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thepaperpanda · 4 years ago

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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."

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lethalchiralium · 2 years ago

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Do Us Part | Higgs Monaghan x GN!Reader

a/n: hi!! yes, it’s higgs. this is literally so old, like i’m talking like april of last year kind of old, and it’s been finished this whole time. this is the sequel to i will destroy you. the title is the ending part of “til death do us part”, we’re also ignoring that i’m so incredibly stressed that writing is now my only outlet 🤠

summary: the end of days for you and higgs by the hand of one extinction entity.

“Thank you, Fragile.”

Fragile nodded at Sam before she jumped through space again, landing back at the Fragile Express Headquarters in South Knot. Her office was dark, it usually was; the day was slowing down for now and being alone felt like heaven. She could rest easier now that she knew America was going to be alright.

She flicked on the light before she kneeled down and untied her boots. As soon as she stood, a hand was pressed against her mouth and she teleported away, holding a gun to the intruder’s head.

“Higgs.”

“I’m not here to hurt you.” His hands were up, his eyes wide and his ego gone. Fragile’s eyebrows furrowed.

“You’re lying.”

“No no no, I promise, I just need you to do somethin’ for me.”

Fragile cocked the gun, Higgs’ eyes never moved from her’s. “I need to get Sam to take me to Amelie’s Beach.” He spoke in a hushed tone. “She kidnapped Y/N.”

She scoffed, her grip on the gun tightening. “Like I’d believe you.”

Higgs presses himself against the wall behind him, fear painted his face. “Your best porter is missing ‘n you ain’t doin’ jack shit.”

Fragile stared at him, eyes burning as Higgs tried to keep himself together. Every alarm was going off in his head on how to save you, and yet he couldn’t; he was powerless against Amelie head-on. If he was able to sneak around her, he would be able to possibly save you. He would be able to hold you in his arms again and never let you go.

“Fragile, please.” His voice cracked a little and his defense went down a little. She faltered, the gun dipped a little.

“I didn’t know you were capable of feelings, Higgs.”

His eyes looked away. “Just help me.”

“No.”

Fragile jumped, her body vanished into black particles and Higgs was left alone in her office, tears starting the fall down his face. How did he ever think that she would help him? He destroyed her life.

He had to get creative.

He had to save you.

•••

“Up.”

Your body moved slowly, the hand that roughly gripped your forearm didn’t help the ache that spread throughout your body. The sand scraped your skin again as this ungodly woman dragged you twenty feet into the open, the light shone in your tired eyes. You looked away, the dark cave Amelie kept you in made your eyes adjust harshly to the daylight.

“I assume you won’t try to pull anything on me?”

You mumbled a soft “yes”, to which Amelie then roughly tossed you to the ground. You let out a harsh cough, the exhaustion crept up on you. You wanted to crawl into your knees, but you barely had the strength to lay on your back to ponder if staying alive all this time was worth it. You could��ve easily bargained away anything to escape, but you knew it wouldn’t work. From the last encounter, you knew you were the prize she was dangling over your sweet and loving Higgs.

“Amelie,” You heard the distant voice of your lover and your lip quivered, “I did what you wanted. I’ve done everything you’ve wanted, let Y/N leave this fucking place.”

You turned your head to the right, seeing the towering figure of Higgs and the terrifying picture of Amelie staying unafraid of him. You wished you could tell him right now that you were sorry for getting stuck in this mess, for trying to save him from her but you knew, deep down, that it wasn’t worth it. If you had just listened to him for once, you would be home with him but instead you were facing certain death. Her hands sat behind her back and she spoke with unwavering power. “Bow to me.”

You heard Higgs’ audible disgust, even thirty to forty feet away. At least he still had his dignity, you thought. “To you? No. Never.”

Your back began to feel heavy as thick sludge began to rise around your body, you tried to sit up but hands grabbed your shoulders, holding you there.

Panic coursed through your veins, and Amelie scowled. “Y/N will die here, and because of your own selfishness. Bow to me, Higgs, before my hand is forced to kill your lover. I’m sure it would be such a pity to see the life drained from-“

“Shut the fuck up!” Higgs snapped and your eyes never left his figure as he slowly got on one knee, bowing his head in defeat. You gasped softly, yet he still heard you, his head moved up and his eyes darted to yours as tears fell from your own. You shook your head and mouthed “No” to him, but all he gave you was an apologetic glance before he truly bowed his head.

“Hi... Higgs...” You hiccuped as the sound of particles clashing interrupted you, only for a new voice to sound.

“Amelie?”

It happened too fast, Higgs pounced onto Amelie with his golden mask in hand and placed it on her face as her hand raised towards you, the pressure on your entire body made you want to scream, but the BTs dragged you away from the scene to an overhang.

It felt like hours of hearing bullets spray the Beach before it finally stopped, and silence combed over the area with a dreadful pull of anxiety. The sounds of the ocean that you shouldn’t have been able to hear began to drown your ears, it was like sinking into water that you were nowhere near.

Down, down, down, your heart sank more as you felt the defeat shred your heart. Higgs was stuck in that woman’s clutch, and he’d be dead soon too; a pawn that learned nothing from the game.

You jumped in your skin so harshly that you thought that you were the one being shot by the singular gunshot. Your eyes darted around, seeing nothing; no person, no gun, no bullet hole near you. You let out a rushed breath before you sat up, the feeling of drowning that was constantly in your chest had now suddenly dispersed; whatever that sound was had released Amelie’s hold on you.

That pressure in your chest was almost immediately replaced with dread, what if she was waiting to pounce? What if she killed Higgs and was coming for you?

You swallowed harshly. What if she shot Higgs?

That thought alone would have made you panic and cry, but your fight or flight instincts kicked in; you had to get to Higgs. You placed one foot in the sand and pushed yourself up, everything in your body screamed at you to lay down and sleep, but you couldn’t sit and wait for her to kill you.

You took only five steps before you heard someone jump behind you and you whipped around, only to see the woman that made you terrified to even breathe.

Her arm was behind her back while the other sat at her side, her eyes stared at you with an emotion you didn’t want to accept: condolence.

She gave you a twisted smile and you already knew, no words had to leave her lips at all for you to realize that that connection you could almost always feel with Higgs was gone.

“Y/N...”

“Don’t you fucking speak to me!” You bellowed as a fire in your eyes ignited, the previous feeling to flee this place was gone. Why leave here if you couldn’t be with the one you love? “Don’t...”

“Higgs is dead.”

The next moment went by in a blur, she appeared in front of you and her cold hand grabbed your hand, placing something even colder in its grasp before she vanished again.

You felt what it was and you didn’t want to look at it to make this real. Is this even real? You could be dreaming, hallucinating, having a nightmare- anything would be better than this. Tears fell down your face one by one, slowly at first, as you stared off into the distance of this desolate place; your eyes watched as time passed and the sky became pink.

Your body shook even harder every second before a scream erupted into the air, you didn’t know where it came from and little did you care.

It had felt like years before your knees hit the sand again, but it had actually been only a few minutes since Amelie had disappeared. The screams never stopped but you wanted it to, your ears began to hurt but somehow you knew it wouldn’t stop.

Because it was your screams.

Because Higgs’ bloodied wedding ring sat in your clutch.

———

#death stranding #higgs monaghan #higgs monaghan x reader #higgs monaghan x neutral!reader #troy baker #sam porter bridges #higgs #higgs monaghan death stranding #lethalchiralium #lethal chiralium #fragile #fragile express

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samfrancis94 · 3 years ago

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'HAPPY BIRTHDAY PORTER!'

It's my birthday today! 🎂And guess what I got! A DS-themed birthday piece with Heartman, Higgs and Sam wishing me Happy Birthday! 😍😍

My biggest, most heartfelt and deepest appreciation and gratitude for this amazing, lovely and most beautiful birthday gift from the amazing @voidoutbt @missteal1-blog! Thank you, hun, for your time, effort and talent to create this wonderful piece for me! I am very very touched! I love it!

And here is the piece for y'alls to enjoy, too!

==========================

How the Holy Trinity (me and @voidoutbt 3 fave characters) of Death Stranding would wish you a happy birthday.

