Just a short one-shot. I might continue, or do something in Ryan's POV, but this is it for now.
This was one of my favourite parts of the Knockdown, and I thought it would be interesting to try and capture what was possibly going through Esposito's head during this scene.
How fantastic was this episode, anyways?
Bravado. That's all Javier Esposito had to hold on to right now. And even that was impossible.
He focused a steady gaze on his partner, clenching his jaw. He remained emotionless; he had to keep it together for him. He owed Kevin Ryan that much.
But he was cracking. Dunk after dunk. The splash of the water as Ryan's head and torso was forced through. The sound of the ice hitting together, reminding him of the cold, the pain, the fire. The muffled sounds of his partner struggling for air, fighting for life. Lockwood yelling at them, the sound of his pacing. It was too much.
Physically, he was fine, but he couldn't remember the last time he felt this much pain. This much anger. This much fear. His partner, his brother, was being tortured, and he couldn't do anything. He couldn't do anything but be brave, and pretend everything was going to be fine.
Ryan surfaced once again, sputtering. Coughing. Gasping. Lockwood's patience was running thin. He didn't want to wait any longer as he yelled at Esposito to tell him what he knew.
Brave. He had to stay brave. For everyone. For Ryan. For Lanie.
"Listen to me, you're too late. The Cops already know all about … me and your Mom."
He laughed. Ryan laughed. Of course he did. They were on the same page right now. They always were.
"Shoot out one of his knee caps."
Panic. Desperation. This couldn't happen. This could not be his fault.
"No, no, no, no, no!" Begging.
So much for being brave.
Hope you liked it!
Please let me know what you thought.