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Chapter Text

It’s times like these where Elliot really started to miss his old bike. 

He hears C00lkidd laughing behind him as something flies right by his head and through the wall of the nearby lost and found building.

Being mocked by images of the child as he ran was not helping.

He used to love amusement parks but this? This was just another hell for him.

“I’M IT I’M IT I’M IT!” He shouts and Elliot steps to the side. 

He watched as the red boy slams face first into a wall, “OUCH!”

He’s never had the time (or the patience) to have any sympathy for this kid though. Right now Elliot was just happy to stand still for a second.

As C00lkid stumbled back up Elliot found himself stumbling back, turning and just booking it.

That feeling in his legs took over, the thing he’s come to call Rush Hour because he always felt the same whenever they got really busy at the pizza place. Suddenly he could run at what felt like a mile a minute.

But, the kid was always close behind.

All this because he didn’t want his workplace destroyed by a child and his ignorant father. So what if he banned them. They both deserved it. Elliot had to learn to catch bombs and dodge tears in reality as he was delivering pizza. He had to learn how to tell what ingredients were real and which ones would glitch his body out to touch. He had to stare at red walls with images of the kid plastered everywhere. Hell, he almost drove off the edge of the world because he decided he wanted to tilt the baseplate 45 fucking degrees.

So what if he didn’t want everything around him sent to ruin. Personally he doesn’t think he deserves eternal damnation for it. He actually thinks he deserved a raise for being the only one ballsy enough to do it. But minimum wage it was. God he did not get paid enough. And even worse, he now has to deal with this kid without pay.

As he feels his legs weakening he can tell by the growing laughter he’s just getting closer and closer. 

Though it doesn’t help that this is no longer really a kid anymore. Nine feet of unbridled aggression would do that to you.

Suddenly, Elliot feels the tie that once held his hair in its short pony along with the side of his neck is sliced as he charges past, “TAG! YOU’RE IT!”.

He takes a step back as C00lkidd turns, brandishing his sword with a manic smile spread across his face.

Elliot felt like he was burning, pain searing through his veins.

He backstepped a lunge from the boy on pure accident, trying to regain his footing.

That’s when he hears it.

The spin of a staff, the charging of magical energy.

And suddenly, C00lkidd was sent through a brick wall to the side of him.

Elliot’s head turned, seeing a familiar pumpkin headed man standing with staff pointed.

He approached Elliot, orange fire shining through the blue pumpkin, white robes flowing in the light breeze. If Elliot didn’t know any better he would think he was some kind of grand wizard, come to save him. But,

“The night is cold as the moon shines bright. A slice of pizza may serve me just right.”

It was just Dusekkar. The most pretentious man he knew.

Elliot glances over him, catching glimpses of a sunken spot in his head as well as scratches a bruised, seemingly from a fall.

So, he materializes a pizza slice in his hand.

“Yeah, sure pumpkin guy.”

He watches as the slice appears, one of the eight he gets each round. This time, it’s a deluxe vegetarian, what he’s come to learn is the robed man’s favourite.

He hands it to him before asking, “how do you even eat it anyways?”

“Same way as the rest of us doomed. I slip it in my mouth and then consume.”

Elliot knew better than to mention how sexual that sounded.

“Yeah but your mouth doesn’t move.” Elliot puts his hands on his hips.

Dusekkar just gives him a blank stare before slowly threading the pizza through his carved mouth, vanishing as it passes the threshold.

Elliot just gives him an equally blank stare visibly done with this entire interaction. Whatever this man is on, he wants some of it.

“Eh Matt, been a while.” Elliot turns and sees Shedletsky walking over, sword slung over his shoulder, “Where’s the killer?”

Elliot grabs the tie off his wrist and starts to put his blonde hair back in its low pony. Well, with how awkward his hair length is it’s always looked more like a bun. He never had time to cut it, always working whenever the barbers were open. And with an always undetermined schedule, he never could risk an appointment that we would just end up cancelling. 

“For an Ex, you sure ask me a lot of questions, Shedletsky.” He scoffs, “Plus, my name is Dusekkar you chimpanzee.”

Elliot was used to their bickering at this point, most of them were. 

“Am I just an Ex to you? Wow. I thought you thought more highly of me.” He shrugs, “anyways I still need an answer on where the killer is. Or even better, who it is.”

Despite whining about each other constantly, Elliot knows the two didn’t end on bad terms just they’re both incredibly stubborn men. He doesn’t actually know how they ended though. He knows better than to ask though. The smartest thing to do was always just keep his mouth shut.

“The one killing them is the one cloaked in vermillion.” Dusekkar sighs, pinching his non-existent nose.

“The fuck is a verminian?” Shedletsky spits.

“The one who considers us all discardable is the shade of a cardinal.”

“Like, a direction?”

Elliot kind of wants to see how long this could go on for. That’s when he’s pointed at.

“The killer has the same colour as this here runner.”

“Don’t bring me into this..” he can’t help but mutter.

“Is it John Doe? I mean their skin colours sort of match up.”

“NO IT’S C00LKIDD YOU FUCKING IDIOT-” Dusekkar suddenly snaps but is interrupted.

“I’m telling dad..” C00lkidd whines as he slowly gets back up again.

Then he laughs, two other figures rising up next to him, “Ready or not, here we come!”

And this was the cue Elliot needed for that rush to activate again, sending him backwards and away from the looming threats wearing his uniform.

“USE THAT DAMN SWORD TO STOP HIM AND HIS AFFILIATES!” Dusekkar shouts, shoving Shedletsky towards the killers.

“At least shield me!”

While Elliot thought he could trust two forty year old men to handle this, he knew deep down he couldn’t.

So, once he got a safe distance away, he found himself hopping a wall and running straight into a generator (thankfully not literally).

He peeked over the wall knowing that he should just kill time doing this before he would inevitably have to give out two more pizza slices.

Chapter Text

Elliot found himself sitting against yet another wall, trying to tend the wounds he gained from yet another encounter with 1x1x1x1.

He hides next to one of what he presumes is builderman’s sentries, knowing that any slowdown it’ll give the glitch of a man might be just enough for him to escape.

So the medkit supplies are spread across the dirt floor him trying to make which way of it all.

He’s most worried about his arm, a glitching hole stabbed through his forearm, one that’s wide enough at this point he can see the grass below it.

So he wraps a bandage around it tight, trying to compress it enough to stop the bleed.

Currently his body is screaming at him to hide here. To just stay for a bit longer. But can he? He’s the only mobile healer, the other needed to be built in one stationary spot by Builderman. Sure, maybe he’s in a bit of pain but it’s fine. But someone needs to aid those who are always fighting on the frontlines.

And if that has to be-

Something swings at him. He jolts to the side to dodge the strike.

There he sees, Builderman, wrench tight in his hands.

“IT’S ME IT’S ME!” Elliot throws his hands up.

“Oh. I thought you were one a C00lkidd’s minions.” he lifts his goggles up.

“He’s not even the killer right now, it's 1X.”

“Well I got somethin’ launched at me earlier and I flipped a coin and it said C00lkidd.”

“Coinflips are Chance’s thing, stick to sentries.” Elliot scoffs, “And try not to hit me I just used up my damn medkit.”

“Kid ya got no respect fer yer elders.”

“I got no respect for people who swing wrenches at me.” Elliot rolls his eyes, “Look. I was just trying to hide out here for a minute. That’s all. I just this was a good spot for it so I took cover.”

“1X nearby?” Builderman asks, stopping for a brief second to look over the sentry, making sure it is working properly still.

“No, he was chasing one of 007n7’s clones last I saw.” Elliot sighs as he finishing up tending to his wounds by placing a bandage on his cheek.

He knows it’s not perfect but it’s practical enough for now.

“And you didn’t stop to help him?” Builderman snorts.

“Look. It was just his clone, obviously so, he ended up running into a wall for like five seconds. I didn’t know where he actually was, could’ve been across the map already.”

“We all know the real reason. You can admit it. I don’t trust the guy either.”

“I never said I didn’t trust him, I really think he has nothing to hide, but I still don’t exactly like him.”

“I’d love to continue this, riveting,” he fiddles with something on the sentry, “Conversation. you don't happen t'have pizza on ya', do ya'?”

“You know when you get hit by their attacks two very separate things happen, right?” Elliot sighs as he summons a pizza slice.

It quickly grows, shifting into a New York style cup n’ char pepperoni slice.

“Sure sure. Wasn’t payin’ much attention.” he mutters.

Elliot just sighs as he hands him the slice.

“Anyways, back to you hatin’ a man and his completely innocent child.” he speaks through a mouthful.

“That child was far from innocent, he was a terror I did not get paid enough to deal with.”

“What, yer daddy not pay ‘nough fer ya?”

“No. I got paid minimum wage and I was lucky at that. Made most of my shit from tips. Which, they didn’t even give.”

“Really? Wow.”

“Well I mean, they were obviously not financially the best off. He picked through coins when paying for food.”

