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seafleece · 4 years

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gucci has all of her outfits tailored.

there’s a little pocket sown into the breast of every shirt she ever puts on, and every morning she stands before her mirror a revolutionary, grown, and slips a small, metal transmitter into it, above her heart.

(in her mind’s eye clem is unsullied and small, and she presents them both to gucci like glittering coins. above them, fat flakes of snow fall on the winter palace. clem’s cheeks are red with the cold.

she tells gucci that she doesn’t know what they do. whether she had simply not listened at all before taking them, or could not understand, gucci does not know. failing to listen and failing to understand both ring so true of clementine kesh that she is unsure if the distinction even matters.

but if she has one and clem takes the other, they can talk. something like that.

it’s not true, of course. they tried to make them work for weeks, with no result.)

it’s a force of habit, she thinks. something silly and leftover. clem has likely lost hers in battle— so sloppy is she— or thrown it out with everything else the world has ever presented clementine kesh with that she did not find perfectly suitable. she can imagine clem in her mind’s eye a little taller and infinitely angrier, after an argument and before she is given the panther, tossing it in the garbage and stalking out, thinking she has accomplished something.

the clementine kesh she visits in her cell has become something vile and beautiful and useless. she puts the transmitter in her pocket anyway.

when clementine hits the water her bones break. it might be reflex, or realization, or somewhere in between. blood stains the sea in ribboning trails, and she reaches for the transmitter in her pocket.

gucci is watching rain lash her window. beyond it, she is watching cruciat drown. peace and confusion curl and lash one another in her chest, and she sighs them both down.

she is about to move away. the transmitter, long dead and long vestigial, changes her course.

—

it burns, circular, first through her silk shirt and then onto the skin above her breast. like a dying star. she’s struck dumb and then desperate by the pain of it.

when she has fished it out of her shirt she throws it at the floor and gasps for air.

then, she runs.

—

clem is vile and beautiful and useless. gucci doesn’t want her to die.

it’s like keeping the bouquet of flowers on your dining room table alive, she thinks, pulling on one sleeve of her jacket, a crisp blue and red thing, and breaking into a run. they can’t possibly help you, and the thorns dig your hands if you pick up a stem, but it’s the principle of the thing.

clementine has been shedding petals onto the decks of fort icebreaker for weeks, crumpling and sweet-smelling and sickly.

—

“you wanted to be princept,” gucci says, leaning into her heavy and drunk. “and you won’t be. of course it hurts.”

she can hear heels down the corridor— so many guests, and everyone’s walk sounds just like mother’s. it hits her like a training blast, rattles her back together.

“i will be princept,” she hisses in gucci’s ear. digs her nails into gucci’s hips where they press against her own. a warning. “i’m not the one who will hurt.”

gucci laughs and kisses her. it tastes like the wine crysanth had pretended to uncork for the first time in the hall but which clem had snuck shaky glasses of last night, after meeting them.

her crew. hers.

they all had the same eyes, flat black like stones in a river. even leap, and he doesn’t even have eyes.

they’ll never trust you, the eyes said. no one will.

they shouldn’t, she thinks, and sinks her teeth into the plush press of gucci’s lower lip.

—

future calls her when it’s dark. this time, she simply throws her coat over her shoulders.

wouldn’t it be funny? she turns it over and over it her hands, hating it, hating that she can’t find any dents even though they had to dig it out of gur’s side. like a meteor, if retrieving a meteor was called surgery. to see clementine a servant?

“why didn’t you warn gur sevraq? is that not your purpose?” she wants to throw it at the opposite wall. she wants to melt it down so there is material for the prosthetic arm that clementine is going to need.

did you know that divines used to write to one another? so many novels it could fill all of past, if you put them to paper and pen. all lost.

she says nothing. hot tears are starting to fill her eyes.

past remembers it. they read the whole thing, and cried before they hurled themselves to the ground. they wanted to read to cymbidium, but cymbidium did not want to listen.

“why are you telling me this?”

excerpts took their names from it. they— we— were promises to help. to serve. there is certainly a verse with the word clementine. i could teach her how to serve.

