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Scott cannot not imagine a worse situation than the one he’s actively in in.
Genuinely! He is wracking his brain for a worse position to he could be in, in the hopes it’ll somehow distract him from where he is now.
All he wanted was to get more iron and escape the chaos for one day, but that was clearly too big of a request! And yes, he’s being dramatic, he knows, but can you really blame him?
In less than an hour, Scott had broken his pickaxe and been found by a yellow—and not just any yellow. No, that would be too easy. Of course, the yellow that found him had to be his ex-husband, Jimmy .
He says ex-husband, but they’re technically still married since Jimmy just stopped talking to him after Third Life. Since Scott isn’t the type to let himself seem desperate and beg for someone to come back, they had ended in a stand still. Now, it’s too far in the past to do anything about it. All Scott gets left with is a broken heart and grief for someone who is still alive.
And then, as the cherry on top of this horrible day, the cave entrance had collapsed in on itself as Scott was trying to leave. So now he’s stuck in a dingy cave with his ex-husband and has no idea if or when Martyn is coming to get him out of here. He probably doesn’t even know where Scott is .
It’s that thought that accompanies Scott as he stands up from the floor with a sigh. A decent-sized rock had almost fallen on him when the entrance had collapsed, and in his attempts to get away, he had thrown himself against the rocky ground. The impact had left him a bit bruised and winded- he figures it makes sense that giant rocks falling down and almost hitting you would probably do that. Honestly, he’s just glad he’s not concussed.
Scott turns to his ex-husband and gives him a questioning look when he notices him staring. It’s the first time in a long time they’ve been alone together, and he can’t pretend he doesn’t also take the opportunity to study him. Jimmy’s face is hard to read, and he’s tracing Scott's form with his soft yellow eyes. He looks kind, like he did on Third Life, gentle and sweet and a little possessive, but still head over heels- Wait a minute.
Scott cannot be thinking things like this.
The man across from him isn’t his husband anymore, and this isn’t Third Life. It’s Limited Life now, and Jimmy is likely going to try to kill him for his time.
(Scott does his best to ignore the ache in his heart when he realizes that.)
If Jimmy is trying to gain time, he is going about it in an incredibly odd way. Scott waits in confused silence for almost a full minute as Jimmy quietly watches him. If he didn’t know better- he’d say Jimmy was admiring him. And, if that were the case, which it isn’t, he’d admittedly be doing so with good reason.
Scott was always pretty, sure, but he’s really embracing the wild look this season. Blue curls have been left alone to grow long and drape over his shoulders, with scales and fins and eyes that glow in the night. And he has claws now! And fangs that poke out over his bottom lip, leaving small scars that have become permanent over time.
He’s not as big a fan of those- sure, the appeal is there, but it slowly becomes less pretty and more aggravating when he somehow manages to cut his lip every single day .
His style has changed too- he’s wearing less than he usually would to accommodate for the new hybrid traits. Currently, he’s dressed in black shorts and a compression shirt with the back cut out. Over that, he’s got a simple sheer chiffon top. Same as the compression shirt, it’s backless and leaves the majority of his spine exposed and the fabric away from his back fin. The leftovers of the thin fabric used to make the shirt are draped haphazardly over his waist, reaching down to his legs, messily tied around his waist in a facsimile of a skirt. It’s useful, when he slips into the water later at night, for the fabric to be able to hide him as he shifts into a more monstrous form.
To put it simply? Scott’s the definition of a gorgeous, intelligent siren, and he loves it. Even when Martyn makes fun of him for it, Scott doesn’t take it to heart. He’s spent enough time with the man to know it’s mostly because Martyn agrees and is annoyed with himself that he does.
Scott shakes his head, focusing his attention back on the man stuck in this stupid cave with him. And he does not focus on how soft Jimmy’s lips look, or how he’s looking at Scott like he’d do whatever Scott asked at this moment.
(He does not want to ask if he can kiss him. Definitely not.)
“What do you want,” Scott says. It comes out less like a question and more like a statement, so he pauses before adjusting his wording. “Or- how do you want this to go, I guess.”
That seems to snap Jimmy out of wherever his mind drifted off too, and Scott can’t help the slight satisfaction he feels when Jimmy’s response is flustered and mumbly.
“Uh- oh, uhm, I-“ Jimmy stutters, taking a breath before continuing. “Uhm, what? What- What do you mean?”
