Chapter Seventeen

"Well, that's that on that," you said numbly as you began putting pieces away. It seemed like it was obvious that Dianna was going to win for most of the game, but then Quince surprised you both by buying you both out and ultimately crushing you. Dianna had already stormed off, but not without bidding you farewell and flipping Quince off.

"Aw, don't be sad, (y/n). You played a good game," Quince patted your head. It didn't comfort you. You were defeated.

"I went bankrupt first, Quince. You killed my wallet in this game. Even in death, I can't escape the hell that is capitalism," You sighed. You didn't actually care that much, you were just being melodramatic for the humor. You were glad when he laughed. "Anyway, I'm going to cook something with Jason, I think," You spoke while putting the game away.

"Mind if I tag along?" Quince asked while standing next to you. "It's odd how much Jason likes being around you."

"I don't mind if you come. Odd how?"

"I've just never seen such an interesting turn of events, that's all," Quince smiled. His words were vague and sort of frustrating. It seemed as if Quince knew a lot more than you thought he did, but who knows for sure? You stood in front of him, waiting for him to continue, and he placed a hand on your cheek, "Life is hard, (y/n). It's really hard, but I think it's going to be harder for you. You should come find me and tell me if you want to escape it all."

Your brows furrowed. What was he talking about? "But I'm dead—"

"You know what I mean."

"But why is it going to be hard, what are you talking about? This is the easiest existence I've had all my life," You looked at him. His hand was warm on your face, and his expression was just as tender.

"I'll tell you more when I can. Just don't forget that if you are ever afraid, you can count on me. It's all going to be okay," He smiled one last time before dropping his hand and walking towards the door. After a moment of hesitation, you followed him and headed to the kitchen. That was... weird.

Jason was already waiting for you, which you were thankful for. "I thought we could make something simple, is that okay?" His words were a welcome distraction from your thoughts.

"Yeah, sounds good. I brought Quince along," you smiled while you walked toward the counter. You barely noticed it, but you saw Jason frown at Quince. I guess he really doesn't like cooking with other people. But then... We've cooked with people around before—we've cooked with Quince around before even. Ugh, nevermind. I'm getting too into my thoughts. You shook your head and returned your attention to the kitchen.

"How about some bread? Making bread always relaxes me," Jason suggested as you walked closer to read the cookbook along with him. You nodded at the suggestion. Bread sounded good.

"(y/n), You're pretty friendly with almost everyone here," Quince spoke. You turned to look at him, but you weren't sure how you were supposed to respond to that.

"Yeah, I mean. Why wouldn't I be?" You were confused. He was confusing.

"Well, doesn't it get exhausting?" He shrugged. "I'm worried you get spread a little thin is all."

You turned back to Jason, who had already gotten out ingredients, "Not really. I like talking to people. I guess sometimes I get tired and I feel worn out, but I'm okay." As you said the words, you realized you were a little tired. It was one person after another. At the same time, you also loved this! You wanted to be with these people, even if you were tired. Besides, one person isn't too much. You decided you were going to just stop thinking about what Quince was on about. He was probably just being considerate, but you didn't want to engage right now.

Admittedly, you felt stressed. A lot of the occupants had been sort of stressing you out lately, and you weren't sure why. You wanted everyone to just chill out and be normal, but it seemed like that was too much to ask for.

At least bread was fun. You didn't really help much, but you liked to spend the time in the kitchen. Jason was really tall, and he seemed to know exactly what he was doing—and he probably did. There was something about being in the kitchen that made him seem extra confident, and it was pretty cute.

"Alright, if you just open the oven for me, I can pop this dough in. Yeast breads have to rise for a bit, but this one is cakier," Jason explained. "This is gonna be so good!"

"Fuck yeah!" you agreed. "What should we do while we wait?" you asked as Jason set a timer.

"We can just chillax," Jason shrugged while taking a seat by Quince. Even though the most you had done to help make bread was hand Jason ingredients, you were overcome with sleepiness from everything. You sat by Jason and rested your head on the table.

