#higgs monaghan oneshot

[lethalchiralium]

Play Pretend | Higgs Monaghan x GN!Reader

a/n: just a lil thing i kept meaning to post, nothing meaningful i just keep thinking about him 🥺

warnings: TW: allusions to self harm, allusions of suicide. higgs being a dick like always.

summary: You’re in it for something, he concluded. He needs help, you thought, more than he’s willing to take.

The fire that warmed your hands crackled softly, the cold breeze gently nipped at your ears and nose. You took a bite out of the lukewarm chicken that Higgs had managed to scrounge up, cook, and not actually burn. Your eyes didn’t dare glance away from the sight before you, the once highly feared man was now reduced to a man barely surviving. It was honestly a sight; his clean shave was now a dark scruffy beard, his usually short hair was now growing out and becoming wavy. You knew it was hard on him since you were an independent Porter and he couldn’t go and rest where you would, but it did give him a good shock not being able to be in control of everything.

Today was the day before you were able to finally go to your new shelter and finally be able to get Higgs into a real place.

“You’re starin’, sugarplum.”

You blinked quickly before giving him a soft smile. “Sorry, just zoned out.”

He answered with a grunt before beginning to devour the other chicken wing, and you couldn’t help but gaze at him from across the fire. If you had just met the man, you would’ve thought he was just a lost person from one of the Knot Cities; he looked harmless with that blank stare in his eyes. Barely spoke a word when you finally found him in front of the Middle Knot Ruins, you could’ve sworn that he was trying to get hung upside down by the BTs.

You looked down and took another bite, then looked back up to Higgs, who met your gaze with furrowed eyebrows. “Why are you starin’ at me for?”

“You just look very beautiful in this lighting.” You said and even though the fire had a warm glow, you could see his entire face flush red. He immediately looked down at his food and continued to eat and so did you, that inkling of doubt in your stomach for complimenting him was becoming bigger.

“Don’t compliment me.” He answered after a few more moments of silence; He chucked the empty bone into the fire, staring at it. “I don’t deserve sympathy.”

He tossed another bone into the fire and you decided to stay quiet. Time went by quickly, almost five minutes passed before he spoke again.

“You shouldn’t care about me.”

“I know.”

“Can’t you-“ He threw a bone at your head, it barely even grazed your hair as you looked at him. His face flushed red with anger, his body tensing, “-fucking hate me? Yell or something?”

You let out a breath, eyes boring into the stormy seas of Higgs’ own eyes. He was looking desperately for something to exploit, to gain leverage - there wasn’t anything he hasn’t used.

“Pass me the salt packet.”

The damn thing was stuck. All of these credits poured into this brand-new shelter and the terminal was stuck in the floor.

Higgs stood off to the side in the overhang, the heavy timefall thundered upon the cold mud outside. Your foot hit the floor again, hands in your pockets as you just kept kicking the damn thing. The man looked towards the timefall again, watching as the trees swayed in the strong winds; he took a step further into the shelter. The timefall looked peaceful to him - no matter how hard it was raining, he considered the timefall to be an ideal death. Suffering until the rain decided he needed to return to the Earth - he deserved to suffer.

His daddy was always right, Higgs concluded. The outside world was out to kill him, the timefall would wash him away, that he deserved to suffer for even breathing. He only turned away, looking to you as you moved backwards from the circle in the floor.

He was still trying to figure you out - no one gave pity without knowing they’ll receive something in return. You wanted something from him, he felt it in his bones; but he had nothing to give. Amelie had taken his power, his fire, his will to even stand, all of the friends he had once hate him now or have died by his hand. He had no possessions, no credits - what were you in it for?

“Finally.” You muttered as the terminal popped up from the floor. Placing your cuff link underneath the scanner, the menu popped up and Higgs looked back to the outside world. He deserved to sit under Timefall and wither away. Maybe flowers would grow from his corpse, only to wither a moment later - maybe cause a voidout. He’d love to finally end it, to finally be able to be at peace.

Higgs almost walked into the downpour if it wasn’t for your arm slithering around his own, pulling him downstairs. His gaze moved from the outside world to a tiny prison. You pulled him with you - not ahead, behind. Beside you. Like he deserved to live here.

Higgs has never wanted to blow his brains out this much until now.

But he held his tongue as he was pulled around, you flicked on the lights with a button on your cuff link hologram. He made a quick glance around the place, deciding very quickly that he wasn’t meant to be here.

“Get out of your head.”

You pulled him forward and down the hall, Higgs gave some resistance but quickly followed. Flicking on the light, you pulled him into the small bedroom and turned to look at him again.

“Sleep.”

You moved right past him, now standing outside of the room while still watching him. He gazed around the BRIDGES-style private room, condensed into a small room. He set down his dufflebag onto the floor before looking back at you.

If you weren’t still angered about the terminal upstairs, you would have sworn to God that he looked to you for guidance.

“You’ll be safe here.”

He huffed out a laugh.

“I’ll never be safe as long as I breathe, sugar.”

Copyright © 2023 lethalchiralium. All rights reserved.

[danddymaro]

Fate | Higgs Monaghan x Reader

Another idea somewhat Similar to Follow me , where he finds the reader stranded.

Wordcount: 1061

Fate

The gold-trimmed edge that your exploring digits slid across felt icy as it met their numbness.

It felt like nothing, yet something simultaneously, and in your delirious mind, you couldn't fathom what stood before you.

As you looked up the image of death that stared down, he, himself, was intently focused on your caress; on the acceptance you greeted it with as your knees visbally quivered.

-As your mortality was evident.

"Stay with me…" you begged.

Although it'd been a possibility, you'd always feared dying alone.

But even so, If you'd spent your life seldom, would it be greedy to ask for just a touch of mercy at your end?

Even if it was from death itself.

Somewhere in your mind, where all of your collected thoughts that hardly mattered went, it existed.

"Please?" you were not above begging, hoping to trade off your end with something kinder.

Your hazy vision became even more obscured by your sorrow, making gloom and gold the only thing you could make out.

Heavy thunderstorms boomed far in the distance, their echoes, though merely fractions of their true roar, still making you shiver as they reached you.

'It's cold…'

"It's So cold," you shivered, and you dared to complain with a shattered smile.

You broke before the sky did, and as you did, you cried.

The soaked ground beneath you felt as though it'd swallowed you down with each step you took, and before you collapsed to its suffocating demise, you put all of your strength into holding on to what was closest.

The hooded figure held genuine curiosity that was conveyed by the slow head tilt that proceeded as he watched with interest.

-then surprised at your desperation as your arms held onto his legs.

Much more, when you looked up at him with strangely beautiful eyes that held not only the sorrows of the day but the ghosts of their predecessors.

He felt something odd, something forgiving.

a hand gloved in the same thick, black material that draped over his golden, ghastly face came down to you.

It fell to the crown of your head with its large palm before it dipped down and slowly shifted.

Soon, the back of his fingers scaled down your somber expression before it rested, as the deep blue gaze hidden behind shadows and thick lenses admired you.

Death, as you knew it gazed down at you with a flourish of something tangible as you existed with peace in the comfort of his single hand that had done nothing but form craters and bring disaster.

Beneath his mask that hid his true face, Higgs smiled.

He did so gently as he tutted at such a precious find in this world of seemingly endless cataclysms.

He came down to your level, and as your lip quivered while you tried to speak, a finger was pressed to them, gently seeking silence from you.

"Shhh..."

If only you knew how alluring you looked when you gazed up at him so utterly hopeful for his mercy, you wouldn't later have the insistency to question him on the matter.

★ ★ ★

"Higgs," you said with interest as you looked over to the large beast he created, bringing it forth with the same hand that had been so gentle with you before and had never once searched for you amid the dooms he created.

"Darlin?" he asked back with a soft purr, hardly turning to look at you, only shifting his eyes.

And without the placement of that mask you've gotten so used to gazing at, you could actually catch the moment his eyes greeted yours, rather than just feel it.

Against your will, your smile formed, although it was soft and nearly nonextant as he addressed you, never with your name, but with something sweeter.

You stepped closer to him and as you did, the gear you wore, and that had once felt like just a bit too much felt like a second part of you.

Either by coincidence or careful planning, it matched his, and it made you feel somewhat closer, moreso when he'd been so animated when he'd presented it to you, pointing out the detail.

-Especially the cloak that flowed just a bit longer than his did.

"More coverage," he murmured as he brought down your hood and marveled at you with what started off as a musing pout, then morphed into a triumphant grin.

He made sure to clothe you properly, where not a drop could reach you, and it was without a doubt he cared about you.

But why?

"Why do you keep me around?" you asked him, and as self-deplorable as the question should sound, you held more curiosity than anything.

You could see his eyes gently close as a little smirk tugged at his lips,

"That little question of yours..." he murmured as his mask manifested, and he finally decided to turn to you, approaching you with ease.

And the man who almost always had something to say, fell silent.

Soon reaching you, the back of his fingers began to caress the length of your face before they dipped down your chin and fell to his side again.

If only he could tell you why he'd kept you so close, saving you from the timefall; why he'd created rifts in dimensions to ensure your safety while knowing nothing about you.

-if only he knew himself.

But all he could really tell you was the events of the day, just as you remembered them.

As he approached you, he moved just as the beast he created did, with a predatory stalk that rounded prey before it pounced.

Soon he stood behind you, and as his arm fell over your shoulder and crossed your chest, he held you close, his obscured face resting by your neck.

He took in a long breath while your body submitted, falling back into his embrace that felt so familiar and comforting.

"Fate... I suppose," he murmured coyly as the sky roared, and the air felt thicker.

And if you admitted to anyone else how much you loved the atmosphere now, you'd be considered just as deranged as the man who held you so gently now.

"So cold..." you breathed, not really bothered by the weather, finding warmth in your gear, and the transferred heat of his embrace.

" Hold me closer...."

[cuddlypillow]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Death Stranding (Video Games) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Higgs Monaghan/Reader, Higgs Monaghan/You, Higgs Monaghan & You, Higgs Monaghan & Reader Characters: Higgs Monaghan, Reader, You Additional Tags: Smut, Shameless Smut, PWP, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, no y/n, GN!READER, genderneutral reader, Fingering, Sex, Rough Sex, mention of choking, Higgs has total switch energy, top higgs, Not Beta Read Summary:

You and Higgs get surprised by heavy timefall on a patrol run for the Demens but you know how to waste some time.

[thepaperpanda]

The Tarry Gift || Higgs Monaghan x Reader (yet Sam makes a short guest apperance too!)

Summary: it had to be a simple delivery after a longer time of being indisposed. Little did you know that the client was Higgs Monaghan himself

Warnings: none     

Words: 2728

Authors: Cass & Bear

A/N: This is a comedy fic. We wrote it accidentally while just playing around with writing a thing for Higgs Monaghan character but it came out so laughably that we decided to share it with you! ENJOY!

You hoped for a lot as for the first delivery since a long time but instead, you’d gotten pizza delivery. A fucking pizza.

You took the box and headed to the destination.

When the terminal beeped, Higgs narrowed his eyes. Quickly a realization came - it could be nothing but pizza! 

Oh, how much he hoped to finally meet Sam in his bunker! 

How much he craved to see Sam's face when he will realise that Peter Englert was no one else but Higgs himself!

Before putting his hood on, he checked his makeup and smiled at his reflection in a mirror. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the meanest of them all?," He smirked widely to his reflection so the whiteness of his teeth glistened back in a light of lamp and Higgs chuckled.

He checked his outfit for the very last time and walked to open the door.

"Oh, Sam Bridges! Guess you're happy to..... Who the fuck are you?"

"Who the fuck are you?," You asked with a frown, still holding pizza box in your hands.

The last thing you needed now was being insulted by an aspiring beauty guru. "I have your pizza, mr Englert."

"Where's Sam Bridges?," He asked, measuring your features from the bottom to the top.

You shrugged. "He left before I did. Even if he is my friend I don't really know where he is. Why do you ask?"

"Nevermind. Oh, where are my manners? Please, come in, come in," he gestured at you to get inside the bunker.

"Uhm…," You felt confused, most of the time you interacted with holograms and no one ever invited you inside. "Uhm, I don't know if I should."

"Oh, don't bullshit me!," He simply grabbed your forearm and pulled you inside. When he did, the door closed automatically.

Now you felt scared as fuck and the locked door made you scared even more. "Uhm... Your pizza,” you passed the box to the man in the hood.

With his hood still on, Higgs grabbed the pizza box from you and humming happily he went further along the narrow corridor. "Oh, c'mon! Don't stand like an idiot. Get in!"

You swallowed heavily and nodded, following him. You didn't like it but you had no other option.

The corridor led to a huge chamber.

The walls were covered with handwriting, maps and pictures of no one else but Sam Bridges.

Almost in the middle of the room there was a couch and a table. Under the table there were empty pizza boxes.

Man flopped on the couch and opened the box he was holding in hands. He grabbed a slice of pizza and took a bite. He hummed. "Delicious. Make yourself at home. Want some?," He asked, offering you pizza. "Salami and ham."

You looked around and felt the shivers moving up your spine. This didn't look good and you wanted to run. "No, thanks… I don't like salami or pizza itself."

He shrugged. "Whatever you say, honeypot," he replied and ate his slice of pizza only to grab another

"Don't call me that. I don't even know you. Why am I here even?!," You growled angrily while rubbing your elbow.

"The name's Higgs, the particle of God that permeates all existence. You brought pizza and you are the friend of Sam Bridges who is my greatest enemy of all time. So technically, you're kidnapped," Higgs claimed.

You blinked, processing what he just said. "Excuse me...? You kidding, right? I wanna go out. Let me out."

"Take a seat and have some pizza. Rest. Make yourself at home. You're not going anywhere."

"I don't like pizza!," You growled. "I want to go home! I have other stuff to do."

"Shhh, shhh, shhh, stop talking, I can't gather my thoughts when you're yapping like a puppy," Higgs finished his pizza and laid on the couch.

"LET ME OUT YOU, PSYCHO!," You yelled and stomped a few times.

He didn't listen. After a long moment he got up and walked to the desk where a laptop was placed. He took it with him and sat back on the couch.

You frowned and moved closer to close the laptop with your palm. "Let me you! Do you understand English?"

"Can you stop yapping, pretty please?," He pulled the hood off his head and furrowed his brows.

"Can you stop being a dick and let me out?!," You growled. "Sam won't just come because I am gone."

"Oh, he'll. I'm mailing him, don't worry, he's going to come for you," Higgs replied. "If I was a dickhead, you'd be tied up and I'd put a rag into your mouth to shut you up. I didn't do anything. I even offered you pizza! Ah, people are so ungrateful these days."

"Says the guy that kidnapped an innocent woman. You want me to be grateful for keeping me here?," You asked in disbelief, crossing arms over your chest.

"Oh-ho, I heard the storm has come! It's better here I think, you're dry and not exposed to BTs. Or... Are you truly safe here?," He smirked wryly and snapped his fingers.

Without a blink of an eye the floor turned into tar and a creature formed out of it. It was a lion BT with a golden snout. It roared at you.

"Holy Beach!," You whimpered and sat on the couch right next to him, pulling knees right under your chin. "Take it away! I am sorry! I will be good!"

The lion tilted its head and shook its mane, roaring and yawning. Next, the creature licked its paw and sat right in front of you.

"Don't worry, it won't hurt you unless I order so," Higgs informed as he was writing the email.

You only nodded your head, too scared to even move or breathe.

"If you need a hug, you can just tell me," Higgs chuckled. "I'm a great cuddler."

Lion hit your knee with its paw, roaring.

"I would never touch you, ever. I am scared of this thing," you explained, pointing at the lion and whimpering loudly when it hit your knee.

"Don't you see? He demands being petted," Higgs glared at you. "Go on. Pet him. Like this," he reached out and stroked the mane made of tar.

You nodded and slowly tried to pet the lion how Higgs instructed you.

It resulted in a loud purring that was followed by a tail wiggling, sending some tar on the walls. Soon, the lion laid down, his belly exposed.

You looked at Higgs. "Really? I thought BTs are more scary," you said and bent down to scratch the lion's belly.

Lion's paw started shaking as you hit the very right spot. The puring became louder. 

Higgs raised his brow while looking at you. "Ah, right. They are scary, indeed. Just don't try this with others outside because they'll kill ya," he reminded. "Ah! Done! Now we only gotta wait for Sam to come and rescue you from the oppression!"

"You think I am that stupid to pet every BT I see?," You asked with a frown. "I don't think he will come but I at least can pet the lion..."

Lion grabbed your arm with both front paws and pulled you to him more so you fell off the couch. 

Higgs chuckled. "I forgot to tell you that he is too demanding sometimes."

"I can see! I will need a shower… Ah, I just took one before I left the facility," You sighed sadly, petting the lion.

Lion opened the snout and trailed its tarry tongue across your face.

You only whimpered and sighed defeatedly.

Soon, the terminal beeped again.

"Your saviour has come apparently!," Higgs informed you excitedly and rubbed his hands together getting off the couch.

He walked to the main door of his bunker and put hood back on. He touched the touchpad on the wall and the door opened. "Ah, Sam Bridges! We can finally meet in person!"

Sam put the case he was holding in his hand down on the stone floor and cocked his brow. "Higgs. We do know each other."

"Yes! But technically you came here to meet Peter Englert. So?," He sent Sam  a wide grin.

Sam let out a sigh. "Higgs. I know you're Peter Englert. Now, can I get Y/N back?"

"Yes, please! I'd like to go home, even if I like the lion!," You yelled from the floor while you were still petting the creature. Too bad you couldn't keep it.

Sam narrowed his brows. "Excuse me, is she inside? How? What for?"

