Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Michael Doloris was always inside an arcade machine. He lived in it. He was it. He always enjoyed seeing the happy children lining up around the block to see him.

Now, despite Michael being the machine, he wasn’t technically the machine. As he said, he lived in the arcade.

His heart was attached to some wires, and the area where his lungs were carved open to be able to put coins in. That’s how he breathed, if it weren’t for the copper taste of the coins he wouldn’t be able to breathe.

His brain controlled the game, so he would have to be focused at all times. He controlled the person and their movements, but also the game itself. He was constantly tired due to this. He could not unfocus until the person had gotten hurt.

Every time someone had played Michael’s game they’d either collapse out of exhaustion (usually a game would last 5-8 hours), they’d die, or get pulled away from the machine because the arcade was closing. Michael was used to every outcome.

Even though the lines were straight and strict, there was still the occasional “Come on!” or, “Am I really waiting here for this long for some stupid arcade machine?” Michael hated being regarded as “stupid”. It made Michael feel…lost. A bit hopeless? He was overreacting, but cabinet men can be overreactors, right?

Michael’s life is repetitive and boring. It drones on and on every day. He sees no new customers because everyone takes so long to finish, and lines are never completed because someone has the grand idea of stopping by at Polybius today!

Michael would say he hated this, but it was better than being cast aside like the others. This arcade could be called “Polybius Arcade” and it still would work out.

He was waiting for the maintenance (whom he hadn’t taken to eating yet) to clean the person off the machine when he saw the door open. Since he didn’t have to focus, his attention quickly shifted toward the man who had entered.

People had dispersed, broken out of the random trance they were in, and left the arcade. Giving Michael even more time to look at the man who had entered.

From what Michael saw, he wore a tan trench coat, with a light blue collar shirt underneath, had long, messy, brunette hair, glasses that were very cracked, and a face that Michael swooned for. He doesn’t know why he immediately fell for the man, he hadn’t even heard him.

He came in with another man, he had blonde hair tied up in a ponytail, and they had a tan jacket, yet shorter than the other man, accompanied by a black turtleneck sweater. He wasn’t as cute as the other man, but at least he had a sense of fashion, not that Michael knew. His clothes only consisted of a lab coat.

The brunette man was talking to the employee. Michael listened to his voice while slightly leaning back into the machine. He had a break, which usually happens once or twice a year, so Michael had some time to relax. He immediately regretted this and made a noise of pain as some metal hit the inside of his back.

“Oof!” He cried, trying to be as quiet as he could.

The man looked over at the machine.

“Did that machine just make a noise?” The man questioned.

“It’s probably nothing, Darin.” The other man reassured. And Michael had finally learned the man’s name. Darin. What a beautiful name. Michael’s probably never met a Darin, he doesn’t remember anything before he turned himself into the arcade.

“No. That machine made a noise that I need to find out.”

“Why do you keep doing this?” The man asked, putting a hand on his hip. “It’s like every week you get into a new conspiracy, abandoning the previous!”

Darin turned all the way to look at the machine.

“Yes, but this one seems…special? It doesn’t seem like the others.”

“You say that about every single theory.”

“I–I know, but again, this one seems special! Something about this arcade machine seems so interesting!” Darin excitedly said, crouching down near the machine. Michael internally blushed. Or maybe he externally blushed, he doesn’t know. But he could get a better look at the man’s face, and Michael took in every detail about him.

The other one scoffed. “Sure, Darin. Get obsessed about this theory for a week and then immediately abandon it.”

“Oh shush, Ambrosia.”

The other man, Ambrosia(?), scoffed once more, taking a seat at one of the tables.

Darin turned his attention back to Michael.

“Sorry…” He looks up at the name of the machine. “Polybius.” Michael felt a bit down when he said that name. Of course, he couldn’t know the man’s real name, didn’t even know he was in there! …Or maybe he did know he was in there? “Qx can be difficult at times.”

Darin pulls out a notepad, pushed up his glasses, and started scrawling something on the paper.

