Chapter Text
— White’s back hit the stack of crates. No further. No escape. Green stood between him and the door, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his green jacket. Like they were having a conversation. Like White hadn’t spent the last hour desperately hiding from him.
— ‘ Green!- pal!..- ‘
— The name came out weaker than White intended. Green smiled immediately. The reaction was instant. Hungry. Like he’d been waiting to hear White say his name.
— ‘ ,, There you are,, !! ‘
— White’s stomach twisted. There was something horribly wrong with the way Green was looking at him. Not angry. Not violent. Happy,, Like finding White had made his entire day.
— ‘ I’ve been looking everywhere for you, ‘ Green continued softly. White forced a laugh.
— ‘ Oh- yeah..- Yeah, I noticed,, ‘
— Green stepped closer. White stepped back. Unfortunately there was nowhere left to go. For a brief moment Green’s smile faltered. Not because White was cornered. Because White had moved away. The realization sent a chill through him.
— ‘ Why do you keep doing that. ‘ Green asked.
— White blinked.
— ‘ doing what, buddy?? ‘
— ‘ Backing away. ‘
— Green adjusted his glasses. His messy hair fell into his face.
— ‘ I don’t like it. Not at all. ‘
— The words were spoken so casually. Like he was commenting on the weather. White’s pulse sped up.
— ‘ Green, hah..- you- you’ve been chasing me- bud. ‘
— ‘ I’ve been trying to find you !… ‘
— ‘ That’s the same thing,, ‘
— ‘ No. it isn’t, dear. ‘
— Green sounded genuinely confused. Actually confused. As though White wasn’t understanding something obvious. His head tilted slightly.
— ‘ You know. You always disappear. ‘
— White stared. Green continued.
— ‘ The Emergency Meetings.”
— Another step closer.
— ‘ Tasks. ‘
— Another.
— ‘ Talking to everyone else. BUT me. ‘
— White’s heart pounded.
— ‘ And every time I FINALLY find you,, ‘ Green smiled again, softer this time.
— ‘ …you leave me. ‘
— The room suddenly felt suffocating. This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t some imposter playing with its food. This sounded personal. Far too personal.
— ‘ Bud…my- my guy!! ‘
— ‘ You know you’re my favorite, right? It’s the reason why you’ve made it this far. ‘
— White froze. Green’s expression brightened. Like he’d finally said something he’d been holding in for a long time.
— ‘ You always help me. ‘
— White did INFACT NOT
— ‘ You always listen. ‘
— He definitely didn’t.
— ‘ And you’re nice to me,, ‘
— White winced. The worst part? Green probably believed that. A few polite conversations. A few shared shifts. A couple pizza slices in the cafeteria because Green had looked lonely. Apparently that had been enough.
— ‘ You remember that day in the lower engine ? ‘
— White had absolutely no idea what day Green meant. But Green clearly did. His smile had turned distant. Fond. Like he was recalling a cherished memory.
— ‘ You stayed and talked to me for twenty-three minutes,, ‘ he really counted. Twenty-three. Minutes. White felt every hair on the back of his neck stand up.
— Green remembered the exact number, he sighed before speaking a bit disappointingly
— ‘ You don’t remember, do you?”
— The hurt in Green’s voice sounded genuine. And somehow that was even scarier. White swallowed.
— ‘ so- ‘
— The younger man’s eyes immediately lifted to his. Attentive. Hopeful. Waiting. Like a dog hearing its owner call. White hated how unsettling that comparison felt.
— ‘ You’re ,, kinda spooking me out..friend. ‘
— Silence. Green’s smile slowly disappeared. Not angry. Not offended. Just…sad.
— ‘ Oh. ‘
— For the first time, he looked down.
— ‘ I didn’t want that. ‘
— White wished that made him feel better. It didn’t. Because Green looked back up a second later. And smiled again. Small. Patient. Certain.
— ‘ That’s okay..! ‘
— White’s blood ran cold.
— ‘ Once you stop running, ‘ Green said gently, ‘ you’ll understand. Right? You have to anyways. ‘
— The certainty in his voice terrified White more than any threat ever could. Because Green wasn’t chasing him out of hatred. He wasn’t doing it for revenge. He wasn’t even doing it for fun. He genuinely thought White belonged with him. And that made him far more dangerous than either of them realized.
— One of greens tentacles emerged from his back, dropping the green backpack on the floor before wrapping around whites ankle. He would giggle before dragging him outside the storage room.
