Chapter Text
Rounds went on, and cracks started to form around the maps. The type of person he used to be, Elliot would have investigated them. But now? He couldn't bring himself to care. He really didn't care about anything anymore. He was mourning a man who really never existed. A lover who didn't love him. He felt so bad that he missed those days, but he just couldn't help himself. He was adored, doted on, and now it's gone, that love he grew to accept.
More rounds went on, and the cracks grew bigger. Not just in the maps, but in Elliot. He was snippy, short tempered. He was no longer the happy go lucky healer he used to be. He was closed off, self isolated, cold. Outside of rounds, he talked to no one, and no one talked to him. During rounds he tried to pretend everything was fine, but it just wasn't. It was horrible. All of it.
Eventually, it all reached a breaking point. Both in the cracks, and Elliot. It was a round with Noli, and he just lashed out. He screamed, at Noli, at his teammates, at the ghost of 007n7, and the whole world came crashing down. Literally.
They all were dropped in a maze, one Elliot recognized. This was the corn maze, near Builder Brother's. Everyone, all the survivors, and all of the killers were brought here, but why? Were they freed? Couldn't be. But looking at C00lkidd, he was small again. Not that tall, gangly monster Elliot had started to pity. No. They were in the real world again. Released from their hells, all of the survivors celebrated. Well, most of them, just not Elliot. He just, couldn't process it.
He had gotten used to his new life, being a healer, where he was somehow more well-rested than when he was alive. And he had to go back. Back to his old job. Sure, he was the pizzeria golden boy, but what did that really mean? He'd get extra bonuses sometimes, sure, but he always drowned in work. He had to teach newbies the ropes, his co-workers always dumping their work on him because he "just did it better," and the hackers. Back then, Elliot used to just grin and bear it, deluding himself into thinking it didn't bother him, but now he could feel the anger coming back.
Still, everyone was lost in the corn maze, and Elliot knew the way out like he knew all of the pizza recipes- by heart. So, he took it upon himself to guide everyone out, survivors and killers alike. And once everyone was out, they started leaving. The admins and Taph dragged 1x1x1x1 to Roblox HQ, Azure and Twotime went Telamon knows where, and Noli took 007n7. He didn't even get to say hi, but knowing the state of 007n7's mind, he probably wouldn't have acknowledged him.
Eventually, Elliot was alone, or so he thought. C00lkidd was still there, 007n7 and Noli didn't take him, they left him. The kid looked so scared, but of course he did, his father left him alone. So, Elliot crouched down, trying his best to sound kind.
"Hey, C00lkidd. Are you alright?"
"I -sniff- I can't find my Papa!" At that, Elliot internally cringed, what was he supposed to say?
"Your dad… said you were gonna have a sleepover with me because I make that pizza you like!" Elliot made it up on the spot. I mean, what was he going to say? That his dad left him because he was cursed to not love him anymore? That would break the little kid's heart.
"Really? Even… even after what I did? The fire?" The poor kid bought it, he believed Elliot, but it seems he inherited his father's sense of guilt. Elliot had to comfort him if he wanted the kid not to freak out.
"Aw, I promise it's okay, you didn't know what you were doing, but now you know better, right?"
"Yeah… yeah, I know better now!"
"And you promise to never do that again?"
"Yeah! I promise!"
So Elliot picked the kid up and brought him to the mansion- his father's mansion. He steeled himself for the reunion with his father and sister. He knew they'd definitely have questions, especially since he was carrying the child who burnt down the pizzeria.
What he hadn't expected, was how old his little sister was now. He had knocked on the door, expecting his father to answer, not a teenaged Mia.
"…Mia? You're? You're so-"
"Do I know you?" Elliot's heart sank.
"Of course you know me! I'm your brother! You remember me, right? Your big brother Elliot?"
"Really? 'Cause my older brother Elliot's been dead for four years."
"Four years? Four years…? I? I've been gone that long? I spent four years…? No…? No, that… that can't be right… It… it's still 2022… right?"
"Sir…? Are you alright…? I'm sorry, but-"
"Mia, can you get dad? Can? Can you get Mr. Builder? Can you call him or?"
"…Sure."
Mia slammed the door on Elliot, and when he was starting to lose hope, she came back, with their dad.
"See, this is the guy pretending to be Elliot!"
"No…" Mr. Builder's voice trembled and his eyes welled up with tears the second he saw Elliot.
"I know, it's so insensitive, like-"
"Elliot? Is that really you?"
