Archive of Our Own ^beta

Rolling over, Mephone nuzzled his head into his pillow, buried safely in the covers of his bed.
Well, until he realised he was awake.
..
Had he woken up early? He didn’t hear his alarm go off.
He raised a quick hand to his eye, rubbing it gently as he slowly pushed himself up so he sat right.
He was still half asleep, and he turned to his nightstand, squinting at the small digital clock.
..
‘12:06 PM’

…

Mephone blinked a couple of times, making out and processing the glowing red numbers.
..
Twelve..?
In the day..?

Mephone jolted, only realising.
It was twelve.
Oh shit.
He groaned, letting himself fall back down onto the soft cushion below. He woke up late, again. Waking up late fucking sucked.
He was supposed to be downstairs by- maximum 10 am. Every morning. Then, get his coffee, have a cookie.. or two. Or more.
But,-..
This was the third time this week he woke up later than he was supposed to. He didn’t even understand why. His alarm did go off, he even made Test tube check the clock itself to make sure it wasn’t broken. There was no way he couldn’t hear it.. it was so damn loud. The beeping almost gave him a headache every single time.
Maybe that’s why he always felt more irritated and pissed off in the mornings.

He sighed, bringing his hands to his face.
He didn’t feel like getting up yet. Even though he was late.
.. There wasn’t anything happening today, anyway. Nothing important ever happened on Thursdays. They were boring, and they sucked.
He thought a little more.
Every day kinda sucked, didn’t it? He couldn’t remember the last time he really did enjoy a day without having a drink involved.
- But he wasn’t like, depressed or anything. Test tube always said that, but that wasn’t true. He didn’t cry a lot. He barely ever cried. So she was wrong.

He found himself getting lost in thought again, and his eyes began shutting by themselves again..
What time did he go to sleep at, last night..?
He remembered getting off of the couch when the sun started to set and saying ‘Goodnight’ to OJ.
The sun started to set…
It was summer so.. like, 11pm. Which was normal and fine, most people went to bed even earlier than him..
…..
So why was he so tired?

He attempted to push himself back up again, but he felt like his arms were paralysed. Even though his brain was screaming at him to get up. He couldn’t move.
He stared at the bland ceiling above him, letting his head wander as he gazed, no thought in his head. But there was every thought, too.

He felt a throb, and winced. His head was hurting again.
He pushed it to the side.
Maybe it was just ‘cause he was getting old. Technology gets old very very fast. Test tube said something like that once, too. And he was made like.. eleven years ago. Obviously young for a human, not for him. For example, an eleven year old phone would definitely be obsolete, and probably discontinued by that time.
… Obsolete.
..
He was called that before.

He was dragged out of his thoughts by a buzz and a vibrating noise to his left. His nightstand..
Ah. His phone, right.

He found the strength in him to sit back up, and reach over to grab his phone. He pressed down on the ‘on’ button, and the bright screen flashed in his face. It made his eyes hurt.
He immediately turned down the brightness, much to his own relief.
The time was displayed on the home screen.
Just taunting him, wasn’t it?
He blinked, and then checked the notification.
He expected it to just be another angry fan or something. It usually was.

But it wasn’t.

‘OJ :)
‘Mephone, you awake?’

Mephone stared at the text.
Why did OJ care? He texted him a lot about when he woke up and ‘you awake?’ and, ‘you asleep?’ blah blah..
But.. it wasn’t all that bad. Sometimes it was nice knowing someone still cared enough. Even if they shouldn’t.

As Mephone was about to reply, he then noticed the several missed calls.
From OJ.
Oh.
So that’s what that was..
Mephone knew OJ wouldn’t ever try to wake him. No one would. People said he was a ‘very scary angry guy’ when woken.
He remembers Nickel saying that, at least.

Mephone puffed his cheeks, tapping on the app and messaging OJ back quick.

‘Mephone!
‘Yea. Sorry. slept in.’

It was a short and simple reply.
But, Mephone felt he should really get up now. The text didn’t leave him a choice.
He rolled his eyes, pulling the covers off of him and standing up.
A sudden wave of dizziness hit him, but it went away after a moment.
..
Odd.

He shrugged it off, and decided to just get some clothes,- or whatever on, and go downstairs.

—————

Walking, or, well, more better described as sprinting to the kitchen, Mephone stopped at a counter, reaching up to the cupboard to find his coffee.
He had to have it every morning. If he didn’t, then he felt weird, and then the day sucked even more than it already did.

As his eyes scanned, he heard a voice behind him.

“Yo, sleepyhead’s awake. What was keepin’ ya?”

Mephone scoffed.
“Not now, Trophy. Do- do you know if OJ moved the coffee?” He asked, sounding way more desperate than intended.
He began opening other cupboards, searching.

Trophy chuckled, moving closer to him, leaning at the corner counter.
“No idea, you addict. I think we’re out though. Heard Paintbrush fuckin’ yelling all about it at eight o’ damn clock.”

Mephone slammed the cupboard, then proceeded to slam his hands down on the counter.
He muttered curses to himself as he shut his eyes tight, biting his lip.
He opened his eyes slightly to see Trophy staring at him out of the corner of his eye.
“Cookies, even..?” He questioned, his voice cracking.

