Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Radar, having been told by Jesse to take population count, was at Lukas’ cabin. He knocked at Lukas’ door. After a few seconds there was no answer, so the Scholar attempted to get a response again.
“Lukas? It’s population day- Answer the door,”

Radar sighed when there was no answer once more. He became concerned.

“Lukas? Am I going to have to call Jesse? I will if I have to.”

Once more there was no answer. Radar frowned with concern. He didn’t want to call Jesse and distract him from his mayorly duties, but at the same time there was definitely something wrong. He sent a message to Jesse that read. “Come now, Lukas’ cabin. He won’t answer the door.” And within 10 minutes Jesse was there.

“Lukas! Answer the door dude, you’ve got Radar worried.”

Jesse frowned when there was no reply. He let out a sigh while breaking down the door. Maybe he was just in a deep sleep. Walking into the cabin he was surprised to see how messy, and unorganized it looked. It wasn’t like Lukas to leave his home unorganized and deserted.

“Lou?”

After more walking around he had come to realize that the house was completely desolate. His worry skyrocketed. He started to search for the author quickly, eventually coming up empty.

“RADAR! HE’S GONE!”

“What?! What do you mean he’s gone Jesse?”

“He isn’t in his cabin! It’s all- messed up!”

+++

Jesse had sent Radar to go put up missing posters for Lukas. None of it made sense. How could he just vanish like that.? Lukas never left town without telling anyone. . Jesse felt a familiar sense of dread pool in his stomach. He grabbed his armor, his sword and set out to find Lukas.
“Radar you’re temporarily the hero in residence.”

“What?! J-Jesse where are you going?”

Jesse left without another word, leaving the scholar in shock. .

Chapter Text

Lukas woke up. . No recollection of where he was, or how he got there. He was certain he was dreaming when he hadn’t woken up in his bed, wrapped up in those soft yellow sheets. The sheets that had once belonged to Jesse. He reached up to rub his eyes, but stopped short at the sight of dry blood on his wrists. He felt nauseous at the sight. Dear creators, what happened to him. . His head was pounding too much for him to care at this point. It was probably just a weird dream he’d wake up from any minute now, but he couldn’t wake up if he had already done so mere seconds before. He frowned at the dimness in the room. Where was he? This was a dream. That’s all it was and all it would ever be.
When Lukas actually woke up he found himself in unfamiliar clothes and not his usual, orange turtleneck. Instead he was in a worn navy blue tank top. He didn’t remember anything except for going out late at night the night before. Was he even home? By the looks of it, No. He was in the middle of NOWHERE. Well not. . Nowhere. Just the middle of the woods, not at all some part he recognized. Oh wait no, This was near Aiden’s place. Weird. He started walking in the direction to Aiden’s house. He hoped he wouldn’t be too upset to see him. After last time. . eugh. He shook his head, shaking the memories away. . He dreadingly walked over to Aiden’s place. He was getting nauseous just thinking of speaking to Aiden again. .
One knock. . Two knocks. . ‘Dammit, answer the door, it's cold out here’ Lukas thought to himself. He shivered a bit, before, somehow, in creators name, the door opened. But it wasn’t Aiden, instead it was Gill, Aiden’s boyfriend and Lukas’ ex friend. Awkward. .

“I uh-. . Hey Gi-” Lukas was cut off by Aiden’s voice coming from somewhere inside the small cabin.

“Who is it, Gill?”

Lukas wanted to throw up, disappear, all of it. Dear creators he did not think this through. He snapped out of it when Aiden popped up. He looked ruder. Meaner. The scar running across his face certainly didn’t help. . Lukas almost felt. . Guilty? No, why would HE feel guilty, Aiden’s the one who ditched HIM.
“I asked you, WHY. ARE. YOU. HERE. ?” Aiden’s voice was sharp, hostile, while Gill gave Lukas a disapproving glare.

“Look I- I’m sorry okay? I’m sorry for everything, but I need your help right now because if I’m here at your place that means BeaconTown is fa-” Aiden cut him off.

“Pff- Don’t even ask for my help, you certainly didn’t need me when you left us to go with Jesse.”

“I said I’m sorry, okay? I don’t get what else you want from me. I just wanna get back home. . I know you hate me or whatever but can’t you help me this once? At least take me to the railway back to BeaconTown. .”

“Fine.”

Chapter Text

They were nearing the BeaconTown railway in awkward silence. Lukas wanted to vomit at the horribly awkward silence. If only he could tell Aiden how sorry he was for everything. His thoughts went on for several more minutes until Aiden broke the silence.

“You wanna care to explain why you couldn’t go here alone? Or are you just that much of a coward?” Aiden spat harshly.
Lukas flinched at the harsh tone. He was having second thoughts dammit. He sighed.

“Look Aiden- I. I know I fucked up, horribly. I shouldn't've gone with Jesse just to leave you guys in the dust. It was selfish- And- I’m really fucking sorry, I should’ve been there for the ocelots. . And I know you probably think I’m some horribly selfish guy- And-And maybe I a-” Aiden cut him off.
“Answer the damn question Lukas, I don’t give a shit about your apologies. Why couldn’t you come here alone. Did you just want me to feel BAD for you?” Aiden was harsh. A contrast to how he was a few years ago. . It made Lukas feel. . ugh nono stop it Lukas, Get it together.

