Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter one

Inkopolis was quiet, the people chattered, the businesses thrived, but it was overall quiet

I find a bench near an alleyway and sigh in disappointment

I pull out my phone from my pocket, and check my messages, I only have 2 contacts, and one of them is a group chat I never check

I take a second to look at the screen, ‘S4 groupchat (and rider)’

“Ugh, weirdos” I roll my eyes, aloha was saying something zesty and army was questioning alohas wellbeing

I can't believe i ever wanted to be one of those dinguses…

I look at my other contact, I have him favorited … ‘Goggles <3’

If anyone ever saw i had added a heart to his name i would absolutely destroy them…

I don't really know why I had added that to his name, It was late at night… but i didn't want to take it off of his name…

I find myself blushing “Gah! N-no. No” I try to calm myself down, but i probably look like a mess “geez…”

I look at the last message he sent
‘I have practice tomorrow!! :)’ sent: yesterday

I wouldn't be able to see him much today then…WHICH WAS FINE ITS NOT LIKE I WANT TO SEE AN IDIOT LIKE HIM

“...” I sigh again

“Why do I want to see that idiot so bad…” I start to get up and do something useful or productive, or something like that…

I bet goggles doesn't even like me, I mean, usually I can be a total JERK to him…

I tried to recall the last time I tried to hit him with a dynamo, or told him to back off, to my surprise… it had been awhile

The last time we talked it was after a battle, he had won, like usual, but when his team was starting to walk away, he ran up to me… to congratulate me… Even though I had lost.

he said it didn't matter, the way he smiled at me before specs had yelled at him to come back…

That was 3 days ago, that text he sent was the last time we had communicated for those 3 days… and I didn't even respond…!

“See… you are a jerk…” I felt a tugging in my chest, a deep pain.

Soon after my chest hurt, so did my head

“Agh! W-what the…??!” My head had a sharp pain, before slightly subsiding, I head down the alleyway so the other people didn't see the scene I might've caused

I touch my face, It felt cold… weirdly cold, my vision started to fade, not into black or white… but to a bright cyan?

“Ugh… why am… I so dizzy…?” I take out my phone and go to the camera, I take a look at my face

I stare at it… in shock, my face… m-my eyes… the turquoise goo radiating on my head…

The phone flickers black before shutting off…

I drop it on the cold, dark, alleyway floor, before I also fall onto that same floor…

Authors notes:

Hi yall! Im back with a new fic, motivation, and a plan :D
New chapters every Saturday! ^^

Enjoy!! <3

Chapter Text

Chapter Two

I woke up a while ago. I have a team practice today!

I run off to the train station, adjusting my goggles, since they were a bit off center.

I hop onto the first train, I find a seat in the back, It was a little busy

The people seemed happy and lively, which makes me smile

I sit down, I gaze out the window as the train starts to head down the track, it wasn't going to be a long ride, but watching the world go by through the window is always amazing.

I start to wonder how my teams doing…

despite being the leader, specs usually seems to be the second one to get to practice, headphones always gets there early.

The train starts to stop, and i get up and start to walk off, the place we're going to be practicing in is about 2 minutes away

I start to hum, as I skip off, every now and then, I hear some murmurs around me, but other than that everything's nice!

I look ahead, I see some kind of alleyway near a bench, but its in the opposite direction of the place im going to be practicing in, but it seems cool, so I might check it out later

I find the place, its a hub people usually play with the table turf cards, I heard from bobbles that headphones might play it.

As i enter, I smile, im so excited to see my team again and-

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” I pause for a second as a voice behind calls out, I turn around to see specs

“Specs?! What's wrong–?”

“You ruined EVERYTHING for ME!” His eyes starts tearing up

I stare at him, my heart sinks “...What do you mean?”

“You are a menace to team blue… And we– no, I HATE you” his eyebrows narrow, his glasseTHAT'Ss are off centered and i could see his eyes, gleaming in the sun

I start to back up “y-you're scaring me!”

“yeah, RIGHT, BACK OFF YOU STUPID IDIOT! And go ANYWHERE but near this team!”

My legs wobbled, I run, I don't know where, but i run, I run past that hub, I run past the billboards that say something about off the hook, I run down the streets, and i only stop when my breath stops, I fall to the ground, somewhere near a cluttered and probably abandoned area of the city, it was dark, and cold, and I couldn't hear anything or anyone anymore, it was so eerily quiet that I could hear my off beat breathing, my body aches, mostly in my legs

I start to cry

I don't know what happened

I don't know where I am

I dont know why im like this

I dont know why I'm so stupid, and goofy, and annoying, and awful…

And I don't blame anyone for hating me

They should…

They should hate me

I hate me

My tears fall to the floor, im too tired to get up, and rest my head on a nearby cardboard box

I look at my phone before drifting off

Specs had removed me from the team blue group chat

Authors notes! <333

Hi!! Its my b-day on Monday :D I think yall are gonna like what's coming next :3 also, do yall like my 'writing style' idrk how to describe it if it is one :/

(Seeing my cousin today!)

