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The branches swayed quietly into the night as the sun began to set. The familiar sound of twigs snapping could be heard from outside Bigb's home.
Bigb closed his eyes and placed the kettle on the stove while he glanced out the window watching as the creakings began to shamble about under the cover of their forest.
Tearing his gaze from the window he turned back to the kettle and pulled it off the stove right as it began to squeal. He poured himself a cup of tea made from some of the chamomile flowers that Scott had brought to him the night before.
Picking up the small mug he began to drink the tea, listening to the sounds from outside. His arms creaked with movement as he placed the mug back down.
It had started just a few days before, walking up with his skin turning to wood and the night felt more calming to him than it ever did before.
He stretched his fingers, they cracked like twigs being stepped on. A sound that had eerily grown familiar to him.
Living in the pale garden had far more interesting effects on his health than what Bigb could ever imagine.
He was becoming like them. The creakings.
Once the dishes were washed and put away he checked his chests again to make sure that his diamond and iron were safe. There were already a few red names and he knew how chaotic they could be.
Just as he closed the chest once more a soft knock could be heard from the doors. He turned around puzzled. He was sure everyone else would have gone to bed.
“Bigb?” Scott's voice called out through the door. “I hope you're awake. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Just come in.” He replied while tidying up a few more things.
The door shut behind Scott and Bigb turned to him.
Scott's eyes were the familiar haunting yellow Bigb had grown used to seeing in his own mirror. “You're like me.” Bigb found himself saying as he stared at Scott.
Scott nodded. “It's more than that.” Taking a seat at the small table in the kitchen he met Bigb's gaze. “I don't have a human heart anymore. It doesn't beat like it used to, I fell connected to-”
“The pale oak.” Bigb finished for him. “We're connected to the trees now.” He gestured to the forest outside. “My skin has been turning to the bark of the trees. If you're becoming like me it won't be long before it happens to you as well.”
A shuddering breath left Scott as he ran his hand through his hair. “So it's just as I feared. Our bodies are changing.”
“They are.” Bigb nodded as he began to make Scott a cup of tea as well. “It's not so bad, sure our bodies are morphing beyond our control but we have a connection.”
Scott raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” He asked, the words suddenly leaving him as a wave of memories that weren't his suddenly rushed though him.
Cleo’s body floating in the water and Bigb's voice apologizing over and over again.
Jimmy demanding for Judge Judy and Executioner back only for Bigb to deflect and attempt to gaslight him into believing that they didn't have Jimmy's frog.
Then a base that's nothing but tunnels and Lizzie teasing Bigb because no one has built bases like that in years.
Scott's eyes shot wide open. “I just saw-”
“My memories. I saw yours as well.” Bigb nodded. “You were standing at Jimmy's grave.”
Scott flinched at the words and looked away. “That was a long time ago, Jimmy's moved on.” He replied softly as he stirred the spoon in the tea.
Bigb studied Scott for a few minutes before taking a seat next to him. “I felt it though, those feelings were real. I never felt that so strongly.” He murmured thoughtfully.
Scott paused and glanced back up at him, his yellow eyes softening. “Bigb, have you ever been in love before?”
The other paused for a second and Bigb shrugged. “Can't say I've been in love. I find people attractive but.” He trailed off. “I don't fall easily I guess.”
“That's alright.” Scott slipped his hand over Bigb's and squeezed gently. “There's nothing wrong with that. Some people take a lot longer.”
"Thank you.” The other murmured quietly while offering Scott a napkin with his tea. “Romance isn't on my mind, especially not now with the game and well this.” He gestured to their new forms.
A soft chuckle left Scott as he placed his head in his hands and watched while Bigb stood up and went back to the kitchen.
Bigb came back with a platter of small cookies, causing Scott to giggle happily. “Well, aren't you a lovely host?”
“Someone has to be.” He replied with a smile as Scott took one of the cookies.
Scott took a bite out of the cookie and his eyes widened. “These are amazing! Grian wasn't kidding, you are an amazing baker.”
“Cookies are my specialty.” He replied back with a laugh while cleaning up the dishes once Scott was done with his tea.
Scott nodded thoughtfully, his eyes fluttering shut slightly. “The sun is beginning to rise. It's starting to feel like we're becoming nocturnal.”
“We might be.” Bigb's arms creaked with his movement and Scott winced a bit. “We're becoming more like them everyday.”
“We are.” He stared at Scott for a few seconds. “But we'll be okay. Why don't you rest here? I'll let your group know that you're sleeping.”
Scott yawned and stretched. With that movement his arms cracked just like Bigb's did. “Rest with me.” He mumbled. “It's unfair if I take your bed.”
For a moment, Scott felt a muted version of a heart skipping a beat.
“Um, yeah sure.” The other replied, taken back by Scott's request. “Let me message your team first. We don't want them to be worried.”
“Good.” Scott slurred as he stumbled over to the bed.
Bigb sighed, and grabbed the communicator quickly letting Scott's group know that Scott was staying with him.
Once he placed the communication back on the desk he followed Scott to the bed.
Carefully Bigb laid down next to him, only for Scott to wrap his arms around him and fell asleep into his arms.
He ran his hand gently though Scott's hair and smiled softly at the sleeping male. “Good night Scott.”
With that, Bigb let his eyes shut and he fell asleep wrapped up with Scott.