Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I, The Spectre, am here to inform you that you, 1x1x1x1.

You are hereby temporarily liberated from participating in any rounds on the games for an unprecedented amount of time for the foreseeable future as it seems this was an oversight that I may have overlooked. 

Your unique situation will be put in consideration as of now, for I still have some standard as to not cross certain lines towards such delicate circumstances.

Ps. I congratulate you for the successful pregnancy, but if I may add my own piece of advice, please be sure to use a condom next time.

- The Spectre

What. The. FUCK.

1x gripped the letter tightly in their grasp, eyes scanning over the lines of words over and over again as if it'll suddenly change and reveal itself as some new psychological torture The Spectre brewed up just to mess with them.

This is a joke, it has to be.

A nightmare, surely AHA...hah...

they pinched their cheeks once, then again.

again.

and again.

Why aren't they waking up yet?

"How..how is this even.." 1x gripped the ends of their ponytail, distress painting their features.

They slept with John ONCE, HOW DID THEY GET PREGNANT? They were sure that bastard of a Spectre wouldn't even allow something like-like THIS to even happen.

Actually, weren’t they a guy at birth? They were sure they had male genitals…

Then again, there wasn’t anything normal about spawning out of nowhere from a piece of your creator-

 wait… doesn’t that mean-

…

The previous thoughts all vanish as the panic starts to settle in.

"Oh in Telamon's name, what do I even do? Do I tell John? It was just a random fling-this wasn't even-UGH" The letter they had been gripping in their hand fell and fluttered towards the floor, both of their palms covered their face as they groaned into them.

They are so fucked.

---

It was just the usual routine by now.

Round after round in a game of life and death, in what seems to be purgatory for the forsakened victims selected to partake in it.

Yet that particular day had somehow been even worse, especially for two certain individuals, 1x1x1x1 and John Doe.

They had started the day with 4 rounds right off the bat, more than the usual 2 or 3. Mayhaps someone pissed off The Spectre enough to throw a hissy fit, not like anyone will ever know.

1x had been downright underperforming in those rounds, missing stuns after stuns, having to deal with some sarcastic and rude comments from one of their other survivor teammates, namely iTrapped, as well.

Not to mention the encounter with their own creator, Telamon.

They really didn't want to recall that embarrassing moment..

As for John? Well he was struck yet again by the knowledge that his own wife did not recognise him when he tried to convince her for like, the 15th-maybe even 20th time that he was her husband- no one was keeping track. He was doing anything just so she remembers even a spec of him, only to be brutally shanked by a spike through the stomach.

One thing led to another and somehow this led these two broken souls to end up having a one night stand in hopes to feel better, to forget even for a moment the hell they were unwillingly shoved into.

It did work, temporarily, of course, fleeting pleasure as it is. 

The both of them vowed to never speak of it again.

The very next day, an announcement came informing both the survivors and killers faction that the game will be temporarily put on a ceasefire for a whole week.

This granted them all a brief respite from their shared hell, albeit not without some confusion and wariness.

"What's a cheese fire? Like, cheese on fire?" C00lkid questioned, sitting on the couch with his tiny legs swinging back and forth.

"It's ‘ceasefire’, you dimwit." Bluudud grumbled from beside him.

"HEY! I knew that!" 

"Nuh uh."

The two kids began to argue with each other, the pink one who sat on the other of C00lkid, pr3ttypriincess, or namely just princess for the author’s sake, just sighed and rolled her eyes at them, "ugh, boys."

"This is highly odd...usually if we're lucky enough, we get a whole day free of any 'games', but a whole week? Some plans must be in motion here..." Azure, who has been leaning against one of the support beams on the wall wondered out loud.

‘For all we know, it could be another new sick torture waiting for us.’ guest 666 signed, arms crossed and cap covering his face in shadow, his uncovered mouth however can be seen contorting into a scowl.

"Well at the very least we have a break from all these...ruthless cycle of death games we go through for once, right?" John added in, he sat at a lone chair at the fireplace, not really looking at anyone, just staring at the fire.

Azure furrows his eyebrows, still wary, but despite that he tries smiling through it, "I suppose so..."

Guest 1337, who has been sitting idly at a table along with Builderman, who as per usual, sports a blank expression, tinkering with something in his toolbox, spoke up.

"Let's all be alert for anything unusual during this 'break', be sure to report if anything is amiss." After saying that, he stood up and went towards the door leading outside of the cabin, Builderman silently following suit shortly after.

John glanced at their direction momentarily and started looking around, he started to tune out the quiet (and loud, contrary to the kids) chatter, trying to spot any fluff of white hair around the cabin, seeing none.

He wasn't that rough was he? He acknowledges what he did is messed up on so many levels, especially for a married man. 

He very much berated himself up for it right after getting out of the haze of pleasures.

Yet he couldn't fully regret his actions, which is another level of shameful. He feels his gut twisted in guilt, what a way to win a novelty prize for being most unloyal heh...

He'll never be able to face Jane properly ever again after...that.

He'll admit being in this purgatory may have messed his mind a bit...okay, maybe a bit is an understatement.

Anyways...

He couldn't deny he...feels a certain way about 1x, being stuck here for god knows how long and them being the first person he relied on to get through this place ever since being stuck here. They kind of just… bonded overtime.

Yeah, that really wasn't helping his case.

He wasn't even sure what he feels about 1x to begin with, they're extremely reliable, a really great company to be around, rough around the edges but has this soft side the more you get to know them.

Plus points for being extremely attractive.

His eyes turn back to staring at the fire, his mouth downturn into a frown.

Yeah, he was royally screwed.

Chapter Text

It's been 4 whole days since the announcement.

4 days of not running around searching for generators to wire or getting chased down in a life and death situation, nada.

It was odd, yet the survivors in the cabin couldn't deny the momentary peace they were able to get from this 'break'

Many just sought to relax in their own time, some sought company with one another, and as for John, well.

He's been dreading this momentary off time.

Now that the looming threat of trying to survive each day broke his usual twisted routine, his thoughts ran a wild rampage in his mind, giving him multiple headaches in the passing days.

He has been trying to keep himself busy since then by indulging himself in some quiet company with Azure or getting dragged by the kids for playdates every now and then.

His only saving grace is not having to face his wife just yet, not that he'll ever be ready for that emotional baggage.

Though at the very least he would be able to restrain the urge to drop down on his knees and apologise over and over again towards someone who no longer remembers him as their significant other.

Woe is him, he suppose.

Shooing away those thoughts lest he wants to endure spiraling into a midlife crisis, again.

The one person he's been trying to reach out to since that day has barely been seen.

Only being able to catch wind of them from recounts of the other survivors or catching white tufts of hair in the corner of his eye before vanishing completely.

They are definitely avoiding him.

Did that night really ruin the bond between them?

Or is he really that bad in bed...

Right okay, let's not go there John Doe.

He slapped his hand on his forehead, as of the moment, he sat on the couch in the more communal area of the cabin, there was barely anyone around at the moment, most deciding to just do their own thing.

He leaned his head back against the back of the couch, eyes closed and exhaled deeply.

Only to open his eyes to a face he recognises very intimately.

If the yelp he let out sounded like a dying squirrel, then he would argue back to you that it didn't, because it definitely did not .

Alright John, act casual.

"1-1x, uhm-hey?"

Great job acting casual doofus.

1x just stared down at him, their expression blank.

"Hey."

Okay, he definitely did something incredibly wrong.

Before his thoughts could shift towards self depreciation, 1x continued.

"I...I need to show you something."

Despite the blank expression, 1x headwings started twitching, they're tone also wavering slightly.

John sat up straight, glancing towards them in worry, his earlier despair momentarily forgotten in light of being worried for their..friend, if he can still call them that, that is.

"Is something the matter?"

"it's.."

Short pause.

"..better if you see it yourself."

Now that's even more concerning.

1x, despite being pretty secretive, is usually pretty straightforward when it comes to their words.

"Right-okay, lead the way." 

—

A lone man sat by the docks, watching aimlessly as the dark waves of the water splash against each other in its own torrent.

The rustling sound of cloth can be heard approaching from behind the man.

“Sir David.”

Builderman didn’t turn but the tilt of his head was enough of an acknowledgement to the pumpkin head’s presence

“I sense a troubled heart, sowing deep in your depths. My dearest friend, may I lend a shoulder to depend?” 

Builderman sighs, turning towards the floating mage, the underside of his eyes blanketed with eyebags, yet his eyes show a soft look in the presence of his friend.

“Did that even rhyme?” He chuckles out, the mage simply mirrors his chuckle.

“Perhaps in your presence, I simply drop most pretence” 

“Aight' now, ya’ can cut with your rhymes, Matt. It’s just us here, also didn’t I tell ya’ not to call me sir anymore?” As Builderman lightly scolds Dusekkar, he beckons his hand and pat the spot beside him.

Without much prompt, The mage stopped floating in light of sitting next to Builderman.

“I suppose it would be best to stop.”

They sat in comfortable silence, the presence of one another bringing a sense of calm at the familiarity.

“So what ails you, my friend?”

Builderman sighs, he had hoped he wouldn’t notice him avoiding answering him the first time.

“I’ve been…thinking.”

Builderman didn’t need to hear a verbal response to know the mage wanted more context than that, the stare Dusekkar gave was also a dead giveaway.

“It’s just, I never had time to really think ‘bout… well, everything. Now that I have the whole week to process things over, it all just seems like a big mess–I just..”

The comforting hand that was placed on Builderman’s shoulder was enough to prompt him to continue.

“I miss him, Matt. There’s also the kid ‘ere who I haven’t been talkin’ to all that much cause they remind me so much of…” He trails off, looking into his reflection in the waters below him.

The once confident man he once saw himself as was ridden with conflict, uncertainty and guilt.

“I’m starting to doubt if I’m fit to handle any leadership at this point-”

It was at that moment that Dusekkar's grip on Builderman’s shoulder became firm.

“Preposterous! David, you are the most capable and resilient man I have ever had the honour to work alongside with, I thoroughly believe that whatever challenges you may face, you will be able to overcome them. Don’t ever doubt your leadership.”

Builderman smiled with tired fondness at his friend, yet even when those words warmed his heart…

He wishes he could believe in those same words as well.

—

They both stopped right in front of 1x’s room.

John could feel himself silently gulp.

He wasn't sure if he was ready to be this..alone with 1x again just yet, despite the rising nerves, he followed in after them anyways once the door was unlocked.

1x’s room was... kinda edgy ngl.

The whole green and black vibes with the chains dangling on the walls really speaks volume.

He spots a bunch of stray feathers littering the floors, the bed was also filled with them alongside its unkempt appearance.

John had expected them to be more organised considering how efficient they were when it comes to the sword..then again, comparing someone's cleanliness to how they wield a sword to begin with didn’t make much sense.

He took a glance at their back, they didn't hide their wings under their cloak today, it also seemed to be very ruffled and wildly unkept.

Hm.

Maybe he should ask them if they needed any help with them later on...

"Here."

A crumpled paper was shoved in front of his face.

"Wha-"

"Just read it."

1x sat on their bed, looking disinterested, but John could see their fingers digging into the mattress, they were looking anywhere else but at John.

So without stalling any further John read the paper.

Then he read it again.

Then a third, 

Fourth.

Eighteenth time-

"1x1x1x1."

They didn't spare him a glance

"This is a joke right?"

1x finally spared him a glance, lips pursed in a tight line.

John Doe felt like passing out.

He did.

—

The sound of glass shattering could be heard reverberating the quiet room.

"Hey man, that's like, the fifth one this week, what's the deal?" Chance, one of the killers in this god forsaken game, mused, idly flicking a coin with their fingers.

Telamon, the one addressed to, didn't entertain the gambling addict with an answer.

Silent mutters escaped him as the former all mighty god slowly went to grab supplies to clean the mess.

"Are you perhaps cursed by The Spawn? Perchance you have provoked one's wrath! That just wouldn't do..." Two time's smile stretches wide, nearly touching from one cheek to another as he stares intently at Telamon.

"Aaaalright-now, I think that's enough of that." Chance stood up from his position from the couch, slowly nudging Two Time out of the shared Cabin.

When he came back with the supplies, Telamon didn't bat an eye nor turn towards the two now leaving figures, he stared coldly at the broken pieces of what was once a clean and pristine plate, laying pathetically on the floor.

"He is right though." A soft but icy cold voice quipped from the shadows, there stood Elliot glancing at the broken glass with a frown, a slight twitch to his fingers as if the notion of cluttered mess on the ground irks his very being.

Which wouldn't be wrong in any case, but that's a story for another time.

Telamon glanced at him, his look demanding a response.

Elliot sighed softly, and with every intention of grabbing the cleaning tools with no shred of gentleness off of the former god's hands.

"You have never once been so clumsy before, losing your grace to old age?" Elliot snarked out a reply, thoroughly cleaning up the broken pieces of glass

Telamon's eyes squinted slightly in a cold stare, "Watch your words, mortal."

Elliot just rolled his eyes, heading towards a trash bin and depositing the broken glass away.

"As if you have any control in this place to begin with.." After patting his palms together to rid of any stray dust, the pizza man left as quickly as he entered, the same way through the shadows

Weirdo.

Although no one here could really say that without being hypocritical.

That said, Telamon couldn't deny the sudden shakiness that he feels in his core.

It is as if something is incredibly wrong, it must have to do with The Spectre 's sudden generosity in giving them a week off from one's game.

Yes, that must be it. He should stay wary for the upcoming uncertainties to come.

—

John wakes up groaning.

He had the wildest of nightmares, somehow getting 1x knocked up? That's just plain-

A clear of a throat interrupted his thought process, only then did John decide to glance around looking for where the noise had come from and noticed a few things.

First of all, this was not his own room.

Second of all, 1x was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room, blankly staring at John with a raised eyebrow.

Third, has he mentioned this wasn't his room? Meaning this isn't his bed he is laying in-are those feathers he's feeling under his hands and...something paper-ish?

Okay too many questions.

"I-uh, good morning?"

If 1x brow could raise any further, it would have.

"Riiight-okay, what am I-what am I doing here..?"

“Do you by any chance have amnesia?”

John actually looked thoughtful at that question, then shook his head.

“No..?”

1x just stared at John for a solid good 30 second, only to point at something right at his hand

Oh, he was holding a piece of paper.

He opened the very crumpled up paper and read through it.

Then promptly set it down on his lap, his eyes closing shut.

Fuck.

It wasn't a dream.

Chapter Text

"fuck...FUCK!" John was, in a lack of better word,  crashing out

Absolutely going badonkers.

See, he never has been one for strong languages, but no other words really fit the absolute roller coaster of emotions he wants to convey

"How is this even-what even-you're a woman??"

1x looks offended.

"I'm genderfluid." They said with utmost confidence.

"No–that's not— AAGH!" John scratches at his head vigorously.

In any other cases he would have chuckled at the sheer lack of awareness 1x has to these kinds of topics.

Right now though? No, he is going to start hyperventilating anytime soon.

He tries to take big breaths to calm himself but his nerves just wouldn't go down, his body feels tense and his mind producing a lot of incomprehensible thoughts every few seconds.

Nothing makes sense right now.

He didn't even know pregnancy would be possible in this kind of place.

Then again, this feels like something The Spectre would definitely pull, seeing as John feels like he's about to have a fucking mental breakdown.

He'd rather be out there in a match right now running around like a headless chicken than whatever this is.

He took a glance at other in the room, momentarily choking on his breath

John hadn't been paying too much attention earlier, but looking back at 1x, he noticed how uncomfortably tense they were.

If he looked even closer, 1x hands was palm down on their pants in a death grip,  there was even a small but visible shakiness on his form.

At that, John started to slowly untense.

Right, panicking wouldn't do the both of them any good here.

For a couple of minutes, he started doing some impromptu breathing exercises in hopes he'll at least be able to formulate a word out, accidentally choking on air a few times along the way but that's besides the point.

His nerves were still high but he somehow managed to calm down enough to a point where at least a panic attack wouldn't break out.

"So..."

1x briefly glanced at him.

"Congratulations?"

If looks could murder someone on the spot, John would be 6 feet under in an instant from the nasty glare sent his way.

Well at least 1x had stopped shaking, so small victories.

"Right-Okay...man I really say that a lot huh-anyways, this is, uh...I didn't think you'd be able to, y'know..."

He gestured at 1x's form, which they respond with a raised eyebrow.

"...conceive, of all things, I mean, last time I checked you had some balls under there-but then again maybe this could be a bird thing, not that I'm judging you of course-I just, I'm really trying to wrap my head around this. If anything I have never even thought I'd reach a stage to consider about pregnancy, I haven't even got a kid of my own yet and-"

"Stop."

His mouth snapped shut.

"This situation... it was unexpected. I understand fully that you might be furious right now but-"

"I'm not."

Silence.

"Okay, uh-not really mad per say? Actually I'm still trying to process everything so maybe I'll be mad as hell later, but right now, I feel completely unsober, you get me?"  

Silence.

Tough crowd huh? 

1x could be seen in thought, then glanced at John with an unreadable expression.

"I think...we should discuss this at a later date."

1x said with a tone that meant no room for argument, not that John would anyways.

John sat there dumbfounded, and stood up abruptly.

An opening.

"Yeah, that's uh, I think so too."

John backs out towards the door.

"Uhm, see you later then...take care."

The door shut with a soft clink as John hurriedly made his escape, leaving 1x sitting alone in the now quiet room.

A loud distressed groan came from 1x.

What a shit show.

---

If you told Azure that he was going to witness his survivor teammates enacting something akin to a badly written drama scene that day, he wouldn't be surprised per say.

The lot of them consist of oddballs to begin with.

Did it make it any less weirder to see? No, not at all. 

It was for sure free entertainment when it comes to the situation he finds himself in though.

So there he sat idly, just minding his own business on the couch that has once seen better days. John had been sitting near him for the past hour, he was quite the nice company to have during the whole break.

Azure caught a glimpse of white hair and a dark cloak at the corner of his eye, the figure was slowly approaching them in silent steps.

Azure smiles politely at their direction, "Ah, 1x. It's nice to see you finally out and about, how have you been?"

If Azure noticed John freezing up the instant he addresses 1x, he doesn't point it out.

"Could've been better." They simply replied.

1x stood right behind the couch John sat on.

"John."

The tension in the air between the two was thick with something, Azure couldn't really place what yet.

John didn't turn around immediately, if anything it looks like he was preparing himself for something, if Azure had to guess though, maybe it has something to do with pissing off 1x enough to the point of possibly skewering someone on the spot.

Not that he thinks they're a violent person or anything, but sometimes the glimpse of some unresolved trauma and their internal issues pops up every now and then, in which tends to bring out some violent tendencies out of them.

He would know, considering he was once a poor victim at the receiving end of those tendencies.

Anyways, back to the present.

John slowly turned around, there were small, nearly unnoticeable sweat slipping down his forehead.

"H-hey...1x..good to uh-see you!"

The terrible attempt at being casual was a sorry sight to look at, Azure even noticed John was looking down at the floor rather than the person right in front of him.

1x squinted their eyes slightly, their head wing twitched.

"You've been avoiding me."

Oh snap.

Azure let out a silent gasp as he brought his hand up to his mouth, resembling those crowds in reality shows doing reaction cues.

"Well I-I've been really busy suddenly you know? There's just lots to do aha!

Azure didn't point out the fact that they are all literally stuck in purgatory with nothing to do besides waiting around for some godly being to pull them in a game of life and death and maybe some personal hobbies during down time, but anyways, it seems 1x was also slowly getting agitated by the bullshit excuse they are listening to right now.

"John, I swear-" 

"KID! There you are, so so sooo sorry to keep you waiting but I'll join you in your little playdate with the others now!"

John basically flung himself out of the couch and sped walk up to C00lkid, who had just entered through the door looking confused as hell.

"But I don't-"

"Let's hurry up now, lil' buddy."

John lightly patted the kid's shoulder then nudged him out from where the kid just came from, all the while the kid was whining about wanting to go outside.

So just like that, they both disappeared.

1x stood there dumbfounded.

Azure would have let out a snicker at 1x's expression if it weren't for the warning glare sent his way, that made him shut himself lest he wants to be next on the list.

He still wanted to live, thank you very much.

—

This whole thing has been going on for the whole day .

Each time 1x tries to approach John, the man in question comes up with some random bs he pulled out of Telamon knows where, to the point of not even making sense half of the time.

I mean, what kind of an stupid excuse is he trying to fool with ‘I need to walk my chicken!’ 

(Distantly, a sneeze racked out of the once mighty god, Telamon.)

The sheer absurdity of that statement left 1x stunned enough for John to take the opportunity to escape.

Which now brought them to the present, frustration bubbling under their skin as they gave up on chasing after a man who’s stubbornly avoiding responsibility.

They laid back down on their bed, arms covering their face. They were getting too worked up over this, it’s starting to mentally get to them.

They had allowed John some time alone the first time since it looks like might just pop a blood vessel if they continued talking any further.

Yet the guy just up and started avoiding them all together, and 1x had been livid.

All that rage soon just turned into muted worry, they were still upset as fuck, of course, but they weren't senseless to not understand John is going through a lot in his mind.

The bond they share showed him that much of how his character is, so they just sighed and focus on something else.

Their wings twitched at their back, rolling over, they grabbed on of their wings and looked over. It was getting increasingly more puffed up and messy, a bunch of feathers were misplaced or otherwise looking very wrong.

Hm, that means they need to get some help to tend to these wings soon lest they want to walk around with their back in pins and needles.

...

They dreaded thinking about who they needed to get help from, but they had no choice since they weren’t really taught how to preen their own wings properly.

…well doesn’t matter right now, that’s a problem for future 1x to deal with.

Bathing in the silence of the room, 1x felt their own consciousness slip away and soon fell into slumber, the events of the day tiring them out of their minds.

Chapter Text

Today marks the last day of the temporary peace for most of the forsakened cast.

...and John still hasn't had that 'discussion' with 1x ever since he bailed.

Look, it wasn't as though he was purposely trying to avoid it..

Okay scratch that, he was–but he's just...mentally not prepared to have the conversation about.. THAT , y'know?

So what if he's making some very terrible life choices? 

He already feels like he’s done it before being trapped in this hell, so what's a little more, y'know?

Oh god, he's a scum.

He paced back and forth in his room, been at it for probably a solid hour by now that the floors might've started leaving his footmark permanently.

He took a big breath and promptly fell on his bed.

He just has to go there, knock on 1x's door, maybe bring some peace offerings while he’s at it, and talk.

Easy peasy.

...Well, it should have been simple, if every attempt at doing so didn't end with him chickening out at the last second.

He's such a coward.

He let his arms fall over his face, he doesn't know what to do.

What can he do? 

He went ahead, got someone else knocked up before even his own wife, and he wasn't even at that stage yet in what was their fairly new wedded life.

Oh god, Jane...I'm so sorry...

This was all his fault in the beginning, if he hadn't gotten so desperate and thought with his head rather than his dick, this wouldn't have happened in the first place.

He was sure The Spectre is having a blast witnessing his despair with popcorn in hand right now.

(and he's totally spot on because that conniving being is enjoying this new telenovela very much)

After what feels like eons, when really it's been 30 more minutes of self-loathing, someone knocked on his door.

John didn't get up to answer it.

The knock insisted.

If he stayed silent, whoever is at his door would take the hint and leave right? He really doesn't have the energy for social interactions right now.

The knocking did stop eventually, and he silently released a relieved sigh knowing he can sulk alone more.

That is, until a loud bang sounded at his door, a voice he really didn't want to hear right now came from the other side of the door.

"John Doe, if you do not answer me right this instant, you can kiss your door goodbye."

He froze, they wouldn't break my door down would they?

"Do NOT test my patience, John. Don't pretend you aren't in there because I've asked every single person in this cabin to know you haven't left your room since yesterday."

Okay, they definitely mean business if by every single, meaning they'll even ask those they hated with a passion. (cough, iTrapped)

So he resigned himself to his fate.

"...Okay." came his meek reply.

"Good."

His legs felt like jelly once he stood up and wobbled to the door.

He hesitated at the door knob, contemplating if he could still escape somehow, but a warning growl could be heard from behind the door that made him quickly rethink otherwise.

He settled his hand to the door knob and unlocked it, not really opening it just yet.

After a few seconds, he finally twisted it open, only a tiny bit.

That was all that it took.

A blur of a hand could be seen going through the gap and gripping the door hard, John hardly had any time to react as he stumbled backwards, the door swinging open.

Lo and behold 1x in all their glory, looking immensely pissed off and exhausted at the same time.

John gulped, he was not surviving this.

---

"Hey Mister Azure, why is John and 1x acting weird?" 

