Requested by Pandimoo

Maria's POV

Naib..... Naib Subedar.

A name that haunts both my mind and heart. What.... is this... feeling?

I look at the male who was currently talking to the coordinator.

"Holy sh*t Martha! Nice shot!" I hear Naib yell from across the garden. He laughs and smiles, making my heart jump up in joy. But, I can't say that it also gave me stabs in the heart.

Is... this love? Does it really hurt?

I continue to watch, Naib hugging and high fiving the female. There's that stab again.

I think he has noticed, because he started walking to me. I look down, hiding behind my mask and fiddling with my thumb. "Hey Maria!" he greets, placing his hands on my shoulder. I flinch, pushing away his hand straightening my posture.

"Are you alright?" He asks, confusion lacing his words. I nod and quickly stood up.

This feeling was too unbearable. My heart feels like exploding.

"I.... got to go...." I excuse and start walking. I hid away to my room, closing the door and sliding down. I press my face into my palms and sigh.

Tears slid down my face. "Why am I feeling things like this? I-I don't know what to feel.... h-he doesn't feel the same. I shouldn't be feeling this....." I cry, trying to stop the tears.

Everything feels heavy, especially my heart. A glint caught my attention, a knife.

I see what Emma does when she's sad.... Maybe it'd work with me too.

I grab the knife, hesitant whether I should do this or not. My train of thoughts were erupted when I accidentally cut myself on the finger.

It felt.... good. Will it feel lighter on my..... wrist?

I place the blade on my wrist... ready for what I will do.... I already made 1 cut... it wouldn't be a harm to add another o-

"Maria...?" I was shocked. Looking at my open balcony, I saw Naib perched on the ledge, shocked.

Naib went down from the ledge and started walking closer. I quickly throw the knife away, hiding my wrist as I back away.

"Why are you doing this?" He asks as he grabs the knife. He looks at me, then the knife, then back at me. The man suddenly chucks the knife off the balcony, a female and male scream coming after.

He harshly took my arm and inspected the cut. I let out a whimper, making him hold less hard. "How did you get here....?" I ask, trying to pull away. He looks at me with a soft look "I followed you... I heard sobbing so I asked Esther and Norton outside to lift me up so that I could get to you," he explains.

"Why are you doing this?" He asks. I stayed quiet.

I didn't know what to answer. I can't just tell him that he's hurting me inside. He'd judge me.

I need to build a wall around myself. I can't risk getting hurt.

I looked up and glare at him "Nothing happened. Do not mention this," I threat and pull my arm as hard as I can. Sure it hurts, but I don't care.

I heard the bells, signalling of a match I was entered to happen. An 8 vs 2. I walked out, leaving a dumbfounded Naib.

Good thing he wasn't gonna play in this match. I need to clear my mind.

*at the lobby*

I sat at the long table where all the survivors and the host is seated, 4 seats across from Naib. He just kept glancing at me. I try to keep myself distracted, so I look infront of me. Wrong decision.

"Are you ok?" Esther asks and presses a cloth on Norton's bleeding shoulder. The man groans and nods "Yeah... don't worry," he replies. Esther shook her head and sighed, brushing the man's hair.

Kind of reminds me of Naib and Martha's.... relationship.

Ouch. There goes the pain again. I should just ignore it....

My small internal fight was disrupted when the host clears her throat. I looked away and put my attention to her.

"Due to some circumstances- a knife somehow fell from the sky-Norton cannot play in this match. He is now getting treated by my daughter. I will be choosing Naib as the substitute. Please get ready, survivors," she announces, standing up.

Naib.... is... playing?

F*ck.

************
I opened my eyes to moonlit river park, on the bridge.

Obviously, I went to the closest cipher and started decoding.

"Hey Maria!"

Oh god, it's his voice. Please don't be him, please don't be him.......

A cloaked man came beside me, decoding as soon as he reaches the cipher.

I quickly finished the cipher. Instead of going to the next cipher, I ran to to the other direction. But, he quickly caught me. "Why are you running away from me? Are you ignoring me?" he asks.

I can't just tell him what I feel..... It... feels wrong!

I shook my head and pulled my arm away. "Leave me alone!" I yell out and start running.

*timeskip*

It was late game, only one gate was open because only 5 of us were left.

Scratch that, 4 of them. I'm incapacitated and I don't want to risk themselves just to save me.

I look up as Jack chuckles. "Oh dear Maria~ Don't worry, your death won't be in vain. I'm using you as bait~" he says and pats my head.

Bait? For who? Who would get fooled by this tra-

"MARIA! DON'T MOVE IM COMING!" Naib's voice echoed through the map.
"What?" Why would he come back?

I saw his green hoodie flash.

"No! GO AWAY!" I try to warn. "GET OUT OF HERE! IT'S TOO DANGEROUS!" I scream out. Jack growled and pulled my hair "Be quiet!". Naib growls as well, getting close.

Jack tried to hit him, but he dodged the fog attack, pushing away the hunter and quickly running to me. He enveloped me into a hug.

"I shouldn't have left you! I'm sorry, I'm sorry....!" He kept repeating. I felt safe in his embrace, snuggling as he then heals me up.

