angelwheat - Tumblr blog

angelwheat · 6 days ago

Text

Primis, "Tank" Dempsey X Reader

Summary: Tank Dempsey. A man of action. A true embodiment of the term “Shoot first, ask questions later”. Rarely a man of depth, until new feelings arise amidst the chaotic life he lives.

Topics: Fluff, Pining

Words: 4792 | Pronouns: She/Her (no use of Y/n)

Location: Zetsubou No Shima

Long ago, the blazing sun that scorched the island had set below the horizon. Where the sky was naked of gracing clouds during the day, had been veiled in a soft mist, exposing the freckles that were the stars brightening the night sky.

A fire burned brightly before their small, circled group, casting a warm amber hue on the silhouettes touched by its glow. The flickering flames consumed the wood, reducing it to ashes. The life and soul within the logs and twigs are now transformed and released into a dancing flame.

Five friends gathered around the campfire. While initially perceived as mere acquaintances forming a temporary crew, they had developed a close-knit group to fight the apocalypse together. With their differences no longer isolating them, sitting around the fire was a rare yet contempt occasion.

Sharing stories of home, gentle laughter, and light-hearted jokes filled the evening with warmth and smiles. It felt like a truly unique and precious experience during such challenging times, something to be treasured.

Overcome by exhaustion, the men gradually succumbed to fatigue, their slumped shoulders a testament to their weariness. Nikolai was the first to yield to his tiredness, followed shortly by Takeo. Together, they slowly withdrew, their steps heavy as they disappeared from view, making their way to the temporary refuge of the island bunker.

Richtofen remained for a short time, sitting quietly alone on a log near the dying embers. He appeared detached from reality, gazing passively into the fire with heavy eyes, his mind preoccupied. He slumped slightly and sighed, accepting his defeat as he struggled to stay awake.

Rising from his seat where he had been all evening, Richtofen grumbled in the way he excused himself and followed the other two men on the same route to the bunker.

Sitting on a neighbouring log was the only man still able to keep himself awake.

That man was Dempsey.

He gently stirred the fire with a long stick throughout the evening, rearranging the wood to maintain the flames. Perhaps using this as a way to stay awake.

Dempsey sat quietly, his posture hunched, his arms propping himself up on his knees, peacefully observing his surroundings and occasionally looking up at the stars, noticing their changing positions as the night progressed.

Throughout the night, the American appeared to be quite vigilant, almost as if consumed by anxiety, constantly anticipating a potential surprise attack. His fidgeting-constantly shifting his weight, fiddling with his hands, and even picking at the dead bark of the log he sat upon-revealed his stress.

The girl felt that a peaceful and quiet evening might be too good to be true, a sense of pity pervading her as she subtly glanced at the American throughout the night.

Dempsey was momentarily distracted by a crack in the firewood, noticing that the embers had fallen and scattered ashes askew. He sighed, nearly falling forward as fatigue weighed heavily upon his shoulders.

He straightened himself, feeling his back could use a good stretch, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face as he rolled his shoulder back.

Glancing briefly at the girl seated nearby on a log, Dempsey quietly began removing his gloves.

“Not tired?” His faint question slipped into the air.

She straightened her posture, imitating the American, and sighed heavily, shaking her head.

“You sure look it.” He said pitifully as he shoved his gloves into the pockets of his jacket.

“Speak for yourself.” She feigned a half-smile.

They both appeared equally tired, with their eyes supported by dark rings, downcast and bloodshot. Their brows furrowed, drooped even, like an anchor weighing their expression in a deep frown.

The girl yawned and rubbed her eyes, feeling as though the soot from the fire had lightly settled on her eyelashes, making them feel heavy and irritating her already watery eyes, which only added to her fatigue. Her hands lightly slapped her knees when she put her hands down.

Dempsey had been quietly observing her the entire time and felt a similar sense of compassion for her as she felt for him. He gently bounced his leg and clasped his hands, subtly making a worried expression as he chewed his cheek. It was a habit the girl had observed before; he would sometimes do it when he was deep in thought or perhaps feeling anxious.

“Unsettling, isn’t it?” She spoke up.

The American’s eyebrows rose slightly, at the sound of her voice, and he looked at her.

