Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Elliot was, once again, running for his life.

It was a regular occurrence at this point, just another one of life’s daily annoyances. Just another thing hammering at his brain.

1X was tailing close behind. Elliot knew the round was ticking over soon. It had to be.

He learned to tell the time based on the aching of his legs and the strain of his body.

They had to be close. They had to.

Or maybe he was just tired and desperate for any relief.

So when 1X caught up to him, slashing him to the ground, he barely flinched.

“Man.. just fucking.. Make it painless at least-”

Elliot is grabbed the throat.

“Fine.. Guess not.” he scoffs out the last of his air.

He finds himself unable to breathe a firm hand clenching tight around his throat. In another situation, with another certain person, he might find this sort of attractive.

But, he was too busy feeling like he was dying.

"This wasn't included in your-”

1X is interrupted when, both feel themselves starting to teleport away.

Elliot expects to wake up in a chair, most likely facing whoever else managed to survive the round.

But instead, Elliot still feels that hand tight around his throat.

He sees the interior walls of a cabin, not one he recognizes though.

He’s suddenly dropped to the floor, a curse ringing from the glitch’s lips.

His knees hit the ground hard but, he barely notices as he watches 1X collapse in front of him, curling up whilst shaking in visible agony.

But, Elliot has little time to process that as three sharp objects are pointed at him. A tentacle, a glitched out claw and a black sword.

Elliot crawls back but feels himself bump into a wall.

He can vaguely see Noli helping 1X onto the couch, stroking their long white hair as he places their head on his lap in a comforting gesture.

“WHAT’S PISS BITCH DOING HERE!” Azure shouts.

“I TOLD YA IT’S PIZZA, DUMBASS!” John Doe shouts back.

“You two incompetent rats couldn’t kill a squealing pig. I’ll do it myself-” Mafioso is cut off by Elliot.

“TRUCE! A TRUCE PLEASE!”

“Why the fuck would I do that?” Mafioso scoffs.

“Because I’m sure you all wanna kill me more and we do not know wat happens if we die outside of a round.” Elliot explains, throwing his hands up, “So, truce. Until I can get back to the right cabin.”

Azure pushes forwards, starting to wrap his tentacles around Elliot’s neck, “No! You heal, THEM!”

“Azure.” Noli’s voice is firm, “Leave him.”

Azure scoffs, pulling away, “Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t kill him.”

“Because you don’t need to right now.”

“Well maybe if I fucking kill him now a minute gets cut.”

“And maybe it doesn’t..” Noli sighs.

Noli then looks through the crowd, into Elliot’s terrified eyes, “Why are you here?”

“I’m gonna be honest dude, I have no clue. I don’t want to be here any more then y’all want me to not be here.” Elliot rambles.

Elliot thinks a thought he shouldn’t, it comes up so suddenly he can’t avoid it.

What if the others don’t even notice he’s missing?

He shakes it off quickly trying to focus on the situation at hand.

“If- If you guys know who the next killer is I can maybe cling and hope I get teleported.” He states, “Th-That might work yeah..”

“The person who’s the killer starts to fade. You’ll have about ten seconds to cling on.” Noli states.

Elliot just nods.

He hears a deep sigh before a pale yellow hand reaches out.

Elliot takes it, John helping him stand up.

“Fine. Truce until then.” He scoffs.

Azure scoffs louder, using their tentacles to climb up the wall like a spider, hiding in the corner of the ceiling.

“What’s.. Wrong with 1X?” Elliot can’t help but ask, still seeing them shaking on the couch, curling up on themselves with tears running from their eyes.

“The consequence.” Noli states.

“The,” Elliot blinks, “What?”

“For every survivor left at the end of the round we get a minute of.. this.” Noli sighs.

Mafioso shoves John out of the way, pointing the tip of his sword at Elliot’s throat, “Y’hear that kid? So maybe you all should play a bit nicer-“

Elliot can’t help but laugh, “Buddy, you think I’m afraid of you? I could not give a shit Joe much pain you go through Mafioso. Because I know you probably deserve every second of it.”

“Bitch.”

“I know what you do to Chance. You can kill me all you fucking want, I get it I’m an easy target. But. If you target the other survivors for a fucking dumbass reason I will personally become your god damn demise.”

“RUN THE BASTARD OVER AGAIN!” Elliot hears 1X shout, Elliot figuring they’ve recovered now.

“Besides.” Elliot sighs, “you all don’t get us playing nice because the less of us survive the less supplies we get. Like food.And clean water. And fucking medicine! You don’t get it easy because we also have just as much to worry about.”

John pulls Mafioso back away from Elliot.

“Guess the Spectre has different ways of torturing us all.” Noli sighs.

“The what?”

“So the being in charge of those place doesn't even have the common courtesy to tell you their name before torturing you.” Noli hums.

“Guess not.” Elliot shoves his hands in his pockets.

“Two Time doesn’t deserve courtesy.” Azure scoffs from his corner.

“Is he, just like that all the time?” Elliot asks.

“Yeah! He takes it out on me-“

Mafioso is interrupted by 1X slapping him in the back of the head as he walks by.

It’s not a soft slap either. Elliot can hear it echo through the room.

“That’s cause you’re an asshole!”

Mafioso seems to be trying to stop his hat from falling off his head.

“Fuck you! I need a god damn cigar.”

And with that, the suited man storms off, out seemingly the front door.

“Hey Jace the fighting’s done!” John calls out and out of the kitchen’s empty doorframe walks out Jason.

The first thing Elliot notices is that Jason’s a Bacon.

The second is that Jason’s not wearing his mask or his hood.

He realizes how little he knows about the man. They didn’t even know his name and just called him Slasher for the longest time. But C00lkidd loved the other killers (and the sound of his own voice) so would talk about them all the time in the middle of active combat.

That’s where they picked up his name. Jason.

He seemed to notice Elliot before turning and walking back into the kitchen.

“Give him a minute..” Noli sighs.

And after that minute passes, he pokes his head out once again. This time with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate, loaded with marshmallows. Actually Elliot thinks he had one before he went back in the kitchen.

Jason walks over and places one of the mugs in Elliot’s hands.

He seems to give a bashful smile before walking over to an arm chair and plopping down.

“You guys.. have hot chocolate?” Elliot can’t help but ask.

“We got a lot a shit.” John laughs, “doesn’t mean any of us know how to cook .”

“Really?” Elliot crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow at that.

“I mean John is good at grilling and Noli can uh.. make Mac and cheese on a good day.” 1X rambles.

Elliot takes a sip of the hot chocolate. It’s actually made with milk which makes it some of the best he’s ever had.

But, Elliot doesn’t really want to sit around with these guys, at least not before he processes everything. So he shoots out an offer,

“You guys got the ingredients to make pizza?”

…

It didn’t take long for time to make three pizzas. Hell, he got used to making up to ten at once.

People stopped in once in a while. John looking for beer, 1X who wanted a handful of the cheese he was shredding and Noli who was just making sure Azure didn’t come kill Elliot because he had no idea, quote-on-quote, “Where that tentacled bastard scurried off to.”

Elliot just worked on the pizza throughout all of this.

The longest part was always making the dough. Though Elliot could do that in his sleep. Literally. Back when he was still living at his childhood home he sleepwalked into the kitchen and made perfect pizza dough.

Elliot made two pepperoni and one cheese, not really knowing their personal tastes. He was also very used to making at least one vegetarian option due to Dusekkar.

“Chance can you help-” he shakes his head, forgetting he’s not in his cabin, “Can someone help me carry the pizzas?”

He watches John step into the room, chugging the rest of his beer bottle.

He freezes, “Holy fucking shit..”

“Hm?” Elliot pauses, “What’s that for?”

“God.. I haven’t seen pizza that good for a while..”

Elliot just snorts, “Well, we gotta bring it into the living room to eat it.”

He nods.

Elliot easily picks up two while John picks up one.

The two walk into the living room, placing them on the coffee table.

“Okay, go wild.” Elliot gestures, sitting down on the carpeted floor.

All hesitate before immediately giving in, reaching in and grabbing slices.

To Elliot’s surprise, all the slices turn into different types like it was a round.

Noli’s turns into a seafood based pizza.

John’s turns into a meaty supreme slice.

Jason’s becomes more unique, a cheese slice that looks like it’s from a different shop then Elliot was from.
Mafioso’s (who has since come back inside after smoking three cigars) turns into a slice of pizza capricciosa.
The last two are more interesting.

Elliot is not planning on telling anyone this but, Azure’s slice turns into the exact one Two Time gets.

And then, there’s 1X’s.

A Hawaiian slice with added anchovies. Elliot knew that was a fucking abomination but has made worse.

“What the fuck is that?” John scoffs.

“Pizza. It tastes really good.” 1X speaks through a full mouth.

“That is an abomination to Italian cuisine.” Mafioso mutters.

Noli, seemingly trying to prevent an argument, interrupts, “So, are Builderman and Shetletsky finally boning?”

“Yes. and they are too fucking loud about it. I’m sending them to the fucking cellar soon.” Elliot scoffs.

1X gags. Not because of their pizza slice but because of that statement.

“Well at least it’ll make rounds a bit more interesting.” John sighs.

“How about you and Chance.” Noli chuckles.

“How about you and 1X?” Elliot rebuttals.

“Damn he’s fast..” John mutters.

“Noli was the first person to comfort 1X plus, she’s still clinging to his arm.”

That wasn’t a lie, 1X had their arm wrapped around Noli’s as they laid against him. The other killers barely even noticed this. It was just, a daily occurrence, one they didn't even know when it started.

“Touché.” Noli states before adding on, “The first person you called for was Chance. Like he was your little house spouse.”

“They just, Chance always jumps first anyways- Does it really matter?”

“You can’t keep their name out of your mouth can you?” 1X snorts.

“You know what?” Elliot leans back on his hand, “I won’t even lie, I like Chance yeah. They’re attractive and funny and charming and shit. But, that’s it. I’m not really that, ya know? There’s no logical reason for him to feel the same about me.”

“Since when did Chance ever think logically?” John asks bluntly.

“Okay, you’re not wrong.” Elliot rolls his eyes, “Still not more likely.”

“Look at me you little rat.” Mafioso scoffs.

“You wanna get run over again fatass?” Elliot scoffs back.

“Chance. Likes. You. He stares at you like he used to stare at the ex-bitch of theirs.”

“Who?”

“Not my story to tell. His to tell you.”

“So that’s why you gun for Elliot as well as Chance..” Noli hums, “You wanna piss them off more.

“The gambler owes me.” Mafioso finishes off his slice, taking another, “So what if I’m just seeking a debt.”

Elliot takes the slice from his hands, “You don’t get more than one. Least not while I’m still here.”

“What is his problem with me?” Mafioso rolls his eyes.

The rest of the killers, along with Elliot just stare at the man.

Azure breaks the uncomfortable silence, “I’ve.. never had pizza before. It’s, interesting.”

“Yeah Two Time hadn’t either-” Elliot interrupts himself, “My apologies, I didn’t mean to bring them up. I know you two aren’t on good terms.”

Azure stares at him and Elliot just places what was once Mafioso’s slice onto the table in front of Azure.

“You gonna eat one yourself kid?” John asks.

“Oh uh, I don’t really eat my own food. It’s for other people, not me.”

“Bad habit.” Noli chuckles, “Break that one quick.”

“Look, I, I appreciate the sentiment but honestly I’m okay with just the leftovers. Plus, it’s a long standing habit from working around food for so long.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Jason glancing around. 

Elliot turns to him.

“He.. I think he wants to know how C00lkidd and Six are doing.” Noli sighs.

The room falls quiet.

“They’re both good.” Elliot starts, able to tell these killers do miss the two, “C00lkidd has been harassing Builderman which is funny. Uh, drawing a bunch. Though, he did give his C00l.gui back to N7 so, he’s been, entertained figuring out the beta. Other then that, he’s been drawing a bunch though,”

Elliot looks around, seeing that the walls are covered in C00lkidd’s drawings. Some of Dracobloxers, some of the killers.

Some of him and 007n7.

“It seems like that was a normal occurrence.”

“Yeah, he used to draw directly on the walls as well.” 1X snorts.

“Sixer is, good. Spends a lot of time with Noob. Walked in the two making out so it seems like their relationship is still going strong. Actually recently though, joined some of the poker games that they’ve all been playing recently. Other then playing against Chance, she’s been doing well for themself. Plus, Noob gave ‘em their old gear to use as a survivor. Honestly? Much better at using it then Noob was. Noob’s a lot more competent with their new kit.”

He then turns to Jason, “So, to answer your question. They’re both good. They’re happy. Though, I can tell by C00lkidd’s drawings, he misses you guys. Sixer, is more neutral about the whole missing thing sorry to say that.”

Jason gives a crooked smile, eyes lighting up.

Elliot can’t help but give one back.

“Does Two Time speak about me?” Azure suddenly blurts out causing Elliot to choke on air.

“Uh- yeah, once in a while. They- They more mutter right now. Mainly about forgiveness and uh, justification. Before though,, they.. Uh, told Chance and I the story. Right after you appeared.”

“What lies did they feed you?” Azure asks.

“Maybe this isn’t a good conversation top-” Noli is interrupted by a resolute Elliot.

“They told us what they did. They also told us that they were told to do so. Promised that you would come back with a second life and that they needed to do it to prove.. Devotion or something. I could tell there was more about after it all happened but, they didn’t share that. Kind of, passed out from crying beforehand.”

“The prophet.. Told them..” Azure scoffs, “That doesn’t excuse shit. They stabbed me in the heart.”

“You're right.. Not an excuse, just the reason. But.. sometimes, I learned recently at least, sometimes just hearing the reason is a good start.”

He just starts eating the slice of pizza, seemingly lost in this new thought.

“Anyone else need therapy?” Elliot looks around the room.

“Does Shedletsky talk about me?” 1X snorts.

“Nope. Still tryin’ to convince that therapy patient to open up.”

“Wait, he knows?” John asks.

“Wasn’t hard to figure out. 1X mutilates constantly there has to have been something.”

“Can I just tell them already?” 1X sighs.

“Honestly, maybe in like a few rounds. Dusekkar and Shedletsky are already beefing enough. I don't need more drama right this second.” Elliot shrugs, “Could solve the problem though.”

“I like the pizza. So I will wait for you. Plus, I owe you for running fedora over.”

“Uh. Thanks-”

That’s when 1X starts to vanish.

“NO I WANTED MORE PIZZA YOU FUCKING CUNT I’LL KILL YOU YOU BITCH!”

Elliot, hesitantly, reaches over the table and grabs onto 1X’s arm as they let go of Noli.

“Y’ALL BETTER SAVE ME SOME!”

And just like that, the two fell into a carnival fairground.

Elliot stumbles back, throwing his hands up.

“Okay, you can kill me now. Do your worst.”

He braces for an impact that never comes.

Instead, he hears something, “Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight..”

And so on and so on.

Elliot takes the hint, calling out as he runs off, “Thank you!”

1X stops counting down as soon as the delivery driver is out of ear shot.

Instead, she mutters to herself, “Did he really think I would kill him just like that..?”

They stare at their own pitch black hand, wrapped in chains as one would bandages.

But Elliot keeps running.

In the distance he can hear a vague conversation.

“We need to find him!”

“He might not even be here kid-”

“He damn well has to be!”

“Chance, calm down.”

“I’m sorry if I’m worried. He’s missing! We don’t know what happened!”

“We’ll find him.. Just let's get settled into the round first.” He’s close enough to start picking out voices, like that one’s 007n7.

“You know what, fine. I’m just going to flip my fucking coin and think about where to look next.” he hears Chance scoff.

“Ya need ta chill. We’re in the middle of a god damn round.” That’s definitely Builderman.

“Chance. It’s okay to be worried. But we need to watch our backs right now.” that steady voice can only be Guest’s.

“I-I know..” Chance sighs, “But, Elliot is missing. We don’t know where he went. I-I just need him to be okay. He, always worries about us. So I’ll worry about him.”

Elliot leans on the wall, starting to catch his breath from the run, “You talking shit about me Chance-”

Before he can even finish, two arms are wrapped tight around him.

“Ch-chance.. I’m good. I’m good I’m here..” he laughs softly as he embraces Chance, “I’m here Lucky..”

“Where the fuck were you!” Builderman shouts, standing up from his position building his turret.

“Oh and I was being overly emotional.” Chance mutters.

Elliot silently laughs at that before responding to Builderman, “1X latched onto me as the round ended, guess I got dragged to their cabin.”

“The programs said you were across the lake.. Are the killers..” 007n7 mutters to himself.

Elliot bops Chance’s forehead so they don’t scream at the father.

Luckily, Guest is more calm about it, “You knew he was across the lake?”

“Yes. But that lake is massive. No one was swimming across it and making it. I also, just figured it out a couple minutes before the round started. Also uh, I didn’t want you or Chance to swim across the lake.”

“Fair enough.” Guest states, giving the ex-hacker a nod.

Builderman crosses his arms, “You survived being trapped with the killers?”

“Eh, they aren’t that bad out of the rounds. Found out why they kill us. Turns out they feel like, a minute of agony per person they don’t kill.”

“Youch.” Chance hisses, still not letting go of Elliot.

“Yeah, told them we aren’t going to stop fighting back and why. Plus, threatened Mafioso that I would run him over again.”

“Anything else?” Guest asks.

“I’ll tell you all everything after the round. Best we get going because 1X is the killer.”

He watches as Chance makes no attempt to move, almost holding him as if he’ll vanish once again.

“If it makes you stop moping like a puppy dog you can stay with me during the round.” Elliot sighs, shaking his head.

He pulls away, “Moping, I’m not moping.”

“You totally are. You have a sad pout on your pretty face.” Elliot teases, “Don’t need you ruining it with frown lines.”

“Ugh! My face is perfect even if I had those.” Chance scoffs while visibly trying not to laugh.

“Sure, whatever you say idiot.” Elliot snorts.

“Are they fucking yet?” Builderman leans closer to Guest and 007n7.

“Nope.” Guest sighs.

“Yeah I think they’re hopeless.” 007n7 adds on.

Chapter Text

Two Time has been thinking more recently. Their mind used to echo with praises of the Spawn, a string of commands telling them what to do, only worsening when they hold a knife.

But, recently they’ve been, thinking. It’s strange, having very new things on the mind.

So Two Time nudges the gate of Builderman’s garden open. They can see Builderman working away, presumably weeding a spot next to a tomato plant.

Two Time just stares, stopping along the makeshift path.

Builderman tears a weed up, the muscle off his arm flexing as he yanks it out. It’s easier to see than normal since his normal sweater is discarded and hanged over the makeshift fence and he’s just in his t-shirt.

Builderman looks to the side and jumps, “HOLY FUCK KID!”

He falls back before quickly popping back up, “Uh, um, ya need somethin’?”

“I would like to learn how to garden.” Two Time smiles.

“Th-that’s sudden. Why the fuck you want that?”

“Azure enjoyed botany. I would like to know what the uh, what’s the word Chance and Noob use.. The hype? Yeah that. I would like to know what the hype is about.” Two Time rambles.

Builderman wants to shut this down immediately. He doesn’t need Two Time tearing through his garden, destroying all that’s been built up.

But, this is the most interested in something Two Time’s been since Azure’s appearance. They’ve been shut down for what feels like weeks now. Barely eating, rarely sleeping and permanently with an almost lost look in their eyes.

So as they look at Builderman, with even the smallest hint of determination, he can’t help but at least indulge his idea.

“What exactly d’ya wanna garden?” He asks.

“Flowers.”

“Right.” Builderman sighs, “Just so ya know I never planted flowers before.”

“I’m sure it’s not that different from other plants, I think. I don’t really know.”

“Well, I guess let’s find out together.”

Builderman gestures for them to follow.

He reads Two Time to a small shed that’s off to the side.

He nudged the door open to reveal a shed full of seedlings, some sprouting some seeds seemingly just freshly planted.

“Some of the starts should be flowers. I think. I just find seeds and plant ‘em. Usually can tell quick which is which though.”

Two Time watches as he grabs a book from the shelf and quickly flips through the pages.

He starts gesturing to different small pots, “Flower, flower, flower-“

He then properly explains, “Grab a tray and grab the ones I tell ya kid.”

Two Time quickly nods, grabbing the ones he already mentioned.

…

Two Time pats down the soil around the last flower.

“So when will they grow?”

Builderman chuckles, already using a watering can to water his own patch of flowers, “it takes a while kid.”

“Oh, so after the next round?”

Builderman lets out a belly laugh before handing Two Time the watering can.

“Try ten rounds at least.”

“What? Why do we have to wait?” They question, “what’s even the point of it if we have to wait?”

They see Builderman crouching next to them, guiding their hands into the proper way to water plants.

“I find when I enjoy a hobby, it’s more about the process than the result. Sure, if I’m working on a machine the result is nice but, it’s always been the process.” Two Time can almost see a light forming in his eyes, “it’s the grease on my skin, the repetitive motions, the on the fly fix finding.”

“But, isn’t the end result the important part.”

“I mean, there is an importance to it. But, I think, compare this. Why does Elliot always cook for us? Most of us can cook.”

“Elliot always offers though.”

“Exactly. Have you watched Elliot cook? He can’t help but smile as he does. I think it calms him. Something he grew up so close to it’s almost more of a habit. The rest of us don’t see cooking like that. We see it as a chore we need to do. So to me, that’s the difference.” he hums, standing up once he’s finished.

Two Time stares at the seedling, “Okay.. I’ll wait. Just for him though.”

…

“Divine pumpkin, may I speak with you?” Two Time taps on the doorframe.

They look into the room. The curtains are drawn, books neatly stacked all around.

Dusekkar sits at his desk, facing away from the door.

“Oh boy, let’s see how this goes..” Two Time can vaguely hear under the man’s breath.

“What do you need Two Time,” he groans, “Whatever so caused you to make this climb?”

“I have a few questions I.. uh, if you know the answers.”

“Allow me to try.” he hums, “I see no harm why.”

“What’s a cult?” their voice is quiet.

Duesekkar whips around in his chair, “HUH?”

“W-well, everyone say the Church of the Spawn is a cult and I, never heard that word before. I would like to know what it is. If.. you know.”

He watches Dusekkar take a deep breath, “A cult is a religious or non religious group that worships a figure or an object. Though, it’s truly defined by a leader who manipulates their followers for personal gain or projects.”

“The prophet wouldn’t.. Lie.. right?”

“I believe that man would have. I’ve seen people he’s collected only to halve.”

“How.. do you know the Spawn isn’t real.”

“Respawning is not a tool controlled by one being. It is just a way for those around or the one themself to resurrect the bleeding.”

“But the Spawn gives the gift of another life if you..”

“If you what? What would cause that result.”

“For.. every person you kill.. You gain a life. They told me that Azure killed someone.. If I killed him he would come back. Is.. here back..?”

“If that was the case then why would a fellow such as Noob be in this world? You need to let that man’s lies go unfurled.”

“Dusekkar.. Is there any hope for me?” Two Time speaks through a whisper.

The pumpkin headed man pauses before speaking, “I believe so young one, this start is better then none.”

Two Time nods.

“If you have any further questions, I’ll be at your beck and call.” he hums, “No matter the size of question, miniscule or tall.”

“Thank you.. Dusekkar.”

…

Two Time has been walking through the thick forest that surrounds the cabin for what feels like an hour now.

They’ve been attempting to reflect.

Though, they pause when they see a deep pond, covered in lily pads and lotus flowers.

They decide that there is a good place to reflect.

They sit down, cross legged in front of it, hearing the ripples of the water.

There were no animals in the water, whoever was in charge of this universe wouldn’t give them the gift of their presence. Other than that strange cat who seemed to disappear and reappear but, they mostly lingered away from the survivors. Especially Two Time.

In the early days, Two Time grew up being told that they had bad energy, that they were strange. Most were just put off by them.

But, they all would eventually give them a chance. Actually Chance was the first one to give them a chance.

Started when they offered to play a pool game with Two Time. They lost to the fedora wearing man very very badly.

Two Time, sucked. But they’ve gotten better.

They’ve gotten better at a lot of things, working the TV, doing math, being more open to ideas from outside of the  ̶c̶u̶l̶t̶ church and even a bit of cooking recently (at least cooking that doesn’t involve a knife).

They’ve made new friends, had new experiences but, they’re being dragged back into that world again.

Though, they wish they could completely pull them both out.

Maybe, they could be together. Be happy once again. Maybe if they just left the church behind they-

What are they saying? The spawn is-

The Spawn hasn’t been doing shit for them in recent times.

It called this land in its entirety their second life, forced a bony tail and wings to stab from their back and never spoken to them as promised.

Two Time blinked and suddenly, they were somewhere else. Inside a walled off area of whatever round they were sent to.

They were now laying on the ground, the force of the teleport knocking them back.

They suddenly see a grey hand extend towards them.

They slowly take it, seeing Builderman helping them up.

“You alright kid?” he asks, “You look like you’re starin’ into space.”

“Uh, yeah! I’m good thank you Builderman.” they smile.

“Sure, don’t need you spazzin’ out before our flowers grow.” he gives a soft smile in return.

“I won’t I promise. We should, go find a good spot for a sentry. I’ll watch your back.” they point a thumb at themself.

“Dontcha wanna draw yer symbol first?” he asks.

Two Time briefly turns and looks at the bare spot on the ground. It’s begs fall on deaf ears.

“It.. hasn’t been working properly. I’ll just skip out this round. It’ll be fine.”

“Whatever you say kid.” Builderman reaches up and ruffles the younger’s hair.

Chapter Text

Taph was getting sick of these two’s fucking shit.

So he decided to take what at the time, was really the only logical course of action.

He locked Shedletsky and Dusekkar in a room so they would make up.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t the best course of action but Taph was growing desperate. He’d watched the two feud for a while now. Well, less feud, more avoid each other like the plague.

No one was around to hear. Everyone else was stuck dealing with Azure in the round while those who had died were scattered. Chance was helping Two Time calm down upstairs while Elliot was in the cellar gathering ingredients for his (frankly, fucking awesome) lasagna.

So no one knew what happened.

And neither were talking about it. Taph tried to pester, even got Builderman in on the matter.

He asked over and over, asking for both sides, any hints of what happened.

Both wouldn’t talk about it. Taph figured it had to do with Dusekkar before the coven. The only part of him he wasn’t open to Taph about but only Shedletsky would know.

Taph was sick of his boyfriend and a man who he thought of as a brother ignoring each other.

If the solution was locking them in a room in the middle of a round, that was the solution.

Taph was honestly just fusterated. He couldn’t stand the thought of the two who were once so close being so suddenly distant.

The two bickered but to Taph this felt different. Something was said that shouldn’t have been and the two were now on edge.

He knows a few things about the two's history. The first is that the two have seemingly known each other since elementary school, before Dusekkar was Dusekkar. And also, that the two used to date.

Taph really did not care about that last fact, he was not jealous at all of his lover's past romances plus, the two were obviously long past each other romantically. They were just friends. At least normally they were friends. Right now, it wasn't stable. Like a bomb that didn't detonate but, Taph lit the fuse. He was sick of waiting through it, deciding that he needed to kick the bomb to set it off before it truly hurt someone.

“Hey, Taph, can I ask a favour?” Taph’s head turns to the voice.

He sees Guest 666 standing there, once Noob’s bandolier wrapped tight around their chest and over their shoulder.

Taph gives her a nod.

“Do you know how to fix the gens? I’m trying to get better at it and was looking for a bit of a showcase.”

Taph gives them a thumbs up.

Shedletsky and Dusekkar will be fine alone in there.

Fine would have to be subjective.

They were sitting at opposite ends of the building, Shedletsky cleaning his sword while Dusekkar flipped through a random book he found.

They absolutely were not talking. It was a horribly loud silence. It rings in their ears, drives both up the wall.

Shedletsky is the one to break the silence.

“So, uh, ya think Taph’s gonna let us out of here anytime soon?”

“Shut up.”

“We know why were fucking locked in here dude. He wants us to talk.. I think.”

“So what if he does? I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

Shedletsky hears the lack of rhyming and can’t help but sigh, “Look.. I’m sorry. Are you happy?”

“Why would you rush to their defense without the whole story?” Dusekkar scoffs.

“Because they’re practically a kid dude. You know what I was like at that age?”

“Murdering your boyfriends?”

“Okay.. no.. but I was reckless.”

“You still are.”

The room goes quiet once again.

“Matt.. what happened? Not, what happened but, you, you know what I mean dude.”

“You truly want to know?”

“I think you want to tell someone.” the two lock eyes.

Dusekkar takes a moment before speaking, “You know what happened. I was walking home from school and someone tried to rob me. I fought back and was shot in the head. I was a 17 year old kid and I died that day. The coven saved me, brought me back. I owe them my life.”

Shedletsky continues to just listening, pushing a bit closer to the pumpkin headed man.

“I learned the ways of the universe, tapped into the magic around us all. You know, we dealt with a lot of cults. Speaking the truth to try and free them. The Spawn Cult was the most difficult. It spanned generations, most members having grown up in it, it was all they knew. But, they were brutalists. They killed innocent people who wandered into their area like they were animals meant to feast upon.”

“Why..?”

“Everyone they kill, they believe they gain another life. It was also a method of devotion, but more accurately, what I’m starting to see now, control.”

“I’m kinda scared to ask how so..”

“People change with blood on their hands.”

Shedletsky can’t help but agree.

“The guilt eats away like necrosis itself. They use it to control their followers. Or, just as a tool to get rid of unruly ones.. I think that’s what happened to those two.”

Shedletsky nods.

“I.. haven’t seen you without your pumpkin since.. is that your head now or..”

Duesekkar hesitates.

“I did have my head still. But.. what have we been calling them.. the Spectre? They took away my head. Decided the pumpkin was all I deserved.”

“Oh.. I’m sorry to hear that dude.”

“It hurts Shed..” he’s quieter, voice softer then normal.

The pretentious edge disappears, it’s left sound raw and uncalculated, “It burns.. It feels strange but I know one feeling is pain. My h-head is gone and I can’t even properly breathe through the agony of it all. The fire burns eternal. I tried to dunk my head in water. It didn’t work. It just caused steam to rise.”

Shedletsky pushes closer, placing a soft hand on the man’s shoulder.

“It feels like when I got shot. What it felt like for just a brief instant is now eternal.”

“When we get out of here, we’ll get you your real head back.”

“I’m surprised you have not brought up your wings.” he sighs.

“Why would I? You’re the concern right now.”

“Your wings are missing, such as my head.”

“Yeah.. Guess they are..”

“Would you like to talk about that..?”

“Same as you, guess Speckle thought it would be funny or some shit. But, we’ll get out of there and get them both back. Your head and my wings.”

“You speak as that is a true possibility.”

