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For once, the Paradise Lounge was calm and quiet. Sunday’s were for Legends only, a time where they could relax and have a drink without the presence of fans or possible paparazzi.
The night had been going well enough until Bloodhound and Fuse had entered about an hour before close. Elliot couldn't help but watch from the bar, mindlessly cleaning glasses and giving the occasional refill.
"You're staring."
Elliott jumped, fumbling as he made a desperate attempt to catch the glass before it fell and shattered.
"W-what? Me? Staring?"
He turned towards Renee, resting his head in his hand while the other drummed on the counter nervously,
"Who could I possibly be staring at?"
Renee rolled her smoky eyes, side eyeing Natalie as she sipped of her drink.
"You've been staring at Bloodhound since they got here. I’d be surprised if they hadn't notice."
Elliott scoffed, “I was not staring at Bloodhound.”
He paused for a moment before shooting up in a panic,
Wait, you think they noticed!?"
"Only an idiot like you wouldn't notice."
"Ah!"
Elliott jumped back, surprised, "What the hell, Crypto how long have you been here?!"
The hacker looked up from his device, the dim light of his game casting a shadow on his annoyed face.
"He's been here the whole time. Renee was right, you have been bitten by the love bug."
Natalie giggled between her two friends, Renee and Crypto nodding in confirmation.
"okay. First of all, I have not been bitten by the 'love bug.’”
He made exaggerated air quote while rolling his eyes.
“Second, I just think Bloodhound cool, definitely scary and just a tad bit sexy when they go all feral in the ring. But that doesn't mean I have a crush or anything! Besides they're totally dating and in love with Fuse, just look at them!"
Elliott gestured wildly in their direction, where Fuse was laughing while Bloodhound shook their head in their hands. All three legends looked at him with different levels of concern.
"Right...while there's a lot that needs to be unpacked there, have you ever considered that they could just be really good friends?”
Elliott sighed dramatically, "yeah right, I overheard them last match. Bloodhound called Fuse their ‘mate’! It doesn't get any clearer then that!"
He crossed his arms, leaning back against the large wall of alchohol behind him, pouting. His eyes drifted towards the two again, trying to ignored the fluttering in his stomach. Bloodhound seemed so happy around Fuse, talking and laughing. He'd never seen them so carefree with anyone else. He wished he be that person.
"’Mate’ is pretty common in Fuse's vocabulary, is it not possible you misunderstood Bloodhound's meaning?"
Natalie spoke up, ever the optimist. Elliott flashed her one of his signature smiles, forcing down the sadness that was eating away at him. "Maybe."
Elliott stood up straight after a moment, tossing a rag over his shoulder, "alright, last call for Alcohol every body!" Natalie politley declined while Crypto didn't bother responding. Renee downed the last of her drink, sliding the glass over to her best friend,
"I’m good. Probably should head to bed, get some sleep before tomorrow’s game."
"Oui, I agree."
Natalie tapped Crypto's shoulder, the hacker stowing his device and standing with his hands deep in his pockets. The two left, waving goodbye to Fuse and Bloodhound on their way out. Renee stood for a moment, piercing blue eyes softening for the first time that night,
"You should talk to them. I know how crazy it gets inside that head of yours. "
Elliott shrugged. Trying his best to seem nonchalant,
"Its no biggie, nothing good ‘ol Mirage can't handle."
She gave him a knowing look, "its not Mirage I’m worried about. I know how hung up you can get on things, Elliot."
He let a real smile slip through, it was nice having someone who understood the jumbled mess of his mind.
"No need to worry about me. I promise I'll be fine."
After a moment she nodded, giving his hand a reassuring touch before heading out.
Elliott got busy closing up for the night. Head down, lost in thought, wondering if he should take Renee's advice and talk to them. He didn't notice the presence in front of him until they cleared their throat,
"Ahem."
Elliott looked up confused, shocked then embarrassed as the subjects of his thoughts stood before him,
"Bloodhound! W-what uhh...what’s up?"
Elliott scanned the bar, Fuse no where in sight. The tracker stood their for a long moment, goggles sparkling in the dim blue lights. The silence between them grew and Elliott found himself growing more anxious the longer the hunter stood silent. Finally, Bloodhound spoke up,
"Have I done something to upset you?"
Elliott blinked, mind racing,
"Uh. What makes you think that?"
"You were staring at Walter and I all night. And I have felt your gaze many times in the area."
Shit they actually noticed!
Elliott let out a nervous laugh, leaning on the counter. Trying to seem as casual as possible,
"Oh, that’s not....its not what it looks like, I swear."
Bloodhound tilted their head, not quit understanding. The charms on their head piece jingled softly. They looked so cute, standing in their hunting gear. Always ready for the next hunt.
"Then what is it?"
