Sunshine, Rainbows, and Genocide
Interactions: Dorien, Asher, Kane, and Aster @Elle Joyner
Jeremiah Kane's desk sat in the corner of his office. It never moved. Not one centimeter left or right. Not forward, nor backwards. For eighteen years, the man had sat in the same spot, and until the day he retired or died, so it would remain. On the desk was an inbox and an outbox. He insisted upon real mail… nothing over the jumble of communication wires. Nothing traceable. Beside the boxes, a phone. An ink blotter lay in the middle of the desk and beside that a cylindrical iron pot with pens, all white bodied, with black caps, all cap-up in their nest. There were no knick knacks, no photographs, no debris.
Kane was a man of Order. It was, in his humble opinion, the only way to be. The world outside of his office door was chaos. But behind his desk he held onto a sense of serenity. Behind his desk, nothing was beyond his control.
Pressing a button, he spoke without emphasis into the receiver of his phone, "Helona… Hold all my calls, please. I'm not to be disturbed." Depressing the button, he didn't wait for a response. His assistant knew better than to disturb him with unnecessary sentiment. If she was doing her job, no confirmation would be necessary. Instead, Kane turned his attention to the young creature seated across from him.
She was young, early twenties and carried the worn, anxious look of a typical streetrat. She had not been Kane's initial choice, but when their opportunities on the other had fallen through, he adjusted. He would not have been able to adapt so easily were it not for that demanding urgency for order. Her face was a hard mask, despite the bruises that marred her eyes and were swollen around her split lip. They'd needed to subdue her, to bring her in… her abilities fearsome and dangerous while she was conscious. She had been through quite a great deal in her young life, and no doubt this had instilled in her an iron will… But all men had weaknesses. She could be broken if he chose. Quite easily, he imagined.
Had she been human, she might have carried a certain aesthetic charm to her features. But she wasn't human. She was one of
them. The rodents, infesting the streets of his city… his country… his world. And were she not so important to the plan, he might've drawn his firearm and put a bullet through the center of her forehead.
Someday, he would get that privilege. For now, she was a means to an end…
She had said nothing since they'd brought her in. He suspected this was an attempt at bravery. He didn't find he minded the silence. It was worse when they spoke… Almost gave off the illusion that they were intelligent lifeforms, and not the animals he knew them to be… Still, her silence would not do. Not when he knew exactly how to get what he needed from the other one.
"In World War II, many Nazis defected, after the appalling truth of what they were doing became more clear to them. The allies gladly accepted aid from these former monsters, and some believe this helped, largely, in the eventual ruin of the Axis. Utilizing a turncoat, in my personal views, is a despicable tactic in any war, but occasionally, I can understand the value in using one's enemy strategically. I despise your kind, I won't sugarcoat it. You disgust me. The very idea that you are here, sitting in my office… wearing flesh and blood and bone over what we both know to be a lie makes my stomach turn. But in order to ensure future goals are met with less resistance, I am unfortunately temporarily left without option. I require one of your kind… to weed out the others, and for that, I require you. This will be… quite a painful experience for you and I don't mind telling you, when this is over and you are of no more use, I will put a stop to your miserable existence. For now, the more you cooperate, the easier that end will be for you. Are we clear?"
She looked up, and Kane felt heat creep along his spine at the expression on her face, anger welling within him at her defiance.
"If you do not cooperate…" He continued, laying his hands flat on the desktop, "I will crush every bone in your body. I will set fire to your nerves… And rend muscle to pulp. You will take your last breath on this planet, in agonizing pain. And I will relish every moment of it. It will become my sole focus to destroy you, inside and out, in as slow and deliberate a process as I can possibly manage. And before you think you are of any importance, I promise you, you will not die a martyr. You will be a deep, dark secret in the bottom of a well, but you will not haunt me, because you are literally
nothing to me. You are an ant… and beneath my heel, you will be reduced to dust… and the world will forget you. And I will still win."
Her throat rose and fell with a swallow, and Kane sat back, satisfied that his message had been received, "Now, Little Ant… I am going to need to take your photo. If you fight me… or try to use your abilities on me… I will take a finger, instead. There are many ways to identify someone. I suggest you sit very still, just in case."
____
Outside of the apartment door, the man pulled his phone free from his pocket and queuing up the picture sent to him, raised his free hand to knock.
As he heard a knock, Dorien looked up from his spot on the floor, where he'd been hovering over a canvas. Hopefully that was Jamie. She should have been back by now. He couldn't help the slight bit of relief that filled him at the knock. Maybe something else had come up and her phone died. Wouldn't have been the first time, in any case.
