Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

His legs ached as the stamina was rapidly depleting, quickly running out as Elliot struggled to locate the injured person he sensed just mere moments ago. He wheezed as he finally reached the castle in the corner of the map, first threading through the lower part, then ascending the path up to it's top, searching behind and around every piece of wall there was.

Yet he found nothing, and that only served to scare him. He checked the health status of his teammates, from what he could see, he was searching for Taph. The killer had been lead away a couple of minutes ago by Guest, who was brought along with Elliot to their ally's rescue. That had been the first part of the plan, the second was to locate Taph, so they could move to the third and final step— giving them a pizza slice to heal them up. But it seems like it'd be harder than Elliot thought as the demolitionist was nowhere to be found.

Elliot was partly glad, it meant that Taph wouldn't be easily found by the killer, but he was mostly worried since he couldn't find them to heal them either. His eyes slowly scanned the area a few times, looking for any sign of Taph being there at all. Then, he saw it.

Taph's cloak, on the ground all but ripped to shreds as black and gold pieces littered the grass a few steps away from the corner κατηφόρα. Elliot's breath hitched as he thought of the worst, but he calmed down once he noticed Taph's health staying steady. Orange, but steady.

He slowly descended the "castle", carefully approaching the discarded piece of clothing when he noticed the heavy breathing coming from somewhere behind him. Whoever it was they were struggling, so Elliot turned right on his heels and went to the only place around there he hadn't checked yet: the small corner behind the concrete structure.

It was fairly easier to spot Taph now, hearing their labored breathing as they laid on the floor clutching at their side. Elliot didn't pay attention to anything other than the injury once he spotted it, blood was dangerously oozing out of it and he had to stop it now. It'd be easier if he had a medkit, unfortunately for Taph he hadn't. Elliot beelined for Taph, then promptly stopped when he saw Taph curl in on themself even more once they noticed him.

'Why did- oh.' Elliot remembered the torn clothing on the ground, most likely the source of Taph's discomfort. But unfortunately, he didn't have time for that, they needed to be healed. But... He can't exactly trample over their boundaries like that, clearly they felt uncomfortable without their cloak. What could he do...

"Taph I uh, I know you don't like being seen without your cloak, man, but," he looked away from Taph, concerned that he wouldn't be able to see the other trying to communicate, but he didn't know what else he could do. He slowly started walking towards Taph, sideways, with the grace of a crab. "You're hurt and I brought you a pizza slice. Here, can you grab it? I'm looking away..."

He felt the weight on his hand shift as Taph took the pizza slice from his extended hand, sighing in relief as he heard the sound of Taph eating it soon after. He thought for a little while before an idea came to him.

"Hey, Taph? Would you like to have my visor? Here." Elliot takes off his red visor and offers it to Taph, still looking away out of respect. "I know it's not a lot, but uh... Better than nothing?" He chuckles awkwardly.

Silence... Not that he was expecting Taph to magically gain the ability to talk, but still. He waited, nonetheless.

He heard shifting on the ground, then felt the visor slip out of his hands as Taph accepted the offer, immediately wearing it. 'Better than nothing.' they thought.

Taph noted how Elliot still hadn't turned to look, they appreciated that a lot, however he still had to thank him somehow which was hard to do when you need the other person looking at you signing. Which Elliot clearly wasn't. Now it was Taph's turn to come up with a solution, and they had to be quick, the round was almost over and they'd have to rush back to their cabin for their spare cloak once the round ended.

He resorted to taking Elliot's hand in his own and giving it a firm, appreciative squeeze. Elliot squeezed back and gave him a smile, even though he was looking away, Taph could tell by the way his hair shifted slightly and his posture relaxed.

"I'll get going now, round's almost over so you'll get a new cloak soon!" He squeezed Taph's hand once more before letting go and turning away fully, his back facing Taph. "And uh, you can bring the visor back to me whenever, I have a few spares anyway, no rush."

With that, Elliot ran away, searching for any other injured teammates, leaving Taph behind as they thought. They curiously took off the visor, turning it in their hands and inspecting it. There was nothing special about the visor, just a regular red worn one, though it was special to Taph in meaning. It was proof of Elliot's clear respect towards their boundaries and feelings, of his desire and genuine willingness to help his allies even if their issue may seem small and unimportant. Taph appreciated that, a lot.

The round was almost over by now, just the last few seconds ticking down, the sound somehow getting louder by the second. Taph briefly wondered if Elliot would mind not having his visor returned, or of he'd even notice in the first place, that pizza man always had something on his mind. And true to their theory, once they had been transported back, Elliot rushed off to take care of something. Taph didn't have the chance to look as they themselves hurried to exit the main cabin and avoid as many gazes landing on them as possible, red visor doing a weak job at protecting their privacy, but the thought is what mattered.

After Taph had been clothes once more, comfortable in their usual outfit, they placed the visor onto their desk. 'I'll return it some other time, he's probably busy at the moment.' they excused their random desire to keep hold of it. And wouldn't you know it? Elliot happened to be busy so Taph didn't really get the chance to return the item... In truth, they liked seeing it in his room, it brought them a strange warmth of comfort.

And Elliot really didn't mind.

Chapter Text

007n7 was casually taking a walk around the cabins like he usually did when he wanted to distract himself from the ever present reality of loneliness. Sure, he had Guest 1337 who didn't outright despise him, but they didn't really know him and that's probably the only reason they hadn't pushed him away so far...

His depressing train of thought crashed into a stop as he suddenly notices a figure gunning it to the smaller wooden cabins. The figure clearly didn't want to be seen, and he wasn't able to catch any recognizable features due to the speed at which the sillouete ran along with his horribly working glasses. A chill ran down his spine at the prospect (?) of an unexpected person roaming what was supposed to be their resting grounds, so he did what he thought best in that situation— hid, and waited.

He focused on the sounds around him, ignoring the false nature in hopes of catching what the figure was doing without having to approach it. He heard... The sound of a cabin door opening, judging by the approximate distance of the sounds origin, it could be one of three possible survivors: his own, Builderman's, or Taph's. He listened further, metal clinking along with thuds of various weights could be noted. The figure was in search of something, but at 007 now had a better idea of where it was, since his cabin had no items that could produce these sounds, and Builderman's had a specific creaky floorboard that the mystery person would've certainly stepped on by now.

Now he worried for one simple reason: why did this figure rush into the demolitionists personal cabin? Could they be searching for explosives? Relax, 007, it is probably just Taph themself. But why did they look ...different?

He didn't have to wonder for long as he soon spotted them shyly making their way out of their cabin and towards the main cabin again, as if ashamed. It didn't take him much time to notice that Taph looked weird, as if something was missing...

"Taph?" The acknowledged demolitionist jumped once they heard 007 call out from an unfound location, scanning the area in search of 007, who soon emerged from behind a couple of bushes.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, just um..." He awkwardly stood a bit far from Taph, but still close enough to have a conversation. He didn't notice how on edge Taph seemed to be, as he was avoiding their gaze too. "What are you doing out here? Where's your cloak?"

"😢🚹. 😵‍💫🔍☝️🚫. ↩️." (Misplaced. Trying to find it but can't. I have to go back.) 007 forced his eyes to look at the demolitionist, it was essential to see them sign after all, even though he felt like he was violating their privacy.

"Oh, uh, I could... Get it for you?" He fumbled his words slightly. ####, why did he have to be so awkward? "I can search the main cabin, you don't have to go in if you'd rather not."

Taph would fall on their knees and thank the Spawn for granting them salvation if they were just a pinch more desperate and a tad less overwhelmed. They resorted to clasping their hands in front of their lowered head, slightly tightening his grip and shaking them towards 007, pleading.

"Alright then, be back in a few." 007 nearly ran away, just because he was a bit surprised by the unexpected interaction himself, so it felt way more awkward than it should.

He searched through the entirety of the main cabin, but ultimately found nothing. Though, just as he was trying to come up with the beat way to go about telling Taph of his failure in locating their cloak, he was stopped by Two Time placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you looking for the wearings of Taph?" They asked with the same smile that was plastered on their face nearly 24/7. 007 nodded in response, he was cut off before he could question how they knew.

"Here you go, they were expected to return for it, although one could guess that they'd avoid entering while unprotected. It was placed on the cushions upstairs, in case there's any wonder." They pushed the cloak into 007's hands, who carefully folded it a few times before nodding again.

"Thanks, Two Time."

"No problem arose, it is one's duty to help whenever possible. Goodnight, 007n7." Their smile widened just slightly before they turned and headed back the way they came. 007 soon after headed back outside the cabin, finding Taph curled up slightly as they sat outside their cabin waiting for him.

"Taph, here's your cloak." 007 handed the cloak over to Taph, looking away while Taph quickly put it back on. "Two Time found it in the cushions upstairs, by the way, just so you know where it'll likely be if it happens again."

Taph let a shudder shake his body as they finally felt comfortable existing again. They tapped 007's shoulder, urging him to look at them. Then they started to sign.

"🙏‼️, 😊. 😵🥇🧥🫴👤🏚️. 👥↩️🤔🚫📍. (Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it. I died first so I took it off since I was alone in the cabin. But people returned before I could remember where I placed it.) 007 struggled to understand momentarily, but eventually understood and and let out a friendly chuckle.

"In a way, I get it. I'm sort of the same about my hat, you know. Though- obviously it's not the exact same, it's different- uh, you get what I'm trying to say?"

Taph let out his own version of a giggle, breathing a few times in quick succession.

"😟🚫. ☺️." (Don't worry, n7. I do.)

They laughed together for no reason in particular, just enjoying each other's presence in a weird, unexpected way. They were just glad someone understood, even if only the little things.

Chapter Text

(Step noises).

'Holy ####, I might not make it.'

Nearly running out of stamina as he ran aimlessly, Taph threw a desperate glance at the killer quickly gaining on him. When he seemed to slow down, Taph would do the same in an attempt to conserve his stamina. John Doe was a vicious foe, he could easily cut off Taph's path by summoning his spikes. Sprouting instantaneously from the ground, they'd be unpredictable, only unavoidable if luck said so.

