Let’s Escape

“We? You can do whatever you want. Stay, go. I don’t really care. I bet you’re happy he’s out,” Quackity snorted brushing his hair from his face, cruel smile forming as he glanced to the side. She squinted at him, trying to figure out what had him so agitated. Did he just have trust issues after Purpled or was he referencing her past? “At least I didn’t do something dumb like, oh I don’t know.. Torture him?” She shot back rolling her eyes. She knew she was only making things worse, he was already on edge. Instead of reassuring him, she just had to resort back to pettiness. A sharp laugh broke out from him, but it was dry and humorless as he stood and face away from her. “That’s fucking rich. You did the dumbest thing and trusted him,” he laughed as his words cut deeply into her. She gasped biting back the sudden onslaught of emotions. Standing abruptly, she didn’t react to the chair clattering behind her. Her eyes blazing on him, trying to roast him alive.

“Forgive me, big Q. I think I must’ve forgotten, who was it who left everything behind to be here with you?” Her voice began to rise as her eyes pricked, “I looked away from your lies, I believed in YOU. In what you said you wanted, but it was all a fucking lie. You wanted power just like Dream does! You’re the same fucking person. It’s all the goddamn same, I’m literally repeating my own history.”

She ran her hands through her hair shuddering in horror at the realization. Quackity had stiffened at her words, whirling around to face her angrily. “You always had these stupid ideas of me. You never wanted me! You wanted the fucking idea of me! I am not Dream, but I never promised I was a fucking saint. This is who I am,” he shouted, filled with hurt as he spread his hands to gesture to himself, “If you don’t like it, then just fucking go.” She furiously wiped her eyes stumbling back. If he didn’t want her there, then maybe she should just fucking leave. Find a new home far away, never think about all the names and faces that continued to mock her. Dream, who smiled so coldly as he let the arrow fly straight into her. No thought to the pain of the betrayal. Wilbur, who kissed fleetingly as if goodbye was hanging on his tongue. Never hesitating to blow up the very ground she was standing on, regardless of what it might do to her. Now Quackity, brutally throwing her back into her own isolation. The one who had yet to continue the cycle, just completed the circle.

“It, uh, didn’t go so well.. Karl just started saying this crazy shit about Quackity killing him, and no matter what Sapnap tried to tell him.. he wouldn’t listen. It was so crazy, like Karl had forgotten,” she said frowning at the memory as she watched the raindrops trail down the window. She sighed reaching over to brush his long hair away from his face, thinking how he was going to need another hair cut soon. “I wish you were here, maybe you could’ve helped them realize,” she muttered. His face gave way to no reaction, no response. He was basically comatose in this state, no one could reach him here. He would wake on his own, but there’s no telling when.

She heard the door open and then the footsteps trailing to this room. It was Karl, looking particularly blank. Although that was how he looked recently. He offered her no glance or words, reaching into a chest across the room seeming to look for something. She frowned watching him, her hand grasping George’s warm one. What would he say to Karl right now? Maybe something to make him smile or laugh, anything to pull him from this dull mood. Karl seemed to grow more frustrated, starting to empty the contents of the chest onto the ground violently. “Karl! Stop, what are you looking for?” She called over to him tiredly. He seemed to pause for a moment, then look over at his shoulder at her. Seeing her for the first time today, possibly. “(Y/n)? When did you get here? I could’ve sworn I was in my room,” he muttered looking confused and glancing around the room. She blinked, not understanding what he was rambling about. “Karl, you came to your house and started rummaging in George’s chest for something.. What were you looking for?” She tried again, speaking a bit more gently and slowly. He seemed startled as he processed her words, clarification dawning on him. “Oh… I must’ve forgotten,” he said quietly standing and turning to exit. She frowned shaking her head, and moving to stand to question him more. “Karl wait-,” she cut off realizing the slight grip on her hand. She glanced down seeing that George was holding on. He was still with her at least.