“So did you like him or not?”

“You don't like him for a different reason than me. We are not the same.”

“Never said we were kid.”

“I’m not a kid. I’m 28.”

“That’s close enough- Wait, yer 28?”

“Yes. I’m not a fuckin’ baby Builder. I’m an adult who’s allowed to have complicated feelings on probably completely insignificant matters.”

“I-” Elliot stands up and interrupts him.

“I don’t like C00lkidd and his father because one nearly killed me and the other let it happen. At the same time, I’m allowed to see the corner he was backed into. I’m allowed to see the merits in 007’s current skillset while also thinking I deserve one hell of an apology for everything. I can tell you’ve never worked a low ranking job before because one of the first things you learn? How to work with and at the end of the day trust people you don’t like. Because there you both just want your paycheck and here, we all just want to live.”

He watches as Builderman doesn’t respond, just staring at his sentry. 

“Well-”

That’s when Elliot senses it.

He glances to the side and through the wall, in the distance he can see a yellowed figure running in the distance, someone who was just injured.
He takes a sharp breath in through his nose then out his mouth before turning and walking around the wall.

“Where you goin’?” Builderman calls out.

“Someone’s injured. I gotta go make sure they get their pizza order.”

With that, his legs start their rush automatically and he heads straight for where the figure was.

It doesn’t take him long though, he doesn’t find a survivor instead, finding 1x1x1x1 standing there, one sword over his shoulder, the other drawn.

As they turn, Elliot takes a step back.

“Who’s there?” they tilt their head, deep voice ringing out.

Elliot knows better than to stick around, so he turns and runs for his life once again.

It’s a bit more difficult though when he’s used up his Rush in order to get here in the first place.

He stumbles to the side as a shockwave flies through the air, just barely grazing Elliot, tearing through the sleeve of his uniform.

A horrible sensation overwhelms him.

To him, glitching has always felt like pins and needles, like everything just forgot it was real and blood stopped flowing. Though he knew one thing that was flowing through him, poison.

As he turned, forcing himself to run, it made him nauseous. A horrible dryness in his throat and what felt like his stomach being flipped.

Despite this, he tries his best to lose him. Running around every corner, trying to bob and weave his way out of trouble. 

As he feels those effects wearing off, he gains more momentum, hopping over a short wall before continuing to run and run. 

He could go back towards the sentry, but that would put Builderman at risk as well.

So instead, he just clutches his arm and takes another sharp turn. He heads for a bridge, and just as he crossing.

He’s hit with something. Boxes pop up in his vision and his body slows to a halt. He tries to move, tries to keep pushing but his body isn’t listening to his demands.

That’s when Elliot’s grabbed by the shoulder and turned around, forced to face his attacker.

A blade is suddenly jutted through his neck, causing his to cough up a splatter of blood.

That’s before they rip the blade upwards, tearing it through.

Elliot’s visor falls off, cut down the middle.

Elliot falls right after.

Chapter Text

Elliot needs to throw himself to the side to dodge Noli’s charge, rolling once he hits the ground. Out of the corner of his eye he can see that Chance is not so lucky, getting slammed into. Elliot knows what this means.

He knows to roll the ride once again, letting the purple man fly right by.

He quickly pushes himself up before running and grabbing Chance by the arm, yanking him behind.

“Did you.. Throw a pizza?” he asks.

Elliot briefly turns and sees that purple haze clouding Chance’s eyes behind his drooping glasses.

“You’re hallucinating.” Elliot sighs.

“Oh.” he pauses, “Mind if I get a good slice of pizza kid?”

“No. We’re literally running for our lives, I'll give you one after.”

To Elliot, dealing with chance always felt like dealing with a toddler who keeps trying to drink bleach. Or more accurately, one that carries a loaded gun that he points literally anywhere but the killer.

“Fine. Just-”

Something is launched between them, an explosion sending them flying apart before suddenly drawing them back in.

Elliot feels his head being forced down as he watches Chance take the brunt of Noli’s charge. Elliot’s head snaps back up as he sees Chance end up pinned to the ground.

Elliot watches as Chance grabs the flintlock strapped to their hip, and with one hand, fires.

But, no bullet comes out. Instead, Elliot’s ears briefly ring, before it clears up. A sound of an explosion.

“AHAHA, ARE YOU KIDDING? I HATE THIS STUPID JO-O-O-O-O-" the glitched cry might have hurt his ears more.

Noli is knocked away but that lets Elliot see that Chance’s gun just blew up in his hand. That hand that’s no longer there. Now just a grotesque stub that pulsates and bleeds and causes Elliot’s stomach to turn.

Despite this, he gets up and rushes over to him, grabbing him and throwing his arm around their waist, forcing Chance to run with him.

“Chance. You’re an idiot I can’t believe you would do something as stupid as-”

“Are.. you okay?” they ask, despite him being the one with the blown off hand.

“How I am right now doesn’t matter because you are dying. And, and I have to get you out of here. Right now.”

Elliot continues to run as he mentally covers his options. He knows he’s not strong enough to carry Chance, even if he is an inch taller than the grey skinned person. He wishes someone like Guest or Shedletsky were here, someone who could pick him up so Elliot didn’t have to watch him grimace through the visible agony. But right now it’s just him and Chance.

So, Elliot lets his rush go, holding tight onto Chance, swinging around corner after corner, trying to lose the killer behind.

At the end of the day, Elliot is no good at survival but he always wants his customers to be happy. And right now, what most people want is to be alive so that should make Chance happy.

A glitchy, “Don't stop me now…” rings out from behind Elliot.

So he slams Chance flat against a wall, narrowly dodging another one of Noli’s rushes.

He hops through a smashed window before using his sleeve to wipe away some of the glass shards. Only then does he help Chance through before the two continue to run.

Chance goes to stop but Elliot forces him forwards.

“H-He’s right in front of us-”

Elliot can see no sight of Noli in front but, can definitely hear him behind, "MY LEG!"

“No he’s not. Chance it's just a hallucination. Just keep breathing for me, alright?”

“You should.. Leave me behind. Save yourself.”

“I promised I would get you a pizza. You’re getting a pizza.” Elliot puts on a smile.

Behind it, he’s terrified. He knows at any moment, Chance could just drop. Whether it be from Elliot losing his grip or Chance’s body completely giving out. Either way, Chance wasn’t making it and Elliot even if Chance pissed him off sometimes (a lot of the time) did not want him to die. Not like this.

So that’s what kept him moving, kept him running around corners, pausing only briefly to catch their shaky breaths.

It’s on one of those brief stops that Chance spoke again.

“You.. you gotta get out of here.. I’m.. just slowin’ ya down pal.”

“And what? Leave you to die?”

“Anything could happen kid.” he tips his hat before turning to walk away.

Elliot just drags him back, “I’m two years older than you Chance. Besides, you're not going anywhere because you, are still hallucinating.”

“No I’m not-” they pause, “Hey is pumpkin guy around because I got a force field on me-”

Elliot knocks theirhead down, “Yeah, don’t look where that’s coming from.”

“I swear-”

“Let’s just keep moving.” Elliot sighs, seeing that currently, clearly seeing Chance has no such thing around him.

He pulls Chance forwards once again, getting him to keep moving.

Elliot notices the changes in the sounds around them, specifically the lack of that quiet buzz and hard footsteps.

And, it’s all confirmed when he hears, "Hello everybody, my name is-”

It just cutting off suddenly.

“He.. he must have teleported.” Elliot sighs, catching his breath.

He gets Chance to sit against the brick wall, quickly summoning a slice of pizza in his hand.

It turns into a slice of Margherita (with the tomatoes and pesto on top).

He quickly hands it to him, Elliot sitting down in front of him right after.

“Heh, thanks pal.” Chance briefly lifts the slice before taking a bite.

After that first bite, he watches as Chance gives up on the resolve and quickly engulf the pizza.

That’s when Elliot summons another one.

“Whoa, pal you don’t need to waste two on little old me-”

“We’re five hours in. I got four more left.” he shoves the slice into his good hand.

Chance just sighs before it turns into a chuckle, “You really are somethin’ special Ellie.”

He takes a bite of the second slice and Elliot watches as the bruises and gashes on their body slowly start to fade.

But, what doesn’t heal itself is Chance’s hand. It stays a nub, wound just closing up but not bringing the limb back.

Elliot knows it will come back once the game is over but, he still stares at it.

“You’re a bit roughed up too, you should take a slice for your-”

“You’re a fucking idiot chance.” he scoffs, “You weren’t a bit roughed up, we’re both soaked in your blood.”

“You’re bleeding too.” Their voice is flat, at least more steady then Elliot’s used to from them.

“The pizza isn’t for me. Back home I could get fired for eating a customer's slice.”

“How, do ya heal yourself then?”

“Medkits mainly, if I can find them. Other than that, sometimes Builder builds dispensers I can use.” Elliot sighs, “Look, does it matter, you almost died.”

