Chapter Text
007n7 and Elliot weren't on bad terms now, far from it actually. Nowadays, it seemed like Elliot was 007n7's only friend. Afterall, Elliot was never the type to hold grudges; when he saw how 007n7 had changed and his guilt was eating him up from the inside out, he was quick to forgive him. In fact, Elliot even admired 007n7 for his determination to change, so how did it come to this? After that round with Noli, it was like 007n7 changed. Almost for the worst, Elliot would say.
Elliot remembers that fateful round, how could he not? He was with Guest most of the round, Guest always insisted on protecting him. But, there was this big pink explosion and 007n7's health went from full to half and still dropping. Elliot was quick to find 007n7, at Noli's feet, coughing uncontrollably. It looked like Noli was monologuing, probably mocking 007n7 with how sickly sweet his tone was, but Elliot didn't stick around to find out, he grabbed 007n7's arm and used his rush hour to bring the two of them to safety.
Once they were in an area Elliot deemed far enough from Noli to be safe, he started patching 007n7 up while scolding him. “What the hell were you thinking 007n7?! You're lucky I found you in time! You would've been a goner! The last thing we need in a Noli round is to give him more time to hunt us down! What even was that pink explosion? Do you know?”
“Hh? Wha?” 007n7 had a dazed look in his eyes, but if only Elliot had looked closer, he would've noticed that his pupils went heart-shaped. The rest of the round, Elliot appointed himself as 007n7's babysitter as he was far too disoriented to fend for himself.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
After that fateful round, everything about 007n7 seemed to change. The changes were small at first, 007n7 being a bit less shy during rounds and bringing Elliot medkits he found, cooking a bit more often and plating Elliot a larger serving, protecting Elliot during rounds. Elliot had just thought 007n7 had gotten himself out of his shell and he was less shy, but the more attention he paid to 007n7, the more he noticed was off. The outlines of his horns and tail were no longer red, now being this magenta/purplish pink color, his C00lgui was the same color, and when Elliot looked extra close it wasn't even called “C00lgui” at the top anymore, the panel instead being called “L0v3B0mb.GUI,” the tip of 007n7's tail wasn't like an arrow anymore, instead looking like a spade or a heart, and Elliot could always feel eyes on him.
After a few rounds, gifts started showing up in places Elliot frequented. Elliot even found a box of chocolates on his bed. A few things also started going missing. Not big things or anything he would really miss, like his old work uniforms, or in one case, his dirty underwear. He didn't want to think about the connotation of that, so he just pretended he didn't notice. After all, Elliot was taught that it's better to ignore stalkers than acknowledge them. But, he did have a sinking feeling; Elliot started getting stalked right after that round with Noli, when 007n7 changed.
A few more rounds passed quite uneventfully for Elliot. (Except for being stalked) The killer rarely ever found their way to him, and on the rare occasion he actually got hurt, a medkit would always show up in his path. This round, however, was an outlier. Noli was the killer again. Come to think of it, it's been a while since he was the killer, the last time being… when 007n7 changed. Elliot connected the dots in his head and came to a conclusion: what happened to 007n7 was Noli's fault. But why? Why would Noli make 007n7 more extroverted? Why would he make him more outgoing? Was something worse about to happen?
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot didn't want to wait to find out, so he ran until he eventually found Noli and 007n7. It sounded like two of them were talking. Noli was talking to 007n7 like a good friend, but the latter clearly didn't reciprocate the idea. Elliot decided not to reveal himself just yet, to learn a bit about Noli's motives.
"H1I1 S3VENN! D0 Y0U R3MB3R M3 N0W? D0 Y0U F33L H0W 1 F33L?" Noli sang out, that sugary voice glitching out the surrounding air.
"I have no idea what the fuck you're on about, Noli." 007n7 spat out his name like it hurt to do so, scowling and venom in his voice.
"Y0U R34LLY D0N'T R3MB3R M3? 1 C4N S33 TH3 3FF3CT 1'V3 H4D 0N Y0U, TH0UGH. M4YB3 1T D1DN'T W0RK Y3T, M4YB3 Y0U N33D 4N0TH3R D0S3… 1T'5 4LR1GHT S3VEN, 1'LL M4K3 Y0U R3MB3R." Elliot barely heard it, but it shook him to his core. Another dose? Like that pink explosion he saw last time? What exactly is Noli trying to do?
Elliot jumped out of his hiding spot, attempting to shock Noli and save 007n7, but he was too late. 007n7 was enveloped with pink smoke, and when the smoke subsided, 007n7 changed again.
"WH0'5 THI5? TH3 P1ZZ4 B0Y'5 C0M3 T0 PL4Y H3R0? T00 B4D Y0U'R3 T00 L4T3! Y0UR PR3CI0U5 L1TT3 H4CK3R I5 4LL M1N3 N0W! N0W WH4T T0 D0 W1TH TH3 W4NN4B3 H3R0? 1 TH1NK W3 5H0ULD K1LL H1M, WH4T D0 Y0U TH1NK 5EV3N?"
"don't…" 007n7 managed through his coughing.
"HUH? Y0U'R3 ST1LL S3NT1M3NT4L OV3R TH1S L0S3R W3 U53D T0 T3RR0R1ZE?"
"Don't … You fucking dare touch him… You scum!" The smoke was slowly dissipating and Elliot could see the pure hatred 007n7 held for Noli in his now hazy pink eyes.
"5CUM? 5EV3N… Y0U… 0HHH 1 S33…" Noli was laughing, and then he turned to Elliot and let him see the anger and incredulity on his face.