"It is me, dad. Please. You have to believe me."
"But, you're supposed to be dead… and that kid?"
"I know, but he doesn't have anywhere to go, and neither do I."
"Are you really listening to what he has to say-" Mia started to protest, but was cut off by Mr. Builder asking Elliot more details.
"How did this happen?"
"Honesty, I don't know. I died, then woke up in a cabin. And then after a while, cracks started forming in the map, and now here I am." Elliot cut out the middle part. Being chased by killers, what happened with 007n7, they just weren't ready for it.
"… What happened to the kid's father?"
"Even if he was still in his right mind, nobody would allow a hacker, not to mention an undead one, to live on their property, especially not one as notorious as him. Plus… I don't think he even knows he has a son anymore."
"How could he possibly forget about his own son?" Mia butted in.
"He got tangled up with Noli. Corrupted some of his code." Elliot half-lied, the less his family knew, the better. Besides, hiding information isn't exactly lying, it's just keeping a secret.
Mia and Mr. Builder proceeded to question Elliot, the former asking more skeptical questions, trying to poke holes in his story, but the latter immediately believed him and welcomed him in.
"You're really letting him stay?"
"Mia, be nice to your brother!"
"No, no, I get it, and Mia, you don't have to believe me, you don't even have to be nice to me. But I promise, as soon as I get my own apartment, or house, or whatever- as soon as I get C00lkidd and myself off our feet, we will be out of your hair. For good, if you want."
"I'm keeping an eye on you, 'Elliot',"
So Elliot stayed with his family for a while, returning to his old job at the pizzeria and watching C00lkidd whenever he had free time. Mia had insisted on watching the child whenever Elliot was at work, claiming she wanted to make sure he didn't get into any trouble. If anyone asked Elliot, though, he'd definitely tell you it was obvious she had become enamored with the child and wanted to spend more time with him.
The first week in, however, C00lkidd had gotten antsy, he missed his dad, so Elliot had to cover.
"C00lkidd, your dad is really sick. He's been sick for quite a bit. He wanted me to take care of you, so you wouldn't get sick. And so he wouldn't scare you, with his big nasty illness!" Elliot made claw hands at the phrase, trying to make the kid laugh, but it didn't work. "Point being, your papa might be gone for a bit, but soon he'll get better, and do you know why? Because your love makes him big and strong! So let's wait a bit, and soon we'll see your dad again." Elliot didn't like lying to the kid, but he had to.
Eventually, Elliot had gotten enough money to move out, and so he did, taking C00lkidd with him, much to Mia's chagrin.
"Really? After being gone for four years, you're just going to leave again? And then what's going to happen to you? You're going to disappear off again? Are we ever going to hear from you again, huh?!" Mia yelled at Elliot when he'd announced his move and convinced him to move somewhere close to home.
And for about a month, Elliot lived in his own house with C00lkidd, right near the pizzeria. Mia would still babysit the kid when he was at work. And on weekends, Elliot and C00lkidd would visit Mia and Mr. Builder. They had a copy of Elliot's house keys, so they could drop by whenever they wanted.
But after that month, one evening that Elliot had recently gotten home, he was sitting in the living room, watching C00lkidd doodle on the carpet. And then the doorbell rang. Elliot just assumed Mia had forgotten something in his house, which she often did, so he opened the door without a second thought, only to be met with Noli and a bruised and battered 007n7.
Elliot's heart caught in his throat, but there was so much he wanted to say. He took a breath, hoping to be able to say at least something, when he realized C00lkidd was within earshot- he couldn't tear into them with the kid listening! "C00lkidd? Could you head to your room, please? I have to talk to this nice man, but he's scared of big and scary kids like you!" Elliot managed to ask, mixing a joke with his request almost subconsciously, as he had been doing for months now.
C00lkidd giggled and ran upstairs towards his room, shouting, "Alright, Elly," in response.
Once Elliot was sure the child was out of earshot, he sighed. "Why are you here? And don't even think you're taking C00lkidd."
"N0 N33D T0 B3 50 H05T1L3, P1ZZ4 80Y, 1 C0M3 B34R1N6 61FT5!"
"And why would I want a gift from a trickster god?" Elliot snarled, but his eyes couldn't help but settle on 007n7, feeling bad for him and mad at him, but still missing him.
