Work Text:
It was supposed to be a regular supply run, with the occasional machine extraction. And it was, at least up until a certain point. Finn, Glisten, Rodger, and Sprout had all agreed to go on the supply run. They had to keep going deeper each run, as the supply of useful items on the easier, and less risky floors, was getting dried up.
Finn had been a little worse for wear, if he was being honest. The toon hadn’t been getting much sleep recently, which may have gone missed by most toons. Except for Glisten. He paid a lot of attention to Finn, to his body language, habits, speech patterns, you name it.
He saw everything with Finn, and knew all too well that he wasn’t getting as much sleep. The way his gills slightly drooped and how easily he spaced out when not being directly addressed… Glisten knew. And it’s why he wanted to come with Finn on the supply run; To keep an eye on him and make sure they got back the moment he noticed Finn getting too exhausted.
“I think we can call it a day after another floor or two,” Sprout spoke up during the otherwise silent elevator ride, “we got most of what we needed a restock of..” He stood up from where he kneeled down by the bags, dusting himself off.
Glisten let out a sigh of relief. Just a floor or two more, and then they can go back. He glanced at Finn, who stood close to him. The fish bowl blinked slowly, staring at the ground. Finn could hold out just a little longer, right?
“You alright?” Glisten asked with a hushed whisper, watching as Finn took a few moments to process what he’d said.
Finn gave a slow nod before he turned to Glisten with a small smile, gills flaring up a bit and tail shifting against the elevator floor. “Of course! I’m feeling fin-tastic, don’t worry about me.” he then flashed a bigger smile while holding a thumbs up.
That didn’t do much to calm the growing sense of unease within Glisten as the elevator groaned to a halt and took a moment to open.
Immediately, there was..
Thump.. thump… growl…
Fuck.
“That’s pebble, stay alert.” Rodger immediately stepped out of the elevator, followed by Sprout and then Finn.
Glisten tensed up, this wasn’t good. For fucks sake, why Pebble, and why now? Reluctantly, Glisten exited the elevator, firmly grabbing Finn’s hand as Sprout departed from the group to use veemote on a close by machine. The action stopped both toons in their tracks, with Finn turning around to look at Glisten.
”Glis..?” Finn asked, moving his hand to properly intertwine their fingers.
“.. Just… be careful when you’re on machines, please?” Glisten’s voice was quiet and desperate. The tone alone was enough to squeeze Finn’s heart.
Finn reached out and grabbed Glisten’s other hand before squeezing them reassuringly with a nod, “I will.” He then let go, and snuck away to find some machines that needed extraction.
Once Sprout used veemote, he returned to Rodger and Glisten, who had stuck by elevator. Everyone was on edge. Pebble’s footsteps and snarling left very little room for the toon’s to relax. The air felt heavy with tension, and Glisten couldn’t stop himself from worrying.
“I’ll go find Finn, and come back to elevator when he’s on the last machine he can realistically get. You two stay near elevator and collect any supplies…” Sprout let out a shaky breath. They’ll be fine. They’ve handled stuff like this before.
Rodger nodded, “sounds reasonable. You and Finn be careful.”
Glisten wanted to protest. He wanted to say that he should go instead, that Sprout should stay with Rodger. However, he knew that with Pebble on the floor they needed Sprout and Finn, who could move faster than he could himself.
This would be agonizing.
As Sprout departed from the group, Rodger began to collect any supplies he could, glancing around to make sure they stayed clear of Pebble. Glisten too began to collect supplies. His hands shook as he moved, heartbeat hammering in his chest loud enough to drown out any other sound. Neither toon dared to speak.
Especially not as the loud thumps of Pebble’s footsteps grew closer.
Rodger’s head snapped up, looking for the direction the threat was coming from. And once he pinpointed it, Rodger slung the bag over his shoulder and bolted to Glisten.
The mirror’s mind had been drifting back to Finn, only snapping back into focus once heard the sound of completed machines. Worry and anxiety swirled into a nasty mix, clawing it’s way through Glisten’s mind. So when Rodger had yanked his wrist and pulled him behind a pile of crates, Glisten had failed to process what was happening.
“Rodger what wa-“ Glisten yanked his wrist away, only freezing when Rodger clamped a hand over his mouth to cut him off.
Pebble snarled. Glisten’s blood ran cold. The thundering steps from the poor pet rock echoed closer to them, stopping a couple feet from the crates. Both toons held their breath, hearing Pebble rummage around.
Growl… Sniff…
And then Pebble snarled before stomping off.
Rodger removed his hand from Glisten’s mouth, letting out a relieved sigh. “I know you’re worried about Finn, but you can’t let that distract you.” He narrowed his eye at him, disapproving.
Glisten huffed, a little embarrassed, “.. I’m well aware. I wasn’t distracted–just thinking.”
