Really? [ Okay wait. Weāre debating the flan now. Thanks for taking one for the team to test it, Steve. But is it worth the possibility the flan is actually people? (Definitely people)
Heās not sure he wants to go there. Look at Hag and Bubba. ]
Is she just circling the car? I hope everyone else is on gens then.
Hm. Did you get hooked yet? You can try looking for a chest and stopping that bleeding out part? Then you can bolt around doing stuff with this flan high.
[ this is not the first time steve's eaten people by accident, but it IS hopefully the last. Poor Dwight, he had no idea you were in that broth. Why do they call human meat long pig, of course Steve thought it was a pork broth what the hell. ]
I'll be honest man, never felt more alive than I do right now. And I only ate half the bowl. Not that I'm gonna try more, but I can't help but imagine how jacked I'd feel on a whole ass bowl.
I'm running now, she can barely keep up, but I still gotta dodge axes in between texts. I don't normally recommend texting while chasing, but like what's the harm in this one time?
Not hooked yet, don't have your luck when it comes to finding kits, but maybe Cheryl will kiss my booboos better when she gets a chance if the next chest I search doesn't have the goods.
Huh. Just donāt celebrate it just yet. It might have horrible side-effects after. Let me know if it takes a turn. But I guess we can just Save it for an emergency. A very serious emergency. I was going to throw mine out.
The harm would be an axe through your head. Pay attention.
[ Steve needs to stop eating food in a reality where eating is not a requirement. It always gets him into trouble. Like. Every single fucking time. ]
I'll keep you posted dude, if I have gnarly digestion problems after this trial, we'll know why.
I can save it for us to split, plenty to go around for the whole trial I bet.
[ And just then, he gets an axe to the head. Wow texting in chase? You never think its unsafe until you or someone close to you gets downed. There should be laws against this or something.
Anna hooks Steve, the metal piercing a fresh hole just under his shoulder. ]
Quentin... I fucked up. I got an axe to the head. Well, my lower neck actually.
Yeah, we had kind of a thing for awhile. Don't know if you knew, but yeah we kept it on the down low. I thought she was the one for awhile, but maybe not. I got a big booboo she could kiss right now, but let's just keep that between us, I don't need her worrying about me still.
[ The blood dripping down his arms on to his hands is making it really hard to type. No pain at all though, so another point for this flan. ]
[ Does Steve have self-control? Verdict says: No. ]
Not a play-by-play of your bowls, please? Just a little notation would be good.
Yeah, sure.
[ Why is there a huge delay between messages here? Steve? STEVE? He got caught, didn't he? It was bound to happen. ]
Holy shit. Are you okay? Why are you still texting me like that? This is fascinating and I had no idea. Hopefully she comes to unhook you with booboo cures. I'm pretty sure she needs to worry that you're in there getting axed in the neck with her.
I was just curious. I thought you were single. You should really focus on not bleeding out instead of this conversation.
No yeah, I'm not going to be sending pictures or anything dude. Just general descriptions and problems. For science.
[ Don't let him worry about you, Steve. ]
It'd be rude to leave you hanging. Which is exactly what the Huntress just did to me, didn't want you to feel the same disrespect from me. I would love booboo cures, but I don't know that she'll do more than just unhook me, things are tense. [ In the trial or in his love life? Both? Both is good. ]
I am single, now. But yeah we can talk more about that later, my dude. Delve deep into each other's lives, when mine isn't on the line!
Aww, that means you care about me! Don't worry, I'm not being camped. I think. She's really far away. She is chucking axes at me from across the way though. They've all missed so far.
[ Suddenly, Quentin, if he's at the campsite, will see giant spider-like legs descending from the sky, carrying a nondescript body with great hair back at camp. ]
Of course I do. You're my friend. My friend that can't stop eating questionable things. I feel like that might count tow
[ Guess that last one she threw didn't miss. The entity dropping people off is always... really hard to miss, for the most part, or really hard to miss when your eyes are open longer than they should be. He's kept track the best he could, where people go, how long it takes. Quentin feels terrible. ]
[ The memories are a little hazy but he's back, wounds healing, bleeding mostly stopped but still out of it and in pain]
You're my friend too, man, one of my only real ones here. Which is why I'm going to let you eat the other half of this flan. It felt.... Awesome. I was unstoppable. [ until he was stopped ]
But yeah, I'm safe and sound now, hopefully I don't get picked for another trial anytime soon, I'm beat to hell and back.
One of? Who am I competing with for the best friend slot? I have to take them out. Robin and I are going to fistfight. [ Beat. ] Sounds like you were in a terrible position eating that so Iām not sure how sold on it I am. But fuck it. Sure. Iāll eat it later.
