Chapter Text
“Hey uhm Elliot? We’re running out of dough and the supplier is on break.” 007n7 mutters to Elliot who was at the cash register with a line of people patiently waiting.
“Hm? Oh, Can you get them then? I’m kinda busy” The other replied, pointing out the line of people still waiting in line. “Ah- I see. I’ll be back” He gave Elliot a small smile before walking away.
He grabs the keys to the supply truck and starts it, turning on the radio at the same time. As he drives, he zones out and thinks about what has happened lately. It’s been a few months since he’s been transported in the past and he’s been using those few months to try and adjust back to society- mostly Elliot being nice to him again. After the whole getting sent back to the past, 007n7 realised that since he’s years away from when C00lkidd burned down the pizzeria and he’d have to work with a much different Elliot from what he is used to, and honestly? Everytime 007n7 talks to Elliot he fully expects the other to yell at him to get out and stop talking to him but to his surprise not once had the other showed any resentment to him- well not yet at least- No 7n7 you can’t think like that! Be positive! You’re given a second chance for fucks sake.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he realised that he was finally in the building. 007n7 sighed to himself and got out of the car to get the supplies needed.
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Elliot meanwhile is happily taking customer's orders back in the pizzeria but he can’t help but worry for a certain burger hatted coworker.
He noticed that 007n7 had been more distant to him lately and even sometimes flinched whenever he looked him in the eye.Elliot had wanted to ask the other if something had happened to him but fearing that he’d be pushing a boundary, Elliot didn’t say anything but lately it’s been bugging him how 007n7 looks at him, scared. It makes him sick, the expression doesn’t fit 007n7 at all. So he decided that this is the day he confronts 007n7 and maybe get closer to him- Who said that!
“Elliot, the items had been restocked, pepperoni pizza can be available again” “Okay! Thanks 7” Elliot flashed him a smile but the other just returned an uneasy one. Okay yea, something is definitely wrong.
After his shift ended, Elliot quickly went to 007n7 so that he could finally confront the man. He spots him at the parking lot about to go in his car, “7!” 007n7 whipped his head around alarmingly but when he spotted Elliot he seemed to calmed down a bit and for some reason it made Elliot’s stomach churn that 7n7 can trust him enough- but he shouldn’t dwell on that right now, what he needs to do is talk to him first.
“Oh, Elliot? Do you need something?” There he goes again with that sheepish and uneasy smile! Sure he looks cute but why is he uncomfortable with me!- Wait a second. Get it together Elliot!
“I don’t need anything, I just wanted to ask you something”
“... Ask away”
“Why have you been uncomfortable around me? Did I do or say something?”
007n7 remained quiet for a while, sometimes opening his mouth to say something but nothing came out. You’ve messed up Elliot!! This definitely a personal boundary! Stupid, Stupid, Stupid! He can feel sweat forming on his forehead as he continues to wait for 007n7 to reply. He catches a glimpse of the other smiling a bit, not those awkward ones, not those uneasy ones, not those manic ones, it’s the same smile that 007n7 used to give him and Elliot is now just realizing how much he missed seeing the other like this.“Oh it’s nothing Elli. Something has been on my mind lately that’s all, nothing to do with you of course but thank you for asking, I appreciate it”
Elliot can feel his heart pounding, it’s so loud that even 007n7 might even hear it. The use of the old nickname got his heart racing; he swears it’ll be faster than light waves at this point. “Y-yea, That’s what friends are for!” Even though I want to be more, he’ll never say that.
Not yet at least.
“Well I’m glad that I cleared some stuff, I do need to go now. I’ll see you next week” 007n7 said, opening his car and getting in. “I see, Uh, Stay safe then!” Elliot barely managed to mutter out before the other drived away.
“Thanks!” He hears 7 yell out, a little muffled due to the distance.
Safe to say Elliot giggled himself to sleep that night, dreaming for something more. ____________________________________________________________________
007n7 hums softly while stirring the soup he’s cooking. When it’s done he portioned it to two bowls, placing one at the table and the other at C00lkidd’s newly bought highchair before going upstairs to get him.
“Hey buddy, wake up, you need to eat” he lets out a soft chuckle after hearing the baby say ‘no’, sure it was more of a ‘bo’ if anything, but hey, who’s here to judge? Carefully, he picked up C00lkidd and started heading back downstairs.
“Here comes the airplane”, C00lkidd instinctively opened up his mouth as the spoon looped around the air. “Does it taste good?” 007n7 asked knowing that he won't get an answer but just looking at the satisfied look of the other is an enough answer to him. Before he knew it C00lkidd finished everything on his bowl and he’d have to put him back to bed. After doing that he came back to clean up the table before noticing his own bowl of soup untouched and most likely became cold. He had forgotten to eat. Usually he would avoid eating back in the cabin, it started as an excuse to not eat with the other survivors and eating at midnight but soon later it started becoming a habit for him, sometimes he forgets to eat with how much he’s been thinking.
But now…
He’s not at the cabin anymore, he’s home, he’s safe, and he sure as hell would like to live his life now.
007n7 grabbed a spoon and started eating what he had made earlier. Is the soup cold? Yes but he hasn’t been more grateful to eat anything other than pizza. Speaking of pizza… he remembers the events from earlier. He couldn’t help but think how silly Elliot was earlier but he truly was grateful that someone cared even if it’s from the person he least expected- from the person he remembers, but this Elliot was different and he didn’t have to know what happened or is it ‘could’ve happened?’ 007n7 grumbled to himself but decided to try and stop thinking about the past for now and think of what’s ahead.