"TH1S FUCK1NG N3P0B4BY ST0L3 Y0U FR0M M3. H4H4H4… 1 H4DN'T 3V3N C0NS1D3R3D 1T… TH4T S0M30N3 W0U1D 5T3AL MY PR3CI0U5 5EV3N FR0M M3 4GA1N. H4H4… R34LLY S3VEN? 4M 1 R34LLY N3V3R Y0UR F1R5T CH01C3? D0 Y0U RE4LLY H4T3 M3 TH4T MUCH? D0N'T W0RRY, 5EV3N, 1'LL F1X 1T… TH3N 1'LL F1X Y0U… ST4RT1NG W1TH TH3 P1ZZ4 B0Y" Noli brandished his voidstar in preparation to attack Elliot, but he was tackled to the ground by none other than 007n7.
His tail coiled around Noli's arms, ensuring he wouldn't be able to use his voidstar, and then set down on Noli. At first he just threw punches, but then something materialized in 007n7's hand and he started stabbing him with it. Even still, Noli tried to talk to 007n7, or rather at him.
"H4H, F1N3… 5U1T Y0UR53LF, S33 H0W L0NG Y0U C4N C0NTR0L Y0UR53LF B3F0R3 Y0U C0M3 CR4WL1N6 B4CK T0 M3 B3C4U53 Y0UR PR3CI0U5 P1ZZ4 B0Y H4T35 Y0U." 007n7 paused his attacks for a second before pulling out his C00lgui, or rather his L0v3B0mb.GUI. Like his horns, tail, and eyes, the panel was no longer black with a magenta outline, but pink with a purple outline.
"H4H, WH4T'R3 Y0U 60NN4 D0 W1TH TH4T? Y0U R34LLY TH1NK TH3 5P3CT3R'5 60NN4 L3T Y0U HURT M3? H4, WHY 3V3N TRY? Y0U W3R3-" Noli cut himself off mid-taunt with screaming. Loud, glitching, shrill screaming. The air filled with the smell of burning flesh. Burning rotting flesh. Elliot let out a gasp at the gruesome sight, reminding both Noli and 007n7 to his presence. When 007n7 turned to face him, Elliot could see the fear in his eyes.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Then, the round abruptly ended. What? There should've been at least 40 more minutes on the timer, and that was if nobody died. Did… Did 007n7 do that? Did he end the round? He had to go find him, to confront him, ask him why he set down on Noli like that, how the round ended so early.
Elliot found 007n7 near his own cabin, drenched in blood. Elliot was going to confront him about the round, but seeing him covered in blood, his worry overrode his sense.
"Dear Telamon, 007n7! Are you alright? You're all bloody!" Elliot grabbed 007n7's hand and dragged him into his cabin, and if he noticed him blushing, he didn't mention it.
Once the two of them were inside, he set down a towel on his bed for 007n7 to sit on, pulling his first aid kit out from under his bed before quickly realizing something.
"This blood probably isn't even yours, is it?" Elliot asked, which 007n7 bashfully looked away and nodded in response to.
"Fine, go take a shower, but afterwards, we're talking about this round." Elliot sternly told 007n7, passing him one of his old uniforms.
A few minutes after 007n7 went into the bathroom to shower, Elliot heard some whimpering, what the hell was that? Did he sustain some wounds after all? Elliot, stern but still kind as ever, didn't want 007n7 to be in pain, so he knocked on the bathroom door.
"007n7? Are you alright in there?" The whimpering stopped before 007n7 replied
"yeah… Yeah! I'm fine! my… My skin is just tender, you know?"
Elliot, oblivious as ever bought 007n7 excuse and chirped out "Alright, just let me know if you need help!" in response.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Eventually, 007n7 left the bathroom wearing the clothes Elliot gave him. He was instructed to sit on Elliot's bed, and he complied.
"You really don't have any wounds, do you? Unless you're hiding a big nasty gash under my shirt, huh?" Elliot teased 007n7, one of his favorite past times, but he didn't expect 007n7 to take off his (Elliot's) shirt.
"Here, no wounds, see? Sorry for worrying you, and what you had to see, but I'm fine, I swear!" 007n7 deflected, clearly misinterpreting Elliot's tease.
"Hm, I don't think so, 007n7." Elliot grabbed 007n7's tail, drawing a startled yelp out of the exploiter, clearly not expecting Elliot to grab him.
"I'm sorry for grabbing your tail without warning, but it’s totally not normal for it to be this color," Elliot spat out a half apology.
"It, uhm… it's just a bit sensitive to being grabbed like that…" 007n7 snapped out of his defensive front, bashful.
"I see… But my question still stands; what the hell happened between you and Noli?" Elliot demanded, releasing 007n7's tail.
"I don't really know. He's just been talking crazy, acting like he knows me."
"Really? Like what?"
"The first time, he said something about remembering 'what we had together' and 'the good old days in college,' but I have no idea what he was on about, during college I was a loner, a total loser! Then the second time he was talking about me 'feeling how he feels,' but I still have no idea what he meant!"
"He also said something about me 'hating you' and you 'controlling yourself?' That was when you started mauling him."
"Ah… sorry you had to see that… I promise I'm not a violent person anymore! It… just… it was like my mind slipped away from me… "
"Your mind slipped away from you? So you were just mindlessly attacking the killer?"
"…yeah… I wasn't thinking, I couldn't think… all I had was rage and it kind of just happened… I didn't mean to! Please believe me! I've changed, I really have!" 007n7 rambled on.
"No! I didn't mean it like that! Not in a bad way, my perception of you hasn't changed or anything! In fact it's kind of the opposite! It's like you're a sentinel now, which is great! We need all the protection we can get! And maybe if the others see you doing a more helpful role, they'll be kinder to you! They'll see you're not as bad as you used to be, just like me!" Elliot reassured, rubbing soft circles into 007n7's tail as an attempt to calm him down; and it worked, he melted into his touch.
They sat like that for a bit, Elliot massaging 007n7's tail, until Elliot started working his way up, nearing 007n7's exposed back.
"Aah, I just remembered something! I promised to help make dinner!" 007n7 quickly said, his tail coiled around one of his legs, clearly making an excuse.
