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Hax slowly dragged his feet, making his way through surprisingly empty corridors of the Ranked residential wing. A happy smile was firmly glued to his face, and even the fatigue that started creeping into his bones as his adrenaline wore off couldn’t shake it.
This time nobody burst into the studio to congratulate him, Hax thought with an amused huff.
He didn’t know whether that was because of the media training - which Rowl, technically, hadn’t participated in, so he could still do whatever he wanted - or because this was already his second win and they knew he’d react better than after the first one. Either way, he was glad their immediate support hadn’t been necessary, unlike last time.
He did feel much more emotionally stable after this victory.
Something clattered on the stairs behind him, yanking him out of his thoughts, and he flinched as he snapped back down to earth.
Huh.
That was the first sound he’d heard during the entire walk through the residential wing, all the way to the farthest part of it, reserved exclusively for the best of the best, for the top of the netherite bourgeoisie, plus a few VIPs, usually former playoffs participants who had either slowly stepped away from the game or simply could no longer keep up with the others, while still remaining strong players.
The silence was unusual for the residential wing. Even though the soundproofing throughout the building was pretty good, most speedrunners weren’t exactly quiet people - Hax himself being a really good example. Sure, there were some, but… well, you couldn’t say they were that rare. You just didn’t hear them, y'know)
So Hax was confused to his core when he passed Silverr’s door and heard nothing but silence. Usually, Silverr’s irritation with the playoffs, and the players, and the world in general, especially if he’d lost his match, could be heard all the way from the opposite wing. But now? Nothing. Dead quiet.
Nothing came from Infume’s room either, but that… Hax sighed sympathetically. That was a different situation.
Losing 0:6 in a single day was never pleasant.
Of course, Hax himself had never lost in such way - his skill level was way higher than that - but he lived with a creature possessing atrocious mental and the worst luck possible, so he could understand. And he also understood that there was nothing he personally could do to help.
Finally, he reached his - well, his, Rowl’s, and Mongey’s - apartment. Though really, it was just Rowl’s; Mongey and Hax had shamelessly moved in, and they weren't kicked out. At least yet.
He still couldn't hear a single thing.
Hax bit his lip in confusion. He hadn’t expected that.
Sighing, he opened the door. Well, whatever. They definitely watched. They definitely saw. They definitely-
Party poppers exploded, covering the hallway and entrance with glitter.
Hax immediately burst out laughing, not even fully processing the shock as Mongey’s cheerful face popped out from behind the wall.
— You did it! - Mongey shouted, pulling Hax into a bear hug. Hax just kept laughing.
— Do I need to be careful now? - he heard a familiar - but very unexpected - voice. - You're planning to take my throne next, aren't ya?
— Lowkey?! - Hax gasped, freeing from Mongey’s arms and launching himself at the younger runner.
— Yo, - Lowkey greeted him, amusement in his voice, snorting when Hax dragged him into a hug. - You know, if you get three wins in a row, that’ll be kinda more impressive than my even seasons' wins - which already ended at three.
— Next season’s even, - Hax muttered. - You’ll be back in your element.
— Hax! - someone called from the living room. - Get your ass over here!
Grumbling, Hax had to let Lowkey go. I mean - he didn’t get many chances to properly talk to or even see another runner. Lowkey spent way too much time doing things incomprehensible to normal human beings.
— Don’t be a baby, - Lowkey snorted, flicking Hax’s hat off his head with a light push. - Go get changed and come to everyone, - he added, heading back to the living room.
Everyone..?
Hax’s hands paused mid-unbuttoning his jacket. What everyone? The only people he’d been expecting were Rowl and Mongey - and now it turned out Lowkey was there too.
Okay, fine. He wouldn’t be surprised if Drip showed up - they were close friends. Maybe.. Beef..? But he wasn’t sure.
He was not prepared for his jaw to hit the floor the moment he walked into the living room.
— Pulsar?! - he squeaked, throwing himself at the white-haired runner, who rushed toward him with no less enthusiasm. From the corner of his eye, Hax spotted Beefsalad with his ever-present soft smile, Drip laughing with a hand over his mouth, and Rowl with his signature eye roll.