“The silence...” The girl couldn’t help the way she wearily glanced over her shoulder.

Only the rustling of the ghostly breeze in the trees could be heard, a sound that became jarring after growing accustomed to the regular noise of gunfire, screams, and gurgles of the undead.

“You’re telling me.” Dempsey responded, his eyes scanning the darkness.

A disturbing though unexpectedly entered her mind. The image of a zombie hand emerging from the shadows and grasping her shoulder startled and frightened her, causing her to gasp and widen her eyes. She visibly tensed, her shoulder rising, and she froze for a moment.

Dempsey’s attention was immediately drawn to her catching her breath.

“You okay?” He asked worriedly, eyeing her intently.

With a deep sigh, she relaxed slightly. The girl nodded, briefly closing her eyes.

“I’m fine. Just a stupid thought that came to mind.” She tried to dismiss it, hoping to put herself at ease.

Turning his attention back to the fire, Dempsey noticed the flames were beginning to die down. He tried rearranging the wood, though it seemed more out of habit than hope, in a final attempt to keep the fire burning. However, it appeared the fire was destined to extinguish soon. The comforting warmth was fading, leaving them vulnerable to the cool night air.

“This fire ain’t gonna be burning much longer.” Dempsey stated frankly, his tone weary. “Besides you need to get some rest.”

She plucked a small twig from beside her feet to fiddle with, answering him monotonously. “I doubt I’ll sleep anyway.”

Dempsey felt no need to justify her decision to stay awake, despite his apparent concern for her well-being.

“I can’t seem to relax.” She told bluntly, bowing her head.

With the final embers fading, the girl hugged herself, feeling a slight chill in the soft breeze. She hadn’t expected to feel cold on the island, given the intense heat upon their arrival.

Instead of lingering over various thoughts, an idea promptly occurred to her. She gently pats her knees, glancing at Dempsey before rising slowly.

“I’m gonna take a walk. “ She said, flicking hair from her face. “No use in sitting around all night.”

Dempsey sat quietly, gazing up at her with rounded eyes, his expression otherwise neutral. He appeared to be studying her for a moment while she was admiring the stars.

“You wanna join me?” She politely offered, looking back at him.

Dempsey sighed and replied, “Sure. Why not?”

Upon rising, the American let out a soft grunt as he stretched, his muscles protesting the prolonged sitting. The tension painfully reminded him of his strenuous life over the past week.

Having arranged the rocks to contain the fire in the centre, Dempsey used his foot to extinguish the remaining embers, kicking dirt and ash over the blackened logs, leaving on the pale moonlight to illuminate them; a stark contrast to the orange glow they had enjoyed a short time before.

The girl carefully stepped over the logs, glancing back at the American, and patiently waited for him to make sure the fire was completely out.

After ensuring the fire was adequately snuffed, he instinctively touched his holster to confirm his pistol was in place. Dempsey checked his surroundings for anything he might have overlooked before their eyes met, and she offered him a tired smile.

As she began to walk slowly, Dempsey followed a few paces behind, his hand instinctively moving toward the small of her back, but he quickly withdrew just as he caught up to her.

Observing the pair strolling together, one might infer a deeper connection than mere acquaintance. Their conversation grew to become free flowing, punctuated by easy laughter, within only a few encounters. At times when Dempsey displayed his usual charm and flirtatiousness, he was met with a manner of the same, initially surprising him but ultimately drawing him closer.

Their close bond was evident. They often fought side-by-side, and instinctively sought each other out when injured, preferring each other’s aid to that of the team’s doctor.

Perhaps now was another opportunity to grow closer.

However, the girl found it improbable that she would encounter Cupid during the apocalypse and be granted the gift of love; such a gift would need to come from a higher power to be believable.

As they walked together, a towering stone sculpture came into view. It appeared to be a ritual monument, with four tall pillars guarding a central stone piece, an altar of some sort, housing four skulls carved with symbols. To their left, though partially blocked by rubble, was what seemed to be an entrance to a crypt.

Together, they walked towards the structure, their steps slightly uneven due to fatigue. They silently observed the grounds as they slowly continued onwards.

Tank ambled along, keeping his hands in his jacket pockets. He frequently glanced to his side, noticing her curious observation of her surroundings.

