YOU MAKE ME FEEL HUMAN

––*✧·˚. and i’m trying to learn. BRAVE doesn’t always mean building walls and b u r n i n g people with fire as protection. i’m trying to learn the kind of brave you taught me – pulling down the gates, letting go of control…

[goodintenticns-blog]

resolutcs:

Arya didn’t obey orders from anyone… but that didn’t mean she was going to be stupid and ignore the male’s words. Especially since she had nothing to gain from taking that one step forward. “Holy shit, dude, you should secure your traps easier,” She scoffed, taking a step backwards and crossing her arms. “What would you have done if someone had come running by and not caught your warning on time? Let them die? Sounds pretty damn irresponsible.”

her response was nothing new to him – he didn’t always make the best decisions, but that didn’t mean he was truly putting anyone at risk this time. she didn’t even know if the trap was something that would kill. instead of getting defensive, his expression blanks and an icy tone takes over. jude shrugs———  “i would only let them die if it was someone i really really hated.”

[goodintenticns-blog]

ofzeroes:

Zero tilted his head to the side when he mentioned it wasn’t going to be used to kill. Wasn’t getting killed all those dead lurkers were good for? “So you’re just gonna keep the deadies? As what, pets?” Zero smirked a bit thinking of what a zombie on a leash would be like. Definitely worse than the pit bulls some put up around their camps as a guard or two. “I’m glad to have a heads up, I don’t want to be slowed down by some cactus needles if I can help it. I’ve gotta stay on my toes out here.” He shifted closer, a sign he was less fearful of the other rogue than he had previously been. “Ya’ got anymore torture devices or booby traps I should know ‘bout?” He continued asking, it was more of a safety precaution than a spark of interest. You could never be too careful out here, it was full of dangers and death traps. Zero didn’t have many allies, either, which didn’t help his case. “I don’t want to end up like one of your zombie friends that a trap like this was planned for.”

along with a scowl, jude’s lips twist downwards into a frown. “are you slow or something?” what sort of sick person was going to keep zombies as pets? and what sort of person would think he would do that? a part of him wishes he could stick a cactus needle through this guy’s tongue. maybe that would shut him up long enough for jude to get away. “you only trap them until you kill them.” he stands his ground, not letting it show that it bothers him that the other has come closer. he simply allows his jaw to clench even tighter. “that depends. are you gonna continue asking annoying questions if i answer?” surely this person would get the hint any second now. maybe they would actually leave him alone. 

[wordsnquotes]

I didn’t dare think of the future; the past was still happening.

John Grisham, The Street Lawyer

[goodintenticns-blog]

minadalir:

that smile, that damn smile. it could always make her drop any guards that she put up and let’s be real, she’s only been adding them on as the years passed and new tragedies occurred. but his smile, none of those really mattered anymore. he was here, he was alive. how could she ever wonder that he was dead, worried about finding a zombie that may have looked like him, just deranged and clearly decomposing. but it was him and those thoughts hardly mattered. “ no but you’re balding a little. you might want to part your hair line different ” a smile tugged at her lips as she spoke but none of it was true but the words just came out so easily. “ the same but different… i suppose i will just have to take that as a compliment. ” it was odd to find yourself teasing another despite the time spent apart, despite the words that are still not spoken. mina had to wonder if she’ll have to ask where he’s been, why he left… or if he’ll tell her. finding out what happened all those years ago, that’s suddenly became far too important. mina took a step towards him, away from whatever danger he was warning her about, but she stopped herself from moving any closer. they might as well be strangers again. “ i never forgot you. ” and that was true. he might not have constantly be on her mind, but he was there. he was always there. “ and it seems that you remembered me too. looks like i made myself hard to forget. ” a joke. she had to joke when any topic of seriousness took place. it was certainly better than nothing.

a hand reaches up to rake through dark hair. “you really think so?” faux concern is painted on his features before he breaks into a full out grin. he’s happy. happy to see her again. happy that they’re able to slip so easily into joking and smiles like they haven’t spent so much time apart. jude had never allowed himself to imagine what a reunion might be like, but he hadn’t thought it would be quite so simple. he would have thought she might try to freeze him out. maybe there was hope for them. “don’t worry, it certainly wasn’t meant to be an insult.” he’s waiting for the interrogation to begin. any second now and she’s going to be asking him why he’s left, where he’s been, why he’s back. it wasn’t something he was looking forward to. just because he owed her answers didn’t mean he wanted to give them, especially since doing so was only bound to cause more trouble. mina and sage were practically sisters. he wished that he could just erase the past so they could begin again – free of missing time and heartache.  “oh trust me, i did try to forget. i don’t think you realize what a hold you have on my mind.” this comes out more flirtatious than he had intended, and nervous hands pull at his fingers, bringing satisfying cracks. however, it was the truth. he hadn’t thought about her much, but he certainly hadn’t forgotten. jude doesn’t think he ever could. they had never been more than a maybe, but that didn’t make her memory any less important. 

