Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shedletsky misses, the killer sprinting towards the low healer, the only healer. Elliot tries to run, 1x1x1x1x unfortunately chasing after him.

"Frick," Elliot curses under his breath, as his teammates watch him slowly lose health. 8...7...6..., the number depletes, Elliot panicking. He couldn't heal himself and 1x1x1x1x was hot on his tail, Elliot realizing when when he hears a long, deep cackle escaping the killer.

"Dodge better, slowpoke," 1x1x1x1x yells, his Mass Infection attack landing on Elliot, causing the poor healer to scream in pain. 1...0. Elliot is downed, damned.

Elliot is removed from the round.

The pizza delivery man slowly flutters his eyes open, adjusting himself to the surroundings, the bright lights making it hard to see. When he manages to see the wooden cabin he was now residing in. Slowly, he moves his feet forward, beginning to walk around and regaining his motor skills once again.

He sighs, exploring the cabin he had rested in between matches multiple times. Elliot has lost track of how many times he's play this stupid game, these rounds that become so repetitive it's become clock work for him. Do generators, heal, survive. Yet it seems in turn for helping others, he's the first one to be sacrificed, the first one targeted by the killer.

"Um, excuse me, do you know where I am?" A voice asks him. Elliot freezes, his blood running cold. That voice is all too familiar, a voice he desperately tried to forget. Yet it seemed to be all in vain because he could still recognize it no matter what. Elliot could remember the deepness of his voice that still had a softness to it that Elliot couldn't describe.

Elliot slowly turns around to face the person he thought he would never see again. A certain someone from his past that he thought he put behind. The man gasped when he realized who it was, his eyes widening with shock. He wasn't expecting to see Elliot either.

"Elliot!?" He gasped. Elliot's eyes narrowed.

"Hello again, 007n7."

Chapter Text

“This is the art hall; if you have an art class like music or visual arts, it’ll most likely be here,” the guide says to the new student. The new kid nods as the guide continues forward. “Over this way is the technology hall, so you’ll find classes like construction technology and auto shop here.” The guide continues to walk down the hall, but the new kid stops, looking into a barren classroom.

“What’s in this classroom?” He asks. The guide stops, turning around, praying that he wasn’t asking about that classroom.

He was asking about that classroom. Room 500 to be exact.

“Oh, the coding class happens there,” he explains. The new kid nods, slowly making his way towards the door. Before the guide could even stop the kid, the intrigued student walked inside, seeing a man intently staring at his computer.

“Hey! Come back here!” The guide says rushing in. His eyes stare at the new kid, his voice shaking with rage, however his blood runs cold, realizing who was also in the classroom.

“Oh, hello,” the man on the computer greets. The new kid smiles, his face lighting up.

“Wow, I thought this class was empty, didn’t know you were in here,” the new kid says, walking closer towards the brown haired man. However, the new kid is pulled back by the collar of his uniform, the guide’s teeth grinding together.

“Let’s go,” the guide whispers an order under his breath. The new kid nods, waving bye as he is dragged out.

“What was that about?” The new kid asks, his tongue clicking against the roof of his mouth. “Why’d you drag me out of there?”

“It’s for your own good,” the guide says as he begins to walk down the hall. The new kid sighs, following behind his guide.

“Why are you so angry? It’s not like—“

“It’s better to stay away from people who are dangerous,” the guide warns, his hands clenching into fists. The new kid cocks an eyebrow up, wondering what the computer man could’ve possibly done.

“Hey, you should tell me, it’s bad to leave people hanging,” the new kid says, his eyes hopeful for answers. The guide sighs, throwing his head back in annoyance.

“That guy in the coding class is up to no good. No one really knows his name, but we all know what he can do. He’s a hacker, he’s dangerous. You should really stay away from him,” the guide explains. The new kid nods, however his curiosity is not satisfied.

“What did he hack?” The new kid asks.

“School accounts, school computers, school websites and others.”

“How come he’s not like, expelled?”

“Because no one can confirm that it’s him . But everyone knows it’s him. We call him ‘007n7,’” The guide explains.

“Why?” The new kid asks. The guide sighs, turning around to face the new kid

“Because whenever he hacks, he always leaves behind a little message—‘007n7 was here.’”

“That’s the end of our tour,” the guide explains, the secretary signing off on the guide’s hours sheet. “I hope you enjoy your time here.” The guide says, exiting the office.

“I hope I do,” the new kid says, turning his attention towards the scary secretary. The guide sighs, his face relaxing in contempt.

“I’m finally done the tour,” Elliot says with a smile.

Chapter Text

Elliot grabs his bag from his locker, wanting to hurry towards his workplace, Builder Brothers Pizza. He was asked to take on a seven hour shift after school, which was bizarre for a part time job. However, it didn’t bother Elliot, he enjoyed working at that pizza place.

Once his bag was out of his locker, Elliot swiftly locked up his locker, rushing down the hall towards the main entrance. It was quicker for him to go through the main entrance than through the back entrance.

Elliot glanced down at his watch, the ticking hand moving with each passing second. He had about enough time to make it to the pizza place on time if—

“Ow!” Someone yelled, crashing to the floor. Elliot fell back, his bag the first thing to hit the floor. His head spun as papers flew down to the floor. Not his papers, someone else’s.

“Uh,” Elliot groaned as he grabbed his head. Well, he probably wasn’t going to be on time now. “Are you—“ Elliot abruptly paused, realizing the person he ran into. The poor guy was on the floor, paper and laptop scattered around him as the guy adjusts his glasses. Once the glasses are on, the man’s eyes fixate on Elliot who has a petrified expression on his face.

“I’m fine,” the man whispered under his breath. He runs a hand through his hair, absolutely defeated as he picks up his scattered papers. Elliot stands unmoving, his hands wanting to help the guy pick up his papers, but his mind wanted him to keep away, to avoid those that are dangerous.

In the time Elliot managed to come to his senses, the guy had picked up all of his possessions, standing up in front of Elliot.

Elliot stays quiet, looking down at his shoes when he notices the time on his watch.

“ Fuck, I have to go,” Elliot whispers, passing the man who was staring at him. The man held his papers tight, his eyes fixated on the man running away.

“Valued employee, my ass, ” 007n7 curses, papers slowly slipping out of his hands.

Elliot managed to barely make it to his workplace on time. It took a lot of running and water to even step foot in the building on time. However for Elliot, he didn’t mind, he enjoyed his job, a lot.

Elliot changed into his work uniform, the bright red making him feel like a highlighter. However he couldn’t complain about the uniform, it was just clothes after all.

Elliot fixed his hat, adjusting it so it covers the sun away from his eyes.

“My most valued employee! How are you?” The owner greeted Elliot, car keys in hand.

“I’m doing great. Are you leaving now?” Elliot asked. The owner nods.

“Yep! I’m so ready to take my day off. Well then, if you need anything Elliot, just hit me up, you know? But I doubt you’ll need help,” the owner jokes. Elliot chuckles, a large smile on his face.

“Will do,” Elliot says as the owner walks out the door. It was now just Elliot and the pizza orders coming in.

As Elliot rushed out the door with a tower of pizza boxes in hand, a man with glasses had just entered the pizza place, hoping to grab a snack before he made his plan.

He had to study his target after all.

However, the man didn’t realize that the place was only run by one employee. It didn’t bother him at all though, his focus was using their network for his plans.

Well, his two plans now.

He sat down in a corner booth, opening his laptop and scattering his papers around. He had many requests today, so he had to finish them all by the end of the day. It wasn’t in his best interest to leave things to the next day, especially if you’re a hacker.

He looks at the notes scattered in front of him, names of students who only pop by the coding room for requests written on it. Most of the requests he receives usually ask for grade changes or project deletions, which isn’t hard for him to do. However, it never really posed any challenges for him.

That’s why after all these requests, he hopes his first big plan will come to fruition. But first came his requests, of course. It helped him understand the system we was going to go up against after all.

A sticky note fell from the left corner of his laptop as he opened it. He liked to write reminders on sticky notes, it was very easy for physical evidence to be ripped up, after all.

He stared at it, his brown eyes studying the words on it. Hack place; revenge. It was his reminder he also had to focus on another hacking.

“I’ve got a lot on my plate, don’t I?” The hacker asks himself, sighing as he looks up to the ceiling. Well, it wasn’t like he had anything better to do, so this would satisfy his boredom.

He enjoys being recognized, after all.

Elliot had returned in the evening from his fiftieth delivery trip. It was now dark outside and closing was just ten minutes away. Elliot was ready to go home.

There was one customer in the pizza place, but Elliot never got to see the person’s face. Every time he returned from his trips, the seat would always be empty, the laptop wide open. It’s not like many came to sit down at a pizza place on a Tuesday, after all.

Elliot began his usual closing procedure, starting with grabbing his cleaning cart and wiping down the windows and the floors. Soon, he reached the table that was occupied. The person hadn’t returned, so Elliot cleaned around his clutter, reaching the window and wiping it down. However, his eyes trailed to the papers that covered the table, reading the notes and detailed orders that were ingrained in pencil. Remove physics assignment dropbox, change history grade to 87.6, change math test results to 90.7 with plus one bonus.

Elliot stared in disbelief. Why are all these notes here? What was this man doing? Elliot wasn’t sure. His eyes moved towards the open laptop, his hand no longer dragging the cloth against the window.

There, in a hidden tab behind all the open tabs, was a plan, a list of steps, and a goal outlined in red.

Major Forsaken High Exploit.

Elliot froze. He realized this person was going to hack and exploit his school. This person wasn’t someone ordinary, he was dangerous. Elliot’s fingers moved over the pad, scrolling down the page to find out what really was going on. It was all detailed, time, date, what to do, networks, ip addresses, everything. Elliot hadn’t even noticed the toilet flushing or the unlocking of the bathroom door, or even the footsteps that were growing closer towards the both.

He was too fixated on his realization.

Elliot glanced down, his eyes widening in fear. A sticky note that read—

“What the fuck are you doing on my computer?” 007n7 asks, his voice low. Not once had anyone disrespected him this bad, no, not once. Even the food throwing was more respectful than what Elliot was doing.

“ Fuck, you?” Elliot realized, all the dots connecting. Of course it was him, Elliot thought to himself.

“Get away from—“

“I’m going to report you, 007n7,” Elliot threatened, standing upright. 007n7 paused in his tracks, contemplating his actions. Elliot began sweating, his flight response about to kick in.

“You wouldn’t,” 007n7 said, his eyes narrowing. They glare at Elliot, sending shivers down the employee’s spine.

“I would,” Elliot says, although his voice wavers. He was starting to lose his grip, goosebumps starting to cover him.

“You would?” 007n7 asks, slowly walking closer towards Elliot, his eyes narrowing the closer he got. Elliot was looking around. Deciding whether he should run over the bench and away or punch 007n7, then run away. However, Elliot did neither, as he stood there, wondering what 007n7 was going to do. Elliot shut his eyes as 007n7 was within earshot, unsure of what this hacker could really do. “Elliot,” 007n7 calls out, looking right at Elliot.

“Wh-what…” Elliot chokes out, opening one of his eyes. To his shock, 007n7 wasn’t doing anything to him but instead was cleaning up his papers and shutting his laptop down. He pretended Elliot didn’t exist for a moment, collecting all his possessions and stuffing them into his bag. Elliot stared in disbelief, fully expecting this hacker to be a lot more scary. Elliot thought he himself was going insane because 007n7 wasn’t doing anything.

