Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They hadn’t expected the temple to be cursed. To put it simply. Homicidal lizards? Fine. Tomb Raiders? Expected. A genie? Completely normal! Maybe. But sentient hieroglyphics? Yeah, the universe was pushing its luck with that.

Player felt a bead of sweat trail down their forehead at the sight of these sentient, and hostile, creatures staring at them. Well, the Anubis looking one was anyway. A pot with legs can’t exactly stare and the camel behind them both looked super zoned out.

Player was almost jealous, they wished they could have the same level of disinterest that camel wall thing did. Sounds like a way better life than having to collect swords and fight hyper-aggressive animals daily for a guy who’s not even paying them for it.

'‘Wow, that sounds like a whirlwind of emotions you’re never going to unpack!’, a voice suddenly cuts in Player’s mind, making them groan internally. Of all the times for him to show up it had to be now?

‘Hey! I can hear you! Now, on to business, how much tix do you think we’ll get from these things?', Greed began, Player could feel his subconscious eyes staring at the sentient hieroglyphics through their own eyes. ‘They look valuable...’, Greed practically purred, causing Player to feel a familiar wave of determination and want wash over them. They shook it away quickly though.

‘Not the time. We have no idea what they can do yet. So shut up.’, Player mentally shot back, their face furrowing despite themselves. Their warning seemed to have made Greed quieten down, for now at least. The robloxian turned their attention back to the sentient hieroglyphics before them.

The Anubis took hold of what seemed to be an ‘Ankh’, something that they recall Calypso telling them about, and suddenly tossed it forward. Player gave a startled yelp and swerved out of the way of the object, watching as it clattered to the ground and disintegrated into sand.

‘Woah! That was rude. Shame that Ankh disintegrated, even the name of it makes it sound priceless. Just think about how much tix we could get from that! Enough to buy loads of bloxy cola....’, Greed suddenly interrupted, his loud voice once again dominating Player’s mind. A sudden, fresh wave of exhaustion hit Player, and it seemed to have hit Greed as well. ‘Ugh.... Why is it so hot here.... I want something to cool off....’, Greed whined, his normally cocky tone now becoming more akin to that of a fussy toddler.

‘We’ll get a drink later, I’ve got a sword to find’, Player responded. Their attention being divided between dealing with the childish manifestation of greed in their head and the ongoing battle with living, breathing hieroglyphics. They threw a comatose laced ball at the pot with legs, watching as it fell backwards and seemed to snore quite dramatically. It also had a mouth. Weird. They could feel Greed shift in their mind, and they mentally prepared for another tantrum from him.

‘Why don’t we ask her?’, Greed said, curiosity lacing his originally whiny tone. Player felt as a pair of subconscious eyes moved to focus on Calypso, who was shooting her flintlocks at the insane-looking camel. A camel that flailed on its back, somehow, as the bullets hit it. ‘I bet she has bloxy cola on her. I want it! I need it!’, Greed cried, pure want and desire leaking out of every word.

Player clenched their fists as they held back the sudden emotion that washed over them.

‘We are not doing that.’ Player retorted in a curt tone, fists clenching at their side. The internal conversation with Greed causing them to lose focus on the situation at hand.

‘Whatttttt, oh come on... just one--’, Greed was cut off as a sharp cry of pain became audible to both of their ears. Player’s body tensed as they turned around to see Calypso clutching her arm, a dazed expression on her face. Player mentally kicked themself for failing to notice that the pot with legs had woken up.

Player couldn’t explain the rush of panic that overtook them when they saw Calypso’s injured state. Fear clearly wasn’t the reason as that emotion was sound asleep after having pulled another all-nighter arguing with Hatred over ‘correct food textures’. Their heart raced in their chest as they pulled out the Venomshank without warning, ignoring Greed’s mental wince at the sensation of the toxic sword, and thrust the weapon downwards. Watching as a visible, albeit slow, toxic wave slammed into the attacking hieroglyphics. A sick wave of satisfaction washing over them as they watched the creatures crumble into dust.

Their attention, however, immediately fell back to Calypso. The two hadn’t known each other for long but Player appreciated the way she had saved them from that tripwire as well as her position as the voice of reason in the misfit of pirates she was travelling with. They trusted her. Foolish may say, but they did.

