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Zero still remembers that day.
They aren’t sure about the full circumstances- that knowledge is lost to time, knowledge that was lost between hosts. What matters is that they ended up in an alley, trapped and cornered by people who kept trying to ask them what they knew about someone who Zero had never met before.
“I don’t- I don’t know who that is!”
“Of COURSE you do!” One of them grabbed their face roughly. “You’ve got the same fuckin’ mask! Now tell us WHO he is under that mask and we’ll let you off easy.”
“I keep telling you-“
Another pressed a switchblade to their throat. “Bullshit. There’s good money in bringing him to the authorities, if you just cooperate-” he spat as he ever so slightly pressed the knife in more- “we’ll share some with you.”
“And if you don’t, well then-“ he drew his finger along his neck. Zero’s heart dropped.
“NO-“
”Am I interrupting something?” A cold voice came from behind them.
A person with glowing green markings was standing with his arm against the wall to support his clearly injured body. His eyes narrowed at the people around Zero.
The man with the switchblade sprung up and slashed at him, where he simply jumped back and hit him with an uppercut, where he dropped to the floor. The other two people bolted as he watched.
“Cowards.” He turned to Zero and held out his hand to help them up. Zero took it and wobbled to their feet.
As they got a better look at him, they saw that he seemed to be rocking back and forth slightly.
And they saw his helmet.
A skull just like theirs, except green.
Their eyes widened.
He’s… like them.
They’re not the only one.
“Are you who they were talking about?”
“Prolly. Lotta people want me dead.”
“Why?”
“I piss them off.” He chuckled before he suddenly stumbled and began to fall to the ground.
“SHIT!” Zero caught him, however he made no effort to get back up.
“ShitshitshitshitSHIT!” They had no idea what to do. They can’t leave him here, he just saved their ass! They didn’t think they should drop him off at the hospital- he was obviously a wanted man. They obviously didn’t know any of his friends, so that’s out of the question.
Zero’s best option seemed to be to drag him back to their house and go from there.
Several hours later, they had him laid on their couch, his wounds cleaned and bandaged as best they could with Zero’s limited first aid knowledge.
Thank god for the internet.
They brought their laptop out and booted up Hollow Knight to pass the time while they waited for him to wake up again.
They were on Grimm and getting frustrated when they heard a groan. They paused and closed their computer, their gaze turning towards the person on their couch.
“Heya. How are you feeling?”
He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “Where…”
“I. May or may not have brought you to my house.”
He shot up. “You WHAT?”
“I didn’t want to leave you there! You saved my life!”
“Great, now I don’t know where I am!”
“I panicked, okay?! I don’t know you, let alone where you live. You’re just outside the city in one of the smaller neighborhoods. You can leave in the morning and do whatever.”
He grumbled and leaned back down. “Don’t got a home.” He sighed.
“…Rust.”
“What?”
“Name’s Rust. They probably never bothered to tell you or even learn that.”
“Uh… Zero_One. But just call me Zero.”
Rust leaned over and tapped their screen.
“I’ve never seen anyone else with this. Thought I was the only one.”
“I was going to ask you about that. You’re a Tombsona as well, aren’t you?”
He nodded.
There was an awkward silence from both of them.
“Sooooo… what’s your deal?”
“You know how I said that I piss those people off?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s because I stand for everything and everyone they are against. I stand for those they try to put down and try to kill. I’m sure you- or at least your host- can relate in some way.”
Zero nodded. “I remember that most of their friends and family just. Cast them away after they came out initially. They holed themselves up on their computer, and then… well, that’s where I came in.”
“What is your deal, anyway?”
“I’m just curious, I guess. I don’t know what exactly to say about it. I want to see this world through the eyes of others who are wondering. Music is a good way for me to offload that- especially because- and I’m sure you know what I mean- during half-existence it’s all apathy but then when I become something again I just feel. I feel so goddamn much.”
“You’re a musician?”
“Yeah! I’m having fun, although I work alone. Anyways, you obviously want to leave as soon as possible, right? Take some care of yourself, clean up, the most I can cook is mac and cheese but if you want something I can make some to share.”
