Chapter Text
X found himself sitting on the roof of his and Four’s cabin, looking past at the Playground and hugging his knees. There were some other numbers he saw roaming around on the ground, chatting amongst themselves and seeming friendly with each other. The variable sighed, looking down at his feet when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He didn’t bother to look, already knowing who it would be.
“Hey, X,” Four greeted, his normal loud and strong voice taking a softer tone upon the scene. “Is everything alright?”
X sighed gently, burying his face down in his knees. He had a lot on his mind, yet no idea on how to word it out without it coming as some babbled speech. Four seemed to not mind the hesitation as X tried to form a sentence, waiting patiently for him to be ready to reply.
“I feel like I don’t belong here,” he answered after a minute. “I mean, come on… A single variable surrounded by all of these integers? It makes me feel like a freak of sorts. Nobody calls you guys ‘integers’ but everyone refers to me as the variable…”
Four hummed, hesitating before speaking up. “Well, in all technicalities you don't belong here--” X's lip quivered slightly. “Wait wait! Let me explain, hon. You don't belong here because nobody belongs here. You know the story of your reincarnation, X.”
“But… Why'd you have to make me stand out so much? I mean, I'm the only variable inhabiting the Playground!”
Four turned to X and grabbed his hands gently, looking deeply into his eyes. X stared back, finding himself slowly frowning at the way they looked at him.
“I made you stand out because I love you. I knew that as soon as you were in the Playground, there would be a more comfortable and calm feeling within… You're really special, X, and you're one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
X blushed gently, tearing up a bit. “Oh, Four…”
“You are so special to me, that's why I let you be a variable. Don't you remember all those facts I told you about when you first emerged? Also… Your human name was unique and only to be replaced with ‘Sixteen?’ I already called you ‘X’ as it is!”
“Heh… Stop it.”
Four smiled, taking one of X's hands and kissing it gently. The variable could feel himself getting warmer as they did this.
“So all of this was in connection to my name?”
“Almost everyone's name is. You're just special.”
“Wow, I’m so flattered…”
“Oh, don’t be sarcastic, I see your blush.” Four sighed. “Look, X, I never want you to feel like you don’t belong here. I want you to feel like you deserve your spot here, and that you are the most special person in the whole Playground… I mean, there are no other variables here! And if the other numbers try anything… I’ll bring Hell to them all over again .”
“No no… That won’t be necessary, Four… But I appreciate it, truthfully.”
“I’m serious! I brought them into the Playground, I would gladly kill them again if they did anything to you!”
“Four…”
“I--... Fine, I wouldn’t do that.”
X giggled gently. “Thank you, Foury.”
“Anything for you, darling.”
Four pulled him into a side hug, nuzzling their cheek against his. X grunted gently, snuggling back and smiling. They both sat contently with each other, looking over the Playground as the sun set over the horizon. Four’s eyes widened at the sight of it, X looking up at them and smiling sweetly. They were cute when they were like this.
“I see why Two would go up here all the time,” they mumbled. X grabbed their hand and held it tightly.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it?”
Four nodded, resting their head on one of X’s nubs. X sighed contently, toying with their fingers.
“Hey, Four?”
“What’s up?”
He blinked, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Thank you.”
Four smiled. “For what? Not killing the others again?”
“No, for everything… You’re always there for me and you know how to cheer me up… And if my insecurities were real, you’d beat them to a pulp to make sure they never bothered me! You do so much for me and I wish I could help you the same…”
The blue integer seemed at a loss for words, not expecting that in any way.
“I love you, Four. Thank you so much for always being there for me.”
Four sat in stunned silence before hugging X tightly, holding him close. X smiled, hugging him back and burying his face into his chest. Four closed his eyes, giving X a small kiss on his forehead.
“You’re the best, X… Don’t say you don’t help me the same either! I can’t imagine what I would do without you.”
X smiled, pulling Four in and kissing him gently. Four kissed back, holding the variable even closer than he was before. They held each other in this position for a moment before pulling away and gazing at each other lovingly.
“What do you say to spending the rest of the night like this, without a care and just us two?” Four suggested.
“That sounds wonderful,” X replied, smiling brightly.
They both got up, making their way back down into the cabin. They went to watch B.F.D.I. together, snuggling up together on the couch as Four put it on the TV. The rest of their night was well spent, loving each other and bonding closely with each other. X was grateful to have someone like Four in his life, as they were always there for him. Even if the reason that X was in the Playground was rough… Nonetheless, he was glad about the position they had been in now.
The variable looked up at Four as they snored gently, snuggling against their body and closing his eyes. This moment was nice in contrast to the horrible feeling they had before.
“Good night, Four,” X muttered, groaning and stretching out slightly.