Notes:
English is not my native language!
Ship: Tango x Jimmy x Scott
Limited Life
Remember; this is how I view the characters, this is my way of portraying them. If at any point you discover you don't like the story or the way it's written or disagree with how I portraited the characters, you can leave.
Let me know what you thought of the story and what your favorite part was! Enjoy!
Summary:
Jimmy loves both Tango and Scott and has a mental break down over it during Limited Life. Who does he choose? Scott or Tango? Who will he end up with?
Aka, Jimmy doesn't realise he has 2 hands
"Do you ever feel like your capable of loving more than 1 person?"
"What are you on about, mate?" Joel asked, pausing his wheat picking to shoot Jimmy a look. "Like, you love somebody, but when you think about it, you also love somebody else?" Jimmy asked, eyes distant as he sat on the edge of Bread Bridge. Joel sighed, putting the wheat away and taking place beside the other.
"What's on your mind?" Jimmy gave him a sideway glance, not really meeting his eyes. "Can you love two different people at the same time?" Joel shrugged. "Why not?" Jimmy looked back out over the woods. "How do you choose between the two?"
Joel thought about it for a moment. "I'm not sure," he sighed," Who are we talking about?" Jimmy moved his legs up, placing his head on his knees. "Scott… and Tango…" Joel nodded. Figured. "It's just… I still love Scott, there's no questioning it," Jimmy said, ever so softly," I've loved him ever since 3rd Life, maybe even before that. Him calling me his husband, lighted a fire within me and it's refusing to die down."
"Every time I look at him, I find myself hoping he will look back at me. Like he used to, with love in his eyes. No matter if it's teasing, flirting, messing with me, I want his attention. I carve it. I find myself doing stupid stuff just to get his attention. Steal his things, rummage through his chests, eat his food."
A shrug and a muttered 'you should really stop acting so stupid, it might get you killed'. "And then there's Tango," Jimmy continued," wonderful, amazing, sweet Tango. I was never going to be the same after Double Life. I hardly knew him before we got put together, but I couldn't be happier that we did. Instead of being upset for getting paired with me, he said he didn't mind. Said we'd make it to the end, together. We both know how that ended-" Joel snorted.
"-and yet, he still wasn't upset with me. He never was. Kept apologising for dying to that Creeper, even after I lost us our 2 other lives. And through it all, he took care of me. Made sure I was alright, that I was comfortable. Tried to cook for me once, failed horribly. Went mining to get me diamonds. Just- overwhelming love and care."
A tear slipped from his eyes as he recollected his and Tango's time together. Joel patted him on the back. "And now, every time our paths cross, those feelings resurface," Jimmy said with a sigh," and they keep flirting with me! And I just don't know how to feel or how to act or what to do-"
"Is Timmy whining about his exes again?"
Jimmy almost slipped off of the edge, almost toppling to the ground and probably dying of fall damage, if not for Joel sticking his arm out to keep him from falling. "Grian!" Jimmy shouted," Don't sneak up on us!" Grian rolled his eyes, his arms crossed. "And I'm not 'complaining' about my exes," he grumbled, hiding his face in his arms," this is serious."
Joel once again patted him on the back. Grian shot Joel a look behind Jimmy's back as he sat on the blonde's other side. Joel nodded, expression serious. "I'm sorry Tim," Grian muttered," but this really isn't the time and place for such things. It's a death game." Jimmy huffed. "Actually, it's because of these stupid games that I'm in this situation," he muttered angrily," if it wasn't for 3rd Life and Double Life, I wouldn't be in love with 2 different people!"
He grumbled some more incoherent things as Joel rubbed circles on his back, trying to soothe him. Grian rolled his eyes again. "Seriously, Tim, you need to get over them. Don't let it distract you," he said exasperated. "You get over Scar," Jimmy shot back, accompanied by a glare. Grian's feathers bristled. "I have no idea what you're talking about," Grian huffed, adverting his eyes.
"Oh really?" Jimmy asked, unfolding himself to poke Grian in the shoulder," You're denying still having feelings for Scar, are you serious?" Grian ignored him. "Ha! As if! We all know you're still pining after him and you're telling me to get over it?" Grian's face turned red, from both embarrassment and anger.
