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sparkedblaze · 10 months

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can i pls get “placing a hand on their forehead to check their temperature” for redfinch? <3

Yes boss *salutes*

Albert came in after the evening edition, humming a tune from the guitar player down the street. He went up to the bunk room, setting his bag down on his bed before he went back down the stairs.

He spotted Race at the head of the table, shuffling his cards as he readied for the nightly games, and made his way over. "Heya, Race, you seen Fin?"

Race glanced up, raised a brow, and shook his head. "Not since distribution. Lost your fella already?"

Albert rolled his eyes. "No, Race, I ain't lost him. He just ain't made it back yet."

Race shuffled his cards as he watched Albert bounce anxiously on his toes. "Al, you's gonna tear a hole in the floor 'f you keep on."

Albert flicked the back of his head. "Shaddup, Racetrack."

Race snickered, glancing up as the door opened, seeing Ike lead Mike inside and upstairs. "Evenin' fellas! You joinin' us tonight?"

Ike grinned, but shook his head, and Mike waved with his free hand. "No thanks, Racer. Been a long day."

Race nodded, watching them head up the stairs.

Albert whined softly as the door opened six more times, and none of them were Finch.

One of them, however, was Romeo, who stopped and whispered to Albert that he'd seen Finch sleeping a few alleys down.

"Racer, 'm goin' to find Fin. Cover for me with Kloppman," Albert called as he ran for the door, running down the sidewalk in the direction Romeo had said. He ran as fast as his legs would take him, looking down every alleyway until he found the one where Finch was sleeping.

He knelt next to him, shaking his shoulder. "Fin? Darlin'?"

Finch stirred, eyes cracking open a little bit, and a small smile spread. "Heya handsome..."

"Finch! That ain't funny! Thought you was hurt or somethin'!" Albert smacked his chest, and Finch grimaced, making the redhead pause. "You ain't hurt is you?"

Finch shook his head. "Uh uh.. Jus' got a little tired after sellin'. Sat down to rest before I headed back."

"Come on, dummy. I getcha home," Albert rolled his eyes, standing, holding a hand out to Finch, who eyed it for a moment.

" 'm still tired... Think I gon' sleep a little longer..." Finch mumbled, closing his eyes again.

The other, obviously, wasn't having that shit. "No, Fin, you can sleep when we get back."

He leaned down, hoisting Finch up under his armpits. "Come on, dove, I'll getcha home."

Finch whined, but stood with him, leaning on him.

"Come on, songbird, you can lean on me," Albert kissed his head, leading him down the sidewalk. "You feelin' alright?"

Finch nodded, then shook his head. "Mm mm..."

"Since when?" Albert asked quietly, half-carrying him back to the lodgehouse.

Finch fell silent, looking anywhere but at his boyfriend.

"Finch..." Albert warned. "You don't tell me an' I'm runnin' to tell Medda."

"Cheaterrrr," Finch whined out, but letting out a heavy sigh. "I ain't felt good since las' night."

"Dove..." Albert's voice had fallen quiet, upset. "Why you ain't told me?"

"I ain't wanted to worry you," Finch pouted. " 'Sides, I jus' fine."

"You ain't. Your words is slurrin' 'n you can barely walk ya'self."

Finch said nothing more, but stuck his tongue out at his boyfriend.

Albert kicked at the door to the lodgehouse, unable to take either his hands off of Finch for fear of dropping him. "Come on, fellas... come on come on come on..."

He kicked at the door again, harder this time. "Fellas!"

The door swung open, and Specs was there, grin falling as they took in Finch's state. They rushed forward, taking up Finch's other side, helping him up the stairs. "C'mon, Finch, we gotcha."

They sat him on the edge of the bed, and Albert knelt down next to him. "You feelin' any better out o' the sun, dove?"

Finch nodded. "Yeah..."

Specs rested a hand on Finch's shoulder, giving him a sarcastic smile. "Do somethin' dumb like that again, an' I'll soak ya. Understand?"

Finch nodded, grinning at Specs' retreating form.

"Let's getcha comfy, dove," Albert murmured, kissing at Finch's knee as he lifted his boyfriend's foot to rest against his thigh.

"Already undressin' me?" Finch mumbled out as Albert started untying his boot. " 'S a little early 'n the relationship to be doin' this..."

