Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ever since you had to come back to work because the AI that originally took your job was malfunctioning, you’d been working, almost nonstop, not even taking breaks to sleep or make food, but you’re starting to get so tired.

It is hard to see the words on the screen, your vision is blurry and it’s hard to focus enough to understand what people are saying.

You can’t risk losing your job. There are so many items in your house that need money to be taken care of, but you’re so tired.

Eventually, you realize you’ve been staring at your screen for almost an hour without typing anything. If you had your dateviators on, surely Doug would’ve appeared by now.

you left them off so that Mac couldn’t stop you from working this long you didn’t want to concern them, but you’re starting to regret the decision. You wish they were here to talk you into going to bed or to help you with your work like they did the first time this happened.

You look over at the Datevatores you had brought them with. You just in case you got some time off before you headed to bed and could still talk to Mac or Volt and Eddie, That was Almost 48 hours ago now, the sheer mess the AI had created with your job was beyond what you could’ve possibly imagined.

You find yourself pulling them onto your face. Surely just one conversation couldn’t hurt. You need to not talk to an angry customer that somehow thinks the fuck ups of the AI are your fault even if it’s just for a few minutes Almost immediately Mac is in front of you. “Player! You’ve been interfacing for almost 48 hours I was getting worried you were going to pass out from what I’ve seen online That is the normal response to prolonged lack of access to food, water or sleep”

You stare at them trying to process what they’ve said. It feels like you’re thinking through a deep sludge. Eventually, you say, “Sorry Mac, I didn’t mean to worry you I’m fine, I used to do this all the time at my old job. It was just in person instead.”

Mac somehow looks even more concerned than they already did. You sway slightly, the world tipping back and forth the once reliable floor feels like it’s trying to make you fall. Suddenly, you find yourself falling for what seems like an eternity, everything turning black.

When you come to, you’re in your bed Volt and Eddie are talking with Mac. Dorian is standing in the corner watching and Betty is looking at you with a concerned expression sitting on your bed on bed across from you.

You slowly blink trying to figure out what Mac is telling Volt and Eddie but suddenly they’re both facing you having realized you’re awake You look down at your hands, which don’t currently feel attached to your body, then back up at Mac Volt, and Eddie.

You start to stand up and tumble in the direction of your stairs, fully intending to disregard whatever is going on here and get back to work. You have no idea how long you were asleep who knows how many more customers need your help you make it almost all the way to the door before Dorian is holding up all of your weight you must’ve started to blackout because your vision is dark around the edges and you’re mostly cradle in Dorian’s arms.

You start to pull away from him moving towards the door again, but he holds you in place keeping you from falling, trapping you “No sorry player, but unfortunately, I’m gonna have to keep you in this room” you could swear he looks almost concerned.

Mac starts speaking from behind you “humans need at least eight hours of sleep at night and several meals per day and you have neglected to do that. We have decided that we are going to stage an intervention. You will stay here until you’ve had enough rest and food before you go back to work.” They say. You realize you’re being gently nudged in the direction of your bed then you’re being picked up and you’re in volts arms then he’s laying down on the bed so your head is to his chest and you can hear his heartbeat.

“Live wire, you need rest just think about what happened to Eddie when he tried to take on too much work” “ but I have to work more. What if they fire me and then I can’t afford to buy new make up or food so many of the people here could be suffering because of me” your chest tightens at the thought “Mac can handle your work for a couple of days don’t you think?” Eddie says from somewhere next to you.

“Yeah I honestly kind of enjoy doing it sorting through all of the complaints you can count on me!” “but that’s not fair of me to expect of you!” “Was it unfair of me to accept your help when you offered to help me with the club when I was overworked?” ”No, obviously not. I'm just different. It was physically harming you!” “ but this is physically harming you live wire don’t you see you literally collapsed” you finally relent, leaning against his chest. “Maybe you’re right, a few days off work couldn’t hurt” everyone in the room looks relieved, even Dorian.

Betty, who has been quiet throughout the conversation, stands. “Well with that settled I’m gonna go get you some food Why don’t you settle in and take a nap while you wait?” you almost protest before you decide against it “if you guys have it handled here, I’m gonna go work on thor remaining customer service line!” “Yeah that’s fine Mac we have it handled here”

You find yourself alone with just volt and Eddie. You lean back into Volt as Eddie slowly wraps himself around your side and you fall asleep in your partner's arms listening to their heartbeats and resting for the first time in quite a while.