“i suppose you’ll have to ask her,” gucci laughs, in the way a sob is a laugh, and really it’s the worst part, because— “she might say no.”

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stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale · 5 years

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Episode 4: Take Us Back except I’M DEAD INSIDE [Despair Route]

Episode 4: Take Us Back I’M DEAD INSIDE [Despair Route]

..............No.

Just

No.

To everything.

I’m still fuming after episode 3.

Where the fuck did James go, anyway? Did he fly off the boat?

Welp, the big Lilly scene. Let’s see what all the hype is about.

oh okay

I’ll just forget about the fact that you kidnapped my boyfriend and friends after murdering my best friend Mitch, then proceeded to cut out my boyfriend's tongue, cut off Violet’s finger, then murdered James.

Let bygones be bygones.

No Lilly

You ARE evil.

What you did was evil. And if I weren’t on the despair route, I would’ve shot you in your lying fucking ratass face.

AAAAAAAND it’s over.

I’m am so happy that letting James die amounted to a two-second conversation with Lilly. So. Worth. It.

Oh wait

NO IT’S FUCKING NOT

ARE YOU JOKING

DO YOU THINK ME A FOOL??

I knew it was bad. I knew letting Lilly live didn’t mean shit. Now she gets to flow down the river and live the rest of her life doing who the fuck knows.

Hell, I bet she DOES run into David and live a happy little life with all her livid children.

Because at this point, why not.

What I said: “I hope you find peace, Lilly.”

What I meant: “I HOPE YOU CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN TO DEATH BUT THE DAMAGE DOESN’T REACH YOUR BRAIN SO YOU STILL TURN INTO A WALKER AND LIVE THE REST OF ETERNITY STUCK BETWEEN A HELL OF LIFE AND DEATH.”

BITCH

I fucking askdjaksjdalksjdlkajsdlkaaaaaaaaaaa-

The opening credits haven’t even opened and I’m already this pissed off.

I know it probably wasn’t in the budget or they didn’t have time to give us something substantial with letting Lilly live but fucking hell. If I have to sacrifice James, at least let me have a real final battle with Lilly. Let me have the option to bash her head in with a saltlick. Give me something!

AAAAAAAAHHDHDJLKSJLKJSLKSJSLK

......

Louis just..... makes me want to cry.

I’m serious, I have never felt so awful looking at Louis and knowing what I did to him.

The number of pictures of Louis smiling and being cute that I’m going to have to look at to cope with this nonsense jfc.....

...

....Really.

That’s it, Vi?

“Lou...”

That’s ALL you have to say.

You

Not even a hug. Nothing. Nope, we gotta talk about Minerva some more because clearly, she’s so much more important.

Fuck Minerva, Violet!

Again, if she were fully in character, she would’ve hugged Louis and not given a shit about Minerva.

AND YOU’RE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT HER

“What the fuck is she doing? She’s going to get herself killed!”

VIOLET

THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY TIMES I CAN SCREAM AT YOU TO FORGET ABOUT MINERVA

oh huh

Louis is still the one to fall over in the cart

Don’t know why I find that interesting but I do?

Aw fuck

I don’t get to see him again until the ending.

Well that’s just.... depressing.

Have I mentioned how much I hate this route?

wtf has Tenn’s voice always been this deep? Why am I just noticing this now?

Thanks. I hate it.

Okay. Okay okay okay.

I will give it this.

I like the scene with Clementine and AJ. With James dead, and with the choices I’ve made up to this point, it has a way more serious, almost quiet tone to it. With James, it’s all anger and panic when he tries to take AJ away, but here...... I don’t know. With James I’ve gotten to the point where the cave scene is so wild that I can do nothing but laugh all “Yeah, yeah, James, calm your shit and quit pacing, you look foolish.”

But here.... This choice:

Is suddenly more heartbreaking now that I have to basically ruin AJ’s confidence in himself after he opened up to Clem in a way he never has before. In my eyes, this is just.... such a negative impact on their relationship. I mean, I get it. No one wants AJ to be a killer, or to like killing or whatever but.... still.

