Work Text:
Who would’ve thought that a killer and survivor would start dating? Especially in the Spectre, too. It was an odd pairing - obviously so - but no one seemed to really care that much. Close to a year ago, the infamous rich gambler in the Spectre, Chance, and the debt collector originally from a dream, Mafioso, began dating. They had a connection before they had been Forsakened, but never mentioned it to anyone. It wasn’t important.
At the time being, an argument was brewing between the couple and another survivor, Two Time. No one else was in the home - or, cabin - with them, so they were free to talk or yell as loudly as they wanted. The argument was started by the allegation of Chance only being Mafioso’s partner due to not wanting to pay off any debt he may have had that carried over from his life outside the Specure. Don’t be fooled, he is a very rich man, but even the richest of people have a bit of debt hiding somewhere. Little did anyone - somehow, even Mafioso himself - realize this rumor was true.
“He’s only using you to get his way out of paying you.” Two Time’s voice piped up as they straightened a picture hung from the wall. The couple were in close proximity to each other, and the debt collector felt an obvious tension push into his partner’s muscles at the cultist’s declaration.
“He’s lying.” The gambler choked out, his voice catching in the back of his throat for a moment. Mafioso gave them a look of distrust, causing Chance to clear their throat and conjure courage to double down. “Look, who are you really going to believe here? Your partner, or the person who stabbed their's as a sacrifice?” He asked. It was upon hearing this Two Time finally decided to give the couple their full attention and turn toward them. Mafioso looked between Two Time and his partner, gesturing confidently to Chance. At this, the gambler looked a bit too pleased. Like they’d accomplished something.
Two Time scoffed. “Seriously? How many people are throwing this around, and you’re believing them?” They almost laughed at the thought.
“I think it’s time for you to stop talking.” Chance forced themselves to interject, stepping in front of Mafioso. It didn’t do much to shade him, as the debt collector was a few inches taller than him, not counting the fedora he refuses to take off - but it was still a sort of act of protection either way.
“You don’t even like being in a relationship with him.” Two Time accused. Chance’s expression shifted to an unrecognizable mix of defensiveness and bewilderment.
“Who said I didn’t?” The gambler quipped back.
“You only do it to get out of paying your debt!”
“I’m the richest out of all of you, don’t make things up, now.” The gambler yet again doubled down.
“It’s not how rich you are in the bank,” Two Time began, stepping closer to the gambler and poking at his chest accusingly. “It’s how rich you are in the heart, which you definitely don’t have.” Chance’s stomach twisted at the non-binary’s words.
“Two Time, go.” The gambler growled out, pushing their shoulder to force them to take a few steps back, allowing Chance’s personal space back. It seems he was fed up with Two Time calling them out. At this, Two Time retreated, putting their hands up in mock surrender. They let their hands fall back to their sides, rolling their eyes as they began walking down the stairs.
“Wait until Azure hears about this.” Said Two Time, slamming the front cabin door behind themselves. Chance’s mind ran for a few seconds in the settling silence. Azure? Were they talking to each other again? He didn’t think the Specure would allow that, nor would Two Time even care to. Though, why would the Spectre allow them and Mafioso to date? Chance let out a sigh, turning to face their boyfriend.
“Well, that was..” The mafia man trailed off, finally speaking. “An argument.” He let out a dry chuckle.
“Sure was.” Chance muttered. “You alright?” Mafioso nodded, only to get a pouty look from his protégé. “You look like you’re lying.” He said, pulling the mafia man into a hug. Mafioso crouched down, allowing them to get a better hug in as Chance patted his back. “You’re okay.”
The wholesome moment continued for just a moment longer before the sound of the cabin door opening sounded through the space. Chance let go of his partner, turning to face the stairs. Was Two Time back? Who was here so soon? Mafioso let out a small hum of confusion, tilting his head to the side a bit. Just then, none other than Azure began walking up the stairs.
“Azure.” Chance annoyingly greeted, crossing their arms.
“Lovely seeing you here, Chance.” Azure spoke with more than noticeable disdain.
“Pleasure.” The gambler met his tone. It was quite odd talking with Azure, because it wasn't really them talking. To see a voice come from a person with a zipped mouth was sort of odd, especially when realizing that it was the hat talking. The puppet looked between the two infront of them, the zipper mimicking a smirk.
“Oh, and your little puppet you call your partner, how sweet!” He teased. Chance stayed quiet. “Did you hit your head or something?” Azure stepped closer, now at the top of the stairs. “You can’t deny it.” The gambler felt Mafioso shift behind him, but didn’t look back and see what he was doing. The real problem was in front of them.
“There’s nothing to deny if it’s not true in the first place,” Chance defended.
“I just love seeing you deny something you know is true..”
“Azure, why don’t you back off?” Mafioso spoke up, not much to the surprise of either of them. Chance let out an amused coo, stepping aside a bit to see their partner’s defensive stance. Azure’s eyebrows raised, his weight shifting onto one leg. “Come towards me, I dare you.” It was just then the gambler’s gaze shifted to see the debt collector hiding something behind his back. He didn’t bring any attention to it, but his expression did noticeably shift a tad. Azure giggled humorlessly.