'Where the #### is everyone?! I don't want to lead him to anybody but a sentinel would be nice to see-'

Riiip...

Taph would've yelped if he could, but a sharp gasp is all that left him once he felt John Doe's spiked arm crash down on his right, slicing through fabric but thankfully only grazing his skin, corruption sticking on the edges. He made a last ditch effort to get away, putting all his power into sprinting and cutting corners quick and short in an attempt to lose John Doe. If he were to be honest, he was losing his will to fight, and if nothing helped him anytime soon he may just...

Whrr-CHK

A sentry sprung to life immediately after Taph went passed it, locking onto and relentlessly firing at John Doe, effectively slowing him down. Taph had no time to celebrate, the beast raised it's arm in the air, furiously stabbing it to the ground. He knew what was next, so he ran, switching left and right as he rushed forward.

The dark spikes ripped open the ground and grew high, he braced himself for impact...

But it never came in the way he expected. He felt a strong tug on his clothes, and he fell forward. He looked behind him to see the spikes had effectively separated him and John Doe, but they had also shredded his cloak and robes to bits in the process, the lower part of his robes uselessly hanging from his belt. Still, he wasted no time to celebrate, immediately resuming the run to anyone he could find. He heard the monster roar as it redirected to some other poor soul, and Taph felt bad, but with his hp so low he couldn't do anything but hope they utilized the traps he's already set up.

He wandered for a few minutes, now walking after depleting all his stamina. Not the smartest move, but it was needed to gain distance. And besides, his expertise is making things go boom, not good decisions. Eventually, he was found by someone, and probably one of the best allies he could've ran into.

"TAPH, COME 'ERE!" Builderman called out from behind a nearby wall, and Taph would've jumped at him just from relief if he wasn't injured and refilling stamina.

He rushed to join his boss, and was very relieved to see a dispenser, alive and functioning in all it's glory, which he was promptly led to.

"What happen' out there, kid? Where's your clothes at?" Builderman reminded Taph of his current predicament, and he all by imploded on himself with how harshly he curled up.

"Woah, hey! 's alright, bud, I won't look if it helps. You don't have t' do all that." Builderman raised his arms as if to surrender, and turned to face away from Taph, but still in an angle that he could notice if he moved.

"📰🤕, 🧥⛓️‍💥." (John Doe attacked, they got ripped.) Taph hesitantly signed, slightly relaxing his posture. This was his boss, not just anybody, it was okay if he saw him... Not like he could do much with that information in here.... It still felt very weird, and he felt vulnerable. But come to think of it, was there even a reason to keep himself hidden anymore? There are no more angry protestors trying to harm him, no more people trying to find his home, none of the things that caused him to hide his appearance in the first place. Maybe, he'd think about...

"I see, I see. Hm..." Builderman thought as he checked the team's status. Everyone seemed to be okay, besides Noob and Chance who had died long ago at the start of the round. Taph was healing up, his hp status had already gone from orange to yellow. Did he have anything to help cover up Taph with...?

Aha!

"Hey, Taph."

"❓"

"You can have my jacket, I don' really need it anyway. Here, have." Builderman took off his jacket and gently threw it at Taph, turning away a bit more. He heard shifting, a lot of it, then a familiar zip confirming that Taph had worn it.

"Much better, isn' it? You can have my hardhat too if it helps." Builderman turned to face Taph, who was now wearing his jacked with the hood up. Taph was taller than Builderman, but much thinner than him, so the the jacket was slightly too big. It served well for now, and Taph liked his clothes oversized, so he was very happy.

"🚫🧢, 🙏🫵‼️!" (No, it's okay. Thank you so much!!) Taph placed a hand over his heart and hit a few times in gratitude. He was very glad to have ran into Builderman of all people. Even though he was getting closer to the other survivors, the thought of truly being seen by them struck fear in him. It was still too soon to consider toning it down.

"Don' mention it, bud." Builderman waved a dismissive hand momentarily. "Just bring it back once you get your change, alright?"

Taph nodded happily.

"Rounds endin' soon, I reckon. Don' run too fast now, yeah? Can't have you becoming carpet." Builderman laughed loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, but the round was coming to a close already, so they weren't worried anymore.

"🫡. 👆🦺." (Got it. I'll be careful.) Taph's shoulders shook as he too laughed, yet silent as always.

"Promise?" Builderman asked in a clearly playful tone, with a look that said 'I've seen how wrong this can go. I'm serious.'. Taph giggled at the sight. Builderman was acting oddly parental lately, even though he did have an "I'm responsible for your safety" attitude ever since Taph first started working for him, it switched to something warmer, almost familial after they got brought to this realm. Taph couldn't really complain, and he didn't want to.

"🔒." (Promise.)

[GAME OVER - SURVIVORS WON]

Chapter Text

Pum, pum, pum, pum.

Once again, Taph had found himself on the run. This time, thankfully and fortunately, he wasn't running from any maw, blade or claw, but rather aimlessly with the intention to find anything, even such as those. He hadn't seen anyone or anything yet, where were the #### generators? His teammates were constantly moving anyway, so he wasn't worried over not finding them, however the generators, a usually stable presence on the maps besides the bloodthirsty monsters, have also not been spotted thus far. Honestly, it was getting on his nerves.

Pum, pum, pum, thud-

Uh oh...

With a loud splash, Taph found himself drenched in poisoned water, the affects of it already taking over him. Nausea, burning —metaphorically and literally—, excessive heaviness. By the heights, this could genuinely be one of his last straws-

"D0 you p1an 7o stay th3r3 until y0u d1e?" A green form of hatred was standing not too far away from him, towering overhead.

But of course... Someone had to witness his failure, and that someone had to be the one wanting his guts on the floor....

Taph turned over until he was on his back, propping his upper body up with his elbows. It'd get uncomfortable to lay like that soon, but he had assumed he wouldn't live long enough for that to happen. He felt his clothes sizzling away as they burned from the water, but he couldn't bring himself to care, he was more irritated than anything. The warmth only served to annoy him worse.

"Wh4t? Giv1ng 7p a1re4dy? HAH!" the creature let out a shrill, mocking laugh, loud enough to pierce through ears... and Taph's ego. Taph rolled his eyes at the remark, why hasn't 1x killed him already? It couldn't be that this creation of hatred (😼) was actually in a good mood?! Preposterous...

"Y0u 1diot1c rob10xian," 1x raises her two swords that Taph managed to wish for, then quickly slashed with them. However, what ripped was not Taph's body, but rather the clothes covering it. "y0u'd h4ve m31ted to d34th."

...

Maybe if he drinks the poisoned water, he'll die faster.

But... That'd probably be awful in both taste and texture, so it was a no-go. CURSE YOU AUTISM!!!

Taph noticed that his cloak front button had been sliced through, letting it fall to the water to break down entirely. Along with that, his robes had been slit at the shoulder seams, now draping like some absurd fashion statement. His shirt thankfully had stayed mostly in tact, but still threatened to show things he'd rather not reveal to the world. These swords were mighty sharp, so why hasn't he been granted a swift loss yet? Undeniably, 1x was playing around with him, though he wasn't sure if she was aware about the concept of body coverage, considering her body was made of some weird ...thing, and her breasts were out and free.

"HEY, 4x! LEAVE THAT LITTLE GUY ALONE!!" a voice calls from further away, steadily approaching. It belonged to none other than Shedletsky, and Taph could only hope he wasn't as annoying about this as he was with almost everything else.

"Wh4t wi11 y0u do 1f I d0n't c0mpl7?"

"ALRIGHT, HERE I- Taph, where are your clothes at?"

Taph was still in the water, his clothes were still dissolving. Perhaps he should start getting out, since apparently he was getting spared from death— certainly not embarrassment. He rolled his eyes as he stood on wobbly legs.

"Don't you sass me young man! I saw that!"

He places his hands on his hips, mimicking the stance Shedletsky held across Taph and 1x1x1x1. He looks up to the dark sky, as if to ask "Why? Why me?". Silence is all that returned to him. He was reeeally starting to lose it, especially after getting all that nasty water on him and his clothes.

"EN0U6H OF TH4T 4LR34DY!" 1x1x1x1 swiftly threw one of their swords at Shedletsky, who dodged it mostly out of habit.

"Hey, you started all this! Look at poor Taphie!"

Taph cringed hard, first at the nickname —mostly because he was upset—, then at the realization that he was still exposed to the world, now with too many eyes focused on him.

"W07LD YOU R4THER HE M3LT IN TH4T DIRT7 W4T3R?!"

"Wooow, I didn't take you for one to care, miss "I only feel anger, grr"" Shedletsky mocked her, and Taph could only hope that he was doing it for strategic reasons rather than ...the Shedletsky reasons. Oh who was he kidding, can he just grab the blades and kill himself? Better yet, can he kill Shedletsky first? He sighed disappointedly, for he already knew the answer was no.

"Y0U L1TTL3-"

"Ahp-up-up! Watch your language, the kid is here."

'Friendly fire, I see how it is...'

"Th3 "k1d" is 4 gr0wn m4n."

'I cannot believe I'm feeling positive about that creature.'

"Th07gh 4dmit3dly.. th3re'5 still gr0wing to b3 don3..."

'Like father, like creature. Why are they bonding over backhanded commentary towards me.'

"I can't argue with that. However, consider the following:" Shedletsky all but rips his shirt off of his body, hastily throwing it at Taph —who catches it after flinching, which totally nobody saw— and charging at 1x, sword colliding successfully with it's target.

"Y0U- 4R6H!!"

Shedletsky winks at Taph, who recoils in anger-fueled disgust, before sprinting away with 1x hot on his trail. He looks at the shirt for a moment, considering if it's worth to wear it as he noticed all the grease stains, along with a few others he'd rather be unaware of the origin of.

The timer read 4:56, if it were any less he'd stay as he was. With a heavy defeated sigh, he slips into the shirt and right out of it. He bites his bottom lip, stifling a laugh he knew he couldn't produce, along with a stinging tear. Carefully, he bends over and raises the shirt on him again, now strategically draping it over his body and securing it.

