Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

        There were vine streamers and leaf confetti being thrown at my face. I would’ve been angrier if there wasn’t already a bushel of flora permanently attached to my right cheek, and… other parts. I guess I should be grateful the Player cured me or whatever, but I still kind of want to punch him in the face. Or kiss him.

Or both.

Dad had me stand on some stage he put together in like two hours, so there was that. He also forced me to write flashcards since I was “Introducing myself”, even though the entire town knows who I am, and what I did, and they all hate me for it.

I just wanted to get this stupid speech over with, these new “plant features” never got any less itchy. I couldn’t help but think of why I was stuck like this. Some kid came along and turned me into a monster and back? Now he is some town hero?

And I’m just a villain.

I said I was done looking for him. Multiple times.

But, for some reason I always got a little upset when my eyes flicked up to the crowd and a certain pair of eyes didn’t meet mine. I know I should stop hoping because every time he isn’t there, it just hurts more than the last.

What a loser.

When my words were over, and the music started playing again, the first thing I did was adjust the vine that kept scratching my neck.

The next thing I did was scan.

And yeah, maybe I was looking for Dad, to chew him up for making me embarrass myself again. Or maybe that pink girl who talks too fast. Or a hole in the Earth big enough to fall into and die.

But, and this sucks to say, I was looking for him.

The Player.

Cool. Stoic. Stupidly strong. Probably standing somewhere in the back, fending off monsters to earn themself yet another award.

And I hated myself for it.

For looking. Hoping. Thinking he would care enough to even show up.

This event wasn’t about him, why should he be bothered to come? Right?

This place was packed. More than I’ve ever seen it. I could hardly take a step without shoulder-checking someone’s aunt or getting elbowed in the ribs by some kid holding a balloon sword.

All of them. Just… swarming.

For me?

No.

They didn’t come to cheer. They came to watch. To whisper. To laugh behind their hands and call it clapping. Every smile I saw felt fake. Plastic. Like they were all waiting for me to slip again.

My heart was pounding. I needed out.

And just when I was about to drown in the noise…

A soft hand yanked me out of the crowd.

“Brad!” Kyoko grinned. “You looked like you were about to combust. Come on! They’ve got some cool snacks I’ve been dying to try.” Her hand never left mine, still gently tugging me forward.

“N0 TH4NKS…” I muttered, swatting a vine that drooped too close to my eye with my free hand.

“You okay?” she asked, finally letting go. “You’ve got your grumpy face on.”

I just shrugged. The Player said I looked cool, so that’s all that really matters.

“Oh, come on!” Kyoko groaned, throwing her hands up. “You could at least pretend to enjoy yourself. It is your party, after all.” She perched a hand on her hip, and I looked away.

“1 JUST…” I paused, searching for words. “I NE3D TO F1GURE SOM3THING 0UT.”

Kyoko studied me for a long moment. That just made the feeling in my stomach worse.

Then her face lit up.

“Oh! Lost your crowbar? I knew how weirdly attached you are to that thing!”

She chuckled, punching my shoulder. I had to hold back a hiss.

“You treat it like it’s your girlfriend!”

I tried not to completely frown. I knew she was trying to help, but right now? She was just in the way. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

“I H4V3 TO F1ND DAD…” I grumbled, bumping shoulders with her as I slid past.

She choked behind me. Maybe there was a shocked look on her face. I didn’t turn around to check.

I was already halfway to the hill.

This place used to be the best. I’d come up here all the time before I had the tree. There’s this old tea stand next to it, popular for some reason. Not the best. Kind of weird. But I made it work.

Today was no exception.

The second I got to the top, I saw a horde of customers swarming the stand like it was the end of the world.

They looked like zombies. All of them. Lining up for overpriced plant water.

I was about to make some dumb comment out loud when I caught a glimpse of the person at the front.

It was hard to see with all the crowd noise, but, yeah.

No mistaking him.

The Player.

Suddenly gross plant juice didn’t sound so bad anymore.

I wasn’t staring, okay? I was just… observing.

The menu.

The one I’ve read my entire life.

The Player was standing at the front of the line, talking to the tea stand guy like he didn’t just ruin my life and walk away without a word.

And I…

Well.

I did the only reasonable thing.

