I write character x character, and character x reader.
♡Romantic♡, ◇Platonic◇, whatever.
Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Yandere, Poly Relationships, Character Reactions, Character Diary Entries, Light Nsfw, Female, Gender Neutral And Male Readers/Characters
♡Gay♡ and ☆Not Gay☆
Headcanons, fics, one-shots, maybe Au's....
Fandoms I write for. (It's all games. I'm not sorry.)
Until Dawn~
Josh Washington
Chris Hartley
Ashley Brown
Sam Giddings
Mike Munroe
Jess Riley
Emily Davis
Matt Taylor
Beth Washington
Hannah Washington
The Quarry~
Jacob Custos
Emma Mountebank
Nick Furcillo
Abigail Blyg
Max Brinly
Laura Kearney
Kaitlyn Ka
Dylan Lenivy
Ryan Erzhalher
Travis Hackett
Chris Hackett
Bobby Hackett
Life is Strange~
Season 1~
Max Caulfield
Chloe Price
Warren Graham
Nathan Prescott
Victoria Chase
Kate Marsh
Mark Jefferson
Before The Storm~
Chloe Price
Rachel Amber
Steph Gingrich
Nathan Prescott
Samantha Myers
Season 2~
Sean Diaz
Daniel Diaz
Cassidy
Finn
True colours~
Alex Chen
Steph Gingrich
Ryan Lucan
Gabe Chen
Charlotte Harmon
Jason Pike
Resident Evil~
REmake~
Jill Valentine
RE2 OG~
Leon Kennedy
Claire Redfield
RE2 Remake~
Leon Kennedy
Claire Redfield
RE3 OG~
Jill Valentine
RE 3MAKE~
Jill Valentine
Carlos Oliveira
RE4 OG~
Leon Kennedy
RE4 Remake~
Leon Kennedy
Ashley Graham
Luis Serra
RE7~
Ethan Winters
Eveline
RE8~
Ethan Winters
Lady Dimitrescu
Karl Heisenberg
Chris Redfield
RE9~
Leon Kennedy
Grace Ashcroft
Bioshock~
Bioshock 1~
Jack Wynand
Atlas
Frank Fontaine
Bridget Tenenbaum
The Little Sisters
The Big Daddies
Bioshock 2~
Subject Delta
Augustus Sinclair
Eleanor Lamb
Sophia Lamb
Grace Holloway
Stanley Poole
Gil Alexander
Mark Meltzer
The Big Sisters
Bioshock Infinite~
Elizabeth Comstalk
Booker DeWitt
Songbird
The Walking Dead: Telltale~
Season 1~
Lee Everett
Clementine
Kenny
Lily
Carley
Ben Paul
Christa
Omid
Season 2~
Clementine
Luke
Nick
Sarah
Kenny
Season 3~
Javi Garcia
Kate Garcia
Gabe Garcia
Clementine
Kenny
Tripp
Conrad
Eleanor
Season 4~
Clementine
Violet
Louis
Mitch
AJ
Tenn
James
Lily
Minerva
Detroit: Become Human~
Connor
Hank
Kara
Alice
Luther
Ralph
Marcus
North
Simon
Josh
The Last Of Us~
Part 1~
Ellie
Joel
Tommy
Henry
Sam
Marlene
Riley
Part 2~
Ellie
Joel
Dina
Jesse
Tommy
Abby
Owen
Lev
Yara
Uncharted~
Drake's Fortune~
Nathan Drake
Elena Fisher
Among Thieves~
Nathan Drake
Elena Fisher
Chloe Frazer
Harry Flynn
Drake's Deception~
Nathan Drake
Elena Fisher
Chloe Frazer
Talbot
A Thieves End~
Nathan Drake
Elena Fisher
Sam Drake
Rafe Adler
Nadine Ross
Doki Doki Literature Club~
Monika
Sayori
Yuri
Natsuki
☆Overall Note☆~ All Under 18 Characters Will Be Platonic, Unless Shipped With A Character Of The Same Age.♡
sigh... im just a girl after all. REquests now open i guess. by random, i mean RANDOM. genuinely. no structure or anything holding it together. cept the boy, ofc. PLEASE DO NOT BE SEXUAL OR PERVY IN MY COMMENTS/ ASKS I DONT LIKE IT. I KNOW HES HOT BUT BEHAVE
Doesnt eat red meat. Not a dietary reason or anything, he just doesnt like it
Big fan of marshmallows. like he just keeps a bag of those big ones around at all times and munch munch. also does that chubby bunny thing always because whos stopping him? The government?? They dont care
Very cold. he gives cold vibes idk
Used to eat play dough as a lil baby.
His hair smells like white chocolate and biscoff biscuits all the fuckin time. he dont even do anything to it, thats all natural
Speaking of chocolate, his favourite chocolate is white with bits of dried raspberry. and any iteration of dark chocolate makes him cry. please no dark chocolate, he too little.
Single!Leon has one (1) plant and it dead
Bf!Leon have two plant and one dead one doin okay
Husband!Leon have many plant, all thrive
All plants are succulents btw. he killed a succulent somehow
Likes moths and dragonflies. and hes very paternal towards ladybugs (he just like me fr)
Single!Leon plays the sims whenever he gets sad and starts thinking about the life he lost so he can have a little virtual family :(
Bf/Husband!Leon LOVES having a little packed lunch, cause this M A N will never make his own, so a lil snack on the job?!?! Hed fall in love all over again. (His fav sammich is turkey and a single leaf of lettuce on brown bread.)
He WILL rawdog a flight. what does he gain from doing so? nothing. but he WILL rawdog EVERY. SINGLE. FLIGHT.
Single!Leon wants a pet SOOOOOO badly, but cant justify it with his job, (Long term)Bf/Husband!Leon has one very energetic pupper and two cats, one sadistic one chill and loves them ALMOST more than he loves his partner lul
RE2&RE4!Leon is lowkey obsessed with reality tv (he kinda lives for the mess. the DRAMAAAAAAA) but cant say it cause ppl wouldnt respect him anymore. (that aint right, we gotta free the men)
Bf/Husband!Leon loves when his partner reads stuff aloud. like he can just turn his brain off and listen to his lovers voice for a while.
Tbh thats how he falls asleep 97% of the time, either focusing on their breathing or them talking if theyre together or, if hes away, he has voice notes/ recordings of them reading that he uses like asmr, its so friggin cute
Never, and i mean NEVER shops at big companies (except porche i guess idfk what thats about, not my business). Leonard Scott Kennedy is a man of the PEOPLE and supports them first (as he should, go king. we love you)
RE2!Bf!Leon likes forehead and cheek smoochies, RE4!Bf!Leon likes having his muscles appreciated (whatever that means to you...) RE9!Bf!Leon likes forehead and cheek smoochies again.
Also, RE2!Leon has a smol pref for older partners, and RE9!Leon will NEVERRRRRRRRRR get with anyone younger than probably 30? even that would be pushing it for him. hed absolutely never go for a barely legal person, and thats why we want him so bad lmao
His first kid (should he have any) is a deaf little girl. i dont know why, i just picture him learning asl for her and trying to teach her and messing up and ahhhhhhhh sho cute i cant
In terms of sexuality, cause we all were wondering, Leon is somehow both a very gay man and also a raging lesbian, do with that what you will.
RE2!Leon used to sleep with a stuffed animal (id say a dragon or dinosaur something like that) and after the game gave it to Sherry to keep her company when she was scared :(
I *PERSONALLY* dont think Leon would ever get with someone in the same kind of job? i think hed need home to be a different world to keep sacred and separate from all the bad stuff at work. Hed of course keep his partner informed, i dont think he COULD hold everything in, but they'd still have to be a normal person or he'd (imo) be completely miserable with no peace away from work
RE2!Leon cant drink thick smoothies, the texture makes him gag
RE4&RE9!Leon doesnt, like literally DOES NOT, cry over anything sad or upsetting, never. but when hes happy??????? When ANYTHING good happens, his partner calling him handsome, his dog running up to say hi, his cat purring against him????? yeah sobs. this man was trained for eternal suffering so when positive emotions come through his body has no idea how to handle it. (im tearing up writing that omg my SON)
uhh im kinda late but kenny headcanons (x reader is beloved)
YESSSSSS MY KING MY LIEGE MY BOAT GODDDDD TYSM ILYYYYYYY. So happy rn you dont even know. I LOVE HIMM HES LITERALLY MY DAD. I dont know how to explain this to normies, but i actually prefer s1 and 2 to 3 and 4, and i think youll be able to tell if you request a character from the earlier seasons vs the later ones lol. Im doing romantic cause you didnt specify and thats usually what people want but as previously mentioned, kenny is my father so writing romance for him is gonna be hard and weird but ill do my best dearest. got a little into it, this is mostly s2, I CANT HELP IT. I LOVE S2 KENNY MORE THAN I LOVE MY FATHER
Fluff, Angst
During Game (S2) & Post Game
Kenny x GN!Reader General Headcanons
Okay, I have to start with communication. It's gotta be direct and clear.
Sorry, but Kenny is kinda emotionally unintelligent and distant, so if you have a problem, you have to tell him straight up. No silent treatment or anything like that, just be prepared to stand your ground cause... you know, he likes a fight.
Although he totally won't give that same energy back, sorry. So if somethings bothering him, you'll have to coax it out of him.
Anyway now that I have that out of the way... very protective. The most protective, some might say.
Like he can be lowkey mean in the name of protecting you
Ill leave it to you whether that's good or not
If you met him post s1, he'd be both clingy and distant simultaneously.
He'd be terrified whenever you weren't in his immediate vicinity but also would snap whenever you tried to connect with him, because that's what mentally stable people do, so you better have a lot of patience or a whole lot of fight in you. He will make it difficult.
If you met during s2, he might think you were pretty/handsome but remain committed to Sarita, even after her death.
Regardless, you'd have to be a Kenny D rider til the end of the line, cause even one disagreement at that point would have him despising you, at least temporarily. The end of s2 is stressful for him, just give him time, please. He's doing his best.
Bonus points if you also care for Clem and AJ since it sometimes (always) seems like Kenny is the only one actually taking care of/ thinking about the children
Imagine the relief that flooded through him when he saw Clem emerge from the snowstorm into the gas station with you, the relief that you were with her, the relief she was safe thanks to you
The relief that turned to dread when he realized your arms were empty.
During the fight with Jane, you'd just keep Clem back and hold her while she cries which Kenny is extremely grateful for, once he comes to his senses ofc
Clem agreed to stay at wellington, leaving you two alone, at which point, you'd immediately become his priority
Its hard to say how long until you become a couple after that, he'd be terrified of doing it and terrified of not
Loss torments him wherever he goes, but so does love, so this is another situation where you'd have to use that direct communication and maybe give him time?
Patience goes a long way with this guy if you haven't noticed
Anyway, once you're an official couple, he'll still be protective and clingy, just maybe a little more possessive and controlling, but with some more trust he might be able to ease off a bit, but believe me, if you're in any kind of danger, it'll be right back taking charge.
He didn't start out as a loving or affectionate person, but after going through his... transformative experiences, he's definitely going to be gentler and more appreciative of youuuu
So, uh, mama is hyperfixating on twdg again for the first time in like 2 years so send requests, FAST. I have no ideas but I wanna write so baddddd!!!!
Check my Pinned post for the full list of characters available ✨️💕
(Also, this is a *VERY* pro Kenny page so watch yourself if you come to spread filthy anti Kenneth propaganda to our wonderful, prosperous sovereign nation)
Thank you so much for loving this series as much as I've loved writing it. Here's a Christmas present that's not Christmas themed!!! Hope you enjoy your special treat!!
Interview Room 1, Matthew Taylor, 08:28, 02.03.15-
Redacted- So, where did the problems begin, Mr. Taylor?
Matthew Taylor- Uh… I guess… when I saw Emily- m-my girlfriend- hugging and like- *Clears Throat* getting close with Mike, her, um, her ex.
Redacted- Alright, did you confront them after that?
Matthew Taylor- Y-Yeah, in the lodge, I- *Long Pause* I attacked Mike. But it wasn't that bad! I swear! Josh interrupted us b-before…
Redacted-Josh, he was the only one we didn't find. What happened to him?
Matthew Taylor- Uh, well, first, me and Em left the lodge cause she forgot her bag at the cable car station and wanted to go get it, but we came back and we heard screaming near the shed and Chris and Ashley come out sobbing and screaming and covered in blood and they just- *Shaky Breath* but they told us that Josh was s-split in half… *Blinks Rapidly, Leans Back, Tucks Tongue Into Cheek*
Redacted- Take your time, Mr. Taylor.
Matthew Taylor- Uh, well, *Deep Breath* I didn't see anything, all I know is what they told us then and uh, later. *Clears Throat* So, they said he was torn in half by a sawblade and that there was some voice, not the guy, just like, a voice clip saying Chris had to decide between Josh or Ash and I guess he made his choice.
Redacted- You didn't check the shed?
Matthew Taylor- N-No, we believed them.
Redacted- Alright, so is that when you all went to the fire tower?
Matthew Taylor- Uh, we all split up, so Chris and Ashley went back to the lodge to find Sam and we went to the fire tower and radioed for help.
Redacted- That was you and Ms. Davis, correct?
Matthew Taylor-*Nods*
Redacted- And what happened afterwards? The park ranger told us the call was cut off.
Matthew Taylor- I- I don't know how, but the tower fell into the mines.
Redacted- The mines? What about the support cables?
Matthew Taylor- Something snapped them, I dunno, but it fell! And it was *Shaky Breath* on its side, and Emily was dangling over this- giant fucking hole and- *Pauses, Shaky Breath* and I left her. *Begins To Cry, Sharp Inhale* I was just- so mad, and so sick of being treated like- *Shaky breath* I left her to die…
Redacted- Mr. Taylor? Are you alright? Would you like some water?
Matthew Taylor- No, no, I'm fine, just- I'm sorry… *Cries Into Hands*
Redacted- We'll give you a few minutes.
Matthew Taylor- No. *Sniffles, Wipes Nose And Cheeks With Jacket Sleeve, Clears Throat* No, I can do it, um… so- *Short Sniffle* so I just kinda wander around the mines for hours, I don't even have a light! B-But yeah, so I eventually find Jess and she's just busted up, I mean, you saw her right? The poor thing can barely walk- barely talk! How is she b-by the way? Is she okay? Do you know?
Redacted- Ms. Riley's state is still being assessed.
Matthew Taylor- *Nods, Long Exhale* Right… Yeah.
Redacted- So you and Ms. Riley are in the mines, then what?
Matthew Taylor- We hear Mike. Or footsteps at least, but we follow them and see Mike. He said he'd been in there looking for her or the killer all night.
Redacted- Mr. Munroe was in the mines all night?
Matthew Taylor- *Shrugs* That's what he said.
Redacted- Okay, so you three meet up and head back to the lodge, and got there after the building was destroyed?
Matthew Taylor- *Nods* Basically, yeah.
Redacted- Just so we're clear, you never actually encountered the killer?
Matthew Taylor- *Shakes Head* No, not in person.
Redacted- Alright, thank you for your time Mr. Taylor, you can go.
Interview Room 2, Christopher Hartley, 08:54, 02.03.15-
Redacted- You were the last person to see Josh Washington alive, correct?
Christopher Hartley- *Nods* M-Me and Ashley…
Redacted- Can you tell us about that?
Christopher Hartley- The uhm *Clears Throat* the three of us were just hanging out playing one of those, you know, the boards you can talk to ghosts with?
Redacted- *Nods*
Christopher Hartley- Yeah, so, I thought it'd be fun to mess with them so I pretended to be a ghost and Josh took it wrong and left cause he thought I was pretending it was his sister.
Redacted- That wasn't your intention?
Christopher Hartley- *Shakes Head* No, I was just being stupid. I wasn't thinking.
Redacted- Alright, I understand. So what happened after Josh left?
Christopher Hartley- Ashley and I wanted to give him some space so we just wandered around the library and eventually found the note I handed in when we first got here.
Redacted- The one on the back of the picture of the twins?
Christopher Hartley- *Nods*
Redacted- It's good that you found that. I'm sure it'll be a great help. After you found the note?
Christopher Hartley- We went looking for Josh, but heard him screaming and ran to help him. The killer was behind this door and grabbed Ashley first so I couldn't help at all, I just tried to break the door down but it wouldn't budge till he let me in.
Redacted- What happened behind the door?
Christopher Hartley- H-He knocked her out with some kind of gas or something, then punched me, I don't know about Josh, sorry.
Redacted- That's fine, you're already doing so much.
Christopher Hartley- Thanks *Sniffle*
Redacted- So, when you wake up… Ashley and Josh are gone?
Christopher Hartley- *Nods* Yeah. I leave the kitchen and follow the trail down to the shed and uhm-
Redacted- It's alright, you're safe, you're doing great, Chris.
Christopher Hartley- And Ash and- *Shaky Breath* Josh are hanging from their hands and-*Takes Off Glasses, Presses Left Eye* And this horrible voice starts talking, it tells me that I have to- *Voice Breaks, Breath Hitches* to choose-
Redacted- I'll get you some water
Transcript Closed 09:16, 02.03.15
Transcript Reopened 09:25, 02.03.15
Redacted- So the voice tells you to choose between them?
Christopher Hartley- *Nods, Clears Throat* There's this round sawblade attached to these, it looks like rails? That lead to either Ashley or Josh, and I gotta pick one.
Redated- You chose Ashley?
Christopher Hartley- *Shuddering Breath, Shakes Head* I wanted to save him… I wanted to… *Cries*
Redacted- It's not your fault.
Christopher Hartley- He was my best friend…
Redacted- Would you like to step out for a moment?
Christopher Hartley- *Shakes Head* I just want to get this over with.
Redacted- Alright, take your time, Chris.
Christopher Hartley- Once *Clears Throat* Once it's done, the door unlocks and I can get Ashley. I had to- *Clears Throat* had to stay strong for her.
Redacted- You did great.
Christopher Hartley- *Scoffs* When we got outside the shed, I just broke. Thank God Matt and Emily showed up or we'd have stayed there all night.
Redacted- What did you do instead?
Christopher Hartley- Sam was still in the lodge, we went to look for her in case she was in trouble.
Redacted- And they went?
Christopher Hartley- Uh, to the- uh, the cable car. Or- at first, I think they went to the fire tower from there.
Redacted- Alright, so you and Ashley are in the lodge looking for Sam…
Christopher Hartley- She's not upstairs, so we have to go into the basement. There's creepy shit all over the place and- *Shakes Head* sorry, nothing really happened, but we eventually find this… dummy… thing? Wearing Sam's clothes.
Redacted- Oh? That's odd, different clothes than the ones she was found in?
Christopher Hartley- No, uh she wore the ones earlier when she first came up, she must've changed after her bath.
Redacted- Right, sorry, continue.
Christopher Hartley- So yeah, we start to investigate and the guy comes up behind us and knocks us out with the gas.
Redacted- You ran into the killer twice?
Christopher Hartley- *Nods*
Redacted- Can you describe his appearance? Things like face, body type, skin tone, even clothes could help.
Christopher Hartley- Uh, he was wearing a mask, so I couldn't tell you his face at all. And he wore gloves and most his skin was covered so I couldn't tell, sorry. But uh, he seemed like a pretty, you know like, big guy, tall, buff, all that.
Redacted- *Nods*
Christopher Hartley- And he was wearing *Clears Throat* wearing a big green coat. Kind of like the ones Mike and Jess were wearing when we found them.
Redacted- Oh, one of those miner coats? Interesting. Thanks so much, Chris. Let's keep going, what happened when you were caught?
Christopher Hartley- He put us both in another trap. We would've died if Sam didn't save us.
Redacted- What was this trap?
Christopher Hartley- I had this gun in front of me and more of those- those fucking sawblades coming at us. It was me or her.
Redacted- Sam got there before you had to pick?
Christopher Hartley- *Nods*
Redacted- The killer wasn't there?
Christopher Hartley- *Shakes Head* We think he left after he got us in the trap, cause Sam never saw anything.
Redacted- Is that the last you saw of him?
Christopher Hartley- Yeah. We all hid for a bit til Emily came down screaming bloody murder.
Redacted- On her own? Without Matt?
Christopher Hartley-Yeah, we didn't see him for hours.
Redacted- Alright, so, can you tell us what happened to the lodge?
Christopher Hartley- I'll try. *Deep Inhale* We were all sitting in the living room when some of the girls start smelling a some kind of gasoline or something and get us all out before it would blow up.
Redacted- So it was gas leak? Do you think the killer was involved?
Christopher Hartley- I think so, yeah.
Redacted- Alright, that's everything, unless there's more you need to add?
Christopher Hartley- *Shakes Head*
Redacted- Okay, thank you for your help, Christopher.
Interview Room 1, Emily Davis, 09:36, 02.03.15
Redacted- Mr. Taylor said you and him found Mr. Hartley and Ms. Brown outside the shed, lets start there.
Emily Davis- Sure. *Short Pause* Oh, you want me to start? Okay, uh, pretty simple, we get there and they're covered in blood and screaming that Josh is dead and stuff. *Wipes Nose With Sleeve*
Redacted- Right?
Emily Davis- And... I told the other two to go back to the lodge since they wanted to get Sam and me and Matt went to the fire tower.
Redacted- Did that seem smart?
Emily Davis- What, separating? Yeah, at the time, we needed to get help and we needed to find our friend, the sooner the better on both accounts.
Redacted- *Grumbles* Alright then, why did you go to the fire tower? Surely you'd try the cable car first?
Emily Davis- We did. It was busted up and the key was missing so we had to find something else. Genius.
Redacted- *Scoff* You should probably be more concerned about your friend's death than being snarky.
Emily Davis- Excuse me?!
Redacted- Nothing. Tell us what happened on the fire tower.
Emily Davis- What happened was I got everybody's head straight, I gave Chris and Ash a mission that calmed them down, I got us to the cable car, I figured out the fire tower would have a radio, I got us there, I got the power on, I called for help, and Matt fucking abandoned me! After everything I did!?
Redacted- Calm down, Ms. Davis.
Emily Davis- Fuck no. I was dangling over a giant fucking mine and that stupid guy left me!
Redacted- Matt was incredibly sorry when I spoke to him.
Emily Davis- *Laughs* He wanted me to die!
Redacted- He wanted to survive.
Emily Davis- He spent like 5 minutes screaming at me for talking to Mike! I didn't even cheat!
Redacted- We're going to take a few minutes for you to cool off.
Emily Davis- I don't need a few minutes-
Redacted- You're too emotional, Ms. Davis.
Emily Davis- I am not!
Transcript Closed, 09:48, 02.03.15
Transcript Reopened, 09.57, 02.03.15
Redacted- How did you survive the fall?
Emily Davis- The wire connecting the radio to the power source got wrapped around my ankle and kept me attached. I managed to cut it and landed on a mine entrance.
Redacted- *Scoffs* Sure.
Emily Davis- I don't care whether or not you believe me.
Redacted- I don't.
Emily Davis- I said I don't fucking care. You're here to listen to me, so shut up and do your fucking job.
Redacted- You're a charming young woman, aren't you?
Emily Davis- Oh, I'm fucking delightful.
Redacted- *Short Huff*
Emily Davis- Anyway, back to the reason I'm here dealing with your childish ass instead of on a fun weekend trip with my besties. I get fucking chased by the guy in the mines. Oh, what, am I now an interesting source?
Redacted- Interesting is a good word for it.
Emily Davis- *Short Huff* This fucking guy chases me the whole way carrying a gas tank and mask!
Redacted- *Laughs* In the mines?
Emily Davis- Yes, good boy! You can follow a story! Great job, buddy!
Redacted- *Grumbled* So how'd you get out?
Emily Davis- With my legs.
Redacted- Ms. Davis, if you're going to keep being difficult-
Emily Davis- Me?! You're the one who's shit at his job.
Redacted- How did you get out?
Emily Davis- I ran. Then I used the abandoned mine equipment, the conveyer belt and stuff.
Redacted- Wonderful.
Emily Davis- You don't sound too pleased. Careful. Don't want to seem upset a teenager didn't die.
Redacted- *Sigh* What happened once you escaped?
Emily Davis- I ran back to the lodge. Chris, Ash and Sam were there so thank god I sent them to get her, right?
Redacted- And the fire?
Emily Davis- Sam and I start smelling gas, we panicked and got everybody out and then the thing is just up in flames.
Redacted- You didn't see how it started?
Emily Davis- No, but it has to be the guy, cause he wanted us dead, plus there was probably a ton of evidence in the lodge he wanted to destroy.
Redacted- You're speculating.
Emily Davis- Figured you might need some help with your job since you're not very good at it.
Redacted- Thank you, Ms. Davis, that's all.
Emily Davis- I'd say you're welcome, but that'd be a lie.
Interview Room 2, Michael Munroe, 09:59, 02.03.15
Redacted- Hiya, Michael, I just read my partners talk with Matthew Taylor and saw that you both got into a fight?
Michael Munroe- Uh, yeah, yeah. He saw Emily and I talkin, I think. Then he went all football brain and attacked me over it. He- He apologised later though, so we're all good now.
Redacted- Happy to hear it, but, uh we haven't heard anyone mention you or Jess except Matthew saying he met you both in the mines, so where were you?
Michael Munroe- There was a- a little- like- cabin thing far off that we went to to- ah- *Swallows, Clears Throat*
Redacted- Gotcha, alright, so you two walked to that cabin, was anything weird going on on the way there?
Michael Munroe- We felt like we were being watched, I guess? We didn't see anybody though.
Redacted- Okay, can you tell us what happened to Jessica?
Michael Munroe- We were in the cabin about to- uhm, you know... and uh, a rock was thrown through the bathroom window. So I went to check it out cause Jess was obviously freaked out and then I heard her scream. I ran out and saw her being dragged through the snow by this creepy fucking guy, so I grabbed the lantern and ran after them.
Redacted- That was very brave, Mike.
Michael Munroe- I- Thanks...?
Redacted- Sorry for interrupting.
Michael Munroe- Uh, it's fine. So, uh, I chased them til we got to some... building, I- I think it was used by the miners when that whole thing was still happening.
Redacted- *Nods* Yeah.
Michael Munroe- And uh, yeah, so I chased them into this building and the guy wasn't there, but I found Jess laying on the elevator floor and I tried to help her up but th- this fucking guy, he did something and the elevator fell.
Redacted- Fell down into the Mines?
Michael Munroe- *Nods*
Redacted- Wow, it's incredible she survived.
Michael Munroe- I know.
Redacted- Did you go looking for her straight away?
Michael Munroe- N-No, I thought she was dead, I went looking for that guy.
Redacted- Y-You followed him?
Michael Munroe- I thought he killed my woman. The fucker needed to pay.
Redacted- Well, where did he go?
Michael Munroe- The sanitorium.
Redacted- Y-You went there?
Michael Munroe- Yeah. Tons of creepy shit in there by the way, but I lost track of him.
Redacted- Could you describe him for me?
Michael Monroe- Creepy mask, Green jacket, big guy.
Redacted- Quick and simple, thanks, Mike!
Michael Munroe- *Huff* Sure.
Redacted- Is that his jacket you're wearing?
Michael Munroe- Don't know, I just found it hanging in the Sanitorium and took it since I was freezing.
Redacted- Could we take that for evidence?
Michael Munroe- Uh, okay.
Transcript Closed 10:05, 02.03.15
Transcript Reopened, 10:07, 02.03.15
Redacted- So you searched the sanatorium and couldn't find him?
Michael Munroe- Yeah. *Rubs Eyes*
Redated- Did you keep looking for him or go looking for Ms. Riley instead?
Michael Munroe- Nah, I-I looked for Jess. I went back to where I lost her and spent like 2 hours tryna get down to her.
Redacted- And then you were in the mines all night? Alone?
Michael Munroe- Yeah?
Redacted- So you were completely unaccounted for for three, four hours until finding Mr. Taylor and Ms. Riley?
Michael Munroe- I-I guess- what is this?
Redacted- Why didn't you go back to the lodge?
Michael Munroe- I dunno, man, I was scared
Redacted- You were scared, so you chose to remain as vulnerable as possible by staying alone? Does that make sense to you?
Michael Munroe- I was looking for my girlfriend!
Redated- But you thought she was dead.
Michael Munroe- Yeah, so? I wasn't gonna abandon her! Even if she was dead, I had to know-
Redacted- She was in a state of undress when we found her, she still can barely get a sentence out, her memory is hazy-
Michael Munroe- *Yells* No! No, I didn't fucking-
Redated- No? Then why were you so vague when my partner was questioning you?
Michael Munroe- Privacy, man! I don't wanna talk about my sex life with the cops!
Redated- You can see why its suspicious though, right?
Michael Munroe- No! I'd never, dude, I swear, I'd never-
Redacted-Ms. Davis was your ex, correct? And she was chased in the mines. That's where you said you were.
Michael Munroe- I never saw Emily! And gas tank?? Why would I have that? Somebody would've seen me bringing that up!
Redacted- *Long Pause* Right. Sorry son. Keep taking. What did you do in the mines?
Michael Munroe- I looked for Jess, that's all, I swear to God!
Redated- Until Ms. Riley and Mr. Taylor found you, correct? You didn't find them?
Michael Munroe- Y-yeah?
Redacted- So you failed at the one thing you were supposed to be doing all night?
Michael Munroe- What the fuck, man!? Why are you stuck on that!? I didn't hurt anybody!
Redacted- Anything else you need to say?
Michael Munroe- You're sending me away?
Redacted- Anything else?
Michael Munroe- *Long Pause* No.
Interview Room 1, Ashley Brown, 10:22, 02.03.15
Redacted- Were you aware that Mr. Hartley pretended to be Mr. Washington's sister during your spirit board session?
Ashley Brown- N-no he wasn't, it was just meant to be an anonymous ghost, it wasn't meant to be one of them...
Redacted- Sorry, Sweetie. So you and Chris found the note in the library, yeah?
Ashley Brown- *Eyes Widen, Leans Back* Yes?
Redacted- And then you went to look for Josh, right?
Ashley Brown- *Nods*
Redacted- That was really brave, Honey.
Ashley Brown- Th-thanks?
Redacted- You're welcome. Can you tell me what happened when you found him, huh? I've been hearing talk of some gas tank?
Ashley Brown- We got to the door and he pulled me through- the killer, sorry- uh, and put a gas mask over my face then I was out and I woke up tied to this weird... trap? Machine? I don't know, sorry...
Redacted- That's okay, Sweetheart, you're doing your best. I really appreciate it. *Smiles*
Ashley Brown- Okay.
Redacted- Wanna tell me what it was like when Josh died?
Ashley Brown- Uhm... I woke Josh up since he was still unconscious beside me, then the voice started talking and said-
Redacted- What did he say, kiddo?
Ashley Brown- T-That Chris had to pick between us. He chose me and Josh was- was-
Redated- Yeah, I know, Sweetheart. You're doing so well.
Ashley Brown- *Long Pause, Sneer* Okay.
Redacted- So after Josh was killed, Chris was able to save you?
Ashley Brown- *Nods*
Redacted- That's when Matt and Emily came down?
Ashley Brown- Y-Yeah, aren't I supposed to be telling you what happened rather than ju-
Redacted- Oh, don't worry about that, Honey. I already know everything I need to know.*Leans Forward* I just need you to confirm some stuff for me. *Smiles*
Ashley Brown- C-Can I please talk with the lady, please? I don't feel very-
Redacted- Oh? Sorry, Sweetheart. I was just trying to make you comfortable.
Ashley Brown- I'm sorry, I'd really rather talk with her instead.
Redacted- *Leans Back, Sucks On Teeth, Deep Exhale* Alright. Wait here.
Transcript Closed, 10:29, 02.03.15
Transcript Reopened, 10:35, 02.03.15
Redacted- So, uh... oh, right, Matt and Emily found you and Chris outside the shed, right?
Ashley Brown-*Nods*
Redacted- Alright, what happened then, Ashley?
Ashley Brown- E-Emily told us to go back to the lodge and look for Sam...
Redacted- And did you?
Ashley Brown- *Nods* Mhm. But we got caught in the basement while looking for her.
Redacted- How did he get you both?
Ashley Brown- He, uh, he snuck up behind us when we were distracted by this- like- creepy dummy thing wearing Sam's clothes and drugged us again. Well, me again, Chris for the first time.
Redacted- With the gas?
Ashley Brown- *Nods*
Redacted- Alright, where did you wake up?
Ashley Brown- Tied to a chair opposite C-Chris. There was a table between us and a gun on it and above us was more saw blades that got closer and- he said Chris had to choose to either kill himself or me. S-Sam came in before he could, but he was going to shoot himself-
Redacted- Take a breath, Ashley, you're safe, so is Chris, he's outside waiting for you.
Ashley Brown-*Several Deep Breaths* S-Sorry. *Clears Throat*
Redacted- It's alright. Take your time.
Ashley Brown- Th-Thank you... *Shaky Breath* Uhm, so, Sam saved us, and we all snuck upstairs in case he was still in the lodge but he was gone and we all stayed in the living room talking about what happened until Emily got there.
Redacted- And what did she tell you?
Ashley Brown- That he chased her in the mines. And that Matt abandoned her, she made sure we knew that.
Redacted-Did she tell you how she got into the mines?
Ashley Brown- She said that the fire tower fell into them. I don't know how though, with those support cables and stuff...
Redacted- Yeah, that's puzzling me too, but I'm sure there's an answer. Sorry, please continue, did she say anything else?
Ashley Brown- N-No, nothing in particular. We all just agreed to get weapons and wait for him to come back, but he never did. Then Sam and Emily noticed a weird smell and made us all run out of the lodge. A couple seconds after we left the lodge blew up and Matt, Jess and Mike came out of the forest.
Redacted- That's everything?
Ashley Brown- *Nods*
Redacted- Before you go, what was the killer wearing?
Ashley Brown- Wearing? A green coat, a mask, black gloves, uhm... big boots, I remember those, and jeans.
Redacted- Would you say he was tall?
Ashley Brown- Much taller than me. And broad shoulders so I guess strong too, maybe?
Redacted- Thank you so much, Ashley, you've been a great help.
Ashley Brown-You're welcome.
Interview Room 2, Jessica Riley, 11:14, 02.03.15
Redacted- Can you tell us what happened in the cabin?
Jessica Riley- It was... me and Mike... we were... and then something happened... the window and... he-he ch-ch.... and then... and then there was something at the door and it grabbed me- *Begins To Cry*
Redacted- Take your time, Jess. You're doing great.
Jessica Riley- Mike, he... he came for me... he did!
Redacted- Came for you?
Jessica Riley- I was taken, and... carried...
Redacted- Out of the cabin?
Jessica Riley- Yeah...
Redacted- Where were you taken?
Jessica Riley- To... I don't know, but it was old and... I don't know.
Redacted- It's alright, Jess. Just skip to what you do remember.
Jessica Riley- U-Uhm, he left me on an... an elevator and Mike... Mike tried to help me... he tried to help me...
Redated- But he couldn't?
Jessica Riley- *Shakes Head* N-No... I fell.
Redacted- You fell?
Jessica Riley- Down the... the elevator. I-I passed out for... for... The sun was just about to come up so... all night...? Oh God...
Redacted- You were unconscious all night?
Jessica Riley- I think so... Jesus fucking...
Redacted- C-Can you... Can you try to remember what happened in the cabin?
Jessica Riley- Wh-What? Mike and me just... we just...
Redacted- C-Can you please try?
Jessica Riley- We were talking, I asked him to... to make the fire for us and... and he did... and then we started to...
Redacted- D-Did you consent?