“I’ve been at that point hundreds of times, even before this.” Chance rolls his eyes, “You need to take better care of yourself pal.”

“Says the guy who shoots a gun that blows his hand off half the fucking time.”

“What can I say? I love a gamble.” He leans in after, “Did ya know 99 percent of gamblers quit-”

That gets a small laugh from Elliot. One that brings a small smile to Chance’s face, one that Elliot completely misses.

“You are, one of the stupidest, most reckless people I know.”

“Takes one to know one Ellie.” he gives a lazy salute, “Now whatcha say we find a more concealed hiding spot and lay low.”

“I.. I can’t what if someone else-”

“You need to rest. Doctors orders.”

“You’re not a doctor.”

“Well you aren’t either pal.”

“Touché.” Elliot snorts, “Fine. We can find a better spot for you to hide while I wait for someone else to need me.”

Chance stands up, brushing the dirt off his pants, “If that’s what convinces you.”

Elliot sighs as he stands up as well, looking over the man for any other fatal injuries.

All he sees though is a few scrapes along with their white shaggy mullet and his stupid tooth gap.

“I think I know a decent spot.” Elliot takes the lead, “Taph sometimes sets up base there too.”

Chance slings his arm over Elliot’s shoulders, “Lead the way then pal.”

“Have I called you an idiot yet?”

“Yeah, at least twice.”

“For a gambler you really- You’re an idiot Chance.”

“Takes one to know one.”

Chapter Text

“Two Time get back here I need to heal you!” Elliot calls out as he chases the injured person.

Just barely did they escape Jason, now they were running away from the only healing they’re getting.

Jason was long gone, distracted by a grease fueled Shedletsky with what seems like his own death wish. But Elliot could go back for him. Elliot could not however, go back for a bled out Two Time.

So his feet pushed through the course mud, trying to match the smaller one’s pace. He doesn't even know how their still running with a gashing chest and shoulder wound along with cuts littering their entire body. He's also pretty sure that shoulder wound was close to being an impromptu amputation.

“Slow down dude!” Elliot shouts as they turn a corner but he just gets ignored.

So he reaches out and grabs Two Time’s wrist, “I need to heal you! Stop for one god damn second.”

“God isn’t real. The spawn is though, have I told you about-”

Elliot didn’t even believe in god anymore, “Yes you told me about the Spawn, a thousand times.”

“Well, the Spawn is going to bring me back when I die! So I don't need any healing.” they smile wide.

“The Spawn isn’t real.” Elliot sighs.

“Yes it is, I always come back!”

“You- you do?” Elliot tenses.

He usually doesn’t live long enough to see anything like that happening. Hell, if that could happen it might make his job a bit easier.

“Yeah! After I die, the Spawn graces me with wings and a tail and I’m reborn. You should join me in the worship of-”

“Yeah, I’m gonna stop you right there.” Elliot knows he’s always been a skeptic, customer service does that, “Have you, seen anyone else do that?”

“No, but I think I did something different, something..” their voice trails off and Elliot watches them start to stare off into space.

“Uh, so, I’ll take that as you’re the only one.” Elliot sighs, “Have you ever thought, I don’t know, it could be this place’s doing? Like, how all of a sudden my pizza heals people? Like you. It should be healing you right now.”

“Pizza.. Doesn’t heal people normally? How’d you figure that lie out then?”

“That lie? The fuck you mean- You know what I’ll let that slide.” Elliot takes a breath.

“Well, how did you figure it out? Did the Spawn tell you? Because the Spawn talks to me.”

“I just, I guess I saw Chance injured by his own gun one day and well, the pizza kind of just, appeared. Actually the entire pizza appeared. I can control it a bit more now obviously.” he shakes his head to reset himself, “Anyways uh, you mentioned the Spawn.. Thing, talks to you? When did that start?”

“Soon after I got here.”

“Right.”

“I’m so blessed! He’s come to help me in my time of need.” they giggle.

“How the hell are you laughing you have a gashing wound on your- Never mind. Whatever just let me heal you this time.”

“No need Elliot!”

“You're bleeding out!” Elliot finds himself shouting.

Two Time takes Elliot’s hands, “And that’s okay! I’ll just come back.”

“That, that has to at least hurt or something.”

“Well, um. It kinda does? The tail and wings tear through my flesh but it's an oh so blessed gift from the Spawn so that doesn’t really matter.”

That causes Elliot to pinch the bridge of his nose, “So then, why, would you want that to happen?”

“Because it’s a gift from the Spawn! He’s going to let me be reborn-”

“And if he was doing it why would he only do it once, why not just, keep reviving you. I’ve seen you die, You’ve ended back up in the cabin with me.”

“Because.. Because I-. Never mind. It doesn’t matter. All he gives me is a precious gift that needs to be cherished.”

“Right.”

Elliot really did not have the time or the patience for this. He could tell, Two Time was not budging on their ideals, at least not right now.

So, he changed his approach.

“Yeah but, you said it yourself, it hurts to respawn, right?”

“I mean, yeah, it, sorta does.”

“So.. why not prevent it from hurting?”

“Because it’s a gift and I need to accept the gift.”

“If the Spawn is so benevolent, wouldn’t it not want you to feel pain?”

Elliot knows he could go even lower, say the pizza was blessed by the spawn just for him and his friends. But, somehow, Elliot still has a semblance of a moral code.

“I guess that makes sense.. I’ve never even had pizza though.” Two Time sighs.

“You, never had pizza?” Elliot blinks.

“Our group lived away from, frivolous society. We enjoyed life’s simple pleasures.”

“I count pizza as one of those. Always have.”

“Why?” they ask.

“Grew up surrounded by it. My dad is co-owner of the the place I used to work so, I, Kinda just grew up in the store, surrounded by pizza. It was something I could always get, usually sneaking it but. I was kind of a bastard of a kid too, my sister and I would always.. Draw on the walls..” Elliot’s voice drops off.

“Uh, are you okay-”

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” Elliot shakes his head, “Just, point is, it’s at least one of my, simple pleasures per say.”

“Can, I maybe try some?”

Elliot has to stop himself from screaming out in both joy and genuine relief.

“Of course Two, you most certainly may.” he just settles for a sigh and a small smile.

He summons the pizza in his hand and he watches it shift into a pizza he doesn’t recognize at first. With a glance, he starts to piece together olives, basil, mushrooms and different wild herbs scattered on top of it. Along with a lot of cheese.

He gently hands it over to the raven haired person (or maybe creature, Elliot could not decide at this point).

He watches as Two Time hesitantly takes it, pale hands holding it like some unknown artifact.

They tilt their head around it, obviously trying to get some kind of a grasp on the pure concept of it.

When they finally take a bite, Elliot’s shoulders finally relax.

“Hey this is.. Really good!” they exclaim before happily eating the rest, some sauce getting on their black fingerless gloves.

“I’m, glad you like it.”

They quickly start to eat the rest, muttering about things Elliot doesn’t want to comprehend.

“So like,” they speak with their mouth full, “You mentioned Chance made you unlock your power thingy. Why that sinner?”

“Sinner?” Elliot snorts.

“He’s a gambler! Gambling's bad.”

“I think.. I think we all of us here have sins in someway, why else are we stuck here?” Elliot sticks his hands in his pockets and looks up at the blood moon above.

“Oh.” Two Time pauses before eating the pizza’s crust.

“So… you’ll still give pizza to the sinners?”

“No matter the customer, I always try to leave them satisfied and smiling.” Elliot shrugs.

He catches Two Time just staring at him for a good few seconds.

Though in that pause, it gives Elliot enough time to see that Two Time’s wounds have mostly closed, just a few minor one left on his bare arms. Nothing fatal anymore.

“You alr-”

“I’m gonna go check on my ritual spot just in case!” he seems to snap out of it, “Can I come to you for more when I’m hurt?”

“Of course, what else am I here for?”

Chapter Text

Elliot really misses his old bike right now. Hell, he would even take one where he had to pedal over this constant sprint.

The killer of the day was C00lkidd. He hated dealing with 1X more but, C00lkid just usually pissed him off more than anything. Maybe it’s the fact he’s been getting his ass handed to him by a ten year old in real life and now here.

This kid mocked him everywhere he went, it was his eternal hell and he knew it.

Of course the thing that would burden him is the one set of customers he got mad at and in turn, did not make a satisfied customer out of.

Elliot turns to run into a building, trying to lose C00lkidd.

But, suddenly he’s swept off his feet, arms under his legs and back in a bridal styled carry. He looks up to see Taph before looking down to see he was lifted over one of Taph’s tripwires.

He looks back up to see C00lkidd tripping over the tripwire, stumbling forward a few feet before falling down, "No fair!".

Taph lets Elliot down before both start to run out another door, Taph tossing one of his subspace tripmines into the room.

“Thank you, sorry for almost tripping it.” Elliot apologizes.

He watches as Taph makes gestures Elliot recognizes as sign language but, he never did learn it.

Then, Taph seems to change his strategy. He points to Elliot, then gives a thumbs up.

