#like yeah i was super depressed. that was unrelated to me staying in my room like my room was my Space

[liinos]

saw a reel of some kids at an orchestra camp that looked suspiciously like the one i was forced to go to one year... worst experience of my life!!!

[kakosindustries]

The Live Episode from February 10th, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. CW: References to Euthanasia/Suicide.

[[Kakos Bells]]

Intro: What you are about to hear is positive, honest, and uplifting entertainment.

[[Guitar Intro]]

Greetings. Welcome. Take your seats. Feel free to get a drink at any time because you’re going to need it. It’s really best that you stay lubricated for this.

Just so you know, we are now recording this show so that we may better market to you in the future and exploit your every weakness, so if you don’t want what you have to say to go on the Internet, then please keep your mouth shut. Laughter is fine. Screams of terror are fine. Coughing and sneezing are frowned upon. Talking to your buddy about something totally unrelated is a capital crime.

I have just received word that the outside world as we knew it ended moments ago. It is chaos, carnage, death, and destruction out there. The fortunate news is that we are all still alive. That will remain fortunate news right up until we have to start eating each other. In that case, then the people who died instantly above will be the lucky ones.

Tip your bartenders well because money is meaningless now. Everything from here on out is social currency and sexual favors.

My name is Corin Deeth III. I am CEO of Kakos Industries, the sponsor of tonight’s event. You see, even though the world as we know it has ended, Kakos Industries, the company that specializes in helping its clients to Do Evil Better, will continue on. We will continue to do Evil and to advance Evil, and to help everyone everywhere, at least everyone who’s left, to do Evil. Kakos Industries has its innumerable tendrils in everything. From technological advancements, to new techniques for economic exploitation, to the feeling you have when you’re fucking someone you like, but they like like you and you’re really not sure you can keep fucking them with the constant guilt of obviously caring less. We help the world to do Evil. Additionally, if you were going to ghost your date after tonight… whoops.

And that’s where you come in, guests. You see, we need you. Now that the vast majority of humanity is either exterminated or in the process of being exterminated, we need you. Without humanity, there can be no Evil. Nature sets itself apart from humanity in its total and complete neutrality. With humanity, good and Evil can exist. So we need some of you miserable bastards to stick around to stay miserable. It’s really an honor, if you think about it. And the price of admission? Just five dollars? Eight at the door? To be given the privilege of rebooting society? That’s pretty nice.

[[Heat Lightning]]

Quick FAQ:

What has caused the apocalypse? We do not know at this time. It currently seems as though it was a lot of things all at once. Or one thing many times. We’re looking into it and we will bring you details as we get them.

Who caused the apocalypse? Was it the guy we’re thinking of? No. It was us. We did it. We caused it. And as soon as we figure out how, we’ll brag about how we did it. No one has paid us to take blame. Not even with luxury apocalypse bunkers. We already have those. We did it. Just for fun. It was all us.

What does this mean for my loved ones? They are so fucking dead. So fucking dead. We hope that you brought the people you like the most here because everyone else is just fucking toast at this point. And if they’re not, then they are in danger of being crushed, impaled, dissolved, or eaten at this very moment, and I’m not an actuary, but they likely won’t survive long.

Can I leave to try to save my family and friends? No. We’ve locked the bunker, and we are all in here permanently. Take a look around you. Take in your surroundings. These are your new digs for the rest of your life. Take a look at the people in the room. These are your new best friends. These are your new enemies. These are the grandparents to your grandchildren. Assuming this apocalypse takes that long to work its way out. If there’s no radiation or renegade AI, we might be out of here in a year or two.

What about these people that keep filtering into the room? Aren’t they breaking the immersion? Well, those people have come here through the huge series of access tunnels that connect all basement spaces like this one. They escaped the apocalypse at the same time as you, but they just got here a little later. Nothing to worry about.

Was this whole thing planned? How did you know to bring us down here? Another thoughtful question. Yes. Probably. We’re still working out the details of exactly what we did, but I can assure you it was very intentional. Everything we do is very intentional. And well planned.

Is my student loan debt really gone? Can it be true? Have no fear. We will find a way to keep you in debtors’ hell forever.

Other important rules. You have to ride the electricity generating bike if you want a turn with the bluetooth speaker. Well that about covers it.

[[Unpointedness]]

Take a look under your seat. You will have a card under there outlining your new social class here in the apocalypse and your expectations. Some of us will have to work with our hands, others will work with our brains. Some will collect the muck slime, others will prepare the muck slime, but we will all eat the muck slime. Who’s a mage? Just kidding, that’s not a real class. Who is a soldier? You will need to do violence on our behalf, especially keeping the eventual tide of monsters at bay. We thank you in advance for your sacrifice. If I were you, I would tune out the rest of what I’m saying, and start eyeing up what you can use from around the room as a weapon.

The janitors will be responsible for cleaning all of the floors and rooms, and also the people who get so depressed that they can’t shower. Who is the scribe? Please begin writing down everything I say. In fact, if you could write down everything I’ve already said, that would be super.

After the show, we will have two of you fight for our entertainment. Please look at your new social class cards. Who’s a fighter? Oh, three of you? It’s thunderdome then.

Who is the golden child? You are now the luckiest, most talented, and most successful among us, and we will all love and resent you.

Who got bad joke recipient? You will now have to listen to all of the jokes that we as a subterranean society can come up with, and laugh at every single one of them. Even the bad ones. Even the ones that you personally disagree with.

Who is the werewolf? Just kidding. We’ll all close our eyes later for that part.

Also, there will be no elections. I am in charge. The end. Except for mine inspector. We will continue to elect mine inspector. It’s a critical position.

Now that we have the ground rules laid, it’s time to take part in the apocalypse pledge of allegiance. Hands over hearts. Repeat after me. We promise to Do Evil at all times, except when that Evil might mean the extinction of the species, without which Evil cannot continue. We hereby promise to walk that fine line and Do Evil Better. Amen, brother. Thank you for doing that. It is legally, as well as morally binding.

So how many of you were Shareholders in Kakos Industries before tonight? (some sort of response) Well, you are all shareholders now, which means that you can rest easily knowing that your contributions have helped to promote the spread of Evil everywhere in the world. Income inequality. Hunger. Political meddling of all kinds. And everyone’s favorite: Sex. Anyone planning on having sex today? (We’ve got some confident people in the audience today.) In the bunker. Wow. We haven’t even given you your room assignments yet.

[[Elusiveness]]

Before we get too far, we should probably check in on that apocalypse. Right now, we’ve got our field agent Titus Lachlan on the surface, risking life and limb so that we might be able to learn a bit more about the disaster on the surface.

Corin: Come in, Titus. Can you hear me?

Titus (ADAM): Yeah, Corin. I can hear you. I just found some cover.

Corin: What’s going on out there?

Titus: I am as of this time still uncertain. It’s quite dusty out and I am finding it difficult to see.

Corin: Dusty… everywhere?

Titus: Well, I stopped to have a beer under a tree, and it is very dusty right here in particular.

Corin: Well, can you move to another location to give us some useful details?

Titus: I would love to do that, Corin. Just as soon as I finish my bitter.

Corin: Titus, I don’t mean to dwell on the negative here, but you could die at any time. Isn’t there something useful you can tell us?

Titus: Well, that’s where you’re wrong, Corin. I am totally impervious to apocalypses. The worst thing that can happen to me is that I will be the only one left alive when this is all said and done, which, admittedly, is pretty bad now that I think of it.

Corin: How can you be impervious to apocalypses?

Titus: An experiment went wrong, and here I am.

Corin: But how could you know that you’re impervious? The only apocalypse to happen is the one that just happened.

Titus: The scientists used concentrated apocalypse beams in the lab and I withstood all of them. No matter if it’s the biblical end times or a sciencey one, I’ll be right as rain.

Corin: How much beer do you have left?

Titus: It’s a tall boy, Corin. I’ll be sipping for another few minutes at least.

Corin: Well, radio in when you have something.

Titus might not have anything of use, but we can still listen in on what’s going on at the nearest listening station.

([1] – some distorted screaming, explosions, gunshots, fire sounds, etc)

Well, that sounded pretty bad. Remember that all of that is out there waiting for you if you feel the need to go smoke. Might want to wait a little bit.

I have in front of me a list of all the possible causes of the apocalypse. First item is giant robot AI. That is interesting. I should double check that with our resident robot expert, Dirk Cornelius Sexplosion, CEO of Giant-Ass Robots to Kick In Your Face. I say resident expert because he made the mistake of coming to live in this bunker, making him a resident.

New shareholders and old shareholders alike, you will enjoy hearing from Dirk. He is a man of such tremendous Evil, such dastardly masculinity, such malicious ingenuity, that we are truly lucky to have him here. He makes enormous metal machines that cause unfathomable amounts of damage worldwide, but his strength of will is even stronger. He is the master of manliness, the zenith of zero compassion, and the pinnacle of penility. Let me introduce Dirk motherfucking Sexplosion.

[[Pythonidae]]

(Dirk sobs)

Corin: Oh, for fuck’s sake, it’s the apocalypse, man. Get yourself together!

Dirk (ANWAR): I’m trying! It’s… It’s not the apocalypse.

Corin: What’s the problem?

Dirk: It’s… my family, Corin. My wives. My husband. Our dogs and hedgehog.

Corin: They’re all here. We evacuated them before we definitely caused the apocalypse.

Dirk: It’s not that. They’re safe and sound and set up in our luxury apocalypse bunker away from all of these filthy normal people. But they’re just so angry at me, Corin.

Corin: Dirk, it’s not unusual for friends and family to not understand your relationship with or appreciation of Evil. We have support groups for that.

Dirk: It’s not that, Corin. It’s… They think I caused the apocalypse.

Corin: That’s ridiculous, Dirk. We caused the apocalypse. Possibly using your robots, but it was us, not you. I have lists here of everything you were working on and none of them could have ended the world individually.

Dirk: There’s more than just that, Corin.

Corin: Go on.

Dirk: Well, you see, you’re always pushing me to be more Evil. Harder. Toxically manlier.

Corin: Well, Dirk, you tend to bring me really wimpy shit. Like giant dog robots that humans pilot so they can feel like puppies.