Jessica Riley- Wh- O-Of course I did. I- I know I did.
Redacted- Are you... I'm so sorry, but, are you sure?
Jessica Riley- I know it! He didn't- I swear! We both wanted it.
Redacted- *Sigh* Alright, sorry, Jessica, I trust you. Did you see the attacker at all?
Jessica Riley- Just his... Just his jacket. Same one as me. And Mike... but it wasn't him, he... he wasn't wearing it until... he was wearing something different when I was...
Redacted- I understand, thank you, Jessica. What do you remember after you woke up?
Jessica Riley- It was cold and everything hurt and... I g-got myself up and f-found a... the jacket but it was still so cold, and... and- and then Matt and... we walked for- for a while until... *Smiles* Mike, he... he came for me. He looked for me and... he came for me...
Redacted- That's really sweet of him.
Jessica Riley- Do you even believe me?
Redacted- Yes, I do. My partner has his suspicions of Michael, but I believe you and your friends. Until concrete evidence surfaces, I'll trust your word.
Jessica Riley- Thanks... I promise, he's a good guy.
Redacted- I believe you, Jessica. *Short Pause* How did the three of you get back to the lodge?
Jessica Riley- We... They helped me get out, M-Mike lead us to an exit... he'd found earlier then we were in the... woods. My legs... Mike had to carry me...
Redacted- I'm glad he was there for you.
Jessica Riley- *Smiles* Yeah...
Redacted- But, uh, tell me what you saw when you arrived at the lodge. Please.
Jessica Riley- It was on fire before we... even got there. We saw the... the smoke and the flames... a-and then we saw everybody else except...
Redacted- Joshua?
Jessica Riley-Y-Yeah...
Redacted- Thank you so much for your time, Jessica. I hope you have a quick recovery.
Jessica Riley- *Huff* Me too...
10 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days later
Sam hadn't received a letter in nearly a year, so seeing the familiar return address in her apartment's mailbox made her almost squeal in delight. She rushed up to her room and ripped the envelope open, reading the letter with baited breath and shining eyes. "Oh my God...!"
The 10 hour plane ride definitely tested her will and her strength, she'd have done anything to sleep during the flight, but unfortunately, the cheapest flight wasn't a night flight, not to mention the crying children and obnoxiously loud conversations around her so she couldn't even try. At least Matt was able to drive her to the airport, he was the only one of her friends to go to the same city as her after college. On the ride he made sure she knew everything about his try-outs for any football team who'll give him a chance, and whatever important things were happening in the sports world, which, truthfully, Sam droned out a little bit. Her mind wandered over to Emily, who had broken up with Matt almost immediately, left the friend group, only staying in contact with Jess, and moved across the country to attend some fancy college 'actually worthy of her'. That was the last Sam heard from her since she promptly blocked everyone from home and Jess refused to share anything. All you could really do was hope she was doing well and leave it at that. Matt helped her get herself checked in, hugged her and wished her well, before leaving her in the airport alone. Most of the time on the plane, she read and reread the letter and attached invite over and over until getting cross eyed, at which point, she'd tuck then away back into her bag and either watch a few episodes of whatever old sitcom she chose to spend time rewatching on the back of someone's seat. A someone who had leaned much too far back for her liking. That cycle repeated until the wheels graciously touched down and let her safely disembark.
Her hotel was cheap but surprisingly pretty nice for what it cost. The first thing she did was pass out on the big comfy bed. It took her a few days to work off the jetlag completely, she'd anticipated that, of course, which is why she arrived two days early, and planned to stay two days after to have a much needed vacation from her job. The morning of, she spent an hour in the hotel bathroom getting ready. She styled her blonde hair into loose curls, much longer since last they'd seen her, and put on her roommate's dark pink chiffon mini dress. She wanted to get something newer but on her current pay check plus student loans, she was forced to beg and plead with her roommate to borrow one of her dresses. Having the apartment to herself for a week was a pretty good trade all things considered.
The wedding itself was the most beautiful Sam had ever attended, which was out of three, so not a lot of competition, but it was still true! They'd picked out a lovely spot of a public park in front of a round, gorgeous lake encased by acres of trees with wide snow-capped mountains framing everything together into a picturesque landscape that took her breath away every time she just managed to get it back. She watched from the back row as Dylan and Y/N exchanged vows beneath a wooden arch wrapped in blue and white flowers overhead. Sam couldn't understand a word they were saying to each other or what any of the guests around her were saying before the ceremony or what the officiant was saying now, but she didn't mind. She didn't need to. The tones in their voices and the way they looked at one another said more than enough. The love hadn't faded. It had weaned and linked, it had ebbs and flows but never left. Their sweet words faded out and for only a moment Sam was back in her dorm feeling lonely, felling homesick, watching videos posted by Chris and Ashley. Playing with their cat, cooking together, laughing, even Chris letting Ashley do his make-up, their relationship made her feel better. She always had a thing for other peoples relationships, always getting invested, always sticking her nose where it didn't belong, but it landed her here, as the only person other than the couple to know of Dylan's past, so was it really that bad? ...Probably.
At the reception, she found herself in a conversation with the only people other than the couple that could talk to her, Y/N's parents. They were very sweet people just... very confused. The last they heard from Y/N, he was going to school abroad and the next he's living there. Then they heard he was getting married out of nowhere. They were told it was to a lovely boy he met in school and assumed college, Sam could've corrected them, but what good would that have done? Better to let sleeping dogs lie. She told them she was an old friend of Dylan's and, when prompted, said that he had a bad relationship with his family so that's why she was the only one there. In the midst of their conversation, the newly weds had re-joined the party outside and the first dance began. Their nervous and awkward steps screamed humiliation at having to perform in front of all their guests, but they played it off well and made it quite charming.
Soon after they were finished and the applause died down, it was time for dinner, Sam was sat on the opposite side of the table from the couple and Y/N's parents so they had to part. The woman pressed a kiss to Sam's cheek, leaving a dark red lipstick mark in its place, which Sam only noticed as she saw her reflection in her wine glass. She groaned and desperately wiped her cheek with her provided napkin to the best of her ability, hoping her best made it at least blend in with her blush. Her eyes wandered to the couple across the table, Y/N was struggling to get a sentence out through his laughter, Dylan had his head thrown back as he cackled at whatever story his husband was telling the table. For a brief second, she thought of Jess, her fun loving energy that'd been taken from her that night. Mike stayed with her through all of it, pissed off the cop that was certain of his guilt, but still, Mike proved himself to be a good man. In the same second, she was right back at the table listening to the gleeful nonsense spouting from Y/N's mouth. She laughed along with everyone else to not stand out, but more so at the absurdity of attending basically two strangers wedding 10 hours away from home completely on her own where she doesn't comprehend a word outside basic greetings. It was an insane situation to be in, but Sam loved the drama. As much as she wanted to be better than every one else and pretend she didn't. That's what ended her here in the first place, nosiness disguised as charity. But she really couldn't deny that being the only one there boosted her ego a bit too much for her liking.
As dinner wound down, somebody near the couple clinked their spoon against their champagne, grabbing the attention of all the guests who watched Dylan stand and clear his throat. He begins his speech in Swedish and tells a sort of joke that makes the whole table laugh politely, when he speaks up again, Sam is elated to finally understand what he's saying.
"I wanted to, uh- you know, to talk to you, in our native language, so we could have a moment to ourselves. Plus your parents and a few others, I guess, but ah-" He cleared his throat once more "Just wanted to, god this is ridiculous, uh, I wanted to tell you our love story- during the school years so I don't take up too much time-Uh, through my eyes, cause I love telling it and..." He sucked in a deep breath of air "I mean, our wedding is probably the most appropriate context to, so, uhm," Dylan wiped his hands on his tuxedo pants "I loved you from the first moment you," he huffed a quick laugh from his nose "uh, you made fun of me for not reading. I was totally exhausted all day and then I got paired with the cute quiet boy on a project, so I had to stay late, but you managed to make it better." Dylan looked down to Y/N, giving his shoulder a squeeze so subtle you'd only notice it if you watched his suit jacket crinkle under the touch, he softly whispered "You make everything better." He shook his head and returned to his previous volume "Uh, then, couple months later, we were working on the project and I force you away from it, cause you're torturing yourself, I'm sure your parents know what I'm talking about," the couple join Dylan and Y/N in laughing politely "and uh, yeah, we just watched movies and ordered pizza. Then-" he laughed, Y/N laughed too, knowing what was coming "Then I saw that my roommate at the time was coming back and he had that stupid rule that we weren't allowed to have guests over, so you had to climb out the window."
"My knee hurt for like a week after that." Y/N added, his mother ruffled his hair playfully from behind.
Dylan chuckles "Yeah, I bet. A-Anyway, after that, it was my birthday, and I wanted to spend it with you, so you took me out to eat, then we went bowling and," he laughed again, speaking through it this time "you still can't bowl for shit, babe." Y/N rolled his eyes with a playful smile coating his lips. "Then it was break and I had to go on a quick trip home. And I wanted to bring you, I couldn't, but you know what? All I remember was afterwards, we made up and spent the day at the park. That was valentines day, by the way. Real subtle, huh?" Y/N and his parents smiled warmly up at Dylan. "It was a couple months after, that I texted you in the middle of the night asking you to meet me at a secluded location, uh, like a serial killer, uhm, but I didn't kill you, I told you I loved you, and you felt the same." Dylan smiled, pressing his lips together, trying to contain his overwhelming excitement "Can't even put into words how happy that made me. Seriously, and then you kissed me and that just made it all so much worse." Y/N giggled softly "We had our first date the next day, roller-skating. I remember, you were just so scared, and so cute, clutching my hand the whole time, it was adorable." Y/N's cheeks reddened as he averted his gaze, hiding his smile behind his champagne glass "I remember every moment of that first year, like the times I snuck into your dorm so we could eat dinner together or sneaking out to meet at night, or holiday shopping for gifts to send home. That honeymoon phase was so special to me." Dylan's lips softly curled into a small smile and murmured something for only Y/N to hear. Something that made him roll his eyes playfully, shake his head and sigh. Dylan continued without Y/N's eye contact. "It couldn't last forever, obviously, and I had to go back home for a bit, which, rightfully made you upset since we couldn't talk."
"So glad you don't do that anymore. It super sucked." Y/N huffed into his glass before taking a sip.
"I know," Dylan rubbed his shoulder "but I made it up to you every time, so you can't complain! And I started letting you spend the night at my place whenever my roommate was out getting trashed." He laughed as Y/N slapped his chest with the back of his hand, jovially chastising him for the crude implication "Sorry mom!" Dylan waved to the woman behind his husband. "That was around the time Atlantis became my cat too. Which, uh, raised eyebrows since cat hair started appearing everywhere, but I managed to keep it secret." Y/N pressed his lips together, again hiding his smile, Dylan cleared his throat "A bit later, we were hanging in my old truck and I finally told you about my problems and you were supportive, if a little aloof. But still, you took care of me, you continue to take care of me. You're always there whenever I need you."
They smiled fondly at one another. "I love you." Y/N mouthed up at him as he took Dylan's hand from his shoulder and gently kissed his knuckles.
"No matter what, you are there for me. And I want you to know, I've fucked up a lot, made a lot of mistakes, as we're gonna get into, but-" Dylan laughed nervously "I will always be here too. There is nothing you can do to make me disappear. Never again. I promise." Y/N's eyes glimmered with a fresh coat of grateful tears, he smiled and nodded along with his promise. "I've really fucked up, done awful shit to you, and we still weathered the storm, you gave me the time and patience to learn and change and grow and I believe I've become a better man because of you. Every day, I strive to become better for you. And Atlan, our pretty little princess." Everyone smiled warmly at the mention of the beloved cat, Dylan cleared his throat, then continued, "Anyway, ehm, you, uh, met one of my friends who I'd gushed to about you relentlessly, and made fun of me together." Y/N laughed, nodding "So I started introducing you to my friends, I met some of yours. It all started becoming so real and amazing when our lives became intwined. I also moved into your apartment that year as soon as my lease was up cause I was sick of that stupid dorm."
"It was disgusting." Y/N nodded in staunch agreement, making Dylan giggle.
"Oh, totally." Sam was doubtful of this, a few years ago she got curious and looked through pictures of Swedish student housing and they were absolutely incredible compared to hers and any other American dorm she'd seen. "But, yeah, that's when we started our elaborate Valentine's week, cause a day was never enough time to celebrate you." Y/N huffed a laugh through his nose and raised his glass with a playful smile "In May, I took you camping, and that was the first time we came here. That was the first time we saw the northern lights too, remember? You didn't even want to sleep, you loved them so much." Y/N nodded, swiftly blinking away tears before they could become visible to the rest of the table, "A month later, you graduated, and I was so fuckin' proud of you, when you walked across that stage, I was screaming and crying and just- grinning ear to ear, Babe. I love you!"
Behind Y/N, his mother kissed his head and father beamed proudly at their son, who looked around bashfully at all the guests around the table, who in turn, each nodded and smiled broadly at him. Y/N blushed and rolled his eyes "Stop!!" he whined.
"I don't think I will actually, cause you deserve it. You deserve everything good the universe has to offer." Dylan smiled "And so," he picked up the champagne flute in front of him, the fizzy, golden liquid swirled between the glass as he raised it to his eye level "Y/N, my love, my life, my best friend in the universe, its been 5749 days of loving you, here's to 1,000,000 more." Dylan looked to the table, to the raised glasses in his face, just above them, his eyes met Sam's.
Cw-Only Read The List If You Are Okay With Spoilers
An~ITS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BUT- sam + yn is literally lesbian best friend and gay best friend and im obsessed. OMG I JUST REALISED THEYRE THE GAY SON AND THOT DAUGHTER. thank the great lawd above for lofi, without it id never get a dang thing done. And chai tea in my little dinosaur mug, thank you too, my beloved<3 ALSO PINTREST, MY LAWFULLY WEDDED WIFE!!!!! Lol, im kinda obsessed w/ yn breaking and entering all the time. MY SONNNNN!!!!!!<3 giggling and kicking my feet since im almost done with this series. i love it to death but ive had ENOUGH. knowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetterknowitsforthebetter. Sam is literally the definition of mom friend lmfao poor girl. Y/N is her son, her brother, her best friend, her husband, her cousin, her nephew, her soulmate and her baby. THESEHANDSHADTOLETITGOFREEANDTHISLOVECAMEBACKTOMEWOAH. YOU HAVE TO WRITE OUT "CABLE CAR STATION" IN ITS ENTIRETY, I DONT MAKE THE RULES, I JUST FOLLOW THEM. yn is low-key insane and i love him, your honour. said it before, ill say it a million times, I. ADORE. AMORAL. READERSSSSS GAHHHHHHHHH. why am i just now realising how often i use commas??? this is excessive, gah dam. i just want my boys to make out, I LUV EM SO MUCHH!! hehe i guess Josh isnt schizophrenic in this. that was not intentional until i started writing this part. SORRY. IT MAKES MORE SENSE FOR IT TO BE MY THING!!! i want to kiss sam so bad but shes not real and that makes me want to hammer a nail through my thigh but its all good. YN *does something morally reprehensible* SAM "you know what, *Friend group*? i dont care if YN murdered his entire family, he is like a son to me." Strap the fuck in fellas. this is a long one. I. AM. GAGGED. THIS IS SO GOOD. IM DYINGGGG!!! Sorry the big finale in the lodge is rushed. im so tired of reciting direct scenes from the game. this is a monster of my own making. i should stop complaining. goodbye. ICANTBELIEVETHATITSFINALLYMEANDYOUANDYOUANDMEJUSTUSANDYOURFRIENDSAM. fun fact, the leg injury Josh has near the end is one i got a few months ago, though i still feel minor pain from it infrequently. tldr; im literally him. we LOVE boys supporting boys!! sorry ud fans, your fav will be getting caught on smack cam.
Pre-Game & During-Game
"Hey..." Y/N whispered meekly. It was a voice that was deeply unfamiliar, one that made her breath hitch and mouth fall open.
How was he here?? Didn't they break up? What the hell is going on? "Y/N?" She choked.
He took several steps back and hunched his shoulders to seem unthreatening "Y-Yeah. Sam?"
She nodded and darted over to stand directly in front of him, he's here... he's real... Y/N had a small bump on the right side of his forehead, a medium sized gash over the opposite side that cut through his eyebrow and a tiny bit of blood soaking through his shirt, or more accurately, Josh's, that was hidden by the jacket she saw in Josh's closet. "What- Why- How-?" She stumbled over her words trying to ask a million questions at once.
"Uh," Y/N laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck "one at a time, please?"
Sam blushed, cleared her throat, then, calmer but not by much, asked "What the hell are you doing here? Why are you here, and- How?! I mean, I read the texts and-"
"Wow, Nosy Nancy over here." Y/N tried to lighten the tension, but his laugh was as quiet and subdued as the rest of the tunnel. Before Sam could explain or even defend herself, Y/N shook his head "I know. You found his phone, thought you'd find a reason or something and ended up finding us instead."
Her mouth fell open, "How did-"
"I saw you a while ago when you were in the- uhm..." He cleared his throat and dropped his gaze to the rocky floor "the towel." Sam knew she felt like she was being watched! He must've ducked before she could spot him.
"Okay, but seriously, c'mon, what happened? Why are you here?"
"For that." He pointed to the folder under her arm.
"Ack! I knew it was important!" Sam smiled pridefully.
"Smart girl then." Y/N's smile in return was more awkward and restrained.
"I thought you guys broke up. Abruptly but still. What happened between you two?"
"Uhm... Well, basically..."
(Y/N's Pov)
They supposed to meet for coffee at 1pm but Josh arrived at nearly 3. Y/N knew now he was putting off his plan as far as he could. He'd planned to break up with Y/N that day, and he would.
Y/N was sat at a booth in a far corner, he couldn't be seen by most of the coffee shop unless you were looking for him, which Josh would be. He recalled sitting in that spot, bombarding Josh with texts and growing restless when every single one bounced back meaning for some reason his phone was turned off. He drank so much coffee that by the time Josh showed up, he had switched to water so he wouldn't be having a panic attack for no reason.
Josh's hands were clammy, they were shaking and tense. He pulled his chair out and sat in front of Y/N, he didn't even get a coffee first. Y/N asked why he was late and Josh only gave a weak half answer then trailed off, trying to find the courage to do what he came to do. Before he could start, Y/N pulled out an unsealed envelope and passed it to Josh across the table. "I got accepted...." Y/N smiled weakly, hoping it would liven Josh's mood, he opened the flap, pulled out the letter and skimmed it. He remained mute, forcing Y/N to keep talking to break the silence, "The school year starts in August, we could go."
He bit his lip eagerly, waiting for Josh's response, but all the excitement drained from him when Josh put the letter down on the table, face empty and sad. "W-" The word got caught in his throat, he looked over his shoulder, trying to avoid eye contact, when he was ready, he turned his head back towards Y/N but studied the wood grain instead of his sparkling eyes, the ones that never failed to make his heart stop or breath hitch since they first entered his life. "We should-" he skipped a breath, clearly on the verge of sobbing.
Y/N could guess what he was going to say, "What-?" he grabbed Josh's sweaty hand.
"I think we need to break up."
The world stopped.
His words stopped making sense.
Everything became muffled.
Everything became blurry.
Y/N became lightheaded.
His throat tightened.
The air thinned.
But he couldn't believe it. Something was wrong, Y/N begged for an explanation, he can't have possibly meant what he was saying, but all Josh could give was just mumbled apologies and when Y/N's insistence became too much, when his voice cracked and eyes started sparkling with tears instead of stars, he swiftly stood and left the coffee shop, leaving Y/N stunned into silence.
That's when he started frantically texting Josh and was horrified by his utter cruelty, but he hoped he was wrong. He knew Josh wasn't doing very well after the girls passing, Y/N was left hoping against hope that it was just a bad day. He couldn't have been serious, the shit he put himself through, the shit he put Y/N through, it'd make no sense for it to have been a lie. What would he gain from being that evil?
So, Y/N thought, maybe he just needs space? First to calm down, then to apologise. He got the bus home and as soon as his room door closed behind him, he fell into a heap and sobbed for hours on the floor.
~~
The next day he chose not to text Josh in case he panicked and closed himself off before Y/N could get there and talk to him. Instead, he called in sick to work for the second day in a row, his stuffy nose must've been significantly more believable that time after a whole evening, night and morning of non stop crying, and went to Josh's house.
He'd walked this path a million times, but Y/N knew regardless of the outcome of this day, this was one of the last times he would. The fancy ghost house came into view and right before Y/N crossed the street, a spike of panic stabbed him in the chest, What if he did mean it?
Y/N shook his head, no, he can't have. No one could be so vile, not for a four years. Then, more assuredly, he made his way across the road, behind the house, up the vine and into Josh's window.
The room was empty, Josh was either downstairs or, more likely, out destroying himself. Y/N wasn't going to give up on him, he sat on the bed and waited indefinitely.
(Sam's Pov)
Her head was reeling, but she remembered that day, vaguely. "I could be wrong, but I think..." she paused, trying to be sure, "I think he was with me?" Y/N raised his eyebrows "Sometime late April, he came to my place having the worst panic attack I'd ever seen. I mean, thought he might die! It was awful."
(Sam's Pov)
Frantic pounding on her door forced Sam to run to answer "Sam!" Josh called from the other side, sounding deeply distressed. She threw the door open and Josh fell inside, collapsing to the floor and heaving.
"Holy hell, what happened?" She crouched down "Come in!" then grabbed his bicep, pulled him in and shut the door behind her. When she turned back around, Josh was bawling and stumbling through the house to the living room she was just working in. He was curled up on the couch gasping, panting, sucking up all the air in the room, utterly inconsolable. Sam left for a moment to grab him some water, when she came back, she placed it on the coffee table in front of him and gently rubbed his back "You're okay."
It was 3 minutes of uninterrupted wailing before Sam could get a single sentence out of him "It's my fault- Everything- I ruined it-"
Sam shook her head, continuing to rub his back soothingly "It wasn't. It wasn't your fault. I promise."
But Josh wasn't having it. It almost felt like he couldn't even hear her, "-Loved -im-" he sobbed "More than anything-"
Looking at his state, it seemed like this panic attack wasn't his only current problem. He looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days. "Have you been sleeping?" she asked gently.
He shook his head "No. Every time I try to take my pills I throw them up, I can't do it, Sam... I can't."
She tried to calm him, but he was completely inconsolable. For a little over two hours he stayed that way, all Sam could do was stay beside him and keep him company since he was adamant she shouldn't call his parents or take him to the ER.
It was terrifying to watch, he heaved like he was taking his final breaths, sweated like he'd ran three marathons back to back and bawling like his heart was just ripped out of his chest. Eventually, more from exhaustion rather than actually calming, he quietened down. Didn't stop, just slowed down. Sam offered for him to stay the night, but as soon as he regained feeling in his legs, humiliation overcame him and he hurried home, still weeping.
(Sam's Pov)
Y/N listened to her story with kind, empathetic eyes, when she was finished, he gave her an appreciative smile "Th-Thanks. For being there for him when I couldn't."
"I didn't have a choice. He stopped talking to his parents, Chris, even you for a bit. He needed me." They stared at each other for good couple seconds, a soft gratitude in their eyes, before Sam stepped back and found her eyes stuck on the sewer grate beneath their feet. "Hey, I might've found a way through." She used the metal rod laying next to it to lift the grate and slide it away, leaving the hole open. "C'mon." She stuck her leg down until it hit a rung of the ladder "You can tell me the rest on the way."
(Y/N's Pov)
The first sign that Josh came home was the closing door and the screaming argument between Josh and both parents. It was their fault Josh hated himself so much. Their fault they had to be a secret. Their fault they were going to run. Everything awful that happened to Josh was their fault. So, yeah. They were Y/N's worst enemies. And he looked forward to leaving them in the dust. And stealing their son. Maybe bad timing, but if you don't want your kids to leave you, you should love them, eh?
Soon after, footsteps thumped up the stairs, the door to the bedroom whipped open and slammed shut. Josh was clearly exhausted and on the verge of bawling his eyes out for what looked like the eighth consecutive time that day.
His eyes were pinned on the wooden floor beneath him, when Y/N gently called out "Hey...?"
He jumped out of his skin "GOD- Jesus- What the fuck!? Why are you here? I said we're-"
"No, we're not."
"I was fucking with you."
"No."
"It wasn't serious-"
"Shut up!" Y/N yelled in frustration, clasping his hands over his mouth when it came out far louder than intended.
Josh turned around to lock the door, with his back still turned, he said "Y/N. You're stupid. You're pathetic. Wh-Why would anyone love you?"
Y/N flinched as though he was shot, "Josh, what the hell is wrong with you!?" his eyes stung with tears "Look at me." Y/N stomped over to him and screamed "Turn around and look at me!!!"
"Get out."
"No. No! I'm not doing anything until you look at me!" Y/N grabbed his arm and spun him around but Josh couldn't force himself to meet Y/N's eyes. He'd later told Y/N that would've broken him, he wanted Y/N to hate him and Josh would never have survived seeing him that destroyed.
"There's someone else-"
Y/N scoffed "Shut up! Just tell me the fucking truth!" In a moment of rage, he shoved Josh, letting the tears spill.
Josh threw up his hands "I don't love you anymore. I was young and dumb, I just realised that I was only with you cause I wanted to be edgy and rebel against my parents."
"So you were using me?"
His breath hitched, he blinked secret tears away and tucked his tongue in his cheek "Yup."
"Don't say that. That's not true, stop lying to me-" Y/N begged, soaked cheeks and all.
Josh took him over to the window "Go home. Don't talk to me again."
"No! No, nononononono!" Y/N shook his head ferociously, "I'm not letting you do this to me!" he wrapped his arms around Josh, trying to make him see reason. Josh was robotically stiff, arms pinned to his sides, but Y/N could swear he could feel his heart breaking under the skin.
Josh pushed him away then mumbled "It's for the better." and pushed the window open wide enough for Y/N to fit like he'd done a thousand times before, but this time his movements were slow and sullen. Like he didn't want him to go.
But he did.
(Sam's pov)
She paused "Oh, man, that must've been-"
"Yeah." Y/N muttered, digging his foot into the dirt between stones.
"M'sorry." Sam gave him a quick hug "You d- You both deserved so much better." She squeezed a little bit tighter before pulling herself away and continuing down the sewers.
Not long after, they came to a huge cliff wall. Y/N was hesitant, but Sam's confidence was infectious. They'd both climbed a lot in their lives, they should be fine. Sam unzipped her hoodie, pressed the folder against her chest then zipped it back up.
On the way up the cliff, Y/N asked why she was down here in the first place, she explained what the Stranger had said, what Chris experienced and what Mike was walking into.
When she remembered that a piece of the puzzle was that Josh was killed, more than that, that they were heading towards his corpse, she almost lost her grip. He noticed her sharp shift in demeanour and asked about it, to which she couldn't answer.
Sam got to the top of the cliff first giving her a good few seconds to prepare herself for the ensuing conversation. Soon, Y/N joined her and she reached her arm down to help pull him up. They stood up together and Y/N tried to keep going, Sam was frozen in place "C'mon." he called when he saw that she wasn't there beside him "We gotta find our boys."
"Stop."
He did "What?"
Sam walked over to where he stood "When Chris went to get Josh he wasn't there."
Y/N gave her a puzzled look "Yeah? I know? That's why we're gonna go get him?"
She shook her head "No, he's not..." She took a deep breath "He's not gonna be-"
"No-" Y/N let out a quivering breath, on the verge of a break down "No, nonononono, please, you can't- no..."
"I'm so sorry," Sam whispered, Y/N's legs buckled and he collapsed against the cave wall, "I'm so sorry." she sat down beside him and carefully rubbed his back. He sobbed into his hands, for a while they sat still together, letting the world pass them by. Slowly, Sam pulled the folder out of her hoodie and held it out for Y/N to take. "He would've wanted you to have it."
Y/N laughed weakly and took it out of her hand "Yeah." He opened the flap and pulled out a passport, he opened it and Josh's face met him.
Sam rubbed her shoulder against his "How'd you guys get back together?" Y/N gave a quizzical expression, glassy eyes, runny nose and reddened cheeks, she continued "After everything. How'd he win you back?"
Again, Y/N laughed weakly and dropped his gaze back onto the photo in his hands "So, he texts me out of the blue in July and I'm so emotionally exhausted, I physically can't respond. Then a month later, I get a text from an unknown number." He pulls out his phone. Sam can feel her eyes rolling to the back of her head, ENOUGH WITH THESE PHONESSSS, but lets it slide since it's Y/N. He taps a few times before scrolling to the very top. Took much longer for Sam to get there on Josh's phone. "And it's like a fuckin' soliloquy, you know?" He laughs, passing the phone to her. The name at the top of the screen isn't Josh's, it's Dylan, like the passport...
August 13th 2014
-Hey, Y/N.
I got a new therapist a few months ago. He's not great tbh but I told him about us. Kinda? Not that we dated, just that we were best friends for years and I ruined our 'friendship' cause I hated myself. He said it was some sort of grief induced self destruction and that I should text you from a burner phone since I'm too scared to look you in the eye.
I loved you from the first moment you sat beside me in class, I just didn't know it. I exist to love you, no matter if you never talk to me again, or never even read this, my heart is yours till it stops. I hope you went to that college. Or that work is going well for you, or that whatever the hell you decide to do, you're happy and fulfilled, surrounded by people who love you and care for you.
I hope you meet someone unafraid to love you. Someone who'll show you off to their friends. Someone you can know fully. A better person than me.
I'm sorry I was so cruel, I'm sorry I used you, I'm sorry I didn't appreciate you.
I'm scared I'll never get out of here, but if you do, that's enough for me.
I love you. Give Atlantis a kiss for me, please?
I missed you-
(Y/N's Pov)
Ocean waves crashed against the shore, the sun shone directly in his eyes, which he was squinting when he heard Josh's apprehensive greeting. "Hi... Y/N...?"
He was holding out Y/N's favourite ice cream as a peace offering, while keeping his own in his dominant hand. Y/N took the ice cream with a surprised expression that he could just tell made Josh's heart want to burst. It's pretty flattering to know that even when your relationship isn't great, you can still make him dizzy with a cute smile.
"Thanks." Y/N mumbled before eating the ice cream quickly as it was seconds away from melting all over his hands.
Josh apologised profusely, Y/N tried to remain steadfast in his anger after Josh hurt him, but he slowly crumbled and was back in his arms by the end of the day. He could never resist Josh's self deprecation. Or a free ice cream.
(Sam's Pov)
"That easy, huh?" She raised an eyebrow.
Y/N dragged his thumb idlily over the picture of Josh's face. "No." He scoffed "Just trying to remember the good stuff, you know?"
Sam nodded then let them fall back into a temporary quiet. His eyes remained glued to the photo, expression filled with sombre. The cold air stabbed her lungs, she had to keep going, but Y/N didn't. She gently took the passport from his hands and slid it back into folder with everything else.
"You don't need to come anymore. You have everything, you should run down to the cable car and-"
"Josh has the keys. M'not gonna go very far without them, am I?" Y/N sniffled.
"Then..." Sam slowly got to her feet and extended her arm out to help him up "We should get going, huh?"
They walked for a short while, Y/N was silent until Sam asked about their plan. About why Josh made everyone come up to the mountain on the twins anniversary. Why he'd torture everybody. Y/N seemed a little reluctant but she was able to convince him with just a tiny bit of pushing.
(Y/N's Pov)
Smoke billowed slowly out of Josh's mouth and quickly, the wisps floated to the top of the room to congregate with the rest of the fog. Y/N closed his fist over his mouth and cleared his throat. They sat opposite one another on the bed, Y/N on his laptop reapplying for the university he dropped out of after the break up, Josh was panic smoking while trying to come with an excuse to go up to the mountain and grab the documents. It was meant to be a temporary hiding spot until it was time for them to go. Might've been too good of a spot though, in hindsight.
One thing Josh was adamant about was that 'Josh Washington' had to die. By any means necessary. That was where it started, but Josh quickly spiralled into an elaborate revenge plot that started with his 'death' and ended with all his old friends traumatised for the rest of their lives. Y/N probably could've pushed back on some of his ideas, but honestly, at the time all he cared about was getting Josh all to himself forever, regardless of mental scarring caused to other people.
At the end of the week, Y/N received an email from Josh's secret account detailing the plan, airtight and crafted to completion. It was a little creepy, but hey, anyone planning their own death is.
(Sam's Pov)
Sam grumbled when she heard his apathy towards the groups future pain, but at least he seemed presently apologetic, that was better than nothing, she supposed. The path they were on led them to a locked chain link gate that she pried open with a nearby shovel, when Y/N offered to help, she refused, something about watching him grow up over the last three hours made her extremely protective of him.
Up ahead, there was a loud commotion Mike screamed at something chasing closely behind him. Y/N and Sam came running to find him being pinned down by some sort of horrifying abomination they identified as the wendigo they'd been warned of. Sam leapt into action immediately, swinging the shovel down on the thing then when it turned it's attention towards her, across the cheek hard enough to snap its rotting head clean off.
Mike was quick to his feet, groaning and cursing under his breath. He wiped himself off before spotting Y/N in his peripheral vision. Instead of answering Sam's concerned questions, he stepped closer to Sam protectively and pointed to the other boy with the flashlight in his hand "Who the fuck is this guy?"
Sam placed her hand on Mike's forearm, forcing him to lower it, then stepped out to stand in front of the now very uncomfortable Y/N, "Uh..." she took a deep breath, giving her time to figure out how to word it "This is Josh's boyfriend."
He did a double take, Y/N timidly cowered behind Sam, who squeezed his hand when he reached for it. Mike laughed incredulously "No fuckin way. You with that old guy?"
"No...?" Y/N squeaked.
"He's Josh's boyfriend, I'm serious. He was helping him tonight." Sam insisted.
Mike laughed dryly "That right?" When he spotted Y/N's hair bouncing with his head hidden by Sam, he shook his head dismissively "Whatever. Why not? Josh was gay too." he nodded behind him "We gotta go, c'mon."
The trio continued their journey in silence with Mike leading the charge and the other two following closely behind. After a bit, Mike stopped, curiosity getting the better of him. He turned to face Y/N "So what've you been doin' tonight if nobody saw ya?" his voice was gentler. Or at least trying to be.
"Uhm..." Y/N laughed awkwardly, eyes drifting to Sam for reassurance, she smiled softly, rubbing his bicep. "Its kind of a long story?"
Mike indicated to the path ahead of them "It's a long walk."
(Y/N's Pov)
Like a sleeper agent, Y/N had to stay in the workshop until Josh sent him the signal to come up, knocking on a pipe that goes up the basement wall. Duh duh duh-duh duh.
Duh duh. He knocked back to let Josh know he received the message then pulled the mask over his face and hurried up the stairs. Once he reached the first floor of the lodge, he paused to get his bearings, Josh gave him a quick rundown when they first got here, but it wasn't particularly extensive. He knew this floor was pretty much just theatre and some spare bedrooms so he snuck up the next stairs to where the kitchen should be. At this moment, Chris and Ashley would be exploring the library, they might even be holding the note in their hands, so he had to rush to there.
He jogged outside. There were two entrances to the kitchen luckily, so he wouldn't have to try sneaking past them. The chilly air was really refreshing over the thick, muggy 'serial killer' outfit Josh made him wear. He was back inside in a flash.
Josh met him at the end of the hallway, holding the door open. "You look hot." He smirked, closing the door behind him.