Happy b day to me!

Chapter Text

Chapter three

“Heh, look, its that team stupid LOSER” i keep walking, I try to pay no mind, even though I've heard something along those lines ALOT today… and yesterday… and the day before that and also for the last year…

I hear murmurs all around me, their all either talking to each other about something unrelated, or about team blue… its been awhile since its been in a positive light

I start adjusting my glasses and put my head down as I head to the hub we all decided to practice at and talk strategy

But then I hear something that breaks me

“Oh, look, the try hard DORK on team stupid can't see! I bet he has those glasses cuz’ he stared at the sun, freaking moron” the person walks by pushing me to the ground as they walk off

I can hear laughter all around me, at me

From the push, my glasses almost fell off

I wish I could say something, anything, but my throat hurts so bad, and so I couldn't and my eyes stung and I couldn't see clearly

“But I didn't… i-im not…” I wipe my face

“Its all his fault…”

I finally recall the reason its like this, the real reason

I spot that idiot… that annoying idiot, I get up, and rush off

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??!” Before he can finish whatever stupid reply he had, I continued, I couldn't care less

“You ruined EVERYTHING for ME!!” My tears start to fall harder, being more visible…

“What do you mean…?”
What did I mean? WHAT DID I MEAN?!

“You are a menace to team blue… And we– no, I HATE you” My voice is a low growl and I can feel my brows lower

“y-you're scaring me!” I can see him step away, and back off, and im glad

“yeah, THAT'S RIGHT, BACK OFF YOU STUPID IDIOT! And go ANYWHERE but near this team!”

I can see the tears in his eyes, and i watch as he runs away, i can feel the tension in the air

“Idiot…”

I suppose a crowd must've formed around us, I could hear them start murmuring again

This time it wasn't about how stupid I was

It was about how they didn't know what just happened

This time they didn't say team stupid

They said team blue

I smiled

I walked off the other way, the opposite way…

i walked over to a less crowded place, which took awhile, I turned on my phone

I checked my contacts, and removed goggles from the team blue group chat…

I texted that practice was called off

I turned my phone onto do not disturb

I wiped my face, my tears were mostly dried out, but it was still kinda wet

I started to calm down, but I was still mad… maybe just upset now…

I look at my shoes, they were kinda dirty from the streets I ran down…

“Specs?”

immediately i recognized that voice…

“Emperor…?” I look up

“...Is everything okay?” He was in his work uniform

“Oh-! Uhm… yeah… mhm!” I smile, a small smile… a small, sad smile…

“Its not… is it?” He speaks so genuinely, so… so kindly

“No…not really…” I look away, my eyes started to sting again

He stares at me for a second, just standing there, with a frown.

Then He wraps his hands around me, into a hug…

“...Emperor-?” I started to blush… j-just a tad

“even a commoner feels despair… you don't have to explain it”

I blink a few times, and then I lean into the hug

“Thank you” I smile warmly…

Authors notes!

Hehe I love writing this fic
Also, there's gonna be ALOT of chapters if im estimating right, so I might start also posting a chapter on a weekday or Sunday? Idk lol, uhhh headphones is peak good BYEEE >0< (until next Saturday =0)

Chapter Text

Chapter four

I was scrolling through some off the hook songs, not really paying attention to the people around me, but just enough not to bump into anyone

I was heading to the practice specs set up, it was at this place I visit a bunch, its this hub to play with table turf cards

I'm nervous to tell my team about how I like table turf though… I heard there's been some rude players going around

And if I'm being honest…. I think I kinda want it to be a me thing…

As I head down the streets, I start to pay a bit too much attention to my phone, I was trying to find my favorite song, calamari inkantation

To my surprise, I bump into someone

“Oh! Im so sorry! “ I look up at the person, but they barely even flinched, turns out, a crowd had appeared there

“y-you're scaring me!”

“Is that Goggles…?” I try to look above the crowd, but its tough to see…

“yeah, THAT'S RIGHT, BACK OFF YOU STUPID IDIOT! And go ANYWHERE but near this team!”

That was definitely specs, too

My heart sinks, what's going on…?

I hear running, and i see just well enough to watch specs mouth something out before walking away

‘Idiot’

I pause, my hands start shaking, that seems to happen when im nervous

Before I know it, the crowd disappears, but im still right here , staring at the same spot specs once was

I didn't really KNOW what to do…

I decide to enter the hub anyways

I didn't know what I would do there

I had a feeling we wouldn't have any practice today…

I enter the building, it was pretty empty

I take a seat at the edge of a bar stool, at the little café they had there

I sigh

It would probably be okay

Probably…

“Oh! Headphones! How's it going?”