I pushed through the flood of customers until I was right at the front. Got some angry remarks. A few dirty looks. Whatever. You get used to that sort of thing when you’re me.

I slid up next to him like I belonged there. Like I hadn’t just elbowed five people and knocked over someone’s drink.

“Y0,” I said. Real cool. Definitely not sweating in places I didn’t even know I could. “H4V3N’T S33N Y0U 4LL D4Y.”

He blinked at me. Once.

I thought about everything that could go wrong.

Many times.

“...I got here a while ago,” he said. Calm. Unbothered. Like he had nothing to worry about. As usual.

Auko, the tea guy, asked if I wanted anything, but I wasn’t listening.

I was too busy reading the Player’s face.

“Y34H, SUR3, WH4T3VER,” I said, waving vaguely at Auko and turning back around.

The Player was staring at me like I was insane.

"You get that every time?" he asked.

I nodded like I had a brain. "Y3P."

He shook his head, just slightly. "You're braver than me."

...

What.

Wait, what?

Braver than him?

He said that with his mouth.

The guy who beat me in a fight, saved my life, and probably wrestles gods in his spare time just called me brave for ordering some gross cup of moss-flavored mouthwash.

Should I be blushing right now? Because I think I’m blushing. My ears are hot. My soul is hot. He’s hot.

Say something cool. Say something smart.

"I—0H, Y3AH, M4N. 1T’S MY F4VOR1T3."

I have no idea what I’m talking about, but he raised his eyebrows like he was impressed, and now I’m pretty sure I’ve ascended.

Hell yeah.

Once we had our drinks, I could tell the Player was eyeing me.

If it were anyone else, I’d get pissed off.

But since it was him?

How do you walk.

Like, seriously. What do you even do with your arms.

I wasn’t really sure what I’d ordered, to be honest. I just hoped it was good. I didn’t even recognize it, and I’ve lived here forever. Must not be too popular.

Whatever. I’d do anything to break the silence.

So I took a sip.

And immediately regretted everything.

“EW! 0H, WH4T THE H3LL!?”

I gagged, coughing hard enough to spill it all over the ground. It tasted like burnt dirt and moldy fungus.

I always knew tea wasn’t my thing, but this? This was evil.

The Player, meanwhile, was snickering.

I whipped around to glare at him.

“Y0U PUNK! YOU KN3W TH4T DR1NK WAS GR0SS!”

I knew I probably sounded mad, but… come on. It was him. I could never stay angry.

“I thought it was your favorite,” he said.

And he laughed harder.

I’d never seen him so happy.  Usually, he was about as expressive as a rock. A very cool rock, sure, but still. Right now? He was actually laughing. Like, full-on cracking up.

And I…

I had no idea what to do.

Laugh with him? Say something funny? Throw myself into the sun?

“H4HA… Y34H…”

I sounded like a dying horse.

He finally wiped his eyes, breath hitching, and then…

He looked at me.

Directly.

Into my eyes.

His expression softened.

Oh, god.

I forgot how to breathe.

I think my knees locked. My spine unspooled. My soul just left me.

“Here,” he said, holding out his own drink. “I’m not really thirsty anyway. Maybe it’ll help wash yours down.”

I stared at the cup. Then at him. Then back at the cup.

My brain screamed at me to thank him, take it, and smile.

”N1C3…” I muttered, being very careful not to touch his fingers as I took the cup.

He just kept smiling like an idiot. A cute idiot. And then started walking again.

“WA1T-“ I stumbled forward instinctively, almost spilling a second drink. “TH4NKS… F0R TH3 DRINK.”

He barely turned his head to say, “Oh, yeah, no problem!”

We walked beside each other in silence for a moment. Where we were going? No clue. Was I going to ask? Hell no.

A stampede of footsteps could be heard behind us, or maybe it was just a really angry cow, I’m not sure.

The stampede sound got louder.

I turned around just in time to see Kyoko jogging up the hill, cheeks red, arms pumping like she’d just sprinted a mile.

“There you are!” she huffed. “I’ve looked all over for you!”

She glanced over at the player.

”…You two.”

She held something out to me, which I never even noticed before. It was a drink.

The same one I was already holding.

She grinned, a little proud. “I figured you’d like this one. You would always mention it to me.”