“You never know.” Shedletsky smirks, “Builderman and 7n7 have been cooking some stuff up.”

“If that is the case, I will aid them.”

“You know.. In another life you would have made a great admin?”

“That’s doubtful. My demeanor would outtell.”

…

Taph, may or may not have forgot about them. It’s not his fault, he was just having too much fun blowing things up.

But, he kinda needed to free the two from their makeshift prison.

Luckily, he was clinging onto Elliot, letting the man drive him to the house.

He was lucky the healer barely even questioned what happened.

“Alright, this is the spot?” Elliot asks as he parks the bike.

Taph nods, signing “Thank you for the ride.”

“No problem.” he smiles before Elliot seemingly sees something.

“Oh c’mon, Guest how did you get jumped.” he sighs, “Stay safe, gotta go help the soldier.”

Elliot gives a salute and Taph gives one back as Elliot drives off.

Taph turns on his heels, heading towards the door.

He unties all his tripwire, quickly stepping inside.

There he sees, Shedletsky and Dusekkar, finally talking again. And they look happy. Actually happy.

“You’re an idiot you know that.”

“And the hockey rules say if I throw my gloves I can deck the guy so I decked the guy.”

“For just, touching your goalie?”

“YES FOR TOUCHING OUR PRECIOUS- Oh hey Taph.”

Taph throws their hood off, smiling wide at the sight.

Both give soft smiles back.

He throws himself on top of the two, mainly landing on Dusekkar.

“Yes Taph we’re talking again! No need to tackle me! You'll crease my robe!” he scoffs but, he’s fighting a laugh at his lover's antics.

Shedletsky lifts the demolitionist up, over his shoulder and spinning him around, “C’mere you fuckin’ rascal.”

Dusekkar can’t help but laugh at the sight, two men he holds dear acting so unruly.

Taph manages to break away, rushing behind Dusekkar signing, “Babe protect me!”

Dusekkar would smile if he could, letting his boyfriend cling to his shoulders as he himself extends his arms out to protect the man, “I will fight this foul beast for you my love.”

“FOUL BEAST! I AM DISINGUISHED!”

“YOU CAN’T EVEN SAY IT RIGHT DUMBASS!”

Taph presses a soft kiss to the back of Dusekkar’s neck, causing the fire to temporarily flare up.

“That’s gay.”

“YOU LITERALLY HAD SEX WITH BUILDERMAN LAST NIGHT!”

“HOw do you know that?” Shedletsky puts his hands on his hips.

“You two, don’t exactly keep it down.”

Taph nods in agreement.

He pauses, “Fuck.”

Chapter Text

“I’m sorry but we gotta figure this out one way or anotha’.” Builderman rolls his eyes.

“Can’t we ask Six?” 007n7 sighs, chasing after Builderman and Duesekkar.

“We already did.” Builderman states, “kid wasn’t there long enough to know much.”

“Wait, did you ask her questions without me? Why would you do that?”

“Comrade, your blood runs sugary sweet. But your back bone is one of a pastry treat.” Duesekkar hums.

“So all of this leads you two to interrogating C00lkidd?” 007n7 tries to match the two’s pace but god, his lungs hurt like hell.

That sickness was mostly quelled, no longer causing his mouth to ache in constant pain.

But, it seems to still linger around his throat and chest. He wakes up sometimes, unable to breath, feeling like something is squeezing his throat closed, not allowing any air to flow through.

Running was getting harder, he just couldn’t get enough oxygen to his body for it.

The two in front of him weren’t even running, Builderman just walked fast when he had a mission in mind and Dusekkar could float so didn’t have friction slowing him down.

007n7 had to stop, one hand on the cabin wall, the other on his knee, just trying to get oxygen into his lungs.

He’s surprised when the two stop, seemingly noticing his plight.

“S-sorry..” he gasps out, “just- just give me a minute.”

“It’s been gettin’ worse again, ain’t it?”

007n7 can’t meet Builderman’s eyes.

“It’s- it’s fine.” he sputters out, forcing himself back up again, “I’m good. I’m good.”

“Sure..” he squints, “We’ll get you some medicine-”

“No. D-don’t waste it on me I’ll be fine..”

“Next you’re gonna say I shouldn’t tell C00lkidd.”

007n7 looks away.

“Great.” Builderman grits his teeth.

“L-look.. Lets just.. Go talk to C00lkidd, he’s upstairs drawing I believe.”

“Good idea.” Dusekkar hums, pushing towards the staircase, “This will surely be our panacea.”

Dusekkar and Builderman start walking up, 007n7 follows behind, attempting the stairs slowly and methodically.

“We’re sticking someone with ya in rounds.” Builderman states, leaving no room for debate.

“I’m.. just.. It’s not worth it.” 007n7 mutters, “Just let fate catch up to me.. Worry about yourselves..”

“We’ll discuss this later.” he states as he reaches the top along with Dusekkar.

007n7 nods, pulling himself up to the top.

The three see C00lkidd, facing away from the wall, sitting at his arts and crafts table. He seems to be colouring a Drakobloxer with his Drakobloxer plushie (crocheted by six) under his arm. The plushie has a frilly dress on (Sewn by Noob).

“Alright kid.” Builderman slams the tub of chocolate chips on the counter, “Time to talk.”

“Can you be a bit nicer..?” 007n7 can’t help but ask.

“Hey old man!” C00lkidd reaches for the tub only for Builderman to snatch it back.

“You’re going to tell us some things first.”

007n7 watches as Dusekkar takes out a notebook and sparkly pen (obviously that was Taph’s).

“Ugh, fine.” C00lkidd scoffs, throwing his feet up on, ‘his desk’.

“We wanna hear about those old friends of yours. Builderman states.

“Really??!” C00lkidd’s eyes light up.

“Yeah kiddo, we do.” 007n7 gives him a smile, “You can start with whoever you like!”

“Uhh..” he seems to ponder who he thinks he should talk about first.

“Speak on the bald killer,” Dusekkar taps his pen, finding a chair to sit on, “For that is the one whom we have no pillar.”

“What the fuck does he mean?” C00lkidd spits.

“John Doe. What’s up with him?” Builderman clarifies.

“Ohhhhh Uncle Johnny!” he smiles, “He’s so cool! He’s like really strong and likes beer a lot. He actually said he wanted to brew his own!”

“That great, what the fuck is up with his arm.” Builderman slides him some chocolate chips.

“Language.” 007n7 states.

C00lkidd speaks through a full mouth, “Oh, uh that? He never talked about his arm much. He always made sure not to touch me with it though. Uncle Noli said something about, uh old code? I dunno. I think his arm made him angry though. Sometimes.. Um..”

C00lkidd goes quiet.

“Spit it-” 007n7 elbows Builderman.

“What happened kiddo..” 007n7 sits down in front of him, on one of C00lkidd’s smaller chairs.

“Um.. he would get mad.. Really mad. He would throw things and get.. Really angry.. Usually Uncle Noli calmed him down. He.. never seemed like his self when he was like that.. I tried talking to him once and, he didn’t seem to know his name?”

“Dusk, right down the old code.”

“Already have CEO, keep going I’m good to go.”

“So.. Noli would calm him down?” Builderman passes some more chocolate.

“Yeah! Uncle Noli was always helping everyone! He’s the best. I mean, when he showed up he was a bit like Uncle Johnny. He seemed really scared but angry but scared. But I walked up to him being all C00l like I am and he calmed down! Aren’t you proud of me dad?” he looks for his father’s praise.

“Of- of course I am..” he ruffles his son’s hair, “Does.. Uncle Noli ever talk about the star of his..?”

“It’s so shiny but he never let me touch it! I tried to once and he got really mad. Though it felt like when you got mad at me for trying to touch the campfire.” C00lkidd explains.

007n7 takes a deep breath, “Did he.. Call it the void star?”

“Yeah.” he nods.

Builderman slides him more chocolate.

Dusekkar writes that one down in bold letters.

“Tell me about that Jason fella.” Builderman pushes.

“Uncle Jason makes the best hot chocolate!” he smiles.

“And?”

“I mean, he didn’t talk, like ever. Also has a book stabbed in his shoulder like, bleh. I tried stealing the knife one day but Uncle Johnny told me not and said it was important it stayed there. But anyways, oh yeah, uh, I don’t think soulja boy is gonna like Jason.”

“Uh.. why?” Builderman asks.

“He’s a Bacon.” C00lkidd smiles.

“Hm. Interesting.” the three men tense up as Builderman is the one to reply.

“Under his mask his face is all like mangled. He’s so sweet though! He gives the best hugs!”

“Could you make out any words of the book on his shoulder?” Dusekkar asks, “Any words look older?”

“Well the book is pinned closed buuuuut, it has like a Lego block on it and then like these shapes in the corners.”

“Fuck.” Dusekkar curses.

“Language.” 007n7 chides.

“THE MAN HAS THE NECROBLOXICON STABBED IN HIS SHOULDER I’M ALLOWED TO-”

“Last one. 1X.” Builderman interrupts, wanting to finish this conversation.

“Chocolate first.”

The two have a brief contest of wits, locking eyes.

Builderman is the one who caves.

“Fine.” he rolls his eyes, sliding some over.

“Okay so like, Auncle 1X is always mad, but not really but really. Well they used to be more mad but they seem a bit less mad now.”

“How so?” Builderman asks.

“Well like, they used to yell at everyone but now they just yell about Sheddy. Like, a lot. They would laugh whenever Sheddy lost. I think she reaaaalllly liked Noli because the two would always like, lay on each other and stuff.”

“Did they ever mention their past?”

“Hm, not really. Just talked about hating Sheddy a TON.Though, I caught him crying one day about not having a real body of their own, whatever that meant. Anyways, they’re really good with their swords and they would always summon their minions for me to play with! Especially when the ‘adults were talking’. I dunno what they talked about.”

“Alright, thank yo u kid.” Builderman dumbs a bunch of the chocolate chips onto the table, “You can keep playing with Ms. Dracobloxer now.”

“Actually, it’s Mr. Dracobloxer. Men can wear dresses too, you know! And you don’t understand that because you’re old, and smelly, and fat-”

“ALRIGHT I’M OFFICIALLY DONE TALKING WITH YOU FOR THE NEXT WEEK.” Builderman storms off, Dusekkar slowly following after.

That leaves 007n7 and C00lkidd sitting there.

C00lkidd splits the pile of chocolate in two and slides half over to his father.

“That’s yours kiddo-”

“You’re, too thin.” C00lkidd murmurs, "You need to eat more than me.. Why did you lose weight?”

007n7 feels his heart snap in two, “Kiddo.. I.. I..”

007n7 doesn’t have the courage to tell him why. Tell him that after he went missing 007n7 stopped eating. He spent all his time searching, searching and searching. When he wasn’t searching, he felt as he didn’t deserve to eat. He would be a fucking disgrace if he stopped searching. That moment he stops might be the moment he missed, the moment he could’ve saved him.

He doesn’t have the courage to tell him that even now, 007n7 passes his portions to ‘more important’ survivors, skims on his own meals out of a feeling of unworthiness.

He knows that when C00lkidd would have last saw him, he was pudgy, he had a dad bod, he had a bit of a baby face. Now his cheeks were sunken in. Under his shirt, he could count his ribs. He couldn’t tell if the headaches were from malnutrition or the illness.

But, despite all of this, it was at the back of his mind, always settling on, ‘I’ll eat better when we get out’.

“Things happen kiddo.” he decides on, “I’m okay, don’t worry.”

“Can you eat those chocolate chips..?” his voice is quiet compared to his normal unruly tone.

“Of course.” he gives a soft smile, taking some and starting to snack.

Is this the first food hitting his stomach in three rounds? Yes.

Is he going to eat more after this? No-

Well, with how C00lkidd’s looking at him right now, he might have to.

“Also uh, dad, do they know that Sheddy made Auncle 1X..?”

007n7 sighs, “No.. he hasn’t told anyone yet.”

“Oh, did I just tell you?”

“No, I knew. Code was too similar and I pieced it together.”

“Why don’t you tell everyone then?”

“Well why didn’t you tell them now?” 007n7 hums.

“Because.. It felt wrong. Also I thought they already knew. Is Sheddy gonna tell them.”

“One day he will. Just, I think he’s nervous.”

“Nervous how?”

“How everyone will react to him being their creator.”

“I don’t think they’ll care.” C00lkidd snorts.

“Oh, they definitely won’t.” 007n7 chuckles, “But, things go to people’s heads.”

“Like how all of that food Dusk-ey eats goes to his big brain?”

“Sort of.” 007n7 snorts, “Just.. some people need some more time. And maybe a push in the right direction.”

Chapter Text

Elliot and Chance are being chased by today’s killer of the day.

1x1x1x1.

The being had destroyed Elliot’s precious bike so the two were forced to run on foot.

“It is too fucking early in this goddamn round for this shit..” he groans.

“Tell me about it.” They nod.

Chance flipped his coin as Elliot kept pulling him forwards, making sure both didn’t slam face first into something.

“Do you got a shot yet?” Elliot asks through quick breaths.

“No, stuck on tails.” He speaks as his eyes watch the coin rise and fall.

“Then throw the fucking knife.” Elliot groans.

“No! That knife is for slashing not-“

Elliot shoves Chance to the ground, out of the way of 1X’s entanglement.

“The knife is used for whatever we need to get out of here!”

As Elliot pins Chance’s hands above their head, he doesn’t notice how their face goes red.

But just as fast as that action happened, Chance saw 1X rapidly approaching. So they ripped themself free, flipped the coin, finally got the heads they needed and aimed their shot and flipped positions with Elliot.

No shot rang out. Just a small explosion.

“CHANCE WHAT THE FUCK!” Elliot can’t help but cry out as Chance falls back onto Elliot’s chest.

Chance no longer has a hand (or forearm for that matter) and Elliot can tell my the way his glasses droop that he’s in a state of shock.

So Elliot rips Chance’s knife from its makeshift belt loop holster and uses it to block the blow from 1X (thankfully remember which is the sharp side this time).

He sweeps the legs of the killer and immediately turns and makes a break for it, dragging Chance with him.

“Lady Luck is not in my side today..” Chance weakly chuckles.

“No shit!”

Elliot watches as Chance uses his remaining hand to reach under his hat and pull out a new flintlock.

“Don’t you fucking-“

“Relax doll.” He hums whilst flipping his coin, it landing on heads, “I got this.”

He turns on his heel, aims and fires.

But Chance can tell it’s not going to go to plan.

At least not plan A. It was time for plan B.

Chance threw the gun at 1X, it exploding as it made contact with the entity’s chest.

Elliot watched a shit eating grin make its way onto Chance’s lips.

Elliot saw his eyes. They were normally kept hidden. Most theorized that they were practically monochrome like the rest of their appearance. But. Elliot could see them every once in a while.

A brilliant gold that shined in the light. Maybe that was why they never took them off, they were their tell. Brightening when joyful and dulling when upset.

It was magnetic. But Elliot needs to stay focused. Fight through the feelings.

“AGHHH IS THAT WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WHEN IT BLOWS UP ON YOU!?” 1X shouts out, stumbling backwards.

Elliot tosses Chance his knife as 1X lunges forwards, a hole in their chest, producing a sickening green liquid.

The two start to fight, Chance struggling with one single arm.
Elliot disappears from Chance’s view, he hopes he ran for safety. Chance really doesn’t know how long he can last against the swordsperson.

1X quickly knocks Chance onto the ground, "99% of gamblers QUIT right before they-”

“SHUT UP BITCH!” Elliot suddenly shouts, jumping up out of nowhere, slamming a metal rod into 1X’s head.

1X, to both people’s surprise, falls unconscious on the ground.

Chance, once again, can’t tell if he is terrified, or turned on.

Elliot helps Chance away from the unconscious entity, pulling them behind a wall.

“Okay, okay,” Elliot mutters, summoning a slice of pizza within his hand and handing it over to Chance, “Here, eat this.”

Chance quickly munches on the margarita slice.

Elliot takes his button up off, revealing his black tank top underneath.

“This.. might hurt but until we find a medkit we should fully stop the bleed.. Cause it looks like the pizzas not doing it fully..” Elliot hums.

Chance nods, currently staring at Elliot’s arms.

Elliot starts to wrap the shirt around his stub, trying to force the bleed to slow.

Chance winces at first but then gets distracted by how Elliot’s arms flex and bend. With how much Elliot has to help people run, plus the carrying of those people and the running of his own he does, it made sense that he gained some light muscle. Most of the unathletic ones had.

But Elliot’s did something to Chance he couldn’t explain. They could actually but, there was no point of bringing it up.

Elliot finished wrapping his arm, “Pal, ya didn’t have to do that with your own shirt..”

“It’s fine. I’ll be cooler in a tank. Anyways,” Elliot sucks a breath in before shouting, “YOU KNOW HOW RECKLESS THAT WAS NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!”

“I mean it wasn’t the worst I’ve done..”

“IT WAS VERY CLOSE.”

Meanwhile, Shedletsky, Taph, Dusekkar and Builderman were watching this conversation unfold, Taph kicking at 1X’s unconscious body.

“And they aren’t dating..” Shedletsky sighs

“Nope.” Builderman pops his lips.

“Didn’t you two long for 20 years?” Dusekkar chides, “What right do you have to question those queers?”

“Guys did Elliot kill this bitch?” Taph signs.

“Doesn’t matter,” Shedletsky waves his hand, “Are they even queer?”

“Do ya know what queer means you fuckin’ dumbass?” Builderman snorts.

“Uh, yeah. But are they gay?”

All seem to think about that.

“Sorry, got some of my uh, blood on your face doll.” Chance hums, using his one hand to wipe the spot from Elliot’s cheek.

They both freeze, Chance just holding Elliot’s cheek.

“Yeah they’re fucking gay.” Builderman states.

“Actually, I think Elliot is more just under the Achillean umbrella.” Taph explains, “Told me he’s cool with anything but women or fem presenting people.”

“When you find that out?” Shedletsky asks.

“After five tequila shots.”

“Yeah that makes sense.” Dusekkar hums, “Usually makes things less tense.”

“Well I’m bisexual.” Shedletsky smirks.

“What are we fuckin’ announcing our sexualities now?” Builderman squints.

Taph does a limp wrist motion.

“Yes Taph, we know yer gay. You used to send the one clip of that green guy daily.” Builderman snorts.

“I’m just iconic like that.” he signs, “Dusk-ey-poo is also gay.”

Dusekkar just slowly turns to Taph, “Don’t call me that ever again.”

“Right-o!” Taph salutes.

“But yes, I am a homosexual. Men are the only thing I find sensual.”

All three then look at Builderman.

“What. Y’all wanna peer into my fuckin’ personal shit?”

Silence.

“I don’t use labels. I go with whoever I find attractive.” he sighs.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?” they hear a voice approaching. 

They turn their heads to see 007n7 approaching.

“Hey man! What’s your sexuality?”

“H-huh?” 007n7 blinks.

“Don’t question it..” Builderman sighs.

“Oh, uh, I’m bi.. Thought I was just gay for a while and then I saw Full Metal Alchemist.” he smiles, “Nothin’ too interesting about it. I think.. Wait, is 1X dead?”

He walks over and begins to investigate the body, bringing up his C00l.gui to seemingly test some things out.

“Why is everyone gathered, did something happen?” Guest 1337 rushes up before noticing 1X, “Are- are they dead.”

“Guest what’s your sexuality?” Shedletsky asks.

“Bisexual with some polyamory traits.”

“Damn, and you’re tied down to one wife?”

“Well she’s poly too and the rule just was tell the other if you’re doing something with someone just don’t bring them home around Charlotte. Also, she enjoyed watch me with other guy-” he stops, “Wait why the fuck am I telling you this. Also why is 1X dead on the ground.”

“Elliot killed him.” Dusekkar translates Taph’s sign.

“Great.. How’d we even end up on the topic of sexuality?” Guest pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Were trying to figure out if Chance and Elliot were queer or not, spiraled from there.” Builderman rolls his eyes.

“Well, isn’t it common knowledge he’s pansexual?”

They all go quiet.

“Guess it wasn’t.” Guest snorts.

“AWW, You're nothing like your son!”

“HOLY FUCK HE'S AWAKE-” 007n7 is stabbed through the throat, immediately killing him.

Chaos ensues as all of them panic. Shedletsky draws his sword, Guest readies his fists and Taph creates way too many bombs.

Meanwhile, on the other side of that wall, Chance muttered, “Uh, is somethin’ goin on over there..”

“I don’t know but I think we should leave.” Elliot states.

“Smart.” Chance nods.

And so, Elliot tossed three slices of pizza over the wall as Chance and him turned, and walked away.

Chapter Text

This was playing out like a normal round for Guest 1337. He’d fought John Does around two times at this point, protecting Dusekkar the first and Elliot the second.

He tried to go a generator but he only got about halfway done before he found it hard for him not to be actively seeking survivors to help.

“Guest, wanna help us with something?” He hears a voice from beside. 

He turns and sees 007n7. He knows he can’t say no to him.

“Sure, watcha need?”

Builderman appears suddenly, typing at his newly reacquired admin panel, “we need to keep John Does distracted.”

“Why if I may ask?”

“He’s being infected by something known as old code. we’ve been slowly tearing to down in order for it to finalize it we need to be pretty close.” Seven explains.

“So that’s yer job, keep him busy so we don’t get killed.” Builderman finishes.

“You make that sound easy..” Guest sighs.

Seven takes Guest’s hands, “Please? It would really help.. you can run if things get too dicey.”

Guest really needs to work on saying no to 007n7.

“That was a no.. don’t worry I’ll help.”

Builderman raises an eyebrow at their interaction.

“I’m surprised you guys didn’t get Shedletsky to do this.”

“He died.” The two speak at the same time, very different emotions being portrayed.

Builderman is monotone, just seemingly disappointed. 007n7 seems almost embarrassed at Shedletsky’s death.

“Surprised you didn’t pick Chance or Two Time before me.”

Both men just slowly turn their heads to Guest, eyes wide.

“I’m just kidding.” Guest chuckles.

That seems to relax 007n7 enough for him to almost laugh but, Builderman interrupts first, “Seven, he was supposed to protect you.”

“You can’t expect him to be perfect at his job plus he’s not.. very good at.. protecting.” 007n7 scratches the back of his neck.

“He does a fine job at protecting.” He puts his hands on his hips. 

Seven just slowly blinks.

“Okay yeah, yer right he’s too aggro.”

“Why does 007n7 need protection?” Guest asks.

Builderman stares at 007n7, “You really fucking told no one, did ya?”

“It’s, not that bad..”

“What’s wrong?”

“7n7 is dying.”

“WHAT?!”

“I-I am not dying!” he scoffs, “I-I just.. Look, it’s a minor thing. I just, can’t breathe sometimes.”

“Um, I’m sorry?” Guest blinks.

“Look, whoever is in charge kinda uh, doesn’t like me for the whole, breaking the game thing. So they are sorta making my throat and lungs tighten up completely. But I’m fine-”

“Ya can’t walk for more than thirty seconds.” Builderman scoffs.

“I’ll protect him.” Guest immediately replies.

“I-I really don’t need-”

“You can help me help others.” Guest puts a hand on the shorter man’s shoulder, “Besides, I could always use someone to watch my back.”

“This is just part of my corrupt energy!” a laugh ruptures from behind.

Spikes jet out of the ground, turning and targeting Guest.

“WELL DO YOUR JOB SOLDIER BOY!” Builderman shouts and Guest watches the two programmers disappear, somewhere.

Guest really really needs to learn to say no to 007n7.

All Guest could do was jump out of the way, tucking and rolling in the deep grass.

A claw jabs into the ground next to him, barely missing.

Guest kicks it, the force causing Doe to stumble.

Guest pops back up, slamming a right hook into Doe’s jaw.

“You'll regret that!” he shouts, stabbing his claw forwards, Guest catching it in his hands before charging forwards.

He slams his fist into Doe’s stomach.

John stumbles back but Guest finds himself stumbling harder, landing strange on his ankle, causing a brief moment of balance loss.

In that moment, Doe shouts, “You should've stayed DEAD!”

He slashes down with his claw, slicing diagonally across Guest’s chest.

He falls back, letting himself turn in the air, landing on his hands and knees. He uses the momentum to back off.

But, surrounding him now, a gracious gift from John Doe, is a wall of spikes.

He’s trapped in.

He turns back and surprisingly doesn’t see John Doe charging him.

Instead, he sees him frozen, looking at something on the ground.

Guest immediately feels his breast pocket, right away being able to tell, it was slashed open.

John is look at his photo.

“Who’s that?” he scoffs.

“My wife and child.” Guest states, bracing for the worst.

But, the way John looks up at him is not one of someone about to attack.

“Wife..?”

“Yeah, outside of.. this shit hole, I have a wife.. Her name’s Daisy.”

“Dai-sy?” he pauses.

“Did.. you have anyone you loved..?” Guest can’t help but ask.

John freezes.

“I-I, I dunno.”

Guest takes a step closer.

“How’d you meet your.. Daisy..”

“I.. lived in an orphanage for part of my life. I met her there. We were friends then.. more . Took us until after high school though.” he laughs at the last bit.

“I think I met her there too.”

“Hm..?”

“A long time ago.. I met someone. She changed high schools in grade 11. I..”

He uses his hand to clutch onto his head, something seemingly forcing him to forget.

He suddenly lunges forwards, swiping with his claw. Guest manages to stumble back.

“Tell  me about her! And I’ll tell you about Daisy!” Guest blocks a blow, in the flash, seeing John’s eyes flash with tears.

“SHUT UP!” he shouts.

“Daisy and I dated for years before we got married! I was so scared to propose! I thought I wouldn’t be good enough for someone as beautiful as her!” he explains.

“STOP IT!” his swings get weaker, more sluggish.

“I CRIED WHEN SHE SAID YES! I FUCKING SOBBED WHEN I SAW HER IN HER WEDDING DRESS!”

He blocks blow after blow, it slowly getting easier. Though, Guest is fighting his own tears.

“I MISSED HER SO MUCH AT TRAINING! I MISSED HER SO MUCH IN COMBAT! I MISS HER SO MUCH TODAY!” Guest shouts, feeling freeing to get all of this off his chest, even if it’s also being used to aid the killer.

Both men fall into heavy pants, no words being spoken.

“J-Jane..”

Guest looks up at him.

“That was my wife’s name.” he smiles with tears pouring from his eyes.

John’s eyes suddenly go completely wide, him collapsing to his knees.

Guest crouches down in front of him.

He watches as the once corruption slowly disappears, being almost zapped away by some force.

That includes the disappearance completely of the arm that was once a claw. Just a nub being left behind.

His corrupted eye goes white with blindness but, there’s no red glow or black necrosis.

His skin scars but, Guest can tell, the man is finally at peace.

The two stare at each other before giving on any stoic pretenses.

They throw their arms around each other, both finally having found someone who understands their pain.

“I’m free.. I remember her..” is all John can mumble, over and over again with slight variations.

“HOLY FUCK THAT ACTUALLY WORKED!” 007n7 rushes over out of nowhere.

“Where the fuck were you guys?” Guest speaks through sniffles, still holding the sobbing man.

“I made an invisibility machine- are you two.. Crying?” Builderman asks.

“SHUT UP MAN WHO BANNED ME I’M GOING THROUGH IT RIGHT NOW OKAY!?”

“YOU BANNED HIM?!” 007n7 slowly turns to Builderman.

“What else was I supposed to do! I couldn’t do THAT solo!”

“Man I just wanna see my wife again..” John whines.

“Me too bro, me too..”

Both continue to cry, holding onto one another.

“Should we.. do something?” Builderman asks.

“Nah, crying it out is usually a better option.” 007n7shrugs.

“What about uh, the fact Johnny over there is missin’ an arm?”

“Well he doesn’t seem too distressed by that right now so uh.. Lets not.. Mention it.”

“Is that yer solution to everything foreeyes?”

“You wear reading glasses.”

“Touchie.”

“Touché?”

“Same shit.”

“No it’s really-”

Suddenly, a message echoes through their heads.

The survivors won.

The group finds himself at the table, with a multitude of other survivors, only Shedletsky seemingly going down in the round.

The three catch as John seems to brace for something that never comes.

The rest of the table slowly notices the scene, seeing the newest survivor in their ranks.

“Hey.. John..” Sixer blinks.

“Shit I forgot the dog can talk now.” John blinks.

“DOG?!” Noob has to stop Sixer from hoping the table.

“Why doesn’t he have an arm?” Of course, the ever blunt Two Time would bring that up.

John briefly looks at the stub.

“Uh, guess it was too far gone.. Probably for the best.. That shit hurt..”

Mutters of agreement go around the table.

That’s when a shrill voice calls out, “UNCLE JOHNNY?!”

John’s head whips back, seeing C00lkidd rushing over.

He seemingly looks to 007n7 for permission, obviously not wanting to upset the father. 

7n7 just gives him a smile before John immediately pushes off teh chair, pulling C00lkidd into a hug, “Hey bud! Great to see you finally!”

“What happened to your arm?” he asks as John slowly lifts him up, still incredibly strong even with just one arm.

“Oh uh, Dracobloxer ate it.”

“HE WOULD NEVER!”

“Well he-”

“YOU WOULD TASTE TOO BAD!”

John gives C00lkidd a blank stare before letting out a laugh that practically shakes the cabin.

“God you, bring me to tears kid.”

“Well, I’ll force Builderbitch to build you a new one!”

“Builder- Bitch-” John laughs more, “Man I gotta start calling ya that one Builderman.”

“I’ll slug ya.”

“He’s short! You can kick his ass Uncle Johnny!”

“THAT’S IT-”

Shedletsky picks up Builderman and throws him over his shoulder, “Yeah,nah.”

“I WAS JUST GONNA BEAT THE BALDY NOT THE CHILD!”

“Shhhhhh… It's okay..” Shedletsky soothes, slowly taking Builderman away.

As idle chatter forms, people greeting the new member, 007n7 and Guest catch each other’s eyes.

“Pulling an Elliot I see?”

“Well Noob did it too.” Guest snorts, leaning back.

“Well, if it counts for anything, you were my first choice over Shedletsky.”

“That..means a lot coming from someone like you.”

Both look at each other, both ending up just laughing.

“Hey John, what's your sexuality?” Dusekkar translates for Taph.

“WE ARE NOT DOING THIS AGAIN!”  Guest slams his fist on the table causing 007n7 to erupt in snorts of laughter.

Chapter Text

Shedletsky wasn’t going to let a being of his own creation hurt someone once again.

This time he was rushing towards an injured Elliot, currently being attacked by 1X.

They seemed to be more pissed off then normal, most likely due to Elliot bashing them over the head last time they were the killer.

Shedletsky managed to barely get between the two, using his sword to block a strike.