Albert rolled his eyes, and stuck his tongue out. "Shut up, Finch, or I'll leave 'em on you and tell Davey you put shoes on the bed."

"You wouldn' dare..."

"Try me," Albert smirked at him, pulling his shoe off, then moving to do the same with the other (complete with the knee kiss).

He finished with that shoe, setting them both in their usual place under Finch's bunk before he leaned forward to start unbuttoning his outer shirt.

Finch let Albert finish before he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, and tugged him into bed with him.

"Cuddlin' time..." he murmured against Albert's hair.

Albert struggled against Finch's hold, whining softly. "C'mon dove, let me goooo..."

"Mm mm..." Finch grinned, tilting Albert's head up. "If you get to do all this for me, the least you could do 's cuddle me after..."

Albert rolled his eyes again, but settled down against Finch's chest. "Fine, but jus' for a little bit... I gotta get more sellin' money for tomorrow."

Finch dozed off with a small smile still in place.

Albert waited a moment before shifting around, looking up at him, pressing a calloused hand to his forehead, frowning.

"You's so warm, dove..." he whispered in the silent room. "I hope you's okay..."

This is my first time writing RedFinch!! I hope you enjoyed it!!!!

#newsies #livesies #finch cortes #finch newsies #albert dasilva #albert newsies #redfinch #nox asks #nox #sickfic prompts

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semisolidmind · 1 year

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'"go to Japan, they said." Damien growled under his breath as he held the baseball bat to his side. "It'll be FUN! They said"

"'Fun' my ass." A tiny dog like mascot jumped at Damien and he swung the bat at it's head. "This is like walking dead, but cute stuffed animals."

It's been weeks since the country went on lockdown, and all Damien wanted to do, was go back home. Sure America was no piece of cake, but there were no flesh eating science experiments walking around like feral pets.

"Hey, Kid! The safe point is just a few minutes away!" One of the others in the group, some high school teacher with a name Damien couldn't even pronounce, called to him and pointed to some shrine gate thing.

"Get past the Torii, and try to get to the house at the end of the stairs, My Parents are there waiting."

Damien nodded, and ran towards the gate, the little 'pack' of chihuahua looking demons started nipping at his ankles and yelping when he kicked the mascots.

As he ran up the stairs, He could feel something's eyes boring into his skin. Something was watching him. "C'mon, don't be a pussy. Get to the house." He whispered to himself and tried to continue running.

By the time he reached the house, he felt it again. The crawling feeling someone was watching him, it made him swallow a lump in his throat and careful opened the sliding bamboo door.

Blood, the smell of sicken sweet, metallic blood made Damien almost throw up. dead, ripped open corpses with flies hovering around them, Damien knew they'd been dead for a while now.

"Now, what's a guy like you, doing in a place like this." A deep, and baritone voice spoke from behind him, and a very large shadow was cast over him.

'fuck.'

oooooooh he gon getcha boy 👀

#fuwa fuwa pandemic

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thedragonshanty · 1 year

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Audio Drama Sunday!

It’s been a hot second since I’ve done #audiodramasunday but this week I wanna shout out a few shows that are worth listening to, AND whose cast/creators I have personally seen make the community a better, more supportive place lately. 🎶🏴‍☠️🖤

🤖 First up, say hello to your new AI overlords with @human-b-gon. You’re seeing buzz about this show for a reason- but it’s also worth noting the creators have been on the scene connecting and hyping up other creators for a while now. That’s dedication worth mentioning!

💖 Warmly welcome @starshipqstar to the community y’all! Queer comedic sci-fi with a ton of heart. And let’s GO with this aesthetic. The show may be new, but I already see them going out of their way to interact with and boost other creators.

🐺 OBVIOUSLY @packhowlmedia is on this list. Aside from helping us produce, the creators also run #ADRAID. Our feature this week boosted our numbers and made us new friends! Trust me, connect with these creative mentors and listen to their AD leviathan, The Madness of Chartrulean.

💚 Did you know The Liminal Lands features other shows embedded in their episodes to support them? Or that the creator runs one of the most active Discord communities for AD I’ve ever seen? There’s so much love in there. Go marvel at this family-grown, surreal journey!

