Death Stranding: Higgs

Chapter Forty-Eight: Fighting For Our Lives

-Sam's POV- The sunny day gradually begins to darken as we keep going West. Rain begins to fall again. Since Higgs has a hood connected to his Porter uniform, he lets me use the Homo Demen one.
Soon, we find shelter in a old car left to rot. The vehicle is still somewhat new, so it isn't falling apart once we both get inside. Higgs leans his seat back with a soft moan, looking tired.

I sit across for him, rubbing my eyes and smearing mascara under my eyes, making me look exhausted.
"Why do you wear mascara, by the way? I've been meaning to ask."
I smile. "Because I can. I'm not exactly the most sane person out here, Higgs. I suffer....from a lot of mental illness. I'm depressed and lustful. Not the best combination to have, mind you."
"And yet you act normal around me...."
I snort, looking at him as he lays down on the flattened seat.

"Yeah, because I love you." I answer. "You're the only person stopping me from fully losing my already fractured mind."
He remains silent. I sigh, leaning back as well, but still keeping the seat upright. "I developed a crush on you after we first met. You have a fire in your eyes that I've never seen before. I see a lot of me in you, actually. I see myself back when I was a Porter, wanting to help people, to do better....."

I listen to the rain hammering down on the car.
"And I wanted to protect that. To keep you sane, so you didn't end up like me. That's also why I took the mask away from you. I just didn't want you to get hurt. I may act like a fool and taunt you, but that's because I care. I have never shown this side to anyone after my wife and child died. You are the only one I show this side to, Troy." I blink, seeing Higgs look at me with wide eyes.

He looks shocked at the fact that I practically poured my heart out in front of him. "I...don't know how to respond to that, Sam." His voice is low.
I force myself to smile. "You don't need to say anything. Come here."
He sits up, looking somewhat confused.

I hug him, causing him to stiffen up. He then hugs me back. My hands slide down his sides, earning a gasp from him. I chuckle, my hands resting on his lower back. "S-Sam..." He stammers.
"Yeah?"
"Why do you love me?" I feel his breath against my neck. "Be honest."
"Because you looked like you needed someone to love you." I say. Was Amelie honest about Higgs being abused? Is that why he didn't hit me back when I was teaching him how to fight?

Again, he's silent. I hear him sniff. He's crying, I can tell by how his body trembles against mine.
"Let it out." I say, my hands moving up to rub his back. "Just let it out."

He sobs as I hold him close. "That's it, baby. Don't hold it in." His cries are heartbreaking, but I bare it until he's done. He soon quiets down, his sobbing turning into whimpers and mewling.
I hear him calm down, his breathing shallow.
"Better?" I ask.
He nods. "Thank you," He whispers, hugging me back tightly. "For letting me cry."

I feel my heart twist in sorrow at how...tired and sad he sounds. It sounds like he's never had anyone let him fully vent his feelings out. That makes two of us.
"Can I lay on you again? It helps calm me down."
I smile. "Of course."
I let him go and lower my seat, then motion him to climb on. Nava is asleep on the dashboard, oblivious to the weather outside.

Higgs' blue eyes are terribly bloodshot, making the color pop out more. His somewhat greasy hair is a mess, and he looks so tired. He lays on me as I kiss him. He makes a sound similar to a choked squeak as I do this. I grab his waist, slowly pulling him down so his body connects with mine.
"Let me make you feel better. Please." I say after pulling away.
He nods, a small smile on his lips.

My hand travels down his stomach, then rubs against his pelvis, making him gasp and blush. I then rub his back, running both of my hands over his grey uniform. "Sam!" He whines, his back arching up as a soft cry escapes his lips.
I stop pleasuring him as he pants, his heart beating fast. I can feel it through the uniform.

"You okay?" I ask. He lays back down, gasping for air as his cheeks burn with delectation. "Y-yeah. You just surprised me with your way of soothing me." He smiles, his laugh light and breathless.
****
We keep walking once the rain stops. Higgs is in the middle of humming, but suddenly stops. He freezes, causing me to bump into him. "You okay? What's wrong?"
"There's a BT really close by," He trembles, his face draining of color. "I can sense it."

I stop walking as well. A feeling of dread washes over me. I can't sense them as much as Higgs can. "Where?" I whisper as the sky darkens with dark grey clouds.
He points into the entrance of the thick woods.
"Don't move." He mutters, shaking like a leaf.
I hold my breath, watching Higgs slowly track the monster with his eyes.

I hear my heartbeat in my ears as I hold one of the blood grenades tightly. After what feels like forever, Higgs sighs. "It's gone."
I release my grip on the blood grenade, putting it back on my belt. Higgs looks at me with fear in his eyes. He breathes out a low sigh, his tense shoulders lowering.
"That was close." He says, his voice drawn tight, with the southern accent more prominent. I guess his southern accent comes out more if he is emotional or frightened.

"Let's keep going. We're almost to the second to last major city." I say, trying my best to remain calm. He nods. "I'm glad you came with me."
"I have the honor to be your obedient servant." I jokingly bow, hand over my heart. Higgs smiles, laughing. I smile as well, walking next to him as we keep going.