Dirk: Well, I decided I had enough of being so sad about stuff like that and I was just going to push through it. I was going to make a giant robot that could destroy the world. I kept it off the books. No one was to know about it until it was done. The MegaDeFuckulatrix 9 Quadrillion.

Corin: I’m going to set aside my frustration at your dishonesty for a moment. Don’t tell me this robot could feel the desperation of aging or some bullshit like that.

Dirk: (through sobs) It had rocket launchers firing spent uranium.

Corin: That sound sick as shit.

Dirk: It had enormous blades to destroy entire forests!

Corin: Rad.

Dirk: It could set fires large enough to change the weather hundreds of miles away!

Corin: I’m really loving this robot.

Dirk: Its fuel source was people!

Corin: Fuck yeah.

Dirk: I mean, not just people, but people are its favorite.

Corin: Dirk, I’m not mad at you. I’m just amazed. I love the MegaDeFuckulatrix 9 Quadrillion. You did all of this on your own without our help?

Dirk: It took everything I had. And I went too far, Corin! I killed all people. Now there’s no one left. And my family is so mad at me.

Titus: Come in, Corin.

Corin: What is it Titus?

Titus: The dust where I’m sitting has started to subside and it looks like there’s a giant robot here.

Dirk: MegaDeFuckulatrix 9 Quadrillion!

Titus: Ah, yep. That’s what it says on it. Right on the shaft of its big robo dick.

Corin: Dirk, you gave the robot a dick?

Dirk: We’ve been over this, Corin. If the robot doesn’t have a dick, then none of the other parts fit together. You just have a pile of robot parts on the floor. And that’s not going to feast on any humans, is it?

Titus: Well, the robot is now rocking back and forth on it’s robo buttocks, and it appears to be sobbing. It is trying to eat the trees nearby, but it is not having a good go of it.

Dirk: But it eats people. For fuel. Not trees.

Titus: Well, it looks like it might have grown a conscience. It didn’t even do that much damage first. Looks like maybe one factory destroyed, no more than maybe seventy five people. I don’t think this big guy caused the apocalypse.

[Robot Crying]

Dirk: He sounds so sad! But that means… I’m in the clear?

Corin: It looks like it. Thank you, Titus. Please let me know if you discover anything else.

Titus: Right-o. Titus out.

Dirk: MegaDeFuckulatrix 9 Quadrillion is just like me. It tries so hard, but then, it’s just so sad.

Corin: Just like you.

Dirk: I’m so relieved, Corin. My family will be so happy to hear this.

Corin: So the next item on my list is AI robot swarms. Do you know anything about those, Dirk?

Dirk: Huh? No. We don’t use artificial intelligence. We only use artificial stupidity and artificial emotional instability.

Corin: I think I can see what happened here. Well, you can go back to your family, then.

Dirk: But… my son is out there, Corin.

Corin: MegaDeFuckulatrix 9 Quadrillion?

Dirk: He’s so sad and out there all alone. I should help him, Corin. I can teach him to eat plants if that will make him happy.

Corin: It’s the apocalypse out there, Dirk, and you’re not apocalypse proof. I think this will sort itself out. And you can’t leave.

Dirk: I just want my boy to be happy, Corin!

Corin: Go to your family, Dirk.

Dirk: Yes. You’re right, Corin. My boy will be fine out there.

Corin: That’s not what I said– I mean, yeah, he’ll be fine.

[[Bawdry]]

Talking to Dirk, I almost forgot about our impending doom for a minute there. Let’s check in on the horror outside.

([2] – Another really terrible sound)

That still sounds pretty bad. Maybe it’s mutants. That would be fun. To tell us more about mutants, we have Mitch Grody from the Division of Mutants and Freaks, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting to Severely Mutate to tell us more.

Mitch (ADAM): It’s great to be here, Corin.

Corin: So what do you have to tell us today?

Mitch: Well, Corin, as you know, I’m a mutant. And I just want to tell everyone in here that there’s nothing to worry about. In the event that this apocalypse has been caused by radiation or some virulent mutagen that the shareholders were unable to avoid for any reason, I am here to tell them that it’s okay to be a mutant. I’m a mutant, and I live a full and happy life.

Corin: How did your mutation come to be?

Mitch: Well, I used to be a lab tech testing new and strange genetic modifications. One day, I noticed we forgot to put the right specimen in the chamber and I went to switch it out real quick when the gene laser hit me right in the family jewels. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but when I woke up the next day, I had two penises, Corin. I thought that was pretty neat. The next day, I had three penises, and I think we can all agree that’s too many. Right ladies? Clap if you think three penises is too many.

Corin: So what was the rest of the transformation like?

Mitch: Well, as you can see, the rest of my skin got kind of weird. Lumpy. Flaky. Weird. And I also have a few other organs that have split in three. My liver being one. Alcohol doesn’t affect me any longer. And then my life took a pretty steep decline. My girlfriend couldn’t keep up with my three dicks. They all have different personalities, you know. Different needs. And tastes. So my girlfriend left. Then my landlord kicked me out. I mean, all I had done was cover my apartment in moss. People don’t realize how nice it is to sleep on moss when your skin is so lumpy and flaky. This was in the days before the Mutant Non-Discrimination Act. Things are so much better now.

Corin: How did you learn to cope? It’s important for our shareholders who might be mutating at this moment to know there’s hope.

Mitch: Well, I found a new lover with three vaginas. And a penis. I didn’t think I’d like that, but it grew on me. Not literally. Still just the three penises here. Anyway, she and I are very much in love, even after she found out that I caused her mutation due to my own loneliness. I needed another mutant freak to be with, and I arranged for her to have an accident. It seems that no one else will love her now. I call that a victory, Corin.

Corin: You are a mutant, and a monster. Do you have any recommendations for people just beginning to mutate?

Mitch: Thank you, Corin, for pitching my book. I would tell anyone feeling the tug of the mutated fates that they should begin to study mutation. Know it inside and out. Learn everything you can from everyone you can. Begin experimenting as much as possible. And when the time comes, act as selfishly as possible and patch things up later. And by that, I mean find someone special, and dose them with just the right mutagens to get them to be your perfect missing piece. And if you happen to end up with four vaginas and three penises, my lover and I are currently looking for a swinging partner.

Corin: Well, I don’t know how anyone can be depressed about their progressing mutation with advice like that. Thank you, Mitch.

Titus: Come in, Corin.

Corin: I’m here.

Titus: I just tasted the dirt up here. It does not taste like radiation or mutagens. That is conclusive evidence.

Corin: Well… okay. I’ll take your word for it.

[[Aerator]]

So as shareholders in Kakos Industries, it is important to have pride in what you are now a part of. I would like to tell you about a few of our ongoing programs that will be contributing to Evil in the post-apocalyptic future.

The first program is The Better Mutants from our partner Better Mutations Inc. While we just learned that there will be no mutants in the post-apocalypse due to radiation or mutagens, we all have certain expectations for what should be out there when we finally surface. For this reason, The Better Mutants project was undertaken. As we speak, ordinary animals like crows, pigeons, lizards, and rabbits are all being modified to be larger and far more hazardous. Sharper teeth, a thirst for blood, and acidic secretions they shoot out of their eyeballs. It will really help to sell the post-apocalypse stylistically speaking in the future, which I think we can all appreciate. Or at least our great grandchildren will. They will think, “Thank Evil this wasteland is so dangerous. My immersion would have been broken otherwise!”

We also occasionally spend time working with fashion. While it’s great fun and great Evil designing clothes that no one can fit into, or clothes that make us look so sexually exciting that it’s difficult to think about anything other than sex, until the clothes come off and we realize just how deeply unappealing all of us humans are at the base level when undoctored by makeup and wardrobe. But for now, our Division of Adornments has taken a much more serious task. That is, to keep the wasteland sexy. I know for a fact that none of you in this room would be satisfied to see a wasteland where no one is hot. So they’ve been leaving stashes of ripped and torn clothing, but in like better ways than would happen at random, so our descendants will look amazing while still fitting into that scavenger aesthetic. This way, we can imagine an apocalypse the way we might like to imagine it, especially as we are quietly satisfying ourselves so as not to disturb our neighbor in the next bunk.

([Noise 1])

[[Melantha Keys]]

Melantha (BECCA): Corin. I’m interrupting you.

Corin: Ah, Melantha Murther, CEO of [Competitor – Corin Pronunciation], our largest competitor.

Melantha: You sound like you have a speech impediment. Or damage to the speech processing section of your brain. It’s pronounced [Competitor – Melantha Pronunciation].

Corin: Ah, I see. My mistake.

Melantha: It happens all the time. It’s a useful Shiboleth for finding out who around me is a complete idiot.

Corin: How is your apocalypse, Melantha?

Melantha: It’s fantastic. So hot! We finished the hole under our building just in time, and we just dropped the whole thing down underground to safety. Now, nothing can touch us, and we can keep doing Evil.

Corin: That’s comforting news. It seems that our rivalry will go on, then.

Melantha: Rivalry? Don’t be silly. It’s not like you caused the apocalypse.

Corin: What? Of course we caused the apocalypse.

Melantha: No. You didn’t. We did. Because we are far more Evil than you. No Evil Left Undone. That’s our motto, and the apocalypse was the obvious next step when we had finished all the other Evils.

Corin: Then how did the apocalypse happen?

Melantha: Well… it was… obviously an extremely infectious venereal disease from our lab. It makes people just do it a whole lot, all over the place, in all the positions. Doing it. And spreading the disease until everyone is doing it. But then your nose falls off. And then you die.

Titus: Come in, Corin.

Corin: Go ahead, Titus.

Melantha: Are you taking another call? Right now?

Titus: I just got lucky, Corin. Just rooted a woman here on the surface. She was looking to feel something other than fear for a few moments and pulled me aside to do the deed. I can safely confirm that venereal disease has not caused the apocalypse. I am detecting nothing abnormal about my loins at all. The woman ran off, so I couldn’t do any, uh, further testing. But, Definitely not VD.

Corin: Excellent news, Titus. Do you hear that, Melantha? You didn’t cause the apocalypse.

Melantha: Then what did?

Corin: Well, obviously, it was… drugs?

Titus: Corin, I have just snorted some of the dirt. No buzz at all. Not a thing. Not even a little bit. It wasn’t drugs either.

