arcadiasarchives

[arcadiasarchives]

The Choices We Make

Did I fill one of my own prompts? Probably. At least I’ve actually finished something. This was actually finished a little while ago, before I went into Lockdown but I’ve been waiting for the person I wrote it for to read it before posting.

University was turning out to be a lot more fun than Killian had expected. His lessons were interesting, the teachers cool, and he’d begun making friends for the first time in what felt like forever. He was finally out of the house as well, having found a classmate to share his place with to help cover costs, and it felt good to be away from his brother no matter how much he loved him. It turned out that love didn’t stop you from wanting to punch people in the face. Fancy that. He had the flat to himself that night, Nicolai had a tutoring job at the library, and he was using the quiet to get as much of his homework as possible out of the way. If he got it done before the weekend he’d just be able to kick back and relax, maybe have a few friends round. But that was only if he got his homework out of the way because as cool as his teachers were some of them were right demons, literally. He’d been working for hours, music on low in the background, and was just considering stopping to eat something when he heard the window open. It should probably worry him considering they were on the 5th floor but he had a pretty good idea who it was. And if it wasn’t them, well worry wasn’t going to help anyway. He glanced at his visitor’s reflection in the glass of his picture frame, shaking his head with a small sigh. “You realise who they are don’t you?” It wasn’t a question not really and he wondered briefly if he’d get away with not answering. Though if that was the case his brother would have just sent a text rather than breaking into his flat at stupid o'clock. And really, he had a key. “Of course I do, now would you mind shutting that window it’s cold out.” He heard the window shut and his brother’s footsteps move closer to the desk. Sighing he set aside his homework and turned to give the other his full attention. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been expecting this after agreeing to be the villain’s brother’s room-mate. But he certainly wasn’t going to be made to regret the decision, not even by Kieran. “Is that all you have to say?” Kieran’s voice was a little harder than Killian had been expecting and he frowned. He was willing to entertain his brother’s misgivings certainly, especially as he’d been nice enough to come while Nicolai was out though whether that was intentional or accidental was anyone’s guess. But he drew the line at being treated like a reprobate child. Pushing away from his desk he gave his brother a once over before getting up and heading into the kitchenette. “Pretty much yeah, coffee?” He started the machine anyway, Kieran had quite obviously stopped by after patrol and caffeine might put him in a slightly better mood. Stifling a yawn with the back of his hand he ignored the clock on the wall that clearly said he was pushing his luck when it came to sleep and opened the fridge. There wasn’t much that didn’t require cooking, which to be honest he couldn’t be bothered with, so he grabbed an apple of the counter instead. Kieran had followed after him and was now leaning against the breakfast bar, frown still firmly in place. “Please tell me that’s not your dinner?” He said as he watched his brother bite into the apple. “It’s not my dinner.” Kieran shook his head with a frustrated sigh, he wasn’t fooled by Killian’s innocent smile but he had other things to focus on for the time being. He could bitch about his brother’s poor eating habits later. “It’s dangerous for you to live here.” Killian sighed, he’d been hoping against hope that they’d drop the subject. “No more dangerous than me living back home, I’d wager.” Kieran flinched at that and Killian felt momentarily guilty, after all, he hadn’t meant to imply it was Kieran’s fault. But what else could he say? Unlike him Nicolai had no idea who Killian was, Kieran’s identity was still largely a secret and he’d done everything in his power to keep Killian off everyone’s radar even his own people for a while. Whereas Nicolai’s siblings had never cared about hiding their identity or protecting him. It had made him a target, if not of violence then of suspicion and fear, Killian refused to be a part of that. They’d been pushed together by one of their teachers during the first week of class. Neither of them had any connections in the class and hadn’t really made any effort to find a work partner when prompted. So she’d done it for them. Nicolai had been nothing but upfront about who and what he was and when Killian had told him it didn’t matter he’d meant it. Kieran’s opinions be damned. He placed one of the two coffee’s the machine had made in front of his brother and lent against the other side of the counter. “You were safe there, even if everything’s discovered. What happens if everything is revealed now?” Kieran demanded thinking of all the contingency plans he’d put in place over the years. Even before he’d trusted Marcus enough with his secrets he’d made sure Killian would be safe. “I’ll be more careful, I’m already more careful, it really doesn’t change anything.” The entire place was warded, he and Nicolai had spent hours at it, not to mention the security system they’d put in. This place was just as safe as the house was. “Your room-mate changes everything!” Several things in the kitchen shook and Killian glared, his own temper rising. “You don’t know anything about him.” And he really did try to keep his voice calm but there was no mistaking the edge it had taken. “You can’t just make assumptions like that.” Kieran snorted. “What makes you think he’s all that different from his siblings, you really expect me to believe one of that family turned out decent?” Killian opened his mouth, closed it, took a deep breath and opened it again. “I’m not sure we’re in a position to be criticising peoples family background do you?” It was the safest thing he could think of saying but it still made Kieran slam his mouth shut with an audible click of teeth. They didn’t talk about their family history, through some sort of unspoken agreement none of the decent side of the family did. But not talking about something and hinting at its existence were two very different things in Killian’s opinion. “Maybe not but it certainly gives me reason to doubt his motives.” “Jesus I’m not going to ask why you’re so paranoid, because I know and I get it I really do, but there’s legitimately no way Nicky could have ulterior motives to getting a place with me. As far as he’s concerned I’m just another student.” Unless you know something I don’t Killian mentally added but he didn’t say it out loud. He wasn’t about to accuse the other of keeping things from him and he didn’t believe Nicolai would do such a thing anyway. “Fine let’s say I accept that he has no idea, what about when he finds out? Or if you trust him that much what about when his siblings find out?” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “You can’t really believe he’ll stand up to them for you? Why wouldn’t he just hand you over?” Because it’s wrong he thought angrily but Kieran was unlikely to accept that as anything but deflection. He took a deep breath and suddenly he didn’t care if he upset his brother he just wanted this all over with. “You shouldn’t hold everyone to your own standards,” Killian spat ignoring the was his cup trembled. He had himself under control, hopefully, the same could be said for Kieran. “Some people obviously have better morals.” It seemed to take a minute for the words to compute but then Kieran’s cup exploded. Maybe Killian should suggest to Marcus that they start practising calming techniques again. Not that he was probably going to be seeing him for a while. “Are you saying that I-” “Well, you’re the one pushing it so-” “Because I’m worried about you I can’t believe-” “No! Being worried is one thing but this is-” “Just because you’re too stupid to consider- “Oh, so I’m stupid now am- “You’re certainly acting like it! You have to see it’s not safe-” “I don’t see anything except your prejudice and-” Their shouting was stopped by the front door opening and Killian quickly tried to reign his temper in, glaring at his brother in warning as Nicolai looked between them from the door. He looked exhausted, not just physically but mentally and Killian wondered how much of their argument he’d heard. “Sorry, I can-” He started but Killian was quick to cut him off. “No it’s fine, Kieran was just leaving anyway.” The look his brother gave him made something inside Killian hurt but he didn’t argue, barely even looked over as he headed out, brushing past Nicolai with a quiet ‘night’. Killian slumped back against the counter, staring at the shards of glass and slowly spreading coffee. At some stage, during their argument, the other cup had been destroyed as well and there were a few things on the floor, though nothing looked broken thankfully. He should start cleaning up but he couldn’t make himself move. Something was placed on the counter beside him and he turned to look at Nicolai as he leaned beside him. “I picked up dinner on my way back, didn’t think you’d have stopped your essays.” Nicolai’s voice was soft and careful, he expected that if his friend didn’t have a headache it wouldn’t be far off and he didn’t want to risk making it worse. “Yeah, I was almost finished when...” He trailed off unsure exactly how to continue before shaking his head slightly. “I should clear up.” “I’ll do it, go set the food at the coffee table.” “But-” “It’ll take me less time than it will you in this state.” He wasn’t wrong, Killian had been planning on clearing up by hand which considering they were short on cups probably wasn’t the wisest decision anyway. So he picked up the bags of take-out and headed into the main room. Nicolai had joined him before he’d finished setting out the cartons and he slumped down onto the sofa beside him, holding out a bottle of beer which Killian accepted gratefully. They didn’t usually drink on a class night but as he clinked his bottle to Nicolai’s he felt they both deserved it. While Killian lent forward to grab some food Nicolai turned the tv on to a random channel. It was barely loud enough to hear but it had been their ritual from the start, both used to plenty of noise. They’d been eating for a little while when Nicolai spoke. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be,” Killian said through a mouthful of food before quickly swallowing. “It’s not your fault.” “Would you have been fighting with him had you not been living here?” “Probably,” Killian said with a shrug he was always fighting with his brother after all. “As badly?” Nicolai pressed smiling slightly at Killian’s annoyed huff before stealing some of his food. “You have to admit I’m a defining factor.” “Perhaps,” Killian agreed as he stole half a spring roll off the other’s plate. “But that’s his problem, not yours.” “I don’t like the idea of ruining your relationship with your brother,” Nicolai said quietly and Killian smiled, nudging his friend gently. “You won’t ruin it I promise, he’ll cool off and we’ll talk like adults when we’re not both so tired. He’ll come around he just needs some time.” Killian refused to dwell on how long it might actually take. They’d gone months without speaking to each other while living in the same house, now who knew how long it would last. But they’d get there eventually even if it took Jasper and Marcus smacking them round the head come Christmas.

[arcadiasarchives]

So it’s a- it’s 1:23 AM and I stumbled on your latest work and needless to say- SO GOOD. Tasty. So so good. Thanks for writing it! Sending good vibes.

THANK YOU! I’m so glad you liked it and not taking into account editing it was a pleasure to write. It’s been sat in my queue for a while because I was a little scared to post it so I’m glad it’s been well received and you may very well see more of Nicolai and Raphael in the future. Thanks for the good vibes and just the message in general because it’s always nice to know what people think. Hope you get some good karma out of this:

[arcadiasarchives]

Deals of the Damned

(Please check the tags before reading as there is blood and violence in this.)

By the time Nicolai was 19 he was one of the best slayers in the country, capable of taking down vampires, demons, werewolves, and any other type of supernatural creature that decided to cause trouble. When he was 23 he sold his soul to the devil himself to keep his brother safe. There was no way out of a deal like that. Demons could be tricked, bribed, and beaten. But Lucifer, the king of hell himself, not so much. That had been over a year ago and Nicolai had done his best not to dwell on thoughts of what would happen to him when he died, he still did his job no matter how many dangerous enemies it made him, in the vague hope he’d do enough good to end up in heaven anyway. It had happened before but he wasn’t going to hold his breath, he’d made peace with the fact he was bound to hell. Which was why when he entered his living room one day to find the devil sat in his armchair he was more than a little surprised.

“We had an agreement,” Nicolai growled as he stopped in the doorway, and people would have thought that the devil would command some sort of respect, or more likely fear, out of everyone including people like him. Or perhaps especially people like him. But Nicolai hadn’t particularly given a fuck before he’d sold his soul to him and that wasn’t likely to change anytime soon. “You don’t get me ‘till I die and if you in any way speed up the process the contract is forfeit.”

“I’m well aware of that thank you Nicolai, in fact, I’m here for the complete opposite reason. I’m here to offer you your soul back, without breaking my end of the deal of course.” Lucifer explained calmly as he smoothed imaginary wrinkles out of his impeccable suit trousers. Nicolai’s mouth dropped open slightly in shock and Lucifer raised one eyebrow as he smirked. “My my I do believe that I have rendered you speechless, I’ve never seen such a sight.” Nicolai bit his tongue against the tide of abuse that threatened to spill forth.

“What?”

“I need a favour.”

“YOU need a favour from ME?” Nicolai asked sounding mildly incredulous because this was the bloody king of hell asking him, a mere mortal, for a favour. Not only that but he was offering his soul back in exchange. 

“Why is that so hard to comprehend?” Lucifer queried still smirking like the conversation was the most entertaining thing to ever happen to him. He seemed quite amused by the young man’s confusion. “You are after all the best.”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware of this but you’re the king of hell, you have literally thousands of people at your beck and call. Admittedly most of them are demons but still.” He was starting to think that he’d maybe had a bit too much to drink before coming home even though he’d only had one glass of whiskey, maybe someone had poisoned him that had happened before.

“Why Nicolai anyone would think you didn’t want your soul back.” Lucifer mused mock thoughtfully, enjoying the sour look the mortal shot him. “Are you really looking forward to hell that much.”

“I didn’t say no!” Nicolai snapped internally cursing himself when the devil’s smirk widened. “I just don’t see how you got to a point where you need to ask me for a favour.”

“There have been recent...disobediences among my soldiers and this is a matter that needs to be handled externally anyway,” Lucifer admitted slowly his smirk morphing into a slight frown. 

That was odd Nicolai thought, the idea that anyone could be stupid enough to try overthrowing Lucifer was so unbelievable that he’d ignored the rumours he’d heard, but even if the devil hadn’t admitted it in so many words the idea was there.

“Alright, what’s this favour?”

“I need you to handle someone for me.” Nicolai rolled his eyes as he finally moved further into the room, hardly surprised by the statement, he was talking to the king of hell after all and he wasn’t known for his in house diplomacy. He nodded slightly, one eyebrow raised to indicate that the other should continue. “You’ve met Belial of course.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Nicolai yelled earning a raised brow from Lucifer as the devil’s smirk returned. Belial wasn’t a demon he was a fallen angel, an angel, almost as powerful as Lucifer himself and possibly even more sadistic. Angels were way, way, way above his pay grade. “I think that comes under speeding things along don’t you?” Lucifer laughed which pissed him off just a little bit more than a lot but he waited patiently for the devil to get himself back under control.

“Of course I’m not sending you after Belial, even you’re not that good.” Lucifer placated raising one hand to slow down the slayer’s ranting. “Besides I settle my own scores when it comes to my siblings. No, I want you to take care of one of his kids.” 

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to give you your soul.”

“You know that’s not going to be enough. That’s not how I work.” 

“No, you have too many of those pesky morals,” Lucifer muttered ignoring the glare Nicolai shot him. “You know most people would jump at this.”

“But I’m not most people.”

“He’s nephilim surely that matters.”

“So are my brothers,” Nicolai remarked with a pointed frown as he sat down on the sofa wondering vaguely where Killian had got to considering what time it was. “Nephilim isn’t the same as demon, you know that.” 

Lucifer rolled his eyes he was after all more than aware of that fact, he was the nephilim’s primary defender after all.

“You know Kyle don’t you?” The look that crossed Nicolai’s face was confirmation enough and Lucifer grinned again. “I thought that would be different, I’ve heard you and he have had problems in the past.” 

“That’s none of your business.” Nicolai’s voice was curt, he and Kyle had had several altercations over the years for varying reasons and though it was fairly common knowledge there was no point spreading it any further. Kyle was a violent bastard and usually, Nicolai wouldn’t have any problem with what Lucifer was asking, there was only one problem. “Isn’t he immortal?” While nephilim were born mortal sometimes their angelic parent would give them immortal or they would find it for themselves. In this instance, he was pretty sure Belial had rewarded his favourite son.

“Yes, he is.” The look Nicolai gave him seemed to greatly amuse Lucifer and he shook his head. “I need him out of the way, preferably dead, for 48 hours as soon as possible. It’s not like I’m giving you an impossible task to complete, that just wouldn’t be fair.”

Nicolai opened his mouth to point out that Lucifer rarely actually played fair but he remembered that that didn’t extend to proper deals. The devil may like to fuck with people, especially slayers, but he was actually an okay person. Though Nicolai wouldn’t admit that under torture. It wasn’t an easy job, hell it was a bloody dangerous, but he’d be getting his soul back if he managed it so what did he have to lose. Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind the answers joined but he pushed them aside.

“I’ll do it.”

Lucifer grinned as he got up out of the armchair and stalked over, Nicolai knew the drill and with a small sigh, he pushed himself off the sofa. He had to much pride to let the devil pin him to the sofa. The devil’s lips were soft on his, he was a good kisser which was hardly surprising given the experience he must have, the fact he used his tongue annoyed Nicolai to no end as they pulled away. Nicolai tongue unconsciously darting across his lips. It had been a long time since he’d been kissed.

“Have fun,” Lucifer said with a smirk, eyes following Nicolai’s tongue as he stepped back. The deal was sealed and the next second the devil was gone.

Moving over to the cupboard Nicolai pulled out a bottle of vodka and slumped into the armchair Lucifer had vacated not even bothering with a glass as he took a swig of the alcohol, letting it burn his throat as he closed his eyes. 

“Thought you were going to try drinking less?”

Nicolai opened his eyes to find Killian sat on the floor in the corner of the room, and he was pretty sure there had been a chair there a minute ago.

“I just had Lucifer’s tongue in my mouth, I think I deserve the drink.” Killian snorted in agreement and stood up to stretch, his joints popping and cracking. “You turned yourself into a chair didn’t you?”

Killian shrugged as he moved over and took the vodka, managing a swig before his older brother stole it back.

“It was either that or entertain Lucifer and I didn’t have a clue when you’d be back.”

“And you wanted to eavesdrop.”

“That too.” Killian agreed as he sat on the floor back pressed against the armchair. He tilted his head back to look at his brother with a small frown. “You sure about this?”

Nicolai wanted to lie but it wouldn’t be fair and he was pretty sure his little brother would know it was a lie. He was a lot better at reading him than the other way round. Instead, he shrugged and took another swig from the bottle.

“No, but there’s probably a 50/50 chance which is good enough for me.”

Hell, he’d settle for less if it got him his soul back because other than Killian he didn’t really have anything keeping him fighting other than what was right. And despite his convictions that wasn’t much and it couldn’t last.

“You need any help?”

Nicolai shook his head, he wanted his brother far away for the duration of this in case he screwed up. Kyle wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate against Killian and Nicolai couldn’t live with the thought of that. He was here because he wanted to protect his brother and he wouldn’t risk that even to save himself. 

“You’ve been promising Jasper you’d visit him for months. I’ll go to Purgatory, get help there.”

Killian didn’t look convinced but he nodded none the less before reaching out to take the bottle again.

