Chapter Text
The somewhat bored undertone to the voice, the sound of unsaid skepticism. All the same, 007n7 knew the sound of him all too well. Part of him inwardly cringed, another part gave a sigh of relief.
If there was anyone that had the right to hold such a deep grudge against him it would be the former Pizza Place employee. The last time they were in the same room together the other barely was restrained from attempting to punch his face in. 007n7 didn't blame Elliot one bit for every bit of hatred the other could harbor.
The memory of that was just as vivid in 007n7's memory now as it was the day after it happened a couple years ago...
The smell of burning wood and smoldered bricks, something that was impossible to get out of his mind. Sizzling ingredients going from their pleasant aromas to charred, pungent and nose-curling.
Before the incident, Elliot used to be a friend. Someone that gave 007n7 a chance before most others that weren't Builderman would. No matter the apprehension- Elliot met 007n7 and C00lkidd with a smile every day they were there. Treated them like what they were... like people.
The day was so vivid in his mind. 007n7 had taken his son to eat at Builder-Brothers Pizzeria. Naturally C00lkidd was excited, more than happy to see the 'Nice Pizza man' that had allowed them to eat there all this time. Despite Elliot not being too fond of children from past experience, he had actually gotten along with C00lkidd. Just for a little while before the event that would shape his anger for them for the rest of their days.
Elliot's manager knew what 007n7 was, and more than once threatened to have 007n7 and C00lkidd banned. However, being such a peacemaker at the time, Elliot had went against his Boss's wishes. Elliot had believed that with actions in the past, there was no need to be 'hasty' and that maybe 'he had changed'.
That did little to stop what came next, within the following months.
C00lkidd was a rambunctious child, but despite it he was a good kid. He struggled with table manners, and struggled harder with keeping his energy under control.
The day was destined for disaster. 007n7 had been running late to work, and C00lkidd was insistent on not wanting to go to school because his bullies were giving him a hard time. Being the new father that he was, 007n7 hated to see his son so distraught- an due to his reputation there was little that the school would say to him during parent-teacher meetings.
His reputation always hung over him like a looming cloud. There was no escaping it, no matter where he met. Where he was met with one person who harbored kindness and a belief that he had changed for the better; there would always be at least ten others who didn't quite think the same way.
The former hacker knew he had no reason to pity himself. He had no reason to be calling other people out for hating him for what he was. Because that was a bed he made and he must lie in it. It's the least he could do after all the messes he's made. All the livelihoods he had ruined and had the potential of ruining. Because he brought misfortune with him wherever he went, that just the way he always was. The way he would always be.
The memory repainted itself so vividly in his mind, it was a spotless image to behold.
007n7 had handed C00lkid the C00lgui. This would be the mistake that would lead to the catastrophic fall of the Builder Brothers Pizza. One little boy, and one little screen was all it took.
Due to his new lifestyle- 007n7 had turned himself into the Roblox Admins. Those admins being Shedletky, Builderman and Dusekkar. Shed had retired soon after that point, and that left Dusekkar and Builderman in charge of keeping track of his actions- if he wasn't mistaken.
007n7 bore an ankle monitor at all times, meant to detect harmful exploits, and alarm the admins if he was up to his old tricks.
This never did stop 007n7, though... no he knew his ways around that. He always did, that's part of what made him more dangerous to most people. Because if there were loopholes he would probably find them.
This version of the C00lgui was made by 007n7 as a tool to help himself when C00lkid was still an infant. This version only bearing a few simple little commands that would be helpful in raising a child. Bearing commands such as 'skybox modified' which worked as a portal tablet screen. Or 'Duplicate' which made a clone to help 007n7 with cleaning his home if C00lkidd made large messes.
Clones were also used to watch C00lkidd if he couldn't persuade a babysitter and most days it was impossible.
With such a small, compact C00lgui- there was always the lingering question of how C00lkidd managed to burn down the establishment in the first place. A never ending confusion in the heart of those affected most, and 007n7 himself as to how this could have happened. Especially when 'C00lgui Mini' was never made to be destructive and protective code was implemented into it to keep other files from interfering.
No matter what caused it, 007n7 was careless and left his little boy with something that would forever leave a mark on the lives of many, no matter how much time passes.
Elliot nearly lost his job, and lost a lot of respect from his boss- someone he used to be close friends to. Several other customers were hurt, and one was even killed. There was irreparable damages that spurred the need to make a new establishment, which took a long time to even complete due to most of the staff quitting after that point. Constructions workers were weary because they knew that the one who had caused the destruction was so close by.
Surely this was a statement. An action out of malice, right?
For the incident, 007n7 had blamed himself. However, Elliot knew the truth. He could still remember the words that the distraught, betrayed pizza worker had said to him after receiving a solid punch to the nose. A fraction of the pain that 007n7 had caused to many others that day.
'Be lucky I didn't rat out your- your little demon! You may have put yourself as the face of this place being turned to shit but I know who the hell really did it! How could you be so stupid to trust a kid with anything that could cause so much carnage?!'
What pained him more was Elliot's final words.. the ones that would always haunt him.
'You cost me EVERYTHING! You and your son ruined my life, and my relationship with my co-workers and my boss!' a brunt, misshapen nametag with the gold letters of 'EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH' hit the ground with a fierce hit- along with an apron. 'I TRUSTED YOU! I GAVE YOU A CHANCE BECAUSE I LIKED YOU! I thought you were cool, and that you were capable of proving me right to my boss! I should have listened and blacklisted you the second I met you the first time! You and that little devil son of yours!'
With all these thoughts stirring in 007n7's mind, he forgot about reality. Pushing every semblance of the current away and grounding himself in the past- because no matter what he did the past was going to haunt him.
"007n7... talk to me. The least you can do is look at me, if you don't want to talk." Elliot prompted, much softer than before. An odd chance, considering just how bold his voice was. Whether annoyed or jovial.
With a hesitant turn of his head, the slightly older man let his head turn toward Elliot- really looking at him for the first time since they've been trapped in this hell. Elliot's hair was longer, and his face was stern-set. Such a stark difference from the lighter, more happy features Elliot used to have.
'All because of my foolishness....'
"You're pale, you need to eat something. I haven't seen you eat since you got here." Elliot muttered, before pulling out a slice of pizza attempting to hand it over to 007n7. His nose seemed to scrunch when 007n7 refused to take it.
"Save it for someone who needs it more. I'm fine, I'm just tired..."
There was a long palpable silence between the both of them. However, with a huff, Elliot walked forward and near-crammed the pizza into 007n7's mouth. There was an annoyed sigh from Elliot as the fast food worker stepped back.
"Listen man, I know that you know I can't stand you. But that doesn't change the fact you need to fuckin' eat. You saved us today, and I know can't help but sulk about what you've done wrong- but you need to stop mistreating yourself god-dammit."
There was ice behind Elliot's tone, genuine annoyance that knew no bounds. A struggle to keep from using much more decorated words.
"Eat it. We may not be friends, but we are allies. Stop trying to hurt yourself, we can't afford to watch your back and our own because you refuse to take care of of your basic needs. We need to work together, and none of us can afford to carry around dead weight."
007n7 started to slowly eat on the pizza slice, just as good as he remembered. Elliot was always an amazing cook. Without looking up at him, 007n7 finished the offering with a small satisfied sigh.
"Thank you, Elliot..."
Something in Elliot's eyes seemed to soften, but it was brief. The red-clad worker turned around before walking away without a word.
((To Be Continued))