dehvastation

[dehvastation]

Nice Surprise Part 2 (With @DesolateBadass)

Wilder: I sat there listening in on the conversation with Amber and the new guy in town, taking a sip from my glass of whiskey. My tongue darted out to catch a small drop on my lips. Mysterious man seemed to have all the right answers and made it sound as if he was here on business. I wasn’t buying it. 

I also wasn’t expecting you to stand up and walk over to my table. Taking that moment to let my crystal blue eyes scan your frame. It wasn’t very often that I came across someone as tall as I was, taking note of the way your shirt hugged your muscular physique. Standing up when you reach my table, my gaze locked with yours. Bold move to come introduce yourself, but it absolutely held my attention. 

Slipping  my hand into yours, giving it a firm shake. “It’s nice to meet you Dehv, I’m Wilder.” My hand lingers in yours for a brief moment, trying to get a read on you. I could hear your heart beating and it was calm, releasing your hand to motion to the chair. “Please feel free to join me.” 

Taking a seat Amber drops off your drinks and I watch you move, it was effortless. Unable to stop myself from taking in the sight of your features, curiosity written on my own. Chewing on what I wanted to say to fully break the ice. “The filet mignon, medium rare?” I blink and glance up at Amber feeling her hand on my shoulder. “Yeah, that sounds perfect, sweetheart.” She scampers off once more to put the order in for both our steaks. 

My gaze met yours once more and I did see the point in beating around the bush. “I’m sure it’s safe to assume if I can detect you are not human you are fully aware I’m not as well. So what exactly are you?” I state bluntly, making my own bold move to see how you’d react to someone being direct. 

“I know you're not the one involved with the attacks, your scent doesn't match theirs. Are you working with them? Scouting out the next victim? How the fuck is your partner able to manage to make a scent vanish with no trace of where they went? It’s infuriating. Also, might want to let whoever you’re possibly working with, it ends tonight. This town is protected by us and we don’t exactly take bloodshed lightly.” I lean back in my chair, not one to shy away from making it known that the locals are off limits. Taking another sip from my glass of whiskey, calmly waiting to hear what you had to say. 

Dehv: ~ I smiled lightly, keeping my posture light. I was happy to stay calm and reasonable until I was given a need not to. Wrath had said not to get involved, and technically I wasn’t. I was reassuring a local that I was friendly. Which I was, mostly. I waited until Amber was out of earshot, running off to get the order that sounded incredible. I was excited for my steak if locals were ordering one. No one kept coming back to somewhere if the food was shit. I lift the glass to my lips and then feel myself smiling again at the questions. Head tipping slightly to the side as I try to keep track of them all. I nodded to your first. If I could tell, you could tell. But damned if I was going to give you anything before I got something in return.

I held your gaze and suppressed the growl of annoyance at the tone of your voice. I was taking you seriously, but I wasn’t about to be run off when I had someone who might be able to give me a lead.

“Firstly, nice to meet you, Wilder. I can detect that, though my nose isn’t really good enough to tell me much more than your blood isn’t human.” I cleared my throat and fell quiet when a couple moved past us a little closer than I would have liked. While I focused my attention on the bright blues in front of me, I kept a keen eye on what was going on around me. I was here to hunt after all, and I wasn’t going to lose sight of that. 

“I’m not working with them, I don’t know who they are, though I do know they are like me. I might have scared them off for a night or two. I’m not sure. I have tried not to be too obvious, and I haven’t seen anything that would alert me to them being around. However, the night has only just begun, so I expect they will come later than this if they are as sloppy as they appear.”

I leaned in slightly, though my voice volume didn’t change. “I’ll have to know more about you before I can open up. And I would need to speak to my King to find out whether I’m even allowed to divulge any secrets. He’ll likely want to speak with you before I’m given the go ahead. And he’s, well, he’s prickly when he’s not comfortable with something. You want to know about me enough to show me yours before I show you mine?”

My lip quirked into a grin, though my fangs were mostly hidden, there was enough there to show they weren’t normal human teeth. Hopefully it will be enough for you to trust me. I was going to say more, but Amber came back with both our meals, which was impressive. I tipped my chin up and smiled. Reaching for the condiments in the center of the table. 

I stayed quiet, watching you, waiting on your reaction and whether I needed to make this phone call and piss Wrath off with the cautious need to reveal our secrets to a complete stranger. ~ 

Wilder: Formalities were not my forte when I felt my town was being threatened. Listening to your every word intently. I could tell you were slightly annoyed with my tone and I needed you to give any and all information you possibly could. Ripping open a dinner roll, adding some butter and salt to it. “I’d apologize for my bluntness, but I’m not exactly sorry. As stated, this town is under the protection of my Pack. Intruders who are unwelcome don’t last very long. But, we have been struggling to locate whoever is attacking people on the outskirts of town.” I take a bite from the roll, speaking out of the corner of my mouth as I continue. 

“Being that your scent doesn’t match the one we are trying to hunt, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that the reason why you state you are here is true. We could use your help being the trail always ends up cold. I’m willing to see if we can work together on this, but we have to come up with an arrangement we are all comfortable with.” I stop talking when I hear Amber on the phone with Liam, telling him I’m here and that things look intense between us. 

“Excuse me.” I stand up and walk over to Amber, motioning for her to give me the phone. “I take it you got my text? Everything is fine, y’all stay put and I’ll fill you and Cassie in when you get back.” I could hear his concern in his tone. “No, do not cut your camping trip short.” My eyes meet yours for a moment as Liam attempts to insist I had some sort of backup. “I’ll be at Whiskey Row in an hour. Jackson already knows if I don’t stroll in at that time to head on out to find me. We have it covered.” I hang up with him and head back over to you, taking a seat. 

“Now where were we? A secret for a secret, yes? I believe the way you put it was if I show you mine you’d show me yours.” A sly smirk tugs at my lips, I couldn't help but to gutter those words. Allowing my gaze to scan your muscular physique. Had to admit I wouldn't mind seeing what was under your clothing. Cutting into my perfectly cooked steak, groaning appreciatively as I take a bite. Shoveling some mashed potatoes into my mouth as well. Having that all too important intimate first bite, licking my lips. “How about we give out what we are comfortable with first. If I need more information after that, then you can call this King of yours. It’s easier  for me if you simply ask a question. So, what would you like to know?” I take a sip from my glass of whiskey, hoping we can comfortably learn a little about each other without getting anyone else involved. 

Dehv: ~ I shake my head and chuckle, your lack of apology making me snort slightly “I don’t need you to be anything other than blunt. I get this town is yours, but for me all humans deserve protecting. So, I am here to figure out what’s happening and sort out the problem.” I leaned forward and scooped a little potato onto my fork, chewing and swallowing before I continued on.

“I have no clue who is here, but we have little pockets outside of our main Brotherhood home and training centre’s town. I’m assuming it’s more than one, but in all honesty, one could do this if it was very hungry or hurt. Seems more involved than that though, since they keep coming back.” I shook my head and then nodded once when you stood up. I kept you in my line of sight, but sent a quick message to Vishous 

‘Give me a full rundown of Red Lodge, Montana along with any outlying settlements.’ 

I placed my phone beside me, the thumbs up message back letting me know he had the assignment in hand. 

I could hear what you were saying, but chose to ignore it. Assuming that if you’d told whoever Liam was not to come, you must be willing to talk. I instead focused on my steak, cutting it into mouthwateringly perfect bites before adding a little mustard for the sharp hit. The potato was also cooked perfectly and I enjoyed my few minutes to eat without having to try and dance around what I was.

When you came back to the table I lifted my gaze to meet yours, my smile still hiding the tips of my fangs, though I was a little more relaxed knowing I wasn’t about to get jumped. I’d likely rather just walk into the sunlight than go back to Wrath and tell him I was run out of town by an unknown entity. He knew my mouth was likely to get me in trouble, but could also get me out of trouble. I didn’t want to bother him unless I absolutely had to. 

My snort was loud when you quoted me, unsure why my stomach clenched at the groan you made when you ate your steak. I had to admit it’s bloody good food, but I could certainly imagine that noise coming out of you for other reasons. Not that I would go there, I’m on a mission, not to have a one night stand. Rubbing my chest slightly I wonder why there’s a tingle there, but I need to ignore that to focus on the deaths in this town. Quicker I solve this, faster I can get back on a plane and back to Caldwell. “I wanted to know what you are. I know you’re not human, and nothing close to anything else I’ve met before. You smell different. What am I telling my King I’ve met when he inevitably asks me to check in later tonight?” ~

Wilder: When I sat back down you held what would appear to be my undivided attention. I was able to listen in on conversations around us and make sure we had the privacy we needed to talk about what we needed to without anyone overhearing us. I didn’t care for the idea of you having to report back to someone. The less others knew about us the better. Not to mention the way you spoke about whoever was doing this was hungry or hurt had me feeling a little uneasy, being I knew how the victims died drained of their blood. Inhaling a breath, my bright baby blues watching your every move.

 “You’re going to have to understand I have reservations about telling you certain things. What I can say is I’m not human. Think of me as a shape shifter of sorts.” I had to keep the safety of my pack in mind, for now all you knew about was that I wasn't human. “I’d prefer you didn’t tell your King a damn thing about me. But, if you have to report back I suppose you could say the town the killings are surrounding is protected and we do have one thing in common. Humans deserve being protected. If that’s how you operate then I can respect that.” There was something about you that made me feel like you really were there to help. The vibe you gave off wasn’t a threatening one. You were poised and spoke with ease. My initial gut feeling told me I could possibly trust you, but I wasn't comfortable with the idea of this King. 

“How can I trust that if I tell you things about me that you won’t send word to your kind and threaten my town further?” I ask, needing to somehow be able to have a little trust between us. “My family is here. As much as I would like your help, I have to protect them. What are you and why are the victims drained of their blood? Because all signs lead to Vampire, but we always thought that was a myth. Ain’t no way I’m gonna believe that this is the case unless I see some fangs.” 

Dehv: ~ I inclined my head slightly, watching you and taking you in. I knew you had to be pretty important to have the authority to pick and choose who had your back. You also had that way about you, one that said not to mess with you. Sure, you were all sweetness and light with the locals, and they obviously trusted you, but I also had a feeling that if we were to go toe to toe, we’d both walk away with some broken bones and not a whole lot of clear winner.

I cleared my throat, then took another bite of my meal, it really was delicious. I reached for a drink and nodded at your summary of feelings. I couldn’t blame you, I was in the same boat. How much could I legitimately tell you without Wrath quite literally throwing my ass out into the sunlight. We were a secret, but then we had humans that had joined us, half breeds meant that we obviously out there sowing wild oats with humans. Butch was…..well, Butch. I shook my head and exhaled. I reached for my drink and then an idea struck me. Pretty sure I twitched slightly. I lifted my gaze to meet your bright blue eyes, wondering absently if they shone as brightly as mine did in the right circumstances, then leaned in.

I was careful not to get my clothes in my food, but I leaned across the table until I only had to whisper to know you’d hear me. I paused only half a second to check in with myself, I’d likely get an ass kicking for this, but fuck it. “You want to trust me, and know that your instincts are correct, but you want to check to see if I am a vampire. Lore can be wrong, and you know in your gut that it is. Because I’m sitting right here. But for the sake of your pack, this town, our working together to figure out who is neatly draining the local folk of their well earned blood. You seem edgy about me reporting anything back to my King, and I am not about to fuck around and find out. You want to see my fangs, I want to know what you are. Feel like asking that gut of yours if you trust me enough to offer me your wrist? You see my fangs, you can tell me what you are.” I kept my face neutral for the most part, only my eyes giving away how amused I was, pretty sure you’d say no and just punch me in the face. Which honestly might mean you saw my fangs anyway, so whichever way played out. Win Win for you. Win Win for me, as once your blood was in my system I could keep a track of where you were roughly for a few days, which played very much to my advantage. “What do you say, Not Human?” ~

Wilder: I sat there cool as a cucumber watching your every move. When you leaned over the table and I inhaled your scent, instantly adding it to the rolodex in my mind. Your words were such that I let out a low growl only you would hear. Still in slight disbelief that you were actually a Vampire. My eyes instinctively flash midnight blue for a brief moment, exhaling a slow breath. Fuck. “Alright, I’ll offer up a wrist for you to prove a point, under one condition. While you’re in town, the locals are off the menu. If you are indeed what you say you are and need to quench your thirst, you come to me.” 

It would take a little more than a nip on the wrist to have me trusting you, but my gut was telling me I could. Pulling out my wallet to hold up my debit card when Amber walks by to pay for our meal. The two of us have a silent stand off while I sign the check, leaving her a generous tip. “Can’t help but to think this is an advantage for you of some sort, but let's take a walk.” 

I stand up, knocking back the rest of my whiskey in one swift gulp, welcoming the familiar burn in my chest and throat as I lick my lips. Giving you an unspoken hit as I pause to randomly pat a small wolf statue at the front of the restaurant. Feeling confident you’d follow, leading you to where my truck was parked. Turning to face you, my curiosity peaked. Wasn’t often that I stood eye to eye with someone, a soft grin tugging at my lips for no real reason. “Let's see those pearly whites.” I state showing I wasn’t intimidated. I was all for coming to some sort of mutual grounds. If a nip on the wrist meant it would protect my pack and the locals, so be it. It wouldn’t surprise anyone in my pack that I was stepping up to do whatever it took to stop these attacks. 

Dehv: ~ I watched you, my chest sparking with something I couldn’t place when your eyes flashed. But it was the reaction I wanted, I didn’t fancy a punch to the face. This was much better for us both, no townfolk got in the middle of a fight, and I could track you for a few days. What I didn’t bank on was your offer. I only needed to feed every month or so normally, but it had been a few weeks, and human blood wasn’t nearly as good. Perhaps this would help me more than I thought, if I could stomach it. 

When you stood, I followed suit. My heart started to beat just a little faster. Perhaps this wasn’t the best idea, but I wasn’t one to back down now. I left my whiskey, though there was barely any left, my eyes sparking with amusement as you patted the wolf on the way out. I hadn’t taken you for a superstitious kind of person, but perhaps you were. I gave the little wolf a look on the way out to the carpark, checking to see if the nose was polished like I’d seen in pictures of dog statues around the world. 

When we rounded to your truck I checked the area, it was fairly secluded and dark enough that human eyes weren’t picking up anything if we moved to the back. There was no way I was getting in the truck, I didn’t trust you that much. I reached out to take hold of your forearm, moving us both towards the bushes behind your truck, holding your gaze the whole time. Glad I didn’t trip on anything on the way. I kept my gaze on you as I lifted your wrist, not obscuring your view as I inhaled your scent, swallowing a groan, eyes almost shutting as I realised you smelled really fucking good. I couldn’t think on it any more, and let my fangs drop down, tips sharp enough that you’d barely feel the puncture, but it was likely to leave a mark with the paper thinness of skin at the wrist. I much preferred feeding from other places, but I would make an exception. You had certainly seen the fangs now, and I wasn’t giving you a second to think about it. I lowered my head and pierced your skin, the first mouthful of your blood making me groan. It was nothing like vampire blood, though it wasn’t far off. It was far better than human blood. I took a few more pulls from your wrist, the blood sending signals to every nerve, my body reacting accordingly. My chest throbbed and I felt my eyes start to glow as I lifted my gaze to meet yours again. Confusion probably showed on my face, and I instantly pulled free, swiped my tongue over the wounds and then dematerialised back to the carpark of my hotel. ~

Wilder: I made sure to listen to our surroundings and internally check on my pack members. I knew where every last one of them were and we were completely alone. The moment I saw your fangs I arched a brow. Holy shit, Vampires do exist. I couldn’t help but to listen to your heart rate the entire time, feeling the slight sting from your fangs piercing the skin on my left wrist. Standing still letting you take a pull from me and your groan sends a chill down my spine. A completely new sensation for me and I stood there trying to wrap my mind around what was going on. Something inside of me ignited and in that moment I knew I could trust you. 

Seeing your eyes glow, watching your every move. I had a thousand questions, only to be standing there alone a few moments later. “Well, that was cool as all hell. Also explains why the damn scent disappears.” I state to myself, wondering where Dehv literally disappeared to. Moving to sit in the driver seat of my truck, in complete shock lost in my thoughts.  

What the actual fuck just happend? I scrub my hand over my face, my gaze falling to the two puncture wounds on my wrist. The slight bruising that appeared didn’t alarm me, figuring it would heal fairly quickly. Trailing my fingers over them, feeling that heat inside of me grow. “Ain’t no fucking way….”

[dehvastation]

Nice Surprise Part 1 (With @DesolateBadass)

Dehv: ~ I sat back in the plane and crossed my arms. Looking at the only other person in the back with me. A human who looked like he wanted to piss his pants, despite the uniform he wore. Surely I wasn’t the worst he’d seen in battle? Maybe I was, and if that were the case, I sort of hoped it stayed that way. Because if he saw worse, it meant he was on the front line, and that sucked. 

“You doing ok?”

I figured being nice might help, I could talk the hind legs off a donkey, so I wasn’t all that bothered about making this guy feel at home. His nod was all I got, but he was still all doe eyed and slack jawed. 

Fuck this mission.

Wrath had pulled me into the office to tell me that he had a little problem, and while he was aware that there was other shit I could be doing, and that he’d ordered me to do, that now it had to wait. I was up for a mission, solo, that he needed urgent attention on.

Did I remember the Band of Bastards, yes, excellent, this was worse.

I had to go on a plane, at night, in the cargo hold and one single human to check I wasn’t sabotaging anything. Though, I was unsure of what he was meant to do if I started on a rampage, he looked about ready to melt into the metal. I was nearly 100% sure he wasn’t going to even remember he had a gun, let alone figure out how to get it up and fucking use it if I so much as sneezed in his general direction.

I rolled my eyes again at the lack of interaction and instead focused on my phone. I was going to Montana, to the arse end of nowhere. There’d been some attacks there, and they weren’t being done by humans. Or at least, didn’t appear to be humans. If it was a human then they were mimicking us quite nicely. If it wasn’t then I needed to scout out the area and check what was going on. 

The BoB came out of nowhere to try and assassinate Wrath, and we weren’t having that happen again. As our world grew a bit bigger each year, we were growing as a Brotherhood. But it also meant we were shipped off to various places to check for potential threats. While Wrath was King, he didn’t have eyes everywhere.

The plane shuddered and I checked on the human guard, he twitched and I smiled slightly.

“Just turbulence, we’ll be landing shortly. Congrats on still being alive.”

His eyes went wide again and I rolled my own as I exhaled hard. They were exhausting. How the hell did I ever fit in with them, or run a business with them. I had no patience with it now. 

Just get me the fuck off this damn plane.

I checked my phone clock and then my messages, seeing a few idiot replies from the Brotherhood. I was fortunate that I had unique relationships with them all, and I wasn’t taking that for granted. I quickly replied to them all, even taking a toothy selfie of myself with the guard in the background to send it to Rhage. The crying laughing emoji I got back made me snort. 

Finally we landed, and just in time. I could tell that we were getting close to dawn from the tingle in my spine.

I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, hurrying through the private terminal to the closest hotel I could find. I paid cash for the day, knowing I’d be moving further into the sticks come the evening, and got into the room just as the first rays of sun started to peek over the horizon. 

I breathed a sigh of relief, then shut myself in the bathroom for the day. It was a pain in the ass, but the curtains were not blackout here, and that meant that I needed solid walls between me and the sun. Uncomfortable, but I’d been in worse. 

I unpacked the necessities I’d brought with me and got myself comfortable with my tablet propped up on top of the toilet lid. If Vishous had access to cameras and there had been any in here, the whole Brotherhood would be pissing themselves laughing at me huddled between the bog and the bath. 

I just had to make it 10 hours and I’d be free again to roam. 

Ten fucking hours. ~

Wilder: The loud blast of the ringtone waking me up from a dead sleep, silencing the call. I had been running myself ragged the past few days simply to distract myself. There was a lot going on and I felt the need to just sleep off a bit of stress. Liam and Cassie had finally started to embrace what they felt for each other and I couldn’t be happier for them. They were off on a camping trip to figure it all out and I encouraged them to go. This was a long time coming for them and the pair deserved a chance to get to know each other in this new light without interruptions. 

We had Sage settling in and Jess rolling back into town. Not to mention a few other things that needed to be sorted out on top of everything. I was burning the candle at both ends, something I’d do just to keep me out of my head.