#

Nicolai and Killian ended up getting very drunk, a mixture of liquid courage and pleasant numbness to the point where they both ended up with hangovers for the first time in forever. After lunch Nicolai dropped his brother off at the airport, waiting until he was sure he was on the plane and it had taken off before leaving. He would not have put it past his brother to ‘accidentally’ miss his flight. He then went to his office to finish up the work he’d been putting off and check his mail. He also dug out the will he’d written up after he’d made the first deal with Lucifer. He’d had a will since he’d become a slayer, knowing full well what the chances of him dying were and wanting to make sure everything was tied up and neat for his brothers when he was gone. He carefully placed it on the corner of his desk, where it would be easy to find, before turning back to his mail which for once was not all bills. He needed to plan, Lucifer’s time frame was pretty vague but the sooner the better probably meant now. He wasn’t known for his patience. Problem was he didn’t have a clue where he could find Kyle, or what he’d do when he did. He could probably find someone at Purgatory who knew where he was and if push came to shove Alice could probably find him for him. But he’d been avoiding Purgatory as much as possible recently, in fact, he'd been avoiding the pub since he’d made his deal. It wasn’t like what he’d done was odd amongst slayers, on the contrary slayers made deals all the time. But for some reason, his had been considered different. Actually, that was unfair to the majority of the people at Purgatory. Only one person had really taken overt issue to it though he knew several others had been put off by it. But then he also knew why his deal had been frowned upon. For starters, it was with Lucifer. Still, it was the best place to get help and he didn’t have much of a choice. No point going until evening though so he sat down and decided to spend the afternoon going through all the reports of things linked to Kyle.

#

Purgatory was a nice little place on the edge of the bad part of town. The area had been a lot worse before the pub opened but that was what happened when a load of angels decided to make somewhere their home. It was frequented by slayers, magic users, and the nicer supernatural creatures, which meant there were a lot of fights. The Fallen angels who ran the place could take care of it though. It was still quite early and there weren’t many people there yet, a few customers in a far booth but that was about it. He headed straight to the bar and was surprised to find that the barmaid had already poured him his usual.

“He left about 30 seconds ago, a sure sign you were coming.” She explained with a half shrug at Nicolai’s raised eyebrow and he felt something twist inside him. At least she’d been kind enough not to say Raphael’s name out loud.

“Thanks, Alice.” He murmured trying to push the feeling aside as he picked up his drink, pointedly ignoring the sympathetic look she was giving him.

“When was the last time you two spoke?” She pressed as she lent against the bar tilting her head to one side curiously.

“Don’t know.” He did his best to inject some finality into his voice as he frowned at his friend but she ignored him.

“I mean I know my brother is stubborn but it’s quite obvious neither of you are moving on so...”

“Alice!” He snapped voice louder than he’d intended but he really wasn’t up to discussing his love life or lack thereof. He softened his voice and added. “Please?”

“Alright, alright, dropping the subject.” Though she didn’t sound happy about it and Nicolai knew it wouldn’t last. He couldn’t blame her, she was only trying to help, but he didn’t need the painful reminder of what he’d lost. Especially not right then. “So why you here? You’ve been favouring The Devil’s Horns from what I heard.”

“Checking up on me?” He joked though he suddenly felt a little guilty, it was true he’d started only coming by when he needed something. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been there just for the heck of it.

“Hey I hadn’t heard from you in two months, you could have been dead for all I knew.” She defended somewhat petulantly, though it wasn’t exactly true, she’d have known full well if he died. When Nicolai opened his mouth to defend himself or perhaps apologise she waved it off with a small smile. “Back to the matter at hand.”

“Lucifer offered me my soul back.” Silence greeted the statement and Nicolai looked up to find Alice staring at him with her mouth slightly open.

“Say what now?”

“He turned up last night, needs a favour, and in exchange, I get my soul back.” He explained trying not to laugh at her look of utter disbelief.

“What’s the catch?”

“Why would there be a catch?”

“I hate to be the pessimist...”

“No, you don’t,” Nicolai muttered earning a glare from the angel.

“...But Lucifer is hardly, well let’s say reliable shall we.” She continued as though she hadn’t been interrupted.

“A deal’s a deal and we kissed on it so it’s sealed. I do the job I get my soul back.”

Alice still looked quite dubious but her shoulders dropped none the less.

“So what’s the job?” She said after a moments silence when it was quite obvious Nicolai wasn’t going to volunteer the information, eyeing him carefully.

“Get rid of Kyle for 48 hours.”

“Ah, there’s the catch.”

“Alice.” He warned with a small frown but the angel just shrugged. Kyle was one of the most violent nephilim she’d ever come across, which was saying a lot.

“So what do you need here? You won’t find any of Kyle’s lot here they’re all banned.”

“I was hoping you or someone here would know where I could find him.”

“Your best bet is a club, Talking Skull, or something like that, down by the river. Word is Kyle’s there every night. What are you going to do when you find him?”

“I haven’t got that far yet. I’ll think of something.” He reassured ignoring the incredulous look she gave him, he’d never really been one for planning ahead.

“You realise you’ve got as much chance, if not more, of dying as you have of succeeding?”

“Yeah, it had come to mind.” He agreed ignoring how her face darkened and her lips twisted in worry.

“Nicolai...”

“No Alice, we’re not even going there, I’m doing this.” She bowed her head in defeat but he could see she didn’t want to give. “If I don’t make it out- you’ll keep an eye on Killian, right?” His voice was so unsure that her face softened.

“Course Nicky.” She watched him take his drink hands shaking slightly so she added. “And when this is over you’re taking me out to dinner to apologise for all this stress.” Nicolai laughed glad she was trying to lighten the mood.

“I can manage that.”

#

The club was called The Laugh Skull not The Talking Skull but it was close enough that it wasn’t an issue. It was situated just by the docks in a refurbished warehouse that still looked dodgy despite the bright lights and lines of people. It took him over an hour to get inside, for a moment he’d thought the bouncer was going to turn him away. But during that time he’d come up with a plan. It wasn’t a good plan, in fact, it was a bloody stupid plan but he had to face facts. The only way he was going to be able to get close enough to Kyle to incapacitate him was if Kyle thought he had the upper hand. The easiest way of doing that was to give it to him. Of course, it was likely to be the most painful as well. It shouldn’t be much trouble Nicolai reasoned as he got himself a drink, Kyle hated his guts with an unnatural passion and never failed to take an opportunity when it was presented to him. Of course, first, he had to see the opportunity which Nicolai wasn’t sure how to set up. He was good at baiting people but they actually had to be present for that to work and so far he’d seen no sign of the nephilim. For now, his best bet was just to see what happened and if nothing came of it he’d have to elaborate a better plan. 

Three hours later he was only on his second drink and he was bored out of his mind. The music in the place was quite good but having come alone he was a perfect target for girls and guys out for a good time. He’d been trying with varying levels of success to convince a young woman who looked somewhat familiar that he wasn’t interested for the last twenty minutes or so. Varying levels of success, of course, meant he’d been failing. She brought him another drink before finally wandering off and Nicolai couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief as he took a sip. He had to admit she was stunning but he was working and besides she wasn’t really his type, though come to think of it no one had been his type in awhile. Looking down at his watch he discovered that it was gone midnight, nearly one, he might as well go home and try again tomorrow. Because despite having slept until about noon he hadn’t got nearly the recommended amount of sleep to be out on a job. Jasper would smack him so hard he’d see stars if he found out. Finishing off his drink in one go he stood up, surprised when his head protested the movement and the floor wobbled, he supposed downing the last drink had gone to his head. He’d be fine. Shaking off the sudden vertigo he headed out, ignoring the look the bouncer gave him when he reached the street. The fresh air made him feel a bit better and he set off down the river to where he’d parked. He soon regretted the decision however as his vertigo began to creep back, head pounding incessantly. It took him a stupid amount of time to realise he’d been drugged, which he was going to blame on the being drugged, and he snorted. Maybe the night wouldn’t be a complete waste after all. Coming to a stop he lent unsteadily against a lamppost, swallowing down a wave of nausea, he wasn’t sure what they’d given him but it was bloody potent. He was about to set off again when he spotted Kyle on the other side of the road. 

“Getting sloppy Nicky.” He stated as he moved across the road with a smirk, eyes trailing over Nicolai appraisingly.

“What’d I do to you?” Nicolai grumbled as he tried to straighten slightly. Gods he hated people using that nickname, especially in that tone, made it sound like he was a disobedient child. Still, it was probably the least of his worries right now. “I can’t even go out for a drink.”

“Mmh but you made such an easy mark.” Kyle purred as he stepped into the other’s personnel space. “Besides I do believe I get a free shot anyways.”

“How’d you work that out?”

“Well, the last time we saw each other you punched me in the face.” Ah yes, he’d forgotten about that although in his defence Kyle had deserved the hit and it hadn’t been all that hard, though now that he thought about it he’d probably broken the nephilim’s nose. “And I was reliably informed that you were responsible for some troubles I had a few months ago.” He remembered that, though he hadn’t known it had involved Kyle until after he’d informed the police, though he’d have done it either way. Still, he was seriously regretting his plan now.

He managed to block Kyle’s first strike, more by luck than judgement, same with the second but the third hit dead on sending him to his knees and making the world spin even faster. Apparently, his head hadn’t appreciated the sudden change in altitude.

“Alright, you got your free hit,” Nicolai muttered even as he doubted that would be the end of it. Though that was what he was counting on. Problem was he wasn’t in any state to fight back.

“Oh, Nicky.” Kyle breathed as he crouched in front of him. “I’m nowhere near done with you.”

#

Regaining consciousness hurt a lot more than it probably should have. Kyle had knocked him out with a simple yet efficient blow to the head, a blow that still throbbed even now. The drug appeared to have worn off, for the most part anyway, at least his head no longer felt like he’d got a thousand men in steel boots jumping around in there. Looking around he realised he had no way of telling how long he’d been out. He was hanging from the ceiling in what appeared to be a basement. His pockets had been emptied, he could see his stuff on a table near the door. He couldn’t hear any outside noises which meant the place was soundproof or isolated, or perhaps both. Smiling slightly he closed his eyes again to wait for Kyle. He could probably work with this. And if not? Well, there wasn’t really anything he could do about it. 

Kyle got his attention when he came in by slapping him. Nicolai hadn’t passed out again but hadn’t seen the point of opening his eyes at the sound of footsteps either. Something he regretted slightly as his cheek smarted. Kyle smirked as he stroked the reddened skin a stark contrast to the previous motion.

“I’ve been wanting to get hold of you for a while.” He murmured and Nicolai couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“Yes and I’ve been successfully avoiding you.” If it hadn’t been for Lucifer he’d have kept it up indefinitely.

“Mmh makes this all the more satisfying.” Kyle pointed out as he stepped away, reaching for a wicked-looking knife from the table. “I’m honestly not sure where to start.”

“How about by letting me down. Or do you doubt your ability to take me in a fair fight.”

Kyle smiled at that but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You won’t talk yourself out of this one Nicolai. Best you just hang there quietly, you’ll need your breath soon enough.” He made it sound friendly enough but the threat was apparent. Nicolai ignored the twinge of fear he felt, he’d known this was going to be painful. 

Despite everything, Kyle didn’t start with the knife. Nicolai wasn’t sure how he felt about that considering he got used as a punching bag instead. Still, he knew how to take a beating, he’d taken them his entire childhood, all he had to do was grit his teeth and try not to get lost in his head. Besides he’d probably have gotten the beating either way, better to start with it rather than after the blade otherwise he’d have lost a lot of blood. Unfortunately, it made getting his hands out a lot harder. Kyle finally had enough, stepping back and looking Nicolai over appraisingly. It took the slayer a moment to come back to himself. He was having difficulties breathing, definitely damaged a rib or five, his whole body ached but he didn’t think his internal organs were ruptured or anything like that. No Kyle wasn’t finished with him yet and he wasn’t careless enough to kill him by accident. It should probably worry him that that was a reassuring thought, still, Raphael had always bemoaned his lack of survival instincts. Almost as soon as that thought entered his mind he pushed it away, now was not the time to get lost down that road. Even though he could hear the angel’s voice saying the words clear as day. Kyle smirked when he realised Nicolai was back with him and took a step forward again, smirk widening when Nicolai automatically tensed up.

“Not so cocky any more are you Nicky?” He mused as he stroked a hand across the slayers face gently. In answer Nicolai used some of his little remaining energy to spit a mixture of saliva and blood at him, giving his small smirk when it hit Kyle directly in the face. “Childish.” He shook his head slightly as he took a step back, wiping his face off as he did, before turning his back on Nicolai and moving to the table.

Nicolai took as deep a breath as he could manage, ignoring the way it stuttered in his chest as he finally managed to twist his hands into a better position to be able to work the bindings. He was lucky they hadn’t been any tighter otherwise he’d have had no chance. He hated having his hands tied over his head. Kyle was back in front of him now, knife in hand. It was an intricate piece the hilt beautifully carved and some sort of words etched into the blade itself. Well, at least he was being tortured in style. Nicolai tensed as Kyle pressed the tip of the blade to the hollow of his throat, not hard enough to cut as he traced up his neck. He was playing with him. When the knife finally sliced into his skin Nicolai had to be impressed with the skill it had to have taken not to cut him any sooner, the damned thing was sharper than it had looked and it sliced through his skin like it was wet paper. He was prepared for the sting but what he wasn’t prepared for was the intense burning sensation that followed a moment later and he couldn’t help but jerk away with a pained noise. Kyle who had been watching the blood well from the cut snapped his eyes up to Nicolai’s face, whatever had happened he hadn’t been expecting it any more than Nicolai. Slowly his slightly confused frown morphed into an almost ecstatic grin, like a psychotic kid at Christmas.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that.” Kyle murmured as he drew the knife up the side of the slayer’s neck, careful again not to cut him, before switching it to the other hand and tracing an almost identical path down the other side. Without any warning he applied pressure, cutting through Nicolai’s shirt and making him whimper as he unconsciously tried to twist out of the way. This type of pain was new to him. “Not that I’m complaining of course but since you’re supposed to be human it’s quite odd.”

Nicolai tried to dissect that statement but before he could Kyle had stabbed the blade into his thigh. Nicolai screamed. If he’d thought the pain of the cuts had been bad this was a hundred times worse. He didn’t even have time to breathe through it, Kyle was ruthless, switching between shallow and deep cuts so he never got used to the pain. Suddenly the possibility of passing out, either from pain or blood loss, seemed a lot greater than before. He eventually managed to partially block out the pain as he focused on trying to discreetly get himself free, his attention slipped with each new wave of pain but he kept at it. He got himself loose just as Kyle dragged the knife down his back and Nicolai barely remember to keep himself from falling to the ground let alone manage it. It wouldn’t do for Kyle to notice his freedom quite yet, after all, he had the upper hand now. Nicolai hoped that whatever gods were watching him right then got a good laugh out of that. A few wounds later Kyle placed the knife on the table and moved towards the other end of the table, turning his back on Nicolai. The slayer moved faster than was probably safe given his wounds but the adrenaline that went through him as he took his chance kept him up. It was easier than he’d anticipated once he’d gotten the knife. Kyle wasn’t expecting it, hadn’t even turned, and Nicolai knew how to kill with one blow when given the opportunity. Nicolai dropped a few moments after Kyle, catching himself on the table to slow his descent as he whimpered, pressing his forehead against the cool wood as he just breathed. He didn’t have long before Kyle came back so he needed to work fairly quickly. With a small groan, he turned, tentatively leaning back against the table leg despite the wounds on his back as he eyed Kyle’s corpse. First things first he needed to bind him, then bury him. That would keep him out of the way for a while. He felt like he should feel something, he’d expected to. Disgust with himself, unwillingness to go through with it, or even fear, but he just wanted to get it over with. Of course, that might have had something to do with what he’d just been through. Another thing he realised was that if he tried to move he was going to pass out. Closing his eyes he focused on bringing enough magic together to get the job done without him passing out. Releasing the magic was almost more than he could take, the energy rushing out of his body and causing stars to dance behind his eyelids. When he finally managed to open his eyes again the only sign of what he’d just done was the slightly disturbed earth which he doubted was actually that noticeable. He wanted to close his eyes again but he knew that if he did, no matter how slowly he was bleeding, he’d still bleed out before he opened them again. Groaning he pushed himself up, clinging to the table for support as the room spun as his injured leg threatened to give out beneath him. There was no way he was making it out on his own in the state he was in so he pulled himself along the table until he could reach his phone. It was alive which was a relief and a surprise considering Kyle had had him for nearly 48 hours. He had a selection of missed calls and texts but he didn’t have the energy to deal with them. Dialling Purgatory from memory Nicolai tried to stay standing as the phone rang.

“Hello?” A male voice said and Nicolai very nearly lost his grip on the table as he struggled to swallow.

“Sorry,” he could practically feel the silence the sound of his voice brought. “I was trying to get hold of Alice,” or Balthazar, or Dounia or literally anyone else who worked at the pub.

“She had to leave early.” Raphael’s voice was cold and it bit into Nicolai more than the knife had. “She tried to contact you.”

Nicolai remembered Alice telling him that she had to go and check up on a friend somewhere isolated. Peace and quiet that was what he’d said. God, he wanted that.

“I’ve been tied up.”

Raphael frowned, Nicolai’s voice was strained and despite everything he’d told himself, he couldn’t help but begin to worry.

“Are you alright Nicolai?”

He almost told him the truth, told him what had happened and how much pain he was in. But his pride wouldn’t allow it. Besides he wasn’t Raphael’s problem any more, his deal with Lucifer had ended that. He intended to hang up to try someone else but as he opened his mouth to say he was alright he shifted his weight onto his bad leg and pain rushed through him as his leg buckled sending him crashing to the ground. He yelled he was sure of it even if he was so lost in the pain he wasn’t really aware of it.

“Nicolai! Nicolai!” Raphael’s voice was loud despite the fact Nicolai had dropped the phone and it dragged him out of his wave of pain.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he managed as he found the phone more by luck than judgement. He didn’t sound alright, he could tell even before he heard Raphael snort.

“Where are you?” It hurt to hear Nicolai in pain, it had been a long time since they’d spoken but despite everything he’d told himself and everyone else that hadn’t changed how he felt. Otherwise, he’d have gotten over himself by now. “I’ll send someone to get you.”

“Can’t,” Nicolai tried to push himself up but he was shaking too bad to do anything. He whimpered as he gave up and just curled in on himself clutching the phone desperately. Gods he hoped that hadn’t been loud enough for Raphael to hear. “Don’t know where I am and I can’t get out to find out.”

“Why not?”