He stood, carefully laying down his brushes, before walking to the door to open it. He did not find Jamie. An odd, anxious sort of feeling pooled in his gut at this stranger at his door.
"Can I help you with something, sir?" he asked.
"Indeed, you can, Mr. Willis." The man spoke calmly enough, lowering his hand to his hip. He wore no holster, no need for a weapon… not when he was fairly certain the man in front of him would cooperate, fully, "I'm going to need you to come with me…"
Dorien's brow furrowed, concern marking through his features. Who on Earth? This didn't look like anyone he'd expect at his door. It certainly wasn't Tommy, that was for sure. He was terrified, for just a moment, that Jamie had somehow gotten mixed up in something. But he could get a phone call for that, couldn't he?
"Can I ask what for?" He wasn't saying no, he just had no clue why he needed to go anywhere. Until he did, he didn't plan on leaving his doorway.
"Of course you may ask…" The man continued, and turning his phone, he held the picture up, smiling faintly, "...Does this answer your questions?"
Dorien's breath caught in his throat at seeing the picture. His eyes closed as he raised a hand to his mouth. Shit, shit,
shit. He swallowed, taking a breath, before opening his eyes to look at the man before him. He wasn't sure what the details were, if this were a gang or something else entirely, but the message was clear. Cooperate, or Aster pays for it.
"It's actually created a few more questions," Dorien said, but he reached for his coat and pulled it on before stepping outside. He closed the door behind him. "I'm sure that's more conversation for the way, though."
The man's lip twitched slightly higher as the cruel smirk reflected in his eyes, and pulling his shades back down from where they sat on the top of his head, he gave a nod, "Right this way, then. I hope you don't mind, I'm a bit of a control freak, so… I'd like to drive. Names Asher, by the way… David Asher. Not to be confused with Aster… That's your pretty little girlfriend, isn't it? Tisk… damn shame gettin' her all mixed up in this mess. But hopefully you'll get it sorted and be back to normal in no time, at all."
"You know the way better than I do," Dorien said simply. A cold chill slid down his spine at the smirk on Asher's face. Alarm bells were going off in his head, but he was walking into the fire. "I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Asher, but I think it's obvious I'd prefer the circumstances be different. And she's...not my girlfriend." No matter how much he liked the idea, he didn't think Aster thought of him that way. He also couldn't help but doubt that things would be perfectly fine. Sometimes, they were, but the anxiety in his gut told him otherwise.
"Really? So she's available. Hm." The man was prodding. There was something in the way he said it that suggested it was intentionally aggravating, and a small part of David hoped… just hoped that Dorien would try something, "Too bad she's a mutt. I'm not typically picky, but I don't do your kind. Damn near contagious these days, ain't it?" Outside the apartment, he gestured to a black SUV near the curb, "After you…"
Dorien looked over at Asher, giving him a flat deadpan look that said 'Really?' He bit back a snarky response, deciding it was better not to antagonize this man if he could help it. Not until he knew where Aster was, at least. He didn't make a move to do anything, though the unimpressed look said it all. The words 'your kind' pinged in his brain. Oh no. Bad, bad, bad. That was never a good set of words, because he had a feeling this was more about what he was and what he could do than anything personal. That almost made it worse. No one who wanted him for his powers had been great people so far. He didn't think he'd end up breaking that streak now. He didn't comment about the contagious jab either.
He squinted at the SUV. "If I walk in front of you, what are the odds you try to knock me out on the way?" he asked, entirely too familiar with that particular trick. "I swear blindfolds work just as well."
Rolling his eyes from beneath the shades glasses, David shook his head, "Gonna be candid here, Dorien. You don't mind if I call you Dorien, do you? It doesn't matter whether or not you see where we're headed. Chances of you making it out of this of this thing aren't too high. Just... get in the damn car."
"Fair enough," Dorien said with a sigh. "I figured I'd at least ask." Really, Asher's answer said it all. It didn't matter. Whatever he had planned, whatever he or whoever he was with was going to do, they weren't banking on the possibility of him getting out. So long as they had Aster, they probably wouldn't even have to worry about him trying to get out. The saddest part of that was that Dorien knew it.
Still, he walked, hands in his pockets, to the car that would take him to Aster and a place he was sure he didn't want to be.
Once Dorien had gotten into the car, Davis slipped behind the wheel, and pulling out of park, eased away from the curb, "I realize you may be thinking a number of things. Why me? What's this all about? How will I escape this treacherous fate? Honestly, kid. I wish I could give you some kinda hope that this is gonna end well for you, but fact of the matter is, my boss has exactly one purpose for you. And once you've fulfilled that purpose, well… Yikes. Still… If you feel the need to fill the uncomfortable silence with useless Q and A, I can try my best at platitudes… I was never very good at BSing, though…"
The truth was that Dorien had a very good idea of why he was chosen for this particular torment. If nothing else, he could take a wildly accurate guess. It was the same reason it always was. They wanted what was in his head. To find anyone, anywhere? It was wanted by a lot of people, and not often very good people. He did take note that Asher said 'boss'. He wasn't working alone then.