"I can tell when you're lying, 007n7. What are you hiding?" Elliot teased.
"It- it's just the base of my tail… Touching it feels really…" he trailed off.
"Oh? Oh! Uhm, sorry, I didn't mean to… uhm…" Elliot sheepishly apologized, embarrassed.
"I.. uhm… I think I'll go now" 007n7 said, and he did, and Elliot didn't try to stop him.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
The following rounds, the feeling of eyes on him got stronger, and often rounds would end earlier than they should. Elliot once caught 007n7 "ending the round," it was John Doe, who targeted Elliot the last round he was the killer. When 007n7 realized he was being watched, he looked like a kid who was caught with their hand in a cookie jar. His expression was full of shock and guilt. Then, the round ended.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Right now, Elliot was sitting in the main cabin, reading a book. To be honest, he wasn't really that bothered that 007n7 was now attacking the killers. It was a bit gruesome, but it made sure rounds ended quicker, giving everyone else more freetime. The others apparently didn't share his sentiment, as they gathered around him in some sort of an impromptu meeting. Everyone but 007n7 was there, as he was almost always left out of meetings.
"About the rounds always ending early," Shedletsky started.
"What about it?" Elliot asked.
"We're trying to figure out why," Builderman added.
"Probably 007n7." Elliot had no idea what weight his words held, he hadn't even looked up from his book.
The room went radio silent before someone asked "…what…?" Judging by the meek shakiness of the voice, it was likely Noob.
"He discovered if you kill the killers before they kill you, the round ends."
"…So all those times the round ended early… that was 007n7's doing?" Builderman tried to rationalize.
"Probably. I mean, I saw him do it twice now."
"Well do we know why he does it to begin with, or why sometimes he doesn't kill the killer?" Guest tried asking.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure, that round with Noli, he said he lost control of himself, but this last round? With John Doe? I'm not entirely sure. I do know that he targeted me the last time he was killer and that time with Noli, he tried to kill me, but I'm not sure that has anything to do with it." Elliot recounted, and the rest of the survivor group exchanged a knowing glance.
"Alright! We'll go ask 007n7 about the rounds!" Shedletsky chirped and led the rest of the group out of the cabin.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
The following round, Elliot couldn't help but notice how low Shedletsky's health bar was. 007n7 too, which was odd considering he rarely ever got hurt in rounds anymore. Plus, Guest said he wanted to take on the killer this round and try 007n7's method, and judging by his healthbar, he was holding his own. Maybe all three decided to attack the killer? Maybe?
The round did end early, but not as early as it would have if 007n7 and Shedletsky were helping fight the killer. So what were those two doing? He was mulling over the question on the walk to his cabin, when he noticed the aforementioned two were there, bickering in front of his cabin.
Though when 007n7 noticed Elliot approaching, he immediately stopped arguing, opting instead to scowl at Shedletsky.
"What? Too scared to argue in front of your boyfriend? To scared to even admit your feelings? You disgust me." Shedletsky mocked 007n7, making Elliot's blood boil, who did Shedletsky think he was? Nobody get bullied in front of his cabin, especially not 007n7.
"…shut up.. I haven't even-" 007n7 started before being cut off by Elliot
"And what if we were dating, huh, jackass? Does that bother you? Are you stuck in the 1900's or something?" Elliot barked at Shedletsky, pulling 007n7 into a kiss to prove his point, flipping Shedletsky off all the while.
"Not you too, Elliot! Ugh, fine, I'm getting Builderman to patch me up instead." Shedletsky scoffed before stomping off. Once he was finally out of earshot, Elliot pulled away, revealing a dazed and somehow even pinker than normal 007n7.
"Oh Telamon, 007n7, I am so sorry, I should've asked first! I just, you know, you don't often stand up for yourself, so… I'm sorry, I took it too far." Elliot rambled on as soon as to realized his mistake. How could he just kiss 007n7 without asking?
"Did you really mean it?" 007n7 asked, barely above a whisper.
"N-no! I promise, I didn't mean to be creepy or anything!" Elliot was sort of panicking now, he didn't want to ruin his relationship with 007n7, not when 007n7 only had him and Twotime.
"You don't want to be my boyfriend?"
"Huh?!"
"Please don't give me hope only to crush it, Elliot…" 007n7's voice was even quieter, Elliot had to strain to hear it, but what he did hear made his heart skip a beat.
"You mean… you like me?" Elliot whispered back, heart beating out of his chest. 007n7 only tentatively nodded, looking away, seemingly ashamed. "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" Elliot suddenly declared, shouting. "I will be your boyfriend 007n7, if you'll have me." Elliot's shouting startled 007n7, but he nodded, looking the happiest Elliot's ever seen him. "Let's dote on eachother and be those cute happy couples you see in magazines, alright? Let's be eachother's light, not let this place drag us down!"
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
And a doting boyfriend, 007n7 was. He kind of followed Elliot around like a puppy, but in a sweet, adorable way. During rounds, he never left Elliot's side unless to lead the killer away. If only Elliot caught the glares he gave the other survivors when they asked for heals. Outside of rounds, he was nothing but perfect. Giving Elliot massages unprompted, getting or making him things, cooking for him, oh and the sex.
007n7 truly loved being on the bottom, with no interest in topping. Once he practically begged to give Elliot a blowjob, and it was the best he ever had. The way he lavished him with his tounge, the way his horns were perfect handles, the way he moaned around him like his dick was a 5 star meal, and the way he looked at him while doing it, like he was the most important thing in the world. Elliot was truly happy with 007n7, the two loved eachother.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
But after an argument, 007n7 withdrew.
