Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Walking around the map, 007n7 reminisced about the few times he stepped foot in the now ruined restaurant. A familiar melody buried itself into his brain, stuck while he tried to remember where he heard it from. It wasn’t a big deal, in fact it was barely a thing he should be worrying about. Yet he feels the need to find out what sound he was hearing to be able to focus on the tedious task of generators. The very machines he’s supposed to be fixing to have the semblance of being useful to the others. He wanted to prove that he wasn’t the same man he was before, that he was trying to fix the mistakes he had made. 007n7 knew better than to let the nagging feeling overcome his brain as easily as the memories of his past seem to slip in and out of his grasp. It was better off this way and he knew it, to remember less of whatever hell he endured to end up here.

Now? The burning building felt almost cruel, like a mocking reminder of the horrors he had placed upon the building and those inside, the disregard of those robloxian’s safety he once had. He remembered the brief reign of terror his red child had had, only for long enough to get them both blacklisted for life, never to return again.

As though the killer knew he was thinking of the tiny terror, a shrill cry echoed from the distance, causing 007n7 to stiffen up, hearing the call of his son from halfway across the map, laughing and smiling at the sight of his father, who was frozen in disbelief. No matter how many rounds he’s endured seeing his son, C00lkidd never failed to make him stare in utter surprise, ignoring the part of his brain that screamed at him to move, to will his body to run from his son. Once a sweet boy, now a heartless killer, believing everything was some game, some twisted game between hide and seek and tag. He didn’t even blink before his son had travelled all the way in front of him, suddenly causing his entire body to run hot as flames crawled up his arms, legs, across his skin. The unbearable heat digging into his bones, oozing over his skin like lava from an erupting volcano.

“Tag! Ur it, papa!” C00lkidd squealed, voice glitching out, words bleeding into one another, cracking from excitement of getting his father once more. He giggled, the red child’s face contorted into a giddy grin, staring down at his father he had knocked down. 007n7’s senses returned, numbing the pain that licked at his scorched skin. His son had grown so much, but he didn’t think of it in a fond way, instead out of pure and utter despair. How could the Spectre do this to his son? The way his body lurched forward, as though his spine forced him to slouch this way, permanently ruining his posture. 007n7 couldn’t imagine the discomfort he must've felt. The thought of seeing his son like this truly hurt him, too.

And yet his body moved before his mind could catch up. Calls after him and wails of “no fair” reaching his ears as rapid steps followed after him, pausing only to stare at the little contraption Taph had made, the tripwire with its supports so close together while C00lkidd stared in awe. 007n7 used this to focus on running, on getting away from his son. But his mind reeled on about how his own son kills people brutally, only to believe it was all some sick game. It made him sick knowing he was manipulated, that he was led into this false belief. His body carried himself to Elliot once he was sure his red skinned child was off ‘tagging’ one of the other survivors.

007n7 couldn’t help but think about the sick and twisted games his son wasn’t aware he was playing right into. 007n7’s hands twitched, itching to use his GUI to do something, knowing that he was limited to two actions, neither particularly useful for the team. His eyes traced the ground, while his mind began to spiral. The former hacker couldn’t help but think about his guilt, the horrible feeling consuming his heart whole, his lungs constricting. His ribs ached, his scars burned, 007n7 was focused on finding something to help himself to or contemplating sacrificing his body for his teammates. Perhaps dying wouldn't be too bad, after all, they returned back to the cabin that started it all regardless. Too focused on how he was feeling, the hacker wasn’t aware of his surroundings, having run right into someone, losing his balance and going down a second time.

Elliot stared down at him, a look of concern in his eyes as he saw the wounds, the burns that threaded themselves into 007n7’s skin, that consumed his flesh until the fires burned out. 007n7 barely recognized his bleeding figure, either.

“... please, if you don–” 007n7 didn’t even get to open his mouth to mumble some shitty plea for Elliot to spare him a slice of pizza before he tasted lukewarm sauce and almost rubbery cheese paired with spicy pepperoni on his tongue. 007n7’s hands flew wildly to grab the crust, his muscles feeling less tense, watching as the burn and slash wounds mended themselves automatically. He swallowed the last bit of pizza, feeling rejuvenated, revitalized by the sustenance, the one slice he was given all round. “Thank you… thank you so much Elliot. I’ll repay you, I swear,” 007n7 mumbled, before being stuck in this hell, he would’ve never offered to repay Elliot for anything, or he simply couldn’t remember.

