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“Uggghh..”
Chance grumbled as he tossed and turned in his sleep – if you could even call it sleep. His eyes were a little teary from those stupid nightmares he kept having over and over, and it was of the same person he was with right until the very end of his life.
That crown wearing, backstabbing, no-faced bitch.
I thought I could trust you. Call you a friend. Hell, maybe even love you.
His mind kept repeating those heavy thoughts, and constant flashbacks of all the times he had with him, especially the picture they took together a long time ago, when life was so perfect. God, that stupid picture. It kept his drowsy eyes at all attention.
It's been like this for the past few days, Itrapped even being the killer for a few rounds not helping his case at all. You couldn't hear a single shot go off from his gun when he was the killer, and if you ever asked Chance why he wouldn't shoot, he brushes it off and says he hadn't gotten a heads from his trusty coin yet. With that stupid poker face.
Unfortunately it earned him some confused looks or even frustrated scowls from his teammates. They all think he's just being overly laidback, yet he's exhausted. He needs somebody.
In all honesty he just wanted to load even more gunpowder in that flintlock of his and guarantee the odds of blasting himself in the head every time he thought about it.
Of Itrapped.
The one time the poor gambler really thought he had somebody to get close with in his life, it stabs him right in the gut— Hm.
Maybe he just needed to take a small walk outside. Yeah, a walk outside in the cold. In the dark. In the middle of the night (with no time to tell.) With nobody else to bicker at or at the very least accompany. Well that was kind of a good thing, wasn't it? Nobody got to see him struggling, at least as far as he was aware.
He wiped his tears despite them still lingering and massaged his temple to temporarily kill off those shitty thoughts to clear his head with some air. That's all Chance really needed right now. Put some clothes on, freshen yourself up, and walk outside until you're tired enough to forget everything that ever happened.
Knock knock knock.
“...Who the hell? At this time?” He muttered, a little grumpy sounding, but definitely more curious to see who it was, let alone at his door.
Another knock came, a little more gentler, afraid like it was interrupting sleep. Chance hurried himself up to put on a black fluffy robe and some slippers to go ahead and open the door “Alright I'm comin’ I'm comin’..” and there the fellow survivor was. Like some lord and savior who happened to hear a silent plea of help.
“Hello, my friend. I hope I did not wake you at all, did I?” Two Time stood there, so oddly serene in the moonlight. Their pitch black eyes briefly looked at his disheveled state, but they thought it would be rude to stare or immediately berate him with 20 questions. Chance stared at them for a moment in silence to think.
Two Time. They're weird, unpredictable, independent, sly, and disturbing. Yet they were also gentle, patient, awfully friendly and calm (on most occasions anyway.) Chance never disliked them, he actually learned how to enjoy them and their company very easily. Could even call them a “best buddy.” Sound familiar?
“Nah, I've been awake, don't worry ‘bout it.. but I had no idea you'd be too. Didja need anything Times?”
“May I come in?” They tilt their head to the side ever so slightly.
“..I guess I don't see why not?” Chance stood off to the side so they could slip past, closing the door when they were inside. They were looking at his face for a good few seconds in silence yet again, which made him a little nervous, at least until they spoke up once more in a concerned tone.
“Are you.. alright? You look like you have been crying.”
“Oh- Shit- I uh-” He stammered, trying to avoid Two Time's curious gaze.
“It is not very usual for you to be up in the night like this, since usually you're the loudest one snoring by what I've heard. And I've sensed something off with your behavior recently.” They stepped a little closer, worried about scaring him away. “It is alright if you don't want to talk about it, but you are my dearest friend. You shall not struggle in silence on my watch.”
”You shall not struggle in silence on my watch.”
When's the last time he ever heard that? Probably forever ago.
Chance could've just brushed off his own problems as he always did and thanked Two Time for worrying about him anyway, but the way they noticed something was off with him when nobody else did, and the way they even took time to come visit him was just enough to make him burst into tears all over again.
It was embarrassing, it was out of nowhere, but it felt really good to finally let out. It was just so hard to believe somebody could even care for the poor guy that much.