“Kyle took exception to my existence.” Raphael cursed under his breath, Nicolai’s words were beginning to slur. “Could be anywhere.” The slayer’s words were softer now, barely more than a whisper.

Raphael looked around the pub it was late and there was next to no one there, certainly no one he could send for Nicolai without a location. He’d sent all of his siblings off hours ago and for once they’d all obeyed. He wasn’t even sure he could find Nicolai without a location. Although he was more than aware that that wasn’t an option. Despite everything, it was quite obvious that he was as over Nicolai as Lucifer was The Fall.

“Don’t worry about it, I shouldn’t have bothered you anyway.”

“I can’t just leave you,” Raphael growled the mere thought of it made his stomach twist painfully though he ignored it.

“I’ll find someone else.” But it was obvious he didn’t believe his own words, he wasn’t even sure he would be able to dial another number when he hung up. But he didn’t want to owe Raphael, it would be too much to bear.

“Do you honestly believe that?” Nicolai didn’t answer the soft question and Raphael sighed. “I’ll come get you.” Nicolai tried to protest but Raphael hung up on him.

Nicolai attempted to dial Balthazar but his fingers were numb and he soon gave up, abandoning his phone completely in favour of curling his arms around himself as he screwed his eyes shut.

#

Raphael took a deep breath as he attempted to empty his mind. Given the reason he was doing it, it was a lot harder than it usually would have been. As soon as his mind was as empty as it was going to get he tried to focus in on Nicolai. That was a lot easier than it probably should have been. He wasn’t sure he was ready to admit to himself that the reason for it was the frequency with which he’d checked on the slayer since they’d split. It was utterly ridiculous, his conscious mind had made the decision it was over but his subconscious did not seem to care. Nor did his heart. His siblings, especially Alice, called him an idiot and looked at him with pity as they shook their heads sadly. It made him angry. Made him lash out. Which just made things worse because it proved them right. He still loved Nicolai and no amount of anger was going to change that. But it was one thing to know this, which he did however much he tried to deny it, and another to reconcile the actions that had led to the split. Both their actions because as much as he would pretend otherwise he was just as guilty in all of this as Nicolai. Despite all of Kyle’s wards and protections, Nicolai’s pain shone through like a beacon in the dark eclipsing everything around it. And it hurt. Closing his eyes he concentrated on the location. Blood. It was the first thing he noted and his eyes snapped open immediately. His heart clenched when he saw the state the slayer was in and he was on his knees beside him before he’d fully processed the sight before him stomach clenching as the smell of blood intensified. Nicolai’s breathing was shallow and there was far more blood than he ever wished to see on the other.

“Nicky, Nicky open your eyes,” Raphael said gently as he tried to get the young man to uncurl so he could judge the extent of his injuries. In the end, he ended up with Nicolai still mostly curled in on himself but now half in the angel’s lap rather than on the floor. The slayer’s eyelids fluttered weakly but didn’t open and Raphael was forced to swallow down a wave of panic as he considered the best way to proceed. Taking a deep breath he placed a hand on Nicolai’s forehead and sent a wave of power through him, enough to bring him back to coherency without overwhelming him. The action earned a small pained noise and Raphael’s hand automatically stroked through the slayer’s hair in an attempt to soothe him. “Come on Nicky.”

“Raphael?” Nicolai’s voice was weak and unsure. It had been a long time since anyone had called him Nicky so gently, in fact, Raphael was one of the few people who could call him that without a smart ass comment or a punch in the face. Though even if it wasn’t him Nicolai wasn’t really in a position to do either of those things. “Hallucination?”

“No Nicky it’s me,” Raphael assured as he shifted intending on getting a better look at the other’s wounds now that he was conscious. Despite only moving a small amount it drew a pained whimper from the slayer and Raphael stilled instantly.

“Hurts.”

“Ssh I know, but I need to look at your wounds or I can’t make it stop.” Raphael knew that he wasn’t going to be able to completely heal Nicolai yet. The sheer number of his wounds meant that the slayer’s body would begin to react badly to Raphael’s magic before he was completely healed which would only cause him more pain. But if he focused on the worst of the wounds he would be able to stabilise him and the rest could be taken care of later. 

Nicolai nodded slightly though he still seemed a little unsure. Raphael pulled back as carefully as he could manage before helping Nicolai to shift into something that resembled a comfortable position. In the end, laying on his side was the only option given three very nasty slashes on the slayer’s back which were what Raphael chose to focus on first. With any luck, he’d then be able to get to Nicolai’s front. Kyle had done a number on him and most of it appeared to have been focused on his front, Raphael was willing to bet it was so the nephilim could see the pain in his victim’s face. As soon as the major wounds to Nicolai’s back were healed Raphael helped him turn over, wincing in sympathy at the pained noises the young man let out as he straightened out slightly. The angel waited for him to settle before allowing his hands to trail down his body slowly. Despite how careful he was not to touch it was obvious that Nicolai was still in more pain than was generally considered normal. Of course, Raphael didn’t know if he’d been drugged. There were several potions that could heighten sensation some even specifically designed to increase pain. Humans really were sadistic sometimes. Not that angels were much better he supposed. Most of Nicolai’s wounds appeared to be cuts, ranging in depth and length, but there were several stab wounds in what Raphael presumed were areas of the body Kyle had deemed not deadly. Or at least in the short term as they were now the source of an awful lot of the blood. Focusing his energy on the deepest of the wounds that had barely missed the femur. He was going to have to actually touch this time though and it was obviously taking Nicolai a lot of self-restraint not to shy away from the contact.

“Did he coat the blade or give you anything?” Raphael asked in the hopes of distracting him if only slightly. “Use a particular weapon?”

“I’m not sure,” Nicolai admitted after a moment, though whether he had been thinking or trying to find his voice Raphael couldn’t tell. “I mean they roofied me but that was hours before...” The angel decided not to ask how they’d managed that, now probably wasn’t the time. “Kyle was just as surprised as me-though on the happier side- said something about me supposed to be human...” Nicolai trailed off and Raphael frowned.

It didn’t make sense that Kyle wouldn’t have been expecting Nicolai’s sensitivity. He wasn’t the type to use a drug he wasn’t perfectly familiar with and he never left anything to chance. Finishing up on the last of the stab wounds the angel tried to judge how much more magic he could risk using on the slayer before it began to hurt him. He’d been careful so far only completely healing a couple of wounds and patching up the rest but he doubted Nicolai could take much more. The slayer’s eyes were half-closed and slightly unfocused though he was no longer trying to bite through his lip which was an improvement. Raphael turned his attention to the cuts, the longest of which went from his neck down to his hip, healing the deepest of them in the hopes of mostly stopping the bleeding. He didn’t stop until the young man made a pained noise and tried to jerk away, which forced out another pained noise as his injuries protested the movement. Pulling his magic back Raphael stroked his hands up and down the other’s arms in an attempt to soothe him.

“Nicolai.” The angel said softly waiting until the slayer had focused on him as best he could before continuing. “I can’t heal you completely. Would you like me to numb the wounds? It will cause you some pain.” 

The slayer seemed to consider it for a moment but he eventually nodded, letting his eyes slip closed again. Raphael waited until he seemed mostly relaxed before letting his magic pulse around the slayer’s body, ignoring the small noises that the action pulled from the slayer. As soon as he’d finished the angel conjured up bandages and began to tend the remaining wounds to stem the last of the bleeding. 

“Thank you.” Nicolai murmured as Raphael finished off a bandage around his leg, his head still really hurt and he couldn’t properly feel over half his body but it was a vast improvement.

Raphael gave a small smile as he shifted back, eyes finally leaving Nicolai to examine their surroundings. A small shiver ran down his back as he spotted a hook that he was willing to bet Nicolai had been suspended from. His eyes finally landed on the silver knife on the ground and he moved to pick it up, turning it over in his hand thoughtfully. Almost instantly Nicolai let out a small noise of panic as he tried to jerk away from the angel, eyes never leaving the knife. Raphael immediately reached out to try and soothe the slayer but he jerked away again eyes slightly panicked.

“Shh calm down Nicolai, I’m not going to hurt you, look I’m putting the knife down.” He made sure the knife was out of his reach and out of Nicolai’s sight taking in the slayer’s still wary expression and trying to crush the hurt that bloomed at the thought that Nicolai really believed he’d hurt him. The only consolation was that he seemed more afraid of the knife than Raphael. It still seemed like a very small consolation. “Better?”

Nicolai nodded slowly body still tense, “sorry I-I… it wasn’t you I just…”

“It’s fine,” Raphael said quickly reaching out to place a calming hand on his arm before Nicolai could work himself up. He understood in a way. “How did Kyle get hold of you? For that matter what happened to him?”

Nicolai swallowed nervously as he dropped his eyes away from Raphael, he was well aware that the angel would not like the answer to the first question.

“I went looking for him.” He replied softly, not missing the way Raphael tensed at the words, his breath becoming slightly more measured. Despite this, the hand on his arm remained gentle.

“What in Father’s name possessed you to do that.” The angel growled and the venom in his voice made Nicolai flinch.

“It was a job.” He defended wishing he could put some distance between them, unfortunately, it wasn’t going to happen.

“A job?” Raphael’s voice was mildly incredulous. “What job could be important enough to get yourself into this situation alone.”

“It wasn’t supposed to end in this situation.” And that probably didn’t do him any favours because Raphael had always known when he was lying and he didn’t sound particularly convincing. Because while it wasn’t strictly false it was far from the truth.

“Well it did didn’t it!”

“I didn’t have a choice.” He wasn’t sure why he was defending his actions to the angel, it was after all none of his business. 

“What could be so important you’d risk dying and going to hell!” Raphael snapped hand tightening unconsciously around Nicolai’s arm only realizing what he’d done when the slayer whimpered and he quickly relaxed his grip rubbing the spot in apology.

Nicolai opened his mouth to explain but he was cut off.

“Well, you would know the answer to that brother mine if you hadn’t been being so childish recently.” Lucifer’s voice cut through the tension that had grown in the room and Raphael froze. Despite the older angel’s seemingly friendly tone he didn’t like dealing with his brother alone. Especially recently. Nicolai had tensed even more and while obviously a little surprised by the devil’s presence he wasn’t shocked which made Raphael think Lucifer had something to do with all this. “Not that I’m complaining of course but it would be easier on poor Nicolai.”

“So this job was for you then,” Raphael stated eyes focused on Nicolai who’s eyes darted from him to Lucifer who was moving closer.

“Mmh yes, which you’d have known if you spoke to him occasionally.” Raphael opened his mouth to ask why he would care but shut it as he realised how stupid a comment that would be considering his current position. “Again not that I’m complaining.” 

“How did you know what happened?” Nicolai asked as Lucifer stopped over the spot he’d buried Kyle, kicking the earth thoughtfully. Logically there was no way for the angel to know what had happened until Nicolai contacted him which despite everything hadn’t been high on his list of priorities.

“Alice was worried and she can be very persuasive. She stopped by and informed me there would be hell to pay if I didn’t keep an eye on you.” Lucifer dismissed before smirking, “I see you completed the job.” His eyes swept over Nicolai’s battered form. “Not quite how I expected but efficient none the less. A+ for creativity.”

“I don’t suppose either of you would mind filling me in,” Raphael said after a moment. It was quite obvious Nicolai was uncomfortable with Lucifer’s praise and the angel wanted to know why.

“I needed someone to get rid of Kyle for me,” Lucifer explained before motioning to the ground beneath him which Raphael could now see looked slightly disturbed. “And Nicolai fit the bill quite nicely.”

Well, that would explain why Nicolai couldn’t have turned the job down and Raphael clenched his jaw to avoid saying something stupid.

“Do I have to wait the 48 hours?” Nicolai asked weakly, more than ready to get this over with so he could rest.

Lucifer seemed pensive for a moment before shaking his head slightly, speaking before Raphael who had opened his mouth to ask what they were on about could speak.

“No, I don’t feel that will be necessary after all you’ve completed your end of the bargain.” All the tension left in Nicolai’s body rushed out of him and Lucifer smirked. “I’m assuming you’d rather not do it on the ground though?”

“You assume right,” Nicolai muttered because the last thing he wanted was Lucifer kissing him in this position. Unfortunately, there was no way he was getting up under his own steam and he certainly wasn’t letting Lucifer help him up because he’d probably just pick him up. Which only left one option. “Can you help me stand Raphael?” 

It sounded ridiculously formerly and Lucifer snorted but Raphael dutifully ignored him as he nodded and carefully wrapped an arm around the slayer’s waist to pull him up. Manoeuvring them until Nicolai was half lent half sat on the edge of the table.

“Do I want to know what’s going on?” He asked as he released Nicolai and moved away slightly though remained close enough to catch him should the need arise.

“Actually you probably would,” Lucifer said as he moved closer and it may have been his imagination but Raphael could have sworn that Nicolai drew closer to him as he did. In answer, Raphael shifted so Nicolai was pressed almost against him in the guise of holding him up and he knew he was not imagining the way the slayer relaxed. “Unfortunately, I’m on a tight schedule and while I’d love to see this little heart to heart business before pleasure and all that.”

“Yeah ‘cause you’re not going to take any pleasure in this.” Nicolai was pleased with how much snark he managed to inject into that despite how weak his voice was. It was probably some sort of miracle considering Lucifer was practically on top of him and the effort it was taking to keep himself upright was leaving him trembling despite Raphael’s help.

Lucifer smirked as he gripped Nicolai’s chin, feeling his brother tense beside his he allowed his fingers to linger and stroke across the slayer’s cheek before leaning down and claiming his mouth.

“All done,” Lucifer said as he finally stepped back. Nicolai looked a little dazed which in itself was understandable but it was Raphael’s reaction that made his smirk widen. The younger angel was gripping the edge of the table so hard his knuckles were white, it was a wonder the wood hadn’t splintered. “Would you like a lift home?” 

Nicolai was quick to shake his head which in itself amused Lucifer but Raphael only added to it when he spoke forcefully.

“I’ll see him home thank you.”

There was an undertone to his voice that usually Lucifer would call his brother out on but as fun as that would be he had other things to do. Nicolai had slumped in relief at Raphael’s statement but was still fighting to keep some distance from the other. Ridiculous really, no wonder Alice and the other’s were at their wit's end. Raphael didn’t seem to realise exactly what he was losing. If Nicolai had been as oblivious it would be his gain but unfortunately, the mortal’s heart wasn’t so blind.

“Then good evening gentlemen.” And Lucifer was gone.

Raphael turned to the slayer intent on demanding an explanation but stopped when he actually saw him. Nicolai’s eyes had fallen closed and he was shaking, not small shivers but full-body shudders that seemed to be making it difficult for him to breath. His lips were moving soundlessly, to fast for Raphael to decipher at first until it hit him. It’s over. It was only when Nicolai chocked on a breath that the angel snapped out of his confusion. Moving so he was in front of him he cupped Nicolai’s face, tilting his head up until their eyes met. Thumbs gently tracing his cheekbones in what he hoped was a calming manner.

“Nicolai breathe.” He insisted calmly though he was slightly alarmed when Nicolai couldn’t seem to manage it. “Come on darling deep breaths.” The endearment fell from his lips automatically but he ignored it as he tried to coax the slayer into a state of calm. “Copy me, deep breaths.” He forced himself to take deep steady breaths despite his own rising panic, smiling encouragingly when Nicolai managed a few stuttered gasps.

“It’s over.” Nicolai murmured when his breathing evened out and he gave a chocked off laugh that seemed to concern Raphael.

“What’s over Nicky?” Raphael kept his voice as soft as possible conscious as he was of the slayer’s seemingly precarious state of mind. Nicolai was quite obviously caught up in his own head.

“This whole stupid mess… No more fear… Did it… ‘m free… Did the job… I managed it… Got my soul back… I’m not bound to him any more… I… It’s over...” Nicolai was blabbering sentences and ideas blurring together as he spoke and Raphael wasn’t convinced he was even talking to him as the words spilt forth but the angel couldn’t bring himself to care as the words hit him.

“You could have died.” He nearly had, Raphael couldn’t shake the image of Nicolai’s still form covered in blood. “Why-why risk it?” His voice was low almost talking to himself but it snapped Nicolai out of his ramblings and he focused on the angel.

“I didn’t have anything left to lose.” That sentence hurt a lot more than Raphael would have thought possible. “Whatever happened Killian would be safe which was what I’d wanted and he’d still have Jasper.” Nicolai swallowed nervously, seeming to search Raphael’s face for something as he hesitated.

“Nicolai?”

“I’d already lost you,” he dropped his eyes trying to put some distance between them despite the table and Raphael’s hands now on his shoulders. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me- The first good thing.” He kept his eyes fixed on the angel’s chest as his mouth ran away from him, unable to stop the flow of words but unwilling to face the consequences. “You were so angry and with Lucifer’s continued pushing to… I just couldn’t do it any more. I-.” He cut off flinching back slightly when Raphael reached up to cup his cheek again and the angel swallowed.

“I’m sorry Nicolai.” He said gently as he tilted the slayer’s head up trying to get him to meet his eyes to no avail and Raphael’s heart clenched when he noted the tears in the still downcast eyes. “I never meant to hurt you.” And yet that wasn’t strictly true was it, couldn’t be because he’d lashed out repeatedly and he knew even if it hadn’t computed that his anger was hurting Nicolai. “Come on, I doubt you’ve got much strength left and you shouldn’t be alone. I’ll take you back to the pub.”

Nicolai tried to protest but he didn’t have anywhere else to go if he couldn’t be alone. Besides, it would undoubtedly be one of the others that looked after him.

#

Raphael sat on the stairs down to the bar head on his knees as he listened to the chatter of customers. He’d set Nicolai up in his room, the young man had barely been able to keep his eyes open when they’d made it back let alone argue. He’d reverted back to the clingy scared teen the angel had first met so many years ago and it broke his heart. He’d stayed until the slayer was deep in sleep but as soon as he was sure the other wouldn’t wake he’d left. Now he was sat on the stairs trying to work out what to do. Footsteps coming up the stairs made him look up just as Alice came into view. She’d been back at the pub by the time Raphael had arrived and he wouldn’t have been surprised if Lucifer had tipped her off.

“Do I want to know why you’re sat out here mopping instead of in there?” She asked as she stopped in front of him with a small frown, Raphael tried to give her a small smile as he shrugged. “I didn’t think so.”

