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Evbo sits down on the roof hesitantly, careful not to touch the sandstone with his scraped up hands. He lowers himself, peeking into the room below. He glances around, searching the area under him. Thankfully unsuccessful in his search for Seawatt, he moves onto his knees, standing up.
Evbo slowly parkours down, glancing around again. He shoves his hands in his pockets, just in case. He doesn't necessarily know why he is so inclined to make sure Seawatt is oblivious about his injuries, but he’s sure it has to have something to do with not wanting to appear weak in front of the other. He walks over to the closest chest with an air of casualness.
..…Hopefully……
He's too distracted by the pain in his hands to even care about Seawatt’s whereabouts. He gets down on his knees, carefully taking his hands out of his pockets, taking extra care to make sure his crystal embedded palms don’t touch the fabric of his hoodie. He fails, because of course he does, wincing as his hoodie brushes against the crystals.
He doesn’t feel like crying, still too shell shocked from the fact he almost died. He opens the chest with the back of his hands, the air of casualness he hoped he had completely shattering. He grits his teeth in frustration as he struggles to open the chest. He feels his chest tighten, breaths coming out ragged. Finally succeeding, Evbo pushes the chest open.
There isn’t much in it, sadly.
He had hoped for bandages, at least. Evbo glances down at his hands. He chokes back a sob. Evbo has never done well with blood, no matter how familiar blood is. He feels a wave of nausea hit him at the sight, similar to the feeling of when he had to force raw meat down his throat.
He doesn’t miss life on the noob level.
He hurriedly stands, lifting his foot to slam the chest shut. He turns sharply, eyes stinging. Evbo pauses. Standing behind him is Seawatt, staring at him with a blank expression. Evbo immediately shoves his hands out of sight right when he gets over the initial shock of seeing the other man. Seawatt looks down at Evbo’s hoodie pocket, thankfully missing the wince that dances across his expression.
“Hey, Seawatt,” Evbo says slowly, breathing in.
He hopes it isn’t too obvious of the pain he’s in. His tolerance to pain has dwindled ever since he became champion. The boots hide all pain from Evbo’s thoughts.
“I got the third disk.” He adds, after a moment of excruciating silence. Seawatt’s eyes remain locked onto the pocket of Evbo’s hoodie.
Moments like these make Evbo wish he was better at reading expressions than he actually was. Due to the lack of human interaction on the noob level, he barely had any practice guessing emotions based on looks. He thought he was okay now, that was until he saw Seawatt again. The other man never let anything slip, a blank expression always adorned his face. His expression never conveyed feelings, and it always made Evbo frustrated.
Never has he ever met someone that could push his buttons quite like Seawatt.
Evbo glances around nervously due to lack of response.
“Good job, I guess.” Seawatt finally says, taking pride in throwing in the last two words, just to be a dick. Parkour God, Evbo hates him so much. He’d be dead if Evbo doesn’t need the compasses.
Seawatt finally removes his eyes from the pocket, staring somewhere at Evbo’s leg.
He points down at the side of his calf.
“You’ve got a little something there, champ.” He points out, Evbo looks down frantically, too startled to care about showing weakness in the presence of Seawatt.
Oh.
So that’s where the stabbing pain in his leg was coming from. It’s stupid, he knows, but he was too focused on what was right in front of him to pay attention to anything else.
“There does appear to be something in my leg.” Evbo agrees.
He moves his leg to see better. Evbo cringes at the bigger than most crystal pressed into the skin of his leg.
“Yeah,” Seawatt says,
The two stare at each other blankly. Evbo feels awkward, and Seawatt…well, Seawatt has the same expressionless look.
He wants to parkour punch some emotion into his stupid face.
Seawatt looks at him, eyes narrowing in thought. Evbo wishes he could read thoughts, he’d even take just being able to know what Seawatt’s thinking.
“Are you…alright?” He asks, looking between Evbo’s leg, and his face. Evbo attempts to conceal the shocked expression he feels appear on his face.
A smirk easily falls in place instead, though he feels it might look a bit pained.