The thing about being stuck here for 007n7 is that he can never seem to remember everything he needs to. Not that it matters now, not when Elliot seems almost too different from his attitude when serving him. He barely even got on his knees to grovel yet, believing that Elliot would’ve felt the power trip he would’ve if he was in that position, the power to simply control another’s health. Though he rarely spoke to Elliot regardless, not outside of designated dinner time he would often just push food around, not outside the few times 007n7 musters the humility to ask for a pizza. This was a change, this was almost too strange for the retired hacker to see Elliot willingly give him a pizza no questions asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Just… focus on surviving. Come on,” Elliot smiled, reaching out and, though hesitantly, dragging 007n7 somewhere to hide. 007n7 suddenly felt sick. This was different. Usually Elliot would be scoffing and reluctantly giving him a slice before demanding that he moved along.

But here?

Now?

Elliot, the pizza boy who seemingly hated his guts since he arrived, was leading the one person he disliked the most somewhere to stay for the remainder of the round, for 007n7 to rest. His tail curled instinctively, unsure how to react to this behaviour. He could've thought it was for some sick joke, to make him reflect on what he had done for the team this entire time; absolutely nothing. His face seemed troubled, almost irritated by this sudden change in demeanour. He practically pushed Elliot away, as though his touch burned more than his son had. The pizza boy was confused, concerned, like he wasn’t acting any different than he did before. “Seven, is there something wrong–”

“You’re acting differently, Elliot.” 007n7 was wary of Elliot’s behaviour. He seemed to be more focused on the survival of those around him rather than the vendetta he seemed to have. Elliot’s eyes reflected the obligation he had to ensure their teammates were still kicking, still fighting for their lives, to live through the hell the Spectre curated for them. He didn’t seem to have received the message that 007n7 was skeptical of his behaviour. “Did you hit your head?”

“What? No.”

“You’re usually more… hesitant to deal with me.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” 007n7 was firm with this, pulling away from the pizza boy. He remembered clearly that Elliot didn’t like him very much, not before being Forsaken and most certainly not now, when there were clear accounts of Elliot being harsh with him, citing the multiple burnings of Builder Brothers’ all tracing back to him. This whole time he understood the resentment the pizza boy had held against him. He believed Elliot’s previous refusal to immediately give him a pizza was just a result of this hatred. “You usually just… throw your pizza on the ground and tell me to get going. That’s what you did last round.”

Elliot didn’t seem to remember doing this at all, judging by the way his eyebrows knitted together, trying to put together the pieces of what 007n7 had told him.

“... you know… I forgive you now, don’t you?”

007n7 froze, eyes wide as he took in Elliot’s words, his statements. It was strange, almost uncanny to see Elliot look at him with a look that wasn’t resentment… or treating him like some being of scorn, someone less than worthless. Forgiveness was new. It wasn’t something he expected from Elliot after several rounds of the pizza deliverer making it very clear that he disliked him and didn’t want 007n7 being too close to him during rounds. It was like Elliot had a change of heart overnight.

“You never forgave me, Elliot. You said you hated me.”

“... yeah I did, I still kind of do, but… I told you I forgave you, it doesn’t really mean I like you. But I said that before you… uh,” Elliot’s gaze fell on the scar on 007n7’s left temple, then trailed off. He didn’t really know how to put it. 007n7 could only assume he meant before they were all trapped in the endless hell, a state of limbo where after a set amount of time, a handful of those who reside in the cabin they all found themselves in a tense, deadly game of hide and seek. 007n7 tried to recall when, before waking up in the cabin, did Elliot ever forgive him, what happened just before finding himself here, and get it all grew fuzzy and fizzled out. Thoughts of Elliot’s disdainful expression flashed in his mind, the hurt he’s caused the pizza worker, and yet, thinking about when Elliot had forgiven him came up as static, a gentle buzz growing at the back of his skull, mind coming blank as it builds pressure that grew from the back of his skull. Whatever Elliot was referring to, 007n7 had no memory of.

“I don’t understand,” the hacker took a breath, subtly holding his breath just in case this was all some cruel prank, some sick joke just to make a fool out of him. Yet Elliot’s eyes seemed sincere, the way his eyebrows furrowed like how he does tending to the other’s wounds, the way he looks at 007n7 like he was valuable to the team and not someone who used to terrorize servers and exploited games until the walls screamed in flames. “I don’t get why you’re being so kind to me now. After what I did to you–”

“Can you not just let go of what you’ve done?” Elliot’s hands found their way to 007n7’s shoulders, fingers curling into the clothed flesh, as though trying to squeeze the man with the burger hat to his senses, as though trying to squeeze out the memory for him. “That was ages ago, Seven. I forgave you, even if I don’t act like it.”

