Chapter Text
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After the last curtain call for todays show, Tenna bowed and gave a soft hum from himself. That was it, that was it for today, folks. Now he can finally lay off the mask he was so desperately holding on to for the audience. Now able to scold the people that didn't really got their text right! Anger boiled up in him like he could rip the wall out, that's how mad he was. He was making rehearsals with all of them each single evening before the end of the day and in the morning before the show starts. So how could they dare to mess up?!
He slowly went down the stage into the backstage area and slowly moved into the green room, where everybody else was. Hearing the laughter from some of his employees, made him mad. How dare they have so much fun when they EXACTLY knew that they fucked up on stage today?
Tenna slammed his hand against the wall and growled. The Weathers- Lanino and Elnina- flinched together, too scared to say anything. This anger was lastly seen the day when Spamton ran away.no one was able to really calm him down from it so easily. Since Spamton left, Tenna seemed easier to be out of his happy facade. That scared most of the people working here for Tenna. He - Tenna- threw things around him and screamed at every single staff member that was too close to him. He didn't care if he'd say hurtful stuff, why should he? His emotions got the better of him.
"I CANT BELIEVE HOW INCOMPETENT YOU ALL ARE!!" he threw all four hands up into the air while laughing like a maniac. "You cant even hold a simple script on the line? For what are we doing the rehearsals for- EVERY SINGLE TIME?! DO you think I am just doing it for fun with all of you!? You are all so USELESS!" He gave a low threatening buzzing from himself, together with a strong twitch in his left arm. Ready to explode from any wrong answer, yet no one dared to say something, in order to keep him at bay. To keep everyone but in particular Tenna at bay. It was too quiet. Too quiet for the staff. Usually they would more whisper or make nervous sounds, however, they were all just staring at him. Scared, clueless and most importantly with guilt. They knew better, and they knew it. However, no one dared to make this situation even worse than it already was.
Until someone or something finally dared to speak up.
"Do you want to see him again?"
Tenna stood still and looked around while growling, trying to figure out who said that. Daring to talk while he is taking. Tenna was going through the words that he just heard. Him? That voice cant mean...
Shrinking
And more shrinking...
because he agreed with what the question was about. He missed him. Out of all people, he misses SPAMTON the most, yet no one speaks about him anymore, just that they won't give Tenna a breakdown on stage again. Which Tenna was so thankful for.
"Yes...." he murmured as if he was out of breath, defeated also fits in this situation. Suddenly Pink and Yellow sparks were appearing out of nowhere and jumping around him. An upside down grin spun the right way, and I tell you this grin was so awful you would feel your sins crawl down your back. Black fur and a tail you cant even explain yourself. It was also wearing a light grey cardboard box on its head to cover its actual face. Tenna looked at its pink and yellow eyes and took a good step back.
What... monstrosity is this?
What is IT?
Anger turned into fear of this unknown intruder.
"Don't be scared Lord of Screens... I am nothing but a Friend." it purred against the cardboard box it wore on its head. Tenna wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not to interact with that being. Of course it wasn't a good idea to interact with that thing! What is this for a question!
However, it showed no hostility so Tenna calmed down and the tension slowly left his shoulders. "what... do you want?" Tenna asked barely above a whisper. even when it wasn't that loud, it seemed to echo through the silence as if he screamed again. Powerful.
"I want to make a deal. One you can't turn away from..."
The so called friend grew a bit into size and towered over Tenna. OF course, The Lord of Screens can't turn away a good offer... It was visible with Spamton when he did those for them. However, finding now the right one for the lord of screens, is harder than it could think. Tenna wouldn't want fame, since he already is the most known darkner in the whole dark world. He wouldn't want to have power, since he already is the ruler of TV-World. So what does the King of this world want from a being like them? It could be anything, anything really. However, it is visible what this guy wants. So it made a proposal it knew Tenna had no CHOICE but accept.
"You will be able to be back together with him. One or another way. The only thing I want in return is that you keep me hidden here. A place to stay- if you get what I mean. And you have to earn points for me. Just be warned.... There are consequences around every corner and possibility you will open." It's yellow and pink eyes sparked up while tilting the head. The fur came against the cardboard box it wore on their head, making this odd sound of cardboard getting stroked. Tenna bit his lower lip. he couldn't risk having such a hideous being inside his studio, but on the other hand, he so badly wanted to. He so badly wanted to stop Spamton from leaving him.
