Chapter Text
W I N S T O N
Winston was smarter than he let people on. He had figured that he was not immune, and he felt a burning rage sear through his veins at the lies. Although, he mused, it was all a lie, wasn’t it. He knew he was turning into one of those...well he didn’t know exactly what they were. He only knew that they were somewhere between life and death, possibly in enough pain to drive them to their levels of mad. He would not let himself turn. Not just for his friends’ sakes, but for his. How could he ever be at peace with himself if he ever let them come to harm due to his own actions. The answer was simple for someone as smart as him- he couldn’t. He couldn’t put them in danger, so he grabbed the gun and cocked it in the early light, when the soft golden haze of the horizon had yet to become harsh and blinding. The noise had caught their attention- had caught Frypan’s attention. Oh, how could he ever leave him. He held his worried gaze steady, willing the boy he had come to love to accept it. The tears slipping free told Winston all he needed to know, and a small smile quirked, just for him. A reassurance. They had never been obnoxious about their affections, but the quiet-like affection was love all the same. Protecting Fry will make every painfully shaky breath worth it.
They argued above him, but he was oblivious to it all. Until Thomas grabbed the gun and gave it- gifted it more like- to Winston. He smiled at them all as they packed to leave. He gave his Reason the little paper he had hand-written himself days prior, when he had been riddled with agony. He was no longer in agony. He smiled once again as Frypan gave him a small handful of sand. To any normal person, it would be a stupid gift. But it meant everything to Winston. After years and months with nothing to themselves, the world was now theirs as beaten as it was, and Frypan had given a piece of his new world to him. He allowed himself one tear as he held the gun to his forehead. Pulled the trigger. Loosened his hold on the grains of purity. Took his last breath. Then took the hand Alby offered him.