And, on top of that, this choice cements Violet’s fate and I hate that.

This whole route fucks Violet over in every way possible. Not only do I romance Louis and spend all my time with him, but the only reason I saved her was so that Louis won’t die in the end. Then, I let Ey Yo cut her finger off, she went through all that stupid nonsense with Minerva, and how she’s going to die to save Tenn’s life.

Fuck everything about this.

The being said... I fucking miss Louis.

“I like Aasim.”

Hahahahaha okay, the way AJ said that made me laugh.

Hi Violet...........

Also, funny how Tenn also runs up to hug Violet but he doesn’t do that with Louis. I know he and Violet are way closer, so it makes sense, but with Louis he’s just “Oh it’s just Louis.... Guess I’ll join in the hug, too.” Hahaha

What’s less funny is how Violet doesn’t say shit about Louis.

Louis at least mentions that Violet’s eyes aren’t infected but Violet’s just got.... nothing. I want to know how he’s doing. Ugh.

I don’t blame Violet for this, I blame the writing. Because AGAIN. If she were kept in character, she would’ve mentioned him.

Hell, CLEMENTINE should’ve asked because, y’know, he’s kind of her boyfriend???

But what do I know.

I don’t know nothin’ about these characters.

God, I miss Louis.

Well, at least Violet knows she was an idiot about Minerva.

PFFFFTT-

“Welcome to Happy Sunshine Land! Here’s Mayor Violet!”

“NO I HATE IT”

Oh Vi...... managing to make me laugh seconds before chaos erupts...

Oh fuck

oh fuck

oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck

nope

nope nope nope nope

....

That

I fucking loathe that.

Seeing and hearing it.

I had to take a break and come back to this. I’m sorry, but that is just so wrong. It’s wrong! I love you Tenn, and damn it, you’re ending better blow my fucking mind after having to sacrifice Violet to see it but.... No.

Violet shouldn’t be the one who died on the bridge.

It’s not even a long scene, but it fucking feels like it is.

They rip Violet apart and going back to look at it, she’s still fighting them as she falls and they just cover her.

Fuck Minerva.

I have nothing for her.

I hope in whatever afterlife there is, Violet kicks her ass all the way down to the fiery pits of hell.

And Clementine just..... Sad face for two seconds and then we’re off.

We don’t even really mourn her. We mourn Tenn for a moment when AJ’s shoots him, but Violet’s dead and Tenn’s in shock and AJ slaps him, says Violet died for him, and they go.

I fucking-

ugh

UGH

And Clem’s bit

I hate everything

However, one thing that I DON’T hate is playing as AJ. I LOVE playing as AJ during the barn scene.

I had to take another break after the flashback scene. I still can’t believe I’ve watched both of those Clementine and AJ scenes over a hundred times and it still manages to make me tear up every time I go back to play.

Now that I’ve calmed down a bit, let’s see what this ending has to offer.

CROSS THAT HEART SHIT OUT

Violet deserved so much more than Minerva.

...Wait.

Tenn never made it back to the school?

Okay, I get it. So, basically, he was ashamed after what happened and went back to find Violet and Minerva. I like how he realizes how “naive” he’s been throughout this whole thing and that he doesn’t want to be the reason someone dies again, that he wants AJ to teach him everything he knows. Which, in my personal opinion, is the right answer. Telling him to keep being an artist without learning from his mistakes, without teaching him better and smarter ways of survival just lets Violet die in vain.

I’m also thankful that they didn’t make me see Violet as a walker. I mean, fuck everything about her death but... I would’ve flipped my shit again if I had to see that.

RUBY

Oh Take Us Back..... why ya tryin’ to make me cry again....

Ruby and Aasim are holding hands and the small bit of hope makes me feel a little bit better.

LOOK AT HIM

My beautiful boy........

I am never ever doing another playthrough without romancing and saving Louis ever again.

Even now that we’re into the “happy” ending, it still feels wrong.

Still annoyed that nothing is said about Violet.

Nothing.

“It’s been a week tho they’ve already mourned her blah blah blah” I don’t fucking care.