“Aw, does lil ol’ Seawatt care about me?” He asks, shifting his weight onto the leg with no crystals.
Seawatt scowls at him, crossing his arms. He glares over at him.
“Ew, no, you’re needed for the disks, can’t parkour in pain.” Seawatt defends, the disgusted look he’s giving Evbo is one of the only other looks he’s seen on him.
He welcomes any new expression Seawatt makes with open arms, anyway.
“It’s alright to admit you care.” Evbo continues, Seawatt’s scowl only deepens. He walks over to the chest next to the one Evbo had originally looked through.
He kneels down, opening the chest with ease. Evbo blinks down at him.
“What are you doing?” He asks, “giving me another disk? I thought you just said-“ Seawatt cuts him off by slamming the chest shut because apparently more than seven words out of Evbo’s mouth is too much for him.
He holds up a roll of bandages.
Evbo realizes immediately what he’s planning, and steps back out of habit.
No way is he letting someone like Seawatt rip crystals from his skin.
Seawatt smirks up at him.
“Don’t be such a sissy, champ.” Seawatt says, pushing up. He brushes the sand off of his knees. Seawatt looks around, hands on his hips. He points over at the cot, silently demanding that Evbo sits down.
Evbo would rather 360 backwards jump into the void than be obedient to Seawatt.
Seawatt lowers his arm as Evbo makes no move to sit down. He scowls,
“Are you stupid or something?” He asks, gesturing at the cot. “Sit down so it’ll be easier for me to help you.” Seawatt demands.
Blank, disgust, and frustration are some of the only expressions Evbo thinks is possible for Seawatt to have.
He feels the slight urge to ask him if he can physically smile.
Evbo sighs loudly, and dramatically so Seawatt knows his reluctance to agree. He stomps over to the cot, plopping down. He glares up as Seawatt approaches.
“I’m good at this, man, don’t worry.” Seawatt mocks, the cot dipping at the weight of him sitting down. He waves his hand vaguely, as if his hand movements would bring comfort to Evbo.
It doesn’t.
It does the opposite.
He’d challenge him to a parkour battle if he could.
“Also, take your hands out of your pocket.” He adds, Evbo stills slightly, though he should’ve known.
Seawatt chuckles in acknowledgment.
“What?” he asks, “didn’t think I noticed?” He moves closer, setting the roll in his lap.
Evbo scowls, trying to convey all the disgust he’s feeling by being so close to Seawatt.
That’s the feeling he’s feeling right now.
He hates his stupid, smug face.
He thinks he’s better than him, doesn’t he?
Evbo hates Seawatt.
He slowly takes his hands out of the one big pocket. Seawatt whistles when they come into view.
“You don’t need to do all of that.” Evbo complains, giving Seawatt the dirtiest look he can muster. Seawatt just smirks in response.
Another emotion, then.
Smugness.
Evbo can’t tell what emotion he hates seeing the most on Seawatt’s face.
While the blank expression Evbo gets the most is frustrating, the smug smirks he throws his way have to be worse.
Some part of him wishes he could see a genuine smile, just once.
The only genuine enough smile he knows is in the fake memory implanted in his mind.
He’s still bitter about that, just so you know.
As he thinks about it more, smirks fit Seawatt’s face the most. He thinks he’d be genuinely horrified if Seawatt smiled genuinely.
Evbo feels a sharp pain shoot up his arm. He yelps in surprise, which earns him another amused chuckle from Seawatt. Evbo scowls.
“I wasn’t ready.” He complains, Seawatt pokes his palm again, Evbo cringes.
“Thought you heard me.” Seawatt says, holding Evbo’s hand in his own. Evbo bites the inside of his cheek. His hand starts tingling out of pure lack of touch. His neighborhood down on the noob level was usually always a ghost town. His lack of physical touch seems obvious now, with Seawatt holding his hand. He grits his teeth.
He better not try anything, that smug bastard.
Seawatt examines it, his eyes narrow.
Evbo doesn’t like blood, so instead he looks up at Seawatt.