The magnifying glass didn’t look very convinced, crossing his arms over his chest and raising his eyebrow. Rodger knew Glisten exceptionally well, more than Glisten would like.
But Rodger dropped it. This would be a losing battle with Glisten, as he was too stubborn to admit he’d ever be distracted. Rodger would likely get a headache if he tried to push Glisten to admit it, anyways. It’s best if he saved them both the trouble.
And so instead, they waited until Pebble’s footsteps got quieter. With the coast now clear, Rodger stood up and swiftly returned to collecting supplies. Glisten on the other hand…
He needed to take a moment to collect himself. Glisten had to pause, take a few deep breaths, and reassure himself that Finn would be fine. Because Finn is usually fine, physically at least.
Finally he stood, and with one last deep breath, he smoothed out the front of his bow to calm his nerves. After one last deep breath, he started to head towards Rodger to continue with gathering supplies. This is fine. Finn would be as fin-tastic as he always is, and everything would work out.
—
Pebble had been patrolling the last machine Finn needed to complete, snarling, thrashing around in frustration, trapping him and Sprout in their spot. If they moved out of it, they were done for. But they couldn’t just stay here forever. And it’s not like Finn can just leave the machine since it has to get done.
They can’t let a machine stay undone for too long. An ichor spill would be catastrophic for everyone.
“How long are we going to have to wait until Pebble moves?” Finn mumbled, peaking out from the little book shelf nook they’d ducked into.
Sprout nodded as he fidgeted with his scarf, “I’d try to pull him away but I’m not sure we should risk it.”
“I’d rather not.. Gah I hate waiting.”
Creaks and groans from the building combined with Pebble’s horrifying steps and snarls felt louder as silence fell between Finn and Sprout. Fear and tension was heavy in the air, Sprout needed to get back to the elevator, and Finn had to get the last machine.
Maybe Finn should have Sprout go back now. Pebble wouldn’t see him slip out and go down the hall back to the elevator from where he was. It’d be safer if Sprout did now, that way Finn wouldn’t have to worry about where Pebble is while the other toon is heading back.
Finn made up his mind and let out a deep exhale, gills flaring up with determination. “Sprout, I think you should head back now.” He looked at Sprout, and had no intention of backing down from this.
“I can’t, not until I know you’re on last.” Sprout was not going to let Finn wait here all on his own. He needed to make sure the fish bowl got on last with no issue.
“Sprout, please. I can’t risk you running into him on your way back once he moves.”
Sprout only stared at Finn. Neither toon wanted to back down, they both had valid concerns. But… Finn was right. Sprout can’t risk being seen by Pebble on his way back if he moves, and possibly leading him to the others.
Reluctantly, Sprought sighed and nodded. “Okay, fine.. I’ll go back, but please don’t take any unnecessary risks. I might not be able to get to you in time.”
With a nod from Finn, Sprout inhaled and exhaled deeply to get rid of his nerves, and then he was off to elevator… Leaving Finn alone to lie in wait for Pebble to move.
It wouldn’t take long. At least that's what he's hoping. By this point, Finn is tired. He’s willing to admit it. All he wants to do is get back in that elevator once this machine is done.. so he can tell Glisten he’s fine and crack a few jokes to lighten the mood and ease the stress that’s been this floor.
He wanted to get back to the safety of the upper floors and flop onto his bed before he inevitably couldn’t sleep. Which by then he’d sheepishly navigate to Glisten’s room and see if he could stay the night in there. Yeah, that sounds nice. Glisten might not even want to leave him alone for the rest of the night anyways, so it’ll work out.
Things will be fine, right?
Pebble finally moved as Finn was zoning out, thinking of Glisten and getting this all over with. He snapped back into focus as Pebble growled, stomping away from the room which had the last machine. Peeking out of the nook to see how far away the rock was, Finn made a mad dash for the last machine once a safe distance away. Finally, this nightmare floor would be behind them.
—
Back at the elevator, Glisten and Rodger sat against a pile of crates just off to the side, providing a nice hiding spot. Occasionally the two toons peeked over to see if Pebble, or Sprout, was coming. Part of Glisten had been hoping that Finn would magically appear, unscathed and totally fine. So he’d be lying if he said that seeing Sprout appear didn’t disappoint him.
As Sprout ducked behind the crates, Rodger looked at him expectantly. The arrival of Sprout without Finn surely meant that he was on last. But the last machine should have been done by now, if Sprout was here.
So what’s the hold up?
After looking over the crates anxiously, Sprout finally spoke up, “Finn’s not quite on last, but he should be soon..”
“… you left him?” Glisten asked, clearly upset with the decision, an accusatory tone slipped out without any thought.. How could Sprout leave him like that? What if Finn needed healing and Sprout wasn’t there?
