Rewind, replay | Vinzent + Viper | Desert Island

Vinzent Mayer

[emeto mention cw]

It was quite some days later after the fighting that Vinzent was looking for Viper again. The thing he has hoped the most is she had time to recover in-between this incident and now, and not gotten herself in more trouble than necessary.

And… Thankfully, there were enough time for Vinzent as well to recover from his trauma-induced first day on this island. He may have vomited again at some point thanks to several factors, but nobody needs to know or see that. </3 He’s fine now!

… Mostly. He may not feel physically ill anymore right now, but the uneasiness was still present. Any Jack sighting was met with deliberate avoidance and distance.

Vinzent then found Viper, thankfully without the other man around. This time, she was patched up, thankfully. And Vinzent was now in a different hairstyle. Hmm… Wonder what happened here. (: Anyway.

“Viper..?”

He’ll try to not show too much concern, and he’s been doing pretty well now, unlike a few days ago.

Viper’s fine now. There’s no more need to worry, right?

Viper

Recover she had, she still bore the makeshift and legit bandages provided by Abel and Haruka, but Viper had gained back enough blood to her body that she was looking less… sheet-white and more back to her usual colour. She hadn’t been expecting anyone to approach her, she’d decided to spend some time away from Abel to relax now she’d had some sleep- likely at his side, as they had both offered for each other at different points.

“Oh, hey Vinze!” She’s looking a little worse for wear still, with her coat and sweater off showing her bandaged arm, but overall… she looks like the same old Viper!

“Come sit down! How you doing? You doing awright?”

Viper, surprisingly, hadn’t sworn off of Jack interactions, but she was still avoiding him where possible. Seems like she has a bit of a brain up on her shoulders!

Vinzent Mayer

Vinzent once again took up on her offer to sit down. He did need to, since Viper wasn’t fairing any better, but thankfully she did not look worse right now.

The same old attitude she had got him to ease up more.

“Yes, of course… I’m much better, yeah. And you? How are you feeling now?” Even if he did note the improvement from earlier, it was better to check from the girl herself.

He still felt a bit bad for being unable to help Viper before, but he was pushing that thought down. It’s really fine now. They should just chat like they did back in the previous car, it’s been a while ago now but… That was nice, and he’d rather keep it that way. Forget about the tape incident for now. It’s over anyway.

There was still some trace of guilt, but even if it was there, Vinzent didn’t show it anywhere on his face nor his movements.

Viper

“Haruka patched me up pretty good, so I’m doing great…despite everything!” The bruises on her back still hurt like hell, but they were starting to heal up a little too. As well as the rest of the many bruises she was decorated with… “I kinda passed out on Abel and he took me to Haruka…”

Viper leaned backwards onto her hands, looking up at the blue sky above them.

“…Abel’s nice. He was pretty worried about me, he’s so strong, he carried me all the way…” She twirls her hair around her finger. “…He said it was all okay.” She gives Vinzent a bit of a look, almost like she was trying to gauge his thoughts on Abel.

Vinzent Mayer

Haruka and Abel… So it was true that Viper did go to see them even if it wasn’t at the same time. It was reassuring…

Vinzent couldn’t help but let out a relieved sigh.

As Viper described Abel, the artist had a soft smile. Yeah… It was really a good thing that the secretary is here after all. Strong, huh… Vinzent wasn’t surprised, but he was still impressed Abel still had to use his injured shoulder likely. Hopefully it won’t wear too much on Abel.

Vinzent… Might have been lost in his thoughts just after Viper said the last sentence. Really, he’s glad that Viper at least had Abel looking out for her. It’s a good thing that the redhead wasn’t alone.

Still, if it was Vinzent himself who was hurt by someone else, then what would happen…? Oh well, there’s no point in pondering the worst case scenario that didn’t occur yet-

“I’m really glad that Abel helped you. Really. I agree that he’s nice, yes…!”

A smile on his face, light but still noticeable.

Viper

Oho?

Vinzent, you fool. Viper notices that smile. She’s spent long enough deciphering mysterious people’s body language that she knows when someone is trying to play down an emotion! Hell, she’s spent years doing it herself!

A coy smile spreads across her own lips, and she hums thoughtfully, “You look a little different, by the way.” Viper pretends to ponder for a couple of moments, before giving an exaggerated ‘a-ha!’.