“Look I just- I knew you were around here and. I needed to fix this somehow. .” Lukas admitted half truthfully. He did wanna fix this but he also wanted to have SOMEONE by his side. . Anyone, Even Aiden. .
“Look Aiden. . Can you ride with me through the railway. .?”
“Lukas, I get it. You’re a coward. But there is no way in the NETHER that I am going on that railway with you.”
“Please. .? C’mon Aiden I know I haven’t been the best person to you OR any of the others. . But maybe this could be like. . A fresh start?”
“Hmph. Fine. Just don’t expect me to be nice or anything, I still hate you.”
It hurt to hear that but Lukas knew he deserved it. After all, he'd left his team in the middle of the end of the world. And didn’t even go back for them. .
After getting to the minecarts they got in and began riding toward BeaconTown. Lukas would try to start up conversations several times, but Aiden would simply ignore him. It was going decently until the track seemed to break off. . Suddenly they were tumbling down into the depths below. . Before he blacked out completely Lukas saw small pretty little blue lights in what seemed to be blue? Moss? He couldn’t tell, all he knew, was that his body hurt, he could feel something warm trickling down his head. He saw Aiden, he looked fine. Seemed he landed on some soft moss. . . Lukas’ eyes closed.
+++
Lukas woke up with Aiden’s small bandana wrapped around his wounded head. Creators. . What happened. .?
“Oh you’re up- Fuck Lukas, I thought you were gonna be a pile of inventory. .” Aiden sounded concerned. Wow. That was new. .
“F-fuck- what happened Aiden- I though we were going to BeaconTown. .?” Lukas said, extremely disoriented. He’d probably think he was dreaming if it weren’t for the horrible ache in his head that felt way too real. .
“The railway was broken? I don’t even know. This place looks cool but. . ugh, I should’ve never come with you.” Aiden stated. Lukas could tell he was annoyed. And Lukas felt like this was his fault.
“I’m sorry Aiden.” Lukas mumbled out pathetically.

“You should be. We’re probably going to die because of you.” Aiden growled, blaming everything on Lukas, his tone cold like ice. 

“It’s just a cave right?” Lukas asked. Oh if only he knew what would happen to them both. How wrong he was. .
“Yeah- I think. .” Aiden sighed, handing a stone sword to Lukas. “Come on let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Lukas ran up ahead, it seemed he was having fun. Aiden wasn’t. His arm hurt from the fall. He was bitter. But at this point when WASN’T he bitter. It kind of seemed like a never ending cycle. He’d get better again until Lukas showed up again. . and again. . It was exhausting. And honestly? He wished Lukas had died due to that fall earlier. .
Aiden watched Lukas from afar, he seemed fine. Surprisingly since his head had kind of. . Yknow. . Cracked open. He wondered what Gill was doing, probably sitting around and waiting for him to come back home. Aiden tensed up when he heard a slight growl? Gurgle?? Of some sort.

“Lukas? You heard that too right?”

“Huh? Heard what?”

“N-Nevermind.”
Aiden unsheathed his diamond sword, fully defensive. The sword glinted under the soft blue glow of the moss(?) he wasn’t sure what it was. He heard another gurgle. . And then he heard a shriek. A ghastly, loud shriek. He thought it was Lukas. But looking up ahead it seemed Lukas had heard it too. . By the look of pure terror on his face.

“Lukas?? Come on, we HAVE TO get out of here!”

The next thing he knew he was grabbing Lukas by the wrist and running. He was always one to run away from his problems. . such a shame. Another Gurgle and the sound of thumps on the ground. He pulled Lukas along faster, Until he tripped and fell. He was getting up, But the reflection in his Diamond blade made him freeze. . Lukas was up ahead; he definitely hadn’t seen the beast that had chased them down. . It was a terrifyingly beautiful sight. . A soft blue glow accompanied by a beast of bones and moss. Horns that were the size of Aiden’s blade. He snapped out of it, getting up and running from the beast. He had to get back home to Gill. . No matter what. He’d lost sight of Lukas. . That was okay. Every man for himself. . Right?

He’d been running for a while. . His legs felt dead and numb. He hadn’t heard another strange sound in quite a bit. . That he was thankful for. His heart was racing. He didn’t notice how badly he was shaking. And he wouldn’t have noticed the tears streaming down his face if it weren’t for his reflection in the diamond blade. .

“Shit. . I’m so so sorry-”
He froze at the sound of a gurgle right behind him. . He was so done for. He turned around and aimlessly slashed his sword. There was a screech. Not one of Aiden’s high pitched whiny screeches. It sounded uncanny. There was bright blue liquid dripping from the beast where Aiden had slashed it. The liquid was cold. . It dripped down the blade of the sword and down it’s hilt. Aiden grimaced.

He thought it was over until the beast began to screech. And in one fell swoop. Aiden felt his life being taken from the very essence of his soul. . His body crunched under the weight of the creature’s grimy hands. . He was so very sorry. His world went black.