"Quiet perv." Y/N grumbled, walking to his spot by the door, there was a gas tank and mask beside him that he was supposed to use to knock Chris and Ashley out "You have a thing for serial killers?"
"I have a thing for you." Josh corrected him.
"So... how strong is Chris, huh? Am I gonna get my shit rocked?"
Josh chuckled "No. Don't worry about that."
They were interrupted by muffled voices coming down the hall from the library. Y/N's hands shook, even when he closed them into a fist they wouldn't still. Josh cried out in fear, knocked over a side table then laid down on the floor. Ashley called out his name and opened the door.
Y/N whipped around and grabbed her inside. He grabbed the gas mask and brought it over her mouth and nose, he leant against the door to keep it shut, Chris banged the door over and over, almost making him loose his footing. Ashley fought like a wounded animal, flailing and wriggling relentlessly in Y/N's arms, nonetheless, she fell silent after a few seconds thankfully.
When she was finally unconscious, he tried to be gentle by carefully lowering her down, but Chris hit the door at the most inopportune time and busted through. Both landed on the hardwood floor. Y/N was quick to recover, he scrambled to grab the mask and get to his feet at the same time, but the mask slipped out of his hand after he stood, Chris joined him, rubbing a presumably sore spot on his forehead, Y/N panicked and filled with furry, socked him in the jaw, watching him fall to the floor in a heap.
Josh hopped up to accompany Y/N who was nursing his knuckles "You okay?"
Y/N nodded slowly "Yeah. M'sorry, I didn't mean to hit him, I just freaked."
Josh laughed a little "Don't apologise, you're a serial killer!" He grabbed Ashley's arm and began dragging her towards the door to the outside.
"You need any help?" Y/N asked, eyes wandering between the door and the counter where a duffel bag sat.
"Nah, no, you go on ahead. I got it." Josh opened the door. "Oh, by the way, stay off the main path, Matt and Emily went down to the cable car station a bit ago. Don't want you getting caught, do we?"
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll be careful." Y/N grabbed the duffel bag, feeling the weight immediately sink his arms, he yelped in surprise, "You go get killed, sweetie!"
"Have fun with your arts and crafts, Darlin'!"
~~
It took an embarrassingly long amount of time for Y/N to carry the bag down to the cable car station. Josh never warned him it'd be that heavy! But he eventually managed to get there without being caught, Matt and Emily passed not too long ago, they seemed freaked out by something. Probably some other elaborate scare Josh set up a while ago.
Y/N opened the door, relieved the finally have that weight off, and navigated to the control panel where the key sat in the ignition. He twisted it off, pulled it out and pocketed it, then the real fun began. Inside the duffel bag was a fire axe, a medium sized paint brush and two cans of red paint.
He picked up the axe and looked around the small building... These ungrateful rats... how many times have they been here whilst he sat at home missing Josh, huh? How was it any fair for them to know this place better than him? They didn't deserve it! None of them! Y/N screamed, bringing the axe down on the closest piece of furniture, a wooden bench, which crumpled instantly upon impact.
Rage and envy coursed through his veins as he wrecked the place, he screamed, he cried, he sweat, he didn't stop til his legs gave out under him, then he laid on his side sobbing relentlessly. Icy cold wind pierced his insides, the weight of the past and future on the verge of crushing him beyond repair. "I can't do this..." He shook his head, laughing pathetically, which then turned back to crying.
Weariness and apathy combined to leave him with stingy eyes, frozen cheeks and a runny, rosy nose. He turned on his phone and stared at pictures of Josh. It's all for him, 3, 4 more hours and they'll have ditched the truck, 4 or 5, and they'd be driving to pick up Atlantis in the rented car they stashed miles away, 8 or 9 they'd be at the airport, by next week, they'd be in their new apartment, living happy and free. Like they deserved.
Y/N got slowly to his feet and returned to the bag. He pried the lid of the paint can open, dipped the brush in and started messily writing vaguely threatening words and phrases all over the walls. Not his best work, but serial killers have more important things to worry about, don't they? He ran outside to hide the paint cans and brush near the forest then came back to grab the duffel bag and axe, locked the door behind him, swung the axe into it then started his dash back to the lodge.
~~
"C'mon, this feels really perverted, can't we do somethin' else? Why'd you have to take her clothes too?" Y/N asked, whilst Josh checked the gas tank wasn't too heavy. It was by the way.
"You're so bad at staying in character." He checked everything was tight enough so there wouldn't be any leakage "I'd never hire you to be in my movies."
"Thank God I don't want to be in your movies then."
Josh lifted his eyes "Not even the sexy ones?"
"You need to go to jail, you're sick in the head."
"Uh huh, whatever you say." He shuffled the tank closer to Y/N "Now you go sexually harass my friend, please and thank you." He kissed the cheek of the mask.
Y/N rolled his eyes and stood, hearing Sam's calls from outside. Josh's fingers hovered over the button he rigged to slam the doors closed, waiting impatiently for her to step into the theatre. "Woah... this is weird..." She whispered.
The doors flung shut on command, Y/N gripped the tank in his gloved hands and heaved it out of the room and Josh simultaneously started the heavily altered voice clip of Y/N speaking and the video Josh just sloppily put together of the nights recent events. Y/N panted behind the doors, waiting for his cue, which came pretty fast. Sam's panicking and his own distorted voice reverberated in his head... deep breath... showtime.
The chase was mostly a blur, save for a few specific things. Firstly: the gas tank was far to fucking heavy. Maybe Josh could handle it (For like 5 seconds) but Y/N's arms were on fire the whole time, and that's what ultimately let her escape. Which, oh yeah, secondly: Sam escaped and apparently that was Y/N's fault despite him only following stage directions. And last but probably not least, but also maybe least, Sam hit him over the head with a baseball bat and then he had a headache all night.
~~
"The fuck do you mean she 'got away'?!" Josh hissed. After Y/N returned to the workshop alone, he did the knock signal, telling Josh to come down.
"I mean that I couldn't catch up to an athlete while carrying a 190,000lbs gas tank. And after getting smacked in the head full force by a woman runnin' on survival instincts." Y/N defended himself with a cute little pout.
Josh's face softened at that, he took Y/N's chin in his hand and pulled him closer to examine his forehead. He ran his free thumb over the slowly forming bump near his temple "Does it hurt?"
"Yeah, dummy, a baseball bat got swung at my head."
Josh kissed the spot gently "There, all better."
"You're the mystical magic man."
"Yessir." Josh released his chin and took his hand. "C'mon. we can hide easier in the surveillance room, Sam can't get you in there."
~~
Sam was in the workshop, they heard her kicking open a vent or something metallic and heavy 10 or so minutes ago and never heard her make any other sounds, she was definitely still there. Any way out of the workshop was to loud to be missed, a squeaky door, a creaky stair, even if she left through the vent she seemingly came from, they would've heard her banging around in there. For that whole time they'd been debating what to do. They landed on sending Y/N out to figure out what she was doing.
He crept over to a piece of the wall that was open due to age and gaps in the wood exposing inside the room. Sam was standing with her back facing him, he tried not to stare at her bare skin and instead focused on figuring out what had gripped her attention so strongly. She must've sensed his prying eyes and quickly spun around, searching for her spy. Right before her eyes passed over him, he dropped to the floor, internally panicking. He waited for what felt like hours for her to call out or to come investigate and force him to try and incapacitate her, which he really didn't want to do, she was very scary in her own right.
But nothing came of it. Y/N lifted his head to take the smallest possible peek and it seemed like she was distracted by whatever captured her interest before he interrupted. He snuck along the wall, still tense as ever, and turned the corner to peek through a different hole that'd hopefully reveal what had her so engrossed. This was a far more risky move since he'd be more likely to be actively caught in her peripheral vision, but Josh would be mildly disappointed if he returned without information.
Y/N slowly raised his head to snoop on her... she's captivated by... her phone? Really? After being cased by a serial killer, she's focused on her phone? Wait... Is it even hers??
He ducked back down, SHIT- she's on Josh's phone, she's on Josh's phone- then crawled along the side of the wall, don't panic until you're with him, don't panic until you're safe, don't panic, don't panic-
At the door to the surveillance room, he lifted his arm to slowly and quietly pull the handle down then carefully open the door wide enough for him to slide through with minimal struggle. Once inside he stood and closed the door just as quietly and only released the handle when it was firmly shut, at which point he felt all the tension leave his body in one breath and allowed himself a little panic attack as a treat. Josh hurried to his side where he held and comforted Y/N until he calmed down enough to explain what he saw. Josh was silent on his own worries, more focused on making Y/N feel better.
Josh started putting together a dummy they could put in the chair for Chris and Ashley to find, he finished it quickly and snuck off to plant it where they would've put Sam. Soon enough, he returned and they were curled up together watching Chris and Ashley explore that maze of a basement, which Josh was far more invested in than Y/N who was busy day (night...?) dreaming about their lives together instead. Josh was trying to, in his own weird way, push Chris to get with Ashley. A parting gift, if you will.
They were coming up on the kitchen now making them separate and start preparing for the next bit, knocking them out, tying them to chairs and letting the chaos ensue. This was the point that Sam was supposed to get out and save them, or Matt and Emily, but they'd gone rogue and hadn't been seen in a good while, so that was unlikely. Maybe Jess and Mike would show up? No matter what, this was the last part, then they'd run away and never be seen again.
Josh grabbed the gas tank from under the desk, at the same time, Y/N pulled the mask over his head, very ready for it to be the last time. He thanked Josh for volunteering to carry the tank this time then, just as carefully as before, opened the door and snuck out to check on Sam. Still on the phone! Damn girl is just dedicated to figuring out Josh's deepest secrets, isn't she?
This time, he doesn't even bother being quiet, they both stomp their boots all the way down the hall until reaching a set of doors that would allow Y/N to sneak up on Chris and Ashley when they're distracted by the Sam dummy. Josh kissed him on the masks forehead, passed the tank over then snuck back to the surveillance room. Y/N took a deep breath, pushed the door open and terrorised Chris and Ashley for the second time that night.
Chris went down semi easily, just a bit of thrashing, that Y/N had a bit too much fun putting down. Ashley had a pair of scissors and fucking stabbed him in the shoulder. Y/N screamed in pain, which came out as more of an angry growl through the voice distortion, he kicked her leg, she fell to the floor and in an instant, had the gas mask over her face and was out like a light.
It took a considerate effort to drag them and restrain them in their respective chairs, but he managed. He found the gun Josh left out and placed it on the table between them then crept back to the surveillance room. "You okay?" He asked Josh, who was hunched over the desk deep in thought.
"Yeah, just..." he trailed off, sighed, then started up again "She knows I'm not dead." He indicated towards Sam outside.
Y/N pulled the mask off "What? No she-"
Josh cut him off "She found my phone."
"And? Maybe its like a trophy or something. Serial killers take those, right?"
He shook his head and whispered "She knows I'm alive. I can't go..." staring down at the desk like its the most intriguing thing of all time.
"You don't know that..."
"Yeah. We do. I'm not leaving."
"Dylan-"
Josh stood up to look Y/N right in the eye, much more energy in his stance "You are though." He pointed at Y/N thoughtfully "You are. We gotta switch clothes, hurry." Josh began to remove his blue checked overshirt before Y/N could question him.
"Gah- why??" Y/N took off his gloves.
"I'm taking the fall so you can go. Take off your clothes, baby." His tone was flirty yet demanding as he pulled his black undershirt off.
"Fuck off, I'm not doing that." He tried to keep his eyes on Josh's face, but they couldn't help but wander. He's just a boy, he couldn't help it!
"She knows. There's nothing we can do to stop her for telling people. But we can get you away."
Tears flooded Y/N's eyes "I can't- there's no-" his voice cracked "There's no reason for me to go if you're not with me!"
"Hell yeah there is! School and-"
"I'm not going, okay! You're not taking the blame! I'll stay and keep harassing them, you go!" Y/N shoved Josh towards the door. "Well, maybe get your clothes on first then-"
"I framed myself." Josh sighed.
Y/N's jaw fell to the floor, eyes widened, allowing stray tears to escape "WHY?!" He screamed, Chris and Ashley began to stir on the screen. Josh started playing the clip of Y/N's corrupted voice while he took a moment to compose himself.
"For you. Either you get outta here or we're both going down." Y/N stared at Josh for a couple seconds, letting the anger, despair, and sorrow wash over him, then started to undress.
Josh was the first to get dressed, he accepted his fate long ago, and now was left standing by the door with a stoic expression while Y/N wept in the chair with his head in hands. He was going to say something to comfort him, but nothing came out. By the time he thought of what to say, the gun went off meaning it was time to go. Y/N hadn't reacted at all, so Josh walked over to him slowly, kissed the top of the head, then left without a word.
Y/N took his time to sob silently, it was all for nothing... a cacophony of merciless yelling exploded from the speakers behind him, but he had no energy to move even when he knew he should. Josh launched into some big rehearsed monologue that was shockingly believable, even for Y/N who knew everything. People screamed at him, he laughed in their faces, until Mike mentioned Jessica being killed.
A pit formed in his stomach, the tears dried from his eyes as he spun around to watch the fight transpiring on the screen. Josh was equally as confused, that seemed to make Mike madder. He pistol whipped Josh, who collapsed to the floor in a heap.
The boys restrained Josh with a piece of unused rope that had been lying on a countertop in the room and started dragging him out. They told the girls to wait in the living room while they took Josh to the shed. Everybody walked by the surveillance room and that's when Josh woke up and snapped back into character. Y/N panicked watching them go, once they were out of sight, he threw on the under and over shirt and crept up the stairs far behind them.
Part of him wanted to grab the folder and run, but that was definitely the minority. He had to check on Josh before leaving. Especially if this was the last time he'd ever see him, which it was seeming like. At the top of the stairs, he stood, trying to figure out the best way to get to him without being spotted.
He knew there was a hundred exits from the living room so finding one wouldn't be the hard part. Step one though, get there and scope out the girls positions and lines of sight. The path there was one that would've been short had he been more familiar with the layout, but thanks to homophobia, it took double the amount of time it should've. Sam and Ashley were sat in front of him facing the fireplace, there were exits to either side, the choice was which one would cause more trouble.
Ashley was seemingly lost in her own world, curled in on herself, but Sam was completely absorbed in Josh's phone. There was only one reason she'd still be on it. She found out about him.
Hopefully she wouldn't look for him cause that'd open a whole new investigation he didn't want to deal with. Not when Josh was sacrificing himself and everything he'd wanted for Y/N. Regardless, Sam being so preoccupied meant it'd probably be easier to slink by her than Ashley, so he crept silently along the wall as he'd grown very accustomed to after 5 years of sneaking around.
He quietly opened the door, slithered out of the lodge, closed the door and sprinted into the forest. Finding the path to the shed was easy, it's difficult for three big-ish guys to hide their tracks in the middle of the snow, plus the other tracks presumably from Ashley, Chris, Matt, Emily and Josh earlier in the night. He followed the path through the woods just as he did on his way to the cable car station, the sound of yelling guided him further and further. The main building was locked up, or at least empty, since the door was closed and the sound was coming from the side building, but he couldn't just waltz on in through the front door, he had to wander around the back of the shed. Y/N knew he couldn't talk to Josh, even though it killed him, he accepted it. He just wanted to see him one last time.
From the sounds of it, Josh was having a ton of fun playing the part of insane serial killer who terrorised his friends for a laugh. He always liked getting people riled up for no reason. Y/N marched through the crunchy snow, grateful that the yelling covered up the sound and poked his head through the window, inside, Josh thrashed around on the stool he was sitting on, his hands were tied to a wooden beam behind his back and he was laughing at his own incoherent ramblings.
Mike and Chris ignored him, spinning around to have a quick chat between them of Josh's mental state and how sudden this apparent mental break was. Josh kept at his senseless babbling until he saw Y/N out the corner of his eye. He choked on his words, turned his head to check his eyes weren't deceiving him. The look of adorable shock on his face was worth a million bucks. Y/N waved sadly, the innocent act pissed Josh off a little bit. He jerked his head forward, face alone telling him to get back to the lodge and leave the mountain before he got himself found out. Y/N placed his hand on the window and mouthed with a sad smile "I love you" then left before Josh could reciprocate. As soon as Y/N ran away back into the woods, Josh started yelling vulgar things at the boys about their respective partners to draw their attention back to him and give Y/N a better chance of getting away.
Y/N ran through the forest, vision blurry from the onslaught of tears. He couldn't care less about sneaking around right now, he just wanted to fall into his bed and stay there for a hundred years.
But he wasn't going home, he was going to some ladies house to pick up Atlantis, and then he was going to the airport alone, and then he would be alo- Why is Sam hanging out of that window??
Sam was shimmying between two windows with something in her hand. Y/N immediately sobered up, eyes drying in seconds. He rushed to stand below her, by the time he got there she was on the second windowsill. She released one of her hands keeping her anchored to the windowsill, pulled her arm back and hit the window with whatever it was she was holding onto several times until the glass shattered and invited herself inside.
Most of the glass joined her inside the room, but a few shards fell outside. Y/N was lucky to avoid most of the falling debris, but one particularly homophobic fragment decided to slash his eyebrow. He hissed through clenched teeth, bringing his hand up to cover the wound. Thank fuck he jumped before it could get to his eye, but it still stung like a bitch.
Y/N crept back in through the kitchen entrance, where he grabbed a paper towel and dabbed it over the cut until no more blood appeared, at which point, he threw it in the trash can and left the kitchen, aiming for the living room. Homestretch.
He hid behind the library door listening to Chris and Ashley talk about Josh. He'd have to wait for a while until they left, definitely not sneaking past them both at this point. Or find another way to Josh's room, which seemed like the only choice, despite it requiring significantly more effort and energy than he had left in him. He took a step away from the door and wandered around the library, looking for an alternate path that didn't include going outside and getting his face slashed to pieces again. Speaking of which, what the hell was Sam doing? She couldn't have been climbing into Josh's room, could she??
What was with this girl?! She was obsessed with Josh's secrets, what a stalker!! In any case, the likelihood of her looking in the vent was slim to none so he wasn't worried about her finding the folder or anything, he just had to wait her out. He was nearby the little nook Chris and Ashley found the threatening note in when a scream cut through the silence, it sounded like a woman? Regardless, that wasn't any of Y/N's business, so he kept exploring.
Ten or so minutes passed and he found himself back at the hall leading to the living room where he heard Sam's voice muffled through the door "-basement might be okay." And a gruffer, deeper, manly voice agreeing, telling everyone to go to the basement.
Y/N went to find somewhere to sit. He just had to wait them out. As soon as he was off his legs, his eyelids began to feel unreasonably heavy. Not wanting to fall asleep, he tried to focus on things like the task at hand, the very uncomfortable flight the next day, hugging Atlantis, telling her that she won't see Dad 2 ever again... Why Matt's voice was appallingly old sounding. Why they were going into the basement again in the first place, what was going to happen to Josh, what it'd... be... like in...
~~
An ear-piercing scream startled him awake, "hwa-?" he stood up and rubbed his eyes aggressively trying to clear his foggy brain. There was a bunch of yelling and banging coming from the living room, which, rightfully so, frightened Y/N. He stumbled through the library and hallway, reached for the door handle as soon as he got to it and carefully opened the door. He poked his head out and saw Sam and Ashley helping Chris down the stairs. Nobody else was in the room so Y/N left the hallway, waited for the door to the basement to open and close then booked it up the stairs.
He grabbed the key from the underside of one of the leaves of the plant next to the door, somehow the plant was alive and almost thriving, but the door was already unlocked when he tried to use it, he gently opened the door. The first thing he saw was a chair directly in front of him and his stomach dropped, his foot found the screws that had dropped... Sam opened the vent. He climbed onto the chair, ignoring the smashed window and items thrown about during her rampage and reached his hand in just like he'd seen Josh do when they first got there after putting Y/N's new acceptance letter inside.
Y/N had asked why they didn't just keep it in the workshop, Josh said it was safer up here "just in case" which didn't make sense until now. He was already preparing to take the blame should anything go awry, but it didn't matter now, did it? Sam's not going to give it to him. He pulled has hand out, stepped off the chair and finally felt the icy air from the shattered window.
Too tired to cry, too tired to fight, too tired to exist. Y/N numbly walked to the closet, which was ajar so clearly Sam searched through it, put on his jacket and went downstairs.
~~
Something stopped him from stepping outside, his hand hovered above the handle. Y/N wanted to be with Josh since secrecy didn't matter anymore, but for some reason he had a horrible feeling. He chalked it up to his gut telling him to try talking to Sam. If she's so invested as to break into his room via the fucking window and look through a vent for her investigation, surely she'd be willing to talk to him, right? She's his biggest fan.
Y/N crept down into the basement but didn't hear anybody and poking his head out to scan for them revealed that, as far as he could see, no one was there, so they went further down for some reason. He continued down the long winding hallways, even reaching the old hotel, where he eventually started to hear a stifled conversation from a far away room. He followed it until some words became clear-ish. A mans voice yelling "Josh, he's gotta have it!"
The rest of the conversation was muffled again as what seemed like feminine voices spoke up, Y/N moved towards the voices until a figure came into view, it looked like Mike, maybe? He ducked behind a beam and cursed under his breath, muscles tense and eyes shut tight. But nothing came of it, the footsteps kept walking away and the conversation died down. Whatever he was looking for, Josh had it, what was worrying though, was that he was heading further into the hotel instead of going back upstairs. So Y/N had a choice to make, follow Mike into the unknown or try to get Sam alone, ask for the folder and beg for her silence. His body made the choice for him, legs moving one by one slowly tracing Mike's trail.
He never saw where Mike went, but thankfully the tunnel only went in one direction. Along the way, the sound of what seemed like a metal door screeching open and closed told him what way to go. When he finally came upon it, he shoved his shoulder into it, trying to force it open to no avail. he let out a frustrated grunt as he tried again unsuccessfully. No, nononono, "C'mon!" He rammed into it again and again "C'mon!" Fuck! He blocked the door with something, didn't he?
Goddamn it! Y/N tore himself away, fine, fuckin- FINE, there's gotta be another way! He turned to his right to examine the rest of the tunnel with his eyes. "Hello?" Sam called out to him. SHIT- The dread hit him like a semi truck and he almost saw his life flash before his eyes, before, once again, his body moved without his brains permission and he, wide eyed and pale faced, stared at the girl that ruined his whole life.
(Sam's Pov)
Y/N's story was equal parts fascinating and upsetting. Everything made sense, Josh wasn't crazy, he hadn't flipped on a dime, he was protecting Y/N because that's who Josh was, he always protected his loved ones. And now that was exclusively Y/N. Was...
Sam didn't even have it in her to be upset that he chased her while she was practically nude, or that he attacked and drugged Chris and Ashley. In her eyes, Y/N was an innocent baby who'd never done anything wrong in his life and nothing he could say would change that, so when Mike got (rightfully) mad at parts of the story, Sam held Y/N's hand tighter and gave Mike a death glare. How dare he interrogate her baby like that?!
Mike was also completely engrossed in his tale. He was a lot more questioning than Sam because he didn't have nearly enough context, but nonetheless still captivated. Mike expressed his condolences for Y/N's loss, but he shrugged them off "Just want my cat." he mumbled.
As soon as those words left his mouth, they came upon a large pool of water, across it, were two rocky platforms, one leading to a closed metal door that was probably the way they had to go, and another that seemed empty, but it being closer meant it wasn't super out of the way to check it out. They all dropped into the water individually but as soon as Sam heard the water splash behind her, she reached out and grabbed Y/N's hand. It was shaking and sweaty and somehow burning hot in the middle of the painfully cold lake. "You'll be okay." She whispered as she guided both Y/N and Mike towards the closest ledge and climbed onto it.
There, she found a journal written by Hannah detailing her time in the mines culminating with her confession of cannibalism. Sam and Mike were far more personally affected by the discovery, compared to Y/N who barely reacted. Sam had to assume it was cause he was more focused on the fact that his soulmates corpse was 50 meters away rather than being apathetic to the fact that one of his friends was eaten by her sister. The duo gathered themselves then joined Y/N by the edge and jumped back in the icy cold water. Sam's hand found Y/N's again just like last time except he was completely unable to keep himself from trembling violently.
In front of the door, Sam squeezed Y/N's hand while Mike pushed the lever holding the door shut and wave of more freezing water came flooding out carrying a decapitated head with it. Everyone freaked out for a few seconds before Mike ushered them inside, where a body hung from a meat hook, the stranger that was supposed to help. They almost puked at the repulsive sight, however the feeling of Y/N breaking out of her hold pulled her out of it. She went to call his name but he zipped right past her through the wooden partition. Sam and Mike followed him, she was preparing to have to hold Y/N while he sobbed uncontrollably, he was preparing to defile a corpse. What they found brought Sam to tears.
"She said you were dead, I th-tho-I thought" Y/N blubbered. They were embracing each other on the rocky ground, Josh held Y/N's head in his hands and pressed his head into Josh's chest.
"I love you- I love you-" He mumbled before kissing his head a million times.
"Holy shit..." Mike whispered, emphasizing each syllable, "He's actually his boyfriend."
Sam furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him "You doubted it?"
He shrugged "A little, I dunno."
She rolled her eyes and brought her attention back to the boys on the floor. Her hand found Y/N's back, which she rubbed supportively "You doin' okay, bud?"
Y/N laughed, Josh loosened his hold of his head, but kept his hands where they were, allowing Y/N to wipe his runny nose with his sleeve "Yeah, yes." he nodded, eyes glancing back at her "I'm doing great."
The boys separated enough for Y/N to stand, but Josh really struggled and needed him and Sam to help him, once up, he leant against Y/N and explained that he was dropped into the cave and landed on his knee wrong. His left knee turned to the right and the force of the fall had twisted a ligament. It should heal in time, but right now it hurts like a bitch.
Mike brought everyone back to the goal at hand by asking Josh for the key to the cable car, who surrendered it immediately. Sam took this time to tell Josh what they had uncovered about his sisters, but before he could have any sort of breakdown, Mike tried to get them all on the move again. Sam had a different idea, to separate.
After a lot of resistance, the boys eventually, reluctantly, agreed to her plan. For Josh and Mike to take the long way to the lodge through the mines so Josh wouldn't put too much stress on his leg and for Y/N and Sam to go up through the skylight and separate from there, where Sam would run down to the lodge to destroy all the evidence of Josh's guilt and convince everybody to keep the fact that Josh is alive a secret and Y/N would burn down the shed to destroy the fake body so the police would have no evidence of what truly happened. Mike had to part with his lighter and the cable car key, so Sam and Y/N had to promise he'd get them back to shut him up. Even though they couldn't guarantee it, but that was all in the fine print.
Josh and Y/N kissed before they were forced apart, swapping I love you's and promises to see one another again, then went their respective ways. Sam and Y/N were quick to the top, happy to feel the moonlight on their skin. "Still can't believe you're real," Sam laughed on the walk to the shed and lodge, "you think you know someone..."
"He wanted to tell everybody, he was just scared."
Sam nodded, "Yeah, well... he won't have to be after tonight."
"Hopefully." Y/N sighed.
(Josh's Pov)
Mike's arm was wrapped around Josh's shoulder, helping him walk by lightening the weight being put on his knee. It was a fairly awkward little walk to the lake since Josh wasn't sure if he should apologise for what happened to Jess or if that'd make him seem guilty so he hobbled beside him silently. Mike didn't seem too mad that Josh elected not to say anything, after the last half hour of information overload, he was probably glad to have a minute of quiet.
The body hanging on the meat hook hadn't began to rot yet, so Josh hadn't known it was there until this moment when the decapitated body started dripping blood onto his shoulder. A strangled gasp escaped him as he looked up at the unfamiliar figure, he froze, Mike stopped too, not wanting to have to lug him around. Josh questioned who the man was, to which, Mike replied, "He tried to save you." he kept walking "Chris did too. You know you could've told us right?" Mike turned his head to watch Josh's reaction, but the other boy kept his gaze forward and vacant.
"No, I didn't know that."
(Y/N's Pov)
Snowflakes violently whipped around them, landed all over their skin and took their sweet time melting. Y/N rubbed his pink nose with his pink finger as Sam hugged herself to try control the shivering. The shed was right in front of them, to get to it, as well as the lodge, they had to jump down a ledge. It wasn't a huge drop luckily, but it was big enough to require them to sit and then hop down to give their legs as much leeway as possible.
At the bottom, they slowly made their way to the front of the shed, boots crunching through the everlasting snow. "Well, I guess this is it...?" Sam sighed once they were there, Y/N nodded. Her eyes stung with fresh tears, but they weren't sad this time, "I hope nothing but the best for you. The both of you." She pulled him in for a long, tight goodbye hug, "You take care of him, okay? I know he'll take care of you."
"I will..." Y/N mumbled into her shoulder.
Sam pulled away to look him in the eyes "Good luck in school, and," she sniffled and blinked several times to keep herself from breaking down "give Atlantis a bunch of kisses for me, and" her efforts were all in vain, she broke down into a mess of bittersweet tears and a smile so wide it made her cheeks ache, "send me a postcard!"
(Sam's Pov)
Y/N thanked her profusely for helping them run away, but she shook her head, it was totally unnecessary. Ever since she was a little kid, she'd seen Josh as a sort of older brother, someone who you could trust and confide in and would never let you know he was hurting too. A part of her always pitied him, on the outside he seemed so lonely, disjointed and... out of place, to know he'd found his place, that he found his soulmate was all she really needed. Josh was sick of trying to exist in a world he believed he had no right to, could she blame him for wanting an escape? She could criticise his methods, sure, but at the centre of it was love. Pure, unadulterated, beautiful love. And what could be wrong with that?
She tore herself away, sniffling, "Okay, I really gotta go before I get too attached and decide to never let you leave."
"I tend to have that effect on people."
"Hah hah, you're very funny, now move it. You got a felony to commit."
"What's this, my third one tonight?" Sam laughed at his dark joke, kissed him on the cheek, then dashed down towards the lodge.
(Josh's Pov)
Mike warned him it'd be cold, but man did he undersell it. The only positive was that the water made it a teeny bit easier to walk since it took a bit of pressure off the knee. Mike was a good few paces ahead of him so he help Josh out of the water at the other ledge. Suddenly, a few ripples begin to show on the surface as if something was swimming underneath, Mike screamed before quickly being pulled to the icy bellow.
F-Fuck... "Mike?" Josh called out, when he didn't immediately answer, Josh picked up the pace as best he could. He shouted Mike's name again, but before he could even finish saying the word the creature that found him in the shed burst through the still water and screeched.
As it went to grab him, he saw it... irrefutable proof of what Sam had said... Hannah's tattoo. A deafening gunshot reverberated around the cave walls and several chunks of rock plummeted from the celling, crashing into Hannah and making her... (it?) jump back onto the wall behind Josh. "Run!" Mike yelled at the top of his lungs. Josh tried to quicken his pace along with Mike who was far ahead, turning around every few seconds to shoot at the creature and keep it as far away as he could, the sounds of footsteps sprinting over rocks came quickly towards the lake.
(Y/N's Pov)
After Sam darted away, Y/N was left in the snow without a plan, he knew he had to burn the shed down, but the how was eluding him. First thing he did was find a small, recognisable alcove to hide the folder, he swept snow off the step, wrapped the folder in Josh's blue plaid overshirt and carefully laid it down before running back over to the shed. Being covered in snow all year long, the shed and all the branches he could find would be drenched and completely incapable of catching fire. He went inside to try find anything that was even remotely flammable.
There was the curtains on the windows that'd been kept closed, he ripped them from their rods and threw them into a pile near the fake body, it had to be the first thing burned so Y/N could be certain he'd done his job right. He also added the stool Josh had been made to sit on as well as the rope used to tie him there and a few other pieces of stray timber that had stayed relatively untouched to the growing pile. but it still wasn't enough. It might burn through the body, but unless the whole structure is destroyed there's still a high chance they'd know it was fake and investigate further. He needed more power.
(Sam's Pov)
Sam moved like she was made of air through the basement to get to the workshop and the people waiting to be saved. She wanted to stop, take her time and think about how she'd explain the situation to them, especially Chris, but she didn't want to keep her new best friend Y/N waiting longer than he needed to. "Sam?" Emily called out when she passed one of the holes in the workshop wall.
"Yeah, its me." Her voice cracked, they'd found the workshop. She sighed to prepare herself then slowly made her way around the corner. In the door way, she picked at the skin around her finger nails. The trio bombarded her with questions that she refused to answer right away, instead, she asked them to sit calmly and let her speak before asking anything else.
(Josh's Pov)
"Guys!" Matt came barrelling out from behind a mineshaft carrying an old oil lantern up to light the way, Josh kept moving as a good three or so seconds after Matt appeared, Jess stumbled into view.
Her presence shook Mike to his core "J- Je-" Matt put his arm around Jess and helped her get to Mike, who began to weep tears of joy as he hugged her pitiful form. Matt took the liberty of helping Josh out of the water, giving Mike more time to fuss over Jessica, but as expected, their reunion was cut short by Hannah crawling over the wall towards them.
Jess whimpered and hid her head in Mike's shoulder, he kept one arm around her waist, lifted his free hand and shot at the creature. He tucked his flashlight in his pocket and asked "Matt, he can't walk, can you-"
"Got him." Matt wrapped his arm around Josh's shoulder "C'mon, Man." They all limped through the mines, Matt and Josh were much further ahead since Jess was so mutilated, Mike was left balancing her needs as well as shooting back at Hannah every so often when she wandered too close, he was struggling though, if Jess couldn't go any faster they'd be caught and killed. "In here!" Matt yelled behind him to Mike as he helped Josh into a tiny wooden shack built into the cave wall.
Mike and Jess joined them ten or so seconds later, leant against the wall and held her so she wouldn't fall. They all froze as Hannah zipped up to them and surveyed the area, Josh felt Matt tensing up beside him as he held his breath and watched Mike keep Jess upright when her legs failed her. As terrified as he was, he did feel a little relieved that the monster was with him, it meant Y/N was safe. That's all that mattered. He was safe.
(Y/N's Pov)
He'd managed to find enough kindling to have multiple piles strewn around every room of the shed. In ransacking the building, he'd also found a giant stockpile of gasoline tanks either hooked up to the saw machine or sitting near it being perfectly accessible should anything have gone astray before showtime and he could quickly switch them out. Josh really hadn't wanted anything to get in his way of dying.
Y/N grabbed the gas tanks and either emptied them all over a pile and the surrounding area or placed it in the middle of the room to combust when caressed by the flames. He grabbed a plank of wood, placed it on the floor, stood on one end and pulled it till it broke into two pieces. He covered one in gasoline, set it alight, threw it towards the fake body and ran out before the explosions started.
By the time he stepped foot outside, three explosions had occurred in that main room and the fire had begun to climb up to the roof. He drenched the other piece of the plank in gasoline, set it alight and threw it inside the smaller side building. The glass windows began shattering one by one, metal warped and bent, wood crackled, plastic melted, in minutes the structure was a merciless blazing inferno that started to take over a few of the surrounding trees... FUCK. Y/N quickly slid off his gasoline soaked jacket and chucked it into the flames then, not even stopping to watch it burn, ran to the place where he stashed the folder before he started, threw the over shirt back on in place of his jacket and sprinted through the woods away from the hellfire he summoned to earth.
(Sam's Pov)
Ashley and Emily's reactions were what she expected, shock, horror, intrigue, it was Chris that stood out. He was hurt. Deeply hurt. "I thought we were best friends..." he mumbled, eyes glued to the floor.
Sam crouched down to meet his eyeline "You are!" she took his hands, her tone implored him to take her seriously, "You are, Chris, It's nothing you did, I promise. He was just scared-"
"Of me?" His question was sincere but stinging with worlds of hurt.