The island was a verdant paradise. Trees, plants, and climbing vines adorned the buildings, while vibrantly coloured flowers were artfully arranged between. A captivating feature was the seemingly luminous nature of the flora. Flower petals flowed like soft nightlights as dusk settled, emitting a gentle mist. Leaves, too, emanated glowing particles, creating an enchanting, magical atmosphere.

Richtofen had suggested that extended exposure to element 115 could potentially influence both human life and the natural world.

Dempsey’s train of though was interrupted when he noticed the girl was no longer in his peripheral vision. He paused, observing her as she stopped to admire a brightly coloured magenta flower.

She carefully leaned in closer to examine the plant, which stood slightly above the soil. She noted details such as its thorns, which were noticeably longer and sharper than those of a typical plant. However, the flower itself resembled a wild rose, possessing more petals than usual within its small bud. Its captivating beauty tempted her to reach out and pick it.

Unbeknownst to the girl, the Marine quietly stood behind her, admiring her more than the flower that captivated her, enchanted by the way the magenta hue cast a magical glow on her features.

Tank would never admit to being a hopeless romantic, particularly amidst the current global turmoil; it seemed frivolous. However, moments like these tugged at his heartstrings, revealing his true feelings for someone he must only address as his teammate in public. He wished he could be that flower, basking in the beauty of her gaze. Unbeknownst to him, he had missed the many times she had looked at him with admiration.

At that moment, he saw her as not just a friend, but as something more, perhaps even a celestial being, as the soft pink light illuminated her so gracefully.

“You okay there, Dempsey?” She inquired, tilting her head and pulling herself upright to look at him. “Did you hear what I said?”

The American appeared to regain his composure as she spoke, his eyes widening slightly her adjusted his posture and smoothed his hair sheepishly.

Dempsey chuckled awkwardly as he apologised, briefly looking away.

She gently turned her head to look at the flower once more, observing its graceful movement in the breeze, the soil serving as it eternal stage.

“I said it’s strange how they glow, isn’t it?” She repeated.

It was only then that Dempsey truly noticed the flower that caught her eye, if only for a moment.

“I guess…” He replied, somewhat awkwardly.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Dempsey?” She asked, her eyes slightly narrowed as she regarded him. “You seem a bit spaced out.”

Subconsciously shifting his hands into his pockets, the Marine shrugged nonchalantly, his unzipped jacket shifting slightly to expose his grey shirt underneath.

“I’m good.” He assured simply. “Just tired.”

While Dempsey’s statement held some truth, he could only hope she wouldn’t notice the way he swallowed nervously.

The stars shone softly through the branches off the tall trees, like countless tiny, watchful eyes, as the moonlight illuminated the leaves with streaks of silver.

Each of them knew to seize the opportunity to calm their anxious minds; the paranoia about immediate threats had thankfully subsided for the night, after they had become accustomed to it.

As the girl gazed at the sky, captivated by the numerous twinkling lights, Dempsey found himself admiring her, believing he could see the stars mirrored in her eyes. The wisps emitting from the nature floating around her like fireflies.

Dempsey’s eyes followed her as she walked to the stone steps leading up to the platform, where she sat gracefully on a higher step, making eye contact with him. For a moment, as if frozen, Tank felt himself suddenly being drawn to her, captivated by the flutter of her eyes.

The girl’s previous tiredness had completely disappeared after leaving the campfire. However, Dempsey’s continued sighing and face-wiping clearly indicated his exhaustion, or so he believed.

Instead, it seemed his emotions were overwhelming him, like a fever of raw emotion.

Dempsey gently lowered himself beside her, maintaining a mutual distance. He then leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees, his shoulders rising and falling as he composed himself, gazing quietly at the ground.

The American was unaware of the intense, concerned gaze directed towards him. The girl gently moved closer, softly tapping his thigh to get his attention.

Anticipating the question, Dempsey promptly responded.

“I’m okay.” He took a breath, gently patting her hand to assure her.

“I know.” She spoke in a gentle tone. “But you just look so exhausted.”

Silence surrounded them.

While Dempsey sat beside her, he hoped the sound of his rapidly beating heart wouldn’t be heard. He felt his palms sweating and he wiped his hands on his pants. He started bouncing his leg subconsciously, a habit the girl had noticed earlier while they sat by the fire.

