A/N: Before we start, I just wanna say this took longer to write cause I was sick, and still are. This is a VERY long chapter, for all of ya'll of course! >w<

Summary: Player is sick like me aa- Worried Vet, Talks with sister and finally, flustered af Player-

• Veteran's POV

[Current Time: 6:47PM]

"Task Complete!" Was shown by my tablet.

I was finally, FINALLY done with all 5 of my tasks.. man, that- finally..

My tasks were for some reason harder and longer unlike the usuals I get.. I didn't mind it tho.. it was a hassle for me to do most of the tasks sure but hey, at least I'm being useful for once.

After you're done with your tasks you have to go to Admin in order to confirm those, luckily I was in Admin already after doing the swipe card task aka the rageworthy task. For our first day, we didn't need to do this but ever since the 3rd day however..

NASA updated the software a little bit and added this small feature just so they can monitor and make sure we're doing our duties and missions in here. I had a bit of a hassle learning it, yeah, I had to teach the crew how to do a quick log in. Eventually I got the hang of it and taught them about it, man I felt like a teacher for that one!

It took me around 3 minutes to do this, yes, that much minutes thanks to how slow it loads up and processes, NASA may have advance technology but they sure don't know how to fix speed problems at times such as this problem where it takes 5 - 7 minutes to log in.

I tried fixing it once, it didn't work as what I fully intended but hey, now we wait for 3 minutes instead of 5 minutes right?

I was trying to be quick with this, cause I did promise Player I'd be fast to do my tasks this time.. see this is why I don't always make promises! Only.. he was an exception to that rule of mine I mean- He's my best friend sooo- it clearly means exceptions!

"Log In Successful.. [Aiden/Veteran].. processing check list countdown.." Shown by the green admin pad screens. It counted each of my tasks to see if it was all done, and it was so this didn't take much of my time. In fact.. it only took 20 seconds or so!

I quickly closed the log in menu, left Admin while closing the doors and started- well, walking fast, not running, walking. Look, I was in a hurry okay?? I was really rushin' for this.

Admin was like- 15 or 20 minutes away from my frickin' dormitory since mine's near the end of the corridor.. greaat! And Player calls me a slowpoke when this is the true problem. The reason for my dorm to be near the end of the corridor cause it was bigger than the other rooms in the Skeld.

Those with specific roles in the mission like TheGentleMan, Me and Captain kinda have these type of rooms. Sometimes a luxury sometimes not.. these were one of the times it's not luxurious for me-

I know that if I was at least.. oh I don't know.. 30 minutes late from literally anything Player says he's gonna straight up kill me! I might as well die right now- Player's a perfectionist at times, I don't like it but I gotta get used to that.

I finally made it tho! After 13 minutes this time, that's not that bad right?

I unlocked my door with my keycard and store my tablet inside my nightstand cabinet.

I quickly changed from my yellow suit to a more comfortable choice of clothing, specifically- literally just a pastel yellow T shirt and some black shorts with white linings on it's side. Honestly it's just for comfort wear, not for fashion style choices.

I then took my keycard once again, and unlocked my door to go to Player's room to hang out after a long day.

We'd usually play some games we like after doing tasks together, but I'm not sure if he's gonna be able to do that if he still has that tummy ache-

His room is 3 rooms away from mine, so all I really need to do is walk for 4 minutes.

I gently knocked on the metal doors, waiting for it to slide and open up for me to enter.

The doors slid open and there was Player, still looking nauseated as if he was about to puke any second now.. he was holding his probably aching tummy.

"Dude you okay?! You look real sick.." I exclaimed. Player then gave me space to enter his room.

"Well uh.. let's say this has been happening for the hours you've left me." Player responds.

He quickly sat down at his bed and I slowly sat next to him.

"Oh god- you sure you don't wanna use your bathroom to uhh.. y'know?" I asked. Player then shakes his head, disagreeing. "No it's- other than a tummy ache I kinda feel off now.. do you think you can tell Captain I might not be able to do my tasks tomorrow too?.." Player asked.