Noli must’ve noticed his eyes, because then he pushed the ex hacker forward. "R34LLY? N0T 3V3N Y0UR 0LD C0MP4N10N?" After being shoved towards Elliot, 007n7's face flushed a bit and he offered him a shy wave. "L00K, H3 4LR34DY L1K35 Y0U!" Noli teased, but Elliot couldn't detect an ounce of malice in his voice. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry.
"What's the catch?"
"0H, N0 C4TCH, H3 JU5T L0V35 Y0U V3RY MUCH."
"Are you forcing him to love me?"
"4ND 1F 1 4M?"
"Stop it. Give him his mind back."
"1 D0N'T TH1NK S0!"
"So what, you want just some fucked up power trip, so you're making 007n7 an obsessed freak over me again? And then when I get used to it, you'll take him away again?"
"1 C4N'T 3V3N R3V3R53 1T 4NYM0R3, S0 D0N'T W0RRY!"
"That implies you tried."
"WH4T C4N 1 54Y, H3 L1K35 B31N6 CR4ZY!" Noli's voice was tense here, and he probably wanted Elliot to stop arguing with him, but the blondie was nothing if not stubborn.
"Even if that were true, why bring him to me?"
"1 H4V3 0TH3R W0R5H1PP3R5. 1 D0N'T N33D H1M, 4ND 1 F16UR3D Y0U C0ULD M4K3 U53 0F H1M F0R M3." That made Elliot scoff.
"Of course, assholes like you are all the same. One bad day and you throw away someone invaluable. Don't come running back to me when you miss him, because I'm not letting you hurt him again!" Elliot growled, his memory of being shirked by inconsiderate managers fueling his rage.
"TH4T'5 TH3 5P1R1T! BUH BY3 N0W!" Noli sang and then just left, shoving 007n7 into the living room, leaving the ex-hacker nervously fiddling with his hands.
After a long awkward silence, it was 007n7 who broke it. "I… could cook… for you… if you want…?" his voice was hoarse and meek, like he was scared he'd offend by asking.
"No, that's quite alright, thank you though." Truth be told, Elliot didn't trust 007n7 in the kitchen anymore, not after the bolognese incident.
"Oh… Uhm… is there any cleaning that needs to be done…? 007n7 was now picking at a scab on his arm.
"I think you're the one who might need to be cleaned right now…" Elliot trailed off, noticing more and more wounds on 007n7's body.
"Oh."
"Here, I'll take you to the downstairs bathroom, did you bring any clothes?" Elliot asked, grabbing 007n7's hand.
"Oh… no… I, I only have these, no."
Elliot couldn't help but sigh. "Alright, you can borrow some of mine while I wash yours. They might be a bit big, so I'll take you and the kid shopping tomorrow." He said before dragging 007n7 into the bathroom. "Alright, wash up here, and when you're done, I'll dress your wounds."
Elliot then left the bathroom. He walked up the stairs and knocked on C00lkidd's door, decorated with drakobloxxer stickers and little drawings of the other killers from that damned realm. C00lkidd eagerly opened his door, holding a drakobloxxer doll Mia had given him. "I can go back downstairs now, Ellie?"
"Yep! And who knows, maybe I have a surprise for you after dinner!"
"Are we having pizza again?" C00lkidd asked excitedly.
"No, I think I'll make something even more special today! How do you feel about chicken alfredo?"
"Yaay! Chiccy pasta!"
Elliot left C00lkidd's room, going to his own to look for clothing that would fit 007n7. He was digging around in his drawers for a while, and eventually settled on a Builder Brother's shirt that had gotten too tight for him and the skinniest jeans he could find. He went back downstairs, clothes in hand and knocked on the bathroom door.
"007n7, I have clothes, can I come inside?"
"Sure, sure, yeah come in, yeah, of course, I, I mean, it's… it's your house." 007n7 gave an affirmative, although he was tripping over his words, so Elliot came in.
Elliot set the clothes down on the sink before allowing his gaze to settle on 007n7; or rather his wounds. He gasped when he realized the severity of them; they were everywhere. Some were just scratches and bruises, yes, but there were also deep gashes, still oozing blood, some wounds even looked infected.
"007n7! Are you alright? Doesn't that hurt?" Elliot couldn't stop himself from fusssing over 007n7, automatically reaching for the first aid kit.
"No! No, it, it doesn't hurt. You have nothing to worry about, I swear!"
"You mean you don't have any feeling where your gashes are?" Elliot started catastrophizing, if that were true, then things were really serious.
