Chapter Text
Higgs finished scanning in the last page of the book. He closed it and walked over to place it back on the shelf. It wasn’t unlike Heartman’s old home, though this one was far more spacious. There were plenty more rooms for artistic collections and old books. The one Higgs had put away had been found up in the far northern regions within a country they hadn’t even known to exist during the Death Stranding.
What a journey that had been. It had been Higgs’ first since…
Well, since the end.
Not long after the storm that nearly encompassed all had disappeared, the timefall had stopped. BT sightings became rarer and rarer, like the Beach was slipping from their world and back into its own. The chiral crystals remained. They seemed to continually grow where the hands from the other side reached up, but no more patches formed as no new timefall or BTs created new sites.
The twins and Heartman had their theories on it. The world was evolving, forming anew as it healed from extinction. Only instead of an ice wall slowly melting and receding, the Beach was receding from them. Would the evolutionary traits that had sprung up in humanity remain? Was that the next step for the species? Abilities of DOOMS and repatriation? Further proof of the specie’s ability to adapt to new environments? Even those of another quantum, physical plane?
Answering those questions wasn’t Higgs’ area.
There was no telling exactly how life would evolve from this point as nothing concrete would likely be seen within their lifetime. Only further models and theories could possibly predict what would remain in a hundred years, what might become more prevalent, and what might disappear altogether. At least it allowed plenty of work for the scientists and researchers out there.
And with timefall and BTs no longer threats, more and more people were coming out of their bunkers. They were building more than just shelters. That didn’t mean hesitancy had disappeared too. Some feared the break in timefall was only temporary. Even Målingen and Lockne couldn’t prove it would never come back.
Unlike many, Higgs didn’t hold the same fear though.
He couldn’t fully explain it. Not with the numbers and tests the twins relied on. But something inside Higgs told him. Faith was the closest word he could attach to it. Faith in Cliff, the events of the past. Even faith in Amelie in a weird way. The memory of her was no longer so painful. Once, those eyes had haunted him. Bits of red bleeding in mixed with pain and death and finality.
But he had come to terms with it. He was living a life that wasn’t necessarily his but was one that had been gifted to him. It allowed him to do more, to try more, and considering it hadn’t originally been his, Higgs especially valued the time he now had. Each moment he had to make the most of and living in what had happened was possibly the most worthless thing he could do for his family.
So Higgs had healed. He had moved on, and all the while Sam had continued his work. Deliveries still had to be made, even more so as the increased building meant even more materials and tools needed to be transported. Then the directive from the president came to try and expand the chiral network further. Once, hundreds of countries had been connected throughout the world. Now they only knew of their own.
It had been time to reach out again. The same could have been said for Higgs. He had thought himself ready, to join Fragile and Sam once more.
But the journey had not brought him into an old job. It had brought something new.
Higgs’ eyes went over the other books on Heartman’s shelf. They were split up between scanned and unscanned, but they would eventually just be organized alphabetically by author. If the books had a recorded author. Now came the more trying part as Higgs turned back to the terminal. He pulled up the books he had managed to scan that day. Thankfully, the programs Heartman had formulated did most of the work, but it was always good to go over it with a human eye to ensure everything was labeled correctly.
There was a method now too. One that Higgs had culminated over many days such as this one, but he could still remember that first written work.
The text had been found up north, shown on good faith when Higgs had mentioned his interest in history. The owner had said what a shame it was such words, once easily accessible, were only available to those that might own a copy. And from that? The idea had sprung forth.
Delivering goods, being a porter, it had been done because there really hadn’t been much else. It had been done to stay close to Cliff and Sam. It had been done as something to do and as a way to get out. But now the world was changing. Society was coming out of its set holes and carefully crafted shelters. Higgs had been gifted moments. Moments to take advantage of and cherish, so why not spend them not just with his family, but doing what he’d always enjoyed?
Sam had chosen to still deliver. The long, silent journeys having always been ingrained in him as something to enjoy and cherish all his own. He and Fragile still worked hard, now not just within the UCA but up north too. Maybe they would even try to bridge down past South Knot City. Or even over the ocean to Capital Knot’s east. One day.
And while they did, Higgs had turned to work with Heartman. He collected texts and helped to input them into the chiral network. Heartman and other scientists within the chiral network utilized the information to further their theories and research. Higgs had even added the old book of Chinese tales the twins’ parents had gotten him for a birthday, long ago. It had been particularly enjoyable watching Heartman pick apart the mythos, catching onto the possible ties to the Beach and the further evidence of the Beach having existed closely with their world before.
