Chapter Text
There are times when words are better off without being said. Times when maybe saying nothing could give the future a better view. To protect your views and beliefs. Or to even protect yourself from the emotional pain you’d have to bear when saying such things. Two Time knew this. They know the benefits of being quiet. They know when to keep quiet and when to speak up. After realizing the ache in their heart, the feeling of yearning. Everything was felt towards their friend Chance, and they hated it. They didn’t like the fact that they thought they were deserving to go for someone like Chance. After everything that had happened with them, past romances and stories, are they truly deserving of love? After what they had done?
‘Go back. Hide away. Go to some place where no one will find you.’ The voices whisper. Quiet but loud enough to be heard by one person. It was telling them to retreat, to isolate themselves once more. To close their hearts to potential. Distance themselves from everything, even if it’ll cost themselves pain. Everything will get better anyways.
Everything will be better alone.
All will be well.
All will be well?
“But it’s all up to you.”
Those words lingered in Two Time’s brain. Their future is up to them to decide. Their decisions, choices, everything they could do was up to them. Even change. But once it's done, you can no longer revert it back. You can’t go back. You can wish, but it’ll never happen. You can’t return to the past, but it’ll always be there with you. To haunt you.
“ … Two Time?”
“ … Times …? “
“Two Time.”
Two Time snapped back to reality. Before them was no other than Chance. With a worried and concerned look present on his face. “Hey, you alright?” He asks in a gentle and genuine tone, careful to not accidentally scare off Two Time. “Oh. Chance. I’m fine, do not worry over me.” Two Time says, trying to catch their grip back on reality, giving Chance their iconic and usual grin. But Chance wasn’t stupid enough to believe the face present. He knows something is wrong, but he didn’t want to push any further, respecting Two Time’s space. “Right.. If you want anyone to talk to, you know who’ll be there.” Chance says, placing his hand on one of Two TIme’s shoulders and giving it a light pat. With that, Two Time just stands there. Chance knew they weren’t exactly the type to talk much, but when he looked back at their face he was greeted with a slight smile. A smile of pure genuine, thankful and comforted by Chance’s words.
It was a heavenly sight to experience if Chance had to say himself. Wanting to lighten up the mood, he wraps his arm around Two Time’s neck and says in a playful manner; “You look great in that smile! You should show it more often.” This was enough to catch Two Time off guard, a slight tint of red present on their face. “Do you.. Truly think that?” Two Time asks, their face slightly flushed. “Oh? Was that the first you heard someone tell you that?” Chance looks at them, with the usual smug smile he’s seen with.
“Was that the first you heard someone tell you that?”
It wasn’t.
They heard it from someone else before.
They just don’t want to tell him that.
“Well, I just didn’t expect to hear it from you.” Two Time tells Chance, trying to calm themselves and regain their composure. “So… You free later?” Chance asks Two Time. “Hm? What for?” They reply back, curiosity and interest present in their voice. “Just wanna spend time with you.” Chance says, looking away as if it’d cost him his life if he said those words while looking eye to eye with Two Time. He was embarrassed and flustered, but he knew why. Once again, taken aback by Chance’s words, Two Time’s eyes widen in shock, not expecting such things from Chance. “Out of everyone, Lady Luck’s disciple is who wishes to accompany me?” Two Time says in a teasing manner, giving Chance the same energy he gave them earlier. And if that didn’t surprise Chance, then his feelings must’ve died. “So, is that a yes?” Chance asks, their smug grin present.
Nothing could’ve made Two Time happier. To say yes meant they could spend more time with Chance. But did they really want to? If they said yes, would Chance also be as happy as they would be?
Are they deserving of this?
“... Times? Are you sure you’re alright?” Chance asks again, worried present in his voice. They have to say no. They can’t bring themselves to hurt another. Anyone but Azure? Chance. They can’t hurt him. If they don’t want to ruin him, everything about him, they had to leave. To distance themselves. To run and get away. “Sorry, I don’t think I can accompany you for some time. I’m.. quite occupied with other duties.” Two Time replies to Chance, hesitant but sure. “Oh, so you’re busy.. It’s alright! Maybe you wanna hang out some other time?” Chance says with the sound of disappointment apparent in his voice while he tries to remain composed. “No, you–..” Two Time tried looking for the words to enter their mouth. The perfect words that tell Chance to go away. To stay as far as possible from them. Two Time’s mouth stayed slightly open, their body and thoughts consumed with hesitance.
“Right. I’ll tell you when I’ll be free.”
What a lie.
Days passed, weeks even. Chance would try to find Two Time and invite them if time spared them mercy. But Two Time would make up excuses, their lies further distancing themselves from the bond the two once established. Excuse after excuse, and lie after lie. Two Time couldn’t keep doing it anymore. Was this really the best decision they could’ve possibly gone for? It wasn’t. But Two TIme was desperate. They wanted Chance to get away from them, to gain a reason to avoid and potentially hate them. But even so, why does their heart ache in pain more painful than the last? As if it were crumbling and breaking into tiny pieces. They did this to themselves.