Azure looked away from where they were crushing some herbs in a bowl and glanced at C00lkid who was happily licking away at some lollipop.

He hummed, lifting his fingers to his chin, "Weird in what way, C00lkid?"

"They keep taking turns avoiding and chasing each other, are they playing tag?"

Ah, the innocents of a child, Azure hopes he never has to face too much hardship despite the circumstances they find themselves in.

"Hmm, maybe they are? It's best not to bother them if so, wouldn't want to impose on their game of tag now, would you?"

C00lkid just frowns, opting to chew on the lollipop now as most of its colours were drained.

"But I wanna join..." the kid mumbles into the lollipop.

Azure quickly changes the subject.

"How about I show you a secret magic trick?"

C00lkid's eyes lit up at the mention of that, he rushed up to Azure and tugged at his robe, "Please show me Mister Azure, please please PRETTY PLEASEEE!"

Azure just chuckled

"Of course, come on now."

"YAYY!"

Azure glanced to the direction of the survivors' room cabins.

Despite the entertainment of watching them fumble around in whatever mess they got going on.

He could only hope those two resolve whatever issue they're dealing with before it starts affecting the whole team.

---

Uncomfortable silence.

For like, what? A whole 20 minutes?

John figured he would have been 6 feet under the moment 1x stepped into his room.

The silence was finally broken by a sigh.

"You know, I was nice enough to give you some space, but my patience is running thin."

John gulped, sweat forming on his forehead.

"1x, I'm sorry- I just-"

His mouth snaps shut by them holding a finger up.

"Look. I get this is...stressful, but I need confirmation from you."

He stares at him, dumbfounded.

"...confirmation?" On what? His deathbed?

Wait, can he even die again outside of the games– actually he doesn’t want to test that theory out.

"Yes, I was planning on getting rid of the...creation, before it grows any more inside of me and I was hoping you wouldn't have any problems with that."

"Oh."

I mean, it wasn't like he formed any attachment to it or even had a chance to, so it would be fine...right?

It's not like he has been dreaming of starting a family of his own or anything...

Hah.

Well, either way, something about it just rubs him the wrong way but it shouldn't be his choice in the first place.

The fact 1x even considered letting him in on the decision when it was their own body going through it is...really thoughtful.

"Sure."

They raised a brow at the reply.

John hurriedly tried to rectify, "I mean, yeah, no problem with that. This is your body we're talking about so your decision is final."

1x stares at him intently, something about the gaze made him nervous.

"You sure?"

No, He was not sure. 

If anything he hasn't been sure of anything ever since the bombshell of news a few days ago. 

"Sure as ever, aha."

1x frowned slightly, but didn't push.

"Well, I supposed that's final, I'll try to find a way to get rid of..."

As 1x moved to stand up, a rustling of paper could be heard.

The both of them looked over to the noise to see a pristine letter on the bed.

1x immediately but cautiously approached the letter, picking it up and not so gingerly, ripped it open.

John watched in real time someone's expression going through a series of mixture of disgust, despair, rage and maybe a sprinkle of fear.

1x was breathing hard when they handed over the paper to John.

He's feeling a sense of Deja vu, and already having experienced it the first time, it can't be good news.

So he took the paper, somewhat mentally prepared this time, then read it.

.

.

.

Wow.

Just...wow.

Without even turning beside him, he can sense the rage bubbling out of 1x.

"THAT FUCKING ASSHOLE SPECTRE , I WILL-"

Highly vile words that should definitely have it’s own special censorship was being thrown around haphazardly, though even with all the noise, it could not pierce through the suddenly blank state John’s mind fell into.

John stared blankly at the letter, the words starting to bleed into one another as he progressed.

I, The Spectre, wish to inform you two, 1x1x1x1 and John Doe, that any attempts to rid the child off of your care will result in severe punishment. 

With my utmost sincerity, I hope to witness the two of you see this through the end.

Disobeying has consequences. 

Do not be foolish.

-The Spectre

At least he was right.

It was not good news, at all.

He couldn’t imagine how 1x could be feeling right now-

CRASH

Actually, on second thought, he could.

Turning his head towards where the loud crash of something getting broken was, he spots 1x hunched over a small table split in half.

He wonders if he should make his escape while he still could before he suffers the same fate.

Despite all the natural instinct telling him to just book it right this instant.

He did what any (in)sane person would do when faced with danger.

He threw a pillow at them.

The pillow slid off 1x's back.

A deafening silence passed by the room.

1x’s head turns around slowly, looking down at the pillow thrown at them, then back at John, then back down again.

John didn’t really know what to expect, his head was exceptionally empty at the moment, defense mechanism at work or something, but it was definitely not 1x picking up the pillow on the floor and throwing it back at John, hitting him square on the face.

A small resigned sigh escapes 1x, “You have a survival instinct of a peanut.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

1x groans, they pinched the area between their eyes, “You are impossible…”

John Doe just grins stupidly, as if everything leading up to this point hasn’t been a dumpster fire of emotion.

“At least it worked, didn't it? I don’t see you brandishing your sword at me so I take it I actually did something right for once.”

1x stares incredulously at John, not even moments ago he was avoiding them, and now it’s like a switch was suddenly flipped.

It was equal parts concerning and kind of scary, did he ever show symptoms of DID? 

They should definitely consult someone regarding this.

Even then, 1x couldn’t stop the slight upturn of their mouth.

“Yeah, okay fine, whatever you say.”

Maybe indulging themself by entertaining John’s abrupt mood change wasn’t the best course of action, there were more pressing matters to talk about.

Though perhaps letting loose a little wouldn't be a problem-

Letting loose was the reason you are in this situation in the first place, no?

Something cold shifted in the air.

1x frowns, slowly, they let their bangs cover their face.

They should leave.

Without so much as a goodbye, 1x hurried out of the room, leaving John to stand alone.

His arm was stretched upwards, reaching towards the direction 1x once was. 

.

.

.

Time keeps on ticking, and the day ends with unresolved tension left brewing.

Chapter Text

There wasn't any special announcement after the whole week passed by.

As soon as the week ended, they were just informed there was going to be two matches today.

The main communal area in the survivor Cabin was filled with a mix of confusion, wariness and unease.

"So there really is nothing? What? Did the bastard in charge suddenly felt generous all of a sudden??" iTrapped complained.

"Maybe...there'll be some kind of surprise once the matches start? Although I hope there isn't..."

Azure pipes in, hand on their chin in deep thought.

"What lies beyond the threshold is a secret to be stumbled- perhaps a keen eye is needed for the tumble." Dusekkar chimed in, sitting at the table all in regal posture as per usual.

"Quit it already with the cryptic rhymes, old man! Barely anyone understands you here." Bluudud barked at the mage, said mage in question simply hums, not seeming all that bothered by the rude remark.

1337 sighs heavily, he was deeply concerned not knowing what The Spectre could be planning, if there is anything at all.

Mentally, he started doing a headcount of everyone present out of habit, his eyes scan through the crowd of survivors, he noticed one was missing but decided not to voice out his concerns just yet.

"Has anyone seen 1x anywhere?"

Guess he wouldn't have to.

It was Azure that pointed that out.

Some of the survivors started looking around, while the other half didn't seem to care, and John... He was just staring at the fire in the fireplace again, huh.

1337 closed the distance and stood nearby the man, when John didn't seem to notice him, he called him out, "John."

The man seems to have perked up at that, looking up at guest 1337.

"Yes?" 

"Do you happen to know where 1x is? You're the closest to them out of everyone here."

John looked away, putting his hand behind his neck, seemingly nervous, "Uhh... not sure."

1337 tries to gauge whether or not to believe that or not but decided against it, even if they weren't here, they'll be pulled into the round anyways.

It would have been appreciated if they could have discussed some strategies beforehand though.

The telltale sound of a clock ticking down resounded through the survivors head, signaling the start of a new round.

Hopefully they all haven't gotten too comfortable during the last week.

Dusekkar glances over at Builderman, who glances back, they both shared a small moment and nodded to one another.

A clap could be heard around the cabin before they were fully pulled into the round, "A'ight everyone, let's do this!" The voice of Builderman rang in their ears.

Then everything fades to black.

—

"Sooooo which one of us got picked this time?" C00lkid asked out loud, looking around for any spot of pink or blue.

He spots Princess standing across the room from him, then waved at her energetically. Princess simply crossed her arms and turned away with a sass, she was walking towards the direction of the survivor cabins.

Probably going back to her room and having those tea parties with her creepy dolls, C00lkid shudders thinking about those things.

It was rare when C00lkid isn't the one getting picked, it's always mostly him, sometimes if he was lucky, he gets paired up with one of two between his friends.

Sometimes C00lkid would spectate the rounds whenever he isn't the one in it, but he didn't like the feeling of it, it gives him a headache, plus it's Bluudud's turn today so he definitely doesn't want to watch.

So with nothing else to do, since it seems like it's one of those days where Princess doesn't want anything to do with him.

He sees this as an opportunity and he hopped off the couch to head on an adventure through the other survivors room.

Leaving a kid unattended just spells trouble, especially a nosy one at that.

Not like anyone could stop the kid now other than The Spectre, but why would the almighty being do that? That being is attracted to anything that causes havoc, like a moth to a flame they say.

Going back to the kid.

The first room C00lkid peeks through had a bunch of odd trinkets, some items had weird letters he couldn't read and there were even a bunch of books full of confusing writing and pictures of weirdly drawn circles, at least the room feels pretty magical. That was pretty cool, he thinks.

The next few rooms were pretty boring, apart from Mister Azure's room, which he's already seen a bunch of other times whenever he hangs out to take a nap in there. It's just really cozy, and the flowers smell nice.

The next room he passes by should be Miss 1x, he was going to walk past it since going into their room will get him a major scolding from them if Miss 1x ever finds out, but he halted after hearing some rustlings and mutters from the room.

Who could be in their room?

C00lkid doesn't remember seeing any other people around, everyone should have been away in the game and he was sure he saw Princess heading in the direction of her own room.

Suddenly C00lkid feels nervous but also incredibly curious, it wasn't anything dangerous, was it?

Wild animal maybe?

Distantly he could hear Bluudud's voice in his head telling him animals don't talk followed by a 'you idiot' comment.

Then what?

He gulps, and slowly raises his hand to turn the doorknob.

Only for the door to open up before he could even touch it.

Looking up at who opened the door, he let out a tiny gasp.

"C00lkid?

"Miss 1x...?"

—

John's vision slowly clears, fading out like one of those fade out effects in Powerpoint.

He spawned and sprawled on the ground.

The Spectre loves messing with him, don't they?

He sat up, taking the time to inspect his surroundings.

There he spots some white walls with tall sharp fences, from the archway of the entrance, he could see some gravestones inside.

Oh, he was at that guy’s resting place or whatever it was called, Yorkick maybe?.

Wasn't the worst place to be but he shudders thinking about the poisoned waters, he has had to run across it a few times before and it was not a pleasant feeling.

He rubs at his legs, feeling the phantom pains of numbness from the memory.

Anyways... He should really go and find the other survivors and confirm who the killer for the round is.

He just hopes it isn't Jane-

A roar of something between demonic and a familiar distinctly female voice cuts through the air.

Just his luck, huh?

You must be laughing at this aren't you, you asshole Spectre.

He swears he suddenly hears a faint ghostly chuckle in his mind, but he doesn't want to dwell on it lest he finds out he might be schizophrenic too.

With dread filling up his core and making his limbs feel heavy, he sets out to search for his teammates.

—

Dark blurry figures.

That was the only thing they could see.

Muffled voices.

That was the only thing they could hear.

Nothingness.

That was the only thing they felt.

How long has it been?

Was it always like this?

They didn't know.

They can't know.

Who are they?

Where was this?

Why couldn't they remember anything?

Is it always going to be the same thing?

Nothing will change.

Nothing will...

A sudden spark.

No.

Something was different.

It was like a fog was suddenly lifted, it was still there, never fully leaving, but now they could...

No, She could see something.

Something different.

Something foreign.

...Something familiar.

—

The both of them sat on the bed, a relatively awkward silence stretched between them.

C00lkid couldn't help glancing around the room, every now and then peeking over at 1x too.

1x's appearance looks really messy, hair sticking out in every direction, the underside of their eye looks shadowy. They even look just like him whenever he plays a bit too rough in a game of tag!

The room though... one word, edgy.

Maybe a second word being messy.

C00lkid has never seen 1x so 'unproper' as Princess likes to put it before.

"Miss 1x?"

They didn't turn to him or respond verbally, they just hummed as an acknowledgement that they were listening.

"Why aren't you in the game?"

A faint stutter of a breath came out of 1x.

"It seems like...The Spectre decided to- leave me out of them for a while, like a vacation...per say." They look as if they were struggling to explain it.

C00lkid blinked.

"Why?"

1x pursed their lips, "I- I'm not sure kid, for fun maybe?"

C00lkid frowns at that, "That doesn't sound fun.." He slumps over the feather covered bed, looking at 1x with an expectant look, something in his gaze tells 1x that he doesn't believe jack shit of whatever they were spouting.

Has this kid always been this observant?

1x groans, but then a contemplating look crossed over their features.

“Ok, let’s say this kid, you make a promise with me not to mention to the others just yet that I was here, and in return… I’ll teach you how to sword fight? How does that sound?”

C00lkid was a blur of red with how fast he sat back up on the bed, to the point of even making some of the feathers float back up briefly off the bed.

“Really?!” His eyes were sparkling with excitement.

1x wonders if this was a good idea, but he really didn’t want the kid to start spouting nonsense to the others before they get to say something themself…whenever that is.

“Yes, really.”

C00lkid brings up his pinky to 1x, “Pinky promise me!”

1x was slightly taken aback, only a bit. Then slowly intertwine their own pinky with the kid.

C00lkid giggles in apparent happiness, and wraps his arms around 1x’s torso, “Thank you Miss 1x! Don’t break the pinky promise or else the bad man will break your bones!”

In Telamon’s name, who was teaching this kid morbid things?!

1x simply pats the kid’s head with a soft nervous chuckle.

After a while, the kid left to go do his own thing, leaving 1x alone again in the room. 

They stared at their palm in silent thought, the feeling of giving the kid a pat lingers.

They wonder if that was what having a child felt like.

—

John had located his teammates long ago, by now he was just helping the team by fixing some of the generators as well as placing down some of the abilities assigned to him on the ground to help give the others a little boost when needed.

He’s been purposely avoiding crossing paths with the killer this round.

Thinking about facing her directly at the moment makes him sure he might dissolve into a mental breakdown right for everyone to see.

Not even less than a few moments later, jagged spikes brush past him, blocking away his options of escape.

He gets no breathing room huh?

Letting go of the wires and leaving the generator, there he can hear heavy footsteps approaching behind him.

If he doesn’t turn around, he doesn’t need to face her, and if he dies because of this, it’s all the better so he could just get this round over with.

That is, until what happened next shook his very being.

“Y..you…”

The voice sounded hoarse, pained even, not the type of pain from emotion, but like it physically hurts to formulate words.

That didn’t matter right now though, what matters was the fact this was the first time she spoke.

She had never spoken any other times when John attempted to get through to her. It was always an unsettling smile, no recognition of anything around her other than the need to get rid of anything in her path.

John breathes heavily, his thoughts were blank yet also somehow too much , and despite his earlier hesitance, something in him spurs him to twist his head towards her.

Jane was staring at him intensely.

Yet it was so different from the other times.

It was like she was seeing him .

Not just an obstacle in a path, but him .

“Jane…? Do you-” –“JOHN!”

A roar resounded from Jane as Guest 1337 rammed into her side followed by a punch.

“RUN! I’ll get her attention.” 1337 was cautiously posed at the ready for a block in case of any attacks.

“Wait-I was-” 

“John, for the love of Robloxia, we talked about this-” 1337 narrowly avoided a swing.

“I know but- I swear something’s different-”

“Sixer! Help me drag him away!”

Guest 666 who has been lingering around gave 1337 a small salute, before unceremoniously tripping John so he could grab him like a sack of potatoes.

“Hey–wait–is this even necessary–WAIT-”

Just like that he was whisked away, the figure of Jane and 1337 becoming smaller and smaller the further he went away.

Jane, do you remember me?

Chapter Text

The round ended with surprisingly, not much issues.

Although some survivors noticed oddities throughout the round.

Unfortunately 1337, that really quiet one, Jason, Azure, and Dusekkar were the unlucky ones to have died during the whole skirmish while the rest suffered from minor injuries.

All of the survivors from the round were in the lobby, waiting for the intermission to end for the next round to start.

"Did anyone spot 1x at all in that entire round?" Azure pointed out.

Many had noticed the lack of presence of their resident stunner of the team, it was hard not to, apart from guest 1337, 1x usually plays an active role in keeping everyone safe.

"He's probably decided to finally slack off on the job, he's been so lousy the last time there was a match. I wouldn't put it past it that he'll start hiding out of shame too, like what he's been doing the entirety of last week-" iTrapped was promptly shut up by a firm grip on his shoulder.

"Watch it, iTrapped. We shouldn't be starting fights amongst ourselves." Builderman was the one who approached him, a stern glare piercing into the other's eye.

ITrapped just scoffs, before putting on an amicable and 'innocent' smile, "My apologies, big boss man. I'll be sure not to do it again."

No one believed that.

' This is concerning though, if we suddenly lose one of our main sentinel in the team, we're pretty screwed in future rounds .’ 666 signed, some of the survivors looked over at Dusekkar expectantly.

The mage in question blinked, not that anyone could tell, but he did. He translated to the others what 666 had signed.

"I do agree with 666 here, not having 1x around would put a huge dent in our manpower." Azure hummed in agreement with 1337's statement.

Azure perked up, remembering a small detail. "If I may add, the killer of that round was acting a bit different from the usual."

Builderman glances at Azure, a sudden unease settles deep in his guts, "How so?"

Azure placed a finger on his chin, tilting his head to the side in thought. 

"Her movements seem more erratic this time, messy in a way."

ITrapped raised an eyebrow, "Isn't that the usual, what makes it so different? Pray tell."

Azure shot a slightly annoyed glance at the man with the icy crown before continuing, "Whenever she would attack back then, it resembles more of a calculative predator. It was still messy and erratic in its own way, that's for sure, but it was like she was attacking without purpose this time. Not to mention the amount of times she had missed me, although I did get caught off guard due to the sudden unpredictability in her movements..."

During the whole discussion, one survivor who would have joined in with their own remarks was sitting in eerie silence, John had been pretty unresponsive ever since the last round ended. The other survivors chatter fades into soft chatter in the background to him.

If anyone seemed to notice, they didn't bother him about it.

John's mind was in disarray, too many problems and shocking info dumped into a messy pile.

He really just wants to sleep it off and think about this whole thing some other time.

The sound of ticking counting down starts to play inside the survivors head.

"Let's put this discussion on hold for now, it's time to focus." 1337 declared.

John just hopes this round wouldn't be as exhausting, he doesn't think he could take anymore nor even react.

A really stupid, foolish idea crosses his mind.

If he asked really nicely for the killer to shank him immediately, would they?

Very soon after the thought, they all succumb to the pull of getting sucked into their last game of the day.

—

A carefree whistle could be heard echoing throughout the quiet darkly lit lobby.

"Would you stop that?" A soft annoyed voice came from somewhere in the shadows.

Chance simply makes the whistling louder, shooting finger guns in the direction of where he assumes Elliot is.

A soft grumble came from the shadow.

Chance grins, most of the killers here were a buzzkill, way too few of them would entertain him, but at least Elliot was fun to be around.

By that, they meant annoying him is a joy.

A sudden heavy thud could be heard from somewhere in the lobby.

Chance turns to look at where it came from, seeing the crumpled form of the last round killer, Jane.

"Heya Lady! Seems like it was a rough round huh?" Chance was now absentmindedly flipping a coin on his fingers.

Jane didn't respond, like usual

She just sat there, on the floor, unresponsive.

Chance didn't mind it, they were used to not getting a response pretty much 80% of the time here, didn't make it any less depressing but they got used to it.

There was suddenly a ticking sound going off in his head, his grin sharpens.

It was time for their turn.

.

.

.

Fading in and out of darkness after not experiencing it for a whole week was, in a lack of better word, disorienting.

Chance takes notice of his surroundings, and lets out a small annoyed click of the teeth.

It was Planet Voss, a terrible place for him to shoot his gun due to the high walls littered around the place.

That doesn't shy him away from the possible challenge though, but first...

Something dark flashes over their features.

He has a little crowned swine to hunt.

Before he could go on his search for that conniving bastard, he heard footsteps approaching them.

Oh? Who would be so daring as to approach them?

Chance first initial thought when they saw a spot of yellow, was thinking that iTrapped must be suicidal to walk right up to them as if asking to be a lamb for the slaughter.

After seeing that spot of yellow sporting glasses rather than a blue crown. Safe to say he was disappointed, but also intrigued about what this survivor could possibly want from them.

“Hey uh, could you like, kill me real quick?”

They paused.

“What.”

No seriously, what.

He knows there’s quite a few cuckoo heads on the survivor side. Hell, there’s a bunch on his side too, but this guy is just straight up suicidal, even if they don’t permanently die, Chance has some standards alright?!

“Wait wait wait– so you just want me to do what? Shoot your brains out?!”

“Did I stutter?” This guy, John Dough, at least that’s what they think his name was, stared at him blankly, as if randomly telling someone if they could end your life was normal.

“Okay– Hold on man, I'm the killer here but you’re starting to creep me out, ever tried therapy? Sounds like you need it geez…”

The response he gets is simply the guy’s blank stare and slow blinks, taking one step closer to him.

In which Chance takes a step back.

“Kill me…” A short pause, as if thinking about something as an afterthought, he added on “..please?” 

Chance just raises their hands up in surrender, “Okay– fine, since you asked so nicely and all.. god this is weird .”

…

Right, he needs to gamble first to get some charges for his shots.

He held his index finger up,“Okay hold on just a moment.”

An awkward silence ran on for a good solid minute, the only sound around them were the sounds of Chance flipping his coin. It was a miracle no other survivors were around to see what they were doing and stopped them, almost as if it was for plot conveniences …

After getting a full stack of charges, they aimed their gun at John’s head.

Chance feels himself hesitate, but pulls the trigger anyways.

BANG

… He was hoping his gun would fail him this time.

The silence afterwards felt deafening, and suddenly Chance didn’t feel like killing anyone else that round, he just lost the mood for it, so he went to an obscure corner and sat down, leaning against a wall, hoping no other survivor crosses his path for the remainder of the round.

—

Azure perks up at the sound of a gunshot, “I guess we know who the killer of this round is now..”

‘ It’s kind of weird that we haven’t heard a single shot or explosive go off for a full minute though ’

666 signed, but Dusekkar wasn’t around so he was mostly signing to himself.

Azure hummed, he didn’t understand sign language but he’s going to guess that 666 was talking about how there hasn’t been any activity going on for the first minute of the round.

Azure’s oddly accurate guesses never failed before.

“I do find it weird, yeah, but mayhaps the killer’s gun failed them multiple times in a row and never went off, it’s not like it hasn’t happened before.”

666’s eye squinted at Azure, but shrugs it off, nodding along at his words to show his agreement.

“Speaking of which, iTrapped should be dead by now right…” Azure trailed off, looking at something behind 666.

“...not?” 

‘?’ 666 twisted his head around, Lo and behold, iTrapped in all his glory, still alive somehow.

“Today is such an odd day.” Azure simply says, with a tilt of his head.

ITrapped scowled, “Were you hoping for me to die or something, you f-”

—

Once John was finally sent back to the lobby, he somehow ended up back in his room the next second.

He couldn’t even remember when he started heading off here, he was sure he was just at the main lobby… 

No matter, he was finally alone in his room.

He wants to sleep.

Preferably for a whole week, alas, that is just a distant fantasy.

He wanted to move his leg towards his bed, he tried, but it stayed rooted on the spot.

He slowly slumped against the door, his body was heavy, he felt tired, more so than ever. The stress of everything going on getting to him yet he knows there are other people who are suffering more than he is.

A quiet sob escaped the silent room.

He was pathetic.

He sat there for who knows how long, crying for whatever reason, he doesn’t even know for what anymore.

It went on for quite a while, just him wallowing in pitiful tears, slumped against the door.

“John?”

His breath hitch, the familiar voice of 1x coming from behind the door.

“I saw you heading in your room awfully early, you were never one to die first in the round…did something happen?”

‘Yeah, a lot of things happened .’ he thought bitterly.

He didn’t grace 1x with a response, he doesn’t think he could lest he wants them to know he’s been crying in his room like a loser.

“John..?”

He really should've just answered them already, he opened his mouth to say something, anything, but what came out instead was an embarrassingly pathetic whimper.

