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Chance had a gambling addiction.
That fact wasn't disregarded, infact, it was a multiversal truth. The Gambler was known for his unserious nature and his keen eye for danger, And while Lady Luck wasn't always on his side — He just thrived off of the thrill of it all. It was never a shame when he died at the hands of 1x or John doe, He always brushed it off as a minor complication.
Elliot hated it.
Chance had no clue about his struggles, Running around, trying to heal the others, being vulnerable while on cooldown, always being targetted — all of it while trying to keep his team alive was a nightmare. If Builderman wasn't here, He was sure he would've broken down by now.
He was tired of it. At the very least, Elliot was only a pizza boy, he wasn't cut out for this like the other survivors were.
And yet, seeing Chance so calm yet so thrilled ...
Weirdly enough, it ticked him off. He wasn't focused like Guest, and certainly wasn't as skilled as Shedletsky. He always just aimed and prayed his flintlock wouldn't jam or explode.
And whenever it did explode, Elliot was by his side in a blink. Well, not literally, but he always did try his best to get to Chance as soon as possible.
Even if Chance repeatedly said the one thing that always irritated him.
' I'll be fine, Y'know? '
Elliot knew the truth was far from that, There's no way that the injuries Chance had sustained didn't have him screaming in agony, And yet he just didn't. It was like he just fell and scraped his knee, no big deal.
Elliot let out a sharp sigh, slumping down against a broken and worn down wall as his thoughts cluttered in his mind, and yet—
BANG !
He heard it, and before he knew so, he was up on his feet and dashing towards the sound. The stress inducing sight that entered his field of view didn't suprise him, not anymore.
Elliot slowed down his steps, approaching the stubborn and injured gambler. In turn, Chance laughed and staggered towards the healer, clutching his bleeding arm. His injuries were severe — Not only did his gun explode, but the killer struck him. twice.
" Hhhheyyyy, Elliot! " Chance let out a chuckle, knowing the pizza boy infront of him would be downright pissed if he didn't try to explain himself. " So ... Youknowimissyourigh— "
His words were cut short as Elliot threw a slice of pizza at him, refusing to wait for Chance's inane explanation. But hey, Chance wasnt complaining.
" Thanks! " Chance chirped as his HP went back up, and he felt like himself again. " You're the best, Elliot. No idea what i'd do without'cha— "
" When will you stop? "
That caught the gambler off guard, the question lingering in the air as the impact of it weighed down on Chance.
" H.. Haha,, Nice joke there, Elliot. What'd you say again? " Chance asked, hoping for the healer to ellaborate further on his question, but Elliot only stood in silence before him.
" I said, when will you stop? " The healer repeats, refusing to break eye contact with the other man, crossing his arms as he raised a brow expectantly. And yet, He wasn't so sure of his own question. The telltale signs that Chance would never quit was right there, and it hurt him for no particular reason.
Chance could feel himself sweating.
" ... Well, i— " He coughed into his palm, clearing his throat. " You know i can't — " His words were cut short after he felt a visor hit his head, He let out a groan, glancing back up to meet Elliot's ... slightly infuriated gaze.
" You can't what? Can't stop? Can't back down? " Elliot let out a laugh, as if to mock Chance, except the laugh was hollow and bitter as he threw his arms up, turning away from the gambler. " Do you realize how long i've been asking this question in my head? How long i've been waiting for you to realize what it's doing to you? How long i've been trying to keep you alive while you keep trying to get yourself killed? " His voice raised, but it wasnt full on yelling, not yet.
Chance opened his mouth to talk, but ended up rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He didn't exactly have a response to that. " I.. "
" You? You what? You think i'll always be around here to save you, heal you? " Elliot looked back at Chance, tears nearly welling up in his eyes as his voice struggled not to fall apart. " Do you think the situation we're in is fucking funny? Do you? "
" Elliot .. "
" Do you know how much it scares me when i realize that you're about to die? No, right? Because you ' live off of the thrill of it all '. " He made air quotes with his fingers, quoting something Chance had told him long ago. " The least you could do is give me a good answer, damn it! " His voice officially broke. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
And Chance watched the man he loved break down infront of him. He was never good with feelings, or consoling others due to his reckless nature.
Right then and there, Chance had thought of something. It wasn't mischevious or inane like usual, instead, He kneels down beside Elliot, and pulls the weeping man into his arms. If he couldn't offer words of affirmation, (not like he could— but he can try) then he'll let him know that he's there for him by just his silent presence.
Chance would be lying if he said he didn't feel Elliot's body relax, even if it were in the slightest bit. He knew he was doing this correctly. Atleast, he thinks so.
" Hey, hey. Why didn't you tell me you felt this way sooner? "
He didn't achieve a response, merely quiet sobs that told him everything he needed to know, weirdly enough.
" .. I know you're upset about my gambling addiction, but it's my job, you know? We all have jobs, and you're doing yours perfectly. You've done everything right by just keeping us alive, and even if you fail to, we still wouldn't make it half as far as we did without you. " Chance gave Elliot a moment to soak in his words, before adding;
"My job isn't exactly to gamble, not that i dont love it though— But it's to make sure that you, or the others, don't die either. I get it. You're worried that you can't save me or anyone else in time. But you already have. And the only reason i'm doing all this, risking my life, practically gambling everything away, is because i want to do something for the team, even if it means getting myself killed in ridiculous ways. "
Chance smiled, He was always terrible at comforting others so he'd hoped that this atleast offered some sense of comfort.
" ..... Can you.. just.. stay here, with me, until the round ends? " Elliot muttered, yet loud enough for Chance to catch what he said. " Just this once, before i lose you again next round. "
Chance let out a genuine laugh this time, " Yeah. Sure. I guess it's a way to repay you for everything i've put you through, y'know? '
They sat in silence for awhile, finally being able to enjoy a moment where it was just the two of them. No one else, no killers to try and behead them, impale them.
It was just them. The silence weighed heavy, but it wasn't awkward. It was the type of silence that was comfortable. The one you share between a loved one.
They sat like this for awhile, neither of the two having the intention to let go and leave.
......
Maybe this really could work out.
...
" I wonder if Shedletsky's already dead. "
" Did you have to ruin the moment. " Elliot pulled away, pinching the bridge of his nose as he heard Chance's crappy quip.
" What? I was trying to lighten the mood! " Chance threw his arms up, exasperated. Personally, he liked his quip.
" You suck. "
" Yeah, well, I love you too, Elliot. "