Winter Whumperland 2022: Day 8. Unexpected Kindness
Fandom: Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick, Jake "Hangman" Seresin, f!reader, former Bob x reader
Summary: Soon after a tragedy strikes, Jake finds you at his door late one night. Will he do what he has always dreamt of and you are now begging him for? Or will he find the strength to do what is right?
Word Count: 4300
TW: Emotional Angst, Grief, Death of a Loved One, Main Character Death, Tears, Drunk Reader makes bad decisions, Intoxicated Kiss, Tattoo
Notes: Thank you to @lorecraft and @green-socks for talking me through this and their support! I love you guys!
Sequel to No Laughing Matter but can also be read as a stand-alone piece.
As Jake poured his third glass of bourbon of the night, he was starting to regret not taking Coyote up on his offer to go to the movies with him and his new girlfriend. There wasn’t anything interesting playing, but it would have been nice to take his mind off of things and just mindlessly watch some robots blow some shit up or whatever for two and a half hours. But instead, he was sitting alone in a dimly lit room with only his drink for company. Not his smartest idea, but he just didn’t know how to act around his best friend at the moment.
For the past eight months, Jake had been on an extended medical leave back in Texas after he was injured in a training exercise. The break was actually doing him a lot of good. He had forgotten what it felt like to not have to try to be the best all the time. For the first time since joining the Naval Academy straight out of high school, he let himself relax and didn’t worry about how he compared to those around him. He stopped cutting his hair and grew a beard, both things he was never allowed to do while on active duty. It felt like he had control over everything in his life for once. That was until he had gotten the phone call.
Which was how he found himself staying in this rental house back in California a month before he was to be cleared for active duty. Though they had kept in contact through texts and emails, he hadn’t expected to be in person with the entire Dagger Squad again this soon. Or at least…. almost the entire squad.
Downing the rest of his glass of bourbon, he reached for the bottle to pour another when a knock on his door drew his attention. At almost one a.m., he had no idea who it could be. Only a few people even knew where he was staying, and he had made it clear he wanted to be left alone tonight.
Throwing the door open, Jake inhaled sharply as he saw the last person he expected standing just outside. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
You rolled your eyes. “Well, hello to you too, Jake. You sure know how to make a girl feel wanted.”
“No, I’m sorry. I was just surprised to see you here. Especially this late.”
Neither of you spoke for a long moment, each just staring at the other. Jake hadn’t seen you since the service a few days ago but you looked even worse than you had then. Your hair was a mess, your lipstick was smudged, and your eyes looked sunken and bloodshot. It wouldn’t surprise Jake if he learned you hadn’t slept more than a few hours over the last few days. Not that he would have blamed you.
Finally, you broke the silence and asked, “You gonna make me keep standing out here, or are you gonna let me in?”
“Oh, right, sorry.” Jake held the door open wider as you pushed past him into the house. “How’d you get here? You didn’t drive, did you?”
You scoffed. “No. Do you really think I’m that irresponsible? Phoenix put me in a car after she made me leave the bar. The guy was driving past and I remembered you were staying here while you were in town.” You stumbled slightly as you walked around the small space examining the decor. It was clear why Phoenix sent you home for the night, though Jake was surprised she hadn’t insisted on going with you.
You spotted the still-open bottle of bourbon sitting on the table and grabbed at it, almost knocking it off the table. Without even trying to look for a glass, you pressed it to your lips and took a long swig. You grimaced as you swallowed yet raised the bottle for a second drink, but Jake placed his hand on your wrist before you could.
He gently eased the bottle out of your hand and set it back down. Running his hand lightly up and down your arm, he asked, “Not that it isn’t great to see you and all, but whatcha doing here, sweetheart? It’s late and it looks like you’ve already had an exciting night. Maybe you should just be heading home. I can drive you.” He reconsidered as he remembered the three glasses of bourbon he had drank that night. “Well, I can make sure you get home safely.”
“I don’t wanna go home,” you muttered faintly as you ran your fingers through the few drops of bourbon that had fallen onto the table. “I came here for you. I want you to do what you said…. last year in the bar.”
