#( ah henrik being a Bastard

[ravenadottir]

How do you think the LI's (who want kids) would react to a single mother? Don't worry, the baby Daddy's fine. He just went on the legendary 100 billion years quest for milk with Gary's dad.

I think it'd be interesting since wanting children and becoming a parental figure for a child are two entirely different things.

"He just went on the legendary 100 billion years quest for milk with Gary's dad."

WOW.

anywaaaay, single moms! let's consider a mom of a toddler.

kassam. absolutely would think twice about dating someone who's a parent. it's already difficult for him to date someone who he cannot see on a regular basis because of his occupation, so he would think twice about getting serious with someone who has a little someone that's so vulnerable in this situation.

henrik. instant dad. i'm sorry but if he likes that girl he wants to meet the kid, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. and i absolutely love to picture him already doing some drawing and some puzzles with the little one right away. kids love him and the love is mutual. and yes the kid is beating him on puzzles and memory games. also, MANY, MANY, MANY board and video games. and it goes on forever if the mom doesn't say anything.

"guys, it's time for bed."

henrik pouts and makes a sad face. "okay..." he gets up before realizing she was talking to the kid and gives her a sweet smile. "oh, right, them. yeah, that makes more sense."

bobby. i feel he wouldn't have a problem, but he wouldn't be as careful as i think people should be in this scenario. 'cause listen, getting involved with someone with a child is one thing, getting involved with them and meeting the child without knowing if the relationship is serious is irresponsible. i feel like the mother might be telling him to slow down because he would probably get excited about meeting the child right away.

gary. he doesn't have a problem either. might be throwing some cheesy jokes about her being a MILF and i kinda don't mind that. he definitely likes someone a little more mature, and you can't deny parenthood does that to a person, so no obstacles here. but he would hold back about meeting the kid for a while, because as you mentioned so briefly, he has gone through that and wouldn't want to do that to a kid, that pain is familiar.

noah. come on, we know this one. he might have the same issue as bobby, getting too excited to meet the kid and has to be reminded it's too soon, but when he does? AH IT'S SO CUTE! noah loves reading to children and this lucky little bastard would have a reading every day, I LOVE IT.

ibrahim. i feel like he knows how young he is, and how that could be an obstacle when dating a parent. he knows if things get serious the problem is not meeting the child, it's what happens after if it doesn't work. he's thinking ahead and considering every possibility. personally, i think rahim wouldn't have a relationship with a mother because of that. everything is really volatile at his age so it wouldn't be wise.

the ones that are not canon but i'm assuming because it's almost canon:

lottie. she might get lost in the cuteness of a kid and wake up before making the mistake of getting involved too early. once she's introduced to the child i think it's fair to say she's buying them a couple of pieces that would fit her own aesthetic, like a bow or shoes.

hannah. she's really young, and i know there's a stereotype here but in her case i think it's accurate just how much she would like to meet the little bastard. she's so tender and delicate and i think kids might love her. reading to them and playing with stuffed toys might be in the list for hannah.

((the others like priya i didn't include because i'm not sure about her plans for the future but i think the scale is tipping on the 'no' side.))

[10ths-writing-corner]

Whumptober #5- Broken Nose

It had been a few days since Henrik had found his wife— soon to be ex-wife with another man. Luckily, chase had been kind enough to let him stay until the divorce went through and be finalized. ‘Take time off work. You deserve it…’ That’s what Chase and Jackie kept insisting on.

The doctor, however, had another plan in mind.

The sun was out, perfect day to go for a walk. Perfect day to go and play sports… like tennis.

There he was. The bastard that had taken a liking to his wife. Seeing him smiling and laughing, flirting, made Henrik see red. He had been Maria’s doormat for far too long, if Henrik didn’t take this chance then… where was his self respect? And the thought of María being so careless and mocking their relationship like that made his heart ache with pain and betrayal.

Henrik takes long strides, already rolling the sleeves of his blue button up shirt up his arms. The tennis instructor had walked to his resting spot, green eyes eying one of the young ladies the doctor only assumed he was teaching. Sick bastard. The man had turned his back, leaning down and picking up a bottle of water. Perfect timing. People exclaim once they are shoved by the doctor, not a care in the world if people thought he was rude.

“Hey!” Henrik called as he walked into the tennis court. “Rick!”

The blond, green eyed man turns towards Henrik’s voice, however, the smile plastered on his face soon fades away. “Ah, shit…” though, before the tennis instructor can fend for himself, Henrik had thrown the first punch. The doctor winced in pain but the satisfaction coursing through him as he watched the other on the ground groaning in pain filled him with glee. Telling by the blood pouring into Rick’s hand, he had definitely broken his nose, and that only made him smirk.

“That… is for sleeping with María—“ Henrik pants while holding his hand, rubbing his knuckles to ease the pain. “Though… I really must thank you— You showed me how much of a tramp she really is.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tag list

@the-blue-hearted @alvie-ashgrove @dmnfox @number1120 @chey-doodles @randowaffle @caesardoe @honestlyitsjustparker @help-trashbin @emiiinazer @definitely-asexual-volcano @potatoarenice @rabbitsartcorner @that-ghost-in-the-corner @meisamyth @sadcat5555 @sadcat55556 @lilsprout-exe @lildevyl @gotta-get-that-pma @hellspctre @justaninnocentstudent @anon-jameson @droid-dreamerr @glitchyartist @ryan-godkin03 @antis-gauge @anxiousghostie @tristarlolly @why-killed-markiplier @miishae @ongaku-ato-kakikomi @innocent-angel3 @mysterio-is-the-truth @synder-sync @n-anon @eonthewingedwolf @darklyria @immabethehero @fankayart

[even-more-incorrect-ego-quotes]

(Things the Egos say to Y/N at Unus & Annus’s funeral, Part 2)

Magnum, patting Y/N’s shoulder: Aye matey, mayhaps ye treasured friends aren’t lost to ya. Mayhaps they be simply beyond the veil, just waiting for ya to see again someday.

Henrik, taking a sample from their bodies: Aha! Yes, this will work nicely... fret not, liebling, I’ll have them back in no time!

Host, narrating softly: Host gives Y/N his deepest condolences and offers his shoulder for Y/N to cry on if it’s of any consolation. 

Eric, barely holding back sobs: I-I’ve been to so, so many funerals... too many... I’m so s-s-sorry Y/N... so sorry... you’re a good-d person... you don’t deserve this, this pain... 

Jackie, shaking with rage: How fockin’ DARE time steal them away from us! Fight me, ya bastard! I’ll beat the EVER LOVIN’ SHIT OUT OF YOU TIME! 

Ed Edgar, holding up a picture of a baby: I know this is a bad time, but all things considered, I have a mighty good discount on this ‘ere--- *gets slapped with a pan by Y/N*

King, holding a baby squirrel: Acorn The 3rd and I would just like to say that you are so strong for being here. You are forever welcome in the Squirrel Kingdom whenever you want a cup of tea.

Dr. Iplier, staring at you intently: They were dying, we knew it all along from day one. But you aren’t... not yet at least. So eat as many apples as possible, I don’t wanna be the one to tell you when you are.

JJ, tilting up Y/N’s chin: They were some right ol’ chaps, Y/N, I know it hurts now, but their legacy lives on in you. So hold your head high, it’ll all work itself out, you’ll see!

Silver, rambling uncomfortably: Uh, so well, ya see, the thing is, they gotta be in a better place, cause, otherwise, they’d be, ah, here with you. Not that with you isn’t a, uh, a good place! Just that, well, I mean… *trails off*

Reporter Jim, waving a microphone: Which of us do you think killed them, hmmmmm? It must be the demons, right Honorary Jim? Oooooh, or maybe that witchy woo cat over there!

Cameraman Jim, zooming his lens in: Jim, of course, is right, Honorary Jim. I should’ve caught ‘em in the act! Lemme roll back the tape!

Illinois, flashing a soft smile: They may not have been as ruggedly handsome as me, but they sure knew how to have an adventure. Hold onto that, hmm? One adventure alone is worth a thousand tales, and you all had so many.

[lonelier-version-of-you]

Rewatching S20E05 “One Day at a Time”. Paul McGann reciting poetry is classic.

Edit 1: Sfsfsfsfsf love this exchange between Meena and Nicky. “Does it look like I’ve slept more than 3 hours?” “Almost.”

Also, them wondering whether Henrik would be there for the big operation Gaskell was doing. I miss when characters discussed other things going on in the hospital.

Edit 2: I ADORE the top Roxanna is wearing in this episode. Gorgeous. I want one for myself.

Edit 3: Nicky and Sacha’s little dynamic was really cute.

Edit 4: Awww @ the patient saying she likes Sacha’s shirt.

Also, oh hey this is the one with that dude from Eastenders in it!

Edit 5: Ways to make yourself sad: watch this episode with the lens of John thinking Henrik had killed himself. (He’s genuinely surprised when he hears in the following ep that Henrik has been in contact with Serena... given their history the implications about what John thought when Henrik disappeared are pretty clear.)

Edit 6: I’m gay but John looks pretty great in this ep.

Edit 7: Meena being relatable. “I’m the queen of sulking, not you!”

Edit 8: John: “Theatre is a great calmer.” I think Henrik would agree.

Edit 9: OOH. John and Roxanna talking about Henrik.

Edit 10: I know John’s evil and all that but you have to admit he can do a pretty great motivating speech.

Edit 11: “Whose left, Dr. Chowdhury? Yours or mine?” An iconic moment.

Edit 12: “Between you and me, I’m not actually sleeping.” Fletch :( He really should have left after this storyline.

Edit 13: John reciting more poetry. Quoting lines about his “heart aching”. Again, keep in mind he thinks Henrik’s offed himself.

Edit 14: Donna encouraging Nicky is really cute.

Edit 15: I do miss the Jac/Frieda homoeroticism era.

Edit 16: The scene where John’s patient rejects the operation and explains her reasons is really fascinating.

Also lol I think this is the first appearance of Gaskell dragging out the word “very” for no identifiable reason. “I will do my verrry best for you, if you let me.” I swear he does it a few more times too. John you melodramatic little bastard.

Also I’d forgotten Nicky speaks some Romanian!

Edit 17: More interesting dialogue from John, given the context: “I focus merely on what’s in front of me.”

Also Jac and Frieda watching Gaskell’s op!! You’d never have gotten a scene like that by the time the show ended. I feel like series 20 is the final series the show actually felt like it was all set in one hospital.

Edit 18: Meena: “Theatre lighting is so harsh. This could have done with a filter.” Meena really predicted the stupid blue filter that they shoved over every single episode of Holby for nearly a year after the COVID hiatus.

Edit 19: More Jac/Frieda flirting!

Edit 20: Ah, the “Dominic’s daddy bear” joke. Iconic.

Edit 21: Again! “Nurse Di Lucca and Dr. Chowdhury will take verrry good care of you over the next few days.”

Edit 22: Oh hey, Darla’s here.

Edit 23: Essie and Meena gossiping about what they think Gaskell does outside of work. Interestingly Essie suggests he “listens to the sounds of the sea”, bringing in the water theme for I think the first time in this storyline. (You all know what I think John actually does outside of work though, and it’s “listening to My Chemical Romance”.)

Also, Frieda asking Jac out for a drink! Jac turns her down, but still.

Edit 24: Essie finding Sacha praying in the garden is still such a lovely scene.

Edit 25: John reciting The Tyger again, now over Lana’s comatose body.

[theprinceofflies]

