Work Text:
Lime had never been the most social person. Purple knew that better than anyone else, being their roommate. Despite the natural closeness that came with that, Lime still made it pretty clear when they wanted space. Whether they were working on their conspiracy board, trying to rest, or whatever else, Lime had a very clear look of “don’t talk to me” when they needed it most. Purple could respect that. It wasn't like they didn't need space too sometimes.
But when it came to Lime shutting down more frequently than their work computer on maintenance day, Purple drew the line.
It had been a month since the meet-and-greet incident, ample time for Purple to bounce back, but despite the new friends, Lime just seemed to draw further into themself. They stopped hanging out in the living room, stopped working on their board, even stopped joining Purple on camera for the few routine videos they would do. Sure, they'd always been a bit camera-shy, but this was new.
…This was weird.
Purple: Idk what's going on but I don't want to bug them about it. If they have a problem they usually want to fix it on their own or complain about it while they figure out how to fix it
Orange: Maybe that's the problem? It could be that this is their solution to a bigger issue, or they still need a hand but don't think they can ask for it?
Purple: doesn't sound much like them. Lime's not the type to be so quiet if it's fixable by doing something easy
Orange: Maybe try anyway? It couldn't hurt! <3
Messaging over work chats was odd, especially since they worked for completely different companies, but it was the easiest way to communicate with Orange. It was nice to have someone somewhat sensible in their corner, even when Orange could be a little pushy. Sometimes, they needed the push.
This time, they reluctantly had to try.
Upon getting home from work, Purple half-expected to find Lime already asleep, curled up in the bed like always. Instead, they sat on the couch, knees almost pressed to their visor. They didn't look up at all, not even when Purple accidentally let the door slam shut.
“...You okay?” they asked awkwardly.
“Yeah. It’s, uh… Just a bad time of year. I’ll be over it in a week or two.”
“Wanna talk abo--”
“No.”
The abrupt quiet that followed wasn't a comfortable silence. It was the kind that reminded Purple of watching someone get called to the principal’s office and the walk of shame that inevitably followed. Which one of them was being called, they couldn't tell, but they knew one thing for sure: Lime wasn't going to budge without a good reason, and Purple didn't have enough reason to worry outside of their natural anxiety. Maybe it really was just a slump.
(They knew it wasn't. Slumps didn't mean tearing apart conspiracy boards and putting the materials in a folder. But with no other way to breach the subject, Purple had to wait.)
It took a few days for something else to come up. A few minutes after Lime had left to grab lunch, the phone rang. Purple picked up with a sigh. “Who’s this?”
“Lemme guess, you’re whatever roommate Lime found?” the other voice asked in turn. “...Banana. I’m with PolarTech. We work together. They told me to call this number if something happened.”
“I’ll get the message to them. What happened?” Purple asked. Banana sighed.
“Some creep came in trying to see them. It’s not the first time it’s happened, but it’s the first time someone fit the description they gave.”
“...What?” Purple sat down at the kitchen table. “They were expecting someone to--”
“It’s Lime. They’ve been weird as long as I’ve known them. First day on the job, they said that if one specific crewmate came in looking for them, we should tell them “Lime got fired two months ago” and go warn them immediately. Didn’t matter where they were, what they were doing, nothing. Apparently some old yellow mate’s the scariest thing to ‘em.” Banana made a noise akin to a laugh, though Purple didn’t see the humor in it. “...Point is, I did my best to tell Lime. Your job from here.”
“Wait--” Purple tried, but Banana hung up. Too late now.
It took another thirty minutes for Lime to return to the apartment with lunch. They dropped the bag unceremoniously in front of Purple, and they sat down. “Anything happen?”
“You got a call from work,” Purple started, looking into the bag, and they took out what was likely Lime’s sandwich. “Apparently someone stopped by.”
Lime stopped mid-reach, their visor contorting in surprise. Once the surprise faded, fear took its place.
“Lime?” Purple asked, snapping them back into reality. “They just mentioned it was someone yellow. Do you know them, or--”
“No. No I don’t.” They grabbed the sandwich and stood abruptly. “It ain’t important. Don’t ask about ‘em again.”