“I don’t recall this, I’m sorry.”

007n7 really couldn't wrap his head around this change, what Elliot referred to, having forgiven him even if he didn’t remember it. He felt somewhat bad about it. Was he supposed to remember this? Even then, he somehow knew that even with forgiveness, trust still wasn’t fully there, not when the remnants of his actions occasionally come to taunt them both, both by his c00lgui and the occasional appearance of the burnt remnants of Builder Brother’s Pizza. Elliot seemed to notice the ex-hacker’s confusion, his voice was firm, telling, almost demanding, like he didn’t trust him enough to have any self preservation.

“Just get going,” the blond gave the hacker a brusque pat on the back, giving him a firm nod. “Don’t take it too harshly. Your survival matters too.”

007n7 stumbled away towards the ferris wheel, spotting the unfinished generator tucked away by the side. He could hear the excited giggles of his son, the squeal of “I’m it!” echoed as he kneeled to the generator’s level, hands finding way to the disconnected wires in one of the panels. His hands trembled as he maneuvered the wires attached, focusing on the wires, to ensure they connected. He was immersed into the generator as he slowly fell into a rhythm, humming softly under his breath to a familiar melody he used to sing to C00lkidd.

The hacker mumbled under his breath, the tune haunting his mind, the ghost of his life before this hell clinging desperately like he was still there, still with his son. He knew loss, the loss of his son, the ability to play with C00lkidd like he used to. He yearned for the old times, when C00lkidd would beg for him to use the c00lgui because they were both c00l, when he would ask for pizza. Hell, 007n7 would’ve enjoyed the time after they got blacklisted from Builder Brother’s than this… place.

“Hacker.”

007n7 jumped upright when the calling of his name caught his attention, violently pulling him away from his reminiscence. He spun around, c00lgui in hand, preparing for a teleport when his eyes met Two Time’s, the cultist smiling serenely at the little noob on his burger hat. 007n7 lowered his panel, exhaling in relief.

“I was simply wondering what was going on between you and the pizza boy.” The cultist hummed, kneeling on the side facing the rest of the carnival. 007n7 observed as Two Time swiftly completed the panel they had opened, already on their second. 007n7 was still working on his first. “He seemed unusually… positive around you. Perhaps you’ve done something to appease him?”

007n7 thought for a moment, eyebrows suddenly furrowing as he paused on the rewiring of his panel, loose connections slipping. Had he actually done something that pleased Elliot? He would’ve remembered doing this, to which he had none, like how he couldn’t seem to remember the time where Elliot had forgiven him before he got here. Though nothing could explain why Elliot was acting the way he did.

“I don’t think I did anything for Elliot to treat me differently.”

But this was something else, he never did anything to make Elliot have that sudden change of heart, especially not before the round started. He shook his head, not trusting his words to come out right. Elliot’s behaviour was inexplicable. Two Time simply hummed in understanding, but with the way their tail swayed, he could tell they didn’t think 007n7 did nothing. 007n7 could only think that Two Time was under the belief that it had something to do with the Spawn, to which the ex-hacker doubted, like he doubted the Spawn’s legitimacy.

“Your wires are connected wrong.”

The ex-hacker in turn stared at his handiwork, jumbled and poorly connected. It was honestly embarrassing for his experience. 007n7 exhaled sharply, gritting his teeth as he disconnected the wires he had done and refocused on connecting them properly.

“Your mind seems to be busy. Is there something you’d like to…”

“No, thank you, Two Time.”

“Ah, understood.” Two Time simply smiled, or continued smiling. 007n7 doesn’t believe he’s seen Two Time not smiling. He watched the cultist get up, the generator booting up finally. They brushed imaginary dust off their clothes before turning to 007n7 once more, checking the timer on their wrist briefly. “We don’t have much longer to wait before we are sent back. Do try to avoid your son.”

Seven’s expression scrunched up, slightly offended by the remark. It was his son, his child they were talking about, as though he couldn’t survive standing nearby.

“I’ll… do my best to.”

“Very well. May the Spawn be with you.”

