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Everyone who survived popped into their familiar placements at the table. Those who died early would always be more talkative, discussing what they saw on the television spectating the round. It was an important part of their routine, helping them build up their team's relationship and synergy. But this time, Chance was having none of it.
He bee lined straight to his cabin, plopping down onto his bed with a sigh. Their back against the soft mattress, legs dangling over the edge.
Elliot, who had also spawned in with them, noticed their disappearance.
Their voice was always the loudest, with its smooth but strong arrangement standing out from the others. A melodic cadence formed by the gods; Elliot could listen to it all day long.
Lucky him, Chance was always talking. Loudly. About what? Who knows? Usually it was anything, everything and nothing all at once.
His way of speaking always gained Elliot's attention, yet he could never focus on what was being said no matter how hard he tried to listen. The absence of their voice was the first thing on his mind.
Looking around the room, he could see everyone chatting like normal. No one seemed to notice.
"Two Time! Do you know where Chance went?" Elliot asked.
They had been sitting at the table the entire time exactly where they had spawned in, looking around. No one liked to talked to them all that much, as their slightly strange gaze always seemed to focus on something that wasn't there. They were surprisingly vigilant nonetheless. It was a little creepy if you focused on it too much. Elliot was one of first to talk to them, and still are one of the few that interacted with them daily. Getting some of the others to was a work in progress. They were pretty cool if you got over a few of their odd idiosyncrasies.
If anyone had noticed Chance, it would be them.
"Ah, Elliot! I saw them looking surprisingly somber, especially for them. I was only able to spare a glance though, as he had left immediately after the round ended. Not sure as to where he went." Two Time frowned.
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome. Sorry to not be of help."
"No worries, you told me what you could!"
Aw man. Where were they?
Hat and headphones discarded, Chance stared up at the ceiling, focusing too hard on each turn and swirl of the wood. Anything to keep him distracted from what was on his mind.
Unfortunately, they could feel each breath getting shakier than the last and the stinging behind their eyes getting stronger, slowly prickling the sides. Tossing their shades to the side with a weak laugh, they brought their arm up to cover their eyes instead. The other hand gripped and twisted the sheets in a weak attempt to ground himself.
Eventually, that hand found itself on his thigh, nails driving into the fabric of his pants. The sensation of his skin crying out in pain could distract him.
"I'm such a mess…"
Slowly, the tears leaked out, creating a wet patch on their sleeve. They had given up a while ago on keeping it in, realizing their efforts were futile. He never liked crying, especially in front of others. It meant giving into whatever had made him feel that way and allowing others to see through a vulnerable window.
He always negated any form of negative emotion, distracting himself with several forms of gambling and whatnot.
But just this once, when no one was around, he could let himself express what he hated so much.
Then, they heard a knock on the cabin door followed by a soft creak of the hinges. They shot up instantly, quickly wiping their eyes and putting their sunglasses on in one fluid yet shaky motion. They plastered on a wobbly smile, hoping that whoever had entered wouldn't notice. Although, they knew it was near impossible.
"I- uh, Elliot?" Of course. How could they not recognize the familiar pattern of the knock?
"Are you okay? What happened?"
Hearing Elliot's soft, sincere tone only served to upset him further, smile slowly going down.
"Don't do that." As much as Chance knew Elliot's intentions, they didn't want to hear it from him.
"Do what?" Fuck, they were being so unreasonable.
"Patronize me. I hate when people do that. I know you know what's happening."
"I'm not. I just want you to feel better." He sat next to them, gently taking hold of their hand.
"Well, can you go? I can handle this on my own." They grabbed a pillow and clutched it tightly, looking away.
"I want to be with you." Elliot could never fail to sound sincere. Every word said in that soft, comfortable tone that could put even the feistiest of babies to sleep.
Chance was so glad to have put their sunglasses back on. They wouldn't be able to handle his gaze, making them feel so seen, safe, and vulnerable all at once.
They felt the familiar sting return. He quickly whipped his head around to take his shades off and quickly wipe his eyes. They put them back on and turned faced Elliot just as fast. His eyes burned from the rough fabric, only causing him to cry more.
"Why are you keeping those on? I already know." Elliot softly giggled under his breath.
"Are you really laughing at me right now? Wow. Such help you are." Chance deadpanned with as much force as they could manage.
