#murphy pendleton x reader

There was a group of monsters that attacked her and Murphy, Screamers and a Minion nearly surrounding the two. Murphy was fighting back the Screamers, leaving (Y/n) to fend against the deformed prisoner. She was able to land a few good hits on the monster with a metal pipe. But then the weapon-turned-tool gets knocked out of her hands by the Minion and she instinctively backs away, raising her hands to not get hit. Just as she feared, the Minion launches at her to attack her. (Y/n) yelps upon feeling a painful impact on her arms, being knocked back, falling to the ground, and getting the air knocked out of her. "(Y/n)!" She can hear Murphy call with concern, switching his focus to the Minion and swinging The fire axe he is holding tightly in the monster's direction. (Y/n) scrambles to get back up, looking around hastily for her weapon.

As Murphy is too occupied with the Minion. One Screamer got back up ready to attack again, screeching and flailing its arms at (Y/n) to hurt her.

(Y/n) screams in pain as the needle-like claws of the screamer puncture her skin in several places. Too injured to keep going, (Y/n) drops to the ground with a thud. Murphy finally beats the Minion down, whipping around to see what happened to (Y/n).

"No! (Y/N)!!" Murphy doesn't think twice but charges at the monster and swings his axe in its face. In a blind rage, he slams the blade down into the creature's flesh several times, dead blood splatters freely as he makes sure it's as good as dead. "Stay away from her!" He growls once the monster has finally stopped moving, dropping the axe and rushing to (Y/n)'s side and kneeling to her. Worry is evident in his features.

"Oh god... (Y/n)." His hands shake with adrenaline, reaching over to grab her arm and guide it over his shoulder, struggling to pick her up but eventually getting her up to drag her to a slightly safer place, inside of an abandoned house.

~~~~

Murphy grunts as he pulls his companion into the rather dark house after kicking the front door open, planning to place her down at the next best spot he can find, and that's the old sofa in the middle of the room.

"There you go..." he gingerly places her down on the rough cushions, lifting her legs up to get her to rest. Her head rested on an abandoned pillow.

He is lucky that he's got a First Aid kit on him, he would dare think about what he'd do if he hadn't...

"It's gonna be fine... It'll be fine.," Murphy mutters, not sure if she can even hear him. He might as well be talking to himself again just to fill in the deafening silence.

However, he is quick to pull up (Y/n)'s shirt to inspect the bleeding gash that looked painful, didn't look too bad, he's not very sure what to make of it, he is not a doctor by any stretch.

It looks like she might need stitches, but there's not a needle or threat in the kit, he'll have to do with what he has.

Dressing the biggest wound first, Murphy then moves on to the slightly smaller one on (Y/n)'s arm... That one looks not as bad as the one on her stomach. Wrapping it up neatly as well. Furthermore, Murphy doesn't see any other injuries that require his attention, other than faint bruises and minor scratches that would heal on their own. She should be fine... right?

Murphy looks up to inspect (Y/n)'s face, unconscious, but hopefully not for long. Moving the hair away from her face, it almost looks like she's asleep.

He could feel that her skin was quite cold to the touch. Prompting him to move away from her looking for something that he could burn in a small fire, perhaps he could warm up too and not get sick after walking through the rain this whole time, together with (Y/n).

It was easy for Murphy to start a small fire, he had a lighter and there were enough dry sticks and luckily this house had a fireplace. The fire reminds him of those times he went camping with his son... He misses Charlie so much...

~~~~

Everything aches once (Y/n) wakes up, she can hardly move. At least what she is lying on is comfortable, on a dusty sofa. Moving hurts her arms and legs, but she still tries. Squirming against the cushions with a groan, attempting to sit up.