Great. 

It was silent for a second, then came a soft reply.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

He does, he really does.

Does he deserve to?

…

Despite the initial thought, the door was slowly unlocked, desperate want overriding the loathe.

1x stood there, they weren’t smiling, they usually didn’t either way, but their eyes shone with something soft.

“Hey.”

John raises his hand in a pitiful attempt at a wave.

If 1x noticed the evidence of his earlier sobbings he tried to conceal, they didn’t mention it.

“Mind if I come in?”

John nodded weakly.

One thing led to another and then they found themselves sitting side by side on the bed.

1x just stares expectantly in John’s direction, waiting for him to have the first speak.

He wasn’t sure what made the words stumble out of his mouth like a dam breaking open, but maybe it was the way 1x looked at him.

No judgement, no pity, just patience.

It felt comforting.

.

.

.

A vulnerable moment was shared between them, despite everything that happened, maybe this was the first step in the right direction.

It would be a shame if something were to swerve that direction, but that was perhaps saved for the future.

For now, they were allowed this momentary respite.

Chapter Text

"You think she remembers you?" 

John looked down at his palms, he was unsure but at the very least, it felt like Jane actually saw who he was.

Maybe even recognising him.

He couldn't be sure but a small part of him hopes.

"I...I'm not sure, but it felt different from all the other times- She spoke as well- I think...! It has to mean something..." It could also just be his own delusions playing tricks on him.

1x was quietly pondering, "...Did you try talking back?"

John deflated at that, "I didn't get a chance to...and before you ask why, please don't." He'd rather not tell 1x that he got dragged away like a potato sack, he knows 1x isn't the type to laugh but it was still embarrassing..

1x just took it in stride, not giving him any verbal answer, just responding with a nod of the head. They finally were able to sit in a somewhat comfortable silence in what felt like forever to John.

After John had poured his heart out, his head felt more clearer than the past week it's been in. It was nice for once, not constantly being whispered down by his inner demons.

There was one more thing he has been putting off though...

"1x... I- I'm sorry."

1x turns to him in question, an eyebrow slightly raised, "...Why?"

John takes a long exhale, and lets it out, "I've been a bit of a scumbag... I was trying to ignore the fact it... the baby , exists, maybe I thought if I didn't acknowledge it happening, I wouldn't have to deal with it."

The next words felt heavier in his mouth, but he pushed through it anyway, "...In a sense, if it wasn't for the circumstances we're in, I would've been running away like a coward."

The implication was heavy there, and 1x didn't know how they would have responded if it did happen outside of this forsakened hellscape, though it probably wouldn't be anything good, they were sure of that.

Being trapped here has really dulled them, they weren't sure what would be a sane reaction to this kind of situation anymore.

1x reached their hand towards John's face cheeks..

...and pinched, hard .

"ACH-OUCH OW-Okay yeah uh-ugh- I deserved that." John's cheek felt like fire from that single pinch, wow. 1x has one nasty grip.

"...Thanks for telling me." John looks at them, sighing.

"It was honestly the least I could've done..."

They sat in momentary silent after those words, all the heavier tension finally feeling like it's dying out, which allows John a moment take in 1x's appearance.

It was somehow even worse from the last time he saw them, their hair, which was usually in a high ponytail, wasn't tied up at all, it flowed down in a messy mane.

Their wings... have seen better days.

Speaking of wings.

A sudden intrusive thought giving him an idea and John felt nervous about even attempting it, but a deep longing ever since he first saw those wings was starting to break out.

Maybe it also has to do with all the tension they had prior to this to make him even want to do something stupid.

John, who has just been pouring out his feelings since earlier, felt bold, so while his nerves weren't cooking him, he took the opportunity, "say...mind if I uh, smooth down your wings..?"

There, he finally said it, after all those other times in the past where he always shook it off. It felt somewhat inappropriate in the circumstances they have, but what part of being here was ever normal?

1x's head wing which was usually still, flapped out, startled by the sudden admission.

This was somehow even more surprising to them than the earlier topics.

1x is considering this though, they haven't had it preened yet and it was starting to ache a bit, and the other option was going to...Builderman.

They didn't feel like seeing him, and they were sure if they did, they'd get questioned about not being seen in the matches.

"Do you even know how to preen feathers?" 1x was planning to agree, but they wanted to stall just a tiny bit.

"Uhh...I've watched videos before?"

"Huh, good enough."

1x repositioned themself, usually they would need to take off their cloak but they haven't been bothered to wear them for a while now.

John turns sideways, facing 1x's back.

He was equal parts nervous but also giddy, fighting the urge to just up and ruffle the wings. Focus John, you need to smooth them out, not mess them up further.

When they finally sat comfortably, 1x slightly lifted their long sleeved shirt, their usually hidden translucent torso now visible for John to see.

John had always felt mesmerised by it the first time they saw it, which he thought would also be the last time, considering the only time he did see them was when they first got deported here and came in different outfits.

1x had a way more revealing top to accommodate their wings before, but since they were stripped from their abilities to fly in this place, they opt to just hide it under their shirt, it was probably the same for their torso, seeing how it was attracting attention from the others.

John had never asked why they looked like this, it didn't feel appropriate at the time, and also 1x had responded with silence or straight up ignored anyone who did at the time.

It didn't feel appropriate to ask now either, lest he wants them to suddenly revoke his privledges of touching their wings.

So without wasting any more time, he started working, starting at the ends of the wings.

As for 1x, they did a barely visible shudder once John touched the tip of their wings. It felt...weird, different from how Builderman would usually do it.

It wasn't the best of handlings, but it was surprisingly not bad.

It went on for a bit, a slower process than it usually was, but still oddly nice.

John had started to reach the base of the wings, and boy was it even messier than the tip of the wing, there were even some feathers that definitely didn't look right.

John attempts to fix them but 1x let out a hiss of pain, he quickly retracted.

"I-sorry."

"It's fine, just be gentle, please, that part is sensitive."

"Right, okay, gentle, got it..."

It went on with a few more hisses of pain with John apologising for every single one, which 1x just opts to not respond to after the 5th one. Eventually, John started to get the hang of it and there wasn't much of a sting anymore.

By the time John moved on to the next wing, 1x started feeling drowsy.

Despite not being as efficient or as good as Builderman, this felt a lot better...and strangely intimate. 

1x's muscles were relaxed, their eyes fighting the urge to close.

John hadn't noticed this, just happily smoothing out the feathers between his fingers, lingering longer every now and then because it was just, so, soft.

It was when he started to move on to the base of the wings, did he feel the sudden slump of a warm body on him.

1x had fallen asleep, on him .

This somehow causes his brain to short circuit.

It wasn't like they... haven't slept together, albeit in a different way, but this felt different.

It felt so intimate, and that should be wrong...but it didn't feel so.

John tries to gently move them so they can finish off the last bit of feathers on their wings.

It ends up with 1x leaning under his chin facing him, it was an awkward position to finish the job, but he'll handle it.

He made sure he does this extra carefully, so 1x wouldn't wake up, they deserve the rest.

Fortunately, he managed in the end.

Problem is, how is he going to move 1x off of him?

They started gripping tightly on him after a while, and their grip was strong , so there wasn't a chance to get off any time soon.

So he just resigned himself to his fate. He did get himself into it in the first place.

Plus it actually felt pretty nice...

Shaking off whatever direction his thoughts were taking, he tries to get the both of them comfortable. It didn’t seem like 1x was waking up anytime soon, looks like they have been getting some restless nights since the past few days too.

Pulling the covers over both of them, John decides to just enjoy the moment while he can.

As he drifted off to the lure of sleep, the last thing in his mind was the feeling of 1x's warmth against him.

—

All the other survivors landed in the lobby after the round ended, their faces spelling confusion.

“Not that I wanna complain or anything for the free win, but what the fu-” “AHA! What an odd match that was! Right, my fellow teammates?” iTrapped was promptly interrupted by Azure.

C00lkid, who was the one picked for the round just a few minutes ago, tilts his head at them.

Some others just send warning glares at iTrapped.

“It definitely was weird though. I remember that killer, Chance, while one of the more non-bloodthirsty killers, iTrapped was always the first one to go. Afterwards, it’s either a hit or miss if he decides to go after the rest, this time however…” Builderman frowns, after checking who was killed after the match, the only one killed .

“Did that John Doe guy somehow pissed off Chance more than me?” iTrapped mused, he tried sounding unbothered, but he somehow sounded a tiny, itty bitty, jealous.

“Still doesn’t explain why… perhaps he’s starting to get bored of killing you every round and changing things up?” Azure tilts his head at iTrapped’s direction, which got a slight twitch of the eyebrow from said man.

‘This must be that Spectre’s doing’ 666 added in, which Dusekkar was quick to translate for him.

“That would be plausible… something is brewing, and if we know anything about The Spectre , it’s going to be nothing but bad news.” 1337 was worried for the upcoming matches, he couldn’t predict what The Spectre could possibly be planning.

“No use thinking about it too much, we just have to be prepared for what’s to come.” Builderman pats 1337’s back, “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Builderman left the lobby to head towards the cabins, Dusekkar following shortly after.

One by one, a few others left, leaving Azure, 1337, and C00lkid behind.

“Say… have you seen 1x anywhere that round?” Azure questions to 1337, which C00lkid instantly tenses up from.

This did not go unnoticed by either adults.

“C00lkid..” 1337 starts off.

C00lkid just squeaks and sits up hurriedly from the couch, “I’m getting bored, I’mma go bother Bluduud now! Goodbye Mister Azure and Mr. Guest!”

Just like that, the kid ran off in a red blur.

Azure and 1337 just looks at each other.

“He definitely knows something.”

“Definitely.”

—

C00lkid looks back, seeing no one there, he starts slowing down into a walk.

“Phew, that was a close call!”

Relaxed, now that he knows he escaped, he goes to turn a corner.

Only to walk directly into something broad and hard.

He looked up, and widened his eyes, there stood 1337, looking down at him.

In that angle, his face was casted in shadows, which makes him look terrifying to C00lkid.

C00lkid tries to back up but he feels himself being lifted off of the ground by the scruff of his shirt like a cat.

“Caught you.” Azure, who was the one who lifted him up said. So like any normal kid who was caught getting in trouble by anyone but their parents, starting calling out to them by pure instinct.

“DAD!! HELP MEEE!!” C00lkid started whaling, trying to struggle out of the hold, which Azure was quick to gently place him back down.

(Distantly, somewhere on the Killers side, someone sporting an odd looking burger hat, had their father instinct kicking in, confused by the sudden feeling, he ended up being aggressive to any other of his fellow killers who approached him that day.)

“Woah there lil’ buddy, you aren’t in trouble, we just want to ask you a few questions!”

C00lkid sniffles, “Really?”

Azure smiles reassuringly to the kid, “Yes, really.”

C00lkid glances warily at where 1337 was, “He’s not mad is he, he looks scary right now…”

Guest 1337 looks like he just got shot as he doubled over, causing C00lkid to jump at the sudden action while Azure hastily tries to cover the laugh he was about to let out.

C00lkid thought he heard small murmurs of, “I look…scary?” but he couldn’t really tell.

Azure lets out a cough, which sounds suspiciously like a snicker, and crouches down to C00lkid while 1337 seems temporarily stunned as of the moment to join in on any questioning.

“We just wanted to ask if you’ve seen 1x anywhere?”

C00lkid was troubled, his dad told him it’s bad to lie but he doesn’t know what to say, he made a promise to Miss 1x too…

“I uhm… SORRY I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING!!” C00lkid blurts out instead, looking away stubbornly and crossing his arms.

Azure looked puzzled, but continued on, “So you do know where they are?”

Despite staying stubbornly quiet, the tensing of C00lkid’s shoulder gave away the answer.

Azure hums, placing a finger on their chin, “Did you make a promise with them by any chance?”

C00lkid finally looks at Azure, he was thinking a bit, he technically wouldn’t be breaking the promise by answering that right? Miss 1x only told him not to tell anyone where they were…

“...Yeah” C00lkid mumbles out.

If that was the case, then.. “Can you tell me where they were?”

C00lkid looks away, his arms forming a huge ‘X’

Azure just nods, standing back up, “That’s all, thanks for answering all those questions C00lkid.”

Azure rummages around for something in his robes, pulling out a piece of candy, “Here, a little reward for you.”

C00lkid’s eyes lit up, taking the candy from Azure, “Thank you Mister Azure!”

It took no time at all for the kid to devour that single candy.

1337 approaches Azure, looking at the leaving figure of C00lkid who was skipping away.

“You sure that was all the questions you wanna ask?”

Azure just gives 1337 a simple smile, “It’s all the answers I need.”

1337 didn’t question it, he didn’t need to.

 Azure can be pretty sly when he wants to.

—

Builderman has been pondering for a while, although nothing too big has happened yet, he couldn’t help but be worried if this might be the calm before the storm scenario.

He sighs, despite telling those around him not to think about it too much, he becomes a hypocrite and does it instead.

It’s fine though, he should be doing the thinking anyways, he needs to always be prepared to lead when things get messy…

Speaking of which, that kiddo still hasn’t come up to him yet.

Although Builderman guiltily doesn’t want to see them too often, he still cares deeply about them.

1x1x1x1… he tries not to think about what happened in the past but sometimes it just haunts him in his dreams.

He wishes he could change the past, but lingering on that thought would only spell issues for him.

Easier said than done.

Either way, 1x should’ve already come to him since last week for help on their feathers. It was surprising that they haven’t, they hated when their wings started to ache and not treated as soon as possible.

Builderman was also sure he hadn't seen them since the last time they went up to him to question something entirely unrelated to preening, but instead that John Doe guy.

Speaking of which, Builderman squinted his eyebrows down in a frown, there was something odd going on between those two, he just couldn’t place what.

He shook the thought away, there were more pressing matters at the moment…

…but maybe, just for once, he’ll be the one to go to them, just to help with the feathers, that’s all.

. 

.

.

However, no matter how much Builderman tried to hide it, the truth was inevitable.

Afterall, 1x was once a reflection of someone he holds dear.

Chapter Text

1x's dreams that day were of pleasant memories, those times when things were easier, nicer...

... happier.

They wish it could have lasted forever.

When they started to feel the telltale sign of their consciousness slipping back in, the first thing they felt was how warm and cozy it was.

They instinctively tried burrowing themself closer to said warmth.

The next thing they realised was the fact it felt like something was caressing their hair.

Wait, something was caressing their hair?

1x's eyes shot open and they turned to see what was touching them.

They were face to face with John, who looked like a deer caught in headlights, his hand which was idly playing with their white locks, stilled.

They stared at each other, not moving a single muscle, until John breaks the standstill first.

"H-hey, did you sleep well?" They can see John attempts to slowly drag away their hand in the corner of their eye as if it wasn't just in a fist of white locks moments ago.

"...yeah, It was a nice sleep."

It was only then that 1x noticed the close proximity they were both in, in a sudden blur, 1x shot up and off of John.

John in question yelped in response, not expecting the sudden movement.

Maybe it was due to just having woken up, but 1x might have miscalculated a bit after the prior action and started tilting off of the bed.

John, who had noticed the plight they put themself in, panicked and attempted to grab them, but being tangled in a blanket really did not help in the slightest.

So a dull thud resounded in the room as the both of them fell off of the bed and onto the floor. 1x groans, crushed by the weight of John, they were both tangled in an awkward position.

John attempts to get up but keeps slipping due to the blanket still wrapped around them, in which 1x becomes the unwilling victim of bearing the burden of John who keeps applying their weight on them every time they crash down.

After a while, John gives up and settles with apologising profusely instead, which 1x just ends up groaning in defeat.

What a way to start off the day with.

—

"Are you sure it's wise to do this?"

"Nope! It's worth the try though."

1337 stops to send a judging stare at Azure, said man paid it no mind however, simply continuing his little brisk walk towards their destination.

1337 just sighs, jogging to catch up to Azure.

"Knowing 1x, they won't budge if they don't want something revealed." 

Azure hums in acknowledgement, he glances back at 1337 with a seemingly innocent smile, "You think we should offer them food? maybe add a little something in it to make them talk easier..."

1337 thought about it, "That doesn't sound too bad-" 1337 had to double take, processing just what Azure just said, "Wait a minute-add what now?"

1337 looked at Azure in slight alarm, Azure did not turn, "Are you suggesting dru-" "..aand we're here!"

They slowed their steps to a stop once reaching the front of 1x’s door.

1337 leaves the previous thoughts for questioning a different day, now though, it was time to confront 1x directly.

Azure goes to knock but was halted by a sudden voice.

"What are you two doing here?"

—

Builderman has been stalling.

Pacing back and forth, practicing a few lines of conversation possibilities, anything really.

It was always 1x who approached him, never himself, so he wasn't sure what was the appropriate way to start off with once meeting them.

They had long stopped being casual with them.

Even then, despite the lack of word exchanged between them for these wing checkups nowadays, 1x had tried to talk to him often during the earlier days of being stuck here, Builderman regrets not really responding back with the same enthusiasm.

Either way, the difference now was the fact he was the one meeting the kid.

He was sure staying silent wouldn't be the greatest course of action, the kiddo might take it the wrong way, just like a certain someone would, they were a bit similar in the way they act sometimes.

Builderman traced their palms, attempting to calm their nerves; it worked after a while.

So he steeled himself and went for it, turning the corner and walking through the hallway where 1x's room was located.

Only to spot two figures already at their doorway.

Squinting his eyes, he identifies them as the figure of Guest 1337 as well the form of Azure.

Once he approaches them, he couldn't help but blurt out his confusion.

"What are you two doing here?"

—

All of them were at a stand still, staring at one another, Azure, the ever friendly person that he is, broke it.

"Oh! Sir Builderman, what brings you here?" Azure asked politely, 1337 decided to just tilt his head in a bow to greet him.

Builderman simply chuckles, trying to ignore the slight discomfort in the pit of his stomach, "Please drop the 'sir', we're all equals here... as for your question, I have some...important business to attend to with 1x."

Azure tilts his head, it was 1337 that responded to Builderman this time, "We understand, Builderman. We'll come back at a different date then."

1337 nudged the back of Azure's robe, signaling to their departure, Azure slightly frowned and whispered something to 1337.

Builderman may be old, but his ears were still sharp, he could hear the soft whisper of something along the lines of, 'we were here first though.' and 1337 shushing him.

Builderman sighs, the confidence he was building up to approach the door was waning the more he stood there, he was even considering letting the other two continue on with whatever they wanted with 1x first as well, in fact, he probably should.

The both of them did arrive here before he did.

Builderman cleared his throat to get both of their attention, "The business I have with 1x ain't one needed rushing, so you could go first if you wish."

Azure smiles appreciatively at Builderman, and was about to agree but 1337 beat him to it, "It's really fine, what we wanted to do isn't exactly urgent."

Azure's face turned to something akin to a pout, but it was only for a quick flash and it was gone, replaced by a simple, kind of suspicious, looking smile, "...actually, I was wondering if you wanted to stick around for what we were trying to do?"

1337 stared at the man with a ridiculously huge hat incredulously.

Now it was Builderman's turn to be confused.

Seeing the confusion on his face, Azure was quick to respond, "Well- you see, we were asking around earlier and we found out 1x seems to be deliberately hiding themself, so we wanted to get to the bottom of this and figure out why. I think you being there would help a lot, 1x listens to you the most during rounds after all."

Builderman ponders this, it would be good to do this sooner than later, the longer they let this stretch out, the more the team suffers in the matches if they continue to be missing during the rounds.

He supposed this would be a more pressing matter than his other...business, he'll put it on hold until then he supposes.

"A'ight, I'll help."

Azure's smile brightens while 1337 seems to sigh like an exhausted dad of 8 children at Azure's antics.

"Thank you, Builderman. Your help will be greatly appreciated!" Azure said happily, putting their hands in a prayer, it somehow looks wrong on him, as if he was just copying from someone else...

Well, nevermind that.

Azure swiftly turns from either of them to face the door and goes to knock on it, "1x, I wanted to check up on you. I've brought a few visitors as well."

It was met with silence.

He knocks again.

Silence.

Azure frowns, then glances at Builderman expectantly.

Builderman raises an eyebrow, but steps up closer to the door anyways.

"1x, can you answer the door please?"

More silence.

"Huh.. They're stubborn."

1337 crosses his arms, leaning against the wall behind him. "Told you."

Azure purses their lips, then boldly holds his hand out to go twist the doorknob, it gives out a silent click.

"Huh, the door's unlocked.."

1337 places a hand on Azure's shoulder, "You aren't going to open the door are you? This is an invasion of privacy."

Azure looks thoughtful about it, 1337 stresses that there shouldn't even be a thought about such a thing.

Builderman wonders why the door was unlocked, it could be the fact that 1x wasn't even in their room in the first place, or they've gotten careless and allowed their door to be open for anyone to enter.

Not that he thinks anyone here would...actually, some might randomly go snooping.

Either way, this was something to take note of, especially since Builderman silently put it on his mental list to lecture 1x about this someday.

Builderman, spurred by the moment, went to unlock the door, he'll deal with a pissy 1x if he has to, it wasn't like it was the first time anyways.

1337 and Azure just glanced over at him,  1337 with his mouth agape while Azure with a hand over his circular shaped mouth, letting out a silent, dramatic, 'oooOooh...'

The door opens to show...an empty but really messy room.

Azure couldn't help but to comment on it though, "...edgy."

"Weird. Where would 1x be?"

No one really knew the answer to that, Builder might've known before... but he couldn't really tell anymore.

“Let’s ask around then?” Azure suggested. 1337 nodded along, then they both turned towards Builderman.

“...I suppose, I don’t see why not.” 

Now that the 3 of them joined forces, as Azure would call it, they trudge down the hallway to head to the exit.

Only for one of the doors to open and out came John and…1x?

It was like time dramatically stopped for all 5 of them.

It was broken by a sudden gasp from Azure, “Oh my – everything makes sense now… ”

1337 was confused by the statement, “...what exactly makes sense?”

Azure just waves erratically at the two of them, while the both of them still stood frozen.

1337 had no idea what the hell this man was doing, but he inspected both John and 1x anyways and–

“Oh.” He sounds awfully uncomfortable in his tone.

John and 1x… for a lack of better words, looks like they've been involved in very not safe for work activities.

Looking absolutely disheveled and tired (They just woke up and didn’t have time to fix their appearance and 1x wanted to leave immediately to go wash themself), standing oddly close to each other (John being fussy and trying to help 1x who was just shoo-ing him off each time), and 1x was even hunching over suspiciously (the earlier events hurt 1x’s back when they fell on the hard wooden floor with added weight on top of them).

Safe to say, all 3 of them entirely misunderstood the situation.

Builderman was… well he didn’t know what to make of this situation. It was frankly, highly shocking to him to say the least. He just prays he does not find out about this or else John’s life in this hell will become 10 times worse.

Builderman didn’t mind what 1x did in their private life as long as it was safe and consensual. Him though… he never took to these kinds of things very lightly, and even that feels like an understatement.

“Ahem– 1x.”  That shook 1x out of their stupor after Builderman called out to them.

“While it seems like ya’ had an… eventful time, there’s quite a few important things we've come to discuss with ya. So once ya’ fix up your appearance, please come meet us in my room.”

John was the one who reacted first after putting two and two together with how everyone has been acting at them, his face turning bright red in embarrassment, “W-WAIT– this isn’t what it looks like, I SWEAR!!”

No one believed a single word, they would be wrong now but if it was another day… then it wouldn’t be so far off the mark.

1x only connected the dots a bit after John started panicking, trying to save face.

Their head wings immediately covered their whole face, but everyone could tell it would be entirely covered in their embarrassment, so in a quiet but loud enough whisper, they excused themself.

They were gone in a flash before anyone could say anything.

“As for you, I want you to come along as well.” John, who was trying to discreetly close the door, was startled.

“R-right, got it sir… “

Builderman simply sighs, no matter how many times he tries to correct people, they still sometimes call him by some type of title or honorific, so he just gave it up for today.

“Everyone, be sure to meet me at my room before the matches start today.”

Sounds of agreement went around.

Azure excused himself afterwards, saying he had something to do before coming along, 1337 just followed Builderman since there wasn’t much to do but wait.

The day had barely started and Builderman could tell it’ll be headache inducing.

Chapter Text

Hopefully all of these load or I'm going to lose it 

Some sketches I did for this Au, tried to make my ideas come to life but it's fr failin me

Chapter Text

Once everyone was gathered in Builderman's room, they all sat in awkward silence.

Azure, who was letting himself get comfortable on a side chair, suddenly spoke up.

"...sooo 1x, how was it?"