Louis....

Louis places the note on the table so gently.....

Okay. The clouis scene is cute. It’s really cute. But it doesn’t make up for all the shit I had to do to get it myself.

BUT... I won’t get into too much because I’ve made posts about this, but I don’t like how happy and neatly wrapped up everything’s portrayed as. I want a real reaction out of Louis- who, btw has now lost two of his best friends, has been shot, was kidnapped, was traumatized after having his tongue cut out, who will never talk again and will never sing again, and saw his girlfriend come back to the school without her leg after being bitten and on the brink of death, and thought Tenn was dead on top of all that- rather than............... happy.

I still love the scene, but if you asked me when this takes place without any context, I would’ve told you a year at the least.

...

I’m not gonna lie: I’m a fucking mess.

I don’t know if I can say that I hate this ending, because really, it’s the same ending with a few changes.

But I hate that Violet is dead. I hate what happened to Louis. I hate that I had to sacrifice Violet [and in a way Louis] in order for Tenn to live. I hate that James is dead. I FUCKING HATE THAT LILLY IS ALIVE OUT THERE.

In conclusion: FUCK ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT THE DESPAIR ROUTE

The Good: I got to see scenes and interactions I never have before. It was cool hanging out with Violet for once. She made me laugh a couple times. Tenn’s ending is good. The cute clouis scene with the note is sweet.

The Bad: Literally everything else. Fuck letting Louis get captured, fuck letting Lilly live, fuck letting James and Violet die. Fuck not trusting AJ and adding damage to the relationship between him and Clementine. FUCK THE BOAT SCENE OF VIOLET CARING MORE FOR MINERVA THAN LOUIS. FUCK NOT GETTING TO SMOOCH AND SEE MY BOY’S FACE. FUCK LILLY, FUCK MINERVA, FUCK THIS ROUTE.

Again, I... don’t have any real words for the feelings this route brought me.

Just.... mad.

I’m mad. And sad. And dead.

I just need a minute to stop being dead inside.

I’m gonna need to read so much fluff after this jfc....

#twdg despair route #twdg clementine #twdg aj #twdg louis #twdg violet #twdg james #twdg lilly #twdg ruby #twdg aasim #twdg omar #twdg mitch #twdg willy #twdg tenn #twdg minerva #twdg abel #twdg marlon #fuck this route #i want my louis back #i want my canon route back

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zellybelly · 5 years

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Shaken To The Core

Ello! On a clouis high, but then, when am I not? They are so fucking cute. I’m sorry Vi! I love you both! <3

Warnings: Angst, Death, Tears. Lots of tears.

Summary: What happened after the bomb blew?

Side note: In a universe where Clem and AJ stayed with them for a few months before Marlon turns full asshole. Just cause it would make more sense for all of the emotions flying.

You can skip this, but I changed up the timeline a bit so it would fit better.:

The car crash, all of the beginning of the episode until the second morning they were there. Clem went hunting with Aasim and Louis. She hunted, wanting to be able to catch some food but eventually joined up with Louis for some batting practice. Seeing that they had a greenhouse, Clem pushed for them to restore it, offering to take charge of it, since everyone else seemed hesitant. She got it up and running again with Brody and Ruby’s help. One day, while hunting, more like batting around with Louis, who she had grown close with, they found out someone fucked with their traps. And that’s where the rest of the episode kicks off. However, when the confrontation happens in the courtyard, Ruby and Louis were on Clem’s side, to begin with, knowing her to not be that kind of person.

Episode 2 kicks off. And everything is pretty normal, plot-wise, except when Clem and AJ are brought to the edge of the safe zone, she had a heartfelt goodbye with Louis, giving him one final hug. When they get back, Louis and Clem talked while AJ recovered, eventually sparking in a romance one night. (I moved the Louis romance scene to before the 2-week flash forward).

After that... everything is pretty much the same. Lily is dead in this. AJ shot her.

Well, got all that? Okay, let’s get started.

