Work Text:
Three things are left behind on the island.
A man.
A pile of used garbage.
And a series of letters on top of the pile.
The contents of the letters go as so:
“Your decision is stupid. You shouldn’t have to make up for someone else’s mistakes. This whole thing was a bad idea, and now I’m expected to just leave behind someone I’ve known for my whole life because of it. But it’s your decision to make, not mine. You’re brave,not just for doing something so dangerous for someone else’s sake, but for keeping on such a brave face for all of us during our time eliminated in season one.
Apple and I have taken the liberty of moving a variety of blankets, pillows, and food out of the mansion, so don’t feel pressured to go inside and interact with anyone you don’t want to. You deserve to be as comfortable as possible after everything you’re giving up so we can be safe. Just promise you’ll stay just as safe, I mean it.
-Thank you, Marsh”
“Marsh says she doesn’t want you pressured into doing anything, but I still think you should visit the mansion from time to time, dough gets bored really easily. No pressure though!
Also, I want you to have one of my ponies! Clovers says she brings good luck, and I hope she’s right! Lightbulb says we might be going to a big mall when we get to the not island, and I know you like to read, so I’m gonna bring you back a bunch of literature, whatever that means!
-from apple :)”
“I shouldn’t write too much, or else I’ll just cover the paper in tears. Me and my stupid emotions. Sorry for all those blankets I set fire to at the hotel. I actually started learning how to fix stuff because of that. I’m leaving a bunch of my sewing stuff, in case you need to fix something.
Damn it, there’s already a stain on the paper. I’ll miss you. We all will. Goodbye.
-painty”
“Painty says that giving you guys the pens was enough of a parting gift, so I’ll trust their word on that! But I wanna give you some more stuff too, you know? So I’ll just give you my thanks, for everything! You helped a lot during the season one place that shall not be named, you really lit the place up!(imagine me doing finger guns). Stay bright!
-yo girl LB”
“I know we’ve never been on the best terms given my attempted stealing of your boyfriend's prize and many instances of stalking hotel residents, but I’m hoping we can put that aside and leave things on a better note for now? Truth be told, I will miss you. But I’m truly grateful for what you’re doing for us as well. The best I could think to leave you with is a tea box. There’s a variety of flavours, and it will last you at least a year provided you only drink four cups a day. It did make quite a dent in my own supply, but it’s the least I could do.
-take care, taco”
“We haven’t touched most of these games in forever, so trust us, we won’t miss them. Hope they're just as fun for you! You need something to do, after all. I recommend skull crushers 3 as an easy starting point for beginners, and bomb recommends hunting knife for its story.
-pickle and bomb”
“Only one person writing this, if you can believe it. A certain someone wasn’t allowed to join in on the goodbye gift thing because OJ thought she’d try to poison you to put OJ ‘back on the market’. Reasonable decision. Banning her from participating, not you being poisoned, fyi. But anyway, you’ll probably have to fish it out of the pile, but I left you a nail kit. Nail care is important, don’t neglect it.
-pepper”
“We honestly couldn’t figure out what to get you, so here’s a $5 gift card/sar. We wouldn’t actually do that to you. Here’s baseball's entire twilight collection, since you liked the movies for some reason. And a rubber ball. Have fun, stay safe, okay?
-nickel and baseball”
“A voyage to sea, seeking freedom once taken for granted
Yet one denies himself the call
The voice of the voiceless, and the defender of the weak
May he stand strong and live long, may he not meet the fate of heroes of old
He stands as the beacon of hope, the lighthouse, leading back to what may one day be home again
I hope that was good, I don’t write very well under pressure.
-balloon”
“I’m gonna make this short before I have a chance to relapse. I know I want people to take me seriously, and I still do, but I thought you might need a good laugh in the next few weeks. So have one of my original joke books, and keep smiling as much as you can. You deserve it, thanks for holding the line while we’re gone.
Oh god damn it!
-cheesy”
“I never really got to know you, I’ve never really gotten to know anyone, but you’re doing a lot for us. So, thanks. Really. If you dig around a bit you should find an empty notebook. I was saving it for when I ran out of pages in my diary, but you’ll probably need a place to put down your thoughts too. I know being alone, even when there are technically other people around, sucks a lot. I’m so sorry you have to go through that pain. But writing about it really does help. Thanks again, for everything.