Trophy hummed, then placed a hand on his hip, scanning around the kitchen.
“Uhh.. didn’t you eat ‘em all?”

God. Fucking. Dammit.

“Ugh…” Mephone leaned further onto the counter, his elbows supporting him as he breathed in and out heavily.
Great. Just splendid. Routine, ruined. Just like that. Just ‘cause he couldn’t get up. Fucking.. fuck.

“Why’re you bent over like that? Damn, I can get you water or some shit.. you drink protein shakes?”

Mephone slowly raised his head, giving Trophy an annoyed glare.
And just when he thought it couldn’t get worse, he heard a yell from the main room.
“Caffeine machine stressed over the coffee again?! Get a grip!! I never get my damn soda..”

Nickel was a real pain in the ass. It took Mephone all he had not to shout back an insult.
He pushed himself up so he stood up straight, and he rested his head on the cupboard. It worked as support.
He shut his eyes, but was interrupted again by a cough from Trophy.
“Oh and uhm.. Pepper wanted to know if you wanted to- uh, tomorrow, if you wa-“
Trophy was cut off by a snapped back answer.
“Tell her to text me later.”

Trophy visibly jumped, but then gave a thumbs up and waltzed out of the kitchen, whistling.

So no coffee. No cookies. Woke up late.
Mephone cringed, and clenched his hands in fists, digging his nails into his palms.
Which probably wasn’t smart because his nails were extremely sharp.

“Oh! Mephone! There you are, I think you’ve found out but.. we ran out of-“
OJ’s joyous mood was halted by Mephone’s sharp reply.
“My favourite things I need? Yeah, no shit..”
OJ stepped up to him slowly, placing a hand on his back rubbing it gently.
It was rather soothing. Mephone let out a heavy sigh.

“Turn that frown upside down. We can head to the store in a moment if you want? I’m already ready, since I’ve been out.. taking out Nickel’s trash.”
Mephone turned his head to face him, and he gave him a weak smile.
“…Okay. I guess. Right now?”

OJ nodded, “Whenever you’re ready. I’ve finished my work for a few hours, so I have time.”
Mephone nodded back.
“I’ll see you in a minute..”

OJ beamed.

————-

Mephone walked out of the elevator, looking somewhat presentable. Switching the hoodie for a T-shirt and shorts. His hair was put up in its normal ponytail. He had a small bag with his money, too.
He had bracelets on, though. He couldn’t let anyone see..

He gulped, making his way down the hall.

He tuned out the noise from everyone around, eventually bumping into OJ at the front door.
“Oh- Mephone. Ready to go now?”
Mephone nodded, and they left.

- - - - -

The walk there was unusually silent.
Mephone disliked the warm weather, too. He could overheat easily and sometimes his clothes would stick to him, or he wouldn’t be able to find a way to cool down and he’d end up collapsed, waking back up in Test tube’s lab.

They walked across the bridge, the main one that joined the Hotel’s island and the main part of the.. well.. country..?

The wood creaked below them, and Mephone felt his heart beating faster.
He turned, and looked at the water below.
The water. Below.
He felt his hands start to shake, and his shoulders tense up. Water. There was water below them.
Mephone felt his stomach start swirling around, and his steps became wobbly.
The last time.. there was water..

Mephone tried not to think about it, but he just.. he couldn’t NOT.

He falling, the shock and the- his- his brother-

He was in his brothers-

Mephone’s attention was brought back to OJ, as he leaned down slightly to face him, a firm hand on his shoulder.
“You okay? Is it…?”

Mephone swallowed, and nodded, biting his lip.
Dammit dammit dammit. Don’t inconvenience him, you’re just going to the damn store.

“Do you want me to hold your hand? Or we can talk about something?”

Mephone stared at him. Hold his hand?
No one ever really touched him. Mephone wasn’t sure how to feel.
“Erm… we can.. we can just talk..”
OJ gave an understanding hum, and continued walking, Mephone next to him.
“You can tell me about that show of yours, huh?”

Mephone gasped, and began smiling.
“Oh-! So, uhm, -“
And he ranted, all the way to the store.

————

Upon entering, Mephone instantly got a bad feeling. It was much more crowded than usual, and that meant it was louder.
Suddenly, Mephone could hear the buzz of the lights above. And everyone’s footsteps. And his own breathing, and his heartbeat.

Then, a ringing from OJ’s pocket.
“Oh- Mephone- sorry, Paper’s calling. I’m just gonna take this, okay? I’ll be out there if you need me- you get your stuff, yeah?”

Mephone wanted to tell him to stay. But.. it might be an important call..
“Okay..”

OJ turned around, leaving through the automatic doors, standing outside the store.
Mephone could feel himself sweating.
Then he remembered what he was wearing. No cover or nothing, because of the weather.
What if someone noticed him??
He didn’t want to think about that.

