Context: One day, you had a normal life. The next, the world ended, taken by something called the 'Beast' by the army before they fled. You found safety in a group of refugees led by the impressive Hunter, Zach, and his little brother, Max. You settled in, helped where you could and, in time, Zach's eyes turned to you, and yours, to him. You didn't expect to fall in love in the apocalypse... You also didn't expect to get sick.

Setting: The Listener's camper

Tags:[MM4F][Established Relationship][Refugee Leander/Hunter Boyfriend Speaker][Protective Lil Bro Speaker][Secretly Ill Listener][Argument]to[Confession][Drama/Angst][Post-apocalypse][Reverse Comfort][Comfort][Kisses][Pleading/Desperate][Cuddling][Let Me Help You][Closed Off]to[Loving][CW: Mentions of Death/Illness/Apocalypse]

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[Z] = Zach, your lover

[M] = Max, Zach's little bro

[Scene opens in the trailer you call home]

[SFX: The Listener folding clothes while two gents argue nearby]

[Your boyfriend, Zach, was scolding you moments ago. Now he’s busy yelling back and forth with his little brother, Max]

[Z] “Max, I am talking with her. You need to go to your room.”

[M] “No! You’re being a colossal dick to her!”

[...]

[Z, exasperated] “...Max, all I am trying to say is that she’s been slacking on her work. That’s it. I’m not here to pick a fight…”

[M, pissed] “Sure seems like it to me.”

[Pause…]

[You try to get them to simmer down but they hardly hear you]

[Z] “Max… You know that good people die if we don’t all pull our weight. You’re my little brother, and I love you. I know you love her, too, but her tasks are to look out for the other kids, too. She can’t keep her attention on you all the time, sweetheart…”

[M] “It’s not about her attention! You yelling at her like that is causing harm!”

[Z, exhausted] “I raised my voice for half a second, Max… I’m out there, hunting the monsters that ended the world, day by day. I don’t think asking for the chores she is assigned to be done to be done is the worst ask.”

[...]

[Z] “What was that? Would you prefer to be out there, hunting monstrosities? Cause I think I’d take the dirty diapers over-”.

[M] “NO!”

[You and Zach both jump at the raw intensity of Max’s protest]

[Z] “Max?! What has gotten into you?!”

[M, sobbing] “You’re killing her! You’re a monster! A fucking monster!”

[Pause???]

[He looks away, eyes furious, terrified, and sad]

[M] “...How he treats you ain’t right! I know it’s the end of the damned world and he’s our leader, but that doesn’t mean he gets to tell you SHIT when you’re the only one here who cares about the kids that got left behind!”

[...]

[You offer him a hug and he falls into your arms immediately, sobbing. You look toward Zach briefly and he meets your eyes before looking away]

[SFX: The Listener comforting Max]

[M] “Please… Please, he’s my brother, and I love him, but you’re… you’re practically like a Mom to me… and I love you, too…”

[...<3]

[You’re blown away but continue to comfort the poor boy. Zach’s anger is beginning to soften]

[M] “...Don’t let him hurt you… Please…!”

[Z, surprised] “Hurt-?”

[Pause??]

[M, snapping] “Don’t act like you don’t fucking know! Yelling at her like that when she’s been taking care of all the kids in the pack by her damned self while she’s been sick!”

[...]

[Zach stops dead, the anger gone. The uncertainty slips away to a stunned dread as he finally meets your gaze]

[Z, quiet] “...You’re sick…?”

[...]

[M] “...You didn’t tell him?”

[...]

[Z, heartbroken] “Why…? Why would you not tell me, of all people??”

[Pause…]

[M] “Wh-? Molly told me… She said you had told her…”

[Pause!!]

[M] “...You only wrote it in your journal… For fuck’s-! OK, I’m a dick for not fact-checking, yes, understood! But were you seriously not going to tell us you were sick?!”

[...]

[Z] “...Max, we need a minute, please.”

[M] “...OK… Please don’t shut me out though… Please?? I know I’m just a kid but we’re meant to be family-!”

[Z, tense] “We’ll talk later, Max. I promise… but we need a minute.”

[M] “...fine…”

[SFX: Max leaving the camper/slamming the door]

[Max leaves and you’re left with Zach and a heavy, sad silence]

[Z] “...Is it… the sickness…?”

[Pause.]

[He breathes a sigh of relief]

[Z] “I didn’t think you’d risk us like that… OK… O-OK… Then… what is it?”

