their reactions if MC was fatally wounded by wanderers and passed away
⚘pairings: xavier x reader, zayne x reader, rafayel x reader
⚘tags: sfw, gender-neutral MC, established relationship, loss and grief, ANGST, alcohol consumption (in xavier's part), very slight chapter 7/8 spoilers (in rafayel's part)
⚘a/n: sorry xavier's is shorter, i'm still figuring out his character! also can you tell i have a bias um hehe,,,
╰┈➤ ❝ XAVIER. ❞
is devastated by the news, and blames himself for not being there as their hunting partner to protect them and keep them safe
he drowns his grief in liquor at The Nest—the bartender worries for his sudden habit, but xavier's lips are locked tight, and so he doesn't pry. the best he can do is cut him off before his veins are more alcohol than blood
he also takes it out on the wanderers he fights from then on, hoping that the next one's throat he slits is the one who took his precious MC away from him
on calmer days, he brings flowers to their grave whenever he's able—he'll sit and chat about everything and nothing in the hopes that somehow, somewhere, they're still listening
╰┈➤ ❝ ZAYNE. ❞
would be in the ER doing everything he can to save them
....but it's not enough
the guilt of their life slipping through his fingers weighs heavy on him. but he never lets it show
he already spends a lot of time at work, but after they pass, he throws himself fully into his job
he's even more clinical and impersonal than ever and fully embodies the "cold and distant dr. zayne" title everyone else thought of him (everyone but MC)
he doesn't allow himself to get close to anyone anymore—after all, the ones he opens his heart to always get taken away from him
he keeps himself busy 24/7. if he allows even a moment's break, he starts thinking, and thinking is bad
his already frequent nightmares worsen, and he finds himself pulling even more all-nighters than usual to avoid them
bonus extra angsty alternate ending: his lack of sleep and inner anguish affect him to the point of messing up a delicate surgery. he resigns that same day.
╰┈➤ ❝ RAFAYEL. ❞
thomas is unable to contact him for days. texts and voicemails remain unanswered, deadlines are fast approaching with no updates... but, isn't this normal behaviour from the antisocial artist?
it's not until finding out about MC's passing a week later that thomas realizes he should have been more persistent with rafayel. but would it have even mattered? when rafayel is in a mood, it's near impossible to find/reach him, nevermind pull him out of it
weeks pass with still no word, and thomas regrets his last conversation with rafayel—pressing him to finish his latest painting, with an eager buyer already waiting
thomas does his best to manage cancelling rafayel's many interview and art show invitations without stirring up concerns. rafayel is already known to be dodgy with such things, though, which thankfully buys him some time
rafayel is finally spotted some time later on the beach just off his home studio, drenched to his bones and wandering aimlessly barefoot along the coast
he hasn't touched a paintbrush in ages, and has completely forgotten the inspiration for his last unfinished piece
he's spent nearly the entire time in the sea. the rocking of the waves and the rush of his heartbeat in his ears keep him distracted more than painting ever could
his muse is gone, and with it his flame. he spent all this time to find them... just to lose them again. his poor heart just can't bear it
one day he leaves one last cryptic message to thomas, dons his scales once more, and returns to the sea forever
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