I stared at the two cups in my hands.

The Player glanced down at the drink he gave me, and then back at Kyoko.

”That’s my favorite drink.” He said, like it was the most obvious thing ever.

No way was I finishing both of these, not even one! It was so awkward just… holding them. I had to do something.

The silence crawled over my skin, or maybe it was just more scratchy leaves.

“H3RE. Y0U H4VE 1T.” I pushed the drink Kyoko gave me towards the Player. “I’M N0T R3ALLY TH1RSTY.”

I could see Kyoko flatten in my peripheral, which was weird because when I looked at her she smiled again.

Small.

”Well, I’ll go explore around! You have fun!” Her voice cracked. “You two.”

She darted off without another word, which confused me because she always had something to say.

”I’m probably gonna head out too.” The Player admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Stuff to do.”

No.

He couldn’t leave, not yet! There was still so much I wanted to say, so much to do!

And I blew it.

”0H.” I croaked. “WH4T TYP3 OF STUFF?” I asked, desperately holding on to the time with him I had left.

”Just another one of Shedletsky’s quests.” He replied, like it was nothing. Like it was groceries.

And he called me brave.

Like, ten minutes ago.

“C00L, C00L…” I mumbled, trying to match his tone.

“WH4T 1S 1T TH1S T1M3?”

“Oh, just gotta explore some temple. Get the Firebrand.” He said it like he was going to buy milk. No excitement. No nerves. Just… dull.

Like he’d done it a hundred times.

“S0UNDS H4RD,” I blurted. “JUST, UH… B3 C4REFUL, 0K4Y?”

My voice cracked. Of course it did. My throat was stupid like that.

He didn’t answer.

He just looked at me.

Not mean. Not surprised. Just… quiet.

My brain started short-circuiting.

Was I supposed to keep talking? Was I making it weird?

I was definitely making it weird.

“OH, 1 C0ULD T4G ALONG… 1F Y0U W4NT.”

It slipped out like a hiccup. Like a confession.

And I knew, knew, the second it left my mouth that it was too much.

Too forward. Too needy. Too me.

My chest caved in.

Cool.

Now he was never going to talk to me again.

Never going to look at me the same way.

Never—

“Oh, sure,” he said.

I blinked.

“I could use some help.”

Just like that. Like it wasn’t a big deal.

I stood there, brain rebooting in real-time, drink sweating in my hand.

“C00L…” I croaked. “TH4T’S… C00L.”

“I’ll meet you here tomorrow, to pick you up.”

And without another word, another chance for me to cling onto his ankles like I’d die if he left, he turned and paced away.

And just like that, he was gone. And I was still standing in the same place, thinking of things I should’ve said.

Never even said goodbye.

Chapter Text

The sunlight pierced through my eyelids in the best way. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy, like a hug from Dad.

Or the Player, if they ever decided to one day.

I sat up in bed, my usual stretch hitting all the right spots. I feel like I could do anything!

Jumping out of bed, I checked the leaves growing out of my face in the glare of my monitor. Surprisingly, they were actually bearable today.

But today?

They fell across my face in a way that seemed nice. “Cool” the Player would say.

Oh, right.

I get to go see the Player today!

I was buzzing with excitement, and I knew exactly why. Though, I’d never admit it aloud. I was in such a rush, I almost forgot to bring my crowbar, which was lying on my bed.

As I snatched it, I noticed my pillows seemed to be freshly fluffed, which was weird because I never fluff them myself.

Whatever.

All I cared about was getting to the Player.

Fast.

I rushed down the big tree, legs practically flying just above the ground. Like I was being carried by a cloud.

Eventually, I found myself in the middle of town.

Right where we agreed to meet.

The tea shop.

And he was already there.

And the second he saw me? He waved.

A big, open smile stretched across his face.

I stopped just short of him, heart sprinting, brain scrambling to assess how close was too close.

“H3Y…!” I grinned, awkward and way too late to sound like I wasn’t fried inside.

“Hey, Brad! I’m glad you made it.”

His smile stayed. Warm. Easy.

My heart did ballet.

“Ready to head out?” he asked, jerking his head toward the road. “We’ve got a long day ahead.”

Bizville. I’ve never been.

