Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was more cold than Itrapped had bargained for, but it was bearable. He was ascending up the staircase to some kind of balcony. He was supposed to meet someone there. He remembered how the snow fell as he looked up at the sky.

“Itrapped!”
Just as he predicted. The moment Itrapped arrived at the top, someone called out to him, their voice as cheerful as Itrapped could remember.

“Hey Chance.” Itrapped greeted back, walking towards to the balcony railing where Chance was leaning against. Chance smiled and offered him a drink, which he gladly accepted.

“So…” Chance started, “Anything new happened?”
Itrapped glanced at him after taking a sip of the whisky he offered.

“Not really. Just the same as ever.”
“Hmm…alright then…”

Itrapped tilted his head a bit, he had a feeling Chance wanted to say something.
”And…how about you?” He asked.

“Me? Well, it’s just the same with the casino!” Chance laughed. “But if we’re talking about luck…” the gambler slurred slightly, maybe the alcohol was already getting to him. Typical.

“I’m lucky to have someone like you.”
“…Of course you are.”

Itrapped was already used to these kind of words. Chance would say it- drunk or not. 
Chance just chuckled, leaning closer to Itrapped. They could smell a whiff of Itrapped’s perfume.

“…You smell nice.”
Itrapped scoffed, “Do you even hear yourself right now?” …But he would be lying if he said that didn’t made him blush.

“Mm…no…but you do…” Chance was really onto him now.
“Don’t try to flatter me.” Itrapped said, looking away.
“‘M not trying to.”

Chance was getting a little restless, so was Itrapped. The icy prince also leaned a bit onto the gambler, realising how warm he was.

“…You feel warm.”

Chance grinned idiotically, wrapping their arms around Itrapped’s waist as they leaned against the railing even more. 

“Really? I have a way for us to be warmer.” 
Itrapped could see where he was heading, “Huh? What is it…mind telling me?” 

Is it just Chance’s drunk brain, or was Itrapped leaning towards him even more?

“Ehh…maybe in my room. Hm?” Chance said, his breath softened as he saw Itrapped’s blush.

Itrapped didn’t mind this. Maybe. Just maybe…he could hold onto this for a while.

.

.

.
.
…Itra…

.

.
…Itrapped?

“Itrapped!”
The said person snapped out of his daze, shaking his head as he looked at the person calling them.

“Oh…sorry Nate.”

Ellernate sighed, concerned written all over his face.
“Are you alright?”

“Yeah…” Itrapped mumbled, fixing his hair. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well- you’ve been acting differently since you freed us from that…hell.” Ellernate tried to dismiss the Banlands out of this, “Is there something bothering you…or…?”

Itrapped waved his hand in dismissal. 
“No. Nothing’s bothering me whatsoever.”

Ellernate didn’t want to press it on any further. Maybe he could just wait until Itrapped opens up himself.
“Okay…but if you need anything, me and Cal are here.”

Itrapped nodded, smiling at him. “Yeah…right. Thanks.” 
“Speaking of Cal…where the heck is he? I thought he just went to buy a drink.”

“I mean…we’re supposed to lay low, so he’s probably trying to hide his face or something.” Ellernate said, leaning against the bench they were sitting on. The three of them have a possibility of being in the Admins list after Itrapped took them from the Banlands. They could be anywhere. Such a nuisance.

Itrapped hummed in agreement, when suddenly a news flash appeared on the big screen on a building. 

“…recently, the owner of the popular casino, Chance [REDACTED] has presumably gone missing since Wednesday night. Police are investigating whether he’s dead or alive. Witnesses last seen him at the back of the casino…”

“Woah, Wednesday night?” Ellernate muttered, “That’s the same night you freed me and Cal…”
Ellernate turned to look at Itrapped again, but he was just staring horrifically at the giant screen where they had placed a picture of Chance.

“Itrapped??”
“Oh!” Itrapped shook his head again and awkwardly smiled at Ellernate. “Uhuh? What is it?”

Ellernate frowned, “…You’re spacing off again.”

Itrapped bit his lips.

They can’t know.

“I’m…I need to go to the bathroom. Mind waiting longer?” Itrapped asked as he stood up, looking around for a public restroom.
Ellernate was confused but nodded anyway. 