That got me perturbed. "Dude, I think you're sick." I said. "Maybe?" Player says questionably. To know if someone's sick.. you usually have to know their body temperature and to do that you have to either get a thermometer or just use put your hand against someone's forehead to contemplate if someone's sick or not.

I, don't have a thermometer with me and I never bought one myself.. there might be one in medbay tho.. but judging on Player's sickened and nauseated actions I don't think I can let him walk to medbay with me, it might make the situation worse if he's dizzy too.

So my only choice was to put my hand against his forehead to find out if he's warm enough to be sick.

Without me warning him, I gently placed my hand on his forehead and contemplated whether he's sick or not. Player looked a bit.. confused and disturbed about it too.

"Veteran?.." Player asks, looking a bit red.. oh god is he that sick?? That's not good.."Hm?" I mumbled. "W-what are you doing?.." Player asks. "Oh! I'm checkin' your temperature dude." I said.

"Oh, uh, okay.." Player says.

Crap- that's not good.. I thought.

Judging by his body temperature he was definitely sick.. he felt so warm- or hot- I don't know.. all I know is that his body temperature is around the hot side of the spectrum.

"Dude, you're sick." I said, taking off my hand from his forehead. "Aw geez.. that's not good.." Player says. "Really, it's not." I said.

Player sighs. "What I get for being careless, ha.." Player says.

Honestly, I don't really think it's cause of the tummy ache he's sick.. he slept on the Cafeteria a day ago without a blanket to cover him for 4 hours, I know this cause I remember seeing him sleeping in the Cafeteria at 5AM, without anything to cover him from the cold. I did cover him with a blanket eventually but.. I was probably too late anyway..

"Nahh, I think it's because you slept at the Cafeteria a day ago without a blanket on to cover ya.." I said. Player's eyes widened in realization. "OH SHOOT- Yeah you're probably right! Still careless." Player says.

"See? This is why you need some type of reminder to bring a blanket with you if ever you sleep on the Cafeteria again!" I exclaimed. "Yeah I know, I know.." Player says.

I sighed. "Do you think you can handle cooking? Remember.. Captain asked you to a few days ago and you promised to cook dinner for us.." I asked. "Oh crap, I forgot I promised that.." Player says. "I don't think I'll be able to.." Player says.

"Oh.." I said.

Player suddenly laid down at his bed, he probably felt exhausted since sick people usually feel tired when they're on sicko mode.

I honestly felt bad for him, I can tell he's probably sufferin' a bit from bein' sick.

I was wondering what could at least lessen his nausea or his sickness.. hmm..

I then thought of an idea, a delicious idea..

"Player, I gotta go real quick." I said while standing up from his bed. Player then sat back up and grabbed my wrist. "Why?" Player asks. "Just- wait for a few minutes 'til I get back okay?" I said, letting go of his touch.

Player remained silent for that.

My idea was about food, yeah, I'm a food fanatic okay? But, it can help Player nonetheless..

When I'm sick, my sister Angel usually makes me some type of yummy soup! I know.. it's what almost anyone would give to a sick person but like- It works anyways.. plus, I know how to cook some.

I left Player's room and headed to the Kitchen.

• Player's POV

"Why?" I asked Veteran, whom was eager to leave my room. "Just- wait for a few minutes 'til I get back okay?" Veteran says while slowly letting lose of my touch.

I remained silent since, I had nothing else to say, really.

He left my room, then once again I felt a strong ache my tummy is making. Great, my tummy is aching, I'm sick and Veteran has to do something, what a great life. I thought.

I quickly laid back down on my bed and snuggled along the blanket sheets.

As I try to ignore the unbearable aching I hear my door slid open.

"Player! Are you alright? I heard you got sick!"

I quickly sat back up to see..

"Oh, yeah.. I'm kinda okay.." I said.

