Chapter Text
007n7 ran.
He ran for his life.
His arm throbbed in pain. He jumped as Noli threw his voidstar, and it exploded right next to him. He sent out a clone, and thankfully, it tricked Noli. 7n7 took out his C00lGUI to teleport.
He tapped his foot. “Cmon..” The chase theme got louder, "C'mon, c'mon, please!!” He pleaded. And right as Noli arrived, he left.
“Well [[a-a-aw shit-]] I wanted to tickle [[seven!!]] :(.” Noli stomped his foot, then used observant to find a new survivor to jumpscare.
007n7 wandered around to find a few generators to complete, and possibly find a medkit. Not for himself, of course! But for Elliot. Even though Elliot only has a scratch, he wanted to do something nice for him. He wanted to change Elliot’s view of him. After all, his son kinda.. Killed the poor guy. Whoops... n7 grimaced; he hated what he had done to the pizza man and wished he could take it all back. Maybe if… if he had actually pulled the trigger that day. 007n7 brought a hand up to his horns, then shook his head. He had to stay alive for c00lkidd, what if he came back to see his dad dead on the floor? That would've traumatized the poor kid! n7 looked around to see Elliot on the tall stone castle, looking out for anyone who needed healing.
___________________________________
Elliot sighed and rolled his eyes, seeing 007n7 come up the tower, he's gonna ask for a pizza, Elliot knows it. He pulled the pizza box out of his bag and started to take a slice off.
“Uhm, sorry to bother you, but--”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, you want a pizza.” Elliot sighed.
“Oh! No, no! not at all!” Elliot stopped taking a slice out of the pizza and sat there for a good 5 seconds.
“Then, what do you want..?” he raised an eyebrow before closing the pizza box and putting it back into his bag.
“I just wanted to give you this,” 007n7 winced as he moved his injured arm to grab the medkit that he had hung on his belt. He gently placed it on the ground beneath Elliot’s feet and lowered his head, beginning to walk back down the ramp.
“Seven, wait!” Elliot called out. 007n7 looked back at him as the pizza man threw a slice in his direction. 007n7 looked surprised, but still accepted the offer. Sheepishly walking over to the pizza slice, and quickly grabbed it. Shouting thank you to Elliot as he ran off, his tail happily swaying behind him.
ROUND END! SURVIVORS WIN!
As soon as the round ended, 007n7 made a beeline for the shared cabin and collapsed on his bed. He was so tired from the round today.
He sighed and got up.
He should probably clean himself.
He wandered over to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Examining his horns and looking back at his tail. He hit his head with his hands, then took off his glasses, and turned on the shower.
I ain't writing a shower scene. Use your imagination you freak.
(long story short, he cut himself in the shower.)
007n7 lay on his bed, not wanting to move. His body ached. It was approaching nighttime, and the rest of the survivors who shared the cabin with him arrived and were washing up and putting their pajamas on. Two Time was praying in the corner, and Elliot and Taph were conversing. (to the best of Elliot’s ability…) n7 stared at the ceiling, dried tears blurred the corners of his vision. He examined the ceiling fan until Taph approached him, concerned.
“🫵👍❓, 🫵 😢. (u ok? U look sad.)” Taph asked. 007n7 turned his head to look at her.
“Hm..?” he said softly. “Oh, yeah, I'm fine,” he responded, looking back up at the ceiling. Taph tilted her head, then walked to her bed slowly, jumping into her sheets and wrapping her wings around herself.
Once everyone was snugly in their beds, Elliot blew out the candles around the room. Before blowing out the last candle, he looked over at 007n7, who was curled up in his bed, using no blankets, and he was shivering. It was extremely cold all the time, wherever the hell they were.
Elliot stared at n7. “Should I.. Do something..?” he thought to himself. He sighed, somewhat annoyed. He knew he had to do the right thing, and he hated it. Elliot picked up the blanket on the floor and draped it over n7. Why was he doing this?? He hated 007n7 for what he and his son had done. He was here because of that stupid kid.
He remembered the feeling of being crushed by falling rubble and suffocating on smoke.
He placed a hand on his throat, coughing softly. “Get yourself together, Elliot,” he thought, smacking his palm against his forehead. He blew out the last candle and climbed into bed. Staying awake because he couldn't stand the sounds of Taph's snoring, but eventually he fell asleep.
________________________________
Crickets chirped.
He was wide awake; he couldn't sleep. How could he? His entire body ached, and his onesie rubbing against his scars hurt. It felt like pins and needles all over his body. 007n7 got up and shuffled to the bathroom, stumbling in and turning the light on. He looked in the mirror, raising a hand to his horns, and mumbled. He grabbed some clothes and threw them on. He didn't really care what time it was; he couldn't sleep for shit.