“Hey, I think I’ve heard about you before!” He exclaimed. “The myth of Polybius! I think I had some bullet points on you for a while.” He says, talking to Michael as if he were a real person. Everyone had always talked to him as if he wasn’t human, so this was a great change of pace.

Darin stood up to look at the upper side of the machine, he scribbled down something else. He said something that Michael was too unfocused to hear. Well, he was focused, but it was more on how excited the man was. When the man came in his face was serious, but upon coming to the arcade machine, his face brightened.

Michael wanted to talk to the man. He didn’t know if he could talk, so he just didn’t try. But he really wanted to talk to him.

“Okay!” He started, flipping his notepad back. He puts away his pen and leans on the machine. “I’m done with my investigation for now.” He stops leaning on the machine.

He calls over his friend.

“Qx! Get your ass over here!” He waved, and his friend came over to him.

“Polybius!” Darin exclaimed. “Remember when I tried to do investigations on this? That was like, what, a couple of months ago? I didn’t know they had one in here!”

“Cool.” Qx dryly responds. “Darin,” He sighs. “I have some surgical experiments to do today and I can’t be wasting all my time here. When I get home you can call me or something and tell me what you found.”

“...Fine, go do your boring job.”

“How is it boring?” Qx questioned.

“You just stay still the entire time! What fun is there in that!”

“Have you seen me do my work!?”

“No!”

“You’re right.” Qx sighs. “...Are we gonna go now?”

“...” Darin looks at the machine. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” Darin whispered to Michael. “And I’ll be more prepared, I swear!”

“Are you talking to the arcade machine?”

“Polybius. Also, why wouldn’t I?”

“Seems a bit weird.”

“Oh, shush.”

Michael listened to their banter, very disappointed that the man had to go. He liked the man, he was the most beautiful and interesting thing that he’s seen in a while.

He just has to wait for tomorrow. He can do that, right? He hopes no one will line up anytime soon. He doesn’t want the man to go away when a lot of people are already lined up.

He just has to wait till tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Darin left the arcade, mind wandering on whatever the hell Polybius was. Thank God, he still had his notes from when he tried and failed to do this experiment. He looked at the notes he took, it was surprising actually to have a myth be almost proven. How has he not even noticed it yet? He’s seen lines for the thing but he always just thought it was a really good game that people liked.

But no, it was the myth Polybius! The thing that Darin, admittedly, gave up on, was now here! He could get even more information, but Qx. Oh Qx, Qx and his boring logic, and their stupid job. Darin lost his job a while ago, he worked in an archive, but he lost it due to his “insane” theories.

Insane! They called him insane! His employers said he was making everyone distracted by his theories, they were correct! They have all been correct, none of them. None of them have been wrong, and yet— Here Darin was! Unemployed as ever!

He didn’t mind being cast aside, he liked the loneliness. He could express his emotions, and his theories by himself, with no one to judge him! It was amazing. Well, one person judged him.

“What stupid thing did you write down now?”

“It’s not stupid!”

“It was an arcade cabinet. It didn’t even speak to you.”

“I could feel it.”

“...Nooo you couldn’t.”

“Qx, I don’t think you understand what goes through my mind when I see that machine. There was something special with it— I know it, you just don’t!”

“This is why you got fired, Darin. This always happens.”

“I know.”

Darin walked with Qx to his work, the conversation falling short of conversation. The only sounds were scoffs and throat clearing.

Darin walked back to his home once Qx got off wherever he worked. Darin never thought to ask, why would he? He could be using that time to conspire. Time to work. Time to see Polybius.

He doesn't know why he was so entranced by Polybius. Maybe it was because he liked arcades or the flashy machine captured his attention. Maybe it was just interesting. It is interesting. It is the word interesting.

—

Darin tried to come back, but he couldn’t. His other friend had invited him to go somewhere. He told him he didn’t want to go, but he kept insisting and insisting! It was annoying, quite frankly. Darin tried and tried to leave early, but they wouldn’t let him go away. He didn’t even do anything there. He didn’t even talk. But they wouldn’t let him leave.

Every hour he was away his mind got more cluttered and cluttered. Why did he love this machine so much? What was significant about it? It was an arcade machine!

...

An arcade machine that entrances people.