Is concentration an emotion?
If it is, that’s another.
Is making a list of emotions Evbo’s seen on Seawatt’s face odd? …Mayhaps..
Seawatt bites the bottom of his lip in thought. Evbo looks away awkwardly, which just leads him to his eyes. They look similar to the crystals causing him so much pain.
He supposes Seawatt’s eyes have the same effect.
They're pretty, yes, but in the same way Hydrangeas are pretty, both equally as poisonous. Evbo feels like he could get lost in those eyes. They remind him of the crystals pressed into his skin.
His hand is still tingling.
When is Seawatt gonna start, anyway?
Evbo glances back down, Seawatt was just staring at the crystals, doing absolutely nothing. Evbo scowls, he opens his mouth to say something, but is cut off when Seawatt starts to speak.
“How’d you even manage this?” He asks, moving Evbo’s hand, not a care in the world. Evbo should’ve known he wouldn’t be careful.
Seawatt hates Evbo, and Evbo hates Seawatt.
It’s only natural he’d be a dick when helping him.
Evbo looks to the side, biting his lip. Seawatt waits patiently, which seems surprising to Evbo. Seawatt doesn’t strike him as the patient type.
“I-uh, almost fell, caught myself.” He finally says, looking back over to gauge Seawatt’s reaction.
The man’s eyes had widened at one point in Evbo’s explanation, his eyebrows knitted together. He grits his teeth.
“You can’t afford to almost fall.” He says, voice louder than usual. “You’re important in getting the disks, you can’t die.” His tone is filled with frustration as he scowls down at Evbo’s hand.
“I said almost,” he says, wishing he could fidget with the string of his hoodie without hurting his hand. He would’ve mocked Seawatt’s choice of words if he wasn’t still reeling from the effects of falling into the void.
“Yeah, but still, I-“ Seawatt pauses. He’s always careful with choosing his words, and Evbo really wants to know what he almost slipped up on.
“Yeah?” Evbo pushes, raising an eyebrow. Seawatt scowls, poking one of the crystals to get Evbo to shut up. Evbo draws in a sharp breath to stop himself from yelping.
“You’re an asshole, Seawatt,” he says, “has anyone ever told you that?” Evbo asks, Seawatt waved his free hand vaguely.
“It’s my top skill.” Seawatt says, moving one of the crystals to see how deep it was. Evbo’s toes curl.
“Yeah, I can tell. You’re shit at parkour, it’s only natural your best skill is being a bitch.” Evbo says, Seawatt abruptly pulls out the crystal he was touching. Startled, Evbo let out a yelp, pulling his hand out of Seawatt’s.
“What the hell?!” He asks, holding his arm against his chest. Seawatt smirks, setting the crystal aside.
“I got out a crystal.” Seawatt declares, lips twitching as he holds back laughter at the betrayed look on Evbo’s face. Evbo hesitantly looks down at his palm.
Yeah, nope.
Evbo immediately looks back up. He glowers at Seawatt. Seawatt better sleep with one eye open tonight, the little bitch.
“Warn me next time.” He grits out through clenched teeth. Seawatt takes Evbo’s hand back in his own.
“I’ll make sure to inform you, champ.” Seawatt jokes, bringing his face closer to Evbo’s hand. Evbo frowns at Seawatt. He inhales, blowing a puff of air on Evbo’s palm.
Evbo’s face contorts in surprise, he kicks at Seawatt’s leg. Seawatt fully fucking cackles, holding his stomach from the amount he is laughing. Evbo scowls, letting his hand rest on the cot.
It didn’t hurt, it just surprised him, and made him feel things.
Disgust, most likely.
Seawatt sits back up, breathing in, and out as he calms himself. It wasn’t even that funny, Evbo concludes.
“Come on, that shouldn’t have even hurt.” Seawatt says, leaning back. Evbo presses the side of his arm to his chest. He sticks his tongue out at him. Seawatt rolls his eyes.
“You’re such a child.” Seawatt says, reaching for Evbo’s hand like he’ll still let him. Evbo leans away, shaking his head.
