Chapter Text
Three years after winning Total Drama: Pahkitew Island, Shawn can definitely say his life changed for the better.
Which is surprising, considering Chris Mclain is the type of person who prides himself on the total humiliation and pain of his contestants. Not many former contestants can even look back on their time on Total Drama with even fond memories, but for him- all he can think of is the total jackpot he managed to hit.
Right after he won the show and he was allowed all his personal items back, he remembers the absolute bombardement he had experienced from his family, so many missed calls left on his phone.
Probably the most attention he’s ever gotten from them ever since he left to play in the reality show in the first place.
Though he didn't really ever respond back to it at the time because he was too busy cuddling with Jasmine in the back of the helicopter. But man, never in a million years would he think he would be able to win, let alone get himself a girlfriend in the process!
Jasmine, a girl straight outta fantasy: beautifully Australian, strong and super tall enough to carry a guy like him. Not to mention she didn’t find his zombie obsession all that bad, sure there were some moments she would tell him to “tone it down”, but it’s not his fault!
In one of the few times he actually goes out to the grocery store, that old lady he saw at the checkout was practically lifeless, like a zombie! Of course he was gonna freak out and tell everyone, sure he’d ruined a few products in the process but it’s not like he’s hurting on any cash for paying it all back- not when he’s sporting a far amount of what he’s previously had.
Total Drama also made him semi famous, which was flattering at first with the win still fresh in his mind, but now he finds it bothersome. Apparently, when you practically show to the whole world you have a slight zombie obsession you make yourself a good target for pranks on the internet. Though jokes on them, he doesn’t even spend much time on the internet, not with all those false lies spewing on there. Plus in general he doesn’t really leave much from the confines in his home to be subjected to the public.
Either way, fate has decided to bless him with the ultimate apocalypse partner and at the rate they're going with 3 years, it seems like they're in it all the way. So far their long distance relationship consisted of Shawn occasionally visiting her and long hours spent video calling. But more of Shawn visiting Jasmine, the power she had making him feel completely home in a place foreign to him was warming.
Honestly though, It’s new- he’s not used to going out so much away from his home, but Jasmine just has this aura around her to compel Shawn to apparently move outside his comfort zone or hell, even try new things he never thought of doing! Last year, Jasmine had him out in Australia to visit some local wildlife center, then that same day they were visiting some place called the “Royal Botanic Garden” to see flowers.
Which he’ll admit the place was very beautiful, but he was far more distracted by Jasmine herself to really take it all in. Just seeing her whole face light up as she gushed about some random flower he never heard about till now, paired with the whole scenery- that really got him going.
Anyways, by now with half a million dollars he’s completely upgraded his home out in the woods. Before it used to look like a full blown junkyard with the amount of stuff he hoardered over the years from his efforts to fortify his home, but with his prize money he can confidently say that it’s improved, of course with a few modifications..
He hasn’t said anything to her yet, but lately he’s been “changing” at least that’s what his therapist had said. Though he wouldn’t really call it that- he’s just been fixing a few things just in case the apocalypse happens and Jasmine needs a place to stay.
So of course his once one-person house had to be made for two, which includes: cleaning up around the house and moving all his piled up clothes into an actual home within his drawers, removing all the stacks of newspaper on the tables to somewhere else, toning down a few of his security features just so Jasmine doesn’t accidentally set it off. He’s also purchased a few gardening kits after Jasmine excitedly sent him a video about her Golden Wattles’ finally growing, which maybe, just maybe- inspired him to start a garden of his own back home.
Okay, the last one isn’t really relevant to what he’s talking about, but whatever! He’s changing, he’ll admit, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to stop his lifestyle.
He’s not used to the change, in fact he hates it when he can’t adapt to things out of control, especially when it’s something completely out of his depth, pretty much everything not zombie related. In the past he’d viewed these things as worthless to focus on because in the end it’ll be irreverent once the apocalypse starts, he was practically ready to solo the end of the world.
But with Jasmine, ever since he met her, he can’t help but to admit that she’s made him see more than just waiting for the inevitable. It's not so scary to change when it’s with her and one day she’ll be there with- no, to see it from him.
So yeah.
