#heliu

if it’s okay to ask, I’d really love an alternate ending where Liu ends up choosing Helen (without cheating, just… maybe choosing differently this time)

or even a small AU where they’re already together

no pressure at all!! I just really love them together <3

❝ THE THINGS WE DO TAKE ❞

It starts before anything is said out loud, in the quiet realization settling in Liu Woods’s chest that something has changed. Not suddenly, not dramatically, but enough that he can’t ignore it anymore. No matter how much he tries to ground himself in what he already has, his thoughts keep circling back to the same person. To Helen Otis. And that is not something he can pretend away.

“I need to talk to you.”

Eyeless Jack doesn’t look surprised. He never does. “You already are.”

“No, I mean actually talk.” Liu exhales, forcing the words out. “Something’s changed.”

“With us.”

It isn’t a question. Liu nods anyway. “Yeah. You didn’t do anything wrong. But it’s not the same anymore.”

Jack studies him for a moment, quiet and steady. “Is it him.”

Liu stills. There’s no point lying. “…Yeah.”

“Helen.”

“…Yeah.”

A pause settles between them, not tense, just honest.

“Are you staying,” Jack asks.

The question lands heavier than anything else, but this time Liu doesn’t hesitate. “…No.”

Jack nods once, calm as ever. “Then you’ve already decided.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“You didn’t,” Jack replies. “You told me before you did something that would.”

Liu’s throat tightens. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

Another quiet moment passes before Jack exhales softly. “Go.”

Liu lingers for half a second, then nods and leaves, because there is nothing else to say.

—

Helen doesn’t expect him. That much is obvious in the way his expression sharpens the second Liu steps into the room.

“I thought I told you not to come in here anymore.”

“You did.”

“Then why are you here.”

Liu steps closer anyway. “It’s over.”

Helen stills. “…What.”

“Me and Jack. I ended it.”

Helen turns fully toward him now, something unreadable flickering across his face. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“Why.”

“Because it wasn’t fair to him,” Liu says simply. “And it wasn’t honest to stay. Not when I feel like this about you.”

Silence.

“That’s not a good enough reason,” Helen mutters.

“It is for me.”

“You don’t get to just blow something up because you caught feelings.”

“I didn’t just catch feelings,” Liu says, firmer now. “I tried to ignore it. It didn’t go away.”

Helen frowns slightly. “…And you’re just here now.”

“…Yeah.”

Another pause, heavier but different than before.

“Then why are you here,” Helen asks again, quieter this time.

Liu takes another step closer. “Because I’d rather take the chance than keep pretending I don’t want this.”

That settles something between them. Real and unavoidable.

Helen exhales slowly, tension still in his shoulders. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“You actually ended it.”

“Yes.”

“You realize I’m not easy, right.”

“I know.”

“I’m not stable.”

“I know.”

“I’m not going to be whatever you think this is supposed to be.”

“I’m not asking you to be.”

That makes Helen pause. Really pause.

“…You chose this.”

Liu doesn’t look away. “I chose you.”

For a second, neither of them moves. Then Helen steps forward first this time, grabbing Liu’s wrist in the same place Liu had grabbed his before. Not hesitant. Not careful. Real.

“You don’t get to back out later,” Helen says quietly.

“I won’t.”

“You don’t get to regret this.”

“I won’t.”

Helen studies him for one last second before exhaling softly. “…You better not.”

Liu lets out a quiet breath, something lighter breaking through. “I won’t.”

And this time, when the distance between them disappears, neither of them pulls away.

Because now there is nothing left holding them back.

Jeff: When are you gonna forgive me for trying to kill you?

Liu: Never. You didn’t just kill our parents, you left my whole body covered in scars.

Jeff: But that was years ago. Stop holding a grudge.

Liu: How am I not supposed to hold a grudge over something like that? You ruined my life.

Helen walks over.

Helen: Jeff, Slenderman wants you.

Jeff: Ugh, what does that lamppost want now? Tell him I’ll be there in a minute.

Helen: Okay.

Helen walks away and Liu keeps staring after him until he turns down the hallway.

Liu: Who was that?

Jeff: The little painter? His name is Helen. Why?

Liu: Is he your friend?

Jeff: No. We just know each other.

Liu: ...