they weren’t “friends”.

crossword DID have friendly interactions with puzzles back when they were kids in school but they were VERY short lived due to crossword having a friend group who didn’t exactly like him interacting with puzzles because he was the “weird quiet kid”… and was dragged away by them before he could talk with him more and actually bond with him

but of course! everything still happened in the end. sometimes he wishes he couldve actually been there for him back then. Lol!

but anyway yeah that’s how they technically “knew” eachother as kids. i wanted to keep it semi-canon to puzzles actual lord so i think it’d make sense for it to end up like this. Smile!

sorry for punching you guys in the gut for this one. Giggles sweetly