Scott gives him an incredulous look. “Jimmy. We are stuck in this cave till someone remembers to come and save us. I mean like- if you murder me, get my time, and I’m free from the responsibility of dealing with… this .” He gestures to Jimmy as he speaks, turning away to stare disapprovingly at the cave entrance. “Seems like a solid plan to me.’” He's only half joking- he thinks he may actually prefer to lose a life than deal with whatever this is.
Jimmy, for some unknown reason Scott is far too sober to analyze, looks disappointed.
Scott expects Jimmy to make some threats, puff his chest out and yell, but not actually do anything.
He's immediately proved wrong when Jimmy's eyes flash with resolve, and he purses his lips in determination and begins to step forward with an incomprehensible emotion on his face. Scott goes stock still. For the first time in any game- he’s scared that Jimmy may actually kill him.
Jimmy has a sword on him, and Scott has nothing but the ores he had mined before his pickaxe broke and the tunnel entrance collapsed. Scott’s never been one to fight dirty, and if Jimmy wants him dead, he will be.
But honestly? Scott doesn’t think Jimmy has a right to kill him. He loved Scott and even in the past tense, there’s a responsibility between them to not harm each other.
Sure, he’s teased Jimmy after the split, a mixture of pettiness and legitimate grief over Jimmy leaving him behind without a word, and it’s been a few seasons since they were married- but they were married. And Jimmy’s never tried to kill him over a dumb joke.
They loved each other, once.
(Scott still does. Scott always will.)
That love- it carried on, right? Jimmy wouldn’t kill him, right? Just for time? Just for a better chance at winning?
..Jimmy did love him, didn’t he? Scott’s aware of how naive, how desperate he sounds- and he hates it.
Scott squeezes his eyes shut as Jimmy takes the final step, now within arms reach of Scott. He tenses, waiting for a killing blow-
But that’s not what happens. What does happen is that Jimmy gently cups his face, thumb resting on Scott’s lower jaw, and pulls him into a kiss.
It takes a second to process the action- Scott blinks in shock, paralyzed from confusion, before muscle memory kicks in and he kisses back.
Jimmy is taller than him by a few inches, so Scott tilts his head up and Jimmy tilts his down. Jimmy has one hand on Scott’s jaw, the other on the small of his back, and Scott reaches a hand up to tangle it in Jimmy’s soft blonde curls.
It’s achingly familiar, and Scott feels stupid for ever thinking Jimmy would hurt him. Not that this makes much more sense- but, honestly, Scott can’t find it in himself to care, not when he’s so easily distracted by the man in front of him. They break apart after a few minutes, each trying to catch their breath.
Jimmy pulls Scott into a tight hug and buries his face in Scott’s hair. Scott rests his face against Jimmy’s collarbone and feels a little like he’s gonna start crying.
From relief or confusion, he’s not entirely sure, but the tears bubble up anyway. He’s so overwhelmed, and the emotional instability ignites a type of fear he hasn’t experienced since the first time Jimmy broke his heart. He presses his face harder against Jimmy’s chest, in a half-hearted attempt to hide his tears.
It doesn’t work. Jimmy presses a soft kiss into Scott’s curls. “Shh, hey, why are you crying, petal?”
The nickname makes it worse, and he lets Jimmy pull him into a tighter hug as he trembles. He-he doesn’t understand what’s going on, right now. He hates how confused he feels, and how suddenly emotional he’s gotten. He’s supposed to be in control- he’s supposed to be the one running circles around the others, not Jimmy. Scott’s meant to be in control of himself. He’s not supposed to cry in Jimmy's arms.
“I-I don’t know,’ Scott tearfully mumbles. “I’m confused- I thought you hated me, I don’t understand why-“ He pushes away from Jimmy as much as he can, the blonde letting him leave his arms but keeping his wrists tightly held in his hands. It almost reminds Scott of Third Life, of how all of Jimmy’s red life influences went straight to protecting Scott- keeping him in his line of sight at all times, snapping when others got too close. Scott can still clearly remember Jimmy burning the Dogwarts flag with a snarl.
“-I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” Scott continues. He resents how shaky his voice sounds, but he can’t find it in himself to force it to sound calm. “And, if you want my time, then take it- it’s yours, but please, Jimmy, please don’t play with my feelings.”