Well. Damn, good job. He guessed two out of three.
— How are you here? You wrote two weeks ago that you were flying home for a month, - Hax asked, still glued to his friend.
— Well, I couldn’t exactly miss your back to back win, - Pulsar replied cheerfully. - I watched entire finals while flying here - it was insane, - he giggled. - You’re insane.
Hax laughed happily, letting Pulsar go so he could hug Beef and Drip as well, who gladly returned his hug. Rowl, meanwhile, dodged it, and after tossing out a short “You know you did great, you don’t need me to say it,” disappeared into the kitchen. Drip quickly followed him, while Mongey led the rest toward the couch.
Hax proudly plopped down in the center. Lowkey settled on his left, and on the right sat Rowl, who had just returned from the kitchen, where he’d “checked that Mongey wasn’t trying to burn something while I was gone,” and then sent Pulsar in to help Drip.
— So is that everyone, or did you decide to invite more people? - Hax asked lazily, letting his head fall onto Lowkey’s shoulder and shamelessly swinging his legs to the right, stretching out across the entire couch and occupying both Rowl’s and Mongey’s laps.
— Max said he’s already on his way, - Rowl began, sighing at Hax’s antics. - Purpled promised to come, and Tubbo too. Maybe Anjouu, - he glanced at Beef. - V-?
— Vstrid said he’d come as well, - Beefsalad confirmed. - He just decided to play one more game first.
— Of course he did, - Mongey snorted. Beef smiled but stayed quiet. He was the same, after all.
— So you decided to gather everyone who isn’t part of HBG? - Hax huffed. - You don’t think they’ll take my win well after their two losses?
— Oh, I think Doog’ll come here, actually, - Lowkey shrugged. - When I beat him in season six, he was the first to congratulate me. Didn’t look forced either.
— Doog has great sportsmanship, - Mongey nodded. - One of the best.
— After your wither skeleton skull stunt, Fulham started rooting for you, - Beef added. - So I’d expect him too.
— And Couri should come as well, - Rowl continued. - I think he’s getting a new page for the media training presentation after this, - he snorted, watching as Hax started choking on laughter. - With big red letters saying "Do not build unprofessional structures" with a big arrow pointing at your build.
— Yo, it took me, like, a few ticks to make - how did he notice? - Hax groaned.
— He didn’t, - Mongey corrected. - Fein’s chat started spamming "dicks".
Lowkey slowly raised a hand to his face, sighing exaggeratedly.
— I’m so glad I wasn’t watching the stream at that moment.
— Yeah, but you were very happy watching Doog fail zero, if your shout "Dude, you’ll never be me, what are you doing?!" means anything, - Mongey giggled.
Hax burst out laughing again. He could easily imagine Lowkey’s disappointed yell after Doog failed such an “easy” zero. Though it wasn’t easy - Lowkey just wasn’t human, let’s be honest here.
— Yo, guys, - Pulsar peeked out from the kitchen doorway. - Could someone replace me for a sec?
Beef immediately stood up, giving Hax a friendly pat on the shoulder, and went over to Pulsar, who was holding his communicator. They exchanged short nods before Pulsar took a seat in Hax’s seal-shaped chair - the one Beef adored and had occupied until recently.
— So that makes Max, Purpled, Fulham, and Tubbo? And maybe Doog? Damn, I didn’t know I was this popular, - Hax chuckled. - Is this finally everyone?
— Well, Edcr should come too, - Rowl continued. - I invited him right after your win. He said he’d think about it, and then - hold on, - Rowl pulled out his communicator, opening his chat with Edcr, - here. About ten seconds after you said he’s the only speedrunner who’s ever used his brain, he messaged me, saying, "Okay, so, I’m definitely coming now, he’s too nice," followed by three sob emojis.
— You know, - Pulsar started, - I’ve been wanting to ask for a while - what do you think is the most impressive playoffs record? - he smiled slyly. - Like, Lowkey’s three wins, Hax’s seven podiums, or, uh… six first-round losses? - he looked at Rowl, whose expression barely changed, only his brows knitting together slightly.