“...That makes me more worried about who they are,” Purple pointed out. Lime just shrugged and started walking to the bedroom.
“Too bad. I ain’t gonna talk about it.”
Every time Purple tried to bring up the situation, Lime only drew further away. It all came to a head one day when Purple returned to the apartment after work.
Usually, Lime would’ve gotten home first. Sometimes there would be a mug in the sink, sometimes they’d leave work boots by the door, but there was always a sign that Lime was home, from the closed bedroom door to their presence on the sofa.
This time, however?
Nothing.
No sign of them anywhere. Lime had left most of their shared stuff, but their personal items were gone.
Worst of all, a paper was taped to the (open!) bedroom door.
Purp:
Sorry. Didn't want to bother ya.
Already paid next two months’ rent in full. Took care of my junk too.
If someone asks then you never knew me. Actually just forget me too.
I won’t come back.
Lime.
“What the--” Purple mumbled, before bringing out their phone. It was old, but reluctantly, they tapped an invitation from Red to a “Massive YouTuber Cool Club,” which seemed to just be a half-dozen phone numbers sharing random memes days apart. All Purple recognized was the one shared between Yellow and Brown, Red's, and their own.
Not like they had the chance to be picky right now. It was the most people they could get in any place, and their arrival brought more people online, as the read receipts piled up.
Now or never.
ViolaViolets: I'm purple from sour grapes and while I know this is abrupt I really need help because lime just effing vanished and I'm freaking out
ViolaViolets: And red before you say ANYTHING think another two times over your words because this is no time for jokes or insults
ChefsKiss: lime what
DoctorDoRight: I hate to be rude, but who exactly is Lime?
REDisFire1000: Lime is their weird roommate
ChefsKiss: >0/
REDisFire1000: who is also a good person
REDisFire1000: please don't kick me from the chat again
[REDisFire1000 has been muted for 2 minutes.]
blackboxtheatre: never said not to mute them
blackboxtheatre: what do you need purple? missing roommate doesnt tell us much so are you wanting us to look for em on bridges?
…The thought hadn't even occurred to them. With all of Lime's weird actions lately, even them starting to pull away, Purple hadn't considered that Lime might be suicidal.
Now the thought dwarfed everything else.
ViolaViolets: I don't know just help look please!
ViolaViolets: I just came back from work and usually they get here like 30 minutes before me so that gives them 30 minutes to pack up stuff and leave
ViolaViolets: they don't trust taxis and never learned how to ride a bike either so they really can't be that far!
DoctorDoRight: Do you happen to have any capability of tracking their phone?
ChefsKiss: probs not doc
ViolaViolets: no??? I just need help ASAP because if they die I don't know what I'll do PLEASE
REDisFire1000: find a new roommate probably
[REDisFire1000 has been muted for 20 minutes.]
blackboxtheatre: shut
RichieRich: I mean, I coooooould go ask my staff if they could look when they're out getting things later?
[RichieRich has been muted for 5 days.]
blackboxtheatre: BEGONE FOUL DEMON
DoctorDoRight: I'll message who I can. Do you have a photo I can use?
ChefsKiss: o’
DoctorDoRight: Thank you, Brown.
ViolaViolets: I’m going to look near my place but please if anyone sees any sign of Lime then tell me ASAP
Purple shoved their phone back into their pocket as the others started whatever they were doing, and ran out the door. Thank goodness it locked automatically.
Where could they even look? Where should they go? There were so many spots-- Quick convenience stores and messy little shops, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and chain coffee joints. The possibilities were endless. Thirty minutes to run. How were they supposed to start?
Deep breath. What would Orange say? They would be running to the cops. Never mind, what would…
What would LIME say?
Purple closed their eyes.
…Lime would want to be away from people. Away from anyone else. In a place no one normal would look.
Instead of running down the street or checking in the stores around them, Purple turned around, ducking past the building and through alleyways. Left, straight, around a building here and across a street there. The maze of streets left them stumbling and uncertain, looking every which way for anything out of order. The February rain made the roads slick, and the cold bled through their coat with ease, but they still kept running, searching, hoping.
