Scene opens on Moxxie and Millie's apartment as the couple brings Lincoln inside.
Moxxie: Come on, Lincoln. Just have a seat and I'll fix you up some tea.
Lincoln: *nods* Thanks, Dad…
Millie: *as Lincoln sits down* I'll call the hotel and tell them you might not be able to make it in for a few days.
Lincoln: Okay, Mom…
Moxxie goes into the kitchen as Millie goes to the phone and dials a number. The screen splits as the inside of the Hazbin Hotel appears, and Charlie Morningstar picks up the phone.
Charlie: Happy Hotel, how can I help you?
Millie: Miss Morningstar? It's Millie, Lincoln's mother.
Charlie: Oh! Is everything okay?
Millie: I'm afraid not… Lincoln may not be able to come in for a few days.
Charlie: *concerned* Did something happen?
Millie: Yeah… poor thing had a panic attack during our latest job.
Charlie: *eyes widen* He what?! Oh, shit… I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope he'll be okay.
Millie: He'll be fine. This ain't the first time.
Charlie's level of concern increases upon hearing this isn't the first time Lincoln has suffered a panic attack.
Charlie: Well… if you know what you're doing, then I suppose that's good.
Millie: Thanks.
Millie then hangs up and calls a different number.
Cut to the Goetia Mansion, in Octavia's room. The Goetia heir, wearing her pajamas, was laying in her bed, listening to music as she read a magazine. Her music stops as her phone starts to ring, causing her to groan as she answers it.
Octavia: Hello?
The other side of the call isn't heard, but Octavia's annoyed expression disappears as she calms down.
Octavia: Miss Millie? What's going on? *listens to Millie, and upon hearing what she says, Octavia sits up with eyes bulging out and her concern hitting the roof* WHAT?!
Octavia hangs up the phone and practically trips out of bed, going to her closet and frantically changing into her clothes. She then frantically hops down the hallway putting on her boot, then runs past her father.
Stolas: *surprised* Octavia?! *calls out to her* Where are you going?!
Octavia: *calls back* I need to see Lincoln!
Back at M'n'M's house, Moxxie brings some fresh tea to Lincoln.
Moxxie: Here, Lincoln. *hands him the cup* This should help calm you down.
Lincoln: *takes it* Thanks, Dad…
As he sips the tea, there's a knock on the door. Moxxie goes to the door and opens it, surprised to see Blitzo and Loona.
Moxxie: Sir? What are you doing here?
Blitzo: What else? We came to check on your son.
They enter and see Lincoln sitting on the couch.
Blitzo: Hey, kid. *Lincoln glances at him* How you holding up?
Lincoln: *shrugs a bit* Okay, I guess… Just still a bit shaken up.
Loona: *concerned* Blitzo told me everything… This shit's happened before?
Lincoln nods as he takes another sip of the tea Moxxie gave him, with Millie coming back into the room.
Millie: Via's on her way, Lincoln.
Lincoln: *gains a faint blush* Thanks, Mom.
As if on cue, the door swings open and reveals Octavia's silhouette, her pink eyes wide as can be.
Octavia: *concerned* Lincoln!
Lincoln: Hey, Via… *Octavia enters and closes the door behind her* I'm guessing Mom told you what happened?
Octavia: *sits next to him, worried* She told me you had a panic attack, so I practically rushed over here…
Lincoln: Thanks for that…
Blitzo: Look, kid… I know this may be a touchy subject… but why's that hunter even hunting after you?
Moxxie: *punches his arm* Sir!
Blitzo: Ow! I'm not asking to be a dickhead, Mox!
Lincoln: It's okay, Dad… but if I'm being honest, Blitzo… I don't know… He just… showed up randomly…
The scene fades to a flashback, with text that says "1 YEAR AGO" at the bottom, as it shows a restaurant looking thrashed and messy, like a party was just thrown. 15-year old Lincoln (who doesn't have the black streak in his hair) is seen hugging his parents goodbye, who are wearing their wedding outfits and Millie's hair is grown out to her hips, confirming this party was thrown after they had gotten married and they are leaving for their honeymoon.