Melantha: Then you don’t know either! Ha! It seems this is a draw, Corin! I’ll just keep investigating until I figure out that I caused this and then I will rub your face in it. Hahahahaha!

[Noise 2]

Corin: Or maybe I caused it! I mean… I could have. We’ll get to the bottom of this, shareholders.

But first, let’s take a brief intermission. If you haven’t already, please tell us what is most Evil on the pad of paper here at the front, and throw your name into the Ruin-A-Life Drawing.

[[Stop Music]]

INTERMISSION

We will now need a volunteer from the audience. Who wants to read? (Don’t make me pick one of you at random)

[[Flathead]]

What’s your name? Thank you for coming to the stage. Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone else, this is X. Thank you so much for joining us today. Now, as I understand it, you have volunteered to seal the tunnels from the outside and brave whatever terrors might be waiting for you out there to save all of us. This is truly a dangerous and terrible task, and we thank you for that.

Guest: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Corin: Ah, yes, I did hear about the head injury you encountered earlier. It can play havoc with your memories.

Guest: I did not volunteer to do anything dangerous.

Corin: Don’t be ridiculous. It was very brave. We were all very impressed.

Guest: Just a moment ago, you asked for volunteers to come read a part.

Corin: That doesn’t sound right. I introduced you, you came to the stage and now you are telling me about the brave and dangerous feat ahead of you, and I am telling you just how brave and courageous we think you are. Thank you for your service.

Guest: You asked me to come read. Anyone in the audience will remember that.

Corin: The audience does not remember that. And if they do, then there’s a kind of thing called a collective hallucination. If anyone remembers me asking for you to come up here from the audience, they are just remembering wrong. You are a guest like any other on this show. We talked about it earlier. Your family did mention you might have some memory troubles, though.

Guest: I have no idea what’s happening.

Corin: None of us do. It’s the apocalypse. It is all very scary and we are all thankful that you are going to do this selfless thing and go battle with escaped monsters and terrible biological pathogens that are certain to be lining the tunnels now until you finally fall to one of their attacks, saving all of us.

Guest: This is crazy. I volunteered for none of that. I just came here to watch a show because you asked me to on Facebook.

Corin: Oh, bless your heart. We will never forget your sacrifice.

Guest: I simply will not do this thing.

Corin: That’s okay. We have several people standing by to escort you to your new task. Everyone please applaud as this brave soul goes to do something unimaginably brave and selfless for all of us. And die a terrible death. (You can go now)

It’s been a minute since we checked outside. Let’s have a listen.

[3] (More Terrible sounds)

At Kakos Industries, we are known for our parties. Of course, we’re Evil and we take the time to party whenever we can. I know that some of you long time shareholders might be concerned about how we might continue this critical part of our operations in these new, dramatically worsened circumstances. Obviously, we will all have to make some modifications, and that includes how we will celebrate. Right now, we should be having the Shareholders’ Ball, the most extravagant party of the year for us at Kakos Industries. It’s that time when we celebrate you, the shareholders. We spare no expense, and violate whatever morals we might have left, to bring you a feast and entertainment to truly remember. We’re still working out the kinks, but it’s likely the entertainment and the food offerings will be human suffering themed. Because we’ve got a lot of it right now. Those of you with chef on your new class cards should get to work so I don’t look like a fool when the time comes.

There’s also the Festival of Books. We do have a few books. They are all Dan Brown novels, though. Sorry about that. Not quite as exciting as we’re used to.

The CEO Festival is the festival where you all celebrate me. I did mention the thunderdome, right? It’ll probably be a thunderdome kind of thing. And the Festival of the Dance? Probably thunderdome. The Festival of Darkness will occur any time someone uses the bluetooth speaker without using the electric bike. It’ll trip the breaker and turn out the lights. Festival of Somnambulation? That’ll also be a thunderdome. The Thunderdome Festival will be a quiet game of cards, though.

I mentioned our low supply of books, but it would seem that the rest of our media is somewhat limited as well. The Internet has been completely destroyed. (pause) That’s what I thought. We’re not really that sad about it, are we? We’ve been kind of like, waiting for it to go for a while now, right? Before the apocalypse we tried to archive as much of the Internet as possible, so we could pretend like it still exists for some time, but the only things we managed to save were extreme right wing terrorist forums, so we deleted them. Also we saved the most recent meme to be posted to the Internet right before everything went to shit. It’s not a good one, but it is the last thing humanity did before the end of the world. It’s a kitten, on a blue background, and it says “This apocalypse shit is freaking meowt.” Congratulations, humanity.

[[Overdraught]]

To speak with us a bit more about the limited media we still have access to, we are now joined by Lisa Librera, the curator of what remains of our archives of entertainment. So, Lisa, what do we have to keep ourselves busy?

Lisa (KELSEY): Thank you, Corin. In addition to the books you mentioned and the lovely meme that will need to sustain us for the rest of time, we also have a small collection of VHS tapes, but they are all either commercial releases of Showgirls, the Ernest collection, or television taped in Super Long Play mode by someone’s grandmother. We know whose, we’re just not comfortable sharing that information right now. You will have to check them out and return them in one piece. Also, there is only one VCR, and it stays in the break room.

Corin: That seems difficult, but I assume we will adapt quickly.

Lisa: We also have a complete collection of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass on Vinyl, and an extremely worn copy of Thriller. The stylus has broken on our turntable, however. For other auditory entertainment, we also have this kitschy digital remote control that just plays fart sounds. Please use this responsibly.

Corin: If anyone can be trusted with such a power, it is our shareholders.

Lisa: We also have many of the Earth’s greatest works of art that you can look at through a window on the far side of the break room. Please do not concern yourselves with the identities of the masked figures who move the art around and sort it, and do not concern yourself with how we got any of it either.

Corin: I can think of nothing concerning about any of that. At least not to my sensibilities.

Lisa: There are six decks of cards. You will need to show proof that you will be playing cards with at least one other person before you will be allowed to check one out. No solitaire. We don’t have the resources for solitaire. We also have some dice, but they are exclusively for gambling.

Corin: I was going to ask about gambling. I’m glad that particular aspect of humanity will continue into the apocalypse.

Lisa: There is one puzzle. We don’t know what it’s supposed to look like when completed, or if all of the pieces are there, or if all of the pieces are even from the same puzzle.

Corin: I’m sure we will find out quickly.

Lisa: There are also several copies of Monopoly that I expect none of you to play. We also have a Bop-It, and a Skip-It. We expect them to be completely broken by tomorrow.

Corin: I can see that.

Lisa: There is also just one remaining porno magazine. It will be kept under lock and key. You will have to make an appointment, look at it, memorize whatever you need, and then go about your way, leaving it in the case. I am told, however, that there is something for everyone in it.

Corin: What about people who need more physical activity to keep themselves sane?

Lisa: You’ve already mentioned the exercise bike and the blue tooth speaker, but we do have a complete weight room in case you feel like getting prison jacked while you’re down here, and why not. We also have the GED prep book for anyone who wants to better themselves. We cannot guarantee that the information in this book is going to be valuable in the post apocalypse, but it’s about time you got yourself back into school.

Corin: That makes sense. It’s never too late for self improvement.

Lisa: We also have a limited supply of a variety of colors of paint so that you may while away the hours watching them dry. There’s also this cup and ball thing that I think we’re all going to be experts at soon enough, and a single puzzle cube, but it’s missing two of the face stickers. We don’t have the right color markers to do anything about that.

Corin: Well it seems like we might be just about set for the rest of our lives down here. Is there anything else?

Lisa: We also have one of those floor mats that promises to teach you to do the Jitterbug, but we lost the instructions. And the music.

Corin: That’s too bad. Thank you for joining us.

[[Helena]]

Corin: Hey, Titus.

Titus: Yes, Corin?

Corin: Is there any chance the apocalypse was caused by boredom?

Titus: I certainly don’t think so, Corin. If anything, it is quite exciting out here. I am positively riveted. It reminds me of my youth, when I used to cliff dive into waters just infested with jellies to show them who was boss.

I have a note here saying that our next guest is Deborah Highlow, from the Division of Animal Husbandry. Well, okay.

Deborah (BECCA): I appreciate you asking me here, Corin.

Corin: I definitely didn’t do that.

Deborah: I have something very important to talk about today.

Corin: Okay. Go ahead.

Deborah: It’s about the animals we have here in the bunker. Our livestock.

Corin: Do you want to talk with us about how to handle the animals and make sure that they last for generations to come?

Deborah: No, all of that is automated. I have something more important to talk about. May I address the shareholders directly?

Corin: Uh, yeah. I guess.

Deborah: Hello shareholders. My name is Deborah. I work with animals every day. I love animals and all that they have to offer us, so I want to talk to you about the most pressing issue facing us now that we are locked in this basement with the livestock. And that is overcoming your lust for them.

Corin: I’m going to cut you off right there, Deborah.

Deborah: Corin, this is important. Let me finish.

Corin: No guarantees.

Deborah: We’ve all been there. You catch the eye of that beautiful, glistening pack animal, and you think, there is nothing I want inside of me more than that animal.

Corin: Like to eat?

Deborah: No, Corin. Not to eat.

Corin: Please let’s not do this.

Deborah: You start by stroking its mane.

Corin: No.

Deborah: and maybe you get a little bit experimental.

Corin: Please stop.

Deborah: But this is wrong. We cannot fuck the animals.

Corin: Didn’t even cross my mind.

Deborah: You say that now, Corin. But just wait three months, down here, with all of these people. You’ll fuck half of them by next month. But then what will excite you?

Corin: Three months sounds like a short amount of time for this kind of change.

Deborah: You’ll start looking to the cows. Or the chickens. Or the horses.

Corin: There aren’t any horses down here.

Deborah: Oh, what a relief then. Actually, it was primarily the horses I was worried about. Now I feel silly for even bringing this up.

Corin: Well, I feel… silly isn’t the right word.

Deborah: Goodbye, Corin.

So… we’re going to have to get someone to fuck Deborah. Like a human person. Fall on that sword, guys. Because there will be no animal fucking in here.