“GET OUTTA HERE KID!” Shedletsky orders.

Elliot despite his injuries, only stumbles back a bit, seemingly ready to aid Shedletsky if needed.

“I SAID GET OUTTA HERE!” he shouts.

Elliot looks up, almost with fear.

Shedletsky tries not to get this bad around the others.

But it’s felt like chains were dragging him down recently. He felt like they were bound tight around his ankles, wrists and neck, chaining him to the floor below.

Metaphysical? Real? Did it matter?

Shedletsky felt it.

It got worse when Builderman started to bring up 1X. He knows the man was just bouncing ideas on how to free 1X off of him. But, Shedletsky felt like every ask was him putting another nail into the brunette's skull. One more feather plucked from his wings.

Shedletsky blocks a blow from 1X as Elliot scurries off.

“ASSHOLE!” 1X swipes forwards again.

“What, that I don’t want you killin’ our healer!?”

“LET ME DO WHAT I WANNA DO!”

“STOP ACTING LIKE A FUCKING DISRESPECTFUL TEENAGER!”

The fight is rough. Both refuse to hold back. Both want the other dead right now.

It’s slash after slash, stab after stab.

Neither plan on relenting any time soon.

“DIE YOU PEACE OF SKUM!” 1X shouts as they attempt to stab out Shedletsky’s eye.

“WHAT IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM WITH ME?!” Shedletsky can’t help but call out, blocking the blow.

“YOU KNOW WHY!”

“WELL FUCKING ELIGHTEN ME BECAUSE I’M CLUELESS!” Shedletsky scoffs, “I didn’t create you to be sentient!”

“WELL CONGRATS BECAUSE I ENDED UP SO! AND INSTEAD OF NOTICING YOU BEAT ME DAILY!”

“HOW?! How the fuck do you gain sentience!”

“I’m your damn REFLECTION Shedletsky!”

He’s taken a back at that, stumbling in his step.

“YOU WERE UPSET! UPSET THAT TAPH FUCKING DIED. YOU TOOK IT OUT ON ME!”

“Shut up!” Shedletsky’s voice is wavering, as his combat goes defensive.

“YOU WERE UPSET AND SOMETHING FED ON THAT SHIT AND PUT IT INTO ME!” 1X shouts.

“NO!”

“I’M JUST YOUR DAMN SHADOW! CURSED TO BE IT! OF COURSE I’M FUCKING PISSED!”

Shedletsky no longer speaks, focusing on blocking the rampant blows.

The suddenly 1X stops, catching their breath, “I-I don’t even have a real body! J-just this stupid husk I call a figure!”

They push forwards once again.

“NOTHING FEELS REAL! I JUST WANNA BE REAL SHEDLETSKY!”

She manages to slash across Shedletsky’s chest, knocking the man to the ground.

Before Shedletsky can climb back up, 1X digs their foot into the man’s chest, holding him down.

“But you know why I reaaaallllyyy hate you?” they scoff, “I’m your hatred.”

“S-so you hate me?” Shedletsky sputters out.

“Because you hate yourself. You hate yourself more then you could hate anyone else. So I’m forced to fucking hate you.”

Shedletsky stares up, eyes wide before suddenly tightening.

“Finish the damn job 1X.”

“With fucking pleasure!” 1X stabs their swords down, crossing through Shedletsky’s neck.

Shedletsky jolts awake.

He was trying to tend to the fire in the living room before. That plan was always a shitty distraction though.

He sees a glimpse into the kitchen, Elliot respawing.

God, he couldn’t even protect the kid. What kind of a hack was he?

He found his body moving on his own, pushing towards the front door.

He practically breaks through it before slamming it closed.

He doesn’t even know where exactly he’s going. Somewhere, anywhere he can be alone.

He pushes through the forest, breaking through the branches and crushing the leaves below.

The bark of trees he passes scratch at his arms. One tears his sleeve, sharp enough to cause blood to run from the fresh wound.

A tree stops him right in the middle of his path. Instead of going around, he finds himself slamming his fist into it, over and over and over again.

The bark tears at his knuckles, causing his skin to peel back and wounds to form. 

He screams into the void of the forest about nothing and everything.

He doesn’t even notice how long it all lasts for.

“FUCK THIS STUPID GAME!” 

Hit.

“FUCK FUCKING 1X!”

Hit.

“FUCK ALL THOSE DAMN MURDERERS!”

Hit.

“FUCK THIS STUPID FOREST!”

Hit.

“FUCK MY STUPID ASS FOR ENDING UP HERE!”

His fist lingers on the tree as he finally notices the tears streaming down his cheeks.

He collapses to his knees, body wracked with sobs.

“I’M A FUCKING FAILURE! I CAN’T DO ANYTHING RIGHT!”

He tried to protect his friends. Taph died on his watch and Builderman died because he couldn’t fucking survive his own creation.

He still tries to protect his friends.

Everyone dies on his watch.

He’s pushing everyone around him away once again.

He’s too chicken to suck it up and tell them all about 1X, to tell Builderman about 1X.

Anything to not disappoint the man.

Or even worse.

To gain sympathy from him.

Builderman wasn’t friendly. He wasn’t soft. He wasn’t nice.

But god, did he change when alone with Shedletsky.

To Shedletsky, his smile was infectious. The man came off as almost soft for the once winged man. The man was downright clingy when the two were alone. Always needing to make contact with him (though Shedletsky was the same exact way).

Shedletsky knew what he felt. Like he didn’t deserve that.

He was a liar, a hypocrite, a deeply angry man.

He didn’t deserve love.

But, Builderman was stubborn and Shedletsky knew that.

He knew Shedletsky’s feelings on himself would not make the man even squirm on his own beliefs.

So Shedletsky dragged himself back up.

Taph wasn’t going to give up on him either. Taph had stood by him for years.

Taph loves everyone despite flaws. Shedletsky loves Taph despite his quirks.

Nothing could break their brotherly bond.

Not some stupid secret he was scared to share.

He turns back to the cabin.

Dusekkar would tell him he’s an idiot. Tell him they could’ve figured this out a long time sooner if he just told someone. But Dusekkar wouldn’t leave him for this, it would just be, another one of their many many bumps.

He walks towards the cabin.

If the others care, why does that matter?

He has all he needs.

…

When Shedletsky reaches the cabin, he smells a smell he hasn’t smelled for a while.

Fresh fried chicken.

He quickly pushes towards the kitchen and there he finds a plate with four pieces and a note.

“Shedletsky, you are not defined by your worst moments. -Elliot”

With no hesitation, he gobbles all of them up, it being the first truly amazing fried chicken he’s had in a long while.

The batter was cooked to a perfect crisp and the chicken inside was juicy as all hell.

Shedletsky couldn’t believe the miracles Elliot made within this kitchen.
But, right after he took his last bite, before he could even lick his fingers clean, he was brought somewhere else.

“Another fucking round already..?” he groans.

He looks at his hands and sees whoever runs this joint decided it would be funny to not heal them.

But right now, that didn’t matter, he had a job to do.

…

There couldn’t be much time left if any. Every generator Shedletsky found was already done or was then finished by the man himself.

He looked up and saw something. 

On a cliff’s edge, Taph was brawling the killer of the round, Azure.

They were violent per usual, attempting to stab every body part of Taph’s.

Shedletsky runs faster than he might have ever had.

Within thirty seconds he was running up the hill.

But within those thirty seconds, he watched Taph throw a bomb.

He watched Taph get knocked back by the explosion. 

He watched Azure finish the job and shove Taph off the edge.

That only makes Shedletsky run faster.

He shoves past Azure, elbowing the kid off his tentacles and causing them to land on their ass.

He jumps off the edge, reaching down for the falling Taph.

“I GOT YOU TAPH!”

At first, he just plans on catching him, taking the force of the blow. 

But he knows he can do better.

He doesn’t want to feel chained down anymore.

He doesn’t feel chained down anymore.

He feels his drag increasing before he does a motion he hasn’t in a while, tightening his wings.

He flies faster, grabbing onto Taph before he prays what he thinks happened actually happened.

He holds on to Taph tight and lets his wings flap to slow the landing.

His feet land soft in the grass as he slowly puts Taph down.

Taph takes a few steps back, visibly taken a back by the sudden events.

“Are you okay, we might need to get-”

Taph’s sign interrupts him, “Your wings are back!”

“They are..? They are!” he seems to finally process that fact for himself.

He glances back, seeing brown fluffy feathers over his shoulder.

He reaches up to his ears and feels those feathers are back as well, sticking out and up, fluffing up due to his excitement right now.

Taph throws his arms around Shedletsky as well as his legs, the man holding him up and spinning around.

“FUCK YEAH I’M BACK BABY!” Shedletsky smiles wide.

Taph ruffles his hair, seemingly equally as overjoyed.

Shedletsky could feel his wings again.

He could feel the way they moved, feel the soft feathers rubbing on his skin and feel the gentle breeze their slight movement created.

A message echoes through their heads, “The survivors won.”

That was it. That was the first time they managed to beat Azure.

But, that wasn’t what was on Shedletsky or Taph’s mind right now.

The two appeared in their chairs, Taph immediately hoping the table to tackle Shedletsky to the ground.

He only pulls up to sign, “I’m so happy you got them back! You missed them so much…”

Was Shedletsky that obvious? Whatever that didn’t matter right now.

Shedletsky laughed as he barely managed to get Taph off of him, placing the man sitting on the table.

“Shedletsky.”a deep voice hums, a small crowd forming behind him.

Shedletsky looks up, seeing Builderman looking back at him.

‘Builder.. My wings man.. Th-they’re.. Back.” Shedletsky sniffles, his tears starting to form.

He can see 007n7 from the corner of his eye quickly pull up the C00l.gui and type something in.

Builderman pushes forwards, “I’m happy for ya.”

He stays stoic, that’s until Builderman notices Shedletsky’s hands.

Bloodied and torn.

He walks closer, slowly take one of hands, inspecting it close.

“What happened?”

His voice sends a shiver up Shedletsky’s spine.

He wants to tell him.

He needs to tell him.

“I need to talk to you.” he settles on, “TH-there’s a lot I need to talk about.”

Shedletsky watches as Builderman takes his hand up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the man’s bloodied knuckles

“And I’m ready to listen.”

Chapter Text

Everyone knew something bad was going to happen soon.

A string of good luck would always be followed by the Spectre deciding they didn’t deserve happiness or a chance at freedom.

John Doe was sane once again, Shedletsky got his wings back, and there was a moment of peace between Elliot and the killers.

Everything was going so right so it had to of gone wrong.

What they didn’t expect was this.

A blizzard covering the battlefield, snow already a foot deep despite only being around thirty minutes in.

Noob was freezing their ass off. Being in a t-shirt does that.

“Here- you need it-” Noob interrupts their lover.

“N-no! I’ll be.. Fine.. You need your sweater more Sixer..” they speak through shivers.

“You’re gonna freeze out here!” they shout, trying to keep Noob from walking out into the white abyss.

They were currently behind a fractured wall, it was all that was protecting them from the high winds. You couldn’t see three feet in front of you. It was a blinding white blur.

“W-we.. need to go find people! H-help them!” Noob calls out.

“Hopefully they’re bunkered down already, I’m not letting you go out there.” Sixer scoffs, pulling the shorter one into her chest.

“B-but, w-we need..”

“Clone my jacket at least sweetheart.”

Noob nods, slowly cloning Sixer’s sweater with their slowly bluing fingertips.

They slip it on slowly, holding any lasting body heat in that they could.

But in the distance, they both could see a dark figure easily approaching.

…

Guest was using his body to shield Two Time and Taph from the harsh wind in front of them.

His soldier’s uniform kept him warm..  Enough.

Taph was well off with his heavy cloak but, it was hard to walk with their smaller frame.

Two Time.. was wearing a tank top. They weren’t faring well. Their skin was already looking frost bitten.

Guest needed to find them all shelter, sooner rather then later.

His once plan to find and protect 007n7 was temporarily sidelined a while ago. Shelter for these two was his current focus.

But, Guest watched out of the corner of his eye, Taph taking his heavy jacket off, slipping it over Two Times's shoulders, leaving the rest of his cloak on to keep themself warm as well.

“Thank you.. Friend..” Two Time shivers, teeth chattering.

Guest smiled a bit at the interaction.

Guest just wants to find shelter, just wants to get them all out of there.

But.

Before that could ever happen, Guest saw a figure jumping at them.

He tried to block the flow but, his poor vision made his vision get thrown off.

As he was slammed into the snow, he saw that the figure was Azure, with a bloody sweater obviously stolen from Sixer.

Guest shoved Azure off of him, forcing himself up out of the snow.

He watched Azure’s movement flow with ease, tentacles allowing them to stab through the thick snow, body not being slowed by the drag.

Guest goes on defense, shouting behind him, “RUN YOU TWO!”

Taph tosses a bomb at Azure before grabbing the wrist of Two Time to pull them away from this all.

But that was difficult. Two Time’s body was weak, thing and boney, meant for a rush in a low crouch not a tall stride through snow.

Taph stood at 5’6”. The snow was pushing close to their waist. Any leg movements were a pained affair, the lower half of his body going numb.

So Guest knew, he needed to stall for as long as possible.

Even if the snow dragged him down, he attempted to block every blow, trying to hit back when he could.

So strike after strike, blow after blow, he forced himself to keep going, to keep pushing on.

But that snow was dragging him down more and more, body feeling trapped under the pleasure.

The cold was on his lips, even if his swings were keeping him as warm as possible.

So, he sorta expected it when Azure managed to get a good strike in, knocking the veteran on his back before stabbing through his chest to finish the job.

His blood turned the snow red.

But Azure wasn’t finished, he ripped his tentacles out before rushing towards the two runners.

He launched himself forwards, slamming into Two Time first.

He forced them deep into the snow, them not even being worth the energy.

He would just let them suffocate.

Then there was the cloaked one.

He grabbed him, tentacles wrapped around the man’s chest and neck.

“Die.” Azure scoffed out, snapping the man’s neck with a cracking sound.

…

Chance was following Builderman through the deepening snow.

At this point their gun was stuffed down his collar.

He knows Elliot would be screaming at him for this but, at this point Chance couldn’t reach his holster easily and he needed to do something in case they got jumped.

His other option was the knife which, he at least knew better then to stash that by his neck.

He’s been following Builderman for a little bit now.

Why? Because the man was the shortest survivor (though Builder would NEVER say that out loud). Which meant he practically had to drag himself through the snow. Chance felt bad for the man even if he wasn’t gonna let them actually help, they were going to make sure they stayed alive.

There was also the fact that if Shedletsky heard they saw Builderman struggling and did nothing, the gambler might get strangled.

Scratch that, Shedletsky might do much worse.

“Are you sure you don’t want-“

“Quit yer blabbering I’m fine!” He shouts back.

The two are walking away front the wind which, gives some relief but not much.

Instead of the cold on their faces it digs into the back of their necks, pushing them forwards.

Chance was taking the brunt of it and had to keep making sure his hat didn’t fly away.

A tree appeared in their vision.

“Hey we should rest behind-“

“You can. If ya wanna get your head bashed in by falling snow.”

“You’re so negative.” Chance scoffs.

The two walk around the tree, “Prefer realistic.”

The two see a hand sticking out of the snow. He cant even tell who it is, their skin having turned a shade of blue.

“HOLY SHIT!” Chance curses.

“Don’t bother kid.” 

Despite that Chance yanks them out anyways.

On the other end he finds Dusekkar, the front of his pumpkin head caved in

The one thing Chance could never get used to seeing was corpses. He could see death, he could see suffering, he could see anything else.

Just not a damn corpse. 

Maybe it was the finality of it. A corpse had no fighting chance anymore, just a complete husk. What happened to your body was no longer your choice. You were helpless to events surrounding you. If you were dying, miracles could happen, Lady Luck could turn your way. If you were dead, it was finality.

Then Duselkar’s arm snapped off.

Chance jumped back, falling deeper into the snow.

He never knew how anyone got used to this.

“Pull yerself together kid!” He felt Builderman yank him back up.

Builderman couldn’t describe the pained look the normally overconfident one gave him.

“Let’s get outta here-“

Something jumped off the tree.

…

Elliot shivered in the corner of the building. The massive hole in one side was not helping, only allowing more cold air to flow in.

“St-stupid fucking Spectre treatin' me like sh-shit like this..”

He was lucky enough to have his leather jacket on this round. He was unlucky enough for all that was under the leather jacket to be a think tank top. Both of those things were soaked through. Unbeknownst to him he was walking over a river and that river’s icy top caved in.

He managed to get out but god, he couldn’t really feel anything except that dampness on his skin anymore.

Someone then stumbled into the building.

There he saw John, John saw him as well.

Spikes ejected from the ground across the open wall, minimizing the wind and snow being let in.

“Fuck! That’s never happened before.” He scoffs.

Since his rescue, John through a poncho/shawl type of cloth over his body to cover the now stump. That seemed to keep him warmer right now.

“Y-you st-still c-can create spikes?” Elliot manages to get out.

“Turns out they didn’t get all the old code.. are.. you okay though kid?”

“Gr-gr-great, n-never better.” He scoffs out.

Elliot summons a slice of pizza within his hand, reaching it over to John, “M-might warm you up.”

“Looks like you need one too kid.” John reaches down and takes it, it turning into a meaty supreme.

“I-I don’t eat my- my own p-pizza.”

He catches John giving him a sympathetic look before eating his slice, “hey this is actually.. working. Should eat done yourself.”

“I’m- I’m good, s-someone else will need it more.”

“You need to make it that long first.”

John goes to walk closer, to at least share some of his own body heat.

But his spikes get destroyed by something first.

They impale into the wall, barely missing the two in the room.

There they both see Azure looming, figured blurred by the blizzard.

But what Elliot goes notice is that Azure has Guest’s army jacket on.

“Consider this an act of mercy!” They shout as they charge the two in the room.

…

Shedletsky was still searching. Searching for anyone he could help despite himself being in a t-shirt.

Snow coated his wings and hair, a thick frost causing his feathers to completely stiffen. That doesn’t even factor in all the debris that has been blown into his wings.

He could fly for a bit but, the wind seems to have gotten worse. Plus his feet were trapped in a level of snow that would drown a young child.

At this point the cold made it hard to breathe. It made it hard for him to move. It made it even harder to think properly.

Another person would have hidden away but Shedletsky couldn’t. Not when someone smaller could be trapped under this amount of snow.

And 007n7 was trapped.

Every time the snow got high and higher he barely had the energy to pull himself up further.

He couldn’t move with the weight of the snow.

He tried to leave his spawn point near the start but, his legs couldn’t push through, not when his lungs were barely supplying him with oxygen in the first place.

He was fucking exhausted.

All he could do is teleport every once and a while to the other spawn locations in order to keep his head above the white powder.

But, at one point, he passed out.

He drifted off and when he awoke, half his body was under the snow.

His C00l.gui could not, despite its name, handle the cold.

It was completely useless, multiple error messages preventing 007n7 from putting in any commands.

He lost track of time what feels like days ago, every second of agony driving him closer to the edge.

That is until he sees a figure, trudging through the snow.

He doesn’t even care if it’s a killer anymore.

“I-I’m over here he-help please..” he tries to call out but he knows his voice is faint.

Luckily, Shedletsky was listening for a call like that.

His body whips to the side and he sees a figure in the snow.

He trudges forwards towards the man.

When he’s wishing a foot he can finally make out who it is, 007n7. He can make out Shedletsky too.

The taller man reaches down and pulls 007n7 out of the snow.

Both are beyond the point of shivering. Honestly, 007n7 would say he feels hot and stuffy.

But before both could breathe, catch their breaths due to the joy of joint suffering.

A voice echoed through their minds.

“The survivors won.”

Neither of the two felt like they won.

Chapter Text

When Noob and Sixer first appeared back in the cabin, the first thing they noticed was how cold they still were.

The second thing they noticed was how cold the cabin was.

By some cruel twist of fate, the fireplace was out. Which meant the cabin was ice fucking cold.

The two attempted to restart the fire but neither truly knew how.

Luckily, around thirty minutes later Dusekkar arrived.

Luckily he knew how to properly start the fire with the flint. He also turned the oven on, leaving the door open in order to aid the warm up of the large building.

Next was Guest and Taph.

Both made Dusekkar realizes how soaked his clothes also were, snow melting through.

The three ran to change before returning and finding Two Time, visibly still shivering.

People led him to the fire, letting them warm up which didn’t take long. Without any shame they took everything (but their underwear, Noob was too freaked out otherwise) off and sat in front of the fire.

Around two hours later, Builderman and Chance arrived.

Builderman was first, already complaining about the cold.

Chance came next, staring at Dusekkar.

Dusekkar was not good with emotions. SO when Chance suddenly hugged the pumpkin headed man and started to cry, he had no idea what to do.

But, luckily, he had been spending a lot of time with Taph.

So he managed to stutter out words of comfort, slowly piecing together that Chance saw his body and.. Ripped his arm off?

Chance managed to calm down eventually, stripping and finding Elliot’s secret hoodie stash, assuming he wouldn’t mind if Chance took ooooonnnneeeeee.
Builderman was starting to get restless though, waiting for Shedletsky to get back. He knew he was just in a t-shirt. He also thought about 007n7, in a similar plight. But god that selfish nature of his kept dragging him back to the winged man.

Meanwhile, Guest was having a similar issue with 007n7. He knew the man was in a weakened state, he knew he was struggling, he knew he was barely wearing anything.

And C00lkidd woke up around then.

Trying to explain the bleak energy to C00lkidd was quickly dubbed Noob’s job.

C00lkidd seemed to understand but kept asking about his dad. 

Asking “Wouldn’t he really really get cold..?”

That was something Noob found it near impossible to explain to the kid. That yes, his father was most likely freezing, scared and possibly alone.

But that’s when John, then right after Elliot reappeared.

Elliot went straight for the kitchen, saying he was making food for everyone.

John went to aid Noob in their current endeavor.

For a long while, the only sounds in the cabin were C00lkidd’s questions and the two’s answers along with the clattering of the kitchen.

They knew the round was ending soon. It had to be.

It was a painful wait. All knew, the longer the two remaining spent in that hellscape, the worse they’ll be.

So, as they all heard, “The survivors won” echo through their minds.

They knew it was bad.

Shedletsky and 007n7 stared at each other from across the table.

Fuck they were both so damn cold. And wet. And just fucking tired.

Builderman was the first to storm into the dining area.

Neither of the two spoke, just slowly turning to look at Builderman, both still covered in snow, both with ice on their skin, both not even shivering anymore, too far gone.

“WE NEED TO WARM THEM UP!” Builderman orders.

It doesn’t sound nice and he doesn’t mean for it to.

He rushes to Shedletsky when Guest rushes into the room and over to 007n7.

Guest is the first to act, picking up 007n7 carefully and carrying him over to the living room.

This leaves Shedletsky and Builderman alone.

Builderman’s shoulders immediately slump, leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to Shedletsky’s forehead. It’s cold to the touch.

“Okay.. we need to get those damp pieces of cloth off of ya, then I’ll clear yer wings, handsome."

Shedletsky just nods, too tired to really do anything else.

Builderman did not like seeing him like this.

“Uh, Ellie sent me to drop off new clothes.”

They turn and see Chance in the doorway, holding a set of Shedletsky’s clothes, “Sorry uh, had to go into your closet. Found your high school self in there.”

They add that last bit to seemingly lighten the mood.

It does get a snort out of Shedletsky.

Chance walks over and places the clothes on the table, “Okay um, I’ll leave you be now.”

With that they leave the room, leaving the two men alone once again.

Builderman finally laughs softly at Chance’s joke, refusing to give him any more reason to continue to make their horrible jokes.

“Alright, let’s get you out of those Shed..”

It takes a minute, Shedletsky’s body slowly warming up but they work together to slip his PJ’s on.

“Okay, turn, imma do yer wings now.”

Shedletsky nods, turning in his chair.

Builderman gets to work, humming softly as he does.

He’s done this probably hundreds of times before. Shedletsky always flew recklessly, getting himself into trouble. He also had a nasty habit of not preening for days.
So Builderman was always the one who forced him to sit down, to preen his wings so he didn’t have to worry.

He became pretty strong at it. Though, he did need to reach into his pocket and grab his glasses in order to better see some of the debris.

He pulls up his own chair, starting to get closer to the base, hearing soft, almost chirp-like sounds from the man.

Builderman makes sure to take brief moments to rub Shedletsky’s cold and sore back.

“‘M.. sorry I couldn’t help ya..” Shedletsky mutters.

“It’s fine. Stuck with Chance.”

“Still..”

“Hey.. it’s all good handsome. Shit happens. That round was.. Hell itself.”

“Or not.. Cause it was cold..” Shedletsky snickers at his own joke.

Builderman lets out a puff of air, shaking his head, “Look just… if ya can’t help me every round, it’s okay. There’s nothing ya need to worry about.”

“Okay..” he nods.

“I mean, I’m not pissed at the 1X thingy, think I would get all hot ‘n bothered over you getting stuck in snow?”

“Horrible phrasing Builder!” Shedletsky lets out a belly laugh, deep and hearty.

God, Builderman loved that stupidly loud laugh.

“If it makes ya laugh like that, it’s perfect phrasin’.” he hums, hands resting on Shedletsky’s waist.

Most of the ice has melted off his wings, all the debris was now scattered on the floor.

“Oh I- Um..” He feels Shedletsky’s skin heating up.

Builderman lets out his own laugh, “Ya get flustered so easy!”

“Only by the hottest man I know.”

Shedletsky turns his head back.

The two lock eyes before both lean in and press their lips on the other’s.

It takes a minute before they’re willing to pull away.

“To the living room with ya. Let’s get ya properly warmed by the fire.” Builderman states, “Plus, think Builder’s kid is makin’ food. Sure yer hungry.”

“Oh fuck.. I am..” he seems to realize for himself.

“C’mon then, I’ll make ya a mocha with Bailey’s too.”

…

Guest carried 007n7 into the living room, most people clearing out to give them space. It leaves 007n7, Guest, Noob, Sixer, Chance and C00lkidd with the room.

“Soldier boy.. Is dad okay?” C00lkidd asks quietly, walking over to Guest.

“He will be. He’s just very cold right now.” Guest tries to give him a smile.

He sits on the couch, still holding 007n7 up to his chest.

Elliot walks out of the kitchen.

“Chance. Go get extra clothes for them.” he orders.

“On it.” he gives a salute, walking up the stairs.

As soon as Chance follows the instructions

“Dad..?” C00lkidd climbs on the couch, “Are you okay..?”

007n7 needs to fight his words out, “Hi.. k-kiddo.. J-just a bit.. Ch-ch-chilly.”

But C00lkidd knows better. He squints

“Hey… why don’t we make your dad some hot chocolate to warm up.” Noob smiles.

“Okay!” C00lkidd jumps off the couch and rushes into the kitchen.

Guest and 007n7 give them a thankful smile.

“No problem..” they just whisper, following the child into the kitchen.

Right after, Chance walks downstairs with two sets of extra clothes.

He places it on the coffee table before entering the dining room.

After a minute or so, he renters the living room, looks at the two on the couch before walking upstairs to presumably give the two some space.

“Lets.. get those off of you.. If you’re comfortable with it of course.”

007n7 weakly nods, attempting to lift his own shirt off but struggling.

Guest slowly reaches down, aiding the man in the process.

He’s thankful when he sees that, he can no longer count the man’s ribs. He’s still thin but, 007n7 has put on some weight, Guest having roped Elliot into the task of ‘fattening the man up’. Larger portions, making sure he doesn’t just pass it off immediately. At the same time, no pressure to finish it. As long as an attempt was made, Guest was happy.

Guest could feel just how cold 7n7’s skin was right now, he was going to end up sick if he didn’t warm up sometime soon.

Guest, had an idea, something he picked up back in the army.

Guest took his own tank top off, holding the partially nude 007n7 close to his chest.

“H-huh?” it’s not a noise of discomfort, just surprise.

“I.. heard back in my soldier days that skin to skin contact warms people up faster.. Figured I could try and help, only if you’re comfortable with it of course.”

007n7 just muttered out, “Thank you Guest..”

“Anything for you.”

Both find each other’s presence comforting, both find the other genuinely amazing, the best out of everyone.

They stay quiet but, it’s far from uncomfortable. Both just slowly drifting off on that couch, both tired from today’s events.

“DAD WE-” C00lkidd goes quiet when he sees his dad is asleep, “Oh.”

“He’s just asleep and not dead right?” he can’t help but ask Noob.

“They’re both just asleep kiddo..” he smiles, ruffling the kid’s hair, “We’ll leave their hot chocolates here.”

C00lkidd placed the mug he made up down before hopping up onto the couch.

He grabs the blanket that was laid across the top of the couch and unceremoniously throws it on top of the two.

He jumps off the back of the couch, “I’m gonna go draw!”

Noob goes to follow, but first, they tidy up the blanket, making sure it actually covers the both of them.

They softly smile before chasing after the rambunctious child.

…

Chance found themself heading towards the kitchen.

He wanted to help (annoy) Elliot once again. He hadn’t seen him since he told Chance to go on that clothing search. Knowing Elliot, that was because he was in the kitchen for the past two hours. 

He passes Guest and 007n7, still asleep on the couch. If Chance didn’t know better they would have called the two lovers. 007n7’s head was buried between Guest’s pec, the taller one holding him close.

They walk into the kitchen and there they see him, Elliot.

Except Elliot is still in his clothes from the round, which were the most soaked through, out of everyone’s. And Elliot is still seemingly getting chills, Chance watching as one rolls up his spine. And Elliot still looks paler then normal, most likely due to the cold.

“Why didn’t ya change yet pal?” Chance asks, leaning on the doorframe.

Elliot just lets out what Chance could only describe as a dismissive grumble.

Chance snorts, walking towards him, “Doll ya gotta take better care of yerself.”

“I’m.. perfectly fine.” he speaks through heavy breaths.

“We don’t need ya gettin’ sick.”

“That’s a myth.”

“Not if ya have hypothermia.” he hums, leaning back on the counter next to Elliot, “How’s cookin goin?”

“Almost done, then I’ll-”

“Then you’ll rest.” Chance’s tone is serious.

“I should serve it, at least for-”

“Their boyfriends can get it for them.” Chance shrugs.

“007n7 doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

“Eh yeah, but he’s currently buried in Guest’s man tits so that’s close enough.”

Elliot blinks.

“Have ya not.. Left the kitchen?”

“Been busy.”

“What do you have left to do?” Chance asks.

“Everything is in the oven, has about five minutes left.”

“I can take 'em all out.”

“Last time you tried that you didn’t use a glove. Fat chance.”

“Hey, I’m not fat!” he tries to lighten Elliot’s mood but is only met with a side eye.

