Chapter Text
Heavy winds hit the hotel, and rain spattered against the window harshly. Dark, oh so dark and stormy. Lightning struck, lighting up the world for a split second, and then the thunder came. The roar shook the hotel. Fortunately, this was more regular than the other storms the hotel had previously been through, much less damaging to the hotel, the guests, and the plant life around it.
Lights flickered, or— atleast the one in the hallway did. The hotel room was small, cozy, but big enough to fit two people. The bed was dark blue, a lighter yellow star pattern running along the sheets, and matching with the curtains. The floor was carpeted, which was nice, and not cold to the touch like tiles would be. Next to the bed lay a small tan couch. It was a fold out couch, but it never got used so there was no need.
The light from the hallway seeped in through the bottom of the door, small amounts of the room glistened. The grey walls seemed to close in, tighter and tighter. A small alarm/digital clock lay beside the bed on a nightstand, letters in red, glowed dimly read: 2:02 a.m. Gross.
Likely, the patrons checked into the hotel were sleeping. The contestants as well, figuring they have no where else to stay. Four kicked the top layer off, getting too warm and uncomfortable underneath it. That didnt help, the bed itched, poked, and prodded at him. They spread their limbs out across the sheets, trying to get slightly more comfortable.
Each moment ticked away one by one, the analog clock buzzing slightly as the rain slowed down. The winds whirled with excitement and the trees lost their leaves, conjuring at the base of the hotel. Racks and shelves shook with fear as the building quaked. Clouds hid the sky, grey, pouring out onto the world.
The other side of the bed was oddly empty. Four turned to the side, gazing at nothing but the blank and bored wall that the bed lay up adjacent to. He stared, unnervingly. The wall seemed to get closer, and closer. Four sat up abruptly, looking back to the empty spot in the bed. They sneer, hissing into the quiet room.
Each moment that passed was insufferably quiet, but oh so loud. The wind sounded like banging in Fours’ eardrums, but the moment it stopped was unbearable. X’s soft snores didnt fill the room, and Four hated it. He couldnt get under the covers, it was too hot, so sweaty and gross. But he was cold, the moment he wasnt under the blankets he shivered, chills running through him.
Flopping back onto the bed, they grab X’s —empty— pillow and hug it tightly. Their tail lashes and whiskers twitch. Their eye twitches irritably as tears prick at him, forcing their way out of his face. Math— they think, earning a sniffle from himself. He brings a hand up and wipes his face, smearing tears farther. This is pathetic.
Time ticked away, and the pillow got more damp by the second. Four stretched his arms further and squeezed tight. His face scrunched angrily, and he pushed the pillow away. Four jumped slightly as the wind picked up, the window trembling.
The blue intger and variables room was on the Third Floor, for whatever reason. They shared one, with Two down the hall, a bit closer to the stairs. He always wondered why it was on the third floor. Just the three of them. Maybe that was why. It was nice, sharing a room with X. Working at the hotel together. X always wanted to work in a big building for cooking. When they heard Two needed cooks… X dragged Four over, not literally. Eventually, they gave in and came to the hotel. X just.. had that affect on him. He missed X horribly already.
They stood, legs shaking, using their tail as balance against the floor. The clock whirled. Four grabbed the wall and walked to the bathroom, flipping on the light with a finger. He growled at his reflection, slumping over onto the bathroom counter. It was cool, the material —marble— was nice to the touch. The carpeted floor cut off, and Fours feet slid back a bit the more he stood there.
There wasnt much to do, his room was empty and lifeless without his friend X.
Groaning, he grabs a sheet or two of toilet paper from the far side of the bathroom and tears it in two— augh— before wiping across his face. He draws back and throws it in the trash, sniffling.
The mirror looked back at him, mockingly. The clock whirled. The hotel shook. The winds blew. X was gone. The silence was loud, so loud. The rain and winds had gotten tuned out in Fours mind. Usually they had an abundance of thoughts and feelings, however the thing that uncovered him the most was that… it was silent. Everything around them was so quiet it hurt almost.