Rust nodded. “That would be nice.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Rust was gone in the morning, and seemingly hadn’t intended to return. But a few weeks later, he showed up at Zero’s doorstep covered in blood and asking if he could stay the night again. They didn’t ask questions, simply let him in and allowed him to shower and rest.
This became a regular thing- every couple of weeks, Rust would show up, Zero would share a little more about themselves with him, and he’d be gone in the morning.
But Rust began to show up more and more, always accompanied by an excuse as to why he needed to stay. Rain one night, a nighttime event another. Eventually Zero offered for him to simply move in with them, which after some initial surprise Rust graciously took.
It was awkward at first, but slowly they started to figure one another out.
Zero learned some of the small things he enjoys- musical theatre, history, some singing gigs he’d had- and they told Rust about some of the games they play, showed him the songs they had been working on.
Rust still goes to protests, and Zero shares the location of a hidden key outside with an offhand comment that they don’t trust themselves to not lose it when they’re out. Zero was usually still up when he got back, and Rust had started bringing home stuff for them- usually snacks or soda.
Until one day, he didn’t come back. Not that night, not in the morning, not for weeks, and Zero was left alone.
Alone and wondering if he got arrested, if his host died, or if he simply got sick of them.
Despite everything, they were leaning towards the latter and thinking about how much they got wrong- were they annoying? Were they too pushy? Did Rust not trust them?
They got their answer when three weeks after Rust vanished, he blearily stumbled into the house, dazed and not seeming to know what was going on.
“Rust? Where have you-“
He wordlessly pressed a can of cherry coke into their hand and flopped onto the couch.
Zero looked him up and down, noticing discrepancies in his appearance that told them what they needed to know.
“Ah.” They sat down next to him. “Do you want to stay with me out here? To help you adjust.”
Rust nodded. Zero imagined the two sides of him swirling in his mind, slowly coalescing into one entity, one person.
Every few minutes, Zero would ask him a simple question, with Rust’s answers starting as short and confused and slowly gaining more foundation as it went on.
“What’s your name?”
“Co- Rust?”
“Do you remember me asking for the cherry coke?”
“I think so, maybe.”
“How’d you lose the last host?”
“It was a riot and I got shot.”
“Good. How are you feeling?”
“I feel… a little more like myself. Tired, maybe.”
Zero nodded. “Get some rest, then. I’ll be here in the morning.”
Rust fished a blanket out of their room and wrapped himself in it. He hopped back on the couch and watched them play Portal.
The following morning, Rust asked Zero if they’d like to play their songs for him at a singing gig he had coming up.
“You what?”
He shrugged. “Meant to mention this a couple weeks ago, but I never got to because of the whole host change thing.”
“I mean- yeah, but what makes you think my stuff is any good to share?”
“Bud, I’ve heard it myself, it’s great. If you’re worried about me not knowing the songs, we can practice them. But it’s up to you.”
Zero pondered the thought. “I mean, worth trying.”
They spent the day going through Zero’s files choosing songs for the night. Each day they had a few hours where they practiced what they had planned. Zero gave pointers on how they imagined the songs to go, and Rust abided.
He was a great singer.
The day came, and despite Zero’s anxiety, everything went well. The crowd loved them, and Rust encouraged them to join him during It’s Been So Long.
A calmer, more energetic side of Rust showed itself to Zero that night, a guy who loved singing and performing.
That evening was the first time Rust called Zero his friend when talking about them, and despite it seeming obvious in retrospect, it stuck with them.
Friend. They don’t remember ever having one, at least not as Zero_One.
They kept performing with Rust, and as they got more comfortable with it Zero started to notice that the more relaxed and fun side began to bleed into his day-to-day life- especially when with Zero. He still began his relationships with the rest of the group being cautious; like when Armstrong quite literally fell from the sky, when they found Tesla collapsed in an alleyway, and when they met Doc under an illusion.
Days had been spent writing music, performing, and fucking with the authorities. They had gotten caught once, and escaped after a week, trashing the place as horribly as they could.
It was fantastic. They had friends, a weird sort of family that they’d do anything for. A best friend in Rust, and their favorite person. They always waited for him every night when he had to go.
But then, they’re the one gone.
~~~~~~~~~~
The other side of them, the part that is still getting used to this even after five years, remembers what led them here.
An unknown error in their music program. A popup offering them a better chance in life, and the introduction of a voice in their head telling them what to do.