1x looks in confusion at Azure's abrupt question, "...How's what?"

Azure wiggles their eyebrows smugly, "You know..." gesturing between 1x and John who was standing beside each other.

John just flustered and waved his hand around in an erratic motion, while 1x took one step further from John, looking to the side, their head wings twitching a lot.

What a way to start a conversation.

Builderman lets out a quiet sigh, a soft 'ow' was heard from Azure as 1337 bonks the top of his head.

"Let's not drag this out..." Builderman glances at the one they all gathered here for, "1x."

1x tenses, and tilts their head at Builderman with apprehension present on their face

"Where have you been during the rounds yesterday?"

1x dreaded this question, they thought they had more time to ponder what kind of answers to give, or even some time to fully comprehend the situation they were in.

They attempted to stay calm despite a small panic settling in their guts, "...doing generators." 

1337 raises a skeptical brow, "Your main job is to stall the killers by stunning them...and you're doing gens?"

1x simply stares straight into 1337's eyes with a blank look, "I haven't been feeling the best lately, you've seen how badly my performance was before the week break, I simply wanted to help by other means instead."

It would have been pretty believable.

Not to Builderman though, he had been paying close attention to their face in that entire conversation, specifically to their head wings, those appendages never lie, and throughout that whole thing, it's been constantly drooping.

Signaling that 1x had been lying.

...but why?

Builderman couldn't wrap around why they would lie like that, especially something about this, it just didn't make sense.

They've always held themself high with pride, just like he did.

So why did they look so...tired these days, not in the way they are after a stressful match, but just...done with everything.

It's reminding him of when he...

Builderman must have tuned out of their conversation because Azure was waving a hand in front of them, trying to get their attention, "Yoohoo-- Builderman are you there?"

Builderman's eyes turned to Azure, "Ah! Finally got your attention, the next match is about to start soon, in like." Azure tilts his head, "-10 minutes. We apparently have 2 rounds again for today."

That's not right.

"I thought these matches would start later on in the day, not to mention there should have been a loud announcement each time." Builderman was wholly confused.

"I thought so too but this just slipped into the room." 1337 was holding a small note between their fingers.

‘We will commence these games a little earlier today

I have prepared new materials for you all to work with.

As well as a special surprise in one of the games I prepared.

I do hope that it would be enjoyable for you all’

-The Spectre

Builderman frowns deeply, he did not like the sound of this at all.

The whole room was bathed in unease, not to mention the earlier problems has yet to settle.

John just shuffles his shoes together in nervousness, Azure looks to be discussing something with 1337, and 1x was leaning against the wall with crossed arms, definitely a telltale sign of them retreating back in their stubborn shell.

Just then, the ticking of a clock makes its way into their minds, signaling the pull into the round.

Just as the world starts to fade into the darkness, Builderman could've sworn he saw 1x push off the wall to head out of the room, as if they weren't affected by the pull as well.

His mind must be playing tricks on him, right?

He could no longer think of it as his body was dragged along with his consciousness into these hellish games.

—

"What do you think the surprise is?"

Chance asked aloud in the quiet lobby, they were slumped lazily on the couch with their legs propped up on the low table

Two Time who had been silently muttering to themself did a 180' turn towards Chance's direction, in which said man flinched at.

They tilt their head and push their hands together in a prayer, "This must be a gift from the Spawn! They paid me a visit in the dream realm to bestow me with the premonition of a new life! This must be my new mission... perhaps to recruit more followers for the spawn!"

They had an unstable look in their eyes, mere pinpricks to complement the whole psycho vibes.

Chance shudders, this guy really creeps him the hell out. Ignoring whatever nonsense the cultist was spouting, he turns to look at the other recipients in the room.

He figures Elliot is there, mostly hiding in the Shadows, he likes doing that a lot, Chance still has no idea why since the guy still isn't comfortable enough to tell him.

Maybe one day he will.

So far, most of the other killers were still not present, did they not get the memo about the matches?

Oh well.

Chance casted a little side glance to the corner of the room.

Over to that side, was that menacing Telamon guy, sitting on a lone couch staring at nothing in particular with their hood completely overshadowed his face.

Chance had noticed the guy has been unusually quiet since last week, well, he usually is but the kind of quiet Chance was more pointing at was the lack of a glare whenever anyone seems to get close to him or even just crossing paths.

So like his name suggests, he took a chance and approached the 'brooding' feathered guy.

"So what's got you so sulky, Big birdy?"

The immediate snap of a neck and a piercing eye under the shadow of the hood greeted him. 

"I do not sulk ."

Chance places both of his palms up placatingly, "Okay, okay- take a chill pill, I meant no ill will! Geez.."

Chance goes back to his lax posture not even seconds later, "For reals though, not to insinuate anything but like, you've been kinda off."

"...off how?"

"You look less grumpy and more broodi— " The glare sent his way snaps his mouth shut immediately, so Chance, seeing as his luck might've run out, backed off...for now.

Seeing as the gambler decided to leave Telamon be, the once mighty god wandered back into his thoughts.

Telamon doesn't deny that he has been feeling...off, something has been bugging him lately and he couldn't tell what it was.

Perhaps it was also the fact that vermin of a Spectre has been sending him a lot of cryptic notes, the most confusing one has got to be congratulating him out of nowhere.

Is this some kind of irritating tactic to get into his mind?

Whatever it is, he's sure it wouldn't work on him.

... Why is there a foreboding feeling that something's going to happen in the near future?

—

The first match for the survivors had been going pretty smoothly so far.

Apart from the fact that killer, Two Time, has been spouting some kind of nonsense about some 'new life' coming into fruition.

It bought them a lot of time though, seeing as Two Time finds it more amusing to talk about this new vision their so-called 'Spawn' gifted them.

Once they spot Azure however, it was if a switch was flipped, they went manic, and went straight for him. 

The others attempted to protect him but to no avail, Azure was swiftly taken care of.

Afterwards, their second life form was forced out once the timer had a few minutes left onto the clock, and like every match, they went non verbal and started attacking everyone in sight, becoming the danger the killer was known for.

During that whole skirmish, Builderman had other plans.

After he was done setting up his sentry down in the beginning of the match, he went off on a jog around the landscape.

He had one goal in mind, and that was to find 1x, he wanted to make sure of something, he was sure it must've just been an illusion crafted by the Spectre to mess with him, and honestly, highly likely.

That was besides the point.

it would be beneficial for the team if he was able to locate 1x fast, or perhaps he was just being silly and they were already helping the team currently...

Dangit, even when they were old enough to take care of themself, he couldn't help but worry about them.

To his unfortunate luck.

No matter how many times he checked a corner, ran around a few laps in the whole map, check with the main group who seems to be in a weird stalemate with the killer, who's busy yapping about some nonsensical thing.

He could not find 1x.

There was no way they could avoid running into him the whole time right?

Builderman had a hunch of where they are right now.

...But how? Is this some obscure plan the Spectre is doing to make things harder for the whole team?

Builderman frankly didn't know, he desperately wanted to but there were too many questions left unanswered, old wounds threatening to make him fall, and too many variables in an unknown path.

A pained scream tore out, signaling the relatively peaceful time essentially over, replaced by a manic beast out for blood.

Builderman clicks his tongue, he'll have to put this off for now to support his teammates.

.

.

.

In the end it ended up with most of them dead, the lack of one of their main sentinel showing just how much their disappearance was affecting the functionality of the team.

"This isn't funny anymore, where the fu– nk is that lousy bird?!" iTrapped's irritation was, for once, reasonable, apart from the minor language slip up.

Half of them, although they didn't voice it out, not that some of them could verbally anyways, was also getting a bit miffed by the disappearance of 1x during the rounds.

Who knew a single presence, or lack of one, could cause a bit of a rift among them.

Azure, who would usually be the peaceholder of the group, is unsurprisingly missing. Never fails to go unfound right after every time with a round against Two Time.

So while iTrapped was busy complaining. 666 who was getting increasingly annoyed and started non-verbally arguing back with aggressive sign language, Dusekkar was standing beside 666 contemplating on whether or not he should help translate the mute.

Which in the end he did, it only serves to add fuel to the fire. 

In the entirety of their arguments, Builderman had already begun heading towards 1x’s room. He noted that when he scanned the lobby earlier, 1x was nowhere in sight.

Every survivor involved in the match will always end up in the lobby upon death or from the match ending.

1x wasn’t listed in the deaths, nor present when the match had ended.

This was just starting to confirm the gut feeling Builderman had.

Reaching at the front of 1x’s door, he knocked.

Rustling could be heard beyond the door, and slowly it creaked open, “Yes– ah.”

1x stared wide-eyed as Builderman stood in front of them.

“Mind if I come in?”

—-

1x contemplated if they should, they really didn’t feel like getting questioned nor interacting with anyone anymore, preferably for the entire day.

One look at Builderman’s face and they sighed. This was a battle that was not worth starting, looking defeated, they opened the door to let the man in.

Once the door closed, Builderman did not bother beating around the bush.

“Ya’ weren’t in the matches, were ya?.” It was more of a statement rather than a question.

1x did not bother trying to lie or hide anything, this man always knows when they do anyways.

“I wasn’t.”

Builderman's eyes widen a slight bit, but he doesn’t look surprised.

“...Did ya’ do something’ to cause it?”

1x felt offended at that question, but he knew Builderman didn’t mean anything by that question judging by the tone, but just the fact he was the one who said it brought back old memories they would rather not let released right now.

Someday perhaps.

“No…?” They weren’t actually sure, it was definitely the Spectre’s fault but they were technically the one who got themself in this situation, the Spectre just enjoys being a meddling wissel who doesn’t know how to not be nosy to personal issues so it made a big deal out of it.

Builderman caught the uncertainty in their voice, so he tried with a different question instead, “Did the Spectre send ya’ any notes stating the reason why…?”

Okay, now this is tricky, frankly 1x would rather not let anyone else know of their situation, excluding John.

Builderman frowned when they answered back with a long silence, “1x… what did the Spectre say to ya’?”

“I’d rather not say… “ 1x looks away, posture tensing, their head wings were twitching violently, showcasing their irritation, Builderman’s frown deepened.

“1x, this is an important matter. If the Spectre is purposely making ya’ unable to participate in the rounds, we need to know why.”

1x was getting increasingly more frustrated. Why couldn’t he just mind his own business, does he even see how uncomfortable he was making them feel? 

Even if they knew why, it wasn’t like any of them could do anything about making the Spectre stop whatever the hell it wanted to do.

Before any of them could say anything, a sudden chime rang out of nowhere, when the both of them turned to where it came from, a neatly folded note was situated on top of their bedside table.

Builderman was the first to retrieve it, and read aloud for the both of them.

‘For this next game, 

I will allow 1x to participate in this one as I have a very special gift prepared for them.

I will look forward to your performances.”

–The Spectre

Builderman was highly confused and unsettled.

1x simply thinks they were severely fucked.

Chapter Text

Builderman looked up from the note, then at 1x, expectantly, as if they had the answer to all of this ridiculous ploy by the Spectre

No, 1x has no idea what the hell that vermin could be planning. They were as clueless as Builderman is.

"...1x-" "NOT– not right now, please ." 1x had abruptly cut off Builderman, they didn't need him to start questioning them again, it was already tiring enough.

Builderman shuts up, deciding to back off for now, yet still lingering by for whatever reason.

1x was pensive, that Spectre could be planning anything, but... 

..maybe this is a chance to get rid of this spawn growing inside of them.

They doubt the Spectre would be idiotic enough to let that happen but on the off chance it did...

Wait, would they still face consequences for that?

Oh well, no matter, they'll deal with it when it arrives.

"...Did ya' preen ya' wings on ya' own?"

That question made them burst out of their own thinking bubble, their head wings fluttering briefly as they looked up at Builder eyeing their wings.

"Oh this, uhm, I had some help from John..." 1x shuffled their feet together, seemingly flustered from admitting.

Builderman squinted his eyes, then understanding flashed in his eyes. It was like a light bulb went off at the top of his head when he put two and two together, "Wait...so when ya' two were together, it wasn't anything scandalous?"

1x head wings twitched, flapping rapidly, "I-it wasn't- WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT!"

Builderman sighs in relief, "Good, because ya' know how he gets if he ever finds out ya' did any of those things out of marriage."

1x froze, they forgot how much he cared about all those rituals and stuff, some type of god culture...or was it the bird stuff? They never really paid attention.

They were so dead if he ever finds out, let alone actually getting pregnant out of it, they might as well count their days numbered.

Builderman noticed the sudden state of 1x, "Wait- did ya' actually-"

They were abruptly interrupted by the fast ticking sound of a timer in their minds.

Without getting much of a moment's notice, darkness starts filling their sight as they get pulled into the matches.

—-

Telamon's eyes kept blinking slowly, readjusting his vision from the sudden pull of consciousness.

Once his eyesight went back to normal, something inside him felt different.

He felt more powerful than he ever did before, it was like a fraction of his powers had suddenly returned.

Out of instinct, the back of his wings fluttered.

He found himself startled that his feet actually flew off the ground.

He could fly .

...why?

What purpose did the Spectre have to return some of his powers back?

Well no matter, he should capitalize on this and find a way out of this hell.

Despite the initial thought, something in his gut tells him to venture out and find something else.

Without questioning it, he lets his wings guide him.

He has yet to meet any of the survivors, that was until the first one he stumbled upon was none other than his own creation.

1x1x1x1.

Telamon squinted his eyes, they seemed to be sporting a familiar attire of an older time.

Other than the sudden wardrobe change, something else felt off about them, something in their essence felt wrong.

Different, changed in a way.

Telamon could always sense 1x in a way that proves their connection to him, despite how weak it was once they were put in this purgatory, but now that his powers were ramped up...

That connection grew stronger.

Which was why when his eyes landed on a different essence inside of 1x's exposed middle, his head wings suddenly flared up.

In an instant, he flew towards them in a blur of feathers, startling 1x who finally noticed his presence.

There was no mistaking what this essence was.

And he was livid .

—-

Finally experiencing that consciousness slip after not having to for a whole week and a half was disorienting.

1x places their palm on their forehead, feeling dizzy.

Once everything calms down, they were going to take in their surroundings, if it weren't for the fact they felt the breeze against their skin.

Looking down, they were shocked to find themself in an outfit they haven't worn since the first time being forcefully punt here.

Feeling an extra weight on their head, they slowly brought their fingers up to the top of their head, only to touch the metal of a very familiar crown.

Why were they wearing all of this?!

Is this what that Spectre meant by gift? Aha, very creative of you, douchebag .

While 1x was silently inspecting themself, they didn't notice the approaching hooded figure despite their shared connection that should have alerted them moments ago.

It was only when the sound of the flapping of wings and the sudden closeness of a presence did they notice the figure.

Telamon, he was right in front of them, looking like he was about to start a massacre.

"Who."

He hissed out, voice laced with a moment of unbridled rage.

1x was equal parts terrified and heavily confused, Telamon had never really talked to them even once when they first encountered each other in this place, the most they get is either a clean and swift death or gets completely ignored.

They somehow found their voice to reply despite how meek it sounded, "...Who?"

Telamon jabbed an aggressive finger at them, but when he actually pressed his finger against their stomach, it was surprisingly gentle.

"This. Who did it. " At this point, Telamon sounded like they were barely containing his anger.

1x on the other hand, somehow paled even further from their already pale complexion.

They didn't know how he instantly figured it out, even then, what were they supposed to say to that?!?

1x, despite how the iciness seeps into their bones from the terror they felt, shook their head.

All of Telamon's wings flared up, he gripped harshly on 1x's shoulder, and they winced from the pain.

"Tell . me . NOW. " His voice was booming, 1x firmly closed their eyes, their head wings drooping down in surrender, despite the very prominent threat of possible death, they still kept their mouth shut.

They didn't want to sell out John, that felt wrong. If they were going to get into deep trouble, they rather it be directed at only themself.

1x should have just brought out their sword and swung, temporarily incapacitated Telamon and made a run for it, but they couldn't.

Their hands trembled, they were deathly terrified, they've never seen him so...angry before, they'd rather see the distant and cold behaviour they always showed to them instead.

1x's fear was temporarily subsided when the voice of John broke through the heavy tension.

"1x— ?!" They didn't know how John could replicate such a sound.

Both 1x and Telamon turned towards John, who looked shell shocked at whatever he just walked into.

Telamon however, kept looking back and forth at John and 1x’s middle section.

Telamon’s eyes turned into a piercing glare once a flash of realisation hits.

Fuck.

—-

"1x— ?!" He did not know what sound he just made, but it seemed appropriate.

John had just wanted to check what all the commotion was, and once he turned a corner. First thing he saw was 1x, in that conventionally attractive outfit he saw once when they first met them here.

Second was the fact that the guy, Telamon, was flying off the ground, wings flared in aggressive flaps, looking like they were ready to kill a guy.

Actually, he seems to be glaring very menacingly at his direction in general.

"YOU."

Okay, he might be the man that this guy wanted dead.

Every fiber of John's being was telling him to book it, and that's exactly what he did.

Telamon released 1x from their tight hold, and started flying at him with all the vigor of some damn starved vulture.

John just barely ducked when Telamon swung his sword at him, that would have definitely sliced his head cleanly off.

John didn't have time to dodge the next swing of his sword, so he closed his eyes and braced himself for the upcoming pain.

Only to not feel anything, the sound of metal clanking filled the air instead.

He opened his eyes to 1x in front of him, blocking the swing, arms trembling from the sheer strength of blocking said swing.

Telamon backs away momentarily, his face in a scowl.

1x quickly grabs the back of John's clothes and starts running, John fumbles around trying to gain footing and eventually gets it.

1x abruptly turns to him, "John, I have an idea, do you trust me?" Their voice was wavering, but they still attempted to take the lead despite how stressed they looked.

John’s brain was a bit scrambled from how the events just went from 1 to 100 way too fast, so he just nodded his head in agreement.

That was all 1x needed, quickly grabbing onto John's middle from behind, and bursted off the ground in one strong flap of their wings.

John screamed, scared shitless by the unexpected movement.

He firmly gripped his hand around 1x's arm, seeing as they were getting further off from the ground floor.

One wrong move and he'll end up as a splatter of red.

"So uh-why exactly is that guy hellbent on shanking me?!?"

1x who glances behind themself, sped up and did some twists and turns that made John feel sick.

Sounding out of breath, they croaked out, "...He might've found out that you got me pregnant." 

John's eyes widened, but he was more puzzled than anything, "...What does that have to do with wanting me dead?"

If 1x could cover their face in a pillow and scream their lungs out, they would've.

They suddenly dipped down, John yelped, the sound of flapping could be heard behind them.

"He...He's like— my dad, of some sorts."

Okay, great, finding that shocking news in this situation was very much adding to the pile of ' what the fucks '.

"... Okay. Right, so I'm screwed then?"

"Pretty much."

Great.

—-

Builderman had managed to group up with a few other of the survivors when initially he was planning to search out 1x, to see if they really were in the match or it was just a silly trick from the Spectre to mess with him.

A booming sound of a voice pierces through the air, they couldn't make out the words though.

"Hey, wasn't that the hooded winged guy's voice?" Azure questioned with a tilt of his head.

"Taph?" 

"No no, the other one… wait isn’t he mute?"

"Telamon." Builderman answered instead.

Azure snaps their fingers together, "Yeah, him!"

They were hoping to check out where the voice was but a sudden burst of wind flew past them, Builderman briefly caught a hint of a green and yellow blur, another stronger gust of wind flew past them and this time he was sure he caught sight of Telamon’s robes.

“... I know I’m one to hallucinate from time to time, but was that 1x flying through the air carrying John with Telamon hot on their tails?” Azure says after a while.

Concerning info drop there, but Builderman was definitely sure they all saw the same exact thing.

666 just stared in silent befuddlement, while 1337 was openly gawking, “You definitely weren’t hallucinating.”

“...We should catch up to them.” Builderman says after a moment of silence trying to process the sudden event, they all silently agreed and followed along Builderman who jogs ahead.

—-

1x’s can feel their muscles get increasingly heavier, the strain of flying so intensely after not doing so for a long time showing itself in the form of sloppier turns and slowing down.

Any time now and Telamon should have caught up.

Quote on quote, ‘should have’

The god has been trailing above them, he still looks downright murderous but in spite of the dizzying haze that’s started to cloud 1x’s vision, they could tell he has been slowing down whenever they did as well.

1x doesn’t know what to make of it.

Frankly, 1x doesn’t want to, not yet. It would be too much to handle on top of everything else right now.

“H-hey, 1x? Your grip is getting a bit too loose for my liking right now!” John’s panicked voice cut through the haze momentarily.

Their grip re-tightens firmly around John’s middle, “Sorry.” John glances up, neck bent in an awkward way to see their face, his brow frowns in concern.

“Hey– you know it’s… it’s fine if you just drop me off– preferably on the ground, of course– I can just deal with whatever that guy will do to me.” John sounded nervous, but his concerns for 1x’s being far outweighs his own.

1x narrows their eyes down at John, “He’s going to kill you.”

“Hah– well, it’s not any different from the usual anyways.” John says in a weak grin.

He wasn’t wrong, but there’s a few reasons they all still try to avoid it. That bastard Spectre decided that– despite all the wounds not being visible after a match– it was a funny thing to let all the dead survivors endure the pain internally from the damage they suffered from right before they died as a way to punish them for ‘losing the game’.

It was a cruel thing, but the Spectre did not care as long as it kept them playing the game.

1x did not want to know how brutal of a death Telamon had in store for John… and they couldn’t tell if the god would kill them either, they were getting mixed signals from the way Telamon acted.

1x hadn’t realised their pace had slowed down considerably, until a sudden burst of gust came from beside them.

Telamon, with his sword raised high, swiftly thrusted the sharp end into John’s thigh, keeping it nestled in deep, he promptly let go of the sword to grip the front of John’s shirt, digging his nails into skin.

1x’s eyes widened, “JOHN!” 

John’s scream was raw, one of his hands let go of 1x to grip on his thigh, there wasn't much he could do other than grit his teeth and hope the pain subsided soon since he was dangling off of the ground.

1x was not spared from the assault either, one hand had quickly wrapped itself on their neck before they could even react, enough to momentarily cut off their airway and allow their grip on John to loosen.

Telamon took this as an opportunity to separate the two away, his grip on 1x’s neck had loosen into something more firm yet ready to constrict at any moment's notice. Meanwhile his grip on John worsens, sharp nails digging deeper leaving small leaks of red from where the skin was pierced through.

John whimpers from the pain, both hands gripping Telamon’s arm, his attempts at trying to kick at the god falls short at the reminder that his other leg had a literal sword stuck inside his thigh, pain came in sharp pangs at every micromovements.

1x glared daggers at Telamon, “L–let go of–John–uGh–” The hand around their neck tightens slightly as a warning.

1x was desperately trying to think up a plan to get both of them out of this mess, the match was already halfway through from ending so they just needed to stall for time, a lot of time.

1x would have pulled out their sword but every twitch of their hand to grab the handle. The hand on their neck would tighten, so that was out of the question.

1x caught John’s gaze, despite how much his face contorts into a series of pain, he grins at them, the look in his eyes raising alarm bells in 1x.

This idiot is about to do something foolish–

“S-say uh, sir. I know this–hUrk– is a bit late but—”

Was this dumbass attempting to be diplomatic and talk his way out of it or something??

Instead, what came afterwards made both of the winged figures pause. 

“ —I gotta say, your child is real good in bed.” John ended it with an awkward wiggle of an eyebrow.

Deafening silence.

Even Telamon had a– funny looking– shocked face.

Telamon’s head wings suddenly flared up, his hand leaving 1x’s neck in favor of using both of em to grip on John, snarling in his face, “ I am going to skin you bit by bit –”

1x took the opportunity to pull out their sword and struck Telamon’s back, which the god squawked at, dropping John from his hold.

1x was quick to catch the falling man, but due to the fatigue that had been setting in their bones, they failed to fly upwards and instead went crashing down.

1x managed to soften the fall but both of them still groaned from the impact, especially John, who still had a sword stuck in his thigh, mind you.

“Pu–pull this thing out–” John hissed out in pain, limbs heavy and the blood lost getting to him.

1x kneels beside John, hands goes to grab the handle of the sword, muttering a quick apology and pulling it out in one quick motion.

The strangled scream that tore out of John made 1x flinch, “...we should get out of here before Telamon catches up to us.” John made no indication that he heard them, just breathing heavily.

“You should just– leave me here, I won't be able to get far.” John says after a while.

1x glares down at John, “Do you have a death wish or something?”

John finds it in himself to choke out a chuckle, 1x frowns deepen at him, they make a mental note to have his sanity checked out someday.

