ruewrote

[ruewrote]

𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕.

PAIRING: s2!rafe cameron x gn!reader WARNINGS: nightmares, breakdowns, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, comfort SONG INSPIRATION: empathy by crystal castles WORD COUNT: 771

navigation | request | rafe cameron masterlist

he doesn’t talk about it.

not really.

not with you, not with his dad, and definitely not with anyone else.

but he doesn’t need to. you see it. 

every time his eyes glass over during a conversation, every time he grips the steering wheel too tight.

and still, you stay.

not because you're stupid. not because you excuse it. but because underneath everything. the privilege, the rage, the mistakes. he's still the boy you grew up with. the one who used to bring you flowers stolen from his dad’s garden. 

the one who’d drive for hours just to clear his head, and always bring you along. the one who trusted you with the ugliest parts of himself, in moments no one else would ever see.

you weren’t sleeping that night.

maybe it was the heat. maybe it was the way he'd been quiet all evening, barely touching the food you made, barely saying anything at all except for a soft thanks when you handed him a beer and nudging his knee under the porch light.

he’d crashed on your couch like always, shirtless and tense. you left a pillow and blanket nearby, like always.

but hours later, when the sound of stifled, strangled gasping shook you, it was not like always.

you crept into the living room, heart pounding.

rafe was hunched forward, elbows digging into his knees, hair sticking to the back of his neck, breath shuddering so violently.

“rafe?” you whisper.

he didn’t respond. just clenched his jaw and covered his face with both hands.

you moved slowly, cautiously, kneeling in front of him. “hey. you with me?”

when he finally looked at you, his eyes were bloodshot and terrified.

you didn’t even think. just reached forward and wrapped your arms around his shaking frame. he hesitated for a second. then he caved.

his head dropped to your shoulder, and he broke.

“i didn’t mean to,” he rasped, voice cracked and breathless. “she was gonna… i thought she was gonna kill him. i thought– i was just trying to stop it–”

“i know,” you murmured, running your fingers gently through his damp hair. “i know, rafe.”

“i can’t stop seeing her,” he said, breath catching. “every time i close my eyes, it’s her. the look on her face. the blood. she was scared, and i did that.”

he sounded so young. so unlike the guy that everyone else saw. this was the version only you ever got. just rafe. the boy who used to fall asleep on your shoulder during movie nights. the one who never really healed from anything. just learned how to hide it.

you moved to sit beside him on the couch, tugging him into you. his head dropped into your lap this time, arms wrapping tight around your waist. you stroked your fingers down his spine in slow lines.

"you’re not a bad person, rafe," you murmur.

he shook his head violently, face buried in your side.

“i am. i have to be. who else does that? who– who shoots someone and just–”

“you didn’t just move on,” you said. “you’ve been drowning in it ever since. that doesn’t make it okay, rafe, but it means you feel it. it means you regret it.”

a silence settled between you.

your hand moved to cup the back of his neck. he trembled under your touch, clinging tighter as if it hurt less when you were near.

“i’m tired,” he mumbled. “of pretending like it didn’t happen. of trying to act like i’m fine when i’m not. i’m so fucking tired, and i don’t know how to fix it.”

“you don’t have to fix it all tonight,” you said softly. “you just have to let yourself be held for once. let yourself be human.”

he exhaled.

the tears stopped eventually. but he didn’t let go.

you lay back, carefully, and he followed. half on top of you, long limbs tangled, face pressed into your collarbone. the blanket slid over both of you as you adjusted, wrapping him up like you always had. like you always would.

it was quiet now. just the ac whirring, the occasional hitch in his breath, and your heart thudding slow beneath his ear.

"you scared me," you said quietly. "seeing you like that."

“i scare myself sometimes,” he whispered.

you kissed his temple. “you’re still my best friend.”

“you shouldn’t say that,” he muttered. “not after everything.”

“but i mean it,” you said. “i still see you, rafe. and i’m not going anywhere.”

“i don’t know what i’d do if you did.”

your chest ached. you didn’t answer. 

just held him tighter.

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© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕.

PAIRING: jesse x gn!reader WARNINGS: no use of y/n GENRE: fluff SONG INSPIRATION: hold on, we're going home by drake WORD COUNT: 801 REQUESTED: yes

navigation | request | jesse masterlist

inside, the place was crowded, people pressed shoulder to shoulder with drinks  in hand. fairy lights hung from rafters, giving the whole place a golden sorta glow. the party was already lively.

you hovered by the wall, hands tucked into your jean pockets.

jesse had been on your mind all day.

not that that was new. he had a way of showing up uninvited. in your thoughts, in your patrol schedule, in the way someone said something a little too sarcastically. 

“didn’t think i’d see you here,” came his voice, smug as ever from your right.

you turned, and there he was, his hair was a little messy, cheeks a little pink from the cold. he held two glasses in his hands.

“i’m a person of mystery,” you said, accepting a drink without asking.

he smiled around the rim of his drink. “nah you’re a creature of habit. i knew you’d be lurking.”

you rolled your eyes. “thanks for that glowing review of my personality.”

jesse leaned one shoulder against the wall beside you, close enough that his arm brushed yours. “you’re not lurking because you’re antisocial. you’re lurking because you’re picky.”

you raised a brow. “picky?”

he nodded, “you don’t like crowds. you don’t like bad small talk. and you don’t like dancing unless you’re with someone who makes it worth it.”

your heart gave a little stutter. “are you rehearsing this or what?”

he just smirked. “tell me i’m wrong.”

you looked away, but your smile gave you away.

the music shifted. slower now, still playful, but with a sway to it that made couples start pulling each other toward the center of the floor. you watched as dina dragged ellie reluctantly forward, both of them laughing. 

people were loosening up, cider kicking in, boots sliding on wood.

“you gonna join in?” you asked, nodding toward the crowd.

jesse tilted his head like he was thinking about it. “maybe. depends.”

“on?”

“on whether or not i can convince you to come with me.”

you gave him a look. “oh, so now i’m the prize?”

“always were,” he said, casually enough that it didn’t hit until a beat later.

you looked down at your drink, tried not to smile too obviously.

“you think you can just say that and get me to follow you?” you asked, teasing.

“not just say it,” he said. “i also brought bribes.”

he held up a slightly broken wrapped chocolate chip cookie from his jacket pocket.

you stared at it, then at him. “you really thought this through.”

“i had time to plan. you’re predictable, remember?”

you took the cookie, unwrapping it before breaking it in half. “you’re full of shit.”

“and yet, here you are,” he said, offering his hand.

you hesitated … but he was standing there, waiting, looking at you with eyes that were so soft.

“just one,” you said.

he grinned. “that’s all i need.”

he led you into the throng of dancers. the floor was a crowd of stomping boots and swaying hips. music pulsed through the wood beneath your feet. jesse’s hand found your waist, your fingers curled at the back of his neck, and just like that, you were moving together.

at first, it was awkward. you both misstepped, laughed it off, bumped into a table. but then the rhythm settled between you and something clicked. your bodies synced. 

you caught his eye. he didn’t look away.

“you’re not half bad,” you said, breath hitching just slightly from the motion.

“i told you,” he murmured, “i’m full of surprises.”

the room blurred around you. the laughter, the fiddles, the stomping of boots, it all softened to background noise.

his hand was still on your back. yours slipped just a little closer to his collar.

“you look like you wanna say something,” he said softly.

you did. but you weren’t ready. not yet. 

so instead, you said, “you’re stepping on my foot.”

“i’m not,” he said, grinning. “but i’ll pretend i am if it gives you an excuse to stay close.”

you rolled your eyes. “you really can’t help yourself.”

“neither can you.”

the song began to slow, and he didn’t let go right away. his thumb brushed along your side. his face was inches from yours now, all jokes gone, eyes searching.

