They Liked You Better When You Were Dead (Fox Rumble RP#2)
Apr 8, 2024 14:02:02 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 4 more like this
Post by bloodiedfox on Apr 8, 2024 14:02:02 GMT -5
8:09am, January 1st, 2024
Jen just about got the door to what had been Jackalope’s apartment open before the person banging on it managed to take it off its hinges. Scarcely was it open that Brendan Harding was through it, eyes darting around the unfamiliar space. He turned to Jen but was cut off before he could speak.
He’s in the bedroom. Given he wasn’t saying or doing anything, I figured I should put him somewhere he could sleep while you drove here.
What… How did this happen?
There was an edge of hysteria to his voice. Jen could only respond with a helpless shrug.
Jack found some way to try and get home, or near enough. Seems like he pulled it off, then there your husband was.
She gesticulated in what was presumably the direction of the bedroom.
I figured I’d bring him here. After that, I knew I needed to tell someone and you seemed the best idea, so I got your contact details from the XHF on some bullshit excuse and called you.
Does anyone else know he’s here?
No. I don’t trust my boss given their history and I sure as hell don’t trust Mongo.
Brendan nodded and took a deep breath. He turned towards the room Jen had gestured at.
Wait.
He looked back at her.
Whatever happened to him, it seems like it did a lot of damage. Just… be ready.
Brendan looked at her for a long moment, then nodded.
Thank you.
He walked over and opened the door. It was clear that Fox had not been sleeping. He sat on the edge of the bed, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, staring at the wall.
Peter?
Slowly, as though advancing on a terrified animal, Brendan walked over to him.
Peter, it’s Brendan.
He crouched in front of him, eye to eye.
Can you hear me, hon?
Silence. Stillness. Then, a trembling hand slowly rose and caressed Brendan’s cheek.
Bren…dan…
Fox’s voice was hoarse, as though worn away. His eyes began to focus. The other hand reached out, a light grip now on Brendan’s head.
Is this real?
Brendan gently placed a hand on his.
It’s real, love.
A smile slowly spread across Fox’s face. He began to laugh for a moment before it dissolved into piteous sobs. He slumped forward, embracing his husband as though terrified he would turn to mist in his arms at any second. Brendan wrapped his arms around him in turn, tears beginning to trickle down his face as Fox buried his own in the crook of his neck.
It’s okay, honey, it’s gonna be okay…
7:04 am, April 2nd, 2024
Why are you doing this?
Fox blinked at Brendan, then looked at the dumbbells in each hand that he’d just been curling. He looked back at his husband.
I would have thought that was self-evident.
That earned him a narrow-eyed look.
You know what I mean.
The Rumble?
Yes, The Rumble! We agreed you weren’t going to push yourself too quickly!
Yes, we did. However, that was before everything that happened… happened.
Brendan sighed. There was no-one else in the apartment block’s basement gym, for which he was grateful. Last thing either of them needed was some rubbernecker with a phone camera recording them arguing to shove on Twitter.
The memorial show I understood. You had history with both Tommy and Steve, not to mention wanting to try and at least somewhat settle thing with Death Trap and Mistress Discipline. I’d just figured after that it was back to the plan.
Except the plan was TAPOUT, and now there isn’t going to be a TAPOUT. I need something.
Do you seriously think HKW, SCCW, or WUK wouldn’t happily sign you up? Hell, you know I’d love to have you with me in JROK!
I know you would, but I also know Nausicaä would book us against each other as revenge for you threatening to put Charles in the woodchipper. Plus it’d be awkward with Randy and Quake, not to mention Jack…
Alright, alright, so not JROK, but my point stands on the others.
Does it? I’m not exactly well liked these days.
Brendan shook his head.
I’m not saying there isn’t baggage, but…
Baggage?
Having put the dumbbells on the rack, Fox was in the process of setting up the shoulder press when he stopped and looked at Brendan in utter incredulity.
Baggage?! People are dead because of me, Brendan! I set the man who trained me up to be shot! I fucking stabbed… I stabbed…
He trailed off, sitting on the shoulder press, hunching over. Brendan quickly moved over and crouched level with him, putting his hands on his shoulders.
Hey, look at me.
Reluctantly, Fox did as told, eyes wet and red.
You know Armbishi knew you weren’t in your right mind. You know he wouldn’t blame you for what happened.
Maybe he should.
Maybe, but if you really believe that then what’s the point of doing any of this? If you don’t think you can be redeemed then why try?
Fox said nothing, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
There are people on this network that have done truly heinous things without ever showing a shred of contrition. If they can still be here without having any self-doubt, I sure as fuck am not going to let you give up on yourself. So if you think you need to win the X*Crown to still have a place in the XHF then goddamit I am going to help train you until there is not a shred of doubt that you are walking out of the Rumble with that belt and triggering the mother of all bidding wars. You with me?