Sam shook her head, she wanted to reassure him, but she couldn't tell him what Josh was thinking, only Josh could know. "Of everybody! Nobody knew except Beth. I'm sure he wanted to tell you."
He almost seemed to be staring through her "I never knew him, did I?"
"Of course you did! He's still Josh!"
Chris stood up and started pacing, "But he- he had this whole second life? And- he felt like he couldn't trust me?"
Sam joined him, standing up straight "It wasn't you!"
"I should've been the exception! He should've been able to- to-"
Ashley could tell he was on the verge of breaking so she wrapped her arm around his torso, letting him lean on her. "It's not your fault!"
Sam nodded "Its not. It was his stupid parents. If he could've told anyone, he would've told you." She rubbed his arm gently.
(Josh's Pov)
When Hannah scurried further down the mineshaft looking for everyone, they took a moment to regroup and collect their thoughts. Josh explained the basics of the situation to Matt when he was asked about the shed, and Mike fussed over Jess' state again. When Josh stopped talking, Mike immediately got to business, "Matt, she can't walk, I need you to shoot it while I carry her." He passed the gun to Matt's shaky hand.
"I- I gotta hold this," he lifted the lantern to be level with his chest "and help h-"
Mike cut him off "No, you're gonna throw that at it. Fire hurts 'em." he pulled his torch out of his pocket and passed it to Jessica "She'll light the way." Jess had a little smile on her face as she took it in her hands, happy to be a little useful. Matt accepted Mike at his word, he seemed like he wanted to say more but stayed silent, watching him lift Jess and carry her bridal style.
"I'll hold it till we see her," Josh took the lantern from Matt's hand, "then you can take it and show off your big football arms." Matt huffed, smiling, Mike kissed Jess' scrapped forehead and Josh turned to him to ask "What way are we going?"
"Well, I came through the sanatorium, but A. I don't think we're gonna wanna go that way, and B. No idea how to get back there from here, so I'm thinking, Sam and Y/N came through a sewer under the lodge, our best bet is to find that then we should be fine."
(Y/N's Pov)
The door was smashed to pieces and the axe was missing so Matt and Emily must've taken it wherever they went. Hopefully they were okay. Y/N would've felt guilty if he wasn't hours away from a new life. He navigated to the control console, inserted the key and brought the cable car back up to the platform. Before he could step foot into the cable car he paused, turning to look behind him. He could go now and wait in the truck for Josh. He could wait in the cable car. He should, Josh would be mad if he didn't.
And yet he found himself stashing the folder in one of the knocked over file cabinets and running out of the cable car station with reckless abandon towards the ever-growing forest fire. His boots crunched through the melting snow as he steadily grew closer. He paused at the precipice of the inferno. A wall of flames stood, waiting, welcoming him with open arms as if eager to take his life. He wanted to back out, he was terrified of course, but the thought of Josh having to navigate that hell alone with his busted knee, or worse giving up because of it was unbearable. Y/N caused this, he'd have to take responsibility for it. He took three deep breaths, cursed under his breath, then began the long sprint.
(Sam's Pov)
"So, we need to destroy any evidence pointing to him. And I need you guys to keep quiet about this, okay?" Sam waited anxiously for their response.
"What?!" Emily spat.
"Why??" Ashley was completely baffled.
But Chris remained silent, allowing Sam to make her case "Because, you guys, we killed his sisters. Every one of us except him and that boy he loves. Doesn't he deserve a happy ending after all the shit we put him through?"
A brief silence fell over the group as they thought it through. Ashley was the first to speak up, shaking her head to reveal her answer before she said it. "No. No. He already got his sick revenge tonight, I'm not covering for him so he doesn't have to face the consequences."
Emily nodded her head, but Sam couldn't even pretend for a second she was on her side when her expression was that of disgust "Yeah. He brought us up here to fuck with us and ended up with two of us dead."
"We don't know that Matt's dead-" Sam tried to discredit her claim.
But Emily bit back with "Oh, that limp dick prick better wish he was dead after leaving me to die on that goddamn tower!"
"Calm down, Em, I'm sure he didn't intend on you dying-"
Chris tried to join in and agree with the girls "And it's not like we all were in on the prank, some of us were-"
Again, Emily cut him off, clearly bringing up Matt had her so riled up she started attacking her own team "Shut up, four eyes, don't act like you're better than us. We all know you drugged him!" Sam was taken aback by the accusation and asked for more information while Chris did his best to deny it, but there was no stopping her, "You tried to say no but we gave you what, 20, 30 dollars, and you slipped sleeping pills into his beers so he couldn't stop it."
(Josh's Pov)
The group ran down the mineshaft, Mike carried Jess seemingly effortlessly and Josh leant on Matt who anxiously checked behind them every three seconds. When Hannah did eventually show up, it was when his back was turned, she screeched. "You keep going! Get her outta here! We'll catch up!" Matt yelled at Mike who reluctantly listened. Josh passed the lantern to Matt, he detached himself and propped himself up on the rocky wall.
Matt cocked his arm back and threw the lantern full force at Hannah then quickly lifted the gun and shot it, several pieces of shrapnel hit it and the lantern exploded into a giant ball of flames that coated her corrupted, leathery skin. The creature let out what could only be described as a distressed whinny and scampered down the opposite direction. Matt grabbed Josh, let him lean on him then helped him down the mineshaft where Mike and Jess went. They kept a watchful eye out for the light.
They were lucky, for the most part, this mine was all one path. Where it did diverge, those paths were blocked off by wooden planks. They called out for the couple, voices echoing off the closed in walls, waiting for responses that wouldn't came. Dread seeped into Josh's stomach as a cliffs edge came into view.
Matt left Josh leaning against a wall while he left to walk along the edge, looking for a way out. Josh grew more anxious as sounds of rocks or something similar clattering began to reverberate from far behind him, he limped towards Matt "Did you hear that?" he called out.
At the sound of Josh hobbling, Matt came running over to help "What?" he asked, wrapped his arm around Josh's torso, and led him down to the spot he was looking at. Josh brushed it off, it was probably nothing, he was antsy, that's all, so Matt took the charge, talking about where the best possible spot for him to jump from in his state when the tunnel bellow them began to emit a soft beam of light. "Mike?"
(Y/N's Pov)
The pyre devoured the timber surrounding him with its vicious gaping maw and thick jagged teeth. The snow beneath his feet held strong until he left his footprints, then begun to evaporate. He was unbelievably lucky he was on a mountain right now and not back home. This fire was nothing compared to California wildfires, the snow was slowing the flames, but not stopping them entirely.
Y/N was already nearing the end of the fiery intermission, fortunate he got there early enough to be easy, but in the time between now and Josh leaving the lodge it could expand to cover half the mountain. He had no choice but to wait, see and push through. Outside of the forest the air was cleaner, thinner, colder, heaven for somebody just leaving a forest fire. He slowed his pace to a light jog as the lodge came into view.
(Sam's Pov)
"I di- I didn't-" Chris tried to deny it before falling apart at the seams and sobbing uncontrollably. Ashley hurried over and caught him in a tight hug, rubbing his back and whispering assurances that he wasn't at fault or a bad person.
Emily rolled her eyes and wandered off to her own corner to let Sam deal with it. Her head was spinning a hundred miles a minute, Josh stopped taking his sleeping pills, Josh stopped going to Chris for support, Josh tortured Chris the most, Y/N dealt with Chris far rougher than Ashley, Jesus Fucking Christ. Bile filled her mouth, throat tightened so she couldn't swallow it, Fuck-
She picked up the trash can next to the desk she stood at for almost an hour and silently spat it all out. The aftertaste was deep and bitter and refused to leave for even a moment as she set the trash can back down in its place and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Chris was indisposed in Ashley's arms, Sam watched them for a short minute before the nausea subsided and she had enough courage to walk over and interrogate him.
"What the hell, Chris? Is that true?" Chris nodded his head, face covered by Ashley's hair and shoulder. Sam laughed in disbelief "You drugged your best friend? You spiked his drink?? Yo-You know that's illegal, right? What the hell were you thinking?!" The bombardment of questions only made the anger in her tone stronger and more venomous, by the end she was spitting the words at him.
"I- I know..." Chris wept wildly.
Ashley ran her fingers through his messy hair, scowling at Sam "Back off, Sam, he's clearly sorry."
Sam was baffled by her dismissive response "Are you- you're joking, right? He could've fucking killed him!"
"He didn't!" Ashley yelled back "Nothing happened to him."
"Noth-" Sam laughed out loud at Ashley's defensiveness "Nothing happened? Hannah and Beth died!"
"We didn't mean for that! It was just a prank!" Ashley's voice faltered, but she tried to remain strong for Chris.
"You-" Sam scoffed "There's something wrong with you, all three of you!" She furiously looked around the room, Emily was in her little corner apathetically admiring her nails, Ashley was staring up at the ceiling, blinking rapidly to keep herself from breaking down and Chris remained trembling in her secure arms. Sam knew that if she wanted to get anywhere in this conversation, she had to talk to him directly. She took tentative steps towards him, when Ashley noticed her, she anxiously pulled him away, making Sam raise her hands to show she meant no harm. Ashley reluctantly relaxed her grip, giving Sam some space to gently take Chris by the bicep and slowly peel him away from Ashley. "Hey, bud. Can we talk about it?" Chris pulled his eyes from the floor to Sam's face and nodded solemnly. "What happened, huh? Why'd you do it?" Sam gently rubbed his bicep.
Chris took in a deep, shuddering breath and, with Ashley's support, begun to explain...
(Josh's Pov)
"I'm here!" Mike called, the light grew closer and brighter, telling them he'd started jogging towards their voices. When he stepped into view, he continued speaking "Found the sewer, got Jess up, she's makin' her way through now. We'll catch up to her though."
"Uh, awesome. How'd you get her down from here?" Matt asked, doing a quick scan of the edge.
Mike walked to the base of the cliff wall "I got down first and caught her." He lifted and spread his arms "Think we can do that, Josh?" Mike teased
Josh rolled his eyes, slowly lowering himself to the edge "Shut up." his legs dangled over the drop.
"Okay, so just, try and grip the wall the best ya can, alright? Press your back against it, s'gonna hurt like a bitch, but we need you to go as slow as possible, yeah?" Mike explained "Just think about your boy waiting for ya, right bud? C'mon." His voice was exhausted but encouraging.
"You're alright, I'll be right behind you." Matt squeezed and pat his shoulder gently.
Josh gripped the edge, carefully scooted towards the corner, and looked down to the abyss bellow. Mike was right, this would hurt like a bitch. The rocky surface was sure to scrape his arms and shred the hell out of his clothes, he took a deep breath and dropped down.
He pressed firmly against the jagged wall, feeling his clothes tear, even his thick denim overalls were helpless against the ridged surface. The drop was barely slower than it would've been anyway, with how physically demanding the slide was, it had probably been hell for Jess, that jacket may have protected her upper half, but her legs were bare, already bloody and bruised, and she definitely couldn't push back as far as Josh could. She must've depended on Mike a hell of a lot more than Josh would.
When he did crash into Mike, it was sudden and brutal, with Mike acting as more of a cushion than actually catching him. Josh apologised profusely, while Mike laughed "I love you, man, but not like that."
Josh rolled his eyes "This is why I never told you guys." he started wiping his thighs and waist with his scraped and bleeding hand as Matt began his descent.
"Chill out, bro. M'just Joshin' ya."
Josh fake laughed "How'd you think of that one?"
Matt was halfway down at this point "He's a comedic genius. Haven't you heard?"
"Hmph, sure." Josh huffed.
More far off rocks clattered, echoing off the walls, Mike raised the torch looking for something out of sight. Matt jumped down, landing next to Josh with a loud thud. They turned around and walked down the tunnel at a slower place to recuperate from the draining descent.
(Chris' Pov)
The sun had just started setting when Jess pulled him away from his attempt at flirting with Ashley. She brought him into one of the smaller lounge rooms where Emily was reclining, taking up the whole couch so Chris and Jess had to stand in front of her. They explained the gist of their plan to prank Hannah to get her to back off.
"She won't listen to me or Mike! It's so disrespectful, right?" Emily moaned to Chris, who nodded awkwardly, unsure as to why he was being roped into drama he didn't care about.
"So anyway," Jess carried on for her "we need Josh out the way, so if you could get him super drunk or something, we'd really appreciate it."
"No? Why would I do that?"
"Because," Emily stood up "you're my best friend and you care about my happiness."
Chris raised an eyebrow "Mhm, sure, uh, no. Not gonna force him to get hammered, thanks."
Jess rolled her eyes "Oh, c'mon, he's gonna do it anyway. Just speed up the process." she shrugged "Or use one of those pills he takes to go to sleep." Chris was hesitant, so Jess huffed and pulled 3 $10 bills out of her sparkly violet purse and pressed them against his chest "Better?"
Chris nodded down at the cash as he took it "Sure." He pocketed the money "But just this once, alright ladies? Don't want you two going mad with power."
Jess waved him off "Of course not!" The girls grinned cheerfully, linking their arms. Chris took their lack of goodbye as a goodbye and left $30 richer.
~~
Chris leaned the doorway of Josh's room listening to him talk about college, he was being pretty vague, like he was performing a routine he'd practised but not memorized. Whenever he glanced over at Chris he always seemed to be looking just above him. Josh was searching his room for his 'medicinal' grass, he'd looked everywhere, but quickly came to the conclusion that Beth had taken it and left to raid the room next door.
Taking his chance, Chris grabbed the orange bottle from Josh's nightstand and tapped it against his palm until four little white tablets came out. He swiftly pocketed them alongside his payment, returned the bottle to its home and joined Josh in Beth's room. Luckily enough, Josh had just found what he was looking for and hadn't noticed, or at least hadn't mentioned that Chris had been absent.
~~
Everybody was drinking, cameras flashing, laughing, bad singing, at one point, Chris went to grab a pair of beers for Josh and himself. He opened them with the bottle opener Josh left out and put one pill in each then brought them over. A few more beers later, he did it again and this time they were both out like a light.
Chris knew it was wrong, Chris knew it was dangerous, but he'd never do something to Josh if he couldn't do it to himself. They were best friends. Or at least supposed to be.
(Sam's Pov)
Silence filled the room again, suffocating everyone except Emily who remained apathetic despite what Chris just revealed. Sam let out a long puff, slowly taking it all in before nodding in acceptance "Okay, alright, okay..." she rubbed her face with her free hand "so, you- okay... so you take the money from Jess and then laced Josh's beers, alright..."
"And I've regretted it ever since, it just- it eats up at me everyday." Chris had stopped crying and was staring at a spot on the wall in a state of shock.
Sam nodded again "Yeah, thought so." she paused to let the tense moment pass, she had to get the timing right or he'd shut himself off and refuse. And if she couldn't convince Chris, everybody else was definitely off the table. "If you want to make it right," She carefully began "you can keep quiet, and let him be happy with Y/N. It's what he wants, and if you want to clear your conscience, I'm sure he'll forgive you, or at least forget once he does go."
Chris' face filled with dread and sorrow "He's my best friend..."
"I know..." her hand squeezed his bicep, knowing what she'd say next would sting more than anything else tonight "But you're not his." Just as she predicted, he broke again. She didn't have time to coddle him anymore, she needed to do her job "If you want to make it right," she repeated, taking his hands in hers "you'll let him go."
"This sucks." He tried to laugh through the tears, but it came off more as a pathetic huff.
Ashley rubbed his back soothingly "I'm really sorry, Chris," she kissed his cheek.
"It does," Sam agreed wholeheartedly "and we can talk about it for as long as you want. As soon as we're off the mountain. Josh needs us right now. Lets do one last thing for your boy."
Chris sighed, letting the remaining teardrops fall, before wiping his eyes with the tips of his fingers under his glasses "Yeah, okay. Lets do it."
Sam's hopeful eyes moved up to Ashley, who nodded most likely for Chris rather than for herself, but at least they were both on board. She turned to face Emily, before she could say anything, Emily held her hand up "No choice, have I? If I go along with your story, you won't expose us for conspiracy, right? Now that he's gonna be so full of guilt and completely indebted to you, they're gonna tell the truth if you tell them to." she pointed at Chris and Ashley with a scowl.
Her eyebrows raised "Y-Yeah, definitely." Absolutely not. Sam had planned on appealing to her good side, but if Emily says blackmail, then that makes Sam's life easier. "Alright, everybody, we need to destroy everything pointing to Josh." she clapped her hands "Lets get to it."
(Josh's Pov)
The walk was quick despite the boys slower pace. Surprisingly, the atmosphere was pretty lively between them as they joked and laughed like actual friends. Josh expected to have more criticisms thrown at him, but an indestructible man eating monster is a pretty good distraction. A cry for help stopped them in their tracks.
Emily called out for Matt, her voice was muffled and terrified, there was a frantic banging along with it. Matt's head wiped around to try and find the source, he shouted her name, trying to follow it down the diverging path her voice seemed to be coming from, before he could leave the formation though, Mike grabbed his forearm and shook his head "Bad idea." he warned.
"She's in trouble!" Matt protested "I need to help her-" he tried again to follow Emily's voice.
"No!" Mike pulled him back "She's fine, she made it back to the lodge, that isn't her."
"Am I supposed to listen to you? You're not my friend, I know you two fucked." he spat that last word.
Mike furrowed his brows "What are you talking about, man? Not since we broke up we haven't."
"Liar, she admitted to it!" Matt yelled, "I asked her on the fire tower and she said it outright, so I got mad and I- I left her to die." his voice broke Emily called for him again and, riddled with guilt, he pulled out of Mike's hold to go get her.
"Goddamn it," Mike uttered, "Josh, you keep going down the tunnel, I'll be right behind you."
"What am I looking for?"
"You'll find a ladder and open sewer grate." As soon as Josh gave any sort of acknowledgement, Mike dashed after Matt, calling his name the whole way.
Josh limped along the wall, keeping a keen ear out for Mike and Matt's faint conversation. "-stop -not her!" From Mike and "Can't risk it- already abandoned-" From Matt were the only legible words Josh could figure out, the rest were muffled and indistinct.
The conversation got louder but no more clear until he found another pathway leading to wherever they were. "I don't care! I need to get her."
"Get back!" Mike yelled at him. The banging and crying continued on, but the sound of someone tackling the other was added. Mike and Matt grunted.
Matt growled "Get off me!"
"I'm trying to save us, you stupid fuckin-" a shriek interrupted Mike, the boys screamed and the gun went off. Josh took that as his sign to hobble faster down the tunnel towards the ladder that had been illuminated by some light from above. He heard Matt and Mike coming up behind him, one of them shooting the gun periodically, and did his best to climb swiftly, despite the fact that every step was agony.
Thankfully there was only the five rungs and his arms were able to do most of the heavy lifting, he slowly got to his feet in the time it took for Matt to join him, who was quick to take Josh under his arm and help him run. A gunshot rung out under them before Mike practically teleported behind them. He joined them in pace. He could've ran ahead, but he stayed beside them, finger on the trigger of the sawed off shotgun, ready to shoot Hannah when she appeared, although the two short screams came from behind and Mike firing the gun twice told a different story.
(Y/N's Pov)
An ear-splitting sound like an animal being mauled to death shook Y/N out of his fixation on the windows. His head whirled around as he searched the dying fire for the source of the sound. Slender light grey limbs sprang from the snow to the trees to the snow again, rapidly approaching the lodge. Y/N crouched beside the stairs and froze, like Sam warned him to. Luckily, the monster didn't stop and look for him, instead it flew through the door Sam must've left open when she first got here.
(Sam's Pov)
Everything was gathered in front of them.
A box of fake newspapers, they'd do their best to find and destroy any stay ones left around the mountain before the cops started their search.
The death machine plans, alongside Y/N burning the machine and shed there'd be no proof it even existed outside of myth. And memory for some.
The voice recorder, this one was easy to clear, Sam just erased the recording and Y/N's cute first attempts at frightening was gone to the whisps of time. She placed that back on the desk since it was now harmless.
Lastly his psychiatric report, this one was the most divisive, with Chris and Ashley arguing that since it doesn't say anything explicit about potential current violent tendencies it wouldn't be a problem if it was found, and Sam and Emily sure it'd at least have some eyebrows raised and had to be destroyed just in case. They'd won since Chris and Ashley didn't care enough to fight. Sam gathered everything on top of one another and stepped aside, letting Emily take charge.
Emily took the final flare out of her bag, those flares had served her well in the mines against Hannah, and now she was using them to cover up for a myriad of crimes and truths. As upset as Emily might be, something about the subtle glint in her eye told Sam she was having a world of fun living out her own mystery plot in real time. She twisted the top and sparks burst from it, bathing the workshop in a big beautiful red glow. Chris, Ashley and Sam backed away, towards the door as Emily dropped it on the pile and joined them as they all fled the room. Panic struck them as Jess' broken form appeared in the halls calling for help.
"Oh my god!" Ashley gasped.
Sam and Emily ran over to help her stand, the latter pushed the former out of the way to have the sole focus from Jess "What happened to you?!" she covered the front of Jess' body and started buttoning up her jacket so no one would see her bare skin
"I was- there was- glass, and- it was cold, and it had its hands all over me-" Jess tried and failed to explain her night, instead, crumbling into a puddle of tears.
Emily caught in her arms like she was light as a feather "You're okay now. Promise."
Jess sniffled a timid "Thanks." before continuing much clearer, "There's something coming. M-Mike, Matt and-" far away gunshots cut her off. "W-we need to go!" she warned the group.
Everyone but Sam moved, when shouted on, she called "I'll catch up!"
Then began to approach the sound, but Ashley ran up and grabbed her forearm and pulled her back "No. We're sticking together. They'll catch up." She stated firmly as she and Sam re-joined the main group. They collectively sprinted through the basement, listening to the gunshots and the footsteps along with them getting closer.
She started to hear yelling coming from the boys, telling each other and anyone else within earshot to run, exclamations of fear and dread, and stupid jokes thrown between each other so at least they weren't doing too bad back there. "You guys okay?" Sam called behind her.
"Oh yeah, just having a nice morning run."
"Yeah, just a light 2k jog."
"uh huh, just going for a little walk with my boys."
She felt her eyes roll to the back of her head at their goofy responses "I hope you three get mauled to death."
"Love you too, Sammy!" Matt exclaimed, she could hear his smile in his voice.
Finally out of the basement, Chris opened the door to the theatre, but Emily, who was still holding Jess, shoved him out of the way to get ahead. Ashley ran over, helped him up and the pair ran over Jess and Emily's tracks. In the doorway, Sam paused and turned, she didn't want to leave the boys to fend for themselves, plus Josh's knee must be making things difficult. "You guys okay?"
"We're fine, we're fine!" Mike answers, panting, so the running was obviously catching up with him "Just keep going!"
Sam took his advice and sprinted in the opposite direction, up the two sets of stairs to the main floor. Emily and Jess were huddled a few meters away from the door, Chris and Ash held hands on the other side of the stairs, seeing all four frozen in fear made Sam stop dead in her tracks, her eyes scanned the room, it took 10 seconds for her to find the wendigo crouched on the large hanging spherical chandelier in the centre of the living room. By the time she had found it, the boys finally appeared behind her.
Mike warned anyone who could hear him to keep still, but the words were superfluous since everyone was frozen on the spot. Hannah surveyed the room for movement but nobody caught her eye, except when two more wendigo scampered up the stairs and the three started a violent fight. Jess and Emily took this time to escape while they were all distracted, Ashley and Chris crept towards the door after them.
The fight escalated to the main wendigo, Hannah, throwing one into the fire place and causing a pipe to break and some sort of flammable gas began to leak from it into the air. Mike and Sam formed a plan telepathically, break a lamp's lightbulb and turn it on once everyone's out. He slowly prowled across the hardwood floor to the intended lamp, at the same time Sam backed away and her foot landed on a creaky floorboard, drawing Hannah's attention.
She screamed in Sam's general direction and did a quick survey of the area, but Sam was invisible to her. From the corner of her eye she saw Matt helping Josh creep over to the door and Chris and Ash bolting out into the snow. In the brief time Hannah had her back turned, Mike crushed the lightbulb in his hand, the sound brought her attention over to him again.
"Hey!" Matt called out to her before she could get to Mike, Hannah jumped over to investigate the noise. Matt stood defiantly in front of her, as Sam and Mike snuck down to the door, the second wendigo popped back into the fight. Hannah doubled back to finish the fight with the wendigo, in that split second, Matt grabbed Josh who was crouched beside the banister and threw themselves outside.
In her peripheral vision, Sam could see Y/N fussing over his beloved Josh who could only press his forehead into Y/N's shoulder. They were probably the center of everyone's attention out there, the fact that there was a stranger on a private mountain continued to be quite the fright no matter how many times it'd happened. Mike and Sam took calculated steps back, Mike was first out with Sam quick on his heels. Hannah noticed too late and was killed as Sam flipped the light switch on her way out.
Sam and Mike were flung out into the thick layer of snow as the building combusted behind them. Everyone stared into the inferno except Y/N, who ran over to help her stand. "Thanks," She was happy to see him, of course, that was her baby boy after all, but a tiny bit of her was mad he wasn't gone yet "what are you still doing here?"
"I, uh, caused a forest fire." he pointed his thumb towards the dwindling flames behind him "Didn't want Josh to have to deal with that on his own. Well, it was pretty big when I went through it but now it just seems unnecessary."
She let out a long breathy laugh and wrapped her arms around him tightly "So glad you're safe." he reciprocated the hug cheerfully, Josh placed his hand on Y/N's shoulder. His presence forced Sam to pull away "You guys need to get going, don't you?"
They nodded, Josh kissed the top of Y/N's head before they turned to their left where everybody stood wanting to say goodbye. Emily and Jess mumbled apologies and well wishes, but neither could meet the boys eyes. Mike and Matt stepped forward, Mike pat Josh's shoulder and gave him a tight, conflicted smile "Congratulations man. You stay safe, alright?"
Josh murmured an assurance and turned his attention to Matt, who gave him a loose hug "Hope you guys are happy together wherever you end up," he broke the hug and looked to Y/N "you better treat him right or you're dead."
The pair furrowed their brows, Y/N tilted his head and Josh squeezed his shoulder "Okay, calm down, bro. He's good to me." Matt raised his hands in surrender, laughing.
Chris and Ashley came next, they were hiding at the back and Emily and Jess pushed them forward. Emily must've told Jess the situation so now she was as desperate as Emily to keep Chris quiet and that probably included Josh's forgiveness of him, they couldn't give a fuck about either of them, they were just trying to save their own skin. Still, if they were encouraging Chris to apologise, Sam couldn't really complain, at least not until they were safely off the mountain.
Ashley squeezed Chris' hand, a small act of support to let him know he wasn't alone, with her securely at his side he began "I'm sorry-"
As his voice broke, Josh removed his hand from YN's shoulder and pulled his best friend into a warm embrace "I know, buddy. I know. You fucked up, didn't you?" Chris nodded sheepishly "I can't- like, forgive you for it." again, Chris nodded, this time in acknowledgement "But I'll let you off, alright?" he pulled away so they could look one another in the eye "Don't torture yourself over it."
Chris sucked in a huge shaky breath "Yeah. Th-thanks, Josh."
"You're my brother, Chris. I love you." The boys gave each other the same bittersweet smile.
"Love you too, man."
"Alright, alright," Y/N grumbled, shoving Chris away and stepping in between them "that's enough." Josh wrapped an arm around his waist, pulled him closer and kissed the top of his head, giggling all the while.
Ashley brought Chris back to the safety of the group, leaving the couple staring into the still warm embers of the woods when Sam's hand landed on Josh's shoulder, turning them around to face her. Before they could say anything, she brought them both in for a hug and squeezed so hard all three stopped breathing for a few long seconds "Oh, I am gonna miss you two dorks!" She squealed.
"Yep, you too-" Josh wheezed.
Y/N nodded the best he could through the tightness "Mhm, love ya, Sammy."
Sam finally let go the tiniest bit to stare at them, Josh and Y/N, her boys, her favourite boys. "I'm serious!! You guys just... I'm so happy for you, Josh!" she exclaimed and pulled them right back in.
"Thanks, Sam."
Y/N tore himself away and nervously stutter "M'sorry about the- bout the t-towel..."
"Shush," she waved him off "that's hardly the worst thing that's happened tonight."
"Still..."
"I know. Don't you worry about it. I don't want you wasting your time thinking about me." At the reminder of their ultimate goal, "One last thing," she reached into her back pocket and pulled out Josh's phone, "here." then passed it over to him "Leave no trace, right?" Josh stared at the phone for a few seconds, just as she had for hours, just as he had for years, then snapped it in half and chucked it into the firestorm.
"That feel good?" Y/N asked, he watched Josh's reaction.
Josh beamed down at him, kissing his forehead three times in a row "Very."
"Alright, that rescue team has gotta be here soon, so you two should..." Sam nodded her head behind her.
"Yeah." Josh kissed Y/N's forehead again.
Sam poked Josh in the side with her elbow "Listen, dorks, I want an invite to the wedding, alright?"
"Ha ha." Y/N rolled his eyes.
"Don't laugh, gorgeous, you know I'm getting you a ring as soon as we land right?"
"Oh God, how ugly is that ring gonna be after, what 37 hours without sleep?"
"Well, it's the thought that counts."
"No thought is going into that."
Sam rolled her eyes and shooed the boys away "Alright, enough flirting. Move." Y/N pulled Sam in for a quick hug and thanked her for her help then took Josh's hand and the couple sprinted into the forest. As the sound of helicopter blades whirring became clearer, Sam rallied the group together and told them all the story they were supposed to tell the police. "-the main structure is completely destroyed..." Sam wouldn't let anyone turn away, everybody had to recite their story by heart "-survivors. Let's pick 'em up."
~~
Interview Room 1, Samantha Giddings, 10:37, 02.03.15-
Redacted- How well did you know Mr. Washington?
Samantha Giddings- Pr-Pretty well, I was close with Hannah before she- *Shaky Inhale*
Redacted- That was one of his sisters, correct?
Samantha Giddings- *Nods*
Redacted- Alright, can you tell us about the last time you saw him?
Samantha Giddings- Uh, sure, we just turned the boiler on in the basement cause I wanted to have a bath. *Laughs* And then Chris showed up and scared us.
Redacted- Scared you?
Samantha Giddings- Yeah, he got dressed up in some old movie costume Josh's dad left somewhere and chased us to the door.
Redacted- So everyone was in high spirits?
Samantha Giddings- Maybe not high spirits exactly, but yeah comfortable at least.
Redacted- I have to ask, was Josh acting strange or out of character?
Samantha Giddings- *Shakes Head* No, I thought he'd be having a tough time after last year, but he seemed pretty normal.
Redacted- Alright. So after Chris scared you both?
Samantha Giddings- I went upstairs for my bath and I think Josh played one of those spirit board things with Chris and Ashley. I think, you know, I wasn't there.
Redacted- Right, and after your bath?
Samantha Giddings- *Sharp Inhale, Shaky Breath* My clothes were missing, and I couldn't find my bag, so I had to leave the bathroom to look for them, but there's like balloons pointing down the stairs and- *Shaky Breath* I thought it was just a prank, you know? We're always playing dumb pranks on each other.
Redacted- Even after last year?
Samantha Giddings- Old habits I guess.
Redacted- Wow.
Samantha Giddings- *Clears Throat* I, uh, followed the balloons to the- the theatre and a video stared playing and *Shaky Breath, Rapid Blinking*
Redacted- Are you alright, Ms. Giddings?
Samantha Giddings- *Wipes Right Eye With The Side Of Her Hand* Y-Yeah, just...*Long Pause, Shaky Breath* He had, uh... *Tucks Tongue Into Cheek, Rapidly Blinks, Covers Face With Hands, Whispers Something Unintelligible*
Redacted- Sorry, Ms. Giddings, can you repeat that?
Samantha Giddings- *Removes Hands From Face, Shouts* He fucking filmed me. In the bath and- *Sharp Inhale, Covers Face Again*
Redacted- Take your time
Samantha Giddings- Sorry... *Sniffles, Uncovers Face*
Redacted- It's alright if you don't remember exactly, but was it a static camera or handheld, do you know?
Samantha Giddings- Uh, it looked like it was just on the counter or something, it wasn't moving.
Redacted- Okay, so this was premeditated then.
Samantha Giddings- I guess so...
Redacted- Sorry for interrupting, please continue.
Samantha Giddings-Yeah, so, uhm, *Clears Throat* another video starts playing and its... Josh, and he's being... *Shaky Breath* split in half by this huge fucking sawblade!
Redacted- That was filmed as well?
Samantha Giddings- *Nods* Uh huh.
Redacted- Interesting, sorry, keep going.
Samantha Giddings- Uh, basically, he starts this- this countdown and appears in the doorway behind me with a gas tank. *Shudders*
Redacted- Are you alright, Ms. Giddings?
Samantha Giddings- Can I- Can I have a Minute?
Redated- Of course, take as long as you need.
Transcript Closed, 11:40, 02.03.15
Transcript Reopened, 10:49, 02.03.15
Redacted- Alright, so, you said you saw him in the doorway?
Samantha- Yeah, just... he had me cornered so that my only option was to run into the basement, I did, ob-obviously, and I just ran the whole way, at- at some point I hit him with a baseball bat.
Redacted- Oh? Hard?
Samantha Giddings- I guess? I was more focused on getting away.
Redacted- He may have a concussion or something, that could help us find him. Great job, Ms. Giddings.
Samantha Giddings- *Long Pause* You're welcome...? A- Anyway, I, uh, somehow managed to escape him by hiding in an old elevator shaft.
Redacted- That's lucky.
Samantha Giddings- Y-yeah... sure...
Redacted- How did you avoid getting caught afterwards?
Samantha Giddings- I just wandered around the vents for a while until I heard Chris and Ashley screaming. Then I got out and helped them.
Redacted- You never saw him again?
Samantha Giddings- No.
Redacted- Before we continue, could you describe his appearance?
Samantha Giddings- I can try, but everything was covered so it won't be a ton of help.
Redacted- Anything can help.
Samantha Giddings- Uh, alright, he was pretty tall, maybe 6'3, 6'4, and really bulky. He wore, like, a big thick green jacket and had a white mask that kinda looked a tiny bit like a skull, I guess would be the best way to describe it.
Redacted- Was the jacket similar to the ones Mike and Jess were found in?
Samantha Giddings- Yeah, it was the exact same.
Redacted- Interesting. *Long Pause* Ms. Giddings, forgive my brashness, but... *Short Pause* has Mr. Munroe ever given you any... worry, I suppose? Any inclination that he may be... unstable, in any way?
Samantha Giddings- Wha- Mike?! No, definitely not, Mike isn't violent at all!
Redacted- He's the only person completely unaccounted for all night.
Samantha Giddings- Jess was with him-
Redacted- Ms. Riley can barely talk, we can't expect her to have perfect memory, can we?
Samantha Giddings- He didn't-
Redacted- Ms. Riley was found in half naked in the mines by Mr. Taylor. Mr. Munroe was alone with her in a secluded cabin, and she's found half naked and on deaths door at the base of an elevator shaft in a mine system. You don't think that's cause for alarm?
Samantha Giddings- No! She would've told us if he-
Redacted- Post-Traumatic Amnesia. Anterograde Amnesia. Retrograde Amnesia. Dissociative Amnesia. Anything could be going on in her head after a traumatic event like that.
Samantha Giddings- You think he raped her?!
Redacted- I'm not ruling it out.
