(TAWW!Week) DAY 3: TRUST ISSUES/FORCED PROXIMITY
Summary: Alan and DJ’s life around the 1940’s. Their relationship in the beginning was never so wholesome in the first place....
Tag/s: Hurt/Comfort, Trust Issues, Injuries, Suicide Ideation, Violence, Thoughts of killing, Unhealthy Relationships
There weren't many beings that Test Subject 1 trusted, not even his creator. That scientist had forced him to do such things—to be created as a weapon was the last thing he had desired. To them, he was just a weapon, a test subject, a mere object.
He felt like nothing, and he wanted to escape.
Having been there for so long, awaiting a new mission, a task where he would spy on some Americans, observe them, infiltrate their systems, and gather more information than his creators could ever imagine.
Was he meant to do this forever?
A mere tool for them to exploit until he could no longer serve his purpose, to be discarded and replaced by a new one?
"Hey," the other stick figure called, red in color, sharing a form almost identical to his. They were alike, differing only in color and abilities.
"What?" Subject 1 croaked, turning to him, his throat aching from the smoke he had generated while frying the American’s computer. His hand trembled, his mouth still tasting of ash from burning those useless codes.
"Are you okay?" the other stick figure asked, tilting his head as he slowly moved closer, sitting beside him. The black hollow-headed figure eyed him closely, hands twitching. He didn't trust him, but he too had been created recently and had been on missions spying on humans.
"Hmm," Subject 1 mumbled, not particularly keen on conversation.
He had never been much interested in talking, never having used his vocal cords for speech. Subject 1 hadn't even known he could produce sounds until this other figure arrived and started speaking to him.
"Are you bored?" the red hollowhead asked again, tilting his head and staring at Subject 1, who turned to look at him, studying his face.
It seemed as if he enjoyed irritating him. This notion furrowed Subject 1's brows and made him clench his teeth.
Should I just end him? Put an end to his pointless suffering; perhaps he would be grateful afterward. Subject 1 pondered, unconsciously clenching and unclenching his fists.
Being manipulated by humans was far from exciting or enjoyable. Subject 1 knew this firsthand, as he did not experience such things. Excitement? Fun? Those concepts did not exist for him. Only pain, death, and suffering...
"Do you want to spar?" the red hollowhead suggested, his hands clasped in eager anticipation.
Spar? Why would he want to spar with me? Subject 1 wondered. He had defeated him numerous times already, and he didn't find pleasure in it. In truth, he felt remorseful; it was evident that the red hollow-headed figure was unaccustomed to such brutal fighting.
"Why?" Subject 1 rasped, coughing once more as dark smoke billowed from his mouth, his throat tightening as he watched the red hollow-headed figure lean back, waving a hand to disperse the smoke that made Subject 1 cough.
"Are you okay?" he asked, placing a hand on Subject 1's shoulder, which Subject 1 pushed away a bit more forcefully than intended. Still coughing, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe, the red hollow-headed figure let out a small hum, now patting Subject 1's back as the coughing subsided, replaced by deep breaths.
"Maybe not today, huh?" he remarked with a small chuckle as Subject 1 turned to face him. "Not today," Subject 1 mumbled, rubbing his throat in an attempt to soothe the ache and itch on his vocal cords.
Is this the result of not speaking? Interesting...
"You know, it's been a while since I was created, yet—I never caught your name," the red hollowhead mentioned, his hand returning to his lap, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb on his knuckles.
Subject 1 exhaled heavily, letting out a small sigh and a huff.
"Just Subject 1," Subject 1 replied quietly, swallowing hard as he lightly giggled before it turned into a small chuckle. "Subject 1? You never gave yourself a name?" the red hollow-headed figure inquired as the other turned to him.
"No," he answered in a whisper, causing the red figure to stop laughing, thinking he must be joking. He let out a small breath of apology, "Sorry—I thought—" he stammered, waving his hand nervously, prompting Subject 1 to huff in amusement.
He waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind.
"Alright—do you want a name? I chose one for myself," he offered, pointing to his chest as Subject 1 sighed.
Does he want a name? Not really. He sees no need for a name when no one here bothers to use it. "You should have a name so I don't have to keep calling you Subject 1," he suggested.
Clapping his hands together, the sound reverberating through the space, causing Subject 1 to suppress the urge to flinch. His hackles rose once more, but when he heard a soft whisper of apology from the other, Subject 1 decided to lean back again.
"Do you want a name?" he inquired, turning to face Subject 1.
If he's insisting so much, why not?
"Go ahead, any name will do," Subject 1 murmured, leaning back, closing his eyes, and savoring the burn he felt. He stretched his aching legs and cracked his fingers.
He heard the other mumbling to himself, silently snapping his fingers as he hurried to think of a suitable name. Perhaps he was taking this more seriously than Subject 1 had anticipated.