"I'll share a secret with you," Higgs put hands to Sam's shoulders and leaned forward to trace the tip of his tongue along Sam's cheek. "I let her in and she enjoyed our common time."

"Get off, man!," Sam pushed Higgs off and wiped his cheek with the top of his gloved palm. "Y/N! Move on!"

You rubbed the lion's snout. "I started to like you. I need to go now, you cute, little thing. Maybe we'll meet again and you won't eat me then!," You said to the creature and got up to quickly run to Sam. "Hi," you give him a smile as soon as you step out of Higgs' bunker.

Sam measured your figure from the bottom to the top with shock written on his face. "Were you fighting BTs? Did he do something to you?," Sam asked, pointing right on Higgs who instantly shook his head for no, raising his hands up.

“He locked me in his safe room and was rude to me but at least he let me pet his BT lion. It's messy as hell but I really loved it," you explained with excitation, looking at Higgs. "Too bad I can't have one."

Higgs sent you a grin and snapped his fingers once again. Within the blink of an eye once again a little puddle of tar appeared at the entrance and a little BT lion cub stepped out of it, meowing loudly.

"Omg, hi, little one!" You laughed and picked the creature gently up. "You are mine now."

"Hola, hola!," Sam raised his tone. "You're not going to take a BT with you. Put it back, now, I am not joking, Y/N. You won't get the BT from this deluded guy."

Higgs crossed arms over his chest. "Let her. This BT belongs to her now, you would have to chop the cord off."

"Exactly. It's mine," you looked at him with an innocent smile, hugging the cub.

The BT lion cub reached its tiny paw towards Sam, but the man immediately took a step back. "This is sick, ridiculous. What are you thinking, Y/N? That we'll get back to Bridges with that BT hidden in your backpack? And you," Sam pointed at Higgs. He was so done with Monaghan's actions and shady plans. "You better get the fuck out of my sigh, I'm so done and believe me - I would kill you but I know it won't affect you in any goddamn way."

Higgs chuckled. "It's good to be a repatriate after all, huh? Y/N, you can keep the BT," he winked at you.

"What's the fucking point of kidnapping her though," Sam pointed at you, "When you simply let her go? What the fuck is going on!"

You pet the cub and shrugged. "He was really disappointed when I came with pizza. So if I understood it correctly, he didn't plan to hurt me and only wanted to get your attention."

You moved a little closer to Sam. "Trust me, he must be a big fan of yours. His walls are decorated with your pictures," you whispered.

Sam cringed at the simple thought of his photos being attached to Higgs' walls. 

"I planned on killing you," Higgs claimed openly. "But she came instead of you, and she brought a good pizza. So I rethought my idea and today I won't kill anyone. What a lovely day, isn't it?!"

Higgs approached you and Sam and wrapped his slender arms around you two. "What a lovely day for the encounter!"

You cringed at the hug, knowing that Sam must have felt really uncomfortable with this.

Letting out an awkward laugh you patted Higgs' shoulder. "Yes, yes... It's nice but please, can you let us go?"

Monaghan measured your features with his steel blue eyes. "It's a shame such a beautiful woman is wasting her youth on being a porter though," he touched your cheek with a gloved hand and then leaned down and forward to get on the level of your head. "But due to the fact you were rather a good hostage, I'll let ya go," after these words he licked your cheek. "You taste so good."

Sam cringed harder at the sight and simply yanked you out of Higgs' grasp. "I have enough of you, I mean it," Sam told Monaghan who only chuckled. "What's so funny, Higgs? Maybe it's time to get a life, something?"

Higgs rubbed his bearded chin before replying. "You see, Sam, haunting you and turning your life in a fucking mess became one of the most beloved and fascinating hobbies of mine lately," Higgs concluded with a happy tone. "You're so much fun, aren't you? Especially when you're making all those grimaces of yours when I cause the tar being all over you," Higgs summed up.

Sam closed his eyes for a brief moment, trying to cool himself down. "Amelie created a goddamn psychotic monster," he summed up, his hands clenched in fists.

"Sam, let's go, okay? You two can fight some other time. If he lets us go, let's use it," you said, petting the little lion in your arms and starting to walk away. "Thank you for the lion!"

"The pleasure is mine and mine only, Y/N, it's a pleasure to meet you though. Remember, the name's Higgs!"

Sam dragged you down the hill, right to his car. "Are you insane?"

"Hey! He kidnapped me, did you forget? Okay, maybe more like inviting me inside and locked the door but I felt kidnapped!," You stated. "And since when do you touch anyone?!"

"Since you pissed me off with the childish behaviour of yours, Y/N, he could have killed you."

"Like you see he did not! Overall he was even nice to me. He gave me a little lion!"

Sam let go of your hand. "Don't get fooled by his sweet face," Sam raised his finger up, shaking it in front of your eyes. "He might look cute and behave cute but it's his deluded facade. He's a fucking delusional psychopath who gifted you with the fucking BT. It's nothing normal in this."

"But look. It's my BT now, it won't hurt me or anyone. It will be okay," you said and nodded. "I know but look, he didn't hurt me and I am fine."

"So maybe get back to his bunker and you two can live a happy life, how about that?," Sam growled. "Get in. Time to get back to Bridges as you spent more than half a day with the main terrorist of America."

"I was kidnapped! It's not like I could just leave. You also took your sweet time to get there," you let out a sigh and got in, rolling your eyes.

"I was working and getting throughout BTs territory to get your ass saved, Y/N, so don't bullshit me about me being delayed," he instructed as he took a seat at the wheel.

"Okay, sorry.”

"Ah, and put this fucking thing to the trunk, I don't need the upholstery to be covered in tar," added Sam while pointing at BT lion cub that was on your lap.

"It's connected to me. If the cub is going to the trunk then I go there as well," you answered, petting BT head.

"For fuck's sake. If your sweet tar cub will leave a single tar spot inside, I'll cut the cord, understood?," Sam growled

You rolled your eyes and looked away.

"And please, next time refrain from delivering pizza."

"Not my fault that this is what I get to do. You know that it's not my choice," you sighed looking out of the window.

Sam only nodded in silence. "So at least try to verify to whom you are delivering."

[roguelov]

Something Blooming

Summary: Higgs Monaghan stumbles upon a botantist!prepper and soon a relationship sparks

Note: My first writing in forever woooo! Anyway this was a request from eons ago and I apologize to whoever sent it (I lost it but remember the request but i’ll keep looking for whoever sent it in) and so here it is now almost a year later sorry but please enjoy

Word Count: 5k

*****

Inhaling the world, he could smell the change. The plants that are dead or dying, the rotting corpses of animals, the misery that lingered in the air and clung to every human. Higgs knew the truth. In simplest terms, the world - this horrid abomination of a land - sucked. Ever since the death stranding, nothing was persevered. Nothing was sacred anymore. Life changed. Life transformed into these things of nightmares. BTs, time fall, BBs, void outs, DOOMs, Bridges, Fragile Express, Porters, Preppers, and the list continues to go on in a world that collapsed and tried to cling to the past but somehow only became a twisted version. 

Higgs did what anyone could do: survive. He survived his family, he survived the wilderness, he survived using his DOOMs, and survived and survived and survived. Living was for ordinary people. He was given a task, given power, to do what must be done. This world was stuck. It needed a reset. And he was willing to make the choices, willing to do anything. If he needed to be the bad guy then so be it, he was Higgs Monaghan leader of the terrorist group known as the Homo-demens. If the world was cruel then he would be too. 

On a day to himself, he strolled through the wooded areas near Port Knot City. He didn’t despise the leadership role he found himself in, but he was human enough to know when he needed a break from the chaos of underlings and stress of planning. It was usually of him to disappear with only a crackle in his wake. His feet carried him while his mind wandered aimlessly. He stared up through the treetops seeing a mute blue sky. No clouds, no sense of any approaching time fall. Not that time fall or BTs were a real problem for him these days. 

He huffed and kicked at the ground. Steel toed boots connected to the ground spraying up dirt and rocks. Boredom was a common feeling in Higgs. Boredom, dread, anger, sadness, all those lovely emotions. But he didn’t have the luxury to dwell on them. He had his mission, his task. What more could a man ask for?

A twig crunched in the distance. 

Higgs’s head snapped towards the noise. Ducking behind a tree, he peered through the thick maze of the condensed forest. Off in the distance was a person. Their visor up hiding their face. No, it wasn’t a porter. Far too little equipment, or cargo to be a simple porter. The person however did seem to have a destination in mind. Higgs watched as they effortlessly weaved around trees, leaping over small creeks, and hiked up and over boulders. He followed easily sticking to the shadows. An image of a hunter and its prey played in his mind. 

Then without warning the person stopped in the middle of the woods. They eyed a small, almost insignificant, patch of greenery and quickly pulled off their backpack. Digging through it, they pulled out a small test tube and plucked a few blades of grass placing it gently into the tube.

Higgs cocked his head. Grass?

The person put the tube of grass in their backpack then walked on ahead again. Only to stop minutes later at a small stream. They once again shook off their backpack pulling out tubes and collecting small plants, soil in the area, and a vile of water.

Higgs rubbed his face in frustration. He clearly picked a quack head to waste his time on. 

The person pushed back their visor as they lifted up a tube with a small plant bud. Higgs froze. With the sunlight streaming through, this person appeared almost angelic. No, angelic wasn’t right. Angels don’t exist in this world. But, this person, you, were … warm. A warmth not felt in ages since the beginning of this cold dark nightmare. 

You smiled at the sample - this tiny bud glanced over by all. It was the start of life. Life in this new changing world. You placed the tube into a holder inside your bag. You already collected as much as you could. You were a botanist looking to research and understand both the evolution of plant life and how it is affected with time fall since the start of the death stranding. Time fall obviously aged everything it touched so this forest was always changing and it was fascinating to see life continue on in these new cycles. 

You shrugged your backpack on and continued on your way home, to your bunker. You’ve been walking all over today collecting as many samples as you could carry. As well as just getting out to breathe in the fresh air. You loved the sun rays on your face, loved smelling the floral and cedar in the air especially right after a time fall, loved hearing the water rush as birds chirped overhead. 

Higgs watched frozen in place as you walked away. He thought of following after you, but he didn’t. Couldn’t. As if you were a mirage and the second he closed in you would disappear, be taken, from this awful world. He turned around in the opposite direction back to his campsite. With one glance over his shoulder, he saw your body fade into the thick woods. He sighed then blinked out of existence landing in his tent ready to play his role of god. 

However, your face haunted his nights. You always appeared in a halo of light. You would smile kindly at him before dashing off. And without fail, he would chase after you not knowing why or really caring why. Soon he found himself taking more and more breaks in the forest in hopes of spotting you. Initially, he didn't. He almost gave up when you appeared one day whistling a random cheery tune. From then on, he saw you more often. 

He realized early on that you were probably some scientist given your test tubes and odd collection. And although you did collect some plant life that only accounted for a small fraction of your time out. Most of the time you simply just took walks. Yes, a normal everyday person decided to trek out into this crazy environment just to simply get out. Not that Higgs entirely blamed you, the mere thought of those confining concrete bunkers always sent a shiver down his spine. So, here he was watching you as you explored the area going to old spots or new. You went everywhere your feet carried you, and you didn’t care as long as you saw the world. While other times, you appeared to have a side job as a porter carting supplies or other unknown things to and from other nearby shelters. And some days Higgs simply wouldn’t see you at all whether it was on his part or yours. 

So finally, after a few weeks, Higgs decided to finally introduce himself. 

After walking for a few hours, you plopped down in the damp grass near a creek. Your boots kicked up the wet gravel as you skipped rocks and occasionally whistled tunes. Tunes from music before the death stranding. You twisted your body to the side and scoured for a new rock. Your fingers dug into the gravel, below into the mud and dirt trying to find the perfect flat rock. Your nails and hands caked in dirt which was honestly nothing new. After finding the perfect rock, you swiveled back around ready to skip the rock when you caught something in your peripheral. Beside you on a boulder off to your left sat a man. A man in a militia outfit and a red BB attached to his chest. Greens, greys, and blacks covered him like the forest at night. But there were also flecks of gold. As if stars twinkling through the treetops on said dark night. 

He was reclined back on one of his right hand. His free arm laid over the knee of his left leg which was tucked in towards his chest while his right leg extended out over the cool smooth grey boulder. His face, on the other hand, was blocked out by the hood of his cloak. With a quick once over, he appeared to be a man who commanded power. Stature. Who was this mysterious man? 

“Whatcha doin’?” 

His voice was deep with a soft twang. 

Your heart rate sped up. Fear jolted through you only for confusion to smother it. A deep unwavering confusion. A dozen questions flew through your mind. Who was this man? Why was he here? Was he here to possibly harm you? Or did this odd stranger really just want to have a conversation? Realizing the long silence, you stumbled out, “Oh, uh … skipping rocks.”

“Skipping rocks?” 

“Yeah?” You winced internally. Saying that out loud sounded down right ridiculous. 

He shook his head. “So you ventured out here near BT territory to just skip rocks?”

Your face began to warm up, “Well … well if you word it like that …”

He chuckled finding it interesting how you fumbled your words. 

Frustrated, you huffed and skipped the rock which unfortunately sunk straight into the water. 

“Not the best rock skipper, are ya?” He smirked. 

Your face was hot both with embarrassment and this rising anger. Who the hell was this man?

He continued, “So is that all you do with your time? Come out to this shitty world to skip rocks? Or do you like dancing with death and want to take a chance with a BT too?”

You puckered your lips trying to find your restraint, “I’m a botanist if you have to know so I also come out here to collect different plant life samples and research them.” Seriously, who is this guy?

He rose his hand as a sign of apology. “Sorry let me rephrase that. You come out into this shitty world to collect grass and nearly get caught by BTs and then occasionally you’ll skip rocks.”

You opened then closed your mouth then mumbled, “Well if you put it like that I sound fucking crazy.” You glanced over at this man. “So what about you, mystery man?”

The man tilted his head slightly and you caught a glimpse of his face. Light facial hair shaded his pale jaw and chin. His sky blue eyes, rimmed with black, connected with your own. He stared at you for a minute. Unbeknownst to you, he was completely enthralled. You were something, someone, that he believed doesn’t belong in this world. 

He cleared his throat looking away. “Higgs. My name is Higgs, and what do you mean me?”

You smirked realizing his cool facade cracked for a moment. “Well, Higgs, what kind of crazy are you? Clearly you’re not my kind of crazy to come skip rocks and collect grass.”

He chuckled, “Honey, I’m all kinds of crazy that you wouldn’t want to know.”

“Try me,” you countered. 

He blinked and looked back over at you. 

Your smirk melted into a genuine smile. “(Y/N)’s my name by the way, thanks for asking.”

He laughed shaking his head. 

After this encounter, you and Higgs met more often. Sometimes you waited for him at that creek, or sometimes he would just appear next to you as you walked through the woods. He told you he had DOOMs, obviously not the whole extent of his powers but the basics such as teleporting and sensing/seeing BTs. Initially, you were impressed with his skill but, later on, if anything you became more annoyed by it. Mainly because it always managed to scare you half to death when he suddenly appeared next to you. Higgs, however, enjoyed it immensely and didn’t see it ending any time soon. 

Days turned to a week. A week then turned into a month. And one month shortly became two. Then three and so on. Your friendship with Higgs only continued to strengthen. Sometimes you would see each other for days or none at all. It never bothered you. You were busy with your own life and research as well as your small delivery service. And you knew Higgs had his own life to live. Now, of course, you knew he was part of that terrorist group, the Homo-Demens. You weren’t completely dense. Given his unusual outfit and how you knew a base of the group was close by were all indicators. You just didn’t know what role he played and frankly you didn’t want to know.

Luckily, today was a day where you were both free after days of being separated. It was the middle of the afternoon, the air cool under the shade of the treetops with a light breeze blowing from the north. You and Higgs were at the creek side. The typical, and frankly only, meet up place. Instead of talking about nonsense or telling jokes, you were rambling on and on about plant life and how the time fall accelerates the cellular process. Higgs unfortunately asked what you’ve been up to as of late which spiraled you into your research and everything you knew. Higgs typically tried to avoid these topics but sometimes he simply couldn’t. But, he didn’t mind that much. Even if he only understood about a third of the words coming out of your mouth. He had no intention of stopping you any time soon. You were always so animated and excited by your discoveries especially your theory on how time fall could possibly bring back extinct plant species. In all honesty, he found it adorable. 

One time, he did comment on it. 

“Sweetheart, you are really cute when you’re all worked up over this plant stuff,” he said leaning forward, his chin resting in his hand.

You cut yourself off mid-sentence. You whipped your head over as your face grew hot at the time. “Well, it’s basically my job, my-my life.”

You quickly tried to cover your embarrassment and continued on with your rambling. However, like the tricky predator that he is, Higgs noticed. Noticed that little weakness. He made a mental note and saved that discovery for another time. Maybe more experiments will need to be done, he jokingly thought to himself.

However, in the middle of your rambling today, thunder clapped. You stopped and glanced up at the darkening sky. Higgs glared up at the sky. With a snap of his fingers he could stop it and in all honesty he was about to but you spoke up. 

“We can go to my bunker and stay there until this passes over. It’s not that far from here.”

Higgs blinked. 

Without hearing his answer, you stood up and started walking in the direction of your home. Higgs shook himself out of his trance and scrambled up following after you. When the thunder rumbled louder, time fall began sprinkling down. You pulled up your hood and darted off. Higgs cursed under his breath and chased after you. 

An odd feeling of familiarity coursed through Higgs. But, he ignored it. He needed to keep up with you. 