I look at her, she was behind the canister

I smile

“Hi braids, its… okay ” I can see she's a bit curious with my answer

“Did something happen?” i blush a bit, but i spot myself pretty quick

“Eh, im not too sure what happened… if im being honest” it was true… but I had an idea… I didn't like it though

“Something with team blue-?” Before she could finish, she got a call on her phone

“One sec!” she starts talking to her phone

“...yeah” i look away, not trying to intrude on her call, I think its was with her boss

Braids worked at this hub, specifically at the restaurant.

I got into table turf because of her, mostly to see her a bit more… A-and because I genuinely like the game

I check the team blue group chat, Specs removed goggles from the chat

It was about a minute ago, but I wasn't paying attention to my notifications

I stare at my screen, this can't be happening

What even was happening

Whatever it was, it was bad

I could tell that specs had seemed a bit more tense and… sad Lately?

My anxiety was getting a bit worse now…

Not to mention he called off practice aswell

“Boss called… I got a raise!” she smiled

“Omg! Congrats! You totally deserve it!” I high fived her

“So, is everything good?” I pause, if i tell her what just happened… and the fact she just got good news… i- I couldn't ruin it for her…

“Its good! Is it good…” I smile awkwardly

“...well, didn't you get a new card pack recently? Did you get anything good?” The change of topic was nice

We started talking for a while, I like talking to her…

Authors Notes! <3

...I did say there would be alot of povs-
i should probably set aside more time to plan stuff out and write, but whatever
What are yalls fav characters? (Mines Headphones)
<(^_^<

Chapter Text

Chapter five

“Andddd 3… 2… 1!!!! Game end!!”
The announcer called out

“64.6% and 47.2%... Team blue wins!!”

Bobble hat and headphones high five, and I cheer a bit!

“Goggles! I think were all gonna start heading home now, bye!” Bobble hat waved to me as she left

I smile and wave back

“Are you staying? Its getting a bit late, don't you think?” Headphones questioned

“Oh! I just wanted to do something real quick! Have fun!!” She nods and heads out

“Be safe, Gogs!” she starts to head off

I start walking towards Rider, I'm excited to see him!

“Rider!!!” I run up to him

“Goggles?” He seems a bit surprised to see me

“You were great!” I saw his face get a lil’ red, then he coughed a bit

“B-but we didn't win” he looks away for a second

“That doesn't matter, silly!” I smile “you had fun, didn't you?” I tilt my head a bit to my question

“Y-yeah, I did have fun…” I see a smile on his face now

I start to blush a bit- I wonder why…

“Aha! I knew it-!” Before I can finish specs yells out to me

“Goggles! Its late!!” He didn't seem very happy

“Bye rider!” I wave as I turn around

“B-bye goggles…” before I can turn away, I see a soft smile

Then his figure goes fully black, like a shadow, it flickers from black to cyan

Then it stops, everything around us grows black, and his figure has a cyan glow

I try to call out to him, or someone, anyone… but my mouth just couldn't

“I hate you”

Im taken aback

I wanted to ask why he said that… but I already know why…

The words “I hate you” are chanted again, and again, and again…

“Stop this! S-stop!” No matter how many times I say to stop the chanting never does

I cry… the tears stream down my face

The voices get louder and louder

It didn't stop, no matter where I looked, no matter how much I wanted it to…

‘BEEP’ ‘BEEP’ ‘BEEP’

My eyes open

It was just a dream

And my phone, my phone alarm had gone off, it was morning now

I had slept with my head on a cardboard box in an abandoned part of the city

“Mmm” I mumble

What even happened…?

“O-oh… right”

I bite my lip to not cry, it worked, not well, but it would work

I hardly knew where I was…

I checked my messages

“Hey goggles! Is everything good? Srry I couldn't text earlier :[“
Sent at 4 pm

It was from headphones

I felt bad, but I didn't respond …I would respond later…

I checked my contacts for rider

‘I have practice tomorrow!! :)’ sent: 2 days ago

He had left me on read

“...”

Did he also hate me?

“...”

Like specs…?

“...”

I started to get up…

What was I going to do?

I'm not on team blue anymore, I don't think

So what could I do?

I try to recall my steps, I walk past a billboard of off the hook, then back through some familiar streets, and soon enough, im back near the hub…

Back to the same spot I was told I was stupid

To the place i was told never to come back to my friends

My friends…

Friends…

Friends…

Friends…

Headphones…

Headphones!

‘Hp? Can we talk?’

Sent at 6 am.

Authors Notes <333

Heheh emotions am I right yall...?
By the last chapter yall will have so many of them...
Uhhhh but uhm im hanging out with my crush tomorrow yayyyy <33 :D

Chapter Text

Chapter six

I hum on my way out… she's always so sweet to me…

I turn and wave, I catch myself blushing again

im on my way out, I find a nice bench

I should probably text goggles…

“Hey goggles! Is everything good? Srry I couldn't text earlier :[“

Sent at 4 pm

Its not that I COULDN'T have earlier …

its fine…!

