#can she even run off when shes sort of sharing bodies w maul?

[redbean-nom]

currently imagining an au where the timeline is a bit different, fives ends up being in jesse's place for mandalore, and then promptly joins maul and overthrows sidious

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM WITWER!

[hitandrunduorp-a]

Diverging Paths

@hxnterwxlf​

//TBH I’ve had this on my google docs forEVER, and after rereading it again I wanted to share it. Set in the ‘School Days’ AU, rather than Ezhno being sold off... Mattie’s life ended up taking a different turn instead...\\

______________________________

It had been close to six months since Matthew moved from the little town, now half a state away from the native. Though apart, Ezhno would almost always be talking to his boyfriend, be it through countless text,  or hours on end phone calls...

Matthew had told him he was adjusting well enough to the new school and home. His parents went back to being an officer and a nurse, and the blond spent a bit of time with some girls he’s made friends with, and now was almost like an older brother to them.

Though eventually everything...stopped? No texts, no calls, nothing...and for close to a month, Ezhno would only be able to worry and panic. What was going on?!

Eventually, he’d finally get a call...but it wasn’t Matthew who spoke.

“Umm, i-is this Ezhno?” A familiar voice could be heard, quiet and dazed, but it was unmistakable.

“...Andrew?”

“Ah, it is you...! Awesome...”

“Andrew! W-What’s going on?! Where’ve you guys been?!? Where’s Mattie?!” Panic slowly set in as he listened, hearing Alfred groan a little in pain. Was he alright?

“...that’s...why I called... Are you able to chat for a bit? Oh, I, uh, suggest you sit too...”

“...what happened?!” A deep sigh could be heard through the phone, and a moment of silence until the twin spoke up once more.

“...It’s been a hell of a month, I tell ya... You remember the girls, Mattie's’ friends? Well, a couple of them had boyfriends, nasty bastards that all but hit them... He... he helped them escape their relationships and kept them protected... The guys had tried a few times to jump him, but they’re scrawny little potheads; not really much of a threat to Mattie.

...one day though, when I was walking home...my club meeting was cancelled, so I ran, trying to catch up to Mattie and walk home with him. I passed an alley and...and I saw him cornered by the two guys...and a third one I didn’t recognize. I jumped in to help Mattie and after a few minutes of fighting I...remember a sharp pain and just...falling. Turns out, I found out that the third guy was a drop-out who was in a gang...and he had a knife,” Another soft groan escaped the twin as he could be heard moving, assumingly trying to get comfortable.

“Our phones at one point fell from our pockets and got wrecked during it all. The two assholes freaked when they saw what happened and ran; they wanted to intimidate Mattie, not go to jail for murder...

...This...is where things get fuzzy... I remember waking up in the hospital, and Mattie was at my bedside, asleep. A nurse came in and explained that I...nearly died from blood loss when I arrived...

...a week later, while I was healing still, I tanked again. Turns out the knife was severely dirty, more than the doctors thought. I got really sick from a bad infection and... and Mattie was right there, watching my vitals go from fine to absolute chaos... They apparently had to sedate him to finally get him out of the room.

I’ve...only been home for less than a week, or I’d have found a way to call you sooner...we don’t have landlines, and I’m using my mom’s phone right now...” Through all this, Andrew’s voice had been growing quieter and shakier, sounding as if he was trying to keep from breaking down.

“...where’s Mattie, Andrew...?”

“...he’s gone,” Those two words made the other’s blood run cold. He didn’t...he didn’t mean- “He’s not dead but...he’s gone...”

“...wh-wha...?” Ezhno could only stare ahead blankly as he heard the twin sigh heavily.

“...when Mattie finally returned to school, the girls avoided him and downright ignored him...I was still heavily sedated so I...I could barely talk to him... I found out later that the guys, the exes, had threatened all of them that if they talk to Mattie, they’d kill me, him and then them... they were so scared for our safety, and, well, as he wrote in the letter for us...it was too much for him,” Ezhno was shaking, a mixture of fear, anger, and disbelief.

“...where are those guys?” His anger bubbled in his chest, but what he hadn’t expected was the soft, tired chuckle from over the phone. “...what are you not telling me, Andie?”

“Well, as I said...Mattie wrote he left because he was so alone and hurt...but I remember...the last night I saw him. He looked so calm and peaceful as we talked. At first, I thought he was calm because he had decided on leaving...

...it’s been a week since he left...and turns out yesterday, three bodies were found; mauled and mutilated. It apparently took a while to finally ID the guys...I think you can guess who they were. Being the place they were at, the police chalked it up to ‘gang-related’, and left it at that...”

