Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was such a strange sight, to see a player that was able to stand ON the water.

Parker watched them curiously, wanting to know how they could do such a thing.. Perhaps their shoes were enchanted with Frost Walker..?

Phil peered over the edge alongside his friend, watching the strange person walk around and kick up the water, splashing it around.

“Maybe they have some special invisible block..?” Evan spoke softly, looking over at their friends. Phil shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Doesn’t seem very likely, Evan. I’m pretty sure the only type of ‘invisible block’ there is that could do such a thing could be some type of ‘barrier block’, I think the were called.” He replied, staring at the other through his sunglasses.

“And,” Parker added on, “How would a random player have access to such an item if they just joined this server? At least.. I'd assume they've just joined.. Haven't seen 'em around before. So, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

Evan sighed, scooting away from the edge. It was a stupid suggestion. "Maybe they have powers.” Phil said after a while. “Doesn’t seem very likely.. I’m sure they would’ve been questioned before this.” Parker replied, keeping his gaze on the player.

Evan closed their eyes, not wanting to talk about the subject anymore. Phil sighed. “I don’t know then, Parker.. I don’t know.”

Parker sighed as his friends got up to leave. "I'll figure it out myself."

Chapter Text

Parker blindly searched around his room, wondering where he’d thrown his hoodie the night before. “Shit.. Where’s the damn light.” He grumbled to himself, going over to where the door was to find the switch.

He placed his hand on the wall, feeling around it. “Should’ve opened the damn curtain..”

After blindly searching the wall for the light switch, his hand brushed over it, and he flipped it on, satisfied when the room was suddenly illuminated. Now that he could see properly, he looked around his room until he spotted his hoodie, carelessly thrown onto his desk in the corner.

He walked over to it, picking it up and sliding it over his head, pulling it down and sticking his arms into the sleeves.

Then, he walked downstairs and into the living room where his two friends sat on the couch together, watching TV. Evan was the first to notice him, their eyes brightening at the sight of their friend. “Parker! You’re just in time, the news is on." They said, patting the seat on the couch next to them.

Parker yawned, walking over to the couch and plopping themself down next to Evan, rubbing his eyes. “What’s it about?” He asked, turning his attention to the screen. “Don't know. Just turned on.” Phil answered, sitting the remote down on the coffee table in front of the three. “Ah.” Parker sighed, leaning back into the couch.

The news went on about the weather and upcoming events, including an anniversary of the server, formal events such as parties, the usual. The three shook their heads in disappointment. “Nothing new.” Phil said, reaching back for the remote to click off the news. That is until the news announcers talked about a new and exciting event. A PvP event. Now that.. That caught their attention.

“A PVP EVENT?” Evan asked, flapping their hands around in excitement. “PHIL, PARKER, WE’VE NEVER HAD ONE OF THOSE HERE! HOW EXCITING IS THAT?” Parker smiled softly. “I think it’ll be fucking awesome. We could all team up and beat everyone here! Just like old times.” Phil shared the same expression as Parker. “Yeah.. Old times.”

The three kept watching the TV to see any more announcements or info about the PvP event, but the only other information they had gotten was that the sign ups were going to be in a few weeks, near the PvP arena. Phil grabbed the remote and clicked off the news. “Well. That’s all the news that we want to hear for now, I guess.”

Evan stood up. “I’ll go make some food. Anyone want anything?” They asked, turning to their friends. “Nah. I’m fine. Thanks though.” Phil replied, smiling up at Evan. “Same as Phil. I’ll probably just get some juice and go out. I’m bored.” Parker said, giving Evan a simple thumbs up. “Alright, have fun with that.” Evan walked out of the room.

Phil looked at Parker for a bit before speaking. “So.. PvP, huh? You think you’d win it?”

Parker shrugged. “I’d hope, but.. I’ve never fought against anyone in this entire server. I don’t know how they fight.” Phil simply shrugged and started clicking through TV channels. “I’m sure we’d all be fine. Plus, you’re an undefeated PvP champion, Evan and I are as equally skillful as you.” Parker nodded, standing up. “I suppose. Anyways, I’m going out now. I’ll just be around, if you need me.”

Phil nodded, saying nothing as his friend left to go.

Chapter Text

Today felt somewhat normal, to Parker, walking around the town, waving at a few people and exchanging some ‘hi’s and ‘good morning’s, the usual. He stopped by a few of the item shops to buy some things and have a nice chat with the shopkeepers, talking about the upcoming PvP event and server issues that should probably be addressed. One of the shopkeepers expressed their paranoia that a hacker might infiltrate their beloved server, driving everyone away or maybe even killing them all off. It hasn’t happened, but they had gone on and on about how they had nightmares about it.

Parker shook his head, dismissing the possibility of a hacker and comforting them by talking about the defenses the moderator had put up, how a simple cheater couldn’t break through them. But somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knew he was telling a partial lie. Just because it wasn’t easy to get into the server, doesn’t mean a hacker couldn’t.

As he paid for his item and walked out of the shop, he kept pondering what would happen if a hacker did somehow enter the server. Would it be his job to fight them? He had dealt with a few other hackers before...

So why was he scared?

Why did it eat at him, to even think of what could happen? The last few times with those hackers were easy! But what if this one wasn't? What if they were more skilled than him, so they’d be able to overpower him easily? What if he died...?