Good. Consecutive ones are the worst. I kind of wish we could tag out here. Iād take the next one so you could rest. You need anything?
Please don't fight Robin. She'd win. But yeah, at least you know who you're competing against, and it's going to be hard to top her. You'll have to let me know how it goes, man. I think you'll crush it dude, just absolutely knock the killer dead.
Well... I know you have a knack for finding medkits, and I'm pretty busted up...
Wow. You think I have no chance. If someone wanted to be my best friend, it'd be so easy because the old one died and there isn't any competition. You'll get a play-by-play of my flan-induced spiral into madness.
[ Steve definitely wants to fill that hole. No pun intended. ]
I want that play-by-play, and I want it STAT. But that's rough man, if I lost mine. Well. I already know how crazy I'd go. I lost her for so long here. Things, they won't ever really heal over fully, but, I'm here for you to help that process. You're not alone dude, I can't replace your best friend, but I am here for you. Whenever.
[ He wants to type more but he's getting light headed from the axe wounds still losing seeps of blood as he slowly heals. ]
Iām not eating it this second. ā¦ yeah, I guess I didnāt go crazy. Or maybe I did. Thanks. Again.
[ Steve keeps saying things like that. Stuff thatās supportive. Itās nice to know someoneās there.
Luckily for Steveās lightheadedness, the medkit guy is right there. He moves with a speediness that shouldnāt exist for the state of exhaustion to Steveās side, head tilted and a frown on his face. Thereās an immediate move, taking Steveās hand and positioning it where pressure should be. Heās by no means a doctor but practice, practice, practice, - infinite practice. Between Claudette and him, as long-running team medics, they might as well slap the doctor title in front of their names. ]
Hold that there a second.
[ He kneels down in front of him, placing a hefty medkit to the side and opens it up. Itās one he doesnāt bring to trials and uses outside of it. More valuable items kept inside. Steveās worth some higher quality things. ]
Hi. You failed to mention you took it directly to the head.
[ Steve is incredibly thankful when he sees an angel approaching him, backed by glorious white light behind them... Or wait that's Quentin, an angel in his own right, but hey Steve's not dying now that he's got some aid at his side.
Quentin places Steve's hand firmly on the gauze on his shoulder wound, his hands buzzing slightly from lack of bloodflow. ]
Starting to feel like the static before Sadako comes out of the tv... But thanks, man. I mean it.
[ Steve looks over and sees Quentin's nicer kit, and is relieved, but also worried about the fact that he needs it. ]
Oh you brought Quentin's big bag of fun, that bad huh?
[ "Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him"
Steve's hand holding the shoulder wound because Quentin is focusing on the more pressing one on his head, carefully mending it so it can heal easy and without interference. It'll take a bit longer than other wounds, as all the killing blows always seem to do here. It's always wise to patch those up, as nobody here is really as skilled at going into a trial already injured as David is. ]
That's usually a bad thing and how I feel right before I pass out. You dizzy? [ He states it with a quiet dry tone, dropping a dirtied bloody gauze and grabbing a fresh one. He switches to the shoulder after wrapping his head up, putting a hand over Steve's and moving it away to take over, now that he knows the head isn't going to kill him again. A small smile. ] Mmhm. Anytime.
I wasn't sure if the flan was going to add some weirdness to this so I'm just making sure I have anything and everything, you know? You might be uncontrollably vomiting in the next second but- [ A shrug. ] I got you covered for that too.
[ Steve can certainly be mithered with it, unlike David, that's for sure.
He half smiles drearily at Quentin caring for his head wound. Usually it's Claudette for stuff like this, one of his first friends here, but something has really taken ahold of him with Quentin lately, he's just such a nice guy. Really useful in situations like this too, but also a great friend in his own right. ]
Yeah, little dizzy but getting better by the minute, 'specially with you here man. Feel like I might as well be at John Hopkins the way you're switching out gauze and shit. I'm lucky to have you Quentin... [ A whole lot luckier than Steve probably deserves ] We all are.
Almost tempted to start spewing just to see what else you have up your sleeve in that case. I don't think I'm going to start hurlin' any time soo-
[ You see where this is going Q? Get the bucket and the tums. ]
[ Claudette is, of course, Quentin's go-to when he needs healing. Taught him a whole lot about medicinal plants. He gives her anything she needs. Designated healers, the two of them. Then Lisa came. Then Rebecca. They're professionals but because Claudette and Quentin have been here long before them, the survivors with more time under their belt ask Claudette first. Then him. ]
Maybe I'll just go there instead of anywhere else. [ He shrugs, shaking his head with a sheepish expression that then looks a little forlorn. ] I don't know about that. I added to everyone's problems. [ It's an admission of guilt he's been carrying around, quietly stated. It just slipped out because Steve is trustworthy and good. Makes him laugh, which is hard these days. A friend when he desperately needed one. He sighs, focusing on the wound.