'Dumb, stupid Shedletsy, always so eager to help... Always so confident through failing..'

Somehow, for a reason even he himself couldn't figure out, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Chapter Text

Today had been a pretty good day, the last round was now in progress, leaving Taph and Dusekkar behind this time. Surprisingly, the games had been proceeding with unexpected success, raising a streak of 4 wins out of 5 total rounds for the survivors.

Taph was very happy about this, the ease of today's rounds was probably one of the little things keeping him calm. He had to admit, ever since the morning he felt a lot more sensitive than he usually is, as far as he could recall. His clothes barely fit right, his skin felt uncomfortable, he could barely tolerate putting food in his mouth and the resulting hunger made it all worse. But still, he persisted.

Sprawled on the wooden floor of his cabin, a few random scraps he had scavenged from the forest and pieces he was allowed to keep from the game grounds surrounded him. He wasn't doing anything in particular, just messing around until an idea would show up in his head which he would then sketch out before resuming staring at his collection once more. Every few minutes he would pile up his items, mix them up and organize them into messy categorized piles while taking stock. He would repeat that quite a few times, but in the end he was having fun.

'Wood up left, glass up front, rocks...'

The rocks were lean, he had liked how round they were and that's why he started taking them. However, it did not take long for him to start getting uneasy over having the rocks in his possession. Sure, they were great to look at, and he liked doing that, but whenever he would think of touching them, or god forbid they touch each other, a shiver would rush up his spine. He identified his disgust over it by the way his bones would feel weird, the way his teeth would ache, and the realization that the rocks made him want to tear his skin off. He wasn't sure why he kept them, especially with how sensitive he was today, the best course of action was to throw them out until he wanted to look at them again, in which case he'd go over to the "rock orphanage" he had created and look at them.

The rocks made him feel uneasy. Trying his best to look away, he moved on.

"Cardboard down left, flowers down right... That's all of it back in place.'

He stretched his back in a quick motion, which them turned into some sort of upper body wiggle. He liked his piles of stuff. But now it was time for the icky part— counting them.

He didn't always like numbers. Yeah, he was good and pretty fast with most math, but it was also really easy for him to get confused and mix stuff up. He thought he was stupid, he felt bad.

'1, 2, 3, 4, 5.'

He picked up the counted few of the flowers and placed it a bit further away from their pile.

'1, 2, 3, 4, 5.. 10.'

He kept up that loop, picking up 5 of each item from the pile he was focused on, then transferring it to the counted pile. Over and over, until he has made it through most of them.

Taph glared at the pile of rocks. They were covered in dirt and whatever else this realms grounds held, since he felt too lazy to clean them more than a few swipes when he got them.

'Maybe I should... But I don't like them... But I should...'

Taph jumped up from the floor, steadying himself momentarily on a nearby piece of furniture until he regained his vision. Then he made his way to the main cabin, beelining a path to the kitchen. He rummaged through the cupboards for a few seconds until he found a big bowl that looked clean enough. He approached the sink, turning on the faucet and watching the water fill the bowl for a few seconds. He briefly wondered where Dusekkar was, though he was quickly reminded of his purpose as the bowl nearly overfilled. He closed the tap and made his way back to his cabin.

He slowly dropped himself to the floor, gently placing the bowl of water in front of him. Sure, he could've taken the rocks to the sink, but somehow he hadn't thought of that at the moment. He picked up a rock, then paused.

'I shouldn't get my gloves wet.'

He placed his now removed gloves to his right, then picked up the rock again, ignoring the shiver than ran up his spine at the contact. His skin crawled and he felt the strong urge to throw the rock away from him and run as far as his legs would let him. But he persisted.

It's just cleaning a couple of rocks, he could do it!

...

Knock, knock.

...

"It is only Dusekkar, I was simply strolling by. Though I heard your cries and sniffles, and couldn't help asking why."

Taph curled up further in on himself, in that tight corner of his room, where the front of the bed meets the wooden wall.

"If there is any trouble, don't fear reaching a hand. Even if only to listen to any rave or rant."

He tightened the grip he had on his hair, pain growing in his scalp as he desperately tried to get rid of that disgusting sensation lingering on his palms. He looked down through teary eyes, spotting stains of tears and dirty water. He knew he shouldn't be crying over that, be he was and nothing could make it stop. Dusekkar could either enter the cabin and approach him, or he could abandon leave him alone— though Taph wasn't in the best mental state to think about it. He nearly choked on a sob, desperately trying to control his breathing and failing as hiccups kept wrecking through him, causing him more distress over the uneven air intake.

"I will be entering your space now, stop me of you must. I mean not intrude, apologies in advance."

The door creaked open, and Taph had to use all his remain power to neither rip his ears off nor hit his head in an attempt to find peace. He could hear every step Dusekkar took, all the way from the front door until finally stopping outside Taph's bedroom. Two knocks pained his ears before the creak of the door got shut out by two hard knocks on Taph's head.

The footsteps hurried over, and he could see Dusekkar kneel way too close from the corner of his eyes. Somehow, the presence helped Taph. The pressure of Dusekkar dragging him into a tight embrace aided even more. Dusekkar's arms wrapped around him, squeezing him close as his hands tried getting Taph's own out of his hair.

Dusekkar did not speak, did not move. He just stayed there, stable, comforting, familiar. And slowly, Taph calmed down. His tears had mostly dried but his breathing was still unstable when he pushed himself further against Dusekkar, seeking even more pressure, which he was provided.

"Taph, what troubles surround you? Is it company you need or a bid of adieu?"

Taph wiggled his hands free from Dusekkar's grip, shaking as he tried to sign.

"🪨🚫, 🧥😣." (Rock bad, clothes messy.)

Dusekkar nodded as Taph managed to string a sentence together, even though barely.

"Your clothing has been soiled, dirt and grime. If it would suffice, I offer you mine."

In... then out. Slowly. In... then out.

Taph successfully managed to control his breathing and calm down, now a feeling of softness attempting to wash over his body, only interrupted by the annoying sensation of dirty clothes on his skin. Tears threaten to form once more, he needed to change now.

Taph weakly nodded, but Dusekkar did not let go nor weaken his hold until Taph tried to move away. They got up, with Dusekkar helping Taph raise himself off of the floor before swiftly unbuckling his belt and removing his grey robe, the same as Taph's black one but a size or two bigger. He gently placed it on Taph's bed and folded his belt in his arms.

"If thee requires my presence, I'll be in the main cabin's floor. Now I leave thee to change alone, I'll see myself to the door-"

Dusekkar paused as Taph had already started tearing layers off of himself, shocked at Taph's eagerness to avoid the dirty clothes and also his apparent not caring about Dusekkar being present as he did so. He briefly considered if he should stick around instead, if only to make sure Taph would go to bed safely.

"Taph, pardon me as I ask, but may I stick around? Simply keeping company, after I return the stones to the outside ground."

"👍."

Dusekkar chuckled as he picked up the rocks, some of them were still huddled up together —never touching— while some where on the floor a bit further away, presumably dropped or thrown. He scooped them all up and stored them in a now empty bowl, gently and carefully placing them so they wouldn't make a sound. Lastly, he picked up Taph's robe and left the room with a final glance at Taph, who was taking his time putting on Dusekkar's robe, motions slow and sluggish.

In just a few minutes, he had returned the items to their places and piled Taph's robe over the rest of the dirty laundry. Now making his way to Taph's cabin, he could hear the faint chatter of the returning survivors.

"Taph, I have returned to thee, I greet. Share with me, do those clothes comfortably your figure fit?"

Taph had worn his cloak over the replaced robed, though the hood was dropped low. Dusekkar took note of it, but did not acknowledge aloud. Taph approached and stood in front of him, before shyly reaching his arms out towards Dusekkar. He held them open, his request clear, and Dusekkar had no intentions to deny him. The minute he opened his own arms wide to receive Taph, the demolitionist nearly pounced on him, almost toppling them over.

"My, my, what energy you have found. Is it right to believe that now, you no longer wear a frown?"

Dusekkar's brain was also trying to put together why Taph's outfit brought a sense of familiarity to him. Taph raised his head up to look at Dusekkar, face revealed to shine a tired smile at him. Dusekkar smiled back, bringing one hand up to brush through Taph's long, messy hair.

"I am glad to see such a show of positivity. Your face glows brighter and softer, fittingly."

By the heights, Taph looked like...

"❓"

"Apologies for my staring on. You... truly resemble Telamon."

Taph let out a breathy version of a giggle, his smile growing wider before tiredly burying his face in Dusekkar's chest.

"Allow me to put you in bed. Exhaustion must swarm you, your time had been well-spent, now let this day end."

Taph nodded, tearing himself away from Dusekkar and instead holding onto his hand as he let himself be guided to his bed. They both knew that clothe-lending ultimately was useless, but Dusekkar did not care.

He instructed Taph to lay down after lifting his blanket, the creature throwing his cloak at the end of his bed. Taph did so, squirming around and twisting his body until he was comfortable. One hand shot behind him to grab a stuffed animal he had covered with the blanted that morning, bringing it in his arms to hold. Then, Dusekkar gently lowered the blanket over Taph and the stuffed animal, adjusting it around them a few times until he considered them properly tucked in.

"I shall now take my leave, and leave you to sleep. Fear not of seeking me, if any thoughts creep."

Taph grabbed Dusekkar's hand with his own before he could even turn away, and the mage tilted his head at him in question, noticing a comically deep frown on Taph's face.

"🚫💥👤. 🙏." (Don't leave me alone. Please.)

And that is how Dusekkar found himself reading a book in a makeshift seat besides the bed of a comfortably sleeping Taph, the room illuminated by a single, questionably strong flashlight Taph had in his possession. He looked at the sleeping figure, and silently hoped that Taph would dream of happiness and joy rather than nightmares of the deadly games or Telamon forbid... rocks.

He chuckled to himself, before closing his book and carefully laying his head down near Taph's own. Taph's head was strangely near the edge of the bed, it was very likely the demolitionist was trying to read from Dusekkar's book before losing the battle with sleep.

