Until the Clock Di3s - 1

Instructions

This is the first chapter of a Bdubs&Etho Last Life story that I've been working on! It's the first time I'm releasing a story like this, so feedback and such is appreciated :D Tw's // Mentions of d3ath, some angst, mentions of !njury (minor) -tick tock tick tock tick tock- Bdubs woke up, and that was a surprise. He had d!ed, but de@th was nothing new as he and all his friends were technically immortal. Technically. They just… didn’t stay de@d normally, However the rules of life and de@th weren't always consistent, it really depended on the world you were in, and in the world Bdubs currently resided in he’d had four lives. Four chances to survive, lives that he could keep, or give away, a trade of the most valuable currency possible. Each time he d!ed these lives were the only thing that prevented him from becoming a shadow of himself, doomed to walk the world unable to interact, and almost unable to contact his friends. This was the way it was, a Life game, s!ck and twisted, but a nice break from normalcy. Meant as a spot of fun it had rapidly become far, far too real. It didn’t feel like a game anymore. And Bdubs had d!ed, d!ed on his final life, he knew he had and he hadn’t felt the rush of warmth that accompanied a gifted life. It had been his last chance… so simple. Krill a redlife, and get a life of his own in exchange. Be yellow again, be friends. He really shouldn’t be awake right now. That didn’t change the fact that he was. Bdubs slowly opened his eyes. The room came into focus gradually, cobblestone walls with chests stacked haphazardly against them and a simple dirt floor. His eyes drifted, then fixed on a familiar figure in the corner slumped heavily against their pile of chests. “…Etho?” Bdubs whispered (His voice was raspy. Odd) “Your bed’s /right there/” “Mmmhm” Etho shifted and blinked sleepily, words all running together: “Bdobllohisit morning already?” “..yeah” Bdubs said slowly /the morning of the day after the day I di3d./ Etho woke a little more, raising his head and blinking sleep out of his eyes, “Bdubs?” his shoulder slipped out of the gap between chests it had been resting in, causing him to fall backwards, hitting his head on the -thankfully soft- floor, ”ouch” Bdubs laughed and smiled. He couldn’t help it. Meanwhile, Etho stared at him like he was seeing a ghost, and what with everything, and the whole awake-when-he-shouldn’t-be thing, Bdubs wouldn’t be surprised. “It worked” Etho breathed, “you’re back” Bdubs sat up. He was a bit sore, but not too bad. His chest hurt. Bdubs couldn’t decide if he was thankful or concerned, so he settled for salty. That normally worked after all. “What’s freaking wrong with you! I’m proud of you for sleeping and all, but is the bed not good enough for you? Sleeping on the floor!” Bdubs crossed his arms and shook his head disdainfully, “This guy” he huffed. Secretly Bdubs was actually quite touched that Etho cared enough to spend what was obviously a pretty sleepless night taking care of him /He does care, I was right, I didn’t need to worry, I don’t- Shuddup thoughts!/ Bdubs glared at Etho, who was very obviously, (at least to Bdubs’ expert eyes,) smiling behind his mask. His expression had something odd in it. Relief maybe? Hmm. “Whaat noooooo” Etho protested merrily “I slept fine! Got like a whole three hours I did” He picked himself off the floor and dusted off his pants, unbothered by Bdubs’ remark. Etho was lying, Bdubs could tell. Etho didn't even sleep that much. “You shouldn’t be losin’ sleep over ol’ Bdubs, Getting enough rest is important ya hear! You’re no good for anythin’ if you don’t take care of yourself.” “I’m fine” Etho repeats, then hesitates “Do you need anything? You’re not hurt too bad are you?” “I’m a little sore” Bdubs admits /and confused, and afraid, and maybe happy to be here, even though I don’t think I should be/ he doesn’t say. “Anything else?” Etho asked, eyes betraying his concern “Nah I’m good” Bdubs lied, hoping Etho wouldn’t see right through him. Etho saw right through him. Bdubs could tell by the subtle narrowing of his mismatched eyes. Thankfully Etho didn’t comment. Bdubs moved to stand on shaky legs (he was much more sore than he should have been after a respawn. Should he be concerned? He dismissed the thought. It was probably nothing) and boosted himself up onto the chest pile where he settled in. Maybe he’d sit awhile. It’s not like he had anything else to do. ---Continued in Notes and Credits---