Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The busy noise of the refuge echoed far off in the distance as you bit into your toast. Despite there being two restaurants open nearby your apartment, you still enjoyed taking the time out of your day and eating your toast while looking down at the city. Watching the dimly lit phosphor bounce across the walls and the tiny little robots scampering to and fro to their jobs.

It was truly a beautiful place, in its own unique way at least...

You wiped the crumbs off on your sleeve and set the remains of your breakfast on the ground next to you, pulling out a small sketchbook and pencil pouch as you flipped open to a new page.

You had moved to the Refuge about a month ago from the Glen to work on a small passion project of yours, not to mention how much more safer it was from the squares, so you were still getting used to the lay of the land and all of the different people who lived here.

You sighed, biting the inside of your lip. The world was slowly dying, and as each day passed your hope that the messiah would come grew less and less. In fact it was one of the main reasons you started this project to begin with. You wanted to draw the world before it flickered out. One last testament to show what life once was when the phosphor runs out and everything slowly...

You shook your head trying not to think about it. You were here to make sketches and art of the Refuge not to think about the finality of your world. If only inspiration could strike sooner...

A gust of cold wind hit the back of your neck as it blew your hair forward, the wind was picking up so you decided to head back to your apartment and prepare for your job. Unlike back in the Glen where you could just crash with your parents, here you had rent to pay, so you getting a job was inevitable but you didn’t mind. It only gave you more of an excuse to see more city life.

As you continued your way back home across the bridge, the wind had become more cold and unforgiving. Bleeding through your clothes and tracing your skin. You quickened your pace, trying to reach the heated haven of your home until-

Wham!

A dark lilac fabric hit your face, wind pinning it down and obstructing your view. Instinctively your hand reached up and pulled it out of the way, slowing your fast pace to a stop to identify the object.

Holding it in your hand now in full view, it appeared to be a worn out paper boy hat, with a few patches sewn in at the top with a musty smell of coffee and phosphor. I wonder who could have...

The light sound of distant footsteps banging against the catwalks cut your thoughts off. Looking up from the hat, you could see a man in the distance hurriedly looking back and forth for something, running frantically nearby.

His appearance looked as worn down as the hat, he wore a thick purple coat with holes and tears scattered near the ends. He had broad shoulders with a plain yellow work shirt and suspenders running up his chest topped off with a soft looking dark violet scarf hugging his neck. With messy strands of lilac blowing in the wind, brushing the top of his tattered scarf as he ran.

Instinctively you started to walk towards him.
“Uhhm e-excuse me,” you croaked out, your voice still groggy from the morning. “I think this is yours”
Surprised by your voice, the man stopped in his tracks. Causing him to stumble over, barely catching his balance, quickly standing back up instantly to face you. “Thank you.” You handed him the hat as he haphazardly brushed his hair back and plopped the hat back on. “Things been blowin’ all over this morning, ‘thought I’d have to buy a new one”

“Uh n-no problem” you whimpered, you weren’t really used to meeting new people. Back in the Glen you knew everyone, seeing how small it had gotten due to the nature of the squares and all...

An awkward air hung stagnant in the air as the two of you avoided eye contact. It was as if a strange presence kept your foot glued to the ground and your muscles stiff.

“Well I uh...” the man broke the silence, “I have to get to work so...” he trailed off

“Right s-same here” you nodded, peeling your feet off the ground, swiveling your position towards the apartments.

Chapter Text

You sighed as you fidgeted with the strap of your apron. You had a fairly slow starting shift early in the morning from five to nine am. Usually it would get really hectic the further in you got, however this first bit was practically at a snails pace.

A far away clanking of bells sounded as a hot-pink haired lady walked into the cafe. Kip, your mind sounded as you recognized your friend.

She was always your first customer of the day. Forming a quick friendship, the two of you always set aside a few minutes in the morning to have coffee and talk before the rush of the day took hold of the both of you.

“Good morning (name)!” She fished out the payment out of her work apron. “I’ll take my normal, please”

You took the money, and started work on preparing her coffee and banana bread.

“So how’s that robot going?” You asked, popping the bread in the toaster to warm it up.

“It’s uh...not going so well actually...” she awkwardly stammered, she seemed uncomfortable on the topic of her progress, you made a mental note to switch the topic. “...I’m hoping to fix one of the main problems today.”