💅 Love drag? Camp? Soap operas? Ever wish there was an audio drama that brought these elements together in a series of feature-length stories? @sisterindica-blog may write some of the backstabbiest plots you’ve ever heard, but is a warm presence for creators and is always boosting.

⭐ When I think about support in this community, I think W. Keith Tims (who is not on Tumblr but go follow him elsewhere!) His show Book of Constellations is itself a love note to humankind, and he started The First Episode Of to uplift AD creators (we’ve been guests on it ourselves!)

🎧 Chances are good you know @horrificnathan (@thestoragepapers) and Cole Weavers' (Tiny Terrors) shows, but they deserve a shoutout for all they do. Did you know they also run Phonic Fiction Fest, a community-bolstering AD contest? We are still reeling from the connections and impact even months later.

📚 Speaking of PFF connections, have you seen @amongthestackspodcast's progress? Releasing soon and picking up speed, it’s going to be one to look out for. Nigel is a great ringleader, bringing people together, and I’m excited to see her vision for the infinite library.

✨ @innbetween has brought some wonderful connections into our life and show, and how could they not with the sweet, uplifting community they foster? Also, have you seen how committed they are to interacting with fans while staying down-to-earth? Aspirational honestly.

💜Ok yes I’m also in @careandfeedingofwerewolves, but I stick around for a reason. Listen to a few episodes and you’ll hear more than just a fun modern fantasy. They’ve baked in a ton of advocacy, found family, and blatant callouts on issues that often effect people in AD.

🥛 Lastly, go listen to @ophiuchusradio. They’re not *just* doing it for the bit. OR is funny, smart, and they have a full first season ready to binge. @ghirahims-left-shoe is a powerhouse of AD hype with an impeccable ear for the craft. If she spots your show, you’re seriously blessed.

🖤 I’ve undoubtedly missed some this week (already kicking myself over a few, I'll getcha next time!) but please know I’ve got a lot of love for y’all and this community. Keep creating. Keep uplifting creators who are using their stories to make the world magical. Keep being kind and human. To others, and to yourself.

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slashingdisneypasta · 1 year

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Jim Bickerman x Reader || Oneshot

Little christmas present to myself, don't mind me.

Plot: Set during Lake Placid Vs Anaconda | You get a good chunk of your leg bitten off by a crocodile and Murdoch wants to leave you behind, but Jim wont let her.

Warnings: Crocodile attack/gore related to that

You didn't even see it coming. You heard that something was nearby, and Beach saying to raise your weapons while Murdoch demanded you all to be cautious, in case its one of her beloved snakes- but it came from behind and you didn't have time to even turn around before the crocodiles was right behind you.

Beach did- he lunged and tried to yank you out of the way- and that kept the monster from biting off your whole lower half but it still managed to catch one of your legs. Its jaw clamped around your leg, huge teeth digging into your knee and tearing skin while you let out a terrible scream. Your gun flies out of your hand when you fall and crash in the dirt.

You try to get away anyway from it, forcing yourself to tug at your leg, but that of course only makes it worse. The pain is immeasurable, and you think you're going to pass out and die- get swallowed up by one of these fucking crocs even after everything the last time you were here.

It feels like forever that the crocodile rips at your limb but must have really been only a few moments, before bullets rain down on the beast and it finally stops. As you're breathing heavily, watching in absolute terror, as it slowly stops moving and both Beach and another of Murdoch's remaining guards rush over to pull its mouth open- to release your shredded leg.

"Oh god... " You whisper, before biting down on your bottom lip as you look at it; Fighting off another scream. No... No no no-

"Get out the medical kit!" You hear Beach bark behind you, once they'd managed to drag the crocodiles corpse out of the way and gently lay your leg down on the grass. The sounds of the other guard cursing and Murdoch yelling about something also fill your ears but you choose to focus on Jim, kneeling beside you looking alarmed and not-at-all confident about your leg.

He helps you to sit up, hauling you up with his good hand before holding you up with his bad. You dig one hand into the mud behind you to help keep yourself up, eyes filled with tears looking at your poor leg. "Okay- alright, sweetheart, we're gonna, uh... wrap that up, for ya. And we'll getcha to a hospital, and they'll fix it up. It'll be fine." Your free hand finds his and he lets you squeeze it as hard you like- no complaint. "Just don't, uh... don't go moving it... "

"I- I don't think I could if I wanted to." You force out, watching Beach fall to his knees with bandages and a sturdy-looking stick he found, by the destroyed appendage.