some dapperstache cause its so cute

Let’s go!!

~~~~~~~~~

“Jameson look out!”

Wilford turned around to see the newest septic ego, Jameson Jackson, getting hit in the head with a flowerpot. “Oh, dear,” Dark whispered. 

Jameson spun around in a cartoon fashion complete with birds spinning around his head. He fell to the ground and stopped moving. The birds flew away and Wilford laughed. Anti groaned and facepalmed. “Where the hell did that come from,” Dark asked

“Sorry!” Bing called. 

Anti rolled his eyes. “He’s accident-prone.” 

Wilford walked over to him and pulled him to his feet. His eyes were rolling around and Wilford giggled. Jameson shook his head and smiled at him. A board flickered into existence and Wilford stared at it. ‘Sorry, my good sir. That’s the hardest I've been hit in a while.’ 

“Aw no need to thank me. It's my pleasure.”

Jameson smiled at him and let go of his arm. Another slide flickered into existence. ‘I'll be seeing you then.’ 

Wilford nodded. “See ya,” he said with a wave and turned to Anti. “does that happen often?” 

Anti shrugged. “About once a week. Sometimes it's a pot, other times it’s books. Usually Something heavy.”

“Poor guy.”

Anti shrugged. “Henrik says it doesn't have any long term effects, long as it doesn't pierce the skin.”

“So he’s a cartoon?”

“He isn't a cartoon,” Dark said.

“Oh, he’s a cartoon,” Anti said with a laugh.

“I wonder what else he does,” Wilford whispered.

~`~`~

The next time Wilford met Jameson was entirely an accident. Wilford was standing with the Jims in the garden. “Now you want to point it away from you and point it at the target.” 

The first Jim nodded and raised the gun to the target. “You might want to keep your eyes open.”

“No thanks.”

Wilford shrugged. “Suit yourself.” 

“What's the clicky thing?” the second Jim asked. 

Wilford didn't look at him. “That’s the safety don’t touch it.”

“Wait I think I-”

The gun went off with a loud bang. Wilford turned around quickly. “Jameson!” 

Jameson turned and smiled at Wilford, the bullet stopping right in front of his nose. He stepped aside and the bullet hit the hedge behind him. He bowed dramatically and Wilford let out a sigh of relief. “You two guns on the ground and timeout,” he said pointing at the Jims. 

Wilford watched them go and turned around. He chuckled at Jameson who had made his way over to them. “The prey can never get hit.”

Jameson nodded. ‘You seemed to be worried about me.’

“You seem interesting. It's been a while since anyone’s been interesting.”

Jameson blushed a dark grey. ‘You’re very kind Mr. Warfstache.’ 

“Please call me Wilford Mr. Jackson.” 

Jameson laughed silently, the air fizzled around him. ‘Oh, you can call me Jameson.’

“Jameson, a wonderful name.”

‘As is yours.’

Wilford smiled softly. “Ah, but I picked mine.”

‘It is still beautiful.’

Wilford giggled. “So what else can you do?” 

‘You will just have to find out.’

~`~`~

“I don’t know why we chose to have a picnic near a cliff.” 

Wilford shook his head. “What’s life without a little danger Darky, besides the egos know not to go near it its common knowledge. Even I know not to-” 

He stopped when Jameson ran out of the bushes being closely followed by Anti. “Come back here you-” he froze as Jameson ran off the cliff. He froze in mid-air and looked around before plummeting to the ground. Wilford clapped his hands. “That’s a good one.” 

Anti glared at him. “We don’t know if he can survive cliffs, you bastard.”

Dark disappeared in a puff of black smoke. He reappeared a second later with Jameson. Jameson smiled at everyone and waved. “He can survive cliffs.” 

Wilford grabbed his hand and pulled him down to sit next to him. “I look forward to finding out what other tricks you have.” 

~`~`~

Jameson sat across from Wilford reading. “Do you?”

Jameson looked up and tilted his head. ‘Do I what.’

“You know.”

‘I don’t know Wilford. You will have to explain.’

Wilford hopped out of his chair and walked over to Jameson. He leaned over him and grinned. “How ‘bout I show you.”

‘Wilford don’t do anything rash.’

Wilford waved the slide away and shook his head. “I won’t don’t worry,” he whispered. 

He quickly pressed his lips against Jamesons. He gripped the back of his head and pulled him closer. Wilford pulled the book out of Jamesons hands and set it aside, making sure to mark the page. Jameson placed his hands on his chest and pressed against him. Wilford pulled away and laughed. “You do!”

Jameson's pupils had turned to hearts as small red hearts floated above his head. “Aw, that’s adorable.” 

Jameson shook his head and the hearts popped. ‘I didn't know I did that.’

“It's adorable. Can I do it again?”

‘I would prefer you didn't.’ Jameson looked away and frowned. 

“Oh, I’m sorry my bluejay,” Wilford whispered, caressing his cheek. “That was mean of me wasn't it and-” he snorted as hearts rose from Jameson’s head again. “I, you, wait a minute.” his eyes widened. “You’re in love with me.”

‘Well that’s,’ Jameson sighed, ‘true. I’m sorry.’

Wilford grinned. “That’s adorable. I love you too. Can I kiss you again?”

Jamesons eyes widened and he nodded. “Wonderful!” Wilford said, pulling the mute in for another kiss. 

Jameson smiled as hearts began to rise from his head again. Wilford popped one as he pulled away. “My little cartoonish gentleman.”

[breakingsomething]

the fall part seven - the one where everyone hates marvin

basic summary: marvin struggles with morals and knowing when to stop.

trigger warnings: suicidal ideation, injury, talk of medication

tagslist: @synonymsforzombie @spicydanhowell @skyewardlight @dreaming-of-stories-and-stars @cest-mellow

the more marvin got to know anti, the less he felt he understood about him.

marvin just didn't get him. anti was a snarky asshole, sure, and he did occasionally threaten marvin with murder, and he did refuse to call him by his name, instead using the sign for "cat" when referring to him… but he also seemed so painfully human sometimes. on marvin's second visit, marvin had cracked an innocent joke at henrik's expense that made anti laugh, a real laugh that wasn't forced or mocking. and while anti immediately pretended it hadn't happened, it was still so unlike him that it completely threw marvin. not only that, but it started to make him question everything he thought he knew about anti.

he wondered about what naomi had said, about how none of them had ever been close enough to anti to understand him. none of them but jamie. of course, it had never really been an option for them to be friends - anti had made sure of that - but marvin couldn't help but wonder.

speaking of jamie, anti had actually been the first one to mention him at all, about five days after marvin's first visit. "have you seen him?" was the first thing he said.

"i - none of us have, anti. not since you drove him the fuck away," marvin said, crossing his arms. he was surprised anti was still bothering to ask. anti scowled and turned away from marvin, glaring out the window.

"i didn't drive him away," he signed grumpily. "well, i did the first time, i will admit that. but the second time was definitely on you bastards."

marvin scoffed. "oh, how? how us? you were the reason he had fucking nightmares and was afraid to cry in case we slapped him. you were the goddamn problem."

"and that's why he ran away from me," anti said. "me. the first time. i wasn't there the second time. i haven't seen dapper in like a year, kitten. did you never wonder why he left you guys?"

marvin went silent. he realized his leg that wasn't crossed over the other was bouncing rapidly, and pressed his fist down to stop it. "i… have, but i assumed it was just… memories of you." he tilted his head, just looking at anti for a moment. his hair had gotten long enough to hold back in a small bun, and he was wearing the same black t-shirt as the last few times; or what looked the same, anyway. marvin frowned. if anti cut his hair slightly shorter, changed his eye colour to grey and grew a beard and mustache, he could be jamie's identical twin.

"do you miss him?" marvin asked before he could stop himself. anti whipped round, eyes narrowed and glowing bright orange, before turning back to face the window.

"he was just my time traveler," anti signed. "my weapon. i miss him like i miss my fucking kitchen knife."

marvin figured this wasn't true, but didn't press the issue.

a couple visits later, he asked something that had been bothering him. "who is jay, by the way?"

anti visibly flinched at the question.

"who told you that name?" he signed forcefully, his hands slicing through the air sharply. marvin held back a smile.

"you did," he said, trying not to laugh as anti's eyebrows shot into his fringe. "when i came round here the first time. you were, like, hallucinating with your fever or something. you kept calling me jay."

anti stared at marvin for a second, mouth hanging open slightly. marvin giggled at the sight.

"what else did i say?" anti demanded. the tips of his ears had gone red. "tell me!"

marvin smirked, casually leaning back in his chair. "oh, loads of things. so many secrets. you told me all about your secret love for country music, and how you once had a crush on danny devito, and how you've always wanted to play the banjo -"

anti punched marvin's arm, hard enough to leave a bruise, before sinking back into his pillow, exhausted. "fuck you," he signed, very slowly. "now i know you're talking shit." he hesitated, and looked like he was going to say something else before simply signing "bitch."

marvin laughed, before a cold feeling trickled down his back. why was he laughing with this guy? this man who'd hurt his brothers so badly? most importantly, why was anti someone who could even make him laugh? why did he seem so normal?

he still didn't know why he was visiting anti every day.

he hadn't mentioned it to his brothers. not that he'd been talking to them anyway. he had tried with chase several times, but he always brushed him off. marvin was worried for him, and henrik too. really, he wished they'd just talk to him. he wished he had the courage to open up to them himself. he wished jackie hadn't left.

every time he looked at anti's broken nose and arm and many cuts and bruises that still hadn't healed, all he could think about was his brother.

everything was far too confusing these days. marvin thought that if someone had told him a year ago that he would one day be on better terms with anti than jackie, he would have just laughed.

now he didn't know what was going on anymore.

it was two weeks of dumb conversation before anti brought up what they had been avoiding.

"your brothers don't know you're visiting me," anti said. "the feeling of deja vu i'm getting is unreal right now."

marvin had scoffed, sitting back in his chair despite the sudden anxiety coursing through him. "this is different though. obviously. i'm not tor- i'm not - we're just talking."

"you shouldn't be talking with me though, should you?" anti smirked at the look on marvin's face. "your brothers would freak out. doctor especially. and jinx. i mean, to be fair, i can see why they wouldn't exactly be fond of me."

"does your hand get tired signing so much bullshit?" marvin snapped. anti's smile grew, and so did marvin's hatred for the man. "there's nothing wrong with what i'm doing. the situation is - different now."

"is it?" anti signed with raised eyebrows. "then bring your brothers round here. i'm sure they'd love to visit me, and i'm sure they'd love to see how well acquainted the two of us have been getting. jinx could tell us stories about his children, hm?" he laughed, sounding hoarse and strangled. "doctor could tell us about what he did during that two month leave he took back in 2017 when he was about to start his first real job in this same hospital. or - or, speaking of this hospital, which seems to have seen some shit, by the way, we could talk about our old friend jack -"

"shut the fuck up." marvin didn't phrase it as a request. it was a demand, and his eyes were blazing. anti dropped his hand and clasped it with his mostly plastered other one in his lap, smiling still. marvin wanted to fucking strangle him. "my brother is fucking - he's - i -" he shook his head wildly, trying to clear his head. "i don't have to explain myself to you."

anti shrugged, wincing at the pain in his arm. "fine by me. i don't care."

marvin huffed loudly, face burning with anger. "you are such a bastard!"

"why?" anti asked innocently.

marvin stood up suddenly, head rushing from the sudden movement. "fuck you. i'll see you - sometime, maybe."

he walked briskly towards the door, not stopping or looking back to see if anti was saying anything. he continued out of the hospital and caught a bus home, fuming.

he had thought about maybe even visiting jack. but he had never met the man while he was awake, despite apparently being his creation, and he'd only ever visited him with chase before. they were talking of moving him anyway; he wasn't safe so close to anti, but they'd originally had no choice but to keep him there. fuck, it was a lot to think about.

once he got home, he realized he'd forgotten his keys, so he was forced to knock. henrik answered, face souring when he saw who it was. "fuck, you again," he groaned, rolling his eyes as he walked back inside, not waiting to see if marvin would follow him in.

"love you too, henny," marvin said sarcastically, before realizing that if he was going to talk to his brothers about something this important, he shouldn't be an asshole, at least for the moment. "where's chase?"

"in his room," henrik sighed. he was crouching in front of the fridge, rummaging around looking for something. "i don't know what he's doing, maybe... filming, i think. marvin, where is my leftover kung pao chicken? i specifically wrote my name on it and everything."

ah. marvin knew where that was. too late to tell him, though. "no idea, man," he said, making a face behind henrik's back. "listen, i need to talk to you two. about - i'm gonna go get chase, actually, then we'll talk."

"fantastic," henrik grunted, knocking over a carton of eggs and struggling to hold it in his arms while also holding onto the shelf to keep everything else from falling. "can't wait."

marvin left him to his own devices, bounding up the stairs two at a time and knocking on chase's door. "hey, little bro? i have to talk to you and henrik, if that's ok. can you meet us down in the kitchen asap?"

chase didn't reply. marvin frowned and knocked again. "chaser? mi hermano, mon frère, mein bruder, min bror… i can say it in more languages. don't make me do it. come on, bastard, open up."

it was too quiet. marvin's heart was suddenly palpitating with fear, hands trembling slightly. "chase? are you ok?"

and then all he could think about was what chase had told him, the reason he'd had the gun, what he'd been planning to do. how none of them had even noticed. marvin's breath hitched, and he pounded the door even harder.

we took the gun. and henrik's here. he can't have done anything, he can't. nevertheless, marvin yelled in once more, breathing heavily with panic. "chase!" he cried. "chase, come on, open the door or i will break it down with magic, i swear i will -"

"what the fuck are you doing?" came a voice. it was henrik, holding a mug in his hands. marvin struggled to regulate his breathing, staring at him.

luckily, he didn't have to answer. chase's door clicked open, and there he was, bedhead and eye bags and all. chase ran his fingers through his blonde hair, blinking. "the hell?"

"shit!" marvin sobbed, and he threw his arms around his little brother, burying his face in his neck. chase hesitated before hugging him back, and marvin could hear him yawning into his chest.

"what's going on?" henrik demanded. "chase, are you alright?"

"just sleeping," chase mumbled. "sorry i scared you."

"scared - scared us?" henrik moved into marvin's field of vision, arms spread wide in confusion. "what is happening, why would we have been - chase, you were just napping, yes? marvin, what is wrong?"

chase pulled away and looked up and marvin, eyes silently pleading. he'd asked marvin not to tell henrik the truth about the gun, and so far he hadn't, although he felt he definitely should. marvin turned back to henrik, taking a shaking breath. "it's nothing, i'm just paranoid."

henrik shook his head. "don't you lie to me. what's going on?"

marvin could not deal with this right now. "henrik, i -"

chase stepped back, hands in the air in front of him. "listen, it was - it was all - i just -"

"i've been visiting anti in hospital!" marvin blurted out, unable to take the tension.

that seemed to work. the two brothers turned to him, identical expressions of shock and disbelief on their faces.

"you've… you've what?" henrik said softly. chase didn't say anything, just blinked rapidly, wringing his hands in front of him.

marvin winced. "guys, i… i didn't mean for it to turn into what it is. i just wanted to - to understand why -"

"have you forgotten what he's done?" henrik said. his quiet, flat tone was making marvin's heart race faster, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights. "have you - he's - marvin, he is literally in the same hospital as jack. jack, our friend, mine and chase's best friend - jack who anti put in hospital, jack who anti put in a coma. have you forgotten? do you need reminded of - how, how, can you stand to -"

"i just want answers," marvin interrupted. "i don't know what else to do."

"marvin, the second he is out of hospital, he will go right back to trying to kill us!" henrik shouted without warning. his eyes were wild behind his glasses. "i don't - i don't even know what they will do once he is better, given that he's a fucking murderer, given that he's kidnapped children and put people in comas - what kind of answers do you want from him?"

"i don't know!" marvin cried. his nails dug into his palm, and to his horror, tears filled up his eyes. he tried to blink them away, taking shaky breaths. "i guess i just needed something that you couldn't give me, considering we've all completely glossed over everything that happened! it's been, what, two months since we lost jackie? and yet, not one of us is talking about what happened -"

henrik makes a noise of frustration. "you talk like he's dead -"

"he might as well be!" marvin inhales sharply, his whole chest shaking. "he might as well be dead! that's something we're not talking about either!"

"so you found solace in anti," henrik said, voice suddenly flat again. "instead of your own brothers, your brothers who love you. well done."

"'brothers who love me' - that's rich, henrik, coming from you," marvin spat. "you've never had anything but contempt for me, you hated me from the moment we met."

"like the feeling wasn't mutual," henrik shots back. he had his arms crossed in an x shape on his chest, like he was holding himself up. "like you didn't despise me too. you aren't a fucking victim here, marvin. in fact, you're - you're the only one here who's not a victim!" he barked out a harsh laugh. "i was kidnapped by that man, held in a basement scared out of my mind for almost two months, getting b-beaten whenever i tried to shout - chase's kids were stolen, he spent three weeks in prison - what about you, marvin? what has anti taken from you?"

marvin was silent, his stomach rolling. he kept eye contact with henrik, refusing to look away, and his brother gives him a cold smile. "exactly. exactly. it's enough that you rescued him when you could have just left him, it's enough that -"

"couldn't leave him to die," marvin choked out, voice suddenly hoarse. "not at jackie's hand. not at my brother's hand, my big brother who i thought would never hurt a soul - not him. i couldn't."

"tell me," henrik said. "did you enjoy seeing him hurt? would you have saved him if it had been anyone other than jackie on the other end of the knife?"

there it was. that question he had been asking himself, the question he said he didn't know the answer to. the question he did know the answer to.

"yes," marvin said quietly. "and no."

he stared at the floor, unable to watch his brother's face contort in disgust and anger. marvin's tears fell to the carpet beneath his feet.

"that's what i thought," henrik said quietly. "and that just - oh, that just makes what you're doing so much worse."

marvin shook his head, glancing back up. "i just want to understand…"

he trailed off. henrik waited, and when marvin didn't continue, he snorted. "continue whenever you feel like it."

"i want to figure out why jackie did what he did," marvin said loudly, face flushing with rage and shame. "i want to understand him, i want to understand anti, i want to -"

"there is nothing to fucking understand about anti," henrik interrupted, taking a step forward to get closer to marvin. "he's a monster. he hurts people. me and chase saw him, saw what he was like - you tell him, chase!"

they turned to look at chase for the first time since they'd started fighting, and were both surprised to see he had slumped halfway down the wall, hands covering his face. his whole body was shaking, falling forwards and backwards with the force of his breathing.

"chase?" henrik asked uncertainly. "are you -"

"shut the fuck up," chase whispered. "just shut the fuck up."

he turned and raced into his room, his hands leaving his face to open the door just long enough for them to see he was crying.

marvin and henrik were silent.

"fuck," henrik murmured. he ran a hand over his head round the back of his neck. "fuck."

he whipped round to face marvin. "this is your fault," he hissed. even through his glasses, marvin could see the wetness of his eyes. without another word, henrik turned on heel and marched down the stairs, a door slamming somewhere out of marvin's view. he stared at the space where he'd been standing, fingers numb.

his asshole marvin list just kept getting longer.

-

the next day, he decided to call naomi.

he'd made many mistakes in the past two months, but this was something he could fix. marvin sat down on his room's windowsill, curling up into himself as he clicked her name in his contacts. if he couldn't fix things with his brothers, he was at least going to try with naomi.

she didn't answer the first two times. on the third attempt, she picked up right as the dial was about to end. "pye?" she mumbled. "hey, haven't heard from you in like, two weeks."

marvin smacked his head off his knees. "i'm sorry," he said softly. "in case you can't tell, i'm kind of a coward. and, uh, i'm bad at fixing my mistakes and… being a good person in general."

"no you're not," naomi said. "i was being a dick too. i didn't realize - i shouldn't have pushed you when i know what anti is like."

marvin shifted on the spot uncomfortably. "well, i shouldn't have started yelling, and i especially shouldn't have said the word -"

"insane?" naomi finished. "it's ok. i get it, i - i would have been pissed off too if i were you."

"no, but - but anger doesn't give me the right to be a bitch," marvin protested. "i can understand where you were coming from, too, and i understand you don't know everything about anti."

there was a pause, and marvin listened to naomi breathe and the kids playing outside in the late summer sun.

"maybe we're both assholes," naomi said eventually, and she laughed quietly. "i - marvin, i'm sorry. i've not been myself."

he hesitated, tapping his foot on the floor and knocking his other knee against the window in time. "are you alright?"

she sniffed, and something clattered on the other end of the line. "at this exact moment in time? i suppose."

"what about in general?"

"i… don't know. i - fuck. i am not - i think i might be forgetting english." she giggles awkwardly.

marvin smiled, though she couldn't see it. "no, it's ok. i speak some swedish. languages man here, hello. tell me what you wanna say."

she took a breath. "allt är fel," she mumbled. "jag vet inte."

marvin took a moment to figure out what she was saying. "um… why do you think everything is wrong?"

naomi sniffed again, louder. "i don't know how to explain. i mean… it may have something to do with how i haven't taken my medication in weeks."

"you - fuck, why?" marvin cried before lowering his voice again. "naomi, it's important to keep taking them consistently so that -"

"i know," she snapped. "or… i thought i knew. then i… i started feeling worse again, and i thought it wasn't working, that i didn't need them anyway and could get better without them. i know how dumb that is, but when i'm in that kind of state…" she trailed off.

"it's ok, i get it," marvin reassured. "have you been going to -"

a loud beep resounded in his ears. he pulled his phone away from his face, wincing, only to see he was getting another call from a number he was getting used to seeing. he bit his lip and returned his phone to his ear. "nai, i'm, uh, getting a call from the hospital. i'm so sorry, can i call you back? i know how important this is, but -"

"no, it's cool," naomi interrupted hurriedly. "take it, that could be more important. i'll call you tonight." she paused. "love you, pye."

a ridiculous smile spread across his face, and he briefly clapped his hand over his mouth. "i… love you too, nai."

he could hear her giggling as she hung up and marvin answered the call from the hospital. his smile immediately disappeared, however, when he heard dr reid's distressed tone on the other end.

"marvin?" she said. "is anti with you? he - he's left, somehow. i don't understand how, he shouldn't be able to leave without - is he with you? tell me he's with you. marvin? marvin, are you there?"

-

two months prior

jackie only knew of one place to go. one person he could trust.

what was his address, again? jackie was hurt badly and barely conscious; normally, in this state, he would have gone to his friend curro for help, but marvin knew where he lived and could potentially find him there. and marvin was a traitor. traitor, traitor, cared more for anti than his own brothers. fucking pig. jackie had to stop him. had to stop him before his brothers got hurt.

his necklace was pulsing underneath his hoodie, heating up against his skin. baboom, baboom, it went. like a heartbeat. in fact, if jackie stopped moving… it was in time with his own heartbeat. what a strange coincidence. what a very strange coincidence.

street names flashed in front of him. buildings, streetlamps, lit up signs and cars and people. very dark. jackie usually hated the dark - it negatively affected his photokinesis. tonight, he loved it. revelled in the pitch black shadows that warmed his body like they never used to.