Reader x Heartman/Higgs/Sam

Heartman -

Your cufflink beeps to inform you have an incoming holo message from Heartman. The nerdy beach scientist appears in his usual bright blue suit, straightens his glasses and clears his throat. "I understand that today is the anniversary of the date of your birth! As is custom for such an occasion, I have arranged for a cake to be delivered to your room, as well as some champagne from Time Fall Farm. You will also find a small gift to remember me by. I am sorry that I cannot be there in person at the moment, but perhaps you could pop round to my lab when I'm back from the beach later for a celebratory drink..." The sound of his heart alarm resonates."...enjoy yourself Dear! I must go." with that, he gives you a big thumbs up with +20 likes added to your account. You turn to see a cobalt blue iced cake on your table with 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' and candles alit. Beside it are two bottles of Timefall farm champagne, one that has a hand written note reading 'For later X'. Next to the bottles sits a little gift, a blue iridescent heart shaped bag charm that grants extra likes from completed orders.

Higgs -

The door to your private room bell rings. You open it to a tall porter stood infront of you, his face obscured in shadow by his cap. "Uh, Sam I presume?" you recognise the voice, but its slightly higher than usual, you try not to laugh. He produces a pizza delivery box from behind his back. "Special delivery for you!" You can see his dark smirk and his goatee. You step aside so you can enter the room. He places the pizza box on your table, the smell of your favourite flavour hitting you. Before you can do or say anything, he strongly pushes you to a seated position and whips off his cap. Higgs' blue eyes gleam with mischief as he starts to hum, slowly unzipping his porter suit in front of you. He performs a sensually slow dance to his own version of 'Happy birthday Mister President', as you watch with anticipation what he has on underneath. He strips to reveal a sexy little black corset lingerie set, kicking the Porter suit away and swinging his long legs over your lap. He sits on you, his arms draped over your shoulders, and kisses your cheek, before taking a long wet lick up the side of your face and ear for good measure. He makes direct intense eye contact with you and flutters his long eyelashes, "Happy Birthday Darlin'!"

Sam -

You get back to your room from a hard day doing deliveries, to find Sam sat on your bed in casual clothing. "Hey birthday boy! I brought you some beers!" he takes a swig from one himself. "Thought we could chill together for the eve?" He seems a lot more chipper than usual, like he's really trying hard to be sociable for once. "How about I take you on a ride first?"

You tightly clutch his muscular abdomen as he speeds the trike through the landscape, feeling the warmth radiate between you in the cool air. He pulls up to a cliff overlooking a valley. The sun was setting, and as you watch it casts beautiful colours of yellow, orange, pink and purple across the skyline, and shadows filters through the basin below. You smile at the magnificent view. He turns to you, "Wanna go watch some movies together?"

You spend the rest of the evening snuggled up cozily with Sam, watching films, munching on snacks, and laughing your cares away.

#death stranding #higgs monaghan #heartman #sam porter bridges #higgs x reader #heartman x reader #sam x reader #heartman x higgs x sam x reader #not mine #birthday gift #happy birthday to me #birthday #ds fanfic #death stranding fanfic #birthday present

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swannscroft · 3 years ago

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she's like a girl on the moon- fragile x reader

[read on ao3]

#fragile deserves all the love #fragile x reader #death stranding #fragile #fragile death stranding #sam porter bridges #norman reedus #higgs monaghan #lea seydoux

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danddymaro · 4 years ago

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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

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wintrsss · 2 years ago

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『S/O with High Level DOOMs』

Fandom: Death Stranding.

Characters: Sam, Higgs, Cliff.

Request: Can you maybe do Headcannons for a reader with high level DOOMS? Like sometimes just forgetting that (other then higgs) their S/O doesn't have DOOMS like they do? Not in like a dangerous situation but more like teleporting behind them and scaring them accidentally. How would they react and so on with things that just come with being a high level?

Genre: Fluff, Headcanon.

Warnings: None. Reader is gender neutral!

A/N: I'm sure you only wanted Sam and Higgs, but I included Cliff bc I love him <3 let's pretend he knows abt DOOMs

Requests open!

.ೃ࿐

Sam Porter Bridges

You'll scare the hell outta him if you teleport without letting him know about it, but with how reticent he is, you probably wouldn't notice

He only knows a handful of people who have DOOMs and only two can teleport, it's rare for him to see one who can. Can't blame him for getting a little alarmed

He is more than happy to pass you some spare cryptobiotes in the case you getting tired from teleporting. You clearly need them more than he does

He will get a little worried once you tell him you're at a high level, with all the repercussions it has, but other than that, he won't dwell on it too much

Sam isn't very good at dealing with emotional problems, but he is a good listener. If you need an ear to talk to about those nightmares, he'll stay quietly at your side. Sometimes he'll say some things that Amelie told him to make him feel better, hoping they'll help you too

He'd rather you not resort to any sort of violence unless it's self defense; there's no need for it. But hey, if you really wanna let off some steam, you should do it to the MULEs or something to clear the area for future porters. Do some good with it at least, right?

Higgs Monaghan

Half of him is excited to see you at a higher level like he is, the other half wants to show his superiority to you in every way

Sure, you can teleport like he can, but can you control BTs? Nuh uh, didn't think so

So yeah, with the many times he tries to brush aside your dooms abilities as less than par (compared to him), he's totally forgotten at least once

But after the first scare, you wont get him again! That's a promise!

With nightmares however, he may not understand your fear in them, seeing as he's already accepted mass extinction. He'll probably just tell you to go back to sleep without any thought

But if he sees you really shook from it, he'll at least try to comfort you, but it'll end up seeming really half-assed; he's just not used to cheering people up

Higgs isn't gonna be the one to dissuade you from any violent urges you may experience with DOOMs, in fact he's going to fuel the fire and encourage you to act upon these thoughts. Only thing he draws the line at is you hurting yourself

Cliff Unger

I would not advise trying to scare him with your teleporting because you WILL get put to the ground

He wasn't an army captain for no reason, his reflexes undoubtedly prove that

But with how tired you get from doing that, Cliff strongly advises you to not use it so often, especially if it's for your own pleasure of getting a reaction out of him

You having DOOMs fascinates him, he'd love to learn more if you're willing to tell him about it

He can empathize to an extent on the nightmares you receive from this condition, having had plenty of his own in the past, he'll do his best to try to comfort you during the bad ones, rubbing your back and whispering soft affirmations to you

He knows he doesn't have to, but he likes to wipe away your chiral tears

Cliff doesn't want you following the same path of destruction he's gone to, so he'll keep on eye out in any changes in your behavior so that he can help in any way he can

#death stranding #death stranding fanfic #death stranding x reader #cliff unger x reader #higgs monaghan x reader #sam porter bridges x reader #cliff unger #clifford unger #clifford unger x reader #death stranding headcanons #sam porter bridges #higgs monaghan

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bridgesfalldown · 5 years ago

Text

Y'all, should I make a Sub!Bottom!Omega!Higgs and Sam discord?

Update: already did. Invite on my blog

#death stranding #male!reader x higgs #higgs monaghan #sam porter bridges #sam bridges

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thepaperpanda · 4 years ago

Text

DEATH STRANDING CHRISTMAS

Summary: It's Christmas time and love is in the air. What will happen when everyone will be reunited that day?

Warnings: None

Words: 6637

Authors: Cass & Rouge

A/N: Merry Christmas! Wishing you all the happiness your holiday can hold!

Allured by the peace and quietness and the scent of freshly baked Christmas cake coming from a canteen, you took your lingering gaze off of the enormous Christmas tree adorned with glistening ornaments and glowing fairy lights draped around it that stood in the middle of the huge chamber that was usually serving as a dayroom.

As the evening sky faded away, the pink and orange hues were replaced with dark shades of blue.

The festively designed decorations, illuminated with blinking Christmas lights, vibrant ornaments and brightly colored signs, were lined up along either side of the corridor.

As you entered the canteen, the loud, spirited laughter of people could be heard over the continuous chatter surrounding the vivacious atmosphere; it brought a wide smile to your lips.

It's been a great time without Christmas, and you truly couldn't understand how it was possible that no one has ever tried to bring the magnificent spirit of Christmas back.

This year it'll be different, you told yourself half a month prior when you visited Die-Hardman with a plan for Christmas arrangements.

In the canteen you made sure that everything was going well.

There it was, as clear as the sky on a scorching summer day, that particular aroma, that perfect blend of spicy and sweet - gingerbreads were baked.