I sigh again

“Its fine…”

After a bit of worrying, I noticed it had gotten a bit late…

Might be around 5 pm…?

“Woah” Im a bit shocked it had gotten that late

I noticed how the hubs door started to open again

It was braids

Work must've gone out

Im too socially drained to say anything though

I saw glassless come out and greet her

Hes usually cold…

He seemed less cold towards her

And she seemed warm towards him

“Huh…”

I stare for a moment

Just staring

Eventually they head out

And i dont

Just by myself

All me…

“...”

“Tch… slacker”

I gasped at the voice of someone else, and quickly turn around

“You have no chance with her, she's set on that other slacker”

It was…

“8-bit…? Why are you-?”

“Training.”

There's a moment of silence between us

She was standing near the side… or back of that bench i sat on

“W-wait, what do you mean?”

She stares at me blankly

“Are… are you serious?”

I think I see her mumble ‘slacker’…

I guess I might've made it obvious… but I could've sworn I was discreet … clearly braids didn't notice anything by her overall demeanor

“Well-! Uhm… Well i-i-its NOT like that!” I blew up a little… It's not aggression… its deflection

“You're deflecting… but I don't care for slackers”

Nailed down the exact emotion… it hurts, but… impressive

As she starts to head off… I realize there's one last thing I needed to say

“Do I really not have a chance…?”

She pauses for a second, then turns her head around

“If she and glassless aren't already dating… I suppose it could work...”

A bit of relief washes over me

She turns her head back again

“Don't get your hopes up, though”

She walks away

I find myself biting on my lip… a nervous tick of mine…

I exhale… and start to head home…

‘BEEP’ ‘BEEP’ ‘BEEP’

The default alarm sound on my phone sets off.

I check my phone and turn it off

7 am

I check messages

‘Hp? Can we talk?’

Sent at 6 am.

“Oh! Goggles! Dang- eughh!!”

‘Sure!’

No… i backspace on the phone…

‘Yeah ofc!’

Not right either… delete delete delete

My anxiety about the whole specs thing definitely got worse over night…

As my fingers backspace I finally know what to type

‘Sure ofc! What about?’

Sent at 7:07 am

I hope everything's okay…

I stare at my apartments wall

I remember last night

“Do I really not have a shot…?”

Im sure I do…

Im sure of it…

Authors Notes!!! <33

Hey yall! Im finishing up on the last few chapters, there fore ive decided to post chapters ALSO on Sundays and Wednesdays, As well as Saturdays, of course. I have an archery competition today!! Wish me luck ☆☆☆

Chapter Text

Chapter seven

My eyes half open

“Eughhh”

I start to look at the pavement my face was planted on

“...?”

I get up bluntly

The rising sun shined into the alleyway i found myself in

“I… remember “ I recalled what happened

The quietness… the bench… my phone… My contacts… goggles… my headache… the turquoise goo on my face…

I touch my face…

It felt normal…

I check my phones photo app again

It WAS normal…

I check my contacts as well

I paid no mind to the s4 group chat

“Goggles…”

I blink a few times…

I look away from the phone

My face felt warm…

I felt flustered

Then it hits me

“I'm a jerk…”

My mumble sinks in deep

I am a jerk

He doesn't like me

I am a jerk

I cant like him

Because im a jerk

He deserves better

I am a jerk

And he deserves more than a jerk

“...”

As i head down back from the streets I sigh

I dusted off my jacket as I walk down

I check my phone

6:34 am

“Huh”

I noticed a person a decent distance away

I actually recognized him

I started to speak

But my throat choked up

I don't think he saw me

I started to run off to my apartment

Just run away

He can't see me like this

Even if I want to see him

I head to the train station, and head straight to my place…

Authors Notes!! <33

There will be 23 chapters IN ALL! Huzzah!! Posting more consistently makes me happy hehe, Also, I got like 13th place in the archery thing lol. Also, on friday my crush asked me if I like anyone, so I kinda avoided her the rest of the day- please help (im kidding I think)

Chapter Text

Chapter eight

“Hey emperor… I think i should go”

He pulls back

“Do you want me to walk you home?”

I refuse

“Im okay”

I get up

Up from the bench

“Actually…”

“So, your just down from here?”

I nod

“This area seems… modest”

It actually seemed like a regular street, but i probably wouldn't understand his regular street

As we walk up to the steps of the apartment complex i live in, he speaks

“If you need anything…”

I look at him

“Tell me”

I start to get flustered

I adjust my glasses quickly

“Y-Yeah! O-of course! Of course!” I laugh awkwardly

“Goodnight, specs”

He smiles, he starts to turn away

“...g-goodnight”

I wave my hand as he walks off

There, I lay in my bed

Arms stretched above my head

Contemplating what just happened

What happened before that…

“Maybe I was too harsh on him...?”

