#thsc josh taylor

[echotrinityme]

See You Again Chapter 5: Numb The Pain Away

Rupert is having a tough time after he was discharged from the Government. He's been spending all his time at the bar and is bitter, angry, and sad. 

Warning: Alcohol abuse and just alcohol use in general. Don't do what Rupert is doing in this chapter... EVER! Alcohol is bad for your liver and mental health. Drink responsibly and when you're old enough. 

Rupert drowned another shot of vodka and put the shot glass down. 

Rupert put a hand on his forehead as he thought about what happened these past few days.

He murdered Henry, lost his status as a captain, and lost everyone that he cared about. Rupert sighed as he felt his heart shrivel up and struggle to keep beating.  He felt hot liquid streaming down his face, started shaking, and started sniffling.

He didn't know what to do.

After he was discharged, he returned to his apartment to devise a plan. 

His mental health was getting worse.

His depression was making him drink and have nightmares, it doesn't help that little voice in his head has been telling him he's worthless, scummy, an idiot, he's a bad person, etc. He tried to ignore it but the voice kept getting louder and louder. 

"It's not fair..." Rupert muttered to himself, "It's not fair,"

The bartender gave him another shot as he left him alone, the bartender tend to the other patrons. Rupert drank the alcohol as two people walked in. 

Drake Camper and Josh Taylor wanted to have a drink before Quentin finds them and lecture them for being idiots. Drake noticed Rupert was drinking and brooding, he tapped Josh's shoulders and Josh glanced where Drake was looking at. 

"What's he doing here?" Josh questioned incredulously.

"Drinking," Drake stated the obvious.

"Can't blame him, I mean if I murder someone, I would drink heavily too,"

"C'mon, let's try to cheer him up!"

Drake and Josh quietly went over to Rupert who was silently sobbing. Rupert was too busy wallowing in misery that he didn't notice the presence of Drake and Josh. Rupert heard someone ordering a fruity drink and sat down next to him. He heard another voice and heard someone sitting down next to him.

"Hey, Rupert!"

Rupert looked to his side to see Drake Camper smiling at him and holding a fruity drink, he looked to his other side and saw Josh Taylor holding a drink. 

Great.

The two idiots who always get drunk are here and they are here to bother him.

"What do you two want?" Rupert croaked, "Can't you see I'm drinking,"

"We just want to cheer you up," Josh responded.

"How?"

"By drinking with you of course!" Drake answered with such enthusiasm.

Rupert didn't want company and he was wondering why Drake and Josh wanted to cheer him up considering he had done something horrible to Henry. However... he's been feeling rather lonely ever since Henry's murder. 

Rupert contemplated saying no to them but they'd already made themselves at home. Rupert was too depressed to tell Drake and Josh to fuck off. Josh was telling Rupert and Drake a funny story. Well, Drake was listening while Rupert was just brooding, but he was glad he has company on the inside. 

"I am in misery

there ain't nobody who can comfort me (Oh Yeah),"

Rupert growled under his breath as he heard a song that greatly described his situation that was playing in the bar. Rupert took another drink of his alcohol as Josh was about to tell an embarrassing story about Drake and Drake didn't like it so he shut Josh up by putting a chicken wing in his mouth. Rupert would have laughed but he's not in a laughing mood. 

"So I was saying to Jose," Josh talked to Drake and Rupert, Rupert felt a little better since the duo didn't mention Henry's death or his termination from the Government which he is thankful for.

Rupert was about to join the conversation when the bar's doors opened.

"What are two idiots doing!?"

Drake, Josh, and Rupert turn to the source of the voice, they saw Quentin Alabaster glaring at them. However, Rupert wasn't sure if he was glaring at him or Drake and Josh. Drake and Josh immediately jumped from Quentin's glare. They knew an angry Quentin when they see one. 

"Don't you guys have any better to do than to drink and bother someone?" Quentin questioned.

Drake and Josh shook their head while Quentin sighed, Quentin knew the duo was trying to help Rupert after he murdered Henry but... Rupert should be left alone. Quentin came up to them and grabbed Drake and Josh by their coats like they were kids that got caught doing something bad. 

"C'mon, you guys have work to do," Quentin said as he led the boys away from Rupert and they headed out the door. Quentin stopped at the door and saw Rupert who looked sad again. Quentin gave Rupert a pity look and he left. Rupert was now alone. Rupert sighed heavily as he felt the weight of the inebriation of the alcohol seep in. He closed his eyes, he needed more alcohol but his mind told him he has nothing to live for so he can damage his liver.

"Oi, got any stronger than vodka?" Rupert slurred at the bartender.

"We got absinthe, sir," replied the bartender in a concerned tone.

"Bring me it,"

"Don't you think you had enough alcohol?"   

"NO!" Rupert roared, startling the bartender and the patrons in the bar. Rupert slammed his fist down the bar table and his eyes were red. "GIVE ME THE ABSINTHE!" Rupert bellowed.

"I don't pay myself enough for this job..." the bartender thought as he got the absinthe and a shot glass for Rupert. He gently set the alcohol down and left Rupert alone. Rupert drank the shot glass but he needs more to numb the pain he was feeling, he took the bottle and drank out of the bottle.

The patrons and the bartender watched him with shocked and concerned looks, they were wondering if they should confront him about his drinking habits but on the other hand... they don't want to invoke his wrath. Rupert drank half the bottle as he stopped, he slammed the bottle down as he swayed a little. His face started to turn green and he quickly ran out of the bar. He vomited onto the grass while everyone cringed and winced, the bartender took out a bottle of water and went outside. He cringed in disgust as he saw the vomit and Rupert stopped. Rupert was trembling as he felt like shit, the bartender slowly came up to him.

"Here," the bartender held out the water bottle, "Drink this... this will help you feel better,"

Rupert glanced at the bottle and took it, he drank the water slowly. He sighed in contentment as he felt a little better but still feel like shit. "Thanks..." Rupert muttered.

"You're welcome," the bartender responded gently.

"Sorry for the display..." Rupert apologized, "I... am going through something,"

"I know,"

Rupert avoided meeting the bartender's eyes, he cleared his throat. 

"I should be going now... put the alcohol on my tab..."

The bartender nodded as Rupert started walking away, Rupert slowly walked back to his apartment as he felt numb. As soon as he was inside his apartment, he passed out on his living room floor. The alcohol knocked him out and he slept peacefully for the first time since Henry's murder.

Rupert woke up with a killer headache.

He felt like something sucked everything but depression. He wanted to die, hit something, or just lay in bed forever. Rupert took a shower and made himself a hangover breakfast. After he was done eating, he sat down at his table and thought about what's he going to do next. Rupert closed his eyes as he took out his phone and went on the internet. 

Usually, he would talk to Charles but after what happened with Henry, Charles and several others have declared Rupert socially dead. Rupert searched for random things then he thought came into his head. He went to take out his laptop and went online. He typed into a search bar and found what he was looking for. He got up and went to his bedroom, he got out two suitcases and started packing. 

Once he was packed, he wrote something on a piece of paper. 

He took one last look at his apartment, surveying the furniture and stuff he will be leaving behind. He let out a sigh of sadness as he left his apartment with his suitcases in tow. 

He headed to the airport and got on a plane. 

Where is he going?

[flowerbarrel-art]

Stickmintober Day 4

[sunberry-strawflower]

Fuck I'm so behind on schoolwork and I have so much work to do and stuff to record for *makes henry stickmin text memes*

[the-universe-has-a-new-fighter]

Can you draw Drake & Josh? {And btw how do you feel about Drake x Josh x Quentin?} [Pulls out pen a notebook]

◾Josh on the left, Drake on the right

◾I can see why some people ship these two with Quentin, and I don't mind that ship. But I myself prefer just Josh x Drake😅

[thesoulesscollection]

Drake and Josh

Dave and Rupert

Hey, thank you for the ships. It was fun to write down.

Drake Camper/Josh Taylor

• What made you ship it? • Answer: I saw really cute art and read some amazing fics though as rare as it is made me ship them. • What are your favorite things about the ship? • Answer: Again, I'm just a sucker for a Pairing that isn't common but has the potential to be more then what they're depicted at face value. • Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? • Answer: I would love to see people put more depth and attention on them rather then just see them as the comedic and troublesome drunks. Like I Hc them being goofy and loveable himbos who truly love one another

Dave Panpa/Rupert Price

• What made you ship it? • Answer: I don't have a strong interest in the ship but I do like the commonly used trope for their relationship dynamic • What are your favorite things about the ship? • Answer: the soft sunshine x grumpy ship dynamic • Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? • Answer: Despite enjoying the ship, I would perfer to see it almost as a table turned scenario. More so where Dave not being a total pushover all the time who is able to put his foot down and be a total badass. Whereas any other ship, like Rupert in particular being able to be soft and be on the receiving end of love.

