Seth Robins' One-Shots

Boat Boys Angst-Fluff: Limited Life

Joel's Perspective-

Joel jumped off the bread bridge, grabbing his water bucket and creating a landing for him.

He huffed and ran, slipping and falling.

"HA! You saved me just so I can kill you!"

Joel gasped and he slid back as Etho held up his axe, laughing.

Etho froze as he saw Joel's shocked expression and how scared he looked.

Joel laughed nervously and he stood up, pushing up his glasses to hide his fear.

"You're not the only one who can mask up his emotions." Joel jogged off and Etho put down his axe.

"What was that?" Tango asked, hopping down the bridge, "I thought you had him for sure!"

"He uh- he got away." Etho mumbled.

"You'll get someone else, I know it!" Impulse smiled.

"Yeah! And plus you got us to bait them over." Skizz elbowed Etho, who nodded.

-

Joel sighed as he collapsed against a tree. He wrapped his hands around his ankle, wincing as he felt a spike of pain go through his spine.

"Dammit." He whispered, taking out his communicator and cursing again as he saw it was busted.

"Guess I'll just have to wait." He puffed his cheeks and popped his lips, looking around to try and find someone.

He heard footsteps and looked over his shoulder, seeing Etho.

"What are you doing there?" Joel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Running."

"From what?"

"The other yellow and reds."

Joel raised an eyebrow.

"Er- what?"

"They're all chasing Tango, and they wanna hunt me down too since I'm his teammate."

"Damn." Joel whistled, watching as Etho climbed the tree.

"Where are you going?"

"Getting a better view of everything."

"Well let me know if something interesting happens. Like if someone shoots you."

Etho snorts, "Gee thanks."

"You're welcome." Joel smirks and Etho shoved his boot in his face.

Joel grimaced and he pushed Etho up.

"Ugh I don't wanna know what you've been stepping in." Joel scrunched his nose in disgust and Etho rolled his eyes, climbing up the tree.

"Oh snappers, Scott just jumped off the TIES tower!"

"What?" Joel tried to stand up and winced, groaning as he grabbed a branch to try and balance himself.

Etho noticed this and he hesitated before sighing and hopping down, wrapping his arm around Joel.

Joel blushed a bit but looked away.

"What're you doing, jerk?" Joel snapped.

"Helping you, idiot." Etho held Joel by the waist and picked him up.

Joel blushed and he pulled himself onto the next branch of the tree.

"You're like a child." Etho smirked, chuckling.

"Shut up I just hurt my leg cause someone wanted my blood."

"You want time just as much as I do." Etho fired back, "I'm simply doing what I can to make sure that my teammates don't die."

"Yeah well that's probably why Jimmy and Grian are helping chase Tango. Jimmy needs time in order to not go out first." Joel said, leaning back against the trunk.

Etho hums, and sits on the other side, his back pressed against the hard wood.

"It's just a matter of protecting the ones we care about." Etho said, laying his arm on his knee.

Joel nodded and looked up into the sky. The stars gleamed above them, reminding them of the vast world.

"It's a tough game." Joel sighed, snapping a twig. "You can only protect so much before looking out for yourself."

Etho shrugged. "True, but if you're always scared you'll end up losing everything and looking out for yourself when you should be there for the one who never left your side. ...I should know."

Joel glanced over.

"You really believe that? Even if it puts yourself in danger?"

A breeze rustled the leaves above them and Etho smiled a bit.

"I mean yeah, I didn't leave you last game. We just gotta trust each other."

Joel blushed and he looked down, feeling Etho hold his hand.

"I guess it's all about finding that balance." Joel asked.

"Exactly." Etho smiled, "And right now it seems like we've got a good team."

Joel shrugged and Etho lowered his mask before planting a soft kiss on the back of Joel's hand.