Elliot thought he was done with him, that 007n7 had left him, but the feeling of being watched never subsided. Elliot had a hunch earlier that the person watching him and giving him gifts was 007n7, just wanting spoil him without making a big fanfare, but now he wasn't sure. Why would someone continue to do that after a fight? Elliot also often noticed 007n7 talking to Twotime, and it admittedly made him jealous. What did that cultist have that he didn't?
A few days later, 007n7 offered to make Elliot a meal, apologizing for giving him the cold shoulder.
"I'm sorry I left you alone, I thought you might have wanted a bit of time to cool off after our fight, but I just can't bear to spend any more time apart."
Elliot eagerly accepted his apology, just wanting to be back with his boyfriend.
"Can I make you something as an apology?" At those words, Elliot's heart sang. His boyfriend wanted to make it up to him. Elliot agreed with zero hesitation, but what he didn't expect was that Twotime would help. He was a bit uneasy that Twotime was going to be alone in the kitchen with 007n7, for a number of reasons, but he didn't mention it. He didn't want to start another fight with him, afterall.
Still, the meal was made (although nobody but 007n7 and Twotime were allowed in the kitchen) and it looked pretty good, actually. It was a spaghetti bolognese made with veal (where did 007n7 get veal? The survivors rarely ever got anything fancy…) Taking a small bite, Elliot's tastebuds exploded with the flavor, it was delicious, though the veal tasted a bit more like pork to him. He didn't question it though, he didn't want to insult a gift 007n7 took effort to make just by suggesting he used the wrong type of meat.
But still, there was a burning question in Elliot's head that no matter how hard he tried wouldn't go away.
"007n7 are you cheating on me?" Elliot asked and saw how 007n7's tail stopped wagging and his expression went from one of pure love to one of pure terror.
"What? No! Never, I'd never cheat on you, Elliot, you have my heart!" 007n7 was on the verge of tears, like Elliot's accusation physically hurt him.
"No, no, you're right, you'd never do something like that to me. I'm sorry, I've just missed you so much, and seeing you with Twotime made me jealous…"
"This is about Twotime? Don't worry! I won't talk with them anymore if that's what you like! Believe me when I say the only one I need is you!" 007n7's expression was intense, his eyes begging for forgiveness for making Elliot think he was being unfaithful.
"Woah, you don't have to go that far!"
"No, I do, if you think that I love someone other than you, then I'm not doing enough. I need to prove to you that I love you and only you, that I'd never even think of another person." 007n7 had grasped Elliot's hands, looking him in the eyes.
"Alright, make it up to me" Elliot could tell 007n7 was being sincere, so he relented. And throughout the whole conversation, he didn't even notice how 007n7's arm was bandaged, and how the bandage was getting soaked with crimson.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
And make it up, 007n7 did, or at least tried, but to be honest, his new behavior was kind of upsetting Elliot. 007n7 was much, much clingier, even more than when he was following Elliot around, he always made sure he was in Elliot's line of sight, and he wouldn't talk to, no, wouldn't acknowledge anyone but Elliot. It was like 007n7 put himself on a leash, one that Elliot held. He would do anything Elliot would ask, well, almost anything.
Recently, 007n7 has been refusing to take off his shirt. It was a long sleeved Builder Brother's t-shirt, and even when he showered, he'd just grab a new one from Elliot's dresser and change into that after he finished showering. Elliot had no idea why 007n7 was so attached to his old uniforms. Was it because they smelled like him? Was it something else? Maybe it'd be better to just ask him.
"Hey, 007n7? Why do you like my old uniform undershirts so much?"
"..I like the way they feel on my skin… And I can still smell your old cologne on them…"
Elliot nodded and was about to return to his book, when he noticed 007n7's tail was coiled around his legs. A telltale sign he was lying. But why would he lie about something like this?
"007n7, why are you lying to me?" Elliot wrapped his arms around 007n7 in a hug, slipping his hands underneath his shirt, feeling his skin against his own always calmed him down, but he felt 007n7 tense. He pulled his hands out from under his shirt in an attempt to comfort his boyfriend, and looked in horror as they came away bloody.
"Elliot- I…" Elliot was panicking, what was his boyfriend hiding from him? Was he being threatened? Elliot knew that the only way to get 007n7 to open up to him was to be extra stern, so he had to be firm in his demand.
"Take off my shirt"
"Elliot, please…" 007n7 was trying to placate him, but it didn't work. He needed to see if 007n7 was hurt.
"I'm not going to ask you again." Elliot hated the look of terror 007n7 had on his eyes, and how he knew it was because he was scared of upsetting him.
007n7 very carefully peeled off his shirt, gaze trained on the floor, refusing to look at Elliot. And when he took off his shirt, Elliot saw why. All across his chest and arms were bleeding cuts. They all looked hand done. Some were hearts, some looked like just mindless swipes, while some, dear god, some were Elliot's name!
"007n7…" Elliot started, full of disbelief.
"…I'm sorry…"
"What the hell‽!" A thousand thoughts were running through Elliot's head.
"I promise they're not as bad as they look!" 007n7 defended.
"Who did this to you?"
"… I… I did…"
"Why?" Elliot got no response "When?"
"… After our fight…" Elliot kept looking over 007n7's wounds until he found something incredibly concerning on his arm.
"Telamon, what the hell is that‽ It's like someone took a bite out of you!"
"It was… for you… I asked Twotime to… for you…"
"You don't mean‽ …The bolognese?" 007n7 only sheepishly nodded in response
"Why the hell would you do this to yourself!‽" Elliot was just so overwhelmed at this point.
"I- I'm sorry Elliot, I didn't mean to make you upset!" His words enraged him. Everything 007n7 did now was for him, wasn't it? Had he really been self-destructing in order to please him? Elliot could barely proccess the guilt and anger, so he blew up.
"Yeah, that's your fucking problem, isn't it? Can't you think for yourself anymore? Why did you have to do this to yourself?" Elliot yelled and stormed off, leaving 007n7 sobbing on his bed, clutching onto his old shirt.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot went the only place he could, the main cabin.
