#higene

I haven’t written anything about these two in a while. Missed my kiddos <3 

“Higgs, can I ask you something?” Gene asked as the two of them climbed over a large boulder together. Higgs could feel his boots lose their grip as he lost balance. Gene luckily caught his arm at the last second. He murmured a sincere thank you before pressing on. 

“What’s on your mind?” Higgs grunted when he got to the other side, extending a hand to Gene which she took as he helped her to the bottom. The two continued their trek. Gene adjusted the straps on her porter pack and ran to catch up with Higgs. He could powerwalk like no tomorrow. Something she struggled with even with her years of working at Brisk Harpy. 

“You never told me what the deal was. Between you and Fragile.” Gene said as Higgs furrowed his brows. 

“Not really something I like talkin’ about darlin’,” Higgs said in his defense. He swung the AK47 he confiscated from a MULE over his shoulder, taking some of the weight off his right arm. He held the weapon now like a traveler would their bindle. “Not really a good conversation piece for a long haul delivery run either.”

“Then why did you bring it up the other day when we camped? It obviously needed to come out cause you seemed relieved to talk about it.” Gene countered. It was enough to get Higgs to pause. He honestly didn’t have a good comeback. Nor was he in the mood to bicker with Gene. Not after the last few days where they had been sweet on one another--as friends, to his subconscious disappointment.  

“Well, we were drinkin’ that night last I checked,” Higgs snorted. His eyes peered over to Gene who also laughed while reminiscing. Nonetheless, Higgs sighed and rubbed his eyes with his free hand. Bracing himself more or less. It was hard hiding things from Gene. She had a way of getting him to spill the beans. Her presence alone was a weapon Higgs was more than aware of. Something that could be used against him. It both flattered and scared the shit out of his being. He’d never tell her that though. 

“I knew Fragile’s mama. She went by Coffin. Her and I worked together for a time. She was a military woman. A lot of my fightin’ abilities I owe to her. Anyway, that woman sought me out for my DOOMs to help with a cause. You see, Bridges were doing something horrible with little pipsqueaks, kiddos. Using BB’s for heinous means. Seeing it for myself was enough to get me on board. Even before I became a terrorist myself, I never liked Bridges for that alone. Them and the UCA, kept so much shit hidden from folks.”

Higgs paused for a moment, composing his thoughts. At the rate things were going, he knew he was about to go into a tirade of how much he hated the UCA. Something Gene and himself fought about quite often. Higgs was happy nonetheless the last few weeks, Gene was beginning to open up more to the idea that Bridges wasn’t unsullied.

“Fragile’s Mama in the end made me promise to take care of her little girl. A big brother of sorts,” Higgs went quiet.

Gene could tell from the way he looked, that Higgs’ was reminiscing as a thoughtful smile came and left quickly on his lips. It was sad seeing how fast the memories and gone. Gene assumed it was too painful. 

“You obviously know how things turned out,” Higgs murmured. “It ain’t pretty darlin’.” 

Gene thought to herself, imagining what sort of things Higgs witnessed. He was pretty vague when it came to sensitive topics regarding the past, but his words were enough to paint a picture. 

“How old were you when you started fighting Bridges?” Gene asked. 

Higgs shrugged. “Honestly, I can’t remember much. PTSD and all that horseshit. I was young. Still went by Peter---I mean--fuck me,” Higgs stopped walking, murmuring curses at himself as Gene paused her walking and started to laugh while turning to face Higgs. 

“Hold up, what were you gonna say?” Gene smiled like a kid catching their parent in a lie. Higgs could feel his face rush with heat as he shook his head firmly, glaring at Gene as she laughed. 

“Don’t tell me that Peter Englert shtick back at your place wasn’t an act. That was your actual name? Not Higgs?” 

Higgs stared Gene down like a predatory animal. Most folks would have pissed themselves seeing Higgs like this, but not Gene. The crows feet near his right eye twitched and it was enough of a confession as any. 

Gene covered her mouth, trying to hide her laughs as Higgs tossed the AK47 down and folded his arms over his chest. Much like a kid would having been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to do. He rolled his eyes as embarrassment took over, keeping his head down. 

“Shut up,” Higgs muttered bitterly. 

“Sorry, I don’t mean to I just---wow, you’re a Peter! All this time I could have been calling you Petey or Pete! Hell, even Petri Dish!” Gene’s smile was huge. So much so that Higgs for a moment almost mirrored her action until he looked away from her. He growled before speaking again. 

