Chapter Text
The Hall of Flame was built of high arches and polished stone floors, big columns and open spaces for people to flow through and collect in. The rooms were wide and tall, sometimes the ceilings reaching several stories high, sometimes they almost seemed to stretch into the sky, clouds collecting at the top of the arches. Massive hallways lined the rooms, space for thousands to move through at once.
It was a lot, Hobbs thought, for the less than one hundred people that occupied the Hall. It made him wonder.
Kiki Familia led him around the Hall by his hand. She had camped out outside his door when he first got to the Hall, and she refused to leave. He told her to go away, she told him no, giving him a smile that showed off her pointy cat teeth. Eventually, he relented. He did this for two reasons, he told himself: one, this poor kid shouldn't be here, and someone should be keeping an eye on her -- though this was out of principle, he had a pretty good hunch she was way more scrappy than she let on. The second reason was that she knew the custom sign for his name. She had his attention.
Kiki showed him the different places in the Hall that people had set up as their own. There was a dining hall where there was always food, and always some of the older players cooking. Hobbs was confused about why they needed food if they were dead, and resented when his stomach growled at him. Kiki was smart enough to read the situation, and brought him food in his room. They ate together in silence.
There was a library, made of books that the Monitor could find. It wasn't very good at it -- somehow there were a lot of novelizations of movies, but a book was a book. There were sports clubs, futsal and table tennis and floor hockey and even... the word still sounded weird to Hobbs... baseball, a pickup game that happened every few days. There were even trash patrols to keep the Hall clean. People were keeping busy as best they could.
And there was, of course, The Grand Stands. In one of the largest rooms, several rows of stadium seating overlooked a field where, like Party Time, all of the games played out at once.
"How the fuck do you even follow this?" Hobbs asked, scowling.
"Practice," Kiki said with a shrug.
This was also where the teams had set up. Every team was there, some with just one or two players, some, like the Talkers, had half a dozen. Kiki, again, read the situation perfectly, taking him right past the teams both times. Hobbs caught where the Talkers were, their banner affixed to the wall proudly. Somehow they had even made it look wet. But he didn't look much closer, his eyes down as they passed.
Kiki made a stop at the dining hall for a late lunch. Hobbs tried not to eat, but she shoved a burger at him when they sat down. He took it, looked down at it, feeling tired and raw. He set the burger down on the table.
"It's not wet," he said.
Kiki rolled her eyes and nearly inhaled her sushi. "You going to be picky in death?"
Hobbs sighed. He wanted to leave, to go back to his room, but he wouldn't leave her alone, and she knew that. The little jerk.
Kiki just watched him. She was very good at leaving silence in the air. He didn't even know her, just that she was a Talker, but he had never heard of her. She just wouldn't let him hide.
Hobbs noticed the CCOHS Summer Camp Softball shirt.
"You went to CCOHS summer camp?" He asked.
"Yeah! It was great, we learned all about the new incoming work regulations, and I took a class on proper railing implementations in a work setting." She beamed.
"Oh my god, you're such a nerd," Hobbs said.
Kiki's ears dropped on her head. "This is important! Do you know how many people get hurt every year from avoidable workplace accidents?"
"No, I worry about normal stuff," Hobbs said.
And to his surprise, Kiki looked genuinely hurt. "I was trying to help. I watched the Talkers on TV all the time, and I saw what happened. No one should have gotten hurt. None of you."
Hobbs rolled his eyes. "And what were you going to do about it? Put out some cones around the umpires?"
"Unionize," Kiki said with a sparkle in her eye.
"How? You're a baby."
"I'm 16!" Kiki said. "Old enough to work! And old enough to know that things are fucked up and need to change."
Hobbs drew back. Oh, there was fire inside her. He had underestimated her. He said, "Language."
Kiki flipped him off.
Okay, he loved her actually. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "You wanted to help. What did you get done?"
Kiki's stare softened, her ears dropping on her head. She looked away, but she said, "Nothing."
Oh no, Hobbs thought. And he thought about why he didn't know her. "Who did you replace?"
"Elijah Bates," she said with his custom sign. That sign punched him in the gut. "I played five innings and they killed me."
Hobbs pulled his jaw tight. "I'm sorry..."
Kiki sniffed and wiped a tear away. And then she sat up, her ears perking, and she said, "I want a second chance. If I can get a second chance, I know I can do something."