So, that could explain his sudden infatuation with the machine. He just wonders how he’s going to get into contact with it. Usually boys and girls and everyone in between line up to play it, it would be impossible to get near it! He’d be stuck in the line for God who knows how long!

Qx was right.

Chapter Text

Michael sat in the machine, intently focused on entrancing this random kid. This kid wasn’t really good, so it was incredibly easy to beat him. The kid kept pressing the wrong buttons, he was mashing them quickly with no rhythm. Which surprised, and hurt Michael.

It surprised him because the kids who play this game are usually careful with their moves, instead of quickly mashing down buttons. It also hurt Michael because that kid really has some strength.

Michael heard the door ring and he thought nothing of it at first, it was probably another kid with their parents entering the arcade. He kept focusing on the game but then he heard a familiar voice.

“Uh, hi, yes I’m looking for a machine called,” He pauses. “Polybius?” It was the man!!! Darin! Michael’s attention immediately drifted away from the game at hand and focused on the beautiful man.

“Sorry, I’m new around this arcade and I just want to–” The employee he was talking to pointed over to Michael, or the machine. “Thank you,” He says, moving over to the machine before coming to a halt at the line.

He heard him sigh and that sigh just…broke Michael. He didn’t cry or anything, but he felt really bad for the man.

Due to Michael’s unfocused nature, the kid had won and Michael didn’t even realize it! Whenever a kid had won the line would suddenly wake up out of their trance. This never happened. Well, it never happened until now and a couple of days ago.

Darin immediately saw the line dispersing and kids questioning what happened. He looked like he wanted to ask one what they had seen, or what had happened. He didn’t though, he kept his silence and headed toward Polybius.

“Hey!” He said, leaning down at the machine. “I’m back, sorry I was gone for a bit. Friends…y’know?” Darin laughs. “You’re a machine…I don’t know why I enjoy talking to you.”

Michael takes in every detail about him once more. It feels like a treat whenever he sees him!

He pulls out a notebook and starts writing some notes down.

“Saw a kid playing on you, they looked completely entranced, did you do that? What powers do you harness?”

Michael wished he could talk to him. I mean, it’s not like his vocal cords are completely busted up! He just hasn’t used them in the history of forever.

Darin somehow wrote down something, and Michael noticed how cute the man looked when he was writing something down. His nose sometimes scrunched up and his eyes were FULL of focus. No one’s ever been this excited about him before! No one’s ever taken the time to notice the intricacies of this machine and how it works. Darin is the first man, the first PERSON to ever care.

And that’s why Michael loves this man.

He wishes so much that he could just touch the man, feel his soft skin, or maybe touch his possibly calloused fingers. He desired all of this. He desired touch.

He just wishes he could get these damn wires out of him. This fucking wires. They hurt him when he tried to relax and all he could do to relax was just…go through the pain. Maybe let out a small “Oof!” But no one noticed. Because no one notices Michael Doloris.

Who would? Who would want to spend all of their time looking after an arcade machine? Looking after someone like him? It doesn't make SENSE! None of it does. He just wishes that he could be taken away by this man and never brought back. To be in the sheer euphoria that is this man's face and never go back. He wishes that he never even got put into this arcade machine, he wishes that he could just be a normal guy, walking along the street when Darin notices him! And then they fall in love.

...

What if Darin doesn't even like Michael?

That's...

How did he never even...?

God, he needs to stop jumping to conclusions that this man would love Michael instantly. I mean, who would love a fucking arcade cabinet that's just insane!

Darin's a regular guy! Michael's an arcade cab—

"Thanks..." Darin looked like he was considering something for a moment. "I should give you a name, shouldn't I? I mean, Polybius isn't that good of a name."

Michael had never nodded faster, he even gave a slight, "Yes!"

Darin looked at him, "Did you just talk?"

"Y-Yes...?"

"What?" Darin stood completely confused. An arcade machine just talked.

"U-Um...m-my name's...Michael..." Michael timidly added, "Not P-Polybius..."

"Oh, well, uh, thank you, Michael!" Darin says, no enthusiasm faked. "So you can talk?"

"I don't...like to do it..."