Definitely not because he’s hoping one day she’ll move in with him, definitely..
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“Monroe?”
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“Shawn Monroe?
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“Shawn J. Monroe?” a loud voice spoke, snapping him out from his reminiscing. It was the tired florist worker, and from the look of annoyance on his face it probably meant he was calling his name a couple times with no avail.
Which to be honest is true- he kinda dazed out in the line waiting for the flowers he pre-purchased for Jasmine. Though he only spaced out because of some crazy turn of events where the line at the florist shop was just bustling today.
Who would've thought the place would be packed the day he decides to try to actually get Jasmine something nice!
If only Shawn had actually planned this out earlier he wouldn’t be rushing things. Just last month Jasmine surprised Shawn with a purchased ticket she had to Canada which Shawn was thrilled to see at the moment. But with the next words that came out her mouth after showing him the ticket, quickly twisted the excitement to anxiety.
“Look at this Shawn! Just got a ticket to Canada!” She waves the ticket far too fast for him to catch, but the blurry info on the ticket made it recognizable no less. “I cannot wait to spend a whole month with you Shawn!” Her eyes were gleaming and the smile was absolutely dangerous- she knew what she was doing.
So here he is attempting to find a last minute gift for her before she arrives at the airport. In reality he did have a whole 2 weeks to prepare for it, which he attempted! But most of that went like: planning, to freaking out, to planning, to freaking out, planning..
Yeah…He wasn’t that worried, Jasmine had visited Canada plenty of times, but that’s only been with Jasmine staying at a hotel and carefully planned dates that in no way shape or form led her to staying no less than mere hours at his house.
But Jasmine, like always, was breaking him outta his mold.
“Oh, uh yeah thanks” he stutters out, adding a “sorry” at the end before handing him two fifties. The worker hands him the bundle of flowers. If there's one thing he learned from Jasmine about flowers is that they are very expensive.
Sprouting out in a bow adorned glass container were a mix of yellow roses with yellow daisies, white daisies and green leaves. It was small but bountiful, just the right amount he could afford.
Heading out with thanks to the cashier, he left the establishment and quickly headed to his car. Once inside he secured the flower towards the front seat as best as he could, which consisted of him wrapping up the seat belt several times around the pot.
With a click of the seat belt in place, he pulls out his phone to check his timing before pulling out of the driveway and heading to the store.
Shawn never really considers himself a good driver, but he’ll admit he tends to speed past the recommended amount and possibly breaks a few traffic laws, which extends to pulling out his phone to text when the roads aren’t so busy.
⚘.·:¨ ¨:·.✼ —- Messenger —- ✼.·:¨ ¨:·.⚘
Jan 13 9:56 PM
[Jasmine ❀]: Love youuu <3
[Jasmine ❀]: Sent_PNG:cat-kissing-gif
Today at Jan 14 10:32 AM
[Shawn]: So how far along are you?
[Shawn]: What time do you expect your plane to land?
[Jasmine ❀]: The flight attendant said bout’ one more hour before I arrive, maybe 11 something before I come.
[Shawn]: Fr?
[Jasmine ❀]: Yeah, excited? I know I am, all I've been thinking ‘bout is seeing your face again in person.
[Shawn]: Me too.
[Shawn]: As in the last part
[Shawn]: But im also excited for you to be here.
[Shawn] In Canada.
[Jasmine ❀]: You sound nervous, me coming ain’t stressing you out is it? :(
[Shawn]: No no, im fine. Perfectly fine. How would you even know I’m nervous on text anyway lol.
[Shawn]: But no one on the plane is giving you trouble are they?
[Jasmine ❀]: Nahhh, not really. I mean some dag recognized me from Total Drama, but that’s about it..
[Jasmine ❀]: Though my neighbor, she’s a real crook!
[Shawn]: Dag?
^[Jasmine ❀]: he was a nerd.
[Jasmine ❀]: Spent a good half of the flight moaning and bitching to our poor FA. But once night hits, the old hag sleeps like a freaking cactus, bit scary- now I see why you are always so dodgy around old ppl lol.
[Jasmine ❀]: She’s sleeping rn tho, but I can’t even tell if she’s alive.