Then raises an eyebrow and, in an amusingly swift motion, pulls a brown paper bag out of his actual sleeve and shakes it open, placing so Steve can grab hold and catch anything that might be coming up from Steve's stomach. ]
[ The guilt, it's there again, plain as day on his face but now Steve at least has the inkling of an idea why it's shown up this time. He's been curious before, especially with how close they've become recently, but never wanted to pry too deeply, cross some unknown boundary or something, risk offending Quentin or pushing him away. ]
Hang on, hang on. Added to our problems? What do you mean, man? All you ever are is the solution to mine, ours. [ He'd be saying that even if he wasn't delirious from blood loss and and pain.
Thank god he had that paper bag up his sleeve though, because Steve hurls up whatever's left in his stomach. ]
[ Steve asked. Of course he asked about a statement like that. Quentin would've asked if Steve said something like that. He looks down, rubbing at his nose with his upper arm to resist doing it with his hands, in order to keep that clean with what he's doing. Quentin shrugs at the question, just shaking his head and making a disagreeable face that makes it obvious he doesn't want to clarify that exactly. ]
No, I'm...- [ Another sigh, one that's a frustrated huff. He does answer though, pulling his hands back completely and staying crouched in front of Steve while he watches Steve's face go pale and green. His face carrying anger past the guilt being worn on it. ] I brought a killer with me. It's not exactly being a solution. That's just causing everyone here a ton of grief and putting them at risk.
[ A little half smirk slips in, at the 'nice'. Quentin shifts and pulls a very flask of water out of one of this jacket pockets and passes that over two so he can rinse his mouth out. ]
Bet Cheryl's boo-boo kisses don't come with my efficiency.
[ Steve's concerned, as concerned as he could be while puking and bleeding out, about Q's mentality about this. He doesn't want to push, but he can tell, Quentin NEEDS someone to talk to about this stuff. And if it's not going to be his Nance, then it's gotta be Steve right?]
Everyone brought a killer dude. I brought a killer. Pretty sure that 5 jawed freak tracked me from my hairspray, and sure I feel guilty as hell when one of y'all gets your head eaten, but I try to remember I don't control it. It does. Ol striped sweater makes his own choices, you're not responsible for them.
[ Wow that certainly was a lot of words, effort, and oxygen for someone who is essentially staving off death. His eyes flutter shut for a second, while he takes a second to breathe and focus on Quentin's healing hands helping him fight.
He takes and spits out some of the water Quentin offered to him, feeling better without the taste of bile present. Wow, he must look so cool to Quentin right now. Half dead and covered in puke. This is going to be embarrassing later. ]
Ok first of all if you tell anyone I told you that, you're ass is grass, Smith. Second of all, yeah you here is a lot better than a kiss from her.
[ He's laughing softly though. He's feeling a lot better with the bandaging helping to stop pools of blood from pouring out of his wound, and the flan finally fully out of his system.]
[ Itās been there the whole time, pushed down in a black festering puddle of rage and guilt and more rage and it bubbles over little by little until some trials he just snaps. He doesnāt talk about his own things, not unless someone said something first about their own problems or he was specifically asked ā and even with asking heās prone to changing the topic if it regards that or switching to defense. Quentin offers to listen about anything and everything in a calm, non-judgmental manner but never asks if someone will listen back. It's not like anyone's offering, really, everyone up until recently has been tip-toping around it. Better not to ask. Perhaps they're scared of what his answer might actually be.
Not speaking of it is maybe a product of his upbringing, where his father (and every other parent in Springwood) decided it was better to suppress suppress suppress. Repressed memories are certainly easier to deal with than one's that plague the mind. It's better to keep that all on lockdown. And Alan Smith was never a talker, for all his hovering and protection. He didn't exactly discuss things. A good relationship that has a major communication issue if you scratch the surface away. It's why the first time Quentin found a truth he yelled at Nancy for trying to explore the idea any further, dismissing and pushed it down as something not to be dealt with, and went to swim practice like nothing was wrong when everything was crumbling beneath him.
Steve starts taking and Quentin wears a visibly pained look on his face, breathing a little harder and looking away from him. A roll of his eyes. A glare to nowhere in particular. By the time Steve gets towards the end of it, all out of his breath, Quentinās spilled over. His words elevated with sharp emotion that's so unbelievably upset. ]
No, itās not- Steve! Shut up! Thatās not the same. [ He throws his hand to the side and pointing towards the foggy nowhere in the distance, as if gesturing towards the fog will point out the monster being referenced. ] You didnāt bring that thing here on purpose! [ His hands move in on himself, tapping his chest and getting Steveās blood smeared on his blue shirt. ] I did! I made the Entity grab me.