Jim looks awkward, and worried; Eyes flickering from your face to your leg. "Oh, well, good. Look, ah- worst comes to worst- you just get one a these old things, eh?" With his hook, he reaches back and pats his own prosthetic leg, a wonky grin on his face that you hold onto. "No big deal, hey? Yeah, its gon' be alright... yeahh, just fine... "

"Hey!" Murdoch snaps, then, standing above you all with a disgusted scowl on her face. "What are we doing?? We need to move on! My snakes- "

You watch Jim roll his eyes heavily, then, trying not to snap at her- and failing miserably watching you back- your eyes are getting heavy and your grip on his hand looser. "Oh, shut up about your goddamn snakes, bitch. With any luck, the crocs already made a meal outta them."

Murdoch's eyes flash at the back of his head. "... No. No, I cant believe that. And it would do you good to keep your thoughts to yourself Bickerman."

"... considering you already paid me, I don't see why... " He mutters sarcastically, an underlying trace of malice in tone; Face dark as he stays focused on you. His good eye flickers over your body still- making sure that you're breathing, checking how much blood you're losing, how Beach is going wrapping you up, and then tightening his grip on you when he sees how badly its going... You just take deep breaths, letting your eyes fall shut so you don't have to look at your leg anymore, and... because you're suddenly also really... really tired... "Hey, hey- no, no sleepin', ey princess? Stay awake... "

"Mm... don't think I... can... " God, you're passing out. All that blood loss stealing all of your strength away, making your eyelids so so heavy... you don't think it would be possible to lift them open again. You rest your upper body against Jim and take a deep, shuddering breath. "I... don't think I can... Jim... "

"Yeah, hey Bickerman I don't recommend she take a nap right now." You hear Beach call, still wrapping all the gauze they have around your leg and the stick

"Yeah, I got that, thanks so fucking much." Jim growls, and you feel it more then you hear it. Actually his voice is starting to sound like he's underwater. Or you're underwater. Where are you again?... Something cold and metallic presses against the delicate skin beneath your chin and pushes your face upwards. You feel panicked, heavy breathing on your face. "Uh uh... no... damnit Y/N!... Open up your eyes again- ... now!"

Jim's words cut in and out, sleep overwhelming you- and then, it all goes black.

"... she's asleep." Murdoch informs, leaning over your body and peering at you like some stinky road kill they just dragged off the highway, before giving a sigh and straightening up. "Its better that way. Come on- "

Shaking his head carefully, Jim lets your head fall against his shoulder, removing his prosthetic from your face. "We aint going anywhere, 'ma'am'... " The tone in his voice is dark, and angry, and it makes the business woman stop. She looks to Beach with a glare, waiting for him to do something about this.

But he doesn't.

"Look- she's asleep now. She wont feel any pain when she dies." She says it as if its a certainty, and Jim sets his jaw hard, the only thing keeping him from threatening this bitch with a gun being his unwillingness to lay you down in the dirt. "We don't have time to sit by and hold her hand through it, that's suicide. So lean her up against a tree somewhere and lets go!"

At this Jim doesn't even respond, unable to form words to accurately describe how much he is not leaving you here. He just glances at Beach, who's just finishing your leg up, having used up all the bandages they had for emergencies in order to curb the bleeding, and knotting it tightly. Without looking up, he shakes his head sternly. "The others were dead Murdoch, we had to leave them. I get that... but L/N's still breathing. We cant just leave her defenceless."

"Then leave her a gun! If she miraculously comes to- she'll have it to protect herself with."

Beach just glares, his mind fully set on this matter- he might have to work for her but he doesn't have to become someone else to do it. Then he gets up, walks around your body and gestures like he's going to pick you up- asking Jim, silently with his eyes, if that would be alright.

Poking his tongue into his cheek, Jim gives Beach a careful glare. "... son if anything happens to her, I'll be happy to shoot ya dead before y'can say 'oops'... " Slowly, he nods though and helps to stabilize you in the other mans arms.

Beach slowly stands up, getting used to your weight, while Murdoch watches- dumbfounded and pissed at the blatant insubordination happening in front of her.

