You shiver despite the heat licking your back; hands over your head and curled into a ball, trying to pretend everything's fine and that the smoke isn't suffocating you and your home's not on fire and that everyone's still okay and that Ian's milky eyes aren't judgingstaring at you and oh god why why why why whywhywhywhywhy—
A cough. Your heart stops.
A twitch. Footsteps.
"Tessa...?"
Rooster. Oh, gods Rooster. She shouldn't— They're all—
You crack one eye open.
It's still burning. The smoke hurts. But, Rooster.
Sweet, sweet Rooster, covered in ash and cuts and blood and there's a holeholehole—
You gasp, accidentally inhaling smoke.
Your lungs kept burning still.
...
Soft.
You slow on your coughing fit and shiver.
"Shh, it's okay. It's all going to be okay." said Rooster, whose voice once aroused you on occasion, but is now keeping what's left of your sanity together. "It's going to be fine."
A hand. Caressing your head, and also your cheek.
Eyes. Beautiful, golden eyes.
Lips. Getting closer wait what why is she getting closer—
A breath, near your ears. So loud. So soothing.
Inhale.
"...Hail HYDRA."
Pain.
D A R K N E S S . . .
...
..
.