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Scott wasn't expecting it to hurt so much when Jimmy didn't say "I love you" back.
Sure, he knew that it wouldn't feel good. No time when love wasn't reciprocated back was a good time. But he wasn't expecting it to hurt like this, and he wasn't expecting it to happen with Jimmy, of all people.
The avian was a great partner. Had been since Third Life. He was never sure of himself, in words, at least, which Scott found adorably enamoring. What he was sure of, though, was his contact. Hugs, kisses, caresses, ruffling Scott's hair and holding his hand. He was kind of clingy, if you cared about that (which Scott didn't, not in the slightest.) He was quick with the "I love yous" as well, once Scott said it first.
They hadn't really got married in Third Life, that was just a bit and somewhat flirting on Scott's part. It had worked, shockingly, and throughout the games they got closer and closer until both seemed to realize they were head over heels for each other.
Maybe it was just this round. Scott knew better than anyone that the games changed who you were, how you acted. Your soul's formation at its very core. This game was no exception, either, so maybe it was that. He and Martyn were already showing the effects: there were purple bruises all across Martyn's skin, small pieces of coral breaking through the thinner parts of him. Scott could breathe underwater, gills across his throat and scales decorating his arms, legs, and ribs in sparkling siren patches.
But it couldn't be the changes Jimmy was upset about, because he had them too: blond hair slicked back, brown eyes sharp, wings ruffled slightly and fit through the cutouts in his leather jacket. He was still Jimmy, of course, still adorable and clingy, but as the games went on he was also… meaner. Rougher. Angrier, like it was Scott's fault they were all here. Which was bullshit, and Jimmy should know that, but still. Scott worried.
It couldn't be the changes, Scott reasoned. And it wasn't about him and Martyn, either. Was it? Their relationship had always been open, and since Double Life they'd both had eyes for other people. Namely, Tango and Martyn. Jimmy being jealous of the opportunity that was teaming up with Martyn wasn't Scott's fault, and he shouldn't get blamed for it.
For Scott, Double Life had been a fling. Something to forget about the situation with Pearl. And Martyn had been right there, and he was trying so hard to be nicer to him and Cleo, and he was hot and kind of stupid, and those were all qualities Scott liked in a partner. Plus, Jimmy was cozied up to Tango for the entirety of the games, so Scott felt no guilt at all about being with Martyn (well… maybe a little.) But Limited Life was the here and now, and Martyn was kind and rugged and Void if him being in those wet clothes didn't make Scott's pulse race.
But Jimmy had Tango. And even if he wasn't on the best terms with TIES, most of the teams gave some leeway when it came to partners. It was an unspoken rule. Plus, Jimmy had the Bad Boys as well! He had support and two pretty boys to comfort him if he really was upset with Scott, which still didn't make sense to Scott, because why would Jimmy have a reason to be jealous? Or angry, or whatever he was?
There was no need for Scott to be upset about the situation either. Was there? Jimmy had been giving him an out, to escape the other Bad Boys. A head start to stay at his color for just a little while. But there had been that tone in his voice, that tension that sounded so different from the Jimmy that Scott thought he knew. And Jimmy always said "I love you" back, too, always. No matter how sleepy or plastered he was. His voice never wavered, either, like he was so sure of it.
Scott envied that confidence in those three little words, sometimes. Jimmy was just so settled in their relationship that he didn't even hesitate to say it. Not that Scott didn't love Jimmy, of course he did. He just… sometimes he felt like maybe he wasn't enough for Jimmy. And the avian was just too nice to say anything about it. It was one of Scott's greatest fears. That he would never be good enough for his partners, and they would simply harbor that secret from him until eventually they got tired of him and left.
"Babe." Martyn's voice was stern. "Get out of your head." Sighing, Scott glanced up at his boyfriend. Martyn's eyes were a pretty scarlet, soft when they looked at him and filled with love and admiration. Scott could drown in those eyes any day and be perfectly okay with it.
"Sorry. I just…" He trailed off, looking down at his hands and clenching his fists. Sharp nails dug into his palms, grounding him for a second. "Ah!" Martyn tsked at him, grabbing his arms and massaging the tight muscles until the siren let go. "Scott. We've talked about this." Martyn said sternly.
Scott blushed slightly at the reprimand, letting his fingers unclench. "'M sorry. Had a rough day, is all." Martyn released one of his hands and carded large fingers through Scott's damp locks. "We all do, sweetheart. And normally I would try to help you out of it. But you have to get your head in the game, Elsa. We have a big fight and I need you at the top of your game. Can't have you getting killed because you had a rough day."
He snickered slightly at the nickname. Martyn always knew how to cheer him up. That used to be Jimmy's thing. Before he hated Scott. Well, maybe he doesn't hate him. How would he know? Jimmy didn't tell him!
"Baby?" Martyn was holding his chin, looking at him with a mixture of concern and fear. "Are you sure you're alright? You've been almost silent since your trip out earlier." "I- yeah. It's nothing. I just… it's fine. I love you." Scott's heart sank momentarily, and then Martyn's face broke open with a grin. "Aw, ya sentimental goof. I love you, too." Their lips met briefly, a soft, chaste kiss that made Scott feel like maybe he wasn't a complete failure of a partner. He melted against Martyn's chest, the hole in his heart filling slightly at the touch. "We still need to get ready for the fight, though, Scott." Martyn said as he pulled away, staring down at Scott with love and laughter written all over his face.
"Ugh. Damn. Was hoping that would distract you."