Acht X Agent 4 - Tumblr Posts

New dedfour chapter incoming!!! This one's a little more mundane, but it's important to the storyline!

First (prologue)

Previous

Next (TBA)

Read it on ao3!

(Fanfic under cut)

“I found my way into the Deepsea Metro because I was trying to find a club to DJ in. I guess my music eventually caught the attention of…” Acht’s voice trailed off and they waved their hand in the air, trying to indicate who they meant rather than say the actual name of the telephone that had controlled them, as if they might resurrect it from the dead. “It offered for me to be able to focus on nothing but my music. I was kind of doing that already, so I said yes. I can’t really remember much after that, but then I showed up here and I was myself again.” Four listened attentively. They’d been talking about what the two of them had been through for some time now. Neither were ready to leave 21F. Pearl, Marina, and Eight seemed content to stay as well.

“How do I know that I chose the right world? Like, there’s one side of me that’s screaming for order and one that’s screaming for chaos and I can’t tell which one is real.”

“There is no one that’s the right one, just different parts of your life. Being sanitized, or I guess greyscaled in your case, is just going to be a part of you now. It’s hard to accept that something bad and scary happened and that you’re never going to be the same afterwards, but if you can’t come to terms with that then you’re just stuck in this in between space. What you have to decide is which version of you is the one you want to be. It doesn’t matter which one is right or wrong, just that you’re happy.”

“Are you happy?”

“Oh that’s a big question. I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out together.” Acht stood up and offered Four their hand. They took it and Acht pulled them up. “Let’s get back to the elevator. We’ll keep climbing and you’ll be able to get more of your memories back.”

“Yeah!” Four smiled. They bared their teeth when they did, and their entire face seemed to light up. Acht felt their hearts thumping in their chest. That was new, most of the time their organs didn’t work at all. They didn’t even need to breathe, yet right now they felt short of breath. They could only hope Four didn’t notice their palms sweating. What was happening to them? Sanitization was a total loss of emotion, but now Acht felt the exact opposite— a rush of every feeling in the world all at once.

The two entered the elevator and Acht pressed the button for the next floor. Four and Pearl left moments later to begin the challenge. 

“Marina? Can I ask a question?” Acht typically wouldn’t go out on a whim like this, but they needed answers.

“Sure thing, Acht. What do you need?” Marina seemed excited. She knew whatever Acht needed to ask would be really interesting.

“How do you know you’re in love with Pearl?”

“Oh where do I begin! Being around Pearlie makes me feel better than I do when I’m with anyone else. It’s like I can really open up around her. Just thinking about her makes me blush. She always knows exactly how to make me happy and she cares about me so much. And when she sings it feels like my heart is singing in harmony with hers! And her eyes are some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. And when she sets off her Killer Wail…” Acht had slowly stopped listening. They should have known Marina would end up talking about Pearl endlessly. 

As if summoned by Marina’s gushing, Pearl and Four came back into the elevator.

“Whatcha talkin’ about?” Pearl did a little flip as she entered the lift. Four followed close behind.

“You and how wonderful you are.” Marina smiled at the drone.

“Aww well if you’re gonna talk about me then I guess I have to talk about how wonderful you are.”

“Here we go again,” Acht thought as they pressed the button for 23F. Again, the elevator dinged and Pearl and Four left to complete the floor.

“Soooooo Acht! Why did you want to know how I know I love Pearl?” Marina asked.

“No reason. Just curious.” Acht tired to dodge the question. 

“No I think there’s a very good reason. Acht do you think you might be… ooh I’m too excited to say it. Eight, help me out here!” Marina squealed.

“Are you in love with Agent 4?” Eight grinned. He was a sucker for a good romance.

“Hey look I think Pearl and Four are almost done.” Acht looked out the elevator doors at the two. They were no where near done, but Acht needed something to distract Marina and Eight.

“Don’t think you’re getting out of this conversation so easily. We can pause for now, but this isn’t over,” Marina said before turning her attention to Pearl just as she set off a Killer Wail.

“That sounds like a threat.” 

“Maybe it is.” Eight flashed a mischievous smirk. It seemed like he was getting more comfortable around Acht. They weren’t sure if that was good or bad.

“Does it even matter if I like them or not?”

“Of course it matters! Acht, you have to tell them how you feel.” Marina emphasized each word.

“I haven’t felt anything in a long time, Marina. How do I know if the way that I’m defining this is even right?” Acht was very ready to be done with this conversation. But at the same time, the thought of telling Four they love them made Acht’s hearts thump even harder than they already were.

“You remember your brother, right? And your dad?” Marina pressed.

Acht was silent.

“It’s not the same kind of love, but you still love them. You know what love feels like, Acht. And I know that you don’t fall in love easily, you have to have the right person. I think Agent 4 is your right person.”

As Marina finished her sentence, Pearl and Four came back into the elevator.

“Welcome back you two.” Acht rushed their words.

“Four absolutely rocked that floor, they took down those Jelletons like it was nothing!” Pearl was enthusiastic. Now that Four had most of their personality back, they were way more fun to fight alongside. “Let’s head to the next floor and get them back out there, they’re on a roll!”

“Great, let’s get you to 24F.” Acht clicked the button and the elevator continued onward.

As Four set their chip into their palette, they jumped slightly in surprise. “Holy fuck!” they shouted before turning to face Eight and wrapping their arms around him. “I’m sorry I forgot about you. And I’m sorry I tried to kill you.”

Eight hugged Four back, saying, “It’s okay. I missed you.” Acht couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy at how affectionate Four was towards him.

The two let go of each other and Four turned to Pearl and Marina. “I remember the both of you now too. I don’t know what else to say other than I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Agent 4. What happened wasn’t your fault at all. If anything I should be the one apologizing.” Marina twisted the bottom hem of her jacket.

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t try to murder all of you.”

“And that doesn’t mean it wasn’t my fault.”

“I don’t blame you at all.” Four gave a small, sad smile before looking over at Acht. “I still don’t—”

“You wouldn’t.” Acht interrupted. “We’ve never met before. I’m Acht. I know we’ve already done introductions, but you’re more you now.”

“Nice to meet you, Acht, I’m Four. And thank you for all your help earlier.”

Acht didn’t know what to say for a moment. Then they muttered, “You’re welcome.”