Now we recognize it can get kind of boring down here, especially if you don’t have a whole lot of friends in this group, which is why we’re starting up some extracurricular activities to stay busy. We will have a choir. We currently only have the sheet music for acapella Sweet Caroline, but I’m sure you resourceful people will figure out some other songs.

We’re also going to have some roleplaying groups, but each group will have that guy that tries to game the system in a super unfun way. We also have one amongst us who can teach everyone else to make pottery. I am told that there is also an inflatable hot tub, but the heater is broken, and it probably has a hole in it.

I am now joined by Dennis Leelio, Director of The Intergalactic Network For Otherworldly Industry Liaisons, or TINFOIL for short.

[[Automat 2]]

Corin: What do you have to talk about today, Dennis?

Dennis (ANWAR): Well, usually, COrin, I deal with outer space shit. Aliens. Making alliances. Maintaining trade. Getting the good Froobberries from Markalon 99, okay? But now, we’re underground. I could have been in space for the apocalypse, but you decided to bring me back to Earth so that I could join you guys in the fucking ground. Real, exciting, Corin. Just a great fucking time for me. And now what do they ask me to do, Corin? They ask me to keep an eye on the drug stash. They know that I get a little cranky when I have chardonnay. They know I’m not going to touch the blow, or the blizz, or the weed cigarettes. But now I have the unenviable task of keeping these fucking drug fiends out there away from the stash so it lasts a while. There are no more drugs, Corin. What we’ve got is what we’ve got. No pens, no powders, no leaves, no flowers. We’re not getting any more, okay? So we’ve got to let everyone down real easy. Did you see that, Corin? Half of your damn shareholders just stiffened up knowing that they can’t smoke their jazz herbs every day for the rest of the apocalypse. Their buttholes just got real tight, Corin. And look at that guy. He’s fucking itchy just at the thought of not having any nose sweets. This is real great for me, Corin. Just dealing with a bunch of drug addled people looking for their fix. People that you got addicted. And you know I can’t leave anyone else in charge of the stash. Not even Derek. He’ll do all the drugs, Corin. I left him at the stash for five minutes and I bet he’s done half of the stuff already. In fact, the longer I’m here talking to you, the less drugs we’re going to have because my idiot assistant has a serious meeblebock problem. That’s not even a drug we have here, Corin. He is so fucked when the sweats start, and you know who’s going to have to take care of him? You know who’s going to have to breastfeed him back to health? It sure as shit isn’t you, Corin. It’s me. I’m going to have to change his bedding when he soils himself, and what thanks do I get for any of this? None. No thanks. No thanks for Dennis. Maybe I should do the drugs, Corin. Maybe I should just stick my face in there and just snort, smoke and swallow, and inject until I’m a fucking vegetable. Then I won’t have to deal with this garbage. The apocalypse? Go fuck yourself, Corin. Go fuck yourself.

Corin: I’ll let you get back to the stash.

Dennis: Thank you.

Corin: Hey, Dennis.

Dennis: What?

Corin: Thank you.

Dennis: Oh, go fuck yourself, Corin. Go fuck yourself. I deserve better than this shit.

Titus: Come in, Corin.

Corin: Yep. Go ahead.

Titus: I have determined that the end is not due to lack of cheese. There’s still plenty of cheese up here.

Corin: That’s not even on my list of possibilities. Can you look into electromagnetic pulses or superstorms? Maybe global warming?

Titus: I’m on it, Corin. Just as soon as I sample some more cheese.

[[Landlike]]

Shareholders, I have just received a note from my grandfather. If you’re a new shareholder, then you should know that my grandfather wrote me a lot of letters before he died to cover a wide variety of contingencies. This one is titled “The Apocalypse”. He writes, “Well, Corin, it was bound to happen, wasn’t it. The end of the world. And you were bound to cause it. I didn’t, and my predecessors didn’t either, so we were due. Don’t feel too bad sport. Everything was always headed this direction. In this letter, I’ve included a key. It opens a lockbox in storage 38-99-A in the bunker. There’s a bottle of DarkMegaScotch in there. Toast the world for me, would you? Also, if the apocalypse is anything like those months I spent underground in the seventies researching our internal clocks and how Evil they are, then it’s important to put on pants every single day. Every day, Corin. You promise me. Every day. If you don’t, that’s when the problems start. Put your pants on. Even when you don’t want to. You have to. Every day. Every day. Love ya, kiddo.” Well, I’m wearing pants now. Advantageous start, I guess.

Let’s take a listen outside again.

([Not so terrible sound] Something silly, like a carnival or something. Geese. Laughter.)

That doesn’t sound right.

The Division of Incredibly Boring things is still at work, shareholders. This is one of my favorite divisions. They’re always doing such interesting things. Well, not interesting. The opposite, actually–

([Noise 1])

Corin: Who is it now?

Svetlana (MASHA): My name is Svetlana. I work for DarkMegaKGB.

Corin: Ah. New shareholders, the DarkMegaUSSR is one of our rivals. But their leader took almost everyone and started a colony on Mars.

Svetlana: It is the reddest of planets. Even if Vodya was a bit misguided in his desire to get there so soon. He has left some of us behind on Earth to continue bringing collectivized Evil to the world.

Corin: So why did you call? Are you going to take credit for the apocalypse?

Svetlana: This is just like you capitalists. You think that it is always competition and that person who goes biggest wins. And it is your short sightedness that brings us to this mess. This apocalypse. Communist Evil would last a hundred thousand generations. No History. No social unrest. Just Evil. But you, and your consumption, and your need to exploit every one of Earth’s resources in pursuit of shiny things, you have gone too far. Capitalism has done this, and now there is no one left to do Evil to. No one left in gulag. No one left in frozen wastes. All is wasted.

Corin: You think capitalism did this? I mean, sure. Why not. We’ll take the blame.

Svetlana: Short sighted as always.

Titus: Corin, I did some looking into the weather patterns.

Corin: Forget about that for a minute. Did capitalism cause the apocalypse?

Titus: Ah, Capitalism? Well… That’s a tricky one, Corin. I am not economist. Hold on.

(Titus makes nibbling sounds)

Titus: Well, Corin, I’ve just chewed some bark here. I can detect notes of runaway capitalism, notes of financial oligarchy, a hint of cronyism, and a lot of greed, but no, Corin. Capitalism may have helped, but it’s not the root of the problem.

Corin: Do you hear that Svetlana?

Svetlana: In that case, we will take credit for the apocalypse. Thank you for conceding, Mr. Deeth. It has made our job much easier.

([noise 2])

Corin: Oh, fuck.

Corin: Okay, Titus, tell me what you’ve discovered about the weather patterns.

[Wind]

Titus: Okay, here goes: It    is windy.

(pause)

Corin: That’s it?

Titus: This wind did not cause the apocalypse.

Corin: Then find out what did!

Titus: Ah, yep. That’s the point, Corin. Working on it. Titus out.

[STOP Wind]

Corin: This is getting pretty frustrating.

[[Equivocacy]]

Now to try to perk us up, I am joined by Francine Drow to talk with us about Euthanasia options. Wait, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all.

Francine (JESSIE): It most certainly isn’t, Corin, but we have to have this conversation.

Corin: I suppose I agree. We have to make sure that we have mature conversations about things like this.

Francine: And we also don’t want anyone making a fucking mess all over the bunker for everyone else to see and clean up. We understand, you know. This is all terribly depressing and the desire to leave it all behind is not difficult to empathize with. Why, I’m thinking about it right now myself. And that’s why we’ve decided to set up safe, sanitary, and most importantly, tidy ways of ending it all. The last thing we need is brains all over the fucking walls, or gallons of blood staining the floor for the rest of eternity. We also don’t want your bowels releasing anywhere other than the designated areas for that. It’s really about morale.

Corin: Morale?

Francine: Obviously. If we have a bunch of corpses piling up everywhere, and leaving remnants in the most difficult to clean nooks and crannies, then it will have a seriously negative effect on morale. People cannot be content in those circumstances.

Corin: So what do you recommend?

Francine: Well, we have a variety of ways to take you out for good that are far more agreeable than leaving yourself hanging like a flag, waving for all to see. We have drugs and a variety of painless poisons. And best of all, the emotional impact you have on the rest of us is far less with these methods. We can’t stop you from doing it, but we can ask that you not make it a whole thing, you know?

Corin: Do you have anything hopeful to say after all of that?

Francine: No matter how you die, we will harvest your sperm or eggs if you have any and use those to make more people in the future. We just can’t lose the genetic diversity.

Corin: I’m not sure that’s all that hopeful.

Francine: Did I forget to smile?

Corin: Thank you for joining us, Francine.

Let’s check in with the sounds outside to see how things are progressing.

[4](More terrible sounds)

That’s about what I expected.

[[Overt Operation]]

[Fire]

Titus: I have another update.

Corin: Go ahead.

Titus: It’s regarding global warming. It is rather warm where I am, but I am inside a burning building.

Corin: Titus, get out of there!

Titus: Don’t you worry, Corin. I’m apocalypse proof, remember?

Corin: Fine. But this isn’t useful information.

Titus: I’m only one man, Corin. I’m doing the best I can.

Corin: Well, keep at it. It seems like we might not figure out the answer to this enormous question before the end of the show here. We’ll have to distribute literature later or something. Or maybe have another show.

Titus: Whatever you think is best, Corin. I’m going to have another beer in the meantime.

[Can]

[STOP Fire]

They say that Evil once ate one half of each of two babies and sewed them up into one baby. This is Things We’re Taking Credit for Now. New shareholders, this is the segment where we announce that we’re taking credit for Evil things around the world. We definitely did do these things, but it’s not always easy to prove how. Today, we are taking credit for ________, _________, and the apocalypse. I guess I said that one already. If you happen to disagree that we did any of these things, prepare to experience the apocalypse head on. Outside.

X has won the Ruin-A-Life Drawing. As a result, the life of X’s nemesis will be ruined. X has selected Y for this punishment. We spun the Wheel of Misery with an Evil amount of force and it sailed right past apocalypse to land on the space designated for Nonjudgmental. That’s right, from this day forward, Y will be 300% more nonjudgmental. This includes situations where being judgmental isn’t really helping anyone, but also situations where some judgment would actually be a pretty good idea. Like picking your friends and lovers. For Evil Measure, X will be 30% more judgmental. That may take a toll. Congratulations on the win and best of luck.

