Chapter Text
Shedletsky swung his sword at 1x1x1x1, the creation he failed to properly raise. Shedletsky wished he could go back and fix everything, but the damage was done.
He hid behind a nearby wall. Coincidentally, Builderman was building a dispenser behind that very wall. Upon seeing Shedletsky's state, Builderman sighed. He told Shedletsky to get next the dispenser.
Right as the cool mist hit Shedletsky's body, a soft sob was heard. The former admin looked at his ex-boss,
Shedletsky peeked around the wall. Sure enough, there was a very familiar child in the place where 1x1x1x1 had been standing. The child was sitting on the ground, tears in its eyes. The child had very oversized clothing, all belonging to 1x1x1x1. He winced from the pain in his arm.
Shedletsky carefully and quietly approached the child. It seemed to have noticed him, as it was now curling itself up in a ball while begging for mercy. Shedletsky's eyes widened. He knelt down, gently opening his arms. The child noticed and slowly crawled over. Once the child was in arms reach, Shedletsky slowly stood up. Being sure to not accidentally drop the crying kid.
"Shh...it's going to be okay." He whispered gently.
"W-Who are you?" The child whimpered.
Shedletsky was silent for a second. But he decided to respond with "My name is Shedletsky. But you can call me Shed for short."
The child looked at Shedletsky, who dawned a soft smile, the tears slowly coming to a stop.
Builderman walked over, resting a hand on Shedletsky's shoulder.
"I doubt the Spectere planned this. Plus, I don't think it's a good idea to leave them here. Let's bring them back to the survivors cabin." Builderman suggested. To which Shedletsky nodded.
The two walked to the cabin, child in hand. Upon opening the door, all eyes were on the child. The child buried its face in Shedletsky's chest.
"So...who's the kid?" Elliot asked.
"...well..." Shedletsky started.
"It's 1x1x1x1." Builderman interrupted.
"Oh, Okay- Wait. It's who now?" Elliot stammered.
Shedletsky gave a glare to Builderman. "Well...It's not the 1x1x1x1 you think it is. This is 1x1x1x1 as a child. When they were still innocent." Shedletsky elaborated.
"You're telling me you let a fucking killer into the cabin?" Chance asked.
"No. 1x1x1x1 is not a killer in this state. They're a scared child who is lost and confused." Shedletsky stated through gritted teeth.
"...Mr...Mr Shed?" 1x1x1x1 asked. Immediately grabbing Shedletsky's attention.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Am...Am I a bad kid?" The room was stunned into silence. Shedletsky Immediately grabbed Builderman's hand and brought the two to his bedroom. Shedletsky sat on the bed with 1x1x1x1 in his lap.
"No, you're not a bad kid 1x1x1x1. You're just...confused, that's all." Shedletsky softly explained, ruffling the child's white hair.
"But...Those other people called me a killer." The child began to cry.
"Hey, Hey...look at me. They don't understand you like we do. You're not a killer and you're not a bad kid." He replied.
"But...Papa would never give me attention for anything. I-I...I failed as a creation." The child whimpered. That hit Shedletsky's core. He had been so neglectful and dismissive of 1x1x1x1 when he was still Telamon. No child deserved that. No child deserved to feel such emotions.
"...no. You didn't fail as a creation. I failed as a creator." Shedletsky mumbled.
Soon, Shedletsky and 1x1x1x1 were fast asleep. Builderman sighed and laid next to 1x1x1x1. Pulling a blanket over all three of them, Builderman kissed 1x1x1x1 goodnight. The lights had already been turned off, so the trio could sleep in peace.
There laid Shedletsky and Builderman, a broken child laying in between the two of them for comfort. Comfort the two were very willing to give.
Builderman was woken up to Shedletsky gently shaking him. Slowly sitting up, he noticed a whimpering 1x1x1x1 in Shedletsky's arms.
"Nightmare?" He simply asked.
"Yup." Shedletsky responded. The two gently shook 1x1x1x1 awake. It woke up with a gasp. Seeing their new parents, they clung to the two for dear life. Builderman sighed and got out of bed, grabbing a stuffed animal that Shedletsky had somehow found. The stuffed animal was from when 1x1x1x1 was an infant. Shedletsky would always tell him about how 1x1x1x1 used to sleep with it every night until they were seventeen.
Builderman picked the stuffed animal up and returned to the bed. He tapped 1x1x1x1's shoulder, showing them the stuffed animal. They calmed down upon seeing their childhood toy. Gently taking the stuffed animal out of his hands, they held it close. Hugging the stuffed animal like it was their baby.
"You had a nightmare, didn't you kid?" Shedletsky asked sleepily.
1x1x1x1 nodded. Beginning to explain what it was about. They were in Sword Fights on The Heights. Walking up to Telamon when everything went pitch black. Next thing they knew, Telamon was replaced by a tall creature. Shedletsky rubbed 1x1x1x1's back. The child bawled their eyes out.
"Hey...it wasn't real. I promise that me and Shed will keep you safe." Builderman interrupted.
"P-Promise?" They whimpered.
"I promise." Builderman replied. Shedletsky and Builderman got up, deciding to microwave some milk to help 1x1x1x1 fall back asleep. Builderman yawned as he watched the mug spin.
After the milk was warm enough, the two returned. Gently asking 1x1x1x1 to drink the milk. A few minutes later, the child was out cold. Shedletsky and Builderman returned to their prior positions, gently moving 1x1x1x1 in between them. The two soon feel asleep once more.