Four blames the Profile Picture. They never did like them, not a whole lot. They grew on him a bit, sure, and definitely on X. That’s why his best friend was gone. Four grips his head, leaning against the wall tiredly. Oh… X… This was much more difficult than before. Living in the ruins, or even before that. Separate houses, seeing eachother and parting wasnt so difficult as it was now. Four almost felt a dependance on the other. Sure, they weren’t in love but… he needed the other. Having X there made them calmer, more happy and less angry at the world. At themselves… Each little moment was so amaz… Four trailed off in his thoughts, frowning deeply.
X wasn't here. He reminded himself, hufing and walking out of the bathroom, their face seting a mix of frustration and sadness. They hated touch- it felt like bugs under their blue skin and they hated it. When X hugs them.. it all fades. Their skin is warm and they melt into the touch happily. Everything else felt horrible, prickly and itchy. Four misses the feeling of that every night, even if it had only been-
Four glanced to the digital clock. 28 hours. Four was getting impatient for tomorrow, walking and pacing around their room. They couldnt sleep, they havent slept. After a few minutes, he stopped in place, holding his hands in fists, staring at the floor.
Slowly, their eyes rose to look at the clock. 20 minutes had passed- they groaned at the number. 2:22 a.m… why was Four seeing Two in everything? Their eye twitched, irritated. The very thought of the green integer made Four gag, but their mind raced with thoughts of them. (Thank math for that. It wasnt silent anymore.)
Their mind was racing, breathing heavily, standing in the center of the room. Shakey legs walked over the the bed, falling to the floor and faceplanting into the bedside. Hands gripped the sheets agressively, pained and mad. Two, Four thought, angrily. Maybe they could fill in-… Two was a bit taller overall.. multiple constants said they gave nice hugs- he bets they are warm-
Four snapped out of it. Ew, no way they thinking about cuddling with Two of all integers? Four let their hands go limp and fall beside him, melting into the side of the bed. Four was tired, so tired, yet they missed X too much to even sleep.
The sheets felt nice… slowly Four began to sink and get comfortable, closing their eyes. The bed was warm in contrast to Four's cold body. As much as they were trying, the bed poked and made him itchy, waiting for sleep. But nothing happened. Sleep didnt come for them, which upset Four even more. They blinked their eyes open, seeing a flash of green. He got up quickly, stumbling a little. Their face got warm. Nothing was there but the bed and his empty room. His tail moved against the floor angrily.
Four rubbed his face, hands scratching the base of their whiskers. Maybe the delusions were getting to him. They wanted nothing more to grab something and just fall asleep. Two shot through their mind once more. Math. Why was this happening? Four hated every moment of it.
Groaning and huffing, they faced the door, debating on whether they should actually go to Two’s room or not. One one hand, he hated the other host with with burning passion, and it was well known why. Among other things, bfb 16 specifically— Two was overall too joyful, wanting the best out of every conversation possible. Two was nice, kind, sure— even if they were a bit snarky when needed. The more Four thought about it, the more he just wanted to seize their arms around them. The mere throught made them so warm, but at the same time made them want to throw up.
Carefully, Four inches towards the door. Step by step, they reached the door. His hands shook as they reached towards the door handle, placing a hand around it and holding it there. Was this really necessary..? Four could just not sleep, that would be fine! He didn't need to go see Two of all numbers, no that was stupid. They let go of the door handle and took a step back, glancing at the bed behind him. His face flushed, body gruelling and warm. There was a possibility Two wasnt even awake at this hour, so really there was no point.
The clock whirled.
They couldn't read the clock from this far away. He squinted, yet sighed and gave up on trying to see the time quickly. They were almost frozen in place. Despite how warm they felt, there was almost a numb and cold sensation, closing around him. Their mind was racing again, mostly about Two. He should go see them, they could help! The stupid Profile Picture— this was their fault. Emotions ran over them, mostly in a mix of anger and resentment, but they couldn't help but want the others touch, how much they craved it. To sleep, to doze off finally and get some sort of rest.
Cooking without X was a struggle, staying on his feet all the more. Each time he moved he felt like toppling over. Exhausted for no reason whatsoever. These past 2 days had been the absolute worst ever.
Four had done this before. Writing BFB episode scripts all day and night, preparing challenges and how the shots would be filmed, building props or meeting friends. This wasnt new to him. Why were they struggling woth staying up more now? He growled angrily as the rain hit harder against the hotel, his sound being drowned out.
