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Two Time stalked into the forest, the shade of the trees camouflaging their night colored pelt. Their sharp eyes glanced into the trees, scanning for any signs of prey nearby. They flexed their claws, spotting a rabbit nearby; it was scrawny, but it would do.
They dropped down to a crouch and slowly inched forward, keeping their tail steady so as to not make any noise. Then, after a moment's planning, they give chase after the rabbit. Two Time snapped their jaws forward trying to catch its leg, yet the rabbit was too quick, darting off onto the shady path.
Two Time let out a hiss of frustration, flexing their hind legs in a rush of speed, their slender frame easily weaving through the trees. They pounced, jumping onto the rabbit, and pinning it down with their claws. The rabbit let out a high-pitched squeal that cut off as soon as Two Time bit down on its scruff, breaking its neck.
“Thank you Spawn for this prey.”
Two Time murmured and carried the scrawny rabbit in their jaws with their tail lifted high in pride. They trot to the hideout, seeing the tired form of Guest standing guard nearby. He gave Two Time a wary glance and a once-over as they trotted past, but said nothing, only focusing on the dark forest ahead. Guest’s fur bristled slightly when their tail brushed against his foot, yet his focus did not dwindle in the slightest.
Two Time padded into the camp to see that mostly everyone else was asleep, except 007n7, who was picking up a stale sparrow from the prey pile. He avoided Two Time’s unnerving gaze, heading into his den with his head low.
It was quiet in the camp, crickets lightly chirping in the foliage. Two Time lightly padded into Elliot's den, staring at Chance's injured form curled up on one of the moss-lined beds. The tangy smell of dock overpowering more subtle notes of saccharine in the air makes Two Time's ears flatten against their head.
Elliot was too busy with Chance to notice Two Time quietly ambling inside. Elliot lowered his head, gnawing on the fresh dock leaves before applying it to the deep scratch wound on Chance's hind leg. The former instinctively winced at the sting of the herb.
“Ow!” The tom complained, squirming in his spot, his back legs kicking desperately to get away, causing some moss to break into the dirt.
“Sit still, it's gonna hurt more if you keep moving!” Elliot snapped, holding Chance in place as he kept licking the chewed-up dock leaves into the wound.
Two Time stood there quietly, awaiting them to be done. Elliot wearily wrapped the wound in drooping cobwebs and gave the grey tom a few poppy seeds to calm him down. When Elliot was done, Two Time fully walked into the den holding the lean rabbit in their jaws, Elliot’s mouth watering at the smell of prey as Two Time sat it down.
“I thought you might be hungry Elliot,” Two Time meowed, glancing at Elliot and Chance before sitting on their haunches.
“Thank you, Two Time,” Elliot spoke, crouching down to rip a mouthful, savoring the rich taste on his tongue. Chance nibbled at it, too tired to say anything.
Two Time quietly observed, not interested in eating. Their long tail glides over their front paws as they subconsciously paw at the ground.
“Elliot.” Two Time spoke up and directed their attention on the saffron-furred tom. Elliot couldn't help but tense under their blank stare, sitting up.
“Yes, Two Time?” Elliot murmured, looking down at Chance's drowsy body on the nest before looking at them.
“I was wondering if you wanted to go into the forest, I have something to show you,” Two Time asked, flicking their tail to point at the entrance of the hideout.
Elliot hesitated, his tail tip twitching in a mix of curiosity and anxiety. He eventually nodded his head.
“Alright, where is this ‘thing’ you have to show me?”
“You shall see soon.” Two Time purred in that same, ominous tone.
Elliot sighed and sat up, trailing after Two Time as they happily trotted towards the entrance past an ever-alert Guest. Elliot and Guest shared a look making the former pause.
“Where are you two going? It's late, and you know the killers are still out there,” Guest hissed in a gruff tone, flexing his claws. Elliot could see that he was nervous despite his stoic demeanor.
“Don't worry Guest, we'll come back sooner than you’d know it.”
Guest didn't believe the young tom, but just sighed and shook his head, watching Elliot run after Two Time.
Elliot stayed behind Two Time with his guard up, knowing how unnerving and unpredictable they could be, but right now they seemed relaxed, their eyes focusing on the bright moon ahead.