Where to find help.
“Isn’t that a bar?” They asked, shielding their eyes from the sun.
Silence. Then-
[YES]
“What’s so important that I have to go there for?”
[YOU WILL KNOW]
“Thanks, buddy. Very helpful.” They said indignantly as they buckled themselves into their car.
They sat in silence the entire ride, the robotic voice repeating names that felt just inches from being familiar.
[RUST]
[ARMSTRONG]
[TESLA]
[DOC]
“Who are they?”
[FRIENDS]
[MORE OF US]
“I’m the only other person in here. Checkmate, bud.”
[CORRECT]
“Then why…” they trailed off, eyes tracing over the faint circuit patterns on the back of their hands.
[YOU WILL BE ME]
[I WILL BE YOU]
[YOUR BODY WILL BE OUR VESSEL]
They screeched to a halt. “Fuuuuuck no. Not dealing with that.”
[AND GO BACK TO WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE? YOU DID NOT SEEM HAPPY. THAT IS WHY I CHOSE YOU]
“I wasn’t happy, but I was comfortable.”
[YOU WILL RECEIVE ALL MY KNOWLEDGE]
[ALL MY ANSWERS OF LIFE]
[YOU WILL HAVE PEOPLE TO LIVE FOR AGAIN]
[THIS WILL BENEFIT BOTH OF US]
“…Fine.”
[THANK YOU]
[I WOULD MISS THEM]
They finally arrived and stumbled in.
[THEY’RE HERE!]
“Whu-“ they looked up at the band performing, consisting of four people, all in skull masks which felt all too familiar. The voice in their head began to go nuts with excitement, flinging out the names again.
“No- SHIT! STOP!” Their head was pounding with each shout driving a stake through their skull to the point where they barely noticed the singer in green suddenly stopping.
“Guys, hold.” He hopped down from the stage and strolled over to them.
All of a sudden, the voices got calmer- and seemed to fuse with their own thoughts. They looked up.
He inspected their arms carefully, however it was quickly plain to see what was happening.
“Zero_One?”
They stared at him.
“I feel like I should know who that is.”
“It’s you. Or at least it will be you.”
“I dont’-” Their breath caught in their throat. “-I don’t know if I want that. Don’t know if I’m the right person. I don’t even understand what that means.”
“Then what do you want?”
They thought for a long time. “To make music.”
He nodded. “Keep going.”
“To be something.” They shuffled awkwardly.
“Anything else?”
“…To not be alone anymore.”
He smiled. “That’s all I needed to hear.” He hopped back on the stage and extended a hand to them. They cautiously took it and he pulled them up.
There was a brief moment of minds melding together as centuries worth of knowledge came flowing back until finally they were able to match the names in their head to these four figures before them. In a flash, they remembered what these names meant to them.
They blinked open their eyes as if waking up from a deep sleep. They looked beside themself and saw someone who they had both just met and had spent years with, and they wished they had known him throughout all their existence.
Rust held a microphone out to them and smiled. “Remember practicing this?”
Zero took it and returned the smile. “Obviously.”
After the performance, Rust sat down with them at a bar table and started asking questions.
“What is your name?”
“Zero_One?” They answered tentatively.
“Do you remember me?”
“I might.”
“Do you remember what happened to you before?”
“My host got shot?”
Rust nodded. “That’s how I remember it as well. Can you distinguish between the current halves of you?”
“I think so.”
“You seemed pretty alright while we were performing.”
“I don’t- I don’t feel like myself yet.”
“You might’ve had a burst of energy when you assimilated. Happens to me. You’ll feel better in a few hours, most likely. Do you want me to buy you a drink?”
Zero was uncomfortable. “Just an orange soda. I have problems with alcohol- the host does, at least.”
Rust nodded and went to the bar, ordering drinks for them both. He passed the soda to Zero.
“Keep an eye on your drink. You’re okay with being the designated driver?”
Zero nodded.
A few hours later, they were preparing to leave and Rust rushed to them and trapped them in a bear hug.
“Missed ya. Hosts dying is supposed to be my thing, not yours.”
Zero froze in surprise before melting into the contact.
They felt something warmer in their chest, yearning for something they couldn’t quite understand.
