Hey, guys, it's me the Gamerwhogames (man, I need a new phrase)! I said I'd be doing an update a day this year, but something came up to bother those plans, of course, but here's what I owe you from Tuesday!

I know he had, what, 5-minutes screen-time and next to no character development (also, he's dead), but I've really taken this odd admiration for Warden. Trust me, he's not as big a favorite as Aiden or Radar, but I feel like he's cool for no reason, y'know? If I have one thing to say about him, it's I wish Telltale would've kept him alive long enough for us to get to know him (could I also say I wish Stella was "evil" long enough for us to figure out what she had against Jesse?) Anyways, if it isn't obvious that this shot's going to be about Warden, I don't know quite what else to say except HIT IT, CRISPER!

Crisper: (hits it)

Oh, one more thing! This story's special because, drumroll please…. It features you, the reader! Yes, tons of other authors have written XReader shots before, but it's my first time at all writing one of these. I hope you enjoy this oneshot

(Y/N means your name, but N/N means nick-name)


Your temples were prickled with sweat no matter how many times you whipped out your white towel. You ignored it as your black shoes rapidly clicked across the dark halls and your arms clocked back and forth in strict intervals on your way to the double doors of the Mush-Room. You halted at the doors. The disheveled purple tie was yanked into a taut strip. You tried again in vain to loosen the constricting uniform.

You pushed the doors open and strode into the Mush-Room. Once eased associates fumbled into a brief salute to their manager. Loitering guests in orange heeded your entrance with a lowly glance. Everything in place, just as it should be. You walked into your corner of the room, your own little perch where you surveyed the goings on with an arrogant eagle's eye. Soft footsteps approaching your right further pricked your ears, and you saw an associate approaching you. A split-second's grin flickered on your face and almost instantaneously fizzled into your usual grim stare.

"Anthony," you greeted him quietly with a nod.

"Hey, Y/N." You and Anthony surveyed the place side by side. "So, what brings you from your office? Run out of ways to get that promotion you've been after?"

"Just found a new one, actually: keeping an eye on those new arrivals. I've heard some about them, just a bit, a feisty group of rebels needing some… guidance." You folded your arms and grinned, imagining just how satisfying the job would be. "If straightening out those hard cases doesn't get me that promotion, I'm honestly not sure what else will." Anthony shifted a bit, raising a hand to rub his neck and giving you a sideways glance.

"About that, N/N, me and the guys were wondering, and this isn't going to be a permanent thing! It's highly temporary, but we really wanted you to consider it, but do you think you could maybe," he breathed in and looked away, "take a little break from working?"

You stopped leaning on the wall and directly faced him. "What do you mean by that, Anthony? Be clear." The uniform felt tighter than before.

Anthony made eye-contact again. "What I mean by that is that we think you've been overworking yourself a tad bit?"

"And who is 'we'?"

"Literally everyone."

Your tough glare turned into a confused frown. "Everyone?"

"Guests, other associates, me? Even Warden's noticed how wound up you are."

You pricked a brow and your neck heated up. Your folded stance tightened and your lips slightly parted. "Wha-what'd he say?"

"Not much, just wanted to know if you ever stop working. I mean, day in and day out you're either cooped up in your office handling paperwork and records, or out on any given floor supervising guests. He, and we all think you should wind down."

"That's all he said?"

"Yeah." Anthony studied your heated face. He hummed softly and folded his arms. "You seem pretty stoked."

"Of course, I am. I don't think it's everyday he notices anyone at all."

"I think he's more so worried about you? Kind of has a negative feeling compared to noticing you."

"Noticed? Worried? He sees me, that's all that matters." You turned away and grinned at your feet. "I'll have that spot in no time."

Behind you, Anthony sighed and facepalmed. "Obsessed." You turned around with low brows. "What? It's true. Take a nap sometime, would yah? You're crabby and weird when you don't sleep."

You waved Anthony off. "Later."

"Today preferably."

"Later." Your dismal face returned and you walked towards the middle of the room. Besides keeping an eye out for pesky, bad behavior, you tried to remember the last time you'd taken a nap. You couldn't place a date, but the dull hint in your stare gave away hints. You didn't want to admit your eyes weren't as keen as you wanted. The once burning energy in you was too cool for your taste. You forced yourself to maintain an alert posture, but your unnaturally rigid pose exposed your vain attempt. You zoned in on the laughter of a few nearby guests to keep yourself awake.

It shook you beyond comprehension.

"Have you seen Y/N lately?" A lowlife chatted to his two buddies. "She's like a crabby little Creeper, she is, whining about this, yawning about that."

"That girl needs to take a nap. She's turning into even more of a control-freak than she ever was." His friend replied.

"Proof there's a god somewhere. I didn't think she could get any more annoying than that." They continued their conversation as you collectedly walked up to them from behind, couth and deadly like a big cat on the prowl. You plucked the middle one out of the tight circle as if he was an apple. His collar clustered in your tight grasp and he whimpered and grunted, trying to push your hands away.

"So, what were you and your gents just saying about me?" Your legs began to quake and one of your eyes twitched. The skinny guest in your grasp gave a spitting laugh.