"I'm super sleepy," you shut your eyes for a minute.

"You're sleepy a lot, (y/n)," Jason commented. You could almost hear the pout in his voice.

"At least it's really cute," Quince added. You didn't really know what to say, but you kind of wanted to cover your face. Even though everyone was pretty relentless with their compliments, you still weren't used to them.

"How do you guys keep from getting bored?" You asked. You knew this topic had come up before at some point, but you seriously didn't know how you were going to last forever without going crazy confined in these walls.

"We have you around," Quince spoke with finality. That doesn't help me!

"Yeah, but what can I do?" you groaned as you sat back up. "We should do something!" A burst of energy flooded through your veins. Monopoly sucks major ass, something else will be more fun.

"We're making bread, and I'm kind of tired of games," Jason dismissed.

"Fuck you," you stuck your tongue out at him. "Suki will have a good idea for fun and you have to participate!" Jason surprisingly didn't seem disappointed in your argument; he actually looked pretty content with your demands. Well—that just cuz he likes spending time with his friends.

"Yeah, I'll participate with whatever you and Suki come up with too," Quince nodded. "I don't know if I've spent enough time with all of you as a group."

"Gee, thanks Mom," you giggled while standing up. "I'll be right back!!" You skipped out of the room. Finding Suki wasn't hard, and she seemed happy to see you. You were really counting on her having a good idea—she usually came up with a solution to group bored-ness anyway.

"Who all do you want to play?" Suki asked as you sat by her.

"I don't know! Everyone?" You leaned back to think. "What do you think is a good idea? I feel like the past few days or whatever have been sorta lame." Suki nodded while snatching a deck of cards from her desk, "oh, you have a card game we can play?"

"I certainly do," she nodded with a grin. "Let's gather people." And so the two of you set off to gather the others and send them to the living room. Since you knew where Quince and Jason were, you guys went to them first. They both agreed, to your surprise. You expected a little pushback from at least one of them.

"What are we playing, anyway?" You asked somewhat nervously.

"You'll see!" She winked as the two of you walked to the library. Almost everyone had ended up agreeing—except Jenna since you couldn't find her. Don refused even when you pouted and guilt-tripped him. He skips too many group activities! You had figured that Ryo wouldn't participate, but he agreed rather quickly. Dianna, of course, wouldn't turn down a competitive game. With almost everyone gathered in a sitting room, it was time to play! You wished you could've found Jenna, though.

"So, what's the game?" Dianna asked while shuffling Suki's deck of cards. It was a roundtable, so you didn't feel far away from anyone. Jason and Suki quickly claimed the seats next to you, and Quince was right across from you.

"You are all trapped here, I refuse to let anyone leave!" Suki announced loudly, "We are playing the long-awaited strip poker, and this time no one gets to back out!" Your face paled. Was she serious?

"W-wait, let me get more clothes!" You stood quickly but then you were pulled harshly back into your seat by both Suki and Jason.

"Sorry, (y/n). It wouldn't be fair to let you pile things on. Just think of yourself as middle class here, okay? You have on more clothes than Ryo but less than Dianna," Suki explained. That was a fair judgment, but you still didn't want to take anything off!

"I guess I'll just have to win then," you grumbled. Suki cheered at your concession and began dealing cards.

"Alright! That's five for everyone. Remember, this is just like normal poker except instead of betting chips you'll bet your clothes. Quince, you're to my left, so why don't you start?" Suki clapped her hands and sat back in her seat. She was way too excited. Did she have a bad poker face, or was she just glad you all were playing? Your own hand wasn't great—not bad either—but not great.

"I'm betting my shirt," Quince declared before glancing towards Dianna smugly.

"That's an intense bet, Quince. I'll match it and toss in my jacket," Dianna grinned. Is she crazy?! After this, everyone around the table agreed to the bet. Nobody upped the ante, either. After two rounds, the betting pile had only been raised to a sock (or the pants of people who weren't wearing socks—Ryo and Suki regretfully had to agree to bet forward their shorts). Now it was time for the reveal.