The next day was as dreary as the last, more rain and dark. She felt like she was going crazy, this place had never felt so lonely. She had settled by the pond, writing. It was a new hobby, writing down thoughts and things that had happened. She wanted to keep it all noted just in case. Completely zoned in, she barely heard her name being called. Startled out of her thoughts, she jolted slightly and turned to the voice. It was Sapnap jogging up to her. He looked stressed these days, driven more to build up the military part of the kingdom lately. “Hey Sapnap,” she greeted offering him a tired smile. He returned her smile, taking a seat beside her. “So how long have you been out here doing this?” He asked reaching a hand out to grasp her soaked sleeve. His tone was light, but she could see the worry behind them. What a group they made, Karl losing his mind, George not waking up, and her compensating for her friend’s absence by staying awake writing things down obsessively. She shook her head quietly, “Not too long,” she mumbled guiltily. Sapnap scoffed grabbing her hand, reminding her of how cold it was. “What the fuck?! Your hand is literally ice right now,” he scolded, “Get up, we’re going inside and you’re getting by a fire.” She offered no protest, however her gaze did dart to a certain sleeping brunette’s home in passing.

Sapnap pulled her inside his home, fussing over her as he pulled out dry clothing and demanding that she go change. She did, and when she returned her body was starting to feel exactly how frigid she had been. Luckily, her friend was a blaze hybrid and had already produced a nice fire for her to curl up by. “Dude, you’re driving me crazy with this,” he sighed watching as she moved closer to the warmth of the fire. He watched her teeth chattering as she pulled one of his blankets around her and shook his head. “Shit, just come here,” he said quietly as a faint flush covered his face. She blinked in confusion for a moment, until he was hauling her into his warm chest. It was like a human heater wrapped around her, and she didn’t hesitate to move closer. “Thank you Sapnap, I’m sorry you keep doing this,” she said softly frowning. He chuckled and she could feel it rumble through him. “Keep doing what?” He asked not really grasping the full meaning behind her statement. Her eyes were starting to get heavy, the full nights of missed sleep were starting to catch up to her. “Taking care of us. We’re all a fucking mess, and you keep just staying strong. I’m sorry if you feel like you have to do that,” she explained. Sapnap sighed as he relaxed himself, adjusting to make sure she was comfortable as he knew she tended to fall asleep like this. “You do the same for me every time, don’t apologize. Just get some sleep,” he snorted patting her head. Finally, she couldn’t resist anymore and the realm of sleep took hold.

She woke the next day realizing Sapnap had moved her to a bed. Her journal placed next to her on the bedside table and opened to a note he had left with little flame doodles. She couldn’t hold back the smile that formed as she scanned the note. He let her know he’d be busy all day, but she was welcome to visit any time. Getting up, she stretched her stiff joints. A quick glance out the window told her that the weather was more forgiving today. She smiled thinking about how nice it would be to give George some fresh air. Immediately she set off, preparing for the day and heading out. Once she reached George’s house, she didn’t hesitate to enter. Karl didn’t go there often at all anymore, so now it was up to her to check on George. She realized she was hungry once she had gotten there, and prepared herself a quick meal before moving into his room. “Morning George,” she greeted setting her plate down and moving straight to the window to open it. “Weather’s nice today, so I figured you would want some fresh air,” she explained before sitting down next to him. Nothing had changed, still he slept as pretty as a picture. His long lashes settled against his cheeks, his hair splayed out on the pillow. He was boyishly handsome, she couldn’t deny. Getting comfortable, she began eating. “Sapnap’s been so stressed because of the fight between Karl and Quackity. Karl has had him working on the military now,” she said pouting lightly. She wished George were awake to maybe calm them all down. He definitely wouldn’t prevent it from happening, but maybe he could make it less serious. “I really don’t know what’s been up with Karl lately, George. He’s not himself,” she complained resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully. She missed the chaos and shenanigans that would happen with George. Whenever she was too lost in thought, he would appear with some way to make her laugh or yell at him. “I kinda envy you sometimes, I wish we could trade places. Being awake during this has been awful,” she sighed leaning her head onto the bed. There was the slightest twitch from his hand, making her gasp softly. “George?” She asked eyes locking on his face searching for some sign. There was nothing though, just the same stillness of sleep he had been under for days. She sighed feeling frustration welling up in her eyes, daring to spill over. “I just don’t know what to do or how to fix things! It fucking sucks because at least during all this, I could have had you with me. I could’ve had somebody who could just take a second to stay,” suddenly sobs were bursting out of her and she lost control, “I’m so tired of sitting in this empty kingdom, nobody is ever around. If they are around they’re not all together, just.. fuck!” She laid her head down feeling her eyes soaking the sheets on his bed. She let herself cry for a bit, full body sobs until she finally fell asleep.

