Chapter Text
AD World was a strange place. An entire Dark World dedicated to creating advertisements and promoting sales. The Darkners who resided there were hard-working, but encouraged to keep to themselves. Guaranteeing sales was paramount, and none held firm to this more than its Dark World Ruler, Spamton. As popular and charming as he made himself out to be, he kept everyone at arm's length. Even the Addisons who used to be close to him struggled to spend time with him outside of work hours.
Until one day, when the kids brought a television home. They pleaded with their parents to keep it like they were trying to take a mutt out of the rain.
A television was a rarity, especially in this particular Lightner house. An untrained performer with the ability to showcase ads any time he wanted? They should have skyrocketed up the ranks, maybe even taking over as Dark World Ruler but Tenna was just so… Pathetic.
Perhaps that was why Spamton was initially flippant toward Tenna. The TV adopted from the Librarby was easily excitable and followed Spamton around like the puppy the Lightner children saw him as. Everything was a learning curve, everything was too much to take in. It made Spamton wonder whether Tenna's life before moving to AD World had any merit to it.
"I worked as an archivist in the Queen's gallery," Tenna explained when asked about his past, "If someone wanted an old recording or a chance to review something, they'd look for me."
Spamton frowned, moving his monitor to the side to properly gauge the reaction of his colleague. "So you didn't… Host your own shows? No promoting your own stuff?"
"No, sir. I do enjoy being able to entertain the Lightners now, but I want to be better. That's why I appreciate all the help you're giving me in learning how best to do that."
In time, however, Tenna began to showcase his own potential and observational skills. A television had unskippable ads, even if Tenna wasn't used to broadcasting. Changing the channel did not mean that the ads were never seen at all. It was a boost to Spamton's own morale to ensure that his spot at the top of AD World was secure, especially with how eager to please Tenna was in relation to following his orders.
But in return, Spamton began to let his guard down. He didn't even realise he was doing it. Engaging in small talk. Taking coffee breaks together. Asking opinions about matters that weren't related to the task at hand.
Each time he caught himself, he mentally cursing for being so weak… But Tenna didn't mind. If anything, he seemed touched that…
"You trust me," Tenna had softly explained while casually tidying their mugs away. Before Spamton could ask what that meant, his assistant had stepped out of the office.
Spamton trusted Tenna? He felt ridiculous for growing attached to the only Darkner he frequently spoke to alone. It was like having an unknown device attached to your system: who knows what they would be capable of!
Nothing bad happened. Tenna never called him out for it, but almost encouraged it in his own, quirky ways.
In time, the wall disappeared, one brick at a time.
"Sir?" Tenna waved a hand in front of the Boss Addison's face, briefly blocking the view of the monitor. "You look troubled. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No, no… I'm fine." Spamton pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "Haven't you check-ins to be doing with the other Addisons?"
"I've done that. Along with every other Darkner you told me to talk to on this list." Tenna tapped the clipboard he held - he still hadn't mastered the skill of creating his own pop-up screens - and hummed, "But I noticed your name wasn't included."
"That's intentional. You were following up on all my employees. I need to be sure they're all productive. And then you're to start the list of checking our rotations and -"
"- schedules? Already done." The TV smiled, and the Boss Addison had to quickly glance aside before a trace of that familiar sense of weakness bubbled to the surface. "And I would like to take the time to talk to you, one-on-one. You're stressed."
"I'm busy, Tenna. There's a difference." Dismissing his pop-up screen with a wave of the hand, Spamton made his way toward the archive storage.
"Then what about after work?"
Spamton stopped. "What?"
"What if we chat after work? I think it would do us both some good."
"Eahahaha, listen. I don't do 'after work'." He lifted one hand to make air quotation marks with his index and middle fingers. "I have other things I have to focus on."
"Like what?"
"Like making sure the email servers haven't been jammed with newsletters."
"Forgive me, sir, but that still sounds like you're doing work?" The smile on the screen was sympathetic, if not confused. Spamton couldn't tell whether he wanted to keep looking at it or slap it off Tenna's face -
There it was again! This was why he needed to keep his head focused on what actually mattered!
"Sir?"
"Alright. Fine. You can walk back with me when I'm finished. If you aren't here by 7pm, I'm leaving without you."
"Yes sir!"
Sure enough, before the clock struck 7, Tenna was ready and waiting for his boss. He was still dressed in the neat suit that matched Spamton's, but a dark brown overcoat protected it from the outside elements. Strangely, Tenna was the only one whose clothing would be affected by the weather, and he always carried a branded umbrella just in case. It was long enough for him to use as a walking accessory, like the actors in the old movies that he enjoyed watching.