You were nervous. You didn't have anything worth playing—the only thing you could claim was a high card of a jack. You were definitely about to have to pass your clothes to someone. "Is everyone done betting?" Suki asked with a neutral expression.

"Yeah, let's reveal our cards," Dianna nodded. "Jason, you were the last person to bet, so you first." Jason nodded and revealed his hand. You gasped. That rat bastard! He didn't act smug throughout the game—not even once! No one could tell how well he was doing, you groaned in your mind.

"Straight flush of hearts, cards 4 through 8. Not to brag, but that might be hard to beat," Jason smirked. "Alright (y/n), let's see what you have."

Everyone's eyes were on you as you revealed your pathetic hand. "Yeah, I, uh. I didn't have anything. I would say I'm playing my high card, but that's pretty futile now," you chuckled nervously. The table was silent for just a moment of contemplation before Ryo laughed louder than you had heard him laugh before.

"You were doing that badly and you didn't fold? (y/n), you might be dumber than I thought," He looked pointedly at you as your face flushed. Is he revealing that he has an even better hand than Jason, or is he seriously just laughing at me? you thought. You shuddered at the idea of passing over your shirt to the blonde.

"I didn't want to quit!" you snapped back. "I want to play games even if it means I lose, asshole." You stuck your tongue out at him. Suki revealed her hand next. She had a flush—which wasn't bad but wouldn't beat Jason's hand by a long shot. Everyone seemed pretty glum at this—everyone had most definitely lost to the smug, blue-haired asshole.

Ryo and Dianna matched each other with full houses, and your hand was looking more pathetic by the minute. "You lost pretty hard, (y/n)," Dianna commented as if you weren't already aware.

"To be fair, the amount that you lose by isn't really relevant. All losers are equal in their failures," Jason defended you. Well, not really defended you, just took Dianna down a peg. She frowned.

"Go ahead and reveal your hand and start stripping, Quince," Suki groaned.

"I won't be stripping," Quince replied as he showed his cards. "Nice try, Jason, but I am surprisingly good at games of bluff."

Holy Fuck.

He wasn't kidding. Quince had a Royal Flush—the only set of cards that could really beat Jason. Somehow, Quince had snagged the 10 through the Ace of Spades. A royal flush was the highest possible hand you can get. Everyone gaped at him—most of all Jason.

"Come on, pay up," Quince finally let a grin stretch across his face. "I believe you all owe me two tops and then a shoe or a pair of shorts. What was it you said about all losers being equal in their failures, Jason?" The table regretfully began removing articles. You were so, so glad you were wearing a hoodie. You would refuse to remove your bra which would mean you would have to give up your pajama pants instead and that would really suck. Everyone passed their clothes forward in a mournful state. You couldn't tell if everyone was looking at you or if you were just nervous, but you definitely felt exposed.

"Well, there's not much point in playing anymore—everyone is flat out broke," you reasoned. It wasn't a bad game, but now it was over, and you could all flee to your rooms, right?

"Maybe, but shouldn't I get to bask in my winnings a little bit longer?" Quince teased as he leaned back in his seat confidently. His eyes raked over all of you, but you couldn't take him seriously. He was just teasing, right?

"Congratulations Quince, but I don't want to hang out with my tummy out," You smiled weakly as you made moves to leave.

"Why not?!" Suki exclaimed as she tickled your sides, "You're so cute and lovely and soft!" You tried to push her away, being tickled turned you into an animal.

"Suki!" you laughed out, "You have—to stop –tickling me!!!" You managed to grab one of her arms and hold it away. Dianna had left during the commotion, but everyone else sat and watched you laugh during your torture.

"Ok, Suki, that's enough. You're gonna murder her at this rate," Jason reprimanded her. Suki stopped and you both just stared into each other's eyes while letting out your last giggles.