With that, Two Time disappeared in the shadows, light footsteps echoing softly as 007n7 was left alone once again. 007n7 pulled up the round’s status, only about a minute remained with all the generators completed. The casualties didn’t seem too bad, Chance had died before 007n7 could see them and that was all, everyone else seemed to be alive. The hacker just looked around, trying to think of something, anything to do to at least try to be useful. There were no more generators to do, 007n7 couldn’t reduce any more time.

Then he spotted it in the corner of his eye, Elliot running, sprinting away. He heard his son’s joyful laughs next, screaming about how this was so fun, this fight for survival reduced to a mere game. He checked the statuses again, the delivery boy was losing health, fast.

007n7 watched as he spawned a clone, directing it towards his son, hoping to catch his attention. The familiar screech echoed as the red child chased after the mindless body running about, dashing towards it. The hacker used the time to sneak towards Elliot once more, spotting a conveniently placed medkit on the way there. He knew Elliot wouldn’t be able to see him until a little later so he waited until his body became visible before swooping in to drag the pizza boy back to the fixed generator next to the ferris wheel.

“Wh– Seven?” Elliot flailed as he was grabbed, trying to twist and turn his body to face the person grabbing him. He stood up straight when the hacker finally let go, handing over a medkit, somewhat used and damaged but not completely unusable for Elliot. 007n7 didn’t say too much, he simply stood watching as C00lkidd chased the clone around, imagining that maybe, it’s him truly playing with his son, not the horrible game the Spectre damned them all to play, eternal suffering, damnation.

“Hurry, Elliot. I don’t know how long he’ll be distracted for,” 007n7 only knew fragments of how Elliot used to refuse help, refusing anyone aiding him if he could do it himself. Though he never got to truly see that coming here, since the pizza boy was… usually deadset on avoiding him at any chance given, even letting him suffer without pizza if he felt especially hateful towards 007n7. “Just… take it, alright? You clearly haven't been able to help yourself. At least dress your wounds.”

“... I–”

“Please,” 007n7 spoke quickly, feeling a little strange that he had just essentially lectured the blond on focusing on his own health for once. He never meant to come off as scolding or anything, hell he wouldn’t want to behave the way he did, not when Elliot was the main source of healing. The medkits were rare and usually weren’t ever for him anyway. “I don’t think any of us want you dead… not this late into the round.”

Elliot just sighed, smiling gently at the hacker as he got to work healing up, hands trembling as he worked on getting the gauze on properly. 007n7 didn’t comment on the clear inexperience, despite watching Elliot do this over and over again. It was something else he found weird, he couldn’t pinpoint it. He was glad the not-so tiny terror was off his back for now, and the clone bought him time, he couldn’t complain very much about it.

“Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.”

007n7 was completely unused to this, gratitude for him? Now that’s unheard of. 007n7 rarely ever receives gratitude for the things he did. Hell the survivors barely acknowledge him unless he messed up or were having dinner. They had to deal with him somehow. It would’ve been cruel to just leave him out, not that he would’ve minded, but feeling wanted despite his actions felt nice, but only when the others aren’t so tense around him.

“There you are!”

Both men tensed at the eager trill of the red killer sprinting in their direction, pausing for a moment with his copy of the c00lgui panel and gliding rapidly towards them with a giggle. Trying to think of a path to escape, 007n7 found their paths blocked by his son’s pizza minions. They were approaching fast and Elliot wasn’t done yet. He wouldn’t have time to heal properly if C00lkidd got to him first. The world blurred and static filled his ears as he faintly heard Elliot’s frantic calls for him to stop, for him to think, for him to–

“Gotcha!”

The familiar burning sensation spread across his skin as the rush of blood spewed outwards immediately. He stumbled back right into the minions, piping hot pizza slathered his skin, making his nerves feel exposed, too sensitive to even the cool air of the carnival. 007n7 bit back a scream, letting out a pitiful whimper instead. C00lkidd didn’t let up, he pushed his father back, 007n7 was fading in and out of consciousness as his body grew weak, his vision blurred, his mind echoed what little sounds were loud enough to shoot through the ringing in his ears.

“I’ve finally got your attention!”

007n7 barely felt the frantic call of his name, a familiar lukewarm pizza hitting his side, the healing properties trying to act quickly before he succumbed to his injuries again. Another cry from the pizza worker barely echoed in his mind as the blurring faded slightly, his feet touched the ground.

