Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

During a zombie apocalypse... Who can you really trust? What John saw that day, might have just shaken his whole life.

---------------------------------------------~∆

The bell of a convenience store jingles as John opens the door.

"Welcome.. What will you be purchasing today..?" The cashier spoke, his voice monotone as ever. His hair covering one eye, arms covered in bandages, and a stare that looked dead.

"You're awfully pale.." John says scanning the guy for any potential danger.

"...does that matter..?" He replied.

"Tch. Anyways, im not here to buy anything. I'd like to talk."

"Hm? About what..?" He questioned, tilting his head a little.

"The apocalypse. You should NOT be outside. You'll get infected." John answers, The guy stares at John with a stern-ish look.

"Silence. I have my ways....Ah...I have an idea."

"What." John barks out.

"Let's make a deal. Come here every day for 4 days just to talk, and then I'll shelter." He says, voice still monotone. John gets suspicious.

"No."

"I'll give you $500 too.."

John thinks about it for a while. $500 is a big amount and will help him survive this zombie outbreak... So why not..?".....Fine." John concludes, "I'll be off.." John says giving in and turning around to leave. "...I didn't get a name." He says stopping in his tracks.

"...Just call me Mido, alright..?" John nods and continues walking away. "Farewell." Mido says waving John off.

John continues walking out of the shop griping onto his bat, staying on alert. "....something doesn't feel right..why would some random dude wanna see me for four days..?" He mumbled. Something about that though made his stomach turn. At least Mikoto, the person he was protecting was safe. John swore on his own life to protect Mikoto. Although the other said it was fine, John felt obliged to protect him in this crazy situation.

John could never forgive himself if something bad happened to Mikoto.

---------------------------------------------~∆

A while later, John returns to his and Mikoto's camp. Scanning the place for any threats or Raiders he cautiously look around only to be greeted back with Mikoto's face. John could tell he was trying to keep it together. But as long as He was there to protect Mikoto, no one would get hurt. (Expect the zombies of course.)

"Ah! John your back!" Mikoto says waving. John silently nods. "Where were you?"

"I was just, at a convenience store somewhere near...don't worry. No threat, just some...weird emo guy.." John assured Mikoto. Mikoto looked curious and asked.

"Well that's fun!..Take me there sometime."

"Can't. I need to protect you no matter what. I don't trust the guy yet." John says.

Mikoto, as stressed out as he is understood that John was doing this for him and so he held no arguments or back talks. He sighs in defeat. "Awh. Its fine." He replied a tad disappointed.

John could tell that Mikoto wanted to tag along but he couldn't and John respected that Mikoto didn't push any farther. "Come on, we should prepare for the next day."

Mikoto looks back at John and smiles, "Right."

And so they do just that.

Chapter Text

John sighs as he keeps his deal with that emo looking guy at the convenience store. He walks over to the place and opens the door, the little bell ringing.

"ah, you actually came.." Mido says welcoming John inside.

"Yea. I did, only for the money though. So whaddya want, bucko?" John barks, Mido, emotionless as usual nods.

"This apocalypse... What do you think caused it..?" Mido asks. John stares at him blankly.

"hah?..oh. Isn't it from some celestial bacteria or some shit..? How'd that even get here..?"

Mido stares. "An alien invasion..?" John stares at Mido and starts snickering.

"that's so stupid..."

Mido stares at him blankly and sighs. "I know. Lost anyone...?" John stops laughing and looks back at Mido.

"Nah, there's this guy named Mikoto. Im protecting him with all my life. He's really stressed out about the situation and so, I shall guard him and keep him safe. Plus, he's like the only family type person I have so..."

"And what if he gets infected..? Would you still be with him..?" Mido's question ignited something in John.

"......" John stares at Mido with a mix of stunned and a darkened expression.

"Did I perhaps... Hit a nerve...?" Mido asks, still unbothered and with his empty look.

"Just shut up you bitch..tch. You lost anyone?" John asks, changing the subject.Mido didn't seem to mind.

"No, I have always been alone.."

"....Not even parents or some shit?" John asks puzzled.

"....mmmh...not that I remember.." Mido replies, still monotone, "Ah, why don't I give you some canned food...? To help you..and you keeping our deal.."

"uhhm....sure?" John cautiously walks closer to the counter where Mido is behind and he takes out coins.

"No charge... It's on the house.." Mido hands John a bag full if canned food. John looks at Mido suspiciously but shrugs it off. "Oh, right. I didn't get a name last time..I told you mine hit time you tell me yours hmm..?" Mido says.

John sighs and turns around from Mido's direction. "John."

"...hm, John....I'll keep that in mind." Mido mumbles. "well farewell, remember to come back tomorrow." Mido waves off John again.