Two Time led the healer to a nearby shore. The water lapped gently near them, darkening the sand and dampening their paws slightly, sending a shiver down their spine as they sat down. Two Time’s tail curled behind their body, inviting Elliot to sit next to them.
Elliot sat next to them in a loaf position, their flanks lightly touching; he couldn't help but flinch at how cold the cultist was, but focused his gaze on the lake shore, the salty air making his whiskers twitch.
Two Time wasn't lying, the view was pretty.
As a soft breeze flows past them that makes Two Time shiver, they involuntarily press themselves against Elliot, seeking warmth from the smaller tom. Elliot felt a small purr rumble in his chest at the contact. He didn't move away, but instead pressed closer to them he couldn't help but close his eyes and embrace the relaxing scene.
Elliot opened his eyes to see the early sun rising making his eyes widen in shock.
When did he fall asleep?
How long was he sleeping for?
He looked to his left, seeing Two Time sleeping soundly next to him and purring softly. He mentally slapped himself in the face, knowing how pissed Builderman and Guest would be at them both.
He sighed, sitting up and looking down at their peaceful form lying there he didn't want to wake them up but he knew had to.
“Hey Two Time, wake up.”
“mhm..?”
Two Time let out a yawn and sat up on their haunches.
“How much time has passed?”
“We overslept. Guest is going to be mad, I kinda promised him we would be back by midnight.”
Two Time stared at him with a blank expression, their smile seeming to falter for a second as they let Elliot's words sink in.
They both seemed to mutually agree on what to do and quickly ran off towards the camp with a guilty look on their faces.
They peeked inside the entrance to see Builderman pacing back and forth in the clearing, his hackles raised and his tail whipping back and forth with anger and worry. Guest was sitting down on his haunches staring down at his paws.
“Elliot told me he would be back as soon as possible,” Guest meowed sheepishly, letting his voice trail off.
“And you let 'em go? You know how reckless Elliot and Two Time can be!” Builderman snarled, pausing his pacing to glare at Guest.
Guest simply sighed in frustration as Shedelsky padded up to them, opening his jaws in a yawn.
“What's going on?”
“Oh, I'll tell you what's goin’ on! Elliot and Two Time snuck out, and we have no idea where they are!”
Builderman hissed, extending his claws. Shedletsky couldn't help but flinch at the anger in Builderman's voice, and he attempted to comfort the smaller tom by pressing his flank against his but Builderman shrugged him off.
“I'm sure they're fine Builderman, just give them a sec, I'm sure they have a good explanation for sneaking out.”
Two Time and Elliot looked at each other nervously before slowly walking inside. Upon hearing sew sets of pawsteps, Builderman whipped his head around to face them. His fur was puffed out to make himself look bigger and his claws were fully out, digging into the ground and ripping at the lush grass.
“WHERE have you two been?! I've been looking for y'all everywhere! Do you KNOW how worried I am?!”
Builderman spat, approaching them slowly, his tail whipping back and forth behind. Elliot looked at Two Time desperately hoping they would explain, but the cultist was doing nothing but staring at their paws awkwardly and shifting uncomfortably under Builderman's angry gaze, their ears pinned to the back of their head.
“We uh.. just wanted to see the lake for a while,” Elliot murmured, anxiously avoiding eye contact.
Builderman sighed and shook his head letting his tense body relax.
“I'm just glad you two didn't get hurt,” he exhaled exhaustedly.
Elliot and Two Time perked up, picking up on his softening tone.
“Elliot, you knew you shouldn't have left Chance here alone while he was injured, he could've gotten hurt and you knew that,” Shedletsky commented bluntly, padding up to stand beside Builderman.
Elliot sighed, his pelt burning with shame. Two Time looked away, attempting to escape the scolding but Guest spoke up before they could leave.
“Two Time! We're not done yet; you could've gotten yourself and Elliot injured out there. You're lucky none of you got hurt,” Guest scolded with a huff.
“You both are confined to the camp for a month, no sneaking out.” Builderman grumbled sternly, leaving no room for argument as he stormed off to his den, Shedletsky and Guest following behind him.
Elliot and Two Time exchanged looks before giggling quietly.
“We should totally sneak out again,” Elliot murmured under his breath to Two Time with a smirk.
“Definitely,” Two Time grinned.