Elliot gets the hint and nods.

The bomb in the room goes off, causing C00lkidd to yelp and audibly get slammed into another wall.

Taph quickly makes a variety of gestures, finally ending with one of a fishing rod.

“You want to lead him somewhere with bait?” Elliot confirms.

He nods before pointing at Elliot.

“What about me?”

He does the fishing rod gesture once again before pointing to the imaginary bait and then to Elliot.

“I am not the bait!” Elliot protests.

Taph just mocks a cartoon snicker before scurrying away, pointing to another building, holding up three fingers which Elliot assumes is for three minutes.

"Rattle 'em boys!" he hears called out from behind him.

“God fucking damnit.” Elliot sighs.

Elliot knows better than to stick around, not even glancing behind him as he takes a sharp turn away from both the threat and Taph.

He tries to remember what’s in this area. He knows there a lot of walls and a decent amount of glass buildings. Despite being glass, they seem to be unable to be shattered and can’t be seen through. He knows Taph pointed to the one tall building that usually held a generator so, he needed to avoid that for now. But where to-

Elliot is suddenly struck in the back, by something. He can feel the force slowly disappear but it’s quickly replaced by that growing familiar burning feeling.

That’s one way of getting rid of one of the clones but, that’s not a very good way. As he stumbles forwards, he can feel the other one slam into his back, only intensifying the burning feeling.

He recognizes the child’s charge up though, and just in time steps to the side to dodge the self proclaimed, “Walkspeed Override!"

That stalls just enough time for Elliot to feel the burning dissipate, turning into the urge to run. His legs stiffen up as he digs his heel into the dirt before pushing off and starting his dash.

He knows C00lkidd’s stubborn, he won’t give up chase unless he sees another survivor. So the issue isn’t getting him to that building, it’s living long enough to make it there.

As his legs slow, he knows C00lkidd will catch up.

So he starts taking turns, moving in unpredictable patterns so he can’t rush into Elliot on a whim.

Something goes flying by Elliot’s head but at this point, he ignores it. He has bigger problems right now like the fact he’s pushing his luck on his own stamina. He knows he can run for a bit but he’s no Guest. He can go in short bursts, that’s it. So a long winded chase like this is causing his stomach to cramp up and his body to scream at him to just stop.

As C00lkidd flies past him once again, he catches himself wondering how the kid has seemingly limitless stamina. Actually, the fact he’s a kid might be it. That or just good old speed hacks.

That’s when he makes the sharp turn back towards the building, when he knows pushing any more distance might kill him before C00lkidd does.And that’s with C00lkidd pushing closer, inch by inch.

His chest feels sunken in, air barely able to enter his lungs before he’s forced to exhale once again. He can’t really tell if he’s breaking into a sweat or not, too focused on making sure his feet land flat on the ground in front of him. He can’t afford to twist his ankle right now. He’ll surely be caught then.

So it comes as a relief to him that he can see the towering building approaching.

It’s even more of a relief when he steps inside, hopping over the tripwire, seeing bombs scattered all over the floor.

He stays just long enough to make sure C00lkidd’s following before he quickly cuts to the side and other another tripwire.

There he sees Taph, leaning just next to the door, ready to detonate.

And when C00lkidd trips on the tripwire once again, he does.

More bombs then what Elliot has the energy to count right now go off and he feels himself being pulled to the side, Taph seemingly blocking the extra shockwave from hitting Elliot using his own body.

Right after, as both can see C00lkidd, visibly dazed and disoriented, both turn to run, heading for another building, off to the side.

As soon as they have any level of safety, Elliot finds himself collapsing against a wall, trying to catch his breath.

He can’t really see Taph’s eyes but, he knows that expression anywhere. Taph is worried for him.

“I’m- I’m good, just, just give me,” he takes a sharp breath, “give me a minute.”
Taph sits down next to him, rubbing the back of the younger man, encouraging him to keep breathing.

After a few moments, Elliot glances over at him, seeing that his cloak is partially torn from the blast which means, his skin might be too.

So Elliot summons a pizza slice in his hand, a cheesy garlic one.

Taph throws his hands up.

“Just.. please take it. It’s the least I can do.”

Taph seems to hesitantly take it, before turning to the side a bit to start to eat.

Elliot never pushed this, he knows for whatever reason Taph really does not want to show his face. The exact reason is not Elliot’s business, nor is it his real concern.

“Hey.. I have a question.” Elliot finds himself speaking, “We pretty much have to do a whole song and dance whenever you ask for a slice. How do you like, ask for a slice or at least healing in ASL?”

Taph seems over joyed, quickly finishing the slice before turning back to Elliot.

He makes a series of hand motions before pointing to the pizza on Elliot’s uniform. Then, he makes another series before making a plus sign with two of his fingers. Elliot made sure to study both closely.

“First one is for pizza, second is for healing?” he checks.

Taph nods.

Taph then takes his gloves off and reaches into his pocket. Elliot expects anything over what comes out.

Some sparkly, hot pink nail polish that Toph happily starts apply on his nails.

“Had it before this all, stuck with me.” Elliot makes out.

Elliot then nods before Taph then seems to suddenly get an idea.

He takes Elliot’s hand and offers to apply some.

“I.. really don’t have time, I should go-“

Despite the hood and mask, “Elliot catches this grown man giving him puppy eyes.”

“Fine. Go ahead.” He sighs.

He sees Taph squirm with glee before starting to apply the gel to his nails.

It’s been a while since Elliot had his nails painted. The last time was when his sister bullied him into it. He’s since then become a bit more comfortable in his sexuality and his self so he really doesn’t mind this.

That is until he sees a yellow blur in the distance.

Despite Taph only just finishing his first hand, he quickly stands up, “I gotta go. Someone’s hurt.”

Taph grabs his shin.

“Look, I’ll, you can paint the other hand after I promise just. I gotta go.”

He briefly turns back to see Taph gesturing to his own back.

“My back’s fine. It doesn’t even hurt.” A lie.

And before any more protests can be done, Elliot rushes off, heading to where he last saw the yellow outline.

It doesn’t take long to reach the site.

He doesn’t want to see the sight.

He freezes up when he sees Chance lying there, bruised and bloodied, fedora fallen off a couple of feet away.

But lying close to him? A medkit.

All Elliot can think is that he was too late. He was too slow to save Chance. If he just stopped being so selfish, if he just pushed harder, Chance wouldn’t be dead right now.

Instead he stares at a lifeless corpse, glasses shattered and hair messed.

Skin blue and purple, contrasting the blood running from his body and the burned patches covering him.

Elliot summons a slice of pizza, a margarita one.

He places it atop the med kit.

“I’ll be better next time, I promise Chance.”

He can’t waste time. He could’ve saved if he wasn’t so god damn slow and incompetent.

His mind won’t shut up right now and honestly, as he’s frozen on the spot? Out in the open and vulnerable to a looming threat?

Part of him feels like maybe he deserved to be killed for this.

Chapter Text

Elliot stares at the tangled mess of colored wires within the busted generator.

Before being forsakened, the most experience he had with mechanics was fixing broken down equipment at the pizza place because his dad was too cheap to pay a real repair man. He also had some from fixing his motorbike up on the fly when it would randomly go kaput on the side of the road.

That’s the limits of his experience, so when he looks across the way at Shedletsky, easily repairing his side of the generator, he only gets more frustrated with himself.

Elliot catches himself staring at the older man, trying to figure out how to fix a generator based off his movements. But he instead notices something else. A large gash on Shedletsky, forehead, blood dripping down and staining his white t-shirt.

“God, what happened to you? I got a slice with your name-“

Shedletsky’s voice is gruff and deepened, “It’s fine. I got chicken.”

Elliot temporarily goes back to the wires in front of him. He has his chicken. It’s fine, he’ll use it when he feels like he needs to.

But will he? Elliot knows  Shedletsky is especially stubborn. He’s watched this man try and ask for help hundreds of times, all when it was way too late for him.

Elliot knows independence is an invaluable skill but, when it gets to this level Elliot finds it hard to agree that it’s all good.

“Then why haven’t you eaten your chicken? Your shirt’s turning red.” He questions.

“It’s not that bad. You’re exaggerating kid.” He scoffs.

“Fine, we’ll say I’m not exaggerating. How long are you gonna wait to eat and heal?”

“I dunno.. whenever it’s actually needed?”

“And when’s that?”

“You ask a lot of fuckin’ questions.”

“I would like you alive by the end of the round.” Elliot sighs, finally completing his side of the generator, shutting the flap. 

Though that was after about thirty minutes of working on it. He walks over to the front side, leaning as he sits down against it.

He glances over at Shedletsky’s panel, seeing that despite him only being here for about ten of those minutes, one side is already completely done. 

But, Elliot knows for him that’s slow. He watches his hands shake, him murmuring to himself about his current struggles.

“Why are you so damn persistent?"

“I’m a healer, I’m just doing my job.”