“wanna get some air?” he asked, voice lower this time.

you nodded before you could talk yourself out of it.

and as you slipped out the side door with him, into the cold, snow catching in your hair, the buzz of music fading behind you, his hand brushed yours.

neither of you pulled away. for a long moment, neither of you spoke.

then he glanced sideways at you, smile warmer than usual.

"next time, i hope i won't need an excuse to hold you like that again."

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[ruewrote]

𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.

PAIRING: josh washington x gn!reader WARNINGS: the shed scene, no use of y/n GENRE: angst SONG INSPIRATION: basic instinct by the acid WORD COUNT: 856 NOTE: josh is back!! how we feeling?

navigation | request | josh washington masterlist

josh sat tied to a chair in the middle of the room, rope biting into his wrists, ankles locked down. his head hung low, hair falling over his face. he looked... small. he wasn’t fighting anymore. 

no more screaming. no more manic laughter. he was quiet now, too quiet.

you stood off to the side, arms crossed tight against your chest. your mouth was dry. your stomach churning every time you looked at him, it got worse.

"don’t look at him like that!"chris shouted, making you flinch. "don’t feel sorry for him. he hit ashley. you know that, right? he fucking punched her!"

"and jess is dead," mike added, quieter but no less biting. “she’s dead. because of him. he set this whole thing in motion.”

the words slammed into you. you couldn’t breathe.

you had no defense for what josh did. none. he did hurt people. he did orchestrate a sick, twisted game. and you weren’t going to stand there and pretend he hadn’t. 

but the way they were talking, the way they were looking at him.

he wasn’t a monster. he was josh. the boy who used to fall asleep mid movie with his head on your shoulder. the boy who never let anyone he loved feel left out. the boy who made you laugh so hard your ribs hurt. the boy who got vulnerable when he got too drunk. 

“i know what he did,” you snapped, your voice cracking. “you think i don’t know? you think i don’t feel sick knowing people got hurt? that jess is–” you had to stop. swallow. breathe.

“but look at him. look at what’s left of him.”

josh didn’t even lift his head.

your eyes burned. “you’re not helping him. you’re hurting him. how is that any different than what he did to you?”

mike turned on you, furious. “different? he terrorized us.”

"and now you’re tying him to a chair and screaming in his face!" you shouted.

“you think this is going to fix anything? you think this is going to bring jess back, or erase what he did to ashley? it’s not!”

they both stared at you, stunned.

“he’s sick,” you said, tears slipping past your lashes now, voice hoarse. “he’s not okay. and you’re all treating him like he’s some villain instead of someone who needs help. what if this was ashley? what if it was jessica losing her mind, and someone tied her up and treated her like an animal? would you still be okay with this?”

mike’s jaw clenched.

chris looked at josh, then looked away. his voice was soft now. “so what, we just let him off the hook?”

“no,” you said, stepping forward, finally letting your arms drop. “you don’t let him off the hook. but you don’t throw him to the wolves either.”

it was quiet again, but not heavy this time.

chris sighed and reached down, loosening the ropes around josh’s wrists. mike didn’t say anything, but he stepped back, hands on his hips, looking somewhere over your shoulder. 

no one met your eyes. you didn’t need them to.

you stood frozen as they slowly helped josh down from the chair and onto the floor, his hands now free but limp in his lap. his lips moved. whispering to himself.

“no, no, no…”

you took a step forward.

his voice rose slightly. “it wasn’t me… they were laughing, they were all laughing…”

you dropped to your knees in front of him, careful, slow. “josh?”

his eyes flicked up, and the moment your eyes met his, pain spread throughout your chest. that wasn’t just pain in his eyes. it was despair. 

“i didn’t… i didn’t mean to…” he mumbled, trembling. “i just wanted them to know. i just… i wanted them to feel it.”

your heart shattered. “josh…”

“i messed everything up, didn’t i?” he asked, voice almost childlike. “even you. i messed you up too.”

you reached out and took his hand gently. he flinched. you didn’t let go.

“you didn’t lose me,” you whispered. “i’m right here.”

his eyes were red. the tears came fast.. it was as if he didn’t even realise he was crying until they were soaking his cheeks, his breath stuttering in his chest. 

when you reached up and wiped them away, your own tears fell to replace them.

seeing you cry made him freeze.

his hand tightened on yours.

“no,” he whispered. “don’t– don’t cry. not you…”

you laughed a little, through the hurt. “i should’ve seen it. i should’ve seen how bad it was.”

he shook his head. “i didn’t want you to.”

“but i still should’ve known.”

he looked down again, lips trembling. “i’m sorry.”

“i know.”

the others stood across the room, watching in silence. no one said anything else. maybe they didn’t know what to say.

but you stayed there, on the floor beside him, his hand clutched in yours, your forehead resting lightly against his. listening to the sound of his breathing even out, just a little. 

the two of you clinging to each other, neither of you wanting to be the first to pull away.

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© 2025 ruewrote all rights reserved.

[ruewrote]

𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒕, 𝒊𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔.

PAIRING: jesse x fem!reader WARNINGS: no use of y/n GENRE: fluff SONG INSPIRATION: starry eyed by good neighbours WORD COUNT: 1105 NOTE: IT'S HORRENDOUS THE LACK OF JESSE FICS ON HERE :')

navigation | request | jesse masterlist

you had been putting off some chores for days now, mostly the heavy lifting that nobody really liked. the water barrels in the courtyard needed hauling to fill the community tanks, and the gardening work was begging for some attention. 

you had figured you’d be on your own for the day, but it wasn’t the first time jesse had shown up when you least expected it. he was kinda always there, always ready to help in ways you didn’t even ask for.

as you struggled with the first of the water barrels, trying to lift it into position, you felt the familiar weight of someone’s presence beside you. you didn’t need to look up to know it was him.

"need some help?" he teased.

you rolled your eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. "i’m fine, jess. it’s just a barrel."

a gentle laugh escaped him, the kind that gives you a weird feeling in your stomach, "i know, but it's still heavy, and you’ve got a lot to do."

before you could protest, jesse slid into place beside you, his strong arms lifting the barrel with ease almost as if it weighed nothing. 

“you’re really not gonna leave me to do this on my own, huh?” you teased, though the words didn’t feel as light as they usually did.

he glanced at you with a smirk. “i mean, you’re tough, i get it. but i’m happy to help out,” he said, nonchalantly.

“i’ve got it,” you repeated, even though you both knew it was a lie. you couldn’t even budge the barrel on your own, and you knew he knew that too.

he didn’t argue. instead, he did what he always did, helped without hesitation, making everything feel just a little easier. once the barrel was settled, you moved onto the next task, hoping for a brief moment of reprieve. but of course, jesse was still there, lingering, his presence as constant as ever.

another thing that made you pause in thought was that his patrol always seemed to align with yours. maybe it was a coincidence, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d been shadowing you for weeks now. 

he’d always find a reason to be supply runs at the same time, always end up with the same route as you, always popping up when you least expected it.

“i swear,” you muttered, shaking your head as you moved to check your gear for the evening run, “you just love to follow me around, huh?”

his grin was mischievous, “not true,” he teased, “i just... happen to enjoy spending time with you.”

you rolled your eyes, an involuntary smile tugging at your own lips. “you mean, you like ‘saving’ me every time something heavy or dangerous comes up?”

his smile softened, and he leaned closer, just a little too close, but not enough to make you uncomfortable.

“you know,” he said, voice dropping lower, “i do like saving you. but more than that, i like making sure you’re okay. i like... making things easier for you.”

you swallowed, trying to maintain your usual demeanor, but it was hard when he was standing there, so close, being so effortlessly himself. “you know you don't have to feel like you have to help me, ya know?.”

he raised an eyebrow, his eyes lingering on you in a way that made you squirm. “i like being there. and i like you,” he added, a little more bluntly than you’d expected.

you blinked at him, a sudden realisation dawning on you. "wait... wait, what?"

noticing your confusion, and the teasing smirk he wore faltered just a bit. “what, you didn’t–?” he looked at you, his brow furrowing as if you had just caught him off guard. 