“Hell no, am I letting you touch my hand again.” Evbo says, leaning back so far he’s practically laying down. Seawatt sits back up, resting his hand in between the two.
Seawatt’s eyes grow wide, and he points behind Evbo.
“Dude, look!” He says, Evbo shoots up, whipping his head to look behind him.
“What?!” He shouts, looking around. Seawatt laughs from behind him, falling back on the cot. Evbo’s face grows hot in embarrassment. He scowls, turning back to the cackling Seawatt.
“Seriously?” He asks, Seawatt sits up, reaches out, and grabs his wrist while Evbo is distracted by being annoyed. He pulls him closer, moving his hand to better hold Evbo’s. Evbo blinks rapidly, face regaining that pink color from before.
“What the hell, man?” Evbo says, Seawatt glances up in amusement.
“No need to get so flustered over me.” Seawatt mocks, laughing at Evbo’s pain. They are getting nowhere with this. Seawatt had only removed one crystal, and laughed at him the rest of the time.
“Just hurry up, and remove the crystals.” Evbo says, gruffly, flicking Seawatt’s wrist. Seawatt chuckles again, shifting on the shared cot. He nods in acknowledgment to Evbo’s words, grabbing hold of a crystal.
Evbo grits his teeth, Seawatt glances up. “I’m gonna count to three, alright?” He says calmly, acting like he’s talking to a child. Evbo remains silent, refusing to indulge in a response. Seawatt doesn’t deserve one.
Seawatt twists the crystal in preparation, tugging slightly. Evbo breathes in sharply, squeezing his eyes shut.
“One,” he hears Seawatt say, waiting for the next number. No two comes, instead a sharp, piercing pain.
That bastard had pulled it out without even finishing.
Evbo hears the crystal clatter onto the chest near the cot. Evbo reels his foot back, kicking Seawatt. Seawatt laughs in response. Evbo opens his eyes, glaring at Seawatt.
“What was that for?” He asks, “I thought you were counting to three?” Seawatt rubs at the spot where Evbo’s foot connected. He lets out a huff of breath in amusement.
“Can’t I have fun?” Seawatt asks innocently, grinning at Evbo. He closes his eyes, montioning at Seawatt with his free hand.
“Make it quick, asshole..” He mutters, Seawatt presses Evbo’s palm, strictly for shits, and giggles. There were only two more crystals left that Seawatt has to remove.
The next two crystals were gone in a blur of pain, and Seawatt being an asshole. Seawatt reaches for the roll of bandages after he had tossed the last crystal. He sets it aside. In his other hand, he takes out a water bucket.
If Evbo doesn’t know Seawatt is betraying him, he would’ve commented on the water bucket. The same bucket Seawatt swore up, and down that he didn’t have. Seawatt’s brows twitch the slightest amount, which means he probably notices it, too. Seawatt reaches back, brushes off the bloody crystals, and opens the chest. He sets down the bucket, reaching up to his cloak.
He brings the bottom of it into his lap, tearing at the end. This isn’t the time for fashion choices, Seawatt. Then again, anything Seawatt does won’t save him from his own ugliness.
He dips the cloth into the water, and Evbo realizes what he plans on doing with it.
“Come on, isn’t that dirty? I bet it has sand in it.” Evbo asks, moving his stinging hand away. Seawatt hums, looking down into the bucket.
“Water’s clear, so you can stop complaining.” Seawatt says, squeezing the cloth to get the right amount of water out.
Evbo wishes Seawatt wasn’t so important in getting the disks, and getting out of here.
Seawatt scoots closer to Evbo, “gimme your hand.” He says, Evbo lets out a short chuckle.
“Who says ‘gimme’?” Evbo mocks, Seawatt raises the cloth, wringing the water into his lap. He smiles in self satisfaction. Evbo yelps at the cold water.
This bitch!
Seawatt leans back, pursing his lips casually. He dips the cloth back into the water, squeezing it to be the right sort of damp. “You gonna listen now?” Seawatt asks, innocently, offering a smile. Can’t this guy smile genuinely? Is it really that impossible for him?
