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A very cold surrounding, makes the hairs stand up on his arms and legs. The dim lighting making it difficult to recognize who was in front of him. Contrary to the cold, Seven was sweating heaps, it makes him shiver and feel particularly sick all around. Short breaths coming from his damp lips were the only thing he can hear.
“He-hello?” He reluctantly spoke out finally. This staticky figure in front of him didn’t give off the feeling of anything delightful. It felt of pure malicious intent.
This wave of intense coldness hiding shame he never wants to remember, the worse day of both of their life’s.
His jaw tightens as the figure speaks finally. “I’ll..never forgive you.” The voice sounds of small static, seven try’s to forget. Try’s to hide this awful visualization.
No-no don’t use that voice- Not him.. Seven stresses even more, this heavy weight on his shoulders reach to his chest pulsing anxiety, it hurts.
“Guh- please!” He clutches his shirt hoping it could help take the pain away, to no feat. “It hurts, please- I beg…” gasping for air- wait why can’t he breath!!!!
“I’m sorry-Imsorryimsorrypleasepleaseimsorry.” His voice races as he try’s to catch his breath, he feels very light headed. This is bad- he’s going to die..
“Not the worse idea you’ve had…do it.” The voice got louder! It clashes with the static he try’s to dull out. The noise on repeat telling Seven to just ‘do it’. Kill himself.
He falls to his knees, holding his ear to stop the voice from getting to him. He screams, he does anything to get back control! So tense, so cold, so weak.. his breath-he’s out of air. His lungs empty of anything to keep him going, his voice is just an empty nothingness.
He goes limp on the ground gasping, sobbing quietly. Watching with fuzzy eyes as the figure now stood in the light where it was less staticky. It’s Elliot..
the figure lays down smiling with a devilish expression next to a frightened Seven, his smile was comically wide..giving Seven clammy shivers, it looked super disturbing.
“I never loved you, I never forgave you. I’m only dating you because I pitied you, such a pathetic being that craves attention and love. Ha! Oh~ Seven you can’t have both.”
Seven with a last gasp, falls deeper into a numbing void when his heart stung from Elliot’s words. He loves Elliot so much, he can’t handle this… he’s too weak!
Baby blue eyes rolls back slightly. He was gone, he stacked more bricks again- anything to shield himself from this wicked demon he fights every other night.
A big ‘gasp’ left his mouth, his body is tense and still. Sweaty and mortified from the horror that was a simple nightmare with obvious lasting effect on one’s mental state.
He looks down to the side to see Elliot next to him with a very concerned expression, his hand was on Sevens chest, seems as if he was trying to wake the latter up.
Elliot lets out a thankful sigh.. he digs his head against Sevens chest wrapping an arms over him for morning comforts. This makes Seven realize how tightly he held into the bed sheets. He lets go and hugs Elliot close without peep. Just soft inhales and touch to calm each other down…it works most of the time.
Seven rubs Elliot’s back, feels a bit damp. A sting of guilt turned into a sharp sigh knowing he’s scared his lover again. He hates these harsh nightmares, he hates how it gets to him, he hates that it disturbs their quiet suburb life.
A few more quiet moments pass. “I’m doing better…Sorry for scaring you babe.” He deeply rubs the lower part of Elliot’s back gently. Elliot only scuffs and looks up giving him a soft smile. “I told you to stop scaring me, and then you go and do just that- Pft.. I swear Seven…What am I going to do with you?” He lightly jokes, rubbing Seven’s buff chest just happy he’s awake.
———-
Seven’s heart feels heavy, the weight always builds and he feels as if it might break him one day.. it’s getting uncomfortable. He sighs long before bringing up the mug of coffee to his lips. Shifting his shoulders around like he couldn’t find a good place to keep them relaxed…
“GOODMORNING DAD!” Coolkid enters cheerful as always, his energy never falters until the end of the day. He walks up to the table and sits next to Seven. “GOODMORNING PAPA!”
Elliot smiles putting Ck’s breakfast in front of him. “Good Morning kid.” He ruffles his bed head worse and walks back to plates his and Seven’s plate.
