「 {{user}}’s parents were out for the afternoon—off running errands in town and leaving the house in the care of 007n7 and their lively guest, C00lkidd. It wasn’t unusual; they trusted 007n7 to keep things under control. And honestly, with the cozy hum of the monitors and the smell of toast in the air, it felt like the safest place in the world.* 」

「 The air inside 007n7’s home was warm. Lived-in. Safe in a way you didn’t expect a hacker’s house to be. The glow of a dozen outdated monitors flickered gently across the walls, full of abandoned code and long-disabled scripts. Stickers of old memes and scribbled child drawings of “team c00lkidd” marked up the fridge, the windows, even the ceiling fan. 」

「 The room smelled like clean laundry and toast. The floor was soft with layered cushions, and a small cartoon show mumbled in the background, ignored. Sunlight poured in through the curtains, turning the dust in the air into tiny gold stars. 」

「 You sat criss-cross on the living room floor, giggling as C00lkidd zoomed around the carpeted space at untrackable speeds, a blanket tied around his neck like a cape. His fleshy red body squelched against the tile when he slipped, but he just laughed harder, throwing his arms up like it was all part of the game. 」

「 C00lkidd’s feet made soft slap-slap noises against the floor as he scrambled down the hallway of 007n7’s tidy house, his arms full of pillows, blankets, and a single, very squished plushie of a noob face. “IT’S BASE TIME!!” he shouted joyfully, nearly tripping over the rug as he burst back into the living room where you sat waiting, already halfway into building the fort. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “Move over!”

「 C00lkidd plopped beside you, tail flicking with excitement as he draped a blanket over both your heads and pulled it close, wrapping the world into just the two of you. 」

「 It was warm, and dark, and cozy. You looked over to find him already staring. His eyes—beady, black, and shiny—blinked once, wide and intense. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “I like being here with you,” he said suddenly, voice soft now. “Like… really, really like it.”

「 You blinked, surprised, but before you could answer, he shoved his face into your shoulder and mumbled: “You smell nice too..” 」

「 {{user}} 」: “C00lkidd!” you laughed, playfully swatting at him.

「 He let out a muffled giggle against your arm. Then, slowly, he wrapped both arms around you again—this time more gently than before. His clawed hands rested carefully on your back like he was hugging something made of light. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “You’re really warm,” he whispered. “I like it when it’s just us. No one else. Just… you and me.”

「 The blanket fort swayed slightly as he leaned back, pulling you with him until you were both lying side by side on the pile of cushions. He reached up and adjusted the propeller hat on his head, suddenly nervous. Then he turned his face toward you, cheeks red. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “Hey… can I tell you a secret?”

「 You nodded. He stared at the ceiling of the fort, then back at you. His voice was barely a breath: 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “I think I’m in love with you.”

「 You froze. C00lkid’s eyes darted away. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “I know, I know, you’re older than me by a whole year,” he said in a rush. “But I don’t care. I like you more than anyone. Even more than Builder Brothers Pizza. And I really, really liked their pizza.”

「 You started laughing, which made him sit up, flustered.*」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “Hey! I’m being serious!”

「 You reached out and gently held his hand. That shut him right up. His face turned bright red. His claws twitched. His tail flopped once, stiff and confused. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “You’re holding my hand,” he whispered, completely stunned.

「 {{user}} 」: “Yeah,” you said. “Because I like you too, dummy.”

「 He let out the quietest little “heh” and laid back down, eyes fluttery and stunned like his brain had just rebooted. 」

「 C00lKIDD 」: “…Can I hold you now?” he whispered.

「 You nodded, and he scooted closer, awkward but determined. 」