I dont… think… i… was…

My eyes shut slowly

“Mmmmm…”

Authors Notes!!

Srry that I waited so long to post! My bad lol
Anyhooo guess who's trying to make friends and lowk succeeding >:)

Chapter Text

Chapter nine

“Hnnngh HAH!”

The targeted training dummies popped with one blow of my roller

“...Take that slacker”

Before I take another swing, I notice my water bottle…

I sigh, and walk over to it

I grab it, and drink some, I had been practicing for awhile

“Hm…” I put it back down and check my phone, which was sitting near it

‘4:57 pm’

“Jeez… I should head home” I mumble to myself

As i head out the lobby, I notice headphones sitting on a bench looking at something

I squint my eyes and catch a glimpse of what she was looking at

It was braids and glassless

I wait a second, as they leave, she just stays there

Quietly looking at one of them as they exit

Looking at braids

“Why is she…?”

Then the reason hits me

“Oh”

That slacker… she probably doesn't know about braids and glassless…

After a while of standing there, I decide to walk up behind her

“Tch… slacker”

She seems surprised as she quickly turns around to see me

“You have no chance with her, she's set on that other slacker”

“8-bit…? Why are you-?”

“Training.”

Its quiet for a second

“W-wait, what do you mean?”

It was so blatantly obvious…

“Are… Are you serious?”

“Well-! Uhm… Well i-i-its NOT like that!”

Deflection… was she in this deep…?

“You're deflecting… but I don't care for slackers”

Did I care for slackers? I mean, i did go out of my way to tell her…

What am I thinking, no…

I turn around, and start to head out

“Do I really not have a chance…?”

I pause… I shouldn't get her hopes up, I shouldn't get her hopes up, I shouldnt…

“If she and glassless aren't already dating… I suppose it could work…”

Dang it…

What was I doing

I could see her face light up a bit as I turned around again… I felt so much guilt to get her hopes up… What was I doing…?

“Don't get your hopes up, though”

Please dont…

As I walk off, I can't get her face out of my mind…

Not just out of feeling bad… but… I wasn't even sure why…

I adjust my glasses

What was I doing…

I sigh, I turn around to see her once more, but she was already gone

Maybe she does have a chance…?

No… I've seen the way glassless and braids have looked at each other…

Dumb slackers…

I kick a rock on the street

It was pretty dark

Good thing I was already on my way home…

Once I got to the front of my place, I shut my eyes and sighed

I forgot my water bottle

“Cod… what am i doing”

I face palm lightly

I'll get it tomorrow, I'm tired…

I enter through the front door of my home, …or I guess apartment

As I get to my room, I remember headphones again

“S-slacker…”

I lay on my bed

Before I put my glasses on my desk side table, I checked my phone

I looked on some social media platform that I remember braids was on

Her bio said she wasnt dating anyone or taken or some dumb cruddy label like that, but it didn't say she wasn't?

But I guess braids isn't the kind of person to post their personal information to people on the internet … or really any information for that matter

Like some people… (aloha)

I put my phone away and finally put my glasses on my desk side table

…

Why was I feeling this way for a slacker….? What way was I even feeling…

…

Authors Notes!! <33

If any of yall celebrated it, Happy Halloween!! I wore a tuxedo and devil horns as a costume lol. Also, I should probably come out to my mom as nonbinary soon, oops :_0 Oh! I got back into animal crossing! :) I gotta get ready for the new update... it has splatoon...

Chapter Text

Chapter ten

“So… Goggles… d-do you… want to… eat food at a PLACE and H-HANG OUT BECAUSE REASONS AND- U-U-UHHH GAHHH.”

‘Because UHHHH Gah.’

“...i suck at this…”

I know it should call him or something or maybe text him and then we could… I don't know… talk…?

I just need to at least communicate with him, don't I?

I mean… it's the least I could do after all I've done to him…

“Agh!!”

I cover my face

It was happening again

At least this time I was in my apartment instead of an alleyway

It wasn't too strong, but it hurt

I checked the mirror

It wasn't in my head…

My eye right eye was glowing again…!

After awhile it phased out

I tried to catch my breath

“You're fine, you are fine”

I lay on my bed, and sigh

Maybe someone on team blue could help me out…

Probably not though
…

“I can think about this later, I guess” I get back up

I picked up a wrapper on my floor. It was for the Ramen I had 2 nights ago. I usually keep my space clean, but whatever.

I spot something under my bed

“Is that… a radio?” I grab it and pull it over, it was indeed a radio

I turn it on, there were stations that played human music

The difference between Human music and inkling and octoling music were the lyrics and rhythm

Inkling and octoling music were more about feelings and rhythm, and human music was more about the lyrics

Some lyrics were emotional, some just dumb, but I've heard that there's a song for everyone

Couldn't hurt to listen for a sec…

‘It's easy-! To say I'm OKAY-!…

But this smile im wearing is fake

Im suffocating-!!’