Die-Hardman stepped into the canteen as well, he wore his best suit and tie; he looked as festive as if this were a normal family reunion. "Y/N," he nodded at you a little. "As I can see, everything's in place, my sincere congratulations, the truth is I didn't think you'll be able to set all this."

With a grin playing in the corners of your lips you gave the bid back. "Yes, sir, apparently I made everything, with the little help of Sam who, just between us, wasn't a fan of the idea though."

"Little help? I had to bring the whole tree in, you think it was easy?," Sam walked in looking up at the Christmas tree, while holding his BB pod. "Not to mention I had to run to get all of the trinkets you placed on that poor tree. What is it for anyway?"

"Y/N found old records about Christmas. She decided to organize some on her own, for us all," Dead man explained. "I think she did it nicely. Like in some old photos."

"Yeah, sure." Sam muttered. "At least it looks like Lou likes it."

"Of course I did nicely! I did my best!," You claimed happily and Die-Hardman chuckled deeply.

"So... You did all of that for five of us? Kinda excessive if you ask me," Sam said and walked closer to the tree to show colorful light to Lou.

"Not only for five, there will be more. That's what Y/N promised, isn't it Y/N?," Deadman said looking at you.

You nodded and walked to him. He wore a sweatshirt with reindeer dressed in a Christmas hat. "Correct. Also let me tell ya that I love your sweatshirt!"

Die-Hardman led everyone closer to the Christmas tree. "Okay, I hope that rest will join us…” His sentence was cut off by Cliff who appeared out of nowhere.

He was having a red hat with pompom and was dressed like Santa Claus. "Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas everyone! Hope I didn't get late! My men, it took them too much time to get dressed properly!," He chuckled and few of his comrades appeared right behind him. This time they weren't having rifles with them but a lot of bags with presents wrapped in colorful paper.

Sam blinked a few times, he turned to you. "How... How did you do that?," He asked quietly.

"We are here finally!," Mama said happily as she and Lockne joined the party. Both sisters dressed in colors perfect for christmas. "Mama couldn't find her glasses," Lockne added.

You hugged them both. "It's so good to see you again!," You claimed and clapped your hands.

Soon, there was a cracking sound and Amelie joined you. As always she wore a red, fitted dress and she was holding a few packages in her hands. She put them under the Christmas tree and gave a smile to Sam. "Merry Christmas, Sam. Merry Christmas to everyone!"

Sam gave a flat smile and nodded. "Merry Christmas, Amelie," he said, turning Lou to all the guests. "Look how many people are here."

Another cracking sound filled the room and Fragile showed up. "Merry Christmas to everyone?"

"It looks like your plan worked out perfectly, Y/N. How did you do that?," Deadman asked. "It's a lot of people in one place."

"I messaged everyone, and if it comes to Amelie, let's just skip this though," you chuckled. "I asked them to come, and I told them that we can't simply give upon our traditions just because Death Stranding is on. They agreed," you replied.

After a few minutes the door to the dayroom slid open and Heartman entered with dancing moves. "Hey, guys! Oh, Mama! Good to see you! Magnificent! Wow! You also have a Christmas tree! And decorations! Hmm, am I correct?! Is this true?! Do I sense gingerbreads?!," He almost sang.

"Someone had too much Christmas, maybe it wasn't a good idea to pull him out of the lab... His heart... Ya know the deal, right?," Sam asked you quietly with a frown.

"Sam grumpy as ever," Fragile said, walking up to the two of you. "This was an amazing idea Y/N. Oh! Sam I have gift for little one."

Sam raised his eyebrow and handed the pod to Fragile. "Hi there, Lou. Merry Christmas," she said before pulling out a little sweater and putting it around the pod. "Oh! Look at this!"

"Lou looks like a little candy! How cute is that!," You clapped hands and walked to Heartman to place a brief kiss to his cheek as a greeting. "Hey there handsome, I'm so glad you've accepted my invitation."

"How could I not?," he chuckled. "For this special occasion I turned the AED off."

"Let's just hope he won't suddenly drop dead during the supper... Or whatever Y/N prepared," Sam said and looked at the pod in Fragile hands.

She only giggled and raised the pod. "Cliff! What do you think? It's cute, right?"

Both Mama and Lockne let out a loud aww sound at the sight of BB wearing the sweater.

"So Y/N. You are the head of this whole thing. What should we do now, the truth is not everyone knows what to do during Christmas," Deadman said, looking around.

Cliff approached Fragile who held Lou and tapped the glass with his finger. "Hey, BB, you're the cutest BB of all time!"

"Okay, guys!," You whistled loudly to get their attention. "First, I want to say something," you announced happily. "I'm so glad to see you all here, in this place. It has a very symbolic meaning to me, we're one, just like our beautiful country will be when Sam will finish connecting all cities to the chiral network," you smiled at them, tugging on the dress you wore. "It means a lot as we all are one. We are one in our mutual experiences, in our closeness and understanding..."

You slipped your glance along everyone in the room. "Merry Christmas! You can have a snack, they're on the table," you nodded in the direction of the table where a lot of dishes were awaiting to be consumed, including huge roasted turkey. "Later, after dinner, we will have a very important encounter with Santa Claus!," You winked at Cliff who nodded slightly.

A loud cracking sound filled the room. "HELLO THERE BRIDGES! Merry fucking Christmas, guys!," Higgs yelled loudly, not bothered by all the looks he got. "Why do you look at me like that? Oh yes, yes, I know. I should bring a gift but I didn't have enough parts to build another nuke," he rolled his eyes, waving his hand around.

You shook your head as Heartman instinctively shielded you with his body. "Who is he?," You asked with curiosity in your tone.

"That's Higgs. The man who blew a few cities out of America's map," Heartman informed you quietly.

Amelie put hands to her hips. "I wasn't aware you're going to be here as well, Higgs," she almost snorted.

Die-Hardman gave the newcomer a mean glance. "Seriously? Even on such a day you need to destroy everything?"

Meantime, your glance was still on the man in the hood.

"Wooooooow, I feel so welcomed here," Higgs said, removing his hood off his head. "I destroy stuff, it's just my thing but I see something else I can destroy."

Higgs suddenly vanished and then appeared right behind you.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here? Thanks, heartboy," he said picking you up to take a look at you. "Ain't ya a beauty that is worth to be taken under the mistletoe?"

Sam facepalmed. "There is no day with break."

You blinked but being taken completely aback by stranger's action, you had to wrap arms around his neck to support yourself. "Uhm, hi there, sir. Can you consider putting me down though? I feel pretty intimidated," you whispered, your eyes fixed on his, and dear Beach, his eyes were so magnetising!

Amelie sighed. "It's Christmas after all, guys. I think we should let him stay. In such a time no one should be alone."

Die-Hardman agreed with the lady in red. "Amelie's right."

Sam blinked. "Seriously? He nuked two cities and planned to nuke the third one. “You can't be serious!"

Higgs giggled, patting your hips. "Being intimidating is my second name, sugar," he pretended to think about your request. "Well I don't know. I love little sweet girls like you, maybe I will take you as my gift."

"To be fair, director, Higgs is a highly dangerous man. He proved this many times," Deadman added.

"I like this guy. He makes me blush," Higgs said and then looked at you. "I think I may have a gift for you, sugar,” he added before giving you a golden mask.

You took it in hand and fitted it to your face. "Gangsta!," You chuckled and ran to the nearest mirror to have a look. "Ha! This is so cool!"

You waited for him to approach you. "My name's Y/N. And you're Higgs, that's what Heartman told me."

Heartman looked after you and blinked. "She's impossible. Jumping like a puppy but this is what happens when a young girl is alone for too long, am I right, Mama?"

Amelie walked to Deadman and put hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. I know what he did but maybe by showing him kindness we'll get more than by following his game."

Die-Hardman cleared his throat. "Okay. Let's take the seats and have a meal. This is a special day, everyone deserves kindness, just like Amelie said."

Cliff took BB from Sam and set it on the chair right next to him. "Can someone pass me the knife? I forgot my army knife and someone has to cut the turkey!"

BB rolled in the pod and giggled waving at Sam.

Mama and her sister frowned looking at Heartman.

"What was that supposed to mean?," Mama asked, offended.