Dusekkar thought. Tomorrow he'd better check Taph's head just to make sure he didn't accidentally cause any bruises from hitting it. But for now, sleep sounded very nice.

Taph dreamt of warmth and comfort in the shape of a blue pumpkin.

Chapter Text

Taph was currently relaxing in the bathroom, cleaning his body under the gentle water of the shower. It could get tedious at times, and painful, but it was all worth it in the end when he was clean. Fresh skin, clean clothes, soft hair— one of the best feelings in the world, no doubt. He was determined, flourishing, in his lane.

When all of a sudden, he hears this aggravating, grating noise of the bathroom door opening abruptly. Taph flinched awfully hard, limbs scrambling to cover his intimate bits from whoever just walked in without warning. They soon announced themselves as they headed towards the washing machine.

"Greetings, Taph! Apologies for entering the space you are using, the laundry needs to be washed." Two Time walked past Taph, a few water droplets landing on them since the shower had no curtain, and therefore nothing to save Taph's dignity. They do not seem to mind or care that Taph is dressed as he was when he entered the world, but the fact did little to lessen the pit of embarrassment in Taph's stomach, his cheeks flashing a warmer color.

Taph did not move to continue his shower, silently watching Two Time swiftly grab and collect the dirty laundry from the pile, throwing them into the washing machine. He stared in horror as Two Time grabbed his clean change of clothes before he could have a chance to protest against it in any way, throwing them inside with the dirty clothes.

Taph remains frozen in shock as Two Time loads and starts the washing machine without a care in the world. It wouldn't be a problem had he another pair of his clothes, but they were provided with only two, and both of his were currently spinning around in a very loud machine.

Two Time turns to him, their face lacking any emotion whatsoever, a smile that tried and failed to be warm the only indicator of life. They seemed to notice his terror, their smile faltering for just a blink of an eye.

"Dearest Taph, what has brought you to such a state? Please allow me to aid you in any way." Their words were laced with the power of duty rather than that of simply wanting to. Like they would be killed if they weren't as helpful as possible.

'They're going to have another episode, great.' Taph internally sighed, almost done with everything. They weren't upset or angry, not at Two Time at least, never at them. It wasn't their fault, but when the whole realm is working against you, every little thing can get awfully tiring.

"🫵🖐️✊👆🧥." (You took my clothes.) Taph slowly tore his hands away from the parts he was trying to hide, now being fully exposed to Two Time's barely focused gaze. It's not like they were going to mock him or anything, but come on now...

"Deepest apologies, Taph! Truly, I am so very sorry. It was not the intention to leave you exposed..." Two Time clasped their hands together as if in prayer, lowering their head. Their eyes bounced back and forth nowhere in particular, thinking.

"👍, 🫵🚪-" (It's okay, just get out-)

"Oh, a wonderful idea!" Two Time suddenly exclaimed, sharply lifting their head to look right at —through?— Taph. He froze in place, maybe he should've paused the water at some point, though he couldn't have imagined anything like this would happen.

"You will wear some clothes from my own!" Two Time cheered at theur brilliant idea, face beaming with determination. Barely, but it was there, just like most emotions when they were slipping into an episode. Taph could tell though, he was always sensitive to changes like these.

"꥟🔲?" (With the Spawn symbol?) Taph regretted his words the second his hands stopped moving.

"Yes!! The Spawn is depicted on each and every one of my items of wear! Would you be interested?" Two Time sounded elated at the prospect of someone showing interest in the Spawn, although the context must've not fully registered in their head.

'What the #### do I say here. What are they asking? Interested in the clothes? The Spawn? Both? How lucid are they? What do I do?' Panic and anxiety rippled through Taph in mild waves. He decided to try and play it safe.

"👆🙏🧥, ☑️." (I would appreciate clothes, yes.)

"Would you be interested in learning about our generous Spawn?"

'Dang it.' he thought he could avoid this, but alas, the universe had other ideas. He just prayed that Two Time wouldn't forget about the clothes. Wait, prayed? He hasn't done that in a good while... Huh..

"👍, ☝️🫵👆👇↩️." (Sure, but we have things to do first.) he tried to redirect, and perhaps make them exit the bathroom and leave him alone. At least until he finished showering and was no longer naked and afraid, is that too much to ask?

The answer apparently was yes, and it was about to get much trickier than Taph would ever expect from today.

"What is there to do? Surely you could lend an ear alongside doing the tasks?" Two Time raised his hands, tightly holding one another as if to plead. Taph cursed his soft spot for them internally— if risking his own mental state would mean keeping an eye on Two Time's, then it'd be worth it ...probably ...hopefully.

"👆🚿, ➕🫵. 🫵🩸." (I have to shower, and so do you. You smell of blood.)

"Indeed, that is true. Very well, let's take care of that!" Two Time started to undress on the spot, thankfully they had thought to close the door behind them when they first broke in entered.

"⁉️" (What are you doing?!) Taph flinched from shock, his brows crashing together. The shower was not built with sharing in mind, but thankfully both he and Two Time were small and thin enough to not have as much of a problem. He mentally noted to try and get them better fed.

Still, he was not really a fan of sharing a shower and what that entailed. Last time he died that was in camp back when he was 12 or so, but even then he had the coverage of a swimsuit. In here, he was ass-out naken, every part of him on full view. The thought made him a bit nauseous.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, when Two Time walked under the water, they both realized just how close they would be forced to be. To save the awkward details, accidental touching was unavoidable, and they nearly breathed each others oxygen.

"This way we can conserve water and time! Will you listen now?"

'Like a persistent child, Spawn give me strength... Wait what?' Taph chose to ignore Two Time rubbing off on him, hoping that this wouldn't snowball into a much bigger issue. He will never believe in the Spawn as much as they do when in an episode, or in general, but he doesn't doubt as much as he thinks he should either. 'Myeh, it'll pass.'

And that's how Taph found himself face to face, mutually tits-out naked, with a Two Time that's slipping into delusions. He was not afraid of them harming him, no, they were much more of a threat to themselves than anything. He just wasn't a fan of an impromptu duo shower.

Regardless, he did not entirely ignore Two Time's blabbering, instead choosing to try and pay attention, asking questions here and there. When Two Time forgot what they were supposed to be doing, a little too lost in their own head, Taph took over showering them both. As awkward as that may be, as much as the contact burned him and made his skin crawl, he couldn't just leave Two Time like that. A small, quiet part of him wondered why, and he didn't know how to reply.

After a grueling half hour of fighting through shampoo and conditioner, brushing and washing, they were now clean. Two Time, however, had failed to mention that their clothes were still in their room, so that brought upon the bonus challenge of getting there with only two towels and a dream as their coverage. Taph tried to convince himself that it could be worse, that he could be fighting for his life right now, but he wasn't sure how much it worked.

And of course, the ones to witness the once in a lifetime event of a giggling Two Time and a very scared Taph running to Two Time's cabin, hand in hand as they fought to keep the towel over their parts, would be Chance, Builderman and 007n7. The one known to never let anything be lived down forever, Taph's dang boss, and... Well, 007n7 was actually okay, he's probably more concerned than anything.

Taph did not see it, since he had turned and bolted his head to face anywhere but the three people, but the minute he and Two Time were spotted, they had all looked away. No mocking, no comments, no looks. Just silent understanding and respect.

And eventually, after nearly dying from embarrassment more times than he had the energy to count, they made it to Two Time's cabin, which they were promptly dragged into. Taph took note of this eagerness in his mind, hoping he'll remember to write it down in his observations later.

Currently, however, he was sitting on Two Time's bed, waiting for them to fish out the clothes from their closet. They had paused their blabbering once they reached the room, and he took this time to look around and memorize his surroundings— who knows, it might be useful in the future.

There wasn't much of a difference from cabin to cabin as a base, the template was the same— entrance hallway leading to a window, two doorways on each side of the walls in the middle of it. The left one lead into the bedroom, the right one lead to a small dining-room-kitchen thing. No bathroom, no living room or free space except that small part across the entrance. Just like his cabin, and everyone else's. The kitchen wasn't much either, just a sink and a few cupboard-

"Coverage has been found! We may now dress ourselves to decency." Two Time waltzed towards the bed and gave Taph some clothes. A shirt with the Spawn symbol, some grey pants, they even thought as far as to bring him a pair of underwear! Joy! However, they had nothing even similar to a bra or binder, and Taph could only curse his inconvenient genetics.

If Taph had one subspace tripmine for every time someone stripped in front of him without prior warning, he'd have two just from Two Time today alone. It's as if he had some sort of aura that made people around him comfortable enough to get so vulnerable so suddenly, and he didn't know how to feel about it. But it was happening, and soon enough Two Time had already wrapped themselves in clean clothes, now choosing to stare at Taph in anticipation.

He bit his tongue and moved through the steps until he was dressed. Spawn, Two Time was going to owe him for the trouble when they're okay again... Oh, who is he kidding, he can't hold it against them, they can't help being like this.

The shirt fit very uncomfortably over his chest, another layer he would never go without now missing. Could he go to his cabin to grab one? Was he allowed to leave? Should he leave, with Two Time like this? Gears grinded in Taph's head, thoughts racing back and forth, ideas bouncing around until one stuck. Two Time had gone back to telling him about the Spawn's teachings, but he was only half listening. The sensations were too loud, the itching lack of comfort too distracting.

In the end, he took Two Time to his cabin, which they did not protest or mind at all. As long as they could talk about the Spawn, and their stories of their "community", they were satisfied. Taph, however, was now on babysitting duty, in a way. He'd have to make sure they were fed properly, slept enough and dreamt well, not harmed themselves in any way —intentionally or not—, and kept alive in general, as well as entertained. Not in the rounds, they knew to survive those. But outside them? Their knowledge of self sustenance lacked tremendously.

They were similar, in this way.

...

He did not let that thought process, instead focusing on figuring out how to approach Two Time's condition. As much as he had a hobby of learning random bits of information about all sorts of stuff, he was still unsure how he was supposed to react to Two Time's delusions. He settled for a rather strict, stable, and supportive treatment. Or at least tried to. Do not confirm or deny anything that could lead to them getting worse, stand your ground if things get too far and redirect, lend an ear if they want to talk about it.