Jake’s brow furrowed as he tried to remember what you might be talking about. “I say a lot of things. You wanna give me a hint which one you’re talking about?”
Awkwardly removing your jacket and letting it fall to the floor behind you, you took a step closer causing Jake to step back so you didn’t bump into his chest. “You said one night was all it would take. That after one night with you, I would forget his name. I’m here so you can help me forget.”
Jake felt all the blood drain from his face as he realized what you were talking about. The night in the Hard Deck when he had gotten very drunk and tried to fight Bob. Not that it had been much of a fight considering Bob had laid him out with a single punch, but Jake had still felt awful about it. He apologized to both you and Bob the next day and it seemed like that night had been pretty much forgotten by everyone involved. But he guessed he was wrong….
Jake placed his hands on your now bare shoulders. “Sweetheart, you know I didn’t mean that. It was a stupid, drunken mistake that–”
“You meant it.” Your tone wasn’t harsh or accusing, just matter-of-fact. You took yet another step closer. “You’ve wanted me since the first day we met, don’t deny it. And you can try to brush off all your comments as teasing but I saw the look in your eye when you made them. You meant every word. But that’s okay. Because tonight, I’m giving you exactly what you’ve always wanted.”
You slammed your lips against Jake’s, catching him by surprise as you pushed him back against the wall. Your hands threaded through his long locks, grabbing hold and using them to pull him even deeper into your lips. Jake could taste the strong sting of alcohol on your breath as your tongue slipped clumsily into his mouth and he froze, unsure of what to do.
For just a second, he considered it. He had dreamt about you often since the day Bob introduced you, and they were always the sort of dreams where he couldn’t look Bob in the eye for a few hours afterward. Yet he had resigned himself to the fact that even if you and Bob ever broke up, you weren’t the kind of girl to go for someone like him. So this, this kiss, this chance, it was more than he ever hoped for.
And yet the second you slid your knee up to rub against the growing bulge in his pants, he snapped out of it. Grabbing your wrists, he gently untangled your hands from his hair and eased you off of him. Your eyes darted across his face, so desperate and confused as to why he pulled away that he almost lost his resolve and pressed his lips against yours once more.
Panting slightly, he whispered, “We can’t do this. I–I can’t do this.”
“Why not? It’s what you always wanted.”
“I can’t,” Jake whispered again, shaking his head.
Running your thumb over his cheek, tears began to roll down your face as you whispered back, “Yes, you can. It doesn’t matter anymore. He’s gone, Jake. He’s gone, and I’m falling apart without him. I just need someone right now. I need you. I need you to take me back into the bedroom and do what you’ve always wanted, just…. just make me forget. Please. Just for tonight. I just need this pain to go away for just one goddamn night.”
You leaned forward again but he shifted slightly so instead of your lips meeting, your foreheads did. Pressing firmly against you, Jake closed his eyes and took several long, deep breaths before he muttered, “Please don’t ask me again. I’m not a good enough man to deny you a third time. You’re right, I’ve always wanted you. I still want you. But not like this. We both deserve better than that.” Jake opened his eyes and stared directly into yours. “He deserves better than that.”
You jerked your head back as if he had slapped you, rapidly blinking in shock. Releasing him, you stumbled back from the wall, turning your back to him. When you finally faced him once more, Jake could tell some of the alcohol-induced fog had lifted. Tears were streaming down your face more quickly now and your bottom lip was quivering so hard, he could almost hear your teeth chattering.
Wrapping your arms across your chest, you sobbed, “What am I doing? He’s been gone for only a little over a week and I’m already throwing myself at one of his best friends.”
Jake wasn’t sure if you were just being hyperbolic in the heat of the moment, but hearing you call him “one of his best friends” caused a knot to form in Jake’s chest. But he ignored his own pain and tried to gather you into his arms, “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.”
You struggled to free yourself from his embrace. “No, it’s not! I promised him I’d never do something like this. That he was the only one I ever wanted to be with. And now…. Now I almost–” Another wailing sob ripped through you, cutting off the rest of your words.