He so badly wanted to believe, that this being would bring his mailman back...
And with this given offer, he will be able to do so, over and o v e r again. Slowly he looked at the being which was hovering over him and awaited his answer like a robot. No emotions no nothing. . "so? What is it, that the Lord of Screens wants?" it purred through its teeth and leaned closer to Tenna. His antennas sniffed around its face, however, he couldn't smell anything, nothing. No smell, so it's not real.
Not Real...
No consequences...
So that's a dream right?
"Deal."
were the words that hovered with a soft whisper over his lips. Desperate to find his wrongdoings and make the person he loves most return. Spamton. He wants Spamton to return to him. he can't risk it to have him leave him. He is nothing without him. N o t h i n g. He wouldn't be complete without him. However, It won't be an easy task- he figured. Spamton is stubborn and emotionally closed off most of the time... so how would he do that? Keeping him trapped? No that's too harsh, yet it sounds like a good option too.
Suddenly a sharp pain went through his body. he felt his vision faint in front of his- closed- eyes. even when he was out cold, he felt how the pain made its way through his body. Traveling through his veins. If he could, he would have already screamed it out, but alas, he wasn't conscious enough to do so. What was that? Was that part of the Deal? Was this because he didn't sleep for the last two days? After a good passage of time, Tenna slowly regained his consciousness and looked up from the ground just to meet Battat's worried eyes.
"Boss!" the smaller dice man shouted and helped him up. It seemed like his green friend was there this whole time when he was out cold. He couldn't thank him enough for not leaving him in such a desperate moment.. Pluey was also there right away when he heard Battats screaming. Once Tenna was sitting on his legs both were staring at Tenna and walked around him to find something ANYTHING! ANYTHING! PLEASE! Just to find out WHAT just happened! Yes, in the eyes of Battat and Pluey it just looked like Tenna collapsed in front of them while reading the script - with a mad face expression which was understandable- for the next show. However, for Tenna something else happened. He was even moving! But was he really? Was he really moving or was it all... just in his head? "Boss, are you okay?" Battat asked once more - this time with more concern than before- and much less volume in his voice since Tenna seems to be off track. indeed, Tenna's vision was foggy. very foggy.
"I am fine."
Really? In such moment you refuse the help? I mean sure I don't need help but, maybe considering them helping you to your room? just in case you would collapse?
"Really... I am fine guys... but thank you."
Idiot!
Battat and Pluey nodded softly, not really buying Tennas words after everything. Though Tenna smiled through and through like always with his award winning smile. "I am just quite tired." he simply said with his showman smile he always had on his lips.
He stood slowly fully up and looked at the time to find out what time it is. "Battat! Please cancel my 4 PM . I will take a nap." With a salutation Battat and Pluey walked away. When Tenna took his first step forward he had to stand still again. There was a lingering sharp pain going through his body. He would hiss- but he didn't want to alarm anyone who's around or close by. He CAN'T alarm anyone around him. So he rather smiled and didn't move. Will the next step hurt as well? Or will he be fine? Curious, as well as scared, he took another step forward and made an uncomfortable sound. It did. It hurt. What did he do? Why is he feeling pain?
There he remembered his new friend. After he made the deal, his body felt funny and started to act off. Was it their fault? Was his body acting this way because of his new friend? Deep inside he hopes that it wasn't because of them. even though from the looks of it, it would fit..
Slowly, he walked back to his room trying not to hiss in pain on the way. The sharp pain felt like little needles going through his body. A million of it! And to admit it, it was a very uncomfortable sensation.
Once he was in his room he held his arm and fell to the ground again, drowning in the pain his body was in right now. Crying as the pain got worse, seemingly increasing by the second. It felt like he was cut in half - or even worse. "why- wh-what is happening?!" he growled under his breath and looked at his hands that were shaking horribly. Tenna wasn't losing any HP, but it was feeling like it. Horrible. Before he was able to finish his inner-one-sided dialogue, someone talked in between.