"Whatever, I gotta get a new shirt," Suki stood up. "Unless you'll give me mine back?" she turned a hopeful glance to Quince.

"No way," Quince hugged the pile of clothes to his chest. "These are mine until tomorrow! Unless you guys want to try and win some back through poker?"

"No! You already won, let me go in at least some dignity," Suki marched away theatrically.

"Yeah, (y/n), why don't we get dressed?" He stood and left a hand to trail across your bare shoulders. The unexpectedly intimate touch left chills across your spine. 'We'?

Before you could respond, Ryo stood and slammed his palms on the table. You jumped at the noise but also noticed that Ryo's shoulders were broader than you realized. Wait-- this isn't the time to just ogle at everyone's exposed flesh. What's his deal?

"I'm tired of you always dragging (y/n) around like she's some kind of a puppy," Ryo glared at Jason. Jason was still standing behind you with his hand on your shoulder. You were still sitting, and you felt like you could shrink all the into yourself. Were they about to fight?

"That's pretty rich coming from you," Jason's glare hardened. "And I'm just being helpful. I care about (y/n)'s wellbeing." You suddenly wanted to run away, you felt nervous being half naked with all these guys in here.

"Jason, why don't you let her just act as she wants. Are you really that afraid of letting her be alone?"

"I am when there's people like you around," Jason growled with his volume rising slightly. You were getting nervous; you didn't want to be in here anymore. Jason's thumb traced comforting circles on your skin, but all you got was nervous prickles in its wake.

"The game you're playing is stupid! (y/n) isn't yours! You should back off," Ryo almost shouted. After this declaration, Jason's grip on your shoulder tightened. You winced. Quince was strangely silent throughout all of this, even as you sent worried glances to him.

"Are you saying she's yours, then?" Jason spoke coldly.

"I'm not saying shit. I'm demanding that you quit acting like a total prick."

In a final moment, your eyes met Quince's. Finally. Tears lined the edges of your eyes, but only barely. Yelling just scared you a bit. "Guys," Quince broke the tension. "What are you even yelling about? You aren't accomplishing anything. Go get dressed. Leave her alone."

At this stern command, everyone was silent. In a scramble, you dove off your chair and ran on jelly legs to your room. What the hell was that?!

You had always been afraid of yelling. Just a bit. It was scary to not know how anyone would act; people were hard to deal with. People do unexpected things. You cried a little bit, but not too much.

It was just a silly argument, you decided. Jason and Ryo just didn't like each other. Your involvement wasn't really relevant. At least, I want to believe that. It wasn't like it was your fault. You were brought out of your thoughts with a few knocks on your door. You tossed on a shirt and answered it.

"Quince," you breathed out as you stared up at him.

"I'm sorry things got like that. Are you okay?" He asked sincerely. You nodded in acknowledgment.

"It's alright, just a little weird, huh?" you smiled. Your eyes weren't tearful anymore, just glassy. Quince thought you were beautiful and strong. You didn't know how he cared for you yet, but he was just glad to be able to see you, to be with you.

"It is," he agreed after a far-too-long pause. "I think they're just a little tense right now. Everyone gets a little nervous when they feel their heart fill with new feelings," he spoke while brushing his fingers across your hair line and brushing a few strands behind your ear. It was a tender moment.

"I don't know why they have to fight like that," your gaze dropped.

"To be honest, I didn't know they felt so strongly either," he nodded. "Not that I don't understand it. Don't feel like it's your fault, okay? I'll leave you to your room." And with that, he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. It wasn't a demand or a request for affection. It was a reassurance. Everything was okay. You weren't a bad person.

"Thanks, Quince. I'll see you around," You smiled before stepping back, hand on the doorknob.

"Come find me if you ever get worried, (y/n). I'm on your side, always," he spoke. You nodded before shutting the door softly. He was kind.

'Not that I don't understand it'...? Was that a confession or just a moment of empathy? Thoughts swirled in your mind.

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