Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Shit.”

How did I get replaced by Ai? Jesus.. And this job was perfect for me. Well whatever. That just meant you got to read more fanfiction and watch your favorite movies. You sigh and run a hand through your hair before standing up and heading to the door. Maybe i should cook some sp-

Ding

Huh? Thiscord? I barely use it and Sophia is busy with work- who the hell could be possibly texting me? You think to yourself as you dig your phone out of your pocket and open the Thiscord app. You read the messages, confused. Some random guy is telling you hes going to send a package to your house. Before you can ask him the million questions that are shooting through your mind, a loud crash and glass shattering comes from your front door.

Fuck…. Am I getting robbed? What the hell is going on? You start to panic as you rush to your front door. You look around and see a package along with broken glass

Thats gonna be expensive to fix

You pick up the package, hoping it's not a bomb or some shit, and open it. You expected something crazy or dangerous… It's just glasses. Atleast they look cool?.. You decide to put them on and as soon as you do a colorful young woman pops up and starts talking to you.

“Hello user! My name is skylar specs and well.. Im your glasses!”

(dont come for me I dont remember her actual greeting)

After the long conversation with her and meeting your door, who you now know is dorian, and your bed- betty. Now it feels awkward laying on my bed.. Whatever. You needed rest from the events that have happened today. From getting replaced by ai and now finding out you can hook up with your household objects.. For fucks sake i hope this is just some weird dream.. You thought to yourself as you drifted off.

In the morning you woke up yawning. You sit up and stretch your joints. Maybe it was all a dream. You began to think to yourself before you were quickly dismissed by the pair of dateviators sitting on your dresser.

Oh.. it wasn't a dream.

You put them on and you were greeted by that same bright young woman from yesterday. Skylar. She tells you that today is a free day and you can speak to any object you like! Great.. You were never good at confrontation and meeting new people. Nonetheless people that apparently see you everyday without you knowing it!!!

Might as well start.

You get up to brush your teeth and curiously aim the dateviators at your mirror. A man with a warm smile looks at you before showering you with compliments. Compliments you didn't quite believe. You learned his name was Amir, and he was well- your mirror. You say your goodbyes and continue on with greeting the objects. You met your lamp, Lux, who was an internet star. You didn't like them very much. You were introduced to 5 himbos, the hanks. They were sweet. Hank number 3 was a bit too sweet… everybody had such unique personalities and hobbies but.. Nobody really caught your interest. Sure Dorian was hot. So was Eddie and Volt.. You could even go for the Hanks if you were up for a crazy night- but none of them really did it for you. But that's ok. Maybe you were seriously destined to be alone. I mean hell if you couldn't find someone in your own house- what makes you think you could go outside, into the real and terrifying world, and find someone.

Well. whatever.. You were ready to accept that truth.

After a long day of meeting new people, the dateviators had a bit of juice left- meaning they could only be used to talk to 1 more person. There was one object that did spike your interest though. The vent. You wonder what the vent could look like. You pull up a chair and stand on it (sorry chairemi) and aim the dateviators at the vent.

You see 2 wide brown eyes staring back at you. You expected a person but.. This is fine too, you were being honest.

The man in the vents gasps at your arrival.

“No.. i.. Why are you here? What are you doing?” He says clenching is fist. He sounds irritated- you retreat back quickly. Why was he so mad? You just met him.

“I was just trying to say hi… I didn't mean to scare you” you look at the eyes.

“No.. i-im not ready. Not here- not now. Come back tomorrow and ill be ready” he says before retreating back into the darkness.

“W-wait!” you try to protest but before you can finish- he's already gone. Who was that? He didn't even tell you his name. His voice was so sweet and sultry. You never thought you'd be blushing at a vent- especially one you didn't even know the name of! Whatever. You'll come back tomorrow and hopefully when you do, he’ll tell you his name. And maybe more about himself.

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The next day, the first thing you did was get that same chair and aim the dateviators at the vent. Soon you see hands snake from the vents and hang out of them. Those same brown eyes meet you again- but this time they're not so timid and scared.