“you really didn’t know?”

know that you really thought about it, about the way he’d always made an effort to be there for you. the way he’d talked and looked at you. the way he protected you, got a little stern other guys came around you.

oh, my, god!

“i...” you found yourself at a loss for words. it wasn’t that you hadn’t felt something for him. you had. but you’d always dismissed it, chalking it up to friendly banter, to his easy going nature. 

but now? now it was painfully obvious, and you felt the heat rise to your cheeks. “i didn’t realise...”

jesse’s gaze softened, and he tilted his head, that familiar grin breaking out once more, “oh. oh... you didn’t realise, huh?”

you shook your head in embarrassment. “i–no, i didn’t. i’m just–” you waved your hand in a vague attempt to express your confusion. "i didn’t think... i mean, you’re just always... so nice, and you’re always here, and i just thought... i thought it was just... just you being you."

“well, it is,” he said quietly, stepping closer. “but it’s also me liking you. a lot. i don’t do this for just anyone.” his voice dropped a little lower, and your pulse quickened. “and i really don’t flirt like this with just anyone either.”

there was a long silence as you tried to digest the words, trying to reconcile them with your own feelings. your heart raced now.

“i...” you swallowed thickly, and then, against all odds, you smiled. it was nervous, unsure, but it felt real. “i like you too, alot. i just... i didn’t see it. i thought i was just...” you shrugged helplessly, unable to find the right words.

he gave you a look, soft, affectionate, almost too tender? 

he moved closer, his hands reaching out to settle on your lower back, pulling you into him.

“i should’ve told you sooner,” he whispered.

you leaned into him instinctively, heart pounding as his hand cupped your cheek, his thumb brushing over your skin. and then, he kissed you.

it wasn’t quick. it wasn’t rushed. it was long, deep, and slow. his hand at your back guiding you closer as you melted into him.

the kiss deepened, and you couldn’t help but respond, your hands finding their place at his chest, your fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket as you pulled him closer. his touch was all certainty.

you felt every second, every breath, every fluttering heartbeat.

when you finally pulled back, breathless and a little dizzy, he rested his forehead against yours, eyes still closed. “yeah, definitely should’ve told you sooner,” he murmured.

you couldn’t help but laugh, softly, still feeling the warmth of his lips lingering on yours. “yeah,” you agreed, “maybe just a little sooner.”

with a final soft kiss on the forehead, jesse pulled you back into his arms.

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© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘.

PAIRING: ellie williams x fem!reader WARNINGS: miscommunications, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, fluff SONG INSPIRATION: come over (again) by crawlers WORD COUNT: 1.8k

navigation | ask | ellie williams masterlist

ellie had no problems loving you in private.

in your homes, in the quiet of your bedrooms, on long supply runs where there was no one to see, in the dark. 

she had no problem touching you then, tracing the inside of your wrist with her fingertips, pressing her lips to the spot behind your ear, whispering things she’d never dare say in the daylight.

she loved you then. or at least, it felt like she did.

but when it came to jackson, when it came to existing outside the bubble of secrecy she had built for the two of you. she had made it painfully clear how she felt.

no touching. no lingering looks. no acknowledgement.

you had told yourself, in the beginning, that it was fine.

you had accepted it because it mattered to her. because she was scared, and you understood why. 

even in the apocalypse, even when there were bigger things to worry about than who was loving who, she still cared what people might think. jackson was full of older folks, the kind of people who had grown up in a world before the outbreak, who might still hold onto beliefs that no longer mattered.

you thought it was bullshit.

because it didn’t matter to you.

she did.

but that didn’t change the fact that it hurt.

that it burned every time she kept her distance, every time she turned away from you, every time she made you feel like whatever you had wasn’t worth the risk of being seen.

and then, you slipped.

it had been after a supply run, nothing unusual, just another long trip outside the gates where you’d both had each other’s backs, where things had felt easy. you had gotten used to this version of ellie, the one who touched you freely when no one else was around, the one who kissed you first, the one who made you feel like she was yours.

so when you kissed her. just a quick thing, barely a press of lips before you pulled away to put the supplies where they belonged, you hadn’t even thought about it.

but she had.

you felt it the moment she froze up, the way her whole body locked, stiff and unmoving.

you had barely pulled back before she was stepping away, flustered, brushing it off like it had been nothing, like it hadn’t meant anything, like it hadn’t even happened at all. and then she walked away from you. just like that.

that was when you broke.

your patience, your restraint, your willingness to let her keep you at arm’s length just to avoid a fight.

because she cared more about what others thought than she did about how you felt.

and that, that angered you.

so you stopped.

stopped letting her in at night, stopped speaking to her, stopped going on runs together. you changed your routes, made sure you weren’t scheduled on the same shifts, avoided places where you knew she’d be. 

if she couldn’t acknowledge you in public, then why do this at all? if she didn’t care, then why should you?

you stayed angry.

for weeks. maybe months.

you weren’t sure anymore, but it didn’t matter. because every time you saw her across town, every time she made like she was going to come closer, every time she hesitated, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to, your anger only deepened.

god, even joel had noticed.

he had met you outside of the stables one morning, arms crossed, voice even.

“she’s hurting.”

you had scoffed at that, shaking your head. “yeah? so am i.”

he hadn’t tried to argue. just gave a slow nod, watching you the way only joel could. like he already knew what you were thinking.

“but you can’t go on like this,” he said.

that, at least, you could agree with.

because you couldn’t.

and ellie knew it.

that was why she finally cornered you.

it was in the middle of town, out in the open where anyone could see, and the sight of her coming toward you, immediately set you on edge.

you tried to push past her.

she didn’t let you.

“you stand there and listen to me.”

the command in her voice made something in you snap.

you stared at her, a sharp, bitter laugh escaping your lips before you could stop it. “no,” you said, voice cutting. “you don’t get to talk to me like that. ever.”

she flinched, just barely, but you didn’t stop.

“you were the one ashamed of whatever this was,” you went on, voice steady. “so i made it simple for you.”

ellie shook her head, stepping closer, voice rough. “it’s not that simple.”

“yes, it is.” you exhaled, eyes burning, your fingers curling into fists at your sides. “you made it clear how you felt, ellie. no touching. no looking. nothing. you cared more about what people thought than you did about how i felt. so i just did what you wanted.”

“i didn’t want this.” her voice cracked, just slightly.

you let out a humourless laugh, shaking your head. “then what did you want?”

she hesitated.

that was worse than if she had just denied it outright.

because it meant she still didn’t have an answer.

and if she didn’t have an answer now, she never would.

you stepped around her, making to leave.

her fingers wrapped around your wrist.

it was the first time she had touched you in months.

“don’t,” you whispered.

her grip tightened. “please.”

you squeezed your eyes shut, jaw clenched, willing yourself not to let it affect you, not to let her get to you again. “let go, ellie.”

“not until you listen to me.”

you turned, eyes flashing. “funny how you suddenly don’t give a shit about an audience.”

ellie’s throat worked, but she didn’t let go.

her fingers were warm against your skin.

“come with me,” she whispered.

you should have said no.

you wanted to.

but you didn’t.

and that was how you found yourself here, in a quiet corner of the town, away from prying eyes, standing across from her like the months apart had never happened.

except they had.

and you weren’t the same.

“i was scared,” she admitted. “alright? that’s it. that’s the truth.”

you stared at her. “of what?”

she laughed, short and humorless, running a hand through her hair. “of losing you.”

the words sent something sharp through you.

your voice was quiet when you spoke. “you already did.”

ellie sucked in a breath.

you shook your head. “you don’t get to push me away, make me feel like i don’t matter, and then turn around and tell me it was to protect me. you don’t get to decide what’s best for me, ellie.”

silence.

