#tavis

warning: angst, violence, fluff at the end

Garrick Tavis tightened his grip on his sword, his breath ragged as blood dripped from the gash on his forehead.

The ambush had come swift and brutal, cutting them off from reinforcements, leaving only him and (Y/N) against impossible odds.

The air was thick with the scent of iron and smoke, the once-proud banners of King Aaric Graycastle now trampled in the dirt.

Garrick staggered, using his shield to block an incoming strike, but his body was slow, exhaustion clawing at him.

He stole a glance at (Y/N), equally battered, her face pale with blood loss.

They were both barely standing.

“We’re not making it out of this, are we?” (Y/N) murmured, voice hoarse.

Garrick let out a bitter chuckle, spitting blood to the side.

“Not looking good.”

Another enemy lunged, and Garrick moved on instinct, striking out with what little strength he had left.

His vision blurred. His limbs felt heavier. He wasn’t sure if it was his own blood or (Y/N)’s soaking the ground beneath them.

“You still with me?” he asked through gritted teeth.

(Y/N) gave a weak nod, raising her weapon. “To the end.”

And then the enemy surged forward once more.

Garricks POV

I woke up.

Or at least, I think I did.

My eyelids felt like stone, barely parting as I fought to pull myself back to consciousness. My body ached, every breath a struggle, and something heavy pressed against my side.

(YN).

I swallowed, my throat raw. “Hey, (YN),” I rasped. “Get up.”

No movement.

My pulse spiked.

I couldn’t even tell if she was breathing.

The town around us was in ruins.

I forced myself to move, teeth gritted against the pain.

My fingers trembled as I reached for (YN), pressing against her throat, desperate for any sign of life.

"You cannot leave me like this," I muttered, my voice barely more than a breath as I pulled her closer.

My arms shook, whether from exhaustion or fear, I wasn’t sure.

Then—movement. A shallow inhale. A tremor against my chest.

“I told Malek about us,” she whimpered. Her voice was so faint I almost thought I imagined it.

Her eyes fluttered open—at least, one did. The other was swollen, dark and bloodied, and I knew then she might lose it.

But she was alive.

For now.

“What?” My voice was hoarse, rough with disbelief.

She tried to grin, though it came with a wet, sickening gurgle as blood pooled at the corner of her mouth.

“Malek said he’s not ready for us.”

She coughed, a broken sound. “We’re menaces.”

Her attempt at humor was weak, but it was her. It was her.

I exhaled sharply, pressing my forehead to hers. "Damn right we are."

But there was no victory here, only bodies and silence. I had no idea if help was coming.

If there even was help left to come.

I tightened my grip around her, determination steeling my spine.

"You’re not dying today, (YN)."

She let out a ragged chuckle. "I’ll hold you to that."

And so I held her, praying I wouldn’t have to break my word.

later

We woke up in the infirmary.

Took you long enough,” (YN) stated the moment my eyes fully opened.

She smiled, but there was an eyepatch covering one of her eyes.

My stomach twisted.

"Yeah, it's gone," she said, noticing my stare.

There was sadness in her voice, but then she smirked.

"Guess I’m only half as hot now as I used to be.

I huffed a breath, shaking my head. "You’re impossible."

“Scoot over,” she said.

And I did.

We’d always been just friends, but there was no denying the chemistry between us. It had been there for years, unspoken, ignored—but now, with death so close behind us, it felt impossible to push aside.

"You said something about speaking to Malek?" I muttered, watching her closely.

She sighed.

“Yeah. I feel like I died—I could’ve sworn I saw him. And you know what he did?” Her lips pressed together. “He rejected us. Said there’s something unspoken between us.”

I inhaled sharply. My pulse quickened.

There is.

“(YN)?”

My voice was quieter now, cautious.

“You know I feel more than friendship, right?”

She didn’t hesitate.

“I do, Garrick.”

Her fingers brushed against mine, warm despite everything.

“But… same here.”

She scooted even closer, curling into my side, her hand slipping into mine like it belonged there.

I exhaled slowly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Maybe Malek had seen something before we did.

Maybe death had forced us to stop pretending.

But in this moment, lying here with her, I knew one thing for certain.

Submitted for classification by @nineofneals

Hangout with Travis.

Date posted: 2023/02/04 Link: https://x.com/KDEdwards_NC/status/1621907901613854730 & https://x.com/KDEdwards_NC/status/1621941241285079040 Additional comments by K.D.: none Snippet: Max was still trying too hard with Remus. As I watched, he plucked a Cheeto from Remus's claws and threw it down the sofa, saying, "Fetch!" Remus hopped after it, picked it up with his teeth, and stared at Max. Then he ran off in the other direction lest this nonsense repeat.