[[Tautologize]]

And that brings us to the end of the show. No more word from Titus. The apocalypse just happened and now we have to deal with it. Not the best outcome, but Evil perseveres.

[Laser]

Titus: Corin.

Corin: What is it, Titus?

Titus: Well, it’s the apocalypse.

Corin: It is the apocalypse. What about it?

Titus: Do you remember when I told you about that ray that they used to test my apocalypse-proofness?

Corin: I remember thinking that it made no sense.

Titus: Well, this is embarrassing, but it looks like one of the scientists in the lab left the ray on, and it looks like it slipped, so it’s no longer hitting the apocalypse-proof panel on the wall. Instead, it’s hitting a glass of water and being reflected out of the window, where it is hitting the Earth. I believe this apocalypse ray may be causing the apocalypse.

Corin: That is so incredibly stupid.

Titus: I agree, Corin, but you just can’t make this stuff up.

Corin: Well, turn it off.

[Laser Off]

Titus: It is off, Corin.

Corin: And the apocalypse light on my desk turned off. Titus, you ended the apocalypse.

Titus: Are you sure, Corin? I still feel like everything is terrible.

Corin: Oh, it is.

Titus: Nothing makes sense. Everyone is mad at everyone else.

Corin: Yep.

Titus: It feels like democracy is crumbling and no one cares about truth anymore.

Corin: uh-huh. But it’s not the apocalypse anymore. I’ll see you back at work, Titus. Corin out.

Well, shareholders, this is embarrassing. But on the other hand, at least it was us here at Kakos Industries that caused the apocalypse, and not any of our competitors. I suppose we can let you go now. Hopefully your loved ones survived the few hours of apocalypse.

Please tip your bartenders. We will have merch in the back. Have an amazing night. The numbers are next.

[[The Numbers]]

11

22

69

120

220

12

40

440

4

8

76

79

69

69

420

49

42

99

4

4

4

4

I suppose now that everything is back to normal we can take one more listen outside.

[5] (Another terrible sound)

Where the hell did we put that microphone?

[[Kakos Bells with Reverse Reverb]]

[[Potency]]

Kelsey: This special live presentation of Kakos Industries was written and produced by Conrad Miszuk, who is also the voice of Corin Deeth III. The introduction is read by Kitty McCauley, and the credits are read by Kelsey Kemmer, the current thunderdome champion after squashing a fly in there. Special appearance in this episode by Adam Miszuk, Anwar Newton, Rebecca Ryan, Jessie Marie, Masha Zapalova, and Kelsey Kemmer. Please visit KakosIndustries.com for news, extras, and more episodes. There are also transcriptions on the website if you’d like to read along with the Kakos Industries announcements. That’s K-A-K-O-S-I-N-D-U-S-T-R-I-E-S dot com. Please visit store.KakosIndustries.com for merchandise and special offers and get wonderful benefits by becoming a subscription donor at kakosindustries.com/patreon. You can also buy stuff in the lobby! Questions, comments, or a strong desire to collaborate? Drop us a line at inquiries@kakosindustries.com. If you like Kakos Industries, be sure to rate and review us on your favorite podcasting service, and connect with us on YouTube (YouTube.com/KakosIndustries), Facebook (facebook.com/kakosindustries), Tumblr (kakosindustries.tumblr.com), and Twitter (@KakosIndustries). We encourage fan art and listener participation on all our social media platforms. We’ve recently expanded our social media team, so please visit the website to view their credits and current projects.

Kelsey: Kakos Industries can be heavy sometimes. Try exercising to take your mind off of all of the darkness.

[[Stop Music]]

[chocolatemillkk]

Darkest before the Dawn (JS+Buttercream)

Request: one without a y/n or character or anything, literally just the buttercreams- with super depressed joe??? like he’s withdrawing and insecure n anxious and shit and they’re all getting more and more worried and have meetings without joe to discuss how to help, and joe finds them one day? and he’s a mess and v skinny n tired n crying and they all comfort him but he hates accepting help as we all know...happy ending

It was a little different to write w/o a main reader because I wanted to try to get the boys' perspectives so i hope it's not completely terrible?¿ 😟 Thanks for the fresh idea though! :)

----------------------------------------

Caspar had been glancing at his friend all evening, wondering how exactly to order his words for his message to get through. He found that oftentimes, his words were misinterpreted, he was too brash or too blunt, and he definitely did not want to be too brash or too blunt with Joe. Especially now.

Joe was always a skinny guy but the boys hadn't seen Joe in this state before. Joe was lacking his usual enthusiasm, not returning the boys' banter, and looking tired all the time. His bags were grey, his prided hair was flat and dull, and his body was reminiscent of an malnourished boy. It didn't make for a very pretty picture.

"Maybe it's a phase," Jack offers after Joe leaves early to go home. Jack bites his lip, however, betraying his true worry.

"Mate, even if it is we still have to do something about it." Conor looks at his brother like he's an idiot.

"He's withdrawing from us and we have to show up at his house to get him to come out!" Caspar points out. "He seems very tense and anxious I'm worried guys."

"But he hasn't said anything," Jack says. "Shouldn't we respect his space?"

"Fuck his space!" Caspar shouts. Too bluntly, too brash.

"If we give him space he's never going to ask for help. We know Joe enough to know that." Josh sighs. "We need like an intervention."

"He'll feel under attack," Jack points out.

"How about I try talking to him first. Then one of you can have a go too," Caspar suggests and the boys agree.

So Caspar shows up to Joe's on a random Thursday evening with a case of beer and a few video games from his own collection.

"Caspar I'm not feeling too well," Joe tries to lie his way out of it but since Caspar was already there, he enters uninvited.

"Soo," Caspar says after a couple rounds of the game. He notices Joe picking at his thumb, fidgeting and uneasy. "Joe I'm concerned about your recent behaviour."

"I'm fine," Joe says immediately. "Nothing's wrong mate."

"You don't look like you're well," Caspar ignores Joe. "Do you want to talk about it? Are you stressed about something?"

"Aren't we always stressed about something?" Joe tries to change the subject with a laugh but Caspar is unrelenting.

"Buddy, I don't want to force you to answer but I'm here okay?"

Joe goes quiet and fiddles with his game joystick. Caspar watches his best friend swallow hard. "Thanks, should we go for another round?"

So that's what the two do.

Jack goes next, he calls Joe eight times the next day but he doesn't pick up once. He texts him too until he responds.

Joe: Feeling unwell. Maybe another time.

Joe was withdrawing from everyone else and that wasn't good.

Jack: Just come out with the gang. We haven't seen you in a while

Joe: You lot will have more fun without me anyway so just go on

Jack: What are you on about we miss you when you keep staying home

Joe: I'm busy.

Jack knew he pushes too hard. Damn.

Josh's tactic was to call Joe and Uber and have him delivered right to his doorstep. Joe showed up at his flat with messy hair, looking upset. But he doesn't say anything. He finds a spot on the couch and sinks further and further in as the night goes on, nursing a single beer and zoning out to the boys around him. The boys exchange many worried glances.

"Hey Joe wanna hear my new single?" Conor flops down beside him, invading his space and forcing Joe out of his fog.

"What?" Joe asks.

So in the most awful voice Conor can muster he begins to sing, "I've got a friend Joe and he's feeling pretty low and I dunno..." Conor peeks at Joe but he doesn't crack a smile.

"Reckon that needs some work," Joe sighs and picks himself up. He walks off to the bathroom.

"What the hell was that?" Jack glares at his brother.

"What? That usually makes him laugh."

"Well he's obviously not in the laughing mood," Jack rolls his eyes.

"Why's he in this mood?" Mikey asks.

"If we knew we would be doing something about it wouldn't we?" Jack snaps.

"We just need to force it out of him now," Caspar thinks.

"Did you see how skinny he's gotten?" Mikey asks.

"We should sit him down." Caspar reitterates.

The room goes silent as the boys ponder the task at hand. Joe walks into the heavy silence and looks around confused.

"Joe you need our help," Caspar tries a new angle.

"What?" Mikey shakes his head.

"That sounded really appealing Caspar," Josh rolls his eyes.

"I don't get it," Joe stays in place.

"Mate you look terrible," Conor tries but once again everything they say comes out wrong.

"Thanks for reminding me," Joe says drily. "Maybe I'll call it a night."

"Wait," all the boys try to get him to stay but there are too many voices at once.

"Joe we know you're feeling down and anxious but you have to talk to us!" Caspar tugs Joe's arm.

"You can't be so bloody stubborn all the time!" Jack shouts out.

"I can't talk about it right now," Joe moves to leave.

"You can't or won't?" Caspar shows concern for his best friend. But Joe turns his face away, he was tired and he was going back home. They wouldn't understand anyway.

•••

Joe slipped under covers when he went home. The night sky turns to dawn which turns to day which sets into the afternoon, dusk, and back to the night sky. Joe only gets up once through the changes. Another cycle goes by and another. And none of the boys reach out to Joe. They snap him when they hang out, an indirect invitation to come along. But they leave him be.

Joe lays under his covers, he was stressed and depressed again. The last time he was like this it took his old roomate Caspar to pull him out but even Caspar couldn't help now.

Joe thought a lot. He overthought a lot too. About his work and his friends and what he meant to them. He thought about how disappointed his viewers must be that he'd missed last week's upload or how he always managed to disappoint his friends. No body understood him anyway.

On the Thursday, it was time for Joe to step out of the house. All his food was gone and he was running out of toilet paper. One foot after the other, he drags himself to a Tesco. That's where he bumps into a few of his viewers.

"Oh my gosh it's Joe," one of them tells her friend as they approach him. Joe wished so hard the invisibility cloak existed so he could wrap himself in it. Instead, he paints on a pleasant expression and greets them.

"You missed your last upload!" The other says. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Joe lies through his teeth. "I'm sorry about that I'll be back this week!"

Joe takes a selfie with them and forgets the toilet paper and the groceries. He rushes out of the Tesco and stands in the middle of the sidewalk, trying to ground himself.

An Uber, he needed to call an Uber.

But it takes twice as long to actually get his phone out and by the time he's pinpointed where he needs to go and gotten the Uber the tears are already spilling onto his cheeks. His driver simply hands him a tissue and drives him to the complex he requested.

