(Another fic for y'all. Characters involved: Penrose @worm-holes-doodles, Isaac @th3-0r4ng3-sun and Olly @woodlietools!)
Continuation from this:
It's been a while since the Toonland critters last saw Brady. The last time they saw him was when Vixy ran into the bar and attacked him. It was quiet... too quiet... Usually Brady's loud vibe could fill a room, but since he's gone, it feels bare. Isaac gently tapped his glass. Penrose looked up and felt her shoulders tense as she was about to suggest something. "I think we should go check on Brady..."
Olly's ears perked up as he turned his head. "I'm not sure about that. I think he has some stuff he needs to figure out." He went back to cleaning the glasses. It felt tense, Olly knew something... He wasn't telling, though. Isaac took a sip of her drink. "We should, at least, check to see if he's okay." Penrose couldn't help but smile. "That settles it then! Let's go," she demanded. Olly quickly looked back as he was about to say something, but the two had already gotten up and were about to head out. The cat couldn't help but cringe and tense his shoulders.
As time went by, the 3 walked down the street towards the cozy little bakery. Normally, it had such a welcoming vibe, but it was uncertain at the moment. Olly stepped in front of the other two and pushed the door open, only to see no-Vixy but a little Sage colouring on the floor. She looked up like a deer in head lights, she quickly smiled once she saw it was Olly. "Hi, Olly!" It brought a small smile to the cat's face as he slowly waved at her. Penrose and Isaac followed Olly inside. Sage quickly stood up, grabbed Isaac's hand and led them over to her drawing. "Look! Do you like my drawing?" Sage asked, Isaac giggled and nodded, "Of course I do! You're very talented." Penrose took off her hat as she looked down at the young girl. "Sage, can we see Brady?"
Sage took the crew through the back door of the bakery. The room was dark and eerie. Isaac's ears perked up; he could hear some bottles rattling from what seemed like the downstairs of this small bakery. Sage turned left and walked up the creaky wooden stairs. Some of the wooden boards had some scribbles and colored drawings. Sage led them into the little upstairs apartment, and she pointed to one of the closed doors, "he's in there, but he won't come out."
The 3 stood, the hallway felt long even though it wasn't. Penrose took a deep breath and walked towards the door with determination. With a gentle knock, she quietly asked, "Brady?" There was no answer; only the movement of bedsheets could be heard. She looked back at the other two critters and the small child, then back at the door. "Brady, are you alright?" she gently asked. Again, nothing and now the rest of the crew got closer to Penrose. She huffed and banged the door with the side of her fist. "Brady, you can't shut us out!" As Olly was about to say something, the door quickly swung open.
It was Brady, his hand on the door frame and the other on the door. His expression was angry. His hair was wavy and messy, which revealed his right eye. It was a tinted grey colour and forever in a squint with a cracked scar that went down from his split eyebrow to his cheek. His blue button up was only half way done up. "Am I not allowed to be by myself?" He said sternly as he made strong eye contact with Penrose. Brady's defensive attitude made the crew feel small. Isaac felt her shoulders rise as she lowered her head. Sage hugged Olly's leg as this was the first time seeing Brady be this angry. Penrose was speechless. Olly stood tall and just looked at Brady, he stood his ground.
Brady breathed heavily as he felt his face get warm, but his expression cooled down once he realized what he was doing. He backed off. He sighed as he let go of the door. "I'm sorry- I didn't mean to yell..." he lowered his head. Olly gently placed his hand on Sage's head as he continued to watch Brady. Penrose reached over and placed her hand on Brady's arm. "What's going on? You can tell me," she reassured.
He stepped back and walked towards his bed. He sat down on the edge of the bed. The room was in disarray, with broken glass, knives, bottles and a handgun. Isaac just looked at the room in shock- what could have happened for Brady to act like this? Penrose and Isaac stepped into the room, but Olly stayed out with Sage. Brady touched his hands as his knee bounced; he just intently stared off. Brady began to breathe heavily again, and he kept fidgeting with his hands as his eye twitched. Isaac made eye contact with Penrose, as they were uncomfortable. "Brady, you can talk to us," Isaac said quietly.
Brady quickly shook his head. He didn't look up. "I- I can't. I can't. It would hurt you guys..." Brady mumbled. Penrose walked closer and sat next to Brady, gently placing her hand on Brady's back. "You're not gonna hurt us." Brady bit his bottom lip as he began to sweat. The fox tilted his head. "We're here to help you." A loud, high-pitched ringing was all Brady could hear; he gritted his teeth as he breathed heavily and faster. His eyes began to widen, and his pupils went smaller as the two tried to calm him down.
It felt like a snap. "I KILL PEOPLE!" Brady screamed out, his hands gripping his thighs. Everything was quiet, but not for Brady. He felt himself shake; he quickly stood up and turned to the wide-eyed Penrose and Isaac. "I'M A MURDERER! I KILL PEOPLE FOR THE BUSINESS! FOR A DIP BUSINESS! THE BAKERY IS JUST A COVER UP!" he continued. "Brady-" Brady started to pace around his room. "I HATE DOING WHAT I DO, AND I'M SO BAD AT IT, I'M GONNA GET US ALL KILLED BECAUSE I'M GETTING SOFT AND I CAN'T HANDLE IT ANYMORE AND- AND YOU DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER! I ALREADY DRAGGED OLLY INTO THIS FUCKING MESS. I'VE DOOMED EVERYONE, I CAN'T FIX ANYTHING NOW, MAYBE I SHOULD DIE, BUT I CAN'T, THAT WOULD HURT THE BUSINESS, THAT WOULD HURT VIXY, THAT WOULD HURT THE FAMILY, THAT WOULD HURT YOU GUYS! IM SORRY! I CAN'T. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO-"
"BRADY!" Olly screamed back; his tail was puffy and up, his ears flattened and backward-facing. Brady turned his head to see Sage scared. She gripped onto Olly's leg as she slightly shook, her eyes widened. In return, Brady's eyes widened when reality snapped back; he turned his head to Penrose and Isaac, who were both mortified. He felt his face tense up as tears began to stream down his face. He fell to the ground and had his hands on his head while he sobbed. Olly sighed. He looked over at Isaac and gestured to them that they should get out of here. Isaac stood up, his mind ran wild, and he had so much to think over. Olly picked up Sage as he carried her out of the building with Isaac. The little girl sobbed on the cat's shoulder as she had her arms around Olly's neck.
Brady felt himself cough as he violently sobbed. Penrose's lip quivered as she went down on the floor. She placed her hands on Brady, and Penrose pulled him closer. He hugged her waist tightly as he cried on her lap. "I'm so sorry... Thank you for telling me, Brady." Penrose responded in a tremulous tone. "I understand why you hid this, I'm terrified that you're gonna get hurt..." Brady hic'ed, and Penrose cupped his face. "I- Do- I-" Brady could barely muster out words. "I love you so much, and I'll never stop loving you." Penrose kissed Brady's forehead, and Brady held her tighter as he lay his head on her lap. He closed his eyes while Penrose combed his hair with her hand. They lost track of time. Penrose spoke with Brady, telling him about her day, her dreams, and the music she made. It calmed him down, causing him to eventually fall asleep on her lap.
End. sorry if this was ass- its really late for me and idk how to write
lowkey really hate this, just posting this so i dont have to look at this anymore- sorry