Lincoln: Have fun, Mom and Dad.
Millie: You sure you're gonna be alright by yourself, Linc?
Lincoln: *smiles* I'll be fine. You two deserve this.
Moxxie: *smiles* Thanks, Lincoln. We'll see you in a week.
Moxxie and Millie head to the door and wave to their son one last time as he waves back, then they walk out. Lincoln takes a seat at the bar and grabs a soda can, clawing it open.
Lincoln: *looks in the mirror behind the bar and raises his can* Cheers to Mom and Dad.
As he goes to take a drink, he stops when he hears a chilling tune being whistled. He looks over his shoulder, but doesn't see anything. As he slowly turns around, however, it's revealed that a cloaked Hellhound is sitting in the seat next to him, being the source of the whistling. Lincoln stares at the large Hellhound in surprise and confusion as he stops whistling and holds up a shot glass, which has a faint reflection of Lincoln inside. The Hellhound's hood was concealing his eyes.
Hellhound: Well, well… *turns to look at Lincoln, revealing his piercing red eyes* If it isn't Lincoln Knolastname himself. *chuckles* In the flesh.
Lincoln: *a bit unnerved* Uh… hey… *lifts his drink a bit in greeting*
There were a lot of red flags Lincoln was seeing. How close the Hellhound was to him, how he didn't even hear him enter the building, and overall… just the whole demeanor of this random guy.
Hellhound: There's the skull shirt… the vest… and of course, the messy white hair and the overall charm. *leans against the counter, closer to Lincoln* My compliments to your parents. *chuckles in a rather dark way*
Lincoln: *clears his throat, uncomfortably looks away* Thanks… uh… good to meet you, too…
An awkward silence follows for a few seconds as Lincoln scoots his seat a bit away from the Hellhound to get some space.
Hellhound: Hey, I never do this but… can I get your autograph? *reaches into his cloak* Been following you for a loooong time.
He pulls a paper out of his cloak and slides it onto the counter to Lincoln, revealed to be a rough sketch drawing of the young Hellhound, who stares at the image.
Hellhound: Sign right *taps the sketch where Lincoln's heart is located with his claw* there.
He taps the image a few more times, each one giving off a deep echo.
Lincoln: *scoffs* It takes more than this to intimidate me… *glares at the Hellhound as he slightly crushes the soda can in his hand* … bounty hunter.
Hellhound: *his claw tears the paper a bit as he pulls his hood back* So I've heard.
Lincoln: *stands up* You will find your reward does not come easily. *moves his vest a bit to reveal his orange edge knife* I can promise you that.
The Hellhound is unfazed as he reaches over the bar.
Hellhound: Everyone thinks they'll be the one *grabs a beer* to defeat me. *pops the lid off with his claws* But no one's escaped me yet.
Lincoln: *snarls a bit* Alright, let's get this over with. *grabs his knife and points it at the Hellhound* Bring it on, you son of a bi-!
Before he could even finish the sentence, his knife was smacked out of his hand faster than he could even react, as it embeds itself into a barrel. Lincoln stares at the knife for a moment, then glares back at the Hellhound, who was casually sipping his beer with a smirk like nothing happened. Lincoln backs up from the bar, keeping his eye on the Hellhound as he stops by where his knife is.
Lincoln: Okay… *grabs his knife and rips it out* … no more messing around!
Lincoln runs at the Hellhound and goes for a stab in his back, but the Hellhound easily dodges to the left with his back to the counter. He takes another sip of his beer as Lincoln glares at him, and the younger Hellhound goes for another stab.
Hellhound: *weaves to the right* Slow. *Lincoln goes for another stab as he weaves to the left* Sloppy. *Lincoln goes for a slash as he leans back, the knife slashing one of the beams holding up the bar* Sad!