A second call came through and I knew I had to answer it. A tired groan escapes my lips, opening one eye to see Jackson’s face on the screen, swiping my finger to answer it. “You do know it’s…..Fucking six AM?” I pull the covers up over my head, the sun creeping in through the curtains of my room. Not ready to get up just yet. “What’s up, man?”

I listened to him state that another attack had happened. “Fucking hell. Alright, I’m up.” So much for a day off. 

For the past two months there had been a string of ‘Animal attacks’ in Red Lodge. Everytime we went to the site of the scene the scent for sure wasn’t a wolf. These attacks weren’t coming from one of my pack members. I was extremely territorial and protective of the life my family had built for our pack and wasn't about to let anything jeopardize us or the locals. Whatever this threat was, we had to eliminate it to make sure our cover wasn’t blown. 

I had already dealt with Sheriffs coming to the Shaw Wolf Sanctuary poking around. I had to show proof that there weren't any flaws in the perimeter fencing and that all ‘wolves’ were accounted for. There was only one way in and out of my pack lands that was gated and guarded 24/7. 

Kneeling down next to the corpse, my gaze scanning his lifeless frame. We were excellent trackers but for whatever reason the scent of the attacker would disappear and it was unknown to us. “This makes three kills…” I trail off knowing the victim personally, sighing thinking about how devastated their family would be. 

The breeze picks up and I inhale a deep breath. I knew every pack member's scent and I was frustrated to be at yet another deadend. “Whoever this is and whatever they are, they aren't staying here in town. It's like their scent simply vanishes. We have to up our patrols and find the pattern.” I state firmly as I try to connect the dots the best I could. 

Every victim had two puncture marks on their neck, drained of blood. I had heard about Vampires, but they were never a real threat to us or my town. Nor did I really believe they were real. It felt as if this was almost deliberate to draw attention to my pack. My guess was if Vampires were a thing and we had never crossed paths before, they were probably just as confused to stumble onto us. “Ain’t no fucking way…” I mumble in disbelief. 

I stood outside Whiskey Row just as the sun was setting. Watching the deep orange with pastel pinks paint the blue sky. Jackson, standing next to me. “Portal on the outskirts of town all set up?” I asked even if I could feel my pack members and where they were located, seeing Jackson nod out of the corner of my eye. “Good, there won’t be another attack on our fucking town.” My bright blue eyes shifted to a shade of midnight blue, geared up and ready for whatever the night brought us. 

Dehv: ~ I groaned and rolled over, my hands stretching high above my head, and then scrubbing over tired eyes. That plane journey hadn’t been fun, my first time on one, and as light as I made of the situation, I didn’t like being out of my comfort zone.

“You a dust pile yet?”

I snorted and sent back the middle finger emoji to Rhage before I sat up, putting my phone down only to have it ring again. I checked who it was and saw Z’s name, which was like the sun setting and me not turning to dust. Z didn’t speak on the phone, so it was either a butt dial, a prank or an emergency.

“You ok, Z?” Figured I’d go with emergency.

“You there, safe, made it through the day?”

I ‘yepped’ them all and then he grunted and I heard rustling, then “This is important, we’ve had word of another attack the night you arrived.” I sat straighter at Wrath’s voice and nodded quietly to myself. “You’ll not have seen it yet as the sun is only just setting. Get on it. Into town, look around and check the surrounding farmland. They’ll be out when you are out, I want you safe. Do not get involved in confronting them, there might be more than one.”

I signed and nodded. My King was not one to mess with. 

And he meant now. 

I hung up, showered, changed, loaded up on hidden weapons and then checked outside, ensuring it was quiet before checking out and dematting a few miles further into the woods, disappearing and reappearing until I reached the edge of town.

I checked my watch and then tried to blend in. Uncertain as to why no one bat an eyelid at a tall ass male wandering around. I was used to people moving out the way, scurrying away, crossing the street. The people here seemed totally at ease. Which put me on edge. 

I grabbed a map of the local area, and saw there were a few bars, restaurants, a little club as well as shops that would traditionally be open in the daytime. I wasn’t going to demat places, that would be too obvious if I just disappeared from one place and turned up somewhere else. But I also knew that wandering around was a sure fire way to alert whoever it was to my presence if they were out and about.

I started off checking out back alleys as I got to them, but there was nothing much I could see out of place beside the odd disgruntled human. I made sure to visit all the crime scenes as I passed to see if I could pick up anything that had been missed. But the forensic teams seem to have done their jobs remarkably well, for humans. 

After a few hours I was starting to get hungry, and a little annoyed that nothing had turned up. The faster I found this fucker, the quicker I could pack my bags and go home. I’d taken a few minutes to check into a hotel in town earlier in the evening, so I felt a little safer once the sun went down. This one had blackout curtains. I looked around the local area I was standing in to find somewhere that seemed to be doing food, but wasn’t a restaurant, and wandered inside. Smiling at the lady at the till.

“Table for one, please.”

I thanked her and sat in the corner, facing the door. Poured a glass of water and then focused on the menu. My stomach rumbled just as she left, and I smiled at her, trying not to stick out like a sore thumb, but feeling totally out of place. I kept one eye on the door, and hopefully looked far more relaxed than I felt while deciding what to eat and drink. I needed to stock up in case shit went south and I didn’t get another chance before dawn. ~

Wilder: Heading into Whiskey Row with Jackson, I try my best to carry on with the night. It proved to be difficult as I focused on everything around me including scents. Human… human… I felt like a man being obsessed waiting for this uninvited guest to possibly make their way to Whiskey Row. 

My phone vibrates with a call and I swipe my thumb over the screen. “Aren’t you working at the restaurant tonight?” I ask as I answer the call, hearing Amber turn on a blender. “Yes, and a very tall man just came in, never seen him before. He is pretty damn sexy though... But, I’m digressing. Table for one, sits in the corner like you tend to do facing the door.” I could hear her hushed tone and knew she was using the blender to block out our conversation from someone who she thought might have advanced hearing. A smirk tugs at my lips. It paid off to have some human’s know about us and be eyes in our town. 

“Attagirl, whatever you do, don't be alone with them. Use your gift of gab, I'm on my way.” I motion Jackson over, pointing to my phone and mouthing Amber’s name. 

That’s all it took for him to know where I was headed. Amber’s family was close to mine and she knew the truth about us being her grandfather was someone my father trusted. “Keep your distance. Got it?” Amber agrees and we hang up. 

Doing as instructed, she cut the blender off and shook off her nerves. Waiting a bit to give me some time to get there before she heads over to your table. Her heart rate is calm for now, pouring you a glass of water. “So, you’re not from around here.” She bluntly states. “Welcome to town. Your first drink is on me.” 

Hoping in the driver seat of my truck, I make the quick drive to the restaurant. I figured a new guy in town was worth checking out. 

Dehv: ~ I checked over the menu while looking around me. Couples were obviously here on dates, some were just here with friends. It was quite busy considering the town wasn’t all that big. Caldwell was much bigger, but then I liked the way it felt. Everyone seemed friendly enough, and I tried my best to chill out and fit in. I wasn’t here for anyone in this place, I could tell they were all human. Which meant I was the one here protecting them, even if they weren’t aware of it.

I gave a glance around me, trying to see if I could catch someone’s eye, as I was ready to order. I noted people coming in and out, and then the girl who had seated me. She had been on the phone, likely taking orders. Did they do take out? I’d have to check, either way she looked competent. I smiled tight lipped when she approached and waited on the normal script that came from working front of house. The directness had my brows raising involuntarily.

“Thank you, I’ll just have a pint of coke, please. Could I also have the steak, medium. It’s lovely here. Really welcoming.”

I used my finger to point at the menu items, though I had no need, she wasn’t looking at the menu. Likely knew it off by heart. She took the menu but didn’t appear to be leaving. I frowned slightly, and then inclined my head. Waiting.

She looked around and then seemed to settle. “I’m not really meant to offer free drinks. But we don’t get too many new people coming by this way. So, why not? It’s just one. You sure you don’t want something stronger?”

I shook my head, checking her name badge before replying. “I’m good, thank you Amber. I am actually here to check a few things out. I hope not to be staying long. But I’d hate you to get in trouble, a coke would be lovely. But, if you’re going to get in trouble, please just add it to my tab.”

She smiled again and nodded, “Are you here for business?”

“In a fashion, yes. Looking for someone, the last place I knew they were was around here, so figured I’d drop by.” I hesitated and then relented and just went full stream ahead. “Though I have seen news of some terrible deaths recently. They close to figuring out who did it?”

She shook her head, her breath hitching just slightly, but not enough for me to think she was involved. “They are awful. No one from town that I know, and no suspects yet. It’s scary, could be any one of us. I’m grateful I have people to take me home, out late at night isn’t where you want to be. We’re a safe town, protected. But we are all worried. Hopefully whoever you’re here to find shows up quickly. And hopefully they figure out who is doing these horrible things soon.”

Protected? I made a mental note of that and nodded. “Thank you, I wish as much as you do that I find them quickly and we can get out of the town and back home. It was lovely to chat with you.”

She looked around, then exhaled and nodded. Patting her pad to show me that she had my order and then wandered over to the bar. Her smile lit up her face and I followed her gaze.

And, I watched a male walk in who didn’t walk like a human, but he wasn’t a vampire. His entire face and body were powerful, and while everyone seemed to know him and smiled when he entered, I got the sudden feeling I wasn’t the only predator in the room. ~

Wilder: When I arrived at the restaurant I walked in like I owned the place. In a small town like Red Lodge, everyone knew me and I upheld my family's legacy. I held a presence in this town and I’d keep it that way. My eyes scan the restaurant to spot the new man in town sitting at the corner table, making my way over to Amber. Well damn, she wasn't joking, you were hot. Taking in your features for a moment. The petite brunette throws her arms around me in a hug, giving her a squeeze back. Inhaling a breath to see if your scent matches the one from the sites of the kills. I could pinpoint the notes of your citrus body wash, arching a curious brow as it mixed with hits of lead and wood. It reminded me of a number two pencil. 

“You good, sweetheart?” I asked Amber, pulling back to lock my gaze with hers seeing her nod. “I know that look, Wilder. Your eyes give you away.” She states and I shake my head. “I’ll fill you in later.” 

I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about the most recent kill. She knew them personally as well and I knew she wouldn’t take it lightly. I knew within moments of being somewhat close to you that you weren’t human, but you weren't a wolf as well. Interesting… I thought to myself, letting Amber lead me to a table that gave me a perfect view of you. I knew you weren't the perpetrator, but you absolutely held my attention. Maybe you were working with them? In my eyes I knew nothing about you and would absolutely treat you as a threat until proven otherwise. Could I pretend to be friendly and rub elbows with the best of them? Fuck yeah I could if that means I’d get a better read on you. 

Holding your gaze for a moment, subconsciously letting out a quiet territorial growl before glancing at Amber. “Be a sweetheart and get me my usual?” I flash her a smirk and she nods. An unspoken look between us stood for me telling her to use her gift of gab to get you talking so I can eavesdrop on the conversation. Leaning back into the chair, as she scampers off to grab your drink as well as mine. Watching her head over to you to drop off the coke. Amber sliding you a double shot of my favorite whiskey. “I know you declined a real drink, but this is on the tree that just walked in that looks like Thor. He owns Whiskey Row and if you’re looking for some entertainment while you're in town you should check it out.” 

I tilt my glass towards you, figuring if I could tell you were not human then you knew the same about me. I wasn’t one to beat around the bush and if you were part of the attacks I’d make it damn clear you are fucking around in the wrong damn town. I had you in my sights, your scent committed to memory. What ever reason you were here, you absolutely stumbled into ‘Fuck around and find out’ territory. Listening to the two of you chat while I calmly took a sip from my glass. 

Dehv: ~ I kept my eyes down on my phone until I noted movement, at which point I settled back in my seat, expecting my coke to have arrived. What was delivered wasn’t my coke. I glanced at the drink, then at Amber, then in the direction she had nodded towards. He was tall, probably at least as tall as me. Well, that answered that question from earlier. 

Hard to stand out when they’re used to it.

I kept a neutral expression on my face, but tipped my head in his general direction. Male was built, and wasn’t human. I wasn’t able to tell what he was. As much as vampires had a whole lot going for them, sniffer dogs weren't one of them. Though I might have to speak to Wrath about getting someone to invent something, because knowing something and KNOWING something were entirely different things. I knew he belonged here, a quick check of my very relaxed waitress told me that, but he didn’t. She was 100% human, her blood would bleed red and she’d die in seconds if I drank from her like I might my own kind. 

He looked like he’d do some damage in a fight and I’d be waking up with a few newly healed bones. Though, he also looked like some kind of Norse God, so Thor was about on the money. I wondered who the hell his parents were to get a son that looked like that, and were there more of them? Because Scibe help their parents feeding multiples growing up. 

My gaze shifted as Amber started chatting, asking about where I’d come from, why I was here, if I was meeting someone locally, if she could help with recommendations of other places to go if I was trying out all the local places to eat. I chatted away, giving away as much as I could without just blurting out that I was a vampire sent to investigate our own kind killing humans, and if necessary call in the big guns to take them out. Nope, this is when being an architect came in handy, cover story and ready made business already created for the inevitable check ups. 

However, I kept the Hulk in my peripheral and putting two and two together wondered if he wasn’t just as intrigued by me as I was by him. Not human, not vampire. I’d met Vishous’ Uncle, and I’d briefly seen his Mum, which is basically like these humans seeing their creator and extended family. We had ghosts, though not as you’d see them on TV. But no fairies, no ghouls, no elves or orcs. So what the fuck was the dude sitting over a few tables. 

“I’m sorry, I missed the question.” I was busy in my head and missed the poor girl’s latest query. She shook her head as if she’d forgotten and it was fine I’d missed it, and I smiled as an idea popped into my head. “Actually, could I get my dinner to come to a different table when it’s ready?”

She looked confused as I stood and grabbed my phone and jacket, heading over to sit across from the mystery male. I hoped he wasn’t about to stab me or shoot me. Though, I’d give as good as I got with my weapons, I hoped he cared for the humans enough in here for him not to want them to get caught in the crossfire. 

I could see her panic, but I smiled and nodded to give as much reassurance as I could before holding my hand out for the male, “Evening, I’m Dehv. I don’t believe we’ve met yet. Mind if I join you to eat? My dinner shouldn’t be long in coming out, but please do also order so I’m not eating alone while we talk.” ~ #NiceSurprise #Pt1

[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

Moving Ahead

~ I watched as they came into the room. Interrupting as I knew something would. I felt the smile drop from my face and I looked around at the Brotherhood as they protested. Both Nhick and Davidson were at my side when they whispered to Wrath. I could see Qhuinn’s face was white as a ghost, but he’d been sectioned off from me by guards. I knew I felt calm, but had no understanding of why. I should be fighting, making a scene and insisting that they let him go. Leave and let us continue with the ceremony. We’d waited long enough, fought with everything we had to get here. And now they were just going to walk in and interrupt before we’d managed to say what was needed, what we’d written. What we meant to each other. 

Wrath looked at me and then looked over at Qhuinn and beckoned him over. I stepped forward, but was pushed back. Nick growled at the guard, but the flash of something in his eyes had us all stepping back a little. He didn’t scare us, but the warning was there and I wanted this to be resolved peacefully. So, I stood and watched. The back and forth, Qhuinn’s animated gestures as he talked to Wrath and the others there, and then looked over a piece of paper. After that seemed like hours his arms fell to his sides and he nodded. That hand only coming up to point in the direction of someone standing just off to the side before he stalked over and talked to them. Both their attentions on each other before flicking over to me. 

I frowned and shifted nervously to my other foot before I saw them cuff him. That spurred me into action and I pushed forward. But before I could get anywhere he was gone. I blinked and skidded to a stop, my heart beating a hundred miles a minute. 

“Where the fuck has he gone? Bring him back right this fucking minute.” 

I span around and bumped straight into Wrath, whose hands landed like clamps on my shoulders. “Dehv, stop.”

I did as he asked, not because I wanted to, but because he was my King and I still didn’t have the confidence around him that the others did, despite my frequent visits to the manse. 

“He’s breached a contract, something to do with before he met you. I’ve gone over it with him and there’s nothing that could be done. He has to go and fulfill that obligation and legally even I can’t get him out of it. It’s not under my or the humans world legal system.”

I blinked and opened my mouth to speak, being cut off when the person Qhuinn had been talking to came over. 

“You don’t know me, but we’ll ensure you carry on with a normal life. Everyone will. Memory is a funny thing, but we have some practice at this, so there shouldn’t be much to change.”

I frowned and then the room lit up like the sun itself had somehow crashed to earth in the middle of the room. I shied away from it, and when I blinked I felt my heart beat drum in my ear just the once before pain erupted from my chest. It beat faster and faster with my heart beat. I yelled and my back arched and then I saw nothing but black…

I exhaled and ran my fingers through my hair, a tiny bit of product in there to keep the strands under control while I worked out. I was due at the training centre in a few hours, and I liked to get a bit of a work out in before all the trainees landed. I made my way from the bathroom and into the kitchen where I clicked on the machine to brew a coffee to take in with me. I could get one when I got there, but it was just easier to sort it now and have it ready to drink by the time I arrived. As always I settled my eyes on the piece of paper that was framed and mounted on the wall to the left of the counter. Tucked away where most would miss it but me.

It was written in handwriting that I didn’t recognise, and when I read it the feelings I should have, or thought I should have, didn’t come. 

“We both know I’m gonna fuck up along the way, I’ll probably leap before I look into shit more times than either of us can count, but I promise you that I will do my damnedest to make it home safely to you each and every damn time. You are the reason my six chambered heart still beats and the reason I will fight as hard as possible in all that I do. My world was gray before you and now I see colors never seen before, including the ones you hide from the world. Today is just a formality because I’ve been yours from day one, but damn I can’t wait to make it official and spend the rest of our lives together. I promise to put up with your quirks and I promise to never attempt to cook in our kitchen, after it’s remodeled…again, I promise to keep you in steady supply of daggers and the tea you like so much. I promise to wear your full name on my back and not be too big of a dick when carving you up. And I also promise to love you until my last breath and likely even after in the fade.”

There was scribbles added here and there, it was crumpled at the sides and some of the wording was smudged. But it read clearly as someone who loved me as much as I must have loved them. But now it was 10 years on and I still felt like I was reading a book or a magazine. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it out. I connected with it, and I didn’t want to lose that.

I remembered waking up in bed, surrounded by faces I didn’t recognise at all. They each looked concerned and then slowly started talking. Each speaking over the other until it was so loud I physically cringed. At which point the one wearing the sunglasses inside decided to yell really really loudly and kick all but two younger looking dudes out the room. They all grumbled, but left, though apparently only to outside the still open door. I tried to ignore them peering in like I was a zoo exhibition, and looked at the 3 faces in the room with me. I found out they were Davidson, Nhick and Wrath. They slowly filled in the gaps about why I didn’t recognise them, that I would start to as the weeks went on. But whatever had been used to break a bond I had inside me also fucked with me physically. The fact I had brotherhood blood in me was about the only reason I’d managed to survive it. They’d been right, I did remember things as the weeks went on. Including the fact I had been about to have a full mating ceremony with Qhuinn. But the emotional gut punch that should come with the knowledge that he was gone wasn’t there. He was almost like a nice memory, like when you read a really good book. You think back on it with a smile and a dancing heartbeat, but know that it’s done and life moves forward. But that note, scratched in black ink in the frame in my kitchen. That was something that I wanted there, even if I wasn’t sure why. Nhick had been weird about it at first, but Davidson had understood and got Nhick on board. Now they ignored it like everyone else did if they were in my home, not out of malice, just because I had deliberately put it somewhere out the way but where I could check in every day. Like a good luck charm. The Brothers had also had their own kind of bond breaking, since Qhuinn had been sworn in as a brother. He would be out of reach for them, but because it was all connected they snapped those too. But as the bond was new, and wasn’t the same as a mated bond, they’d recovered faster than I had.

