Birds Of A Feather (Ray x Reader)

I Know The Reason For Their Sadness

YOUR POV:

There was a lingering emptiness throughout the house now that Norman was missing. It was always tragic to see someone get shipped out and killed, no longer having their presence there. But for Norman, it seemed to be worse on everyone.

He brought a type of energy that nobody else could. And now that's gone.

Norman was like a star. He was so bright against the sun and moon. But now with his death, his star died and burned.

Emma is having a hard time, and it was clear to everyone. She was often seen by herself with a frown and sluggish movements. The smallest noises seemed to make her jump. It was like she was scared of her own shadow now.

Ray is also having a hard time. Ray's always been quiet, but now it was like he was purposefully isolating himself from everyone. He kept his head down with an unreadable expression. I know he's having a hard time coming to terms with it. How could he not? He's set all of this up for years...and now, Norman was gone and it was all for nothing.

Guilt. Survivors guilt.

That's what we were all feeling.

"We've done enough," Ray says, "let's just die."

"H-Huh?" Emma hums.

"It's impossible, we're surrounded by cliffs. The only way out is through headquarters...besides, I'm tired." Ray muttered aside, "really tired."

"What about this then?" Emma asks showing Ray the homemade taser.

He doesn't even look at it nor look at Emma, "I don't need it. You can have it. If you want to escape, go ahead." Ray finally lifts his head to reveal glossy, bloodshot eyes, "I'm out."

Emma turns around and makes her way out of the room as Gilda and Don follow her.

"Ray," I softly call out.

"Just leave me alone," Ray says looking away, "...please..."

I hesitate for a moment before shaking my head, "I'm not leaving you alone!" I exclaim, "that's the last thing I want to do. I given you your alone time these past few days, I'm not doing it anymore."

Ray doesn't look at me, "whatever...stay. I don't care."

I pull out the chair beside Ray and sit down as an awkward silence falls over us. I couldn't help but stare at Ray's movements. They were slow and heartbreaking. I reach my hand out and set it on top of Ray's. He glances at me as I smile, "don't worry Ray. It'll all be okay. I know it'll be. I'm here for you, please don't forget that."

He glanced back at our hands before silently interlocking them.

We stayed in silence for a while, until I finally spoke up. "I've been reading up on how to make people happy," I begin. "It's been really interesting to read about."

I shift and lean closer to Ray. I reach my hand out and place a hand softly onto his cheek. His body tenses for a moment as I force him to look at me. I then let go of his hand and place my index fingers on each corner of his mouth. I then lift upward, forcing him to smile.

"I read that if you force a smile, your brain will think you're happy and it'll release dopamine, not only that but it'll make your stress levels go down." I say to him, "so, let's try doing that!"

I feel a shift and it suddenly feels like I'm no longer forcing him to smile. Ray swats my hands away as he tries to hide his smile.

"You're totally smiling right now!" I smile, "don't even try and deny it!"

He collects himself and looks back at me, "how could I not? It was tickling me. It was involuntary."

I shrug, "either way, for even just that moment, your brain thought you were happy." I stand up and push my chair in, "you should smile more often." He looks at me, "you have a pretty smile."

I head out of the dining room and go down the hallway only to run into Mama. "Y/N," she smiles, "just who I wanted to see."

I pause in my path, "Mama? What do you need?"

"I wanted to talk to you," she says.

I cross my arms, "about what? Are you here to convince me to give up?"

She places her hands on my cheeks but I pull away, "you're a smart girl." She sighs, "as much as I'd like to say yes, I know you're too strong for that to work. So, I'm here to skip over all of that, and convince you to become a mom instead."

I gasp, "what?"

She nods, "you can become an adult and have a child, you can prove yourself worthy and come back to the house as a sister. I would love to recommend you."

I shake my head, "never! You'd have to be insane to pick such an option!"

She shrugs and walks past me, "it's your choice. Escape is impossible."