“Seeing as you’re obviously hiding something behind your back, I’d rather not do that.” He stated. At this, Mafioso simply revealed his weapon he was hiding. He held a knife in his hand, which seemed to visually amuse Azure. With another step closer, Chance reached up and put his hand on their partner’s shoulder. “Mister M,” He spoke again. “I’d advise against that.” The puppet pulled their own dagger from concealment. “Unlike you, I can respawn, thank the Spawn.”
“Mafioso, just back off..” Chance advised quietly. Much to Mafioso’s dismay, he sighed and obeyed. He didn't put the knife away, just adjusted the blade away from Azure. He looked pleased with this.
“So, gambler,” Azure turned his attention to Chance.
“Cultist.” Replied the gambler.
“How are you going to get out of this?” The gambler replied with a question about what he was to get out of. “This silly argument is so pointless. Why do you keep denying it?”
“Because there's nothing true to deny.” Growled the wealthy one.
“You have lots to deny. You know what’s going around is true.”
“Why don’t you go confess my sins to your God , hm?” This seemed to get a reaction out of Azure. It may have been subtle, but it was completely noticeable for Chance, in which it obviously amused him.
“You know you’re only with Mister M to get out of your debt.” Chance opened their mouth to say something in protest, the words momentarily dying in his throat.
“Go find your little partner, cultist.” A now poorly hidden aggravated Chance grumbled out to the amusement of the puppet. Azure chuckled, stepping a bit closer.
“You're known for your tricks and little schemes.” He began. “It's quite harsh to not tell Mister M the truth, Chance.” The name slipped out like a slur. The three shared an awkward silence for what felt like a decade, before Chance told Azure to leave. He didn't. Instead, they decided to drag this out further. “I know a whole lot more about you, Mister C. Stuff you don't even know about yourself!” This sent a chill up the gambler's spine. His fists clenched along with his voice raising.
“You don't know any—th..ing.” He stammered on their words for a moment, swallowing some saliva he didn't notice had built up in his mouth. Azure was taunting him. Spinning their dagger in their fingers, a smirk twisted into the zipper-like ‘mouth.’
“You see,” He began with a coo, “I'm more than a ‘cultist,’ as you say. I watch.” Another step forward sent Chance back a bit in response to it.
“You're obviously not watching rig—” Azure cut them off.
“And Mister M has killed many like you.” Mafioso seemed to go quieter than he was at this. “Isn't that right, Mafioso?" Azure taunted further. The couple seemed to get a bit uncomfortable at his ‘points,’ causing Chance to again step in front of Mafioso in defence. Still, it didn't do much.
“Quiet about him.” Chance growled in warning.
“Protecting your puppet, eh?” Azure slurred out only for Chance to deny any possible way of that being true. “Please, tell me, Chance. Why do you persist in saying no?”
“Because what you're saying isn't true,” Chance defended himself only to be shut down again.
“You may not like what you do, but you just can't seem to quit.” Azure's now slightly agitated voice cut through, “Because..what is it you always say? ‘Ninety-nine percent of gamblers quit before they win big!’ Isn't that right?”
“S..shut up.” The gambler pushed out weakly from his chest.
“And you're never going to quit, because you know you're about to strike gold. It's just a matter of time.” With Azure's words, Chance seemed to finally get fed up. They swiftly pulled their old flintlock from the holster strapped to their side conveniently. He spun his finger around the trigger guard for a few moments before pointing directly at Azure.
“Out.” He simply said. Azure shook his head. “You really wanna waste one of your lives?” Chance rhetorically questioned with annoyance.
“Says the one wasting theirs.” Azure quipped back, crossing their arms. Mafioso stepped forward finally, pushing Chance subtly out of the way.
“You know what 1x4 always says?” The debt collector suddenly spoke, his weighted Brazilian accent wafting through the thickly tensioned hall. “Two lives, next time try—” Mafioso abruptly stabbed the cultist with his not-so concealed weapon. “—three lives.” Azure coughed, quickly putting their hand over the wound, applying pressure so it wouldn't bleed out. They looked between the oddly paired couple, their breath thinning a little as they stumbled their way down the stairs and slammed the cabin door behind them, making the paintings on the textured walls shake. The two sat in silence for a moment, Chance holstering his old flintlock whilst Mafioso carelessly cleaned the blood off his knife with the inside of his coat. Chance seemed to finally realize the corniness of what his partner said, chuckling to himself quietly. Mafioso groaned. “Great, next thing you know that damn chicken-loving dev’ is going to come up here and try to kill us or something.” He sarcastically jokes, only to get a breathless chuckle from his protégé. Chance kept silent for a few seconds.
“You..do know those are all just rumors, right?” He sounded a bit nervous. Mafioso tilted his head to meet their gaze, his fedora casting a shadow over his eyes and only serving to make him more intimidating. To be fair, that was the entire point of it.
“You better hope they are.” The debt collector warned with a slight undertone of joke as well, but it was obvious he was being serious.
“Mhm..right,” Chance slurred quietly. “Well..I'm going to bed, join me if you want.” With that, the wealthy man turned to their bedroom as Mafioso followed behind him after a moment of consideration. They both got comfortable in the bed, finally both falling asleep after a short conversation.