Chapter Text
Tired magenta eyes met rested olive ones.
Sharpness knew he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the toolshed. That was obvious as is, especially with Jude’s constant remarks and insults about him having a rock for a brain or his favorite saying of him cosplaying as a six pack of plastic rings.
And sure social cues slipped him more often than not but, he wasn’t that stupid. The fact that the bunny’s motions somehow started lagging more after sleeping?
He wasn't that stupid okay—
He simply clicks his tongue in irritation as he watches Jude. Irritation twists his guts, anger silently bubbling in his throat but making no move to tell the other off. He knew he couldn't properly convey whatever that was going to come out of his mouth. However, it appears as if the universe was on his side for once as he watches the other face instant karma, watching with slight amusement at the events that began to unfold within the next few minutes.
Finishing his own breakfast, he observes the other accidentally chuck his sandwich into the trash while taking a large bite into leftover plastic wrap.
Sipping steaming hot coffee, he watches with raised eyebrows as the other drinks air, missing his own cup by a mile.
Still bodied, he watches the other thump his legs loudly before grinding his legs into the ground; the trapper’s cheeks tinting in color as both his leg and his tail twitch in annoyance as nothing goes his way.
After all that, to top it all of, he finally watches the trapper give up, rush towards his room, with footsteps louder than he’s ever heard from the trapper…only to bump into Parker and fall backwards harshly onto his ass.
Was he an asshole for not helping him even once while Parker fretted over him like a fragile piece of glass? Nope! Wasn't his problem anyways, not like the bunny ever accepted his help or listened to his advice, so why bother wasting precious words talking to a brick wall.
However, his own mind rebelled against him, feeling guilt creep up. Worrying the corner of his lip raw, the familiar taste of coppery tang fills his tongue, dribbling down his throat.
Any thought regarding helping the bunny was simply thrown to the back of his mind.
Turning on his heel, he makes his way up the stairs, each creak of the spruce stairs, a silent confession to the stupid decision he makes carelessly—he decides to battle the pirates on his own. He reasons with himself that Jude would have been a quick drop anyways, with how much the other was lagging.
Even if he knew that the other had had even worse all-nighter streaks and not only killed multiple people but also got out alive with 3 new strength bottles and extra backup gear.
His traitorous heart begs him to go back as he hears Jude question Parker as to where he disappeared to. Instead of turning around, his legs thankfully moved on their own towards the dense forest hoping the other wouldn't see him.
He couldn't help but think that he was running away from his problems as if it were a glass slipper he had left behind as the clock approached midnight.
Biting the inner of his cheek, he racks his brain to remember the possible locations the drowned could possibly be. He remembers a few of the locations Jude mentioned that were in the same direction he was already heading.
Arriving near a clearing, breath heavy and legs heavy, he curses himself.
He knew he was being irrational. He wasn't the bunny's caretaker and definitely had no say in how the other lived his life. They weren’t teammates nor allies and had some trash peace treaty that didn’t mean much. He knew he had no reason to sprint here, hoping that the bunny had gone in the opposite direction.
He didn’t know why he wanted to be near the trapper so often. He didn’t know what to do with the quiet nights where insults became teasing remarks and they sat closer than necessary. He didn't want to know even if his mind subconsciously already knew the answer in the back of his head. He didn’t know if he wanted to open those can of worms. Especially not on a server like strength.
He's thankfully forced back to reality as a familiar voice fills his ears.
“How much longerrrr?" Sharp’s head snaps towards the direction of the noise, eyes catching on Nufili dragging his feet as he complains to leekleek.
Perfect. He was hoping that Epaxialfx would have been there instead of leekleek but beggars can't be choosers; allies were still better then nothing, plus strength was strength.
Potting strength, speed and fire resistance, Sharp swiftly moves towards the duo, sword appearing in his hand. The netherite glistened with the sun, its fiery enchantments matching the sun’s vibrant rays. Handle worn out from constant use, the loyal and well-loved sword slashed through Nufili’s back doing considerable damage despite the others netherite enchantments.
“What the hell—” he heard the other shriek before leekleek was already on him. Wind charging upwards, he gapped twice to fulfill his saturation as pots splashed near him.
Tsk, he was hoping to get a few more crits.
Grass rustling beneath his feet, a cheshire grin slowly formed on his face, hearing the best words possible,
“Nuf, we can’t battle him. You know my inventory’s full of building materials,” leek hissed, switching out with Nufili, swords clashing with each other.
He felt Nufili freeze momentarily against him, grip tightening around his sword as he was looking at the grin on Sharp’s face realizing they weren’t in a separate group chat. The slight pause gave him enough wiggle room for him to land a critical hit on the other’s shoulder who backed away, wheezing in pain, cradling his shoulder.
The pain wasn't long lived as he watched the other throw a healing potion which instantly worked it's magic, stitching back the muscles as if nothing had ever happened.
The duo kept switching out with each other every few minutes, which somehow worked in their favor as Nufili potted the other so he wouldn't be as lacking. Despite the earlier advantage, the duo did have +5 strength alongside gear and weapons that matched his own.
Realizing he had gotten overconfident due to earlier’s advantage, he cursed under his breath.
The line between them got smaller.
Smaller and smaller.
Smaller, till the line snapped and oh shit, he was fucked. Watching with a grimace, he realizes somewhere during a switch, Nufili had placed an enderchest, allowing Leek to replace his building materials with his own kit.
Okay, maybe he was starting to regret leaving Jude behind. Only a little.