“Sure…I’ll just tell Cal if he gets back before you.”

Itrapped quickly muttered ‘Thanks’ before heading off to find the nearest bathroom.

His head hurts. He felt dizzy.

Itrapped was hunched over the sink, washing his face in hoping it would ease his headache. It did. Only for a bit.

When he stood straight to look in the mirror, his mind went back to the night he killed Chance.

He can still remember the way their blood had stained his suit.

He can still remember how Chance had screamed in agony when he stabbed right through his stomach.

He can still remember Chance’s weak plead. How he begged him to stop.

He can still remember how they mustered up all of his energy just to say ‘I love you.’ before going lifeless.

Itrapped gasped as he backed away from the mirror, the ringing sound in his head growing more louder.
He can feel himself shaking.

No.

Not again.

Itrapped groaned, his hands clutching his hair. Pulling them only seemed to make it worse.

His thoughts were soon cut off when he heard his phone ringing. Caleb. Dang it.
Itrapped quickly composed himself and picked up the call.

“Hello?”
“Trap? Where the fuck are you??”

“Didn’t Nate told you I’m in the bathroom?”
“For 10 minutes??”
“Fine. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Itrapped hanged up and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He should be more consistent when he was gonna have to excuse himself to the bathroom.

Chapter Text

Itrapped was tired as fuck. 
All Ellernate and Caleb did was yapping about stuff the three of them did in the past. And they were laughing about it. 

Loudly.
He didn’t know when he became so sensitive to loud noises.

“Oh! Remember when that fatass chicken guy- I forgot his name…anyway, remember when he missed his sword slash on us and in retaliation, he threw a piece of chicken wing at us??” Caleb grinned, unable to hold in his laughter. Ellernate seems to be the same as well.

“Ohhh! I wonder if him and his wife have divorced yet?” Ellernate snickered, “I wouldn’t stay with someone like him if I was his wife.”

Itrapped was getting irritated. Aren’t they supposed to lay low??

“Can you two shut up??” 

Ellernate and Caleb stopped talking and turned to Itrapped with a surprised face. Itrapped widened his eyes in realisation and hid his face behind his hair.

“Sorry. Old habit.” When he had to listen Chance talk about himself.

“Huh? What kind of people were you around with when we were gone?” Caleb asked, usually Itrapped will join in the conversation. If that was his case.

Itrapped didn’t answer. Both of his friends decided not to question again. Maybe he had a reason.

“We…we should hurry back. Admins are probably around the area by now.” Itrapped stated, walking faster to walk in front of them.

“Ah…alright.”
Both Ellernate and Caleb shrugged. He was probably just trying to keep them safe.

By the time they got to their rented house, (“…Why is this house under the name ‘Kelp Mcgill’?” Ellernate asked, looking at the guilty looking Itrapped.) Itrapped didn’t stick around his friends for long. He immediately went into his room, shut the door and plopped straightaway onto his bed.

Sigh. That was tiring.
Since when did he lose so much stamina?

He probably has some time to get a bit of shut eye. Itrapped looked at his phone, which the lock screen had a picture of a black rabbit. 
Huh. The rabbit looked familiar. 

Before Itrapped knew it, he accidentally fell asleep, dropping his phone in the process.

It was warm outside this time. Chance had invited Itrapped over to their house to show him his pet rabbit he always talked about. Like, how his mom got it for him when he was little…maybe. He didn’t remember that part. To be honest, Itrapped was just expecting a small, cute, mini rabbit.

“So, this is…Spade?” Itrapped asked, looking judgingly at the giant black rabbit. Chance laughed at Itrapped’s expression, petting the rabbit’s black fur.

“Yep! He’s my little baby!” Chance smiled at Spade, the rabbit just sniffed his fingers in respond.
“If that’s your definition of ‘baby’…I don’t even know what you call actual babies.” Itrapped frowned.

“C’mon Trap, pet him!”
“…No.”
“Pleaseeeee??”
Itrapped grumbled, “Alright, alright.”


Chance beamed and picked up Spade, he didn’t seem to have a problem carrying that big rabbit. They held Spade out to Itrapped, and he reluctantly- slowly, petted him.