I tapped the top of the frame before filling my mug with coffee, right up to the brim so I got as much as possible in there. I popped the lid on and opened the steam vent before looking around the place. I checked I had my wallet and phone in my bag, then grabbed my headphones and coffee from the side. I stepped outside my house and instantly wished I’d stop forgetting about the ridiculous system on my home to stop intruders. I fished my phone out of my bag and did the various steps to get things set and sorted before locking up and ensuring everything turned green on the app. I could imagine V giving me a mental pat on the back at the fact I still used it correctly and hadn’t fucked it up yet. I was pretty sure he’d not take kindly to me getting him back in to reconnect everything. 

As I stepped outside Davidson pulled up and waved, Nhick tipped his head and then carried on whatever conversation he was having. I arched a brow at Davidson who shook his head, rolled his eyes and gestured to the back of the car. I threw my stuff in the boot and laughed as I got in the car, “what’s happening, he looks stressed?” I whispered, but knew Nhick would hear me clearly. Davidson snorted and started driving towards the training centre. “His female is pissed that he’s got to leave for the night, despite him having to leave every night and her knowing this when he started sniffing around her.” Nhick slapped a hand into Davidson’s chest and growled, though it was quickly cut off with words of reassurance to whoever was on the phone. I just laughed and settled back in my seat. The routine of being with these two and going to a job I really enjoyed now we’d all graduated the programme was soothing. We’d become proper Soldiers of the Brotherhood. Able to fight alongside the Brothers and train others who would join us protecting our race and the humans from the lessers and whoever else came alone. It was fun, and hard work. It kept me physically and mentally fit. I ignored the words coming from Nhick and instead focused on the road ahead of us, aware of when it became harder to find our way, but thanks to V we could make it back to where we needed to be. I knew that the trainees found it hard and would get confused the first few times they were brought out to us. And they were always in awe to see us, then their jaws dropped when the Brothers came in to teach or check in on us or give out rotas for going out on patrol. I knew the feeling from when I first got to know everyone and their larger than life personalities. 

“You doing ok today?” Davidson’s gaze met mine in the mirror and I nodded, smiling widely.

“I’m really good, just didn’t sleep all that well. But I suspect once I get warmed up I’ll be cooking with gas.”

He rolled his eyes at me and then laughed. Both of us yelling in unison at Nhick to get off the phone so we could go train. I glanced out the front of the car and saw Phury open the door to the main office where we started each shift. I inhaled the cool air and stretched. Today was going to be a really damn good day. ~ #MovingAhead

[dehvastation]

Brotherhood at Last

Dehv:~ I’d asked every single female left in the building where Qhuinn had gone. All they’d done was smile at me and pat my shoulder. Tell me it was all fine. Or give me something to do. And since I was incapable of saying no to most of them when they asked so nicely, I’d be sidetracked more than once already. I stood in the kitchen with a few plates that hadn’t fit on the table and watched as an incredibly pleased looking Fritz hurried over to take them from me. I smiled shakily and handed them over and then took a deep breath. I’d managed to get dressed, though I looked a fucking state as I didn’t have a change of clothes so I was still in the basic black tee, scruffed up blue jeans and trainers that had been stuffed in my locker from ages ago to ensure I had something here in case I never needed it. Celebrations for actually being organised. 

I turned and moved through the dining room until I could look out into the main entrance way to the manse. Would he come back in that way or through the tunnels? I didn’t even know which way they’d gone. The minute I’d been told to hang fire, I’d done as I was told. Waiting a good five minutes until I ran out the room and down to the gym in just my boxers. Thankfully I hadn’t seen anyone in order to traumatise them with my semi-nekkidness. I’d quickly grabbed what I needed from the locker, thrown some water and soap at my body and then rushed back up to the main hall. When I’d stepped through the door it was like a different place. There was activity happening all around me. I stopped dead and the door slammed shut, effectively getting everyone’s attention all at once. I lifted a hand half heartedly and then licked my lips before speaking, “Anyone want to enlighten me as to why my male was kidnapped by the friendly neighbourhood Brother when I should be spending the night with him celebrating and resting?” I swallowed the fear in my gut and let my gaze flick up to where Wrath’s office doors loomed at the top of the staircase. Movement to the right of them caught my attention and I watched as Beth made her way down until she was standing right beside me. I blinked and watched the others start up what they had been doing before my dramatic entrance. “He’s fine. Lets get this place ready.” 

And so the various errands had begun. I stepped forward and nearly tripped over one of the tables that housed a huge buffet of cold meats and sides. Rhage was going to demolish that in no time. I could hear my own heartbeat causing the blood to rush until all I could hear was my own breaths as they came in harsh pants. Slowly increasing in pace until black spots started to darken my vision. That only served to ramp up my anxiety as there was no way I was going to have an episode with my eyes right now. I blinked, breathed, and blinked again before slapping a hand onto the table. All eyes swung to me and I watched as each face slowly came into view and morphed into a sympathetic smile. “What is going on??” I knew I sounded rude, but their collective sighs let me know they weren’t offended. ‘We don’t know exactly. But we do know he’s safe, he’s well and he’s going to be back here any minute…….now.’ 

As if on cue the doors opened and I saw the Brothers filter in, their faces barely making it into my line or sight as I searched out and found the face of my male. He looked pale and, frankly, shellshocked. I pushed forward and almost knocked the table as my thigh connected. I didn’t care, I just needed to get to Qhuinn and check he was alright. ~

Qhuinn: [I wasn’t sure if my feet even touched the ground after we left the tunnel. If it wasn’t for the burning pain in my chest and the fire in my veins from the blood of the Brothers, of MY Brothers, running through them, I would swear it was all a dream. But you didn’t feel things in dreams and I sure as fuck was feeling things. Would Dehv feel them through the bond? Did he know? Would he be proud? I needed to see him, to tell him, to have him reassure me. I hoped he was resting. I hoped he wasn’t. I tried to pick up the pace but a hand clamped on my shoulder, Wrath’s voice deep and commanding. “Relax. He’s probably waiting for you with the females.” Rhage chimed in, “Hopefully with food. I’m fucking starving” There were a lot of groans and laughter following that, it was typical Rhage. He had a one track mind, not that I had any room to talk except my mind wasn’t on food. The door opened and we spilled out into the massive dining area and my eyes focused like lasers on my male. It didn’t phase me that I was only dressed in sweats or that the males behind me had basically stripped down to their leathers, each of us had our robes draped over our arms. Though that lasted only as long as it took the doggen to scurry over and start removing those to be cleaned. I was sure he saw the mark on my chest, the newly minted scar that was red and angry looking at the moment. Though maybe he didn’t have time to track that as I crossed the room, the voices around us muted as he became my sole focus. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him close, my nose going straight to his neck to inhale his scent. He was here, this was real. Fuck…this was real. I leaned back and met his gaze, certain my eyes were the size of saucers as the words fell out in a hushed breath of wonderment] I’m a Brother….

Dehv: ~ I took in the ravaged throat, the blood on his chest and the wild look in his eyes and moved instantly. I knew he’d seen me and we sort of crashed in the middle. I wasn’t aware of much around me, though it would seem that the doggen were buzzing around and the females were greeting their males in my periphery. No one else mattered. I was wound tight, having felt various emotions through our bond over the last few hours. None of which I could make a huge amount of sense of. They bounced from fear to nerves to elation to uncertainty and back again. Other things were funneled through as well, the hazy drugged feeling, pain and determination. All of it was like being on the end of a rubber band someone was using to throw spit balls at the back of someones head. Constantly being stretched and then released. I managed a deep breath when I wrapped around Qhuinn, inhaling not only his scent, but those of every person who had touched him. I knew them all. The rage that scored through me was a knee jerk reaction to him being fed on, hurt, panicked. I was about to turn and growl out my exact thoughts on the matter when Qhuinn spoke. It was quiet. Practically a whisper, but the way he said it couldn’t have made it sound any louder to my ears. I blinked and then felt my mouth pop open. I stepped back and bypassed his throat, the mere thought of someone else feeding from him when I wasn’t there still had my blood boiling. Instead I lowered my gaze to this chest. Then to over his shoulder at each of the multiple brothers in just their leathers. They all had scars, scars that matched exactly as the blooded mess on Qhuinn’s chest would turn into. I felt the pride swell almost instantly. My grin widened and I grabbed my males face and kissed him hard. It wasn’t something that should get anyone catcalling, but of course the brothers whistled for effect. It wasn’t a kiss that was meant to lead to anything, for a start I couldn’t stop grinning, so it was mostly laughter and teeth. I stepped back to meet Qhuinn’s gaze once I had reassured myself he was alive in there and then shook my head. “That would explain the ups and downs of the last hour. I thought….it doesn’t matter. Oh fuck! Qhuinn, you’re a fucking Brother.” I knew he knew that already, I knew that he was likely shell shocked. But he deserved it, ten times over. I then laughed even harder and brushed my fingers lightly over the mess that was his throat, ensuring his chin was still tipped up to look at me. “Engaged and inducted all in the same 48 hour period. How are you holding up?” I calmed myself with some difficulty and tried to keep the massive grin off my face. I could tell that there was warring emotions going on, I didn’t even need the bond for that. His eyes held something that I’d have guessed was fear, but I couldn’t be entirely sure. There looked to also be pride and perhaps some slow dawning that he was worthy of all of this and was accepted and loved by the brothers, despite his internal demons. I hoped that was it, but with Qhuinn it could have been any number of things, and I trusted him to tell me so I didn’t have to second guess. Even if we were still standing in the middle of the room with every set of eyes on us. ~

Qhuinn: [I didn’t loosen my grip from around Dehv, instead if anything I held him tighter after that kiss. I blinked and felt that tumble in my gut at his words. It only cemented the feeling that this wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. These things didn’t happen to me. I was the curse, the abomination. The cast out and discarded. My breathing caught and it took me several tries before I could pull the next lungful from the air. I met Dehv’s gaze just as a large hand clapped on my shoulder and a voice was telling me to ”breath, princess, it’s real and you’re spectacular”…I rolled my eyes and felt the doubt slip away even if only for the moment. I grumbled under my breath and flipped off the diamond eyed brother as I fought the grin growing on my face. I nipped Dehv’s lower lip and hummed contently] I feel like it’s my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one. But at the same time I don’t feel right celebrating with those laying in the hospital beds, ya know? Also, I’m fucking starving and know if we don’t eat quick the hoover that is Rhage will eat it all.

Dehv: ~ I watched the varied emotions that ran through Qhuinn’s brain and therefore across his face. It was easy to see what was happening. He was putting in so much energy trying to connect the dots that he’d forgotten to put up the walls he normally did when something hit him hard. The little mouse up there was really working hard, and it was almost sweet that he couldn’t quite believe it. I had no choice but to lean closer when I felt teeth against my lip. He drew me in, always had. The smile I had was just for him and I nudged him with my nose so I could meet his gaze,my laugh light when the words I was about to speak were already said by a Brother. Instead I echoed them and answered the lingering doubts my male might have. “Davidson is going to be ok, I know it. He’ll pull through completely and you’ll patch yourself up and that scar will heal into a symbol of how important you are to these guys and to your race. So you better start believing it.” I nodded and then chuckled, “Rhage is likely to hoover up every last piece of food, why don’t I grab us a couple of places of food and you can go and check in with your Brothers now that you’re feeling a little more relaxed?” I smiled again and looked over Qhuinn’s shoulder. The males and their mates were all chatting or playing pool. Rhage already had a plate of food and was looking like he’d be onto a second soon enough. “Check in with V too and grab us both a drink. I feel we’ll be needing it with all the excitement.” I squeezed again, my lips finding his in another kiss before I stepped away and started towards the food table. There really was enough to feed a small army here, yet I knew that before the party was over every last thing here would have been eaten. ~

Qhuinn: [I let out a low growl against Dehv’s lips at that final soft kiss. If I had my way we would be outta here to celebrate properly but I knew that wasn’t an option. As wrong as it felt with some trainees still laid up in the hospital, we did deserve a little celebration right now as Dehv had pointed out. We’d survived, so far everyone had save for that damned human. Dehv had agreed to be mine and this last bit was just icing on the cake. I also knew that this wasn’t just for show. My ass was gonna be pushed harder now that it was official and I had even more to prove. I could only hope that it wasn’t all in vain and they’d realized I was the fuck up we all knew I could be. I watched Dehv head towards the food table, eyeing that ass a little too appreciatively when I heard the throat clearing of a Brother behind me. I spun on my heels, not even a little ashamed to have been caught up ogling my male. Tohr flashed a small grin at me and inclined his head to the side for me to follow him to the little alcove away from the noise. After asking how I was holding up and all that, he lowered his voice more, “Wrath’s going to give you a few days to wrap your head around this, it’s actually been in the works for a while so don’t think this was a spur of the moment decision that we’re going to regret.” He raised a brow like he knew that thought was just sitting idle in the back of my brain. I gave a slight nod, “After that, we have a lead for you to follow. E’s trying to dig up some more information on it. The only stipulation so far is that it’s super hush so you’re going to need to make sure you stay under the radar, Q. It’s the only way you’re going to get close.” Hope flared in my chest. This was almost too much. At the same time I knew that meant shit was likely going to get fucked up somewhere along the way. I bit my lip and let out a low breath] Can I fill Dehv in?

[My brow furrowed, I knew things were different when it came to Brothers and trainees as far as intel and all that, but this was different, right? I glanced at my male across the room and the plates of food he held for us. I wouldn’t keep him in the dark, not about this. Tohr grinned, “Normal circumstances these things we keep close to the vest, but it’s different with Dehv so yes, you can fill him in even though technically he’s still a trainee. We trust you to keep handling things professionally.” I snorted and then tried to stop myself. It was weird, but it was evident they did. After a few more minutes, I was given my reprieve and set off to rescue my male from the females trying to add even more to our plates.]

Dehv: ~ I got to the table and started to look around at the multiple dishes that were laid out. There was tons of food, and while I’d had a hand in actually laying it out, now I was focused with Qhuinn back in the room I realised I didn’t remember a single thing that was made. A laugh beside me had me looking over and I smiled at one of the many females that moved silently around the place. Always smiling and happy to see anyone they came across, brother, trainee or doggen. “Hey, I was just realising that I really didn’t pay any attention at all when I was helping you guys get all this set up. I must have looked like a complete idiot, so I thank you for only laughing when I wasn’t looking.” I winked and grinned. Pleased that the female laughed at me. Mary was pretty quiet, but insightful, and I liked that about her. No sooner had I opened my mouth to speak again that I felt someone else behind me. I smiled and stepped back slightly as Bella made her way into my eye line. “Is this an ambush? I swear I can get food for me and Qhuinn without dropping anything. I’m house trained for these kind of events.” They both laughed again and then started pointing out what all the food was. I rolled my eyes when the sausage rolls were pointed out. “Really? These are what sausage rolls look like. Good to know for when I sort out a picnic for Qhuinn.” I ducked and moved fast around the other side of the table when both females swatted at my head playfully. As I looked up at them both I felt my attention move past them to my male who was chatting with Tohr. I let my attention move around the room and then smiled slightly at the thought that popped into my head.

I could tell when the females knew they’d lost me as they stopped talking and both started to smile like they could read my mind. I waggled a finger at them and put the empty plates back on the table before walking to meet my male half way. I turned him on the stop and pulled him back to the side of the room where he’d been standing with the Brother a few moments before. “So, I had an idea.” I grinned widely and then turned Qhuinn so he was facing the room, stepping in behind him and wrapping my arms around his waist so I could settle my chin on his shoulder. Voice low so only he could hear me. “We have nearly everyone here who means anything to either of us who is allowed to be here. And I can understand if you want to wait or make calls to see how fast you can get the Brothers 3 here. But, fancy taking life by the balls and seeing if we can convince this bunch that a mating ceremony either today or in the next few days when Davidson is out the hospital is the best way to celebrate your quick thinking and induction into the Brotherhood?” I felt myself hold my breath. I wasn’t in any way worried Qhuinn would say no to the mating ceremony, but I figured that maybe all of this would be too fast and that would mean he'd want to run and hide or fight that shit in his chest that would insist it wasn’t real. I hoped that ensuring I was wrapped around him, and the looks the females were currently giving us was enough to convince him that my idea really was the best idea. I squeezed him gently anyway and tried to clam down on any nerves that tried to tell me I was about to fuck up the whole night. ~

Qhuinn: [My brows pinched when my male came back to me empty handed, despite the food still on the tables, yet I couldn’t help let out that sigh of contentment as his arms wound around my waist.I leaned back into him and grinned when he mentioned having an idea. Ideas between us could go one of two ways though if he was coming up with it, it was more 75/25 if shit would work out. My ideas on the other hand were more like 90/10 that shit would go out and fast. I was captain oblivious much of the time, but I wasn’t sure I could be more shocked at the words that came next. Here, I was getting ready to tell him that I wanted the ceremony before we went to hunt down the asshole that killed me and the jackass beat me to the punch. I no longer cared if this was all just a fucked up dream, I was going to hold on to it as long as I could. My face split into a wide ass grin as I settled my hands over his. I tried to keep my voice low, but I knew the others could hear if they wanted] The Brothers 3 would be here in a flash if they aren’t on their way already. V mentioned something about calling them, but if you want Davidson there, we can wait another night or two.

Dehv: ~ I didn’t do a particularly good job of hiding my smile at the indecision I could feel flowing through my male. I knew it wasn’t because he didn’t want it, but probably more to do with it overwhelming his brain at a time when he was already filled with a million thoughts and feelings. I probably should have waited to ask, or at least raised the topic when we weren’t in the middle of the room filled with brothers and their Shellans. However, I had always opened my mouth and spoken before thinking when it came to Qhuinn, so why stop now. I knew the minute his mind was made up and his fog had cleared, the smile was bright enough to burn up the whole room. That alone was worth it, whether the answer was yes or no. 

The mention of Davidson settled my mind where it had already been going. Him and Nhick were the closest things to family I had on the training side. While I loved how the Brotherhood had embraced me, and how Qhuinn had come to mean everything to me, they were also my family. I nodded with my chin still resting on Qhuinn’s shoulder, tipping my head slightly to place a kiss on his jawline. “You’re right, I would like him and Nhick with me. Think you can summon the energy to go and speak to our King about whether he’d open his home to three trainees for a ceremony in a couple of days time so Davidson can be on the way to healing by then? Nhick won’t feel so guilty then either. And that gives Wraith a chance to annihilate you with his wit before you officially go through having the entire of my name stamped across your shoulder blades. Once that has healed we can go and do the tattoo privately together. I’m sure you know a good place.” I chuckled quietly at the thought of getting those done to really solidify things, like names carved into skin wasn’t a permanent enough reminder. “I’ll hang back while you ask, and grab us food this time. Since I got sidetracked with my amazing plans the last time. Just don’t be too long, I like having my hands on you.” ~

Qhuinn: [I growled soft at the tender kiss to my jaw and then groaned louder when Dehv said I would have to be the one to talk to Wrath and deal with Wraith. Dammit. I turned my head and nipped Dehv on the jaw and grumble more, my voice low as his was] And here I thought you wanted the mating, instead you’re throwing me to the wolves. 

[I spun in his arms and planted a solid kiss on that damn grin of his] Fine, you go get food, plenty of it and I’ll go try to sweet talk the King.

[I nipped his chin, then squared my shoulder as I turned away and walked towards Wrath, Beth, and Tohr. I was halfway across the room when Fritz announced the arrival of the Brothers 3. Great, this was not going to be fun or easy. Well, at least it’d be like pulling a band aid off, telling them all in one fail swoop. If that bandage was attached with crazy glue and the wrapping went around a few thousand times. Super duper. I made it five more feet before I wished the ground would swallow me whole. “DA FUCK, Q??” I cringed and closed my eyes, counting to five. The room dropped to a deadly silent before I heard the thud of an elbow to the ribs and a hissed out order to behave, then the building snickering of the Brotherhood and their Shellan’s. This was my life now. I turned and snorted as Wraith bowled towards me, E heading to Wrath, and Shade made a beeline to Dehv. I managed to just barely brace myself from the blond idiot as he wrapped me up in one of his gigantic bear hugs, making my breath catch deep in my chest. “You fucker. You almost get your ass killed, then celebrate it by…oh fuck, you were hurt.” His arms dropped and I stumbled back, rubbing my chest and glaring. “Sorry. But dammit. We were worried about the accident and of course King over there told us we had to wait until now to show because of the whole big hush hush ceremony and what not. E’s been beside himself with worry, Shade too. Not me though, I knew you were fine.” I rolled my eyes at the blatant lie and felt that tug in my chest of belonging only grow.] I’m good, I promise. Well not good, but alive and all that shit. We were gonna pop over at sunset. Figured E’d be called here to help out too with all he injuries and shit. 