He wasn’t going to do anything, right?

Elliot froze, realizing that 007n7 wouldn’t physically hurt him, of course he wouldn’t. Why would a hacker punch someone when he can erase data? That would be a much more effective punch.

Elliot didn’t want his grades messed up, he knew that 007n7 could do that, especially after reading all the notes that were scattered on the table. It was something he couldn’t risk.

“007n7, wait!” Elliot yelled as 007n7 grew closer to the exit. Elliot grabbed onto 007n7’s bag, causing the hacker to stop in his tracks. He turns around to face the employee, who has an expression that is both scared and exhausted. “I—“ Elliot pauses, unsure of what to say. What was I going to say? Elliot thinks to himself. 007n7 stares, wondering why this person of all people was gripping onto his bag.

“Elliot—“

“Do you think it’s safe to walk home alone at this time?” Elliot blurts out, his hand still tight on 007n7’s bag. The hacker thinks about it for a moment, which slightly scares Elliot. That shouldn’t be a question he thinks about, Elliot thinks to himself.

“No,” 007n7 says, noticing Elliot’s fist go white from gripping his bag.

“Good, wait for me then,” Elliot says, his mind rushing with emotions. Elliot wasn’t even sure if he said it himself. All he knows was that 007n7 was going to be very confused. In fact, 007n7 was very confused. Of all people that could’ve asked him to walk home, it was Elliot. The same person who told a new kid to specifically avoid him.

“Elliot, it’s—“

“Don’t you dare leave,” Elliot orders, his grip tightening on 007n7’s bag. A shiver is sent down 007n7’s spine. He did not want to leave now.

“I won’t, okay? So, relax your hand,” 007n7 says, grabbing Elliot’s hand and loosening it from his bag. He slowly unravels each finger, moving them away from his bag. Elliot stares, not a single muscle moving. He didn’t really want to move in that moment. He enjoyed staring slightly.“Elliot?” 007n7 calls out, bringing Elliot back to reality. His hand was no longer touching Elliot’s, and suddenly Elliot jumped, causing 007n7 to stumble back.

“Wait ten minutes, I have to close,” Elliot says, grabbing his rag and cleaning cart. He drags them towards the staff room, leaving 007n7 in the main entrance.

“Well, I guess I’m not leaving,” 007n7 chuckles to himself.

“What is wrong with you,” Elliot says as he slams his head into the locker. He thought he was losing it, he believed he was losing it, he knew he was losing it.

Elliot couldn’t believe that was the excuse he used to keep 007n7 from leaving. Now he was going to walk home with 007n7 of all people.

If it means not getting a random bad grade, he was going to be happy.

As Elliot questioned his decisions, he changed out of his work uniform into his school uniform as it was what he showed up to work in. He did end up running a bit behind schedule.

Elliot exited the staff room, keys in hand. He wasn’t sure if he was going to survive this.

“Are you ready to go?” 007n7 asks, looking up. His glasses rest lower on his nose bridge, his hair pointing out in all directions.

“Yes,” Elliot forces out, exiting the pizza place in despair. He was not having a good day at all today. Definitely not.

Chapter Text

Elliot locked up the pizza place, taking a deep breath. The cicadas were loud, surrounding the area with constant buzzing. Fireflies flew around as well, their glow somewhat calming for Elliot.

Elliot turned to face 007n7, who was looking down the road. He wasn’t pay attention to Elliot, which relaxed Elliot’s nerves down, a lot.

“How far away do you live?” Elliot asks. 007n7 turns to face the employee, who was putting keys in his pocket.

“It’s a ten minute walk, I guess,” 007n7 mutters, adjusting his glasses.

“Lead the way, then,” Elliot says, 007n7 nodding in response.

The two turn down the corner, the street lights flickering with each passing second. Elliot hadn’t walked down this road before, so he was planning his route home from 007n7’s house.

“It’s here,” 007n7 says, stopping in front of a bungalow. Elliot studied the house, noticing that the door light was on and that there was still light coming from the front window. “Do you want something to eat before you go?” 007n7 offers to Elliot. It shakes Elliot out of his trance, his mind taking a few seconds to process 007n7’s words.

“No, no, really, it’s fine,” Elliot quickly replied, rapidly waving his hands. 007n7 nodded, staring at Elliot. Elliot noticed, staring back at 007n7, unable to look away. Elliot noticed how 007n7’s hair slightly covered his glasses, which also hid his hair. For some reason, studying 007n7’s appearance made Elliot feel a little queasy.

“Elliot? 007n7 says, causing Elliot to return to reality.

“Uh, yes?” Elliot says, wondering what 007n7 had to say.

“Aren’t you going to go home?” 007n7 asks. Elliot stared blankly at him, as if 007n7’s words were in another language.

“Oh, right!” Elliot quipped, turning around, about to walk away. 007n7 stood in confusion, wondering why Elliot was so scatterbrained. He wasn’t one to pay attention to people, but he’s had so many encounters with Elliot he’s just understood Elliot’s personality.

“007n7,” Elliot called out as he stop. 007n7 look up as Elliot turned around to face him.

“Yes?” 007n7 asked.

“Thanks for walking with me,” Elliot says, an awkward smile on his face. 007n7 stared, wondering if he heard those words right.

“You walked me home, Elliot,” 007n7 clarified, his eyes narrowing in confusion. If Elliot had looked away, he would’ve definitely missed it, the small smile that was forming on 007n7’s face. It was the first time Elliot had seen 007n7 show any joyful emotion. It shocked the employee. He started to question whether 007n7 was really dangerous.

“Right, I…” Elliot trailed off. He wasn’t even sure what to say. 007n7 sighed, a light chuckle escaping him.

“Get home safe, Elliot,” 007n7 said, walking up his driveway. Elliot just stared, unable to make any words come out.

“You too,” Elliot says as 007n7 looks at Elliot from his front door. He’s home, dumbass, Elliot thought to himself.

Elliot pondered on about his interaction with 007n7. Why was he so awkward? It made Elliot question everything about himself. Was he going insane? Most likely.

Elliot could not stop thinking about 007n7, especially his slight smile. It was interesting for Elliot, he thought 007n7 was cold, heartless and lacked emotion. Elliot couldn’t believe his opinion about 007n7 felt so wrong. Elliot wasn’t sure what to think anymore.

“I’m going crazy,” Elliot says, running a hand through his blond hair.

“I’m home,” 007n7 called out. He took off his shoes, climbing up the three steps to get to the main floor. He looked into the living room, seeing his parents sitting on the couch, watching television together.

“Who’s your friend?” His mom asks, a big smile on her face. 007n7 stares, thinking of what to say to his mom.

“He’s a classmate,” 007n7 says, not elaborating. He walks off to his room, leaving his mom dumbfounded in the living room.

“I hope I get to meet his friend one day,” his mom says, smiling.

007n7 places his bag on the floor, sitting down in his chair, wondering if he’s dreaming right now. There’s no way Elliot actually walked me home, 007n7 pondered. He couldn’t believe it, maybe it was some crazy thought that’s playing out in his head.

However, deep down, 007n7 is grateful, somewhat happy even, that someone even offered to walk him home. It made the hacker smile a bit.

It was the first time he wanted to see someone other than his family again.

Chapter Text

Elliot sighed heavily, the bags under his eyes slightly more prominent today. He did not get enough sleep last night. He was exhausted beyond his years and its all thanks to 007n7.

Elliot couldn’t stop thinking about 007n7, the scary hacker who turns out to be not all that scary. It really shifted Elliot’s perspective on who 007n7 really is.

However, his daydream had to end here, it wasn’t going to help him with school at all, especially since his grades were on the line.

Elliot had to keep repeating to himself that 007n7 could hack into the school system and ruin his grades. He could guarantee 007n7 was definitely thinking about it as well.

Well, Elliot guessed that 007n7 was thinking about that was well.

007n7 was thinking about it.

He was in the coding room, torn between hacking into the school system or just leaving it alone. However, neither were really a good option for him, as Elliot could report him for his hacking plans.

Not only that, Elliot could realize one of his more major schemes that would attack him directly.

Whatever the case was, 007n7 knew—Elliot could report him and get him expelled. It was in his best interest to keep him close and near.

However, he wasn’t going to hunt for Elliot right now, he had more important matters to attend to.

The matters being the requests that were made to him.

007n7 was used to this routine—receive orders, complete them, obtain compensation. It was a cycle that had given him two things: money and a name.

Well, a bad name, but still a name.

Regardless, 007n7 couldn’t reminisce on Elliot, he had to be pushed to the back of his mind.

Until tonight, anyways.

“Hey Elliot!” A jolly voice said. Elliot quickly turned around, trying to identify who the voice belonged to. It was a kid—the new kid in fact—who had greeted him by his first name.

I don’t remember your name, Elliot thought to himself.

“Hey,” Elliot replied, followed by an awkward chuckle. The new kid walked closer towards him, a huge grin on his face.

“What are you up to?” The new kid asked.

“Not much. What are you up to?” Elliot asks. The new kid thinks about it for a moment, then his eyes flash with excitement.

“I’m going up to guidance to get a tutor,” the kid said with a determination only a newcomer could have. Elliot smiled, not sure whether to congratulate him or walk away. “Well, I’m going to go now, I hope to see you around!” The new kid skips on, heading down the hall and towards the guidance office. Elliot sighed, continuing down the hall and towards his next class.

“What was his name?” Elliot mumbled to himself.

007n7 relaxed in his chair, his eyes slowly trailing towards the ticking clock. The school bell had rang ten minutes ago, so it was about time he left.

However, 007n7 didn’t leave right away, but instead opened a new app in his laptop. He was going to tell his mom he was going to come home late again.

His mom responded fairly quickly, asking if 007n7 was going to go with the blond haired boy. 007n7 stared at the message, wondering if he really was going to the pizza place just to see Elliot.

He wasn’t right?

In the end, 007n7 told his mom he was going to do his homework for the evening—alone.

007n7 settled into his corner booth, the same booth he sat in yesterday. However, today he was not going to be hacking into the school network.

He was going to be doing his homework.

As 007n7 pulled out his textbooks and laptop, Elliot emerged from the staff room, keys in hand. He had just finished making ten pizzas and was about to deliver them.

007n7 watched as Elliot carried the pizza boxes out the front door in one hand. It was impressive, Elliot looked like the type of guy who would struggle to open an automated door.

It was impressive for 007n7, in fact.

As Elliot drove off, 007n7 stared, unable to take his eyes off Elliot. As Elliot drove off, 007n7 finally looked away from the hard working employee and started focusing on his own task.

His homework.

The sun was fully set when Elliot returned from his seventeenth delivery trip. Elliot could finally relax and close up the pizza place for good.

Of course, once the last customer returned.

That customer was really good at disappearing; Elliot never got to see his face fully. However, a part of Elliot was hoping that it was 007n7.

Yet, for Elliot, it disgusted him that he would even hope that a hacker was in his workplace.

Elliot was sitting behind the counter, looking at all the pizzas when he suddenly got an idea. He got up, went to the back and started making a large pizza.

Usually, he grabbed whatever pizza was not picked up, but today, he thought it would be better if it was made fresh.

Pizza tastes better when it’s fresh, right?

Elliot started humming, his hands folding dough as he turned it into a pizza little by little. Elliot enjoyed this part of the job, making pizzas was somewhat calming for him.