He walked out of the bathroom and opened the door, moonlight flooding the cabin. He looked over his shoulder one last time, but Two Time wasn't there. How odd. He slowly shut the door and wandered out, putting on his shoes and making his way to the dock. From where the moon was positioned in the sky, he figured it was about 3 am. He kneeled on the dock and stared up at the sky, admiring the stars. He remembered when he would stargaze on top of the house with c00lkidd. He remembered how C00lkidd would beg him every night to use the C00lGUI to teleport onto the roof. But then the memories turned sour. He remembered when C00lkidd was missing and when they found his body. He shook his head; he shouldn't be thinking about this.
Then he felt a weird looming presence.
He turned around and jumped.
“ACK!!”
“..oh,” it was just Two Time. “Apologies, Two Time. You just kinda startled me.”
“No worries, dear hacker,” they smiled. “I was only supervising you in the name of the Spawn. For he was worried.”
007n7 squinted, then responded “uhh… sure…” He looked back at the water, re-adjusting his position to kick his legs off the dock.
Two Time kneeled next to him. “What's troubling you, dear friend. For the spawn is surely willing to listen!” They awaited a response.
“Uhm... I'm fine... thanks for asking, though.”
Twink Time got up and skipped over to the faucet on the side of the cabin and got a drink. Then they went into the main cabin, presumably to sit on the couch. 007n7 sighed and continued to stargaze.
________________________________
Beams of sunlight slowly crept into the cabin, waking Elliot up. He got up from his bed and shuffled to the bathroom, turning on the light. He grabbed his toothbrush and brushed his teeth. “We’re lucky we get to have basic hygiene..” he thought to himself. He walked back to his bed, grabbed his clothes off it, and strolled back to the bathroom to put them on. He went to sit on his bed and grabbed his visor from his nightstand. He looked around the room. Two Time and n7 weren't there, so it was just taph sleeping now.
Elliot sat on the edge of his bed for a while until Taph woke up. Once she woke up, Elliot left the room to go to the main cabin; he should probably go make breakfast.
Once Elliot got inside the cabin, he saw all of the survivors conversing with eachother. Well… most of them. Two Time was staring at the fire, and 007n7 was sitting in the corner. He looked tired. There were bags under his eyes, and he was moments from falling asleep. Elliot strolled into the kitchen, where Shedletsky and Builderman were trying to make breakfast.
“Ah! Elliot! There you are!” Shedletsky sighed. “You slept in, huh, kid?” he walked up to Elliot and ruffled up his hair.
“Heh… yup.. I'm here now… I can handle breakfast..” Elliot sighed.
“Yo, kid. I can help ya cook, if ya like,” Builderman commented, crossing his arms.
“Sure.” Elliot pushed hair out of his face and stuffed it into his visor. “Alright!” he clapped his hands together. “Where do we start?”
“Shed wanted to make waffles and fried chicken.”
“Typical.” Elliot thought to himself. “Sure… I guess,” he sighed, then waddled over to the cupboard to grab a bowl.
__________________
007n7 sat in a corner, eyes growing heavy. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He saw a figure walking toward him, and he braced for the worst. Once his vision cleared up after he put on his glasses, he saw it was guest 1337 who sat next to him. There was a couple of minutes of silence, until guest spoke up.
“Hey, uh.. You look pretty tired. Did you sleep well last night?” he asked.
n7 hummed. “I.. woke up a bit early. But I'm fine, guest. don't worry bout me,” he faintly smiled. Trying his best not to look moments away from falling asleep.
“What time did you wake up?” the soldier questioned.
“Uhhh..” n7 sweated, scratching the back of his neck. He sighed. “3… am..”
“That's not… Ok, so, you slept for 3 hours?” he looked genuinely concerned for 007n7's health. “I think you should rest for a while before the round, okay?”
“Mmh.. alright.” he caved in. Guest was always too nice to people. He could forgive anyone—even him.
“But first get some breakfast, alright? I noticed you haven't eaten in a while. I'm worried about you, seven.” Guest got up. “Make sure to eat.”
007n7 nodded as the soldier walked off. He wiped his eyes and got up, heading to the kitchen.
“Heyah, man!” Shedletsky beamed. “Breakfast is good today! Waffles and chicken,” he pointed a finger gun at n7 and clicked his tongue. Holding his 5th serving on a flimsy paper plate in his other hand.
n7 chuckled softly, shed’s personality was always enough to lift someone's spirit. 007n7 looked over to the kitchen, where Builderman and Elliot were standing, loading up plates with portions of food. n7 snuck up and snatched a plate and a fork from the counter. He noticed how Buiderman and Elliot tensed up when he walked behind them. Which was fair, he’s damaged both of them deeply. They shouldn't trust them. No one should. He deserves this hell. He's deserved every ounce of karma he's gotten.