"... She'll slow us down." She snaps, as if they don't know that.

This time, Jim has his hands free and scrambles to his feet- grabbing his rifle on the way and pointing it at her without blinking an eye. For a moment he doesn't say a damn thing, just carefully watches the cocky look that was on her face initially, give way to a lick of fear when he turns the safety off in her face. "... I'm not gonna say it again- Y/N's comin' with us whether you like or not, snake lady. So if I were you I'd get with the goddamn program, eh?"

No one has ever accused Jim of being a good man, but he's about to pop a bullet in this bitches face and he's not even going to blink about it. "... Don't you talk about her like that,"

But she doesn't let up, even then. "Surely, dragging your dying whore through the woods is just going to hurt everyone else in the end, huh?"

"Murdoch," Beach pipes up, stealing both their attentions. "Its 2 against one- I'm sorry, but we're bringing her along."

"I'm the boss here!- " Murdoch exclaims, disbelief in her tone at everything that is happening right now. All for some- some- invalid?? She didn't even want this chick on this expedition, she wanted Jim but apparently they're a 'package deal' as you had told her when she tried to make off with him- ugh.

Rolling his eyes, losing some of his steam from a moment ago, Jim gives a great sigh. "You're about to be the boss a the underworld if you keep talkin', woman."

Finally Murdoch stops arguing, glaring between the two men and at your pale body propped up in Beach's straining arms- your head drooping backwards into empty air in a way that's definitely going to ache when you wake up again. Its useless, she thinks, eye twitching. They're idiots, and the mission is going to fail because of it.

But, it seems there's nothing she can do about it. "Fine- lets try and find my snakes quick. And you better hope they're alive, Bickerman. Because if they're not- " Murdoch flashes an ugly glare the old mans way. One he doesn't much care about, lowering his gun back to his side and shaking his head. "You'll be paying for it."

"Oooh, shaking in my boots...," He growls back, rolling his eyes. As long as you're alright, he could not care less what Murdoch could do to him. He's gotten out of worse scrapes.

As the group trudges on, Jim's eyes glide back over to you, still unconscious in the Terminators arms up ahead, and gives a frustrated huff; Hurrying to catch up with them with his own bad leg slowing him down. "Watch her head, wouldja?? C'mon, now- "

When you woke up, you were alone, on a beach, with a gun in your hand. It was terrifying, waking up at Blackwater, way too close to the lake for your tastes, with one gored leg. You didn't know where everyone went, or how much time had past by since you passed out, or anything. All you did know was that you had to move.

It was difficult, but you managed to force yourself up against the tree you were propped against. All you were thinking was how you cannot die in this hell. And where did everyone go?? Where's Jim??

So, taking a deep breath, you tucked the gun into the back of your jeans and walked.

The bad news- the bones in your leg were most definitely broken, and the skin was torn to shreds, and it hurt like hell to put any kind of weight on the limb, but the good news?? It worked. Feeling it meant it was still there, you supposed, and at least you had it. With just a stump, you aren't sure what you would have done.

You managed to walk 10 minutes into the tree line, searching for any signs of... anything. Crocs being the worst case scenario, the fence being the best. Nothing turned up- but you began to hear something.

Is that... laughing?? What in the name of hell is going on-

OH Jim. Its Jim. You only know one person crazy enough to sound like that and you would bet good money that it was him. "Oh- damnit!" You try to move a little quicker, to find him, but your leg screams at you for it and you have to pause and take some deep breaths to curb the pain. "Okay... okay... I'm sorry... we'll go slow... "Sucking in a final deep breath, you start up again, moving very, very cautiously, with your arms held out at your sides for balance; Taking only tiny little steps in hopefully the right direction. "Hooohhhhkay... "

The laugh turns into more a drunk chuckle after a few moments, but you know you're closer because you can hear it much more clearly now and, yes, its definitely Jim. You would know his voice anywhere.

"... Jim??" You call out, taking a chance that if there were crocodiles nearby- they would have come at the sound of laughing earlier.

"... I must be goin' crazy... " You hear him sigh, then chuckle again- and you roll your eyes.