Once Elliot added on the toppings, he put it in the oven and let it cook. As Elliot turned around to look at the pizza place, he stopped abruptly, his smile falling from his face. Elliot asked himself why he was making a fresh pizza. He wasn’t even sure why.

He knew why though. He wanted to make something for his only customer.

Elliot wondered why he was making a pizza for that guy of all people, but settled on the idea that he hadn’t seen the guy eat all afternoon.

For Elliot, this was a good reason.

It was the only valid reason.

007n7 noticed the ticking clock was nearing ten. It was almost closing time for the pizza shop, so it made sense for him to pack up.

So he did just that.

Just as 007n7 had finished packing his bag, Elliot emerged from the kitchen to the front of the pizza place, pizza box in hand. Elliot looked towards the booth, noticing 007n7’s clean table. Was he leaving? Elliot asked himself.

“007n7,” Elliot called out. 007n7 looked up quickly, almost too quickly, as if he’s been waiting for Elliot to notice him.

“Yeah?” 007n7 asked, noticing the pizza box in hand. Elliot walked closer, sitting down in the booth, opposite of 007n7. 007n7 blinked in confusion, but once Elliot gestured for 007n7 to move his stuff, the hacker acted instantly. “What’s this?” 007n7 asked, confused as to why Elliot was setting down a pizza box.

“Pizza,” Elliot said, opening the box. He takes out a slice, quickly eating it right away. 007n7 stared in confusion, wondering why Elliot was eating in front of him. “I’m not going to finish this pizza by myself,” Elliot told 007n7, which made the hacker flustered.

“I’m not hungry, really—“

“Eat one slice, please,” Elliot said, looking right into 007n7’s eyes. “I made this pizza just for you.” 007n7 was taken aback by Elliot’s words. No one had ever thought about making food for him.

Especially Elliot.

Reluctantly, 007n7 takes a slice of pizza, taking a small bite at the pointed end. His eyes lit up, a smile on his face.

“This is so good,” 007n7 commented as he shoved the pizza down his throat. Elliot stared, but then smiled so hard his cheeks started to hurt.

He was starting to feel that 007n7 wasn’t all that bad as everyone says he is.

Chapter Text

007n7 stood outside, holding the pizza box in his hands. He was waiting for Elliot as the employee was quickly closing up the place. Elliot couldn’t leave the place unlocked.

Elliot walked outside, the moon illuminating his surroundings. Elliot locked up the door, turning around to face 007n7.

“Lead the way,” Elliot said, a smile on his face.

007n7 had taken out a slice of pizza as the two walked towards 007n7’s house. The hacker hadn’t properly ordered pizza, especially from Builder Brother’s Pizza in a while. For 007n7, it was especially impressive that Elliot made this.

“It’s so good,” 007n7 said, his mouth full of pizza. Elliot looked at him, a small smile escaping him.

“It possibly can’t be that good,” Elliot says, smiling. 007n7 nods, disagreeing with Elliot.

“It’s delicious,” 007n7 compliments, finishing the pizza. Elliot smiles as the two reach 007n7’s driveway, the same lights still on as yesterday. “Thanks for walking me home,” 007n7 says, handing the pizza box to Elliot. “I can’t take this, you made the pizza.”

“But I made it for you,” Elliot argues, shoving the pizza box towards 007n7. The hacker smiles, pushing it towards Elliot.

“At least take one slice,” 007n7 says. Elliot sighs, defeated. Elliot takes out one slice, putting in his mouth as 007n7 closes the box.

“Aren’t you going to go inside?” Elliot asks, taking another bite of the pizza. 007n7 looks at the employee, a smile on his face.

“I will,” 007n7 says as he stands still. Elliot finishes the slice of pizza, rubbing his hands together to remove the pizza from his hands.

“Why are you still here?” Elliot asks, confused.

“I—“ 007n7 paused, not even sure himself why he was here. Why was he waiting outside?

“007n7–“

“Bye,” the hacker quickly said, darting for his house. Elliot stood confused, his hand outstretched, like he was going to grab 007n7.

“Uh, bye, I guess?” Elliot said, wondering why 007n7 was now suddenly in a rush when earlier he was taking his time. As 007n7 reached the door, he paused, turning around to face Elliot.

“Thank you for the pizza, Elliot,” 007n7 said.

007n7 sighed deeply, falling straight onto his bed. He wasn’t even sure himself why he was so scattered earlier. It was like somehow he couldn’t collect his thoughts.

007n7 wanted to blame something, anything for his actions. He wanted to know why he waited for Elliot, then was in a rush to run from Elliot.

007n7 looked up, his eyes darting around the room, like somehow an answer would pop up someone.

“I’m going crazy,” 007n7 said, hugging his pillow tight.

Elliot walked home, his mind racing. He wanted to know why 007n7 was so relaxed to not go home then suddenly wanted to head inside his house. His sudden change in actions made Elliot confused. The employee hadn’t met someone quite like 007n7, that’s for sure.

Elliot looked up, watching the stars dance in the night sky. He wished he was stargazing, no stress and just relaxation. The idea of stargazing with 007n7 popped into his mind, but he immediately pushed that thought out.

“I’m going crazy,” Elliot sighed in annoyance.

Chapter Text

It was a new day—Monday. A new day, fresh out of the weekend. It was time to return to the normal schedule of school activities.

Elliot had gotten used to 007n7 at his workplace, and Elliot had gotten used to walking 007n7 home. It was a daily occurrence that Elliot has gotten accustomed to.

However, whenever Elliot looks at the papers that scatter the table 007n7 sits at, it reminds Elliot of why he has to put up with the hacker.

Elliot doesn’t want to become part of the rumours, after all. He doesn’t want to be a victim of a hack by 007n7.

Elliot walked down the hall, heading towards his last class, happy to get out of school. Elliot turned the corner quickly, not a worry in the world. However, he bumps into someone, sending Elliot backwards.

“Ow, fuck, sorry,” Elliot apologizes as he looks up to see he bumped into. The person adjusts his glasses, looking at Elliot who was on the floor.

“Elliot,” 007n7 says, holding his hand out. Elliot stared, his mind going blank. Part of him wanted to reach out and grab 007n7’s hand, but the other part wanted to whack it away.

Then Elliot noticed the paper in his hand. It was more requests for 007n7 to fulfill—hacking requests.

Elliot grabbed 007n7’s hand, standing up quickly.

“Thanks,” Elliot grumbled. Elliot hadn’t actually interacted with 007n7 at school, in fact, Elliot kept forgetting that 007n7 didn’t sit at his workplace all day.

“Are you okay?” 007n7 asked, his eyes scanning Elliot. The employee nods, moving his hand away from 007n7.

“I’m fine,” Elliot said, his eyes avoiding the hacker. “I’ve got to go,” Elliot says, darting away from 007n7. The hacker looks at Elliot who is rushing down the hall. 007n7 presses his lips together in both discontented and confusion. The hacker was conflicted—does Elliot hate him or tolerate him?

Well, regardless, if Elliot exposes 007n7’s schemes, the hacker has no other choice but to stop talking to him.

“I don’t want to hack him,” 007n7 whispers under his breath.

Elliot runs towards the doors of Builder Brothers Pizza, rushing to make it to work on time. Elliot hadn’t been to work late, ever, and he was hoping to keep it that way.

Just as he reached the door handles, someone had reached the door as well, causing Elliot to bump into the person. The  person falls over, yelping as his elbow scrapes the concrete. The person’s bag falls open, causing his laptop and papers to fly. Their glasses also fly off, falling beside them on the concrete. Elliot grabs onto the door handles tightly, trying not to fall.

“Fuck,” the person yelled, grabbing his elbow. The person had scraped his elbow on the concrete, blood slowly dripping from the injury.

“Oh, are you—“ Elliot paused as he looked at the person. Elliot studied him, noticing how he was clutching his elbow. “007n7?” Elliot asks, calling his name out. 007n7 looks up, but without his glasses on, he can’t tell who the person is.

“Who are you?” 007n7 asks as he squints, trying to identify the man. Elliot stares, his eyes switching between 007n7’s face, his glasses and his hand.

“ Shit, are you okay?” Elliot asks as he kneels down, grabbing 007n7’s glasses. The employee fixes the glasses on 007n7’s face as he studies the hacker’s face. As 007n7’s eyes adjust to the sudden clear vision, Elliot swings his bag around, opening it to grab a bandage. Before 007n7 could argue, Elliot grabs an alcohol wipe and a fresh bandage and starts by whacking 007n7’s hand away from his elbow.

“Elliot—“

“Stop moving,” Elliot orders as the employee cleans the wound. It was superficial, so it wasn’t too bad. Elliot unwrapped the bandage and placed it onto 007n7’s elbow, covering the wound. 007n7 studied Elliot, watching how Elliot was quick to treat his wound.

“Thank you, Elliot,” 007n7 says, a little smile forming on his face. No one had really put this much care into him, except for his family and the indifferent school nurse. It was even more shocking that Elliot helped him. 007n7 remembers when Elliot bumped into him and ran away.

007n7’s mood sours as he thinks about how Elliot had treated him a few days ago, how Elliot ran away from helping him.

It reminded him that Elliot wasn’t a good person.

“007n7–“

“Elliot, I’m okay,” 007n7 says, looking at his scattered possessions. 007n7’s eyes stared at his laptop, which had two plans he wanted to fulfill. However, Elliot knew about them, so he couldn’t do anything. It was guaranteed that Elliot would tell someone.

007n7 had to keep him close, or else 007n7 couldn’t fulfill his own wishes.

Elliot stood up, standing still as 007n7 started picking up the scattered papers and the laptop. Elliot stared, watching, like he did the first time he bumped into 007n7. He wanted to help, he had to help. If Elliot didn’t, 007n7 could hurt him, hack him, destroy him.

Elliot had to keep him close, or else he’d become a victim.

Elliot bent down, helping 007n7 pick up his papers. 007n7 looked up, noticing the employee help pick up his items. In 007n7’s mind, he was sure that Elliot was going to leave him alone. However, it felt nice that Elliot didn’t leave him. It made 007n7 feel appreciated in a way.

“Here,” Elliot says as he hands papers to 007n7. The hacker looks up, a small, escaping smile on his face.

“Thank you,” 007n7 says, putting his items in his bag. He puts the papers in front of the laptop, which is surprisingly intact and functional. The hacker stands up as Elliot opens the door, holding it out. 007n7 smiled as he entered the pizza place.

Suddenly, a loud beeping sound came from behind the hacker. 007n7 turned around to see Elliot frantic, rushing past 007n7 towards the staff room.

“Frick, I’m late,” Elliot whispered under his breath. 007n7 started moving towards the corner booth and away from the front door. He settled in, spreading his papers out on the table and turning his laptop on. Just as 007n7 finished setting up, Elliot ran out of the staff room in uniform and with a stack of pizza boxes in hand. 007n7 watched as Elliot rushed out the door, his movements jerky as the employee swiftly gets into his moped and drives off.

“That…was a lot of pizza,” 007n7 mutters to himself.

Chapter Text

007n7 had sighed in relief, finally finished all of his hacking requests for the day. The hacker had about one hour left before closing, before Elliot closed the pizza place. The hacker had enough time to make fine tunes to his hacking plan—or plans.

He wanted to be able to hack into the school system right away, without any trouble so, he was planning ahead of time.