"That's enough," Joel cut in. All 3 could feel the thick tension in the air. It stayed silent for a bit, both men trying to calm down. "I'm sorry," Jimmy spoke first," that was uncalled for." Grian reluctantly turned towards him. "I'm sorry too," his expression one of pain," for everything."
Both Joel and Jimmy knew what he meant, neither commented on it. Joel stood, only to sit back down behind the two. "All good now?" he asked and both nodded. He wrapped his arms around the two, pulling them in for a group hug. Jimmy chuckled as Grian tried to escape the hug. "Just let it happen," Jimmy said, accepting it. "Yeah," Joel said, his barely visible eyes holding a glint of mischievousness," just let it happen."
He then proceeded to push them both off of bread bridge, making them land in a puddle of water, screaming at him in anger and fear, before laughing their butts off.
"Time for mellow yellow," Grian had muttered with a wicked grin, before water bucketing off of the mansion. Joel had shot Jimmy a questioning look, but the other shook his head. Joel shrugged then jumped off as well to join their fellow Bad Boy in the hunt for the last greens. Jimmy stayed behind.
He couldn't make himself hunt for either Scott or Tango, no matter how strong the urge. He felt as if the universe kept taunting him, forcing him to choose between the two he held so dearly. Tango or Scott. Who would he pick? A long love never wasted or a new burning fire within?
"Jimmy! It's all going to chaos."
Seems like the universe was tired of waiting and made the decision for him.
"It's chaos," Scott whined as he walked over to Jimmy, crossing bread bridge. "What's going on?" the blonde asked, even tho he knew the answer. One of the reasons for said chaos was standing in front of him. "So much is happening-" Scott said, sounding out of breath,"- Skynet is now just become a giant sky death trap." He unconsciously stepped closer to Jimmy as his eyes wandered up the sky to see the lines of dirt floating above them. Jimmy took a step back.
"Too much is happening," Jimmy said solemnly. He wasn't just talking about the chaos on the server, he was also talking about the chaos in his head. "I no longer felt safe at my resort island," Scott said," so I came here." Jimmy's heart skipped a beat at the look the other gave him. He came here because he believed he was safe here. Even if Jimmy was yellow as well and could slay him where he stood to gain a precious 30 minutes. The chat lit up in death messages.
"Oh my go- Martyn is going to be red soon," Scott gasped as he looked at his communicator. Their eyes met as realisation dawned on them. There were only 2 greens left. 2 people to take time from. "It's just me and-," Scott gulped," Tango. We're the only greens left." Jimmy could see the doubt and panic settle in Scott's eyes. The other took a step back. Before Jimmy could tell him to just go, flee and don't come back, Scott spoke.
"If… if you can kill Tango and leave me the last green, I'll let you kill me."
And wasn't that just the universe screaming at him to make the choice. Scott basically asked Jimmy to pick him. Whether he was aware of it or not. Silence rang heavy as Jimmy's mind ran rampant, unable to form an answer. Scott looked at him with raised eyebrows, a question on his face. As if he wanted to hear Jimmy say it, say that he chose him and not Tango. But his eyes held a different emotion. A kind of uncertainty nobody else got to see.
"Scott-," Jimmy cleared his throat," I'm going to give you 30 seconds to run and go somewhere else, before I start hunting you down." Silence. "Ok?" Scott nodded. "Ok." As Scott turned around to leave, Jimmy took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He wouldn't actually hunt Scott down, not even after 30 seconds. But Scott lingered. "Ok, love you," he said, so light hearted Jimmy hadn't heard him.
"Alright, have fun, I give you 30 seconds," Jimmy said as he turned away," 30 seconds." He then froze as Scott's next words registered in his head. "Say love you back," the cyanette said," say love you back." The diamond sword Jimmy had held in his hands clattered to the ground, his grip slack in shock. The noise echoed in the silence that followed.
"Please say it back."