He had to admit you were agile. And he knew why. These woods were your backyard. You knew them well enough to know the quickest route home. Down a hill, you rounded around at the bottom of a cliff to see your bunker, your home. There was a tiny greenhouse outside with one side sheltered from the time fall while the other side endured it. A little experiment you set up a while ago. You wondered how it would change today. Your bunker was also mostly covered by its surroundings like the trees and bushes as well as vines that slowly crawled up its walls encasing it. 

Higgs skidded down the hill and landed behind you. Taking in the sight of your home, he spoke the first thing that came to mind, “Why am I not surprised it looks like this?”

You turned your head looking at Higgs who strolled up next to you. “Meaning?”

Higgs raised an eyebrow at your idiotic question. “Meaning what else would I expect from a person who plays around in grass and dirt?”

“I do not play -“

“Sorry, sweetheart, examine dirt and grass.”

“Do you want to come inside or not? I could just leave your ass out here. Let your body waste away and become one with said dirt I examine?”

Higgs smirked. “You wouldn’t.”

“I don’t know, maybe that’ll be my next experiment. Does human remains act as a good fertilizer?”

Higgs chuckled, “Honey, we both know I’m way more entertaining alive.”

You hummed as you strolled towards the entrance. “Debatable but you sure as hell would be less annoying.”

Higgs sucked in through his teeth. “Damn. That hurts.”

The two of you stood inside the mouth of your bunker now covered by the raining time fall. You took the few steps down the inclined ramp and pulled back your hood. A keypad glowed next to the heavy metallic door. Punching in the numbers, the door popped slightly open. You turned to Higgs before you entered. 

“Now please don’t make any stupid comments.”

Higgs cocked an eyebrow. 

“I mean it. Or you’re fertilizer.” 

He pressed a hand to his chest with mock hurt, “I’m wounded you think I’m so awful.”

You gave him a pointed look. 

“Alright, cross my heart I won’t make any dumb comments.” He paused with confusion. “What’s the problem anyway? Bad decorating skills?”

You stared at him, at his blue dazzling eyes. The color of cornflowers on a sunny spring day. Every time you looked at them all you could think of was spring, of flowers in full bloom. You teared away from them and mumbled, “Sort of.” 

Pushing open the door, you walked in with Higgs following closely behind and the second his foot stepped in he thought he was transported to a world before. Plants in unique pots, some of them refurbished bowls and cups and some of them actual clay pots, hung from the ceiling. Plants from herbs and spices, to mosses, to cactuses, to flowers. As his eyes traveled from above to below, he realized there were even plants in pots on the ground. Miniature trees and ferns strewn about. 

With the entrance in the middle of the bunker’s floor plan, the living room was off to the right, while the kitchen and dining room was off to the left. And plants practically littered every square inch, but it wasn’t packed or claustrophobic, it was just perfect. Higgs’s eyes wandered off to the left of the kitchen to a glass door leading to a lush garden filled with vegetables and fruits. He even spotted two long wooden desks side by side with beakers, tubes, computer, and a microscope. Papers scattered all over with notes scribbled down. Your workstation. Your workstation in your indoor greenhouse. 

Of course, it’s in there, he thought. 

“Damn you really do have a green thumb,” he mumbled before he tried to stop himself.

You glared slightly at him. 

He raised his hands in defense. “What? It wasn’t stupid. It … it was just a simple observation. A, uh, compliment.”

You hummed ‘uh-huh’ then walked towards the hallway going behind the kitchen to your bedroom to remove your overalls and muddy boots. 

Higgs pushed back his hood and plopped down on the couch in your small, yet cozy, living room. Your furniture was made from a dark wood which compliments all the greens. Summer and spring were jammed into this bunker. And he honestly didn’t expect anything else. It was you. Bright and lively. Warm and welcoming. And … and just nice. He removed his gloves and gently caressed the leaves of a fern by the edge of the couch. 

“Are you going to keep touching my plants or do you want a drink?”

Higgs snapped his head over towards you out of your overalls and in sweats and a shirt. You were in your kitchen with a hand on the handle of your fridge. He cleared his throat and yanked his hand away. He mumbled a yes. Why did he feel so weird? He supposed he had never been in your home before but there was something else. Something more. He glanced over to you as you poured two glasses of lemonade, lemons courtesy of your lemon tree. 

Radiating, he thought.

That’s what it was. You radiated in here, in your home with all the life you helped grow. It was pieces of you scattered all over. No wonder it was so cozy. So captivating. 

“So you really grew all of these yourself?” Higgs asked. 

You turned around with two glasses full, “Yup. I mean you don’t see anyone else around here do you?”

He chuckled, “No I guess I don’t.”

You plopped down on the other end of the couch and handed the drink over. Higgs quietly thanked you and took a small sip. It truly was one of the best things he had lately. Perfectly sweet and sour. He hummed in satisfaction to himself then set the drink on the coffee table. 

“So all of these,” he gestured to the endless amount of plants, “is just for research purposes?”

You shook your head, “No, I also have a delivery service for all my fruits and vegetables and my herbs and spices as well as delivering some flowers or just other plants in general.” 

“People pay you for flowers?”

“Yeah some do.”

“Huh.” His eyes focused back on the array of plants. He supposed he could understand wanting some color in these grey block cells. 

As Higgs stared off at your collection, you stared at the snarky golden skull masked man. A habit you formed. You noticed early on how one sided he was. He would ask you multiple questions which you would kindly answer, but he never returned the favor. Never talked much about his past or what he does. You tried asking about his odd ... markings and clothing, overall aesthetic, but he brushed you off. 

“Gotta stand out in these shitty times, make a name for myself,” was what he said. 

You watched as Higgs continued to be entranced by your plants. A faint smile twitched on his lips. You mimicked his tiny smile. “Do you want a flower?” You asked softly. 

Higgs’s head whipped towards you. “What?”

You repeated yourself, “Do you want a flower?”

“Huh no I -“

“Ok I’m going to stop you there because the only answer I was accepting was yes.” 

He chuckled. “Oh really?”

“Uh yeah really.” You smirked. 

“Is this the part where you also claim your undying love for me too?” He asked leaning towards you. With one of his arms draped over the back of the couch, his hand crept closer. His thumb skimmed your shoulder causing a shiver to crawl up your spine. Higgs smirked to himself. Another successful experiment, he thought.

Playing it off, you scoffed rolling your eyes, “No this is the part where I give you a flower so you stop making weird googly eyes at them.”

He scooted closer whispering into the shell of your ear, “Nah I still think it’s an undying love part.”

Teasing touches fluttered over your skin. From his leg that bumped into yours, his thumb that now drew circles on your shoulder, to his breath that tickled your neck, to his cornflower eyes that burned into you. 

“Think all you want Higgs,” you muttered. 

You jumped up and walked, as calmly as possible, into your bedroom where a particular plant rested. Grabbing shears along the way, you delicately snipped the stem and strolled back out. You stepped up to behind the couch as Higgs watched you the entire time. 

You bent down resting your forearms on the back of the couch as your fingers twirled the stem of the flower, specifically a white carnation. Your eyes connected with Higgs. The close distance noted in your mind. 

Taking a deep breath, you asked dramatically as you batted your eyelashes. “Will you, Higgs Mongahan, accept my flower?”

He chuckled. “It would be my honor, darlin’.” He plucked the flower from your hand. His calloused fingers skimming your own. “So what is it anyway?” He asked lifting up the flower to the light. 

“Carnation.”

He glanced at you from the corner of his eye. “And why this flower in particular?”

“Well I just find the petals to be chaotic much like yourself and back before the death stranding it was said that white carnations were a symbol of good luck.”

“You think I need luck?”

“Higgs, sweetheart, you need all the luck in the world. It’s pure luck that I haven’t strangled you myself let alone some other poor unlucky soul who has the pleasure of meeting you.”

He laughed throwing his head back. “You got me there.” Shaking his head as his laughing fit died down, he then placed the flower in his lap unsure where else he should actually put it. 

“No dumbass,” you reached over and took the flower. Before Higgs could utter a word, you gently grabbed his chin making him stare at you as you carefully placed the flower behind his ear. You snorted at the sight of a terrorist with a full bloom flower tucked neatly behind his ear, “See perfect.”

Higgs had a dozen witty comments on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t utter a single syllable. Your smile and laugh shook his world. Both of you were blind to how the other affects each of you so greatly. 

“I should make you a crown,” you giggled. “I bet your little buddies would like that.”

Higgs blinked, “Buddies?” 

“The Homo-Demens.” 

His eyes widen a fraction in surprise. You knew? Since when?

Seeing his reaction, you rolled your eyes, “I’m not stupid Higgs I know you work with them.” You gestured to his getup. “I mean you’re not exactly hiding it with this ... unique choice of clothing -” a giggle bubbled up “- but can you imagine, all these hardened people ready to wreak havoc and there you are in the middle with an array of colorful flowers adorn on your head.” 

Your laughing fit continued. 

True to what you said, Higgs wasn’t hiding it but he never confirmed it. He never spoke of what he did and if he did it was through vails of vague wording. Mainly, he told stories of his old porter days and other things he found funny or interesting. Like Egyptian lore. He really liked talking of the practices and beliefs of the Egyptians. He found it so fascinating. And for you, you liked seeing him smiling, seeing him so relaxed and carefree, as he talked about something he was interested about.

However, one thing popped into his mind. 

“So, you don’t care?” He asked. Almost hoping for a certain answer.

Your laughter died down as you stared at a more serious Higgs. Something you hardly saw and if you did you knew to mimic the tone. 

“Well, no … well yes a little bit, well -“ you sighed gathering your thoughts. You sat down and twisted your body to face him. “Look, no I don’t care. It’s your business and if you want to tell me great if not then I won’t pry. But do I trust them and agree with what they do? No. Obviously. But do I trust Bridges either? Hell no. All I see is two questionable sides battling it out and honestly I just want to do my thing in peace and pray no one gets hurt in general.”

Higgs nodded as his eyes drifted away. “Yeah, okay.”

His tone was soft. You weren’t sure how he felt. You reached out and squeezed his thigh grabbing his attention, “Hey I’m not here to judge, okay? And I won’t. Do you think I’m honestly perfect too?”

Yes. He thought you were perfect in every way. You could do no wrong in his book. You were his beacon, his anchor, in an ever raging storm. Instead of voicing all of that, he said, “And what would a nerdy botanist do?”

With a deadpan expression, you replied, “Sell drugs.”

Higgs squinted his eyes. “You do not sell drugs.”

“You don’t know that. I could have a whole secret room where I grow certain plants and then use them to manufacture drugs to sell and trade to make an insane profit.” You paused as you reclined back pulling your hand from his thigh. “I have a whole crew of people to operate and I happen to be great at silencing those who oppose me.”

Your expression was truly throwing Higgs off. You smirked and cocked an eyebrow. A way of saying, ‘You’ll never truly know’. Higgs then laughed shaking his head, “I don’t think you do, sweetheart, because if you did then I’d be pretty pissed for not being a part of it.”

“Selling? Or recreational?”

“Both.”

You both laughed. 

From then on Higgs always carried a flower in one of his pockets, whether it was a white carnation flower or another random type he couldn’t remember the name of. Even if you tried drilling all the types of flowers and plants, both the scientific and the common names, into his head. He’ll never learn. Or maybe, he simply chose to lie just to hear you talk about them all over again. 

Whatever it may be, Higgs now had a piece of you with him at all times. And unknown to him, he now smelled of spring. Of fresh flowers blooming after a rainy day. Would anyone tell him or point it out? Never. 

Higgs appeared lighter, happier than ever before in his life. He loved going to your home and enjoying fresh lemonade and sometimes tea. With all of your fresh food, you had the best drinks and to be honest the best meals too. You were an amazing cook which always filled Higgs’s stomach and heart. 

But what Higgs loved most of all was snipping one or a few of your flowers, with your permission of course, and giving it to you for you to wear the rest of the day. Just like today. After a long day, the two of you, both in sweats and t-shirts, were sprawled out on your living room floor on top of a plush rug. Petals littered all over the floor. Your arms and legs in star fish positioned as Higgs sat at your side gently placing flowers in your hair. Some stuck in while others fell out. His fingers gently caressed your face as he rested the flowers in your hair. Your eyes were closed as you enjoyed this soft, tranquil, moment. 

Higgs smiled to himself. 

With your eyes closed, you whispered, “I hope you know I will be billing for all the flowers you use.”

He chuckled. “You said that last time.”

“I know, but just reminding you.” You cracked open one eye. “I won’t give you the bill until it’s very high and wildly expensive.” 

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

You smiled closing your eyes again. 

Higgs realized in that exact moment he didn’t want to survive anymore. No. He was tired of it. He wanted to start living. Living with you by his side. Whether it was as friends or partners, he couldn’t care, as long as you were there in his life. 

[savage-rhi]

hello! if you get a chance could I request "why didn't you call me?" or "It's not like I'd let you DIE" from the rescue prompts for a higgs x reader? Love your writing it genuinely brightens my day!

Sure! Why the fuck not? :D and thank you for the lovely compliment! 

To say he lost everything was an understatement. As Higgs panted heavily, feeling the weight of not merely his actions, but the weight of his injuries, a numbness overtook his body. Fragile had given him the option to take the easy way out, and looking back on it, Higgs wished he would have done just that. 

Shortly after Fragile went off on her righteous tirade of how he’d have to live with his mistakes, she prompted Higgs to for once take matters into his own hands. Had he not done such a thing before? Higgs recalled looking at the gun, the compulsion to end it all staring at him with certainty. He could finally be at peace. He could be in the arms of death for good this time, but Higgs had come to find out that much like his plans, he truly wasn’t ready for the end. Not yet. 

The sixth extinction, him being the harbinger of humanities death, they were all grand and great ideas in theory but not in practice. Higgs chalked it up to that primal part in his brain that pushes mankind towards survival by shouting “No, I’m not going to die today”. He was not only a damn fool, but he was a damn coward. In the end, not even Higgs himself believed in the cause he had been fighting for, the cause that compelled him to hurt others for the sake of it. 

He swallowed his own blood and spit, nearly choking on it as his body rolled over to the side. Higgs curled up in a ball, like he used to when he was a small boy after taking a beating from his daddy. It was the only cold comfort he had being back in the world of the living and not in the sanctuary of Amelie’s beach, she having kicked him out shortly after his cowardice made him shoot the gun off but not at his own skull. 

The only ones that gave Higgs a true sense of community found him later and took out their frustrations for his transgressions. Higgs made many promises to people, but he offered salvation to Homo Demens. When he couldn’t deliver, they brought the false god to his knees and beaten him down. Higgs knew he deserved it. He didn’t bother putting up a fight. 

“Higgs.” A voice called out to him, one that was familiar yet Higgs hadn’t heard it in ages. Wincing from the burning sensation in his gut, Higgs forced his body to adjust as he leaned upward and looked to see Y/N there, staring at him with a neutral gaze. 

God, they had every right to be mad at him. To come over and knock Higgs down a few pegs and then some, but that didn’t happen. Higgs swallowed nervously, his eyes searching theirs as he could feel more blood trickle down from his head due to a gash one of the Homo Demens left upon his flesh. 

“How did you find me?” He asked, his voice hoarse from his previous battles as Y/N stepped forward, avoiding some of the sharp rocks near their feet and crouched down to assess the damages Higgs’s body had taken. There was a look of pity he wasn’t used to seeing from another human being, one that actually cared. 

“I had a feeling you’d be here.” Y/N said truthfully and furrowed their brows. “You look like shit.” 

“I feel like it.” Higgs said giving a nod followed by a morose sigh. He then backed away a little, afraid of Y/N’s potential touch. After Fragile had baited his touch starvation by caressing his face, Higgs was in no mood to be tricked into affection only to get socked. 

“I take it you didn’t reach your goal.” Y/N said as Higgs nodded. 

“Yeah, I didn’t make it. I wasn’t strong enough.” Higgs said as a matter of fact, coughing into his palm. He briefly looked at his glove, seeing it was stained with his saliva and blood. Higgs made a bit of a face, giving Y/N a weary look soon after. 

“Why are you even here? After everything I’ve done, you of all people shouldn’t be coming to my aid.” Higgs said, recalling that his acts of terror with Homo Demens ended up destroying many lives. Y/N’s being one of them. There was no vengeance in their eyes, nor hatred. He had to be dreaming, right? 

“It’s not like I’d let you die.” Y/N said with a saddened smile as they sighed and with caution, grabbed Higgs’s arm and helped him onto his feet. Higgs stumbled and winced, nearly falling forward until Y/N caught him at the last second. Y/N had Higgs swing his arm over their shoulder for support as they started to walk away from the rubble that was once Middle Knot. 

Higgs was never one to show weakness. He was never one to demonstrate vulnerability. He loathed it, and vowed to never break again to anyone after the abuse he had endured growing up. But now, as Y/N helped him stay steady, heading towards somewhere safe, Higgs could feel himself crying. He wasn’t deserving of any of this, but in that moment, having Y/N there with him after his dreams and aspirations died along with Amelie severing her ties with the world, made him feel like perhaps there was a future to look forward to. 

**A link to my ko-fi account. If you enjoy my content and want to support me getting my monthly medication for fibromyalgia and arthritis, I would be eternally grateful. It is NOT a requirement however! All my work is free to read!**

[boson-nihilist]

Fandom: Death Stranding (Video Games) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Relationships: Sam Porter Bridges/Higgs Monaghan Additional Tags: only light sam/higgs, Oneshot, Family, Mentions of Violence, Light Angst, Post-Game Summary: Sam asks Higgs where his name came from

Hey I did a thing

[danddymaro]

Right Here | Higgs Monaghan x Reader

Warnings;  

Somnophilia

 non-con that moves to dubcon

Maybe breeding?

I guess it’s also yanyan / Yandere

-If it’s not your fancy, please just don’t even touch it.

