Pix opened the door silently, finally letting go of Jimmy's wrist for the first time since they had started running and moving quietly out of Jimmy's way. He ignored Sausage's series of confused questions, leaning against the wall and burying his head in his hands as he fought the urge to burst into tears.

The archaeologist didn't listen as Jimmy quietly explained what had happened, and he barely even registered it when Sausage pulled him into a hug.

They got Oli. He's gone. Pix closed his eyes silently, saying nothing as Sausage pulled away and continued talking to Jimmy. He absentmindedly reached for his necklace, twisting the emerald between his fingers and opening his eyes again.

How can I fix it? I need to fix it. I should be able to fix it. He stared blankly at the ground, focusing on nothing in particular.

Pix paused. Maybe I just need to speak to him? He brightened slightly, straightening. I'm sure if I just get a chance to talk to him, I can change- something...?

He glanced quietly at Sausage and Jimmy, who were still talking on the other side of the room, and the brunette took a few hesitant steps towards the door, opening it silently and stepping outside.

I just- need to find Oli!

I'm sure I can change something. Maybe he'll listen to me.

——

Pix glanced around uncertainly, messing with his necklace again. "Oli?" He called awkwardly. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. The archaeologist cleared his throat, trying again. "Oli? Are you still here?"

"Yep. You weren't gone that long." Oli said quietly as Pix spun around to face him, laughing at Pix's mildly shocked expression. "Oh, calm down. It's just me." The blonde added with a huff.

"Is it? I mean, are you..." Pix paused, not quite sure what to say next. Still you...?

"Am I what? 'Normal'?" Oli said in a mocking voice, rolling his eyes. Well that answers my question. "'Not infected'? I thought you were meant to be smart. Then again, you haven't joined the sculk yet, so clearly you aren't that smart." The bard added, glaring at Pix. What?

"What- happened?" The brunette asked quietly, taking an uncomfortable step backwards.

"What happened is I was trying to figure out why that stupid joke was there, and I feel down and- got infected? Infected is such a nasty word. Persuaded, maybe. Anyway, long story short-" The blonde smiled cruelly. "It's your fault."

"What- how is it- my fault?" Pix whispered, incredibly confused as he reached for his necklace again- the gift from Oli had rapidly become a source of comfort for him in the past few hours.

Oli shot him an unimpressed look. "If you really don't know, I can't help you." The bard responded swiftly. "And why do you keep touching that necklace?" He added wryly. Pix let go of the necklace immediately.

"No reason. It's- nothing. Although really you of all people should know why." The brunette responded swiftly, taking another step backwards.

"I don't know why. Is it related to why I have this stupid amethyst necklace?" The bard queried, taking the necklace he was wearing off and holding it in front of his face with a curious expression.

"Uh- maybe. You can just- put that back on now. Or give the necklace to me." Pix added hastily. This is not going well at all- why did I do this- I'm an idiot-

"Why? It's just a necklace." Oli said thoughtfully.

"Yes, but it's-" He stared at the bard in confusion. "I gave that to you. Why don't you care? Or... remember?" That necklace literally led to us kissing.

"Oh, you gave this to me? Ew, gross." Oli said with a disgusted expression. "I don't want this." He added, raising the hand with the necklace in the air. Wait, what is he- Pix stared as Oli threw the necklace down as hard as he could and the amethyst crystal shattered into about a million (well, probably not a million, more like about thirty) pieces as soon as it hit the ground.

WHAT?! WHY WOULD HE- WHAT ON- The blonde laughed at the sight of Pix's devastated expression as the archaeologist leant down in an attempt to pick up some of the broken pieces.

Pix had been stopping himself from crying for hours, and this was the final straw- he burst into tears, collapsing onto his knees and staring at the remains of the necklace with a heartbroken expression.

"Are you really crying over a necklace?" The infected man asked with an unimpressed expression. "Really? It's just a necklace. Calm down." He sighed. "I don't have time to deal with this. Have fun crying over a necklace, you freak." Okay, the infection- really changes people, doesn't it? Pix didn't bother to look up as he heard Oli walking away, desperately attempting to pick up all the broken pieces of Oli's necklace.

When the brunette was certain that he had gathered all the pieces and safely put them in his pocket, Pix reached for the silver chain of the necklace, which had been abandoned on the ground as well, picking it up and getting to his feet. He put it in his pockets, wiping his eyes quietly and looking around. Well that went horribly.

He hates me, presumably.

But it's not really him.

But it looks like him and it sounds like him and in some ways it acts like him, and it's-

Pix reached for his necklace again, letting out a shaky breath.

This can't be happening.

It can't.

Why did it have to be him?

The archaeologist stared silently in the direction that Oli had walked away in, desperately scanning the twisted mangrove trees for any sign of the energetic, chaotic, playful man that he was so in love with.

Why did it have to be Oli?

His grip on the necklace tightened as he began crying again.

It could have been anyone else.

But of course it was him.

Just my luck.

Angst go brrrrr

Anyways the sculk can see some things from the memory of the person it's controlling but not all of their memory, and some of the personality of the person the sculk is controlling will always remain.

Also Pix is very, very sadge now becuase it's only really just hit him that his skrunkly little bard boyfriend is infected

Also rip the necklace