"You don't look so good, brother!" Dum says.

"No I- I can handle this.." I said.

Dum quickly ran over towards me and sat next to me in my bed. "I heard from Veteran you were sick! How is it?" Dum asks. "Uhh.. firstly, where is Veteran? Secondly, it's kinda bad honestly." I said. "Well, I just met with Veteran, he was walking from your room so I asked why he was in here, he said you got sick so I ran over here, I don't really know where he's going.." Dum replies.

"Okay." I said. "Do you have a headache?" Dum asks. "Yeah.. and a tummy ache too." I said. Dum puts her hand over her mouth. "T-thats not good!.." Dum says. "Yeah.. I know.." I said, sighing afterwards.

For the whole time all me and Dum did was talk, she mostly talked about how happy she was about how Engineer might propose soon, she said maybe he'll propose in 2 years or more. She even said that if ever she would be Gnome's winggal! My sister is very supportive.

"EE!-  IF ENGI IS GONNA GIVE HER A RING I WOULD BE THERE PLAYER, I WOULD BE RECORDING ALL OF THAT!" Dum exclaims. "Okay okay! You're too excited! Plus, that's gonna be in a few years or so so don't get your hopes up!" I said.

Dum crosses her arms. "Brother, It's obvious that Gnome would accept it!" Dum says. I giggle from her silliness. "Alright!" I said. We both laughed together, just enjoying each other's company. I completely forgot I even had a headache nor tummy ache at that moment.

Suddenly, my door slid open.

"Woah, what happened when I left?"

"Veteran!"

Dum quickly said hello and greeted Veteran, even hugging him. "Woah! Uhh, what's goin' on here?" Veteran asks while holding a bowl of somethin'- look I couldn't see the top of it yet but I can only assume it's food of course.

"Me and Player were just talkin'!" Dum says. "Yeah." I said.

"Ohh, sibling bonds, I get it!" Veteran says, chuckling a bit afterwards. "Heh, yeah." I said. Dum sat down at a bean bag chair I own and Veteran sat next to me in my bed with the bowl of.. oh.. soup!

"What's this for?.." I asked while slightly raising one of my eyebrows. Dum then giggles. "Brotherr! It's pretty obvious." Dum says. Gosh I'm that oblivious? "Dude, you're sick, of course I'd take care of ya!" Veteran says.

That- okay what?- that slightly made me feel warm inside again- blushing.. crap- Player you're not falling in love for someone all over again.. got it? I thought to myself, repeatedly.

"Take.. care?.." I said puzzled while raising an eyebrow. Veteran and Dum seemed to have unison movements and both chuckled together. Okay- what??-

"Just eat it! It will make you feel better, trust me when I say that." Veteran says with a smile. I grabbed the bowl and cutlery that was given to me and I guess, started eating it.

The delicious aroma of the soup filled the air, it smelled really good so it's only natural it would taste good too right? I mean, this is Veteran's cooking skills we're talkin' about here! It probably will taste good too.

While I ate Veteran and Dum were talking about the same conversation we just had, looks like they're enjoying themselves with their conversation too.

Okay, not gonna lie.. it tastes so good! Like- really good.. Veteran's an expert food fanatic and cook huh? Seriously how do people cook like this again?..

It's basically pumpkin soup, dang I haven't ate these in a while.. probably cause I rarely ate anything new at home to satisfy myself.

I wanted to eat it slowly, so I did. I didn't wanna make my tummy ache worsen as it already was.

"Jess if you're gonna be Gnome's winggal I'mma be Engineer's wingman!" Veteran exclaims. That quietly made me chuckle a little. His excitement of being someone's wingman is adorable.. That's.. adorable... Oh hell no Player, hell no.. I thought.

"Oooh! Yes! You're so perfect for it! You two are like, really close friends." Dum says. "Yeahh! Frottling with him back then with Gomey was like- amazing." Veteran says. "Aw man! Wish I could've known you longer!" Dum says. "Heh, same." Veteran says.

