#fun fact rook will start his corruption arc after resurrection

[purru]

As We Face Down The End

▷ Summary; Roman Hicks was the first person who stood up for him. Rook made it his duty to protect Hicks by any means

⚠️ content advisory: villain whumpee, major character death (non permanent), love interest turned executor, execution, gun

Note #1: fill for day 2 of Whumptober - Cornered

Note #2: This fic is based on what happened on our homebrew Blades in The Dark session, I just decided to write my player character’s death scene. Rook will be fine and resurrected after the fic, he'll be in good* hands eventually

To keep Hicks alive, he would do everything to hide the truth. That included the fact that it was indeed Rook who tampered with evidences of spontaneous human combustion case back in the brothel—being an arcane investigator sure comes with perks.

Rook couldn't think of any other method; the less Hicks knew the better. So he lied and lied. He lied until Hicks eventually invited him for a nice lunch, just the two of them.

It was unusual for his superior to hold a one-on-one meeting outside their office. Rook instinctively fixed his bangs, hoping that it would cover the hot flush that he knew had spread all over his ears. He nodded and respectfully accepted the invitation.

The supposedly one-on-one lunch meeting in that eerily quiet five star restaurant quickly turned frustrating. Hicks pressed on. Rook’s lies kept piling higher and higher. The black haired man didn’t particularly care whether he sound convincing or not.

Based on past experience, the rule of thumb on surviving an interrogation was to never admit to anything. Hicks only needed his confession and he’s not going to give it. He would bite his tongue off if Hicks didn’t stop asking. Couldn’t Hicks see that he’s doing it for his own safety? Rook wouldn’t forgive himself if the demon latching on his body burned Hicks to embers, just like what He had done previously in that brothel.

Rook was about to continue with his defense and rhetorical answer when in an instant, powerful arcane ward spanning the entire restaurant was activated. He could no longer feel the demon’s presence enveloping him. Rifles and guns were pointed at him from every corner. Rook saw his fellow investigators coming out from their hiding positions, they were on their shooting positions. He instinctively raised his hands in the air.

Truth to be told, this wasn't particularly surprising. Since the first time they exchanged words, Rook kept envisioning that someday they would end each other's life. He didn't know what would be fulfilled first: him killing Hicks, or Hicks killing him. Hicks was a threat for him as he was a threat for Hicks and the entire city.

But a firing squad? Hicks should be given a credit for creativity. This was well-executed, well-orchestrated. Rook could learn a thing or two from Hicks. He had never imagined this is how he would meet his demise. He had thought Hicks would poison his drink. It's easy to do so. It also would serve as a fitting death for him, for he didn’t deserve a merciful death.

Soon Hicks read his charges; a season of treason, a tampering to remember. Rook looked at Hicks straight in the eyes and smiled. He uttered his gratitude, he was proud be to able to work under a man as magnanimous as Hicks. He thought he did the right thing. He merely wanted to protect Hicks. Turned out choosing the right option didn’t feel good.

Hicks then asked one final question. “Who do you trust? Us or the cult?” Rook just knew that Hicks was actually asking who he sided with. Hicks bothered to ask him, the turncoat.

He took his time to admit he trusted Hicks and his company. Or had trusted. It didn’t matter as Hicks nodded and the first shot was fired. And thus his execution began with a mere nod. How quick, how easy.

A bullet went through his stomach and Rook regretted that he ordered the cheapest menu this forsaken restaurant. His last meal should've been a grand one. Once he arrived at hell, he would make sure to indulge in his culinary pleasure shamelessly. To hell with choosing the right thing, he wanted to feel good from now on. He would rise and soar above them all if he’s given another chance.

Another bullet hit his shoulder and he started to lose his balance. Although this wasn't surprising, he couldn't help but feeling a pang of resentment. He had put his trust in Hicks just like he trusted Leonard. At the end of the day, they were the same. Both had betrayed his trust. Leonard had sold his soul then and now Hicks was the one ordered his death, Rook thought as another bullet nested on his chest. He gasped for air but there was only blood filing his lungs⁠—it burned.

As a final and closing act, Miss Ordelia gave him a headshot. He couldn’t maintain his balance anymore. He collapsed and darkness engulfed his vision. Death followed soon after.

In the end Hicks had chosen to kill one man to save the entire city; Rook would’ve burned London if it meant saving Hicks. It was such a shame.

Note #3: fic title is a lyric from this song, I think it fits what Rook thought of their short-lived friendship