A/N: You know, this actually came from the little story I have out, but I reasoned it was better as a standalone instead, because Higgs isn’t like that in the other work.

He’s more of a sweetheart, still crazy, but I mean, a sweetheart nonetheless.

Word count: 879

Right Here

" He's not coming for you," he reminded her, his already deep voice thickened furthermore as he rasped the words right into her ear, "He...forgot...all about you." He groaned out, his hips sinking down to hers in a deep and sensuous meeting that was preceded by a low moan from his part.

" He forgot about you," He said again, his two hands moving over the soft skin of her legs, tenderly grazing his rougher skin over the exposed limbs before he hooked each one, soon hoisting them onto his shoulders.

Slowly, he eased down, her thighs soon pressed to her chest as he descended,

" But don't worry...I'm right here," he told her, his palms finding their way to her cheeks, holding them dearly.

"Sweetheart, I'm right here… " He murmured repeatedly, each dive down met with a sweet envelopment of warmth that left him high.

' If only you'd have those pretty eyes open.' He thought to himself, wishing she'd look at him,

 ‘If you’d just look at me, Sweetheart, you’d know just how crazy you drive me.’ He silently spoke, ‘If you’d look at me, you’d make this all perfect,’ He enthused, soon letting her legs glide down his arms, traveling there with the purpose of being held by his bent arms.

‘But this is good enough,' He then reasoned, eyeing her beautiful body as it lay beneath him, 'cause right now... You're mine,' he mused.

'Even if you're thinking about him now…You're right here with me,' He went on with a dumb grin.

“- Just us,” he hummed, his face lifting into a sweet grin as he watched her begin to stir, and during then his heart soared.

  "There she is," he murmured with the glowing expression, greeting her with a pleasure that numbed her entire being.

Her (e/c) colored eyes soon fluttered opened, the glossy and dazed orbs looking up at the hazy sight of him with confusion. 

“Higgs?” She said softly, knowing his voice, yet not understanding, “Wha..what… why?” She muttered incoherently before her eyes rolled back, a mewling cry then emitted from her gaping lips as her further questioning died out, drowned out and overpowered by the new, invading sensation.

“ That's it sweetie,” he said encouraged her, “That’s my name...” he said with a swell of pride, 

“I’m right here,” He repeated.

Shakenly, her hips rose up to meet his, her entire body raked with hard shivers as he repeatedly fucked her, hitting her sweet spot with perfect aim he’d mastered just for her.

“I've been thinking about something baby,” he then uttered, his voice low and soft, 

“ If I go in here,” he grunted while the full length of his cock sheathed within her,

“ If I cum....right here again,” he specified while taking a short pause in his movements. 

“Fuck...” He hissed, “Would you forgive me?” he asked her, and as he spoke, all of his words sounded muddied to her, muffled by the heavy pounding of her heart as it bounced heavily.

He doused her heat with his own warmth, all while tightly pressing his hips to hers, the flesh melting over each other during the meeting, stuck by the glistening sweat that coated them both.

With a final heave he slowly eased himself out from her in a slow drag that left her itching to have him return.

She couldn't think properly, her mind growing hazy as her body had already been used to the point of overstimulation that left her helpless.

‘Higgs, ‘  she thought helplessly, desperate to have him rut into her more, 

“Higgs...please,” she breathed, “I...want more,” she said while struggling to find a steady breath.

Broken beyond reason, she cried out to him, the urgent sound filling him with even more drive.

In his half daze he dragged his blue eyes down to her parted legs, eyeing the sight of her well-used snatch, still gaping and sweet, greedy for more of him despite already being full.

'Oh… Bridges… you could never.' He thought snidely.

A slim finger tenderly trailed up and down her wetness, a lax, weak sigh leaving her at the gentle motion.

"One more time, right?" He said softly, his lips coming down to hers, greeting her with a tender kiss as his finger dove into her, instantly coated by the remains of his many acts of love.

Her body squirmed, writhing beneath him as he gave her just what he asked him for,

‘More,’ He thought to himself, ‘ I’ll give it all to you,’

“ - I'm sorry,” he murmured against her mouth, her two legs held on each arm, hooked there after he'd plunged into her yet again.

“ I'm really sorry (f/n),” he said while using her again, his body feverishly moving, the ensnared man desperately wanting to keep the sight of her gazing up at him fresh in his mind, using the moment to ingrain the lovely sight in his brain.

‘ I can't help myself sweetheart.

I can't stop myself.

Fuck… I love you,’

“ You're mine, ” he murmured while he watched a sweet smile rise, pleased with being the one to will it out of her.

“You’re all mine now,” He said with certainty.

‘Our bond is the only one that will remain. 

Our connection is the only one that matters. ’

[danddymaro]

Heartbeat |Higgs Monaghan x Reader

Fluff  / Sweetness

There’s one sure thing that puts him to sleep

Word count : 432

Heartbeat 

His right ear was pressed right to her naked chest, listening to her gentle beat while staying silent, focusing on nothing more than the soothing harmony that resonated beneath her breast. 

He couldn't sleep; He never could without difficulty, and it felt as though it had always been that way. He’d gotten so used to the sleepless nights, by then it just felt natural. 

For as long as he could remember, there hadn't been a moment where he could easily fall into slumber, even during his time as a porter. 

Even while dog tired and exhausted, he found it difficult to just rest.

His palm fell over her navel, before slowly tailing up, molding the curve of her other breast with tenderness before finding home there, his touch lasting as a smile graced him.

Her heartbeat reminded him that he had his special someone.

- Someone who yearned for him

-  Someone who waited for him day in and out, and always seemed ecstatic to find him back home.

He had someone who loved him without a single bit of doubt wedged between the gentle pulses, and he wondered if she ever found the same peace with him.

Did she feel the same safety and ease, or was it all just one sided?

Truthfully, he was convinced he needed her far more than she needed him, and he was certain she could tell by his insistent touches and desperate desire to be close.

During her sleep her hands moved, soon finding his head before resting there, lovingly holding him by gently cradling him in a nurturing manner that lulled him and silently pleading him to join her in the same resting state.

A little smile then took over him, and during then, he closed his glistening blue eyes, softly huffing out a little breath while hoping she wouldn't wake from the drops that had spilled on her (s/c) colored flesh.

There was a small ache in his chest, but he welcomed it, accepting it as more evidence of his joy, the man musing over the fact that before then, he’s never cried of joy. 

Before her, his tears were of nothing but sorrow and rage, all of which fed his torment.

With a soft smile, he breathed out her name, not wanting a response, not needing a single utter back, instead, simply focusing on the feel of her body, the enticing beat of her heart, and overall the presence of her and the love she provided him, all at once.

'What would I do without you?' He wondered before closing his eyes.

- See he’s not always a Jerk

[danddymaro]

Jerk | Higgs Monaghan x Reader

Thoughts : ‘Sample’

Word Count:  639

This is for a reader who’s a part of the Itty Bitty Titty Comity, lol. So...Smoll chest girlies like me.

Kinda Smutty. 

Jerk

"You've got worthless, lil' tits," he bitterly muttered, his gloved, right hand slapping the little perky set, causing them to perform a short-lived, yet, sweet little jump he eyed in a trance state.

His words were filled with mockery, but truly, he eyed every bit of her with nearly unblinking eyes, mesmerized by her exposed body in a way she hadn’t bothered to take in at the moment.

Instead, she looked away, her (e/c) colored eyes eyeing her clothes that all lay scattered, each and every piece stretched and torn due to his impatience.

She wanted to hide from him, and more than anything,  obscure the sight of her small chest, but it wasn’t possible in the state she was now.

Her arms were pressed together behind her back, the itchy rope tightly bound around her forearms in a way that made it impossible to pull them apart, leaving her with no choice but to expose herself to him, her heaving chest beautifully presented to him.

 As she took in a long, stilled breath, he released a low breath of his, 

“ Well, “ he then muttered with contemplation, his blue eyes glued down, eyeing the meager bit of chest with a tight bite to his lower lip, 

“...At least they're cute,” he murmured with praise, caressing the little lump in his hand sweetly before his entire hand enveloped the small breast, soon retreating his fingers until they were all drawn to the center of the tender flesh, tugging the cute, little bud that stood out excitedly.

And at that, her back arched, unwillingly drawing in more for him, the action making him chuckle, the kittenish look in his eyes becoming even more prominent as he curled his lips into a satisfied, little grin, 

“ Oh darlin',  what's with that face?” He said lowly, then pouting playfully as he watched her morph the lustful bliss she wore into a bit-lipped grimace. 

His left hand’s index and middle finger strummed beneath her chin, the light, ticklish brush causing her to squirm. Consequently, the bind that held her dug into her skin, making her grow even more agitated, 

“Talk to me,” He encouraged her, “Speak to Daddy.”

“Y-You’re such a jerk…” She breathed, finally finding it in her to look up at him, her (e/c) colored eyes staring up at him pathetically, something that made his insides stir, 

“Ah, Come on... I'm still willin’ to fuck ‘em,” He rasped, his upper body leaned down to her, breathing out her name in a way that made her heart drum even louder, the sound of his voice almost drowned out by the loud rhythm. 

 With a snaking hand, then pressed his palm at the side of her face, holding her cheek as he hummed her name again, 

“(F/n), ” He cooed.

His lips pressed to her hairline before he drew back, standing back at his full height, one that seemed much more imposing as she was cut down to size by her position.

 “  And then...afterward,”  he trailed off, a deep, low growl vibrating his chest, 

“ -  I'll fuck you too baby. 

Oh… I'll fuck the absolute shit out of you.” He promised her and mindlessly, she quivered, reactive to everything he did, the woman affected by even the tone of his voice and the wonderful thickness that it possessed. 

‘Of all the people scattered in the world…’ She started, watching as he made himself comfortable, the thick layers of clothing he wore removed in a way that was sensuous and teasing, 

‘Why did it have to be him?’ she wondered while she eyed him with glazed (e/c) colored eyes, nearly salivating at the sight of the man that both loved and humiliated at the same time.

“Jerk...” She breathed again, both hating, and loving him, both feelings melted together, not one existing without the other.

[danddymaro]

Death Stranding | Stolen Princess

Pairing : Higgs monaghan X Reader // Sam Bridges x Reader

Previous:   Open Heart 

Thoughts are italics in quotations = ‘Example’

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

Wordcount:  3949

- LOL Higgs is so off his nut. 

Pt 5 : Stolen Princess

The long-haired brunette trudged through the ridged trail, his two gloved hands firmly holding onto the straps that were snugly draped over his shoulders, holding all of his cargo gear in place as he traveled, simultaneously steadying his every step.

"Almost there," He said lowly, his light-colored eyes aimed straight, already knowing the route by heart despite not having traveled through the area in what felt like an entire lifetime.

"Almost there..." he said again, the entirety of his body feeling strained by the travel, yet ready for whatever opposing factor that came in his path.

"Gotta keep going..." he reminded himself, the concerned male determined to meet the marker before sundown, not wanting to waste another day.

"I have ... I have to..." He maundered with a stumbled step, his body slowly shutting down on him while he forced himself through the terrain in spite of the physical torture, the porter not willing to let anything stop him from reaching (f/n). "Goddammit..." He huffed, forced to halt for just a moment, bending over to take a small breather that became prolonged as the weight of his delivery brought him further down to a knee.

"Fuck," He cursed lowly, his right arm shooting down to place a hand at the ground beneath him to help push himself back up, the action being strained. "Come on," He said with a long exhale, his will unstirred because while he was currently beaten down, he had yet to be defeated.

'I Have to make it there, no matter what,' He told himself, remembering that it wasn't just a little visit.

It wasn't just because he missed her.

'She needs me,' He convinced himself.

He'd brought a lot of things he was certain she'd need; necessities he knew she couldn't live without. While of course, it had made his progress lag, he wasn't willing to go empty-handed, especially while knowing she needed him.

- Because she’d become talk amongst the other porters. 

Rumors arose of a woman caught in a treacherous storm, isolated from the rest of the world, morso than anyone else. 

No one could reach her, and by then she’d stopped her attempts to reach out, and he’d only just caught wind of it.

During the entire time, he knew he should have paced himself, especially while carrying so much material. He'd been making deliveries for years now, most of which were on foot, so he knew just what to do during the times of travel and furthermore understood how dangerous it was to use up so much energy over such a small period of time, and yet, even then he couldn't help himself. And he reasoned that perhaps it was just the dark cloud that always loomed over him that rattled him furthermore.

'Maybe....maybe I'm just paranoid.' He thought to himself, hoping for the best, wanting to blame all of his worries on his own heavily faulted psyche. "For all I know... you're just fine," He said to himself, tiredly looking up at the cleared sky, taking notice that it was a lot brighter now than it had been the last time he was there.

' At least it's brighter outside,' He told himself, 'If anything, you're spending your time outside,' He went on, hoping that he'd find her just outside her home, idly walking about the overgrown patches of green as a tranquil pastime.

' I hope that you are...' He added.

Within her encasement, Lou floated calmly, rolling her little body into a small spin that expressed playfulness, showing that she knew just where he was headed. She couldn't properly voice it, but he just knew she felt elation. A little gurgle fell past her lips as she continued to wiggle, making him softly chuckle, "You too huh?" He asked the child in the glass, smiling weakly at the show of joy, his face which had until then only showed restlessness, giving out a little glow of joy,

'You missed her too,' He mused, knowing that even if she couldn't understand, it didn't take away from her ability to feel.

She felt love as well.

She felt longing.

She felt the connection that was there too.

"Don't worry: We're almost there," He assured his BB, trying to find ease himself, desperately trying to focus on the wonderful feeling that always came as he reached her, itching for the same sweet high it always brought.

'Just a little more (f/n).

I'm almost there,'

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Right from the start, he'd felt on edge, an unsettling unease wedged within the cracks of his heart, and it only spiked furthermore as he approached the home, realizing that the perimeter around the area was off.

The system that kept her home safe was shut off, and the realization caused his slowing steps to once again pick up, his legs moving in quick strides to reach the usually sealed off passage, stopping before it with a halted breath.

"It's wide open," He said lowly, a cold sweat falling down his brow as he gripped the arch of the doorway, holding on tightly. His foot rose up, but throughout the motion to move forward he shook, hesitating for a reason unknown to him, but that felt so similar to dread,  he took the liberty to call it just that.

'I should have stormed in there by now...' He told himself, swallowing down thickly, readying his voice, trying to find it before he called out to her.

'But if I don't find her...

If I don't find her...

...What then?' He wondered helplessly, suddenly feeling weak as all of the turmoil of before that he desperately tried to fight off snuck its way into him in that very instance, hitting him with full-force.

'Where do I even begin?' He asked himself, the weight of his heart becoming unbearable as he then thought of one person, the very being that had made it his goal to make his life hell.

He thought of the devious, triumphant grin that would be out on display as he took her captive, finding yet another way to make the porter suffer.

'I never wanted to put you  in harm’s way.'

"- Hey!" he said out loud, his two hands circling over his mouth as he spoke, calling her name soon after, "(f/n), you in there?" He boomed out, not receiving a reply that would calm the panic that brewed within his being.

"(f/n)! Answer me! It's me, Sam!" He exclaimed before his hand went back to the doorway, his hand tightly clutching the arch, the bruised limb crying out with pain at the unneeded force.

"(F/n)!" He said again, taking in a large breath, hearing nothing in return but the echo of his own desperate voice. With a vicious bite to his own lip, he strode forward, pushing past the cold shivers that raked him.

Once inside his eyes roamed around the walkway which led further into the home, finding nothing out of place, with not a single sign of struggle visible, and somehow it made the situation all the more distressing.

'There's not a thing out of place...' He thought to himself, knowing that the only thing that felt wrong was the dreadful vacancy of the home.

No happy Chirp welcomed him in.

No smiling, brightened face was set before him, and in that very moment, every little bit of sweet memory he had of her came to him, hitting him all at once with a powerful vengeance for daring to suppress any of it in the past. He thought of every little quirk she had, the same ones that brought a smile to him and then, if that weren't enough, he thought of her final message to him, the very one he'd only just found the courage to read, 

As his eyes skimmed over the first few words, he felt his heart fasten, only imagining how the words would form when she uttered them. He'd thought about it so much, even fantasized about it that it wasn't so hard to imagine.

He envisioned the sweet curve of her lips as she said them to him, doing so just before she leaned into him with her beautiful (e/c) colored eyes shut tight, pretending that nothing existed aside from the sweet touch of their grazing skin. A crumbled nation wasn't in his hands to yet again connect, and instead, in it's place was the (h/c) haired young woman, gazing up at him with the same loving eyes she'd given him right from the start.

"I Love you," He read, repeating words that he'd long refused to ever utter, and hadn't fathomed to find meaning to ever again, not since his first love.

Whilst musing he was then halted at the sound of a familiar voice that addressed him, begging for attention.

"Sam?" It called out to him with astoundment, and at the sound of the dreadful, mocking tone, the porter's heart sank.

The Bridges's porter froze, his blue eyes set wide as he turned his head to gaze at a rather familiar face while the man it belonged to gleefully waved to him a though they were old chums in contrast to vicious foes.

The hologram that appeared before him urged him closer, his index and middle finger repeatedly curving in a fashion that beckoned him closer as though he had a little secret to tell him and it couldn't be revealed until he was near,

" I don't believe it...So...THE Sam bridges finally has the time to make his way here..." He started off, shaking his head with disbelief, "That's good to know, " He added, nodding in approval that slowly turned sour,

"I was starting to think you'd never show up," He admitted with a short mutter. "I was starting to think you forgot how to even make your way here."