Looks like they're both enjoying themselves..

I sat there quietly, eating the pumpkin soup while they converse about- whatever they're conversing about.

Around 30 minutes or less I was done eating it and gently placed the bowl on my nightstand, I was planning to bring it back and wash it later at the Kitchen when I at least have energy or motivation to do so when instead, Dum took my place.

"Dum I was gonna uh, wash that later." I said. Dum the shook her head while grabbing the bowl from my nightstand. "Brother, I think you need to rest for a while!" Dum says while slowly walking away. "No, I can do it once I-" Before I can finish my sentence, Dum interjects with her own exclamation.

"JUST. REST, Just rest will ya? Geez Play you're sooo hard workin', too hard working! Just rest, you're still sick to the dumps aren't you?" Dum says. I sighed while crossing my arms. "Fine, go." I said bluntly, I didn't need her to do it.. I can do it by myself even if I'm sick!

Dum slowly leaves my room with a final goodbye.

"Bye guys! And take care Bro!" Dum says.

Veteran stood up from my bed as well.

"Should I leave ya be now?" Veteran asks.

I quickly contemplated for a few seconds whether I should let him leave or not, and to my boredom and lost of apathy.. I didn't want him to leave.

"Is it.. alright if you stay with me for a while?" I asked hesitantly. Veteran then smiled back at my response and sat back down next to me in my bed.

"Alright dude! And guess what?" Veteran says. I got curious by the end of his statement. "Hm?" I mumbled. "CapCap said that we all have a day off for 3 straight full days!" Veteran says while laying down next to me. I was.. bewildered little by what he said to say the least.

"Why tho?" I asked. "Well.. according to Captain it was so we wouldn't be as tired when we get more tasks every now and then. Yeah, that." Veteran says. "Oh, okay." I said while laying down next to Veteran.

"So.. here's the other good news!" Veteran says, he then faces towards my direction. I felt my face heating up more as that occurred. "W-whats the good news?.. heh.." I asked. "Welllll.. That means we can hang out more together tomorrow! Even if you're sick to say the least at least I can take care of you!" Veteran says.

I felt more flustered by what he said. Player, control your damn ass what the hell.. I thought.

"That's great!.." I said unsure, I didn't want to sound unsure tho..

Veteran seemed puzzled about my unsure sounding response and rose an eyebrow. "I mean.. unless you don't want to then I'm fine with that!" Veteran says while scratching his neck afterwards. Oh crap- I thought.

"That's not what I meant, Veteran. Of course I'd like that!" I exclaimed. "Then why did you sound like you were lyin' to me?" Veteran asks. "Firstly, I just- had some things on my mind so I responded that way, secondly, you really think I'd lie to you?" I said.

Silence filled my room quick, but it only lasted for a few seconds.

"Ohh, alright then.. sorry I didn't mean to assume." Veteran apologizes. "No no it's fine.. I should've been more cautious." I said, apologizing back.

Veteran the chuckles and I honestly did the same, that was kinda silly for both of us.. no, me.

Overall, we spent what I guess.. was now our evening just talking and that- well- eventually led to gaming.

Gaming was a really big part in our friendship dynamic and model, it was half the reason why we're best friends! So you'd expect that we'd always play games half the time together since- that's just us, gamers.

It's fun playing games with someone whose supportive, funny, and relatable at times. Sometimes he'd tease me for losing but hey it's not that bad when you get used to it and plus, he doesn't mean all of it anyway.

We'd play games like Among Us, Fall Guys, Friday Night Funkin', Minecraft, Slither.io, Roblox and Five Night's at Freddy's at times too!

But.. we mostly play Fall Guys since it's Vet's favorite game anyway, I like seeing him enjoying himself.

"Okay, I may have underestimated how much people would get eliminated in slime climb.." Veteran says, seeing only 6 more players remaining.. they're were 17 to begin with but now, half of all the player's have been wiped out thanks to that one minigame.