Noticing his sudden fidgeting, the girl sighed softly.

“You know, Dempsey,” She began directing herself towards him. “I’ve known you long enough to know when something’s on your mind.”

The American audibly huffed.

“I’m not used to all this sitting around.” Dempsey somewhat lied.

Although rest was unfamiliar to them, and survival mode was their usual state, it was clear that Dempsey was struggling to know how to spend his time without being preoccupied in his thoughts.

Nodding softly, she then spoke again, “I understand. But what is it, really?”

Dempsey avoided her gaze, swallowing thickly. He nervously drummed his hands on his knees, briefly looking ahead as if summoning the courage to speak.

Nearby, the girl waited patiently, playing with some leaves she found.

“Richtofen talks a lot about how destiny and the fate of the world is written in that book.” He started bluntly.

He paused, squinting as he subtly pinched his finger while he thought.

“What’s it called?” He asked genuinely.

The girl was briefly reminded of how prolonged exposure to element 115 had affected his memory, causing him to forget even minor details.

“The Kronorium?” She replied.

Tank nodded. “That’s it.”

She was briefly puzzled, apprehensively asking, “What about it?”

Dempsey slumped forward slightly. “I don’t know… I guess I’ve just been thinking…”

A watchful gaze followed his every movement, noting his restless demeanour.

The American apprehensively looked in her general direction, not at her eyes, as he asked, “Do you think moments like this are written in there too?”

His sudden question caused her to tilt her head slightly and furrow her brows in a pure look of confusion.

“Moments like this?” She asked curiously.

The glanced at her quickly with slightly widened eyes as he realised the context of his words were misunderstood.

“I mean the times outside of killing zombies.” He explained, chuckling softly.

Having understood his meaning, the girl nodded and hummed in acknowledgment, then fell silent.

She sat with her hands clasped in her lap, deeply considering his question and the uncertainty it implied. Questions of her own arose, accompanied by a sense of doubt, as she wondered if Richtofen has been entirely truthful about their journey and what the future might hold.

Feeling the silence was uncomfortable, Dempsey quickly spoke. “It’s a stupid question…”

“No, it isn’t actually.” She shook her head, sighing softly. “You’ve just opened my eyes to that thought.”

The American turned to her, his expression appearing almost surprised as he looked at her. She returned his gaze, her eyes slightly narrowed, her neutral expression subtly conveying to Dempsey her sincerity.

He adjusted his position, looking down as he sighed. “I can’t help but think about it.”

Tank appeared to be exhibiting his usual anxious behaviour once more. He put his hands in his pockets, his feet began to tap gently, and his shoulders rose slightly as he inhaled a breath, tensing up, becoming frustrated with himself.

“So, you think the Kronorium could be some sort of script?” She asked, utterly curious.

Dempsey responded lazily. “I guess you could say that.”

She thought aloud. “Sounds plausible actually.”

The American never spoke a word, ruminating on his own thoughts.

“That’s why you’ve been so antsy all night?” She asked genuinely. “I noticed around the fire earlier.”

In response, Dempsey merely shrugged, unwilling to admit his own thoughts had kept him restless all night.

The girl perceived his vulnerability becoming apparent. It was unusual for Dempsey to be quiet and fidgety, much less express his concerns. He wouldn’t even confide in his teammates, even though they might be the only ones to understand. She surmised very quickly when they met that Dempsey strongly disliked displaying any sense of vulnerability. After all, his ego likely overshadowed any consideration of such emotional exposure.

Given his exhaustion, she sensed that his willingness to express his deepest thoughts stemmed from a lack of energy to maintain his guard.

However, Dempsey hoped that in that moment the ominous glowing of the nature wasn’t casting enough light on him to reveal the raw emotion practically dripping from him.

“Call me crazy but-” Dempsey gave a nod to his surroundings as he contemplated. “Do you think all of this seems a bit…”

“Farfetched?” She guessed. “Like it doesn’t seem like coincidence?”

The American nodded in agreement, his brows raised when he looked at her.

A relieved sigh escaped her lips, as a lingering thought was finally voiced. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s thought that.”

Dempsey heard the way she giggled softly before her voice was heard again.

“I mean, you can’t tell me the zombies just wanted a night off.”