"Don't strain yourself." Comes a tired voice, followed by a crackle of a campfire. "Murphy?" Her voice was weak and hoarse, but he could hear it nonetheless. He stands up from the chair he was sitting in by the fireplace, reaching (Y/n) and looking over her injuries just to check. "You okay?" He asks, he already half expects her answer. "I feel terrible..." She replies, squirming to get more comfortable. Murphy hums in acknowledgement, he is satisfied that none of the injuries look worse than they did before upon inspecting them. "Did you do this?" (Y/n) asks quietly, gesturing to the bandages wrapped around her wounds for them to heal. Murphy remains quiet, nodding rather sheepishly in confirmation. "Couldn't just let you bleed out there, could I?" He states, moving back to sit down by the fires, mindlessly poking the burning fuel into the flames. (Y/n) can feel the warmth from the soul heat source, it helps to clear her trembling skin. "How could I repay you?" (Y/n) questions, Murphy shrugs in response, "Don't let it happen again... Scared the shit out of me." He confesses, his gaze remaining on the fireplace. (Y/n)'s head moves back to stare at the rotting ceiling of the abandoned house, paint peeling off, cobwebs put in their place instead.

Then she turns to glance at the ex-con again, he remains seated in the chair by the fireplace to keep an eye on the heat source, his features melancholy. She can do nothing but wonder what he is thinking about. Even as a prison Janitor, she never knew which inmate was in for what. Not that she could care about it in any way, but sometimes she can't help but wonder what the most quiet and reserved prisoner did to get where he is now. And she never asked Murphy what he did. From the way he acted, she assumed it was a touchy subject.

But he saved her life regardless, and he wants very little in return. And that attitude proves one thing to (Y/n).

"You're a good man, Murph," she says with sincerity in her voice. Murphy stops messing with the little fire and freezes up for a moment. He doesn't believe her statement to be true at all. He has done really bad things. And then this prison Janitor has the nerve to call him 'good'.

Murphy chortles, "I highly doubt that..." he says, gazing into the small flames.

His comment makes (Y/n) let out a painful laugh, clutching her injured side. "You just saved my life, Murphy! And you just met me. Surely that must mean something." She states, her head leaning to the side looking at the dishevelled man, his back towards her as he pokes the small fire he made with a stick. He doesn't meet her eye. "You like me," she claims, almost in a teasing tone of voice that causes him to chuckle, looking over his shoulder to meet her eye, "Yeah... Keep telling yourself that." He teases back, making her laugh even harder. Her laughter is short-lived as she groans in pain. "Really though. You're a good man if you're willing to save a life. So, thank you for that." (Y/n)'s tone turns serious, and Murphy's expression softens a little. He is not sure how to take the clear compliment, so he turns his eyes to the fire once again, making his face feel warmer than it should, "Yeah... No problem..." He replies after a second of silence that quickly returns.

____________________________________

There are too few stories with this man, he deserves more. So I made this!

Enjoy it. 

Thanks for reading.

“You still have contact with someone?” The officer starts to make small talk with the prisoner. Murphy snorts, (Y/n) is still as stubborn as she used to be and is still trying to reach him. “Childhood friend…” Murphy replies to the officer, “She… won’t let go, never has.” Coleridge grins at the prisoner’s reply. “That means you mean something to her. She cares for you, and you should cherish that.” He smiles as the two reach the visitation ward. Once the two entered the ward, there was a separate space for each visit, Coleridge wordlessly directed Murphy to one space. Murphy swallows nervously, ready for a scolding from his friend. He doesn’t look at the other side of the wired glass until he sits down. Looking up, he finally looks up and makes eye contact with the only person willing to see him from outside, (Y/n). Her gaze is less scolding than he has assumed, but still stern. She looks more disappointed than mad or hateful. Her movement is smooth as she picks up the receiver from her side, moving it to her face without breaking eye contact. Murphy mirrors her movements, bringing the receiver from his side to his ear. “(Y/n)?” He calls her name quietly, but despite her facial expressions, he still prepares himself for a scolding.

"What have you done, Murphy?" She asks, desperate to understand his situation.

Murphy's feeling of nervousness sinks away, replaced with determination.

"What I have. to do…" His answer is cryptic, keeping his motives vague for both her and the officers monitoring him.

