Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

James carried her body to the cove he opened.

With more struggle than he would like.

He was throwing the first chunk of dirt when footsteps alerted him. He turned quickly, shovel ready.

Angela .

“Oh, you are okay?” He asked relief flooding his bloodstream

She snorted “No, I am not, I don't think I can do that anymore. But for now, yeah.”

“I'm glad.” He told her enthusiastically.

She nodded at him and broke the stare. She walked, arms folded over the chest and peered at the cove.

“So, who is this?”

James grunted “My wife.”

“Oh.” She said, her face fluctuating between emotions that James knew it was guilt and hopefulness. His stomach twisted at the same mix.

“Yeah, I found her.”

She nodded again “But three years?”

“Three days” He cinched.

Angela frowned “Where you found her?”

“Back of my car” He hissed.

He stared at her pained. Expecting judgment, a jury.

A execution.

Her face was clean of emotions. “I see.”

His heart was hammering on his chest “I don't think you do.”

“I am not stupid, I got that you killed her.”

He swallowed “So?”

“So what?” She said as if he was starting to bore her with the insistence.

“I killed my own wife and you just have that to say?”

Her face scrunched “What am I supposed to do, judge you?” Yes , a part of him rejoiced “I killed my own dad too.”

“But he deserved it.”

“And what your wife did to snap a guy sweet like you?”

His body flashed in cold sweat “She got sick.”

“Aham” She said, prompting him to continue.

“And then she couldn’t handle it and then she got angry. And then she hurt me to get back some control.”

She looked at him with something more kind than pity.

“Then I couldn’t handle it.”

More kind than he deserved.

She inhaled a hum. “Are you sorry?”

“More than I can express.”

She looked at the cove “We've been here for a while now.”

She went behind a tree and found another shovel somehow.

“I think if you are able to bury her that means you are ready to let go.”

Something on his brain got groped. “Ugh.”

“James! You okay?” Angela reached out a hand but aborted the contact

“I am fine, I am fine.” He shook his head and they both started to cover the hole.

♦️

James' car wasn't working for some reason so they had to walk to the other side of the city and found a van.

Laura and Eddie were trying to make the motor work.

It was sunny.

James stopped.

Angela looked inquisitively at him “What’s wrong?”

James shook his head and walked more decisively, “Eddie!” he called “Eddie!”.

The man turned and frowned at him.

He waited by the open hood until James reached him.

“James.” He said stonily.

James opened his mouth and closed. “I am sorry.”

Eddie brow furrowed “For what?”

James aborted a turn “Uhm, you know…” He articulated what he didn't want to say in front of Laura, who was watching avidly at the exchange.

“Man, I have no idea what you are talking about, did you mean your offenses? I am fine now. The fog cleared up, we can leave this shitty city, so let's go.”

He firmed one last bolt and closed the hood sonorously.

James glitched in his spot “O…kay.”

Everybody got in the van while the driver seat remained empty “Come on fartface, get in, Eddie isn't feeling well to drive.” Laura helpfully chimed him.

“Right.” He opened the door and sat quickly.

Once he turned the car on, he put some miles between them and the city. He turned to Eddie “What are you feeling?”

Eddie eyed him from the retrovisor “Upset stomach.”

“I got some change, do you want me to buy some seltzers in the next Gas Station?”

Eddie scoffed “As if you really care a fat fuck like me is with a bloated stomach. It's what I deserve isn't it?”

“Eddie-”

Angela intervenes “You think he is lying?”

“Yeah, everybody does.” James could see the storm.

“Angela-”

“If he didnt cared about you he would have thrown you out of this car four kilometers ago.”

Eddie remained unconvinced “As if he could.”

“I could throw your ass out.”

James twisted in his seat “Listen-”

“You think you could?” Eddie told indignation rising “I am a killer, I killed people.”

Laura started to giggle at the absurdity she was hearing.

“So what? So did I.” Angela mocked him back.

Eddie opened and closed his mouth.

“Guys, please .” James finally managed to say.

“What?” Angela asked him, on a roll.

“I need you guys to calm down.”

“Or what?” She was more confident and playful than he ever saw her “You gonna drive this car into the lake?”

She started laughing the most loud and annoying sound he ever heard.

He loved it.

“Aaaah!” She screamed, overcome by the catharsis of being free of all that shit and somehow being able to laugh at such horrible things she considered in some form before.

Tears streamed down her face

He started to laugh too, unable to resist her.

“For the love of God.” He felt his own eyes wet.

Laura was chuckling heartily at the lightness that suffused the van.

“You guys are sick in the head.” Eddie grouched.

Angela and James tried to calm down but one shared eye contact was enough to send them both giggling again.

A couple of frames shaking with unbridled happiness, while in the back seat one smaller figure was trying to kick some sense into the bigger one.

The van sped at the distance.

♦️

James, Angela and Laura were inside the 24/7 while Eddie waited in the car. He said something about a cramp, but James knew that wasn't it.

He didn't insisted.

“So I should get the seltzer-” He started to say when Laura interrupted him “James, can you buy this?”

She held out a puzzle magazine.

“Of course.” He said in reflex, then he put a hand on his back pocket, where his wallet swelled it “Wait, I don't know how much I have, we still need food and water.”

He opened and his eyebrows met his hairline.

“Huh.” James huffed, Angela got curious and inclined for a peek “That looks like it could cover a banquet actually.”

“I am sure I didn't have this before going out.”

Angela looked around “Very cool thing to say in a Gas Station Shop.”