[fuchsiablur]

drawing reqs from twitter

^quentin’s greenhorns somehow persuaded him to a drink lol

a bonus blast connors!

[hahaha-cough]

Josh Taylor the overconfident half of the drunken duo.

[sunberry-strawflower]

Y'all know the drill

[flowerbarrel-art]

What happened to you? You shave with a piece of glass?

Yup, I shaved with a piece of glass.

Why’d you do that? Couldn’t find a razor?

I gave Rowan catnip.

Oh.

Why’d you do that?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[echotrinityme]

Sweet Lies( Past Stickvin, one-sided Stickprice, other ships)

A/N: I had this idea from reading FuchisaPaper's end call from AO3. Go read it if you haven't read it yet, it's so good.

This takes place during the post-VH timeline... Why do I keep writing about this timeline when I do not like that ending?

Henry listened to Charles's final message one more time before he went to go meet Rupert Price.

He knew it was unhealthy.

Ever since Charles's sacrifice in taking down the Toppat Clan in the orbital station, Henry has been in a slump.

Henry met Charles at a tavern when he saw Charles shooting some Toppats. Charles was surprised when he saw Henry at the tavern. Charles thought he was dead which made Henry look at him in shock. Charles got over supposed Henry's death and quickly explained to him about taking down the Toppat clan in space.

The General tasked him and Henry to take down the Toppat Clan.

The mission was almost successful until Henry and Charles got into an escape pod since Charles did one of his greatest plans. It worked but the orbital station was counting down to explode, they got into an escape pod, and were about to escape the station but, fate had other plans.

A random Toppat opened the hatch and tried to get the duo out but Charles was two steps ahead. Charles took care of the Toppat while saving Henry in the process, Henry was shocked Charles did that. Charles kept holding the Toppat down as the pod's doors closed, Henry was worried about Charles, however, Charles told him he will find another way out.

But... Charles didn't.

Charles didn't find another escape pod... He knew this and told Henry his final message. Henry didn't want to hear the message, he pleaded for Charles to get out or find another pod.

Alas, the orbital station exploded with the dead toppats and Charles with it.

Henry was devastated, and so was everyone in the Government.

General Hubert Galeforce and Rupert Price were especially devastated. The General saw Charles as a son, and Rupert was one of Charles's closest friends. The General had a funeral and a memorial for Charles. It was sad and heartbreaking.

Henry sighed as he left his apartment to meet with Rupert, bowed his head down, put his hands in his pockets, and thought about what happened after Charles's death.

Henry still stayed with the Government and helps out with missions and stuff.

Before Charles's death, he and Henry were a couple. Nobody knew this except for the General and Rupert. However, while Galeforce was happy for the couple, Rupert was not.

Henry and Rupert have a history and it's not a happy history.

Before Rupert joined the military force and Henry joined the Government, Rupert was a cop and Henry was a criminal.

As you were expecting, they didn't get along.

Henry got caught trying to steal from a bank and was put in a cell in a police department where Rupert worked. Rupert would always play jokes on Henry with his best friend and co-worker Dave Panpa. Henry didn't find the jokes to be funny but to Rupert, it was hilarious. Dave sometimes participated in the jokes but he looked like he was forced, Henry thought Dave was too nice for the police force because he was a bit of a doormat.

However, although Dave may be nice he does have his limits. There was this one time that Henry was still in his cell when he saw Dave putting a criminal away next to the cell Henry was in, the criminal was being uncooperative and Henry saw Dave looking annoyed. Then Henry saw what he considered the most aggressive he had ever seen on Dave; Dave said something awful to the criminal and threw the criminal into the cell hard.

After that day, Henry learned to never undermine Dave.

Henry got to the base and found Rupert talking to Victoria and June. Henry came over to them with a smile, June saw him and waved hello to him. Victoria also waved to him, Rupert turned around to see Henry heading toward them. Rupert smiled at him when Henry was next to him now, Rupert wrapped one arm around his waist and resume talking to the girls.

Henry blushed as he felt Rupert's arm around him, Henry looked down at the ground.

Sometimes it felt weird to him that he and Rupert are a couple.

Henry was shocked and suspicious when Rupert, his enemy and the bane of his existence, asked him out. It was a couple of months after Charles's death when Rupert asked him out. At first, Henry didn't want to accept Rupert's offer because he was suspicious of Rupert's motives and he felt like he was betraying Charles, and their history together. However, Rupert convinced Henry that Charles will want him to move on.

Henry leaned his head on Rupert as he heard him talking to June and Victoria.

June squealed silently while Victoria was giggling softly, she was also surprised when Rupert and Henry got together. Rupert told her about his history with Henry and how he hates him. So Victoria was suspicious when she heard Rupert and Henry are dating but her suspicions died down when she saw Rupert being affectionate to Henry.

Rupert grumbled as he went to the General's tent.

"How long do I have to keep playing a lover to Henry?!" he thought as he got to Galeforce's tent.

Before he went in, he thought about what happened with Charles and Henry.

Ever since he was a little kid, he wanted to help people.

He always helped his mom, dad, friends, and others. However, as he got older, he learned the world isn't all rays of sunshine and rainbows. The world is full of harsh realities and hard truths. His mom left him when he was small, his dad became abusive to him, and he didn't have a great childhood to teenhood. But when he joined the police academy right after high school, he finished his training at a young age and made new friends in the process.

Dave Panpa was a meek, shy individual that Rupert instantly took a liking to, and Johnny Panzer was someone who was a decade older than him but he was like a mentor to Dave and Rupert. Rupert was happy for a while, and nothing can change that. But... life is not fair. Rupert's happiness faded away from an annoying thief and the bane of his existence.

Henry Stickmin.

Henry Stickmin tried to rob a bank but ended up getting arrested and put in prison where Rupert, Dave, and Johnny worked. Rupert loved to mess with Henry and so did Johnny. Things changed when Henry was given a package from someone and Dave didn't check the package like he was supposed to do. Unfortunately, the package that was sent to Henry helped him escape and Dave got fired as a result.

Dave's firing was the start of Rupert's grudge against Henry.

Rupert's grudge against Henry got worse when Henry accidentally murdered Johnny. After Johnny's death, Rupert was not happy. He also got frustrated with the police force and he decided to quit and joined the military where he figured he will do more help than the police force. Joining the military gave him the chance to prove himself and he made new friends in the Government.

Charles Calvin was bright, eager, friendly, and overzealous but Rupert instantly bonded with him. Charles can be an idiot because he loved to crash his helicopter into things. He and Rupert always worked together. Rupert thought he will never have to see Henry ever again but life just hates him. Henry was recruited to help them stop the Toppat Clan and Henry bonded with Charles to the point they've become a couple.

Rupert was devastated when he heard of Charles's death and didn't vocally blame Henry for his death.

Rupert went inside the tent and saw the General looking over some reports. Galeforce looked up to see Rupert standing in front of him, he smiled at him. "Hello, Price," he said, "May I ask what are you doing here?"

Rupert crossed his arms, "Where on the whereabouts of the remaining Toppats?"

Galeforce blinked in confusion then he sighed, "Nothing yet, Price,"

Rupert grumbled as he looked down, he didn't like that answer. "But..." Rupert looked up at Galeforce, "There have been reports that the Toppats have several prisoners and one of them is a security guard."

Rupert blinked, "The security guard must be Dave then!" he thought.

Dave have gotten a security guard job at a museum and heard he was missing. Rupert figured he must have gotten kidnapped by the Toppat Clan, Rupert nodded.

"Okay, sir," Rupert responded curtly, "Thank you for the report."

Galeforce nodded as Rupert left the tent, Rupert went to the cafeteria to meet with Henry and the others.

Rupert was staring up at the ceiling of Henry's apartment while Henry was asleep next to him, Henry was cuddling him because of his warmth. Rupert couldn't sleep. Why? His guilty conscience kept nagging him about using Henry. Rupert tried to ignore it. He kept telling his conscious that Henry deserves this, it was all in good fun, and it was the best kind of revenge. Rupert finally fell asleep when it was time to get up.

Rupert was trying not to fall asleep as he sat next to Henry in the clearing, he leaned his head on Henry who smiled at him. Henry handed him a coffee, "Here you go, Thor," Thorn was Henry's nickname for Rupert which at first Rupert hated but quickly got used to it.

"Thanks," Rupert replied as he grabbed the coffee, he drank the coffee.

"Hey, Rupert?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you," Henry said softly.

Rupert furrowed his brows in confusion, he glanced up at Henry and sat up. "For what?"

"After Charles's death, I was broken... and heartbroken," Henry explained as he got closer to Rupert, "But you came and helped me. I was suspicious of you when you asked me out but after a while, those suspicions went away I feel weird for saying this but I fell in love with you."