I summoned it because I needed that piece of shit gone and I didnāt care where and it showed up just like I wanted something to. [ He gesticulates outward, a large shrug. ] Did anyone else here fucking summon the Entity intentionally? Anyone thatās not a killer? No. No, they didn't. And then itās my memories, mine and not anyone elseās, that keep him fucking going and thatās all on me. Every time he hurts somebody here, I made that possible. Thatās not the same! Thatās my fucking fault and -HEY HEY!
[ His ranting shatters like glass as he inhales deep and grabs Steveās face, cupping his cheeks in his hands and moving his head to look straight at him when Steveās eyes flutter. Pure panic crossing his features. He just helped you. Don't pass out or die anyway. ]
You with me? [ He waits for Steve to catch his breath, and pulls his hands back with a forced calmness when the water he handed a moment before is being ingested. Quentin looks away again, face flushed and breathing purposefully deep to calm himself. He busies his hands with his necklace, his legs crossed now and a foot tapping against the floor rapidly. He shouldn't have said any of that.
How Steve looks right now, covered in blood and puke justā¦ increases his guilt. Like somehow he did that. Maybe he did by giving the Entity something extremely powerful to feast on. It's entirely possible he upped its power. Steve came in after him. Maybe he gave it enough juice to grab him. Anyone after Quentin, even. And all he can do is try to save them.
He sniffles, probably a little grossly and full snot-filled, his nose just deciding running was a good idea as he bordered the verge of just outright crying in the middle of that whirlwind of releasing a small bit of what he holds in. Heās trying to reel back and forces a smile at Steveās soft laughter. Tries to focus on the rest of what they were saying. Just ā¦ suppress suppress repress. White hot in the face from having gotten it out there. He doesnāt feel any better. ]
Edited (ignore those grammatical errors.) 2022-09-30 22:38 (UTC)
steve just exploded this poor boy and steves gotta pick up the pieces now, of quentin and himself
[ Passing ever on endlessly, time never stops its flow here. And it's still going strong, despite not exactly working like how it used to in Hawkins. Some realms seem like they're eternally stuck in a single moment, like the blinding, white blizzards at Ormond, or the shadowed, frigid nights near Macmillan's, or the loooonnngggg warm sunsets at Glenvale.
And when you're there, you can still count the seconds passing, the minutes ticking away as gens get worked on in search of temporary escape, the vastness of time still exists within these places, but you're never really sure if days are passing, or weeks, or months. If one hour at the campfire is one hour back in Indiana, or perhaps it's a year gone by, or ten, or a hundred? Or maybe none at all, like Steve will just walk back out of the fog like nothing ever even happened.
With the Upside Down, the doorway to literal Hell was opened. And Steve could've stopped it, stopped the Demogorgon, Nancy, and himself from getting sucked into its cold embrace. Where time keeps flowing, unending cycles, peoples' endings just becoming new beginnings in this torture fest that Steve could've done something, anything to stop. Instead, he let Nancy drag his ass here, instead of stopping her and thinking about a plan or solution to close off access to all these realms, steal Russian Data on it, literally anything. When Steve's alone, he thinks about all this. And he's alone a lot, his visage reflecting back at him in the pond as he thinks of all the paths he could've taken to save his friends, and prevent more people from getting sucked into this world.
Quentin now looks a lot like Steve does then. And it's guilty-ass look. ]
I'm with you dude. And hey, there's a lot more to this shit you don't even know the half of. You might've brought one guy but at least you didn'tā [ He stops because he knows he's coming off a little too angry, only at himself, and has to blink away a single frustrated tear. Focus on the soft laughter Quentin was able to muster after getting worked up too.
It's not that Steve wants to suppress it, it's just that, everyone needs him to be the hero. The funny guy. The good-looking guy who's all laughs and not a care in the world. But the truth is Steve doesn't always feel like a hero, and now is one of those times. But he's got to put on a brave face, make sure that Quentin doesn't suspect that Steve's not ok. Because Steve's gotta make sure Quentin's ok. ]
It doesn't matter, look I can tell we're both worked up over some shit. Are you really going to let one bad moment define who you are, for eternity? If one moment of weakness determined who I am, I'm pretty sure I'd be Indiana's biggest asshole. The best we can do is try to attack the issue head-on, not wonder about what we should've or could've done differently. The entity and Freddy are responsible for their actions, not you.
[ The irony is not lost on Steve that its advice he needs to take himself, but it feels different delivering it to Quentin, someone that's truly good at heart. ]
[ His eyes snap back to Steve quicker than a bullet, narrowing with a painful sharpness to them. ]
How could you possibly be with me on this?