“Mm” you nodded, pushing the coffee and bread forward in Kip's direction. Swiftly she picked up her breakfast and walked over to a table by the window, tilting her head issuing for you to join.

“And what about you?” She spoke through her meal, “how’s your art project going?”
You leaned back in your chair, “Not so well either to tell you the truth,” your finger traced over a coffee stain on the table as you talked, “I can’t seem to find a good starting point y’know?”

“Well you're always welcome at the labs if you want,” Kip offered “I’m sure the others wouldn’t mind.”

“Maybe later...I want to find a good starting point first. I hope that makes sense...”

Kip nodded, taking a sip of coffee. An awkward silence held between you two as you both sat in your failures. “A-anyways did I tell you about that one customer who brought in a whole herd of Rams?” You broke the silence, reaching for a more lighthearted topic.

“No?!” Kip snorted “Who did that?”

The both of you exchanged a couple of stories regarding different wacky customers you’d had and Kip’s co-workers.

Kip leaned back, taking her last bite of banana bread, eyes tiredly drifting over to a bulky smart watch tucked snugly on her wrist. “Mmf!” She practically shot up from her seat.
She hurriedly wiped her mouth and fished out a clump of gloves out of her apron pocket, yanking them on.

“Sorry, the time just-I thought-“ she tripped over her words, panicked, accidentally knocking over her coffee cup. The light brown liquid splattering on the table's surface.

“Aaaa sorry!”

You glanced back at the analog clock on the far wall, 6:55 am. Usually Kip would be on the ground by 6:40, but it seemed that the time had escaped the both of you as you caught up with each other.

“You’re fine, no need to apologize!” You reassured her, “I’ll clean up the table, you get to your job.” Kip stumbled out of her seat, making her way to the entrance.

“Thanks again (name)! Have a good day!” Kip yelled back to you, the door just shutting behind her as she dashed down the catwalks to the elevators.

“You uh, you too!” You called out after her, you were fairly certain she didn’t hear you but it felt rude not to say it at all. Your day had certainly started off in an...interesting manner.

Chapter Text

Rush hour. You tiredly rang up yet another coffee, the line was seemingly growing longer and longer by the minute as tons of tired, hungry people squeezed into the cafe, trying to get their fuel for the day.

You quickly glanced up at the clock, 8:55am. Five more minutes until Ling clocks in. You reassured yourself then the rest of the day should get much easier. But ten minutes passed, and no Ling. The later it got the more crazy the workload became. Dashing between the coffee pot, the pick up counter, the oven, and the cashier, you barely had any time to catch a break.

You honestly weren’t used to the sudden population shift between the Glen and the Refuge yet, if only Ling would show up sooner... You shot a hopeful glance out the window to no avail.

Looks like you're in it for the long haul now. You were now starting to understand why Ling was so happy to hire you.

Eventually the crowds died down enough for you to slip your phone out to see a notification from the man himself at the top of your screen.

“Hey (name)! Sorry, I won’t be able to make it to work today! The squares got a part of my apartment this morning so I won’t be able to make it until later today...sorry!”

You scrolled down to see another message

“I’ll make sure to pay you overtime, thanks for covering for me!”

Well that was unfortunate... you slid your phone back in your pocket, making your way over to the coffee pot, filling it up again. But at least I got through the worst of it...well until lunch hits.

You called out your last customer’s name. Handing them a coffee and treat, you gave a sigh of relief, allowing yourself to relax back on the counter behind you while the few remaining patrons enjoyed their coffee. Usually you would be on break by now so it was interesting to see all the different people you’d typically never see.

Feeling a bit inspired, you pulled out a small notepad and started to sketch the cafe. Surely Ling wouldn’t mind...

The bells clanged together calling your attention, dropping your pencil, your head instantly turned to face the door. The same man from earlier that day entered the cafe. Eyes scanning over him, you noticed he was now carrying a long black pole with two hooks at the top of it, along with newly fastened jars of phosphor lined across his waist. So he manages the phosphor in the Refuge...must be a hard job, no wonder why he looks so worn down.

“Uhh...”

You blinked out of your daze, the man had shuffled over to the counter, trying to get your attention to make his order.
“Sorry- I was staring off into space,” you awkwardly chuckled “what can I help you with?”

“I’ll take some uhh...” he trailed off looking up at the menu above you, it looked like he was considering ordering something else, “coffee”

“Alright, what size do you want?” You asked

“Uhh” the lamplighter looked uncomfortable “usually the guy just lets me have the whole pot...” He glanced down at the floor “we sorta have a thing?”