"You know, there's a TV show I watched," the red hollowhead mentioned, prompting Subject 1 to open his eyes and turn to him. "Mhm," Subject 1 hummed, mildly interested in the conversation.
Rest sounded inviting, but it might be impolite to just stand up and retreat to the other corner of the space to sleep while the red hollow-headed figure continued to chat beside him. Subject 1 pondered, his thoughts drifting as weariness and sleep clouded his mind.
"His name was Alan, and he's a really good actor," the red hollowhead explained, gesturing as he spoke. Subject 1 nodded, emitting a small hum. The name Alan sounded pleasant—simple and not too extravagant. I like it, he thought.
"Does Alan sound good to you?" the red hollowhead asked as Subject 1—Alan—nodded half-heartedly. "Great! Then you can call me DJ. Nice to meet you, Alan," DJ said, extending his hand towards Alan, who gazed at it before shaking it.
They had been confined together for almost three weeks, and perhaps this was the first formal introduction they had exchanged.
"Alan, nice to meet you," Alan replied, clearing his throat as he exhaled more smoke, which DJ casually waved away, letting out a small giggle.
"I hope we get to work together more," DJ expressed, to which Alan simply hummed in response.
He should have been more cautious and less eager to please. Alan was never one to seek approval eagerly. However, he had noticed that their creators tended to be calmer and kinder to them when their missions were successful.
Consequently, Alan had been working diligently to achieve success, aiming to find tranquility away from the confining black box they were always thrown into.
Conversing with DJ was enjoyable, but he longed for his own space, his own spot to rest. A box with only four corners could only accommodate so much for the two of them, especially with DJ persistently urging him to spar then and there.
Or the sounds the other would make if Alan had beat him, the painful whine, and whimper. The small cries…
It was becoming wearisome.He hated hearing it, he hated hurting–
"Alan, are you okay?" DJ whispered, crouching over him. Alan let out an involuntary groan, gesturing for him to back off, his stomach paining and his leg twitching.
He had come close to being deleted, almost becoming one of those codes he had burned. He should have been quicker.
"Alan—" DJ began, placing a hand on the black hollowhead's shoulder, feeling him tense, seizing his arm. "DON'T touch me," Alan growled, teeth clenched, suppressing the fire that threatened to erupt from his mouth, not wanting to accidentally harm DJ.
"Al..." DJ said, using that pet name again, the term the other had given Alan. As if they were close friends, which they weren't, were they? DJ acted as if they were friends… something intimate, as if they didn't attempt to harm each other when their creators grew bored of them.
With no mission to undertake, Alan and DJ would be forced to fight against each other until their bodies failed them, leading them back into the black box once again.
There they would be back to lick their wounds and hide away for the rest of the hour, days, or if they are lucky… weeks.
"Sorry—" DJ whispered, seated beside Alan, who was still struggling to catch his breath, his chest heaving, his mouth emitting black smoke and red fire intermittently, causing DJ to move back due to the intense heat.
"Sorry," Alan coughed, pulling himself up to the wall next to DJ, who simply shook his head, observing as Alan shivered, his body trembling, his leg twitching, one hand pressed against his stomach as if he had been stabbed there.
"Let me help you," DJ offered, rubbing his hands together. He felt Alan's gaze on him. "What—?" Alan croaked, sounding surprised by DJ's offer.
"Let me help you," DJ repeated, turning towards the black hollowhead who was almost scorching holes in his face with his gaze.
He could likely assist, considering he had witnessed Alan using a laser on him that came from his eyes. DJ still felt the lingering burn on his arm from where it had struck him before; although it had healed, he couldn't forget the scent of his flesh burning and the sheer pain of trying to mend it.
Alan remained silent, focusing on his twitching leg. DJ interpreted this as consent, rising to his knees and examining Alan's leg, his hand hovering over his pants.
Glancing at Alan, who watched him closely, seemingly prepared for an attack with his fists clenched at his sides, ready to push DJ away if he tried to harm him.
"Relax," DJ reassured, placing a hand on Alan's knee and patting it gently, causing Alan's body to gradually unwind. "Sorry—it's difficult to know whether we're fighting or on good terms," Alan whispered, as DJ winced.
That is true; most of the time, they fight or are forced to fight. Even their training sessions felt like they were aiming for each other's throats. Sharing the same sleeping space felt as though one would carefully and slowly strangle the other.
There were many times Alan found DJ staring down at him, his clawed hand close to Alan’s neck, one move and blood would spill out from Alan’s throat.
There are many days where neither of them sleeps, both wary of each other.
"It's okay, I'm here to help you now, and that's what matters," DJ whispered, hearing Alan exhale a sigh, finally reassured that they weren't about to engage in a fight. "Okay," Alan breathed out, his breath hitching as DJ touched his leg.
"That's good," Alan murmured, his eyes slowly drifting shut.