"But here you are...Just ... a little too late Bridges," Higgs said while offering Sam a mock look of pity, lightly tilting his head to the side as he pressed his lips together tightly,

"So close..." He went on, pinching his fingers together, shaking his head all the while, " You were this close...So, So close if it makes you feel better," he said while pressing the digits tightly together. "You missed me by just thisss much, so we'll have to catch up another time I suppose," he said with a small shrug,

" -But before I go," Higgs said while raising up his index wagging it while nodding his head as though he'd remembered something very important, " Before I go, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine...An extra special little woman," he started a growing smile stretching his lips into a devious little curl,

"- And no, I'm not talking about your precious Amelie," He clarified.

" You've already met her, but just for the hell of it I'd like to introduce you two again," he went on before releasing a small, warm chuckle, " But I can't be too loud," he then whispered, dropping his voice down to a low breath, a gloved finger pressed to his lips,

"You see...she's asleep right now," he explained," The poor, little Angel is just so tired," he added with a blue, little sigh, which of course was all a part of his show.

 "And I wouldn't want to wake her up right now," He clarified.

Just then, the image before him altered, showing not only the tall male but also capturing the image of the slumbering woman, perfectly pictured just as Sam remembered her.

It was then that Higg's gloved fingers ran over the (h/c) colored strands that fell over her face, the tips of his fingers barely grazing over her cheek as he softly moved the hair aside, each movement being gingerly sweet,

" She looks so lonely when she's this vulnerable." The short-haired male mused aloud, saying just what came to mind without a second thought. " I've had hours to stare at her like this and I still can't get over how sweet she looks," He added.

"She's breathtaking," he said while pausing for just a second,

" Isn't she beautiful?" he asked Sam, eyes looking out to the man as though he was really there, staring him down, searching for the truth. " Do you think so?" He asked with curiosity, " 'cause I think she is... I think she's damn gorgeous!" He revealed, "- A real beauty queen !" He then exclaimed strangely enough sounding prideful in the matter,

"...And she's just the sweetest," he added a soft sigh leaving him, seeming to be genuine with the admittance. "She's so sweet..." he persisted, "...So damn sweet, " he pressed on, for just a second biting his lower lip as though he were speaking of a sweet little sugar cube laying on the flat of his tongue,

"How'd you hold yourself back Bridges?" He then asked the other man, all while marveling at the sleeping woman with eyes that were unchanged from their memorized, longing state.

" 'Cause I can't keep my hands off of her," He divulged, "And it's much harder when she makes the cutest little sound when you touch her here," he said while trailing his fingers down the trim of her nightgown which ended right at her midthigh, the light, ticklish touch willing an airy, little sigh past her lips.

And at the little chime, Higgs visibly shivered, delighted of course,

"See what I mean?" He pouted, "It's like she wants me to keep going," He gloated, "But I'll just wait till later, because well, you know me, I'm a gentleman, " He proclaimed.

"With all the more reason I can't just leave here; Alone without anyone to protect her," He said with a shake to his head,

" ...without anyone to look out for her, ...without anyone to make her feel happy and loved," he added, not speaking about the breakdown she had before, but remembering it very clearly.

Of course, he adored their proximity during then. It'd been his dream to have her so close, but it'd broken his heart nonetheless, shattering the small fragments of heart he still had left.

"Such a sweet, little angel has to be tucked away, and it’s a damn same, right?" he asked Sam,

" I think It's criminal, but not much more than you hiding her away: keeping her hidden from me," Higgs said accusingly.

" I know you tried," Higgs said with mock pity. " That is why you left her heartbroken, right? " The other male questioned the Bridges porter.

"All because of little, O'l me," he added, bringing his right hands to his chest, seeming prideful with that fact. "I'm such threat to you that I'm flattered," he added with a grin, " Really ... I am," he said while chuckling, showing amusement for just a minute, when, suddenly the expression faltered, his eyes stuck on the woman instead, eyeing the state of her face as she was dozing.

'She's so damn beautiful,' He thought to himself. 'No...she's more than that. She's just precious.

You just don't belong here.

- Not in this shitty world. '

" She says she loves you so much..." Higgs started, biting his lip harshly, his hand running over his short hair, going back until his palm fell over the back of his neck, "Fuck," he sneered, " Fuck... you should just see the look in her eye when she talks about you..." he added shaking his head as he released a burst of deep, rumbling laughter.

He felt so envious over the way she'd spoken about the porter, yet, even then he made sure to engrain the sight of her beautiful face as she glowed, her eyes having little stars in them as she poured her heart out to him.

And it was so conflicting to have such a mix of emotions swaying him from bitter to sweet, every bit of him strum on every word she uttered no matter how much it scathed him.

" She says you're a hero," he started, "Get this; The guy who ditched her on her own is a hero," he added with disbelief, huffing out a bitter scoff,

' Asshole, she had only two days of supplies left when I got here; At best a fucking week if she stretched it out and starved herself, barely scaping onto life. You know damn well that only you can make your way up here.'

He thought with spite, wondering just how she could love a man that would starve her and leave her to die.

" Oh and get this," Higgs went on, " she says you're handsome...so damn handsome, you know? " he added while roaring with the same  laughter.

"Her eyes belong to you," He informed the other man, detesting the fact.

'That ... and so much more.' 

He'd sat through all the praise while suppressing every bit of envy he felt, hearing out just how lovingly she spoke of Sam, having had to swallow all the bitterness that he tasted.

"She'll go on and on about how blue your eyes are, or how you're greasy hair looks so so soft to her," he added while hacking in disgust. " she says she wants nothing more than to have you right there with her, laying next to her right now in fact," he said sitting down next to the woman, occupying the space that would be for the long haired brunette. " - To lay here ... right beside her every night, just to wake up face to face, cuddled up for warmth, " he said under his breath, his face slowly shifting from the lovestruck gaze to itching madness, He shuttered, visibly shaken as he glanced down at (f/n),

'You look so lovely sweetheart,' he mused, '

Just perfect.

And you need someone better than him.

You deserve so ....so much more.'

" It's all so lovely... it makes me sick." He said lowly, " I want to vomit every time she mentions you like your some sort of God," He continued, "Like you're the only thing in the world that has any meaning."

"- I can feel it travel up my stomach," he said darkly a hand falling to his abdomen as it bubbled, "And I just don't understand," he said down to the woman, seemingly speaking to her instead, his attention moving to just her.

"I don't understand why you would fix your eyes on him," he told (f/n), his fingers grazing over her lips, tracing them devotedly,

'When I'm here. When you know damn well you and I... We have something sweetie. We have something deeper...'

" Tell me, Sam, exactly why did you leave?" Higgs asked, genuinely curious because he'd seen so much sorrow fall before the woman he just had to know. He had to give her an answer. " was it because you really, really just didn't want to see her again?' He asked, insulted by the possibility of him rejecting what was possibly the perfect woman.

-Of course, he didn't want her in his arms, but even then, how dare he reject her?

How dare he throw her aside like she was some no one?

" or was it because loving her made you so sick to your stomach... if you could just see her again you'd just-" stopping, Higgs hung his head, huffing, knowing he was growing too passionate,

" You'd just lose control, " He finished in a low, shaky breath,

'because I'd understand what that's like.

I wouldn't blame you for that...

It's hard not to jump on her.

It's difficult to even be in the same room without wanting to caress her and spoil her rotten.'

" or was it because you were being considerate..." He suggested, " Was it because you couldn't bear to see this little face crying and tearing up?" He asked.

" - Is that also why you didn't look at her?

Why you simply walked away and left her sobbing?"

He questioned the other man, informing the man of just what happened after he departed, letting him know the pain he caused her.

"She cried for hours," he said while sneering, a hand pressed to his chest because he remembered that the day it all happened, he'd felt it. As crazy as it seemed he'd felt the pain echoing in his very chest. Even while he wasn't aware, he'd felt it and just knew it was his darling. He knew it was her heartache being shared with him.

" She told me... She let me know how you broke her heart..." He growled, then speaking of her confessions to him,

" And the least you could have done is said your goodbye," he added while scowling.

"Send her an apology.

Tell her it's over...

Do something for her instead of the other way around and making her wait for you to come back like an abandoned dog !" He barked accusingly.

' He took advantage of you.

He took your kindness, Your devotion and paid you back half- assed.

And you still love him.

You still respect him.

You still waited for him.

- And you're problobly dreaming of him now. '

" Don't get me wrong... I get it. I get that your a weak man," he said with understanding, hazardously glaring straight towards Sam,

' I get it...

But the difference between you and me Bridges?

I held her.

I fucking comforted her, and I made her feel me there.

You?

You NEVER touched her.

You walked away.

You're a fucking coward.

You made her cry.

You broke her down, something I would never do...

And I’m the bad guy, right? '

"It's actually funny because even if you turn away, it still happens.

Even if you decide to cower your damn face away and not look at her cry those seemingly never-ending tears they still fall and I can taste them.

I can taste each and every drop, and let me tell you; there's so fucking delicious." he admitted,

' I adore every bit of her.' 

" I'm just left wanting more." He added. "I won't lie to you Sam, Why should I?

We’re at the point we’ve become well acquainted with each other.

- I'm addicted to her, " he said with a passionate assurance,

" And I'm not ashamed to admit it," he said.

"So much that I just can't share her with you anymore. I can't keep letting you hurt her. And I sure as hell can't leave her out here to fend for herself. " He rambled on,

" So don't worry about it. I'll take good care of her. 

So much so, that I'll make sure she doesn't feel lonely a single day of her life...

What's left of that at least." He finished off with a little hum.

"You're welcome by the way. 

I say that because you should be happy to have her taken her off your hands. I mean; you don't have to worry about her anymore, because she's fine where she is.

So just focus all of yourself on Amelie alright?

Just give your all and make mommy proud, Bridges,” He suggested.  “ Make America whole! " He said with widespread arms a loud roar of laughter escaping him, not disturbing the sleeping woman as she stayed stuck in her sleep. "While me and (f/n)?" He said while a little smile fixed itself onto his features as his entire face softened down,

" You'll see me again, but her..." He said whimsically, trailing off.

“Well...(f/n),”

He started while his hands slid beneath her body, holding her princess style, her head leaned just beneath his chin before he spun with her in his grasp,

"She's just where she needs to be."

Through the entirety of the message, the standing male's heart was tightened, jabbed until it was heavily bleeding. 

And he had only one thing in mind: 

" I  have to find her,"

Next Part : What I Have To Do

[danddymaro]

Higgs With a Daughter

Thoughts are italics in quotations = ‘Example’

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

(d/n) = Daughter’s name

(f/n) = First name

Word Count :   365

Higgs having a little girl and not being able to say no

Saying no

Higgs glared down at the (e/c) eyed little girl, his top lip trembling as he struggled to maintain the imposing form of his crossed arms as well as force his blue orbs to reflect back an unmoved resolve in spite of her pathetic, little display.

However, there was an unmistakable twitch of his brow as he saw her sweet (e/c) colored eyes somehow grow larger, the innocent, large globes welling with moisture as she drew in a little sniffle.

His fingers curled tightly onto his arms as he continued to keep his resistance, glaring down at the little girl with what was supposed to be his full authority.

He couldn't always let her win…

He couldn't always let her have her way…

"Daddy, " (D/n) pouted, giving him large, glossy (e/c) colored eyes, the gems shining with upcoming tears. Her bottom lip was sucked beneath her teeth as little by little, her large orbs grew even more, flooded with their warm, salty show of sorrow.

She was his little girl; His sweet, little angel.

'Shit….(d/n)...come on…' he inwardly begged while he felt himself slip, wishing she’d cave in first, accepting his first word of denial as final.

“Daddy,” she murmured, the soft utter causing a little pang to ring in his heart.

Her little balled fists traveled up to rub her wet eyes, following up with another sniffle as she tortured him more.

- And just like that he caved, scooping her up in one swoop, clutching her to his chest, "Oh sweetheart” He doted, “ I'm sorry! Daddy is so sorry! Yes! of course, you stay up as late as you want! I swear baby girl I’ll give you everything you want!” He went on, promising her both the sun and the moon as well as everything that came in between.

He knew his baby girl was spoiled, and he knew well that (f/n) would kill him once she found out he’d let her have her way again.

But how could she expect him to say no to a miniature version of herself?

How could she expect him to succeed when he wasn’t even good at denying her to begin with?

[danddymaro]

Death Stranding | Open Heart

Pairing : Higgs monaghan X Reader // Sam Bridges x Reader

First Part: Stay // pt.1

Previous: Sweet  Façade 

Thoughts are italics in quotations = ‘Example’

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

Wordcount:  3704

He’s going by an alias, obviously and I thought I'd do a play of his alias as well.

Little Fact: The name (alias) "Peter Englert" is a combination of the names of theoretical physicists Peter Higgs and François Englert, who together won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the Higgs mechanism.

So Higgs Peters? Just for the sake of keeping his first name.

 Open Heart

She placed a small mug before him, the sweet scent of warm tea gently wafting into his nose as it sat on the surface of the small table. With a small, placid smile he accepted the generous offer, tentatively placing his hand onto the warm cup, watching her sit before him, an identical mug in her hand as she took her place.

" So..." He sounded out, "You're here by yourself, correct?" he asked her, already knowing the answer, but just making conversation with her.

He just loved the sound of her voice, and he wanted to hear it sound forever, furthermore, he absolutely lived for their little moment together, willing to stretch out the vicious storm for weeks if it was necessary, all to have the fortune of seeing her every day.

'If I could spend everyday with you like this...just you and me...I wouldn't miss a beat. 

I wouldn't hesitate to take the chance, '

"Oh yeah," (f/n) replied nodding before taking a small sip, an almost unnoticeable smile overtaking her as she got a taste of her beverage.

“It Get’s lonely, huh?” he said while offering her kind blue eyes, truly feeling sorry for her, because he just knew what it felt like to be disconnected, all in all, he knew what lonely silence was like.

She chuckled wearily before giving him another nod, " Yeah,” She breathed. “It does...but...” She then said, raising her eyes to him, looking certain, “ I've gotten used to it,” She mused, “Well, at least that's what I keep telling myself,” She added with a halfhearted, little chuckle.

“ The thing is though, It's been raining so much…” she sighed, notably disheartened, “ I don't know what's going on, but it seems like there is this dark cloud looming over me,” she admitted, having seen such little sunshine she felt as though she was an unfortunate, little bloom, slowly wilting while left in the darkness.

“If anything this awful weather is what's making things unbearable,” She added with falling shoulders.

Occasionally she’d step out and enjoy the sunlight, but within the last few weeks, it hadn’t been something she had the fortune of enjoying, instead being stuck within the underground home, held hostage within the place she should feel her safest.

"I have noticed that things around here have gotten pretty hectic," he commented,  "Have you been getting supplies?" he asked her, receiving a declining nod,

"No, and truth be told, I'm starting to grow really anxious about it." She responded back, " But as I said, it's been hell around here.” She said with understanding, knowing just why no one else had bothered to come through,

She took a small moment to clear her throat before she seemed to lift in spirits, but only by  a tad bit as she continued , “As I mentioned before, You're actually  the first person to actually make it up here in a long...long time," She admitted, offering him a sweet smile, a little shine to her eyes that made him melt and want to reach out for her.

She seemed to glow, her appreciation seeping through, overruling both her great concern and her lonesome sadness altogether,  “And you have no idea how much I appreciate it,” She added.

" -  I don't really blame anyone for not even bothering to make the trip, " she began to explain, " I mean, this rain won't let up. And I’d hate for anyone to …” stopping herself she shook her head, a tight bit to her lip while her hands that lay over the table balled up, fisted until they became uncomfortably tense, lightly shaking with the force, 

“I’d hate to cause anyone harm, which is why I just couldn't let you go back out there,” She admitted, slightly hanging her head as she confessed to him her reasoning.

All in all, she couldn’t bear to bring another person harm.

‘Oh sweetheart,’ He thought to himself, daring to reach his gloved hand up to hers, covering the shaking fist with his palm. 

At the light touch, she suddenly jumped, looking at him with wide eyes, the young woman having grown startled at being  startled, prolonging her state of surprise.

Retracting his hand, he grimaced, “shit, I’m sorry,” he murmured, “I didn’t mean to,” he said while holding both his hands up, “Please forgive me, I didn’t mean any harm by it, I swear,” he insisted, looking wholeheartedly upset.

Suddenly standing, she shook her head, “ No, no, no,” She repeated, “I’m the one who’s sorry,” She went on while being  embarrassed, her face glowing while she released a small, cute giggle.

“- I know you didn’t mean any harm by it,” She said while still being notably flustered,

‘It’s just its been a really long time since anyone has reached out for me,’ She mused, feeling silly for fidgeting over the harmless contact,

‘You must think I'm such a fool, ‘ She thought to herself, not knowing just how much her sweet, demure nature was affecting him.

“- Anyways, Come on,” She encouraged him, nudging her head to the side, signaling it towards the hall, “ Let me show you where you can stay, I’m sure after a whole day of traveling you want a nice, warm shower, “ She suggested, knowing that if she were in his shoes she’d itch for a warm wash.

“Or maybe some sleep?” She inquired, assuming he must have been tired after traveling up the trail, “In the meantime, while you relax I can make something to eat. '' She told him with a happy, little clap, the offer making him smile gently, taking in how exited she seemed.

‘ Baby girl… with you taking care of me like this… I might just fall more in love,’ he thought to himself, following her as she walked along the small passage, soon reaching a decently sized quarter,

“This is a pretty nice room,” he told her as he walked through the doorway, “ - A little too nice to be lending  it out to just anyone,” he observed, his eyes slowly trailing over the room, finding himself directly gazing at a Synchronization incubator,

. "...Almost As though it already belongs to someone already," he added, feeling somewhat spiteful as he glared at the personalized space.

