If you’re taking prompts, how about " regardless of everything you've said and done in the past, there isn't a single part of me that wouldn't open the door when you're knocking on it. " for a pairing of your choice?
Thank you, Kate! ❤ It's been a long while since I posted anything Lescob related, so here it is!
wordcount: 796.
What Leslie least expected when she opened the door to her little cabin in the woods was to find the Herald of the North leaning lightly on the porch railing.
However, what she definitely didn’t expect to see was red.
The mop of red hair that had popped into her thoughts whenever they spoke on the radio was speckled a dark, dripping red, as was the rest of his left arm and leg. Jacob's blue eyes were barely focused, a distant mist that left her throat tight. And his face… rivers of blood ran down his forehead, giving her a macabre appearance that made her immediately let go of what she had in her hands.
There was no time to waste. He was bleeding to death in front of her and, by chance of a destiny that both had not wanted to name, he was there. He had crossed the mountains to help him and she was not going to let him down. Never.
"C’mon," she puffed, stumbling to his side as she noticed he began to collapse at her door, "don't do this to me, Jake, please."
Catching him suddenly, she did her best to carry him inside without having to drag him. She had various survival kits scattered throughout her cabin, but the mere thought of leaving him alone made her eyes sting. You've got to do it, for him, do it for him.
With some difficulty, she managed to slowly place the reddish behemoth that had caused her so much trouble on the couch behind the kitchen counter. She must act fast but carefully, her hurried footsteps reminded her, echoing through the lonely room, these wounds were deep. Who knows what happened to him while he was in the mountains. Was he attacked by wildlife? Was he in trouble with a rebellious subordinate?
Leslie took three different kits that she had collected throughout the war and, turning to her patient, she began to work.
“Why’re you helping me again?
She was startled at the sudden hoarse tone that filled the silent space she had occupied.
"I found you on the brink of unconsciousness at my door," she answered tenderly, continuing to apply pressure to his arm.
Jacob snorted. “I wouldn't have expected ya to be so forgetful to disregard that I'm still your enemy.”
"Not to me," it was an instant reply. “Regardless of everything you've said and done in the past, there isn't a single part of me that wouldn't open the door when you're knocking on it.”
She could feel his eyes on her, analytical, but without that weight that had made her feel so uncomfortable at the beginning of the conflict. It reminded her of when she happened to run into him at the county laundromat and how he always lent himself to help her for no apparent reason. Years later, he himself had recognized that he had seen something of him in her, a kind of need to be strong for others that had made both of them push away all emotion except one: the instill to everything for which they cared for.
She could never forget how kind his eyes would return when she told him about her troubles, when he saw her younger siblings playing outside the family inn, or when he chatted respectfully with her father—both part of the military at some point, they understood each other. No matter how many Reapings there were, Leslie didn't think those were memories that could go away easily.
“Besides, you know why I opened that door, don't ya think?” She finally looked up at his face, giving him a brief smile of encouragement at seeing him so… dumbfounded.
Something clicked into his gaze and he nodded, settling himself better on the couch to give her access to the other wounds.
"I know," he breathed, closing his eyes. "Of all the people in this county, you’re the only one I can trust to open the door to a stranger who could kill you."
Leslie's chest filled with a warm, gentle sensation. Jacob couldn't always correctly express what he was feeling, so when reading between the lines, he just couldn't help but light up.
You are the only one I can trust to help me when I need it.
“You know me well,” she chuckled, reaching for the sutures in the survival kit. “Now, be ready, this is gonna sting like a motherfucker and I don’t want sudden curious wildlife wondering why I have one of them here in my house, understood?”
He laughed quietly, and she had to keep herself from doing a double take to make sure she wasn’t under any residue of Bliss or Tweak’s jimson weed. “Ain’tcha gonna give me whiskey at least?”
A prompt from @strafethesesinners thanks for the prompt!
Using @strafethesesinners’s Cooper and Joy is mine!
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Prompt: “I’m not leaving you here”
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Cooper walked into the Church flanked by the two peggies. He kept his breathing steady, but his heart was beating in his chest loudly. Ahead he saw the Seed siblings standing at the altar almost like the night when they came to arrest Joseph.
“Joy! Where is she?” Cooper shouted.
He had come on one mission. He was going to bring her back.
She had disappeared soon after her birthday party and everyone was worried. They hadn’t heard from her in days. Cooper immediately knew what happened. Jacob had been frustrated with his lack of success in capturing him for whatever scheme and decided to switch his focus to Joy. He heard the taunts over the radio slowly became more and more aimed towards Joy.
A peggie defector told the resistance and Joseph was planning on a big announcement and Cooper didn’t hesitate to rush in. His plan didn’t include getting caught, but there were a lot more peggies than he ever saw in one area before and he also knew he couldn’t die while Joy was still in their hands. He should have been by her side. He said he was going to protect her and he still needed to prove that.
“You have been very rude, deputy.” Joseph turned slowly to face him. “But all are welcome. So please sit and listen.”
Cooper felt the peggies by his side attempt to drag him to a seat. He stood fast and stared at Joseph defiantly.
“Where is she?” He repeated.
Joseph looked at him dangerously, “sit down and listen.”
