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The first time Norton told Eli he loved him, he was strapped to a rocket chair, seconds away from lifting off. Eli downed in front of him, tears falling gingerly down his cheeks as he held his head in his hands. The duo's heartbeats banging loudly as whatever hunter they had (they’d hardly been paying attention to them at this point) chased down the surrounding teammates doing their best to save the Prospector. It was chaotic, and probably most definitely not the best timing to be told your crush is in love with you. But still romantic none the less.
It had been a particularly rough week of matches for Eli. Nearly every match he’d participated in, he’d been chaired nearly immediately. If he wasn't the first to go down, he was the one to go down in someone else's stead. He’d remember one particular match with Luca. The gate was open, the coordinator was long gone by then, managing to have gotten out the other side. The doctor had been downed and chaired right at the last moment. Eli had heard Emily’s familiar scream as Luca sighed in relief after managing to finish the gate in time for the two of them to escape. The prisoner bounced a bit in his step as he strode through the gate, looking back with a confident smile to the seer who still stood perfectly still as he watched the outline of Bloody Mary guard a defenseless Emily.
“Eli!” the yell of his comrade pulled him out of his daze. He snapped his head to him, “What are you doing? Let's GO.”
“Emily got caught.” the prophet said plainly.
“And? Let's leave, the gates open we need to go.” Luca stated hurriedly.
“She's lost all her matches this week if she goes down like this again today she’ll get penalized..” Eli swallowed thickly, knowing the discomfort of being punished the same as anyone else here. He took a step forward, “I have to-”
“Like hell you do, Mary still has detention. If you go now I can’t save you.”
“Her bar is too far up if I don’t go now she’ll be a goner,” Eli pulled his view back to the doctor and thought for a moment. Brooke Rose was exhausted, she wouldn't be able to protect him, “If I move fast enough she’ll be able to get away as long as she doesn’t stop to help me kite.”
Luca furrowed his brow, this was ridiculous. Literally 8 feet away from freedom and this fool still thinks of saving the doctor who wouldn't even think twice about experimenting on him.
“Eli-” Luca started, but the prophet was already striding away. The prisoner let out a sigh, following behind to back Eli up however he could.
The seer slowed his stride as his heartbeat intensified, peeking around against the brick wall opposing the queen and catching Emily’s fearful gaze. A look of hope flashed across her eyes, and with a deep breath, Eli sprinted across the grass fast enough to catch the Blood Queen off guard. He hurried to dismantle the hold on the Doctor, watching her make a run for it the second she slipped out of the chair. The tears in her eyes threatened to spill as she ran by, softly thanking her savior as she passed him and ran straight for the gate. For a moment, Eli thought he had evaded the queen. But a sharp pain had him dropping to his knees and his head hit the ground roughly. He saw stars immediately, barely having time to catch his breath before being slammed into the same chair he had just previously seen the doctor tied to. The throbbing in his head hummed roughly, and he felt the familiar trickle of blood down his face. To his left he could vaguely hear Luca kiting desperately, calling after the doctor to save the prophet while he distracted Mary. Pulsing blue lights blurred off to his left, as he vaguely caught the silhouettes of the two remaining survivors fighting at the gate. He could hear Luca laying in on Emily, calling her a coward as she dashed through the gate, her silhouette disappearing the further she went in. Luca stammered and paced for a moment before walking off as well, hands fisted and shaking by his side. The prophet swallowed thickly as his timer finished and he flew off, it didn’t matter if he didn’t win. He wasn’t at risk, he was alright. He’d managed to save them this time. Emily had tried to apologize to him when he returned to the manor, but he’d only waved her off. ‘You would’ve done the same for me.’ he’d lied to comfort her. He knew what the stakes were that round, he can’t say he’d have done the same as her, but he didn’t regret saving her.
“Eli,” he’d heard Luca say off to his side quietly, “Your clothes..”
He’d honestly forgotten, looking down at his white robes, now dyed a deep crimson red color along his collar and veil. He let the side of the veil slip through his fingers, leaving a light residue of his blood behind on the pads of his fingers. He touched his head, and when he brought his hand back his fingers were stained a deeper red black color. When he’d looked back up at the worried looks of his friends, he caught a familiar set of eyes pass by the door to arrivals. The man looked like he’d seen a ghost, having gone a shade lighter himself. The familiar man paused his stride to watch the prophet carefully, worry plaguing his expression. The man took a step towards the door, never losing sight of the Seer before-
“Campbell!” The familiar voice of Forward called ahead of him, snapping his attention to him, “C'mon! We don’t have all day, the faster we get to lobby the faster we can get this match done.”