“Go heal someone else.” he waves him off.

“If I see someone else get hurt I will. I’ve tried to run circles looking for people but it really doesn’t work.”  Elliot explains, “So you’re stuck with me for now at least.”

“Whatever.” he rolls his eyes.

He can tell he’s getting nowhere, that Shedletsky isn’t budging on the issue.

So, Elliot pulls out his secret weapon, “What, do you feel you don’t deserve it for creating 1X or something?”

He watches Shedletsky immediately tense up and freeze, “How the fuck- WHO THE FUCK TOLD YOU!?”

Elliot has never seen Shedletsky get that mad but, he has experience dealing with temperamental customers.

“I figured it out myself. Relax I didn’t tell anyone but,” he pauses, “Look, I’ve seen you die enough times to figure out that 1X definitely had some beef with you while you seemed to get, to put it frankly, bitchy when they were around. You also mutter to yourself while you're injured.”

Shedletsky’s body loosens, gripping onto his own face, “I muttered about it.. Didn’t I?”

“Yeah.” Elliot states.

“And.. you’re still offering me pizza.”

“I mean, you obviously didn’t mean for them to end up like this so no, I don’t care. Plus, I would prefer to keep the person with a weapon, alive.”

“Do you think.. Anyone else knows?”

“Probably not. Most don’t hang around a guy being beat to a pulp.” Elliot shrugs, “Maybe Builder, you two hang out a bunch.”

“Oh god if he found out he would actually kill me.”

“Sounds overly dramatic. He’ll probably be more pissed that you didn’t tell him sooner.” Elliot rolls his eyes.

“Don’t.. Tell him please.”

“I’m not gonna tell anyone. I just want you to stop pretending like you don’t deserve help because of it.” Elliot sighs, “I’m just a pizza delivery driver. Doesn’t matter what people do, where pizza is needed, I go.”

“What about Seven?” Shedletsky asks.

“Yeah, he doesn’t count.” Elliot scoffs before taking a breath, “I think, I would if I had the chance. He mostly.. Avoids me though.”

“You know, what is it with wack ass fathers and me?” Elliot rambles, “I have to deal with your stubborn ass,”

“Hey! I’m not-”

Elliot ignores him and continues, “I deal with 7n700 and his insane crotch goblin and then I got my own father which is a whole other can of worms.”

“Your.. own father?” Shedletsky’s voice noticeably shifts.

“Look, I love my dad but, I’m pretty sure he ended up just seeing me as his employee and less of a son. Wouldn’t even give me a raise. I was probably just a really convenient employee to him. One whom he didn’t have to really impress because, I guess, biology or something makes you more attached to your parents. Or.. something. I don’t know, I didn’t go to col-”

“Elliot, your father loved you very much, trust me on that.” Shedletsky’s voice is a lot steadier than Elliot’s right now.

“Sure, whatever you say.” Elliot shrugs.

Shedletsky doesn’t seem to push it anymore, instead just turning back to the wires.

“Sorry. This is about you and your refusal to let me help.”

“You’re more stressed than normal.” Shedletsky softly chuckles.

“I’m not. I’m fine.” Elliot takes a breath., finally noticing he’s shifted from is laid back position to a tight, stiff and upright position.

So he attempts to lean back against the generator, trying to chill out for once in his life.

“God fuckin-” he hears Shedletsky mutter as he fails to connect to wires, before he speaks clear, "Pizza's something I could really use right now."

“About time.” Elliot scoffs, summoning a slice in his hand.

“Yeah I’ll be honest, ran outta chicken in the first two hours, Johnny Johnny over there really messed me up.” he snorts.

“Of course you did.” Elliot rolls his eyes “God, you are as stubborn as Chance except in the opposite fucking direction.” 

Elliot hands him a slice of barbeque chicken pizza, loaded with pieces of chicken, BBQ sauce, red onions and peppers.

He watches Shedletsky take a bite before smiling, “It’s no fried chicken but, it’ll do the job just fine.”

Elliot just watches as Stedletsky eats as he works. His hands slowly cease to shake, turning into steady motions. That blood also stops dripping from his forehead which probably helps too.

Elliot watches him fix the generator within a couple minutes, shutting the panel.

Both watch it flare to life, a low hum coming out.

Shedletsky stands up, wiping off his hands. Elliot follows, standing up as well.

“You need a bodyguard kid?” he asks.

“No, I move better solo.”

“Wow, are you calling me slow?”

“Yes.”

“Well, WAIT WHAT?!”

Elliot just laughs and Shedletsky finds him unable to not join in.

When it slows, Elliot speaks, “I’m not going to tell them about the whole, 1X thing by the way. It’s not my business. I have better dirt on you anyways.”

“What dirt.”

“You scream like a girl around spiders.”

“Who told you!” He seems angrier about that fact.

“Take a wild guess.” Elliot just snickers.

“Matt.” Shedletsky curses, “I’m killing that pumpkin ass bitch!”

Shedletsky starts to run off, obviously just picking a direction and assuming Dusekkar will be that way.

But, Elliot knows he has no time to rest, not when he glances to the other side and sees another yellow outline in the distance.

Chapter Text

Elliot is about to kick the generator he’s trying to fix. He can not figure out this pattern to save his ass. It’s just a tangled mess at this point, one Elliot is really growing closer to just giving up on completely. But he knows they’re close to the end. They have to be considering he’s down to his last two slices. He knows if he just finishes this the time might tick over and get them all out of this round. But at the same time, he knows that’s just wishful thinking. Who knows how many are already done or how close they even are to the end.

It’s his mental debate about if he should give up on it or not.

That is until he gets a real excuse to ditch it. From the corner of his eye he sees a flash of yellow, someone running.

He quickly stands up and kicks the  panel closed.

They looked to be underground on what Elliot calls the void. He doesn’t know why, he just jokingly called it that one day and it stuck.

So, he hops down into one of the many holes scattered all over.

He uses walls as cover as he tries to rush towards where he last saw the outline.

And just before the spot, in the direction they would have been running they find, Guest 1337 slouched over against a wall, gripping tight onto his side.

Elliot rushes over, his voice quiet, “what the hell happened? Is Jason still here?”

“No, got distracted by something.” He lets out a sharp grunt, “managed to get me pretty good before I shook him off.”

He lifts his hand to reveal a tear in his side, muscle torn and gushing out blood.

“Can I have a slice? I would be grateful for one..”

Elliot quickly finicks with his hands, summoning a meat lover's pizza slice.

He hands it Guest who just gives a satisfied grunt as he takes a bite.

It seems to take a minute but with time, his wound closes up and Elliot can relax ever so slightly.

“You do good work.” Guest smiles.

Elliot nods, finally trying to catch his breath.

“Sit down, seems like you just sprinted here.”

“I..” Elliot sits down next to him, “didn’t know how bad it was. Wanted to make sure I got here before you bled out, not after.”

Elliot holds his long legs close to his chest, resting his head on it.

He feels Guest rest his hand on his back, “you seem.. tired.”

“‘M fine, just been go go go for the past few hours.” He mumbles.

“Few hours?”

“Yeah, first Dusekkar and Shedletsky were continuing their fist fight from before. Had to help break that up because it may or may not have been ever so slightly my fault. Then Chance shot his hand off, again. Before fixing his gun and then actually shooting himself in the foot because he forgot he loaded it.”

“I’m gonna pause you there, Chance shot himself in the foot?”

“Yes. We were just talking and the  idiot must have gotten distracted or something and literally shot himself in the foot.”

“What we’re you even talking about?”

“I don’t know, he made a stupid joke and I laughed for some reason and then bang, he blew his toes off.”

Guest snorts.

“What’s that for?”

“Nothing. I just think I know why he got distracted.” Guest nods his head, seemingly think about a previous conversation with the gambler.

“How did he?” Elliot asks.

“Can’t tell you, said he would shoot me if I told anyone. Continue the rest of your story.”

“Okay fine. And then Two Time spent like 30 minutes telling me about the Spawn as I tried to convince them to not let themself die, they let themself die and then spent 20 more minutes telling me about their god damn cult. So I set them looking for Chance because the fastest Chance can walk is a hobble so I figured getting Two Time to annoy him would keep him safer while also pissing him off because he is escaping Two Time at his current speed. After that I barely managed to get an entire generator done solo without electrocuting myself. But then Jason found me but Taph saved me. He needed healing but before we could properly talk like, three other people needed my help.” He knows at best this is just a stream of consciousness, but man it feels good to get out, “So I’ve been running around like a headless chicken.”

Before Guest can speak, Elliot says one more thing, “sorry. I know my job isn’t that hard. At least not compared to everyone else’s, especially not yours. I’ve watched you throw yourself fist first at madmen with swords. Nothing I could do can compare to that.”

Guest seems to pause to think before replying, "Back when I was in the army, it was drilled into us just how important medics were. Sure, they weren’t carrying guns but, maybe even despite that fact, they still had the courage to charge onto the battlefield alongside us. They went just as headfirst into danger, without any weapons. Yes there were laws against hurting them in war but that didn’t stop The Bacon Army. Despite that, they saved our asses more times than any of us could count. And we knew, we could always rely on them.”

