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Heart had a loosely formed plan, determination, and a gun.
Mind wouldn’t listen, and Soul was no help. On and on, Mind and Heart droned on against each other, fighting fueled through hatred.
He had no other choice.
All the emotionless freak ever spouted was how Heart didn’t understand, or about how Heart had no worth to The Whole, or how Heart was a burden, or stared from afar, always churning a new plan on how to make The Whole even more miserable than he already was, and by extension, everyone who wasn’t said emotionless freak.
Not this time, no, not this time. It was Heart’s turn.
The metal pressed against his palm, cooler than it already was inside the void they called home. It was only this cold when The Stars had fallen to rest and The Sun took place at the front.
Heart’s wings had outstretched by now as he reached Mind’s room. Normally, Heart found it difficult to enter, but Mind wasn’t paying attention.
His room was nearly blank and oh so blinding. Heart’s own room was usually kept dark, the fact that Mind’s was the opposite was almost too fitting. The corner held a bed, the upper middle held a computer and desk, and small post-it notes and photographs were held around the ceiling by thin, blue lines.
The computer screen Mind had his entire self focused on only made him look paler than he was, than they all were. Heart always knew better than to wake whoever took lead suddenly- Soul made that plenty clear years ago.
Mind was vulnerable. Completely fucking vulnerable.
It’d be so easy.
Heart’s gaze trailed back down to the gun, still in his hand. It felt oddly heavy as he slowly raised it to point at Resident Mind. He took a deep breath in and shut his eyes.
And Juno finally shot at The Sun.
—
The resounding crack sent him stumbling back, his wings flitting back and forth in an attempt to stay upright. A small hum had made its way into his ears, drowning out all other sound. He dragged his gaze back up, fully expecting to see the automan on the floor in a crumpled heap, blue oozing from wherever he’d hit.
But Mind was still standing, and in place, there was a crack in the wall.
The Moon had missed.
The gun clattered to the floor just as fast as Mind turned, his eyes wide. Was it fear? Surprise? Heart couldn’t tell.
His eyes adjusted, then landed on the gun, Heart assumed.
[You shot at me.]
Heart stayed quiet, his eyes moving back to the gun on the ground. He fucking missed. All of that to fucking miss.
[And you missed.]
What would Soul do?
(Wait-)
Within mere seconds, the air grew just a little warmer. Hearts arms were wrenched behind his back, in which he hissed and yanked himself forward. His knee was kicked out from under him the moment he leaned, sending him to the ground.
Over him stood Soul.
They didn’t need to be connected to know they were livid.
{What did you DO?} Were the first words out their mouth.
(I’m sorry!) Heart quickly began, but before he could continue, Soul started again.
{You tried to fucking kill us?} Soul grabbed the back of Hearts wings, pulling him up onto his knees. Heart flailed for a moment, his attempts at moving away in vain.
{I should never have trusted you with that gun. You’re nothing but a child.}
Heart twisted his body around, trying to get a clearer look, but he could only manage to move his head to the side. His wings blocked what small looks he could get.
(I didn’t mean it-)
{Didn’t mean it how? Oh, let me point this at Mind while he’s completely unconscious- No. You meant every bit of it, Heart.}
(Atlas-)
{Don’t call me that. You don’t have the right.}
Heart winced when Soul tugged him back just a bit.
(I won’t do it again- I promise-)
And then.. Soul got deathly silent. Heart turned to look at Mind, who watched, silent, the same thing he always did when Heart got in trouble. However, instead of blank, he looked.. Troubled. Heart didn’t like it. Not one bit.
{You’re right. You won’t do it again.}
Heart opened his mouth to speak, however, was met by being shoved back onto the floor. He grunted, then turned on his back, painfully aware Soul was standing over him still.
It took very little time to realize the trident he’d come to fear and resent was lined up, against his face, the sharp points directly over his eyes.
(Soul.)
{Relax.}
The familiar feel of tears that had slowly been building up through the encounter had spilled now, yet he made no move to wipe them away, not this time.
{Just.. Relax.}
In one shaky, yet swift, movement, the trident was brought down.
—
Heart wasn’t sure how long he’d been in his room after the incident.
He wasn’t sure when the last time he slept was. Or the last time he ate. Or the last time he’d showered.
Soul left after the incident. They hadn’t spoken to him since, leaving Mind to patch him up.
He thought he remembered Mind patting his back, but that was impossible.
That hollow machine cared not for him.
He wouldn’t have let it happen if he did.
Slowly, Heart reached up and pressed his fingers against the side of his face, just by his eye.
They were gone.
He lost his fucking eyes.
He lowered his hand and shut his eyelids. He was exhausted, although he wasn’t sure of what.
He heard a knock on the door.
He didn’t answer.
Mind invited himself in, as he had for days.
[Brought you dinner] He said.
Heart traced his footsteps as he walked, loud and clear. He heard a clink as a plate was set on the table, then the scrape as another untouched one from earlier in the day was picked up.
Footsteps moved closer to Heart, who didn’t move to turn his head- It wouldn’t help anything.
Then, he felt a cold, metal hand grab his own. He’d be a liar to say he didn’t flinch, more of a liar than he already was that is. A piece of fabric was slid into his hands.
[If you want to come out.]
The footsteps grew further after that, but before he left, Mind’s voice came back.
[It’s a blindfold.]
The door opened, then shut.
Heart lifted his hand, running his fingers across the fabric. It felt soft. Probably wouldn’t rub against his face.
He scrunched up his face, looking back to the door. Did Mind get this for him? He looked back at the blindfold, then outstretched it. It was more like a headband, and would probably fit directly around his head. He didn’t need to tie it, either.
He stretched it out, then pulled it over his head, carefully pulling the tops over his eyes.
And then, a thin smile appeared on his face.