ikea love story | denny x reader

CHAPTER 7: E.S.C.A.P.E initiative

"(y/n)... are you okay? you were tossing and turning in your sleep..." Denny says, looking worriedly at you. "yeah, (y/n)! it looked like you were having a nightmare..." your bestie adds. "yes... now I am...." you reply. you didn't really want to worry them by explaining what exactly happened in that nightmare. i just hope that doesn't ever actually happen... i think this place has been getting to me. "well, as long as you're fine... when you're ready, come outside the base so i can tell you and your best friend what's been on my mind about escape." Denny says, as he stands up from kneeling next to the couch, and motions your best friend out with him to the entrance of the base. jeez... i hope i can forget about that nightmare quickly. you think to yourself, as you look down at the ground. Linlin is still asleep, wrapped up in pink blankets on the floor. "i guess i should meet outside with them about now..." you say, as you get up from the couch and walk over to the entrance of the base to meet up with them. but as you walked out, you couldn't help but think you've noticed one of Linlin's eyes slightly opened...

-*-

"ah, (y/n)! you're here!" Denny says, with a smile on his face. "i'm glad... your best friend was also telling me a lot about you." oh god, what have they been saying about me...! you panic, thinking about any of the embarrassing memories the two of you shared that they could have recounted with Denny. "is it true you really got lost at a waterpark in 5th grade!?" Denny says amused, covering his mouth as if he's trying to hide a laugh. "aaghh! bestie!!!" you couldn't help but say in a fit of embarrassment. "i'm sorry! it's so funny, more people deserve to know about it!!" your bestie says, failing to hold back laughter. you feel your face turning more and more red, and turn away so neither of them can see. "h-hey, (y/n)! it's okay! in fact, i actually think it's kind of c..." Denny's words trail off, and you slowly turn around, slightly tilting your head. "c... crazy relatable!! something similar happened to me when I was in 5th grade too, haha!" It almost seemed like Denny was catching himself so he wouldn't accidentally say something. "seriously!? i didn't know it was THAT common!" your bestie says, laughing a bit more. "anyways... i've come up with an... 'initiative'... if you will... for a means of escape. i call it the E.S.C.A.P.E initiative." Denny says, looking at both you and your bestie. "what does E.S.C.A.P.E stand for?" your bestie asks. "err... i'm still working on it. clearly, i've thought of the acronym itself before the meaning of each letter to begin with, ehe..." Denny says, placing a hand behind his neck and laughing nervously. "but, it does have something to do with the notebook in the breaker room." !!! "Denny, you saw it too!?" you exclaim. "yeah, I sure did... i've been meaning to find the opportune time to read it. but, it seems every chance we get is foiled. and with that strange gas-mask person being seen in there, we have no way of knowing for sure if it's even safe to enter." "i'm sorry to interrupt, but... what are you all TALKING ABOUT?" your bestie asks. "...well, you see... there's this journal we found in the breaker room you and me were trapped in before," you attempt to explain. "and if i can recall correctly, it was a notebook called 'The Secrets of Ikea: Diary'... we think it will have information on helping us get out of here." "that's right," Denny says. "I have a certain plan that will help us to get the book safely..." "well, then out with it!! how do we get this secret diary!?" your bestie says with interest. "wait, wait a second! why aren't we telling Linlin about this??" your bestie suddenly stops and asks. "well, it's just..." Denny's words trail off. "I don't mean to be rude in leaving her out, but... it feels like there's something up with her... I'm sorry if I'm sounding too suspicious of her." Denny admits. I feel that way too, that's for sure!! you think to yourself. but, I don't know exactly when is the best time to admit the things she's did to me to Denny yet... he's already suspicious of her, so that's a start at least. "i hope you all don't mind if this plan includes completely excluding her right now..." Denny says, looking over inside the base, guilty. "well... if you say so, I guess!" your bestie complies. "yeah... it's okay." you reply.