Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The beautiful carousel lights shine bright in the middle of the black market as townsfolk come together to trade till the point of giving off a head or tail, anything to get their desires fulfilled.

It was one of those days at the emporium; with customers moving quick and fast it can be quite a challenge to deal with, given the limited number of employees present in the big carousel.

But with the owner screeching orders till everyone goes deaf, it was...manageable.

The crowd shrinks as the day nears its end. You finish up your last order swiftly, with the customer satisfied with the sewing work you did on their broken limb with little to no effort required.

"It is me; it is mine."

"It is yours; it is you."

You bid farewell to the happy customer, letting out a sigh as you head towards where Cell and the others would be.

Your tired gaze landed on the old fabric hedgehog and-

'You gotta be kidding me.'

"Well, pinch my pins if it isn't RGB!"

"Cell! I thought you'd been realized for a second there..."

"Want me gone? Ha! The day I leave will be the day that the sea falls!"

You made your way over to the two and stood beside Cell.

RGB stood in shock as he took in your appearance, oh how much you've changed....

"___? you work here now?...."

"..."

You noticed the new 'Hero' and...is that Assok? At least there's one better face to see again.

"...nice to meet you again, Assok."

"snicetoo meetyew!"

RGB sighs.

You leaned against one of the sturdy horses of the carousel, crossing your arms. You look up and admire the many umbrellas and fabrics in the ceiling as you leave the others alone, not wanting to strike up a conversation after a stressful day.

You dozed off as Cell and RGB conversed with each other. Two of your co-workers eventually came into the scene as well, with Tinker giving a rabbit foot as a new hand replacement for RGB and Tailor, due to one of Cell's 'policies', ironed his creased shirt.

Your gaze soon stayed on the newly selected 'Hero', watching as the hedgehog led the kid to find her a new set of...armor? In this place? You weren't sure.

You sighed as you turned your head towards a flamingo seat of the carousel, standing tall with a hat, cane and a familiar-looking coat draped on top of it.

Though, The hat looks too plain for your liking.

You hummed in thought.

 'A little change would be nice on him...'

Carefully, you made your way to the flamingo, taking the hat and speed-walked towards your work station in the emporium, not noticing a certain sock spotted you in the action.

Chapter Text

The blaring sound of nightfall made you look up from your work, glancing at the others who were getting ready for bed.

You admired your work for a moment, debating if you should add anything else to it.

'Maybe a blue bow would be nice-'

You heard your name called out, looking over to see Tailor with her thin bandage arms on her hips with a grumpy expression on her face.

You cursed under your breath as you gently placed the hat and your sewing needle down on your desk.

'I guess the bow would have to wait...'

You (reluctantly) made your way to her. Even with her stature, Tailor can uphold a strict attitude towards everyone and anything, especially you. Being her cousin isn't helping either.

"Where were you ___? You left me to iron that stupid man's excuse of a shirt!"

"Honestly, I'm glad I wasn't there at all–"

You winced as her bandages whacked you in the head.

"Fine, I kinda deserved that one...."

You glanced over at the others, watching as RGB and Hero use the Rotoscope together.

"Well?"

You cleared your throat a bit, "I....was a bit busy with some orders due tomorrow and–"

"Look at me, ___."

You both stared at each other in an uncomfortable silence. Your hesitant gaze met with her stern expression. You start to fidget, a nervous habit of yours. Lying really wasn't your trait.

"What were you really doing?"

You let out a nervous chuckle, "Y'know me....doing a bit of touchups–"

"Tailor, would you be so kind as to set a hammock up for hero?"

Both of you turned your heads to the telly-head, watching as he takes his coat from the flamingo seat.

Tailor sighed, "Always the smooth talker when it comes to favours....no such petty demands for yourself?"

RGB let out a yawn, "Oh no, no...I'll be fine on the floor. I'll just make myself comfortable..."

With a single click of his fingers, his cane was in his hand, taking a long piece of fabric from poor Tinker with it.

"...with what comes to hand."

You slowly back away from them, if it wasn't for the bandages wrapped around your arms you would've been at your beloved workspace by now. Tailor shot a glare.

"You are not going anywhere this time."

RGB snickered, receiving a grumble from you in response.

