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Bloodhound walks in the front door with an awfully large hunt in their hands. Walter sits on the couch just to the left of them in the entryway. “Wow mate, caught a big one eh? Whaddya’ say we cook that up, pup?” He grins and sits up, putting down the knife he was using to tinker with his arm.
“Mitt Walter, you are awfully kind.” Bloodhound responds, shutting the door behind them. “I’m not hearin’ a no!” Fuse says, arms outstretched to give them a hug.
Bloodhound puts the animal on the floor and begin taking off their armor, starting with the shoulder pads. “I did not disagree, either.” Bloodhound responds after removing their shoulder pads.
Fuse eyes light up and he scoops Bloodhound into a hug, “Aw Houndy, I love ya.” He smiles into their shoulder. They smelled like the outside, despite the weather being rather cooler in the past few weeks.
Fuse enjoyed staying at Bloodhounds home on the off days of the games. Talos was much colder than normal during the wintertime. “This gesture is appreciated, Fitzroy, but I must take off my garb. I am rather…exauhsted from the hunt.” Bloodhound grunts out, as Walters hug was very tight.
Fuse quickly releases, “Oi, sorry love. Ya just make me happy.” He pulls away, still holding onto Bloodhounds arms, “Here, lemme help you with that.” He gestures to the couch, releasing Bloodhound from his lighter grip on their arms.
Bloodhound nods their head and walks to the couch and sits in the middle, breathing in deeply. Fuse sits next to them and lifts their leg onto his lap, and begins to undo their boot laces.
Bloodhound smiles under their mask. “Thank you, mitt love. Today has been stressful.” Bloodhound huffs and leans into the couch, relaxing. “Houndy, the past few weeks have been stressful. You’re killin’ it in the games, love! But whaddya’ doin’ for yourself?” Fuse asks, his expression turning worrisome.
Bloodhound stays silent for a moment, knowing they’ve been pushing themselves more so than usual. They begin to take off their helm, un-latching their mask from their cap.
Their dark auburn hair with gray streaks, reveals itself. A single braid falls down the side of their face. Fuse smiles at the sight of their green eyes and messy hair. He moves to the next boot and continues undoing laces and dusting them off for his partner.
“The games are rekir tiring. I fight for those I love- for the Alfather.” Bloodhound sits up, to put their helm and cap on the table in front of them.
“But…?” Fuse’s soft, but gravely voice makes them turn their head to him.
Bloodhound sighs and leans back into the couch, letting their gloved hand run through their shaved head. It was only a few inches long, leaving only a braid with beads on the left side of their face.
“But…” Bloodhound continues, “I grow weary of the games. Ballistic has been inspiring. But I cannot keep up.” They pause to look at their gloved hands. “I am the hunter the gods have sent and yet, I do not feel as I should.” They admit.
Fuse puts their boots to the side, on the floor and leans back into the couch with them. “Maybe your problem lies there, love. You’re comparin’ yourself to someone who doesn’t compete.” Fuse smiles into his words.
Bloodhound gives him a confused look, “I do not understand, Walter, he competes everyday. We are in the Games, you are there.”
Fuse erupts into laughter, “I’m sorry Houndy, I meant you can’t compare yourself to him. He’s a crazy ol’ man who’s in the games for all the wrong reasons. You know why you’re there. And you give it your all every time. I mean look at you! In the top 5 every game for the past 2 weeks!” Fuse explains, motioning to his phone. He had saved a selfie of Bloodhounds banner on the big screen above him, after a game. He was giving a thumbs up.
Bloodhound lets out a small chuckle. He was right, Ballistic had been in the games long before either of them. He wasn’t someone worthy of Bloodhound to keep tabs on.
“Love, I know you’re overthinkin’ in that beautiful brain of yours.” Fuse ruffles their hair and lets his flesh hand rest on their masked face. “Take a deep breathe for me.” He says, letting his other arm come around their face to grab at the latch on their mask.
They both take a deep breathe together and Fuse unlatched their mask. They both let out a large sigh. “That’sa good pup.” Fuse praises as Bloodhounds scarred face is revealed.
Fuse takes their mask into one hand and gently has them lift their back to disconnect it from the oxygen tank. “Let me fix ya’ up a bit and get you cleaned up. We can make some dinner together with that beast ya got! Mighty fine one, at that.” Fuse stands and gestures to the dead animal on the porch after he set their mask and tank on the table.
Bloodhound smiles and runs a hand through their hair, “I would like that, mitt Walter.” They stand up, now looking slightly down at Fuse. He returns the smile and grabs their gloved hand, taking it off for them. Bloodhound laughs and grabs his hand, “My love, you do not have to undress me, I appreciate the gesture.”
Fuse chuckles and continues to take off their gloves, ignoring their words. Bloodhound finally gives up and lets Fuse show his love, his way. Bloodhound has often struggled to realize when Fuse wants to do something for them. It had been so long since Bloodhound was treated with such care. They often wondered when Fuse had been treated with the love he deserves.
Fuse picks up their boots, mask, tank, shoulder pads, helm and gloves. “C’mon love, let’s get you showered up. I’m gonna warm up the barb’.” He kisses Bloodhounds cheek and walks to their bathroom.
Bloodhound follows behind, like a puppy, grabbing onto the back of Walter's white tank top. They hum to themselves at the sight of Fuse trying to hold everything in his hands.
He sets it all down on Bloodhounds vanity, just before walking into the bathroom. He quickly walks back out, knowing his partner would be following behind him. “Sit on the bed, lemme turn this on for ya. You just get yourself ready.” He points to the bed behind them.
They smile and walk over to the bed, sitting down as they undress themselves, taking off the strap that goes around their shoulder. Their belt and satchel, follow behind them.