“You know I’ll keep annoying you until you strip.” they tense, “Wait- that came out wrong-”

But that seems to get a laugh out of Elliot. It’s faint but it’s there.

He turns to Chance with a smirk, “You wanna see me strip that bad Lucky?”

Chance feels his face turning red but decides to play it cool.

“Who wouldn’t wanna see someone as gorgeous as you half naked?” they shoot a finger gun.

Elliot shakes his head, “Fine, I’ll get the wet clothes off once the food is done.”

“Wait.” he pauses, “Is that my fucking hoodie?”

Elliot has to rub his eyes at the sight.

Chance is in one of his hoodies and just boxers for pants.

Elliot has to be fucking hallucinating this sight because it can not be real. Something this fucking amazing could not be real.

“Figured ya wouldn’t miss it for a couple of hours,” Chance waves him off, “Besides, it’s comfy. All I got are fuckin’ suits.”

“It.. looks good on you.” That’s all Elliot can get out.

That’s when, the timer beeps.

Elliot quickly turns to that, ignoring his very much not straight and not family-friendly feelings.

He pulls out five trays of varying sizes.

Two massive trays of sheppard’s pie along with a smaller one that most likely has a vegetarian version for Dusekkar. Then a tray of roasted vegetables and a tray of dinner rolls.

All of it makes Chance drool at just the smell.

Chance doesn’t even know how Elliot fit it all in the oven but, it was all coming out and god, it smelled amazing.

“High carbs. High vitamins in the veggies. Probably what we need right now.” Elliot states.

“Can you be my private chef when we get out of here?” Chance can’t help but ask.

“No.”

“Worth a shot.” Chance shrugs before grabbing Elliot by the hand and leading him from the kitchen.

“Uh, where are we-”

Chance interrupts him with a shout, “DINNER’S READY GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT!”

The two on the couch surprisingly don’t wake up at that.

But, that yell causes a rush past the two. Lots of “Thank you!” and “You’re the best Elliot’s!” being thrown out as they run past.

“SAVE SOME FOR GUEST AND SEVEN YOU PIGS!” Elliot can’t help but call into the kitchen.

Chance just laughs, pulling Elliot up the staircase.

“C’mon, let's get you into something less wet.” Chance hums, “What even happened.”

“Walked over a frozen river. Caved in.”

“Well, you’re good buddy Chance will get ya sorted out.”

“Thank you.” It's all Elliot finds the words to say.

Chapter Text

If you asked Two Time at the start of this whole ordeal, they would have spoken the highest praise of the Spawn.
But right now? Feelings were complicated. Complicated like 007n7’s relationship with the half masked man.

So that’s why, they chose to speak to him.

But in order to ask, they would need to make it through this deathtrap.. The living room.

Currently it’s main chaos was partially Two Time’s fault.

They helped Builderman pick flowers off of the massive bush of his that already grew.When they brought it inside, Two Time asked if he was giving them to his lover like Two Time was. Builderman laughed, said he could.

That’s how Noob convinced Elliot to braid the flowers into Shedletsky’s wings. Noob would have done it themself but they had no clue how. Elliot knew through his sister, so, Noob promised three things of dish duty in order for Elliot to do it.

But, that was long done. Now, Shedletsky was twirling around happily, flowers covered in beautiful deep red flowers. Two Time believed they were called sweetshrubs. They mainly knew due to the scent they produced, it was almost spicy.

Two Time remembers Azure speaking on this flower once or twice, describing it in detail to Two Time during late night talks, staring up at the stars, running away from the camp for a bit to get the best view.

Two Time’s own flowers had yet to bloom. Though, they figured it was just not ready like. Sort of like that person they saw when they gazed into a mirror.

Looking into the living room from the porch they were hiding on, they weren’t necessarily scared of the interaction but, when they had a mission, they really did not want to be pulled from it.

So they slowly opened the door, hoping to get no one’s attention.

That wish seemed to be granted as no one’s heads turned at the small squeak of the hinges.

Two Time slowly started their ever so careful trek across the living room.

For the first half it went perfectly fine. Currently, it was just Taph, Shedletsky and Elliot who was attempting to read. Taph and Shedletsky were practically having an impromptu wrestling match in the middle. Shedletsky was stronger but Taph was a lot more flexible and just generally tricky.

But then, Noob ran in the room.

“WHERE THE FUCK IS IT?!” they shouted, rushing across the room, flipping one of the pillows on the couch and accidentally tossing it into Elliot’s head.

“Hey watch it-“

Elliot is then struck by an entire couch cushion.

“Babe, it's probably in our room somewhere-“ Sixer, who is seemingly attempting to chase down Noob, is interrupted.

“I ALREADY TORE THAT A PART WHERE IS IT?!?”

“Uh.. whatcha looking for kid..?” Shedletsky asks, still holding Taph upside down.

“Their binder..” Six sighs.

“Hm? What’s that-“ he seems to realize what they mean, “oh shit-“

“WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT AMAZING PIECE OF FABRIC AHHHH!”

“Babe calm-“

“DONT BABE CALM DOWN ME ASSHAT!”

Taph notices something in Shedletsky’s eyes, almost a look of familiarity.

“Hey Builder?” He calls out, “Could use you in here.”

“What now-“

“WHERE IS IT?!” They continue to panic, “WHY THE FUCK DID MY BINDER HAVE TO CANISH ON TODAY OF ALL DAYS WHEN I RANDOM STARTED OH MY FUCK!”

Builderman takes a deep breath before walking over to Noob and throwing an arm over their shoulders, “Have ya fuckin’ been running f around in a binder kid?”

Two Time watches Noob’s body stiffen up, “uh.. maybe?”

“Yeah, imma show you how to tape.” He sighs.

“Is- isn’t that worse..?”

“There’s an unsafe way and a safe way, kid.”

Two Time was confused. But they were confused by most of the conversations around them.

The difference was, this time they kind of wanted to ask about it.

But, it had to be later, because Two Time still had a mission.

So they walked up those stairs.

At the top, at C00lkidd’s art table, they saw 007n7 helping the aforementioned C00lkidd draw something.

“007n7, may I ask you a question?”

“Hm, oh hi Two Time, go ahead!”

“ONLY IF YOU GIVE ME ANOTHER KNIFE!” C00lkidd shouts, standing up.

007n7 slowly sits him back down, “Please don’t.. Give him another knife.”

Two Time just nods.

“Well.. what’s your question?”

“You have a complicated relationship due to your once romance with Noli, correct?”

“Correct..?”

“I have a complicated relationship with something and I would like to know how you process it.”

“Something or someone?”

“Something.”

“Uncle Noli left because dad was pregnant with me!”

“WHO TOLD YOU I WAS PREGNANT?!”

“Auncle 1X.”

“Well, I was not pregnant, I have male genitals, I can not get pregnant.”

“Anyways..” he sighs, “What kind of answers are you looking for..?”

“Just, whatever you feel like sharing.”

“Well.. Noli and I were close for a very long time. We both made mistakes in our past. But, we worked through it. Later on, there were things we couldn’t ignore. Different life goals, personality differences, life view changes.. It, wasn’t easy. Maybe it wasn’t meant to last. We broke it off.. Abruptly to say the least.”

“Yet you speak to him now?”

“Well, it’s not like he ever meant to hurt me back then. We were just two people in our own minds about things. We don’t hold things over each other’s heads ya know? Obviously it’s, messy because he’s currently a killer but.. Uh, it’s not that bad trust me. If it was any worse then that I probably wouldn’t be talking so casually about him.”

Two Time nods.

“Thank you for your honesty.”

“Did it help at all?”

Two Time pauses for a second to think.

“I believe it did, thank you.”

…

“I believe that all makes sense thank you.”

Two Time managed to finally speak to Noob and Builderman, even if it was during a round.

“Yeah, uh, sorry if I freaked you out at all..” Noob scratches the back of their neck.

“You did not. Though, I wonder, why did your um, what did we call it, ah, period start suddenly while mine did not?”

“Spectre’s handiwork. You seem less uh.. Dysphoric to put it bluntly, kid. More comfortable in your body.” Builderman states.

“What about you then, are you not, dysphoric?”

Builderman laughs, “Haven’t had one decades before this! Plus, I’d be hitting menopause soon, that would knock it out completely.”

“Intersting..” Two Time hums, “Well, we believed that things like that were just part of life, I have no shame in my body.”

“We can tell.” Builderman snorts, “Ya used to scare half the people when ya walk around with yer boobs out, even if they are a-cups.”

“God I wish I had a-cups.. Why did I get stuck with double-dees..” Noob mutters, kicking at the rocks on the ground.

“When we get back, I’ll let ya meet the surgeon who did mine, or uh, at least her protege. She’s probably long retired.” Builderman pats them on the back.

“Thank-”

They’re interrupted by a new voice, “Get ‘em boys.”

“Really.. Right now..?” Noob whines, “Mafioso’s a dick.”

“Agreed.” both Builderman and Two Time reply.

Mafioso and two of his goons suddenly lunge forwards and Two Time finds themself going on offense.

Even if they have been weaker recently, these two just gave them amazing advice! Plus, they’re the only one with a weapon right now so they should probably do something.

Two Time grips their dagger tight as they duel with the two goons first.

That voice that used to speak to them dulled in recent rounds, becoming only faint whispers.

They would coo every once in a while, telling Two Time to snap, to take out everyone around. But Two Time always had a rebuttal. Usually along the lines of,

“But I need them more than I need more lives.”

The Spawn wouldn’t give them more lives anyways.

Was the Spawn even real? Recently Two Time’s learned of who truly controls this place, The Spectre. And from stories of their tricks.. They find it less difficult to believe they would use those powers to trick them.

Two Time whipped an extra knife back, launching it into the head of one of the goons while they plunged their own dagger forward into the neck of the other.

Both simultaneously disappeared.

But, Two Time had a bigger problem (literally).

Mafioso was always a tough fight. Much bigger than Two Time and easily able to overpower them.

But Two Time trusted in their abilities, knew they were smartening up every day.

So, they dodged and weaved, only hitting with strikes every so often, just to get back up over and over and deliver constant blows to the mafia boss.

But, tides suddenly changed.

One good hit, on Two Time’s head, sent them stumbling back, bleary eyed and dizzy.

Then, that sword plunged through their chest before Mafioso kicked them to the ground, in turn, ripping their body from the sword.

Two Time didn’t stand a chance when Mafioso pressed his foot on Two Time’s neck, pressing down and shattering every bone.

They were dead once again.

But something lingered.

That one thought.

I need them.

That thought slowly shifted into something new.

I need to protect them and myself.

Through hazed eyes they watched as Mafioso approached the now cornered Builderman and Noob.

They had just helped Two Time.

Maybe Two Time should return the favour.

So, against every odd, Two Time stood back up.

They felt as flowers suddenly bloomed from their wings and tailed, multicoloured lotus flowers.

Just like the ones within the pond they’ve grown to love so dear. A place they promised they had to take Azure to once they recovered.

Two Time felt that old feeling, a revitalization in their body that comes with a second life.

Except, this wasn’t a second life. This was the will to not lose that first one.

And, Two Time used that will to charge Mafioso, stabbing the man in the back.

…

The three had managed to survive the round, they were the only ones.

When the round ended, the flowers disappeared but, Two Time knew they would just come back another time when they were needed.

At that time, they had a new mission once again.

“Before we scatter, may I ask a favour Noob? They looked up across the table.

“Oh, sure!”

“You can sew, correct?”

“Yeah?”

“If you have time, may you please make me a new shirt? One without the symbol?”

And that’s how they ended up here, Noob gently placing fabric in their lap.

It was soft to the touch, a black fabric they didn’t even know how Noob managed to find.

They lifted it up, revealing itself to be a sleeveless crop top that would hug Two Time’s body and came up at the bottom in a triangle.

It was perfect. 

Maybe once, they would have prayed to the Spawn for Noob’s blessing but, they decided they needed to help find more tape for Noob as thank you.

Why ask a flimsy deity when you could just do it yourself?

Chapter Text

Elliot is running once again. 

This time from Mafioso.

To Mafioso, it was easy prey. A man who without his bike, couldn’t fight back.

Mafioso had summoned his goons to deal with that pesky vehicle so it left him chasing the blond man.

Plus, Mafioso knew it must be a slap in the man’s face, it all happening on his once home turf.

Elliot ran into a building, not closing the door behind.

So Mafioso just stepped inside.

That’s exactly what Elliot wanted.

Mafioso had the door slammed behind him.

He whipped around to see Elliot leaning back on it, arms crossed but brandishing Chance’s knife (that he may or may not have stole).

“Alright. Let’s cut to the chase.” Elliot scoffs.

“Back to me chasin’ ya-”

“No. Sit down.” Elliot gestures to a table and chair set up in the middle of the room.

Mafioso listens, walking around the table to sit down on the chair.

Now Elliot and said table block him from the door.

“Yer bold kid, I’ll give ya that.”

“Need to be. Anyways, we need to discuss something.” Elliot leans forwards onto the table, into Mafioso’s personal space.

“And that be?”

“I have a deal for you.”

“Risky move kid.”

Elliot seems to ignore that.

“I know just how much you want out of this god forsaken place.” Elliot hums.

“I believe you know how much I enjoy putting you all in your place.”

“I know, how much you love control. And you have NONE right now.”

“I’m the one who can truly take a shot. Can you?”

“All in the name of a man who you’ve never even seen, correct?”

Mafioso doesn’t respond.

“Don, can I call ya Don?”

“No.”

“Don, You’re in someone else’s game. That has to feel bad. Not when you're used to being the king of everyone around.”

“What’re ya gettin at?”

“We can get you out of here, back to the life you wanna live.”

“You’re bluffin’. No one gets out.”

“You can think that Don, but, I know what you need. You need your control back. And god, it’s close if ya just reach for it.”

“What’s your deal then?” Mafioso leans back in his chair.

“Two things. But, I know you can handle that.”

“Just cut to the meat of it.”

“One, you switch sides. No more killer. You’ll suffer with the rest of us.”

“Now why the hell would I do that?” he scoffs.

“Because it’s the only way we’ll take you outta here.” Elliot smirks.

“What’s the other thing?”

“Chance’s debt is erased.”

“HA! Fat chance kid!”

“Well, then the killers continue to treat you like a sack of potatoes, Don.” Elliot backs off from the table, throwing his hands up, “No one here respects you ya know? I saw how they treat you. They hate you as much as we do. But.. you don’t care that they hate you, you care that they don’t respect you.”

Mafioso stays quiet.

“Look in the mirror. You’re a shell of yourself. You lost everything. Your money, your infamy, your life.”

“Maybe I would.. Consider it, if ya dropped the Chance bit.”

Elliot just laughs, “You know what’s funny about that?”

“Hm?”

“Some selfish part of me, would let that first part slide but that Chance debt? That goes away or I’m personally leaving you here to fucking rot like you fucking deserve.”

Mafioso stands up, pushing past Elliot, “I’ll consider your deal. In the meantime, I have a debtor to hunt.”

He slams the door open, Elliot swears he can see a vein bulging like it’s going to give the man an aneurysm.

He storms off, leaving Elliot alone, standing there.

Elliot just flips the knife, almost cutting himself, “There goes my fucking aura… is that what the kids say?”

“Wait.. fuck I’m old.. No I’m not old. Fuck.” he rambles.

He shakes those thoughts off before walking out of the building only to be immediately greeted by three familiar faces.

“What?” he puts his hands on his hips.

Guest, 007n7 and Chance stare back.

Chance is the one to speak, “What the fuck happened in there with Mafioso?”

“Oh, since no one else seemingly was willing to I’m working on convincing him to become a survivor. And to clear your debt.”

Before Guest or 007n7 can jump in with a more rational response, Chance is the one to speak.

“Did ya have to be alone to do this! He coulda killed ya!”

“Yeah. But I had to risk it. And I’m fine, see?” he takes extends the knife back to Chance.

“When did you get that?”

“Stole it off you at the start sorry.”

Chance rips it back, looking at Elliot with an almost angry expression on his face.

“What exactly happened?" 007n7 asks before Chance can speak up again.

“Told him we would only break him out of here if he became a survivor and wiped Chance’s debt.”

“You- you know everyone needs to be a survivor in order to break out, correct?” 007n7 crosses his arms.

“He doesn’t know that.” Elliot states bluntly.

“Kid.. uh.. Maybe you shouldn’t-” he interrupts Guest.

“Not a kid. I’m perfectly old enough to handle shit like this.”

Chance says what all three are thinking, “YOU LOCKED YOURSELF IN A ROOM WITH A KILLER!”

“I’m fine.” he gestures to his body, “Nothing happened.”

“Why would you do that? That was, so, reckless!

“Oh like you’re not reckless all the time.”  Elliot scoffs, “I had a plan. I did the plan. If I died, I died. The biggest consequence would just be a round without healing.”

“I know Mafioso. If you ignored my small issue, you coulda got him without risking your ass-” Chance tries to protest.

“SMALL ISSUE?! You’re in debt to a mafia boss!” Elliot snaps.

Neither Guest nor 007n7 can get a word in.

“My issue doesn’t matter! I’ll be fine!” they growl back.

Elliot lets out a scoff in return, “You always do this! You always just assume you aren’t worth the fucking help! I’m not letting you leave this hell and go back into another!” 

“Don’t risk your life for my worthless one!” it comes out angrier then Chance meant it to.

“WORTHLESS?! Chance! Don’t fucking talk like that you are more then fucking worth it. You always do this! You always just talk like you don’t fucking care about your own well being!” he storms.

“How can YOU, say that!” the gambler counters.

“Hey-” Guest puts an arm in front of 007n7.

“They, they need this.”

007n7 looks at Guest, seeing a deeply concerned look in his eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Elliot hesitates.

Chance pushes closer to Elliot, “You fucking decided everyone’s life is more important then yours and throw yourself into danger constantly!”

“I am trying to help people!” he defends, standing his ground.

“YOU NEED TO HELP YOURSELF FOR ONCE!” Chance screams, “I DON’T WANNA KEEP FINDING YOUR DAMN CORPSE!”

“What am I supposed to do! Not heal people!?” Elliot throws his arms up in disbelief.

“NOT INTERRUPT CHASES?!” Chance shouts, slamming Elliot back against the door.

“I’M TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE!”

At this point, both are crying. Both don’t want this conversation to be happening. To have someone so blatantly calling them out on all of their struggles. To have someone they love genuinely be worried about them.

“YOU CAN’T DO THAT IF YOU DIE!”

“SAYS THE GUY WHO’S WILLING TO BLOW HIS OWN HAND OFF!”

“I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE.”

“KEEP YOURSELF SAFE FIRST!”

“THEN YOU DO THE SAME!”

They both take a moment, to catch their breath and slow their beating hearts.

“Why.. why Elliot.. I just.. Don’t wanna see you hurt all the time..” Chance breathes out.

“I’m trying dude.. I-I really just wanna keep everyone alive.. And happy.. You don’t know what it’s like to see that flash. To know someone is dying. To know you could do something. And just choosing not to? How could I choose not to? Indeed to keep people okay, I need to keep people happy-” he rambles.

“You make me, you make us all so happy! You are so amazing and you just, make our lives brighter. No one wants you to work yourself to death. We all just wanna see you happy too.” they object.

“What about you then huh? You think I like seeing you firing a gun that I know could kill you? That I know could maim your body? That I know could one day, just not go off when you need it most?” Elliot laments.

“What else am I supposed to do?!” Chance can feel that energy boiling up once again.

Elliot refuses to match it, “I don’t know, learn how to fight a better way then that? Use it only when absolutely necessary? Not get weakness then shoot it right away?”

“BUT THAT’S WHAT FEELS GOOD!” it comes out like a bullet, “F-fuck I.. I-I think I got a fucking mental fucking disorder or somethin’ because fuuuuck.. The rush of shooting that gun it fucking fucks me up.”

“Because you’re a fucking gambling addict who’s addicted to adrenaline.” Elliot scoffs.

“I can stop gambling whenever I want!” Chance lets out a small pout at the end, Elliot watch them purse their lips

Elliot gives him, the look.

“Okay fine, maybe, maybe it is a problem.” he sighs.

“I’m sending you to therapy when we get out of this.” Elliot states.

“Great…”

“In the meantime, Use your damn knife and I’ll make the others teach you some proper combat techniques.” he only briefly glances up at the two watching, a promise of demanding that out of them later.

“Fine. I’ll try. If you don’t fucking run headfirst into danger.”

“Fine. I’ll try not to.”

“If you do, I’ll be following ya Ellie.” Chance scoffs

“Same to you Chance.” Elliot lets out one last puff of air.

Chance finally lets Elliot off the wall, both seemingly finally realizing what happened in the heat of that moment.

But neither can lose the other’s touch for long. Both throw their arms around the other, holding them close.

The area goes quiet, 007n7 and Guest deciding no other words need to be spoken right now.

Promises of their aid can come later but, they both can tell the two need time to process. And maybe, just a bit more of each other’s company.

Chapter Text

It had been a while since the survivors had one of their “parties”.

It wasn’t just something they could whip together on a whim, not when half the people were terrified to be drunk during a round (Shedletsky insisted he fought better drunk, Elliot and Builderman insisted he did not.).

But, recently whispers have been floating around. Something to celebrate their recent achievements.

So those whispers echoed until a plan was made.

Builderman with advice from 007n7, froze up the Spectre’s system, preventing any rounds from being started any time soon. Elliot had been stockpiling alcohol for a while now, hiding it away in a spot no one would dare to check, the creepy cellar. Elliot had one of those back at his workplace so it was like home to him. The only person who knew about it was Chance, who was using it to figure out what cocktails and drinks he could make for everyone.

The other major issue was the now child in the cabin, C00lkidd. But, they aimed it for a time when C00lkidd would have been asleep (due to him no longer being in rounds, his sleep schedule was actually resembling of a normal child’s), plus, most of them weren’t hopeless when they were drunk. They could definitely still take care of the kid if he needed something. Though they did tell him what was going on. His only response was asking if he could try beer. Builderman said yes, 007n7 immediately vetoed that.

So that (plus a countdown on the chalkboard made by a very excited Noob) all led to today. Elliot had died early in the last round, a perfect time to start throwing together finger foods plus, five massive pizzas and one personal one for C00lkidd. French fries, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, pigs in a blanket, Elliot had made all the deep friend goodness all had been craving for weeks. Everything was completely from scratch.

As soon as Builderman came back to the cabin, he smelled the cooking and immediately set the program off.

And that led to now, Taph and Dusekkar off in Taph’s room, Taph preparing to do something he thought he never would.

“You truly would like to take your hood off dearest?”

“Yeah. I think I trust them enough to not.. make fun of me.” Taph signs.

“If they do, I will break every bone in their bodies-“

Taph places his hand on Dusekkar’s cheek before briefly taking it off to say, “thank you but, “I don’t think you’ll need to do that.”

For a brief moment the two held each other close before Taph pulled away, heading out of that door.

For the first time in a long time, he left his room with no mask covering his face, no cloak covering his body. He was just Taph, the real Taph.

So despite the nagging feeling in his chest saying this wasn’t a good idea, he walked down the stairs anyways.

He would just, hide in his room with a bottle of vodka. Being drunk always made things easier to deal with.

He watched as people played some kind of drinking game at the living room table.

Even if Taph wanted to maybe slink away again, the starting to get tipsy Builderman was not going to let him.

“Ey Taph! Wanna play?”

He looks at the cards on the table, seeing they’re in the middle of a Irish poker game, surprisingly not being run by Chance.

“Prefer strip poker.” Taph signs back.

The others at the table turn, Shedletsky, Guest, John and Elliot.

“If he said strip poker, I agree. We should play that AND drink poker.” Shedletsky smirks.

The three others seem to focus more on Taph, specifically the lack of a cloak.

Taph expects the works, he expects insults, he expects shouts. What he doesn’t expect is this.

Elliot drunkenly murmuring, “Holy shit black really don’t crack..”

Taph puts his hand under his chin, giving a smile.

“Work it.” Elliot snaps, finishing off his drink.

“Also, I fuckin’ won bitchessss!” he sticks his tongue out, throwing a pair of queens to match the three aces dealt by the dealer.

“Chance needs to stop humpin’ off on ya!” Builder shouts, tossing down a two and a seven.

Elliot seems to ignore that, standing up, “Pumpkin dude! Take my spot, I need another drink.”

Dusekkar shrugs, sitting down and getting slid a beer by Shedletsky.

Elliot gestures Taph to follow him into the dining room, which he does.

There, at the bar, was Chance, shaking up their next drink, one for themself.

“Chance, can I get another?” Elliot hums, “One for Taph too?”

“Holy shit Taph is a bombshell- Yep. Of course. Any requests?”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, 007n7 was nursing his drink, a tequila sunrise.

His C00l.gui was pulled up in front of him but, he wasn’t working on anything. Instead, he was having a conversation with another.

7: hey heads up we shut down the rounds for a bit, ur free to do whatever you want for like twelve hours

N: lul why

7: we wanted to drink

N: real

7: yeh

N: hb c00ls?

7: asleep

N: makes sense

7: so yeh feel free to uh, do watcha do

N: current that’s dealing with 1X jealous over me messaging you

7: LOL

7: 1X I AM NOT INTO HIM HE’S UGLY

N: WATCH IT BITCH

7: :P

N: someone thig something, convincing them they’re beautiful in her current body, something something, yes we hate Shedletsky too, something something, you’ll be fine

7: yeh thats how ya comforted me

N: it works beautiful

7: sure.

N: i’m givin the screen the bird

7: gtg, E wants somethin

N: bye, let guest get you pregnant.

7: stfu

007n7 looks up, hearing Elliot state, “Ya look like ya need a shot.”

“Oh definitely.” 007n7 smiles, “Sounds like you already had a few.”

“Nah, just playin’ it up. Tryin’ to uh, relax or something.” Elliot waves it off, “Chance make a shot up.”

“BLOWJOB TIME!” he shouts.

“HUH?” Elliot whips his head around.

Chance throws together a shot, topping it with whip cream.

He pops out from behind the bar in order to slide it out in front of 007n7.

The father lets out a laugh, “Man, it’s been a while since I’ve had one of these.”

With a seeming ease of familiarity, he takes the glass in his mouth (no hands) and quickly downs it.

In the doorway they hear glass shatter.

Elliot and Chance turn as 007n7 just takes the shot glass from his lips.

They see Guest 1337 standing there, jaw agape with his glass dropped on the floor.

…

“YOU WHAT?!” Noob gasps.

“I would like to try this whole, drinking thing.” Two Time confirms.

“FINALLY!” Noob shoves the bottle of whiskey they were holding into Two Time’s hands.

Six is the one to slowly take it away, “Okay babe,, horrible first drink choice.”

“That was my first drink and I turned out awesome!” Noob says, stumbling on their words and their feet.

“Wasn’t your first drink that time you broke into your dad’s alcohol when you were ten?”

“Yeah and it was whiskey!”

“Noob you ended up in the hospital.”

“IT MADE ME STRONGER!”

“Okay.. Two Time..” Six seems to ignore his partner, “Let’s get you something.. Less strong then straight whiskey.”

“Okay.” Two Time nods.

“And, I should ask. No one’s pressuring you to do this? All on your own volition?”

“Hm, what’s that mean?”

“Like uh, no one is saying over and over that you need to do this.”

Two Time seems to think of something but, their response is too solid for it to be about the drinking, “No. Everyone’s been very accommodating. I just chose that I’m ready to.”

“Well, uh.. God I need a search engine for this..”

She takes a moment to think.

“What flavours you like?”

“Well, I enjoy mint-”

“MOJITOS!!!” Noob shouts before running out of the room and presumably over to Chance’s bar.

“Um. Am, I um, gonna get like that?”

“Not if ya take your time. They’re like that because they did three shots in a row plus cocktails without any chasers.”

“Chaser..?”

“Pretty much, just a non alcoholic drink to follow your alcohol.” Six explains, “It helps break it up and let your body uh, recover between.”

“I.. don’t want to get like that.” Two Time mutters, “It seems uh, uncontrolled?”

“Yeah, they like that aspect of it I think. Something something, ignoring their problems for a bit and acting like a buffoon. But, drinking for most people isn’t all about that. Some like the taste, some use it as a social lubricant, some as a crutch. It’s different for everyone.”

“What about you?” Two Time asks.

“Me? I kinda use it as a social lubricant thing, the only reason I got the balls to confess to Noob!” they laugh at the last bit.

Noob stumbles in with three tall glasses, each garnished with a mint leaf.

“Okay I got the silly little prissy drinks.”

Sixer snorts, taking two, handing one to Two Time.

Six lifts the glass up, “Cheers to Two Time’s first ever drink.”

“Cheers.” Noob and Two Time both meet it.

…

Two Time was giggling looking at photos in a picture book they found lying around.

“Oh my gosh it’s a doggie, I love doggies.”

That one drink turned into three more.

Two Time felt buzzed but, not out of control, which was a pleasant surprise.

Meanwhile, close by, 007n7 and Guest were laying on the couch, resemblant of their scene a while ago, with Guest attempting to warm the man.

Both were drunker then they had been a long while.

Guest prided himself on being in his right mind plus there was no alcohol allowed on base and 007n7 was always distracted by a certain red-headed child.

“Guessstttt..” 007n7 whines, “Can we have sex yet..”

“I gotta ask my wife first..” it comes out equally as whiny.

‘Oh right.. God.. fuck she’s so hot too.. Mmm I’m overwhelmed by hotness.” he mutters, face buried between Guest’s pecs.

“I knowwwww why are you both so hot?”

“How are you so hot? 007n7 questions in return.

Guest just forces his face further into his chest.

“Is that normal..?” John asks quietly.

“Not that I know of.” Six sighs as Noob continues to bite at her neck.

“Surprised you’re not blacked out.”

“Eh, more of a weed guy.” Six shrugs, “You?”

“Still been drinking since I got here, still used to it.”

“Should we uh, do a headcount?” Six asks.

“Probably..” he hums in return.

“We got Two Time, Noob and uh, the daddies in here.”

“Saw Builder and Shedletsky in the bathroom. No one go in there for a bit.” John snorts.

“Taph and Dusekkar snuck upstairs like.. An hour ago. Actually said they were going to bed.”

“Oh they probably went to bed alright.” John takes a sip of his beer, raising his eyebrows.

“What about Chance and Elliot?”

“Uh, no clue.”

Chapter Text

Chance pushed Elliot down the basement hallway, lips kept intertwined.

If there was a god wherever they were, it would be surprised the two didn’t fall down the stairs before.

It was messy but that’s how they both wanted it.

Limbs locked as they stumbled down the hallway, pushing into Chance’s room.

Well maybe there was a god here. They knew he was probably watching. They were just happy to put on a show for The Spectre (piss him off with their gayness).

