Dwight did not want to admit it but, staying in the clubhouse was not that bad. Sure, he was never completely at ease, any sudden movements or laughs from the Legion made Dwight jump. However, living on the other side had its perks. He had a bed to sleep in, a roof over his head, access to water and occasionally the Entity would give them treats. Susie once returned to the clubhouse with cupcakes. Not the type of treats he was used to. Survivors often got new tools or occasionally new clothes to replace their bloodied, dirty ones. Dwight would never forget when the Entity delivered a copy of his old pizza delivery uniform and how the others teased him. A cruel joke on the Entity's part. Dwight's mortification soon turned to tears of laughter, as David squeezed his way into the uniform and made his way around the campfire asking who ordered a deep dish with extra sausage.
A hand clamped down on his shoulder making him scream, his heart beating in time with the laughter that followed.
"Sorry, kiddo", Frank snorted, as he relaxed onto the tattered couch, Dwight was perched on. Kiddo. Dwight was not the type of guy to tell him he was most definitely had at least three, maybe four, years on his captor.
"Here", Frank said, as he shoved a bundle of clothes into Dwight's arms. "I figured what you've got on doesn't quite cut it for the snow". He raised his hand to pull on Dwight's shirt collar, making sure to brush the vulnerable skin of the Leader's neck with his thumb. Dwight's breath caught in his throat.
"Try it on", Frank pushed him.
Dwight's hands ran over the soft black hoodie and matching leather jacket.
"I-I don't think it's really my style", Dwight said shakily, trying to pass it off as a joke.
Frank glared at him, before quickly grabbing his chin with some force.
"I'm sure you'll look...ravishing", he growled. Dwight nodded his head, as best he could against the stronger man's grasp.
"Honey, I'm hooooome", Julie's voice ringed throughout the cabin, as she announced her return from her trial. Dwight took the distraction as a moment to release himself from Frank's grip and dash towards the bedroom to change into his new attire.
"Don't just stand there staring", Frank heard Julie's voice again, followed by the sound of someone softly arguing with her, growing increasingly agitated at the fact he was unable to hear them clearly.
"Get in here now", he demanded, voice bouncing off the walls.
"I swear I'm so fucking done with this", Susie huffed storming into the room. She was soon followed by Julie, dragging what appeared to be a corpse with her.
"Julie…", Frank began, his tone warning. All they could do was watch, as the hooded girl dumped her lifeless companion into a chair, grabbed some rope and proceeded to secure their hands behind them.
"Julie, what is this?", Frank questioned.
"I wanted a prize too", she answered, smugly. "But unlike some people, I don't expect free handouts".
Frank ran a hand through his hair.
"What are you talking about?". He was not sure if he wanted to know the answer or not.
Julie ran a hand along her takings shoulder, dramatically circling the chair. "It's a shame really", she began. "A kidnappings no fun when they're this pathetic. I thought he'd put up a fight".
"You can't just take them!", Frank shouted at her. "You'll get us all killed".
"I tried to tell her", Susie sighed.
"Oh please. Don't be jealous because you can't be the special one with your little pet anymore", Julie scoffed, looking Frank square in the face, a defiant glint in her eye.
Frank dropped back down into the couch, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Julie took the moment if silence to dunk a nearby jug of water over her bound subjects head, receiving a gasp and a couple of grunts in return.
"Come on, gorgeous, wakey wakey", she said, swiftly striking them across the face.
"So, how do I look?". Everyone's eyes rose to meet Dwight as he emerged from the bedroom, in his new outfit. Dwight eyed everyone carefully, afraid he had done something wrong, before realising the reason for the tension.
"David?", he gasped, his hands dropping to his sides, unsure whether it was due to relief or disappointment.
David looked up at him, his expression confused, his eyes glazed. He dropped his chin into his chest and Dwight swore he could hear him whisper "I'm gone mad".
"Well this is awkward", Julie laughed, receiving glares from both Susie and Frank.
Dwight did not dare move. Terrified of what reactions he would get from both the Legion and David.
"Hello, anyone home?", Julie exclaimed, hitting David again. He looked shocked, as if realising he was awake for the first time.
Regaining his composure he smiled up at her.
"That all ye got, princess?".
Julie raised her hand to strike again, "You little cu-".
"Enough", Frank's voice boomed throughout the room, making Dwight jump. Julie sighed, moving to her prisoner's side to await her lecture.
David's eyes searched the room, wondering who he could appeal to, his eyes landing on Dwight, finally registering his presence.
Dwight swallowed hard, avoiding David's eyes.
"What the fuck're you doin' here?", his voice dripped in concern but, all Dwight could here was disappointment.
"I-"
"Don't speak to him", Frank ordered, pushing Dwight behind him.
David's thick brows furrowed as he observed this action. Why was Dwight just standing there? Why did he not run? David's mind answered his own question for him, as his eyes landed on Frank's hand, which was resting on Dwight's hip.
"This what this is about? Him?", David spat.
"N-no he took-".
"Well ye look pretty fuckin' comfortable". Dwight could feel himself getting mad. Who did David think he was? He treated him like garbage before and now he thinks he has a right to judge him.
"At least here I'm not ignored", Dwight found himself stepping forward again.
David scoffed, "That's what this is? I don't pay you attention for five minutes and you run to the next person who whips their knob out for ya? Pathetic".
"It's not like that", Dwight protested.
A look of pure glee spread across Julie's face. "Oh my God, Dwight!", she exclaimed, but her voice had a cruel tone to it. "Is this your boyfriend?!".
Dwight's fists clenched at his sides, his eyes welling with tears. This was all too much for him. As Susie began to push Julie, to get her to shut up, Dwight retreated into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him, not caring if it made them angry.
"I think I hit a nerve", Julie continued to cackle. David struggled against his bindings.
"Come on ye fucks, I'll take any of yous in a fair fight".
Susie rolled her eyes at him. "You had your chance earlier, sweetheart. I wasn't scared".
Their arguing was put on hold as a black fog began to fill the room. The sound of thunder and wind roared outside.
"What the hell is this?", Frank yelled over the noise.
"I told you you'd piss it off", Susie yelled at Julie, who was reaching for her weapon. The three were blinded and deafened by the noise for several moments before it cleared, the spot where David once sat now empty.
The teens looked at each other in confusion before racing towards the bedroom.
Dwight jumped when the door was barged open, eyeing them all with teary eyes.
"This isn't fair!", Julie huffed, after the initial shock of what had just happened wore off. "Frank doesn't do shit, and he gets to keep his prize! I actually worked for that annoying idiot". She stomped away. Dwight wiped at his eyes. He did not have to ask, he knew David was gone.