Norton paused, looking back over to Eli before turning to follow the man out to the lobby. The prophet took a deep breath, “I should go change,” he began, then turned and took Emily’s hands in his own, “Really, don’t fret. I’m alright.” He left the duo with a light smile as he headed to his room.
The warmth of his room calmed any anxiety he had instantly. He passed the mirror, looking himself over with a grimace. These clothes were definitely not wearable any time soon. With a sigh, he disrobed his Lunar Phase garments and slipped back into his common wear. The dark blue-black fabric suited him nicely and did wonders at hiding the blood his white silken robes couldn’t. He relaxed a bit against his bed, after taking a wet cloth to his head to dab away the long dried blood now. At some point the prophet assumed he’d fallen asleep, as he awoke later, wrapped up under the covers to a call to match. He didn’t remember tucking himself in, nor did he remember placing the bloodied towel back in the bathroom attached to his room. NOR did he remember placing his sullied robes in a small soapy bath. Emily must have felt bad, and attempting to make it up to him. Eli would’ve believed that theory himself if he hadn’t looked off to the side to see a familiar candled hat astray from its wearer. He held it carefully in his hands, mesmerized by thoughts of Norton caring enough to visit him post-match and care for him like this. It was a bit intimate to an extent.
The seer shook his head, attempting to shove off any romantic attachment. He was biased, of course, he’d want to think Norton would have other motives with a generous action like this. He sighed, his long-time attraction to the Prospector hadn’t bothered him too much the last few weeks, what with the constant matches he’d had to participate in. Covering for those who were incapacitated briefly, Norton had been one of them. He’d been hurt in a match not too long ago, the hunter had grabbed a bit too tightly onto his leg when attacking him, leaving long, deep scratches along the side. Making it nearly impossible to participate, Eli had stepped in for him.
Once again saying, as he’d done with Emily, that Norton would do the same for him had Eli been in his place. Though scarcely believing himself worthy enough to be rescued.
The lobby room was stuffy as always. The Prospector readjusted his handkerchief for what felt like the thousandth time, he knows he'd heard Eli's name called for this match, but the man was still nowhere to be found. Galatea, being one of the more patient hunters, had told the runners to hold off until the Seer arrived. Feigning that his absence didn't bother her too much. Had it been Joseph, Luchino, or God forbid Gamekeeper, Eli would have been chased down and thrown into the room no matter the state he was in. Despite the Miners worrying, Eli did in fact show himself after another five minutes. He showed up in the chair beside Norton abruptly, apologizing to his fellow survivors, as well as the hunter, for the long wait. The other two survivors waved him off and went back to their engaging conversation of the best ciphering techniques. The mechanic shining brightly as she gave tips to the Mercenary, who listened attentively.
Norton watched Eli smooth his robes down and sit up a bit straighter, "You changed," he began, "Are your other robes very damaged?"
"No,' the Seer said lightly, "Thanks to the generosity of a stranger." He watched the man as a small smile crept up, "Or at least he would have been a stranger had he been a bit more careful." The sentence confused him, but any confusion was cleared as Eli brought up the Prospectors hat from beside him. Norton stammered, reaching up only to realize he has in fact been without his iconic accessory this entire time. Had he really been so overcome with worry he didn't even realize he'd been missing such an item? He took the hat from him, thanking him quietly.
"Your head-" he started, only to be cut off by his comrade.
"No permanent damage that a good rest and a bit of medicine couldn't fix." He stated, "That's actually why I was late, Emily insisted on treating me before this match."
Norton nodded firmly, keeping his calm, aloof expression on the outside. But allowing himself the light relief and joy that he got now knowing Eli had nothing to worry about from his previous match.
The match started off well enough. They'd made it two ciphers without anyone needing to be rescued. Merc kiting with his whole life while the Mechanic ciphered away around the corner. She popped the third cipher with a silent cheer before Galatea round the corner and chased her along towards where Eli and Norton were ciphering together quietly.