“Good morning son, did you sleep well?” The coffee addicted spoke lightly, trying to still wake up.
“I DID! Then…I didn’t..” he frowns and pats Sevens free hand. “Dad you were yelling again.” He takes a big bite of his sausage focused on his food.
Seven lifts his hand for the plants to be set, he takes another sip of his hot bean juice. “I’m sorry, I need to refill my sleeping medicine. I keep forgetting..”
Elliot sits next to Seven and across from CK. “I thought you called them? I reminded you yesterday like you asked.” He sounds a bit frustrated-already this morning, worried and now irritated by Seven. He sighs taking a bite of his fluffy pancakes, the sweetness takes over the anger slowly subsiding into a simmer.
“I’ll call them after breakfast, I promise.” He feels so clammy and dirty..he should have showered first like Elliot suggested. He holds Elliot’s free hand closes to him, Elliot reciprocated the movements holding his hand, rubbing his thumb in tranquil.
———-
Finally getting off the phone with the pharmacist he smiles and a nod. “It will take 20 minutes.” Seven, Elliot and Ck in the car driving to drop off the child at school.
“PAPA! Does this mean you’ll sleep with no noise?” Ck asks playing with a toy car.
“Sure does, I’ll be sleeping like an elephant!” He cheers back. “YAY! Dad did you hear that!?” Even though Elliot was right next to Seven. Elliot chuckles lightly looking back for a second from the road. “You’re lucky you don’t have to sleep with his snoring.”
“I swear I’m not that bad?!” Seven defends while poking at Elliot’s arm playfully.
Coolkid laughs and chit-chats about anything that pops up in his head before getting dropped off.
“BYE DAD, BYE PAPA!” He waves running off into the building almost ramming into a teacher. The two parents wave back sweetly.
The drive to Elliot’s work was quiet.. “So, want to talk about it?” Elliot asked keeping his eyes on the road. Seven tenses and chuckles… “We can talk before bed, i just rather us have time to address it and console without rushing. Plus I should just think on it..” he sounds unsure about the last part.
Elliot pulls into the parking lot of his family owned pizzeria. Unbuckled along with Seven, they have to switch seats. Both of them meet by the hood of the car, Elliot hugs the taller man with care. Seven took a bit to hug back, when he did it was deep and with longing. His head diving into Elliot’s nape, his arms tightened around the smaller figure gracefully. The feeling of love and affection they both give off to each other.
Elliot pulls back and cups Seven’s cheeks, he leans in for a slow, steady kiss to the lips. “Don’t think too hard Seven, we need you here with us.” He flashes that customer service smile and walks off. Seven stood there with a slight frown.. He adores Elliot very much, and is grateful at least three people care. (Including his cousin.)
He gets back into the car, peering in through the large window of the pizzeria, Elliot was already busy with costumers. He admires the way Elliot can deal with stress, if anything he works better during rush hour. It’s quite attractive to the coffee addict.
He scratches his chin in thought and out of muscle memory he drives off to the pharmacy to grab his pills.
———-
The chill of the store sends goosebumps down his arms. Standing in line surrounded by older folks. He leans on the heal of his right foot giving his left side a break.
He almost jumps when someone tapped his shoulder. Snapping his neck backwards to the person. He almost jumped out of his skin at who it was once it registered….His Ex, Noli. “…” the slowly growing uneasiness begins in Seven’s stomach, he was not expecting Noli, of all people. Seven feels panicked and feels as he should run away- but he has to remind himself, he’s not like his past self. He’s better than that now.
With a gulp and a shaky smile he finally spoke. “Hay, Noli.”
Noli smiles. “Long time no see, I didn’t think to see you still here in the same neighborhood you destroyed.
Oh god, his stomach starts feeling unwell.. he holds his gut gently. “Heh- no yeah.. I can’t really make amends if I run away.” He starts to feel his palms grow clammy.
Noli nods. “Makes sense, hay… so I didn’t really spot you to just say ‘hi’. I thought we could catch up.” Noli had seen Seven around, hiding from sight but watching. He now finally had the courage to walk up to Seven and converse with him.