--------------------------------------------~∆

John returns to his and Mikoto's base, again looking for any threats or Raiders. Once the cost was clear he walks further inside the abandoned building and sets the bag of canned food Mido gave John.

"Mikoto, I'm back.." John calls out. A second later Mikoto pops out from a room in the building and smiles at John.

"Hello John!" He says cheerfully. John could still tel nothing was getting better for Mikoto but he still manages to be happy. Or at least fake it. Mikoto notices the bag on the table and gets intrigued. "What's in the bag..?" Mikoto points out to it turning John's attention to the bag he forgot about.

"Oh, that...that emo guy at the convenience store gave it to me. On the house he said but I don't trust him..." John replies casually. Mikoto nods.

"And so what did he give you?" Mikoto asks even more intrigued by the talk if the emo guy at the convenience store.

"Just some canned food. It seems okay but once again, I don't trust that guy yet..." John says almost staring holes at the bag full of the food.

"hmm...alright. If you don't trust them...best I dont touch it haha." Mikoto laughs a bit.

John nods. "Yea..best I inspect it first.. You should get ready for the night....I'll stay on look out for now."

"alrighty!" Mikoto says walking back into the room he came from. "Good night John."

"night." John replies waiting for Mikoto to go back so he can start his look out. After he was sure Mikoto fell asleep, he went out and started his routine for the night. Killing any zombies that came, protecting Mikoto. That's how it was supposed to be for him. Always and forever.

Right..?

Chapter Text

Another day comes by. John wakes up before Mikoto to make sure everything is in order. John walks away from the base, making sure that Mikoto is not in any danger. After all, he swore to protect Mikoto forever, and always.

Ding.

The bell of the convenience John has to go to. Hopefully there are no weird questions today.

"Welcome back, John." Mido says.

John scoffs. The emo guy emphasized on "John" it made him feel weird inside, How Mido said his name but he decided to not think about it anymore.

"What's wrong? Don't like it when I say your name..?" Mido asks, monotone. John thinks if that guy can ever show emotion. Probably not, he comes to that conclusion.

"Nah, just not used to another voice saying my name...Thats all I guess." John shrugs.

Mido opens his mouth to speak, "I see..Come up here for a second, will you..?"

John was a bit hesitant, but complied and walked towards Mido. As he got closer he noticed more things about Mido. He was super super pale. Paler than he thought he was. His eyes had no light in them...Like green-ish voids. His hair was surprisingly neat and his clothes too. There was gauze on his arms, probably to cover some injury of some sort. But something about Mido made John shiver. It was almost like he was...dead. Yea, dead is the word. I mean sure, this is a zombie apocalypse but looking this messed was a bit too much.

"May I look at your hands..?"

That broke John out of his trance and he looked at Mido like he was crazy.

"What?" He quickly hissed.

"May I see your hands..?" Mido said again, making sure that is question got across.

John though about it for a second. "....Sure."

Mido gently grabs onto John's hand as John shows him his hand. Mido starts lightly caressing his hand and placed it on his cheek.

"..Oi, what are you-"

"You have pretty hands..Very strong too." Mido says in a some sort of whisper. It was a bit creepy and a bit.....romantic?

John's cheeks start to flush. "Uh, Thanks...I guess.." He looks at the floor as Mido continues to caress.

"How often do you get exercise...?" There Mido goes again with the weird questions.

"Uh, frequently..but with this situation, I haven't gotten much. My shoulders have kinda lost strenght, but thats it. You look really miserable and lanky." John throws back at Mido in response.

Mido keeps John's hand on his cheek. "Mmmh..I'm naturally strong.."

"How does that even work?"

"Don't ask.." Mido finally lets go of John's hand as he notices that his whole face is a pink-ish red color. John quickly pulls his hand back. "....You want a bit more free food..?"

John blinks a bit. "...Okay."

Again, Mido gives John a bag of canned food and places them on the counter. John picks it up and holds it by his side.

"Stay safe....John." Mido waves John off.

"Yea, Thanks.." John says as he walks away.

John thinks about what Mikoto might be doing. Maybe he is still sleeping, or wating..maybe even finding new stuff in the base. John walks carring the bag of canned food that the emo guy Mido gave him. He thinks back on what Mido did to his hand and looks at the same hand. His face flushes red again. He thought that only happened with Mikoto? With Mikoto it was very light though, not much heat in his face. But now, Mido...John's face was burning up.

---------------------------------------~*

"Hey, Mikoto. I'm back." John calls out.

Mikoto comes out of a room and waves at John. "Hello!" He says cheerfully as always. A big contrast from Mido's tone. "Hey, whats with that bag now?" Mikoto says pointing to the bag of canned food Mido gave John as he was leaving.

"Oh..That? The emo guy at the store gave it to me again..I still don't trust it though, so don't eat it okay?"

Mikoto nods.

"Mido.." John thinks in his head. Without realizing his face heats up, and Mikoto notices.