The feeling of soft hands tenderly cupping their face quickly shut them up.
"I'm sorry. Can you let me see you? All of you." The sudden switch of tone caught them off guard, freezing for a moment.
Yellow hands hovered over him, waiting for the okay.
He sniffled, an then gave a slow nod.
"Should flip a coin for this." They tried to say jokingly, but they grimaced at the voice cracks that shone through.
The dark shade over his eyes he constantly depended so much on were slowly cast to the side, leaving him vulnerable to the world. But it was just them. Chance and Elliot, their private cabin.
Elliot guided them down onto the bed, into a more comfortable position. Both lying down, facing each other.
Like this, Elliot could clearly see all of them. Their eyes darted around trying to look anywhere but at his. Their eyes were unaccustomed to direct eye contact — not like this. He continued looking at them, drinking up the rare sight of their golden eyes. Eventually, his gaze slowly grounded him, and he relaxed. They stayed like that for a while, lying there together without the stress of an upcoming round looming over them like it always did.
"Your eyes are so pretty. I never understood why you would hide behind those glasses."
"It's not necessarily about my eyes, Elliot. Everything just feels so much safer when they're on. It doesn't feel right to go out and see people without them. I can't think of anything else when they're off." His voice was unsteady, sharp inhales interrupting every so often. Their gaze shifted towards the discarded pair of sunglasses, staring at them, knowing exactly why he needed them but unable to put it into words.
"I'm glad you can take them off with me."
"I still don't understand how you did it."
All of a sudden, Chance quickly turned to lay on his side, facing away from him, wiping tears with the heels of his palms with a sharp, wobbly inhale. They quietly whimpered, trying their best to smother it as much as possible.
Elliot frowned. Why was he still so shy?
"No need to hide yourself from me, Chance. I want to see every side of you."
"Damn, you can be so corny." They snorted in between sniffles.
"Stop joking around! I meant what I said."
Once again, Elliot gently put his hands on either side of their face, slowly turning it to face him. Their whole body followed in suit. They took their hands off their face, this time being brave enough to look directly at them. They leaned into his hands, appreciating the warmth. Stealthily wiping his tears away with his thumbs so Chance wouldn't have to. Looking into their watery eyes once more, he pulled them into a warm hug. One leg draped over theirs, one arm under them, pulling him close, and the other buried in their hair.
Chance took the opportunity and swiftly nestled his face into the crook of his neck. Their arms gripped tightly onto the jacket Elliot was wearing, looking for stability. They started shaking, sniffles slowly becoming more apparent. A wet spot started forming as Elliot rubbed small circles gently into their back, playing with their hair, twisting and detangling it. His breath got quicker as they morphed into cries, seeking consolation in him.
It wasn't long before he was full on sobbing into him. It wracked through his entire body, each shake and quiver accentuated by a occasional whimper or hiccup. "I just, I-I'm sorry." They pulled him closer, nuzzling him like they were trying their hardest burrow into him.
Elliot stayed with them — never once loosening his grip. Delicately running his hands along his body and whispering sweet words into his ear in a hushed tone, continuing to comfort them in anyway he could.
Chance let himself get coddled, listening to his voice and focusing on each point of contact. The warmth of his skin and even rise and fall of his chest only serving to comfort him. After a while, their shuddering slowed down as their breathing evened out.
Elliot still won't let go. Not unless they do first. Chance pulled closer, paying close attention to his breathing pattern; to try to sync theirs with his. With once last squeeze, nearly stabbing him with his nails, he loosened up with a trembly sigh.
They pulled away, hands against Elliot's chest.
"Shit, uh-, sorry." They said, hands wiping the wet patch on his shoulder in a useless attempt to dry it.
"Huh, oh, you're good. Are you okay now?" His hands were still in their hair and Chance wanted them to stay there forever.
Chance started giggling, taking in the situation he found himself in now. Exactly where he wants to be. Thanks Past Chance!
"Do you need anything? We still have leftover pizza from the round."
"No, no, stay here with me. Please. Also, the rounds ruined the taste of the pizza." Breathy giggles lightened the mood.
"Well then, how can I say no?" Elliot smiled warmly, returning the laugh.
As the warmth of the room enveloped them, they tangled back together, no longer alone. Breaths intertwined, sleep washing over them both.
The door quietly creaked open.
"Aww! So he found them. I'm glad."