They fell onto the bed, Elliot on top. The kiss never really broke off, both just feeding into the heat of one another.

They paused to stare at each other.

We’re they both drunk off their asses? Yes.

We’re they also madly in love with the person they were staring at? Also yes.

Elliot took Chance’s shades off, tossing them to the side haphazardly, wanting to see those damn beautiful golden eyes of theirs.

He could feel Chance reaching around his neck to undo Elliot’s hair

“You should.. let ya hair down more.” It was the first thing slurred out in a while.

Chance’s hands stayed behind Elliot’s head choosing to tug on those golden locks, getting a sharp gasp out of Elliot.

“Freak.. hehehe.. you like having your hair pulled dontcha?”

I’m response Elliot just tugs on Chance’s hair, causing a soft moan to roll from their lips.

“You.. can’t say shit..” it’s spoken between drawn out kisses, both chasing each others lips, “you’re really pretty.. handsome.. hot.. unruly.. ugh, words or something. Fuck, your damn moan..”

Elliot was gripping onto the front of Chance’s undone blazer.

Chance’s leg slips between Elliot’s thighs as the two continue to make out and grind like this was done teenage relationship hidden away under the bleachers. 

There was something extraordinary about a want that desperate. Hot would have been an understatement. Neither high school graduate had English as their strong suit though so, the two settled on expressing that thought through gropes, grabs and eventually,

Chance pulls off of Elliot if only to take a moment to bite down on the man’s neck.

Elliot used one hand to hold Chance’s head there, forcing them to continue kissing that spot instead of his lips

At the same time, with one hand and a surprising dexterity, Elliot starts to unbutton Chance’s vest and white button up.

“Thank ya.. Doll..” Chance hums.

“Keep.. keep calling me that please..” the softness of the request surprises Chance, used to the pizza driver speaking in quick sharp commands to get his point across.

This was soft, slow and almost weak.

“What, you like it when I call ya doll?”

“Sh-shut up.” He scoffs, finishing up Chance’s dress shirt.

He runs his hands over their chest and abdomen, going back upwards to grab as their now bare pecs.

He feels Chance squirm before they reach up and start to unbutton Elliot’s shirt.

He forces Elliot to pause his groping in order to take his button up and tank top off.

Elliot ends up helping Chance take their layers off before reaching to his own pants to slowly take them off, muttering about them being stuffy and uncomfy.

Chance ends up following suit, quickly discarding his own belt and pants.

Elliot ends up laying down next to Chance, pulling them close to their chest, immediately knocking his hat off in order to tangle slender fingers through their messy hair.

“I.. need ta tell ya about something.” Chance mutters.

“What is it?” Elliot asks.

“First uh.. you still got those fireballs..?”

Elliot grabs his pants before taking the two mini fireball bottles from his pocket.

He hands one to Chance.

Both screw it open before clinking the glasses and chugging them back. Chance settles back into Elliot’s arms right after.

“Yeah.. imma need that to kick in.. bout halfway through.”

“Half through what?”

“Have I ever mention someone named Itrapped?”

“Don’t think so.. who’s that?”

“My boyfriend, we’ll wanna make him my ex I kinda uh, fuckin’ died.”

Elliot decides to stay quiet, just let them speak.

And they do.

“So uh.. met him when I was in my earlier twenties like, un, 24 I think..? Lookin’ back now he looked like a fucking toe with black nail posh but he was.. sweet to me. Like, honey or somethin’ I guess. I knew he wasn’t good news, everyone else told me. But fuck, I loved gamblin’. I guess I lost that wager though.” They start, Elliot toying with his hair and planting soft kisses on their face, head and neck to ease them through their words.

“First he was great.. cared ‘bout me.. made me feel important for once.. shoulda known it wouldn’t last, he.. started to change slowly when we.. moved in together. It was like.. a month in? Too soon for what was my first serious relationship but uh.. it happened. He wanted to know where I was all the time.. And Itrapped starting lookin’ at all my finances.. said I was too stupid to do it myself. Then it was my appearance, told me I shoulda eat less, fuckin’.. other Shit. It’s a blur sorry.. but uh, we started um, doin’ it pretty quick. He took my virginity and shit..”

“You’re doing amazing Lucky..” Elliot can’t help but hum softly.

“Figured out,, I had a high sex drive and uh.. he not so much.. that would be totally fine of course, if he um, let me get off without him. The rule was I couldn’t touch myself. If I did, he said it meant I-I had no respect for him, or something like that. Honestly um, it was so long ago I, don’t really remember the reason, he would just..” Chance’s voice drifts off before he switches topics.

“Sex with him was.. um, pleasure was nice but, there, was a lot of rules. I-I had to bottom, I-I couldn’t talk back, I-I had to do everything he said, I-I..”

Another pause.

“I think he made my gamblin’ worse.. he would encourage me to go.. a lot.. like constantly. He would.. yell at me if I lost even a cent. And I.. would give him most of my winnings. Something about.. a family business of his. Then um, one day he um, kicked Spade. Hard, like really hard. He was just tryin’ ta cuddle up with him ya know but h-he..” that’s what causes Chance to begin to shake, tears streaming.

“So I told him, he c-couldn’t hurt Spade. H-he could even hurt me just not Spade. He um. He started to beat me that day. That day he beat me so bad, I was throwing up blood into the toilet and um, I just remember Spade rubbin’ up on my leg and he was h-hurt too. I-I walked to the vet, never did get my license, and um, inside they kept asking me.. if I was alright and that I was safe there and I-I c-couldn’t tell ‘em what happened because, I-I deserved it. I-it got worse and worse and worse. The yells after losing turned into a beat down and when we would actually have sex he would um, choke and punch me and I- I stopped wanting to do it with him? I was uh, scared.. um, but when Itrapped wanted something h-he got it..” Elliot holds Chance tighter, just loose enough so they could get away if they needed but, tight enough to dull Elliot’s spell of protection.

“Then, he fo-found that stupid flier. And he, convinced me to play Russian Roulette. I-It was th-thrilling in a way it sh-shouldn’t have been. I-I never backed down, j-jokingly thought Itrapped would kill me himself if I-I did… speaking of um.. after Uh one of those games.. we we’re walking home through a forest and um.. it’s a blur. I-I just remember him suddenly having a black sword and then pain and I was on the ground and more pain and I-I-I, I think he killed me Elliot. I-I coulda fought b-back, I had the gun from the game but um, I didn’t. I couldn’t. N-not then at least. M-maybe now but not then.”

Chance stumbles back, “I-I’m sorry for this bein out all on ya I just-“

“I could treat you better then him.” Elliot states, words laced with sincerity.

“He sounds like a manipulative cuck of a man.” He adds on.

Chance decides to focus on the first statement, “Please do.. Please..”

“You don’t need to beg for my love Chance, you already have it.” It comes out in a low hum.

“Oh.” He sounds genuinely relieved.

“You’re sexy.. beautiful.. funny.. creative.. smart.. handsome.. pretty..” ever answer is joined by a kiss on different parts of their body, the last briefly landing on his lips.

Before Elliot can ask what’s on his mind, Chance already answers.

“Well, I love you too!”

Elliot lets out a genuine (but drunken) giggle.

“I love your tiny muscles and your smile and your hair and your eyes and your perky ass and your jawline and..” he seems to run out of breath, tired due to the crying spell before.

Chance still had tears on his cheeks from that break earlier but, Elliot was already kissing them all away.

It melts into soft kisses, both holding each other close, neither wanting to let go.

…

Elliot was the first to wake up that morning. He slowly pulled himself up out of the bed and over to the mirror.

Drinking never made his memory foggy. So he remembered last night way too clearly.

His hands trailed over the hickeys that littered his neck and chest.

He couldn’t help but glance back at Chance, who was still out.

Elliot was used to waking up quick though, he needed to start breakfast for everyone normally.

Chance looks so peaceful, half under a blanket, snoring softly in a position that would probably be uncomfortable if he wasn’t out cold.

Elliot looks back into the mirror.

He knows what happened last night.

Elliot has never wanted to kill someone he’s never met more.

Elliot felt happy Chance was comfortable enough to tell him all of that.

Elliot also had a nagging feeling in the back of his head.

One that reminded him what exactly he said in response.

Did drunk him accidentally take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable person?

Chance probably just found someone he could talk to, not a romantic partner. Not that.

Because Elliot knew he was only useful due to what he could bring. No one would look at him beyond that.

Elliot left before Chance woke up, but, did come back briefly to leave them an ibuprofen, water, and a note saying he was just upstairs making a hangover breakfast.

Chance read that note over and over, not even needing to read the signature to recognize Elliot’s handwriting.

Chance took a minute to remember what exactly happened, why they were half naked, why their head hurt and why they were covered in hickies.

Chance has to mentally go over his memories.

“Oh god did I sleep with Elliot..” he mutters.

Then, he remembers what did happen last night. They didn’t sleep together, it was much worse.

Actually, sleeping with Elliot might’ve not been bad.

THAT, on the other hand.

Chance just threw all of that at Elliot with no room to breathe.

He might’ve ruined everything, again.

Chance was fundamentally broken. And now Elliot knew that.

So both, as Chance stared at the note and Elliot tried to focus on mixing the pancake batter together, they thought the same thing.

Why would he feel the same about me ?

Chapter Text

Shedletsky was still hungover. Despite this being the second round after the party, his head still throbbed and his body still ached.

He should not have tried to go shot for shot with 007n7 and Elliot. Who knew those two would be the best at holding their alcohol?

And Elliot even got up the next day and made breakfast. The pancakes were off though.. not bad! Shedletsky doesn’t think Elliot could make something that tastes bad but, it was off, something was missing.

Taph said it was love that was missing. Most shrugged that comment off but Shedletsky knew Taph was good at reading the people around him. And personally, the best way Shedletsky could explain the change in flavour was that it tasted like he felt like he had to cook it, not like he wanted to.

And maybe Taph was right after all, because Chance and Elliot wouldn’t even make eye contact that morning.

But right now that wasn’t important.

Last round Mafioso wiped them all with no mercy (everyone was still freshly hungover and groggy) so they sort of needed a win right now.

This round only started thirty minutes after the last one though, barely any time to recover between then. 

But they all figured that would happen. Their actions always had consequences and if anything was going to piss the Spectre off it was an act of obvious defiance like freezing the round system.

While it was hilarious to watch Builderman and 007n7 treat the Spectre like they were once again defiant teenagers going against shifty fathers, he knew both were going to end up hurt within time. 007n7 was already struggling and any sort of cough medicine wasn’t helping, only making him drowsy which he already was due to being unable to properly sleep.

Guest had been helping 007n7 recently though, letting him have a proper room once again (he gave his room to C00lkidd) by at least sharing Guest’s that also gave him a bed to sleep and recover on between rounds. Guest also had been protecting him during those rounds, making sure he wasn’t an easy target for killers. It could have been worse.

So Shedletsky was allowed to focus on Builderman. Who was stubborn. Who currently was walking next to him.

“How.. are ya feelin’?” he asks, glancing over at the shorter man.

“Headache mostly dulled.. Any reason ya ask?”

He pauses, “Promise uh, ya won’t be pissed?”

“What did you do?” Builderman scoffs, pushing ahead.

“Nothing, nothing just..” he takes a breath, “Are you.. Okay? We know about 007n7’s whole sickness thing and you’ve been in the code, a lot.”

Builderman stops walking.

He turns his head, “Ya.. can’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t. You know that.”

Builderman lets out a deep sigh before slowly pulling the back off his sweater down.

There Shedletsky sees welts. Welts from a belt. Welts that used to be just scars but have seemingly been forced to reopen.

“Not as bad as Seven’s but.. This ‘ppeared this mornin’.”

“Shit..” Shedletsky grits his teeth.

“It’s fine. Hurts but, nothin’ some painkillers can’t help.”

“Emotionally?”

Builderman freezes.

Shedletsky knew where those wounds were from. Builderman never had a good relationship with his father. Shedletsky’s seen those scars in many contexts by now. He recently became used to kissing past them, rubbing his lovers back to sooth his anxieties.

So, Shedlestky walked over, he slowly wrapped his arms around Builderman’s waist, holding him from behind.

“It’ll be okay. I’m here for ya.”

Before Builderman can respond, two people rush over.

“FUCK I HATE THAT GREEN BASTARD THEY CAN SUCK A FUCKING FAT DICK THAT’LL GIVETHEM FUCKING LOCKJAW-” 007n7 freezes at the sight of the two, on Guest 1337’s back, “oh we made it whoops.”

“He froze him for a minute but y’all need to do this now.” Guest nods, slowly letting 007n7 down.

“Great.” Builderman brings up his own panel to match 007n7’s.

“Wait, what’s goin’ on?” Shedletsky asks, letting Builderman go.

“You’re gonna go distract 1X.” 007n7 and Builderman speak in sync.

“WHY ME!? SOLDIER BOY’S RIGHT THERE!”

“Guest had to do it last time because ya died.” builderman scoffs, “Now, they’ll catch up in a minute so get ready ya birdy bastard.”

He slaps him on the back, hand lingering, allowing a softer word to be spoken, “I love you. Good luck. We’ll step in if needed.”

Builderman waves his hand over his console, his invisibility machine appearing close by.

He kicks it, Guest and 007n7 also stepping within its barrier.

Shedletsky just lets out a long and dramatic sigh.

A beam flies next to his head, barely missing.

“1X.. Great to see you. Did you do something with your.. Uh.. teeth?” Shedletsky is too hungover right now.

1X charges forwards and a sword fight begins.

“Ok-okay I get it, you’re still mad at me. Probably deservingly so,” Shedletsky rambles.

“Fuck you!”

Shedletsky ignores that, just taking a deep breath.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck.”

“You always swear that fuckin’ much when ya hack?” Builderman can’t help but ask.

“Only when it’s fucking going wrong, fuck.” 007n7 takes some gum from his pocket and pops it in his mouth, starting to manically chew.

“What’s-” Builderman sees it on his own screen, a type of block appearing.

“That’s not a Spectre block what the fuck.” Builderman scoffs, squinting his eyes.

“That’s what I’m fucking saying oh my god if this shit doesn’t work..”

Guest just blinks, not really understanding much of that but knowing, it’s not good.

But outside Shedletsky doesn’t know that. All he knows is that his sword is crossing with 1x’s every few seconds.

He’s been thinking recently. Thinking about something he needed to say for a while now.

Surprisingly, the middle of combat was the best time to him.

“1X. I’m sorry.”

He watches 1X’s swing waiver but does not cease.

“I’m sorry I took my anger out on ya, I’m sorry it all had to end up with way. It was my fault.”

“Sh-shut up.” she scoffs.

“I was just mad at myself. Was mad I couldn’t protect Taph, mad I couldn’t help Seven, mad that everyone kept going missing.”

“I WON’T FORGIVE YOU!”

Shedletsky gives them a smile, “I don’t ever expect you to.”

It’s a simple statement, but one that causes 1X to stop in place.

“You don’t need to forgive me. I’m apologizing because you deserve it, not groveling for an it’s okay. It wasn’t okay. I fucked up.”

“Y-you.. AREN’T ALLOWED T-TO JUST DO THAT!”

Shedletsky approaches, letting his sword fall to the ground.

“Eh, never really was good at listening. Can ask the others when we drag you back to out cabin.”

“Y-you..”

“I’m sorry 1X. I never meant to hurt you like this.” he places his hands on 1X’s shoulders.

Shedletsky swears he hears someone yell, “FUCK YEAH THE BLOCK’S DOWN!”

Suddenly 1X collapses, Shedletsky catching them in his arms.

He watches his form warp, skin turning into a more natural almost caramel coloured.

A green shirt with black sleeves form, along with dark jeans.

Their eyes become more natural though, one stays red while the other goes green.

Their crown still rests on her head, long fluffy white hair remaining as well.

Their eyes also stay sharp, along with their jawline and that stupid smirk forming on his face.

As he sits up, he elbows Shedletsky knocking the man back.

They then look at their arms, “HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK HOLY SHIT!”

It’s not a bad shout, confirmed by what they say next, “A-a body..?”

“Your body.” Shedletsky confirms, rubbing the now forming goose egg on his forehead, “Also asshole, that fucking hurt.”

1X pops up, still staring at their hands before looking down at the rest of their body, leaning back on their heels to get a better look.

“You.. look awesome.” Shedletsky smiles.

1X snorts, “Thank you asshole.”

A voice echoes through all their minds, “The survivors won.”

They all end up at that table once again.
And they mean all. That happened early in the round. No one died.

For once, the survivors truly had won.

“You guys are back so, AUNCLE 1X!” C00lkidd shouts before jumping up onto 1X’s chair, hugging them tight.

“LITTLE SHIT!!” 1X hugs him back.

John turns to the scene, “Damn, welcome 1X.”

“JOHN! YOU’RENOT FUCKED UP!” 1X shouts.

“FUCK YOU!” he shouts back.

“MAKE ME YOU BALD CU-”

“OKAY THAT”S ENOUGH SWEARING IN FRONT OF THE CHILD FOR THE DAY.” 007n7 interrupts.

“I’m gonna go see if I can whip something up before the next round starts.” Elliot stands up.

“Do you.. Need help?” Chance’s voice is quieter then normal but, by the way Elliot immediately turned, everyone could tell he heard it clear as day.

“No, but, I wouldn’t mind your company.”

While the two stare into each other’s eyes, Shedletsky catches Taph signing, “Yay! My second OTP stopped fighting!”

“Who’s your first?” Shedletsky squints.

“You and Builderman duh.”

“What the hell is he saying.. Also, who is that.” 1X blinks, not recognizing the demolitionist without his cloak.

“That’s just Taph.” Builderman snorts, already standing up.

“I’m headin’ to the garden, be there if anyone needs me.” he walks off, hand brushing over Shedletsky's shoulder and back as he does, sending a shiver down the man's spine.

Two Time chases after him, “Wait I’ll help!”

The survivors slowly settle into their normal though, everyone knows there most likely isn’t much of a wait ahead of them.

All of it leaves Shedletsky and 1X at the table, C00lkidd still in their arms.

“I meant that by that way. The apology. To be honest I had no clue what their plan was.”

“That’s because you’re stupid.”

“All that food goes to his waist line, not his brain!” C00lkidd adds.

“YEAH! Sick burn kid!”

The two end up flipping Shedletsky off, both snickering

Shedletsky, can’t help but just smile and let out a genuine laugh.

Chapter Text

Rounds were starting to press closer and closer together. The round before this had an only 20 minute break before they were promptly thrust into this one.

That led into Guest 1337 and Chance crashing into the ground next to one another.

At first the two barely noticed one another, both just popping up, both having someone they needed to find. But as their instincts made them scan the area, both locked eyes.

Both knew who the other was looking for. 

“So.. you and Seven.” Chance can’t help but tease.

“You’ve had feelings for Elliot for way longer buddy.” Guest snorts, “you can’t talk.”

“Yours is new and fresh, mine is old and the same as always.”

Guest gives him a knowing look.

“Okay maybe it’s not but it’s fine.”

“What happened between you two?”

“What have you.. heard exactly.” Chance asks as the two start walking, silently deciding to look for them together.

“That you two snuck off after the party, then the next morning you weren’t talking.” Guest explains.

“Well.. okay yeah that’s the base of it y’all got it right..” Chance let’s put a defeated sigh.

“What happened?” Guest asks, “I know you two are talking now and everything but uh, fuck it is awkward.”

Chance knows Guest was right, even if the two could talk, their normal spark was missing. It all felt like empty words.

“We.. we were really drunk.” Chance sighs, “um, we went to my room and we.. made out.”

“Huh?” Guest blinks.

“I mean, it happens whenever both of us are tipsy we uh, end up kissin’?” Chance shrugs.

Guest just pinches the bridge of his nose, “You two are going to kill me.. If that’s normal why the silence?”

“Well, um, I was realllyyyy drunk. And I um, vented about an ex of mine. A.. really bad ex.”

“Did be get mad at you for it?”

“Oh, no! I don’t think Elliot ever actually would just um.. after I was done Uh.. crying.. he told me he could treat me better?”

“So he confessed to you.” It’s blunt.

“Well I mean, why would he actually confess after.. that?”

“Because you were emotionally vulnerable so he felt emotionally vulnerable too. Plus, he was drunk.”

“But, why would he want that after finding out how broken I am..?”

Guest stops walking, freezing in place as he looks up at Chance.

“What. What’s that about?” Chance tilts his head.

“What.. happened between you and your ex?”

Chance scoffs, turning away, “Took me being deep in the gutter to confess to him, what makes you think I could just tell you?”

“Whatever happened, Chance, it doesn’t make you broken.” Guest places a firm hand on their shoulder.

Chance pauses for a moment before continuing, “we uh, stayed with each other for the rest of the night. I woke up with a note and pain meds saying he was starting breakfast,”

“And you didn’t talk to him?”

“He was probably uncomfortable because of me so he left.”

“Or it’s just Elliot.” Guest sighs, “Elliot always cooks every meal because he feels like he’s required to. Trust me he wouldn’t have left a note if he didn’t care.”

“So what do I do then?” Chance sighs in return, “Am I supposed to just, tell him I know what happened and that I.. ya know.. feel the same?”

“Yes.”

“Easy for you to say Mr. married man.” Chance rolls his eyes.

“I wasn’t always married Chance. Took a lot of nerve to confess to someone as pretty as Daisy. It’s not like I haven’t been rejected either.  It’s hard but, ya never know what’s gonna happen unless you try.”

“How would.. one confess.” They start to walk once again.

“Just be yourself. Tell the truth.” Guest hums.

“I- that can’t be it.”

“Do you know his love languages?”

“Vaguely, I have a few ideas.”

“Use them. Make him happy like you always do.”

“I make him.. happy..?”

Guest just snorts and rolls his eyes, “you two are truly oblivious.”

…

Elliot dragged himself into the building, leg lagging behind, bone snapped.

Mafioso was always.. a horrible opponent. Especially to Elliot, even before their beef started.

Elliot had a feeling why. He wasn’t stupid.

Mafioso thought Chance liked him and Mafioso was getting back at Chance.

It was just business.

That didn’t make it hurt any less.

Elliot was lucky he had found a medkit earlier.

He was also lucky he had enough energy to use it.

He slowly unclips the lid, starting to take out what was needed to stop any bleeds.

The leg, was another issue.

It was snapped, bent out of place completely, bone threatening to break through.

He bit his leather jacket, snapping it back into place.

He still let out a scream that couldn’t be muffled. Elliot saw someone run into the room.

He jumped back, eyes wide at the broad figure.

“Fuck Elliot I thought that was you!” 007n7 shouts, rushing over.

“Sh-shouldn’t you be with Guest.” He tried to distract.

“You, your leg oh my god, Elliot are you okay?”

Elliot goes to speak, goes to say he can handle it himself.

But he can’t, the words don’t form.

He feels 007n7 hold the sides his arms.

Elliot breaks.

He clings onto 007n7, breath unsteady, tears spilling from his cheeks.

“Hey, you’re going to be okay. It’s okay.. just let it out.” He hums, rubbing Elliot’s back.

“You’re so strong just.. let me help you okay?”

“Ok-okay..” he stumbles out.

007n7 pulls back, looking at his leg, “we should splint this. Just in case.”

“You.. should be with Guest.” Elliot can’t help but repeat.

“Couldn’t find him. You’re more important right now though.”

He starts to take pieces from the medkit and starts to tend to Elliot’s wounds.

He decided to distract the man as he cleaned wounds.

“So.. you and Chance.”

“Didn’t take you to be the gossip type.” He snorts.

“Couldn’t help but be interested in our two favourite simps.”

“Well watcha wanna know?” He rolls his eyes, letting 007n7 wrap his leg.

“Why weren’t you two talking?”

“Can’t two people not talk?”

007n7 gives a knowing look.

“Look.. we made out, like we do when drunk and then he told me about his ex.”

“You two make out when drunk.” 007n7 sighs, “great yeah you two totally aren’t together.”

“We aren’t.” Elliot rolls his eyes, “I wish but we aren’t. He told me about his ex.. horrible story. Wanted to kill his ex. When we, or I woke up though I, kinda realized. Did I take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable man? And then he didn’t say hello so I think I might’ve.”

“Or he thought you thought worse of him.”

“But I didn’t! I-I don’t.. he.. it just explains some things but it’s not like I think any less of them for it. They’re still Chance. Still the person I was attracted to since I laid eye on them.”

“You were attracted to them for that long?” 007n7 laughs softly.

“You’ve seen him. Always has that goofy ass smirk on his face, pretty eyes, jawline of a god. How could I not? Then they started talking and laughing and being stupidly himbo-ish and just.. a good guy. They just.. always mean well and shone so bright.. emotional bastard but god, those emotions could sway the world’s atmosphere around ‘em. Fuck he’s just.. a work of fucking art.” He rambles, a goofy smile forming on his face.

“Tell HIM that.” 007n7 states.

Elliot gestures vaguely to himself, “this? This isn’t good enough for HIM.”

“Elliot..” 007n7 sighs.

“He, they’re practically a god amongst us. I’m just.. another commoner they’re surrounded by. Just another.. person.”

“Elliot. If he can’t see how amazing you are, they aren’t worth it. But I need to to trust me,” his voice is steady, “Chance loves you dearly. You need to properly talk to him about this, about all of it.”

“How. How do you know?”

“You mention that goofy smile?”

“Yeah?”

“They only do that when you’re around.”

“You have no proof of that.”

“Confess and you’ll have your proof.”

“I already did.”

“Wait, what?” 007n7 pauses.

“After he.. told me about his ex. I, was drunk. So I said something along the lines of I can treat you better. It slipped from my brain.”

“You didn’t confess you gave a response that coulda been taken as platonic by an equally drunk and equally as insecure person.” It’s blunt, but 007n7 knows that’s what Elliot needs to hear right now.

Elliot doesn’t respond, just taking it all in.

He looks down at his leg, it bandaged well, a splint knotted to the side in order to keep it straight.

“Where’d you learn that?” Elliot asks.

“Guest’s been watching me.. just wanted to be able to help him the best I could if something happened.”

“Sounds like you’re becoming one of his healers..”

“Hm?”

“Nothin’ important just.. reminded me of something Guest said a while back.”

“Okay?”

“I’ll.. think about properly confessing but I’ll need time to plan.. something.” He sighs.

“That’s okay, as long as you’re trying”

“Why is Mafioso such a BITCH.” A voice shouts as they step into the room, both turn their head to see a slightly banged up John Doe.

They watch as he throws his spikes up in the doorway, blocking anyone from entering.

He freezes when he sees the two, “Oh, um, am I interrupting something?”

“Just telling Elliot to confess.” 007n7 hums.

“Oh fuck, he fuckin better!” John shouts, “It was funny when I didn’t live with ‘em but Jesus how have you lived with THAT for that long!”

007n7 just laughs.

“We- we’re not that bad.”

“You guys make goo-goo eyes at each other daily! I’m sick of it, one of you step up and confess!” He approaches the two, sitting down next to Elliot.

Elliot just silently hands him a pizza slice.

He knew he was right.

Maybe it was about time after all.

Chapter Text

Chance was in quite a pickle once again.

“Noli.. we’re friends right.” He backs slowly.

“You’re funny, gambler.” Noli chuckles, “And stupid, very stupid.”

They stumble, tripping on a poorly placed pebble.

They land on their butt crawling backwards, back going flush onto the wall.

He takes out his gun and attempts to fire.

Too bad the flintlock produces an almost, disappointed click, nothing even comes out.

“Fuck.”

“You know what, kinda feel bad, might not kill ya.” Noli smirks.

“Really-“

He chucks the void star at Chance’s head, “S-I-I-IIIKE!”

Chance shoots awake in the middle of the living room.

God damnit was he the first to die? Already? It couldn’t have been going for more then fifteen minutes!

Well, that meant he had some for something he’s been searching for time to do.

He quickly walks into the kitchen slinging his suit jacket off for a bit more breathability.

“Brownies okay..”

He was going to confess to Elliot. It was going to be painful when he got rejected but by god he was going to try anyways.

But, he knew himself, he also knew Elliot deserved more then just a simple confession.

So brownies it was. How hard could it be?

He had watched his family’s chef in his childhood home bake them a few times, it would be fine.

They just needed to remember what was in them.

“Um.. flour.. yeast? Does it need yeast?” They go over the foggy checklist in their brain, “Eggs.. that I’ve never cracked before Uh, oil but I dunno why you would need motor oil in baked goods.”

“Ok yeah this isn’t working.” He sighs.

But, luckily he gets an idea. It doesn’t take long before he’s in the living room and scanning through the bookshelf, looking for something, anything.

They grab it when they find it, a recipe book with what he hopes is baking recipes.

He quickly flips through, seeing a variety of things while searching for one.

He mutters to himself as they flip.

“Brownies brownies brownies.. Yes, brownies!”

He stops at the page, scanning over the instructions.

“No yeast..? Wait they have one for it’s icing too!” Chance smiles, popping up and heading towards the kitchen once again.

But they knew before they could even think about the icing, they had to get these brownies in the oven first.

He grabs the first rectangle pan he finds, praying it’s the 13 by 9 at the top of the instructions.

He walks to the oven, the first step was preheating the oven.

“Is it the.. Broil button..?”

They decide to just press that but can’t see the temperature pop up.

“It’s fine..”

“Why is it all one instruction.” he blinks, “What the fuck.”

They decide to try and follow it to a tee.

“Melt butter.. Oh fuck me.”

Chance decides that maybe they should just get all the ingredients out first.

Butter, white sugar, eggs, vanilla extract (couldn’t find that one so they grabbed some vanilla ice cream that’ll work right?), cocoa powder, flour, salt, baking powder (why is there a bicep on the front of the box?) and most importantly, chocolate chips. They knew the measurements for everything but, the one for the chocolate chips made their face twist. They were going to feel that one with their heart.

Now where were those damn measuring cups?

He doesn’t even know where Elliot puts them because the man seems to have the miraculous ability to just seemingly sense when enough was in the bowl.

Speaking of, they needed a bowl still.

God, this was already a mess.

Okay. Now they have everything.

Time to figure out how to melt that butter.

He takes out a frying pan and breaks a chunk of the butter off, assuming that’s probably the right amount.

He places it on the burner, putting it as high as possible, “It should melt pretty quick that way.”

But, instead of just melting, it starts to bubble. It turns a darker colour producing a smell Chance assumes, is not very good.

“HOW THE FUCK ALREADY-”

“Chance, what are you doing in here?”

Chance quickly turns, hiding the book and the burning butter behind their back.

“Oh uh, Elliot! Great to see you uh, you probably need to rest though after-”

Elliot just sighs, nudging Chance out of the way as he walks closer, pulling the butter off the burner and shutting it off.

