no loss, no disappointment

"Don't give me lip," Cleo teased, glaring over at Bdubs. He opened his mouth and then shut it again without saying anything. There was a look of mild annoyance on his face, but it wasn't difficult to see the light blush on his face too. He focused on his work after another moment. Several of Cleo's stitches had come undone during a fight earlier. She managed to make it out of it without too much trouble - no loss of time or anything - but it had left them injured and upset. Bdubs was the only one around at the base. When he noticed her wounds, he had asked them what had happened. She had flopped down on a chair, making a gesture with her hand towards a nearby chest. Bdubs caught on quickly as he opened it and retrieved the items required to start patching Cleo back up.

"How are you feeling?"

"Frustrated."

Bdubs laughed in response. Not at Cleo, he wouldn't dare, but more in agreement. But then Bdub fell silent, still working on patching back up Cleo's arm stitch. 

"I don't think he meant to do it." 

Cleo scoffed, but didn't respond.

"I mean it didn't seem like he meant to hurt you."

"He attacked me Bdubs! Pretty hard to believe that Etho didn't want to hurt me when he cut me with his sword."

Bdubs didn't respond. Cleo could see that he looked troubled, but was trying to hide it. He wasn't doing a good job, but they let it go for now. He was focusing on his task after all and after messing up at the start, he was starting to do better. She might not have to worry about falling apart immediately once he was done. Cleo waited for a few more minutes, glancing at the door to make sure that Scar wasn't going to suddenly burst in and ruin the mood. This was probably one of the first time it was just them and Bdubs in here. 

"I don't want to make you choose between us."

"I'm not! This isn't about choosing between you two, I just." Bdubs let out a huff. "I just don't think he wanted to kill you. He let you go once he saw how bad you were." 

Honestly she hadn't been in that bad of shape. Not in the way someone who had intended to kill her and take her time might have left her. Cleo did agree with Bdubs to a degree. They had come across Etho randomly while trying to get some food and they had started chatting. Etho's attack had come across as sudden and random, out of nowhere. If Cleo thought about it, they might have considered that something had motivated Etho's attack, but they didn't want to think about it. It didn't matter to her why he had done it, just that they had been having a civil conversation with one another and then his sword was coming down on her. 

"If he needed time, he could have asked. I might have helped him."

"You would?"

Cleo smirked, finally laughing. "No, absolutely not! I mean maybe. He'd have to beg me for me to really consider it." 

"What about me and Scar?"

"You two are my kids. Of course I'd help out." Cleo reached out and placed a hand under Bdub's chin, making him finally stop. He was basically done with her arm at this point. He leaned back on his heels so that he could look up at her easier. Cleo liked that. He looked nice like this, on his knees looking up at her with adoration and anticipation. The blush on his face was there again. 

"Really? I'm sure you'd help Scar out. He's your favorite after all."

Cleo clicked her tongue, hand tightening on Bdub's face. 

"Scar would offer to kill Etho for me. He wouldn't defend him."

Bdubs tried to protest. Cleo could make guesses at what he'll say. She wasn't entirely sure how committed Scar was to their allyship, to this "family". He was the one who started calling her mom, slotting them into these roles. He was chaotic and excited to get kills. He might kill Etho not just to get a kill. Regardless of why, her reasoning for bringing up Scar was to make Bdubs upset. He looked so indignant, trying not to glare at Cleo. Trying not to look hurt. Cleo returned his stare with her own cold expression. 

"Am I wrong?"

"You are. You know I'd do anything for you too, right?" 

He was so eager. Maybe she didn't hold the same place as Etho did in his heart, but that didn't matter. He was here with her right now. He was here looking at her with a mix of anger and pleading. Cleo leaned down closer to him, her grip still firm on his chin. 

"You should finish your task then. Maybe if you do a good enough job you'll be my favorite son."

Cleo gestured down to her leg, the thigh stitch needing to be redone. Bdubs nodded, shifting his position from at her side to in front of her. She watched him as he settled between her legs, reaching out to touch her leg gingerly. There was the blush again, more pronounced on his face. Cleo shifted so that her head was rested on one of her palms, trying to look like she was bored. She wanted to coax Bdubs further. Make him more desperate for her approval. Make him earn it. He was doing a great job already of it, getting all worked up over Scar being her 'favorite'. Maybe he was, but Cleo would never do this with him. No. If someone was on their knees for them, then she was glad it was Bdubs who was here. 

Bdubs fell silent again as he started to move the needle in and out of her leg, his grip on her thigh tighter than it needed to be. He couldn't look at her face anymore, unable to hold her gaze for more than a brief second. She could tell he was nervous, stumbling a little bit as they closed their legs just a bit, pressing Bdubs between them. He cursed and then muttered an apology. Instead of responding to him, Cleo patted him on the head, dragging her fingers through his hair. They made sure to dig their nails in against his scalp, causing him to curse again and nearly stab her instead. He had to stop what he was doing, just taking in the mix of pain and pleasure from their petting. 

"Don't stop. You're not done yet."