Heartman was actually busy writing up a paper based on some of the texts Higgs had recently pulled, just a few rooms over. If Higgs felt like it, he might see how it was going to take a break from his own work. He enjoyed his job, but it could be time consuming and breaks were always welcomed. He could, of course, have done it at home thanks to the chiral network. However, he enjoyed Heartman’s company just as well, and sometimes being surrounded by the children was more troublesome when he was trying to focus no matter how much Higgs enjoyed them.
It was a mostly simple life. The fears of before had faded over the years. They cropped up now and again, but Higgs knew how to handle those thoughts now. Most of the time, he could just completely move past them. But if they lingered?
He simply had to wait to see a piece of his heart and the fear stilled again. Whether it be Sam, the children, the twins, even Heartman to an extent, it didn’t matter. Higgs simply needed them. He could rely on them.
With those final thoughts, Higgs put his full attention into the files. His eyes combed through them meticulously. This time, the work was more scientific in nature. It wasn’t something Higgs understood as well as plain history. Bits and pieces could still be followed though and the works could certainly make for interesting conversation starters with Heartman or the twins.
Higgs continued on for several hours.
He took a break, cleaning up his lunch and checking in on Heartman. Then another moment of work, just over two hours, and he was done. Higgs stretched just as Heartman walked in.
“I’ve decided to call it a day. Best to sleep on my work before writing up a proper conclusion to the results. And you?”
“Done,” sighed Higgs. “Almost five years of this, so many damn books, and yet I’ll probably never be out of a job.”
“Yes. I suppose that’s a comfort for you. A shame for myself, but being able to process and understand all the works of the world would be quite a ridiculous goal as well. Even if they were all in front of me now rather than waiting to be found.”
“Hey, we’re laying the groundwork for whoever comes next. Got to be comfort in that.”
“Very true. I suppose I’ll see you the day after tomorrow?”
Higgs nodded. “Sam should be back this afternoon. We’re planning to take the kids out on a hike.”
“He’s staying for several days. Right? You can take off more than one day off if you like.”
“Figured I’d let him have a day with the kids. He doesn’t get the chance as often as I do. Besides, there’s a book on the list I’ve really been excited to get my hands on.”
Heartman let out a light chuckle. “Understood. Give my regards to the others then. And I sent over a list I’d like Fragile to take out with her next time. Some of the equipment is quite vital.”
“I’ll make sure she gets it.”
“Thank you.”
And with that, Higgs gave one final stretch before stepping forward and into his own home.
Jumping again had taken a lot of courage. For a while, he’d associated it with all that had happened. With Amelie and death. But he’d eventually seen it as what it had always been, a tool. When he had first woken up, he’d been able to tell that the connection was still there. It had been like whatever had happened between him and Amelie, whatever had brought him back, had ripped that part of him wide open. No longer did he need to recharge or connect to the dead. That part of him was always accessible. He’d been afraid to use it because of that. Afraid that something could return, pull him back in, that he wouldn’t truly be himself anymore.
But the nightmares were gone.
The events were in the past.
And it was far more effective being able to jump to work and back to Middle Knot rather than the long journey that would have ensued.
Fragile had also retained her abilities. It made the time it took Sam to come home far shorter than when Higgs and Sam had been little, waiting for Cliff’s week- or month-long journeys. Other abilities that there were records of, repatriates and oddities associated with DOOMS, still seemed to be retained by the owner. At least that’s what the twins had found. The Beach may have been receding, but it had left an undeniable mark on humanity and only time would tell if those marks faded or not.
Higgs walked down the front hall of his home and into the kitchen. Though it had been decided that Middle Knot would remain their home, he and Sam had chosen to move outwards like many of the other inhabitants. The city was evolving, changing and growing. It had felt natural to move along with it. Besides, with the kids still living with them, they had needed the extra space.
Bethe was the first one Higgs spotted. His eyes briefly flickered to the younger ones, but they were distracted with drawing at the table.
His eyes moved back to Bethe. She was bent over the kitchen sink, washing something off her face. She’d grown quite a bit and was already as tall as Sam. Even though Higgs and her were biologically cousins, the similarities between them had increased as she had grown. It made them feel all the more like siblings.
The older she had gotten, the more Higgs and Sam had encouraged her to find her own thing. If she ever wished to move out, they would support that too. Talking about it could be difficult though. Even in his short time with her, Cliff had been far more of a father figure. Sam too, felt more like an older sibling and it made some of the serious conversations more awkward and difficult because of it. But Bethe was a good kid and Higgs loved her so much.