“He’ll be fine, it was him who wanted me to head back already. I trust that he’ll get back here safe.” Sprout sighed and leaned his back against the crates. “Pebble wouldn’t move, so he wanted me to get back to elevator in case Pebble moved to a bad spot while I got back.
Glisten wasn’t entirely satisfied with that answer. But he’d drop it. This wasn’t something worth arguing over. He’d have to tell Finn how upset this little stunt of his made him feel once they got back. And then of course, Finn would say a couple bad puns, they’d both laugh, and everything would okay again.
A tense silence fell between the three, waiting for Finn to finish the machine. Minutes went by without anything, and then suddenly…
PING
Finn had finally completed the machine. Rodger, Sprout and Glisten scrambled to stand up, immediately making a dash for the elevator which shuddered open. As they all clambered inside, Glisten turned around and scanned the halls for Finn.
It took an agonizing amount of time for Finn to finally show up, dashing down the middle hall. Glisten almost let out a sigh of relief, he’d be safe soon after all.
At least until Pebble rounded the corner behind Finn and spotted him. The twisted snarled, then barked as he began to chase after Finn. Fuck. This can’t be happening- this can’t…
“GLISTEN-!” Finn screamed, voice frantic. Pebble was right on his tail, lunging towards Finn. The elevator was so close yet so far away.
Glisten dropped the bag he had, ready to run for Finn. But as soon as he was about to take off, Rodger wrapped his arms around Glistens and held him back.
“Glisten- are you insane?” Rodgers' voice was bordering on a shout, almost causing Glisten to flinch.
“Rodger-! We have to help him!” He tried to yank his arm away, a futile struggle. Glisten looked back at Finn. He can’t let him just-
Another set of arms wrapped around Glisten. Sprout looked at him with a conflicted expression, torn between wanting to help Finn and realistically knowing it’d just get all of them hurt. He can’t let that happen.
Glisten’s heart beat impossibly loud in his chest, causing his ears to ring and muffle the other toon’s voices as tears began to form in his eyes. Finn- fuck. No, no no no. This can’t be real. All he could do was watch in horror as Finn tripped and fell to the ground, water spilling out of his head.
Pebble skidded to a halt, barking. He lifted a paw, and stomped down on Finn’s upper half. The toon shouted in pain as the sickening sound of crunching glass and bones reached the elevator. Glisten wanted to look away. He couldn’t watch as the once sweet Pebble mauled Finn.
Yet He couldn’t bring himself to pull his gaze from Finn. His beloved, idiotic, yet so endearing, Finn.
The next thing that happened would haunt Glisten forever.
Pebble grabbed Finn’s lower half in his mouth, and then tore his legs and tail clean off. The sound of bones and flesh being torn apart assaulted his senses. Finn let out a scream that sounded so agonized that it was enough to be etched into Glisten’s memory. Ichor pooled below Finn, and with it came the nauseating smell of ink and chemicals.
“FINN-“ The name tore itself from Glisten’s mouth as he tried to lunge forward to escape Rodger and Sprouts grasp. Their hold too firm, Glisten could only struggle to break free. All he could do was watch Pebble shake Finn’s lower half from side to side like a chew toy.
Finn clawed at the floor, trying to drag himself out from under Pebble’s hold, despite how futile it was. Tears had begun to fall down his face, ichor spilling out of his mouth. He tried to speak, but all that came out was coughs and ichor. Rodger and Sprout had to look away, they couldn’t bear to see someone who had tried to keep things as positive as possible like this.
Suddenly, the elevator shuddered shut, and as it did, Glisten heard Finn scream his name one last time between coughs. Finn was gone. Not dead, just… Gone. With the elevator now shut, Roder and Sprout finally let go of Glisten, who instantly stumbled to the door and banged his fist against it.
“NO!! BRING HIM BACK!” Glisten slammed his fist against the elevator door with each word, his voice frantic and devastated. The mirror's throat felt raw as sobs tore their way out of him, tears freely falling onto the floor as he let out an anguished scream.
There was no bringing Finn back. No more awful fish puns, or late night conversations at the aquarium… No more Finn. A hole opened up inside of Glisten’s heart, aching and mournful.
A few more sobs left Glisten’s mouth as he slid onto the floor, head against the elevator door. His hand shakily followed, limply falling onto the ground. It’d been abused enough, doing so wouldn’t bring him back.
Silence had filled the elevator, so much so that the groans from the building seemed louder. No one wanted to talk. While Sprout and Rodger were never the closest to Finn, it was still devastating to lose him. As annoying as the constant puns were, the lighthearted nature of them made things a little less tense.
Despite the silence, words needed to be said.
