#argetlam007

@argetlam007 PFFT. I’ll never get tired of you sending in requests. Hell, send in more! I love you! Hope you like it :D!

“He’s as scared as a deer getting hit by a bike.” One of the men said to another in the group, all the while an elderly woman was patching up the wounds on Higgs’s face and body. His skin shuddered as he kept to himself, trying not to look at anyone directly in the eye. His daddy always taught him to keep his head low. 

“Don’t let folks think you are stronger than you actually are so you can get the best of them if they try anything.” was what daddy used to say. This was one of the few life lessons Higgs took to heart. He was thankful for it because he didn’t know what to make of the group that found him, stranded miles away from the void out crater his daddy’s body had created. 

“You’re gonna scare the kid if you keep talking shit, now get back over here. We gotta discuss what we’re gonna do with him.” A middle-aged man said, then gestured for the two men who were examining Higgs to go back to the group of ten. Their words became a hushed mess of sounds and gestures. Higgs was too far away to hear, but he knew damn well than to get his hopes up considering the hell he had been through. 

“Don’t mind them, boy.” The old woman piped up with a sigh. Higgs swallowed, looking at her from the corner of his eye as she smiled briefly. 

“We ain’t gonna up and leave you to rot. It’s not every day we come across kids anymore.” 

“Anymore?” Higgs asked quietly. 

“You must be out of the loop. There ain’t a lot of you left.” The old woman said. She smiled, but her eyes were filled with a sadness Higgs felt he could relate with in some way. It was strange. Is this what a connection was? 

“How’s he looking?” The middle-aged man from before asked, approaching the old woman and Higgs. She gently let go of his leg, watching as Higgs nervously stared up and down at the man. 

“All the mess wasn’t his blood. His right arm is dislocated. He’s a little scrawny. I think after a meal he’ll pep up in no time.”

“Can you fix it, the arm?” 

The old woman nodded. 

“No--” Higgs managed to choke out, shaking his head as he glanced between the two. His arm had been killing him, but at this point, Higgs would have rather much dealt with it than to snap it back into place. The thought scared him immensely. 

“Get your hands off me! Stop it!” Higgs yelled out as the man grabbed a hold of his body, keeping him still. As strong as Higgs was for a child, he couldn’t break free from the vice-grip the old-timer had on him. Higgs was gonna have to face the music, and it scared him. Tears began to stream down his eyes as he looked up at the old woman who calmly pat his leg then took a hold of the arm. Not before she picked up a stick and had Higgs put his mouth over it. 

"This is gonna hurt. A lot. But it'll be quick. I need to pop it back into place." Her words were soothing, and for a brief moment between panic and terror, Higgs felt a peace come over him. 

When he felt the first pop, he screamed so loud his throat strained. The second pop made him kick outward, accidentally landing with the old woman’s stomach. She let out a grunt but kept trekking despite whatever pain she was in. The last pop, Higgs began to sob, but a warmth traveled down the arm, almost as if he had sunk it into a hot spring. 

Higgs spat the stick out, letting harsh gasps escape. His nose began to fill with snot, which he wiped on his other arm shortly after. 

“Not so bad, was it?” The old woman asked as Higgs shook his head.

“You’re insane.” Higgs choked out, blinking a few times as the old woman laughed and rose. She pats Higgs on the side of his face a few times then leaves to join the others. He looked on with fascination, wondering how something as ancient as her was still kicking. 

“Where did that blood come from boy?” 

Higgs snapped out of his trance, looking up at the middle-aged man. He swallowed, giving a shrug. 

“I know you ain’t much of a talker, but we gotta know. Otherwise, we can’t help you.” 

Higgs debated with himself. Between the pain of having his arm popped back into place, and the future promise of a warm meal, he could feel his resolve beginning to break. He vowed not to tell anyone about his daddy, but the cat was already out of the bag. And Higgs didn’t want to lose out on being with people for the first time in his life. 

“My daddy. He--” Higgs couldn’t bring himself to say it. That he killed him. Even though the bastard had it coming, there was a guilt that swam in the pit of his gut. 

“And your arm, did your daddy do that too?” The man gestured, and Higgs bit his lower lip and gave a nod. A sigh left the man as he sat by Higgs, looking outward towards the group. 

“Say no more kid. Don’t worry. We’ll help you. See we’re porters. Some of us are. We’re going to the city, maybe we can drop you off there. Get you set up with a family. Sound good?”

“A family?” Higgs asked. 

“Uh-huh. A kid like you, I’m sure you’d have no problem getting one. C’mon, let’s get you something to eat.”

Higgs followed in silence, his nerves spiked from everything that transpired. He couldn’t stop looking at the uniforms the men and women wore, save for the old gal and a few others. The term porter kept running through his head, and in his boyish mind, Higgs thought they were cool. Something akin to astronauts he read about in the old books his daddy had lying about the bunker. 

“What’s your name?” The man asked.

“My daddy called me Higgs.”

“Huh. Unusual name.”

“What about you? I doubt anyone calls you old man. Fossil sounds more fitting.” Higgs said sarcastically, and he half expected to get slapped. Surprise filled him when the man chuckled.