The girl didn’t anticipate hearing Tank’s faint chuckling, making her heart skip a beat.

Dempsey absently ran a hand through his hair. “Exactly.”

A small smile was sent his way before a quick question occurred to her.

“Wait, you think I would’ve called you crazy?” She laughed softly, a little incredulously.

The girl was relieved that Tank found the simple question amusing, evident by the gentle smile forming on his face.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I’d never.” She told surely, gently patting his shoulder. “Your thought is pretty justified in this crazy world.”

They each looked around; night still blanketed the land. Neither of them knew the time, perhaps wondering if time even existed after their journey through fragmented realities. However, the sun was certainly not scheduled to rise anytime soon. It was still far too deep into the night.

The girl gently shifted her position, crossing her leg over the other, moving slightly closer to the man next to her.

“That sort of question really baffles me.” She told simply. “More so because it comes from you.”

Upon meeting her gaze, Dempsey’s expression mirrored his confusion regarding her sudden statement.

With a nervous smile, she looked down at the floor. “I figured since the day we met you don’t seem like someone that talks about their feelings very often.”

Tank appeared the gaze at her with a vacant expression, seemingly surprised by her statement or perhaps marvelling at her insightful observation; he was genuinely unsure of his own feelings in that moment.

He chuckled softly, gesturing towards her with a languid movement as he casually leaned in slightly to reply. “Well, I guess your right about that.”

Her eyebrow arched slightly, her gaze softening, a detail Tank noticed, causing his heart to flutter.

“But you’re talking about things now.” She pointed out, her gentle tone making it sound almost like a question.

Dempsey’s gaze fell to the space between then, captivated by her words. He felt a sudden urge to confess his deepest feelings without reservation, the words welling up but held back only by his lips.

“I know.” His voice was low.

Tank turned away, choosing to face forward instead of directly facing her, slightly worried that his mixed expression might betray his feelings.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the girl felt herself drifting closer to him, as if guided by the wind. The American surely noticed the decreasing distance between them, his posture appearing slightly more rigid as they drew near.

“So,” She began, “If you think there’s things written between the lines…”

She gently placed her arm under his. Dempsey remained still. He observed as her hand delicately moved toward his. He naturally turned his hand, offering his palm for her own. Her fingertips lightly touched his calloused hands, intertwining her fingers with his, joining them together as if they were perfectly fitting pieces.

“Moments like this…” She almost whispered. “You think they’re meant to happen?”

Dempsey felt his heart pounding and his mind going blank as he focused intently on their hands. The comforting touch of her thumb on the back of his hand soothed him, dispelling any negative thoughts he’d had that evening.

The space between them had disappeared, something Dempsey had longer for all night. The girl nestled comfortably against him. She gently touched his arm, noticing Dempsey visibly relax under her touch. Her eyes fluttered closed as she smiled, feeling completely content.

“I think we’ve written this ourselves if you ask me.” She expressed sincerely, stroking his arm. “And I honestly think we deserve it after all the shit we’ve been through together.”

Together.

The word resonated in his mind for a minute. Dempsey remembered every moment spent alongside her, or fighting side-by-side against overwhelming odds. During difficult times, when her emotions became too much to bear, Tank listened intently so she could alleviate her stress. Conversely, when he found himself injured after selflessly protecting his teammates, she offered comfort and care.

Dempsey’s unspoken emotions were impossible to decipher. The girl, understanding his desperate need for comfort, allowed him to simply rest in her care throughout the night.

“How do you always know the right thing to say?” Dempsey spoke lowly, his tone graced with faint disbelief, yet utterly sincere.

She breathed a light laugh. “I don’t.”

Even she was unsure why she had been virtually appointed as the team’s mediator. Perhaps it was due to her frequent pursuit of reason.

However, the light pressure Tank felt on his shoulder vanished as she sat up and faced him, her eyes sparkling as they met his. For the first time that night, Dempsey fully focused his attention on her, turning to properly observe her, remaining close.

“But you tell me, Mr. ‘Man of Action’…” She giggled at herself as she let both her hands hold his. “What’s the right thing to do?”

Tank observed her mannerisms, noticing the emphasis in her words as her gaze drifted to his lips. Her eyes fluttered when she met his again, her eyebrows subtly rising.