[Wraith nodded and huffed a little about the lack of being able to get to me a little more as he hooked an arm over my bare shoulder. “So that’s the big mark, huh? You know just because you’re a Brother now it doesn’t get out of being our brother.” I laughed soft and elbowed his side] Never gonna get rid of me, Wraith. You’re all stuck. Speaking of…Dehv agreed to the whole mating thing. I was on my way to ask about Wrath opening the manse so you and the ladies can be there when the carving happens?

[I knew that Wraith would get what I was asking without me actually having to ask. We were often on the same wavelength when it came to things like that. He grinned wide, “Like we’d miss it. IF he won’t allow it here, we’ll go somewhere else, the cave maybe. But let’s see what the dude has to say.” He steered me towards Wrath and E, not slowing or stopping as the two stopped their conversation, each hitching a brow but it was Wrath who spoke first. “Why do I feel like troubles at my feet right now?” E snorted a laugh, “Don’t think you’re far off with that, especially if you saw their faces right now. Q, glad to see you’re healing well, but if you do that to me again, I will have your head, understood?” I did another roll of my eyes and grinned at him as I stepped close to give him a quick hug] You’ll probably have to get in line for that, E. Since you’re both here, Wrath, my King, I would like to ask for a favor. One I probably, most definitely don’t deserve, but I am going to ask anyway. Dehvastation and I decided we do not want to wait much longer to make things official, I think the accident really opened our eyes to some things. 

[Wrath nodded slowly and I could almost feel the burn of his gaze as he waited for me to get on with it. Wraith squeezed my shoulder and E gave me an encouraging smile] We would like to obviously have the ceremony here with all the Brothers and their Shellans, but Dehv would also like Davidson and Nhick here and I would like Wraith, E, and Shade, along with their females. Perhaps in a few days when Davidson is able to attend? 

[I waited and felt like the walls were caving in with each tick of the clock…]

[dehvastation]

Recovery (with @MismatchedFreak)

Dehv: ~ I grumbled and sighed and grumbled some more as I was poked and prodded. I’d ended up watching Qhuinn get scraped off the hood of the car like a mis-flipped pancake and then carted off with the others who had been seriously injured. I’d not been all that badly hurt, and after feeding it’d all go back to as it should be. My eyes held out the whole time, and I felt that was a little victory. I’d done as I was told. I’d gotten in the back of one of the vans rather than dematting. I hadn’t waited around to see what they’d done about the human in the car or explaining a van of blood without anyone in it. I’d kept my mouth shut. My brain totally focused on whether Davidson would make it and whether Qhuinn got back to the infirmary without any other injuries. I’d heard some chatter, and Davidson wasn’t good. But I dealt with it. I handled it up until I was plopped in a room and left alone for what felt like an eternity. Then when I was seen, I was patched and prodded. My ankle wrapped. Ribs wrapped. Head checked and bandaged. I endured it while grinding my teeth until there could only be stumps left. I kept my mouth shut until I was sure I was vibrating. My male had been hurt, one of my best friends was likely dying and they were poking me until I snapped. “Enough already. If you want me to feed, fine. Bring whoever to the same room as Qhuinn is in and take me to see him. Then update me on Davidson.” I watched their eyes widen and I exhaled a harsh breath “Please.” 

That little word did the job and I was quickly transferred down the corridor. I saw various Chosen moving between rooms. I figured they were giving us some of their blood, but not enough that they weren’t able to offer a little to everyone. Most of us only needed enough blood to heal broken bones. That was easy enough. I shoved through the door and into the room that Qhuinn had been shoved into. I knew he’d be less than happy to be confined to a bed. I felt my lips twitch when I saw him and I made my way directly to the bed and settled on the end. “Looks like now it’s your turn to rest up while I flap around like a mother hen.” I winked at my male and then turned to look at the Chosen who had come through the door. She looked at us both and then motioned for another to join her. I smiled and then faced my male again. “And no getting out of this. I need it to heal my head so I don’t have more issues with my eyes. You need it because you tried to fly when you know perfectly well it’s impossible. Then we can get out of here and go find a bed in the manse because you’re all friendly with the Brotherhood. They’ve promised me an update on Davidson too. So I am expecting Nhick to arrive thoroughly pissed off as soon as the sun sets. Since he’s stuck at home now the sun is up. He’s been blowing up my phone though, but I can’t give him any information.” As if on cue my phone chirped in my pocket again and I pulled it out. Watching Qhuinn get approached by the chosen in my peripheral while I typed out a reply. ~

Qhuinn:[If it didn’t hurt so damn bad, I would have rolled my eyes again when the questions started up again. No, I never saw the car that hit us. They must have blown the stop sign on their end, no headlights, no warning. No, I never considered dematting even though the sun was coming up. No, not even when Dehv got free. Yes, I focused on every damn trainee, no matter how annoyed I was. Yes, I knew the names of those who fled without offering a hand. Yes, they needed a ‘see the light’ moment and yes, you bet your fucking ass I’d be the one to deliver it to them when I could move. Yes, those who stayed helped. Yes, Dehv was trapped and wanted to help, had helped. Davidson was alive because of him and the others. No damn question there. No, I didn’t want a chosen, no, I didn’t want the females to come in and start their shit, no, I was fine. Dammit. Dammit.] I’M FINE! Just leave me be. Either spring me from this place so I can fucking sleep or at least let me see my damn male so I know he’s okay. 

[The last time I saw him, he’d been giving me shit so I technically knew he was fine, but dammit, I wanted to see for myself. I didn’t want the twenty questions while they were poking and probing me, while they were resetting the arm, which hello that hurts like hell and really trying to talk while that’s going on is no fucking joke. I’d answered Tohr, answered Rhage, Answered, Z, and finally Wrath himself. They’d found something in the car of the human. Something that led them to believe it’d had been a trap. One that didn’t work for whatever reason, thankfully. Maybe because the idiot went and got himself dead in the process. I didn’t have time to think on that. I couldn’t. Knowing it was a targeted move meant it could happen again. I was fighting the doctors, fighting the Brothers. I wanted to leave and knew damn well they wouldn’t let me since my bell was rung pretty fucking soundly, not to mention the broken arm and lacerations from where the metal had tore my side open. It’d missed all the important stuff, so I wasn’t overly concerned but Wrath was adamant. All he did when I lashed out was chuckle low and settle a hand on my chest before forcing me back to the mattress. “You’ll stay until they are good and ready to spring you. Then your room is set up for you and Dehvastation. We will talk again soon, Qhuinn so don’t try to do what you normally do. Got it?” I rolled my eyes and despite the asshole being unable to see, he flicked my forehead with his fingers, “Didn’t catch that, care to repeat yourself?” I sighed and shook my head] Yes, my King. I’ll be available.

[He nodded, “See that you are.” Then he turned and grabbed George’s lead and slipped out just as I heard voices…one that seemed to reach right out to me. My male was on his way. I wanted to reach out to him when he settled on the bed, but of course my arms were trapped by the cast and the freaking wires they had me hooked up with. My gaze ran over him slowly, cataloging every injury I could. I didn’t even notice the new round of nurses or the chosen who’d slipped in. With him around, I seldom did. I let out a low chuckle, then grimaced as the action tore at my side] You start clucking around and I will make sure you’re the one strapped to the bed getting examined. 

[I wanted to argue the chosen, but I wouldn’t because I wanted out of this bed more. I wanted time alone with my male to make sure he was fine. Then I wanted some fucking sleep.] Fine. I’ll feed, because you asked so damn nicely. Then we’ll make them spring me so we can rest in my room. It’s already ready according to Wrath. I’m sure Nhick is freaking. Poor dude isn’t used to his two arms being injured at the same time. Davidson will be fine though. Just gonna need time. 

Dehv: ~ I took a minute to just breathe and shoot a message off to Nhick to let him know that Qhuinn was sure that Davidson was going to be fine. But that I’d check with an actual medical professional to ensure we were all calm. I waved off my own Chosen and stood again. “Qhuinn, feed, please. I’ll follow suit in just a minute. Quicker you heal, quicker we’ll be out of here.” I looked around and then saw Rhage walk past the room. His gaze seemed to quickly calculate who was in the room and whether anyone needed attention. As fast as he looked, he was apparently satisfied enough to carry on walking. But nope, I wasn’t having that. “RHAGE” I called as I moved as fast as I could to the door. I got to poking my head out when be beckoned me out further. I turned to check on Qhuinn and then stepped out into the corridor. “Have you seen Davidson. Qhuinn thinks he’ll be ok, but I…..” Rhage quirked a corner up and then spoke at his normal volume, “But you don’t trust him?” I shook my head and growled softly, “I do, but he’s injured and hasn’t seen him yet. He’s my best friend, him and Nhick. Please.” I felt stupid begging, but then I was sure it wasn’t the first time for the Brother. His expression became more serious and he reached out to land a heavy hand on my shoulder. “He’s in surgery still. But he’s being given blood from various Chosen. Trainees have stepped forward to ask if they can help too if they weren’t hurt too badly in the crash……………” I opened my mouth and Rhage shook his head and turned me towards the room I’d just exited. “No, you can’t offer your services. You need to feed and get yourself sorted first. Then you’re welcome to see Davidson. Feed, sleep, eat. That’s the only orders I’m giving you, and I expect you BOTH to follow them.” I saw his gaze lift to include both myself and Qhuinn before he started walking backwards, “Catch you later Q.” He chuckled and then turned on his heels to continue his inspection of the other trainees who were taking up residence in the infirmary. I frowned for a minute and then kept moving back into Qhuinn’s room. I smiled at the Chosen and held up a finger to ask her to wait just one more minute. “You hear that, Qhuinn. Davidson should be ok with enough blood. They’re still working on him though.” I knew my voice was laced with concern. I couldn’t see him to verify any of the reports. My heart wasn’t racing as much because I could see that Qhuinn was alright. With a little blood and some sleep his body would heal without any issues at all. I hoped that by the time the sun set we’d both be feeling much more like our old selves. I shot Nhick a text with an update from someone who had actually seen Davidson and then shifted until I could settle on the bed beside Qhuinn. I was careful to avoid all the wires and various other beeping things before settling in shoulder to shoulder. “Thank you, Chosen. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” I smiled and took the wrist offered. I licked across my top row of teeth and then gently tried to make the breaking of skin as painless as possible. I figured Qhuinn was able to bully the doctors into letting us leave, so I knew I could take comfort from his warmth while I zoned out and focused on taking long, healing pulls from the Chosen’s veins. ~

Qhuinn:  [Silently, I was thanking the scribe that Dehv was distracted by Davidson’s injuries, no matter how selfish that made me. It meant he wasn’t hovering over me and fussing over my own injuries. His shout left me cringing as my head was still ringing from the explosion and I barely restrained myself when he took off like his ass was on fire to check in with Rhage. Obviously he was fine if he was moving like he was and bouncing around like a rabid rabbit. I listened through the open door and held the finger up to the chosen again. Since I was tied up with the damn monitors I couldn’t get up to hear what was going on. I knew Dehv would try to volunteer, it wasn’t in his nature to sit back and heal any more than it was in mine. I just didn’t have a choice in the matter, though it seemed Rhage had taken Dehv’s choice away as well. I flashed my male a grin when he walked back in.] Told you he’d be fine. Kid’s tough. Though I suppose he’ll be using this to get this to get out of the training I had set up for him, probably best I put him back with Nhick since I’m sure Nhick won’t be letting him out of his sight for a while.

[I moved as well as I could to give Dehv enough room, though I honestly just wanted him as close as he could get at the moment. The chosen moved around so one was on each side of the bed and after moment of eyeing us, wrists were offered. I hated taking from them, it never felt right, but as long as my male was beside me I would be fine. Plus it meant getting out of there that much sooner. I sunk my fangs into the pale wrist while my other hand settled on Dehv’s thigh. I took a few languid pulls, then retracted my fangs before I closed the wound. The chosen lifted her gaze and I gave a slight shake of my head. I kept her wrist there for a few moments longer before I released it and thanked her. I took enough, more than I usually would from a chosen but probably not as much as they would like. But they could deal with it. I barely dropped her wrist when I was hitting that little call button. I could feel the blood flowing through me and all I wanted was a bed I was familiar with, my male and a few uninterrupted hours]

Dehv: ~ I felt Qhuinn move and frowned when I realised that he’d barely taken anything. I could argue it, or I could just ensure he fed from me later. That sounded far more fun, even if he wasn’t up to doing much moving around. I pulled back and licked gently across the Chosen’s skin, my smile growing as I lifted my gaze to hers. “Thank you. Rest before you get pulled off to help another. We need you as well rested as possible.” I knew I wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know. And I really had no authority to insist, but I figured reminding her that while her blood was the best thing to support our healing, her being in pain or getting ill for that wasn’t an option. She was worth more than that. I rolled my ankle again and hummed softly at the pull in my tendons. It would be perfectly fine before I knew it. Most other things were bumps and bruises. They’d been most worried about my head because of my eyes, but I had so far managed to hold onto my vision. Pretty much the longest I could remember going without it blinking out for a while. I chuckled and turned my chin towards Qhuinn. “Apparently in order to cure my blindness I just needed a good bash on the side of the head. Who knew. You’d have been able to aid with that long ago.” I grinned and then gently nudged against him. “And no arguments, as soon as we’re in our own room. You’re feeding. That blood has done what it needs to, and I wasn’t horribly banged up in there. You need more than you took and I’ll force the issue if I have to.” I turned back to the door just as another doctor entered with a less than amused expression on their face. Apparently Qhuinn had managed to get someone’s attention. He stopped beside the bed we were both taking up and looked between us before sighing and scribbling something on his pad. ‘I’ve been told you’re allowed to leave as long as your injuries were not life threatening and you fed. As you’ve both done that, I’ve got some liquid in you, and the day is almost half way over, I’m releasing you both to bed rest until sunset at the very earliest.’I opened my mouth to explain that I was more than fine, but the glare I got stopped me. Apparently the doctor wasn’t all that impressed with his orders. I pressed my lips together instead and watched as the nurse with him unhooked Qhuinn from the various machines. I moved out of the way reluctantly and stepped up to the doctor. “Just so you know, I’m fine. And I’ll get him to feed again before we sleep. Any issues with either my eyes or his…..” I gestured towards Qhuinn as a whole and just exhaled loudly, “being him. We’ll come back in.” The doctor just shook his head and then stepped back. I smiled and stepped forward to hold out my hand. “Ready to get out of here, feed then sleep in an actual bed that’s not accompanied by a million machines beeping?” ~

Qhuinn: [I rolled my eyes at the bossy male beside me. I would feed because I did need it, I just wanted to be somewhere comfortable while doing so and sitting in this damn bed with machines beeping all over was not the place. I chuckled low though at his comment about his head and squeezed his thigh] If only I knew we could have avoided a whole lot of arguing, hmm? 

[I lifted my gaze to the doc who came in. I recognized him and we’d butted heads a few times. It wasn’t my fault E had filled his head with my stubbornness. He took it as a challenge and well, I never lost challenges with anyone. His eyes were narrowed as he spouted out his orders and I felt my own lips twitching in a grin. It really was chapping his ass to let us out of here. Though truth be told I was leaving regardless. I already threw the blanket back with my free hand when he said we were being sprung, nearly forgetting the cables, and nearly missing the smart ass comment from my own male] Hey, any issues with me being me will not require coming back down here, besides you like me being me so…

[I waited for the last damn plug to be pulled and grumbled about the cast I was required to keep in place for at least a week. Thankfully everything else was mostly healing, the internal stuff taking just a tick longer due to the metal and some salt from the highway scraping things but that wasn’t a huge concern. It would scar in places but that wouldn’t bother me either. Not the first won’t be the last. As soon as I was freed, my hand shot out to close around Dehv’s fingers] Fucking hell am I. I’d rather be home but this will do for a few hours. 

[I gave a nod and threw two fingers over my shoulder to the doctor and nurse and damn near dragged Dehv through the tunnels and hallways before leading him to the room that was kept for me. I wasn’t surprised to see that it was exactly as it was the last time I slept here. Even when I was gone for the few years I was, my room had been left for me. I didn’t dwell on that though. Or the fact it felt too much like a family thing. Instead, I shut the door behind us and spun to face my male, eyes sweeping over him to take in every cut and scrape he bore]

Dehv: ~ I stepped into the bedroom and let my eyes roam around briefly. I had seen some of the manse when I’d walked through it to get to Wrath’s office. I’d also seen bits pieces here and there. I knew that Qhuinn had often stayed here, and I had to assume this was his room? He’d not even paused on the way here, and no one had directed us. I smiled and then turned when I heard the door close. My gaze landed on my male and the feeling of being scrutinised had me smiling wider. I didn’t step towards him, instead I moved backwards. There wasn’t a huge amount of clothes left on my body from the various check ups, and the fact I’d been thrown around the van and then used a huge amount of them to help Davidson. I knew that Qhuinn could see the scrapes and bruises that had shown up fast, and would vanish just as fast now that I had the blood of the Chosen rushing through my body. I moved slowly, keeping my weight on my good foot over my bad. Though even that was easing up. They’d wrapped it, but it wasn’t going to need the bandage come the morning. My head had been a worry considering, but again, the bruising and gash was going to heal up fast. I wasn’t worried about my own injuries in the slightest.

I unbuttoned my pant trousers and let them slide to the floor, stepping out of them and my shoes awkwardly while putting as much weight as I could on one leg before practically dancing away from them to stop my foot giving out under me. I was sure it wasn’t the sexiest thing in the world, and it wasn’t meant to be. I just wanted to ensure Qhuinn could see that I was fine. I kept my gaze on him, knowing that he’d been hit much worse than I had. I gestured towards the bed and then settled on the end of it to pull off my socks. “Get your clothes off and get into bed. You’re going to feed and then we’re going to sleep. I saw how much you took from the chosen. If you won’t take the blood that will heal you the fastest, perhaps mine will help. I got me a pretty decent bloodline in case you didn’t know.” I winked and kept the smile on my face. I was relieved and elated that we’d both gotten out in one piece. I could feel the various emotions bubbling just under the surface. The panic when things had gone to shit, then the worry when I knew that I was powerless had blasted through me like wildfire. I’d felt shame and disappointment that I couldn’t be up there helping and offering up ideas. Qhuinn had managed to stay level headed though. Rallying everyone, or those who stayed, so get everyone out and get help. I couldn’t even imagine the panic that had happened if Qhuinn hadn’t have been there, or if he’d have been knocked unconscious by the initial blow. I knew the emotions would get to me eventually. I needed to thank my male. To express in some way how grateful I was that not only was I still alive, but Davidson would live too. But for right now I needed to check over Qhuinn and get him in the best possible place to heal while the sun kept us confined to inside the manse. 

I drew an imaginary line down Qhuinn’s body with my finger before speaking again. “You able to get out of that yourself, or would you like some help?” ~

Qhuinn: [My eyes never left my male as he removed the remaining clothing from his body. I took in each scrape, and the way he hopped around, the bruises forming over his body. I knew a majority of the injuries and marks would fade by sundown but that didn’t really calm me down much. Each mark reminded of me of the panic I had felt when he was trapped and I was unable to get to him. As a trainer and as his damn fiancé I had almost failed him spectacularly. I’d almost failed them all and the weight of that would be what rested on my conscious tonight. That and the damn pain that was still lingering was the only reasons I didn’t jump my damn male as he exposed all that deliciousness to me. Even if he was battered and bruised he was still fucking gorgeous and..I stopped and blinked at him my grin growing as he got bossy. I unbuttoned my pants with my one good hand, lip curling up in the corner] Did you really agree to be mine? Like that wasn’t just part of being knocked on the head that’s telling me I asked when I didn’t? 

[My pants slid down, and I kicked out of them, grumbling about the need to go back down to the clinic to find my damn boots sometime in the next few days. I’d just gotten that pair too. I swear if they made a monthly shoe subscription I would need it the way I seemed to go through them. I barely broke them in anymore before they’d get destroyed. I arched my brow] The day I can’t get naked to join you in bed you better get my ass to the clinic for help. 

[I slowly limped over to the bed and stepped between Dehv’s legs, my fingers brushing through his hair] What I would like though is a nice 24 hours of just being curled up right there. I think that’ll get me all I need. Think we can manage?