But Jimmy couldn't. It would be so simple. Just say those 3 words back at Scott. They would ring true too. But Jimmy couldn't. because that would solidify the choice he was unwilling to make. Telling Scott that he loved him would mean he'd pick him above Tango. No matter how his head screamed at him to go with Scott, because he now knew the other still loved him back, his heart was split in two.
It hurt.
And he wasn't the only one. It could be seen on Scott's face as he stood before Jimmy. He had come closer as Jimmy failed to respond. "Jimmy?" he asked softly. The blonde nodded, letting the other know he was heard. "This isn't teasing or funny anymore," Scott said, so seriously," tell me what's going on?" Jimmy took a deep breath.
"I-," a sigh," I can't choose between you two." Their eyes met and Jimmy could see the understanding in them. "Tango." A nod. "You still love him?" Scott asked, ignoring how his voice broke. Jimmy looked so sad, so heartbroken as he wrapped his arms around himself. "Very much so," he said softly. Scott wanted to reach out, to hold the other, but felt it was no longer his privilege to do so.
"But I'm still in love with you as well," Jimmy stated and their eyes met again. Scott gasped silently. "You'd rather choose none of us than one of us?" he muttered. His heart shattered as Jimmy shrugged, but nodded. He stepped closer, looking deep into his eyes. "You deny yourself love because of that?" Jimmy averted his eyes. "I guess…"
Scott slowly raised his hands, cupping Jimmy's face. He made sure the other looked at him, their gazes staying connected as he spoke softly. "Jimmy," he wiped away the tear that slipped down the other's cheek," you deserve all the love and affection. Please, don't worry about me." Tears flowed freely down his cheeks. "Choose Tango, he's good for you," Scott said, shushing Jimmy's attempts to interrupt," Let him love you."
Then his hands were gone, taking the warmth with him. Before Jimmy could protest, Scott was gone. He wasn't quite able to wrap his head around what just happened. Scott's heartbroken expression fresh on his mind, his words on repeat in his brain. Let him love you.
But what if I want to be loved by you too?
The time of mellow yellow peace had arrived, but Jimmy knew no peace. The hunt for greens was over, but Jimmy's struggles to find answers weren't. his heart and mind were at war. So here he was, hiding away in the woodlands surrounding the mansion, trying to stay away from everything and everyone.
His Bad Boys were wondering where he went, asking him in several messages, both public and private. He didn't want to answer, he didn't want to be found. Sadly for him, someone did find him.
"There you are!" a joyous voice called out from between the trees. Jimmy curled in on himself more, hoping the other would leave. "Hey Rancher," Tango said as he stepped closer to the log Jimmy was sitting on. The blonde didn't answer, too close to crying already. "Want to talk about it?" Tango asked. Jimmy felt the warmth radiating from the netherborn as he sat down beside him. He shook his head.
"Alright," Tango said," then we'll just sit here." Jimmy dared taking a peek at Tango, their eyes meeting. The other gave him a smile and a wink, making him blush. "You know I'm here to help you," Tango said softly," I got worried when your Bad Boys couldn't seem to find you…" Jimmy sighed. "I'm sorry."
Tango smiled, patting Jimmy on the back, keeping his hand there. "It's alright," he said," Just… talk to me?" How could Jimmy say no to his former soulmate? So, he talked. He told Tango everything. About his conflicting feelings, his love for both him and Scott, the interaction on Bread Bridge. The netherborn stayed silent, wrapping an arm around the other as he listened.
When Jimmy was done talking, he was leaning into Tango's side, wondering how the other was able to get him open up like that. He felt exhausted, but also kind of relieved. Exhausted for holding all those feelings and thoughts inside. Relieved to have it all out in the open, for telling Tango. And the other hadn't ran off screaming, hadn't looked hurt or upset. He just offered Jimmy a smile that made him weep. And he just held him tight, letting him cry.
"Better?" Tango asked softly as Jimmy's sobs died down. "Actually," the blonde said," yes. Thank you." Tango smiled and hugged him tight. "No problem." Jimmy hugged Tango back, squeezing him tight. Once he pulled back, Tango took Jimmy's hands in his.