“A-Andrew...you can’t be insinuating-”

“I can, and I am,” The black haired male tensed at Andrew’s seemingly calmness over what he was saying. “This has him written all over it...”

“Andrew, are you hearing yourself?! Mattie would never kill someone!” Ezhno snapped. That dear sweet blond he loved so much...he couldn’t! He always looked so guilty for hurting someone!!

“...If I hadn’t seen him nearly do this before, I’d agree with ya, bro,” His heart stopped, emerald eyes widening as he trembled. He was out in Whisper’s den, the wolfdog having been asleep this whole time and only waking at his human’s outburst.

“You’re right on one part; he hates hurting people. He’s got a giant bleeding heart, and he cares so much about others...But you saw what he did when Mel ruined his life; he didn’t do all that because it ruined only his life. It affected you, me, mom and dad...That was why he went out of his way to destroy her image. When he heard she offed herself? Shit, I heard him laugh at that...

...Mattie’s dangerously protective, and between not being able to contact you, nearly losing me twice, and finding out the girls were being threatened?

...I’m damn sure he left because he knew what he was planning on doing...and I don’t think he can face mom and dad for that sort of sin,” Andrew sighed, rubbing his face a little. Ezhno stayed silent, eyes staring hard at the ground, not even reacting as Whisper sat up, pressing his cold, wet nose against the teen, trying to make him feel better.

“He...left a letter for you. He asked in mine that I...that I get it to you. Do you know where I could, uh, mail it to you or something?”

“...Hold onto it for a bit for me, will ya? I’ll...I gotta go...but I’ll come visit and get it myself,”

“...alright. And Ez? I’m...I’m sorry...that I couldn’t have called you sooner about this... I’m so fuckin sorry, man...”

After the call, Ezhno could only cry and scream in frustration, emotions running wild. 

He lost his light, his sun, his life...

He was all alone...

______

My dearest love,

If you’re reading this, then I suppose Andrew managed to get this to you...unless you ARE him, in which case, put the letter back, Andie.

...I wanted to start off by saying; I’m sorry.  I’m sorry for many things; for losing contact with you, for not being stronger, or smarter… but what I’m most sorry for right now, is… that I may not see you for a while… Things have happened, and I’m sure Andie’s told you the brunt of what happened. I can’t stay here anymore, it all...hurts. And I know I’m going to do something I will regret...not because I’ll regret the action, but because of how it will affect all those around me.

...I’m going to be going away for a while. I think I need some time alone...and I don’t think I could face you, not with a clear conscience...but I promise you, I’ll come home to you one day…

...if you...hate me for this, I wouldn’t blame you, or during that time you find another...someone who better deserves you, who makes you happy...I’ll hold no ill will...I just want you to be happy, live happily, and if you find your happiness with another...then I hope one day we can be friends again at least?

I love you, Ezhno. Now and until my dying breath, my heart only belongs to you. And I hope that one day...you can forgive me for this… 

Forever yours,

Mattie

Ezhno read and reread the letter. It’s been two years since then, and he’s never stopped waiting, hoping...looking. With the letter was a cheque, and a post-it note attached to it, asking the other to use it to find a home, and escape his uncle...and after a long while, he’s managed to do so, a small cottage hidden deep within a forest...but that wasn’t where he was right now.

He kept in contact with Andrew, who after a while started getting postcards, never signed, but they knew who it was from...it had to be him. So, here he was in Las Vegas, the last lead they had for now...course, who knows if he was here...but Andrew hadn’t received a new one in a couple months…

It was late, Ezhno wandering the flat with careful eyes. Shops littered the streets, prostitutes shamelessly handing out call cards to passerbyers, and others advertising various casinos and strip clubs, trying to entice customers into pouring their wallets out. The native sighed heavily, before deciding to give up for the night. He had been searching all day...but he figured he’d go get a drink or two before going back to his hotel room.

Finding a gay club he walked in, looking around boredly. It was a lot like the old place he worked at, the major appeal of the place being the anonymity it held with the workers, everyone wearing masks of some sort; some more elaborate, Venetian masterpieces, and others who didn’t seem to mind possibly being recognized, wearing thin wire ‘masks’ that looked more like veils in a way.

Finding a seat, Ezhno waited for one of the servers to come by and take his order as he watched someone perform on stage. They were alright, but an amateur for sure...He guessed they must have started recently.

“Alright gentlemen~ Give a round for our new little kitten~” Called it. Some hollers and whistles were heard, the performer was flustered as he bolted off, mentally making Ezhno chuckle. Sorta reminded him how Mattie would get...so flustered and adorable...but that dancer was brown haired and darker skinned, olive-ish, so he knew it wasn’t him…

“I know, I know, all you hungry dogs are just dying for this next guy~! You know him, and you all love him~ Come and play, Vixen!” Lights cut out for a moment, and as they came back on, the next performer was already center stage, back against the pole as the music kicked up.

