Chapter Text
The room was warm.
warm..
Katie jolted awake with a strangled gasp. She sat frozen on the couch, gripping her chest with shaking hands. Katie swallowed hard, forcing air into her lungs. The sudden movement sent pain rippling through her body, causing her to slightly curl forward. A slight ache flared across her burned side. She pulled the blanket towards her face and shut her eyes, jaw tightening as she tried to collect herself.
No lava,
No lava anywhere.
She picked her head up, scanning the room. A single candle burned low beside the couch, its flame flickering unevenly. The dim glow barely fought against the thick darkness surrounding it.
It was night, fuck- How long has she been out for? It was dawn when she died, so it wouldve been an hour past sunrise when Don found her.
She tried to get a better look around the room, moving as little as she could to avoid upsetting her burns. A small figure was curled up against the edge of the couch with their hand loosely gripping the end of the blanket. There was something on their face, she looked closer and noticed a faint purple glow before realizing, Ash.
Damn,
I really dont wanna deal with explaining anything once he wakes up.
After staring for a moment, tears began to swell up in katies eyes. Tiny sniffles escaped her as she pulled her knees up to her chest. The pain made everything feel worse. She didn't know why she was crying. Maybe out of relief or fear or regret.
Katie felt stressed. She didn't want to explain anything. She didn't want to have to explain how she died or how Quackity was there with her or why she even took up the federation's mission. She didn't want Ash to start yelling about-
"-You should've told someone you were going."
"Why didn't you ask for help??"
"You should've known to never trust the federation."
And she didn't want to face Don and explain how she basically sold her soul as an attempt to save Tomate.
Fuck, She basically sold her soul.
Each thought spiraled, she didn't know what to do. It was her fault, she should've never went to those damn coordinates and agreed to doing that stupid mission. She could still remember the Federation worker holding out the note, how excited she was to be chosen, and how quickly she took up the challenge.
Her attention shifted toward the quiet shuffling, Ash slowly lifted his head and blinked. The silence was loud.
"Katie?" Immediately waking up, he pushed himself upright.
"Katie are you ok- well obviously not. What the fuck happened??" His voice came out rough.
She quickly looked away, wiping at her face as she sucked in a shaky breath. Trying to hide the tears before he could fully notice.
Ash saw anyway.
He moved forward and quickly hugged her. Katie flinched backwards, pain running through her body.
Ash pulled away "Shit- my bad uh," Panic flickered across his face, "Sorry, the burns are bad."
"I noticed"
Both of them let out a weak chuckle. Ash stared at her for a second. Then, slower this time, wrapped his arms around her, careful enough to not touch any burns. Katie leaned in and felt his breathing shake faintly.
"You scared us. Don was freaking out, i think he ripped out a few more hairs-"
Katie began to tear up, again. Guilt washed over her as Ash continued blabbering.
"The Dutch found you barely conscious"
"God- I was at the pantheon, Jeremy sent me a message and I rushed over obviously. But I got here after you fell asleep"
A tired breath that sounded like a laugh escaped him,
"Fuck man, even after the bandages- It looked like you died."
The words hit heavy.
"I did."
Ash went still, silence filled the room.
Katie couldn't hold in her tears, "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry-" her breath started to shake again, "I shouldve told someone- it was stupid for me to go without even, I know-"
"Katie.."
Ash loosened just enough to look at her properly. He didn't know what to think, he was angry, definitely. But he was also scared. The thought of his sister dying made his chest tighten. What was she doing? What happened? Who killed her?
"I'm sorry- I know you're mad, It was my fault"
Each word came out uneven and ragged, her voice cracking halfway through.
"I was just-"
"Katie." His voice cut through the spiral
"Look, Katie, I am mad at you. and I want to know what happened. But above all that im concerned and worried- Okay?"
"You were just burned alive, I'm not gonna scold you when you can barely even hold yourself upright."
He rested his forehead against hers for just a second
"You're here, and right now thats what matters, okay?"
He moved away, Katie stared at him. Rarely does anyone see this side of Ash. Everyone sees the cold dictator, who's main focus is expanding The Regime.
Honestly, she didn't expect this, shes gotten hurt badly before, and each time Ash reacts the same.
"Are you okay? Good."
"Don't do something stupid like that again."
Everything was always surface level with him. He'd make sure everything was okay, then move on, never letting it get personal.
Yet here he was, getting personal.
"You stayed here?"
"What?"
"You stayed next to me."
"Someone had to," He looked away,
"I wasn't there to hear it but Duncan said you mentioned Quackitys name when they first found you.
"So they went to go find and interrogate him right after finishing your bandages."
Katie blinked.
"I thought that'd be something you'd do."
He sighed heavily.
"Well I would've, but Don and them were already out the door."
"So, I stayed here."
Katie grinned slightly as she wiped her face, "I've never seen you so worried, you know."
"You're my sister."
She was still smiling,
"It would've been bad for the Regime if you were gone"
Katie laughed despite herself. Ash caught himself smiling aswell. And for the first time all night, the tension eased slightly.