"Listen," he said, a serious expression on his face," Scott isn't wrong." Jimmy raised an eyebrow in question. "You do deserve all the love and attention," Tango continued with a small smile," and I believe that means the both of us." Jimmy froze up in shock. Tango could feel him trembling slightly. He did not let go.
"Scott deserves to love you, you deserve to love him," Tango said matter-of-factly," and I would love to be allowed to love you as well. Cause I do. Love you, I do love you." Jimmy looked at him with disbelief. "I want you to be happy, my love," the netherborn said softly," and if that means sharing you with Scott, then I don't mind. Double the love for you."
has stopped responding.
"I-I-," Jimmy shook his head, expression bewildered," How does that even work?" Tango chuckled. "You have 2 hands, right?" Jimmy looked at his hands, still held in Tango's. he did in fact have 2 hands. He nodded as he looked curiously at Tango, who gave him a wide smile.
"Then use both."
Their walk back to team T.I.E.S. tower was spend talking about how Jimmy could approach Scott with the idea. The blonde felt happy and hopeful. He never even considered the option of open relationships, or being polyamorous. That's what he liked about Tango, his open-mindedness and big heart. The idea of being able to love both Tango and Scott made butterflies flutter in his stomach.
After all, he did not have to choose between the two. He was capable of loving them both, he had enough love to share. "Well, this is me," Tango said with a chuckle," Good luck talking to Scott." Jimmy leaned in, meeting the other halfway in a soft kiss. A sigh of relief as they pulled apart. They stood still for a moment, content smiles on their faces as they looked into each other's eyes. Tango started to lean in again, going for another smooch but a splashing sound nearby distracted him.
Jimmy looked towards the water, just catching sight of somebody swimming away. He'd recognise that cyan hair anywhere. "Scott." Red eyes met brown, a nod and Jimmy sprung into action, leaping into the water. He could barely see Scott swimming a couple of feet in front of him. He could however see when Scott turned around, catching sight of Jimmy. His speed increased.
Damn you Scott Smajor for being an amazing swimmer.
Luckily for Jimmy, no matter how fast Scott swam, he could not escape him. For the cyanette was swimming straight towards the world border that trapped them all inside. "Scott!" Jimmy called out," Please, Scott! Just listen." Scott turned towards him, pressing his back against the border. Jimmy was unsure if Scott's face was wet from the water or the other had been crying. His eyes were suspiciously red.
"It's okay, Jimmy, really," Scott said, trying to sound as if his voice wasn't shaking," I'm happy you chose Tango. You two belong together." They both tried to stay afloat, Jimmy struggling significantly more than Scott. "We do," Jimmy said," but you belong with me as well."
Scott's eyebrows raised in question. "Look," Jimmy said, holding up his hands," what do you see?" Scott gave him an incredulous look. Never mind the fact that Jimmy was nearly drowning. "Your hands?" Jimmy smiled. "And how many do I have?" Scott looked as if he had just asked the man if he was stupid. "…two?"
"Exactly."
Jimmy could pinpoint the moment Scott's confusion made way for recognition, surprise and something hopeful. "Can we please continue this conversation on land?" Jimmy asked. He was exhausted from all the swimming. Scott nodded and took Jimmy's arm to help him reach land. It only made Jimmy admire him and his swimming skills more.
Once they got onto land, breathing heavy, they took a proper look at each other. Brown eyes locked onto blue ones. "Are you okay?" the blonde asked, moving towards Scott. The other took his outstretched hand in his. "I never considered the option, to be fair," he said. Jimmy chuckled. "Neither did I," he said," I wholly believed I had to pick between you two. Tango changed my mind." Scott hummed. "Did he now?"
Both their eyes flicked over to the Crooked Tower, were a flamey figure stood accompanied by another player. They could barely make out Impulse, who waved at them. Jimmy turned away from the tower, to look back at Scott. He gave the hand in his a squeeze. "I quite like the idea," the cyanette said softly," I'd rather have some of you, than none of you."
Jimmy gave him a smile and bumped their foreheads together. "This feels right," he muttered. He softly pecked Scott on the lips. "This feels right," Scott agreed and pulled the other in for a proper kiss. Jimmy closed his eyes, letting the feeling of Scott's lips on his consume his thoughts. When they pulled apart, both sighed contently.
