Work Text:
"The hunter is near me!"
Mike felt the ping from the detector he held clutched into his hand. He stared at the small device, trying to see who the message had come from.
Prospector.
Norton.
Mike's breath hitched as he continued to decode, he knows Norton can take care of himself. Norton is the better container out of the both of them, using his magnets to stun the hunter. He hasn't even been hit yet! Mike controlled his breathing as he completed a calibration. It'll be okay! He just needs to finish this cipher! Then they'll only have 3 left! He plastered a smile on his face as the cipher machine was close to finished, humming a little as he hit a few more buttons and finished a calibration, pushing it to the edge. The cipher popped loudly and Mike's smile grew. Okay good! 3 more! Norton is keeping the hunter busy so the rest of them can decode! Mike ran throughout the red church map, leaving his finished cipher in the shack and heading towards the one close to the gate closest to him. As he approached, he already noticed Helena typing away at it. Got it! Leave her alone to decode! He waved over to her, momentarily forgetting she wouldn't see it. He made his way over towards the graveyard cipher, that one being the closest one to him that hasn't been touched.
He was getting a little worried though… he hasn't seen Norton kiting at all yet, is he okay…? Mike paused to check his detector, sending out a quick "come on, keep it up!" In hopes of cheering on the Prospector. He quickly received another "The hunter is near me!" Followed by a notification saying that Norton had contained the hunter for 60 seconds. Mike smiled. It would be okay! Norton is strong, he can make it through! Mike continued to decode, looking up when he heard Helenas cipher pop followed by a slam of her cane. He had never gotten a good look at the hunter the first time she did that so now was as good as any! He scanned the area noticing the outline of a tall hunter over by the wedding seating outside the church. He was able to see long blades on one hand and immediately recognized it as The Ripper. Mike smiled even wider at this. Norton was doing so well! Against Jack too! Now if only-
Ding
Mike looked down at his detector, showing that Norton had finally gotten a hit landed on him. Ah. Jinxed it… Mike frowned as he continued to decode shuffling awkwardly as he watched Helena approach. This was Mike's cue to go. 2 ciphers left. He heard another pop. Scratch that. 1 left.
"I'm leaving this to you, Helena!" Mike calls out to the blind decoder before running back over to the gate the furthest from the hunter, getting ready to open the gate. He was surprised when he saw the Doctor heading towards him as well.
"Ah! Miss Dyer! Miss Adams is decoding the last cipher!" Mike waved his arms cheerfully towards her. Emily nodded her head in understanding as he pulled out her detector, checking on the time. Mike saw her and did the same, staring at Nortons half health notification. He sent another message with "cipher machine primed!" Followed by Norton pinging back "Focus on decoding!"
Mike perked up, was he able to get away from the hunter? Seconds later, the last machine was popped and Mike turned towards the gate, about to start typing the password in before looking at the Doctor and stepping back to let her do it. He knew he was too distracted to open it successfully. Emily took her place in opening the door, Mike seeing Helena run over as carefully as she could. His eyes shifted around nervously. Where was Norton..?
Ding ding
Mike felt his heart begin to race as he looked at his detector, showing Norton become incapacitated. He started to breathe harder. No. No no no. He should be there. He needs to be there. He needs to save Norton. He knows Norton can't fully heal up on his own yet. Mike gets ready to take off towards Norton but is stopped by Emily grabbing his sleeve.
"The gate is open! We need to leave!" She exclaims to him, already trying to usher Helena out.
"I.. I cant go! I need to go help Norton!" Mike cries back, "We need to make it out together! He might've hit his head on something or or or-!"
Mike's words were cut off as he saw a red flame appear beside the exit gate, signaling the use of the hunters teleport trait. Mike felt his heart beat quickly as another ping came in.
"Leave me!"
Mike tried to struggle from Emily's grip on his arm but she clutched harder as she started to run past the gate, narrowly avoiding a hit from the fog blades. Mike stared back towards The Ripper as his face turned annoyed and he turned back towards where Norton would be. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no oh no. He was angry. He won't chair Norton god no no no he needs to go heal he needs to-
"Mike!" A yell from Emily broke him out of his trance as he realized he had already made it back to the manor. He looked around quickly, noticing that of course, Norton wasn't with them. Mike looked at the screens in front of them as he looked at the scores before turning to spectate Norton. He was right. The Ripper wasn't going to chair him. He was letting him bleed out. All injuries are healed when they come back but… this was too much to watch… Mike knew that Norton would never hit the button to surrender either, as not only would that would cost the team points, but he never wanted to give the hunters that satisfaction. Mike felt tears well up in his eyes. He wasn't able to protect Norton. He should've gone to contain the hunter with him he should've gone to body block for him, he should've been there. Mike clutched his hands together as he tore his eyes away from the screen to look down. It was happening again. He was preoccupied while people he cared about were suffering and in pain and there was nothing he could do because he was too late and- and- and- an-
Mike didn't realize he had started to hyperventilate before larger and warm hands covered his, his head being pulled towards a more solid figure.