Hobbs didn't doubt it. "I hope you get it," he said.
Kiki smiled at him. "Thank you. I hope you get your second chance, too."
Hobbs furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"Workman said you took the whole thing really hard," she said. "The whole team knew about it."
For a second, Hobbs was furious, angry at the gossip, but then realized that they actually cared. Eugenia was probably keeping them all up to date.
"I... made a mistake," he said. "And everyone got hurt because of it."
Kiki watched him sympathetically. "Is that why you weren't talking to people here?”
Hobbs hesitated. "Yes. I wasn't sure if they'd hate me. Because I hate myself for it."
"Well, Kiki said. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
"I know," Hobbs said. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not," Kiki said brightly.
Hobbs tilted his head.
"I told you already," Kiki said. "I'm going to get out of here. And when I do, I'm going to figure out a way to fight the gods."
"It would be so cool if you did," Hobbs said meekly.
"Yeah, I'm pretty cool." She smiled at him for a moment.
Hobbs laughed. Kiki didn’t need his protection. Maybe he needed her to protect him.
"Do you want a second chance?" Kiki asked.
"To go fight a god?"
"No," Kiki said.
He understood. "If... they would have me..."
Kiki beamed. Oh no, she was up to something.
Hobbs found sleep in the Hall was sound and eventless. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again hours had passed. He was still rested, but it was weird that he didn't dream. Maybe it was for the best, though. Maybe he didn't want to see those dreams.
He prepared himself for breakfast when there was a knock on his door. He grimaced. It was too early for Kiki's energy. He opened his door.
"Hey." Tyler Violet waited on the other side, and when Hobbs recognized her, she smiled.
"H-hi," Hobbs said, and before he could say anything further, she hugged him close. Hobbs hugged her back, not letting go until she did.
"It's weird to say it this way, but I'm really glad to see you."
Hobbs laughed. "I can't say I'm happy to be here, but..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm glad to see you too."
"I know Kiki gave you the tour," Tyler said. "Do you want to go see the team?"
Hobbs took a deep breath. "Yes. Please."
Tyler led him to the Grand Stands, to where the Talkers had staked out. Almost immediately he was tackled by Trevino and Kennedy.
"Hobbs!" Trevino said brightly. The beaver boy hugged him. "Ahhh look at you!"
"Looking good, guy," Kennedy said. They hugged him too. "Sorry you're here, but..."
Hobbs laughed. "Yeah, it's fine. I guess."
"That really sums it up, huh?"
Antonio Wallace loomed over them. Hobbs hadn't know Tony for long, but he'd happily take a boney hug from him. Workman bumped fists with him, as effortlessly cool as always, and then hugged. Hobbs was overjoyed, and a little overwhelmed from seeing everyone. And he wasn't ready for Kiki jumping on his back and hugging him around the neck, but he was so happy for it.
And through this crowd of Talkers, at the edge of the group, waiting patiently, was Elijah. He watched with a mix of happiness and hesitation. He started towards him, shedding Kiki, who was happy to fall into Workman's arms.
"H-hi..." Hobbs said.
"Mr. Cain," Elijah said, tilting his head a little.
Hobbs stepped forward hesitantly, and then threw his arms around Elijah, holding him as tightly as he could. Elijah held him close, stroking his ears back. Hobbs tried to talk, but couldn't find the words.
"I know," Elijah said softly. "I know. I'm here."
The Talkers around them turned away tactfully, finding other things to be interested in.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" Elijah said.
"Yes," Hobbs said. "Please."
Elijah took his hand, and led him away from from the Grand Stands, into the Hall. They walked for what felt like miles before Hobbs found his voice.
"I'm sorry," Hobbs said softly. "I'm so sorry. I fucked up so badly and you got hurt and I never wanted that."
"Hobbs," Eli said. "I know. We all kind of fucked up. We should have slept on it. But we were all upset and I think... I think we let things get away from us."
"I should have never started it. The Leviathan gave me the Necronomicon, and we were both so angry, and I wasn't going to question it. But I should have waited. I regretted it right away, but by then Greer was making people pick sides and other teams were starting to get in on it too. I kind of hoped that giving the job to Mooney would have stopped it."
"I could have said something," Elijah said. "I was there too. I said yes too."
"Why didn't you?" Hobbs said.