Samantha Giddings- He would never! He makes dirty comments but he'd never-
Redacted- The assailant you just described sounds exactly like Mr. Munroe. Tall, muscular, green jacket.
Samantha Giddings- What about-
Redacted- Ms. Davis saw the same person in the mines, when Mike would've been unaccounted for. That was his ex girlfriend, correct? And you couldn't identify the person who filmed you in the bath and chased you in a towel. Ashley was drugged, you and Emily were almost, where as Chris and Josh were physically attacked.
Samantha Giddings- You're being ridiculous! Mike wouldn't drug us!
Redacted- All four woman on the mountain reported being physically attacked in some way, two of whom, yourself included, were in a state of undress. We cant take that lightly, Ms. Giddings
Samantha Giddings- Mike didn't do it! I don't care what you try and say.
Redacted- Alright, alright, sorry I upset you, Samantha. What did you do after freeing Mr. Hartley and Ms. Brown?
Samantha Giddings- We sat in the living room until Emily came, she told us what happened to her then we all found weapons and stayed there til we smelt a gas leak and left before the fire started. How could Mike have done that if he wasn't there yet, huh?
Redacted- I was just keeping options open.
Samantha Giddings- I hope you can figure it out, I really do, but please don't try to pin this on any of my friends. *Short Pause* Can I go now?
Redacted- *Long Pause* Yeah. Go on.
Samantha Giddings- Thank you.
Killer Remains At Large
The Murder On Blackwood Mountain Still Unsolved After A Month With No Suspects
An~comment if I mentioned your birthday, I'm curious now lol guys. Guys. GUys. GUYs. GUYS. JOSH X YN. ID DIE FOR THEM. I MEAN IT. Im so jealous of you boys, but you deserve your treats too, so I'm happy to provide 💚💙When I'm in a 'writing an absurdly long UD fic' contest and Elliebean714 walks in :O Sorry for bad capitalisation/punctuation/grammar, I'm too lazy to fix it, but I'll write a billion word fic on a dime bc girlhood is a spectrum. Me when the homosexuals hold hands🎊💗🎉 Don't know how to write smooching scenes, but i do it because I love it. Josh is blessed with physical touch (& PDA) being his love language and cursed with having to keep his bf secret, I'm DYING SOMEONE CALL THE ER This is mostly dialogue. I'm sorry, ITS THE ONLY THING I WRITE WELL. I made cookies earlier and they were fucking amazing. literally just downed the whole plate in 10 minutes. always add double the vanilla extract, its the best part. Let me know if you liked the drawing! if you didn't, keep that to yourself, please. im sensitive :( i didnt do the background though, so i guess you can bully me for that ifweregonnagowegottagotonightgotonightgoootonightifweregonnagowegottagotonightgotonightgoooooootonight. TELL ME JOSH DIDNT JUST PROPOSE. LOOK ME IN MY COLD DEAD EYES AND TELL ME HE DIDNT JUST PROPOSE. i can never imagine something in my head so my descriptions are always butt, so sorry my beloveds, i should probably get into screenwriting instead. sorry bout the Swedish btw. couldnt resist the call of the swedes. Laughingatmysistercauseshewantstoformaharem imjustsayinifyoureallylovedmeyouwouldsharehim dgrfjvtyuytryggty love you guys smmm<3<3 lol i just had to look up smg to make sure i was right about the simile i was using, guys look up pictures of fish with gaping mouths, its hilarious. im cracking tf up. ignore the ai slop though. i want real, authentic fish mouths. HEHEHE JOSH'S FAKE NAME WAS ALMOST GEIUS FUC LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I need to go to bed im giggling over fish and geius fuc.
Pre-Game & During-Game
Sam sprinted down the stairs in time to see a frantic Emily being led to the couch by Ashley and Chris. The trio bombard her with questions, fire tower fell, Matt's dead, Emily was in the mines, found Beth's head, was even supposedly chased by a 'monster', when told about Josh, she adamantly denied that possibility. Then Mike ran in and before anything else, there was a knock at the door and everything changed.
~~
Chris bravely made the choice to get Josh, so he left with the stranger and Sam and Ashley remained in the living room upstairs while Mike and Emily went down to the basement. Ashley waited anxiously by the windows, Sam sat on the couch with the folder in her lap.
She resisted the temptation to open the folder, she didn't know if she'd have the time, anything could happen at any moment. The texts were quicker, Sam pulled the phone back out of her pocket, opened it back up where she left off and swiped up and landed in February, skimming through, it seemed like she stopped at the start of their Valentines week.
February 11th 2013
Sooooooo-
-Sooo...
Did you like the letter?-
-Ah, so YOU'RE my secret admirer????
Yup. Expect to be spoiled all week <3<3-
-Woah, woah, woah! What made you all confident?
Beth. She's the one putting everything there. I'm doing it for her gf-
-Aw, man! Wish I would've thought of that!
We could've done something for you guys too!
Don't worry!! We wanted to surprise you both!-
Because we love you<3
-I do like this lovey dovey Josh, can he stay longer?
Just until Sunday. Then I'm back to brooding.-
-Well, I guess I'll appreciate him while I have him
Can you wait for me in the parking lot after school?<3-
-Ooh, are you asking me on a date??
<3-
-Ehehehe, I guesssss
If you REALLY want
I doooooo<3-
-YOURE SO CUTE!!!
One week only, folks, one week only-
(Josh's Pov)
The hallways were always crowded at lunch, the afternoon sun shone through the floor to ceiling windows opposite the wall of lockers. Josh waited in the corner with a few of his friends in a group waiting for the rest to join. He was zoning out whatever Mike was saying, staring at a specific point in the distance. To anyone else it just seemed he was staring into space, stuck in his own head, but of course, if you knew Josh, really knew him, you'd see it so clearly. Y/N's locker.
This was one of the only times Josh got to see Y/N during a school day. They shared 3 classes, but sat on opposite sides of the room, the only plus side of this arrangement was that one always has a perfect view of the other. Josh felt his stomach flip when Y/N walked into his sight. His lips were pressed together in a tight line to hold back his smile as he watched Y/N across the hallway. He walked to his locker with his friends and laughed at one of their jokes. Josh watched his face brighten when he opened it and the letter that was shoved through the slits fluttered to the floor.
He quickly crouched down to grab it before anyone could see, but his friends got all into a frenzy over Y/N, their single, lonely Y/N having a secret admirer. He caught Josh's eye from across the room for a split second, however, they both looked away just as quick. The letter was generic cheesy love letter stuff, but that didn't make its contents any less sincere.
Later, Josh found him crouched by his truck, staying out of sight like he'd done so many times. He greeted Y/N politely as he crawled into the truck and hid under the dashboard like he was known to do, only climbing out when the truck stopped at a red light a good couple miles out.
And Josh drove. For hours along the coast. The boys talked, and they laughed, and they sang along to whatever popular songs were on the radio, and when they got hungry, they grabbed take out from the closest fast food joint and ate on the roof of his truck, watching the sun slowly set over the cliffside beach 4 hours from home.
With their fingers tangled, Y/N leaned back into Josh's chest and Josh, predictably peppered Y/N in little kisses wherever he could. "I love you..." he mumbled against Y/N's hair.
Y/N, grinning, rolled his head all the way back to look up at Josh, "Love you too," Josh leaned down to kiss his lips softly. Afterwards, Y/N returned to his first position laying on Josh, a few more seconds of peaceful silence passed "A whole week of this?" he asked, watching the sun set.
Josh hummed, kissed his hair again and mumbled "Could be a whole life..."
"Mmmh, is that right?"
"Sure is."
"Can I ask how?"
"Mmh, I'll figure it out."
Y/N tore his eyes from the coast and gazed up at Josh, who continued to stare ahead "So... you're talking shit?"
"What??" Josh looked down at him with a puzzled expression.
"You don't have a plan! You're just dreaming."
"I said I'd figure it out! Shouldn't be that hard..."
Y/N laughed at him "Uh huh? Good luck, buddy." He lowered his gaze back down to face the steadily fading sun.
(Sam's Pov)
The whole week continued like this, secret romantic gestures hidden in plain sight and they kept ramping up throughout the week. Everything made Y/N ridiculously happy. Judging off that week, they were in a great spot.
She raised her head, there was a distant scream coming from far outside and Ashley paced along the windows anxiously biting her nails. "Anything?"
Ashley shook her head "No... Haven't seen him for a while..." Sam nodded in recognition, swiped up again and read the first conversation it landed on.
May 24th 2013
-I'm so excited for this weekend, you don't even KNOW!!!
Just threw my bags in your truck btw. Left the keys in the mailbox like you said.
Thanks babe, I'm just as excited as you. Don't worry.-
-You better fuckin be, a literal whole weekend camping and traveling with ya lova boi
Ain't nothin better.
Nothin better<3-
May 25th 2013
I'm at the meeting spot-
Where you at, cutie?
-Gimme a minute, I'm grabbin snacks.
Could've done that earlier, but I won't complain if I can benefit-
Can you grab me Nerds please??
-You can pay if you'd like
Then I'll get you whatever your little heart desires.
What if I want to be spoiled too?-
-I spoil you with my love and presence.
Not many can say that
Also, why would you want Nerds when you already have the best one who loves you oh so much?
Get me Nerds or I'll cyberbully you-
-I'll get you the tiny pack with like three nerds in it total.
NO. YOU GAY LOSER. BRING ME ALL THE NERDS OR BRING ME DEATH.-
-Hmph. If I must
You must-
(16:23)
Where'd you go?-
Come help with the tent!
-I'll be there in a minute
I'm taking pictures for my mom
Mamas boy-
-At least my mama likes me
Ouch-
Unnecessary
But not untrue
-Hey, who needs her? I like you enough for the two of us.
Actually for everybody.
Damn, boi, just say you wanna fuck me-
-I WANNA FUCK YOUUUUUUU
Then come help with the tent-
-IN A MINUTE, BITCH
(Josh's Pov)
Later that night, the boys sat in the middle of Death Valley National Park eating junk food and drinking cheap beer. Well, Josh was drinking, Y/N gave up after four sips. They both gazed up at the stars in silence, amazed by the night sky without light pollution. "You ever seen anything like this?" Y/N whispered, like talking too loud would scare the stars away.
"Only on google." Josh took a swig in a futile attempt to keep himself from saying something stupid.
"Mmh, is that why we're here? You saw this place on 'Top ten places to make out in Cali?'" Y/N brushed his shoulder against Josh's teasingly.
Josh dropped his gaze to the desert beneath his feet, he shook his head and took a gulp "Just wanted to see it before I left."
Y/N turned to face Josh after he said that cryptic shit, "What does that mean...?"
"I figured it out. We could run away, I know how."
"S-Sorry, what?" Y/N furrowed his eyebrows, wearing an expression of confusion.
Josh raised his head to examine Y/N's reaction "I've been saving, I have enough to get us an apartment anywhere."
"No! I mean it, name a place, I'll take you there."
"Uh," Y/N racked his brain thinking of the most outlandish option to challenge Josh's confidence "Sweden."
"I can do that."
Y/N laughed "Shut up!"
"I mean it! I want to run away with you, I can't stay here with my family, I'll literally die." Josh dug the base of his quarter full bottle of beer into the sand, "I want you to come," he droped his gaze down to follow the bottles movement "but I won't force you." They were plunged back into silence as Y/N thought everything through. Josh hated that silence, it went on forever.
Y/N spoke up, "I..." but the words got lost in his throat. "How... I mean-" he laughed and brought his face back to the nebula above him "What about my parents? I... can't just go..."
Josh took a deep shaky breath, nodded, and took a long swig to finish his drink "Okay."
"I want to, but-"
Hearing that invigorated Josh with newfound determination "We're almost out of school! Once we are, we can go!" he turned to Y/N, who mirrored the action "If you want to, then we can, come on! You don't owe anybody anything."
"Josh, I-"
"Your mom would want you to be happy. Once we're away, I can show you off. I can make you happy." Josh reached for Y/N's hand and encased it in his own. "Please, don't be tied down by anyone else. If you want to, then we will."
Y/N stared down at their connected hands "Talk me through the plan. Then I'll decide."
Upon invitation, Josh jumped into a long and rehearsed monologue, describing the whole intricate plan, he even brought up ideas of fake ID's, at least for Josh so his family couldn't find him. It honestly kind of scared Y/N to see just how prepared he was. He had an answer for any and all questions Y/N could ask, by the end, Y/N was stunned into silence.
A few moments later, he smiled, almost imperceptibly, and nodded. That was the best weekend of Josh's life.
(Sam's Pov)
A screech tore Sam from the phone. She frantically put it away, lodged the folder under her arm, a terrified Chris appeared at the door and Ashley helped him inside, once the door was slammed closed behind them, the girls noticed Chris' limp and ran to either side of him to help him get to the basement.
The basement was as dark and damp as Sam remembered it from her brief visit. They had to travel for a while before finding Mike and Emily standing tense and awkward in a far away room of the old hotel. Chris found himself a corner to sit and tremble while everyone else looked through the various documents, Sam decided to open the messages back up. She was so close to the end. She had to know what happened. Same routine, Sam swiped up and read the first texts that popped up.
June 6th 2013
Was that my hoodie???-
-Huh?
I just walked passed you-
Are you wearing my hoodie??
-Hehehe
Maaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyybbbbbbeeeeeeeeee
WHYYYY-
-We graduate today! Nobody gaf
YOU LOOKED ADORABLEEEEEE-
I can't do this when you're sat in my hoodie
You're so cute!!!!!
-I'll be wearing a giant robe. You won't see anything.
But I'll know. I'll know you're wearing my hoodie like a little harlot-
-Oh, Y/N is such a naughty boy
He is! My friends could see you in ittttttttttt-
-OOOOOOHHHH ISNT THAT SCANDALISTTTT
Yes-
I CAN HEAR YOU LAUGHING FROM HERE
-Sowwy, papa
No. I will break up with you.-
-NOOOOO DADDY, IM SOWWYYYYY
Electric chair-
(Josh's Pov)
Josh didn't even remember Y/N stealing his hoodie in the first place. He remembered realising it was missing and assuming Y/N took it, but he never thought Y/N would wear it in public! He was so fucking lucky none of his friends saw! (Because they definitely would recognise a plain black hoodie on some quiet kid none of them knew as Josh's. IT WAS SUCH A RECOGNISABLE ITEM!!!)
Y/N really picked a bad day to tease him. It was one of the only days they couldn't see each other, Josh's friends were making him throw a party to 'celebrate', but that was obviously an excuse to get drunk and wreck shit.
The music was blaring, testing the speakers max volume, cheap vodkas and beers filled the plastic red cups littering every room you'd walk into. People were making out behind every closed door, some were shameless enough to do it in front of all the party goers. Everything was on display.
Josh stood in the corner, getting talked at by a couple people he vaguely recognised, when his pupils dilated and he felt his heart beginning to race... Y/N was here... In Josh's hoodie.
His cheeks reddened, eyed widened, mouth dried. Why is he here???Josh quickly excused himself from the meaningless conversation and hurried over to a somewhat secluded corner, where he pulled out his phone and frantically typed:
(19:28)
WHY AREYOU HEREJ!?-
Then lifted his gaze to Y/N standing laughing across the room with his friends, it took a few agonising minutes (20 seconds) before Y/N finally checked the text. Josh watched him let out an amused huff even though he couldn't hear it. He typed for a few moments before sliding his phone back into his pocket and re-joining the conversation going on around him, it took several seconds for Josh to receive the message, which he hurriedly opened.
(19:29)
-Got invited? Its a party, bro. Chill
Josh felt humiliation rising in his stomach, up to his throat, tightening, filling, until he felt like he might suffocate, puke, die even, he had to get out. His shaky hand found a stable surface and he used it to guide his unsteady legs over to the stairs, where he gripped onto the rail and dragged himself up to his room. "Get out." He called with a hoarse voice to the couples having sex inside as he threw the door open, he repeated himself when they didn't immediately disappear.
When the door eventually slammed shut behind the last one, Josh allowed himself to collapse. His frantic breathing left his head spinning, his eyes watering, his throat closing in on itself. Moments later a knock cut through the heartbeat thudding in his ears "Go away!" he yelled at the sound.
"No, dickhead." Beth pushed the door open, inviting herself and the music in, "What happened to you?" She closed the door behind her and sat beside Josh on the floor.
Josh rubbed his forehead "Y/N's here."
"Uhh... and? He's here all the time."
"Yeah, but-" He shook his head, panic slowly turning back to humiliation "Never mind, you wouldn't get it." He lowered his head into his hands.
"Yes I would, but okay." Beth rubbed Josh's shoulders comfortingly, they sat in silence until his breaths stabilized and he could think coherently "Want me to go get him?"
"What?" Josh sniffed.
"People think me and Y/N are hooking up since his buds caught me leaving him presents during Valentines." She explained nonchalantly.
Josh raised his head to give her an incredulous look "How bad are you at putting flowers on a desk without anybody seeing?"
"I wanted to get caught." Beth paused, like that was enough of an answer, before being implored to continue by Josh's stupid, pathetic face "So I could hang with him without arousing suspicion," again she paused, and rolled her eyes when that still wasn't enough "He's cool, man, I love him. You're lucky I'm gay as fuck or I'd be all over him."
Josh rolled his eyes "Shut up."
Beth scoffed "Do you want me to go get him or not?"
"No. It's a party. Let him have fun. I'm gonna just stay up here for a bit."
"Alright. Whatever you say." Beth stood from her spot on the floor "Have fun, loser."
(Sam's Pov)
Emily and Mike squabbled over what to do next. Sam scrolled up as they argued. Emily wanted to stay put until the rescue team arrived, Ashley and Sam were inclined to agree, but Mike grew restless. He couldn't wait, Sam spared a quick glance at the screen, it had landed on a picture of Josh and Atlantis, then looked right back up at Mike, who'd made the decision to head off to the mines to find Josh's body despite everyone else's warnings.
God, Josh's body. The notion make her stomach ache with grief, her best friends brother, her big brother in a way, and a complete stranger, one she's spent hours relearning, meeting for the first time. He'll never see Y/N again, and Y/N won't know what happened to him, he'll just become another tragedy lost to the snowflakes of time.
Mike took off and Sam brought her eyes down to the phone, blinking away tears until the image became clear again, it comforted her. Looked warm and cozy in there, so vibrant and alive...
November 9th 2013
-Y/N sent a photo
-My CUTIESSSSSS!!!!
She looks upset at being held-
-She saw the treat in my hand
0hhhh-
So you bribed her?
-Yes Sir
Why else would she like me more?
You evil beast-
-Rawr
(Josh's Pov)
Josh allowed himself a small smile, but only for a moment, before he flipped his phone around and laid it face down on his desk. His eyes landed back onto the faux document in front of him. A passport falsified by a very handsomely bribed government employee shook in his hand.
He shoved it back into the envelope and tossed it in his drawer hiding everything else he'd been collecting over the last few months, almost done. Josh closed the drawer and picked back up his phone.
(16:09)
Hej snygging-
Hur är din svenska?
-Inte bra
Du kommer att bli bättre, älskling-
-Jag försöker
Stolt över dig, älskling-
-Sluta vara nedlåtande mot mig!!!!!
He chuckled at his dramatic reaction. He could hear the pout through the phone, could also tell Y/N used a translator, but he was doing his best. And Josh did too so who was he to judge?
~~
Luckily that evening Y/N was off work and his parents went off to some work party, so Josh was free to jog over to Y/N's and discuss the plan. And make carrot cake for Y/N's mom, which he was less excited about, but any excuse to see Y/N was a good excuse.
In the kitchen, Lo-Fi beats filled the quiet air between the boys while they worked on opposite counters, Josh had the easy job of chopping walnuts, which he wasn't doing too well, since he was more busy talking Y/N's ear off about his whole plan. He knew Y/N was rolling his eyes the whole time, but he was just so excited and proud of himself, he couldn't help it.
Once he completed the gruelling task of chopping up a few handfuls of walnuts, Josh moved them to a small plastic tub and placed them next to Y/N's other ingredients. Y/N was busy grating the last of the carrots when Josh wrapped his arms around his waist and fixed his chin onto his right shoulder, as always, a perfect fit. He stayed there as long as he could, swaying along to the gentle rhythm before Y/N shoved him away with his hip so he could advance to the mixing part, so Josh moved on over to Atlantis, who was chilling in a cardboard box by the trash can instead of her nice, plush bed as any cat would.
"Heya, girl..." He scratched her furry head causing her to close her eye and purr softly. After a quick moment, he called out to Y/N behind him, "You need any more help or can I go snuggle with the Missus?"
"Have fun." Y/N waved him off.
With his permission, Josh reached into Atlantis' cardboard sanctuary and carefully picked her up and brought her to the couch. He sat down on the plush pillows and the fuzzy throw blankets and laid Atlantis on his chest. Josh cooed sweet nothings about how beautiful she was, what a good girl, and pampered her with hugs and kisses.
The music from the kitchen as well as the mellow sounds of Y/N bustling around travelled through the house and kept them company while they cuddled. "Good kitty," he murmured, kissing her soft cheek repetitively "such a good kitty." The oven door opened and closed and seconds later, Y/N appeared in the doorway with a cat treat in his hand.
As he walked over too the couch, Josh and Atlantis must've looked too adorable to resist because he pulled out his phone and snapped a picture after sitting down.
(Sam's Pov)
Ashley comforted Chris in their own corner, Emily curled up into a ball, terrified of encountering the monster that terrorised her in the mines again, Sam stared down, past the phone, at the folder in her lap. Enough waiting, what was in this fucking thing? Probably had nothing to do with Y/N, but this wasn't about him, it was about helping Josh.
But Josh was... dead. Was going through his stuff really the best thing to do in lieu of the circumstances? If she was doing it all to help Josh then there was no reason to keep snooping... right?
Ugh, fuck it. Sam opened the flap at the front of the folder and scanned the first document poking out, some sort of college acceptance letter? She plucked the paper out to examine it closer, yep, an acceptance letter from some Uni she'd never heard of before, but it wasn't addressed to Josh.
January 11th 2015
'Dear Y/N L/N,
We are pleased to inform you that your application for admission to study abroad at Linnaeus University has been accepted...'
Sam was sure she looked like a fish with her gaping mouth, but who could blame her??? Why did Josh keep this- no, how did he get it? Its dated this year!
She slid the paper back in its place and brought out something shorter but thicker... two actually. When her hand emerges from the depths of the paper stock folder, she's holding two passports between her index, middle and ring fingers. She opens the first one with her free hand, Y/N's face, Y/N L/N, the other one, Josh's face, someone else's name.
Wh-What? It made no... she settled them back in their place, this can't be right... she drew out another A4 document, so many that several pieces of paper had been stapled together, she hastily scanned the pages for clarification, Study Permit... Approved... Y/N... Immigrating...? Her head swirled but she kept going, the same name as the one on the passport next to Josh's face, Dylan Williams, Work Permit, Approved-
Sam quickly opened the phone and scrolled down, this must've been planned recently- oh... fuck... he brought it up last year...
January 17th 2014
-Finally found my passport
It was hiding in my moms room
Glad you found it-
-And I found Atlan's forms, so she's coming too
SICK-
NICE ONE BABYY
-Lmao why are you more excited about her than me?
We could long distance if we had to-
Cant really long distance with a cat
-Aw poor Joshie missing his kitty
Always-
January 30th 2014
-Have you got everything?
Yerp. In the folder-
-Sure?
Check one more time to be safe, please
Kay. Gimme a sec-
Yep. Got everything
-Great. And you're sure you've got money up there?
YES! STOP WORRYING SO MUCH!!-
-Someone has to
February 2nd 2014
-Everything okay?
How'd it go?
(16.29)
-Josh? How was the weekend? Coming home soon?
Miss you!
(19.35)
-Hey! Haven't heard from you or Beth, but I guess you've been held up?
Just text me when you get these, please
So I can stop worrying
Love you!
(22.38)
-Josh?
Gonna head to bed, so don't be mad if I don't answer asap, but can you PLEASE call me?
Or text me
Something
Anything to let me know you're okay
February 3rd 2014
-Decided to stay up. Maybe time zones are weird over there?
Work is gonna suck tomorrow lmao
TEXT MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
(04.10)
-DO YOU LIKE WATCHING ME PANIC?????
ITS NOT FUNNYYYYYY
(08.50)
-Got a couple hours sleep. Just getting to work now
Hoping you'll have sobered up and texted me by lunch lol
Love you
(13.09)
-Okay, seriously, I'm getting worried, neither you or Beth?? What is wrong!?
(17.39)
-Finally off work! Gonna head over to yours
Just to check if you're home
Maybe you lost your phone?
And Beth too, I guess lol
Not gonna be a perv and eavesdrop before you accuse me of anything!!
Hope you're okay!
You better be okay, hear me?
Or I'm gonna kill you!
(19.13)
-JOSH!
WHERE ARE YOU!? YOUR PARENTS CAR IS GONE!
DID SOMETHING HAPPEN?
PLEASE TEXT ME NOW!!
(21.18)
-Are you still on the mountain?
I'm looking through police records but nothing has shown up
Don't know if that makes me feel better or not
Guess I'll see if you're home tomorrow?
Kay. Text me when you get these.
Sorry for blowing up your phone lol
February 5th 2014
They're gone-
-HEY
HOLY SHIT
I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD
ARE YOU OKAY?? WHAT HAPPENED??
WHO'S GONE?
Hannah and Beth-
They ran out in the middle of the night and we can't find them
-Wait, are you serious?
Oh my god that's horrible
Sorry I scared you-
-Shut up!
Don't worry about me right now!
Are you coming home? What's happening?
Don't know-
Cops made us all leave so they could search properly
We're in a hotel for the night
I think everybody else is going home
They talked to the cops
I think it's their fault
-Woah, what? Why? What happened?
Call I call you in a sec? Mom's about to leave-
-Sure. I'll be here
A few droplet of tears fell from her eyes onto the screen, making the system freak out and forcing her to turn it off and wipe it dry on her hoodie. She turned to face the wall beside her so as to not draw unnecessary attention to herself. The tears she held back burned her eyes without mercy, and her lips pressed themselves together so tightly the tension could've torn her skin.
Everything was flooding back. From the moment she stepped foot on that cable car to sitting in this dark dingy basement hiding from monsters that somehow managed to escape her mind all this time while she engrossed herself in all this history.
The girls... last year... if she tried harder, if she didn't hesitate, if she got there on time, if she followed them- she squeezed her eyes shut to prevent the flood from drowning her. After taking several deep, shaky breaths until they fell constant and reliable.
Almost done. Sam turned the phone back on and read through February, March and April, watching Josh deteriorate in real time all over again, until she saw the date she'd been dreading for hours, April 24th 2014. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she steadied herself, and read on...
April 24th 2014
-Josh, you're scaring me
Don't talk to me-
-I'm really worried about you, babe
Shut up. I mean it.-
-I can't when you're obviously hurting.
Let me help, please.
Please talk to me.
Go-
The
Fuck
Away
-I'm really scared. Can I please come over?
No.-
No. Leave me alone.
Don't talk to me.
Ever again.
-I know you don't mean that.
I never loved you-
-Now you're just trying to hurt me
I mean it-
I never loved you.
It was just a bit of fun for me
You took it far too seriously.
You're so fucking desperate for a chance for somebody to love you you'll put up with being kept a secret
It's pathetic
-Hint taken.
July 18th 2014
I wish I was good enough to love you-
(Read, 23.26)
Then it was over. No more messages, no more pictures, no more jokes or flirting, or 'I love yous', it was over.
And that hurt more than she could express. She couldn't comfort Josh, she couldn't share in the hurt and expose his secrets. Sam bit back the ocean of tears threatening to spill. In that moment she swore to herself and to Josh that once she was off the mountain, alive and well, she would find Y/N and take care of him. That's what Josh would've wanted.
She turned the phone off, its absence, a life story, both a weight off, and now on her shoulders, but at least she knew, then quickly checked the folder for... yep, here, an envelope full of cash, seemingly what made the folder so thick in the first place. More than enough to take care of him for the rest of his life.
"Hey, Sam?" Ashley's meek voice cut through the static inside her head.
She gave herself a good couple seconds before turning to face her with her most neutral possible expression, "Yeah?" Her voice was cracking and unfamiliar, instead of words, Ashley responded by passing a thick book over to her. Handwritten, and drawn looks like, presumably by the stranger they'd encountered.
At the reminder of his existence, Sam spared a quick glance at Chris who was still hunched over and trembling in his own right, then brought her attention back to the large leather bound book in her hands. She skimmed the page it was open on, something about the Wendigo being held at the sanitorium Mike was heading to.
Great. Of course she'd have to deal with that. Chris was in no state to walk at all, Emily was still far too shaken from her own encounter and, politely, Ashley wasn't going to try. So Sam had to.
"Kay." Her voice cracked again, she put on a brave face "You guys stay here, I'm gonna get Mike," Then she hurried out of the room towards the tunnel she first found Mike in, where else would he have gone?
She followed the creepy, dark tunnel for several minutes, but felt her blood run cold as she heard some banging, then frustrated grunts. "C'mon, c'mon-" A voice that didn't belong to Mike. She rounded three more corners, the sounds guiding her all the way to a huge set of metal double doors. A figure with its back turned to her looked around, presumably for another way through.
"Hello?" Her voice equal parts hopeful and terrified. The figure froze for a millisecond, then slowly turned to finally face her. A pit formed in her stomach as she stared at the face that had haunted her whole night...
Why is my wife hating on my top tier lore? This is so uncool. ✋😔
- 🍄 anon
It is incredible but brother, I spent like seven hours on those dumb bitches only for josh to burn down the kitchen making toast, burn the spaghetti so no one could eat it, eat 10 bowls of mac and cheese before his starving husband could have one. And yn kept passing out in the kitchen or on the way to bed. I AM SIVK OF MEN AND THEIR DISASTROUS WAYS.
ive been playing the sims 2 all day with josh and yn from my series dolh cause im a simp and yn just fucking died of starvation cause josh kept burning all the fucking food, and whenever it was good, yn was asleep so it would rot before he had any to eat, HE WOULD CONTANTLY BE ON THE VERGE OF DEATH ON THE VERGE OF PASSING OUT ND I COULDNT SABE THE STUPID BITCHH CAUSE HIS HUSBAND WAS A MORON AND BURNED DOWN THE KITCHEN MAKING TOAST
Cw~ Internalised Homophobia, Kinda Cheating (but also not?)
An~comment if I mentioned your birthday, I'm curious now lol guys. Guys. GUys. GUYs. GUYS. JOSH X YN. ID DIE FOR THEM. I MEAN IT. Im so jealous of you boys, but you deserve your treats too, so I'm happy to provide 💚💙When I'm in a 'writing an absurdly long UD fic' contest and Elliebean714 walks in :O Sorry for bad capitalisation/punctuation/grammar, I'm too lazy to fix it, but I'll write a billion word fic on a dime bc girlhood is a spectrum. Me when the homosexuals hold hands🎊💗🎉 Don't know how to write smooching scenes, but i do it because I love it. Josh is blessed with physical touch (& PDA) being his love language and cursed with having to keep his bf secret, I'm DYING SOMEONE CALL THE ER This is mostly dialogue. I'm sorry, ITS THE ONLY THING I WRITE WELL. yall know that song 'Eastside'????? JOSH. X. YN. AND ILL SAY IT TIL THEY DRAG ME INTO THE WHITE ROOM WITH PADDED WALLS. yall know when you write something so good and you just 💥💥? like sometimes ill read back what i just wrote and ill tense up and scream. is this what its like being proud of your work? is this normal or autism? THEY HAVE A DAUGHTER ARE YOU LISTENING!???!!!?!?!?!?!? lil smooch on the forehead for anybody who reads all my ans. that pic of justin bieber smiling in his mugshot is so me. <3 uhhhhhhh, so it just came out that they made a spongebob kit for the sims 4?? why?? who was frothing at the mouth for that?? its so hard to write scenes not including josh and yn. IDGAF ABT THESE DUMBBITCHES, GIMME MY LIL GAY BOYS OR GIVE ME DEATHHHHHHH. oooh is that a plot i see? is a plot finally fucking developing with 2 parts left? how sweet of you elliebelly.
Pre-Game & During-Game
(Sam's Pov)
Of course, it couldn't all be great. Sam had just finished reading josh panicking to Y/N after a bad talk with his parents. Her heart stung sympathetically as he explained why he was so upset. His parents had confirmed his worst fears, they could never accept a queer kid.
January 5th 2012
Y/N help I'm freaking out-
You there?
Please, I need you
-Hey, I'm here, calm down, it'll be alright.
Can you tell me what happened?
They know-
-Who knows what?
Help me understand, goofball
Sorry-
I was having dinner with everybody, and you know how horrible people just NEED to let you know how horrible they are?
-Yeah, I know what you mean for sure
Well my mom and dad started randomly talking about how awful the gays are and stuff-
And I kinda freak out inside, you know? And they call tell something is off
-Did you come out??
NO-
Nonononono nothing like that
-Then what's the problem?
They saw me get all pale and awkward-
They have to suspect something
What if they kick me out? I can't be on my own
-I know, calm down, they won't. Trust me
They don't know
They would've brought it up if they did
(18:02)
-Josh? You okay?
Yeah-
Sorry
Just had to find my anxiety meds
All good now
-Great.
Ily
Ily2-
(Josh's Pov)
Josh sighed and dropped his phone onto his chest. He stared up at the ceiling, feeling his heart slow and the pounding in his ears subside. Eventually all he could feel was the cool evening breeze from his open window and all he could hear was... footsteps coming up to his door? Oh shit-
"Josh, you okay? I wanna talk to you!" His little sister called from the opposite side of the locked door.
"Yeah, Beth, gimme a minute-" He chucked his phone into his bedside table with all those fucking meds nobody could pronounce then hurried to the door and unlocked it "what?"
She barged right past him and collapsed into the bean bag in the corner of the room, one he only put there so she'd have somewhere to sit, because for some reason Bethany Washington was allergic to sitting normally. "Dinner was weird, huh?"
Josh felt his stomach drop but did his absolute best to have no reaction "Yup." He closed the door, wiped his increasingly sweaty palms on his jeans and sat on the edge of his bed facing her.
Beth studied his face for anything, after a moment of silence she bluntly asked "You into guys?" The air left his lungs in a millisecond, he could feel his face going white, before he could respond she nodded, as though that alone confirmed it "Yeah. Knew it."
"Please don't tell-"
"Shut up, dude. I'm a lesbian. I won't tell if you don't."
Josh breathed slowly to help calm his racing thoughts, he nodded to save himself from saying something stupid.
"Cool... you gay?"
"Bi." He corrected, with a dry throat.
"Got a partner?"
A hint of a smile appeared on his face "Mhm. Boyfriend."
"Who? Does he go to our school?"
"Y/N L/N. He's in a couple of my classes"
"Oh, never heard of him."
"Good," Josh muttered under his breath. There was another beat of silence between them before they spoke in tandem, "how'd you know?"
"Can I see a picture?" They'd laughed, Josh nervously, Beth lightly, then Josh walked to his bedside table to grab his phone while Beth explained herself. "You had that same deer in headlights look I did my first couple times." Which made Josh turn a little red, he thought he hadn't reacted externally.
He returned to his spot on the edge of the bed, clicked the most recent photo, Y/N playing with Atlantis on his bed, and passed the phone to Beth "Uh, here's him." Her face brightened "Oh my god, Kittyyyy!!!" She gasped and smacked his arm playfully at her realization "That's why you're always covered in cat hair!" Josh just nodded with a wide-ish smile. "Oh, I love him, whats his name?"
