and like... imagine if Russel HAD been chilling in the desert where Ace was in the bunker. and imagine if he had saved him... that would've been so cute... imagine you're Ace and you've been in the bunker for damn near at least 2 years all by yourself assumedly in the middle of the desert, then your pranking partner from when you were in the band just pulls you out and tells you he knows it can be scary to get in your own head like that but he KNOWS from experience facing it alone is the worst solution....... it'd be so sweet
omg bet 😳😳
Russel reunites with Ace but with a twist
Nothing but static for the past hour.
Nothing but static and the white noise that accompanies it. Russel exhales and leans back in his seat, pursing his lips. Watch the static channel, Murdoc said. Something will come out of it, Murdoc said! What a load of bullshit.
He should have known nothing would come out of this half-brained idea, but where was the fun in not giving it a shot? Sitting in front of the blank tv to receive made-up prophecies seems more fun than doing the chores that 2D got stuck with, at the very least. He is more than ready to pull out his phone and browse twitter when the TV flickers. He glances at it, stares for a second, then returns his attention to his phone.
Then the TV makes a popping noise and suddenly it's on by itself.
Russel arches an eyebrow, then he leans forward in his chair. The channel glitches in and out of view before finally focusing on a room that Russel doesn't recognize. He is three seconds away from calling out for 2D or Noodle when the camera changes directions and he spots something unexpected.
Ace sits crosslegged on a bed with only one blanket and pillow, a notebook displayed next to him, and he looks miserable. There's a phone next to him that looks the size of a brick.
"Ace," Russel whispers to himself. Then he tries to speak louder, but all that leaves his lips is a voice crack. Is this where Ace has been all this time? A bunker that looks like a jail cell? Russel heard from Murdoc that Ace went into hiding but he had assumed Murdoc was just lying. To find Ace actually looking distraught and alone is... He can't place a word on how it makes him feel.
A sigh falls from Ace's lips. "I guess this is it." He's talking to no one in particular, but Russel is giving him all his attention. "I can't contact the guys and I can't contact the band so... It's just me." He laughs pathetically. "This isn't cool at all."
It's the first time Russel is properly hearing Ace's accent. When he was touring with them, Ace rarely spoke a word unless the cameras were off. Something about keeping a low profile. The Italian mixed with New Yorker sticks out like a sore thumb now that he's alone in the room. It sounds nice even when he's upset.
"Ace," he tries once more, voice finally finding purchase.
Ace jumps up from the bed, looking around frantically. He pulls a switchblade from his pockets, holding it in the air as if there is a threat anywhere near him. "Whose's there?" He calls.
Right. How does he explain talking to Ace from a TV? This wasn't something they went over during the cult basics meeting. Russel clears his throat, "Over here. It's me, Russel."
When Ace looks at the TV, he looks surprised. He comes closer and taps the screen roughly. "What that? I've been so far away from civilization, I'm starting to see things."
It shakes Russel despite him not feeling Ace's finger. "No, it's really me!"
"How'd you get a TV in here?" Ace asks.
Russel just laughs. "How'd you get in there?" He answers with his own question. "We've been wondering where you are!"
"It's a long story. How are we talking right now?"
The questions keep coming until Russel fully explains to Ace what the band is up to currently. "... So now I'm looking for prophecies through the screen but they led me to you." Russel finishes with a smile, glad to have found something- someone worthwhile from the TV exploits.
"I guess I'm your destiny," Ace replies smoothly. Then he sits down in front of the TV and offers Russel his own smile. "It's good to see you, Russ. I think about you every day I'm down here."
Really? Russel's foot begins to tap against the floor as he takes in the implication. They rarely got a moment to themselves when Ace was with the band, let alone a chance to bond in a way that mattered. But maybe... Maybe this was a perfect opportunity. "I missed you too," he says finally.
A dark green shimmers its way across Ace's cheeks, but he sits up straight and ignores it. "Maybe this is a sign for me to come outta hiding and come find you. We can meet up for some pizza."
"I'd like that. "
Fin!!
Smh I wanted to write them kissing... Guess what they didn't do... ANYWAY I'll make this a full piece and post it on ao3 sometime soon I think because wow,,, you hit me hard with the rarepair brainrot (affectionate)
everyone says "look at the way Noodles looking at Ace" but you guys are sleeping on the way Russel's looking at him....... Russel smiles so few times in art. but he's smiling at Ace !!! <- my RussAce propaganda woooo brainwashing you woooo you will like RussAce
Also Chopper and Brook freaking out when there's poison involved. Chopper is able to push through the panic, he's trained for this. Brook tries to put on a brave face but internally he's having war flashbacks and going "oh god, oh no, oh no no no..."
turnnoffyourmind
blakekathryn
vaporwave
jacobvanloon
amandla
germansingergirl
gummygunk
yousharknotpass