“It’s not that easy.” Raphael reminded her looking down again. He knew she wanted this to fix things between him and Nicolai but it didn’t work like that. Not everything that was broken could be fixed. He’d felt completely betrayed by Nicolai’s choice and he wasn’t sure he could get over that. Alice rolled her eyes and he frowned at her. “What would you do then?”

Alice looked momentarily surprised before raising one eyebrow in a do you really want me to answer that sort of way. When Raphael nodded she looked down.

“I wouldn’t have let it get this far.” She replied looking up to meet her brother’s gaze eyes full of challenge. “I’d have answered him before he felt the need to go to Lucifer in the first place.”

“It sounds like you’re blaming me,” Raphael said voice sharp and his eyes narrowed when she shrugged.

“He begged for your help.” She growled eyes flashing dangerously, this had been a bone of contention between them since it had happened and despite how bad angering her older brother was she couldn’t have cared less. “Even I heard him and you didn’t answer him.” If she could have she would have but she’d been half-dead and confined to the infirmary.

Raphael dropped her gaze. It was true that he’d ignored the slayer’s original prayers, mostly because he’d been busy and it hadn’t seemed that important. They’d been arguing a lot before the angel had had to leave and when Nicolai’s prayers had become louder he’d deliberately ignored him. By the time he’d found out what was going on it had been too late.

“He still shouldn’t have...”

“Then what was he supposed to do?” Alice cut in before he could finish obviously not having it. “Killian means everything to him and he was going to get killed.”

“There are other ways instead of selling your soul to Lucifer.”

“But he’s so persuasive,” her voice dropped and softened sending a shiver down Raphael’s spine. “So comforting and seductive. Make you believe he can give you anything.” Raphael swallowed as his sister’s voice wrapped around him and he wondered if she was speaking from experience, it wouldn’t surprise him. “He thought you’d left him what did he have to lose?”

“He’d have spent eternity in hell!” He hadn’t meant to yell but the noise from the bar covered it so Raphael ignored the momentary loss of control as Alice sneered at him.

“Have you seen the way Lucifer looks at him.” And Raphael had even if he’d tried to ignore it. His mind flashed back to the way Lucifer’s fingers had lingered and Nicolai’s reaction. “Nothing, well nothing painful, would have happened to Nicolai because of how much Lucifer wants him.” That didn’t make Raphael feel any better, in fact, it made him feel sick.

“I’ve done to much damage. It can’t be fixed.”

“Everything can be fixed brother, we’re testament to that,” Alice said with a small smile, clapping his shoulder gently. “All you have to decide is if he’s worth it.”

“Of course he’s worth it!” The sound of the bar dulled slightly and Raphael realised exactly how loudly he’d shouted, confirmed by Alice’s amused smirk.

“So fight for him.” Alice’s voice was flippant like it was the easiest thing in the world. Maybe it was for her but Raphael had never been any good at fighting for himself and what he wanted. “Talk it out with him and find out where you stand.”

“You once told me you’d kill me if I hurt him.” Raphael murmured half to himself.

Alice snorted with a small smile. She’d been around the three brothers for years, mostly Killian though, and it was partially through her that Raphael had met Nicolai. When she’d discovered they were together she’d told her brother in rather vivid detail what she’d do to him. It had involved his intestine. But that had been in the event of deliberate, malicious, one-sided harm. When she’d found out exactly what had happened, through a distraught Killian who was blaming himself, it had taken all her willpower not to follow through on her threat. Because in a way the harm Raphael had inflicted hadn’t been deliberate, as much as he thought otherwise, his actions had led to it but there had been no intention behind it.

“There was no point.” She replied with a half shrug making her brother look up in confusion. “You were hurting yourself quite well on your own by the time I got back, there was no need for me to exhaust myself.” 

Raphael glared at her but it lacked any real heat. The fact that she understood why he’d left did not need saying. Alice understood both sides, didn’t mean she didn’t think they were both monumental idiots. Raphael still looked torn and Alice wondered how on earth he’d gotten the reputation as the smart archangel. Lucifer would be a much better example if you didn’t count the whole fall thing of course.

“We’ve had this conversation before.” Raphael sighed as he stood up debating whether he should go to his office or down to the bar. He needed something to do. “Many times in fact. Why are you so desperate to fix this.”

“Because I wanted-want them to be safe and happy,” Alice said as she lent against the wall effectively cutting off Raphael’s path down the stairs. “After their childhood they deserve it.”

“Why does that have to involve me?”

“Because it made you happy too. After you met Nicky you were more relaxed, laid back, in short, a much nicer person. Since you broke up with him, well half the time someone wants to hit you.” The rest of the time they usually did, or at least caused him some sort of harm or annoyance. Raphael let out an annoyed huff but he didn’t seem prepared to speak. Time to step things up a little. “If you don’t fix this while you’ve got the chance I’ll go to plan B.”

Raphael’s eyes narrowed at that. “And what exactly is plan B.”

Alice gave him what could have been mistaken for her sweetest smile if not for the slightly dangerous edge to it.

“Lucifer’s quite obviously game,” she said trying very hard not to smirk when Raphael tensed. “And he’d take very good care of him.”

“Nicolai isn’t interested.” The older angel snapped voice harder than he’d intended but Alice just gave an unconcerned shrug.

“Even he can’t pine forever. Besides Lucifer’s been approaching wrong, a little bit of coaching and a few gentle nudges at Nicolai…”

Alice didn’t get a chance to finish before she was pinned to the wall, her older brother’s hands clenched tightly in the fabric of her shirt. It was a good thing that was the reaction she’d been going for. Raphael’s face was a mix of such conflicting emotions that Alice almost felt sorry for him. He was angry but also shocked at his own actions, with a hint of resignation and an awful lot of jealousy. It was a little worrying how easy her brothers were to play all things considered. Not that she was complaining. The tension and anger slowly leaked out of Raphael as he stared at his sister, fond annoyance taking over his expression.

“You are...” He started only to be cut off.

“Brilliant.” Alice leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, a sort of apology for her manipulations. “You might want to let me go before someone gets the wrong idea. The last thing I want to have to do is explain to Mickey that I got you stabbed.”

Raphael snorted in amused agreement as he took a step back and let go of her shirt. Watching her right her clothes with a small wave of guilt.

“And what, other than proving my lack of self-control, was that in aid of?” Raphael asked with a gently raised eyebrow, even if he was pretty sure he knew exactly what she’d set out to prove.

Alice snorted slightly, rolling her eyes as she pushed away from the wall. She wasn’t even going to dignify that with an answer. Looking down at her watch she smiled.

“You’ve got a few hours before his brothers arrive. You’ll be left in peace ‘till then, I suggest you use the time wisely.”

Raphael didn’t get a chance to answer as Alice immediately stepped around him and continued up the stairs. He wasn’t even sure what he’d have said.

#

Waking up was a much more pleasant experience than Nicolai had expected. It took him a moment to remember what has happened, and another to realise where exactly he was. The only thing that kept him from shooting out of bed was a gentle hand on his shoulder as soon as he tensed. Slowly he sank back into the bed, the tension leaving his body with each breath he took. Opening his eyes he found Raphael sitting on the edge of the bed, one hand still on his shoulder. The angel looked almost nervous but he gave a soft, pleased smile when Nicolai focused on him.

“How are you feeling?” He asked gently his hand coming up to brush against the other’s forehead.

“Better thank you.” Nicolai did feel a lot better, though there were still a lot of aches and pains they appeared to be sleeping for the time being. “I expected one of the others to be here.”

“Ah yes,” Raphael murmured putting a little more space between them and removing his hand. Nicolai tried not to feel to hurt by that. “They’ll visit you later, all of them, but we need to talk.”

Nicolai swallowed, he wasn’t sure he wanted to have this conversation. Ever. Certainly not now. But it needed to be had. Now was as good a time as ever. Besides, there was always a chance he’d pass out before they reached anything difficult. He managed a small, shaky nod.

“Yeah, sure, of course...” He said as he nodded, ignoring the way his hands started to tremble. 

Raphael frowned before reaching out and covering his hands with his own and Nicolai breathed a small sigh as his hands calmed slightly. The angel hesitated a moment longer before swallowing.

“I’m sorry.” He stopped after that lips twisted pensively as he stared at their hands. “I should have, I don’t know...”

Nicolai frowned at that and shook his head.

“It was my choice, you didn’t make me go to Lucifer.” The angel had drummed that into him quite well after the incident. And it was true. When Lucifer had first offered he’d declined, but then he’d sought him out.

“No Nicolai, if I had answered your call you would never have gone to Lucifer in the first place.” He sounded so much like Alice it was a little scary but he pushed through the sudden annoyance because it was the truth and it needed to be said. It was a truth he’d confronted even before she’d brought it up. Even if he hadn’t been able to offer Killian the same protection as Lucifer they’d have managed somehow. “I was-I don’t know, angry I guess over our argument. More at myself than you. But I deliberately ignored you and for that I am sorry.”

“Still-” Nicolai looked at their hands. “I didn’t have to go to Lucifer. I knew it was a stupid idea and that I was throwing my soul away but...” Nicolai took a deep breath. “I couldn’t lose Killian. I – My entire life revolved around keeping him safe for such a long time – I – the thought of losing him was just too much.” He was upsetting himself now, hands shaking so bad that Raphael carefully entwined their fingers and squeezed gently. “Logic just sort of stopped. I was terrified I’d lost you after you left even though I hoped-I thought you’d be back. But when it came down to it I couldn’t hold on and Lucifer was just so...so...” He had no idea how to describe the devil or his general seduction.

“So Lucifer?” Raphael supplied as Nicolai trailed off uncertainly. There wasn’t really another word to describe his brother, at least not while remaining polite something he tried to do. “Alice reminded me of how persuasive he can be.” Nicolai nodded absently at that. It was after all the devil’s modus operandum, persuasion and seduction.

“I was coming back,” Raphael said after a long moments silence, voice soft and perhaps a little unsure. “I never intended to leave you.”

Nicolai felt something akin to joy explode in his chest. It had been a constant nagging worry in the back of his mind since Raphael had first left. That he wouldn’t be coming back; then that he had only come back because of what Nicolai had done. Neither was better than the other and neither would allow him peace. But Raphael had been coming back, even before Nicolai had gone and done something monumentally stupid he had been willing to put their arguments aside and keep trying. “And now?”

Raphael studied Nicolai carefully, eyes searching his face before dropping to their hands. “I did so much damage,” the angel murmured. “Despite what you say I was more in the wrong than you. No matter your actions I should not have reacted the way I did; I should never have treated you the way I did.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.” Nicolai pressed after far to long a silence and Raphael gave a sad smile.

“I would take you back in a heartbeat,” Nicolai opened his mouth quickly but Raphael placed a finger over his lips. “But we need to make sure it will work. I won’t hurt you again.”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Nicolai asked ignoring the finger pressed against his lips with a small frown.

“After everything I said and did you mean?” 

Nicolai just sort of shrugged which made Raphael frown. It was easy to forget how young the slayer was. He had had to grow up so fast for his sake as much as his brother’s and he’d learned to just accept and deal with so many things that he really shouldn’t have to.

“You know you were the first person to ever really care about me,” Nicolai said after a moment, making Raphael’s frown deepen.

“Your brothers would disagree,” not to mention what Alice would do to him but Nicolai just shook his head.

“Killian’s different and Jasper, well Jasper...” Nicolai trailed off as his breathing began to speed up, it was ridiculous that thinking about his brother leaving still affected him like this after all this time.

“Jasper loves you dearly and I’m sure he did then as well,” Raphael interjected earning a disbelieving sort of hiccup.

“And Alice and the others were only really there for Killian. No one bothered with me until you.”

“And then I hurt you.” Raphael pointed out deciding to ignore the rest for now. It was a fight for another day, though one he would return to.

“But only because you cared.” Raphael opened his mouth to contradict but Nicolai put his finger against the angel’s lips to silence him in a mirror of his earlier actions. “It’s true that at times you wanted to hurt me, though I’m guilty of that as well, but it was never malicious and it was never… unjust.”

“I’m pretty sure-” Raphael tried to interrupt but Nicolai tapped his lips earning a small frown from the angel.

“No. I know that’s probably not the right word but the point remains the same. Every argument, every hurt, at least on your side was anchored in facts. Facts that were hurting you.”

Raphael supposed he could accept that. Even if he was unsure of the accuracy. Or for that matter what it changed. But for Nicolai, it would wouldn’t it? After everything he’d been through, he’d long begun to nuance things that most people didn’t. Mental violence because both parties were hurting against mental violence for the sake of it.

“You’re really invested in this aren’t you.” The angel muttered as he removed Nicolai’s hand from his mouth, allowing his thumb to trace over the other’s knuckles gently. Nicolai nodded but stayed silent obviously out of words and Raphael sighed. “I can’t promise to never… never react like that again,” he admitted trying to ignore the way Nicolai tensed. “I can try my best but… my ability to control my emotions appears to be severely compromised when it comes to you.” Which was probably as good as proof as any that he was smitten. “I don’t ever want to hurt you again Nicky and I know you, nothing is going to stop you protecting those you love. Not even your own safety.”

“And how is that any different from you?” Nicolai pointed out remembering all too well the dangerous situations Raphael had put himself in to protect his siblings.

“I’m immortal.” Raphael reminded continuing quickly when Nicolai made to interrupt. “But you’re right it is hypocritical of me.”

The silence following dragged on as Raphael stared at where he still held Nicolai’s hand, thumb still caressing his knuckles, while the slayer stared at him worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

“So?” He finally pressed voice full of trepidation and Raphael looked up with a small almost sad smile and his heart clenched in fear.

Reaching out the angel cupped Nicolai’s cheek letting his thumb stroke across his cheekbone soothingly. “I could no sooner give you up again than cut off my own wings cara.” He said softly before pressing a delicate kiss to Nicolai’s lips, pulling away before it could really develop. “But we’re going to take things slow.” Nicolai nodded but lent forward for another kiss which Raphael indulged with a more amused smile before pulling back again and pushing the slayer back into the pillows. “You need rest, Nicky.”

“Stay?” He whispered as he grabbed the angel’s hand unwilling to let him leave in case it all turned out to be a figment of his imagination.

Raphael’s smile softened as he took in the worry in the other’s eyes. Laying down beside him he curled a protective arm around his waist. Nicolai made a contented noise as he settled against the angel and Raphael began carding his fingers through his hair. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Nicolai smiled as he let his eyes slip closed again. He felt warm and safe the familiar beat of Raphael’s heart under his ear soothed his usually turbulent thoughts into a quiet hum. Just before surrendering to the soft blanket of sleep, he felt a delicate kiss pressed against the crown of his head.

#

Raphael was startled out of the half slumber he’d fallen into soon after Nicolai by something landing quite heavily on the bottom of the bed. Nicolai shifted slightly in his arms obviously having been disturbed as well and Raphael opened his eyes to glare at his unrepentant and in fact quite smug-looking sister.

“Your brothers and Marcus have arrived.” She said to Nicolai as though everything was completely normal and Raphael was not glaring at her. “How you feeling?”

“Much better,” Nicolai assured as Raphael carefully extracted himself from the bed and Nicolai forced himself to bite back a protest. Jasper was not going to be best pleased as it was no need to make things worse. “I thought you’d gone on vacation.”

Alice snorted, “some of my least favourite siblings were already there. It kind of removes any relaxing benefits if you want to kill people.”

Nicolai felt like she was lying but didn’t have time to press before his brothers came in and she moved off the bed to let them get to him. Grinning at the three of them when Killian took what had been Raphael’s place and hugged his brother tightly while calling him an idiot. Alice joined her brother on the other side of the room where he and Marcus had taken refuge while the siblings fussed. Nicolai desperately trying to convince them he was fine.

“You shouldn’t look so smug sister mine,” Raphael whispered to her earning a look with enough innocence to make a saint jealous. Shaking his head slightly he added. “How did you know to come back anyway?”

Alice smirked at him before turning her attention back to the brothers. She was not about to admit to her brother that she’d made a deal with Lucifer for information long before it came to this. It wouldn’t go down well.

Rolling his eyes Raphael decided to let it drop and turned his attention back to the brothers as well with a soft smile. There was still so much to unpack but for now, they were all happy.

[arcadiasarchives]

So this is the quickest and shortest piece of fiction I’ve done outside a classroom in a long time (possibly ever) I saw the #weekend game on Creative Writing Prompts and decided I’d give it a go. It took me under twenty minutes from the first word to here and I hope it’s not too terrible.

“Do me a favour and don’t start a war while I’m gone.”

Those were her brother Adrian’s parting words before he’d left her in charge of a kingdom they’d only just founded in the ashes of one they’d helped destroy. She hadn’t been holding out much hope in that regard and suffice to say she’d failed spectacularly. Although maybe not, after all he’d asked her not to start any and she hadn’t. She was just having to finish them. But what could he have expected, after Kieran had left they’d been invaded twice how was this departure going to be any different.

“Stupid prophecies I have half a mind to ban them.” It probably wouldn’t help but it would make her feel better.

“Now Alice, if it wasn’t for prophecies you wouldn’t be where you are now.”

Alice looked up at her cousin and main advisor Jasper with a raised brow, they’d spent the last few hours pouring over maps and messages trying to make sure they won their latest battle. They would there were no doubts on that front, what with the unwavering support of Lord Marcus to the east and her fledgling alliance with Lady Luci in the north the most recent invasion wouldn’t last very long. But she hated the fighting, she’d been doing it for so long now and had hoped that after overthrowing her father there would be at least a little peace. It was a shame he hadn’t been as much of a bastard to his allies as he had to his children.

“I stand by what I said. Has anyone tracked down Xaiden, I know he never wanted the throne but I still want to try guilting him anyway.”

“I’m afraid not however Hans has sent word that he wishes an audience with you, I expect he intends to declare war as well given how close he was with your father.”

Alice looked down at the map with a frown. Unlike their other attackers Hans’s kingdom bordered a largely inhabited area of the kingdom which would undoubtedly lead to a lot of dead. While the area did have a lot of rebels, now the official army of the kingdom, there weren’t enough to repel a full scale attack and she had no more to send until one of her other battles were won.

“Hans is reasonable and he likes me, send him an invitation and make sure there’s an escort waiting for him. Not Nicolai though, that will not end well.”