The robloxian moved to where Calypso was standing, though she seemed somewhat shaky on her feet. Player moved to support her, registering Calypso’s small mumble of gratitude as their eyes scanned for where she had been hit.

“Are you okay?”, the words escaped Player before they even realised. They felt themselves straighten slightly as Calypso looked at them. They suddenly felt embarrassed, ‘are you okay? Of course she’s not okay! Idiot!’ They mentally berated themselves before Calypso’s voice brought them back to reality.

“Tsk... I’m alright, that darn pot just got lucky.”, Calypso responded, she stood up straighter as she regained her bearings. Adjusting her hat as she looked at the piles of dust and sand that had once been the hieroglyphics attacking them. “You really gave it your all with that sword of yours, hm? Never seen a sword like that.” The pirate remarked, checking her flintlocks were still functioning before turning back to Player.

Player stiffened at that remark. They opened their mouth to deflect the observation Calypso had made before closing it again. They could feel her gaze on them, and they didn’t know what to feel. The robloxian just shrugged.

“Well... let's find our way through here, this treasure won’t find itself.” Calypso remarked, already moving forward. Player stood still for a few moments, mind still processing the interaction before a familiar voice reappeared in their mind.

‘Her voice....’, Greed murmured. The entity’s voice almost in awe. Player paused for a moment, confused at Greed’s sudden change in demeanour. ‘I... the sound of it, I want more of it. I need more of it. I need her voice. It sounds divine,’ he continued. Player was silent, unsure on how to process Greed’s sudden change in attitude towards Calypso.

‘I need it. I need her. We need her. Don’t let her out of your sight. Please.’, Greed practically begged. The sudden desperation in his voice a far cry from the usual showmanship he possessed. And Player couldn’t find themselves resisting his pleas this time.

“Player? You coming or what?”, Calypso suddenly called back to them, noticing that they hadn’t followed.

Player blinked and snapped out of their mental conversation, though that feeling of want lingered. Stuck to them like a parasite they couldn’t bring themselves to get rid of. They began to follow her, footsteps thudding in the sandy halls of the temple.

‘Don’t let her go.’, Greed hissed into their ear. And for once, in a long time, Player listened to them.

Chapter Text

Solitude had never been vocal. Player always knew that quirk about her. She had always been the quietest of their four emotions, but it didn’t mean her presence wasn’t noticeable. Player could always tell when she was there, that subtle yet somehow heavy weight in the back of their mind.  

Solitude only ‘awoke’ when she wanted something, when she wanted to know something. Player could easily feel the reason she had emerged from her usual hibernation. She was curious.  

The sound of indistinct chatter and laughter within the train carriage felt muted compared to the loud silence of Player’s mind. Silhouettes of trees and fields rushed past beyond the window. Player stared out, watching them pass. Almost envious, how those scenes would never change. Unlike them. Them who had changed and become only a disgusting, broken shell of themselves. Once a curious, lazy , adventurer. Now only scum of the earth that not even the most desperate and starving rats would feast on.  

‘Who.... is she?’ , Solitude spoke, breaking the suffocating silence of Player’s mind as she inquired about the woman who had gotten Greed so.... obsessed. The entity had seen her fellow emotion obsess over things before, but only things . Tix, gold, anything he could hoard. Much like a dragon. Though it seems this dragon had found itself a princess, and that is what made Solitude so interested.  

Player blinked and snapped out the zoned-out state of their mind. They were alone, for now at least. Waiting for their acquaintances (they were not worthy of anything more) to return from wherever they had disappeared to on the train. Their leg bounced as they considered how to answer Solitude’s question.  

‘Who?’, Player responded, in their head of course. While they were alone, there were still other passengers on the train and Player didn’t plan on looking crazy. Sure, they were technically insane but other people didn’t need to know that. Other, better, people didn’t need to be burdened with their pathetic problems.  

‘You know who I mean. Her . The one that has Greed so... enamored.’ Solitude shot back, impatience bubbling underneath the eerily calm tone of their voice. She wanted to know now , so she may return to her slumbering quicker.  

Player felt their face flush slightly, but they relented to Solitude’s demands.  

‘She... is a friend.’, Player spoke, their leg bouncing faster as their heart raced. Well, they were technically correct. They were Calypso’s friend .  

They didn’t deserve to be.  