"It is the [SET A REMINDER HERE!] we have a Deal, [Cathode]." that voice- Tenna opened his eyes in disbelief and laid his head to the side to stare at the grayscale version
of Spamton, which had one pink and one yellow eye. That exact same awful, disgusting grin that his new friend had and glitches sometimes?
This wasn't Spamton... or was it?
"I- S-Spamton?" Tenna cooed under his breath in shock, before biting his bottom lip.
There he remembered, he never made a deal with Spamton!
Spamton would never make a deal with him... not like that. A dark laughter came from Spamton while his form slowly, gruesomly melted into his new friend, who put its rediculous cardboard box on its head again. "Didn't I tell you I can transform to people whenever i wish?" it whispered before it slowly crawled under the bed. Tenna held his mouth since he just witnessed something awful and his mind replayed this version of Spamton over and over again. The image still festering in his head,a deep filling of sickness welling in his gut after watching this whole situation unfold.
"Why did you do that?!" Tenna raised his voice, while also whispering, before he managed to sit up again.
The pain - amazingly - slowly wore off and he exhaled with high relief. Moving his wrists and neck to crack it and leaning back onto his hands.
"Lay down in bed. You wanted to rest after all, didn't you?~" the big black clawed hand came out of under the bed and patted the top of the bed, luring him into the warmth and comfort of it.
Not creepy at all
no - not at all.
Tenna had to take a good moment to just STARE at this giant clawed hand before he slowly stood up fully and moved closer to the bed.
Now that he thought of it, What was the reward of the Deal? Just that he will see this fucked up version of Spamton over and over again?
Was it that? If that is the case, he so badly wants to tell off the deal, he cant have this-
Not like this.
"What.... was the point of the deal....?" Tenna slowly asked while his antennae sunk. He was scared to ask the wrong things- not knowing if a mere question would . He indeed was
scared of his...new friend. Especially when his new friend makes him feel such exruciating pain, he doesn't want to make the feeling worse. The new friend looked
out of the underside of the bed at Tenna and purred softly "If you could reset... what would be the time you would start from again?"
Confused Tenna slowly laid down and looked up to the ceiling- just so he doesn't have to stare at its face. He played with his thumbs and crossed
the rest of the fingers, to have them all in one place." Where I would start from..." he repeated its words. To feel them on his tongue and to think.
There were a lot of moments he would love to go back to.
To fix things between them
To apologize to him
Being there for him
"there's..a lot of moments i'd go back to... However, I would start from the day again, when Spamton and I had our last show. Close before he ran away."
"What if I told you, you could do it now?"
Tenna looked at it with big open eyes and sat up quicker than he thought he could. "Say what now?!" He blinked at them and looked at his own hands.
"How do I do that?!" he looked down at his hands then waved his hands around in weird motions. hoping that it would somehow "trigger" his newfound power- Nothing happened. His friend sat down on the bed and I tell you- the bed dipped a bit down since it was so heavy!
"I will explain it one single time. After that, I wont do it anymore so listen closely Mr. Ant Tenna, Lord of Screens." it started and it crossed its weird slimy arms. Tenna's attention peaqued and he listened closely. Usually he wouldn't even care for all of this, but if he could see his husband again? Ohhhhh that is it. He wouldn't want to lose such a given opportunity . "When you snap, you will be able to switch the timeline... OR you will go back in time. Alas, you don't have all the time in the world. After 12 hours, i strongly recommend you coming back to your timeline.- not with a simple snap again" it chuckled before it's voice dropped into a deeper tone.
"you have to Kill yourself. Kill yourself to return to here and now. If not, You will feel excruciating pain throughout your body until you return. Keep this power a secret, or else you will suffer greater punishments." its tone went darker again aswell as more threatening through the end, which let Tenna nod in pure horror.
Thinking about it...
Snapping and being with Spamton for 12 hours... he never wanted nothing more than this. Just.. killing himself to come back would be... hard. Killing yourself would most definetly be painful. Does this power have a cooldown? He had to try this out as soon as he was able to. Maybe this evening? Maybe N O W?!
"I will wait for your return, Lord of Screens..." his new friend whispered.
Now, knowing he SHOULD test it out, Tenna held his hand up - while laying back down onto his bed - his vision- like a wind-up, made a bunch of pink and yellow sparks spin around him like a teasing, a yearning.