Finally undressed, Fuse walks in on them taking off their final article of clothing and he smiles, “What a sight you are.” He stops clear in his tracks.
Bloodhound chuckles, “Walter…” Their face growing red. “I’m serious, love! You get more gorgeous everyday.” He walks over to hold them in his arms and give them a warm kiss. “I’ll join you in the shower if you’d like, but I can warm up the barb’ if ya want some alone time. I know ya got a lot to think about, love.”
His words never fail to make Bloodhound smile. They embrace Fuse once more before finalizing their decision, “I think I would like to be alone for this one, mitt love. I do believe I need to collect my thoughts.”
Fuse gives them one last kiss, “Of course love. You gimme a shout if you need somethin’ though, right?” He lets go of them and walks into the other room, not breaking eye contact.
Bloodhound nods and Fuse turns back around, walking to the kitchen. Bloodhound inhales slowly, the air is cool and soft on their lungs. Walking into the warm aired bathroom from the hot water.
Their shower is long and thoughtful, they think of their new future. Being with Fuse has made things much easier on their heart and mind. The warm water was refreshing from the cold weather that overcame their home planet.
Comparing themselves to Ballistic was not good for them, Fuse was right. Their new legend is nothing to compare to. The only similarities are their closeness in age. Ballistic has seen the games at their worst- or maybe their best, according to him.
Bloodhound was never one for small talk and neither was Ballistic. This made their games much easier together. The rings went by quicker and Bloodhound was able to focus more.
They often hunted for Walter, anyways. Watching him from afar, trying to avoid a fight with him as much as possible.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who competes in the Games. It matters who wins. It matters who gets into Valhalla and who honors the Alfather, and that was Bloodhound. They ARE the hunter the gods have sent.
Their shower was refreshing. Giving them time to reflect and be honest with themselves. As they exited their warm shower, they heard Fuse singing in the kitchen as he exited through the slider door.
Grabbing a towel and patting themselves dry, wiping the excess paint off their face. Showing their scars and freckles that spread onto their shoulders. Fuse had left them a set of clothes on the bed for them.
They smile at, yet another gesture, Fuse had shown. He really loved them. This makes Bloodhound think even more as they dress themselves.
After putting on their clothes and hanging up their gear for the next games, they take a moment to admire it. The helm their uncle left for them. The tracking equipment Boone had made for them.
They had lost so much. They had learned so much. And yet, they have Fuse. A constant reminder that they are worthy, not just for the Alfather, but for love. Despite how much it scared them to be loved once more, Fuse had reminded them everyday.
They put a hand on their mask, hung in front of them, before finally walking away to the kitchen. “Walter, your volume is beastly.” They enter the kitchen to Fuse drinking a beer and humming a tune.
“Ah, sorry love I hope I didn’t disrupt ya shower.” He says, setting down his beer. Bloodhound chuckles, “I am..how you say, ‘pulling your leg’, my love.” Fuse lets out a laugh and takes another sip of his beer.
“Ah pup, ya got me.” He smiles, “I cut up your hunt for ya! I left the skull for ya over there, lettin’ it dry outside, just how ya like.” He had gotten used to Bloodhounds routine of the hunt. Cutting it ceremoniously just how they would. Leaving it out to dry overnight.
“Thank you, Fitzroy. I am blessed to have you at my side.” They smile and shift their weight. Suddenly the aroma of the meat is heavy in Bloodhounds nose. “Did you begin to cook the meat already Walter?”
Fuse suddenly looks guilty, “I’m sorry love, I got excited and you were enjoyin’ your shower. Ya deserve to relax Houndy. I just wanted to do as much as I can for ya.” He smiles as he sets down his beer.
“I am not upset, I am merely surprised you have taken such steps to keep my care in your mind. Your gestures they-“ Bloodhnd suddenly felt their face get hot. A rush of tears forms in their eyes.
Fuse walks quickly over to his partner and puts a hand on their back, “I am sorry. Heimskr-“ They turn away and inhale a choppy breath. Fuse lets go of their back, leaving a warm spot, now cold.
Bloodhound turns back around to see Fuse holding a small mask in his hand, “Here, love. I’m proud of ya. You don’t have to worry anymore. It’s okay, let Fusey take care of ya.” Bloodhound takes the mask out of his hand and inhales. Their tears fall down their cheek and pool onto the counter.
Their voice, now slightly muffled by the mask, “I am at a loss of words for this new chapter in my life. I struggle to find the right words, despite my mind being clear. I can see my path laid out before me. And you, Walter Fitzroy, are a part of that life. I cannot thank you enough for your constant love.” They speak slowly and softly. Their breaths are more contained and even.
Fuse’s eyes are now welled up, their partners words had made him so happy to hear. It was so heart warming to see their progress. The lows and highs they had been through. The slow destruction of their planet, and the notes he left for them in pass times for the games. Fuse had really been there for them throughout the years he had joined.
A caw had been heard outside the slider door. They both turned to look at the noise, to find Artur, perched on his bird set outside. His head cocking to the side to look through the slider door.
“And ya can’t forget Artur, he’s been with ya through it all mate. You’re not alone in this life. Ya never have been. Even you’re uncle is lookin’ at ya from beyond the grave, I know it.” Fuse smiles, wiping away a tear with his flesh hand.
“Thank you, mitt love.” Bloodhound smiles and pulls the mask away. Fuse gives them another warm smile and kisses their cheek, pulling away from them, leaving a cold spot again.
“I think the meats’ just about finished cookin’! Whaddya say we make some burgers? I could eat a whole Behemoth!” Fuse lets out a hearty laugh and Bloodhound chuckles with them.