— ‘ come on. Sorry I have to put you through this yeah?… ‘ he whispered to him as he dragged him to the cafeteria, White struggled momentarily, squirming around greens grip , he grunted and groaned whenever his head hit something before the finally did end up inside the cafeteria. the dim lighting surrounding the two of them.
— he felt sick. Was this over? Finally. White would feel the grip of the tentacle loosen around his ankle. He would let out a breath of relief he didn’t know he had inside of him. He would ease up on his eyes. Slowly opening them.
— finally. Though his eyes could see anything and- OH SHIT. He felt another tentacle around his other ankle. What’s the point in fighting now when there’s two. He was brought up to face green which took the hell of a lot breath out of him. He would blink a couple of times, realizing his favorite pair of shades were gone. He would frown..
— ‘ Buddy..Pal..- worm- ‘
— ‘ don’t you mention my worms right now!!!- ‘
— his grips tightened suffocatingly around his ankles.
— ‘ im sorry!! Okay- im sorry Jesus..- just..loosen up okay..? I didn’t mean to offend you. ‘
— Green stared at him for a moment. The tentacles around White’s ankles remained tense, coiled tight enough to remind him they were there without actually hurting him. White immediately nodded.
— ‘ Noted. Learned my lesson. Growth. Character development. ‘
— Green huffed. For a second, White thought he might actually be amused. Then Green crouched down in front of him. Way too close. White instinctively leaned back. Green noticed. Of course he noticed. His smile faded. Again. That same disappointed expression. Like White had failed a test he didn’t know he was taking.
— ‘ You keep doing that!!… ‘
— ‘ Oh- Oh, come on!! ‘
— White laughed nervously.
— ‘ You’ve got me tied up by mutant spaghetti and dragged me halfway across the ship!!!!- buddy you HAVE to understand!! ‘
— ‘ They’re tentacles. ‘
— ‘ That’s the part you’re correcting? ‘
— Green folded his arms. The oversized green jacket bunched around his shoulders. For a moment neither of them spoke. The cafeteria sat in eerie silence around them. Tables overturned. Trays abandoned. Emergency lights flickering every few seconds. White hated every second of it. Mostly because Green looked completely comfortable here. Like this was normal. Like the situation made perfect sense.
— ‘ Wait- Why are we in the cafeteria,, ? ‘ White finally asked.
— Green blinked. The question seemed to surprise him.
— ‘ Because you like it here- I thought- …thought that was obvious. ‘
— White stared.
— ‘ What? ‘
— ‘ You eat lunch here every day. ‘
— ‘ Everybody eats lunch here. Or well …used too ‘
— Green ignored him.
— ‘ You sit near the windows, you always order the same drink from the stupid vending machine , sometimes you pretend you’re working when you’re actually playing games. ‘
— White closed his eyes.
— ‘ Oh my god. ‘
— Green continued.
— ‘ You look happy here. ‘
— White slowly opened one eye.
— ‘ Have you been…watching me ?? ‘
— Green looked genuinely confused.
— ‘ Asking that after everything that’s happened feels a little late, ‘pal’ don’t you think. ‘
— White immediately regretted asking. The tentacles shifted slightly behind Green, lazily curling across the floor. Their movements almost looked content. Which somehow made them creepier. Green lowered himself onto a nearby table. Facing White directly. Like they were about to have a friendly conversation.
— White remained suspended several inches above the ground.
— ‘ Could you maybe put me down- I won’t run away I promise! You can stare at my handsome face for however long you want- ‘
— ‘ No. ‘
— ‘,, Fair,, ‘
— A brief silence followed. Then Green quietly spoke
— ‘ I was worried. ‘
— White frowned.
— ‘ Worried,, ? Really now. ‘
— ‘ You disappeared. ‘
— ‘ I was hiding from you!..
— ‘ I know,, ‘
— The answer came instantly.
— ‘ I don’t like when you disappear, what did I ever do to make you disappear but when you were around other crewmates you were buddy fucking buddy. ‘
— Green’s gaze lowered. For the first time all night, he looked less frightening and more, upset. Which honestly wasn’t much better.
— ‘ I kept trying to talk to you!!! ‘
— White blinked. Green’s fingers tightened around the sleeves of his jacket.
— ‘ You started avoiding me!!! ‘
— White didn’t know how to respond to that. Because he had mostly because Green had begun appearing everywhere. Outside meetings. Outside his quarters. Waiting for him after tasks. Always smiling. Always wanting to talk. At first it had seemed harmless. Then it had stopped being harmless.