“Hello.. Are you ready to speak to me?” you look at him hopeful.

“Yes my love” you couldn't see him- but you could swear there was a smile on his face. That pet name slid off of his tongue so smoothly, it made your face heat up. But you kept your composure

“Whats your name?” you ask him. That's just one of the millions of questions you want to ask him.

“My name is Hector Valentino Airnesteo Condicionado.. But.. hector is fine.” his hands grip the grate

“Your name spells out HVAC! Like an HVAC system!” you giggle at the thought. It was silly but smart

“Ah.. I guess you're right. I never thought about that” he laughs a bit too.

“Why did you not wanna talk to me yesterday?” you look at him with weary eyes. You stand on your tippy toes as you face the grate, trying to get a look at his face which was hidden in the darkness. It was no use..

“I was not ready.. Do you not know what you do to me? What you are to me? You are the prime features of my thoughts. The reason I breathe air every day” he slips his hands out of the vents and holds onto the grate. They were big and sorta rough.

“I.. dont no..” you blush- you were the reason this man breathed air every day? Thats an insane thing to think about. How could you be so important to somebody?

‘Ah.. well that's an explanation for a different time, my dear” again with those goddamn pet names. How could he say them so well? It was like he has always called you those names.

“Why can't I see you?” you blurted out before you could stop yourself. Damnit.. You didn't want to offend him and scare him off. But you were just too curious to stop yourself.

“i.. “ he pauses, you could see his hand flinch.

“Y-you dont have to answer now i just-” he cuts you off with a soft “shhh”

“It's ok, my love. You may ask me any question you desire. I fear that when you see me.. You will laugh and point- which is one thing that will ruin me forever. I do not like.. No.. that's not right- I like what I am and what I do.. I am afraid that I do not look the part.. I wished I looked better.. Ahem-” he mumbled the last part

“So.. you're insecure?” you question him. Maybe he was like you

“Yes.. yes indeed. That is no surprise you were able to understand me” you cant see him but you know hes smiling

“That's ok.. I won't force you to show yourself to me. I get being shy and insecure” you smile gently at him

“That's.. The kindest thing I would ever have imagined you'd say to me.” small puffs of air that are shaped like hearts float out of the vents. Cute. “But.. My love.. You said you get it? Why? Do you get insecure too?” He seems concerned about it.

“Uh- oh yeah i do. A lot actually!” you say that as if it's a “matter of fact” thing. He's seen you cry and hurt yourself before, but he'd never thought he'd hear you say it.

“My love… Why? You are the perfect incarnation..” he says in a sad voice. You pause at his sad voice. Did you being insecure make him this sad?

“Ah.. I don't really want to talk about that, Hector.” He shivered at his name on your tongue. You looked away awkwardly- you weren't one to talk about your feelings. Nonetheless with someone you just met.

“As you wish..” he pouted softly. “I will not force you to talk about anything you do not wish to. But just know I am here” he wraps his hand around yours, making your face heat up.

“Y-yeah.. O-ok gotta go!” you quickly step off the step stool and run to the bathroom to wash your face. Geez, why did that make you flustered? He only held your hand..

You wash your face and gain your composure. Little did you know Hector was watching you through the vents. He wanted to know if he scared you off, but seeing your flushed face told him the truth.

You need to talk to him tomorrow..

Chapter Text

You wake up the next morning and yawn. You had a crazy dream.. Something about Hector that you're too embarrassed to recall.

You get up and grab the dateviators, walking to your restroom. You wash your face, brush your hair and teeth before getting changed. You walk down to the kitchen and get some breakfast. Freddy was very excited to give you the milk- he's cool. As you eat you can hear a noise come from the vent. You didn't think much of it though, figuring hector was just doing something.

You stand up and go to Johnny splash.

“What's up, sugar?” He greets you with a smile

“AH!” you jump, not expecting your shower to talk- but who are you kidding? All of your objects talk in this god forsaken house…

“O-oh.. hi. I just wanna take a shower” you laugh nervously

“Gotcha baby!” he sings as he fades away. This feels like an acid trip..