Lincoln shouts as he goes for a downward slash, but the Hellhound quickly brings out his two sickles and catches Lincoln's knife in the middle, chuckling as he does so. Lincoln snarls as they struggle for a bit, then leaps back as the larger Hellhound spins his sickles, daring Lincoln to attack. Lincoln growls as he runs towards the Hellhound, then jumps to the right and propels himself upwards off the wall, then propels himself off the ceiling towards the Hellhound to stab him in the head. But the larger Hellhound easily grabs the boy by his throat, holding him up.
Hellhound: *brings Lincoln closer and whispers into his ear* You're not living up to the legend… perro.
The bounty hunter slams Lincoln onto the bar and starts dragging him across the countertop, shattering any glasses left behind from the earlier party as Lincoln grits his teeth, then he throws the young Hellhound away, sending him crashing into a chair. Lincoln barely has time to collect himself as he flips back onto the table to avoid the towering Hellhound's sickle, which cuts the chair in half. Lincoln stumbles back as the table falls to its side, as a single slash is then seen splitting the table in half to reveal the bounty hunter, his sickles at the ready as lightning flashes behind him. The larger Hellhound swings his sickles multiple times at Lincoln, who barely manages to block them with his knife.
The bounty hunter then goes for an underhanded slash that, in slow motion, Lincoln just barely manages to avoid, as the whole background turns blood red and the two Hellhounds are practically silhouettes, save for their eyes. A close-up of Lincoln's bulging out eyes shows the sickle had just barely grazed above his right eye.
A shot of the ground shows Lincoln's knife falling slowly and clattering to the ground, the background returning to normal colors and the speed returning to normal the moment it does. Back on Lincoln's eyes, the boy is left frozen in fear as he starts to breathe heavily, as a single drop of black blood begins to run down his face. A full shot of Lincoln shows him reaching up and feeling the blood, then staring at the blood smear on his hand. The fur on Lincoln's arm starts standing up as it slowly reaches up to his neck, and he starts to breathe heavily as fear washes over him. The larger Hellhound sniffs the air, then lets out a sigh of content.
Hellhound: I just LOVE the smell of FEAR!
The bounty hunter spins his sickles and drags them on the ground slowly. Lightning flashes through the window as his pupils seem to flash white from the light. Lincoln starts to back up slowly, his breathing getting heavier and heavier. Moments of Lincoln's life begin to flash on screen, including:
Baby Lincoln being held by a Hellhound couple, 3-year old Lincoln hiding in a hole, covering his ears as tears run down his face, the moment Lincoln and Octavia met, Lincoln and Octavia having a playdate in her bedroom as Stolas watches from the door with a smile, Millie easily picking up 10-year old Lincoln despite him being around the same height as her, and Millie hugging 11-year old Lincoln as he holds the adoption papers she gave him, revealing she now adopted him.
The flashbacks end as Lincoln continues breathing heavily with wide eyes.
Hellhound: *off-screen* What's the matter? *shot of his face as he approaches Lincoln* Life flashing before your eyes?
As Lincoln glances down, the hunter kicks Lincoln's knife to the boy, making it land a few inches from him.
Hellhound: Pick it up. *Lincoln just stares at the knife in fear* Pick. It. Up!
Lincoln lets out a gasp of fear as it cuts back to the present day, breathing heavily as everyone around him looks concerned.
Moxxie: He was that close?
Lincoln: *nods* Any closer… he would've killed me…
Millie: Is that why you grew your hair out in the front…? *lightly tugs on Lincoln's hair where his streak is located* To hide the scar…?
Octavia: Why didn't you tell us this sooner…?
Lincoln: *looks down* I… I didn't want you guys to worry…
Blitzo: Linc, the only reason they would worry is because they care about you. *Lincoln glances at him* Take it from me, a parent only worries about their child because they care about them. *slow pan to Loona as he keeps talking* No matter the age or if they're related or not, a parent cares about their child and wants what's best for them. Even despite the disputes, disagreements, and fights they may have, a parent still prioritizes their child above all else.
Loona's expression slowly drops as she glances away, remembering the fight she and Blitzo had during spring break.