“i know.” her voice was barely there, breaking on the edges.

she took a step closer.

then another.

her hand brushed yours, tentative, careful. as if she was waiting for you to pull away.

“i fucked up,” she whispered.

your throat burned.

“yeah,” you said. “you did.”

she swallowed hard.

“i don’t want to hide anymore.”

the words knocked the air from your lungs.

you closed your eyes, inhaling slowly.

then, carefully, so carefully, you laced your fingers through hers.

and, for the first time in months, you let her in.

your fingers were still laced through hers, but you didn’t let it be enough. not this time. not when she had spent so long making you feel like you weren’t worth the risk.

so you met her eyes, voice hoarse when you spoke.

“prove it.”

ellie blinked. “what?”

“prove to me that this isn’t some bullshit just to get back in my pants. to get you in my good books. because i can’t keep doing this.” your fingers curled tighter around hers, knuckles white. 

“you might be scared to show who you are, but i’m not.”

a beat of silence.

and then she moved.

she didn’t hesitate. didn’t second guess.

she grabbed your wrist, tugging you behind her, weaving through the crowded street. you barely had time to register the confused voices, the curious looks, the way people turned in her wake. she didn’t care.

and neither did you.

not when she stopped. right back in the middle of town, in the busiest part of jackson.

she turned to you, eyes burning with something fierce, something certain.

and then she was grabbing the collar of your coat, yanking you toward her, and kissing you.

deep. unapologetic.

like she was making up for every time she hadn’t.

like she wanted every single person watching to know exactly what you were to her.

when she finally pulled back, breathless, lips still barely brushing yours, she smirked just slightly, voice low enough that only you could hear.

“well,” she murmured, eyes flicking down to your mouth before meeting your eyes again. 

“that should shut you up, huh?”

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅.

PAIRING: george o'malley x fem!reader WARNINGS: mentions of death, no use of y/n GENRE: fluff SONG INSPIRATION: lose myself by k?d, phil good WORD COUNT: 666 NOTE: he deserves so much more love

navigation | ask | george o'malley masterlist

the locker room was nearly silent, except for the hum of the overhead lights and the distant sound of monitors beeping down the hall. you sat slumped on the bench, still in your scrubs, your hands clasped loosely in your lap, staring at the scuffed tile floor. 

the weight of the day pressed down on you. another loss. and another. and another. none of them your fault, none of them preventable, but that didn’t make it any easier.

you had done everything you could, and it still hadn’t been enough.

the door creaked open, the sound pulling you from your daze. you didn’t have to look up to know who it was. everyone else had already gone home, leaving the halls empty and the air thick with exhaustion.

george stepped inside, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. his scrub cap was gone, his curls slightly disheveled, a few stubborn strands falling onto his forehead.

he looked just as drained as you felt, his usually bright eyes dulled by fatigue.

still, when your eyes met, you gave him a tired but genuine smile.

“hey,” you murmured.

he let out a long breath, a deep, heavy sigh as he crossed the room and sank down beside you. his knee bumped against yours, his whole body slumping forward like all the energy had finally drained from him the moment he sat down.

“hey,” he echoed, running a hand down his face. “god, what a day.”

you hummed in agreement, tilting your head back against the lockers.

“rough one?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

you let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “brutal.”

there was a beat of silence before you leaned into him, your shoulder pressing against his. he didn’t move away, didn’t even seem surprised. just let you settle against him, the scent of antiseptic and faint cologne lingering on his skin. 

it was stupid, but you thought he looked his best like this. not after a full night’s sleep, not when he was clean shaven and perfectly put together, but like this. raw, exhausted, the day still clinging to him. so him.

for a while, neither of you spoke. just sat there, breathing, existing.

“i lost three patients today,” you finally said, your voice quieter than before.

george exhaled slowly. “yeah,” he said. “me too.”

the weight of it settled between you. you knew the words he wasn’t saying, the things he was feeling, because you felt them too.

“it’s not supposed to feel this normal,” you admitted. “like, i know we’re supposed to get used to it, but… i don’t want to.”

“you won’t,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “you won’t get used to it. we’ll just learn how to live with it.”

you closed your eyes for a moment, letting his words settle over you. they didn’t make it easier, didn’t erase the ache in your chest, but they helped. maybe that was enough for now.

george shifted beside you, turning his head slightly to look at you. “you wanna grab a bite before heading home?”

you cracked an eye open, smirking faintly. “you asking me on a date, o’malley?”

he huffed a tired laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “i mean… if i was, would you say yes?”

you tilted your head, pretending to think about it. “depends. where are you taking me?”

he sat up straighter, suddenly looking very serious. “joe’s.”

you raised an eyebrow. “joe’s?”

“yeah,” he said, nodding firmly. “a greasy burger, maybe some fries, a drink if we need it. something to make today suck a little less.”

you tried to fight the smile tugging at your lips. “so now you’re really trying to impress me.”

“is it working?”

you pushed yourself up from the bench, stretching slightly. “come on, lover boy. let’s go.”

george rolled his eyes, but he still stood up beside you, and as you walked out together, his hand brushed yours, just for a second.

a second a little too long.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍.

PAIRING: josh washington x fem!reader WARNINGS: mental health struggles, survivors guilt, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, fluff SONG INSPIRATION: middle of the night by the vamps WORD COUNT: 620 NOTE: i wish he got the comfort he deserved :(

navigation | ask | josh washington masterlist

there weren't many times where josh truly felt at ease. his mind always running a million miles a minute, always heavy, weighed down by guilt he can’t shake. 

most days, it feels as if it’s too much.

but right now, in this moment, he's still.

because you're here.

his face is cradled in your hands, your thumbs brushing over the dark circles beneath his eyes. his skin is cool against your palms, and he's trembling. just slightly, but when you press closer, when you let him lean into your touch, some of the tension in his body melts away.

he exhales, slow and shaky, his lashes fluttering as he looks at you. there's something fragile in his gaze, like he's afraid if he blinks too long, you'll disappear.

"i'm here," you whisper, grounding him. "you're okay."

his lips part like he's about to speak, but he just lets out another breath, pressing his cheek further into your palm. it's such a simple thing, letting himself be held, be seen, but for josh, it's everything.

no one looks at him like this. not anymore.

not since that night.

he's used to the stares, the ones full of doubt and caution, like everyone’s waiting for him to break again. maybe they’re right to be afraid. maybe he will break again. but right now, you don’t look at him with fear.

you look at him like he's still human.

"you're too good to me," he murmurs, barely audible.

you shake your head. "i just see you."

a ghost of a smile plays on his lips. "and what do you see?"

you brush a stray strand of hair from his forehead, fingers trailing down the side of his face, memorizing every inch of him. his sharp jaw, the faint stubble along his chin, the way his lips part slightly under your touch.

you see someone who's been through hell. someone who carries too much, who’s still trying to piece himself back together even though he doesn’t know if the pieces still fit.

you see someone who just wants to be.

"i see someone who's trying," you say softly. "someone who deserves to be loved."

josh flinches at that. he doesn’t mean to, but the words hit something raw inside him. "i don’t know if i do."

"you do." your fingers graze over his cheekbone, delicate but firm.

he swallows hard, something thick and unspoken settling in his throat.

he had always been good at hiding. hiding behind his charm, behind his humor, behind the act. 

but right now, he can’t. he cant bring himself to, not when you’re looking at him like this, touching him like this. like he’s something worth holding onto.

his hands lift hesitantly, fingers curling around your wrists. he presses his palms over yours, holding them against his face, and his eyes shut for just a moment as he exhales.

his walls are down.

and you can see the weight he carries, the exhaustion in his bones.

so you don’t say anything else. you just hold him.

minutes pass, but neither of you move. the silence isn’t heavy. it’s warm, wrapped around the two of you, keeping him from falling too far.

josh lets out a slow, deep breath. when he opens his eyes again, there's something softer there, something vulnerable.