The Spawn must be watching!
No I don't think so, no one is watching us right now. (Right?)

We must offer to our glorious Spawn, pray with our hearts and plead for salvation!
Let's eat dinner first, maybe after.

Will you listen to me?
...Always.

And repeat, until they get better, back to "normal". Taph wasn't sure if it happened naturally or if their captor played any part.

The Spawn will be pleased!
Probably, good job back there.

The symbol is a vital part of showing our devotion!
Let's draw it instead, we can't carve on a stranger's property.

Are you ...tired of me?
Never.

...
...

Will you stay?
Of course.

Chapter Text

It wasn't rare for there to be a disasterous change in weather inside this hellish realm. However it wasn't often that it was this disasterous. It was raining all but cats and dogs, chair legs even. The hail was merciless, thick pieces of ice shooting down from the sky. And if you were unfortunate enough to be hit, you best believe the bruise will stick around.

That is how our humble survivors found themselves in the main cabin, unable to leave due to the harsh assault from above. Not all of them were there, some trapped within their personal cabins instead— namely 007n7, Chance, Noob, Shedletsky and Builderman.

Elliot, Two Time and Dusekkar were attempting to hold up a civil conversation, while Guest was about to change into his pajamas and go to bed. They were lucky they managed to wash and dry the laundry before the thunderstorm took out the power, drowning them in darkness until they found other light sources.

Guest started to make his way to the bathroom in order to change clothes, when suddenly, the front door burst open and some poor soul stumbled in, most certainly a victim of the natural disaster. Everyone rushed over to see Taph wheezing and coughing on the ground, drenched in water and melting ice from head to toe.

"Taph, what were you doing out there? It's dangerous, didn't you see the hailing?" Elliot asked as she approached to help Taph up, nearly recoiling in shock once she felt the touch of his sleeve— it was as if Taph had gone for a swim, drowned, then took another dip before coming in the cabin. "Gosh- you're drenched!"

"😮, 👆🚫🔍." (Wow, I didn't notice.) Dusekkar bonked him on the head with his staff.

"It is no time for sarcasm and jokes, you are almost entirely water. We must change you out of your clothes with haste, lest the common cold be your slaughter." Dusekkar, the hypocrite, stood by, not doing much more to aid the poor survivor trembling in front of him. If he is fine enough to joke, he's fine enough not to choke. He'd be okay.

"Do we have any clothes to spare to poor Taph?" Two Time questioned aloud. Dusekkar pretended to think, while Elliot actually did so and came to a conclusion.

"I don't think so, all our clothes went in the dirty laundry, and we wore the clean ones." She slowly dragged a shaking Taph towards the fireplace, realizing that he probably shouldn't be sitting still in wet clothes.

"He can have mine. I'll stay in the uniform." Guest announced, voice bold and firm, leaving little room for discussion. Taph could honestly not care less about what he would wear, if only it meant he'd get out of his baptised clothes.

"Are you sure of this offer, brave veteran? Taph is a much more covered and smaller man." Dusekkar's subtle teasing did not slip past Taph, who threw a glare nobody saw, but everyone felt.

"Absolutely. If he wants to, he's free to take them. I..." Guest paused, suddenly a little too conscious about his choice of sleepwear, but he was determined to get Taph dry. "I also have a nightcap, if it's any comfort."

Dusekkar flame flickered for a split second, the pumpkin head holding back a laugh. Nobody else seemed to find it as entertaining, and feeling like his presence was unnecessary, he soon took his leave and went upstairs.

"So, what do you say Taph?" Elliot turned to him, and Taph rapidly nodded. He got a little dizzy from the motion, but nobody had to know.

"They're still in the bathroom, let me help you there." Guest walked over and grabbed Taph's arm, at which Taph silently winced, the sensation of the wet fabric on his skin giving him some not so self-loving thoughts.

They made it upstairs with little trouble apart from the occasional stumble from Taph, but Guest's grip was strong and iron-formed, keeping him steady. Taph did not acknowledge it other than internally, but Guest nearly picking him up by the arm with just one of his own kind of scared him. It also amazed him, the veterans pure strength and grip was noteworthy, but when you're suddenly slipping backwards and then promptly lifted onwards fear is the more likely scenario.

Now he was facing the inside of the bathroom, Guest going through the clean laundry —that nobody had folded yet— until he found what he was searching for. He pulled out a set of white pajamas, soft blue stripes running over it vertically, along with a matching nightcap. It was very cute, Taph thought.

Originally, he had assumed that he'd be left alone to change, but Guest just stood there, hinting that he had other plans. Taph tilted his head to the side, urging him to explain himself.

"Oh, sorry, I thought you might need help with taking off your clothes." Guest rushed to explain, concerned that he had made Taph uncomfortable. Seriously, why did he think that was the better approach? "Do you?"

Well, his clothes were sort of stuck on him... Maybe he could use a little help, but was he willing to reveal himself to Guest?

The answer is yes, absolutely, anything that got him out of the sticky clothes. Taph eagerly nodded, hands subconsciously pulling the fabric away from him only for it to stick right back.

"Alright, come here." They met halfway, immediately getting to work. Guest removed Taph's cloak a little too fast, causing some of his hair to get pulled, at which Taph hissed. Maybe he should've told Guest about what he looked like instead of leaving it to guesstimation. Guest pat his head where the pull happened, softly as if to soothe the pain. He probably had this happen with his daughter or his wife, considering his own hair was pretty short.

They moved onto the robes, pulling it away from Taph in messy motions, dropping it on the floor half turned inside out. Perhaps they should dry Taph a little bit before getting him dressed again, they realized, so Guest brought over a clean towel and a hairdryer Spectre knows where he found. It was too quiet, but neither of them would call the silence uncomfortable.

Taph all but threw off his shoes and socks, now feeling much less like killing himself for some reason. Together again, they peeled off Taph's shirt and pants, leaving him in only his underwear, which they decided should be left unchanged. The spots dotted all over Taph's upper arms and shoulders did not go unnoticed, but unmentioned.

Taph slouched and curled around himself subconsciously, seeing that Guest seemed taken aback momentarily upon spotting the sports bra he wore. They quickly recovered, Guest making a "yeah, should've guessed" expression mostly to himself, and Taph straightening his back once he realized that Guest is the one of the last people in that place to be phased by that. He has a wife and daughter for Robloxia's sake, he's seen a sports bra before, he does not care.

Guest wrapped the towel over Taph's shoulders and started patting him dry as one would a child, probably on autopilot from past habit. Taph froze, not expecting the sudden contact, and sharply curled in on himself. The hands on him flew away as if they've been struck by lightning.

"Sorry, I'm sorry! Force of habit..."

"...👍. 👆👇👆, 🙏🫵🤲." (...It's okay. I can do this myself, thank you for the help.) Taph relaxed his posture, stretching his back as he did so. He took the towel in his hands and resumed drying himself, alone this time. His hair was pretty wet too, but thankfully his cloak had taken most of the nature-given bath. He scrunched it with the towel a few times, but he knew that wouldn't entirely work even in his dreams.

"No problem, anytime." Guest walked over and hesitantly picked up the hairdryer, considering his choices. Fatherly instincts landed on helping. "Want me to dry your hair?"

'Hm, well, it does take a while and my arms aren't in the best condition right now...' Taph thought, then nodded.

"Alright, wait here. I'll bring a chair, I feel like we'll be here a while." Guest abruptly stopped just before the doorway. "Unless you want to sit in front of the fireplace instead? You shouldn't be in the cold."

Taph looked at nothing in particular, weighing his options. The bathroom would be more secluded, therefore just the two of them to look at him, but it'd also be awkward after a while, not to mention torturously boring. The fireplace wasn't much different in terms of boredom, however he much preferred to look at a lively fire than a static environment he'd gotten tired of seeing. It would also let Guest talk with the other survivors if he wanted to, so Taph wouldn't feel as bad about wasting his time.

"🔥🏠, 🙏." (Fireplace, please.)

"Of course! Come on-" Taph stared at Guest with a "you're forgetting something" look, and he cut his words off before correcting himself. "...I'll be waiting downstairs, take your time."

"🙏." (Thank you very much.)

It took five minutes at most, Taph was now sat in front of the fireplace with Guest on a chair behind him, fully dressed in Guest's pajamas and slippers which seemingly dropped out of thin air as he was about to leave. He almost immediately regretted his choice the second he sat down, it was too uncomfortable, and he didn't feel brace enough. He couldn't know what Guest was doing until he felt it, the unpredictable yet unavoidable contact making his nerves tingle, but he could only try to stay as still as he could until this was over.

Surprisingly, mostly for him, Taph found himself relaxing as Guest's fingers ran through his hair, gently moving it along to dry it all the way through. The crackles of the fire served as a lullaby, even though barely heard over the noisy hairdryer. The messy and sways of the flame were mesmerizing, a sight he couldn't pull his eyes away from, to the point he almost didn't hear the hairdryer click shut. He wouldn't have processed the noise if it weren't for the hands softly ruffling through his hair, checking for any missed spots that weren't there.

Looking behind him, eyes already starting to droop from sleepiness, he found Elliot and Two Time laying on the couch. Elliot was leaning on the right side armrest, fast asleep, with Two Time dozing off while curled up next to her. He felt a smile creep up on his face at the sight.

"All done, buddy." Guest pat him on the shoulder to get his attention, the other arm showing the hairdryer, cable folded up and ready to store away.

"🙏, 👨‍👦‍👦." (Thanks, dad.) Taph stopped his hand from shooting to cover his mouth. Maybe Guest didn't notice that slip of the hands... Though new fear struck him when he heard a certain pumpkin head's poorly concealed snort.

"I think I missed that last sign, could you show me again?"

Yeah he was done for. The killers might've not yet permanently killed him, but the embarrassment crawling all over him made him wish for it to have been so. He shot a pleading look at Dusekkar, unsure himself of what the pumpkin could do to help, but thankfully Dusekkar spared him today ...Or did he not?

"Our Taph here signed a greeting to me, though he failed it miserably. Perhaps slumber tugs at him, arms turning weakly."

