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After making their way through the horrors of their first rounds— they’re the ones face to face.
The semi-finals, which decides their fate.
But only one of them must live.
Donald, having witnessed Kamala’s round— he’s not doing so well.
His eyes have gone dull, his voice is quiet compared to his loud and outspoken voice. After all, he just basically witnessed Kamala, the one he’s in love with— go missing.
He’s barely holding on, it’s clear he’s given up on even trying to win this round.
And while Joe sees this, he bites his lip in frustration.
God, he loved Donald. But Donald didn’t reciprocate those feelings.
Instead, he just watched him from afar. It tore at his wretched heart, but he didn’t care. He would burn the world for Donald, and Donald only.
The curtain unveils, as Joe sings the first verses— Donald follows, his voice full of sorrow and regret. He was trying to lose.
He didn’t even spare Joe a glance, he’s a husk of the person he was now.
The instrumental rings, as Joe sings his own lines again.
And he has a flashback, to when they were younger.
Anakt Garden, they’re both running in the field and smiling.
Donald doesn’t even notice Joe going closer.
The blonde sings his lyrics, full of resentment and bitterness now. He could only think of Kamala, and how desperate he is to see her face.
Joe abruptly stops his singing.
He rushes forward to Donald, dropping his mic in the process.
Donald only finally notices him once he’s realized they’re now side by side.
But he never gave a reaction, only a dull gaze.
And he starts choking Donald.
He’s finally snapped out of his trance— he’s confused, hurt, and finally looked at Joe.
But his look was just full of desperation, as if he’s giving in to Joe choking him. He wanted to die.
Joe only pulls him closer, staring him down while he chokes Donald.
Finally— he presses his mouth against his.
He bites Donald’s lips, an act of frustration and love.
“You finally looked at me.” He whispers under his breath, kissing him further.
Donald pushes him away, confused at what just happened— only for Joe to choke him again.
The choking this time wasn’t like the one before, though. It’s different. He can’t explain it.
It’s not enough to kill him now, in fact, he’s not actually even choking him anymore.
And a gunshot is heard across the stage.
Donald’s eyes widen— holy shit.
But Joe doesn’t even fall from where he stood, he just smiles at Donald deprecatingly.
“Joe..?”
Oh, if he’d only said something sooner.
The gunshot rings twice and finally manage to get Joe to struggle standing.
All Donald could do was freeze where he stood.
If he looked just a little closer, he could see Joe mouth something silently as he fell.
“Thank you for being the victim of my shallow feelings.”
What the hell?
And Joe’s on the floor— he’s bleeding out.
And Donald could only look in shock.
206 – 232
DONALD WIN
Everyone saw his victory, but only Donald could see was the pool of blood drowning the soles of his shoes.