then he was knocking at a door. he was glad his new magic had teleported him so close - actually, fuck, when had he learned he could do that? how had he done that? the cold surface of the door felt nice against his face. calmed his thoughts. fuck, fuck, his head was spinning.

then the door was being pulled open and he whined at the loss of contact, clinging to the doorframe so he wouldn't fall. "jackson?" came a familiar voice. "what are you… what are you doing here?"

jackie opened his eyes, staring up at the confused blonde man standing in the doorway. without a word of explanation, he leaned forwards and pulled the man into a clumsy kiss, letting go of the frame to grab hold of his coat.

for a moment, the other man kissed him back, then pushed him off just as quickly. "dude, what - you're bleeding, you're fucking bleeding, come inside quickly. what - what happened, can you talk?"

jackie's breathing was heavy and irregular, and only wheezing gasps came out when he opened his mouth. "fuck," the other man said. "do you have your inhaler with you?"

jackie shook his head rapidly, which was a bad idea considering how dizzy he was. he took one step forward into the flat and promptly fainted, the floor rushing ever closer.

when he woke, he was no longer in the floor. jackie was laying on a bed; a familiar bed. ok, so he knew where he was. how had he gotten here? he didn't remember.

"you're awake, thank the stars," said the man, walking into the room with a bundle in hand. jackie noted hazily that his own hoodie had been stripped, leaving just his bloodstained shirt. "can you tell me what happened?"

"mm," jackie vocalized, wrapping his arms tightly around himself. everything ached, and when he rolled his sleeves up, he could already see bruises forming. he didn't dare to look at his chest, where it was definitely worse. "brothers… kicked me out, magic's going crazy, i didn't mean to hurt - didn't mean to hurt anyone, aaron, i swear -"

"shh, calm down, calm down," aaron soothed, sitting on the bed and pressing his legs against jackie's. he placed a hand on his boyfriend's face, gently running his fingers down his skin to his lips. "you're hurt. who did this? and what do you mean, your brothers kicked you out? did they find out about… about the whole black magic thing?"

jackie tried to nod, but his head hurt too much. "yeah," he managed instead. "i… aaron, i didn't know where else to… you're the only other one who knows about this."

"you're lucky i know how to treat wounds," aaron told him, dropping the bundle of clothes next to the bed. "and that i care about you enough to use my rarer magics that i save for necessary occasions."

"don't understand why you care about me so much," jackie mumbled as aaron helped him lay back down. "you've only known me, like… four months."

"ten, actually," aaron said. he pressed his lips gently to jackie's forehead, drawing a small breath out of him. "stay still, i'm gonna take a look at your chest."

"can i stay here?" jackie blurted. he blinked rapidly, trying to stop his vision from blurring. "p-please? i - i don't have anywhere else to go… i know i'm not supposed to speak with you, i know you c-could get in tr-trouble from the organization, but i can't - aaron -"

"relax," aaron murmured. "of course you can stay. i'm risking a lot by dating you anyway. if the organization found out, they'd have my head. possibly literally, depending on how they're feeling."

jackie was silent, letting aaron play with his hair. his eyes fluttered closed and he let out a contented sigh despite his current state of injury. then, "'m sorry. love you, aar… aaron, i…"

he passed out again before he could finish.

[asherranceoftheheart]

Icarus Falls - III - The Good Doctor Comes Home

Story Summary: “You’ll never leave me alone right?“ “You think I’d actually let you go?”

A story about the slow descent and corruption of a lonely man, a demon who learns that bonds go both ways, brothers who deeply regrets their words spoken out of anger, and a conflicted man watching them all fall down from the distance. Here’s a Puppet!Chase AU that was written with extreme self-indulgence so beware and read the tags before entering.

Chapter Summary: Chapter title says it all lol but also a breather chapter Pairing/s: None, Platonic Character/s: Jack McLoughlin, Chase Brody, Antisepticeye, Henrik Von Schneeplestein, Mentions of Other Septic Egos Genre: Angst, Fluff Chapter Warning/s: Self-Deprecating Thoughts (Thoughts like I’m not as good as the others, etc.), Sadness, extremely vague mentions of torture (Archive Of Our Own Edition)  (Prev. Chapter)

Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up feeling both numb, and raw and sensitive on the inside and thinking ‘Ah. It’s one of those days…’ and wondering if it’s even worth the effort to open your eyes and move?

Chase felt emotionally and physically drained with a rocking throbbing headache as he woke up in a cold empty bed, tucked in like a child under the blankets. He stared up at the ceiling blankly, looking and thinking of nothing in particular until the memories began to come in crystal clear film in his mind. His hand twitched as he remembered the warmth of another person enveloping him even if that person had been his mortal enemy.

A part of him wanted to hate himself for missing, for yearning for the addicting affectionate touches that his enemy showered him with while he had been dreadfully sick. After all, had he become so desperate after nearly nine months of having no positive physical contact with other people that he would take comfort in the demon who was the main cause for why it was happening in the first place? However, a bigger part of himself was just tired, so very tired of the constant emotional olympics his self-hatred would force him to go through every single day.

He closed his eyes and for a moment, he allowed his own mind and heart to fool himself and pretend that the last part of yesterday never happened. He chose to believe in the fleeting happiness of the illusion that his best friend had never gone into a coma and tht Anti was merely a part of an excruciatingly long nightmare.

When he opened his eyes again, the sun had gone down outside but he can’t find the energy in himself to give a fuck about time moving on without him.

Chase heard his phone buzz with new notifications. He stomped down the flickering spark of hope that it would be any of his brothers finally answering his messages and calls. He knows that he can’t keep blocking out the world like this especially when the world needs him to be Jack McLoughlin so with an exhausted grunt, he slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position and reached over to the left bedside drawer to grab his phone.

He pressed the button on the side and was relieved to see that it was just Doctor Adam rather than one of Jack’s friends asking Jack if he was alright.

Dr. Adam: Mr. Brody? You haven’t replied to my messages for a while. Is everything alright?

The concern from the doctor melted some of the ice numbing his heart. This man really reminded him of Henrik albeit softer and more formal.

Chase: I’m ok doc. But I don’t think I’ll be able to drop by for a while. Think I caught a bug on the way back or something and I don’t want to transfer any of it to Jack. I’ll try to take a few more days off until I’m sure I’m okay. :)

Dr. Adam: Ah! I thought so… You’ve never missed a day visiting your brother unless you were really sick. So I was worried. But since you said that you’re okay I have to trust that you know yourself and your limits by now. Do take care of yourself! Get a lot of sleep, eat something even if it’s just buttered toast (altho I would prefer if you ate healthier foods…), drink lots of liquid, and make sure you take your medicine.

Chase: Yea, I’ve been doing all that Just keep me updated on Jack pls?

Dr. Adam: But of course, I know how much you worry over your brother. Anyway, I’ll leave you to rest. I hope you get well soon!

‘I hope I do too, Doc.’ Chase wiped a hand over his weary face with a loud sigh.

He placed his phone down on his bed when his eyes caught sight of something sharing the same drawer that his phone had been placed in earlier. It was his medicine and it was placed on top of what appeared to be a note. He knows what the pills were obviously for but the note awakened some of his curiosity and anger.

It was obvious who wrote that note.

He wanted to run over to his desk and grab his lighter to burn that seemingly innocent looking white paper as anybody with a shred of common sense should. However he knows himself. He knows his curiosity over what the note would contain would itch at him for a long long time if he didn’t find out what it said.

He inhaled deeply and slowly let the air out as a low hiss through gritted teeth while he mussed up his already messed up hair.

“Fucker,” Chase insulted both the demon for taking advantage of his thrice damned curiosity that could rival the stubbornness of a spoiled cat, and himself for falling for this obvious show of manipulation as he forced his arm to reach out and grabbed the paper.

He crumpled the note into a wrinkly ball and stared down at it with some trepidation. What horrific message will this paper contain? Was it going to contain some blackmail worthy secret? Maybe taunt him for his complete breakdown yesterday? Jesus Christ… He literally fell apart on top of the bastard. He’d wish he could erase the memory but Anti would probably take that as permission to completely fuck him up mentally and maybe possess him as a little treat.

Well, he can’t keep stalling for more time like a coward. He uncrumpled the paper, smoothing it out on his covered lap, and read it with some trepidation.

One pill every eight hours from the moment you wake up. Going to be busy for a while. Don’t wait up for me, little brother. You’re still sick so don’t have a breakdown every other hour. Remember I’M ALWAYS WATCHING

Chase stared down at the note that was practically dripping with sarcasm with an expressionless gaze. A form of calm had settled down upon him and he almost absentmindedly started to rip the note in half. He doesn’t know what to feel about the laughably simple note. Should he get angry? Should he spend the time away from the bastard trying to decode some sort of hidden message from it?

In the end, he decided that it wasn’t worth the energy to get annoyed or obsessed over the taunt. He spent the next few minutes tearing the note into teeny tiny pieces before he left it scattered all over the top of his lap in unsalvageable scraps.

The ripping and tearing actually brought him some satisfaction which he relished in no matter how tiny it was. He swept the mess off his bed with a wide wave and watched it free fall to the floor like snow during winter. The man slid off his bed and spitefully ignored the medicine before he dragged himself over to the bathroom to freshen up.

He took a short shower, changed into fresh new indoor clothes, and dried his hair with a towel before brushing it up until it stayed neat and fluffy on his head. A sudden burst of productive energy suddenly shot through his entire body when he looked over the entirety of his room and realized just how filthy he had let it become over the months.

Chase could almost hear Anti sneering at him at the back of his head, telling him how useless and broken he was when nobody is there to pull him forward like a fucking donkey.

A massive wave of spite mixed in with his burst of energy and he began walking around the room to gather up his dirty clothes to put inside a hamper that he carried over to his laundry room to load up inside the washing machine. Then before working the machine, he went back to his room to change his bed sheets and blanket to a clean one before hefting them all up to the laundry room. While the washer was humming and vibrating as it got to work, he grabbed two big trash bags from his current location before he walked back to his bedroom.

The first step to feeling better after another one of your long episodes is to clear up the clutter that built up around you. It will help you associate clearing up as another way of resetting your own point of view.

A tiny smile twitched up at the corner of his lips as Henrik’s gruff but gentle voice as he coaxed him from his bed in the past. He separated his trash into two bags and straightened up to look around his now cleaner room. Chase tied up the trash bags so that none of them would spill out before he opened up his window and smiled faintly at the refreshing evening breeze that brushed against his heated face.

Then he walked over to his closet to bring out the Roomba that he hasn’t used for a while, letting out a victorious ‘heh’ when it still worked and placed it in the middle of his room before turning it on to roam around the floor to suck up the dust that built up over the past months.

He gave his cleaner and brighter bedroom another look over with satisfaction pulsing in his chest before making two trips up and down the stairs to take out the trash that he just collected and move the piled up dirty mugs on his desk down to the kitchen.

“How’s this for being useless and broken, asshole?” Chase spitefully said into the empty air towards the absent being who insulted him daily when he was there. “Fuck you.”

Chase huffed to himself in the middle of the kitchen while he was crouched over his dishwasher, loading it up with all the dirty dishes. After he closed the thing’s door, he realized as his stomach growled rather loudly, that he was pretty hungry.

“I’m hungry but I’m not in the mood for anything too heavy or chewy…” Chase hummed while he browsed the contents of his fridge. He leaned over and grabbed the covered bowl at the back of the fridge. “Oh hey, this was the cream of mushroom soup I ordered a week ago… It doesn’t smell bad so I guess it’s still fine!”

He heated it up on the stove before scooping them all up into a clean bowl. He placed a spoon with it before he walked over to the living room. Chase turned on the TV before laying on his side at the couch while he slurped up his soup.

‘Man… If Hen was here he’d probably be telling me that this soup isn’t healthy enough for me,’ Chase chuckled to himself, eyes misting over with nostalgia over the memories of his most fussy older brother. ‘Then he’d threaten to tie me up on a chair and feed me his horrid homemade food.’

Henrik might be one of the smartest people in the world but his cooked food… There’s a reason why he was never allowed to cook for them during their weekly gatherings. He remembered Marvin telling him a story about his first time of coming into contact with Henrik’s Mystery Food and swearing on his name and magic that it had a living soul.

“It’s not that bad!” He would hear Henrik stomping his feet on the floor while imagining the lethal glare he’d give his brothers while they gently redirected him even as he’s protesting the discrimination loudly from the kitchen.

“Henrik please… Every single bite Jackie makes of your food immediately sends him to the hospital and you of all people know that he’s immune to nearly all sorts of poison.” Jack squeezed the fuming doctor’s tensed shoulders in an attempt to calm him down.

“Come on, Jack-Jack. You don’t have to sweeten the truth up for our mother hen,” Marvin’s delighted and mischief-filled voice would snicker from the other room where he was probably curled up on the floor near the window to get the maximum sunshine. “Henrik, your food tastes so bad that Jackie’s mind blocked out any memory of the taste to protect him from relieving the trauma.”

“As if your cooking is any better!” Henrik would shoot back scathingly.

“At least I can survive on it on my own and feed some of it to others!” Marvin would have puffed up as he readied himself for their banter.

“Guys please,” Jackie, ever the peacemaker, would try to calm the duo down while Jack wouldn’t even try and raise the white flag the second they start.

Chase laughed to himself at the present time as he recalled the loud racket Marvin and Henrik would make while they exchanged light-hearted insults. He would’ve been in the kitchen, humming and smiling while he busied himself with his cooking. A few minutes later would find Creator and Hero skulking back to his safe grounds with their tails tucked neatly between their legs and trying to help him but he’d just easily shoo them off to pout at the kitchen table.

‘I wish Jamie had experienced that before everything went to complete shit,’ Chase’s smile turned bittersweet at that stray thought. ‘Henrik and Jack would’ve loved him. He and Hen would probably spend some nights drinking tea in the middle of the night with each other. He’d have helped curtail some of Marvy’s sharp nature with a light smack on the shoulder. Jackie would’ve been so glad to have someone helping him act as the peacemaker of the family. Jack… Jack would’ve adored him. He’d gush about how Jamie was so spirited, so sassy, expressive and—and how he and Marvy always loved so fiercely…’

Chase licked his spoon clean (Marvin would’ve been looking at him with disgust and tell him that he’s a mannerless savage which… bold words for someone who would lick their balls while in their cat form) and dropped it down with a loud ear ringing clang on the now empty bowl before placing them on the living room table. He scooched over and laid down on his back on the couch and crossed his arms at the back of his head as a makeshift pillow while he reminisced.

Anti might insult him for doing nothing else but think of the past but it was the only thing that gave Chase the energy to keep moving forward even if he didn’t really want to. For the sake of all his loved ones who would’ve wanted to experience those memories in the future with them after all of these bullshit… Yeah, he’d trudge through all the painful days for them.

He closed his eyes and tried his darnest to remember anything memorable that had happened since the others left him behind but other than Anti’s unforgettable presence, everything else passed by in a blur.

“Damn,” Chase sighed, his smile lacking any light nor humor to it. “Anti really had a point when he said that I’m useless without the others huh?”

It is not your fault, Chase. Depression has the tendency to mix all your memories together in an unrecognizable blur. Do not worry. We are always here to help you remember.

“Unfortunately Doc,” Chase sighed as he sat up and grabbed the dirty bowl and spoon to place them together in the washer. “The only person left who’ll help me remember the past months is a complete bastard who I wouldn’t entrust my head to even if I had to choose between him and pain.”

Not that he really wanted to remember anything… He’s pretty sure that if he remembered anything it would just be of him whining about his loneliness, Anti fucking him up, and trying to keep up the Jack mask so that nobody else would find out that something had gone wrong.

He went back upstairs and moved the wet clothes from the washing machine to the dryer and loaded up the dirty bed sheets and blanket to the washing machine before heading straight for his bedroom. The Roomba died under his desk, having lost all of its battery while he was downstairs, and he scrounged through his dark closet for its charging adapter. Once the Roomba was set up and charging, he changed into his new pajamas and slipped back under his blankets.

He continued ignoring the set of pills on the drawer and turned on his side so that he could curl up under the sheets. Chase powered on Jack’s phone and waited for it to load so that he could check the comatose man’s social media. Another mentally and emotionally draining part of his imitation job was to maintain the Jack mask while pretending that the man was A-Okay and there was no reason for concern.

First, he pulled up Twitter and made a face when he realized that somebody posted something on the account while he was sick. Thank god it was just a little message to everyone that he was going to be on a break for a while because he was sick. It was still creepy that Anti could perfectly copy Jack’s mannerisms as he looked through the little retweets-interaction with everybody. Even he had some hard time fully copying his best friend’s posting quirks.

Either way, it was still annoying and stressful to Chase how the demon could keep pulling these kinds of shit with Jack’s social media. Maybe he should change to passwords and login info to everything while Anti was god knows where.

…

Chase sighed and shrugged. Then again, it’s not like that would be effective anyway. He knows that Anti was the one who keeps reblogging art of himself on the tumblr account even though he was pretty sure he changed the password nearly fifty times over the past few months. It never fazed him.

Speaking of tumblr… A part of him wanted to resent the community for giving the demon so much power through their attention via art, theories, and stories but he knows that it wouldn’t be fair of him to blame them for something that is completely out of their control. It’s not like they knew that the thing with Anti which they knew to be an ‘ARG-like’ story for the channel was actually his and his brother’s reality. Most of them were just people who were enthusiastic for the escapism their ‘story’ provided and he couldn’t exactly fault them for that.

He decided to update twitter that he’s feeling much better than before and that he’ll go back to filming videos tomorrow. The replies were almost immediate as the community reassured him that it would be fine if he took more days off to recover fully and he can’t help but smile at their unending support even if it was actually directed towards Jack. He knows that they wouldn’t mind it if he took an entire week off but he gets really antsy when he’s not putting up any content for the channel.

It feels like if he doesn’t keep it up, there’ll be nothing left for Jack to wake up to, all the hard work he put into this channel and community has been one of his brother’s ultimate joys. He doesn’t want to see Jack’s devastation if he also loses the community that he so dearly loved to the coma.

Besides… It’s not like he can afford to slack off while the others are trying their hardest to save Jack. This and taking care of Jack was the only thing that he could do to be of some use rather than become another burden to his brothers.

After he read and replied to a few more retweets, he turned off Twitter and moved his attention to the other big gathering place for the community. He tapped Tumblr’s app button and scrolled down Jack’s blog and let out a sharp, annoyed exhale when he saw that Anti had been busy reblogging things related to him or him torturing the other egos while Chase had been indisposed. A lot of the theorists hit the nail on the head when they theorized that the one who had been reblogging Anti-related things without any caption had been Anti.

It must have been something about Tumblr’s wonky programming but Anti can’t say anything or it’ll come out all glitched and zalgoed. Of course, he could’ve gotten maximum attention that way but he probably thought that it would be much better to have the fans stewing and trying to obsess over every single action that may or may not relate to Anti by having it all be a mystery.

Sometimes Chase wondered if maybe he and his brothers could make use of the community’s eagle-eyed observations that tend to hit right most of the time to help them find out a way to save Jack. He’s lost count of how many times they’ve managed to notice something that he hasn’t noticed such as a little subtle glitch on the video’s audio, a flash of someone in the back of his facecam, or even changes in the description or titles of the videos that was definitely not made by him.

Their skills would’ve been impressive if it wasn’t downright frightening for how obsessed they seem to be with Anti.

He reblogged a few cool artworks and edits with little words of encouragement under their captions. Then he’d like some of the little sneak peeks to the daily lives of the community members that always made him smile because at least these funky little people are doing their best to live. It’s a nice reminder and boost to the morale that there was a reason why he was also doing this other than to keep the channel up and running for Jack’s comeback.

Chase stretched out his arms and legs with a jawbreaking yawn as he felt the sleepiness settle in. He looked at the time on his phone and made a face when he saw how late  it was. No wonder his eyes were starting to blur with sleep. He decided to set his alarm clock up for the morning. He’s gotta wake up early to prepare himself to go under the Jack mask and record a video after all.

The tired man scooched underneath the blanket, covering himself up to his bed and curled up into a tight ball while tugging the sheets around him. A spark of pride welled up inside his chest when he thought back on how he managed to do a little bit of productivity in tidying up his bedroom. While he definitely started out the day rough and numb, he managed to salvage it by the end.

At the end of the day, it’s these teeny tiny baby steps that would bring you much farther than you thought when you look back in the future. So do not sell yourself short, Chase Brody.

Never forget that we are always proud of you no matter how inconsequential you believe your little progress was.

Henrik’s gruff but gentle voice echoed through his mind, easily drowning out all the insecurities and dark voices sneering at him for his pride. For the first time in a long while, Chase fell asleep with a faint but sincere smile on his lips.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

“Maybe you should’ve jumped higher for that trick shot so that you wouldn’t have fallen over and broken your foot,” Jack’s voice shook with silent laughter as he leaned on Chase’s side while they both watched Henrik scrambling around, fussing over Chase’s foot that was placed in a cast, and fluffing up pillows to squeeze behind Chase’s back while he’s relaxed on the couch and worrying his head over whether his broken foot was raised high enough.

Henrik spun around and levelled a death glare towards his creator who instinctively raised both hands in a show of harmlessness, the doctor bared his teeth at him, “If you keep encouraging him to do more reckless acts I will break your own leg.”

Chase coughed and choked on a laugh and gave his doctor older brother a smile full of innocence and sunshine when he swiftly turned around to glare at him as well while Jack sputtered in the background. Jackie was dying on the floor. He sounded like he was about to upgrade from his booming cackling to wheezing, dying laughter.