The boys are gathered playing video games when Joe knocks on the door. Conor is the one to get it and when he sees a pitiful Joe sniffling outside the door he pulls him in and guides him to the living room.

"Joe," Josh pauses the video and everyone watches Joe sit on the sofa.

"I can't keep doing this guys. I'm just so tired all the time and I can't keep up and you lot...I keep letting you down and I'm letting myself down too and I know you want to help but it's so hard to accept it I-I'm not well you were right but I don't know what to do."

"Aw mate," Jack is the first to lean over and wrap Joe in a hug. So of course, Conor leans against his brother and joins. Mikey comes around and wraps his arms around the whole group. Josh gets up from his seat and with his force they all stumble and land in a heap on top of Joe, still hugging him.

Caspar walks out of the bathroom to see the pile up of his friends on top of a smiling Joe-a rare sight in the last few weeks.

"Joe!" He shouts and flops down on top of everyone.

A chorus of groans ring out as the boys are squished and Joe shouts out in pain from the crushing weight on his body. But it's also as if the pressure of all the love around him finally grounds him-it finally shifts his perspective after weeks of darkness. And even though there was a long long way to go, Joe finally saw it. There, right on the horizon of his dark days was a faint light; small but warm and welcoming.

[raspberrytummytickles]

My One True Omega

Wincest Writing Challenge: November 2017 @wincestytypeoflove vs @wincensfw Prompt: Strength (Tarot Cards) Rating: Teen | Wordcount: 3k+ | Round 14 Tags: Unrelated Wincest, Pinning Sam Winchester, Unrequited Love, A/B/O Dynamics, Moment of Destiel, Arranged Marriage, Love at First Sight, @wincestwritingchallenge Summary: Sam’s loved Dean ever since he first saw him. He just want’s his love reciprocated.

Dean woke with a groan, long warm arms around his waist and a needy nose poking his shoulder. He spared a glance at the pair of eyes gazing at him in adoration and sighed, shaking off the cuddly omega.

“Morning, Dean,” Sam said brightly, warm hands rubbing the crooks of Dean’s back. Dean grunted in greeting and pushed the omega more firmly away, getting up. He padded to the kitchen in only his boxers, Sam following behind him talking about something unimportant to Dean.

He fixed his morning coffee, per usual, as Sam puttered around the cooking space and started on breakfast. Dean rubbed his temples, a headache forming at the constant chatter. He remembered a point in time when he thought it was kinda cute but now? Dean could barely stand it.

“Here ya go!” Sam said cheerily, placing down a plate of eggs, toast, cheese, bacon, salami and a small bowl of fruit.

“Sam,” Dean growled. “I don’t eat fruit so stop giving it to me.”

“You need it so shut up and eat,” Sam snorted, popping a grape in his mouth. They had this argument every morning and while tiring, Sam secretly loved it. He could pretend that Dean actually loved him and that this was a sleepy lover’s quarrel. Of course, that wasn’t what it was in all honesty.

Dean didn’t love Sam, it was clear as day that the alpha wouldn’t have chosen Sam for a mate if he thought he had a better choice. Sam, however, was deeply in love with Dean, with his green eyes and adorable freckles. He felt safe around the alpha and would do anything for him. They hadn’t officially mated, Dean putting off actually knotting him but Sam relished in whatever closeness he could get with Dean.

And when he saw Dean had finished his food, including the fruit cup, he called it a win.

—- —- —-

Dean watched the older omega a few seats away with a sad sigh. Castiel Novak was the most gorgeous omega Dean had ever laid eyes on. His scent drove Dean crazy along with his cute little head tilt when he was confused and messy hair plus the brightest pair of blue eyes Dean had ever seen. He wanted Cas so bad but he was stuck with Sam. Dean glanced at the younger omega next to him and wrinkled his nose. Sam didn’t smell bad, he just wasn’t what Dean wanted or needed.

Sam easily hid the hurt he felt whenever Dean’s eyes strayed. He knew he wasn’t who Dean wanted but the alpha could try to at least be less obvious. The thing is, Dean’s father arranged a marriage between them, because the Campbell heir needed a mate. Both were reasonably upset at first, though the omega sometimes thinks Dean is still upset, but then Sam had fallen head over heels for Dean. The Alpha, however, never made an effort like Sam did. They’d been together for four years and Sam was honestly getting a little tired of the rejection and the hate.

Seeing his friends with their perfect mates and swollen with pups was hard when he was downright miserable trying to keep his alpha happy. The thoughts made Sam want to cry but he never dared in front of Dean in fear the alpha would tease him or berate him.

Sam pushed the depression away, focusing back on the paper he was supposedly reading and grimaced.

“This new Alpha leader is shitty at doing his job.”

Dean looked at him with barely concealed annoyance. Omega’s were supposed to be seen, not heard.

“He’s trying to make arranged marriages a law instead of just pack traditions,” Sam elaborated.

Dean snorted and rolled his eyes, “That’s just the way things are. Best to make it official before controversy breaks out.”

“I’d rather marry for love,” Sam said lightly, even though that’s what he did.

“Yeah, me too,” Dean said, turning back to stare at Cas.

Sam just pushed the tears back because he was fine. He always was.

— —- —–

While Sam and Dean weren’t close, sex between them was amazing. Dean was always rough with Sam, pounding into his hole until the omega was weeping both from his eyes and from his cock. Sam wasn’t one who normally enjoyed rough sex but with Dean, Sam felt like he could take anything.

Sam cried and whimpered, calling Dean’s name. He knows Dean doesn’t like it very much when he’s loud. Sam wasn’t supposed to speak. He wouldn’t call what they do making love but there was definitely that spark of connection between them.

Usually a bond between two mates was strong, you could feel it ripple beneath your skin since it is a part of you. But, Sam barely felt a twinge of their bond unless Dean was mad or during sex. So, Sam relished in what little he had with Dean. Call him clingy but he wanted Dean and Sam wished the feelings were reciprocated. When they finished, both reaching a release, Sam rolled so he was curled on Dean’s chest. The Alpha sighed but didn’t move or make any other attempt to touch Sam.

And it really, really fucking hurt.

—–

Sam was honestly tired of being unwanted, especially so openly. Gabriel, Castiel’s alpha brother who once tried courting Sam, hated how the pretty omega was being treated. He and Dean didn’t get along at all because of that. Gabriel hated how Sam was treated and hated how Dean made the omega feel so worthless. He couldn’t let the alpha near his little brother either if he could help it, but Cas made his own decisions if proven beneficial.

“You deserve better,” Gabe would say, golden eyes worried and sad.

Sam would smile and nod, “I know. But, I need him.”

And the subject would be dropped.

——

Jealousy pulled through Dean as he watched Balthazar openly flirt with Castiel. The omega took the compliments perfectly, head held high and a shy smile on his face along with a pink blush. It made Dean’s skin crawl. He wanted to be the one that brought Cas great joy.

Last time he spoke with the omega, he flirted consistently. Until, Castiel stopped him, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t you already have an omega?”

“We never mated but technically yes,” Dean sighed honestly. Castiel had hummed but no longer responded to Dean’s flirting like before.

Just another way Sam ruined his life.

It wasn’t Sam’s fault, Dean knew. He was just taking his anger out on the omega. Sam was an okay guy, super sweet and smart. But he wasn’t like any normal omega and that’s what Dean wanted. Sam was tall instead of small and lean. Sam formed his own opinions and spoke his mind about everything, even ice cream flavors. He ate burgers with Dean and drank beer instead of apple juice and fruits (though Sam did love forcing an occasional salad).

A hand intertwining with his own caught Dean’s attention. He glanced at Sam, ready to snap and ask why the hell they were suddenly holding hands when he saw what Sam was looking at. An alpha named Jody and her little beta mate, Donna. In her arms was an adorable blonde-haired baby that they had just had three months ago. Dean felt a slight pang for Sam who obviously ached for a family but was stuck with Dean. He let Sam hold his hand and gave it a slight squeeze.

Sam looked at Dean in surprise, looking like he was expecting a reprimand. Dean rolled his eyes and turned his gaze back to Cas who he found was staring at him curiously. Dean dropped Sam’s hand as if it were fire and smiled charmingly at Castiel. He didn’t notice Sam’s hurt, resigned expression like Cas did.

They had come home that evening, Dean in a sour mood per usual when his flirting with Castiel didn’t go as planned. Sam just looked tired, done.

“Dean,” Sam asked, getting his Alpha’s attention.

“What?”

“Are we ever gonna mate?”

“Excuse me?” Dean raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

“I see all these omegas or betas with their mates, happily mated and forming a family and I’m just wondering―”

“Sam, you do know that we are never gonna do that, right?” Dean asked carefully, ignoring Sam’s crestfallen look. “I’m never gonna knot you. Look, I get it, seeing everyone with kids and stuff and you not having any but seriously? Can you honestly see us together?”

“Yes,” Sam said softly.

“Well, I can’t.”

“Cause all you see is Castiel.”

Dean heard the bitterness in his voice and grimaced.

“I don’t love you, Sam,” Dean was getting frustrated. “So, I’m not gonna mate with you.” “That’s it then?” Sam snapped. “Just-Just pining after an omega who doesn’t want you when there is someone right here who would die for you to give them an ounce of the attention you bestow on Cas!”

“Shut the hell up!” Dean growled.

“I want to be your mate, Dean! We have a bond but you won’t let it grow because you want Castiel. Well, I want you Dean!”

“I don’t want you, Sam, and I never will.”

“What can I do?!”

“You can leave!” Dean shouted. “You can just get out of my fucking life! I never wanted to be married to you, I never wanted you as my bond mate and I never wanted to spend my life with you! Just get out and don’t come back!”

He was panting, the tension clearing up and Dean got a good look at the omega. Sam’s eyes were watering, a crushed resigned look on his face. He looked like someone ripped out his heart and trampled on it and that’s pretty much what happened.

Sam tuned and walked away from Dean, into their bedroom. Dean stayed where he was, guilt twisting his stomach. Sam returned with a black backpack and headed to the door, eyes blank, losing the life that was always filled in them.

“I hope you get who you want, Dean,” Sam said gently as he walked out the door, placing something in Dean’s hand.