Tenna had a list of questions that he wanted to go through while they walked. Curiously, Spamton noticed how it wasn't what he had given Tenna. Instead of checking productivity levels, Tenna was instead asking about Spamton's wellbeing. Had he taken the contractually obliged minimum amount of time for breaks? Had he stepped out of the building outside of going to and leaving work? Did he have a day off scheduled soon to allow for rest?
It was equally frustrating and endearing. While he felt like he was being treated like a child, there was a strange feeling in knowing that someone actually wanted to make sure he was okay.
What was the motive behind this?
Before he could ask, there was a rumble overhead.
"Oh no…" Tenna lifted the umbrella and pushed it open. With it safely in position, he side-stepped to be beside Spamton right as a heavy shower of rain began to fall.
Similarly, Spamton had stepped closer without thinking. "I'm impressed by your reaction times."
"Thank you, sir," Tenna bashfully chuckled. "I am a piece of technology. I don't want to risk getting wet, even if it's just some rain."
"It's good to be aware of your surroundings and know what changes need to be made. I always tell you to take chances when you see it. Glad to see you taking it on board." Talking was a good way to ignore how he was growing warmer and to not think about why that was, but it only worked when it was a two-way conversation.
Tenna, unusually, had fallen quiet. Spamton looked up, only to be greeted by the sight of his assistant's screen blurring with colour near the bottom half. "Tenna?"
The television hesitated. He could see his boss' cheeks grow darker with a blush. Tenna's feelings for his boss had only grown stronger the longer he had worked in AD World. In this moment, stuck out in the rain, the rest of the world somewhere far away, all that mattered to him was right in front of him.
("I always tell you to take the chance when you see it")
Tenna swallowed a lump in his throat. He knew he was acting on a want that was inherently 'wrong', he knew he was crossing so many lines at once… But none of this conjured the common sense to stop him ducking down and kissing Spamton.
His lips were soft, lined with a light layer of static-like fuzz that made Tenna's screen tingle. There was a faint taste of coffee that only made Tenna want to kiss the Boss Addison again.
The… Boss Addison.
His boss.
The channel of common sense finally tuned in as Tenna abruptly pulled back and forced himself into a rigid standing position.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir! I was acting without thinking! I thought that I, t-that you…"
"That I what?" There was no angry to Spamton's question, only an uncertainty that made Tenna's wires knot with dread. He had to explain it???
"That you liked me. As in, 'like-like' me." His antennae fell back, mortified at having to admit that out loud. When that - somehow - didn't spark a reaction, Tenna quickly added, "You know, like you, um, you chose my profile in a-a dating website?"
Spamton's mind was buffering as he tried to put the pieces together. Was that the source of the weird feelings? Was he actually in love?
He didn't answer, his mind too overwhelmed with confusion to try and articulate. Tenna, at least, took the hint as they continued walking to Spamton's home.
The silence was awkward and uncomfortable, but as Spamton unlocked the door, Tenna spoke.
"S-sir, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have… I don't even know why I acted out like that." Tenna was so nervous that his volume briefly plummeted. "I understand if you want to write me up for acting like this or-"
"Tenna. It's fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
"B-but I -" The door was closed in his face.
What had he done? Tenna finally had a chance to explore new horizons and find new ways to better help the Lightners, and what did he do? He ruined it by kissing the boss!
Stubborn tears began to fall down his screen. He was such an idiot to think that someone as perfect as Spamton cared about a nobody like him.
Spamton barely slept. He adjusted his morning deliver to the office to include a stronger, larger coffee. Heaven knew it was going to be a long day.
A note on a piece of paper had been left on his desk:
"I lost my questionnaire results. I'll be out today redoing them.
Tenna."
Yet, the survey results were handed to him by a secretary alongside his coffee. Tenna had lied.
Yesterday, that realisation would have sparked relief.
Today, it troubled him.
Thoughts of the television had been haunting him since yesterday evening.
He knew their work dynamic had shifted from strictly professional to something more personal. He knew he had been more informal around Tenna. But…
A kiss. Just one kiss, and everything in his mind shifted.
Love?
Was that was this was?
How would he know? It had been a long time since Spamton let himself be close to anyone. Even the Addisons that used to be his close confidantes were kept at arm's length. One thing he knew for sure was that he had never felt a draw to someone before. Never had he wanted to talk, to listen, to laugh. No one but Tenna made Spamton want to put the persona aside and let himself be weak.
When Spamton stepped out for a stretch break, he passed Tenna on the corridor. His assistant lowered his head and hurried by. No greeting, no smile, nothing.
Spamton stopped and looked in the direction Tenna had fled. The light had disappeared with him.
This was the weakness that Spamton felt. He missed Tenna. He was in love with Tenna.
He remembered the Addisons talking about love. It was supposed to be earth-shattering, like making the deal of a lifetime or hitting the largest billboards.
This felt nothing like that.
To Spamton, love was sharing that small umbrella in the rain.