"Yes, what was that supposed to mean?," Lockne repeated after her sister.

Deadman nodded at Amelie's comment. "Maybe you are right."

"Oh! I have a knife, army-man!," Higgs said loudly, presenting his own knife. "I never leave it. Maybe you should learn this too," he chuckled before being pulled away by Fragile.

"You better behave if you want to stay here. Be normal for one single day," she growled and Higgs nodded. "Okay! Okay! Noted! I wouldn't dear to fuck up Y/N's day. I bet she worked her ass off for all of this."

You took your seat at the table, right between Sam and Fragile.

Cliff took the golden knife from Higgs' hands, offering the tall man a suspicious glance. "I hope you're not the guy who's bothering my son and Lou. Otherwise, I'd have to kill you," he informed with a cold grimace in his face which quickly vanished and was replaced by a grin. "Okay! Who wants the chicken?! Hey!," He got up and glanced at his comrades who were trying to sneak to the tree and gifts located under. "Behave! Get back to the table! No turkey, no presents! For fuck's sake, I asked you all to behave! How many times did we train the entire thing?!"

One of the army men quickly got back to the table. "Uhm, few," he admitted and took the helmet off, placing it on the polished floor.

"And what did I say?," Cliff asked while cutting the turkey.

"We get in, we greet living beings, we have a meal, we behave, we get presents and we have a party."

Heartman laughed loudly. "Cliff, I have to say you're having a huge authority among them. What a situation!"

Amelie offered everyone a grin. "Does anyone want some potatoes?"

Higgs sat right next to Sam and gave Cliff an innocent smile.

"Oh no, Mr Sam's dad. I am a good boy, my twin brother bothers Sam. Besides, Sam bothers me too! He keeps destroying my plans! And BTs!," He whimpered dramatically.

Sam only rolled his eyes and moved a little closer to you to get away from the terrorist.

"I’ve seen them before yet they still freak the fuck out of me," he whispered to you, looking at the soldiers.

"I can say the same…," Fragile said quietly

"I am so surprised they are so…," Mama said, thinking about the right word.

"Obedient," Lockne added quickly. “We expected them to be... How to name it?"

"Creatures of chaos," Mama finished.

You smiled at Sam and quickly turned head to face Lockne and Mama. "It's called discipline, right, Mr Unger?"

Cliff offered you a bright grin. "The girl's smart. I like her. If my son wouldn't have this phobia of his, I bet he would take a chance on you."

BB rolled in the pod.

Amelie chuckled and covered her lips with a curled hand. "Actually, Cliff, Sam would be her father if he made an effort..."

Heartman laughed loudly before he stopped his outburst, he also raised his thumb up. "And 20 likes go to Lady Strand! What a beautiful, honest summary!"

Higgs laughed and patted Sam's back. "Well! Ya know guys, some men like younger girls. Honestly I would love to get Y/N in my hands. To pin her down and just…," Higgs didn't finish his sentence because he got smacked on the back of the head by Fragile.

"Behave," she growled after getting back in her seat.

"To be fair, since we got on that topic. I don't think the age difference should be a taboo any longer," Deadman said before digging into his meal. "World is shattered, we should do what we can to make sure humanity doesn't die. Of course while keeping some moral boundaries."

"Do we really have to talk about such stuff now?," Sam groaned, rolling his eyes. "I don't like this topic."

"Oh, why? Because you can't get laid, Sammy boy?," Higgs almost sang, teasing Sam.

Cliff rose from his seat and threw a glance to Higgs who quickly shut his mouth. "That's way better," Cliff said and pretended that he rose only to get the corn salad.

Die-Hardman took his mask off and started eating the turkey that Cliff handled to him. "I need to agree with Deadman. Humanity is on the edge of destruction and extinction..."

"... Thanks to terrorists like Higgs," Heartman added, his eyes fixed on the uninvited guest.

"That's not what I meant... However you're not wrong on this," Die-Hardman agreed. "What I meant is that we should take care of reproduction, to make sure that the human race will survive and will be able to rebuild our world. To make it great again."

You blushed hearing Higgs' words about him liking younger girls, so to hide it you grabbed the glass and drank the wine that was poured by Mama.

Amelie nodded as she was cutting her piece of turkey into little slices. "We all are sober yet the topics are getting interesting already. I'm curious what will be next."

BB swam a little and moved closer to Sam.

"Oh, BB, granddaddy is here too, look, look," Clifford waved hand to get Lou's attention and then he put the Santa Claus hat on, playing with the pompon. "Look, little one! Granddad is Santa Claus!"

"To be fair, Y/N and Sam would look cute together. Imagine the cute kids they would have!" Mama said excited and Lockne nodded eagerly. "I want to be an aunt!"

Fragile noticed your red face and smiled gently rubbing your shoulder. "It's okay Y/N. Family is like this. They will talk and then they will stop."

Higgs frowned looking at Heartman. "Hey! Heart boy! I don't see the world getting better thanks to science boys like you," he growled resting his elbow on Sam's shoulder.

Sam quickly pushed it off his shoulder with an annoyed sound.

Higgs rolled his eyes before digging into his food. "Oh, fucking shit! This shit is good! Fucking better than a pizza! Oh! By the way, Sam! Lately you started to bring it cold. I don't like it."

Sam let out a loud sigh. "Then start to move your ass. You can jump and grab it yourself."

"Naaah! Making you visit me is more fun!," Higgs giggled.

You were covered in a blush after Mama and Lockne's words. You tugged on Sam's sleeve. "I swear, this is my first and last Christmas Eve ever."

You also giggled hearing complaints made by Higgs.

Heartman got up to get another piece of mashed potatoes. "To your information, Higgs, we build, not destroy, and that's the difference you'll never understand, you little devil's spawn."

Clifford clapped his hands. "Come on, guys, eat, eat or we won't get to presents this year!"

Die-Hardman smiled at his friend. "It's good to see you among us, Clifford."

Unger grinned and turned head to you. "Hey, Y/N, what drinks do we have except wine? I don't say it's bad but as for a real man, like me or my son, we could have something stronger. Cognac or whiskey."

Heartman chuckled. "You can always get Monster with vodka. Pretty dangerous mix but tasty. Tried a few times."

Sam chuckled at your comment. "At least next year I will have less work to do," he joked.

"Now I know why your heart is so fucked up. Since you drink such a mixes," Higgs commented before licking his plate completely clean. "I ask for more!"

Lockne, Mama and Fragile followed Cliff's order and started to eat as well.

"Well... For me some beer is enough," Sam said checking on Lou.

"I'll go get the drinks," you offered and politely excused yourself before getting off the table.

Heartman quickly got up too. "I'll help Y/N."

Amelie offered mashed potatoes to Higgs. "You're pretty hungry, aren't you?"

"Hell fucking yeah I am! Sitting in the bunker or camp and eating cold pizza ain't easy, sweetheart," Highs nodded and started to eat as soon as he got more food on his plate.

"Such a diet isn't good. You should eat more healthy stuff," Deadman said.

Higgs only shrugged, being too busy with his food.

Fragile sighed and shook her head. "No manners. You should spend some time with Clif to learn something, Higgs."

"Oh, I'd gladly train you, young man," Clifford said. "With me above you, you'd be running smoothly."

"I'm sorry, I know that thing I'll say is totally wrong but I imagined some other things, Clifford. With Monaghan beneath... Oh, dear God, forgive me for I have sinned," Heartman added before he left the room with you.

Die-Hardman spat himself with the wine he was drinking.

BB started chuckling.

Amelie blinked and facepalmed. "Maybe extinction is not a bad idea?"

Meantime, you and Heartman were in the pantry, collecting bottles of alcohol and cans of Monster and beer.

"I think that this little party is great, Y/N," Heartman stated. "Thank you for this opportunity of having some substitute for normal life, it's been a while since I felt truly happy," his voice broke a little, so you put the bottle of Jack Daniels and simply gave him a bear hug.

Sam choked on his food.

Mama and Lockne laughed loudly. "Not to offend anyone, that would be something nice to watch," Lockne said with a giggle.

Higgs hummed. "Sorry, ladies! I am more of a top but if any of you are interested, I am single as a pringle and ready to mingle. Just I am not into man, sorry, Mr Sam's papa."

