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“‘Manors kinda cold today, dontcha think?” Luca clambered over his absolute mess of metal contraptions, knocking some scraps onto the floor. The inventor stared intently down at his notes before grabbing a pair of pliers and fixating them on the end of a bolt. Bits and pieces of what looked like trash to Norton began to glow a faint blue and simmer with electricity. He raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
“Yeah,” He rubbed his nose, “Guess that means you better hope it’s not Leo’s Memory. We’ll freeze our asses off.”
Norton stood up from the chair he’d been sat upon and stretched his legs with a soft groan. He shivered a bit, rolling his shoulders and shaking his head. The manor really was colder than usual. Maybe the AC had gone out, even though he didn’t think this place even needed an AC, what with all its weird magickal properties. The sudden movement caught the resting gravekeeper’s gaze. Andrew blinked up at him from beside Luca. His voice was almost too timid when he spoke.
“Is it time already?”
Norton sighed, “Yeah.”
Luca grinned and hurriedly wiped his dirty gloves on his pants. Norton resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the fruitless endeavor. Luca always had dirt smudged somewhere on his form. Luca shot an apologetic glance towards Andrew.
“I’ll be back Andy, maybe you can help me find that screw I lost earlier-” Luca picked through the mess for a second.
Norton whistled, “Hey, we gotta go or you’ll have a bigger problem than a missing screw.”
He fit his hat over his head, adjusting his suspenders. Holding open the door to the hall, he waited.
“Right!” Luca startled, quickly grabbing his tool belt and following Norton out of the door. He fell into step beside the taller man. Once the door shut the rattling of the inventor’s belt and the clunk of Norton’s boots filled the hall comfortably. It was interesting being so close to Norton. It was as if the air felt tighter. Not in a cramped way, it was more like a giant hug drawing anyone near him closer. It probably had something to do with his magnetism. He knocked against Norton’s arm with his own.
Norton could feel Luca staring at him.
“What?” He eyed the brunette.
“Sorry,” He grinned, a glint in his eyes all too familiar.
Norton sighed. ‘Here it comes,’ He thought.
“Ya aren’t usually this worked up about gettin to matches on time.”
Norton glared at his friend, “I just want to get the damn match over with.”
“Uh huh…” The brunette had such a shit eating grin on his face that Norton was almost taken aback.
The grimace Norton made at his response sent Luca into a fit of laughter. The prospector rolled his eyes. He shrugged off Luca’s hand in annoyance. Luca nodded up at him, snickering and making a zipping motion across his lips with his fingertips.
“The Hell is that ‘spose to mean, Balsa?”
“I wonder who is in tonight’s match that’s got ya all excited,” Luca hummed, feigning ignorance. Norton flushed, looking ahead and shoving his hands in his pockets to fiddle with his magnets.
“Shut it, you know who.”
Norton promptly ran into the side of the door frame, having been too focused on his own thoughts in the moment to see it coming.
You had only just sat down in the matching room when the doors opened again behind you. You strained your neck to see who it was, heart jumping in your throat. You know Norton is scheduled for the same team as you. He’d gone to hang out with his friends before the match started. It wasn’t like you were clingy or anything, but you did miss him a bit. The thought of him alone makes you all giddy. No matter how much time you spend with him, he can still give you butterflies. You feel your nerves instantly settle, albeit you can’t help the disappointment you feel, when you hear the tap of a cane.
“Helena!” You call out, turning around. She smiles in your direction and draws the chair up beside you.
“Hello! I didn’t know you were scheduled for tonight!” She said.
“Mhm, yeah I didn’t realize it until around noon. I’m just glad it isn’t a super late match.”
Helena nodded, “I don’t know how Mike and the others do it- staying out so late- I’d fall asleep mid-kite!” She shook her head, pulling out a handkerchief and blowing her nose.
You laugh softly, “I know, ugh. I’m already tired enough as it is.”
She giggled a bit, “Sorry, I think I’ve got a bit of a cold, my nose just won’t stop running.”
“Oh no…” You frowned, “Is there anything I can do?”
Helena waved her hand about in a frantic dismissal, “Nono, I’m alright! How are things with Norton?”
