Chapter Text
Two Time looked out the window, resting their arms against the windowsill. It was late into the night and they were almost certain no one else was awake. Abandoning their home to seek refugee somewhere else wasn’t expected, but at least, they made new friends. Even if they swore that some didn’t like them at all. One for example, being Chance.
Chance knew of their history with Azure and it was rumored that Chance had a small crush on him. Two Time wasn’t aware of this, until after…the incident. Maybe it was just…a coincidence. Maybe they should focus on other things that aren’t so negative. They could look at something outside, instead of just…thinking.
Their eyes fixated on the rain droplets. Their eyes starred at the droplets on the window, then to the ones on the pavement. The way the droplets were so simple, yet so perfect.
Almost as perfect as the idea of respawning— even if some find it stupid, Two Time loved the idea of it. They could die without a care in the world and just wake up a few seconds later, or a few days later. Will they wake up where They last fell asleep? Will they wake up in their bed? Will They wake up where they died? Or will They wake up in the grave and They have to fight their way out?
Two Time hopes it isn’t the last one. Being in such a cramped place, with little to no oxygen is a hell for anyone. They might just endlessly spawn there, until someone finds them there, struggling to get out. It’s truly the worst outcome.
However, the first and second one are almost the same. They never fall asleep anywhere besides their bed! Sometimes they fall asleep on the couch, but that’s only if they’re too tired to make it up the stairs, after their hours of studying respawning. Shouldn’t they know the answer by now?
They have learned every little thing, besides that. They tried it with Azure, but…it didn’t go to plan. Maybe it’s different with each person and that’s what drives Two Time’s…curiosity. Maybe they should—
Two Time’s thoughts gets interrupted by the sounds of thunders and they flinched back. Thunder barely ever startles them, unless they are lost in their thoughts. Maybe they should’ve picked a more peaceful day to think about this topic. Now they lost their train of thought.
Two Time looks outside the window once more. They could think about something else— look at something else. They could associate anything with anything. Or well, they can mostly associate anything with respawning, since any living thing could respawn. They looked over to the trees, their eyes fixating on the leaves. How they danced with the wind was a beautiful site. Almost as beautiful as—
“…Are you thinking about Azure?”
Two Time’s head turned to the direction of the voice. Oh. It’s Chance. The nonbeliever. Why is he up so late? Or why is he here? Shouldn’t he be out gambling all his life savings away?
Two Time shook their head. “No, I wasn’t thinking about him. Even if I did, why should I tell you? You’re a—“
“Everyone here thinks you’re a lunatic, Time.” Chance interrupts, crossing his arms. “The only person who believed you was Azure and—“
Two Time, fidgeted with their glove. They aren’t in the mood to go through another one of Chance’s lectures. “You always bring up Azure, Chance.” Two Time turned back around. “And I’m not a lunatic! I know what I’m talking about. I have done tons of research about respawning to know it’s real!” They shouts, placing their hands back on the windowsill. Their fingers curl slightly inward.
Chance lets out a nervous laugh. “I..” The other man pauses. He moves his hand to adjust his tie. “I was just joking. We know you aren’t a lunatic. It’s just…we..” He pauses again. He looks off to the side, thinking for a moment. “We just are concerned for you and your… obsession with respawning.”
Two Time looked back over to Chance. “Aren’t you addicted to gambling?” Two Time asks, tilting their head. “And you don’t need to be concerned! I enjoy “obsessing” over respawning.” Their eyebrows furrowed slightly. Maybe They should let it go. Arguing with Chance this late at night can wake the others up, then they’ll both be in trouble.
Two Time lets out a sigh. “Sorry— it’s uh..” Two Time pauses, their eyes darting away. What could they say? They got upset over something trivial . “I’m sorry for…snapping at you and saying you’re addicted to gambling. Even if it’s true— anyways, I think we should head to bed, yeah?” They blurted out, moving a hand into their hair. They brushed through the strands, awaiting a response.
“I…didn’t comprehend any of that, Time.” Chance mutters, clasping his hands together. A slight smile appears— nothing out of the ordinary, but it feels fake. To Two time, at least.
“I thought I was perfectly clear, but okay.” Two Time scoffs, rolling their eyes. “I said that I was worry about snapping and…saying you’re addicted to gambling.”
“It’s not that serious, Time. I get it, you’re stressed.” Chance sighs, unclasping his hands. He turns away from Two Time. “I was just mainly worried on why you were up this late and I thought you needed a joke to feel better, You know?”
Two Time moves their hand out of their hair. “…Yeah. For someone that dresses professional, you don’t act like it that much.”
Chance reaches into his pocket and pulls out a coin. “I gamble, Time. Maybe you should use your brain next time.” He rolls his eyes and throws it up in the air. He catches it and smiles. “We should head to bed, before Elliot gets back. He can be scary sometimes, under that silly demeanor.”
“He isn’t that scary.” Two Time snickers, stepping closer to Chance. They look down at the coin. “Damn, I thought you’d have more than that.”
“I do. This is just my very lucky coin. I almost always win with it.” Chance places the coin back in his pocket, smirking. “It’s like I could wish for the most insane shit and it could happen.“
“So you can say some nonsense and it’ll land on heads? Isn’t it suppose to be either this or that?” Two Time crosses their arms. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re lying and in debt.”
“Usually, but I like to play my own way, and it always works out. It’s either I get this, or I get nothing.” Chance looks off to the side. “And I’m just that lucky.”
Two Time rolls their eyes and they uncross their arms. “And you call me the lunatic?” They ask, then they stepped away from Chance. Deep down though, they’re still upset about it, joking or not. Chance shouldn’t doubt the possibility of respawning, when it could and can work.
“Jokingly, of course!” Chance smiles, fidgeting with the coin inside of his pocket. He looks back over at Two Time. He moves his hands up to adjust his own sunglasses, then he lets out a cough. “If you’re still upset, just know that—“
“It’s fine !” Two Time shouts, looking away from Chance. “In fact, I’m really tired.”Two Time forces a yawn, then they walks away from Chance. Maybe dreaming of respawning will make them feel better, or will dreaming of…pizza. Pizza is one of their favorite foods, so maybe they can dream of dying from eating a poisoned pizza, then they respawn.
They walk up the stairs, then go down the long hallway. They turn left and open their door. Two Time closes the door and breathes in. Ah…the smell of..nothingness. Two Time’s wall was scattered with random band posters they found— they got some complaints about blasting heavy metal, while researching, but no one does anything.
Two Time walks over to their bed and pauses. A photograph and them and Azure. It’s still their more treasured item, after everything that happened. They grabbed onto it and stared at him.
He’s so beautiful . He’s still beautiful now, but…he’s corrupted and Two Time really can’t do anything, but pray that he get saved soon. Are they willingly to do anything to get Azure back? Possibly. And there’s endless ways they can try and save him, or they could join him.
Maybe they should head to bed, before they have another break down. Two Time flipped the photo around and laid down on their bed. They closed their eyes, hoping— no praying to hear Azure’s voice in the morning.
And with that thought alone, Two Time slowly drifted off to sleep.