You take off the Dateviators and slowly undress yourself before- THUMP…

What was that? It sounded like it came from the vents..

You look up towards the vents and hear a small and faint squeak. Was that Hector? I mean you couldn't even see him.. But he had to be there. Was he watching you get undressed?

That thought made you blush for some reason. You stare at the vents for a good second before finally getting into the shower. After getting into the shower you dry yourself off and get dressed. You tried to get some work done but the only thing that was on your mind was…

Hector.

You grab the dateviators and rush to the vent in your office.

“Hector?” you glance into the vents before seeing 2 brown eyes pop up

“H-hello, my love..” he seemed nervous. More nervous than usual.

“I have a question!” You stated as you took his hands, he audibly gasped and you can see a faint hint of blush through the dark.

“Go ahead…” He gulps

“Were you watching me?” your tone accidentally comes off a bit too happy about that.
“I.. was.. B-but i can explain! I just so happened to be in the bathroom vents when you came in, a-and then I-I wanted to see what you were doing but then you started changing and-” he was talking so fast it was hard to hear what he was saying. Just a fast collection of apologies and mumbled explanations- he got the wrong idea. He thought you would be mad at him, shun him away for doing such an act. How could his unpalatable eyes look down on your graceful body. It was a thought that nauseated him.

“Hector-” he continued his mumbles, too far gone in his own terrified train of thoughts to realize you were calling out his name. “Hector!” you pull his hands closer to you. He finally stopped.

“Hector.. I don't mind. You don't have to explain yourself, I promise. Infact.. if anything it actually turns me on” you blurt out the last part, not giving yourself time to think. Your desires had gotten the best of you and caused you to say something so bold, something you wouldn't normally say.

“It.. does?” Hector seems to physically loosen up when he hears that/

“I… yeah actually. I find it kinda hot” you shrug, trying to act non-chalant (non-chalant dread head over here)

“Oh- i think i have heard this term used in this way before, perhaps you find this sexy?” his confidence was clearly back again. And it took you off guard. Your face heated up and your cheeks were now a bright red color. Your mouth hangs open for a solid 20 seconds before you nod slowly- gulping down your, now dry, throat.

“Yeah.. I find it sexy, Hector. Quite sexy..” you mumble, looking away flustered. How could his voice do this to you? You barely even know this guy. “Tell me about yourself Hector” you look at him

“My love, you cannot just deflect the previous topic like that, but I do admire your boldness. But.. If I were to say something about myself. I guess the only thing I would talk about is my devotion towards you.” Hector is clearly trying to avoid the question, for reasons unknown to you.

“But Hector- I want to know about you-” you don't even get to finish your sentence before he disappears.

What?

“What the hell? H-hector?” you almost fall backwards from how shocked you were. Where did he go? It almost felt like the whole house went quiet. Suddenly Skylar appears.

“Hey user.. SOO sorry to cut your conversation short but I need charging! You can talk to him tomorrow I promise.” she says, genuinely. You sigh and rub your temples, not annoyed at her- but at yourself.

“Right.. Sorry about that Skylar, must've worn you out. B-but I didn't even talk to that many objects today?” you say confused. You've only talked to Freddy, Amir, Johnny splash and Hector.

“Yes! And usually you would have 1 more object to talk to. But you didn't charge me fully last night..” she says awkwardly. She seemed tired- obviously.

“Ok.. well im sorry once again” you give her a soft smile before taking off the dateviators. Well I guess I could invite some friends over? Maybe Sam and her boyfriend. You text Sam and ask her if she and her boyfriend could come over and hangout. They thankfully said yes. You set the dateviators on the charger and head to the living room to wait until Sam and her boyfriend, Mason, get here.

Ding

You swing open the door to see them. Sam was smiling happily and Mason was sitting there like his non-chalant usual self.

“Hiiiiii~” Sam hugs you tightly. “It's been a while! How have you been? How has labor limbo been?” she pulls back and asks with a grin on her face.

You laugh softly “it's been ok.. Been getting some commissions done to keep some money coming in. That's kept me busy enough” you bring them inside and you all sit on your couch.