At least, she was usually a good kid as she finally turned around. What she’d apparently been washing away was dried blood and now Higgs could see the cracked skin on the knuckles of one of her hands too.
He let out a long, drawling sigh as he leaned against the doorframe. The little ones giggled at the table. They could at least understand the tone of that drawl as it usually meant someone was in trouble.
“Before you say anything—”
“Now what did Sam and I say about getting into fights?”
“Hey! In my defense, you didn’t have to deal with kids your own age. Not really.”
Higgs let out another sigh, this one a little less pointed. She had a point. Only five years and already her years of growing up had changed dramatically compared to Higgs and Sam’s own. Kids her own age had moved out of their bunkers, had moved with their parents to the new world and created a different environment. Higgs’ only friends had been Sam and the twins. The only other person close to his own age that he’d met along the way had been Fragile, and she was hardly a norm to go off of.
He walked over so he could help with treating her knuckles. He gently took her hand and started to wash it.
“Well, first things first, you didn’t punch right again. I knew Sam and I should have kept up with the sparring lessons.”
Bethe made a face. “No thanks. It always devolved into you two being gross and cheeky with each other.”
“What if I promise we won’t do that then?” laughed Higgs. The conversation quickly turned serious though as he added, “Even if you shouldn’t have gotten into another fight, there are still very real dangers out there. Sam ran into a group of mules on his last run, only these ones were only too willing to kill what with necrotization seemingly no longer occurring with the dead. It can still be dangerous out there. Even without BTs.”
“It can be dangerous in here too! The kid said our damn family was abnormal. Of course I was going to punch him.”
Higgs couldn’t help the snort that left his nose at that. Sam would have chided him if he was there, though Higgs would have known Sam would have felt the same way about the situation.
“Well, next time maybe it could go better if you simply come to me first and I have a talk with his parents?”
“You really think that would work?”
“I could also scare the crap out of him while making sure neither of you bloody the other up. I think that’s a win-win.”
“Ok, now I know Sam would not approve of that.”
“But your Aunt Fragile would.”
Bethe finally laughed, her shoulders easing a bit. “She would probably help you.”
“Oh, most definitely.”
“I just…he was just being cruel to be cruel. You know? He said it wasn’t normal that I didn’t have parents and lived with you guys. That my little niece didn’t grow properly.”
“That is a low blow,” Higgs admitted, “but instead of going to actual blows next time, just remind him how little the standard of normal is followed anymore. And if you have to, you can also kindly remind him that your big brother can jump to just about any point at any time so he better watch his fucking mouth next time.”
Bethe snorted. The way her nose crinkled up and her smile widened was so much like Higgs. Then they both spun around as they heard a very soft voice murmur, “Fuck.”
“Shit,” groaned Higgs. “And I was doing so well.”
Bethe laughed. She clearly remembered Higgs and Sam’s conversations about language around the kids, and they really had been doing well up to that point.
Higgs went and picked Lou up out of the highchair. Though technically five, or really older than that considering how long she’d been a BB, she was small for her age. She’d grown slowly, possibly because she’d been in a pod for a much longer time than Sam. But despite the delay, everything seemed to still be growing up healthy and strong. Her intelligence was closer in line to her actual age than what she physically looked like too, though she was a very quiet child and still didn’t talk much. It honestly made the situation even more amusing as Higgs lightly bounced her and said, “Now you decide to say something huh?”
Lou blinked, giving him an innocent look.
“Urgh, if you weren’t so cute, you’d be in more trouble. Those words are for grownups. Got it? You shouldn’t say it. Understand?”
A gleeful shout of a kid who definitely knew what she was doing came from across the table. “Fuck!”
“Callisto, your moms and aunt will have my head if they hear that! Take that word out of your mouth right now.”
She just showed a sly grin as Lou giggled before clinging more tightly to Higgs.
“I swear. You two will be the death of me,” groaned Higgs.
Even so, the fact that he could be having such a normal moment with them, even one that would come to bite him back in the ass, was so welcomed. Especially from Lou.
For Higgs, he hadn’t been able to say goodbye to Lou. Not when he’d thought she was gone forever. He’d been told after Sam had left. That she was just too old, too damaged. That she had to be taken to an incinerator to avoid a voidout. And Higgs had been asleep during the whole conversation.
Not only had he felt bad for putting that decision, that discussion, all on Sam, but he’d felt like he had failed Cliff in the moment too. The man had worked so fucking hard to protect Lou. To save her. And this was her ending? To be taken away and disposed of. To die before even living?
Higgs had been heartbroken, only to feel like he’d passed into a dream when Sam had returned with her breathing air rather than liquid.
