#(xox) until the end: emilie & william.

[runelocked]

THE  SUITS  ARE  SUPPOSED  TO  BE  SAFE.  IN  WILLIAM’S  FRANTIC  MIND,  HE  REMINDS  HIMSELF  OF  THAT.  The  suits  are  designed  to  be  worn,  and  despite  his  unfortunate  restless  movements  constantly  ensuring  the  springlocks  start  to  come  loose  more  than  they  should,  overall,  he’s  been  wearing  it  for  months  without  too  much  problem.  SO  WHY  NOW  IS  HE  PANICKING ?

Michael  is  pulled  away.  Emilie takes him out. William  barely  acknowledges  his  son  or  his  wife,  already  lifting  his  arms  to  undo  those  stupid  gloves,  that  tumble  off  quickly,  landing  with  a  clatter  on  the  floor.  Even  such  a  noise  makes  him  flinch,  and  one  of  those  spring - locks  digs  sharply  into  his  shoulder  at  his  movement.  William  seizes,  stiffens  in  pain,  but  tunes  it  out.  Focuses  on  keeping  his  breathing  very,  very  steady  and  his  efforts  to  get  the  suit  off his body  redouble.  By  the  time  Emilie  is  back,  he’s  partially  succeeded;  both  gloves  and  the  head  lie  aside,  discarded  without  care.  For  all  intents  and  purposes,  nothing  looks  wrong  –  not  from  the  outside.

But  when  he  meets  her  eyes,  there’s  genuine  fear  there,  for  perhaps  the  first  time  in  his  entire  life.  “ The  springlocks  are  coming  loose, ”  he  tells  her,  words  quiet,  straining  with  the  effort  to  keep  the  horror  from  his  voice,  “ I  need  you  to  –  ”  His  mind  draws  a  blank.  He  needs  her  to  be  here.  Needs  her  to  look  away.  Needs  her  to  help  him,  needs  her  to  do  nothing.  He doesn't know.

Head  off,  hands  free.  It’s  easier  to  begin  working  very  carefully  on  unfastening  the  arms,  and  so  he  does  so,  only  for  that  same set of springlocks  from  before  to  pierce  with  more  intent  into  his  left shoulder.  Now  he  does  cry  out:  the  sound  quickly  turned  into  a  hissed  curse.  Despite  the  pain,  he’s  had  it  drilled  into  him  that  men  don’t  show  weakness . . .  Not  in  front  of  his  pregnant  wife.

“ Help  me  get  this  off  my  arm, ”  he  tells  her,  voice  sharp  and  strange  with  pain,  “ I  need  to  get  it  off. ”  He  has  no  idea  that  this  will  only  make  things  worse.  It’s  already  too  late.

CONTINUED. / @mechanicaldance

[runelocked]

PRIDE COMES BEFORE THE FALL. AS A YOUNG MAN William had always been eager, too eager, rushing headfirst into trouble and dealing with the consequences of things later. Usually he could charm his way out of bother; sweet-talk offended parties and ply others with false sorrow; and emerge from any inconveniences relatively unscathed. His mother had always scolded him in that little northern town he’d been raised in, her breath misty in the cold morning air: YOUR RECKLESSNESS IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF YOURSELF BEFORE TOO LONG, SON.

This time, there’s no words to save him. The Spring-Bonnie suit is on firm, his son attached firmly to his back and swinging around gaily. Michael’s always loved the spring suit — William is usually happy to let him play around, pretending to be the rabbit character his son so loved, despite Henry’s warnings that the suits hadn’t been created for such rough handling. William has always waved him off. He’s been fine before, hasn’t he?

He’s not fine now. Michael has kicked something loose, or maybe— maybe William hasn’t tightened something as fastidiously as usual. Because there’s a horrible tick-tick-tick of screws and springs beginning to unwind, a gentle pressure applying itself to his skin, and he knows. Needs Michael pulled off him immediately. Needs out of this suit immediately.

Michael is laughing, the toddler’s hands pulling at the hand of Spring - Bonnie. William can’t breathe. Tries his best to remain incredibly still, Henry’s warnings of spring-lock failure ringing through his ears. The diner is closed, and if he just calls loud enough then Emilie might hear: swallowing thickly, he shouts her name urgently, desperation leaking into his voice. If he can get out in time, he’ll be fine. Nothing’s happened yet.

“Emilie! I need you. Take Michael from me, quick. Something— Something’s gone wrong.”

[ @mechanicaldance / CLOSED STARTER. ]