“Wh— You took an oath to never harm another human when you became a doctor!” Chase turned his head to look at Jack when he felt him sitting up straight and leaning forward with an outraged look.

“I did no such thing,” Henrik snubbed. “It was whichever fake Schneeplestein that magic made to explain my existence in this universe that made such an oath.”

“You’re still a doctor!” Jack yelled vehemently, slapping a hand on his knees.

Henrik sniffed. He looked down at Jack from behind his nose and made him feel like he was some worm tainting the bottom of his shiny shoes. Then the doctor dramatically turned his back on the pouting man obviously giving him the cold shoulder.

“Chaaaase,” Jack twisted his body to ‘sob’ into his best friend’s shoulder. “Henny’s being mean to me again!”

“There, there,” Chase snickered as he patted the older man’s curly hair. “I won’t let the big bad doctor bully you anymore.”

Jack turned his head so that his cheek was pressed on top of Chase’s shoulder and he stuck his tongue out at Henrik who rolled his eyes back at him.

A massive white maine coone glided into the chaotic living room, jumping up on the back of the couch, and strolled over to smack Jack’s face with his outrageously long and fluffy tail—while ignoring the annoyed yelp ‘Marvin!’ before the poor man started sneezing and cursing the magician’s existence—as he slid down a bemused Chase’s torso into his lap. He rubbed his fluffy body against his little brother’s chest with a loud meow for his greeting.

“Hey to you too, Marvy,” Chase chuckled as the cat began to purr.

Marvin’s purr grew louder until he was practically like a growling motorcycle and arched his spine when Chase’s fingers stroked him from the bridge of his pink nose down to his tailbone. The heavy white cat kneaded his claws into Chase’s baggy shorts before circling around—ignoring Chase’s agonized groan at his weight—and curling up into a smug self-satisfied ball on his lap.

“You satisfied now, Drama Queen?” Chase teased the magician with a fond smile while he scratched the cat on the perfect spot behind his ears. “I think we should put your cat form on a diet. You’re getting pretty heavy.”

The cat nipped at his fingers with a hint of a warning bite but Chase just tapped his prickly older brother on his nose as a gentle reprimand. He only got a bunch of annoyed chattering for his daring gall to touch his majesty.

“Marvin, you better not bite anyone again,” Henrik dryly warned the magician who hissed at him. “Don’t think I can’t sedate you into going to the vet and getting you neutered.”

Marvin let out an offended yowl and attempted to stuff his massive unit of a body under Chase’s shirt, drawing giggles from the man who tried pushing his fluffy butt away as his squirming body dragged his soft fur over his ticklish stomach.

“Marvin, you fucker!” Chase squealed and tried to pull out the squirming cat who somehow managed to find the perfect position and perk out only his head from under his shirt. “Really? You’re going to subject me to your stinky butt for the entire movie marathon?”

His only response was a thick tail that thwapped his sputtering face.

“Aww… It’s just his way of showing you his love, Chasey-wasey,” Jackie giggled without looking up from his phone. “Also I can’t blame Marv for wanting to snuggle up to you. You’re like a portable heater slash teddy bear.”

“Yeah well, I’d say Marvy would be like a teddy bear too if it weren’t for the fact that he weighs like a rock on top of my kidneys,” Chase deadpanned before smacking Marvin’s back through his shirt irritably. “Use your claws on me again and I’ll neuter you myself without the help of a vet.”

Jack snickered at the irritated mewl from the cat while Henrik huffed and rolled his eyes at their antics. The doctor sat on the right couch seat and pulled the side lever up so that he could fully recline his body and feet. Jack leaned over and grabbed the remote from the table in front of him and Chase.

“Everybody finally settled down for our movie night?” He asked, just to make sure so that nobody would suddenly whine in that childish sort of voice that he didn’t wait for them again.

coughJackiecough

Jackie gave him a thumbs up and finally looked up from his phone. He was laying on his stomach on the blanket he set on the floor with a variety of pillows forming his nest around him. His own bowl of popcorn and a massive bottle full of Sprite was set in front of him.

Chase makes an agreeing grunt while he leaned on him on his side, taking care not to move his cast while Marvin chirruped from under his shirt, his little head poking out directing his nose to the bowl of popcorn on the table. Henrik just shrugged and gestured his head towards the screen.

“Just get on with it. If anybody was not ready I am sure that they’ll be letting out some godforsaken complaint through their loud mouths,” Henrik scathingly said but his eyes glimmered with laughter, taking off the bite from his words. He merely arched an eyebrow at everyone when they childishly stuck out their tongues at him.

Jack huffed and shook his head at the brotherly banters. No family activity would be the same without these chaotic preparations and quips from the others. He pressed play on the remote and started the movie. He sat back on the couch with Chase, his smile unconsciously growing wider when the youngest ego scooched closer to him.

…

“Is he asleep?” Henrik asked in a hushed tone as he craned his neck to look at Chase’s face which was hiding away against Jack’s side.

Jack nodded with a gentle smile and pressed a finger against his lips in the universal sign for silence. He slowly began to shift himself so that he could move Chase into laying down fully on the couch and for his head to be placed on his lap. Henrik assisted him, carrying the younger ego’s legs into the couch and made sure that his injured foot was raised with a few pillows propped underneath and around it to keep it from moving.

Chase made a soft noise and pressed his cheek on Jack’s stomach while the older man petted his head, idly rubbing a thumb against the healed over scar that would ache from time to time especially when Chase is particularly emotional. The sleeping man sighed contentedly in his sleep and murmured something far too unintelligible for either man to hear. Henrik grabbed one of the free blankets remaining to place it over Chase, tucking him under the warm sheets.

“I’ll get the other blankets—Marvin!” Henrik hissed as the cat that had been watching them from the table, slowly walked over to jump on Chase’s chest. Chase’s breath hitched but thankfully he didn’t wake up. Chase wrapped his arms around the cat who had stretched himself out over his little brother’s body and tucked his head under his chin. “You’re so lucky he’s a heavy sleeper. If you woke him up I would have shaved you, you needy cat.”

The cat flicked his ears at Henrik and made a show of nuzzling the bottom of Chase’s chin and purring almost as loud as a starting motorcycle to spite the doctor by showing just how comfortable he was in his makeshift bed.

Jack rolled his eyes at the little drama queen before he looked back at Henrik with a pleading smile, “Blankets please? It’s pretty chilly around here at night.”

Henrik sighed and nodded. He carefully maneuvered himself out of the crowded living room. Jackie had spreaded out his entire body on his own side of the room, snoring lightly while drool trailed down his cheek. Henrik made sure that he didn’t touch on the territory of the unknowing human venus flytrap who’d snap his arms around your legs in a flash the moment you stepped within his area of attack. Last time one of them (poor Marvin… despite screaming and trying to squirm out of those iron arms...) fell for that trap, they had to deal with a clingy as a leech Jackie for the entire night.

He went upstairs to grab extra blankets and pillows for him and Jack since someone (Jackie…) hoarded most of them for their nest and one of the original blankets was placed over Chase. When he went back down, Marvin was already asleep, his cat body slowly moved up and down to his rhythmic breathing. Jack was staring down at Chase’s face with a blank look which generally meant that the man was probably thinking something that was bothering him again.

As he passed by his creator, he gave the man a gentle smack on the back of his head with his elbow. “This is not the time for complicated thoughts. This is family time.”

Jack jolted at the hit and his voice, turning his head to make a silly face at him.

“I know, I know, I just can’t help it, Hen,” Jack sighed and patted Chase’s head. He peered at the doctor when he saw what he was carrying. “Huh, you got those from the closet in the hallway?”

“Where else would I get it? Here,” Henrik made Jack lean over so that he could place two pillows on the back of his neck. “Support for your neck.”

“Thanks,” the other man gave him a thumbs up with one of his free hands. “Can you uh place my blanket over my lap? I’ll move Chase’s head a bit.”

“Wait your impatient butt. I am just going to move around the couch.” Henrik said as he walked over to his own spot to drop his pillows and blanket before moving over to Jack.

Jack carefully lifted Chase’s head so that Henrik could slip the blanket over his lap. He absentmindedly rubbed a thumb over the sleeping man’s head when his brows furrowed at the movement and he looked like he was about to wake from his sleep. Thankfully, he settled down once he was returned to his previous position only he curled closer to his creator’s warmth.

“Ah man, Chase really is the best little brother I could ever ask for,” Jack sighed with a fond smile softening the weariness from his face.

Henrik snorted, giving Chase a little pat on his head before he walked back to his couch chair and dropped his body on it.

“And you say you don’t play favorites,” Henrik accusingly narrowed his eyes at Jack who stuck his tongue out at him.

“And I’ll keep saying it no matter how much you guys accuse me of it,” Jack grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

The doctor rolled his eyes before spreading his own blanket over him. He turned over on his side and snubbed Jack with his back, ignoring the ‘Oh real mature, Henrik!’ that Jack shot towards him quietly.

“Goodnight Mister McLoughlin,” Henrik said in the snobbiest tone he could muster.

“Are you seri— Oh whatever, goodnight to you too, Doctor Schneeplestein.” He heard Jack huff and mutter something incomprehensible with his distance under his breath.

Henrik stifled a smile and his chuckle as he felt his creator fake pouting even with his back turned against him.

As he closed his eyes, he was highly aware of the sounds of soft breathing (or snoring in Jackie’s case…) coming from everyone in the room and he thinks that it’s the most beautiful sound he has ever heard his entire life.

He wished that he could stay in this single moment in time for as long as he wanted, to engrave it in his memories for when the nights are cold and when deep regrets are keeping him awake.

0-0-0-0-0

“Testing! Teeeeesting… Alright, the mic and audio seems to be okay,” Chase squinted at his face cam, flicking a finger in front of its lens to get its autofocus clearing up on his face. He brightened up when the camera finally focused just right! “Attaboy! Now we can finally start recording.”

He’s done his vocal warmups before he started setting up everything and even made sure that the house was nice and locked up and made sure that he doesn’t need to go for a pee break for one to two hours. Those moments are always a hassle and awkward for him and Robin to cut out. Not to mention it’s always a bit of a distraction especially when he is finally in the zone for the camera.

He also has his own lil water container filled with delicious fresh water in front of him, out of the camera’s point of view, just so he could freshen up his voice from all the screaming and yelling that he was about to do. While voice cracks are fun to jump from from a comedic point, it’s not nice to be known as the loudest Irish youtuber who still has voice cracks like a teenager going through puberty.

The phone has been muted and set on vibrate, and the games have been pulled up and listed on his desktop ready for recording!

Today’s video recording theme is… those medical surgery related games.

It had been an idea that had been drifting around his mind for a while but he didn’t have the mental and emotional energy to bother with the vivid reminders of his missing older brother. Maybe this was just another way of spiting Anti for what he had done to him a two days ago in his vulnerable state just like how his sudden burst of energy fueled him to prove that he wasn’t completely useless all alone by tidying up his wreck of a room in the middle of the night.

He knew that Anti seems to have it out for Henrik just as personally as he has it out for Jack since any mention of his brother has the demon hissing and spitting rage which he found rather peculiar since he’d have thought that the demon would be using what he’s doing to Henrik as another one of his taunts and considering he probably has the upper hand over the doctor right now. He stopped mentioning Henrik after that one moment when Anti had gone frighteningly still with his eyes glowing bloody murder towards him and then disappeared for a few hours. When he came back, he was covered in blood and Chase wisely didn’t ask him from whom it came from.

Since then, they never talked about it although Anti’s presence would be unbearable whenever he played any medical related game since it always felt like the demon was breathing down his neck (although knowing his luck he probably did but since he didn’t care enough to turn around and see that horrifying sight he’d like to believe that it never happened) just daring him to mention anything about his beloved doctor of a brother. The only time Anti made any comment about Henrik was literally that postcard hack on tumblr. That was a hell of a thing to open the app to.

He could feel the smugness rolling off Anti’s shadowed corner in waves during that day and he had to stop himself from vaulting over the couch to grab the demon who’s been pestering (severe understatement, he knows but still—) him for months and demand what the fuck he’s planning with the postcard.

Anyway, now that Anti wasn’t here (and thank fuck for that) he’s free to record and post this fun little thing for the channel. Honestly, it’s pretty odd to have the past two days of complete silence from Anti but it was also extremely refreshing and absolutely rejuvenating for his spirit. Oh, he didn’t doubt the ‘Always Watching’ threat from his last note but this was the most peaceful and private he’s been for the past months.

Chase adjusted the headset over his ears, checking to make sure that it wasn’t uncomfortable, before he stretched out his arms and body for the long recording session, releasing a satisfied groan at the obscenely loud cracks that his joints made with the stretch.

Okay… Close your eyes…

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

In the next few hours, Chase Brody will not exist. Instead, another man will take his place. How would he react to certain things and events? How would he act out a carefree skit of a parodied impersonation of their resident doctor?

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Turn the chair around and…

Click

Something snaps into place as his lips stretched itself out into a familiar crooked goofy grin at the sound of his mouse clicking. The metaphorical mask slipping over his face felt so much more natural than when it was taken off at this point in time. He swung his chair around and greeted the invisible audience on the other side of the screen.

“Hello and welcome back! I am Doctor Jacksepticeye,” he both recognizes and doesn’t recognize the face that was looking back at him on the recording screen, “and welcome to my ER!”

It was easy, always so so easy to step into his shoes, to become someone who is dearly beloved by so many people, to become someone who has inspired this community to follow him. Every time he slips this mask on for the screen he always experienced this high knowing that for once he won’t be someone who was miserably alone and useless to his loved ones. If he immersed himself deeper into this mask, he could even believe that the people are seeing him and not Jack but that’s a thought that he’d brush off the moment it lingers at the surface of his mind.

However, while it was highly tempting to keep the mask up even by his lonesome, it always faded away the moment the camera stopped and left him far more drained than before he started recording.

Stop. Don’t think about that now.

Chase does not exist at this very moment.

Only Jack remained with that cheerful smile on his lips.

Finally, he allowed himself to fade into the background and push that persona forward to take his place.

In the next blink, Chase closed his eyes and Jack opened them.

0-0-0-0-0

The deep blue sky stretched over the horizon.

It was much too big. Much too hopeful.

It was too much for him who has been stuck in the darkness with no one but Him for company—

No.

No.

Do not think.

Not yet.

Later. Yes, later. In safety. In his family’s safety and warmth.

The door had been unlocked. Why? Why had it been unlocked?

Then he was running, stumbling about in the abyss like a drunk and suddenly there was light—

It had been too bright, too warm on his cold skin that it felt like it was burning his flesh off like the hot po—

No. Regroup. Stop.

Do. Not. Think. About. It.

He ran and ran and ran amongst the crowd, deaf to the rude words that had been tossed towards his way when he crashed into someone and jumped away as if he had been shocked, deaf to the concerned strangers’ questions before he shoved their wandering hands away.

Don’t touch him. Don’t fucking touch him!

It hurts. His eyes hurt. His ears hurt.

It’s so loud. He missed the blissfully subtle static that always kept him company in his cell—

Stop speaking… Stop speaking! Shut up… Shut up. Shutupshutupshutupshutupshutup—

The colors began to shift around him and they… became familiar? Familiar streets. Familiar names.

There was that sound from the annoying dog barking from a neighbor’s—

Ah.

This must be another one of his games.

The front garden was unkempt. Why was it unkempt? There were no flowers blooming from the bushes that looked as dry and thirsty as he normally felt. His little brother loved—loves his gardening hobby. He loves seeing the smiles of the passersby and his family when they see the colorful flowers he’d carefully tend to every week.

Yes, this was just further proof that this was all an illusion. He wanted to scream. He wanted to tell Him to stop this farce. However, he knows that he must continue the show lest He becomes angry for his disobedience once more.

He walked on. There. The front door was in front of him. Instinctively, he reached into his coat’s pocket (since when had he started wearing this coat?) and of course, of course, the key was there.

The door is opened and he is greeted by a cold, silent hou…

No.

Wait.

He looked up. There was a voice. It was faint but there it is.

Which show was he putting on this time? A replay of that fateful day? Or perhaps it was another one of those games where He makes him pretend that he was finally free?

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

He walked up the stairs.

One.

Two.

Three.

The fourth door.

The Recording Room.

What sort of cruel joke awaits him behind this door he wondered?

He was tired. So so tired… Perhaps if he pretended to be the brave, cool headed doctor that he had been He would grow bored of this show quick.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

The ice on the doorknob was a welcome sting to his constantly wandering, constantly moving mind. It keeps him still. Keeps him in the moment just like all of the pain—

Take all the shattered pieces of your bravery now, good doctor, and let it all out…

The door was flung open and the familiar—unfamiliar man in the room spun around in his chair and looked up at his heaving, shuddering body with a wide-eyed look. Yes, that face—that impossible face was the face of a comatose man as He often taunted him during their sessions— sat in front of him just told him that this was all just another one of His cruel mind games.

A flash of anger.

A dash of fear.

Then the ridiculous words streamed out of his lips as he pointed a shaking accusing finger angrily, fearfully at the shocked mirage before him.

“I-I am the good doctor,” he started, his voice growing louder to mask the racing, thundering heart attempting to rip itself out of his chest, “and that is my chair!”

“... Henrik?” At that trembling, fragile voice, the mirage shattered and suddenly his baby brother, the one who has always looked up to him like he knew all of the secrets held within this universe… the younger brother who had always, always undervalued his own existence… The baby brother that he so dearly loved was looking up at him, no traces of the impossible man were left behind. “Henrik, is that you?”

And for a second, he allowed his guard to drop, allowing the fragile piece of hope in his chest to wriggle up the surface of his beaten heart.

“Help me,” he begged. His voice was painfully raw and vulnerable as it clawed itself out of his throat.

Then as if he was just a puppet whose cruel puppeteer cut his strings out of nowhere just because he had grown bored of his broken toy, he crumpled forward, all remaining energy in his pathetically weak body dropping to a complete zero, and his legs toppled underneath him. He braced himself to meet the cold unforgiving floor of his cell while his warden cackled at his show of weakness…

But it never came.

Instead, someone caught his body and he was suddenly engulfed in that familiar softness and warmth as two arms gently but firmly wrapped themselves around his bony waist.

“I gotcha… I gotcha big bro. I gotcha,” Henrik closed his eyes and in a fit of broken exhaustion allowed himself to believe in this dream.

“Don’t let this be a dream,” he whimpered. “Don’t… Don’t let me wake up—”

“Shh… It’s not a dream. You’re home. You’ve come home. I promise,” he shuddered at that almost comforting voice and the hand that was stroking the back of his head tenderly. “I’ll still be here when you wake up. I promise.”

Chapped lips were brushed over his forehead and he slipped away into the familiar abyss.

Oh how the good doctor dearly wished that he could remain in this single moment of time rather than face the cruel reality of what was waiting for him the next time he opened his eyes.

[drowning-in-dennor]

Nightmare

In a world where one can hear whatever music their soulmate is listening to, one can find themselves listening to some rather romantic songs. This is not the case for one unfortunate young man, though, whose soulmate has developed the tendency to listen to obnoxious meme music. [Written for day three of @weekofhetalia‘s Hetalia Extravaganza.]

  The clock reads “3:00 a.m.”. 

  He smothers his face in the pillow, muffles a pained scream and tries to block out the annoying song in his head.

  Whoever his soulmate is, Stellan’s ready to tear him apart with his bare hands. Who the hell is listening to some Barbie song at three in the morning!? He grabs his phone, plugs in his earphones and tries to wash his sorrows away with some of his own music, knowing that his soulmate’ll be listening to it, too. Take that, bastard.

  The music stops around fifteen minutes later, and Stellan unplugs his earphones and tries to go back to sleep. 

…

  When he storms into his office the next day, shooting a murderous look at his poor secretary, Aleksander gets up from his seat and pats his shoulder sympathetically. “Your soulmate?”

  “Obviously,” he seethes, “they started listening to some idiotic song in the middle of the night and woke me up. Again.” Stellan pulls his chair out and sits down, yanking out his notebook with a little too much force. “I really hope my soulmate isn’t someone who listens to children's cartoon music at strange hours.”

  Aleksander laughs and takes his seat in the cubicle next to Stellan’s. “Ah, we’ve all heard that special someone listen to something weird. Bogden was scared out of his wits because I kept listening to, and I quote, ‘scary music’. Maybe they’ll actually be really nice.”

  Stellan flips a page open, pulling a pen out and scribbling incoherently. “I highly doubt anyone who listens to Barbie songs at three in the morning could be ‘really nice’.”

  “You never know,” he says, “I remember Bogden being all surprised when it turned out I was his soulmate. He said I was too cute to be listening to that kind of music!” At Stellan’s incredulous huff, Aleksander pokes his head over their divider. “Come on, have some faith! Your soulmate will be perfect for you.”

  Rapidly clicking his pen, Stellan turns to another page and nearly rips it out of his notebook. “He better be, or I’m going to be very, very disappointed.”

…

  Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down…

  “Oh, are you FUC — “

  “What’re they listening to?” Aleksander calls.

  “Never Going to Give You Up!” Stellan resists the urge to slam his head on his desk and grabs his phone, plugging in his earphones again. “I swear, if they start listening to some idiotic song again, I will hunt them down and rip them apart limb from limb.”

  The jaunty chorus of Never Going to Give you Up slowly melts away as the soothing voice of Patti Paige starts to play from his cell phone, and Stellan continues with his work.

  I remember the nights and the Tennessee Waltz, now I know just how much I have lost…

…

  ...yes, I lost my little darling the night they were playing the beautiful Tennessee Waltz!

  Stellan pushes the door open to Boulangerie Bonnefoy. “Good afternoon, Matthieu.”

  “Hey, Stellan.” Matthieu waves from the counter, laying out fluffy brioche rolls in their display cases. “The usual?”

  “Yes, please,” he says, sitting down at a table by the window, “and I’m sorry if I end up rather… cranky today. My soulmate’s being an asshole.”

  Matthieu walks back into the kitchen. “Are they playing weird music?”

  “They rickrolled me.”

  “Ah, the classic trick.”

  A few minutes later, Matthieu comes out with a bowl of steaming soup and a plate of barbajuan. “Here you go.” He smiles as he returns to the counter. “And good luck with your soulmate.”

  To prevent any unpleasant surprises (and spilling of soup), Stellan puts on his earphones and starts playing his own music. For a good ten minutes, he manages to have his lunch in peace, enjoying the flaky, rich barbajuan and creamy soup.