"You look kinda crazy with your eye doing that."

"What?" You clutched him close to your face. Your wide, bloodshot eyes and wolfish snarl dared him to say it again. "You must be out of your mind today. All three of you!" You gave a split-second's search for his two partners in crime who'd wisely disappeared. "Unlucky for you." You refocused on the man in your hands and lifted your right fist. "Let's see whose eyes look crazy," you drew back, but someone grabbed your arm. You spun around and landed your fist right into the guest's pale face and watched a black and purple uniform hit the floor. You gave the annoying guest a death glare before you pushed him back to deal with Anthony.

"Anthony, are you alright?" You reached out to help him up, a part of you wondering why the residents of the Mush-Room hadn't found you punching your fellow associate hilarious. Your eyes widened and jaw slacked, and your hand froze in place. "Warden?!" Did you salute, or just wait for him to stand up? Your hand began to shake and you wrenched it back. Your eyes darted around the room as Warden slowly sat up, rubbing at his face. Your terrified eyes caught with Anthony's.

"Help him up, Y/N!" He mouthed from across the room. Your heart caught in your chest. You grabbed Warden by the arm, ready or not, and yanked him into a standing position. Your eyes caught for the briefest of seconds. His dazed gaze, the calm before the storm, thoroughly shook you.

"Sir, I am so sorry, I thought you were a guest," you took a few steps back as he dabbed his faintly bruising cheek. The bluish stain stood out on his pale face. Who to blame, who to blame? You tried to keep your breathing under control when he refocused on you.

"Y/N,"

"… sir?"

"Is there a problem?" He folded his arms behind his back and tilted his chin and his one brow.

You felt your promotion slipping through your hands and heat rising to your cheeks. "Yes, sir." You heard his tongue click as he studied your face. He suddenly strode toward you, each click of his shoes more intimidating than the last. He closed the gap between you, standing half a head higher than you.

"Do enlighten me." You could see the orange uniform already.

"I," you cleared your throat. "I overheard some guests slandering me behind my back."

"Well, isn't that petty… who?"

You spotted him in the crowd and raised a shaking hand. "Him, sir." Warden finally allowed you a few more inches' space when he looked for the guest in question.

"Him, standing way over there?"

You hesitated. "Yes, sir." His piercing gaze settled on your face.

"Then why'd you punch me?" It was either a rhetorical question or a death-trap. Not many associates blamed Warden for their actions and lived to wear another uniform. You faltered for an answer. "Don't answer that." His firm interruption sealed your lips shut, but he smirked. He walked to the guest, leaving behind a very bewildered manager.

"Big Henry," the purple Golem lumbered over to its master, and you felt a hint of satisfaction when the guest from earlier flinched, "you know what to do." You didn't need to drown out the wails of the prisoner as the glowing beast walked towards him. "And you?" Now it was your turn to flinch. "Walk with me to my office." Hands behind his back, he strode out the doors. You had to remind your legs to walk for you. On the way out, you and Anthony mouthed an entire conversation until you couldn't see your lips.

'You'll be lucky to be wearing orange!' Were the last words you saw.

You sped-walked to catch up with Warden and then waited for him to speak. "Well, that was a dumb thing to do."

You dared to feel offended, but looked down at your feet. "Yes, sir." He glanced at you.

"To be honest, I would've just sent him down ten levels. Have you been getting any sleep lately? Time to yourself other than office-work?"

You looked at him with furrowed brows. "Sir?"

"You're usually way better with misbehaving guests than punching them, or unlucky bystanders in the face. I feel like you're burning out."

"Burning out?" You both stopped. "Sir, I promise you, I am not burning out. Actually, I'm just getting started, you know. I'll be at the top of my game soon enough, you'll see."

"Does this mean you're going to be punching people in the face more often, then?"

"No, sir! That's not what I meant at all, sir!"

He laughed. Your suit felt tight again, and you loosened your tie. "Relax, Y/N. It's okay to laugh in front of me, I'm not gonna demote you." His words did nothing to ease you. "Let's go." You both walked down the hall. "You know, it'd be good if you could laugh at one of my jokes? Great way to make up for punching me in the face, if I might add." His gaze lingered on you, unintentionally giving you a perfect view of his bruise. His grin faded with your silence. "Well, if you're not going to laugh, you're going to talk. When was the last time you went to sleep?"

"I don't remember."

"Figured. I know you're concerned about stealing my job and all, but you should really take better care of yourself."

"Yes, sir." You stopped in front of his office.

"I'm going to my office, and you're going to take a nap before you kill someone." He walked into his office and you started to walk away. "Oh, and Y/N?" You turned around. "As punishment for punching your Warden in the face, you're suspended from duty until I say so."

"Excuse me?" But before you could start a debate, the piston-operated door filed closed. You stared at the stone wall, gently biting your lip. Suspension? You shook your head and started walking back to the Mush-Room. Hopefully you could get Anthony to put in a good word for you.


Aaand, close 'er down because I am tired! Literally nothing else to say except maybe stay tuned. I thought this was going to be a oneshot, but I feel like I can do more with this.