He began slowly walking down the aisle, keeping his eyes on the orange-red checkered floor beneath him.
He occasionally glanced at the shelves, and just kept walking around until he got to where he needed to go. But, the longer he walked, the louder everything got.
The beeps at the checkout, the buzzing, the bright lights, footsteps, chatter, his own breathing- his heartbeat- he swore he could hear his own blood pulsing through him.
His head ached.
He picked up his pace slightly.
What if someone was staring at him? Were they judging him? Did anyone know who he was? Laughing. Were they laughing at him?

He felt sick. He had no reason to be thinking like this, but he couldn’t help but just.. just think it.

Where was OJ? He needed his coffee. He needed the cookies too, don’t forget that. More talking, ignore it. Ignore it. Ignore the lights, ignore the laughing, ignore the echoes ignore the thoughts ignore-

He stopped, and found himself standing in an almost empty aisle, his coffee infront of him.
He quickly grabbed the box, and turned to where his cookies were. They were usually close to eachother.

He found them.

He held both of the items, and practically sprinted to the check out, bumping into numerous people on the way. He didn’t care. He just wanted out.

There wasn’t really anyone there, so he walked up, still looking down at the floor.

The interaction was a blur, but he held his stuff and that was all that mattered.

He ran outside.

The fresh air of the outdoors was more refreshing than the stuffy air inside- and it helped clear up his head a little bit. There was a slight breeze, which was even better.
He stood right out the doors, and whipped his head around, looking for OJ.
He spotted him by some of the shopping carts.

He walked up to him slowly, and stopped when he realised he was still on the phone.
He couldn’t help but listen in.

“Ah, again?! That’s the fifth time.. agh, no, I’ll sort it when I’m back just - try to hold off for now.. I gotta help Mephone ge-…”
OJ made eye contact with Mephone, who stood with his coffee and cookies.
“-Nevermind. I’m on the way back now, we won’t be long. Yes. Alright, love you too.”

OJ hung up, sliding his phone back into his pocket.
“Got them? You alright?”

Mephone nodded, eyeing down at his stuff.
OJ gave him a smile, and they went their way back.

The water bothered him less this time.

———-

A few hours passed, and Mephone was getting along slightly better than this morning.
But the Hotel grew louder. And louder. And louder.
And no one would shut. Up.

YinYang and The Cherries were even more chaotic than they usually are, and that was only the start of it.
Someone, (likely Nickel-) managed to piss off Paintbrush so much they almost ended up setting off the kitchen’s smoke alarm- even though Paintbrush had technically counted as the alarm anyway, with how loud their yelling was.
And Lightbulb and Fan were running around doing interviews for some other thing, Tissues kept wheezing and coughing- (why was he even downstairs?!) Trophy and Knife seemed to be in a fight again- and it just made Mephone want to go fully deaf.

It was so loud. And it was happening again. Everything seemed ten times louder, and he was aware of everything. Even the dripping faucet in the kitchen that was across the Hotel. Not completely but- still far.

He felt his breathing speed up, and he leapt off of the couch he sat on, rushing upstairs as fast as he could. He couldn’t deal with the noise he- just couldn’t.

- - - - - -

He barged into his room, the door slamming open. The coats and jackets hung up on it being the only thing preventing the hard impact from the door hitting off of the wall.

He panted, running into his small bathroom. Almost every one of the hotel rooms came with one.

He kicked the door back shut behind him, and he slid down the wall near the toilet.
And that’s when it hit him.
He didn’t have one of his bracelets on-

He left it on the couch downstairs.

That one, small, tiny thing..
Just made him explode.

His breathing grew even more rapid, and he let out an ear-piercing scream, gripping his hair tight, messing up the ponytail.
He shuffled in his spot, his eyes stinging and his head feeling so sore- he swore his brain was on fire- and then warm tears started leaking.
He groaned frustratedly, and even found himself hitting his head on the wall behind him.

The cold tiles. The bright buzzing lights, the noises, the heartbeat- his routine was messed up. People were probably judging him. Did anyone hear him scream? Would they care? Would they come to check? Please don’t. Leave me alone. I can’t breathe- I feel so sick- I think I’m gonna pass out- I-

Mephone gagged, and he threw himself around, yanking the toilet’s lid open, and he heaved.

A black and blue oil came all the way up from his stomach, and he could feel it moving in his throat.
That thought made it worse.
He gripped the toilet’s seat like a lifeline, vomitting what felt like was all of his insides into the toilet.
He could even feel it clogging his nose.

He wasn’t sure if he blacked out, but when he came back to his senses, he was sat beside his toilet, oil smeared all over the seat. It was also smeared at his mouth- and a little leaked out his nose. And it wasn’t just tears anymore. A .. vessel or something must’ve burst- like anytime he cries too much, and there were streaky, black uneven lines running down his face, dripping even more.

He was shaking.
Then he started remembering things he didn’t want to. Like the first time he got sick at Meeple. He had Red, for that.
Red was gone now.
That made Mephone choke another sob out.
He felt pathetic. Like Cobs always told him he was.
He was right…
Mephone let the tears and oil fall, his hands shaky and his breathing arrhythmic.

But a sudden knock at the bathroom door made him jolt.

“Mephone..? Buddy, you in there..? You okay?”