Death Stranding: Higgs

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Warmth

-Sam's POV- "I'm sorry, Higgs...." I gasp between kisses to his lips. "I'm so sorry! Wake up! Please!" He remains on the ground, lifeless. His once beautiful blue eyes are void of any light.
His lips are so cold. I can't stop the bleeding. He lost too much blood.
****
"Higgs!" I choke out, jolting out from my horrid dream. My breathing is heavy as I sit up in bed. Night had fallen again after my men and I set up camp in a different area, slowly but surely tracking Higgs' path over to Edge Knot.

I swallow, slowing my breathing. Higgs isn't dead. He is still alive, I know it. Where would he be now? I'm sure he cannot get very far on the motorcycle, since the battery is limited and he would be crazy to travel during the night. He would have to rest somewhere, either in one of the private rooms or in a cave to take shelter from the rain.

"Why did I let him leave?" I mutter angrily to myself. If he was with me, he would be safe, not traveling into BT territory and getting into danger. What if he runs into the MULES? They would simply mug him, stripping him of all of his valuables and leave him for dead. I feel my hands curl into fists.

Even through therapists are not known much anymore, I know I suffer from Bipolar Depression ever since my family died. If Higgs dies....I don't know what I'd do. But he has a high DOOMs level, that should keep him safe for a while.

I grip my hair, trying my best to remain calm.
"If you die on me, Higgs, I swear I will go to your Beach and drag you back to the world of the living myself." I know I've never acted normal, not for years. Gotta thank depression for that....
Suffering from mood swings, hyperactivity, crying, aggression, and an excess desire for sex isn't the greatest thing to deal with.

I just hope that Higgs will remain okay. Maybe I should track him down and check up on the young man.
****
-Higgs' POV- I absentmindedly kick a rock down a small hill as I exit the storage unit after delivering a package. The sky above me is clear, no sign of a storm coming.

I rest by a small creek, listening to the water running. Sitting in the grass, I skim the surface of the water with my finger, distorting my image.
I watch a leaf in the water get washed away. If only it was that easy to just walk away.

I'm still too anxious to eat, let alone concentrate. I'm working like a machine, taking orders and doing them without question. No e-mails from Lemuel, which makes me more anxious.
Despite me being stressed, Nava is oddly calm, even a little quiet.

My Cuff Link suddenly beeps. I jump, flicking it open. Deadman's image pops up on the holographic screen. "Troy, I have some information to tell you."
"Go ahead." I say.
"I discovered some information regarding your BB."
I feel my blood stiffen. "What did you find?"

"We will need to take your BB back to Bridges to place it under surgery."
"Surgery?" I gasp. "Why? What's wrong with her—er, it?"
"Your BB is equipment, Troy. It has gotten too attached to you. You may not know this but BBs only live for about a year, and are then retired. Your BB's lifespan is already halfway over. We need to...reset it, to put it simply. We will have Fragile come and pick it up."

It feels like shards of glass are stabbing into my heart repeatedly. I know arguing will get me nowhere. "I..." I lick my dry lips, trying to sound calm since Deadman can only hear me. "I understand. I am still somewhat close to the last city I connected to the Chiral Network."
I hear Deadman sigh. "I'm so sorry, Troy." It sounds like he means that. "I'll try to fix your BB as fast at possible. It should be fine within the next few days."

I flick the Cuff Link closed once the call is done. I feel tears flow down. Nava senses this and whimpers. I take her off of my chest and hold her close. "It'll be okay, babygirl. I'm okay."
****
I nod solemnly as I see Fragile enter the storage unit. "Coming to take her away?" I ask.
She nods, looking sad. "I'm sorry, Troy. But your BB needs to be synced up to the still mother's womb in order to calm her down. She is stressed. We don't want Autotoxemia to take hold of her. I saw how it destroyed Sam...."

I heave out a heavy sigh, sitting up and holding Nava out to her. "Just take her," I rasp out. "Take her before I change my mind."
She holds Nava close, rocking her gently. She opens up her umbrella that allows her to jump and get back to the main city faster than I can.

Fragile looks at me sadly before disappearing in a flash. Right after Fragile jumps, Sam teleports in, looking around.
"Hey," He looks nervous. "I came to say I'm sorry...."
He walks over, looking cautious. "Hey," his tone is more gentle. "You okay? Where is Nava?"

"They had to take her. Said they didn't want her to get Autotoxemia...." I see Sam flinch at the mention of the word. "They'll give her back to me within a few days."
I sniff, gripping my head and trying not to burst into tears.

Sam says nothing, just walks over and hugs me firmly. I stiffen up at the sudden contact, but hug him back weakly. Now that he is this close to me, I smell that same pine tree/cinnamon scent I smelled in his bed. "Cry if you have to," he whispers.
"Let it out. It'll be okay."

I weep into his chest as he holds me close.
"That's it..." he murmurs. I could have sworn I felt his lips kiss my head, but I can't be sure.
"Thank you," I say shakily as he lets me go.
He smiles sadly. "You're welcome, Higgs."

He holds out the small astronaut figure. I blink away my tears in surprise. "Where did you...?"
"It was in my bed." He explains. "You must have dropped it in your sleep. I tracked you down to give it back."

He drops it into the palm of my hand. "Thanks." I say, looking away as I place it in my pocket.
"Listen, about me shouting at you...." he trails off.
"You don't need to apologize." I say, looking back at him. "I understand your frustration, Sam. I...know that you love me."

He winces slightly, taking a step back. "You...do?"
He sounds scared. "Yeah. But I'm not mad. I...actually return your feelings."
I can tell I'm blushing.
Sam looks surprised. "R-really...?" This is the first time I've heard him stammer.

I bite my lip and nod. He lets out a tense laugh, clutching his head. "That's a relief." I smile.
"You should probably get going, Sam—mph!" His lips touch mine before I can fully get my sentence out.
My eyes widen as he pulls away.
He looks flustered, avoiding eye contact.

"Sorry." He breathes out. "I've been waiting to do that."
"It's fine." I'm oddly calm about this.
"But you're right," he mutters. "I should leave."
"Wait," I say before he can teleport away.

I grip his shoulders and kiss him back. I feel him stumble in shock, but then his arms pull me in by my waist. He's surprisingly gentle as he kisses me, the affection slow and tender.

Needing air, I break the kiss, breathing fast.
He smiles, looking genuinely happy. "I knew you had it in ya, Porter."
"You're not going to lick my face again, are you?" I tease. He snorts.
"Of course not....Unless you like that."
"Gross," I laugh.

He rolls his eyes, his hands gently traveling up my spine, causing me to shiver. "Go," I whisper, sad that he has to leave. "I know. See you at Edge Knot City for the grand finale?"
"Yeah," I nod. Will I really have to fight him? If I want to get Amelie back, looks like I have no choice in the matter.

He pecks my lips again before letting go. I watch him walk backwards and nearly trip on a rock. I cover my mouth to silence my laugh. He flips me the bird and winks, teleporting away.
"Idiot," I mutter, shaking my head.

A sense of dread sinks in my stomach. What if Sam fully snaps and tries to harm me? President Strand may be right, what if he really is that dangerous?
And worst of all, what have I gotten myself into?