Jasper bowed his head and made for one of the side doors. Alice watched him go almost before heading to the balcony for some fresh air. She planned to offer him the throne, he had as much a right to it as the rest of them and he was certainly more suited for the job. But not yet, not with everything going on and the strain it would currently put on his relationship with Marcus. After though when their battles were won and her brothers were back, then they’d offer. Until then this was their mess, they’d created it and they had to fix it. Well she had to fix it at the moment. But she’d never been a leader, neither has Adrian for that matter, Xaiden and Kieran had always been the ones to lead and they had followed even as children. While a lot had changed since then and they’d each grown into their own person she had still never fit into the roll of leader. Sure she wasn’t much of a follower either but she was a great many things other than a leader and many of them just didn’t line up with her current position. She looked out at the city from the balcony listening to the sounds of life and joy that had engulfed it almost constantly since her father had been overthrown. She may not be a leader but she was a fighter and a damn good one at that. And this, this she could fight for.

“Don’t start a war,” she murmured to herself with a small smile as she headed back to her maps. “But that’s fine, what did Maggie used to say? Ladies don’t start fights, they finish them.”

Prompt #493

“Do me a favour and don’t start a war while I’m gone.”

[arcadiasarchives]

The Price of Memory

It was strange sitting around with my friends after everything. The old pub we’d practically lived in since university still looked exactly the same. The booth we always commandeered no matter how packed the place was still had the little sign with ‘reserved’ written in red that the owner had put up when we became her best customers. The table was still stained, and in one place burned where the girls had tried a little experiment that had gone about as well as could be expected. My friends were all still the same, still did the stupid, endearing, infuriating things they always had done and probably always would. But then why would they be different. We all promised ourselves that nothing would be different when everything started and nothing had happened to change that. Not really. But then there was something different wasn’t there. I was what was different. Because they thought that I had forgotten, but I remember. Everything

I remember the beginning, the magic and the secrets we all kept. I remember the adrenaline and the happiness of being part of something no matter how dangerous it could be. I remember the darkness, the battles, the war. But I’m not supposed to, I remember that as well. It feels terrible, continuing the charade when they’re all so obviously worried about me. Even grumpy old Samael makes a special trip every so often to discreetly see if I’m doing any better. Under the guise of dropping off forgotten homework or chasing up missing papers.

It’s hard for the others to get me up to the university to see him for secretive check-ups as I’m not taking ‘night classes’ like they are. Of course, his magic, sneaky as he thinks it is, hasn’t picked up on anything because there’s nothing there to find. 

No old spells were hindering my memory. No brain damage. No curses or spirits or any such thing. No just good old fashioned threats and violence. It was amazing how well those things still worked. A little shocking that a man with so much power at his fingertips would resort to that but he’d always seemed like a traditional sort of guy. So here I am sitting in the corner while Jax and Kieran try to discreetly have an argument at the other end of the table about how to deal with a lich. Alice is doing her best to talk over them, telling me about this really weird thing that happened at the bookshop today. It’s interesting but I’m sure the real story is even better, the way she trails off in places and has to think for a second means it’s having all the magic cut out of it for my benefit. But that’s the price I pay to keep them safe. Or at least safer. I know that Adrian didn’t get hit by a car while crossing the street and that Maya didn’t burn her hands while cooking. But I can’t keep them safe from everything. Not with what they stick their noses into all the time and at least this way there’s no big bad waiting around every corner. Just every other corner.

Nicolai, Seth, and Grace come in looking more than a little worse for wear just as Alice is about to tell the boys to fuck off. I can tell because she always gets this really annoyed look right before she says it. They were getting a bit too loud to ignore and I was going to have to ask what they were on about soon. I don’t like doing it but I can only pretend to be so oblivious for so long before they start to realize it’s deliberate. They don’t come over to the table and my heart skips a beat as Jax goes over to talk to them. This can’t be good, it’s never good, and I feel myself crossing my fingers under the table. I never believed in luck, still don’t most of the time, but I’ve started testing it every once in a while just in case.

“Hey, apparently Samael’s had to move our lecture so we’re going to have to leave now if we all want to be able to get our stuff.” Jax is looking at me apologetically, it was after all the first night we’d all been supposed to hang out for ages. “I’m sorry man.”

“It’s fine, you can’t control your classes.” I smiled as Alice got up, ruffling my hair as she did. Samael rearranging lectures was code for, information possible fight, so not something to be too worried about but my stomach was still twisting at the thought. 

“We’ll do it tomorrow or the day after, promise.” She said as she headed around the table to grab her coat, the others all nodding enthusiastically.

“I’ll hold you to that.” I wonder if my cheer sounds as fake to them as it does to my own ears. If it does they don’t say anything and I watch them go, ignoring the way my stomach twists at the thought that this could very well be the time one of them doesn’t come back.

My ginger beer is looking a lot less appealing now. The bubbles popping every so often reminding me how fragile everything was. How fragile life was. My friends lives. Well, there goes my resolution to stop drinking. Alice and Adrian are going to be disappointed in me. They're so happy I’ve stopped drinking they haven’t even asked about it. Which is good because I haven’t come up with a suitable reason and as much as they love me none of them are going to buy any of the generic shit people offer up. Me my reason is based purely on logic. When I’m drunk I can’t always control my brain. If I don’t have control over my brain I might say or do something that gives me away. So now I only drink when I’m alone, which is pretty sad, but even that’s a rare thing. Tonight is just going to be one of those rare things. I’ll be sober long before I see anyone.

“When exactly are you going to stop all of this nonsense?”

Looking up from what is probably only my third glass of whiskey I find Maggie with her hands on her hips giving me one of those looks. The looks reserved for people who cross her or people who need a life lesson taught to them. I’ve been on the receiving end of that look before, for both reasons, but I can’t think why I’d warrant it now.

“Huh?”

Definitely not one of my more eloquent replies but it’s my first time drinking in awhile my brain’s a little sluggish.

“You heard me young man. It’s not nice what you’re doing to them.” She reprimanded as she sat across from me.

I don’t think my blood has ever run cold so fast in my entire life. And that’s including the time I accidentally came face to face with a hell hound. Coincidentally it was also the first time I came face to face with a hell hound which certainly didn’t really help matters. Hey on the plus side I was more or less sober already.

“I’m sorry what.” The look she gave me could have melted stone and I immediately raised my hands in surrender. Maggie was not someone you wanted mad at you. “Sorry sorry I just...”

Her face softened as I tried desperately to figure out what to say. She couldn’t know what was going on. For starters, she had no idea all the weird shit we’d gotten into. If she had noticed something it probably came off as some sort of cruel game I’m playing at the expense of my friends. The thought alone makes me want to vomit.

“Sweetheart sometimes I wonder what on earth made Samael pick you lot.”

Okay, that was weird, she shouldn’t know Samael, there was no reason for her to know Samael any better than she knew us. Certainly no reason for that highly accurate comment. Maybe I’ve already drunk too much. If my tolerance for alcohol is that low my life really is shit. Maggie shakes her head like she does when she catches people showing off around her bar. It’s that disappointed mother face with a hint of challenge in it that no one has ever dared counter. I’m certainly not about to start.

“How do you think Samael finds gifted people with potential. It’s hardly like he goes out to find them is it.”

And oh, oh, that makes a lot of sense. The reserved sign had gone up not long after Samael began tutoring Kieran, Grace, and Ace in the arts of magic. It had been a little while before any of the rest of us learned or joined but yeah it would have been around the same time. I reached for my drink though not completely convinced more alcohol was the answer. So many little things I’d noticed over the years began to take on a whole new life. The fact that the cold hardwood chairs and benches had suddenly been replaced with padded ones just after Alice and Alec spent the night being thrown through walls. No one ever noticing when one of us looked like death. Ace being barred. I quickly turned away from that last thought and back to the matter at hand.

“Have you told Samael?” Which was definitely my more pressing concern because not only did I have no way of explaining this without giving myself away his brain would immediately jump to the worst possible conclusion.

“Of course not,” Maggie said with a rather put upon air, like it was completely obvious she wouldn’t tell him. Considering she’d told me not a minute ago that she was the reason he’d picked us out I think she could have cut me a little slack. “I’m sure you have reasons. Very good reasons in fact.”

“Yeah.”

Now she’s looking at me expectantly and I know she wants me to tell her. I shouldn’t, it’s too dangerous it could ruin everything. But at the same time, I want to. I need advice, need to know what to do because there’s no way I can keep this up forever. Besides short of a complete stranger I can’t think of anyone better to tell. If she’s telling the truth no one knows about her, I doubt anyone even suspects, and if she hasn’t told Samael yet she’s hardly going to now. But it all boils down to that doesn’t it, if she’s telling the truth. Because if she’s not that means she’s one of Kyle’s which is going to ruin everything. I really really hate my life sometimes, and to think everything had been going great just a few months ago. Of course, this is Maggie so if I don’t tell her she’s going to get it out of me somehow. Besides I want to trust her.

It doesn’t take nearly as long as I ever thought it would, but still long enough that I know it’s the right thing for me even though I regret it just a little. Maggie looks sympathetic, her hand resting on mine and it’s one of the most comforting feelings. I trail off about not knowing what to do and finish what is now my fifth whiskey wondering where I can go to get more if this ends really badly.

“I’m so proud of you Xander, I know none of this can be easy.” She smiles at the little noise I make though even I don’t know whether or not it’s agreement. “But I think the best thing right now is to tell Samael.” Panic must have shown on my face because she immediately raised her hand to stop my protests. “Not the others, just Samael. Think we can manage that? It’s alright to say no.”

I think about it for a moment my head already beginning to nod. Samael will know what to do. Samael always has an answer.

“Yeah, I think we can manage that.”

[arcadiasarchives]

Le Prix du Souvenir

C'était étrange d’être assis avec mes amis après tout ce qui s'était passé. Le vieux pub dans lequel nous nous étions pratiquement installés depuis l'université avait toujours la même apparence. La table que nous avions toujours réquisitionnée, même si l'endroit était bondé, avait toujours la petite pancarte "réservé" écrite en rouge que la propriétaire avait installée quand nous étions devenus ses meilleurs clients. La table était encore tachée, et à un endroit brûlée là où les filles avaient tenté une petite expérience qui s'était déroulée aussi bien qu'on pouvait s'y attendre. Mes amis étaient toujours les mêmes, ils faisaient toujours les choses stupides, attachantes et exaspérantes qu'ils avaient toujours faites et qu'ils feraient probablement toujours. Mais bon, pourquoi seraient-ils différents ? Lorsque tout à commencé nous nous étions tous promis que rien ne serait différent et rien ne s'est produit pour changer cela. Pas vraiment. Mais il y avait quand même quelque chose de différent. C'était moi qui étais différent. Parce qu’ils pensaient que j'avais oublié, mais je me souviens. De tout.

Je me souviens du début, de la magie et des secrets que nous avons tous gardés. Je me souviens de l'adrénaline et du bonheur de faire partie de quelque chose, même si c’était dangereux. Je me souviens de l'obscurité, des batailles, de la guerre. Mais je ne suis pas censé, je m'en souviens de ça aussi. C'est terrible de continuer cette mascarade alors qu'ils sont tous si manifestement inquiets pour moi. Même le vieux grincheux Samael fait de temps en temps un voyage spécial pour voir discrètement si je vais mieux. Sous prétexte de déposer des devoirs oubliés ou de rechercher des papiers manquants. Il est difficile pour les autres de m'emmener à l'université pour le voir pour des examens secrets, car je ne prends pas de "cours du soir" comme eux. Bien sûr, sa magie, aussi sournoise soit-elle, n'a rien détecté parce qu'il n'y a rien à trouver. Il n'y avait pas de vieux sorts qui entravaient ma mémoire. Aucun traumatisme cérébral. Pas de malédiction, ou d'esprit, ou autre chose de ce genre. Non, juste de bonnes vieilles menaces et de la violence. C'était étonnant de voir à quel point ces choses fonctionnent encore. C'est un peu choquant qu'un homme avec autant de pouvoir au bout des doigts y ait toujours recours, mais il a toujours eu l'air d'un type traditionnel. Me voici donc assis dans un coin pendant que Jax et Kieran tentent de se disputer discrètement à l'autre bout de la table sur la façon de se débarrasser d'un liche. Alice fait de son mieux pour parler par-dessus leurs voix, en me racontant un truc vraiment bizarre qui s'est passé à la librairie aujourd'hui. C'est intéressant mais je suis sûr que la vraie histoire est encore meilleure, la façon dont elle traîne par endroits et doit réfléchir pendant une seconde signifie que c'est toute la magie qui a été retirée pour moi. Mais c'est le prix que je paie pour les garder en sécurité. Ou du moins plus en sécurité. Je sais qu'Adrian n'a pas été renversé par une voiture en traversant la route et que Maya ne s'est pas brûlée les mains en cuisinant. Mais je ne peux pas les protéger de tout. Pas avec ce dans quoi ils fourrent leur nez tout le temps et au moins de cette façon, il n'y a pas de grands méchants qui attendent à chaque coin de rue.  Juste à tout les autres coins de rue.

Nicolai, Seth et Grace débarquent en ayant l'air plus qu'un peu plus fatigués au moment où Alice s'apprête à dire aux garçons d'aller se faire foutre. Je peux le deviner parce qu'elle a toujours ce regard vraiment énervé juste avant de le dire. Ils devenaient un peu trop bruyants pour qu'on les ignore et j'allais bientôt devoir leur demander de quoi il s'agissait. Je n'aime pas le faire mais je ne peux que faire semblant d'être si inconscient pendant si longtemps avant qu'ils ne commencent à réaliser que c'est intentionnel. Ils ne viennent pas à la table et mon cœur saute un battement quand Jax va leur parler. Ça ne peut pas être bon, ce n'est jamais bon, et je me sens croiser les doigts sous la table. Je n'ai jamais cru à la chance, je n'y crois toujours pas la plupart du temps, mais j'ai commencé à la tester de temps en temps, juste au cas où.

"Hé, apparemment Samael a dû déplacer notre cm, donc on va devoir partir maintenant si on veut tous pouvoir prendre nos affaires." Jax me regarde avec un air apologétique, c'était après tout la première soirée que nous étions tous censés passer ensemble depuis un bon moment. "Je suis désolé, mec."

"C'est bon, vous contrôlez pas vos cours." Je souriais pendant qu'Alice se levait, me hérissant les cheveux en même temps. Samael réorganisant les cm était un code pour : information, possibilité de combat, donc pas de quoi s'inquiéter mais mon estomac se tordait quand même à l'idée.

"On va le faire demain ou après-demain, promis." dit-elle en faisant le tour de la table pour prendre son manteau, les autres faisant tous un signe de tête enthousiaste.

"Je vous y tiendrai." Je me demande si ma joie est aussi fausse à leurs yeux qu'à mes propres oreilles. Si c'est le cas, ils ne disent rien et je les regarde partir, ignorant la façon dont mon estomac se tord à l'idée que cela pourrait très bien être le moment où l'un d'eux ne reviendra pas.

Ma Ginger Beer a tout à coup l'air beaucoup moins attirante. Les bulles qui éclatent de temps en temps me rappellent combien tout était fragile. Comme la vie était fragile. La vie de mes amis. Et voilà que disparaît ma résolution d'arrêter de boire. Je vais décevoir Alice et Adrian. Ils sont si heureux que j'ai arrêté de boire qu'ils n'ont même pas posé de questions. Ce qui est bien parce que je n'ai pas trouvé de raison valable et, bien qu'ils m'aiment, aucun d'entre eux ne va acheter les trucs génériques que les gens proposent. Moi, ma raison est purement logique. Quand je suis bourré, je ne peux pas toujours contrôler mon cerveau. Si je n'ai pas le contrôle de mon cerveau, je peux dire ou faire quelque chose qui me trahit. Alors maintenant, je ne bois que quand je suis seul, ce qui est assez triste, mais même ça, c'est une chose rare. Ce soir, ce sera une de ces choses rares. Je serai sobre bien avant de voir qui que ce soit.

"Quand exactement vas-tu mettre fin à toutes ces absurdités ?"

En levant les yeux de ce qui n'est probablement que mon troisième verre de whisky, je trouve Maggie, les mains sur les hanches, me lançant un de ces regards. Ces regards réservés aux personnes qui la contrarient ou à celles qui ont besoin qu'on leur donne une leçon sur la vie. J'ai déjà eu ce regard auparavant, pour ces deux raisons, mais je ne vois pas pourquoi je le justifierais maintenant.

"Hein ?"

Ce n'est certainement pas une de mes réponses les plus éloquentes, mais c'est la première fois que je bois depuis un certain temps, mon cerveau est un peu léthargique.

"Vous m'avez entendu jeune homme. Ce n'est pas bien ce que vous leur faites." Elle m'a réprimandé alors qu'elle s'asseyait en face de moi.

Je ne pense pas que mon sang ait jamais refroidi aussi vite de toute ma vie.  Et cela inclut la fois où je me suis accidentellement retrouvé face à face avec un chien de l'enfer. Ce fut aussi la première fois que je me suis retrouvé face à face avec un chien de l'enfer, ce qui n'a pas vraiment aidé. Par contre, le point positif, c'est que j'étais pratiquement sobre maintenant.

"Je suis désolé quoi." Le regard qu'elle m'a lancé aurait pu faire fondre la pierre et j'ai immédiatement levé les mains en signe de capitulation. Maggie n'était pas quelqu'un que vous vouliez voir en colère. "Désolé, désolé, je voulais juste..."

Son visage s'est adouci alors que j'essayais désespér��ment de trouver quoi dire. Elle ne pouvait pas savoir ce qui se passait. Pour commencer, elle n'avait aucune idée de tous les trucs bizarres dans lesquels on s'était fourré. Si elle avait remarqué quelque chose, cela ressemblait probablement à une sorte de jeu cruel auquel je joue aux dépens de mes amis. Rien que d'y penser, j'ai envie de vomir.

"Chéri, parfois je me demande ce qui a bien pu pousser Samael à vous choisir."

Ok, c'était bizarre, elle ne devait pas connaître Samael, elle n'avait aucune raison de connaître Samael plus qu'elle ne nous connaissait. Certainement aucune raison pour ce commentaire très précis. Peut-être que j'ai déjà trop bu. Si ma tolérance à l'alcool est aussi faible, ma vie est vraiment merdique. Maggie secoue la tête comme elle le fait quand elle surprend des gens qui se comportent mal dans son bar. C'est ce visage déçu de la mère avec un soupçon de défi que personne n'a jamais osé contrer. Je ne suis certainement pas sur le point de commencer.