“Your hair! Who did your hair? Was it Haruka? Fenna? Taran? Don’t tell me. It was Melvin, right?” …Sorry, Melvin. …It’s very clear by her tone she can probably guess the answer to that question. She’s testing the waters. Gauging his response. “I think it looks cute on you.”

Vinzent Mayer

H-Huh.

Oh.

“N-None of them! Huh.”

Wow, Melvin, really, Viper? But… He realized where she was getting at. Vinzent was trying very hard to play it cool but… Despite his best efforts, Vinzent’s cheeks got a little red as he spoke after.

“It was Abel. Um thanks…!”

“I did his hair too, for fun.”

Nothing else is going on!! … He would be lying to himself if he kept thinking that. Because it wasn’t true. He just hoped Viper won’t be too rough on Vinzent himself, because the man was still trying to put together his thoughts.

What thoughts, though? His blush was still noticeable. Man, he wished he could hide it as easily as it appeared. Be Nice to Him, Viper. (Or not.)

Viper

Unfortunately for Vinzent, Viper didn’t quite get the memo about not tormenting people, she never did… soooo… she starts out with a very strong-

“…You like him, don’t you? Like, you like like him.” …Complete with an eyebrow wiggle. I don’t know how reasonably she was meant to have assumed that from hearing that they’d done each other’s hair- but this was Viper. BS conclusions were her speciality. As long as she made the right call, who needed to know how she got there?

“I can tell… I don’t blame ya tho. He’s a total cutie, right? Absolute cutie patootie. But he won’t admit it! Absolute blasphemy, really.” …She’s laying it on thick just to see how much she can get, it seems. Viper actually leans out onto her stomach- despite the fact her wound aches when she does so, and grins up at him.

Vinzent Mayer

Aaaaand here goes his heart, pounding pretty badly. Hm.

Damn, Viper, slow it down!

“I… Uh…”

Vinzent’s face was now fully red, even as he was still trying to pay attention to what she’s saying. Oh god, Oh fuuuuuck. How did she know? God, now it was impossible to hide it. Or even lie. Fine. So be it. How to say it the most normally possible-

“Mhrrrrm… Yes, okay. I do.”

No. Not like that. Welp, too late.

“I. Uh… That’s…. Yeah. He’s really cute. I-I just- I- Um… I uh…”

Oh god, he was burning with embarassement. Vinzent hid his face in his hands. … He should get back at Viper for her crushes… Although right now, Vinzent wasn’t thinking about it right away, as the main topic just stayed in his head. He’s Fine, he Swears (: That said, he’ll still wait for Abel’s feelings to be clear. If it never gets returned, he’ll get over it, but until then. Vinzent will still think about it. Even more now. <3

Viper

BOOM.

THERE IT IS.

Well. Viper had expected it to be a little more difficult, but hey, she wasn’t gonna complain that Vinzent made it easy for her. Her smile had at first been coy, but now it widened into the biggest, most corny smile imagineable. She was on her knees again far too quickly, judging by the way she almost toppled back over at presumably, some ambient pain that protested her excitement.

“O.M.G. Vinzeeeeee!” Viper puts her hands on the sides of his arms, shaking him back and forth a little. “That’s adorbs!” …She’s happy, Vinzent seems like a nice enough guy. Nice enough for her Abel, obviously. She needed to approve, otherwise there’d be no chance. “Does he know?” She leans in a little too close.

…Viper thought she’d outgrown these playground gossip jellies, but it was very clear that no, she had in fact not, and deep down you could really tell at one point, she was one of the popular girls. Because like, pro gamers don’t care about people having feelings or anything.

Sometimes, you can be excited for two people who’ve hardly met a week ago coping with a death game by falling in love. Especially when one of those is your friendancé who struggles to feel worthy of love.

Vinzent Mayer

God, Vinzent wished he could make it last longer, but he sucks at it. It’s only his second real crush. It’ll take a while to sort out his thinking.

He jumped a bit at the voice and the shaking, but lowered his hands, face still red as hell.

“Yes… I told him that I do like him. He… Just said he didn’t know, so I.. I didn’t want to push him in making a choice. I want him to be sure of his own feelings first. So… Yes, he knows. I’ll know his answer eventually, whichever he decides.”