"Y/N- nope. You meant the cat, Atlantis. And her."
"Aha~ oh, Atlantis. She's delightful." Beth passed the phone back. "Cute boy too, he single?"
"Shut up."
(Sam's Pov)
All Sam could do was hope it turned out okay afterwards. There was no real closure for her in the texts, and, well maybe the fact that, presumably, nobody knew he was bi was enough proof that things were alright in the end.
She decided to skip forward, nothing was catching her eye honestly. They were all becoming the same, she wasn't learning anything. She threw back her head in frustration, which was exactly what she needed, a break from staring at the phone. Sam looked around the room, Chris and Mike weren't back yet, Ashley was still curled up in a ball on the couch shivering and covered in pigs blood. Sam asked if she was alright, but the only answer was an almost imperceptible nod.
She'd considered heading out after the boys. To talk to Josh about it all. To have it all explained and answered. Why would he break up with Y/N? What could've gone so wrong? As badly as she wants the answers now, she knows he's definitely not stable at the moment, and everything she's looking for is in this phone. Or at least the questions that'll get her the truth.
So, Sam scrolled for a bit then stopped in May, mid-fight. It was a jarring shift, and very intriguing for her.
May 15th 2012
I didn't want to go, Y/N!-
Jesus Christ, its like you're not even listening!
-It doesn't matter if you wanted to, you still went on a date with someone who isn't your boyfriend of almost three years, Josh!
What did you expect to happen here?
I did it for US!-
To protect us, please, Y/N, fucking listen to me
-Us??
Josh it's all you.
It's about how scared YOU are of being found out
We're a secret because of YOU
You're protecting yourself.
Wow. Yeah, you're so fucking lucky you don't have to live in fear cause of this-
I'm genuinely scared for my safety every day I live in this house, but yeah, I should definitely be public with you.
Yeah, your feelings are way more important than my safety.
Thanks sweetie!
-YOU
WENT
ON
A
DATE
WITH
SOMEONE
ELSE
Don't try to turn me into the bad guy here.
Then I guess we're both the bad guy-
-If we have to do that, then you're so much worse
Can we talk about this tomorrow? I'm really tired-
-Don't run away. Talk to me.
Can we meet up tomorrow? I don't want to talk when we're this mad-
-School
Ditch, I really miss you-
-Fine. Let's take the night to cool off. See you tomorrow.
Love you-
(Read 01:51)
(Sam's Pov)
Her mouth was agape, Josh went out with someone else? Who!? Why?! Sam was racking her brain trying to remember if Josh ever went out with somebody, but nothing was coming to mind. She threw her head back, trying to think harder, and eventually gave up, there was nobody, that was why she was so shocked to find out Y/N existed at all.
"Hey, Ash?" Her voice cracked out, if she couldn't think of anything, the chances of Ashley being able to were negligible, but why not try? Ashley didn't respond verbally, she just lifted her head and looked at her. "Do you remember if Josh ever had a... girlfriend, or went on a date, or... I dunno, anything like that? I'm just trying to figure out why this happened."
"He said it was cause of Hannah and Beth, what would an ex girlfriend have to do with it?" Ashley spoke up, her voice was hoarse from being unused.
Sam leaned back trying to come up with an excuse "Yeah, but like, surely there's more to it? I mean I just find it hard to believe he flipped into... that in just a year, you know?"
"Well, I remember there was that one girl, 2 or 3 years ago that he went on one date with, but that's about it. I really don't think there was anything serious."
She looked down at the phone in her hands "Me neither." She sighed.
(Josh's Pov)
The diner was pretty much empty when Josh sat down. The sun shone through the windows and hit the thin glass vase in the middle where Josh placed a rose from the small bouquet he'd brought, and showered blue light over the opposite side of the table. His leg bounced as nerve induced adrenaline pumped through his bloodstream, if he messed up again today, he'd lose the love of his life.
Josh had already ordered Y/N's favourite meal from this place when he arrived. Wearing a look of weary eyes and frizzy hair matching Josh's own, signalling to him he'd also not gotten much sleep the night prior. But there was a subtle shift in his expression when his eyes found Josh's across the room, it brightened. Like it always did when they found each other across the room.
The ambient sounds of the diner were muffled by the increasing pounding in Josh's ears when he sat down. They'd held each others gaze from the moment Y/N found him, and held it for a good 10 seconds after he sat down, before Josh broke the tense silence with a nervous "I got you these," as he passed the roses over "I know you're upset, and you have the right to be, but I want you to know I love you. No matter what dumb shit I do to hide it."
Y/N took the flowers and placed them on his lap. "Can you just... can you talk me through it? Cause right now all I know is you went out with this girl and I'm expected to be okay with it."
Josh looked down in shame "I was scared. People were pressuring me, then wondering why I wasn't dating, and I just- I got paranoid, I'm so sorry. I found some girl and took her out in public to show it off."
The tension in the air thickened and Y/N sat there, mouth agape "Jesus Christ, Josh." He shook his head in disbelief "What the hell?"
Before Josh could defend himself, the waitress brought the food he'd ordered for them both before Y/N showed up. The woman gave the boys a look, it made Josh nervous, when he ordered food for two, she'd obviously assumed a girl would be coming instead. But now there's another boy sitting with roses in his lap and a wide eyed joyful expression at his favourite breakfast food. Although maybe Josh was reading into things, because the woman was still perfectly respectful as she placed the food in front of the boys and left. Josh dropped his head and mumbled under his breath "I know..."
"You really just found 'some girl' and used her like that? That's so mean! What were you thinking??"
"I was thinking..." Josh hung his head in shame "I was protecting myself. That's all it was. Didn't matter who I hurt, I just had to show my parents... I'm sorry. I was scared, I fucked up. I don't know how to fix it..." he'd begun tearing up by the time he trailed off, voice full of shame and regret.
Y/N leaned back in his chair, considering Josh's words. "Well, before anything else, you cannot see that girl anymore. Apologise and break it off, please." he says sternly.
Josh nods "100%, I already did a week ago. Don't worry about that."
"Right, good." He exhaled "And... Please talk to me... if you need to do this again. you can't do something like that without talking to me!"
"I will! I promise, never again. I wont ever be impulsive like that again. If im ever scared, or- or worried or anything, I'll tell you, and we can work it out together," Josh leaned in and reached in across the table to hold Y/N's hand "promise." his voice was shaky, but sincere.
Y/N exhaled slowly as Josh's words sink in "Alright. Okay," he lifted his gaze to meet Josh's weary one "I guess it wasn't, like, proper cheating so... I think we can work past this." He watched Josh's eyes light up, and could tell he was fighting back the urge to jump up and hug him, and cry, and kiss him and all that gay stuff.
Instead, a mumbled "Thanks," escaped the hidden smile on his lips, and it took a few extra seconds for the tension to dissipate before the boys could start eating. When they do, its quick so they don't have to talk, when they do, its light small talk, but its better than arguing. Afterwards, they share a short hug and part ways, thinking things through the whole way home.
(Sam's Pov)
Well, she may not have known exactly what happened, but the subsequent texts between them slowly became less strained, and they were able to get back to a somewhat normal, so it seemed to have worked out, whatever it was.
To liven her spirits, she decided to keep scrolling until she saw a picture of everyone's favourite girl.
August 29th 2012
-Y/N sent a photo
-Ya girl misses you
Oh, how I wish I didn't have to leave her-
-Ah, tis the cruel fate ae a soldier
Always scurrying towards 'em warzones in hopes of glory
When the true glory is wae yer lover and bairn
WHY ARE YOU SCOTTISH????????-
-Stop being racist, Joshua.
Good thing everything was back to normal by August. Maybe that fight was a piece of why they broke up, but it seems they weathered the storm this time.
-Y/N sent a photo
-Doing that thing where she digs her claws into me, but its meant to be sweet I guess.
Yeouch. Don't envy you much there, bud.-
-Yeouch is fuckin right, this shit is awful
-Y/N sent a photo
-Oh, but she's cute, how can I be mad?
Pretty privilege. Smh-
-Shake it all day and night boy, this girl can do anything to me
This sounds like an abusive relationship-
-And? Its my abusive relationship
(Josh's Pov)
Josh walked the streets of Burbank with a pep in his step as the sun began to set. He shook his shirt free of cat fur, remembering how affectionate little Atlantis had been, especially since it'd been a month since she'd seen him.
He had been walking in circles around the block, waiting for Y/N to text him saying his parents had left, and when he finally did, he sprinted (casually jogged) to Y/N's house, where he found Y/N in the doorway holding her in his arms.
When he approached, Atlantis jumped out of Y/N's gentle hold, and ran towards Josh. "Hey girlll!!!" He bent down to pet her back as she rubbed against his leg.
Y/N joined her soon after and gave Josh a quick kiss on the cheek in greeting "Hey me too, right?"
Josh picked up and kissed Atlantis on the top of her little kitty head, she purred loudly and bashed her head against his chest when he lifted his to smile at Y/N "Yeah, of course, everybody gets one." Y/N wrapped his arms around Josh, laid his head on his shoulder, and walked him inside the house.
~~
Even though it was light, and Josh could've just walked through the front door, he instead, made the choice to climb the wall and sneak into his room. Because who wants to ruin such a good day? As soon as his feet touch solid ground, he swipes his jeans in an attempt to clear them from cat hair, he smiled remembering how playful she was, how she clung to him, staying firmly in his lap so he wouldn't leave.
He knew the way to Y/N's room like the back of his hand, so he carried Atlantis all the way there while Y/N grabbed them some snacks and met them a few minutes later.
Y/N walked in on them cuddling on his bed, Josh laid on his side with Atlantis curled into him, gently purring. He placed the packets of junk food on the foot of the bed and joined them, laying on his side opposite Josh. Atlantis trilled and purred as she was showered in pets, cuddles, kisses and "Good girl"s between her two papas.
"Man, I remember when we first got her, she was all sooo anxious all the time. And really shy, remember? But every time you'd come over, she'd immediately come runnin' over for snuggles with dad 2." Y/N smiled faintly.
"Dad 2 feels mean."
"What? You're the sequel. Like a really good sequel."
"Am- Am I supposed to thank you?"
"Eh, no I guess I'm humble enough to live without one."
"Well, thank you."
"Oh em gee, what? This is so unexpected."
"Mmh, I love you."
"Smart move, I'm very good for you."
~~
After getting changed out of his cat hair covered clothes, Josh landed on his bed and opened his phone to find a photo of his boy and his daughter waiting for him.
God, he couldn't wait to leave this stupid fucking house.
(Sam's Pov)
Welp, Sam couldn't deny they were a funny couple. In fact sooo funny, it caught Ashley's attention. She stared at Sam for a few seconds before speaking up in a wabbly, yet very curious voice "What are you looking at??"
"Uh- uh- well- it's- uh..." Sam's face goes red as she struggles to explain why she's invading her friends privacy "It's Josh's phone...?" she answers with a guilty expression "But listen! I'm not trying to be weird, it's just-"
"I don't care." Ashley sniffles, rubbing her pink button nose in the hopes of warming it up. "You do what you have to."
Sam smiles a thin line "Uh huh," she nods, but Ashley's stamp of approval didn't do much to soothe her guilty conscience. She shouldn't really be doing this, should she?
Reading through her mentally unwell friends texts with an old lover. Even just thinking through it makes her feel shameful. The worst part was that she wasn't really doing it for evidence or explanation, it was cause she was invested. She'd started treating it like a novel or something, but it's not, these are real people, this isn't entertainment, she needs to either stop or be serious about it.
She knows the answer. Even recognising that continuing is weird and invasive, she can't stop. So take it seriously, what happened here, and how can it help Josh.
These texts are extremely helpful, of course, but there's one thing Sam hadn't thought of trying yet, looking through Josh's room to see if there's anything there. The workshop was full of the pyscho's stuff, his bedroom was sure to be full of Josh's stuff. That's what she needs to do, there's something in there. She's sure of it.
"Hey, give me a couple minutes, I'm heading upstairs to look for something." Sam was up on her feet and heading to the stairs before Ashley could react.
While walking up the stairs, Sam swiped once and let the messages land on mid 0ctober, climbing as she read:
October 16th 2012
-Your sister is awesome
-Y/N sent a photo
WHAT THE HELL?!?!-
WHERE DID YOU MEET HER??
AND WHY ARE YOU IN MY BEDROOM??????
-Lmao, I broke in cause I thought you'd be home
Oh. so you're a dirty rotten criminal?-
-Absofruitly
BTW, you're very cute in your yearbook pictures
IM GOING TO KILL BETH-
-AVGHCFXGFCJVCGFXHGVVHJBHJVTFYV
NOOOOOOOOOO
SHES THE BEST
She's also gonna go missing-
-YOURE CUTEEEEEE PROMISEEEE
Yup. Youre going missing too-
Cant have any witnesses
-NEOOOO I AM INNOCENTTTTT!!!
Tell it to the judge-
(Josh's Pov)
Josh started going to school without prompting, which used to be a once a year occasion, but I guess some people just influence you without you even knowing. But Y/N had also been influenced by a certain someone, and decided to not go to school after his dentist appointment. What could he say, he shrugged with a smug little smile when Josh interrogated him afterwards, he thought Josh was still a delinquent youth.
So, as Beth told it, she was on her way to Josh's room to borrow (steal) his charger, and when she walked in, Y/N tumbled in through the open window. She screamed "AH- WHAT THE FUCK?! GET O- Y/N?"
"Uh... hi..." he stood up and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans awkwardly, "You know me?"
"You're Josh's boyfriend. Why are you in here??"
"Wanted to surprise him..." he looked down at the floor, humiliated.
"He's not here... I'm home alone"
"How did you know we're dating, did you find out? Do his parents know?"
Beth plopped down on Josh's bed and plugged her phone in "Nah, don't worry, just me. He told me, well I figured it out first then I got him to confess," she gave him a once over with a small smile on her face "He's crazy about you. Won't shut the fuck up about you. To me at least, well I think I'm the only one who knows about you, so when he has something to say he just offloads it all onto me," Y/N and Beth laughed softly "I mean it though, he's totally obsessed, with you and little Atlantis."
"Of course you know her." Y/N shook his head, smiling like crazy.
"Uhhuh, the culprit for 'who left all this cat hair in the house, we do not own a cat.' They laughed harder, fondly, almost like old friends. Beth was retelling the story to Josh in the evening, and was still grinning ear to ear over finally meeting the elusive Y/N from the stories and the photos. Soon after this she introduced her long term girlfriend to Josh because she was so excited.
They took a picture together to send to Josh, which when Y/N sent it, scared the shit out of him so mission accomplished. Then apparently, Beth got all excited and brought Y/N downstairs so she could embarrass Josh.
Beth snickered as she pulled out one specific yearbook from one of the four hundred mahogany bookcases littered around the 'home'. "Here, he looks so stupid!!!" She opened the book and zeroed in on the page with a child Josh from before Y/N knew him.
"Awww, he's just a baby!" Y/N cooed, taking the book from her hands.
"Pft, a baby dork! Oh, man, you gotta see this picture of him," she took the book back and flipped to a page to one of Josh and a friend she named as his best friend, Chris.
"I know Chris! Josh talks about the dumb shit they do together all the time!"
"Well I don't know what he's told you! I have to reveal all his deep, dark secrets!"
"Oh yes you do, ma'am."
Y/N stayed all day chatting with Beth, drinking sweet tea with homemade cookies swapping stories of Josh's two lives, until Beth received a text that her sister, Hannah was on her way home with Sam.
At which point, Y/N and Beth hurried over to the kitchen where Y/N cleaned the dishes quickly and Beth bagged some cookies for him to take back with him. He texted Josh when he got home and when Josh and Beth could be alone later that evening, she cackled the whole time Josh freaked out on her. Lovingly, of course.
(Sam's Pov)
Sam stopped at the middle platform of the steps, checking the date and... yeah, she was there that day a few hours earlier. She and Hannah did their homework in the study, and Beth was... well, looking back, she was buzzing about something. So subtly that Sam didn't even notice at the time. If Hannah did she never said anything.
It kind of made Sam smile that Beth knew. That someone knew. Knowing Josh wasn't fully alone with this just made her smile. Sam swiped up again and read whatever it landed on as she crept further up the stairs.
December 10th 2012
-Come overrrrrrr
I miss you bb
Hello to you to-
-Get your cute butt over here neowwww!!!!
Or are you busy moping around?
I'm comin-
Calm down, loser
-YEYYYY *Claps hands like a little seal*
Awe, should I bring you some fish?-
-no
Very insightful, thanks so much. Ugh, whatever. She slides the phone into her back pocket and continues towards Josh's bedroom.
(Josh's Pov)
Josh rolled his eyes and rolled out of bed as well. He had plans of staying in bed and moping around. It's a school day, Y/N was supposed to be in class right now. The world's turned upside down.
He looked in the mirror, fixed his hair, drenched his face in water, and left through the window. He already felt like complete shit, he didn't need those heartless shitbags screaming at him to get better.
(Sam's Pov)
The door was obviously locked from the inside, meaning Sam had to get creative. It was a double-sided lock so she'd be golden if she could find the key. There wasn't a crowbar or anything nearby so that was her best bet. Sam looked around the hallway with an investigative eye, but nothing was clicking. A pile of sealed cardboard boxes, an evergreen leafy plant and the railing stood out the most as stuff to investigate.
She didn't have time to open each of the boxes individually, so she picked each one up, shook it and listened for any sort of sound that could be interpreted as a key jostling around, but none had anything. Great. Moving on to the plant pot, she dug her hand into the dry dirt and searched around for anything, but all she found were roots and tiny stones, she pulled her hand out and lifted the pot to look under, again nothing. One last thing to try, she ran her hand under the railing between each bar and once again, there was nothing that could help her open this stupid door. She grumbled, God damnit, there's gotta be some way-
THE WINDOW! She could climb in via the window from the room next to his! Sam crept over to that door, Beth's room... Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves and still her shaking hand, she gently opens the door.
(Josh's Pov)
"Hey," Josh's voice was empty and tired, he was sure he looked like it too.
Y/N's face fell "What's wrong?"
"Bad day." Josh sighed in response.
"Oh," Y/N nodded in understanding "something happen?" Josh shook his head, before Y/N could respond, Atlantis joined them at the door. She weaved herself between their legs and purred when Josh crouched down to scratch her head. "Wanna come in and watch terrible Hallmark movies?" Y/N offered with a sympathetic smile.
Josh huffed with a tiny, imperceptible smile while still on Atlan's level "My favorite holiday tradition."
(Sam's Pov)
Beth's room is ice cold. So cold it almost hurts. Exactly how she left it. Frozen in time, waiting for a dead owner who'll never return. Sam identifies the window directly next to Josh's room and quickly crosses the frozen tundra to open it wide enough for her to poke her head out, to allow her to check on the window into Josh's room, its locked. Sam turns back into Beth's room to find something small but heavy enough to crack Josh's window.
And of course, just her luck, there's nothing here. Not that Sam had anything particular in mind, but Jesus, there's nothing here!!! "Thanks Beth." Sam grumbles, slinking into the bean bag in the corner of her room, she always loved these things. "Man," Sam looked around the room with just her eyes "almost like you never left."
She did, but... the room wasn't completely untouched, she remembered now, last year after Beth ran into the blizzard after Hannah everybody went back to the lounge room to talk, but Sam went to the kitchen to check on the boys, found Beth's camera and brought it back home to her dresser before going to meet everybody else and tell them off again.
Sam was on her feet and at that dresser in an instant, she whipped the door open and grabbed the camera, exactly where I left it. Sam beamed with pride as she rushed over to the open window and opened it far enough for her to squeeze through.
She climbed out and placed her feet on the windowsill and closed the window behind her to give herself more room. She ensured she had a tight grip on the frame above her and the camera, "Whooo, okay, shit- don't look down-" Sam took several deep breaths through her gritted teeth. Just get it done, just get it done, just get it- Sam lifted her eyes and focused on the windowsill leading to Josh's room. Deep breath, deep breath, deep breath.
(Josh's Pov)
No one would make the argument California winters were cold... like at all. But that doesn't mean snuggling under blankets drinking hot cocoa wasn't an option. Might not be smart all the time, but fuck it if it isn't the best. Especially when the one under the blankets with you is your favorite person on the planet. And your favorite kitty, but of course.
The tv was playing "business woman, small town man ," or something like that, Josh and Y/N were hootin' and hollerin' at every little thing that happened on screen. But they're also being very deep and thoughtful, "Ew, that's so creepy!" "Tell me that's not cultish! Tell me! they won't let her leave!!" "Oh my god, She said no a million times! Take a fucking hint!" "Is it just me, or was her ex at the beginning low-key a better person than country boy?"
Josh was laughing so hard, God, only Y/N could cure his bad days. He looked over to his glowing face, can't wait to run away with you... "Hey," Josh spoke up with a slight quiver in his voice, when Y/N met his gaze with that goofy smile on his gorgeous face, he cleared his throat "I love you."
And Y/N snuggled in closer, his head in Josh's neck "Mmh, love you too."
(Sam's Pov)
The winter air made her tense fingers turn red, she shuffled closer to the window in her view, closer to the edge. Okay, FUCK, okay, a sharp, icy pain stabbed her directly in the lungs as she soothed her nerves. Even breathing hurt up here. Once she got to the end, she strained herself, took one last deep breath, and reached her left leg over to Josh's windowsill.
When the tip of her foot grazed the edge, she shuffled closer and closer until the foot still attached to Beth's windowsill was at the end, no going back now. It took several tries before her foot latched onto the ledge securely, Sam finally released her breath "Okay, okay, c'mon you got this-" she heaved.
Next, she streched her arm across to the other frame, her other hand clutched onto the camera and frame even tighter as she flexed her fingers to regain some warmth and mobility. As soon as she could, she gripped onto the window frame and with her hand and foot on Josh's window she shuffled over very slowly, until she was fully in front of Josh's room.
More deep breaths to steady herself, Sam bares her teeth, pulls her arm back, whips the camera into the glass, and again, and again, and again, until it finally shattered, inviting her inside.
Sam let out a huge sigh of relief once her feet were back on solid ground. The cold wind continued to whip around her, but thankfully, her fingers were already warming up. She wasted no time snooping around, nothing was off limits.
Drawers, nothing but pills, shelves, nothing but cd's, closet, nothing, well, not nothing. There was a jacket that looked very similar to one Y/N wore in one of the pictures forever ago. Josh probably borrowed it and couldn't bare to part with it... but other than that, nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. Not under the bed, or hidden in stacks of books Josh definitely didn't read. Nowhere. There was nothing. She did this for nothing...
She placed her hands on the desk, grumbling "God damnit," and shaking her head "there must be something... there has to be," she stood up straight, more determined. Think, girl think... okay... look somewhere no one would look...
And so Sam examined the room, scrutinizing every little thing. Eventually, her eyes become fixated on the ventilation shaft above the door, is that panel loose? Holy shit, it is! Sam took the chair at the desk over to the door and climbed up to investigate the vent shaft.
Definitely loose, the screws aren't the tightest, the one in the bottom right corner is even missing, presumably lost to the shadows beneath her. Looking inside, there does seem to be a vague shape between the slits. She tries to turn the other screws with her thumb and forefinger with no luck...
So, Sam climbs down and runs over to grab a shard of glass, and returns to open the vent. She fits one the sharp ends into the slot of the top right screw and carefully twists it so she won't cut her hand. It falls in seven turns, landing on the wooden floor and clattering a few times before falling silent, lost to the shadows with its comrade.
She repeats this process for the top left screw and watches the panel slump down, left hanging by the last screw. "Yes, c'mon, c'mon..." Sam shoves her free arm inside and pulls out a full paper stock folder.
The glass shard drops to the floor as she eagerly examines the exterior of the folder. Its an A4 beige folder, plain and unassuming, just before she could open it, there was a blood curdling scream from bellow coming towards the lodge. Sam wedged the folder under her arm, carefully climbed off the chair, unlocked the door, and ran downstairs to help.
Cw- Internalised Homophobia, Brief Mention of a Cats Eye Injury (No Graphic Description), Underage Drug Use, Brief/ Vague Discussion of Depression
An~Comment if I mentioned your birthday, I'm curious now lol. guys. Guys. GUys. GUYs. GUYS. JOSH X YN. ID DIE FOR THEM. I MEAN IT. Im so jealous of you boys, but you deserve your treats too, so I'm happy to provide 💚💙 When I'm in a 'writing an absurdly long UD fic' contest and Elliebean714 walks in :O Sorry for bad capitalisation/punctuation/grammar, I'm too lazy to fix it, but I'll write a billion word fic on a dime bc girlhood is a spectrum. Me when the homosexuals hold hands🎊💗🎉 Don't know how to write smooching scenes, but i do it because I love it. Josh is blessed with physical touch (& PDA) being his love language and cursed with having to keep his bf secret, I'm DYING SOMEONE CALL THE ER. Can you tell I've never used any drugs before lmao??? I'm a innocent wittle bwaby. HALFWAY CHECKPOINT BA-BYY!!!! this has nothing to do with anything but i wanna say I LOVE TRANS PPL YALL ARE SO COOL THANKS FOR EXISTING SORRY BOUT ALL THE BAD SHIT HAPPENIN TO YALL, BUT KEEP SERVING, KEEP SLAYING AND UH SHOOT THE TRANSPHOBES, ITS VERY HAWT TO ME. ANYWAY BYE. cross dressers too omg gender non conforming ppl are soooooooo hawt im dyingggggg. been rewatching mr robot for the 400th time and omg NOOOO MY BOYYYYYY MY POOR BABY BOYYYYYY
Pre-Game & During-Game
It was a prank.
That was his reasoning.
It was a fucking prank.
In his head at least, everyone else was sick to the bone, made all the worst by his laughing, his jovial attitude. Didn't last long once Mike brought up the girl Josh killed. He pistol whipped him so hard it knocked him to the ground and he fell unconscious. The boys tied Josh up then carried him upstairs, now they're all off taking him to the shed leaving Sam and Ashley to sit in the main room in front of the fireplace and think. Ashley wasn't in the mood for conversation, which gave Sam more time to read her new favourite mystery novel.
February 4th 2011
-Do you have to go?
We could just stay in my room and cuddle for a whole weekend instead
Doesn't that sound awesome?
Very-
And you've got no idea how badly I want to blow this off and blow you instead
-JOSHUA WASHINGTON
But my sisters want me there, my parents want me to chaperone even though I'm only a couple months older, people will ask questions if I'm not there-
And I don't think I'll ever be ready for those questions
And I'm literally just about to board the plane, its a bit late to drop out now
-I'm gonna miss you so bad though
We cant even text, can we?
No, babe. I'm sorry-
Trust me, noone is more bummed about this than me
-Except me. You literally have a mountain ski lodge you can just take all your friends to.
Not exactly struggling, are you?
Jeez, Y/N, I know you're upset but you dont need to be so catty. It's not my fault everyone in my life hates who we are. I'm trying to make this work-
-I know.
I just feel like I don't know you half the time
You say you want me to know all of you, but you keep your friends and family away from me
You know the real me-
No one else does
-I want to know all of you
I love you
The half I know anyway.
That tiny fraction of me you don't know, it's a mask-
It isn't me, Y/N. You know me
-Have a safe trip
I love you-
-I love you too
I love you so much
(Josh's Pov)
Everyone sensed an off vibe that weekend. And it wasn't like Josh's usual 'off vibe', he was short with people and upset the whole time, and drank. A lot. Noone had any idea why though. They had no idea he was rereading the times Y/N had told him he loved him. They had no idea he was staring at pictures of him for hours at a time. They had no idea he cried every night wishing it was safe to be himself with the boy he loved.
No, to them, he was just a dickhead. And that's fair, it got them to leave him alone so he wasn't going to complain. The weekend was painfully slow, but eventually, it passed, and as soon as he regained service, he texted Y/N:
February 6th 2011
Heading home-
You been okay?
-Fine
How was your trip?
Bad-
I really missed you
-I missed you too, babe
I'm sorry I was a bit mean on Friday
I just love you so much it makes me act a little crazy
I like you a little crazy-
-Lol you're such a dork
Only for you, beloved. Only for you-
-Can we meet up once you're home?
I have a feeling ill be pretty tired for a couple days-
But of course bby. Whatever my Prince wants
-Cringe
But I thought you liked me...-
-No, actually, that was so cringe I now find you repulsive
Damn-
Well it was fun while it lasted, wasn't it?
-Meh
I luv u-
-I luv u 2
A small smile crept onto his face as he pressed his phone to his chest and looked out the bus window. The sun was setting behind the mountain, it was stunning, he dreamed of one day taking Y/N there. The idea of being alone with him for so long the rest of the world faded away was absolutely magical. He closed his eyes and fell into this dream where he could have the world in his arms.
(Sam's Pov)
Guilt panged Sam's chest sharply, it was clear these weekend getaways were a huge point of contention between the couple, Y/N deserved to be there more than anyone, yet Sam was sat here every time like it was nothing. None of them appreciated their space, none of them knew there was a boy back home heartbroken he couldn't be there with Josh. Why did they get to be there when he couldn't?
She shook off the feeling, not completely, but she had to read more, and sitting here feeling guilty was only a hindrance. Her eyes skimmed through the early months of 2011, everything was well. They even started to sneak onto each others rooms late at night.
May 9th 2011
-How do I get up to your room again?
Climb up the vines to the open window-
The one you climbed out of the first time you came over
-oh, cool, it wasn't that far down
No, it's an easy climb-
I do it all the time
-I'm just finishing getting packed
??-
What are you bringing??
-Food?
You're a beast-
I love you
-Okay, weirdo
(Josh's Pov)
Josh watched Y/N's form shifting through the darkness towards the side of his house, he opened the window and poked his head out just as Y/N appeared beneath it "Hi!" Josh whispered.
Y/N carefully climbed the vines up to Josh's bedroom, he took Josh's extended hand and accepted his help inside. "Hey, babe." He slid his bag off his shoulder while Josh closed the window behind him. As soon as it was closed, he felt Josh's arms around his waist before he was quickly turned to face him.
"You look so good." He hummed against Y/N's ear.
"You're just easy to please." Y/N's fingers tangled in Joshs hair, a cheeky smile covered his face.
"That too." He leant down to kiss Y/N gently. "C'mere..." They sat on the edge of Josh's bed and held each other for a while. Y/N laid his head on Josh's shoulder, Josh rested his head over it, their arms wrapped around one another losely, there was no need to hold on any tighter when they were this close.
"I love you." Y/N mumbled, he gently rubbed his head against Josh's shoulder and snuggled closer, almost in his lap.
"I love you too." Josh kissed the top of Y/N's head.
"I'm surprised you let me come."
"I want to take risks on you"
Y/N's hand went to Josh's neck, he held it and rubbed his thumb across it lightly then gently began pressing kisses on the opposite side "Fuck, Josh..."
"Oof, that got you all hot and bothered?"
"Confirmation that you adore me? That I'm worth it and this isn't a giant waste of time?? Oh boy, you've got no idea."
"Of course you're worth it. You're everything."
"Damn, you're really into me."
"Oh boy, you've got no idea" He murmured, before kissing Y/N properly, like he deserved.
~~
And later that night, they snuggled under the covers sharing earbuds so they could both watch the movie. The bag of junk food Y/N brought was almost finished barely 20 minutes in, was that because be didn't bring enough or because they couldn't agree on which movie to watch this late at night...? Well...
It didn't matter either way, once the food was done, they lost interest and turned it off. Josh took one of his sleeping pills, then they laid on their backs side by side staring at the ceiling, just listening to their favourite persons breaths. Josh remembered looking over to Y/N, his face only lit by the faint glow of moonlight that escaped his curtains. "I mean it." He spoke up, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Hm?" Y/N turned to his side to face josh fully.
Josh's hand fiddled with loose tufts of Y/N's hair "when I say you're the most handsome man I've ever seen."
"You usually use other words."
"I tried to feminise it I guess? It felt easier to use those words rather than..." He sighed "but I dont want to do that, you're a guy, and you're handsome."
"I can be beautiful too."
"I know, nerd. I'm you're biggest fan. I'm just saying-"
Y/N placed his finger on Josh's lips "Shh, dork. I know what you're saying. And I really like it. Thanks." His hand went to cup Josh's cheek "I love you."
Josh took his hand and brought it back to his lips to softly kiss "I love you too."
"I feel like our talks have gotten repetitive." Y/N laughed quietly.
"Like an old married couple?" Josh mused.
Y/N snuggled into Josh, almost laying on his chest "Yeah. Like that."
"I don't think we've gotten repetitive."
"No?"
Josh ran his fingers through Y/N's hair "No, we just say 'i love you' a lot. That's not bad, is it?"
"No, I just meant... actually yeah, it is that we say 'I love you' a lot." He chuckled.
"Want us to stop?"
"No."
"Thank fuck."
~~
In the morning, they were rudely awoken by an alarm. Y/N fumbled to find his phone on Josh's nightstand and quickly turned it off. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, trying to force his mind to wake up faster, Josh yawned beside him "The sun's just coming out, what time is it?"
"5:30." Y/N copied Josh's yawn "Wanted to be in and out before anyone would notice, remember?"
Josh threw his head back onto his pillow and let out a long sigh "Yeah, yeah."
"God, you're cute in the morning." Y/N hooked his leg over Josh's waist, straddling his hips. He looked down at Josh's tired form, "So, so fucking cute." He smiled brightly, then leaned down to smother him in kisses, until Josh couldn't take it anymore and begged for mercy.
"Mmh- nooo-"
Y/N responed to his plea with one final swift peck on the nose before climbing off him "Ugh, fine. You're just too cute all sleepy like this."
"I can't help it, I'm never up this early."
"Oh, my poor baby." Y/N ran his thumb over Josh's cheek in condolence "Oh, my sweet baby boy. How ever can I apologise?"
"Run away with me." Josh offered, joking, surely...
"Ha ha. Maybe one day." He smiled.
Josh wrapped his arm around Y/N before he could leave the bed "Do you have to go?"
"Yes, babe, I have to leave before anyone can see me here, then I have to book it across town to get to my place before my parents wake up and notice I'm gone."
Another long sigh escaped josh "We should create a pocket dimension so nobody can bother us ever again."
"You're the rich one, I'm sure you could find a way."
"Hell yeah, start investing young."
"Oh god, I'm in love with a finance guy." Y/N hid his face in Josh's chest.
Josh laughed at his dread and shame "Oh, my poor baby..." He pet Y/N's hair gently. "How will you survive?"
"I won't." Y/N's voice was muffled as Josh continued laughing. They stayed for a few moments more, then Y/N lifted his heavy head, a small pout on his face "I need to go..."
"Yeah, I know. I know" they climbed out of bed, Y/N grabbed his bag full of food packets and met Josh by the window he opened. "See you later, hm?"
Y/N pulled him into a warm hug "Yeah. If you manage to make it to class in this state."
"Shush nerd."
"I totally understand if you need a few days to recuperate, waking up at 5:30 must be a traumatic event for you."
"Shush!" Josh whined, sick of being teased "I'll be fine. I'll be there."
Y/N blinked away imaginary tears "Oh, my, I've been such a good influence on you."
"Ugh, no way. Don't think that."
"Too late. I've already thought it, it's already decided, you can't change it."
"I go for you, weirdo. Nothing else."
"Mhm. Yup. I believe you."
"You suck."
"You adore me." Y/N pulled the taller boy down into a goodbye kiss.
"Can't deny that." Josh mumbled before Y/N began his short climb out of the open window.
(Sam's Pov)
A shape moved out of the corner of her eye. It caught her attention enough to raise her head to look in its direction, but nothing was there, just a window showing the forest to the side of the house. Must've been a deer, or something...