"Comment pensez-vous que Samael trouve des gens doués avec du potentiel. Ce n'est pas comme s'il allait les chercher."

Et oui, ça a beaucoup de sens.  Le panneau réservé avait été mis en place peu de temps après que Samael ait commencé à donner des cours de magie à Kieran, Grace et Ace. Il a fallu un peu de temps avant que nous autres n'apprenions ou ne nous joignions à eux, mais oui, c'était à peu près au même moment. J'ai pris mon verre, mais je n'étais pas complètement convaincu que l'alcool était la bonne réponse. Tant de petites choses que j'avais remarquées au fil des ans commençaient à prendre une toute nouvelle vie. Le fait que les chaises et les bancs froids en bois dur avaient soudainement été remplacés par des chaises et des bancs rembourrés juste après qu'Alice et Alec aient passé la nuit à être jetés à travers des murs. Personne ne remarquait jamais quand l'un de nous ressemblait à la mort. Ace étant interdit d'accès. Je me suis rapidement détourné de cette dernière pensée pour revenir à l'affaire en cours.

"Tu l'as dit à Samael ?" Ce qui était certainement ma préoccupation la plus pressante, car non seulement je n'avais aucun moyen de l'expliquer sans me trahir, mais son cerveau allait immédiatement sauter à la pire conclusion possible.

"Bien sûr que non." dit Maggie avec un air plutôt agacé, comme s'il était évident qu'elle ne (le) lui dirait pas.  Vu qu'elle m'avait dit il n'y a pas une minute qu'elle était la raison pour laquelle il nous avait choisis, je pense qu'elle aurait pu me donner un peu de mou. "Je suis sûr que vous avez des raisons. De très bonnes raisons même."

"Oui."

Maintenant, elle me regarde de façon impatiente et je sais qu'elle veut que je lui dise. Je ne devrais pas, c'est trop dangereux, ça pourrait tout détruire. Mais en même temps, je veux le faire. J'ai besoin de conseils, je dois savoir quoi faire parce qu'il n'y a pas moyen de continuer comme ça indéfiniment. A part un parfait inconnu, je ne vois personne de mieux à qui le dire. Si elle dit la vérité - personne ne sait rien d'elle, je doute que quelqu'un ait des soupçons, et si elle n'a pas encore parlé à Samael, elle ne le fera pas maintenant. Mais tout se résume à cela, n'est-ce pas, si elle dit la vérité. Parce que si elle ne le fait pas, cela signifie qu'elle fait partie du groupe de Kyle, ce qui va tout détruire. Je déteste vraiment ma vie parfois, et quand je pense que tout allait très bien il y a quelques mois à peine. Bien sûr, c'est Maggie, donc si je ne lui dis pas, elle va tout faire sortir de moi d'une manière ou d'une autre. En plus, je veux lui faire confiance.

Cela ne me prend pas autant de temps que je l'aurais cru, mais suffisamment pour que je sache que c'est la bonne chose à faire pour moi, même si je le regrette un peu. Maggie semble compatissante, sa main reposant sur la mienne, et c'est l'un des sentiments les plus réconfortants qui soient. Je m'éloigne de l'idée de ne pas savoir quoi faire et je termine ce qui est maintenant mon cinquième whisky en me demandant où je pourrais aller en chercher d'autres si cela finit vraiment mal.

"Je suis si fière de toi Xander, je sais que rien de tout cela ne peut être facile." Elle sourit au petit bruit que je fais, bien que je ne puisse même pas dire si le bruit est un accord ou non. "Mais je pense que la meilleure chose à faire maintenant est de tout dire à Samael."  La panique a dû se manifester sur mon visage car elle a immédiatement levé la main pour mettre fin à mes contestations. "Pas les autres, juste Samael. Vous pensez qu'on peut faire ça ? C'est possible de dire non."

J'y pense un instant, ma tête commence déjà à acquiescer. Samael saura quoi faire. Samael a toujours une réponse.

"Oui, je pense qu'on peut faire ça."

[arcadiasarchives]

Fleeting Memories

The priest knelt on the cold hard floor of his cell to pray. As far as he was aware he was the only one who had been captured when the temple had been attacked and despite how many had died he was thankful because many had escaped taking civilians with them. But some civilians had also been captured, a dozen or so orphans who’d had no one to worry about them during the sudden panic. He had been given a choice by a rather smug man and his path was pretty definitive no matter which one he chose. Willing or unwilling the words rattled around his head with dark promise. The warrior in him told him not to submit, to fight even if it killed him. But another part of him, a bigger part of him, to submit. If he was willing they said they wouldn’t hurt the orphans, that they would let them go. So he prayed for guidance, for help, for protection. He was not as devout as his brothers and sisters had been, never had been for that matter, he had never seen it properly serve anyone. But he still believed more than was logical given his doubts, though mostly because the temple had given him a purpose and a life when he had arrived a few years ago. The high priest had once told him that a god was watching over him but he’d never believed that he wasn’t anything special he was sure they had better things to do. But he believed they watched over the vulnerable and it was the children he wanted to protect.

As he prayed he came to a decision, even though he couldn’t be sure they would keep their word he had to hope because otherwise, he couldn’t do anything. No matter how much he told himself it was the right thing to do he couldn’t shake the cold dread that had settled in his stomach making him feel sick. He felt tears track down his cheeks for the first time in years and he focused on his prayers, taking comfort in the familiar words. Despite his hitching breath he was slowly beginning to calm down when a hand cupped his face. He jerked back sharply, he had been the only one in the cell and would have heard the door. The boy looked a little older than him, his bright green eyes fixed on his face. “Shh don’t be frightened, I’m not going to hurt you.” The boy said his voice soft and warm as he crouched down in front of him. “What’s your name?” “D...Daniel.” He whispered his voice hesitant and unsure but the other gifted him with a reassuring smile which helped to calm him again. “That’s a lovely name, you can call me Michael.” His smile became somewhat sad as he spoke but his voice remained gentle. “How did you get in here?” Daniel’s voice was surer now and he was slowly beginning to relax, the other’s presence more comforting than a stranger’s should be. “You prayed,” Michael said it like it was perfectly obvious but Daniel had prayed before and had never been answered, though admittedly he’d never been this badly off before. Michael reached forward and Daniel flinched back instinctively having already received enough unwanted attention since his capture but he forced himself to relax. Michael hesitated a moment before gently wiping away the other’s tears. “I always listen to you. This time it seemed like a good idea to answer.” “So you’re a god?” “I minor god.” He corrected though he was still smiling his hand caressing the other’s cheek almost absent-mindedly. “A wanderer who remains mostly separate from the others.” That was why he had been among those who had rejoiced at the birth of a religion that venerated all the gods, big and small, old and new, it made a change to the regular religions he was used to seeing. “Why bother with me?” Wandering gods weren’t usually the type to watch over mortals unless they had their own agenda, they tended to be tricksters and younger gods who didn’t have any real place among their own culture. However, they did have a tendency to watch over children, although that tended to manifest in amusing violence or humiliation towards those that threatened them. Michael shook his head with a sad smile as he removed his hand and Daniel instantly regretted the loss of the comforting touch. “It’s too soon for that.” The god whispered almost to himself leaving the other to frown at him in confusion for a moment. “Suffice to say I have taken it upon myself to look out for you.” Daniel nodded slowly still unsure as to why him but unwilling to question further. The sound of a bell ringing in the distance made him freeze and he held his breath until he was sure it has stopped. “How long did they give you?” Michael asked gently as the other swallowed nervously. “Until the tenth bell.” That had been the ninth one, he didn’t have long. “Have you made a decision?” Daniel gave a weak nod as fear began twisting his stomach again. “I’m going to surrender, in the hopes of protecting the orphans.” Michael nodded and though the thought of what might happen to the other pained him he was pleased that his primary concern was the children, it should true character. “They were being truthful. If you surrender they will release them, they know they were not part of the temple.” Daniel felt sick but he nodded absently as his mind whirled, he felt worse, not better now despite the confirmation that this was the right thing to do. He had always been lucky but he’d always been told it wouldn’t last, he supposed it had finally run out. Michael watched the young priest carefully, he had been reminded when he was allowed to intervene and what would happen if he didn’t obey when Morpheus had discovered he’d found Daniel. It made his heart clench but he wouldn’t risk losing him again. * Michael had disappeared when the bell had begun to ring and they’d heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Before he’d left he’d promised that he wouldn’t let anything happen to the young priest, that he wouldn’t be alone. But now, standing in the centre of the chamber in front of his captor Daniel had his doubts. The man was probably nearly 40 and had presumably been a warrior all his life, despite the grey beginning to mark his temple and the lines time had etched into his face he still looked like he was at his physical peak. He stood from his desk, coming around to circle the other slowly. “I’m glad you made a sensible decision. The sensible decision as it were.” He said as he stopped in front of Daniel, his voice was rough despite how gentle he tried to make his tone and it did nothing to calm his captives frayed nerves. He brought a hand up to stroke against the young priest’s cheek. “What is your name?” “Daniel.” The slap he received echoed through the chamber and he had to stifle a hiss as calloused fingers grabbed his chin. “You will address me as Sir!” Daniel swallowed as he nodded, the fingers gentling on his skin as they stroked down his neck. “How old are you?” “17...Sir.” “Good boy.” The soldier murmured as he took a step back, eyes sweeping over the other. “So young, take off your tunic.” Daniel pulled the torn and dirty garment over his head, shivering as the cool air hit his skin. His skin crawled as fingers trailed along his collarbone and he resisted the urge to pull away. For a moment he thought he saw movement in the corner of the room but when he focused there was nothing there. Before he could think about it a hand twisted in his hair, pulling his head back sharply. “I don’t feel I have your full attention.” The man growled in his ear and Daniel swallowed again. “Sorry Sir” “Mmh I expect you will be.” He agreed as he let go of the other’s hair and stepped back before heading towards the desk. “I expect to have your full attention at all times. Lean against the wall.” He indicated the wall on the left which as almost completely clear, and Daniel nodded as he did as he was told. He knew what was coming. The first strike of the cane hit across his shoulder, echoing loudly in the room. He’d been canned before when he’d first arrived at the temple one of the high priests liked punishing those he didn’t think were devoted enough, but he didn’t remember it hurting this much. By the fifteenth strike, he was unable to stop the pained noises that came from his mouth. By the thirtieth, the noises were nearly constant and tears blurred his eyes. By the fiftieth strike, the only thing keeping him from begging was his teeth sunk into his tongue, and the only thing keeping him standing sheer willpower. He heard the cane hit the floor and leant his forehead against the cool stone wall. A single finger traced across one of the welts before it moved to a place where the skin had broken and Daniel let out a broken whimper as it pressed against the wound. “I think you learnt your lesson don’t you?” The soldier asked drawing his finger across another welt with a smirk as the young man tensed. When Daniel failed to answer he growled yanking the other’s head back by his hair ignoring the pained noise that escaped the boy. “I asked you a question, Daniel.” “Yes, Sir.” Daniel managed after a moment, wishing desperately that it would all be over. He wanted to curse Michael for abandoning him but he was desperately clinging to the small slither of hope that remained. “Yes, what?” He pressed as he released the boy’s head, watching as it fell forward until his forehead was resting against the wall again. It was a satisfying sight, the boy had given them quite a lot of trouble when they’d attacked the temple. Though it was reputed the members, both and female, were skilled and deadly warriors they had not expected much trouble from one so young, everyone else they had encountered had been much older, and had only managed to subdue him when they had gotten hold of one of the youths he was protecting. He’d ordered his men to keep him alive and unharmed, he wanted to break him himself. Daniel swallowed a few times, fresh tears trailing down his face as he tried to find his voice, reminding himself why he was there. “Yes, I learnt my lesson, Sir.” “Good boy.” He moved back to his desk with a pleased smirk. He was going to enjoy this quite a bit, he could just imagine what he was going to do to the young priest as he watched him slide down the wall to kneel as his shaking legs gave out beneath him. Yes, there were so many things he was going to do to him. He was so busy contemplating Daniel’s huddled form that he failed to notice the bookcase swaying behind him until it fell forward. * “Huh, he’s still alive.” The blond, who’d appeared in the room after the bookcase fell, remarked as he took the fallen man’s pulse. “How very restrained of you brother. “I don’t have time to do it properly,” Michael replied as he practically ran to Daniel’s side, the boy hadn’t reacted to the bookcase falling let alone their arrival which worried him. “Father will be pleased.” The other mused as he stood back up and headed around the desk to join his brother. Truth be told it did not bode well for the human but he wasn’t about to argue with his brother when the man would clearly deserve everything he got. He doubted anyone else would try and stop Michael all things considered. “Is he alright?” “I don’t know, I think he’s passed out.” Michael was now holding Daniel in his lap careful of his back. His brother made a noise of agreement as he observed the boy in his brother’s lap, the waves of emotion that had undoubtedly been hitting him in the last few hours coupled with a second drop of his adrenaline would explain it. “Well, I’m sure he’d rather wake up somewhere more hospitable than this.” He suggested as he glanced at the cane on the ground, “Why don’t you take him home, I will inform father and collect the ingredients necessary for the memory spell.” “Thank you, Adrian.” Michael murmured as his brother disappeared. * Daniel awoke groggily to the feeling of someone placing him on a soft bed and he tensed, stomach knotting in fear. “Shh it’s alright Daniel, you’re safe now.” “Michael?” Daniel whispered as gentle fingers stroked his hair, a sharp contrast the treatment he’d just received but he was still wary. He opened his eyes to find the god perched on the bed next to him, he tried to turn on his side to better face him but his back erupted in pain. “Careful, I still haven’t healed you yet,” Michael warned gently, his fingers trailing down the other’s neck soothingly. “I’m sorry I didn’t step in sooner.” “But you were there.” He pointed out a warm feeling curling in his chest as he realised the other had kept his promise and hadn’t left him along. “I followed you inside.” Michael agreed as his fingers began dancing over the wounds, magic sparking along the skin. “What you saw was my brother arriving to make sure I didn’t get in trouble.” He was still in trouble, Morpheus was furious with him, but he hadn’t broken any rules. Adrian would be back soon with the things they needed for the spell before Morpheus tried to stop them and Michael needed to explain before he did. He finished healing the other’s back and watched as he rolled onto his side. “What’s wrong?” “Would you believe me if I told you we grew up together?” Daniel looked so surprised that his mouth actually opened slightly and Michael couldn’t help but chuckle. “No I didn’t think so but it’s true we were, are I suppose, half-bloods though our fathers don’t get on our mothers were from the same village. You were my best friend, my...my lover, and when I became immortal Aphrodite was so taken by us that she bestowed the gift of immortality on you as well.” His original sadness made sense to Daniel now as he tried to comprehend everything now rattling around in his head. It made sense he supposed, he had few memories from before the temple and he’d only been there a couple of years. It could all be true. After all the high priest had told him he was being watched over. “But why don’t I remember?” Michael’s sad smile became almost pained as he ran a hand through his hair. “Because I’m an idiot,” The statement earned him a confused frown and he sighed, he supposed that wasn’t the most explicit explanation. “The Titan Morpheus took a liking to you several years ago when you turned him down because of me he became angry, I don’t think he’d ever been refused before and it became somewhat of an obsession. He decided I was the problem and baited me into attacking him and, as you were only immortal because of me, hid you as my punishment knowing that none of the gods would intervene. I think he hoped that with you gone I would move on to someone else and he could bring you back and have you to himself.” “But you found me.” Daniel wondered why he hadn’t revealed himself sooner if he’d been watching over him. “It took me months, and when I finally did Morpheus put in place ‘rules’ for my intervention that the gods approved of. I agreed because the consequences he put forward were far worse than waiting considering I had Adrian lead you to the temple. I’m sorry it prevented me from saving you before you were hurt.” Daniel wanted to ask what had made him intervene but quickly decided he didn’t want to know. It was difficult to imagine one of the Titans of all beings wanting him enough to go through all this, he knew he wasn’t bad to look at he’d been told that enough times but there was nothing special about him. He yawned suddenly realising how tired he was and the toll the events had taken on him, which got a warm smile from Michael. “Sleep, you need it.” “You’ll stay?” He asked through another yawn, smiling contentedly when the other a gentle hand through his hair. “Unless I absolutely have to leave, but don’t worry you won’t be left on your own.” Daniel hummed intent on asking who would stay with him but before he could formulate the question he was asleep. * When Daniel woke up Michael was no longer at his side but the space he’d occupied was still warm. Rolling over he was only slightly surprised to see a blond who looked to be about the same age as Michael sat on the floor by the door a book in hand. He looked up when he noted the other's movement, putting the book down with a smile as he pushed himself up. “It’s good to see you awake, you’ve been out for a while.” He said his voice low and gentle as he sat at the foot of the bed. “Where’s Michael?” Daniel was feeling more like himself now and a part of him cringed at the question, he wasn’t a child he didn’t need anyone to hold his hand, but Michael had made him feel safe and he could practically feel his absence. “He had to go deal with something.” Morpheus had raised quite a fuss when he’d discovered what had happened and if they ever found out who had told him there’d be hell. “I’m Adrian.” “His brother?” Adrian nodded and Daniel felt himself relax slightly as he smiled. “Can I ask, what did you do to become immortal?” His curiosity was overriding any lingering fear and doubt but it wouldn’t last unless he actively encouraged it. Adrian snorted as he brought his leg up underneath himself as he turned to fully face the other, leaning against the footboard. “Something stupid I’m sure, stupid and self-sacrificing, but I don’t remember exactly what, it was a very hectic period. It wasn’t even our father who rewarded us but Hermes.” Daniel wondered how someone could forget something that completely changed their life, but he realised he didn’t know how old they were, the Greek gods had been around a long time. Before he could ask anything else the fire on the other side of the room flared up. Before it had even reached its peak Adrian was up, blade in hand as he scanned the room. “Calm child.” A girl, who looked no older than a child herself appeared near the fire giving Adrian an unamused frown, though for his part the god relaxed dropping his blade to his side. “Apologies Lady Hestia but it is always good to be on guard.” The Olympian snorted in agreement as she looked Daniel over carefully before returning her attention to Adrian. “I’ve come to suggest you hurry and fix this mess quickly, Morpheus does not plan to give up and you know my uncle does not play fair. Adrian opened his mouth but she was gone. He looked at Daniel before turning to the table in the middle of the far wall where Daniel could see a selection of bowls and bottles. “The spell takes some time but I can do it on my own,” Adrian muttered as he moved to where he’d left the book he’d been reading and picked it up. “Course it won’t make me very popular.” “What’s going on?” Daniel asked as he pushed himself into a sitting position, he didn’t like the sound of the other’s words. “Can’t wait for Michael anymore we need to do the spell now, I’m going to need you to trust me.” Adrian mentally cursed his brother for taking his time as he waited for the other to agree before he continued “You’ll need to drink and eat a few things and I’ll be throwing water and herbs at you but that’s about it.” “If it’s going to get you in trouble why are you doing this?” Adrian looked up from the page he’d been studying with a frown before his features shifted into something Daniel couldn’t read. “Because you are my friend, and because I remember what Michael was like after he lost you, how hurt he was, and I won’t to see him like that ever again.” * Michael was very close to a panic attack when he finally arrived back home having followed after Morpheus before the Olympians could say or do something they’d all regret. He was sure the Titan had had plenty of time to do further damage and he just hoped could still fix it. There was definitely something off when he arrived, the air was charged with energy and while Daniel, who was sat cross-legged in the centre of the bed, didn’t look any different he was it was as simple as that. Turning his attention to his brother he found that while Adrian looked exhausted, leant against the table like it was the only thing holding him up despite the fact he was sitting down, he was smirking at Morpheus almost triumphantly. The Titan, on the other hand, looked like he was going to fry him. While Michael wanted nothing more than to go to Daniel and assure himself he was alright his brother needed him more at that moment. “I was under the impression you were the smarter brother,” Morpheus growled taking a step towards Adrian who did his very best not to flinch back as he smiled. “I am, we’d have been at this forever if I’d left it to Michael.” The aforementioned god smiled shaking his head as he moved over to stand next to Adrian and slightly between him and the Titan. He’d let the jab slide for the time being, mostly because he was going to owe the other big time for this. “I did nothing wrong.” “He has a point,” Michael remarked as he leant against the table with a smirk. “We played your ‘game’, we followed the rules and we won.” “It’s not their fault you’re a sour loser,” Daniel added as he got up off the bed which was apparently enough for the Titan who was gone before anything else could be said. “That won’t be the end of it,” Adrian muttered as he slumped back in his chair causing Michael to snort in agreement as he looked at Daniel, who was moving over to them. “Thank you,” Michael said turning to his brother with a small smile. He was aware that the outcome would have been different if the spell hadn’t been completed. “Don’t mention it.” Michael smiled before turning back to Daniel who was now leaning against the table next to him. “Besides you’ve got better things to do,” Adrian added earning a glare over the other’s shoulder. “I still owe you,” Michael muttered more to himself than his brother as he brought a hand up to stroke down Daniel’s cheek as though captivated, leaning down to kiss him hard. Daniel gave as good as he got pushing liking into the other’s mouth as Michael's hand came up to fist in his hair. “Couldn’t you to at least wait until I leave to get it on?” Adrian groaned in complaint as Daniel banged into the table. By the time they pulled back for air, and to apologise, Adrian had disappeared and Michael made a mental note to make it up to his brother before returning to kissing Daniel. The older god pulled the other away from the table as he pressed kisses down his neck. “I see your self-restraint hasn’t improved.” Daniel gasped out as they somehow made it to the bed, falling on it in a tangle of limbs. “You’re one to talk.” Michael licked a strip up the other’s neck before grinding his hips down causing his lover to arch into him with a pleased noise. “Or are you going to pretend there’s nothing pressing into my thigh?” “I hate you.” Daniel tried to make his voice sound firm but it came out like more of a whimper when the other bit gently at his earlobe and pulled. “I’ll be sure to remember that later.” * Hours later they lay tangled together, Daniel’s head on Michael’s chest and the other’s hand stroking along his back, following the trail of hickeys he’d left and chasing away the memory of the cane. Daniel was almost asleep when a sudden thought crossed his mind and he snorted drawing a questioning noise from Michael. “How are you going to make this up to Adrian?” Not only had they chased him out of the room but they’d been obnoxiously loud. He felt more than heard Michael chuckle. “I was thinking of setting him up with someone so he could get some himself, or just trap him somewhere with Elijah until they admit their feelings.” Daniel made an amused noise as he smiled fondly, he wasn’t surprised those two were still dancing around each other they’d been doing it for centuries. “Mmh but just remember what they’ll do to you in retaliation.” Michael winced at the thought, that would undoubtedly be unpleasant, both of them could be creatively evil when they put their minds to it. “Maybe I’ll just get him a book.” Daniel’s laugh was music to his ears as he let his eyes slip closed, content that everything in his world was right again.