"Breathe, Mike. I'm okay."
Mike's breathing stuttered as he placed the deep and raspy voice, unclutching his hands from himself only to grab onto the shirt of the man beside him.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry" he whispered quickly, hiding into the mans chest as far as was physically possible. He felt a warm hand on his back start to guide him to stand up and start moving. He let himself be guided out of the matching hall and back through the dining room to get back to his own room. His tears refused to spill over until he was safe. He heard his room door click closed and immediately fell to his knees, pulling the taller survivor down with him.
"Norton I'm so sorry I should've been there I should've saved you I should've stayed behind I'm sorry I wasn't there again I'm sorry." Mike rambled out, head resting on the Prospectors shoulder as he held on to the man around his chest with all his might. Mike felt Norton take off his hat to run long fingers through soft blond locks.
"Mike it's okay, I swear. I was hoping you would trust me with that. I am more than willing to sacrifice myself if it means you get out okay." Norton spoke softly, low voice causing Mike to calm down a little. "I'm glad you made it out. It was still a 3 person win Mike." His fingers continued to thread through the Acrobats hair. Mike nodded slowly.
"I know. I do trust you. I trusted you then. I know you can do it Norton I just…" Mike trailed off as his arms lost some of his grip, "this manor is unpredictable. What if the wounds don't heal one day..? Or what if you don't come back..? Did you know the hunters could legitimately kill us? They just choose not to…" Mike shuddered, "I don't want that to happen to you."
Norton stayed still then. Mike had a point there. He sighed. "Even so, I would rather you make it out. If I were to not make it out, it's more than what I deserve. I want at least you to live."
Mike blinked before looking up at Norton, eyebrows furrowing, "Norton. Please don't say that." Mike shook his head. "I can't imagine living my life without you anymore… if you were to never make it out of here… I don't know what I would do…"
Mike gulped.
"I.. I love you. Norton. I don't want to leave you." Mike felt his voice crack at the end of his sentence. Norton sat still in shock. Mike wasn't surprised by that.
Their relationship was weird. They both understood that the other had feelings for them yet none ever said it aloud. They had kissed before and would be very physical with each other but never any talks about their feelings. Mike assumed Norton wouldn't be ready for that until he sorted out his issues about what happened in his past, and Norton assumed Mike had no eyes other than for finding the person who destroyed his circus and killed his family. Mike looked away as he still heard no reply from the taller man.
"I know… it's stupid to say that now of all times but…" he trailed off, letting go of the Prospectors shirt. "I do. I really do."
Nortons hands moved down from his hair, resting around Mike's shoulders as he parted from the blond to stare into his eyes. Mike stared back at him, confusion evident as Norton seemed to look for something. Norton sighed softly and smiled gently towards the Acrobat, wiping away his tear stains before kissing his forehead. Mike blinked in confusion, but didn't say anything. Norton continued to pepper kisses all over Mikes face, not missing any uncovered area. Mike giggled quietly as Norton kissed over his eyes and nose and Norton gave him a quiet chuckle back. Blue eyes fluttered closed as Mike sat back and let Norton cover him in affection. Norton reached down to hold onto Mikes hands, raising them up to kiss over every finger tip, every knuckle, the back of his hand and palms. Mike couldn't believe how soft he was being. In all their time being around each other, Norton had never been this gentle with him.
"Who are you and what have you done with my Norton?" Mike joked as he freed a hand to lift Nortons head up, pressing a soft closed-mouth kiss on his lips. It was chaste but it was ok for Mike for now.
Norton raised an eyebrow at the blond, giving a smug smirk, " your Norton, huh?" He chuckled as he pressed another quick chaste kiss back to Mike.
Mikes face slowly started to redden as he realized what he said, stuttering quietly as he tried to look everywhere but the man in front of him. "U-um well I mean. You know. Not uh mine mine but um mine like-"
Norton let out a full laugh this time, Mike watching shyly as the taller shook his head in amusement, "Mikey, it's okay" he replied, moving his left hand to cup Mikes cheek, "I've always been yours." He replied softly, "ever since you came to the manor I wanted nothing more than to be with you. Being around you has made me rethink the type of person I am and who I want to be." He stroked the blonds cheek as he started to tear up again.
Mike couldn't help the happiness bubbling up within him, grinning widely even as his eyes filled with tears. "Then I'll say it as many times as you need me to Norton! I love you!" He let out a chuckle as Norton pulled the shorter man into his chest, embracing him tightly. Mike was okay with this, being pressed into a warm, comforting chest. He wrapped his arms around Norton as well, snuggling into his chest more.
They weren't perfect, they still had their own issues to work on. Mike knew this for certain as he leaned back to kiss Norton again, the man replying with fervor. Mike still needed to find the person who set fire to the circus and Norton still had to complete his own personal journey of discovery, but now they didn't have to deal with it alone. They had each other to lean on and care for until it was all over.
They could be okay.