She brought her attention back to the device in her hands. More messages like the ones before all throughout May and June, lots of cute summer fun, of course in secret, but nothing really caught her eye until the end of July when she read the word 'cat' and... Well that certainly piqued her interest, and the pictures... needless to say, she only got more invested by the time she'd finished reading the exchange.
July 31st 2011
-Mom said we can keep Atlantis!!
I have a cat now!!
That's awesome!-
How's her eye?
-They couldn't save it
But that just means she's a little pirate kitty
The best kind-
-YEESSS
Omg she's hiding in my sweater
I'm actually a mama kangaroo rn this is nuts
-Y/N sent a photo
-Help me I'm dying she's so cute
Holy shit she is-
-I'm obsessed with her
She's actually my daughter
You're an incredible father-
-She's purring into my chest, Josh
If I don't show up to school tomorrow, it's because of this little lady
Either she's killed me or I'm worshipping her
Please don't miss me too much
I'd come over and worship her with you-
-You're gonna be a spectacular step dad
Does this mean I get to spoil her with treats and toys?-
-Joshua i would be furious if you didn't spoil her
I mean LOOOKK
-Y/N sent a photo
-LOOK AT HER
I AM-
PLEASE CALM DOWN
-I have a daughter, Josh
A sweet baby girl
I will be the best girl dad of all time
That's great-
Do you still love me or is that all given to Atlantis now?
-ugh
I suppose I could spare you some
Thank you, oh gracious one-
-Have you looked at my kitty enough yet?
-Y/N sent a photo
Woah, when did you get a cat?-
-Shush
So sorry, your highness-
Tell her she's very beautiful
-I will. She is.
(Josh's Pov)
Most of the day was normal, a cute little date just wandering around the city, it changed when Y/N saw a stray cat out of the corner of his eye. He'd stopped walking and turned to search the small alleyway for it. "What are you looking for?" Josh asked, his eyes scanning for anything that could've caught Y/N's attention.
"I saw something move..." Y/N walked into the alley, continuing his search.
"It was probably a rat-"
"No, it was too big...tsktsktsk" He clicked his fingers in an attempt to lure the animal out of hiding "c'mere..." Josh was about to pull him away, when a tiny 'meow' came from behind a pile of boxes. Y/N hurried over to the sound and excitedly gasped, quiet so he wouldn't scare the cat "Hiya, baby!" He cooed "Aw, honey, your eye..."
Josh joined Y/N by the boxes and finally saw the cat, a 3 or 4 year old black and white american short-hair with an injured eye. "Aw, man, what happened little guy?" He reached out his hand to gently pet the cats head, it was nervous, it hissed and backed up further. "We should get him to a vet."
"Yeah..." Y/N searched his bag for something to feed the cat, somehow, he found a piece of his lunch from earlier and held it out to the anxious little thing "You hungry?"
While he focused on trying to get the cat fed, Josh stood slowly "I'm gonna grab my truck, I'll be right back."
"Thanks. Shh, Shh, c'mon hon..."
It wasn't long until Josh was driving Y/N and the stray to the closest vet clinic. He'd given him his hoodie to keep the animal comfortable in his lap. Y/N was petting the cats head gently with his thumb and cooed to soothe it. "He okay?" Josh took a side glance at them in the passenger seat.
"She, I think, and she's still pretty anxious and her eye really doesn't look too good." Y/N answered, examining the injury.
"Yeah, wonder what happened to it."
"Maybe a fight or something? I dunno, the vet might be able to figure it out."
"Well, I can tell that's gonna leave one hell of a battle scar."
"Mhm, she'll look cool, won't she?" His finger softly ran over the animals cheek, Josh nodded in agreement. "And... if she's okay, I could ask my mom to take her home!"
"Wait- you could just call your mom and say, 'hey, I found a cat in an alleyway and I took her to the vet. She's doing fine, so can we adopt her?'"
"You could ask your dad for a private jet and he'd get it for you."
"Yeah, to shut me up."
"Oh, go wipe your tears with $100 bills"
"Shush, mister. Let's just focus on getting this little lady some help." Josh pat her head lightly.
Then it was only a matter of minutes before they reached the vet, Josh stopped the truck so Y/N could hop out and take the stray inside while Josh left to find a parking spot. Once he did, he joined Y/N inside, he was sat in the relatively empty waiting room cradling the cat in Josh's hoodie. Josh took the spare seat beside him.
"They'll see her in a couple minutes." Y/N informed him.
"What are you going to name her?"
"Hm?"
"If your mom lets you adopt her. What are you going to name her?"
Y/N glanced at the animal, thinking through the options, before deciding "Atlantis. You know, she's got one eye, like a pirate, ocean, Atlantis?"
"Nice usage of connotations, babe?"
"When did you learn what connotations are?"
"Ha ha." Josh rolled his eyes and shoved Y/N playfully "I have learned some things from you, nerd."
"Ugh, I'm so proud of you, my boy. You've come so far."
Before Josh could object, his phone rang, Beth. She needed him to pick her up from band practice. He apologised to Y/N who understood completely then hurried outside. Not long after, presumably, the vet called Y/N back, got Atlantis all fixed up, Y/N's mom picked them up and agreed to adopt her.
In the following months, the anxious little stray they found in that alley became warm and comfortable in her new home, and her secret step dad got lots of suspicious looks from his family when he came home covered in cat hair without explanation. He'd put up with it, though, he loved his boyfriend and his cat, it felt like they were becoming their own little family, his real family. It was wonderful.
(Sam's Pov)
Well that's delightful. Sam kept looking at the pictures of the kitty snuggled up against Y/N's chest, she was so warm and comfortable hiding in his sweater. She wanted to show Ashley, it'd probably calm her down to look at these adorable pictures of the mythical pirate cat, but that'd require an explanation as to who the guy was and why she was on Josh's phone and... yeah it's just too much of a hassle.
Their texts began to include Atlantis from then on, it was Josh, Y/N and Atlantis against the world. It was so weird, Josh never seemed like an animal person, but this cat magically changed that?? Just like Y/N helped him understand his emotions, Atlantis was opening his heart, he was getting better... he was getting better.
Oct 17th 2011
Hey-
-Hey
Wanna hang later?-
-Sure
That's how the majority of messages were, sure, sometimes Sam got a good story and cute exchange, but most of the time they kept it short and sweet, and the moments between them. So Sam would scroll past them without thinking but this time the texts afterwards mentioned Josh's mental state and that drew her in, maybe Y/N did know something, maybe this wasn't just snooping to quench her own curiosity, maybe it would end up helping. Or did she just need to think that so it felt less invasive and weird...? Eh, he filmed her in the bath, he deserves it.
(18:58)
-Thanks for dropping me off
No problem, how's my girl?-
-Sleeping on the couch
As she often does
Oh, how I love her-
-So
Any advice on how to get rid of the smell of weed so my parents don't kill me?
Just throw your clothes in the laundry and shower?-
-Laundry?? At this hour??
My parents will ask questions!
That's not what we want!
Never let anyone believe you're not adorable-
Just chuck them in then do the laundry in the morning
-Its a school night
Hey, keep complaining and I'll break into your house and steal your shoes-
-YOU EVIL MANIAC
YOU CRUEL SCOUNDREL
YOU HEARTLESS SCALLYWAG
Yeah. Be afraid-
Seriously,though, just hop in the shower and chill.
Then deal with it in the morning
-I'm missing school again?
Unless you want to reek of hash-
-Noooooo
So sorry beloved-
-:(
K luv u bye
Luv u bye-
(23:12)
-Can't sleep
I'm freaking out
Dude-
How does weed have the complete opposite effect on you?
-Im built different
Love you, nerd-
-Love you too
BTW, that stuff we talked about today, you know I don't think any less of you right?
Yeah, I know. You never would-
-And i love you and I'm here for you and all that sappy stuff you hate
Damn, I think I just got over my depression-
Thanks babe!
-Anytime<3
It was brief, but it meant they'd talked about it earlier that day, so Y/N definitely knew at least a little bit, and it was more reason to keep reading if there was a chance she'd find a proper explanation.
(Josh's Pov)
He didn't exactly have a plan or anything, he just wanted to hang out with Y/N. So they met in the parking lot after school but just before they could step into the truck, Y/N had to duck out of sight when Chris approached Josh to talk about... something, all Josh remembered was rudely sending him on his way so he could finally see his boy.
Y/N waited for Josh to get in the truck before sneaking in, and under the dashboard so nobody would see them together. "Hey!" He waved.
"You look cramped." Josh commented as Y/N closed the door behind him.
"The things I do for you." He rolled his eyes. Josh smiled a little then began the drive, as soon as he was far enough to be sure nobody he knew would be able to see them, he helped Y/N up onto the passenger seat. "Oof, my back-"
"Sorry, sorry, but if you look in the glove compartment, I might have something that'll make you feel better."
Y/N carefully opened the glove box and searched through it. There wasn't anything super interesting, it was still his dad's truck so he couldn't fully personalise it "There's too much stuff in here."
"Gimme a sec," Josh drove until he hit a red light then ducked his head into the glove box, pulled out a small baggie of marijuana then dropped it into Y/N's lap. "There."
"What...?" Y/N picked it up between his fingers and examined it curiously.
"Wanna smoke?" Josh pulled up outside the skatepark they had their first kiss at. Pretty on theme.
"Don't you have to wrap it in something?"
"Yeah, it's in there." He pulled out the rolling papers, took the baggie from Y/N's hand and began to roll the joint "So, do you want to try it?"
"Goddamn, what are you doing to me? I used to be a good kid."
Josh laughed "Aw, baby." As he lit the blunt then held it out for Y/N to take.
He took the joint laughing nervously and smoked it, he coughed a lot while Josh took it back "Holy shit-" Y/N continued coughing "that was awesome."
Josh took a much more calm hit "Glad you like it." He passed the blunt back to Y/N.
"Yeah." After suppressing another fit of coughs, he asked "Aren't you worried your friends will see us?"
"They don't skate." Josh explained, took a good long inhale then exhaled "We're safe here."
"So i can do this?" Y/N snaked a hand around Josh's head, let his fingers tangle in his hair and pulled him into a gentle kiss.
"You sure can." Josh pulled away after Y/N took the joint from Josh's fingers and took a hit. He laid back, relaxing in his seat. Y/N leaned into Josh's chest as he exhaled the smoke, still coughing a little. There was a brief moment of silence as josh took the joint back, staring at it, eventually saying "I've had... really bad depression my whole life." Before taking a deep breath of smoke to calm himself.
Y/N sat up and faced him, but josh refused to meet his eye "Oh, I'm so sorry..."
Josh shook his head dismissively "Don't. I just wanted you to know." He lifted the joint back to his lips and met Y/N's concerned eyes. "Sorry it took a while."
"No, Josh- are you- I mean, like- how do you manage it?"
He shrugged "I've had a hundred therapists and tried a million medications and still nothing."
"Jeez- thats- nothing helped? Nothing?" Josh nodded silently "Have I made it worse?" Y/N asked, nervously.
"Woah, what? No, of course not! Why would you-"
"I dunno, I hope keeping us secret hasn't made it worse, I guess. Or- I hope I haven't pressured you too much before, I'm sorry."
"Way to make it about you, babe." Josh laughed.
"Ack- no, that's not-" Y/N dropped his head and laughed quietly. "I'm not good at comfort, sorry." He took the blunt back and took a hit to calm his thoughts.
"It's fine. I wouldn't know what to say either." There was a brief pause as Y/N handed him back the joint before Josh spoke up again "but believe me, you're absolutely not making anything worse. You're the best, I love you, bla bla bla."
Y/N kissed his cheek "I love you too, bla bla bla."
Josh felt the heat of the blunt almost reaching his fingers, opened the window and flicked it out onto the asphalt. "So, uh-" He cleared his throat, trying to dispell the tension in the truck "how's Atlan doing?"
"Same as always. Still scratching everything except her scratching post."
"I still have my scars from last time." Josh laughed while rolling another joint. "When do I get to see her again?"
"Whenever you next break in, I guess."
"That was one time, man, I didn't know you weren't home."
"You're still a criminal. A dirty rotten criminal."
I fear I got so scared when I saw the roller skating part of the most recent Josh fic. LIKE. AM I BEING USED FOR REFERENCE NOW??
Spooky
ANYWAYS. I wanted to say ur doing a really really great job girlie, and I'm actually really enjoying this. In my completely accurate opinion, I think you're portraying the internalized homophobia really well. It's not like, perfect, which is completely okay, but it's actually really well done. And don't worry about the kissing scenes girlie, I can help u write those ;)
I LOVEE UUUU
(btw, u can bully me for still using anon, but I thought it would keep the fans of our beautiful exchanges from getting confused. (Said when there are no fans other than us.))
- 🍄 anon
BONJOUR DIVAAAAAA!!! Funny story, the roller skating date was written in Feb. Long before our... intimate connection began *bites lip so hard it starts bleeding and you have to rush me to the ER*
So neo, this fucking play was NAWT about you, SIR. youre so narcissistic. im just a psychic.
also thankkkkks bb, id love a long detailed list on what its like to kiss a pretty boy. and Im like 90% sure we do have fans, bro, im gonna start selling merch.
An~ Comment if I mentioned your birthday, I'm curious now lol guys. Guys. GUys. GUYs. GUYS. JOSH X YN. ID DIE FOR THEM. I MEAN IT. Im so jealous of you boys, but you deserve your treats too, so I'm happy to provide 💚💙 when I'm in a 'writing an absurdly long UD fic' contest and Elliebean714 walks in :O also I just had to guess Josh's birthday since it aint been canonically confirmed. Sorry for bad capitalisation/punctuation/grammar, I'm too lazy to fix it, but I'll write a billion word fic on a dime bc girlhood is a spectrum. Me when the homosexuals hold hands🎊💗🎉 just imagine the Sam stuff is happening through ch6 so she has more time to read his phone lol. Shout out avril Lavigne ig I didn't think she'd show up, but I guess anything is possible. Don't know how to write smooching scenes, but i do it because I love it. Josh is blessed with physical touch (& PDA) being his love language and cursed with having to keep his bf secret, I'm DYING SOMEONE CALL THE ER. weow i forgor how long this pt was, youre welcome fellas. right about to post this, wanted to add on super quick, uh, rami malek is very pretty to me. im not like most girls, i know, i know. im so original.
Pre-Game & During-Game
(Sam's Pov)
All Sam wanted was to meet this boy, it didn't make sense, why would Josh hide him from everyone? He seems delightful. And Josh definitely liked him, they liked each other. It was so obvious, so why would Josh keep him away from the rest of his friends? The next sequence of messages she read in full started on Josh's 15th birthday.
January 19th 2010
-HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYY!!
Omg left on read ×○×
Shut up, I had to get dressed quick-
-Kay, well, HI! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Thanks-
-Smile sweetie, you're on camera
Ugh. THANKS OMG ILYYY-
-That's better.
Now, can I see you later?
Outside of class.
Like do you have a party tonight or...?
No.-
My parents are taking me and my sisters to dinner. Sorry
But we can meet up tomorrow or something?
-Ah, darn.
Sure. We can do that
Cool. See you then-
He lied? Why would he lie to Y/N? Sam was at that party. Everyone was there, why wouldn't he want him there? Was he lying about caring? He can't have, he offered to meet him the next day
(17:28)
I'm boreddd-
-Lol yah, I figured
You seem like someone who hates family time
I love my sisters-
My parents are the ones that suck
But I'm bored and wanted to talk to you
-Omg you luv me so much
Noooo I'm bored and you're funny-
Make me laugh, boy
-I'm not your court jester
Yes you are. Now dance, silly boy.-
This exchange brought Sam back to that party, he was on his phone the whole night, everyone else was partying, having fun, celebrating Josh's birthday, while he was in the corner... texting Y/N... that's how long this was going on.
She saw the dates, she knew their relationship was years long, but remembering a moment she was there for, remembering how defensive Josh got when questioned by Jess and Beth about why he was on his phone, remembering the smile on his face, the way he bit his lip and blushed while staring at the device just put it all into perspective, it made her want to know more.
Thinking back on it, Sam realized that was the last birthday party Josh ever had. He said he stopped caring about his birthday after that, but it was Y/N. He was spending it with Y/N. Everything was making sense. So many times people tried to include Josh in something, but he was "busy" or "not feeling it". He was with Y/N. For years. Yet something still made no sense! If he meant this much to him, why keep their relationship a secret??
(Josh's Pov)
Rejecting him pained Josh more than he'd like to admit. Sure, he could've just invited him to his birthday, but that would mean introducing him to his friends and family and he did not want to do that. Not until he figured out his feelings. Imagine how embarrassing it'd be to let Y/N meet everybody, only for him to come to a conclusion he didn't like, and have to take back everything he said.
And yet, like every other day, he was the one thing on his mind. He snuck glances at him all day, in every class, its weird how you can miss someone 10 feet away from you. He put up with dull conversation about the party that evening, while his attention meandered over to Y/N. He imagined what they'd do the day after.
At the party, there was music blasting, all his friends dancing, having a good time, and Josh hid in a corner chatting with Y/N all night. Sure, he regretted lying to him, but it also felt so good to have a secret. Well, a nice one at least.
"What are you doing?" Beth's voice cut through the generic pop music.
Josh shut his phone off and pressed it against his chest. "Nothing. What is it?"
"Nothing?? Joshie, you've been on your phone all night! Who are you sexting?" Jess tried to grab the phone, thankfully, Josh was fast and tall enough to keep it out of her reach.
"Ew- what? Nobody, leave me alone." When the girls didnt relent, he dropped his head and sighed "It's nothing. Okay? I'll turn it off and join the party." He powered off the phone and slid it into his pocket.
"Ugh. I will discover your secrets." Beth huffed, then guided him over to the dance floor while Jess followed closely behind, she quipped and teased Josh with Beth. Josh was grateful to have people who cared about him, but all he wanted to do was check his phone again.
Y/N was like an infection, or virus, it started so harmless, then all so suddenly his entire world was beginning to revolve around him. Josh felt his whole body being taken over by that boy and his dumb jokes, and cute hair, and perfect smile, and sparkly eyes...
The worst part was how easily it happened, like his world, like his body, like Josh was made to revolve around Y/N. There was a space for him, the universe was waiting for them to meet so it could be filled, so he could finally see in colour.
None of this was something guys should ever feel for each other. Obviously the gays existed, but Josh knew they were bad news, that was something everybody knew. It was a gross thing you should hide, nobody wanted to be around them, they lived alone and they'd die alone. So it wasn't that. It couldn't be that.
~~
"How was your birthday dinner?" Y/N met him in front of the school gates.
"Fine," Josh shrugged in response, scrunching his nose due to the 'cold' weather.
He rolled his eyes at Josh's bland answer "You're a very emotionally driven person, did you know that?"
"Oh, yeah. Famously."
"So... what are we doing for your second birthday celebration today?" Y/N asked, and Josh stopped abruptly outside the front doors, the first boy turned to face him.
"Do you have anything important to do today?"
The question was random, it came out of nowhere, Y/N took a minute to think before answering "...No? Why?"
"Oh, good, so we can skip school and head somewhere fun instead." Josh took the boys hand unconsciously, pulling him away from the door and closer to him.
"Wha- well- no?? We can't just-"
"Why not? I'm the birthday boy, I should get what I want."
Y/N sucked on his tongue and shook his head disapprovingly "You're terrible." But despite his words, he allowed himself to be led by Josh's hand, off school property and towards some random destination.
First Josh took him to the mall under the guise of spending his birthday money, but really, it was an excuse to learn what Y/N liked. He planned to be the best gift giver Y/N had ever met. And this was in a very platonic, hetero, casual, bro kinda way. Nothing more, stop thinking like that.
At the food court, he was learning the foods he liked, and the drinks he preferred. He turned out to be quite talkative the more the boys grew closer, it was so fucking adorable, Josh could tell he wasn't used to being listened to by the way his face brightened when Josh engaged with him. Asking relevant questions instead of just nodding along absentmindedly made the other boy become more and more animated each time he did it. It took all the power in Josh not to kick his feet and giggle at Y/N's excited demeanour. God- fucking- damn it!! How can this he such a horrible thing when it feels so amazing?
Maybe it'd feel less shameful if he knew Y/N was queer? Maybe all these terrible feelings would go away and he'd be left with clarity, maybe even joy? What if there was a good ending for them, regardless of what the world says. Josh nervously wiped his sweaty hand on his jeans.
Y/N took a deep breath, an airy giggle escaping at the same time "Sorry, I talk a lot, aha."
And Josh blushed at the sound, his fingers gently wrapped around his friend's hand, consciously this time "Its- its fine."
"You just make me super chatty, i guess." His eyes landed on their connected hands, and he gave Josh's hand a small squeeze "You've been a terrible influence on me" He brought his gaze back up to meet Josh's.
He snapped out of his daze when he felt the squeeze, "That's what I'm here for." He flashed Y/N a charming-ish smile.
Y/N left to throw all the food wrappers in the trash, leaving Josh to mull over the short moment between them. Was that flirting?? Were they flirting?? Or was this platonic? Was this what friends did??
Josh decided he wanted to visit the bowling alley. It was far enough away from the school to make him feel comfortable enough to relax and have fun without worrying about anyone seeing them together.
In the middle of their walk, they stumbled upon a few stray birds, causing an excited squeal to erupt from Y/N's throat. He made Josh stop in his tracks so he could admire the animals. Somehow, as though be predicted this, Y/N pulled out a half full packet of sunflower seeds, filled his hand with them, and crouched near the birds. While he scattered them around for the birds to eat, Josh felt his heart pound in his ears. He looked so damn pretty, so damn happy, it made Josh feel euphoric and a little dizzy.
This was a moment he wouldn't want to forget, not when Y/N's eyes were absolutely shimmering with pure delight as the birds pecked at the seeds on the stone ground, and even a few got comfortable enough to eat out of his hand. Josh took his phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture.
And it was fucking adorable, the January sun brightened his face, but not much more than his wide animated smile, frizzy hair, and his eyes. Holy fuck- there's a whole galaxy in them. Y/N continued to excitedly feed the birds while Josh admired from afar. But all he wanted to do was drown in him.
~~
Josh finally found a weakness! Y/N can't bowl for shit. And of course Josh rubbed it in his face on the walk back. That's just what guys do to their bros. It was chill, don't worry about it. "Ugh, shut up. You're not perfect either" He huffed.
"No, but at least I don't need the support rails to hit the pins, oh, and still lose, by the way."
"Shut uppp!!" Y/N whined, shoving Josh playfully while he kept on laughing at him.
"Damn, you are such a sore loser!"
"I'm not, its just that I prefer to win and when I don't I get very upset."
"You're adorable." He wrapped his arm around Y/N's shoulder.
"Don't patronise me, Washington." He grumbled.
"Aw, but you make it so easy, princess."
"Keep it up and I'll smite you with the force of a thousand suns."
Josh laughed, fondly ruffling the boy's hair "So fucking cute."
January 20th 2010
-So which birthday was better?
The one with you obviously-
-Obviously
I always have so much fun with you-
-Aw, I love when you get all sappy
Shut up nerd!-
And give me your lunch money
-Nope. You're mushy, sentimental, and you lovvveeee meeeee
Quiet, you-
-Neverrrr
(Sam's Pov)
This was probably the most emotion Josh had ever expressed towards anyone. Y/N was teasing, but it genuinely made her think, he wasn't eloquent with his feelings. He just didn't like to talk about them.
Y/N was changing that, it seemed. In a way. Josh was changing to match his energy, it was so freaking cute, yet so much anxiety clouded Josh. He must've been so scared and confused by his own feelings, but he was still trying to articulate them the best he could to make Y/N happy.
It was so unlike him, this boy must be something special. She scrolled past more semi-flirtatious texts, and read the ones discussing the first of the groups winter getaways, and by the way they were talking, Y/N was pretty upset at not getting invited, even if he never said it.
February 3rd 2010
-Hey, hope this isn't weird, but I saw your texts to your mom earlier, where are you going this weekend?
I'm just curious, yk?
Yeah-
It's hard to explain without sounding like a rich asshole lol
-That's fine
I know you're not.
Not rich or not an asshole?-
-I'll keep that to myself hehe
Jerk-
-Nah, but you can tell me. I won't think any differently of you
Uh, basically my family owns a mountain-
And there's a big lodge we stay in
Like a vacation home, yk?
But yeah, we're all going up this weekend
-Wowzer
How the fuck does one obtain a mountain?
I dunno, they've had it since before I was born-
-Well, at least you know its insane
Yep-
-So who's going?
Just us and a few friends-
-Oh?
What friends?
You wouldn't know any of them-
-Oh.
Are they your sisters friends?
Yeah-
I'd invite you, but I don't want it to be awkward, yk?
I don't want you to be hanging by yourself the whole time cause I'm busy with them
You understand, right? I do want you to meet them, but probably not when you're stuck on a mountain with no way to leave.
-Yeah
Definitely
I get it
I'm sorry-
-It's fine
I'm really sorry-
-Josh, chill. I said it's fine.
I shouldn't have asked
Sorry I put you in a weird position
No, don't worry about it-
I really do want you to meet everybody
Maybe some other time?
-Sure
Whatever you want
Please don't be mad at me-
-I'm not
Don't freak out or anything
I hope you have fun
I'm sorry-
I wish you could come
(Josh's Pov)
Guilt overwhelmed Josh as he paced his room awaiting a response that never came, just a (Read, 19:02) to haunt him for the rest of the night. He had hopped onto some game with Chris to clear his mind, but it didn't do much. Josh was far too quiet, and when questioned, responded with vague enough answers to satisfy him yet not transparent enough to tip him off.
The rest of the week was horrible, usually during school days Y/N would text Josh or they'd talk in person (with Josh checking over his shoulder every twenty seconds in case somebody saw them) but since Wednesday night things have, of course, been pretty tense.
Y/N tried to keep things casual between them when they talked, but he was so clearly hurt, Josh could hardly look at him without wanting to breakdown. Maybe this relationship wasn't worth the secrecy, there was no way he would ever give Josh a chance after that. This is what liking guys gets you. You say dumb shit and everybody gets hurt. No matter what you chose, there is no happy end.
(Sam's Pov)
Her heart was hurting as she read the texts, imagining how desperate Y/N was to meet all his friends, to be part of his life. Jeez- it made her eyes sting with tears, this poor boy... but she knew Josh was in pain having to do this to him, whatever his reasons were, she knew him well enough to read the guilt in his messages.
Either way, there was an obvious strain on their relationship for the next eleven days, until...
February 14th 2010
Hey?-
-Hi
I just wanted to say, I'm genuinely sorry for not inviting you-
I dont want to make dumb excuses, but there's something I'm trying to figure out
And I'm scared and confused and I just want to keep you separate from everything else because you make me so fucking happy and I don't want to ruin this
Whatever this is
It means a lot to me
And I don't want to lose it
I'm really sorry
-Josh
I feel the same
And I just want to be involved in whatever you've got going on
I hope you figure out whatever is bothering you soon
I hope I do too-
Okay... it seemed like they came to some sort of reconciliation, Sam felt herself let out a short breath of relief, and it sort of zipped her back to reality. She looked around, she's still in a stupid towel, far bellow the lodge, reading her friends secret texts to his secret gay lover. Oh and he faked his death and chased her around trying to drug her, and is pretending to be a serial killer.
A very normal night in Alberta. And she just wanted to know why, why was he doing all this? What was his reasoning? She knew who he was, and that was the only thing she knew. He chased her in a towel, so he's definitely not doing okay, even if he's not actually killing anyone.
A loud set of thumping footsteps made her jump out of her skin. They were coming from the hallway outside of the room and it seemed like walking away from her(?) There was no question as to who it was, those were the exact same hunkering thuds as the ones behind her when she was chased into the basement.
Once he stopped and a door closed behind him, Sam let out a tense sigh that shook all the terror from her body. Back to business…
It might have nothing to do with Y/N, in fact, it almost definitely didn't, but still, Sam found herself being sucked back into the screen. Around an hour or two after the last messages, Josh continued.
(10:16)
So-
Has anybody asked you out today?
-Nope
I'm sad and single lol
Cool, want to meet up and hiss at all the happy couples?-
-Lmao yes
Can we throw rocks at them and spread misery?
Of course-
I'd be mad if we didn't
-Yesss
Where are we meeting?
Idk. Do you want to get smoothies first?-
-Ooh, yeyy
(Josh's Pov)
"Their joy is making my skin break into hives" Y/N hissed before sipping his smoothie through the straw.
Josh groaned in agreement "Ugh, I know. I want to make their happiness go away."
The boys were sat on a bench quietly ridiculing all the overly cutesy couples passing by. They had a foot of space between them, which as they continued to laugh at the obnoxious displays of affection, slowly dwindled down to barely an inch.
Eventually, as the sun rose in the 'wintery' sky, the smoothie cups were left on the dirt path beneath them, Josh rested his arm around his friends shoulder as he made a silly observation about one of the increasing number of couples in the park.
He was so happy they were back to normal. He missed him so much. But even with the fun time they were having, still an air of tension hung over them. If only josh could be honest with him, if only he could be honest with himself...After they stopped snickering at people's irritation, he looked over to Y/N "So... ideal valentines date, go."
"Uh..." Y/N laughed nervously, he bit his lip while he thought of his answer "probably just like a cute little homemade dinner date or something with a cute guy- girl." He eyed Josh anxiously. Josh remained stony-faced, and tried to pretend he didn't hear what he had said.
But holy shit, his heart was exploding, Y/N LIKED GUYS?!?! He had a chance-?! Oh fuck- oh fuck... "G-gotcha."
"But... it's hard, cause guys are expected to do everything for the girl. I'd rather it was more fair, you know? I'd like to have someone spoil me too."
"Mhm," Josh nodded, clearing his throat to try and keep calm. Although he was almost certain Y/N could hear his heart palpitations, especially at how close he got all of a sudden "yeah- I get it." He gulped.
"You?"
"Oh... I'm not picky. I'll take anyone I can get."
"N- I meant dates, you desperate whore!" Y/N cackled at his dazed response.
"Gah-" Josh felt his face redden "uh- I dunno- I don't care, dates don't matter to me." He forced himself to retain eye contact and to remain casual like they didn't just admit they're both into guys.
And all of a sudden, Y/N was closer, the eye contact turned serious, like he was searching for something, something Josh couldn't say out loud. His lips parted, he tried to speak, there must've been something to say, he could've pushed past the fear and let the words that had been consuming him out into the world, but all he could do was stare, just stare and fall into his eyes, and the galaxy within them.
(Sam's Pov)
Well, at least that ended well. But seeing that he never invited Y/N to any group hang outs, either Josh never figured out his problems, or, more likely, Y/N agreed to keep them a secret? She grazed over messages through the rest of February, through March, all the way to the end of April, in that time, the exchanges became increasingly more flirtatious. To the point that Sam was convinced they'd already started dating in that time, until she read the next series of texts.
April 30th 2010
Hey, I figured out that thing I was talking about a couple months ago-
-Oh?
So we can be proper friends now?
Kinda-
Can we meet up and talk about it?
-Ooooooohhhhhh, you're serious about this
Very-
I know it's late, but I'm sorta freaking and I just want to get this over with
-Sneaking out at this time will be pretty hard
You better make it worthwhile
I'll do my best-
(Josh's Pov)
The streetlights illuminated the secluded skate park, yet Josh was waiting impatiently in the shadows listening to the few other teenagers skating. He looked around the area, feeling antsy, he shifted his weight between his feet and bounced gently. Probably making the people around him think something suspicious was going on, but nope, he just came to terms with the fact that he's into guys, and that he's in love with one.
"Hey, skater boy. Should I start doing ballet?" Y/N joked, walking up from the right side.
"Hmph," Josh huffed "uh- sorry..." He wiped his sweaty palms on his jacket.
"It's fine. What did you want to tell me?" Y/N leaned against the fence and looked at Josh's red face.
"I'm..." He dropped his gaze to the floor and kicked the ground softly "I'm Bisexual."
He nodded "Oh. Cool."
"C'mon, you gotta give me more than that"
"Omg yessss! I've ALWAYS wanted to meet a Bi guy! So sick, my dude. Do you like them both at once or-"
Josh scrunched his face in cringe "Dear God, stop, never mind."
Y/N laughed "Sorry, but, no. I mean it. It's cool."
He lifted his head to examine Y/N's expression "Are you...?"
"Yes. Very into guys."
He took in a sharp breath, letting his confirmation sink in "I wanted to keep you away from everybody because-" He let the air out "I'm in love with you. But I don't think it's safe to be... you know... out around them."
"You're in love with me?"
"Maybe thats too strong of a word, I don't know- sorry. I just mean like- I really, really like you. And I want to be with you- but I can't cause its not an accepted thing, it's scary- I'm sorry..." Josh turned away to hide his tears, he'd never been this embarrassed in his life.
Y/N placed his hand on Josh's arm and gently spun him around to face him again "I get it... I'm sorry I made you feel pressured to come out."
"No- no, it's not you, it's never you. I just wish, you know, being like this was cool with the people in my life"
"I'm sorry you don't have a safe space to be yourself. But you have me... I hope I'm enough."
"I'd like that." Their eyes met, then Josh pulled away to cradle Y/N's face. "Can I kiss you? Or is it too soo-" Y/N cut him off by standing up on his tip toes to give the boy a quick peck. Josh was stunned for few seconds, as he tried to comprehend what just happened, he cleared his throat before shakily whispering "wow. You're- you're perfect."
Y/N laughed quietly "Can we do that again?"
"Mhm" Josh nodded then leaned into another, longer kiss. It was as euphoric as he dreamed, he heard his heart beating in his ears, felt the world around him brighten and let Y/N's warmth spread throughout his entire body. He whined when their lips parted "I really like you."
"I like you too, dork"
"Shut up, nerd"
"You first" And Josh was happy to oblige, he led Y/N back up to kiss him again. His hand cupping Y/N's face slid back to fiddle with his hair.
"Has anybody ever told you how gorgeous you are?" He mumbled, pulling away to stare at Y/N's red face.
"Just my mom"
The boy's laughed "Oh, you're a mamas boy?"
Y/N shoved him "Fuck off" They laughed harder.
"Aw dang, I was going to ask you on a date tomorrow, but..."
"No! Take me, pleaseee!!" Y/N begged him.
Josh sighed "Fine. I suppose I can take you somewhere. Can you roller skate?"
"No."
"Good, we can do that then."
"Dude, I said no-"
"Yeah, it'll be funny watching you try not to fall over."
Y/N groaned "You're the worst, you know that?" He wrapped his arm around Josh's, and they walked through the desolate streets, giddy with excitement. They laughed, joked, flirted, all the way down to an alley two blocks away from Y/N's house. Josh pulled him into the alley and began to kiss him, nervously yet desperately.
"I don't want you to go." He murmured against his lips. "I wish I could never leave you"
Y/N giggled "You're so adorable." He moaned into the next kiss "but we'll see each other tomorrow. And we'll be a couple, I guess"
Josh pulled away and gasped "Oh my god, you're my boyfriend??" His eyes eagerly explored Y/N's beautiful, beautiful face.
"Oh my god, I am!" They giggled, Josh wrapped his arms around Y/N, and the pair gently swayed for a few more minutes.
"We should probably go home. I want to make sure I'm well rested and energised for tomorrow."
"Aw, i guess I'll 'see ya later, boy'."
"Shut up or ill kiss you again."
"Tehehe, that's my evil plan."
