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"Polka-Dot Man, kill George Harkness," the words cut through Abner like knives. Had he heard correctly? His eyes widened, immediately planting his gaze on Digger, who was on his knees in front of him, wounded and with his hands bound. The Australian lowered his gaze, averting his once companion's gaze.
"I-I... W-what? "he whispered, backing away slightly, his hands trembling.
"Kill Harkness, or I'll kill your friends." Again that threatening voice, Abner didn't want to murder anyone, he didn't want to lose any more of his teammates. And most of all, he didn't want to lose Digger.
"It's okay, Polkie," muttered the Australian, looking up, Abner could see the expression of pain and fear on his face despite the smile he put on his face.
"N-no... No, I...!" He didn't even know what to say, or how to protest.
"KILL HIM, NOW!" The shout that came out from the screen echoed in both men's ears.
"I can't... I can't," tears finally escaped his eyes, streaming down his cheeks.
"Hey, hey, shhh," Digger reassured, lifting his bound hands with difficulty, reaching for Abner's trembling hands "It's okay."
"No! I-I'm not going to do that!" Abner exclaimed, his voice cracking, looking at Digger, his one-time partner, the man who taught him so many things when they were away from Belle Reve, the one who used to wrap him in his arms every cold night and kiss his cheeks, the one who caressed his body without disgust or any intention of hurting him. The only one who could love him.
"I LOSE MY PATIENCE, KRILL! Kill him or I'll start with the rat girl!"
They both heard the briefcase being opened to activate the bombs.
"No, no, no!"
"Hey, Abner, hey, look at me," Digger finally took the other's hand, stroking it gently, giving him a comforting look.
"D-Digger... I can't, n-no," the tears were falling one after another on Abner's cheeks.
"Do it," Digger murmured, accepting fate, his own voice trembling, then he smiled, "Guess won't be able to take ya to Australia anymore, huh. It's okay, darlin', won't be mad at ya."
Digger's calloused hands caressed Abner's, slowly guiding it to his neck, raising his head so Abner could wrap his hand around it without a problem.
"Find that asshole Max Lord and kill him," his voice trembled with pain and anger, not only for his own life, but because Abner had to be the one to kill him.
Abner's hand wrapped around his neck was warm, remembering the times those hands touched him so tentatively, running down his chest, his arms and neck itself. The times Abner was beneath him, both arms wrapped around Digger's neck, kissing him lovingly.
"Oh, fuck," he sighed, he could feel his own tears falling down his cheeks. Despite that, he kept smiling at Abner, "Do it, Polkie.... I had-" he swallowed hard, "I had fun bein' with ya. H-hey why don't ya take off yer googles, luv? Want to see yer pretty eyes.
Abner did; he removed his googles and hood, letting his dark hair fall over his forehead.
"Ah, there it is, beautiful," Digger was still smiling, still with his eyes full of tears and pain.
"YOU'VE GOT FIVE SECONDS LEFT, POLKA-DOT MAN! -ONE!"
"D-Digger," his voice trembled with desperation.
"Do it," the grip on Abner's hand tightened, keeping it on his neck.
"TWO!"
"I'm s-sorry... I'm sorry," he sobbed.
"Don't be, Polkie, not yer fault."
"THREE!"
"Hey, don't tell anyone I cried," laughed the Australian.
Abner closed his eyes, tightening his grip on Digger's neck.
"FOUR!"
"Love you, Polkie," his breathing quickened, closing his eyes tightly, waiting for Abner's polka-dots to leave his arms and burn his flesh.
"FIVE!"
Then Abner could do nothing but let the dots come out. Tears pricked his closed eyes painfully, hearing a whimper of pain that soon faded. He felt the flesh melt over his hand, impotence built up in his body making him nauseous. When he finally felt nothing but the wet blood on his hands, he opened his eyes.
"Well done, Polka-Dot Man. That merits years off your sentence."
Abner stood paralyzed, staring at his trembling hand covered in Digger's blood. He took a step forward, his legs shaking, he might pass out at any moment. He pressed the dirty hand to his chest, staining his white suit crimson red. He looked only at Digger's feet; his boots, he didn't dare look up any further, he didn't want it to be the last thing he would see of him. The last image of Digger he wanted to keep was the man smiling at him, his raspy voice telling that he loved him.
He fell to his knees, hand still pressed to his chest. It hurt; he had killed before, he had killed his own mother, he didn't want to do it again. But now he had killed Digger, he had killed someone he loved.
"D-Di... Digger..." he sobbed, his other hand caressed the corpse's boots, then he held back no longer; tears fell like rain on his cheeks, loud sobs of pain and sorrow filling the place. His body doubled over, clutching at the hand on his chest, the hand covered with the blood of the man he once loved, as if holding it there would allow him to keep Digger with him.