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crowsnhoes · 2 days ago

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Chapter 2 babeyyyy

Chapter II: Achilles

Warnings: mentions of blood and injury. Not proof read you know the drill.

Jay backs themself up against the tree behind them, the heels of their boots digging into the ground as they try desperately to put more distance between themself and the man before them. The rough bark bites into their back, scratching at their skin through the thin material of their clothes, only adding to their already overwhelmed mind, their brain foggy from exhaustion. Their eyes gaze at Havik, bulging and bewildered, unable to process his words. He just wants to get to know them? Like hell he does. He just chased them down despite them trying to kill him multiple times. There must be an ulterior motive, though he clearly isn’t sane, either way.

Havik keeps his distance for a moment. Jay’s labored breathing and shocked expression is enough to tell him that he shouldn’t try to approach them again, lest he wants to be stabbed, bitten, or clawed at. In truth, he really doesn’t mind any of those things, but the person a few feet form him would just exhaust themself trying to fight back again. They already look as if they’re on the brink of death; thin as a rail with dark circles under their eyes. Havik has seen his fair share of people in such shape, including himself, and it strikes him with a feeling of pity that he can’t seem to push away. How long had it been since they had eaten a proper meal, gotten proper rest? Then again, when had he?

A small sound pulls Havik from his thoughts, bringing his attention back to the injured stranger before him. He watches them shift, grimacing from the pain in their ankle. He takes a step forward, attempting to get a look at the injury, but Jay shies away again, alert once more despite the searing sensation clawing its way up their leg. They glare up at Havik, spitting out some of the blood that stains their mouth before muttering something in a language he doesn’t understand, though the cadence does sound strangely familiar, only furthering his curiosity of the individual.

He pushes his confusion away and kneels to get to Jay’s level, turning his eyes away to try and tell them that he’s letting his guard down, and it seems to work to an extent. Their hackles don’t seem as raised and they let out a breath, letting their head fall against the tree.

“What the hell do you want from me?” Their voice is hoarse when they speak, worn ragged from the struggle. Havik finally turns his eyes back to them and sees their scowl. It’s almost cute. Like a puppy trying to bare its teeth. He fights back his smirk, though, not like they’d be able to tell because of his mangled face, but he hides it nonetheless.

“Nothing,” he rasps. “I don’t exactly know why I followed you.”

“Bullshit,” they spit, their nose crinkling with a snarl. Havik huffs and sits in front of them, his gaze never leaving their own.

“Why do you think I followed you?”

Jay laughs scoffs at the question, grimacing again as they shift into a more comfortable position. They’ll have to play the long game, it seems, answering questions until there’s an opportunity to escape.

“How should I know? All in know is that you seemed very intent on catching me.”

“I’m not asking if you know. I’m asking what you think,” he interjects. Truthfully, he wants to know what they think so he may get an idea as to why he might have been chasing them, because, as he had admitted to himself, he really isn’t sure. Jay scowls at him.

“I’m not stupid. I know how cruel people can be,” there’s that panic in their voice again, in their expression. “I will not fall for false comfort.”

Havik hums, understanding where they’re coming from, but he knows that their situation could become dire at this point. Given, he is at fault for their injury, but their condition beforehand wasn’t much better.

“Winter is approaching,” his voice is uncharacteristically soft, but the firmness remains. “Even without that injury you’d die shortly after the cold hits.”

Jay’s expression shifts from defensive anger to something akin to hopelessness. They had been afraid of such an outcome, had even expected it, but hearing it from someone else’s mouth hit them hard. It’s like a punch to the gut and their head feels like it’s spinning. From hunger, exhaustion? Probably a mix of everything, really. Their gaze locks onto Havik’s and the softness of his voice is nowhere to be seen in those dark eyes. His expression is firm, insistent. Jay curses under their breath, taking their time to respond. That scowl finds its way to their face again.

“Leave me to the land, then,” they wave a hand dismissively. Havik only huffs at their response. Someone so self depreciating still looks so scared, so afraid. They’re trembling still, but trying so hard to hide it. He only shakes his head and stands.

“It will be a slow and painful death. Starvation is not a comfortable fate, though I think you are well aware of that.”

He strides over to an adjacent tree, leaning against it and observing Jay. His eyes never leave them, watching idly as they rummage through their bag and take out supplies to patch up their ankle. They grimace and wince at the pain in their leg, inhaling sharply through their teeth. A balm is applied once they have the leg of their trousers rolled up and their worn boot set to the side, then they wrap it, splint it for stability, and wrap it again before putting everything back into place. Havik watches intently as they try to stand, bracing themself against the tree and limping to the next. He wants to mark a comment but refrains, knowing they’ll just use more energy to snap back at him. Instead, he stands by while Jay pulls a low branch down and tests its sturdiness, determined to use it as a makeshift crutch.

“You’re going to exasperate your injury like that.”

“Shut up.”

The bite in their words has a chuckle rumbling in his chest.

“I am willing to help,” he sighs. “If you’ll let me, that is.”