Evbo gruffly offers up his hand, letting Seawatt take it. Evbo feels his heart flutter at the touch. Seawatt dabs his hand, being surprisingly careful. He’s definitely planning something. Everything Seawatt does is deliberately planned out in his benefit. He’s probably hoping Evbo lowers his guard before he does something sick, and twisted.
Well, Evbo won’t let him.
Seawatt wipes at the blood, watching as the cloth soaks red. Deciding that he’s done, Seawatt puts aside the cloth. He picks up the bandages, starting at his wrist. Seawatt wraps it twice before moving up to the back of his hand diagonally, stopping where Evbo’s pinky finger starts. He wraps the full hand twice, then repeats at the diagonal. He repeats again for a couple more times, but Evbo is too focused on one thought to count.
‘Seawatt’s good at this.’
If he didn’t already know about Seawatt’s approaching betrayal, the skill of his bandaging would be a give away. On the noob level, there were no bandages for anyone to practice with. On the pro, and master level, people barely got hurt. As a champion, the boots fixed all injuries for you.
The boots fixed all injuries for you.
Couldn’t Evbo just quickly switch to the diamond boots and watch as it takes away the pain for him? Evbo watches Seawatt’s expression, ignoring the bandages he’s wrapping his hand with. Evbo yearns for any touch. Maybe that’s why? Evbo just wants to be touched.
He shakes his head, looking back down to see that Seawatt is already finished. He leans back, examining his work.
“I’d say I did a pretty swell job.” Seawatt declares, grinning at Evbo’s bandaged hand. Evbo looks down, flexing his fingers.
“Sure, whatever helps you feel better about yourself.” Evbo says, voice oddly devoid of emotion. Seawatt rolls his eyes, crossing his arms.
“Want me to be extra quick with the next one?” Seawatt asks, glancing behind Evbo at the outside world. The sun was slowly sinking behind the horizon. One thing Evbo added right when he was champion was the cycle of the sun. He likes watching the sunset, the colors vibrant in the sky. The champion before Evbo took away the cycles, hoarding it for himself, only leaving the blistering sun locked in place. “We’ve still got your other hand, and leg to go.” He adds, Evbo glances down at his leg.
“Oh, yeah.” He mutters, shifting to offer up his other hand. “Be quick.” Seawatt nods, putting the roll beside the water bucket. He takes the hand offered to him, silently counting the crystals. He mouths the numbers as he goes.
Three major crystals, and five small ones. Eight in all. Seawatt decides to go with the easier crystals, the bigger ones. It’s less difficult to get a good hold on it. He looks up at Evbo for a fleeting second, then turns his attention back to the problem at hand. Seawatt gives Evbo a moment to think before getting into it.
He’s occasionally entertained the idea, but now he might just truly jump into the void. His face heats up as he waits impatiently. He taps the cot with the fingers of his bandaged hand.
“Hurry up.” Evbo complains, a slight whine in his voice. Seawatt rolls his eyes, a glint of amusement in his amethyst irises.
“Yeah, yeah.” Seawatt says, prodding around the areas where the crystals were pressed into his palm. Evbo really really wants to punch Seawatt right now. In all honesty, he always does. It’s hard not to when he hates his guts. Seawatt secures his fingers around one of the crystals, tugging it out. Evbo bites his lower lip, enough to puncture it, blood coating the tips of his teeth. His jaw locks shut. It seems Seawatt is getting tired of pulling crystals out of his enemie’s (frenemie’s?) skin. Evbo is, too. Seawatt’s getting sloppy, taking them out quickly, not even trying to subdue his pain.
Evbo squeezes his eyes shut as Seawatt pulls out another crystal. He’s got one more major amethyst crystal that he has to sit through. He’s a little nervous for the small bits, wondering how Seawatt will wriggle them out.
“One more big one left, you’re doing great, champ.” Seawatt mocks, using words you’d use with a child. Evbo rolls his eyes, softening the grip his teeth have on his lip.