Rupert nearly choked on his coffee as his face was now red, and his guilty conscience flared up.

"Oh shit..."

Rupert grumbled as he walked where most soldiers go to to wind down, the bar. The bartender sensed Rupert's thunderstorm of a mood when he saw Rupert coming in, the bartender gave Rupert a drink as the prickly captain sat in front of him. Rupert thanked the bartender and drown the drink. A couple of hours later, Rupert was drunk.

A couple of soldiers were there at the bar. Hayden, Hank, Drake, Josh, Jose, and Howard were there drinking. They saw Rupert was in a bad mood and was drinking. They know to steer clear of him when he is like that. Calvin and Konrad came into the bar. They saw Rupert was on his phone and was smiling like an idiot.

They went over to him, and each brother sat on one side of Rupert.

"Are you texting Henry lewd texts?" Calvin snickered.

"If you are," Konrad added with a smirk, "What are they?"

Rupert stopped texting for a moment, he quickly stood up and faced Calvin which made him and Konrad scared. Rupert was glaring at the twins with his golden eyes that was ablaze with anger.

"No... No, I'm not..." Rupert snarled, he was clenching his fists as he trembled. Calvin and Konrad didn't like how Rupert looked, and the other soldiers stood up and stared at them.

"I will never do that to Henry... because I will never like him like that..." Rupert stated coldly.

Calvin and Konrad blinked in confusion as they trembled in fear, "I have been using him since Charles's death..." Rupert continued, "I have been using this prick."

Calvin gasped as Konrad's eyes widened.

"You have been using him?" Calvin asked incredulously, "Is this supposed to be some kind of prank? If it is, then this is messed up.

"Yeah!" Konrad added angrily, "You're messing with his emotions! That is low... even for you."

"The fucker deserves this for ruining my life!" Rupert reasoned.

"He's already been through enough!" Calvin argued back, "Just because you and he have a bad past doesn't mean you have to hurt him like this!"

While Calvin and Rupert were arguing, the situation was getting tense and some of the soldiers were worried about a fight breaking out. The bartender watched the confrontation with anxiety as he saw the door to his bar opened, and he gasped at who entered.

"Yes. It. Does." Rupert snarled, "He ruined my life and got Charles KILLED!"

Calvin flinched at the last word, however, before he could argue, he saw something familiar behind Rupert. Rupert saw Calvin was not looking at him, Rupert was about to question what Calvin was looking at when he felt something hard rammed into his face. Rupert fell to the ground. Calvin looked back and forth between Henry and Rupert. Calvin saw Henry's expression and he winced, Henry was crying. His blue eyes were red and puffy, and he was trembling.

Calvin peeked at his brother and the other patrons for help. But most of the soldiers didn't want to get involved because they thought Rupert deserved the punch and they were afraid of Henry. Henry quickly got Rupert up and led him to the entrance of the bar. Henry threw Rupert out of the bar and went outside before slamming the door, making the glass crack.

Everyone flinched including the bartender. Calvin stared after Henry, debating if he should follow them. Konrad stood next to him, also debating. They both stared at each other, wordlessly having a conversation. They decided to wait a while. They're hoping that there will be no killing involved.

Henry pulled Rupert on his jacket to the clearing and once there, Henry threw Rupert on the ground and started kicking him.

"You... You fucking bastard!" Henry shouted as he kept kicking Rupert, Henry heard grunts from Rupert who wasn't fighting back. Henry stopped kicking and started punching him.

"How fricking dare you!" Henry couldn't understand what it takes for a person to play with someone's emotions, he couldn't comprehend it.  

Normally, Rupert would defend himself in a situation but he's too drunk. He got up and stagger a bit, he stood up and he glared at Henry with his bloody teeth bared.

"YOU USED ME!!" Henry bellowed, "YOU FUCKING USED ME!!"

Rupert still glared at Henry as Henry started laughing while sobbing, "All those times we-" Henry said, voice cracking, "Were too good to be true..."

Henry went up to Rupert who was still glaring at him, "You're such a dirty liar! I would kill you but I don't want your dirty blood on me!"

Rupert raised an eyebrow at the subtle death threat, he didn't think Henry had the guts to kill him, maybe beating him up but not killing him. "Rupert... why?" Henry asked, anger ebbing away and replaced with sadness.

Rupert spit out some blood, and he wiped the blood off his mouth.

"Do you want to hear the brutal truth?" Rupert asked.

" I wanted to mess with you, it was fun to see you head over heels in love with me," Rupert responded before Henry could answer him. Henry gaped, trembling badly, restraining himself from killing Rupert.

"You pretended to be in love with me... What. The. Hell." Henry scowled, "How badly are you screwed up in the head to do this to me!?"

Rupert didn't do anything at first but he exhaled, "None. I did this because you ruined my life and got Charles killed!"

Henry blinked as a new wave of emotions set in, he stopped trembling as he bowed his head down. "Is using me like a toy really fucking worth it?" he questioned, his tone emotionless.

Rupert would have said yes and would have enjoyed the revenge, however, he didn't. Henry ceased his crying, wiped his eyes, and he exhaled a sharp breath. "And I didn't mean to get Charles killed... he saved me..."

Rupert gave Henry an apathetic look, he crossed his arms. "We were supposed to come home together... instead I have to watch him save me from a Toppat clan," Henry continued, voice wavering, "I didn't want him to die... "

"Every day my mind tells me it should have been me... " Rupert's eyes widened when he heard Henry's confession, "I wish he didn't save me, I wish I switched places with him..."

Henry felt numb.

Henry went quiet as Rupert stepped closer, Rupert felt extremely guilty. Without thinking, he held out a hand to comfort Henry but that was a wrong move. Without warning, Henry screeched and pulled out a pocket knife. Rupert saw the knife and was about to apprehend Henry but he was too slow.

SLASH!

"AAAAGH!"

Rupert cried out in pain as he felt his left eye being slashed by Henry's pocket knife, he trembled as tears started brewing in his left eye and felt a stinging sensation. He used his remaining eye to glance at Henry in shock, Henry was holding up the pocket knife which has Rupert's blood. Henry was glaring at Rupert with malice, "You tell me I'm a heartless bastard..." he said coldly, "But... have you looked in the mirror?"

Henry dropped the knife on the ground and left Rupert alone bleeding cause he didn't want to be near Rupert. Rupert stared after him, feeling a twinge of sadness in his heart. He covered his eye and picked up the pocket knife to inspect it. He recognize the familiarity of the knife and gasped when he saw it was Charles's pocket knife.

Rupert went back to the base to get patched up but stopped when he saw Calvin, Konrad, and the other soldiers who were at the bar. They didn't look happy. Some had angry looks, some have apathetic looks, and some just stared at him. Jose went over to him and led him to the med bay. Jose patched Rupert up, and neither didn't say a word to the other.

After Jose was done, he stared at Rupert blankly. Rupert didn't look at him, Jose sighed.

"I lost all respect for you,"

Jose left Rupert alone in the medbay to think about what he has done.

The Government managed to capture the remaining Toppats and freed some prisoners they had. Dave Panpa was one of them. Dave was happy at first to see Rupert but his happiness faded when he heard what Rupert did to Henry and he verbally beat the shit out of Rupert. Dave stopped talking to Rupert after that.

Rupert thought about what he did to Henry and wanted to apologize to him but Henry refused to speak to him.

Rupert was heading toward the bar to celebrate when he spotted Henry heading toward the bar, Rupert quickly ran over to him to stop him. "Henry! Wait!"

He was hoping Henry would listen to him since every time he tried to talk to him, Henry would make up excuses or avoid him. However, to his surprise, Henry stopped. Rupert was now in front of Henry who wasn't looking at him, Henry turned around to face Rupert. He wasn't looking at him. "What?" he said, tone cold and clipped which made Rupert cringe.

"I want to apologize for my behavior," Rupert replied softly.

Henry looked at him, his eyes were glossy. "I'm sorry for manipulating you, using you, and just being a jerk to you in general. I was a prick to you and I know what I did to you was fucked up. I knew I screwed up the moment I started playing with your emotions. And I'm sorry for blaming you for Charles's death... that was uncalled for." Rupert said, his eyes shimmering.

Henry looked at him for a moment then he sighed, he closed his eyes as he inhaled and opened them as he exhaled. "Okay, I don't forgive you,"

Rupert blinked when he heard Henry said that, "Why would I forgive you for hurting me?! I know you don't forgive me for the other stuff..." Henry continued harshly, "You have to live for what you did to me as I do for the lives I ruined."

Henry turned away from Rupert as he began to walk away, "Also, I don't trust you anymore... and I will probably never will."

