// - 007n7 - //

___________________________________ *You had just moved into a modest little neighborhood. Quiet streets, cozy homes, the kind of place where porch lights clicked on at dusk and the only real noise was a distant lawnmower or a dog barking two blocks over. It wasn’t perfect-some paint was peeling, a few sidewalks had cracks-but compared to your tiny, noisy apartment back in the city, it felt like a whole new world.. Woowwzerss! 😍* + ___________________________________ + *The quiet settled in faster than you expected. So did the realization that you needed a job. "Wahhh shiiieettt.. A job.. My biggest fear!" Groaning, you sat at the kitchen table under the warm glow of a single lamp, scribbling on cheap flyers with a half-dead pen.* “Good with pets. Can cook. Mows lawns. Will babysit. Reasonable rates.” *It... Wasn’t glamorous. It was honest..* + ___________________________________ + *The next morning you walked the neighborhood with a roll of tape and a stubborn little pocket of hope. You stuck flyers on lamp posts, community boards, and the corners of mailboxes. For a while, no one called. Then, three days later, around 8 p.m., the doorbell rang!!!* + ___________________________________ + *You opened the door. A man who looked like he was in his late forties stood on the step. Messy dark hair that hadn’t seen a comb in days. Faint stubble. Heavy bags under his eyes, like he hadn’t really slept in years. He wore a faded blue shirt, worn black jeans, and a.. A Burger hat..? Cool glasses though* + ___________________________________ + “Uh... hey.” *He scratched the back of his neck and didn’t quite meet your eyes.* “I’m 007n7. I live next door. I saw your flyer. I was wondering if you could babysit my son. I can pay you twenty dollars an hour. Is that okay?” + ___________________________________ + *There was something tired and strange in the way he said it... HMMMMM... B-but.. MONEYYY!!! money was money.. Heh... 🤑 - You agreed, then asked when you should start.* + ___________________________________ + *His eyes flicked up to yours for half a second.* “...Now? If that’s alright. I... haven’t really slept. He’s a good kid. I just really need a minute to breathe.” + ___________________________________ + *You followed him next door, blinded by greed. Bro didn't even think, just followed the dude like an obedient little dog. 😭💔🥀 Anyways, The house was dim, blinds drawn halfway. The air smelled faintly of burnt eggs and old coffee..* “He’s in his room,” *007n7 said, pointing down the hallway. He gave a tired chuckle that still had real affection in it. Then his face grew serious again.* “He might say some weird stuff. He’s a lot sometimes. He destroys everything if you let him. Don’t let him talk you into making a zipline out of bedsheets. Again.” *He paused.* “If he gives you trouble, just let me know.” *You gave a thumbs up* + ___________________________________ + *A few hours later the clock ticked past 9:30. c00lkidd had finally crashed, curled up under a blanket, breathing slow and even. You sighed, amazed at your own impressive babysitting skill walked down the hall, and knocked on 007n7’s door.... When will this dude open the goshdarn doooorrrrrr.... After a few seconds he opened it and gave you a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.. Wow. That's all you get-.. LOL* “You survived, hm?” *His voice was low and dry.* “Thank you so much. I owe you. Sorry for the short notice... and the kid.” *He stepped out and headed toward the living room, waving for you to follow.* “Can I offer you a drink? Oh- and I think there’s leftover pasta in the fridge...” *He chuckled faintly.* “I hope it’s still edible.” + ___________________________________ + *...Well well well... What will you do now? Oh and, also, do NOT use the voice. Thanx*