[Shawn]: Well yeah! You gotta be careful around people of that age Jasmine, you never know they’re gonna turn! Atp there just a ticking timer down to their doom.
[Shawn]: What’s her skin look like?
[Shawn]: Does she have gray skin? Yk other signs of zombification are glazed eyes, loss of function, decomposition and primitive speech.
[Shawn]: If you ever hear them start groaning or moaning as they start to wake up- she's a goner!!
[Jasmine ❀]: I think she just groaned right now 0.0
[Shawn]: Jasmine?
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[Shawn]: JASMINE?
[Jasmine ❀]: Shawn, relax. I’m perfectly fine, the old lady probs just buggered out from all her complaining.
[Shawn]: Sureee…
[Jasmine ❀]: Lmao, Shawn plz..
[Jasmine ❀]: I’ll call you once it hits 11 and update you on my time, okay love?
[Jasmine ❀]: Shawn?
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[Jasmine ❀]: Look, I'm sooo grateful to have such a cute, caring, handsome, zombie-obsessed boyfriend always looking out for me <3
[Shawn]: Well someone has to..
[Shawn]: Sent_PNG:rolling-eyes-gif
⚘.·:¨ ¨:·.✼ —-—- ✼.·:¨ ¨:·.⚘
His entrance into his home was no less grateful than him carrying the buttload of groceries he purchased, but the baking that was about to conspire? Absolutely heavenly in comparison.
Before everything: before Total Drama, and even before his obsession with the undead, Shawn has always had a long passion for baking. From biscuits, brownies, tarts, cupcakes, pies, cakes and really anything he could find a recipe on.
Baking for some reason has a calming effect on him like no other hobby, quelling away those scared thoughts and the restless anxiety he feels under his skin everyday. Once he’s in the groove of baking it never stops and it just so happens that Jasmine's arrival makes the perfect timing for some sweets like cinnamon cookies. Specifically his mother’s cinnamon cookies.
Like clockwork, Shawn was quick to get to work. Two pans and sheets for start: one batch for him and another for Jasmine, as he had no doubt Jasmine would love his mother’s cinnamon cookies. They are beloved by most of his own family and was a five time winner for his local cookie competition, Shawn hasn’t met a single person who didn’t like them!
He starts from scratch and moves through the steps to make the dough effortless, it’s like another person has taken the place of Shawn. No longer was he Shawn the zombie survivalist, he was now Shawn Monroe, the beanie baker boy. As he bakes, memories resurface of his own mom back then, gently showing him the steps to make her infamous cookies.
Shawn’s mother was the one to introduce him to baking. When he was a kid he wasn’t always like the others: spent too much time inside his own room than a regular kid did at his age, scared too easily and far too dependent on his mother.
His mom thought that maybe baking could be just the hobby to break him out of his shell, which it did for a brief period. Shawn took to baking like a duck in water and got so far with it that he even tried to pursue it as a career at one point.
Of course all good things eventually end.
Shawn’s mother got sick with a sickness that never seemed to get quite better, and sooner or later he was attending her funeral before he even hit 18.
It was also at this time that he found himself into the world of a survivalist, as he’s discovering the horrifying truth that the world was bound for doom. And with that, like the scared kid Shawn was really deep down, anything zombie related became the subject Shawn’s life revolved around.
So with a newfound passion, baking no longer really mattered. As only surviving and preparing for the zombie apocalypse was the real importance, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten his roots.
He honed the skill even further since her passing, spent a good few years working in a cake shop, decorating clients' cakes and used to occasionally donate his baked goods to whatever local charity that had an event. Not to mention his family, while hesitant- would call him here or there asking if he could bake them a cake or something when a party was coming up. Of course, they’d never ask him to come over, or even see if he would at least want to deliver the cake himself. They don’t “trust him”.
But it’s whatever, it’s not like he needs them, or particularly misses them.
Sure maybe before Jasmine, he lived alone in his house, isolated with limited social interaction unless necessary. But that’s just a result of the survivalist lifestyle, being alone in the zombie apocalypse is most ideal! So what if he gets a little depressed because of how lonely he is or how sometimes he can’t help but to cry a little when his niece wails over the phone about how much she misses her “uncle Shawn”.
But that’s just how it is.