‘Then why is your heart racing... it’s pointless... we are broken, you can never have her...’ , Solitude murmured back, voice as self-loathing as it was condescending. Reminding both Player and herself of their own inadequacies. Their flaws. ‘Let it rest... we will fail anyways’ , she continued. A sense of acceptance mixed with the hopelessness in her voice.  

With those words, Player felt a sudden wave of exhaustion wash over them. They felt numb. This was all pointless, wasn’t it. They were a broken person, a broken thing no less. Whatever shared hope Player and Greed shared, it was pointless. Useless. The illusion of land in a thrashing, merciless sea.  

The chatter around them suddenly became insignificant. There was only themselves to keep themself company. An eternity of being alone suddenly felt much easier than a lifetime of companionship being just out of your reach. Why bother to fight for something you were clearly never destined to have?  

...  

Why even bother fighting at all?  

Player didn’t register anyone else until a sudden, aggressive shake on the shoulder snapped them out of their solitude.  

“H3Y, PUNK! W3’V3 B33N C4LL1NG Y0UR N4M3. 1D10T.”, Griefer’s voice snapped, his harsh tone easily shoving Player out of their own mind.  

 Player blinked, regaining focus of the world around them. They gaze moving towards Griefer, who was staring at them with an annoyed look. With Kyoko and Calypso standing behind him.  

“Huh? What?”, Player murmured, rubbing their eyes as if they had just woken up from a nap. They felt like they had. Before they remembered where and who they were with. They felt their face flush in embarrassment as they stuttered out another sentence. “Uh-- sorry, zoned out.” Player explained, which wasn’t too far from the truth. They could feel Calypso’s gaze on them and felt their embarrassment tenfold. By Telamon they were a mess.  

Griefer only scoffed, rolling his eyes before stopping when Kyoko gave him a look. The witches' brew obsessed robloxian put his hands up in surrender before sitting down on the seat across from Player. Deciding to look out the window and watch the scenery rushing by. Kyoko sat next to him, somehow already deep in a conversation with Calypso. Calypso.  

Calypso was sitting next to them.  

Player masked the way they felt their heartrate spike. Shoot. Player had never considered themselves to be someone to easily get flustered, but it seems the universe had decided today was the day to test that theory.  

Player just did what they do best, zone-out. Occasionally adding their piece to a conversation, they feel they didn’t belong in. Sitting with a group they feel they didn't belong in. Solitude’s presence in their mind had always been the least favorite of Player’s. Greed was easy to push away, Fear could just be ignored and Hatred felt all bark and no bite these days.  

But Solitude?  

Her influence was like being stuck in a swamp. Your body waterlogged and being dragged beneath the surface. A heavy, lingering weight that stuck around like a bad smell.  

They didn’t notice how noticeable their seeming disinterest in everything around them was until they felt a tap on their shoulder. A tap that, once they processed who it was, send sparks through their skin. A million ‘bee happy’ apparitions stirring just beneath the surface. Player suddenly jolted upright, heart racing as tried to act like they had been paying attention. Liar.  

“Uh- yeah, totally.” Player said, pretending they knew what was going on when they didn’t. A dilemma that was painfully obvious to the other three. Griefer suppressed a snort of amusement, Kyoko chuckled into her hand and Calypso just gave an unimpressed look that made Player’s heart do acrobatics they could never attempt in real life.  

“So, you’re saying ‘yeah totally’ to fighting ten Komodo dragons for 500 bux?”, Calypso said flatly, quirking an eyebrow. If Player had a mirror, they’d see they were as red as a tomato as they stuttered out a response.  

“Well-- uh—500 bux seems worth it....”, they mumbled out, suddenly finding the floor the most interesting thing in the room. Even if their heart seemed to think otherwise. They may have a very shaky grasp on their mental state, but they still have a firm grasp on their dignity.  

Griefer gave a laugh at their response, though it lacked the usual snark that normally came with the guy.  

“PFFT-- DUD3, Y0U’R3 S0 B4D 4T TH1S.”, Griefer snickered, earning him a look and slightly smack on the arm from Kyoko.  

“Brad! Be nice, I’d probably do it! If I had the right cards....”, Kyoko murmured, quickly dissolving into multiple calculations about correct deck combinations to beat such a challenge. Player made a mental note to never mention The Pit to any of them.  

