Work Text:
It was 2:07 am on the clock, the whole hotel was at asleep... Well, atleast the contestants.
X was surprisingly still awake in the dead of the night, which is, incredibly rare for them. Since he usually sleeps early. He was at the kitchen, sitting on one of the chairs just... Thinking.
Since bfb, everyone noticed that he was a sweet and caring algebralien, who was willing to listen to anyone. So, most of the time, when no competition were occuring, the contestants and even Two or Four would look for him just to talk about their own problems, like X was some sort of therapist, and X didn't mind at all! Well, atleast that is what he thought.
He was really glad people trusted him enough to talk about such personal stuff from them, he would listen and would either give advice or just make sure they were there for the person who was talking with him. But, he stopped to think... Do they only speak with him just because he listens? Do they only see him as a therapist friend? Or even worse, do they even see him as another person who also has their own problems?
He didn't have an answer to any of these questions, so these thoughts made him tense, nervous, anxious..
''Maybe i am overthinking..'' He thought out loud, he tried to stand up to get some water but.. Their thoughts were louder.
The feeling of not being seem as someone is killing them on the inside, to the point his legs were numb. Was he sitting down for too long? How much time has passed? He doesn't remember.
He didn't want to make any noise because he didnt want to wake up anybody, they are also sure nobody is awake at this time.. Well, Four would be, but for some miracle today Four finally decided to sleep early, so X is completely alone and hopeless on this situation, which only led to one thing..
Cry.
Silent tears were falling down on their eyes, what could he possibly do on this situation? He can't move, nobody is near, and he also doesn't want to wake anybody up, it was just him, his thoughts, and some sniffing sounds he made. What a terrible situation to be.
But he had to do something, they didn't want to stay like this the whole night, he had to move, or maybe-
''X?'' A familiar voice said beside them.
X instantly looked to his side, and to his surprise, it was Two.
''Are you.. Ok? I heard some sniffings while i was walking through the hallways so..'' Two's voice was soft, calm, which is a little strange, since they usually sound confident. They also took the opportunity to sit beside X, looking directly at him.
''Yeah... Yeah! I'm ok! I was just... Thinking.'' X quickly dried his eyes and looked at Two back, who was obviously not buying it.
''Are you sure? I would understand if you were visibly hurt or anything but.. Thoughts? Thoughts are making you cry? And also, that face of yours is definitely telling me that these are not tears of joy.''
''... Ok, i will admit it, i'm not really on a bright mood.'' X crossed their arms and rested their head on them, while still looking at Two.
''Well, what is going on your mind?'' Two leaned closer to X, while X seemed a little nervous to say anything, Two tried reassuring him ''Look, you don't need to talk if you don't want to, but... It is only me and you here and i am genuinely worried since i don't remember seeing you this sad.''
X sighed. ''Do you only see me as a machine to spit all your problems on?''
''WHAT??'' They replied way to loud and quickly put their hands on their mouth, looked to the kitchen door to check if anybody was coming and when they were sure nobody woke up, they looked at X again ''No i don't! Have i been ranting about my problems way too much with you?''
''No, no! Of course not.'' X quickly answered. ''Its only that.. I..''
Two hold one of X's hands, which X made him stare directly at their eyes.
''You can talk, i will listen.'' Two affirmed softly.
These words made X feel.. Safe, comforted, it felt like an embrace, maybe someone did care about him in the end.
''Well... Since i was in this whole competition thing as a co host, every contestant had seen me as a therapist, basically. They always looked for me after a challenge ended, to they me their issues, their anger and disappointments on the challenges... Some times it wasn't even about the challenges, it was straight up ranting about their own personal life, and i have always listened, i gave advice, i hugged them, made sure they were ok and that i cared about them, which i do! But... Do they care about me back? And the worst is, is not only the contestants, there are some times that you and Four come up to me just to do the same thing! I used to be sure that both of you genuinely cared about me and saw me as who i am but after all of this i just... I.. I don't know anymore.''
X felt like he just took a huge weight out of his chest, still feeling a little down, but.. Wow. He was definitely better than he was minutes ago. While he was already feeling relieved, Two looked at them with pure shock, they didn't know the contestants were doing that, they didn't even realized they did this themself either, they couldn't help but feel guilty about it, but it wasnt time for that right now.
''X i'm.. Sorry, in advance, i didn't know you were carrying everyone's problems and thoughts everyday, and even some of mine too? That doesnt make it any better. I'm really, really sorry for making you think i didn't care of you..''
''It is fine, Two. I'm actually glad that-''
''No, no! I'm genuinely sorry!'' Two interrupted, tooking both of X's hands and helding them ''I should have realized sooner... You are really important to me, like, you are one of my closests friends! You are always up to spend time with me, you laugh at my jokes and, like you said, you listen to me.. You having to pass through all of this alone is terrible to witness, so please... If that keeps happening, you can come up and rant to me about everything.''
X was speechless, they have never seem Two so worried with him, it even made him blush a little. Such comforting words, genuine feelings, everything he needed right now. He couldn't help but smile.
''Two?''
''... Yes, X? Did i say something wrong?-''
They didn't even get to finish before getting pulled for an embrace by X, it felt warm, gentle, like any other hug X would give, but this one specifically seemed more of a... Relief. And that was made it special.
''Thank you, thank you so much, Two, for listening to me and.. For making sure i am loved.''
After hearing that, Two didn't even think twice before hugging X back, with a little bit of strength, but nothing that would hurt him
"You are welcome, and like I said, you can come up to me any time you need... Just not when I'm hosting, I guess that would be a bad timing."
X giggled a little "Don't worry, i wont do that."
The hug lasted for some minutes before both of them let go.
"Well, i think its better for you to sleep now, X, i'm pretty sure you wake up early to cook so.." They reminded, which X responded with a nod
"Thanks, and you should be sleeping, too, what were you even doing that late at night anyway?"
"Uhh... I had a nightmare that a giant bug was dominating the world so i came over here to grab some water, just to chill." They heard X let out a little laugh "Hey!! I'm serious!!"
"I know... Sorry..." X chuckled a little more then he standed up, heading towards the kitchen door to leave, before that, they looked behind "Hey, Two?"
Two looked at him back "Yes?"
"Thank you again."
"You are welcome." They replied with a smile
With that, X left the room they thought he wouldn't leave until his thoughts were gone... Well, they are kinda of gone now, since they have in mind that, for the first time in a while, someone is there to listen to them.
Both of them will cherish this moment forever.