"you're gonna get sick of me," he says, voice rough.

you huff a quiet laugh, thumb brushing over the sharp edge of his jaw. "never."

his expression falters. just for a second, like he wants to believe you but doesn’t know if he can. but then you lean in, your forehead pressing gently against his, and he closes his eyes again, letting himself have this.

letting himself have you.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑.

PAIRING: jj maybank x fem!reader WARNINGS: no use of y/n GENRE: angst, fluff SONG INSPIRATION: work song by hozier WORD COUNT: 935

navigation | ask | jj maybank masterlist

the darkness pressed in around you. jj laid beneath you, his hair darkened with sweat and dirt, his lips parted as ragged breaths escaped him.

your hands trembled as they pressed against his stomach, warm blood seeping through your fingers.

“no, no, no,” you sobbed, shaking your head violently.

“stay with me, jay. please, stay with me.”

his hand reached up weakly, fingers brushing against your cheek in a light touch. his eyes, those fading eyes, locked onto yours, filled with something soft and heartbreaking.

“it’s okay, baby,” he whispered, his voice so faint you barely heard it over the pounding of your heart. 

“you’ll be okay.”

a shuddering breath left his lips. his hand slipped from your face.

and then–.

nothing.

your scream tore through the night as you jolted upright in bed, your chest rising and falling rapidly, soaked in sweat. tears streaked down your cheeks, your hands clutching the sheets so tightly they ached. 

the world was spinning, the nightmare’s grip still suffocating, as if you were still there. kneeling over him, helpless, watching the life drain from his eyes.

a sob broke past your lips, and before you could even register anything else, jj was there.

“hey–hey, baby, i’m here,” his voice thick with sleep but laced with urgency, his body moving before his mind could even catch up. the moment he heard your cries, he was wide awake, his hands reaching for you.

strong arms wrapping around you, pulling you tightly against his chest. his warmth surrounded you, grounding you in the present, but your body still shook uncontrollably, the weight of the nightmare pressing down on you.

you buried your face into him, your fingers grasping at his shirt as if making sure he was real. sobs wracked your frame, they were violent, desperate. “y-you were–” you choked on your words, unable to get them out between the hiccups and gasping breaths.

his heart clenched at the sheer terror in your voice. he shifted slightly, cradling you closer, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of your head before resting his chin there.

“shhh, i’ve got you. i’ve got you, baby. i’m right here.” his voice was gentle, soothing, even as he felt his own chest tighten at your distress.

his hands moved in slow, comforting patterns. one tracing along your back, the other threading through your hair. the soft scrape of his fingertips against your scalp, the warmth of his touch, the steady rise and fall of his breathing, each sensation wove itself around you. slowly pulling you back to reality.

after what felt like forever, you finally managed to catch your breath, though tears still fell down your cheeks. your heart was still hammering wildly against your ribs, but the worst of the panic had begun to ebb away under his touch.

he leaned back slightly, just enough to tilt your chin up with his fingers. the second your tear filled eyes met his, his heart cracked wide open.

“talk to me, baby,” he murmured, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “what happened?”

a shaky breath escaped you. your voice was barely above a whisper. “you died.”

he froze for a second, his breath hitching before he forced himself to push through the sharp pang in his chest. “what?”

“i–i saw it,” you continued, your voice thick with emotion. “you were bleeding out, and i was trying to stop it, but i couldn’t. you just kept–” a choked sob cut you off, he felt his stomach twist at the raw pain in your words.

“oh, baby,” he whispered, pulling you back into him. he rocked you slightly, as if trying to physically erase the memory from your mind. “i’m so sorry you had to see that. but i’m here, okay? i’m here. it wasn’t real.”

“but it felt real,” you admitted, voice breaking. “it felt so real, jay.”

he exhaled sharply, holding you impossibly closer. he hated this. hated seeing you like this, hated that you had felt that kind of loss, even if only in a dream. he knew how nightmares could linger like shadows, clawing at the edges of reality even after waking.

his hand moved up to cradle the back of your head, pressing a lingering kiss to your forehead. “i’m not going anywhere,” he promised. “i swear to you, baby, i’m right here. you’re stuck with me.”

you let out a shaky laugh at that, even as another tear slipped free. he caught it with his thumb, wiping it away gently. “you scared the hell out of me,” you admitted.

jj let out a soft chuckle, though there was nothing amused about the way his heart ached for you. “not nearly as bad as you just scared me,” he murmured. “hearing you cry like that–” he stopped, exhaling through his nose, trying to shake the thought away. 

“i’m okay, baby. i’m right here.”

you nodded, even though a part of you still clung to the remnants of the nightmare. but jj was warm, solid, alive. he was here.

he shifted, leaning back against the pillows, taking you with him. his arms remained locked around you, his fingers resuming their slow strokes along your back. “try to sleep, sweetheart,” he whispered against your hair. “i’ll be right here when you wake up.”

you hesitated. “will you stay awake? just for a little bit?”

jj pressed another kiss to your forehead. “as long as you need me to, baby.”

and he did. even as your breathing evened out, even as your body finally relaxed against his, he stayed awake, keeping watch.

watching over you.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠.

PAIRING: gally x fem!reader WARNINGS: injured reader, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, fluff SONG INSPIRATION: honest by the neighbourhood WORD COUNT: 1.7k

navigation | ask | gally masterlist

the sound of your ragged breathing mixed with the pounding of your feet against the concrete echoed in your ears. minho was just ahead, his movements sharp as the two of you darted through the maze, weaving between the looming stone walls. 

the sky above was beginning to darken, the first sign that the walls would soon begin to shift, and with it, the grievers would come.

and they did.

you heard it first. a mechanical whir, a deep, guttural churning of metal and flesh, followed by the distinct clicking of sharpened legs skittering against the stone. it sent a chill through you, instinct roaring louder than thought.

you shoved minho forward just as the griever lunged from the shadows, its grotesque, writhing body twisting through the narrow passage with terrifying speed.

"go!" you shouted, voice raw with urgency.

minho barely had time to react, stumbling forward before catching himself. he turned back, eyes wide with frustration and fear, but you were already moving, already twisting out of the way.

the griever's jagged limb sliced through the air where you had just been, missing you by mere inches. but you weren't fast enough.

the force of it’s swing still caught your side, a brutal impact that sent you flying backward. your body slammed against a wall with a thud. an explosion of pain ripped through your torso.

the breath was stolen from your lungs, your vision momentarily darkening at the edges as you crumpled to the ground in a heap.

everything felt like it had slowed, your senses dulled by the sharp sting in your head where it had struck the wall. warmth trickled down your face, sticky and thick, the metallic tang of blood filling your mouth as you gasped for air.

the pain in your side throbbed in sync with your heartbeat, and when you tried to push yourself up, a sharp spike of agony shot through your ankle.

twisted? maybe worse.

"shuck!" minho's voice was a distant roar, his footsteps slamming against the ground as he skidded to a stop beside you. he didn’t hesitate. his hands grasping your arm, yanking you up with a force that nearly sent another wave of nausea rolling through you.

"get up," he snapped, voice tight with urgency. "we gotta move, now!"

"i–" your words barely leaving your lips before he was throwing your arm over his shoulder, all but hauling you forward.

your legs screamed in protest, your ankle a burning mess, but there was no time to complain. the griever let out a horrible, guttural screech, its body dragging itself toward you with terrifying speed. its bladed legs glinted under the fading light, rising to strike again.

minho didn't slow. "come on, come on, come on–"

each step was agony, but the sight of the glade’s walls ahead sent a fresh surge of adrenaline through your veins. safety was right there. you just had to make it.

minho was half dragging you now, your injured leg barely keeping up, but he didn’t let go. he didn’t let you fall. he kept moving, kept running, even as the shriek of the griever grew louder behind you, too close, too fast.

and then–.

the moment the two of you stumbled past the threshold, the stone doors groaned, their deep rumbling echoing through the maze. dust and debris rained down as the massive slabs of rock slammed shut with a final, deafening boom.

silence.

the maze was sealed. the horrors locked away behind stone and shadow, for now.

your knees buckled, body trembling with exhaustion, but minho kept you upright, his grip tight as he gasped for breath beside you. his chest heaved, sweat dripping down his face as he turned to look at you. his expression was tense, jaw clenched, but his eyes. his eyes burned with something fierce. relief. frustration.