I might just rewrite the series, with this, I dunno

The river looked like it was on fire. From the opposite bank, where the dock was, it was like the water had been lit ablaze. Many walkers were attracted to the sound, but many of them ignored the kids, only a few caught sight and those that did were taken care of.

Louis was the only one still there on the shore. Ruby, with Aasim and Omar, had gotten the horses and hay, taking them back to the school. And according to the plan, they burned some of the supplies, while they took the rafts when they were distracted.

As soon as they had heard the bomb, Louis just had to go back. He wanted to make sure they were okay. When he got there, he didn’t see anyone. As he waited, Tenn and AJ had shown up, helping each other make it to the shore.

But there was no sign of Clementine. He looked everywhere, but there was no sign of his girlfriend, not her amber eyes, not even her signature hat.

“Clem!” He resorted to calling out. The fire on the boat blazed to life, the large metal floaty sinking into the dark waters. “Clem!” His voice was cracked and hoarse.

Eventually, he couldn’t take it, he ran into the water, up until his knees. The water splashed against his waist. It chilled his skin, feeling like it sunk to the bone almost instantly. “Clementine!” He cried out into the empty air, only to get no response.

He saw movement. He couldn’t see who, but he ran towards them, ignoring the stinging pain of the chilled water. He grabbed them, and help to pull them up. They had someone else with them. Louis, being well, Louis, helped them get to the shore. They were coughing, both of them. To his relief, but also his disappointment, it was Violet and Minnie. They were soaked to the bone, no doubt freezing. “Vi!” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He felt her do the same, but also quickly pulled back. “Violet?” He whispered, looking into her pained green eyes.

“The fuck did she do...” Violet looked behind her, towards the boat, which was almost fully sunk. But her gaze wasn’t mournful, but filled with hate and disdain. “She almost got us all fucking killed.”

“No, she didn’t.” Louis defended. “She tried to get you all back, and she did. You’re all fine. No one from the school died.”

Violet looked away. “Yeah. Look at what has happened around us. She let us be taken.” Her voice was bitter, though it was wavering.

“She couldn’t save everyone. At least she didn’t willingly trade people away.” He snapped. Marlon was his best friend, but what he had done left him feeling bitter about his actions.

“What’s the difference?”

“She at least tried to prevent them from getting in.” His voice was weak and tired now.

“And look how that turned out.” (I’m making Violet an asshole. I’m sorry. I love her, but this is going off Louis’ route. And she was pretty bitter, even admitting that she would kill Clem if it came down to it.)

He just stared at her. Then back to the boat. “You’re not even sad?” He couldn’t look at her. “After all that she has done, in an effort to keep us safe... you’re not even somewhat sad?” His voice rose.

When Violet looked up at him, her eyes sparkled with surprise. Louis’s eyes were full of pain, he was biting his lip to keep the tears from flowing. “Maybe.” She admitted, “but-”

“Clem!” Louis cried, seeing another person emerge from the water. It was James, and in his arms was the dark-skinned girl he loved. He dashed forward, back into the water, towards them. He stumbled, getting his shirt wet, but he didn’t pay any mind to it.

She was pretty beat up. Bruises, and small cuts on her arms. One scratch was under her cheek, surrounded by a purple bruise. She still had her hat on, the D showing off in pride. He took her in his arms, holding her limp body to his chest.

“Oh god, Clem.” He whimpered, leaning his forehead against hers. She was breathing, but it was weak. He walked back to the shore. Louis crouched down, setting her on the ground, kneeling beside her. Her hand was in his, stroking his thumb over her bloodied knuckles.

The others joined by her, even Violet and Minnie. Though Minnie only probably came because Violet did.

AJ sat on her opposite side, looking down in horror. Tears were streaming down his face. Never before had he looked more like a young boy then he did at that moment.

Her eyes were barely open, but from what he could see, they were dull. Though she was breathing, they were shallow, and it was like they were shortening and becoming more shallow.

She coughed, her body jerking with the gasps and chokes. Louis slipped a hand under her back, bringing her closer to him, in an effort to keep her warm.