"Oh, how cruel" Josh leant down and gave Y/N one last kiss "I can't wait to see you."
"You better take a shower."
"Oh, I'll be looking my best"
"I hope so"
May 1st 2010
-Y/N sent a photo
-So excited for our date!!
Woah-
You look good
Like REALLY good
-Thanks bb <3
I can't wait to see youuu
Me neither, gorgeous-
I've been buzzing all night
Like holy shit, you actually like me
-Only because you're the cutest
Really lucked out there-
-I'm heading out
See you soon <3-
-Yeyyy I'm so excited!!
<3
(Sam's Pov)
They went on a date!! Sam slapped her hand over her mouth to suppress her excited squeal. Joshua Washington was in LOVEEE. And Y/N was so cute in the picture he sent, pure delight on his face. Y/N Last-Name-Not-Specified was in LOVEEE!!
It almost hurt her at just how much love there was between them knowing how horribly it ends. Although maybe if she could speak to Josh after this, she could help get them back together, unless she discovered something that would change her mind. But how could that happen when...
(20:17)
-Got home safe!
Thanks, me too-
Although Beth is suspicious bc I came home in a good mood lmao
-AW YOURE SO CUTEEE
Stoppp they're gonna see me smiling-
I'm going to be burned at the stake if this continues
-Silence whore
I'll call you cute if i want
Damn, guess you've got me there-
-Heh heh heh this is all going according to my evil plan
YOURE ADORABLE-
-Thats what I'm saying!!
(Josh's Pov)
"WHO ARE YOU TEXTING??" Beth yelled after Josh checked his phone for the 50th time during the movie, he turned it off and held it out of her reach "Tell me or I'm going to punch you."
"Nobody, psycho. Back off!"
"It's somebody if you're just completely ignoring all my cool movies for them!"
"Cool movies?? It's fucking Twilight!"
"Yeah, I need you ready for the next one."
"Take Hannah."
"I am. We're all going, as a family."
"I'm busy that day. I gotta buy a gun and shoot myself."
"You're lame."
Josh sat back on the couch beside a huffy Beth to continue watching her terrible movie. It lost him fairly quickly and he fell into the memory of the day, his first date, ever. And with the boy of his dreams. A part of him still felt so insanely embarrassed and ashamed of his queerness, it was something drilled into him for so long he didn't even remember a beginning. He never thought to question it. It was just wrong.
Until he was paired up with the cute boy sitting next to him in English class for a project, his whole world opened up and he finally saw colour. And earlier today, at a roller rink across the city, he learned why love is the best muse.
Y/N met him outside, that smile from his photo still prominently displayed upon his face. It made Josh's heart flutter, his red cheeks proof that he hadn't stopped smiling in hours. Inside the building, an old school arcade was attached to the roller rink, the food area to their left. The floor was a dirty old carpet with an 80's design which they walked on to get to the front desk. Josh paid the 18 or 19 year old girl working for two hours on the rink. She handed them two pairs of roller blades, completely apathetic. The boys walked to a bench just outside the roller rink and sat down to put the skates on.
"She was cheery." Josh mumbled sarcastically.
"Woah, did you just discover what it's like to talk to you?"
"You, shush."
Y/N giggled then, like he was just so damn excited to be on a proper date finally. He lent down and slid his feet into the roller blades. "So... how badly do you want to do this?"
"Very. Now c'mon, Cutie." Josh stood, extending an arm to help Y/N up.
"Ah-!" He yelped, his footing was VERY unsteady and he needed a lot of help getting to the entrance of the rink. "You better not be enjoying my struggle."
"Sorry, babe. I definitely am." He followed Josh's lead and stepped onto the smooth wooden flooring with disco lights and random pop hits playing overhead. It was pretty crowded, unsurprising for a Saturday, but Josh was so happy it was like everyone else disappeared and he and Y/N were the only two people who ever existed.
Y/N gripped Josh's hand as they slid along the edge "Don't let go of me..."
"I won't, I've got you." Josh guided him away from the safety rail. He laughed a little at just how shaky Y/N was on his feet "You're so cute."
"Stop laughing, dickhead." His grip tightened as he wobbled "fuck- josh, help me, help me, I'm going to die-"
"You're not going to die, baby. You're fine." Josh slowed down his pace to match Y/N's "I've got you."
"Shut up, you'd let me fall just cause it'd be funny."
"Hey, c'mon, I'd do that with love. No malicious intent, I swear."
Y/N rolled his eyes and grumbled "Oh, what a Saint."
~~
About an hour in, Y/N had finally learned how to move without almost collapsing twenty times in the process. He was down to 17! In that time he still hadn't dropped Josh's hand. Sure it was hot and sweaty and definitely not a good grip to have in case he did fall, but how could he let go when it was Josh's hand?
Josh loved hearing him scream. He'd guide Y/N out a little further than he'd planned, and cackle at his dramatic, panicked shrieks. Oh how he loved it. He loved how he screeched, how his hand clutched Josh's even harder, how he verbally berated him, god, he loved it all.
"I've never been so stressed out in my life- Stop laughing!" Y/N shoved Josh towards the rail.
"Y/N! It's not my fault you make it so easy."
"I swear, if you keep this shit up, no more second date."
Josh stopped suddenly "What? No, I'm sorry, I'll be good."
"You better, Mister. I'm watching you."
"Would you like to eat, Mr. Demandy Pants?"
"Not sure the stuff over there can be classified as food."
Josh rolled his eyes in playful annoyance "Good god, why do I even like you? You complain all the time."
"I'm cute, I'm funny, my hair is absolutely spectacular, I mean what more do you need?"
"A smile would be nice."
"Oh, but I ask for one and its a criminal offence?"
"Yep."
~~
They finished their time on the roller rink, much to Y/N's relief, and went to get slushies. "I like when you spoil me" Y/N poked the crushed ice with his straw and jovially snuggled into josh.
"I like spoiling you" Josh hummed, he desperately wanted to kiss Y/N's head, but fought back. It was way too public for him to feel safe, too many people were around. "And I want to make out with you really bad"
Y/N rolled his eyes "You'll get your chance, horn ball" He bumped josh with his hip.
"I better. I miss you."
"You're adorable."
~~
He got his chance. In that same alleyway from the night before. He pulled Y/N into the shadows, wrapped his arms around him, and just stared. For a long time, he just stared at his boyfriends beautiful face in disbelief, in awe, in admiration. "You're so pretty." He whispered after a short while.
"Right back at you, gorgeous." Y/N's arms were around Josh's neck. He gently pulled josh towards him "today was... the most fun I've had in months."
"Even though you had no control of your legs for a while there?"
He grumbled "Ugh don't remind me." His thumb gently rubbed across the nape of Josh's neck "You made it worth it."
"Funny, I feel the same every time I look at you."
"That makes no sense. Linguistical-"Josh cut him off by kissing him deeply.
"Shut up, nerd." He continued kissing him.
"Still. Made no sense" Y/N mumbled between kisses.
"You're so cute, I'm going to drop dead"
"Don't do that. I like you too much"
"I like you too."
"Oh my god, that's so gay!"
(Sam's Pov)
And things just got more intense from there, Sam even found herself blushing at their exchanges every now and then. More than anything, she felt incredibly happy Josh found someone, he deserved it. She giggled as she read their texts about cooking together one night when everyone was gone from Y/N's house.
June 25th 2010
-They're gone
GET OVER HEREEEE
I wanna smooch that cheeky face
So excited-
Can't wait to see what you're making for me
-NUH UH, MISTER.
You're helping or starving
Ah, curses-
And here I thought you liked me
-No, my overwhelming desire to make out with you is totally casual
THIS WHOLE TIME?!-
-Muahahaha
Now get that cute butt over here or I'm gonna start screaming
Who am I to deny my favourite boy?-
-HURRYYYYY
(Josh's Pov)
As soon as Josh stepped through the door, Y/N pulled him inside by the wrist and Josh kicked the door closed before their lips crashed in a warm moment of beautiful passion. Y/N's hand slid down from his boyfriends wrist into his hand, the one moulded just for him, while Josh's free hand landed on the other boys waist to pull him closer. "You're so beautiful..." He moaned between kisses.
Y/N laughed, "You say that a lot." He pulled away to run his thumb along Josh's jawline "I feel like I don't say it back enough."
"You don't need to, I have a mirror at home." Josh pinched Y/N's cheek.
"Or, you don't like being complemented and you'd rather distract me by bombarding me with love and praise so I don't tell you what a cutie patootie you are."
"Let's not worry about that." He brushed Y/N's claim off and leaned in to kiss him gently again.
"Noooo." Y/N pressed his index finger against joshs lips "You're a stunner. I'm really into you, baby."
"Shut up-"
"Call me a nerd again and I'll start throwing hands, I swear."
"Aw, like you'd ever hurt my pretty face."
"Don't test me. Now come on, I promised you a nice dinner." He led Josh into the kitchen, he'd already set up all the ingredients they'd need for the mac and cheese. "I made sure it's simple enough for you."
Josh rolled his eyes and stole a quick kiss from Y/N "Ha ha. Thank you, sweetie, you're very considerate."
"Aren't I?" Y/N hums "You're lucky you have me."
"The luckiest ever. So what do you need from me?"
"Boil the pasta, I've got to finish up the garlic bread."
"What? Where is it?"
"I've got a fresh loaf in the oven, I'm going to let it cool down, put the garlic butter on it, then put it back in the oven to..." Y/N stops his explanation when he sees Josh staring at him in awe "Are you okay?"
"H-homemade garlic bread...?!" His voice was a stuttering whisper.
"Yeah...?"
Josh suddenly wrapped his arms around Y/N's waist and kissed him with all the love and joy in the universe. "That's the hottest thing you've ever done for me."
"Garlic bread?!"
"It's sexy." His voice was low and seductive, with a hint of humour. "And I definitely won't be making out with you after I eat garlic, so I need to make the most of the time we have left."
"Smart. I didn't think of that." Y/N gave him a sweet, quick peck. "You're clever."
"MEEE?!"
"YES YOUUU!"
They kissed one last time before parting to finally start cooking, but this respite was short lived as every time they could stop paying attention to what they were doing, they were right back at it, cuddling, giggling, dancing, they just could not stay away from each other. Y/N prepared the sauce while Josh drained the macaroni in the sieve, which he slowly added to the pot of sauce as Y/N stirred it all together.
Afterwards, he plated the meal and brought them over to the dining table where Y/N had set up candles for mood lighting and a flower centrepiece. The cheapest ones he could find at the grocery store, but Josh had never seen anything more beautiful. Other than...
"What do you want to drink?" His boyfriend called from the kitchen.
"Vodka."
"Ugh, fuck off." He could practically hear him rolling his eyes.
"Kidding, nerd. Whatever you're having."
Y/N came in a few moments later carrying two glasses of his drink of choice which he placed beside the plates Josh had set down. Instead of being opposite each other, they were right next to each other, ideal for holding hands and intertwining their legs. He smiled when Josh pulled out his chair and invited him to sit first. Such a gentleman. Just before Y/N ate the garlic bread, Josh intervened "Wait, one last kiss? You won't be able to kiss me goodbye tonight."
Y/N pouted, "Damn, you make me want to eat literally anything else." He sighed "but fine, c'mere, sugar"
Josh laughed and lent in for that last kiss, after pulling away, he asked "is that my name now?"
"No, your name is dickhead."
"You say that with love."
"Oh, but of course."
~~
Once they finished their dinner, they did the dishes, which took far longer than usual, because shortly after they began, a water fight started leaving the majority of the kitchen drenched. Because they only had 20 minutes before Y/N's parents came home, they had to clean up quickly, even if they'd rather be cuddling on the couch. Josh was wiping up all the water while Y/N sloppily cleaned all the dishes so he could help him, and maybe even have time for a few extra snuggles before he had to leave.
Which he'd have, but not much of. "I don't want to go." Josh whimpered, his head was in the crook of Y/N's neck.
"Then don't. Stay." Y/N lifted joshs face in his hand to look him in his tired, desperate eyes. "Stay." He implored.
Josh felt his eyes water and broke the eye contact before Y/N got a good glimpse, he shook his head and sighed "I can't." He kissed Y/N's palm "I don't want people knowing about me. My parents will ask questions if I'm late, i-"
"Babe..."
"I'm sorry- I'm scared. I'm so sorry..." His voice broke, and Y/N's heart with it.
"Don't cry baby, please," he rubbed Josh's cheek with his thumb and brought him closer to kiss his forehead "Please, I'm sorry, don't cry."
"It hurts, Y/N. Knowing we can't be together publicly. Knowing I can't give you everything you deserve. I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
"Hey, hey, shhh, shhh." Y/N gently massaged his fingers through Josh's hair that was still pretty wet from the water fight. "I don't need anything but you. Okay? Just you."
Josh nodded against Y/N's shoulder "You're making it harder to leave." They laughed sadly.
"It's okay. We'll talk once you get home, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and every day after that."
"That sounds perfect."
"Doesn't it? It sounds utterly amazing." At the sound of a car pulling into the driveway, Josh stood up straight, kissed Y/N's temple, then snuck out the side door.
September 8th 2010
-Greetings whore
I'm bored
Meet me at the beach?
It's like 11 at night, you doing okay?-
-Yep. I just want to hang out with you
And find cool seashells
And make out?-
-Ugh, You are a whore
I'll meet you at the beach-
If making out is on the table
-Fine, perv. Just be there
I miss you
I miss you too-
-Ily, Sugar Pie
Ily too, Gummy Bear-
(Sam's Pov)
A. Dora. Ble. Their interactions were utterly adorable. And what was even more adorable? This was the first time they'd said the magical words. She witnessed Josh saying he loved someone for the first time. Maybe not fully, but with how closed off Josh was, it made her unreasonably happy he had Y/N. Josh needed someone to love. There was so much of it hidden inside him, he needed an outlet. Y/N. Y/N was someone spectacular to make Josh feel that way. It almost made her tear up. He'd been so lonely, or rather, he seemed so lonely.
But he had Y/N. He wasn't alone. She had no idea what happened on that beach, it wasn't her place to know. Those moments belonged to the two boys who's love the world opened up for.
(Josh's Pov)
He got there around midnight, the air was salty, the beach was desolate, except for a single person staring out into the water. Josh stepped out of his dad's truck and walked to the edge of the beach, he let the wind blow over him as he watched Y/N in his moment of peace.
Before stepping onto the sand, he pulled out his phone and took a picture of Y/N. The stars, the ocean, the serenity, it took Josh's breath away. He watched him for a few seconds more, then walked towards him slowly. Y/N didn't notice him until his hand was around his waist pulling him closer.
"Hi." Josh whispered. He kissed Y/N's head and stared out to the ocean.
Y/N smiled, humming "Hi." They gently swayed for a while before he spoke up again "I love you."
Josh felt his breathing stop, sure they'd said it jokingly a couple times, but he was so serious this time, his heart felt like it was going to burst. "I love you too."
"Have you ever felt this way before?"
He shook his head "No. Not for anybody."
"It's amazing."
Josh kissed Y/N's earlobe "I love you so much."
"You're not gonna believe this..."
"No, I mean- maybe its too soon to say this, but I think I love you more than anything"
Y/N laughed "I had no idea you were such a romantic."
"I'm not, nerd. You're just... different. You're special. And I love you. So much it feels like I'm going to die if I can't be around you." He turned Y/N to face him "It's taken over me. You've taken over me. I- I don't even know if love is a strong enough word, Y/N. I need you more than I need water, or oxygen. Please- tell me if this is too much- I'm sorry, i-" Y/N cut him off with a kiss, exactly how Josh imagined the whole drive here, happy, excited, passionate, loving, everything. When be pulled away, Josh could still feel the remnants of his touch on his skin "Wow..." He laughed quietly under his breath.
"I adore you, dummy. Might not be as much of a wordsmith," he shoved Josh's shoulder playfully "but I swear, everything you're saying makes total sense. It's not too much, or too soon, not when it's you. I don't mean to be a copy cat, but you're literally just describing my feelings. Better than I could without throwing in a million jokes."
"It's taken a lot of time for me to come to terms with these feelings, I'm not keeping them inside when I'm with you. I want you to know me. I don't think anybody does, but I want you to. I trust you to."
"I'm so- thank you, babe. Thank you for trusting me."
"I want you to know all of me, even the bad stuff, the stuff my friends, even my sisters, don't know. Is that okay?"
Y/N nodded "Of course, Joshie Baby. I'm in too deep now, might as well go all the way."
"I'm being serious."
He grabbed Josh's chin softly "I know, Cutie. I'm sorry, you've made me too much of a bad boy, it's hard to take things as seriously as I used to."
"Oh, that's horrible, I must be a terrible boyfriend."
"Just the worst." Y/N led him by the chin into another sweet kiss. "I meant what I said a couple months ago though. Nothing will change my feelings towards you. So tell me whatever you want. I'm listening, and I love you."
"Maybe another time. Let's just watch the waves for now."
"Ooorr... we could look for cool rocks and shells."
"That is what you said you wanted to come here for."
"Yeah, you got your make out sesh, I get my cool rocks."
"Uh, no, I got a couple kisses, that's not a make out sesh, nerd, I'm owed compensation."
Y/N rolled his eyes "You'll get it in the truck once we're done then."
"Making me wait?? After I confided in you?"
"Deal with it."
November 27th 2010
Greetings-
-Salutations
Do you want to come shopping with me?-
I need to get gifts for people and don't want to go alone
-Aw, you missed me <3
Obviously, nerd. I love you-
-Crying
I love you too
And yeah, I'd love to come <3<3<3
Cool, see you there-
<3
(Josh's Pov)
Y/N was waiting by the door they agreed to meet at on his phone, Josh couldn't help himself, he had to take a picture, but Y/N sensed it this time and raised his head to look at him just as he took the photo.
"Hey, did you uh..." he pointed at Josh's phone he just slid in his jeans pocket "Did you take a picture of me?"
"Yeah, you're pretty. And I like looking at you." They walked into the mall together.
"Careful, sweetpea, we're in public."
He sighed "I know, I know. But trust, I will be yearning."
"Wow, like an 1800's play?"
"Oh yeah. Prime secret gay relationship period."
"Can't argue with that, I guess. So, what do you need to get?"
"Eh, I dunno, maybe we should grab a coffee first?" He pointed to the popular cafe chain across the escalator.
"You know this isn't a date right? It was your idea to keep us secret."
"I don't want to! I'd love to be with you and show you off. I'm sorry." Josh's voice broke, and Y/N had to stop himself from cradling his cheeks.
He shook his head "It's fine. You're doing your best, I'm sorry. I'm just being moody."
"Hey, no. You're totally right to be upset. We're both upset by this. The world just sucks."
"Yeah." Y/N took a deep breath and tried to shut out his hurt so he could enjoy the day with Josh "You're right. We should get coffee." He bumped Josh's arm and walked past him towards the café he pointed out a minute ago.
~~
A couple hours later, they had countless bags hanging from their arms as they walked through the mall. It was covered in cheesy holiday decorations and old holiday music played loudly over the poor quality speakers. "How many more things do you need to get?" Y/N questioned.
"Uh, Well, Hannah, she was talking about wanting a somewhere to put her jewellery or something, so maybe a music box? She had one for a long time that broke a couple months ago."
"Why are you asking me? I don't know her."
"Sorry, yeah, I'll do that for her."
"Cool, there's a place downstairs that has music boxes and stuff, and there's a place to engrave a message in it next door if you want to cheek it out?"
"Oh, awesome. That's perfect, let's go." Y/N led him down the escalator towards the store "Have you ever been there before?"
"Yeah, my dad took me there to have my mom's engagement ring box engraved for their anniversary."
"Cute! My dad doesn't do anything for my mom anymore."
"I think that's how most couples are. It sucks."
"Especially when that's what we're supposed to want instead of being happy and gay."
"Those are synonyms of each other."
"Shut up, nerd, I can't kiss you in public."
"Oh, the tragedy."
"Just you wait until I have you in private, I'm gonna love on you so hard." Josh pinched Y/N's cheek.
"Ow! Stop it, loser!"
They stopped in front of the store "I can't help it sometimes, shmookums, you're just so darn cutesy."
"Ugh, go find her present, dickhead. I'll sit out here with all the bags." Y/N walked to the bench nearby the stores and finally relieved his arms of all the weight from the bags.
"Aw, are you all tired?" Josh drops the bags from his arms beside Y/N.
"Yes, man. Of course I am. We've been walking for hours and I've been carrying so much stuff- why do you need so many friends?"
"I didn't chose this, they just sorta appeared."
Y/N sighed dreamily "like me?"
"Just like you." Josh gave Y/Ns hand a gentle squeeze "Be back in a couple minutes." Before turning to browse the stores options.
~~
It took a while, but they eventually finished packing everything into his dads truck. Then, they were sat in the front seat, finally alone, relatively, they were still in the malls parking lot, but it was better than anything they'd had all day. "Yo, can you even drive this thing?"
"Yeah, I do it all the time. When my dad's not using it."
"Are you allowed to?"
"That's a better question."
"So...?"
"Nah, I'll keep it a secret."
"I thought you wanted me to know all your secrets."
Josh turned to look at Y/N for a second, then looked back at the wheel "Yeah, I do." When Y/N didn't respond, he sighed, relenting "I asked him today, alright? He let me take it today."
"And every other day?"
"I steal it if its late and I want to go out."
"Can you drive it legally?"
"I have a learners permit."
Y/N laughed in nervous shock "Wowzer, you're a real bad boy."
He rolled his eyes "Oh, yeah, you've got no idea."
"God, you're cute." Y/N swept a stray lock of hair away from Josh's face.
He turned to face Y/N again and whispered "is this the part where we make out?
"Y/N placed a finger under Joshs chin "You tell me."
"Definitely then."
(Sam's Pov)
Finally she'd finished reading the start of their love story, after... damn, she'd been standing here reading for 45 minutes. Maybe it was time to move on, she needed to get out of the towel, she needed to confront Josh, and find everybody else. But something in her was keeping her from putting the phone back on the shelf, it'd be wrong to keep it so she could continue reading his private texts. And yet still, there was a nagging feeling in her mind like she had to keep it. She had to know more. She sighed and gave in to that part of her, turning the phone off before leaving the workshop and being thrown into more decrepit corridors.
Eventually coming upon a room with a creepy ass dummy wearing her clothes sitting in a chair. Okay, it was time to admit it, his motivations were completely lost on her, and honestly judging by his medical report she vaguely recalled, it seemed like he might just be crazy. Thankfully, her bag was hanging on the door handle, and she let out a gigantic sigh of relief at the sight, she'd left her gym clothes in there. Sam hurried over to pick up the bag, when she felt her ankle being grabbed. Mike.
He had some horrible things to say, the worst being that Josh killed Jess. Fuck, the thought made her want to vomit, she wanted to protest, but could she even try? She'd seen his medical report, she'd seen proof he faked his own death, he filmed her in the bath and chased her while she was unclothed, why put killing someone out of the question?
Sam joined Mike in the room he was standing in, and got to change into her clothes, two hours too late, but she was just glad to finally be wearing something. Once she was ready, Mike helped her force open one of the doors in the corridor with crying behind it, it sounded like Chris, which worried them even more knowing what he'd done to Jess, and who knew if Matt and Em were okay. They broke the door open and stepped inside at the same time as someone else, the same boy she'd been reading about.
An~my third eye was rudely awoken when I suddenly had a hurtful, incredible idea for a fic. Holy shit, I see the 4th dimension now. First meetings are so stressful. They define the rest of the relationship, yet you have no prior scenes to draw vibes from. I hate/adore them :( comment if I mentioned your birthday, I'm curious now lol. never been a teenage boy before but i did my best. Hope its passable. Sorry for bad capitalisation/punctuation/grammar, I'm too lazy to fix it, but I'll write a billion word fic on a dime bc girlhood is a spectrum. just imagine the Sam stuff is happening through ch6 so she has more time to read his phone lol.
Pre-Game & During-Game
(Sam's Pov)
How long had Sam been in the vents now? Can't have been more than fifteen minutes, but with the claustrophobia and the anxiety of getting caught, it felt like an hour, honestly more. Finally, she found a light, which led to a huge, cluttered, yet currently unoccupied room. She kicked the vent cover open and crawled out.
In the room, Sam discovered so many weird things, things that didn't make sense, Josh's psychiatric report, death machine plans, a remembrance board for the twins, and his phone. How was this possible?? She watched him die, but maybe... if that machine is right... no, he wouldn't, right? This doesn't make sense!
Usually, Sam wasn't for snooping through other people's things, but she needed more information. She unlocked his phone and went to messages. She found the name of the therapist listed in his psychiatric report, the most recent messages had the therapist very hesitant for Josh to go up to the mountain, worried it may trigger him severely, and Josh refusing to listen.
She clicked out of the chat, then quickly skimmed down the rest of the names. None really stuck out, until... a name she didn't recognise, Y/N. The last message was eight months ago. I wish I was good enough to love you. It probably wouldn't have anything to do with what's going on, but...
Damn it, she just had to know, when was Josh in any sort of romantic entanglement? He never mentioned anything like this before.
April 24th 2014
-Josh, you're scaring me
Don't talk to me-
-I'm really worried about you, babe
Shut up. I mean it.-
-I can't when you're obviously hurting.
Let me help, please.
Please talk to me.
Go-
The
Fuck
Away
-I'm really scared. Can I please come over?
No.-
No. Leave me alone.
Don't talk to me.
Ever again.
-I know you don't mean that.
I never loved you-
-Now you're just trying to hurt me
I mean it-
I never loved you.
It was just a bit of fun for me
You took it far too seriously.
You're so fucking desperate for a chance for somebody to love you, you'll put up with being kept a secret for years
It's pathetic
-Hint taken.
July 18th 2014
I wish I was good enough to love you-
(Read, 23:26)
Okay, damn, there's a lot in that... no way this relationship was nothing. Sam quickly checked the photo gallery, and it confirmed her suspicions. It was basically filled to the brim with pictures and videos of a guy, presumably Y/N. He has a genuine, bright smile in every one, and it's not posed at all. So full of joy, it's such an infectious smile. Josh had a way of photographing the boy. Always a sparkle in his eyes, his hair always messy yet perfect, Y/N, he... just looked so lovable.
So, Josh was certainly lying about not caring about this boy. Sam returned to the messages between the pair and scrolled up to the start. It took a while. They talked a lot. For almost 5 years. Definitely not 'just a bit of fun'. At the top, she began to read.
October 7th 2009
-Hey, Josh. Just checking this is your number?
Yep. Y/N, right?-
-Yeah.
So, are you busy after school? I want to talk about the project in person so we can be on the same page, yk?
Yeah, totally. Where do you want to meet?-
(Josh's Pov)
The cafeteria wasn't a place Josh liked to visit often. It was too big, usually too crowded, too loud, just not his style. But Y/N wanted to meet there for a couple of minutes to talk about the english project they were paired up for, so he pushed past that and joined him at the table he had set his things at. "Hey?"
He smiled warmly at Josh, it made him feel comfortable and welcome, feelings he wasn't very used to. "Hi!" Josh sat opposite him and let the other boy talk, "Right, so, what are you thinking we should read?"
Josh laughed "I honestly have no idea what it is we're supposed to be doing."
"Yeah, I figured." Y/N joined in "Uh, well, it's basically a book report, but we have to compare our interpretations and then make one big report mixing them both. Or whatever. I'm not a nerd."
"Right, yeah, sure." He nodded wryly, a tiny smirk hidden on his lips. After a couple seconds, he leaned back a bit "No, sorry, I don't know. English isn't really my best subject" He let out a small laugh to ease the hint of embarrassment in his chest.
"I sit next to you. I'm well aware."
"Oh, shush. You dont know me."
"Alright, alright. I guess I'll find us something to read. I'll make sure it's simple enough for you." Y/N gave him a teasing look.
"Shut up, nerd!" The boys laughed together for a few moments. Josh actually liked this guy. He'd sat next to him for a little over a month, and this was the first time they'd had a proper conversation. Their usual encounters involved mumbled 'hi's' and Josh asking for a pencil, this was a really nice change of pace.
He was very surprised by his reluctance to leave. They were saying their goodbyes, but Josh just wanted to talk to this nerd some more. He had to think of something quick before... "Hey, how bout we go to uh- whats it called? That bookstore in the mall, you know it?"
Y/N did a double take at his words, almost cackling at them "You don't know what it's called?"
"No, what is it?" Josh asked.
"Barnes and Noble. The most popular bookstore chain in the country." He answered, barely keeping in the laughter "I'm gonna cry. You don't know Barnes and Noble, that's so funny."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever" Josh tried to hide the rising heat in his cheeks "You want to go or what?"
He nodded, goddamn, he had such a cute smile. It had Josh's head spinning at just how pretty it was. "Sure, bud. Let's go." He quickly packed up his stuff laying around the table, then the two boys left the school grounds. For the first time in years, Josh felt normal. It was exhilarating.
(Sam's Pov)
Nothing much in the rest of October. They were just having casual chats, but mostly they were about the project they were doing. It seemed like they both were really into whatever book they were reading. Or at least Josh was pretending to make him happy.
Suddenly, Sam felt a pair of eyes on her. She whipped around to look for... something? Someone? She didn't know cause nothing was there. Maybe Josh was watching her nearby? Did he want her to see this...?
She tore her eyes from the gaps in the walls and the dark corners, its either nothing, or he wants her to see this. Taking a deep breath, Sam skimmed through November. It didn't seem like they spoke much that month, maybe in person, but their messages were few and far between. The next interesting series of texts came near the end of the second term in December.
December 13th 2009
-Last night was amazing, Josh
Yeah, really fun-
-Its super cool to hang out with you
Outside of school stuff I mean
You're like
The coolest guy I've ever met
And I'm really glad we're friends
Wait, is it too soon to call us that?
DUDE NO-
You're awesome.
We're totally friends
-FUCK YEH
By the way, remember we have that presentation on Wednesday-
-Ugh, I've been such a good influence on you
Don't get your hopes up-
I just don't want you to fail
Not because of me
-You careeeee
Shut up-
-Noooooo
You care so hard
Stop-
I was just reminding you in case you were so wasted you forgot
-Ha ha
I know you care
It's not that deep, nerd-
-Is so.
We've known each other two months and you're already putting effort into school work for me?
That's the deepest shit I ever heard
Yeah, well keep it to yourself-
Don't want anyone finding out about it
-Aw don't worry
I'm good at secrets
(Josh's Pov)
It was weird for Josh to be in a good mood, but since meeting Y/N, his demeanour was noticeably different. He was more energetic, more fun, it didn't feel like a mask anymore either. Y/N was good for him. He turned his phone off and laid back on his bed, a small smile on his face as he thought back to the events of the night prior.
They'd had the Washington House to themselves for the evening, and what began as finalising the project, quickly turned into throwing everything that could be seen as educational into a far corner and hanging out until they heard a car pulling up.
"Dude, I can not focus anymore." Josh had said, rubbing his eyes with exasperation.
Y/N yawned, unsurprisingly. For a guy so concerned with academic success, he absolutely did not sleep properly. Or eat healthy. Or take care of himself at all. It made josh want to be more fun. He wanted to be a safe space for the boy to let loose. To see him without all the walls up. To know him.
Does he like writing as much as he seems to in English class? Or is it art? Physics? Does he feel most comfortable in somebody else's shoes in drama? Is he one of those weirdos that loves math? Or a sporty guy? Politics? Maybe he's still trying to figure it out like Josh. Whatever his passions were, whatever he liked, Josh wanted... needed... to know. Y/N was a rare enigma in the disguise of an open book. The limitless potential continued to draw him closer. As much as he wanted to fight it, this cute mysterious boy was winning him over.
"C'mon man, we just gotta finish this, then-"
"No, no. Listen, Y/N. We're just going over the same stuff over and over again. Nothings happening." Josh cut him off "I mean, seriously, how do you even exist stressing over stuff you've already done??"
"I just need to make sure-"
"We did. You're done." He wrapped his hand around his partners wrist, "You don't need to work on it anymore."
"But-"
"Shush. Nerd. I don't know when you last took a damn minute to chill, but I'm not letting you freak out over this dumb thing anymore. It's good. You know it's good. So let's just hang."
Y/N gave him a look of light irritation, but relented anyway "Fine. But I don't know how to 'hang' like a normal person."
"Alcohol helps" Josh rose to his feet and led a hesitant Y/N down the stairs to the kitchen.
"Hey- dude, no, no, no. We're underage, we're gonna die or something." He protested.
Josh just started laughing "C'mon. Its not like we're babies. Just one beer? They're not that strong. We can share the one so if you hate it I'll finish it, sound good?" He reached into the fridge and pulled out a cold brown bottle.
"Just one?" The younger boy eyed the bottle nervously.
"Yeah. Unless you really don't want to?"
"I- I don't know, can I think about it?"
"For sure, man. No pressure. Its just meant to be fun." He placed the bottle on the counter and sat on one of the stools, turning the seat to face Y/N. "I just want you to take a break. We can do whatever you want."
"Uhm... what if I said I just wanted to order pizza and watch old movies?"
"I'd ask what pizza you like"
~~
"DUDE THAT SHIT IS NASTYY!" Y/N spat the liquid into the sink while Josh cackled behind him "how the fuck do you drink that??" He filled a glass with water and guzzled it down in an attempt to drown out the abysmal taste.
"I usually swallow."
Y/N chucked a half empty bottle of soap in Josh's general direction "Shut up, dickhead."
The other boy continued to laugh at his reaction to the drink. He picked the dish soap bottle up off the floor and walked over to the sink. "The spitting technique is new."
"Fuck off!" Y/N laughed, annoyed at his teasing and even more annoyed that he was funny.
"Not my fault you're a coward."
"I'm not! I just like shit that tastes good."
"So I can't take you to parties?"
"Do I look like I'd survive a party?"
The boys laughed at his honesty. "Guess not." There was a slight lull in the conversation, giving Josh a small moment to admire the boys face. It gave him a weird feeling, similar to the one you get when there's a gorgeous girl across the street, but different... stronger. Whatever it was, it wasn't something he should be feeling for another guy. He knew that much.
Even thinking back on it, a pit formed in his stomach, a tightening in his rib cage with guilt and shame and his head span with that mysterious overwhelming feeling of... wanting to be around Y/N. Wanting to look at him all the time. Now that they were friends, Josh could take pictures of him, right? It wouldn't be weird?
Yeah it would. Of course it would. Dumbass. He ran his fingers through his hair. Remembering when they heard his parents car pulling in. "Shit, you gotta go-" Josh grabbed Y/N's bicep and ushered him up the stairs.
"Yo, what? What's the deal?" He asked as Josh quickly packed up Y/N's school supplies into his bag.
"I'm not supposed to have anybody over, you gotta sneak out"
"They can't be that bad. It's not like I'm a girl or anything. Just tell them we were working on our presentation."
Josh shoved the bag into his chest "No, I didn't tell them you'd be coming over if they found out you're here, they'll actually kill me." He walked over to one specific window and opened it wide enough for Y/N to fit through "It's an easy climb, just straight down then into the bush. You'll be fine." Y/N looked out of the window, he was right. It was an easy decent. "Text me when you get home."
"Sure, bud." He rolled his eyes, then crawled out of the window. Josh stayed nearby until he heard the rustle of the bushes. He let his eyes flutter closed, it wasn't until that moment he realised his heart was beating so rapidly it was on the brink of bursting. All these feelings, these symptoms, were usually terrible signs, but he's starting to consider maybe Y/N made these things positive.
December 12th 2009
-I'm home
Good-
-But you accidentally packed EVERYTHING into my bag, so I have all your school stuff
