milliways_bar | (no subject)

Alex sees him as he crosses the room and pauses.

Looks back the way he came. Nope, Nick's still there.

Looks back at the newcomer. Still there, looking far too much like Nick.

The hell?

Simon raises his eyebrows.

"You got a problem?"

Definitely not Nick. Or possibly a past Nick, something like that. Maybe.

"Uh... no, sorry. You reminded me of someone, that's all."

"You know, people keep saying that to me, you must be the third in half an hour. Let me guess, someone called Nick?"

Alex blinks. "Yes, actually. I take it you're not called Nick, then?"

"No. Simon, actually."

"Alex."

Alex... Alex. Alex Trusk?!

And the knife is out again.

"Alex, huh?"

The fuck?

Alex takes a step back, holding up his hands. "Uh, yeah... just, um, calm down, yeah?"

"No no no, you stay right where you are, Alex. I've wanted to talk to you for a while now."

He circles, holding the knife ready.

"You know, Max would love to meet you. Kid's practically got a crush on you. Hero-worship or something. Me, I just figure, you're the freak who got us into this fucking mess, you're the one who'll get us out."

An almost manic smile.

"You'll do that, won't you, Alex?"

"Okay, uh, look, I've got no idea what you're talking about, Simon. I've been here for the past five months, I've never even heard of you before."

He eyes the knife, judging the other man's strength and speed. Alex is probably faster, but Simon looks to be stronger, and armed.

"Alex, Alex, don't lie to me, Alex. I don't like it when people don't tell me the truth."

He jerks the knife at a nearby table.

"Sit."

He sits, keeping his eyes on the knife.

"Look, I don't know who you think I am, but I'm not him. I've never seen you before."

Simon smiles. It's not a particularly nice smile.

"I'm going to put the knife away, Alex. But you make a move, say a single thing I don't like, and it's in you, you understand me?"

He sheathes the knife, pulling his jacket over the hilt to hide it, and grins at Alex.

"Now. We're going to talk, and you're not going to lie to me, are you, Alex?"

He licks his lips nervously, eyeing the other man.

"I don't make a habit of lying to people..."

"Good. Because I don't like it when people lie to me."

He smiles. "You look nervous, Alex. Don't be nervous, we're all friends here, right? You help me out, and I won't bury my knife in your gut. Sound like a good idea?"

"I told you, I don't know you. I don't know what you want me to do."

He shakes his head.

"Alex, Alex, I told you I don't like people lying to me, Alex."

Fuck.

He tenses, eyeing Simon.

"I'm not lying to you."

Nick! I kind of really need you right now...

Nick blinks. Something was...

He looks over to where he can feel Alex...and he sees him nearly shaking, staring at.

Oh god. No...

And he's there, in a shot, between Simon and Alex.

"Is there a problem here?"

His eyes are red.

Simon blinks, and stares at the newcomer. And laughs.

"Oh, you've got to be fucking joking."

He shrugs.

"Not particularly. I was curious since Alex was very upset. So I came over. You're not bothering him, are you?"

It's a calm, happy smile that greets Simon. With red glowing eyes.

"I'd hate to think you were bothering him."

His tone indicates that really anyone would hate to think they were bothering Alex. Because that's a bad thing. A very Bad Thing.

"'Course not. I'm not bothering you, am I, Alex? We're just having a nice, friendly chat. Aren't we?"

"Um. Um, yeah... it's fine. Sorry, Nick. I just freaked for a moment, because, uh, well, the things that've been happening lately, with the past versions of you, I thought maybe..."

He shakes his head, eyes still on Simon.

"It's fine. I overreacted. I'm, uh, I'm kind of tired, though, do you mind if we go upstairs now?"

Nick doesn't turn around.

"This is no version of me. Certainly not with that haircut, Alex. Honestly. I'm hurt."

He laughs...and it's a dark sound. The very vibration of it is wrong to the ears and it flows like an oil slick across the senses, dark and dirty.

Red eyes flick to Simon.

"You're lying. And I can tell. Now, Alex. Alex, I love. I'll forgive his lie because he means well enough. He doesn't want me in trouble. You on the other hand, sir, are nothing but a sack of flesh that happens to share my face. And you won't share it much longer if you ever threaten him again. Do you understand?"