0:00 remains

007n7 woke up at the table abruptly, the same table they’ve been transported to if they successfully survived a round, glorifying the survivors in a way. He didn’t think he would’ve made it, his son was so close to finishing him off, his body quite literally collapsed, the fact that he was sitting here but not standing in the living area was a miracle. At least he didn’t make the others wait for the time his death would’ve added. He looked around, rubbing his eyes as though he had just woken up from a long nap.

He still couldn’t understand why Elliot was behaving the way he did, why he said he forgave him when he barely had memory of Elliot since Builder Brother's, which he had been banned from. Thus, he stood and went looking for the pizza boy again.

From the kitchen wafted the familiar smell of marinara, the familiar oregano and garlic cutting through the acidic tomatoes. At the same time, though more subtle, he could smell baked vanilla extract, perhaps Elliot was making cupcakes for a future round, maybe for dessert? He didn’t know. Sometimes it’s not always pizza being passed out for quick and easy healing. He’s seen milk, cakes, hell he’s seen Elliot throw stars at people. He never knew how but Elliot always looked snazzy doing it.

“Elliot,” 007n7’s voice was hesitant, dancing around the other’s mood like he was a ticking timebomb. Elliot didn’t even turn to look at him, still working in the kitchen like clockwork, efficient as he placed each pizza into a box, leaving a few on trays for dinner. The hacker frowned a bit, still observing the blond work around the kitchen. He’s never actually seen Elliot in the kitchen, though he chalked it up more to him rarely ever (willingly) being in his presence. It made more sense that he’s run into Two Time more than he’s even seen Elliot in the main cabin, let alone seeing him cook. “Elliot?”

“Are you going to continue repeating my name or did you have enough of grovelling for a slice you’re coming to get some for yourself before the round even starts?” 007n7 winces at the harshness of Elliot’s words, a stark contrast from his behaviour prior, from the way he acted with him during the round. This felt like a vat of boiling water just got dumped on him, painful, sudden, gradually building into a sort of pain he couldn’t describe curling in on his chest, wrapping around his lungs, squeezing his heart. “Get to the point. I still need to make a few more pizzas.”

007n7’s throat felt tight, trapping the words from rising up, causing him to swallow. His eyes darted from the pizza sauce simmering gently, to the oven, then the fridge and back to Elliot. He didn’t know what to say, if he could bring the previous round up like he was intending to. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him again.

“I was just wondering about last round– about how you said you forgave me for what I did and–”

“I never forgave you for anything. Are you so deep in your own guilt that you’re trying to relieve it by believing I forgave you? What is this, some sick joke?”

“No, I–”

“I don’t forgive you, I never had. Hell, I don't even know what you mean by last round,” 007n7’s eyebrows furrowed, Elliot’s words weren’t adding up. Something wasn’t right and he knew it, his eyes narrowing suddenly at the baker, who was largely focused on lowering the heat and taking out the next pizza, replacing it with another.

“Were… you not in the last round?”

“No?”

007n7 mumbled a curse under his breath. This was getting awkward, too awkward. He didn’t even know what else to bring up, especially not if Elliot… didn’t remember the previous round. Maybe Elliot was right, maybe he was losing it. Loneliness does that to people, doesn't it? Floundering for words, 007n7 decided that it wasn’t worth the effort to try to know what was going on.

“Right. Sorry for bothering you.”

Muttering something about his brain playing tricks on him, 007n7 decides to end it at that, retreating to think about something else, maybe his son, maybe Noli, anything but the pure confusion he can’t seem to grasp. He walked past the rest of the survivors, who continued their conversations like he never showed face in the first place. He pushed open the door, mumbling to no one in particular that he needed fresh air, fully unaware of the two pairs of eyes following his movements.

The endless night was the same as usual, but the hacker couldn’t help but admire the stars like they blessed the very grounds he walked on. Even if eventually he would be thrown back in a new place, another area where they get hunted down and slaughtered like deers during the season, 007n7 sought refuge at the docks. Beautiful scenery, soothing sounds of the sea, 007n7 found comfort in the soothing, gentle rush of the waves, coming and going. He couldn’t care less about the fact that this was technically desolate, lonely for they are forced to live with the same people, separate from the killers, separate from his son.

He missed his son, he missed him a lot.

He missed the way he giggled and ran to him when he spotted 007n7 sitting after he was done playing around. He missed the way C00lkidd would run to him in tears when he scraped his knee falling on the pavement. He missed the way his son would ramble to him about his day after he picked him up after the hacker’s busy three jobs. 007n7 missed his son, even if he caused him hardships, difficulties in his life, for he too made mistakes that made his own life harder.

