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"Hey Elli- ouuugh.." Your feet skidded to a halt, meeting the gaze of a winded pizza-boy. His trembling figure slumped against the side of a completed generator.
You had been wandering across the map in search of your favorite pizza boy for a while. Desperate for some company, and perhaps a slice to heal the gushing wound you took to the head– however, it seems you had caught him at a bad time.
Sweat bubbled at his cheeks as he struggled to stand, his body trembling beneath his own weight like a fawn on ice. His poor, freckled cheeks were flushed- a noticeable dichotomy from his pale skin.
"..Are you alright?"
"Ye-Yeah." He panted, a hand pressed against the middle of his chest. "Just need to catch my breath! Here.."
Elliot shuffled, frantically fumbling over himself as he stood to pass you a slice of pizza; hand trembling as he held the grub out to you.
"If you say so.." You retorted with a skeptical glance, reaching out to take the graciously offered slice of pizza. "Thanks–"
Your hand stuttered, your knuckles cinching as a sneeze suddenly escaping the man in front of you, germy mucus sputtering against your skin- and evidently, your pizza.
"You're not gonna be offended if I don't eat that.. right?" You murmured delicately, your eyes flicking between Elliot and the food in his hand.
"No.." Elliot sniffled, wiping his nose as he ultimately decided to drop the gooey slice- his face burned hot, tears brimming in his eyes. Whether that was from the sickness he was battling, or the frustration of not being able to help you; he wasn't sure.
His entire job was to help people. Make them happy, see them smile. That was his purpose, that is his purpose.
If he couldn't at least do that, then who was he?
"Hey, don't worry about it." You eased, gently patting his back in an attempt to be comforting. "I can go find a medkit, or something.."
"Ugh. It's just-... i'm sorry." Elliot croaked, rubbing his eyes with trembling fingers- his shoulders uncharacteristically slumped- you could only pass him a sympathetic glance.
"Like I said, no big deal." Which was redundant considering blood was seeping from your scalp, dribbling down your face.
"But-"
"Seriously, Elliot." You gave him a light nudge with your elbow, a soft smile on your face. "I can wait. Or die. Whichever comes first."
And die you shall- not like the round lasted much longer following your inevitable respawning; but you had more pressing matters to concern yourself with anyways.
Like your voraciously ill friend.
"You probably just caught a cold." You shrugged, pressing the back of your palm to his forehead. Warmth radiating from his feverish skin.
" You think? " Elliot snapped, his normally chipper manner long gone- replaced by sickly, scornful man- he shifted uncomfortably from his spot on the edge of his bed.
You flinched your hand back, raising your palms in a placating manner; you passed him a sheepish smile.
"I'll-.. i'll go try to find you some medicine." You uttered, taking a step back from his bed- you watched as he held his head in his hands- a sizeable groan escaping his lips.
You didn't blame him for being snippy, he looked miserable.
"Stay. Stay right there." You raised a hand, a subtle gesture in asking him to stay put; which, earned you an annoyed glare through the gaps between his fingers. Because he sure as hell wasn't going anywhere.
But in your defense, what else were you supposed to say? Chances are you would have to strap him down just to get him rest.
Which, you were considering.
However, the real problem lies with the question; where would you find medicine, exactly?
You initially thought to ask 007- since he seemed like the kind of guy who needed to take a lot of pills- but to your surprise, he had nothing to give. You were at least certain he'd have antidepressants or something.
So naturally, you decided to ask Guest– and when that didn't work you asked Builderman. Until you found yourself walking circles around the commune, both without medicine; and people to ask.
..Well, except for one person.
The last person you wanted to ask was Two Time. They were just so.. off putting. They had a way of making every interaction unpleasant; but for Elliot, you'd suck it up.
"Ah, for you- I have just the thing!" The cultist spoke with a wide grin, pulling a transparent flask from their pocket- graciously placing into the palm of your hand.
"I am most certain that this brew will make haste in healing our dearest friend."
"Thanks but-.." You stared at the vaguely tinted bottle in your hand, glancing towards Two Time with a raised brow. "What is this, exactly..?"
It didn't have a distinct colour, nor any noticeable smell- which was effectively worse than if it were to have a smell- and you were meant to feed this to Elliot?
It was probably poisonous.