He sat down by the door once more, placing his plate next to him. He looked up to see guest talking to Two Time, who was sitting by the fire. Most likely giving them the same talk that he got. Only guest will talk to them, only he has the patience. The singular thing they’ll talk about is the spawn. They ramble endlessly about it. 007n7 sighed and picked up his plate, staring into the syrup on the waffles. The faint reflection of his glasses was mirroring back to him, mocking him.
Uhm. he ate. Yes. ok. numnumnumnumnumnumnunmgunmunm
007n7 got up and threw his plate away. Checking the round countdown as he opened the trash can. 1 more hour. Then 5 hours of pure torture. Great.
___________________
Elliot was almost done cleaning up breakfast, washing the last bits of batter out of the bowl.
“Hey, kid.” Elliot perked up. “Why don't you take off those thumb holes? You’re just getting your sleeves wet.” Builderman’s neutral expression wore off, and he looked confused.
“Uh-h-hhhh…” Elliot sweated. “I uh… Uhm,” he tried his best to make an excuse, trying not to look suspicious. “Dont worry about it, yeah?” he waved his hand. “Go uh… talk to Shedletsky, yeah?” his voice shook, mental state rapidly declining.
Builderman looked extremely suspicious and slightly annoyed. He didn't like being around Shedletsky that often; he thinks that they're dating, even though they're both married. They had a 1 night stand, and now Shedletsky’s in love. Builderman couldn't deny that he had feelings for him, though.
“Fine. if ya say so,” he walked off to go talk to Duesekkar Taph and Shedletsky. Elliot washed a spatula as Builderman strolled out of the kitchen.
Elliot stood there for a second. Falling against the counter before catching himself. No one can know. They can't know. It's filthy, disgusting, and ugly. He snapped at himself. He got lightheaded for a moment before finishing washing the spatula. He stumbled out of the kitchen and walked past everyone out of the lobby and into the cabin, n7 watched as Elliot tripped out of the lobby, growing more concerned for him. Once Elliot got to the cabin, he went to the bathroom and slammed the door.
He peeled off his shirt and undershirt, staring at himself in the mirror. Scars covered every inch of his body. Wrapping around his arms and hiding themselves under his binder. There's where on his body that's safe from scars. They dipped under the waistband of his boxers and crept up his chin.
He hyperventilated. His vision became blurry.
“Hey dad! Are you proud of me? I'm just like you now!” a disembodied child's voice cut through the smoke, the shadow of a red tail wagging.
He saw the fear on 007n7s eyes. The utter terror plastered on his face.
Tears ran down Elliot's cheeks, his dad held him tight.
“Dad! Mia’s still in there!” he yelled.
“You can't go in there, son. It's too dangerous,” his dad said, tears forming in his eyes.
“I can't just let her die! I have to help!” he ripped away from his dad's arms and ran into the burning pizzeria.
“Elliot!!!” his dad yelled after him.
“Mia??” he called. “Mia!!!?” Then, he spotted her. Cowered in a corner, sitting with her knees to her chest. He got on his knees in front of her. “Mia!! Oh my Telamon!! Come on, we have to get you out of here!” She looked up with tears and snot soaking her face. “Come on!!” He grabbed her arm and pushed her in front of him. “Just run! don't look behind you, okay?” he yelled.
He tripped. Breaking his ankle. His visor flew off his head, landing inches in front of him.
He lay there. Shaking. Begging himself to get up.
He screamed. Tears streaming down his face. He looked down at his ankle, and there was bone poking through his ankle. He felt he was going to be sick. A pool of blood began forming below his leg.
He saw Mia’s silhouette disappear through the orange haze of the building.
But he also saw the light of the outside. The door. He was right there. He could make it.
He dragged himself across the ground. Crying. Sobbing. Wanting to live. He wanted to escape. He's not going to die like this. Not today.
He reached to grab his visor, straining his arm.
He choked and coughed. It was hard to breathe. He couldn't.
“Dont think about it. Just keep going,” he thought to himself.
Then, a crack. The wood above him groaned. The bricks scraped against each other.
He froze.
Move.
Move.
Move.
Move.
MOVE!!!
But it was too late.
Wood beams crushed his back. Breaking it instantly. The bricks came next. Breaking him, suffocating him.
He couldn't think. The world became fuzzy. The door. It was right there. His dad must have heard his cries. He didn't even know he yelled out. His ears rang.
He saw the outline of someone running to him.