Vinzent thought that at least, with what Abel did tell him, it was important that the secretary felt loved. That was really… Abel deserves much better than what happened to him before. Even if Vinzent didn’t know everything… There was something in Vinzent that made him want to look out for the secretary and caring about him.

… God that was sappy as fuck.

Viper

Viper squealed audibly, this was so exciting! Vinzent had actually told Abel he liked him! She luckily released him this time before she wildly flailed her arms in her excitement, entire face lit up so much you’d think she was the one who had been confessed to.

“THAT’S SO CUUUUUTE!” Viper squealed, before placing her hands back on Vincent’s shoulders. “I will help him with his feelings if he asks me. I’m like, a total pro in figuring out your feelings.” Maybe a bit too much of a pro, eh?

“BUT. I won’t force him to decide. No way. Abel is…” She paused, figuring out how to talk about it, “He… probably doesn’t think he deserves you. Basically. So, like, I gotta punch his doubt into submission first. But… I promise, he’s like, so protective once he decides he likes you enough.”

Viper did basically have a guard dog now. “Even if he doesn’t say yes, he’ll still be such a super loyal friend. And. Don’t. Let. It. Get. To. You.” With every word, she pats his shoulders, giving him a stern stare.

Vinzent Mayer

Viper

Vinzent was surprised at the squeal, but on the other side, it’s good to have someone that supports you, after all. He was staying quiet, making sure to listen to every word Viper told him.

A pro, huh? More like Vinzent kind of sucked at hiding it but, it doesn’t matter now. Viper knows anyway.

He was relieved that Viper said she wasn’t going to force Abel to decide. At least they were on the same page. Vinzent figured something like that was happening but if Viper knows how to help with that…

A soft smile was seen.

“Alright, Viper. I’ll wait to hear him either way. But thanks for letting me know. I’m glad there’s more people I can count on.”

He nodded at the “don’t let it get to you”. Understood!

“You got it..!” Vinzent was frankly prepared for anything at this point. If it’s a yes, he’ll be really happy. But if it’s a no, he’ll accept it and still appreciate Abel for who he is.

Viper

“Oh, you can always count on me!” Viper chirps, and nods as he agrees to not let any rejection get to him. Viper won’t have any sad Vinzent on her hands! She doesn’t ask before doing so, but she finally gives him that hug she owed him before she got into that fight with Jack. “I’m happy for you. Thanks, for not just pushing me away.”

Pause.

“…Sorry about that whole thing with Jack, and about your tape…” Viper mumbled after a moment. “It was…a lot, I’m sure…!” At least Vinzent could forgive her for it, she hoped… that would be the ideal situation.

She still can’t quite explain why she felt the need to fight Jack, but she’s sure she could BS an excuse given enough notice!

Vinzent Mayer

Vinzent was once again surprised at the sudden hug, but he didn’t complain. It was nice. So he hugged her back.

Ah. Alright, now that he was more put together and not having his whole emotional baggage taking up while in a horrible funky headspace, Vinzent took his time to listen to Viper.

Honestly? He has started to hate Jack more and more, but especially being way more afraid of him. This man might not have proven exactly that he has absolutely gone through with this kind of threats before, but it wasn’t impossible, given his character. Pursuing his lips, Vinzent still hasn’t forgotten that Viper had wanted to fight Jack about the tape. Should he ask why? Or let it die for good? It’s not like he really needs to simmer on that any longer again.

“… Alright. It.. Yeah, it was. A bit too much for my taste really, but. It’s fine, I’d rather let it be, as it’s over. I still can’t fucking forgive Jack, anyway. I’m just glad the tape was destroyed in the end.”

Yes, he was still allowed to be extra salty about Jack while not wanting to drag the situation any longer.

Viper

Even if Vinzent did ask, who said Viper would be honest anyway? What had been her true motives for wanting that tape, I wonder. Had she even wanted it to begin with?

Feeling sufficiently awkward now, Viper released him from the hug and glanced away, her cheeks turning just the slightest shade of pink. She scuffed at the sand with one hand, tracing circles on the surface.

“Yeah, um… I can understand wanting to leave that to die down…” Viper was thinking about something, judging by the look on her face, but had no intentions to talk without at least some prompting. Why the sudden clamming up?