They attempted to scan the area for medical supplies or any of their teammates but to their luck, they were nowhere to be seen.

1x curses the Spectre , that jerk must be laughing at them right now.

The sound of wing flaps and a thud came from behind 1x. Taking a shaky breath, they stood up to face Telamon, making sure to stay close to John and shield him from view.

If they can’t get out of here by running, then facing him head on will have to do.

“Out of the way.” The cold voice sent a shiver through them.

1x branded their sword in front of them, stubborn, “Make me.”

Telamon’s eyes narrowed, taking calm steps forward, which made 1x shrink back a slight bit.

1x had excellent swordsmanship, but it was never enough to ever beat Telamon himself. 

The tension between them was at an all time high.

“... I think this would be a very bad time to interrupt.” The familiar voice of Azure came a few distance from them.

“You think?!” 1337 looks exasperated at Azure, then eyeing between the three one by one to assess the situation, he was in a battle ready stance just in case anything goes south.

Azure seems amused by the whole situation, 666 attempts to just blend into the background and avoid getting involved with whatever’s going on.

Builderman, who was at the very front of the group, tries to step between them slowly, even when he looks uncomfortably tense as hell.

“...Builderman.” Telamon’s face didn't change, but his head wing did twitch a bit at the sight of Builderman.

“Sh– Telamon.” Builderman starts slowly, 1x looks back and forth between them, deciding to go back to kneeling beside John, sword still at the ready.

1x didn’t know when he moved, but Azure was quick to crouch on the other side of John and started applying some ointment he pulled out from inside his robes on John’s thigh.

John simply hisses at the touch, but his muscles soon relaxes right after as the effects of the healing were immediate.

1x mutters a small ‘dramatic idiot’ at him, which John has the decency to at least look sheepish, Azure looks between them with a knowing look.

Whatever the hell Azure brewed up in his mind about them, 1x didn’t want to know.

1x finally refocuses back at Telamon and Builderman, they seem to be in some Intense staring contest now, until Builderman spoke first.

“...I didn’t take ya’ one for targeting” He starts off.

Telamon scoffs, narrowing his eyes, “That pest deserves it.” He hisses out 

Builderman furrowed his brow, “... Just– what did he do to make you so… angry?”

Telamon’s head wing flaps aggressively, “Angry? I’m livid . This pest decides to put a spawn inside of my– inside of 1x!” 

Azure let out a dramatic gasp, 666 decided to just disappear amidst the background, 1337 was still trying to comprehend what the hell was happening.

Builderman on the other hand, once he processed what Telamon just dropped to all of them, snaps his head at 1x and John.

1x startled, head wings drooping nervously now that they were the center of attention in a matter of seconds.

“...Go ahead.” Builderman finally says, stepping to the side, Telamon nodding approvingly, 1x looks betrayed and equally perplexed.

“What– YOU’RE SIDING WITH HIM?!?” 1x couldn’t help but yell out.

Builderman crosses his arms together, looking like a disapproving parent at 1x, “I may be more lenient when it comes to your private love life, but even pregnancy is out of the question, especially out of wedlock.”

1x sputters, flabbergasted by the whole situation.

1337 finally understands once Builderman says it out straight, only to be confused again, “...weren’t they a guy…?” He muttered aloud.

No one paid him and his question any mind.

John in the entirety of that, just wished he was still losing blood so he could go back to being close to fainting.

1x and Builderman, with the added addition of Telamon chiming in from time to time, had evolved into a verbal argument.

“This is MY private life, why do you get to have a say in it?!” 1x barks at Builderman

“Watch your tone missy! I took care of you, I should be able to have a say when it comes to important decisions such as— this !”

“I didn’t even want this in the first place–”

Telamon’s face darkens, “Are you implying this was without consent?”

1x pales, backtracking, “What– WAIT NO, THAT’S NOT WHAT I– I meant I didn’t even think I could get pregnant!”

Builderman raises an eyebrow, “So you did it without protection?”

1x wanted to scream at whatever higher being were watching them at the moment, but alas, that was not possible, so instead they thugged at their hair in frustration.

“You two are impossible !!”

Over to the side, Azure was sitting cross legged, chewing on a herbal leaf, John had joined him at one point, and 1337 was leaning against a tree, they were all just watching the whole ordeal with differing feelings regarding the situation.

John turns towards Azure, “By any chance, do you have anything that could knock me out?”

Azure ponders the question, suddenly pulling out a small pouch and handing it over to John, “Be sure to take it in small doses!”

1337, for the numerous times now, isn’t surprised anymore at whatever Azure does.

He is however concerned why the team’s designated main healer has something that could knock people out.

“Thanks.” John mutters quietly.

Seconds later, John promptly passes out.

“Enough.” Telamon’s voice pierces through, the voice ringing in people’s ears.

“I’ve wasted too much time, where is that pest .” 

1337 grabs Azure by the scruff of his robe and drags him away hurriedly when he sees Telamon’s head snap to the unconscious figure of John on the ground.

1x tries to rush in front of the reckless passed out man, only to get grabbed on the arm by Builderman, “Don’t, ya’ will get hurt.”

1x snatches their arm back, “I’ve already gotten hurt enough by that man… not that you care anyways.”

Builderman’s face twists in guilt, he looks down in shame. 1x didn’t bother sparing him any more of a glance and lunged forward in front of Telamon, but Telamon’s blade was already in motion of swinging down.

His eyes widen, 1x stares up at Telamon, then glances to the sky, mouth parted in a small victorious grin.

‘What will you do now, Spectre ?’

The sound of a clock ticking down seems to slow to a stop.

Then everything fades into darkness

Chapter Text

1x's head felt muddled, muffled voices, blurry vision, so on.

It was only when they felt someone shaking them did the haze in their mind start lifting up gradually.

They blinked a couple of times, the last remnants of that ominous darkness finally dissipating.

1x blankly glances in front of them, they came face to face with Azure, who was still shaking them back and forth.

1x brought their heavy limbs up to flick away the offending hands, Azure relented easily, opting to stand a fair bit away from them.

1x finally noticed that they were back to wearing the original clothes they had on before that match. 

Suddenly, another presence, a much smaller one, came in close contact with them, tiny hands gripping lightly to cling on to their pants.

"Are you okay Miss 1x?" The voice of C00lkid asked, voice laced with concern.

1x glances down at the kid, who was looking up with big round eyes and furrowed eyebrows, 1x simply places a palm on top of his head, "Yeah, I'm... fine, kid."

C00lkid purses their lip, headbutts into their palm in a gentle nuzzle, then backs off, "Okay..."

Azure could be seen chatting about something with Builderman in the background, some of the other survivors were looking around with confusion, there were also some obvious glances thrown their way or just outright blatant staring.

1x did not like the attention but it was understandable, there was no way the other survivors hadn't notice the huge scene 1x had caused, seeing as they flew around the whole map carrying John with The Telamon tailing them the entire time.

Speaking of John...

1x scans the lobby, not seeing the man anywhere, they furrow their eyebrow, did he leave already?

1x didn't linger on the thought, nor the small pang of worry that settled inside their gut, not when Azure came back from his chat with Builderman to approach them again, they decided to just brush it off for now.

"1x, will you accompany me? I think we have much to discuss regarding some recent events!" Azure suddenly asked, jovial tone and all.

'we' huh... 1x could see from the corner of their eyes that Builderman was attempting to sneakily glance their way, leaning against a wall, while tapping their foot with their arms crossed.

"... I'll think about it." 1x says after a moment of silence.

Azure simply hums, tilting his head, "Alright, once you're done thinking about it, the meeting place should be near Builderman's room, now if you'll excuse me." The man left the room in a tiny skip of the feet, 1x swears that guy looks way too cheery despite the situation they're in.

So... Builderman couldn't even have the decency to approach them himself? 

Alright .

If 1x could have let out a pretty maniacal laugh, they would've, but they rather not gather any more unwanted stares than they already have.

Now listen here, 1x isn't one to be petty, but everything that has happened until now makes them want to let out some of their frustrations, preferably physically.

What other ways than to be petty? It's the least destructive option out of the others in mind anyways.

Two can play it that game, old man.

1x moves to stand up, ignoring the following eyes that tracks them, swiftly leaving the lobby in a hurry.

1x didn't really have a destination in mind, just letting their feet carry them to wherever they go, as long as it's nowhere near Builderman or any other prying eyes.

Actually, they did stop by somewhere first, but that’s besides the point.

Their feet briefly slowed when they passed by John's room door.

... would he be in his room? 

1x debated on knocking, but remembering the shit John pulled during the match sent a small bout of irritation through them.

Next time they should just let Telamon deal with him.

Despite thinking that, 1x knows there was a part of them deep inside that will put themself in danger without thinking again just because of John.

They didn't want to unpack whatever that means just yet.

What they did was strictly for the sake of desperation, nothing more. 

Not to mention John is still married .

He still loves her.

1x speed walks away from the door, slowing down again once reaching their own, breathing suddenly feeling somewhat laboured.

Opening the door, 1x took one look inside, and slammed it shut.

1x contemplates if all the stress and extreme emotions they’ve experienced were starting to make them hallucinate, hesitantly, 1x opens the door again.

The poor door suffers another abuse in the form of slamming shut, somehow harder this time.

Fucking Spectre –

1x slowly breathes in and out, repeatedly. After a minute or two, they finally open the door again.

Slowly stepping inside and closing the door behind them, they stare in front of them with equal parts of annoyance, unwilling acceptance and pure exhaustion.

Laying on the bed, is the body of an unconscious John, draped haphazardly as if unceremoniously dropped onto the bed, with a piece of paper taped on his forehead.

1x approaches the knocked out figure and goes to grab the paper, very unforgivingly ripped the taped paper off of John’s forehead. The unconscious man in question only responds in the form of their face scrunching as if someone squirted lemon on their face.

That idea alone doesn’t sound that bad actually…

1x checks over the paper in their hand.

‘A valiant effort I must admit, 1x1x1x1!

However such an act cannot go unnoticed as you have forced me to end the match early.

Therefore, since you seem so excited to see your spawn out of you sooner, I may have just the perfect thing prepared for you!

I do hope you enjoy this blessing I grant you, I cannot be showing favouritism but I do admit that I am being exceptionally generous to your situation.’

Ps. I dropped off your other half next to you as my treat for you, I'm sure that does wonders for your offspring's growth.

-The Spectre

This letter rings alarm bells in their mind, so far nothing good has come from these so called ‘generosity’ the Spectre has in store for them.

Actually, nothing good ever comes from anything that vermin cooks up.

1x can only mentally prepare themself for what that Spectre decides to force them to go through.

For now though…

1x glances dejectedly at their occupied bed, they were hoping to just sleep it off for the remainder of the day, preferably alone , but even that can’t be granted to them.

1x didn’t have any couches in their room, letting John sleep on the cold hard floor was tempting but the idea didn’t bode well with them.

1x would have carried him all the way back to their room but their body felt way too fatigued that it might just give up halfway through…and they didn’t feel like taking the risk of running into any more unsuspecting survivors.

Fuck it.

1x scooches John to the side to make space for themself, the bed itself was pretty sizable to accommodate their wings, so it wasn’t an issue.

1x drops down on the mattress, their limbs sinking into the bedding and muscles slowly untensing.

Slumber creeping in and luring them into a much needed rest.

They let sleep overtake them.

—-

“No luck?”

Builderman turns at the voice of 1337, who decided to sit beside them on the docks in a respectable distance.

Builderman frowns, looking back at the waves.

He had hoped 1x would come meet him at his room, but all he found was a piece of note aggressively nailed on his door with a crude drawing of an egg sticking out a tongue at him.

“I didn’t think you were a parental figure to 1x, I figured you two had something going on but it still took me by surprise, seeing as the two of you feel too distant and awkward with each other.” 1337 continued on, joining Builderman in watching the waves in the water.

Builderman sighs, “Shed… Telamon is more of a parental figure to them, I simply… helped take care of 1x before.”

If 1337 noticed the slip up, he didn’t comment on it, he did however widen his eyes momentarily, then had a contemplating expression, “Huh, I can see some resemblances… I supposed I shouldn’t be so surprised since a lot of us here are connected in some way or another.”

Builderman simply nods, somberly staring at the waves, 1337 takes a glance at him, then at the everlasting night sky. 

“You know… I also have my own kid outside of this place, she’s an absolute sweetheart, but can be a bit of a sass when she wants to.” Builderman perks up at the sudden monologue from 1337.

“Whenever we get into any disputes, I would confront her. If she tells me she wants to be alone, I’ll give her the space, but always be ready to welcome her back warmly when she needs it. When she tells me what’s been troubling her, listen. My experience may differ from yours, but if I know anything about being a father, it’s that your children will always want someone they could rely on growing up.” 1337 looks like he had more to say, but decides to stop at that.

Builderman stares blankly at the waves, then at 1337, something akin to regret reflected in his eyes, “Even when ya’ messed up and can’t be that person anymore?” 1337 contemplates on that.

“There’s never really a “can’t”, unless you count death. It’ll just depend on how much you’re willing to try at being that person again, whether or not they accept that, is up to them.” 1337 simply says, standing up from where he sat, brushing off some dust.

“It’s getting late, we should all retire for today.” 1337 shot Builderman one last glance, and bowed his head at him, just for the sake of formality, then headed off.

Builderman contemplates 1337’s words.

Sighing heavily and placing a palm on his forehead.

Can he really do that, can he… be that someone for 1x again? Be that someone for….

He shook his head, standing up and cracking his sore back, heading back to his own room.

There’s no use thinking about it.

—

Telamon unceremoniously gets dropped back down into the lobby, stumbling on his feet, wings disappointingly no longer working no matter how much he flaps them.

There wasn’t much of an audience in the lobby, thankfully, apart from that annoyingly noisy gambler and that mute demolitioner.

“Heya Big’ Birdy, saw the whole ordeal you had with Lil’ Birdy and that poor guy you targeted the hell out of that match, what’s the deal anyways?” Chance, the ever nosy guy, pipes up from where they sat carefree on the couch with a coin in hand.

Telamon did not grace them with a response. Instead, he swiftly left the lobby, which Chance let out a small indignant ‘hey!’ at.

Telamon easily got lost in thought, the events of the earlier match incredibly fresh in his mind, he tried to note down all the important bits that happened.

He was temporarily granted back a fraction of his previous powers during the matches, the same could possibly be said for 1x seeing as they could also fly.

He… spoke to 1x and found out that they were carrying that– his eyes were quick to narrow, head wings flapping aggressively– that pest of a man’s seed.

And if he recalled correctly, then that man should also be married, so not only did that vermin have the nerve to go and get someone else knocked up, he’s just a straight up scum .

Telamon had found the man’s capabilities annoying during matches before, but now it’s safe to say he despises him.

Shaking his head to get rid of any more thoughts of that guy, he went back to his previous analysis.

The pregnancy itself… it doesn’t seem like the average robloxian pregnancy, that is to be expected since 1x is an… 1x came from him, so they wouldn’t exactly fit the bill of a typical robloxian.

Did 1x possibly inherit the ability of creation? Even if through an….unorthodox method.

Speaking of which, if 1x was able to do it, he wonders if he, himself could conceive through intercourse…

Okay, he’s getting off track here, where was he?

… The pregnancy, right. 

At the very least, it was confirmed to him that it didn’t happen out of malicious intent, it was however, an unexpected and possibly an unwanted surprise, judging by how little care 1x acted towards their own being.

A sudden, alarming thought crosses his mind. What would have happened if 1x were to be fatally harmed during the matches?

He grips his wrist, remembering the small instant where he nearly brought down his sword to do just that before the match unexpectedly ended.

It wasn’t like he has never done so before, so why is he feeling guilty over it?  

Maybe it was the fact his connection to 1x has been stronger than it ever was in that specific match compared to how muted all the other times were, so it was harder to detach himself from his mind and body when performing the acts of hunting the survivors down.

Why would he want to detach himself in the first place? What purpose does hunting down the survivors serve?

If anything, that match was probably the clearest his mind has been, he felt in control for once , ignoring all the rage filled actions he did that match.

… When did he start losing himself? He doesn’t remember, everything up to this point has been unusual, confusing .

Telamon is but a detached, uncaring god, prideful of his own strength….

That didn’t feel right the more he thought about it.

Something about him suddenly felt…missing, and he couldn’t figure out what it was.

His head started the throb in pain the more he thought about it, so he shook off the thought and moved on to another.

The match forcefully ended early when Telamon was about to deal a fatal blow towards 1x, so the Spectre wants to see this pregnancy through, why?

Thinking more into the events of earlier, he remembered another person actively there, albeit at the end.

That person, Builderman. That man was a formidable opponent, had an air of leadership to him that he finds quite respectable.

Apparently he took care of 1x before from what he mentioned? A sharp pang of pain hit his head out of nowhere, but nothing comes to mind.

He doesn’t recall ever seeing him in all his memories regarding his own creation… 

Something was heavily wrong, now that his mind felt like his own, he felt the need to get to the bottom of this.

—

Would this be a turning point for something better?

Perhaps something worse?

The only way to know is going forward.

So during the dead of the everlasting night, when everyone had called it a day, deep in the allure of slumber.

Time begins to tick faster, spinning forward in a whirlwind then slowing down to normal as if it had never happened.

Now, let’s see what our fellow actors have in store for the audience.

Chapter Text

Dark.

Everything was dark.

John opened his eyes to an empty void of black.

He was... standing? Not on anything in particular, it felt like he was stepping on something solid despite there not being any visible flooring.

So he walks forward, aimlessly.

No directions, no indicator, just mindlessly letting his feet bring him somewhere.

Anywhere.

It brought him nowhere, there was nothing here but black as far his eyes could see.

Why was he here?

Walking turned into a jog, a jog shifted into running .

Nothing.

Anything.

Something...?

In the distance, a spec of colour broke through, a familiar muted pink, someone he knew well.

The figure turned around, face shadowed despite nothing obscuring it.

"Jane...?" His voice is but a whisper into the empty void, yet it echoes through.

The figure of Jane mouthed something, but he couldn't hear her words.

"Jane? What's going on? What is this place? Why are you....?" Too many questions, too little answers.

Jane mouthed something again, this time extending her hand forward.

Inviting him to take.

John felt himself take a step, then another, and another-

"... John?" 

A weak voice came from behind him, a distinctive voice he had grown familiar with.

Dare say, even fond of.

Startled, his steps stuttered to a stop, his neck snapped behind him, there, he saw the crumpled form of 1x.

They look pained, tired, helpless.

1x brought their eyes up to look at him, the under of their eyes shadowed by heavy eyebags, they looked like death was close to claiming them, yet their eyes shine with a desperate need for... for something, he couldn't tell what it was.

"...Jo..hn.." Their voice sounded incredibly frail, powerless, vulnerable, everything that 1x was usually not .

1x extended a trembling arm towards him.

John wanted to rush over, check them over to see if they were okay, that they were going to be fine, he nearly did, but a sudden voice made him hesitate.

"John." A voice he misses so dearly.

He turned his neck back, the figure of Jane still had her arms outstretched, smiling at him, yet he still could not see her face clearly.

John felt conflicted, he wanted nothing more than to run up and give Jane a tight hug, cry into her shoulder, telling her how much he missed her, but…

He glances back towards 1x, who was struggling to get back up, falling over each time they attempted with shaky arms.

He wants to rush up to 1x, bring them into a gentle embrace, make sure they get better.

John felt his breath getting stuck in his throat, something coiling, constricting his airway.

What should he do, which one's the right choice?

His face feels warm, getting harder to breathe, he crumples to the ground, head feeling lightheaded, eyes screwed shut.

Both of their voices were ringing in his head, calling out to him, he doesn't know what to do.

He doesn't—

.

.

.

His eyes snapped open, something very soft and warm could be felt resting on his face, smothering him and making it hard for him to breathe.

So he grabbed it and moved it away from his face, allowing him to finally be able to get some air into his lungs.

However, the sudden grab at whatever he was holding suddenly flicked at him, tickling his face, making him nearly sneeze but he managed to catch himself just in time.

A small groan sounded out beside him, John, who was finally starting to wake up, snapped his head to the noise.

1x lay beside him, sleeping soundly, every now and then, their head wings would flutter in time with every exhale of a breath.

John stares blankly, attempting to process the situation in his muddled state.

When he finally did, he let out a short yelp, then quickly covered his mouth with both hands.

1x didn't wake up, so John let out a small sigh of relief, only for his eyes to shoot up again, scanning the whole room, identifying that he is, in fact, not in his own room... again.

Only this time, 1x was in bed with him, in their own room.

Wow, he really needs to somehow stop ending up in bed together with the other.

Actually- how did he even end up here?

He tries to recall the memories leading up to this point, but the memories of that dream he had was still fresh in his mind despite it slowly being covered by a haze.

That was... very strange.

Despite it being just a dream, he couldn't help but scan over 1x's form, searching for any signs of pain.

They looked tired, but at least they didn't look like they were on death's doorstep.

A sigh of relief escaped John, why was he so worried? It was just a dream.

Shaking himself out of it, he comes back to reality when a single wing swipes at him, hitting him straight to the face.

John sputters, the wing kept wacking him in the face, knocking off his glasses somewhere, "Hey- wait stop that-"

The wing only stopped when John fell back down on the pillowy surface, in which 1x scooches in closer, seeking warmth.

John glances at 1x, seeing as they were asleep still, does their wing act with a mind of their own or something??

He sighs, accepting the situation, supposes he'll be stuck here for a while playing heater.

He debated on waking up 1x at one point, but remembering the last time he accidentally did, he doesn't want a possible repeat of awkward tangled limbs first thing at the start of the day.

So he let himself lay still in utterly boring silence, a wing draped over his body, and caging him from leaving.

The more he stayed still laying there, the more he could feel himself getting lulled back into sleep by the sound of soft snoring and the warm wing blanket over him.

He would've fallen back to sleep if it weren't for the erratic rustling from beside him, followed by the sound of someone hurling their guts out.

John hastily sits up, seeing 1x was hunched over to the side of the bed.

They were still retching, John looked around in panic, trying to find something that could help, spotting none.

Feeling like he had to at least do something, John placed a hand on their back and started circling his palm in a hopefully soothing motion, alternating between patting every once in a while.

1x’s breathing was laboured after emptying what’s left in their stomach, at least they weren’t puking anymore.

1x slowly turns around after calming down a bit, they look out of it, but once recognition hits, they squint their eyes at him, “...John?” 1x’s voice sounded hoarse.

John awkwardly waves, looking like someone who got caught doing something illegal, “Aha– Hey there uh— You doing alright?”

No stupid, 1x does not look alright, at all. Their hair was a mess of a wild mane, looking fatigued as all hell, lips covered in a wet sheen of whatever they just discharged from their body, and they looked seconds away from puking again. 

Fortunately, they didn’t, they still look a bit green and could start retching again very soon however.

“I feel sick.”

A tiny flash of the dream played out in his mind, mainly of the crumpled form of 1x doubling over in pain. John frowns in concern, scooching closer, the palm on their back now firmly setting on their shoulder, his arm wrapped around their back.

“Let’s get you to the bathroom.” John gently pulls them over to his side of the bed, not wanting to accidentally slip on some bile on the ground.

1x just lets him, feeling too tired even after all the sleep.

Once John stood over to the side, he attempted to bring 1x up to stand, only for them to hiss and collapse on him, John hastily wrapped their arm around their middle.

They groan, eyes sealed shut and leaning their head against the crook of John’s neck, “Head hurts.” They quietly rasp out.

John tries to ignore the shiver he felt at the close proximity of them talking near his ear and the small vibration from their voice he felt from them heavily leaning against him.

“Just a bit more, we’re almost near the bathroom.” John encourages.

John attempted to support their weight so they could walk with him but it felt more like he was dragging them.

It was a slow process, seeing as 1x was taller than him by a few inches, 

John silently cheered inside once they made it in the bathroom.

“Okay, alright, we made it.”

1x pushes off John, wobbling a tad bit but steadies after a while, John’s hand hovering just in case.

“...Thanks–” 

1x suddenly doubles over, clamps a hand over their mouth, John startles and hurries them to the toilet bowl.

1x grabs the sides and starts retching again, sounding even harsher this time. John stayed around to pat their back, face scrunching in a grimace at the sounds.

After what felt like hours to 1x, but in reality was a solid 20 minutes or so, 1x rolls over and slumps against the walls, heavily breathing. 

John just awkwardly stood beside 1x, shuffling his feet, not exactly sure what he should be doing next.

1x fluttered open their resting eyes, looking up at John, muttering something.

John’s eyebrow raised, “Sorry— what?” he crouched down to hear them better, 1x lifted their head, croaking out a small ‘water..’