[arcadiasarchives]

Meetings & Murders

Alice groaned as she tipped her head back to stare at the ceiling, she couldn’t take much more of this. It was the first time her brother and the Grigori had been in town in over a year and yet she was stuck in yet another unending council meeting, Adam had a lot to answer for. Someone cleared their throat and she straightened with a half apologetic smile as she returned her attention to the wizard currently speaking, it wasn’t that what he was saying wasn’t interesting it was just he’d been talking for over an hour and she was bored. The meeting had started four hours ago and she doubted it was going to finish anytime soon. Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out carefully keeping it under the table so as not to get into to much trouble as she read the text from Adrian.

“How’s the meeting?”

She smiled slightly as she began to type out a reply her brother was fully aware that Alice would rather be anywhere but there. Adrian had always been better at the politics involved in council dealings than her.

“I want to stab everyone.”

She turned her attention back to the meeting before anyone could notice. She could imagine Adrian’s reaction to that text, he’d find it funny no matter how true it was. Bianca De Claire interrupted the man talking again to contradict him, she was wrong but Alice had promised Adam she’d be nice to her today so she ignored it for the time being in the hopes someone else would pick up on it.

“Don’t get blood on your dress. We have dinner reservations at seven.”

Alice snickered which drew reprimanding looks from several people at the table including Adam and she looked down as if chastised, she wasn’t but they didn’t need to know that.

“Something funny Miss Ward?” Bianca asked with a raised brow and Alice bit her lip, she’d been paying enough attention to the conversation to know that she’d snickered in the middle of Bianca’s contradiction so she mental shrugged.

“Just the fact that he was right and you’re wrong,” Alice replied pleasantly, a smile spreading on her face as she saw Adam roll his eyes out of the corner of her vision. Several of the others present snickered and Bianca turned an interesting colour as she let her breath out through her teeth. 

“Thank you, Miss Ward.” The wizard said with a nod in her direction before he began speaking again. Alice glanced back at her phone and text her brother back.

“Love you for enabling me.”

Adam lent towards her and she turned her phone over so he couldn’t see the messages he’d know she was joking about the stabbing, more or less, but she doubted he’d see the funny side.

“That wasn’t why you were snickering was it?” The wizard asked quietly question partially rhetorical, he knew she’d only been half paying attention.

“No, but the opportunity was too good to pass up.” She admitted with a pleased smile, she loved annoying Bianca especially when the other couldn’t do anything about it. Adam shook his head and returned his attention to the meeting and Alice glanced back at her phone to find that Adrian had replied.

“Love you too.”

Grinning she slipped her phone back into her pocket and returned her full attention to the meeting, ignoring the glares a couple of people sent her way. 

[arcadiasarchives]

Once Upon a Time...

The forest was almost dead quiet. No birds singing, no crickets chirping, no frogs croaking. There was a thick mist rising from the lake covering the area in a soft grey blanket. Thunder rumbled in the distance threatening rain as lightning flashed across the horizon. On the ground, only a stone’s throw away from the water's edge, lay a crumpled form. Soot stained white wings spread across the ground, the left one twisted at the wrong angle. A way away lay a silver sword stained with blood, metal dull in the half-light. The angel was badly wounded, littered with minor cuts and bruises across his entire body as well as a rather bloody stab wound to his abdomen. He was alive if barely, his chest rising and falling unevenly with each laboured breath he took. A figure knelt over him, a hand tracing across his face gently as he struggled to open his eyes.

“Looks like you’ve been dragging your wings through the mud again Mickey,” Lucifer smirked as he looked down at his older brother and Michael knew it even before he opened his eyes trying to focus them on his brother’s face. “Can’t you just let me die in peace?” He groaned out, every word adding to the pain already coursing through his body. It was a useless question, his brother wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to take pleasure in his misery. “Now Mickey even under normal circumstances that wouldn’t happen you know that.” The devil snorted as his hand traced down the other angel’s neck. Michael did know that even if he’d never really considered the possibility of actually dying on the times it had crossed his mind Lucifer had always been present. Whether an active participant in his demise or just there to gloat he was always there. There had even been occasions when his brother had been saddened by his death but they were few and far between. “In which case you might want to get on with the gloating.” He hissed as Lucifer’s hands continued down his body, brushing over wounds and causing fresh pain to lace through him it almost made him use what little energy he had left to shove him away. “Not here to gloat big brother.” He was glad he hadn’t wasted his energy now, he needed it to frown disbelievingly at the other who’s smirk was still firmly in place as his hand continued down until it was hovering over the stab wound. Michael’s eyes slipped closed with a pained noise that he would deny was a whimper with his last breath as his brother traced the edge of the wound with a questing finger. “Only seven blades in existence can kill an angel and you get stabbed by one. At least tell me it wasn’t your own blade Mickey?” Lucifer wasn’t sure how his brother managed to convey both anger and annoyance in the state he was in without opening his eyes but he did manage it, quite well at that. “Luci...” Michael gritted out as his brother pressed down on the wound. He didn’t want to spend his last moments fighting with his once favourite brother and just wished he could pass out from the pain and get it all over with. But the pain appeared to be receding and he forced his eyes open to stare at his younger brother who’s smirk had softened slightly. “Told you I wasn’t here to gloat.” Lucifer removed his hand and lent back to eye his brother critically, he looked like hell and that was something Lucifer could say with certainty having first-hand knowledge of it. “Thank you.” Michael hesitated as he pushed himself into more of a sitting position, wincing as the movement sent pain through his wings, he watched his brother suspiciously because this way so unlike him. “Not to sound ungrateful but why?” Lucifer snorted as he got to his feet and moved over to pick up his brother’s fallen sword, looking it over thoughtfully. A slight wave of fear went through the older angel as he watched the other, despite having been healed he was in no state to fight, but Lucifer just flipped it and offered him the hilt. “Because as I’m sure you’re aware I had nothing to do with the current take over in heaven.” Michael made a noise of agreement as he accepted the sword. It had been humiliating enough to discover they were losing, to find out it wasn’t even Lucifer behind it was the icing on the cake. He did not want to discuss it, something his brother was obviously aware of because he added. “And I would rather you in charge than Belial.” “Not saying much I’d rather you in charge than Belial,” Michael muttered as he accepted the hand Lucifer held out to him and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet where he wobbled slightly as he sheathed his sword. “Can I have that written in blood?” “Piss off!” “Now now that’s no way to speak to someone who just saved your life.” Lucifer chided as he moved to be in a position to catch his brother should his legs give out. As funny as that would be it would not improve his sour mood and letting him hit the ground would be seen as even less friendly. “How did you know I was in trouble?” Michael queried as he leant against a nearby tree carefully. Heaven had been in quite the shambles when he’d last been able to pay attention. Though Belial hadn’t yet taken over he hadn’t been far off. Then again the twins had been close enough to see Belial’s attack on him and he wouldn’t be surprised if one of them had called Lucifer for help. “Heaven has fallen Michael,” Lucifer informed him solemnly and he did actually look sorry which was more than a little confusing. “Gabriel was the only archangel to escape, he was badly wounded but had the sense to come to me with those he got out and tell me what had happened.” “Is he going to be alright?” Lucifer made a noise of agreement as he moved over to be closer to Michael even though there was less chance of him falling now. “He’ll be fine, apparently there was only one archangel blade lying around.” Michael became very interested in the leaf-covered ground at his feet and Lucifer raised one eyebrow. “I take it it was yours.” “The twins told me not to take it.” He admitted with a slight sigh refusing to look up at his brother. “I didn’t listen.” “Of course they did they’re clever and of course you didn’t you’re a stubborn idiot,” Lucifer muttered half under his breath as he crossed his arms. The second level and what was left of the first level had been put in charge of hiding the archangel blades after the fall and in the end, only the twins knew their locations, something many had opposed after their, and in particular Alice’s, estrangement from heaven. “Who got away?” “Not many, a few of the runaways, a handful from the lower levels, even less from the upper levels.” Lucifer listed as he sat down on a fallen tree. “The twins?” “Just Alice, Adrian and a handful of others stayed behind to cover the escape. They didn’t make it out.” Michael nodded as he stared down at the ground, he doubted Alice was taking the loss of her twin particularly well and he felt a pang of guilt as he realized it was partially, if not completely, his fault. The second garrison, and the twins, in particular, had tried to get them to fall back and concentrate their efforts on the centre so they weren’t so thinly spread but he’d refused. “Beating yourself up is not going to help anyone, Mickey.” “I should have listened to them.” “Definitely but it’s a bit late for that now.” Michael glared at him and he did his best not to smirk, after all, he wasn’t supposed to be antagonizing his brother but it was so much more amusing than letting him get lost in his own head. After all, if they were arguing his brother couldn’t blame himself. “Right now the best you can do is try and fix the mistake.” The older angel frowned down at the ground and Lucifer sighed as he got up, they shouldn’t be lingering Belial would undoubtedly want to make sure Michael was dead and the two of them would be fairly noticeable. He trusted his ability to defend himself against anyone Belial sent but his brother was in no condition to fight and would be a distraction. “Come on, we need to get back to the others I left Alice in charge and she’s probably pulling her hair out by now.” “I can’t fly.” Michael pointed out as he pushed himself off the tree, swaying again now it wasn’t supporting him. His pride had taken enough hits for the time being and he didn’t think he’d ever live it down if he collapsed. “Then I guess I’ll have to carry you.” The unamused look his brother gave him was worth the pain it was going to be fulfilling his statement. “You don’t want me trying to heal your wings, Mickey, if I screw it up you’ll end up with permanent damage. You’re better off waiting.” His older brother huffed but after a moment's hesitation, he nodded dejectedly. “That’s the spirit.” Lucifer clapped with more false joy than was strictly necessary and Michael glared at him. “I hate you, you know that right?” Lucifer laughed at him shaking his head fondly as he picked his brother up bridal style ignoring his muttered complaint and almost petulant expression, he almost regretted not letting anyone come with him this would make their century. “Be nice or I’ll drop you.”

[arcadiasarchives]

Of Lockpicks and Ex-boyfriends

Jay was broke again. It was happening more frequently than he was willing to admit. In the three years since he’s gone straight and moved back to London, he’d gone through seven jobs and turned down MI5 and MI6 more times than he could count. Which he’d realized some time ago probably had something to do with why he couldn’t hold down a normal job. He’d kill whoever had told them he’d ‘retired’ if he ever found out who it was and he’d do it slowly and painfully. So he’d begun taking odd jobs, nothing particularly spectacular and nothing that would draw any attention to him, mostly stuff for PI’s and the like who didn’t want to get their hands dirty. Which was how he found himself on a Saturday night kneeling in a dusty corridor attempting to break into an office which supposedly held a safe containing blackmail material. With any luck, the pay off from this job would pay his rent. He was almost done with what had turned out to be a rather complicated lock for a door that could be kicked in with minimum effort when he realized someone had snuck up behind him.

“I taught you how to pick locks, and this is how you’re using that skill?” A male voice chuckled and Jay clenched his fist, willing down the anger that was already beginning to boil up inside him.

“What’s it to you!” He snapped and he was fully aware that he should probably be keeping his voice down but the building was empty and he couldn’t be bothered. 

The door clicked open before the other could answer and he sighed, with no more reason not to look at him he forced himself and turn around. Elijah was lent against the wall across from him, jet black hair lightly covering one blue eye and a smile that was dangerously close to a smirk softening his features. It had been two and a half years since he’d last seen Elijah, and the last time he’d seen him he’d threatened to shoot him if he didn’t leave him alone. Despite knowing Jay wouldn’t go through with the threat the older immortal had left him alone up until now. So why the hell couldn’t he keep it up.

“Your brother is worried about you.” Elijah shrugged his leather jacket riding up to reveal his gun, or at least one of them, as he did. “He’s otherwise occupied so he asked me to check up on you.”

Jay snorted Michael was always otherwise occupied, though that had been a blessing more than a curse in recent years as his brother would have had quite a bit to say about his life choices. 

“Why you.” He spat and Elijah seemed mildly taken back by the amount of venom in his voice. “He doesn’t even like you.” 

The older immortal made a small noise of agreement as he looked Jay up and down. The reason Michael had blackmailed him into checking up on Jay was because he blamed him for the state his little brother was in, and it wasn’t completely unjustified either. Not that he’d tell Jay that. Jay had left the immortals, and at the same time him because compromise was not something Elijah was good at. Jay had already been planning on leaving the immortals, possibly to freelance, but after one confrontation too many he’d just cut off all contact. Elijah had tried to patch things up but Jay had made it perfectly clear he wanted nothing to do with him.

“I assume everyone else was busy.” He replied with another shrug.

“Well you can tell him I’m fine and the next time he wants to know he can call like a regular person.”

“Please Alice has her life together better than you and she’s working for MI6” Elijah snorted dismissively. “I’ve been following you for over a week, you’re barely keeping your head above the water.” Jay frowned he hadn’t noticed he was being followed, though truth be told he’d had a rough week so it wasn’t all that surprising, still the thought of Elijah tailing him all week was mildly off-putting. “You should ask your brother for some help.” The other immortal continued as he pushed himself off the wall. “Or accept one of the job offers.”

Of course, Elijah would know about those, he wondered if he’d told or would tell Michael because that would go down brilliantly and he wasn’t ready for that conversation. Elijah moved towards him and Jay tensed, perfectly willing to punch him if he thought he had to.

“Back.” He growled but Elijah just rolled his eyes, shaking his head lightly as he frowned.

“You can’t take me at the moment Jay I saw the beating you took last night.” Jay felt himself flush, of course, he had because his life never failed to find ways of making a bad situation worse and embarrass himself in the process. He raised his chin defiantly, he may not be able to take Elijah but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try given half the chance. “What was last night about?”