But I’ve heard good things. And for some weird reason… I expected there was only more to come.

We walked side-by-side through the jungle, vines parting like they wanted to let us through.

And surprisingly, it wasn’t the kind of silence where I had to mentally rehearse what to do when I was about to sneeze.

He was talking.

To me.

And it meant more than it should’ve.

“How was the speech last night?” he asked. “You were actually pretty good up there.” His tone remained thoughtful, as he glanced up at me.

“I—TH4NKS… 1T W4S G00D.”

I shrugged, staying cool on the outside no matter how hot it was getting inside.

He chuckled a little, like I said something funny.

Did I?

“I’m sure the flashcards helped.”

Another laugh.

I didn’t get it.

Flashcards?

I thought I hid those. In my sleeve. Pretty sure no one saw.

My fingers twitched.

Weird.

Still, I wouldn’t let it ruin my day. Our day.

Together.

I exhaled the nerves…

And there we were. At the airport.

We didn’t even stop. Just walked, nodded, passed through like we owned the place.

I took my seat beside him, stuck in the aisle.

Damn.

I kind of wanted to look at the clouds.

He leaned toward the window, tapping the glass.

“That’s a pig,” he said, nodding at a gray tuft floating by. “And that one’s a cat.”

I nodded like I understood what he meant.

“S1CK,” I muttered. “TH4T’S PR3TTY C00L.”

He smiled a little.

I died a little.

Don’t lean too close, Brad. Don’t breathe weird. Don’t blink loud. Don’t say something stupid. Let him talk about clouds. Be normal. Be chill. Be respectful. He’s just being nice. That doesn’t mean anything.

Just clouds.

Just clouds.

He turned to face me.

Just him.

“You ever been on a plane before?” he asked, lightly strumming his fingers on his knees.

Was he just as uncomfortable as me?

Not that he makes me uncomfortable!

I just…

“N0… 1T’S COOL THOUGH.”

I scanned the plane cabin like it had answers.

“SICK R1D3, HUH?”

He laughed softly.

“Seriously? This your first time?”

He shook his head.

“I thought you’d be more scared.”

“H3Y! 1’M N0T SOM3 B4BY.”

I crossed my arms. Big motion. Fake confidence. He raised both hands like I’d threatened to bite him.

“Okay! Yeah, I know.”

He chuckled, looking into his lap.

“You’re actually pretty tough. Put up a good fight.”

Just a compliment. Nothing else.

So why was my heart beating like it had something to prove?

“Y3AH. TH4NKS…”

I whipped toward the aisle, my face hot enough to melt through the wings of the plane.

The rest of the ride was silent as ever. Weirdly fast, too. For a second, I almost forgot we were flying. It was so quiet, I could’ve sworn we were the only ones on board.

But whatever.

After we got off the plane, I had my first look at Bizville.

”WH0A…” I gaped, this place was nothing like the jungle! I mean, I guess I should’ve known, but still.

”It’s pretty sick, right?” The Player nudged my arm with his elbow, almost toppling me over.

”Y3AH! TH1S PL4CE R0CK5!” I exclaimed, taking in all the tall buildings and moving cars.

I was about to wander off somewhere when a pair of hands gripped the back of my shoulders and steered me in the opposite direction.

“Come on, we don’t have all day now.” The Player said through a laugh, his touch lingering slightly longer than necessary.

I didn’t mind.

“R1GHT. Y3AH, S0RRY.” I muttered, following behind him as he led me into the heart of the city.

“S0, WH3RE 4R3 WE G01NG?” I asked, trailing him like a lost dog.

“Just follow me, there’s a map up ahead.” He glanced back, and smiled.

Just a second.

Just warm enough to ruin me.

I followed.

I would've followed him anywhere.

Eventually, we reached this board with a million colorful lines and roads, I could hardly make sense of it! It seemed like the Player knew exactly what each symbol meant, though.

I guess it helps to have lived here.

I stepped closer to the map, hoping that if I stared hard enough, it would magically start making sense.

The Player inched next to me.

Closer than before.

His shoulder brushed mine.

And then stayed there.

He leaned in, pointing at one of the twisty yellow lines like we were solving a puzzle together.

