[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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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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