Jake didn’t know what to do. In fact, he’d been having a harder time than expected dealing with what happened. As unrealistic as it was, Jake couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been different if he had been back from leave and flying with the squad. Maybe he could have provided cover for Phoenix and Bob’s plane. Maybe that lucky bullet from the enemy wouldn’t have broken through the canopy and struck Bob in the neck. Maybe then he wouldn’t have bled out before Phoenix could even land the plane.
But all the what-ifs and could-have-been’s in the world wouldn’t change the fact that Bob was dead, and you were currently falling apart in Jake’s arms. However, where Jake might not have been there to help Bob then, he damn sure was going to do everything in his power to help you now.
“Sweetheart, look at me. Look at me!” You stopped struggling and gazed helplessly into Jake’s eyes. “I can’t be your Band-Aid to try to stop the pain, but you did nothing wrong tonight. It was only just a kiss and even if it had gone farther, you wouldn’t have been breaking any promises to him. Even in marriage, these things are only ‘til death do us part’, right? You held up your end of the bargain and he would understand. He would want you to be happy.”
“But I’m not! How am I ever supposed to be happy again when Bob is gone! We had our whole lives planned out together. He was going to propose and leave the Navy after his next tour so we could start a family. But now it’s all gone and I don’t know what to do.”
All of the fight suddenly went out of you, and you collapsed limply into Jake’s arms. Holding you tightly, Jake slowly sank to the floor and pulled you into his lap. Balling your fists into his shirt, you clung to him frantically as your body was wracked with sobs. There was nothing Jake could do but hold you tight and remind you that you weren’t alone.
After what seemed like hours, your sobs softened into sniffles before you eventually fell silent. Finally, you whispered, “Jake, how do I do this? It’s just too big. How do I deal with it?”
He took a deep breath and held it for a second before slowly releasing it. “I honestly don’t know. I guess you just take it one day at a time. It’s the best any of us can do. But you’re not alone. Let your friends help you through this.”
“Is that what we are, Jake? Friends?”
“I’d like to think so.” There was a moment of silence before Jake asked, “Why did you really come here tonight? To me. Was it just because you were driving by or….”
“You weren’t supposed to be this noble,” you chuckled dryly. “I thought out of everyone… Coyote has his new girlfriend, Fanboy and Payback can barely look at me right now, and Rooster’s been glued to Phoenix’s side all week. She’s trying to be strong for me but I know how much she is hurting too and he’s really helped her deal with things. So, that left you. And with your reputation and your little thing for me, I thought it was a full-proof plan. I guess I underestimated you. I’m sorry.”
“No, I guess that’s fair. You were right when you said I wanted you and that there was some truth behind my jokes and teasing. But I hope you know I would never have actually done anything. I wouldn’t have done that to Bob.”
You smiled softly as you linked your fingers with his before squeezing his hand. “I know. And so did he. He never minded your flirting because he said he knew at the end of the day you would never actually try it or make a move. And that I would never try anything either. So he just ignored it.” You shook your head softly. “God, how could someone have been so good?”
“I don’t know.” Jake wiped a tear off your cheek. “But he loved you so much. You were all he ever talked about when we were on a mission, just getting back to you. And Phoenix says your name was the last thing he said before…”
“She told me. I just wish I had been able to say goodbye.” Your voice broke and Jake pulled you tightly against his chest as your tears began to fall once more.
But they didn’t last very long. All of your crying must have taken a lot out of you because as your sobs began to dwindle and fade, Jake felt you slowly sagging in his arms. When he glanced down, he saw your eyes drooping further and further. The tears, alcohol, and late hour of night were all catching up to you and it wouldn’t be long before you had passed out completely.
Jake carefully helped get you to your feet before rising off the floor himself. His legs were numb from the way he was sitting, but he tried his best to ignore the sensation as he led you toward the bedroom.
“Where are we goin’?” you mumbled sleepily, your head leaning against his shoulder as he guided you.
“It’s late and I think it’s best if you stay here tonight. You can take my room and I’ll stay out on the couch. That way you can have the bed and a door with a lock if you want it.”
You chuckled softly without lifting your head. “Jake, I literally tried to force myself onto you tonight, and you turned me down. I think I can trust you not to sneak into the room while I’m sleeping.”