Once he snapped, he felt completely light-weight.
He felt like a feather. And what a feather he was! all the known heaviness in his body completely evaporated in a single second.
Everything around him went dark and every single sound seemed to deafen as if he was first held underwater until there was nothing. after a while colours slowly went back into his vision and his room wasn't lit anymore. The lights were out.
A sharp pain came across his eyes and he held them shut while holding them. Quickly he sat up and looked over to the mirror. Once he opened his eyes he gasped softly.
One pink, one yellow. No one will notice it will they? He just... won't open his eyes next to Spamton. But he wont notice it either right?
Knocking appeared on the door and it opened. There he stood. Elegant as always, correcting his gloves and sleeves and smiling oh so warm at Tenna, just like he remembered.
The smile he never shows once they leave their rooms. "Hey, Cathode. I just wanted to tell you how amazed I am on today's show!"
Spamton's voice thrilled through the dark room with glee once he flipped the light on. However, said smile fainted when he looked at Tenna.
Our CRT human was losing tears while staring at Spamton in disbelief. "S-Spamton?" he said barely audible. Standing up slowly and holding his hand in front of his mouth.
Spamton lifted a brow and grinned confused, with a hint of irritation. "Yes? What happened? Why are you crying, big guy? Have you been taking drugs without me again?
I told you to call me over when you sniff 'em!" he crossed his arms while looking away to the side, before he yelped since Tenna lifted him into a sudden tight hug.
"It's you..." Tenna whimpered under his breath. "It's really you!"
"Uhhmmm Okaayyyy- Tens, now you start to creep me out. What happened? Why are you acting like you haven't seen me in centuries?"
Spamton laughed nervously while patting his favorite CRT on the back. He knew that Tenna could be a lot sometimes. But this? This wasn't normal for his partner.
Usually he was all joyful and happy. Crying and being glooby like this wasn't like him at all.
Tenna laughed out loud and spinned with him in his arms. "I am just so glad you're here Spamton!" he couldn't believe how his voice rose with joy again.
he even grew in size! With this Deal, he will see his business partner again and again and a g a i n! Spamton looked at him with big eyes and the
grin grew more personal. Gentle. He meant the smile with positive emotions. "You're really something, Boobtube! But, I need to admit that
I am also glad to be here... I mean we..." he guided his and Tenna's hands next to each other bringing emphasis to their shiny rings, solidifying the evidence of their marriage. "... Are literally married..."
he chuckled softly and leaned against Tenna. "And I wouldn't want it any other way..." Spamton whispered over his lips, smiling as if he never learned differently. That was the thing with Spamton. In the studio he was distant, not caring and just doing his job. Kinda like a person who's purpose was to be taken serious. However, behind closed doors, shut away from the other staff members, (making it just Tenna and him) he is open,
soft and shows more gentle emotions. and yet not vulnerable. Tenna noted that one down a while ago: Spamton hates it to look weak and vulnerable infront of anyone. Even Tenna, his own partner.
Tenna stared at their hands for a while before he looked at Spamton. He slowly leaned his head down, which Spamton came towards to as well.
Once their lips touched, Tenna felt the butterflies flying inside his body once more. As if this was their first kiss again.
The tears returned and he couldn't hold himself back. His legs grew soft and slowly he sunk down to the ground. Making Spamton sink with him.
Spamton held his cheeks whilst giving Tenna a worried glance, trying to find out what's going on with his business partner. "Tens? Tenna What's going on? Why--
Why are you crying again?" his voice, full of worry while he stroked his partner's cheek. Tenna on the other hand opened his eyes slowly directing his gaze to Spamton.
Feeling the black-brown eyes lingering on him as well, knowing that Spamton is here again made him feel weak.
He was with him again. Complete
Spamton felt his heart flutter at the sight of Tenna's open eyes. He knew the meaning of it after all the years of their partnership. pure, true emotions. unfiltered.
This feeling, of being complete again. This feeling, of being whole. Tenna missed it. His body missed it like a dream you desperately want to remember again and again.
There was nothing else he wanted right now. Nothing else. However, He knew he had to go back soon again.
