Fall of the House of Richards: Part 1
The muse is upon me. Enjoy! :D
Title: Fall of the House of Richards (Part 1)
Author: Diana
Rating: R, possibly NC-17 in later chapters
Summary: In the end, it wasn’t a supervillain that destroyed them.
Warnings: Slash, dark futurefic. Narrative structure borrowed from “Memento”. Multiple parts.
Disclaimer: I WISH I could say it was my idea to put Ioan Gruffudd, Julian McMahon and Chris Evans in one movie. As it is, Tim Story has my undying gratitude for putting so much beef on celluloid that I've temporarily gone vegetarian to balance my diet. :) If anyone likes this story, they're welcome to post it elsewhere; just let me know in the Comments section. Each chapter name will be a song title - this one’s by Gloria Estefan.
Part 1: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
June 1, 2015
“I want a divorce.”
The words hung between them like a pall, uttered by a voice that was cracked from too much screaming. But there was a certainty in that voice, in her bloodshot eyes that held no affection for him, no mercy. Ten years of love and trust had vanished into the ether, never to return.
She was flickering in and out of sight as she passed the dreaded blue forms his way. If he signed it, he would lose her. And Franklin. All their hopes and dreams, turned to ash, forfeited.
“Sue…” he began, before realizing he didn’t really know what to say. He could tell her he loved her, except she knew that. He could beg for another chance, but she wouldn’t give him one. Not for this. He could bring up Namor… but that would just make things worse. And he didn’t want to give her any ideas.
It wasn’t such a difficult formula to grasp. Sue + Reed = pain. Sue - Reed = happy.
He signed the papers.
* * *
It was raining as he walked onto the roof of the Baxter Building. In the back of his mind, Reed noted how appropriately this matched his mood and made a mental note to look into potential connections between human emotions and the weather. There might be a paper in it.
Johnny was there, braced against the ledge, head bowed and trembling. At first Reed thought it was due to the temperature - the Human Torch had developed something of a low tolerance to cold after a few years. But as he got closer he could hear choked sobs, and knew it wasn't the rain that wracked his body. He silently moved to stand by his brother-in-law, and for several minutes they just watched the tempest blanketing the city.
Abruptly, Johnny spoke. “Ben would’ve known what to do.” he said, wiping his eyes as if it made a difference. “He would’ve come up with some stupid joke, or… or a story, or something, and he would’ve made it all okay again…” His fingers tightened on the bricks framing the rooftop. “I should jump. Oh God, I should jump right now…”
Reed had heard enough. Gently taking Johnny by the shoulders, he pulled the younger man into an embrace.
“Reed…” Johnny cried. “Oh Jesus, Reed, I’m so sorry… it’s my fault, I’m so sorry…”
Six months later, when Reed learned Johnny had slashed his wrists, he would greatly regret never voicing a denial of Johnny’s guilt. It might have helped.
End part 1
Title: Fall of the House of Richards (Part 1)
Author: Diana
Rating: R, possibly NC-17 in later chapters
Summary: In the end, it wasn’t a supervillain that destroyed them.
Warnings: Slash, dark futurefic. Narrative structure borrowed from “Memento”. Multiple parts.
Disclaimer: I WISH I could say it was my idea to put Ioan Gruffudd, Julian McMahon and Chris Evans in one movie. As it is, Tim Story has my undying gratitude for putting so much beef on celluloid that I've temporarily gone vegetarian to balance my diet. :) If anyone likes this story, they're welcome to post it elsewhere; just let me know in the Comments section. Each chapter name will be a song title - this one’s by Gloria Estefan.
Part 1: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
June 1, 2015
“I want a divorce.”
The words hung between them like a pall, uttered by a voice that was cracked from too much screaming. But there was a certainty in that voice, in her bloodshot eyes that held no affection for him, no mercy. Ten years of love and trust had vanished into the ether, never to return.
She was flickering in and out of sight as she passed the dreaded blue forms his way. If he signed it, he would lose her. And Franklin. All their hopes and dreams, turned to ash, forfeited.
“Sue…” he began, before realizing he didn’t really know what to say. He could tell her he loved her, except she knew that. He could beg for another chance, but she wouldn’t give him one. Not for this. He could bring up Namor… but that would just make things worse. And he didn’t want to give her any ideas.
It wasn’t such a difficult formula to grasp. Sue + Reed = pain. Sue - Reed = happy.
He signed the papers.
* * *
It was raining as he walked onto the roof of the Baxter Building. In the back of his mind, Reed noted how appropriately this matched his mood and made a mental note to look into potential connections between human emotions and the weather. There might be a paper in it.
Johnny was there, braced against the ledge, head bowed and trembling. At first Reed thought it was due to the temperature - the Human Torch had developed something of a low tolerance to cold after a few years. But as he got closer he could hear choked sobs, and knew it wasn't the rain that wracked his body. He silently moved to stand by his brother-in-law, and for several minutes they just watched the tempest blanketing the city.
Abruptly, Johnny spoke. “Ben would’ve known what to do.” he said, wiping his eyes as if it made a difference. “He would’ve come up with some stupid joke, or… or a story, or something, and he would’ve made it all okay again…” His fingers tightened on the bricks framing the rooftop. “I should jump. Oh God, I should jump right now…”
Reed had heard enough. Gently taking Johnny by the shoulders, he pulled the younger man into an embrace.
“Reed…” Johnny cried. “Oh Jesus, Reed, I’m so sorry… it’s my fault, I’m so sorry…”
Six months later, when Reed learned Johnny had slashed his wrists, he would greatly regret never voicing a denial of Johnny’s guilt. It might have helped.
End part 1