“I don’t need your help,” they snap. “I’m capable of handling myself, and I’m not going to die out here. I won’t.”

Such determination. It’s admirable, but reality can be cruel. There’s no doubt they’ll die by mid winter or at least be on the brink of death. Despite Havik’s recommendation, Jay braces themself on the makeshift crutch and starts to hobble off, doing their best to put distance between themself and scarred man. Nevertheless, he follows. Not like he had earlier, of course. He just tails them this time, slowing his pace to match their hindered stride. Though it really annoys them, Jay makes no move to confront Havik, too exhausted to even care. As long as he doesn’t attack them they’ll just keep moving. The silence, however is borderline deafening, and Jay’s anxiety is running wild. They can feel Havik’s eyes boring into their back. Is he waiting for the perfect moment to strike? Take them down and…no. He doesn’t seem to be interested. Maybe he’s just nosy, they think to themself. Yeah, maybe he just likes to get into other people’s business and annoy the hell out of them, because he sure is good at it.

The sun eventually begins to set and Jay’s ankle throbs. They’ve been doing their absolute best to keep weight off of it, but there’s only so much they can manage. With night closing in it would be best to stop and rest for the night. Moving in darkness is dangerous, especially with so many nocturnal predators. The only problem is that Havik is still following them and they refuse to let their guard down around him. His motives are still unknown, making him most untrustworthy. Though he claims his intentions are good, Jay can’t know that for sure. A sharp pain shoots up their leg, making them wince; a reminder that they have no choice but to rest. And so they do, stopping next to a small creek. Jay hobbles their way through the brush, gathering things to start a fire, only to take notice that Havik is doing the same at a distance. Shaking their head, they ignore him and gather what they need before constructing the base for their fire. They jump and flinch away when Havik adds to the pile, his calloused hands brushing their own in the process.

“I told you that I don’t need your help.”

Havik doesn’t bother answering. He just continues building the base up before striking a few sparks onto the kindling and placing it accordingly.

Jay huffs, “I’m not some helpless little thing you have to keep following around. Leave me alone.”

“Oh,” Havik hums, his voice low and gravelly. “You looked like a kicked mutt to me.”

They scowl at his comment, tempted to toss coals into his eyes, but they just sit back onto the grass and loose a sigh. Defeat is the only thing they feel at this point. All this time in the brush by themself and a little sprained ankle is going to kill them? Likely. Jay rubs at their face, leaving their head in their hands. It feels like their chest is going to burst.

“Goddammit,” their voice trembles. “I’m really going to die out here…”

Havik sits back and gazes at them, seeing how they tense. It’s not like he has never seen anyone on the verge of breaking, on the verge of death, even, but dammit does this one make his chest hurt. He can tell that there’s something unusual about them, like they aren’t as sturdy as other Outworlders. This one seems to break much easier in the physical aspect. He takes a chance and shifts closer to Jay, holding a hand up when they flinch like he’s trying to calm an injured creature. When they seem to relax a bit more, he moves to sit about an arm’s length away from them. They keep their eyes on him, that blue gaze misty with tears. A kicked dog. Maybe he should have worded it better. Nevertheless, he holds their gaze, trying to soften his expression to show them that they really don’t have to be afraid of him, though he doesn’t blame them one bit for being frightened. His face is mangled and he’s covered in scars, not to mention his stunted social skills. He’s never been good at talking or negotiation, and has always been more of a “hands on” person. Never wanted to waste his breath, especially after all the times his negotiating has failed him. Though he feels he should waste his breath on this one.

“My words are harsh and my actions have indeed not given you a reason to trust me,” he sighs, “but I really do wish to help you. It was never my intention to bring harm to you and I…I feel I should at least help you recover before you try to survive the winter. Help you hunt and prepare.” His eyes are gentle in the firelight, the glow bathing his tan skin in a warm light. “Will you allow me to at least do that?”

Jay looks him over, cautious, but considering. They don’t want to trust him and they really shouldn’t, but what choice do they have? He’s right. If the winter doesn’t kill them, then animals, others will. It scares them, but he’s their best chance at survival. The choice is obvious. They mutter something in that strange language again.

“Fine. I will let you help,” Havik opens his mouth to speak, but Jay quickly cuts him off. “If I so much as suspect that you intend to harm me, the consequences will be dire.”

Havik only nods despite both knowing that they wouldn’t be able to truly stop him, but he has no intention of harming them. He genuinely hopes they come to understand that.

There’s a beat of silence between the two, only broken by the sound of something moving through the trees and the crackle of fire.

“What is your name?”

“…Jay.”

A/N: RAAHHH SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG. School has been kicking my tail, but finals are done and I’m on the downward slope. Clinicals will probably keep me busy, but I’ll do my best to update <3. Also tagging @malicedragoness bc I know my girlie loves an update hehe!

#jay’s story #mk oc jay #mk oc #mk self insert #self insert #self ship #jay x havik #oc x canon #fanfiction #mortal kombat fanfiction #mk havik #my writing #mortal kombat #mk1

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