#maybe later....

"Gut shot, he's bleeding like a stuck pig, help me get him up." Billy's voice was gruff, harder than usual and for a moment the horrible feeling of upsetting him cut through his stomach tighter than the roiling pain of the bullet currently lodged there, at least until he felt Tommy's hands on him and they both yanked him up and along the bartop. Tommy'll be so disappointed if Buck bled out on his nice clean bartop, Buck thought distantly, trying desperately to bite back a scream between his teeth as he was moved.

"Sorry," he managed through pain grit teeth. Tommy was touchy about his bartop, had kicked them both out for less before. Buck didn't want to ruin it.

"Don't make it a habit of getting yourself shot up, Evan, and you're forgiven," Tommy said, a flutter of sensation that might have been Tommy's palm on his face before it receded.

Buck could see the shape of them both through his lashes, not sure when he'd closed his eyes but now fighting to keep them open. The heat in his gut felt like it was pulsing outwards, fire spreading outwards to his fingertips, his toes, which scrabbled and twitched uselessly on the bartop as Tommy rolled up his sleeves.

"What- What does he need, you were a soldier-" Billy's voice was tight in his throat, tense in the way he gets on the verge of loosing his temper but Buck couldn't see his face, hat pulled low and tight on his head. That would upset Tommy too; Billy always took of his hat in Tommy's bar unless he was trying to rile him up on purpose. Buck wished he could see his face.

"Pack the wound, we need to stop the bleeding," Tommy said from somewhere over Buck's head. "Disinfectant, bromine, if we can swing it, a prayer if we can't."

"Doc'll have some-" Billy started, pushing away from the bar.

"Doc'll shoot you on sight and then I'll have two of you bleeding over anything."

"Then I'll shoot him first, I'm not letting anything- I'm not letting Buck-" Billy let out a sharp noise, a sound a horse made before it started kicking, and smacked a palm on the countertop. Buck tried not to flinch.

"Billy. William." Tommy's voice was soft, enough so Buck nearly lost it to the haze of whitehotheatsearing ripping its way through him, sound washing in and out like he was ducking his head under water. Tommy grabbed Billy's sleeve. Buck still couldn't see his face.

"I'll get the fucking bromine. Don't go anywhere, Buck," Billy said, tugging the brim of his hat lower. His hand was hot when it landed on Buck's thigh. Buck wasn't sure when his legs had gotten so cold. Felt colder as Billy pushed away, shoulders rigid as he stalked out of Buck's view.

"Where would I go?" Buck managed, head rolling on the wood under him as he tried to catch sight of Tommy.

"Nowhere," Tommy said, voice soft again despite the grim look on his face. Buck didn't like it, reaching up with a shaking hand to press his thumb at the lines creasing between Tommy's eyes. Frowning at the flash of blood he left smeared there.

You hurry onto the boat. "Does that happen a lot?"

"Oh, tons, actually!" She snaps and the bridge disappears. "You'd be surprise as to how many people come without a token, and how willing they'd be to rest in the afterlife."

You make a face. "That sucks."

She shrugs. "It's life. Or, should I say death." You giggle, and you see her eyes crinkle. The woman grabs a rowboat and pushes you off the coast, rowing the boat deeper into the water.

You let out a sigh of relief, a sigh that you didn't even realize you were keeping in. The hard part about your quest, sneaking into the afterlife without actually being dead, is finished. Now, all you need to do is find your bestest friend in the world, Calliope, and get the hell (hehe) out of here. Simple enough. You got this.

"So, how'd you die?"

You remember the day that Calliope died. "Snake bite."

She shakes her head. "How tragic. One of the most painful ways to die."

"Yeah....." You remember Calliope's face.

"But hey! At least you're better now!"

You nod. "If being dead means that I'm better."

"Aww come on, you know what I mean. Noticed how you can't really feel anything now that you're dead?"

"Oh, uh, yeah! I just assumed that was because everything feels kinda colder, because I don't have any blood really."

She hums. "That's true. Souls do tend to be more attentive to heat, but I'd figure you'd feel hot, since you're sitting near that candle."

You look away. "So, uh, what's your name? I'm Roxy."

"Aradia. Pleasure to meet you!" She places her oar in the boat and extends her hand.

"Same!" You take her hand and shake it.

You see Aradia's expression changed from a placid smile to a deranged grin, and you quickly realized you fucked up. "Souls shouldn't be able to touch me." She yanks her hand away from yours and launches herself into the air, her wings buzzing like a bugs. "I'm not supposed to ferry anyone online, I'm sorry!" She chirps. "Good luck trying to reach the afterlife without me, mortal! I'm rooting for ya!" After a quick wave, she flies away, leaving you alone in the sea.

The boat rocks back and forth, swaying you side to side.

You look around, and all you see is darkness.

This is actually a one scene AU I made… They are not even the main couple!

Jake is Jade’s uncle.

Dirk is Dave’s brother.

Dirk and Bro are not the same!! The latest is their oldest sibling.

This is a non sburb session AU btw.