Of course, 007n7 wouldn’t hack into the school systems if Elliot was around—and knew about his plan. Although, 007n7 wasn’t sure on how to keep Elliot quiet, 007n7 was certain Elliot would tell a teacher about 007n7’s hacking plan.

It made 007n7 more stressed than usual, and 007n7 is rarely stressed.

It was the first time someone had real evidence that 007n7 was the school’s major hacker and exploiter.

007n7 slouched in the booth, his lips pouting as he types away on his laptop. It was partly dumb that 007n7 was hacking at Elliot’s workplace, but 007n7 would rather have the evidence point at a public place rather than his home.

Plus, it meant that 007n7 could see Elliot tonight if he stayed at Builder Brother’s Pizza.

It was something 007n7 had started looking forward too.

Elliot had returned in the evening from his thirteenth delivery trip to see 007n7 frantically typing away. Elliot took a deep breath, part of him knowing what 007n7 was doing. However, Elliot was not going to tell anyone about it—he couldn’t tell anyone about 007n7’s big exploit, especially since Elliot’s school account could be compromised by 007n7. It was a risk Elliot was too scared to take.

The employee went into the staff room, grabbing the cleaning cart to begin closing down the pizza place. Elliot started by wiping down the windows, followed by the cleaning of tables, all while avoiding 007n7’s table—of course, because it was occupied.

007n7 noticed how Elliot was cleaning the pizza place except for where 007n7 was sitting, and in response he decided to clean his mess up. 007n7 saved his work, putting his laptop in sleep mode as he begins collecting his papers into one file organizer.

“You don’t have to clean up,” Elliot started, “I can clean your spot later.”

“But I’d feel bad,” 007n7 said. Elliot stared, a light chuckle escaping him. “What? What’s so funny?” 007n7 asked in confusion.

“Nothing, it’s just…it’s just that the way you said it,” Elliot responded.

“Did I sound weird?” 007n7 asked as Elliot’s chuckle turned into laughter.

“You were pouting, like a child,” Elliot responded as the employee wiped tears away from his eyes. 007n7 stared for a moment, his mind processing what he just heard.

“I…was?” 007n7 asked, his face going bright red with embarrassment.

“Who knew, you could act like a child,” Elliot smiled, leaning against the table. “Would you like some pizza?” 007n7 took a few seconds to think, but answered, his eyes avoiding Elliot’s, his body slightly twitching.

“Pizza would be nice,”007n7 mumbled, his face red with embarrassment.

Elliot emerged from the back with a fresh, hot pepperoni pizza. 007n7's head perked up in excitement, especially since the hacker hadn't eaten food all day. 007n7 was practically drooling, the pizza about to satisfy his thirst.

"Someone's hungry," Elliot joked as the employee sat beside 007n7. The hacker laughed, his eyes softening, a huge smile on his face.

"I may be a bit hungry," 007n7 looked up to Elliot, a grin on his face. Elliot stared, his eyes studying 007n7's face. Elliot hadn't seen 007n7 smile like this before, a huge grin plastered on 007n7's face. Elliot had began memorizing 007n7's smile, the way 007n7's cheeks move up into his eyes, the way his teeth slightly show through his lips, the way his glasses slightly slid down his nose, Elliot studied it all. Elliot began to memorize it all, he began memorizing 007n7's smile.

It made Elliot's blood run in excitement and confusion. Elliot questioned why he was so fixated on 007n7's smile—why this hacker in front of him made his stomach swirl in a good way. Part of it made Elliot sick. Elliot didn't like how he was feeling about 007n7.

It made Elliot question his sanity as a person, trusting a hacker an all, or at least, that's what he's telling himself.

"Elliot? Are you okay?" 007n7 asks. Elliot snaps out of his trance, noticing 007n7's hand reaching out towards the employee. Elliot lifted his hand, but part of his hesitated. Elliot wasn't sure what his next course of action would be. Was he going to move 007n7's hand away?

As the two high schoolers stared at each other, Elliot noticed how 007n7's brown hair seemed to glow under the pizza place's lights. For Elliot, 007n7's hair looked soft, like hands could run easily through each strand. Elliot studied 007n7's hair, how it was long enough to pass his chin, but it wasn't long enough to be put up into a ponytail, like Elliot's hair. Elliot was suddenly fond of 007n7's hair, watching how each strand rested on 007n7, how the hacker's hair slightly fell onto the glasses the hacker wore. Elliot was mesmerized—and it made Elliot disgusted.

However, part of Elliot wanted to touch 007n7's hair, to move it away from the hacker's glasses.

"Elliot?" 007n7 asked, tapping Elliot on the shoulder.

"Your hair," Elliot says, his hand reaching for 007n7. Elliot moved the hair away from 007n7's glasses, causing 007n7 to jump, confused as to what Elliot was doing. Elliot moved the hair behind 007n7's ear, his hand lingering by the hacker's ear a bit longer than precedented.

"Elliot," 007n7 calls out, causing Elliot to focus on the hacker's face. 007n7's eyes were looking down at the table, his lips pressed together, his ears flushed. 007n7 grabbed Elliot's hand, the hacker's knuckles red from embarrassment. 007n7 slowly moved Elliot's hand down, away from his ear.

It was then that Elliot had realized what he had done.

"Oh shit! I-ugh-I'm so sorry 007n7! I wasn't—" Elliot had paused, taking a good look at 007n7's face. The hacker's ears were no longer just red, it was the hacker's whole face. His eyes were avoiding Elliot's, 007n7's hand covering his mouth. Elliot pressed his lips together, turning to face the pizza on the table in front of him, his hands hiding between his legs. Elliot wanted to disappear in this moment. The employee was suddenly too embarrassed to face 007n7.

In the corner of Elliot's eye, he noticed a hand—a hand that he realized was most likely larger than his—reaching out for a slice of pizza. Elliot watched as the hand picked up a slice, watching how each finger grabbed onto the crust, trying to pry it away from the pizza itself. Elliot closed his eyes in pure embarrassment; he really wanted to disappear. Elliot couldn't believe himself, he was starting to study 007n7 instead of ignore him. Elliot only wanted to keep 007n7 nearby, to pray that he doesn't end up victim of 007n7's hacks. However, that reason seems like a lost cause for Elliot.

Elliot wondered if that reason was the real reason as to why he tolerated 007n7.

"Do you want pizza?" 007n7 asked, his eyes averting Elliot's. The employee nodded, picking up a slice for himself.

"I'll eat one," Elliot responded, his eyes looking away from 007n7 as the employee took small bites of the pizza.

Elliot prayed he wasn't red himself.

007n7 could only think about how Elliot was staring at him earlier, the way Elliot looked at him with such intent, with such care, with such interest. It made 007n7 flustered. No one had looked at the hacker the way Elliot had just now. However, the air had become so awkward that the two high schoolers could only eat the pizza in silence.

007n7 also couldn't stop thinking about the way Elliot moved his hair behind his ear. Something about Elliot in that moment made 007n7's blood race. It was a moment, that's for sure. 007n7 could only see how Elliot looked so glorious when the employee moved the hacker's hair behind the ear, the way that the light shined down on Elliot, his blond hair glimmering like stars. Elliot's eyes also seemed to shine, a glitter in his eyes as they studied 007n7. 

However, 007n7 couldn't reminisce on it—he wouldn't let himself reminisce on it. How could he? Elliot knows too much, fixating on Elliot would only make 007n7 long for a friendship with the employee, which means Elliot could figure out more bold plans 007n7 has. 

It would be terrible for 007n7. However, part of him questioned the integrity of that statement. Was being caught the only reason as to why 007n7 couldn't be friends with Elliot?

No, 007n7 knew—no, he believed Elliot would abandon him once 007n7 was caught.

This moment was fleeting, an accident, or at least, that's what 007n7 is telling himself as the hacker eats the pizza Elliot made for him.

Chapter Text

Elliot had swiftly finished up cleaning the pizza place as 007n7 packed up his things. The air was suddenly very awkward, both high schoolers unable to properly talk to each other after the situation earlier.

007n7 quickly stood up, hurrying towards the door. He wasn’t about to wait for Elliot, especially after the odd interaction earlier. However, just thinking about the interaction earlier made 007n7 a little happy, his face turning a slight shade of pink as he remembers how Elliot put 007n7’s hair behind his ear.

As 007n7 made it out the door, Elliot emerged from the staff room, his eyes averting to the door. Elliot saw how 007n7 was rushing out the door, the hacker’s brown hair flowing behind him. Elliot saw how haste the hacker was to leave, and Elliot didn’t want him to leave.

“007n7!” Elliot called out as he rushed towards the door. The hacker was already out the door and down the path, so Elliot quickly followed, grabbing 007n7’s wrist to stop the hacker. “Wait…for me,” Elliot wheezed, regaining his breath from his sprint. Elliot wasn’t sure if he had run that fast in his life before.

007n7 looked back, noticing the employee and his tight grip on the hacker. 007n7 hadn’t met someone who rushed after him like Elliot did. It made 007n7 blush.

“Elliot, I—“

“Who said I didn’t want to walk with you?” Elliot interrupted 007n7, the employee’s eyes studying the hacker. Elliot wasn’t completely sure if he said what he said, but Elliot didn’t care.

Elliot just knew he didn’t want to leave 007n7 on his own.

“I…uh—“

“Who said then?” Elliot asked once more. 007n7 opened his mouth, nothing coming out. Elliot was holding onto the hacker, waiting for 007n7’s response. 007n7 knew that he probably shouldn’t walk home with Elliot, but 007n7 wanted to walk home with Elliot.

It was the first time that 007n7 didn’t use the excuse that the hacker wanted to keep Elliot close to prevent a breach of information.

“Elliot,” 007n7 started, the employee looking up at the hacker, “we should start heading home now.” Elliot smiled, his expression softening from 007n7’s words. Elliot let go, his eyes still fixated on 007n7. However, Elliot noticed how the hacker’s skin had bumps—goosebumps—most likely from the cold.

“007n7,” Elliot started, taking off his school uniform jacket. Elliot puts it over 007n7’s shoulders and bag, hoping to keep the hacker warm. “Here, to keep warm.” 007n7 looked at the employee, 007n7’s eyes averting down as he turns a light shade of red.

“Thanks,” 007n7 managed to say, his hand grazing the jacket Elliot put on him. 007n7’s eyes soften, his heart pounding so much he thought he was going into arrhythmia.

“Come, let’s go,” Elliot says, turning around to look at 007n7. The employee noticed how the hacker was still, unmoving, his eyes avoiding Elliot’s. Elliot didn’t like that, he didn’t like it when 007n7 was avoiding him, Elliot liked it when 007n7 was around. The employee was accustomed to it.

Elliot slowly made his way towards 007n7, the fireflies dancing around them. Elliot slowly grazes 007n7’s hand, making the hacker jump.

“007n7, aren’t you going to move?” Elliot asked as he grabs 007n7’s hand, slightly tugging on it. 007n7 stands still, his breath becoming hot the longer Elliot stood in front of him. 007n7 wasn’t sure why he suddenly felt his heart race—was this what having a friend was like?

“I—“ 007n7 starts but stops, his eyes making contact with the employee. 007n7 couldn’t find himself taking his eyes off the employee. 007n7 looked at Elliot’s blond hair, the way the hair wasn’t organized and neat but messy and chaotic, the way the shoulder long hair was pulled into a low ponytail. 007n7 couldn’t find himself looking away from Elliot, instead he was pulled into looking at Elliot.