The rubble ontop of him was lifted, and he was pulled out.
His dad held him gently.
The world faded away.
Sounds grew muffled.
And he went limp in his father's arms.
When Elliot came to, he was lying on the bathroom floor, clutching his knees. Trembling.
He couldn't breathe.
There was a knock at the door.
He gasped.
“Elliot? Are you okay?” It was 007n7.
He stayed quiet.
“The round starts in 50 minutes… I want you to be prepared, you know?” he sat down by the door. “Do you need to talk? Do you need help?”
Elliot sniffled.
“Not from you.”
The words pierced 007n7 in the chest like a sword. He felt so terrible for what he's done to Elliot. To his family. To his life. Because of him, he was stuck in this endless purgatory. Because of him, he was scarred for life. But he felt so terrible that Elliot felt this way about him. He wanted to change Elliots view of him. But how?
“Elliot.”
sniffle.
“Im sorry. Really, I truly am. I don't know how I could ever fix the damage that I've done. I’m sorry about my son, too. It's my fault he found the old C00LGUI. I don't know how I can fix what happened, but I just want you to be okay. So, if anything is weighing on you, please let me know so I can help you.”
The way 007n7’s voice made him feel was odd. It was comforting and somewhat like a gentle parent. His voice was calming, in a way. It gave him butterflies. It made him feel warm even when the bathroom tile was freezing.
Elliot sniffled again and opened the door.
As soon as it was opened, 007n7 rushed in and hugged him.
Elliot held on for dear life; if he let go, he would be back in the burning building. He couldn't be there again. The echoes of C00lkidd’s laughter and ambulance sirens filled his ears, the crackling of fire, and the groan of wood. He sobbed in 007n7’s arms, crumbling into him. n7 patted his back, not saying anything. 007n7 looked down at the man sobbing in his arms, examining the scars that covered every inch of his body.
Elliot’s stomach dropped. He knows. Oh Telamon he knows. He's ugly, disgusting. Filthy. These scars were the one thing he didn't want anyone to see. Especially 007n7. Once, Chance caught a glimpse of his arms when his sleeves were ripped. Chance probably thinks he's disgusting. Ugly.
n7 took off his glasses. Rubbing his eyes and placing them next to him.
“I.. You… You were never supposed to see. I.. you…” He stared at his hands, tears falling into them.
“Im ugly. Disgusting,” he took a sharp breath in.
007n7s heart shattered into a million pieces. Is this the damage that hes caused?
Then everything clicked.
All the times Elliot had broken down at the pizza place map, the way he’d flat out refuse to go inside the building, even when someone was hurt.
How he froze every time he heard c00lkidd speak. His “unexplained” panic attacks whenever there was a kitchen fire.
The time he ran away from Chance and didn’t speak to him for three days, when all Chance had wanted to do was give him a medkit.
It all made sense now.
He pet Elliot's hair, trying to calm him down.
“Elliot--” 007n7 began
“I'm sorry..” he interrupted. “I- I'm so rude to you… I… I'm so sorry.” Elliot spoke quietly, clinging to n7’s shirt.
“It's ok, Elliot, truly. You have every right to be rude to me after the damage I've caused,” he said softly.
“It's not..! You’ve only tried to be nice. You only wanted to help! I'm never rude to people. I'm Elliot, star employee! The one who comes to work with a smile, no matter the situation. And I just…” he crumbled in 007n7’s lap, a sobbing, shaking mess.
n7 studied Elliot softly.
Gruesome images flashed in his mind, from when his father ran out of the burning building with him in his arms, his father tried to save him, but Elliot was already dead. C00kidd’s oblivious, loving gaze. Unaware that he killed someone and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
He held Elliot tightly, tears threatening to form.
“Im so sorry,” n7 whispered. He glued his eyes shut, blocking out all light, hoping that somehow closing his eyes would freeze the moment, stop time.
Elliot softened slightly, n7’s words grounding him to reality. The way he spoke tickled his brain; it calmed him, helped him think.
He petted his hair again, holding Elliot's head close to his chest. Elliot sniffled again.
“Can you keep talking…” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
007n7 chuckled softly, “What do you want me to say?” he asked.
“Hmh… I don’t know,” he grinned, his smile hidden in 007n7’s chest. “How was yesterday’s round?”
“It was tense, to say the least,” he exhaled slightly through his nose, a light laugh of sorts. “But that's every round, ‘yknow?” he looked down at Elliot, smiling faintly. They held each other's gaze for a long moment, then embraced each other again, holding on tightly to one another.
Elliot sniffled and giggled. He was happy, calm; he hadn't felt this way since he was alive, since he had Mia.