At that moment, Sam and Fragile finally returned.
Sam let out a small grunt as he adjusted to the new ground. His lips twitched upwards. “You beat us.”
“Told you I probably would. Everything go well?” asked Higgs. He passed Lou onto Sam who clung to him just as tightly.
“Yes. Another successful connection. Another successful delivery. No mules or terrorists this time,” Fragile said.
“Do you think we’ll ever be rid of them?” asked Bethe.
“Perhaps…” Fragile trailed off. One of her eyebrows cocked upwards at seeing Bethe’s state. At least she looked better than when Higgs had first gotten home.
Sam finally looked over too. He sighed. “Bethe…”
“We can talk about it later,” said Higgs. “Right now, we’re just happy you’re home.”
“Yes, which reminds me, Målingen is waiting for me as well so I can’t stay long. Thank you for taking Callisto for a few days as well.”
“Hey, it’s no trouble.”
“Yeah, it’s a nice distraction for me too,” Bethe added. “And I know Lou loves the company.”
“And yet watching the little ones did not deter you from a fight,” Fragile replied.
“Hardly her fault. She gets it from me.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”
Everyone had a good chuckle as Fragile went to help Callisto down. The young child said, “I learned a new word.”
“She absolutely did not.”
Everyone turned to Higgs. Fragile crossed her arms. “I am sure this will be good.”
“No, because she didn’t learn one. Callisto?”
She flashed him a perfect smile that said she wouldn’t speak of it now, but instead would wait for the absolute perfect time to drop it. God, she could be absolutely devilish at times.
Fragile waited for a second to see if either would say more. When they didn’t, she simply shook her head and took Callisto’s hand. “It’s time to get you to Lockne so I can finally meet with Målingen. Ready?”
The little girl nodded before shooting another smile towards Higgs. He pretended to lock his lips and pointed his finger at her as sternly as possible. It clearly didn’t work though as Fragile and Callisto gave a quick goodbye before going off. Sam immediately took advantage of the new space in the kitchen and gratefully collapsed at the dining table. Lou sat comfortably in his lap as he asked, “So still making progress with the collection?”
“Starting to get low again. I’ll give you a list of titles and authors were still looking for. Though—”
“Always bring back whatever I can find. I remember.”
And so they talked. Sam asked a few more questions about Higgs’ work. Most of what Higgs responded with were conversations between himself and Heartman or interesting bits of information he’d read. Then it went on to Sam. Higgs probed with some questions, but mostly Sam just mentioned the people he’d met, the roads he had taken. Some were familiar to Higgs. Others he hadn’t traveled. It brought them all into a calming comfort before Sam finally asked about Bethe’s cheek and cracked knuckles.
Even that conversation wasn’t necessarily painful though.
Sam softly chided Bethe for being so quick to react. However, he made sure she knew he was proud of her for standing up to herself. He just didn’t want her to start anymore fights if they weren’t necessary. Funnily enough, he suggested starting sparring again as well. Bethe gave him much the same answer. Sam shot Higgs a dry look as Higgs shrugged, trying to look innocent but the blush on his cheeks causing him to fail spectacularly.
And it was all so splendidly simple.
They had a life. Despite all that they had come through, not even including extinction, they managed to wake up and have such simple conversations now. Such normal moments.
Sam had defied the impossible. He’d been broken out of his pod and survived. Higgs had escaped the bunker. He’d fought to see the sky. Bethe had done the same. Lou, similar to Sam, had gotten out of her pod despite the dangers and was now a bouncing baby girl. They’d had to find their own strength in that for sure, but there was a commonality between them that had helped them get to such a perfect present. It was a commonality none of them would forget and would continue to fill the stories Sam and Higgs told Lou before she went to bed every night.
Higgs and Sam talked with Bethe. They played the role of the adults for a bit more before falling into an easier tone again. Sam went to take a shower. They made dinner. Ate. Played some word games with Lou that encouraged her to talk a bit more-thankfully she didn’t share the new word. They watched a film. Tucked Lou in. Told her a story.
And then it was time for bed.
Sam probably would have fallen asleep right away. He had walked a great many miles, even if Fragile had jumped him the last bit of the way home. However, Higgs couldn’t help but speak up as they finally laid down in bed.
“I know Bethe knows it’s around that time again but…”
“Didn’t forget,” murmured Sam. He didn’t have to ask. He understood what Higgs was referring to. Despite not trying to purposefully remember the date, they always seemed to know the day the moment it came. The others knew about what time of year it had happened, but only Sam and Higgs felt it. Like it was ingrained in their very being. “Doing alright?”