[ It's a whispered statement but with a harsher tone than he's ever used before. How could Steve be with him on this? He didn't bring in a predator that can enter the mind. Quentin's crumbling. Layers of repression slipping through the cracks like the orange glow of hell comes through the ground and boils the trial over once those gates open. The entire place collapsing in on itself.
He follows Steve's tear down his face, his bloody hands balling into fists with his nails digging deep into his palm and leaving marks. Holding his breath to not say anything. ]
It's not some shit. [ He knows Steve doesn't mean it in a way that's dismissive. He knows this. He still snaps at him, voice loud and a little hoarse. ] It's not a moment of weakness. Nothing you did to get here was your fault and you should be able to leave. But I...I want to be here if it keeps him trapped. I don't regret it, either. I'll die a thousand times to see his soul burn into oblivion and if I have to go down with him, I will.
[ His fist unclenches just enough to be raised and have a finger pointed at Steve. ]
But nobody was supposed to burn with us and they are. I handed an Entity something that can get you while you're the most vulnerable, that feasts on fear and memories of it, and you're all at risk now. Do you understand me, Steve? Tell me how your monster uses your head and your head alone as its power source. Tell me it can't be killed outside of here. Tell me it's killed every single person you know.
[ He shakes his head, breathing uneven and somewhat erratic as everything he's feeling is completely skyrocketed and making his chest and lungs hurt by how he was already riding too many outside things in his system. Enough caffeine to cause brain damage. Enough lack of sleep to crack someone to insanity. ]
I'm not-- I'm not trying to say anything you're feeling is wrong. But it's not the fucking same. You're not with me on this. You have no fucking idea what I did. You're all fucked because of me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Really? [ Okay wait. Weāre debating the flan now. Thanks for taking one for the team to test it, Steve. But is it worth the possibility the flan is actually people? (Definitely people)
Heās not sure he wants to go there. Look at Hag and Bubba. ]
Is she just circling the car? I hope everyone else is on gens then.
Hm. Did you get hooked yet? You can try looking for a chest and stopping that bleeding out part? Then you can bolt around doing stuff with this flan high.
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I'll be honest man, never felt more alive than I do right now. And I only ate half the bowl. Not that I'm gonna try more, but I can't help but imagine how jacked I'd feel on a whole ass bowl.
I'm running now, she can barely keep up, but I still gotta dodge axes in between texts. I don't normally recommend texting while chasing, but like what's the harm in this one time?
Not hooked yet, don't have your luck when it comes to finding kits, but maybe Cheryl will kiss my booboos better when she gets a chance if the next chest I search doesn't have the goods.
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Huh. Just donāt celebrate it just yet. It might have horrible side-effects after. Let me know if it takes a turn.
But I guess we can just
Save it for an emergency. A very serious emergency. I was going to throw mine out.
The harm would be an axe through your head. Pay attention.
Cheryl kisses your booboos, Steve?
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I'll keep you posted dude, if I have gnarly digestion problems after this trial, we'll know why.
I can save it for us to split, plenty to go around for the whole trial I bet.
[ And just then, he gets an axe to the head. Wow texting in chase? You never think its unsafe until you or someone close to you gets downed. There should be laws against this or something.
Anna hooks Steve, the metal piercing a fresh hole just under his shoulder. ]
Quentin... I fucked up. I got an axe to the head. Well, my lower neck actually.
Yeah, we had kind of a thing for awhile. Don't know if you knew, but yeah we kept it on the down low. I thought she was the one for awhile, but maybe not. I got a big booboo she could kiss right now, but let's just keep that between us, I don't need her worrying about me still.
[ The blood dripping down his arms on to his hands is making it really hard to type. No pain at all though, so another point for this flan. ]
Wjy di you ask thigh.?
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Not a play-by-play of your bowls, please? Just a little notation would be good.
Yeah, sure.
[ Why is there a huge delay between messages here? Steve? STEVE? He got caught, didn't he? It was bound to happen. ]
Holy shit. Are you okay? Why are you still texting me like that?
This is fascinating and I had no idea. Hopefully she comes to unhook you with booboo cures. I'm pretty sure she needs to worry that you're in there getting axed in the neck with her.
I was just curious. I thought you were single.
You should really focus on not bleeding out instead of this conversation.
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[ Don't let him worry about you, Steve. ]
It'd be rude to leave you hanging. Which is exactly what the Huntress just did to me, didn't want you to feel the same disrespect from me. I would love booboo cures, but I don't know that she'll do more than just unhook me, things are tense. [ In the trial or in his love life? Both? Both is good. ]
I am single, now. But yeah we can talk more about that later, my dude. Delve deep into each other's lives, when mine isn't on the line!
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[ Too late. Already worried. ]
HA FUCKING HA. Donāt die because of this or Iāll be pissed.