"Do you want to continue to talk?"

Michael hesitated. "Yes..."

"Well, what do you want to talk about Michael?" Darin asked, acting like Michael was his new best friend.

"U-Uhm...n-nothing...?"

"Oh, that's fine, here, I have some questions, is that alright?"

"U-Um, yeah!"

That was nice! Michael finally got to have a real conversation with Darin! Darin! The most beautiful man on EARTH! And he got to know a bit more about the man as well. Like, he had a couple of friends, he likes conspiring (if that weren't obvious), and that he's been having a hard time finding someone. Apparently, the town Michael's in is "homophobic"? Michael doesn't really know what that word means but it means that the town hates people like Darin. ...So the town hates conspiracy theorists? How could they hate someone so beautiful as Darin!? How!? That's physically impossible! Darin is perfect in every way shape or form! God, homophobia sucks!

At least, that's what Michael picked up. He wasn't paying attention that much because he was staring at Darin's face the whole time.

Chapter Text

Michael was once more lying/sitting in his arcade machine. Pondering about that strange word Darin said to him the day before. He kept wondering and wondering, homophobic...What could it mean? Surely it's some word that's used against conspiracy theorists, but that was just some speculation Michael made up beforehand. There's a chance that it couldn't be true! But...from what Michael heard, it seemed the town was against conspiracy theorists! That sucks! They're all nice in their own way!

Ehh, maybe if Darin comes back Michael can maybe learn what this weird word means. 

If there was one thing Michael liked about being in this arcade machine was that he liked seeing a different face every day. A different person, a different...well, he couldn't really say personality because of the hypnotism, BUT! People act in their own way! You see, it's the way that they press buttons! The way some of them button mash and how some others strategically press each and every control! They still get it wrong, no one can beat Michael, but it's fun to see them try! And sometimes, there's a mix of both! Sometimes, there's someone who strategically presses the buttons, but when push comes to shove, they start button mashing. Which is understandable!

And there's always something in common that they mutter!..

Or...at least SOME people mutter it. He doesn't really pay attention to that, why would he?

But that's not important! But do you know what is important and just came through the door?

Darin!!!!!

Michael internally squeals like a schoolgirl as he watches the brown-haired man walk in, and walk straight TO him!! His glasses still remain a little bit cracked, but that still makes him even more pretty!!

"Hey there, Michael!" He smiles and oh my GODDDD if that isn't the most beautiful thing Michael has seen. Sure, he'd seen the man smile before, but he was smiling TO him! To him!! 

"..h-hi.." Michael quietly replies, internally kicking himself because his vocal cords betray him. He doesn't sound...excited to see him! Which is the complete opposite! Michael is literally metaphorically kicking his feet like a little schoolgirl for this man!

"So, how's it been?" Darin starts, sitting in front of the machine, "Oh! By the way," he interjects, "is there anyway I could...see you? I mean, you can't just be a voicebox, that'd be...cool but, I think a 'lil impossible." Darin rambles, "Sorry,"

"..n-no, it'sokay.." Michael stutters. "...i-i have...a...body." Shaking with all of the material inside of him, he touches the glass. "..i-i c-can't...get...out.." 

"..You can't get out? Does that mean you want to get out? Do you not like being Polybius?"

God damn it, Darin. 

As much as Michael loves this man, making him talk more is not working for him. 

"...a-actu—ally..." Michael coughs and hears some coins fall out of him, "..i-i like...b-beinnng Pol—Polybiiius.." He struggles to speak as he feels more coins start to come up and out of his throat. 

"Can I ask why?"

"...n-no.." Michael says, on the verge of choking on these damn coins. 

"Hrmm...okayyy. But do you ever want to get out?"

Michael coughs again.

"...i-idon'tknow!!" He speaks fast and starts to panic—these coins are coming up and they're coming up fast. He keeps coughing and he can't seem to stop, and the amount of coins coming out of him is concerning. When he first coughed earlier, it was only two coins—but now it's about six per cough! 

"Woah!—Hey!" Darin jumps, his shoulders tensing at the sound of coughing and coins. "What's going on??"