— ‘ You don’t understand, ‘ Green muttered.
— His voice had become unusually quiet.
— ‘ When everyone else leaves… ‘
—- White wished he hadn’t heard that. Because now he could see where this was coming from. Loneliness. Attachment. Something that had grown into something unhealthy. Something neither of them had stopped soon enough. Green looked back up. Unfortunately, that strange certainty had returned.
— ‘ But it’s okay. ‘
— White immediately disliked those words.
— ‘ Green— ‘
— ‘ I finally found you in our game of hide n seek. ‘
— The smile returned. Small. Patient. Wrong.
— ‘ And now we can finally talk. Forever. ‘
— White stared at him.
— ‘ huh… ‘
— Green perked up slightly.
— ‘ ,, Pal. ‘
— A little more.
— ‘ My deeply concerning friend,, what are you… ‘
— The smile vanished. White sighed.
— ‘ ugh- Look, can we have this conversation without the nightmare noodles!! ‘
— The tentacles tightened slightly.
— ‘ White. ‘
— ‘ Right. Sorry. ‘
— A pause. Then, despite everything, Green quietly muttered.
— ‘ They don’t like being called noodles either. ‘
— White stared at him. Green stared back. The tentacles slowly curled behind him. And somehow, against all odds, that was the most alarming thing Green had said all night. White wished Green would stop looking at him like that. It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t even excitement. It was something far worse. Attention. The kind that never wavered. The kind that made White feel like he was the only thing Green could see.
— The tentacles finally lowered him onto one of the cafeteria benches. White immediately scooted away. Green watched him do it. Of course he did. The smile disappeared again. There it was. That look. That disappointed little frown that always appeared whenever White tried to put distance between them.
— ‘ You don’t have to keep doing that. Stop doing that you little… ‘
— White nearly laughed.
— ‘ Green, I absolutely do!! I have the right to!! ‘
— The younger man tilted his head.
— ‘ but why? ‘
— ‘ Why?! ‘
— ‘,, mm,, Yeah,, ‘
— White gestured wildly around the cafeteria.
— ‘ The kidnapping. ‘
— Green frowned.
— ‘ The chasing!!! ‘
— A deeper frown.
— ‘ your giant freaky fucking- tentacles!! ‘
— ‘ They’re HELPING me don’t you get it?! ‘
— ‘ They are NOT helping ME though!! ‘
— Green looked genuinely unconvinced. White rubbed his face. This conversation felt impossible. Before he could say anything else, Green reached forward. White immediately flinched. The movement was automatic. Instinctive. Green froze. His hand stopped halfway. For the first time all night, neither of them spoke. Green slowly lowered his hand.
— ‘ Oh. ‘
— The single word came out surprisingly quiet. White swallowed. Green looked down at the floor. The cafeteria lights flickered overhead. For a brief moment, he looked almost embarrassed.
— ‘ I wasn’t going to hurt you. Please. You know that of all people. ‘
— ‘ I know. ‘
— Green glanced up.
— ‘ You do? ‘
— ‘ well no- No not really.. ‘
— White sighed.
— ‘ But I know you think that. ‘
— That seemed to hit something. Green stared at him for a long moment. Then looked away. The silence stretched. Uncomfortable. Heavy. Finally, Green spoke.
— ‘ I just wanted to talk. ‘
— White looked around the empty cafeteria. The locked doors. The blocked exits. The tentacles lazily shifting across the floor.
— ‘ Your methods need work, bud ‘
— Green actually let out a small laugh. The sound caught White off guard. It sounded normal. Too normal. For a second, it reminded him of the Green he used to know. The awkward crewmate who tripped over cables. The guy who forgot where he left his glasses. The one who followed White around because he liked having someone to talk to. Then Green looked at him again. And the feeling vanished. Because that expression was still there. That impossible focus. Like White was the center of his universe.
— ‘ You know, ‘ Green said softly,
— ‘ you’re the only one who ever stayed. Willingly or not. ‘
— White immediately regretted making eye contact. Green continued.
— ‘ When everyone else left. ‘
— White looked away.
— ‘ When nobody wanted to listen. ‘
— His grip tightened around the sleeve of his jacket.
— ‘ You always stayed. ‘
— The thing was. White didn’t even remember doing most of those things. A conversation here. A pizza break there. A few acts of kindness. Normal things. Small things. But Green remembered every single one. White could see it. Every detail carefully stored away. Every interaction replayed. Every moment given far more meaning than it was ever supposed to have. The realization made his stomach turn.