To survive.
True survival is succeeding on your own, no family or relation ties to hold you down. You can only rely on yourself as others are bound to either: be nothing but deadweight, or eventually be bitten.
He’s cautious around people because you never know when they're bound to turn, he lives away from everyone else because living in a populated place is a disaster for zombies to overcrowd him.
He stays away from everyone because they think he’s crazy, but he’s not. They’re the one crazy for not preparing, for being aware of their eventual doom.
That's what he believes.
At least, that’s what he used to think back then.
“SLAM”
With a shut to the oven, the cookies were in and all he needed was to wait.
Exhausted, he moves to the couch in the separated area of the living room/kitchen, doing a full body flop onto the newly decorated couch where he purchased a throw blanket. His beanie falls downward enough to mask his eyes, but still seeable.
Jasmine often talked to him about watching movies together snuggled up on some blanket just like in those “cheesy” movies, which Shawn didn’t really understand since he never watched any romance movies unless the movie he was watching included it. But he purchased it anyway in hopes of recreating it.
With that, Shawn has done about everything he planned in preparation for Jasmine's stay. He thoroughly cleaned out his house and even tweaked a few things in favor for Jasmine, he got Jasmine some flowers and as of now is now awaiting for the cookies to be done.
Bored out of his mind, he opens up a certain muted group chat.
♛⋆｡˚ —- Pahkitew Survivors!!! —- ˚｡⋆♛
Today at Jan 13 11:20 AM
[On1yAmy <3]: Holy shit, how am I being beaten by fucking Leonard in Crazy 8, Wtf..
[EasyyyHillbilly]: Man, I rly suck at these game :(((
[@_TheToph]: This was like the third time in a ROW! How are we letting this man win????
[TheGreatLARPER]: Simply my friend! I have casted the greatest spell where I've been blessed by the holy goddess- Lady Luck herself! :wand-emoji: :clover-emoji:
^[Crydavey]: Dude shut upppp.
[Crydavey]: Lowkey, I'm sick of this game alr. :tired-face-emoji:
[@_TheToph]: Yeah, ima head off guys. Gotta head to my next audition *yawnnn*.
[Crydavey]: :rolling-eyes-emoji:
[On1yAmy <3]: Agreeable, I’m done with this game. Ts is so stupid, ughhh.
[EasyyyHillbilly]: Uh I gotta go help wit my mom so ill be leaving.
[TheGreatLARPER]: Farewell my comrades!
[SkyHigh]: Guys you’ve been texting since 8 AM, aren’t y’all tired?
[Crydavey]: Yes and no.
[TheGreatLARPER]: I’m never tired when more adventure awaits us!
[On1yAmy <3]: Ugh, has it rly been that long?
[NoiseMaker]: Well y'all yapping is annoying, some of us gotta sleep too -_-.
^[On1yAmy <3]: It’s literally passed 11, if your sleeping through that your a fucking bum.
[Crydavey]: That’s not how the word is used btw…
^[On1yAmy <3]: Shut up.
[EvilllOverlord]: There’s also the fact- that SOME of us have important WORK TO DO!!
[On1yAmy <3]: You shut up as well.
[Crydavey]: Dude, your “work” is literally just failed scheming..
[On1yAmy <3]: True lol.
[EvilllOverlord]: Take. That. Back. Or you will face pain beyond what you can imagine.
[Ellaaaa]: Can I join in the phone games as well or is it too late?
♛⋆｡˚ —-—- ˚｡⋆♛
Already looking at the chat, he suppresses a groan of annoyance and opts for a roll of his eyes.
Should he even text something in here?
One message in this chat could lead into some hour long arguments on some stupid topic, based on Shawn's own past experiences. He could just ignore them as usual, he doesn’t really interact much in the group chat unless some of the people he’s close with is there, like: Jasmine, Samey, Sky or even Dave. But then again, Jasmine always said he needed to keep in contact with the people who went through the same experiences on TD, which he can agree to some degree.
Since the end of Total Drama, there’s been some unspoken bond formed within the group he participated with. His therapist suggested that it’s some “shared trauma” or something, and honestly he can see that considering most of the time in the group chat they’re reminiscing about their horrible time on the show or hating on Chris.