Sam blinked, taking in what just happened and after a moment he groaned. It was a bit too much for him.

Soon, you and Heartman returned. You walked to Cliff and handed him a bottle of whiskey.

Heartman poured some vodka to everyone who wanted and handled Sam a can of beer.

"So, Y/N, are you enjoying the fest you threw?," Amelie asked with her soft glance on you.

"Yes, I do, even if I cringe from time to time, I think it's cute to have you all in one place."

You then turned to Fragile. "Hey, do you know something more about that Higgs guy who got here on blackballed? I need to think about something for him. I prepared gifts for everyone but him. I didn't expect anyone else to join," you whispered leaning to the woman.

Die-Hardman looked at Mama. "How is your research? Did you fix Sam's qupid?"

Mama nodded. "We did actually. Everything should be more than good once he is out again."

"It wasn't a hard fix. Just a few updates and it's working perfectly again," Lockne said before taking a sip of her wine.

"Uuuu! Smart ladies! I like it!," Higgs nudged Sam with elbow. "I need to get to know them. Twins are like two in one deal!"

"I am not doing that," Sam muttered with a frown.

Fragile looked at you. "Oh trust me, I know him a bit too much. He shouldn't get a gift for being a bad person," Fragile stated quietly.

"Yeah, I understand, but it will be in a bad tone to not gift one person... Ok, I'll think of something."

An hour passed on many talks, the atmosphere was filled with laughter.

"Dears, did anyone see Cliff?," Die-Hardman asked as he spotted his friend was missing.

You also vanished from the room.

BB was already sleeping and Amelie was sitting with Heartman, chatting like there was no tomorrow.

"I think Y/N took him to the other room," Sam said, looking at sleeping Lou.

"Maybe she decided to extend the human kind with him!," Higgs said quickly. "Since his son didn't want her, daddy decided to try it. I can't blame her," he shrugged.

"Just shut your mouth, Higgs," Sam growled.

Higgs giggled and continued to drink his beer.

"Hey, wait a minute, Lockne and Mama are gone, too," Heartman said as he was pulled from deep conversation with Amelie.

"Foursome?," Higgs purred while Sam facepalmed together with Fragile.

"Y/N probably planned something special. She prepared Christmas in smaller details," Deadman nodded his head a little. "The food was great."

"That's true!," Sam added.

Suddenly, the music came out of speakers.

Last Christmas I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special

"HO-HO-HO!," The main door slid open and Clifford dressed as Santa Claus entered the room. He was having a huge bag thrown over his shoulder, his hat with pompom was tilted slightly.

His four comrades were having reindeer hats on.

You, Lockne and Mama entered the room right behind him, all three of you dressed in white, short dresses with wings made of silky material and snowflake patterns on your dresses, rocking to the music.

"Come here, children! I hope you all were good for the last year, ho-ho-ho!," Clifford took a seat in a huge armchair you borrowed from Die-Hardman. "It's time for presents!"

"So maybe Lou first, he is the youngest one, huh? What do you say?," Sam said softly, tapping on the glass gently to wake up the BB.

"I can go a second round! I am the most important bad guy here," Higgs said full of pride.

"Today my little, beautiful helpers will set the order, ho-ho-ho!," Clifford laughed deeply.

In the tact of music, Mama danced toward Sam and picked the pod with Lou from him.

"So, young gentleman, I know you've been a good, little bean, so I need to get inside my bag of presents to get yours! Aha! I have it!," Clifford pulled a new pod out, with the ribbon wrapped around it. "More space for dance, huh?"

Meantime, the song ended and the next one was on.

I sing this song

To pass the time away

Driving in my car

Driving home for Christmas

"Deadman for sure will move you into it as soon as possible. You should like it," Mama said with a smile.

"And Now back to papa," Lockne took BB and his gift to bring them back to Sam.

"Me now!," Higgs got up from his place and sat on Cliff's laps.

"So! Mr Santa-Sam's dad, what do you have for me, huh?," He smiled. "I was the best fucking boy the whole year!"

Cliff gently nudged Higgs' side to make him get off his lap. Clifford rubbed his long, white, fake beard. "We all know you've been the baddest but thankfully the beautiful lady over there," he pointed at you, "decided that you also deserved the gift. Let me find it in my bag of miracles."

Clifford reached into his bag and pulled the nicely wrapped box, he handled it to Monaghan. "Merry fucking Christmas, asshole."

It was nothing but a book about Egyptian mythology and a handmade cloak that was originally meant to be for Heartman.

"Thank you fucking much!," Higgs said excited and quickly returned to his seat to look at the stuff he got. He already loved them.

"So? Who's next... Maybe our Director." Mama said and walked to Die-hardman. "C'mon. Everyone gets something today."

Die-Hardman chuckled but let the lady scientist lead him to Clifford.

"And you!," Fake Santa Claus said, "You've been good, too. Here's your gift, merry Christmas!"

Die-Hardman was gifted with the themed tie with reindeers and with a polishing paste.

"It's for your mask, so it will always look classy," you smiled at him and as he returned to his seat, you walked to Heartman and grabbed him by palm.

"Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas, Heartman!," Clifford grinned widely and gave the man a heart-shaped box, in which Heartman found a pair of gloves with heart motiv on each and a CD with classical music.

"Thank you, Y/N," he smiled brightly at you and kissed your cheek. "It's the best gift."

Sam looked at Fragile. "Go on. I am sure Santa also got something for you."

Woman nodded and got up from her seat to walk closer to Santa. "Well, I was a good girl. I think at least. I tried," Fragile said slowly.

"Dear Fragile, and your gift is in my bag, that's for sure! Just be patient as the old man will find it!," Clifford chuckled and soon gifted the woman with a new umbrella with Fragile logo.

Then it was time for Deadman who got new glasses.

Amelie was gifted with a golden necklace that fit her dress perfectly.

Lockne and Mama also got the present, it was a little blanket with an admixture of chiral matter. "This will help your sweet daughter to sleep in a cradle, she won't be drifting up under the ceiling," you smiled at them. "It was my project with Heartman's execution," you explained.

Clifford got new night-vision goggles.

In the end, Sam was gifted with a new suit.

Everyone was enjoying their gifts, talking about them and enjoying whatever time left.

"Y/N?," Sam looked at you. "What with your gift? Everyone got something and you?," He frowned.

"Yeah! Exactly! Where is the gift for our beautiful host?," Higgs looked at you over Sam's shoulder, he was already wearing the new cape.

"My gift is everywhere. It's the atmosphere you all created and this is more than I could dream about. My heart's beating faster when I see you enjoy the meals, the gifts," you smiled at Sam and Higgs.

Higgs sighed placing his chin on Sam's shoulder. "Isn't she adorable! But it's not fair. You did so much."

"I hate to say that but Higgs is right," Sam sighed.

"I need to agree with both of them. You did so much, in such a short time. You gathered all of us here," Deadman added. "Who else agree?"

All you could do was to smile at everyone. "I mean it, guys. I don't need gifts. You all are the greatest gift to me."

Heartman walked to you from behind. "We kinda predicted you will think of everyone but yourself. So here's the gift from us," he handed you a box.

Unwrapping it with shaking hands, you felt the heart racing in your chest. In the box you found a notebook in a leather cover and a few pencils.

"We've heard you like to draw," Die-Hardman smiled.

"Guys... Thank you! So much!!," You cried quietly while hugging the gift to your chest.

"We are in this together, Y/N. If everyone gets a gift it means you get one too," Sam shrugged Higgs off earning a groan from Monaghan.

Party continued.

People talked and laughed, simply enjoyed the company, while finishing whatever food left.

Die-Hardman was having so much fun that now he was dancing with Lockne to one of the christmas songs.

Higgs was sitting in his seat looking through the book you gave him. It's not like he had people to interact with here.

You definitely had too many drinks. After almost half an hour of dancing with Heartman, you had to rest at the table. You flopped on the first free seat which was the place next to America's most wanted terrorist. You clicked your high heels off and groaned. "How much I hate these shoes!," You muttered while stretching like a cat.

"Why did you put them on? If they are uncomfortable just never wear them again," Higgs shrugged. "End of the problem."

You blinked at the comment and chuckled. "Fair point though. You'll never understand this though as you're the man and I'm the woman. Our brains are different," you hiccuped.