Seven soon feels a single pulse of apprehension, he tightens his body still feeling heavy tension. The memories flood each second and it’s taking a harsh toll on his being. He lets out a breath he’s been holding in. “Oh..?”
Taking a big breath he’s nods. “Sure… that sounds, good?” He says unsure.
“Next please!” The pharmacist calls out to Seven who wasn’t paying attention. Which makes him almost trip over himself rushing over.
“S-sorry, I didn’t mean to hold up the line.”
———-
Outside the store Noli suggested Seven follow him, they’ll have lunch while catching up. For seven the streets were very familiar…why is Noli taking them to the pizzeria?
They both pull into the parking lot, and get out so they can walk with each other.
“Er…Why here?” Seven reluctantly spoke. Noli cackles cheekily. “Oh come on Seven, I know you and that pizza guy are close, why not also pay him a visit him.” Noli opens the door which dings at there entrance. Seven sweats- this was a horrible idea.. he grabs Noli’s wrist..”that’s not a good idea man…” he sounded serious. Elliot already knows who Noli is so he rather not have him upset.
Unfortunately it was too late.. “Hi welcome to builder brother’s pizza…” Elliot caught the glimpse of them by the door. He almost broke character.
Seven got pulled bye Noli. “Come on Seven, let’s order.” Seven steps in front of Noli to stop him…”please let me order for us, just find a seat yeah?”
Noli nods accepting this nice gesture, luckily. “Sure, just don’t go making out with the guy, it’s our time to catch up.” He looks around leaving Seven.
He walks up to Elliot with a shaky smile. “Hay- how’s work…going..?” He gulps feeling Elliot’s eyes linger. He whispers to Seven. “What is he doing here? And why are you here? What is going on?” He crossed his arms unhappy, god the flash backs from way back when, when Seven was trying to make amends for the first time…it stings.
“He caught me and wanted to catch up… here.” Seven sighs-
Elliot lets out a sharp exhale. “I’ll place your order, just make it quick, okay.” Elliot says demanding, not asking. Seven nods and pays. “I promise, also, if you could add an extra cheese pizza and extra toppings.”
Walking to the booth that was near the register. “Give it 15 minutes.” Seven sits across from Noli. Noli smiles and nods, “thanks for buying man.”
“No problem.”
“So, how has the little rascal been?” Noli starts leaning on the table. He doesn’t seem as anxious as Seven, but that’s understandable. Noli wasn’t in the wrong here, nor was he ever, from the start at least. “He’s great, he’s now 8 years old! Growing like a weed.” Seven speaks of Coolkid like a trophy he won years ago. “He loves drawing, you remember? He’s gotten better now that Elliot teaches him tips and tricks.” He chuckles at the wholesome thought, god his heart throbs for Elliot.
Noli chuckles and nods. “I do remember, I’d love to see his drawings one day.” Noli suggests more catch up’s like this… Seven can’t, he has so much past with Noli, he can’t revisit those times again…it’s to painful. Why is Noli acting like nothing happened at all? Why must he be so unbothered by Seven’s presence?
Seven inhales and exhales, his chest is starting to act up, why did he forget to take his morning meds? Why must he be a mess? Why can’t today just be over with..? Seven shakes a bit holding onto his arm for some stability. “Noli, please.” He looks away bitting the inside of his mouth. “Just tell me why you even bothered?”
Seven’s guilt slowly shadows him, he can never truly get rid of it… his demon.
Noli kept his wide smile not losing himself in anyway. “Well, I thought it’s about time you told me ‘why’.” He tilts his head staring at a bothered Seven. This makes Seven close his eyes and keep them closed for a minute in thought. “Why bother, didn’t you say you were done with me?” Noli sighs now looking a bit irritated by the persistent dread of Seven’s reply. He’s trying to not get into it, he wants to avoid it… like he did back then. “Seven, I have the right to deserve an answer. “ Noli’s voice lowered.
“I told you back then, It just wants meant to be. If I wanted to raise Coolkid, I had to do it right.” Seven spoke looking dead serious at Noli. This almost provoked Noli to raise his voice, but kept to themselves. “That’s false, you know it. There’s another reason, and that one is right, here.”