"Trouble in paradise?" Shedletsky jeered as he saw Elliot enter the cabin.
"Elliot! Are you alright? Your hands are all bloody!" Noob immediately rushed to Elliot's side.
"… I'm fine… it's not mine… it’s 007n7's"
"What'd he do? Are you safe? Do you need somewhere to stay?" Guest immediately started fussing over Elliot, he was the mom friend after all.
What nobody expected was for Elliot to break down crying.
"See? We told you he'd revert to his old ways. C'mon Elliot, you're alright, tell us what he did." Builderman pushed to be near Elliot, immediately chastising him.
"No! It's the exact opposite! It's not what he did to me, it's what he did do himself! Telamon, none of you really care about him, do you?"
"It can't be that bad" Shedletsky rolled his eyes.
"You don't get it! Have any of you actually talked to him? Or vice versa? The only person he ever talks to is me! I haven't seen him eat recently, he's been carving my name into his skin, and I think he fed me a chunk of his arm!"
"… he didn't tell you?" Twotime asked
"What the fuck, Twotime?!"
"He told me he wanted to become one with you! He wanted to follow one of the Spawn's courting rituals! I thought you were in on it!"
"Why the hell would I be in on it?"
"🍕🫷🏻🫸🏻🗡 🙏🏻 🧘♀️😎🫶🏻" Taph urged the two of them to back off of eachother and calm down.
"How am I supposed to calm down‽ They just told me they knew my boyfriend was struggling and didn't do anything, and I'm just supposed to let that go? Because they were raised differently or whatever? I swear, ever since that Noli round, 007n7's been acting off and none of you cared enough to notice!"
"You said Noli? The voidstar holder? During that round you were with the soldier? Noli is a god, there's no doubting, even with his clown facade… It's possible he cursed 007n7, had him think you were heaven… With Noli's magic, he's possessed, and with you, he's obsessed." Dusekkar butted in, dispersing his sage knowledge, giving Elliot a piece of hope, though a pit of guilt all the same.
"How do we fix him? I don't care if he doesn't love me anymore, I just want him to be safe! For him to see himself as a person again!"
"It's not impossible, but very improbable… We don't know his motivation, but maybe if you have a conversation?"
"…I think he said I stole 007n7 from him…" Elliot mumbled.
"…Since that's the case, he'd like likely give you a chase. And if he lifts the curse, we risk something worse… what'll happen to 007n7 once he changes his object of obsession?"
"Think about it this way, Elliot, we can use his obsession to our advantage, he's practically unkillable when he's in a jealous rage, I mean, did you see me that day the two of you confessed?" Shedletsky tried to spin the problem in a positive way, ever the optimist.
"Yeah! And maybe with gentle love you could push him back in the right direction? Get him back to normal?" Noob suggested
"Yeah… Yeah… alright… good talk?" Elliot's breathing slowed down a bit. "I'm going to talk to him about calming down a bit"
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot returned to his cabin to find 007n7 asleep on his bed, tears staining his face. Poor thing cried himself to sleep. He looked so peaceful, but also so sad. He pressed a kiss to his forehead and started carding through his hair. After a few minutes of this, 007n7 woke with a soft groan. The second he made eye contact with him, Elliot could see the panic returning to his face.
"No, no, none of that, hon. I'm not leaving you, we just need to set out some boundaries, alright?"
"… alright…"
"I want you to talk with the others more, you can do that for me, yeah?"
"… yeah.."
"And can you stop hurting yourself for me?"
"… I… I don't know if I can…"
"Can you try, for me?"
"I can try…"
"Hey, look at me." And 007n7 complied
"You can cry, it's alright, but when you're done, we're gonna take a bath, we're gonna wash your face, and we're gonna dress your wounds, yeah?"
"Yeah…"
And the two of them did just that. Things with 007n7 seemed to get better, for a bit, then it got worse. He started spiraling again, he was reverent, treating Elliot like a deity whose presense he needed to earn. He treated himself as dirty, even denying to top when the two had sex, claiming he didn't want to "sully Elliot's divinity" with himself, saying he was fine just servicing Elliot, but he could see the way he looked saying that. He also started carving his devotion into his skin again, so Elliot had to hide everything sharp, even urging Twotime to get rid of their dagger. All in all, it needed to stop, but the tipping point?
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
It was a round where C00lkidd was the killer. Elliot had expected 007n7 to bring him to a hiding spot, and the two of them would wait the round out, but the exact opposite happened. The round began as normal, well the new normal. 007n7 was flanking Elliot, making sure the killer wouldn't ambush them, it was like he hadn't even acknowledged who the killer was. 007n7 used to hide when C00lkidd was the killer, too scared to confront his son. Where had the fear gone? Was this because of Noli? But then, when C00lkidd found them and gave chase, 007n7 didn't even blink. He just pulled out his L0v3B0mb.GUI and set him ablaze.
Set his son on fire. His own son. He burned his child alive. The kid he sacrificed his whole life for. Just because he was going to attack Elliot. He's just a kid, Elliot knew that, and he knew 007n7 knew that. He remembered once, before Noli joined the roster of killers, 007n7 would cry every time C00lkidd was the killer and the sentinels stunned him. He'd scream "PLEASE! HE'S JUST A KID! HE THINKS IT'S A GAME! HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING! PLEASE! STOP HURTING HIM!" And now he didn't care about his son. His own son. He killed his own son. And Elliot was too shocked to stop him.
Elliot knew now that the whole "007n7 suddenly liking him" was Noli's doing, but he still wanted to stop and appreciate it. He wanted to tell himself that 007n7 truly loved him, he was selfish. But look where that got him. This needed to stop. It wasn't healthy for either of them. So Elliot decided to make a plan. He'd pretend nothing was wrong, and he'd seek out Noli. He didn't care if Noli would hurt him or if he would have to hurt Noli, he just wanted 007n7 to get better. To be himself again.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Finally, it was a round with Noli, it was go time. He told 007n7 to go around doing generators and to catch up with Twotime. Then, he gathered up the rest of the sentinels and had them back him while he looked for Noli.