Scott closes his eyes once again. It’s silent, for a few moments, until Jimmy gently lets go of his wrists with one hand, and cups his face once again.
”Hey, petal?” Jimmy asks. “Can you look at me?”
Scott doesn’t know if he can. He wants to- void , he wants to look at his husband- ex husband, because the lines are blurring from past and present and he wants to be reassured that it'll be okay- but he can’t .
If this was all a ruse, a way to get Scott’s time, even if it would make absolutely no sense as a plan at all- it would break him.
But Scott’s never been good at saying no to Jimmy.
So, he slowly blinks open his still-green eyes.
Jimmy is staring at him, soft yellow eyes filled with something that looks like regret, love, and guilt all wrapped up in one.
”There we go, petal.” Jimmy soothes. “There we are. I- I’m sorry .”
The apology catches Scott by surprise. “Wh-what? Jimmy- why are you apologizing to me? If anything, I should be apologizing to you, I’ve been such a dick since you broke up with me-“ Scott throws himself off with his response, and he falls silent mid sentence. He’s usually horrible at that type of vulnerability, or admitting faults. But then again, this isn’t just anyone. And he’s never made a habit of lying to Jimmy.
Jimmy looks pained as he murmurs back. “I- petal . I was avoiding you cause- I thought you were angry at me, but if you’re not -“
”What?! Jimmy, I wasn’t angry at you- I mean sure, I’m a little upset you stopped talking to me after you died, but- I never blamed you.” Scott cuts Jimmy off, visibly affronted. He’d never be truly angry at his Jimmy for anything , much less something as understandable as leaving Scott behind. Sure, he’d hide his sadness under blame and petty words, but he doesn’t have it in himself to do that, right now. He’d leave himself too if he could.
Jimmy takes a moment to consider Scott’s words. “I- I think you’re implying that you blame yourself there, and we’ll circle back to that- but-“ Jimmy takes a deep breath.”-if you don’t hate me, and I still lo- care for you, then can we-“
Jimmy’s voice takes on a hopeful edge, and Scott, still red-faced and with half-dried tear tracks on his face, finds himself smiling the same mischievous smile Jimmy’s always loved. Jimmy grins back at Scott, all teeth.
Scott takes a deep, steadying breath and drops his voice to a playful whisper, a game they’re both very familiar with. It’s different than before, of course. So much time has passed, Scott’s a little tired from tears and the onslaught of emotions he’s experienced, his voice is somewhat hoarse, and he can’t keep the giddy smile off his face- but it’s still them.
”Well?” Scott prompts, eyes bright. In lieu of a verbal answer, Jimmy kisses Scott again.
While the first kiss had been delightful for Scott, there had been a bit of hesitance on both ends, of not knowing if it was allowed , or of what the other wanted.
There is none of that this time. Jimmy is fierce as he is caring, and Scott melts into the touch again, almost breaking the kiss with how much he’s smiling. Jimmy pulls away for a half second to giggle at that, before pulling Scott right back where he wants him. Scott offers no complaint, just follows Jimmy’s lead.
Eventually, as per usual, Scott fucks it up. He’s still not adjusted to his fangs, and he accidentally tears the skin of Jimmy’s lip enough to bleed. Scott pulls away the second he tastes copper, fins pinned back against his head.
”Fuck-“ he swears, leaning over and ripping a thin layer of fabric from his half-skirt away. He places it against a wide-eyed, ruddy faced Jimmy’s lip, and nervously says “ I’m so sorry- I didn’t mean to, I’m so sorry,’
Jimmy cuts him off by sinking to the ground and sitting on one of the rocks from the collapsed entrance. Scott sits down on the ground beside him and watches him with nervous eyes.
”Uh... Jimmy?” Scott tries to get his attention.
Jimmy silently places a hand to his mouth- feels the blood, feels the cut, and says incredulously- “You have fangs .” His tone is higher than usual, and Scott is... not sure how to respond to this one, in all honesty.
Luckily, he doesn’t need to, as they both jump at the sound of familiar shouting.
Martyn.
For the first time, Scott wishes his Mean Gill was perhaps a little bit worse of a teammate.
The caved-in entrance to the tunnel shakes , and Scott grabs Jimmy and pulls him back from the tunnel entrance as it collapses again , this time letting sunlight pour into the cavern.