Leaving his Love behind... being alone... he was scared of this.
Scared to kill himself.
Scared to lose Spamton again.
He was scared to yield to these powers he was hiding from his one and only partner.
"So uhhh, Are you telling me now why you're crying?" Spamton grinned sheepishly at him as if he felt kind of left out. He Scratched
the back of his neck and looked away softly. Tenna blinked at him now, softly nodding in response. What will he tell him?
What will he say? He can't tell him what he was hiding. When he does though, will his powers disappear? Will he lose him all over again?
He can't let that happen.
"I had a dream... nightmare. That you left me and Seeing you here in front of me, makes me feel so relieved. You wouldn't understand..."
he whispered over his breath and brushed one hair string out of Spamton's face, who was listening in all closely. "I- I cant imagine a life without you."
Tenna added softly while looking at Spamton. He was trying to find eye contact which he found right away. Spamton looked at him with the cheeky grin
he usually has outside. Then he chuckled "You really are something, Tens. But I promise you I wont leave." Liar.
You are such a bad Liar, Spamton.
How often was I blinded by your lies, Spamton?
Tenna was staring at the smaller Darkner in front of him and bit his lower lip. Spamton lifted a brow before he grinned, looking away slowly.
There it was. Tenna was exactly waiting for this. This motion was normal for Spamton when he was unsure about something. He was sure
that there were more signs, that Spamton showed without noticing it before.
Tenna finally saw the subtle twitch in Spamton's hands, signifying hesitation before shifting into a more laid back one.
How didn't he see it before? How did he miss this tell-tale sign while the promise was made?
Was Tenna really so blinded by his fears of being abandoned or left, that he ignored the other hints? Oh Tenna...
How can he oversee such an important and obvious signal...?
The things that fears make you do, and worst of all, you could have seen... that Spamton couldn't hold the promise..
He didn't see it at all.. because he focused on having everyone he loves close by, if needed even trapped with him...
In the end, it was Tenna's fault? Just because he picked up the phone instead of running after him? Why is that his fault now?
This is all Spamton's fault. He ran away, he left him, HE was the one not doing his part of the deal-
"I... I know you won't, Spamton.. I know you won't." Tenna tried to let his voice sound relieved and happy before he hugged
Spamton whilst slowly closing his eyes to enjoy this sweet moment a bit longer. The warmth of his oh so beloved husband. The warmth
he hasn't felt against him since more than 10 years. The breathing motion he missed so much. The heartbeat, that reassured him that
his partner was comfortable in his arms. "I- Do you want to grab some Dinner with me? I noticed we haven't eaten anything today."
"Really? Oh- right, R I G H T!" Spamton pulled out of the hug and looked shocked. "Let's go Cathode! I'll pay."
"You Pay? You mean I pay." Tenna crossed his arms while grinning down at him.
"No no no I will pay. Get your points away from my nose." Spamton proceeded to make his way out of the room with Tenna by his side.
While those two were fighting about who will pay, they left the studio, waltzing into TV-City. Spamton looked to the side with his hands
in his pockets while Tenna walked calmly next to him, smiling at every citizen he was greeted by. Something felt off, really off. He thought that
seeing Spamton would make him happy, make him feel better. Sure, it did for a while, yet, he still wants to scream at him. The lingering pain and anger from the betrayal, Telling him how much he
hated him for leaving. Letting him know just how much he took from him. Simply by running away.
He couldn't.
He couldn't tell him all those things into his face. What would that do with the future? Or even the present? Tenna was too scared of the outcome.
"Hey, Tens! Are you okay? You're usually not that quiet on our walks- Did- uhh something happen in the studio today? How was your day?" Spamton pulled him back to the present out of his spiraling thoughts, while grabbing Tenna's hand softly. Spamton knew that this was one out of the many ways to get Tenna to snap out of it.
Tenna peeked at Spamton's soft confused smile and shook his head.
"No no... no no.. I- Well-" Tenna tried to find his words before he laughed it off, while waving his hand dismissively. "Nothing really happened today. Really!
The Weathers were doing an amazing job and the Shadow guys were playing on tune!" Tenna threw all four hands high in the air and smiled.
Spamton wasn't complaining about anything, which means nothing else than that he mentally agreed with Tenna.
