xie_xie_xie (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} xie_xie_xie) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} qaf_challenges,@ 2008-05-17 00:24:00 |
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| Entry tags: | challenge in two parts |
Graphic Number 8: "rien ne va plus"
Title: rien ne va plus
Author: 0corona0
Timeline: end of S1
Rating: PG-13
Warnings, if any: Angst
Author's notes: It's a gapfiller, but I'll let you figure out for yourselves for which episode. ;) Justin plays roulette. Thank you, malli_, for beta-ing!
Graphic: 8 by libra2
“Rien ne va plus.”
No, no no no! Justin wants to shout, take back his bet, he has put it on the wrong number! He should have done an outside bet, should have switched to the safe side, should have could have would have...
The clerk starts spinning the roulette.
“No no no no!”
But it’s not his own voice that is crying out their desperation. Is someone else in a situation as deathly as him? He tries to look around in panic, maybe they can help each other, but Justin can’t turn his head. And he can’t call back, either. What’s wrong with his voice? What’s wrong with his body?
The roulette spins.
Something’s wrong.
...and spins...
But it’s too late now. Justin played straight, plein, and put all his money on one number. Only one number... how could he have been so foolish? What made him believe that one number could bring him everything he ever wanted?
It spins and spins and spins...
“NO!”
Again and again, Justin can hear someone shout “no” but he can’t see him. He wants to see him so badly! He wants to see smell move speak do anything but lie motionless and listen to the spinning wheel that will decide his faith, inescapably... is the other person feeling the same way? Did he bet on one number too, and thinks knows worries that he will be disappointed?
Slowing down... the roulette is slowing down ever so slowly...
“Justin! Please, God, no!”
That’s his name, isn’t it? His very own name... why can he not remember? Who’s calling him?
It’s starting to rain. Little cold drops hit his cheek, mingle there, with something that’s thick and hot. So he can still feel. Perhaps not speak or move, but feel... maybe that will help. Maybe he can stop the roulette, maybe he can make it stop at that one number he chose in his madness. Maybe the rain is his friend.
But the roulette keeps going. It doesn’t mind the rain. In fact, it laughs at the rain.
“JUSTIN!”
Something touches him. Something warm, firm, dry, and the rain keeps falling.
“Justin...”
But he doesn’t have time for Justin right now. He needs to concentrate on the roulette. Who’s that Justin, anyway?
The roulette is barely moving anymore, but everyone in the room is still hoping that it will land on their number. What was his number again? He cannot remember. What was his number...?
“Please... please... don’t... not now... not...!”
The roulette stops. The voice holds its breath. Everyone stares.
“...not after tonight...”
Prom, a dance, Daphne, the Jeep, the scarf, a kiss, “...ridiculously romantic!”
And Justin suddenly remembers what his number was.
It’s Brian.
He smiles triumphantly. The ambulance arrives. The roulette has stopped.
Rien ne va plus.