It's almost like the door was calling to him. Telling them to go see Two, they could help, but Four shook his head, balling his hands in fists as he stumbled and leaned against the wall. No. Absolutely not. Their eyes squeezed shut, trying to push Two out of their mind, yet failing. Each time they thought about it, their mind ran through scenarios on how it would go. How their interaction would end up. Maybe Four would knock, and no one would answer. Perhaps Two would say no (which in reality would never happen) and send Four back to his room. Maybe they would end up in their bed… next to eachother. Warm, not in the uncomfortable itchy way his own bed made him feel. Maybe he would lean over and—
They breathed out harshly, blinking a few times in order to shake the thought. Anxiety built up, knowing he should go to Two, yet not wanting to. His tail flicked in annoyance of himself.
The moments that passes weren't great. Four grabbed the door handle agressively, turning it and opening the door, slinking outside once it was owned wide enough, and slowly but surely closing it, quietly. He stepped out into he middle of the hallway, stepping down door by door, knowing they were all empty.
A gold door, matching the rest of the floor, with a fancy ‘2’ engraved into it. Reaching out a hand, he knocked loudly 4 times, stepping back and waiting.
Four heard shuffling behind the closed door, and suddenly it swung open, a tired Two holding papers and rubbing their eyes in the doorframe. They glanced down, expecting to see a contestant or patron in need of assistance, yet— they saw Four. They raised an eyebrow at them suspiciously. The green number took a glance in their room, then back down.
“Yesss Four? It is a little late.. is uhm. Everything alright?” They said, voice wavering a little. Their antennae twitched slightly. Two gripped the sheets of paper in their hand, Four glanced saw it was plans for the next TPOT episode. Four had done this one too much.
After a moment, Two spoke again from the others silence, beginning to get nervous. “Its late.. why are you up?” They asked. Four just stared, face hot. His tail lashed against the floor.
“Why are you up?” He shot back, eyebrows raising. Two sighed, leaning on the doorframe. Four could assume what they were gonna say, but in all honestly they wanted to prolong this conversation for as long as possible, not wanting to ask the question they actually came here to ask.
“Wish I wasn't, really. Plans.. scripts… pay for you and X. I'm tired, but I have to get it dont by the end of the week or- or-” They trailed off, laughing nervously and scrunching the papers. “Yeah- well short version is paperwork. At. 2:42… am.”
Four glanced at the crushed papers in their hand. “Why are you here, Four?” They repeated for a third time, yawning tiredly.
“X.. Isnt here…” He mumbled out, his eyes shooting to their bedroom across the hall. “I cant sleep.” Oh how unfortunately true that was. Four always had sleeping issues, and X was a good fit to help that- help him in general with his… issues— which Four seemed to have an abundance of.
“Oh!” They giggled, tail wagging slightly, and Four was horribly embarrassed by the response, slightly angry. Who responds like that? After a moment, the number continued. “I’m sorry about that. Would you.. uhm— like to come in? We could… talk.” They suggested happily.
Every fiber in Four’s being wanted him to scream out no, laser blast them, and walk back to his room. Their mind hated this, even being in their presence they wanted to gag. “Sure.” He spat out, tensing up at his own words. His face warmed as Two opened the door wider, smiling gleefully as ever, even when tired. They backed up, letting Four slip inside their room.
Twos room was… more bland than Four thought it would be. Compared to the rooms, themes and colors, there was no relation from the other rooms to theirs. Floor carpeted like all the others, a pale red as the sheets and curtains. A nightstand with nothing but a lamp on it, and a tv across from the bed. A desk with a chair. Decently empty, almost no personal items whatsoever.
Four couldnt help but stare and look around, this room not fitting Two the way he thought it would. He thought it would be more… colorful, for one. Two was what others described as ‘a bundle of joy’… and that they were. Happy no matter the situation— of course there were certain times where that would fade. Two’s room didn't reflect that at all.
“You okay?” Two's voice broke their thoughts, british accent heavy. “Fine.” Four responded, whiskers twitched, rolling his eyes at the other. They looked at him, not completely believing them in all honestly.
Two blinked at them. “You can sit on the bed, if you want.” They said with a smile, their gaze softening slightly at the blue numeral. Four took a moment, staring at Two absently. Without a word, he huffed and sat down, sinking into the bed slightly, hands resting atop the blanket. It was soft.. really soft.