“Why is the oven on broil..” he mutters, “Chance, what are you doing?”

“Uh, um..”

“I’m pretty aware you haven’t cooked before, I coulda showed you-”

“I LIKE YOU!” Chance blurts out.

Elliot is slightly taken aback.

“Y-you, h-huh?”

“I-I like you and I wanted to make some brownies to um, confess but I, I didn’t wanna ask you for help because, I swear I can do it myself I, I’m not completely incompetent.”

Elliot pauses. Chance expects the worst.

“You aren’t incompetent Chance.” it’s the first thing he says, “I just, uh, you’ve never done this before and, it’s not something that’s easy to just, pick up solo.”

“Sorry, I-”

“I like you too.” Elliot interrupts, “I, I thought I already made that clear a few nights ago though.”

“That, THAT WAS A CONFESSION?” Chance’s jaw drops.

“I WAS DRUNK OKAY?! It was a HORRIBLE confession I know.” Elliot groans out.

“It, was a confession though..” Chance’s voice is quiet.

“Yes. It was. I.. genuinely like you Chance.”

“But, I told you, all of that.”

“So..? If you want my sober response to it it’s, I’m sorry you had to go through all that. Someone like you deserves nothing like that. You’re such a genuinely amazing person and if I see him, you might need to hold me back. You deserve so much better..”

“Like you?” Chance hums.

“W-well, uh,” Elliot figuratively takes a step back, “I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed I just, uh, no pressure on you. Especially cause.. You probably deserve someone more interesting..? I’m, kinda boring.”

Chance slowly takes Elliot’s hand, “I’m.. starting to enjoy boring.”

Neither of the two knew how it happened, they just knew, their lips drifted together, intertwining into a soft kiss.

It’s a silent promise of many more to come.

It takes a moment before either are willing to pull away but, they still linger close by.

“I was.. Supposed to give you brownies before we did that..” Chance pouts.

Elliot lets out a soft laugh, “Oh, so that’s the disaster that was unfolding.”

“Disaster?!” he scoffs, but, doesn’t pull from Elliot’s embrace, “I’d have you know I was doing just fine.”

“Lucky. You press bake, not broil.”

“Oh.”

“And you don’t melt butter at the highest temperature.”

“Well, how was I supposed to know that?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you.” Elliot smiles, slowly pulling back, “Were you following a recipe?”

“Yeah, found a book Dusekkar didn’t take.”

Elliot glances at the open book, “Okay, you keep making your tray and I’ll make one with you.”

“I want to bake for you.” Chance states.

“Relax, you still will. I’m just making one to keep the pigs away from my brownies. I’m keeping yours all to myself.” Elliot smiles.

He pulls out two saucepots and places them on burners.

He properly shows Chance how to measure out the butter and not just, throw it in.

As it finishes melting, cooling off after being stirred and the burners shut off, they put the sugar in.

Then, it comes to the eggs.

“Have you ever cracked an egg before?” Elliot looks at Chance, who’s holding the egg like it’s something that could break with any slight touch.

“Yes. Totally.” they lie.

Elliot rolls his eyes, pressing up against  Chance from behind, slowly guiding his hands to the edge of the pot.

“Here, I’ll show you.”

Chance feels like they themselves could melt the butter.

He feels soft hands guiding them on what to do, it’s such a simple motion, obviously just an after thought to Elliot but, they can feel him taking the time and the care to guide him through the smallest movements.

“You alright?” Elliot asks, watching as Chance freezes up.

“Warn me next time before you get all, like that!” 

“Oh please you’ve been flirting with me for months now I can tease you a bit.” Elliot hums into Chance’s ear, pulling their headphones back.

“Unless, you’re actually uncomfortable. Then I’ll stop.”

For some reason that maybe deep down they know, that phrase makes Chance almost tear up.

“No, no stay like that please, though I am taking that as permission to always do that to you when you’re cooking Doll.”

“I would hope you would.”

Chance can’t help but pop up, sliding over a bit so he’s sitting on the counter while Elliot’s arms still wrap on their waist.

“What.. are we?” Elliot can’t help but ask, “I don’t want to push you if you aren’t ready for anything.”

“Partners in crime.” Chance snorts, flicking Elliot’s visor off.

“What’s the crime?”

“Vehicular manslaughter.”

“I like that one.” Elliot snorts, reaching up to take Chance’s fedora off, “Let’s run Donnie over again.”

“I like the sound of that!”

It briefly goes quiet.

He looks for a nod of confirmation before taking their glasses off.

The two lock eyes.

“Partners it is then.” Elliot hums, starting to already get lost in their golden warmth.

It’s a peaceful silence only broken by Elliot.

“I love you.”

Neither expected that to come from Elliot first.

But, Chance follows suit.

“I love you more.”

“Oh you don’t wanna start that game with me.” Elliot scoffs.

“Oh, whatcha gonna do, kiss me to shut me up?”

“Oh you’d love that wouldn’tcha?”

“I dunno, why don’t we test that theor-”

Yeah, Chance did end up loving that.

…

Guest was the last man standing. Keyword, was. Currently, he had just respawned back into the living room, Noli got him at the last second.

Though, he’s surprised how quiet it is, and at how everyone seemingly hides as they peer into the kitchen.

“Hm, what’s this about?” Guest speaks in a hushed voice.

John just gestures to the kitchen.

Guest looks inside to see it. Chance and Elliot idly chatting, but, more importantly, holding each other close. Once and a while, one stops their yammering to press a soft kiss on the other’s skin.

“Fucking finally..” Guest sighs with genuine relief.

“Wait.. do I smell brownies?” Shedletsky sniffs.

“Yes.” Builderman seemingly is already making a plan to sneak in and steal them.

“They’re coming, hide.” Noob jumps.

Every immediately pretends they were totally not just eavesdropping.

“We made brownies, enjoy. Please don’t kill each other there’s only one tray.” Elliot hums, placing the cutting board they were on, onto the coffee table.

“I thought I smelt two..” Builderman murmurs, squinting his eyes, “But, no matter.”

He shoves Shedletsky out of the way to rush over to the brownies.

“HEY WATCH IT!”

“SHUT UP!”

Elliot rolled his eyes before him and a laughing Chance went back into the kitchen.

“It was kinda lucky we both died first,” Elliot hums, walking over to their tray of brownies, covered in icing. 

They made enough icing for both but, they got greedy with their own. So all of it ended up slathered onto it. Or, alternatively eaten by Chance before it went on.

“Yeah, guess so.” Chance snickers.

“Wanna go eat this thing in one sitting and get stomach aches?”

“I’d thought ya never ask Doll.”

{approximately thirty minutes after the previous chapter}
7: can i ask you a favor?

N: No.

7: you get to kill someone

N: listening…

7: need you to kill gamble and pizza first, beginning of your next round

N: y?

7: need them alone to confess

N: chill

7: how’s it going over there?

N: Same usual. Azure misses 1X.

7: you do to, dont you

N: obv

7: 1x figured out we were messaging and says hi

N: say hi back

7: they also said they’ll suck your dick when you get here????

N: TELL THEM I DONT HAVE A DICK TO SUCK

7:hddbam fVQ VFWQFL

7: WELL YOU WILL WHEN YA FUCKIN GET YER BODY BACK YA BITCH ASS MOTHER FUCKER!!!!

N: WHY DO YOU WANNA SUCK IT SO BAD OMG

7: ………………. 

7: hi sorry got it back

N: dam

7: they are now whining something about thinking about it since mafi brought up

N: jealous 7?

7: no you look like a raisin. 

N: fuck you. stop starin at boobs

7: fuck you too. that is not his code name.

N: WELL IT’S ALL YA TALK ABOUT

7: FUCK YOU

N: FUCK YOU TOO

7: …

N: …

7: can you bring more of those chips

N: yeh, bring pizza leftover?

7: o7

Chapter Text

Two Time still wasn’t sure on a lot of things. But the conversations they’ve been having have cleared some things up.

Unbeknownst to them, the other survivors had their own conversation. One led by Dusekkar, Builderman and Chance. It was about how to answer those questions Two Time was asking. It wasn’t trying to shut down their delusions but to give the other side of it all. Builderman and and Dusekkar were there, having the most experience with cults. Chance was there because they were the closest to Two Time.

Everyone knew it was going to probably take a good therapist to break all of Two Time’s delusions but, they hoped they could at least chip away at some.

Some were better than others (the newly freed 1X told Two Time to kill themself and see if the Spawn brings them back).

But all made an attempt.

Two Time was starting to understand more and more.

They tried their first drink, attempted to gamble with Chance (Chance tried to let them win but ended up winning himself) and he had discussions with Six about possibly trying that weed thing she keeps mentioning.

All of it was new, all of it was interesting.

Two Time even had started gardening more and more.

They helped Builderman grow food as well as more flowers to cheer the bleary energy up.

But those original flowers they planted so long ago? They only just started to bloom.

Baby’s breath, red salvia, red mums and red zinnias.

Builderman offered to help them with the care but Two Time knew they needed to do this themself.

But today was the day.

Two Time was finally picking the flowers, planning on arranging them into a bouquet. They believed to have a couple of hours left before the current round ended. Jason had gotten to them pretty quickly, slashing through their life and, that new rebirth.

It left them back here, just enough time to make the bouquet.

The one issue was, they didn’t truly know if Azure was the next killer. At this point it was a 1 out of 4 chance. Four killers left who it could be.

Though the odds were always stacked to the dealer and the house always won. That’s at least what Chance would always say. But, Two Time felt good about this.

Their back up plan was to.. Attempt to get the killer to give the flowers to Azure if push came to shove. Noli would be easiest, the most conversational. Jason, at least according to all the previous killers, was secretly a sweetheart. But Mafioso was more cruel, not a very good conversationalist or ally.

But, the best would obviously be Azurewraith himself.

Two Time brings the flowers inside, heading for the dining room table where they had already set up, scissors, string and a brown paper.

They had a vague idea of what they were doing. They had found a read a book on the topic. Well, Elliot had. Two Time struggled to read a lot of the words in it. Reading wasn’t exactly a skill taught in their commune. So they only discovered recently that, they really did not know how to read beyond necessity. They could ‘read’ the signs and scrawling on the walls throughout the rounds. They could not how ever, read the word blessing when it was written clearly in front of them. So Elliot it was.

Luckily, the man was barred from the kitchen between one round, told by all the others that it was time for his governmentally mandated break. Despite even the government himself (Builderman) telling him to go on break, Elliot had to be pried kicking and screaming from his ever so beloved kitchen.

007n7 taught C00lkidd some cooking skills (heating up Elliot’s frozen soup) and John barbecued some extra burgers they had.

People were looking for a way to distract Elliot so. Chance was still in the round making their first plan go out the window. So, Two Time took it upon themself to do so, politely asking him to read the book.

Elliot did and Two Time learned a lot about how to make a good bouquet. They may not be able to use the specific flower combinations but, they at least knew how to cut the flowers and properly wrap them.

So, they begun that process.

They made sure to take their time, snipping the bottoms and organizing them into a pattern they think Azure would like.

They slowly tie the twine around the stems, making sure to tie it tight enough that they’ll actually stay together. Then, they wrap the paper around it before tying a longer piece of twine around, tying it into a lopsided bow (now without trying).

They fluff up the flowers, making sure they’re all in good positions and at full bloom.

They looked down at their work, growing proud, almost fond of what they managed to do.

But, their stomach suddenly drops and within that same second, they’re deep in another round.

“Now or never. You got this.” they mutter to themself.

They quickly pop up, but jump even higher when a voice speaks.

“Uh, Two Time, you good?” it’s Elliot.

Two Time turns and sees Elliot along with Taph in the house they all spawned in.

Taph was already getting to work at fortifying the place but Elliot was giving a puzzled expression to the raven haired person.

“I need to apologize to Azure.”

Elliot blinks, “This round?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Want me to help you look for him?” Elliot asks, already walking towards the door outside.

“W-well, you don’t have to-”

“Nonsense, c’mon I’ll give you a ride.”

Elliot nudges open the door, shoving his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket as his bike appears on the ground in front of him.

Two Time, was horrible at riding the motorbike. Even if they were not driving.

But Elliot so kindly offered so, they might as well learn how.

…

Two Time thinks they pissed themself.

Is that the right expression to use when terrified? Probably so.

No matter what, Two Time was never riding with Elliot on their own will ever again.

They were thankful Elliot did slow down a bit for them but it still was scarier than the idea of confronting Azure.

How something went THIS FAST was completely out of Two Time’s depth.

The entire force of it made their stomach twist and turn faster then Elliot’s motorcycle was.

They clung onto Elliot and their flowers for dear life throughout this, just trying not to die before they made it to Azure, or at least whoever was the killer.

But, their journey was rudely interrupted by something else.

Neither noticed the slowly blooming flower on the ground.

When the bike made contact, vines suddenly lashed out at it and both of the riders.

The bike was torn in two and Two Time knew, that meant the bike couldn’t be summoned for the rest of the round.

No wonder Elliot shouted, “GOD FUCKING DAMNIT!”

Or maybe that was the sudden pain of them both being lashed at.

Two Time drew their dagger, managing to slice the vine targeting Elliot before turning and slicing their own.

Both turn and see a looming figure approaching.

“Go. I’ll handle Azure.”

“Yeah, that usually goes to shit-”

“I need to do this Elliot. Please.”

Elliot takes a deep breath before summoning a slice of pizza in his hand and pushing it towards Two Time, “Fine just, take this, I’ll still be close by if you need anything.”

“Thank you Elliot.” Two Time gives a quick smile before taking the slice and pushing towards Azure.

Only to get, immediately jumped.

Azure lunges forwards pinning Two Time to the ground and stabbing through their neck.

But Two Time, doesn’t die.

Well they do, at first.

Those lotus flowers blossom along their wings and tail, managing the strength to shove Azure off and quickly eat the pizza slice as they stand up.

“You could have damaged the flowers!” Two Time whines.

“The- the what?” Azure squints his eyes.

“Can, may I speak for one minute.” Two Time takes a deep breath, “You can kill me afterwards.”

Azure rolls his eyes, “Let’s fucking hear this bullshit.”

“I’m sorry.”

Azure did not expect that. A genuine fucking sorry.

“I’m sorry I killed you. You did not deserve it. I hurt you in one of the worst ways for a cult that’s worshipping a god that might not even be real. I was told to hurt you and I stupidly listened. I shouldn’t have, I know that now. I love you Azure, more than anything else I realized. Fuck the church, fuck the Spawn, fuck the damn prophet. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Two time speaks, the only thing preventing their hands from shaking and squirming being the tight grip on the bouquet.

“I.. grew these for you. Builderman taught me how.” they extend the bouquet forwards, “It’s.. not great like yours but, I just, wanted you to have them.”

“Why’d you do it. Killin’ me?” it’s a simple question.

“Honest?”

“Honest.”

“The prophet told me to. He said you had killed someone and would come back. It was.. What Dusekkar called a loyalty test. Would I.. betray you over the cult. And.. I’m sorry I did.”

“You, thought I would come back?”

“Yes! H-he said you had taken a life, that, you would come back and it would be okay.. But then you didn’t and when I went and asked he.. Nevermind, unimportant at this second.”

“What did the dirty prophet do to you?” it’s cold.

“He killed me.” it’s blunt, “I cried at his feet and he slammed an axe into my skull.”

“And.. you weren’t going to mention that originally.”

“No. It’s not that relevant. I still carried out the actions, I am to blame. I am the one who needs to apologize.” they take a breath, “I, I do not expect your forgiveness. I committed a heinous crime. But, I knew you deserved an apology, for everything.”

Two Times extends the flowers towards Azure, “Here. Take them. You can destroy them and then me if you would like.”

They shut their eyes tight, bracing for the worst.

They feel two tentacles brushing against their hands as the bouquet is slowly taken.

Their hands shake without the focus of the grip.

Two Time hears the sound of something softly being placed onto the ground.

Then, Two Time feels arms being wrapped around them. Not rough, but firmly.

Their eyes open to see Azure holding them in an embrace.

“Thank you..” he says, refusing to let go, “Forgiveness is hard but, I understand.”

Two Time sees out the corners of his eyes, the tentacles slowly changing to vines and Azure’s skin returning to its once colour.

But honestly? Two Time is more attracted to the fact their finally being held tight once again.

They cling to his frame, letting the taller hold them up as they wrap their arms and legs around them.

“I love you.” Azure breathes.

“I love you too.” Two Time smiles.

Both silently cry, neither really wanting the other to know how emotional they are.

“We.. need to speak on this more.” Azure hums, “Not right now though. I just.. Need to hold you right now.”

Two Time nods into the crook of his neck, “Understandable, I’ll answer any more questions you have.”

“Later. Just.. later..”

They barely even hear the message echo through their minds, “The survivors won.”

Despite being across just across the table, they both decide that’s too far.

Azure pulls the already leaping Two Time closer with their now vines.

They roll onto the floor but they really don’t care.

They don’t even notice the speaking around them.

“Uh, does.. Azure have vines now?” John asks.

John was right, his tentacles had changed into long flowing vines, flowers, mainly nightshades, blooming along them.

“One, step closer.” Elliot says through heavy breaths, leaning back in his chair.

Some were in similar exhausted states despite the round ending early with all alive.

Builderman was the one to look around and mentally take a headcount.

Some were better off then others.

Guest, Two Time, Shedletsky, himself, John and 1X were used to constant strain on their bodies.

Dusekkar and Taph were also fairly well off, knowing their own limits well enough to not push it.

But the others? They weren’t.. Doing the best.

The rounds were growing abnormally constant with what felt like only five minute breaks between.

Noob was getting eye strain from their C00l.gui, practically a constant migraine forming.

Six was completely physically exhausted but more mentally off due to the constant generator scrambles they do.

Chance always pushed himself too far, right to the edge and would collapse right after. No breaks were not aiding in recovering after this habit.

Elliot was completely running on empty, whenever he wasn’t in a round he was staying frantic, allowing his body to absolutely not recover.

And then, there was 007n7.

Currently Guest was aiding the man in standing up, body shaking.

He was getting worse and worse every single round.

They all know Noli had taken to mercy killing the man first during the rounds, even if it was covered as just a bitter ex.

Guest had been helpful too but, there was only so much that could be done during rounds for a man whose lungs and throat felt as they were closing in on themselves.

“C’mon, let's see what we can do for you Seven.” Builderman hums, pulling up his admin panel.

Because despite everything good that just unfolded, no one had time to really stop and appreciate it.

Chapter Text

Rounds ago, the survivors would have separated post round. They would have all gone off to do their own things.

But right now, there was no time for that.

The survivors were all huddled in the living room, waiting for the next round and just trying to recover as much energy as possible within the brief period.

Builderman spoke as he sat over 007n7, who’s shirt was off and was laying flat on his stomach. All in an attempt to get better access to his lungs and windpipe then the Spectre. All so maybe they could override part of it and give him so respite.

As he typed away he spoke, “sorry to be the one ta say it but we need to fuckin’ hurry. 7n7 doesn’t last much longer otherwise.”

Everyone knew at this point. It was hard for 007n7 to hide when every breath felt like something was fighting against it, feeling his chest be compressed. Less and less oxygen circulating in his blood stream.

He had also finally told C00lkid what was going on though, he was happy his son was asleep right now so he didn’t have to see it when it got this bad.

“I’ll be fine Builder.. he’s not going to kill me.” He sighs.

“Would not put it against that cuck.” Shedletsky leans back, sipping on his beer.

“Why the hell are you drinking?” Elliot groans, already pacing through the living room as he normally did.

“I fight better drunk.”

“No you don’t big boy.” Taph signs and Dusekkar translates.

“It’s only one relax.”

“I am not healing your sorry ass if you cut your fingers off-“

Elliot is interrupted by Chance pulling him down onto the couch as he passed by.

Elliot mutters something about adrenaline and that method totally working for the quintuple shift he worked that one New Year’s Eve they stayed open all night.

That gives Builderman the time to step back in.

“We have three left. That’s it. Let’s put the pedal to the fuckin’ metal and get it done alright?”

“No, you do that, we got no ideas how to do that code breaker shit y’all do.” Chance scoffs.

“Jason needs the Necrobloxicon removed. Rip the knife from his shoulder and we’ll have our lives improved.”

Without anyone speaking, all can tell the consensus between most of the non-admins is, “Fuck no I’m not doing THAT.”

“Why doesn’t Guest do it? Jason is-“ John elbows 1X,

“They don’t know Jason is a bacon dumbass!”

Normally this would have been followed by a snarky comment from Azure but, he and Two Tine were still in the dining room, having a quiet conversation all knew should not be interrupted.

“Jason’s a Bacon..?” Guest asks

The room goes quiet as everyone braces for impact.

“I’m kidding.” Guest sighs, “I already knew.”

“HOW DID YOU KNOW?!?” Builderman shouts.

007n7 just raises his hand slowly.

“You told ‘em?!”

“He was gonna find out eventually. Telling him ahead of time would soften the blow and NOT have a fight break out once Jason got here.”

Everyone then slowly turns to Guest.

“What? Look. Maybe if it was closer to me first getting here.. I would be more upset. But at the end of it all, something probably happened to him too. You don’t end up like that for no good reason.”

“Someone-“ John is interrupted,

“C00lkidd.” 1x states.

“C00lkidd brought up the Bacon Army one day and Jason freaked out, most scared I’ve seen him. I don’t know if that helps any but.. yeah.”

“It does, thank you.” Guest nods.

“Noob should be the one to do it.” Guest states right afterwards, looking said man dead in the eyes.

“WHAT?!” Noob immediately stands up and points to themself, “ME?!”

“Yes you.”

“I don’t even have my ghostburger anymore!”

“You’ve known him the longest out of anyone.”

“Make the baldy do it!” They point to John.

“Catching more strays then Mafioso over here..” he scoffs as he steals Shedletsky’s beer and takes a swig.

“Hey!”

Everyone ignores Shedletsky.

“Trust me Noob, you can do this.” Guest reassures, “And if you end up being unable to, I’ll step in afterwards.”

“But-“

Before any further words can be spoken, all feel themselves jolted away.

Sent once again, to the battlegrounds they call a map.

Though, two more joined them.

Mafioso looked up at Jason.

“Fuck are you ‘ere?”

Jason just shrugs.

…

“You should slow down.” Chance hums, forcing Elliot to sit down on the ground next to them, “Relax..”

“How do you expect me to relax-”

Chance lays Elliot down, head in their lap as they start to play with his hair.

“Oh.. okay this is.. Nice.”

Chance just lets out a laugh, “You’re gonna burn yerself out if ya don’t relax!”

“Fine..” he sighs.

But Elliot is forced to sit up once again when heavy footsteps can be heard approaching.

The deep voice sings under his breath.

"Tutte le genti che passeranno. O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao. E le genti che passeranno. Mi diranno, 'Che bel fior'."

As he sung, Elliot and Chance stood up, one immediately drawing their gun and pointing it at the head of the mafia boss.

"Cool it. Not 'ere to hurt ya." he puts his hands up briefly before shoving them in his pockets.

"How do we know that?" Chance spits.

"You made your choice yet Donnie?" Elliot smirks.

Mafioso brushes past Chance, walking straight over to Elliot.

He extends his hand out, “You got yerself a deal.”

Elliot shakes it, “Pleasure doing business.”

“I’m not helpin’ ya this round. Got important business to attend to.” he states.

“Sure, whatever you say asshat.” Elliot snorts as Mafioso pulls his hand away, walking back the direction he came.

He only takes a moment to whisper to Chance, "Absolutely do NOT let that man go. You hit your biggest jackpot kid.”

Chance just squints his eyes with a dumbfounded look as Mafioso walks away.

“What the fuck? How did you do that?” Chance can’t help but ask.

Elliot just blinks.

“He’s.. a pussy? It was easy. Anyways, can we uh, go back to what we were doing..?”

Chance laughs, “Of course Ellie.”

…

“We’re alone now if you-“ as Shedletsky closes the door Builderman immediately lets himself collapse to his hands and knees.

Shedletsky sits next to him, letting his head rest on his lap and his body contorts in pain.

“You need more ibuprofen?” Shedletsky asks, pulling Builderman up higher to rest on his chest and body more within his lap.

“What good does it do..” it’s nothing like the way Builderman normally speaks.

It’s quiet, almost meek. It sounds hollowed out.

It goes quiet for a minute, the only sounds Builderman’s groans and winces as well as his shaky breath.

“You preach to Seven that-“

“Don’t start that shit.”

“Doesn’t it get better for a bit if Elliot heals ya?”

“Yes but have ya seen how frazzled that kid is already?” Builderman sighs, “I’m not throwin’ that at ‘em too.”

“Can we at least look at your back now? Just check the bandages and stuff?”

“Fine.” He grunts.

He groans softly as he pulls off of Shedletsky’s lap, letting the man take his sweater off before pulling off his shirt.

Builderman’s torso was wrapped in bandages. The blood from his back was beginning to seep through.

“I’m going to change your bandages alright?”

“With what-“

Shedletsky pulls out the medkit he hid under his shirt and pops it open with a click.

“I told ya not to waste those on me.”

“I’m not wasting it I’m trying to make sure you don’t get an infection.”

“Fine. Just, why not tell me that you had a medkit before?” Builderman can’t help but ask.

“The hard part was always getting you to the hospital but not accept treatment.” Shedletsky hums, “actually you bashed your head on a car you were working on and I tricked to go to the hospital by saying we were going to the bar. Figured out that day as long as we’re starting the process you’ll finish it.”

Shedletsky slowly starts to peel the bandages away. He doesn’t know whether to feel happy it didn’t get any worse or scared it didn’t get any better.

What once was welts from a belt buckle have started opening, leaving what can best be described as holes in his back, showcasing bruised muscle. Blood doesn’t pour, it more oozes from the wounds.

It looks like pure torture, that’s the only way to describe it.

But Shedletsky bites his tongue. Builderman’s seen it, he’s looked in mirrors and stares silently into them. There’s no point bringing up how bad it looks because he knows his lover can feel it.

So instead, he just starts sanitizing the wounds before bandaging then.

“Seems like you know more about me then myself.” Builderman snorts.

“Not really. I just pick up the slack you forget about.”

“And that be?”

“You’re going soft.”

“I am not going soft!”

“You are, you even complimented C00lkidd’s shitty drawing!” Shedletsky laughs.

“Doesn’t count.”

“You gave Noob an entire lesson on taping.”

“That was.. a necessary thing.”

“You’ve been spending hours in the garden with Two Time without kicking them out.”

“Well-“

“And you’ve been having honest to god conversations with 7n7!”

Builderman just sighs.

“Look.. it’s kinda nice you know? You’ve been, relaxing almost?” Shedletsky continues to bandage his back, focusing on the slow and careful motions, “It’s nice to see you not so pent up all the time. You’re allowed to be soft sometimes, to, let people in. Trust me it scares the shit outta me too.”

Shedletsky finished tying the fresh bandages.

“Just.. I’m happy for you okay?”

“I think.. I’m happy fer myself too.” He can’t help but crack a small smile.

…

Noob was alone. Because in this world, somehow they always ended up alone.

They had seen Builderman and Shedletsky briefly but, those two seemed deep in a conversation that shouldn’t be interrupted. So, they just copied the winged man’s sword and left. Now, they were walking. It was to nowhere in particular just, lurking for any signs of anyone else.

That sign comes when they see Jason approaching.

They braced for the worst with the sword but, Jason was just walking.

Just staring at Noob, it felt like he was staring into their soul.

His weapon was lowered, no attempt to attack.

“Hi..?” Noob’s voice is quiet.

Jason gives a small wave.

“It’s.. been a while since we spoke last..”

Jason nods.

The two look at each other. 

“We.. were the first. Hard to ignore each other.” Noob shrugs, lowering the sword.

Jason lets out a soft laugh.

“Man, those days were.. Different. Just a cat and mouse chase. Now I gotta worry about magical entity creatures.. Well not as much anymore. But, it was just us for.. So long.”

It’s a soft silence. The two end up drifting closer, sitting next to each other in the long grass, weapons discarded to the side in a moment of respite.

“Do you.. Remember when Guest first came?”

Jason nods.

“You seemed.. Scared. We.. we know why now. The others told us all.”

Jason flinches back.

“We, don’t really mind. If you were born a Bacon it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.”

Noob can tell what he wants to ask.

“Guest is neutral. He’ll be okay with you.” Noob gives a soft smile.

He watches Jason nod before he slowly, takes his mask and hood off. It reveals a crooked smile and messy brown hair atop his head.

His face is scarred, something terrible obviously having happened. But Noob knows better then to push farther.

“Well.. then Chance. He.. kinda scared me at first. Don’t tell him that.”

Jason giggles.

“I get the whole adrenaline thing, hell I used to do urban exploring but that level is, insane.”

Jason twirls his finger next to his ear.

Noob lets out a soft laugh.

“They.. made sure I finally wasn’t alone.. Then, John came and, you weren’t alone. Though, I guess we were never alone. Even if it was in a kinda fucked way, we kinda.. Had each other?”

Jason gives a smile, obvious that behind his eyes he’s thinking about that day.

“Then, Two Time came crashing in and uh, you know what? They scared me more than Chance.”

Jason quickly nods, a shivering rolling up his spine.

Noob snorts, “You and me both.”

“But then.. I guess it changed. All those people.. We spent a long time with them. It was rounds upon rounds between them. But then, Elliot came. Then, five rounds later, C00lkidd did. Dusekkar, Noli, Taph, they all came.. Faster then before but they blending in quick. And then.. 007n7.”

Jason tilts his head.

“Elliot, refused to talk to Seven at first and was the one who was willing to tell everyone about.. What happened. The two have made up since then but yikes.. That was.. Rough. It got worse when Shedletsky and one round later, 1X appeared. And then even worse when Builderman did. Like, really worse. I think Builderman almost killed Seven on sight.”

Jason gives an almost, dumbfounded expression.

“Shedletslky and Taph stopped him luckily but man, it used to be so so tense there.. But, then.. No one else came. For a long while. I guess, we all got used to each other. Grew to tolerate each other’s company. And then.. We grew to enjoy it? At least I did.”

Jason nods along, seemingly agreeing with his own killer cabin situation.

“Then all of a sudden we got more killers..” Noob sighs.

“Mafioso, that was rough. Sixer, that one was rougher, least for me. And Azure, that was just… a bloodbath. For rounds after rounds. Was he.. That pissy back at your cabin?”

Jason rapidly nods.

“Good to know.”

It’s quiet once again, Noob only breaking it after a few moments.

“Some.. strange part of me might miss this.” Noob sighs, “Not the uh, death part but.. The company? Back in reality I.. after Sixer got lost, I really wasn’t close with anyone.. ‘Cept Veeronica. But, she was in university, living life. And I.. have I ever told you how I ended up here?”