  Then the door swings open, and in walk a group of three incredibly loud men.

  “I’m telling you, man,” one of them rants, “there’s no way my talented boy Michael lost to Wendy, of all his classmates! I bet the competition was rigged!”

  “Or, Al,” another says, “Kirkland’s little girl just had a better speech. I mean, Michael’s speech started with, ‘hot take: uniforms are stupid and here’s why’.”

  Al turns on his friend, crossing his arms. “It was a good intro!”

  “It was good because you thought of it?” The last man asks.

  “It was good because it was engaging and unconventional, Gilbert!”

  “When did you learn those words?” Gilbert dodges a kick from Al and runs towards the counter, slamming his hands on top. “Hey, can we have, uh, three of those little quiche things, please? Thanks.”

  A very startled-looking Matthieu pokes his head into the kitchen, presumably telling his brother to prepare the mens’ lunch. “Do you want anything else?”

  “Nope.” He gestures for his friends to pay, dropping a few notes on the counter. “Hey Al, pass the dough. Henrik,” Gilbert looks to him, “you going to pay or not?”

  Henrik clutches his head, rubbing at his temples. “One sec, my soulmate’s listening to their old-timey music again. Lemme shut them up.”

  Exactly twenty seconds later, Stellan’s napkin flutters to the ground as he claps a hand against his forehead, the astonishingly obnoxious first verse of Take Me On suddenly screaming in his head.

  “Yeah, there we go.” Henrik passes Gilbert his money, tightening his headphones. “I predict I’ll have five minutes until they retaliate.”

  You must remember this — a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh! The fundamental things apply as time goes by…

  “I thought so.”

  He drops his spoon as the Soviet Union’s anthem starts playing in his head. Stellan fumbles for his phone and clicks on the first song in his playlist.

  Nidelven River so still and so sweet, here I do go to dream, dreaming of you whom I once loved so dear, faded now to mere memories —

  BAB —

  Stellan rips his headphones out and jumps to his feet, shouting to nobody in particular, “will you STOP?”

  Henrik drops his phone in surprise, staring at him. “...what?”

  “Oh.” He sits back down, face burning. “I’m sorry, my soulmate’s playing some really stupid music, that’s all.”

  “Don’t worry, so’s mine. All that old music’s driving me insane!”

  And it clicks.

  Getting up again, Stellan points at Henrik as his face blooms crimson. “So it was you!”

  “What?”

  “You were the one playing all that stupid music!” He approaches Henrik, scowling. “You woke me up at three in the morning today and scared the hell out of me with your idiotic prank!”

  Henrik places his hands on his hips. “Well, you were the one playing all those boring songs that sound like they’re from the Stone Age!”

  “That also means you two are soulmates,” Al interrupts.

  Stellan looks at Henrik. “Wait.”

  “Hold up.”

  “No way you’re my soulmate!” He stomps towards Henrik, placing his hands on his shoulders. “No way the person I’m supposed to be with is a fan of such insipid music!”

  “And no way is my soulmate someone who listens to sappy old songs! I mean, they’re super sweet and actually not that bad, but — “

  “You think they’re sweet?”

  Henrik pauses. “Yes? They’re kind of boring, but the lyrics are cute.”

  Stellan’s face turns pink as he stares at him. “You know,” he slowly says, “maybe this won’t be too bad if you can appreciate my music.”

  “And if you can appreciate mine.”

  “No promises.” He smiles, barely so, at Henrik. “But I’ll try.”

[poppyknitt]

The Doctor’s Choice, an Evil Schneep AU

chapter 2 (part 2/3)

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TWS: Strangulation, brutal violence, smoking mention, self-harm allusion

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Six years. It’d been Six years. Six years, waiting hopelessly for their hero to return. Marvin was sick of this. He had to figure out what happened, especially now that Seán was in the hospital, recovering from that damn demon’s attempt to kill him. Or, so Henrik had told him. So far, Henrik had refused to let anyone visit him, claiming it would be too scarring to their mental health at the moment. He believed him, since he knew it wouldn’t be a pretty sight.

… He’d have to start a journal to keep track of his findings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

14-02-XX

(31-10-16 our time)

Entry no. 1

Jack’s in the hospital. Jackie’s still missing. Henrik refuses to talk about either, unless he’s saying I’m not allowed to visit Jack. I don’t trust this. But I have to play my cards as though I’m oblivious until I’m sure that my current theory is correct.

God, I hope it isn’t… I don’t want to have to get into an argument with Henrik. That could ruin our friendship… And it’s already lonely enough, with he and I being the only egos in the house…

I think I’m more terrified of what might happen to me if I have to encounter Anti than anything else. I’m not prepared for that. I barely even know anything about him.

… this would all be so much easier if Jackie was still here… but he’s not. He probably doesn’t even know who Anti is.

Damn it, I’m rambling, aren’t I? I’m gonna have to sign off here, before I waste ten pages on random, panicked gibberish.

~Sincerely, Marvin Reed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

…

....

(~03-11-16 our time)

Marvin stood before Henrik, his expression full of fury and hatred.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“Oh? Whatever do you mean by that, kleiner spatz? Have I done something wrong?”

“No! Don’t you fucking dare play stupid, you sick fucking bastard! YOU KNOW WHAT YOU FUCKING DID TO JACKIE AND SEÁN!” He yelled, already feeling his voice starting to die from how loud he screamed. That fucking bastard-! He fucking- He knew what he did! He fucking kidnapped Seán and Jackie! He knew he did! He never even tried to fucking hide it! If only Marvin figured it out sooner, maybe… Maybe he could’ve saved Seán… He didn’t even know what he’d done to either of them. He just knew he took them from him. He took his friends. He took them. It was all his fault! Marvin finally had something worth living for in life, and Henrik fucking took them from him! He was going to kill him! He didn’t care what it took. He had to kill Henrik. He- He had to make him regret ever being born! His crimes couldn’t go unpunished! He had to avenge his friends!

“... I see.” Something changed in the doctor’s expression and tone. Something seemed to click. He didn’t know. There was just… an unsettlingly dark undertone to the doctor’s act now.

Before he could process what was happening, a fist slammed into his mask, almost breaking it. He could feel its edges rip into his face, breaking a few bones in the process. He stumbled back, hand flying to his face, as he stared down for a moment or two with a horrified look on his face. As soon as blood began to leak down from the places where it tore into his flesh, he looked up at Henrik, not even flinching or blinking as a few trickles of blood began to run over his eyes.

He gritted his teeth in anger, and summoned his magic. “You stupid piece of shit-! I’ll fucking kill you for what you’ve done!” He spat, and went to tackle Henrik in a fit of pure rage as all the evidence he’d gathered flooded back into his mind at once.

… And yet… nothing happened. At least, not until he registered the immense pain erupting through his gut, as he felt the doctor literally force his fucking hand through the magician’s abdomen. He made a strangled, desperate gasp for air, eyes wider than the full moon during the time of year where the moon is closest to the earth. There was no weapon needed. No knife. No dagger. Nothing. He just ripped through Marvin’s liver with his bare hands.

Schneep removed his hand from his abdomen, and Marvin stumbled back once more, only to be caught by the throat. The doctor held him up, his hands wrapped tight enough around the magician’s throat to cut off his air flow. He felt his energy draining, as the doctor’s cold, emotionless glare bore into him, and as he effortlessly strangled him.

His vision slowly went black, his mind numb and body screaming at him to breathe until the very last split second before he fell unconscious.

…

….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(~17-11-16 our time)

Red. So much red. Everything hurts. I don’t know where I am. I can hear Jackie sobbing in one of the cells on the other side of the hall, but he’s too far away to see him. I tried calling out to him one time, once I was sure he would be able to respond, but all i heard was a really quiet and weak “no”... I don’t think he knew Schneep got me, too… I… should’ve stayed quiet… He probably blames himself for this now. It’s all my fault, isn’t it?

Jackie… Jackie called out to me. I don’t even know how to respond…. I yelled back to him. He started sobbing again. He… He asked if it’s really me. Of course, I had to answer…

He broke down, I can’t see him, but I know if I could, I would break, too. I don’t think I could stand to see my best friend so broken… He’s been here for years… Who knows what Schneep’s done to him… God I hate this… He’s just sobbing and saying I shouldn’t be here, I shouldn’t have to suffer like him, he should’ve been there to stop him from taking me… I kept trying to tell him he isn’t responsible to protect me from my mistakes. He won’t listen. I don’t know what to do…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

…

….

…..

Marvin woke up, and immediately froze. He was… home. In his bed. He… how..? He could have sworn he was chained up in a cell just last night…

… No, wait… last night… was another experiment… Probably the worst yet… He could swear he felt himself begin dying towards the end… Sure, he wasn’t totally unfamiliar with that feeling anymore, but… Before, it was put to an end. This time the doc decided to let him die…

He sighed heavily, and cleared his head, so he could actually process the world around him. He pushed himself up, but froze, as searing pain ripped through his body. Right. Perpetuated pain. He forgot about that, especially after the self-inflicted cigarette burns that littered his left wrist had stopped hurting a while ago. God, he hadn’t had a smoke in who knows how long… How the hell did he survive that? Eh, whatever. It didn’t matter.

Not wanting to make it any worse for any longer, he let himself fall back onto his mattress.

“Alright, Marv, yeh old fuckin’ sack’a potatoes, how th’ fuckin’ hell d’ya plan teh get ye’self outta ‘is one?” He asked himself out loud, not really caring to mask his accent like he normally did, since he was entirely alone right now, “Ay, no, that won’t work, yeh fuckin’ idiot, yeh’ll still be in pain if yeh use crutches or a wheelchair. Yeh can’ even sit up without havin’ yer nerves screamin’ at’cheh.”

He sighed shakily, and raised his hands to cup around his face in annoyance. Then, something occurred to him.

He remembered the fans all getting excited back before Hen got to him. Something about this new channel, some guy calling himself “Bro Average”, who happened to look a hell of a lot like the egos, and more specifically, Sean himself. He looked over to the nightstand, where he’d left his phone, and shakily lifted his arm, picking it up and unlocking it.

Chase.

Chase Brody was the guy’s name, and. as he thought, he was definitely an ego.

He knew what he had to do. As soon as he was healed enough to move, he would find the perfect opportunity to introduce himself to the new guy.

He was so relieved.

So happy.

He wasn’t alone anymore.

He wouldn’t have to do this all on his own anymore.

————————————————————

AH HECK, i forgot to update yesterday, sorry guys!

@antis-loyal-puppet @tiny-septic-puppet @phoenix-wint3r @chaoticcrimsonrose @septic-dr-schneep @startschantingpma @insaneangel18-blog @ihaveanunhealthyteaaddiction

-

@happygamingbubbleswithmemes @sqxxddygremlin @the-editor-is-bored @epicfangirl01 @risingroseakira @alphaqwerty7

[franklyshipping]

Secure For Sure ~ A Jacksepticeye Ego Fanfic

NEXT FIC IS BASED OFF A PROMPT BY @ticklish-little-user and an awesome imagey prompt submitted by @amazingmsme which you can find here LET US BEGINNN!

TAGGING: @anti-switch-glitch and @schneepleestien

Antisepticeye had a broad, broad grin plastered on his face. He was poised, ready for his next victim, weapon clenched in his fist as his ears picked up the footsteps getting closer. They were light steps, and were accompanied by the swishing sound, rather like a long coat. Anti smirked.....perfect. He was hidden round the corner of the hallway, nibbling his bottom lip as he heard the footsteps get closer. The footsteps, that belonged to Dr Schneeplestein. The doctor was very much in his own world as he wandered in the direction of his bedroom, his mind was very much muddled and clouded; the man was very much in need of a nap. He deserved it too. So he didn't really have his wits about him as he walked past the corner.....where Anti struck. Schneeple let out a squeal, whirling around with arms raised ready to hit out; but then he narrowed his eyes and grumbled as his eyes fell on a cackling Antisepticeye.

'You muzzafucker.....'

Schneeple trailed off with a sigh, using a hand to rub the side of his neck where a soft, fluttery feeling had made his nerves ignite. Anti was grinning as he twirled the offending tool between his fingers, and in my opinion it was pretty fantastic. It had the classic, grey hilt you'd expect of a knife, but instead of a blade.....a soft, white feather protruded. Anti tilted his head at the doctor, with a cheeky smirk in place; Anti was always more evil when he was playful.

'What's wrong doc? Did I catch ye off guard?'

The doctor felt his cheeks go a little pink when Anti snickered at him; Schneeple knew Anti only had the cheekiest, friendliest intentions, but Schneeple sadly....felt he couldn't keep up today. He exhibited an eye-roll as he replied.

'Yes you did, but unfortunately I am not in ze mood for ze unexpected. So if you'll excuse me.....'

Schneeple turned his back and resumed his journey to his room, but Anti, being the determined buggar that he is, simply followed. Schneeple pursed his lips as Anti's whines reached his ears, but he felt a little nervous shiver go down his spine when Anti spoke.

'Aww c'moooon, the tickle wasn't THAT bad was it?'

Schneeple kept walking, murmuring hurriedly as he finally stepped over the threshold to his room and shrugged his coat off. He was trying to ignore the feelings of awkwardness and sadness bubbling away within him. He was trying to dissuade Anti from staying, but it's clear that this was utterly in vain.

'It is not important.....'

Anti's demeanour had been shifting over the past few minutes. From teasy, to playful, to curious. And now there was concern starting to bubble away inside the glitch, for now he could see that all was not well with his doctor. Anti stored his tool away as he fiddled with his pockets and watched Schneeple sink down to sit at the end of his bed; Anti spoke, clearly.

'It is to you.'

Schneeple blinked a few times in surprise, and looked beside him when he felt Anti sit next to him. Schneeple was aghast to see how attentive Anti had become, his irises still and his forehead wrinkled in rapt and concentration and interest. Schneeple gulped a little.....he was still so unsure. He fiddled with his fingers in his lap.

'Vell......i-it has just been a long day, I know I vill be fine tomorr-'

'Henrik if ye lie to me about yer wellbeing one more time....ye will regret it.'

Schneeple jumped when he was cut off, and tensed when he saw the seriousness of Anti's demeanour as his eyes flicked to an intense black. Schneeple bowed his head, nibbling his bottom lip as he shut his eyes and let his mind race. There was a reason for all this. It wasn't a nice reason. And unfortunately, it's a reason that too many damn people suffer from in this world. For once in his life, Anti was patient. Watching Schneeple, watching how he was thinking, like he was thinking about what to say. Schneeple opened his eyes, bottom lip quivering a little as he spoke.

'I......d-did not vant you to make me laugh.'

Anti blinked a few times, for he was confused. Sincerely. He didn't speak though, because he knew Schneeple had more he needed to say. The truth was.....Schneeple hated his laugh, as Anti was about to find out. I feel like that sort of insecurity is just the worst. It means you just.....lose a lot of opportunity for joy. As the doctor spoke, Anti felt a pit in his stomach grow.

'I just.....hate how it sounds. So high pitched and scraping, it is.....ze vorst sound. My squeal before vos almost as bad, I am surprised you haf not vanted to tease already.....'

Anti was in genuine shock. Not once had it crossed his mind that ANY reactions of Schneeple's were bad or anything like the doctor was describing, and frankly Anti was enraged that the doctor felt that way about himself. Anti leant down so he could look at Schneeple properly, and he nudged the man's shoulder gently. Anti wasn't exactly sure what to say, he knew he wanted nothing more than to console the doctor; but he was going to have to wing it.

'Doc.....I'm gonna be honest, I'm really fuckin' confused. I've never wanted to tease ye about what yer laughin' or squealin' or what ANY of yer reactions are like! I mean, I might wanna embarrass ya.....but you don't sound horrible or nasty! If anythin', they're awesome! I mean, yer squeal earlier? That was gold! It was so loud....I'm kinda jealous.....'

Schneeple blinked a few times, letting out a little gasp as he listened to Anti. He couldn't look at him as of yet, he was just trying to process what he'd said. Schneeple knew that Anti would never put effort into lying about something like this....but could his words really be true? The doctor took a few small breaths, he had to be sure. These feeling don't just go away, but maybe.....if Anti was being true....then maybe Schneeple could start on the road to feeling better.

'You.....you really mean zis? You do not think zat....I sound....'

'Fuck no.'

Schneeple was rendered silent. Not just by the interruption itself, but because of how harsh and blunt it sounded. He looked to Anti, slightly fearfully, particularly since Anti's face was slack and his voice was cold. However.....the doctor could see warmth in his eyes; all of this, was coming from the best damn place.

'You sound.....brilliant. That's a fact fer me. And uh, if anyone were to be sayin' otherwise.....just let me know. I'll have a stab at changing their minds....'

Schneeple let out a soft sigh when Anti giggled, and the doctor couldn't help but smile. I think, when you can't stop a smile from rising up, that's a good thing. He'd also let out a little, huffed laugh through his nose; which Anti of course picked up on and smiled at whilst the doctor replied.

'Yohou are alvays so kind.'

Anti grinned at the doctor's subtle sarcasm, and at the soft sound of mirth. However, that grin soon started to morph into a mischievous smirk which did not go unnoticed by Schneeple. The doctor paled when Anti leant towards him, whispering.

'I think we can do better than that, don't you doctor?'

Schneeple's eyes widened as he realised what Anti meant.....he was naïve to think Anti would let him out of this without.....oh no. The doctor moved like startled cat, shuffling onto the bed to get away from Anti as his smile widened; it bore both nervousness, and playfulness.

'Anti don't you dare!'

Anti let out a loud cackle as he got on his hands and knees, teeth gleaming as his smirk shone out like that of a predator craving its prey. He tensed his body and cocked his head to the side, relishing in the fear and excitement dancing in the doctor's eyes.

'Oh my good doctor.....it's just too late!'

Schneeple's eyes widened as a shriek flew from his throat, since Anti had just flown at him. The doctor fought back and gripped Anti's forearms as the glitch growled and tried to knock him off balance, all the while he teased.

'Oooh feisty! You're cute when you're tryna fight back....'

Schneeple's cheeks went pink as he narrowed his eyes, embarrassedly trying to retort as he got up on his knees to try and get more leverage.

'Sh-shut ze fuck u-AH!'

Midway through his retort, Anti had managed to cut the poor doctor off and knock him onto his back due to a well aimed knee to his hip. Despite struggles, Anti had the doctor's wrists pinned above his head with a single hand in no time; Schneeple squirmed with wide eyes as he looked up at his captor.....who was grinning excitedly.

'Gotcha! Awww yer eyes are so wide.....you're not scared of little old me are ye?'

Schneeple nibbled his bottom lip as a chill went down his spine....but he defiantly shook his head as his words tumbled out.

'I-I vould n-never be scared of you!'

Anti raised an amused eyebrow at Schneeple's words, then he let out a musing hum as his free hand drew back to his waist; where something was sheathed.

'What a brave, brave doctor ye are......well if yer not scared of ME then there's no way you'd be scared of this, right?'

At 'this', Anti had moved his hand with a flourish.....and Schneeple's eyes widened when his gaze landed on a now familiar tool.

'N-No.....'

Anti chuckled at Schneeple's whimper, and he played with the hilted feather teasingly; his voice dimmed into a purr.

'Of coooourse not, why would you be scared of something so delicate? Something so soft and fluttering couldn't possibly send chills down your spine, or make you shiver at the mere thought of it.....that would just be preposterous.....'

The doctor was squirming as his lips threatened to curve into a smile, Anti's teasing giving him chills as well as warm butterflies in his tummy; Schneeple had never felt more flustered, and it spurred him to murmur.

'.....y-you're an e-evil bastard.....'

Anti froze. Schneeple froze. Anti smirked. He leant in so he was nose to nose with the doctor, and he purred....before getting to work.

'Damn right I am!'

Schneeple let out a squeal, and within seconds was tossing his head from side to side as soft fibres flicked over the shells of his ears; his high-pitched, jumping giggles made Anti smirk.

'Nahahaha! Nahahat my ehehears!!'

Anti snickered as he lazily traced Schneeple's ears, finding every little ticklish crevice he could as he cooed unsympathetically.

'Does this tickle already? Awww, what adorable giggles you've got doc! Real bubbly and cuuute!'

Schneeple's cheeks blazed red as he did everything possible to avoid looking at Anti, the embarrassment he felt was off the scale. The doctor felt like his nerves were being teased relentlessly, and Anti's words just broke him down even more. In a good way though.

'D-Dohohon't tahalk abohohout zehem lihihike zahat! Yohohou m-mehehean tehehease!'

Anti threw his head back as he cackled, Schneeple's utter embarrassment was just delicious. He decided to let the feather stroke down the sides of Schneeple's neck, which made the man's giggles more hearty. Anti took note of the doctor's grin, it was wide and the tip of his tongue was sticking out through his teeth.....it was sickeningly happy. Anti knew he was doing well.

'Ohohooohh, does it embarrass ye? Does it make ye feel all warm and blushy when I talk about how precious ye sound? Well you'll have to deal with it.....because I don't plan on stopping.'

Schneeple scrunched his shoulders as he squeaked and giggled, it was already so unbearable and he wasn't even close to hysteria. He gazed pleadingly up at Anti as he shook his head with a desperate smile; or rather, a desperately happy smile.

'Plehehehease! Ihi cahannot tahake zehe fluhuhustering!'

Anti had to fight back an extremely fond expression as he smiled down at the doctor, so he sneered and withdrew the feather briefly with a lasting flick under Schneeple's chin.

'I noticed.....the teasing really affects you doesn't it? Yer cheeks are burning!'

Schneeple turned his head away from Anti as he tried to keep quiet, though Anti merely chuckled as the man beneath him giggled residually.....but Anti wanted more.

'Mmm....now that WAS lovely an' all, I mean those giggles of yours are just precious! But unfortunately for ye, I'm not quite satisfied.'

The doctor gulped, glancing to Anti who had decided to hold his devilish tool in his mouth as he seemed to survey Schneeple; the doctor's torso was covered by a t-shirt AND jumper. Hm. After a few moments, Anti chuckled. Schneeple gasped when Anti's grip on his wrists tightened, and he stammered.

'Vh-vhat doho you m-mean vhat are yo-NO! ANTI NO D-DON'T!'

The doctor exclaimed when Anti gripped the edges of his jumper and t-shirt and roughly shucked them so Schneeple's entire upper body was exposed. The doctor squirmed and shivered, feeling more vulnerable than ever. Just when he thought it couldn't get worse, Anti bunched clothing over his face. His eyes. He wouldn't be able to see what Anti had planned for him. Said man grinned, then leant to chuckle in Schneeple's ear.

'There.....nothing to defend you now.'

Schneeple jumped at the proximity, and then nibbled his bottom lip as the room descended into silence; the anticipation was just.....torture. Anti was just relaxing, deciding to partially lie next to Schneeple; he made sure that their knees were touching. Anti just wanted to make sure that the doctor knew he was there, and that he was safe; the lack of sight made that a requirement. Deep down....the doctor felt entirely safe, but he shuddered when Anti purred.

'I'm gonna enjoy making ye laugh and beg and squeal and whimper....there's just something about tickling ye doc. Now I've started.....I can't stop.'

Schneeple squealed when he felt something soft drag from the dip of one of his sides, up his side and ribs and into his underarm before dragging itself back down again. The process was evilly repetitive and put the doctor into hysterical giggles, and the occasional cackle. Anti was probing for spots.

'Nohohoho nohoho plEHEase! Zihihis ihis u-uhunbehearable!'

From Schneeple's point of view, this statement WASN'T an exaggeration. The uncertainty of what sensation would go where, which nerves were going to be treated next, what Anti's plan was. It was all a torturous, tormenting mystery for the good doctor. For Anti though, it was quite the show. He tested Schneeple's sides, ribs, quivering tummy, soft underarms; it was ever so much fun to make the man squirm and yelp and jump. Anti sneered.

'It's just one little feather Henrik, it's only having a little fluttery wander.....I'm suuure you can cope with that....'