They stared at where their blue hand met the bed, and Two was horribly concerned. No screaming occurred yet, no bad snarky or bratty comments from him. They glanced to the clock, and then back to Four.
“I was about to sleep but.. I'll stay up.” They mumbled to the other, who just blinked in response. Two nearly skipped over to the bed, sitting down next to Four, their legs swinging off the bed. Their large, stubby tail wagged.
They kicked their legs and Four flinched when they sat down next to him. He stifled a yawn and slumped forward a little. Four blinked, their eyes heavy. His tail laid limply off the bed.
Two glanced at them as they yawned, and snickered. “Wanna sleep?” They asked, putting a hand behind them and patting further up on the bed.
Four is obviously tired. They nod, not realizing it. “Can't,” he mumbled out, head spinning. Two smiles at them.
“Come on, at least lay down.” They offer, gesturing to the pillow. Four glances at them, unsure of what to say. Thoughts boiled inside of them. Too vulnerable. Infront of Two? No way. Scream. Run. Go to sleep! It was enough thinking for one night. Four pushed them away, crawling up the the bed and instantly falling onto a pillow.
They huffed, closing their eyes as their body melted into the sheets, wriggling themselves under the blanket. They heard Two laugh a little, but was too tired to comment on it.
The green one scooted themselves up to the other side of the bed, hugging their legs and looking at Four, and then forward. Two figured he didnt want to be stated at, especially by them.
“Tired, I see.” They commented, just staring at the wall infront of them. Four grunted angrily, tail flicking under the sheets. “Mmmh, sorry.” Two spoke out, voice soft.
“…’S fine. Just… thoughts.”
“Thoughts?” Two questioned, blinking down to the other, buried in the bed. “So many. Dunno what to do.” Four replied, drowsy and slurred. Two raised an eyebrow. Four obviously wasnt that great at communicating their feelings out.
“Tell me the loudest one. I wont judge.” They asked, resting themselves on their knees.
“Hold.” Four simply said.
Two was confused to say the least. Atleast in their tired state he was being more honest. A quick flash out guilt crossed them, hoping this wasnt considered weird or rude in any way. Two quickly shook the thought away.
“Hold? You want… something to hold?” They guessed out. Seeing as that was the only reasonable thing that related to the word.
“Hold you.”
Two froze, blinking down at them.
“Hold… me? You want to hold me?” They said, voice coming out as a surprised whisper.
Four reached out a hand to tug on Two weakly. Their orange paw pads against their leg. Two looked around, as if someone would somehow help or save them from the situation, however their eyes just landed on the half asleep Four.
“Okay.” They mumbled out, getting under the covers carefully. Two's heart shaped antenna went limp slightly, nervous. Knowing him, Four just might get mad nonetheless at the gesture.
Instead, Four pulled them close and wrapped his arms around them. Two let out a soft squeak, face heating up tremendously. Two carefully wrapped their arms back around Four, pink paws gentle against them. They were enthralled to just… be like this. Four never let anyone in. Two let out a hum, tail gently thumping against the bed.
Four snored softly, small purrs coming from them; but Two couldn't bring themselves to sleep just yet. Four, like this, in their arms was something else. Two just smiled, the sleeping Four next to them, cuddled into them… it was… so different than their usual, mean, arrogant and aggressive self.
Four awoke many hours later in a room he didnt recognize, alone. If they were being honest, that was the best sleep they had ever gotten.
He squinted trying to see the time, rubbing his eyes to stop them from being blurry. It was almost 10:30, which made Four groan.
Moments later, the door opened. To walked in, holding a plate of food with 2 forks and a bright smile. “Oh! Goodmorning. You slept for a while.” They commented happily.
Four stared. Hard. Angrily.
“Err… well, I bought you— us..— food?” They laughed nervously, shutting the door with a foot. They set the plate down on the bed and sat on the edge. “If you’re…. Hungry. Sorry, I don't know what you like.”
Four continued to stare. And suddenly, last night flowed back to them. He looked at the food, grabbing the plate and taking it in his hands. Two giggled excitedly, looking at them.
Four popped out of the room to his, and Two frowned, although slightly expecting it.
Once in his room, he went over to his bed, sat the food on the night stand, flipping into his pillow and screeched loudly. His tail lashed behind him.
He was never going to live this down, were they?