine? How’d you end up here”

I stuttered at first before speaking “there.. uh- was this really beautiful vortex that appeared… I just couldn’t resist going through it! Oh and I was looking for some dear friends of mine”

Finally I saw a strange looking man appear, I couldn’t see him completely considering most of his body blended in with the void, but he had a clock like thing covering one eye, the time set to 4:32 if you were wondering. He wore a suit and seemed to be around the height of 5’9. Then he spoke- his voice like honey “well sunshine, you look rather.. beat up?”

I giggled, shaking my head no “this is just my style mr, and the scars are rather welcomed”

He seemed to smile and nod, oh how we were going to get along splendidly!

It turns out his name is TimeKeeper or settings person, in my opinion timekeeper is much nicer to say, my new friend told me he’s been trying to find a way out of this empty void and honestly I’m with him on that, it’s so dark and lonely here.

Well, however long I’m here for, at least timekeeper seems kind so that’s good! A productive new friend who smiles! Ah we’ll be bestest of friends I just know it!

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Stanley’s POV

I fluttered open my eyes seeing the same old computer that didn’t actually work, the screen flashing as if begging me to type.

I stood up, hearing pops in my back as I stretched, I walked out of the familiar office. Hearing the familiar dialogue as I walked past the room.

Suddenly I heard a loud thump. I got confused and turned around, the narrator spoke his British accent heavy “be careful Stanley.. I do Not know what that was…”

This told me everything I needed to know— that this was not part of narrators plan, I turned the corner and saw two men, one dressed like a scientist- the other seemed like he could be a streamer with horrible fashion sense.

They spoke in hushed whispers- one looking around and spotting me- I grew hot with embarrassment and also nervousness. I’ve never seen another person for… god knows how long… well actually narrator might know but he won’t tell me.

The man who had horrible fashion sense spoke first, his voice average for a man, yet smooth “well hello there uh- Stanley was it?”

Instantly all embarrassment disappeared and all that was left was cold fear. How did he know my name? Narrator definitely didn’t tell them and I know for a fact I didn’t.

I opened my mouth as to speak knowing I couldn’t, still having the chance that the narrator was just a voice in my head it was easier for me not to ask him for help. I just really Hope they know sign language…

[how do you know my name?]

I questioned, the scientist seemed to understand what I’d ask and spoke “he.. we.. uhm- we saw on a board somewhere that said “Stanley,427” and you have the number 427 on you so we just assumed heh…” I couldn’t tell if he was lying.

I nod, before asking my second question…

[and who exactly are you two?]

Chapter Text

Cecil spoke calmly, he was a bit jittery at the fact they were away from his beloved town, so many lights were starting to hurt, it was kinda cold, this wasn’t a desert. He looked at the man, Stanley, finally he responded. “I’m Cecil Palmer and this is my boyfriend Carlos, we accidentally wound up in this strange place; I hope that doesn’t alarm you”

Cecil couldn’t understand a word Stanley was signing, but Carlos could, and Carlos was translating to him. Stanley waved his hands around in some more strange motions before Carlos responded. “We come from a desert town, you probably don’t know it.”

Stanley shrugged before a loud British voice spoke “And how did you two arrive if I may ask?”

This scared the two new friends, they tried to locate the voice before Cecil finally settled, he giggled “we were messing around in a lab—“ Carlos cut him off “he was, I was trying to get him under control.” Cecil continued as if he wasn’t interrupted “and we accidentally made a portal! Isn’t that fun? A new discover by the amazing Carlos”

Carlos had his face turn a little red from embarrassment “you’re the one who made it though”

Cecil smiled “but it was your equipment!”
Carlos sighed, he wasn’t gonna continue this, the four chatted, learning more about each other, unaware of some good old friends. Oh and the narrator knows the two were lying about the board!

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Kevin wondered if he could light up the place, maybe even make heat, it was dark and cold but it wasn’t lonely, he assumed timekeeper was use to the coldness but Kevin was not.

He scratched at his arms as he felt fear bubbling in his chest. I miss the sun. He looked around trying to find anything that’d resemble the sun or heat. I miss the sun.

He remembered about his knife, pulling it out and staring at it, the blood of those he had welcomed had stained it.

His smile grew wider as he stared at it, he couldn’t tell if he was more upset or more grounded. I miss the sun.

That’s weird, the same thought that he wasn’t thinking yet it was coming from his head, yes he did in fact miss it, but it isn’t his thought thinking that.

I miss the sun. You see? There it is again, he was puzzled now, putting his knife away as he begun to wander. Timekeeper was also wandering, apparently timekeeper could find him really easily so Kevin wasn’t worried about getting “lost” if that’s even possible in this messed up place.

Kevin was left alone with his thoughts as he took one step after another, the timekeeper was so nice, Kevin wanted to be nice as well. Kevin wanted to greet timekeeper in a traditional fashion.

He wondered what timekeeper blood looked like, timekeeper’s whole body was different, sure he’s seen weird but nothing like timekeeper, speaking of timekeeper he seemed amazed at Kevin’s face, the blacked out eyes, the scars, he actually seemed to like them.

That was new, Kevin of coursed loved them but for some reason others didn’t, timekeeper seemed to adore them though, he was always looking at them, it was kinda nice.

It’s so cold, Kevin begun shivering as he stopped walking, he sat down hoping timekeeper would distract him from the coldness soon.

No light, no sun, and no heat, this was starting to get scary. Where was the timekeeper? The void was so empty besides him and Kevin.

Wait that’s rude! Kevin didn’t know timekeepers pronouns oh how silly, he needs to be using they/them, maybe timekeeper is gender-fluid, they seemed so feminine yet masculine, their voice was strange as well.

The timekeeper finally came back, “tuckered out sunshine?”
Kevin giggled “oh not at all! That wouldn’t be good”

Timekeeper smiled warmly, he- no they sat next to Kevin, “so how as your search been going?”

Kevin shrugged, it could be going better but it wasn’t the worse, it was still so cold though, he decided to ask “can you create things here? Or perhaps make it warmer?”

Timekeeper shook his head “unfortunately no, I cannot”

Kevin frowned, but only for a second because then his smile became greater “then how about let’s continue looking for an exit!”

Timekeeper smiled and nodded, the two continued their search, talking about small things but never asking about where the other was from or who they actually were.

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The narrator observed the three walking around and chatting, how did the blond man know Stanley’s name? This didn’t make sense.

He kept quiet at his studio, no longer narrating as he was lost in thought before sighing, “the three men chatted away, unaware about their unexpected demise”

That made all three of them stop in their tracks, Stanley assumed they would reset but the other two didn’t.

Carlos looked the most frightened as Cecil shook his head “I have not earned it yet dear narrator”

This confused narrator, didn’t earn it? Earn death or life? This was greatly confusing, what was more confusing is he was reading off a new script that appeared in front of him, the author of it had sighed it…

The authors name was blurry though, as if narrators glasses stopped working, weird