"No, you don't." (Y/n)'s gaze turns sorrowful, causing him to feel a pinch of hurt in his tormented heart. He is sure she is smart enough to come to the conclusion of his plans on her own, she knows everything that happened that led to this.

"Yes, I do." He argues, that his desire for revenge is greater. "He has to pay. People like him don't deserve to be coddled by prisons." he tries to reason, but by the look on her face, she doesn't seem to budge.

She lets out a deep disappointed sigh, "I kept your space on my sofa, you know." (Y/n) confesses to missing him. "I'm not giving up on you, Murphy…Please reconsider. I'll be waiting for you." She says, placing her hand on the glass. Murphy hesitates but returns the gesture, touched by her words.

"Time's up." An officer calls and the two are separated again. ~~~~ As she promised, (Y/n) didn’t give up on him. Showing up for visitation every week, and sometimes two days a week. And she even got gifts for him on his birthdays! For three whole years, this kept up. Murphy was sure that one day (Y/n) would eventually grow tired of waiting for him. That she'd just stop showing up and abandon him, but she didn't…

But she never left him throughout their history. Minimizing contact was his idea when he got married. She was never happy about that. But losing a few friends when getting engaged is a normal occurrence.

But now, she is almost all he has left. And he is growing paranoid. Murphy’s thoughts are scattered, unsure if what he is doing is the right thing. On one hand, he wants to get his revenge on the man who took his son’s life and subsequently his as well. And on the other, he wants to stay with (Y/n)... or at least to be able to go back to her and then stay with her. And in his wildest fantasies, maybe start over… Murphy opened up to Coleridge about the “mysterious lady-friend” as Coleridge puts it. He described her as a “long-time friend who has been there for him through thick and thin. And she is not letting him go, even now.” Officer Coleridge seemed pleased to hear this. “That friend of yours, (Y/n). You shouldn’t keep her waiting for any longer than necessary, right?” Coleridge speaks up while escorting Murphy to his cell. Murphy’s gaze remains downcast, he slightly regrets telling him (Y/n)’s name and now he won’t stop talking about her resulting in Murphy being unable to stop thinking about her.

“Such forgiving people as her are rare to come by. If you find one, you should keep them close.” Frank wisely states, Murphy cringes inside. He is drowning in conflicted thoughts and desires. ~~~~ Murphy has a journal in his cell to write down his thoughts, having your freedom taken away really does something to a person, and certainly when you have such a difficult situation as Murphy has. Every night just before lights out, he’d jot down his thoughts to keep them organized. Murphy eventually decides to go through with what he has planned from the start. Accepting Officer Sewell’s offer for help and getting to Napier, he is going to get what is coming to him for sure. He can’t help but wonder what (Y/n) would think of it. She understands why, but doesn’t know how, and not when either. She made a promise to him, would she live up to it? Surely, she is not one to break promises, even if it involves Murphy’s revenge fantasy coming to life.

Taking a seat at the side of his cot, Murphy pulls the dusty journal from under his pillow, along with a pen. Opening to an empty page to put his mind on paper for all to see. Dear, (Y/n) I’m still surprised that you’re around. You are really not letting go of me, are you? Typical (Y/n). Even when we worked at the cinema as rowdy teens you stood up for me even if it meant getting punished unjustly. And I admire you for that, how forgiving you are.

Would you still forgive me for what I’m about to do? I cannot rest until that monster gets what he deserves. I can't lose you either, you're all I have left, (Y/n). Please don't leave me…

Murphy's writing comes to a halt when a droplet falls on the paper, smudging the ink. He leans forward and rubs his face and lets out a heavy sigh. Emotions running high.

He can only ponder what is coming to bite him in the end, even if he can't go unpunished for the misdeeds that are yet to be committed.

~~3 weeks later~~

“What do you mean transferred?” (Y/n) asks the desk sergeant in astonishment. The officer lazily pushes his glasses up his crooked nose, “I’m sorry ma’am… But due to alternative events, the prisoner under the name, Murphy Pendleton is being transferred to a maximum security prison." He explains with boredom evident in his voice.