[...]

[Z, breathless] “...Doc didn’t know for sure but you’ve been coughing up blood…?”

[...]

[He approaches you after a moment, eyes searching and hurt]

[Z] “Baby… I’ve been giving you attitude for slacking on work, and you’ve been coughing up blood?! I’m sorry that I gave you attitude at all, it wasn’t right of me, but… why didn’t you say anything? Have I really been that awful…?”

[...]

[You break and tears slip free. He draws you into his arms, breaking with you]

[Z] “O-Oh, sweetie… Shh, I have you… I have you…”

[Pause…]

[Z] “Didn’t want to burden me…? Angel! No! No, no, no, you are not and never have been a burden! Fuck’s sake, are you kidding me? I feel like I burden you by asking you to do so much… You’re so damned good at everything, you know?”

[Pause <3]

[Z] “...You and I take care of everyone here… I know it’s exhausting. I know you worry about me being out there, potentially in danger… and you take care of me so well. Please, sweetheart, let us take care of you. Can you do that for me, please?”

[...]

[Z, quiet/desperate] “...Can that be my birthday gift…? You letting me take care of you? Please?”

[...Pause]

[He exhales, relieved]

[Z] “Thank you… Honey, I am so sorry-”.

[Pause…]

[Z] “Baby, listen to me. OK? Look me in the eyes.”

[You do, hard as it is]

[Z] “I do not care if I’m being chased down by one of those… things, surrounded by wolves or bears, am taking sniper fire - you can bother me with ANYTHING, especially if it’s concerning your damned health!”

[...]

[He embraces you. It’s odd to feel such a brave, stoic man break apart and cry like a boy, but you comfort him]

[Z] “...Max and I love you so much… I need you here, with me, OK? By God… What would I ever do without you?”

[Pause…]

[Z] “...Strength doesn’t matter. Speed, fighting prowess, it doesn’t matter. If a Hunter has no one to fight for… he may as well let the sick take him.”

[...]

[Z] “...Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

[Pause <3]

[Z] “How much I love crawling into bed with you after a long hunt? Hearing you breathing so calmly… Smelling that lotion you put on your hands and shoulders in the heat… That little sigh of pleasure you give when I kiss your shoulder, followed by the small giggle when I realize Max has snuck into bed again… Hmph. That kid loves killing our love life, doesn’t he?”

[Pause <3]

[Z] “I know… I know, he just wants to be like me and protect his new family. I get it… But accusing me of hurting you??”

[Pause]

[Zach sighs]

[Z] “...Am I… harming you?”

[Pause <3]

[He exhales again, curling around you as if he’s the only thing that could protect you]

[Z] “...OK. First thing tomorrow morning, we’re going on a trip to the Hangclaw Tribe. They might be assholes, but they have better medical facilities than we do. One way or another, you’re getting seen and we’ll figure out how to get you healed up. That sound OK, Sweet Girl?”

[Pause…]

[Z] “No… You are not, nor will you ever be, a burden to me. You’re the love of my life, Angel! World ending or not!”

[...<3]

[You curl up against him. His heartbeat pounds under your chest]

[Z] “...I’m going to take care of you, Angel. And if I’m being a surly dick, you smack my arm as hard as you please, OK?”

[Pause <3]

[Z] “Pfft, I said my arm. Not my lowers. I might need those for something, you know?”

[Pause <3]

[He laughs a little, giving you tiny kisses everywhere he can]

[P-Pause?]

[Z] “Of course, I’m being affectionate… I’ve missed you. Now I’m worried about you. I’m going to be affectionate.”

[...<3]

[Zach kisses your temple. He’s still a mess. Still broken… but he is yours. He is there]

[Z] “Don’t worry, sweetheart… I’ll make sure Max and the other kids are into their respective campers before night sets. Rest, now. Alright?”

[Pause <3]

[He smiles against the crown of your head. The faint howls of the Beast echo from outside as you settle in for another restless night]

[SFX: Faint, overlapping creature roars: wolf x oxen x fox x moose]

[Z] “Shh… the Beast is just talking shit. Rest.”

[...]

[Z] “Goodnight, my Angel… Your Devil will protect you from the night.”

[SFX: Fade out on Zach’s heartbeat/nighttime ambiance]

[To be continued?]

Note: More of them, yes or no? Also, I see the typo in the title and it is slowly killing me T w T