"I know when to stop drinking. You'll never understand this though as you're the woman and I am the man. Our brains are different," He giggled, teasing you.

You laughed at his comment; this man was about to be a death of yours.

You got up from your chair and reached out to him. "Hey, vamos a bailar!," You asked him with a little smile dancing in the corners of your mouth. "Pretty please?"

"No idea what you’ve just said but yea, sure, I agree on anything, sugar," Higgs said, returning a smile. "Lead the way."

You grabbed his palm firmly, without hesitation, and led him right into the dancefloor which was just the free space on the floor, next to the Christmas tree.

Heartman followed you with a frown. "I don't like it," he whispered to Fragile.

You climbed on your tiptoes to wrap your arms around a man's neck, both to get a bit intimidated and to support yourself from falling.

Fragile looked at you and Higgs, she shrugged.

"Since we have Death Stranding free day, let them enjoy it. After it's over, they will be mortal enemies again," she said and smiled. "Why? Are you jealous?"

Higgs chuckled. "Holy me, you are so small when I keep you close! I fucking love it."

Heartman blushed a little, rolled his eyes and lowered his thumb, taking 5 likes from Fragile before he moved aways with dancing moves, to join Mama.

You chuckled nervously at Higgs comment. "Thanks, I take it as a compliment," you simply rested your forehead against his chest.

She only laughed and nodded. "Thank you for confirming this, Heartman!," Fragile said a bit louder.

Higgs wrapped arms around your waist and nodded. "Oh yes, you indeed should take it as a compliment. Maybe I really should kidnap you as my christmas gift."

You giggled at his words while rocking into the rhythm of the music with him. "Maybe," you teased. "But I think that Sam and his dad would twist your neck after."

You suddenly raised a head to look at him, and you noticed a mistletoe above his head.

Higgs thought, looking at both men before his gaze returned to you. "Hmm... I honestly think it would be worth it," he noticed that you looked up and followed you. "Oh, fucking finally!,” Higgs said excited and pressed his lips against yours in a messy kiss.

You blinked when his lips crushed on yours but soon closed your eyes and enjoyed the kiss. You take the attempt to dominate him in the kiss but you fail so finally you give up your tries and simply wrap your arms around his neck.

Higgs pulled way after a moment and winked at you.

He reached up to take a small part of the mistletoe and then sneaked to Sam.

"Oh! Sammy boy!," Higgs sang.

Sam sighed deeply and turned to look at him. "What?," He frowned, seeing the mistletoe. "You kidding?"

Higgs gave him a wide smile and suddenly licked Sam's nose, making the other man froze.

Like nothing ever happened Higgs returned to you.

You started laughing hysterically which resulted in you losing the balance and almost falling on the floor, thankfully Higgs was faster and caught you in his arms.

Clifford spat all the whiskey he was about to swallow on Die-Hardman's shirt.

Heartman turned head around to see what happened but he lost his balance and fell on Lockne who spilled her wine right onto the electronic device on his chest.

Heartman's AED turned on and kicked him with an electric glitch, causing him to die on the spot.

"Higgs, you killed Heartman!," Amelie screamed.

"Nooot first and not the last death!" Higgs said with a shrug before kissing your lips quickly. "It's getting late and I have nukes to build! See you maybe next year!" He winked at you before vanishing.

As you lost Higgs as your frame, you fell right onto the floor and rolled on your back, still laughing.

"Or maybe not! It can wait!," Higgs said after returning. "Besides I didn't take my gifts."

"You really need to turn everything upside down?," Sam sighed, shaking his head.

"That's my job!," Higgs shrugged. "Who wants a drink?!"

You raised your hand up, still laying on the floor. You discovered it was a pretty comfortable place to rest. Or maybe you were just too drunk?

After 3 minutes another electric shock made Heartman's heart work properly again, and the man woke up, sitting on the floor. "What the fuck!"

Clifford was helping Die-Hardman to clean his shirt. "Monaghan! Stop being a douche-bag to everyone! If you won't listen, I'll have to shoot you," he warned, almost growling.

Amelie helped Heartman back on his feet. "You okay?"

"Yes, it's fine."

BB started crying.

Higgs quickly helped you up and smiled. "Oh, c'mon, Clifford! Everyone is well and alive. Even the heart boi. Practically, I did nothing wrong," he shrugged.

Sam let out a deep sigh. "It's Higgs after all. What else we can expect."

Higgs agreed with Sam, hugging you tightly.

You felt squeezed by his arms. "Can't... Breathe...," you whispered quietly hoping for him to lose his grasp.

Heartman smoothened his suit. "I almost forgot! I borrowed a camera from my friend's geologist. I want to take a picture of our pack, except you," he pointed his index finger at Higgs.

"Heartman, let him. He spent the entire evening with us, one photo won't affect anyone," Amelie nudged the man's chest.

"I fucking love photos!," Higgs jumped happily. "The host should have the honor of setting us for a photo!," He said excitedly.

You smiled at Higgs and squeezed his palm that you were still holding. "Okay, fellas. Clifford and Mama, you two go on left. Yes, just like that. Amelie, you with Fragile and Sam can take a seat on the couch."

"Sam, maybe you can be in the middle?," Amelie smiled at her stepbrother.

You pecked your lips as you were thinking. "Okay, Die-Hardman, would you be so kind to take a seat here, on the pouffe? Yes, just like that, thank you. Deadman, you can take our lovely Lou and stand next to the pouffe a little. Hmmm, and Heartman, my lovely friend, you can stand behind Die-Hardman. That's it! Perfect! Lockne, can you stand right next to your sister?"

Sam wasn't too happy he wasn't holding Lou but nodding he followed your little orders.

Mama and Lockne stood exactly where you wanted them, just like a Deadman.

"I see a perfect place for myself!," Higgs claimed excitedly and lied down on the floor. He turned on his side and propped up his head on a hand. "Perfect!"

You facepalmed a little but chuckled at the villain's idea. "Actually, you fit there perfectly, Higgs!"

You quickly set the camera on the shelf and made sure to turn the timer on, then you quickly ran to take a seat next to the Die-Hardman.

The flash lit the room and the picture was taken.

"Cool! Can I get one? I will have a nice souvenir from that nice day," Higgs asked from the floor. "I had so much fun!"

"Yes, of course you can!," You smiled at him and ran to the camera to set it again to take a second pic.

When the dawn was about to knock at the door, and when almost everyone was sleeping in weird positions where they could, you led Higgs to the exit. "I never thought I'd have so much fun with them all. And, though I didn't expect you, I'm grateful you came," you smiled at him and handled him his gifts to make sure he won't forget to take them along. "I put the picture into the book."

Higgs nodded, taking the book.

"Yeah, It was fucking fun. I enjoyed it," He sighed, looking at the gift from you. "Too bad that as soon as I leave we'll become a mortal enemies again,"

"Maybe you'll but not to me," assuring him, you grabbed his palm and squeezed it lightly. "No matter what you'd do, you gained a friend," you smiled.

Higgs took your palm and kissed the top of it. "Thank you, sugar. I will remember that."

"Take care of yourself as we need to meet next year for another Christmas party," you chuckled softly and blushed a bit at his sudden gesture.

Then, like he was one of the good guys, you wrapped your arms around his waist and hugged him. "Please, stay safe and see you in a year. Remember, you have to pop up! No excuse as it won't feel like Christmas without you."

Higgs hugged you, being totally confused but he nodded with a soft chuckle.

"Okay, I will try my best. See you in a year," He slowly pulled away and winked at you before vanishing.

You smiled to yourself while observing the flipped rainbow on the sky and hearing the thunder.

Despite your efforts, the Death Stranding still was on.

#sam porter bridges #higgs monaghan #clifford unger #heartman #mama #lockne #die-hardman #deadman #amelie strand #sam porter bridges x reader #heartman x reader #higgs monaghan x reader #death stranding #higgs monaghan fic #sam porter bridges fic

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lethalchiralium · 3 years ago

Text

Sing To Me | Higgs Monaghan [The Artist and the Destroyer]

a/n: hello! i’m active! and for artist and the destroyer??? incredible. gotta love it. can still be read by itself! no need to read any other parts (even though i’d love you for it) don’t love the shit that’s fucking with my life though so enjoy uwu

warnings: amelie strand. do i need to say more? cussing, fear, higgs? not really higgs.

summary: higgs can get bored sometimes, especially if he’s not feeling himself.