Dehv: ~ My gaze never left my male. Tracking each movement that he made and each and every item of clothing that was discarded. It was always a treat, and I didn’t take it for granted. But in this case, I wasn’t going to be distracted. I watched not only his body, but also his eyes. He managed to hide a lot from others, but his guards were down with me. Below the the overly confident I could see there was doubts and uncertainties. Qhuinn was one to take everything on his shoulders. And just because he could see that I was safe, that the other trainees were safe, he’s still blame himself. He was driving and he was the one who was in charge of us all. Despite the fact we all knew that without him we’d have had far more casualties. Thought perhaps those that disappeared the minute they got free might have had to put in a little more effort for the rest of us. I growled softly for a minute as my mind snapped back to the few who had up and left one of their own bleeding to death on the floor without so much as a backwards glance. I could feel the terror down to my soul at the thought that Davidson would die in my arms and what might have happened if Qhuinn had been knocked out. The bus exploding with us all inside. Or the sun coming up and meaning when the humans found us and opened the doors, we’d have all burned to death in the sunlight. So many ways it could have gone that meant the loss of nearly the entire trainee programme. But Qhuinn had managed to get us rallied together, help to arrive and everyone as safe as they could possibly be. All while remaining mostly calm.

And now here he was, trying his absolute best to distract me into not forcing him to feed and instead seduce me into bed. Which on a normal day I’ve have given leeway on. But today he was shit out of luck. I smiled at my male and then laughed. “I did agree to be yours. You agreed right back, so don’t think I’m the only nutter in this circus.” I winked and continued to enjoy the show. My entire focus back on the flesh and blood right there in front of me. Battered and bruised without a doubt. But alive and fighting. 

I shifted slightly to give more space between my knees and lifted both hands to skim them over Qhuinn’s thighs. I lifted my head the minute I felt his fingers in my hair and rested my chin against his abdomen with a huge smile. “I think we can manage as long as they’ll let us curled up here. Sleeping, checking over each others wounds. Ensuring we’re both safe. But first, you’ll feed. Once that’s done I’m all yours for whatever you want.” I pressed my lips together and slowly leaned back so I was resting on my elbows, only wincing slightly at the tug and pull of my abused body. “You can pick the place, but you’re feeding, properly, before we do anything else.” ~

Qhuinn: [I let out a low sigh of contention when his chin settled against me, it was as though having him here and connecting righted my world back on its axis slightly. I should have known he’d not let the feeding slide. He was a stubborn shit when it came to things like that. It drove me crazy but at the same time it might have made my black heart melt a little knowing that someone cared that much to actually be stubborn when it came to me. Logistically, I knew he didn’t blame me or hold me responsible, but his offer of the vein was that little reassurance I needed. Plus there was that little fact he didn’t back out of agreeing to be mine. My smile probably looked a little twisted with the bruising and cuts along my face, but it was one of the most genuine smiles I had since the accident. No faking it when it came to the stubborn asshole in front of me. I grumbled in dissatisfaction when he leaned away and put himself on display. Mainly because I knew there was no fun in store for us tonight and he had to go and look like an all you can eat buffet. I let out a low grumble and leaned over him, bracing my good arm on the bed] You are so damn stubborn, male of mine. I would argue but we both know that would lead to neither of us getting what we wanted so gimme your throat and we’ll see if a little more makes a difference or not. If so, I can promise sleep might not be on the menu for a bit

[I let out a low laugh, knowing he saw right through me and that sleep was all we would be getting right now. He needed to heal up, despite his protests of how fine he was and we both knew I sure as hell wasn’t up to anything right now. Despite my ever present erection that came with being close to my male]

Dehv: ~ I sighed happily when his weight settled over me. He was all mine and other than the panic of the evening when I thought he might have died, the rest of the night's events were slipping away. I wanted to learn from them, find out what happened and why. But right now, in this moment, I was just so fucking happy that everyone got out alive. Come the morning I was going to be insisting we speak with Wrath about the ones that decided getting themselves out and not even bothering to get help. It pissed me off no end that they had decided that dematting out of there the second they could was better than helping. They had no place in the Brotherhood and no place in the Glymera. Though I knew it wasn’t our choice, and while there would be consequences it’d all have to be some kind of political game. Which would no doubt have Qhuinn swearing up a storm once he wasn’t face to face with the King. I smiled at the thought and trailed my fingers up and down Qhuinn’s spine. Moving us both slowly up the bed until I was more comfortable than with half our bodies dangling over the side. That way when he’d taken my vein, for far longer than a ‘little more’, we’d be able to sleep without interruption. 

Once I was braced against a pillow I grinned and tipped my chin to give full access to the vein that ran the length of my throat. “You take enough that I’m satisfied. If you stop early there will be hell to pay, and you know I can piss you off far quicker than I could do anything else with threats. I know all your weak spots male mine.” I winked and tapped my throat in invitation. Not that I needed to. I was pretty sure he knew it was an open 24/7 kind of deal if he needed or wanted. But with Qhuinn, feeding was such a sore subject I tended to keep it to a minimum. I’d offer without expectation that it’d be taken up. Other than in instances like this, where the fucker had no choice. He needed to heal, and I was well enough to offer up as much as he needed. Especially with the Chosen blood running through me too. The fact I was a basic powerhouse in the bloodline stakes also didn’t hurt. It should give him a pretty good boost even if he only took what he was comfortable with. Though I did hope he’d compromise and take more just to make me happy. I didn’t even give a shit if it was selfish to insist. Once the sun went down and we were both waking back up, I wanted as much to have healed as possible. No way were we getting thrown into desk duty for any longer. It would drive Qhuinn mad for a start, and I was sick and tired of it. Now my eyes were starting to play ball again, I was not letting anything fuck up my ability to get back to training and patrolling. Plus, we had some kind of talk to have around the whole wedding/ceremony/engagement thing as well. So clear heads and healthy bodies was the only way that was going to happen. Even if I had to strap Qhuinn to my damn throat to get him there. ~

Qhuinn: [I sunk against my male, savoring this moment because I knew the shitstorm was going to hit soon. The Brothers were already gathering names of those who fled as well as rounding up what happened. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I would be punished for what happened, but it was to what extent I wasn’t sure about. I couldn’t dwell on that now. Not when Dehv’s arms locked around me and I felt the contrast of his hard body and the soft bed. I dropped my lips agains his neck, inhaling his scent and humming contently. I let out a low chuckle as I positioned myself to not smother him and still not put pressure on either of our injuries, bracing myself fully on my uninjured arm and then the bed] You can piss me off quicker than anyone. Especially when you get that stubborn hair up your ass.

[I scraped my fang over the offered vein and teased my tongue after, taking a moment just to wind my male up since he would do the same to me.] I will feed until I’m done. Then we rest, I have a feeling once we hit sundown, things are gonna get messy with the fall out from this. Whatever happens, do not stick your neck out for me or try to defend me. I’ll handle it. 

[Before he could protest and argue too heatedly, I sunk my fangs into that throbbing vein. I growled soft as the first rush of his taste coated my tongue. Feeding from him for pleasure was far better than when I was forced to, but there was no denying that this was the only vein I would happily take from regardless of the shit I gave him about it. I took long, languid pulls and ran my fingers from the casted arm along his ribs, savoring each moment until I finally felt satiated. I retracted my fangs and laved my tongue over the wound, mindful not to even waste a drop. His blood flowed through me and I could feel the relief from him as I did. The adrenaline from the accident was wearing off and I felt like I might actually manage sleep. Not that I would tell him he was right in his instance or anything. I nipped his jaw and hummed out a thank you before I rolled to the side, facing him, my eyes growing heavy by the second]

Dehv: ~ I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly shut it again when my males fangs pierced my vein. He’d already wound me up, though to be fair that was a permanent state when he was around. So I stayed still and let him feed as much as he wanted. I didn’t want him to pull away early like he always did. I’d never really asked him why he was so against feeding, it never seemed like the right time. I had picked up bits and bobs, but nothing concrete. It was a necessity though, so I was pretty much going to harass him until he did as he was told. Which was always more fun than it should be, especially when he got growly. 

I settled back against the pillow and let my fingers travel gently over the warm skin at his lower back. My other hand tapped out a beat on my stomach so I could keep count of the minutes that passed. I closed my eyes, deep breathe allowing my body to relax, and just let the feeling wash over me of Qhuinn taking from me what he needed. I was so used to this being an unpleasant but necessary thing. Mostly feeding from females as that was still less awkward than getting a hard on when feeding from another male. Especially when you don’t want anything from it other than blood. Females made it easier as once they knew that they weren’t really my thing, that took any misunderstandings out of it. Mostly. Some still tried it on. I was never more thankful than when I found a friend who would help me out and allow me to keep my distance from others. Now I had Qhuinn, who seriously allowed me to just feel comfortable in my own skin. I would be forever grateful to him for that alone. I could fake it with the best of them, and I did as I was told by medical professionals. But knowing I can come home, or at least to a private room, with Qhuinn and we can look after each other is something I am more than happy about. I couldn’t wait to get through the day and then get to actually talking about the fact we’d agreed to spend our lives together. Which was a long ass time, and one hell of a promise. We’d had no breathing room in the last 6 months, so we deserved a night of being able to actually plan something. Anything really. So we’d pretend Qhuinn needed the night off and then we’d huddle in the bedroom, or go back to mine, and ignore everyone for one whole night. 

The hum that came out of me on a deep exhale when I felt my males tongue close up the puncture wounds allowed me to relax even more. I tightened my arm around him and pulled him close. Not much caring about any aches and pains that might still be lingering. I had Chosen bloody pulsing through me, as well as the blood I naturally got from my father. Meant that Qhuinn should be practically healed entirely by the time he woke. I hoped anyway. The very worst of his injuries might take another day or two, and I’d insist he fed then too. I felt a hazy smile break across my face when his still sharp fangs grazed my jaw and then he settled. I didn’t move, only managing to turn my head to blink slowly at him. “Get some sleep, male mine. Once the sun sets we’ll be able to talk and sort out everything that happened today with clear heads and less injuries. I’ll stick up for you no matter what, you got us out of there tonight. Without you, we’d have burned up or blown up. I won’t hear anything besides that no matter who is saying it.” I reached down to link my fingers with his and then exhaled hard before the darkness took me over. ~

Qhuinn: [It felt like barely any time had passed when I shifted on the bed, pressing closer to my sleeping male, I glanced at the time and saw more had passed than what it felt like but we still had time before sun up which meant I could…I pressed up, eyes focusing as I scanned the room. I swore I heard…footsteps, several of them. That was never fucking good. I threw the covers back and slipped from Dehv’s arms. I groaned and bit my cheek to try to quiet it as I stumbled around the room to the dresser where I pulled out a pair of sweats I’d left behind. I tugged them on and only just in time as the footsteps stopped what sounded like right outside the door. I glanced back at my male and shuffled to the door, pulling it open quickly before the fist raised in the air could connect with the wood. I opened my mouth to question when I really looked at what was waiting for me. Several large ass hooded figures standing in a half circle in front of me. Flashes of the past ran through my head and I took a stumbling step backward, shaking my head and rubbing my eyes with my good hand, desperately trying to chase that image from my brain. “Qhuinn, son of no one. We need you to come with us.” The voice was familiar yet it did little to settle my rampant nerves. Would they really do this today, with Dehv right there? They couldn’t wait until sundown to toss my ass? I glanced over my shoulder again and saw Dehv stirring. He didn’t deserve this. “Come on. He’ll be fine.” I turned back and nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat.] My things?

[The figure before me shook his head, “You won’t need them. Let’s go.” Vishous. I nodded slowly, then another voice spoke, Tohr I think, “And before you ask, no, you’re not being booted.” Surprisingly that didn’t make me feel better either. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but seeing them all here had a number of scenarios going through my skull and none were good. A hand thrust towards me holding a bundle, “Put this on and let’s go.” My brows pinched as I took the bundle from Rhage and unfolded matching robes. I pulled them on and then two hands clamped on my arms and frog marched me from the hallway, away from my male. Fuck me]

Dehv: ~ Well rainbows weren't normally my thing, but I guess after a night like we’d had, I’d take it in my dreams. I’d have preferred to have unicorns, but as my mind wasn’t playing ball, the rainbows and weird flashback to 80s cartoons would allow me to drift off peacefully and actually get some proper sleep for a change. Qhuinn was pressed up against my back, even when he moved away it wasn’t long before he was plastered up against me again. I had no issues with it, even after so long sleeping alone. I felt I’d adjusted like a champ to having someone in my space so much after years or doing everything myself. I wasn’t sure Qhuinn would agree with that entirely, but it made me happy to make him grumble sometimes. He’d had a shitty old time so far, occasionally it did him good to get so frustrated at me that he had no option but to laugh and try to stab me at the same time. 

I continued down the weird rainbow dream, always upright even as I apparently twisted all over the place, until I jerked out of it. My body shook with the sudden change from sleep to awake and I blinked a few times before rolling to my back. Qhuinn wasn’t there, the bed was warm though, so he’d not been gone long. I lay still for a minute just listening, quieting my mind and getting my body back into check. The shaking slowly subsided and I pushed out of the bed. I was half way through stuffing my legs into my joggers when I heard voices just through the crack in the door. I blinked and really focused. Surprise registering that I could see Qhuinn outside, surrounded by hooded figures. No, not surrounded, they were watching him….as he also put on a robe. What the fuck? I frowned and pushed to my feet, stumbling slightly in my hast, being about as quiet as a fucking elephant. Well, they knew I was coming now. 

I threw open the door entirely and landed face first into a wall of muscle. The growl was unmistakable and I instantly stepped back and threw my hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were there, still there. I thought you’d already gone.” I couldn’t see the face, as whoever was under the robe had his head bowed, but the growl had been all Zsadist. I stretched up until I could see around him, only to have him move again. I narrowed my eyes and went to push past him. Only to find myself pinned against the wall. The males fingers were digging into my jaw so I had no option but to meet his gaze. “Stay put. He’s fine.” I glared at him for another minute and then nodded. I trusted the male, and if he said Qhuinn was fine, I had to believe him. “It wasn’t his fault, he saved us, ok. Please ensure everyone knows that.” I lifted my hand and then let it fall, knowing better than to touch Zsadist when he hadn’t expressly asked for it, or it was during training when he inevitably had us pinned to the mat. He nodded once and then shoved away, catching up with the others in a blink of an eye. They disappeared down the stairs and barely a minute later I felt the tingle run down my spine to tell me that the sun had set. My heart still raced and I needed to find someone to tell me what the actual fuck was going on. ~ #Recovery

[dehvastation]

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[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

Under Pressure (With @MismatchedFreak)

Qhuinn: [After Dehv and I spent a few more moments privately celebrating, we’d left the alcove to find a few of the Brothers waiting with grins on their faces. There were brief congratulations and then warnings about what would happen when the females in the manse found out. I groaned, Dehv laughed. It was good. We still had some things to work through regarding our feelings on fighting while injured, but that would come over time. For now though, we had a party to wrap up. The Glymera assholes were already filing out, Tohr and Zsadist had escorted Wrath, the others were rounding up the asshole from the kitchen and his buddy who they found working the dining area, taking Bernie and Nhick with them. Which left me in charge of getting the trainees back to the manse in one piece. I’d hoped Dehv would ride up front with me, but he’d been wrangled into the back with Davidson so they could gossip. Plus I was pretty positive Davidson was missing his little crew after being split up tonight.  I’d rolled my eyes but gave Dehv’s hand a squeeze before closing the back door and making sure it was secure.  I wanted to drop everyone off, then take my male home to celebrate further. Though I’d probably have to call the Brothers 3 first before they heard about it elsewhere. Damn, more females who would probably want to get involved in the planning. I groaned and bounced my head off the steering wheel before starting up the rig and heading out. We’ve been through worse, I mean one little ceremony shouldn’t be a huge deal. 

I hit the little bluetooth option on the steering wheel and called up Wraith. He had the biggest mouth so if I told him, I knew the other two would know before I hit the manse. He answered on the first ring, “What’s up, little brother?” I rolled my eyes because he finally had someone younger than himself to take that title. Not that I really minded. They were more my family than my own had ever been.] We’re heading back from some bullshit glymera event now  but I just wanted you to be the first to hear the news…I finally asked Dehv to make it official. And he said yes. 

[I heard Serena gasp and squeal in the background and laughed when Wraith damn near echoed that noise himself. “Bout damn time! Not that we ever doubted he’d say no. What the hell was he doing at a glymera thing, I thought he was still training with his eyes.” I grumbled and then gave him the rundown of the night, including the fight we’d had. He was on my side, but surprisingly Serena had sided with Dehv, even after I threatened to cut her off from the planning of the mating ceremony. Damn females. She was just in the middle of telling me something as I rolled through the green light that marked the halfway home portion of the journey. So close I could taste it. 

Metal screamed and the world went sideways, upside down, and sideways more. Sparks danced in front of the windshield as the truck slid furiously as if being pushed. A female screamed, a deep voice was yelling. The rig rocked, I watched the windshield splinter as trees beat against the glass. Finally time stilled as did the truck. I blinked as I stared at the large tree towering over my drivers side window as I stared up at it. The belt dug into my skin as I lay suspended My body fighting to fall to the passenger side door several feet away. Fuck..I had to move. Fuck me…the sounds of shouting echoed from the back through the small partition. Dehv…]

Dehv: ~ I was buzzing by the time I stepped out into the main hall and saw that the Brotherhood was there. Fuckers and their supersonic hearing. I rolled my eyes, but grinned anyway. I watched as they congratulated Qhuinn, then slapped my back. I was glad that they were all so happy for us. And I itched to go and find Nhick and Davidson. I gave the place a quick look and then squeezed Qhuinn’s waist so I could move over to where they stood. Both hugged me and laughed about the fact I was a stubborn asshole and if that was the way to get past an argument, maybe I should argue with Qhuinn more often. I snorted and shoved at them both before getting back to work. Ensuring everyone was looked after and then got out of the place and into their various vehicles safely. The odd ones were dematting home, but they were few and far between. Once that was done we started getting herded into our groups to get home. 

I fist bumped Nhick and then stepped back so Davidson could hug the male before we both boarded the bus to take us back home. Both of us hopped in last and secured the last two seats on the bench as the doors were closed. I grinned widely at Qhuinn and winked before turning to look down the row I was in, and then across to the other row of benches on the other side. It was a U shape that ran around the outside of the compartment. There was then a window that was about big enough for one of us to stick our head through, and that led into the front cab where two or three Brothers could fit along with a driver. In this case I knew it was just Qhuinn up there. I could have insisted on sitting up there with him, but instead I wanted to talk to Davidson before I went home with Qhuinn for the day. I leaned my head back against the metal wall of the bus and watched the glare from the strip lights reflect off the thick, Brother proof polls that ran the length of the rig in a progressively smaller square. It was to allow the Brothers to transport criminals when needed. Though I’d not really heard of them needing to. Mostly lessers were killed on sight, and I couldn’t think of the last vampire that needed interrogating by the Brotherhood. But it was fucking strong, and built to withstand a Brothers strength.

As soon as we started moving I twisted slightly on the bench and grinned at Davidson, our foreheads hitting each other briefly before he asked to know what had gone down. I laughed and started in on my story. I might have embellished a few things but for the most part I kept to facts. He nodded away, rolling his eyes at the various points where either one of us were being stubborn. We all jolted slightly as the bus slowed, stopped and then started off again. I could imagine where we were in my head. The junction close enough to the Brotherhood manse to be able to almost see it, but with the mhis surrounding it, you just had to trust your judgment. The roads were surrounded either side with trees and grass and mud. It could be quite pretty if it wasn’t such a shit for just about everything. Deliberately to deter humans from venturing this way.