"A question better left unanswered." Two Time reasoned, their shoulders moving in a slight shrug as they tilted their head to the side; an eerie grin curving their hollow cheeks. "You know what they say. Brevity is the wit of the soul, hm?"
Yeah, this was definitely poisonous.
Your lips parted, mustering the words to another question before Two Time moved to press a finger to your lips; silencing your curiosity.
"I'm afraid I best be on my way now." Their hands came to rest on your shoulders, gazing at you with upmost sincerity. "But please, let dear Elliot know I send my upmost condolences."
"Uh-"
But alas, they were already gone; murmuring nonsense to themself as they walked back to whatever hole they crawled out of.
Suppose you should take it as a sign; trying to find any sort of painkiller in this hell hole was like trying to find gold in the Yukon.
It just meant you had to cut your losses and drag yourself back to Elliot's cabin both empty handed, and defeated.
The most you could say was that at least you had tried. You'd just have to soothe his fever another way.
"I couldn't find any medicine, but Two Time gave me..." You squinted, attempting to read the smudged letters on the pharmaceutical's bottle. "..This.."
Cringing, you tipped the bottle from side to side. Wrinkling your nose as the flask's contents slushed around its glass confines.
Yeah you didn't have a clue as to what this was- not that you thought Two Time knew either- and you weren't about to force it down Elliot's throat.
"Eugh, never mind- i'll just get you some water."
Elliot shifted against his bed, wrinkling the dingy sheets that covered his mattress; he groaned, babbling an incoherent series of delirious mutter as you walked out the door.
Knowing him, it was likely a slew of protests– how he was fine, how he didn't need your help.
But you knew better than that.
If you didn't help him now, who would? He was too sick to help other people, and far too sick to help himself.
Your ear twitched, water streaming from the dingy old faucet in the main cabin- the clear liquid swirled around the glass before eventually settling.
You never did question how this place functioned without infrastructure, or what the generator's you fix powered- if they powered anything- but nonetheless, you could be grateful for the Spectre's genius tonight.
You stared down into the depths of the cup, walking back to Elliot's cabin with a glistening glass of water in hand– the liquid vibrating at the surface as you walked, being careful as to not spill a drop of fluid as you made your way up the steps.
Peeping your head through the enteryway, you pushed the door open with your body- shutting the wooden wicket behind you, you moved to sit the glass down on his nightstand; an amused look contorting your face as you glanced towards Elliot.
"What're you doing..?"
Elliot let out a pitiful noise of frustration, cheeks flushed from a fever he could not be-rid of- his body laid awkwardly across his bed, like he had thrown himself around in an attempt to cool off; though clearly, unsuccessful in that endeavor.
Whatever it was, it didn't look comfortable.
Infact, it was almost as if Elliot had never been sick a day in his life. Like he didn't know what to do with himself.
And maybe he didn't– because the last thing the world could force Elliot to be, was a liability. A burden on everybody else.
But there really was no avoiding it.
"Nevermind.." -A resigned murmur escaped your throat as you shook your head- stifling your amusement- you knelt down in front of him, gesturing with your hand. "Sit up."
A murmured set of thanks left his lips as your hands came to unbutton his shirt. Starting from the collar and working your way down, you watched as he exhaled in relief once the cool cabin air hit his clammy skin, goosebumps pricking his upper body.
"Better?" Your head tipped to the side, watching his expression slump comfortably.
"Much." Elliot rasped, gazing at you through glassy, unfocused eyes. Tilting his head back against your hand as you guided him back down towards the sheets.
Adjusting his frame to a more comfortable position– you tucked him in– settling his head against the pillows that lined the head of his bed. Shifting a few blankets over his gelid frame in hopes to help sweat-out his cold.
He tilted his head, staring up at you through dreary eyelashes as you shamelessly used his discarded shirt to dab away any beads of sweat on his face that blossomed from his pores.
"Sleep well, okay?" You uttered, fingers reaching out to brush a few brassy strands from his face; soothingly rubbing his flushed cheeks. "I'll be back to check on you later."
"You promise..?" Elliot breathed, his voice edging on a skeptical whisper as you pulled away from him; weary eyes searching your own for an ounce of sincerity.
He wanted to be sure you wouldn't leave him.
Your lips pursed, expression settling on something fonder– you reached out for his hand. Twisting your pinky finger around his own:
" Promise ."