Higgs got bored.

He’d tell you all day and with every breath he took that he had so much fun when he was alone, but he always had you. Except for today, apparently you had gathered some shitty porter gear from your closet and had left your shelter. Of course he wanted to see what in God’s name you were doing and where you were going, but that’s too… clingy. He wasn’t clingy, he was the Particle of God, for fuck’s sake.

He hated the humanity you so violently stabbed into him when your furnace broke that one time. You were shivering so violently that night, even with him trapped beneath your sleeping form. Whatever he fucked with in that furnace worked, and he’s hated himself ever since. He convinced himself that he didn’t want to fuck with a voidout by his little play thing, but his play thing gave him something to do and when he wasn’t fucking with Sam, he was having fun with you.

Except for this moment, as he chucked the tennis ball at the wall repeatedly, a tune blended into his head. A song he played on his guitar back in his shelter, one he wrote as a lonely, pathetic porter. He almost hit his hand on the wall, trying to make the time fly by like when your pretty smile shines right at him.

“So this is how it ends,” he began to sing that damn tune, the song that seemed to infest his brain as he sat in your bunker for two hours. “Not with a whisper but a bang.” He wasn’t worried, he was far from worried. He was so calm that he could probably have a normal conversation without wanting to kill something out of anxiety. He couldn’t stop picturing you dead in some valley and he was too concerned with his pride to jump and check. He knew he didn’t have much pride when it came to you “Slammin' doors and broken picture frames, puffed-up pride and called-out names.”

You, on the other hand, trudged out of the snow towards your shelter. Old porter boots strapped tighter than they should’ve began to ache less and your pack with your easel and paints strapped to your back became lighter. The sensor poles activated, scanning your ID and quietly opening the door, seeing that you set it to since Higgs was passed out on the floor when you left to go paint one of the mountains nearby for fun. The door opened slowly and you shut it quietly, trying to leave Higgs be in case he needed the rest. But you heard music, like someone was singing.

“I ransom gold,” the voice sang loudly as you walked down the stairs, hearing something hit the wall with rhythm as well. “Peddle your wares on down the road, your manufactured love will stop the show,” A few more steps. “For all the fools just passin by, who have yet to get wise.”

Holy fucking shit, it was Higgs whatever-the-fuck-his-middle-name-is Monaghan. Throwing a tennis ball at the wall and fucking singing, and singing well. Higgs. The terrorist Higgs Monaghan was singing like he was an angel.

“I never meant to break your heart,” A loud yet strong belt came from him as the ball stayed in his hand, he spun around, kicking the ground with a look of boredom on his face as you hid against the wall the best you could. Holy. Fuck. “I only meant to speak the truth-”

“Welcome, Y/N.” Your shelter soon activated at the wrong damn time and you jumped down the remaining steps, scared out of your skin by not just the shelter, but the hell-summoning stare of one man.

“Higgs-” You started but he closed his eyes and bared his teeth, his hand up before his icy eyes met yours like they had become fire.

“You heard nothin’.” He said, finger pointed straight at you before he almost jumped, but your hand grabbed his hand before he could think about it.

“Don’t be scared of yourself.”

Higgs almost looked offended, but you continued. “You run away every time you show me who you really are, under that damn body armor and that stupid cloak.”

“‘Cause you don’t deserve it.” He answered sharply, his other hand dropped the tennis ball. “Let me go, Y/N.”

You yanked his hand forwards, pulling him with as your voice grew sharp and louder than before. “Don’t deserve it? I show you, a fucking terrorist, every damn side of me like it a fucking game. I don’t show fucking anyone anything of me- I mean for fuck’s sake-” Your pther hand pulled off his glove, causing Higgs to almost snarl but he was still docile. He was interested in what you were doing - but a part of him needed to hear what you were gonna say. “You’re comfortable with me doing that. You have fixed my furnace, helped me through a rough week and you smile whenever you see my art. I show you my vulnerability and I get to see glimpses of a man I want to know.”

“You know me.”

“You’re fucking stupid.” You shouted back, throwing the glove in his face before letting go, knowing the fight is an uphill battle where he will always win. You turned around and shove off your pack, angered as you unzipped your suit and walked down the hall. “You’re so fucking stupid, Higgs.”

He turned towards the hall, hand slipping back on his glove as his voice raised, “How the fuck am I stupid if I didn’t want you to hear my stupid fucking song?” He took a step forwards, pointing his finger again. “That was private!”

“Maybe I want to hear you sing, Higgs, ‘cause I liked your voice and I don’t think you’re weak.”

Fire began to spread under his skin, from astonishment and anger. You should have never heard that leave his lips, ever. “Says the damn coward.”

The pause you took was threatening in nature, eyes pointed straight towards him with an emotion he has never seen in a person before. Porter suit tied around your waist and pack no long strapped to you, you moved into your doorway to look at the man.

“You really wanna talk about cowardice?” It was practically a bark that came from your throat, hands on the doorway to ground you. “Where to begin? Oh, with your precious little Sam Bridges.”

“Y/N-“

“You love to poke fun at the poor guy, you have to power to fucking gut him like he’s a fucking fish yet you don’t make an effort to! You are so much stronger than him, he’s one fucking man. You are too much of a coward to use your powers and be the big bad wolf you make yourself out to me- I mean, you’ve fucking hurt me more than you ever have Sam!”

“That’s a fucking lie!” He spat, “I haven’t hurt a damn hair on your fucking head!”

“And what about me, huh?” You hit the doorframe with your left hand. “Your little façade of being God and not having one connection to keep him down.” A step into the hallway. “Then what am I, ‘cause I’m surely not your friend, I’m not your lover, I could never love someone like you, you fucking ignorant, self-centered fucking coward.”

Higgs could only grip his hand into a fist, his tar-coated heart cracked as you snapped, “Get the fuck out of my house:”

Stings scratched his skin as black tar bubbled beneath your feet, hands grabbed your ankles and you hid your fear, you knew he wouldn’t hurt you. Arms reached up farther and grabbed your knees, pushing you onto them as more acidic hands grabbed your wrists, You only made a grunt and your breathing slightly intensified.

Boots hit the cement and Higgs squatted down, the small little click that left his lips made your stomach curl. Higgs knew you were upset with him, your words didn’t hurt him, but it’s so easy for him to fall into place; into his place. His ungloved hand moved your chin up to look at him, his other hand clutched his missing glove. His eyes didn’t spare any expense at looking at every section of your face, remembering it for when it gets late at night and he thinks of just summoning a BT to swallow him whole. And the eyes that he dreams of stared at him with fear, something small in him hated it but he kept going. Moving your head to look at your neck and how nicely that tank top settled right underneath your collarbone. He was observing how quickly you submitted, just like every other pawn under his calloused thumb.

“Higgs.” You whispered, his fingers dig into your jaw and a sharp grunt left your throat. “I’m sorry.”

He let out a couple chuckles, sighing after, “I needed no apology, darlin’. None of your little monologue nicked me where it hurt.” His hand slid from your jaw to your neck, lightly gripping it and danger really set into your skin. “Except for two things that aren’t quite right.”

The extra glove was thrown behind him and his gloved hand set on the crown of your head. Head completely tilted towards him, you had no option but to listen as the slimy hands still held you tight, some grabbed at your stomach and thighs, nothing out of bounds, thank God.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse, where I completely have control of the game. I like my food to have a little muscle, and exercise is the best way to do it,” he smiled. “it’s entertaining to watch some puny fuck run around like a damn chicken with his head cut off. As for you, my darlin’,” he took a deep breath as he sort of leaned back, releasing your hair and tightening the grip on your neck threateningly.

Eye contact was made and his white teeth were displayed again as he practically purred, “You’re in love with me.”

Everything in you stopped working.

“Those stares that last a little too long, almost being shy in front of me like you didn’t think about me losing my clothes and worshipping you like everyone does to me.” A chuckle made its way into his throat as he continued, “And trust me, it’s hard to breathe around beauty like you but feelins ain’t meant for me.

“You’re one of many playthings, Y/N. You’re just one of my favorites that I decided not to use like the others,” he pushed you upwards by your throat and you barely even noticed the BTs had let you go a long time ago. “you’re special, ‘cause you got feelin’s for me.” He only held you by your neck now, pain began to surge through your body and hands tried to grab his arm. He didn’t even budge.