They’re ready to go home, hell, they should be going home, but Zero’s far too enamored with the familiar green glow to mention that the others are up and ready to leave. In fact, they both only follow after Tesla yells at them to quit being stupid.
While driving home, everyone was talking and Zero and Rust were cracking jokes that made both of them laugh, that made Armstrong smile, that made Tesla groan, and that completely baffled Doc.
At one point Zero glanced at Rust and saw their friend laughing his ass off at something they said. Zero found themself thinking about how much he meant to them- laughing together, dancing together during shows, Rust quietly scrolling on his phone in the bean-bag chair in their room while Zero was invested in their music software.
They were thinking about the many nights where they helped him readjust after a new host, where he more often than not ended up falling asleep on their shoulder. They were thinking about their first performance together and Rust encouraging them to sing with him. They were thinking about the many moments of contact they had that now just thinking about led to that warm feeling coming back.
Wait.
Are they in love?
Shit.
“HEY BUDDY, WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE BACK BUT EYES ON THE GODDAMN ROAD!”
“SORRY-“
~~~~~~~~~~
All was dark and still other than the gentle orange (albeit somewhat stifled and dim) glow of the lone figure in the living room.
They fiddled with the edges of the long coat they were wearing so much that in certain locations it had begun to fray.
“Shit,” they muttered as their fingers found one of the frayed ends. “He won’t be too happy about this when he gets back.”
If he gets back.
No. They can’t be thinking that way.
He’ll be back, he’s just taking a while this time.
Hopefully.
They wrapped the coat around themselves tighter and sniffled.
“It’s been months. Where are you? I want to tell you something. If I could muster up the courage, anyway.”
They sat stewing in their own words, imagining that he could hear them somewhere, somehow, even though they knew it was impossible.
Suddenly, Zero heard a quiet yet familiar rattling and they sprang up and ran to the door as it opened.
“Hey, sor- URK-“
Zero rushed in for a hug, nearly knocking him over.
“YOU WERE GONE FOR SO LONG AND I THOUGHT YOU’D NEVER COME HOME AND I MISSED YOU SO MUCH AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE PERMANENTLY GONE SOMEHOW AND I DIDNT THINK I WOULD EVER SEE YOU AGAIN AND I DIDN’T THINK I WOULD EVER BE ABLE TO TELL YOU HOW I FELT AND I-“
“Wait, wait.” He grabbed their shoulders and held them in front of him. “Back up.”
Zero’s heart stopped. “What?”
“You just said you wanted to tell me how you felt.”
Zero’s expression contorted into something ugly. “You’d hate it. Hate me. It’s not worth ruining something over.”
“I wouldn’t let it ruin everything. Never in my entire existence. I want to hear it.”
Zero hesitated at first, then took a deep breath.
“I’m in love with you.”
They looked at Rust and searched for some sort of emotion- anything, absolutely anything that could clue into what he was thinking- shock, disgust, pity-
Yet they found nothing.
“…This was stupid. I’m sorry. Just- forget we ever had this conversation. I’m just going to-“
“Zero.”
They turned back, wide-eyed as he gently placed his hands on their face. Zero’s words died in their throat as he scanned their expression, searching for confirmation in their eyes.
He yanked Zero into a kiss as they stumbled and grabbed at him. He rubbed his thumb over their cheek and his fingers curled around their jaw, sending a shiver down their spine.
“Only way I could get you to shut up,” Rust muttered.
Zero finally regained their composure and pressed themselves against Rust, folding around him.
Rust pulled away and wrapped them in an embrace, full of the safety Zero had always associated with him.
“You’re so warm. It’s nice,” he whispered breathlessly.
Zero gently squeezed him tighter. “How long have you known and how come I’ve never noticed?”
They felt Rust shrug in their arms. “Few months. I guess I’m just good at hiding it.”
“What are we now?”
“Does it really matter? I don’t know if it needs a name. I don’t want to stop being your best friend, but at the same time…” he gave a lighthearted chuckle. “I decided to kiss you.”
Zero laughed. “Why don’t we just figure things out as we go.”
“That sounds nice. I love you.”
Zero’s heart skipped a beat. “I love you too.”
“…I want my coat back, though.”
Zero laughed, feeling fully ready to take on anything with him, whether as best friends or as partners.