Her hands gently caressed his. However, Tank remained captivated by her eyes, fearing he might miss the sparkle he saw shimmering in the ambient light.

At that moment, the girl before him seemed to embody the magical rose that had captivated her earlier. Dempsey, at the time, couldn’t understand the fascination with something viewed from afar, something that couldn’t be touched or admired closely, and especially something that couldn’t be plucked for oneself.

Dempsey realised he had been expressing his admiration through longing glances and subtle gestures, when he wished to convey his heartfelt affection.

Tank was speechless at that moment. His hands slipped from her grasp, one arm softly encircling her waist like ivy clinging to a building: a tender embrace. With the other, he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and then gingerly cupped her face.

Drawn by instinct, the girl gently leaned in, her hands coming to rest on his chest, feeling the relaxed rhythm of his heartbeat. The fleeting sensation of their lips brushing lightly together before a soft, tender kiss.

That gentle feeling was quite unusual; each of them couldn’t help but savour it.

However, the girl was the first to gently withdraw, noticing how Dempsey appeared to linger for a second. Affectionately, she kissed his nose.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” Dempsey confessed.

Her arms gently rested on his shoulders, as his hands found a comfortable place on her waist. The girl observed his bashful gaze, yet a sincere smile warmed his face.

She had long known of the American’s affection for her. His admiring gazes and gestures were certainly not missed. She always seemed to be his top priority, and he consistently sought her company during any free time. Even when he feigned annoyance with Richtofen as an excuse to be near her, she recognised the longing in his eyes.

“Dempsey,” She began, giggling softly. “I don’t think subtly is your strong suit.”

Gently, she reached out to smooth his hair, carefully tucking stray strands from his forehead.

“But frankly, that’s what I like about you.” She told, smiling bashfully. “Your will to show more than tell…”

His charismatic charm suddenly shone through as he smirked, causing the girl to visibly brighten and feel her heart flutter; the man, who had seemed lost all evening, suddenly seemed alive again.

“Well in that case…” Dempsey’s smirk turned to a grin for a second.

Surprised, the girl gasped as she was unexpectedly embraced in another kiss, instinctively holding onto him, only managing a brief return of the kiss before he slowly withdrew.

She felt a blush of embarrassment and spoke breathlessly. “You’re lucky I took a liking to you from the get-go.”

Dempsey playfully rolled his eyes. However, he was suddenly struck by how fortunate he was in that moment. To be blessed with something positive in his life- he never thought he would see such a day since the outbreak. He felt as though the burden of relying solely on his survival instincts had been lifted, even if only for tonight. He was certainly going to cherish it.

In that moment, time and space might have ceased to exist, unnoticed by the pair, who were completely focused on each other. Their surroundings faded from view, and the gentle breeze felt like a comforting presence. However, despite their tender gaze and embrace, the girl sensed the way Dempsey was deep in thought by observing his somewhat dazed expression.

A faint line appeared between her brows as she thoughtfully furrowed them.

“What’s on your mind now?” She asked, her hand reaching to caress his cheekbone with her thumb.

“Nothin’.” He answered, glancing down. “But I guess I’m just wondering what this means now.”

The girl understood his meaning when his arms already around her waist, shifted slightly and tightened their embrace, and she hummed thoughtfully.

Then, after a short time, she gave him a knowing look.

“Well, I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to write between the lines.” She told, her hands fiddling with the collar of his jacket.

Dempsey noticed her wink and immediately grasped her meaning.

They both were certain that the Kronorium had enough space between its chapters to discreetly house something of their own. Also rightfully feeling that they deserved a treat during a state of persistent upheaval.

She drew herself close to him, kissing his cheek softly.

“Let’s just keep this between us for now.” She said sincerely.

Tank spoke lowly. “Sure.”

They kissed. Again… And again…

Dawn was still sometime away, so they remained together, finding comfort in each other’s company. For the first time in weeks, they felt a profound sense of serenity, a feeling quite unfamiliar and utterly new, yet entirely welcomed and cherished.

#tank dempsey #tank dempsey x reader #cod zombies #codz #call of duty zombies #edward richtofen #nikolai belinski #takeo masaki #call of duty #codz x reader

19 notes · View notes