Are you being camped for your nonsense?
Oh. Huh.
Yeah, okay. Stop messaging me then?? Iām not going to reply until youāre safe now.
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Aww, that means you care about me! Don't worry, I'm not being camped. I think. She's really far away. She is chucking axes at me from across the way though. They've all missed so far.
[ Suddenly, Quentin, if he's at the campsite, will see giant spider-like legs descending from the sky, carrying a nondescript body with great hair back at camp. ]
I think I'm safe now. Please reply.
no subject
[ Guess that last one she threw didn't miss. The entity dropping people off is always... really hard to miss, for the most part, or really hard to miss when your eyes are open longer than they should be. He's kept track the best he could, where people go, how long it takes. Quentin feels terrible. ]
Hi. Welcome back.
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You're my friend too, man, one of my only real ones here. Which is why I'm going to let you eat the other half of this flan. It felt.... Awesome. I was unstoppable. [ until he was stopped ]
But yeah, I'm safe and sound now, hopefully I don't get picked for another trial anytime soon, I'm beat to hell and back.
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Good. Consecutive ones are the worst. I kind of wish we could tag out here. Iād take the next one so you could rest. You need anything?
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Well... I know you have a knack for finding medkits, and I'm pretty busted up...
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Gotcha. I'm coming.
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No pun intended.]I want that play-by-play, and I want it STAT. But that's rough man, if I lost mine. Well. I already know how crazy I'd go. I lost her for so long here. Things, they won't ever really heal over fully, but, I'm here for you to help that process. You're not alone dude, I can't replace your best friend, but I am here for you. Whenever.
[ He wants to type more but he's getting light headed from the axe wounds still losing seeps of blood as he slowly heals. ]
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[ Steve keeps saying things like that. Stuff thatās supportive. Itās nice to know someoneās there.
Luckily for Steveās lightheadedness, the medkit guy is right there. He moves with a speediness that shouldnāt exist for the state of exhaustion to Steveās side, head tilted and a frown on his face. Thereās an immediate move, taking Steveās hand and positioning it where pressure should be. Heās by no means a doctor but practice, practice, practice, - infinite practice. Between Claudette and him, as long-running team medics, they might as well slap the doctor title in front of their names. ]
Hold that there a second.
[ He kneels down in front of him, placing a hefty medkit to the side and opens it up. Itās one he doesnāt bring to trials and uses outside of it. More valuable items kept inside. Steveās worth some higher quality things. ]
Hi. You failed to mention you took it directly to the head.
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Quentin places Steve's hand firmly on the gauze on his shoulder wound, his hands buzzing slightly from lack of bloodflow. ]
Starting to feel like the static before Sadako comes out of the tv... But thanks, man. I mean it.
[ Steve looks over and sees Quentin's nicer kit, and is relieved, but also worried about the fact that he needs it. ]
Oh you brought Quentin's big bag of fun, that bad huh?
no subject
Steve's hand holding the shoulder wound because Quentin is focusing on the more pressing one on his head, carefully mending it so it can heal easy and without interference. It'll take a bit longer than other wounds, as all the killing blows always seem to do here. It's always wise to patch those up, as nobody here is really as skilled at going into a trial already injured as David is. ]
That's usually a bad thing and how I feel right before I pass out. You dizzy? [ He states it with a quiet dry tone, dropping a dirtied bloody gauze and grabbing a fresh one. He switches to the shoulder after wrapping his head up, putting a hand over Steve's and moving it away to take over, now that he knows the head isn't going to kill him again. A small smile. ] Mmhm. Anytime.
I wasn't sure if the flan was going to add some weirdness to this so I'm just making sure I have anything and everything, you know? You might be uncontrollably vomiting in the next second but- [ A shrug. ] I got you covered for that too.
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He half smiles drearily at Quentin caring for his head wound. Usually it's Claudette for stuff like this, one of his first friends here, but something has really taken ahold of him with Quentin lately, he's just such a nice guy. Really useful in situations like this too, but also a great friend in his own right. ]
Yeah, little dizzy but getting better by the minute, 'specially with you here man. Feel like I might as well be at John Hopkins the way you're switching out gauze and shit. I'm lucky to have you Quentin... [ A whole lot luckier than Steve probably deserves ] We all are.
Almost tempted to start spewing just to see what else you have up your sleeve in that case. I don't think I'm going to start hurlin' any time soo-
[ You see where this is going Q? Get the bucket and the tums. ]
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Maybe I'll just go there instead of anywhere else. [ He shrugs, shaking his head with a sheepish expression that then looks a little forlorn. ] I don't know about that. I added to everyone's problems. [ It's an admission of guilt he's been carrying around, quietly stated. It just slipped out because Steve is trustworthy and good. Makes him laugh, which is hard these days. A friend when he desperately needed one. He sighs, focusing on the wound.