(Y/n) is desperate for more answers on what is happening to her friend. "Was there a riot or something?" She questions with her voice raised. She really doesn’t wish to make a scene, she wants to know what is becoming of her friend. "I'm afraid that's classified for you ma'am." The sergeant replies in the same monotone voice, only frustrating (Y/n) more. Surely, she is not the first to react like this if his reactions are so minimal.

To refrain from screaming, (Y/n) takes deep calming breaths and rubs her eyes. "Can you at least tell me where he is being transferred to? I'm his emergency contact." She asks with a much more controlled attitude.

The Sergeant's shoulders drop, finally relenting. "Fine, he and a group of inmates are being transferred to Wayside Maximum Security Penitentiary." He replies slowly. His eyes ghosted over the screen of his monitor. (Y/n) sighs, triumphant in her answer. Then (Y/n) doesn’t waste any more time, thanks the desk sergeant and leaves the premises to her car. In her car she takes a few deep breaths, Her friend is going to a maximum security prison, meaning that she can't visit him any more than she wants to. (Y/n) has to do her best not to cry, She has been trying so hard for Murphy, to be there for him as much as she can. But it’s getting difficult to do so the longer she is apart from him, separated by steel bars.

“Mrmph?” (Y/n) attempts to call with a toothbrush in her mouth that’s full of foam. she swallows the foam and tries again. “Murphy?” she questions again, seeing the man in question looking distraught before her, leaning against the door frame. “Can I come in? Please?” He sounds exhausted and desperate. Who is she to deny him while he is in this state? Even though she hadn’t seen him in years. (Y/n) pushes the door further open and steps aside from him to enter, which he does with a shuffle in his step. That’s when (Y/n) notices that Murphy is soaking wet, evident by the fact that it’s raining lightly outside, he must have been outside for some time to get this wet. If (Y/n) doesn’t do anything about it, Murphy might get sick or something. Of course, she doesn’t want that. So while Murphy makes himself at home, slumping on the couch, (Y/n) rushes to her bathroom to snatch a towel, returning to the living room and throwing the towel in Murphy’s direction, he catches it effortlessly. “Thanks…” He replies and throws the towel over his head to dry off his hair first. “I’ll make you some tea, I still got some.” (Y/n) says and disappears in the kitchen to make him a drink. Murphy takes a moment to take everything in, it’s been a while since he has seen his old friend; (Y/n). They used to work in the same Cinema together, that’s how they met. It was (Y/n) who repeatedly got him out of trouble since then. He even got (Y/n) in trouble once, and he still remembers that vividly. Murphy is surprised she even let him in and is still nice to him after all that has happened. But he really has nowhere else to go. The living room is minimalistic but comfortable, even cosy. It has everything it needs to be called a living room. The warm yellow glow of the lamps colour the room, he can hear the clock ticking through the low-volume radio that is on for the background noise. Murphy fiddles with the fabric of the towel he was given, rough and worn from use, it’s an old towel. Taking a deep breath, Murphy lets his guard down.

Then, (Y/n) returns with two steaming mugs of tea, placing them down on the coffee table neatly and sitting down next to him. The two have a lot of catching up to do.

"What causes you to knock on my door this late?" (Y/n) questions, knowing already that it wasn't pretty by then sour look on his face.

"Carol…kicked me out," Murphy explains solemnly, eyes trained on the floor.

(Y/n)'s shoulders dropped in astonishment.

She had still kept contact with Murphy through letters all these years. She was present at his wedding, and at one of his son's birthday parties, and when his son went missing it got quiet.

Then she heard about the boy's untimely demise.

"Oh, was it about-" "Yes." Murphy cut her off.

(Y/n) gut clenches in sympathy.

Her heart goes out to her friend beside her, a man who just lost everything he cherished dearly. One tragedy after another, his life just put together, had fallen apart just like that.