“...not my thing…” it seemed a little sad, but song was good though

I changed to the next station

‘She wears short skirts i wear t shirts

She's cheer captain and im on the bleachers

Waiting for the day where you wake up and find…

What your looking for

HAS BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME-’

“no… not my thing either…”

‘There's really no way of winning…

Cuz’ in there eyes

You'll always be a

DUMB BLONDE’

“Blonde… isn't that a human thing... for hair-? Mmm…”

One last song couldn't hurt…

‘But there's no man as terrified
As the man who stands to lose you

Oh, I hope I don't lose you

Mm

Please stay
I want you, I need you, oh, God
Don't take
These beautiful t-’

“I-isnt this moon beam guy-? Tch”

I quickly take the knob of the radio and switch it off

Why did that hit so close to home…?

“Augh! N-not again-!!?”

My right eye was in fact

Doing the thing it does…

A part of me wanted to cry

But I didn't

I just waited

And soon, but not soon enough…

It stopped

Maybe if I could just wait it out every time it happened…

It would go away…?

I didn't feel like thinking about this right now, though

I take out my phone

And go onto InkTube

I go onto the songs category, and put some off the hook on

And played back down on my bed

And I sighed

“...this song reminds me of someone…”

The song was calamari inkantation

I remember hearing somebody play that song once

“Headphones… Headphones!”

She could probably help me out with talking with goggles and…

And I didn't have any way to contact her

“...Dang it”

I decided I would just walk around inkopolis for a moment Why not…

Music (in order) listed!

Groundhog Day by em beihold
Love story by Taylor Swift
Blue hair by TV girl
Beautiful things by moonbeam guy (Benson boone)

Authors Notes <333

I remember I read this fic once and it was a Infection au, I love Infection au's guys ahhh too bad it was discontinued or something, it was on this quiz taking site when I searched coroika on it and I think it was called "now and forever " oops long notes woah, b4 I go and stuff I think the site was called quotev if anyone wants to try and find it :) <333

Chapter Text

Chapter eleven

I stared into the phone screen as the text was sent…

I put it into my pocket, and I looked out into the distance

I guess I had been standing here for awhile, since I heard footsteps in the distance, coming towards me

Before I could turn around, they were already on their way…

Away from me

And…

And who was running from me…

“...”

Was Rider…

First he left me on read…

Then additionally he hasn't even communicated to me at all for days…

And now he's running from me…

I guess I should've known sooner everyone hated me…

But I guess that's why im stupid.

“...”

For the last few weeks I have been trying to be better… but I failed…

And now it was too late

What could headphones do about that? Nothing

And she shouldn't have to do anything anyways

Since this was all my fault

I checked my phone… maybe I could delete the message, but…

‘Sure ofc! What about?’

Sent at 7:07 am

“!”

I bit my lip…

I start to look up from the phone, and turn around-

“...Specs-?”

I just stood there

He looked as though he had just gotten up in a way

Before I could get anything else out, he runs away into the distance

If I had a nickel for every time someone who hated me ran from me this morning…

I would have 2 nickels…

I sent another text to headphones

‘Nvr mind! :)’

Sent at 7:12 am

Authors notes <333

Guess who came out as nonbinary to their mom >:D Im very proud of myself ... Im on a walk rn byeeee

Chapter Text

Chapter twelve

I yawn

“...mmm”

What time was…

Its afternoon

I check my phone…

Specs had called off practice

And…

Goggles was removed…?

Probably just a error or something

I get up, and look at the desk I had in my room

I didn't have anything to do today… or really until specs scheduled another practice

I looked at the scissors on the desk

Then i touched my hair, it was so…

…Feminine

It just… wasn't me

Sometimes… I feel like a silly actor… I always have my eyes closed in front of people

Maybe if I didn't look at them… they couldn't see me

I knew that wasn't how it worked… but… i wish it was…

I looked at the scissors again…

And I walked over to the desk

‘Snip’ ‘Snip’ ‘Snip’

I smile…

I had finally looked the way I always wanted to… my hair was in the hipster style

But…

How was I gonna explain this to team blue…

I…

I want them to use He/him pronouns for me…

I always have…

Ever since we were kids, I always knew I was a boy…

I put the scissors back down…

Maybe i could tell them at the next practice…

“Y-yeah… ill do that!”

I would stay in my room until then…

Authors Notes <33333

THE ACNH UPDATE HAS SPLATOON AHHHH >_<

Chapter Text

Chapter thirteen

The sun shined through my window

But it was blurry

I should probably put my glasses on

I remember the night before…

With… with what I did to goggles…

Was… I…

was i too hard on him…?