No. No! This was silly. Majorly silly. Hackers haven’t gotten through. And they never will. The moderator had assured him and everyone else of that, hundreds, if not thousands of times. So, there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Parker was just being paranoid. If anything happened, he would be fine. He had been trained to do these kinds of things for years on end without a break. Nothing bad would happen.

He sighed, looking around for something that could possibly help him take his mind on things. He turned to look at the food stands on the sides of the street. He hadn’t eaten yet. He walked over to one, picking up an apple and holding it up. “Hey, uhm... How much for this apple?” He asked, feeling a little embarrassed about having to even ask despite being at this specific stand multiple times.

“Ah, it’s you, Parker!” The shopkeeper said, beaming at him. “You can have it for free, since you’re my favorite customer. You can even take some for your little friends as well... Just don’t tell any other possible customers about this, m’kay?” Parker shook his head, pulling out a few iron ingots and placing them down. “No no, I’ll pay. It’s fine! Thank you for the offer, though. I appreciate it.” The shopkeeper put the ingots back in Parker’s hands and shook their head as well. “Trust me, I don't care. Two or three apples wouldn’t hurt. Now, eat. I know you need it.”

Parker looked down at the apple. “...Fine. Just this once.” The shopkeeper clapped their hands, startling Parker a bit. “That’s wonderful! Enjoy it.” Parker nodded, walking away before the shopkeeper called out to him once again. “Oh! And Parker.” He turned, looking back at the stand. “..Good luck with that upcoming event. I just know you’ll win.” Then, without another word, they began tending to another customer.

Parker grinned, turning again and walking off towards the PvP arena.

As Parker approached the arena entrance, he saw a small crowd of people already there, some players he knew, others he didn’t. He sucked in a breath, and pushed through them, entering the arena. He looked around and saw that it was empty, for the most part, minus the few players sitting around, all talking and just hanging out.

A few players were in the sandy part, the actual arena itself, practicing with others while sparking conversations. Parker moved around slowly, not wanting to attract the attention of the other players. But how could you possibly miss someone wearing a bright cyan hoodie?
Without noticing, someone crept up behind him, placing their hands on his shoulder and quickly shouting ‘BOO!’. Parker jumped and turned on his heel, ready to knock the person to the ground, when he realized who it was.

“Perri?” He asked softly, lowering his arm. The girl smiled, waving at Parker. “Hi! Didn’t think I’d see you around here at this time. If anything, I’d have expected you to be training somewhere else.”

She laughed softly, though she didn’t really find that funny, and adjusted the glasses resting upon her face. “Well, uh... You know me, I guess.” Parker answered, rubbing the back of his neck. “How’ve you been?” Perri let out a soft hum, then nodded. “I’ve been alright. Just hanging out with friends, per usual.” Parker nodded, sliding his hands into his pockets and glancing at the other players across the arena.

Some noticed Parker’s stare and waved, others didn’t. Parker sighed, leaning against the stone wall. Perri watched the players fight, slashing at one another’s armor, trying to get a hit on the other. “You’re going to be in the tournament, I assume?” She asked quietly, looking at Parker through the corner of her eye. “Yes. I plan to.” Parker replied, nodding.

As they talked, Perri slowly eased the conversation into the topic of their friends, and their life, how things have been going since the two last spoke to one another. And how things are now. Parker paced around as he talked, explaining everything that had happened today, excluding the hacker bit. Sure, Perri was his friend. But she didn’t have to know about that part.

But Perri still noticed the look of concern, written all over his face. “Parker?” She asked halfway through his sentence. He looked up at her, smiling. “Yeah?” She sighed. “Are you alright? You seem... Off.” Parker’s smile slowly faded, looking away. “I’m fine, Perri. Don’t worry about me.” He was lying, of course. And Perri knew it.

She could tell by the look in his eyes, he was definitely hiding something from her. Something that was eating at him. Something that had been eating at him for a while. His eyes were focused on the sandy ground, as he was tracing circles in it with the tip of his shoes. Perri could tell that whatever it was made Parker feel very uneasy.

“You know you can always talk to me, Parker.” She said softly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “I won’t tell anyone else.” The other looked up at her, finally making eye contact. He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and lowered his head. “..It’s nothing, Perri. I’m fine.”

Perri frowned but decided not to push Parker any further. She didn’t want to tick him off.

“Just remember, I’m here if you need me to be. I always will be, Parker.” She rested a gentle hand on his back, eliciting a smile from the other. “Thank you, Perri. I appreciate it. I truly do.” She smiled and slowly wrapped her arms around him, hugging him around the shoulders. “It’s just what friends are for, Parker.”

Parker sighed, giving her a pat on the back and standing up, causing her to pull away. “I’ll see you later, okay?” She smiled and nodded. “Alright, Parker. Take care of yourself.” He smiled back at her and turned to leave, quickly making his way out of the arena before anyone could notice him.

He was not one for social gatherings. They were loud, crowded and full of people who thought they knew him better than he knew himself.

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Reworking this fic hooray
I’ve been like extremely sick and exhausted since the last time I ever touched this,,, life has been throwing so many curveballs x_x

anywho yeah I have a new plot in mind so be on the lookout for that ^_^