But you're also pleased- because if this is a trick created by your own head and blood loss, then its a really really good one. And you're not that creative. "Nope- you went crazy a long time ago! Now- ah, fuck. Now you're just going dumb- where are you??"

There's a pause as you struggle through the trees, towards another beach. You can practically see Jim's face in your mind, trying to decide whether he's hearing things or what. You give a heavy sigh. "Do I have to insult you again old man or are you gonna help me out here?"

Finally you see him, laying on the beach covered in blood not 10 feet away. Your heart drops, because this is the second time you've seen him like this and you're honestly so sick of it.

When you get to him, you ease yourself down to the sand and wince when your leg stings at having to bend. When you're forced to drop the last foot down because your leg just wont bend anymore, you let out an 'ooft!' and an 'ow'. "You're alive, then... happy to see it, dumplin'... Now- now whatcha gonna do, huh? Heheh, you gonna- heh- gonna tear off bits a your clothes to set my wounds with? Cuz I- I got a lotta wounds... and I could get behind that."

"I'm sure you could," You humour him, shaking your head. Then you just sit and assess him for a moment, eyes gliding up and down his body- and sigh. Why. "... We can never come back to this fucking lake."

"Oh," Jim chuckles, shaking his head. "I'm with ya there, sweetheart."

"Good." You nod, resting your chin in your hand and your elbow in your non-injured leg, and leaning over his head to give him a soft little grin.

"Unless they offer me a lotta cash, and I mean buckets and buckets of- " The grin slips right off your face, and he starts to laugh again.

"No- "

"Ah ah ah," He suddenly leans up off the sandy dirt, managing hook his good hand around your neck and pull you down into a salty-tasting kiss. You let your eyelids fall closed, an absolute sucker for his kisses; And for a good long moment, it feels like neither of you are potentially bleeding out. When he pulls back again, theirs a wicked grin on his face that's oddly comforting, to you. "... I was just kiddin'."

... Sighing, you roll your eyes with a bemused grin, and straighten up again while he lays there and laughs - like the insane old man he is, - taking the moment to yourself to just wonder how you're going to make it out of here. Its going to be tough.

... at least he's alive, though.

#Jim Bickerman x Reader Oneshot #Oneshot #Jim Bickerman x Reader #Jim Bickerman #Lake Placid #Lake Placid; The Final Chapter #Lake Placid Vs Anaconda

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savagecowboy · 3 months

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𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

It was abhorrently bright. He had never noticed before how much light there really was, the tan grass seeming to glow with it. His eyes were squinted to slits, and still looking out from their dark enclosure felt like it was blistering his retinas.

“Jesus” he hissed.

There was a stir nearby him, no doubt his fascination with his new intolerance to daylight disturbing his creator; the ol’ curmudgeon attempting to slumber in one of the dark recess of their shelter. Jesse had warned him that the sun would be a danger to him now, painful to view, deadly to his body. The man had failed to elucidate to what degree the vulnerability would be, and as someone who did not take kindly to limitations, Severen had stayed awake through the breaking dawn to see for himself. To say he was not prepared was putting it lightly, but it did not discourage him either.

With this bit of knowledge acquired there was one thing more to educate himself on. Severen edged the board they had used to close off the dilapidated shack to the side just enough so a bright beam of sunshine cut through the dark. He made sure Jesse was well clear of the light and placed his hand just beside it. Bracing for— something— the cowboy thrust his hand into the beam. Immediately his skin began to sear. With a wail he retracted his hand, not even conscious he was doing so. The pain was unfathomable, his mind blanking to a white scream of excruciating hurt.

“What in the devil are you doing boy!” Jesse said in a quiet rage, groggy from being woken from his deep slumber.

“Ain’ I told you the sun could do for you!”

“Jus’ wanted to know” Severen says staring at the sizzling black stain on his pale skin. The edges are already healing, new pink growth knitting together blistered patches and aging to match the surrounding flesh all before his eyes. Soon, the only evidence of the burn is a sooty remnant; he brushes it off and flexes his fingers.

“Ain’ too bad”

“Ain’t too bad?” Jesse reproaches, raising his voice—something he doesn’t do often.

“Is it gonna be too bad when you catch flame in the noonday sun? End up a pile of ash no one remembers?” He chose his words for impact, he captures his new partner’s attention.

