Archive of Our Own ^beta

1x1x1x1 and John Doe were each other’s comfort in a world that often felt too heavy.

Every day was full of laughter. They raced chairs down the hallways at Roblox HQ, stole Builderman’s donuts, and played every new Roblox game side by side. But when the fun ended, it was the quiet moments that meant the most.

At lunch, they always sat at the same table. John would slide half his sandwich over, and 1x1x1x1 would push one of his gross dehydrated limes in return.

John wrinkled his nose. “This looks disgusting.”

1x1x1x1 dramatically placee a hand on his chest, “Excuse me?! It's delicious!” 

John laughed and he choked on his juice. 1x1x1x1 had to pat his back until he stopped coughing.

But the best times weren’t at work—they were after.

At night, John and 1x1x1x1 would climb up to the HQ rooftop with a blanket big enough to wrap around them both. They’d sprawl under the stars, pressed close together, sharing quiet whispers and stupid jokes.

“Look at that one,” John said once, pointing at a crooked cluster of stars. “That’s you.”

“Why? Because I shine so bright?”

“No. Because you’re weird and lopsided.”

1x1x1x1 tackled him with mock outrage, and they ended up rolling around in the blanket, laughing until their stomachs hurt.

Sometimes John fell asleep curled against him, his head tucked into 1x1x1x1’s glowing torso. The faint green light washed over John’s face, making him look peaceful, safe. 1x1x1x1 would stay awake for hours just holding him, brushing his messy hair back and thinking, I’d stay like this forever if I could.

And John loved it too. Whenever the world felt heavy, he’d lean against 1x1x1x1, wrap his arms around him, and sigh.

“You’re comfy,” John murmured once, half-asleep.

“You’re heavy,” 1x1x1x1 teased, but he pulled him closer anyway.

John smiled against his chest. “Don’t ever let go.”

And 1x1x1x1 whispered back, so softly John barely heard it: “Never.”

Even once in the middle of a thunderstorm, when John showed up at 1x1x1x1’s door, drenched and scared.

Without a word, 1x1x1x1 pulled him into bed, wrapped the blanket around both of them, and held him until John finally stopped shaking.

“You’re safe,” 1x1x1x1 whispered.

And John believed it, because in his arms, the storm outside didn’t matter.

On those nights, John always felt safe. He would drift off in 1x1x1x1’s arms, and when he woke up, his best friend was still there, staring at the sunrise like he’d been protecting him all night.

“Morning,” John whispered.

“Morning,” 1x1x1x1 whispered back, brushing white strands of hair out of his eyes.

They cuddled often—sometimes on the rooftop, sometimes in the break room, sometimes on the couch in John’s apartment after a long day. For John, it felt natural. For 1x1x1x1, it felt like heaven—like maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t Telamon’s failed creation anymore, but someone truly loved.

There were snowball fights, ice cream nights, and endless laughter. John would fall asleep with his head in 1x1x1x1’s lap, and 1x1x1x1 would brush his hair back gently, thinking to himself, If only this moment could last forever.

But forever doesn’t always come.

One evening, as the sun painted the sky gold, 1x1x1x1’s chest ached with nervousness. Holding John close in a cuddle, he whispered, almost afraid to speak:

“John… I think I love you.”

John froze. His heart raced. He was unsure, panic rose in his chest.

“I… I don’t feel that way. I’m sorry. I think I’m straight.”

The words crushed 1x1x1x1, but he forced a smile, hugged John one last time, and let it go. Or at least, he pretended to. Inside, the cracks grew wider.

"I-it's okay! I mean.. we can still stay as friends, right?" 

"Yeah.."

"So it's okay." he whispered, though it wasn’t.

The cuddles stopped. The laughter dimmed. John thought giving him space would help, but it didn’t.

One night, he went to 1x1x1x1’s apartment, knocking softly. No answer. The door creaked open.

Inside, the room was dim. Messy. 

"Eugh.. it stinks in here. I knew 1x1x1x1 doesn't shower that often but damn.." 

John Doe looked around, until he reached the bedroom. It smelled like something was rotting. Cautious, he entered the room—only to find 1x1x1x1 hanging from above, his white hair falling across his face. His body was cold.

John dropped to his knees. He got 1x1x1x1 back down and tried to revive him.

“No, no, please… wake up. Please, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know— I didn’t know I loved you until now…”

His sobs filled the silence. He pressed his forehead against 1x1x1x1’s chest, clutching him tightly like he used to in their cuddles, but it was cold. Too cold.

Through tears, John whispered the words far too late:

“I love you too. I always did.”

And in that dark room, wrapped around his best friend’s still body, John realized the most painful truth of all too late.

"..No. No.. no no.."

"He's still alive. You wouldn't leave me like this.. You can't leave me like this! You promised.."

John Doe shook 1x1x1x's body gently again, as if he was still alive. 

"Please just.. wake up."