'Of course he would...' Taph was half-heartedly glaring at Dusekkar, who just smiled at him.

"It's pretty late." Guest acknowledged in understanding. "You guys should head to bed, seems like we'll be spending the night here so make yourselves comfortable."

"🫵?" (You?)

"I'll put this back and join you, don't worry." Guest left, swiftly heading upstairs to drop off the hairdryer. Taph took this chance to shake his head at Dusekkar, showing his disapproval.

"Don't throw odd looks my way, you needed help and that's what I gave. You looked just about ready to dig of shame a grave."

"👆🔍, 🫵💯😠." (I know, you're just easy to glare at.) Taph giggled, earning himself another bonk on the head. He pouted and dragged a nearby blanket over to where he sat, wrapping it around himself and huffing as if Dusekkar had thrown him outside again.

Dusekkar chuckled at the sight, using his magic to drag a pillow from upstairs and drop it on Taph— from a safe height, of course! The two sleeping figures on the couch were unaffected, already way too deep in their dreams.

"It is already obvious you have claimed the floor, your likeness to the fire is quite bold. But do us all a favor and sleep not on the naked ground, it would do you no good to catch a cold." Dusekkar sat himself on the seat besides the couch, watching as Taph set the beanbag far away from the fire to be safe, but close enough to look like a child watching TV. He plopped himself inside the center, covering his body with the blanket and shifting around until he got comfortable.

Guest returned not too long after, deciding to sleep on the other seat in the room. The veteran was fast asleep moments after sitting down, he must've been mighty tired.

Taph took a moment to look at all of them, sound asleep, in a hopefully pleasant dreams care. They looked almost at peace, if it weren't for the visible signs of exhaustion on their bodies.

One day, they would truly be able to rest. One day, they'll get out. And moments like this one is what makes it all worth fighting for to Taph.

He raised his hands and signed to the world, partly a wish from the heart, partly a small gesture against their predicament, similar to saying "you've not taken it all yet".

[Goodnight.]

[Sweet dreams.]

Chapter Text

It was one of the better days they got to have lately— clear skies, decent weather, easygoing performance in the rounds. Eternal night, but it was lovely. Everyone wore more summer fitting clothes, though the air still had a bit of a bite to it.

...except a certain stubborn survivor, who still wore his usual robes and cloak, even in such temperature. But as long as he was feeling fine, nobody said anything besides the occasional joke.

It was about the middle of the day, and Taph was hanging out with Noob in their cabin, which was particularly warmer than the rest. He was snacking on a few grapes they had found in the cupboard in the early morning, while Noob talked his ears off about some craft they were both interested in. Hunger and thirst had been neglected, but he wasn't feeling it just yet, so he assumed he'd be fine. Just for a little bit longer, he'd go take care of his bodily needs eventually.

Taph rose up from the floor, his destination being the kitchen. He would just grab a glass of water and come back, pretty easy right? Absolutely, he was back within the minute, though something felt off.

'Meh, must be nothing.' he thought, setting the glass carefully on Noob's desk.

He walked back towards the bed, when suddenly everything hit him all at once. He was extremely nauseous, a certain type of needing to empty your stomach that he had come to know was a sign of something worse. As he attempted to grab Noob's attention, who was still chatting away while facing somewhere else, his vision started to fade out until all he saw was black. It got incredibly warm in the last moments before he was out, and he barely managed to catch a glimpse of Noob turning around and screaming.

Unfortunately for Noob, they had turned around after Taph had unintentionally started to make his way to the floor, and had no time to catch him. They shriek loud enough to hear the echo right after, throwing themself to kneel besides Taph in a fearful attempt to make sure he wasn't dead. Which he wasn't, thankfully.

Noob's mind was immediately kicked to action upon seeing that Taph hadn't dropped dead, but instead passed out for some unknown reason. Their fingers worked fast to remove his cloak and unbuckle his belt, reducing any restriction on his body they could find without crossing any hard boundaries. Though if they thought it to be serious enough, they would trample over any boundary just to make sure he was alive and well. Health came first, no matter what it meant.

'I'm so glad Sixer prepared me for this, somehow...' Noob opened up Taph's robes, but quickly paused once they saw him slowly come to. They changed action, dragging the nearby chair and propping Taph's legs on it. Then, they took a few papers they had on their desk and fanned air onto Taph's face, helping him focus.

"Is everything alright in there?!" A voice sounded from the door, loud and firm, full of concern. Guest 1337.

"C-COME IN, PLEAS-PLEASE!" Noob called back, fear pinching every nerve on them despite the decent job they were doing. Taph weakly turned his head to the noise.

"I'm in, what's going on?- What happened here?!" Guest rushed to Taph's side, besides Noob. He put a hand on Taph's forehead, checking his temperature, while the other firmly but gently rubbed his cheek.

"He-he suddenly faint-fainted buttt, he's not too warm-warm and I took some restr-restriction off-" they take a few deep breaths. "Guest, c-can you bring the thing that-that counts your blood presss-pressure?"

"The what- oh, yes! Good call, kid." Guest charged out of the cabin like his life depended on it, and Noob was left alone with a recovering Taph.

The light was blinding, painful for Taph's now sensitive eyes, an aching sting he was struggling to blink away. He tried to sit up, but was firmly held down by something he slowly recognized as Noob's arm. Resisting didn't seem that beneficial, so he stayed down and tried to focus on his surroundings. He was so, so cold. In a strange way that didn't originate from the temperature of his environment, feeling way more like ice ran through his veins and blood.

Where was he? The cabin was nearly identical to every other one, he'll have to spot something different to give him a clue. Desk, chair, Noob... Oh, right! Noob's room, they were hanging out.

What happened? Well, he could probably guess that one judging by his position right now. Happened before, will happen again, eh.

...Was Noob crying? And who's that running over?

"I'm back! Raise his sleeve." Guest commanded, and Noob hurriedly obliged. Taph, after a brief surge of panic, realized they were going to measure his blood pressure, so he stayed still and waited.

"...a little low, but it should be going back up. Keep an eye on him, I'll bring some food and water, he probably forgot." 'Again.' Guest was out of the room like he was never there, the equipment left behind just in case.

"👆🚶👇? 👆🤕." (Can I move now? My head hurts.) It wasn't a lie, but boredom was more painful that his head at the moment, though Noob didn't have to know. In reality, he was feeling much better already, almost like nothing had ever happened to begin with.

Almost— he was feeling remarkably more sluggish, his body acting as if it had shut down entirely —which, it had—, limbs dragging and swaying along his motions.

"You should be ffff-fine now, but- let me help you." Noob supported Taph on the way up. He did not mention how his vision blacked out for a few seconds once he was fully upright.

It was fairly certain that he'd stumble if he tried to walk, but he tried regardless, taking a few steps towards Noob's bed. Exactly three steps in, one of his knees buckled and he nearly would've met the floor again if it weren't for Noob catching him. Their hold tightened, almost becoming painful. He was helped to sit on the bed, Noob planting themself right next to him, not letting go.

"👍, 👇⏩. 🙏😓🫵." (I'll be fine, it passed. Sorry for worrying you.) Taph pat Noob's head, subtly wishing they would let go. He felt oddly lighter, and his line of sight was much broader... Wait.

'Nevermind, I could give less of a ####.'

"No, I'm sorry! I didn't see you s-soon enough and let you fall. And I... Also had to take some clothes-clothes off of you, I'm sorry...." Noob squeezed Taph tighter, and he held back stomach acid or whatever it was threatening to shoot out of his mouth. It was less like support and more like a weird hug now, but mostly Noob clinging onto Taph.

A few minutes later, Guest rushed back in, carefully holding a glass of water and a plate of leftovers. He probably hadn't seen the glass already on Noob's desk, or he forgot about it in his rush.

"Here we go! Next time I see this plate, it better be licked clean." Guest stood in front of Taph, arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. The poor demolitionist swallowed a lump of anxiety and perhaps fear— he would not admit it if you asked.

"Dummy." Guest affectionately ruffled Taph's hair. He probably should've brushed it a bit more often... Ouch. "I'm kidding, but please try to eat something. Please?"

"Y-yeah Taph, you have to eat at least a little- a little bit. Promise it!" Noob threw the card Taph prayed they wouldn't. Those pleading, sad puppy eyes. He was a grown man for ##### sake, he should be able to resist the look of desperation!

"👆🔒." (I promise.) Alas, he could not say no to Noob unless he wanted to feel awful for days. Refusing something harmless from the young robloxian should not be processed the same as kicking a bag of helpless kittens, but it did.

Taph could've sworn that the sun hasn't ever shined as bright as Noob's smile once they saw his answer. Their grip tightened and they shook him a little bit, really twisting the playful blade of victory.

"Alright, then it's settled." Guest chuckled. "I'll be in the main cabin if you need me, okay? And Noob."

"Hm?" Noob curiously looked up, loosening his hold on Taph.

"Watch over him, 'kay? Make sure he eats."

"☝️👆👍, 👍-" (But I'm fine, it's okay-)

"No buts." Guest ruffles both of their hair this time- well, mostly Taph's, Noob's is mostly a rub with their grown out buzz cut. "See you later."

"See you!" Noob yells out as Guest exits the cabin, leaving the two alone again. They immediately turn to look at Taph and assume the meanest pout they're capable of.

'When I first got here they could barely look me in the eyes... When did we get here, this is a threat.' He sighed in defeat, somehow managing to unhook himself from Noob's iron grip. He wobbled over to the desk, picked up the plate and went back to his spot. Noob did not cling onto him again just yet. A shiver shook him as he sat back down, he was getting warmer, but not fast enough. Noob noticed this.

"Are you cold? Here, let's-let's share my blanket." Noob took the blanket off of their bed and draped it over their shoulders. They sat on the bed with their back touching the wall, eagerly patting the spot next to them. "I'll help warm yyy-you up faster."

Taph's linbs felt off, and contact with another person wasn't all that enticing. Regardless, he accepted the invitation, a little too tired to care about his feelings. He hands the plat over for Noob to hold on to, still not that sure of his ability not to spill it's contents everywhere. Crawling onto the bed, he settled at Noob's side, and they immediately threw the blanket over him too.

