Chapter Text
Algebraliens littered the park; playing ball, blowing bubbles, or simply just sitting down on a bench and enjoying the weather. All but X, who was sulking under a tree. The shade encased them in their own layer of privacy.
But a blue algebralien came to break that barrier. On their stroll humming a tune they spotted X, sitting under the oak with a dull expression.
X and Four knew each other very well, their attraction to each other had always been mutual and very noticeable to outside viewers. Whether or not it was to them was unclear.
Four stepped closer, bending one of their knees to get down to the hunched over X. Four looked at X with concern, they had never seen them look so sulky. X was usually a bubbly algebralien, one you couldn't stop from vibrating with joy. It was an admirable quality.
“What’s wrong X? You just look kind of depressed.”
X looked up from the almost neon green grass to four’s charcoal eyes. They sighed, seeming to make an agreement with themselves and let Four in on their state of mind.
“Oh, I don’t know… I just don’t know what I am, what my value is I mean..”
Four’s face lit up, they knew exactly how to solve this. X could see it in their eyes but was unsure of how much they trusted them on this. Still Four was sure about their idea.
“Then why don’t we go to the equation playground!”
X still held some apprehension but decided to let go of it and crack a smile like they usually would. Ever since they came to the realization of the unawareness of their own value they became filled with dread. It would be nice to leave that all behind and get back to their old ways.
So together they walked to the playground. In no time Four taught X the ropes of basic algebra, with only some minor annoyance. Through doing this X found their value to be Seven, and with that they felt much more whole.
Not only had they found their value but had found a new sense of appreciation for the one who helped them with it. With this victory they headed back to the park to celebrate.
On the way X couldn’t help but feel themselves drift to Four’s side. X felt bolder now, even more than before. They used to be happy and then they were sad, all they wanted was to be happy again. They got all that back and much more.
“You’re such a treasure Four…”
Fours face lit a bright purple. They weren’t used to getting compliments. Their brass nature made them unsuitable for friendships with most. But X was different, even so they had never heard them be so bold.
“My treasure..”
X grabbed onto Four’s hand, cuddling against their side. Four’s face couldn’t possibly be redder, and on the inside they felt even more flustered. They felt like fainting, or slamming their head against the wall, some act of violence to express this gush of emotions they felt.
Their hands gripped each other, sweaty palms and all. Walking on the crisp grass, feeling the cool air, hot sun. Everything felt capsuled in their own tiny world just for them.
But eventually they had to make it back to the park, now it was time to celebrate. All the other algebraliens were there too. It was all quite the event.
Picnic tables adorned with red and white checkered cloth were set up on the sides of a large grass field. Four rushed ahead of X, Reaching their hand out to theirs in order to offer them a dance. X accepted, and was pulled into Four’s arms. Together they swung from left to right in a line dance, twirling and twisting.
Colored light flashed around them in all hues. It was unclear where it was coming from but it was certainly a welcome addition to their dancing.
Swaying to the beat of royalty free music, they couldn’t feel more fulfilled. X with his new found value, and Four the one who helped them find it.
Blue and yellow hands laced together. They stepped together in their conjoined movements. When they were together everything seemed so easy. Whether it was dancing together or finding your value, all was possible with a pencil and some simple computation skills.
Outside of their bubble of attraction were the rest of the equation playground attendees. Seven danced about alone and seemingly content. Learning that he had such a similarity with X must have been a thrilling revelation. On the other hand One and Three looked in jealousy or some sort of bitter emotion. Neither of them joined the dancing, seeming to instead stick together on the sidelines.
X thought of hanging out with the both of them when asked by Four but for now they felt the most at peace dancing with their favorite number. In this moment they were happy, just the two of them. Things were simple, and for a while it would stay that way.