"Uhm- sure! Uh huh! Yeah! I can't feel them!" What 007n7 said was so concerning that Elliot didn't notice his tail curling around his leg, his tell.
"Shit! We need to get you to a hospital! How could Noli possibly let it get this bad?" Elliot grabbed, 007n7's arm, freaking out, completely prepared to drag 007n7, butt ass naked, to the ER to have them look at the wounds and hope they could repair the nerves.
What happened instead, was 007n7 let out a hiss, a nigh imperceptible wince. But Elliot's ears were primed from his years of being the team's medic. He heard 007n7's wince and froze in his tracks, already apologizing. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to… hurt… you?" It was then that Elliot was able to piece the situation together.
007n7 was incredibly jittery around him, Elliot knew this. He must've been scared of inconveniencing him, so he lied about the pain so Elliot wouldn't worry. Rationalizing this, Elliot took a deep breath and let go of 007n7's arm.
"007n7, you don't have to lie to me about being in pain. I want to know if something's upsetting you." Elliot started, opening the first aid kit, reaching for the disinfectant. "We can't have a partnership without communication, and I do want to have a partnership with you." Elliot continued, wetting a washcloth with the disinfectant. "And by 'you,' I don't mean this fake you Noli created for himself, I mean you, you, the real you, the one I fell in love with." He clarified, setting the rag down and reaching for 007n7's hand. "So please, 007n7, let's do this together." Elliot held 007n7's hand in his own, looking him in the eyes.
In response, 007n7 only nodded, so Elliot reached for the rag.
"This will sting, a lot. Please, you can tap out if you need to. You don't need to put yourself through the pain if you don't want to." Elliot warned, and again, 007n7 only nodded, so he went in, gently patting at the wounds with the rag. 007n7 stiffened and let out a few winces, but gave no effort to stop Elliot, like despite their 'conversation' he was still scared to disturb him.
Elliot finished dressing 007n7's wounds without a hitch. He made sure the bandages were tied properly, made sure any bacteria would have to put up a fight to hurt 007n7. All the while the aforementioned man stared at him with those empty heart eyes.
If he was uncomfortable, he didn't say anything. He just sat there, silent, tail coiled around his body like he was trying to make himself smaller than he already was. He had gotten so skinny, did Noli even feed him? Come to think of it, when Elliot brushed his hand against 007n7's side, he could feel his ribs, even though he hadn’t used the slightest bit of pressure.
"Noli just loves to leave me problems, doesn't he?" Elliot mouthed off, forgetting 007n7 was listening, because honestly? It felt like he wasn't.
"Sorry…" Came a whispered apology, 007n7 fiddling with his bandages, avoiding eye-contact.
"No, it's alright, don't apologize. It's not your fault, right? You don't have to apologize for circumstances out of your control." Elliot immediately moved to soothe 007n7, second nature by now. "Look at me. Hey, look at me. I'm here to help you, but I can't do that if you don't help yourself, alright? You need to help me help you. Can you do that?"
"… What do you need me to do?" A hushed question, just barely audible.
"Well come on, let's get you dressed first." Elliot held out the outfit he picked out, helping 007n7 into it. Despite how tight they were on Elliot, they were still very loose on 007n7, almost hanging off of him. Elliot couldn't help but cringe at the sight. "So thin…" he couldn't help but muse aloud.
"Do… do you like it?" Came 007n7's soft voice, breaking Elliot out of his concerned stupor.
"I… don't have an answer for you." Elliot said, and it was the truth. What was he supposed to say? If he said yes, 007n7 would starve himself to maintain his unhealthy weight, but if he said no, 007n7 would go into an insecure spiral, trying to figure out what Elliot liked, but he wouldn't find anything, because Elliot didn't care about weight!
"Oh…"
"Hey, can you help me make dinner? I almost forgot about it, and I bet C00lkidd's really hungry by now." Elliot quickly shifted the subject before 007n7 could say anything else.
"Of course, I'd love to help!" 007n7's anxious demeanor immediately shifted to a sunny one at the help request. 'So he likes being useful,' Elliot thought to himself.
Elliot led 007n7 out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, instructing him to start the pasta while he cut the vegetables. The recipe didn't necessarily call for vegetables, but it was the only real way to make sure the kid was eating healthy.
He glanced over at 007n7 to see if he was doing alright. Elliot knew it was just boiling water, but he was still somewhat nervous. But 007n7, he was fine. Nothing was on fire, nobody was hurt, 007n7 even looked… happy. Happy? Could 007n7 even be happy with this curse Noli placed on him?