“Whats labor limbo?” Mason asked, looking at you as he draped an arm over Sam- unconsciously making you a bit jealous over their sweet relationship. Maybe you wanted a relationship like that. I mean.. It's been 3 years since your last relationship. Or maybe you just didn't want to be a third wheel.

“Ah.. so basically I got replaced by AI, and labor limbo is where I just kinda wait until I do something to get myself fired” you explain as you grab some beers. You set the beers down and beginned to open one.

“Damn.. being replaced by AI is an asshole move” he mutters as he grabs the beer. Sam looks at you with a soft look

“You know you don't handle beer well..” she chuckles gently.

“Ill be fine! It's just one beer” (spoiler alert- it was not JUST one beer) you say, more so to yourself as you take a couple sips. The bittersweet taste hits the back of your throat. It's so cold, it gives you a wave of goosebumps. The goosebumps remind you of Hector, when he talks to you in his deep and sultry voice. When he says those sweet and poetic things.. No. You couldn't think about him right now. You were hanging out with your friends! No need to be distracted by some guy, you didn't even know the face of!!!

“Yeah i doubt that” Sam puts on a show as she, also, begins to sip the beer.

Later on in the night, you guys order some pizza and eat that while watching a horror movie. While you watch it, there was a specific scene. A scene that reminds you of your own struggles. The way he touched her and the way that girl screamed made you nauseous. Your head began to hurt as your surroundings began to shift and feel light. Everything felt fake now. You don't even remember what made you so upset. Your head begins to spin as you excuse yourself to the bathroom. As you walk there, you begin to see yourself like a video game character. Floating away as you watched yourself walk- who was making you walk? You watched yourself as you became a secondary character in your own life (/ref).

What the fuck.. Jesus, what did I see to cause this?

You- or what you assumed was you- walked over to the sink and splashed your face with water in an attempt to ground yourself.

Shit.

That didn't work. You start to scratch at your skin- another desperate attempt to ground yourself to a world you do not remember. It feels like the walls around you are caving in. Before you can blink, you wake up in your bed. Where were you? You sit up and look around. It took you a second before realizing that this was YOUR room. A room you made your own, a room that held your darkest secrets.

God my head hurts. What happened?

You stand up and grab your phone. You texted Sam and asked what happened as you don't remember anything before watching that movie. What was the movie again? Eh, it's whatever. You'll find out later. After a couple minutes, Sam responds.

“Hey, you came to us and told us to leave after you came back from the bathroom?.. You were pretty aggressive. We didn't know what happened so we left. What happened? Was everything ok?”

Right… she doesn't know. You've hadn't told her yet. I mean- what if telling her ruins the friendship? What if she assumes the others are some crazy killers like in “split”? You lie to her and tell her that you had just gotten overwhelmed from the alcohol. You decide to talk to Hector. Maybe he'd make you feel better. You grab the dateviators, that are at full charge now, and walk over to the vent- still with your bed head and pj’s on.

“Hector?” you asked into the dark vent.

“Hello, darling. How did you rest last night?” He seemed worried. He probably saw what happened last night. You hadn't personally told any of the objects that you were a system. Some of them probably knew from random talks to yourself and the others (but mostly just seemed like you were ranting to yourself) and dissociating half of the time. Maybe he knew? Or assumed at the least?

“What happened last night?” you ask nervously- scared if you got too much information it would cause you to be back in that weird realm.

“Well.. I didn't see too much. But you went to the bathroom in the middle of the movie. You sat there for about 20 minutes before walking out and telling your friends to leave, you were quite harsh with it.” he wraps his hands around yours, gently caressing the backside of your left hand.

“I.. want to explain it to you. But it's alot.. I want to explain it to you in person, hector.” you sigh. You can feel his hands tighten around yours.

“I just.. I-i dont think im ready, querida..” Hector pulls back slightly

“That's ok.. Whenever you're ready, Hector” you sigh and start to pull back completely before Hector pulls your hands back.

“No!.. Come to the attic! Bring a cloth..” hector almost yells- nervousness dripping from his voice. You could hear slight panting, probably from nervousness.