His mind wandered, knowing she lived alone, and that the only other person who visited was the other Porter.

And he could easily put two and two together,

‘ You're doing too much for him sweetheart.

You’re making me so, so jealous,

Oh you sweet angel…If only you knew how much this hurts me,’ He went on, swallowing down the words, knowing that it wasn’t really her fault.

Because all in all, she wasn’t aware, so how could she know she was hurting him?

“Oh,” she replied back, her pretty smile becoming lukewarm, “ you think so?” she asked, scratching the back of her neck with a rather nervous chuckle, almost like she’d been caught in a white lie.

“ Yeah,” he replied back, eyeing her, watching her every move, every little tick she had, memorizing it all.

“I just have the feeling ;  so does it?” he pressed on, still seeming playful and sweet while he secretly interrogated her, “I don’t want to pry, but I also wouldn’t want to impose,” he went on, justifying himself, playing the part of the perfect, considerate guest.

"-Well, to be perfectly honest, yeah,” she answered him with a little pouty smile, barely recognizable as an actual show of happiness, “... but, I'm pretty sure he's not coming back in a good while, so I don't think he'd mind at all, ” (f/n) said while fluffing the little pillow on the mattress so he could be comfortable.

“Just for the time being...” she murmured.

“- Who’s not coming back?” He asked her with a mellow, little mutter of his own, noticing how she stopped altogether, a vacant look in her eye before she shook her head to come back to, letting a little smile overrule the small bit of seldom that attempted to take claim over her features,

“He…” She started, not knowing how to put things, taking a little nibble of her lip as she tried to properly gather her thoughts,

“You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.” Higgs told her, not wanting to force her into saying anything. 

Granted he wanted to know, but not at the expense of her sweet, little grin.

‘ I want to make you smile.

I want to make you happy sweetheart,’ he silently told her.

“ I'm not trying to pry or anything. I’m just trying to make conversation, and also avoid any inconvenience. “ He explained to her, “But it seems like it’s a sensitive topic,” he observed out loud, “And I don’t want to force you to tell me anything, or make you uncomfortable,” he told her.

“So there's no need for you to share,” He told her, making it clear that he was giving her options and he wasn't demanding anything from her.

She could literally feel her heart unwind, for a reason unknown to her feeling light, a great part of her wanting to share with him.

“ You’re welcome to ask,” she voiced out with a small voice, “ it's just... I haven't had anyone to really talk to, so it’s hard for me to put the words together without it feeling strange" she admitted.

"Or without feeling stupid," she added with a little grin, one that made him crack a small smile of his own.

" So ...umm … well,” she then said while contemplating look crossed over her, “There is this one Porter who comes around very often... or at least he used to," she began to explain, "I'm so used to seeing him, but lately… well...it's been about a little over a month now since he’d visited, " she added with notable melancholy, clearly missing the man she spoke of,

" But… But I know he's alright!" She suddenly chirped, the idea of him doing well immediately perking her up, because she wished nothing but the best for the man, regardless of where they stood in their relationship, 

- or in this case, lack of.

" Going strong!" She said with a triumphant grin as she looked at the porter before her. “And I’m just so proud of him…” She added with a little murmur, her little grin twitching.

' That was expected...I suppose,' he thought to himself as he watched her stretched out smile, seeing the rollercoaster ride that was her emotions.

He just wanted to reach out to her, coddle her like the precious little thing she was, tell her that everything was alright, because her expressions were making it hard for him to just stand there and watch her,

" The last time he was here, I offered him this room.” She confessed, and it had been as he assumed, and though he’d had a hunch, it still scathed him,

“Yeah?” he breathed.

“Yeah, I actually had it set up just for him." She admitted, her face touched by a soft, innocent color, one Monaghan stared at with austounment because it was something he desperately yearned to have the ability to cause.

" I wanted him to be safe, You know? I wanted him to  have a place to rest; I wanted him to have somewhere where he can relax because I know how hard his life is.” She started, the first part of her tale sounding so full of hope  and love, it touched him.

“ I care about him more than I should.” She admitted, sounding somewhat ashamed, yet certain about her declaration.

'I love him, ' She silently admitted it, not needing to say so, because the other man could already assume.

" The first time I met him was a couple of months back, he'd made a delivery for me; A very simple one, it being just a couple of little trinkets I had ordered." She started, looking whimsical as she thought of the fateful day, " he got them back to me in one piece, not a single scratch." she said recalling the event, sounding just as astounded as she’d been that very day,

" And you can imagine: I was so amazed, absolutely astonished when he got them all here.

Hell, not even the container itself had any damage!" she added with stun.

“ The first time I met him I was so impressed and I guess I was also taken by him too,” She went on, sounding so cute to the brunette male, “ In the past, I've had a couple of Porter's come by now and then.” she told him, “ they often make small deliveries for me but with Sam?

With Sam,  It all felt so different. 

I wanted him to stay with me.

I wanted to hear more of him.

I desperately yearned to travel at his side, though I know very well it's not idealistic, I wanted to accompany him every step of the way.

It's silly...

But a girl in love… she can only dream ," She mused with a whimsical, little sigh.

"Sam... Sam’s... not like anyone else." She said breathlessly, a glazed look falling over her, one that was painfully lovesick.

"Sam… " Higgs mumbled, repeating it back to her.

" That wouldn't happen to be THE Sam Bridges everyone is raving about, would it?" He asked her, interested, making it seem a though it’d been a far stretched inquiry.

At his question, she became notably stiff.

He could see her hands hold onto each other, wringing each other uncomfortably as she licked her lips,

'I know dear, but just tell me more,' he mused, watching her with his heart running so fast it could catch fire. 

‘ Tell me everything, open yourself to me.

- Just Trust me’

Chuckling she showed off a cute touch of pink to her cheeks, finally mustering up the will to answer,

“You’d be right to assume,” she affirmed.

“ Sam…what can I say about him?” She asked herself, not knowing just where to begin, having so much to say about the man, too much to just go over in just one sitting,“ Sam is quiet, a sad quiet that just makes me want to hold him. He is thoughtful and caring in a way that doesn't beg for anything in return.” she said with the same touch of rose,

“ Sam is handsome in a way only a lonely man can be…” she described the bridges porter while her hand went up to her chest, grazing the spot above her heart.

“He is sweet and it's noticeable...

When he talks to his BB; when he says sweet little words to her...That's when  his softness shines through the most. And at those very moments one could easily capture every bit of him that's gentle.” she surmised.

“ And he cuddles her so sweetly, just like someone would their own child... 

You know, it’s to a point,  I’m actually starting to think he  loves it in the same way one would their own child,” she mused, not seeming bothered by the fact , “ But maybe I’m overthinking it,” she added afterward. 

 “ I could be imagining it, but even then, if that weren’t the case,  there is no doubt in my mind that she is precious to him. The fact remains," she said while looking at Higgs Straightforth.

“ Higgs, can I tell you something?” she asked, looking timid to reveal to him the next part, taking his slow nod of approval as a confidence boost to speak,

“ When I see him with her, it just makes my heart beat so fast.” she breathed, “ It makes me wish we...I...” For just a fraction of a second, her hand began to trail down, falling over her stomach, the sight causing Higgs to swallow down hard.

“I wish I could have the opportunity to give him that,” she confessed.

 On one hand, 

‘You’d look absolutely beautiful,' he thought to himself. 'You'd look just perfect,' he went on, just imagining her in such a state, the thought of her pregnant making his heart warm,

On the other hand, 

'Of all people...

Of all things…

 Honey... you're breaking my heart.

Your making me so jealous I might snap, ‘

 Devoid of any emotion that would give himself away, Higgs continued to simply look at her, outwardly unresponsive to her confession. At his silence and moreso, his expressionless, stoic face she coughed into her hand, somewhat regretting opening up that bit to him,

“As...As I was saying, Sam...Sam has a beautiful heart,” she beamed to him,

“ He has so much compassion in him, despite the way he might seem, there is so much beauty within his chest.

And That's what I love most about him... that tenderness, the one that's not so visible through his words. 

Through it all, I love that sweet kindness that's there, but hidden away because he's afraid of something.” (f/n) told the man before her, “ I'm not sure what it is, but I know he's afraid and it makes me hurt. 

Sam makes me love but also hurt at the same time," she confessed to Higgs.

“ But you know what? I wouldn't trade this feeling for anyone else, or for anything else in the world." She told him, the admittance shaking his very being because he’d planned to go against it. He didn’t want to take it to heart, wanting to sway her to him instead.

“He...” She mumbled, chewing over the next bit of her tale, “He...”she repeated as she then closed her eyes, hanging her head with defeat as she swallowed up a long, exasperated breath.

" You can tell me everything…" he piped up, the encouragement causing her to slightly melt, a little, shaky breath escaping her, because he let her know that she wasn't troubling him, and that there was no shame in showing him her heart,

“He didn't even look me in the eyes,” (f/n) told him, the information drawing him in, “He spoke so quietly… sounding just as broken as I am now,” she admitted, her eyes slowly growing wetter,

“ Up to date hasn't answered an email of mine. He hasn't even opened the one I sent him…

The one where I told him how much I loved him." she said while taking a seat on the bed, staring down at her hands with a halfhearted glare,

“I….I’d like to think he’d busy,” she said with a small nod, trying to sound hopeful,

“ Maybe he has too much on his mind.

Maybe he’s just too far away right now.

Maybe…

Maybe he hasn’t forgotten about me.

Maybe he’ll come back... He’ll come back and... and until then...I...I can, - “

She rambled, her words jumbling before she released a small, throaty hiccup,

“ I can wait…” she breathed, tears spilling from her (e/c) colored eyes, the streams slowly cascading down her face, 

 “ I can wait for Sam!” she said with a cracking voice.

The more she spoke, the more her chest ached, her words  knotted in her throat as she released a strangled sound that was akin to a short sob, tears falling down her face before she had a mind to stop herself from breaking.

She hadn’t wanted to break, but it was like rolling downhill, once she was going, she couldn’t stop, plundering down the furthermore she went until she crashed down,

" Hey," Higgs said softly, also sitting with her, a hand taking hold of her cheek while the other lay flat on her back, rubbing soothing, small circles,

‘Sweetheart...please,’ he inwardly begged, his face distraught as he watched her break down, her tears not ceasing as she continued to shake, the weight of all her suffrage attacking her full force.

Because it wasn’t just about Sam being gone.

It was about the lonesome years spent isolated.

It was about the endless rain that kept her locked in, trapped.

Moreover, it was the disconnection from a population that should have long been extinct.

In some sort of way, Sam was her connection, her bridge to the world. He was the only thing she had that kept her somewhat sane, fueling her to continue. 

She’d decided to accept he wasn’t going to return, but it was much harder than just saying so,

‘Because I have nothing but him...’

Unwillingly, a lonesome tear fell down the right side of his face, falling onto her (h/c) colored hair as he brought her close, her shaking body pressed against his as he forced her still,

‘ Do you know (f/n)... that before all of this happened…

You were meant to be with me?’ He silently asked her,

' Are you aware that our flames are identical?' He thought to himself, feeling her melt, pressed against his chest.

‘ Darling... You're so lonely,

Sweetheart… you’re sadness is contagious to me, ‘

Shakenly, her hands crawled up his back, her stiff fingers trailing up its length before they stopped, holding onto him desperately.

‘Fuck… sweetie… your heartbeat… ‘ he thought while the hand on her back could feel the powerful, erratic pace,

“You alright (f/n)?” he asked her, receiving a hiccup back, her head shaking 'no', the women being unable to put up any type of front.

“ Look at me,” he muttered softly, his hands both falling on to her shoulders, offering her a dazzling smile, “ It’s alright you know?” he assured her, looking deep within her (e/c) colored eyes.

“Everything‘s going to be alright,” he promised her, seeming certain.

 ‘ You’ll get over him.

You won't miss him

I swear to you sweetie… I’ll make all of that go away.’

 He held her, tenderly caressing her while she broke down, the overflowed dam that was her heart shattered as she let loose of absolutely everything that she harbored, for a reason unknown to her trusting the man who was essentially a stranger.

 ' I swear to you I'll make it all go away...' he thought to himself while finally being able to take hold of her, knowing he couldn't trace back and fall into the darkness again, at least not without her in his arms, 

‘Just keep trusting me (f/n)... 

Keep melting onto me....

Keep trusting mer... 

You feel it too, don’t you?

Don’t worry, once you forget about Bridges, you can focus all on us...’ 

Next Part : Stolen Princess

[danddymaro]

Death Stranding | Sweet Façade

Pairing : Higgs monaghan X Reader // Sam Bridges x Reader

First part : Stay

Previous: Goodbye

Again, this is  just a little direction I want to go;  a little idea that pathed it’s own way.

Thoughts are italics in quotations = ‘Example’

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

Wordcount: 3066

Sweet Façade

Small globs of rain descended from the gloomy sky as a calm shower of precipitation stretched out for miles, something which didn't bother the calm male as he coolly made his way into the shelter, brushing off the bits of moisture that stuck to his shoulders with his gloved hands.

“ Package for miss (f/n) (l/n),” the arriving porter said aloud, his voice bouncing off the walls of the safe enclosure as he stepped forward, all while detaching the special package from his backpack,

“Hello? Anyone here?” He questioned loudly before he stepped right before the access terminal, placing his other hand out to utilize it, waiting a total of three minutes before he received a response back,

"Hello?" greeted a woman’s voice, sounding huffy and breathy, having just run through her little underground home to greet him. 

Before him a holograph appeared, the moving image of the young, (h/c) haired woman greeting him,

“Did you say package?” She said with surprise, her brows raised high as her eyes seemed peeled wide, “For me?” She added with apparent curiosity, all while pointing a single index towards herself.

At the question, she watched as his gloved index finger trail beneath the letters of her name, sounding them out with a sure nod. 

He wore a sweet smile as he addressed her, "(F/n) (L/n), That's you right?" He asked, his liquid blue eyes raised up to her, glued to her artificial image with unmistakable fascination.

Despite the knowing fact that she was simply just a hologram, the porter had trouble straying his eyes anywhere else. Selfishly, he swallowed her whole, not having a mind for anything else but the (e/c) eyed beauty manifested before him.

Oblivious, (f/n) remained calm, not having an idea as to how intensely the man eyed her, nor was she aware of the merriment that shone within his blue crystals as the white cap he wore obscured a good portion of his face.

She did, however, notice his growing smile, and catching onto the subtle curl of his lips she mirrored him, nodding. 

Smiling gently in return she responded, “That's me,” she told him with a firm nod, " But I wasn't expecting anything," she said with a bit of confusion, still offering him the pleasant upturn nonetheless.

" Oh?" He said back to her, his eyes finding hers, staring right at her image with surprised, widened orbs. "That's pretty weird, cause the name here is yours," he said tapping the container, " This is also your location," he added as he placed the package down, a sure grin on his face as he waited for her to receive it.

‘You’ll just love it,’ He thought to himself, certain. ‘I just know it...Just like I know you…’

"Ok, let's see," He heard her mutter as she came down to it, inspecting it with the curiosity of a kitten.

She then opened it carefully, not sure what to expect at first. 

It wasn’t like she didn’t trust the porter, she had no reason to, but still, she was somewhat skeptical.

‘I didn’t order anything,’ She told herself, ‘in fact, it’s rather strange he’s  even made it all the way here,’ She mused, ‘Given the storm and all,’ she went on.

She had doubts, however, the moment her eyes landed on the contents within the secured case, her eyes grew wide, glimmering with absolute joy,

‘Could it be?’ She wondered, swallowing hard, her hand gently skimming over the surface of the hardcovered book.

Stunned, she stared down at the item with stillness before she gave an unexpected jump, a literal hop full of glee that surprised the man,

" I can't believe this!" She said with astonishment , pressing the small booklet close to her chest, twirling around happily. She held it with adoration as she beamed at the porter, unable to hide all the giddiness she felt,

  "You have no idea what this means to me!" She said happily.

  He watched her, his head slightly cocking to the side as he watched the woman gleam, a joy so sweet and pure worn out on display, that he felt it was a shame not many people could get a chance at such a lovely sight.

 He'd never felt his chest hurt so much, and with such sweetness nonetheless,

‘It’s only when I think about you,’ He thought with a shake to his head. 'That's the only time this happens,' He added, wanting to press her hand to his chest so she could feel the heavy bouncing for herself, just so she’d understand how intensely he felt for her.

(e/c) colored eyes seemed so warm and sweet, being windows to a heart he wanted to hold and claim, one that he was certain was deserving of everything lovely the world had left to give,

‘Sweetheart,’ he mused, ‘I’d snatch up what’s left of the world just to give it to you... If it'd make you smile just like that, I wouldn't hesitate.' He silently assured her.

She was like an innocent, little butterfly walking right along his bloodied palm,

careless and free, small and beautiful…

Of course, the lovely, delicate creature didn't know the malicious danger she was in. She was unsuspecting as such, naively crawling over his mercy, trusting in his words and his convincing façade.

He knew who he was, what he was capable of, and with the same little perk to his mouth, he wondered what would take place,

Just how would their love take course?

Would he simply crush her? Unintentionally, would he end up destroying her just as he had a habit to do so to many other things in his life?

‘If you’d be mine, would I somehow ruin you? ’ He thought with a touch of sadness,

Or

Would he adore her so much as to keep her in a glass jar? Far away from everyone else, safely hidden away until only he knew where she was being kept,

‘How long would I have to hide you?’ He wondered, knowing that somewhere along the line he’d be challenged,

‘Eventually, he’ll come looking for you,’ He thought with a little huff of amusement, one so small, the woman had ignored it, not paying it any mind.