[goodintenticns-blog]

cleorienzo:

           “sorry. i didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just easier to offer than for them to take.” knowing that she was no longer in immediate danger, cleo took her time observing the ground. she noted the rather large hole that had been covered. an intelligent trap, something a drauger would easily fall for. wiping her hands on her dirty pants, she realized she needed to properly thank him. “thanks again. it’s a pretty good –” it was as if the air had been knocked out of her then, taking whatever compliment she had planned for him. her eyes widen, glistening on their own before she can process what she sees in front of her. he speaks, and cleo watches as his lips move but she doesn’t catch anything. she’d recognize those features anywhere, wouldn’t she? they haunted her dreams, plagued her thoughts. scared that they’d always be there, terrified that she’d forget them. the boy in front of her resembled her father. “dad.” the word slipped out, a whisper she barely heard herself speak. she had done this before - mistook a stranger for her family members. but this one, he looked so much like what she remembered. standing in front of her could be a rugged version of what her little brother grew up to be. her aching heart beats rapidly as she takes a shaky step foward. “jude?”

surely this girl doesn’t actually think he’s her dad. she had to be the same age as him, if not older. “i dont...” he stutters, trying to think of some way to escape. this was not the sort of situation he had planned on being in today. but within seconds, the uncomfortable smile that had started to form on his lips shatters. she knows his name. jude was usually good with faces, but hers was a complete mystery to him. hazel eyes scan her figure, hoping to find some sort of clue – he had to know her from somewhere. at first there’s confusion, then there’s fear – her step forward causing him to move back. “who are you?” there’s something familiar about her, he can’t deny that. jude doesn’t even notice that his hands are shaking until he balls them into fists. how did he know her? how did she know him? she was looking at him as if he was some sort of ghost, causing his heart to beat even faster, 

[goodintenticns-blog]

archerbrods:

archer paused himself from speaking again. squinting, he stared at the boy in front of him. did he serious not know what a booby-trap was? as he continued speaking, it was evident that he in fact did not know. while it was impressive, archer couldn’t help but wonder how much he spent trying to set it up. i guess there really isn’t anything to do when you’re in zombie apocalypse. he followed the boy’s orders before deciding to interrogate him. “what’s your name? are you a wanderer?” 

how he hated interrogations. if only everyone would mind their own business – that would be his ideal world. still, there’s something about the other that causes his questions to seem slightly less annoying than they usually would. at least what he was asking was harmless. “jude. and sort of. i guess.” his brows scrunch up as if he’s not quite sure of his answer. in some ways he was just like any other person passing through sedona, but the town had once felt like home. “since you’re asking i would assume you’re not. not a wanderer, i mean.”

[goodintenticns-blog]

ridencur:

she had only wandered away from the group a few minutes ago, in hopes of expanding the field of their search, before a stumbled footsteps brought her to a halt, snapping her to attention as she tightened her grip on the gun she had held loosely in her grasp seconds ago. one yell or scream was all that would be needed to bring the whole team to her position—even if a loud, urgent warning from someone who was very much alive reached her ears. but the tension that her body held slackened almost instantly as her eyes focused upon familiar features, “jude?” but even as she spoke his name, her attention switched quickly to scan her surroundings before her. she was far more interested in whatever the warning, he so urgently emerged from the bushes for, was directed towards rather than catching up.  “what exactly am i not doing? am i not meant to move? am i meant to go backwards? a little more information would be amazing right about now.”

he recognizes her only moments before his name is spoken – the girl who had made a difficult time much better. he had met her right as he had been leaving camp chryse, and the two had lived as rogues together before going their separate ways. it seemed jill had decided to stick to sedona. jude can’t help the smirk that appears on his lips, his earlier panic gone. “backwards. yes, backwards.” even as he’s saying it, he’s moving forward – a hand reaching for her elbow to pull her away from danger. “you’re lucky, you could’ve ended up zombie bait, jilly.” there’s teasing in the nickname, but also a fondness that is rare for him. 