“Been alright for the last two years.”
“Doesn’t mean shit can’t come up again. You ok?”
“I am. Thanks for asking,” sighed Higgs.
He turned towards Sam. Neither quite touched, Higgs still recognizing when Sam wasn’t in the mood or could be easily overstimulated. Just being near him around this time helped. It made the regret that always started to rise in his chest that less potent, though this time it seemed to barely be there at all.
“A hike.” Sam’s words came out soft in the darkness of their room.
“Hmm?”
“Not just a word for the journey during a delivery. Not anymore.”
“Oh yeah. I remember learning that used to be a thing. I couldn’t believe people felt safe enough to just go out into nature with no reason or important destination in mind. No tools or equipment needing to be delivered.”
“Still feels weird,” admitted Sam. “Like there should be more than us just going out tomorrow with the girls, walking around for…fun.”
“Yeah. I don’t know if that feeling will ever go away. But I’ll be glad if Lou never has to think of that.”
Sam gave a slight grunt of agreement.
“I’m happy. You know?”
“I should hope so.”
“I mean it just…it all feels right. Like this really could be my life for the rest of my time here. I love my job. Far more than I ever truly enjoyed being a porter. And I miss you. I miss you and Fragile when you’re so far away but I know you’re doing what you enjoy and it makes the nights like now, when you come back for several days, all the sweeter.”
“I can go on less deliveries for a bit if you want.”
Higgs shook his head. “No, keep doing what you enjoy doing. I’m glad it’s the right fit for you and that there’s someone out there watching Fragile’s back. I don’t mind being the stay at home dad. Besides, I’ve got Bethe to help out if I need it immediately. Or I can just call Fragile on her commlinks if I need you guys right away. It works just fine.”
“Fair. Fair,” Sam said with a light laugh. “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”
“I already got a route planned out. Little different from the one we went on last time. It’ll be a bit longer. Figured we could pack lunch.”
“Sounds good. You sure you can’t stop working the day after though?”
“Figured you’d want some one on one time with Lou. I can hold off work though if you want.”
“No, I don’t want you to do that.”
“I could bring it home with me then.”
“And how much work would get done?”
“Eh, I’ll just think of it as a challenge for myself. If you want me here, I’ll gladly stay.”
“I’d like that.”
“Then I’ll just jump over to Heartman’s tomorrow before our hike. I’ll go ahead and send everything my way, talk to him real quick, just so I’ll be prepared the next couple of days too.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They kissed, quick and gentle for the moment as both were all too ready to fall asleep.
And not once was Cliff’s name mentioned.
It was the day of course. It was the time when Higgs had been brought back to the world of the living and Cliff lost forever. But without consciously realizing it, they’d stopped desperately searching. They’d stopped regretting and thinking of what ifs. The past was done and gone. They’d accepted it and were content with the future ahead of them.
Perhaps it was that very reason that they woke up where they did. Maybe it was pure coincidence. Either way, their eyes opened to calm, gray skies and softly lapping waves. Their hands slid through rough sand and the wind was gentle.
The Beach was still a part of their world, but Higgs hadn’t returned since extinction. Sam had searched, for a little while, but he’d always been able to tell that the place he visited was distinctly his own. No longer were the Beaches merging and warping and all leading to a point, to Amelie and extinction. All Sam had been able to feel was his.
But not now.
Now they felt something else. Something familiar, yet new. It wasn’t Sam’s Beach. It wasn’t Higgs’. But before the panic could set in, before questions like, did it ever truly end, could be brought up, they heard a voice and turned.
The man was young. He was younger than either of them had ever known him, close to their own age now. But that soft smile. The way the lines crinkled around his eyes, just not as deep now, and how he opened his hands to them. It was undeniably him.
They pushed themselves up and rushed into his arms, hugging tight as Cliff felt real and warm and there.
Even as they held him, Sam and Higgs could tell it wasn’t permanent. It was almost like there was an energy in the air. Now that they had him, it was already dissipating. Pulling Cliff back to wherever he had been all these years. But for the moment at least, he was still there. He could hold them. And as he pulled back to look at their tearstained faces, he spoke.
“I had to try and give a proper goodbye. Just once for you both. You certainly deserved that. I’m sorry if it took longer than I expected.”
They hugged him again. They didn’t mind. Getting this last chance at all, they would have been just as thankful even if it had happened decades from now. They leaned back again, looking at their father with the age gone and the weights that he had carried for decades no longer resting on his shoulders.
“Before I give that goodbye though, my boys, my beautiful children, tell me how our family has been.”
And they did.