Stebbins x OC fanfic
“The Long Walk Series Part 1”
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There’s a tick to her back. The type that only comes from shifting on your feet too long, nothing a good stretch and a bubble bath won’t fix.
It was a miserable day for tips , the chef was in a rancid mood so food was being sent back more than it was coming out. The coffee maker was on the fritz and the rain was keeping customers from stopping in. Rent was due next week and if it kept going this way she wasn’t so sure she’d be able to pay the electric for the month. That was fine though, she had blankets and jackets to keep her warm, plenty of socks too. And it was warm during the day, no need for heat.
She was going to be just fine. Tips would pick up and everything would be back to normal by next month, the holidays were coming and people always felt awfully generous during that time.
The bell above the front door jingled, they were closed and she had her back turned toward the counter, filling the sugars.
“Sorry, love. We’re closed. I’ve got day old coffee and a sliver of blueberry pie left over on the counter. We closed the register so it’s on the house.”
“Harper.”
Her name, clear and soft. Barely audible over the pounding of the rain on the windows.
He was standing there, in the middle of the Diner. Hair soaked from the weather, his cheeks gaunt and the bags under his eyes seemed so dark they were almost purple. His paperboy hat was clutched between trembling fingers.
“Oh.” She whispered. Her heart picked up pace. He looked exhausted. Almost sickly. But he was here. He was alive. “You did it. You won.”
He raised blonde brows “you didn’t watch?”
“Only the first day. I had no desire to see you shot in the head. Stebbins right? That’s what they called you.” She crossed her arms over her chest, tucking into herself. Anxiety rocking her body. She’d grieved him already. Accepted the loss. But he was here.
“It’s all over the news.” His voice was hoarse. “The winner, he killed … the warden. My dad. But my dad… he didn’t let them shoot me. I suppose he thought it would redeeem him from all the evil. Saving his son.” He winced, disgust coloring his features “they were going to send me away. Have me sign something swearing I would never reveal what actually happened. But now they’re using me as a poster boy. “The real winner. The boy who survived the shot.” His laugh was bitter and there was a watery quality to it. “They fixed me up at the hospital. I was dying, my body was failing.”
She turned away then, focusing on the strawberry stain glaring at her from the counter.
“Yeah, we’ll you mentioned that was a possibility. You had it all planned out. I’m sorry you didn’t get your wish.” Her apron was filthy and suddenly it felt too tight. “I’m glad you won.” The smile on her face was so fake it was almost funny. “Your mother must be thrilled.”
His hand came over to rest on her forearm, turning him to her gently.
“Harp. Please. I didn’t do it for her.” He looks so damn tired.
“No.” She pulls herself free “you did it for a man who thinks shooting children in the head is for the good of the Country. That’s what you wanted isn’t it? Your Dads approval? Does it feel like you thought it would. I watched you that first day. Stepping over dead bodies? Taunting dying boys? I don’t know who that is. I don’t know you.” Her lip quivered and she watched his heart break in front of her eyes.
“No.” His voice was the firmest it has been since he walked through the door “No, you know me. I had to act like that to survive. I hated it. I hated every second of it.” His words shook under the weight of the confession. “I wanted you, I wanted you the entire time. I made a mistake. I was foolish and naive. I thought I could do this and it wouldn’t change me. It killed me. You were right. None of it was worth it. I lost so much.” Tears poured over his cheeks. He was so young. He looked so young. “They were good people. Good boys all of them.” He choked.
He was shaking but so was she. She had begged him, told him he couldn’t do this to them. Even if he survived he would never be the same. She couldn’t be with him if he chose this suicide mission. It wasn’t fair. He wasn’t being fair.
But he was here.
He was alive.
She wants to reach for him, pull him to her. But she can’t. Not yet.
“Did it hurt? Was it awful?” She whispered.
His eyes found hers then
“In every way.”
And that was it. She ran for him, wrapping herself around his body as he shattered, sliding them both to the floor. His sobs shook her entire frame as his fingers dug deep into her skin. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You were right. I watched them die. I watched them all.”
They stayed like that for hours, until his breathing calmed and his tremors faded. His hair was too long and his skin was sunburnt. He needed a good meal. He was partial to sugar and she was already planning the jelly cookies she’d spend days feeding him. Her whispered words of forgiveness melted into his skin and after a bit he was boneless in her grasp on the dirty Diner floor.
“It wasn’t supposed to be me. You didn’t watch, you didn’t see. I told them I was ready to die with my head held high. He thought he was saving me but he wasn’t. I don’t know my body anymore. Everything hurts. The doctors said I’m fine. They cleaned me out. They say the pain is mental but it feels like I’m still there. My feet… they feel like I’m still walking.”
“Hmm.” She brushed her fingers through his hair “I’ll walk with you. We’ll walk together. The two of us.”
Something like a memory flashed across his face before he settled into her hold even tighter.
“An honor.” He whispered.
