Haha sorry guys, This time, in order to reflect the different heights of everyone, the proportions of the characters have been changed. It looks weird I know. Won't next time🥹
Originally this was meant to be Splatoon related, but I couldn't finish it. Instead, I redrew the thumbnail to my Marie Skullgirls Charger voicelines addon for Left 4 Dead 2. Finally "finished" it.
After a bad run in with a special infect, you're down for the count, and the team's asshole is the first to get to you while you're trying to keep it together and stay strong to save face. As a con artist and a man of shady trades, he sees right through your mask... and that's alright.
You're an athlete, the star player of a little league baseball team in Savannah. The day that the Green flu hit was the day that you were heading out with your family for the last game you'd take part in.
Coincidentally when shit hit the fan, you were wise enough to get away from your folks as they began to turn. The hardest decision on your behalf.
You meet the gang on your way to evacuate with what you had left, and even that got taken away.
Even if everything's gone to hell, somehow you find it in yourself to stay resilient. Strong.
When the chopper leaves everyone in the dust, you're the first to take initiative and suggest to head for the mall. Somehow, this gets you on Nick's nerves. Not that it's a hard thing to do. While making your way through Savannah, he makes it a habit to bump heads with you whenever he can.
It wears you down, makes it harder than it already is to have watched everything you've ever worked for, and everyone you've ever loved, go up in flames.
Still, you find the strength to push through and keep it together.
While setting out to get to the Evac station, you and the gang decide to go hunting for supplies; medicine, food, etc.
The only reason you were downed in the first place was because you were sticking your neck out, as you tend to do. Nick didn't see the bastard coming when you shoved him out of harm's way.
The charger had slammed you down a couple of times, sending your spine to hell as he shook himself out of his stupor. Honestly he seemed surprised anyone would ever do that... for him, nonetheless. The idiot who only seemed to care about himself.
With a good couple of rounds into the infect, you're free at last, but linger on the asphalt for longer than what you would've liked.
Nick approaches you, glad that you're not dead or paralyzed with any long lasting injuries. He's about to make a comment on how strong you are when he notices the way you tense up after recovering.
There's something in your eyes, definitely not sweat or dust that just has him staring like a deer in headlights. He's never seen you cry, even when you've been beaten down by the horde or singed by spitter's goo.
But... you weren't invincible, and as you struggled to stand, he could see that you were really at your limit.
"Hey...", he starts... uncertain if he should say anything at all. He's not exactly the best at these things, but he's trying and that's what matters!
His hand finds your shoulder and gives it a light squeeze, you're as still as stone when he moves into your side, lifting your arm up to help you into the safe house up ahead while the others were busy scrounging up what they could for the evening.
The walk is agonizing, even as you clench your jaw to try and keep it in.
"Thanks Nick, but I'm fine- really", but as you say that out loud, you struggle to swallow the lump in your throat.
He gives you a look that says he doesn't buy it, and makes his advance to gently and very awkwardly attempt to comfort you about your near death encounter
"You don't have to lie to me, I know that it hurts", he frowns, because he's not the mushy, sappy, touchy feelie one. That's Ellis.
"You can push me away too, but just... let me- let me help you out this one time? I just... I'm sorry, it's kinda my fault and you were just-", he shuts up when you slowly accept the shitty hug.
It hurts, but that's alright. This is alright. Behind the steel bars and pole locking the door shut, this is the safest you'll ever feel. Letting frustrated tears flow out of your eyes as they well over. You can't remember the last time you've been hugged either, and the relief hits you in one massive wave.
It's overwhelming to the point where you can't breathe, even as you quietly sob as this stranger you've met by chance pats your back. Nick whispers to you that things are gonna be alright, and that he's sorry.
"I'm... I can't lose anyone else", you sigh as you bury your head into his shoulder. This is a thousand dollar suit you're getting your tears and snot on, "We aren't going anywhere sweetheart", he says. It wasn't going to stay clean forever after all.
When you're done crying, he helps patch you up, with the little bit of medicine that's been left behind and what's on your persons.
You're tired from the journey and the countless fights you've been in, so you can't be bothered to put your walls back up. Nick offers to take first watch while you catch some shut eye.
Rochelle, Coach, and Ellis don't come back until later that evening, and they're in for a treat when they do.
Rochelle is trying to hold in a laugh as Ellis coos about how adorable the two of you are together. Nick's glowering at the others while you rest against his shoulder.
Coach starts on dinner while shooing the other two to let y'all be but he can't help but to smile at Nick and you from afar.
