The Little Things

He took a breath.

The Saboteur quietly unzipped the flap of his tent, backpack slung haphazardly across his back. Cicadas chirped from God knows where as he made his way further into the woods.

He didn't see anyone else- not that many people bothered with him anyway, but he needed to be careful when sneaking out like this. The others could get unreasonably worried about Survivors wandering off alone, despite the fact that the worst that could happen was already happening to them every day.

And wandering around like this? It almost felt normal- the way he carefully trudged through the foliage, hearing the leaves crunch beneath his feet.

It reminded him of when he was back home, going on hikes to connect with nature and clear his head.

Though a single glance upwards reminded him how wrong he was.

No moon, no stars, the sky was an empty black void threatening to swallow him whole. The Entity wasn't able to replicate things outside of trials that well, or so it seemed, and stars at night was just something he and the others had grown used to no longer having.

Jake ignored the way the neverending darkness sent a chill down his spine, instead stopping beside a bush and spreading out the tattered blanket from his backpack.

One last look behind him reassured Jake that he was alone, and he slowly began pulling out the other contents of his bag.

It wasn't much, but he'd managed to steal some beer and other snacks from a trial, and he figured that would be enough for his little picnic- and besides, it was less about the food, and more about who he was going to be able to spend time with.

"Boo!"

Jake rolled his eyes, gaze settling on the shadowy figure coming towards him.

The man was clad in a red and white jacket, and Jake could just make out the blue straps of his own bag across his back. He picked up speed as he drew closer to where Jake was waiting, tackling him into the blanket with a louder than he'd intended thump.

Jake allowed himself to squash the other man into a tight hug, but only for a moment.

"Frank!" Jake laughed, using his arm to shove the smaller man off of him, "You're gonna make a scene!"

The Killer let out a groan, rolling himself on his back with a soft thud.

"So?" He quipped, "Isn't everyone sleeping?"

Jake furrowed his brows.

"Only some of them, the rest are sitting around the fire- do you guys sleep at 'night'?" Jake asked, putting air quotes around the word night like it wasn't eternal darkness where they were trapped.

Frank glared, but shook his head.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right- but I was just excited to see you!"

Jake found himself laughing at the admission, to which Frank uttered a soft shut up under his breath.

If anyone had told him he'd fall in love here of all places, he'd never have believed it.

If anyone had even suggested it would be with a Killer of all people, he'd have laughed in their faces.

But he and Frank had just clicked with one another- and even though he was a Survivor, and Frank was a Killer, both of them were being forced to be there.

Frank and his friends, they weren't really like the other Killers- the ones that took pleasure in killing. If he was to believe Frank, and he did, their story was a tale of young people being manipulated by something they didn't understand.

Jake smirked.

"Yeah, and if the other Survivors find me here with you of all people, how do you think they'd react, huh? This isn't exactly the place you want to sleep with the enemy."

Jake didn't like putting it that way, but it wasn't far from the truth- and besides, he kind of liked it.

He hated to admit it, but he liked the danger and mystery in his relationship, and the way that because of it, he always had someone on the other side looking out for him. It made him feel important in a way that he never had before.

Though it still pained him to see the other Survivors with their partners on a regular basis- not like him and Frank sneaking around like this. He'd always hoped he could find something to make his time here more bearable, and Frank did that, but not being able to be with him regularly felt like a cruel addition to his punishment.

"Jake."

His attention was brought out of his thoughts, gaze focusing down at the face of his boyfriend.

"Stop moping and pay attention to me!"

Jake found himself laughing once again, swooping down so that their noses were touching.

"If you say so, Mr. Morrison~!"