— ‘ Green… ‘
— The younger man immediately looked up. Attentive. Waiting. White hesitated. He suddenly wasn’t sure what to say. Because this wasn’t really about the cafeteria. Or the chase. Or the tentacles. It was about someone who had built an entire world around a person who never realized they were standing in it. And now that world was starting to crack. The smile on Green’s face slowly faded.
— ‘ You want to leave me. ‘
— It wasn’t a question. White didn’t answer. Green’s shoulders sank. His gaze dropped to the floor.
For the first time all night, he looked genuinely hurt. And somehow that scared White even more. Because hurt people could do unpredictable things. The tentacles shifted behind Green. Mirroring his mood. Curling tighter against the floor. White’s pulse quickened. Carefully, he stayed still. Green eventually looked back up. His expression unreadable.
— ‘ You’re still scared of me. ‘
— White opened his mouth. Then closed it again. Because lying wouldn’t help. And the truth probably wouldn’t either. The silence lingered. White hated it. Green hated it even more. Because White’s lack of an answer was answer enough. The younger man’s gaze slowly dropped to the floor. His hands curled into fists inside the sleeves of his jacket. The tentacles behind him tightened. Not around White. Around themselves. Like they were reacting to Green’s emotions.
— ‘ Yeah. Right. ‘
— Green laughed once. A short, hollow sound.
— ‘ Of course you are. Tsk..pathetic. ‘
— White immediately sat up straighter. Something in Green’s voice had changed. The disappointment was still there. But now something else had joined it. Frustration.
— ‘ Green. ‘
— ‘ I don’t GET IT. ‘
— The words came out sharper than before. Green stood up abruptly. White flinched. Green noticed. That only seemed to make things worse.
— ‘ THERE- ‘
— Green pointed.
— ‘ That!!! ‘
— White blinked.
— ‘ hah- What,,? ‘
— ‘ That fffucking!! Intoxicating look you have on your stupid fucking face!!! ‘
— Green’s voice rose.
— ‘ Every time!!! ‘
— The tentacles slammed against the floor beside him. Not close enough to hit White. But close enough to make him jump. The sound echoed through the cafeteria. White’s heart nearly stopped.
— ‘ FUCKING- hell!!! Come on green!! ‘
— ‘ What did I do this time, raise my hand too high?? ‘ he mocked.
— The question burst out of him. Raw. Angry. For the first time, Green sounded genuinely upset.
— ‘ I talked to you. ‘
— Another slam.
— ‘ I STAAAYED with you. ‘
— Another.
— ‘ and im the ONLY person who cared about you when you were about to get fucking slaughtered. By YOUR own causes. ‘
— The cafeteria lights flickered. White’s pulse pounded in his ears.
— ‘ Green, how about we calm down? Yeah? How about..- we uh..drink some- ‘
— ‘ NO! I don’t wanna calm down!! ‘
— The word echoed across the room. Green immediately froze. As though he’d surprised himself. For several seconds neither of them moved. The tentacles slowly stilled. The cafeteria fell silent once more. Green stared at the floor. Breathing heavily. White remained exactly where he was. Not because he wanted to. Because moving felt like a terrible idea. Finally, Green spoke again. His voice was quieter now.
— ‘ I don’t understand, what am I doing wrong my- … my white please. ‘
— The anger had faded. Leaving something sadder behind.
— ‘ You were nice to me,, I felt it in my bones. You were so sweet..’
— he slowly walked over to white, seeing him flinch. It didn’t change a thing. He would softly sigh before wrapping his arms around his arm and placing his hand on his chest like this was. Normal. Like they were a couple. Maybe in his little head they were.
— White swallowed.
— ‘ Because you’re my friend. ‘
— he just lied his ASS off just this once to ease the imposter, just. A little right? That should calm him down.
— Green looked up. For a second, genuine hope flashed across his face. Then White continued.
— ‘ my friend. ‘
— The hope shattered. The difference between those words hung in the air. Green knew it. White knew it. Neither of them wanted to say it out loud. Green took a step backward. Then another. His expression became strangely blank. That worried White far more than the yelling had. Because now he couldn’t tell what Green was thinking. The younger man adjusted his glasses. A nervous habit. One White recognized immediately. Only this time there was nothing nervous about the smile that followed.
— It was small. Tight. Forced.
— ‘ Right. ‘
— White didn’t like that smile. Not one bit. Green looked away.