“Your… inviting me to the attic?” you look at him, surprised.

“Yes, my love. Please. Bring a small cloth so I can blind fold you. I-im not ready to be seen yet… but i do not mind if you can feel me” he sighs deeply

“O-ok, hector… ill come to the attic” you smile softly as he disappears into the darkness. To do, what you assume, is to get ready. You sigh and walk upstairs to the attic before Dorian stops you.

“Not so fast, love” he crosses his arms and blocks your way. Why was he doing this? This was your home- YOUR attic at that.

“What? Dorian let me through- its just my attic” you try to push past him but he stops you

“Nope, not now. You locked this door a loonngg time ago.. Cant just open it now, can i?” he smirks, seemingly enjoying blocking your way.

“Dorian..” you sigh before groaning. “Fine!” you walk away. You walk over to the breaker box before entering the club-like place. Woah.. THIS was in my house? You think to yourself before sitting down to fidget with your sleeves, hoping somebody will come up to you and talk. You need that now. Almost as if your wishes were answered, volt came up to you- energetic as ever.

“Well now.. What a delightful surprise we have here! A new patron.. And it's the human at that. We have not met before have we? My name is Volt..” he smiles. His bright, electric hair mesmerizes you.

“O-oh..” you stand up and look at him. “No! This is uh.. This is my first time here. Didn't know a whole club was hiding away in my breaker box” you smile gently.

“Ah, I see. Well welcome to Club Breaker Box! Me and my partner Eddie run this place. Have you talked to Eddie yet?” He puts his hands on his hips.

“Eddie?” you question before hearing a rough voice talk behind you. You quickly turn around to see a man with baggy eyes and wire like hair looking away while cleaning a cup. You assume he's the bartender..

“Im Eddie.” he spits out as he puts the glass up. “What did you need, human?” Eddie puts his hands on the counter and leans on it.

“O-oh- well i wanted to know how to get into the attic. Dorian wont let me though. And also this place looked cool” you rub the back of your neck

“Hmm Dorian wont let you through..” Volt’s voice brings your attention back to him. “I know what can help with that! Talk to Keith, the skull key. He's down in the crawl space, under Trap Dorian. He’ll sweet talk that old bouncer for you!” Volt puts his hand on your shoulder and pats it while smiling.

“Thank you, volt!” you smile as you awkwardly pull back. He took that as a sign to not touch you.

“Anytime, live wire” he smirks before going up to the stage to announce something. You turn and look at Eddie. He looks up at you with an annoyed look

“What?” He grabs a glass cup.

“Oh- n-nothing im sorry,,” you start to fidget with your sleeves again, getting upset at his angry tone. You hate when people are angry with you, especially people you dont know.

He physically softens at your scared tone. “Volt told you what to do. Come back later if you need any other help.” He looks away, but his voice is gentler.

You smile a bit and nod “i will, thank you Eddie..” you walk out and sigh. All of this object stuff was so confusing. But whatever. Hector invited you to his attic, and you don't want to just now show up- he'd be devastated! You go downstairs and walk over to the closet where the crawl space was. You grab the rug and pull it away from the trap door before Dorian appears- shirtless.

“Oh my.. It seems you have found me in my horizontal state..” he looks away but doesn't seem a bit embarrassed. You blush from the awkward situation and from him being shirtless. Dorian is hot- don't get me wrong. But you 2 are just friends, and he has made it clear he only wants to be that.

“H-hey dorian.. I just need to go to the crawl space…” you mutter looking away

“Mhm.. dont tell anybody about this. Ok, love?” he crosses his arms and looks you up and down. Seemingly trying to decipher something. “We may be friends.. But even friends can have a little benefit here and there~” he smirks before disappearing. You're left with your jaw OPEN. Now why the hell would he say that? He's made it so clear he only wants to be friends. You'll talk to him later about it.. But even if all the hot guys in the world were at your knees shirtless and in-love, your main focus was Hector. You needed to see the handsome face behind those ethereal words. You didn't even know if he was going to be handsome. I mean the way he describes himself to you- he makes it sound like he's this hideous monster! But even then, you'd still love him.