“I’m Patrick. You can call me Pat for short. You’re a sharp little shit ain’t you?”

Higgs shrugged, earning yet another laugh. He could feel his small lips form into a smile, despite it being busted. 

So far, life outside the darkness of the bunker was good. Maybe daddy was wrong. 

I sometimes wonder if he somehow controlled them

I agree, he could have been able to do that, the major question for me is how though, telepathic control could come with a distance limit and the UCA network might have obstructed it further given that it utilised the beach, but then again that might be stretching it a little

maybe he just made them his puppets though, similar to how amelie was connected to people via her dolls and he just exerted more control than her?

fragile nursing him??? omg the best thing ever ������

🔊: I’m really glad I started following you!

Well damn! I’m glad that you’re havin’ a good time here! Thanks, truly!

I really missed your John/Nic storiess :'( And in general, your John/Dep stories to be honest �� I hope we'll be seeing new chapters of the unfinished ones �� I know you'll always have amazing ideas for us ��

Thank you for requesting a story! Here’s the finished piece! I hope you enjoy it! :)

@argetlam007

Coming right the fuck up! :D Have a Bitchin’ Christmas you beautiful person!

Fragile arrived at Higgs’s bunker with supplies in hand. She carefully made her way inside the terminal, and then proceeded to go through the door leading down to Higgs’s residency. Despite how much he cleaned up the place, Fragile couldn’t get the smell of stale pizza boxes out of her nose. She always wondered why he had such fancies for them. Pizza was never something she took a particular liking too, but back when they were business partners, it was something Higgs purchased for them regularly when they had their meetings. Fragile chalked it up to some form of childhood comfort that Higgs would never admit to. 

Venturing down into the lair of the former beast, Fragile took in a deep breath and found Higgs’s was sitting in the new bed he purchased for himself. His back was pressed to the wall as his breathing labored. He meekly turned his head to look towards her direction. A sense of awe transpired over his features. 

“Didn’t think you’d come back,” Higgs said quietly as he swallowed, trying to stifle a cough. Fragile sighed and shrugged. 

“I know you, Higgs. The last thing you’d do is take care of yourself.” 

“Look at you gettin’ all sentimental over me. You finally decided to chisel some ice off your heart?” Higgs remarked sarcastically, his lip pulling into a tired smirk as Fragile did her best not to smile. She shook her head, trying to play it off. 

“Funny you should mention that. You might need some before your brain overheats.” Fragile countered, finally putting the cargo box down that had the supplies Higgs was going to need. 

Fragile looked around the bunker in silence, seeking out a stool or something she could sit on while tending to Higgs’s injuries. He had gotten into a turf war with MULEs, and never being much of a fighter, got his ass handed to him. Fragile had been occasionally meeting up with Higgs, checking on his progress since then. She owed him that much considering he saved her life from said MULEs, having been ambushed on a delivery. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect considering Fragile was ill-prepared, to say the least this time around. 

Coming across an old chair, Fragile pulled it up to the bed and Higgs adjusted then began to pull off his shirt, exposing his chest and the various cuts and bruises, patched with bandages that painted his form. He swallowed nervously, still not used to this part of the treatment Fragile had cooked up for him. Higgs didn’t like being vulnerable, and in a way, considering what he had put her through in regards to her body, this was karma putting him in his proper place. 

Higgs let out a cough as Fragile’s eyes roamed over his body, her gaze calculating as she observed how far along Higgs was healing. 

“Am I dying, doc?” Higgs asked playfully as Fragile’s eyes briefly met with his before lifting up some of the bandages, causing Higgs to wince. 

“There’s some infection, but once I give you the medicine it should clear up in a few days.” Fragile said.

“Didn’t you tell me that last time you were here?” Higgs asked while Fragile opened up the cargo box and began to pull out bottles of pills and other medicinal goods. Higgs carefully observed everything she pulled out while keeping still, not wanting to hurt himself further. He could take the pain, Higgs was accustomed to it, but being sick on top of it all had been a struggle even for the likes of him. 

“I might have.” Fragile commented, then started cleaning the wounds on his abdomen. Higgs winced and let out a pained laugh at her response. 

“You tryin’ to give me false hope?” Higgs asked. 

“Maybe. You’ll never know.” For once in what felt like an eternity, Fragile smiled up at him. It was brief, maybe even less than a millisecond, but Higgs dedicated it to his memory. His own lips forming into a satisfied grin before he winced, his body tensing up from the stings. 

“Try to hold still. I know it hurts.” Fragile reassured him, occasionally looking at his face to see his reactions. She tried to make her movements gentle, but quick enough to where Higgs didn’t have to endure too much pain on his end. Fragile sighed from time to time as she cleaned, then worked her way to the gashes in his upper chest. He was quite lucky he didn’t need stitches, but regardless, Fragile had brought in a kit just in case. 

“I’m a little dizzy. I feel like I got pressure building up behind my eyes.” Higgs remarked his tone honest which surprised Fragile. She was prepared for more bantering on his end, so the sincerity took her aback. 