Bdubs nodded. He took a shaky breathe, trying to refocus on his task. 

"What a good boy you are. See? You're already doing a great job in becoming my favorite. He'd never be obedient like you are. You know your place."

Cleo praised him, still raking their nails through his hair. Bdubs hands were shaking despite his best efforts not to mess up. She really needed this after what had happened. Maybe Bdubs was right and Etho hadn't meant to really hurt her, but really they were just upset that they didn't get the chance to do any harm back. But here right now, she had control. Bdubs was willing giving it over to her, being her obedient son. Cleo wasn't really one for that kind of roleplay normally, but right now it felt right. She didn't mind playing into it if he didn't. 

"You are my good boy, aren't you?"

"Yes, of course! I'm the best."

"I don't think you're done proving it to me though." 

"What else should I do?"

Cleo's hand traveled down to the back of his neck, gripping it with the same tight hold as she did his chin earlier. They tilted pulled back, tilting Bdub's body backwards, forcing him to look up at her. They tightened their legs around him, keeping him held there. 

"You want to be good for your mommy, Bdubs?"

"Y-yes. I'll prove I'm better!"

"You did a good job with my stitches. You even tried to make me feel better." Cleo dragged a hand down the front of his chest, their nails catching on clothes. If only they could shred them with their nails, but sadly they weren't that sharp. The thought of giving Bdubs some matching stitches flashed through their mind, but Cleo brushed them aside. They didn't want this to go that way. They had other plans in their mind for him. "I know you can do a great job and finish this. Make me feel better. Then we can get our revenge."

Bdubs nodded, eager still. Ready to do what she told him to do. Good.

Cleo tossed Bdubs away from them, towards the chest they had sent him to earlier. He looked a little wounded when she tossed him aside, but it only made Cleo smile. She couldn't give him all carrot right now. No, he needed the stick too or he'd never learn. She gestured at the chest and Bdubs returned to it. 

"There's a box inside. It has some items I think we should use. If you really mean it."

"Of course!"

Bdubs retrieved the box. He looked from it to Cleo and then back again. Deciding it was better to give her the box, he handed it over. Cleo smiled approvingly at him. Then they retrieved what was inside. First they set down a bottle of lube, which caused Bdub's already wide eyes to go wider. He went practically bug-eyed at the second item Cleo placed down. A very large, ribbed dildo. He looked from it to Cleo and then down to her lap. She knew what he was imagining, the red on his face finally bright and burning. Lastly, Cleo brought out a harness. Cleo stood up, steadying herself as she tested out her leg that had been cut. The stitching held perfectly. She'd really put it to the test soon. 

"You know if my leg comes apart during this we'll have to stop. You'll have to do it over again. But there will be no second testing." 

Bdub's expression faltered to concerned. "I am sure it'll hold!"

"I'd hate for you to disappoint me after all. You did say you were going to prove to me how good you are, how much better. If you can't stitch a single wound, then maybe I'll have to throw you out and live here with just-"

"No!"

Cleo yanked Bdubs' forward, for his interruption, but also to get him back into a position where she could move him as she'd like. "Don't interrupt your mother. Or else I might have to punish you instead. Do you want to be punished?"

"N-no. I'm sorry... mom."

"Good boy. Now get me all ready. Then get yourself ready. But don't take too long." Cleo left out the 'or else' feeling like that part of it was implied. Bdubs looked at Cleo again and then to the harness. Deciding on if he should undress her or not. In the end, he moved to pull down her bottoms, shifting down the leggings but not removing those. He made quick work of getting the harness strapped onto them, trying not to focus on their naked pussy for too long. She mentally praised him for remaining on the task she gave him. Perhaps once this was done, they'd reward him, but really Cleo felt this was even better. Bdubs placed the dildo onto the harness, trying not to stare at how his hand didn't wrap all the way around it. He must have had a lot of conflicting thoughts on the girth and length. Cleo knew what he could handle. He'd be fine. As he lubed it, they even leaned forward, whispering into his ears, reminding him of their safeword, of the ways to stop this if he wanted it, if they wanted it over. Bdubs nodded. They had done this before and beneath it all, they trusted each other. 

Finally it was Bdubs turn to ready himself. He placed himself hesitantly on the chair Cleo had vacated, pulling off his own bottoms and getting his legs up. Cleo watched him, observing Bdubs as he fingered himself open, ready as he could be to take them. Cleo could barely wait as he pulled his fingers free for the final time, staring up at her and nodding. 

They yanked him from the chair and then bent him over it. 

No one bothered them the entire time it took for Cleo to fuck Bdubs until he was a blubbering mess, so compliant under them. It was incredible, watching as he took the large dildo, slowly at first and then seeing it slam into him over and over as Cleo praised him, telling him how good he was being for her, how their mind was being changed. How no one else could make Cleo feel like this and how he wanted this from the get-go. How he had upset her just so that he could give her this comfort now, her pathetic son. How good he looked on his mommy's cock and how she only wanted him. Not anyone else. 