Eli had sent his owl to protect her, and get a gauge for where Galatea had run her out of. The sight that Brooke Rose showed him jumped him off the cipher with a loud bang as he missed his queue. The hunter round the corner alongside their cipher, having followed the mechanic unknowingly to the two, and immediately changed her target. sending her chess pieces to throw the two around, leaving both of them hurt. Norton watched in slow motion as the Sculptor pulled back her file for and aimed at the prophet, defenseless on the ground. He didn't think twice. He could have used his magnet and propelled the hunter far enough away so the two could escape. He could have pulled Eli over to him and held on tight as he ran. He did neither, instead opting for the instinct to throw himself in front of the man. The Prospector was downed on impact, crouching over the frozen Seer, making eye contact before being lifted away and out of his sight. Galatea threw him into a chair roughly, caring not for his injuries. Thanks to Eli, Norton could watch the silhouettes of his teammates. Merc, running as fast as he can from the opposite side of the map. Mechanic, stiffly ciphering away with her doll beside her, most likely trying to see if it had the charge to save him. He couldn't see Eli behind him, backed up against the wall on the other side of his chair. Calming himself as he worked through what had happened.
Norton had sacrificed himself without a second thought. Eli hadn't expected anyone to take cover for him. He'd come into the match completely prepared to be downed in place of someone else, not the other way around. He tightened his fists against the grass.
'Just like with Emily.' he reminded himself, as he heard the last cipher pop. He knew Galatea would have detention, there was no doubt. 'In and out. Save Norton, that's all that matters.' Brooke rose wouldn't be able to help him, he knew that. But it was worth it for the man he'd adored for so long.
He waited until he saw the hunter a good distance away. With a deep breath, Eli stood and dashed around the corner. It felt like he was moving through molasses, fumbling to pull the bar up over Norton's head and untie him from the chair. He looked up as he thought he'd got him, only to see the Prospector shoutout a warning. He turned only to be downed by The Sculptor. Eli sat crouched over at Norton's feet, head in his hand, eyes dangerously close to spilling tears he'd never want the chaired man to see. He took deep breaths as Galatea fought away the two survivors, having finally made it over to them with the exit gate comfortably open on both sides. Eli's thoughts raced;
'Did you really think you'd be enough to save him?' one thought bit at him.
'You useless, poor thing, you'd never enough for him in any case,' another one stung.
'How bold... and for what?' a smaller voice cooed, 'You Godless prophet.. no wonder those deities you held so dear abandoned you.'
'It was only a matter of time,' the voices spiraled and enhanced, drowning out his senses. His skin felt clammy, his breathing labored, finger clenched tightly on his hood.
"Eli!" he heard Norton's voice loud enough to cut through his plaguing thoughts, tentatively he looked up, senses honed onto him as he sat back on his heels and letting his hands drop lightly to his lap, "Eli, it's alright. There will be other matches."
Norton was nervous of course. He wiggled his fingers lightly, and Eli met one of the Prospector's hands with his own. Tears still prickling dangerously at his eyes, he tightened his grip.
"I-" he started, "You shouldn't have done that. I'm not worth that sacrifice.." The smaller man spoke softly, timidly. HIs eye betraying him as tears slid down, pooling at the edge of his mask before continuing down his cheeks.
"You're worth everything," Norton spoke so confidently, it caught the man off guard. Still shivering from being downed, his voice near failing him as he countered.
"Why?" he shivered. This wasn't the first time Norton had been this kind to him. Tucking him in, cleaning his robes. He'd left him meals outside his door when sick, gave him words of encouragement when in a particularly bad losing streak. Constant, yet subtle enough for Eli to write off as small acts of kindness towards a friend and nothing more. Playing towards his heart, towards his hopes. Norton squeezed back his hand lightly at the question, heart pounding in his ears from the proximity of the hunter and his nerves.
"Because I love you." He somehow spoke clearly and calmly. Eli froze at the confession, he couldn't have heard him correctly. He opened his mouth to respond, only to have his hand ripped away by the sudden flight of Norton's chair, catching the two of them by surprise. 'How long had they been holding off Galatea?' Clark thought absent-mindedly, surprised once again as Naib flew towards him, sweeping him up in one swift motion. He'd been so distracted by the launch, he hadn't noticed the mechanic's doll healing him as he watched the sky wide-eyed. He let himself be carried away and through the gate with the Mechanic alongside them.
Naib set Eli gently against the wooden hall of the manor, slumped once again against the heels of his feet.
