milliways_bar | (no subject)

Another peal of the laughter Nick hates.

"I know that. They can't get though, because there're no doors in that place, and you have to have a door to get here. They made a door in my cell, s'how I got here. I don't think they know that, though. They thought I couldn't leave."

Another laugh.

"I can't leave here either. There're doors, but they don't go anywhere but here or back there. I don't mind, Nick's here. Nick's here and that's important. I said I'd always be where he was, I promised, and he promised too. He promised."

He picks Alex up, gently, and pulls him into a booth, gesturing Richard over to sit on the other side of him.

"He's here. He's just not here here Alex. You know he is; listen and you can feel him."

A second later, there's a small girl sitting in Alex's lap, too, looking up at him with sad brown eyes.

Richard moves around to sit next to them and leans against David for comfort.

I'm sorry.

"You can even talk to Nick, if you want, Alex, even when he's asleep."

He blinks at them.

"I know he's here. He said he would be. I never said he wasn't here. He bit me and he said I was his and he hurt me a little bit but it wasn't like that night in the snow, it was good but he still felt bad for it. He feels bad for a lot of things he doesn't need to. I don't mind bruises. Roger made sure of that."

Another soft laugh.

"I wonder if Roger was there at all. I don't think he would have been, though, he could probably charm his way out. Nick doesn't like him very much, I don't think."

No, Nick doesn't like him very much because he loves Alex...and Roger hurt Alex in many many ways...some of which he might not have even realized.

And it's not often that Nick uses his true speed, but this is one of the times when he does, not there and suddenly there, in front of Alex, looking into his eyes. He notices the little girl and gives her a quick nod of thanks before looking back to Alex.

"Alex."

He reaches up and strokes the side of his face, hands cupping his jaw.

"Alex."

A soft kiss, slow, loving, gentle...deep after a moment.

"Alex."

Nuzzling with his nose against Alex's cheek, against his jaw, then the crook of his neck.

Alex.

And one hand rips a wound in his wrist, which he raises to Alex's mouth just as he bites in.

He accepts the offered wrist docilely, tilting his head a little to make it easier for Nick to bite.

Strength. Strength and love, love so bright as to blind, so warm as to burn, so loud as to deafen, so glorious to taste that all other flavors are as ash. An image, of Alex, in the sunlight, smiling, so beautiful, so beautiful. Another of them, together in Toronto, Nick handing Alex his sword. Small things: a cup of tea delivered by a mothering rat, a trip for chicken that too far too long. Cuddles and pleasure and love and need, comfort and delight. Teasing flicks against his fangs, teasing nips along his neck.

I need you, Alex. I love you...and I need you.

The other arm is around him, holding Alex close.

Love and confusion and worry are transmitted across the bloodlink.

Nick, I don't understand, what's wrong? Why are you upset? I love you too, you know that... is it because David's here?

Alex...you were...that laugh...I could feel it. God, Alex...

And he doesn't know where it comes from, the sudden possessive anger that seizes him.

And those fucking things in the fucking dark can't fucking have you because you're mine.

I know. I just wanted to see if the door had changed at all. Was -- was that wrong?

He sighs, pulls away, licks at the wound.

No. No, I suppose not. But...mine...

And he's holding onto Alex as if for dear life.

Don't scare me, Alex. You were so hurt inside and I could feel it and I thought...I don't know what I thought but I was terrified. What startes this up? What got you upset?

He furrows his brow.

"I don't understand, Nick, I'm fine. I'm not upset. I was just talking to Richard and then I told him about the Black God's realm and I decided to see if they still wanted me back. He told me that people here would be sad if they took me back. He's a nice person for saying that. David said he wouldn't let them take me. I don't understand why you're so worried. I'm fine."

"We would be sad, too, Alex. And I won't let them take you. Neither would Nick."

He reaches over and touches Alex's shoulder as Eliie touches his cheek.

"We were worried because you seemed upset. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry, Alex."

He hangs his head.

"You didn't upset me, Richard. I liked talking with you. You're good for company. Why did you think I was upset?"

He blinks at them, looking confused.

He looks Alex in the eye.

"Alex? Alex, you're not well. I think I should take you upstairs for a while...and I'll come back down to get you something to eat after, all right?"

He blinks at Nick, tilting his head a little.

"I don't understand, Nick. I'm fine. Why do you think there's something wrong?"

"Um....Alex? Nick can feel everything you're feeling. It's part of the bloodlink."

Nick looks to Richard, then to Alex, and nods.

"Please...trust me? Perhaps...sleep it off a bit?"

He looks close to tears.

Alex? Alex, you're scaring me. Please. Please, Alex. I love you.

"I know he can feel everything, I wouldn't lie to him."

In the end, it's the tearfulness and the fact that it's Nick that clinches it.

"Sshh, Nick, please don't be upset, don't cry, I didn't mean to make you upset. I'll go up with you if you want me to, just don't be upset. It's okay. I love you."

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I'm so sorry, Alex. So sorry.

And he does cry then, burrowing his head in Alex's chest.

PAIN. MISERY. GUILT. TERROR.

And Nick has just enough control to block them from Alex but he just twitches in apology to the others, unable to help it.

David almost jumps out of his seat, and Eliie is touching Nick's cheek in a second as David gets a rather major nosebleed.

That's okay. Just... ow. Try and... not be so sad?

Richard is already wallowing in his own guilt and sorrow. This just tops it off. He stands and murmurs a quiet apology to them all and slinks off to the front door.

He wraps his arms around Nick, worried and confused and completely lost.

Nick, it's okay, I'm okay, I don't know what's wrong, what did I do?

He looks desperately at David, eyes widening when he sees the blood.

"David? I--I don't understand."

He's sitting with his tongue stuck out under his dripping nose.

"S'nothing. Minor... brain hemmoraging, I think."

He attempts a smile and just ends up with a bloody chin.