"Come on!" he yells and pulls me up, pulling me towards the gate.

"Oh no you won't!" Jack growls, hitting me with his fog and incapacitating Naib with his heavy attack.

"You should have just.... cooperated~!" Jack says in a sing-song voice. His expression turned into a insane look, eyes gleaming with red.

He ties Naib up and I get carried by Smiley. "Since you guys can't get enough of each other, you'll be spending time in the dungeon~". Smiley snickers and pushed on the dirt as he ties balloons on me.

"Struggle, Maria!" Naib whispers, struggling. I nod and start struggling. Soon after, we both were freed. Naib grabs my hand, pulling me up and running away.

"Gah! Get them!" Jack roars, running to us.

I heard a dash.

Smiley's dash.

I look back and saw the clown closing on us, particularly Naib. I can't let them hurt him!

Before he even reaches him, I ran behind Naib, making Smiley hit me instead. That's gonna leave a bruise.

Naib gasps and tried to go back for me, but Jack pushes him away. "Run along little Naib~" Jack's sickening voice spoke. "Go! It's ok!" I cry out as Smiley steps on me. Naib hesitated, but after them showing their weapons, he retreated.

The two hunters loom above me, deadly glares and sickening smiles displayed on their faces.

This is gonna hurt.

*timeskip*

"Ow ow ow ow!" I yelp as Esther accidentally tightens up the bandage around my arm. "S-sorry...." she stutters out and loosen up the wrap.

I sigh and lean back at the bed. The match was really traumatizing.... Plus, Naib is probably hurt because of me. He's downstairs getting treated by Emily.

I sigh and start hitting my head on the wall multiple times.

"Is something wrong?" Esther's calm voice asks. I shook my head and tried to ignore her. "You can talk to me if you want...." she offers, I look at her as a reply.

"I'm a really good listener and give good advices.... according to Norton," she giggles and smile.

I was hesitant, but decided to give in. "How.... can you tell a guy.... you like him, but your heart will hurt if you do? Will you risk it, or just keep it in?" I ask. She shrugs and looks at me. "Depends, who's the guy?" she asks. Should I tell her? She could tell Norton though! Him and Naib are pretty close.....

But I need to let it out...

"Naib...." I answer, hesitant.

Esther looks at me, then smiles. "You should go tell him. Risk it, because letting it out will lighten up that weight on you shoulders," she answers and stands up. "I have to go, Norton still needs medical assistance since the knife incident," she says and excuses herself, going out after giving me a smile.

I thought about what she said.... Should I? Or should I just ignore her?

A knock woke me up from my mind, and peaked in was Naib whose chest was bandaged up.

He gave me a sad smile "May I come in? I need to talk to you....." he asks. I nod and scooted away.

He came and sat at the foot of the bed, staying silent until I coughed.

"L-listen.... I know there's something wrong. Tell me what you're feeling..." He starts. I stayed silent. And looked down, the sheets were interesting to me at this moment.

"Please.... just tell me Maria. I'll help you fix your proble-"

"I can't," I answer, clutching my chest. It's hurting.

"Why?" he asks, leaning closer. I turn to my side and gripped tighter.... "Because.....".

"Like I said, let me help me you," he replies, placing a hand on my shoulder. I slapped it off, making him have a shocked look.

This pain and guilt I feel is too much. I swear I'm gonna die.

"Because it hurts, Naib," I whimper.

"Everytime I see you, I feel happy, like I'm looking at a beautiful painting. But it also gives me pain.... seeing you with the other girls..... And I feel guilt,knowing that if you actually like me
back, I couldn't. Because I don't know how this works! Is this even love I'm feeling? Is it supposed to hurt? I don't know!" I rant.

He sat silent, probably loss in thought.

"Then let me help you," He whispers, trapping me in his embrace. "I like you, Maria," he adds. My eyes were wide open, tears running from my them.

"Why?" I mumble. He gave me a confused look.

"Why me? There are plenty more prettier and better girls that like you! There's Martha, Tracy, even Esther! Why me???" I cry out, crying in his chest.

He chuckles. I felt his lips on top of my hair, making me blush. "Because you're different. Sure, they're pretty, talented, smart, and brave. But you're all of that. I want you. You're the best," Naib says and lifts my chin up.

I stare at his features. A smile displayed on his lips. I stare at his eyes, getting lost.

Suddenly, I felt pain in my chest. I clutched down and wince. Naib grabs my hand that was placed on my heart. "I will teach you how to love, don't worry," he comforts, kissing my forehead.

I smile and place my forehead on his chest, hugging his body in the process.

"You're a great advice giver Esther," Norton compliments, pinching the girls cheek as they peak on the door. Esther smiles and leans on Norton "I know,".

************
Here you go Pandimoo! Since you gave me an idea which is sorta angsty, I tried to slip in some sweet things. Hope you like it!

Note to my much more earlier viewers:

Probs y'all are sick of the Esther X Naib shiz already. So here you go lol. I lent in Norton, since if I did pull Naib and Esther apart, he'd be next in line. But that's not gonna happen lol.

Hope you enjoy tthis hecka LONG chapter. This was painfuk to edit btw ;-;.