John frowns, he didn’t want to leave 1x alone here, but getting them water by the request system would take a while…

Looking at their form, he stood up, sighing, “I’ll be back really quickly, you just– uh, stay there for a bit, alright?” 1x made no move to indicate they heard him. John frowns, hurries out to grab a pillow and places it behind 1x to at least make it slightly more bearable.

He took one last look at 1x, then ventured off and out of the room.

As John speedwalks to reach the lobby, where some refreshments would usually be set on a table to the side, he ponders if he should consult anyone here about 1x, he isn’t exactly knowledgeable about the whole pregnancy thing, he’s heard a thing or two about it from his workplace but that’s about it.

From what he could tell, it might be morning sickness? Huh, he didn’t know it would be that bad…

As John reached the lobby, it was pretty much empty, no one would be here yet unless the matches were about to start soon, which hopefully wouldn’t suddenly start early again.

He grabbed a few bottles of water, unsure how much he needed, more is better though, right?

John goes back into his thoughts as he speedwalks back to 1x’s room.

So far the only ones who really knew about the whole pregnancy thing are Azure, Guest 1337, Builderman…. and Telamon.

He visibly shudders just thinking of the guy.

There was also 666… he thinks, but there’s an obvious reason not to go to them.

The only two that would be helpful in this case would be Azure and 1337, although John is a bit miffed about asking Azure.

Although that guy is highly skilled in his botany, he does very questionable things with it… John had been an unlucky victim of testing some of his weird concoctions before..

1337 on the other hand would be a much safer option, he remembered that the guy mentioned he had a wife before, he wasn’t sure if he had a kid but the man looks old enough for one, so he’ll take the chances.

Speaking of which, he skids to a sudden stop, as he spots 1337 in a conversation with… Builderman.

1337 was right there but… he still remembers that Builderman was pretty willing to let him die back there in the match yesterday, it was a shocking surprise to learn that he was apparently also some kind of parent to 1x– wait.

Does that make him and Telamon a thing?

Okay wait– don’t get distracted John, focus.

John really doesn’t want to take any longer than he already has but he really needs the help, so solidifying his resolution, he hurries to catch up to 1337.

“1337! Wait please–” 1337 turns once hearing his name, stopping in his tracks, “Oh John, good to see you’re up and kicking.” Beside him, Builderman just narrows his eyes, scanning him.

John huffs a bit, carrying all these bottles and pretty much jogging around the place is a bit of a workout first thing after just waking up almost an hour ago.

Actually, he smelled kind of terrible too, he didn’t have time to properly wash up, not to mention 1x did lean on him after just vomiting… 

Right, he’ll fuss about that later.

“1337, I really need your help with something, please just follow me, I’ll tell you along the way– please .” 1337 looks at him in question, but nods anyway. Builderman looks a bit annoyed at something, but John wasn’t paying attention to that right now.

“Lead the way then.” John smiles appreciatively at 1337, then speedwalks to the direction of 1x’s room, the other two following close behind.

John did double take a bit when Builderman started following along as well, but he wanted to hurry back quickly, more concerned over 1x’s well being rather than someone who possibly dislikes his guts now.

1337 raises a brow when he notices the familiar hallway, “Are we going to 1x’s room?” John simply gave a brief nod, Builderman was suspiciously quiet the whole time.

Once they all made it to 1x’s room, John swung open the door, 1337 following after.

John could have sworn he heard someone’s breath hitch but he didn’t bother to check who or why.

John practically ran back in the bathroom, kneeling next to 1x, who steers, eyes fluttering open.

John opened one of the water bottles, and hovered it close to 1x, “Sorry it took a while– here.”

1x glances at the water, and goes to grab it but with their weak hands, their hands just slid off, not able to grip it tightly enough.

John frowns, he wraps his hands around their hands to help them grip it properly and nudges the bottled water close enough to their lips.

1x took greedy gulps out of it, their muscles finally untensing slightly, the water basically evaporated from the bottle in an instant.

1x lets out a sigh of relief, muttering a soft ‘thanks’

It was only then that they noticed the other occupants in the room after it looks like their head has cleared a bit, 1x looks between them and John, eyes questioning.

“Uhm– I thought it would be good to ask for help, I know I should have probably asked you but I panicked…” John says sheepishly, a mixture of guilt and shame on his expression.

1x purses their lips, avoiding eye contact with Builderman, who was very intently staring at them. “It’s… fine, you just wanted to help… I appreciate it.” 1x gave a tiny smile at John.

John easily relaxes after knowing 1x isn’t mad, a part of him also burns with something at the smile given to him.

A clear of a throat interrupted them, “Not to interrupt you two, but you still owe me that explanation from before, John.” John’s eyes widened, then laughing nervously, he completely forgot about that.

“Uh, well– I wanted to know of your experience about pregnancy, I remember you mentioned having a wife and all so I was wondering if you can share any important information and stuff and– yeah.” 1337 looks thoughtful at that, he briefly glances at 1x then back at John.

“I’ll be willing to assist, I’m not sure how much help I could be but it’s worth the shot.” John yet again, shoots an appreciative smile at 1337, what a good man.

“If I may chime in, first off, ya’ should really get them off the floor and back to the bed.” It was Builderman who was the one who said something this time.

“OH– Right, of course, I’m so sorry 1x–” John sputters, hastily went to wrap an arm around 1x’s back and shoulder, helping them up, 1x didn’t respond, just shook their head and leaned against him, opting to just use their head wings as a hood over their face.

1337 took the chance to ask John some questions while they slowly made their way over to the bed, Builderman went off somewhere, muttering something along the lines of ‘I’ll go grab something to clean the floor.’

1337 briefly nods at Builderman, then turns towards John to begin asking questions, “When did the whole morning sickness start?” 

“Just earlier I believe.” Unless John somehow missed some important details, but he’s unexpectedly been by their side a lot these days as if by some weird plot device making it happen, so it was hard to miss anything.

1337 hums, thinking, then asked the next, “When did you two have sex?”

John would have definitely tripped if it weren’t for the fact he had someone else in his hold right now, he could feel 1x’s head wing twitch rapidly, they leaned further into his neck, as if trying to bury themself in and hide from the world.

John simply balks, face flushed a deep red, “I–WHAT??”

1337 sighs, “I need to know the time frame of when this whole pregnancy started.” Even when he explained, it didn’t make it any better, not with the straightforward and honest way he says it.

“C-couldn’t you have worded it a bit differently at least!?”

1337 deadpans, John sighs, accepting fate. The warmth of his cheeks has calmed a bit but there were still the remnants of a small blush being there.

“...It should be the day right before the whole week break happens.”

1337 skids to a stop, John looks confusingly at him, gently lowering 1x down as he reaches the bed.

“That’s… That’s not right.” 1337 looked concerned, which made John feel alarmed, he heard the sound of a door opening and closing along with some clanking of items, he didn’t pay them any mind, wanting to listen to what 1337 had to say.

“A normal robloxians pregnancy would usually have these sickness start kicking in after around the 4-9th week, this was way too early… does this have something to do with their biology instead…?” 1337 was deep in thought, looking at 1x who tried to get themself in a comfortable position on the bed.

Builderman was the one who added into the discussion this time, “I wouldn’t consider 1x to be a typical robloxian, they came from Telamon himself after all.” 

“He got pregnant too?” John questioned before he could really think about it.

Builderman looks incredulous at him, “What– No, I mean, Telamon had the ability to create– have ya' not been paying attention to yar’ history lessons??”

John at least had the decency to look bashful, Builderman sighs tiredly, his opinion on John lowering even more.

Builderman continued in his explanation, “... I wouldn’t say 1x was intentionally created though, so trying to compare between a normal pregnancy and theirs would be futile.”

They were all silent for a bit, until 1337 spoke up again, “... This will be difficult, but we don’t really have much info to base off on so this is the best we got right now.” 

John sighs, his first time dealing with pregnancy and he won’t even be able to have much source material to work with.

Great .

—

1x was content to just hide away at the moment.

Do they realise they were still awake and conscious to listen in the conversation regarding them ?

Like I’m right here for Telamon’s sake!?

1x feels irritated, 10 times more irritated in fact.

They’ve been trying to avoid lashing out on anyone, especially a certain someone in the room that they would rather be 10 feet away from right now.

Keeping a petty streak is hard.

So instead they lean in further into the warmth of John’s hand, basically monopolizing the appendage. The first time they did it was due to them being out of it, but now… well it’s not like John was pushing them away, so it should be fine.

The nausea has subsided for now but the headache is a lingering annoyance to their being. If they knew being pregnant was this miserable, they’d rather just top next time… 

Next time … 

Dear Telamon, now they’re just getting ahead of themself.

It was hard to be in denial at this point, 1x may find themself maybe– just a tiny bit– have a bit of a heavy crush on John.

Perhaps it’s just the pregnancy talk muddling their judgement, but somewhere deep inside, they knew this had run on for even longer, even before the day they decided to have a desperate fling, it’s just… somehow even worse now.

They realised they tuned out the whole conversation afterwards once 1337 announced that they should be getting ready for the matches soon. 

“We can discuss more on this another time, 1x, you may have to sit out the majority of the time in the matc-” “I won’t be there.” 1x may have rudely cut off 1337 there, despite the man having been nothing but helpful this entire time, but they wanted them out.  

They don’t think they can handle anymore socialising for the day, not with the increase in their temperance.

It would be nice if John could stay though…

John was quick to rectify, “The Spectre made it so 1x haven’t been present in the matches, the one with the Telamon guy in it was just a special case.”

“... I see, well that makes it easier then, we already have our hands full just trying to keep one of the kids safe. I’ll be off then.” 1337 waves briefly, then left the room, Builderman who had been eerily quiet, hesitated to leave, looking like he had something to say, in the end he just spun away and followed 1337 out.

Now it was just 1x and John again, alone in the room.

John looks over at 1x, who had parted their head wings to reveal their face again, “You feeling alright?”

“... Better than before, just a nagging headache.” 

John pondered for a bit, then stood up to walk away, leaving 1x missing the warmth the hand provided. “Be right back.”

1x glances at where John disappears into the bathroom, then at the ceiling, they felt a bit embarrassed at how needy they’ve been acting.

Is this a part of the symptoms?

1x suddenly felt a cold sensation touching their forehead, they briefly touched it and identified that it was a wet towel.

“Thought that might help a bit.” John says, looking down at 1x, he looks like he was seeking something.

“It’s nice, thank you.” John let out a small sigh, and smiled at them, 1x found this oddly cute.

Oh Telamon, they are down bad.

John looks around, then at the door, “I should get going now…” He looks back down at 1x in concern, “Will you be alright alone?”

1x had to restrain themself into saying something along the lines of, ‘Yes, but it would be better if you stayed.’

“..Yes, it’s not like we have a choice anyways.” John purses their lips, a silent understanding.

John finally steps back, heading to the exit, he glances back momentarily, “Take care, then”

1x watches him leave, then lifts their arm over their eyes, groaning, “You should be the one to take care of yourself, I’m not the one stuck playing a death game, idiot…”

Despite that, they couldn’t stop the flutter in their chest at John's care for them.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Telamon paces in his room, deep in thought.

How will he go about approaching all the other killers? He needed information but going through all his past memories, he's never once bothered to interact with anyone here himself.

Well... he supposed there is Chance, the man likes to bother others in general and is, in fact, the most chattiest one here.

At least that's a start.

So without wasting any more time, he went out of his room and set off on a search for that gambler.

He set himself at a fairly fast pace, hence when he turned a corner in the winding hallway, he accidentally collided into another body.

He was able to catch himself, only stumbling a slight bit. However, he heard a heavy thud in front of him. Head wings twitching, he glanced at the figure he bumped into.

Ah, it was that vermin's wife, Jane.

Telamon was quietly contemplating in his mind, then offered his hand for her to grab and help her get back up.

Jane stayed seated there, blankly staring at the offered hand, or, at least that's what Telamon assumes she was doing.

He couldn't really tell since the lady suddenly decided to have a bit of a wardrobe change and was now sporting a hat rather than only having her hair down in a messy wave like usual.

After an awkwardly silent short while, Jane simply stood back up on her own, not bothering to acknowledge the offered hand.

Telamon didn't expect much, Jane was, for a lack of better words, resembles more of a mindless robot than a conscious being.

Telamon simply drops his hand back to his sides, he honestly felt a small tinge of pity for the woman, she most likely has no idea what her scum of a husband did behind her back.

Telamon debated about saying something about it, but it most likely wouldn't process in her head either way, plus he needed to be elsewhere right now.

He couldn’t help himself though, so he settles with a simple, "Your husband, John, is a total scumbag."

Telamon proceeds to walk past the woman after saying so, but before he fully leaves, he catches a small raspy feminine voice behind him, where he left that woman in the quiet hallway.

"Jo..hn.."

Telamon tries to process what had just heard. Once he did, his eyes widened a tad bit and snapped his head behind him, only to find Jane no longer there.

Did she... just speak?

Telamon shook his head, he must have heard wrong, or worse, started going insane and getting hallucinations, it must be that damned Spectre's doing...

Focus.

Telamon goes back to speeding around the place, searching everywhere for that damned gambler, somehow not encountering them even once .

Of course he couldn't find them when it really matters...

Telamon decides to head to the Lobby, if there was anyone here who can easily find Chance, it would be that Elliot guy.

The two had developed some strange bond over the time here, despite how much Elliot seems to complain about Chance bothering him.

It wasn’t something he was particularly interested in, he just happened to notice after analysing each and every one of the other killers here to gauge them out.

Once reaching the lobby, Telamon looks around, the only one visibly present in the area was 007n7, the man was typing away at something on the panel he holds, muscle tense, looking uncomfortable.

When Telamon looks into the shadows somewhere behind the guy, he understands why.

Elliot was very intensely staring down at 07 with malice, Telamon really didn't understand what their deal was, but he wanted no involvement in it at all.

He heads towards the shadowed figure, stopping right in front of the man, Elliot promptly stops their staring to glance at him instead, which an audible relieved sigh was heard afterwards from somewhere nearby them.

"That's a first..." Elliot's quiet voice rang through.

"I needed to ask for your assistance with something."

Elliot seems to be quietly thinking.

"...What is it?" Elliot looks wary when he asks.

"Do you happen to know where that gambling addict is?" Telamon didn't need to mention who, they all knew who that was.

Elliot looks annoyed at the question, "What makes you think I'd know?" he snarks out the reply.

"You two seem close." Elliot seems taken aback, but grumbles, he doesn't deny it, but he also looks extremely annoyed at the prospect.

Elliot briefly glances at the clock in the lobby, then looks back at him, raising 3 fingers up, which made Telamon heavily confused.

Suddenly the man started putting the fingers down one by one.

The exact time the last finger was put down, the door to the lobby swung open.

Came in was Chance, whistling while doing so, then pausing in their step, whistle dying out as they spotted Telamon and Elliot next to each other.

He then gasps dramatically, "Big Birdy, you're socialising?!"

Telamon glared at Chance, which the man chuckles at while putting their palm up in a placating manner, Elliot sighs tiredly at their antics, though Telamon could have sworn he had a fond look in his eyes when staring at the gambler in question.

“He was looking for you..” Elliot pipes up, pointing at Telamon.

Chance had his mouth shaped in an O, then grins, “You finally up to mingle with the common folks, high and mighty?” Chance teases.

The nerve of this guy… yet Telamon couldn’t find the usual spark of wanting to ‘put them in place’, it was like that ego and pride he used to put in high regards before were mellowed out.

Hell, a part of him was even tempted to join in and bicker back in the same manner, it was confusing.

Yet the feeling felt familiar, as if a lost part of him that was missing finally came back.

A hand waved in front of him, and he blinked once, twice, then batted the hand away, which earned a small ‘rude!’

“Okay geez… I was just trying to ask what you wanted from me, didn’t have to swat me away like I'm a fly and all.” Chance says in a dramatic frown.

“Then don’t act like one.”

Chance held their chest(or what's left of it) in a mock grip, as if he just got shot, “Cold, so cold, Elliot help me!”

Elliot simply looks away, acting as if the wall beside him was more interesting.

Chance continues his silly theatrics of mock crying and complaining at how everyone here was just too mean to him.

Telamon sighs, “I don’t have time for this… Chance.” At the sound of his name, Chance immediately halts whatever they were doing, righting himself and grinning, as if he wasn’t just acting like a child throwing a tantrum moments ago.

“Yeah, Big birdy, what’s up?” 

“Tell me all you know about Builderman.” Chance seems taken aback by the question, the only indication of his surprise being the momentary pause and his mouth parted slightly.

“...Huh, that’s.. well, that was unexpected.” Telamon narrowed his eyes in a warning, which Chance was quick to appease.

“Hey now, not judging! I just didn’t think you’d suddenly find a fancy to any of the survivors. Don’t worry though, I’ll tell you all the good bits.” Telamon was starting to regret approaching this guy for answers.

“That guy, if my memory serves me right, should be the big boss of the entirety of Robloxia, basically the CEO at Roblox HQ, big head admin guy, who constructed a bunch of stuff of what we now know of Robloxia, you know the drill. This should all be common knowledge though.”

Telamon frowns, that sounded way too important of a role and somehow this was the first time he’s heard of it… or at least, he thinks it’s the first time, all the information sounded right to him, despite not knowing anything prior to it.

“... Anything else?” Chance ponders, tapping a finger on his chin.

“Er– Oh right, that pumpkin head guy should also be some kind of admin who worked alongside the man, I believe there was more of them, they aren’t here but the most prominent one was named Shedl— ”

The door to the lobby slammed open, cutting off whatever Chance had wanted to say.

Everyone present turned their eyes to the noise, the figure of Jane standing at the doorway, looking around frantically.

Only stopping once her eyes landed on Telamon, the woman speed walks towards him, breathing heavily, then stops uncomfortably close to him.

Telamon just glances warily, head wings raised in alarm.

She raised her arm up and pointed a finger at him.

Then–

—

Earlier…

Feeling something soft underneath, their eyes fluttered open, the room they were in was… warm.

Inviting.

Familiar .

They looked at their hands, they didn’t know why, but they did, only to see them different.

Normal .

Shouldn’t they be normal? Why did they think it wouldn’t be normal?

Odd.

They spot a hand mirror on the low table in front of them, it beckons them to grab, not understanding why yet still taking hold of it, they raise it to their face.

Her face.

Right, her name was…

It was Jane .

Jane…

Was there something else missing?

The click of a door unlocking echoes in the room, Jane turns to look at where it came from.

There stood a man with yellow tufts of hair, skin the same colour, smiling, yet face blurred out.

Something about him felt familiar, inviting, loved .

The man approached her, setting down the bag he was holding, then placed a warm but gentle hand on her face, then a feather light kiss graced her cheek.

The action left her chest feeling so loved, warmed…

… hurt ?

Just then she attempts to grab onto the man, only to grab nothing, the delusion disappears right before her eyes.

She wanted nothing more than to embrace the man, she didn’t know why, but it was a desperate need.

She looks back down at her hands…

At her single hand .

One of them had turned into a massive jagged claw, corrupted beyond repair.

She was beyond repair.

Her breath constricts, it hurts.

It hurts .

A painful, beastly roar tore out of her throat.

A familiar pain, something that never left, and will never leave.

Before she could think for much longer.

She was no more.

.

.

.

Feeling something soft underneath, her eyes fluttered open, the room she was in was… empty.

Lonely.

Forced to be familiar.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, jagged claws getting caught slightly on the mattress and leaving yet another tear into the hundreds of others around it.

She stood up, legs bringing her to the wall mirror, and stared at her reflection.

A familiar sight, one that looks wrong, disgusting, inhumane, covered in binary and sharp edges.

She glances around, eyes landing on a simple, unassuming, black hat.

A hair tie was next to it.

She grabbed the hat, forgoing the hair tie.

It was no use trying it with limbs like hers.

She went back to the mirror, placing the hat on her head, for once, something felt right in a mountain of wrongs.

She stares intently at the mirror, the…dream? From earlier, a lingering fog in her mind.

She wants to see…

Who again?

…

With not much to do, she let her feet guide her out of the room.

Walking aimlessly, she didn’t pay attention to what was in front of her.

So she bumped into some wall and fell backwards.

She sat there, looking up.

Feathers.

A hand outstretched towards her.

She stared at the appendages, persistently outstretched, her own body moved to stand back up, and the hand rectracted.

She stood there, silent, blankly staring at the winged robed guy, until the man suddenly speedwalks past her.

He said something but the only thing she caught and singled out was—

–John.

John, John, John .

The image of the man in yellow suddenly flashed into her mind.

His name was John .

That name rang great importance to her, she doesn’t know why, but she wants to .

She needed to find him .

She turns around, wanting to know more from the man who uttered the name, only to realise she had been walking away the entire time, the man no longer in sight.

So she ran, ran to find him, to find out about John.

Everywhere, she looked for the winged man, high and low, she searched.

When she catches his voice, she rushes up to the door, leading into a cabin, and slams the door open.

Looking around frantically, she spots who she was looking for.

Swiftly walking towards him, she forces her unused throat to work.

—

—A hoarse, raspy voice came out of the woman, her words slow and cut off. “Y..ou, Joh..n…”

The lobby was silent, processing that Jane, who they all thought was incapable of speech, just spoke .

It was unsurprisingly Chance that broke the silence first, “Damn lady, you really need some water.”

Elliot shoots him a dry side eye, “... That was the first thing you got from that?”

Chance shrugs, “Hey man, her voice sounds hella grating. Say lady, does your throat hurt? Sounds like it does, you should get that checked. Nice hat by the way—”

Give it to Chance to start rambling at such a monumental moment. Elliot grumbles, grabs a hold of Chance and shoves a pizza pulled from god knows where into Chance’s mouth, effectively shutting him up.

Telamon on the other hand was just flabbergasted, not really at the fact she spoke

…

Ok, maybe a bit of the fact she spoke, but also more of the fact he was in fact, not hallucinating a while ago and was now possibly getting confronted about his earlier comment of her husband.

Well at least he knows he isn’t going insane.

Now, regarding the woman in front of him…

“Wh..e..re..?” Jane croaks out, coughing right afterwards.

For once, Telamon agrees with the gambler, she really needs water.

A glass of water suddenly appeared out of thin air nearby them, hanging upright in the air by a transparent, glitchy red hand which cuts off into a line of code up to the wrist.

07, who has mostly been idly sitting with his panels, witnessing the whole scene, was stared down suddenly by the others in the room, “...I– the water— I thought you guys wanted one...” He mumbles out, closing his c00lgui and looking away.

Chance whistles, “ Wow ! Today must be a lucky day or something, two social outcasts and a once mute turned unmute actually speaking up and socialising? Am I about to hit a new high score and hit a jackpot today?!” 

The gambler receives a flick to the head by Elliot.

Telamon grabbed the glass of water, which the hand then glitches out of existence soon afterwards. He nudges the glass in front of Jane, “Drink.”

It took her a while, but she actually did grab it with her normal hand and warily took a sip, only to chug it down moments later, letting out a small sigh of relief.

“Yo..u, whe.. re is.. John..?” Her words were still choppy, but at the very least it was less hoarse and somewhat clearer.

Telamon frowns, so she was looking for John instead, huh… then why now ? Why is it now that she decided to speak? Let alone, of him and not the countless times in the matches where that pest had begged even him at one point to answer him about Jane’s whereabouts.

Looking into her eyes, he seems to come to an understanding, seeing as he recently experienced something similar as well.

What used to be something empty and unseeing, felt like there was actually someone in there, not the mindless being they all grew accustomed to, but possibly, who Jane really is.

Chance did the honors of answering when Telamon didn’t, “Lady, you know you can’t really meet your dear husband outside of the games, but perhaps lady luck will pick you for today’s game killer!”

Just as he says that, the bell chime rings in the lobby, and the sound of a clock ticking can be heard in their minds.

“Aha, speak of the devil!”

Telamon still has yet to get any answers, only managing to get even more questions out of the whole interaction, but he was hoping to get picked for once.

He needed to talk with that Builderman…  after hunting down the pest first, of course.

The tick of time was nearing the end of its countdown, soon, one of them will be chosen.

When it struck zero, all of their visions turned blurry. Once cleared, the figure of Jane that was once there, had vanished.

Telamon was disappointed, yet curious all the same.

“Huh. She really did get picked, this is going to be fun.” Chance goes to sit beside 07, who scooches away from the gambler.

They all started spectating the match.

—

John was heading to the lobby where he assumes everyone else should be gathered around right now.

He still felt a bit reluctant to leave 1x alone like that, maybe he should have just stayed back and get himself forcefully dragged into the match from there, suffering a heavier disorientation wasn’t the worst feeling.