Well. It wasn't like Schneeple had a choice. Anti spent a good long while with his ticklish friend, because he was determined to extract every single reaction he possibly could. He was slow under Schneeple's arms, making him arch his back and shiver helplessly. Then he progressed to the man's ribs, running the length of the feather in between the bones; that was particularly effective on the doctor.

'AHANTIHI! NOHO MOHORE OHOF ZIHIHIS!'

He was just consumed by cackles, they were loud and breathy and Anti loved them.....because they were so wonderfully desperate. He kept sawing the feather absently, and had placed his head right next to Schneeple's, so his whispers and purrs and coos could be heard loud and clear.

'But this is so much fun! You're so wriggly, and you have so many ticklish spots....I could keep you like this for hours-'

'NOHOHOHO OHO GAHAD YOHOU VOHOHOULDN'T!!'

Schneeple's hidden face bore wide eyes and crimson cheeks as Anti's words made him shudder.....the mere thought of being tickled for that long.....goodness. Anti snickered as he reached the doctor's bottommost ribs, and he let the feather play as he spoke.

'Oh.....but I could. I could do anything, and you wouldn't even be able to guess what I had in store.'

Schneeple writhed about, cackling and snorting quite wildly as Anti's words reverberated in his mind. He took a few deep breaths as he felt the tool move away from his ribs, he bore a breathless grin as he stammered.

'P-Plehease.....ihit's t-too.....t-tickly....I-I-AHNOVAITNOTZHERE!!!'

Both Anti and Schneeple nearly jumped out of their skins at the doctor's raucous exclamation; and flicked his eyes to the feather, and smirked curiously when he saw the feather's tip brushing the doctor's waistline.

'What's this? Someone got a ticklish, delicate exposed waist for my feathery friend to play with?'

Anti smirked wider when Schneeple hurriedly shook his head, whimpering and begging in earnest as his words spewed like rapids.

'N-No A-Antihi please I-I am too t-ticklish zhere! I vill h-haf a heart attack! I-It ihis too bad zhere please I-I'll do anything!'

Anti.....was in shock. He'd NEVER heard such begging from the doctor before, in any scenario! He was silent for a few moments, letting the atmosphere writhe and bubble like the nerves throughout Schneeple's system. The doctor gulped and waited, all the while he was hoping for mercy. Although, Schneeple had to admit.....the feeling of that feather making him laugh was really damn good. He was soon taken from his thoughts when he felt his friend whisper.

'Anything? You'd really do.....anything?'

The doctor merely whimpered and nodded, and Anti simply grinned at Schneeple as he reared up. He tossed the feather aside as he growled.

'Then laugh like yer life depends on it!'

Schneeple's eyes widened when he felt a weight on him, then he was screeching. Screeching and thrashing as Anti's bristles rubbed against his waist and raspberry upon raspberry rippled across the diabolically sensitive skin.

'AHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA AHAHAHANTIHIHIHIHIIIIII!!! MEHEHEHERCY!!!'

Anti merely growled into the soft skin, giggling as he relished in the desperate screams and high-pitched bouts of laughter he coaxed from his friend. He'd technically granted half mercy though since he'd elected to release the doctor's wrists; Anti chuckled when he felt batting at his back.

'Never! If ye want it you'll have te fight fer it!'

Schneeple was bucking and writhing as he frantically tried to push at Anti's shoulders, but he was rather weak in the midst of his buckling hysteria. He cried out with a mad smile.

'NEHEHEHEHEHEHEIN!!! BIHIHIHIHITTEHEHEHE!!!'

Anti let out a cackle as he heard the doctor revert to his German language, and as he felt the attacks from his victim start to weaken, he decided that Schneeple had had enough.

'Alright, alright breeeathe, I'm not qualified to restart hearts I only know how to....stop 'em.'

The doctor was still in a daze, and had only just managed to force his clothing away from his face; he blinked a few times to get used to the light again. Then Schneeple looked to Anti.....and smiled.

'You.....mahay not know how toho restart ze heart, buhut you know how to strengthen it.....'

Before Anti could react, Schneeple had shuffled and wrapped his arms around him tightly. Anti felt his bottom lip tremble when he felt the doctor nestle into him, and he soon wrapped his arms round him in return. Just as tightly, But a lot more protectively. Feeling Schneeplestein's warmth and joy and trust.....made him feel warm, and joyful, and contently trusting.

WELL HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE IT. WOOP. LUV YOUS XXX

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

The Symbiote|Jackieboy Man x Reader Part 2

It’s been a while, folks. But here is the second (and final) part as promised~!!!

Part 1

“Hmm...how fascinating...” Henrik mused as he watched the Symbiote crawl inside of the glass container it was confined in. It had been for several weeks now since the day Jackie removed the creature before it could corrupt him.

Now the doctor was in charge of studying it and making sure it didn’t break out. Least to say, he was intrigued by what he had found when he studied a sample of it.

Lost in his thoughts, he jumped when the Symbiote let out a slight screech, forming a small face with white eyes and sharp teeth, before it slammed itself against the wall of the container. It was a poor effort to break free. 

“Ah! You got quite a temper, don’t you?” Henrik frowned, before he picked it up, heading over to stow it back in the incubator. “No vonder Jackie vas so snappy vith me zhat night. Vell rest assure you....Dr. Schneeple vill see to it zhat a slimy son of a bitch like you doesn’t-”

As he was talking, however, he failed to notice the equipment he forgot to put away still lying on the ground, tripping over it and dropping the container. The lid broke off, freeing the Symbiote.

And the poor doctor just so happened to fall face first into the goopy puddle in that same exact moment.

It immediately bonded to him, craving a new host and seeking to regain its strength after weeks of being weakened by heat.

With a gasp Henrik sat up, trying to tear the creature off as it began to consume his head, but his screams turned into gags as some of it entered his mouth. The taste was horrendous and it made him want to vomit, although only dry heaves came out.

"Don’t resist, Doctor..” A voice in his head suddenly hissed. “I promise..this will only be temporary. But together..we can show that pathetic hero what he lost...the potential he could have had!!”

Henrik could only choke out a sob, collapsing and curling up on the floor as the Symbiote continued its takeover. He knew exactly what it wanted to do....and there was no way for him to stop it.

He watched in horror as his hand turned dark grey with long, incredibly silver claws...

Almost as thin and long as the needle of a syringe.

Once it took over his whole body, his mind was the last thing to be consumed. All rational thought flew out the window, being replaced with an satiable craving for power....and revenge.

The last cry for help Henrik could manage was a scream, which soon became melded into a vicious roar that shook the entire house. .........

“Whew..all in a day’s work,” Jack sighed as he finished recording his second video for the day.

But as he took off his headphones, that’s when he heard some kind of faint inhuman scream...or roar. “What the fuck..??” He checked his computer, wondering if it was a noise from the horror game he was playing. However he already closed out of it.

‘So it’s not the game..weird. But..why did it sound a lot like the Doc-?’

His face paled in realization, and he wasted no time in rushing to the clinic room, only to bump into you and Jackie in the hallway.

“You heard it, too?” You asked.

“Yeah,” the YouTuber nodded, before looking at his heroic ego who was already suited up. “Let’s go.”

The three of you ventured to the clinic, and upon opening the door you were greeted with a sight that looked like it came straight from a horror movie:

The light fixtures were shattered and blinking rapidly, all sorts of equipment was heavily damaged, and from floor to ceiling....the room was covered in goopy, black and dark grey Symbiote tendrils.

And curled up, facing the corner, wearing a white coat and light blue cap, was none other than the doctor.

“H-Henrik?”

The figure tensed upon hearing your voice, but he whimpered softly and lowered his head, refusing to look at you.

“[Y/n] wha...what are you doing??” Jack began, shocked as he saw you walking towards him, avoiding the tendrils and webs the best you could. Jackie didn’t move either, as he was too stunned by the surroundings.

You then crouched down behind Henrik, setting a gentle hand on his shoulder. He quickly looked back at you, his large triangular eyes widening. Now you could see he had on his surgical mask, too.

“It’s okay,” you comforted. “I know you’re scared. But we’re gonna help you.”

He lowered his mask, revealing his razor sharp teeth, before the Symbiote retracted just enough to reveal his terrified face to you. “N-No..” He shook his head. “Just...stay avay from me! You h-have to go!! Zh-Zhe Symbiote’s going to-”

“We’re not leaving you.” You glanced over your shoulder. “Jack, go get Marv-”

Hearing a gasp, you looked back to see Henrik’s eyes widening in horror upon noticing Jackie. Then he gave you one last look of terror, choking out a raspy “run”, before the Symbiote re-consumed him, a wicked grin now on his face.

“JACKIEBOY!!!”

Without warning he shoved you aside, springing to his feet before he lunged at the hero, tackling him to the ground. With a furious shout, he gritted his teeth, using all his strength to shove the heavy creature off of him.

“Let him go you bastard!!” He barked, standing back up with his fists clenched, eyes glowing in rage.

“Vhy did you reject our gift?” Henrik responded, cocking his head to the side. “Ve saw zhe joy in your eyes, Jackie....you vanted zhe power, zhe strength....and zhen the mere vords of your stupid friend are all it took to throw us aside!” He glowered at you, seeing that you and Jack were running for the door.

“Ah, ah, ah~” Firing a web, he managed to coat the entire door as it hardened instantly, preventing you from escaping. “Zhis time ve von’t let zhat petty magician interfere~”

Jackie scowled darkly at him. “Don’t you dare hurt them..”

“Oh, don’t worry. Our fight is not vith zhem....zhey vill simply be spectators....who vill be zhe first to vitness your downfall~! So vhy not let zhem stay and enjoy zhe show~?”

The hero merely scoffed at his words. “Wow..you need some Antidepressants there, bud?”

For a moment, Henrik tensed, recollection flashing in his eyes. But he then shook his head and let out a loud screech, his long tongue flicking out and saliva dripping from his maw.

“Heh,” Jackie mused, smirking as he stood his ground, making sure you and Jack were behind him. “You guys work on getting that door. Meanwhile...I’ll be here fighting my own personal Venom~”

..........

“How disappointing..ve vere expecting more of a challenge..” 

Henrik stared down at the hero slumped in the corner of the room, torn pieces of his suit and small puddles of blood surrounding him.

His breaths were slow and ragged, each one making him cough slightly, adding more red droplets to the puddles. A hand was also pressed to his side, trying but failing to stop the wound on his torso from bleeding.

“Th-This....i-i-isn’t..over yet...” Jackie rasped. “...I..can still-”

“Vhat?” The hybrid mocked, crouching down and grabbing hold of his hood and hair, raising his head up to he could see his torn mask, bruises, scratches, and split lip. He giggled, lightly dragging a syringe claw across his cheek. 

“You’ve lost, Jackieboy. You’ve now fully realized zhat you could have been in my place....all your enemies could’ve been zhe ones slumped over in defeat. But....”

He let go of him, standing up. “..I know I can’t actually kill you.” His gaze shifted to Jack’s, as you and him were standing by the door, trying to scrape and tear apart the webbing. “But zhere is someone ve still hold a grudge against~”

Then he shot out a tendril, which wrapped around your arm and yanked you towards the creature. Jack tried to reach after you, but it was too late. You were slammed into the creature’s body and you panicked, trying to get free.....only to freeze as he then put you in a headlock.

Jackie looked up, horrified. “N-No....NO!! LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!!” He screamed as loud as he could.

In his panic and fury, his eyes glowed and a tiny flame appeared in his hand. He threw it, intending to hit Henrik directly, although instead it set ablaze a few papers nearby.

However, just as he was trying to create another one, he heard a horrific, raspy cry. Looking up, he gasped as Henrik let go of you, staggering backwards. The Symbiote itself began to detach, trying to get its host away from the growing fire.

You quickly ran back to Jackie, crouching down beside him. “It’s weak to heat!” You whispered. “Try to make another one!”

Nodding, Jackie focused what little energy he had left into making another fireball that was bigger. He then chucked it at a few more papers strewn everywhere, effectively trapping Henrik in a ring of fire.

At that point, you could see the doctor’s face as he screamed, trying to tear the alien parasite off and break the bond.

You and Jack helped the hero stand up, letting him go as he limped over to the flailing creature. The fire cleared, allowing him to enter the ring before he reached out and grabbed his fellow ego’s shoulders.

Seeing that he would need help, you and Jack rushed forth to assist him in tearing Henrik away from the Symbiote.

And after much struggling......you finally succeeded separating the two as you stumbled backwards. The doctor was breathing shakily, his eyes lazy, but he was alive.

“We did it.” You smiled, joy swelling in your heart as you set him down in the corner of the room.

“[Y/n]...?” He mumbled, rubbing his head before he looked at you.

“Welcome back, buddy.” Jack knelt down on the other side, patting his shoulder gently. “How you feeling?”

“....very..shaken up but...other zhen that I’m..fine,” he smiled. “But vhat about....?”

However, all of your faces paled as you looked over to see Jackie passed out on the floor. The fire was completely gone, and the now massive, unmanned Symbiote towered over him, letting out several, horrific screeches.

Its wicked, sharp-toothed grin stretched into a smile as it gazed down at the unconscious hero, intending to reconsume him.

Then, out of nowhere, several small flames flew past you, striking the alien directly in its eyes, causing it to wail in pain and shrink back.

Looking over, you three saw none other than Chase and Marvin standing in the now open doorway. The father had a simple Nerf gun, which he fired once more, revealing that his foam bullets were infused with fire magic.

Upon striking the now blind Symbiote, it shrieked and began to shrink even further..until it was backed into the corner of the room as a medium-sized blob. Marvin then rushed in and began to speak an incantation.

It lunged at him, although it soon found itself trapped in a bubble, unable to escape.

“Sorry, pal,” the magician said. “But it’s lights out for you.” With the snap of his fingers, the whole interior of the bubble burst into flames, consuming the screeching and flailing creature until it gave one, final weak cry.

Once it died down, the flames and bubble dispersed, and all of you could see that there was absolutely no trace left of the Symbiote.

Finally, it was gone for good.

“Awh hell yeah that was awesome!! WOOO~!!” Chase cheered, jumping up and down like an excited kid, although he immediately stopped upon seeing the still unconscious hero on the floor.

You all wasted no time in helping him up while Marvin used a time spell to reverse all of the damage that was done to the clinic, allowing it to be hospitable again.

Jackie was set on the bed, and you assisted Henrik in setting up the equipment and IVs to get him stabilized. ..........

Several hours of surgery and a week of recovery later, Jackie was back on his feet and was out and about fighting crime once again.

You all made sure Henrik got plenty of rest after stitching up his wounds. For a few days Marvin had him meditate with him. He also tapped into his subconscious just to ensure that the Symbiote’s influence was no longer in his mind, and, thankfully, all of it was gone.

But even so the doctor still felt guilty about what happened to the point of tears, so it took you a lot of time and constant reassurances that what the creature did to Jackie was not his fault in anyway for him to stop beating himself up.

One thing was for certain, though.

The next time some weird alien species came crawling into the Septic household....

Marvin ought to be the one to contain and study it.

[dnpstardust]

Blood On His Hands Part 1 - Ze Doctah is in

Author’s note: This is my very first gory antisepticeye fanfic, so I hope I did alright! 

EXTREME WARNING: This chapter gets dark very fast, it includes torture scenes, lot’s of blood, and vomiting.

Enjoy this chapter! 

Thanks to @thedarkenedkeeper for hr help! 

This was his fault.

This was all his fault, he brought that glitch to life and now he was getting out of control. He couldn’t stop him, which is how he ended up bloody and dirty chained to the wall of this cold concerte cell. Stained lights lined the top of the hole he was stuck in and a small almost broken TV sat in the very corner of the room, facing him. His clothes  were torn and his shoes were missing, tears streaked down his grimy face. He didn’t know where he was or what day it was, he didn’t even know if anybody knew where he was.

“Well, well, what do we have here? I have to say Jackie, I’m a little disappointed. You, our creator, reduced to nothing.” Anti mocked as he knelt down in front of the weakened Irishman, a smile crossing the glitch’s face. He stared up at his alter ego but never showed any emotion; he wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.

“Go...to hell…” He spoke, his voice raspy for illuse and he suddenly felt a rough hand grab him by the neck, slamming his head against the wall behind him. Dark spots danced in his vision and he felt something wet trickle down his neck.

“You should show me a little more respect. I can kill you right now if I wanted and no one would even know.” Anti hissed in his ear and he only scoffed, the hand around his neck growing tighter.

“Then do it. All you are i-is...talk, you haven’t done anything. I’m not afraid of you.” Anti threw him back down as he gasped and coughed for breath. The demon stood above him, twirling his favorite knife around in his hands.

“Oh, Jackie, Jackie. You may not be afraid of me but I do know what you are afraid of, losing your precious and naive loved ones. And I know exactly who to start with.” Anti smiled before disappearing leaving the quivering man alone with his thoughts.

“N-No, Anti!” Jack yelled, slamming his fists down on the floor, “Dammit!” He only failed everyone.

__________________________________ Henrik walked down the quiet and still hallway, charts in hand as he surveyed today’s patients. He always left late being the head physician and all. He passed his partner’s office and noticed the light still on. He gently pushed it open to see a small woman typing away at her computer, her hair a bit unkempt and her clothes a little rumpled but that wasn’t unusual to see towards the end of a long work day.

“Sara, vorking late are we?” He asked, leaning against the doorframe. She turned toward him and smiled. She had such a bright personality, it always helped him when he was feeling stressed. “Good evening Doctor! I’m only finishing up with a small report, I’ll be done soon. What about you? You always seem to be here so late.” Henrik smiled and scoffed.

“Vell someone has to run this hospital, right?” He asked with a small wink before walking back down the hall. “Please leave soon; I don’t vant you overworking yourself!” He yelled back, flipping through the charts one last time before heading to his office. He turned the light on and instantly dropped all the papers in his hands sending them flying across the floor. There sitting smug in his office chair was the one person he did not expect to see.

“Y-You...Vhat are you doing here?!” He asked, to scared to move, he knew what this creature was capable of. “Hello doc.” Anti spoke, slowly standing making his way over, a sinister smile plastered on his face. “What, no welcome hug?”

“V-Vhat do you want?!” He screamed, terror filling his voice. He felt himself moving backwards once again into the brightly lit hallway, hitting the wall behind him.

“Oh, I think we both know what I want.” Anti scoffed, brandishing his favorite knife and flashing it front of the doctor. “N-No, please...you can’t!” His shrill scream filled the hall. He felt cold metal against his pale skin as the demon grabbed him by the hair. He heard a door to his right slam open and loud footsteps echoed in the hall.

“Doctor?” Sara’s small voice sounded so confused, he quickly looked over at her. Crap, he forgot she was still here!

“S-Sara, you have to leave! Now!” He ordered, but she only stood there looking between them.

“W-What’s going on?” She asked and he felt the hand on his head loosen as Anti made his way over to her.

“Oh, what do we have here? A lost mouse?” He smirked. “Well looks like this little mouse fell into a trap. This should be fun.” “Don’t you fucking dare, Anti! Run, Sara! Dammit!” He yelled, grabbing the glitch’s wrist, trying to make him drop the knife. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sara run down the hall and toward the exit.

“You really think you can stop me?” Anti didn’t seem all that fazed and with little effort, snatched his wrist away. Before Henrik could stop him, Anti disappeared only to glitch back in front of Sara, instantly grabbing her by the neck and lifting her off of the ground. He watched in absolute horror as his dearest and closest friend was slammed back down. He heard the distinct snap of bones, the bone-chilling scream, and then she was still.

“Ah, she died already, what a shame.” Anti simply kicked her aside and turned back to the doctor. “Now, where were we?” Anti’s eyes flashed black as he made his way back down the corridor, the knife in his hand flashing under the lights.

“S-Stay back!” Henrik stumbled back, almost falling over his own feet and scrambled down a different hallway, his stethoscope beating down heavily against his chest. Only half of the lights in the hospital were turned on, mainly the ones near his office and he slid down one of the darkened halls, making his way for the lit up exit sign at the end. He heard distinctive laughter behind him and knew that bastard was catching up.

“Just give up, Doc. You can’t hide.” Anti’s voice echoed in the empty building, getting closer and closer. Henrik reached the door and swung it open only to be pulled back as Anti grabbed him by the hair, throwing him to the ground. “You really thought you could outrun me? You’re more idiotic than I thought.” “V-Vhat are you going to do vith me?” He swallowed down the fear and stared up at the demon.

“Oh, let’s just say you’re going to just die for what I have planned.” Anti chuckled before raising the end of his knife, striking Henrik across the side of his head, leaving him unconscious.

________

When Henrik came to, he was met with blinding light above him, and as he tried to block the pain it was causing, he noticed his arms wouldn’t move. He quickly looked down at his body and saw that he was strapped down to an operating table, his shirt  cut open revealing his pale chest. As he struggled against his restraints he felt a rough hand push his head back down against the bed.

“Now, now Doc, I’d get comfortable if I were you. You are in for a very rough night.” Anti sneered in his ear before making his way around to where a small table stood, various instruments lay upon it and Henrik looked rather terrified.

“No, no, p-please!” Henrik shrieked. Right now he didn’t care who saw him, he didn’t want to die like this. “P-Please don’t do this…” Tears now streamed down his face. He knew pleading with a demon was pointless but he had to try.

“Shh, it’s all going to be just fine.” Anti picked up a surgical mask, slipping it easily over his face. He selected a small saw they used to cut open chest cavities and leaned over Henrik. “Don’t worry, this is only going to hurt a lot.” He placed the blade against the doctor’s chest before turning it on, blood spurting out and staining his pale skin. His shrill scream filled the small room. He felt like his mind would break from how much pain this was causing him.

“S-Stop…p-please…..” Henrik pleaded between painful gasps. Anti simply chuckled but never took his hand away, only digging the blade in deeper A childlike gleam beamed in his eye, as if he was opening a present on Christmas. Henrik swallowed a lump in his throat and lifted his head, regretting even thinking of the idea as he saw his flesh tear apart with the whir of the now stained blade.

“You know, Doc, I’ve never done this on anyone before but I think I’m doing pretty well, don’t you think?” Anti questioned, a sinister smile stretching across his face. “Don’t worry, it’ll only get worse.” Henrik suddenly threw his head back in a bloodcurdling scream as the saw cut right into bone. The searing pain was too much to handle. ____ Jack watched in absolute fear from his cold and lonely cell as his close friend withered in agonizing pain. He watched the blood stained blade cut deeper and deeper into flesh, blood, and muscle. Anti made sure to smile smugly at the camera every once in a while.

“N-No….please….” He knew no one could hear him but he found himself talking aloud in fear. He felt his stomach lurch and bile rise in his throat. He didn’t know what he would throw up, he barely had anything to eat. His body didn’t think so though and still tried expelling what little he ate, he fell to his hands and knees; clear liquid pouring out of his mouth and onto the ground. His head fell to the floor and he sobbed into the cold ground, Henrik was going to die all because of him. A wet and painful cough caught his attention and his head shot up only to see that bastard holding Henrik’s heart in his hand.

“Like what you see. Jackie?” Anti inquired, giggling like a mad man. “This is all your fault. Remember I didn’t kill him, you did.” He put up one blood stained finger to his lips and Jack caught the cold dead stare of Henrik before the screen went black.

