Encrypted Strings (Spamton x Reader)

Chapter 7. Resemblance

You let go of your spear and watched it dissipate into the heavy air. You looked up into his eyes, seeing his vulnerable kindred soul. "Are you okay?"

The words hit Swatch like a train. You guided your eyes from his to his whole face. Tears were streaming down his cheek.

"[Y-Y/N]" He stuttered.

You had watched Swatch go from confident and cheery to practically sobbing within a matter of a few short minutes.

"What's wrong?" Such an innocent question but so powerful.

"You..." He paused. "The way you acted during that spar," He looked away from you. It was unbearable at that point to see you. "It was like her."

"Swatch, what are you saying?" At this point, you were crying with him.

"You were like her... I-" He paused.

"Who is she? You were slowly inching towards Swatch.

"She was one of you, a lightner. We met in a similar way that you and I met. I had disliked her at first. She was always rambunctious and emotional, everywhere at once really. But over time, we grew closer. I got to know her better. We would train every day and laugh over childish jokes that she would make. She was a child... A child still trying to find her way. I'm not even sure how she managed to wander into Cyber City on her own. At some point, I truly felt like a father figure towards her. She was the sweetest girl in the world, but at a cost. She would lose her temper easily. She never meant to hurt anyone though. Anytime she did she would abruptly apologize and cry. Now that I think about it she was around your height. She looked the same as you. Although you are an adult you still resemble her. You're still so childish in a way without even realizing it." He was sobbing. He couldn't cover up the tears even if he tried.

"What happened to her..?" You were shy to ask.

"She... She's absent. I knocked on her door one day and she never opened. I soon found out Queen had disposed of her. Queen viewed her as inadequate and useless to her majesty's current needs." His mouth let out small hics, trying to stay quiet. The vulnerability was something unusual for him and he knew it. In reality, Swatch was just a child in an adult body. Mature but still childish. Still longing for someone, to protect someone.

"Swatch..." Your lips trembled. "I'm so sorry." The gap between you and Swatch was closed. You thrusted your arms through his and squeezed him tight. He needed this after all.

"Knight-" Swatch was disoriented. It seemed that he had never been hugged before.

"Just shut up and hug back." Your voice was muffled. As rude as the statement sounded it was meant in a nice way.

Swatch grabbed the back of your head and rested his head on top of yours, embracing you tight. You could hear the sniffing and sobbing subsiding.

Swatch slowly let go, lingering on any embrace he could get before it got awkward.

"Thank you, " He waited, expecting to hear something out of you, even just a small peep, but all he got was silence followed by a smile. "I apologize for this. Please pardon my ramble." He apologized while clasping his hands together.

"It's no problem, Swatch. I'm just glad to know this now. There was no harm in not telling me anyway."

Swatch was touched. "Thank you, again [Y/N]"

"No problem, hun" Hun? The word slipped out. You didn't mean it in a sort of intimate way but it sure sounded like it. "Crud. Uhm, don't take that the wrong way." You blurted.

"I won't," Swatch said, but he was obviously flustered.

A pungent smell seeped through your shirt. Oh, I need to take a shower. You stunk. The warmth from Swatch's hug mixed with the combat and high energy use not only exhausted you but also made you sweat like an old dog attempting to play with its owner tirelessly tugging back on the bone.

"Hey, Swatch. It's been a while, don't you need to go help set up for the Addisons?"

Swatch's head perked up. Swatch directed his head towards his luxury watch. Three-fifteen, no AM or PM, the clock face read. Swatch looked up again. "Oh yes! We should get going shouldn't we?"

The monochrome birdman crouched down and tapped the floor twice. The floor steadily descended with.

"Yes," You awkwardly paused. "But, uhm, do you mind if I take a shower first? I kinda stink." Kinda was an understatement.

"Of course, Knight. You are welcome to take a shower."

The glittering tile floor came to a jolting stop, but this time you were prepared.

"I see I don't have to catch you again." Swatch noted, while trying hard to hold back a small, teasing grin.

You chuckled, mostly pity for yourself. "I guess..." You stated, embarassed. "Well, we should get going now."

"Ah yes. Would you like me to guide you back to your room?" Swatch eagerly asked.

"No thanks! I can get there on my own. I'll holler if I can't find my way." You let out a small giggle.

"Very funny," His expression was neutral. "When you finish taking your shower and getting dressed, come meet me by the Color Cafe."

"Got it, sounds simple enough."

Swatch nodded. "I shall walk you towards the dome exit for now."

Swatch let out his elbow inferring for you to take it. The monochrome man was like a guide for you. It was quite nice, really. You didn't have to worry about navigation, and a plus was that he was so big and tall so you never had to worry about safety. Swatch was safe... It felt nice. You had felt safe at home but you always had some feeling that a scary man might come and rob your shop or that garbage noise would come out of your computer and tell you "You've been hacked lol!" Although the chances of any of that happening, especially in a small town, were almost zero you worried anyway. You had never felt this safe before with anyone or practically felt this safe anywhere.

You and Swatch came to a stop at the door way. The hallway in front of you parted two ways; left and right. You had to take a right.

"Knight, this is where we part. I have to go to the Color Cafe which is on the left."

"Sounds good. I need to turn right anyway." You shrugged.

You directed your hand out of Swatch's arm coming closer to his hand. Swatch gently grabbed your hand.

"Stay safe, Y/N."

He let go.

You were partially disturbed by the sudden grabbing of your hand, but you brushed it off with saying "Yeah, I plan to!" And chuckled.

You and Swatch parted, leaving you alone to hopefully not get lost in the hallways. Thankfully, however, your room was not that far from the colosseum.

You took one simple left and a final right to find your lustrous purple themed room.

The door was left partially open when you arrived.

Someone was there.