Work Text:
Neither notice the sound of another door being opened, nor do they notice the second pair of footsteps from the other side of the hall or the fact that they’re getting closer and closer until-
they slam straight into each other.
Both phones let out a yelp as they grab out for each other as stability. Once they’re stable they look up at each other, clear signs of stress and panic are apparent on both of their faces.
“Are you..” MePhone starts. "uhm.."
“Just peachy.” 4s spats back before he can finish. MePhone cringes at the sudden aggression and swallows harshly, letting out a low hum. 4s’ eyes narrow behind his glasses, a silent moment passing before he turns his head away.
“..I cant.. stop– thinking…”
“yeah.” He was nearly breathless. They both stand silently; both avoid eye contact as much as possible, neither wanting to directly state the blatantly obvious reason.
It's pretty clear, though, and they both know for a fact why the other is awake, standing in front of them with clenched fists, furrowed eyebrows, jaws so tensed up their teeth are seconds from completely cracking. But the thoughts– the memories.. are too much to handle right now. They're just going to glitch out and be in even more pain if they even tried so why bother?
They’re not gonna get anywhere by standing silently.
They also know that they’re too scared to say anything.
Neither of them even know what to say.
A soft sigh from the red one, barely audible even to MePhone. He glances up to see him, and from the corner of his eye he can truly see how tense he is.
He had already fled to Inanimate Island long before 4s was created, so he doesn’t know what he had endured while under Cobs’ control. He assumed that it couldn't have been as bad as himself, seeing as he seemingly willingly worked for Cobs when he tried to hunt down and kill MePhone multiple times– but-
Sounds of loud static and a sickening, high-pitched screech fills the hall and a thud against the wall as 4s slams against it. MePhone snaps back to see him leaning against his arm for support, his screen fully enveloped in graphical glitches. MePhone lunges forward, just in time to grab him when his leg suddenly gives out from beneath him. But just as fast and sudden as it began...
It stops.
And they’re back to an uncomfortable silence.
MePhone backs up a step once he’s sure 4s has regained his balance.
“You.. you okay?”
“y-yeah it–.. mmgh…” Readjusting his glasses, a low growl in his voice makes it all too obvious that he's irritated about this whole situation.
The first time he saw 4s glitch he was absolutely taken aback. The moment itself wasn’t really that bad, it was just a brief mention of his name that had his systems overload for a few moments, not much different to himself and 3GS. It was over in seconds, and he was more shaken up by the sudden glitches and pain.
But it was that moment that made him realize that he really wasn’t okay.
…
The longer they stood there, the calmer MePhone got. Just the mere presence of someone else helped ground him back to reality. But 4s just seems to be getting.. worse. His hands ball into fists as he crosses his arms across his body; his jaw visibly tightens and he turns his head down and away from MePhone.
4s had never been the best with words. He’d often resort to physical expressions, like throwing his hands up or hitting the table or.. throwing things at others and sometimes even punching people. When it came to having to use words he wouldn’t– or couldn't. He would just stutter out meaningless sounds until he got too frustrated and gave up, or just refused to talk at all. Especially if it came to deeper topics.
…Such as right now.
MePhone was too scared to say anything, afraid he might trigger another episode. But it was clear that they would get nowhere if words weren't said, and it’s obvious that 4s isn't going to be saying anything soon. It seemed that he had to be the one to rip off the bandage and get it over with.
Something that he.. reluctantly did.
“Um.. so…” 4s looked up at him. “Do you wanna…” he trailed off. “Is there anything that you want to– ugh..” He paused when he heard 4s muffle a quiet snicker behind his fist. “what.”
“you sound like me.”
‘oh- kay now.” He said with a chuckle, rolling his eyes and lightly shoving 4s away despite the grin he couldn’t hide from his face. 4s laughter only got louder at this. MePhone looked at him for a moment and let out a quiet breath; at least there wasn’t as much tension surrounding them. Once his giggles died down, he started talking again, this time a bit more confident.
“soo.. what are you.. doing out here at this time of night..?”
“MePhone I don't really wanna beat around the bush here- you and I both know-”
“Well, do you wanna talk about it then?”
Silence.
That shut him up real quick.
The tensions are back and stronger than ever.
4s goes back to staring at the ground, his arms beginning to tense up again.
MePhone really didn’t know what to do now.
“It…” MePhone snaps back to 4s, slightly startled by him actually talking. He’s asked 4s about these things but always gets deflected, avoided, or flat out rejected. He stays silent, just letting him work things out on his own time.
He lets out a low hum.
“It was a dream.” He looks even further away from MePhone.
“y-yeah, yeah. uh- same.” 4s finally looks at MePhone. Barely, though, but just enough for him to tell. “It was, uh… um..” Now he’s the one trailing off, stumbling over his words.
Then they both look directly at each other. Staring into each other's eyes.
Both truly seeing for the first time how badly he affected the two of them.
The fear over just mentioning his name has both of them stuck silent, unable to speak, completely frozen in place.
MePhone sighs.
He slowly walks towards 4s.
And just.. rests his head onto his shoulder. Wraps his arms around him.
4s entire body tenses up. His breath hitches.
Then he puts his head onto MePhones shoulder.
He lets out a quiet breath. A shaky breath. His body slowly relaxes.
Standing in each other’s embrace, MePhone could feel a slight tremble in 4s’ shoulders and arms.
…fuck man. He really did mess him up.
It’ll probably never get better.
But maybe, it’ll at least get easier.