Before Elliot's thoughts could boil over, he knicked himself with the blade. Sure, it was just a shallow cut, but it really stung, especially since he had started cutting the onions. Guess that's what you get for using a knife distracted.
Elliot winced when he noticed his cut, putting down the knife to run the wound under cool water. He heard a gasp beside him, evidently 007n7 had noticed his wound, too.
"Elliot! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, 007n7, it's just a shallow cut." Elliot tried to placate 007n7.
"Are you sure? I can patch you up, or I can take over for you if you want?" Elliot failed, but it felt more like 007n7 wanted a chance to be more useful rather than actual concern.
"No, no, it's alright, I've already stopped bleeding, see? It's basically a paper cut, and nobody fusses over paper cuts, right? I can just get straight back to work, see? No tears." Elliot rattled off that whole speech before realizing he was basically talking to 007n7 like a kid. Has parenting C00lkidd really affected him that much?
"Alright… if you promise you're okay…"
"I promise I'm fine, 007n7, you have nothing to worry about."
"…okay…" 007n7's voice was soft. After a short pause, he poured the box of pasta into the pot he was still constantly stirring. Elliot wanted to tell him to ease up on the stirring, but he didn't. He could feel that 007n7 needed to stir the pot, to have something to do.
"Hey… would you want to trade? I can't quite get the garlic fine enough, and I'd like to see if you could?" Elliot asked 007n7, lying through his teeth. He was always able to get his garlic nice and fine, he just wanted to give 007n7 something more stimulating to do, force him out of his brain.
"Of course! I'd love to help!" 007n7 stepped aside, setting the spoon down and putting his hand out, clearly expecting Elliot to place the knife in his hand. Elliot set the knife down on the cutting board, not comfortable passing it directly to him. What if he accidentally cut him? So, 007n7 picked the knife up from the cutting board instead, working to mince the garlic. Elliot watched him, stirring his pot occasionally. Surprisingly, 007n7 wasn't bad at it. Sure, his grip wasn't exactly right, but he was swift, efficient. Soon all of the garlic was cut into smaller pieces, not exactly uniform, but it doesn't exactly matter when you're cooking at home.
"Is… this okay? Or should I go finer?" 007n7 paused his cutting to ask, presenting his garlic to Elliot, looking desperate to please.
"Yeah, no, this is perfect actually! Put it over there, please?" Elliot pointed a small bowl, where the small diced onions were already sitting.
Elliot couldn't watch 007n7 forever though, because soon the pasta was done and needed to be drained. Elliot started pouring out some of the water before realizing his fatal mistake, he forgot to save some of the water. Luckily not all of the water was gone, so he put the pot back on the stove while he dug up a measuring cup. From there, he put the measuring cup in the sink and poured the remainder of the water into it. It wasn't as much as Elliot wanted, but it would have to work. Sighing, Elliot set the pot of pasta on the backburner of the stove, turned off, of course.
"Now to make the chicken…" Elliot sighed. He wasn't entirely fond of working with raw chicken, the potential of salmonella making his skin crawl. "Can you pass me some of that olive oil?" Elliot asked 007n7, given the fact the other was closer than he was.
"Of course!" 007n7 practically glowed as he passed the bottle to Elliot, but the latter definitely didn't miss how long the two's hands were touching. Their hands didn't even need to touch, but it was like 007n7 wanted them to, and he probably did.
Elliot brushed those thoughts aside for now, he knew what was going on in 007n7's brain afterall, and it would do nobody any good to dwell on the obsessed man's actions. So, Elliot dug a large pan, almost like a wok, from the cupboards and set it on the front burner, which was still on from the pasta. He poured a small amount of oil onto the pan, just enough to coat the bottom, and then waited a few seconds until he decided the pan and oil had warmed up enough.
"Can I get the onions and garlic?" Elliot put his hand out, expecting a handful of cut alliums, only to recieve a bowl, which the flavorful plants were now sitting in. "Oh, that actually makes my job much easier, thank you 007n7!" Elliot couldn't help but praise. Believe it or not, Elliot rarely puts his ingredients in seperate bowls usually leaving them in piles on the cutting board, so the added convenience was welcome. Elliot added half of the garlic and onion into the pan, grabbing a wood spoon to stir and make sure they didn't burn. "Veggies?" The cook asked once the onions were semi-clear, recieving yet another bowl. "Thank you!" Elliot called before pouring carrot stars and broccoli clouds into the pan.