“No one was gonna take a terrorist or freedom fighter seriously with a name like Peter. So I went by Higgs as a code name and it stuck. You can quit pissin’ yourself laughin’, Gene. Not like you’re name is any better. Vindictive parents much?” 

“I’m sorry--I truly am.” Gene wiped some stray tears from her eyes as she settled her laughter. A sincere look of appreciation crossed her features as Higgs briefly made eye contact with her before turning his head away. To say he was put in the spotlight was an understatement. 

Gene briefly scrunched her brows, shaking her head as she walked a bit closer to Higgs. 

“I actually think your real name is quite cute.” 

“You bullshitting me?” Higgs snapped his head towards her, assuming Gene was kidding around. Her features indicated that wasn’t the case as she smiled. Higgs swallowed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“Why do you--um, think the name is cute?” His voice was sheepish, getting Gene to grin for a moment. 

“It sounds friendly. Like someone you can count on. I know you don’t like it, so I’ll keep calling you Higgs. But just know I’ll hold a special place in my heart for Pete Englert. He sounds adorable.” 

Higgs didn’t know, but he was staring at Gene. His smile growing as he looked at her sincerely. There was no malice in her words. Something he wasn’t accustomed too especially regarding his true name. His daddy made sure of that, that the name was tarnished even before Higgs threw his lot in with Coffin. 

Higgs was so caught up in his thoughts he was shocked when he felt Gene’s lips press to the side of his cheek. Catching a bit of the scruff on his face. She shrugged, her face red as she smiled and carried on. 

Higgs watched Gene walk ahead for a bit. A deep sigh escaping through his nose as he bent down and picked up the AK and swung it over once again. Maybe those soft parts of himself from the past weren’t so horrible. Not if it got him this kind of attention. 

@onl-you ARE YOU SURE THIS IS THE PANDORA'S BOX YOU WANNA OPEN? Welp. Okay. Welcome to the hell that is this ship. I’ll be your travel guide! 

I got a couple because I can’t make up my fucking mind asdfghl--I narrowed it down to a few and a bonus one (enter at risk) under the read more. I’ve been saving these for drabble inspirations, not just for HiGene (snort) but other pairings. I have a guilty pleasure of finding sweet things like the following and using them as mood boards when I gotta get the lovey dovey vibe down in a writing piece. 

This one just--looks like them and close to how I envision Gene (still making it clear, ya’ll can imagine her however you want! I wrote her features ambiguous on purpose)

This one I kind of pictured that this is sometime after they get out of America and head up into the Far North and are like fuck the UCA we livin’ the good life now

I love this one cause I love the POV imagining Higgs just like omfg she’s fucking cute and I’m such an asshole dick lord how the fuck did this happen? then being like, girl whatchu up to 👀?? seeing her smile 

Higgs being self conscious about his looks and Gene just goes up like “hey pizza man lemme whisper in yo ear shut the fuck up you’re hot”

Aight, so some of these gifs I can’t post but here ya go

Higgs just being unffff  Them two just chilling in bed after waking up  Gene being a little shit for once lol  Higgs comforting Gene in SOA after she deals with Deeter  Higgs got a tongue thing, okay? Just them being lovey dovey Told ya he’s got a tongue thing Slightly nsfwish but I can see Gene just admiring the beach like this and then here comes this asshole lmao 

Okay, bonus pic below the cut 

Here you go hon💙

A sigh of relief left Gene’s mouth after she and Higgs finished carrying the last of the junk around his bunker to the incinerator down the mountain pass. After shutting the door to the machine, they both watched as the flames melted down the pieces of trash and metal bits. Their eyes dancing with fascination before the incinerator tube went back down into it’s hiding spot in the ground, taking the contents to be recycled into something else the UCA could use. 

“Well, takes care of that,” Higgs said, stretching his arms and flexing. Gene turned her head, looking at him as she chuckled.

“Maybe you’re getting too old for garbage day. I could put in a recommendation for a chiropractor.”

“Darlin’ full offense, fuck you.” Higgs tried to resist but ended up grinning at the remark. He had to hand it to Gene, she knew how to banter with him. It was something he looked forward to when she would do her delivery runs his way. Their arrangement had been a good one. Higgs was able to get a hold of comforts he hadn’t had in three years, and Gene was paid above and beyond for it. Higgs had money to spare. Like a dragon, he hoarded a lot much like he did with the junk Gene and himself had carried down to be burned. It was hard to part ways with a lot of it. Higgs tried to salvage what he could but alas he felt like he needed to turn a new leaf.