Oh.

“…His fur feels kind of nice.”
“See? Wanna feed him next?” Chance put Spade down and handed Itrapped a celery. Itrapped hesitantly took it and nudged it at the corner of Spade’s mouth.

Spade opened his mouth willingly and Itrapped threw the celery in it, dusting off his gloves.
“Ew. His mouth stank.”
“Of course- he doesn’t like it when I try to brush his teeth.”

Chance took Itrapped’s hand and guided it to Spade’s nose. The colossal rabbit sniffed and then rubbed against it. Much to Itrapped’s disgust.

“Awh! He likes you!” Chance said as Itrapped pulled his hand away.
“Gross…what’d you do that for??” Itrapped glared at him.

“Lighten up Itrapped- it’s not like he was gonna eat you!”
“Can he though?”
“He’s a rabbit, he’s herbivorous.” Chance sounded like he was stating something obvious. He was.

Itrapped looked away. He wasn’t really fond of animal. Most of them stank and eat too much. 

“Yeah…I knew that.”

Chance chuckled and patted Itrapped on the back.
“Maybe you should show me your pet too!”
“…I don’t have one.” Itrapped sighed.
“How about we find you one?”

“No. I don’t want one.”
“Awh. Bummer. Not even a fish?”
“No.”

When Itrapped woke up, it was already dark outside. That was when Itrapped suddenly remembered something. 

Wait, what time was it? He picked up his phone from the floor and checked the time.
11: 27 pm.

Damn it. He forgot to feed Spade today. He could just sneak out quickly and come back. Yeah.

Itrapped just put on a scarf and peeked out of his room door. The house was empty. Ellernate and Caleb are probably asleep by now. He quietly closed the door, headed to the front door and did the same, making sure not to make a single sound.

Once he was outside, he walked towards the direction of Chance’s house. It was a drag. He didn’t wanna go there. But someone has to feed that animal.

Itrapped arrived and climbed into the window like he always did since the day he killed Chance. He couldn’t go through the front door. Taking his house keys would just raise suspicions, especially to the people who always saw Itrapped with Chance.

Itrapped looked around the house, going to the kitchen and taking two carrots from the fridge. This should make up lunch and dinner.
He then went to Spade’s cage, seeing the rabbit was completely normal. He opened his cage door and stared at the giant rabbit for a few seconds.
If only animals understood when their owners went missing. There’s a possibility he did understand, but wasn’t showing it.

“Here.” Itrapped whispered to him, handing the carrots to the rabbit. “Have this.”

Spade chowed down onto the carrots like a beast. It disgusted Itrapped a lot.
Chance would laugh about this, he thought.

As if sensing what he was thinking, Spade looked straight up at Itrapped and it creeped him out.

“…What?”
When Spade continued staring at him, Itrapped frowned. “Don’t look at me like that.”

His eyes reminded him of Chance. He would smile with those big dumb, dark eyes of his.

Thinking about that made his frown softer. He petted the colossal rabbit and muttered an apology.

“I’ll buy you something more appetising tomorrow, alright?”
The rabbit was probably happy about it, because Spade nuzzled against his hand. Itrapped pulled away out of fear and sighed. 

“You gotta stop doing that.”
Spade’s nose twitched, maybe he was mocking him. Stupid.

Just like his owner.

Itrapped turned to leave, not before looking back at Spade and then went out through the window. He made sure to look like nothing happened, using his admin panel to lock the window from the inside.

As he was walking back to his house, he noticed a few police cars were heading towards the city. Something none of his concern probably happened.
Just like he did when he was going out, he sneaked back into his room quietly. Breathing deeply in relief once he was sure he went inside unnoticed.

Itrapped threw himself onto the bed again, landing on his stomach. 
He turned on his phone, looking at the lock screen again. 

It was a photo of Spade and them. Chance had begged him to change it into that picture. 

…

Why was he thinking of him??
He should probably change it back.

Itrapped turned onto his back, staring up at the ceiling as he put his phone onto the bedside table.
He could give Spade out to a random pet centre. And just tell them he found him at a road side or something like that.
But for some reason, something nudged him to not do that. He didn’t know what it was.