“Lime?” they exclaimed. “Lime!”
No response. They kept walking, growing more desperate as time went on. Nothing, nothing, NOTHING.
Rain marred their visor, distorting their vision, and Purple only felt their stomach sinking endlessly deeper. If they couldn’t find Lime-- If no one found Lime, in this weather, with the storm worsening--
Their foot made contact with something, and Purple looked down.
There sat a cardboard box, likely for a desk or something like that. Upside-down, stained with food residue, damp. It came up to about their knees and sat an inch away from a puddle of water.
They knelt on the ground, and pulled at a flap. Immediately, the box shifted itself back into place.
“...Lime?” Purple asked.
“Dunno anyone by that name. Just some green freak under here,” Lime’s voice answered, muffled and strained. Purple tried to pick up the box, but Lime grabbed at it, keeping most of themself covered. “...why?”
“You’re alive,” Purple breathed, tears already springing to their visor. “You-- You’re alive.”
“...don’t get all mushy on me,” Lime mumbled, lowering the box a bit more. “It ain’t good for ya.”
“I thought you died!” Purple exclaimed. “You just vanish after all you’ve been doing recently-- After all that, suddenly you’re just GONE!”
“I do that a lot.” Lime dropped the box back on the ground. Purple raised the flap again, forcing Lime back into view. “...They find me every year ‘round this time. I keep puttin’ distance between us, and they keep trackin’ me down. It ain’t any tracking device, or my phone, or anythin’ like that. Just… sheer force of will.”
“What, are they an ex of yours?” Purple prodded. Lime groaned.
“Worse.”
“...Ex-partner?”
“Worse than that too.”
Purple narrowed their visor, searching for any answers that could make sense. Someone so determined to be in their life… So desperate to find them at all costs…
“...I’m out of ideas.”
“Parent,” Lime grumbled, spitting the word like it was a curse.
“That bad?”
“Ever see someone throw up in the sink while you try to make canned ravioli? Happened when I was seven.”
Purple just stared.
“...I had to clean up the bottles too,” they added. “They never hit me, sure. Rarely yelled. Never left a mark, either. Didn’t do much of anythin’ but pass out, drink, and tell me when we were moving again.” They pushed the box up, and finally sat up, using the cardboard to protect themself from the ground and rain at the same time. “...I didn’t want you to get dragged into the mess I’ve lived in my whole life. Didn’t want to drag you down with me.”
“You helped me with Red. Of course I’d help you with this. It’s not dragging me down.”
“Not just this-- Everything. I’m awful at the video thing. I can’t talk to fans without getting freaked out. I shoved my way into your thing, half the people following want it back to just you without some-- Some--” Lime grabbed at the box, hiding their face behind a flap. “Some godforsaken, rambling, lunatic freak who’s better off disappearing off the face of the planet.”
“Wha-- No one wants that!” Purple argued. Lime just peeked for a moment before ducking back into their box, messing with the flaps to try and hide inside again.
“...I read, Purple. I read what people say. They act all nice when they know you’re looking. Because people like you.” They sighed. “...You don’t gotta lie. I’ve put the pieces together a hundred times, and they make the same puzzle, no matter how I look at it.”
“That's…” Purple finally sat down, narrowly avoiding sitting in a puddle themself. “That's probably why everyone says not to read the comments.”
“Someone's gotta get rid of the trash.”
Neither spoke for a moment as a flash of lightning lit the sky. Purple counted the seconds under their breath. Nine, ten, eleven. When the thunder boomed, they relaxed a tiny bit.
“It's about two miles from here. We should still get inside, but at least it's not right on top of us.”
“If ya want to go, you can go,” Lime said. It was hard to hear them, what with the box and the rain, but Purple still managed.
“I'm not going back without you.”
“I ain't going back at all. Work's compromised; there's already a whole group of folks who found the comment from them, and I ain't gonna be caught backpack-off again.”
“...Wait. Your parent left a comment?”