-sincerly, box”
“I’ve always had two of everything because it made having two bodies feel more normal. But you and other you helped just as much! Even if it’s not really the same, having one of the managers have two of something most people don’t have two of made me feel a lot better about myself. So better, I don’t need two of every little thing anymore! So have one of my fox stuffies. Yes, he is really special to me, but I still have the other one, so it’s okay! You need a friend to sleep next to at night too.
-cherries”
“We never really talked a lot given the whole ‘frozen in time’ thing after my elimination, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know you! That sounded weird, but what I’m trying to say is that taco talked a lot about you, and how ‘infuriatingly genuine that lovestruck looseleaf’ was. And if you can get taco to be upset about just how nice you were, you must have been doing something right! It doesn’t surprise me that someone like that would make a choice like this.
Taco says we’ll have to go shopping for essentials once we get to the mainland, but that we could also pick up some personal items too! So, since I can just get another music player once we get there, I’ll leave mine here for you! My music taste might not be your thing, but I’m really hoping it is. Don’t worry about me, I’ll survive the boat ride without it.
-have as much fun as you can, mic”
“A dirty living space can’t be fun, and you deserve the best after that declaration! I’m leaving most of my cleaning supplies with you, so you don’t have to let things go to filth without a way to stop them. Just be careful around the liquid cleaners, okay?
-best wishes, soap”
“OJ said you had a couple of allergies too. And since I won’t be needing as much medication once we’re off the island, I thought I’d leave a few packs of allergy meds with you. Don’t suffer.
-tissues
P.S: I had to write this letter like three times because I kept sneezing on it. Can’t wait for the mainland, wish you were here, etc.”
“I have a lot of spares, but I’m taking just my favourite camera with me. Test tube said to pack light. So have one of my cameras and a whole bunch of film. Take some good pictures for when we all see each other again, okay? Thanks for everything man. I mean it, you’re a real winner.
-trophy”
“In case the pipes stop working, we’ve left you with a few litres of water to drink while you get it fixed if that comes to pass. AND A CASE OF DR FIZZ TO DRINK WHENEVER YOU WANT TO TREAT YOURSELF! AND YOU BOTH DESERVE IT! TREAT YOURSELVES OFTEN! But the water’s the important thing since you need that to live. Take care, both of you.
(and by the way, I know a lot of people won’t write letters to you specifically because they’re STUPID, but you’re really brave too, looseleaf. I’m really gonna miss talking to you, you really understood me and saw me as ‘me’ and not just ‘the violent part of yin’. I need to stop writing before I start crying stupid tears! Take good care of yourself, I’m not asking!!!)
-yinyang”
“I’ve left my entire lab to you, as well as everything inside that I couldn’t pack. Use it to repair metag as needed, and to improve your own quality of life. There are also many survival tools like a water purifier, fire starters, and even a replica of the invisabow if you end up needing to hide. I’d recommend stalking up food and water in there as well, and using it as a panic room if it comes down to it. I’ve put every security measure in place that I can. I leave you here, with everything I could think of someone needing. Thank you for everything. Stay safe.
-test tube”
“I really feel like it should have been me, so I could stay with knife. I don’t want to leave anyone behind, but it really should have come down to me if it had to happen. But OJ and cabby say the others need me too much. I feel like I’ve failed at every turn if it’s led to this. I can never fully express just how sorry I am, you don’t deserve this. I don’t really have a lot I can give you, so instead I’ll leave you with a promise; you will be treated like a hero when we see each other again, I’ll make sure of it. You’ve given up so much for us, and I promise we will repay the favour.
-stay strong, suitcase”
“I don’t even know what to say, I’m just sorry. I didn’t know that when I suggested starting up the game again that this would be the result. I just wanted to help, but now so many people are hurt, we have to leave our home, and you’re trapped on an island. Again! I’m so sorry I let this happen to you. You don’t have to forgive me, I don’t expect you to.
I was actually having a talk with bot earlier. I said that if they said they never wanted to see me again, I’d honestly just wonder what took them so long. Same thing applies here I think. After the countless invasions of privacy, endless invasive questions, pestering you about your romantic life, and now making you have to relive one of the most traumatic moments of your life! If you just want to pretend we never met when we all meet up again, I understand.