He hung his head low and broke down into pathetic tears, pulling Two Time into a tight hug before they could even react themselves. Their eyes widened and their grin faltered for a moment, before reciprocating the embrace with care.
“There there…” They cooed, rubbing Chance's back in slow circles as he quietly sobbed into their shoulder.
“I-I miss him so much.. I hate how much I miss him.. that fuckin’ jerk.” He managed to choke out, pulling Two Time a little tighter against him as if he thought they would disappear, but they stayed. “I-I'm just scared, Times.. I'm scared of bein’ alone. All over again.”
Two Time couldn't help but frown as they listened to him sob like this, rocking his body slowly and doing everything they could to soothe him and halt his tears. “You are not alone. You have everybody here for you, Chance. Please never forget that.”
They pulled away slightly to reach their hand up and stroke his cheek, wiping away any nearby tears with their thumbs as if cherishing something precious. Chance opened his tired eyes to look up at them, admiring how they almost looked angelic when everything else around him looked hopeless.
“I'm sorry ya had to see me like this, Times.. I know this ain't something usual from a person like me–” His apology was halted, a finger pressed up against his quivering lips.
“Do not feel the need to apologize.” They reassured. “I came here to your cabin for the sole reason of comforting you. If you had to cry, I would gladly be here to be a shoulder for you. It's okay to cry.” Their grin returned, although it looked so much more gentle than their usual maniacal one. Like it was only meant for Chance's eyes to see.
Of course it'd be okay to cry, it's not like Chance didn't know that himself. But if it was so obvious… Why did it feel so good to be told that? To be comforted like this?
He felt his own cheeks burn like they were on fire, melting away those icy cold thoughts from before. It felt so nice to hear those words, especially from a friend. Well…
A friend? Really?
Just a friend?
The same friend that offers you medkits even when you're a little hurt? Stood nearby for your safety every time your stupid gun blasted the shades off your face? Dropped everything just to engage in your dumb conversations about gambling or Lady Luck? Even just… holding you close right now?
There's no way this is just something “normal friends” do. This is intimate. This is special.
God dammit, you're in love with Two Time.
“Chance?” They tilted their head, analyzing his face. “Are you alright?” He immediately stammered again.
“OH! Y-Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. I, uh, I just wanted to say thanks. For everythin’ you did for me tonight. Yer undoubtedly a nutcase,” He grinned, earning a wider grin from Two Time. “But yer also probably the sweetest person this hellhole has to offer. And I'm really glad to call you my buddy.”
You could see Two Time's own cheeks turning into a bright shade of pink, not expecting such kind words in return.
Their tail swayed rapidly in the air just to show how pleased they were, sparkles in their dark eyes. “I-I do not deserve these words for a simple act of kindness, but I deeply appreciate them regardless. I am very glad to have helped you, my lucky charm.”
“Lucky charm”?? HOLY shit. His heart could've exploded if he heard that nickname again.
“H-Hey, since uh.. it might be a long walk back to yer own cabin, do ya wanna sleep in mine? It's my treat.” Two Time looked at the door, then back at him, as he patiently waited for their response.
“I do not see why not.” They replied.
They both had dumb smiles on their faces.
Chance fixed his bed up from the tossing and turning he did earlier, making sure it was extra nice and comfy for his first time guest. He crawled into bed and pat the spot beside him, Two Time sliding under the covers and holding their friend once more. It made everything so much more warmer, more gentle and safe. That's all Chance needed for tonight.
“G'night pal.” He went to sleep so fast you probably couldn't even put the record on a stopwatch, especially now that he had somebody close to him. Two Time stifled a giggle.
“Goodnight, my lucky charm. May Spawn bless your dreams with good fortune, although you are made of good fortune already.” They whispered sweetly into his ear, letting their words melt into his dreams.
Finally, they both got just enough rest to deal with more tough rounds the next day. All with a new and improved gambler and the cultist willing to support them all the way through it.
More importantly, probably the biggest crush he's ever had on somebody.