Title: Children will Burn
Author: Sandoz
Pairing: Chase/Gert
Written for: 30caresses
Prompt: 008: Flames
Disclaimer: Runaways was created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona and is the property of Marvel Comics.
Summary: Spoilers for Vol. 2 #18 "Chase wants to remain there with her, wants the flames to burn away everything, his sins and his failures, but then he sees Him…and suddenly Chase wants something else entirely."
Notes: Title taken from "Heart in a Cage" by The Strokes.
His lungs are burning from the smoke that fills the observatory. The orange and yellow flames lick upwards toward the ceiling, dancing dangerously close to where Chase sits with two bodies: one dead, the other still alive.
(Gert)
She has given her final breaths, and she has died in his arms for the second time. She died for him—Chase--the most worthless of the Pride's children and the most unworthy of her sacrifice. Chase heaves. It is difficult to breathe.
Chase presses Gert's hand against his cheek, wanting to feel her skin's warmth before it fades. He ignores Old Lace's whimpers and the encroaching flames, not caring if he should die too. His thoughts do not come in straight lines; instead, they are jumbled and chaotic, like scattered puzzle pieces.
(Gert Gert Gert no this can't be happening I love you why I don't understand no no)
The heat evaporates his tears. Chase wants to remain there with her, wants the flames to burn away everything, his sins and his failures (oh god I failed her), but then he sees Him…and suddenly Chase wants something else entirely.
Setting Gert's body down gently, Chase wipes away the blood on her lips. He reaches down and pulls the knife from her chest. It makes a sickening sound. He steps around her corpse and approaches the prone body of Geoffrey Wilder, whose arms and legs are sprawled out on the floor like a crude imitation of a starfish.
Chase kicks him sharply in the side, taking pleasure in the way that Wilder's unconscious body jerks. Seething, shaking, Chase kicks him a second time, and then a third.
(Gert Gert you killed her)
Spittle forming in the corners of his mouth, Chase growls like an animal. White hot rage explodes inside him, blinding him to everything else except Wilder's imminent death.
(YOU KILLED HER)
He kicks Wilder closer to the flames, his mouth twisting into a cruel smile. Too bad the bastard's unconscious and can't see it coming. Yes. This is how it will end.
"Extinguisher!"
Chase's mind snaps back into place at the sound of Nico's voice. The fire around him suddenly dies under a powerful, magical gust of white foam. He recognizes the witch's slender silhouette through the smoke, with the Staff of One in her hand. She sputters and coughs, not seeing him.
(Gert)
Chase thinks quickly. Grabbing Wilder's limp arm, he tugs at the gold ring on his finger. When it doesn't give, Chase briefly contemplates cutting the finger off the hand. With the third pull, however, the ring is free and in Chase's pocket. His eyes scanning the room, Chase sees the Abstract on the ground, thankfully unburned (can it burn?), and stuffs it in the inside pocket of his jacket. His grip remains tight on Wilder's knife.
"Chase!" Nico yells, her eyes watering from the smoke and her mascara running down her cheeks. Their gazes meet as the smoke clears and she hurries to his side. "Gert ran in here after you! Is she all right? Where's Wilder?"
Chase is silent; he merely points with the hand holding the knife. Nico looks down and then she screams.
(I killed her I killed her I killed her)
"He killed her," Chase says, his voice cold and dead.
