Chapter Text
“You’re an idiot,” Rex scowled.
Chad was smiling brightly, “It worked out in the end.”
“I’m going to stop fixing your arms if you’re going to be this reckless.” Rex said. “What if one day it’s not your arms that take the hit?”
“You’ll stay with me while I recover, right?”
Rex rolled his eyes.
Chad awoke with a start.
He slowly started getting ready for the day.
He took his time, slowly making his way down the hall to get breakfast before heading out.
He ate in silence. Alone.
He dropped his spoon and for a moment he could hear Morgan, making some comment about him needing to be more careful or one day he’d drop something important.
His leaving to be on time to work was interrupted by finding a package in front of his door.
He had opened it once he was in his car, only to find several fruits and some granola bars.
“Rex.”
It had been a slow morning.
At least, to Chad it had been.
He’d not been called in for anything until someone else had already dealt with it.
Maybe he was being given a break.
Everyone knew Morgan had left and they were all pitying him.
He didn’t want their pity.
He got a signal that he was needed and smiled, rushing out.
“Stay back, Chadster. The only one left inside is Roofer. Not worth-”
“Roofer? Rex, No!” Chad shouted, rushing inside.
That was the only consistency in his life right now.
That was why he needed to protect Rex.
The building was collapsing faster than Chad could move.
But he kept going.
He pushed past piles or shifting rubble.
“Rex!” He screamed.
He heard a small cough from a corner and shoved his way back into it.
Rex was laying there barely conscious.
“Fuck.”
“That’s not like you,” Rex smiled.
“Shut up. Just, please don’t. Please keep talking,” Chad started mumbled, throwing things off of Rex.
He had Rex in his arms before he felt the ground shaking.
“Shouldn’t… have co-... come.” Rex staggered out.
The floor gave out beneath them both.
Chad held Rex protectively, letting them both fall.
It was dark.
Rex woke up in a hospital.
He looked around.
He was well cared for.
His wife was probably working to cover for him.
As she should.
He was alone for the moment.
He spent his time trying to recall everything that had happened.
He’d been in a building.
He knew the attempt on his life was coming and he was certain he’d prepared for anything.
But then the building started going down.
He hadn’t planned for them to take out so many others in order to get to him, especially not somewhere so public.
Something had hit him and he’d gone down and before he could get up he’d been trapped in that office.
He was working on planning something when he’d heard his name called.
He hadn’t expected to see Chad.
But Chad had run over and started rambling.
Rex couldn’t remember what had been said.
Rex could barely remember anything after seeing Chad.
He sighed.
If he was here then they got out safely.
So Chad was in the hospital somewhere as well.
He just had to wait until he was unhooked from everything to walk around and find him.
It was another week before they actually let Rex out of his room.
A week and a few thousand dollars.
But now he found himself wandering the halls, trying to find Chad’s room.
Trying to find the nurse’s desk actually. He’d just ask where Chad’s room was.
He wasn’t too surprised to find out that Chad wasn’t being kept at this hospital.
They wouldn’t tell him which hospital.
But he was well enough to get back to work now, so he’d focus on that.
He’d see Chad soon enough.
Those deliveries should still be happening, so Chad would know Rex was alright.
Two months and nothing from Chad.
No one knew where he was.
That wasn’t right.
They did know.
No one would tell him.
It was even suggested he take some more time off.
He was sitting on his couch, with the tv on.
Full volume, trying to drown out his own worst thoughts.
A special report came on the tv.
He silently read the text, ignoring the words coming out of the reporter’s mouth.
“Hero Chadster official deemed… what?” He stood up. “What the fuck do you mean dead? What the fuck has been going on.”
He turned around to find one of his minions leaving behind a bag of food for him. “I’m sorry, boss.”
They rushed out.
Leaving Rex alone.
Completely alone.
Just his thoughts.
He stared at the empty doorway.
The door had shut fully.
He was completely shut away from everyone right now.
He felt everything drop as he let out a loud scream.