‘I know I would. I’d go crazy trying to find you again,’

"Where did you even find this?" (f/n) asked, astonished. " I'd lost hope I'd ever see this again," she said, continuing to hug the small booklet, looking down at the porter with open ears.

“ I know we haven't met personally, but I come here frequently,” He informed her, not entirely lying because he did make frequent deliveries to her as a freelance porter.

However, as of late, he’d been busy with Amelie,

 ‘And her bullshit,’ He thought annoyed.

In fact, he made sure he was the only one that ever really got through,

‘I make an attempt at it,’ He thought with more annoyance, knowing that somehow, Sam bridges made it through to her,

‘Every...single...time.

Somehow Bridges gets a hold of you.’ He added with disdain.

“Anyways, I was just going along with my normal deliveries and I happened to come across it," he further explained, " I've also got some fuel here for you, seems like it's an old order you'd made a month back that just never made it's way here. I  figured  I'd drop it off  to you, and maybe get the chance to finally greet you," He said with a small chuckle, causing her to release one of her own,

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" She said with true regret evident, even through her little giggle. " Even moreso, Thank you!" she added, 

" It's taken too long for us to meet each other then, " She added while shaking her head.

"Entirely," He added softly, agreeing.

Carefully setting the book aside, she continued to happily chat with the man,

"From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank you for your service, " She said with gratitude, wishing she had something else to offer him other than a meager ‘thanks.’

"Oh no, no please!" He fretted, both hands set before him, "I don't do this to get praised, you're making me blush," he added, keeping the little grin she wore alive.

“Um, hey, If you don’t mind me asking,” he started, “ what is it? " He asked, sounding interested, speaking in regards to the booklet she'd earlier pressed against her bosom. 

"What was in the package? It must have been something real important to you, given your reaction," he said with a hint of tease in his tone.

Glowing pink she bowed her head with embarrassment, thinking of how silly she seemed with her little squealing and twirling,

"I'm sorry you had to see that," She muttered with embarrassment, hiding her face within her hands.

 'Are you kidding me?' He thought to himself, 'Baby, you're killing me... being so damn cute with me...'

 "If it makes you feel better, it made my day," he said amused, causing her to release a little groan, "Nooo…"

"I'll remember this day for a long time," he added, causing her to throw her head back, "Stop it!" She whined, continuing to laugh.

It’d been the first time in weeks she’d laughed, so much so, she’d forgotten she even had the ability to do so. 

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," He told her, "but it is a nice pick me up," He added, not lying at all. 

"Really?" she said with a placid, little pleasant smile taking over as she settled down from her little fit, "How?" She asked with a shake to her head, wondering how her strange outburst could have ever made anyone's day.

"Defiantly. Being stuck out there in this gloomy weather all day,  you're smile feels like the sun," he beamed, causing her face to instantly burn as the words reached her.

"customers like you are the best," he added, loving how easy it was to cause her to fluster. "So I should be thanking you," He continued on, knowing just what he was doing, slipping in little teases masked by convincing innocence.

"Anyways, the book," he pointed out, making (f/n) snap out of her little daze, 

" Oh," She said while calming, " This book...It's actually just a mess of things," she confessed, instantly smiling so hard her eyes were squeezed together.

"it's stupid...really," she muttered with the same cute upturn that had him swooning.

The booklet was full of pressed flowers and leaves, along with  little pictures she'd taken, as well as a written page here and there that were coupled with meaningless, little doodles on every other page.

 It wasn't much, probably worthless trash to others, but a treasure to her, holding memories and sweet moments, all the things she never wanted to forget.

"I guess you could say it's like an old diary of mine," she explained, not going into much more detail before their conversation was interrupted by a loud-sounding crash outside the enclosure.

It was then that a harsh banging sound spread across the field outside, traveling into her home in a violent boom, startling her. A sharp gasp left her as she looked up to her ceiling with a tremor raking her entire body.

Heavy rain continued to fall, all sounding stronger than it had a few minutes prior, and at the recognition of the large, vicious goblets attacking her structure, her gaiety ceased in its entirety, (dark/light) eyebrows creased up with worry as she cringed at the strong downpour that crashed over the roof of her little home.

She could hear it echoing even from her safe enclosure, knowing that just outside, it disintegrated everything it smothered.

'Again with this endless downpour ;  Again with another storm, ' she thought with a mix of bitterness and sadness, because yet again she thought of the traveling porter whose name had become infamous now.

Connecting the world…

Bringing everyone together…

Through blood and sweat; Through harsh breaths and slim escape as well, he did it all.

'I hope you're not out there right now… stuck somewhere with those monsters,' she thought with a forelone expression placed over her. 'that merciless rain that takes everything it touches…the same one that won’t hesitate to take you as well,’ she added as she felt her heart race, anxiousness clawing at the walls within the muscle.

'Please...Please be safe,' She thought while a dark cloud loomed over her.

Meanwhile, the man outside watched, his eyes fixed on her saddened expression, his gaze softened as he looked on to what he considered to be a true gem, because even as she began to grow sullen, she was a charming sight,

'Downright breathtaking,’ he thought astounded.

If only he could run his fingers through those strands of (h/c), and not just that, but coo sweet words close to her ear to lure yet another smile from her.

He’d give anything for another one of those wide grins, much more to see the previously settled cute, little color find it's way onto her sweet face.

'Anything,' He thought while lovestruck. ‘ I’d give anything to do so,’ he added.

' But for now, I have to go. ' he thought with a pout, unloading the rest of the lost cargo he mentioned earlier, sending it through to her.

“Well I should be heading off,” he said with a small wave, causing her to stare wide-eyed, her mouth hanging open at his sudden leave.

'The damn storm is picking up,' She told herself, 'And he just up and leaves?!' she added worriedly.

“Hey! Wait Just a minute!” She cried out, her voice laced with alarm, “ Don't tell me you plan on going out there like that," she said with concern, her hand reaching out to him as a natural response despite the fact that they were in separate rooms, not anywhere near for her to grip him back. 

He looked back at her with a half-smile, his blue eyes staring dead at her startled expression. Grimacing, he spoke, "I think I don't have a choice do I ? besides it's my job," he told her with dismissiveness towards his own well-being, something that astounded her.

"I had just planned to drop off your deliveries and be off, " He told her, " But I got so caught up talking to you, I lost track of time, " He explained, " I should have left a long time ago!" He said shaking his head, seeming disappointed with himself.

"Anyways, don't worry about me mam," he said pulling up a boyish grin while mock saluting her by using his pointer and middle finger, "You just stay safe," he added, not really wanting to leave, but of course not having any other choice.

 It would have been easy for him to simply take her, singlehandedly destroying everything that got in his path from doing so, but he’d decided that with her, he wasn’t taking that risk.

  'He's crazy,' (f/n) thought to herself, jumping at a particularly loud clap from outside her thick, protective walls.

She then better lip tightly,

 Thinking...

Contemplating…

 'What if something happens to him? 

What if he gets caught up in that storm? ‘ 

And much worse, 

‘ What if he never makes it back?' She wondered distressed,

'if any of that were to happen, I wouldn't ever be able to live it down,' she told herself.

He bothered to bring back some lost package, something she'd forgotten already, all because he thought it mattered, coming through what were probably the worst conditions to travel, and much more that that he’d been loyally delivering cargo to her for a long time now.

“ Hey…” she uttered softly, sounding small uncertain at first, swallowing the heavy clump in her throat.

“ You can stay here,” she told him, growing more confident, “ There's a vacant room here that you can use,” she added, nodding with more assurance as she saw him halt in his steps.

“ You can use it if you want or, at the very least stay until the rain stops.” she offered, “That's all I ask of you,” she added, hoping he’d accept. "As far as I know, there's nothing out there to hide under...no other shelters in sight either. " she reminded him.

He then turned back to her, a grateful smile adorning him being a mask to hide the snide that lay beneath.

“You’d do that just for me?” he asked her, eyeing the melting worry that was over her face. As he seemed to contemplate the suggestion, she relaxed her shoulders dropping and her (e/c) eyes brightening.

" Please? At least until this clears up," She said lowly, nodding.

 “You’ve done enough for me already, believe or not,” she further explained, “ I haven't seen another person in what feels like forever. And I know traveling through this area has gotten very difficult. But you did so...All in order to hand me some lost cargo I had honestly given up on finding." She said astounded,

"Not only that, but you also brought me some essential supplies, " She added.

" You risked your life for me when you could have very well walked away at any given moment, especially when the first storm hit. " She rambled on,

" So please," she said again, clasping her hands together, "Please Stay. Take it as a token of my gratitude seeing as I have nothing more to offer you," She bargained.

  ‘Truly….Truly  I am smitten,’ he thought to himself, all while nodding, pretending to be defeated by her plea.

 "Just until then," he said quietly, "I wouldn't' want to impose,"

" But you're not!" She said hastily, "Believe me, you're not!" she said giggling, waving him off.

 Eagerly nodding she went to open the door, “ Just come in," she responded back, all of which was a mistake of course, but how was she to know?

How could she have guessed that the man she invited in her home was none other than the same terrorist in the golden mask both feared and hated by mass populations ; 

 Higgs Monaghan.

 She reached out for him, her hand circling around his wrist, tugging him inside, the sudden coldness of the outside world hitting her hard before she was back within the warm safety of her home with him following in suit.

"come on," she persuaded, anxiously as she heard just how vicious the wind blew.

Safely inside he watched her, eyes fixed on the back of her head, the (h/c) hair making his fingers twitch.

They were loose, the (long/short) strands bouncing with each step she took, teasing him with their bouncing movements,

'My dear...sweet... (f/n),' Higgs mused, head over heels for the woman, mad with desire,

 'I can't wait to have you all...to...myself.' 

Next : Open Heart

A/N: I fixed it. I hadn’t slept for a whole day when i completed this and I just knew I let a lot of stuff slip me. Have you ever been awake, but not awake? It’s an experience.

[danddymaro]

Follow me| Higgs Monaghan x Reader

Damn that Troy Baker and his little voice of his, as well as Higgs for being so captivating. This game is lit.

Also, could this be romance? I’m really just writing concepts I come up with. Sometimes bullshit stories come to mind. 

FUUUUUCCKKK, I already had this thought out and halfway through I realized he wears that fucking pod (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ )

How could it slip my mind?

Anywhoo..

Everything is pretty understandable, but just a warning, 

‘ example’ = Italics in quotations are thoughts

example = Italics W/out are flashbacks

He watched her, downright dumbfounded, eyes trained on the woman like she was a strange phenomenon. 

And perhaps she was…

She was out In the middle of nothing, miles way from a single living being , excluding himself of course.

‘ So where did she come from? ‘ He wondered, truly perplexed, because it couldn’t be as though she magically appeared out of thin air.

‘Not a shelter in sight either…’ He observed.

He took a quiet step forward, being cautious in doing so, keeping his eyes fully trained on the bizarre woman the entire time. Though, it seemed as though his alertness was unneeded, because she seemed none the wiser, not knowing he was there to begin with. 

Instead, her sights were placed on the little creature crawling along her (s/c) skin. Keenly staring on, she had no mind for anything but  the little orange butterfly walking along her index. Meanwhile, the creature itself seemed just as oblivious as she was about any possible existing danger, happily moving it’s thin, little legs over the flesh.

‘ Like only you exist in this world,’ He thought with disbelief.

A small smile began to surface over her features, one that was undoubtedly pretty, stopping his musing, and every question he had in regards to the strange woman’s unexpected appearance.

It was then that the sound of the crackling sky erupted, echoing throughout the field, and as it did, he noticed she came out of her perfect little world.

The young woman gave a small jump and though he didn't hear it, he knew a small sound left her. The abrupt widening of her eyes, along with the parting of her pretty lips, topped with the sudden growing of her chest indicated it.

 The little happy butterfly which was on her index finger fluttered away in fleet, leaving her behind to stare at it, not being able to do much but follow it with her (e/c) eyes.

.And then she was truly left alone, with nothing but blue eyes to observe her, marveling at her from a distance.  

Standing up from the floor, she began to look up at the grayed sky with her eyebrows creased up, light worry lines on her forehead becoming visible. Inside her mind she began to fret, and finally he got a gimps of what concern seemed like once settled onto her face.

With steady steps she took as she finally rose, walking further from him in a direction that lead to more nothingness, all with notable uncertainty.

‘Are you hoping to find anything?’ He wondered, continuing to watch her, interested in everything she did, wanting to know just where she’d lead him to.

It all felt like a strange dream,a vivid one where he wasn’t tormented, where he didn’t see death , but instead a strange sort of angel, lost in an apocalypse.

In search of something...

 She then reached up, her body lightly shaking as another roar erupted from the somber sky.

 Afraid, she reached up, challenging extinction she stood her ground,

 “Any second now,” he said to himself, knowing that there was only a few more moments left before the Timefall came. Absentmindedly he took a step forward, “If you don’t get out of here...” he trailed off, knowing there wasn’t anywhere she could go.

Knowing just what would happen... 

Her palm faced up to the murky sky for a moment, longing in her heart as she reached out to where the glowing sun had become a stranger. And she wondered when she’d see the glowing star, not having seen it during the many hours she’d spent outside already.

The rain then fell, ready to claim anything that it touched. Merciless as always, it lay waste to anything that dared challenge it with existence with absolutely no exception.

A twitch to his heart made his current step falter, and abruptly he stopped, everything else in the world moving in slow motion as he found his eyes locked with the (h/c) young woman. 

For just a brief moment she stared at him, having found him in her line of sight as she took a gaze at the world around her.

A cloaked figure stood in her vision, and swallowing down largely she took a daring step toward’s it.

If anyone were to ask him why he did it, he wouldn't have a single, sensible answer as to why he took action, but all the same his deed remained. 

He moved faster then he could blink, traveling through the space and reaching her within a second’s time. He encased  her within his cloak, huddled over her as he pressed her close towards his chest, pinning the (h/c) woman to him.

It was then that the downpour began, but of course, she was safe, protected within his safe cocoon, her body stiff with the strong press.

It took her a moment to move, being utterly surprised at first before she seemed to settle, her head inclining back as she brought her eyes up to him, once again connecting.

She stared up at him with wonder, her eyes looking large and beautiful, absolutely breathtaking to him as she stood before him. And to his surprise, she didn't squirm, but instead reached her hand up, cupping the side of his mask's cheek before trailing along the sharp edges with the tips of her fingers.

Cold metal connected with warmed flesh, but it wasn’t something that made her draw away either.  He could see that dancing within her wide open (e/c) eyes was pure hearted  astonishment as she continued to caress the golden piece.

She didn't look afraid, startled perhaps, but not afraid, and it stunned him, shaking him to the core.

“What are you doing here?” he asked her, his voice sounding breathy, but he wasn’t tired.

 If anything, he’d never felt more alive.

He could feel it in his chest, a strange feeling invading him and taking over, 

‘I can’t stop it,’ he thought to himself helplessly.

Blinking a couple times in silence and confusion she shook her head slowly, answering him with uncertainty, “ I don't know,”  she replied, a very soft voice being what graced him. “I'm not sure what I'm doing here,” She added, a gleam to her eyes shining with sadness, replacing the awe that was meant for him. 

“ I was here alone,” she admitted. “And I’ve been her waiting,” she added, a fore lone smile coming into sight.  

“ I wouldn't be able to tell you with certainty how long I was by myself...simply waiting,”  she went on, her hands descending, trailing over part of his chest before coming to the cool glass of his pod.

  “...I don’t even know how to determine how long I had been alone.” she said with the same melancholy.

She'd woken up to the barren land, frightened and cold, left at the mercy of the new dark world she’d been dragged into. There was no sign of life, as even her own heart stilled, quieted as it waited in frightened suspense.

“...How long I had waited,” she added lowly, “ I just sat here waiting to die... waiting for either starvation or something to come and sweep me away,” she admitted with dejection and shame. 

Initially, she’d screamed out for someone, anyone to save her, but no one called back.

No one went in search of the stranded woman, and so having no choice, she went on her own search.

She walked aimlessly, desperate for a ray of hope to shine upon her, but not even the sun graced her. Instead, it stayed hidden behind dark clouds, the murky sky and it's muted colors being all that lay in her sights.

Finally giving in , she fell onto her knees, surrendering at the game of life.

And then the single butterfly landed on her, it’s little legs tickling her nose as it walked along the bridge.

She didn't know how it ended up there either, and she thought that perhaps  it came with her, traveling through the same strange route. It was the only thing that comforted her.

Narrowing her eyes at it she began to smile, abiet somberly, 

“could it be that we are alone?” she asked it, not expecting an answer. “Could it be that no one will come?”

“But you're holding me... someone else is holding me...”she said with a tremor touched voice.

And then she questioned him, 

"Are you some sort of God? ” she said with partial amusement, “ Or death itself?” She questioned him, seeming mystified by the possibility. 

Was such an assumption strange?

Within the barren land someone came to her, appeared before her to hold her. And as though by strange magic he reached her, embracing her.

 He was flattered to say the least, an amused chuckle leaving him, “A god?” he asked himself,  liking the idea as she spoke, 

‘No darling... but I am a partical of God,' he thought to himself with seething pride.

“ What if I tell you that you're right? " he asked her, watching those beautiful eyes sparkle at his response. 

While she waited with diminished hope, and as she screamed and as she pleaded, she’d cried.

She cried her heart’s lament, knowing she’d lay to waste.

His hand's gloved fingers fell down her face, the thick, black material grazing her gently, falling down what had been dried tear trails. 

‘ She’s been crying...

Waiting...’

" What would you do then?"  he asked her his eyes never leaving hers as he found himself unable to draw them away.

He watched as she seemed to contemplate the question,

‘Will you try and run from me? 

Push me away...

I want to know...’