“True, but whatever makes you the most comfortable.”
He helped you climb into bed and covered you with his blanket. Almost immediately, your eyes fluttered closed and your breathing slowed. For just a moment, Jake stood there watching you sleep. You looked so relaxed and peaceful, that he wondered what you were dreaming about. It probably involved a blue-eyed, glasses-wearing WSO, or at least, he hoped it did.
Leaning over, Jake softly pressed his lips to the top of your head as he whispered, “Good night, sweetheart.”
Then he quietly backed out of the room and went to try to make the couch as comfortable as possible.
The sound of the front door clicking shut woke Jake the next morning. After raising his head slightly and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he saw a note and a still-steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of him. Sitting up, he brought the coffee to his lips as he read the note. It was short and sweet: Thanks for what you did…. and didn’t do.
Jake didn’t hear anything from you after that. He tried to text a few times, but you never responded. He talked to Phoenix so at least he knew you had made it home okay after you left his place, but that was all the information she would give him.
Days went by and he was just starting to think that he would never see or hear from you again when a knock sounded at his front door. And just like a few nights earlier, he opened it to see you standing there.
This time, you looked more like the you he remembered from before Bob’s death. The bags under your eyes weren’t as pronounced, your clothes looked more put together, and when you smiled at him as he opened the door, there was actually some light in your eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey….” he said as he leaned heavily on the door. “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you?”
“Um, better, I think. Still not good, and I don’t even know if I’ll ever be good again, but I guess progress is progress. Just taking it one day at a time, right?”
He smiled. “Yeah. One day at a time.”
There was a long pause before you said, “You really don’t like inviting me in, do you?”
“Oh! Sorry. Come in.” Jake stepped to the side, allowing you to pass by him, your arm lightly brushing his chest as you did. Once you were inside, he closed the door and asked, “So, uh, what can I do for you, sweetheart?”
With your back to him, you said, “I wanted to thank you for the other night. I wasn’t in a good place and I had been drinking and I made some bad decisions. And while I’m still not in a good place, now that I’m sober I’m mortified about said decisions. But the way you handled it….” You turned to face him, your lip quivering slightly. “Honestly, Jake, I don’t know how I would have ever forgiven myself if I woke up the next morning and realized we had gone through with it. Just thinking about it makes me physically ill.”
“Damn. I don’t think I would have been that bad in bed,” Jake scoffed, but he gave you a wide grin to let you know he was joking.
You smiled softly. “I’m sure you would have been exceptional. And I have no doubt that you could have lived up to your promise of making me forget everyone and everything but you in that moment.” Your face fell. “But after, when I did remember,…. It would have destroyed me. And I’m not saying I’ll never sleep with anyone ever again, but doing it that night– for that reason– would have felt like such a betrayal to Bob’s memory. So thank you for stopping me. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to make.”
Jake ran his hand over the back of his neck. “I won’t lie and say part of me doesn’t regret not going through with it just a little bit, but overall I’m also glad it didn’t happen. When you feel like it’s time to take that step, you have every right to sleep with whoever you want and you’ll have nothing to feel guilty for. But I agree that night wasn’t the best time for it.”
“No, it wasn’t.” You shifted slightly as you looked at the floor. “I, uh, I was having an extra hard time that night because the Navy finally gave me a box of Bob’s stuff and I found a receipt where he had put a down payment on a ring.”
Inhaling sharply, Jake said, “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
You shook your head. “It’s okay. We had talked about it a lot and I knew he was going to propose soon, I just wasn’t expecting that soon. It just made me think about all of the plans we had made that won’t ever happen now and…. I tried to drink the pain away but when that didn’t happen, I turned to you. It’s not an excuse for why I did what I did, but I thought you should have a little more context for why it happened.”
“No context needed. You got drunk and tried to sleep with the first available person you found. Who hasn’t been there?” You reached out and took his hand, giving it a small squeeze of thanks. The shift in your position drew Jake’s attention to something he hadn’t noticed before. He nodded towards the gauze poking out of the bottom of your shirt sleeve. “Didya do something to your arm?”