Haloed in the light stands Scott’s very own Mean Gill, armed with a pickaxe and a shield. He’s wearing a triumphant smirk that quickly fades into half-amused disgust as he sees them.
Scott remembers in that moment, that oh yeah , not only are he and Jimmy both visibly disheveled but Scott also has what is very clearly blood from Jimmy’s torn lip on his chin. Scott attempts to wipe it away but only succeeds in smearing red across his arm.
Jimmy waves awkwardly at Martyn.
‘Martyn! How’s the weather up there?” Jimmy calls, wrapping an arm around Scott. Scott looks up as well, waving. Martyn gives Scott a silent look of questioning, a raised eyebrow, and a slight tilt of his head towards Jimmy. It’s clear as day what he means, as his hand tightens ever so slightly around his pickaxe hilt.
Do you want me to handle it? That's what Martyn’s asking him. Scott knows why he’s concerned- Martyn had been there for a few of Scott’s more recent Jimmy-related breakdowns, and as much as Martyn cares for Jimmy, Scott’s his Mean Gill.
Scott gives him his answer in the form of a quick shake of the head, and a smile. He leans into the warm embrace of his.. ex-husband turned boyfriend? He’s not.. entirely sure, actually. They need to discuss it soon, if they want to keep this going, but for right now Scott’s content to table it and lean into Jimmy’s embrace.
Martyn sighs in response to Scott’s nonchalance, and steps back from the mouth of the cave, out into the clearing surrounding the mine.
He raises his hands in playful surrender. “Well- Looks like you two had fun ,” He teases, and Scott rolls his eyes while Jimmy splutters.
“I don’t know what you’re implying, but it’s definitely wrong,” Jimmy announces, stepping forward towards the exit with a finger pointed at Martyn. His other arm is still around Scott’s waist, and Scott laughs as he’s pulled forward into the light of the outdoors.
Scott, coming down from his emotional high and slightly miffed he was the one caught off guard, smiles sweetly at Jimmy. “Hm, you sure about that, poppy ?” He loves him, sure- but he’s not against using Jimmy’s affections against him for the bit.
Martyn laughs hysterically, pointing at Jimmy. “Betrayed by your own husband, Jimmy!”
Jimmy gestures dramatically at Scott’s betrayal and huffs. “By my own husband What has this world come to!?” Scott laughs along with the over-dramatic banter and chooses to ignore the slight flutter in his heart at being called Jimmy’s husband .
He’s drawn out of that joy when Martyn snickers in his direction, not Jimmy’s. Scott feels the heat on his face rise as Martyn eyes the blood on Scott's chin with a smirk.
“Don’t think you’re getting out of this, Scott. Fraternizing with the enemy? And his lip is cut, how odd - I know you have some pretty pointy fangs, wonder how that could’ve happened, what an unfortunate accident-” Scott flushes, and glares at his Mean Gill. Jimmy’s arm around him and his red face must weaken the effect because Martyn just laughs louder.
Jimmy, to his credit, looks wildly offended. Scott sighs, glad at least Jimmy knows he’s genuinely apologetic for the fangs- it wasn’t intentional, Scott’s just not used to being a fish-
That relief lasts for exactly two seconds as Jimmy boldly chooses responds to Martyn with; “Brave of you to assume it was accidental -”
“Woah, woah, woah, Jimmy, you’re getting a little out there- That’s not very bad boy of you, is it-” Martyn fires back, a wide smile on his face. “-And I’m sure Grian and Joel would love to learn about this-”
Jimmy gives Martyn a horrified pleading look, immediately switching from defending himself to pleading with Martyn to not say anything.
“They’ll make fun of me forever,” Jimmy cries. “Martyn, for the love of the Void, do not say anything-”
Scott would be worried about Jimmy suddenly not wanting his team to know about Scott, and what that could mean, but Jimmy grabs his hand with the arm still looped around his torso and squeezes it in silent reassurance.
Martyn sees this and softens, just a bit. He shoots Scott a begrudging smile of approval, before immediately continuing to make fun of Jimmy.
Scott just laughs, watching two of his favorite people ribbing each other with smiles on both their faces. This feels right , having Jimmy by his side. As they continue the trek back to Coral Isles, there’s a silent agreement between the trio that despite the rivalries, despite the games, Jimmy is coming home .