An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapter Four: the hypocrite, the liar, the thief
Relationships: Damon Maitsu/Kai Monteago, with future Eva Tsunaka/Diana Venicia, Mark “Mayhem” Berskii/Jett Dawson, Wolfgang Akire/Grace Madison
He couldn’t afford to fuck up, or be selfish, or lose control. Stay focused. No matter what happened today when they reached the shutter doors of the Alpha Sanctuary, no matter what Tozu did or said about the perk, he would remain in control. The others didn’t know, they couldn’t know.
‘Nothing you do matters…’
He was the only one who could stop this.
'They’ll die, and so will you, Damon. Again, again, again.’
“They’re alive. I’m alive.”
By the time he emerged from the bathroom, Damon had found some clarity amidst his anxiety and enervation, a new swell of determination. He rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, buttoned up his light brown vest, and adjusted his tie, ignoring how without his blazer he felt too exposed. He’s survived worse, he could survive a day without it.
“I’m fine.” Then more firmly, “I’m fine.”
He said it over and over again, steeling his expression, preparing to face everyone and everything. He couldn’t let that vulnerability show.
Damon would wear the face of the Ultimate Debater.
Additional Tags: Time Loop, Damon Maitsu is stuck in a time loop and has to save everyone with the power of friendship… kind of, it really depends on your definition of friendship, Damon’s really going through it, killing game but everyone survives, character death but like in past loops, I’m gonna be real with you: this is mostly kaimon-centric BUT everyone will get their turn to shine, you’d think damon would be better at feelings by now but nah, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, this fic is self-indulgent and a melting pot of ideas based on info that’s come out about pjeg’s plot with my own twist on them, Slow Burn, Touch-Starved Damon Maitsu, Hurt/Comfort, mentions of past drug use/overdose, self harm in the way that neglecting self care can get to the point of being self harm, Self-Harm, Trauma, Anxiety, Damon Maitsu says he’s fine but c'mon now, it’s not all angst i promise lol
Hello again! Another stressful chapter (good stressful for me, bad stressful for Damon) Thank you so much for the kind comments on the last chapter! I really hope you enjoy this one, too! It took a lot outta me lol