[goodintenticns-blog]

minadalir:

do hallucinations talk? mina knows that people often hallucination in the desert, mostly because of the lack of water. she never had to face a hallucination, the hardships in the desert weren’t nearly as much because she had the community behind her back. but she’s certainly seen a mirage once or twice. hard not to when sand is all you can see and the hope of a water source isn’t loss on her. but hallucinations, not so much. maybe they do talk. maybe this is just some weird dream she’s having of a boy that hasn’t crossed her mind in some time. part of her always wondered where he went off to but he had just…left without a single word. too much have gone by since those years for it to still be there. and yet, with him standing in front of her, the pain of him leaving slowly returned. almost as if it never truly went away. “ hi jude. ” she spoke softly, afraid to move. afraid to make another sound and the sight of him would just disappear. would she even want that? no, definitely not. she never wanted for him to go. even if this is a hallucination. “ you look… different. ” if it was one, shouldn’t he look the same to her? he looked more…rough, rugged. is that what being out there does to you? 

he’s only stunned for a moment more, and then, miraculously, his tongue is untied. “is my hair going gray or something?” a smile gently pulls at his lips. he knew that wasn’t what she meant, but it’s his way of attempting to break the tension that he feels the air is so heavy with. jude couldn’t remember the last time he had looked in the mirror or showered. he surely wasn’t looking his best. “you look...the same. but also different.” she, on the other hand, was just as beautiful as she had been three years ago – like something out of a dream. “older, i guess. not in a bad way, though.” what he means to say is prettier, not older, but it’s probably best if he keeps that thought to himself. jude didn’t need to return only to flirt with mina. that would be unfair. for a moment, the thought crosses his mind that maybe this is a dream, and he could pinch himself awake. with eyes unwavering from hers, in a gesture that’s almost unnoticeable, he does exactly that. a slow hand rises to pinch his right arm. he winces only slightly from the pain. “you remember me.” so he really is awake. the statement contains a tone of disbelief. all those years, he had told himself that it would be easier to FORGET. everyone he had left behind would eventually erase him from their memories, so he might as well do the same. but truly forgetting wasn’t the same as forcing something from your thoughts. 

[jakeperalta]

A lover? Maybe. Something tender, anyway. But tender like a bruise.

Marie Rutkoski

[goodintenticns-blog]

toddon:

“…in the name of love?” alright, it was stupid, but he couldn’t resist. especially since in front of his very own eyes was the man himself, jude, the myth, the legend. and as surprised as he was to see him again, alive at that…he couldn’t let anyone see it. “shit, man, i’m gonna owe some people some things now. definitely figured you’d be dead. i had my bet on two weeks after you left.” still, he dutifully took a step back, eyes darting over the space in front of him until he saw the ‘tripwire’. he was usually more astute about those things, but he had gotten a bit more…lax on his look out policy lately. meaning he more or less didn’t follow his look out policy. life was just more exciting that way, right? take now for instance. he’d almost gotten caught in a trap. what kind of looney tunes bullshit was that? “you know that song, jude? s’from a group called the supremes.” he liked to toss out his old school references, from time to time, to make it seem like he was cool, like he knew something about the old world that other people didn’t. but he was as lost as anyone was. he’d never even heard the real song—only renditions that his old pals used to sing around a campfire. 

what the hell is this guy talking about? he squints at the other as if he’s trying to figure something out. what did love have to do with anything he’d just said? jude remembered todd. he wasn't someone easily forgotten. he also wasn’t someone he had necessarily been looking forward to seeing, but the only thing to dread about the situation was the inexorable interrogation he was surely about to undergo. his arms fold into one another in preparation. of course the members of camp chryse would’ve placed bets on his survival – jude would certainly like to know who else had bet against him. his earlier confusion starts to makes sense when todd makes some sort of reference to what jude is assuming was a music group – so that’s where the love thing had come from. he could have to ask someone about this later, but he wasn’t going to let todd know that he had no clue what he was talking about. “yeah, obviously i know the supremes.” frantically, jude searches for some sort of way to change the subject before his lie is found out, but all he can find is –– “were people really placing bets on my survival?”

[wangsjoon]

Celebrity crush? I’m not good at crushes. What if they don’t like the same food as me? I can’t handle that kind of letdown.