”Fuck,” 007n7 whispered to himself as Elliot began walking. The emotions that 007n7 felt were making him insane. They were driving him nuts.

Elliot was starting to drive 007n7 crazy.

Elliot didn’t let go of 007n7’s hand the whole walk home. Elliot believed it was because he didn’t want 007n7 to run off again and possibly fuck up Elliot’s grades. However, Elliot knew that he wasn’t holding 007n7’s hand for that reason.

Elliot didn’t want 007n7 to run away and pretend Elliot didn’t exist.

Elliot grit his teeth, wondering how someone could even care about the hacker, let alone as much as Elliot has. But Elliot enjoyed it, he enjoyed being the only company 007n7 got.

It meant that 007n7 could spend all the time in the world with him. Yet that thought alone made Elliot annoyed. The employee kept contrasting his thoughts, his mind running between whether he enjoyed having 007n7 around or whether he forced himself to enjoy 007n7’s company.

Elliot shook his head, a migraine hitting his head. The longer Elliot thought about 007n7, the more his head began to hurt.

Suddenly, Elliot was tugged back, sending the employee slight back.

“Elliot,” 007n7 starts, gaining the employee’s attention, “we’re at my house.” Elliot looks at 007n7, then at the house he had walked 007n7 to many times before, then back at 007n7.

“Oh, shoot, sorry,” Elliot says, loosening his grip on 007n7’s hand. However, 007n7 didn’t let go of Elliot’s hand. “Uh…” Elliot trailed off, wondering why 007n7 wasn’t letting go.

“Elliot, are you okay?” 007n7 asked, the hacker’s dark eyes staring into Elliot’s brown eyes. Elliot’s lips parted slightly, his body turning hot as his face becomes a hot shade of red. In Elliot’s eyes, 007n7 had suddenly become more eye catching than the hacker did moments ago.

“Elliot?” The hacker asks again as he lifts his free hand towards Elliot. The employee panics, shutting his eyes tightly as he feels 007n7’s hand graze his cheek.

“I can’t tell if you hate me or not,” 007n7 starts, the hacker’s hand slightly grabbing Elliot’s cheek. “You treat me nicely, make me pizza and walk me home. But then you ignore me and run away from me. I can’t understand you, Elliot. You push me away, then pull me right back.” 007n7 slightly tugs on Elliot’s hand, making Elliot turn a brighter shade of red.

“Tell me Elliot, am I your friend?” 007n7 asks, his eyes wavering as he slowly loses the confidence he had. 007n7 turns Elliot’s head towards his, making the employee look at the hacker. “Tell me what we are.”

The moons hangs high in the sky, illuminating the empty street in a bright, light blue light. Two shadows stand still on the sidewalk, a lingering moment of silence hanging over them.

“I—“ Elliot paused, unsure on how to answer. Elliot knew that 007n7 was asking whether they were friends or not, but Elliot couldn’t deny his heart skipped a beat. Elliot wanted to wonder if that question could’ve meant more.

“Never mind, ignore that question,” 007n7 mumbles as he lets go of Elliot’s hand, taking a few steps back before heading towards his house. Elliot stands there, unable to move at all.

Elliot hated how he couldn’t understand what he felt for 007n7, but he knew that he wasn’t about to let 007n7 go, he couldn’t let 007n7 go.

“7n7!” Elliot called out, the nickname slipping out before Elliot could stop himself. 007n7 stopped, wondering if he heard his name.

“Are you…calling me?” 007n7 asks, turning around to face Elliot. Elliot hesitantly nods, his eyes avoiding 007n7.

“7n7,” Elliot repeated, his voice more confident. “7n7, can I call you that?” 007n7 stared at the employee, wondering if he was hearing things right.

“Y-yeah, you can call me that,” 007n7 says, his mind unable to wrap around what just happened.

“That’s great,” Elliot says, taking a deep breath. The employee lifts his head, a soft smile on his face. “I hope one day you tell me your real name.” 007n7’s face turns red, Elliot’s sudden smile making 007n7’s heart race. 007n7 had never told anyone of his real name, and here in front of him was someone he thought he would never, ever wish to tell his own name to.

“As friends?” 007n7 asks. Elliot nods.

“As friends.”

007n7 climbs into his bed, holding Elliot’s uniform jacket tightly. The hacker had forgotten that he was wearing Elliot’s jacket.

“I’ll have to return this to Elliot tomorrow,” 007n7 says to himself, however he pouts like a child. Part of him didn’t want to give Elliot’s jacket back. It was his friend’s jacket—his first friend’s jacket.

The first friend to ask him what his name was. 007n7 cherished that moment in his head as he drifted off to sleep, repeating the nickname Elliot had given him as he drifts off.

“7n7…”

“7n7…” Elliot repeats as he walks home, wondering what overcame him to call 007n7 that. In embarrassment, Elliot turns a bright shade of red as he remembers what went down at 007n7’s house.

Elliot couldn’t tell if he was going insane or not.

“I need to get help,” Elliot sighs, the cold wind blowing by him. Elliot shivers, instinctively reaching to grab his waist, expecting a jacket tied around the waist.

“Oh shit,” Elliot curses, realizing 007n7 has his jacket. Elliot was so focused on 007n7 that he had completely forgotten about his jacket. He would have to ask 007n7 for it tomorrow.

“Should I ask him at school?” Elliot pondered. 007n7 wasn’t someone he was actively avoiding anymore, and now he was a friend. Would it be fine to interact with him at school?

Elliot hoped it was, maybe it would be fine.

It should be fine to talk to a friend at school, right?

“A friend…” Elliot whispers to himself.

Chapter Text

The next day, Elliot was wandering down the halls, passing the busy cafeteria during lunchtime. Elliot’s skin was slightly goose bumped, the expected warmth from his jacket no longer there. He had to get it back from 007n7.

Elliot turned down the hall, marching right up to the coding room door, the heavy blue door slightly ajar. Elliot peeked in, looking through the little crevice for 007n7. Luckily for Elliot, 007n7 was sitting down at a desk, typing away on his laptop, his fingers moving gracefully from key to key. Elliot watched in awe, studying 007n7’s serious demeanour, watching as 007n7’s dark brown eyes dart, watching the computer screen with this intensity. Elliot noticed a paper by 007n7’s hand, and there he noticed 007n7’s black sleeve, which turned out to be a jacket—Elliot’s jacket. The employee blushed, his heart racing as the realization dawned on him.

007n7 was wearing his jacket.

Suddenly, Elliot no longer wanted his jacket back, he wanted 007n7 to wear it forever.

“Elliot?” 007n7 calls out, looking towards the door. Elliot quickly straightened, a stammered laugh escaping him.

“Oh, 7n7, hello,” Elliot greeted, entering the room. 007n7 smiled, happy Elliot called him by his nickname.

“Why are you here?” 007n7 asked Elliot, watching as the employee made his way around the desks and towards 007n7. However, Elliot’s foot suddenly got caught on the leg of a desk, sending Elliot tumbling forward. Elliot yelped out, his hands extended as he falls towards 007n7. The hacker panics, unable to properly react and ends up victim to Elliot’s fall. 007n7 falls out of his chair as two fall to the floor, a large thud echoing through the room.

“Ow,” Elliot groans, rubbing the back of head. Elliot lifts his chin up, slowly moving onto his elbows when he notices the heavy weight on him. Then, Elliot sees the face of the person that’s on top of him, the dark eyes of the person looking at Elliot with a profound expression Elliot couldn’t describe.

“Shit,” 007n7 cursed, slowly backing away to move off Elliot. However, the employee quickly grabbed 007n7’s sleeve, which stopped the hacker from moving. 007n7 turns his head around, looking at the man under him. Elliot’s eyes meet 007n7’s, and for a moment, Elliot couldn’t help but wonder why 007n7’s eyes felt so empty, those dark eyes that could display so much emotion sometimes felt like a wall that towered so tall its shadow felt like night. Elliot wanted to reach out, to grab him, to embrace him, but he held back.

Elliot possibly couldn’t do that to 007n7, could he?

007n7 held his breath, unable to let out even a gasp. 007n7 couldn’t believe he was on top of the person who he thought disliked him the most.

“E…Elliot?” 007n7 managed to force out. The two stare at each other, their eyes staring with this intense gaze at each other.

“M-m-my sweater…” Elliot whispered. 007n7 stared at the employee beneath him, then at the sweater 007n7 was wearing, then back at Elliot. Suddenly, 007n7 flushed red, his heart pounding so hard 007n7 thought he was going to die.

“O-oh right!” 007n7 fumbled to say, hurriedly sitting upright to take off the sweater, however in 007n7’s frantic attempt to take off the sweater, he didn’t realize who he sat right on top of.

Elliot.

“Ow!” Elliot yelled as 007n7 hurriedly sat upright. The employee turned a bright shade of red, a hand over his mouth to cover his embarrassment. Elliot’s eyes glanced at 007n7, whose shirt had slightly shifted as he took off the jacket. Elliot’s heart started beating erratically, his mind racing as his stomach does somersaults. Elliot was going crazy.

“…7n7,” Elliot started, his voice low, faint, like a plea, “you should get off of me, right now.” 007n7 looked at Elliot, jacket off when the hacker realized who—and what—he was sitting on.

“Oh shit,” 007n7 quickly stood up, moving away from Elliot whose skin was no longer the yellow shade it usually was, but instead was this flushed shade of red.

007n7 was beyond embarrassed, he couldn’t even describe the emotion he had right now. The hacker put the sweater beside the still Elliot as he quickly stood up, grabbing his laptop and papers, shoving it in his bag and darting out of the room. Elliot stayed motionless on the floor, clutching his chest so tightly he thought he would rip his skin off. He took deep breaths, hoping to alleviate the headache from that was forming.

“7n7,” Elliot managed to force out as the end of lunch bell rang, “you can’t keep doing this to me.

You’re making me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling.”

Chapter Text

Elliot rushed down the hall, jacket in hand as he raced towards the main entrance. He was asked to work a bit earlier than his normal hours, so the employee was in a hurry to get out of the school and towards his work place. As the frantic employee passes the library window, his eyes glance at someone who was deeply invested in their textbook, their brown hair lightly hanging, their glasses lower on their nose than usual. The student hadn't noticed Elliot's intense stare, which could very much pierce someone since that look had such an intensity. 

Elliot's lips parted, his stomach dropping as sadness filled his heart, Elliot wondered if 007n7 was going to come to Builder Brother's Pizza. Elliot wanted 007n7 to come to the employee's workplace. It was a daily occurrence the employee had gotten used to, he didn't want it to end now, even if there was an awkward situation earlier.

Elliot took out his phone, glancing at the time before taking a deep breath. Elliot didn't like being late—he was never late to work before. Maybe he wouldn't get in trouble today.

Maybe.

Elliot headed towards the library entrance, opening the door and making his way into the quiet, ambient library. Elliot took another breath, building up the courage to talk to the hacker. As the employee made his way towards the hacker, Elliot wondered if maybe it was bad that he was going up to 007n7. Elliot wondered if he was simply overthinking things and maybe 007n7 was simply catching up on work. When the employee had come closer to the hacker, Elliot stopped a bit from 007n7, taking a glance at the work the hacker was doing.

"Holy," Elliot said, startling the hacker. 007n7 sat upright, his eyes frantically looking up at the employee.