Just then a flutter of a paper landed right in front of his feet, he bent down to grab it, turning it around and seeing some words written on it.

‘John Doe, as the other parent of the offspring.

I have decided to extend my generosity to you by limiting the upcoming days to one game per day! 

I must insist you to stay near and take care of your other half, poor soul has been suffering so much as of late.

So it would do well for you to keep up the good performance.’

–The Spectre

John couldn’t tell if he should be relieved or unnerved, on one hand, lesser games were much better in general, but the way that Spectre worded it leaves him feeling uneasy. 

He crumples the paper and puts it in his pocket. For now, he’ll just brush it off.

Once he reaches the lobby, all the other survivors were already there, both Azure and 1337 turn to give him a glance, the former waving at him and the latter giving him a brief nod.

Azure approaches him, “I heard what happened from 1337, if you wouldn’t mind, I can make something that could assist 1x?”

John wasn’t sure if he should be the deciding factor of this, it should be 1x, but… “Only if you use me as a taste tester beforehand.”

Azure brightens, “Lovely! I’ll make sure it is safe to consume, you’ll be of much help in that regard!”

Something tells John he might’ve just object himself to something highly troubling.

Just then, the sound of the clock ticking down echoes in their minds.

Soon, they were pulled into a match.

Chapter Text

Jane wobbled slightly on her feet, her vision gradually clearing, steadying herself shortly after.

Looking around, she seems to be standing in some sort of outdoor field, a bunch of brick walls connecting to nowhere, arms sprouting from the ground hindering the pathway to a long hallway.

She's never bothered learning the names of these places, never allowed to even process them, never allowed to think , never to have her mind as her own .

…

Attempting to recall the bits and pieces of muddled voices from long ago, this should be... some sort of hotel.

Right... She's in... a match.

What that man in shades mentioned before echoes in her mind.

John, she can find John in these matches, these games .

A sudden thought crosses her mind, processing it, the others have been calling John by something different when speaking to her.

'husband'

... Is that what he was to her?

She doesn't know, but it feels right .

Before she could set off in search of the man, a yelp sounded out behind her,  she snapped her head back, alert.

A kid, a red one, was slowly backing away from where he spotted her.

She slowly approached the kid, which the kid in response, started back away even quicker, face paled in absolute horror.

The kid accidentally backed himself into a wall, looking around frantically, tail wrapped around his legs once realising he was truly alone at the moment.

An audible gulp escaped the kid, and he readied himself in some fighting position, despite how much his little arms trembled.

Jane stops exactly in front of the kid, peering down, and asking, "Do yo..u.. know w..here John... is?"

The kid startled at the sudden voice, then slowly yet warily dropped his arms down, mimicking Jane in tilting his head.

He looks equal parts terrified, confused, yet curious.

"Uhm..."

"---C00lKIDD!" A loud shout yells out, moments later Jane feels herself being rammed into harshly to the side, tearing out a roar of pain from her throat.

Her eyes snapped to the perpetrator in question, a man with blue hair in a military uniform. The man had swiftly lifted the kid into his hold and dashed away.

"Mr. Guest— Wait!!" The wails of the kid grew quieter as they both were fast to be out of her sight.

She was once again standing alone, not immediately chasing them even after she recovered quickly from the blow.

She subconsciously lifted her normal hand to rub the side of her torso, from where the man's elbow had dug very harshly into.

Has it always hurt this much?

Jane never had to deal with the pain before, only just now registering the constant burning sting on her skin from where her corruption seeps deep into her bones.

It hurts.

Once the pain had been acknowledged, it was harder to focus on her main objective.

John.

She needs to push through, she has to.

Pushing past the pain, which gradually increases as she focuses her eyes, marking red outlines of figures around the surrounding area, the instinctual tap into the abilities the corruption had granted her was both something familiar yet foreign…

… and something wrong, wrong, wrong .

She stutters into a brisk walk, then breaks into a run, chasing the nearest outline of a figure closest to her, every movement of her limbs being heavy and stabbing jolts of pain rushes through her.

It hurts.

Despite all the pain, only one thing crosses her mind.

John.

Where are you?

---

"PUT ME DOWN! DAAAD!!"

John perks up at the sound of C00lkidd wailing, he glances towards the direction and sees 1337 carrying C00lkid in his hold, who was flailing around, kicking and biting.

1337 looks unfazed by it, just simply frowning, "What's gotten into you, kid?"

"You interrupted me! I was about to make a grand discovery!!" C00lkidd's words only serve to confuse 1337 even more.

John approaches them, curious at what this commotion was about, only for C00lkidd to stop his minor tantrum and abruptly pointed at him, making John halt in his step.

"Mr. Doe! The scary claw lady was looking for you!" C00lkidd yelled out, finally being placed back on the ground once 1337 deemed it was safe enough.

John took a while to connect the dots, C00lkidd's personal killer naming always made him take a bit to register.

1337 sighs, deciding to help the poor man, "We only have one female killer, John."

Oh.

Jane.

Oh.

John suddenly grew anxious.

It's been a while since his thoughts had drifted towards Jane since the last time he saw her, excluding the hazy dream the other day. His mind was more occupied to process every other event that happened from the past few days instead.

"...Jane is the killer of the round?" It wasn't really intended to be a question, but C00lkidd answered with an enthusiastic 'Yup!' either way.

1337 nodded, then turned away to head into a different direction, "I need to go check on the others to make sure they're safe, I trust you can keep the kid out of danger, John."

"Oh uh- yeah, okay then.."

That left him and the kid alone together. John grimaces, he never really knew what to say to the kid, actually, what do kids even talk about nowadays?

He isn’t that old to not understand kids anymore, right?

Hm.

Suddenly remembering something C00lkidd mentioned earlier, he snaps his head to look at the kid, who was messing around with the generator John was previously working on.

Actually, the kid even managed to finish it faster than him.

Okay.

"You mentioned... Jane was looking for me... ?" C00lkidd jumps on the finished generator to sit on it.

"Yup! She asked me too, her voice was really chalky!" C00lkidd says in a giggle, kicking his legs back and forth, his tail doing the same.

At that, John freezes momentarily, then rushes up near the kid, frantically asking "She spoke?!??"

C00lkidd startled, tail flung straight up like a startled cat. "...yeah?" C00lkid muttered quietly, unsure and confused, looking as if he's nervous he did something wrong.

John backs off immediately seeing the expression on the kid, "Wait- sorry, I didn't mean anything bad, I was just- curious, got too excited there aha.." That seems to be enough to quell the kid, calming down and tail resuming to swing back and forth again, but slower this time.

John's mind however, it was a mess.

Does that mean the last time John saw her... she really did speak? It wasn't his imagination conjuring up illusions?

Does that mean-

"Found you two!" The cheery voice of Azure slowly approaches them, John briefly glances at him.

Then glances back at the kid, then back at Azure, who looks confusingly at John.

"Hi Mister Azure!" C00lkidd waves, the kid receiving one in return, John however...

John needs to confirm it himself.

So he jogs up to Azure, pats his shoulder, throwing him an apologetic look, and goes off in search for Jane.

Azure just looks dumbfounded, taking a glance at the kid who simply tilted his head at him.

Azure sighs, accepting the impromptu babysitting job, he was definitely making sure to payback John very nicely during the taste testing session.

.

.

.

John was basically running, searching frantically, passing by other survivors and sparking alarm bells in them, only to be confused seconds later once they realised there was no one chasing him despite all the rushing around.

John didn't pay them any attention, he had a one track mind at the moment.

Jane.

Where are you?

He slowed to a stop momentarily, ending up in one of the rooms in this Horror Hotel place, taking in deep breaths from running so much.

He has to keep moving, to keep searching.

To find her.

… but then what?

John suddenly questions himself, pausing, even if he was to confirm she could speak, if she...

If she recognises him, remember him .

Then what?

He's done something irreversible, does he admit his wrongdoings? Beg for forgiveness? 

... What would happen to their relationship?

 ̶W̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶h̶a̶p̶p̶e̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶o̶n̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶t̶w̶e̶e̶n̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶1̶x̶?̶

He had tried for so long, trying to get through to her, t rying to make her realise who he was.

Now that there was a chance for it.

So why is he hesitating ?

If John had never spent that night with 1x... would he never have felt like this?

John shakes his head, that sounded like he was blaming them, it wasn't their fault.

Him, this all started because of his own faults .

He was brought back from his impromptu spiraling as heavy footsteps came from behind him.

“John…? ” A voice, even through the roughness of it, was one he loved dearly.

John closed his eyes shut, took a deep breath, and turned.

This was the answer he wanted, right ?

He opened his eyes to the sight of Jane, sporting a hat he remembered gifting her in the past, the look in her eyes was the same one he saw once a few days ago, but it was clearer.

Seeing him, recognising him.

“Jane? Do you… really remember me?” His breath hitched, John could feel his very being wavering from where he stood.

“..John.. fou..nd y.. ou..!” 

In a sudden blur, Jane rushes forward and traps the man in an embrace. 

“John..!” 

John was startled by the sudden hug, instinctually hugging back, only for him to experience the eroding pain of her corruption seeping into his being, he bit back the scream he was about to let out, drawing blood from his mouth.

Jane hadn’t noticed, only hugging tighter, repeating his name like a mantra.

John could feel himself losing his breath, the hug was too tight, too strong, he could feel the threat of his own bones slowly giving out, he see black spots appearing in his vision, he tried patting frantically on Jane’s back, but it was no use, she didn’t let go, her hands clawing into his back.

He can’t breath–

He tried to say something, anything, but his chest was being constricted, the jagged spiked on her arm was digging right next to his face, all that was coming out of him was cut off words and pained gurgles as blood filled the inside of his mouth.

He could feel his own energy draining itself, slowly losing his consciousness.

So he closes his eyes, accepting this momentary reunion of a lover's embrace.

The last thing he sees was Jane’s face, contorted in shock, then the fear and guilt, tears streaming down her eyes.

Then there was nothing more but darkness.

—

Jane had only wanted to hold the man she loves.

When she saw him, it was like everything else didn’t matter, suddenly she felt normal, seen, like she wasn’t a monster.

Being able to embrace him again felt like a safe haven in a sea of red. He felt so warm, she couldn’t help but want more.

His arms that embraced her back were like an invitation, so she tightened her grip on John.

Her mind was a play of all the sweet memories of a time from before, a past she was forced to forget.

The pats on her back felt comforting to her.

The feeling she had missed so dearly.

Too far deep into the sweet fog of delusion that blanketed her mind, she has yet to realise the severity of the situation.

If only she knew the reality of what was really happening sooner.

She was confused when everything was no longer so warm and fuzzy, it was like something, or someone, popped the bubble that trapped her mind in euphoria.

She leaned back to look at the man she had embraced, only for her breath to hitch, face freezing in genuine shock, then terror took over.

In her arms, John was covered in a thick cover of binary and corruption, blood flowed from his mouth and staining both himself and her, ragged breath and barely seeing eyes.

Just before those eyes fully closed, he shot her a smile, then falling limp in her arms, his body, lifeless .

“John…?” What had she done? Why did she…

She should have known not to touch him, she should have so why–

Seeing the lifeless body of her husband tore her heart apart.

She did this.

She did this.

A pained scream tore out of her, one of sorrow and despair, tears flowing in big clumps down her face, her corruption flaring up.

Too painful to bear, her mind was consumed once more by a curtain of fog, she let herself succumb to it.

Letting herself go in a torrent of emotions, desperate for release, she threw away her sense for a momentary relief.

—

John dropped into the lobby, breathing heavily, gripping his shirt, the aftermath of the death leaving him sweating and enduring a mountain of pain, he was sure a few of his bones actually did crack in that deadly hug.

What a painful way to go.

That wasn’t how he had expected the encounter to go.

Actually, he didn’t know what to expect in the first place, but it definitely wasn’t that.

He sat upright on the ground, backing up into a wall and groaned into his hands.

Everything was a mess.

Every single time, when he thinks he could take a moment to process all the things that happened, another thing comes up and punches him in the gut, forcing him to face it.

He was so sick of it.

So sick of this place.

He just wants to go back to his normal life.

He doesn’t know how long he spent wallowing in his own self despair, but he picked himself up from the ground and started heading out of the lobby.

He just let his own feet bring him to his room, eyes blank and unseeing.

As he was passing by in the hallway, he halted at a door.

1x’s room.

Right, he had to leave them alone earlier.

He should check in on them.

He ignored the trembling in his hand, and knocked on the door, “H-hey, 1x–It’s me.” He managed to force out, his breathing was still uneven, the phantom pains of the aftermath still lingering despite it subduing gradually.

He heard the rustling of sheets, then a soft ‘come in.’ came from the other side.

He opened the door to 1x, sitting up on the bed, hair messy and tangled, head wing fluttering lightly as they landed their eyes on him.

“Were you sleeping?” John asked, taking in their appearance.

1x’s head wing twitched to a stop, “Ah.. no, not really, just had trouble sleeping.”

“I see.” 1x’s brow was downturned, looking concerned at him.

He didn’t feel like he deserved that kind of stare from them.

“Did… did something happen?” 

Too much happened.

John didn’t answer immediately, he just closed the door gently and walked towards the bed, sitting at the end of it, next to 1x’s legs that were hidden under the cover.

“I just– got killed by Jane again.” 

“Oh.”

It wasn’t like he hasn’t gotten killed by her before, but this time it’s just… different.

It was silent after that, not the comfortable one, but not uncomfortable either. Just tense, with a lot of words left unsaid hanging in the air.

1x’s wings lightly brush the tip of his finger, leaving feathery light touches on his skin.

John looks up from where he finds himself staring blankly at the floor.

1x was facing away, head wings covering the view of their face, “You look tired, you should lay down a bit.” They scooched over, patting the other side of their bed.

John blinked, and moved to sit beside 1x and laid down, the movement startling 1x, who looked surprised at the silent willingness. 

Perhaps it was because he’s been subjected to sleeping beside them a number of times before, or maybe being so emotionally drained again and could care less, but…

 ̶H̶e̶ ̶n̶e̶e̶d̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶r̶m̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶y̶ ̶1̶x̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶v̶i̶d̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶m̶e̶n̶t̶.̶

He could really use the company at the moment.

—

1x had been tossing and turning in their bed the entire time, it felt way too stuffy, they want to go stretch their wings, exercise, anything but be in bed for any longer right now.

They couldn't, however, or else they face the risk of suddenly throwing up out of nowhere or passing out from the sheer amount of headaches they’ve been getting.

Not to mention their limbs feel like lead.

They were momentarily spared from their own bored musings when they heard knocking coming from their door, and then the sound of John who sounded… off?

They quickly sat up either way, attempting to untangle their mess of hair, only to shake their head erratically.

What the hell are they doing acting like some teenage girl trying to look good for their crush??

It wasn’t like John hadn’t seen them literally retching their guts out just earlier.

Dear Telamon, they were so doomed.

Realising they still haven’t answered John, they called out for him to come in. Once John came in, they couldn’t help the flutter of their head wings at the sight of him, these cursed appendages..

After a brief exchange of words and them attempting to will their head wings to stay still, he noticed how out of it John had been.

They figured he had to have been the first to have died, judging by how fast he came back here when a single match is an hour long.

How bad could it have been?

They got their answer once John had mentioned Jane’s name, something about the way he said it felt too raw.

1x felt their chest sting at the sight.

1x didn’t really know what to say to that, nothing they thought up seems appropriate at the moment, not with the way John seems to be behaving.

So they let their wings lightly brush along his fingers, catching John’s attention and making him look at them.

They’ll mentally slap themself for this later on.

Looking away, a small blush raised on their cheeks, and attempting to cover them with their head wings. They offered him a spot beside the bed to lay on.

Much to 1x’s surprise, John did so, silent but willingly, 1x couldn’t help the fast flutters of their head wings at the motion.

They continued to sit up, silently just watching as John immediately just closed his eyes, his breathing seemed uneven, slight tremors of his limbs racked through their body, 1x just pursed their lips at the sight, laying back down.

They let their wings become a blanket over John’s body, gradually, he seems to relax, and after a while, his breathing evens out, signaling his fall into slumber.

1x felt content to just lay there and bask in the presence of being next to John.

If it weren’t for the man beside him uttering words in their sleep.

At first, 1x had thought the man was just sleeptalking, finding the notions pretty cute.

That was until a single tear dropped down from John’s closed eyes, making them pause.

“Jane..” A whisper in the silent room.

1x felt a pang of hurt in their chest.

They know they shouldn’t be feeling so hurt, they already knew how much John had loved Jane. She was his wife for fuck sake… 

Still…

It hurts knowing they never had a chance to begin with.

It was so stupid of them.

Why did they have to find this man so endearing ?

Why did they have to…

Why did they have to love him ?

There was no more room for them in his heart.

1x turned away, facing away from John.

Forcing their consciousness to drift away to try and forget the sting in their heart.

—

A shadowy being chuckled lowly, Its laughter echoing in the dark void, as it witnessed the undoing of a mortal's emotion causing their own demise.

It unfortunately had to play a slight hand into moving a few things in motion, specifically, regarding Jane Doe.

That woman was too sensible, a will so strong despite how little It has given the woman her senses back.

No matter, this whole show was still entertaining.

Chapter Text

The match ended in a total wipeout.

It had been going so well for a good while, until the match killer, Jane, had been more out of control than all the other previous matches, managing to hunt down and tear apart every single survivor in her sight.

It's been a while since every single one of them had died in a match, most of them ended up leaving the lobby immediately to tend to their own pains alone.

The only ones left were Builderman and Dusekkar in the lobby.

Builderman sat quietly on the couch, trying to calm his breathing. Dusekkar joins shortly after, sitting beside the man.

Builderman brought up his arms to place it over his face, “...Matt, am I a failure of a leader?”

Dusekkar looks at him in alarm, “Nev–” 

“Don’t– just, ya’ seen how I’ve been doing lately, I’ve made wrong decisions, too many mistakes, ones that even put people in harm's way. I just… can’t lead properly anymore ever since coming here.”

Dusekkar stays quiet, fingers tightening on his staff and loosening back up, “...Perhaps, but that does not make you a failure of one.”

Builderman brought his arms back down, looking at Dusekkar, exhaustion apparent in his eyes.

“Then what is wrong with me?”

Dusekkar takes a small intake of breath, or at least, what sounded like it, “...I cannot say. I can understand it must be stressful suddenly being brought here and having to play the role of a leader with people’s lives in your hands, and the hurt you must feel seeing both 1x and… Telamon , in such a state in this place, but I admit, despite having known you for so long and being a close companion to you, I do not know the extent of the burden you bear, or at least, not how much it is affecting you.” His voice was filled with guilt and shame.

“I apologise deeply for not being around as much, David..”

“No… it’s fine, Matt, really, please don’t feel bad about it. Ya’ got ya’ own burdens to bear by being a great help in the matches already, risking ya’ own safety for the sake of others. There’s just been… a lot to take in lately.” Builderman sighs, he internally debated if he should say something regarding the recent news about 1x’s… special case.

“Has it got something to do with 1x? Possibly even Telamon, in that regard.” Dusekkar spoke up suddenly.

Ah, Builderman supposes there’s no hiding from his friend, “Was it that obvious?” He chuckles tiredly.

“It was hard not to think so, considering you seem to have had some kind of temporary truce with Telamon to team up against the child in a yelling match in yesterday’s match.”

Ah, that did happen, right.

Builderman raises a brow at Dusekkar, “You were there?” 

“I was watching from afar, I didn’t hear the exact words but it seemed rather dire, an oddly comedic sight as well.” Dusekkars pumpkin eye holes lighted up slightly at the memory of yesterday’s events.

Builderman sighs, ever since yesterday, everything that happened has been occupying his mind in its entirety.

1x having a secret affair with John and then apparently also getting pregnant from that exchange.

Telamon was being somewhat civil and talking to them, to him , somewhat.

And a lot of other minor details.

Yeah, he was still trying to wrap this whole thing up in his mind, trying to figure out what exactly all of this meant.

Dusekkar places a gentle hand on Builderman’s shoulder, “Care to share a bit of your burden, friend?”

Builderman didn’t exactly know where to start, but he felt obligated to at least say something, so he blurted out one of the things that had been occupying majority his mind.

“1x is pregnant.”

Dusekkar’s eye hole lights flickered.

“Pardon?”

“ —John’s the father.”

Dusekkar was eerily still, trying to process the sudden information dump.

“... I see… I– wish them a congratulation?”

Builderman deadpans, Dusekkar seems to give him a look stating something along the lines of ‘what do you expect me to say to that??’ 

‘... I supposed that was why Telamon was keen on reducing John into smithereens.”

“Yeah.” Dusekkar took a second to think up what to say, Builderman’s responses had been getting dryer and he could not help but glance worryingly at him.

“...what are your thoughts on this matter?” At that, Builderman’s breath hitched.

What are his thoughts on it?

Yes, he was pretty pissed off in his own way, but that was mostly at John.

What of 1x? It was pretty weird knowing they were expecting in this kind of place, this whole thing spells trouble due to the circumstances they were all in and he’s noticed the effects of it on the others lately as well.

Half of him really wants to go up there, forget all the bad blood the both of them had accumulated and tell them that they would be there for him, take care of their well being again, but he knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

There was just too much going on, and doing that alone would mean ignoring a whole package of other responsibilities.

This uncertainty was getting on his nerves, he feels like he’s playing right into the Spectre’s hand the more he loses himself in this place.

Dusekkar lightly nudged Builderman’s shoulder, getting his attention, “Friend, I can see your thoughts running rampant in your mind.”

As an afterthought, Dusekkar added, “How about we take a scroll outside for some air? I believe it would do some good for us.”

Builderman thought about it, then nodded, “Yeah, I think I could use the stroll.”

—

Jane dropped down on the lobby’s floor, hat casting a shadow over her face as her heart felt heavy.

Somewhere, someone in the lobby whistles, “Damn lady, tha–” the voice was unceremoniously cut off and replaced by a yelp of pain.

“Read the room, idiot.” A quiet voice muttered.

Jane didn’t bother paying them any mind, she just sat in total silence, tears were still streaming down her face and dripping onto the floor.

She could hear footsteps getting closer to her, a shadow casted over her figure, she didn’t grace whoever with it was by turning up to look at them, she just wants to be left alone right now.

The person in front of her cleared their throat, “...If it makes you feel better, you did not permanently kill him, you’ll be able to see that ver– that guy, fine again by the next match you get chosen in.”

A small whisper of, “Holy crap, look at him, is he actually comforting her??” as well as a soft groan could be heard in the background.

Jane looked up, the winged guy was in front of her, he looked passive mostly, but a small hint of pity could be seen in his eyes.

She did not want pity, even when the words he said calmed her slightly, It did not erase the fact of what she did in the match.

“Go… away.” The man didn’t leave, Jane felt ready to just up and leave, the stares on her were getting uncomfortable.

Has she always been given weird looks before?

“... I believe we have a few things to discuss.” The man suddenly said, Jane couldn’t help but be wary.

This man was confusing her, his actions shifting too quickly.

The man leaned close to the side of her face, speaking in a whisper, “... It’s regarding John.” He immediately leans back, turning away to leave through the door out of the cabin, not bothering to check whether or not she was following or not.

John…

her heart stings, but she ignored it for now.

She stood up and followed along shortly after, she was getting fed up by the stares from the others in the lobby either way.

Once she was out of the lobby, she spotted the guy quite a distance away already. Running after him, she caught up in no time.

The both of them stood alone under the eternally dark sky.

It was completely silent, only the sound of the eerie rustling of trees and chilly breeze being apparent.

Jane was about to speak up but the man beat her to it.

“How much do you remember?”

Huh? 

Wasn’t this about John? Did he lie?

Jane was confused by the sudden question though, she couldn’t help but ask despite feeling annoyed she was lied to, “Wh..at… do yo..u mean?”

The guy clicked his tongue, “Your senses must be back, just like mine did, so I’m assuming your memories are jumbled as well.”

Jane wonders his words, now that he’s mentioned it, her memories were a jumbled mess, she knows that she loves John so very dearly, she’s seen snippets of memories they share together, although blurry.

Yet a lot of it was shrouded in darkness, as if she wasn’t allowed to unlock it, all of her memories didn’t feel like it came back to her like normal… it felt intentional somehow. 

Is this what the guy meant?

“... fe..els like, my mem..ories given back, not in m…y own ter..ms.” She was starting to get annoyed that her own speech was still so scratchy.

The guy raised an eyebrow, “All of it?”

Jane shook her head, “..just.. a bi..t.”