Elliot always cut veggies into cute shapes, it was the only way C00lkidd would eat them. Some of the carrot stars looked different though, more lopsided than the rest, and Elliot was way too good with a knife to make lopsided stars. Elliot smiled at his sous chef's efforts as he stirred, just for over a minute, when he added a chicken breast. He let the bottom get a good sear before he flipped the chicken over, repeating the same process with the top. When he thought the chicken was done, Elliot grabbed the thermometer that was sitting on a counter and stuck it into the chicken, 170 degrees (Fahrenheit), perfect.
"Cut this into medium chunks, please? No more than 4 inches each please, Coolkidd doesn't like when the chicken's too big." Elliot asked as he fished the chicken out of the pan, setting it on the cutting board to give 007n7 more work. Then Elliot scooped about half of the veggies out of the pan and into the bowl 007n7 gave them to him in, planning to use them as garnish.
Now to make the sauce. Elliot poured some cream and butter into the still hot pan, stirring and letting the butter melt before adding seasoning. C00lkidd liked food spicy, and Elliot didn't mind, so he added cayenne along with the Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, garlic, onion powder, and just a pinch of msg. Now he had to stir, stir, stir, for threeish minutes or until it thickened enough for his liking. Once thick enough, Elliot added some cheese, parmesan and mozzarella, and then he was done, he didn't even need to use the pasta water he saved.
"C00lkidd! Come down, the food's ready!" Elliot shouted up the stairs, dumping the pan of sauce over the pot of pasta and stirring it around until he deemed the sauce well distributed. He took a minute to dish out the pasta before leaving the kitchen, giving the kid extra veggies and chicken, but barely even picked up the third plate before he was stopped.
"You… really don't have to, I'm not that hungry." Came the brunette's meek voice, but Elliot was having none of it.
"Come on, you don't have to have a lot, but you have to have at least a little. At least try it." Elliot continued making a plate, a small one, with only 2 pieces of chicken. But still, the ex-hacker hesitated. "Please, try it? For me?" Elliot raised his voice a pitch and gave his best puppy eyes, ultimately making the hacker concede.
"If it'll make you happy…"
"Yes, it would, now come on, C00lkidd's waiting for us! Help me take these to the table!"
"I can carry all of them if you want," 007n7 proposed but Elliot brushed him off.
"I can carry these two plates perfectly fine, the table's only a few feet away." Elliot chided 007n7 before literally walking into the next room and setting the plates onto the table. After setting down the plates though, Elliot realized that C00lkidd was not at the table, so he shouted up the stairs once again, "C00lkidd! I told you dinner was ready 5 minutes ago!" before sighing and walking up the stairs to get the kid himself. "I'll go get him, you wait here, 007n7, okay?" A demand to which 007n7 nodded. With 007n7's agreement, Elliot climbed up the stairs, knocking on the child's door before opening it.
"Hey C00lkidd, dinner's done and there's a surprise waiting for you at the table. Don't you wanna come see your surprise and eat some yummy pasta?" Elliot adressed the kid softly while he lay on the floor, drawing little pictures on his hacker tablet. Elliot still hasn't been able to put parental controls on it, or at least remove all of the harmful commands, always shocking him, but now that 007n7 was here and was the one who made the C00lgui, maybe he could help Elliot?
"Elliiii, I'm almost doneeee…" the child whined at Elliot, not getting up from the floor.
"Okay, how about this then? Your food is going to get cold, and you don't want cold food, right? So just today, because today is super duper special, I'm going to let you draw at the dinner table if you come with me right now, okay?" Elliot proposed a compromise, and lucky the kid took it.
"Yay! I get to draw and eat? Best day ever!" The child cheered before jumping up from the floor, dismissing his tablet, and following Elliot downstairs.
"Now C00lkidd, can you close your eyes for me real quick, no peeking?" Elliot asked once the two reached the bottom of the stairs, in response to which the kid giggled and covered his eyes. Elliot walked the child into the dining room, to the table, and then stopped. "Alright, you can see your surprise now, open your eyes!" And as soon as Elliot said that, C00lkidd took his hands off of his eyes, letting out a high pitched squeal at seeing his father.
"Papa! Papa is it really you! You're finally all better now? Yay!" The child was all over 007n7, the sight warming up Elliot's heart. It made the blondie think that maybe, just maybe, things would be alright.