Vinzent Mayer

Viper

Vinzent suspected something was up but… Did he really want to get to the bottom of this? Yes, but if it meant worse consequences… He wasn’t sure. What is left of their… Friendship now. Is it worth it? Is it really worth it to drag it? So… Yeah. More reason to want it to die down.

Still… The sudden clam up was pretty telling.

“Anyway.”

He couldn’t help, but wondering if it’s still about the tape or… Curiosity got the best of him.

“… Something else in your mind?”

Viper

“No-” Viper replies quickly, in the kind of way that suggests she is absolutely lying. Then, she’s silent for a few moments, thinking, deep in thought. All this talk about tapes, and everything, it’s got her thinking about her awkward interactions with certain others during their tape viewings.

There is something wrong with her.

Viper tucks hair behind her ear, opening her mouth to stammer uselessly, then close it again.

“I- Um, I… Sorry… I… Are we still friends, Vinze?” She asks, rather suddenly. However, the glint in her eye and the fact the tips of her ears turn pink shows that she’s still preoccupied. Her rizz is GONE. YOINKED.

Vinzent Mayer

Viper

(Swearing)

To be honest, Vinzent was… Not willing to break his friendship with Viper. It’s best to have allies rather than enemies, but he did feel betrayed by Viper’s manner of answer. It’s easy to ask to promise she won’t do it again, but is it easy to hold on that?

He was this close to inquire about what she was thinking, as he was squinting, but Viper changed the topic fast, to his dismay.

“I… I really want us to stay friends but… . Do understand I don’t give second chances just like that usually. I really do not want the fucking tape to be the reason this fucks up badly.”

As much as he wished it’d die down, he was sure it was the reason she was awkward. Really, Viper. What could you possibly want with a traumatic tape of that specific day? He muttered to himself, perhaps not quiet enough that Viper could hear, but still not very audible.

“Was my traumatic memory that worth it to expose to the others…”

Even if it is thankfully destroyed now. Who knew what were the plans had the tape been still intact. Jack, he was pretty sure about it. Shithead. But Viper possibly planning to step this low too? Vinzent wasn’t certain how to feel about it. He just knew it was at least betrayal of trust. He didn’t want it to exist. Fuck.

Viper

Everything he said made sense. Her face felt like it was burning- it wasn’t shame for her actions, but for what she had genuinely considered doing with that tape for a moment. Even just for a moment. Viper thought she had changed. She had changed since she was that person, the person who would uncaringly sell something like that online, use it for blackmail, push it out for profit.

It made her feel sick to think she could backpedal on that.

“…Yeah. That’s kinda…normal.” She mumbled, almost falling over her words she was so quick to get them out. Her chest felt tight.

“If- If it’s any consolation. I can give you my tape. It’s probably… just as bad. If not worse. I-” Viper’s gaze is fixed on the ground as she presents Vinzent with the tape in both hands- for once, being polite in her native language.

“…I had a stalker. He attacked me. I sold him some sh-tty code exploit, he hated me since.” …Her voice was bitter, the breath seeming to catch in her every word. “…Almost ended up just another missing person. Do what ya want with this tape. Don’t really care. If I die here, nobody out there’s gonna give a sh-t who doesn’t already know.”

Vinzent Mayer

Viper

Vinzent blinked in confusion at being presented another tape. Will this be the third tape he’d watch…?

On one hand, he could very well watch the video without restraints. To return the hurt. To… To… What? She’s explaining the contents of it…? God, that’s. That’s beyond messed up. Viper might have done some shit but to get a stalker solely because of a shitty code exploit? Some people just…

Should he? Should he really watch the tape?

…

Vinzent took it from Viper’s hands…

…

…..

And broke it without further hesitation. He might not have the strength to fully break it with his hands alone, so he continued to pull it apart piece by piece but… He made sure it’ll be impossible to be watched again.

“That’s fucked up. I’m sorry that person was fucking horrible to you just because of your choice you made years ago. I’m… I’m glad you’re not missing. But no. I’m not going to watch your tape just because you… Allowed me to. I… Your explanation is enough.”

…

“You…”

A pause.

“….You don’t have anybody back home who looks out for you?”

Despite his bitterness, he couldn’t help but wonder. What has happened to Viper? Is it why she is the way today?