"John? Are you sick?" He asks.

"Huh? What, no? I'm not sick. What made you think that?" John asks confused until Mikoto points out his face. John reaches up to touch it with his free hand and feels that it's burning hot. John shakes it off attemting to cool his face down. "Damn Mido..." He mumbles. And some how, Mikoto heard.

"Who's Mido?" He asks innocently.

"...Oh, uh..The emo guy at the convenience store." John stutters a bit. Mikoto smiles and turns around.

"I'll be getting ready to go to bed..Goodnight!" He happliy prances off.

"G'night."

Another basically sleepless night John spends guarding Mikoto and his base. It was worth it if it ment Mikoto was safe.

And that night, John couldn't stop thinking about Mido.

Chapter Text

John woke up. Last night he barely got any sleep because of that weird emo guy at the convenience store.

"...Damn you Mido.." John cusses under his breath. He gets up and looks around the room for any danger. None. He gets off the makeshift bed and walks to the room Mikoto was in. He thought maybe Mikoto should meet the emo guy...a new ally durning the zombie terrors.

"Hey, Mikoto wake up! I'm taking ya to meet the emo guy at the convenience store!" John says at a volume that doesn't scare the other guy, but makes sure he wakes up. But, that didn't seem to work.

"Heeeeyyyy! Mikoto!!! Wake uppp! I wanna take you somewhere c'mon!!" John tries again. But Mikoto doesn't budge. He's still asleep. "I swear..."

John walks up to Mikoto, kneeling down and lightly shaking him.

"MIKOTO! OI!! WAKE UP-......."

John couldn't feel Mikoto's pulse.

He quickly turns Mikoto over on his back and sees a dagger stabbed right through his heart. John's looks in horror, his heart pounding, hands shaking, breath hitching...everything hurt.

"..M-Mikoto.....I don't...I don't understand...I was supposed to protect you during these times....I...I..was your savior.....Who could have done this to you...?...I.....I'm sorry...It's all my fault...I..." John just stares at Mikoto's lifeless body.

He later gets up from the dead man's body and walks out grabbing is metal bat.

---------------------------~|

The same bell of the convenience store chimes.

"Oh..?" Mido turns around to see John standing there with his bat..almost on the verge of crying. "Back so soon...? What's wrong..?" There was no comforting tone in Mido's voice. It was the same as always, monotone and lifeles.

"....No...at least....not mentally...I think..."John's voice breaks as he says that. He walks closer to the counter to take a better look at Mido. At least it was somewhat comforting.

And Mido takes that into note.

"Why don't you come behind the counter where I am hm..? I'm sure it would be better...." Mido motions for John to come over.

He hesitates for a bit, but soon walks behind the counter leaving his bat in the front.

"....You're so pretty...You know...?" Mido nonchalantly speaks.

Once again, John's face flushes up. Almost distracting him from what happened to Mikoto. But, It wasn't enough to rid those thoughts.

"...Thanks..I guess.." He replies, looking down.

Mido grabs his chin and forces John to look at him.

"Tell me what happened.........You can trust me.." Mido's voice was almost hypnotizing. John felt obliged to do anything and tell anything that Mido asks from him.

It felt good.

"....You know that Mikoto guy I was protecting...?"

Mido thinks about it, "Hm....Yes..? I think I do..."

John hesitates but deciedes to speak.

"...He......He got murdered...I-i dont't know when or who...but...." John starts to break down into tears. He was is prtector..his savior...so why....why..did it end up like this..? It was his fault Mikoto died. All those thoughts plagged his brain.

Mido pulls John into a hug, a comforting one for John at least. Mido's grip was a little tight but like John cared...His mind went blank taking him out of his trance. The only thing he thought about right now, was Mido.

-----------------------------~+

"...Thanks, a lot...Mido.." John says as he gets ready to go back to the base...Mikoto, dead. He looks to the floor and back to Mido.

"....It's fine. Hey, John...come here for a second.." Mido grabs John's hand as he's about to leave.

"Huh..? What is i-..."

Harsh lips met bittersweet ones.

Mido was kissing John. John's body felt like it was going to explode. It felt warm and soft...but this eerie feeling crept up his back too...but it was long gone after they broke the kiss.

"What...What was that for eh..?" John speaks absolutely flustered.

"Something to make you feel better, I suppose..." Mido lets go of John's hand, "Say...Why don't you come back tomorrow...?..I wouldn't mind the company.."

And so it was settled. John will come back tomorrow.

-----------------------------~>

John got back to the base. No greating from Mikoto got him back to the state that he was in before...Greif. It was all his fault that Mikoto died. Thats what he thought...He didn't protect him well enough..for what he knows, Mikoto could have killed himself. But, with Mido around...It felt like he had someone to lean on.

Someone to trust.