"..i-i—k-keep—cou—HCKK!—ghhingg—u-up—c—oin—NGH!—ss.." He manages to string out.

"...What."

...

Oh, did Michael forget to tell the man about where he stores his coins? Oh yeah, silly him. Anyways, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THESE COINS HURT.

Chapter Text

Michael sat in the arcade machine, tears threatening to start pooling from his eyes. The thing is, after that whole coin incident, Michael hasn't seen Darin in...ages! 

..probably ages.

...

...maybe not ages.

BUT ANYWAYS—As was stated before, he sat in the arcade machine, surrounded by coins disgustingly covered in spit. He would touch them, but his muscles have gotten so weak to the point where it takes all his energy out when he just moves one thing! And anyway, adding on to why he wouldn't touch them—they're disgusting! They're covered in spit—who would want to touch spit? That's weird and gross!

...

Sometimes Michael doesn't even remember where he originally came from. He knows that he didn't spawn into this arcade machine, he had a life before it. A life that he can't even remember. Maybe he had a job, maybe he didn't. All he knows—or, remembers—is that he went insane and put himself inside this arcade machine, but that was really all it was. 

Life can be crazy at times! People can be crazy!

Michael is crazy!

Welp, that's what you get for putting yourself inside an arcade machine for god who knows how long.

Michael saw the other man today, and he ended up coming closer to him. Michael didn't know this man that well. But this time that he saw him, there was a bandage wrapped around his head. Michael was a bit concerned about that, but it was rude to speak about things like that!

..well, and the fact that it hurts talking anyways.

"You're Darin's little project, aren't you?" The man asked, if Michael remembers correctly, his name was Qx, "Heard from him that you talk. Can you talk for me?" Nothing but silence came from the arcade man, "..you're trying to make me look insane, aren't you?.. Bloody hell.." the taller man groaned softly and sat down in front of the arcade machine since it was, "out of comish."

"..i-i...c-can..." Came from the poor man in the machine, god, his voice was still raspy as ever! 

An eyebrow raise.

"Really, now? Hrm. Well, what's your name? Darin never told me that, just talking about how great it is to have a theory come true. What a fucking idiot.."

Darin thinks he's important!!! Oh my GOD!!!

"..m-mmiicha-ael.." a small croak came from the machine. Michael then tried to lean back again only for—"Ow!!—" God damn it.

The man above him jumped. 

"What the hell?—" 

"..i-i.." Wow, Michael forgot how much mechanical stuff hurts. Ouchie Wouchie. 

"....." 

"This is stupid.." The man muttered underneath his breath. "You can barely speak, and you're just a waste of time. I don't get why Darin spends his time on you, you're a waste."

..is what Michael THOUGHT Qx had muttered.

In reality, he just muttered,

"..hrm, interesting.."

..

Now, Michael just waited for the man to go away, he didn't really want to see him anymore. Even though, what Michael had thought he had said wasn't real, it still felt real. And he couldn't keep away that fact. It hurt to hear those words—why was he even being so negative to himself? This wasn't normally like him, so why is he treating himself like this??

Luckily for Michael, the other man had left, and Michael was very happy about that! He didn't really want to see him. Ever again, really. He didn't like how mean he was to Darin at times, it irked him in the wrong way. He wonders why he even hangs out with him if he does nothing but insult him half the times he sees him? That's not what friends do! At least, that's what he hopes friends don't do. He hasn't had a friend in forever. He can't even walk, how could he make friends? Well, he can't not walk, but he can't walk well. His legs have deteriorated over time and it's caused issues foR every time he's tried to get up on his own accord, because all of those times, that just ended up with him falling back down.

...

Michael wants to get out now.

He doesn't want to be trapped in here anymore, he wants to be with Darin! He wants to experience love! He wants to kiss him, hug him, do all of that lovey-dovey stuff he sees those boy and girls do. But..

Michael's a boy.

Well, he is a boy now.

Is it even normal if he kisses Darin? He's never seen two boys do it. Only a boy and a girl, would Darin even let him kiss him if he was a boy? He wonders how it would feel. Would it be different than any other kiss?

Who knows..