Henry went inside the bar and for a few minutes, Rupert followed suit. Once inside, he saw every soldier was there. He looked for Henry and he spotted Henry with the Bukowski twins. His eyes widened when he saw Henry's head was on Calvin's shoulder and Calvin's arm was around his waist. He had heard rumors that Calvin and Henry got closer after their nasty breakup. Rupert silently went out of the bar and went back to his tent.

Inside his tent, Rupert got out his secret stash of alcohol and drank from the bottle. A few minutes later, he was drunk as hell. He then started sobbing as he put his hand into his face, he lost three people he cared about and it's two of them were his fault.

His mind kept making up this sweet lie that Henry might change his mind but he knew he lost Henry.

Revenge is not sweet... it's bitter.

A/N: I'm sorry if this is so long... and I was crying while writing this... I know what it is like to be used like a doll so that's why I relate to Henry so well.

[flowerbarrel-art]

I took the cosmos persona quiz for Josh, Drake and Quentin too.

I got satellite for Josh.

Supernova for Drake.

And light cone for Quentin.

[echotrinityme]

Distrust Bad Ending: Death of Hope

A/N: I know I have to write the good ending to Distrust and it's been forever since I updated that story but I'm in the mood to write torture so I'm going to show you guys the bad ending to Distrust.

This ending takes after the events in Chapter 21.

Warning: Cold-blooded torture and blood. If you don't want to read that, I suggest you turn back now.

Briar was just finishing up some stuff when his phone rang, he check the caller id to see who it is and he smiled.

"Hello?" Briar answered with a chirp.

The person on the phone was talking and while they were talking, Briar was grinning like a madman. "Excellent," he said happily, "Now I leave the rest to you and bring everyone important."

The person on the phone replied and they hung up.

Briar hummed as he got a hunting knife and started playing with it. He smiled with a wave of giddiness washed over him, "Let the fun begin!" he exclaimed as his crimson eyes glowed with a mischievous look.

The Government and the Toppat Clan were scrambling to get everything under control.

After a couple of mistrials and errors, they've got everything under control. Reginald and Right Hand Man decided to head back to headquarters along with the other Toppats. But they told the General to give them updates on the leader and his whereabouts.

Everyone was at the cafeteria either eating, talking, or just sitting. Charles, Victoria, Ellie, Johnny, and Dave were sitting together as the Bukowski twins came over to them. Charles, Johnny, and Dave ate while Victoria and Ellie talked about random girl stuff. The Bukowski twins were about to eat when they notice someone was missing, "Hey, where's Henry?" Calvin asked.

"And Rupert?" Konrad added.

Everyone look around to search for them but they didn't find them.

"Weird." Charles said in confusion, "Where are they?"

"And Henry doesn't like to skip meals since he's so skinny," Ellie added.

"Probably they're off making out somewhere or more," Johnny stated with a snicker.

Calvin giggled as Victoria smack Johnny in the head, "Ow!" he responded with a cry of pain. "I was just kidding."

Victoria shook her head as Charles groaned in annoyance, they all went back to what they were doing but were still wondering where Rupert and Henry were at. The peace was disturbed when everyone heard a shout.

"HELP!"

Charles and the others recognized that voice, it was Henry's.

Charles and the others stood up as Henry came into the cafeteria, he was panting as he was just finished running. His hair was messy and his eyes were filled with panic, Charles quickly went up to him. "Hen? What's wrong?" he demanded gently, "Where's Rupert?"

Henry was struggling to speak and Charles notice he was now crying, "H-he w-w-was c-captured by the leader of the Cult of Desperatinois!" he exclaimed.

"What!?" said everyone in unison.

"How!?" Victoria questioned angrily.

Henry stop his sniffling to look at Victoria, "W-we were walking i-into town when we were ambushed by him." he explained, "And we tried to fight him off but couldn't."

"The leader then captured Rupert but let me go." Henry finished as he buried his face into Charles's chest and sobbed some more.

Everyone felt pity and sadness for Henry, Charles rubbed Henry's back as he whispers comforting words to him. "Well, what are we waiting for?" Calvin asked as he had a determined look on his face, "Let's go save him!"

"Wait! We can just go right now." Ellie stated angrily, "We don't know where Rupert was taken and we need a plan first!"

"Oh yeah..." Calvin responded sadly.

"I know where he was taken..."

Everyone turn to Henry whose face was still buried in Charles's chest, he glanced at everyone with his red puffy eyes, "Before he took Rupert, Rupert told me to run and I obeyed. However, I look back to see Rupert being dragged off to the woods."

"They must be hiding in the woods," Charles said astonished.

"Then we must tell the General and go get Rupert back before the leader does something to him," Victoria stated firmly.

Everyone agree as Charles hugged Henry tighter, however, Charles didn't see Henry's face. Henry cease his sobbing as he smiled, but it wasn't a normal smile, it was a creepy smile.

Everyone explained to the General what was going on, then they told him they want to stop the leader. Galeforce wasn't too happy about the situation but they need to rescue Rupert as soon as possible, he order everyone to go search for him and the leader. Charles, Victoria, Ellie, Johnny, Dave, Quentin, Drake, Josh, Calvin, Konrad, June, and Sarah were assigned to stop the leader and rescue Rupert.

Everyone got their gear and headed out. The General told them to be careful and stay on guard. Henry guided everyone to the location, and they found a large black building in the middle of the forest.

"Is that the building, Henry?" Victoria asked Henry.

Henry nodded as Charles went up to the building, he studied the building and found it was a medium-sized building. However, he was wondering what's a building doing here in the forest. Victoria stood next to him and turned to everyone waiting for an order. "Okay, all we need to do is find Rupert, capture the leader, and get out." Victoria stated firmly, "Got it?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good, now let's go in."

Victoria went in first to check for any traps, but she didn't find anything and let everyone in. Henry was the last one in as the door closed, the room was dark at first then the lights came on. Victoria led the others to search for Rupert. They check the rooms but to their shock, he was not in there.

Charles was walking down a hallway when he felt someone tug on his sleeve, he glanced behind him to find Henry with his head bowed down. "Hey, Hen?" Charles asked gently, "What's wrong?"

"It's just... I'm worried about Rupert." Henry worried, "What if we don't find him or the leader is doing something awful to him."

Charles smiled at Henry's care for Rupert, he was glad they got together and was still surprised that they even developed feelings for each other. "Hey, don't talk like that," Charles reassured Henry as he put a hand on Henry's shoulder, "We will find him before the leader does something to him."

"Really?"

"Mmhm."

Henry hugged him which surprised Charles, Henry was never a touchy feelings person so Charles was surprised when Henry was hugging him. Charles hugged him back, and Henry smiled. "Oh, by the way," Henry said slowly as he pulled away from Charles, "I'm sorry for doing this."

Charles stared at Henry in confusion, "For what?" he responded as he chuckled.

Suddenly, there was a sound of a door opening behind Charles. Charles glanced behind him as Henry pushed him into the door, "ACK!" Charles cried out in surprise as he saw the door close behind him.

"HENRY!"

Charles fell onto the ground with an oof, he groans in pain as he wonders where he is. He didn't have time to question his surroundings when a shadow appeared to loom over him.

"Need a hand?"

Charles gasps as he looks up to see Rupert Price with his hand out, he took the hand and Rupert helped him up. "Rupert! I'm so glad to see you." Charles said happily with a smile but quickly drop it when he notice something, "But... how did you escape the leader's grasp?" he asked.

"Well, I got out of his grasp and kicked his butt," Rupert responded smugly.

"Nice." Charles said, proudly, "But where is the leader?"

"Oh, I got him tied up, let's go grab him and go to the others."

Charles nodded as Rupert started to lead him to the leader's whereabouts.

Meanwhile, with the gang, Victoria and the others kept searching for Rupert. Victoria was about to check another room when she heard Henry call her name, she and the others saw Henry panicking as he did earlier. "Henry? What's wrong?" Ellie demanded as Henry came up to them.

"T-the leader t-took Charles!" Henry wailed out.

"What?!"

Henry was crying and Ellie hugged him to calm him down, "That bastard!" Calvin growled.

"We need to find them before the leader does something awful." Victoria said urgently, "Let's go, everyone."

Everyone followed her to find Rupert and Charles. However, they don't see Henry has stopped his crying and smirking behind his hand. He was leading everyone into a trap.

Rupert's hat was covering his face as he walked, he was wearing a creepy smile. Charles was walking behind him and looking around at his surroundings. Then he remembered something, "Uh, Rupert?" he said tentatively, "Before you found me, Henry was acting strange... and then pushed me into a secret door. But he told me something before he pushed me into the door."

"Oh?" Rupert said as he saw a red elevator at the end of the hallway, "What did he say?"

"He told me "I'm sorry for doing this," Charles replied.

"Hmm." was the response when Rupert stop in front of the elevator, he turn to face Charles.