He took a breath, trying not to let it shake as the man in the driver's seat confirmed his worst fears. There was no "after this". Not if these two got everything they wanted from him. He hoped, desperately hoped, that Jamie would be okay. Briefly wondered if she'd ever know what happened to him, after she came hope to find an abandoned painting and no sign of a struggle or robbery. If she'd be okay with the knowledge that she couldn't even use the police to find him, because if they found him, they'd kill him too.
"Only two questions, really. They might be better for your boss, but I'll ask anyway," Dorien said, slipping into that blank, emotionless mask he used when Alastor asked the worst of him. "First one is, what do you want me to find?"
"Hm…" Drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, David nodded, "Fair question. Not what, though. Who. You remember about four years ago? There was an organization, prided themselves of mutant rights or some bullcrap like that… blah blah… whatever. Turned out they were a huge load of nothing, and fell apart as soon as someone got the best of their leader? Well… my boss, or my whole organization, really, has been tasked with locating and eliminating the former members of that little club. And their families. Loose ends, and all. Revenge is messy, sticky business we'd rather like to avoid. Who has the time, right? Anyhow. You're gonna locate them… so we can take them out."
Dorien remembered. '
Rogue'. He'd never paid close attention to news about them. It felt so distant, like some other world. It felt like a fantasy to him. He had been trying to make ends meet, to just survive and take care of Jamie, when those other mutants had plans about righting the wrongs in the world. Once, he'd thought Rogue would never touch him or his life. Now, it seemed that he was both very, very wrong and right. Rogue wouldn't touch him, but he'd end up dooming them all.
"They're still around?" he couldn't help but ask. A dumb question, sure, but again, he never paid close attention to them. When he'd heard about the downfall of Rogue, he'd thought it just vanished entirely. That they'd been wiped out. He figured some of them would have remained, sure, but how many? He could almost feel the splitting headaches that would come from this, though. Whatever members were left, and then their families. Countless people, countless visions, countless times he'd have to use his powers. Shit, shit, shit. He'd doom them all. He couldn't help cursing under his breath, though Asher could likely still hear it.
"Not in the strictest sense of the word, no. But it's not the threat they posed that's the problem… It's what they could become if the world gets wise to them being out there, still. That, and frankly, Bossman's pretty sure they're to fault for that whole Toxin mess. At any rate, he wants to wipe them out, before he gets started on the rest." Clearing his throat, he shrugged, "What's question number two?"
Dorien exhaled. It was a lot of information to take in. Rogue, being part of mutants becoming more prevalent the world over? It was strange to consider, even if it could potentially make sense. That was information to digest later. It seemed he'd have time to do that later, if they planned on him hunting down each and every member and family member tied to Rogue.
"After I comply, or else face pain of death or worse, regardless of if it's mine or Aster's," he started, "can I see her?"
Chuckling softly, David shook his head, "Can't answer that, pal. That's up to the big guy. I imagine he'll probably want… well, he's gonna want you to see her to some degree, but you uh… you might regret asking that. Nothing in the world Kane hates more than you folks… and he ain't gonna be too interested in a heartfelt and touching reunion. But I guess you'll have to wait and see, right?"
"Yeah, guess I'll have to wait and see," Dorien replied, dragging his hands over his face with a sigh. He then slid back into the emotionless mask. If the photo he saw of Aster was any indicator, he was going to need that extra bit of protection.
He wasn't looking forward to this at all.
The remainder of the drive was made in silence. After answering his questions, David made no further attempts to chat Dorien up, and when he finally pulled into the garage of the concrete office building and killed the engine, it was the first noise he made throughout their journey, "Alright, Mr. Willis. Here we are. I'm gonna have to bind your hands before we head in. Protocol." Sliding out, he moved to the door, and fishing a pair of cuffs from his waistband, he opened it, "Arms out?"
Dorien slid out of the car once they arrived, mostly silent. He stuck out his arms for Asher to cuff with little complaint. The thing was...he had just one more question. "One last question before we head in?" he asked. It might be better to ask whoever Asher's boss was, but he'd give it a whirl.
David curved each cuff around Dorien's wrists, and as he helped him to his feet, hand on his arm, he nodded firmly, "Shoot."
"How did you, or your boss, find me?"