“Jump into the void, Seawatt.” Evbo snaps, Seawatt snorts, being kind enough to hold back a holler of laughter. Seawatt grips the last crystal, the smallest one out of the three. He rips it out with no regard to Evbo’s well-being. Before he can stop himself, a short scream rips out of his throat. Seawatt ignores this, save for a fleeting look, a look of concern (?) flashing across his face.
“Alright,” he says, dumping the crystal in the pile of the others. “It might be a bit more difficult for the last five on your hand.” Evbo stares down at Seawatt’s hand. He has long, sharp nails. They’re painted black, and Evbo would’ve made a mocking comment about it if the pain wasn’t so sharp.
Seawatt moves Evbo’s hand, the shine dulled by the blood drenching the crystals. “This one’s the deepest,” Seawatt says, pointing at the most embedded crystal. Seawatt glances over to the one poking out the most. “And this one seems to be sticking out.” Seawatt says, pointing at a protruding shard. He latches his fingers around it, wrenching it from Evbo’s palm. “Four more, champ.” Seawatt mocks, his lips twitching up. Evbo leans closer, blowing air into his face. Seawatt scowls, swatting at Evbo.
He laughs, leaning away from Seawatt.
“You suck, dude.” Seawatt complains, “I’m gonna start making you do this.” He adds, Evbo scoffs.
“I bet I could do better.” Evbo decides, Seawatt rolls his eyes.
“You’re left handed.” Seawatt points out, Evbo’s smug grin is replaced by a frown. He glances between Seawatt, and the area next to his face. He narrows his eyes suspiciously.
“How do you know that?” He asks, eyeing Seawatt. He brushes aside the question.
“I’m observant.” Seawatt informs, wriggling a crystal. Evbo presses his lips closed, the wounds on his lips hurting. He clenches his bandaged hand into a fist, noting that the gauze is already blood soaked. Seawatt easily plucks it out, tossing it behind him.
Evbo leans back, resting his back against the sandstone wall, hand still outstretched, held by Seawatt. He moves closer, legs brushing against Evbo’s.
Stubbornly, Evbo feels a shiver run down his spine. Stupid lack of touch making him feel things. Seawatt leans closer to get a better look at the shards stuck in his palm. Seawatt bites his lip in concentration.
He reaches forward, jerking the shard out of his skin. Evbo draws in a sharp breath, hissing at the pain. Seawatt looks at the crystal for a second, wiping away the blood with his thumb. Evbo watches the crystal shine in the light on the moon before he sets it down.
“What, three more to go?” Seawatt asks, trying to get a good hold on a shard. Evbo’s vision blurs, and his mind goes foggy. He barely registers the next amethyst fragment getting removed, only feeling a burning pain in his hand. It tingles up his whole arm, making him wince. Evbo blinks drowsily, shutting his eyes.
What were they doing, anyway?
Evbo blinks, his vision clearing. He looks down at his bandaged hand.
Wait, bandaged..?
Evbo sits up, watching as Seawatt ties off the bandage. He blinks rapidly. Did he pass out? Fuck. Seawatt glances up.
“Welcome back, sleeping beauty.” He mocks, “honestly surprised you lasted this long before passing out.” He says, standing up, and clapping him on the shoulder. Evbo winces, shoulders raising up to his ears. He glares over at Seawatt. “Got your leg done, by the way.” He adds, gathering up the cloth, water bucket, and gauze. Evbo bristles, eyebrows furrowing.
“Yo, what?” He asks, Seawatt glances at him, eyebrow raised. “That’s like, hella weird, man!” Seawatt shrugs, dumping the bloody shards in Evbo’s lap.
“A souvenir.” Seawatt clarifies, chuckling as the blood drains from Evbo’s face. After a second, he pushes the shards onto the floor. Evbo swings his legs onto the cot, shifting to get the blanket over him.
“I'm going to bed!” Evbo says, holding the blanket to his chest. He points at a corner of the room. “You’re sleeping on the floor tonight, Seawatt!”