Chapter Text
It was a quiet night, other than rain tapping on the panes of 007n7’s windows. He had no idea what time it was, the room completely dark except for the yellow glow of a street light shyly illuminating spots on the ceiling. It barely mattered anyway.
At least he got the baby to sleep. 007n7 held Coolkid’s palm between his index finger and thumb, reassuring the sleeping baby of his presence, that he wasn’t going anywhere, no matter what.
Though, 007n7 could not fully appreciate the moment. His house felt emptier than before. It had been one week since Noli left, outraged that 007n7 would do something like bring home a baby, something that neither of them knew how to care for.
007n7 has managed. He doesn’t regret it.
In the dark, in the void, there really wasn’t anything for 007n7 to do except let his mind wander to memories of him and Noli- back when they used to be the most feared exploiters known to robloxia.
But that was long ago. At least, it feels that way. 007n7 ran his free hand through his brown hair, now speckled with a little bit of grey. Him and Noli had moved here together three years ago after graduating college, a step that felt completely natural.
Noli. 007n7 doesn’t truly understand what they are to each other, but the beauty of their friendship- their love- lies in what has remained unspoken. What they are is communicated through actions. Knees that touch through an invited accident. Eye contact held a moment longer than casual. Sleepovers in each other's beds under the pretense that they are too tired to walk back across the hall.
Tears begin to form at the corners of 007n7’s eyes, unable to push the memories of him and Noli aside in the heavy silence.
“Noli, I miss you.” 007n7 whispers into the darkness, like a silent prayer that his friend may be saying the same thing about him. A beat, then the rain picks up. Coolkid stirs, cooing to 007n7 and grasping his fingers.
“Ah.” 007n7 looks down at the baby, his face barely illuminated by the window. “Lets get you- us- to bed, huh?” 007n7 speaks, mostly to himself. He stands, gently supporting the baby in his arms as he walks to his room to lull Coolkid back to sleep. The light was off in Noli’s room.
007n7 set Coolkid down in his “crib”- a cardboard box filled with blankets. It was enough for what they had.
“Wow, you’re going to outgrow this thing soon-“ 007n7 remarked, speaking to fill the silence. “Don’t worry, we will figure something out.” He reassured both the baby and himself.
After Coolkid fell back asleep, 007n7 silently crept into the hallway. He opened the door to Noli’s room, the door handle feeling colder to the touch than usual. He flicked on the lightswitch. It still smelled like Noli, his clothes left on the floor, cup of coffee left to chill on his desk. 007n7 left the light on and door open, a silent invitation.
007n7 slowly walked into his own room, checking his computer for any new messages. Nothing.
He sat in the white glow of the screen, contemplating what to do, if anything at all. He settled on sending Noli a message.
“Come home, I need you
-7n7”