"you okay?" he panted, though he didn’t need to ask.

you swallowed hard, still dazed, still struggling to process the fact that you’d made it. that you were alive.

you opened your mouth to answer, but your vision blurred at the edges, black spots dancing in your peripheral vision. the blood still dripped down your temple, the weight of exhaustion was unbearable.

"help! someone get jeff, now!"

the darkness swallowed you whole, you barely registered the weightlessness of your body, the sounds around you becoming distant echoes. but there was something keeping you upright, something solid, something warm.

hands.

strong, steady hands gripping your shoulder and your leg, the person shook you. not rough, but firm enough to fight against the pull of unconsciousness.

“don’t you dare.”

the voice cut through the haze, it filled with desperation. the grip on you tightened, grounding you, keeping you from slipping any further.

“stay with me, shuck face.”

your eyelids fluttered, the effort to keep them open unbearable, but that voice, it had a hold on you.

then everything went dark.

when you finally stirred, your body felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and pain. the first thing you registered was the dull ache in your head, the lingering sting of your injuries. the second was the warmth of somebody beside you.

your eyes cracked open, slow and sluggish, blinking against the dim light. the familiar wooden beams of the med-jack hut swam into view, followed by the scratchy feeling of blankets pulled over you.

and then, him.

gally.

he was right there, sitting at your bedside, elbows on his knees, his hands clasped tightly together as if he was holding himself back. but the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw was clenched, told you everything.

at the sound of your breath hitching, his head snapped up. the moment his eyes met yours, something flickered across his face. relief, frustration, something deeper.

“you’re real stubborn, ya know that?” he muttered, voice hoarse.

you tried to swallow, your throat dry. “nice to see you too.”

but gally wasn’t amused. he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “what the hell were you thinking?” his voice was rough, almost fearful.

your body still ached, but you managed a small, tired smile. “didn’t… have much of a choice.”

he scoffed. “yeah? ‘cause from where i was standing, it looked like you ran straight into danger like a damn slinthead.”

you sighed, shifting slightly. “we had to get back.”

“that’s the problem,” he snapped, leaning forward. “you didn’t think. you could’ve died.”

his voice cracked at the end, just slightly, but enough for you to notice. you blinked at him, your exhaustion making everything feel distant, yet gally, he was the only thing that felt real.

then, like he couldn’t stop himself, he reached forward, his rough, calloused hands gripping your arm, fingers pressing into your skin. his touch was soft.

“back there,” he muttered, voice low, like he hated admitting it. “when you started slipping, when you almost–” he stopped, inhaling sharply through his nose. 

you remembered. the way his hands held onto you, the desperation in his voice.

a faint smile tugged at your lips, weak but genuine. slowly, you lifted a trembling hand, brushing your fingertips against his cheek. he tensed, eyes flickering between yours, but he didn’t pull away.

“you were worried,” you murmured.

gally let out a dry, humourless chuckle. “yeah, no klunk.” his voice softened, though the frustration still lingered. “minho came running in with you half dead, bleeding all over the damn place. of course, i was worried.”

your fingers traced lightly along his cheekbone before dropping back onto the blanket, your body too weak to do much more. but the warmth of his skin lingered on your fingertips.

“i’m okay,” you whispered.

he shook his head, exhaling deeply. “yeah.” his hand that was still wrapped around your arm, sliding down to intertwine your fingers. “you better be.”

the exhaustion was still heavy, your body sinking into the thin makeshift mattress. but you weren’t fully out. the warmth of gally’s hand remained, a steady reassurance even as your eyelids fluttered closed. he didn’t move right away.

you could feel his eyes on you, watching, waiting, like he didn’t fully trust that you were okay just yet.

then, finally, his grip loosened, but only slightly. his thumb brushed over your wrist, lingering there for a second longer before he let go.

“you need to rest,” he muttered, voice gruff but softer than before. “don’t pull any more stupid stunts.”

you hummed something incoherent in response, too tired to argue, he sighed knowing you weren’t really listening.

there was a shift in the room, a murmur of voices just outside the hut, and then the faint creak of the door opening. you heard the shuffle of footsteps. clint’s voice, quiet but firm.

“how bad was it?” gally’s voice was lower now, quieter, but still edged with worry.

“she’ll be fine,” clint replied. “but she’s banged up bad. twisted ankle, bruised ribs, mild concussion. jeff and i patched her up the best we could, but she needs to take it easy.”

gally let out a breath, and you could almost picture him running a hand through his hair, frustration bleeding into every movement. “make sure she does,” he muttered. “don’t let her push herself. she’s stubborn as shuck.”

clint chuckled. “yeah, no kidding.”

“i mean it.” there was an edge to gally’s voice now, something protective, something fierce. “be careful with her, alright?”

there was a pause, then clint’s voice, softer this time. “you really care about her, huh?”

silence.

you fought to keep your breathing steady, to keep yourself still, even as your heart thumped a little harder in your chest.

“…just make sure she’s okay,” gally says finally.

then, without another word, the door creaked again, and the heavy sound of his boots returned to your bedside.

you felt the mattress dip as he sat down beside you. there was a brief hesitation, then warmth. his warmth, as he shifted closer. 

you felt his arm slide beneath you carefully, his other draping across your waist as he eased you against him, mindful of your injuries. his grip was firm, but gentle.

for a long moment, he was still. then he muttered, “i hope you know you scared me half to death.”

you could have answered. you could have told him you knew, that you were sorry, that you were still here. but instead, you let yourself relax against him, let his steady breathing lull you into something close to peace. 

as his fingers absently traced soft patterns against your back, as his hold on you tightened just slightly. the mix of the feeling of his arms around you, and the distant hum of the glade outside slowly pulled you under. your eyelids fluttered, too heavy to keep open, 

and within moments, you drifted off to sleep.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟.

PAIRING: jesse x fem!reader WARNINGS: men being men, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, comfort SONG INSPIRATION: make you feel my love by adele WORD COUNT: 1.5k REQUESTED: yes NOTE: I GOT CARRIED AWAY, SORRY!!

navigation | ask | jesse masterlist

the creak of the truck’s tires on the dirt path was the only sound breaking the suffocating silence. you sat in the back, hands folded tightly in your lap, thumbs twirling anxiously as you fought to keep the tears at bay. 

your chest tight, a combination of shame, anger, and the residual adrenaline still coursing through your veins.

it had been a rough day. one of the roughest you’d had in months.

the supply run started off like any other. a simple list of necessities. medicine, clean water, and hygiene products, particularly for the women in the group. nothing unusual, just another task to keep the community afloat. 

what made today different, though, was the group you’d been assigned to. they weren’t your usual team, the one that knew you, trusted you. no, this group was different, strangers who looked at you like you didn’t belong before you’d even stepped outside the gates.

they were the type who made no effort to hide their disdain, with sneering comments and dismissive glances. the kind of men who thought women had no place on the front lines, who felt entitled to grunt and laugh when you picked up a weapon or offered strategy.

you’d tried to brush it off. you’d told yourself it didn’t matter. but their constant condescension had worn you down over the course of the day. and then, when it finally happened. when you made that one mistake, their reaction was worse than you could’ve imagined.

you were good at taking out infected. hell, you’d proven it time and time again. clickers, runners, stalkers. you’d faced them all and lived to tell the tale. but today, while climbing through a wrecked pharmacy in search of what you needed, a shelf collapsed under your weight. 

the sound was enough to alert a pair of clickers hiding nearby. your heart had jumped into your throat as you scrambled to draw your knife, but the angle was wrong, and before you could deliver a fatal blow, one of the men had stepped in, firing a shot that brought the creature down.

you’d barely had time to thank him before the yelling started.