Dean took a breath, turning and watching his husband of four years walk out the door. He looked down in his hand and felt his heart ache as he rolled around the wedding ring he gave Sam that night, four years ago. Dean took a breath and walked to their (now his) room and flopped on the bed, rubbing his eyes.

——–

The first few nights without Sam was torture. Absolute torture. He couldn’t sleep without imagining that warm body invading his personal space and flopping on him.

At first, Dean played it off as missing the sex because it honestly was amazing but it turned into more. Dean hated having that big bed all to himself. He laid there, eyes tracing the ceiling, mind on overdrive.

Where was Sam now? Was he okay? Did he find somewhere to stay for the night?

The questions wouldn’t leave him alone and Dean worried himself for three days straight before knowing he needed to make his move and get a distraction.

——–

“Castiel?” Dean got the omega’s attention. Those gorgeous blue eyes that had once caught Dean’s attention were no match for Sam’s ever-changing orbs, but Dean pushed that thought away. He’s never noticed them before, why should they matter now?

“Dean,” He greeted in his low voice. Dean found himself suddenly wishing for a slightly higher one with a mischievously defiant tone. “Can I help you?”

“I wish to court you, Cas. I have been wanting to since we first met. Will you except me and become my mate?”

Castiel looked at Dean unblinkingly for a second, eyes slightly narrowed. “What about Samuel?”

“He…He left,” Dean admitted. God, it wasn’t supposed to hurt. He should be happy the cheeky loveable omega was gone.

Castiel continued staring before giving a swift nod. “Then yes, courting me would be adequate.”

Dean beamed happily, kissing the back of Castiel’s hand. This is what he’d been waiting for since he first laid eyes on the older omega. And while he was happy, Dean couldn’t help but feel like something was missing.

——–

Courting Castiel was…not what Dean expected. The omega had a schedule to keep, always up at a certain time. The omega didn’t want to stay in bed and cuddle in the morning like Dean had grown used too. Dean found himself longing for a warm body to curl into, for cold toes to press against his thighs and soft whispers of comfort that always managed to awaken Dean, those soft pink petal lips brushing against his temple until Dean pushed him away. Castiel made Dean a breakfast of eggs, meats, breads, cheeses, and not a hint of fruit, just like Dean wanted. Castiel, however, had a little bowl of strawberries and blueberries, and never once tried stealing from Deans bowl like Sam was so fond of doing.

Dean found himself longing for a small bowl of grapes and kiwi.

Castiel also didn’t have any views, he just agreed to Dean’s stand points like a good little omega. Dean, though acting like he hated it, loved when Sam argued his beliefs with Dean, always keeping the alpha on his toes. Castiel, on the other hand, quietly agreed with Dean like how old tradition said. Omegas should be seen but not heard. Sam always made himself known and had pride in what he believed, something Dean once thought was a bad thing but now, couldn’t help missing since Sam was usually right anyway.

Dean found himself longing for the debate partner he lost.

Since nothing was like how Dean planned it would go, he at least hoped fucking Castiel would be good. It had been a fantasy of his for years to get his cock into that tight hole and have the omega squeal his name as he came.

Turned out, Castiel didn’t make any noise, something Dean would usually beg for. But, he wanted to hear Castiel’s whimpers, hear the cries and moans that Dean knew would escape him. Dean wanted to see Castiel’s face flushed and in sheer ecstasy. But, none of that happened. Cas was quiet, only small grunts from every thrust. He also wasn’t very adventurous in bed like Sam was. Sam would try out anything, getting just as or more excited about whatever they were doing, making sex fun and different every time. With Cas though, it was sorta…boring.

Dean pulled out of Castiel before his knot came spitting out, noticeably smaller than any other knot Dean had made compared to when he was screwing Sam. He star-fished on the bed, waiting for his post-sex cuddle but Cas stayed on his side of the bed respectfully.

The alpha was miserable, to be frank. This isn’t at all what he wanted or who he wanted. He pulled out the necklace he wore around his neck, the wedding ring Sam had given back to him hanging on the silver chain. The aching in his chest grew and Dean felt like a part of him had been ripped out and never returned. It didn’t take long for Dean to figure out what he was feeling.

Dean found himself longing for Sam.

———  

“I’m sorry Cas….I just…I cant…anymore…I’m sorry…”

“I understand.”

“You….do?”

“Yes, it is plain as day that you and Sam Campbell are meant for each other.”

Dean flushed, realizing that he was probably the only person who didn’t know.

———

Now that Dean had this new revelation, he had to find his mate. Sam was his and the guilt that had been piling on Dean grew with every moment he thought about the fight they had. Sam had looked so heartbroken and crushed, like the love of his life rejected him.

Dean thought back to all the times Sam stuck with him. Sam comforted him when he was upset, took care of him when he was sick, fed him and always made sure Dean was okay. He didn’t have to do that. Sam could’ve thrown the towel in so much earlier than he did because Dean was a major dick. But Sam stayed because he loved Dean.

And Dean loved Sam.

He loved those adorable dimpled grins that looked like sunshine. He loved his narrow waist and firm stomach. His broad shoulders that always help Dean carry the weight of the burdens he thrusts upon them. Sam always looks on the bright, optimistic side, helping Dean see there are good things in life. Sam’s hugs were the best, especially from behind because he could lean into his omegas arms and soak in the love he always freely gave.

Dean was deeply, madly in love with Sam Campbell and he threw it all away for an omega who did things by the book.

Dean needed to find Sam and tell him he was sorry. Hopefully, the omega would listen and take him back.

He searched all the usual places he knew Sam would be, like the library, the bookstore, the fountain in the middle of a huge garden and even the park. Sam loved nature and animals; Dean remembered from their first year married and how Sam would drag Dean to all the nature reserves, pointing out different birds and flowers. At that point, Dean thought maybe they would have a chance at a happy marriage. But then he met Castiel and everything flew to shit.

Dean sighed, about to walk out of the park to find somewhere else to look when he saw something—or rather someone—laying down across one of the benches. Dean made his way to the bench, picking up his pace as he realized who it was.

“Sam?” He called, finally reaching the bench. He knelt by the omega, frown deep on his face as he saw the shivering form. “How long have you been here?”

Sam, having heard the noise, woke up blinking at Dean. He jerked up, startled, eyes wide as he stared at his ex-husband. “Dean?”

“Hey, Sammy,” Dean muttered softly.

Sam was surprised; Dean hadn’t called him Sammy since their first year of marriage. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Castiel?” He couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Dean winced. “Aw Sammy. I’m so sorry babe.”

Sam didn’t look at Dean and instead rummaged through his bag. He started in surprise as something dangled in front of him. It was the wedding ring on the necklace.

“You kept it?”

Dean smiled at the awe in Sam’s voice.

“I never would have been able to throw it away.”

Sam was shocked into silence, eyes still on the wedding ring. Dean gently used his pointer finger to swipe Sam’s bangs from his eyes and behind his ear, easily making the movement tilt Sam’s chin up so they were eye to eye.

“I’m a stupid alpha,” He said softly.

“I could’ve told you that,” Sam teased wetly, eyes watering a bit. Dean snorted in amusement.

“I never looked right in front of me, never saw the most beautiful, smart, loving omega just waiting for me to see them. I never saw you and I am so sorry.” Dean pressed his nose against Sam’s cheek, breathing in the cinnamon and cream smell with a sigh of relief. “I love you, Sammy.”

Sam gasped, looking into Dean’s eyes for confirmation, to see if he truly meant it. The bond Dean had been blocking suddenly overflowed with emotion. Love poured through both of them as their soul intertwined. Dean looked at Sam with warm eye, leaning forward and gently kissing the soft chapped lips. Sam happily gave himself to Dean, the alpha making him feel strong.

Dean slipped the ring onto Sam’s finger, kissing his hand. Sam hiccupped, smiling brighter than ever. Dean gave Sam one last kiss, mumbling,

“Let’s go home.”

~Fin~

[roobierubyroobieruby]

Scarred, but not Broken (Part 10)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 2,489

Warnings: depression, anxiety, self-harm, bad thoughts…[you never have to suffer alone! Seek help, it’s out there!]

Summary: You and Nat are best friends, and one night you are struggling with your anxiety and depression. She brings you to the Avengers compound for a quiet girl’s night that gets crashed by some of the team. Feeling overwhelmed, you slip away unnoticed – or so you think.

(Y/NN) – Your Nick Name

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Part 8] [Part 9]

A/N: I sincerely apologize for the lack of progress in this fic. It is the first one I started writing and I actually began it during a depressive episode, I just wrote and wrote and I actually made it through all 9 chapters before my episode began to fade. So I hit a wall with it because it’s hard to get back into that frame of mind - with such raw emotions and feelings - without being in it myself. IF YOU ARE FEELING DOWN OR DEPRESSED OR ANXIOUS OR ANYTHING - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. EVER. YOU ARE LOVED, YOUR EXISTENCE IS TREASURED.

Previously: You sat up, finally staring into his eyes and noticing the deep blue in them where you thought you’d seen storm grey. The thought of spending time with Bucky you’re sure gave you heart palpitations, so you thanked whatever God there was that his super soldier serum didn’t give him super hearing. He looked at you like a sad puppy, and you were sure it was because he wanted to palm you off to Natasha and free himself of you.

You breathed out a sigh, unwilling to force him into spending time with you just because the thought made you feel warm where you were only cold inside.

(Bucky’s POV)

He noticed the sadness in your eyes and decided – against his better judgement – that he was going to make sure that by the end of this day, he’d make you smile again at least once, just like you had the first night he saw you.

“I think I want to go and have a shower and change first,” you said with trepidation, noting the sag of his shoulders, “and then I’ll see how I feel.” Bucky stood up, offering you his hand which you took without hesitation. It seemed odd to you that less than 24 hours ago, you’d spoken to this man so few times you could count them on one hand. Now, here you were holding his, letting it be an anchor to reality.

You felt numb and out of place - as if you were a couple of seconds out of time with the rest of the world. You wished to conjure up any kind of emotion to prove to yourself that you were real: sadness for what happened and the worry you put Nat through, naive hope that maybe you’d finally broken through Bucky’s cold exterior, relief that the worst of your storm had passed for the time being. Instead, you were empty. As if you were hollowed out by the worst of yourself, leaving a dull husk in its place to wander this earth in existence, but not participation, and always a couple of seconds out of step.