“Look, I appreciate the sentiment but even if I am the closest thing we have to a medic, I’m not even a very good one, the only useful skill I have is my speed and that’s not even very good considering my lack of stamina.”

“From what I hear from the others, you are also naggingly persistent.” Guest chuckles.

“That’s only because half of them refuse help.” Elliot scoffs.

“And most people would let them.” It’s a matter of fact statement.

“Yeah and I guess that makes me the idiot.” Elliot snorts, head still pressed onto his knees, that makes him unable to see the concerned look Guest gives him.

“Anyways, next time Chance shoots himself in the foot I’m throwing him some gauze and telling him to fix it himself.” He looks up but still rests his chin on his knees.

“You two talk about each other a lot.” Guest laughs.

“HUH.” Elliot whips his head to face him, “What the fuck does he say about me.”

Guest’s laugh slows, “it’s all good things, don’t worry.”

“You better not be lying asshat.” Elliot mutters.

“I’m not, trust me.”

“Better not.”

“You know, I think you two make good pair.”

“You’re joking right? Me and Chance? He's, like, hot and has no common sense. I’m, we’ll say cold, and seem to have more common sense than half the people here.”

“I believe every soldier needs their healer. Mine is my wife. Chance’s just happens to be you.”

“Can I quit that job?”

“Nope. It’s the kinda thing you’re stuck with for life, kid.” Guest gently elbows him.

“Ah, death, taxes and being a healer. The inevitable trio.” Elliot sighs.

“Nothing wrong with being a healer.” Guest smiles, “It’s an honorable job.”

“Look. Stop trying to flatter me. I really don’t do much. Honestly, I keep failing at my one job seemingly over and over again so, what I do is barely worth it.” Elliot murmurs, “You’re right, medics and healers are some of the most important people. But I'm not a healer, I’m just a minimum wage pizza worker.”

“Elliot do you really think that’s all you-”

“Shit.” Elliot’s head whips to the side.

He sees someone running in shades of yellow, someone stumbling and clutching their arm.

Elliot quickly stands up.

“What’s up, where are you going?” Guest asks, standing up beside him.

“Someone’s hurt. I have to go.” he starts to move but feels his wrist get grabbed.

“I’m going with you.”

“No, it’s dangerous, I think they’re being chased.” Elliot scoffs, “You shouldn’t want to interrupt a chase.”

“Not the most irrational thing I’ve done. Plus, you’ll need someone to distract him as you work your magic.”

“You’re batshit.” Elliot hisses.

“Then you sir, are the king of the looney-bin.”

Elliot relents, “Fine, you can come. Just don’t get killed please.”

“I promise I won’t, as long as you promise the same.”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Let's go.”

And the two turn, starting to rush towards the last spot Elliot saw the figure.

Chapter Text

“What’s your normal plan?” Guest asks from behind.

Elliot’s surprised he’s slightly faster then the soldier.

“Pray the chase ended. Otherwise, get in and get out.” Elliot explains.

“All this time here and that’s the plan?”

“I mean, if it makes you happier, it changes a bit depending on the killer.”

“How so?”

“Bait C00lkidd into charges so he’s distracted. Hide long enough for Noli to teleport. Hide behind John Doe’s own spikes. Just stay away from Jason’s close ranged ass. And 1X, yeah they really tick me off.”

“Good thing this isn’t 1X then.”

The two continue to run, right before they hear a scream for help, “SOMEONE HELP PLEASE!”

Both recognize that shrill voice immediately.

Elliot’s the one to shout, “Noob we’re on our way!”

As the two arrive, they see Noob’s slateskin fading away, Jason ready to preform another slash on the already bleeding man.

With no hesitation both rush over, Elliot grabbing Noob and Guest catching the blade, kicking Jason in his stomach.

“Go! I got this!” Guest shouts as Elliot pulls Noob away around a corner and behind a far away wall.

He watches as Noob collapses against it, starting to shake as their eyes linger wide.

Elliot crouches down in front of them, “hey, Noob, you gotta breathe with me.”

When he gets no clear response, he slowly takes Noob’s hands, “Hey.. I’m here, bud. It’s okay. I’ll get you fixed up and we’ll all get out of here.”

“It, it hurts Elliot.” Noob’s as shaky as his voice.

Elliot takes a breath, “I know. I know it does.”

Elliot glances them up and down, seeing how they’re just as shaky as their voice. He also sees that they have a large gash on their thigh, one on their upper arm and finally one on their cheek. They’re covered in bruises, especially on their left side. Elliot can tell they fell from a height, most likely from outside the pit.

That one on their thigh is the biggest worry. He’s seen people bleed out from it before and would not like to see it again.

So, he summons a slice of pepperoni pizza in his hand.

“Hey, Noob. Can you try and eat this for me? It should help with the pain.” Elliot offers it up.

“O-Only i-if you pr-promise you’ll still h-have one for yourself, j-just in case.”

“I do. I promise.” Elliot lies.

Noob nods, slowly taking the slice. They nibble on the slice before they start to catch their breath and take bigger bites.

Elliot watches as their wounds close, thankful it seems to be working. But, despite this, Noob still shakes.

“It’s okay, you’re okay.”

“I’m sorry- I-I just, I-I’m.. He, he just scared me. I was looking in the hole wh-when he shoved me down and, and now I’m here, and.. I’m s-sorry. I-I need to be tougher.”

“It’s okay. That would have scared the shit out of everyone.” Elliot makes sure to keep his voice steady.

“I-I just thought th-that maybe I could handle this alone for once and obviously that was wrong.”

“It’s okay to get help.” Elliot speaks, knowing he really can’t be saying anything.

He still continues, “I probably couldn’t have done this without Guest.”

“It just feels like, I’m always so.. helpless.” Noob sighs, leg bouncing.

“How so?” Elliot asks.

“You.. you can’t tell anyone..” Noob mutters.

“I won’t.” Elliot promises.

“I think that's why I’m here.” it comes out as a whisper.

“Really not the worst reason someone’s here..”

“I-I.. my partner and I-I.. we went to a game we shouldn’t of. We knew, we knew there was something wrong with it b-but, we went. We, we always went to those game so we thought it would be fine. We, we got into a fight and I-I stormed off before, before I-I heard the floor cracking. I-I tried to tell him but, Sixer, he, he shut the door. Then, I heard him scream. Scream louder than he ever had before and then, he was gone.” Noob rambles, “I-I don’t know what happened to him, the door, the door wouldn’t open. It wouldn’t o-open and I never saw him again. They were.. They were just gone, like that.”

Elliot takes a moment, just holding Noob’s hands.

“I’m sorry.. You had to go through that.” Elliot settles on this, “But, trust me, you are far from helpless. I’ll be honest, you are one of the survivors I heal the least. The low honour only goes to 007n7 who, you know about me and him. Other than that though, you, at least physically, are usually one of the people I’m less concerned about. You are far from helpless Noob.”

Noob takes a deep breath, “Th-thank you Elliot. It means a lot coming from someone like you.”

Elliot pauses, just taking that in.

“Someone, like me?” his voice is quiet.

“Yeah like, someone like you. You seem to always have your shit together. I remember when Sixer and I tried to briefly work at Builder Brothers Pizza. It was.. A trainwreck.”

Then, Elliot connects the dots, “Oh, that was you two. I didn’t even realize. Sorry we had a high turnover rate, saw new people constantly.”

“It’s understandable, don't worry. But, we were in the kitchen and somehow, a pizza caught on fire. I just remember you rushing in, all cool and collected. You just, grabbed the fire extinguisher and put it out. Just, like it was nothing. Even here, you’re always helping people. You’re just, so amazing.”

“Oh, uh, th-”

Then, Guest rushes by, Jason chasing after.

But Elliot watches from the corner of his eye as Jason turns towards them, charging first at Noob.

Without any hesitation, Elliot shoves Noob out of the way, machete being driven through his sternum.

He yanks it out before going to strike Elliot’s neck.

That’s when Guest returns, punching Jason in the stomach, causing the killer to stumble back.

Elliot’s ears ring, the pain coming like a humming drone.

Elliot just feels himself getting yanked up, calloused hands holding him up.

Guest is the one carrying him. He and Noob now running away from the masked man.

“Elliot you have to eat some pizza!” Noob shouts.

Elliot just lets out a quiet groan in response, breathing already growing laboured.

“Elliot. Stay with me here. We’ll find a medkit and get you out of this.” Guest speaks.

There’s no clear response from the blond.

The two just look at each other before rushing towards the ramp, hoping maybe someone would be up there. Someone who could give that little more support.

And that’s when it happens.

The two watch a cube fly by them, slamming into Jason and creating a purplish-pink blast.

Noob and Guest look up, seeing Taph standing at the top.

The two rush past him, hopping behind a wall and laying Elliot down on the ground.