"Tenna? A word before you go?"
The television froze as he realised his plan for a hasty retreat at the end of the work day had been foiled. Spamton had made his way to the staff area, and had managed to snatch the umbrella before Tenna could hurry off.
"I-I'm sorry, sir, I have somewhere, um, important that I -"
"It'll only be for a few minutes. We'll talk in my office."
Tenna nodded and bundled the overcoat into his arms. It was the only sort of support he had in this situation. And, once Spamton's office door was closed behind him and the coat taken to hang it up, Tenna had nothing left.
"S-sir, if this is about yesterday… I really am sorry. I've been drafting a letter of resignation. I-I can hand that in, just say the word! Just tell me where you want me to go! I'll even do virus dete-"
"Tenna." Spamton's simple interruption make the agitated television's antennae bolt upright in alarm. "I haven't said anything. What have I said about needing to learn how to listen before running your mouth at a hundred miles an hour?"
"S-sorry, sir…"
"Take a seat," Spamton gestured to the pristine, white couch to the side rather than one of the chairs opposite his desk. "You look like your legs are going to give way any moment now."
Tenna nodded, following the instruction and sitting down. With a form that shrunk slightly from shame, it was easier for him to press himself against the arm of the couch. "T-they were, actually. I… I don't know why I acted out yesterday."
"You do. You told me that I was giving the impression that I had selected your profile on a dating site. My actions and behaviours gave you reason to come to this conclusion." Spamton, after a moment of thought, decided to sit on the other side of the couch. His voice was surprisingly calmer than Tenna expected. He was sure Spamton would have been furious. "My reaction yesterday likely gave you the impression that you were wrong. But in truth… I believe that it was something I didn't realise I was doing. Until you told me that, I didn't have a reason to explain why I felt so strange around you."
"If I can be honest, sir, you're a little hard to read with your emotions."
Spamtom nodded. "That's on purpose. I keep them to myself. But it can come at the cost of not understanding myself." There was a pause. Tenna willed himself to turn his head to look at Spamton. The Boss Addison's eyes were on one of his hands like it didn't belong to him. "All this time, I thought there was something wrong with me. When I spent time with you, I felt a sense of weakness, like I would crumble into pixels if I wasn't careful. But equally, I like spending time with you. You are good company to have, and your ideas and views have been a breath of fresh air. With you, it's like every product is a top-seller. I've never had that feeling about anyone before, and it isn't the same as seeing potential in someone's work."
Tenna watched Spamton lower his hands so they could tightly squeeze the pristine trousers. "Tenna… I think I love you."
The assistant shuddered in surprise. "Y-you what?"
"It's hard to explain. I had been trying to push you away because I thought these feelings were something bad. But today, when you've been making an effort to avoid me… All I could think about was how much I missed you, and how much seeing you brightened my day."
This was too good to be true. There was no way Spamton really reciprocated… Right?
"If you still want to hand in your letter of resignation, I won't stop you. But if you want my opinion on the matter… I'd rather that you stay here. With me."
Tenna was used to Spamton's voice being so steady and assured. To hear a faint tremble in the voice, to consider that the Dark Ruler was nervous… It was unheard of.
And yet, when Spamton looked at him, Tenna couldn't help but smile. This was all he wanted. He knew the deal he had made needed to take priority, but he could be selfish, right?
Spamton must have reached a similar conclusion. He stood up so he could move himself to sit beside the television. He looked up at the assistant - Tenna couldn't remember when he returned to his normal height in the emotional whirlwind of the previous few minutes - only for a smile to crack through the nerves.
"If you're expecting some special sappy thing from me, you'll be waiting forever. Can I kiss you?"
Dumbfounded, Tenna nodded. He could only watch as Spamton moved closer, reached up to put a hand against the side of his frame, and guided him into a kiss.
Maybe it was supposed to be an experimental peck to make sure what Spamton felt was true, but Tenna couldn't help but melt into the kiss. He returned it eagerly, surprising Spamton in the process. However, with how he felt his tie being yanked toward his boss, Tenna suspected that Spamton wasn't objecting to the changed plans.
He would have gladly kept going, but Spamton pulled back after a few moments. His sunglasses had been knocked askew, and there was a knowing grin on his face.
"You've wanted to do that for a while, haven't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Call me 'Spamton'. Make it a little less weird. Calling me 'sir' sounds like I'm paying you to do this."
"Yes si- Spamton." It was strange saying that name in front of the Darkner himself, but he certainly wasn't complaining as he leaned down once more with a murmur of "Spamton…"
The idea was realised as Spamton tugged him back into another kiss. This time, Tenna's screen clicked off so he could fully relish this dream that had come true.
This was love. Love was the way that a hand on the side of his head was enough to make him feel so safe. If Spamton was here, everything would be alright.