One Try - yttd x reader

eleven

first published -> 26th March 2023
rewritten -> 28th November 2023

⚿

Only a few lights illuminated the chilled, dark, abandoned corridor. Some of the walls crumbled down, creating piles of rubble on the sides of the hallway.

[Name] and Joe walked through the ruined corridor. Both silent. Yet, even though they haven't spoken in a while. It wasn't awkward nor uncomfortable. Just silent.

"So...?" [Name] was the first one to break that silence. They stopped walking and turned to Joe. Their gaze softened. The boy was sweating and visibly stressed out which made [Name] frown.

"Well... I killed him."

'THE FUCK— WHAT-???'

Those words made [Name] raise an eyebrow. They kept a soothing, gentle voice while speaking to the teen. "Who... erm... Who did you..."

"Mishima."

'..? he didn't break the monitor-'

"The real one. It was my fault." Joe's voice was on the verge of cracking. His words sounded... Frantic. Erratic. Rapid. As if those words weren't planned. As if those words weren't meant to be said.

"Joe, it wasn't your fault-"

"I was the one that dropped the sacrifice card in front of him." Joe whispered. His eyes bloodshot. He was still avoiding [Name]'s eyes. His hands trembled as his breathing slowly picked up.

"I watched him pick it up and didn't react whatsoever- I didn't mean to! I really didn't! If I knew what the card was I would've never dropped it! It was my fault!!"

Joe cut [Name] off. His eyes filled up with tears. [Name] sighed and walked closer to him, trying to comfort the teenager.

"Joe, it wasn't your fault, you didn't know-"

"Still! My actions killed him! If it wasn't for me— If I didn't drop it- Hell, even if I was the one that died- he would've still been alive, here! Nao wouldn't be despairing over his death! Everyone would be happier and-"

He cut himself off, as he felt someone else's warmth surround him. Was [Name]... hugging him...? Within seconds, Joe broke down. He moved all his weight onto [Name]. His head rested against their shoulder as he cried into it.

"I'm sorry- I really- really didn't mean to- I-" Joe sobbed into [Name]'s shoulder. His hands clung to their shirt. While [Name] rubbed his back, doing their best to reassure the kid.

"Hey, it's okay. It wasn't your fault, really. I know you feel guilty now but I assure you, it wasn't your fault... Let it all out, i'm here." [Name] whispered. Joe started sobbing even harder.

"I'm sorry Mishima! I'm sorry Nao! Everyone! It would be better if I would've died! I'm sorry! I really am!" Joe started apologising. [Name]'s lips formed a frown. They didn't want him to think that.

"Hey. Stop blaming yourself, please. It wouldn't be better if you had died, I promise you. A lot of us care about you, it's alright for you to feel this way but don't succumb to those feelings, please." [Name] whispered as Joe just embraced them tighter. His body clung to the comfort the person was giving him.

[Name] looked at the boy, feeling somewhat guilty. After all they also discarded the card when they had it.

But they didn't react half as much as Joe.

[Name] knew Mishima was going to die. They knew it wasn't long before the plot would hit him. They know who dies and who doesn't. They still view this whole situation as a game. Surreal.