“NO!”

[kazoosarentsatanic]

This Shot's Called, You're Better Off Without Me [Septicegos]

⚠️TW SUICIDE⚠️

Henrik scribbled the finishing touches to the medical reports, quickly glossing over it and making sure there were no mistakes. His boss had a three strikes you’re out way of life, and the doctor had been on strike two. Everything looked to be in order, including the parts he usually had the most trouble with. He folded the pages over, shutting the report and sighing.

“Vat a day,” he rubbed his eyes, leaning forward. Usually he would point out when people slouched and advise them not too, but right now, he didn’t really care. He was too tired to think about the structure of his spine right now.

He had sent a body to the funeral home today. The victim of the worst sort of death. Murdered by a once loved one. It was hard for him, he couldn’t possibly understand how someone could do that. Kill a person you once confided in. It made Henrik even more tired thinking about it.

His callused finger tugged his mask off, slowly leaning his head against the arm of the couch and extending his legs out. Ah, sleep. Finally.

**

“FUCK,” Henrik was jolted out of his slumber by the loud scream and the shatter of a bottle. He bolted up, flying through that hall and into the room the sound had come from. It was Jackie.

“Vat iz going on?,” the good doctor asked, examining the superheroes distressed face. There were tears running down it. “Vhy are you in Brody'z room?”

“He’s gone, Shneep,” he cried, staring at the broken pieces of glass. “He was drinkin’ and now he’s fuckin’ gone!”

“Who iz gone? You are confuzing me,” Henrik said, but he knew. He knew what happened. He knew who was gone and he knew what gone meant.

“Chase is gone,” Jackie mumbled, turning a CD in his hands, the words, /Goodbye Song/ scribbled on it in thick sharpie. “He left this,” the superhero explained, setting it on the stained carpet. His eyes glowed a dark blue before he got up and drifted out of the room. Henrik watched him go.

The CD was cold, it matched the temperature of the doctors hands. He watched the DVD player eject and he set it in. It whirred into action, and he watched.

“Hi there. You’re probably wondering,” Chase giggled,“ You’re probably wondering what this is and…and why I’ve left it.”

He lifted a bottle, clinking it with the air in a toast and taking a long drink. “Well, uhm, I’m not really sure what this is either,” he explained. “I suppose we’ll just see how it turns out.”

“Let’s start this off by saying, uhm, this isn’t your fault,” Chase stuttered, continuing to chuckle uncomfortably. “I don’t want any of you to think that because that’s not my intention. I promise that. And, I-… I know you’re going to hate me for this. If any of you actually loved me, you won’t after this. But I think I’m in many peoples lists of hatreds, so I figure I’ve got nothing to lose. ”

He took another drink, rubbing his eyes with his other hand. “So here’s my last message to all the people I truly loved. ”

“Anti, you’ve got a long life ahead of ya’. Stop wasting it on people that don’t like you. Live your life with the people that treat you kindly, not the people online you’re so obsessed over. ”

“Jackie, ask Marvin out for gods sake. You two are perfect for each other, and I don’t want you to feel lonely any more. I don’t want you to feel why I’ve felt. Keep being a superhero bud. You really are on your way to the top.”

“Marvin, you magical bastard. I’m so proud of you. You’ve made it so far and you’ve still got much farther to go. You’re doing so good, so keep on going. And do me a favor, that trick with the doves. Do that at my wake. ”

“Stacy, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I cost you your dignity and everything you were proud of. I’m so sorry, Stacy. I love you. And kids, I live you so much, don’t think for one second that I don’t. I’ve wanted to see you for so long and so bad but, I’ll be waiting for you up there. It’s gonna be alright kids. I love you.”

“Henrik. Oh, Henrik.”

The doctor sighed.

“You’ve always been there for me. Helped me through thick and thin, through the hardest and stupidest shit I’ve ever gone through. Thank you. You’ve got such a long, good career ahead of you, and by that I don’t mean a Doctor. Pursue that painting shit, man. Love yourself. I’ve learned that that’s a key thing you’ve got to have in your life. I love you man, more than you know.”

“I rigged this with one of Marvins spells so it’ll show up at the house when it’s over. So I guess this is goodbye. I love you all so much. So much. I’m sorry I wasn’t good enough for you. You're all better off without me."

He lifted his hand, and the last few seconds of the video were a bang, a thud, and a drip.

And he understood. He understood how a person could kill someone they had once loved so easily. It wasn’t a matter of why they did it. It was that no one stopped them. No one helped them, and no one have them the love the deserved. Then when everyone realized they needed love. They were gone.

|| @magic-marvin-protection-patrol @chase-brody-protection-squad @spookyreesescup @ju5tacr3at0r ||

[breakingsomething]

third year

basic summary: chase hates his birthday, but maybe someone can help him change that.

trigger warnings: mentions of past suicide attempts

"good morning, bastard."

chase groans, pausing before yanking his blankets off his head. he rolls over his bed to see henrik standing at his door, looking amused. "the fuck do you want?" he mumbles, already feeling the morning chill on his bare arms.

henrik smiles softly. "happy birthday."

oh. it's his birthday, isn't it.

two years since he made his attempt. a year since he was wrongly arrested for kidnapping. a year since his kids went missing.

"shit," he says. then he pulls his blankets back over his head.

there's a moment of silence. "come on, bruder, get up. we have a surprise for you today."

"i'm sure you fucking do," chase mutters from beneath his covers. his eyes still burn from crying so much last night. he can't even remember what he was crying about, really. "is it worth getting up for?"

"it is," henrik says. chase listens to the door squeaking as henrik holds it open, waiting for a response. when chase doesn't give one, he sighs. "get up when you're ready, ok? don't spend all day doing the sulks. you will not feel better that way, i promise."

chase doesn't move as the door closes. he waits a minute before looking up to see henrik is, in fact, gone.

good. he didn't want him to stay anyway.

he thinks he goes back to sleep. when he wakes again, the room is considerably brighter, and he wonders if he should bother getting up. but he's extremely hungry - if he's remembering right, he hasn't eaten since yesterday morning - so after a few moments of psyching himself up, he pushes himself into a sitting position and swings his legs off the bed. even that simple motion is enough to make his head pound. he really wished he hadn't cried so much last night. too lazy to go to his drawers and grab a pair of socks, he patters from the room barefoot, wincing at the cold floor beneath his feet.

the house is very, very quiet. chase checks each room on his way downstairs, and eventually realises that everyone must be out. "i take it you're all planning a surprise party for me, huh?" he says aloud. of course, there's no response. chase chuckles silently, before setting about making toast. the clock on the wall tells him it's half twelve. damn, he really did sleep in. the silence is unnerving him - he really hopes anti isn't involved in this somehow.

after he's eaten, he goes to take a shower. he figures that while he's awake, maybe he'll go for a walk, get some fresh air to maybe help get rid of this headache. his hands brush over his bullet scar on the side of his head, and he winces. it doesn't hurt, but the memories of what he was doing two years ago today certainly do.

once he's dried his hair, he pulls a cap and beanie over his head and tries not to think about it.

he locks the door and sets out, walking aimlessly away from the house. he wanders through the city, listening to the sounds and watching the people go by. he's suddenly very aware of how all the other people he's seeing have real lives, and that he's not the only one with problems - there's probably someone here who has it even worse than him. the thought makes him feel odd, so he tries to focus on other things instead, like shop windows and passing conversations. a few people catch him looking and he quickly glances away as he goes by, keeping his eyes to the floor.

he stops for lunch around two. the man who serves him in gregg's smiles and comments on how good chase's hair looks, and his face burns. he fumbles with his change as he pays and races out as quickly as he can. marvin would be ashamed of him.

he walks along the shorefront and eats his sausage roll. he should probably think about going home - he's sure his brothers are wondering where he is - but he really doesn't want to think about it being his birthday.

technically speaking, this isn't even his real birthday. just the one jack assigned him; he'd rather celebrate his birthday now anyway, given that all his brothers birthdays are so close together. well. he'd really rather not celebrate his birthday at all, to be honest.

is that why he's not going home? is that why he's alone, waving off seagulls from his cheap lunch instead of with his brothers, eating cake and playing mario kart?

it's getting cold. he's not wearing a jacket, just a thin pink hoodie, and he can feel goosebumps appearing on his arms. he decides he might as well go home and get this all over with, if only so that the goddamn seagulls leave him alone.

he tosses the rest of his sausage roll to the floor and watches the birds go wild over it. probably a dumb idea, but whatever. he starts off in the direction of home, still feeling completely miserable.

there's still no one there when he gets home.

chase peeks cautiously around each doorway, fear bubbling in his chest. "hello?" he called nervously. "hen? jackie? marv?"

the floorboards creak under his footsteps. there's no response.

chase hugs himself tightly and sits down on the couch, trembling slightly. please don't let him have gotten them. please, please, don't let him have gotten them.

he only waits for half an hour before he hears keys in the lock.

immediately he springs to his feet, racing to the kitchen and pulling out the largest kitchen knife he can find. if that glitch has taken his brothers, if he's coming to kill him, he's not gonna make it easy.

"hey, chase! sorry we were gone so long, we got sidetracked and - woah, woah, dude! put that thing down, it's just us!"

chase just stares at the man in the doorway. reddish hair, round glasses over dark blue eyes - he looks like jackie, but what if he's not? what if he's - what if -

jackie takes his hand and gently uncurls his fingers from the knife handle. chase can see henrik and marvin in the background, clutching a big box covered with a blanket between them, looking shocked. he's breathing very quickly. jackie takes the blade and puts it back into its drawer, slowly turning back to chase so as not to startle him.

"hey man, it's just us, ok?" jackie says, hands up. chase stares at his feet, trembling.

"thought you were - thought you were him," he mumbles, embarrassed. "you were all gone, no note or anything, i got scared."

"we left a note!" henrik says. he pushes the box into marvin's hands and comes to stand beside his brother. "didn't we? marvin, you left a note, right?"

"uh," marvin says. he struggles with the box in his hands. "i, uh, may have forgotten?"

henrik rolls his eyes. "we're sorry, chase. you were asleep and we didn't want to wake you."

chase was fixated on marvin."what's in the box?"

marvin grins, and sets the box down on the kitchen table. "ah, but take a look!" he announces in his best performer's voice. he leaps on top of a chair and spreads his hands out. "step right up, and admire the beauty, the majesty, the magnificence of -"

he lifts his arms, blue sparks trailing from his fingertips as he uses his magic to levitate the blanket from the box. he's gotten a lot better at controlling his magic again since his return, and he's absolutely showing it off. jackie and henrik both grab chase's hands as the blanket moves to reveal -

it's a black cat carrier. chase just stares at it, open mouthed, until he hears a small mewling from inside.

he claps his hands over his mouth and feels his eyes well up with tears.

"go see her!" jackie says, unable to contain himself any longer.

"yes, please do, i can't hold up this blanket all day," marvin laughs. he snatches the blanket from the air and looks down at chase, who's covered his face with his hands and is sobbing quietly.

"hey, hey!" henrik soothes, patting his arm gently. "what's wrong?"

chase wipes his face, giggling. "you guys!" he beamed, scrubbing away his tears. "did you really -"

"come see!" marvin says, and steps down from his chair to open the door of the carrier. "chase, come here and let her see you!"

chase peeks inside the carrier and sees a pair of bright blue eyes staring back at him. his breath catches, and he lets out a gasp. the kitten mewls again, taking a cautious step towards chase.

"we've been keeping her secret for weeks!" jackie grins, coming up behind chase. "she's from the shelter on the high street, she's six months old, her previous family couldn't care for her or her siblings so we decided to take her!"

"she's already been - what is the word? we had the spaying done for her." henrik explains. "we were going to take her home last week, but we decided to wait." he clicks his tongue, trying to get the kitten to come forward. she does so, hesitantly padding half out of the carrier onto the table. she cowers back slightly at all the people around her, and jackie, henrik and marvin step back to give chase and the kitten a bit of space.

chase removes a hand from his mouth and slowly, carefully, stretches it out for the kitten to sniff. she looks at him, then fully leaves her carrier and smells chase's hand. he admires her, a huge smile spreading across his face as she purrs quietly. her fur is fully black, and she's very small, her tail swishing around and batting chase's hand. he laughs, feeling more tears fall from his eyes.

"do you have any name ideas?" marvin asks.

chase nods. "jaffa cake."

jackie and marvin immediately burst into peals of laughter, while henrik just looks confused. "what - why jaffa cake?" he asked. "i mean, it is of course your choice, but -"

"jaffa cake." chase says firmly, and he grins widely. he gently strokes the kitten's head, and she allows it, purring softly. "i love her so, so much, guys, thank you so much! i - i don't even know what to say!"

jackie rushes forwards and throws his arms around chase, much to his surprise. "happy, happy, happy birthday!" he cheers.

marvin comes round to his side and ruffles his hair underneath his hats. "happy birthday, asshole." he chuckles.

henrik smiles awkwardly at the ground for a second before pulling chase into a huge hug. "ich liebe dich, chase brody," he beams, burying his face in his brother's shoulder.

and chase just breathes, trying not to cry any more as he swells with love, only held up by the three sets of arms wrapped around him. he sniffles, closing his eyes. "i love you guys so fucking much!" he sobs, and the four of them fall into a heap on the floor, giggling and holding on to each other like they were all that was keeping each other afloat.

[breakingsomething]

the fall part thirteen - the storm (part two)

basic summary: the storm continues. anti's still a bitch. henrik works through some stuff.

trigger warnings: seizure, suicidal ideation

tagslist: @synonymsforzombie @spicydanhowell @skyewardlight @dreaming-of-stories-and-stars @cest-mellow @graveyardlettuce @lower-your-expectationss

half an hour after the blackout

anti was still on the floor.

marvin hadn't been able to move him. he'd gotten his wet hoodie off, leaving him in a plain black shirt, but he'd refused to change into the new clothes chase had brought him. he hadn't even spoken since his original outburst, instead opting to press himself against the cupboards and lash out numbly whenever marvin tried to get near. "come on, you fucking cunt, you wanted me to let you inside," marvin sighed, exasperated. "the least you can do is cooperate."

anti shook his head wildly, eyes black and wide, lips slightly parted. marvin could hear his breathing, loud and raspy. "hey," he said softly. "anti. this fucking sucks for all of us, k? but you're gonna get even more sick if you don't get changed out of those wet clothes and that'll be miserable for all of us."

"still being a bitch?" chase asked, walking into the kitchen with a bundle in hand. he sat down cross legged next to marvin, tossing a towel onto anti's lap. "here. take. use. and also -" he unfolded a blanket and tossed that at anti too. he didn't catch it, just stared straight ahead, twitching slightly. chase frowned. "jeez, did being in the rain for an hour do this to him?"

"dunno," marvin murmured. truth was, he thought it was definitely more than that. he reached out and shook anti's shoulder gently, causing him to flinch even within his mostly unresponsive state. "an-ti. come on, man. fuck, what am i supposed to do - anti!"

anti shook his head again. he opened his mouth, making a strangled sound in his throat, then promptly began coughing again, clutching at his neck frantically. he made a deliberate sign that marvin didn't recognize, slicing his left hand up and round his shoulders.

"i - i don't know that one, anti," marvin said helplessly. anti gave up, sinking down and coughing again. marvin nudged the blanket and towel closer to him. "here. dry yourself. i'm gonna get you water, hang on."

he did as he'd said and handed the glass to anti, making sure to partially keep ahold of it as he remembered anti dropping his cup at the hospital. while he did that, chase tugged marvin's phone out of his jeans pocket, sliding it over to anti. "here. you need electricity, right? drain marvin's phone if you need to."

"hey," marvin protested. "at least use your own if you want to sacrifice, dickwad."

chase shrugged. "he's your friend. besides, i'm texting lucas."

marvin blinked as he took that in, then nodded. "ah, yeah, fair. lucas is… a pretty cool guy." fuck, how was he going to bring up the fact that he knew chase liked him? marvin was very bad at this.

"he is, yeah," chase murmured. he was on his own phone, texting as anti clutched marvin's in his hands. "we might go to costa this weekend if this storm blows over by then."

"oh," marvin said. "as a - as a date, right?"

wow. way to be subtle. marvin mentally kicked himself as chase spluttered, face going visibly red even in the darkness. "i - what - no! dude, i'm straight. stacy, remember? i had a wife, marvin."

"bisexuality is a thing," marvin argued. "i'm bi. jackie's - i know lots of people who are bi. you could be bi."

"i'm not - marvin, give it a rest!" even as chase turned away from him, marvin could hear the anger in his voice. "i'm not bi, so lay off it. fuck's sake."

a hot vat of guilt swirled in marvin's chest. he hadn't meant to upset him. "sorry," he said, voice small. "i just thought - i'm sorry."

chase snorted. "well, your thought was wrong." then he hesitated, still turned to face the wall instead of marvin. "why did you - think i liked him?"

marvin hesitated, wondering how much to say. eventually he decided to go easy. he didn't want to pressure chase into talking about anything he didn't want to talk about. "i don't know. i guess i just thought you looked sweet together."

chase rolled his eyes and mimed gagging. "ew, boy cooties!" he said in a childish voice, and the two of them giggled.

anti suddenly groaned loudly. when they turned to him, they could see him rolling his eyes clearly. "hey there, glitch bastard. have you recovered from your angst coma?"

anti snorted. he sat up properly, wincing as he pressed his right hand to the floor without thinking. "fine," he signed, yet again. he picked up the towel from the floor and buried his face in it on his knees. marvin and chase exchanged glances.

"well, here's some clothes for you to change into," chase said uncertainly. he nudged the clothes over towards him. "i'm gonna go - do… something else. that's not here. bye."

wait! came a voice. marvin and chase yelped with shock. the voice was flat and electronic, and also sounded australian, for some reason. it seemed to be coming from chase's phone, which anti was resting his hand on. where's my scarf?

"you can talk using a phone?" chase asked, amazed. "why didn't you do that before?"

anti sighed through his nose. because it takes a hell of a lot of energy. i can barely sign and just wanted to get your attention.

he started coughing wildly into his arm again, and chase's phone screen darkened. chase raised an eyebrow at marvin, who shrugged and looked back at anti. "your scarf is being washed, with your hoodie. we can wash the rest of your clothes too, i guess, if you go to the bathroom and get fucking changed. and for a shower too if you want. actually, i don't know where you've been staying, but i'm gonna say it. you stink. go do that or i swear we'll kick you out again."

they helped anti stand shakily, swaying on his feet. once he was up, he pushed the other two off, leaning against the kitchen counter. "did i die and go to hell?" he signed. "i hate this."

"we hate it too, don't worry," marvin said, not so gently pushing anti towards the kitchen door. "i'll walk you there to make sure you don't do anything. now go."

and he did. one step done. fantastic.

-

forty five minutes after the blackout

there was a knock on henrik's door.

"it's me," chase's voice said loudly. henrik groaned and pulled his covers further over his head. "can i come in?"

"please don't," henrik said in a small, wobbling voice. he scrubbed at his face, turning to bury himself in his pillows.

there was a brief moment of silence. "ok, i feel like i should come in anyway, cause you sound really upset and you always tell me you don't like to leave me alone when i'm upset, so i'm coming in. just a warning."

henrik didn't even have the energy to protest. he kept his face covered with his blankets like a child as the door creaked open and chase padded inside, clicking the door shut behind him. henrik held his breath, barely moving at all. the quiet was deafening.

a hand appeared on top of his blankets. it waved before pulling the covers away from henrik's face, slowly enough that he could stop him if he wanted. chase's face popped up, grinning. "hello down there," he said cheerfully. henrik flushed and turned away, embarrassed.

chase walked round to the other side of his bed and climbed on, much to henrik's dismay. "hey," he said, quieter and much more serious sounding. he pushed himself under the covers with henrik, rolling over and smiling softly at him. then his smile faded slightly. "you've been crying."

henrik huffed, covering his face again with a pillow. "well spotted, genius."

chase breathed out through his nose, probably thinking about what to say next. "anti's in the bathroom getting changed or something," he murmured. "marvin's dealing with him cause i bailed. can't be bothered with that shit right now." he gave a soft laugh. "anyway, marvin's the one who's so determined to be friends with him, so. he can do all that shit."

henrik hummed under his breath. he didn't want to think about anti being in their house, no matter how sick or hurt he was. didn't want to think about how they'd spent years trying to keep him away from them, jackie included. how they'd put up spell after spell, made fun of anti and made up dumb names for him, talked about what they'd do if he wasn't there, cried over the things he'd taken from them. so much time wasted. it physically hurt to think about, to remember. henrik felt like there was a rock of grief in his chest, aching and dragging him further into the bedsheets.

"i don't want this," he whispered, and more tears were building up and spilling over before he could even finish. his voice broke. "it hurts and i don't want this. this all fucking sucks and i'm sick of it, i just - i - this isn't right, it wasn't s-supposed to happen like - chase, chase, i -"

chase grabbed one of his hands, holding it tightly in his own. "hey. i get it. i get it, henrik. look at me. look at me, henrik."

he did. his little brother looked so fucking exhausted. bags under his somehow still bright eyes, his beard grown longer than he usually let it, blonde curls escaping from their ponytail and falling in his face onto the pillows. henrik couldn't see the right side of his head as he was laying down, but he knew there was a gunshot wound there, a scar where hair couldn't grow anymore. henrik's breath hitched, hot tears trailing down his skin onto his hand, resting underneath his face. he needed to stop thinking like this or he was going to start bawling like a child and never stop.

"i'm sorry," chase said softly. he squeezed henrik's hand. "i miss him too. i - i do. it hurts to think about and i miss him, so much. i miss jackie. i miss… i miss jackie. fuck, i…" he let out a choked laugh, eyes wet. "man, it sucks absolute ass right now. but henny? you've still got us. i know it's not much. and i know we miss jamie and jack too, and everything is sucky, and i'm probably not reassuring you, but... you have me and marvin."

he sniffled, tears falling suddenly and sobbing. he laughed as he did so, wiping his face with his hand. "fuck!" he giggled, and henrik suddenly found himself laughing too. "ah, fuck, look at us. big ol' crybabies. i mean, god, if anyone has any reason to cry i think it's us, eh?"

"i would say so," henrik agreed. he pressed the blanket over his eyes. "scheisse, this… this sucks. i'm sorry for -"

"no," chase interrupted. he glared at henrik, blue eyes stormy. "you don't let me apologize when i'm being a little bitch. i'm not letting you."

he shuffled closer to henrik, almost knocking their heads together. "there's nothing we can do to change the situation right now," he said firmly. "anti's not gonna stay long, alright? as soon as the storm ends, he's gone. we'll put the wards back up again and then we'll - we'll - do whatever comes next. i'm… i'm so sorry it's come to this, henrik. but i swear on my goddamn life, i will never let him hurt you again."

"you were going to make another suicide attempt, weren't you?" henrik whispered suddenly. he closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see the look on chase's face, but he still heard his breath hitch, still heard the small noise of upset in his throat.

