hi fish pal

Before splitting up again on the next oncoming round, because of course, everyone spawns randomly, you turned to Shedletsky. Your voice came out sharp, threaded with urgency and that edge of command you didn’t bother softening anymore.

"Do not get hurt this time. I'm serious, Shed. No more limping back like you're starring in some tragic war film."

He grinned that crooked, reckless grin of his, the one that made you want to punch him and kiss him in the same breath.

"Yeah, yeah," he waved you off, turning to jog off in the opposite direction. "Try not to miss me too much!"

Did he listen?

Yeah. No.

The round was pure chaos. C00lkid proceeded to absolutely maul the team, picking off your ~~friends~~ Teamates, one by one while you scrambled to get generators done.

When it finally ended, then returning to that cozy cabin setting, you let out a breath And then you saw him.

Shedletsky looked like he’d been dragged backward through a boss fight. Shirt torn, blood on his sleeve, not his, you hoped. and his usual cocky stance was more of a slouch this time. Elliot stood beside him with a medkit, clearly mid-aid, but when he spotted you stepping into the room, he paused.

Elliot gave you a small, knowing smile and stepped back. “I’ll leave him to the professional,” he said, already pulling out a pizza box for the others to heal them up. “He’s all yours.”

You crossed the room without saying anything, grabbed a cloth from the table, and kneeled down in front of Shedletsky.

He blinked down at you, half-dazed. “Hey, look who survived. Thought you forgot about me.”

This idiot got the nerves-