Jason shakes his head but, seems happy to listen now.

“I.. was at a party. I.. popped a few Xanax but it wasn’t like I hadn’t done it before. I just scored some from someone at the party so I thought they would be fine.. They weren’t fine. I was.. God.. I was throwing them up three minutes later in the bathroom. I-I still can’t stand throw up because of it. But.. I.. I didn’t make it out of the bathroom. I-I just couldn’t breathe and.. I-I think I passed out and I-I didn’t wake up.”

They feel Jason place a gloved hand on their shoulder.

They turn and see Jason offering a hug.

Noob accepts, falling into his arms.

They stay like that for a minute before Noob pulls back, deciding to give an offer to Jason.

“Do you.. Did you want someone to help get that knife from your arm?”

Jason’s eyes go wide and he almost falls back.

“It’s, it’s okay if you don’t, just, um, that has to hurt.”

Jason nods slightly in agreeance.

“Maybe we can try and get it out and then.. Ask Elliot for some pizza?”

Jason seems pleased with that idea.

He seems to take a deep breath before taking Noob’s hand and leading it towards the blade’s handle.

Noob wraps their hand around.

“You ready, you can cling to me or bite down on something if you need.”

Jason puts part of his thick jacket in his mouth before giving a thumbs up.

Noob has to take a deep breath before they do it.

But with one swift motion, they yank the blade out, book falling to the ground.

Jason screams in clear agony at the motion, but afterwards? Jason looks almost relieved, body slowly relaxing despite heavy pants.

“You, you alright?”

Jason just gives a smile and a thumbs up.

“The survivors won.” echoes through their minds once again.

When they appear back in the cabin, everyone sees two brand new faces.

Jason and Mafioso.

All don't pay much mind to the fact the demon in charge just sent two killers at them at once. That's not important anymore considering there's only one left.

1X immediately slaps the back of Mafioso’s head on their way to throw his arms around Jason, “JASON! GOOD TO SEE YA!”

“UNCLE JASON’S HERE?!?!” C00lkidd practically rolls into the kitchen, half tripping as he enters.

Jason gives the kid a smile and wave.

“UNCLE JASON!!” C00lkidd hops the table, almost tackling him to the ground.

As that unfolds, Noob finds that book in their hand, must have touched it before they were teleported.

They don’t really want much to do with it though so, they silently slide it over to Dusekkar who gives a thankful nod. That all happened as Sixer was already clinging to their side, muttering apologies about not finding them within the round.

“Looks like you’re good on your word for once.” Chance scowls at Mafioso.

“When am I-”

“IF you cause any trouble I am revoking your toilet paper privileges.” Elliot states coldly.

Mafioso gives a terrified look, quickly masked by standing up and saying, “I’ll be  on the porch I need a cigar.”

“You got about five minutes!” Builderman calls out, putting his sweater on.

He himself drifts over to a cabinet in the corner and pulls out the pain meds, quickly downing three pills dry.

With that call, everyone else seemed to remember their shortened time.

Survivors quickly scattered from the dining room, off to try and do as much as they could before the next round.

It left Shedletsky, 007n7, Builderman, Dusekkar and Guest 1337 in the dining room.

“Plan for Noli?” Shedletsky asks.

“Whatcha mean?” Builderman asks.

“Like, to get him to stop killing us.”

Everyone left in the room looks at each other and then at Shedletsky.

“Am I.. missing something?”

“Yes.” Dusekkar scoffs, “You very much are an ignoramus.”

“What the fuck does that-”

Builderman lets out a sharp groan as he stands back up, Shedletsky immediately shutting up and rushing to his aid.

“Builder, are you good?” 007n7 asks, attempting to stand but ultimately being stopped by a hand on his shoulder from Guest and what can best be described as a doctor’s glare from Dusekkar.

“I.. I hafta to tell y’all somethin’.”

Chapter Text

“Noli.” the voice echoes through his mind.

“Yes?”

“Were you aware of Mafioso’s plan to betray us?”

“No Spectre sir.” he hums, riffling through cabinets as he tries to throw something together that has a decent amount of protein in it.

He also can’t help but grab a few other things along the way.

“You have about four minutes before I send you in.”

“Mhm.”

“Aim for Builderman’s back.” He orders.

“Will do.” Noli tries to decide on eating a PB and J sandwich or just eating globs of peanut butter.

“Can you focus you wretch?” The Spectre scoffs.

Noli decides on just the peanut butter, “I would love to but, I got about three minutes before I need to run for about three hours. I would like something in me beforehand so I can do that work for you.”

“Just take it with you.” the voice sighs.

“Aight bet.”

“I need you to crush them underneath your thumb Noli. Do what you do best.”

“Alright.”

“I enjoy that you keep going for that ex of yours first. Keep doing that, make him suffer. Make Guest 1337 feel weak.”

Noli just nods, “As I have been I will continue.”

“Elliot and Chance are also continuing to be, disgusting.”

“Whoa, you homophobic?”

“No, just a hater.”

Noli did not expect that.

“Okay, what do you want me to do about that?”

“Tear them limb from limb. Preferably let Chance mess up more and more in front of Elliot.”

Noli is pretty sure Elliot finds that attractive but he neglects to mention that fact.

“You want me to do same for all the other lovers I assume?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sending you in now. Good luck Noli. Make me proud.”

“I always do.”

…

“Are you sure he’ll come here?” Dusekkar asks, “ Seems like a stretch with consequences severe.”

Builderman seems to be looking around at the room, seemingly figure out a plan if things go awry.

“Yeah, it’s one of our normal meeting spots.” 007n7 sits on a crate, Guest sitting on the ground, leaning back against it.

Just as that’s spoken, the door to the building is kicked open, “RAHHHH PREPARE TO DIE!”

Three survivors jump back, 007n7 just stares blankly.

Noli snorts, “Y’all actually thought I was gonna do shit?”

He digs his hand into the peanut butter and pulls a glob out, shoving it in his mouth.

“Good to see you Noli.” 007n7 snickers.

“I see you brought friends.” Noli hums, walking closer, tossing 007n7 a bag of poutine flavoured chips he seemingly produced from mid air.

“Fuck yeah.” 007n7 mutters, quickly ripping them open and starting to eat them.

“Well docs, free for you to uh, do your thing or whatever.” Noli briefly turns to Builderman and Dusekkar.

He then turns to Guest, “And Boobs? Just keep sitting there and lookin’ pretty for Seven.”

007n7 gets his first rush of energy in days, “THAT IS RESERVED FOR THE CHAT YOU BASTARD-”

“Have ya seen the rack on him?! Of course I’m gonna say something, you could use those pecs as a shelf!”

Guest just slowly pulls 007n7 back into a seated position before muttering, “I’m choosing not to dignify that with a response..”

“Sorry..” 007n7 can’t help but apologize for Noli.

“How about we just get started.” Builderman groans, pinching the bridge of his nose and bringing up the admin panel, “Show that damn star.”

Noli produces the Void Star and Dusekkar immediately steps forwards to inspect it.

“My magic should be able to stabilize the weapon, although maybe just for a brief second.”

“Right. Give me a second to boot it up.” Builderman starts to type.

“They’re gonna separate your code from the Void Star’s.” 007n7 explains, “Then uh, well we’ll see what happens.”

“If ya get the wretched code out of my system I should- HOLY FUCK ON MY FUCKING NAME-” Noli suddenly groans out, clutching his head as Builderman enters the first part of his program.

“I-I was gonna say.. I should be able to control it myself!”

Guest is the one to catch Noli as he falls to his knees, he trades places with the man, leaning him against the crate while he himself stands up.

“Sure bud.”

“I mean he is a demi-god. He probably could. Why’d you’d-”

“YOU TWO NEGLECTED TO MENTION THAT FACT ANY SOONER?!?!” Dusekkar screams.

“We thought you all knew!” Noli defends, “Oh my god can’t we just move past that, yadayada I’m the demi-god of chaos, who cares.”

“I hate my fucking job.” Builderman scoffs, activating the next part, which causes Noli to slouch back completely, almost going paralyzed.

The program forces the star to appear in Noli’s hand.

Dusekkar knows well enough to use his small amount of magic in his reserves to freeze it in place.

Builderman executes one more piece of code, that causes the corruption on Noli to begin retracting away, him turning back to his form that once was. Espresso skin regrowing over once tightly wound muscle. Dark straight hair is regrowing as well. Joining it are proper clothes and instead of the mask being fused to his face, it just rests upon it, just like it once was.

It doesn’t look painless though, Noli letting out heavy shallow breaths.

He doesn’t complain though, not for a second.

When it ceases, Noli grabs onto the void star, before launching it away out the door.

“What the fuck-” Builderman is interrupted.

“It’ll come back in like, three years.”

“Great.” he grits his teeth, “I already regret saving you.”

“Damn.” Noli snorts, “Relax we probably got a couple hours with each other tops.”

“Whatever..” he scoffs.

“Hows.. your back?” Noli quietly asks.

“How do you-”

“Spectacle kept telling us to go for it, seemed real proud of his work. If you need, now that the star’s gone I should..” he brings up a purple and black exploiting panel, “I might be able to help a bit I shouldn’t be as locked out…”

Noli quickly types away, obviously a bit rusty but, within a few minutes, both Builderman and 007n7 feel slight relief from their ailments. It’s not perfect, both are definitely still in pain but, it should be enough to get them through the final stretch.

“You know, if it was gonna be that easy why’d ya two make us wait.” Builderman asks.

Noli takes a breath, “As.. stupid as it sounds.. I wanted to make sure the others got out first.”

But, with that, they hear a voice in their minds, “The survivors won.”

The table was becoming more and more crowded in recent times.

It was official, everyone was here, everyone was finally a survivor.

Most people didn’t spawn on chairs anymore, just standing up.

That included Noli and 1X.

1X immediately ran over to Noli and leapt into his arms, “FUCK YOU’RE FINALLY HERE!”

“Good to be here!”

Noli slowly lets 1X down (whilst still holding her) before their tension snaps, Noli dipping 1X down into a deep kiss since he finally has the lips to do so.

As Mafioso looks away, semi-disgusted by the sight, he turns to the board and he sees, a list of rules.

“Uh, that’s fuckin’ new.” he slowly points to the chalk board.

Everyone slowly turns, seeing that writing on the board. All the once drawings and stupid notes were now erased, left was perfectly clean handwriting almost etched into it.

It read: 

RULES FOR NEXT ROUND

Since you all want to get out so so bad

1. Everyone must be there.

2. Kill them all.

3. Fix all the generators.

4. Make it to the hatch.

5. Escape.

Anyone who dies will be kept as such.

Bad luck.

- The Spectre.

“Well that’s concerning.” Chance is the first to speak.

“What’s with the red writing on everyone?” Noob was right, everyone was written in a bright red colour.

007n7’s face goes pale, “C00lkidd..”

“Seven did you save a copy of my freeze code?” Builderman asks.

“Yes.”

“I did too.” Noli raises his hand slightly.

Both quickly enter their variants of that code, hoping it holds off that round long enough for some sort of plan to be made.

“MEETING IN THE COMMON ROOM MOVE YOUR ASSES!” Builderman orders, “EXCEPT ELLIOT AND CHANCE, DO WHAT YOU DO BEST.”

“Be gay-”

Elliot lightly taps them on the back of their head, “Make food idiot!”

“Oh yeah. What temperature do we cook those pre-prepped pizzas again?” Chance asks.

Elliot sighs, “c’mon.. I’ll show ya..”

The two enter the kitchen as everyone else filters into the living room.

People scatter onto the two couches. Azure and Two Time take the armchair as it seems they have not stopped touching since the end of their round. Though again, that was probably about two hours time so, who’s to say anything.

Guest managed to save a spot on the couch for 007n7, forcing him to rest as he leaned over him behind the couch.

Mafiosi tried to sit on the couch but 1X actually shoved him off before ultimately letting the more worn out John sit there.

Shedletsky was sitting at the front, right next to the fireplace. Obviously ready just in case Builderman stumbles.

Others were scattered around in various places. Some paced, some sat, Taph being Taph, laid across the entire coffee table. 

Duesekkar sat where his head laid, using the moment to start to finger coil Taph’s curled hair for the ex-cloaked man.

“I presume we all saw that list. We’ll tackle it one by one.”

1X snickers softly.

“First is.. the everyone must be there.” Builderman sighs before locking eyes with 007n7, giving him the silent permission to speak.

“It.. obviously means C00lkidd. Someone will need to be clinging to him so he gets teleported in guaranteed and then.. whoever spawns near him I’ll tell him to stay with. Please at least get him to me, I’ll keep him safe, I-I just-“

“Seven you’re not the only one who’s gonna protect that kid til the end.” 1X states.

Jason rapidly nods in agreement.

“Fucking hell if we won’t make sure he makes it out okay.” John scoffs.

“Where is he anyways?” Noli asks.

“Most likely upstairs on the balcony listening in.” 007n7 states.

They all hear quick feet scamper off.

007n7 goes to stand up, but Noli does first. Guest nudges 007n7 back on to the couch with a surprising casual strength that makes the ex-hacker blush.

“I’ll get him.” Noli smiles as he starts to walk up the stairs.

“Anyways, if any of you spawn by C00lkidd, he’s your priority. You can pass him off if need be but skip out on the gens in the meantime.” Builderman states.

Everyone nods in agreement.

“He may be a little shit,” Builderman sighs, “But he’s our little shit.”

“UNCLE NOLI?!” They all hear from upstairs.

“IT’S ME YA LITTLE RASCAL!”

A few moments later, Noli comes back down the stairs with C00lkidd over his shoulder.

“Dad uncle Noli is okay!” C00lkidd giggles as he wriggles his way free from his arms.

“Yeah, he’s alright now bud.” 007n7 smiles.

“When we get out of here, can we see them all again?!” C00lkidd asks, rushing up to 007n7.

He briefly looks past his son, at the four ex-killers.

All are giving him thumbs ups and nods.

“Of course C00lkidd, you’ll get to see them again. Honestly Noli doesn’t know how to leave me alone.”

“Hey!”

“Back on topic.” Builderman states, “Anyone wanna take a guess at what kill them all means?”

“OOO! OOO! ME ME!” C00lkidd raises his hand.

“Yes kid..?”

“Minions! I love my minions maybe it’s minions!”

“That’s.. Surprisingly not a bad idea.” Builderman nods.

“You all know the drill then, at least the regular sentinels do. And 1X who still has that bloodlust of theirs.”

“I call it passion.” they scoff, crossing their arms.

“Call it whatever ya want.” Builderman waves her off.

“Obviously next is fixin’ gens but, Imma throw my own rule in there.” Builderman states, “Guest, Two Time, 1X, y’all are banned from doing gens. Would ban Shed too but he does ‘em too fast for him notta.”

Shedletsky finds himself almost blushing at the compliment.

“Also Azure, don’t touch the gens.”

“HUH?! WHY?!” he shouts.

“If yer anythin’ like that partner of yers, you’ll be shit at it.” Builderman sighs.

“Fair, that’s fair.” Azure leans back in the chair, pulling Two Time back closer to their chest.

“Elliot and Chance are also barred but I’ll-”

“What about me? Elliot asks, popping out of the kitchen (Chance close behind), “Pizza’s in the oven has about ten minutes left.”

“You and Chance are not allowed to do generators.”

Chance pumps his fist, “Fuck yeah.”

“Sorry El, we need healing if that last note’s true, one last overtime rush. Chance, keep him alive and not self-sacrificing, Elliot, make sure Chance doesn’t kill ‘emself. Do what ya do best, be gay.”

“Will do!” Chance salutes.

“Yeah what he said.” Elliot snorts.

“What’s the hatch?” Shedletsky asks from behind Builderman.

“Great question.” he sighs, “Probably a within the round question but, most likely uh, somewhere on the ground. I’m guessing we need to take the minions and gens out first before that.”.

“From that last one point on the board, you’re most likely right.” Guest adds.

“That’s what I was leanin’ to, yeah.” Builderman nods.

“Elephant in the room. That death one.” Noli states bluntly.

“No one’s allowed to die.” Builderman orders.

“Yeah, that’ll work asshat.” Six scoffs.

“This needs to be the cleanest round we’ve ever played.” Shedletsky stands up, “No pressure but, you need to be at the top of your games.”

“We don’t know what we’re up against..” Noob mutters.

“Stop bein’ so negative.” Guest snorts, “Noob we both have faced new enemies just fine.”

“We’ve all played hundreds of rounds, on both sides of the fight.” Builderman presses his hands to his hips, “All y’all know what ta do. Just play yer game.”

“What happens when we get out?” Noob is the one to ask, “I.. uh.. Nevermind..”

The room goes quiet.

“Are we all..?” Builderman’s voice trails.

Everyone knows the implications and everyone realizes at the same time, they never had this conversation.

They’re dead. They’re all dead.

It’s a silent agreement to that fact.

Everyone is broken out of their own self-pity when they see that look C00lkidd is giving his father, one of genuine questioning and concern.

007n7 just gives him a soft smile reaching over and ruffling his hair, “I’m okay.. Don’t worry.”

“Do we.. stay dead?” John breaks the silence.

“Not on my watch.” Builderman scoffs.

“We’ll probably end up back wherever we were.” Shedletsky adds.”

“That’s the smartest thing you said in years..” Dusekkar mutters.

“What happens if we.. died somewhere bad..” C00lkidd murmurs.

“Where.. Did you die kiddo..?” 007n7 asks softly.

“It was a dark and scary alley.. Between our house and the park..” 007n7 can’t help but silently be relieved it wasn’t somewhere worse.

“I’ll come get you, don’t worry. Is it the normally scary alley?”

C00lkidd nods.

“Then I’ll be there.” 007n7 smiles.

“But-” 007n7 gives Shedletsky a glare.

“Hey C00lkidd, wanna help Chance and I take the pizzas out so those two can talk?” Elliot immediately steps in.

“Okay..” C00lkidd murmurs, heading towards the kitchen.

When he, Chance and Elliot step back in, Shedletsky can say what he wanted.

“You died in a forest.”

“That’s right by my house. I’ll be fine, I can get to him.” 007n7 states.

“Are ya sure ‘bout that?” Builderman asks.

“Yes. I will get to him.” 007n7 states.

Builderman sighs, “Contact us if you need help.”

007n7 nods, “I will.”

“Okay.. the rest a ya, anyone somewhere where they might need help, no shame in askin’.” Builderman looks around.

“Bottom of a pit.” Six slowly nods, grabbing onto Noob’s arm who gets the hint and intertwines their fingers.

“Yeah, someone will come fish ya out.” Builderman nods,

“Can it involve an actual fishing rod?” Six snorts, trying to lighten the mood.

“Shed! Bring a fishing rod when I throw ya down the pit!”

“ME?!”

“You can fly yer fine!” Builderman scoffs, “Anyway, next up?”

“I’m voicing my opinion that Two Time and Azure need help.” Dusekkar states.

“Huh?” Two Time tilts their head.

“The issue of the violence of that cult would cause most of us to yelp.”

“Didn’t that bastard prophet kill you?” Azure questions, “You might end up right next to him again.”

“Oh.” Two Time looks down.

They think back, they would end up there. But, they didn’t want to think about how the prophet would react to someone genuinely coming back. Wait, Two Time was in the church. THe fucking church. Who knows who would be there.

“My apologies to ask, but may someone come pick me up?” Two Time shudders.

“I will rescue you from their thrall.” Dusekkar states, “Azure, meet us within their walls.”

Azure nods.

“What about you though..? Are you in a safe enough spot to be able to do so?” Two Time questions.

“I died in my bed, right where I laid my head.”

“HA! Bro got jumped in his sleep!” Shedletsky laughs.

“SHUT UP YOU IGNORAMOUS!” Dusekkar shouts, “I COULDN’T DO ANYTHING IN MY SLEEP YOU FATASS!”

“That barely rhymed.” Shedletsky scoffs.

“Uh, are you going to be able to save me.. What situation are you in?” Six asks.

“HAHA!” 1X laughs, “DOG, I GOT HIS ASS!”

“Stop calling me dog.” Six sighs.

“Oh, so you really can’t be saying anything asshat.” if Dusekkar could smirk right now, he would.

“Ugh.” Shedletsky scoffs.

“Back on topic.” Builderman pinches the bridge of his nose, “Who’s next?”

“I might be okay but, I could just a lift from where I died. Unless it was rebuilt up.” Guest slowly raises his hand, “I can hold out for a bit but I, sorry I don’t feel like walking home unless I have to.”

“I can come get you.” Builderman nods, “Last time I checked it was still a deadzone.”

“Thank you Builder.”

“I mean I was in a forest but I know my way out, walked through it tens of times.” Chance hums as he enters the room, carrying two pizzas.

C00lkidd chases him, one in his arms.

Somehow, Elliot follows carrying five.

Everyone takes a good moment to fight over slices, all having barely eaten over the past few days. Not enough time between rounds to do so.

“Everyone else think they’re good?” Builderman asks, already eating his second slice.

A wave of agreement rolls through.

“God.. I can’t wait to get back to my house and my own bed..” Noob murmurs.

That causes Taph to completely sit up straight, eyes wide.

“Fuck.” Builderman curses under his breath.

“What, what- oh shit.” Shedletsky realizes.

“Okay raise your hand if you have a place to go after this.” Builderman sighs.

All but 1X, Jason, Azure and Two Time do.

“Okay Chance, Noob, Sixer, 007n7 and C00lkidd, put your hands down.”

“WHAT?!” Chance pops up, almost dropping his pizza slice.

“007n7’s home is gone now too?” Dusekkar translates for Taph, solemnness in his voice.

Builderman just nods.

Taph bonks Dusekkar on the arm, signaling him that his sign might get quick.

He then turns to Noob and Chance, “I’m so sorry we destroyed houses of those who were missing with no next of kin I didn’t think anyone would come back I’m so sorry I didn’t mean anything I, oh by the gods Taph, breathe and slow down.”

“It was my orders. Take any frustrations out on me, not Taph.” Builderman states.

“Okay but how do you know I don’t have a place?” Six asks.

“Oh c’mon, we all know yer moving in with Six again after this.”

“Okay, yeah.”

“Did you guys say my name.. Like I expected you to say my name.” Elliot murmurs, finally taking a sliver of a slice after everyone took theirs and their seconds.

“Your father.. He wouldn’t let us.” Dusekkar translates.

“Yeah.” Builderman sighs, “I sent Taph to demo your house then, your father showed up and refused to leave the porch. Taph called Shedletsky and I ended up tagging along. Yer dad.. He, he just screamed for us to leave, that you would come back, insisted you were missing and that you were stronger than we thought. He, was one of the most grief-stricken men I’ve ever seen. Last time I checked, it’s still untouched. He refused to sell, saying it was.. His son’s and that his son worked very hard for it.”

Elliot finds himself burying his head in his hands, Chance slowly rubbing his back.

“He loves ya kid.” Builderman states, “He really loves ya.”

Chance just rubs Elliot’s back. They can tell the man is ready to shatter completely but is holding everything back in front of the entire room.

Elliot just nods.

“If anyone needs then, they can always stay with me.” Elliot pulls his hands away, tears practically forcing themselves back into their ducts.

“Can.. I? I know we just started dating but uh.. At least until I get back on my feet..” Chance starts, “Nevermind, no pressure-”

“Of course.” Elliot interrupts, “You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you..” Chance smiles, “Though, uh, I kinda wanna crash in my childhood bed for a night after this.”

“Oh thank god me too.”

“1X will be staying with me.” Noli states.

“REALLY?!” they look like an excited puppy.

“Obviously.” Noli rolls his eyes.

“C00lkidd and I can get a hotel room, I should be able to scrounge enough cash to get an apartment after.”

“You will when you start your work as an admin.” Builderman states.

“Wait, what?” 007n7 blinks.

“It’s an offer. You know way too much about programs for it to go to waste. If you’re interested of course. No rush on your answer, it’s just an offer.” he speaks, “We’d love ta have you helping us, at least part-time and even just if ya want behind the scenes program work. Congrats, you can officially become the third co-worker I tolerate."

“Can I use the C00l.gui? Because I stole Shed’s program once and it was,” he covers C00lkidd’s ears, “A piece of fucking shit.”

He removes his hands as Builderman speaks, “Well Shed’s is a bitch baby program because if I gave him a full one he’ll get stuck on what FOV is. But, yeah, go ahead. I’ll just uh, make sure it doesn’t flag our systems.”

“I’ll think on it.” 007n7 nods.

“I can set Two Time and Azure up with a place, I would like to keep an eye on them and their space.” Dusekkar hums, nudging Taph back down on the table, continuing his fingercoiling.

“We aren’t HOPELESS!” Azure shouts.

“Do you know what a microwave is?” Elliot blinks.

Both just turn to Elliot, “Or at least.. How to cook? I’m taking silence as a no by the way. Let the man help you for a bit,”

Both cave under Elliot’s natural immense pressure and nod.

“Six and Noob can crash with us?” Shedletsky looks to Builderman.

“Yeah, I got an in-law suite for my non-existent in-laws you can use until yer good on yer own.” Builderman nods, “Shed’s gonna sleep on the couch.”

“HUH?! WHAT?!”

“THAT’S WHAT YOU GET FOR DRINKING MY BEER YOU SKANK!”

“Domestic violence.” Noob snorts, “We’re up to staying with you for a bit, thank you.”

That left one person left, Jason.

Noli stands up and whispers to Builderman, “I love Jason but.. He might need some professional help with things..”

Builderman nods, "I was going to get to that.”

Builderman then speaks clearly, “One more thing. Everyone is getting a physical and mental evaluation before you can go back to work. I’m looking at you Elliot.”

“WHAT?!” Elliot stumbles forwards, “AH HELL NAH!”

“It’s for the best.” Builderman states, “Just clear both and you can go back to your job.”

“God, my dad’s gonna kill me..” he slumps back.

Chance just reaches up to pat him on the head.

“What if we get killed first?” Noob can’t help but ask.

“We all stick to our routines, we do what we all do best.” Builderman speaks.

“Be gay?” Chance and Elliot ask in sync.

“No! Fuckin’ survive!”

And seemingly, on what the Spectre would call impeccable timing, that round began.

Chapter Text

The only one who spawned close enough to get a glimpse of him was Guest 666.

There she saw the figure of a man, body glitched with red and black. He was faceless, tall and lanky. On his head was a top hat that stood tall. 

“The hat man..?” Six blinks.

Maybe they’ve done too many drugs because they could tell this was not in fact, the hat man.

The hat man was on Six’s hear me out cake. This ugly cuck was not.

Six was hidden behind the tree, keeping an eye on the scene while fiddling with a Bloxy cola can just in case.

He watches the man, with a flick of the wrist and a sharp command, “Hunt all the scum down.”

Crackling energy flares around him, other, pun intended, specters appearing around.

Around him appears, eight figures.

Eight black and red, glitched out versions of the once killers in their once more ‘powerful’ forms.

He can’t help but lock eyes with one. That massive beast.

Herself. The ugly, terrifying version of herself.

It seems to see them, immediately launching towards them without a care in the world as the other figures scatter away in other directions.

They pop the tab of the bloxy cola, going to drink it as he runs away.

But before he can press that can go their lips, their knocked forwards.

The drink spills across the ground as Six stumbles back up, running from this shadow. They could feel the blood running from this new claw mark as their feet stayed desperate for escape.

He swung around corner after corner, trying to loose this hulking beast 

She manages to drink one of her potions just before it slashed once again.

That force of the blow still knocked him to the ground despite the stone on his skin.

She rolled onto her back, pushing away from the figure.

The two locked eyes once again.

It’s not like Six hadn’t locked eyes with the killers before. Sometimes with 1X it would be an ever so casual death glare, Noli would sneak  sympathetic eyes and Mafioso always had a look of almost narcissism. But this glare unsettled her more. Her eyes were looking back. There was something uniquely horrifying about facing what you once were, seeing a part of you you never wanted to see again.

Sure, some parts linger, dark patches on their skin, sharp canines, body hair that didn’t grow so easily before, a bad ass jacket and uh.. something not so PG.

But that was supposed to be gone. That snarling beast she became.

And there was something so terrifying about knowing that it was going to kill him.

Six braces for impact, body tending as it raised it’s claw, eye shutting tight not wanting to see the blood that would be produced.

“SIXERRRRR!” They heard a voice call out.

They heard something clash and opened her eyes.

There he saw Noob, blocking the blow with a copy of Shedletsky’s sword.

“YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE ME AGAIN!”

If Six wasn’t so scared right now she would have found that hot.

Oh who he was kidding, that was so fucking hot.

They watch as Noob fights, slowly becoming better and better with that sword overtime.

It all makes her think back to when they appeared. It was foggy but, that day they knew Shedletsky blocked her every blow with his sword before Six managed to finally get him down.

But Six could seemingly take infinite hits back then, this version could not.

And with a stab through the stomach, the beast let out a roar of pain, slowly fading to the nothingness it belonged within.

Noob took a deep breath before turning back to Six and smiling.

“Can we make out right now.” It just slips out.

Noob just laughs, “We gotta at least do one generator first!”

Six pops up, “Fine, but then I’ll bend you over it after.”

Noob goes bright red.

“Oh- uh- um-“

“Hurry up! We totally need to find a generator!” Six had already picked a direction to start walking in.

“Fine I’m coming you perv!”

“Oh please, you love it.”

“Yeah.. yeah I love it.”

…

Taph was pretty good at multitasking. Something about normally managing multiple types of high powered explosives gave him that ability.

So doing a generator while crafting bombs wasn’t hard, it was just frustrating. But he knew Jason needed that aid.

Jason was fighting his own double, machetes clashing on repeat.

The issues arose when, neither could verbally communicate. Taph’s vocal chords never fully developed and Jason, honestly they didn’t know why Jason couldn’t talk it just seemed he could never find any words. So communication was non-existent right now, Taph only able to briefly look up as he tossed his bombs. 

The issue was, the real Jason, the one who had been pulled from his delusions, wasn’t a violent man. This alter of him was. It wasn’t like he wasn’t still strong but hesitation, no, fear, lingered with his eyes.

Despite this, Jason continued to fight on, stopping the dark version from reaching the demolitionist.

Taph tossed another bomb, wanting to help more but knowing the man earlier seemed to assert he needed to finish one half of the gen first.

Taph was trying to connect two more wires when Jason suddenly got slammed back into the generator. He managed to kick off of it but not without rattling both the red box and Taph.

Jason didn’t like this version of himself. He never liked to fight, he never wanted to be in the Bacon Army, he never wanted to become their failed super soldier and he never wanted to end up here. He doesn’t even remember much before the experiments but, he knows that all was true. He also knows, he has two loving parents he oh so desperately wants to see again. That was the reason he never raised his hand back then. He knew exactly where he could go.