˜"*°• •°*"˜

You ended up helping Tailor set a hammock as Hero and Assok laugh together, swinging in it. You huffed as you secured your side of the hammock.

"Hey...did you steal RGB's hat?"

Your head snapped to the girl's direction. You turn rigid under her gaze.

"No...?"

"Assok told me, y'know."

You shot a glare at the green giggling sock, Hero joining in. How Assok told the new hero about it? Only Hate would know. Tailor stood beside you with an amused smile.

"Touchups, you said?"

"Shut up..."

To make matters even worse for you, RGB made his way towards your little group. Coat on, cane resting on his arm, and missing one special thing.

"Sorry to interrupt, but have any of you seen my hat?"

You felt all eyes on you. A defeated sigh was made.

'Great.'

Chapter Text

You led RGB through the now quiet emporium, a few creatures and characters finding places to lay and rest for the night. You could feel many of their dreams fill the air in the carousel as the night takes over them all.

Waving past hanging fabrics, the two of you reach your station. The soft hum of sewing machines and the lingering scent of fabric dye filled the air.

Upon arrival, you took the hat from your desk and held it out for him to see.

RGB's glowing screen flickered as he examined it—his once-plain hat now adorned with a delicate blue flower, golden thorns encircling it.

You noticed a mix of green and magenta fluid drip from his screen as his fingers brushed over the intricate details, his usual sharp-tongued demeanor giving way to quiet admiration.

"Well, would you look at that..."

He finally breathed out, still glued to your handiwork.

"You did this?"

You shrugged, a small smile on your face.

"What's better than comfort from a little needlework that can last forever?"

RGB let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief.

You turned to grab your needle and the blue ribbon you intended to add earlier.

"If you would like...?"

He glanced down to the bow in your hand, letting out a thoughtful hum.

"That...would be lovely."

As you worked, RGB remained still, watching you with an expression you couldn't quite place–his usual smugness softened into something... fonder.

"I missed you, y'know," he murmured after a few moments.

Your hands stilled for a second before resuming. You glanced up at him, looking back at his bright screen.

"Yeah," you admitted. "I missed you too."

Silence settled between you, but it wasn't an uncomfortable one. It was warm, familiar—like an old melody neither of you had forgotten.

You tied the last knot in the ribbon and smoothed it down before stepping in front of him.

You reached up, placing it atop his head yourself before stepping back, feeling accomplished.

RGB's screen flickering slightly as he processed the gesture. He adjusted the hat with a satisfying tilt.

"Not bad, stitchwork. Not bad at all."

You rolled your eyes at the old nickname, but a small smile formed on your face.

"It is yours; it is you."

"It is me; it is mine."

For a moment, neither of you moved, the weight of unspoken words lingering between you. The carousel lights flickered above, casting shifting shadows across the emporium. RGB's fingers traced the brim of the hat lightly before he finally let out a chuckle, shaking his head.

"You always had a habit of changing things," he mused, tilting his head to look at you. "Even when no one asked for it."

"And you always had a habit of being impossible to deal with."

He grinned at that, the glow of his screen ever so bright.

"Wouldn't be me otherwise, would it?"

You hummed in response, a small smile present on your face.

A comfortable silence stretched between you before he finally took a step back, adjusting his coat.

"Don't go losing your touch, stitchwork."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

You offered a small smile, one he couldn't quite see but somehow seemed to feel. The air between you felt thick with something unspoken—memories, familiarity, and a kind of longing neither of you dared put into words.

With one last glance—one that lingered a second too long—he finally turned, making his way out of your workspace.

You turned back to the many projects waiting for you at your desk. But before you could sit, you heard his voice.

"...Goodnight, my stitchwork."

Your fingers stilled over a spool of thread, the warmth in his voice catching you off guard. You glanced back over your shoulder, meeting his screen one last time before nodding.

"Goodnight, Telly."

You watched him go, your fingers absentmindedly toying with a stray piece of thread. You took in a breath before turning to your desk.

As you worked on one of your projects, you found yourself glancing toward the path where the man went, half-expecting RGB to come waltzing back in with his charming remarks. But instead, the emporium remained quiet, save for the distant murmur of voices and the occasional creaks of the carousel.

A thought crossed your mind, one you chose to keep to yourself.

Some things change. Some things don't.

And some things—no matter how much time passes—always find their way back.