“I ain’t tryin’a pass in my chips Jess, I jus’ wanna know. I don’t take to bein’ told I can’t do somethin’ without knowin’ why”. It is not an unreasonable statement, Jesse gives him that, and knowing the sort of man he has thrown his lot in with, he has to acknowledge that Severen didn’t go as far as he might have expected when it came to his morbid curiosity.

“Well, what you can expect is to end up lookin’ like a chunk’a coal or worse. Don’t get caught outside in the day. Even if you protect y’rself it’ll still getcha. Unless you in something solid”, he knocked against the wood of the shack— not the best example, but Severen got the point—“you’ll still feel the burn”. The cowboy raised his hand to Jesse, showing the lack of evidence of his burn.

“Heals up pretty quick” he says by means of suggestion, Jesse shakes his head with a mystified look.

“You cracked son, can’t come it”, he rubbed his bleary eyes, unable to comprehend why they were having this conversation; and at the same time knowing he must have found the right man now that they were.

“You gon’ drag me out” he sighed.

“I just wanna know how long?”

“Long what? You thick, I just said not to do it!”

“But how long” Severen repeated insistently.

“Fuck if I know, you think I lasted these last years caperin’ around the one thing that’d off me?”

“C’mon you ol’ croaker, don’t know at all?”

“No!” Jesse was starting to lose his temper, even though he knew it wouldn’t do any good. To think he’d spent all this time trying to find a partner to mind his back only to find the only curly wolf who would eat the devil with his horns on.

“Imma find out” and Severen stood up, clouds of grey-brown dust floating into the light that barred Jesse from crossing over to his side.

“You plumb weak North a yer ears boy”. Severen winked and nudged the panel further, widening the beam and driving Jesse further into the corner of the shack, fully cut off from crossing.

Severen sidled out, his skin immediately sizzling, near throwing him backward as he winced in agony. A low, continuous moan escaped him as he stood full in the light. His linen shirt and trousers beginning to smolder, the only parts of his attire not singeing were his leather vest and boots. It was hard to move for the intolerable torment, but he managed to stand in place, feeling his skin blistering, boiling, burning away, desperately trying to repair itself, but unable to fuse before another layer is seared into cinders. He can feel flames bursting up, his perseverance waning, it has been minutes, it feels like hours. Finally, he stumbles back into safety, just able to jerk the board in place to cover them in cool darkness.

“Satisfied your curiosity?” Jesse asks, the disks of his eyes glowing over the faint orange tip of a cigarette. A weary, atonal sound emerges from a raw throat, it gradually resolves into something similar to an affirmation.

“Hope that was a good enough education”. A puff of grey smoke whirled around his gaunt face. There is another muffled moan as the miserable creature rolls over onto his back, smoking a bit himself.

“A’ight”, he hoarsely croaks, “I catch yer point”. Jesse just nods in the dark, cigarette flaring.

“But”, Severen rolls his recovering face to stare at his mentor, his creator, “is it always like that?” For the second time this morning the elder of the two is stunned to silence. Severen reiterates the question, “Ever worse some days, some kinda conditions?”

“How many got’dam times I gotta tell you greenhorn, I don’t seem to have the same interest in a pine box like you do”. For some reason Severen took this as a compliment, his white smile visible in his charred face. He was starting to feel better, energy returning, his skin starting to appear normal, although still blackened.

“Jus’ wanted to know if there’s any particulars, y’know in case we did have business in the daytime”.

“Ain’t no daytime business to be had. Now quit this nonsense and fuckin’ sleep so I can have some peace”. There were no complaints from the cowboy about getting some shut eye after the self inflicted ordeal; he crawled into the opposite corner and dropped to the dirt in a heap.

Out quicker than a snuffed candle. Jesse stared at him wondering what sort of a reckless, brainless nippent he’d hired on— while at the same time admiring the fact that he’d braved their greatest danger with casual ease and clear success.

“One crazy bastard” Jesse murmured, dropping the tiny remainder of his cigarette to the dirt floor and grinding it out with his thumb. “Crazy fucking bastard” Jesse repeated, crossing one arm over the other, head leaning back, the susurrus of Severen’s snores guiding him back to sleep.

#near dark #near dark fanfic #severen van sickle #jesse hooker #✘ ONE SHOT.#✘ HC.

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