"yeah," chase whispered back. "i was."

henrik swallowed back dry bile that was rising. "when?"

"henrik, we don't have to talk about -"

"when?" henrik demanded, eyes flying open again. chase crumpled under his gaze, drawing even further into himself. he suddenly looked so small.

"i had it planned for… for, uh… a couple weeks after everything with jackie happened," he said, voice breaking. "i - i was - henrik, i -"

henrik shook his head wildly, and without warning, pulled chase into a proper hug. he could feel chase crying softly into his t-shirt. his brother's hair tickled his face, and henrik buried his face in it, trying to be as close as he could.

"why didn't we know?" he cried. "we didn't - i never even - i should have saw the signs, you're my brother and i couldn't even tell -"

he couldn't believe he'd been so close to losing him. his mind raced with possibilities, making his head ache. if marvin hadn't found anti, if all that hadn't happened -

"promise me you won't," henrik insisted. "promise. don't say you can't. i want you to fucking promise."

"i promise, hen, i promise, i promise, i do, i swear i won't."

they stayed in each other's arms for a while. eventually, someone knocked lightly on the door, causing henrik to stiffen defensively. "it's me," marvin said from the other side. "left anti for a sec to see if… if you were ok."

"we're fine," henrik said stiffly. he ran his fingers through his little brother's hair, knocking his hat aside. "just fine. go deal with anti."

marvin hesitated. "i'm - i'm sorry, henrik."

henrik didn't bother replying. marvin left after a moment, and henrik closed his eyes against the glow of the lightning outside.

-

an hour and twenty minutes after the blackout

marvin was starting to regret letting anti inside.

"are you - fuck, are you ok?" he said, again, for what felt like the five hundredth time in the past twenty minutes. he'd eventually persuaded anti to get in the shower, which had been a task in itself, but it seemed he also had to babysit him to make sure he didn't fucking die. which was definitely something he hadn't thought would be necessary until anti had somehow managed to knock over every single shampoo bottle in the bathroom in one fell swoop and almost accidentally drowned himself. marvin was now sat grumpily outside the bathroom on his phone, texting alice to get an update on naomi. apparently she was doing a lot better and wanted to apologize to marvin for her behaviour, which marvin had said he appreciated but didn't need. he definitely knew about how mental illness could affect someone and how they interacted with people. he didn't say that, though. he just told alice to send his love and then the conversation ended.

he wasn't sure why he kept asking anti if he was ok. he doubted that he'd answer even if he could. eventually, he heard the sound of the water cutting off, and sighed with relief. the risk of anti accidentally killing himself had just been halved.

it was maybe ten minutes later that the door opened and anti stepped out. "i hate you," was the first thing he said. he was now wearing an oversized ac/dc hoodie and black jeans. marvin frowned. he hadn't realized how goddamn skinny anti was until he saw chase's clothes on him. "i'll - get you a brush," was all he said. marvin tried to hold back a smirk at anti's explosion of curly hair, long enough now that it came down to his chin. anti didn't smile. even in the darkness, marvin could see how dazed he looked, eyes unfocused and flickering from colour to colour. eventually they came to rest on a silvery grey, and he blinked wildly, clinging to the doorway with white fingers.

marvin's chest tightened. "here, come on, you fucking…" he trailed off, sighing as he wrapped an arm around anti's waist and helped him down the stairs to the living room. anti groaned, falling over a few times before marvin could help him up again. "fuck's sake, you're so incompetent. did jamie have to see you like this on a daily basis? i don't understand how we never defeated you, i don't."

anti stiffened at jamie's name, making strange noises in the back of his throat. "d-a-p," he signed as soon as he was sitting down on the couch. "brother, my brother."

"yeah, sure, whatever," marvin mumbled, barely listening. anti's stomach rumbled, and he wrapped his arms around himself tightly. marvin resisted the urge to scream. "ok, you need food as well. what do you even eat? human meat? blood? doritos? come on, help me out here."

anti had curled up on the couch, ignoring him. marvin sighed yet again. "ok," he said aloud to no one. "i'll make you a fucking piece of toast. that's what you're getting."

by the marvin had made the toast and come back to the living room, however, anti had fallen asleep completely.

"oh, fuck you," marvin groaned, tossing the plate down on the glass table. "you're an asshole. i hate you so much. do you know how much i hate you? it's a lot. so goddamn much. i'm gonna pick you up and throw you the fuck outside again."

anti obviously didn't respond. even in sleep, he looked distressed, face scrunched up and holding both his arms to his chest. marvin just looked at him for a minute, frowning. anti's hands were red and scratched up still, his right wrist bruised. marvin also wondered about the white scars that trailed from his eyes down his face. had jackie done that too? or had anti had those scars when he returned chase's kids? marvin couldn't even remember.

he went upstairs again and knocked on henrik's door. "helloooo, bastards. anti's sleeping. are you two ok?"

no response. marvin peeked inside, shining his torch, only to see that chase and henrik had fallen asleep in each other's arms. marvin watched their chests rise and fall in unison, both their faces tear stained but calm in their sleep. marvin closed the door again.

he texted alice. any updates? no response yet. that was ok. she was busy. marvin could wait.

and wait he did.

-

two hours after the blackout

being alone with his thoughts for so long was absolutely, definitely not good for him.

marvin wasn't sure how he'd ended up sitting in the kitchen closet on top of the christmas decorations, curled up with his knees at his chest. every single inch of the house was somewhere he associated with jackie, for whatever reason. the bannister on the stairs they peeked through when they were about to pull a prank. the kitchen counters jackie always sat on when he ate because "tables are for pussies, marvin." the living room window that jaffa liked to sleep in and jackie would stand next to so he could pet her while scrolling through his phone. the shoe rack where jackie went to when everything became too much, and one of his brothers would have to help him calm down with his weighted blanket and some calm words. marvin was beginning to feel sick thinking about it, hand clamped over his mouth as guilt sank down in him like a ball and chain attached to his heart.

it felt like a constant ache that wouldn't go away. please, make the hurt stop, his mind screamed. but he wouldn't break down. he'd come this far without breaking. he wouldn't cry. he wouldn't scream and slam his fists against the wall. he wouldn't. he was the oldest now. he had to look after his brothers. and fuck, if marvin didn't let out a small wail of pain at the thought of them clinging to each other like they were the other's anchor, but he wouldn't break, he wouldn't. he'd hold on because that was his job and he knew he had to be strong.

something crashed in the other room.

marvin was on his feet instantly. he shoved the door open, boxes falling behind him, and raced out the kitchen into the living room. anti had fallen off the couch and was thrashing on the floor, crying out in his sleep. marvin was at his side in an instant. "anti? calm down, shit, calm down."

it took a moment to realize anti wasn't just having a normal nightmare. he was convulsing, his head slamming against the floor, trying to scream but unable to. marvin lifted anti's head and grabbed a cushion, sliding it under him and shoving the table to the side. "shit, shit," he cursed silently. that was all he knew to do when someone had a seizure. he thought about running to go wake up henrik, but another second considering that brought him to the realization that maybe that was dumb. instead, he stayed by anti's side until it passed and anti was left panting, whining in pain and breathing heavily.

marvin closed his eyes and leaned against the armchair, not even moving to sit up on it properly. thunder rolled outside, and anti flinched in his sleep. marvin, tired from suppressing his panic attack and dealing with the everything of that evening, eventually found himself drifting off as well.

-

"i'm going out today. are you coming?"

dapper didn't answer. he was pretending to be asleep, anti could tell. a small smirk spread across his face, and he poked his brother's forehead gently. "dap-per. wake u-up," he singsonged. he could see him holding back a smile, the corner of his mouth quivering.

"leave me alone," he signed, rolling over and raising his hands up dramatically. anti laughed and collapsed across his chest, causing him to let out a loud "oof." anti turned his face toward dapper's, sticking out his tongue at the grumpy look on his face.

"morning, bitch boy," anti grinned. dapper flipped him off, his face scrunching up in an effort to keep from smiling. "i asked a question. do you wanna go out today?"

dapper rolled his eyes and nudged anti to get off his arms. "tired," he said once anti had moved. "you go by yourself."

anti frowned. "are you feeling ok?" he asked, running a hand through dapper's hair. his brother closed his eyes, just breathing for a moment, him and anti in time.

"i'm ok," he said. "just - i'm ok." his hands flopped down onto anti's chest. anti watched his face, trying to figure out what he was thinking. dapper's expression was unreadable.

"are you sure?" anti questioned, tapping the other man on the nose. dapper didn't smile this time. "come on, dap. we can get food. and i was gonna get you another present."

"aren't presents supposed to be a secret?" dapper said, raising an eyebrow. his eyes were more silver than usual. anti had been paying too much attention to his hands to notice, but now, it was all he could see.

"if you care about such things," anti retorted. "have you rewinded today? you're glowing."

"no," dapper said, far too quickly. "i mean… kinda. i spilled water on one of my sketchbooks earlier and i rewinded that. sorry."

anti shook his head. "that's fine. i was maybe gonna get you another sketchbook while i was out anyway." he widened his eyes, staring deliberately at dapper. "if you wanted to co-ome..."

dapper practically deflated. "no, not really," he signed. "still don't feel well. sorry, anti."

anti pressed a hand to his brother's forehead. "you do feel warm," he murmured. "have you thrown up or anything? is it your magic? do i need to find that doctor again?"

dapper giggled, pushing anti's hand away gently. "i'm fine, i am," he signed. "you go. better get me good presents. also chocolate. lots and lots of chocolate."

"ok, ok, ok." anti sat up on the bed, ruffling dapper's curls. "i'll do that. although stuff like that is gonna be expensive, today of all days. so many people forgetting to buy presents for their loved ones and all that shit. imagine that, dap! i would never forget." he jumped off the bed, adjusting his yellow scarf in the mirror on the wardrobe. "how do i look? fantastic?"

dapper pushed himself up on his elbows, considering. "h-m-m," he signed, then twirled his mustache, pretending to be deep in thought.

anti threw a penny from the spare change he'd pulled out his pocket to count at dapper's head. "are you kidding? did you just fucking sign the word "hmm?" seriously?" he laughed and pulled on his jacket, flipping him off. "you're an asshole. i'm gonna assume i look wonderful as usual and i'm eating all your chocolate myself. bastard man."

"you look absolutely incredible, anti, a right king," dapper giggled. "look at that beautiful scarf, so bright against your black outfit! i mean, probably, i'm colourblind. tell me, brother, where did you get that gorgeous accessory?"

"a smartass cunt bought me it," anti said with a smile. he opened the bedroom door, clicking his tongue and miming finger guns. "ok, i'm going. stay here, don't answer the door, stab anyone who tries to come in, rewind if you have to, ect, ect. you know the rewind password. see you in a few hours."

dapper's smile faded. "wait," he signed, and swung off the bed and over to anti, pulling him in for a hug. anti's breath hitched, and his arms slowly came down to rest on his brother's back.

"you sure you don't wanna come?" he mumbled, forehead resting on dapper's shoulders. his heart was racing, and he couldn't tell why.

dapper nodded, then pushed himself away. "yeah, sorry, yeah. see you in a few hours."

anti forced a smile, then raised his hands to sign the next few words. "don't forget."

dapper hesitated, not looking at anti. "don't forget."

anti stepped out the door, starting down the stairs. then he stopped. "oh! and happy christmas, dap." he smiled up at him. "i'll get you something good, i promise."

dapper nodded, face blank.

anti shouldn't have left him alone.

-

six hours after the blackout

this wasn't jack's house. this wasn't the flat. this wasn't the waterworks.

once anti had gone through the list of places he definitely wasn't, he sat up, head aching like he'd been struck. had he? probably, actually. a sharp taste of copper lingered in his mouth. had he bit his tongue? where was his brother, what day was it, why was it so dark?

a quick memory evaluation reminded that he was in jack's boys flat, dapper was gone, it was wednesday, it was dark because of the storm, and no, he definitely had not bit his tongue.

the cat was asleep leaning against an armchair, head on his arms and legs folded beneath him. there were actually two cats that anti could see; one appeared to be a real cat, small with black fur and vivid blue eyes. it stared at anti disapprovingly as he sat up, wincing as he yet again forgot about his fucked up arm. he was starting to really regret glitching the x-ray that hecate used to trick them into taking the cast off. it had been really annoying, sure, but the fact that he couldn't lift anything or sign with his right arm was starting to piss him off.

the cat suddenly mewled loudly, leaping off its perch on the chair and slinking over to anti's side. he flinched, smacking the floor. "go away," anti signed, like the cat was going to understand british sign. "i don't like you. fuck off."

the cat just stared. anti stared back.

"are you have a staring contest with jaffa cake?" someone yawned, and anti jumped. the magician was sitting himself up fully, rubbing his eyes. "morning, jaffa. morning, anti too, i guess."

"it's four am," anti deadpanned. "also, you named your cat jaffa cake? seriously?" it was only after he'd signed all that that he realized the other man probably couldn't see his hands in the darkness.

"how do you know it's four am?" asked the magician, to anti's surprise. "also, this is chase's cat. her name is jaffa. say hi, jaffa."

"you can see my signs?" anti asked curiously. "also, i always know what time it is. probably so much time spent around -" he cut himself off. he didn't want to say his name.

"i can see in the dark," the magician said, grinning. "i know, i know, i'm awesome. magnificent, some might say." he laughed, filling up the silent room. then he yawned again. "did you eat the food i got you?"

"not hungry," anti lied. he didn't trust anything jack's boys might give him, especially with the doctor here. "i - did i have a seizure?"

"in your sleep, yeah," the magician confirmed. "were you having a nightmare?"

he had been, until he'd started dreaming about dapper, which was arguably worse. he didn't respond. then he suddenly realized the odd blood taste was because he'd bitten the side of his mouth. how annoying. anti quickly ran a hand through his hair to soothe himself. he'd almost forgotten about his shower, and his hair felt much nicer, somehow even curlier. no blood on his neck. something ached in his chest.

"i'm going back to sleep," he signed. his eyes fluttered shut. "talking takes so much effort. my arms are tired."

"ok," the cat murmured. anti could barely see his outline in the darkness. "ok. uh. anti, is it ok if… if i talk to you? in the morning? i just wanna ask some… some stuff."

anti turned his head away. "ok."

the cat brightened. "oh, good! ok! i'm - i'm also gonna go back to sleep, cause i've barely slept, and i'm tired as fuck. g'night - or, well. g'morning." he lay his head back on his arms, smiling softly. "night, anti."

he fell back asleep. he fell back asleep with anti watching him. was he an idiot? was he seriously a fucking idiot? did he forget what anti had done - things anti had done to his own brothers? how could someone forget that?

anti stood up calmly and went into the kitchen. they hadn't hidden the knives well. they were in the bottom drawer of the cupboards underneath the tea towels. anti picked the largest one. it was a dull orangey red colour, and the handle was cold.

he padded back into the living room. the man hadn't moved. he had genuinely fallen asleep, anti realized with a jolt. he trusted him enough to fall asleep in his presence. how pathetic, how sweet it was that he thought anti had the potential to be a good person. anti had stabbed the magician on his very first day of existence. he could do it again. he would. he'd wanted this for years.

so why was he hesitating, why was the knife hanging above the man's neck but not touching it, why was he shaking? anti sat back in disbelief, heart racing, mouth hanging open. he needed to kill him. he wanted to. why couldn't he do it? why was the bastard still sleeping, smiling from within his doze, hair falling into his face and eyes? why were anti's eyes burning, why did this hurt? why did this hurt?

the closest sound to a sob that anti could manage fell from his mouth. he stumbled back, away, needed to get away. he shouldn't have come here. he should never have come here.

-

eleven hours after the blackout

marvin awoke to a gift. the storm was over, and all of their kitchen knives had been stabbed into the table. all but one. the biggest one, the red one, which was missing. underneath the knives, in almost illegible handwriting, was written, "you should hide these better next time. ps. alice says your girlfriend is fine. stop texting her, for fuck's sake."

anti had left and taken marvin's phone with him.

"i told you we shouldn't trust him," henrik said drily when he saw it. chase silently began yanking the knives out of the wood. and marvin just stared, reading the message over and over again, feeling like an idiot.

maybe he was too trusting after all.

[asherranceoftheheart]

Cooking On Sunshine - Antiaverage JSE Drabble

Character/s: Chase Brody, Antisepticeye Warnings: Soft!Anti, Ego Shipping Genre: Fluff Masterpost of my Stories AO3 edition of the Post

Tag List: @the-rampaige @iris-the-asparagus @sqxxddygremlin @awkward-bullshit @jaysflight @assbutt-of-the-readers @humblecacti

Chase peeked into the living room of the Septic HQ and frowned when he only saw Jackie lazing the day away on the couch on one of his rare day off from saving the city.

“Heya offbrand Spiderman,” the teasing nickname got the other’s attention and Jackie perked up with a scowl on his lips as he met Chase’s smirking eyes. “Have you seen Anti around here?”

“Just for that nickname, I shouldn’t answer you.” Jackie huffed but he yawned and sat up. He furrowed his brows and scratched at his beard absentmindedly while he searched his memory for the last time he had seen the eldest ego. After a while, he shook his head. “Sorry dude, either I didn’t notice him coming by or he didn’t enter this room for the past eight hours.”

Jackie yawned again, trying to rub the sleep away from his drooping eyes. For a second, it seemed like he wasn’t even seeing Chase at all.

The father looked at the hero’s state and sighed with a small smile on his lips. He said, “Aight… Thanks hero, but you really should go sleep in your bedroom. If Hen sees you sleeping there he’s gonna give you a lecture about ruining your spine and not taking care of yourself.”

Jackie muttered something far too low for Chase to hear but he did stand up. He started shuffling over to the exit and gave Chase a friendly nudge on the shoulder with his own.

“‘M gonna do that then,” Jackie let out another jaw-breaking yawn and gave Chase a sleepy teasing smirk. “Try not to traumatize Marv with your flirting again if he accidentally stumbles upon you two, okay?”

Chase stuck out his tongue at the other childishly, his eyes glittered with mischief.

“Accidentally, my ass,” Chase snipped but his grin dulled the sharpness of the words. “With how often he kept cockblocking the two of us, I think he’s doing it intentionally.”

“Well, you know Marv. He has the worst luck anyone could ever have.”

“... Ah. That’s true. His reactions are still over exaggerated though.” Chase chuckled as the memory of Marvin screaming that his eyes are burning after he walked in on him and Anti making out in his recording office flashed through his mind. “Sure, it’s funny but it’s really too dramatic to take seriously.”

“Funny.” Jackie gave him a Look. “Anti’s rubbing off on you too much. You’re becoming a sadist.”

“That’s not the only thing rubbing on me—” Chase danced away from the playful swipe Jackie made for his face, laughing with his eyes sparkling with amusement.

The hero rolled his eyes at the teasing but there was a smile teasing at the corner of his lips, “TMI, Chase, TMI.”

With one last chuckle, Chase waved Jackie off and continued deeper into the HQ. Just as he was about to pass the doorway of the kitchen, he heard a familiar voice crackling and screeching out curses as loud clangs of something steel or metallic fell down the floor.

“How the fuck does he make this look so easy?” He heard Anti hiss out before another litany of curses followed the sentence, the being vowing to curse the person, who made the vague as fuck recipe that he found, eternal suffering.

Chase nudged open the door quietly and leaned on the doorway, watching Anti scowling down at his phone while there was a lot of mess around the room. The father could only be thankful that Anti hasn’t burned down the house yet which… Actually, that’s a big improvement against Henrik’s attempt.

He noticed the amount of flour and broken egg shells literally the top of the kitchen island along with a bag of choco chips and cooking utensils for baking.

“Why doesn’t it come out right?” Anti pouted as he looked down at his mutated choco chips.

“If you want, I can teach you.” Chase finally decided to speak up, the demon could really get hyperfocused on his task to the point that he would completely shut out the world. When that happens only he and Jack could snap Anti out of it.

Anti’s head snapped up and he gave him a deer-in-headlights wide eyed look. You would think he was a child who was caught with his hands inside the cookie jar in the middle of the night.

“This was supposed to be a surprise for you!” Anti hissed and protectively covered the things on the kitchen island with his body, adding more flour stains to his green apron.

Chase smiled fondly at his boyfriend. A lot of people seems to think that Anti’s just taking advantage of him but he knew better. The demon was an absolute sucker for his puppy dog eyes and loves spoiling the shit out of him. It felt really nice to be taken care of. Although sometimes he was worried that he was the one who was taking advantage of Anti’s soft spot for him.

He crossed over the kitchen and moved behind the island over to his lover’s side. He trailed a finger over the flour messing up the table and then tapped Anti’s nose with it, chuckling when the demon nearly went cross-eyed at staring at the white mark on the tip of his nose.

“How about I teach you how I make some and then you can surprise me with it in the future?” Chase compromised, he walked over to the nearby drawer and brought out his own orange apron that had ‘The World’s Best Dad’ stitched onto it.

There was sullen silence from Anti as he sulked at having failed his plan at surprising him. Chase stood in front of the demon and brushed his lips against his cheek.

“I really appreciate it, Anti.” Chase leaned over so that he can look into Anti’s beautiful forest green eyes that seemed to shift different shades in response to his emotions. “I love you.”

Anti froze as earnest baby blue eyes peered into his soul and he horrifyingly could feel his cheeks heating up while his erratic heartbeat practically tore itself out of his chest from how hard it was beating. He looked away and ignored the small giggle Chase made and just pushed the flour and utensils towards his lover.

Chase took them with a bemused smile on his lips and then he pulled Anti in front of him and held his hands in order to guide him.

“Okay, first things first, you have to measure the ingredients…” Chase began teaching Anti.

The demon swore that he’ll master this recipe and more and then surprise Chase with a full blown meal next time. For now, he’ll enjoy the younger ego’s attentions and gentle patience as he taught him how to cook.

Bonus:

“Say aaah~” Marvin froze when he stepped inside the kitchen to get some snack only to find himself smack on the face with the view of Chase sitting on Anti’s lap feeding him a cookie with a flirty smile while he leaned forward to infringe on the smirking demon’s personal space.

“Guys, this is the kitchen.” Marvin squeaked out, he was not going to make the same mistake before of not interrupting the two out of politeness. He saw far too much of Chase’s skin that day.

Anti’s smirk dropped and Chase huffed and dropped his chin on Anti’s shoulder with a petulant scowl.

“Way to cockblock us, bastard.” Anti irritably said as he glitched a knife towards Marvin who instinctively set up a magical barrier to block it. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“You think I want to see the two of you fuck?!” The magician practically screeched out, his voice gaining ten levels of pitchness.

“Well, you keep on walking on us Marv. This makes… what?” Chase counted at the top of his head. “The twentieth time you’ve cockblocked us?”

“I have the shittiest luck in the universe and you know it!”

“More like the best luck if I have to say anything.” Anti piped up.

“No, you didn’t need to say anything.”