Noli looks up and smiles as Elliot brought the pizza to the table. “Order up..” he looked at Seven who seems in distress, looking out the window in deep thought. Elliot nudges Seven with his hip. “If you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask.” It was mainly for Seven. Seven looks up to Elliot giving a small fake smile and nod.
“Thank you Elliot!” Noli spoke for them. At the name call, Elliot almost cringed, he nods and walks off. Noli quickly digs into the extra cheese pizza, that was his favorite in the past, still is. A heavy moment of silence and food smacking. The pizza is a comfort food for Seven, or maybe it was the thought that Elliot made it for him.
Noli chows down and speaks with his mouth full. “So..hmm…just tell me the truth man.” Licking the cheese off his finger. Seven already finished a slice and is now on his second. He sighs and puts the slice down. “You really can’t just accept my answer can you?” It went deathly silent on Noli’s side. It’s obvious what Noli is asking and Seven seems to dismiss it completely. No fair.
“No, no I can’t because I know it was that pizza’s boy fault for changing you. From the start you seemed to always fall pudding into his hands, you even got tattoos together! And supposedly I was wrong, and suddenly everything I did was wrong? You’re a hypocrite Seven, a pathetic sad man who wanted both attention and warmth from another person who only loves you because they pity you.” Noli stated with such an eerie calmed tone…
Why did Seven have to leave him? Why did seven have to fall for another? Why did seven have to be such a stupid asshole?! Noli hates losing.
Seven bits his lip and looks away with guilt, he never wanted to leave off on bad terms. But it just happened that way unfortunately. “I now realize that, what I did was horrible and I never stopped feeling sorry for what I’ve done to you. My temper was bad back then and I said things I shouldn’t have…I’m sorry.”
Noli stood up and walks over to Seven grabbing his collar abruptly. “I didn’t come here for a lame apology, I came here for answers.” He looks like he’s about to cry, he just wants Seven to be truthfully and maybe, just maybe become friends again. Noli misses Seven, they had such great chemistry… so why? Why did it have to be this way?
Elliot rushes over with another co-worker “HAY! No fighting in here!” Before Elliot could rip Noli off, Seven lifted his hand to stop them. He knows Noli won’t hurt him. “I’m okay Elliot-“ “Oh please, here comes your savior once more, You’re weak Seven, u always relied on others, u used to rely on me..” Noli shudders the last word very emotional.
Seven inhales. “This is the why I left, you want to know why? It was because you changed.” Sevens words sting Noli making him shake at the stupid reply. Why was seven saying this shit? Why was he acting like he hates me? Does he even remember why I’m like this in the first place?
Noli lets out a shaky breath…his fist balled up in rage. “Fuck you Seven, you did this to me! You hurt me, you left me, you should just die… because you know what-“
TING-
A pan smacked Noli over the head, he snaps around holding his pained head. “Who?!” Elliot with piercing blue eyes death glare Noli, he was super enraged by the disturbing conversation. “Leave or I’m calling the cops.” Elliot spoke with firm demand. He will not have anyone talk to his (practically) husband like that!
Noli scuffs and looks back at Seven with disgust and hatred. “I could ruin your life with a simple command, maybe then you’d understand my pain.” Noli shoves by Elliot and walks out the door with nothing more than the same spite he always had for the ex-hacker.
He left not getting any answers he was looking for. Seven should be lucky Noli knows how to control himself now in days or he’d destroy Elliot and his family again.
Elliot sighs looking at how mentally gone Seven is. He grabs his arm and pulls him to the back break room. He hugs Seven who was just limping in Elliot’s gentle hug.
Soon to be heard were sniffles and quiet hiccups. He pulls his arms up sluggishly barely holding onto Elliot weakly. Digging his face into Elliot’s neck again he mumbles and lets out some of his stress he’s been holding in since Noli arrived and from this morning.
Elliot’s co-worker yells for him to come back. “Give me a minute!” He talks back.
