Chapter Text
It wasn’t everyday that they bothered to go into the forest. Most days they’d sit in their cabin, or the group lodge, just waiting for what would inevitably come the next day. Then the day after that. And the day after it… But the forest was pretty- a miracle. Flowers peaked out of the ground, probably more alive than any survivor felt. Blues, yellows, reds, purples- purple? Yes, purple. Nightshades bloomed among the other flowers, almost as if taunting them. TwoTime grimaced.
“You give that back!” Someone shouted, Chance.
“Once you catch me!” A lighter voice taunted, TwoTime looked up.
He rushed passed, one hand on his hat. A nightshade’s petals bursted off as it was crushed under his foot. He was grinning, laughing. TwoTime stared at him, gleefully flinging a small bunch of leaves at Chance, who was chasing him.
Chance, who was missing their hat.
TwoTime blinked. Chance grabbed their target by his shirt collar. Their target, who placed a red visor on Chance’s head with a sheepish grin. Oh. It was just Elliot. Wearing Chance’s fedora. Of course it was.
“That’s not even a hat, pepperflake.” Chance gave Elliot an annoyed look.
“It’s totally a hat!” Elliot drawled his ‘argument’. “It does exactly what a hat does, come on!”
“No, it most certainly does not.”
“It looks cool and it shields your eyes from the sun! Same thing~!”
“Looks nice on you pepper, I look like a fool with it.” Chance retorted.
Wait.
“Pepper??” TwoTime asked, then immediately realized they’d said it aloud.
Elliot looked at TwoTime with his cheeks turning red. Chance on the other hand, snapped his head to them, eyes wide, and let go of Elliot, who fell to ground with a bewildered expression.
Neither of them had realized TwoTime was there.
“You did not hear that.” Chance warned.
“I most certainly did,” TwoTime challenged, “fortunately for you two I don’t exactly care.”
“Oh good-” Chance whistled between words- “because there’s nothing to care about here.”
“Real smooth, d—” Elliot got a shoe on his mouth, shoving his head against the floor. TwoTime repressed a smirk.
Deserved.