"Oh my god, Murphy… I'm so sorry that yo-" "Don't bother!" He cuts her off angrily again, waving her hand away when she tries to touch him. He stands up and walks to the window, It's all dark and there is nothing to see.

"It's because of him! He took my boy, he took everything from me!" He roars in anger, his knuckles turning white from clenching his fists.

(Y/n) stands up, hands up in an attempt to calm him down, "Murphy you have to ca-" "SHUT UP! Don't tell me to calm down! You don't understand what it’s like to lose someone close to you!" He yells and points at (Y/n) accusingly. That's not true, (Y/n) lost her grandparents and an uncle, she knows damn well what loss feels like.

(Y/n) remains quiet, she knows he is grieving. And he has all right to be, she wouldn't wish this tragedy upon her worst enemy, but she is certain Murphy would.

"He has to pay! He has to pay for what he did! I lost everything!" His anger melts into sadness at the end of his screaming. Shoulders dropping, he presses his hands into his palms, (Y/n) now thinks it's safe to approach him, Placing her hands on his shaking shoulders, she leans against him in a sort of hug.

Now, close. She can hear his muffled gasps of sorrow.

(Y/n) tries not to cry herself, hands moving around his waist to hug him from behind.

After a moment, Murphy turns around in her embrace and hugs her back tightly, holding onto the last remaining piece of his stable life.

~~Two Weeks Later~~

Murphy has been staying at (Y/n)'s place ever since. Sleeping on the sofa. Mixed emotions of boiling anger and a deep depression. He has been hanging around her house, looking like he is not really sure what to do with himself. But he is grateful that (Y/n) took him in, in the first place and he still can’t understand why she did. It’s better than being at a shady motel. Occasionally Murphy would help around the house with minor chores; wash the dishes together with (Y/n), he would water the plants and run errands sometimes. But that was after a full week of lying on the sofa and staring at the ceiling. Then one night everything changed… “I’m home!” (Y/n) calls when the pulls the front door closed. Usually, she’d get a call back from Murphy, but this time she didn’t hear anything. Strange…

Entering the living room, that’s where she found Murphy in his usual spot on the sofa, staring daggers at the TV. (Y/n) walks around to see what he was watching. It’s the news, a police report. “Serial Child Predator; Patrick Napier has been apprehended and arrested for the kidnapping and assault of four boys. Officers say that quote “They put him behind bars and make sure he never comes out.” The New reporter announces and shows four pictures of similar-looking boys around the same age as well. (Y/n) could recognize Charlie’s face anywhere. She’d think Murphy would be glad to hear that the one who killed his son is now in prison where he should rot away. Yet, he looks seething mad, and ready to jump and attack even a mere picture of this Napier guy. “I finally know where he is…” Murphy hisses through his teeth in anger, kneading the denim of his pants in frustration. “Huh?” (Y/n) hums in confusion, but when she thinks for a moment it starts to make sense what he means. Even when working at the Cinema together, she knew Murphy as the type to hold a grudge. And now, (Y/n) fears that Murphy is going to take desperate measures.

She doesn’t say anything, for fear of how he will react. She could only fear what was about to become her life-long friend. ~~~~ And it was the next day when it all went south for (Y/n). She didn’t see Murphy in the morning or in the evening of the same day. But the day after when watching the news, there was another police report. “Last night the police finally caught the man who hijacked a police cruiser and had led a 10-hour chase through the city and neighbouring rural area. The man is 33-year-old Murphy Pendleton who is now arrested and awaiting trial.” …

(Y/n) could not believe what she hearing, Murphy put himself in prison?!! To act out revenge most likely. She should have stopped him when she had the chance, but she was too much of a coward to do it. (Y/n) raises her hand to cover her mouth in utter shock. “Murphy… What have you done?” She mutters, remaining still in her spot to try and process everything. __________________________________________Hashtag More For Murphy.The ending felt a little rushed in my opinion, but the story is already so long…

Thanks for reading