"Wh-what—why are you here?" 007n7 frantically asked, quickly grabbing his scattered papers. However, Elliot stopped 007n7, grabbing the hacker's hand in order to see the worksheets 007n7 was working on.

"This is...impressive," Elliot complimented, looking at all the solved complex physics problems. 007n7 blushed, his heart racing. 007n7 hasn't really been complimented before, so Elliot's sudden comment made 007n7 extremely joyful.

"I-thank you," 007n7 said, his eyes avoiding Elliot's. 007n7 lowered his hand, and Elliot's grip relaxed.

"You should do tutoring," Elliot commented, looking right at 007n7. "You're smart, 7n7." 007n7 blushed, stumbling back out of embarrassment.

"I'm not that smart," 007n7 mumbled as he abruptly sat down. Elliot shook his head, turning around and leaning on the table 007n7's desk.

"I think you are," Elliot said, which finally brought 007n7's eyes up towards Elliot's. The two stared at each other, wondering if they said and heard what the other did. Elliot suddenly stood up, his body becoming stiff as his face flushed a deep red. "Well, you're smart enough to do tutoring, and plus, you're very talented," Elliot stumbled to say, his hands swaying around frantically.

"You...mean that?" 007n7 asked, his face scrunching up, his eyes softening and watering. Elliot relaxed, relaxing his arms and softening his expression.

"I do, of course I do, 7n7," Elliot says, patting 007n7's shoulder. The hacker smiles, the corners of his mouth digging into his cheeks. Elliot smiles in response, however his excitement is short lived when his phone begins to vibrate. Elliot pauses, shock and realization overcoming him. Quickly, the employee pulled out his phone, studying the notification that popped up.

"Shit! I have work today!" Elliot yelled, his blood running cold. 007n7 stood up, grabbing his worksheets and shoving them into his bag. Elliot was about to run when 007n7 grabbed the employee's wrist, causing the employee to stop abruptly. Elliot turned to face 007n7, confusion written all over his face.

"There's some scooters we can rent to get to your work faster, my mom gave me some money to ride a scooter," 007n7 said, his lips slightly parted. Elliot stared, his eyes darting between 007n7's eyes, his lips, then back to his eyes.

"Oh, uh, yes, I would appreciate that," Elliot blushed, wondering why he didn't just stare at 007n7's eyes. The hacker nodded, holding onto Elliot tight as he guides the employee out of the library and out towards a rentable scooter.

007n7 unlocked his phone, ready to pay the fee to rent the scooter as Elliot was jumping from worry. A ding came from 007n7's phone, bringing Elliot's attention towards 007n7.

"Hop on!" 007n7 said as he grabbed the handle bars. Elliot nodded, hopping onto the back of the orange motorized scooter, however the employee couldn't reach the handle bars.

"Here," 007n7 said as he let go of the handle bars, moving his bag from his back to his front. "You can wrap your arms around me," Elliot blushed, but then looked at his watch, noticing the time. He couldn't argue if he wanted to, Elliot had to get to work now.

Elliot wrapped his arms around 007n7's waist, the employee resting his head on 007n7's back. The employee relaxed as the hacker started moving the scooter forward, moving down the sidewalk at a speed faster than walking. Elliot took a deep breath, closing his eyes, relaxing on 007n7's back. Elliot wondered if it was better if he had just ignored 007n7. Elliot started to regret his decision, wondering if that maybe if he had simply walked away, he would be on time for work.

"Elliot," 007n7 started as he slowed the scooter down at a red light. "I'm sorry for making you late." Elliot lifted his head, looking up at the back of 007n7's head, the hacker's brown hair messy from the wind.

"It's not your fault, it's mine. I wanted to talk to you," Elliot confessed, looking at the cars driving by.

"Even so, I'm glad you found me," 007n7 confessed. Elliot looked at the hacker, the employee's heart racing as his face turned red with embarrassment. Suddenly, all of Elliot's worries faded away, like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. Elliot no longer regretted finding 007n7, in fact, he was grateful he did. He wasn't sure why, but all he knew was that every time from this moment on, every time he was going to see 007n7, he wants to call him, talk to him and ask him questions.

Elliot was no longer repulsed by 007n7, in fact, he enjoyed 007n7's company.

"I'm glad I did too, 7n7."

Chapter Text

007n7 stopped the scooter outside Builder Brother’s Pizza, putting his foot down on the ground as he shifts his weight.

"Elliot,” 007n7 said as he turned his head around, “we’re here.” Elliot looked up quickly, realizing he had arrived at his workplace.

“Oh, thank you, 7n7,” Elliot thanked as he got off the scooter. Elliot looked at the pizza place, a odd calm over washing him. The employee stood still, his mind racing through thoughts that oddly put him at ease.

“7n7,” Elliot started, grabbing the attention of the confused hacker.

“Yes, Elliot?” 007n7 asked. The employee turned around, a huge smile on his face.

“Please don’t leave the pizza place early today,” Elliot said, his eyes glimmering with joy. 007n7 stood awestruck, his heart pounding faster than it has ever been before. The hacker couldn’t help but wonder if there was something prettier than Elliot—no, the hacker knew there was nothing prettier than the man standing in front of him.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Elliot,” 007n7 responded, walking beside the employee as the two enter the pizza place together.

Night came quick, darkness enveloping the town. The hacker was typing quickly at his laptop, not hacking into the school system but typing a formal message for a teacher.

As 007n7 was typing away, Elliot walked into the pizza place, running a hand through his blond hair to keep the hair out of his eyes.

“7n7,” Elliot greeted as he walked towards the hacker. The hacker looks up from his computer, his square glasses slowly sliding down his nose.

“Oh, Elliot. How was work?” 007n7 asked, his eyes watching Elliot as the employee sat down beside the hacker.

“Work was fine as usual. Luckily it wasn’t a busy day,” Elliot grumbled as he put his head on the table. 007n7 awkwardly chuckled, rubbing Elliot’s back in slow circles.

“I don’t have a job, so for me, your hardworking attitude and impressive swiftness is really impressive,” 007n7 compliments. Elliot shivers, his face turning a bright shade of red. 007n7 was suddenly so comforting it could make Elliot combust.

“You’re way too kind for your own good, 7n7,” Elliot said as he lifted his head. The employee’s eyes glancing at the laptop screen. There lay an email, half finished with a document attached, labeled Tutoring Application. “Oh, what’s this?” Elliot asked as he pointed towards the laptop. 007n7 glanced as Elliot, then his laptop, then back at Elliot.

“Oh, I’m applying to be a tutor at our school,” 007n7 replied, a smile on his face. Elliot stared, agape for a moment before cheering and clapping.

“You really listened to me? 7n7, you’re going to do amazing as a tutor!” Elliot cheers as he claps. 007n7 laughs, a huge grin on my face.

“To be honest, the idea of tutoring others wouldn’t have crossed my mind if you hadn’t brought it up, Elliot. I appreciate it,” 007n7 thanks, his body relaxing. Elliot chuckled, his hands reaching out to 007n7’s shoulders.

“It’s an amazing opportunity, 7n7,” Elliot said as he pulled 007n7 closed for a hug. The hacker was frozen, completely shocked from Elliot’s sudden embrace. However, he relaxed, putting his head on Elliot’s shoulders as he brought his arms up and around Elliot.

“Thank you, Elliot.”

The employee locked up the pizza place, 007n7 scrolling through videos on his phone. The night was dark as usual, the moon the only thing illuminating the streets.

“7n7,” Elliot said, grabbing the attention of the hacker, “home time.” 007n7 nodded, putting his phone in his pocket.

“Let’s go then,” 007n7 said as the two high schoolers walked side by side under the glistening moonlight.

A few blocks down from 007n7’s house, the hacker’s phone buzzed, a notification popping through. 007n7 pulled put his phone as Elliot continued rambling on about a customer he had today.

“…and she just had to say the words, ‘aren’t you too young to be making my food?’ I’m qualified, lady,” Elliot sneered, his nose scrunching. Elliot glanced at 007n7, who was quiet as the hacker’s eyes moved left and right, studying the phone screen. “7n7?” Elliot asked. The hacker looked up, turning towards Elliot.

“Oh, sorry Elliot. I just got an email from the tutoring teacher,” 007n7 explained. Elliot nodded, his eyes watching 007n7’s.

“So, are you in?” Elliot asks. 007n7 purses his lips together, his eyelids relaxing. Elliot takes a deep breath, his hand reaching out for 007n7’s shoulder. “It’s okay next—“ Elliot pauses as 007n7 turns the phone screen towards the hacker, a clear message displayed on the screen.

Thank you for your application. Please come in tomorrow after school so we can assign you a schedule and students.

“I got in,” 007n7 announced, a moment of silence passing over the two boys. Then, suddenly, Elliot jumped, cheering as he put his arm around 007n7.

“I knew you could do it!” Elliot cheered, pulling 007n7 close for an awkward side hug. 007n7 laughed, bringing his arm up and around Elliot.

“Thanks, Elliot,” 007n7 said, a huge smile on his face. Elliot smiled in response, patting 007n7’s back.

“So you’re busy tomorrow?” Elliot asked. 007n7 nodded.

“Yeah, sorry. I won’t be able to walk with you to your work,” 007n7 apologized. Elliot frantically took his hands off of 007n7, moving them side to side in front of 007n7.

“No, no it’s fine. It’s not a big deal, 7n7. Focus on tutoring,” Elliot said as 007n7 slowed down. The two stood in front of 007n7’s house, the side door light still on as usual.

“I’ll be sure to come before you end work,” 007n7 said, smiling. Elliot smiled, however his heart sank knowing 007n7 wasn’t going to be at Builder Brother’s Pizza, waiting for the employee.

“You better,” Elliot sarcastically said, a chuckle escaping him. 007n7 smiled, nodding.

“I’ll be there,” 007n7 responded as he walked up the driveway. Before unlocking the door, 007n7 turned to face Elliot, waving at the employee. “Don’t beat up any customers while I’m gone, okay?” Elliot chuckled at 007n7’s reminder, a little something Elliot was going to carry on his way home.

“I won’t, 7n7.”

Chapter Text

007n7 entered the tutoring office at his school, his body shaking with fear. His eyes darting around the room, looking for someone—a teacher. Pairs of students filled the space, each with a book and paper scattered around.

007n7 slipped into the room, his feet tip toeing on the hard floor. He quietly walked towards the office, his lips quivering as he hesitated to knock on the door.

“Fuck, can I do this?” 007n7 muttered to himself. Dropping his head, the hacker sighed, his stomach swirling.

The hacker took a deep breath, lifting his head high as he opened the door, entering the tutoring office. A lady sat at her desk, typing away, her square glasses slowly sliding down her nose. 007n7 watched the lady in silence as she looked up from her computer.

“Oh, hello. Are you the boy that emailed me last night?” The lady asked. 007n7 nodded. “Perfect, if you could hand me your form, that would be appreciated.” 007n7 handed his form to the lady, who had her arm fully extended towards the hacker.

“Is the form alright?” 007n7 asked. The lady nodded.

“It’s quite ridiculous of me to ask, but would you like to be called by your preferred name or your real name?” The lady asked.

“My preferred named, please,” 007n7 responded. The lady nodded, a slight smile on her face.