Maybe… I could talk to emperor about this… despite being a bit incompetent and arrogant sometimes…

He’s…

a good listener

“HAHA YEP THATS RIGHT HE IS A GOOD LISTENER AND NOTHING AT ALL MORE HAHHAHAHA YES THIS IS FINE”

What was I doing…

I sigh

I started to head out the door to find him again

On my way to him…

I found myself in the same place I was the day before

When I yelled at goggles…

Speaking of goggles…

“...Specs-?”

I was in shock

His hair was a mess… he had eye bags on his slightly red eyes… from… crying…? A-and his jacket seemed so dirty

Before he could speak again…

I ran off

I felt bad…

But I needed to talk to emperor

Now

I need to talk to him right now

As I ran to crusty seans, I texted emperor

‘Emperor? I really need to talk to you, if you can, meet me at crusty Seans ’

Sent at 7:13 am

I sat at a random booth, and contemplated everything i had done…

I thought I did the right thing in the moment

But was I just having a stupid tantrum?

Was i just being stupid?

Was it my fault we were called ‘team stupid’?

Was i spiraling?

Did I deserve to feel this way?

Was i crying?

Did my team hate me-?!

“SPECS!”

I look up-

It was emperor

He came

“W-what happened-??!”

I could see the worry in his eyes

Before I could speak, my throat chokes up

He grabbed me into a hug

I just cry into his shoulder for awhile

He wasn't mad… or annoyed… I wasn't being a burden to him

I pull away for a second

“Y-yesterday… i-i yelled at goggles… a-and i ruined EVERYTHING! I dont know what to do- and I screwed up everything! A-and its ALL MY FAULT!”

I try to stop crying as I stare at him, its successful

“Is it your fault…? or are you just blaming yourself?”

I pause

“Or is it both your faults?”

Was it…?

He was the one who ruined our reputation

And i was the one who let it pent up inside of me for over a year without talking to him

“i… I think it was”

He cupped my face

“Its okay”

I get instantly flustered, and my face is very red right now

He smiles

A soft smile…

And we kiss

Authors Notes <333

Sorry I posted Chapter 12 with the wrong release date
:( anyhoo I think my (ex) Crush might be psychotic uhhh anyway your welcome for the SpecsXemp content hehe >:3

Chapter Text

Chapter fourteen

“Maybe I should go for a walk…? T-to take a break from… thinking about this”

It couldn't hurt…

Speaking of hurt…

I checked my messages and found goggles again… he texted back

‘Nvr mind! :)’

Sent at 7:12 am

“...?”

At first glance… that SEEMS like a good thing… but…

“It still feels wrong… so… it probably is…”

My head started to ache

Its… not really something ive ever felt before

My eyes hurt

What is this-

And it stops briefly

Huh

Must've been… the air? Im not actually quite sure what that was, but im going on a walk now either way

I adjust my headphones, and play calamari inkantation , my favorite song

I space out for a second…

…

…

…

…

…

BAM!

“AGH!!”

I fall to the ground

What the-??

“Oh my god! Headphones-? Are you okay?”

Rider?

“...Rider?”

He helps me up, he must've been running, and then he ran into me

“I was actually kinda hoping to see you, its… about goggles”

Oh

Oh no

Oh no no no no-

“You good?”

No

“Yeah, im fine” I smile

“...so what about… Goggles?”

I bit my lip nervously

“I… I don't think…”

He looks away for a second

Then… his eye glowed turquoise

It quickly faded away as he turned back to me

“I feel like I've been a jerk to him…”

“Really? I haven't really noticed”

Maybe when they first met, but not now

“...maybe your right” he sighs

“If you want to, im sure you two can talk tomorrow”

He seemed kind of nervous about that

“I’ll… keep that in mind, thanks”

He waved and started to walk away

Sometimes I feel like there's something…

between them…

And it doesn't seem very platonic…

Oh, right, speaking of non-platonic…

“Braids…” She was pretty much the only stable thing in my life right now

She is Consistent

“Wait…” I remember what 8 bit said

“Don't get your hopes up, though”

Knowing her… she probably meant that…

I gulp anxiously

I'll be FINE

“Im sure” I mumble, unsure of myself

Thats when my phone beeps

‘Team blue hangout at Wahoo world tomorrow! Please be there by 8 am’

Sent at 7:27 am (Specs)

Goggles still wasn't in the team blue group chat

Were we having it without him?

But… but…

This must be bad

I knew this was bad

Everything is falling apart

“...”

I look blankly at the pavement

“oh!”

I open my phone again and go to braids

‘Are you gonna b at wahoo world tomorrow? I might see you’

Sent at 7:31 am

I start to think of something in should be doing

I thought going on a walk would help untense my mind… but it just hasn't

Everything feels bad

Everything is bad

My head aches again
My eye stings again…

‘Beep!’