"Charles, remember when I first joined the Government and you became one of my best friends?" Rupert asked with a small smile.

"Uh, yeah I do." Charles replied with a smile, "I remember you were prickly and closed off. Wait, you still are actually but not so bad now."

Rupert chuckled darkly as he push a button next to the elevator, and the elevator's doors opened. Rupert turn to Charles again and smiled, Charles saw this smile and for some reason, he felt uneasy. "But you made friends with everyone in the Government and the General treats you like his own son, right?" Rupert explained.

Charles nodded as the uneasy feeling went away but felt weird being praised by Rupert, "You're the light of everyone's life, and what's the perfect way to bring everyone to despair by diminishing it?"

Rupert grab Charles into a one-arm hug to the entrance, Charles was happy for a moment until he heard what Rupert just said. Before Charles could question Rupert, he was pushed inside the elevator. Charles gasps in confusion as he fell to the ground on his stomach, he glanced at Rupert in scared confusion.

"Rupert?" Charles said in fear.

Rupert had his head bowed, "Of course..." then Rupert looks up at Charles, "That's why you were chosen." he stated with a creepy smile on his face and his eyes were white with black swirls.

Charles's heart started to beat faster as Rupert closed the elevator's doors, Rupert push the button and the elevator started going down. A couple of minutes later, Charles was leaning against the wall of the elevator. He was confused, shocked, and scared. Why did Rupert do this?

"Now you may ask yourself, "Why did one of my best friends do this to me?"

Charles blinked when he heard a voice, the elevator came to a stop, and the elevator's doors open to reveal a black room with only a monitor. The monitor was playing and Charles saw a devilishly good-looking man with long, messy black hair and red eyes. He was also wearing all black and was wearing black makeup. Also, he has the face of an angel. Charles might as well thought he was looking at an angel if it weren't for the black aesthetic and the way the man was smiling.

"It's not as complicated as you may think." The man continued as Charles stepped inside the room.

"Who are you?" Charles asked in fear.

The man stared at Charles then his eyes widen, "Oh, I'm sorry." he responded, "Where are my manners, my name is Briar Bloodsworth."

Charles furrowed his brow in confusion as Briar continued, "I'm the one who caused the chaos along with brainwashing the Cult of Desperationis."

Charles quickly felt anger as Briar smiled, "By the way, do you want to know why your best friend has betrayed you?"

Charles's anger dissipated as a look of curiosity was now on his face, "I made him watch a video! Changed his perspective and whatnot, and now he's like me!" Briar replied happily.

"You brainwashed him? How could you do that!?" Charles exclaimed as he step closer to the screen.

"Oh come on, you act like that's a bad thing." Briar responded nonchalantly, "Besides save your energy, you're going to need it."

Charles was so confused about what Briar just said.

Victoria and the others were walking down a hallway, they were still looking for Charles and Rupert. They were searching for them until they heard a noise, everyone pointing their guns toward the end of the hallway, then they spotted Rupert running down the hallway. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, Henry quickly ran up to him. "Rupert!" Victoria exclaimed in happiness, "We thought you were captured by the leader? And where's Charles?"

Henry hugged Rupert and Rupert hugged him back, while they were hugging, Victoria felt a pang of jealousy. She still felt a little anger at them being together but quickly drop it when Rupert told everyone to find Charles, everyone nodded as Rupert led the way.

"Now you may be wondering why are you here. Well, the video I made Rupert watch isn't finished yet." Briar stated as he hummed. "The video needs a little... I don't know... a little touch."

"So I thought might as well add a few things, and a light bulb came up."

Charles raised an eyebrow as Briar's eyes glowed with a hint of insanity, Briar brought out his hands. "Oh yes, you will make a great final addition to the video! Just need to wait for Henry and Rupert to bring your friends and we will get started."

Charles's eyes widen upon hearing Henry's name, "Wait! Did you brainwash Henry too?!"

Briar ignored him as he saw Henry, Rupert, and the others enter a room filled with monitors.

Everyone stood standing in the room, looking around the strange room in confusion. Victoria saw a bunch of monitors surrounding the room, and she suddenly felt bad as she started asking herself questions. Then a sound of an intercom started playing, "Heyo, Government dogs." said a voice excitedly, "Is everyone here? Good, let's get started!"

Everyone gasps in shock and surprise as they heard a voice, "It's coming from up there." Henry pointed to a monitor as everyone stared up at Briar holding up another monitor. They saw Charles looking around in confusion, "Who the hell are you and what have you done to Charles!?" Quentin shouted in anger and clenched his fists.

"HAHAHA! My name is Briar and every good show starts with an opening act! Briar exclaimed happily in a high-pitched voice, "IT'S PUNISHMENT TIME!"

Briar pushes a button on a remote control and the monitor in front of Charles disappeared as a wall began to open, Charles felt fear as he saw a dark tunnel but it wasn't a dark tunnel. It was an entrance to a maze.

Charles was panting as he held his right arm, his right arm was bleeding from a torture weapon that came out of a wall earlier. He was leaving a trail of blood behind him, he heard Briar talking like an announcer would be at a game.  "Look at our pilot go! He's doing so great in his run!" Briar stated happily.

Charles was trying to run but stepped on a trap and stumbled on spikes, one impaled through his boot. "Ahhh!" he cried out in pain. He fell onto the ground and got his foot out of the spike. He felt tears prickle around his eyes as he saw the wound on his foot, he had a hole in his boot but got up to keep going. "Come on, Charles." Charles said to himself as he limped, "We have to make it, we have to."

However, Charles heard a sound behind him. He looked behind him when he saw a giant rock coming towards him, his eyes widened and he quickly started to run again. "I have to make it." he kept repeating as he kept limping. Charles kept limping further down the hall, and suddenly three cannonballs were coming at him. Charles tried to dodge them but one struck his head and it was now bleeding heavily. Charles covered his right hand with his hand cause of the bleeding, "I-I can make it... I can make it..."

Charles stopped at a two-way path, he look behind him again and saw the rock coming towards him fast, he was debating which side to take but didn't have time. Charles took the left path as the rock came and smashed into a wall. Charles leaned against the wall as he glanced up at a monitor where Briar was watching him,  "Nice try," Charles said breathlessly, "But I'm not going to fail. My friends and I are going to kick your ass! This is fucking stupid!"

"Ah, now there's the hope I want to crush." Briar responded happily, "More of that, please! When it's gone, you have nothing left for you to hold onto. It's better to cling to despair than to hope!"

"Now, get moving mister!" Briar continued as he wave randomly, "Whoops! I mean good luck!"

Charles started moving again despite being in pain.

Meanwhile, with the Government soldiers, they were watching Charles on the monitors. "We have to find him and get him out of there!" June said desperately. Her eyes were gray and lifeless

"Of course but where is he!?" Quentin inquired, his eyes were also gray.

"How are we supposed to know!? Just start looking!" Victoria commanded angrily as she tried to leave but couldn't, her eyes turned gray.

No one moved.

"This is so messed up." Calvin said as he stared up at the monitors, "Hey! I thought we going to save him!"  He didn't move.

"Well, that's the idea...but there's one problem." Konrad stated in a monotone.

"My body..." Sarah said.

"I can't seem to move!" Dave exclaimed.

Everyone's eyes were gray and they couldn't move. They helplessly watch Charles trek through the maze bleeding and in pain.

A huge boomerang was headed towards Charles and without having the time to react, it pinned his jacket to the wall. "I'm not giving up, I will my friends and we will take you down!"

Briar looked at Charles with a smile on his face, "You know... I like your spunk and determination," he said. "Since I like that in you, I'm going to give you a ten-second head start."

"10, 9, 8,7."

Charles quickly heard Briar counting down and started to pace faster, "6...5...4...3..."

Charles kept pacing, trying to find an exit.

"2... 1-"

"AAAAGH!"

Charles screamed when he felt a sharp pain in his leg, "Oh I forgot, I have a despairingly short attention span." Briar stated as he smiled wickedly as Charles tremble in pain.

"And besides... you should know to not to believe in miracles," Briar continued lowly, "Your friends are not to save you, but they are going to watch you die though."

"Charles... no..." Victoria mumbled as she was sobbing and her eyes were now white with black swirls. The others had the same eyes as hers, "Stop it!" Sarah added as she sobbed, "Don't make me watch! Please..."

"Make it stop! Please!" Konrad begged, everyone was sobbing and begging Briar to stop the madness they were in.

Charles stared down at his wounded leg as Briar taunted him,  "That's right! No miracles for you! Charles CalvresumesLoved by your friends, who rely on you."

Charles resumes walking to find an exit while hearing Briar, "Your death will corrupt them to the bone!"