“I better get going,” Gene spoke up, snapping Higgs out of his thoughts as he looked at her confused.

“Sides’ spending the last two hours helping me haul this shit down, you just got here.” Higgs protested as Gene sighed, holding her arm out with the cufflinks. She scrolled through the touch screen and shown Higgs the deadline she had. 

“I can’t afford to be late on this one. The scientists in Newton need their blood samples.” Gene retreated her arm back after Higgs got a peek. He let out a sigh and nodded. 

There was an awkward silence between the two, not sure of what to say. Gene couldn’t help but feel tense as she gave a playful wave and adjusted her porter pack, making sure the samples she had were secure. 

“I’ll see you next time?” Gene said. 

Higgs shrugged. “Guess so.”

Gene started to walk towards the road, not looking back. All the while, Higgs watched. His cheeks puffed as he let out a sigh, shaking his head. He wasn’t a sentimental type and had enjoyed the last three years more or less being a hermit and hiding away, but there was still that human part of him that needed socialization. No matter how much he tried to avoid it, the instinct bit Higgs like a bug and soon he found himself rushing after Gene. 

Gene was taken aback when Higgs ran in front of her. Stopping in her tracks, she furrowed her brows. The bewilderment on her features made Higgs smile for a time before he went neutral. 

“Did I leave something back there?” Gene asked, giving a laugh.

Yeah, me. Higgs thought sarcastically to himself. 

“No, I just--” It was so easy playing it in his head, but now that Higgs was right in front of her, the words didn’t want to come out. He was getting cold feet. 

“Higgs?”

“You don’t have to leave so soon.” He started, then held up a hand before Gene could interrupt. “Hear me out: there’s a way to adjust the timing on those deliveries. I’ve done it before when I used to be a cute little boy scout like you,” he laughs. “I promise you won’t get caught. It’s foolproof.”

Gene furrowed her brows, looking at Higgs as if he lost his mind. Nonetheless, he had a way of tempting her. It was a flaw Gene knew she was gonna have to deal with down the road. 

“Why do you want to go through the trouble of keeping me behind?” Gene asked.

Higgs tensed, his hands making fists as he sighed in defeat. A look of amusement crossed Gene’s features which didn’t go unnoticed by him as he begrudgingly decided to fess up.

“I like your company. I don’t want you to go.”

“Can you say it again?” Gene teased.

Higgs rolled his eyes. “I enjoy your company.”

“Louder for the audience?”

“Okay, now you’re being a bitch. You heard me.”

Gene cackled as Higgs flicked her forehead. She murmured an ow under her breath, rubbing at the spot as he irritably crossed his arms. 

“Are you gonna do it or not?” Higgs asked angrily. 

“What’s in it for me?” 

“Pardon?”

“C’mon. It’s my time and my bottom line.” Gene playfully states as Higgs glances around, his mind contemplating what he could offer besides more money. Smirking, Higgs stared at her. 

“I can show you how I jump, you know, Houdini myself as you affectionately call it.”

Gene’s cheeks flushed at his words while she thought about it. Letting out a defeated sigh, she holds her arm out to Higgs. He gently takes it, examining the cufflinks and goes about dialing in codes and such, getting the delivery time changed. After it’s done, he hesitates to let her go. Her arm feels warm in his hands and Higgs’s eyebrows scrunch as he realizes how long he had been without contact. For some reason, the touch really hit a home run for him on the issue. 

Gene gently takes her arm back, snapping Higgs out of his thoughts as she smiles at him.

“Think you can carry me up the mountain?” Gene laughs.

“Now why would I do that?” Higgs asks, joining her as he chuckles like she’s insane for suggesting such a thing.

“Cause we’re friends at this point and I’m sore.”

Higgs had to pause for a moment, letting the word sink into his mind. It was so foreign he had to think it through before he sighed, leaning down as Gene jumped up on his back. Her legs crossing around his waist while her hands went around his neck. Higgs let out a grunt and started making his way back up the mountain pass, back to his new home. 

“Don’t get used to this,” Higgs mutters bitterly. 

“Trust me, I won’t take it for granted.” Gene laughs. 

Según la OMS las enfermedades de transmisión alimentarias (ETA) son padecidas por 1 de cada 10 personas en el mundo siendo consideradas como uno de los problemas sanitarios más difundidos en la actualidad, a pesar de que son enfermedades evitables. Varios estudios realizados en Chile aseguran que las personas consideran importantes las prácticas de manipulación de alimentos en el hogar, sin embargo, estas no son ejecutadas.