A soft smile spread across your lips as you glanced down at the floor. “I did, actually. I thought a lot about the other night and you made me realize that no matter how painful it is, I never want to forget Bob…. ever. I love him and I will always love him and I don’t want to forget a second of our time together or what he means to me. So, I found a way to keep a constant reminder of that with me always.”
Slowly, you rolled up your sleeve and unwrapped the gauze from your arm, revealing a vibrant tattoo underneath that hadn’t been there the other night. It was a heart made out of a thin branch or vine covered with leaves and small, five-petal blue flowers accented with yellow centers. It was a delicate design that perfectly fit the curvature of your arm.
“Wow. That looks amazing. Remind me to ask for your guy’s number if I ever decide to get more ink.”
Jake reached out to touch the design but hesitated as you whispered, “They’re forget-me-nots.”
He glanced at your face which was still smiling though he could see a hint of moisture collecting in your eyes. When you gave him a small nod, he let his fingers gently graze the tender skin of your freshly inked arm. It was only then that he noticed the small, faint lettering on the stem at the bottom of the heart: BOB.
Running his thumb over the letters, Jake said, “He would’ve loved this.”
“I think he would’ve too.” You ran your finger over one of the flowers as you gazed at it lovingly. Then you dropped your hand as you cleared your throat. “So, how much longer are you in town?”
Jake straightened up, removing his hand from your arm. “Just a few more days. I should be getting my medical clearance at the end of the month so I need to go home and make sure everything is in order for me to return to active duty.”
“That’s sort of a shame. I think your time on leave has been good for you.”
Jake frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You’re…. different. Like, it’s not just the longer hair and the beard– both of which look really great on you by the way– but it’s your attitude and how you hold yourself. Plus I don’t think the old Jake would have ever done what you did the other night.”
“Yeah, well, then maybe this new Jake is just an idiot. He’d have to be to ever push you away.”
“Not an idiot. Just a better man than people give him credit for.” Leaning over, you lightly pressed your lips to his cheek.
Jake felt his heart leap in his chest and it took everything in him not to turn his head and capture your lips with his. But you were right, he had changed. The old Jake probably would have kissed you, yet now….
Clearing his throat as you took a step back, he asked, “What do you think you’ll do now?”
Sighing, you said, “I don’t know. Without Bob, I don’t really have a reason to stay in California. My parents want me to move back near them so I have a familial support system around and I’m considering it. I think a change would be good for me.”
“Apparently, it did wonders for me,” Jake teased. “But whatever you decide, I’m always here if you need anything, anything at all. You have my number.”
Reaching out, you placed your hand on his arm and gave it a light squeeze. “Thank you. I’ll remember that. And good luck going back to work. Be safe up there.”
You dropped your hand and started to walk out of the door. When you were halfway down the steps, Jake called out, “Hey… Maybe one day in the future if you decide it’s time to move on with someone new, you look me up.”
Glancing back towards the door, you gave him a small, reserved smile. “Maybe…. One day. Goodbye, Jake.” Then you turned and soon disappeared from view.
Luca paced up and down in his office, rubbing his broken arm every now and then. The cast was getting extremely annoying. It didn’t feel like he could do anything at the moment. And that made him even more annoyed that usual.
After a few more minutes of pacing, he spun towards the door and threw it open as he walked out. The office building his people worked out of were extremely neat. His eyes flickered around as he walked.
Henry and Malcom were busy sorting out some stuff, so they were out of the office for now.
Something felt off and he couldn’t put his finger on what it was.
The feel was making him nervous. His hand kept on going to the gun at his side. Nothing good ever came from him feel like that.
Shaking his head, he walked over to where one of the guys were working on some data that he needed for their next shipment of weapons that was supposed be coming in the next week.
“Phillip” Luca said as he walked over “Do you have the schedules yet?”
The man jumped slightly as he looked over at Luca. “Not yet, Sir” he said “ I’m still waiting for some of the guys to send me their lists”
“Tell them to hurry up” Luca said, with a nod before stepping back. Immediately he frowned again, eyes flickering around in the office, like he was searching for something.
Phillip glanced at the expression on Luca’s face. “Sir....” he started hesitantly “Is everything alright?”