He scratched the back of his neck, taking out a clump of money and handing it to you. “Um here, usually this is ‘nough”

You flipped through the money counting it up, it was definitely a lot for coffee, but you weren’t just gonna deny a customer. “A-alright,” you accepted the money, putting it into the cash register, “the uh pots all yours” you motioned to the pot as the Lamplighter made his way over to the table on the far right, proceeding to take the pot with him to the nearest vacant table. Amazed, you watched him pull out a chipped mug from the inside of his coat, pour the coffee, and drain the whole cup in one go.

It was truly a sight to behold.

Or at least that’s what you kept telling yourself as your eyes stayed transfixed on the overworked man.

You found yourself eventually reaching to your notepad and pencil from before, mindlessly tracing a light sketchy circle, eventually divulging into a strong sturdy nose and jawline. Your hand lifting up back to the top of the circle, pulling down a waterfall of bending clumps of messy hair, with a light sketch of a lopsided hat to frame its scattered nature. Hovering near one of the tips, you started a broad line drooping off into a more oval-ish tired shape, pulling up a bold, far-off magenta eyes from the bottom.

Wait...magenta

You quickly snapped out of your drawing instincts. Realizing now that you had been staring at the Lamplighter for quite some time as a reference for your doodle. Red faced you averted your gaze down to your sketch.

It wasn’t half bad... it being unfinished of course, but you couldn’t shake this feeling of embarrassment.

Glancing to the side you decided to get your mind off of things and restock the pastries in the window.
After some time had passed you returned to the counter, the pastries has been restocked and things were going fairly slowly. Movement caught your attention as the lamplighter stood up and made his way over to the counter once more.

“Uh, here you go” he handed over the drained coffee pot, eyes glued to the floor. “Thank you, have a nice day!” you took the pot over and returned it to the coffee maker, the Lamplighters eyes following you as you worked. When you returned to the cash register the rugged man was still there, looking down past the counter at- ah crap...

“Uhm is there a-anything I can help you with, Sir?” You awkwardly chirped, quickly covering the drawing under your hand.

“Did you...draw that?” He pointed at the covered up sketch “it’s really...uh good” his eyes trailed back to floor again, you weren’t quite sure if he was weirded out by it or flattered in some sense.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to- I just got carried away and um” you trailed off trying to find a viable excuse as to why you drew him that didn’t sound sketchy, tearing the sketch out of the notebook and holding it towards him.

“Here, y-you can keep it if you want, sorry I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Slowly he took the drawing, gazing over it one last time before neatly folding it and slipping it in his pocket.

“You uh- didn’t make me feel unconfirmable-“

“Uncomfortable” you corrected him

“Yeah uh that...um I think it’s very-“ he paused thinking of the word, “nice.”

You both sort of stood there for a moment before the Lamplighter awkwardly shuffled away.

Giving a sigh of relief, you felt your face cool down. I mean it was normal right?
To get flustered over someone finding your drawing of them?
.
.
.
Yeah... definitely.

Chapter Text

Finally after a long...long lunch rush hour, the door jingled open once more, with Ling, sheepishly walking in.

“Heyyyy (name),” he gave you a small wave, “sorry about this morning-I just woke up and they were like everywhere.”

“It’s okay, you can’t control this type of stuff,” the squares where getting more and more unpredictable, it’s nothing he could be blamed for, “were you
able to save your place?”

“Sort of, I got my stuff out, but the squares are too much of a risk to move back in...” he trailed off “but the landlord is letting me crash at a different apartment for the time being, all expenses paid!”

“That’s good, I’m glad you're safe.” You said, Lin reaching towards his back, tying his apron.

“Are you sure you're still okay with working today? I-I can handle the rest of the shifts, close early.” You offered

“Nah it’s fine, you’ve already gone overtime enough as it is today, you deserve the break.” Ling assured you, finishing the knot off on his apron and walking back behind the counter, patting you on the shoulder.

“Alright well...text me if you need anything okay?” You slowly walked out into the open.

“Will do!” Ling gave you a thumbs up

You gave him a thankful smile as you walked out the door. The winds had seemed to have died down now, with only a brisk breeze only slightly noticeable blowing against your body.

It was around 1:30pm now so you decided it was about time you headed to the ground level of the refuge. Taking a quick pit stop at your apartment gathering your art supplies, your library card, and packing a small sandwich for lunch. Once everything was in order you slipped your work clothes off and made your way to the elevator, pressing the conveniently big button labeled ‘GROUND’.