They handed him the plate and he slowly started to nibble at the food, his stomach hadn't entirely work up yet, but eventually half of it was gone. He didn't have much of an appetite to get through the rest, so he moved to put it away for later before Noob stopped him.

"I'll do it, you stay down." They jumped off the bed, left the plate and carefully picked up the glass of water, bringing it up to Taph's face and waiting. Since he was a little thirsty, he accepted it, emptying the glass within a few seconds. Noob clapped briefly, and put it back on the desk before jumping back on the bed, nearly crashing into Taph in the process.

They buried themself under the blankets, wrapping them along with Taph's arm around their neck, cuddling up to him. They stayed like that for a while, before they nervously raised their head, seeing him already looking at them due to the movement.

"Do you... You know we care about you, right?" Taph froze at the sudden shift of subject, then hesitantly nodded.

"Good." They hugged him tightly at the waist. "Please don't forget."

He hugged them back with a firm squeeze, a million different thoughts happening somewhere far inside his head, though the front was quiet, peaceful. Safe.

"👆🚫." (I won't.) He let his head rest on theirs, dark curls cascading down until they tickled their nose. They brushed them to the side with a giggle.

"👆🔐." (I promise.) A little voice spoke in their head, telling him to say more. It was scared, so he chose to soothe it.

"👆👇. 👐🫵🤲. ♾️➕." (And I'll be here too. For whatever you need. For forever and longer.) He pressed his lips on the top of their head, just a bit shy of being called a kiss. It was a confirmation, the seal of the promise.

Amidst all the mess he accidentally caused, he had forgotten about what he came here to do. Now that he remembered, after laying his eyes upon an abandoned projects of Noob's, he decided to return to a lighter mood.

"🛑🥹👇, 🫵🗣️👆🧵🔁." (Enough sentimentals now, tell me about your sewing again.)

Noob was more than overjoyed, and by the time they had to go back for lunch, almost everyone was made aware. Their giggles echoed throughout the empty forest, excitement causing them to neglect their volume.

Taph smiled fondly at them, he really wouldn't have it any other way.

Chapter Text

'Oh, oh no.'

Taph was facing a dilemma that he'd find himself coming across a little too often. His current clothes had to be washed, but somehow, his one change of clothes had not been, and he could not remember for the life of him if he had forgotten to put them in the laundry or someone purposely left them out.

Well, not much he can do about that now, both of them were dirty with blood, sweat, tears and dirt— it could not be put off any longer. In simple words, they were stinky and awful to wear too. But what can he do? It was almost time for the next round of laundry to be washed, he had to think fast.

Unfortunately, soon came the knock on the door. Someone was going around and asking for any dirty clothes to be collected, the final call before he had to wait days for the next one.

"Heyyy, Taphie!" Chance waltzed inside the cabin as if they owned the place, heading straight to Taph's room. They cartoonishly took a peak from the doorway and waved, almost falling down by the sheer force they used to bring themself upright right after. They adjusted their fedora and glasses, coughing into their first as if to say "you did not see that".

Taph waved back, looking around the room with an exaggerated motion as if to reply "see what?", though they both knew that he had seen every second of it. He propped his head on his arms, sighing loudly to show that something was troubling him. Chance caught on and walked up, harshly clasping a hand on Taph's shoulder and immediately retracting it— partly because the strong contact with the thick fabric stung, partly because their hand landed on a thick patch of dried blood.

"Ew, you should get that washed. Speaking of which, I'm collecting people's dirty laundry so just give it to me." Chance supported themself of Taph's desk, right across where he sat on the bed. He lowered his eyes to the floor in defeat. "Dude, what's wrong? Is it the clothes? Just change and give this one to me so I can-"

"✌️🫟. 👆🧥🚫. (They're both dirty. I don't have anything to wear.) Taph shook his head as he signed, then threw himself to lay on the bed.

"Oh." Chance said. They took a moment to think before flashing their usual grin, and snapping their fingers to point at Taph. "Well, that's no problem. Just wear mine! I got both washed last time so I have a spare."

"❓🫵👆?" (What did you do then?) Taph raised an eyebrow at this.

"Stayed in my underwear, then hid in the bathroom when you guys started getting back from the round." They adjusted their fedora as they chuckled. "But I don't think you'd be a fan of that."

"😮❓🫵💭?" (Wow, why would you think that?) Taph raised a hand over their mouth in mock-shock, earning a laugh from Chance. They both knew how much Taph valued his freedom, and about his plans to go in the forest to look around later.

"I'm just that awesome, what can I say." They stood upright, heading for the door. Their grin turned mischievous, and they decided to tease Taph a little bit. In their defense, he started it. "Now why don't you strip for me while I go bring them, yeah?"

They ran off before Taph could hit them with a reply or literally. The poor demolitionist laid on his bed for a while, before choosing to comply out of spite, knowing Chance did not expect him to listen.

A few minutes later, Chance, joyfully, all but skipped inside Taph's cabin and went straight for Taph's room, carelessly whistling some melody of a children's lullaby. They turned into the room just to freeze on the spot, their eyes landing on a Taph that was in only his underwear, doodling something at his desk, clothes almost neatly folded right besides him.

"👋🎰, 🙏🚫👀." (Hi Chance, please don't stare.) His posture slightly slouched once he noticed Chance looking at him, but he was willing to go quite a way for the bit despite that.

"Well, damn. I did not expect that, you got me there." They smirk, an honorable admission of defeat. It did not escape Taph how they turned their eyes away— only after a good long glance, of course. They threw the clothes at Taph before grabbing his, a plan brewing inside that near empty head if theirs. Taph could tell there was another teasing comment coming up, Chance would seldomly let him have the last word, but you can never predict a gamble. "Such a pretty sight just for my eyes to see? I must be blessed by Lady Luck herself. Expect me back soon, beautiful."

Almost never. This time, Taph managed to graze chance slightly with the subspace tripmine exoskeleton he threw, but they still managed to get away, giggling as they ran.

'What am I going to do with that guy?'

There wasn't even a hint of complaint in his body as he thought that. He actually looked quite forward to what the gambler could possibly be thinking about. Letting out a sigh, he started to wonder when they got close enough for him to feel that way about Chance. Though he knew the thinking was useless, he most likely wouldn't remember.

He started dressing himself in Chance's spare change of clothes, taking his sweet time to observe how it fit his body and maybe a bit more to think about how it fit Chance so much more. The pants were surprisingly stretchier than he assumed the fabric to be at first, causing him to waste time on just bending his leg trying to get used to the feel of it.

He resumed what he was doing by wearing the white button up shirt, fingers struggling slightly with the small buttons. Chance had to do this every day, and was probably able to button it up in seconds out of pure muscle memory. It fit him a bit looser than it did them, most likely because it was in Chance's exact measurements, the gambler being just one or two sizes bigger than Taph. Now the tie...

He skipped the tie he totally knew how to tie, instead grabbing the suit matching the pants he was already wearing and slipping inside it in one smooth motion. He walked back and forth in the room, using this opportunity to gage how he felt about these new clothing pieces on his body. The suit jacket was swiftly folded again and abandoned, Taph taking an extra moment to make sure he folded it properly, ensuring it was safe of creases.

He hesitantly picked up the tie again resting it over his shoulders and sort of just... looking at it. A few attempts were made, but nothing worked— as it turns out, seeing a couple short videos months ago doesn't teach you something, even though it's worked for him before.

Chance returned just in time before he gave in to the urge to throw the tie outside the window. Instead, Taph was found sat on his bed, angrily staring at the long piece of fabric. He could've sworn it laughed at him.

"Hey princess-" they suddenly felt like straightening their posture, probably because of Taph's glare. "Hey beautiful, how'd it go? I see you managed to dress yourself ...bummer."

"❓" (What was that?) The implication nearly restarted Taph's entire system, it certainly shocked him out of his anger.

"Nothing for you to worry your pretty head over!" They chuckled, obviously nervous, the reddening shade of their cheeks was almost too subtle if it weren't steadily getting worse. Seems that Chance, ever the charmer as they were, also gambled how easily they'd get flustered in the morning. "Need help with that?"

He thought for a moment, then let out a harsh sigh.

"🙏." (PLEASE.)

"Hehe, alright, alright. Come hither, fool." Chance called him closer —which just meant Taph had to stand up since Chance had closed the distance between them already— with one hand, the other immediately reaching for the tie around Taph's neck. Taph pouted, as if to say "you're being so mean to me" in epitaphian, but stood up nonetheless.

The position they were in would be quite awkward if either of them cared, mostly due to how close they were currently, since neither of them were that great with measuring distance from objects. They were pretty much cycling through the same patch of oxygen, and if Chance leaned in slightly more, they'd be clutching their foreheads from the collision. Taph did not care, mostly still irritated by his inability rusty ability to tie the tie on his own. Chance however, you could very much say they were having an internal freakout, though their practiced poker face hid every ounce of it apart from the reddening shade on their face.

The tie was intentionally tied a bit loose around Taph's neck with practiced precision, it took no more than a minute. Chance pat the tie against Taph's chest, proud of their work.

"There we go! Now you're all set. No, wait-" Chance removed their fedora and put it on Taph's head with all the power of a person trying to kidnap another. "Yes! Now you're just like me! ...but different."

"🫲🫱. ☝️🧐." (Same, same. But different.) Taph nodded after adjusting the hat on his head. He looked over to Chance and snorted.

"Hey what-"

Atop Chance's head, their hair had flattened a hilarious amount from wearing their hat nearly constantly. One could see the resemblance between Chance's hair and an upside down top part of a pineapple. Taph pointed at the scene of the crime, and Chance rolled their eyes, immediately knowing what it's about.

"Yeah, yeah, go on! Laugh at it! I wouldn't expect you to know the sacrifices a guy must make for the sake of good style anyway!" As much as they wanted to sound mad, Taph's laughter had them fighting to hold back their own. Curse him for being cute!! Wait what.

Suddenly, Chance got an idea.