“Okay, 007n7, take a seat,” she said, gesturing to a chair that faces her on the opposite side of her desk. 007n7 nodded, taking his bag off and taking a seat. “Alright,” she started, clicking a few keys and moving her mouse, “I’m just going to check your file and then we’ll get started on the interview, okay?” 007n7 nodded in agreement to the lady, taking a deep breath as his file popped up on the lady’s desktop.

“Alright,” she starts, her eyes switching between the paper 007n7 handed her and her desktop. She nodded every time she moved her head, like somehow it was impressive that there wasn’t any mistakes in the form fill out. “Okay, 007n7, everything looks right. Let’s get started, shall we, 007n7?” She asks. 007n7 nods, goosebumps appearing all over his arm.

“Okay, Miss…” 007n7 trails off, his eyes darting around the lady’s desk, looking for a name tag.

“Miss BrightEyes, but you can call me Miss B,” the teacher explains. 007n7 nods, his head hanging low.

“Okay, Miss B,” 007n7 responded as Miss B nodded her head.

“Don’t hang your head low, it’s important to maintain eye contact with your interviewer,” Miss B comments. 007n7 hesitates, but then he takes a deep breath and lifts his head up.

“Okay then, Miss B,” 007n7 confidently says, a smile forming on Miss B’s face. She knew from this moment that she would make the best decision she had ever made for 007n7.

Elliot entered the pizza place, his face cold as stone. It was the first time in a while that 007n7 wasn’t at Elliot’s workplace right away.

“It feels so empty…” Elliot mutters to himself, the evening rush yet to come. He slowly made his way towards the staff room, his feet dragging along the floor. As he opened the door, a loud yelp came from inside, then something banging into the lockers.

“Who’s in here?” Elliot asked, his head scanning the room. A light groan escape from someone—from the man who was on the floor rubbing his head.

“What—oh, Elliot. Gosh, you scared me,” the owner said, standing upright. “This place gets really quiet when there’s only one employee,” the owner comments. Elliot smiles, a laugh escaping him. Elliot wondered if he knew about the evening rush, the insane amount of orders that pile in when everyone decides to get off work. Clearly not if he was this relaxed.

“It is,” Elliot says, his eyes closing as his lips press together. The owner quickly stood up, locking his locker as car keys jingled in his hand.

“I’ll see you around, Elliot. Thanks for all the help,” the owner said, patting Elliot’s shoulder as he walked out of the staff room. The door closed quietly, footsteps slowly becoming more distant the farther the owner walked away. Elliot slowly opened his locker, taking deep breath as he changed into his work uniform.

“This is going to be a long shift, isn’t it?” Elliot sighed, putting on his work cap. “Could 7n7 please hurry up?” Elliot whined as he exited the staff room.

“There he is!” Miss B announced as another student entered the office. 007n7 looked up, turning his head around to the student that had walked in the class. He wore a blue medical mask—which made 007n7 weary that the kid was sick.

“Hello Miss B!” The student said cheerfully. 007n7 relaxed, realizing the student’s voice wasn’t raspy. The student hurriedly sat down in the chair beside 007n7 after dropping his bag on the floor.

“This is 007n7, I’ve assigned him to be your tutoring. 007n7, this is—“

“I can’t wait to have you as my tutor!” The kid proudly exclaimed as he stood up, grabbing 007n7’s hand to shake it. 007n7 awkwardly laughed, his glasses slowly falling down the bridge of his nose as the kid frantically shook the hacker’s arm.

“Well, if you two want to plan a tutoring service today, that’s completely fine by me. Just before you leave, make sure to submit an agreed upon schedule before you leave, okay?” Miss B reminded them both.

“Of course Miss B!” The kid proudly exclaimed as he dragged 007n7 out of the tutoring office.

“Wait, slow down!” 007n7 yelled as he was dragged out of the tutoring office. The cheery student stopped once he and 007n7 were outside the tutoring office, grabbing the door handle and closing the tutoring office door.

“Well, Miss B said he had to make a schedule before we leave so let’s get to it!” The student announced, making his way over to an empty table. 007n7 sighed, a small smile forming on his face.

Maybe this was the year he wouldn’t be all alone.

Elliot got off the moped, sweat dripping down his face. There was a large increase in pizza orders today, which threw him off. Elliot wasn’t prepared to make nearly forty deliveries in one day.

Elliot turned off the moped, walking towards the back staff door of Builder Brother’s Pizza. The warm light was an adjustment to the dark outside, as streetlights flickered and cicadas buzzed everywhere.

As he passed through the kitchen doors to the front, he saw 007n7’s stuff lying around at his usual table, but not 007n7 himself.

“Where’s 7n7?” Elliot asked himself as he turned his head towards the front counter. There stood the hacker, a soft cheery smile on his face.

“Hi Elliot,” 007n7 greeted, leaning a little forward and onto the counter. “Can I have a medium pepperoni pizza?”

“A pepperoni pizza you say?” Elliot teases, a light chuckle escaping him. Elliot slowly leans over the counter, his face slowly inching towards 007n7.

“Yes sir,” 007n7 responds, a low chuckle escaping him.

“Then you shall get one,” Elliot says, looking down at his watch, “in ten minutes.”

Suddenly, 007n7 laughs, letting his head fall onto the counter.

“What are we doing?” 007n7 asks himself between his laughs. Elliot smiles, chuckles escaping.

“I’ll get you your pizza, 7n7, okay? Just give me a moment,” Elliot says, putting a hand in 007n7’s hair. “Just wait, okay?”

007n7 groans in response as Elliot pats 007n7’s head. After a few moments later, Elliot leaves and heads into the kitchen to make 007n7’s pizza.

Once the door to the kitchen closed behind Elliot, 007n7’s fists clench, his face turning a bright shade of red. He hadn’t planned on behaving like this in front of Elliot, it was unlike 007n7 to act like this in his opinion.

“Why am I like this…” 007n7 mutters to himself in the empty dining area.

“Fuck,” Elliot said, the first words to come out of his mouth in the kitchen. His skin was now turning red, his face becoming a tomato. He couldn’t believe he just acted like that in front of 007n7. It was so embarrassing for him.

“I just need to make a pizza,” Elliot muttered to himself, straightening as his mind kept replaying what happened earlier. Elliot was struggling to focus—he couldn’t focus, not after that.

“I freaking hate you, 7n7. You’re driving me nuts,” Elliot jokingly muttered to himself as he aggressively rolled out a fresh pizza dough, taking out his emotions into the pizza dough.

Although, with the moment replaying in Elliot’s head, it makes him even more angry at himself. He knew it was going to be a long night.

Chapter Text

Elliot locked up the pizza place, with 007n7 watching videos on his phone as he waited. Small white puffs of air escaped as 007n7 breathed, the hacker’s ears turning a slight shade of red. The air was getting colder, the warm fall was now transitioning to a cold winter.

“Wear this,” Elliot said, walking closer towards the hacker. Held in his hand was a scarf, a school issued scarf, its purple and black colours designing it. 007n7 stared at the employee, before his face turned a bright shade of pink.

“Elliot, you should wear it, it’s your—“

“Shush, 7n7,” Elliot interrupted as he put the scarf around 007n7’s neck, fluffing it out so that the scarf partly covers the hacker’s ears.

“Elliot,” 007n7 started, his face relaxing, no longer in shock.

“I don’t need you getting a cold now, especially since you just got your tutoring gig. Take care of yourself, 7n7,” Elliot reminded the hacker, patting the hacker’s messy brown hair. 007n7 nodded, a small smile forming as his face turned a nice shade of pink not from the cold.

“Then we should get walking, Elliot,” 007n7 said, placing his hand on the employee’s shoulder. Elliot smiled, grabbing the hand on his shoulder, the hand’s knuckles red, contrasting his dry skin.

“Your hands are cold, 7n7, do you have gloves?” Elliot asked. The hacker shook his head.

“No, I don’t,” 007n7 said, biting his lip in response to his glasses starting to feel cold against his skin. Elliot took the hacker hand, interlacing his fingers around the hacker’s fingers and placing it in his pocket.

“7n7, I’ll keep your hands warm, so that you don’t lose your fingers,” Elliot said, the employee’s skin starting to turn a shade of pink. Elliot pressed his lips together, his heart racing.

“Elliot,” 007n7 started, turning his head to the left to look at the employee.

“Yeah?” Elliot responded, turning his head to the right to look at 007n7.

“…Did you have fun at work today?” 007n7 asked, holding back what he actually wanted to ask.

007n7 wanted to know if Elliot missed him as much as he did. But it was a stupid question to ask in 007n7’s mind. Why would Elliot care if 007n7 was gone for a day?

“…It’s more fun when you’re around, 7n7,” Elliot confessed, closing his eyes softly. He wanted to say that he enjoys it when he walks into the pizza place every time after a delivery, he gets to see 007n7’s face—that even just seeing his face makes his day better. But Elliot was sure 007n7 would be weirded out, he was sure 007n7 was weirded out with Elliot holding 007n7’s hand in Elliot’s pocket.

Elliot loosens his grip on 007n7’s hand, but in response 007n7 squeezed his hand tighter.

“I enjoy being around you, Elliot. I like being around you, Elliot,” 007n7 said, his glasses starting to slip down his nose. Elliot lifted his left hand, moving it across his body and towards 007n7’s face. Pushing by the frame, he pushed the glasses up, sitting right on top of 007n7’s nose bridge. Once they set, Elliot’s hand graze 007n7’s cheek, which made the hacker wince from Elliot’s warm hands. Elliot moved his hand towards the hacker’s hair, slowly putting it behind 007n7’s ear. Now, Elliot could see the face he missed all day, that he was so excited to see. It was something Elliot wouldn’t say to 007n7 himself, but deep down, Elliot was upset he couldn’t tell 007n7 how he felt right now. No, for Elliot, he wouldn’t tell how he felt for 007n7 right now.

007n7 stared at Elliot, the hardworking employee in front of him who made his day. He was mesmerized, truly, he was in awe that he was friends with Elliot.

007n7 was so grateful he was friends. In fact, it was nice that he had a friend like Elliot. However, although 007n7 thought he wasn’t a gluttonous person, he never wanted someone more to himself than the person in front of him. 007n7 wanted Elliot all to himself—this employee who was so sweet, who treated him nice, he was someone 007n7 wanted.

“Was wanted the right word for a friend?” 007n7 asked himself. For him, it felt wrong, he wanted more, a word that fit them better.

007n7 blushed, his face turning a bright shade of red. 007n7 couldn’t believe he just thought that. 007n7 couldn’t believe he believed that he liked Elliot. He couldn’t believe himself.

“7n7?” Elliot asked, his voice sounding so sweet for 007n7.

“I—I have to go! Bye Elliot! Get home safe!” 007n7 said, letting go of Elliot’s hand and running off and away.

“I—7n7!” Elliot called out, but his phone buzzed, a message appearing from his mom. “Come home soon,” Elliot read aloud, a deep sigh escaping him. The employee looked up, wondering if 007n7 got far. He did, no longer in Elliot’s sight.

“So mean, 7n7, leaving me here,” Elliot said, pouting. Elliot pouted for a few moments before standing upright, eyes wide. “Why am I pouting?” Elliot asked himself, covering his mouth with his hand. “Shit, c’mon Elliot, it’s one day that he isn’t walking home with you…” Elliot trailed off, looking down the road, wondering if 007n7 would turn around and come back into his vision. Elliot was really hoping he did, Elliot didn’t get to spend a lot of time with him today.

