Chapter Text
Norton and Naib were ready to perform as usual for their daily match, sitting side by side bickering when their consciousness faded and returned inside an entirely new arena. Naib is curiously checking out what seems to be a hotel, nudging one of the stone barriers and grimacing when it starts shifting, pebbles falling out of place. Yeah, definitely not going to last long. He's about to make his way to the second floor when Norton peeks his head out from one of the entrances.
"Campbell. Why aren't you decoding?" He hisses, moving over to Norton to grab onto his shoulders, "You're the best decoder we have after Kurt here."
"Robbie hasn't been here before, so Dyer's taking him for a tour, though I don't think she's seen it either." Norton shrugs. "But, c'mon, I wanna go take a look for myself." He grins as he presses hands into Naib's waist, picking him up like the mercenary is no weight at all. Naib tenses up, wrapping his arms and legs around Norton out of instinct and fear of falling. He can feel Norton's laugh, like a rumble deep in his chest, as he moves to settle his hands on the undersides of Naib's thighs for better support.
It's a little embarrassing, but the way he's pressed against Norton is nicer than he'd like to admit. Unfortunately, the sense of panic he feels from not having control over his body is far greater.
"P-Put me down, asshole!" Naib snaps, struggling in Norton's hold. He even tries going limp, which surprisingly works. Norton loosens his grip and Naib slides down, feet touching the floor again and glaring at Norton.
"Sorry, Subedar. Was too good to resist." Norton gives him the most assholeish grin Naib has ever seen and he scowls, walking out the building. Norton looks on at him, stunned, before scrambling to catch up. "Hey, wait! Where are you going?"
Naib rolls his eyes. "You said it yourself, Campbell. Aren't we going to check out the area?" Naib looks up, unfamiliar scenery all around them. "Wonder how we'll find our way to the others though."
Norton saunters over to Naib confidently, slinging an arm over the mercenary's shoulder.
"Don't worry. I used to work in the mines, my sense of direction is impeccable."
…
"So, good with directions, huh, Campbell?" Naib sneers. "We've been around this bend already."
Norton stares at the corner, pallets and all, like his eyes are glazed over, and blinks. "I probably just got rusty. Let's try going this way–"
"We've been that way." Naib answers easily, crossing his arms.
Eyes narrowed, they study each other. Naib's stance is confident and assured, but Norton has started drawing in on himself.
"What way haven't we been then if you're such a genius, Subedar?"
Naib smirks, leaning up on the tips of his toes. He puts arms over Norton's shoulders, one clinging to his back and the other pointing to a street that's vaguely behind Norton. Norton's Adam's apple bobs in his throat nervously, his heart beating out of his chest. Has Naib always been able to affect him like this?
"Oh. Great." Norton whispers, unable to think of any witty comeback. The way Naib is holding him, clutching into the back of his shirt with one hand, makes his brain feel funny. "Let's… Let's go that way then."
Wow. Embarrassing Norton really was worth letting him get them lost.