‘Yeah! Ill be there with wireless, ill see you there! :>’

Sent at 7:33

“...Wireless?”

Maybe if I impress her she'll like me more and- and then…

Then we could date or something like that

I start to head to the year round valentines day store

Its kinda weird we have one, but none the less

That's when I notice the old man agent guys manhole cover, the last time I saw him was when goggles went missing and rider got sanitized

I remember how riders eyes glowed turquoise, kinda like when he was sanitized

Couldn't hurt to ask him about that…

I start to head to the manhole cover and hop in

“So, what brings you here, Young’in?”

I swallow hard, I should be quick

“...Metaphorically… what would you think would be going on if someone's eyes started to glow turquoise every now and then?”

“Oh, wowza , that was a mouthful, well… I might come to believe they've experienced some level of sanitization at some point, It only comes out later on though, when insecurities build up”

“Insecurities?”

“Yes, the sanitization goo can become stronger from insecurities, eating away from them, even after the sanitization is mostly cleared away, or if there's a teeny tiny amount in someone from helping another person whom was sanitized, it can and will build up-”

I stare for a second, i should be quick

“-metaphorically, of course” he finishes

I nod

“Thank you, Have a good day!”

I start to head back to the valentine's day store

Its kinda empty, since it is a valentine's day store, and its no nowhere near that time of year

I purchased a heart shaped box of chocolates… I'll give it to braids tomorrow

As I head out, I spot someone

8-bit

She was a bit far away, She squints to see what I was holding

She seemed a little surprised, and started to heads over to me

“...what are you doing with that?”

I pause for a second

“Im gonna give it to braids”

She's taken aback

“Are you sure?”

Was I sure?

Wait… why does she seem to care? Wasn't I just another slacker to her?

“...yes”

No

She bit her lips a tad

I look into her eyes

“Is something wrong?”

Her pupils get slightly smaller

“Not… particularly“

“If there is, you can tell me” I smile reassuringly

I can see her get… flustered? And she adjusts her glasses

“It's nothing! I just- its nothing”

Was she mad at me?

“...”

She puts her hand to her opposite shoulder and looks away

“I should go…” I mutter

“O-oh… right”

“Uhm… if you want to talk soon, im gonna be at wahoo world tomorrow with my team”

“Is that when you're going to give the… box… to braids…?

I nod

“o-oh”

My smile fades

“Well… I'll see you late-”

“WAIT!”

I stop in my tracks

“W-what issit?”

“...” she starts to say something, but stops

“Goodluck, headphones “

I start to blush, but I quickly catch on

“Thank you, 8 bit”

And then I walk away, back to my place

Feeling even worse than before

Even more unsure

…

When I finally get back, I stare at my ceiling

What just happened with 8-bit?

What just happened in general?

I sigh, and listen to music again…

Authors Notes <333

Congrats for reading one of the longest and most important chapters in this fic! :D Its definitely one of my favorite chapters. Also, Im rewatching centaur world for the first time in like a year (SEASON 2 EPISODE 5 BABY WOOO)

Chapter Text

Chapter fifteen

After a bit of convincing, not much, but anyhoo-

I decide, along with emperor, to host a group meet up at wahoo world, as I post the text, I feel… relief

I would finally be able to clear everything up with everyone

I smile as I send the text

‘Team blue hangout at Wahoo world tomorrow! Please be there by 8 am’

Sent at 7:27 am (Specs)

Emperor hugs me as its sends

Earlier, after we kissed, he asked me out, and now we were dating

After a bit… I realize I forgot to add goggles back to the group chat

So I go do that quickly

I really hope he comes

I really want to make it up to him tomorrow

Authors Notes!

As much as I would like to say the Ao3 curse has got me, I dont think it has yet

Also someone's mom is filing a police report on my school's school wide group chat

That im not in for some reason lolol (Something with it not working to add me idk)

Uh I finished watching centaur world, Its pretty good frfr

Chapter Text

Chapter sixteen

I start to head back to my place, I planned to sulk there for the next few days

When I got there, I got a message

(You've been added back to the ‘team blue’ groupchat)

Was this a joke?

Some cruel joke?

‘Team blue hangout at Wahoo world tomorrow! Please be there by 8 am’

Sent at 7:27 am (Specs)

Why did he add me back?

Its clear he hates me

Its clear everyone hates me

Who can blame them

Was he mocking me?

Was- was he going to publicly humiliate me?

I did deserve it…

Didn't I?

I decided I would come

Whatever mean thing he wanted to do to me, i knew I'd deserve it, At this point, can I even consider it mean…?

Authors Notes! <33

Ugh I have a phone update i gotta install later :( (they take 4everrrr) But I plan to do some drawing today, so thats nice. Uhhhh Anyhoo I hope you liked your goggles angst, its all your getting till Wednesday ! Byeeeee hehe :D