“(Y/n)? You’re here again?” A voice spoke from above, gently rousing her from sleep. She blinked tiredly, her eyes feeling puffy from her previous outbursts. Sitting up slowly, she glanced over to see it was Karl. A rare sight in his own home to see. “Karl? What time is it?” She murmured trying to rub sleep from her eyes. He smiled softly at her, his amber gaze sparkling with old fondness. “Late. Why don’t you move to my bed for the night?” He offered brushing a stray hair from her face. He seemed so lucid today, really seeing her. She frowned watching him, waiting for the bubble to pop. “Karl, you haven’t been yourself in so long,” she said quietly making him frown back at her. He didn’t seem to understand. She sighed shaking her head and slowly standing. “I think I’m just gonna go to Sapnap’s tonight,” she commented moving to leave the room. Karl’s face became even more concerned as he stopped her from leaving. “Wait! You don’t have to leave, don’t you want to stay? It’s cold and dark out there,” he tried to reason. She shook her head again stepping back. “I’d just feel better to not intrude,” she said feeling an ache in her chest as she turned fully leaving.

Sapnap’s home wasn’t far at all. A few short steps and she would be there. That was how they had planned it, never straying too far from one another. She didn’t even hesitate opening the door, waltzing in was a second nature. He had already built a fire, and seemed to be lost in thought with lots of papers around him. When the door opened, he had looked up and easily offered her a smile. “You comin to have another sleepover?” He teased slightly making her smile. Just like that, her tension was gone. Sapnap and George were easy like that, happy people that knew how to lighten the mood. She decided not to speak, moving until she was next to him and then leaning down on his shoulder. He chuckled giving her head a pat, not phased by her silence. “Stop working, I’ll cook you food, idiot,” she complained moving into his kitchen. Sapnap laughed at that, and she marveled at how rare hearing that had been. She was already moving on autopilot, knowing this kitchen like the back of her hand. “You know, it’s gonna suck trying to get all the supplies for us,” He said rubbing his temple with a sigh. She frowned focusing on preparing the food, listening to his complaints. “I doubt Quackity would hurt us,” she shrugged. Sapnap hummed in agreement as he scanned the papers. “I know that and you know that, but Karl,” he trailed off knowing nothing more needed to be said. She groaned at that, shaking her head. “You know, tonight he actually looked at me like he knew who I was. He even asked me to stay, but I just, I just couldn’t,” she said glancing over to see his reaction. Sapnap was already gazing back, his eyes sad and knowing already the feelings she tried to keep deep inside. “(Y/n), you should stop visiting George. He’ll be fine, we both know from experience. You can just stay with me,” he offered standing up and moving closer to her.

Wilbur had always been cunning and smooth with his words. Even when he was being honest, she could still feel the angle he was trying to conceal. She was silent, only observing the whole ordeal. Quackity had passed her a few glances in reaction, craning his head just so as if saying “you hearing this?” To which she had shrugged rolling her eyes. Wilbur was a joke at this point. Talking of Dream, and childish plans of his new little base on the outer line of their home. Tommy didn’t seem to enjoy this either, wandering off and getting distracted. It was clear that Wilbur had lost his touch. Sighing she pushed off of the wall, moving towards the group seated at the table. She didn’t particularly care that she had interrupted whatever Wilbur had been spewing. “Hey,” she called her voice carefully schooled into emotionless, “I think it’s time you left Wilbur. There’s nothing here for you.” At her statement, Wilbur couldn’t help but grin at her. He chuckled softly, ignoring the ice in her voice and standing. “You’re right, (y/n). Quackity, thank you for the tour. We’ll be on our way,” he commented as he approached the elevator as Tommy trailed behind him. Quackity nodded calling out that they were welcome anytime, making her scowl at him. At the closing ding of the elevator, she moved to the balcony on top of the tower to watch for them to leave.