And it included Elliot, treating him and his workplace the way he had done when he was younger, letting his son get rowdy and get his hands on his version of the c00lgui. Though he couldn’t recall if C00lkidd was given it by him, thus putting him to blame, even though he regretted it. He regretted letting his child have the very device he once used to terrorize servers, to haunt the walls with his name. But it happened anyway, what’s been done is done and he can’t reverse what’s in the past.

Elliot was confusing him. First he was bitter, so incredibly bitter about his actions, hateful towards him, for his actions, for his inactions, for breathing in his vicinity. He cannot recall when nor why the pizza boy’s hatred got so horrible, though from what he’s done, he wouldn’t be surprised at all. But now? Elliot seemed less hateful, more cautious, but also concerned for him, for his wellbeing. It was strange, the differences were unusual, they were almost uncanny. It puts him at ease due to the confusion, how difficult it is to believe that either one is the real Elliot. The one he was used to, cruel and often distasteful of him, his actions, made more sense to him, but at the same time, something felt off. After several rounds of working with Elliot, he didn’t seem to change, he seemed just as hateful as round one, just as bitter. But the one from the previous round? The Elliot who gave him a slice no questions asked? This one baffled him, he seemed sweet, concerned, like a healer is expected to be. 007n7 could still see the caution, still see the unease, but he seemed more empathetic, understanding that he may have been going through this more often than not.

It was confusing him.

“n7?”

A gentle tap on the shoulder and a gentle voice distracted him from his thoughts, the ones trying to dissect Elliot and his change in personalities. He looked up to see Guest 1337, who sat himself down and handed 007n7 a paper plate with two slices of pizza, a cupcake and a can of bloxy cola. The veteran seemed… uncertain, concerned for him, like how Elliot behaved when they were in that round.

“Do you need to talk? That conversation with Elliot sounded frustrating.” 007n7 could feel how jittery Guest was, but made no comment about it. He knew the other man was good at heart, he didn’t outright avoid and openly hate him like the others, which was nice, though… he wondered if 007n7 affected Guest the way he did the others, would he still think of him the same? Perhaps it was the fact that they were both fathers? 007n7 wasn’t too sure. “I honestly think Elliot’s acting weird too. Didn’t think he would forget an entire round just like that.”

The war veteran’s words made him feel… more at ease, less like his mind was constantly playing with him, more like he was being seen. It was always like this with Guest. Not only did he talk with him, but… he also let him talk, unlike Two Time, who occasionally converses with him, but they tend to spew their words about the spawn, their beliefs, less on 007n7. Perhaps he’s too suffocated by his loneliness that he didn’t mind Two Time rambling on and on about their religion they follow so closely. Who was he to tell them not to do something? It kept him busy enough all the same, even if he wasn’t ever really listening.

But Guest?

He seemed so patient, just enough to make him feel like he was being listened to, leaving space for him to collect his thoughts, allowing for the silence to stretch if it’s too comfortable to break it. Hell, they’d even bond over being fathers, even if 007n7 considered himself a far worse parent than Guest is.

“I honestly don’t really know what to talk about,” 007n7 admitted, more confused by the gaps in his memory, even further by Elliot’s contrasting personality, particularly from this round. He couldn't even tell if either one was actually Elliot, which made him honestly feel discomforted. “Elliot is confusing me.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Seven,” Guest sighs. He doesn’t know much about Elliot nor 007n7 outside of word of mouth. He knows Elliot is relatively popular amongst those who frequented or knew Builder Brother’s well, while 007n7 was notorious for his hacker past before he retired, raised a kid and fell off the face of the earth years later. “I think maybe you should wait. It might make more sense to you if you take the time to observe?”

The hacker considered it. Watching Elliot would make things… better? It would likely clear up the confusion he feels, the frustration that’s slowly building from those three little encounters, the irritating lack of clarity in his mind.

“Maybe. But I don’t think I should trust only my own eyes,” the ex hacker mumbled, his tail wrapped around his own leg. He wasn’t sure if his mind would play with him. When he tried to recall something before being in this eternal limbo, something that wasn’t about his son, his regrets, about the things he did, he can’t seem to recall, particularly when it neared the time he had arrived. His memories would become static, then blank, then a head-splitting headache would bestow itself upon him. Oftentimes, he would see the shadows move, but not in the way he would find Two Time lurking, but in a way that felt suffocating, like he deserved the hell he was placed in.