“What if…” Elliot started, lowering his hand from his mouth, “…I like him?” Elliot immediately covered his mouth, his face turning a dark red. “There’s no way I just said that,” Elliot immediately started running the opposite direction of 007n7’s house, which was the faster route to his home.

“I’m so dumb, oh gosh,” Elliot muttered to himself as he ran under the moonlight.

007n7 plopped down in his bed, face in his pillows, absolutely embarrassed about his own thoughts. How could he face Elliot after thinking he liked Elliot?

“Agh! I’m so stupid!” 007n7 yelled into his pillows, glasses shoving into his face. Once calm, the hacker turned his head to the side so he could breathe. “…Would it be bad if I did like him?” 007n7 wondered, staring out, disassociating from reality. “…What if I dated Elliot?” 007n7 pondered, his face turning red. His mind created this image of him holding hands with Elliot, snow softly falling onto the employee, who was happy beside the hacker. 007n7 smiled, a small chuckle escaping him. It made the hacker happy to just imagine Elliot happy.

Maybe the hacker was falling for the employee.

“How was work, sweetie?” Elliot’s mom asked, looking up from her phone. Elliot smiled, taking his shoes off.

“It was good,” he said, walking past his mom and into his room. Elliot thought by the time he made it to his room, he would’ve forgotten about earlier.

He did not.

“Crap,” Elliot said, sliding down his door. If anything, he really misses 007n7. All he can think about is 007n7’s face, his red lips and pink cheeks from the cold, his long brown hair that reaches his shoulders and his oversized square glasses that sit on his face. Elliot got embarrassed just thinking about 007n7.

“I really wanted to kiss him,” Elliot whispered to himself. Instead of an overreaction, Elliot imagined 007n7, his brown hair covered in snowflakes, the employee’s scarf around the hacker’s neck. 007n7 was looking at him with a huge smile on his face, and it was all Elliot could think about.

“I can’t be thinking about 7n7, not like this,” Elliot said, putting his head between his legs. “I…I really want to see him right now,” Elliot said, taking his phone out of his pocket. However, he stopped, realizing he never once asked for 007n7’s number. Now he couldn’t even text him.

“Gosh, I miss him so much,” Elliot said, throwing his head back in anger. He stared at his ceiling, the warm yellow light coming from his ceiling fan in his peripheral vision.

“Would it be bad if I asked him out?” Elliot pondered, and it was the only thing he pondered about for the rest of the night.

Chapter Text

007n7 had been avoiding Elliot all day. He couldn’t face the employee, not after all the thoughts and dreams he had about him, it made him embarrassed one could even think about another person like that.

Luckily, it worked out for him. He managed to avoid Elliot all day and was now tutoring the new kid.

“Hey, 007n7, I have a question,” the kid asked 007n7. The hacker looked up, away from the worksheets and towards the kid.

“Yeah?” 007n7 responded, curious about what he wanted to ask.

“You’re good at coding, right?” The kid asked 007n7. The hacker froze for a moment, but quickly responded as to not sound weird.

“Uh, yes, I do—“

“Can you teach me as well?” The kid asked, his eyes full of stars. 007n7 awkwardly chuckled, picking up his pencil and pointing it towards the kid.

“But you’re already learning something with me, quadratic equations,” 007n7 reminded him. The kid slouched in response, a sigh escaping him.

“So mean,” the kid said, crossing his arms. 007n7 sighed, looking down at the worksheets. He scanned the kid’s answers, and they weren’t all wrong. 007n7 was kind of impressed he could actually teach. Now part of him is considering becoming a teacher.

“These aren’t bad, especially from where you started,” 007n7 said, picking up the sheet and studying the page. Suddenly, the paper was taken out of his hand as the kid jumped up, stars in his eyes.

“I’ll do all my homework, and I’ll do extra practice if you teach me how to code! Please 007n7!” The kid begged, as he did puppy eyes, hoping to sway 007n7. The hacker chuckled, glancing over at a sticky note in the corner of the kid’s laptop.

“Get an eighty or higher on your quadratic test next week, and I’ll teach you coding in return,” 007n7 said, holding his hand out for a handshake. The kid smiled so wide, joy was basically spewing out of him.

“Really? Oh gosh, thank you 007n7!” The kid shook the hacker’s hand so hard 007n7 was sure his arm would fall off.

“No…no problem,” 007n7 said, an awkward smile on his face. It reminded him that he had requests he still had to fulfill and that he was lacking a bit. Maybe it was good if he got a student.

“Actually, 007n7, I’m curious, what grade are you in?” The kid asked. 007n7 looked at the kid, opening his mouth to speak, but someone spoke in his place.

“He’s in your grade, actually. Hello you two,” Miss B greeted as she stopped at 007n7’s tutoring table. 007n7 and the kid looked up, noticing the tutoring teacher.

“Hello Miss B,” 007n7 greeted. The kid waved, a smile on his face.

“Hello. I forgot to give you something yesterday. Normally, we give arcade passes to our tutors for giving up their free time to help other students. Here,” Miss B says, handing the tickets to 007n7. “Have fun tutoring and learning you two.”

“Thank you, Miss B,” 007n7 said, staring at the tickets. They were admission passes for an arcade that was famous in their city.

“Wow, maybe I should become a tutor,” the kid said, looking at the tickets. 007n7 nodded, putting them in his bag quickly.

“I seriously can’t be thinking about him of all people right now,” 007n7 mumbled to himself.

“Who?” The kid asked, curious. 007n7 looked at the kid, then smiled awkwardly.

“No one, no one at all. Let’s get back to factoring,” 007n7 said, switching the subject quickly to avoid even thinking about it.

“Is that all?” Elliot asked the lady at the counter. She nods, handing the employee a twenty for her large pizza. Elliot smiled, opening the register and placing the money into the register, his hands sloppy and tired. “Here’s your change,” he says as he hands her four dollars and twenty cents. The lady smiles, placing the change into her wallet as she takes a seat in an empty booth.

Elliot slowly walks towards the back, grabbing a ball of dough from the rack as he begins to make the pizza. It was the second day since 007n7 began his tutoring gig and if the employee was honest, he didn’t like how 007n7 wasn’t in the pizza place while he was working. If anything, it made him sad.

“Time moves too slow,” Elliot mutters to himself as he stretches out the door. As Elliot forms the circular shape of the pizza, his mind starts to doze, 007n7 popping in his head. “He should be here,” Elliot pouts, grabbing the tomato sauce ladle. Elliot began to imagine 007n7 beside him, sitting on the counter beside the employee.

“You’re really good at making pizza,” “007n7” compliments, his fingers slowly moving towards Elliot’s arm. “You’ve got strong arms, I can see them tense up every time you stretch out the dough. It’s so fucking hot, Elliot.”

Elliot blushed, quickly removing his hands from the dough. Suddenly, he loses his balance, tumbling backwards and landing on his butt as tomato sauce flew everywhere, causing a loud commotion. In the dining area, the lady’s head rises, looking up to see the commotion.

“Ahh, crap,” Elliot curses, tilting his head back to look at the fluorescent lights. Elliot wasn’t sure if he was crazy or if he was stupid. Elliot wondered why 007n7 was in his mind as he made the pizza. Why did Elliot think about 007n7 and in that manner. Elliot hated himself for it. There’s no way 007n7 would even like him…right?

“Are you okay, sir?” The lady yelled from the dining room. Elliot looked towards the door, wondering if he was ever hurt, would 007n7 come running in to save him. It was stupid thought, in Elliot’s opinion to every think that. 007n7 doesn’t think of Elliot in that way.

“I’m okay, ma’am. Your pizza is almost ready,” Elliot responds, standing up, his face too relaxed.

“I wished he was here,” Elliot said to himself.

“007n7!” The kid called out to the hacker, “thank you for tutoring me today!”

“No problem. Get home safe, okay?” 007n7 said, waving bye as he left through the door. The kid waves back, walking away from the door and out of sight.

007n7 took out his phone, looking down at the time. It reminded him that he usually would go to Elliot’s workplace, that he could go to his workplace.

Suddenly, 007n7 remembered his dream from last night, that 007n7 was wearing the same scarf Elliot gave him, its purple and black colours resting around his neck. Elliot was fixing the scarf, his knuckles red from the cold.

“I don’t want you to get sick,” “Elliot” says, his fingers resting softly on the wool scarf.

“Or else…”

“Or else…what?” “007n7” asks, but then, instead of receiving words for an answer, he dreamt that he felt Elliot’s soft, gentle and sweet lips on his own, snow slowly falling around them.

“Or else I can’t do that,” “Elliot”says, slowly leaning away from 007n7. The dream felt so real for 007n7, he almost wished it was real, he hoped it would—

“Get out of the driveway!” A driver yelled, honking his horn. 007n7 jumped, quickly spinning his head around before quickly running to the other side of the driveway.

“Frick me, bro,” 007n7 mutters to himself as he looks at the time again. “I can’t keep avoiding Elliot forever,” 007n7 notes, sighing. However, his heart was doing cartwheels, opposite of how he was physically acting.

Maybe 007n7 was an actor, with the way he pretends he doesn’t care about Elliot as much as he says.

Or, as 007n7 had the sudden pleasure of thinking, maybe the hacker had started to yearn for Elliot in a way he wasn’t expecting.

“No, no, no! Gosh, what is wrong with me?” 007n7 asks himself, his face red as he quickly shuffles away to Builder Brother’s Pizza.

“Hello, what would you like to order—“ Elliot starts, but after looking up, his eyes light up. “7n7?”

“Hey Elli—“ Suddenly, 007n7 lost his balance as Elliot managed to get from behind the counter to 007n7 within seconds. Elliot’s arms wrap tightly around the hacker, holding him close.

“I’ve missed you, 7n7,” Elliot whispered. Yet, he wasn’t very quiet as he thought as 007n7 heard what he said. The hacker’s face turned a deep shade of red, his heart beating crazy fast.

“I—ow!” 007n7 yelps as he falls back and hits the door. The two boys slide down the door, eventually plopping onto the floor.

“Oh, crap, sorry 7n7,” Elliot said, placing his hands on the floor and raising his body up. However, Elliot looks down at 007n7, their eyes meeting. For a moment, Elliot’s heart races, his lips parting.

“7n7–“

“I got arcade tickets!” 007n7 yells, his lips quivering, his face red and his eyes darting around the ceiling.

“What?” Elliot asks.

“I got arcade tickets,” 007n7 repeats, closing his eyes tight. “Do you want to go to the arcade with me?”

Elliot stays quiet, his mind comprehending what 007n7 just said. Suddenly, Elliot jumped back, moving off of 007n7.

“You…wait…you….you are asking if…if I w-wanna go with…with you to the ar—arcade?” Elliot stutters, covering his mouth with his hand. Suddenly, 007n7 sits upright, covering his mouth with his hand.

“I…I mean, you d-don’t have to come…come with me,” 007n7 says, his voice getting quieter.

“No, no, no! I want to,” Elliot says, quickly moving onto his knees. 007n7 finally looks up at the employee, his lips parted.

“You…do?” 007n7 asks.

“Of course I want to, 7n7,” Elliot says, fixing 7n7’s sliding glasses. “I want to ask you for one thing, 7n7.”

“Uh…yeah?” 007n7 asks, lowering his head to hide his embarrassment.

“Can I have your number?” Elliot asks, a huge grin on his face.