“And there goes my sister for the next hour...”, Calypso hummed, amusement laced in her tone as she watched Kyoko feverishly scribble down strategies in her notebook. The ex-pirate's gaze suddenly moved back to meet Player. Brown eyes meeting grey as she spoke again. “In all seriousness, are you alright? You seemed... distracted.”, Calypso pointed out, giving Player that suspicious but concerned look that made all the confidence boulders inside them crumble to dust.  

Player was silent for a few moments, wracking their brain on what to say and smartly not asking for help from their emotions. The robloxian attempted to fix their posture, they failed, before responding to Calypso’s question.  

“Yeah, just umm... thinking about what to do at Telamon’s Manor”, they lied smoothly, despite the thorn of guilt that pierced their heart as they did so. “Haven’t visited it in a while, so I’m excited to refresh my memory.” they added on. Just to make it seem that bit more believable. Though they knew that Calypso could probably sense their dishonesty.  

The woman gave a small hum, indicating she didn’t believe them but choosing not to push the subject matter further. She leaned back in her chair, that brown-eyed gaze of hers falling on her younger sister who was still happily scribbling away, occasionally showing it to a half-interested Griefer who pretended to be disinterested when he wasn’t. The sight made Player’s heart do backflips.  

Solitude felt... a lot less bad when she was there. It was a small comfort that Player allowed themselves for a little while longer.  

Player didn’t know what time it was when they felt Solitude’s presence reintroduce itself in their mind. Only knowing that it was late and that Kyoko, Griefer and Calypso had long fallen asleep. Griefer was leaning against the window, snoring loudly as he slept. Kyoko was using her suitcase as a makeshift pillow and Calypso was leaning back in her seat, hat tilted downwards to hide her face.  

It was peaceful, and Player found themselves yearning for it to last a little longer.  

‘We should leave.’ , Solitude’s voice suddenly cut through the peaceful silence that had settled in Player’s mind. That sudden wave of hopelessness crashing into them again. ‘You have your own room, do you not? Go there, it’s pointless to stay here. They’ll eventually leave you anyway’ , the entity continued. Her voice so calm yet equally as authoritative.  

Player felt their stomach twist uncomfortably at the thought, but deep down they knew it was true. They were broken, its better they left now before these people realised that for themselves. The robloxian gathered the remaining strength in their body into their legs and prepared to stand up, but as they were about to do so--.  

A sudden weight appeared on their shoulder.  

Player froze, their brain and heart simultaneously screaming as they turned their head to see the cause. Calypso’s head resting on their shoulder, her lips half parted as she slept. Strands of reddish-brown hair draped over her forehead. They were completely still, the whole world seemed to still, as they just listened Calypso’s soft breathing as she slept.  

Player willed all their energy into the arm not being used as a pillow and slowly lifted it up. The robloxian was halfway to pushing Calypso away when a voice suddenly cut them off.  

‘Don’t. Move’ , Solitude’s voice practically boomed, despite the usual quiet tone of the emotion. Player froze, heat rushing to their face as they felt Calypso shuffle slightly in her sleep. Her head now more sturdily resting on their shoulder now.  

It was again silent, both in the real world and the small headspace in Player’s mind. Before Solitude broke that silence again, her voice softer than before.  

‘She feels... warm. I can hear her breathing. It... I like it. Never in the abyss have I felt anything quite like this...’ , Solitude murmured. Tone eerily akin to Greed’s when the emotion had first saw Calypso. Enamored. Weak. Player said nothing, letting the entity say what she must while simultaneously making sure Calypso was comfortable in her slumber.  

‘Stay here. I wish for more of this sensation’ , Solitude demanded. And Player couldn’t find any reason to refuse. Their body went lax, leaning back into the seat as they felt Calypso’s weight still against them. The only sounds heard being the thrumming of the train tracks, the loud snores of Griefer, but most importantly, Calypso’s soft breathing.  

As sleep slowly seeped its way into Player’s mind, they heard Solitude murmur one last thing before exhaustion consumed them.  

‘Please, don’t let her go’ , the entity whispered. And once again, Player listened to her words.  

Chapter Text

Player had many regrets. That was an indefinite fact. They’d made many mistakes and committed so many sins that they’d earned eternity in whatever hell that awaited them.  

In short, Player had made many, many, regrets.  

...

“Ky0k0.... wh4t 1s th1s .”  

“What? It gets good! I promise!”  

“ Pfft, sur3 1t d03s— WH4T TH3 F#CK 1S TH4T!”  