"I won't... We won't..." Charles stated firmly as Briar started laughing. "They... will come for me!" he continued, "It won't end like this!"

Charles wiped his blood on one of the mondeterminedle Briar cease his laughing, he kept walking, determined to find an exit. He kept walking when he saw a door with a label on it, the label said "GOAL" Charles slowly open the door and saw everyone including Rupert and Henry.  "Heh. T,ld you," he said in a whisper.

Rupert held out a hand while Henry did the same, "Welcome back, Charles." Rupert said happily, Henry nodded happily, "Glad you've made it."

Charles smiled as he went over to them, but as soon he was to grab their hands, a spear shot through him. Charles gasped in shock as the illusion disappeared, then spears came out of the ground. Charles's eyes and pupils dilate as the spears impaled him.

Everyone gasped as the monitor changed into a red screen with letters saying "GAME OVER!"

"CONGRATULATIONS!" Briar shouted happily as he held out his arms, the soldiers were now laughing like a maniac and crying. Their eyes had swirls in them, they were brainwashed. "WELCOME TO THE FOLD! DOESN'T LOSING SOMEONE YOU LOVE BREAK  YOUR HEART? NOW YOU CAN SPREAD THE FEELING OF DESPAIR TO EVERYONE!" Briar continued in a shrill and psychotic tone, "NOTHING WILL MAKE  YOU HAPPY AS YOU WATCH THE WHOLE WORLD BURN WITH THE SAME FEELING!"

The spears retracted back into the ground and Charles fell onto the ground. "Say bye-bye to your pilot." Briar said smoothly as his eyes glowed with malice, "And say hello to the wonderful world of despair."

Everyone was laughing hysterically as Briar continued,  "Thank you for playing, and I look forward to working with you."

A couple of hours later, Charles was laying on the floor surrounded by his blood. He was in pain and he had holes where the spears were implanted. He heard footsteps coming towards him and stop. He looked up to see Henry staring down at him with a blank expression, "H... Henry..." Charles murmured in pain, he tried to get up but he was in pain.

"Charles..." Henry responded in a monotone voice.

"D-Do y-you remember the first time w-w-when we met?" Charles asked, his voice cracking.

Henry didn't respond.

"You didn't like me... but eventually you warmed up to me." Charles continued as he wince in pain, he tried to get up again. He slowly got up and was about to stand up but slipped on his blood, landing him face ground on the floor. More blood pooled in and Charles started to sob.

"Oh god... this is it..." Charles sobbed as he was in more pain. "I'm going to die..."

"But I can't die yet... I have to save you and the others," he continued, still sobbing.

"You still want to help me and others? Even though you're on the brink of death?" Henry asked sharply as he crossed his arms.

"Yes. You and Rupert and the others are my life." Charles replied as he felt himself getting weaker, he held out his hand towards Henry.

"Hen... Come on... Let's have one last adventure..." Charles said in a whisper, "I c-can d-d-do one of my g-greatest p-plans."

Without waiting for a response from Henry, Charles close his eyes as his head was now on the ground. His arm dropped to the floor and more blood surround him. And he moved no more. He was now dead.

Henry went over to Charles's corpse and saw Charles's headphones were off his head. Henry picked up the headset that was covered with blood, he stared at it for a moment, then at Charles's dead body. He started trembling as he felt warm liquid streaming down his face, he was crying.

He touch his face in confusion, his eyes that were red now turn back into blue.

Why was he crying?

A/N: I'm so super sorry it's long and I'm sorry for traumatizing you guys with this...

[echotrinityme]

Distrust Chapter 25:Heartbreaks and Sorrows

Charles was sobbing as he felt a jolt of pain in his heart, Rupert and Henry were brainwashed by the leader before all this nightmare started. But how? Why? When did this happen? Then a thought popped into his mind, the day they rescued them from Briar.

Calvin found Henry unconscious while Rupert was still missing, Rupert was found a couple minutes later. They seemed fine at first but Charles realized they had been lying to everyone including the General. They were brainwashed to do Briar's bidding, they were mentally broken. Their original personalities were replaced with a more rotten, broken ones.

Charles then had a flashback when Rupert, Henry, and Victoria found the murdered kids. Henry had even asked who would have do this, and Charles now understand why. Rupert and Henry manipulated everyone including the Toppats. Charles ceased his sobbing as his expression became apathetic, he then stood up and headed out of the files room.

The General, Victoria, and the others were waiting for Charles when they spotted him coming towards them. Instead of stopping them, Charles walked by past them, they were all confused. "Charles?" Victoria said, tentatively.

"Charlie?" Galeforce added.

But Charles wouldn't respond to them, he had an designation in mind. Everyone started to follow him, Charles finally made it to his designation. He was at the room where Rupert's and Henry's corpses were still at. He went up to them slowly as he took out his pocketknife, he was now at Henry's corpse. He held up his knife to aim towards Henry's heart.

The others got there in time to see Charles holding his pocketknife on Henry, then they realize what Charles was about to do. "Goodbye, Henry Stickmin." Charles said, emotionless as he plunged the knife deep into Henry's heart.

Everyone gasped in horror as Charles left the knife for a few minutes until he pulled it out. The knife had some of Henry's blood on it, Charles gripped the knife tighter as everyone went up to him with disgust looks on their faces.

"Charles! What the fuck man!?" Johnny exclaimed, in anger.

"Yeah! Why did you that!?" Dave added, in shock. "They're already dead."

The others gave Charles questioning looks as he wouldn't look at anyone nor he didn't seem to hear them. Johnny was about to ask again when he heard "Because they were already dead before all this started." Charles replied, tone void of emotion.

Johnny glanced at Charles in bewilderment, Dave raised an eyebrow at him. Ellie, Victoria, and the others were confused at what Charles had said. "What are you talking about?" Johnny asked, in annoyance.

Charles held out the same photos he had earlier to Johnny and the others. Johnny took the one where Rupert murdered his dad, Ellie took the one where Henry murdered the Toppats, and Victoria took the last two photos to share with the others. Everyone's reactions were not...pretty to say at least.

Johnny was trembling in rage while Dave was hyperventilating, Ellie wanted to cry, Victoria was hit with the first wave of emotions since she first out about Rupert's relationship with Henry, and the others...well...they were in rage and sorrow.

"Why!" Dave wailed, uncontrollably. "Why did he do this!? Why did they do that!?"

"This isn't the Henry I used to know..." Ellie said, her voice cracking.

Victoria was at a loss, she didn't know what to say. Yeah, she was heart broken and all but now...she feels numb. Calvin, Konrad, Hank, Hayden, Drake, Josh, June, Sarah, and Quentin were in denial and disbelief. The General closed his eyes as he felt tears in his eyes, gosh this was such a mess.

Charles glanced at everyone whom was having a tough time trying to comprehend what's going on. He shook his head as went over to Johnny and Dave, Dave was still sobbing while Johnny was hugging him. Johnny saw Charles came up to him, Charles then told Johnny to take out his pocketknife. Johnny was confused for a second until he realized what Charles wanted him to do, he handed Dave over to Charles and he went over to Rupert's corpse.

Victoria also went over to Rupert's corpse, she watched Johnny held the knife over Rupert's heart. Her expression was apathetic when she heard Johnny said, "Good bye Rupert Price, hope we meet in another life...buddy." Johnny choked up as he felt tears in his eyes as he plunged the knife down into Rupert's heart.

Johnny kept the knife inside Rupert's heart until he took it out, the knife had some of Rupert's blood. Johnny sighed heavily as Dave stared at him blankly, Charles felt so numb. "I can't believe they trick us like fools!" said a voice, in rage.

Everyone turned to Calvin whom was glaring daggers at the corpses, his fists tighten in anger. "Dude!" Konrad scolded, as he put his hands on his hips."Have some respect for the dead."

"What? I'm telling the truth." Calvin said, ignoring everyone's looks.

"So? That doesn't mean you should disrespect the dead, Cal." Konrad replied, angrily.

Calvin was about to say something insensitive when Johnny punched him in the face, Calvin was shock at first but punched back. Galeforce sighed as he felt a migraine coming on, Calvin and Johnny were fighting like cats and dogs. Dave had to pull Johnny away from Calvin while Konrad did the same to Calvin.

Victoria was about had it with everything, she then slapped both Johnny and Calvin. They both cried out in pain and was about to retort at her until they saw her look at them. She was giving them a death glared.

"Stop it, you two." she said, sharply as her voice wavered. "The last thing we need to do is fight. There has already been blood spilled, do you want more?"

Calvin and Johnny both glanced at each other as they glared at each other, then they both sighed sadly as they shook their heads. "Good." Victoria said.

"B-But w-why did they do this?" Dave questioned, in sorrow.

Before anyone could say anything, everyone heard "Cause they were brainwashed by Briar Bloodsworth."