— You’re about to talk yourself into me throwing you out the window and telling Anco you decided not to return to Ranked ever, - Rowl said dryly. Hax burst out laughing.
— Can we maybe avoid murder for now? - Lowkey suggested, leaning back into the couch. Rowl snorted. - We’ll have plenty of time for that later.
— Then I’ll just throw him out of here. He doesn’t even play anymore.
— It's not my fault that I have a life! - Pulsar argued. - And anyway, I have VIP, I can get in without you.
— Remind me what you have VIP for?
— For participating in playoffs, obviously, - Pulsar scoffed. - Oh-
— And in how many of those playoffs did you get past the first round? - Rowl pressed.
— Okay, okay! - Pulsar raised his hands in surrender. - Anyway, that’s not what I asked. So?
— Hax’s podiums.
— Lowkey’s wins, - Lowkey and Hax answered at the same time. They looked at each other. Lowkey’s lips curved into a grin, while Hax nearly fell off the couch laughing.
Pulsar’s communicator screen lit up, and his eyes immediately sparkled. He jumped up from his chair, smiling awkwardly as everyone in the room turned toward him.
— I gotta do something real quick. I’ll be back in, like six minutes.
— Why so long? - Lowkey asked as Pulsar sprinted for the exit. - I could beat minecraft in that time.
— Shut up, mister world record! - Pulsar yelled back from the hallway. - Nobody cares!
Hax instantly started laughing at that annoyed snort. The others quickly joined in, their laughter only intensifying when Pulsar shouted "Screw you all, friends my ass!” right before bolting down the corridor.
— I’m betting my entire prize that he went to Anco, - Hax said with a knowing grin.
— I’m not even betting against that - I know that you’re right, - Rowl sighed. - Guess that’s one more person. Alright, I’ll leave you here for now. I’ll check on Beef and Drip. Mongey, you’ll bring everything?
— Of course! ...Um, Hax?
— Hm?
— Move your legs, - Rowl sighed. - You’re not letting us get up.
— Oh! - Hax squeaked, and was just about to move when a sly smile spread across his face. - Y’know, I’m so tired I can’t even feel my legs, - he said dramatically, closing his eyes and sliding lower on the couch, giggling in response to Rowl’s heavy sigh.
His ears perked up when no reply came to his trick. He was already about to open his eyes when he felt hands on his stomach.
No.
They wouldn’t dare.
The next moment he exploded with laughter, then flung himself off the couch to escape the hands tickling him.
— How dare you?! - he squeaked indignantly, gasping.
— Thank you very much, Lowkey, - Rowl snorted, now finally free to move.
Hax stared at him in shock.
— Traitor! - he accused the younger runner, getting up from the floor with Mongey’s help. Lowkey only shrugged, looking absolutely unashamed.
Hax flopped back onto the couch, still puffed up. Not that he managed to keep that expression for more than five seconds after hearing Lowkey snort.
A knock sounded at the door - Vstrid’s signature one, Hax could already tell. As Mongey ran to open it, a thought appeared in Hax's head.
— Hey, are you gonna be okay with this many people? - he asked quietly, leaning toward Lowkey, who looked at him in mild surprise. - I mean, I know you don’t like crowds - or people in general - and there’ll be a lot of them… you won’t be uncomfortable?
— I’ve been in this community for years. Sooner or later, I have to socialize, - Lowkey snorted. - Besides, you’re supposed to be the star tonight, not me.
— Still- if at any point it gets too much, don’t be afraid to hide in any of our rooms, - Hax nodded briefly toward them. - I know Rowl and Mongey will be totally fine with it. You don’t have to sacrifice your comfort for us to be happy - and I know that’s exactly what you’re trying to do.But I can assure you, I'm already happy.
— Alright, - Lowkey nodded. Something softer settled in his eyes. - Thanks, Hax, - he muttered. Hax beamed.
From the door, he heard two new - but entirely familiar - voices, and his smile widened.
— Well then, - he said, - let’s get this celebration started!