But at the very least, I’d like to try and make all that borderline obsession into something positive. This gift might be tasteless, but I’m leaving you a binder full of my old payjay fanfic. If you ever feel lonely, I hope it can bring you at least a little comfort. Or burn years of my hard work in a fire. I’m not saying that to guilt you, I’m saying it so if you want, you can get the most satisfaction knowing the full extent of pain you can inflict upon me if it would make you feel better.
-I’m sorry, fan”
“Surviving can be tricky stuff, so I’m leaving you a fully stalked first aid kit! There’s also instructions on how to safely use everything, and a book about what materials to use to treat certain injuries and illnesses.
-Stay safe out there, lifering”
“You’re being very brave, and it kind of makes me want to cry, but that’s okay. It’s normal to cry when sad things happen. But that’s what I’m here to do, make people happy! But I can’t really do that from across the ocean. So instead, I’m leaving you my favorite pinecone. If you’re ever feeling down, just imagine it’s me trying to make you feel better! I’ll make you feel extra cheered up when we see each other again to make up for all the cheering up I couldn’t do, I promise!
-your friend, goo”
“I don’t really own a lot of things, and I can’t really make anything. I have to have bot write this letter, for crying out loud! But I guess that means the best thing I can give you is, well, myself! Well, the myself I have to leave behind. I put together this little book with bots help a while back, a guide of the island by the island, if you will. But we added a few more pages just now. There’s some spots you guys don’t even know about, and they’re all yours now! There's directions too, so don’t worry about getting lost. Just find a place you like and set up, yeah?
-floory
“I spent so much time on floory’s letter that I don’t really have the time to make something special for you. So I guess consider the book a gift from us both? Stay safe, There's instructions to the hardest to get to places just in case you need to hide.
-thank you for playing, bot”
“Oh, I just wish I could cook you a nice hardy meal every night, that would be my perfect gift! You deserve it! You’re being such a brave boy, and don’t you let anyone tell you otherwise! The closest I can get is leaving you some copies of the recipes for your favourite foods. Hot cross buns, Cesar salad wraps, lemon chicken pasta, even those chocolate chip cookies I always see you sneak one of, even though you don’t ask for me to make them since OJ doesn't like chocolate! There's a whole binder in there, so eat well and keep yourself strong!
-TK(but just call me mama, okay?)
P.S: if there’s a single tear on you when we get back, whoever did it is gonna get some boiling water to the face! That’s a promise!”
“Physical belongings are beyond me, they’re the tools the betas of the world use to make themself feel better that they’ll never be alphas. So instead, I give you the highest honour I can bestow upon you; my respect. You’re staying behind to protect the pack, unlike me, running away like a coward. You’re the real alpha now. Really more like a sigma.
-O7, blueberry”
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to bring everything of mine with me. tragic , I know, for a prince to be forced on the run like this, hardly jewels to his name. But I suppose in the meantime, I will lend to you some of what I cannot bring. In a sealed bedding bag you will find a set of 100% mulberry silk sheets. I only accept the best for myself, and now for you as well. Temporarily. I will be expecting them back upon my return. We are returning. For the sheets, of course.
-sincerely, S.Spoon”
“Whatever excuse he writes to hide his emotions, don’t take it to heart, he doesn’t mean it. He’s been bawling at the idea of having to leave someone behind for an hour now. Good, it’s important to let such emotions out. It’s why this project was a good idea, allowing the others to make peace with your choice and work through their feelings regarding it. I believe it will make for a more emotionally sound boat trip.
As for my gift, I leave you with a set of incense, with all of the different smells I could find. Please do find a favourite. They should help you sleep, or at least relax you enough to put your mind at ease. I’ve provided an incense burner as well, so you won’t have to risk interaction with fire. I can just buy a new one on the mainland, I don’t mind the giveaway. I will pray that the universe returns you to us safely every chance I get.