Everyone turned to the source of the voice and saw Charles with a blank expression on his face, "What?" Johnny asked, in confusion.

"How?" Victoria added.Pries

Charles then gave them a hard stare, "The day we rescued them, we found Henry unconsciousness and Rupert was missing. Then Rupert came out of the building in anger at not catching Briar..." he explained, as he bowed his head down in sadness. "They were brainwashed by that...evil bastard! "

Charles emphasis that last word as his fists tighten and his eyes stung with tears, "But how did he brainwashed them?" Ellie questioned, softly.

Charles was about to reply when the intercoms started activating then there was a voice coming from the intercom, "How I brainwashed them...it's not as complicated as you guys may think." said, the voice in a cheerful tone.

Everyone recognized the voice was Briar's, "I made them watch a video!" Briar continued, enthusiastically. "Henry was the first one to be brainwashed but the prickly one...Rupert Price is name I believe, he tried to resist the brainwashing."

Everyone felt a small sense of pride in Rupert, at least he tried to resist the brainwashing but...wait a minute...then how did Rupert became completely brainwashed? "Now you may ask yourself...how did Rupert became completely like me?" Briar asked.

"Cause I gave him a lobotomy, of course!"

Everyone gasped in horror as Briar laughed hysterically. Johnny bowed his head down as he tighten his fists and he felt tears brewing in his eyes, "Y-Y-You bastard!" he wavered. "You turned Rupert and Henry into...monsters! Go rot in Hell!"

Dave put a comforting hand on Johnny as Briar giggled to taunt Johnny, then Johnny brought out his gun. He shot the intercom in rage as Briar kept laughing, he shot many bullets to destroy the intercom. Then a few minutes later, the intercom was now completely destroyed. Johnny was panting as he kept holding his gun, then he fell over as he began sobbing. Dave had to make sure he didn't fall on his face, he hugged Johnny to comfort him.

Victoria and Ellie also started sobbing. Charles on the other hand...felt like he couldn't go on anymore, the fire within him was extinguished. He had lost two of his best friends and it was caused by an evil person wanting to see the world burn.

He wanted to die...but he can't, no he will not give up. He'll save everyone and avenge Rupert and Henry. He will stop Briar Bloodsworth, no matter what.

[flowerbarrel-art]

~ PuffballsUnited, InnerSloth, The Henry Stickmin Collection

“…Drake? Where’s the door hole?”

[echotrinityme]

Distrust Chapter 12: Topaz and Sapphire

Victoria glared at Henry across the cafeteria, he was sitting next to Rupert who was talking to Dave. Victoria sat with June, Hayden, Hank, Liam, Drake, and Josh. Ever since she caught Rupert and Henry kissing, she's been feeling sadness and anger. Since when did Rupert ever had feelings for Henry? For all the time she known him, he hated Henry since he was the one who ruined his life.

So why were Rupert and Henry kissing each other? When did they suddenly decide to become a couple? Who started the kiss? Rupert? Victoria doubts it but she had a gut feeling it was him, she ignore the feeling in favor of being Henry who started the kiss. Of all the people Rupert had to kiss, why Henry? Henry is no good for him, he probably manipulated Rupert into a relationship...Victoria shook her head as she sighed sadly. Why is she thinking of these thoughts? What's wrong with her?

June noticed her Captain's sad attitude, she put a comforting hand on her. "Hey, Tori?"June asked, gingerly. "Are you alright?"

Victoria glanced at her, her eyes dull with sadness. "Yes, June." she replied, as she faked smiled. "It's nothing to worry about."

June didn't look convinced, she knew there's something wrong with Victoria. She was about to ask her again when she saw Victoria stood up and left the cafeteria. June was now really worried about Victoria, she's gonna have to talk to her later.

Hours later, Rupert and Henry were in the same storage room. They were looking over the files of the Cult again, they were trying to discover the leader's location by seeing if he left any clues. Henry went over the brainwashing technique again and he decided to draw the end results, Henry got a blank piece of paper and pencil, and he started drawing. Rupert watched him while he drew a picture of an eye with swirls on it, he was impressed on how well Henry can draw. Once Henry was done, he put it on the "conspiracy" board as Rupert likes to call it.

Rupert stared at the drawing for a moment, the eye looked...creepy. He also read the brainwashing technique, it was...disturbing to say at least. Very disturbing, of course torture is just disturbing, but there's different kinds of torture. There's physical torture, psychological torture, and mental torture. All forms of torture is brutal, no matter what kind of torture it is.

"Man, I would like to know how this guy manged to brainwash his members by using just a video." Rupert said, as he stared at the drawing.

"It's kinda scary." Henry replied, as he came over to Rupert. "There's someone like that out there, right now."

"Ya, I know."

"What I read is that once a person has been brainwashed...they can never go back to original personality."

"Wha? What do yer mean?"

"Their original personality is replaced...by a more twisted version of themselves."

"W-W-Wha?"

"The person may look fine physically but mentally...they're dead."

"So basically they are strangers in their own bodies?"

"Yes."

Rupert stared at Henry is shock and little bit of fear, "Wow..." he breathed. "That's...intense."

Henry nodded as he went to the table where they kept some of the files, he sat down on a chair and put his elbows on the surface. He put his face on his hand while keeping his other hand on the table, when are they gonna capture the leader? How much longer do we have to do this? Reading all this is making him depressed, he sighed heavily as he closed his eyes. Then he shivered, he open his eyes as he rubbed his arms. He stood up to check the temperature, he found the thermometer. He was cold and was about to turn up the heat when he felt a pair of arms wrapped around his waist.

Henry's face wet scarlet and he turn to see Rupert hugging him, Henry was bewildered on why Rupert was hugging him. Sure they may be a couple but Henry knows Rupert doesn't like contact, however Henry felt immediately warm upon Rupert's body heat. Henry leaned upon Rupert's chest while Rupert tighten his grip on Henry.

Henry turn to look up at Rupert, "Who are you and what have you done with the real Rupert Price." he teased, as he smiled.

Rupert chuckled softly as he put his nose into Henry's neck, "I'm still the same Rupert Price but you need a hug to keep you warm." he replied, face pink.

"Thorn, you don't like to initiate contact."

"Yer the only exception."

"Don't I feel special." Henry said, as he felt cozy from Rupert's warmth.

"Shut up, yer love this." Rupert replied, as he smirked.

Henry softly giggled at Rupert's answer, he was right. They kept being in that position until Rupert started to kiss Henry's neck, Henry got a little turned on by Rupert's hot breath on his neck. He turn around his body to face Rupert, then he kissed him. Henry wrapped his arms around Rupert's neck while Rupert wrapped his arms around Henry's waist, the two lovebirds should not be kissing, they should be working. As if on cue, the storage door open but they didn't care.

The General came in with files, "Price and Stickmin, I got some more f-" he started, but stopped when he saw Rupert and Henry doing something they weren't supposed to be doing.

"Well..." Galeforce thought, amusingly. "When I say I want for them to get along, I don't think this is what I meant but I'm not complaining. As long they are not fighting."

Galeforce watched the two love birds for a little bit until he had to give them the files, he cleared his throat to get their attention. Rupert and Henry immediately pulled away from each other, their faces scarlet with embarrassment. They glanced at the General as he looked at them in amusement, "Boys, is there something you would like to tell me?" Galeforce said, in a teasing tone.

Rupert covered his face with his hands while Henry used his hoodie to cover his face, they didn't seem to want to tell him about their relationship. "Soooo..." Galeforce started,as he made hand gestures and his tone was curious. "How did all this started."

Rupert uncovered his face and he glanced at Galeforce, he started explaining the how and why. Galeforce listened to him while he saw Rupert gently wrap an arm around Henry's waist, Galeforce smiled at them. After Rupert was done explaining, he turn his head away from the General. His face was still scarlet, Galeforce was surprised and shock that they are together. Galeforce congratulated them but warn them to not get distracted with the mission, he gave them the files and he left them alone.

Rupert and Henry smiled at each other and went back to work.

A couple days later, no one still doesn't know about Rupert and Henry yet. They asked the General not to tell anyone cause they want everyone else to find out for themselves, the General nodded in understanding. However, Victoria was acting aggressive towards Henry. Henry wanted to know she was acting towards him, he hasn't done anything to her. She belittles him, makes him do extra chores, and when training with her, she leaves bruises on him. And she only does it when Rupert's not around, she's nice when Rupert is with Henry.

Henry sighed as he went inside a jewelry store, why is Victoria is being so aggressive towards him?  He's not a jerk to her or doesn't steal from her, the only person he steals from is Rupert. Henry looked around the jewelry store, he wanted to give Rupert something special. Rupert needs something that will make him happy, Henry had a feeling Rupert didn't get many gifts. Henry was browsing the jewelry and spotted something that he will know Rupert will love, he bought and went out of the store. But he had one more gift had had to get for Rupert.