Bucky walked with you through the base, delivering you to Nat’s door as if he’d done this a million times over, before he pressed his hand to your forearm, a silent plea to wait.

“My room is the floor below us, the door down the very end of the hall. Come see me if you want to, but I understand if you don’t. I certainly wasn’t sociable when I first got here after HYDRA and what happened between Steve and Tony because of me.”

Your eyes travelled up from the floor, willing yourself to look him in the eye. Even though you felt hollow, the aching anxiety in your chest wanted you to cave in on yourself, protect yourself, for this was too much vulnerability for someone who you barely knew to witness.

Your breathing hitched in your throat, your mouth feeling like it was full of cotton.

“I’m not saying it’s the same thing, or trying to say I had it worse than you - God I feel like I’m making a mess of this.”

He rubbed his hand through his hair, his eyes crinkling with concern.

“I’m just saying that if you want to talk about it, even the worst of it, I’m around. I might understand more than you think. Just, consider it, please, doll.”

You heard the slight quiver in his voice when he called you ‘doll’. Although you tucked that piece of knowledge away for a later date, it gave you pause.

“Thank you Bucky, really.”

You managed to curl the corner of your mouth up slightly, the energy not in you to try and ease his discomfort. You slid out of his grasp and through Nat’s door, no doubt she had heard you already.

When you closed the door, safely on the other side, you rested your forehead against the cool wood, closing your eyes and listening to your slowing breaths.

You felt her hand rest on your shoulder, her low voice breaking your silence, “are you ok (Y/N/N)? Did he do something to you?”

You turned into her, letting your arms loosely wrap themselves around her waist and your face rest in the crook of her neck, small tears breaking free.

“No Nat, he was a lovely, nothing like what I would ever expect from him.”

Your heart gave a dull ache, your mind thinking back through all of the times you’d seen him and he’d turned away, the scowl etched across his sharp features, or the times he’d brushed off your attempts at conversation with as little an answer as possible, or a grunt, or nothing at all.

She rubbed slow, small circles in your back before pulling away, “c’mon, have a shower and you’ll feel a bit better.”

You shuffled into the bathroom where she had already laid out a fresh, fluffy towel with your bag resting on the countertop. You turned on the hot water, opening the door to let the steam drift out to fill the room and hide your ghostly image in the mirror - the pale skin, the dark smudges under your eyes, the red splotches across your cheeks, and most importantly the faded white scars contrasting with the stark red lines that crossed across your skin, cutting the smooth porcelain into jagged pieces of a mosaic.

You wrapped your arms around yourself, a desperate bid to cover your body from the unrelenting eyes of your mind, the ones that searched out every single flaw regardless of size or reason, and added it to its repertoire of things to throw back against you. You were oblivious to the sensations of the shower, relying on routine to wash your hair, but the water assault on your cuts drew your mind back from its harmless wanderings into nothingness, the stinging reminding you of your mistakes.

You dried yourself off and dressed quickly, brushing through your hair before deciding to leave it to air dry - you had expelled enough energy just getting through a routine shower, you didn’t have it in you to dry and style your hair beyond whatever it decided to be.

Stepping out into Nat’s bedroom, you saw her perched on the edge of her bed, your phone pressed to her ear.

“Yeah, that’s ok I’ll let her know you called. Thank you.”

You dropped your towel into her laundry basket, her hand stretching out to give your your phone.

“That was Gaby, from the hospital. She said that one of the other girls has called in needing to swap shifts, so she was wanting to know whether you would be able to work today and have your day off tomorrow, instead of a day off today and work tomorrow.”

You stared down at your screen, noting the late time of the morning. “Did she say what time?”

“From 3pm until 1am. Honey, are you sure you should do it? That’s a long shift and so soon after last night…” Her voice trailed off as she pulled you to sit next to her.

“That’s not that bad. I find that work can be therapeutic for me sometimes, the structure and routine of it all gives me the chance to get out of my head for a while and be focused entirely on the needs of someone else. It stops me dwelling.”

She sighed, moving to stand in front of you, her hands clasped firmly on her hips.

“Well if you’re going to work tonight, then let me make you some food so you don’t starve. I need you alive and in fighting form if you are to come and stay with me again tonight.”

“Wait, I’m what?”

“You’re going to stay here again tonight, I think it’s good for you to get out of your apartment. Besides, it can be fun here.”

She beamed at you, pulling you through the door and out into the kitchen.

“Ok fine, but while you’re making me food I need to go and do something real quick.”

You slipped your hand out of hers, ignoring her questioning gaze at your back as you headed for the elevator.

“Um, FRIDAY?” you whispered, pressing the button on the elevator to go down a floor.

“Yes Miss (Y/L/N)?”

“Is Bucky in his room?” You stared at your reflection in the elevator doors, barely able to make out the sounds of the mechanics of the moving box.

“Yes he is, would you like me to let him know you’re coming?”

“Uh, yes please.” It was best not to surprise him, you thought, so you didn’t catch him at a bad time.

Stepping onto the floor, you noted the layout was identical to Nat’s, except it seemed a bit more sparse. Not as many cushions littered the couch, there were dishes left in the sink, and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. You listened to the sound of your bare feet padding across the tile, your body tense as you waited for any kind of movement, or for one of the boys to appear.

Getting to the end of the hall, you stood outside of his door for what felt like an eternity, questioning your reasoning to come here. He hadn’t expressly said that you were welcome anytime, and you didn’t want to seem desperate or clingy for seeking him out not even an hour after you’d just essentially spent the night curled up in his embrace.

You let the numbness overwhelm you as your hand lightly rapped against the wood, taking a step back and crossing your arms over your chest. You thought you heard some shuffling before his voice cut through the silence.

���Come in.”

Slowly, you pushed open his door, allowing him adequate time to prepare. As you stepped into the room, you stood against the wall next to the door, left ajar in case you needed to leave quickly, and took in your surroundings.

The walls were bare, and the only furniture in the room was a giant oak dresser and matching king sized bed, which Bucky was sprawled across, laying against his pillows - one arm resting behind his head while the other held an iPad up. As his eyes flickered over to you, he jolted upright, locking the iPad and curling a leg under him.

“Hi.” He sounded surprised to see you. “I’m so used to Steve being my only visitor that I just assumed it was him.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I can go if-”

“No!” His voice raised, before his eyes widened, stammering to cover up his sudden outburst, “I mean, no it’s ok. Don’t go.”

You had moved yourself halfway out the door before he’d asked - yelled then asked - you to stay. You paused, uncertainty plaguing your mind, before you turned back to stand against the wall.

“I just wanted to say thank you for last night, and this morning, and that I’m sorry you had to see that.”

He put the iPad down on the bed, turning his body to face you.

“No don’t be sorry, don’t ever be sorry. Being human is not something to apologize for. If Steve has taught me anything since I’ve been back, it’s that it’s ok to feel. It’s ok to break down and let yourself feel everything. It means you’re human.”

You bit your lip, staring down at the carpeted floor, fixating on the fabric.

“And last night was-” you heard him sigh, looking up to see him rubbing his eyes with his hand, “it was one of the first restful night’s sleep I’ve gotten in a long time. So thank you.”

“Do you have trouble sleeping?”

Your question hung in the air, taking both of you by surprise.

“I get nightmares about my time as the Winter Soldier. I relive things I did, or sometimes I’m doing those things but to people I know instead of strangers HYDRA dispatched me to kill.”

He aged a hundred years in front of your eyes, looking as though he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“You aren’t him though, you know. I mean, I don’t know you that well but from what I heard, the Winter Soldier wouldn’t of cared about me at all last night, much less stayed with me until morning.”

He smirked to himself, “well maybe it’s time you got to know me, so then you can know for sure where the Winter Soldier ends and Bucky Barnes begins.”

“I’d like that, but I got called into work today so I’ll have to take a raincheck. I’ll be back here tonight though, Nat says it’s better for me to not be in my apartment alone for now.”

“I’d have to agree with her. At least here, you’ve got plenty of entertainment and people around.”

You noticed him fidgeting with his fingers, his brows creased in frustration or thought, you couldn’t be sure.

“That is true, and you’re here too.”

He looked up at you, noting the way you had visibly relaxed since you’d entered his room.

“Yes, I am here too. Well we can take a raincheck on the “get to know each other”, just come find me when you want to.”

“Again, thank you Bucky, I am sure I’ll be taking you up on that offer soon.”

You smiled at him, a small smile but a smile nonetheless, as you slipped back out of his door.

After food, Nat insisted that she dropped you off at the hospital and would be here to pick you up after your shift. You knew there was no use arguing with her, and although some people might consider this behaviour to be “babying” you, you knew better. You knew this was the way she could assure herself that you were safe, and that you knew she loved you. So you let her do these things because you loved her too.

(Bucky’s POV)

He waited until Nat returned, finding her curled up on the couch of the girl’s floor.

“Are you going to pick (Y/N) up from work tonight? And if yes, could I do it?”

Her shocked expression told him everything he needed to know.

“Forget I asked, sorry.” As he turned and moved to back out of the living area, he heard her speak up behind him.

“First, tell me why.”

He stopped in his tracks, his mind racing as he processed her question. He couldn’t begin to explain to her why he felt like he needed to spend time with you, and why he wanted to sit in silence with you, having you curled up against his side again, sleeping peacefully. He didn’t know how to explain that connection he felt when he realized you might be one of the few who understood what it was like to be suffocated by yourself, and that with you his nightmares didn’t snatch him from sleep so violently.

“I want to get to know her.”

Her face flickered with disbelief before she relented, “fine Barnes, but if you hurt her or try to manipulate her or use her or anything, I will come after you and I will kill you. Understood?”

He gulped hard, knowing that the Black Widow never made empty threats.

“Yes ma’am.”

He hurried out of the room, a small sprout of excitement forming as he thought of where he’d take you once he picked you up, wanting to show you a small corner of the world where you might feel safe. He hoped it would also make it easier for him to open himself up to you, the fear of rejection and disgust bombarding his thoughts. He made himself think of you, knowing you might need this more than him, and that became his focus for the rest of the day.

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