I wouldn't call this a vent chapter, but I think I do relate to it a little more than usual, so there's that.

Doc sat on the edge of his half-house, watching as Bdubs and Keralis scurried around throughout their side of the house. Every once in a while they would cast a gaze over at him, but otherwise, they tried to act like they didn't see Doc staring at them like a hawk towards its kill. Doc didn't really mean to be staring at them for so long, really he was just looking into oblivion, which happened to be where the other side of the house stood. 

But then again, Doc would occasionally follow them with his gaze. He would stop when he realized what he was doing, knowing they were already exchanging hushed murmurs to each other about him. Probably saying how he was plotting their demise or something stupid like that. Really it was nothing like that at all.

Though they had not been in the season long, Doc had already made quite the name for himself. The almighty, terrifying, blood-lusting, G.O.A.T. but you know what? Doc was already done with it.

Well, not the challenging part. Doc was most certainly enjoying his parameters. It made life a lot harder sometimes, but the pay off was great. Knowing that he really earned anything he made was a great feeling. But as for the persona that came along with it...

It was rough. He already missed Bdubs. Sure, they both knew it was an act, but an act they had to keep playing. And now Doc was starting to fear that maybe his neighbor was thinking it was more than just an act.

It seemed like the universe was just against Doc being able to talk to Bdubs normally; from when he fell back into season six, Doc and Scar were doing their whole mad scientists thing with Area 77, which more or less kept Doc busy for the rest of the season with the Mothership work. And now in this season, he was this looming figure who seemed to be out for vengeance, when really Doc was just tired.

He was tired of being the villain. That's what he was now. The villain. He was the villain in Bdub's story this season, and Grian's in the last, and he was so tired of it. Doc was tired of not being able to show actual emotions, but he can't go back now. 

Doc felt himself waver for a moment and he realized this was not the place to fall over since of course, he was leaning over the second story of his house. Doc pushed himself up, a little shakey, and drifted down the stairs. 

Doc knew where he could go to talk. The creeper hybrid went ahead and stepped into the nether portal, feeling the familiar twitch of his electronics adapting to the nether signals. He had gotten so used to it at this point he barely even noticed it. One thing he could never get used to, however, is how humid the atmosphere was in the nether. Even upon the roof of the nether with the unnaturally cold bedrock below his feet, the humidity was still almost overbearing.

Doc mindlessly navigated through the nether, going from carpet to glass, and whatever else the hermits had found didn't spawn ghasts. He gave a curt hello to Cleo, who seemed to have her own vendetta to go after. Granted she always seemed to have a vendetta. 

Doc continued through the nether until he found the portal he was looking for. Doc ran his coarse hands against the sign and stepped through the translucent haze.

Doc slipped out of the portal, just to be hit with almost the same heat. In front of him stretched the lonely town of Dead Dog Gulch. Doc went ahead and descended down the stairs onto the rusty red sands below. 

While he did have his fun with Doc Holliday and Ren the Kid, neither of them kept it up after their duel. Doc knew he could always come to Ren if he ever needed anything anyways.

Soon enough the sound of fireworks going off broke through the silence of the town, bouncing off the walls of the cannons. Above him, Ren shot through the sky, clearly seeing Doc on the ground below him since he swiftly turned around and went for a graceful land into the deep sands.

Well, Doc assumed it was supposed to be graceful. Ren's feet got caught in the deep, which lead him to an abrupt stop and fell straight onto the ground.

Doc looked down at his dog-eared friend lying face down in the sand, "Um, are you okay?" Doc asked him, crouching down in front of Ren.

Run rolled over onto his back and looked up at Doc, "That was totally planned." He said with a smug smile.

Doc nodded, "Yeah, totally." Doc stood up and put his hand out.

Ren pulled himself up with Doc's hand and furrowed his brow, clearly hearing the uneasiness in his voice.

"What's up, Doc?" Ren asked, reaching his hand around Doc's shoulder.

Doc let out a long sigh, "I'm just tired," He explained, "I just want to be able to talk without having to keep up an act or something." 

Ren nodded, taking Doc's hand and leading him towards the saloon. They walked through the classic gates and Ren sat Doc up onto one of the bar stools.

"Want anything to drink?" Doc looked behind him at the barrels and shrugged, "So, what's bothering you?"

"As I said Ren, I'm tired," Doc started, "I'm tired of having to keep up the big evil facade. I just want to be able to express my emotions. But at the same time now I've built up this side of me that's known for not showing any emotion."

Ren sat silently, letting Doc continue his rant. He knew Doc didn't want reassurance, he wanted to let it out, "Now everyone is starting on their main bases, and of course Bdubs is no different, and I'm starting work on my base as well so I'm seeing him a little less, and when I do see him he's on edge."

"I just, haven't really been able to talk to him normally since he came back. I mean I've gotten to talk to Etho and the rest less than I have Bdubs sure, but I haven't talked to him normally."

Ren finally spoke, "How about you camp here for a few days?" 

"Oh, I don't want to get in your way" Doc grumbled, laying his head down on the bar in front of him.

"You won't be bothering me, you know that," Ren reassured him, patting Doc's head.

"Are you sure?" Ren nodded, "Alright I guess" Doc agreed.

Ren smiled, "There are rooms above this. We can go and have a fire outside tonight," he told the creeper hybrid slouched over at his bar.

"Alright," Doc said, followed by Ren repeating him.

Ren walked towards the stairs that led up to the rooms above the saloon, but before he turned the corner he was stopped by Doc looking over at him, "Thank you, Ren. Thank you for letting me vent."

Ren smiled back at him, "Anytime, brother" and disappeared up the stairs to tidy up a room.

Bada-Bing Bada-Boom ladies and gents. So I guess I'm back to writing to this book? The next thing I update will be BoaW but then I'll try and do another chapter here!

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, take away from this whatever you want, and until next time, signing out!

       ~WordCount; 1250