~

Plight walked down the dim ally. Bottles of phosphor swinging back and forth on his waist, illuminating his surroundings. Instinctively making his way towards the far wall. His place was hidden fairly well in the shadows, making it a bit difficult to find at times when Plight was very tired, but it did its job well enough to keep home intruders away.

With a grunt he laid his pole down and unbuckled his belt of phosphor. Carefully placing it on his worn down desk that was nearly holding up on by the wall, he plopped down on his makeshift bed and slid the doodle out of his pocket. Carefully unfolding it and smoothing over the creases, Plight’s eyes traced over the doodle you had made. It wasn’t very often that he had gotten recognition, seeing how thankless his job was. Hell, most of the time he’d go weeks without talking to anyone except Ling for coffee, and his boss for work. But the idea that someone was thinking of him in some sense lifted his spirits. A small part of him wondered how far you may have gone if you had been able to continue the drawing, or what had even brought you to drawing a poor soul like himself. Plight gave a light sigh, unfortunately knowing his luck he’d probably never get the chance to talk to you again.

Standing up, and walking over to his desk, he opened a small drawer on the side and fumbled a thumbtack out, pinning the sketch up lopsidedly on the wall. Staring at it for a good minute, Plight begrudgingly turned back to his equipment and put it back on. The heavy weight of his load of phosphor and pole weighing down both his spirits and physically. His burden was his work, but his work had to be done for both his livelihood and others.

Plight huffed the library door open. People were lounged all around the place reading books and relaxing under the tranquil shelter for the dying world the library served as. And not a single one looked up when Plight walked in. However at this point Plight was used to it, despite not being much of a reader himself he was called in quite frequently to replace the phosphor in the reading lamps. Looking around he spotted down the dim reading lamps and set to work.

Eventually making his way around the building he arrived at the last dim lamp. It was at the far corner of the library with one lone reading chair sitting beside it. In tunnel vision, Plight quickly dumped the used phosphor into his waste container and poured in the new supply. Quickly sealing it off and standing back up to admire his work.

“Thank you!”

Plight snapped out of his work daze and turned around to see the person from earlier this morning sitting on the chair next to him.
(Name), he recalled, remembering your name tag from this morning.
After a few moments it finally hit him, ah fuck-

“Uh no...no problem Mx...” he muttered, he wasn’t very used to people acknowledging his work so it took him an embarrassing amount of time to realize you were talking to him. “ ‘s my job after all”

He glanced down at the sketch book on your lap, finding himself admiring your attempts at sketching various different people reading, watching entranced as you glided your pencil across the white as snow sheet of paper. Going as slow as possible in picking up the phosphor container to continue watching you work.

“You're really good at that” he slipped out, peeling his eyes away out of embarrassment.

“Oh uh thank you! This is actually for a project I’m working on...”

You proceeded to explain your little project to Plight, about how you wanted to draw the world one last time. Flipping through your previous drawings of the Glen and what little bits you could muster from the Barrens, Plight’s eyes stayed fixed on your work as you talked. His body finding its way to the chair next to yours, peering over your shoulders like a kid in a candy shop.

“-and then I moved here to finish it off...and to get away from the squares...but I’ve been having some trouble finding a starting off point.” You gestured to the page full of abandoned sketches on your lap. “Hopefully this wasn’t all for nothing” you traced your finger over your finished work.
“But tha’s really cool” his eyes lit up “that your doing something proactive that is.”

Plight paused for a second, thinking.
“...’f you need help finding a place to start off, I might have a place I could maybe show you”

Perking up, your whole demeanor lightened up. “Yes please! I’ve been so lost on what’s in this city and where to start, that would be an amazing help!”
Pink dotted Plight’s face, he bashfully gave a small smile.

“Well uh...meet me at 10 then, by the elevator on the ground floor.”
The two of you looked at each other for a short while before Plight quickly fastened the last of the Phosphor jars back on his belt. “I-uh...um see ya!”

Plight swiftly left the library, quickening his pace into a light jog. He had spent maybe a little too much time watching you draw and talking with you, so he needed to make it to his next destination before his customer calls his employer. He couldn’t risk losing any money from his paycheck like last time and luckily he wasn’t too late to cause concern...but at least today he had something to look forward to at the end of it all.