Luca shot a glare at the guy, before he just turned and started walking away. That’s when he heard the first sound of something hitting a desk. Immediately he spun towards the sound, eyes widening.
Phillip jumped to his feet. “What’s going on?” he asked.
It took Luca a moment before he realized what happened. As he watched more and more of the people inside started falling to the ground, or just passing out on the floor.
“Get out” Luca said through clenched teeth. He was starting to feel dizzy himself.
“Wha...?” Phillip started.
“NOW!” Luca snarled.
Phillip’s eyes widened before he stumbled towards the door.
Luca could feel the the world around him turning. He stumbled slightly as everything blurred. In the back of his mind he realized what was happening.
Gas.
Someone was pumping gas into the building. It was causing everyone to pass out. He tried to move, but his body wouldn’t listen to him.
Everything tilted and Luca crumbled to the ground.
He could make out blurred shapes, rushing in from the front door. They were wearing gasmasks, so he couldn’t even make out their faces.
One of the figures knelt next to Luca, roughly grabbing his face.
“Well now.... Looks like you’re not as tough as you thought” a voice said, but it sounded so far away and the words did not want to make much sense either.
“...fuck... you...” Luca managed.
The figure hissed something at him, before slamming his face into the floor.
Pain ripped through Luca’s head as the figure kept on slamming his head into the floor.
Over and over and over.
***
It took Luca a moment before he remembered what happened. HIs head felt like it was going to explode. There was a strange taste in his mouth as well, one that made him want to throw up.
“Time to wake up, Luca” a voice snapped, causing the pounding in Luca’s head to get even worse.
Pain shot through his ribs as someone started kicking him.
Luca groaned as he felt blood filling his mouth and started coughing. His eyes flickered open.
“How nice of you to join us”
Trying to ignore the pain, Luca looked in the direction of the voice. His eyes refused to focus on anything.
“Hey” the voice said and the kicking started again “Don’t go passing out again”
Luca groaned. “...Screw... you...” he managed.
The voice chuckled. “Good.... This wouldn’t do any good if you passed out” it said “I at least want you to know who you’re dealing with.... and why”
Luca closed his eyes for a moment, before opening his eyes again. He struggled to get his eyes to focus, before he finally managed to figure out who the heck was talking to them.
“...you...” he choked. The man laughed and nodded. “That’s right.... me” he said “Devin’s brother... The one you missed”
Luca tried to get his eyes to focus again, but couldn’t manage it for long. The pain in his head were getting worse by the second. The kicking didn’t help much with his broken arm.
Devin.... That was one of the guys he killed.... From the...
He couldn’t finish his thoughts, as a hand grabbed him and hulled him to his feet.
Everything turned and he could feel the nausea rising in the back of his throat.
What ever they drugged him with, was still having an effect on him. Everything just felt whoozy and like the world didn’t want to stand still.
As the beating stopped, Luca could get his thoughts back in order.
Devin... That’s right... He couldn’t remember that the guy had a brother. Maybe he made a mistake.
Missed something.
He opened his eyes and looked at the man again. It took him a few minutes before he actually remembered who it was.
“Harlon...” Luca groaned.
“That’s right” the man said as slammed Luca into the ground.
For a moment Luca’s vision went out of focus, before he could react, Harlon grabbed a crowbar, bringing it down hard Luca’s cast. There was a crack and immediately Luca felt the pain. He could feel the bone in his arm shifting and clenched his jaw against the scream that wanted to come out.
Harlon smirked. “Good” he said, hand wrapping around Luca’s throat “I am going to enjoy this”
Luca caught Harlon’s hand as he tried to breath. He could barely focus on anything through the pain.
Harlon took Luca’s head in his hands. “I’m going to make you suffer” he said, slamming Luca’s head into the ground again, until Luca’s eyes rolled back and he went limp.
“Let’s get this started” Harlon said as he got to his feet.
The other two nodded and grabbed Luca’s arms, lifting him up. “Where do you want him?” one of them asked.
“Tie him to the chair... Let’s see how well he does with waterboarding” Harlon said.
