[He truly doesn't think about how frigid the water is until it hits him like a bunch of glass. Of course, he starts trying to swim, but nothing he does with his body seems to matter. The water pulls him down.
For some reason, this doesn't feel like the first time this has happened to him. Why does fate always want him to drown? In dirt, in water?
When he opens his eyes, he stays either lying or standing where he is... just... looking around without turning his head. He'd feel more like an imposter with the memories coming back if a voice didn't call his name. ???]
[There's a sigh of a laugh, but he never steps away from Nero.]
Can you really imagine me runnin' deliveries? Living my life without risking it all?
[A tender touch to Nero's cheek, tucking the hair behind his ear.]
You wanted a quiet life, 'n I couldn't give that to ya. [Even if he went, he'd be breaking laws, and Nero would still have to deal with that.] I chose to believe in you. [Despite the mounting evidence, despite everything leading up to his arrest. Bradley refuses to think about Nero selling him out. He doesn't want to speak it.]
[He wonders why it's so hard to get himself together. Come on? He knows... He knows his mom is dead? He knows this. He remembers... being toyed with too. He remembers all this.
His mom isn't alive. And yet, every time, any time... when she's just there. He's not sure how he can be so full of love and sadness and hate at the same time. His brows furrow at the voice trying to come through.]
I... I tried. I tried, but... I wasn't... strong enough. You shouldn't be here. I'm sorry, Mom... You're... You're dead.
[He doesn't recoil completely, but he does shift under the touch. NO. Don't touchie. He's got trauma. He does grab her wrist gently, though, making an attempt to lower her hand.]
I...
[He can't say yes. He knows... he knows he doesn't deserve that second chance. He knows, deep down, he doesn't want it either. For all the jokes he cracks, he's tired. He doesn't know why he couldn't just continue not existing.]
[His hand falls from his face, slipping into Nero's hand for a moment.]
Didn't want to let you go.
[And he still doesn't. There's a temptation to stay in this moment forever. They've both made their choices. Nero sold him out. Bradley won't do anything about it.
"I'm always on your side." Even if it means choosing to be blind to the truth of the matter.
Finally! Don't worry—I'm going to try and get you guys out of there...!
[In the near distance, both Jason and Bradley will see a glowing light forming, almost in the shape of an archway. At least right now, it's up to them to move towards it. Are they both ready to walk away from their loved ones?]
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guestservices) wrote2022-07-10 05:39 pm
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For some reason, this doesn't feel like the first time this has happened to him. Why does fate always want him to drown? In dirt, in water?
When he opens his eyes, he stays either lying or standing where he is... just... looking around without turning his head. He'd feel more like an imposter with the memories coming back if a voice didn't call his name. ???]
...Hello?
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Ah.
Is this how Riku felt? Getting memories fed into him that were never his to begin with? Terrible.
He sits up, gets up, brushes himself off. ]
Nero?
[ It's probably not even him. Hope is still alive, even after all of this. ]
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[As the voice continues to call out, Jason will recognize the voice as that of his mother's.
Over with Bradley, Nero turns to face him.]
... Long time no see, Brad. Having the exciting life you always wanted?
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His stomach drops. He hesitates in his search and call-answer. For a long moment, he's quiet, and he sort of squeezes and unsqueezes his clammy hands.
Finally, he gets up so he can look around.]
...Mom?
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You happy all settled down in East?
[ They've already had this conversation, haven't they? It feels like a year ago now. ]
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You're not leaving me, are you? You've already gone on ahead once, as it is.
[As Bradley slips an arm around Nero's shoulders, he gives him a frustrated look.]
... It could've been the both of us, you know.
[If Bradley had chosen to stay with him.]
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[At first, he starts to sprint to her, but almost immediately slows down to come to another stop. He swallows.]
Mom, what are you... doing here?
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He touches Nero's chin with a knuckle. ]
You wanted the quiet life more than you wanted to be with me.
You got what you wanted.
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His mother moves closer towards him, before attempting to wrap him into an embrace.]
I've been waiting for you. Oh, Jason, my son... Won't you stay with me, this time?
[Nero tenses just slightly when Bradley touches his chin, glancing away.]
... What about you? Why couldn't you have chosen me instead?
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Slowly, he starts backing up one step at a time, raising his hands.]
No, Mom— I… I was—I did. That isn’t—
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Can you really imagine me runnin' deliveries? Living my life without risking it all?
[A tender touch to Nero's cheek, tucking the hair behind his ear.]
You wanted a quiet life, 'n I couldn't give that to ya. [Even if he went, he'd be breaking laws, and Nero would still have to deal with that.] I chose to believe in you. [Despite the mounting evidence, despite everything leading up to his arrest. Bradley refuses to think about Nero selling him out. He doesn't want to speak it.]
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That isn't what, Jason?
[Say it.
Meanwhile, Nero just looks at Bradley sadly.]
... Idiot.
[For which part? Bradley can probably guess.
During their conversations, though, both Jason and Bradley might hear yet another voice, familiar and faint.]
...ar me... ca... ou... he... me...?
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His mom isn't alive. And yet, every time, any time... when she's just there. He's not sure how he can be so full of love and sadness and hate at the same time. His brows furrow at the voice trying to come through.]
I... I tried. I tried, but... I wasn't... strong enough. You shouldn't be here. I'm sorry, Mom... You're... You're dead.
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A kiss to Nero's lips before he rests his forehead against his. ]
Who's the idiot, partner?
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I am. But you—you were revived, weren't you? [...] Do you think you deserve that second chance, Jason?
[Nero lets him, closing his eyes.]
It's definitely you.
[After a pause, he opens them again, pulling away from Bradley.]
Let's stop this. We didn't choose each other, so... there's no point in pretending we did.
[Meanwhile, that voice is getting louder.]
... llo? St... gnori... me... buttheads...
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I...
[He can't say yes. He knows... he knows he doesn't deserve that second chance. He knows, deep down, he doesn't want it either. For all the jokes he cracks, he's tired. He doesn't know why he couldn't just continue not existing.]
I don...
[?????????
He glances up at the extra voice.]
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Didn't want to let you go.
[And he still doesn't. There's a temptation to stay in this moment forever. They've both made their choices. Nero sold him out. Bradley won't do anything about it.
"I'm always on your side." Even if it means choosing to be blind to the truth of the matter.
A squeeze and he steps back.
This isn't real. This Nero isn't real.]
See you soon.
[And now-]
Ben?
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[In the near distance, both Jason and Bradley will see a glowing light forming, almost in the shape of an archway. At least right now, it's up to them to move towards it. Are they both ready to walk away from their loved ones?]
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[How the FCK. He looks all around, and then... looks back to his mom. Oh, it hurts. He wishes this kind of hurt would go away. It never goes away.
He draws his mother to himself, wraps his arms around her. Gives her a hug.] I'm sorry, Mom. I love you. [He draws away and steps back.
Because this isn't real. This mom isn't real.
As much as he hates it, he moves around her to head toward the light, his jaw hard and eyes burning.]
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Nero was the one who left him.
He looks at him one last time, and turns towards the light, moving towards it.
They can reunite for real later.]
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