“I see..” He went deep in thought, he started rambling to himself, “So that Spectre has control over what we can and cannot remember, apart from that, it seems altering memories was something that It can also do…however…”

He suddenly glances back at her, “Did you know who John was to you when you first got your senses back?”

Jane thought about it, thinking back to her first match with John, she was still in the midst of clearing the fog in her mind back then, but as soon as she laid eyes on him, she knew he felt familiar.

“No–” a small cough interrupted her, but she pushed through despite the strain her throat is going through from talking more than she was capable of at the moment. “ –but.. he f..elt impo..rtant to…me.”

Something seems to click in the guy’s mind, he didn’t seem keen on voicing it out however.

He just nodded at her, moving to leave, before he did though, he did share some words to her, “... I suggest you try to talk more with people, make connections… keep talking to the ve– John if you see him again. Also, you should clean your face.”

Just like that, the guy– no.

Telamon left.

Leaving her to stand by herself, trying to process everything that went on.

Her heart was still heavy, the lingering guilt of what she did is an annoying buzz in the back of her mind, but the momentary distraction from the conversation was a welcomed one.

She has a few things to think about as well, she doesn’t know if she should trust that Telamon guy, but if they seem to be facing similar problems, then it would be good to have someone to talk about it with.

First off, she should really clean her face.

—

John groans in his sleep, feeling the signs of his consciousness coming to bring him back to the waking world.

He felt oddly cold, that was odd, he could have sworn it was warm when he went to sleep.

Opening his eyes, he tried to rub away at the grogginess.

Once he did, he looked around.

Oh right, he went back to 1x’s room and slept there… again.

He turns to the side, expecting to see 1x beside him, only to see the spot was empty.

He bolted up, feeling alarmed.

Where are they?!—

Retching sounds could be heard behind the bathroom door, he sighs in relief, although now he was worried instead.

Getting off the bed and shaking off some feathers stuck on him, he walked towards the bathroom door and knocked on it, “Do you need help in there…?”

He was given no response, the retching sounds going on for a while, when it finally stopped, it was quickly replaced by the sound of rushing water.

John patiently waited outside the door, still no response .

The door finally opened, out came 1x, face wet and head wings drooping.

They didn’t seem to spare him any glance, “Hey there… you okay?” He suddenly felt awkward by the lack of acknowledgement from 1x.

“I’m fine.” Came the curt reply from them.

Did he do something wrong?

“Do you want me to get more water?” John offers, 1x still has yet to look at him, opting to start tidying up the very messy bird nest of a bed instead.

“I still have some leftovers you brought in earlier.”

Okay now John doesn’t know whether or not he should continue speaking anymore, he tried anyways, “... Doesn't hurt to have more right? You need to rest as much and possible and–”

“No need.” Came another short reply, this time cutting him off mid sentence.

John shuffles awkwardly from where he stood, 1x acting so… cold all of the sudden was something he wasn’t expecting once he woke up.

“I’ll… leave for now, I think I’ve been overstaying my welcome a bit too much.”

He was greeted with another bout of silence from 1x. 

Feeling a sting in his heart, he hesitantly headed towards the door out of the room.

Looking back once more, 1x continued to tidy up the bed, acting as if he didn’t exist at all.

So he left the room, feeling like everything was crashing down again.

1x was just… feeling stressed right? The pregnancy must be taking a lot out of them, they probably needed the time alone.

Yeah, that must be the case.

John ignores the sting in his heart as he tells himself over and over that 1x just needed time alone.

He wasn’t going to lose anyone again.

Right?

The memories of the match from earlier rushes in his mind unwillingly now that he was alone.

Despite how… gruesome it went, a part of him was glad Jane finally remembered him.

He thought he was going to lose her forever, only being taunted by an empty shell of once was, but she was there now, even gave him a hug even if it ended up killing him in the end.

Shouldn’t he be happy then?

Why does it feel like he still lost something?

He probably needs to walk it off, there should be no more matches for him today if that Spectre decided to follow through in Its words in the letter.

He finally sets off, hoping a walk would help clear his mind.

If only he had stayed a little bit longer, then he could have heard the small sounds of sobbing coming from 1x’s room.

-

(lil Jane sketch surprise because I love her)

Chapter Text

As soon as the door closes, 1x couldn't help but slumped forward on the tidy bed, messing up the sheets once more.

Why did they act like that?

It feels immature of them, their stupid emotions have been wavering a lot lately, and it's starting to affect their behaviour.

Now they were alone, feeling empty.

Sad.

They felt like crying.

…

They were crying.

It was like rain started pouring down, streaks of salty droplets of water dripping down their face.

It came unwanted, emotions going haywire, they didn't want to cry, but they did anyway.

The emotions they hoped to suppress came bursting out of its cage.

Is this because of the pregnancy?

Fucking Telamon.

They want it to stop.

They want to go back in time, slap themself for ever falling in love with a married man, and wish they never met him.

'You know well you would never wish for that.'

Their sobbing became louder, more uncontrolled, so they smush their face into a pillow in hopes of muffling these disgraceful, pitiful sounds.

A sudden knock came from their door.

They snapped their head up and glanced at the door.

...did John come back?

1x mentally slapped themself for thinking that.

They were the one who drove them away.

Why would he come back?

1x bit down on a loud sob threatening to break out their throat, coming out sounding like a muffled choke instead.

The next time a series of knocks came, it was accompanied by a voice this time.

Revealing the voice of... Dusekkar?

They stood up from the bed, wiping their tear stained face the best they could, hoping it didn't look like they were just crying while they slowly walked towards the door.

What does he want with them?

Well, it wasn't the worst visit, they had the least amount of strain in their relationship, they did grow apart a bit ever since Builderman joined, but at least they talk sometimes.

Right, the door.

Taking a small hitched exhale, they opened the door.

—

"Matt."

"Yes, friend?"

"Tell me why we are headed towards the hallway where 1x's room is."

Dusekkar was, in fact, distracting him and herded him in the direction of 1x's room, the room itself was only a few steps away now.

"Whatever do you mean? We just happened to walk by here." Dusekkar's voice was passive, betraying none the wiser, but Builderman knew better.

" Matt. "

Dusekkar finally relented, after making Builderman stop right in front of 1x's door.

"... I believe it was about time I intervened."

Builderman shot the pumpkin headed man a dirty look, feeling betrayed, "Like hell-"

Dusekkar went ahead and knocked on 1x's door, gripping tightly onto Builderman's arm to prevent any escape plans.

Builderman sighs, mentally preparing himself.

... He supposes he was overdue with a real talk with 1x, the both of them had been avoiding the topic of the past for too long but...

He doesn't feel ready for this.

There were rustling sounds behind the room, yet nothing indicating it was opening anytime soon.

Dusekkar knocked again, this time speaking up, "Little Robin, It is me. Will you open the door please?"

This time, footsteps soon approached the door, albeit slowly, the door clicked open in a small squint and out came a small exhausted voice.

"...You're still calling me that?"

From Builderman's angle, Dusekkar was blocking his view from seeing 1x, it definitely wasn't because he, himself, shuffled more to the back to make himself less visible.

Dusekkar chuckles lightly, "I still believe it is a fitting one for you, Little Robin."

A small groan came from the small opening of the door, "Whatever… what do you want?"

"I was hoping if you would entertain me and my friend here-" Dusekkar suddenly pushes Builderman from behind him to the front which causes him to widen his eyes, "-a bit of a chat."

1x went silent, no one could tell what their expression looked like right now with how small the opening of the door was.

"... My room is a mess."

"That would not pose us an issue."

"There's vomit everywhere."

"That is... less than pleasant, but we can chat elsewhere if that is the case."

"..." 1x went quiet again.

Builderman frowns, are they hiding something in their room?

After a while, 1x just spoke dryly, "I don't feel like talking."

Ah.

They just... didn't want to talk.

Is it because of him? His mind supplied unhelpfully

Dusekkar's eye hole lights dimmed, "Oh, then I suppose we can come at a different time frame." Dusekkar finally let go of his grip on Builderman's arm.

Builderman was both relieved yet disappointed, he tries to ignore the latter feeling for his own sake.

However 1x suddenly spoke up again,"... I don't mind if you stayed, Uncle Dus."

Ouch.

It really is because he was there, but he's never faced such a blatant discard of his presence from 1x before.

Dusekkar glances between Builderman and 1x, suddenly looking heavily conflicted.

"... I see."  Dusekkar places a small pat on Builderman's shoulder, as if that would comfort him.

"I'll see you later when the next match starts, David." 

Builderman snapped his head towards Dusekkar, who let himself in once the door was wide enough.

The door clinked shut, leaving him to stand alone in the hallway, feeling an array of emotions in that little amount of time.

— 

Dusekkar looked around, he was floating as per usual so he didn't have to worry about stepping on any bile on the floor.

Yet he found none.

"It seems there is no bile on the floor."

1x rolled their eyes, "Yeah, no shit."

Dusekkar frowned at the sarcasm laced in irritation, as well as the vulgar language, "That was a sudden change of mood."

1x halted, head wings dropping, as if just realising their tone, "O-oh, I didn't mean that, it just... came out– sorry..." 1x looks away, seemingly having a mental war.

Dusekkar floats nearby, taking a good look at 1x.

They look like a mess, eyes glossy, looking as if they were just crying their eyes off moments ago.

Spotting the obvious wet stain on their pillow only confirms so.

Dusekkar grabs their hand lightly, startling them out of their stupper, and brings them to sit down on the bed.

Dusekkar wasted no time in blurting out his words, he knows he probably should take this slowly but a match could happen any time now,  "I've heard of your recent situation from David." 

1x was silent, looking down on the floor.

"If it makes you feel better, heightened emotions are one of the few symptoms that come with pregnancy."

1x's head wing twitch, voice small, "... Even when I'm not considered your usual robloxian?"

Dusekkar looks uncertain for once, that alone feels foreign when it comes to the pumpkin headed mage, who seems to know too much at times.

"... I cannot say, regretfully. You are indeed quite a special case, but from what I can tell, as of now. You seem to be going through similar symptoms."

1x face shows that they couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing.

Dusekkar places a firm hand on 1x's shoulder, squeezing slightly. "Do not fret too much about it, Little Robin."

1x didn't seem to take those words to heart, but they nodded anyway, "... When will you stop calling me that?"

Dusekkar chuckles, not answering them and responding back with his own question, "You still seem to call me uncle, no?"

1x's head wing puffed up, looking embarrassed, "Th-That!- It was only to be petty to that old man!"

Dusekkar couldn't help but laugh at that, although a part of him was concerned. "I hadn't expected you to be feeling petty at this age."

1x looks away, muttering quietly, but Dusekkar catches it "... It was the only harmless way for me to cope."

Dusekkar couldn't help but grip his staff tightly at that.

1x and Telamon can be too similar at times, but that was a given.

He wasn't as close to the man as David was, but he had bare witness to his descent before, he was regretful as to not having done more back then.

He wasn't going to let that happen again.

Dusekkar shifted his hand towards 1x's head wing, but paused, "May I touch these?"

1x gave him a glance, a slight hint of wariness, but nodded.

Dusekkar lightly patted a spot he believed would be a soothing spot, 1x seems to relax so he continued.

"... If you ever feel the need to release some frustration, I would not mind sparring with you." 1x glances at him in worry of the offer.

"... but, that doesn't sound fair-"

"Just because I wield a staff, does not mean I do not know how to deal with the sword. My powers may be muted but I've faced Telamon outside of this place before." Dusekkar huffs.

1x looked unsure, but silently nodded again.

They sat there in silence, the soothing pat of Dusekkar's hand on 1x's head wing making them feel a lot calmer than they were before.

"... You're awfully good at this." 1x couldn't help but ask.

"I used to do this a lot to my winged friend when he gets too overwhelmed." 1x eyes bore into him, wondering who it could be, something clicked in their head, but Dusekkar feels as though they reached a wrong conclusion.

"Is it... Telamon?"

Dusekkar laughs, "Oh dear Spawn, no! It is the other winged one in robes, you may know him."

1x took the time to process who it was, only to look ashamed afterwards, "Oh."

Dusekkar didn't dwell on it, his feelings on the matter are not needed at the moment.

The ticking sound of a clock rings in his mind, and he sighs.

"It seems the next match is about to commence soon." 1x seems to deflate at that.

"... Oh, good luck." Dusekkar shot them a confused look.

1x explained briefly on their temporary expulsion from the matches. Dusekkar just nodded in understanding, a lot more things make sense now.

Just before Dusekkar was going to leave the room, he spoke, voice serious, "... I may be a bit nosy but... please give David a chance to explain himself. He really does care about you, I am not trying to defend his past actions against you, but it would do both of you good if you could reconcile again, or at least, be on better terms, especially during these times."

1x stares blankly at Dusekkar, then turns away, head wings hiding their face.

"... I'll think about it."

Dusekkar can only hope his words came through, but he doubted it.

He'll have to find more ways to bring them together somehow.

—

Builderman lingered in the hallway, he wasn’t exactly sure what he should be doing now.

Wait for them to come out..?

He still felt miffed about the fact he wasn’t invited to come in, with blatant spite in front of his face at that.

… Should he eavesdrop?

He shook his head vigorously.

That was just… wrong, despite how tempting it was.

Seeing as he was unwelcomed, he might as well just wait in the lobby until the next match.

Heavy in his footsteps, feeling like he should’ve just pushed more than just giving up like that, he walks at a snail pace.

Reaching the end of the hallway leading outside, he stepped out and breathed in the cold chill of the never changing midnight air.

He was focused on just getting back to the lobby but a blur of colour catches at the end of his vision.

Turning to it, he spots someone standing alone on the dock.

Squinting his eyes to identify the figure, his eyes narrowed once seeing it was John.

Shouldn’t the guy be staying nearby 1x?

Builderman changes his tracks to approach John, feeling the need to drill the concept of responsibility in the man’s head.

John’s head twists at the sound of footsteps approaching, at the sight of Builderman, he looks ready to flee.

“Oh– uh, Hello, sir...” John greeted awkwardly, Builderman raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

“John Doe.” Builderman simply says, John looks uncomfortable under his judging eyes.

Builderman continued to talk, “Weren’t ya’ supposed to be taking care of 1x? This is quite irresponsible coming from ya’.”

John looks away, feeling guilty, “They… seem like they needed alone time.”

It sounded like excuses to Builderman, but seeing the man clearly from up close, looking absolutely miserable, he’ll relent on drilling on the guy… for now.

Builderman sighs tiredly, his opinion of John may have downgraded now, but he feels like a hypocrite if he were to judge him too hard about being there for 1x.

He’s seen John more around 1x than he’s ever been coming to this hellhole.

So instead, he settled with questioning John, “... Did ya’ make them mad or something?”

John looks up surprised, as if fully expecting him to verbally abuse him.

Builderman feels offended, then concerned, has he been coming off as cruel to others…?

That’s… a thought for another time.

“... I’m not sure.” John finally said.

Builderman looks puzzled, “Explain?”

John opens and closes his mouth, struggling to word it out, “Uhm– I was just– after dying in the last match, I went to check up on 1x, and they seemed fine– but then when I woke up afterwards, they were suddenly really distant.”

Builderman had no idea what to make of that explanation, to put it simply, it was terrible, he did note something in John’s less than stellar explanation though.

“... You two slept together again?” Builderman couldn’t help but ask.

John sputters, face flushed, “J-just– literal sleeping together, nothing suspicious!”

Builderman seemed to frown, something had been bothering him.

“What’s the relationship between ya’ and 1x?” Builderman had been wondering this, he had assumed it was a silly irresponsible fling they had, seeing as John was still actively trying to get through to his wife , Jane. But with how John had been acting? He wasn’t so sure that was the case anymore.

The situation they had already seemed messy, but if it was anything more then…

Well, someone was bound to get hurt, he just hoped it wouldn’t be 1x but...

John seems to blank out, “Our relationship…?” He mutters to himself, suddenly looking unsure.

Builderman only feels a headache coming, if John wasn’t able to immediately answer that, then…

Oh my fucking Robloxia .

“John.” Builderman says in a deadpan.

“Do you like 1x… romantically ?”

John seems to freeze at that, looking like a deer caught in headlights, “h-huh?”

Builderman wanted to know this, he’s seen how 1x had been acting with John, and it doesn’t take much to guess that they had a bit of a fancy to the man, perhaps even a lot, judging by how much their head wings flutter around John without themself noticing.

Builderman would have been glad 1x found someone they like and in return, likes them back but…

John has a wife.

It also looks like he wasn’t fully over her.

He doesn’t want that kind of person to be holding on to 1x's heart.

John seems to be spiraling even more now, as if the revelation had unlocked even more conflicting feelings in him.

Builderman doesn’t care for that, it was none of his business, he does feel a bit of pity for the man, but he dug himself into this hole himself.

If it wasn’t for the fact they were stuck seeing each other everyday in this place, Builderman would have banned John from ever seeing 1x again.

It would have been easier if John didn’t like 1x back, at least then 1x didn’t have to hope and chase after the guy who still has someone else in his heart.

Sure that still sounds bad, 1x would still have to deal with the heartbreak, but at least they didn’t have to deal with having to be a second option instead.

Builderman just hopes for the best for 1x. (̶E̶v̶e̶n̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶’̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶y̶ ̶n̶e̶e̶d̶e̶d̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶)̶

“John, If you know what’s best for ya’, then stick with what ya’ already have, don’t make this any more complicated than it already is.” 

John looked at him, it didn’t seem like he was really there,. he nodded at him but Builderman could tell if he wasn’t actually listening.

When he hears the ticking sound of a clock counting down in his mind, he supposes time is up.

He turns to leave, heading to the lobby.

Leaving John to himself.

—

John stumbled into his room, a lot was on his mind.

What he hoped was a walk to clear his mind, he returned back even more conflicted than before.

Him? Liking 1x romantically? 

He doesn’t…

He can’t even make himself believe otherwise.

He can’t– He already has Jane.

His own wife remembers him.

That should be enough.

It should be.

…

He slumps back onto his door, slipping to the ground.

This whole thing about his feelings was already so much, remembering 1x was also pregnant with… his child , is just… another problem all together.

Suddenly a thought struck him, if Jane remembers him then…

What would happen if Jane finds out?

Fuck.

Fuck .

He tries not to hyperventilate.

The sound of rustling paper brought him back momentarily.

His eyes landed on a letter placed on top of his bedside table, his breath hitch, the wretched thing making his anxiety spike.

Great .

He wants to ignore it.

It wouldn’t hurt to read it later… right?

Looking away from the letter, he decided he should just sleep it off right now.

Standing up, and walking over, to very messily dropped on top of his bed, he let himself lay there blankly with a throbbing head full of unwanted thoughts until sleep claimed him.

—

1x laid back on their bed after Dusekkar left.

The talk with him was… really nice actually.

It took off a lot on their mind.

They really need to chat with Dusekkar more, it was kind of nice that the man wasn’t speaking in rhymes for once.

Although the last words… 

1x wasn’t so sure, on one hand, it would be nice if they could at least return to being on casual talking terms with Builderman, but… 

…

1x sighs, in all honesty, they still hold a bit of a grudge against the man.

To save souring their own feelings even more, 1x will the remainder their thoughts away.

Just need to… relax for now, yeah.

The sounds of a ticking clock filled their mind.

They sat up hastily, bewildered.

There’s no fucking way–

In a blink of an eye, there was no trace of 1x anywhere on the bed, only the tell being the warmth that still lingered.

.

.

.

Opening their eyes was a chore, paired with the sudden headache and disorientation, they had to take a long minute before even attempting, lest they vomit.

Once it resided a bit, 1x slowly opened their eyes to take in their surroundings.

To no one's surprise, they were in fact, in a match.

1x takes a glance at their clothes, sighing in relief to see them normal.

Thank fuck for one fucking thing.

1x now just looks irritated, so now that shitstain Spectre would just randomly punt them into a match without warning.

1x shoots a crude finger to the sky, hoping that thing was watching.

1x placed a palm on their middle.

Well… at least they get another chance of getting rid of this…

The strong flaps of wings leaving gusts behind alert them of another presence dropping nearby behind them, sensing the familiarity, they can immediately tell who it was.

… or not.

—

Telamon was picked again for a match.

He supposes that vermin Spectre doesn’t even hide the fact they want specific killers for a round now, seeing as a lot of them were still not picked in rotation.

He can deal with this, he needs answers anyways.

What better way than to ask the survivor in question.

First off though…

He closed his eyes and focused, once he found what he needed, he tested his wings to see if it works.

Floating off of the ground and confirming it works, he doesn’t hesitate to burst forward to look for his creation.

Spotting them shortly after, he landed right behind them.

They seem to tense as he steps closer, turning around with pursed lips.

“1x1x1x1”

They laugh non-humorously, “... Did you have to call me by the full name?”

Telamon paid no mind, he just continued stepping closer until he was arms distant, bringing forth his hands to reach to the other.

1x shuts their eyes close, as if bracing for something

Only to snap their eyes open in confusion when he settles with shifting them around, checking thoroughly then lifting up their shirt which earned a small yelp.

Telamon frowns.

… Did it grow even bigger than the last time he saw it..?

It was a faint source of energy last time, now it seems to grow stronger but…

It looks wrong, erratic, as if forced into the state it was now.

He locks eyes with 1x, which makes them tense further.

If only he knew how menacing he looks right now, making 1x think he was angry at them.

“What happened? Why is it progressing too fast?” 

His tone doesn’t help either.

1x was sweating bullets, looking like the earth would swallow them up any second now.

“I– I don’t know…”

Telamon clicks his tongue, which causes 1x to flinch.

Seeing this, Telamon abruptly loosen the grip he didn’t realise was tightened.

Sighing, he contemplates what to do.

Creation is a very delicate process, he isn’t sure how much of a difference creating something through this method is, but it usually uses a lot of his own energy to even create one.

They don’t exactly get to keep their powers here so…

Telamon feels like he should be able to figure it out if he keeps dwelling on it but another set of footsteps stops that.

Both Telamon and 1x turn to the presence.

Builderman stood there, eyes wide in surprise.

Just the person Telamon had wanted to interrogate. He supposes he’ll put his other thoughts on hold for now, it doesn’t seem like 1x was going through anything serious at the moment.

He let go of 1x, which they took the chance to back off quickly, yet still lingering.

“You, I have questions for you.” Telamon motions for Builderman to come closer.

Builderman looks like he was having conflicting emotions, mainly puzzled. He walked closer warily.

“... What do ya’ want?”

“Tell me again, what was 1x to you.”

Builderman took a bit to respond, confusion apparent, “I… I was a sort of guardian to them.”

Telamon didn’t recall ever hiring nor needing one in all his memories.

“Did I agree to that?”

Builderman’s eyes narrowed, as if he was starting to piece things together, answering cautiously, “... Yes, we agreed upon some kind of co-parenting system, since ya’ wasn’t sure how to handle a baby.”

Telamon’s head wings twitch. That sounds… familiar, despite the lack of memories to back it up, but the feeling was there.

“I do not recall.”

Something seems to click in Builderman’s mind, and now his eyes were saucers, a lot of mixed feelings trapped in them.

“You don’t remember me.” It wasn’t a question, just realisation.

1x seems to be looking back and forth between them, looking uncomfortable, watching this odd family reunion…? Going on.

Builderman mutters to himself, Telamon didn’t catch most of it, just a small, “... some things make sense now..”

Doesn’t matter.

What does however, is getting every bit of information he can out of Builderman.

Chapter Text

As Telamon was about to begin his line of questioning, 1x perks up to speak.

"... Seeing as you two have some... unfinished business, I'll just go-" They were already stepping away, getting ready to run off, but Telamon was quicker to grab on to their arm and force them to sit nearby, letting a protective wing wrap around them to make sure there's no escaping.

"No, I need to monitor any changes in you lest it happens."

1x shots a dirty glare at him, but in his eyes, they seem just like a petulant child. 

So as a response, Telamon simply pats their cheek with the ends of his wing and turns back to Builderman, a small infuriated groan coming from beside him.

He paid no mind to it.

Builderman takes a daring step forward, wariness was apparent in his eyes but a hint of eagerness was as well.

A hope for something, someone .

Builderman seemed to hesitate on his words, but finally, he spoke, "... So all this time, ya'... don't remember me? What changed? Why are you suddenly so... civil? Is it because of..."

Builderman glances at 1x, who notices the look and lowered their head down, their head wings covering their face.

Telamon was a bit peeved, he was the one who's supposed to be asking the questions, not the other way around.

However, he relented easily, willing to answer the man's question, as if a part of him would bow down to the man's whims.

Why?

What was so special about him? 

Is it because he was an honorable figure that even him, Telamon ,

A god .

— Would be so shameless as to be at the beck and call for a seemingly regular Robloxian like some lowly servant?