“Tense are we?” Quackity asked from behind her. She smiled passing a shrug as she watched Tommy and Wilbur seeming to argue as they left. “You know how I feel about that jerk. Ghostbur was nice,” she said frowning in thought. Quackity laughed loudly clasping a hand on her shoulder, smile growing just the slightest bit more genuine. “I know you’re right about one thing, we cannot trust him,” he commented joining her to watch the retreating figures. She nodded idly feeling a drip of rain then more. It was properly raining finally making her sigh and look up at the sky. Lately everything had been so damn depressing. People were in a state of constant paranoia, they were nothing like how things were in the beginning. Bad had gone into hiding. Nikki was off on her own building her own country. Sapnap, Karl, and George had strayed too. Everyone felt so isolated. Dream was in fucking prison for crying out loud, and Tommy had partially confirmed her suspicions of Quackity’s activities on the side.

“So.. you’re torturing Dream in your spare time?” She asked eying him from the corner of her eye. Quackity stiffened in the slightest, plastering a fake grin as he turned full on facing her. “It’s just rumors, don’t listen to Tommy. He wouldn’t know anything,” Quackity waved away. In between the words he was trying to feed her, a gut instinct knew he was lying. She hated that, Quackity was always ambitious yes. He had big dreams, and that was good. The only thing that had truly changed was the things he would do to gain what he wanted. She had liked his passionate words, but now they hit with a hard twist to the gut on the others following him. Every speech held a double edged sword on which they all fell. She couldn’t help, but feel that she was in the middle of a storm. Things felt like they were bubbling over, trying to escalate into a harsh climax. She didn’t want things to change yet again, having just settled for the millionth time.

“Look,” she sighed, “I’m not a fan of a lot of the shit you’ve been doing lately, but I like to believe deep down you aren’t fully bad. Although, you seem hellbent on proving me wrong. I want to be your friend because I feel like you’re hurting and I see where you’re coming from in that sense. Can you just promise me one thing?”

“Well, of course,” Quackity murmured blinking in genuine surprise at her surrender. He wondered what she could possibly ask of him, knowing he had always regarded her highly. She had come to him at the peak of his loneliness, having been lonely herself. Their relationship had been one without words, without doubts. A bond formed in equal pain and suffering. “I can’t stop you from lying, but can you just promise to not betray me? I don’t think I’d be able to come back from that,” she requested finally meeting his dark gaze. Eyes earnest as she reached forward to grasp his shoulder. A gasp escaped him in surprise at her request covering her hand in his own. His mouth slightly gaping as he let the words process. “I would never do that to you, of all people. You are the only one who understands,” he trailed off suddenly having to turn his gaze as emotion swelled in his throat. She sighed quietly, knowing what he meant. Pulling him towards her, she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability to hug him tight. They were silent in this moment, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. His shivering reminded her that it was raining down on them. “Let’s get inside,” she murmured as she pulled away. Her gentle grasp on his wrist as she pulled him inside, disregarding the slightly dazed wonder on his face as he watched her. The way he looked at her, with so much admiration was absolutely terrifying. Especially in this day and age where everyone had an angle to work.