“Glisten,” Rodger started, kneeling down beside Glisten, “there was nothing that could have been done to save him.” he placed a hand on his back. A comforting gesture.
Glisten barely spared him a glance, “…I could’ve pulled Pebble away and then use my ability to get back into elevator..” the slight cracks to his words made it painfully obvious that Glisten’s mind was heavy with what he’d just seen. With what he’d lost. He wanted to deny the grim, helpless reality of the situation. To tell himself that he could’ve helped, and if–
Rodger scoffed, “nonsense! We both know you’re not nearly fast enough for that. And your ability can’t always save you.” the magnifying glass was stern, however he was right.
Tension began to form in the elevator. Glisten wanted to tell Rodger that he was wrong. That he could have helped if they hadn’t held him back. Anger, frustration, and inadequacy began to swirl inside of Glisten, a feeling often accompanied by his self-perceived failures. He didn’t know who or what he was mad at. Himself, maybe? Or possibly even fate?
“We still could have tried, Rodger! There- we-” Glisten snapped at Rodger, a sharp bite to his words. He shoved away the man's hand, now fully facing him. “If it’d been Toodles in Finn’s place, you’d want to do the same as I!”
Glisten regretted his words immediately when he saw Rodger’s eye twitch and shift into an angry glare. Bringing Toodles in was a dirty tactic. But he was hurt, angry, and didn’t want to accept that nothing could have been done to at least try helping Finn.
He didn’t want to accept Finn’s “death”.
It was then that Sprout spoke up, “Glisten we get that he meant a lot to you, but—“ Sprout was barely able to push himself off the elevator wall to get closer to Glisten before he was cut off.
“No! You don’t get it! Neither of you do!” Glisten stood up, his hands tightly balled in fists as he slammed his right hand against the elevator door. The mirror turned around to face Sprout before continuing, angry and frustrated.
“I didn’t get to tell Finn that- that I loved him! Or how much he really meant to me!” The confession which was always meant for Finn flowed out effortlessly in his anguish. His voice cracked, and a lump began to form in his throat yet again. The thought that he’d never hear it himself tore Glisten apart.
He should have told Finn sooner. Maybe then the stupid, loveable fishbowl would have been more cautious if he knew just how much Glisten loved him.
Rodger huffed and fixed the cuffs of his sleeve, smoothing them out, “Your anger and frustration is understandable, but don’t take it out on us– and don’t bring Toodles into this. It has nothing to do with her. You know better, Glisten.” His voice was more cold than it usually was, as if he were scolding Glisten. Which, to be fair, he was.
Sprout nodded in agreement, and all Glisten could do was bite his tongue. Of course he knew better, but emotions ran high in Glisten and he hadn’t been thinking, and still wasn’t in a way. But he kept his mouth shut, shuffling into a corner of the elevator to sulk for the rest of the ride back.. He hoped Finn was okay, a futile attempt at telling himself that this is fine.
—
Darkness, the overwhelming smell of ichor, and the painful sensation of having his legs being torn off was all Finn could focus on between his thoughts. Shortly after the elevator door had closed, Pebble lost interest and stomped away once he’d lost the strength to struggle. Leaving the fish bowl to spill ichor and lay there in agony.
He doesn’t know when, but at some point he’d dragged himself away and leaned against some crates in a dark corner. Or had the lights already gone out? Finn doesn’t know, nor does he remember. The once water filled bowl had become mixed with ichor, around him was a trail and pooling of ichor from where he’d been.
‘ I should have been more careful. I shouldn’t have rushed back to elevator so carelessly. ’
‘Shoulds’ and ‘what ifs’ had been swirling around his thoughts since he’d been left alone. Finn’s thoughts always managed to circle back to Glisten and his face when the elevator shut. Each time, he’d feel a pang of distress and sorrow. He let him down. Not just Glisten, but everyone else, too.
Fate was cruel. This situation was cruel. All of this was plain awful.
Yet there was nothing that could be done. But what hurt most was that he never got to say that he loved Glisten. At this point it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that they both had mutual feelings for each other–at least he thought so anyways–but neither toon had actually verbally said the words to each other.
Maybe he should just say it, before he went twisted. He wasn’t yet, but at the edges of his mind, Finn could feel it happening. Slowly it was like he was losing autonomy, a loud ringing that’d surely consume his senses any moment.
“ This is stupid… ” Finn muttered between pain that came in waves, inhaling sharply when another wave of it crashed through his system, tears mixed with ichor welling up. “ But… but I’ve always loved you, Glisten. ” It felt cathartic to be saying these words. Though they were always meant for Glisten to hear himself, he hoped that somehow… it’d reach the mirror. That somehow, Glisten could feel the love he had for him.
And just like that, Finn’s consciousness slipped away, and what was left was no longer him. Instead, it was a mindless twisted.