“She won’t make it.” James' voice was hollow. They all looked to the young man in horror. His back was turned, his dark hair dripping. He turned to them, and his face was scrunched in emotional pain. He knelt by her, fishing out duct tape from his pocket. Without any words he wrapped a decent amount around her wrists, binding her.

“What are you doing?!” Louis cried, pulling her closer.

“She’s going to turn.”

“No!” Louis wailed. He looked down at her. He could barely see her chest move. She was... she was dying. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” He whispered, looking at his girlfriend in panic.

That was nothing compared to AJ though. Once it was heard, he had fallen to his knees, in shock. His eyes were just locked on Clem. His protector. His family.

Violet and Minnie moved away, giving Louis and AJ, who was being comforted by Tenn, to say their goodbyes.

“What will you do?” Louis looked up to James who was looking down at the woman in his arms with sorrowful eyes.

“Excuse me?”

“Are you going to let her turn?” Louis’ eyes widened in horror. He looked down at his girlfriend. Her breaths were almost none. She didn’t have much longer.

“I... I...” He couldn’t answer. He didn’t want her to turn, but he didn’t think he could... put her down.

“She doesn’t have much time, you need to say your goodbyes,” James spoke the obvious, though if he hadn’t, Louis probably wouldn’t have done anything.

The dark skinned man leaned his forehead against hers. He placed his lips on hers, in one final kiss. The last goodbye. Her hand weakly moved up to his chest, gripping the material.

That was it for him. Tears fell down his face, his sobs echoing, striking everyone to their core. “I love you... your Majesty.” He cracked a pained smile, affectionately calling her by the nickname they’d given each other.

He stood, and backed away from her body. Her breathing had slowed, until her body gave a shudder, before going limp. Louis placed his hand on AJ’s shoulder, bringing him back too. The small group of people stared at the body. The once lively and expressive girl, ready to defend anyone she cared for, was gone.

He closed his eyes once he saw her body shifting again, gurgled groaning filled the night.

He pushed AJ towards the group, finally opening his eyes.

He wished he never did.

Her once beautifully dark skin, now pale and gray. Amber eyes glazed over in a milky haze, unable to focus on anything. Her mouth moved around, awful sounds erupting from her throat. When her eyes made contact with his, her efforts to stand doubled snapped her jaws at him. He just stared down at her. A burning tear fell down his cheek, onto hers. It caused her to pause momentarily. She groaned, staring up at him. Almost like she was admiring him.

His bit his lip to hold back his whimpers. He dug out the knife from his pocket, holding it tightly. He kneeled down by her, and avoiding the teeth, caressed her cheek one last time. “I’m sorry...” He whispered.

He plunged the knife down, and the groaning stopped. It was silent.

Yep. Clem dead. This is my sick twisted mind, but I always like finding an ending where the character died, just to see what would happen.

Now, I don’t want Clem to die, obviously, but I do want to seem some sort of reaction when say... death scenes happen. Especially if it’s right in front of other people or something.

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littlesugarwords · 6 years

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Walking Dead Game FanFiction - “A Replacement”

Title: A Replacement Characters: Clementine, Javier, Gabe Summary: After Mari dies, Javi becomes overprotective of Clem, and Clementine gets slightly annoyed with how he's trying to play her dad. Author's Note: I love Javi and Clem as a duo SO. DAMN. MUCH. Requested By: Anonymous support me with ko-fi ♡ ---------♥️♥️♥️----------

Without a sound, Javier threw himself in front of Richmond’s front gates.

Clementine, her walk skidding to a halt at the male having thrown himself in her path, raised an eyebrow. “Uhm? Javi?”

“You can’t.” The words had hardly left her lips before the male began protesting. He shook his head, starting forward and forcing the teen back. “No, you’re staying.”

Clementine scoffed while stopping her retreat, allowing the male to bump into her. His stubbornness was uncanny, it seemed. “You don’t get to tell me what I do and don’t get to do.”

“It’s not safe out there and you know that.”

“Javi,” Clem scoffed, holding out both of her hands, baffled at the male’s refusal to let her leave. “I’m going to get firewood. I’ll be back in half an hour tops.”