The next day, she was busying herself with the cow farm that had been established. She couldn’t understand how they could have a cow farm established with out a wheat farm, so she was going to fix that today. Quackity chuckled from his position above, watching her angrily plowing a field. She was melting in the stupid, unforgiving heat. Placing the dirt had been awful, and now she had to till the damn dirt to prepare to plant. “Look at you, working so hard,” he called teasingly as he moved to his horse. He was obviously preparing to go on a trip, possibly visiting Dream. She rolled her eyes, lifting a hand to flip him off. Taking the moment to brush back her hair and wipe the sweat from her face, she turned towards Quackity watching him. “Going somewhere?” She questioned raising an eyebrow. He smiled sheepishly, and brought her a flask with water in it as an offering. “I actually am, got some things I have to do,” he explained rubbing the back of his neck. She sighed taking the flask and chugging it. “Whatever, go do your things. I’ll just be here keeping watch. Fixing your country,” she complained with no true bite in her words. He grinned at her, giving her cheek a pat. “You’re so good to me, I’ll be back later!” He cheered jumping onto his horse and riding away. Rolling her eyes once more, she went back to her wheat farm. People would occasionally pop up to visit, but it was rare to do it when Quackity was gone. After all, she wasn’t particularly friendly to guests. Quackity was the real tour guide and host. Wilbur must’ve known that when he approached her a couple of hours later. She had just finished planting, and now she was working on watering. “Lovely garden,” he had called in greeting making her stiffen. She turned shooting a glare his way, there was no Tommy to help soothe the rough edges between them this time. “Quackity’s gone, leave,” she snapped as she turned back having nothing more to say to him. Wilbur laughed quietly at her harsh words moving closer despite her harsh words. “I was hoping I could talk to you though,” he commented smiling easily at her. Like he had done nothing wrong. As if he had never betrayed her. “Unfortunately for you, I have nothing to say. Well, scratch that, get out is all I have to say,” she shrugged continuing to water the seeds she had just buried. Wilbur whistled lowly, leaning against her freshly built fence around her garden. “You can just listen,” he offered irritatingly unfazed by her shut downs. “Don’t think so, you’re full of shit. It’d be a waste of time,” she responded finishing up and wiping the dirt off of her hands.

When she turned, Wilbur was much closer peering down at her with a smile. He didn’t seem to take any offense from her. “(Y/n), I know I hurt you in the past, but I’ve died and changed now! Really! You don’t have to be so cold towards me, maybe we can even be close like in the past,” he insisted grasping her shoulders with a hopeful gaze. Everything in her froze, her blood freezing in her veins. Memories of fleeting moments in the past, of hot kisses in dark corners. The rushed desperation, so they didn’t get discovered. It had been passionate, exciting. He was a forbidden fruit, that whispered temptations on her lips in dark hours of the night. Only to vanish in the morning, leaving all evidence in her mind only. Then, he had gone and betrayed everyone. Damn near killed her and everyone around her that she had cared about. And when everyone was suffering from the consequences of his actions? He had gone to fucking die. She felt like she was freezing and burning all at once, wound still fresh in her chest. “Well, Wilbur, how about this for a change?” She spoke slowly as her tone turned to honey, “Die again and then we’ll talk.” Up to that point, Wilbur had been smiling only to hear the last words and feel his whole face drop entirely. He gasped stumbling backwards in surpise, hurt clear in his gaze. “If you ever come near me again, talking about pain and being close with me. Talking about our history, where you betrayed me, to be clear. Where you treated me like your own personal stress relief, you used me and cast me aside. If you ever do this again, I swear I will kill you myself,” she continued voice growing stronger with rage, “Now get the fuck out of my goddamn country while you still can.” Wilbur’s gaze was wild and frightened, she found she really didn’t care anymore. Watching him as he turned and full on ran from Las Nevadas feeling a bitter smile form on her lips. Tears had unwillingly welled up, and she furiously tried to wipe them away moving to her home. She needed a hot shower, and an hour of crying on her shower floor she decided.