“Here’s the thing,” he sighed, “now you’ve forced my hand to not only hurt you, but to make you scared of me. I don’t want you scared of me, I like my lovers calm and not fidgety, they get too much and they end up dead in a lake out by Middle Knot. So you’re gonna have to pretend that I never did this to you,” he dropped you to the floor, coughs erupted from your throat as he also fell to your height again, his golden mask in hand. “And your little fantasies can come true,” he stood up as you were paralyzed, staring at him as he tapped the chiralium mask. “and Y/N, my darling?”

You didn’t respond.

He smiled. Submission and fear is what fueled him, but there was that part of him that was enraged with himself. He pressed on as he made eye contact again. “Any bullet you fire at me will go right through you, that’s why you’re on the fucking floor and I am about to order pizza.”

“Higgs,” a whisper escaped your lips.

“You’ll wake up soon,” He added, a snap and his hood appeared on his head, his ice eyes looked away. “I’ll see you soon, I- Fuck..”

Particles clashed together in a flash and he was gone, your vision went black.

•-•-•

When you woke up, it was like life had been sucked out of you. You stumbled to your shower, turned the water to hot and sat in your pajamas. You could still feel his hand around your throat and the tar-coated hands as they touched every inch of your body. Crawling, grabbing, the electricity that sparked through his fingers stayed on your skin like promises, ready to be broken by the right person.

The crying started by the time the water ran cold but you didn’t dare more, you were safe. Hands on your head and body as curled as it could be, you were there for a long time.

You wished it was timefall and that you had already rotted away.

It was a couple hours before the system had shut itself off to conserve water and the AI alerted you to a low water warning, that the water had to be sanitized for reuse, you weren’t worried.

You got up, ripped off your clothes and into nothing, grabbing a new set of clothes when you walked into your room. A comfortable pair of sweatpants and the only sweatshirt you owned - one Higgs gave you. You were hesitant but you wanted it. It was a comfort item. Socks and then your a random book you plucked from your nightstand.

You sat down in the corner of your living room, the book beside you as you held yourself in that sweatshirt, trying to erase that dream from your head.

You needed to erase it because you loved him.

•-•-•

Higgs hated this. Amelie paced back and forth with her hands fidgeting.

“You need to scare him more.” She said, Higgs had heard it a million ties before. “Something big, something huge; like that chiral storm by South Knot.” She stopped and curled her fingers into a fist. “A catcher could work, he’s making his way to Mountain Knot.”

“I could take out that Western Middle Knot distro.” He answered and she gave him a look of disgust.

“The Distribution Center North of Mountain Knot City.” She snapped her fingers and Higgs waltzed around her. “A simple attack could work. Overpower the fuel cells with a package and a BRIDGES worker could die and cause a distro shutdown.”

“It’s not hard, princess.” He stated and looked at the non-existent watch on his wrist. “I’ve got to go do that.”

Amelie chuckled as she turned away. “I know you will. But at least say hello to your prepper friend for me.”

Fuck. “What friend, Amelie?” He harshly growled. “Ain’t got friends anymore ‘cause of you.”

“Y/N was your ex, right?” She said, and Higgs grimaced underneath his mask.

“That prepper is a plaything,” He answered. “Something your puppy can chew on when you’re busy.”

“Y/N is your ex, right Higgs?” She asked again, harsher.

He nodded. Y/N knew him before as Pete Englert, not as his true name since he was never fond of it until Amelie spoke about it with kindness. It was a fling, a few week fling. Two porters who walked the same path and a few words sparked something spectacular. They were the first cut to tie before Middle Knot’s flames roared. But now? He wasn’t sure.

She grimaced. “Are you attached?”

“Amelie, I’d love for you to tell me where something fucking interestin’ happens when I have to wait to fuck with Sam,” Higgs answered sharply and he backed away from her with his hands up. “The damn cells are all about bein’ ready for war and all I want is something to entertain me. Isn’t that was Sam does for you?” He pivoted on his foot, the sand crunched beneath his boots and the woman gave him a dirty look. “So why are you on me for this?”

“Because you have been known for being unpredictable.”

“Okay,” Higgs barked and rested his hands on his hips. “Unpredictable? Just because I tried to re-nuke without fucking talking about every detail with you isn’t a good reason.”

The blonde woman rolled her eyes. “As a punishment for that, I talked with your little prepper friend.”

Gravity in his chest became sudden and his stomach fell to the floor but he didn’t miss a beat. “You what?”

“As you, of course.” She fluttered her fingers as she jumped to beside him, grabbing his shoulder and all he could do was stand there. She had way more power than he could ever dream of. “Traumatized them with you using your powers on them, things you’d say,” She smiled and Higgs had to close his eyes before he punched her. ”and the poor thing is sitting in the shower, wondering why you turned on them so quickly. They were comfortable with you, Higgs, and that is something I don’t like.”

“Hypocrite.” He snapped and Amelie was unfazed.

“You can keep your little prepper, but under no condition can you be friends.”

“Fuck off.”

That was the moment when he was sucked back under into the Seam, floating underwater before his eyes opened and he was sitting in front of the Artist’s shelter.

“That fucking bitch.” Higgs muttered and he stepped into the sensor ring, the sound never failed to give him an house of comfort. He walked under the shelter entrance, the terminal raised from the floor and something in him made him pause.

Did she make you scared? Did she make you scared of him?

Higgs knew he wouldn’t be able to handle this without you, and Amelie ruining that made him both furious and terrified. He wanted to ask to come into your shelter this time, so he could know if what she told him was true. She did love to taunt and lie to him.

He jumped anyway into your living room, hearing no movement and no other sounds other than his own breathing. His hands grabbed his mask and hood, pulling them off and placing them on your kitchen counter. He then began to unlace his boots, something he never does when he’s here, and then placed them next to the door. He peeled off his cloak and his harnesses, setting them on the floor and adding his body armor to the pile, leaving him in his black long sleeve undershirt, his tactical pants, and his socks. He was trying to be as docile-looking to try and not scare you.

God, if Amelie made you scared him, he was going to fuck up everything she ever loved.

His eyes looked through the living room, seeing a towel on the couch but nothing else out of place. He glanced into the kitchen, nothing moved. He looked down the hall to see your bedroom door closed, he quietly and quickly walked towards it.

He opened the door and the relief he felt when he saw your body underneath the blankets but it quickly drained when you sat up and scrambled backwards on your bed.

“Y/N, it’s just me,” Higgs spoke quietly. He took a step into the room and your hand flew out.

“Do not.” Your voice was hoarse, he put his hands up. “Don’t come near me.”

“What did I do?” He spoke genuinely and your eyes closed, screwed shut. “Please.”

“You know what you did!” You answered with a shout. “You violated every boundary I set with you and you deliberately fucked with me to make me scared of you.” And there wasn’t a beat missed after you took a shaky breath. “I don’t wanna be scared of you.”

Tears fell instantly after and Higgs almost bolted towards you but his mind was a little faster.

“It was Amelie. Your dream was Amelie, I’m so sorry,” He answered, another step forward. “She told me but I didn’t know she…”

“I need you.”

Amelie’s words couldn’t break the attachment he had to you since he’s never run this fast in his life. He set his knees beside your thighs and his hands sat on your cheeks as your hands tangled in his dark hair. His eyes couldn’t stop looking into yours, praying to see the fear fade away but it didn’t.

“Baby,” He whispered. “I’d never hurt you.”

“Please never do.” You answered and he pulled you to his chest, sobs left your body like unanswered prayers. “I can’t lose you.”

“I can’t lose you either.” He met your statement with truth. “Everything will be okay, I promise it’ll be okay.”

You never answered after that, sobs leaving your throat faster. Hands gripped his shirt and his own held your head, burying his face into your hair. There was nothing he could say to stop your tears because your fight was internal, and he was about to make his own external.

———

#death stranding #higgs monaghan #troy baker #sam porter bridges #higgs monaghan x neutral!reader #the artist and the destroyer series #lethalchiralium #lethal chiralium #higgs #still hate amelie lol #ds amelie #amelie could sneeze and i would burn her like a witch #artist prepper #higgs death stranding

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