"W3LL, L00K WH0 1T 15, TH3 P1ZZ4 B0Y. WH3RE'5 Y0UR L1TTL3 4DM1R3R, HUH, P1ZZ4 B0Y? " Noli's voice was salty, laced with venom.
"That’s why I'm here. What did you do to him, Noli?"
"0H, D0N'T M4K3 M3 5H0ULD3R 4LL 0F TH3 BL4M3, P1ZZ4 B0Y, Y0U'R3 JU5T 4S R3SP0N51B3 F0R TH15 A5 1 4M."
"How could you possibly say that? It was all you. You did this to him."
"D1D WH4T? M4D3 H1M 4 G00D B0YFR13ND?"
"No, he's not…"
"0H R34LLY? 1 B3T H3 D03S 3V3RYTH1N6 Y0U W4NT H1M T0. 1 B3T H3 BL3SS35 Y0UR UNW0RTHY C0CK W1TH H15 H34V3NLY M0UTH. 1 B3T H3 C4RV35 Y0UR N4M3 1NT0 H15 5K1N. 1 B3T H3 3V3N G4V3 Y0U 4 P13C3 0F H1M53LF. 1T FUCK1N6 5H0ULD H4V3 B33N M3." Noli snarled, jealous.
"How could you possible want someone like that?"
"Y0U D0N'T 63T 1T, H0W C0ULD 4 M0RT4L P05S1BLY UND3R5T4ND TH3 N33D5 0F 4 G0D? BUT 1 C4N T4K3 H1M 0FF Y0UR H4NDS F0R Y0U."
"…There's a catch, isn't there?"
"L1ST3N, 1'M JU5T TW3AK1N6 H15 C0D3 4 B1T, 4LL TH4T'LL H4PP3N 1S H3'LL 5T0P L0V1N6 Y0U 4ND H3'LL B3 M1N3."
"And it won't hurt?"
"Y0U W0N'T F33L 4 TH1N6"
"007n7. Will it hurt 007n7?"
"M4YB3 N0T, M4YB3 4 B1T, M4YB3 4 L0T, D3P3ND5 0N 1F 4NYTH1N6 603S WR0N6, H3 SH0ULD B3 F1N3 1F 3V3RYTH1N6 603S R1GHT."
"…Fine, fine, I'll get him, just no funny business, alright?" Elliot pretended to be conflicted, nervous for 007n7's sake, but if he could do this right, he could fix 007n7.
Elliot ran to where he knew 007n7 was, where he knew Twotime was keeping him safe. It was time to execute his plan. He mimicked a limp, pretending he was hurt, then shouted.
"007n7? 007n7! Thank Telamon I found you! We really need your help, Noli's tearing us apart, and I can't keep up with the heals. Can you protect me while I do some patchwork?"
"Yeah, sure, of course, anything"
"Thanks, you're the best, hon." Elliot pressed a kiss to 007n7's lips, the words felt heavy, but he had to do this, even if he had to trick his boyfriend.
"Alright, the others are this way, just follow me!" Elliot grabbed 007n7's arm, running back to Noli.
"Alright Noli, I got him!" Elliot yelled once they were close enough. He dropped 007n7's arm, and took a few paces back. 007n7 was barely able to ask
"Elliot, are you alright?" Before being captured in a star shaped bubble. He slammed on the walls of the bubble a few times before yelling back to Elliot. "Elliot! Fuck, I can't even dent it! Elliot, you have to run! Go find the sentinels! They'll protect you!" 007n7 was oblivious to the fact that he was the one in danger, only worried about Elliot.
"TH4T'5 3N0UGH FR0M Y0U." Noli hummed before the bubble filled with pink smoke, the same kind Elliot had seen twice before. When the smoke cleared, 007n7's body was limp, unconscious. "Is he-?" Elliot started, being cut off my Noli.
"H3'5 F1N3, P1ZZ4 B0Y, JU5T 4SL33P. 1T'5 H4RD3R T0 4LT3R TH3 C0D3 0F 4 C0N5C1OU5 R0BL0X14N TH4N TH4T 0F 4N UNC0N5C10U5 0N3."
"… So… how long will this take?" Elliot was admittedly anxious, what if he missed his opening and 007n7 was stuck "loving" Noli?
"W3 L1T3R4LLY JU5T 5T4RT3D. AR3 Y0U R34LLY TH4T D35P3R4T3 T0 G3T R1D 0F H1M?"
"I'm just trying to make conversation!"
"4 F3W M1NUT35 1F Y0U D0N'T D15TR4CT M3."
"…Got it…"
Elliot sort of sat there and watched. Watched Noli play with his boyfriend's- not his boyfriend anymore, 007n7's code. Eventually, Noli spoke up.
"JU5T 0N3 M0R3 T0UCH T0 M4K3 H1M M1N3." The bubble 007n7 was in popped, and Noli leaned down to pick up his unconscious body. "4 K155 T0 534L TH3 D34L." Elliot was faster than Noli, though. He managed to pick up 007n7, activating his rush hour and shouting to the sentinels hiding nearby.
"End the round!" And he ran, as fast and as far as he could, because he knew Noli would try to chase him down. When he had gotten to a space he deemed safe enough, he set 007n7 down, and ran back to where the battle would be, but the round ended before he was able to get there.