“That one leads to the beach,” he murmured. His voice was right next to my ear.

I nodded like I understood.

I did not.

I was too busy trying not to melt through the sidewalk.

”Y3AH, C00L. BE4CH 1S FUN.” I croaked, my vocal cords seeming to snap each time he exhaled.

The Player kept on talking, explaining what everything meant. But, I couldn’t hear him. He was so engrossed into his speech he never even noticed how embarrassed I was.

And I hated him for that.

But I love him.

”Brad! You got all that?” His voice cut through my thoughts.

He looked up at me. His eyes glittered in the sunlight.

I thought I was going to cry.

“YE4H, G0T YOU. L3TS G0.” I grunted, trying my hardest to not scream into the sidewalk.

I turned away from him, already starting to walk off.

“Brad.”

His voice was quieter now. Like he was afraid of what he was about to say.

I blinked at him, still stuck halfway between melting and short-circuiting.

“You don’t have to pretend anymore,” he said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I like you too.”

I didn’t say anything.

I couldn’t.

It was like my brain just gave up trying to translate emotions into words.

He likes me.

He likes me.

He likes me.

The words echoed in my head, too warm, too soft, too perfect.

I reached for his hand without thinking.

And it wasn’t there.

The warmth disappeared. The light collapsed. The sound of his voice faded.

And then I was awake.

Alone.

In bed.

My sheets tangled, my face hot, my heart absolutely crushed.

I still couldn’t say anything, didn’t want to. Because I knew anything I said would just wreck me worse.

I flopped over onto my stomach, groaning into a pillow.

”STUP1D…”

I flung the pillow at the wall.

”STUP1D.”

I said to myself more than anything.

Because I still wanted it to be real.

And I almost believed it.

Chapter Text

I didn’t really sleep last night.

Just tossed and turned for hours, hunting for a spot that didn’t feel like it would kill me if I slept.

I know I’m supposed to see the Player today.

And yeah, I was excited.

But what if that wasn’t real either?

In what world would he ever want to talk to me? Maybe I should just stay home.

I sat up in bed.

The sunlight stabbed through the leaves outside the tree like it had something against me. A stinging pain flared in my neck. Everything felt stiff, like I’d crawled inside a vending machine.

I tried to stretch, but this time it just left me even more sluggish.

I stomped to the floor and padded toward my monitor. Ugh, since when did my leaves look like I slept inside a compost bin? I was a mess, I could tell even just from the glare of the computer screen.

Whatever.

It’s not like he’d ever notice.

I clicked it on to check the time.

And my heart sank.

An hour past noon.

Awesome.

I’m already late, and now I get to show up looking like swamp garbage.

I yanked on my neon green jacket. My favorite one.

Didn’t help.

I stumbled out of the big tree, tripping over at least a few stray logs on my descent. The journey through the jungle was as unforgiving as ever, but still.

I toughed it out.

I always do.

But even so, it didn’t feel like yesterday.

Or last night.

By the time I finally pushed through the last thicket and reached the edge of town, I was breathing harder than I wanted to be.

Not that it was hard or anything.

Just... whatever.

I tried to slow down, like I hadn’t just sprinted the last hill. Tried to make it look casual.

Totally normal.

Not late.

Not panicking.

The tea shop was just ahead.

I spotted them before I even hit the square.

Him.

The Player.

Standing next to Mayor Thaniyel.

Talking.

Like they were best friends. Like I didn’t even exist. Like they were discussing me.

I skidded to a halt, and ducked behind a tree like it would save me.

It’s fine. They’re just talking!

People talk.

I peered back over at the two of them.

Dad had that look on his face.

The one I never saw.

The “I’m-so-impressed-I-might-offer-you-my-entire-village” look.

He used to give it to other people, never me.

The Player said something I couldn’t hear.

Dad laughed.

And for some reason, I almost did too.

Cool.

Amazing.

I’m not jealous. I’m not mad.

I just think maybe a mutant bird should swoop in and fly me into the atmosphere.

I crouched lower behind the tree. Not because I was hiding.

Just... assessing.

Tactical retreat. Strategic observation. Classic adventurer move.

I could leave right now. Pretend I got sick. Fell in a puddle. Forgot what day we were supposed to meet, even though he told me just yesterday.

