Courageous Compassion | Illinois x Reader |

Allington

I had woken up to the rumble of the truck. Small bumps were on the road, making me jump up while sitting. I looked down on my lap to see the remains of the plum in my hand, but no Faye.

[Illinois] Rise and shine.
[Y/N] Shut up.

I looked around me to see where Faye went.

[Y/N] Where did Faye go?
[Illinois] She's right here.

I looked up to Illinois sitting across from me, holding Faye in his hands. I was a bit afraid because Illinois is a strong man and he has big strong hands. (BIG STRONG HANDS -Markiplier) And Faye is a small rat and her strength isn't that great.

But what I saw was really unexpected. I saw Illinois holding Faye in his hands, gently. Faye also seemed to like him as well as she scurried up his arm, across his shoulders, and squeaked. Illinois laughed while she kept on running from one shoulder to another. Illinois stopped playing and looked to me.

[Illinois] I have a soft spot for animals.
[Y/N] I thought you didn't like vermin.
[Illinois] Guess I was wrong.

Faye looked to my way and climbed down from Illinois's shoulder and to my hand. She scrubbed her face into my hand and pleaded for petting. I, eventually, gave in and scratched her chin for a bit. She closed her eyes, in a way of enjoyment. While petting her, I gave my attention to Illinois.

[Y/N] Still have the paper?
[Illinois] Yes. Three days in and still not have cracked it. If we don't hurry, the world could be in serious danger. What we are after is a threat of mankind. We need to safely travel there and guard that temple with whatever means possible.
[Y/N] So far, I think you have gotten this all planned out. But what I like to point out? We haven't really traveled...

I look down at my arm, wrapped in a new bandage.

[Y/N] Safely.
[Illinois] You've been taking the wounds for a long time. What a trooper.
[Y/N] Well, I have a lot of determination.

-

The bumps in the road were now slowly going down. There weren't as many huge bumps, which meant we are now close to our halt.

I walked through the crates and peeked through a small crack in the tarp. But instead of it being hot temperature plains, it turned into a forest of green with a humid atmosphere.

The hot humid made my forehead sweat and gave me a small headache as I am not used to this much humidity. Good thing we have a tarp over us. Or we would be blazing overheated in the sun.

[Y/N] We must be close to our stop.
[Illinois] When we do, we must get out as fast as possible. Don't want us to get caught.

I nodded as I sat down again. Faye was on my shoulder, yearning for attention.

[Y/N] Sorry, Faye. We're close and I need you to go back in my pocket.

She lifted her head and nodded. What an intelligent creature. She climbed down to my hand and I opened my front pocket of my shirt for her to hide.

I went back to look at where we are at now. I could see small buildings that are a bit torn down. But as we gotten closer, those buildings turned into nice houses, neighborhoods, schools, parks, and now, the market place.

Like the other village, the market place was an open space where vendors shout and persuade people into buying their stuff for money. But this was more festive. Lanterns were being hung above, people were in festive and colorful clothing, mostly all vendors were selling food, and music could be heard in the distance.

[Y/N] Do you know this place?

Illinois looked out of the same crack I was looking out of.

[Illinois] Yes. Allington. This is a town of festivals, happiness, and music. Some people compare it to Día de los Muertos. But this is a whole different culture.

I looked around more as children ran around, holding sparklers in hand. Some of them had their face painted with little images like unicorns, dragons, bubbles, and many other kinds. Women were mostly dressed in the colorful clothing I was talking about earlier. Men wore an elegant white along with some accessories.

I was marveled of how this whole place is. Until that is when the truck stopped. We both gasped as we ran out of the truck. Illinois grabbed my wrist and pulled me around the corner of a building.

[Y/N] Is this any close to the temple?
[Illinois] Yes, we are closer. But we won't make it on foot in time. It'll take us a week long if we did.

I groaned as I looked around, trying to find any sort of map or directions of this place.

[Y/N] This is really stressing me out. What if we don't make it in time? What if something happens to me?

Illinois got ahold of my shoulders and looked at me in the eyes.

[Illinois] Nothing is going to happen to you nor me. We will make it in time and that is a promise.

I nodded as I calmed down a bit. I brushed his hands off and crossed my arms.

[Illinois] Lets look around. See if we can find any sort of help.

I nodded as I walked beside him. I looked around, only seeing people but many sort of goods. The whole place was scattered with many people and languages. You can't even concentrate on one simple thing.

After walking around like an idiot, Illinois nudged me on my arm and pointed at a building.

[Illinois] Since you are stressing, why don't we stop for a second and get something to drink.

I looked to where he pointed. A saloon. Nothing good ever comes from a saloon.

[Y/N] But I thought you didn't want me drinking on the job.
[Illinois] I gotta take care of you. You said it yourself, that a nice glass of wine will that the pressure off.

I don't know. I hunched my shoulders in a case of nervousness.

[Illinois] Trust me.

I crossed my arms again and I nodded. Then, we both started to walk to the saloon.

. . .