James coughed “It's all mine of course.”

“I'm sure it is now.” He giggled at her expression.

“So, seltzer, food, water, magazine. Agh.” He scrunched his face. 

“What?” Laura asked getting three more magazines he did not approve of but wasn't going to complain.

“Eddie. He needs to eat but if I buy him food he is gonna think I'm mocking him and if I don't that I want him to starve to get thinner.” He blew a raspberry out of frustration.

“Complicated guy.” Angela held the mirror.

“Alright, we are all complicated people here. Except for Laura, who is an angel.”

She turned an ugly face to him and showed her tongue.

“I love you too.” He told her not without sentiment.

When he turned to Angela she was with a pained face.

Longing.

She broke eye contact. He turned too.

His face burned.

He cleared his throat and went to the cashier after Laura helped pick two cold dinners that were being microwaved while he paid.

“That will be 74.63 dollars.” The attendant said to him, brightly tired. James calmly counted the notes to not spill the excess of it accidentally and almost missed Angela looking at the chocolates bars. He handed the bills and looked up and down.

“Oh grab how many you want.” He said distractedly. Angela hummed and grabbed a handful. “Such generous guy.” She said with a bite of malice, like she couldn't help.

The cashier giggle softly “Do you want a special valentine box for your girlfriend?”

James lift his head as if he had been shot. Angela froze.

“She- she- is, we are not” He waved his cold clammy hand. Angela started to breath heavily “Its not like-”

“Oh sorry.” The cashier said genuinely regretful. She grimaced, while trying to pull the box back, when Angela grabbed it and stalked away in an angry silence.

James remained feeling confused, cold, and with his heart painfully beating in his chest.

“Hey” the cashier said softly “I say go for it.”

“What?” James asked, genuinely scared. She smiled kindly, “She is clearly into you.” Leaning conspiratory forward “And you clearly are into her too.”

He let a weak breath out.

It's that obvious? Christ.

It's no wonder Angela is keeping a ten foot pole distance with him. No , a part of his brain stated. She is painfully coming closer. Even if the knife is hurting her insides.

I’m not a knife.

Yes, you are the executioner she needs.

He blinked the thought. Silent Hill was behind ten miles. Silent Hill was just a memory.

Silent Hill lives in his head.

He grimaced to the attendant and grabbed the plastic bags back to the car. He sat back into the driver seat.

Angela was eating her chocolates compulsively. Laura and Eddie were discussing.

“How a pest like you needs two dinners! You can't even eat all that!” Eddie complained

Laura hummed annoying “Well should had asked James for food, if you are so hungry, fatso !”

“ Laura .” James let a clipping authority seep through which he normally hated. Angela whipped her head at the tone. Laura huffed “Sorry, sorry.”

“So you are really gonna eat until you explode your stomach?” Eddie kept insisting “Say the magic word.” She looked at him.

James watched amused the interaction by his rear mirror.

“Magic word? Just give me the food, your annoying little sh… thing .” Laura made a wrong buzzer sound.

Oh my god , Eddie mouthed.

“Please, can you give me the other dinner?” Laura just closed her face and pouted an indifferent superior face.

Eddie looked incredulous and blinked his resignation “Pretty, please ?” He said toneless.

Laura blinked and handed the dinner, Eddie started to dig when she said “And the final magical words?”

Eddie squinted “ Thank you, Laura.” He hissed.

“Thank you?”

“Yes! Thank you!”

“Say again.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you, James.”

“Thank you, James- wait what? You bought this?” Eddie lifted the offensive plate. James just smiled at him. “Never mind I lost my hunger.” He looked at it middle move “No ,you know what, actually, I'm gonna eat this.” He started diggin forcefully “ Fuck you, James .” He said, mouth full.

James smiled brightly and his frame shook slightly. His peripheral view caught this

Angela burning her eyes on him. She is clearly into you.

James blinked. With heart beating he reached into the chocolate box slowly. Looking at her, telegraphing his every move. She let him.

He could have grabbed one easily without touch. He let his fingers drag across her.

Just short enough to not be violating. Just long enough to not be meaningless.

She stared back at him. Understanding downing in her face. She didn’t say anything. She didn't flinched.

He opened the package and ate too fast.

He didn’t even taste the chocolate. When he looked at Angela by the side of his eyes, she was with her fingers smeared with chocolate, trying to hide the fact she was licking it from them.

The exact spots he had touched her.

He had to close his eyes. The head cushion of his seat pressuring painfully the back of his head.

He opened his eyes and started at the road ahead. Its was going to be a long trip.

Chapter Text

Angela licks her fingers, cleaning the chocolate of the skin underneath.

The skin that his fingers dragged on. It's there now. His touch. His oils. His burn .

She feels dirty like a pig because she is. She is just a pig in the mud. Once you throw the good stuff she is just like them. Just like them all.

She finishes the cleaning. Imagining that she could taste him if she wanted to. Her tongue felt on her fingers.

Both good and repulsive.

Just like he is going to be.

Then she turns to steal one more glimpse.

His hateful handsome face. his eyes are closed in a pained bliss.

Angela freezes over the image.

It's almost as if he is guilty as she is of feeling such things.

She can't help but look down. He is bulged. He is always bulging. Maybe a little bit more now. 

Her body burns wrong.

She bites inside her mouth to subside the feeling. Then she stares at his hand.

Clutching at the gear stick.

Of course.

God

She burns.

He sweeps as an involuntary thumb over the head.

I want him

She feels something shift. Suddenly the fire is not outside.

The inferno is within.