Later at night, Rupert was at the beach. He was waiting for Henry, he asked him to meet up with him. He had something special he want to give to Henry, well two things he want to give to Henry. He waited for a few minutes when he spotted Henry, he waved at him and beckoned him over to him. Henry was now in front of him, he was holding two boxes and he had a black eye. Rupert immediately checked his eye, "What happened?" he asked, in concern.

Henry smiled at him sheepishly, "I was training with Victoria and she kinda hit me too hard." he replied. "I'm fine."

"But she's not supposed to go rough." Rupert said, as he kept looking at the black eye.

"It's fine, besides she's been aggressive towards me lately."

Rupert raised a perplexed eyebrow, why is Victoria being aggressive towards Henry? Rupert made a mental note to talk to Victoria later, "Oi, I'll talk to her later but right now I have something to give you." he said, softly.

Henry glanced at him in surprise, "Really? Cause I have something for you too." he replied, softly. "How about I'll give you mine first, now close your eyes."

Rupert nodded as he closed his eyes, he felt Henry put something around his neck. After Henry was done, he told Rupert to open his eyes which he did. He looked down and saw a pendent with a topaz in the center. The topaz was the same color as his eyes, golden yellow. Rupert had never received a gift like this before, he glanced up at Henry who blushed as he turned away from Rupert.

"Do you like it?" Henry asked, shyly.

"I love it, Hen." Rupert replied, as he step closer to Henry. "Now I have to give yer my gift."

Henry smiled as Rupert told him to close his eyes as well, Henry felt something tight wrapped around his neck. After Rupert was done, Henry open his eyes as he took out his phone to see he was wearing a choker. The choker was black with a blue diamond in the middle, it almost looks like a miniature version of the Tunisian Diamond. Henry kissed Rupert on the cheek to show his gratitude towards Rupert.

"I guess that means you like it." Rupert said, as he was blushing a deep red.

"I love it." Henry whispered.

Rupert and Henry gave each other a ru as their necklaces glow in the moonlight.

[flowerbarrel-art]

Another Drake x Josh story. Continuation of these stories:

Content Warnings: Severe illness and minor injury mention, mention of parental neglect, and some swearing.

~~~~~~~~~~~

C’mon, Josh, if you wanna get this done inside of a century, you’re gonna have to move a lot faster than this!

Josh pressed a hand to his aching chest and took as deep a breath as he could manage without coughing.

A shipment of supplies had arrived that morning and Josh was slowly working his way through it.

I can get through this, Josh thought miserably as he opened another box of supplies. No one knows I’m here, no one will know I’m sick. It’ll last a day or so, tops.

His mind fogged as he worked, but the faint music playing from his phone kept his spirits up.

When he bent down to get another box, his head spun and he just barely managed to catch himself.

He finally couldn’t hold back a bout of coughing, and his vision began to fade out.

No. No fainting! Just breathe!

Josh leaned on the counter nearby and took slow breaths, and his vision slowly returned.

He slid down the counter to pick up the box and managed it without fainting.

He cursed as he fumbled a box of ammo, and made a desperate grab for it.

Another coughing fit and dizzy spell hit him; his hand slipped, and his head hit the edge of the counter.

He woke up to see sunlight streaming through a window over his head.

Groaning, he put a hand to his head, and when he looked at it he saw blood.

He could still hear the music from his phone from somewhere near his head, and weakly fumbled a hand towards it, glad it had fallen off the counter.

He sighed in relief when he grabbed the phone, and managed to hold it in front of his face despite his hands shaking.

He squinted at the screen and went to unlock it, but he realized he was seeing double. After a few clumsy attempts he finally unlocked the device.

“Hey, Siri,” he croaked, and waited until the AI had activated.

“Call…Drake…”

“Calling Drake.”

Drake picked up, and Josh put the phone to his ear.

“Josh?” Drake’s drowsy voice said.

“Drake….I…need help…”

“What?! Where are you?!”

“S-supply…building…the one closest to our place…”

“I’m coming! What happened?!”

“F-fell…hit…my head…”

“Okay, I’ll call the Doc! Hang in there! Stay on the line!”

“Yeah…” Josh mumbled, setting the phone on his stomach, too weak to keep holding it anymore. He closed his eyes.

“Josh!”

“….still….here….”

“We’re almost there! Keep talking to me!”

“See you soon…”

“You’ll be okay, bud, alright?”

Josh drifted, but stirred when the door burst open.

Someone sat him up and held him tightly.

“Josh, can you hear me?!”

“…hey, Drake…”

“God, your head…”

“Feels okay…” Josh wheezed.

“Dammit…this isn’t just a cold…I knew you should’ve gone to sick call.”

Josh faintly heard footsteps approaching.

“He’s really burning up,” Drake exclaimed.

Someone patted his face, and he opened his eyes halfway to get a glimpse of blond hair and rose glasses.

“Heh…what’s up, Doc?” Josh slurred.

“What happened?” she asked firmly.

“Hit my head,” Josh laughed faintly. “Just sew it up and let me go. I’ll pay you back if I get blood on everything….don’t call the ambulance…”

“Don’t worry, an ambulance won’t be necessary,” Doctor Vin said.

Josh’s stomach flipped when he was lifted, and he closed his eyes, dizziness coming over him again.

When he opened his eyes, he saw a dim light overhead. He was in a bed with a curtain drawn around it.

He touched his forehead gingerly, feeling a thick bandage there.

“Hey, Josh…how’re you feeling?”

Josh glanced left to see Drake sitting at his bedside, holding his hand tightly.

“Not bad…but what happened?”

“Cold, my ass,” Drake said, his eyes narrowed. “You have pneumonia.”

“Whoa,” Josh said. “I haven’t had that since I was twelve.”

“Josh, I…what were you gonna do?” Drake hissed. “Why do you always keep working?! And so help me God, if you say it’s ‘just because you have to’…”

“I…I…it is,” Josh muttered, looking away.

“What?”

“I’ve been here since I turned eighteen,” Josh sighed, “and everyone’s great…but…I guess I never taught myself to just…”

“…to get help?” Drake asked quietly, holding Josh’s hand tighter.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

Josh closed his eyes.

“My parents kinda…didn’t like it when my siblings and I got sick. Made them mad, ’cause going to the doctor was too expensive.”

“Wh…what?” Drake whispered.

“Yeah,” Josh said. “I’ve had pneumonia three times now. First was when I was five. I woke mom and dad up in the middle of the night, but they told me if I didn’t go back to bed, they’d spank me. Funny that’s all I can remember from then.”

“Jesus…I…did they know you were sick?” Drake asked.

“Yeah. But I just went back to bed.” Josh managed a shrug. “Had to go to the emergency room the next day though.”

Drake loosened his grip on Josh’s hand and began softly stroking it.

“Sometimes when I got sick,” Josh continued, “my dad would take me to his brother’s clinic for antibiotics, ’cause it was cheaper than taking me to my doctor. For ear infections, and even when I got pneumonia for the second time. Is it viral this time?”

When Drake didn’t say anything, Josh opened his eyes to see him staring wide-eyed.

“That’s fucked up.”

“I’m figuring that out,” Josh sighed. “It’s still hard though….it became normal to me.”

“So you got it in your head that….” Drake said, his voice shaking.

“Yeah. That I should just suck it up. When I tried to ask for help, it just got my parents mad. I’d take care of myself most of the time, or go to a friend’s house for help.”

Drake pulled Josh into a hug.

“Did you…did the doctors here…”

“Oh, I’ve been all checked out. Nothing wrong with me. I worry sometimes I got antibiotic resistant or something…but it’s been okay so far.”

“But…I…I’m so sorry.”

“It’s over now,” Josh said. “I’m older and I can deal with this myself finally. It doesn’t matter.”

“…matters to me,” Drake whispered. “Of course it matters.”

“H-hey, it’s okay,” Josh stammered.

“No, it’s not,” Drake snapped, hugging him tighter.

Josh put his arms around Drake and patted his back.

“It got better after I enlisted,” Josh said. “I met more people who cared…like you.”

They were quiet for a little while.

“Josh…um…” Drake mumbled, drawing back. “I remember what happened at the bar.”

Josh stared.

“Most of it’s still fuzzy, I admit.” Drake looked up. “But that came back, at least.”

“…so…” Josh said quietly.

“So you take your time,” Drake said. “I’ll take care of you when they let you out, and if you need to come back, we��ll just come back.”

Josh stared for a moment, and Drake pulled him into another hug.

“Go to sleep, alright?” Drake asked quietly, rubbing his back. “You’ll be okay.”

Josh almost pulled away, but relaxed and soon had dozed off into a comfortable sleep.