Loona: *voice-over, groans in frustration* Fuck, Blitzo! Why can't you stay out of my face for, like, five minutes?!
Blitzo: *voice-over* Because, I adopted you! And that should mean something!
Loona: *voice-over* Oh, what does it matter?! You're not my real dad! I was almost eighteen!
Blitzo: *voice-over* It still counts!
Loona: *voice-over* Well, it shouldn't! I didn't need you then, asshole! I don't now!
Loona tightly holds her arm as tears briefly form in her eyes, but she quickly wipes them away. Pan to Octavia as she gets an idea, as it briefly flashes back to her and Lincoln as kids, when she sang to Lincoln to help him calm down.
Octavia: *as it snaps back to present day* Hey, guys? Do you mind leaving the room for a minute?
Millie: Huh?
Moxxie: Via, we know you care about Lincoln, but-
Lincoln: *wipes his tears a bit* M-Mom, Dad, it's okay… Via can help me.
The two Imps see their son giving a slight smile, so they comply with Octavia's request, leaving the room with Blitzo and Loona. Octavia, with a faint blush on her face, softly pats her leg. Lincoln looks confused for a second, but then goes red as he realizes Octavia is inviting him to rest his head on her lap. He complies and rests his head, as Octavia gently strokes his hair. Taking a deep breath, Octavia begins to sing as a gentle guitar tune is heard.
Octavia: I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight
Lincoln's face turns a slightly deeper shade of red, mesmerized by Octavia's beautiful singing voice. His tail starts to gently wag, softly rubbing against the couch
Octavia: Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound
Slow pan to the doorway as the rest of I.M.P. were peeking in. Millie covered her mouth as her eyes gleamed with happiness. Cut back to Lincoln and Octavia and the former starts to glance towards the window, but Octavia gently grabs his head and makes him look away from it.
Octavia: Don't you dare look out your window, darling, everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby even when the music's gone, gone
Octavia gently runs her hand along Lincoln's head, even softly stroking his ear and causing him to go redder.
Octavia: Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound
As gentle vocals are heard harmonizing, Lincoln and Octavia become white silhouettes over a black background, and in the white silhouettes we can see many of the moments of their lives, including the day they met, a playdate they had, when Stella threw Lincoln out of the Goetia mansion, when Lincoln comforted Octavia in Loo Loo Land's fun house, the two seeing their human disguises for the first time, and finally, the moment Octavia hugged Lincoln at the ranch after seeing he's alive and well.
Octavia: Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
Slow pan outside the apartment to reveal the cloaked bounty hunter was leaning against the wall by the window that looked into the room Lincoln and Octavia were in. He lets out a calm sigh, before walking off after pulling his hood up as the song ends.
Octavia: *cut back to them as Lincoln sits up slowly* Do you feel any better, Lincoln?
Lincoln: *nods* Yeah... I do. *smiles sincerely at Octavia* Thanks, Via. I... really needed to hear that.
Before Lincoln even knew what he was doing, he planted a small kiss on Octavia's kiss, causing her face to go completely red. She glances at Lincoln, who realized what he just did with wide eyes and slightly red cheeks.
Octavia: *smiles back while red-faced* Um... S-Sure... A-Anything for my... b-best friend.
Lincoln: *goes more red and quickly stands up* Uh, okay, gotta use the bathroom real quick! *fast walks out of the room and past the others, muttering quietly to himself* Why did I do that?! Why did I do that?! Why did I do that?!
As Moxxie and Millie follow him, Octavia lets out a hooting giggle, finding Lincoln's reaction adorable as she puts a hand to her face where the kiss was. Octavia's phone suddenly vibrates, causing her to look and see it's because of a text from Loona.
Loona's Text: You better confess soon, girl.
Octavia goes wide eyed with a blush as she glances over and sees Loona smirking at her. Loona wasn't trying to steal Lincoln from Octavia… she was just letting the owlet know that if she doesn't confess soon, someone else may beat her to it.
She was not going to let that happen.
A/N: The song is "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift