Chapter Text
Everyone knew that shedletsky was naturally a jokester and enjoyed anoying his friends; perhaps it was just his way of showing affection. But builderman wasnt sure if being his closest friend was a good thing or a curse. It's not that it bothered him much, he was already used to his behavior. The problem was that, as their friendship and trust grew, so did the ways in which he liked to annoy him from time to time.
Builderman can't even recall when it was that shed had the great idea of making not-so-straight jokes just to pull a reaction from him.
Builder would swear John Shedletsky is allergic to seriousness; even in a situation where they were basically being tortured, he maintained his silly personality. He was a bit more serious, yes, but it was still there.
He was grateful that at least shed maintained some dignity and restrained himself from throwing the gayest comment at him while being around other survivors. He would be too embarrassed to keep acting like a leader for them if they happened to witness that.
The poor man had the misfortune of encountering the killer just the beginning the round. Being the most hyperactive of the killers, c00lkid was a pain to deal with.
He hadn't even had time to build his sentry when he had to start running. And this child seemed to never get tired, always breathing down his neck no matter how much he tried to get away from the little demon.
As if his burning legs weren't enough of a problem, in the midst of the chase, c00lkid had managed to land a hit. Builerman's arm now bleeding and in pain.
Eventually he stopped and leaned against the wall to rest a little. While catching his breath, he looked back to check the position of the killer. He was a few meters away from him, but he also seemed to be taking a short break, slowly walking towards him without averting his gaze, while humming a children's song.
builderman was tired and his head ached; he had had enough. If he had to go through the embarrassment of being the first one to die, so be it.
He gave up, closed his eyes, and just hoped that his death would be quick and as painless as possible.
The boy was about to pounce on the tired man when he was interrupted by a sword.
Builder opened his eyes upon hearing the child's cry. Instead of feeling pain or a burn, he felt someone's arms lifting him up and taking him away.
"got you"
It was a voice he knew too well. His friend and workmate, shedletsky had arrived to help him just in time. He carried him with some effort but was still able to run. He was taken to a hiding spot, inside a building far enough from where they had left the killer stunned.
Only after making sure that they were not being followed, shedletsky placed builderman on the ground.
"place your dispenser and rest, I will be watching in case that thing comes by."
Shed said looking him up and down, assessing the other's condition before turning to the window to discreetly keep an eye outside.
He made no comment and did exactly that. He built the dispenser and sat down, closed his eyes while leaning against the wall.
Even though he had already mentally prepared himself to die and would have preferred it to have happened, he wouldn't complain about having been saved, a bit late in his opinion.
Once the pain in his arm ceased, he opened one eye to look at his companion, who was still attentively watching outside. Builderman watched him for a while, taking the opportunity to observe his features. His curly hair was slightly messy, as always. His gaze remained somewhat indifferent instead of focused like before. Perhaps he had grown bored of watching. A small beard was beginning to form. His wings rested calmly on his back.
When he looked back at shed's face, he realized that he had stopped looking out the window and was now looking at him. Builderman's heart skipped a beat, and instinctively looked away. He didn’t know why, but he felt somewhat embarrassed to have been caught staring.
"Are you feeling better now? Do you need anything? I got a bloxy cola i found somewhere"
Shedletsky offered him the can, but builderman rejected it by shaking his head.
"I'm fine, I have completely healed."
He was glad shed had either decided not to mention him staring, or didn't notice it.
"Your prince has saved you again, don't you think princess?"
Here we go again.
"what- hey, don't call me a princess! If I had my banhammer with me, I wouldn't have to limit myself to just building things. You were just lucky that they gave you a sword."
This only caused shedletsky to laugh. Of course, that was the reaction he was looking for.
"and also, carrying me like that was not necessary."
"It was! You were injured and you can't run very fast with those short legs you have. And what's the problem with it? i'm strong enough to do it. Besides, you look pretty in my arms. "
"I dont believe i'm someone that fits in the definition of pretty. Did you forget i'm a grown man? And well, I know I am not the fastest person, but it's still embarrassing. if others see us in that position they will think we are ridiculous..."
Builder was not going to deny that his height presented a disadvantage in situations like this, He crossed his arms and admitted it reluctantly. In response, the other raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes you worry too much about what others think. We are in a life or death situation, who cares about what we do? I don't think they even notice, surely everyone has their mind full of other concerns to stop and judge us."
The shorter man didn't bother to answer, he was a bit stubborn at times. His companion just sighed and sat next to buildeman, wich made him finally look back at shed.
"Anyway, shouldn't you go help others? If the killer hasn't been here in a while, it's most likely that c00lkid is giving someone else problems."
"Oh, is that you want to get rid of me already? i thought you enjoyed my company!"
Shedletsky put a hand over his chest pretending to be hurt, even his wings lowered a little to add drama.
"...That's not what i mean. I just don't think it's wise for you to stay in a corner doing nothing when you got a sword."
"I'm sure they're fine, man. they got elliot, chance, guest... it's not like they depend on me only."
Builder silently accepted his company, relaxing his shoulders and deciding to stop trying to make the other man leave. But a question remained in his head.
"Why do you insist so much on staying here? Aren't you bored?"
Shedletsky smiled a little, he was expecting that question.
"Well, I would be more bored without you."
"Me? why?"