The 2v1 continued with the sword master’s inventory dwindling as the fight went through its course. Taking a small peek at his communicator, his face scrunches up as he realizes an hour has already passed.
Eyes scanning the horizon, he looks for the nearest trap or at least a moment to distract them to re-gear himself. His eye twitches as he catches the nearest trap…
And why in the ever loving fuck was it two thousand blocks away? He swore Jude built newer traps as he remembered hearing the bunny brag about his newest 9x9’s and 4x4’s that he promised to show the blonde next week.
...
That week was today.
He remembers with a grimace that the plan was for Jude to build the newest trap and show him the locations of the other ones before they fought Nufili. God damn it.
Maybe day dreaming about his mistakes during an outnumbered match against two skilled players wasn’t the smartest idea as leekleek stabbed his left arm. Pain courses through his body, eyes watching the sword dig deeply, surprised it didn't come out the other end. The sword left his arm carrying a mountain of blood as he let out a string of curses.
Opening his inventory, he finds that he’s out of healing pots, strength, fire resistance and his armor durability is in the trenches. Instead, he focuses on what he has left which...is basically nothing.
Fifteen grapples, one enchanted apple and a singular swift pot.
An imaginary tear falls down his cheek as he accepts his demise even if he was still running for his life as the other two chase him. He wasn't accepting it that quickly even if he'd mostly given up. He wanted to at least waste the duo's time and the rest of his resources, making sure that they only got the bare minimum from him.
Thinking about his options, he assesses the situation. Both sides were out of totems but he wasn't sure how many grapples and pots the others had.
Coming to the same conclusion that he definitely wasn’t winning this battle, he switches left and heads straight for the forest he came from originally, hoping the dense trees would be enough to lose the duo while he makes his escapade through the nether. Leaves twirled onto the ground, shaving the trees as three fighters ran wildly through the forest.
Honestly, with the amount of twigs and vines that were getting caught on him, he could eventually blend in with his environment.
He was wondering if it was really worth it to save his strength. I mean sure he loses his ability but he could easily gain it back from a quick drop that had their guard down at spawn. But at the same time, his reputation was at risk as he knew the two wouldn’t let him live it down for months on end at the careless 2v1 he'd taken for no reason and lost.
Cape waving wildly, he takes a quick glance behind him. Dying began sounding more and more appealing as he failed to gain even an inch of distance from the other two who were still hot on his tail. His legs churned, his arm had gone numb and he was sure he would die of blood loss at this point and he was going broke trying to stay alive longer. Maybe he could convince them to return his armor or at least his weapons…?
The drowned duo getting peeved at the extended fight changed their approach. Nufili stayed right on his tail while Leekleek began shooting arrows from atop the trees.
Clink
He blinked. Fuck his leggings broke.
He never got a chance to fully accept his demise as wind harshly pushed him away. He fell on his ass as his communicator pinged. Shaky hands brought his left arm up, ignoring the pulsing pain from being shoved onto his arm to confirm his suspicions.
[Nufili was smashed by JudeLow]
He lets out a sigh of relief, watching as LeekLeek runs away, deciding it wasn’t worth it to continue the fight with the third-party. He had never been happier to see Jude as the third party despite their history of the other killing him every single time as, well... a third party.
Adrenaline wearing down as his body realizes he is no longer in danger, he forces his breath to normalize before pushing himself into a more comfortable position, leaning against the bark of an oak tree.
Tired olive eyes meet blank ones.
Pursing his lips, he drags his vision away. He knew what he did was careless.
They weren’t teammates nor allies. He had no reason to get mad for Jude not taking care of himself, that was Parker’s job. His communicator vibrates nonstop, but he couldn’t bring himself to pay attention to it.
“Pfft, look at these idiots complaining and being shocked. They weren’t expecting us to team up again ha—” Jude jokes staring at his communicator, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
“...” Sharpness stays silent.
He knew he was being immature.
The other was giving him an easy out, no explanations warranted but he was tired. His dumb mind and heart continuously made him suffer as he ignored the bunny.
However, it appeared as if he wasted the only out the other was giving him. Floppy ears came into view along with the rest of Jude who crouched in front of him.
For once, he refused to look into those magenta eyes.
Instead, he focused on his bloody arm, wincing at the gaping wound that was still pouring blood.
“...I’m sorry”
The confession was so quiet that Sharp swore he might as well have hallucinated it if the bunny didn’t continue talking. “I was really excited to finish this trap and build it. I wanted us to trap their team using it…” Jude confesses.
Blinking slowly, he cranes his neck upwards finally looking at the other.
Magenta eyes met olive ones and for once, neither one was better or worse than the other. Both were adorning an apologetic expression.
“Forgive me princess?” The other inquires cupping his cheek with one hand.
He refuses to acknowledge how his cheeks burn from that pet name. “Only if you take me back to base and heal me bunny,” Sharp utters, voice hoarse from disuse.
Using Jude as clutches, they both slowly make their way back to base. He stares at his wrapped arm; the other had torn a part of his shirt to wrap the other’s wound before helping him up.
A smile ghosts his lip as he watches the other express himself wildly using one hand while making sure to not move too much to yap about some random thing Parker had done before Sharpness switched the topic back to chat.
Behind them, the blazing sun that was blasting its fiery rays upon everything it touched, followed them inching lower and lower, casting a soft golden hue on the two as they both became busy looking at their communicators, making fun of Nufili who was raging in chat.