[goodintenticns-blog]

resolutcs:

Arya was honestly just strolling about with any clear goal in mind. Hell, if the people in Camp Avalon thought they were going to restrict or control when she left the camp, then they surely didn’t know her well. Then again, it was pretty obvious that they didn’t know her well… they had welcomed her in, after all. Hearing a shout from somewhere nearby, her hand immediately darted towards her weapon, tugging the machete out of its holster and glancing into the direction of the call. Narrowing her eyes at the male that had addressed her, she remained still, brows now furrowing in confusion. “You wouldn’t what if you were me?” She asked dryly. The redhead had been so lost in thought that she had not been paying any attention at all to her surroundings.

“don’t———“ he’s holding his breath, just waiting for something to go wrong. if he hadn’t been so wrapped up in his thoughts, jude would have noticed her sooner. he was almost been to late, but he wouldn’t be to blame if she completely ignored his warning. “step where you’re about to step. ever heard of a trap?” his entire body tenses as a hand reaches cautiously behind his hiding place to where his staff rests. one knock to the head, and he was sure this girl would be out cold – an option he liked to have in case she decided to attack with that machete. hazel eyes anxiously study the redhead.

[goodintenticns-blog]

cleorienzo:

            though her chest falls and rises quickly, cleo stills herself the moment the scream breaks through the silence. had she somehow missed the presence of a drauger? it’s that beating heart of hers that immediately assumes whoever called out wants to save her, not steal the few supplies she had gathered ( or worse ). her eyes search frantically for the voice’s owner, her feet moving slightly to look behind her shoulder. “okay, okay.” she winces, bracing herself for…something. finding herself no longer sure if the male is looking out for her, her hand slowly reaches for the weapon she shoved in her bag. if he wanted to take her things, she would hand them over before striking. if someone’s that desperate, they probably need. but she needed to get back to the camp in one piece in order to help the others.  “i don’t have much,” she begins, trying to glance over her shoulder to find him, without moving her body. failing, her eyes fall to the ground where she notices the way the ground is altered. a trap. “oh.” releasing a shaky breath, the girl takes a step back. “thanks for the catch. could’ve ruined your trap.”

he’s able to relax the moment she steps away. his trap would be safe, and he no longer had to envision himself prying cactus needles from an angry girl’s skin. “christ, i wasn’t gonna rob you. not my thing.” hands rise in a gesture of surrender. he almost feels guilty at first – he hadn’t meant to scare the brunette. thankfully, it didn’t take her too long to realize he was practically harmless. “i thought this would be a good place to put it.” a finger runs over cracked lips.  no one used to stumble upon his contraptions. sedona was far more populated than he remembered, though, maybe it had always been that was, and he had been too caught up in his own world to notice. regardless, something about the trap was going to have to change. he wasn’t going to be responsible for hurting someone that wouldn’t even raise a weapon to defend themself against a robber. “clearly that was poor judgment on my part.” a smirk graces his features, his way of trying to make her feel more comfortable. the statements are more for him than they are for her. jude always found it useful to think things out loud, as he wasn't used to having someone to listen. 

[goodintenticns-blog]

minadalir:

one good thing about being a hunter is that she didn’t have to go out with others. perhaps that’s why she enjoyed it far more than being a scavenger. sure, they have each other’s back and the danger may feel more manageable but honestly? she likes the rush she gets when she’s stuck in a spot that seemed unmanageable, somehow she always managed it. mina had a habit of just wandering the desert until she came upon something, really she hardly paid close attention to where her feet stepped down. a voice had stopped her in her tracks and she was almost tempted to keep going, ignore them. after all, it’s not like they were a zombie or anything, those don’t talk. a sigh escaped her lips and she turned to face the direction of the voice. this better be good. however, she wasn’t exactly expecting to see him. it’s been a long time since they last spoke, since they last saw each other. not since he left without an explanation. her mouth opened to say something, anything, but nothing could come out and just like that, she closed it back up. what was she suppose to say? maybe he wasn’t even real, maybe the desert heat was finally getting to her after all of these years.

at first he’s confused by her silence. jude steps forward, glancing around in a panic, wanting to ensure they’re not in danger. that was the only way he could explain her expression – that she had seen a draugar. but there are none in sight. hazel eyes study her cautiously. “are you...?” okay. that was supposed to be the end of the sentence, but the word fades into oblivion as recognition dawns upon his face. “oh.” the confusion leaves his expression the moment he recognizes her, and he can hardly conceal his regret. she stands like a ghost before him, even though jude had never allowed the memories to haunt him. he had known that he would inevitably have to run into people he had known. that was part of the RISK of returning. it was impossible that they would have all died or left camp. still, he hadn’t been expecting her. “mina.” had it really been three years? jude can’t seem to find any words other than her name. no apologies. no explanations. even though he owed that much to her. mina had been part of the reason why he had left in the first place, but she wasn’t why he had stayed away. he thinks his jaw is clenched so tight he might not be able to speak again.