Cooper grit his teeth. He could feel the frustration rise up in him. He opened his mouth to shout again, but the side of a gun against his temple sent him to the floor instead. The peggies grabbed under his arms and sat him on the floor in front of them. Cooper bit his tongue and allowed them to move him. He still didn’t know where Joy was. He had to play along for a little while longer even if he would rather just beat their faces in.
The screens filled with Joseph’s face. Obviously it was another live broadcast. He wondered what was so important. All the Seeds were here so Joy had to be somewhere in the compound. Cooper looked around for any chance of an escape, but the Church was packed. There were so many peggies crammed into the tiny church. Only the isle in the center remained clear.
“Brothers and sisters, today I have a story to tell.” Joseph started out. “Some of you may have heard it before, but for those who are not familiar I will start from the beginning.”
Cooper reached up and touched his temple where the gun connected. There was a small stream of blood running down his head. He could imagine the lecture coming when Ryan found out what happened. He just hoped that Ryan would stay away and all of them wouldn’t be caught. Cooper vaguely heard Joseph speaking in the background, but he didn’t care enough to pay close enough attention until he felt the tone shift in his voice.
“The doctors told me my daughter was going to live.” Joseph’s voice was thick with emotion.
Cooper blinked. Joseph had a child? He had never heard of her before.
“God laid a path in front of me and I knew I had to choose.” Joseph closed his eyes. “I pinched those tubes shut and waited. Release. The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh.”
Cooper’s heart started beating faster. Joseph really admitted to killing his infant daughter live on TV. The man acted like it was the most impressive feat. As if he was proud of it.
“I gave up my daughter as a sacrifice to show I was willing and dedicated to His cause.” Joseph exhaled slowly. “But the Lord works in the most unexpected way. Just as God let Isaac live: my daughter has returned to me.”
Cooper looked confused. Did his infant daughter come back to life? He wasn’t sure how he felt about the cult making zombies. Let alone baby zombies. The doors at the back of the Church opened and everyone stood and turned. A slender figure walked down the path as the peggies cried out and called to her. They bowed as she passed them. Cooper tried to stand up from the floor to get a better look, but the gun pressed against the back of his head kept him in his spot.
“Joy!” Cooper shouted as soon as she came into view.
She didn’t turn. She continued to walk where she stood in front of Joseph. Cooper waited, confused. She looked different. Her hair that was normally in a half ponytail was up in a tall bun. Her face had matching glasses as Joseph even though it was getting to be dark outside. Cooper’s mouth went dry when he realized. Joy was the daughter. He looked at her again. He could kind of see the similarities, but she must look more like her mother.
“My child. You have been gifted back to me for a reason. God wanted me to have you.” Joseph rubbed her neck affectionately. “I introduce to everyone: Joy Seed.”
Joy glanced down at Cooper and made a small hand sign towards him. Cooper shook his head, while he had been trying to learn some ASL he wasn’t as proficient as Ryan and Joy. He didn’t know what she was trying to tell him.
“Joy will be joining each of my Heralds in their region and learning our ways. One day she will take my place and continue my legacy in New Eden. She is a sign that our ways will be passed on and we will survive the collapse. Now go in peace my children. We have a lot of work to be done.”
“Joy!” Cooper shouted again, but he was drowned out by the cheers from the crowd.
Cooper turned around quickly and surprised the peggie holding the gun to his head. He surged to his feet and launched himself at Joy. Jacob quickly moved into action and stepped in between the two of them. Joy was grabbed by the arm and pulled backwards by John who held her tightly against his chest. Cooper felt someone jump on him from behind and more peggies rushed in at the side. He swung wildly and continued making his way forwards. He refused to give up. She may share the same genes as them, but they were not her family. Cooper gasped when Jacob punched him hard in the gut as two other peggies grabbed at his arms.
“I have been looking for you.” Jacob grinned.
“Fuck you.” Cooper snapped as he continued to struggle in the grasp of all the peggies holding him back.
“I think that it is time for you to leave. You have caused enough of a disturbance already.” Joseph said flatly. “This is a time of happiness and celebration for my daughter has been returned to me.”
Cooper kicked his legs out as they started to drag him away from the altar. Joy looked at him with worried eyes, but she was still being held tightly by John. He locked eyes with her.
“I’m not leaving you here! I’ll be back! I will get you out of this. I promise.” Cooper called to her.
Eden's Gate Enforcer and Thrift King on grill duty!
Need a father figure? Look no further, local himbo cultist ready to serve burgers, call you champ, and tell ya some unnecessary wisdom.
I was so lucky and grateful to get a commission from a talented @dep-yo-tee of our baby boy Thomas Keller(Hanged Man)! OMG, MY SON LOOKS AMAZING IN HIS FULL-ON (WANNABE) DAD GEAR AND IS READY TO OPERATE THE GRILL. THE STYLE AND LOOK ARE BEYOND WORDS. Jonny really did my son right and then some. Can't express how happy I am with this piece! Tom is looking slick like this.
I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.
well maybe my path to getting revenge wouldn't be so bloody and destructive if people didn't keep getting in my way to lecture me about what a bloody and destructive path it is
dededos
areudirty
jbbartram-illu
turnnoffyourmind
tangentwithtanner
izzy806
ellievsbear