She had to know that whatever savior she hoped for wasn’t there. The idea of a knight in shining armor wasn’t befitting for him.

" I'd be afraid," she admitted." I am afraid," she added, not holding back, " But you're the only one here…"  she told him, " You were the only one that came," she reasoned.  

 He could be death itself, and even then she wouldn’t run, she wouldn’t draw back, so, happily, smiling softly with joyous relief she spoke, 

"You found me.”

He could feel his heart once again bouncing, like a sort of detector setting off in her presence, “ I guess I've been waiting too,” he said lowly, his voice just a short whisper. And during then, his mask dispersed, leaving her to gaze at his true face and nothing more. 

He spoke the truth, despite not realizing before how tangled with her he’d been. But there was no question in his mind that what had magnetized him to the same patch of nothingness she was at was a powerful pull sure to be fate itself.

The trailing fingers stopped, his palms cupping her cheeks instead, holding them dearly. Meanwhile, she reached up again, her fingers touching the dark tears that trailed down his cheeks.

He felt her fingers leave a warm trail where she touched him, effortlessly exiting him as she unexpectedly brushed the digits by the outline of his lips.

Would it be so bad to take her with him?

Would it be so bad to find out more about her? 

Discover how she came to be...

Find out just how she came to him...

“Will you come with me?” he asked her, leaning down to her, his lips so close to her flesh as he spoke, “Will you follow me?” he asked, a curl to his lips as he felt her shiver. 

Over the flesh of her arms little bumps had risen as she was both startled and exited. Nodding silently, she agreed, planning to follow him till the ends of the world, 

which was coincidentally just where he planned to travel with her, 

Right to it’s destruction...

‘Looks like I’ve got my plus one,’ he thought to himself, unable to deny the lovely feeling he felt in his chest.

[roguelov]

Being a porter, you’ve had multiple run-ins with Mules. Most hope to escape them with their packages while others – like yourself – have the luck of dealing with them. Unfortunately, today was another one of those glorious days. You were trying to sneak past a group of Mules when they pinged your packages. Instantly, you dashed off into the woods. Past trees and hurdling over boulders. Trying to put as much distance as possible between you and these deranged deliverymen. But, three of them caught up to you. You didn’t think twice, you started putting up a fight. Which they were not expecting. In the midst of all the punching, kicking, and dodging, one of the Mules in a fit of rage pulled out a knife and stabbed you. The other two stumbled back in shock. The one who stabbed you now shook in fear. He tossed the knife before scrambling away. All of them fled. Fled from you. Fled from a void-out.

Fuck, this can’t be happening.

You clutched your side. The warm thick blood soaked through your suit. Even with your gloves on you could feel it. The ooze. The draining of your life. You collapsed to your knees. Your breathing erratic, your heart pounded while your eyes wildly searched for anything – anyone­. You were miles away from your bunker, miles from the nearest Knot City, miles from any life. You needed help. No. You needed a miracle.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

Your head snapped up. A man crouched down in front of you. All you saw - all you could focus on - was the golden skull mask. The way it twinkled in the sunlight. Like a shining star coming down from the heavens. He titled his head as his eyes wondered over your body assessing the problem.

“Goddammit, Higgs, just help me out,” you huffed. The corners of your vision began to blur.

Higgs chuckled. “And what’s in it for me?”

“Your … your only friend won’t … die,” you mumbled. You were losing too much blood. Every bit of concentration now solely tasked on not passing out.

“Touché.”

His hand landed on your shoulder. In a flash, you were safely inside your bunker. You fell forward on the ground. Your cheek pressed against the cool, refreshing, flooring. Each blink becoming longer than the last, each exhale fainter.

Sleep.

“Ah, no, you don’t.”

Higgs removed all your gear and packages tossing it everywhere he pleased. Rolling you over, he zipped down your overalls revealing your tank top completely soaked in your blood. And growing.

“Bedroom,” you murmured. You had a medical kit on your bedside table. You stored ointments in the kit. Almost every night, you rubbed your shoulders with it to soothe the burns from the straps of the carrier digging into you. Along with other necessary tools like bandages, stitches, disinfectants, and pain relievers.

Higgs smirked. “Sweetheart, maybe another time.”

You puckered your lips managing a pathetic excuse of a glare. “No … I … fuck I have a medical kit … in my room,” you exhaled.

“Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place, darlin’?” He darted off.

Your bottom lips quivered. Fuck. Tears prickled in your eyes from the pain and the fear. I’m okay. I’ll survive this. I have help now. Higgs returned quickly with the kit in hand. He pushed back his hood, removed his mask and gloves, then he got to work. Lifting up your shirt, he cleaned your wound. You threw your arm over your mouth muffling any pain filled grunts and hisses. Higgs examined the wound with care. You were definitely going to need stitches.

“You know” – he threaded the needle – “I always wanted to take off your clothes. Just never thought it would go down like this.”

“Why … what the fuck, Higgs?”

Higgs smirked. “Just trying to make small talk. And distract you.”

“What –“

The needle punctured your skin. You bit your lip as your fist pounded on the floor. The pain was unbearable. Your vision blackened for what seemed to be only a second. Higgs’s blurry face popped into view before becoming clearer. “Alright, come on, let’s get you into bed,” he said.

He carefully helped you up and together you slowly shuffled to your bedroom. You immediately collapsed into your bed not caring about your bloody, dirty, clothes. You closed your eyes thankfully to not battle the drowsiness anymore. In just a few short breaths, you were asleep. Higgs huffed shaking his head. He removed your boots and threw a blanket over you.

“Sleep tight,” he whispered.

When you cracked open your eyes, pain rippled through you. You smashed your face into your pillow letting out a groan. Carefully, you sat up clutching your side. As if squeezing it would subside the pain. Your head lolled back as you stared up at the grey ceiling, “Fuckin’ Mules.”

Carrying your heavy body, you shuffled into the bathroom. You peeled off your disgusting clothes and freshened up. Or tried without getting your wound wet. You gently pulled back the bandages to examine the stitching. You scrunched your nose at the dry blood crusted around it. At least it stopped bleeding. Putting on new clothes, you strolled out of your bedroom to the living room.

“Well, look who decided to wake up.”

You glanced over to see Higgs sprawled across your couch sporting a black tank top and his cargo pants.

You scratched the side of your head. “How … how long was I out?”

“Day, maybe two.” He hopped up strolling towards you. “I really thought you were going to kick the bucket. I had to check on you a few times just to make sure you weren’t going necro on me.”

“Well, looks like I get to live another day.” You walked off into the kitchen. “I need some coffee, do you want any?”

“Already made a pot, sweetheart.”

Your eyes darted over to the freshly brewed pot. You mumbled a ‘thanks’ then started to search for a mug. You reached up and opened the cabinet to see the mugs pushed in the back. You started to reach farther when a hand came into view. It easily grabbed a mug before your hand could pass your face. Higgs pressed his body against your back as he placed the mug in front of you. He rested his chin on your shoulder, “Can’t have you doing that, darlin’. We don’t want your stitches to come undone, now do we?”

Your heart skipped as you muttered, “Right … uh, thanks.”

“No problem.” He smirked backing away.

Being friends with Higgs, you quickly learned that he loved to enter your personal boundaries. He knew it made you uncomfortable, knew how you flustered. You tried to hide it with comebacks, but he always saw the rising blush. And he loved it. Thrived off of it.

You prepared your coffee then spun around leaning against the counter. Your eyes locked with Higgs as you blew at the steaming coffee. He leaned on your island a few feet to your left. With his arms crossed, he cocked his head with a teasing smile on his lips.

“What?” you asked.

“So,” he started, “it has come to my attention that I will have to stick around a bit.”

“What?”

“Looks like I have to look over your ass as you heal,” he rephrased it. You scoffed walking away. You plopped down on a stool on the other side of the island. Higgs twirled around propping his forearms on the counter facing you, “What? You don’t want my help?”

“I can take care of myself.” You mumbled the next part into your mug, “Have for years.”

“True … but, I don’t think you’ve ever been this injured before. Am I wrong?”

“… no.”

He smiled. “That’s what I thought so looks like you’re going to have a roommate for a while.”

“Fun,” you muttered sarcastically.

“It can be,” he winked.

You rolled your eyes yet, your body reacted differently. Your cheeks grew hot at his teasing remarks and flirty smiles. But, that was just Higgs. You sighed setting down your mug. “Higgs … thank you. Really.”

He blinked.

You continued, “Without you … shit I would be dead. Just another death, just another void-out, just some fucking crater for people to stumble into. So … thank you, I owe you big time.”

Higgs smiled. Genuinely. “Well, you are my friend.”

You chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

Now, you knew have Higgs around would be interesting to say the least. And, you were immensely grateful for his help, but majority of his stay he tended to be a bit annoying.

“Alright, rise and shine, buttercup!”

You groaned tugging your sheets over your head. “Fuck, no.”

“Aw, come on now, you can’t stay in bed all day. You have to get up. Move, you know.”

You rolled over in bed away from Higgs who decided to bust through your bedroom door. Not the best way to be waken up. You mumbled with the sheets still over your head, “Watch me.”

Higgs didn’t reply. It gave you hope that he walked away. You sighed snuggling deeper in your bed, letting it cradle you. Your mind gently started drifting back off. However, a weight dipped in your bed. An arm draped over your waist – carefully avoiding your wound – and pulled you closer. A warm breath tickled the shell of your ear. You flinched as eyes popped open.

Higgs chuckled in your ear. “If you’re not going to get up then I guess I’ll just join you.”

You jolted up then quickly hunched over wrapping your arms around your stomach as you hissed out in pain.

“Now, why did you go and do that?”

You peered over your shoulder to see Higgs lounging in your bed. His arms propped behind his head with a smug look plastered on his face. You glared, “Well, why did you have to get into my bed?”

“You just looked oh so cozy. And why would I pass up such a wonderful opportunity?” Higgs smirked.

You rolled your eyes. You both knew he did it because it would get you out of bed. “Just get out of my room so I can change,” you said hopping off the bed.

“You sure about that, darlin’?” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “I could help you if you want. Wouldn’t want you to over exert – “

You smacked him in the face with a pillow. “Out. Now.”

He chuckled sitting up. “Alright, alright, I’m going.”

Higgs, unfortunately, never let up. Every day he continued to find pleasure in teasing you as your face burned brightly. “Oh come on,” he glanced over at you from the other end of the couch,” you know you like me.”

You scoffed trying to watch the TV. “I tolerate you.”

“We’re friends. You said so yourself.”

“And I continue to wonder why we are.”

He leaned into your space. His breath tickled your ear causing you to shiver. His voice dipped low as he whispered, “Well, without me sweetheart your life would be pretty boring now wouldn’t?”

You snapped your head over to him. Your nose brushed against his. Your cheeks now a lovely new shade. “Why must you do that?”

He chuckled. “How else am I going to keep myself entertained?”

You looked back to the TV. “What about me? I’m the one whose fucking injured. Aren’t you supposed to be attending me or something?”

“I can.” His slim finger glided under your chin turning your attention back on him. A sly smirk flickered on his lips. “What do you want?”

You jerked your head away blushing heavily. “Fuck you, Higgs. Just let me heal in peace.”

“Well, that’s no fun.”

“Whatever,” you huffed.

Luckily, there were moments when Higgs left you completely alone since he had to run off to ‘deal with a few things’ and that is was ‘nothing to worry your pretty little head about’. In those beautiful serene moments, you usually found yourself in the comfort of your living room reading books or watching old movies and shows from before the death stranding.

Your legs stretched across the couch with a blanket draped over you. Leftover dinner, now ice cold, thrown on the table as the TV played one of your favorite movies. Expect, you weren’t watching. You were sound asleep. Your face smushed against the pillow as your arm dangled over the edge of the couch.

A unique zap echoed in the bunker. Higgs yanked off his hood and mask. He strolled towards you, “Well, how’s my –“

He glanced down and all words evaded him. In that moment – although he could argue every moment – you looked angelic. So calm, so tranquil. His little sleeping angel. A smile twitched on his lips. He walked over and turned off the TV then squatted down in front of you. With a gloved hand, he gently brushed your hair back. His fingers traced over your features with a feather like touch. Afraid that if he pressed too hard you would break, shatter from his world.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he murmured. “I’m going to need you wake up a bit.”

You grumbled slowly stirring awake.

“Just for a minute then you’ll be back asleep. I swear.”

Your eyes barely cracked open. Higgs’s face blurred in and out of focus. Your mind constantly swam in and out of consciousness.

“Sit up for me, please. And put your arms over my shoulders,” he whispered.

You groaned, but heeded his words. You were too exhausted to argue. Dragging your body to a seated position, you lolled side to side. Higgs chuckled lightly. He thought you were adorable. You threw your arms over Higgs’s shoulders and practically fell into his chest. He snaked an arm under your legs and hoisted you up. You winced slightly as your wound rubbed against him.

“Shhh, it’s alright. I gotcha.”

He carefully maneuvered into your bedroom and gently laid you down on your bed. Pulling up the sheets, he tucked you in. You instantly curled up. Relaxed and warm. He smiled and turned to leave only to stop at your words. Low. Almost indistinguishable. Yet, crystal clear to him. “Thank you, Higgs. Goodnight..”

His stoic façade crumbled as his heart skipped. A soft smile graced his lips as he whispered, “Goodnight, (Y/N).”

During the healing process, Higgs obviously continued with his usual shenanigans but he did also care for you. He would cook you food, made sure you wouldn’t over exert yourself, and always come to your aid when you asked. A caring side you hardly saw. A side he typical hid from others. But, now he couldn’t from you. You said it yourself, you were his friend. Possibly his only true friend in this insane world. However, you were so much more than that. To Higgs, you were his home. A safe place to always run to, a place he could let his guard down and be himself.

You laid on the couch as Higgs peeled back the bandages. His cold fingers skimmed over the wound causing you to shiver. He looked up at you with a smirk, “Nervous?”

You rolled your eyes. “No, your fingers are fucking cold.”

“Oh, really?” His fingers danced over your stomach and sides.

You squirmed as a giggle bubbled in your throat. Quickly, you forced it down then latched your hands around his wrists. “Stop it and just remove my stitches … please.”

“Fine,” he sighed dramatically. “And only because you said please.”

You let go of his wrists then worked to carefully remove all the stitches. He cleaned up the wound and tugged down your shirt. “Thanks,” you mumbled sitting up.

“No problem, sweetheart.”

You hopped up stretching a bit. Slightly sore, but nothing unlike before. You were not at one hundred percent, but in a few more days you could go back to being a porter. Back to a halfway normal life. “Alright, I’m taking a shower,” you said.

Higgs put away the medical supplies before smiling up at you. “Are you implying that you want me to join you? Because I can. I could help you –“

You cut him off. “No, that’s – fuck, just shut up. I’m fine.”

“Okay,” he stood up with his hands on his hips, “but if I hear you fall then I’m busting in.”

“Don’t you dare.”

He crossed into your personal space. “Nah, I think I will.”

You scoffed. “Then I’m locking the door.”

He vanished from view. A crackle sounded from behind you a second later. He loomed behind you leaning in towards your ear. “You can try.”

Your skin warmed at his hot breath. Higgs chuckled as he walked back in front of you. “Okay, I won’t bother you. But, after your little shower I want to show you something.”

“I’m guessing I don’t have much of a choice.”

“Nope.”

“Fine,” you huffed.

Minutes later, you strolled back into the living room completely refreshed. Higgs sat on the couch glancing over at you. He smiled, “Well, don’t you look nice.”

You raised an eyebrow. “I’m wearing sweats.”

“Me too. And yet somehow you definitely wear it better, darlin’.” He winked.

“What did you want to show me?” You ignored his comment walking forward. You bent over the back of the couch staring into those beautiful eyes of his.

He smirked then teleported behind you. You whirled around to see his hand extended out to you. “Do you trust me?” he asked.

You snorted. “That’s a loaded question.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, just take my hand.”

You inhaled through your teeth and jokingly said, “Ooo, I don’t know.”

“Please?”

“Well since you asked so nicely.” You grabbed his hand. Instantly, he yanked you close pressing you firmly against his chest. Your hands splayed over his chest as his arms wrapped around your waist. He smiled as your cockiness seconds ago faded, “Ready?”

You blushed slightly but tried to play it off. You rolled your eyes, “So, where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise, darlin’.”

With a zap, the surroundings changed. Your bunkers replaced with the vast sky and gorgeous greenery. You stood on top of a cliff with a thick almost overgrown forest painted the darkest green you’ve ever seen directly behind you and at the bottom of the cliff. Flowers of all colors speckled, glowed, in the tall soft grass. A calm breeze blew past you sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. Even a few birds chirped in the distance. You peeled away from Higgs soaking in all of the beautiful details.

“Found this spot a couple months ago,” Higgs explained. “Always changing thanks to the timefall but still beautiful every time I visit.”

You plopped down running your hands over the grass. You inhaled closing your eyes for a second enjoying the scent of fresh flowers. “God, I really missed this,” you sighed dreamily.

Higgs dropped down beside you. “Why else would I bring you here?”

“To toss me over,” you joked looking at him.

“I would never.” A smile twitched on his lips. “Who else am I going to annoy?”

You laughed shaking your head. “True, and who else is going to keep me entertained?”

He chuckled.

Enjoying the moment, you rested your head against his shoulder. He tensed for a second, a knee jerk reaction, then relaxed. “Hey, Higgs,” you said.

He hummed.

“Thanks. For everything.”

He glanced down at you. “No problem.”

“Although, you were annoying as shit sometimes.” He snorted while you continued, “But, you helped me. Without you, I would be dead so thank you.”

He wrapped his arms around your shoulder bringing you in closer. “Anything for you, darlin’.”