But in his way was this. A figure if his former self. This was Slasher, not Jason. This was their murder weapon, not the man who loves hot chocolate. This was the monster, he was the man.

But with every passing moment, that monster was starting to take over.

With ever slash, every blow, Jason was loosing to himself.

Jason was knocked back, his opponents weapon raised, ready to strike.

With a sudden blur, someone leaps out, punching the attacker hard, knocking it back.

There, Jason saw Guest 1337.

The force of the strike had knocked the mask off Slasher. There he stood, no face, only a dark pit.

He wasn’t Jason. He couldn’t never be Jason.

So Jason stood back up, rushing back over to aid Guest in the fight.

As that happened, Taph, finally to his own relief, finished the panel.

He quickly shut it, only to turn and immediately make another sub space tripmine. He makes sure to press onto his necklace, energy flowing with Dusekkar’s enchantment before formed onto the bomb.

He launches it into a near perfect place if not for the fact Slasher had backed up.

Guest say that fact, he grabbed the bomb and launched it at Slasher.

Jason could see he was terrified. It was obvious why.

And Jason wasn’t going to let it happen again.

So just before the bomb went off, Jason tackled Guest out of the blast radius, his own body getting out just a bonus.

In short glimpses both see Slasher burning into a dissolve.

As soon as the entity completely fades, Guest and Jason feel themselves tackled by one more person, a visibly apologetic Taph.

“Hey hey, you’re good dude.” Guest smiles.

Then, Jason gives him a look, one Guest sort of expected.

“You’re.. Wondering why I helped.. Aren’t you?”

Jason slowly nods.

“Jace, we may have been on opposite side of the war at one point but, we’re workin’ together now and that’s all that matters. Your my brother in-”

Jason, once again, tackles Guest to the ground in a hug.

Taph, flops on top of the two.

“Well, also thank you for saving me Jason. Means a bunch.”

Jason hugs him tighter, practically making Guest unable to breathe.

It takes a few minutes before Taph and Jason are willing to let the soldier go.

“I gotta go find seven, are you two good to finish this gen?” He asks.

Both nod, Taph signing, “Go get your man!”

“I can’ understand sign language but I swear Taph if you said go get your man or some shit..” guest grumbles.

Taph just gives him a smirk and shrug, causing Jason to snicker.

…

“Please please please please please.” C00lkidd kept repeating into seeming infinity.

“Shut yer trap I’m trying’ to focus here!” Builderman groans, two wires in his hands.

“But I wanna learn how to fix generators!”

“These things are hot and have sharp edges, not a little kid’s work.”

“I’m ten! I’m not little!” C00lkidd pouts, sitting down next to the crouching Builderman.

“Don’t rush to grow up kid. Being old sucks ass.” Builderman hums.

“But..”

“Let yerself have a childhood. It’s probably the most important part of yer life."

“What was your’s like?” C00lkidd tilts his head.

Builderman tenses up.

He barely manages to catch his breath and speak, “Grew up well off, but my father and mother weren’t great people. You’re lucky you got such a good dad.”

“Oh.. that’s like dad.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t have any grandmas or grandpas because dad said he said they’re not so nice people and he didn’t want them to be mean to me..” he wraps his arms around his legs.

“Grandparents are overrated kid. I think you got a bunch of adequate replacements around ya.” He briefly reaches over to ruffle C00lkidd’s hair.

The child giggles.

“When we’re in a safer scenario, I’ll teach ya some stuff ‘bout mechanics.”

“Really!?!?”

“Yeah. You won’t need me to build that mech for ya, you can build it yerself.”

“You really think I could?” C00lkidd asks.

“Yer a smart kid, of course you could.” Builderman smiles as he shuts the panel, the generator flaring alive. 

C00lkidd springs back up.

“Wanna go find yer dad?” Builderman stands.

“Yes!”

“Well, let’s-“

“I LIKE YOU BETTER SMALL!” They hear a shrill voice shout.

Both crouch down behind the half wall, the two peering over top of it.

There they see Two Time, clashing with someone who looks like.. C00lkidd.

Both watches as Two Time stumbled back at a sudden rush, landing on the ground.

Builderman tried to cover C00lkidd’s eyes (to no avail) as this monster slashed down, cutting through the top of Two Time’s head, splitting it part way.

But, within only a moment, Two Time regains strength, lotus flowers blooming from the wings.

They kick the legs of their attacker before stumbling up.

But, by that point, C00lkidd had already made a whine loud enough for the imposter to see him.

“I-I looked like, th-that?!” he cries as he stumbles back.

“Kid. Summon your sword.”

“I-It burns me I-I can’t-”

Builderman pulls up on his admin panel and types away.

“Trust me. It’ll be okay.”

The monster stumbles up, rushing over.

“DO IT!” Builderman shouts as he executes a command.

The monster leaps over the wall, sword readied into a strike.

C00lkidd listens, gaining the courage to summon his sword once again.

It appears in his grasp, but, doesn’t burn. It doesn’t hurt anymore.

C00lkidd blocks the incoming blow, just like Auncle 1X would teach him.

Builderman uses that moment to throw a wrench at the imposter.

It stumbles back.

C00lkidd uses that moment to jump forwards, shouting a battle cry before stabbing and slashing the double repeatedly. Within a few seconds, it burned into a blur.

“Okay, I think ya got ‘em.” Builderman chuckles, grabbing the kid by the back of his shirt and lifting him up.

“Deuce! Are you okay?!!” C00lkidd shouts.

Two Time gives a small nod, slowly walking over, visibly shaken.

Right on cue, a motorcycle could be heard approaching.

Elliot, with Chance right behind him on the bike, pulls up right behind Two Time.

He summoned a slice in his hand, handing it to the raven haired person.

“Thank you Elliot!” they smile, taking the slice and quickly starting to eat it.

“Just doin’ my job.” he gives a lazy salute, “Everyone else okay-”

“PIZZA GUY I GOT MY SWORD BACK!!” C00lkidd shouts.

Elliot turns and sees that, C00lkidd does in fact, have his sword. It briefly sets ablaze.

“Uh-huh, good for you kid.”

“THAT’S AWESOME BUD!” Chance shouts.

C00lkidd gives a goofy smile, “I KNOW!! I KILLED MY CLONE WITH IT!”

“You,” Chance blinks behind their shades, “You what?”

“Love to chat but, gotta make sure no one.. That everyone who needs it gets a slice. Ciao.” Elliot filters himself before quickly zooming off.

…

Chance wraps his arms tight around Elliot’s waist, humming into the crook of the man’s neck, “We should do this.. Somewhere prettier.”

“My one at home isn’t as fast as this.” Elliot chuckles.

He wasn’t lying, he souped this one up when he was fixing it (and with some extra additives from Builderman and 007n7) and his one back home, was pretty much just moped.

“I’ll buy you another one.” Chance hums ever so casually.

“Whatever rocks your shit.” Elliot snorts, used to their partner ever so casually flaunting their wealth.

Chance had already been talking about all the ways he was going to spoil Elliot when they got out of here. Elliot always insisted all he needed was their company. That, always made Chance beet red levels of flustered.

Elliot would definitely not say no to a new motorcycle though.

“Any yellow yet?” Chance asks.

“No, still in clear.” Elliot states.

“Can’t something interesting happen?”

“Well, if ya look ahead, seems like it might.”

“Hm?” Chance does so, looking forwards and seeming a black and red figure, looming in a fedora.

“How is Mafioso’s clone uglier than him?” Chance snorts.

The figure charges forwards and Elliot manages to swerve out the way.

Chance almost stumbles off but Elliot reaches a hand back to make sure they stay on.

Elliot rushes by Mafioso, getting Chance to hold his knife out, which they do.

It slashes Mafioso as it drives past, causing Chance to laugh.

As Mafioso stumbles, Chance looks at Elliot, “Vehicular manslaughter?”

“You had me at manslaughter.”

Elliot revs his engine before driving forwards, headfirst into the Mafioso clone.

On impact, he starts to vanish, Chance and Elliot driving through in puff of smoke.

Unknown to them, Mafioso was watching this scene from the corner he was smoking (hiding) in. 

He would never admit this but, as long as those two were together he would have NEVER went after Chance. They were.. Terrifying.

He just sighed, glancing at the generator next to him. Maybe he should actually do that.

Meanwhile, Elliot and Chance spoke as they kept driving.

“Hey, I’m thinking of quitting gambling.” Chance hums.

“Really?” Elliot asks, “Good on you.”

“Think I’m gonna do one last victory lap when I get back and then, uh, god.. This is embarrassing.. Try addiction therapy?”

“I’m proud of you.” that’s all Elliot can say.

“I’m.. proud of myself too.” Chance smiles.

…

You think Shedletsky would have gotten better at fighting 1X but no! They had to be a thorn in his side!

One sword clashed on two as Shedletsky fought this altered version of 1X. The normally green parts had turned red but more eerily, it didn’t speak. It didn’t chide Shedletsky, insult him, or even just complain about their situation.

It was quiet. And Shedletsky was not used to him being quiet, back when she was a killer and even with their reformed self.

So the only sounds being metal scraping and feet dragging on the dirt was.. strange.

Shedletsky launched another sword beam forwards. Even with his wings having returned, he still felt them glow as he casted it.

I the white energy slammed into the imposter, making him stumble back.

But it was returned with twice the fury, 1X launching forwards.

Shedletsky found himself taking the slash on his non-dominant shoulder. It would be easy to shrug off if it wasn’t for that sudden queasy feeling due to the poison tipped blade.

He staggered back and in that morning, a blast shot out from the side, knocking 1X into a summersault.

Shedletsky turned his head and saw, standing there with staff extended, “M-Matt?”

That all seemed to piss the clone off, the fake 1X quickly climbing back up before charging Dusekkar.

Shedletsky stepped in the way, using his sword to block as he suddenly felt a veil of energy be formed around him.

It caused their strike to bounce off and it gave Shedletsky the opportunity to counterattack.

As the two continues to move in their attacks, Shedletsky could feel the energy around him the entire time.

“Kill that foul beast already!” Dusekkar shouts.

“I’M TRYING!” Shedletsky yells back.

“TRY HARDER!”

“I’m going up!” Shedletsky briefly crouches before using the force of him pushing back up to spread his wings and take flight.

Dusekkar’s shield only briefly falters before returning.

He flies around the fake for a moment, causing a mini whirlwind that sends them off balance.

In that stub, Shedletsky plunges the sword forwards, stabbing them through their skull.

The entity slowly fades away into nothingness as Shedletsky lands softly on the grass.

“Happy?” He puts his hands on his hips, looking at the pumpkin headed man.

“Yes. One step closer to getting this wretched pumpkin off.” Dusekkar scoffs.

“Aren’t you like, supposed to wear it all the time anyways.”

Dusekkar would blink if he could.

“I am going to formally request a month break from it.”

“Good on ya. But what if they say no?”

“I’ll kill myself.”

Shedletsky, body tensed up, wings stiffening.

“Right, sorry, my apologies.”

“It’s fine, I’m fine, don't worry.” Shedletsky attempts to shake it off.

“It’s okay if you are not. You witnessed something.. horrid.” Dusekkar places a comforting hand on the taller’s shoulder.

“I.. I think that whole psych eval thing.. might be good for me.” That’s all Shedletsky manages to say.

“I think it would be good for the majority of us. Though, it’s shocking an admin would admit that about themself.”

“Hey!” he defends, “We’re not THAT bad.”

Dusekkar just loudly sighs before turning and walking away.

“HEY DON’T LEAVE ME HERE!” Shedletsky chases after.

…

“Wait, you don’t know what a phone is?!” 1X laughs.

“In my defense I spent my childhood in a forest!” Azure shouts.

The two (mainly 1X) decided that the best time to have this conversation was while in combat with a fake John Doe.

1X could barely pay attention to the fight while Azure could just rush around, creating nightshades on the ground that every so often, trapped and lashed at the imposter.

“What else don’t ya know about?”

“HOW WOULD I KNOW THAT YOU IDIOT!”

“Okay whatever.” 1X rolls her eyes, “How about cars?”

“I’ve.. heard of them.”

“Have you.”

“Yeah they’re like, better donkeys.”

1X snorts, “Picture Elliot’s bike, but more boxy. And with four wheels. And seats like a couch and armchairs.”

“Does it go as fast as that monstrosity?”

“God, you two are the fucking same.”

“Me and who?” Azure asks, pulling up into a tree as they create another seed in their palm.

“You and Two Time. They complain all the time about having to ride on Elliot’s bike!”

“Oh yeah, I guess.” Azure nods, remembering how queasy Two Time looked after they got off Elliot’s bike before they apologized.

“Are cars a mandatory thing?”

“Depends on where ya live.”

“I would prefer if it stayed consistent. Like flowers.” Azure scoffs.

“Since when were flowers consistent-” 1X freezes, which immediately gets punished by Doe clocking them in the face.

Azure doesn’t even notice that, leaning back on the tree, “Well, whenever there’s an issue, there’s an obvious cause. Something simple to pinpoint.”

“A LITTLE HELP?!” 1X shouts, briefly being pinned by Doe.

“You are fine.” Azure waves him off, “Flowers are simple. They grow, blossom and die.”

1X kicks him off.

“WELL,” A breath, “Sounds like life too.”

“Flowers don’t feel love.” Azure deadpans.

“But isn’t love so much fun?” 1X can’t help but smile.

“Do you.. Love.. Noli?” he speaks in almost a whisper.

“Well.. honestly? I never really.. Figured out what love feels like yet. I think I know but uh, who knows?” they hum.

“Well, it feels.. Messy? You care so much through everything and all. No matter what happens, you want to, be next to them. To hold them close. You want them to succeed. You hate watching them fail. I’m.. not the best myself. Two Time was always better with words, at least speaking. Would tell me.. How the sky bends for us, how we’re stars in the night. How I am the most beautiful person they ever met.”.”

“That sounds like.. So much? I’m.. not ready for that yet.”

“No one said you have to be.” Azure hums, throwing another flower onto the ground.

Doe catches his foot on it, the vines wrapping and yanking him down.

1X uses the moment to deliver the final blow.

The imposter fades away into nothing.

“You think.. Noli will be okay with that?”

“Ask him, not me.”

“I will.” 1X affirms, “Once we’re out of here at least. I’ve been told I have bad timing, so I uh, probably shouldn’t confirm that.”

“Understandable.” Azure climbs down from the tree.

As he passes by the bloomed flower, he pats it on it’s vine in a thankful gesture.

“Let’s go find them all though!” 1X smiles.

“Why not.” he shrugs, “Let us do it.”.

…

At this point, fighting was hard on John’s body. He still had some of the old code inside of him sure, but it was faint. That code was all that kept him that strong before.

Now really without he, had to rely on a diminished strength. Well, there was something else too.

John attempted to block one of the fake Azure’s blows with his non-existent arm.

He was greeted by a blow to the top of the head, knocking him off balance.

He manages to pop back up again.

Azure was barely taller than him normally but, up on their tentacles he was massive.

Five foot eleven to six foot or something similar.

Since his time as a killer, John had spent most of his time avoiding combat, instead using his walls as a defensive measure to cover others and allow escapes. He originally tries to fight but it, really did not work out well. Mafioso just coldly stabbed him through the gut. In hindsight he should of expected it but hey, that’s life.

John stomped his foot, a row of spikes extending from both sides of it.

‘Azure’ just attempted to climb over it originally but, he watched as their pitch black tentacles burned on contact, a cry of pain as they fell back down.

It gave John a moment to catch his breath and attempt to start to think of a semblance of a plan. Okay it was mainly catching his breath. Clone Azure was fast. Not quite as fast as the real Azure could be but still light on their feet.

Suddenly, John was shoved and pinned to the ground. A tentacle wrapped it’s way around his head, starting to bash it onto the dirt, over and over.

Slowly, it slithers to his neck, wrapping tight and holding him up.

He feels that fogginess in his mind forming. God, it was oddly familiar. The slight hum of a silent mind. He felt it when the code would take over. His mind went blurred, as it went right now.

Was this it? 

At least he finished a generator for them all.

His head hurt, it felt like blood was trickling down. Limited oxygen was going to his brain as that tentacle continued to tighten, threatening to crush his windpipe.

Breathing was impossible at this point. Through pain and strangulation it forced it to be so. His eyes were going hazy, he swore he could feel blood vessels burst as he desperately tried to claw out a breath.

But John Doe was a stubborn man. A stubborn man who needed to see his wife again.

And luckily enough, people were rushing to his aid.

Noob tossed their sword to an invisible six.

He slid on his knees, slowly revealing as he slashed at the back of the imposter’s knees.

The attack made the tentacle let go.

As John hit the ground, Six popped back up, chugging down a slateskin potion just in case.

She tosses Noob’s sword back as Noob was already pushing closer to John’s aid.

John, still gasping for the breath he lost, slammed his fist onto the ground.

A spike shot up from underneath the imposter, completely impaling the red and black figure.
They turned into nothingness within seconds.

That gave Noob and Six the opportunity to reach John’s side.

He could feel someone rubbing his back as he tried to catch his breath once again.

It was another fight he was winning.

“Here, I copied two slices off Elliot, take them.” Noob extends out.

John manages to pull off his hands and knees to just his knees in order to take the slices.

He eats both at the same time and is thankful when it brings relief to his throbbing head.

It definitely was not perfect, or the healing of one of Elliot’s own slices. But it did the job which is really all that he could care for right now.

“Thank you both.” he finds his breath returning, taking deep breaths to calm his shaking nerves.

“No problem.” he hears Noob chirp, “You had yourself in a pickle there.”

“I would call it a conundrum.” Six adds.

“Do you know what that word means?” Noob raises an eyebrow.

“Hey! I may be a stoner but I am an intellectual stoner.” Six scoffs.

John just lets out a genuine belly laugh, “Y’all are an interesting bunch!”

“And we will continue to be.” Six pats him on the back, “But to experience the majesty of that we’ll need to escape first.”

“Then, let’s do that.” John stands up.

The other two follow.

…

“Surprised y’all didn’t figure this one out before.” Noli snorts, using a new program he created to automatically piece together the generator.

“Well I’m sorry if I was busy suffocating.” 007n7 sighs

“Consequences of that smoking habit.” Noli snorts.

“Hey I kicked that years ago!”

“Why? Feel like I know the answer but I’d like to hear it.”

“You know how fucking EXPENSIVE diapers and formula are? I had to choose one over the other and I went with keeping C00lkidd fed and clean.” 007n7 scoffs.

“But now you got some bitchass lungs.”

“And you got a fucked up liver.”

“You have that too.”

“Fuck you’re right I do.” 007n7 realizes.

Both see a red and black, half and half, figure on their left.

“Oh my god fake me, can’t you see we’re having a conversation?” Noli sighs.

007n7 grabs a pipe that was laying against the wall.

“Kay. Give me a minute I need to take my anger at you for ditching me with a child out.” 

As 007n7 approaches the evil, he can’t help but call at him, “Hey I thought you forgave me for that!”

007n7 ignores him, instead lunging at the figure and knocking it to the ground. He then starts to beat it over and over and over again. It actually bends the pipe.

“Hey is everything-” Guest walks over, only to cut himself off at the sight.

“That could be you if you break his heart.” Noli can’t help but snort.

“Shut up, you’re worse than Chance.”

“It’s a pastime.” he waves him off.

‘We're not together by the way.”

“I give you two three months after we get out.” Noli rolls his eyes, “Anyways-”

With one last shout and smash, the fake Noli vanishes.

007n7 slings the pipe over his shoulder before walking back over to the two.

“Oh hey Guest, you doing alright?” 007n7 smiles.

“Y-yeah, I’m great. Happy you’re okay and all.” Guest blushes.

“DAD!” a squeaky voice calls out.

C00lkidd rushes over, grabbing onto his father’s legs.

“Oh thank god.” Guest and Noli catch him sighing with absolute relief before he crouches down to C00lkidd’s level.

“Hey kiddo! I’m happy to see you’re okay.”

“I got my sword back!” he smiles.

007n7 looks over the child’s shoulder at the approaching Builderman.

“In my defense, thought he needed some self defense.” he shrugs.

007n7 just gives a tight-lipped smile.

The generator behind them all flares to life.

The message in all their minds is almost synchronous.

“Find the hatch. I will be hunting.”

“It looks like everything’s done.” Builderman quickly pulls up his panel. “I’ll look for a new hatch type thing now.”

Two more panels appear, Noli and 007n7 doing the same.

“Looks like it’s at zero-zero.” 007n7  hums.

“How did you- that fast-” Noli tenses.

“Okay. How’d we tell everyone else that?” Guest asks.

“I’ll message Shed, maybe he can fly up.”

…

“Hold on I got a message from Builder.” Shedletsky hums, freezing in place to pull up his admin panel.

“We need to find the hatch though!” Two Time whines.
Dusekkar just grumbles in annoyance.

“It’s at zero-zero. What’s that again-”

“The center of the map, you idiot.” Dusekkar scoffs.

“Oh.” he blinks.

“TO THE CENTER!” Two Time shouts, running in (surprisingly) the right direction.

Dusekkar and Shedletsky briefly glance at each other before following.

…

Jason and Taph stare at this new object within the ground. It’s just a metal hatch, casually in the grass.

Taph obviously wants to open it while Jason, is visibly terrified at the idea.

“Good to see ya both still kickin!” Builderman shouts from behind, approaching with a few others.

“Great to still be kicking! Found a neat hatch on the ground.”

“Yeah, figured it would be here, we should get it open and then-”

“BUILDER I GOT YOUR MESSAGE I USED MY ADMIN PANEL!” Shedletsky rushes over, obviously proud of himself.

“You were the last one here.” Builderman scoffs, obviously just empty words.

“Fashionably late per always.” he smirks.

“Taph, craft a bomb.” it was always right back to business with Builderman, “Seven, can ya manipulate an explosion to show coordinates.”

“I can try.” 007n7 hums, sitting down and pulling up his panel as C00lkidd immediately goes to lean against him.

“Shedletsky you’re gonna need to drop the bomb mid air and detonate it.”

Shedletsky blinks, “Right. Yeah, that’ll go awesome.”

Builderman slowly grabs his hand, rubbing a finger on his knuckles, “Look yeah, you can do this. You’re the only one I would trust ta. Even if someone else could fly.”

Shedletsky takes a deep breath, “Alright. I got this.”

“Don’t worry, I can detonate it remotely using Dusekkar’s magic.” Taph sighs before saluting, “Just drop it like a stripper Sheddy!”

“I like that idea.” Builderman winks, knowing most there didn’t understand what was said.

Shedletsky goes red, “ALRIGHT I’M GONNA GO UH, DO THAT NOW!”

Taph mimes a snicker before handing him the bomb, Shedletsky taking flight right afterwards.

Up in the sky, he drops it. Taph detonates it. And finally, with a bit of finagling, 007n7 gets it to spell out “0,0”.

As Shedletsky lands Builderman speaks, “Now hopefully-”

The conversation is interrupted by a highly distorted glitch sound.

“Pains in my side.” the new voice scoffs.

All turn and there they see, a glitched out black and red figure with a tall top hat.

C00lkidd is the first to physically react, stumbling backwards and away, “DAD H-HE-”

“I’ll kill you again for your defiance child.” it speaks.

“AH HELL NAH!” Shedletsky draws his sword but, then catches out of the corner of his eye Builderman and Taph making similar movements.

Neither could ever place who exactly killed them. They now knew why. It was practically a bug in the system that did.

Taph immediately constructs a bomb and launches it at the figure, it explodes, knocking it back.

“HEY I WAS GOING TO MONOLOGUE HOW DISRESPECTFUL!” it scoffs.

‘FUCK YOU AND YOUR MONOLOGUES YOU PIECE OF SHIT YOU MADEME THINK I DESERVED TO DIE YOU FUCK!” Taph signs rapidly.

Meanwhile, Guest was trying to pry open the hatch.

Within a second or so, he found C00lkidd next to him, using the tip of his sword to nudge it open just enough for Guest to get a good grip.

“NO!” the being shouts.
Guest yanks it open, a void of white with blue next revealing itself.

“YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO ACTUALLY FIND IT!”

“You underestimate us.” Noli scoffs.

Suddenly another figure rushes up.

But this one was less important, it was just Mafioso.

He immediately jumped into the hatch, “I’M OUT OF HERE! GOODBYE YOU DISRESPECTFUL RATS!”

Builderman and 007n7 look down the pit.

“I don’t think he died.” 007n7 hums.

“Okay who’s next?’ Builderman asks.

The being screams before suddenly charging forwards, arm elongating a grotesque manner.

But Shedletsky uses his sword to block the strike.

“C00lkidd! Bud ya gotta go in!” 007n7 calls out, deciding to be selfish.

“Yer goin too.” Builderman scoffs.

“Don’t worry about me.” 007n7sigths.

“I’m not leaving without you dad!” C00lkidd pouts.

“Okay fine I’ll see you all on the other side.”

And with that, C00lkidd cannonballed in before, 007n7 gave Noli and Guest two very different smiles before stepping in himself.

“Two-”

“Not leaving without Azure.” they scoff.

“Jason then.” Builderman hums, already starting work on a sentry above the hatch.

Jason gives a nod.

He takes a moment to breathe in and then out before with a smile, stepping into the pit.

Those close by could swear they heard a shaky and quiet, “Th-thank yo-you.”

Taph briefly presses his forehead on Dusekkar’s.

“Go.” he signs.

“You positive?" he confirms.

Taph nods.

“See you on the other side, my love.” Dusekkar hums before getting shoved into the open hatch by Taph.

Taph immediately turns and joins Shedletsky’s fight, aiding in his own destructive support.

“Okay Guest, you’re next.” Builderman states.

“I’m able to fight and help-” he goes to run but Noli grabs him, 

“NOPE YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE SEVEN!”

“Soldier. You’re officially relieved of your duties.” Builderman smiles, “Enjoy your retirement. The admins will finish this.”

“Fine.” he sighs.

He walks towards the pit before clutching his breast pocket and stepping inside.

“You hiring me as an admin like you are Seven?” Noli snorts.

Builderman stands up only to kick him in the pit.

“I REGRET NOTHINGGGGG!” he shouts as he falls.

Builderman then goes back to the sentry, finalizing the last pieces.

Two Time stands guard, dagger drawn and eyes sharp.

Shedletsky was having the fight of his life.

Taph was helping sure, but this was, intense.

This being was powerful, fast and intelligent. It could put up a fight.

Shedletsky could really only get hits in when Taph managed to lay traps.

It was slash after slash, explosion after explosion.

“CATCH!” Shedletsky hears a voice shout.

He lifts his hand to find a sword perfectly landing within his grasp. One that was a shining green.

“GIVE IT BACK WHEN YA GET OUT FATASS!” 1X laughs.

Azure rushes up close behind but, when they see Two Time he moves faster, passing 1X with ease.

“Azure!” Two Time shouts, wrapping their arms around the taller.

“Nightshade.. Shall we exit this horrible realm?”

“Oh, most definitely.”

Two Time pulls him closer to the pit but not in.

Two Time instead, jumps in themself signaling their lover to follow.

Azure smiles as he does.

1X, briefly pauses to ask, “C00lkidd, Noli, Jason and John make it in?”

“Three outta four, John hasn’t shown face.” Builderman states, firing up the sentry.

So, 1X just uses her remaining sword to tip the bullets with poison. 

As they do so she squints a mutters, “Wait is that the bastard who killed me?”
Sheldetsky is almost hit by a strike but, in the nick of time, a  spiked wall appears.

“NO!” the being cries out.

John, Six and Noob rush over.

John is completely winded with Six and Noob both still seem to be on guard.

“BALDY!” 1X smiles before tackling John into the pit.

“JANE I’M COMING!” he shouts as he falls.

“You two next.” Builderman orders.

“Don’t you need help-”

“Shut up, I still need to make out with you get in the hole.”

“That’s what she said.” Noob snorts.

Six lefts out a laugh as well before pressing her lips onto Noob’s.

The two fall, intertwined, into the hatch.

“Now where are those two-”

The loud sound of a motorcycle approaching could be heard.

Meanwhile, Taph got hit, letting out the faintest whimper at the sudden strike.

He stumbled off balance, landing on his butt.

Shedletsky managed to get in front of him to block the next blow with his own frame.

At that point, Builderman got out his trusty hammer and rushed over to help, bashing the being on the kneecap.

“AH MY FUCKING KNEE!” it shouted, stumbling backwards.

Meanwhile, Elliot and Chance whirled past.

Elliot tenses up a bit at the sight of the being.

They hopped off the bike, letting it soar past as they landed next to the hatch.

Before they go in, Chance sees the strange being trying to grab Builderman.

Chance quickly whips out his untrusty flintlock, taking the shot.

Instead of blowing up, it flies straight through the entity's skull.

“ONE LAST LUCKY SHOT!” they laugh

“DUMBASS GET IN THE HOLE!” Elliot shouts, “HE’S NOT KILLING YOU TOO!”

“WAIT DID HE KILL YOU IS THAT WHO DID THAT-”

“GET IN THE PIT!” Elliot orders, “WE’LL TALK LATER!”

Chance goes to but freezes, only to quickly turn and grab Elliot, “I’m not leaving you alone to do something stupid, we go together!”

“Ugh, fine.” Elliot scoffs, summoning slices of pizza and tossing them out to the three with surprising accuracy.

Chance yanks him into the hatch, both falling together, both calling out to the remaining three, “DON’T DIE!”

All three use the being’s frozen agony to quickly eat their slices.

“Taph first!” Shedletsky yells.

“AGREED!” Builderman shouts, dodging a strike with a tumble backwards.

Taph seems to protest but, it’s cut short when they both yell, “GO!”

Taph relents, making a break from the pit, leaving one last explosion in his wake.

He jumps in, eyes forcing the two to promise to follow after.

And, due to that massive explosion that knocks the entity into a daze, they can.

Shedletsky runs first, helping Builderman up along the way.

Builderman summons his panel, typing a command he’s wanted to for what feels like years now.

Shedletsky is in first, yelling out, “BURN IN HELL YA TOP HATTED BITCH!”

Builderman follows right after.

Maybe if he was a better man, he could come up with a better final insult.

But Builderman was simple.

“FUCK YOU CUNT!”

With that, he executed the command. A permanent ban.

As the entity started to disappear with a drawn out scream, Builderman shut the hatch and fell through.

He didn’t know what was on the other side, no one did. But they all jumped in knowing that risk. They all knew it would be better than here.

They also trusted, they would all see each other on the other side.

…

Builderman blinked, quickly sitting up.

He was in an alleyway. That alleyway. The alley the Spectre cornered him in.

“Holy shit it actually worked.”