Quackity had returned a couple hours later, she had clearly heard his horse. She quietly stepped outside to greet him, seeing how tired he seemed. “You had a rough day too?” She asked offering him her flask now filled with a stronger substance to take the edge off her raw emotions. He glanced over his shoulder raising an eyebrow at her messy state. She was normally much more composed. Carefully, he moved closer to take the offered flask and one sip was enough to realize she was definitely drunk. He sighed taking another long drink. “The fuck happened to you, was the wheat farm that irritating?” He asked snorting humorlessly. She hummed thoughtfully leaning forward into her friend’s warm body. In this state, she could allow herself to seek the much needed comfort. “Guess you could say that,” she mumbled into his shirt. He blinked in surprise reaching to pat her head as she leaned into his chest. She offered him no more explanations, instead silent as she absorbed his presence. “So, what happened to you today?” She wondered not in the mood to focus on her own thoughts. He groaned in response, taking another drink. His hand never left her head as he gazed at the starry sky above them. “Some dumb inconveniences,” he complained. Neither wanting to divulge the true issues, but both content to not talk about it and enjoy each other’s company. “Wanna go drink on the tower?” He offered. She straightened up nodding, taking the flask he offered for her to finish off. She easily swallowed down the harsh taste of liquor, following after Quackity as he grabbed her hand to make sure she didn’t fall. He kept plenty other bottles stashed at the very top of the tower, as this was a frequent activity they did together. In the elevator, she seemed to quietly collapse into his side. He wasn’t used to this side of her, but did not refuse the chance to finally be closer. He didn’t think he would ever have time to have feelings for another person. His past relationships leaving him traumatized from ever wanting to feel again, but yet here he was pinning after her. He wouldn’t dare speak on these feelings, knowing she was just as damaged and wouldn’t allow herself even a moment to start feeling things. This was safe though because he could blame it all on the liquor. They were just drunk, they didn’t know what they were doing. The elevator dinged, making her move away from him and he wanted to curse the ding for interrupting. She stepped out of the elevator grasping a full bottle of tequila, and planting herself on the floor of the balcony. He followed behind her, sitting down right next to her. They were silent as they stared at the view. She slowly unscrewed the bottle, tilting her head back to take a hearty drink from it. After she was done, she passed the bottle to him. He chuckled softly, his eyes soft for once watching her wipe her face. He needed to be more drunk for this moment, and took a drink as well. She groaned in frustration placing her face in her hands, seeming to try to rub away bad thoughts. “You know, we could burn the wheat farm if it caused you that much trouble,” he offered teasingly making her laugh slightly. She smiled to herself thinking about burning Wilbur instead. “That could be fun,” she hummed scooting closer to lay her head on Quackity’s shoulder.

He gulped to himself carefully wrapping an arm around her. She seemed to enjoy that, offering no protest and closing her eyes. “You’re so warm,” she hummed after a moment of silence. He blinked being pulled from his thoughts of how he could smell her all around him. He nodded trying to seem casual, but his face was warming already. She didn’t seem to notice though, her own face flushed just slightly. “You know, it’s really not fair,” she murmured her head turning so her breath tickled his neck. It sent chills down his spine and a shudder through his chest. He was so affected by her no matter how small the touch was. “What’s not fair?” He asked trying to peer down at her. She blinked as her eyes met his own deep brown. “Well for starters, how close we are and you just know you can’t kiss me,” she hummed suddenly moving her face teasingly closer. Quackity froze, eyes widening in alarm. This conversation was getting dangerous, and he needed to stop her before a line was crossed. “(Y/n), please don’t,” he whispered closing his eyes tightly. She thought about his words for a moment, pausing to consider what she would say next. “You like me so much, you didn’t think that would be possible,” she said peering at his face watching him flinch at the words. His head shook, trying to deny her words and she frowned. Slowly, she moved so that they were nose to nose and decided to close the gap herself. Her warm lips meeting his own, drawing out a surprised gasp from him and taking it upon herself to deepen the kiss. At this point, he couldn’t even stop himself from kissing back. There was no way he would lose the chance to know what a kiss from her was like. His mouth exploring her own, the kiss slow and passionate. Sparks were tingling along her spine as she let her arms rest on his shoulders, clinging to him like he was anchoring her to the very ground. Taking the chance, he angled her head back to kiss her the way he wanted. His lips delicately molding against hers and moving her backwards until they were suddenly laying. His hand resting flat on the ground next to her head, as the other tangled into her hair. Eventually, the need for air surfaced and they were both parting. He met her own dazed gaze, still in shock that this had happened and she wasn’t pushing him away. “I-, that was amazing,” he whispered quietly. She nodded seeming just as surprised as he was. “Didn’t think I could ever feel again, and yet here you are,” she murmured eyes suddenly very far away. He shuddered at those words that reflected true inside of him as well. “We’re fucked up people, Quackity. As much as we rely on each other, we also lie because the truth is something we know the other couldn’t face,” she continued her eyes focused on the stars above. Quackity closed his eyes tightly, already hearing where this was going. He had imagined this conversation, and it was obvious drunk or sober that it wouldn’t work. He kept his plans from her because he knew the way she felt. He couldn’t tell her about Dream because he knew that she would stop him. She’d never tell him why she was so broken, never explain the scars that littered her body. Never explain the screams he would hear from her at night.