...

But this was definitely their biggest one by far.  

Kyoko had suggested a movie night, which didn’t seem so bad at first. But Player had forgotten one key thing about their friend.  

“N0, N0 , 1 4M N0T W4TCH1NG TH1S!”  

“Brad! It’s not even that scary!”  

“MY 4SS 1T 1SN’T!”  

Kyoko loved horror movies.   

The movie playing on the TV, some stereotypical slasher movie that Kyoko seemed to adore, was the type of horror media that Player wasn’t as familiar with. Having come from the future where horror was more psychological based. Maybe they should introduce that type of stuff to Kyoko sometime, she might like it.   

Brad definitely didn’t though. With how the guy was screaming at every small jumpscare. Guess he wasn’t as tough as he claimed to be.   

Then again, Player couldn’t be one to judge horror tolerance. They themselves were flinching at every loud, dramatic scream the actors made or whenever the movie caught them off guard. Frankly, they couldn't understand how Kyoko seemed to enjoy these types of movies, but they won’t judge.   

The movie continued to play as the group of four settled into watching it properly. Griefer and Kyoko were on the floor, with the latter laying on her stomach as she got properly invested in the movie. Brad, on the other hand, was holding on to a pillow like it was a lifeline. The leaves that sprouted from his neck occasionally puffed out when he got scared.  

Player found themselves actually enjoying the movie, as cheesy as it was, even though they have the occasional jump at the jumpscares or scenes where the killer caught their unlucky victim. The killer kind of reminded Player of the Slasher they’d encountered beneath Telamon’s Manor. Man, that dude had been scary. They leaned against the back of the couch’s cushions, watching the climactic scene of the movie with mild interest. It was... okay, in their opinion.  

A chuckle next to them reminded Player of who else was there on the couch with them. Calypso seemed to be watching Kyoko more than she was watching the movie, Player couldn’t blame her. Kyoko’s reactions to the action were far more entertaining than the action itself.  

Although, once Player’s attention was on Calypso, they struggled to get it off her. Feeling their heart rate already accelerating. They couldn't help but stare at her. The freckles on Calypso’s face reminded them of stars, decorating her face with a radiance that only she seemed to possess. They didn’t notice they were staring, their mind too busy being captivated by Calypso's appearance. Until even their mind noticed and screamed at them.  

‘S-she’ll-- SHE’S GOING TO NOTICE US!’ , Fear’s voice cut through their mind, snapping Player out of their daze. Only to realise that Calypso was staring back at them. An expression of confusion evident on her face. Player felt their face heat up unnaturally quickly. They quickly looked away but could still feel Calypso’s gaze on them.  

Sinking into the floor suddenly sounded like a great idea.  

Fear seemed to agree.  

‘W- we need to go! She probably thinks we’re ogling her! Go! GO! G-GET AWAY NOW!’ , Fear’s voice screamed in their head, making them flinch. Ow. Fear was louder than Greed at times, much louder. Player abruptly stood up, mumbling something about needing the bathroom before they all but ran out the room. Much to the confusion, and worry, of the other three.  

Player all but stumbled into the bathroom, closing the door behind them as they tried to calm their beating heart. Feeling their pulse thrumming against their chest like it was trying to escape. They leaned against the sink, staring back at their own reflection.  

But they never recognised the robloxian who stared back at them these days.  

‘W-why did you do that!? N-now she’ll hate us.... w-we'll be all a-alone again...’ , Fear whimpered dejectedly. Player could subconsciously feel the emotion curling into themselves. Their spiny, purple body likely trembling. Their hands shook against the rim of the sink; Fear’s panic was infectious.  

The room suddenly felt so small. Claustrophobic even. Their hands were fully trembling, their grip on the sink becoming faulty as Fear repeated a mantra of anxieties and worries in their head far too loudly.  

‘S-she probably thinks we’re disgusting...’  

‘W-what if Kyoko and B-Brad find out?’  

‘WHAT IF THEY ABANDON US?!’  

Player’s knees buckled as their breathing turned fast and painful. Breathes becoming sharp, light gasps for air. Their hands moving to grip their hair as they whimpered and curled into themselves on the cold floor. Like a pathetic mutt. A desperate animal begging for love they didn’t deserve.  

Weak.  

Corruptable.  

Defenceless.  