“Elliot, you have to, t-to get yourself a pizza slice.” Noob practically begs, kneeling on the ground next to the punctured man.

Elliot just smiles, “I.. I got none.”

“You said you would have one left!”

“You.. you wouldn’t have taken it if I didn’t..”

“Taph do you have a medkit!” Elliot hears Guest shout.

Elliot can feel his eyes fluttering shut, that hole in his chest still pouring blood. It makes it hard for him to breathe, feeling like liquid was pooling in his weakened lungs.

“WELL FIND- one..” Guest goes quiet and Elliot sees him looking down at him.

Guest moves some of Elliot’s hair off of his face, reaching down to take his hat off and place it onto Elliot’s stomach.

“It’s okay kid. You can rest.” his voice is soft.

“He, he can’t..” Noob’s voice trails.

But despite that, Elliot starts to let his eyes drift closed. 

His breath slowly slowing down. It’s almost like he was falling asleep.

But both knew Elliot wasn’t going to wake up, at least not during this round.

And both just had to sit there for a second, processing all that unfolded and all that might unfold.

Chapter Text

Elliot had been fixing a lot of generators recently. So much so that his once hour per generator had turned into a more respectable thirty minutes per generator.

And he was at a decent pace. One side was already done while he was just starting to push through the other.

That’s when, out of the corner of his eye he sees someone appear midair before tumbling to the ground.

He quickly looks to the side and there he sees 007n7 hit the ground, let out a quiet swear that hides itself within a groan.

007n7 looks up before scuttling back away from Elliot.

The two lock eyes, neither making a sound. 007n7 is the first to look away, seemingly glancing around at all his options.

Elliot watches as 007n7 limbs over, Elliot noticing the bruising and twitchy air around him.

He watches him sit down at the other end of the generator, a light purple haze over his eyes.

Elliot catches him muttering, “Noli better shut the fuck up for once if he doesn’t leave me.. Alone.”

His voice is breathy, lost in his own thoughts.

He watches the gaunt man, wipe off the top of the hatch and look at the red. He seems satisfied then, opens the hatch on the generator and starts to work on what’s now his side.

It’s not a comfortable silence, the tension causing Elliot’s hands to be suddenly unable to do their job.

He finds himself continuously glancing up at the man in front of him. Watching that purple haze go away but, seeing the heavy bags under his eyes linger.

He shouldn’t feel bad for him. He shouldn’t care that this man who made him exhausted is a little tired.

But, he knows that this doesn’t look like a little tired. This looks like at least a week full day shifts in a row. This looks like a mother with six kids who finally cracked and is at the place ordering three pizzas as one of her kids yank down on her arm and beg for a drink. This looks like someone ready to be at the end of a looped rope.

Elliot can’t focus on the work in front of him. He couldn’t ignore him, even if his cry for help wasn’t audible.

So, he summoned a slice of pizza in his hand.

He slides it over the top.

He watches his eyes go wide before he just stutters out, “...Uh.. T-Thank you…”

But, he doesn’t take it.

That’s when Elliot notices what kind of pizza it is, sausage.

“I.. didn’t expect you to like sausage pizza.” Elliot speaks out loud.

“Oh, um. It, was C00lkidd’s favourite. So, we, we always got that one. I never really liked it before but, I guess, it became an acquired taste.” Elliot sees a small smile grow on his face.

“Yeah, I guess you two did get that one a lot.” Elliot rubs the back of his neck.

The area goes quiet once again. That is until 007n7 breaks it.

“I should, um, apologize. For everything.”

Elliot doesn’t say anything.

“What, what my son put you all through was.. Horrible. Both now and back then. Y-you, didn’t deserve that. I-I shoulda controlled C00lkidd better but I guess, but I… it’s complicated. Think I didn’t wanna be like my own parents. But uh, yeah. I’m sorry for everything Elliot. I-I don’t expect forgiveness.”

“Your child threw a bomb at me.”

“Yeah.. he.. Liked to do that..”

“How’d C00lkidd end up, like that?”

“Here or.. Before?”

“Why not both?”

“When I was.. A bit younger, I found C00lkidd in an alleyway. He was, a baby, left in a box saying, take me. I, I wasn’t a great person at the time. Noli and I, we did some stuff together.” Seven starts.

“Wait, you also know Noli?” Elliot snorts.

007n7 expects the worst, he expects Elliot to ridicule him, to leave. To scream that this is his fault. But Elliot doesn’t.

“Sounds like you have horrible luck dude.”

“Yeah, yeah I guess I do..” he sighs, “Anyways, Noli, did not want me to take the kid but, I, I knew no one else would. C00lkidd had, a skin condition. I love him despite it but, I know from experience, the world isn’t so nice to people like that. So I figured, he was left.. Because of it. Noli was really upset when I took him in, actually broke up with me because of it.”

“Noli’s your ex?” Elliot squints, “That ugly cuck?”

007n7 just laughs, “He looked a bit different back then. More uh, human, less dead looking. I, I don’t think he left because he though C00lkidd deserved to be abandoned but, he, he wasn’t one who enjoyed the idea of being a father. But yeah, he left so I guess it was just C00lkidd and I. I, I spoiled him. Gave him all he could want that I could afford. I gave up exploiting completely. That was.. Until he was around five and found my old programs. I let him try one out and, he was a natural. Back when I was his age, I, if I was good at something my father would just, shut it down. Tell me it was worthless. So, I didn’t want to be like that. But, I may have swung too far in the other direction. I let him get away with, a lot. I never really knew, how to parent. My parents made sure of that. At least not until it was too late. Paying for place repairs.. Drained my accounts and well, yeah. We were happy though. We were happy.”

Elliot watches 007n7 take a deep breath.

He decides to speak up, “You, you don’t have to tell me anymore if you don’t want to. I’m not an asshole who’s going to force you to do that.”

“It’s, okay. It’s nice to finally get to talk about it all.” he smiles.

Elliot nods.

“Well um, one day, I let C00lkidd go play at our local park and um,, he never made it home. I, I don’t know what happened to him. All of that time was a haze. I just remember searching for him, over and over again. I was desperate for anything, any evidence, any signs of him. But, I never found him. Soon after um, Builderman and Shedletsky came after me, ready to finally ban me like they’ve been trying for so long to do. I managed to get away with one of my beta programs but uh, I just remember going into a forest and, now I’m here. And, he is too.”

Elliot nods, taking it all it. It feels different listening to the truth behind someone you blindly hated. It feels strange learning about their struggles and why things may have ended up like this.

He has a nagging feeling though that, Seven really didn’t conclude his story but, Elliot wasn’t going to push that. He got his explanation. He has a reason now. He can tell he’s being honest, by the way his hands stay at work, trying to keep themselves busy with the generator. The way Seven refuses to look him in the eyes.

“I’m, I’m sorry again. None of that excuses the things you went through. Just uh, I think that’s why everything happened. Maybe, maybe if I had been better you wouldn’t have been hurt but-”

“But maybe I would have still been.”

He watches as Seven looks up at him.

“Look.. I can’t say I forgive you. But I think you already understand that, I went through hell with your son around. But, I think we can move past it. Start anew. Your son is a little shit but, he’s a kid. And I’m pretty sure that if I had all that power at that age, I might have done a lot of the same things. Not the bombs though. You gotta take him to a destruction world or something to get all that out. Anyways,” Elliot tries to get back on topic, “You, may be banned from the Builder Brothers Pizza building but, I never said anything about being unable to deliver to you two when we all get out of here.”

Elliot catches tears forming in the corners of Seven’s eyes but, he decides not to push it.

He watches though as Seven finally takes the slice, taking a bite soon after.

“Tastes just like before. Have I mentioned it was C00lkidd’s favourite restaurant?"

“So he destroyed it?” Elliot raises an eyebrow with a small laugh.

“If it makes you feel better, my house looked like that half the time too.” Seven chuckles, taking another bite.

“That actually does.” Elliot turns back to the wires, starting to finish it up.

The silence is no longer uncomfortable. Instead, it’s just a period of grace and a period to reflect. Something both needed after this conversation.

Chapter Text

Elliot was once again, missing his old bike.

It really didn’t help due to the map they were on, he was constantly being reminded of his beloved.

Being surrounded by memories of his past didn’t help him with processing the conversation of the round prior.

It’s been years since he’s seen the pizza place get this bad. Actually, he thinks it never did get that bad.

What once was his entire world I burning down around him, only faded stains of past memories left behind.

Plus, what really didn’t help was the fact he was being chased by his least favourite killer. Which, surprisingly was not C00lkidd.

“Feel my ENTANGLEMENT.” They below out and Elliot does his best to dodge the sudden strike.

But, he can’t dodge the next one.

He gets slashed in the back. The magic  doesn’t cut but he knows it’s probably already bruised.

Though, what’s even worse is that glitching feeling and that feeling of being frozen in place.

It doesn’t take 1X long to catch up and strike Elliot, slitting his shoulder while knocking him into the ground.