Chapter Text

You find yourself in a nightmare the second you open your eyes you’re arguing with your parents the hatred in their voices making you want to cry.

You hear them scream at you about how ”if you can’t even turn in homework then how are you ever going to have a successful life or take care of anyone you love?” The statement fills you with dread.

Earlier that day you had forgotten to turn in homework when your parents were notified they were furious yelling at you for not getting your work done on time then you find yourself in front of Mac and it’s them yelling at you telling them that you needed to do the work yourself that you were being a failure finally when you’re sobbing and crying.

Volt and Eddie tell you that for the rest of the night even if you can’t sleep.” 

You nod pretending like you’re taking her seriously. We’ll then maybe we should go watch some TV once you’re in the living room you pull out your phone making some excuse about wanting to text Sam

You open the app you downloaded a few weeks ago that allows you to do virtual work. First you edited it so that the only work you could see from your computer was a handful of relatively easy looking cases.

Eventually, someone puts their hand on your arm and you jump and hope they don’t notice, then close the app before they can see your phone.

“Let's get you to bed live wire’’ You let yourself be led to bed, but as soon as the lights are off, you pull the covers over your head to muffle the light and go right back to working on your phone.

Your eyes are drifting shut before you realize what happens and vault and Eddie are in front of you kissing each other and telling you how much they don’t need you, how complete they are on their own and how much of a homewrecker you are.

You wake up what feels like an eternity later the app on your phone is luckily closed, weird you could have sworn you fell asleep working  when you  gather the energy to grab your daveators Volt and Eddie are the only other people in the room.

your heart is pounding and looking at them makes it worse. What if they really do feel like you’re getting in the way of their relationship they were alone and fine for years before you came around. 

 Eddie didn’t have a breakdown until you started talking to him. Who knows if it would’ve ever happened on its own. Eddie is in front of you You don’t quite know when that happened. 

His hand is against your chest and he’s quietly murmuring to you in the most concerned tone you feel tears against your cheeks, your heart is pounding against your ribs, your short gasps for air are desperate, and pleading you realize you’ve been pulled forward into Eddie’s arms.

 He’s breathing deeply, and you manage to catch him counting. You try to focus on him and match your breathing to his, but it is so hard in the fog of panic and fear. 

What if he hates you you must be bothering him crying all over his shirt, especially when he’s normally so neat and clean slowly, you find yourself, catching your breath your heart stops pounding quite so desperately, and you can breathe.

 “you back with us?“ he says gruff, but sounding concerned.

 “yeah sorry about that. Had a bad dream.”

 “you know you can talk about it if you want.” Na it was stupid you know the stuff  nightmare normally does” 

He looks at you skeptically, but doesn’t question you further

“Do you want some breakfast? The others are out arguing about what you would want and waiting to be allowed back in. We didn't wanna overwhelm you.”

You realize just how tired you feel maybe staying up most of the night prior working wasn’t the best decision. No you have to make sure Mac doesn’t get burnt out you have to make sure there’s enough money to take care of everyone to make sure the house is well kept and you can’t be lazy, especially not in front of Volt and Eddie.

“I wanna go get some breakfast. Should we head to the kitchen?” Eddie Nots, gently keeping hand on your arm, walking you towards the 

kitchen you walk into the hall next to the kitchen you find Betty mitchell and volt siting at the table talking about you in hushed voices. Eddie stops from where he stands next to you seemingly trying to discern why you had stopped walking frozen so suddenly.

 “I knew they hadn’t been sleeping well, but last night was horrible. They were tossing and turning the whole night.” 

You feel guilt, twisting your gut

 “when was the last time you saw them eat anything” 

“yeah now that you mention it, it’s been at least a week since our dear human had a proper meal” 

“I don’t know why we didn’t do anything about it sooner I noticed I guess I just thought it would resolve itself” 

you feel like you’re going to vomit you were right just like they said they should’ve done something about you soon or cut you off or told you not to use the Dateviators to talk to you anymore.

you feel tears prickling at your eyes demanding to be let out you turn around, but then realize Eddie still has a grip on your arm

 “Actually I think I just like to rest a little longer. I didn’t sleep very well last night.” He looks at you suspiciously. 

“You sure you seemed awfully hungry earlier.”

 “yeah I just want some rest.”

 You pull yourself free and start walking towards the bedroom. Eddie looks at you then nods following not looking satisfied. When you get to the bedroom, you pull the blankets up around you. And you let yourself cry, careful to be silent.