As they tried Luca to the chair, blood ran down the lieutenant’s face. He actually look much younger than before, causing Harlon to frown. Every one keeps on telling him that Luca was very young for a Lieutenant. He just did not realized how young.
“Wake him up” Harlon said.
One of the men brought a buckets of cold water over, throwing it out onto Luca. The other one brought a hose over, spraying Luca again. The cold must have done the job, because the young Lieutenant gasped, lifting his head, eyes open.
“Welcome back, Luca” Harlon said.
“.... fuck...” Luca groaned “And here I thought it was... just a bad dream”
Harlon snorted. “Sorry for you, Luca” he said “But we’re still here and you’re still in my hands”
“Sucks for me” Luca groaned, trying to get his eyes to focus.
“Yeah pretty much” Harlon said, before nodding to the two that were standing next to Luca.
The one grabbed his hair and pulled his head back, pulling a cloth over Luca’s face. While the other guy started pouring water over him. Luca struggled against the ropes around his wrists, only for the pain in his broken arm to make him almost pass out immediately.
The lack of air and the water, only served to make him struggle even against the pain in his arm.
The water stopped just before Luca felt he was going to pass out.
“You know Luca” Harlon said “I didn’t think you’d be so young”
Luca coughed. His head was already swimming and the coughing did nothing for the painful pounding.
“...screw... you...” he managed, between wheezing breaths.
Harlon shrugged and motioned for the other two. Again the waterboarding started. This time, Luca was almost completely unconscious when they stopped.
The water on the ground had been stained red from the blood running down the side of Luca’s face.
As the coughing started again, a small trail of blood started running down Luca’s chin. The blackish-grey eyes, were out of focus. Harlon back handed Luca through the face. Luca’s head snapped to the side.
“Now’s not the time to sleep, Lieutenant” Harlon said “I still want to have some fun with you”
Luca tried to focus on Harlon.
“... I don’t like this...fucking... game” he muttered, words slurred slightly.
“I don’t really care” Harlon said, motioning for the other two to start again.
The waterboarding kept going. Every time that Luca almost passes out, they’d bring him back, only to start again.
Luca had lost complete track of what was going on around him. He could barely focus on anything. Somewhere between the pain and waterboarding, it suddenly stopped.
It took him a while before he realized that the torture had stopped.
His body trembled. The cold burned through him and his thoughts kept on slipping.
Slowly he lifted his head. His eyes did not want to focus on anything. So he just closed them again.
Somewhere a door opened and quick footsteps came over.
A hand touched Luca’s shoulder and he flinched.
“Here’s some food...” a soft voice said “I’m going to untie your hand so you can eat.... Please don’t do anything stupid... you’ll get both of us in trouble”
Luca all but fell out of the chair, crumbling to the ground.
“I’ll help you...” the voice said “Okay?”
Luca’s breathing came in shallow gasps as blood stained his lips.
“You need to eat...” the gentle voice said “Alright?”
Struggling to get his eyes to stay open, Luca nodded slightly.
“Here’s some water...” the voice whispered “You need to drink something... You threw up everything while they were busy with you”
A quiet whimper sounded from Luca. It took a moment before his eyes flickered open again. There was something at his mouth, a straw. The water felt good against his raw throat.
His vision cleared slightly and he could make out a small figure sitting in front him. It almost look like a child.
“You’re name is Luca... right?” the voice asked and Luca nodded slightly, only for the pain to almost make him pass out again.
“Don’t move...” the voice said “You probably got a really bad head injury... so don’t move....”
“....thank... you...” Luca managed, before his eyes flickered closed again.
No. 8 A Christmas Carol
Holiday Haunting | Revenge Whump | Head Injury | Comfort: Unexpected Kindness
@amonthofwhump
M, 850 words, Dracula/Jonathan Harker, referened/implied misgendering, implied dubious consent, undernegotiated kink, no NSFW
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
“You are fine, right?” Vlad breathes, searching for something desperately, that Jonathan doesn’t want to give him.
“What we did tonight wasn’t any different from what we do normally, was it? I didn’t hurt you in some permanent way?”
At last, Jonathan lightly shakes his head against the pillows.
“No,” he lets out, his voice a mere whisper.