Everyone spawned in the main cabin, and Elliot took the chance to go around and thank them. Without the help and cooperation of everyone, he wouldn't have been able to cure 007n7. Speaking of 007n7, he was asleep on the couch. Elliot walked over to where he was sleeping, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead before stooping down to pick him up. Without the adrenaline pumping through his veins, 007n7 was quite heavy, but if Elliot was able to carry stacks upon stacks of pizza while he was alive, he can handle bringing 007n7 to his bed. When he finally got there, he made sure to tuck him in, giving his forehead yet another kiss. Then he returned to his own room, settling down for the night.
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot woke up to screaming in the middle of the night. 007n7? Was it 007n7 screaming? He followed the sound, and it was coming from 007n7's room, though it had devolved into sobbing. Elliot knocked on the door, not wanting to force his presence onto 007n7, but wanting to let him know he was there for him.
"007n7, I'm here! Can I come in? Do you want me to come in?"
"…Okay…" 007n7 responded after a brief pause, his voice raw, he must've been screaming for a while. Elliot gently opened the door [you gently open the door- no, I'm kidding], taking a step inside and taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Elliot, fuck, I'm sorry… I just- what the hell was I thinking?"
"It's alright, you weren't thinking."
"I was, though. I had plans, plots, schemes, even. I just wanted to be yours, and for you to be mine, and only mine, and I ignored everything that wasn't you, and I ignored potential consequences, because they didn't matter to me."
"It's okay, it's over now, you're safe."
"No! It's not! Everything I've done is still there, the harm is still there, the doubt is still there! How can anyone trust that I won't turn on them again? How can I even trust myself?"
"007n7, you're acting like you hurt the others"
"I did, Elliot! I just never let you see! Fuck, I would threaten the others just for looking at you too long, I killed the others over you, you saw me, you saw me with the killers, you saw me burn C00lkidd alive, fuck! What have I done?"
"But it's okay, they know-"
"Know what? That I'm apparently batshit insane? Not everyone is as forgiving as you, Elliot. Everyone already hated me, imagine how they feel now! And C00lkidd! My own son, I hurt him! He probably either hates me or is scared of me! And Noli!"
"007n7-"
"Oh god, Noli, what have I done? How could I forget? I? Fuck, how could I? Did I really?" 007n7 was spiraling, nothing Elliot said would get through to him, he just kept going on about how terrible a person he apparently was, and how he forced the voidstar on Noli. But Noli was never mortal, he was always a deity, far before Elliot and 007n7's codes were even thought of. [That one headcanon that after 007n7 made Noli take the voidstar, he became a god and the world rewrote itself around that like a reverse hydra] 007n7 just went on and on, like he was in a confessional and Elliot was the preist. But unlike a confessional, 007n7 would reject all amnesty, all forgiveness, all comfort, would be rejected with yet another sin.
Elliot had to shut up 007n7 the only way he could. He leaned forward and captured 007n7's lips in a kiss. 007n7 didn't melt into the kiss like he used to, he stiffened, though he didn't push Elliot away, he just froze. Elliot pulled away in seconds, meeting 007n7's horrified expression. He misses when 007n7 would grovel for a kiss, but that's a terrible thing to think.
"I know, I should have asked, I'm sorry. But please, listen to me-"
"Leave... please…" 007n7 cut off Elliot, voice cracking. "Please… I need to process this alone…"
"007n7-"
"Please!"
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot left 007n7 alone. He didn't want to, but he had to. 007n7 said he could process this on his own, and Elliot trusted him. Elliot had to trust him. He cried himself to sleep that night. He misses when he and 007n7 would fall asleep in eachother's arms. In the morning, he knocked on 007n7's door, to try and talk to him, but he got no response. So, Elliot went the only place that felt like home anymore, the kitchen. He wanted to make breakfast, primarily to lure 007n7 out of his room, but also because he wanted to thank all of the others for their good work. Even if it did alienate Elliot from his boyfriend.
Going through the ingredients, there were eggs, milk, bacon, flour, sugar, and baking powder, perfect for pancakes, eggs, and bacon! Nobody could resist the smell of bacon early in the morning! But even while Elliot was cooking, even after he was done, even when he brought a plate to his door, 007n7 didn't come out. In fact, 007n7 didn't say anything besides a soft "I'm really not hungry, Elliot…" so he had no choice other than to return to the main cabin and pretend he was fine. Looking at the wide table, everyone was there except for 007n7, the sight was reminiscent of before he forgave him, but 007n7 wouldn't return to that reclusive state, right? Regardless, Elliot plastered on his usual smile and thanked everyone.
"Everyone, thank you so much. I know, especially recently, that 007n7 hasn't been the easiest to get along with, so I just really want to extend my gratitude. Without all of you guy's help, 007n7 would still be someone else other than himself, he would still be destructive and utterly obsessed with me. And it wasn't a good thing for any of us. He is back on the path of recovery, and hopefully in the future, all of you will see how nice it is to be around the real him. Again, I truly couldn't have been able to pull it off without all of you, so please, enjoy your breakfast!" Everything Elliot said, he knew it was more to put his own mind at ease than to thank everyone, but what else could he do?
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot hadn't seen 007n7 since the day he cured him, and it's been quite a few rounds by now. All he's seen of him has been in rounds, and they've all been clones. He knows, he's tried to talk to them just for them to collapse in front of him. He knows 007n7 is still alive, but he's basically a ghost, he doesn't even come out to eat. And most frustrating of all, it seems everyone but himself and Twotime has forgotten his existence, and Twotime isn't even worried. They just think it's the Spawn's plan for him, but honestly, Elliot's had enough.
So, at the end of the following round, Elliot made his way to 007n7's room, if he wouldn't talk to him or even eat by choice, then Elliot would make him. He knocked on the door, plate in hand, but 007n7 didn't respond. He then tried the door, and when he found it locked, he pulled a pin out of his hair. Elliot had taught himself how to pick locks after the first fire at his workplace, and now it would pay off.