"You always underestimate that minigame, Veteran." I said. "Eh, yeah good point." Veteran says.

At some point it went from 6 players remaining to 4 players remaining..

And.. oh no.. not this minigame!

Tail Tag

"Oh no.." I mumbled to myself.

Once we spawned in I was the unlucky one who got the dang tail.. great, everyone's going to be chasing me now..

"Goodluck dude.." Veteran whispers near me. "Oh shut up.." I whisper back.

The game's countdown started..

1..

2..

3..

GO!

I quickly ran fast from everyone, whose chasing me.

I tried tricking them into killing themselves in the obstacles in the arena, I successfully trapped them and killed them by avoidance.

The players count was dropping like flies! From 6 to only 3 players left on the field of Tail Tag.

I quickly tried tricking Veteran but.. he knows my ways which is irritating to me.

Although I was able to trick the 3rd player to die, I wasn't able to trick Veteran into killing himself in the arena obstacles, this was what makes him a challenge and why I hate Tail Tag.

I was on the verge of annoyance, he kept chasing me and I kept trying to block him off or at least trap him but nothing worked! Is he reading my mind or something? Cause this is too far of a coincidence he can avoid all those traps and attacks.

"Veteran are you cheating??" I asked. Veteran then chuckles. "Dude, I'd never cheat." Veteran says.

I was at a quick disadvantage when I cornered myself to a part of a wall in the Tail Tag arena..

Veteran confronts me, and I didn't have a choice but stay there since I couldn't run away either after getting cornered to a wall.

This is the end of me.. I thought.

"Alright Player, let's end this." Veteran says, while walking closer and closer to me.

I quickly gulped, knowing I'm not gonna be winning this round.

"Go." I said hesitantly, but I wanted Tail Tag to end so at the same time I did wish for this to happen.. to get me defeated.

I did want to win sure but, when someone knows all your tactics and ways when playing mini games like Tail Tag it sure is a challenge.

He then finally takes my tail and obviously, gets a victory.

"Victory!" Was shown on his screen as I see his character, wearing a giant crown.

"You're gonna pay for this Veteran." I said to him. "Hey, not my fault you use the same tactics every game!" Veteran exclaims. "What? It works! Even pros sometimes get caught in my traps!" I exclaimed. "Not to this veteran!" Veteran says while pointing himself.

I giggle a bit from his immaturity, but still felt a little angry about my lost.

I cross both of my arms, both happy and a little salty I didn't win. Why happy you may ask? Well that's because at least he won, better than a random player.

"Alright geez.. sorry." Veteran says. "Whatever." I said. "Aw come on! I rarely win to you these days y'know!" Veteran exclaims.

That is true.. he hasn't won any games when he matches against me for a while now.. huh.. something's definitely wrong these days.. I mean, as your and I quote.. "Loser" it's only natural to lose in everything you participate in, but recently I've been winning a lot more than I should have..

"Okay finee, you got your point." I said, uncrossing both my arms afterwards.

"Alright crewww! This is Captain speaking, it's time for dinner!" The speakers announced.

Veteran then stood up and placed his controller on my desk.

"Well, looks like I'm gonna be needing to eat, you still wanna eat or?.." Veteran asks. Well, after eating soup I wasn't starved at all, I was full.

"Nah, I'm full!" I said. "Mkay then, if you're like.. hella sick or like- you feel awful just tell me mkay?" Veteran says. "Yeah I uhh.. will." I said, hesitated between my sentence.

Veteran then closes my door and headed to the Cafeteria to eat dinner with the rest of the crew.

Me? Well, I turned off the game we were playing and decided to lay down on my bed.

I hope I can stop being sick soon.. or else I'm gonna be bombarded with a bunch of tasks by the time I'm healed from this.

*+ To Be Continued..*+

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this EXTRA long chapter! :> This took a while in making cause y'know, I'm sick and all. Overall, hope ya liked it!

•3923 words
- Raven