Then raises an eyebrow and, in an amusingly swift motion, pulls a brown paper bag out of his actual sleeve and shakes it open, placing so Steve can grab hold and catch anything that might be coming up from Steve's stomach. ]
See? Exactly what I meant!
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Hang on, hang on. Added to our problems? What do you mean, man? All you ever are is the solution to mine, ours. [ He'd be saying that even if he wasn't delirious from blood loss and and pain.
Thank god he had that paper bag up his sleeve though, because Steve hurls up whatever's left in his stomach. ]
Wow. Literally up your sleeve. Nice.
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No, I'm...- [ Another sigh, one that's a frustrated huff. He does answer though, pulling his hands back completely and staying crouched in front of Steve while he watches Steve's face go pale and green. His face carrying anger past the guilt being worn on it. ] I brought a killer with me. It's not exactly being a solution. That's just causing everyone here a ton of grief and putting them at risk.
[ A little half smirk slips in, at the 'nice'. Quentin shifts and pulls a very flask of water out of one of this jacket pockets and passes that over two so he can rinse his mouth out. ]
Bet Cheryl's boo-boo kisses don't come with my efficiency.
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Everyone brought a killer dude. I brought a killer. Pretty sure that 5 jawed freak tracked me from my hairspray, and sure I feel guilty as hell when one of y'all gets your head eaten, but I try to remember I don't control it. It does. Ol striped sweater makes his own choices, you're not responsible for them.
[ Wow that certainly was a lot of words, effort, and oxygen for someone who is essentially staving off death. His eyes flutter shut for a second, while he takes a second to breathe and focus on Quentin's healing hands helping him fight.
He takes and spits out some of the water Quentin offered to him, feeling better without the taste of bile present. Wow, he must look so cool to Quentin right now. Half dead and covered in puke. This is going to be embarrassing later. ]
Ok first of all if you tell anyone I told you that, you're ass is grass, Smith. Second of all, yeah you here is a lot better than a kiss from her.
[ He's laughing softly though. He's feeling a lot better with the bandaging helping to stop pools of blood from pouring out of his wound, and the flan finally fully out of his system.]
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Not speaking of it is maybe a product of his upbringing, where his father (and every other parent in Springwood) decided it was better to suppress suppress suppress. Repressed memories are certainly easier to deal with than one's that plague the mind. It's better to keep that all on lockdown. And Alan Smith was never a talker, for all his hovering and protection. He didn't exactly discuss things. A good relationship that has a major communication issue if you scratch the surface away. It's why the first time Quentin found a truth he yelled at Nancy for trying to explore the idea any further, dismissing and pushed it down as something not to be dealt with, and went to swim practice like nothing was wrong when everything was crumbling beneath him.
Steve starts taking and Quentin wears a visibly pained look on his face, breathing a little harder and looking away from him. A roll of his eyes. A glare to nowhere in particular. By the time Steve gets towards the end of it, all out of his breath, Quentinās spilled over. His words elevated with sharp emotion that's so unbelievably upset. ]
No, itās not- Steve! Shut up! Thatās not the same. [ He throws his hand to the side and pointing towards the foggy nowhere in the distance, as if gesturing towards the fog will point out the monster being referenced. ] You didnāt bring that thing here on purpose! [ His hands move in on himself, tapping his chest and getting Steveās blood smeared on his blue shirt. ] I did! I made the Entity grab me.
I summoned it because I needed that piece of shit gone and I didnāt care where and it showed up just like I wanted something to. [ He gesticulates outward, a large shrug. ] Did anyone else here fucking summon the Entity intentionally? Anyone thatās not a killer? No. No, they didn't. And then itās my memories, mine and not anyone elseās, that keep him fucking going and thatās all on me. Every time he hurts somebody here, I made that possible. Thatās not the same! Thatās my fucking fault and -HEY HEY!
[ His ranting shatters like glass as he inhales deep and grabs Steveās face, cupping his cheeks in his hands and moving his head to look straight at him when Steveās eyes flutter. Pure panic crossing his features. He just helped you. Don't pass out or die anyway. ]
You with me? [ He waits for Steve to catch his breath, and pulls his hands back with a forced calmness when the water he handed a moment before is being ingested. Quentin looks away again, face flushed and breathing purposefully deep to calm himself. He busies his hands with his necklace, his legs crossed now and a foot tapping against the floor rapidly. He shouldn't have said any of that.
How Steve looks right now, covered in blood and puke justā¦ increases his guilt. Like somehow he did that. Maybe he did by giving the Entity something extremely powerful to feast on. It's entirely possible he upped its power. Steve came in after him. Maybe he gave it enough juice to grab him. Anyone after Quentin, even. And all he can do is try to save them.