I opened my mouth to speak when I was thrown forward. I instinctively threw my arms out in front of me to try and break my fall. Attempting to miss the male I was about to crash into. Then there was nothing but spinning and blackness, groans and yells of pain and confusion. I felt the full jerk as the bus came to rest and then the creaking of metal. I groaned and lifted my hand to my head. Wincing at the bruise that was growing, and the sticky feeling of blood from whatever wound was up there. It wasn’t serious as I was conscious and coherent. But I certainly wasn’t about to count my chickens. I blinked a few times as my ears and eyes adjusted to the flickering lights. I’d have much rather they’d have just gone off. Darkness was good, the lights being on was good. The flickering was difficult. I turned my head from where I’d landed and felt my eyes widen as Davidson gasped for breath and then coughed up a mouthful of blood. “Davidson. Shit. Hang on a minute.” I pushed to my elbow and gasped in a hard breath as I realised my foot was stuck. It wasn’t painful, and I could move my toes, I just wouldn’t seem to wiggle it free. I pounded on the back doors and rolled towards my friend. “Qhuinn is….fuck…. QHUINN.” I swallowed as I choked on his name. What if he was….fuck! I took a minute to look around, my fist hitting the metal behind me once more. Everyone had been thrown around, and apparently I was the only one up and moving already, though that wasn’t stopping them from shouting for help and each other. That did not bode well. ~

Qhuinn: [I pushed away the fog in my mind as much as I could. The shouts were growing louder and I knew we didn’t have a lot of time, dawn would be here before we knew it. I hit the blue tooth button…nothing. I tried again…dead fucking silence. FUCK. Ok, I just had to find my phone. My luck the damn thing had fallen who knows where though because the damn thing sure as hell wasn’t in my pockets. The shouts shattered my conscious again and I wiped the sticky dripping from my forehead and knew I had to get out because the trainees were locked in. I could do this. I groaned heavily when I tried to unlatch the belt, one arm holding to the side of the rig while the other tackled the buckle, the pull straining my every muscle as the body wanted to drop like a damn stone. The latch released and I growled heavily and uttered a series of curses as my body fell, the arm holding the rig jerking in the socket at the weight shift. Fuck. I swung my legs free and used the passenger seat to support my weight as I pushed myself up towards the door and window.  I grabbed the handle and released the latch, using the leverage of the seat and my body to pus the door up and open. I swung it hard enough the hinges creaked and it fought the bounce back. Thankfully. From there, I had to pull myself free. I ignored the aches and the blood dripping down my head, I ignored everything but the sound of the voices trapped in the rig. I stumbled over the leaf litter and debris on the ground towards the back of the rig and grabbed the lock. Fuck the keys. No time. None. My mate was trapped inside which only fueled me on. I grabbed the handle and pulled with everything I had in me. The metal groaned and creaked but only just barely popped open. The frame had been twisted and the door wasn’t moving anymore than it had. The second door was wedged against the tree we landed on. A horn blared in the background, Dehv’s voice shot through the noise, others, screaming. Blood and and …fucking hell. I took a slow breath] I’m here. I’m gonna get you all out, just…just give me a minute. What’s the status of everyone? 

Dehv: ~ I blinked hard and listened. I really couldn’t make out who was moaning or shouting or crying from the various crumpled bodies on the floor around me. I tugged at my foot and then growled when it didn’t budge. Though I stopped as soon as Davidson gasped beside me. “D, are you ok?” I reached over and saw Davidson turn his face up towards me. It was pinched in pain, and he was white as a ghost. I twisted where I was sitting with my back against the door behind me and wrinkled my nose at the pull to my apparently broken ribs. Great. Only felt like one, and was probably just fractured without a break in sight. All was good. I leaned closer to Davidson and reached for his hand. He shook his head and nodded towards the piece of metal that seemed to have pinned the male to the wall. His leg was pulled at a weird angle and that seemed to be what had caught my foot under it. No wonder he’d protested when I’d tried to pull free. I reached over gently and tried to tug at the metal. The sharp intake of breath telling me that doing that wasn’t helping my friend. I then gently felt down his body until I got to where the metal was pressed tightly across his stomach. The instant I hit that spot Davidson cried out and slapped at my hand. His voice was breathless when he spoke. ‘Stop touching me up, for fucks sake.” I snorted and then paled when I pulled my hand away and saw that my fingers were coated in blood. Shit! I looked at Davidson who shook his head and smiled, ‘I’m not going anywhere, Dehv. Check on the others. Your male will be here soon and he’ll know what to do.” I nodded and took a slow breath, trying to keep the panic at bay. I cleared my throat and then sat up the best I could with the carnage around the truck. I could see blood and bodies. Some parts at weird angles, though thankfully most looked like arms and legs. No one else appeared to be pinned in like Davidson was, and the others appeared to all be clear to move. Though with the lack of windows in the truck. The only way out was through the two people who were currently pinned in and unable to be moved. At least Davidson wasn’t going to be moved until someone was here with some medical training. With the blood I could now see pooled under the two of us, I was pretty sure that was something we had to address asap. Not that I was going to voice that while he was lying right beside me. Instead I shifted my ass and tried to tug off the various layers I had on until I could get to my tee. I could only think of plugging what I could of the wound, I was gritting my teeth against the pain of pulling the thing off my head when the door behind me popped. I jerked in place and heard Davidson gasp out a breath again. I twisted without thought and then sagged with disappointment at the tiny gap that had appeared. Though it was big enough for me to see through a sliver, and fit a couple of fingers into the gap. I just hoped nothing shifted and slammed the doors. I felt the calm race over me the minute I heart Qhuinn’s voice. Though I knew as soon as he saw the blood on my fingers he’d panic. I needed him to know how bad Davidson was without letting Davidson know. So at the question I tried to put my practical hat on rather than the panicked one I was sure was running the show. “Um….well I seem to have a cracked rib or two, banged my head and my foot is twisted up. But likely only a sprain when I get it out from under Davidson. No one in the main cab look critical. Lots of broken arms and legs, likely a few concussions.” I exhaled and then cleared my throat. “Me and Davidson are trapped, he’s pinned to the bench and back door by one of the transport pole things that used to be attached the to ceiling. Seems to have been dislodged when the truck bent in the middle. I’ve not managed to check on everyone. I can’t move Davidson. He’s bleeding, quite a lot.” I barely whispered the last part. The worry probably pouring off me in waves. I swallowed again and then put my head against the gap where my fingers were still poked through. “How are you? What do we do? What happened? Who hit us?” ~

[I let out a breath of relief I didn’t know I was holding when I finally heard Dehv’s voice. He was hurt…again. As were others. I slid my fingers over his while I tried to think. The act alone centering me, which was desperately needed right now. Slowly the gears clicked into place. I had to ignore any of my own injuries for the moment, not even cataloging them because that would distract me and I couldn’t afford that. Dehv was hurt, Davidson pinned, others waiting for me to fucking do something. I hear the familiar voices, each one was one I knew well after months of training together. Jhasper was okay he said, conked his head but he was going to help. Tie was bitching, no surprise there, but apparently uninjured for the most part based on what Jhasper shouted before telling him to ‘move his fucking ass’, others were moving around, trying to help. Dehv’s question about who hit us rattled in my head. Fuck.] Try to clear a space to the door, if possible. It’s fucked for now but maybe…just…and yeah, if you’re bleeding or whatever, stay the fuck still. I’ll be right back.

[I turned, ignoring Dehv’s question for myself, and then ran to the headlights on the other side of the highway. They were facing the sky which wasn’t a good sign in the slightest. The horn blared, much much louder the closer I got. I smelled the blood and smoke, the rubber and copper, the sweetness of the antifreeze dripping and thought it would drown me. I tromped through the snow to the driver’s side door, ignoring the mangled wreckage that defined the front of of …well, I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of vehicle it was other than completely unrecognizable. The door wretched open much easier than the rig and I ducked my head inside] Sir, just hold on for me, okay. I’m going to get you out. Help is on the way. 

[His breath rattled in his lungs and his eyes were staring blankly ahead. I don’t even know if he heard me or not. I reached around him, squeezing past the steering wheel, and found to loosen his seat belt. He was human. I knew time wasn’t on my side for him or the others. If I could get his belt loose though, maybe get him away from the fucking vehicle at least….He coughed, spitting blood and groaning. Another scent started to flick over the winds and my body went into high alert. I inhaled and my breath choked in my lungs. The guy was unbuckled.] Ok, I will be right back. I ran back across the road, slapping my pockets and coming up empty for my fucking phone because of course I still didn’t have the damn thing. The closer I got to the rig, the stronger the fumes became. Fucking hell, time was running out. I heard the shouting, the fuck you’s and then the disbelief as it became apparent some trainees were bailing the fuck out. Dematting back to wherever. I slammed the back door, my voice barely holding on to any calm I might have had left] If you bail, fucking send help. Also, if you bail without helping, you are so fucking done I don’t even care anymore. Now…who’s able to help? I need bodies to help with the door. 

Dehv: ~ I sighed and curled my fingers around Qhuinn’s when I felt him reach for me. The peace that came from just knowing he was really there was immense. I felt my shoulders lower and I was at last able to think properly. I nodded at his words and then snorted, “He’s staying still. I’ll pack what I can under him to try and stop the bleed and look around at what else there is that I can do. Please, get help.” I blinked hard against the various particles in the air that had been thrown around. My eyes watering from frustration and inability to help. I felt lost when Qhuinn moved away, but I couldn’t let that stop me from trying to make sense of what was going on inside the van. I shifted my ass and pulled off another layer so I could try and sort out Davidson. He looked pale, even with the flickering lights that crackled above us casting it’s unflattering glow. “Where does it hurt?” I ignored Jhasper shouting at Tie until I couldn’t any more. The whispered answer from Davidson being lost three times already. “Jhasper, what the fuck is going on?” He growled about Tie being entirely unhelpful and using others to try and get him out. I shifted again, placing my hand on Davidson’s chest before I looked down the length of the thing. I could see that Tie, who was smaller than the other trainees, was using what looked like a pole to hammer at the small window between us and the cab Qhuinn would have been in. I could see that each time the glass shattered a little bit it rained down on one of the newer trainees who was trapped by a bench, much like Davidson was. I growled loudly and shook my head. “Unfuckingbelievable. What a twat. TIE, at least cover him with something before you give him a glass shower. Come on.” I looked up at Jhasper who looked royally pissed off. Though there was something else in his gaze. The trainees were mostly getting quieter, and I figured that couldn’t be a good thing. Right?. “Please tell me you’re all quiet because shouting isn’t helping. Who is mobile?” Jhasper was on his feet, the blood dripping off his chin told me he had some kind of injury to his head, but it didn’t seem to be stopping him. I pushed up and managed to get my free leg under me. Trying my best not to move Davidson around too much. I winced and then wrinkled my nose as my clothes came away from the floor with a slow suction noise that scared the shit out of me. It means my friend was losing blood incredibly fast. 

I had to pick what was more important. SHIT!

“Jhasper, find those who are able to move. I mean, get on their feet and help. TIE……” But as I shouted the window smashed through and he disappeared into thin air. I watched 2 more who had been at his back disappear, then one notice the door and do the same. “TIE.” I swore and then swallowed at the overwhelming smell of fumes. Something had burst and if that was fuel I could smell with the smoke, we weren’t going to have long before we all turned into freshly cooked vampires. I choked on a panicked breath, eyes connecting first with Jhasper and then with Davidson. Both mirrored my despair. “D, you’ve got to tell me what you’re feeling so I can help.” I tugged up the males shirt at his request and felt my jaw pop open. The bench had managed to not only crush his middle, but the metal edge had managed to open his up. It didn’t look too deep, thankfully. But it wasn’t something I Could just pull off him. But he was losing blood. I tried to see over the top of the bench, which proved impossible with one leg still trapped. I stuffed my shirt as far down as I could reach. Grateful when the steady drip slowed. “Ok, I think I’ve got it for now.” He looked at me and tried to smile, it was very watery and I knew that the various noises I could hear were also collective panicked breaths. I had no clue how Tie and his lackies had managed to demat out. If I wasn’t stuck under the bench with Davidson I was pretty sure I was too jacked up to manage it.

My attention was pulled instantly to Qhuinn’s voice as he was outside the back of the bus once more. I checked with Jhasper who came forward with four other trainees. “Qhuinn, we’ve got 5 who can help. I’m mostly in the way, but I’ll try and cover Davidson with my body to allow you to do what you need. I can’t move out the way.” I shuffled my knee closer to the male and then winced at the protest from my ankle and ribs when I curled around my friend. “Ready when you are.” ~

Qhuinn: [I had to keep reminding myself to breath, to stay calm, and to fucking think. It was hard as hell though because as I stared at the fucking wrecked rig all I could think about was my mate was trapped inside, him and half a dozen other fucking trainees I was responsible for. The other half had bailed like the cowards they were. No sense of loyalty or care among them. I heard Tie and the others names thrown around as I approached and it hadn’t shocked me in the slightest. When Dehv gave me the run down I settled me head on the twisted metal for a moment.] We need to get this door open so we can start tending to the injuries and I need someone we can fucking trust to get help and bring it here before the damn sun comes up. Dehv, I need you to have someone hand you their shirt if they can, something to help stop Davidson from bleeding out. Soon as we get this door open we can see what’s going on.

[I didn’t mention the urgency, nor did I mention the possibility of the fucking gas since the smell was permeating the air. There was shuffling and then Jhasper was at my side, shirtless, along with two others. He nodded to the door, “Miller and Cornwall are helping inside. They found a light in one of the kits.” I let out a slow breath, my voice dropping despite knowing they could probably hear me clear as a damn bell inside] Good, we need to move. We’re running out of time, between dawn and the gas leak brewing, we gotta haul ass. I need someone to hit the Manse and bring back reinforcements. Vehicles, medical aid, whatever.  

[I looked at the three trainees before me and then pinned Jhasper with my gaze. He looked the calmest, despite the paleness of his skin and the slight shellshocked look he was sporting.] Jhasper, you go. Tell them all hands on deck and direct them back. Oh, and make sure they know there’s a damn human involved too. You know where we are, right?

[He looked around a moment, taking in the location and then gave me a nod. “I’m on it, Qhuinn. They’re gonna be alright, right?” I slapped him on the shoulder and nodded] Better than. Now hit it. We’re gonna start trying to get their asses out. 

[He barely moved out of the way and dematted before I was directing the other two trainees to grab hold of the doors. It took three full body pulls before the door flung open, the top hinge ripped off. I prayed to the SV that no sparks flew…the last thing we needed was the fire to spark. My heart stuttered at the sight of Dehv. Pinned, but alive, Davidson under him, pinned much more extensively, bleeding heavily and paler than a freaking lesser. I swallowed hard and nodded, forcing my self to fucking focus] Everyone who’s mobile slide on out this way, Chase, lead them to the other side of the road and let’s start assessing injuries. I’m going to need help getting Davidson out but I don’t want to move him just yet. 

[I risked a glance at Dehv and locked my gaze on his, my voice barely steady as I forced a smile onto my face] Shoulda probably expected this to happen, huh?

[I shook my head and then stripped off my own jacket and shirt. Throwing them at the floor of the rig as I helped those who needed it to get out. Then my attention and focus turned to Dehv and Davidson. Someone had dug out the first aid kit from under the bench and shoved it towards me, handing me gauze and tape and wipes and lord knows what else. He needed stitches and a lot more than we could do here, but if we could get this slowed a little, it’d be a hell of a lot easier to move him and Dehv both]

Dehv: ~ I tipped my head and then took the various pieces of clothing offered. Most of us were now in just our pants due to using fabric for various wounds along the way. I stuffed what I could around Davidson’s middle where the brunt of the injury was. Ignoring the best I could the whimpers that he wasn’t able to suppress. I knew how that went. He didn’t have the energy to get angry, but any effort seemed far more than it was worth, even keeping quiet. He was doing well though. I’d have been a mess trying to move or get the thing off me so I could just get the fuck out the place. I pushed as hard as I dared to ensure that as much of the blood was held at bay, preferably inside Davidson’s body where it belonged. I watched as the trainees dematted, then I heard their voice outside talking to Qhuinn. I breathed a sigh and swallowed again. I knew that he must be ok if he was up and walking and talking. Engaging his brain was a bonus. I had heard his lowered voice, I suspected we all could, and knew it was important to get the doors opened so that we could all get out of there. But I also knew that if anything were to ignite we would all be in for a treat when all those who wouldn’t move inside were slowly roasted like a turkey on Christmas.

The orders flew and I found myself talking quietly to Davidson as I kept my weight off him as much as I could while sheltering him from anything that might shift when they started to pull on the doors. It also meant I was out the way for Miller and Cornwell to work without stepping on me. “Should have seen this one coming. Tagged along with Nhick and the prisoner. Think they would have meant shit wouldn’t have hit the fan quite as badly?” I grinned so he could feel my face move against his cheek and felt the air puff out of him in an attempt at a laugh. It took him a minute, and a wet cough later before he spoke, ‘I think we’d just have ended in the same place with different people. You’re a fucking magnet. Both of you.’ I did laugh at that one quietly and then nodded. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Not going to stop me from blazing a trail with him regardless.” The smile I got in return I could tell was huge and he just nodded. Saving his energy was exactly what he needed to do. I exhaled slowly and felt his hand move until he could squeeze my fingers. I knotted our hands together so that I was the one doing the work and then tried to brace us both as the whole van moved with each forceful pull of the metal that refused to move. Davidson moaned in pain and I shifted closer so that my body ran the length of his the best I could, arm curled around his head while the other stayed firmly in his grasp. “Nhick is going to kill me if you don’t stick this out and come back to the programme as you are now, or with robotic improvements. So just remember that and don’t be selfish and die on me, ok?” I waited until I felt his nod and then his small ‘whoop’ when the doors opened. I echoed it slightly and then turned just in time to catch Qhuinn’s gaze hitting mine.

I tried for a smile and then snorted. “Davidson here was just saying the same. I think we might be cursed. Get everyone else out, then they can help here. No point moving him until we have some way to stop this bleeding once the bench is moved. I have a feeling it’s not as bad as it could be while it’s being plugged up with metal.” I snorted at the shirt and jacket coming off, my voice stronger as I grabbed the fabric anyway. Glad I was flexible to be twisting and turning all over the place. I’d be sore in places I didn’t know muscles existed tomorrow I was sure. “You feeling left out with all the clothes you still had on?” I smiled and shoved the scrunched up jacket under Davidson’s head, the shirt I used to wipe some of the blood off away from his eyes and then pressed it experimentally to the gash on his head that he’d obviously gotten when he’s landed. “Good news, you’re only bleeding out of one large wound to your abdomen. Your head seems to have given up trying to request blood be sent there.” He squeezed my fingers and smiled at me. I was pretty sure he rolled his eyes too, but I’d turned my attention back to Qhuinn who was storing up supplies. “Honestly, get the others out of here first. They’ll be easier to move I think. If there’s any trapped, we’ll need to know who and how many need assistance before we start….um….yeah. Just, think help is coming?” My words tapped out as I swallowed around the words. I was terrified for my friend. But I realised that my gaze had been bouncing all over Qhuinn to check him for injuries. He looked mostly in one piece, but that didn’t account for internal injuries. As much as I wanted everyone in the bus to be ok, I needed Qhuinn to be. But it was selfish to voice that, right? To take up precious minutes we could be helping others checking the other wasn’t dying. I squeezed my eyes shut for a minute to try and quiet the war happening between my mind and my instinct and felt Davidson huff out a breath, I realised that I’d been trying to break his fingers. I eased up and huffed out an apology before meeting Qhuinn’s gaze again. “We’re ok for now. You?” ~

Qhuinn: [I gave a slight grin to Dehv as he tried to tell me what I needed to do. Of course he wouldn’t realize I was already working getting the others out while taking care of him and Davidson. I paused from tending to Davidson’s wound for a moment and brushed my thumb down Dehv’s cheek] Relax. I got this. As soon as the others are out, we’re getting you both out of here, then we’ll focus on injuries. Helps on the way, but you gotta trust me right now, can you do that?

[I didn’t answer his question about my own injuries. I’d not even given them a thought, running on pure adrenaline, first to make sure he was alright then worrying about the other trainees. I pushed my own well being way the fuck down that list and that’s where it needed to be right now. I gave a slightly distracted nod and hoped that would be enough, then focused back to Davidson. Chase came over and flashed a light for me and I let out a low groan as I took in the full extent of shit. Miller came up behind me as well, “Everyone’s on the other side, Qhuinn. What do you need us to do?” I finished patching Davidson as well as I could for now, enough that hopefully he’d not bleed out in the next few moments at least. I ran a bloody hand through my hair and eyed the bench, the smell of gas getting stronger each moment we stood here. I called over two others who were mobile and pointed] I’m gonna hop up there and lift the bench. Get Dehv out first, then two guys grab Davidson as carefully as you fucking can. Do not throw him around, we do not need to make his injuries any worse but we gotta haul ass, okay?