“You go down the small ladder, into the crawl space before spotting the skull key that Volt mentioned. You grab him before he appears before you. He is very well dressed and seems a little surprised but happy you have brought him to life.

“Ah! Fresh air… it has been far too long. Thank you, human!” he exclaims, very happily.

“O-oh uh.. You're welcome.” you smile awkwardly

“I have been trapped in that cursed crawl space for.. Well i dont even remember how long it's been! But never mind that now.. I am in your debt for setting me free! I cannot express my gratitude.” he smiles as he grabs his cane. You get a bad feeling about this guy. “Is there anything I can do for you, human?” he leans on this cane.

“O-oh uh.. Dorian won't let me in the attic and Volt said you could help?” you look at him as you play with the strings of your hoodie.

“Dorian.. I see.. Yes i can help” he seems to calm down at the thought of Dorian. You wonder why. Before you can blink he hops into your pocket. You stand there for a second processing everything before sighing and going up the latter. You walk up stairs and to the attic door before Dorian appears.

“Sorry love, i already said im not-” he gets cut off by Keith smiling at him and opening his arms wide

“Dorian, my old friend!” he exclaims.

“Keith?” Dorian looks at him surprised before they hug. “Keith, where have you been?” both of them were blushing.. You felt like you were interrupting something intimate.

“Ive been away in that crawlspace, but this human here helped me.” keith pulls back and looks at me. Dorian smiles at and nods. “Thank you, human.”

Dorian and Keith both disappear as they talk to each other. Leaving you to walk into the attic.

You grab a cloth from your closet real quickly before opening the Do(ian)or to the attic. You're greeted by dust particles and soft rays of sunshine leaking through the windows, gently dimming the small room. How long has it actually been since you entered this room? Why did you lock it all those years ago? You let yourself think about it as you look around before spotting the HVAC machine.

Hector

The whole reason you came here in the first place. You walk over to it and use the Dateviators on it. You quickly grab the cloth and, what you assume is what Hector wanted you to do, put it on like a blind fold. You wait for a couple minutes- wondering where Hector was. Did he back out? Was he actually lying to you and didn't want to meet you? Your mind races as you begin to fidget with your sleeves. You feel your heart start to pound as the overthinking starts to take over your thoughts. Jesus why did you do this? Everything in the world was telling you to leave now- before he could maybe never show up. Maybe even humiliate you. Your hands move on your own as they begin to scratch at your skini. “Hector?” you nervously question, to see if hes there. You don't get a reply before-

“I'm here, my love. Don't do that..” you feel Hector's presence behind you as he grabs onto your hands and pulls them away from your skin. He pulls your hands and places them on your chest as he hugs you from behind. He's a bit taller than you. You can feel a slight stubble and chubby cheeks on your neck- which makes you gasp a bit and blush. His body presses against your back. He's chubby, like me. You think to yourself. He breaths into your neck deeply before sighing.

“Im so sorry it took me a minute to get in here, admittedly I was nervous.” You could hear his voice crack- revealing his true, awkward voice. You didn't mind. You thought it was adorable. He places a hand on your hip and pulls you closer to him, almost as if he's scared you'll run when you get the chance.

“That's ok.. I got scared you weren't coming” you explain to him as you feel him the makeshift blind fold tighter, so it wont fall.

“You were… scared I wasn't coming?” he repeated back. You nod gently. “My love, I apologize for making you even an ounce of discomfort.. That was never my intention with my long arrival.. Please, forgive me the best you can” his voice sounds genuinely sad about scaring you. He spins you around before grabbing your hand and kissing it. “Is there anything I could do to make my mistake up to you? I'll do anything you ask of me, querida” he questions, his lips against your hand.

“W-well.. I really don't mind! You don't have to apologize, you didn't do anything wrong. But.. if you're really willing to do anything. Um.. a kiss would make things feel better..” you could feel him pause at your request. You feel your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. God why did you say something so bold? You gulp down spit as your mind conjures up all the responses where he rejects you and yells at you. But before you can say “haha just joking” or apologize profusely-

He kisses you.