With a situation like this, it was them who were to be blamed.
In the middle of the night, Two Time suddenly awakens from their slumber. Eyes wide in shock after an odd dream they had. It wasn’t anything special. If one word were to explain it, it’d be stupid. Everyone in the cabin had locked hands and started spinning around as a tornado struck them. With a slight grumble, Two Time’s stomach growled for food. Two Time stood up and walked towards their door, opening it and closing it silently, making sure it didn’t wake up the others. As they headed down the stairs, they were met with another figure. It was another cabinmate, Noob. Hearing the slight wooden creak on the stairs, Noob’s attention went from their half eaten sandwich to the stairs, spotting Two Time. “Oh! Two Time? What are you doing out of your room so late?” Noob asks, placing down their sandwich. “Nothing really. I woke up and felt hungry.” Two Time replies, giving him their iconic grin.
“Oh… So you got hungry too..” Noob replies back, shyly. Embarrassed as they looked away facing back on their sandwich. “Are… are you guys doing okay?” Noob asks, with hesitance and worry apparent in their voice. “Hm? What are you talking about?” Two Time asked back, genuinely confused by Noob’s question. “Well… I-I’m not sure if I should share this with you.. But–” Noob pauses on their words. Unsure if they should share such information with Two Time or not. With a final deep breath, they resume; “Chance has been well… upset lately. I-I asked him why and..”
“-It was because of you.”
Two Time pauses. They stopped moving entirely after Noob had said those words. The only movement present was their eyes shaking, their chest thumping in unpredictable rhythm. They messed up again.
And it was all their fault. Two Time didn’t think this far in. They had hurt Chance in another way they hadn’t expected. No, they knew. They knew what had to be done. The only thing they underestimated was how painful it’d be to Chance. The possible impact it could’ve left on him. They didn’t think that Chance would care much. They thought that once he realized Two Time distancing themselves away from him, he’d just move on. Move on and go be friendly with someone else. They didn’t notice that something simple like Two Time distancing themselves from him would make him genuinely upset.
“S-sorry! I don’t mean to blame you or anything. I mean, I don’t really know what’s happening between you two… So I don’t have anything to say.” Noob says, noticing the silence between them and Two Time getting louder and louder. “It’s just… I’m worried.” They continue on their words, the feeling of worry present in their tone. “I haven’t seen Chance this upset before. So i-if you guys ever had a misunderstanding… I’m sure you guys can get it together!” They continued, from their once worried voice to an optimistic one, hopeful even, with the genuine intent of making the two reunite and become friends again. Friends without any issues. But Two Time knew better. This was the path they chose for themselves. To keep away from potential, from anything that might change their views.
They knew it was wrong.
They knew it’d be painful.
So why regret it now?
“I might be wrong but… I-I can see it in your eyes Two Time. You care, don’t you?” Noob says, placing one of their hands on Two Time’s shoulder. Noob looked at Two Time, not afraid to show eye contact anymore. They may not know much of the situation happening right now, but Noob was dedicated to at least help. “So, what’s wrong?” They ask Two Time again. But Two Time, despite every word of reassurance, was still hesitant. They didn’t know what to do. For once they didn’t want to run. They wanted to confront it. To make things right again. But something stopped them. Something that made them want to bottle it all up and keep it to themselves, to not seek any help or advice. The feeling to stay hidden, isolated; away from everything. It was similar to the feeling they felt during that day; fear, regret, burdened.
“I..-” Two Time says, their breath shaky, pausing on their own words, “-I don’t know anymore.” They say as they slowly look towards Noob. “Hey, it’s alright to not know sometimes, take your time.” Noob reassured them again, this time it was working. Two Time, with enough confidence, finally told Noob what they felt. Everything. The reason why they’re avoiding Chance. But they didn’t tell Noob the entire thing. They made sure that Noob knew what was happening, but they also made sure to not accidentally spill personal information. Two Time didn’t want to ruin Noob for it. “O-oh.. and because of that.. you’re avoiding Chance?” Noob asked Two Time wherein they nod towards the statement. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I’m sure they were a great person.” Noob continues, placing their hand on Two Time’s shoulder.
You wouldn’t. If you knew what I had truly done, would you look at me the same?
“They were. If anything, they were probably the greatest one I ever had. Well, they were the only one I had.” Two Time replied, trying to add humor despite the seriousness around the air. “Y-yeah… But, I still do think you guys have to talk it out. I’m sure Chance will understand.” Noob says, noticing the attempted humor but not really knowing whether they should laugh or not. “If the both of you keep quiet about this, who knows what could happen.” They continue. Two Time knows the outcome. They know what could potentially happen to the relationship they’ve built with Chance.
“Hey-” Noob continues, making Two Time snap out of the daze they were in. “-If it ever goes wrong, I-I can do my best to help you guys. I’m sure the others would’ve done the same too! None of us wants to start quiet arguments when we’re all together..” Noob says, placing their hand on one of Two Time’s shoulders and gently patting it, showing a way of reassurance. Noob wasn’t wrong. They all had to stay with one another and create bonds. Ending up in a quiet fight with one of the members would make things awfully awkward. I mean, it was already happening with the outcast; 007n7, already. And Two Time doubts that they’d want the same treatment.