When the door clicked open, Elliot was met by a heartbreaking sight. 007n7 had lost so, so much weight, his face had tear stains, and he was holding a knife to his arm. There was this strong smell of iron in the air, and when Elliot looked down, there were chunks of flesh on the floor. Elliot couldn't suppress the gasp that came out of him when he saw the morbid scene, altering 007n7 to his presence. 007n7 dropped the blade, hiding his arms, though it was too late.
"El- Elliot, hi-hi uhm… how…? How are you doing? How'd you? How'd you get in?"
"The door was unlocked." Elliot lied through his teeth. He knew it was wrong, but he was just so worried about 007n7. "I. I brought you some food… You haven't been coming out lately, I thought it might be nice to bring you some food instead of making you come out to get some?"
"…I just haven't been hungry lately." 007n7's tone was flat, but Elliot could tell he was lying, his tail coiled around his leg.
"007n7, listen, I've just been concerned… after that round with Noli? It just feels like you've been avoiding all of us, your teammates."
"…And If I had been?" 007n7's tone was cold, flat.
"I get it, but-"
"Do you? Do you get it? Do you get being a horrid person all your life? Do you get forcing your best friend to be possessed by some horrid cursed crown, then forgetting it by the nature of the crown? Do you get trying to turn your life around to take care of a child only for that very child to tear your life apart again? Do you get still loving that child, working yourself half to death to care for that child and fix everything you've ruined? Do you get losing your child? That child you've attached your self worth to? Do you get not being able to take the guilt and ending up killing yourself? Of course you get being denied the sweet release of death and being condemned to some hellish game, but do you get being shit scared of half of your teammates and the other half being scared of you? Being 'forgiven' but still an outcast? Losing yourself, your identity, returning to being a horrid person to do what you think will please that very person you terrorized in life, that had 'forgiven' you? Thinking that you're happy despite your horrid actions, even though you're not yourself? Thinking you're happy in this twisted 'love,' only for it to be wrenched away? To be forced to sit with the weight of all of your actions? Being left with this emptiness? Missing not being yourself, because when you weren't yourself you were happy? Not being able to reciprocate the love you still get from the object of your previous obsession, but not being able to? I've tried, Elliot, I've tried to still love you, but it’s like I have this hole in my chest. I want to love you, but my body won't let me. So how could you possibly 'get it,' Elliot? How?" 007n7 was sobbing, his voice hoarse, but when he detailed his life, there were no stutters, no catches, nor hitches in his breath, so Elliot could tell he really wanted to get this out.
"007n7…"
"Just… leave me alone for now, please? I'll come to you when I'm ready. "
~.☆.♡ - ♡.☆.~
Elliot had left 007n7 alone. It was a difficult decision, but 007n7 was his own person, and the two weren't even dating anymore, and Elliot had no right to control him, even if they were. A few rounds had passed, and the other survivors were talking among one another as per usual. Elliot wasn't feeling it, so he was going to head back to his room. However, Chance grabbed his arm and brought him back into the group. "Elliot, you'll want to hear this."
"What do you need, Chance?"
"Listen, we all got letters from 007n7, right?"
"Listen, if this is your idea of a joke, it isn't funny."
"Elliot, did you not get one?"
"Of course he wouldn't, 007n7 told us not to tell him, so why would he?"
"Just show me!"
Noob came forward with a handful of cards. They looked like the C00lgui, the original one, just the red was duller, less saturated. Elliot picked one up and read it, then another, and another. They were goodbye cards. And Elliot didn't get one. They were all relatively the same, dispensing thank you's and pleasantries and goodbyes and apologies, but a few were different.
Twotime's card read; "Twotime, you were the best friend I could ever ask for in this damned realm, I thank you so much for sticking by my side. But, I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you now. Every day, the guilt and emptiness eats at me, I'm broken now. Or maybe I always have been, and only noticed it now. But every day, all I can think of is the harm I've done. Please don't tell Elliot I'm gone. -007n7"
"Chance, I've always noticed how you look at Elliot, please love him in my stead. I can't handle not being able to reciprocate his love, so please, do it for me. Make sure his heart doesn't break, don't tell him I'm gone, please. -007n7"
"Guest 1337, I fear I'm about to do something horrible. Noli says I can see my son again, for good. As long as I join Noli, I'll get almost unlimited time with him. Please understand, you're a father too. I just have one request, hide this from Elliot, he doesn't deserve this stress. -007n7"
For the admins, the cards were almost exactly the same except for the names, apologizing for his youth and his son, telling them about his deal with Noli. Then, he said he may lose himself, that what happened before would happen again, just with Noli. He begged the admins in his letter to put him down should he ever go too far or attempt to hurt Elliot. And, of course the letter ended with a plead to keep it a secret from Elliot. The others just got a simple "I'm sorry for any trouble I may have caused you. I'm leaving, so I hope I won't cause you any more harm. Please don't tell Elliot about this. -007n7"
After reading through all of the letters, Elliot's eyes were watery. "All of you? He left all of you a goodbye letter? He couldn't even wave goodbye to me, but you all get heartfelt letters? Why?" Elliot had broken down sobbing.
"Hey, you know he cared about you the most. He didn't want you to know he was suffering. He didn't want to hurt you with that information," Guest 1337 had stooped down next to Elliot, trying to offer him comfort, but it didn't help.
"He could've told me! I would've helped!"
"Elliot… You know that's not how that works. It's hard to ask for help. He didn't want to inconvenience us."
"I know… I think I just need some time."
Elliot once again returned to his room, crying the night away. He didn't leave his room much after. It was like he only really existed during rounds. On occasion, when Noli was the killer, Elliot would catch a glimpse of that burger hat, of 007n7. But of course, 007n7 was only either a clone, or a projection of himself. Noli liked to spawn them to taunt him. He knew where the real 007n7 likely was. In the killer's cabin, brainwashed to love Noli, never to look at Elliot again.