Seven spoke in shaky words..”Why..why can’t….I just be happy, why…can’t I escape it….why can’t I be good enough Elliot…” Elliot knows what he signed up for, he’s here for Seven through thick and thin even if they aren’t married officially yet. He rubs Seven’s back feeling bad for him, he was starting to let go. Live freely. Heck, Elliot forgave him after Seven proved how much he changed and help rebuild the place. Though his father and sister aren’t there yet.
“Seven, I can’t really understand what you and Noli had but you know he’s gone, he’s not the same guy as he was before. There is no reason to talk to deaf ears.” Elliot spoke softly, his cheek pressed against Seven’s head, giving quiet kisses.
“It’s my fault he’s like this, he has the right to be mad.” His legs feel like jello, he almost falls. Elliot made quick to find a seat near by setting Seven in it while Elliot’s falls onto his knees between Seven’s legs. Cupping his face looking up with concern for his wellbeing. Wiping his thick heavy tears away.
To Seven he thinks Elliot is looking at him with pure pity, his eyes go dull. He tried taking his walls down this morning but now, it’s inevitable. Noli messed him back up, he wasn’t to seal himself up once more.
“Seven, you taught me that people can change, and if it wasn’t for you persistence in amends, we wouldn’t be here today. You wanted to change, so you did. Don’t give all this up from a small argument you probably had many times in the past.” Elliot means well.. and Seven appearances it very much.
He inhales and shakes his head of some haze, he looks down to his perfect supporter, Elliot. With a smile he leans in holding onto Elliot’s hands gently. This moment felt as an hour passed, the moment is a bit lighter. Seven’s mind is marginally clearer, he is a person to evolve, to transform into a better man than he used to be. And with Elliot, he’ll continue to repay his actions for Noli as well.
He’ll find a way to recoup what he may with Noli, that is if Noli is trying to wiggle his way into Sevens life again?
Pulling back from the kiss keeping a smile present. “I’ll try my best.”
Seven hugs Elliot tightly and with the most love he can give. “Thank you, Elliot.”
Elliot’s heart beats rapidly but is great at composing his outer expressions. Keeping the same smile he hugs back rubbing Sevens back slowly.
The moment soon breaks when his co-worker yells for Elliot again. This makes him limps a bit and sigh. “I better get back to work…I know we haven’t officially hired you yet, but I think this is a great time for training. Yeah?”
Elliot snickers in suggestion. If he can get Seven distracted for the rest of the night, then that’s a win.
Seven helps Elliot stand up before him, and nods. “Cutting pizza’s is as easy as coding a game in a single night.” He scoffs at himself, like why did he just compare that to 1’s and 0’s?
But to his delight, Elliot humors him with a cute chuckle. “That’s the spirit Seven, can’t wait to tell CoolKid you’ve landed a job at his favorite pizzeria.” He’d pat Seven’s chest and sluggishly pulls away walking out the break room. “Im coming!”
Seven takes a breath, his smile wavers, in the end a small smile lands and stays. His palms aren’t as sweaty as they were. Following behind Elliot he was ready to help in the back with gratification for himself. He’s come this far, and will do even better.
———-
“Goodnight buddy.” Seven palms Coolkids head messing his red fuzz up.
“Goodnight papa!” He yawns and waits for Elliot to pat him next, he smiles knowing it will always happen. Elliot pats him next and pinches his cheek gently. “Stay asleep tonight, Mk?” Making Ck laughs gently. “I will, I will dad-I promise!”
Elliot loves taking care of Coolkid, he never thought he’d ever have a child to watch out for; much less with Seven. A dream come true to Elliot, he just can’t let Seven go, after all these years. “Goodnight kid.”
Both Elliot and seven walk out leaving the door ajar leaving little light shine through.
Seven pops a pill walking back to the couch, for better slumber tonight he hopes these keep working for him, it’s best to not worry Elliot or CK.
They turned off most of the lights and unpause the movie they were watching. Elliot leans into Sevens chest. Seven wrapping an arm around Elliot, leaving head kisses before getting comfortable again.
This is nice, very comforting. They wish to keep this type of life until the day they grow old and die, nothing more or less.
———-
“…I’d like to see how you deal with change this time around, Seven.”