He sniffles, probably a little grossly and full snot-filled, his nose just deciding running was a good idea as he bordered the verge of just outright crying in the middle of that whirlwind of releasing a small bit of what he holds in. Heās trying to reel back and forces a smile at Steveās soft laughter. Tries to focus on the rest of what they were saying. Just ā¦ suppress suppress repress. White hot in the face from having gotten it out there. He doesnāt feel any better. ]
steve just exploded this poor boy and steves gotta pick up the pieces now, of quentin and himself
And when you're there, you can still count the seconds passing, the minutes ticking away as gens get worked on in search of temporary escape, the vastness of time still exists within these places, but you're never really sure if days are passing, or weeks, or months. If one hour at the campfire is one hour back in Indiana, or perhaps it's a year gone by, or ten, or a hundred? Or maybe none at all, like Steve will just walk back out of the fog like nothing ever even happened.
With the Upside Down, the doorway to literal Hell was opened. And Steve could've stopped it, stopped the Demogorgon, Nancy, and himself from getting sucked into its cold embrace. Where time keeps flowing, unending cycles, peoples' endings just becoming new beginnings in this torture fest that Steve could've done something, anything to stop. Instead, he let Nancy drag his ass here, instead of stopping her and thinking about a plan or solution to close off access to all these realms, steal Russian Data on it, literally anything. When Steve's alone, he thinks about all this. And he's alone a lot, his visage reflecting back at him in the pond as he thinks of all the paths he could've taken to save his friends, and prevent more people from getting sucked into this world.
Quentin now looks a lot like Steve does then. And it's guilty-ass look. ]
I'm with you dude. And hey, there's a lot more to this shit you don't even know the half of. You might've brought one guy but at least you didn'tā [ He stops because he knows he's coming off a little too angry, only at himself, and has to blink away a single frustrated tear. Focus on the soft laughter Quentin was able to muster after getting worked up too.
It's not that Steve wants to suppress it, it's just that, everyone needs him to be the hero. The funny guy. The good-looking guy who's all laughs and not a care in the world. But the truth is Steve doesn't always feel like a hero, and now is one of those times. But he's got to put on a brave face, make sure that Quentin doesn't suspect that Steve's not ok. Because Steve's gotta make sure Quentin's ok. ]
It doesn't matter, look I can tell we're both worked up over some shit. Are you really going to let one bad moment define who you are, for eternity? If one moment of weakness determined who I am, I'm pretty sure I'd be Indiana's biggest asshole. The best we can do is try to attack the issue head-on, not wonder about what we should've or could've done differently. The entity and Freddy are responsible for their actions, not you.
[ The irony is not lost on Steve that its advice he needs to take himself, but it feels different delivering it to Quentin, someone that's truly good at heart. ]
steve setting of a nuclear bomb
How could you possibly be with me on this?
[ It's a whispered statement but with a harsher tone than he's ever used before. How could Steve be with him on this? He didn't bring in a predator that can enter the mind. Quentin's crumbling. Layers of repression slipping through the cracks like the orange glow of hell comes through the ground and boils the trial over once those gates open. The entire place collapsing in on itself.
He follows Steve's tear down his face, his bloody hands balling into fists with his nails digging deep into his palm and leaving marks. Holding his breath to not say anything. ]
It's not some shit. [ He knows Steve doesn't mean it in a way that's dismissive. He knows this. He still snaps at him, voice loud and a little hoarse. ] It's not a moment of weakness. Nothing you did to get here was your fault and you should be able to leave. But I...I want to be here if it keeps him trapped. I don't regret it, either. I'll die a thousand times to see his soul burn into oblivion and if I have to go down with him, I will.
[ His fist unclenches just enough to be raised and have a finger pointed at Steve. ]
But nobody was supposed to burn with us and they are. I handed an Entity something that can get you while you're the most vulnerable, that feasts on fear and memories of it, and you're all at risk now. Do you understand me, Steve? Tell me how your monster uses your head and your head alone as its power source. Tell me it can't be killed outside of here. Tell me it's killed every single person you know.
[ He shakes his head, breathing uneven and somewhat erratic as everything he's feeling is completely skyrocketed and making his chest and lungs hurt by how he was already riding too many outside things in his system. Enough caffeine to cause brain damage. Enough lack of sleep to crack someone to insanity. ]
I'm not-- I'm not trying to say anything you're feeling is wrong. But it's not the fucking same. You're not with me on this. You have no fucking idea what I did. You're all fucked because of me.
nuclear fallout map in dbd when?
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still rusty af with steve's voice but powering through
i know this and I appreciate you