crystalmaster: (Radley_hurting)
Radley ([personal profile] crystalmaster) wrote in [community profile] revivalproject2023-08-16 12:58 am

I'm headed for a breakdown (OTA)

WHO: Radley and anyone, everyone
WHERE: The Warrens
WHAT: What he's up to
WHEN: Throughout August
WARNINGS: Hurt/Comfort, emotional meltdown. CW for prompt 2: Memories of being a prisoner and tortured by whipping and shock collar

1. Bruised and Battered (Arrival)

Radley is one of the last to arrive, due to trying to gather as many food supplies as possible. He keeps a cool head and tries to be a leader in getting everyone into the Warrens. Somewhere along the way, either outside or in the tunnels, he was hurt. His side throbs from a painful bruise, but he tries his hardest to conceal that. There's way too much going on and too many other things to worry about than him being hurt in a minor way, or that's how he thinks of it. He waits until he's sure everyone is getting settled in the Warrens before slipping off to be in pain alone. He lifts up the edge of his shirt, studying the bruised skin with a wince before lowering it again. He will keep trying to hide it unless he's caught here.


2. Not the Mines (Sometime in August)

No one likes being stuck down there, but the more they're stuck, the more Radley is heading for a meltdown. Underground, twisting tunnels, stranded ... it makes him think of the mines, even though it's not. It doesn't help that they really traveled through mines to get here. He always tries to put his mind to something else when those thoughts crop up. He doesn't have time for them.

But the truth is, he has a lot of time. There's not much to do aside from making food and he doesn't care to explore much when it brings up painful memories. Still, since there isn't much to do, he ends up wandering sometimes anyway.

One evening it just sort of hits him all at once and he sinks to his knees in some unknown corridor, shaking and hugging himself. "It's not the mines," he whispers. "It's not...."

But he keeps having a quiet meltdown anyway. He's been holding it back for too long and he finally sinks against the wall with a sob. He can still feel the whip on his back, hear the sizzle of the shock collar and feel the electricity coursing through his body. He never really had a chance to deal with the emotional fallout from that before being pulled from his world, and now he's crying and can't seem to stop.

Why? Why was I left behind? Why didn't anyone try to rescue me ... until it was almost too late....

He never understood. He still doesn't understand.

Maybe he was undeserving of rescue. Maybe he was supposed to suffer. Some blamed him for the mess in town, at least partially. Malcolm had been the one allowing torture of the miners, and Radley had been trying to stop him from fully taking over the town, but any time his Duelists had lost, they had ended up in Malcolm's mine.

Maybe he had been too greedy, even though his ultimate goal had been to protect the town. Maybe that was why he had been left behind and forgotten by everyone. Maybe it had only been just.

Here on this alien world, away from everyone in his home world, he still can't get any answers. But he still wants them. And he can't seem to stop the haunting memories from plaguing him.
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Considering This Plan)

2

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-18 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Going on a jog is a good way to keep one's mind caught up in something other than the mess they are in. Gladio's good at getting into this zone when he's running, in making sure the only thing he thinks about is the regular fall of his feet and keeping his breathing even.

That doesn't mean he misses the the person collapsed before him. He comes to a stop rather quickly. Then he isn't thinking. He's just moving. Moves right to bring the guy into a hug.

"Hey. Hey man. It's going to be okay."
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-19 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Sounds like PTSD," Gladio says. Because how else do you explain someone having a break down in the middle of a hall under ground because something 'reminds them of home'.

"Nothing to be ashamed of, when the attacks hit. Come on, let's start breathing stuff, right?"
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-21 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Definitely," Gladio says before coaching the man with breathing exercises. And, of course, keeping ahold of him. The guy clearly needs that anchor.
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-21 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, they're still stranded. And Gladio hates places like this too. Back home these were the sorts of places haunted by daemons. So he got being nervous.

"Gladly. When you're ready, how about we walk back to where there is more people. The sound of them all heading around might help."
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-21 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"There's nothing wrong with emotions," Gladio says, his voice soft. "You know that, right?"
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-22 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"You don't have to be strong all the time. Trust me. I know how hard that is."

So maybe it's okay to let someone else be strong for a bit.
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-22 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. That's... not good at all.

"Here you can lean on others for support too. Let me help you," he says. Because all of that weight was clearly wearing on the guy.

"I brought some cards. When you're up to it, let's go back and play some poker?"
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-22 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good," Gladio says with a smile. Because he knows how to support people through this.

"Alright then. First, you need another hug?"
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Would You Just Relax)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-23 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I give the best ones," he says before pulling Radley into his arms for a very tight hug.

"You're gonna get through this."
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-24 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Good guy, enjoying the hug. That's the right choice.

"You know, you're really valued here, right?"
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-25 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, Gladio's maybe better than most at figuring out who is doing what, even if it isn't fully seen.

"Keep us in good food, and we need that. Good eating is important to morale."
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-26 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
"You make better food," Gladio says. He appreciates bringing in his meat for people to eat. Guy's been doing great.
ziedrich_bearer: Gladio from FFXV (Default)

[personal profile] ziedrich_bearer 2023-08-26 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, Ignis was like that too. Sometimes you show you care by making sure the world is fed."

And that needs to be enough every now and then. That needs to be accepted every now and then.

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