“what the fuck were you thinking?” he’d barked, his face a mix of anger and disgust. “can’t even keep quiet? jesus christ, this is exactly why women should stay where they belong, out of the way.”

the others had chimed in, their voices overlapping in a spiral of ridicule. “you’re gonna get us killed,” one sneered.

each word cuts deeper. you wanted to argue, to defend yourself, normally you would but the lump in your throat wouldn’t let you speak. so you’d stayed silent, swallowing your pride and your tears as they finished the run and loaded the truck.

now, as the vehicle bounced along the path back to jackson, you stared at your hands, fighting to hold yourself together. your nails dug into your palms, grounding you as your thoughts raced. you hated how their words lingered, how they made you feel small, like all the progress you’d made since the outbreak didn’t matter. you’d fought so hard to prove yourself, and yet here you were, feeling like you were back at square one.

when the truck finally pulled to a stop inside the gates, you let out a shaky breath, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere. the men climbed out first, muttering to each other as they unloaded the supplies. none of them so much as glanced in your direction. you hesitated for a moment before hopping down, your legs shaky as you made your way toward the main building.

you delivered the supplies to the women, forcing a smile as they thanked you and offered warm words of appreciation. their gratitude eased some of the weight on your shoulders, but not enough to get rid of the gnawing in your chest. once everything was squared away, you made your way back to your house, your steps heavy and slow.

as soon as you got back inside, the exhaustion hit you hard. you closed the door behind you, not bothering to lock it. a habit you’d always maintained but now couldn’t gather the energy for. 

stripping off your gear and clothes, you left them in a heap on the floor, not caring about the mess. you didn’t even change into pajamas, just crawled under the covers and let yourself cry.

the sobs came hard and fast, shaking your body as you buried your face in your pillow. you cried until your throat was raw and your eyes burned, until there were no tears left to shed. 

when the sobs did subsided, you laid there staring at the wall, your mind blank but your heart aching. the room grew darker as the sun set, you didn’t move, didn’t even reach for the lamp.

you barely registered the sound of the front door creaking open. you were too in your head about everything, curled on your side with the covers pulled up to your chin, facing the wall. the house was quiet except for the faint sound of footsteps padding cautiously across the floor.

he called out for you. breaking through the stillness, soft. it wasn’t like him to sound unsure, but there was something in his tone, an edge of worry, of gentleness. that tugged at your heart. still, you didn’t move, didn’t respond. you couldn’t. the weight of the day had hollowed you out, leaving no energy for words.

the footsteps grew closer, pausing just outside the doorway to your bedroom. you felt the air shift, the faint creak of the floorboards signaling his arrival. jesse didn’t say anything at first. you could feel his gaze on you, taking in the stillness of your form, the way your shoulders were curled inward as if you were trying to make yourself smaller.

“you didn’t lock the door,” he said softly, a quiet observation rather than a reprimand. you could hear the concern woven into his words, laced with an understanding that this wasn’t like you. 

the faint rustle of fabric followed as he moved closer, feeling the bed dip slightly under his weight.

“you didn’t come see me,” he murmured, quieter this time. there was no frustration in his voice, only a tender kind of confusion, like he couldn’t quite figure out what had gone so wrong. you didn’t reply, your silence stretching thin between you. jesse didn’t push, didn’t demand answers. 

he just waited.

you heard the soft thud of his shoes hitting the floor, one after the other. the mattress shifted again as he climbed in behind you, his movements unhurried. a moment later, you felt the warmth of his body against your back, his arm slipping around your waist as he pulled you gently against his chest.

his touch was firm and careful, grounding without overwhelming you, and it was that small act of kindness that broke something loose inside you.

the tears came before you could stop them, silent at first but quickly growing into heavy, shuddering sobs that shook your entire frame. jesse held you tighter, his hand smoothing over your arm in slow, soothing motions. 

he didn’t say anything. didn’t try to fix what couldn’t be fixed. he just stayed there, his presence unwavering as you let it all out.

“i’m here,” he said finally, his voice low and steady, barely more than a whisper. it wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep you tethered, enough to remind you that you weren’t alone.

as the sobs began to subside, your breathing slowed, and the tension in your body began to ease. jesse didn’t pull away, didn’t loosen his grip. he stayed pressed against you, his forehead resting gently against the back of your head.

“you’re okay,” he murmured after a while, his words soft and reassuring. “whatever it is, you’re okay.”

you shifted slightly, pressing back into him in silent acknowledgment. jesse’s arm tightened around you in response, his thumb brushing against your side in a quiet rhythm that matched your breathing.

for the first time all day, the weight pressing down on your chest began to lift. the sting of the men’s words, the shame, the exhaustion. it was still there, but it felt a little less sharp, a little less suffocating with jesse’s warmth surrounding you.

the steady beat of his heart against your back was a quiet reminder that he was with you.

minutes passed, maybe hours. time seemed to blur as you lay there, cocooned in his embrace. he didn’t let go, didn’t shift or fidget. he just stayed.

when your breathing had evened out and the tears had dried, jesse finally spoke again, his voice still soft but a little firmer this time. “you wanna talk about it?”

you hesitated, your throat tight with the aftermath of your sobs. “not yet.” you whisper.

jesse nodded against you, his response a quiet hum of understanding. “that’s okay,” he said. “we’ll lay here as long as you need.”

and you believed him. in the quiet of your room, with his arms wrapped around you and his breath warm against your skin, 

you believed him.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡.

↪︎ ellie williams

↪︎ joel miller

↪︎ jesse

↪︎ abby anderson

[ruewrote]

𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡.

coming soon . . .

[ruewrote]

𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡.

held together

not so hard to get

[ruewrote]

𝑗𝑜𝑒𝑙 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡.

coming soon . . .

[ruewrote]

𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡.

right here, right now

[ruewrote]

𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒.

PAIRING: merriell shelton x gn!reader WARNINGS: PTSD, trauma, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, fluff SONG INSPIRATION: black friday by tom odell WORD COUNT: 566 REQUESTED: yes

navigation | ask | merriell shelton masterlist

the sheets were tangled around his legs, damp with sweat. he sat rigid on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, his breath shallow and rapid.

you stirred beside him, the warmth of his body, usually a comfort, noticeably absent. opening your eyes, you saw him sitting up, his elbows braced on his knees, his head in his hands.

“merriell?” you murmured, husky with sleep.

he didn’t answer immediately. you reached out, placing a gentle hand on his back. the tension under your touch was a familiar warning. he wasn’t really here, not fully. the ghosts had him again.

“merriell,” you tried again, keeping your voice light.

his shoulders jerked, he exhaled sharply through his nose. “can’t sleep,” he muttered, but it wasn’t the truth. he wasn’t just sleepless, he was trapped. you could see it in the way his fingers clawed into his hair and the haste of the rise and fall of his chest.

sliding out of bed, you knelt in front of him, your hands coming to rest lightly on his knees. his eyes were distant, unfocused, staring past you.

“hey,” you whispered, tilting your head to meet his gaze. “it’s me. you’re home. you’re safe.”

his jaw clenched. “i can still hear it. the… the damn screaming. the…” he broke off, hoarse and choked.

your heart twisted, but you didn’t flinch. “i know, love. i know. but it’s over. it’s not happening now.”

he shook his head, “how do you know? how can you know? it doesn’t stop. not up here.” he tapped his temple with two fingers, his hand trembling.

you moved closer, resting your forehead against his, grounding him with your touch. “you’re right. it’s still there in your mind. but you’re here, with me, right now. feel me?” you slid your hands up to cup his face, your thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “hear my voice? look at me, mer.”

his eyes flickered, darting around the room before they landed on yours. you held his gaze.