-candle”
“For as long as you need it, I wish you luck(don’t want a repeat of nickel, hehe…)
-clover”
“Thank you, for all you’re doing for us. You’re very brave. I’m going to miss you so much, especially those coffee runs of yours. No one makes a latte like you. I swear, suitcase and I will do everything in our power to look after OJ while you’re gone. He’s in good hands, so please don’t worry.
I can’t take a good chunk of my library with me, so I grabbed what was most important. The rest is yours to do with as you please. Although I have left a few books I thought may strike your fancy on the front desk for ease of access.
-take care, cabby”
“Bonesaw did not know you very well, but you made him feel so included! Bonesaw will be forever grateful for your kindness. Bonesaw leaves you the best pans in the kitchen to make whatever food you choose to make to the highest quality!
-bonesaw”
“This whole thing sucks and I hate it! Even if I don’t know you, it’s still making me so mad this is happening! You’re really stupid, okay?! But thanks, for looking out for us. Argh! I hate all these stupid conflicting feelings! We don’t really have anything since it’s been like, less than a week since we got out of the void. But spiky wanted to get you something, so we got you a teddy bear to ‘remind you of me’, or whatever. DON”T DIE, IDIOT!!!!!
-teddy and spikey”
“Pepper’s glaring over my shoulder and yelling at me not to talk about myself, so I’ll make this quick, promise! I’m leaving you a framed photo of all of us, everyone on the island. I originally wanted it to be a photo of just me, but pepper said no.
oh she’s pulling my ear now, bye!
-magnet”
“Oh saviour paper, disciple of mephone! Your sacrifice will not be in vain! I shall spread the word of mephone and his prophet who died for our sins far and wide!
Oh, camera says you’re probably not gonna die. Lame. I’ll pretend you died to spice up the story and bring new followers in, okay? ;)
But on the topic of your immortalization once my religion takes off, the island will most likely become a holy site! I have left you a set of blueprint detailing how to create statues of mephone and yourself, as well as renovation plans to turn HOOT into a church.
-a-me, cammy.
P.S: walkie says she’s leaving one of her weird robots for you too, and boaty promises to die in battle bringing you back if he has to!”
“I know they probably would have made me stay if they had the choice. So, thanks for volunteering or whatever. What, were you expecting some dramatic ‘thank you for saving my life’ speech? Not happening. Sappy stuff isn’t my thing, okay?! But anyway, there’s a deck of cards somewhere in there. Have fun with the solitaire.
-don’t die, Jack”
“Hey man, you were a great teammate, okay? You really kept things real! I promise you, this tour is ending with you on it whether you like it or not!
But anyway, strawberry says a lot of the stops on their tour are televised, so tune in when you need us, okay? I also may have asked a teensy tiny favour to see if they could play a song I’m planning to write on the boat. With OJ’s help, of course, get some feelings on the air! My working title is ‘My partner is stuck on an island’.
-rock on, starfruit”
“I’m not good with goodbyes. All the people I’ve lost never really said them. Just ‘see you when you get out’, or something. So let’s say that instead. See you when we’re all somewhere safe, with you.
I’m leaving you a tape and a tape player. It’s a compilation of a lot of my recordings. People go stir crazy if they don’t hear other voices, so I hope it will help.
I’m also going to ask guava if it’s possible to hide messages in their songs, so we can get information to you through the live broadcasts of their concerts. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ll figure it out! I promise!
-thank you for being a great teammate, tapey”
“I’m gonna leave you with a piece of my hair taped to this note, for when you need to get out of tight situations. Thank you for everything, and for coming around to seeing me. I’ll miss you, I really will. I don’t think I’ve cried this hard before. Is this why people say goodbye’s are hard?
Take good care of metag, okay? Thanks. I really mean it.
-your friend, poppy”
“I don’t know what else I can say that I haven’t said to death already. You’re so brave, and I’m so proud of you. To make sure you found it, I wrapped this note into a scroll with a necklace. You definitely have it in your hand by now. You’ve also definitely noticed the pendant is one of test tubes vials, filled with orange juice and the top stuck on with super glue.
A piece of me. It’s the least I can offer when you’re giving all of you. It’s the least any of us can do. Thank you.
I love you, more than you could ever know.
With love, orange juice”
And the man falls over crying, nothing but a companion he can’t understand and a pile of the furthest thing from garbage to comfort him.