“Yep. Read it over a few times to prove it was real. Said I was a selfish kid who never thinks of their family, that I got in a lotta fights back then, and I haven't spoken to them in years but they know me better than anyone here ever will.” Lime bonked their visor against the top flap of the box, letting it fall back down and hit them in the face. “...buncha folks said they're lyin’, but… they’re still usin’ my information to get back at me. Even that stupid name…”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I want it all to stop,” Lime flatly stated. “Them tryin’ to find me. The people acting like I’m the problem. The comments about me bein’ a freak. All of it. And the only way to get it to stop for a while is running away again.”
“...They'd just find you again,” Purple pointed out. Lime immediately pulled their box a bit tighter.
“They ain't findin’ me yet. I ain't gonna see ‘em-- I know my rights, I can keep runnin’, I can--”
“Is that all you're going to do, Lime? Just keep running?”
“What else am I supposed to do, huh?”
Neither of them spoke. Rain pelted Purple's hat and Lime’s box, but neither wanted to leave. Stepping out into the street might've been safe for a second, but the downpour was only worse where there weren't fire escapes to cover them.
“...I have to run, ‘cause if I don’t, I’d get buried.” Lime looked up at the rain clouds. “...What’re you gonna do if I come back, and that… they come to find me?”
“Tell them I don't know you, threaten to call the cops if they don't leave, record the encounter, get you a restraining order against them, and then put on a movie or something.”
Lime looked at Purple for a moment, then away. “...You're starting to sound like Orange.”
“Hardy har har.”
“I ain't kiddin’. I… Don't take this the wrong way, but I told myself you'd be fine if I left, ‘cause at least you had them to lean on. Even if Red gets on your back, you can talk to Yellow and Brown. Orange is there if you need someone who gets you. I… I told myself that it'd be better for you ‘cause at least then you had others.” There was a moment of silence. “...Red was right about me. I ain't impressive, special, or anything like that. What I am is some coward who fixes things before breaking two more things.”
“Just because I have other friends doesn't make you any less important. As for what Red said… You heard the rest of what they were spewing. If they're wrong about everything else, I don't think they're right about you. You're not a coward, freak, or whatever. You’re my friend, and I care about you, and that’s not changing.”
Lime managed to crack a small smile. “...Y’know, most people probably just expect that from their friends.”
“Well, since when were we ‘most people’?” Purple stood, and extended a hand to Lime. “C’mon. Let’s go home. If we stay out here, then--”
With a crack of lightning, a figure at the end of the road came into view. In an instant, Lime took the hand, standing up.
“We have to go,” they breathed, staring that way. “Now. Immediately.”
“It’s them, isn’t it,” Purple muttered. Lime nodded. Purple gave their hand a squeeze.
“Finally,” the crewmate said, exasperated, as they walked over. From closer, Purple could see an extremely slight resemblance-- the same wrinkles, at least-- but most of what they saw was the green coat Lemon wore and the look of disdain on their face. “Melon, how long are you going to keep this up?”
“My name’s Lime,” Lime grumbled, as they clung to Purple’s hand. They stared at the ground, avoiding Lemon’s gaze at all costs. “I stopped bein’ Melon when you stopped being a parent.”
“I didn’t stop being a parent. Just because you ran away doesn’t mean I don’t still care about you, and--”
“Maybe them running away meant something you’re ignoring.”
“...Oh.” Lemon looked at Purple, as if just realizing they were there. “...Can you go? This is a family conversation.”
“I want them here,” Lime said. “So if you don’t, then you don’t want me here either.”
“Alright, if that’s what you think is necessary,” Lemon relented. Even so, they reached out to put a hand on Lime’s shoulder, only for them to recoil. “Mel--”
“Don’t touch me.”
“Melon,” Lemon repeated, a bit louder this time. “Didn’t the Lord say to honor your parents? I know you should be better than this. You know better. I know you.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know that you’re better than this.”
Lime made a noise that Purple knew meant they didn’t like what was going on. Lemon ignored it, and again made to reach for Lime. This time, Purple stepped forward.
“Can’t you listen when they said not to touch them?”
“About as well as you can listen when told to stay out of family matters.”
