Chapter Text
His head hurt.
It’s the first thing he took notice of after the blade had pierced his skin, the first thing he realized after the overwhelming, scorching pain that bloomed from his neck. The ache underneath his chin had finally dulled– almost as if the pain had cancelled itself because it was simply too much. Like his body didn’t have enough time to process it and, out of mere confusion, simply suppressed it as a response.
Then the pain reappeared on his head. It hurt less, but it still did. It felt like a slap, burning but at the very least bearable.
The second thing he could notice was someone’s presence. The other was quiet, silent, shoulders slumped together as a habit. Elliot already knew who he was, and he especially did not want him to see them in such a pathetic, helpless state, so he tried miserably to roll away. Or at least not face the hacker’s gaze. Anything other than to face that gaze of his.
Finally, the person before him stilled. Elliot would’ve let out a bitter laugh, but he doesn’t want to risk injuring the fatal wound on his neck either– even if it was quite literally his goal a few seconds ago.
Silence stretched for a long, agonizing moment, before 007n7’s voice interrupted it with a shaky, disillusioned voice.
“Why..” It was barely a whisper, yet it was full of unspoken words. Even more complex, more complicated questions, such as
Why would you do this?
Why would you think this is okay?
Why did you even think about it in the first place?
Elliot refused to meet 007n7’s gaze. He knew he’d regret it if he did, so he remained silent, limp, his eyes screwed shut. He can’t face the ex-exploiter. Not now. Not ever.
Elliot could hear 007n7 sobbing, and it made his heart hurt, even if he was barely conscious, blood still spurted across his neck. He blinked a few times, and shot a single look at 007n7’s direction, when he was sure that 007n7 wasn’t looking at him.
He felt guilty immediately. Seeing 007n7 so worried– so concerned, with such a saddened gaze– it was too much.
Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted up, as if gravity failed him. He was then met with something warm. He could still hear 007n7 cry near his ear, and the pain in his sobs were ten times more evident that way. Propped on 007n7’s shoulder, Elliot reluctantly opens one of his eyes. He shut them soon after– not out of guilt or embarrassment, but because he wanted to savor this moment the most he could. Be soothed by 007n7’s embrace, like a baby hypnotized by a sweet melody.
The room was deadly silent as 007n7 carried Elliot’s limp body. Elliot didn’t like– it was like the tension was suffocating completely while culpability, on the other hand, consumed him wholly. Elliot regretted volunteering to sleep in the room that was the most far from the main cabin, he doesn’t think he can deal with this feeling of dread crawling up in his mind.
By the time Elliot was carried back to the main cabin, he was fast asleep– or maybe he fell unconscious, nobody could tell. He was propped on the couch, 007n7 making sure the pillows were comfortably stationed beneath the pizza worker’s head and tucking him in with the thin blanket. Rendered unconscious, Elliot could not hear 007n7’s desperate yells of help– could not hear the hurried steps of each survivor rushing urgently towards Elliot and 007n7’s location.
…..
It’s been a day.
A day since that dreadful day, a day since 007n7 had found Elliot when he attempted.
007n7 was a hundred times grateful that the Spectre seemed generous enough to allow Elliot to live even with its very limited powers within the cabin.
He’s eternally grateful Builderman was wide awake at that ungodly hour and quickly constructed a healing dispenser and volunteered, no, pleaded that he could stay with Elliot. 007n7 supposed Elliot probably had a really good relationship with his uncle for Builderman to be so concerned for him.
Elliot’s health has long been restored fully, his health bar completely maxed out.
Yet he still didn’t wake up from his slumbering state.
007n7 grew more and more worried every minute, every second. Scrutinized Elliot to death to make sure, just in case, that Elliot wasn’t dying the moment he wasn’t paying attention. Like his life depended on Elliot’s health. Even if 007n7’s own health was degrading because of it.
.
.
Fortunately, it bore fruit on a fateful weekend.
It was while the night dawned, when the sun settled gently.
007n7 had a book in his hands, Elliot’s head on his lap, the same thin blanket draped over him. 007n7 knew it was weird to read a book to an unconscious body, especially so late, but he liked to believe that Elliot was listening, even if his eyes were closed, even if his body was unresponsive.
Well, that was until he saw Elliot’s fingers twitch.
Even in his tired state, he'd still pay attention to Elliot. Elliot should’ve known.
“..Elliot? Are you awake?”
Well shit.
Elliot started to groan, trying to mimic that he was asleep and having a really bad nightmare– even if it doesn’t add up to the situation. He was pretty sure he looked stupid rather than convincing, but it was worth a shot.
“I know you’re awake.” 007n7 declared shortly after, his hands now carding Elliot’s blond locks gently. Despite the fact that his eyes were closed, Elliot was certain that 007n7 was probably smiling brightly out of relief.
Elliot still remained ‘unconscious’
007n7 scoffed, but it was a joking one.
Then, a weird sensation perking from his eyes, like something was brushing his..eyelashes? It was uncomfortable, itchy, and certainly not welcoming, so like a normal human being, out of pure instinct, Elliot twitched. He could’ve just twitched slightly so it would still seem like he was unconscious, but no, his entire body jerked.
Well, he’s damned.
“Ellioottt....” 007n7 purposely dragged his name, his tone was authoritative, but not strict.
“I’m sorryyyyy…” Elliot apologized lazily, his eyes finally opening.
007n7 sighed, like a defeated mother that gave up on berating her child.
“Look, I know you don’t want to talk about it. But you had me and survivors deadly worried for so long.” 007n7 informed. Elliot’s gaze flickered away, feeling ashamed. He was like a coward, acting like he was oblivious just to escape his problems.
Yet–
“But I don’t blame you. Facing situations like these is hard.” Huh?
007n7’s gaze was weird. But it was comforting. Then it darkened.
“But never, ever, do this again, okay? We can forget about this, forget this ever happened, if you don’t ever do this again.”
His tone was serious. Elliot looked at the side, and looked at him.
“Okay.” It wasn’t an agreement, it was a promise.
And that was enough.