“Then you won’t be the only one watching him.”

The offer was unexpected, but it made him feel like he was the only one experiencing it, even if two people had just come to him about Elliot’s behaviour, one believing he had done something… or that some miracle had happened, the other, Guest, who wanted to check in on him. It was nice of him.

“I think I’d like that.”

The guest gave 007n7 a thumbs up. He stood up, groaning a bit as he stretched, his spine popping as he relaxed. Deciding the conversation was over, the veteran gave 007n7 a firm pat on the back with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll let the others know. We’ll figure out what’s with Elliot, don’t do it alone.”

“... thanks,” the hacker mumbled, waiting for the footsteps to fade out and the main cabin door to close before allowing himself to relax, his tail unfurling as he lets the sound of the waves licking the shore whisk him away once again, thinking about Elliot, why he was so different last round, only this time, there was no one to disturb him but his own thoughts and the occasional sound of waves crashing against stone.

He exhaled, he’ll figure it out sometime.

Elliot found himself in the void again, isolated, alone. He sighed as he rubbed his face again, looking around the vast expanse that stretched endlessly. Elliot was often allowed to watch though a tv screen, watching what looked to be him, running through rounds, getting brutally slaughtered over and over again. It was gruesome, but whatever entertainment was entertainment to him, he couldn’t complain, even if he couldn’t hear anything happening.

But this was different. He got to actually participate in a round, be in the shoes of the person he was watching for the first time. It wasn’t too bad. Watching so many rounds happening sort of gave him a sense of what to do, how to work within the team. Yet still, nothing could prepare him for the adrenaline rush that left him crashed horribly. Running from the red skinned child that once terrorized his workplace, but somehow even more horrifying with his grotesque stature, and his father, who seemed strangely confused by how the pizza boy handed him a slice of pizza before he could properly ask for one despite his forgiveness.

Elliot didn’t know why 007n7 was confused by his behaviour. Though he should’ve noticed the way the Elliot he was watching didn’t seem to be friendly with him, hell he keeps throwing pizzas on the ground if he even decides to give the hacker a pizza. He supposed it made sense, 007n7 wasn’t truly very useful from what he’s seen on the tv, but the survival of his teammates were important, too. He didn’t get it.

He’s forgiven 007n7 a few years after he got blacklisted, even if he didn’t trust him not to do it again, even if he was still somewhat bitter about it, he didn't think holding a grudge would’ve been necessary. So his shock when 007n7 didn’t even remember his forgiveness. Perhaps the Elliot he was watching… doesn’t forgive him and it convinced him that he never forgave him?

It wouldn’t make sense unless the hacker had some sort of memory loss. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought of when he found 007n7 lifeless in his own home, just a few weeks after hearing about the hacker’s son, who went missing. Maybe it was his death that made him sustain memory issues, a brain injury like that… could’ve affected it, maybe whatever was holding him captive played with his memories?

His brain hurt just thinking about it.

He could’ve sworn he and the hacker had a decent relationship, with ups and downs. But 007n7 didn’t even seem to remember the ups. It was frustrating, but he couldn't blame him. That scar on 007n7’s head, it flashed in his mind, reminding him that… maybe his brain was affected by the damage, the memories he had were fuzzled. It could only make so much sense.

Elliot thought about the other survivors. He honestly didn’t know many of the others. He knew the admins, though he wasn’t a fan of them. They weren’t much help when he was still working, waiting until after the exploiters crashed his workplace before acting, never giving the workplace he grew to love and cherish the justice it really needed. But from what he observed, they were slightly more useful now that they are all trapped for survival. Then there were the others. Guest, he knew due to all the news about the guest and bacon war, Taph from articles and protests, but the others? He wasn’t too sure who they were. But he knew that the Elliot he had been watching was pretty close to that flintlock wielding gambler. His slipups were funny and all, but he couldn’t imagine wanting to risk his own life with an unreliable gun. At least the gambler was relatively useful when they did hit his shots. Then there was the strange cultist, who scared him earlier. Perhaps it was the fact that they lurked in the shadows. He wasn’t too sure.

Elliot could only hope he could learn more about them, on his own, without having to watch a soundless television.

He didn’t want to exist in a void watching an alternate version of himself form relationships for him.

He wanted to see the others for himself.