Work Text:
X held a bag of food and knocked on the second door of the third floor of the hotel. They strained themself to hear any sign of something that could come from Two, but was met with nothing. They frowned, turning to look toward the blue integer that accompanied them everywhere, silently asking for help and assurance. He seemed to notice their look, his scowl softening before he looked away to frown more.
“You know they're in there,” Four muttered bitterly, their arms crossed. “Just go in. They never lock their door.”
The variable nodded and slowly took the door handle in their grasp and turned it, ignoring the “do not disturb” sign on the knob and letting it slowly creak open as they peeked into the room, glancing around before their eyes fell on Two in the same place they were every other time Four and X went to check on them; sprawled out on their back, laying on their bed in silence. X saw a glimmer of tears in their eyes and felt a wave of sadness wash over them.
“Uh, hey, Two!” The variable greeted, then snickered a bit to themself. “Isn't that the start of your song?”
His smile fell when he was met with silence. They didn't even turn to look at him, their eyes were glued on the ceiling. X didn't know what would be worse, Two looking emotionless, or looking as upset as they did right now. It really pained X to see his usually joyous friend looking like everything came crashing down on them at once. The variable held up the bag of a meal that he and Four made, a worried smile forming on their face.
“Four and I made this for you,” they said, stepping closer to Two's bed and accidentally kicking a soda cup that was next to a crumpled bag. It relieved them to see that they were at least eating the food they offered. “They want you to know that they're worried about you.”
It was like they were talking to a wall, and it was painful. Two was probably the most talkative out of the little host trio they had constructed, and it was very off-putting that they were now mute.
X tried again. “The contestants are getting ready for cake at stake,” they mentioned, trying to lighten the mood. “I even pre-made some cake for you to use. Alongside Four, b-but it was my idea to help!”
Two turned on their side, their back to him. He felt devastated, and as if he was just playing a losing game.
“Two?”
“Do it without me,” they mumbled, their voice no more than a whisper.
X frowned. “Two, no, we— we can't just—”
“I don't care. I don't care anymore. Just do it.”
The variable gulped and sighed, giving up. They placed the bag of food on their nightstand, seeing the lamp flicker every so often in an uneven rhythm. X rearranged the items on it, making it look neat and ordered for Two.
“Four insisted on putting a piece of cheesecake in there for you,” X said, a small smile on their face. “So your usual is in there, plus a piece of cheesecake. He thought it would be nice to give you some comfort food. I also put a juice box in there. Those really help me and Four calm down and—” the variable cut themself off as Two turned back to look at them.
“I know he didn't do that,” they mumbled.
“But they did!” X insisted. “I know it seems out of character but…”
Two turned back on their side, their back facing X once again. They figured Two probably didn't have the energy to argue with them.
“We'll take over hosting for you until you're better! We'll make sure to fill you in on everything and tell you the eliminations!”
X reached out to put his hand on their head when they let out a small hiccup. He faltered a bit, frowning as he still continued to place his hand on their head and rub it gently. Two broke out into quiet sobs, their body shaking as they curled up into a ball. Their hands went up to grip their head, arms covering their eyes. X was offering them his silent support.
“It's gonna be okay, Two,” They reassured, smiling. “It's not your fault what the contestants do in the challenges! You're doing your greatest as a host, and they can take care of themselves!” X eyed them, still hearing their small sobs. They might have started to ventilate, the variable genuinely couldn’t tell. “The contestants are silly. You shouldn’t keep your head wrapped in creatures that you are probably never gonna see again!”
Two gasped softly and paused. X was about to call out to them before they started crying out, burying their face into their pillow and muffling their sobs. The variable flinched back, panicking a bit. “Two?!”
The green integer was a mess, unresponsive as if they were stuck in a loop of tears. Their sobs were still loud, even through the fabric of the pillow, and it worried X. But they couldn’t bare themself to actually do anything for Two, and they knew that the contestants were starting to wait. They smiled nervously, their feet not moving yet they still slid out slowly of the room.
“I’ll just leave you be… Hope you enjoy the yummy food!” They said joyfully before they left, but they knew they probably weren’t heard over Two’s sobs. X left the room, closing the door slowly and looking at it, still able to hear the saddened integer on the other side. They felt upset they couldn’t help their friend out, but didn’t know why they were so hellbent over some silly little objects they might not see once TPOT was finished.
“They’re so insufferable,” Four muttered, their arms still crossed as they leaned on the wall next to Two’s door.
X looked at Four, upset. “I don’t know what got them so worked up.”
“Whatever. If they feel like they just want to abandon their show, I’ll rightfully take my contestants back!” the blue integer snapped before mumbling, “I should brainstorm on what to offer them.” The variable nudged him and gave him a disapproving look.
“It’ll be fun to host with you again especially since our season got cut short,” X admitted, “but Two is going through a rough time right now.”
Four grumbled. “Stupid Two… Stupid feelings… Why do they even care?!”
“I don’t know, Four.”
“We shouldn’t be taking their job! Maybe I don’t mind it, but they can’t let one thing ruin them!”
“Foury—”
They looked at the variable, frowning. “Go get your cake, X. I’ll meet you on the roof.”
He looked like he wanted to protest, but faltered after seeing Four’s look and teleported off into the kitchen. Four tensed, the tips of their fingers turning into sharp claws as they dug into their arms. They growled and stood in front of the door looking at the printed “2” on it, feeling themself getting more furious by the second.
Stupid number… Stupid prime… Stupid even…
“Grr— You hear that, Two?!” He yelled to the door. “You’re weak! Ngh— That’s all you are! You let one contestant in your way and you just— Gaah— Mmh—! You let that get in your way! You’ve lost so many of them, and you’re just going to wallow in sadness! You— You—”
Four paused, the memories of their own sorrow when BFB split flooding their mind. They growled, knowing they were just as sad as Two was, but they hadn’t given up hosting because of the split! If anything, the main reason they were upset was because of losing X.
The blue integer faltered. Was Two close to one of the contestants?
Whatever. It didn’t matter. Four scowled and kicked their door. “You’re stupid, you know that? Just a stupid integer who can’t keep their guard up!”
His hands balled into fists as he only heard their sobs grow fainter before he gave up and teleported back to the kitchen, angry about the whole situation but happy to get back what was stolen from him.