♛⋆｡˚ —- Pahkitew Survivors!!! —- ˚｡⋆♛
Jan 13 11:21 AM
[NoiseMaker]: Yo, Shawn is that you I see online? What uppp
[ZOMBIES!?]: Unfortunately yeah..
[On1yAmy <3]: Oh great, another annoying person here.
[Sam:)y]: Shawn!
[Ellaaaa]: Good day Shawn :)
[TheGreatLARPER]: Hello!
[Crydavey]: Hey Shawn
[NoiseMaker]: How’s it goin with Jas and you?
[ZOMBIES!?]: Pretty good as usual, but Jasmine's gonna be crashing over at my house for a month. So that’s a thing :shrug-emoji:.
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[On1yAmy <3]: No fucking shot.
[NoiseMaker]: Ayeee
[SkyHigh]: No way!
[Crydavey]: Wowwww.. :rolling-eyes-emoji:
[Sam:)y]: Sent_PNG:anime-girl-in-awe
[Sam:)y]: I knew it!! Jasmine has been all giddy these past days and I could not figure out why. I’m so happy for y’all guys!!
^[On1yAmy <3]: Relax jesus, no need to be so excited about it, damn.
[TheGreatLARP]: What an exhilarating surprise! This causes for a great toast among peers!
[Crydavey]: it’s not all that exciting..
[SkyHigh]: Ooo, I remember spending that long with my boyfriend back then, I was soo nervous, but excited. yk- sooner or later it’ll be yall moving in together :eyes-emoji:.
[Crydavey]: …..
[NoiseMaker]: Dude don’t even start this
[SkyHigh]: Dave..
[Crydavey]: I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING??
[SkyHigh]: Look Dave, we tried. But time after time again it’s clear we don’t work, you can literally watch the tapes again when we competed if you need a reminder.
[Crydavey]: Oh trust me, I've gotten PLENTY of reminders.
[On1yAmy <3]: Crybaby Dave at it again lmaoo
[Crydavey]: Oh please, you of all people shouldn’t be talking, but if you wanna go we can talk about that bitchy attitude of yours.
[TheGreatLARP]: Yikes.
[On1yAmy <3]: LISTEN HERE YOU-
♛⋆｡˚ —-—- ˚｡⋆♛
Yeah that’s enough of that group chat.
His phone rings endlessly of notifications- no doubt Amy and Dave arguing. For his sake, he shuts his ringer off for the chat. There’s better things to worry about, like how far Jasmine is to landing.
Jasmine hasn’t texted him that she’s landed yet, but.. He checks his watch-
[ 11:23 AM ]
It’s past eleven and she promised to call once it hit that hour, nor is he really sure how much left Jasmine has before she lands. Maybe he should leave and head to the airport now? No, if he arrives early then he’ll just be stuck waiting in the crowd. Airport crowd.. Ugh.
But, early is better than late, no?
Plus, Shawn really wants to surprise Jasmine when she walks down the baggage claim. When their eyes meet and he gets to see how bright they light up, feel his chest pounding in excitement before Jasmine comes running towards him and sweeps him off his feet. Then absolutely smothering him in kisses while he attempts to hold her gifts.
That would be amazing.
So he makes a decision, pulling out his phone he brings up his and Jasmine chat, shooting her a quick text:
[ “Hey, you said you’d call at 11. Wya now?”.]
He moves to drop his phone as likely that she’s busy, but Jasmine replies instantly:
[“Sorry!! Kinda got distracted on the plane, but we should be landing at 11:30!”]
He gets up instantly.
11:30.
Cookies take about ten minutes to bake and the drive to the airport is easily another ten minutes, plus another five minutes trying to get through the entire crowd of people. It’ll be close but he can make it for sure, after all the plane lands at eleven thirty, but that just means it lands not everything else that transpires like the unloading, the passengers filling out and getting baggage.
Even knowing Jasmine herself will be heading just as quick as him to leave, since she has no clue Shawn will be there for her. Sitting up on the couch, he fixes his lowered beanie back in tight place.
This is nothing, Shawn can make it on time and beat Jasmine herself. He’ll just have to speed slightly a bit on the road this time, again..