Secret Santa Day Six

[citycouncil]

Here we are on the last day of the season. Thank you to everyone who's participated. ♥

Today is a free-for-all. In addition to leaving something for your Secret Santa recipient, anyone can leave a gift for anyone, anonymously or otherwise. Now is the time to reveal your identity if you so choose. Merry Christmas to all! And a happy birthday to Angel!

Comments

SARAH

[intheenditslove]

I'm not your Santa, but this fic needed to come out. <3

-

When everything goes to hell, Russell isn't at all surprised to find Natasha patrolling the streets and when he runs into her, his gun drawn, she cuts him a glance that makes it clear she expects him to join her. Whether it's to keep him safe or because she wants his help, he doesn't know, but he's not about the disobey her, not with the explosions rocking the city in the distance and people all around them screaming and confused.

"You know what's happening?" he asks, his voice low as he sticks close to her side.

She shakes her head, then says, "But we will find out."

They never do. It isn't like before. The monsters are different and yet familiar to the both of them at various times. She doesn't ask him about the ones he notices and he doesn't ask her about the ones that draw her gaze more than the others, but they keep moving together, looking for people they know and Russell's expectations lower with every passing day. He doesn't understand how Natasha remains calm when he becomes more and more agitated as time goes on. People all over the city are dead and nothing is changing back, nothing is reverting to the world it used to be and Russell can feel the panic rising with every day.

They're in his apartment when something outside the door screams and starts to slam against the door. Russell's resolve breaks and he reaches for his gun, his hand trembling, his expression pained. Against his pale, drawn skin, his eyes look glassy, dark circles like smudged bruises. The thing at the door continues to scream and Russell raises the gun, his free hand lifting to cover his ear, trying desperately to block out the noise.

Natasha lays her hand on his and Russell turns his head sharply, staring at her with scared, troubled eyes.

"Russell, don't," she says and when she presses on his hand, he lets her lower it.

"I can't-"

"I know," she says, cutting him off. "I know."

"This is the hardest... the... shit," he says, looking away from her, ashamed, but when she touches her fingers to his chin, he looks up again.

"I know," she says again. "We're doing what we can."

"We're helpless to change anything," Russell answers, looking disgusted with himself.

Natasha smiles gently and shakes her head. "We'll be alright," she tells him. "You'll see."

That she kisses him comes as a surprise, but Russell finds himself responding with the same desperation he's been feeling for days. She untangles the gun from his fingers, puts on the safety and lays it on the table, all without moving away from him and Russell's arms go around her, holding on, pressing against her. It isn't because she's all he has left, but because he needs to feel that same calm she possesses, he needs to let her give it to him, to share it with him and he's sure that's what she's doing.

The thing outside the door stops screaming and Russell can hear it moving down the hall. His heart is still racing, but for other reasons now, and his hands are no longer trembling.

They'll be alright. He believes her.

Re: SARAH

[goddamnbatman]

I can't even tell you how excited I was to see a fic for me, and with sweet bb Russell, too! <333333333333333333333333333333 Thank you so, so much, and I really think it would go down just like this in an apocalypse with them *_* Ugh, there needs to be another monster plot asap XD

Re: SARAH

[intheenditslove]

I just really love apocalypse settings. >.> I've had an idea like this for awhile and wanted to write something, so I figured this was a good time! :D <3333333333333