[They all nodded and though I could see the worry on their face, I could also see the determination in their faces. They’d do what needed. We all would. I hopped into the back of the rig, stepping over Dehv and Davidson and then fought to find a good grip on the bench. The other males got into position and then it was time to move. I bent down and pushed up with all the force I could muster. The metal groaned and creaked as it creased and wrinkled, slowly lifting off the two males. Miller, Chase, Cornwell, and Jones scrambled. I watched with a sense of relief as Dehv was lifted and dragged from the rig. I pushed the metal more and grimaced as Davidson’s wound became more apparent. The pool of blood told me we were running out of time. They carefully removed him and carried him from the rig when I heard one of them shouting something about sparks and flames building. It wasn’t until I watched Davidson and Dehv get set down though that I finally moved. I gave one last glance around to make sure we’d not missed anyone and then released the bench. The clang of metal registered a moment too late though. I was just to the door when the world exploded around me, then I did my best bug impression by flattening against the windshield of the car that hit us and staring into the dead eyes of the human I’d been unable to save. I let out a low groan and sat there trying to catch my breath] Fucking hell…

Dehv: ~ I watched Qhuinn answer my questions with amusement that told me he was already on top of it. But that my anxiety was understood. I smiled and squeezed Davidson’s hand,  before nodding. “Yeah, I know you’ve got it all in hand. I’ll just be here, waiting on your instruction.” I chuckled and then turned my attention away until I felt the bus start to sway a little. I felt my friend tense under me and I hummed what I hopped was a calming noise to show that it was under control. I tipped my chin and watched as other trainees were moved and shifted. The ones that just needed freed but could walk then moved away from their prisons as quickly as they could. Taking friends or helping along the way. No one wanted to be close to the front of the truck where the smell was coming from. It was getting stronger, and I knew we didn’t have long. Not with the amount of metal inside the place being moved around. I was surprised Qhuinn had gone with the doors at the front. Though there was barely any other option unless we were all able to demat. Which was impossible for some of us. 

I listened and watched as the space slowly got emptier and emptier. Then it was just three of us until Miller came to stand beside Qhuinn. I listened, but kept my focus on my friend. His breath was coming in slower now, and I could hear his heart racing with the attempt to push the remaining blood around his system.I blinked at him and met his gaze. As hazy as it was I could tell that he knew what I was thinking. He shook his head and then tried to smile. His voice barely there as he spoke. “It’s ok.” I snorted, trying to cover up the choked noise that would have crept out if I hadn’t have managed it. I shook my head and then rolled my eyes to try and make it seem like it wasn’t quite as bad. “You’ve got to keep motoring. Nhick will kill me without hesitation if I don’t get you out.” He laughed and then coughed. More fluid coming up and hitting me in the face. I couldn’t move away, would have even if I could. I turned to check on Qhuinn’s progress and felt the relief hit me when I saw that he was starting to get in position to move the bench. That was going to hurt. I tried to use the shirts that had been placed against the metal to put pressure on the wound as it was unveiled. He was obviously in pain if the death grip on my hand was anything to go by. And I felt myself feeling more confident in his ability to use that much force, a show of strength even with his life draining away on the floor of our vehicle. 

I managed to get my leg loose though and that meant I could move. I didn’t step away from my friend, instead I tried to keep pressure where it was needed with one hand while the other held his. The other trainees moved him carefully. I limped along beside him. I was sure that there was something pulled, possibly broken. A few things most likely. But that was nearly every trainee in the place. I knelt down beside him and then my heart was in my throat. I saw Tohr materialise on the edge of the rescue zone. Trainees lying or sitting randomly around the place while others kept checking on them. Most of us had lost shirts and jackets and were using them as bandages. I squeezed Davidson’s shoulder the minute he was on the ground. “Brotherhood just arrived. You’re going to be ok. Hold on, please.” I pushed to my feet and I’d just started towards Tohr when the bus exploded. Qhuinn shot past my field of vision and then there was a crunch.

I felt like the life had been drained out of me. Everything that had started to ache just paled into nothing as I shoved past one of the trainees in my way and started moving. I was sure I was moving quite fast, and yet Qhuinn didn’t seem to be getting any closer. I was almost within reaching distance of my idiotic mate when I slammed into something solid. I bounced off like a dog hitting a screen door and blinked up at a shit eating grin. “Careful. We’ve got enough injuries here.” I snorted at Rhage and then dodged past him until I got to Qhuinn. I knew the Brother was following me, that smile no doubt replaced with concern. I ignored him and jumped up onto the bonnet of the car and immediately reached out to cup Qhuinn’s jaw, the breath rushing from my lungs at the groan and growled words. “Are you fucking kidding me with that shit? You only just got everyone out alive and you go and try to fly. Honest to fucking god, Qhuinn.” ~

Qhuinn: [My ears were ringing and my head was throbbing something fierce. I knew I should move but I just needed a moment to catch my breath. Apparently I wasn’t getting that though. I felt the fingers on my jaw and blinked a few times as I turned my head towards my male. I chuffed out a breathless laugh at his angry words, my hand slowly trying to make it’s way up towards his, though it wasn’t quite cooperating with me for some reason. I gave a quick glance and found the reason, apparently bone shouldn’t be protruding and it shouldn’t be bent the wrong way when trying to move. I sighed and glanced back to my male, shrugging a shoulder slightly] flying sounded fun, thought I’d give it a go since everyone was out. 

[I knew his words were from concern, adrenaline, anger, and frustration. I felt the same damn way. Especially seeing him pinned down and unable to just focus solely on him. It had taken all I had to work through that one. I leaned into his touch] Glad you’re okay too. 

[I was about to say more, to ask how Davidson was when another shadow fell over us. The voice was loud as fuck against the ringing but I took that as a good sign. “Laying down on the job, Qhuinn?” I raised a brow at the blond brother and flipped him off with my one good hand. He barked out a laugh and shook his head, “Looks like you had it under control. Jhasper came and got us, back up is coming with some busses to get everyone back. Tohr’s manning some of the injuries. What happened? Wait, save it since I know the others will want to hear it first.” As he spoke, headlights began to fill in the area, back up finally arrived. “Come on you two, let’s get you both seen and back, the sun will be rising before too long.” I glanced back at the human and felt like a failure. If I had it under control, they’d be alive. Hell, we’d not be in this situation. Logically I knew better but guilt was a fickle beast. I felt Dehv get pulled back and then arms wrapped my waist to lift me from the car. We followed the orders, let ourselves be loaded into the rigs, let them tend to those who needed it. I settled next to Dehv and rested my head against his] Just remember, you already said yes, no taking it back no matter how fucked up shit gets. #UnderPressure

[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

[dehvastation]

Perfect Timing (with @MismatchedFreak)

Dehv: ~ I stood in the little room and just breathed nice and slow. Nothing had gone as I’d expected tonight. Everyone else had their stations and had been given a job. And now that my eyesight had gone I was sort of glad. But mostly they’d been stationed in specific places to ensure that there was no one getting in or out. I’d have easily been able to buddy up with someone and my eyes would work for more of the night than they wouldn’t. I didn’t have to be a meet and greet smiley asshole all night. I mean, it came easy as I was used to getting a feel for clients and needed them to like me so they wanted my business. Now I was standing in a glorified closet, likely with people around who were staring at me while I tried to get my heartbeat under control and my breathing back to a normal rate. I was pissed off, frustrated and incredibly conscious of the fact I couldn’t see if anyone was around. This was a glymera party and I was damned if I was going to give them anything to bitch about when it came to the Brotherhood or their trainee programme. I needed my eyes to fucking work so I could get back to my post and start earning my keep. It was weeks since I’d been on rotation. And bar some outings to the local coffee shops I’d barely done anything but rested, fed and rested some more. I was bored. Which apparently made me a pissy dickhead. The pain from hearing Qhuinn telling Tohr that I wasn’t ready for this still stung. But it was also banging home when he assumed Nhick was speaking for me when he’s asked questions. Nhick was on my side first and foremost, but he also knew who Qhuinn was and respected the hell out of him. I almost kicked his ass just because I could for putting his relationship with his trainer at risk for me. But I was sure Davidson would do that at a later date anyway. Even dipshit and even dippiershit were probably holding it together better than I was. Which grated deep in my soul. If they weren’t causing problems then I looked like an even bigger ass. Though they should behave, their family were likely here preening all over them. Fawning over their place on the trainee programme and how close they were to graduating. Even if it was years off yet. I snorted to myself and took another slow breath. Realising that while I was still thoroughly pissed off, my eyes were starting to water. That was a good sign. Normally meant that I could see again shortly after that happened. I had no idea why I got these weird little quirks when my eyes were going through this cycle, but whatever it was, I was grateful. I like structure and to know what was happening. It was why I used a cane to ensure I didn’t walk into things, and to show everyone from the outside that I needed them to make moves as I couldn’t see them. Saved me splatting some poor humans on the street like bugs. Qhuinn would be properly pissed if that happened. 

I slowly folded the cane into my pocket while I blinked over and over again. The water made tracks down my cheeks, and I barely noticed. I was used to it now, and I just used my shoulders to wipe the moisture away as it got to my jaw. I needed the process to hurry up so I could get back to work. I hoped that no one saw me disappear. Perhaps just saw the conversation with Murhder and then carried on regardless. The night had barely even gotten started, and there was still a sit down meal with announcements of some kind and other Glymera political bollocks. I had no clue whether it was something the King already knew about, but I knew that I wanted to be out there. Pulling my weight and proving to Tohr that he’d made the right decision in allowing me to come. That I wasn’t useless, no matter what others might think. ~

Qhuinn: [I had been watching Dehv with Murhder from my station before I was pulled away by Nhick. “Qhuinn, there’s a situation down by the kitchen.” His voice was soft as he glanced around to make sure we weren’t overheard. I followed him down a hallway to where Bernie was standing looking prouder than a pig in shit as he held a guy to the wall. He glanced over his shoulder at me and I swore I saw him press against he guy a little harder as he started to speak, “Caught this guy skulking around, thought he looked out of place. Nhick and I..” He flushed slightly, “We started by chatting him up but he kept acting shady. Best we can figure he wasn’t on the lists, not part of the staff either. He won’t say shit. Found this on him though.” He nudged at the pile at his feet. Wallet, phone, keys, and look at that, a cane with the handle removed to reveal an 11 inch fucking blade.] Nhick, go grab Tohr ,see if you can get the keys from him so we can have a chat with our new friend somewhere else. Also, make sure they have eyes everywhere we can’t be sure he’s the only one. Bernie, you did good. 

[He fucking preened under the praise and something clicked. I recognized a little too much in that look. If I could keep him away from Tie, there might be hope for the shithead yet. I leaned down to grab the wallet, flipping through to see what secrets it contained. The name on the ID was familiar but in that fuzzy sort of way where full recognition was just out of reach. I leaned in close, my voice just a low rumble] You fucked up by coming here tonight. You can make it a little easier on yourself by giving me the information we need or we can do this the fun way. I think my trainee holding you right now would be all too happy to start practicing interrogation techniques on you. 

[I glanced at Bernie and gave him a very slight nod. His grin grew and he twisted the fucker’s arm up so high it nearly folded over his shoulder from behind. He yelped, or tried, but that was quickly cut off by the arm around his throat. The idiot’s face was turning an alarming shade of purple as he clawed at Bernie’s arms and tried to pull in some oxygen. Bernie didn’t let up, not one bit, “Care to tell us how you got in, what the fuck you’re doing here?” The guy shook his head once and Bernie tightened his hold on my approval. The guy gasped and then started trying to sputter out words…”program…kicked out…proving self…got in through back with staff...hid…” I rolled my eyes and told Bernie to release him, but to keep him there. Bernie dropped him like a bad habit, then kicked his knees from him so the guy hit the floor in a flump. Bernie sat down on the guy’s back and flashed a grin up at me.] Gimme a few days and we’re gonna be changing up your focus, kid. If you can stop being a tool the rest of the time. 

[I barely got the words from my mouth when Tohr came down the corridor. “What the fuck, Qhuinn? What’s going on and why is the trainee sitting on this guy? I figured this was about Dehv, where the hell…” I held up a hand then furrowed my brows, What did he mean where was Dehv? Fucking hell. I quickly got out what happened, how Bernie caught the dude, then him and Nhick were getting twitchy vibes from him, Bernie took him down and I’d explain the fucking rest later but now I had to go find Dehv. Nhick stopped me quick and said someone saw him using the walls or something, something he does when his damn vision blinks out. I let out a growl and pinned my glare at Tohr] I fucking told you. He needed someone at his damn back. 

[I stormed from the hallway, desperately in search of my stubborn ass male.]

Dehv: ~ I heard commotion out in the main room, maybe some kind of announcement or something. I still couldn’t see, but there was enough watery vision to allow me to push away from the wall and then move back towards the doorway. I blinked over and over again, unsure whether it was my imagination or pure stubbornness that I thought I could see more with each open and close. Tears still tracked down my cheeks, but it was becoming less with each minute that passed. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there staring blankly into the room. I was listening to the main doors close, signaling that everyone was in the place who needed to be there. Those at the bar ordering their drinks for their dinner. The wait staff starting to announce that everyone needed to take their seats. That was what I was hearing when people started making more noise. Conversations were louder as the various groups broke apart, finishing up whatever they’d been talking about over the heads of others. Or so I assumed. My imagination filled in the gaps that my eyes couldn’t make out. I smiled a little as I heart a low rumble that had to be one of the Brothers. It was obvious that they were getting into position to allow Wrath to sit at the table reserved for him and the other members of his party. I blinked hard and fast, trying to get my eyes to work so I could take up my post again. There was no way that I was going to miss this night because I was having a panic attack because I couldn’t see. It was something I had to get used to until it fixed itself. Which it was, it was getting better. My hearing was sharper when they went, once the panic left me of course. I’d even practiced fighting with my eyes closed and covered so I could see how that would feel in case it was permanent. 

I stood for another few minutes and then exhaled and dropped my chin. The room had hushed and I let my eyes close so that I could take it in. The fact that everyone was waiting on the first course maybe. Or for Wrath to speak. I wasn’t sure what the hush was for, but I could hear something that sounded a little like a commotion. Then the noise started to raise as people shuffled to let the staff lay the food in front of them. Behind that I heard Qhuinn’s voice. I managed to make out some of what he said and I snapped my eyes open, allowing them to dart around the room now that I could see a little more clearly. It was still fuzzy, but I could make our individual shapes. And I knew I’d know Qhuinn a mile away. My heart would pretty much always point me in his direction, even when I was pissed as hell at him. I ached right in the centre of my chest at the thought he didn’t think I was capable of being here. But I was going to show him with the rest of the night. I’d do as I’d been told and check in when I needed it. I squinted when I saw him and blinked a few more times to try and make out whether he was coming towards me or on another mission. I stepped forward and stumbled just slightly when I bumped into one of the coat stands, my curse had some of the Glymera at the back tables glaring at me. I winced again and held up a hand in apology. Automatically straightening my spine to prove to them that we were a unit, the Brotherhood and trainees, capable of keeping them safe without upsetting them with bad language. The night already felt about a million years long, fuck knew how much longer we had of this before we could go back to the trainee centre and stand down. ~

Qhuinn: [I apologized to a number of the stick up the ass glymera as I moved through the throngs, my eyes darting constantly in search of Dehv.  This had been what I was worried about. Not that he couldn’t handle himself if trouble came up but that he’d be unable to see what the hell was coming at him. This was an unfamiliar area for an event none of us had prepared for, it was hard enough with all one’s senses. I came to a standstill when Wrath was announced, it was indoctrinated in me, especially around this prissy assholes. It didn’t stop me from glancing around though, if anyone saw me they would merely assume I was on guard, which I was, but of course there was more. With Dehv there was always more.  I finally found him through the crowd and the moment it was feasible I was storming his way. I passed by JM and asked him to cover for me for a minute. He glanced towards Dehv and gave a slight nod of his head, signing that he had my back. I gave a nod and then growled low at the stumble and the curse that barely reached my ears. I was sure my glower could be seen from space at this point. I wanted to grab him and drag him off, but I knew that would only piss him off more and that it would look bad on the Brotherhood which neither of us would want. I took a calming breath and stopped directly in front of him, my fingers twitching at my side with a need to reach out and touch him, to center myself and remind myself he was safe. My eyes darted to another one of the many hallways and then back to him] Come with me a moment?

Dehv: ~ I stood facing the room. Everyone sort of started ignoring me as soon as it was obvious that I wasn’t going to trip over anything else again. I continued to blink. Glad that the water from my eyes had slowed so I hoped I didn’t still look like I was crying. The only benefit is that I didn’t get the puffy redness that came from actually crying. That only came if I rubbed by eyes while they were dry, or kept trying to wipe the tears away. Which was why I learned to just wipe them off my jaw once they got that far. My shoulder was used to the movement now, and I found myself just doing it automatically whenever I needed to. I took another deep breath and heard some kind of speech start, though I wasn’t really paying attention. My gaze flicked to my male as he stopped beside JM. I couldn’t quite make out the sign conversation but I could see it was done fast and there was obviously some aggistation behind it, at least on one side. I shook my head and waited quietly until Qhuinn stood directly in my eyeline. Back to the various glymena focused intently on the speaker, and I assumed host, of this night. I hasn’t asked for all the details. I’d only been read in on what I needed to know, according to the Brotherhood. And that included entrances, exits as well as other security hot zones. Plus what my role was to be that evening, where the various quiet spaces were and to not make them look bad. Though I’d taken that part as a friendly reminder rather than a direct order. I went to speak, but before I could he spoke instead. I frowned at his request, but nodded my agreement. I blinked a few times and then did an automatic scan of the room, ensuring that everyone was safe and the various stations were covered. Once I was happy I turned my back on them and moved quickly after Qhuinn. The corridor wasn’t all that long, but it was pretty weirdly narrow. It lead into a small back room though. It was obviously where all the tables, chairs and whatever else needed a home was stored. Right now it was practically empty. I kept a grip on my folded cane and curled the other arm across my stomach to stop myself from giving into my itch to get in close to my male. Instead choosing to speak. “What did you need?” ~

Qhuinn: [I glanced around the storage room and ensured that we were alone before I rounded on my male. My eyes ran over him, inspecting him from head to toe before stopping on his face. The watery eyes evidence he’d had another episode but other than that I saw no new injuries on him. I finally let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding, even if the slight hostility in his voice caused my heart to stutter in my chest. I hated this tension between us. Hated that he couldn’t see things from my point of view, hated like hell he never let me explain. I really hated this distance between us too, the way he was holding himself to stay as far away as he could just sent that ice down my spine.] What do I need? I needed to check and make sure you were doing okay. I saw you talking with Murhder, then was told you vanished because your eyes fucked off again, so that’s what I need. Or am I no longer allowed to want to know that?