“Close your eyes. That always helps when I get migraines.” 

“You get migraines?” Higgs quirked a brow, looking at Fragile as she nodded. 

“I get them often. Avoiding light and sleeping it off helps me.” 

“Well, shit.” Higgs remarked with a tired chuckle as Fragile stared at him. He took a moment to clear his throat, swallowing some mucus that had built up in his mouth. “I’ve known you for a long time and I never took you for someone with headache problems.”

“You sound a little too enthusiastic to hear that.” Fragile said as Higgs scoffed, deciding not to say anything further on the matter. He was thankful when Fragile finished up cleaning the wounds and started throwing another set of bandages on after applying medicine to each cut. The cool liquid made Higgs tremble from the stinging sensations, but Fragile’s touch soothed them over. He took her advice to heart and closed his eyes. His breathing becoming more stable as time went on despite whatever subconscious apprehensions he had towards his former business partner touching him. 

Higgs was nearly asleep until he heard Fragile rummage through the box, pulling out an IV, tube, and a large needle. His eyes widened briefly as he shook his head. 

“No.”

“Higgs,”

“I said no.” His tone was firm this time around as he looked at Fragile. There was a vulnerability in his blue eyes that reminded her of when she confronted him on the beach, her hands cradling his face before she decked his lights out. As much as Higgs deserved it back then, seeing him now with a similar gaze, made Fragile feel somewhat guilty. 

“Higgs, you’re dehydrated. You’re running a fever, and you have an infection. As much as you like to play off you have a death wish, we both know better.” Fragile said as a matter of fact, her voice soft as she could see he was working things out in his head despite his eyes fixated on her like a wounded animal. 

“I’m not your father.” Fragile said, and Higgs blinked a few times as he stared at the IV in her hands, the needle too as if it were going to jump at him like a bug. He forced himself to give a nod, taking in a deep breath as Fragile gently took Higgs’s left arm and flipped it over. She found a vein in the upper part and quickly jabbed the needle under his flesh. The way his face contorted as he muttered curses under his breath made Fragile comfort him as she rubbed at the pained spot. Her spare hand putting the IV up on a small stand and then brushing some strands of hair from his face. 

“Shh. It’s okay. Everything’s going to work out.” Fragile reassured him as Higgs’s arm pulsated while he hissed, feeling the liquid from the IV beginning to enter his system. He could taste metallic on his tongue accompanied by something bitter that reminded Higgs of the time he had eaten a mouth full of ants when rations had run low on a delivery run. He grimaced thinking about it as Fragile took a few moments to look him over before she got up. 

Fragile pulled an extra blanket out of the box, covering Higgs up with it along with the others he had. 

“Any chance you’ll give me a kiss and tuck me in?” Higgs asked teasingly, trying to be a smartass to placate his own insecurities and childhood trauma reeling its ugly head in his mind. 

Fragile shook her head at the remark, once more, not wanting to smile but her mouth betrayed her. 

“You should get some rest. You’ll feel better soon. I’ll get a bath ready for you in the other room. I’ll check on you in a little while.” 

Higgs quietly watched as Fragile packed up everything and then got ready to venture into the other room of his bunker. 

“Fragile, wait.” Higgs pleaded, causing her turn around.

“Yeah?” 

“It’s nothing, but thank you.” 

Higgs was full of surprises, but in Fragile’s mind, he was on quite the streak. Sighing she went back over to the bed, her hand reaching out to his face. Higgs flinched for obvious reasons and her fingers retreated back only to slowly inch forward and cup his right cheek. Her thumb caressed over the scruff that was overtaking his skin as her eyes roamed over his. He looked like a child then, being cared for the first time. Higgs closed his eyes and leaned into her hand. 

“Do you think I could ever make it alright for us?” Higgs asked quietly, and Fragile’s touch gently retreated away. He asked a good question, but nonetheless, it put her mind into a predicament. Honestly, considering what he had put her through, Fragile didn’t want to give Higgs another chance. She already gave Higgs one at the beach by not shooting him. Still, her mind brought up memories from before Amelie had come into the picture. 

Higgs was someone Fragile had counted on. His charisma, the way he valued his work, the way he motivated others in their respective companies, made him seem like a beacon of light in a dark room. She missed how hopeful he was, and how hopeful he made her feel about things. She missed her best friend. 

“Don’t die on me, okay?” Fragile requested as Higgs nodded at her. It wasn’t the answer he was wanting to hear, but her words gave him a slither of hope of something to look forward to when he recovered. Higgs closed his eyes yet again after moving his body down the bed, getting comfortable for rest. 

“No promises.” Higgs murmured playfully before his eyes started to grow heavy from the headaches and from Fragile tending to his injuries. When he passed out, Fragile swallowed and closed her own eyes. Her hands reaching up to wipe the sweat forming on her brow. There was a lot on her mind, so many concerns, and worries not just for Higgs, but herself. 

She got up, swallowed her pride, and went to go draw the bath for Higgs like she said. The whole time, thinking about how they were going to move forward.