Alternate realities

'Because you mean a lot to me'

Steve remained by the lava pool. DK went to walk away but words stopped him

"I was worried, you know," Steve said. DK turned around, looking at Steve who didn't even look at him. Instead the tall man just stared at the lava

"Yeah?" He asked, not believing it. Steve sighed and his voice showed vulnerability, something DK had never seen in his friend.

"I thought I was gonna die. I got locked in storage looking for you," he whispered, softly enough that DK thought he imagined it.

"Why'd you say those things Steve?" He finally asked, needing to know. He wanted a reason more than he wanted anything

"Tubbo was in there. And I don't trust him. He said we looked like lovers. I just wanted to make sure you were safe,"

"It would've been fine," DK said, unhappily. Steve walked over slowly and tilted the shorter mans head up

"What if it wasn't DK? What if you ended up like Apollo has? What if I lost you for good?" Steve asked, hit hot breath on DKs neck

"Why does it matter to you?" Dk asked, not sure why Steve had gotten so close to him. He wasn't even sure why he cared that Steve had said that stuff about him

"Because you mean a lot to me. Everything that I said in that room, was not true,"

"Steve I-" DK started to say, surprised he had gotten so upset. Of course Steve had been lying

"Do you believe me bud?" Steve asked, his hot breath still on DKs neck. DK was barely able to think enough to form words, unsure about why they were in this position.

"Sadly I do," DK whispered. Steve grabbed DK by his waist and pulled him close before taking a chance.

Steve connected their lips. Steve pulled away to a wide eyed, red faced DK. Then Steve realized what he did

"DK I'm sorry I-" he said and started to stumble over his words, not noticing that DKs face had changed. A smirk now sat across the mans face as he stared at Steve, listening to his words

"Are you gonna shut up or do I need to kiss you again?" Dk asked and Steve stared at him in shock. "Ok, shutting it up is," DK mumbled, half hoping that Steve was gonna pick the second option.

The boys stepped away from each other and started to walk in silence. Neither really knew where they were going but they ended up at the left reactor. Steve pulled DK onto his lap after he sat down on the cold metal floor.

"Let's work this out," Steve said, referring to the others. DKs face was red as now he was straddling Steve's lap, but he tried to ignore it

"Ok. Wait, you have a bad feeling about Tubbo?" DK asked, shifting so he could get comfortable. Steves hand trailed absently up and down DKs spine. He felt the older man shudder a little and couldn't help but smile

"Yeah. I know it's stupid-" Steve said, starting to ramble, embarrassed that he had even mentioned that. DK rolled his eyes and kissed Steve just to get him to shut up. DK pulled away and saw a shocked Steve.

"If you would shut up, I could talk. I don't trust Tubbo either. He was trying to get someone off. And the way Ellum said he just wanted to vote someone..." DK said and trailed off as Steve spoke

"Tubbo could've killed after he left security. Meaning-" he whispered as DK jumped on his sentence

"Tubbo has to be the glitch. Cause he's smart enough, he would've called reactors if he killed in electrical."

"Toast is clearly crew. And Hafu must be too," Steve mumbled, looking at the man on his lap. DK nodded and yawned

"Roles?" He asked, with a head tilt Steve found adorable. DK stared into Steves eyes, unsure what to think. Steve never played this smartly.

"Anything crew. Leaving Ellum as imposter,"

"Holy shit. I think you're right," DK mumbled, and pressed closer to Steve. He honestly didn't care who was what, he just wanted to be close to Steve

"So what? We hide up here? Cause we shouldn't use our buttons," Steve asked, DK nodded his head the best he could.

"Either Ellum or Tubbo could be killed here. Either way, it doesn't matter. We need a lovers win not a crew,"

"Which means that even if two are dead, we have to get down to four and make sure either Tubbo or Ellum kills the fourth," Steve said, and saw DK look upset. "What is it?"

"I hate to do that. Letting Hafu or Toast die just for a win," DK whispered, burying his face into Steve's shoulder. Steve absently rubbed his friends back, not sure what to really say

"I know. But we need to get home," he whispered, knowing that DK wanted to be home more than anything. DK nodded slowly and hugged Steve tighter, afraid to let go.

"I know," he whispered. Steve kept a tight grip on DKs waist, hanging on for what felt like his life.

How did he never notice DK before? Like sure, Steve knew he was there, but did he really? He was always so taken by Dumbdog, who was in a relationship.

But he overlooked one person who he never should've. He overlooked his best friend and partner

DKs breathing turned soft and Steve realized he fell asleep again. Steve found it amusing that his friend was so tired, and the fact that he was so fast asleep.

"I love you baby," Steve whispered, kissing DKs forehead. He felt DK gripping his shirt tightly in his sleep.

Steve slowly let himself fall asleep, no way would they be killed if they were together. And even if they were, they had each other.

Steve submitted to the sleep that called him, with DK still curled up on his lap.

The meeting sound startled them awake