You can’t help the smile that makes its way across your face, “Things are really good.”
Helena nods happily, “That is so lovely-”
As if on queue the matching room doors groaned open once more. You and Helena turn to see Luca and Norton stride in, though Luca looked about ready to crumple to the floor. He heaved in a fit of laughter that had Helena all worried. But your attention was focused on Norton. His chocolate eyes met yours with a sheepish smile. He pulled up the chair opposite to Helena on the other side of you.
“Hey, mi amor,” His voice sent a torrent of butterflies through your stomach.
You can’t help the blush that follows your smile, “Hey.”
He ducks to kiss you on the cheek and his hard hat bonks against your forehead. You both laugh as he readjusts it and gives you a soft peck. His chair is turned towards you and his hands find yours. He gently squeezes your fingers. You squeeze back in his gloved grip.
He clears his throat, “You look really handsome…”
“Thank you,” You laugh, feeling your face heat up, “Are you flirting with me, Campbell?”
“Tal vez,” He glances at you from behind his dark lashes, “And what if I was?” The blush on his face is soft. You want to hug him and never let go but you know that Luca and Helena are right there and the match is about to begin. Instead you squeeze his hand again.
“You’re more handsome,” You mumble.
“Nope,” He grins, “You are the most beau-”
Luca clears his throat, though his attention is stuck on the device in front of him as he fiddles. “Uh, Hey, does anyone know who the hunter is?”
Helena shakes her head, “No, I hadn’t thought to ask around, I’m sorry Luca.”
“I bet no matter what we’ll be fine. It’s a late Friday night,” Norton offered.
You nod in agreement, “Yeah, I’m sure the hunter just wants to get some rest and get it over with since it’s the weekend.”
The room darkened and you felt Norton grip your hand tighter. He didn’t want to let go. You knew he wasn’t scared. But the way this morbid game works, he hates it. He’s told you before. No matter how many times we all come back unharmed from the game, there’s still that chilling terror of ‘what if I actually die this time.’ He wishes he could protect you. You squeeze his hand one final time before you completely black out and feel him slip away.
There were only 2 more ciphers left to decode when the Hunter found you in the cemetery on Eversleeping. Your legs ached from all the running but you knew it would be over soon. You really thought you had more room to vault but it was no good. The next thing you knew, a sharp pain went up your arm. You tried to get up but you just couldn’t. Your vision darkened and your heart pounded in your ears.
Thump Thump THuMP THUMP THUMP-
Norton burst between you and the Hunter, throwing his magnets desperately. You hadn’t noticed him nearby, but he was giving you just enough time to crawl away and try to heal. Your mind was fuzzy from the pain. Grabbing onto the wall you hoisted yourself up. Dizzily you glanced at the monitor. Helena had the last cipher primed. Your heart beat crazily in your chest like a rampant drum. You looked around. The Ripper must have come back. You round the corner just in time to see Norton downed. The way he hits the ground with such a sickening thud has your breath caught in your throat.
‘Get out of here!’ Your monitor shouts.
The cipher pops and the warning bell sounds loud in your ears but before you have a chance to think, Jack lunges.
“Hijo de puta”, Norton curses loudly behind you, pulling himself up, “Cabron- Let them go, Jack.”
For a moment it seems as if you are weightless as Jack ponders the option. He must not have liked the idea, though. The chair’s aren’t so bad. A little tight on the wrists, but if you close your eyes it’s like a ride at the fair. A really fast, loud one that sends your heart into your stomach and under any other circumstances would kill you.
Norton’s blurred figure is still nearby. He wastes one last magnet to try to get close enough to save you but Jack has detention and you know he is out of magnets by now. The Ripper turns his attention to Norton, considering a win over a tie.
‘Leave me!’
You meet his gaze for a fleeting second.
‘Leave me!’ More urgent, this time.
The last thing you hear is the loud, ‘Sorry…’ of the monitor in your ears and the fleeing footsteps of your partner.
Norton fiddles with his magnets, waiting silently in the lobby. A tie is better than a loss, that’s for sure. But that’s not what he was worried about. He scowls at the floor.
