Chef in the Apocalypse

Colin grit his teeth as he felt the pain wrack his body from Jayce’s slap. He fell to his knees slowly, his body unable to bear the sudden weight and pain from the blow.

His mind was jumbled, filled with confusion, betrayal and anger. Yet the thoughts of inadequacy had been flown far out of his brain. He instinctively looked at Jayce with a fierce gaze, wondering why the hell he had done such a thing.

Yet upon seeing his face, Colin’s mind suddenly went blank. He saw Jayce smiling at him, a look of pride and appreciation painted on his features.

’W-What’s happening.’ He thought, feeling confused.

Jayce moved forward and embraced the man who was now on his knees in the square. Due to their usual height difference, Jayce was not much taller than the big man even while he was on his knees.

"Thank you Colin, for keeping our family safe while I was away. I knew you wouldn’t let me down."

His voice was quiet yet firm. It was filled with deep trust and reliance, like how one would talk to their own family members. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Colin’s eyes became wide after hearing the words and feeling the embrace of the man he looked up to. His face began to scrunch up and tears began to form in the corner of his eyes after he heard the words the he subconsciously had needed to hear.

And like that, the largest man in Bastion began to let his emotions out. The pent up stress and weariness from his expeditions, his inferiority complex, his anxiety about not living up to Jayce’s expectations. They were all washed away with the manly tears that cascaded down his face.

He wrapped his arms around Jayce and embraced him back, feeling a sense of comfort and relief at his leader’s return.

While everyone watched on with confusion at the current scene, Jackie also began to cry. She had seen her husband battle with these demons over the past few weeks, his vice leader status preventing him from voicing such things in front of the others.

No matter what she did or said, Colin would not budge. It was as if he was punishing himself for not being good enough, becoming a shell of the man that she had fallen in love with.

The Colin she knew was boisterous and full of life, always the first to voice his opinions and apologize if they were wrong. He was a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, her wonderful man who would bend over backwards for anyone.

To see him reduced to such a state over the past two weeks had tormented her deeply. Therefore when she saw Jayce deliver that slap, she instinctively knew that their Leader had seen and understood what was wrong with Colin.

As the tears fell like a waterfall from her face, her misty eyes tried to focus on the man which they all looked up to. Jackie smiled deeply from her heart and she mouthed the words "Thank you" to Jayce, who was facing her.

Jayce merely smiled back, feeling Colin’s tears and snot dampen his chef’s jacket. Thankfully the Inner Qi within his meridians had strengthened his body greatly, otherwise he would be suffering from the bear hug the large man was currently administering.

After a few minutes, Jayce finally stepped back from Colin, doing his best not to ruin the mood by looking at the snot on his freshly washed jacket.

"Well, I was originally going to cook us a feast, but it looks like you all could use some rest." He said, his gaze moving over his party and their dirty equipment.

"Thanks Leader, I think that would be for the best." Jackie walked up and placed Colin’s arm over her shoulder, getting the large man to his feet.

Jayce nodded, "Okay, let’s do it tomorrow night."

Everyone said their goodbyes, heading towards their own homes for the night. Just as Jayce decided to do the same, Dion and Kane finally arrived.

Dion looked as if he had seen his savior, his bald head as shiny as ever. Kane was dressed in his usual blue suit, looking as if he had just left a courtroom.

Holding a deep sigh, he let out a small smile at the two. "Dion, Kane. Good to see you two."

"Did you not get any of my messages this whole time?" Dion said frantically, looking at him with annoyance.

"I was busy..." Jayce said curtly.

"B-Busy?? The Earth is going to be invaded!" He snapped, feeling the weeks of uncertainty and anxiety boiling to the surface.

Jayce’s face turned icy, "Exactly. Which is why I’ve been working out ways of getting stronger." After saying these words, he circulated the Inner Qi within his body and began to exert a tremendous pressure in the surroundings.

"A-Ah." Dion stepped back a few paces, feeling overwhelmed at the sudden change of atmosphere.

"Dion. What has happened to you? Are you really the same man who stood bravely on top of those walls as the Beast Tide tried to invade Bastion? Because it sure as hell doesn’t look like it."

Jayce frowned, his next words cutting to the heart of the problem. He always thought Dion was a lot more composed and forthright than he was acting now, especially from what he knew of the man in his previous life.

Seeing the bumbling and anxious man in front of him made him think that he was an impostor.

At these words, Dion’s face paled, yet they seemed to have a good effect. Kane also nodded, feeling as if these words were correct.

"Who cares if its an Invasion? We’ll just kick their asses and send them to hell." Jayce said matter-of-factly. There was no reason to turn into a bumbling idiot at the prospect of such a thing in the future. They had almost 2 years to prepare and grow stronger.

Dion suddenly felt embarrassed, especially under Jayce’s stern gaze. It was as if he was a deity passing judgment on him for acting in such a way.

And then, his eyes widened as if he suddenly had an epiphany. After the Beast Tide, he had become too reliant on Jayce, forgetting that he was the controller of his own destiny. In truth he had mentally placed the young man on a pedestal.

Yet, they were both men and both had the capability to grow stronger. So why should he always be relying on him?

Jayce saw the change of expression in Dion’s face and finally smiled in satisfaction. He turned around and began to walk away, leaving the two of them in the square.

"Reach level 60 and complete your class upgrade. Come find me after, I’ll show you the new path to get stronger."

With that, he continued to walk off, only now noticing Tony who was pouting like a lost child. Jayce had forgotten all about him after the whole Colin ordeal, suddenly making him feel a little embarrassed.

"Ah, Kane. Can you find a residence for my friend Tony here?"

"Sure. Please follow me Mr. Tony" Kane said after a moment, looking at the man curiously.

Jayce send an apologetic look to Tony, promising that they would see each other again in the morning.