He’s being sentimental again. 
He turned to his side and tried to go back to sleep, hopefully being able to forget everything once he wakes up again.

Chapter Text

The trio decided to stay at home, well- Itrapped was the one who wanted to anyway. ‘Better safe than sorry’ they say.
Ellernate was laying down on their couch, just scrolling through his phone mindlessly. He groaned a few minute later, turning to Itrapped who was sitting beside him while reading a book.

“C’mon Trap! Can’t we just go out for an hour??” Ellernate pouted. Itrapped looked up from his book and narrowed his eyes.
“No. This is the third time you asked me now.”

“But!-”
“No is no, Ellernate.”

Ellernate rolled his eyes and went back to his phone, scrolling through it again.
Itrapped knew that his friends weren’t the type to stay indoors all day, but he doesn’t want to risk them getting caught again.

“Hey Cal!” Itrapped called, his head moved a bit to see the kitchen doorway. Caleb came through wearing an apron and holding a spatula.
“What is it?”
“Is the food done yet?”
“Well…yeah, but you have to wait for me to serve it.”

Itrapped nodded and continued reading his book.
It wasn’t really his book actually. Chance let him borrow it. 
That idiot seems to know what type of genre Itrapped liked. 

Shaking his head to stop thinking about him, Itrapped bookmarked it and placed it on the coffee table after closing it. He went to the kitchen and saw Caleb carefully placing a few grilled sandwiches on a plate.

“Sandwich?” Itrapped asked, catching Caleb’s attention.
“Grilled cheese sandwich.” Caleb corrected him, finally putting the last sandwich on the plate. “Alright, lunch is ready!”

Ellernate immediately rushed to the kitchen, scaring Itrapped. 
“…It’s just grilled sandwich. No need to be like that.” He murmured. Ellernate ignored it and just took a sandwich, taking a bite out of it right after.

Caleb laughed while Itrapped looked at him with disgust. Normal people don’t eat like that, right?? They aren’t animals for goodness’s sake.
“Well, Trap? The food isn’t gonna eat by itself!” Caleb noticed Itrapped’s expression, offering the plate to him. Itrapped looked at it and took one sandwich hesitantly, taking small bites out of it.

They were talking for a bit while eating, sitting on the couch. Itrapped just stayed silent and listened. He didn’t know why he’s doing it, he wanted to talk as well. But sometimes he just listens to other people without himself realising it.
That’s when they heard a knock at the front door.

“I’ll go get it.”
Itrapped got off from the couch, slowly opened the door and was surprised to see a towering figure wearing all black with a fedora. And there were 4 other people behind them.

“…Is there anyone you need to see or…?” Itrapped asked, he was starting to feel like this person felt familiar.
The figure frowned, “Don’t play coy, Itrapped.”

Itrapped shivered and his face went deadpanned, realising who it was.
“What do you want, Mafioso?”

Mafioso laughed mockingly, his voice sounding rough from who-knows-what.
“We need to ask a few things.”
Itrapped looked over at his friends, who were still on the couch, but they were looking back at him.

“What’s wrong Trap?” Ellernate was still munching on the sandwiches, “Who’s that?”
Itrapped scowled at Mafioso and turned back to his friends with a smile.

“I’ll be back. Only for a few minutes.”
“I thought you said we can’t go outsi-”

But Itrapped was already gone.

Itrapped lead Mafioso and his goons to the side of the house, crossing his arms once he fully faced them.
“Alright. Spill it out.” He demanded. Itrapped clearly didn’t want to see anyone associated with Chance right now. “What’d you wanna ask about?”

Mafioso stared directly into Itrapped’s eyes, making him feel closed out.
“Chance. We’re going to ask about Chance.”

Itrapped froze, making sure it wasn’t noticeable.
“If you’re gonna ask where he is…I don’t know either.” Itrapped lied, but he didn’t want to show any signs of it.

Mafioso squinted his eyes, as if trying to look through his soul.
“Uhuh? You were the last person to have supposedly seen him.”
Itrapped looked away, “Like I said, I don’t know. Last time we hang out was on Tuesday.” (It’s Sunday.)