That’s all they were.  

Shaky sobs began to escape them. Tears formed in the corners of their eyes as they sank deeper into the cold tiles of the bathroom floor. Pure helplessness and fear consuming them. Fear’s presence causing their usual panic to be ten times worse. The world around them became blurry, numb, muffled. Only a faint ringing remained in their ears.  

‘We’re g-gonna be all alone...’ , Fear began, voice shaky and stuttering as usual. ‘W-what are we going to do? I- I don’t want to find more swords... they h-hurt so much. I don’t to anymore... I don't want to. I WANT TO STOP. MAKE IT STOP. PLEASE. I-I'M BEGGING YOU. MAKE IT STOP. WHY WON’T YOU MAKE IT STOP?! ’ , Fear screamed, causing a fresh wave of sobs to escape Player.  

“I....”, Player sniffled, hands digging almost painfully into their head. They didn’t care. They didn't care about anything anymore. Disgusting. Pathetic. A murderer. A monster . A vile wretch that deserved nothing. “I c-can't....”, they sobbed. How pathetic they were. How useful they wanted to be. To think they could make a difference.  

‘Stop it. STOP IT. MAKE IT STOP. I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE. I DON’T WANT TO DIE! I DON’T WANT TO—’  

“Player? Can you hear me?”  

Fear’s voice was cut off as Calypso’s voice pierced the screaming mess in Player’s mind. The robloxian’s head shot up, body trembling as they came face to face with Calypso. Her brown eyes staring at them with obvious worry.  

Player went still, their breathing still shaky as the two stared at each other. Silence filled the room. Then Fear’s voice cut through the silence.  

‘S-she sees us... S-SHE SEES US. RUN! RUN!’ , Fear screeched, causing panic and pure dread to wrack Player’s body. But they couldn’t move. Their breathing began to rise again, chest heaving as their body refused to co-operate with them.  

“Player? Player!” , Calypso called again, her hands gently wrapping around Player’s wrists to stop them from clawing at their head. Her thumbs pressing into the palms of their hands as she spoke. “I need you to breathe, okay? Breathe with me, alright? Focus on me.” , Calypso spoke in a gentle tone Player had only heard from her a number of times. Her thumbs rubbing soothing circles into their palms.  

Player felt their heartrate calm slightly as they slowly got themselves to match Calypsos breathing. Their vision clearing as they focused on her voice. They could still feel tears streaming down their face, until a hand moved to wipe them away. They were half-tempted to lean into the warmth of her hands but resisted the temptation. The ringing sound that had permeated their ears slowly began to fade as well, leaving only the static hum and their own breathing audible to their senses.  

They felt Calypso brush a strand of hair away from their face and a small noise of contentment escaped them. Player, in all honesty, wanted to fall asleep right there, but they didn’t. Obviously. Instead, they opened their mouth to mumble out an apology.  

“I’m sorr—”  

“Don’t.”  

Calypso immediately cut them off, causing Player to immediately shut their mouth as the woman kneeling in front of them gave them a stern but caring look. They had to will themselves to not stare at the freckles scattered across her chocolate-coloured skin.  

“Don’t apologise. Don’t ever apologise for something like this, okay? You shouldn’t apologise for having emotions.” Calypso spoke sternly, and Player wondered how she’d react if she knew the actual state of their psyche. The woman gave a sigh before she pulled her hands away, causing a pang of disappointment to course through Player. They’d liked feeling her touch, her warmth, her comfort. Even though they knew they didn’t really deserve it.  

“Do you... want to talk about it?” , Calypso asked, leaning back on her hands.  

Player was silent for a moment, staring down at their lap before responding.  

“...Not really.”, they responded, but they could already feel the tears forming at the corners of their eyes again. They tried to wipe them away, but more kept forming. “S-sorry I just—”, they were cut off by their own sob. Burying their face in their hands. By Telamon, they were pathetic.  

There were a few seconds of silence, Player just sobbed into their hands before they felt a warmth blanket over them, a strong pair of arms coiling around their back as their nose was attacked with the smell of sulphur and lavender that they’d come to secretly adore. They looked up to see why that was the case, only to find themselves wrapped in a hug. Calypso’s hold was firm, but not painful. Grounding, even. Comforting.  