Literally anything sounded better than walking over there and joining whatever perfect little conversation they were having.

But then I saw Dad nod.

The kind of nod he saves for speeches and negotiations.

And he said something.

I couldn’t hear what.

But I could see it.

He was proud.

Of him.

So I stood up. Straightened my jacket.

And marched across the square like I hadn’t just been hiding behind a tree like a total weirdo.

“H3Y!”

Louder than I meant to.

The Player turned first. Dad followed a second later, that mayor-glow still stuck on his face.

Why were they looking at me like that? Were they upset? Upset with me?

I was this close to saying something dumb when the Player cut me off.

”You made it.” He said, and whatever smile he had on before was already gone.

”Y34H… I D1D.” I let out a soft chuckle, like it was funny.

Nobody laughed.

”Oh, well, I should really get going. You two be careful out there!” Dad warned, slipping away.

Then, he stopped in his tracks. Whipped around with a grin.

”Though, I’m sure you’ll be alright. After all, you do have the town hero on your side!” He remarked, a hearty laugh erupting from deep inside his chest.

He wiped a tear from his eye and shuffled off, still laughing like he’d just told the joke of the year.

Silence.

I stared at the ground like it would tell me what to say.

Then, because my brain hates me, I spoke.

”Y0…” I started, unable to stop myself from continuing. It was like just being around him made me lose my cool.

I hated it.

”TH1S Y0UR FIR5T T1M3…?” I asked, immediately regretting it. He literally just told me that it’s his fourth “mission” or whatever.

He looked at me, confused, then responded.

“No, this’ll be my fourth.”

Right.

He seemed to be uncomfortable, or just thinking. I can never tell with him.

”First with a partner, though.”

He gave me a smile. Or what an alien who just got here thinks a smile looks like.

I wanted this to feel like the dream. Wanted it to be perfect.

But instead it felt like I was being carried into battle by a robot.

He surveyed me for a moment. It felt like he was sizing me up, to see if I was even good enough to go with him. I pretended he was checking me out. Just for fun. Even though I already know better.

Ugh.

His eyes suddenly flicked up to meet mine.

“You ready?” he asked. His voice was calm. Focused.

“It’s a long day ahead… and we’ve already wasted most of it.”

I had no idea why I was getting so flustered. He just asked me a question! This sucks.

Crushes suck.

“YE4H, 1’M C00L.” I mumbled, voice shrinking. “L3T’S GO.”

He gave me a nod, like I was just some side quest.

Not a person.

Not someone he smiled at yesterday.

Just an extra in his story.

Whatever.

It didn’t stop my heart from blowing it way out of proportion anyway.

He didn’t say “come on.”

He just moved.

And like always, I followed. Because that’s what I do. Even if I’m not sure he wants me here.

I was waiting for him to say something, do something.

But he never did.

Didn’t even look back to check if I was still there.

Ugh.

He always makes me sound like such a baby.

The dried leaves crunched beneath my boots. We had barely made it out of town and I was already thinking of turning back. It’s not like he would ever even realize.

The lush green forests transformed into drier yellow plains. I’m not sure I’ve ever been this far out, and the Player showed no signs of stopping any time soon. Still, I never could read him all that well.

The journey gave me lots of time to think. How did I ever get so desperate in the first place? I was supposed to be tough. Uncaring. Cool.

So why do I forget everything when he looks at me like that?

The tall grass rustled just to the left of us.

I froze.

So did he.

No one spoke, same as before. Yet, this silence was different.

The sound came again, sharper this time. Close.

Then everything exploded all at once.

A swarm of bugs flew straight at us!

The Player jumped in front of me and blocked them from attacking me.

He was so confident in his movements, practiced like this was a piece of cake.

It was.

But…

I flinched, braced myself for an assault that never came. My crowbar clattered to the dirt path.

What an idiot.

The Player dusted himself off after the last mantis exploded into a gooey mess.

Then, without a word, he bent down and picked up my crowbar.

He held it out.

I took it.

He was already turning away, like it was nothing.

It was nothing.

I wanted to thank him, but he was already about four mantis corpses ahead of me. It would be too awkward.

I jogged up behind him, to my usual spot.

And the rest of the walk?

Was just as quiet.