"You should call your boyfriend over," Scott said with a teasing smile. Jimmy laughed. "That I should." He turned back towards the tower in favour of waving Tango over. With no hesitation whatsoever, Tango dove off of the tower and into the waters below. It didn't take long for him to reach the other two, shaking himself off, making the others protest with a laugh.
"So," he said," What's the verdictification?" Scott gave him a smile. "I'm willing to love, to hold and to cherish Jimmy for as long as I'll live," he said," What about you?" Tango looked excited from Scott to Jimmy. "Willing and able!" He didn't give the blonde time to react, before pounding him and smothering the surprised sounds in a kiss.
When Tango pulled back, satisfied with the flustered look on Jimmy's face. Scott decided to add to the fuel by pulling Jimmy in for a heated kiss. "Mamma Mia," Jimmy muttered, a blushing mess. Scott and Tango shared a look before both kissed Jimmy's cheeks. The blonde hid his face in his hands, uttering the cutest noises. Scott smiled smugly as he checked Tango out. "You know," he said, gaining the other's attention," Maybe I'll warm up to you."
Tango snorted. Jimmy gaped at Scott in disbelief. "You seem like somebody that could float my boat," Tango counteracted. Jimmy looked flabbergasted, and a tad hopeful, between the two. At both their mischievous expressions, he let out a strangled noise.
"What have I gotten myself into?!"
BONUS CHAPTER:
"Looks like he didn't quite get over it," Joel muttered, a smug smile on his face. Grian shot him a look that could cost him another hour. Cleo shot them both a questioning look, before deciding that she didn't want to know. "Aren't they just the cutest?" Impulse shouted from on top of the Crooked Tower. "Adorable," Bdubs shouted back," Shame we still have to kill them!"
Scar slapped the back of his head softly. "Leave them be," he said," we're on a break anyway." Bdubs protested loudly. "I'll tell you what love is when you're older," Cleo said, pulling Bdubs along back to their base. Impulse laughed as he waved them off. Joel, Grian and Scar were left standing near the base of the tower.
Grian was giving Joel a look that screamed he would end the other if he as much as dared leave him alone with Scar. So of course, Joel did just that. "Alright lads, that's enough tooth rotting fluff for me for today," he said and turned to leave. He patted Grian on the shoulder in a sign of wishing him good luck and a way to force him to talk it out.
Scar watched the interaction with interest, chuckling as he noticed the daggers Grian was glaring at Joel's retreating back. Grian huffed angrily, his feathers ruffled up, as he looked anywhere but at Scar. He could feel Scar's eyes bore a hole in the side of his head.
"You know," Scar started," even tho we're on different teams this time, we could still be friends." Grian felt his heart break. Had he made Scar feel as if they couldn't be friends? He slowly looked up, meeting the other's eyes. "What if I don't want to be friends?" he asked softly. Scar flinched. He then gave Grian a sad smile.
"Then I will accept that decision." Grian stared intently at him. "And what if I want to be something more?" Scar's face lit up like a Christmas tree, a smile splitting his face. He grabbed Grian's hands and pulled him close. "Then I will gladly accept that decision." They both smiled as they slowly leaned into each other. Their breaths mingled in front of their faces, hearts beating loudly in their chests and all they could do was stare longingly into each other's eyes.
"Ah yuck, not you two as well!" Impulse shouted from atop the tower, making the two jump apart. Scar started to laugh as Grian shouted in frustration. Impulse looked way too proud of himself as he retreated back into the tower. "C'mon," Scar said, tugging a still irritated Grian along," You can meet the family." Grian gave him a disturbed look. It made place for a smile when Scar gave him a quick kiss. It was a promise for more, which Grian gladly accepted. They laughed as they walked towards the rock, holding hands the entire time.
All hell would break lose soon enough. Soon the reds would hunt down the yellows. Soon red would turn on red and lives would be permanently lost. Soon enough, time would run out. But these bonds will hold, far beyond the death games. And for now, all was well. For now, they were happy.