“breathe with me,” you said, inhaling deeply and slowly through your nose. you exaggerated the motion, hoping he’d follow. “in… and out. like this.”

he hesitated, but eventually, his chest expanded as he tried to mimic your breaths. it wasn’t perfect. his exhale hitched, and his inhale was too shallow, but it was a start. you repeated the process, guiding him with quiet encouragement.

after a few minutes, some of the panic in his eyes began to fade. his trembling lessened, and his breathing evened out. he sagged slightly, his weight leaning into your hands.

“that’s it,” you murmured. “you’re okay. i’ve got you.”

he closed his eyes, his forehead pressing harder against yours. “i don’t deserve you,” he rasped, his voice breaking.

your chest ached at the raw vulnerability in his words. “you deserve every bit of love, every moment of peace. and i’ll be here to remind you of that as many times as it takes.”

his hands lifted, hesitantly resting over yours on his face. he drew a shuddering breath, as if pulling strength from your touch.

“thank you,” he whispered.

“always,” you replied, brushing a kiss against his brow.

you guided him back to bed, wrapping your arms around him and holding him close. as he finally drifted into an uneasy but much needed sleep. you meant what you said. 

you’d be here whenever he needed you.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗ @naomi-the-scrivener

© ruewrote 2025.

[ruewrote]

𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 ℎ𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠.

PAIRING: josh washington x gn!reader WARNINGS: betrayal, grovelling, no use of y/n GENRE: angst, lovers to enemies? SONG INSPIRATION: feel something by jaymes young WORD COUNT: 1.2k REQUESTED: yes

navigation | ask | josh washington masterlist

your heart was pounding in your ears as you quickly untied chris and ashley, shaken but alive. the air was thick with tension, the remnants of their ordeal still heavy in their voices as they recounted what had just happened.

and then he stepped out.

josh.

the person you had believed was hunting all of you on this cursed mountain, the shadow lurking in the dark and driving you to the brink of terror, turned out to be him. your person. the one you thought you could trust above anyone else.

it wasn’t a monster. it wasn’t some faceless threat.

it was josh.

at first, it didn’t register. the sight of him standing there, alive and unscathed, made your stomach twist in confusion. “what the hell is going on?” you demanded.

josh tilted his head, an eerie smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “surprise,” he said, his tone almost playful.

chris stiffened beside you. ashley looked like she was about to be sick.

“what do you mean, ‘surprise’?” you snapped, your fists clenching at your sides.

josh gave a mocking little bow. “the mastermind reveals himself!” he announced, spreading his arms wide like he expected applause. “ta-da!”

your breath caught in your throat. you stared at him, the pieces slowly falling into place in your mind, and each one felt like a fresh stab to the chest. “no,” you whispered, shaking your head. “no, this can’t be real.”

“oh, it’s real,” josh said, his grin widening. “every scream, every tear… all thanks to yours truly.”

something inside you snapped.

“are you out of your goddamn mind?!” you shouted, storming toward him. “you think this is funny? you think this is some kind of game?!”

josh took a step back, his grin faltering slightly. “whoa, okay, calm down,” he said, raising his hands. “it’s just a prank–”

“just a prank?!” you screamed, your voice cracking with fury. “you put us through hell, josh! you had us thinking we were going to die! you made us think we lost people we care about!”

he visibly recoiled, his arms dropping to his sides. but you weren’t done.

“all of this,” you continued, your voice shaking with rage, “for what? for some sick joke? or was it revenge? is that it? you’re punishing us because you’re still hurting over hannah and beth?”

at the mention of his sisters, something flickered in josh’s expression. a brief flash of guilt, of pain, but it wasn’t enough to stop you.

“you’re disgusting,” you spat. “they would be ashamed of you. ashamed of what you’ve done to the people who cared about them, and cared about you!”

josh’s facade cracked. the smirk disappeared entirely, replaced by a look of shock and anguish. “no,” he said, his voice breaking. “that’s not–”

“don’t,” you cut him off, your voice low and venomous. “don’t you dare try to justify this.”

“i wasn’t trying to hurt you,” he stammered, his voice trembling now. “i–i didn’t think it would… i didn’t think it would be this bad.”

“bullshit!” you shot back, tears stinging your eyes. “you planned this, josh. you planned every second of this nightmare. and you didn’t care who you hurt, as long as you got what you wanted.”

he fell silent, his shoulders slumping as he stared at you, wide eyed and trembling.

“i trusted you,” you whispered, your voice cracking. “we all trusted you. and you–” you broke off, shaking your head as tears blurred your vision.

josh sank to his knees, the full weight of your words finally crashing down on him. he grabbed at your hands, but you wrenched them away, glaring down at him with a mixture of fury and heartbreak.

“i’m sorry,” he choked out, his voice hoarse and desperate. “i–i didn’t mean to hurt you like this. i wasn’t thinking–”

“no,” you said coldly. “you were thinking. you were thinking about yourself. about your pain. and you didn’t care about anyone else.”

josh’s head hung low, his shoulders shaking as sobs wracked his body. “i’m sorry,” he whispered again, over and over, like it was the only word he could remember. “i’m so sorry. please, please forgive me.”

josh scrambled forward on his knees as you turned your back to him, his hands reaching out to you. he clutched at the hem of your sleeve, his fingers trembling.

“don’t walk away,” he pleaded, his voice breaking apart with every syllable. “please. please, i’ll do anything. just–don’t go. don’t leave me like this.”

you yanked your arm free, spinning back to face him, the fury in your eyes making him flinch. “why shouldn’t i?” you spat. “why shouldn’t i leave you here, josh? you deserve it. you deserve to be alone after what you’ve done!”

he collapsed forward, his hands slapping against the ground as if his body couldn’t support the weight of his guilt anymore. “i know,” he choked out, his voice muffled against the stone. “i know i don’t deserve anything from you. i don’t deserve to be forgiven. but i… i can’t…”

he dragged himself upright again. “i can’t lose you,” he said, his voice rising in desperation. “not you. not after everything. i–i was so angry, so hurt, and i thought if i could make everyone feel my pain, it would… it would make it stop.”

you stared at him, your chest heaving, your mind reeling. “so you tortured us for what? closure?” you snapped. “you’re unbelievable.”

josh collapsed again, this time gripping your legs. “please,” he sobbed, his voice raw and desperate. “please, i’ll fix it. i’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, to everyone. i’ll do anything. just tell me what to do. tell me how to fix it, and i’ll do it.”

you looked down at him, your tears falling freely now. his fingers gripping your legs so tightly it almost hurt. “you can’t fix this,” you said softly, the anger giving way to exhaustion. “you can’t undo what you’ve done.”

“i can try!” he cried, his voice cracking. “i’ll try until i’m dead, if that’s what it takes. i’ll never stop trying. please, just–don’t give up on me.”

your heart twisted painfully at the sight of him. broken, desperate, and clinging to you as though his life depended on it. but the anger was still there.

“do you even understand what you’ve done to me?” you whispered, your voice trembling. “you broke my trust. you made me feel fear like i’ve never felt before. you made me think i was going to die. and for what? i don’t even know who you are anymore.”

josh let out a guttural sob, his forehead pressing against your knees as his entire body shook. “i don’t know who i am anymore either,” he whispered. “but i know i love you. and i know i’ve ruined everything. please, just tell me how to fix it. i’ll beg for the rest of my life if i have to.”

you stood frozen, not knowing how to feel. maybe anger? pain, betrayal, and the faintest trace of pity for the broken man kneeling at your feet. his tears soaked into your jeans as he continued to sob, his words devolving into incoherent apologies and desperate pleas.

“i can’t do this right now,” you said finally, your voice hollow.

you stepped back, his hands slipping from your legs as you turned away. josh’s cry of anguish followed you, but you didn’t stop. 

not this time.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2025.