[I kept my eyes trained on him and tried to determine how pissed off he was, if this was a minor obstacle or if it was a major fuck up…not that it would be the first or last of those on my end, I’m sure]

Dehv: ~ I tried not to flinch when Qhuinn rounded to face me. I could tell he was pissed, and possibly disappointed as well as stressed out. I could feel the sadness and frustration as well though. I didn’t need to be bonded in any way for me to know that coming through loud and clear. It tugged at my soul, and I could feel it warring with the anger that still simmered in my stomach from the knowledge that he’d wanted me benched tonight. I might have lost my vision, but I’d handled it fine, and did my job perfectly up until that point. Now, really, it was the easy part. Everyone was sitting and the various entrances and exits were covered. We all had our positions, and it meant that none of the guests could even go to the bathroom without one of us knowing it was happening. Qhuinn knew this. They never did anything half assed where the King was concerned. It was sweet he was concerned, but humiliating that he’d fight the Brothers about my ability to be here. The embarrassment and shame only fueled my anger and seemed to eclipse everything else. I shook my head and lifted my gaze to meet his as I spoke. “I wasn’t expecting Murhder. He’s……..um, well, I guess he’s here to make amends with the Brothers.” I folded my arms across my chest in order to stop myself stepping forward to seek comfort. I had honestly thought Murhder was dead, and the fact he just turned up out of the blue wasn’t something I’d ever expected to happen. I exhaled hard and then swallowed my stammering before it could start up again. “I worked out where everything was when I got here. I got to the cloakroom and it’s coming back now. Things aren’t even all that swimmy any more.” I shook my head and gestured at my eyes. Still focused on my male and barely watering at all now. My vision was sharp again and I could feel the panic in my chest dispersing completely. The tension I’d been holding in my shoulders dropped out and I cleared my throat to mask the reaction. I was pissed, and the fact Qhuinn relaxed me didn’t need to be dwelled upon while I was angry. I did concede to his question though. “You’re allowed to want to know that. I’d want to know if roles were reversed. It’s a shock that I hadn’t expected to happen tonight. He wanted to spar. Maybe get to know each other as Brother and trainee. Not father and son. Which suits me well.” I nodded and then shifted my weight slightly. “We all doing ok tonight at such short notice?” ~

Qhuinn: [I kept my eyes glued on Dehv as he gave me the rundown. I was glad in a way he’d gotten that moment with Murhder so he knew what the hell was up there but that still didn’t make this night any damn easier. I gave my head a shake when he started in with his eyes and then huffed out a low breath when I watched his eyes focus a little more with each word] This isn’t about Murhder, honestly that’s the very least of my damn concerns. We just rounded up some jackass who snuck in and we don’t know how many others there are. Then I find out you’re gone, no one saw you leave…

[I scrubbed my hand through my hair and paced away, then back, and away again. I wanted to wrap him in my arms and hide him from the world. Not because he couldn’t handle himself but I wasn’t sure I could handle it if anything happened to him when it could be avoided. Yes, our jobs were dangerous, yes, shit happened, but this…this was an unnecessary fucking risk on his behalf.] Do you even know why I was fighting with Tohr? Why I was against putting you out there tonight? It wasn’t because I didn’t think you could handle yourself, it was because there was no fucking reason to put the asshole I want to spend the rest of my damn life with, my mate, in danger. Not until you’re trained to handle the vanishing vision bullshit. I know you can kick ass, you’ve done it to me plenty of times, that’s not what this was about ever. And it wasn’t about trusting you. It was about someone trusting me to do the right fucking thing. Keeping you and the others safe because guess what. Your eyes fucked off, now we’re two people down on the floor, still with a possibility of danger. 

[My thoughts drifted off when I realized what I had said. Yes we moved in together, yes we were bonded but neither of us had spoken about mating, nothing official, hell we’d not even managed to talk about plans beyond a few months the rate we were going. I was on that train for a while now though, hell the ring was in my pocket as we spoke, as it had been every night for the past however many weeks since I picked it up. Yet here we were,  him so pissed off at me he could barely look at me, let alone come near me. My hand fell to the pocket and I tapped the box as I watched him] you’re it for me, Dehv and I can’t fucking lose you.

Dehv: ~ I could feel my anger starting to billow again. Air giving it wings as I listened to Qhuinn speak. I burst while he paced and growled low. “If no one saw me leave then they weren’t in their right places. The point of us having the roles we were given was so that we all had eyes on each other at all times. I didn’t go far. I made sure I was safe and waited it out. I expected someone to see me step out. My meeting with Murhder wasn’t exactly hidden, I was in the middle of the fucking room.” I shook my head and exhaled hard. I tipped my head back and leaned against the wall. I knew he wanted me to hear him, wanted to explain. I’d heard his arguments with Tohr. I knew that he’d been talking about benching me because I needed more time to get used to the sight flickering in and out. It was getting better though, and even if this was as good as it got. I had to test my abilities sometimes. What better time than in a room filled with trainees and Brothers. I’d rather than than out on the streets when it’s just me and another couple of trainees. If we got hit with lessers out for a good time, if my eyes stopped working at that point, well, it was likely it wasn’t just me who would be taken out. This, this was a controlled experiment. I had a safety net, and just about every single person who cared about it and wanted me to get out safely. Their focus was on the King, and that meant that none of us were targeted like we’d be if there was just some of us out on patrol. Someone coming into this situation wouldn’t be going for maximum damage, they’d be strategically going for the King. That was just safer by logic alone. I opened my mouth and started with my train of thought, “Are you kidding me? You’d do the right thing regardless. Whether I was out for the count or otherwise, you’d protect your King. It’s what you do and what you’ve trained for. We can’t be any safer to test my eyes out and ensure that I’m able to watch out for myself and get back in the game if things happen unexpectedly. You want to be there on the street when there’s two or three of us up against a party of lessers? You want to have my fucking back then, Qhuinn? Because I can bet if my eyes fuck off at that point I’d not be ready right now. This, this I can do and I think I sorted things out well enough. I’m not………..” I frowned as my brain caught up with what he’d said and his meaning.

Mate? I still wasn’t exactly 100% sure I knew what the hell all the words meant logically. But bonded I got. Mate was another level wasn’t it? I could feel my heart increase it’s rhythm. Hammering in my chest as I let my gaze land on my male. He wasn’t pacing as much as he had been, and it seemed like he’d also figured out what he’d said. Was that regret or acceptance that was running through his brain? I swallowed hard and fought the urge to rub at my chest. The stupid flare of hope and happiness that raced through my veins was likely something he could feel. Though whether he’d figure out what it was or why it was I had no clue. Could he really be looking to a future rather than just the here and now?

 Instead I paused for a minute and then licked at my lips before speaking again. “We can’t make promises about…not about that. Not with what we’re both trained and training to do. But I am angry about your lack of faith in me, though perhaps more now for your lack of faith in yourself. Your ability to focus when I’m not 100%. Sight or not, if you were in danger I’d throw myself in head first just as you have said you would. And I’d feel like complete and total shit if I’d been sidelined by you and that was the night you didn’t come home. Can’t you see that? I’m here as much for you as I am for our King? ~

Qhuinn: [I shook my head at the outburst and paused my steps again, my hand scrubbing through my hair] They didn’t see where you went because they were looking for more assholes linked to the guy we caught. Everyone went eyes on the King and then they turned to find you and you were fucking gone, Dehv. If Nhick hadn’t overheard someone mention the trainee using the damn wall to get around…

[I shook my head and let out a sigh as one fist jammed into my pocket, fiddling with the small velvet bag. The metal inside nearly singed my skin, or at least that’s how it felt at the moment] Knowing there could have been others who snuck in and hearing you were gone about killed me. 

[My fingers curled tight around that bag and I swore my heart stopped when he asked if I had his back or would have his back on the streets. Did he really not see that’s what I was trying to do?  Add to that the whole not making promises about our future. Every word he threw at me felt like a dagger in my chest and I couldn’t breath. That hurt worse than any of the times he broke my nose, hell that hurt worse than waking up in hell to begin with. I skid to a halt and felt the blood drain from my face as I pulled my hand from my pocket, my voice resigned as the fight fled from me] Right, I wouldn’t have your back any which way I could, I wasn’t looking out for my heart or my future when I wanted to make sure you were properly trained for this and I sure as fuck apparently don’t have any faith in you, in us, or our future.

[I spun on my heels and slowly walked away because I needed air, I needed to get this constricted feeling to let up. The bag fell from my grip as I walked away, heading for the nearest exit I could find]

Dehv: ~ I exhaled hard at the explanation and nodded. It made sense if they were all looking in the wrong direction. We were still in a safer venue than if I were on the streets and got taken out when no one was looking. Here I was unlikely to get picked off without someone noticing or reporting it. As soon as they all got back to station they’d have looked for me, just as Qhuinn had done. I had used the wall sparingly, and it was my own fault for putting my stick away in my pocket rather than using it when I moved away from the bar. I had thought my sight would come back faster. I could understand the panic. It hit me gut deep that he’d been worried. I knew I’d be in the same boat. I’d worry if he disappeared off grid mid way through something.

I shook my head and turned slightly, fist rubbing over my sternum as I tried to ease the ache that was there. Knowing I’d hurt him, even if I was still pissed off, wasn’t exactly how I’d wanted the night to go. I looked up towards the ceiling and swallowed the urge to growl. I loved the fucker, was bonded to him. Both my human upbringing and my vampire genetics were in this thing. And the last thing I wanted was to have him feel he couldn’t do the one thing that meant everything to him. He wanted to protect his King, but he also wanted to protect me. Which was exactly where I stood. Though to be fair he was a trouble magnet, so the simple fact he went out on patrol minus me and trained the other newbies without total full body protective gear should probably be mentioned. 

The simple fact was that I had to learn how to deal with situations where I wasn’t 100%. Whether with an injury I’d had some time to get used to, or with something happening then and there. If I were shot or stabbed, I’d still have to fight. To get myself and or others to safety. I know I’d be less rational if it were Qhuinn who was injured. But I stuck to my guns. This was the safest way to test my limits without being a training simulation with no real danger involved. It was miles safer than being on the street with guns and knives and lessers and the Omega. 

At the tone of Qhuinn’s voice I spun fast on my heels, dizziness flashing through me before I righted myself. I frowned and tried to take in what he was saying. I blinked and shook my head to get rid of the cobwebs again, then felt my mouth drop open. Wouldn’t have my back? No faith in us or our future. THAT’S what he’d got from what I’d said? I blinked another few times, the click of the door knocking me out of it and I started moving before I was even aware of it. I bent to grab the bag that Qhuinn had dropped and instantly felt like my feet had hit super glue. My fingers curled around the shape in the bag and I felt my breath hitch. Then I felt my face flush with heat as my heart hammered in my chest. He was walking the fuck away? 

With that thought dogging my steps I was out the door and looking around until I saw the retreating figure of my male. “You dropped something apparently. And I think you might need your fucking ears checked if that’s how you interpreted what I said.” I spoke loudly enough to ensure he couldn’t ignore me, and although my fist was wrapped protectively around the bag, there was enough of it showing to allow that he knew what I was talking about. I was aware I probably looked pissed off, I didn’t care right then. It was like he’d offered up a future and then walked away before it had any chance of becoming more. That fire burned through me and ensured my control had well and truly snapped. ~

Qhuinn: [I’d almost made it to the end of the hall and back to the foyer when I heard the footsteps behind me. Though even without the footsteps, the sound of his thudding heart would have given him away. It never mattered how angry I was or how hurt I was, I would always find my focus and my center in him it seemed. I didn’t want to make a scene in front of the Glymera or our king so I stopped before entering the foyer and turned back to face my male. My heart stopped in my chest when I saw what he was wielding between his fingers. Automatically, I dropped my hand to my pocket, patting it to confirm what exactly I was looking at. I kept my voice low, as even as I could] You flat out said we couldn’t plan for the future and that I had no faith in you or in myself. Tell me, please, how did I misinterpret that? 

[I didn’t mention shit about the rings, not yet. I had to figure out how to do that without ripping my heart out at the improbability since he already effectively shot me down. He might not be able to, but I had seen our future, and that was what I wanted with him. I still wasn’t sure my heart was even beating yet as I stared at him and that damn velvet bag]

Dehv: ~ I shook my head and palmed the little bag. Still not opening it, perhaps my heart just wasn’t ready to see what was in there and then watch Qhuinn walk off into the sunset. 

I tipped my chin and looked at the ceiling while I dragged my other hand through my hair. Fingers digging into my scalp before tugging gently to try and wake myself up. This had to be a dream of some kind. That what I’d said, what I’d been trying to do, had been so hugely misconstrued. I sighed hard and then tried to choose my words wisely. Though with how my heart was hammering and my brain was foggy that might be a futile effort. “I said we can’t promise not to die on each other in the fucking field. We’re going out on patrol night after night. We know what we might run into. Lessers, the Omega, humans with guns. We’ve got no way of knowing. All we can do is go out there and do our jobs. Our jobs to protect humans, keep the race going, and when we can go ahead and protect our King when he’s out and about. But of course I’d be speaking about us having a future. Because I’ve given you nothing to think that I’m not all in here, or that I’m going to just disappear and not look back. I might not be as educated as you are, Qhuinn. But I sure as shit jumped into this with both fucking feet.” I knew I was starting to rant. The fact I rarely swore wasn’t exactly lost on me, and yet I couldn’t stop my tirade once I’d started. I stepped forward and got close enough that I could poke my male in the chest with the fist still clutching at the bag. “I said that here was safer than on the streets with nothing that we can safeguard against. I said that if it was me or the King on the line, you’d do the right thing. But if you could help me, you would. Just as I’d help you. I hope to god that never happens. Because I’m not sure either one of us would survive that. You apparently have no faith in yourself or in me if you’re so quick to assume and then walk off without clarifying. You want to piss me off and then rip out my heart by dropping this like it means nothing? That’s on you.” I stepped past Qhuinn and slapped the bag against his chest, my motion not stopping as I forced myself to release the bag. Though I didn’t stop myself from trailing my fingers over his shirt and shoulder. Angry and hurt or not, he was still mine. ~

Qhuinn: [I shook my head, replaying the conversation over and over in my mind] That is not what you said. You said we cannot plan for the future and that you thought I had no faith in you based on a conversation you overheard snippets about. You hadn’t even been training since the accident.

[I shook my head again and bit my lip. There was no sense going over that round of conversation again as we would never agree on what either of us were thinking with that. The rest of his words slowly sunk in and I narrowed my eyes at him as I replayed them again] And I never gave you any indication I wasn’t all in either or that I wasn’t constantly thinking about what was best for us, how to keep us both safe. My job is to keep you safe, our king safe, and then our race. In that order. As for walking off, you’re the one that reminded me I’m supposed to be focused on you but rather everyone else. I wasn’t walking away and if you’d look in the fucking back, you’d see how all in I want to be. You weren’t supposed to see it like that. 

[I gave my head another shake and held my breath as he approached, his touch burning through the shirt I wore. I raised a hand to close my fingers over his, holding him in place for just that moment] It fell out, I’ve had it with me for weeks trying to find the right moment….

Dehv: ~ I stopped. Feet planted in place as I felt his fingers curl around my hand. I didn’t pull away, instead fisting my fingers into his shirt and dropping my chin to my chest. “I said we can’t plan for that. In the sense of not making promises of not dying, of forever. Not that I didn’t want to or that I wasn’t about to walk that line with you regardless.” I exhaled again. I felt like the entire exchange was just me sighing over and over again as I tried my best to get my brain and mouth to line up. It didn’t appear they were going to be friends any time soon, since regardless of what I meant the anger seemed to be what came through front and centre. “I’ve not been training since the accident. But I have managed to get pretty used to what to do when my eyes fuck off. I got out the way, got somewhere safe and it was just bad timing that everyone was distracted with someone being pulled off the floor. I’m glad they were found and whoever decided to try it on with Wrath can now be dealt with appropriately by the way. Even if it was sucky timing for me since everyone was looking elsewhere and not at their specific station.” I shook my head, resignation shining through, and then pulled my hand away from Qhuinn’s chest. Releasing his shirt, but keeping my fingers around the small bag that I’d been going to release a few minutes earlier. I lifted my gaze to meet his, unable to hide the confusion that probably covered my entire face. “In the human world that order would entirely works for 90% of the population. And from all I’ve heard in this world, the King comes first, and we come second. Are we allowed to protect each other first and foremost?” I felt myself frowning. I knew that it was likely ingrained into us. Both of us had a hard time watching the other get hit or hurt. Even in training. Both of us had run head first into shit just to protect the other because it was just what we did. There was instinct and some underlying force that pulled us together if the other was in danger. Could that be overridden? It could, obviously to a degree. I’d watched the idiots attack Qhuinn. He’d watched Jhasper injure me and both of us had managed to get out of hell with a concussion and a few scrapes and bruises without going red mist insane. I’d just always assumed I would be second to the King, had heard it repeated time and time again. That I had to force myself to do the same with him when we were out on patrol or at events like this one. I felt my eyes twitching as I switched my gaze from one to the other, searching his face for some understanding. I’d tried so hard to understand as much as I could, to really understand my instincts and emotions when it came to the male. Mostly letting them wash through me while enjoying them without too much second thought. Not I was second guessing what I’d assumed I was doing right. Qhuinn telling me that I came before the King. That the bag in my hand was something he’d had for weeks, which is Qhuinn speak was likely more months, waiting for a right time. If either of us had learned anything over the time together, it was that a right time didn’t exist.

“You know full well if you wait for the right moment you’ll be waiting until you’re dead, Qhuinn. At what point have we ever had plans go as we want them, or things to happen in the right order?” I rolled my eyes and then gently took his hand, turning it so I could place the bag in it and curl his fingers around the material. I looked from the bag to my males face, still getting pulled into his mismatched gaze. “Fuck knows what a perfect moment looks like, Qhuinn, but when you find it let me know.” ~

Qhuinn: [I shook my head and let out a puff of annoyance. We were going in circles about his training and that was something we were just not going to see eye to eye on right now. The thing was, I knew logically we were each right in a way. My emotions were too ramped up tonight to concede though, especially with the threat already showing its face in the form of the asshole Bernie had took down. This was not training, that was shit we did in a controlled environment to learn and get a grasp of shit. I wouldn’t take any trainee with me on the streets unprepared either, but trying to get him to see that wasn’t going to happen tonight.] You and your well being will always come first with me, nallum. Every fucking time. The Brothers know that too. If any of their mates were in danger you bet your ass they would be protected first and foremost as well. Having something, someone to fight for, that is what carries me through those nights I’m on patrol when you’ve been home. 

[I let out a soft laugh at the statement about our plans going to shit. That seemed to be the story of our lives thus far. My fingers curled around the bag as our gazes locked. My heart beat crashed loudly in my ears] Every moment with you is perfect, Jackass. I thought you deserved more, deserved something elaborate but that’s not me. What you see before you, that’s as good as it’s ever gonna get. 

[I dropped to one knee and took his hand in mine, curling the bag between our fingers] I want to spend the rest of my life with you,  however long or short that may be. I want you wearing my ring and my name on your back, and I want to do the same. I will always try to protect you and I guarantee our road won’t be easy because we’re both too fucking stubborn for that, we will butt heads and stand our grounds on things until we’re both blue in the face, but there is no one I’d rather spend my life fighting with if I know I also get to fight and stand by your side. What do you say?

Dehv: ~ I could see in his face that there was no way he was backing down. I was adamant that here was the best we’d get for a mostly controlled environment to have me in. I could be of use, keep my station and ensure things were sorted appropriately. Had everyone else been where they should have been and not so worried about what was going on downstairs then there would have been eyes on me and not rumours to worry Qhuinn. While I wasn’t going to harp on about it, not much anyway, there was more training going to be needed. God forbid we were out on patrol and one disappeared while all eyes were on something else. There was a reason we were partnered and told practically every day that we went out in groups and never alone. The buddy system had been invented for the Brothers currently running the show, since it would seem they were incredibly shit at actually following rules. I was sure that the various trainees going through the programme would have no problem picking up that slack. 

I shook my head when he laughed and arched a brow as I inclined my head slightly with a shrug when Qhuinn started talking. What I saw was what I got, and while that wasn’t exactly true with how we’d met, on the inside he’d always been the same stubborn asshole that I’d been arguing with for the last half hour. I raked my hand through my hair and tipped my chin up to look at the ceiling again. Opening my mouth to explain that he was more than good enough and I didn’t deserve more than exactly who was in front of me. My mouth stayed open when I looked back at where Qhuinn had been, then scanned downward to where he was on his knee. Ring out the bag and held up towards me.

I was sure my mouth stayed open the entire time he spoke. My heart hammering so hard in my chest that it was a wonder I could hear a single word he said. And yet I heard each syllable like he had a line directly into my brain. I swallowed hard against the lump that had appeared there, emotion clogging my ability to speak right in that moment. As questions went, it was perfect Qhuinn and that meant that the minute he finished speaking I burst into laughter and sank down to my knees in front of him. Bringing us to eye level once more and curling my free hand into the short hairs at the nape of his neck. “Your timing is for crap, Qhuinn. But that’s why I love you, and us. We never go to plan and everything is always so much better because of it. You not only bring adventure and excitement into my life, you also bring stability and connection too. I’d love to spend the rest of our lives, however long they may be, fighting with you, for you and ensuring no one but I ever break your nose again.” I swallowed again, though my grin was huge and open, and used the hand curled around his neck to pull him closer to me. “Honestly, Qhuinn. At least you waited until my eyes worked.” I rolled those very eyes playfully and then closed the gap to claim the mouth of the male that would be mine forever. ~

[dehvastation]

HUSBANDS FLIPPING HOUSES