Fox took a deep breath, then nodded.
I’m with you.
Damn right.
Jen just about got the door to what had been Jackalope’s apartment open before the person banging on it managed to take it off its hinges. Scarcely was it open that Brendan Harding was through it, eyes darting around the unfamiliar space. He turned to Jen but was cut off before he could speak.
He’s in the bedroom. Given he wasn’t saying or doing anything, I figured I should put him somewhere he could sleep while you drove here.
What… How did this happen?
There was an edge of hysteria to his voice. Jen could only respond with a helpless shrug.
Jack found some way to try and get home, or near enough. Seems like he pulled it off, then there your husband was.
She gesticulated in what was presumably the direction of the bedroom.
I figured I’d bring him here. After that, I knew I needed to tell someone and you seemed the best idea, so I got your contact details from the XHF on some bullshit excuse and called you.
Does anyone else know he’s here?
No. I don’t trust my boss given their history and I sure as hell don’t trust Mongo.
Brendan nodded and took a deep breath. He turned towards the room Jen had gestured at.
Wait.
He looked back at her.
Whatever happened to him, it seems like it did a lot of damage. Just… be ready.
Brendan looked at her for a long moment, then nodded.
Thank you.
He walked over and opened the door. It was clear that Fox had not been sleeping. He sat on the edge of the bed, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, staring at the wall.
Peter?
Slowly, as though advancing on a terrified animal, Brendan walked over to him.
Peter, it’s Brendan.
He crouched in front of him, eye to eye.
Can you hear me, hon?
Silence. Stillness. Then, a trembling hand slowly rose and caressed Brendan’s cheek.
Bren…dan…
Fox’s voice was hoarse, as though worn away. His eyes began to focus. The other hand reached out, a light grip now on Brendan’s head.
Is this real?
Brendan gently placed a hand on his.
It’s real, love.
A smile slowly spread across Fox’s face. He began to laugh for a moment before it dissolved into piteous sobs. He slumped forward, embracing his husband as though terrified he would turn to mist in his arms at any second. Brendan wrapped his arms around him in turn, tears beginning to trickle down his face as Fox buried his own in the crook of his neck.
It’s okay, honey, it’s gonna be okay…
7:04 am, April 2nd, 2024
Why are you doing this?
Fox blinked at Brendan, then looked at the dumbbells in each hand that he’d just been curling. He looked back at his husband.
I would have thought that was self-evident.
That earned him a narrow-eyed look.
You know what I mean.
The Rumble?
Yes, The Rumble! We agreed you weren’t going to push yourself too quickly!
Yes, we did. However, that was before everything that happened… happened.
Brendan sighed. There was no-one else in the apartment block’s basement gym, for which he was grateful. Last thing either of them needed was some rubbernecker with a phone camera recording them arguing to shove on Twitter.
The memorial show I understood. You had history with both Tommy and Steve, not to mention wanting to try and at least somewhat settle thing with Death Trap and Mistress Discipline. I’d just figured after that it was back to the plan.
Except the plan was TAPOUT, and now there isn’t going to be a TAPOUT. I need something.
Do you seriously think HKW, SCCW, or WUK wouldn’t happily sign you up? Hell, you know I’d love to have you with me in JROK!
I know you would, but I also know Nausicaä would book us against each other as revenge for you threatening to put Charles in the woodchipper. Plus it’d be awkward with Randy and Quake, not to mention Jack…
Alright, alright, so not JROK, but my point stands on the others.
Does it? I’m not exactly well liked these days.
Brendan shook his head.
I’m not saying there isn’t baggage, but…
Baggage?
Having put the dumbbells on the rack, Fox was in the process of setting up the shoulder press when he stopped and looked at Brendan in utter incredulity.
Baggage?! People are dead because of me, Brendan! I set the man who trained me up to be shot! I fucking stabbed… I stabbed…
He trailed off, sitting on the shoulder press, hunching over. Brendan quickly moved over and crouched level with him, putting his hands on his shoulders.
Hey, look at me.
Reluctantly, Fox did as told, eyes wet and red.
You know Armbishi knew you weren’t in your right mind. You know he wouldn’t blame you for what happened.
Maybe he should.
Maybe, but if you really believe that then what’s the point of doing any of this? If you don’t think you can be redeemed then why try?
Fox said nothing, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
There are people on this network that have done truly heinous things without ever showing a shred of contrition. If they can still be here without having any self-doubt, I sure as fuck am not going to let you give up on yourself. So if you think you need to win the X*Crown to still have a place in the XHF then goddamit I am going to help train you until there is not a shred of doubt that you are walking out of the Rumble with that belt and triggering the mother of all bidding wars. You with me?
Fox took a deep breath, then nodded.
I’m with you.
Damn right.