Elijah thought a moment, looking up at the ceiling. "Well... I was hopelessly in love with you, and I wanted to support you."
Hobbs blinked. "Eli..."
"For the record, so you know without a doubt, I'm not mad at you. We needed to assert ourselves to the gods. Someone had to do it."
"Do you... do you still love me?" Hobbs asked softly.
Eli stopped and turned Hobbs to face him, his hands on his shoulders. "I've loved you for years, you adorable nerd."
Hobbs tried to speak, but couldn't find the words again. He hugged Elijah again, squeezing him so tight that Elijah couldn't breathe.
"You're not saying anything," Eli said softly.
"Ah, sorry, I just... I'm just so happy. I don't get it, but I'm so happy.”
Elijah smiled. He closed his eyes and touched his head to Hobbs's. "I like that you're feisty, and brave, and that I always know where I stand with you. I like that you're so tough, but inside you're so sweet and you care so much. That you cared so much about Richmond and Eugenia was incredibly beautiful. You're sweet and so cute and I deeply regret not being more assertive, but I didn't want to scare you away."
"I'm not cute," Hobbs said.
"Sorry, I hate to inform you that you are adorable." He looked at Hobbs, smiling. Hobbs's face was so, so red under his fur. Elijah could see him thinking, processing everything. And then, hesitantly, Hobbs kissed Elijah, a slow, gentle kiss.
"Mr. Cain," Elijah said, blushing.
"It's Hobbs," he said. "I love you too, you fussy nerd. You're smart and witty and have amazing taste. And you took care of Richmond when he needed it."
"I should have been taking care of you instead," Elijah said.
"Shut up," Hobbs said. "Also," he said, dropping his voice. "You're beautiful. You're so beautiful."
Elijah kissed him. "You should tell me more about how beautiful I am."
Hobbs laughed. He hugged Elijah, resting his head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry it took me dying for this to happen."
Elijah hugged him, stroking the soft fur on his head. Oh gosh, it was so soft. He nuzzled the top of his head. "I suppose I can forgive you."
Hobbs found a home in the Hall. He allowed them to bring him in, into the circle, and he allowed them into his heart. The team rallied around Kiki, their new surrogate little sister, doing their best to instill any wisdom they had in her. Hobbs played games, ate dinner with the other teams. He joined the welcoming team, working shifts at the spot where newly incinerated players came in, though he didn't see any new Talkers for years. And he woke up every morning to Elijah holding him, and they could stay with each other as long as they wanted.
He was there to watch the names on the Hall of Flame leader board change. He watched Workman's name climb the board, and to his delight, Kiki's too. And when the time came for them to return, Kiki hugged everyone, bouncing with excitement.
"Second chance," Hobbs said.
"Second chance!" Kiki said. "Bye, everyone! I love you! I'll make you proud, I promise."
The team waved goodbye.
"Come on," Workman said. "Let's go kill a god."
And Workman and Kiki stepped out of their lives.
The Hall watched as the Hall Stars, their team, killed a god, and as a reward, the Hall Stars were Released. Hobbs's heart ached. He missed his little sister, but he was so, so proud of her.
And, of course, Hobbs tried to watch every one of Richmond's games. On the last day of season 11, Elijah joined him, and they sat hand in hand, watching Richmond wave to his fans.
"I hope he misses me," Hobbs said softly. "Like I miss him."
"I know he does," Elijah said. "I know he loves you like you love him." He slipped his arm around him and pulled him closer.
Hobbs leaned in, closing his eyes. "I think... that he was stronger than me. I don't think he needs me."
"Maybe not,” Elijah said. “He seems like he’s fine. But he loves you. And you will always be his best friend."
Hobbs nodded. "I'm so scared that he's going to show up here one day."
"Well," Elijah said," if he does, we'll be here for him."
Hobbs kissed him on the cheek. "You're right."
"I know," Elijah said. "I'm smarter than you."
Hobbs cracked a smile. "I'm still cuter."
"No argument here." Elijah stood, pulling Hobbs up with him. "Let's go back to the others."
Hobbs nodded. They went back to the little family they had. Blaseball was paused for now, the new Boss promising an era of Peace and Prosperity and a long Siesta. The players, his friends and his teams, and Richmond, were all safe for the moment. Richmond was fine. He was loved, and he was going to be taken care of. And Hobbs was too. And for the first time as long as he could remember, Hobbs was able to relax.