Winterberg Brain Rot

It's hard to say, but it's there

Life finally calmed down for Winters. Rose was safe and healthy. They could live the semi-normal life Ethan wanted with his daughter. Mia and he had gotten a divorce, unfortunately with them sharing half the custody. Rose stays with Ethan for a week. Then Mia, another. Rose was a cute bundle of chaos. Already 3 years old and running around. Ah, but Ethan couldn't forget the metal hobo-looking man that lived in his basement.

Karl Heisenberg: The man who tried to kill him a few times then worked with him and lived in his house for how many years now? The two had gotten along quite well after setting some boundaries and rules.

Ethan liked watching Karl act like an excited puppy after leaving the village for the first time in how many years? Looking at and exploring the cities and suburbs. Asking question after question, "What's a flat-screen? ", "What's an iPhone? ", " I blew up the oven. Again, "What's a McDonald's? ", "Can we get a McDonald's?" What do you mean I can't buy McDonald's? "

Karl didn't have a job, but he still made himself useful. He'd given Ethan new fingers and full-on security for the house. He'd fix the car and watch Rose when Ethan was at work. He thought about getting a job as a mechanic or doing something he knew how to do, but that was hard since he was still getting used to modern technology. He did have decades' worth of catching up to do.

Something about Ethan, though. Something about the mold man made Karl's blood boil. He wasn't mad at the man. He had no reason to. Ethan did nothing but respect him and be kind to him. He was patient and understanding. Never yelled at him. Sure, there was the odd reprimand about how he "shouldn't do this in public" or how "just because she giggled doesn't mean it's safe."Something he didn't see when they first met. Granted, he had other things to worry about, but now that everything has been cleared, he was something else. Karl had his freedom, and he could leave for the Winters whenever he wanted, but he stayed for some reason. Something inside him told him to stay. That he could trust them, that he was safe.

He was confused and frustrated, and he didn't know why. This was what he wanted. To be free and safe from the bitch he was forced to call his mother. Find a place he can call home and truly mean it. Winters was getting on his nerves without actively trying or knowing. He tried to get him to be upset. breaking the washing machine for the third time, breaking a window because one of his projects "failed", and even destroying his room.

"It's fine, we can fix it or get a new one." or "Please be careful and do your projects in the basement." and "You were mad. It's fine, but don't trash my room again. ' That last one was so close. He could hear him sigh in frustration and clench his jaw. He just wouldn't snap at him. Yell at him. Tell him off. Punch him. SOMETHING.

Tonight, it was Mia's turn to have Rose. Tonight, Ethan would work late. Tonight, the entire living was destroyed because a project "malfunctioned and got loose." Tonight, Karl was getting ready to make Ethan snap at him. Was this the best way to go? Probably not. Did Karl know that? Not at all.

"Heis, I'm ho-" Ethan opened the door to be met with what looked like a tornado that only affected the inside of his house instead. His tired face turned into a frown as he slowly walked inside. Slowly putting his laptop bag down, he was careful not to step on anything. He wasn't even sure there was a floor left.

"Oh. Winters, I didn't even hear you walk in. " Heisenberg said as he walked from the basement. That was a lie, but Ethan didn't need to know that yet.

"Heisenberg," Ethan said slowly, turning his head to face the man. "What? Happened." It wasn't a question. It was a demand.

"Well, you see, I was working on one of my recent projects in the living room, but then I had to use the bathroom. When I came back, the thing blew up and practically bounced along the walls. I managed to catch it and bring it back to the basement." He said smoothly, holding his voice together without breaking or cracking. His face stayed the way he wanted it, making the lie more believable. He couldn't stare Ethan in the eyes, however. If he did, he'd see just how much in trouble he was.