"I don't need a reason, we have been friends for a long time. I guess I naturally like your presence."
Builderman didn't know how to respond, but the winged one wasn't looking for an answer either.
There was silence for a while, but it was a comfortable silence for both of them. They just waited for the round to finish while sitting next to each other; Builder's mind was busy thinking about work and things he will have to fix once he goes back, if he ever does.
On the other hand, shedletsky was planning something, he watched his friend by the corner of his eye, making sure that he was not paying attention to his surroundings before slowly extending one of his wings, to wrap it around builderman's back. Gently resting against him.
Builder didn't even realize at first, until he noticed the feathers over his shoulder. Although it may have taken him by surprise, he didn't push him away. He wasn't against it; The place has always been cold, and although he could endure the temperature, the feeling was quite comfortable, as if a blanket was covering him.
Noticing that his friend did not have a negative reaction, Shed took it as a sign that he could continue getting closer. He brought his body a little closer, he limited himself to letting their arms touch and resting his head against the other's. but still trying to give him some space. This time he didn't want to be annoying, he wanted them to be cozy and have a moment of calm together in the middle of this hell.
After some short minutes of them cuddling in silence, shed's sudden voice pulled builderman away from almost falling asleep, and caught his attention again.
"y'know, buildy... Without you, I would probably have gone crazy in this place by now. You are the only thing I have left here."
"Are you joking again?"
Being that builder's immediate reaction, it provoked a small chuckle to escape from shedletsky's throat.
"Maybe, maybe not."
Builderman moved back a little to be able to look him in the face, he wanted to see his expression to determine if he was being serious or not. To his surprise, this time shed wasn't wearing the usual stupid smirk he did when he was trying to annoy him, but a genuine and soft smile instead.
And only then do I also notice the level of closeness they had; his face was just a few centimeters from his own, and with every breath he took, he could catch his scent, along with the faint smell of fried chicken, of course. But he did not dislike it at all. In fact, it caused a strange sensation in his chest, something that made him want to keep being this close to him and never let go. Builderman was confused, he knew that he only felt like this when he got too close to shedletsky, and had forgotten that he also usually tried to avoid getting close to him for that reason.
Was this wrong? he felt like it was. But he couldn't help it.
Why did only shedletsky make him feel this way?
They were interrupted upon hearing a thud very close to them They both turned in the direction of the sound to see chance sitting on the other side of the dispenser looking like he barely made it there and just throwed himself to the floor.
"Don't mind me, keep up ur romantic moment. I'll just be here restin'..."
The gambler let out a sigh of relief as he felt the dispenser doing it's magic. He was almost dead and since elliot had died a while ago, he had been searching for a medkit for a long time, bleeding and dizzy as hell.
"...Romantic?"
Builderman mumbled after a few seconds of shock. That single word made him realize the situation, had just been caught being so close to shedletsky. Literally cuddling with a man. And worst of all, enjoying it.
Although it seemed that the gambler cared little or nothing at all about it, builderman's thoughts quickly betrayed him. What would chance think about them now? What if he tells someone else about what he saw? Will they laugh at him?
Shedletsky noticed that builderman's body tensed, and this puzzled him. He was so relaxed before, why all of a sudden he felt so distant, despite being so close to him?
"Hey, buildy? What's wrong?"
"Don't call me that."
Before shed could react, he was pushed roughly by builder.
"Ouch! hey! what was that?"
Shedletsky questioned as he pushed himself up from the floor, and he was about to speak again, but his mouth closed as soon as he saw the look builderman was giving him.
"It is not appropriate for you to be so close."
"i.. i thought you were comfortable with it! if you didn't, why didn't you tell me?!"
"i just.. ugh.. it's because i was cold, okay? Don't get the wrong idea. Anyway, if I played along, you were going to laugh at me, right? That was what you wanted.
"I..."
This time shedletsky wasn't joking, but he didn't want to say it at that moment, not in front of Chance. He didn't know what to say now, the change in builderman's behavior was so sudden, and he couldn't understand it. He went from being almost affectionate, to seeming to hate him in the blink of an eye.
"Why can't you take this situation seriously? I only tolerated you because we worked together, and now i have to tolerate you here?."
Builderman in those words, vented a little, he was somewhat tired of him but he knew that shed was just like that. Unfortunately, he didn't realize how rude he had been until he heard chance's gasp and saw shed's reaction. He looked hurt, offended, and shocked at the same time. He stayed silent, taking in builderman's words, which repeated over and over in his head. Slowly, he lowered his head.
Builder immediately regretted it, he truly considered shedletsky his friend and didn't mean to say that, he only said it because he thought that if he acted cold he would look like the usual builderman, but maybe he took it too far. He wanted to apologize and tell him that he was lying, but another part of him reminded him that the chance was still there, and he didn’t want to appear vulnerable, or for chance to realize how impulsive and dumb he could be.
His mind was a turmoil, he didn't know what to do as thousands of actions came to his mind and didn't know which to choose.
He felt desperate for not being able to do anything because his mind wouldn't allow it being completely blank, his body felt so desperate, and it reacted as a defense mechanism before his mind..
All he wanted was to end this quickly, so what he ended up doing was running away. He quickly turned around and left the other two men behind, one startled by the drama and the other, heartbroken.
A killer out there? Who cares.