“Hey, he’s okay ya know. They’ll be back in no time,” Luca offers a soft smile before heading out. Norton ignores him in silence until the door clicks shut.
“I know,” Norton sighs to himself.
The prospector didn’t have to wait long before you found yourself back on solid ground, standing a bit shaken before him.
“Lo siento, amor, I didn’t want to leave you-”
Those dark eyes bore into yours solemnly. He tucks a strand of hair behind your ear as you look up at him.
“It’s okay, Norton. I promise,” You reach and take his hand. Slowly the two of you manage to make it out of the lobby and down the hall. You lean against his arm, only now noticing his faint scent of coal, pine and something earthy and musty. You could never really place your finger on it, all you knew is that it was what Norton smelled of and you liked it. Norton yawned and rubbed your arm.
A thought sprouted in your mind. You pouted and frowned up at him, “You know, since you did leave me dead on chair…”
Norton caught your gaze, seeming surprised. He winced, “I’m sorry babe-”
“-You can make it up to me with cuddles?”
His gloomy features lightened up almost instantly. The former miner chucked lowly, “You’re lucky you’re so cute.”
Norton tips his hat off and holds it in his other arm, stopping your walk and swooping down for a kiss. His breath is hot on your cheek and his lips melt against yours. His hand caresses the back of your neck gently. It sends a pleasant warmth down your spine. You reach up and hold his face in your hands.
“Cuddles sound good,” He smiles against your cheek, placing another kiss there, “Yours or mine?”
“Either one!” You grin. He seems to walk faster now, pulling you with him.
The inside of his room is relatively neat. He must have cleaned it since the last time you were here. There weren’t 10 different water bottles on his bedside table, you notice, and his spare magnetics aren’t lying around where you can trip over them.
He lifts you up, catching you off guard, “Norton!-” You laugh.
He plops you down on his bed and kisses your nose, “Hm?”
“I’m going to take a shower cuz I’m kinda sweaty. You should take one when I’m done,” He leans over you and whispers a soft, “Don’t go anywhere.”
With that he hangs his hard hat on a hook by the door and disappears into the adjacent room, leaving you breathless with a stupidly large smile across your lips.
It’s warmer in Norton’s room than in the hallway and after a long match you feel yourself sinking into his mattress, melting into his pillows. Everything smells of him and it soothes your tired mind. Burying your face in his pillows, you slip into an easy slumber. It’s not long before something is rocking you, gently. You rise to Norton rubbing your back.
“Shower?” You rub your eyes, mind hazy with sleep.
“You can take one tomorrow, mi amor. You’re exhausted.”
Norton wore a grey shirt and shorts. In the darkness his scars seemed to fade into a soft shadow. Your gaze lazily flicks to something in his hand. A shirt. You look up at him nervously.
“You’re not gonna sleep in those. S’ gotta be uncomfortable. Here,” Norton reaches for your shirt, watching your face carefully for any complaint before he mutters a, “Arms up.”
You do as you’re told with a slight giggle bursting from your chest. It just feels silly.Or maybe it’s the nerves. Norton catches your gaze again, helping you get your clothing off with a silent promise not to worry. He at first drops the large shirt on your head before tugging it over your arms. You manage to get your pants off by yourself, awkwardly holding them up before Norton throws em to the side next to his. There’s a moment of rustling where Norton throws his comforter aside and pats the bed next to him. The lamp on the table flickered gently as you crawl into the bed next to him. His heartbeat is calm in your ears and his arms wrap around you, pulling you closer. You bury your face in his chest.
His voice is muffled and low when he speaks, “I didn’t want to leave you today.”
“It’s okay,” You place a soft kiss on his jaw, “I’m right here, aren’t I?”
“Yeah,” He takes a deep breath, his damp hair brushing your cheek, “You better not be goin anywhere anytime soon.”
“Mm mm.” You murmur, eyelids heavy, “I’ll stay here with you.”
You stifle a yawn and he pulls you closer.
“Goodnight, love.” A gentle kiss on the forehead.
You utter a soft, “I love you, Norton.”
There is a moment of silence and slow breathing before a sleepy Norton replies.
“Te quiero mas, mi amor.”