The mafia probably didn’t liked that answer, because he snapped his fingers and his one of his goons moved to stand beside Itrapped. “Contractee. Show him.”

‘Contractee’ nodded and pulled out a tablet, opening a video recording of some kind of cctv footage. Itrapped looked at it and he nearly stopped breathing.

It was the last recording of Chance.
Behind the casino. 

With Itrapped.

The footage showed that Chance had followed him into a secluded alleyway, Itrapped checked around them after Chance had followed him to that alleyway.

Itrapped went quiet. What the fuck should he say??

“So?” Itrapped looked up at Mafioso, who was now looking at him dangerously. “How about that? Anything to say?”
“I…that- that’s not me.” Really Itrapped?? That’s all you could answer??

“Oh, really?” Mafioso half laughed.
Itrapped nodded slowly.

There was a really long pause, before Mafioso sighed.
“Yeah. I figured.”

Wait…what. Itrapped was confused. He actually bought that??

“People these days disguises as other people to frame them of murder. I would know that.” Mafioso gestured Contractee to get behind him again.
“Yeah…right.” Itrapped shakily replied, he’s still processing this stupid information.

“Sorry for wasting your time.” The mafias turned around to leave. “Chance’s mom should contact you once we find him.” 
And they were gone.

Itrapped stared off for a few moments. Wow. He nearly got caught.
He breathed deeply before going back inside, seeing Ellernate and Caleb waiting for him at the door.

“…What happened back there?” Itrapped could hear Caleb asking while he turned his back to close the door.
“Nothing…much.” He answered blankly. Both of his friends were not convinced. 

“Look. Itrapped.” Ellernate’s tone wasn’t friendly at all. The icy prince turned back to his friends, his face matching Ellernate’s tone.

“You’re definitely hiding something from us. What’s gotten into you lately??”
“It’s none of your business.” 

“I’m tired of that answer Itrapped!” Ellernate was starting to get impatient. 
“I thought we share everything?! Just- cut the crap and tell us!”
Caleb was holding one of Ellernate’s arm, making sure he doesn’t start a fistfight and his face was a bit scared.

Itrapped stayed quiet, staring at his friend with half guilt half anger.
“At least be grateful that I got you both out of that mess of a hell.” He spatted. 
“That has NOTHING to do with what I just asked you!” Ellernate yelled, seeing how his friend dismissing his question makes him feel even worse.

“You guys don’t-” Itrapped was starting to lose the words he wanted to say, hesitating slightly. “You don’t understand what I just went through just to free you both!”

Ellernate widened his eyes and frowned. He turned his back on Itrapped and stormed off into his room, slamming the door. Caleb looked at Ellernate’s room door before turning to Itrapped, who was gazing at the floor, not wanting to look at him.

“Trap…” 
Itrapped finally looked at Caleb, guilt written on his face. He noticed it and he sighed. “Look…I’m just as desperate as Nate. And he’s right. Something’s not right with you.”

Itrapped shook his head. 
“None of it is your concern.”

Caleb watched as Itrapped walk into his room as well.

He didn’t liked how Itrapped said it.

Itrapped laid down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He wasn’t planning to tell his friends at all. What if they see him as some kind of monster? The three of them had promised that whenever they make these ruckuses, they wouldn’t hurt anyone. It was inhumane to do that. But he did what he had to do. They would understand if he explained it properly, right?

No. They wouldn’t.

Thinking about this made his head hurt.
Most of all, he feels like passing out.

“Hey Trap?”
Itrapped turned to the voice, his expression softened as he looked at him. Chance.
“Your old friends…are you guys close?” Chance asked. Itrapped thought for a bit, then he quietly sighed.

“I guess…we are.”

Chance walked in front of him, giggling and turned around while walking backwards.
“How about us? Are we close?”

Itrapped paused, his gaze suddenly turned serious.
“Whatever you want to think, dear.”

The gambler got giddy, their eyes shining as bright as the sun.
“Awwh! I love you too darling!”

…Itrapped wanted to vomit.
“Yeah…”

But half of him liked this. It disgusts him. So, what’s gonna happen to that half once he kills Chance?