Javi shook his head, his stance on the ground firm. He closed his eyes, shaking his head forcefully. “You’re not going alone. Nope. I’m coming with you.” When the male’s eyes opened the teen was no longer in front of him. Turning, the male watched as she made her way out of the gates, the metal squealing as she slipped through.

“Javi?” Hearing a voice, the male turned to see Gabe, arms crossed, waiting to capture his attention. The teen had his eyebrows raised, drinking in the sight of his uncle throwing a fit. “Are you feeling okay?”

Javi’s shoulders sagged seeing the way his nephew’s eyes laid on him — with pity and worry opposed to the admiration he adored. “I’m doing fine, Gabe.”

“You don’t look like it.”

Javier sighed — hoping to make his frustration evident — as he turned back to face the gates Clementine had just exited from. “I’m just worried about her, that’s all.”

Gabe said nothing, only merely raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“She takes too many risks,” Javier continued, running a hand through his shabby, unwashed hair. Upon removing it, his fingers squirmed in the grasp of their siblings, trying to rid themselves of the gross feeling. “She’s only gonna get herself hurt.”

“Javi, Clem’s one of the strongest people I know.” Gabe commented, arms falling to his sides as he wandered forward, hoping to be closer to his uncle. “She’s just getting firewood. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Javi’s eyebrow twitched, and the sight caused Gabe’s pushing to pause. A look of concern washed over him as he studied his uncle, now covered in an aura of mourning, sorrow, and misunderstanding.

“Yeah,” Javi finally spoke, his face neutral and blank. “You’re right.” Without another word, the male turned and started in the opposite direction of Richmond’s front gates, hoping to find a safe hiding place to gather his thoughts where his loved ones wouldn’t see him.

A handful of hours passed and, while resting in the Garcia’s small Richmond lot — an assigned, tiny townhouse — Javi could hear his roommates pile in. Kate passed with hardly a word, dismissing herself to the upper floor to go to bed. Meanwhile, Gabe threw himself onto one of the beds on the main floor, watching as Clementine did the same to the one opposing him.

Seeing as Clementine didn’t have any other ties in Richmond, it made more sense spatially to have her room with a family she was familiar with opposed to giving her a place to herself. Regardless, the Garcia’s already treated her like family, which made Javi’s overprotective attitude even worse.

“Oh no,” Clementine groaned, tossing the fridge door shut. Javi perked up from where he had been sitting on one of the chairs, absentmindedly carving at a stick with a pocket knife.

“What’s up?”

Turning, Javi could see Gabe leaning back on his cot, speaking to the teen a few paces away as she messed about in their small kitchen. Given by the messiness of her own sheets, Javi assumed Clementine had previously been sprawled out there.

Clem turned, stomaching another groan. “We’re out of soda, and we’re getting low on water.” Rummaging around in her pocket, the teen pulled out a handful of coins — the makeshift currency Richmond put into place. “I think I have enough that I can grab us some from the bar.”

The sentence caused Javi’s ears to perk.

“They’d let you in?”

“Oh yeah,” she said, forcing the handful back into her pocket. “I slip in there all the time. They know I’m not there for the alcohol.” She shrugged, cracking her knuckles and snagging her coat from the back of the door.

Before she had a chance to throw it over her shoulders, Javi was on his feet. “Oh no no no,” Clementine froze, eyes lazily resting on the male, before she continued her motions. “You’re not going.”

Without much noticeable reaction, the teen blinked twice. “Uh, yes I am.”

“No, you’re not.” He spat back, arms crossing. “It’s late, you guys should be resting for tomorrow.”

“It’s just going to grab us something to drink.” Clementine claimed with a shrug, finally allowing her jacket to slip over her shoulders. “Besides, we need more water anyway. I can grab that while I’m there.”

“Clementine.” His voice was stern this time. Harsh with raw, real anger dwelling within it. “You’re not going back out there. Not this late, and sure as hell not alone.”

Clementine stared back at him in awe, her brows furrowed in angered mystery. “Why do you care? It’s not a far walk.” She smirked. “If you’re so against me going alone, Gabe can come with me.”