“Hell if I know,” Jay muttered and he sounded almost petulant which drew a smile from the other man. “It’s not like I do anything to make enemies any more.” Come to think of it maybe it had something to do with Michael after all his brother had absolutely no way of knowing he was worse off than he was two months ago when he’d last called and it would explain why he’d sent Elijah out.

“If I offer my help are you going to try and punch me.” The older immortal sighed eyeing Jay’s fists wearily. He didn’t want to hurt him which was what would happen if they traded blows.

“No I won’t try I’ll actually do it.”

Elijah rolled his eyes but stepped back and watched as Jay relaxed slightly. With a small shake of his head, he reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, ignoring the glare he received as he held it out.

“It’s from Michael.” He placated which was vaguely the truth, some of it was from Michael but the rest was from Elijah though that was sure to get him a fist to the face. “You can actually buy yourself some decent food.” Jay’s glare didn’t particularly soften but he accepted the cash, shoving it in his pocket before glancing pointedly at the stairs. “I’m going, I’m going,” Elijah assured him as he turned and Jay only just had the time to see the smirk on his face. “I left the pictures you were after on the desk for you.” Elijah was gone before Jay could complain. 

[arcadiasarchives]

Curses

Alice detested politics with a passion she rarely displayed for anything outside of her work as a witch. Although technically this was to do with being a witch, then again it was also to do with being a nephilim and they were two things she preferred to keep separate. She was lent against the wall in the council’s main conference room watching the...debate currently unfolding at the table.

She wasn’t the only person standing, for that matter she didn’t even think there were enough chairs for everyone, members of all parties had slowly been distancing themselves from the table since the meeting had started. Adam looked about ready to pull his hair out, while Simiel had a look on his face that Alice had long come to associate with the final straw. She was pretty sure they were both on the same side, and that she was on their side, but she hadn’t exactly been paying close enough attention. They were there because The Fallen had begun attacking magic users in an attempt to get them to leave the area, which would make it easier for The Fallen to establish themselves without too much opposition. In what could only be retaliation a fair number of angels had been attacked, which Alice would applaud if they were attacking members of The Fallen, but they weren’t and that was the problem. These attacks had led to some, all though not nearly enough, of the angels attacked to defend themselves. Simiel seemed to have suggested that some of the sorcerers had been looking for trouble in the most recent problem, specifically the De Claire boys because their parents weren’t taking it well. “This is absolutely ridiculous!” Bianca De Claire snapped furiously as Alice made her way back over to the table to sit next to Simiel. “They were provoked!” “There were witnesses.” Adam pointed out as he rubbed his brow. “Lot’s of them.” “Biased.” Marcus De Claire muttered causing Simiel to roll his eyes. “Your children, especially the boys, do tend towards violence.” A witch Alice didn’t know remarked which caused another round of arguing. “Maybe.” Bianca finally conceded. “But they don’t lie.” Alice managed to stifle her noise of disbelief, just about any way, but most of the others didn’t even try. “You’ll excuse our disbelief,” Simiel said carefully before all hell could break loose again. “But your family has had trouble with the truth in the past.” Alice very nearly groaned, she was pretty sure Adam did dropping his head into his hands in defeat. “I have NEVER been so insulted.” Bianca practically yelled which drew a snort out of Alice. “You don’t listen much do you.” She remarked against her better judgement, though nobody reprimanded her so she didn’t feel too bad about it. For her part Bianca De Claire went an odd red colour, giving Alice a look that could have melted stone but Alice didn’t bat an eyelid, just smiled pleasantly. “You are a brat.” She spat at the nephilim who just kept smiling. “I know, I work very hard at it.’ Alice assured her, pulling chuckles out of those who knew her. “Stating the obvious is a very unflattering trait.” So she wasn’t very good at being politically correct, everyone there knew that they shouldn’t have invited her if they wanted her to behave. “We are getting no where,” Adam complained glancing at Simiel who nodded his head in agreement. “The violence needs to stop.” The archangel stated firmly. “The Fallen’s actions in no way reflect on the other angels, fallen or otherwise, but not all angels are going to be as passive as the ones attacked so far.” “You’d be much better off focusing your COLLECTIVE energies on counter operations against The Fallen,” Alice interjected and most of the people present seemed to take that to heart because discussions on exactly how to do that began with limited arguments, though Bianca was still glaring at Alice. “You shouldn’t antagonise her so,” Simiel muttered to the nephilim as he lent back. He was aware that Alice and Bianca were frequently at each other's throats but he’d rather like it if his ward could practice some self-restraint. “Please everyone’s always calling her a bitch, or worse,” Alice replied with a half-smirk, not taking her eyes off of Bianca. “Not to mention calling into question her parenting skills. If that’s the most insulted she’s ever been she’s an idiot.” “And about to curse you,” Simiel remarked mostly to himself, she was a big girl and more than capable of looking after herself. “She’s not that stupid.” Simiel shrugged and returned to the discussion currently unfolding around the table. Alice couldn’t think of anything she could add to the conversation so she lent back, keeping a half-hearted ear on what was being said as she let herself relax. She’d almost fallen asleep, which would not have been seen as a friendly move when she felt the metal bracelet around her right wrist begin to heat up. “Huh, apparently she is that stupid.” Alice mused as she sat up properly. Simiel shot her a sideways glance, warning clear in his eyes as she smiled sweetly, it wasn’t like she was going to do anything. It was only about a minute longer before there was an annoyingly bright flash of light followed by a loud sound, not unlike thunder. Everyone but Alice flinched and Bianca let out a pained noise as she fell off her chair. “Alice what did you do to her?” Simiel hissed as several people rushed over to check on her. “Nothing she cursed herself.” Alice defended as she raised her right arm, shaking her wrist so the protection bracelet was clearly visible, she’d been cursed enough times to know to always have some sort of insurance. It was nice to know this one worked. She got up and slipped her bag onto her shoulder as she headed off. “I think she’s coming round, tell me how it turns out.”

[arcadiasarchives]

Bloody Idiot

Michael wasn’t particularly sure what had made him agree to this, this being a temporary partnership between himself and the Immortals. Actually, that wasn’t entirely true, Daniel had made him agree to it but that was beside the point. He listened to Alice and Jay bickering through his earpiece as he followed Elijah through the building, the familiar rhythm of their voices calming his mildly frayed nerves. So far this was not going as planned in any way shape or form and if Daniel and Caleb weren’t having better luck than them they were screwed. They’d made it to the second floor before the arguing stopped, and were halfway across it when Alice spoke up.

“Houston you have a problem.” Just as seven armed men came round the corner towards them and Michael’s luck had never been this bad. He wondered how the other two knew considering they didn’t have access to the cameras but all unnecessary thoughts were quickly discarded.

By the time they made it back to base, Jay’s apartment a nice neutral middle ground, Michael really wanted to kill Elijah. It was no one’s fault that the mission had gone pear-shaped but the eldest Ward sibling didn’t seem to feel that way, and it was pissing him off. When they got in Jay and Alice were already waiting with the first aid kit and alcohol, which Michael grabbed from his brother before heading into the kitchen waving off the kid’s worry, after all, Caleb and Daniel were in a worse state than him. He sat on the table and took a swig out of the bottle of whiskey, his whiskey he noted, he could really go for a cigarette but Alice would kill him if she caught him smoking in the flat. His arm stung from where he’d been grazed by a bullet and his head hurt from where he’d been pistol-whipped for mouthing off, though it didn’t hurt enough for him to sit through more time with Elijah, even if he did get it in the neck from Jay later. He could hear arguing from the living room, sounded like Daniel and Alice, and was infinitely glad he was out of the way. That was until Elijah came through, probably shooed out by one of the others. “Seriously?” He snapped shooting the other immortal a reproachful look and Michael wasn’t sure whether it was because of the whiskey or the fact he was sat on the table. Either way, it hardly mattered as it wasn’t his place. The assassin’s lips twitched into a smirk as he raised one eyebrow curiously. “You couldn’t use a glass?” “My whiskey.” He replied as he took another swig. “I’d offer you some but I doubt it’ll help your temper.” The glare he got was immensely satisfying considering how unaffected the other man had seemed by all this, despite having argued with him all the way to the flat Elijah had barely even raised his voice. “You’re one to talk.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” And Michael’s tone may have been a little defensive but that hardly warranted the way Elijah smirked at him. “Please Mickey you could start an argument in an empty room.” He chuckled as he leant back against the counter. “Don’t call me that,” Michael growled as he put the whiskey down. Elijah was Alice’s brother and Alice was Jay’s best friend which gave him some leeway. Not to mention the fact he was dating Daniel and creating waves with his brother probably wouldn’t go down well. “Why ever not Mickey?” Michael glared but didn’t give him the rise he was looking for, it was his fault for starting it anyway. Despite not giving him and more ammunition Elijah’s smirk widened. “Oh now you know how to keep your mouth shut, would have been more useful earlier though.” “Oh so now it’s my fault?” Michael demanded, not bothering to point out that his mouthing off had allowed Daniel and Caleb to come to their aid. “Well, it wasn’t mine.” Elijah countered drawing a snort from the other man. “It wasn’t anyone’s fault.” Michael snapped angrily waving a hand to emphasise his point. “Screw-ups happen, we did our best.” “Did we? Because as far as I’m concerned we could have finished the mission if you hadn’t insisted we leave.” “Seriously? Both your brothers were injured, hell we were injured.” Michael argued motioning to Elijah’s bloody shirt sleeve. “Leaving was the smartest option.” “For you maybe we still have to get hold of those documents.” Elijah hissed and Michael opened his mouth to point out that he’d agreed to help get the documents not just break into the building but Elijah continued. “Just because all you care about is getting paid...” Michael tried to count ten, reminded himself he’d promised Daniel he’d ignore Elijah, promised Jay he wouldn’t kill his boyfriend, why he was doing the job in the first place. He failed miserably and the next second his fist had connected with the other man’s nose. Elijah cursed knocking into the cup rack as he brought his hand up to his now bleeding nose. The curse and sound of cups banging together drew Alice into the room, which was probably the only reason Elijah didn’t immediately retaliate, she frowned. “Why is he bleeding?” She asked as she lent against the door frame and crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised. “Because he’s an idiot.” Michael smiled almost sweetly, ignoring the look Elijah shot him. “I didn’t know that idiocy caused people to just start spontaneously bleeding from the nose.” She remarked mildly amused, though she wasn’t stupid enough to show it given Elijah’s mood. “I think it’s a new phenomenon.” He offered up which did draw a chuckle from Alice, much to Elijah’s annoyance if the glare he shot her was anything to go off of. “If I leave the two of you alone are you going to hit him in retaliation?” Elijah didn’t even dignify that with an answer and Alice sighed glancing over her shoulder into the living room before back at them. “Go clean up before you get blood on my floor, there’s probably one of your shirts in my dresser.” Elijah grumbled but left the room and Michael smiled, grabbing hold of the whiskey bottle and taking another swig. “Did you really have to hit him?” Daniel asked as he came into the kitchen with Jay, Alice having disappeared, probably back into the living room to watch Caleb who’d sustained the worst injuries on their outing. “He’s an idiot.” He defended as he watched the other two locate cups, sugar, milk, and teabags. “So are you,” Jay remarked offhandedly as he flipped the switch on the kettle before turning to face his brother with a smile. “However I don’t see your nose bleeding.” Michael glared at him but didn’t respond, which his brother took to mean he’d won, he filled a bowl with warm water and left Daniel to finish the tea. “You pissed with me?” He asked the young man leant against the kitchen counter who looked up at him with a frown. “I’ll take that as a yes.” “I know he’s hard to get on with but...” Daniel shook his head slightly and Michael smiled as he slipped off the table. “Did you have to hit him?” “Yes.” It hadn’t been necessary but he wasn’t about to tell his boyfriend that, after all, Elijah had deserved it whether it was necessary or not. “With any luck, it knocked some sense into him.” Daniel huffed out a slight laugh and Michael chuckled. “But if it makes you feel better I’ll apologize to him.” “He’ll punch you.” Daniel pointed out as he poured the now boiling water into the cups. “Probably,” Michael said almost cheerfully. “But let’s be honest he’ll find a way to punch me anyway.” Daniel laughed bumping his shoulder against Michael who chuckled and ruffled his hair fondly. He was forgiven, at least until he told Daniel the plan he’d come up with to get the document anyway.

[arcadiasarchives]

Thieves With(out) Taste

It was a pretty simple job. The house was easy to break into. The owner, convinced his reputation would deter any would-be burglars, had a basic security system that Nea could have easily hacked. As it was the gentleman had unwittingly given them the code when he'd invited Liz back to his place while his wife was out of town the week before. There was nobody home, the couple enjoying an evening at one of the cities black-tie charity events, and they'd left the dog in the back garden. The safe was 'hidden' in the master bedroom behind a truly terrible watercolour facing the bed.

“Oh my gosh, that would look so cute on you.” Liz gushed as she headed over to where the wife had left some clothes on one of the dressers.

“I'm trying to crack a safe be quite.” Nea snapped as she twisted the dial, still unsure as to why she'd brought her girlfriend with her in the first place.

“But it's pink which is precisely your colour.” She continued regardless of the other's words. 

Nea practically growled as she turned to look at the other woman, who was smirking at her playfully, the 'cute' item of clothing in question seemed to be some sort of very frilly negligee type thing.

“If you don't shut up I'm never bringing you on a job again.” She warned as she turned back to the safe. Her warning seemed to have done some good because Liz was silent until the safe was opened.

“Took you long enough.” She beamed as she practically skipped over to help her empty the safe. Nea watched her suspiciously, she was way too happy for someone who'd just been told off not five minutes previously. “What?”

“Why do I put up with you?” The older woman groaned as she checked her watch, there was still another safe in the wife's dressing room where she apparently kept her jewellery.

“Because I'm hot and great in bed?” Liz suggested as she swung the nearly full bag pack onto her back. “Should we go raid the ladies valuables now?” Rolling her eyes Nea followed quickly after her as she jogged to the other room. She was probably halfway done with the other safe when. “This is precisely you as well.”

Pausing she turned to find Liz holding up a pink lace lingerie set, smirk firmly in place again.

“I don't know what's gotten into you but all the money we're going to make from this job couldn't get me into either of those things. I don't even like pink.”

Liz huffed but didn't say anything as they finished up, emptying the safe and making it back to the car just as the owners pulled into their drive. Exhausted Nea didn't even bother going through the bag of stuff when they get home, she'd seen what was in the safes anyway, just jumped in the shower before heading to bed. At about lunchtime, she was woken up by a text from her cousin, who's boyfriend just happened to work for the people she'd robbed last night.

'Hope you had fun last night, you made the news have a look.'

She grabbed blindly at the tv remote on the bedside table before rolling over to be able to see the flat screen tv, whoever said crime didn't pay obviously hadn't been very good at it. She flipped to the right channel and sat up in the bed, noticing for the first time Liz's absence and the smell of bacon coming from downstairs.

“…the thief or thieves got away with the contents of Mr and Mrs Lockston's safes as well as, for reasons unknown, some items of clothing belonging to Mrs Lockston...”

“Liz you ever try and get me into either of those things I'll shoot you!” Nea yelled down as she turned off the tv and got out of bed.

“Spoilsport! Besides if you don't want to wear them how would I manage to get you in them.” The aforementioned woman called back. Nea snorted they were both well aware that Nea couldn't handle her liquor and was dead to the world after a heavy night's drinking, something Liz had been known to take full advantage of and would undoubtedly do so again. “Besides I'll make it worth your while.”

That might be interesting, though there was no way she'd let Liz know she was willing to be convinced, she'd have to wait and see.

[arcadiasarchives]

Countdown

“10...” The number crackles out of a speaker high in one corner of the corridor and to be honest, Michael is surprised it still works considering it appears to be hanging down from its wires. He's too busy legging it to what he hopes is a viable exit to think much on it though, he's not sure what the countdown is but it's probably not good. He needs to have Heather vet his clients and targets more carefully from now on because this is probably the seventh time something like this has happened to him in under a year.

“9...” Seriously though this was supposed to be a perfectly normal government lab, staffed with your basic scientists and mediocre security guards, not trained killers and evil geniuses. Admittedly given how much he was offered for this job he should probably have been at least a little suspicious but if they had that much cash to burn who was he to tell them he'd usually do the job for under half that. “8...” He takes a sharp right and starts up the stairs which should hopefully take him to the ground floor though he's lost count how many floors he's come up. Another thing that should have tipped him off that this was going to end badly was how many sub-basements this place had, the stuff he'd been hired to steal was in the fifth one and he hadn't bothered checking to see if it went further down. “7...” He reaches the top of the stairs only to be greeted by a hail of gunfire that narrowly misses him as he dives through a side door. Shit looks like the guards he knocked out on the way in came to early. Okay, now he needs a new plan because the front doors are most definitely a no go. “6...” Thankfully the gunmen haven't followed after him, which probably means it's a dead-end or they think whatever happens at the end of the countdown will take care of him, either way, he won't get shot which is nice. There are no windows which either means he's still underground or the people that work here have something against sunlight, either way, it narrows down the escape options significantly. “5...” There's a spiral staircase at the end of the hallway and he heaves a sigh of relief when he spots it, he's pretty sure the countdown is getting quicker. The room at the top of the staircase has windows which is the good news, the bad news is that it's on the second floor. “4...” Shit, what's he supposed to do now. He's assuming they'll have evacuated the rest of the building but there is still a high chance they'll be waiting for him by the doors in case he tries to make it out. He could look for a fire escape but he doesn't remember seeing any when he arrived and if there is one it's probably watched as well. “3...” From one of the windows, he can see his motorbike still safely where he left it and not a living soul in sight. He presses his hands against the glass, it doesn't seem to thick and he's pretty sure he's still got some explosives on him. “2...” He ducks behind a desk as the charge goes off, thankfully taking out the window, the noise, however, was loud enough to draw attention so he's quick to make his way to his new exit. It's not the highest he's jumped from before but still if he doesn't do it right he's going to hurt himself and he really needs to be in full working condition to get out of the area safely. “1...” He jumps landing perfectly and taking off towards his bike as soon as he's steady. He can hear shouting from behind him, probably the guards from the door having been alerted by the explosion but he doesn't slow down to check. He pulls his helmet on and kick starts the bike, ignoring the gunfire that's still too far away to be a problem as he pulls onto the dirt track that leads back to the main road. “0.”