This dancer was far better than the last, his body keeping in time with the music. Wearing a small red ‘cloak’ and hood, all that could be seen on his face was his lips as he sang, and the fox-like mask that hid him from the crowd.

♪ Each and every day

Hiding from the sunshine

Wandering in the shade

Not too old, not too young ♪

♪ Every night again

Dancing with the moonlight

Somewhere far away

I can hear your call ♪

His voice rang, his body moving fluidly with the beat before he walked, moving off the stage and towards the crowd. Ezhno hadn’t realized how hard he’d been staring, finally pulling his gaze away as he looked around, seeing all the enchanted men around him, looking just as the DJ said; like nothing more than starved mutts.

♪ Sneaking in the pain

Every truth becomes lie

I won't trust myself

Once I hear your call~  ♪

As the performer walked, he would momentarily sit in some men's lap, teasingly holding their chins, or trailing a finger down their chests. Unless they were slipping bills into his short shorts, any who got handsy were left behind, the performer moving to another customer to tease...at least, until he got to Ezhno.

♪ I'm out of my head

Of my heart and my mind

'Cause you can run but you can't hide

I'm gonna make you mine♪

He slipped himself onto the native’s lap, but unlike any other man, he was all over him, hands none too shyly rubbing the other’s chest. Being so close, Ezhno could see the mask’s subtle details, looking almost like it was painted to look like flames burning around the dancer’s eyes...though trying to see behind it, there was a thin veil of black fabric, hiding the other’s details...they looked almost blue...but not quite...

♪ Out of my head

Of my heart and my mind ♪

The other smirked, moving to the side to nip Ezhno’s jaw ever so slightly, pale hands wrapping around the other in a type of ‘hug, as he grew closer to the older male’s ear.

♪ Cause I can feel how your flesh now

Is crying out for more… ♪

Ezhno felt stunned, but he wasn’t sure why...and questions would be left unanswered as all too soon, the other had slipped off his lap, giving him a small wink as a few gold curls peaked out of the crimson hood… and soon he was back on stage, continuing his routine, many not caring about what just happened, while others were glaring daggers into the native.

When he was done, and a few kisses were blown to the crowd, the dancer disappeared behind the curtain, men hollering and howling. Ezhno though, just stared at the drink he was brought, finally. For the first time in a long one, his heart was racing. 

“Sir?” A larger man walked up to him, a security guard going by the tag on his hip. “Could you please come with me” “Why?” “Well, lets just say that a certain ‘Vixen’s taken a liking to you,” So, the dancer wants to see him? Maybe at least he’s going to get some answers. So, as much as he didn't want to, he ignored the glares and scowls as the guard guided Ezhno, and eventually stopped at one of the private showrooms. 

Walking in, he would see it was set up almost like a miniature version of the main room; a long, plush bench built into the wall at one side, a stage with a pole on the other, and off to the side was a minibar. ‘Vixen’ was currently sitting on the bench, legs crossed and a glass of wine in his hand...to most, the scene would be quite seductive…

“I’m glad you accepted my invitation~” He motioned for Ezhno to sit, and he obliged, but at no point did he look happy. It was obvious he was here for something, and pleasure wasn’t at all a factor here. Vixen moved onto his lap again, but he didn’t do anything, not like out on the floor. “...why did you want me here?” “Mmm, why not~?” The smaller mused, a hand slowly trailed to loosely rest around the other’s neck again, one hand gently dragging a finger along Ezhno’s jawline teasingly. “You’re a new face~” The boy purred, moving ever so closer to Ezhno. “Really?” He growled lowly; this was a waste of his time. “I’m not in the mood to be playing games, fox,” “Ooh~? How boorish~” The other teased. Their noses were nearly touching before squeaking as he was pushed back off and onto the bench as Ezhno got up to leave. He wanted a drink, but now he needed a whole damned bottle…

“...My, my~… Is the Wolf really so upset that he can’t find his little bunny~?”

 His hand gripped the doorknob when he froze, eyes snapping back at the other who was sitting there, an amused grin on his lips. His hood had fallen, revealing the golden blond locks that framed his face, and Ezhno could only stare, emerald eyes wide. “Or maybe he can’t find him...because he was never the ‘innocent little rabbit’ he was believed to be…”

He felt like he was in a trance. Ezhno walked back over, before falling to his knees before the other, disbelief written all over his face. Vixen moved again, slipping down to the floor with the other, wrapping his arms tightly around Ezhno as he pulled the other close, their lips barely touching…

“It’s been a while...mon cher loup~”