"Hey, you up to go find random #### in the forest?" They smiled with their usual cheekiness, one arm brushing and ruffling through their hair, trying to balance it out.

"🤔👆? 💯." (Do I? Yes.) Taph stopped himself before he started bouncing on the spot. Chance could tell, and they were a little disappointed, but they had another thing in mind. And they knew Taph could not refuse the chance (😼) for he too loved a challenge.

"Cool, cool... RACE YOU THERE!!" Chance was already halfway out of the house by the time Taph registered what they had said, but that headstart was mostly because Chance had started running before replying. But Taph would not let that slide, never.

"PST!"

Laughter echoed around the trees, joy frolicking in the grass and between wilted flowers. Today would be an adventure for sure, and neither of them could wait.

Chapter Text

Taph had found himself on the run again. The same vicious foe as most times, John Doe, was hot on his trail and gaining studs by the second. Sooner or later, Taph knew he'd be struck by a spiked arm, though the uncertainty of when that would happen made it even worse.

He frantically dipped left and right as he ran in an attempt to dodge John Doe's attacks. Trials turned to pathetic errors as a spiked arm disgustingly ripped though soft cloth and delicate skin on his back, barely leaving his spine intact as muscle and veins were torn through. A shudder shot through him, along with an annoyed hiss, at the pain now itching and piercing from the wound towards the rest of his body, oddly reminiscent of an event he'd not thought to have impacted him so much. He pushed the thought away as he did his body forward, determined to survive.

What followed was a gasp, air pinched out of his lungs when he felt his cloak be firmly grabbed, and harshly pulled back, causing him to stumble and fall right on his ass, barely missing a snapped leg by shielding the fall with his hands just the slightest. He had to get away, needed to release John Doe's hold on him, but the cloak was made to withstand a lot. Most of the times it had to serve its purpose, he was very grateful for its shield, but now that it's reliable durability meant he could not rip free from the beast's grasp, he cursed it. There was nothing left to do except...

Two buttons and a hook-and-loop fastener part were swiftly undone by Taph's nimble fingers, the moves practiced and perfected by each time he had to rip a cloak from either himself after coming home at the end of a long day, or an unfortunate coworker struck by their own equipment and now in danger of melting into it. He shook the memory away from his head similar to a wet dog drying itself, turning his focus back into slipping out of his cloak and bolting away from the threat.

The stiff fabric slipped away from his head as he parted from the cloak with a partial spin, a precautionary measure against accidentally choking himself with it. He was now facing John Doe, and could see the beasts face clearly. A single moment is what it took— he saw something behind the monsters eyes, similar to gears struggling to turn, or a fire battling to stay burning. He didn't waste time dwelling on it, immediately turning around and running again.

John Doe would not care at all about seeing him without his hood, maybe besides some mild confusion. That fact brought some strange form of comfort to Taph, just a smidge and a pinch. But John Doe was still a predator on these grounds, and Taph was was nothing more than a piece of meat to hunt. Soon enough, the beast would be right behind him, swinging its claws and bearing its teeth. Soon, it would be its time to feast.

However, John Doe did not follow just yet.

The beast looked at the abandoned item in its clawed hand, and despite all odds, it was processing this new information. John Doe had never seen Taph without his hood, it had never thought that there was anything beyond what it saw. It's purpose was simple: kill them all, return, repeat. Its His thought were blocked off by the code invading his body and being, but sometimes, he slipped through the restrictions.

When a familiar figure he did not recognize appeared in his dreams, hands soft as they cupped his cheeks, he heard bells ring loud and proud, a reminder sending vibrations straight to his heart. When tears fell from her blue eyes—alive like fresh water to a dying flower, now aching like a brewing storm stealing away the sun—, shoulders shaking as she joined their lips in a show of overwhelming love, neither of them could have thought of how it would end.

That day, when she walked down the aisle in her white dress, he could only compare the sight to a goddess being seen in the gentle embrace of clouds. When the bells marked the start of the ceremony, tears ran down her face without shame, mirrored on his own with no less happiness than hers. When he heard those two words slip from her mouth as if it were fate, he couldn't help but sob. Her sweet giggles as he struggled to repeat the words through all the sniffles after her were music to his ears, and all the fuel he needed to keep going.

He wouldn't have minded dying right then and there, he had everything one could wish for in life right in front of him, there was nothing more to reach for.

The stars were within reach, the skies enveloped the couple in the gentle embrace of everything as the world echoed their deepest truth. I love you, it said.

I love you, claimed the trees as they walked under their shade. I love you, shone the sun when they peaked out to see it's rays. I love you, bristled the grass they laid on, absorbing the joy that radiated from the couple. I love you, whispered the life all around them. I love you, I love you, I love...

I love you, Jane.

The beast snapped back into reality to find itself in the cabin it returned to after every hunt. Its mind was blank, no thought to be strung along, no goal to be accomplished until the next hunt. It sat still, in the dark of the cold wooden cabins, not paying attention to any chatter happening around it, not even when the attention shifted onto it.

It did not move when the other creatures approached, it did not react when they spoke to it. It did not care about what they had to say.

It did not recognize the tears dripping on the floor as his own.

Back at the survivors cabins, Taph blinked to see that he had returned to the victors' table. As his eyes lazily swept the room, he came to find that he was alone. The look in John Does eyes haunted him, and he couldn't help but feel a pit grow in his stomach. The beast John looked lost. Distraught. Like he had lost something he was forced to forget ever having, something that was ripped away from him like stitches from an unhealed wound he couldn't see.

Taph sighed, defeated. He pushed himself upright and headed to the kitchen, hoping that the sickness he felt was simply hunger, even though he knew that wasn't the case.

Taph was cursed with the ability to understand, effectively making him vulnerable to psychological burdens that weren't his to carry. He'd try lifting them nonetheless. In this courtroom where everyone is sentenced despite their innocence, the defendants today were the Doe couple.

Taph tried blinking away his blurry vision, thinking it was just his eyes messing around, only to feel something trickling down his face. Tears, salty and bittersweet. He let them run free, even as many concerned faces flooded the kitchen upon hearing his sniffles.

One day, they'll go back home. All of them.

Chapter Text

Step, step, step.

Left foot, right foot, repeat. Yep, in a chase again. That's all he seems to be doing lately, running away from some random monster trying to kill him. If he could scream, he would. Why must he always get targeted? Well, with this one, he had an idea. It did not slip past him that the Slasher has shown curiosity towards him, interest due to their shared qualities. The way both of them keep their bodies mostly covered, and their shared inability to speak.

Taph had seen the small sparks in the Slashers eyes when he noticed him signing to a teammate, he had noticed how the Slasher tried to prolong his suffering as if he was trying to make sure Taph really couldn't make a sound. Sure it hurt, it hurt a lot, but Taph could relate to that need to find someone like yourself, though he's never really tortured anyone because of it. Maybe he's thought of it, maybe he hasn't— it'd be tricky to find the Taph that would admit to it.

He felt a harsh tug at his cloak, and he let out a tired sigh amidst struggling to breathe. At least he knew what was coming up.

Or that's what he had originally thought.

Instead of strangling him, snapping his neck, or throwing him to the ground to give him a more creative ending, Slasher harshly pulled the cloak up and off of Taph's head, taking some of his poor hair with it.

Okay, that tears it.

Taph stopped sharply on the spot and turned around with all the offense of an angry kitten. He looked straight into the Slashers eyes—or where he assumed them to be based on where the eye holes are on his mask—with an expression that screamed "you are pulling at my last straw". Shaking his hands in pure anger and exasperation, he didn't even try to sign any words. Oh how he wished he could yell...

To his surprise, Slasher did not immediately yoink his HP. The huge hunk of flesh and bone in front of him actually looked apologetic, but Taph had no patience to consider if the Slasher could actually be feeling guilt over this. The beast also wore a mask, and nobody had ever seen him without it, so it was more or less safe to assume that he'd never remove it. Just like Taph, except not exactly.

Taph had been getting better, if he were to ignore the seemingly random plummets of progress sending him way behind the starting point. But he couldn't help it, considering it could be another Taph causing those feelings to surface. Angry Taph did not care about being seen most of the time, happy Taph could get insecure at times... Could there really be another?

Nah, no way, there are no other Taph's at all. Just him and him only, he's really losing it in this place. No voices to talk inside his head, just him.

...He should get a therapist when they get out of this hell.

Taph extended a tense arm, palm open, anger pulling at his muscles as he struggled to contain it and calm himself. The Slasher looked at it, but did not move, still standing in place, awkwardly holding Taph's cloak in his bloody hands.

'Ewugh.'

Taph opened and closed his palm in a grabbing motion, eagerly pointing at his cloak being held hostage in the killers hold every once in a while. It seems like the Slasher finally got the memo, quickly handing it over.

'####### finally.' Taph quickly wore his cloak again, adjusting his hair in careless motions. The Slasher just stared, not moving to harm him or resuming the chase yet.

Taph patted himself to throw some dust off, then threw a thumbs up so quick the Slasher almost missed it before turning around and bolting it because his life depended on it. The Slasher jolted at the sudden shift in motion, having almost forgotten what he was supposed to be doing.

Unfortunately for him, just as he was about to go after Taph, a certain blue haired soldier charged right at him, successfully throwing him off balance upon collision. He was then immediately punched in the face with the strength of a father trying to split the earth in order to save his children, which if you didn't know, was very much painful.

A bit further away, half hiding behind the wall, Taph was relishing that moment he was witness too. The round was nearing it's end, and Slasher locked eyes with him one last time, just to be greeted with by the special finger in the middle of Taph's hand standing lone, proud and mocking.

The beast roared in anger.

[ROUND OVER - SURVIVORS WON]

The survivors snapped their gazes towards the sound of a thud echoing throughout the spacious main cabin, only to find Taph laughing his ass off on the ground, chair pushed aside.

After a bit of rolling around and trying to catch his breath, he jumped up, fixed his chair and walked out, nonchalant as most times.

Majority of the survivors brushed it off as typical Taph behavior, though some of the nosier bunch—namely, Chance—silently cursed under their breath, knowing he would have them begging on their knees long before he told them what happened.