Now things were different. He hadn't been the first one out last time last time, but the time between Lizzie's death and his own felt like it went so quickly. Like someone had snapped and he was dead mere moments after she was. Maybe it had been so quick, maybe it had been longer. Jimmy didn't really know and he tried not to dwell on it. 

This time, though, both he and Lizzie were still alive. He wasn't even close to being the first one dead. He wasn't that far from it, but that was fine. It was progress, momentum. Perhaps... well Jimmy didn't want to curse his luck already. Who knew when his time would come. Who knew how far he'd be allowed to make it this time. But it wasn't just his own victory or potential failure here. There was another. Jimmy made his way into the Bam-Bunker, making sure to check around before he entered. There was no one else in sight right now. Inside was the person he was expecting. Lizzie sat there, looking miserable. He couldn't blame her. Despite how far they had made it, they were missing a third person in this bunker. Scar's absence was it's own presence, hanging over the bunker, clouding it. Jimmy could almost hear his cheerful voice, encouraging the two of them. Boasting about how they had made it this far, they could make it to the end! Jimmy smiled at the ghost of his friend and temporary lover, trying to cheer up the two of them. 

Jimmy didn't know if he'd want it to end with the three of them. The sweetness of surviving, defeating all of their enemies and rivals, soured by the thought of having to turn on one another. After all no one had been able to get out of killing their allies. Their friends. The people they had come to love. 

Lizzie sniffled, rubbing the back of her hand over her face. She glanced up, startled, as Jimmy stepped inside. She made a sad noise that was distorted, showing that somewhere in the chaos her voice had become robotic. 

"Oh no, you're a robot."

Lizzie made another sad robot noise. Jimmy moved to her side, barely seating himself beside her before she threw her arms around his waist, pulling him closer to her body. Jimmy returned the hug, turning so that he could fully embrace her, pressing his face against the top of her head. He didn't need to understand her to know what she wanted. It was what he wanted too. Comfort. Scar was gone leaving the two of them behind and the fear of one of them going out next hung heavy in the air. Jimmy wanted to savor this time he had left. Lizzie pressed her face against his chest, shaking in his arms, but there was no sounds of crying. Just muffled beeps and boops. In a different circumstance it might have been hilarious to hear someone who had been cursed like this cry. Cruel maybe, but it was just so out of the norm, not meant for a serious moment. 

"I'm sorry," Jimmy whispered, not sure what else to say. "I'm sorry it wasn't-"

Lizzie pushed at his chest, breaking the hug. She glared up at him, halting any words he might have wanted to say. She didn't need him to finish to know what he might have wanted to tell her. It should have been him instead of Scar. Scar was better at the games. 

"I'm sorry," Jimmy repeated, looking sheepish at the continued glare. "I didn't mean it. I know Scar wouldn't want me to say that it would have been better if it was him who was here with you." 

Things had been so good between the three of them. They had been so happy. A happiness short-lived, but it always was. He wouldn't trade the nights and says spent together for anything else. Except for a little more time. Just a little more time together. 

None of them really had expected it, the way that they melded together. It wasn't unheard of, of course. When you formed a team, you formed a bond with your allies. They were your constant companions. Someone to turn to during the chaotic days and scary nights. Jimmy really cared for the people he teamed with, each time reaching out to them as a friend and sometimes as something more. He already cared about Lizzie, thought she was beautiful and fun and a joy to be around. Scar too. He was so happy that this time they got to spend all this time together. Joking around the campfire, making the rollercoaster and their birds. The first time they shared a kiss, Jimmy leaning down into a sitting Scar, letting him pull him in. It felt amazing. It felt right. It felt even more right with Lizzie by their side. She wasn't shy either, pressing herself against them too, stealing as many kisses as she could. 

They curled around each other, sharing warmth and comfort. A small space of love, just for the three of them. 

Jimmy wanted it back. He wanted it all back. How much would these games take?

At least this time, he could properly mourn Scar. He knew what it was like to feel the pain of someone taken too soon. 

Lizzie softened, seeing how upset Jimmy was too. They were both in mourning after all. She gave him a smile instead, reaching up to kiss him gently. It was nothing like the kisses shared before, filled with heat and passion and desire. Of time running out. Of a future uncertain. It was soft and sweet and tinged with sadness. Jimmy kissed her again, pulling Lizzie back into a hug. They stayed like that for long minutes, drinking in the comfort of the other for as long as they could. Soon they'd have to return to the others. Soon they'd have to keep on fighting. But with the memory of the three of them, of all of the Bamboozlers, curled around each other, taking their time with one another, Jimmy let himself and Lizzie have this. Before it was too late.

It had been too late to have a final moment with Scar. 

"Thank you for being my partner this time. I had a blast with you and Scar."

Lizzie made a noise, a noise that felt like it was starting to become actual words. She held on tightly to Jimmy, and he could see in her eyes she was happy too. 

It was a shame, truly, that this final moment had to be cut short. 

If Jimmy had to go out, the sound of an explosion and the terrible desperate scream of Lizzie's robotic voice, scared and so, so angry. If he had to go out, he was glad he had been holding Lizzie. He was glad he had been together with her.