They’ve been here various times before. Outcasted, left out due to the way they are. And yet, they didn’t pay any mind. They didn’t care because they had someone to rely on. Someone that they could’ve depended on despite all the bad mouthed rumors aimed towards them. They didn’t care at all. But now they’ve lost it. They lost the only being that they could actually enjoy being with.
Are they really going to risk it all again?
Two Time immediately stood up from their chair, giving Noob a slight shock. Noob was confused, wondering what had struck Two Time’s mind. Then, without a second thought, Two Time moved back towards the stairs, looked at Noob and gave them a slight smile before quickly going back to the sleeping chambers. Noob was left there, surprised and speechless. What had just happened? Two Time reached the rooms and listened through the doors, wondering who could be possibly awake and who were already sleeping. Three doors had two people snoring, signaling that they were all asleep. Except for one door. It was Chance’s room.
Two Time listened through, making sure that they weren’t just mishearing it. But they were sure of it, there was no snoring, if anything there was slight shuffling - as if someone was trying to move stuff around. Two Time took a deep breath and prepared themselves. They wanted to make this right. They weren’t willing to lose someone special to them ever again. And so, they knocked on Chance’s door. From what was heard as slight shuffling, a loud bang was then heard before the door. Two Time’s instincts got to the best of them and they immediately opened the door out of genuine worry.
“... Times?” Chance called out Two Time’s nickname. Two Time looked at the mess before them. Chance had fallen off of his bed and had his playing cards scattered everywhere. His hats weren’t properly arranged and his coats were just all over the place. When Two Time saw the mess his room had to offer, even they started to feel bad for their own room. But, they had to remember why they were here in the first place. “Chance. Do you have a minute?” Two Time asked as they allowed themselves to enter his room. Chance panicked but eventually let Two Time in. “Sure, what do you need, buddy?” Chance says as he helps himself out. But as he looked up to look Two Time in the eyes, he was caught off guard at how near Two Time was. “W-woah buddy. You’re awfully close.” Chance stutters out, slight blush present on his cheeks. “Chance, we need to talk.” Two Time says as they walk closer to Chance, the distance between them barely existing.
“These past days.. I apologize, but I’ve been avoiding you within all my power. But, I wish to make it up to you.” As Two Time says this, they take Chance’s hands and bring it up to their heart to make him feel their heartbeat. “I, Two Time, wish to befriend you and make everything right for you.” Two Time continues their words. If Chance were to say this didn’t shock him, he’d be lying so bad his pants would be on fire. He was speechless. He didn’t even know what to say. The moment alone was too much for him to handle. The hand placement, the gentle yet comforting words, the way Two Time looked at his eyes with such seriousness, Chance couldn’t take it anymore.
Chance was a mess and he genuinely didn’t know what to do. Two Time noticed how red his face was getting and immediately dropped his hands. “I… I apologize. I must’ve made you uncomfortable.” Two Time says, pulling away as they turn the opposite way from Chance’s face. Shit, they messed up. Chance probably views them as a weirdo now. But in all honesty, Chance was far from calling Two Time a freak. If anything, he was calling himself the freak. “It’s alright.. I was just- caught off guard. Didn’t know you were touchy like that, ‘Times.” Chance says as he tries to compose himself, to show Two Time that he was the usual and smug Chance everyone knew him as. “So.. what’s with the sudden apologies? Did you feel bad or something?” Chance says as he made it seem like it didn’t bother him in the slightest.
But the two knew better, Two Time heard from Noob how much this pained Chance - and Chance doesn’t know how much longer he could pretend it didn’t bother him from the first place. “Just, reflected a bit.” Two Time says. “Will you be attending tomorrow’s match?” They continued. This surprised Chance once more. Two Time wasn’t the type to ask if anyone would participate in a round or two, if anything Chance doubted they were the type to even care from the beginning. “I mean, I’ll be there if you are.” Chance replies as he looks at Two Time’s eyes. His room was dark, the only source being the moon’s light. With Chance’s eyes, he’s sure he wouldn’t be able to see much. But the way the light reflected through Two Time’s eyes made him adore them. Two Time noticed the way Chance was looking at them and got worried. Was something wrong with their eyes? Two Time asked themselves. But soon, they were to then dismiss the thought as Chance’s eyes of wonder changed to something else. Adoration.
“Well, if that’s all you wanna talk about, we could keep talking more by tomorrow.” Chance breaks the silence. Ah, right. It was the middle of the night after all. Two Time thought to themself. “Of course, there is always another day.” Two Time replied. They then held the door’s handle and twisted it - opening the door and allowing the light from the hallway to enter Chance’s room. But before they left, Chance called their name once more. Two Time turned back and looked at Chance with curiosity present.
“Goodnight ‘Times.” Chance whispers, trying to avoid making as much noise as possible. And Two Time would be lying if they didn’t find it cute.
“Goodnight, Gambler.”