He shrugged, heart pounding. He wasn't really ready for this conversation,
"Nothing really it's just...are you and Fuse dating?"
Bloodhound immediately stiffened. Both legends stood frozen in place. Nothing but the low music and high tension filling the room. Elliott was sweating bullets at this point, eyes darting in every direction trying desperately to focus on anything but their mask. He hadn't meant to be so blunt!
"You believe Walter and I to be romantically involved?"
Elliott shrugged, face hot. He felt foolish, poking into their personal life, something he knew the hunter liked to keep private.
"Well yeah. You guys have been spending a lot of time together, everyone's noticed." While people have noticed, its not like they cared. Not the way Elliott did.
Bloodhound nodded in understanding, taking a moment to find the right words,
"Walter has helped me over come many moments in my past that I could not do alone. He is a companion I cherish dearly and I have been blessed with our friendship."
Elliott hung on to every word, thinking back to how upset they had been the past couple season. With their home, their people. How sad Elliott had been seeing them so upset and not being able to do anything about it. He felt a tinge of jealousy towards Fuse, how easy it had been for him to get close to them.
"But, no. Walter and I are not 'dating' as you said."
Elliott didn't know if he should laugh or cry. Relief flowed through him, but only for a moment as Bloodhound still looked tense, it seemed they had more to say.
They fiddled with their gloves, a nervous tick he's never seen before. The greatest hunter in the outlands couldn't actually be nervous around him, right?
"Hey, you can tell me anything you know. My ears are always open.”
Bloodhound nodded, taking a seat at the counter, “I thank you for your kindness.”
He let them take a moment to collect their thoughts, still nervous but glad they had a change to be alone together,
“While Walter is not my partner there is someone I wish to be at my side. He suggested I speak with them on the matter.”
"Did he?”
He couldn't help but tap his fingers on the counter, mind racing as to who Bloodhound could actually be into. His jealousy spiking all over again.
"Is it someone I know?"
Bloodhound gave a slight nod, still seeming tense.
"It is someone who's beauty and charm is unmatched. With beautiful hair I wish to run my fingers through.”
Elliott hummed in thought, absent-mindedly running his own hand through his own hair.
"Loba? Wait, I thought you guys were just friends? Plus she’s got that whole mess going on with Valk and Anita...doesn’t seem like something you really wanna get into."
Bloodhound shook their head,
"It is not Andrade. She and I are close and I have much respect for her but no. It is someone who loves to jest and joke. A true trickster, if you will."
Elliott rubbed his chin trying to think,
"Octavio? No wait...."
He snapped his fingers, face lighting up,
"Caustic! Wait...you like Caustic?!"
Bloodhound let out an exasperated sigh, “It is not Caustic.”
They let their head fall into their hands
“It would seem Walter was right to find amusement in my attraction towards you."
Elliott froze, not quit sure if he heard that right,
"Wait, I'm the one you have a crush on?!”
Bloodhound looked up, even with their expressionless mask it was easy to see just how tired they were with his cluelessness.
Elliott was at a loss for words. His whole body vibrating in excitement and disbelief.
"Oh my God, you have a crush on me."
Bloodhound simply stared, their glare fully visible through the mask.
"Oh my God, Bloodhound has a crush on me!"
He screamed out to the empty bar, overcome with happibess.
Bloodhound reached over the counter. Grabbing his wrist, "if you do not keep quit all of Valhalla will hear!"
They both looked down to Bloodhound's tight grip, Elliott smiling like an idiot. Bloodhound let go of his wrist before he could say anything.
"Also I do not have a 'crush', I simply enjoy your company and wish to spend more time among it."
"You said I have beautiful hair."
"Everyone thinks you have beautiful hair."
"Because its true, duh!"
He ran his hand through his hair for emphasis, giving them a wink.
"No but seriously, "
He leaned across the counter, having one of his rare somber moments, eyes cast down as his thumb rubbed circle over his knuckles,
"I know I’m joking right now but its a huge relief to hear that. I've liked you for so long its kinda crazy you hadn't noticed."
Bloodhound hummed in agreement,
“it seems we both feared the other's reaction.”
"So what now? Am I allowed to invite the Outland's Mightiest Hunter out on a date?"
Elliott gave them his most swoon worthy Mirage Smile, watching as they stood up. Bloodhound crossed their arms and Elliott swore he could hear the smile in their voice,
"If one was to best me in tomorrow's game then perhaps I will except an invitation."
Elliott couldn't help but laugh,
"Oh challenge accepted."
Bloodhound shook their head, rolling their eyes,
“Goodnight Mirage, may the gods bless you in tomorrow's victory."
"You can call me Elliott you know. All my favorite people do."
Bloodhound tilted their head slightl, considering,
"Goodnight, Elliott. "
He couldn't help the soft smile that spread across his face, loving how his name sounded on their tongue.
"Night, Hound."