“You aren’t even their family!” Purple exclaimed. “They’ve been trying to get away from you! All this time-- Did you never figure that out? Maybe the problem isn’t--”
“And maybe you should watch your words.”
There was a moment of quiet between them, until finally, Lime spoke.
“...D’you know my birthday?”
“Of course I do, I was there when--”
“I didn’t ask that.” Lime shook their head. “...Tell me, when’s my birthday?”
A long silence followed. “...March th--”
“Or what I’m doing for a living now.”
“Those silly videos--”
“Can you name the one thing I got a diagnosis for, the only time you took me to a doctor?”
“That was a long time--”
“Purple can.”
There was a moment of quiet.
“February 29, mostly vent repair work with odd jobs, and alpha-gal syndrome,” Purple said.
“Well, how am I supposed to know what you’re doing when you haven’t been home in years?”
“You found the channel,” Purple pointed out. “Is it really that hard to listen?”
“Melon should’ve--”
“I should’ve had the chance to just be a sprout,” Lime interrupted, growing a bit louder. “I should’ve had a steady school. I should’ve had a parent I could rely on. I shouldn’t have had to run away when I was 14, just so I could stop worrying about you accidentally burning down the house trying to cook while drunk!” Lime pushed Lemon away. “I… I was a kid when I ran away. It’s been a decade. You don’t know me. You wanna use my name, lie about me, say you’re a perfect parent? Look at yourself for five minutes!” Tears began to well up under their visor. “The lord said to honor your parents, yeah, but they said ‘Let they without sin cast the first stone,’ and you’ve thrown a billion stones before you even took a look at yourself. You’re a pastor-- a preacher, even. And when you’re the one who should know the words better than some minister who hasn’t set foot in a church in years, and you’re acting like this, take a look in your book for this: ‘But if anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for members of their household, they have denied the faith and are no better than a nonbeliever.’”
They were breathing hard by the end, and immediately afterwards, they ducked behind Purple, shaking like a kite in the storm. Purple stood firm, ready for any arguments Lemon made.
“Is that how you really see me? A drunken failure who never cared about you?”
“Lime told you what they think,” Purple stated. “And they didn’t use any of those words.”
“I can read between the lines.”
“Then let me make it text instead of subtext.” Purple cleared their throat, and threw a punch before either of the others could make a move. Lemon fell back, clutching their face.
“You-- You--” Lemon searched for words.
“All you’ve done is cause bigger problems. If you want to prove you’re a good person, the best you can do is leave Lime alone. Apologize for what you said, and never come back.”
“I’m trying to--”
“You’re trying to feel like you’re doing the right thing,” Lime corrected before Lemon could even start. “...And Purple’s right. Don’t come back. I… I’m done. I’m done running. I’m done trying to prove things to you. I’m done with you. So… Bye.” They looked to Purple. “...I’m taking the box with us, though. It’s a solid one.”
“Hey, whatever works.” Purple smiled, and they watched Lime snatch their box and hold it over their back like a turtle. “Let’s go. I’m sure that the group chat I just joined will want to hear all about this.”
As the duo started walking off, Lime paused, moving the box to their side. “Group chat? Ya mean the one Jared--”
“I was desperate to find you, so.”
Lime chuckled a little, looking away. “...You… Huh. I… Didn’t expect that. But, uh… Thanks. For not callin’ the cops.”
“I know better. What, you think I’m stupid enough to call the cops?” Purple nudged them. After a moment, both laughed.
It didn’t take long to get home, at least. No sirens, no sign of Lemon, nothing but the two of them. Lime immediately shook their head to get most of the water off, before they set down their box and dove onto the couch. Purple finally pulled out their phone again.
ViolaViolets: Found them, we’re home now. Thanks guys
DoctorDoRight: I’m happy to hear it. I hope all is well.
Purple glanced at Lime, who was already pulling their things out of their backpack while talking to Heracles about the latest. They couldn’t help but smile.
ViolaViolets: It will be soon
“Hey, Lime, anything you want to say to the others?” Purple asked as they sat down next to them.
“Eh, not really. Just send the weirdest emoji you have and confuse them.”
“You got it, pal.”