He’s about to do right where he would leave to deliver pizzas. Right where his dad would wave him off with party trays of handcrafted pizzas. He’s about to wave his whole life of.

Elliot lands hard, head slamming into the ground, causing him to be able to feel his brain shake.

He can’t help but be reminded of when he was learning how to use his bike. When he fell off and bashed his head on the concrete. Mia whined so much that she had to go to the hospital with them.. He ended up with a concussion after the ordeal.

But right now, as he’s in a similar scenario, there’s no one to sweep him up and tell him it’ll be alright. No one to tell him it wasn’t his fault, that it was just an accident. No one to protect him.

At least, that’s what he believes. 

He crawls back but finds himself pressing against a truck, eye to eye with his predator.

As the sword swings down, threatening to cut him in two, it’s stopped by something.

1X stumbles back and Elliot can see something around him. Dusekkar’s shield.

“FOR THE PIZZA!” He hears Two Time shout as they seemingly jump off the top of the truck, blade first.

They slam into 1X, stabbing the knife into them.

This goes about as well as Elliot expects, 1X instinctively swatting them away, sending them flying.

But, someone stops them before they hit the wall. Guest. He catches them before gently placing him on the ground.

After Guest immediately charges into battle.

That’s when Elliot sees a person rush over to him. Noob.

“We- we’re getting you out of here, al-alright?” They smile.

“H-huh..?”

“Do you have a rush or not?”

Elliot shakes his head.

“Ok, I got a bloxy cola for you then.” Noob pulls one from their satchel.

“W-wait, that’s yours, you need that.” It comes out more slurred than Elliot wanted.

“This is an extra I-I found, mine’s still good.”

Elliot nods slowly, taking it.

He feels Noob slowly helping him up, letting Elliot adjust to being standing which, his body does not like.

“Chance has the Medkit!” Guest shouts, “Get-“

For a brief moment, the sheer stupidity of that statement snaps Elliot out of his daze, “YOU TRUSTED CHANCE WITH A MEDKIT?!”

“Young one, just get him to the gambler. I will protect these survivors using my glamour.” Dusekkar approaches from behind.

Noob nods before urging Elliot to drink the cola, though they ultimately end up needing to aid him in doing so.

Even though it’s rough, the two start to run, Noob supporting him up every step of the way after chugging back his own drink.

But, Elliot knows the sounds of 1X’s pursuit, he knows they’re chasing him down to finish the job.

He can vaguely hear Noob cursing under his breath repeatedly.

“L-leave me to him.” Elliot chokes out, “Y-you’ll move faster-”

“I swear to Builderman himself if he just said to leave him behind.” Elliot’s head turns, seeing that silver haired man here.

Noob nudges Elliot into Chance’s arms.

“I need to go check on them, if 1X got away something must have happened.” Noob scurries off, leaving chance to keep leading Elliot to safety.

Elliot finds it easier to move with him. Not just because Chance is a little bit stronger then Noob but because this, has become a regular occurrence for the two, just usually the other way around.

“How you holding up?” There's no smirk behind Chance’s voice, just a genuine question.

“Great. Just fucking great.” Elliot spits before he regrets showing any emotion or even speaking for that matter.

His back flares up in pain and his splitting migraine seems to only get worse.

Despite the world being naturally dim, the light is still getting to his head and he just wants to throw up.

“We’re almost at the meet-up spot, we just-”

They both hear 1X raring up an attack, and feel their approach.

And Elliot watches as with no hesitation, Chance turns them around and takes his pistol out.

And for what feels like the first time in forever, it fires and hits its intended target.

1X stumbles backwards.

Just as that happens, 007n7 runs by but Elliot knows that’s not really him.

1X doesn’t at first though and as he runs by, they take a swing.

That seems to distract them long enough for the real 007n7 to sneak out from behind a crumbling wall, partially invisible.

“We’ll all keep him distracted here. Keep Elliot safe.” 007n7 whispers as his command console appears in front of him.

Elliot feels strange for a second, more floaty.

That is, until he and Chance are suddenly in front of an old brick house.

Elliot can make out vague shapes, Builderman’s sentry, as well as Builderman himself, Shedletsky and Taph.

There’s tripwires by both the stairs and the doorway to the house as well as crudely hidden explosives laying in bushes.

“Welcome to your personal safe house.” Chance hums.

“Stop trying to be cool and tell me what the fuck is- shit shit shit.” Elliot interrupts himself, Straining his back.

Breathing is starting to get more difficult.

“Look..” his voice softens, “We all wanted to do something for you, since, you kinda, keep us all sane and alive.”

“He’s right kid.” Builderman leans forwards on the railing, “Though you can credit him Guest and Noob fer bringin’ us all on board.”

Shedletsky adds “Also, dispenser’s inside, get yourself healed, everyone’s orders.”

Taph just gives a thumbs up before drawing a smiley face in the air as well as a heart.

“B-but, you guys.. I c-can’t.”

“One round. It’s all we ask for Ellie.” Chance looks him in the eyes, “One round where we can finally care for you.”

And, Elliot could never say no to that face.

“Fine. o-one round. J-Just because I think I’m uh, head fucked. What’s the word..?”

“Concussed?” Builderman clarifies.

“HE HAS A CONCUSSION?!” Shedletsky suddenly shouts causing Elliot to recoil, the sudden noise feeling like a jackhammer in his brain.

“Shhhh.” Chance scolds, “Quiet.”

“Sorry..” he mutters.

Elliot is then led by Chance towards the door, over the sets of tripwires.

“Thank you..” Elliot mumbles, not to just Chance but the other three there.

“Anytime kid.”

“Get yourself healed up Elliot.”

Taph points to Elliot before drawing a star in the air.

And with that, they step inside the room and Chance closes the door behind.

In the center of the room is one of Builderman’s dispensers, causing a light and airy haze to fill the room.

It fills his lungs, allowing him to breathe every so slightly easier.

Chance leads him to a bed that’s in the corner, helping him sit down on it.

Chance then pulls out a Medkit.

“I, I can do it-”

“No no, I’ve learned enough from you doing it to me.” Chance states, “You’re resting.”

“Fine..”

Chance pops open the kit reaching for the different supplies.

“What hurts?”

Elliot gestures to his head and back.

So Chance starts on his head first. He peeks around and sees a gash on the back of Elliot’s head so after putting some medicine on the bandages, he starts to wrap it around Elliot’s head tightly, putting enough pressure on to make sure Elliot’s head doesn’t bleed further.

“Okay, can you lift your shirt so I can take a peek at your back, only if you’re comfortable of course.”

Elliot nods, letting Chance help him take off his red button up revealing his black tank top. As Chance crawls around, he lifts the back of it up.

“Shittt..” Chance grits his teeth.

“Hm?” Elliot’s body is too exhausted to have a strong reaction.

“Just, it’s a pretty bad bruise. Not much I can do but, there is two of those smashy icepack thingies in there, would you like to use them.”

“Yes please..”

Elliot feels Chance’s breath hitch.

Chance is far from used to this side of Elliot. He doesn’t like it. There’s no snarky comebacks, no fight in his veins. He’s just being dragged down by the bags under his eyes and the weight of the world on his shoulders.

So he cracks the two ice packs before using some more bandage to makes sure they hold to Elliot’s back.

At first, Elliot hisses at the feeling but, he starts to grow used to it, it distracting him from the regular pain at least. But more importantly, he can feel Chance’s hand linger on his lower back.

God, he loves the warmth of his touch, the knowledge that someone’s there with him right now. Someone as amazing as him is there right now.

“Anything else I can help you with doll..?”

“Doll?” Elliot snorts, feeling something grow inside of him.

“If I can’t call you kid, I’m callin' ya doll. Fair’s fair?” Chance chuckles.

“Fine, whatever you want idiot.”

Chance lets out a smile at Elliot’s fire starting to return.

He shimmies back in front of him.

“So.. anything else ya want?”

Elliot isn’t normally one to ask but, there is something that’s been really bothering him.

“It’s, too bright. I-I know it’s not that bright but, it’s not even light out but-”

He watches as Chance takes his blazer off, tossing it over Elliot’s head before pulling the thin man into his embrace.

Surprisingly, that all helps. Every part of that helps.

“Th-thanks.”

“Anytime Elliot.” Chance hums, “anything for someone as amazing as you.”

He lets himself relax into Chance’s body, and the darkness created. It’s comforting in a way he hasn’t had for a very long time.

He feels Chance reach under the jacket before undoing Elliot’s tied up hair. He starts to toy with it while rubbing his scalp. It all scratches an itch he didn’t even know he had.

“It’s okay if you wanna sleep by the way..” he can hear Chance’s smile, “You deserve a rest doll.”

Elliot just nods into his chest, letting his own arms hold onto Chance’s waist.

The delivery driver decides to listen. He decides that maybe, just maybe, he deserves to rest.

And maybe, that they all care for him just as much as he cares for them.