CYOA week 5: cloud, sebastian, bradley, jason

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[In the distance, Jason will see his mother standing there. Slowly, she turns to look towards him.]

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.]

[unrecked]

No, I--

[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?

[battling]

[ That's... A different look that he was expecting. Usually he sees guilt.

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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[As Jason moves closer to her, he'll hear a ticking sound. Kind of like... a bomb?

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?

[unrecked]

[No. No, no, no, no, no. Cold sweat breaks out on the back of his neck.

Slowly, he starts backing up one step at a time, raising his hands.]

No, Mom— I… I was—I did. That isn’t—

[battling]

[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.]

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[Quietly, amidst the ticking sound, Jason's mother asks,]

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...?

[unrecked]

[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.

[battling]

[ He can also hear another voice, but it's not quite strong enough.

A kiss to Nero's lips before he rests his forehead against his. ]

Who's the idiot, partner?

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[Jason's mother reaches up to stroke his hair.]

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...

[unrecked]

[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.]

I don...

[?????????

He glances up at the extra voice.]

[battling]

[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.

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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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?]

[unrecked]

...Ben?

[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.]

[battling]

[It's weird, being on this side.

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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[And so, both they go.]