He would never disagree with Tenna.
Why would he?
"Well, if you say so? At least I haven't seen you go bazonkers today!" Spamton pulled a chair from the table in the diner aside so that Tenna could sit down. Once Tenna was pushed
to the table by Spamton like the gentleman he is, he sat down on the other side, handing Tenna the menu with a small smirk. "Cyber World was too much today as well-" He lost his smile
once he buried his head in his hands. "The deals were wild today and ugh don't get me started on Clickster!"
"No... no I want to hear the tea." Tenna smiled softly at him laying a hand on his shoulder.
Spamton shifted his gaze to his partner as the frustration in his face changed into a soft smiling one. "W-well-" Spamton stuttered, seems like he wasn't expecting Tenna to actually wanting to hear it.
"I arrived quite early in the City and I was simply making the rest of my deals since, that's how I am right? Deal here deal there- happy face here happy face there." Spamton grinned and leaned on one
arm on to the table. Smoothing his hair back before he snapped his finger in a confirming way. "Just the typical right?"
"Mhm....?" Tenna leaned over the table slightly to listen intently to Spamton's gossip. His whole attention belonged to his husband currently. Which the Waiter had the unfortunate luck to listen to as well,
since none of those two noticed their presence.
"Right! I totally did NOT! walk into the "territory" of my sibling." Spamton Air-quoted the word 'territory'. "Yet, Clickster makes such a fuss about me being there just to take their customers away or what-not.
Apparently being the sole reason for the misfortune in their sales!" Spamton slammed the fists on the table in magnifying rage, which made Tenna and the waiter flinch back. "I DID NOT!! I did not
steal their costumers! I have costumers who are coming back for ME!" he raised his arms in a mocking way with his oh so signature Addison smile. "Which those assholes are just wishing for!! returning
costumers! What a living dream! Jealous pricks-" he scoffed in the end and lowered his hands. Finally bringing his attention to the waiter. "I take the typical. Make it black. I need a strong one this time.
Plus a CD-Bagel please. Thank you."
"For me just the Typical TV-Dinner please." Tenna looked from the waiter back to Spamton. "You're okay though? I know how quick you get into dangerous situations whenever you get this mad..."
He laid his hand on Spamton's, their eyes meeting together.
His anger seeemed to subside as quickly as it came "How much I would give to see your beautiful eyes right now.." Spamton whispered , seeming to yearn for the sight of his partners eyes.
Tenna tilted his head slightly confused. "I- I am looking at you though-?"
"No no... I know you can see with your antennae, Tenna.. But.. forget it..." Spamton smiled softly, while Tenna thanked the waiter as their order was put onto the table.
"this is just what I needed..." Spamton gave a satisfied sigh after taking a sip from the coffee.
Tenna chuckled and bit into his carrots. "Anything planned for the rest of the evening?"
Both shared eye contact again before Spamton exhaled as he made a swift movement and a slightly glitched tab opened. "I don't have anything on my planner for the rest of the day. No... What does THE lord of screens have in mind with lil' ol' me~?" a grin spread over Spamton's lips before he laid a finger innocently against his bottom lip. Which made Tenna dip his head down in a chuckle.
"Well..." Tenna started and scratched his neck a bit. "I was... wondering if you can show me how you do your advertisement- thingamabobs."
"Tenna- You- I-" Spamton stuttered, clearly taken aback by this question.
"I know I know... But I would feel better if you could show me how to do it. You're my husband and I want to know it from you."
Spamton blushed slightly and gulped his coffee down to cover his blushing cheeks. Afterwards he placed the mug down. He made sure to stretch his arms, brushing off the clear shyness he desperately tries to hide. "Alright. Since, you're not a Cyber darkner it shouldn't work right away. You might need to take a lot of time to practice. Again as a reminder; You weren't made for selling, advertisements n' all that. You're not an Addison. So those abilities won't come easy for you. It might take more energy of you? Maybe something completely else?"
Spamton tried to make the after effects clear to Tenna, since he himself doesn't exactly know what the after effects for a non Cyber-Darkner would be like.
Tenna himself hopes that he'd be just fine afterwards since he still has to do something.
He has to kill himself.