— ‘ Maybe I was confused,, ‘
— The tentacles slowly uncurling behind him suggested otherwise.
— ‘ And maybe… ‘ he continued quietly,
— ‘ I kept hearing what I wanted to hear. ‘
— For the first time all night, Green sounded tired. Not angry. Not obsessive. Just exhausted. And somehow that made the room feel even more dangerous. Because White had no idea what Green was going to do next.
— ‘…white. ‘
— no response dared to fall from his mouth, his lips quivered but that was all you could get out of him.
— ‘ white. ‘
— greens voice grew more tight. And irritated awaiting for that response.
— ‘ yeah? ‘
— ‘ I want to watch you sleep right here. Please. I’ll make sure you’re safe in my arms, please..pleasepleasepleaseplease ‘
— his begging became whispers, a tentacle rising behind white and gently. Rising up his back leaving a wet trail on his shirts thin fabric, White shivering at the cold wet tentacle coming in contact, the only thing keeping them apart was the fabric which wasn’t enough.
— ‘ you..want to watch me sleep. ‘
— ‘ please… ‘ he pleaded in pathetic whispers.
— ‘…okay- where do I. ‘
— ‘ just lay down. ‘
— the tentacle would retract from his back, causing white to let out a breath of relief he didn’t even know he had left in him. He would crouch and very slowly begin to lie down on the cold floor. Where there once used to be blood, spilled milk, crumbs and waste of food but now it was just a cold. Sad. Tile floor. He shivered at the touch before looking up, immediately feeling his heart drop as all he saw was green looking down at him. His dull black soulless eyes of what used to be filled with sparkles and innocence now ruined in the hands…( or tentacles ) of an alien. White would gulp before closing his eyes
— ‘ Night..G..reen… ‘ he hesitated on even speaking his name, even when he said the name hairs rose up on his back.
—- Silence. White kept his eyes shut. Maybe if he stayed still long enough, Green would lose interest. Maybe if he pretended to sleep, this would all be over. Maybe—
— ‘ Goodnight, White. ‘
— The reply came immediately. Far too immediately. Like Green had been waiting for it. White resisted the urge to tense. The cafeteria was quiet again. Only the faint buzz of damaged lights remained. Minutes passed. Or maybe seconds. White couldn’t tell anymore. Every nerve in his body was focused on one thing. Green. Listening. Waiting. Watching. The realization made his skin crawl. He could feel Green’s presence nearby. Not touching him. Just there. Watching. White had never realized how loud breathing could be until now. Eventually, curiosity got the better of him. Just slightly.
— Just enough to open one eye. A mistake. Green was still there. Sitting cross-legged a few feet away. Staring directly at him. Not blinking. White immediately shut his eye again. His heartbeat nearly exploded out of his chest. Nope. Absolutely not. A quiet sound reached him. A giggle. Not loud. Not threatening. Just…pleased.
— ‘ You moved. ‘
— White cursed internally. Of course Green noticed.
M Green noticed everything.
— ‘ I know you’re awake. ‘
— No response.
— ‘ I can hear your cute heartbeat. ‘
— White wished he hadn’t heard that. The silence stretched. Then Green spoke again. Quieter this time.
— ‘ You think I’m a monster. ‘
— White’s stomach dropped. The words sounded almost casual. Like Green was discussing the weather. No anger. No sadness. Just a statement.
— ‘ You looked at me like one. ‘
— White remained perfectly still.
— ‘ You used to smile when you saw me. And make your fancy..rich people jokes that I could never really understand you know.. ‘
— A pause.
— ‘ Now you don’t. ‘
— The cafeteria lights flickered overhead. For the first time, Green sounded genuinely lost. As if he couldn’t understand where things had gone wrong. As if he couldn’t see the difference between love and obsession. White felt a knot form in his stomach. Because that confusion was dangerous. Far more dangerous than rage.
— Several moments passed. Then a chair scraped across the floor. White nearly jumped. Green was moving. The sound grew closer. Then stopped. White’s eyes remained shut. His breathing slow. Careful. Pretending. Waiting.
— ‘ White, darling..? ‘
— No answer. Another pause. Then Green sighed. A tired, frustrated sound.
— ‘ You’re still pretending. ‘
— White felt cold. Not because Green had caught him. Because Green sounded disappointed. And disappointment was becoming a pattern. The cafeteria fell silent once more. But this time, White knew Green wasn’t sitting across the room. He was much closer. And somehow, without even opening his eyes, White knew one thing with absolute certainty. Green wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.