Another sob escaped them, and they just accepted the comfort, clinging to Calypso like a lifeline as they cried. Their head buried in her shoulder as their body shook with each sob. They felt a repetitive motion on their back and noticed it was Calypso, her hand rubbing soothing circles on their back. She wasn’t judging them; she wasn’t pushing them away or telling them to deal with it. She was just there. Being there while they needed her most. And Player couldn’t be more grateful.  

Eventually, though, their tears ran dry. The robloxian didn’t move from their spot though, basking in the comfortable silence that had formed. Fear had got silent, for now at least, maybe it had finally worn itself out with all that constant panicking. They just felt tired, like they could take a nap that could last years.  

But the cold, tile floor of Kyoko’s downstairs bathroom was definitely not a good sleeping location.  

‘...T-the others are probably wondering where we are...’ , a familiar voice suddenly spoke in Player’s mind, causing them to jolt and nearly hit Calypso’s chin with their shoulder. That would not have been fun. But just as they were about to move to stand up, Fear spoke again.  

‘W-wait! D-don't move!’ , the normally frightful entity stuttered out, its tone more desperate than before. Almost as if they were... whining. Something Player had never imagined Fear would do, but the emotion continued on. ‘I-I like it here... with her. She’s so warm... a-and nice. I don’t want to move... don’t make us move, please. T-that movie was s-scary...’ , Fear continued, but Player could tell that last part was a lie. Clearly an excuse so they’d stay in her hold longer.  

Although, much to Player’s and Fear’s shared annoyance, Calypso eventually pulled away. Her touch lingered and Player found themselves silently yearning for more time so close to her hold. Her scent had permanently imprinted itself in their mind, and they found themselves yearning for it.  

“Kyoko and Brad are probably worried.” , Calypso said, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off her legs. She extended a hand to help Player up and they accepted, the contact sending sparks through their being as they followed her out of the bathroom. Player found themselves keeping their hand in hers, despite their being no need to. They just, wanted to feel her close a little longer.  

Kyoko and Brad were waiting for them both in the living room, the slasher film having now been replaced by the introduction of Coraline. Man, Player loved that movie. It had been almost nostalgic for them, but here, in the past, it was probably a new release. Either way, they wanted to enjoy it.  

Brad gave a huff as he gave a pointed gaze to Calypso and Player.  

“T00k y0u l0ng 3n0ugh, wh4t, d1d y0u tw0 m4k3 0ut 0r s0m3th1ng?” , Brad snarked, earning him a kick in the shin from a red-faced Calypso who gave the man a warning look.  

“Say that again and the next thing I’ll be kicking is your face.” , Calypso warned, causing Player to snicker and for Kyoko to intervene, though the girl was clearly holding in her own laughter.  

“Okay, enough of that Brad. But seriously, you okay?” , Kyoko asked, giving Player a worried expression. Player realised that their eyes must have been bloodshot, oops. They opened their mouth to respond but Calypso beat them to it.  

“They just got overwhelmed is all.” , the woman said vaguely to her younger sister.  

Kyoko seemed to get the hint and nodded, before clapping her hands and looking excitedly at Player.  

“Player! Have you ever seen Coraline?” , Kyoko asked with an excited expression.  

Player gave a small smile and shook their head, not wanting to extinguish Kyoko’s obvious enthusiasm about the masterpiece of a movie.  

“No, not really," The robloxian responded, a small chuckle escaping them as Kyoko quickly dragged them, Calypso and Brad onto the couch, already rambling about stop-motion and movie production.  

As the movie played, Kyoko watched with an expression of awe, Brad pretended to look disinterested but with the way his red eyes flickered across the screen, it was easy to tell he was captivated by the movie’s overall style.  

‘W-we're still holding hands...’ , Fear whispered into the subconscious ear in Player’s mind, causing the robloxian to release that it was right. Their hand still interlocked with Calypso’s own one. But she hadn’t pulled away, so they wouldn’t either. They gently squeezed her hand and received one back. Making their heartrate simultaneously calm and spike. Until, their attention went back to the movie, unaware of when Calypso's gaze occasionally fluttered over to them. Her expression... softer than normal.  

‘D-don’t let her go...’ , Fear stuttered in Player’s mind before it itself relaxed into a state of dormancy. And, after so long of ignoring it’s voice, Player listened. They didn’t let go of Calypso’s hand, even when sleep took all four of them together. Player slept peacefully that night, and the warmth from her hand never faded.