Below The Surface - A Lackadaisy Fanfiction

Did We Deserve This?

Mordecai sat up, slowly. He winced, then looked down at his wrapped stomach and torso.

"...can you recall what happened to you, honey?" Mitzi asked, standing up. She sauntered over to him, and sat at the edge of his bed.

"...no..." Mordecai croaked: croaked, and he felt embarrassment jitter up through him.

"You vere stabbed by knife." Viktor answered, gruff as ever. "Blood got in vater when ve escape."

"...escaped?" Mordecai whispered, his brows furrowing. He took in the details of ash, smoke and water caked on everyone's clothing, fur and hair.

"Some crazy lady lit the speakeasy on fire." Zib woke up for a split second, before nodding off. He slumped in the chair, hitting his head on the wall with a loud thud that made everyone wince.

"...Zib?" Wick asked quietly. He got up to move to him quickly, hands hovering over his body. He visibly eased when he heard a small snore from the washed up jazz cat, and he sat right back down.

"Who caused the fire?" Mordecai asked.

"We don't know her name." Esther stopped pacing for a moment. She walked over to Mordecai slowly, with a nonchalant expression.

"What about Lacrimosa? Silas? The rest of the Brigade?" Mordecai seemed more tense now.

"They ran off at the last minute." Rose frowned.

"So they're still running rampant?" Mordecai could've sworn he felt his breath catch in his throat. Mitzi eased him with a knowing look.

"Wherever they are now, they won't hurt us." She told him.

"...I could always double check if needed, that way—" Mordecai was cut off by being backhanded across the face by his sister. She yanked him by the collar, seething.

"Are you that frickin' stupid?!" She hissed out quietly. "Stay right frickin' there, because you're hurt, buster! We could have helped you, yet you decided to push us away!"

"I didn't want you to get hurt." Mordecai replied simply.

"So you decided to get hurt yourself?" Rose chimed in, looking at him with worry. Mordecai frowned, his ears drooping. He felt the concerned, worried—or even bitter—gazes from everyone in the room.

"...I couldn't have lost you: I simply wouldn't have forgiven myself if that were to happen." He finally choked out.

"...you're lucky you're my brother and I love you, because I don't believe that bullshit." Esther grumbled, then hugged him tightly. Mordecai flinched, before hugging her back, just as tight. He squeezed his eyes shut, frowning slightly more.

"I love you too, sister." He whispered. Esther pulled away, a hand on his arm. She patted it twice.

"Rose and I are planning on staying in St. Louis till the end of this week. We can catch up sometime." She suggested.

"That would be amazing." Mordecai admitted, gentler than usual.

"Good: 'cause I'm dragging you and your little lover~" She smirked, and Mordecai rolled his eyes. She left, and Rose gave him a tight hug, too: he gratefully gave one back.

"Don't die on me this time, okay?" She said with a teasing tone, and Mordecai let out a quiet scoff.

"Like hell I would." He muttered, and Rose giggled. Mordecai smiled: it was worth making her smile, despite the nonsensical comment she made. When she left, Wick gave a quick condolence towards Mordecai, before promptly dragging Zib out of the room. Now, Viktor and Mordecai locked their gazes on each other. Viktor's mouth twisted into a small scowl.