"Eli?" Naib started, "Are you hurt at all?" but the Seer only shook his head, regaining his presence. He stood up after a moment, thanking his friends for the swift rescue. Though they were reluctant, they let him leave with light smiles. He followed along the halls, gaining confidence as he remembered his love's confession. Absent-mindedly following the familiar path to the Rocket returns room he'd been in so often that week. He pushed past the door, scanning the room to meet the familiar faces of his fellow survivors look up at him. Fiona gives him a nod from along the side of the room, speaking kindly beside Emma and Demi, most likely about new kiting tactics or better ways to avoid certain hunters. Wilding and the Thief wave him hello, engaged in an intense conversation of rescue and daring exploits from their match together. And toward the back, his beloved sat beside Emily. She had her hand on his shoulder, listening attentively to him speak about whatever, keeping his voice low but animated in his expression and movements. He looked happy, a bit nervous but happy none the less. When Emily looked up, he followed her gaze to the Seer and stood awkwardly as Eli began his stride towards him.
"Eli, I-" He started, cheeks flushed, but the prophet cut him off instantly. Reaching his hands up to hold the man's jaw lovingly in his hands, swiftly arching up and tilting his head to kiss him passionately. They stood there for a moment before Norton deepened the kiss. Eli let his hands drag down his neck and over his shoulders, hooking his arms around the taller man's neck. Norton took the opportunity to hook his own around the Seers waist, hugging him closely, lifting him slightly off the ground. The kiss slowed and Norton let Eli slide back down to stand on his own. They separated but still stayed close.
"I love you too, Norton," Eli spoke softly with a smile, watching the man lovingly. The Prospector was adorable, the blush on his cheeks growing deeper as his smile widened. He picked Eli up again spinning him around, placing smaller, quicker kisses on his lips and along his cheeks. He pecked the corners of his mask as he set him down again, this time backing up a bit and clearing his throat sheepishly. Suddenly Eli was very aware of the eyes watching the pair brightly. Norton grabbed Eli's hand quickly, before saying goodbye to the group and fleeing away toward the dormitories. He pushed past the door to his own room, pulling Eli along up the stairs and to the side of his bed. He didn't even have to say a word before the Seer was on him again. Arms wrapped around his neck once more, with the Prospectors at his waist again. Their lips moved naturally against one another as if they'd never been without each other. Norton sat back against the bed and Eli followed suit, straddling him. He sat up, moving his hands to cradle his lover's jaw, stroking along his cheeks with his thumbs. The taller man let his hands travel up, pulling down the prophet's hood but hovering over the knot that held his blindfold on.
"Eli, can I-" he separated for a moment to ask. The man in question only nodded as an answer, feeling his blindfold loosen against him before slipping off entirely. Norton took a moment to take in the sight. Bright blue eyes met his own hazel ones. "Gorgeous..." he'd spoke softly, and watched a blush creep along Eli's face.
"It's nothing you haven't seen before." He spoke shyly.
"Seen? Yes. But really admired? I'm afraid I hadn't had the chance until now." He spoke, letting his hands drift back down to Eli's waist.
They sat like that for a few moments, simply admiring each other's company. Kissing lazily against each other. Eventually shifting to cuddle against the mattress. Eli tucked into Norton's chest, playing absent-mindedly with the tie around his neck. Norton ran his hand lightly through Eli's hair, combing his fingers through it gently.
"How long?" Eli asked softly.
"Longer than I'd like to admit." Norton chuckled, "I'd worked up the nerve a handful of times to tell you, but chickened out each time."
"So then before the match, when you took care of me.." Eli started, looking up to him, "Was that one of the times?"
"Mhmm." he affirmed, "but you were asleep, and you looked so tired. I hope it wasn't strange of me to do that." Eli only shook his head lightly in response.
"Not at all." he spoke, then chewed at his lip a moment, "You got chaired for me, why?"
"I told you-"
"Yes, you love me, and I'm ecstatic." the man smiled up at the confused Prospector, "but-" his smile lowered a bit, "why?"
Norton thought for a moment. He'd never questioned himself once when he realized he'd liked Eli. He didn't even think twice about it, he just knew he wanted him. He placed a light kiss against his love, "Why not? I adore everything about you." He settled for that answer. It was honest, he absolutely adored the man in his arms. He never really thought he would get this far, so to have this now? He wouldn't trade anything.
Eli watched him carefully, unsure of how to respond. He adored him, despite his hesitations. The prophet smiled lightly and placed another kiss on his lover's lips, leaving them with a light smile. Circling his thumbs along Norton's cheekbone, feeling his cheek with his palm, textured by the light stubble along his jaw.
He supposed he could take that at face value.