[goodintenticns-blog]

ofzeroes:

Zero freezes at the sudden and alarming sound, his arms shooting up in defense (and in the appearance of a surrender). He makes a swift move away from the trap that awaits him, and looks over to the supposed source of the noise. His lips drop into an annoyed frown, the last thing he wants is to have his day ruined by some idiot with a trap. “You know, just dropping them in a hole won’t kill them, ya’ have to go for the head,” his tone is blunt and gruff, he hasn’t taken a sip of fresh water since yesterday he’s bound to have a raspy voice. He moves one of his hands to tap the back of his skull, then moves both of them back down to his sides. His eyes glance over the mechanics, quickly. “Do ya’ do this often? I mean, it’s well put together.” Rarely has Zero been impressed with other people out in this man-eats-man world, but he sure as hell couldn’t build something like this himself. The scavenging, wandering boy turns away from the trap and starts walking towards the other, his face still appears uninterested, or possibly even annoyed, “Must’ve taken a while to finish, huh?”

an eyebrow arches – did this guy think he was better than him or something?there were few things jude disliked more than commentary on his actions, and there’s an undertone of hostility to his voice when he addresses the other. of course he knew dropping zombies in a hole wasn’t the way to kill them. “the point of this one isn’t to kill. if you’re going to put a trap in the middle of the desert, you really don’t want to be responsible for the death of some non-zombie idiot.” this, he thought, was common sense. death traps were reserved for when you actually had something to protect – a place or a person. he didn’t have either of those right now. not really. “if that’s more your style, maybe i shouldn’t have stopped you.” jude is more embarrassed than pleased by the compliments he is given. this contraption wasn’t anything to be proud of. his jaw clenches then unclenches, a calloused hand moving to scratch at the back of his neck. “you tend to have some free time when you’re on your own.” he still couldn’t decide whether his initial hostility was warranted or not, but he choses to ignore the first question that was given to him. just because he was asked didn’t mean he had to answer. if he spent his time inventing traps that was his business. 

[goodintenticns-blog]

archerbrods:

“why,” archer questioned, carefully taking a couple steps back. the boy was only trying to get from one destination to another. preferably one with food or left over cigarettes. and then this weird encounter began. “is it, like, a boobie trap?” his eyes searched for any sign of a trap. “i don’t even,” he muttered to himself, still trying to spot the wires.

“boobie...?” his mind completely blanks, unsure what the other means by the phrase – the only type of boobies he was familiar with had nothing to do with a trap in the middle of the desert. technically. jude’s eyebrows draw together in confusion. “uhh look———” he shakes his head, physically trying to clear the thoughts creeping into his mind. “it’s just a regular ole trap. you might want to take several steps back, though.” a finger points to the concealed wire just a step away from the other, clearly he needed a bit of help finding it. 

[goodintenticns-blog]

        “——— stop !!” urgency claws at his throat, and the words fall from chapped lips as he stumbles from his hiding place. hazel eyes remain frozen on the human he’s faced with. jude never intended to lay a trap in a place where someone living might stumble upon it. despite the worry in his expression, he’s a little more concerned with the fact that, if they set it off, he’ll have to take the time to free them, and then he’ll be stuck helping with the millions of  needles that will inevitably be embedded in their skin. “i really wouldn’t, if i were you.” it’s his final warning. one more step, that’s all it will take. it won’t kill them, it isn’t one of those traps, thankfully. instead, it will ensnare them and drag them into the surprisingly deep pit he has dug and lined with cacti – not the most pleasant thing to cushion a landing. the whole thing is meant to be a recreation of something he had built the last time he was in arizona, but it has turned out far more amateur than he had hoped. jude was out of practice. thus, why he had been sitting, waiting to see if it might actually work on an unsuspecting zombie.