While Gabe opened his mouth to speak, Javi’s continued rage cut him off. “Neither of you are going because I say so.”

“That’s not fair, Javi.” Clem spat back, brows furrowing, her body leering toward the male.

“It doesn’t need to be fair.” Javi spat back, arms crossing. “If it keeps you safe, that’s what matters.” Their back and forth continued to heat up, the anger sparking between them undeniable. It was so prominent that Javi turned, starting for the upper floor to end their bickering before it got out of hand.

“It’s not a big deal.” Clem called after him.

“You’re not going.” He called over his shoulder.

“It’s not that far. It’s safe.”

“Stop arguing. It's not happening.”

“You’re not my father, Javi.” Clementine quipped back, the statement causing the male to falter on the stairs. “I can do what I want.”

His eyebrow twitched as he spoke, his back still turned to her. “That’s not true.”

“It’s safe and I’m going.”

“No you’re not.”

“It’s just getting drinks, Javi--”

“Mariana was just picking up her headphones when she was killed.” Javi spat, finally whipping around to snap at the teen. “The easiness of the task doesn’t matter anymore. There’s always a way someone can get killed, and I’ll be damned if I need to watch another little girl get murdered thanks to my irresponsibility.”

The room fell still and silent, Javi’s outburst burying any spark of anger the room may have been ready to ignite.

Javi gave a faint sigh, as if the weight he had been carrying with his argument had been thrown to the floor. “Now will you listen to me? Now do you understanding why I’m acting like your ‘dad?’”

Still, the room was silent. Clementine’s jaw hung agape, trying to find the words to respond to such a statement with.

Javi scoffed, shaking his head. His gaze shifted to the door. If Clementine looked hard enough, she could swear she saw his stare gloss over. “Do whatever you want, Clem.” He breathed softly, defeat moulding his every motion.

Clem’s mouth wobbled slightly, trying to find the words to speak. “Javi, I--”

“Goodnight.” Without another word, without another acknowledgement of his outburst, the male turned and started up the stairs, allowing the two to sit in the realization he had forced upon them.

Shortly after Javi departed, the two teens on the main floor silently slipped into bed, saying nothing more than simple ‘goodnight’s to one another before vanishing to sleep — or so they thought.

Gabe laid awake, tossing and reeling in the image of his only sister being shot mere feet before him, while Clementine wracked with guilt for the neglect she had consistently shown Javi’s care.

She knew it needed to change — she needed to change — and needed to fast.

The next morning, the teen awoke to find Javi and Kate already gone, off to start their morning chores. After getting a rundown from Kate, Clementine learned Javi was in the kitchen, adjusting the screws on the storage shelves fastened to the walls.

“Javi?” The teen’s voice echoed through the empty kitchen and adjoining dining hall, causing Javi’s surprise by her presence to be all the more impactful.

The clanking of his work stopped, and didn’t resume until the teen had stepped into the kitchen to speak directly to him. His stare didn't leave the screw he was fixated on, wanting to finish his task as quickly as possible.

“Yes?” While his tone wasn’t fuelled by outright anger, the hurt was undeniable. Clearly their argument from yesterday was taking its toll on him, and his desperate distraction — finally getting work done — it was quite apparent to the teen.

Clem cleared her throat, hoping to try her best with her peace offering. “I’m supposed to go and get firewood and food today.”

There was a moment of silence, as if waiting for her to continue. Not getting one, he turned, abandoning his tightening job to face her. Clementine stood silent, attempting to force a neutral face. Looking at her, however, Javi could see flecks of guilt within her gaze. The sight caused the male to soften, his edge dropping. “Yeah? What about it?”

Clementine hesitated. “Could you come with me?”

His mouth popped open at the question, caught off guard and pleasantly surprised by her gift of a statement. While he knew this wouldn’t last — she wasn’t about to ask him to tag along on every mission — it was a nice peace offering to show she understood. She knew where he was coming from, and now she was going to respect it.

In response, all he could say was one thing: “If you insist.” ---------♥️♥️♥️----------

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