Chuckling softly, David shrugged, "Been a long time, we've been looking for someone with your particular skill set, Doiren. Why do you figure it's been four years? Kane has resources… People in high places. But tracking down that boss of yours was tricky. Luckily, he's pissed off enough people in time, and well… angry people are always chatty, if you catch my drift… Especially when Alastor Grey takes something they were pretty attached to… like their fingers. Eventually, there's no one we can't find. Well… most particularly, now…"
Dorien swore his blood had been replaced with ice water. Of course. Of freaking course, it always came down to Alastor Grey. He ignored that last bit, had to ignore it and how many lives he'd be a part of wrecking. How many
innocent lives. Before, he could find the tiniest bit of comfort in knowing that the people he ended up hurting had it coming. Now?
It was probably going to be people just like him, that had just been trying to survive.
"I always knew him calling me Huntsman was going to come back to bite me," he huffed a bitter sort of laugh. It was his first attempt at humor since seeing Asher, and it fell short due to the sick roiling in his gut. He occasionally joked that anyone who kidnapped him would get sick of listening to him babble and just let him go somewhere, but today, that hadn't happened. He couldn't afford it, not with Aster still in this Kane guy's clutches. Not that he could probably do much, but maybe he could save her from extra pain. Just comply, no matter how much it hurt.
"Never got that. The codenames…" With a small shake of his head, David led Dorien towards the elevator and pressed the call button. The doors opened nearly immediately, and inside, he hit the button for the lowest floor, "I mean, it's neat, I guess, but hell… I dunno. Names are names, you know? Anyhow… Won't be long, now." Pushing up his glasses, he clasped his hands behind his back, waiting as the elevator began moving downward, "If you got anymore questions, better get them out, now… I can promise, Kane isn't gonna feel up to answering."
"I guess," Dorien replied. "I used to hear there was power, though, in knowing someone's real name. I think that one was meant to be a bit mystical, but when all the world is hunting you down, it's a nice layer of anonymity too, the codenames." He pushed up his own circular frames as well he could, shaking his head. He had gotten all the important ones out. "There's only the thing I asked that you didn't answer, and like you said, we'll just have to see."
"Guess the codename didn't do you any favors…" David said, with a cocky smirk. The elevator doors opened, and he gestured Dorien forward. Down a long hall, he led the man to a door at the end, and knocking twice, he opened it, "He in, Helona?" He asked the woman seated at the desk, "His crown jewel is here."
"Maybe. It did take you four years though," Dorien said with the most innocent smile he could manage. He then took in the woman before him at the desk.
"He asked not to be disturbed," the woman stated. Her eyes were dark, slivers of grey at the crown of her head where her hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her appearance was a touch severe and not particularly welcoming. Age creased the corners of her eyes, but it still seemed to be treating her well. As she looked up to see Asher and Dorien, a cold calculating sort of smile crossed over her face. "But I think he'll make an exception for good news."
"General Kane?" she said after pressing a button on the machine at her desk. "Asher has returned, and he's got a friend in tow."
"Send him in." Was the only response… and without waiting for confirmation from the woman behind the desk, David crossed the floor and opened the door. Kane straightened at the sight of the man in tow, and rising from his chair, he smoothed the front of his charcoal grey suit, straightened his glasses, nodding, "Good work, Asher. Thank you. You may go…"
The man didn't hesitate, or question the suggestion. He moved away with a swiftness that suggested he was all too eager to be anywhere else, and in fact, that wasn't far from the truth.
As Kane rounded his desk, he looked Dorien over with a scrutinizing gaze, "I imagine Asher has filled you in on why you're here?"
Dorien followed without a word until he found himself standing in from of Kane alone. He felt a bit small, the way he had when he'd first come face-to-face with Alastor Grey. There was something chilling in the comparison, though he knew the way this interaction scared him was far different than how Grey did. This...this was a man who had no love, however twisted and cruel, for him in his heart. He was purely a tool, and when he no longer served his purpose, he'd be thrown out.
"He covered a few things, yes. What you want me for and what's at stake if I don't comply," he said, thinking back to the picture he'd been shown at his door. How long ago this morning felt now. "Or, well, he showed me what was at stake."
He didn't let the relatively neutral mask slip. He seemed fairly calm, even as he was trying to internally process the dread filling him to the top. He had to keep it up, for now, because he didn't imagine the man in the tightly pressed suit would care too much about whatever tears Dorien had to shed.
"Good. Then there no need to go over it again. I'm sure you have questions… unfortunately for you, I couldn't care less. This isn't going to be fun or enjoyable, and I can effectively promise you, what's a stake is not the life of the mutant girl we've got in holding. Neither one of you will walk away from this. But the more you cooperate, the less I will be required to bring harm. Now then…" Pressing a button on his phone, he spoke into the receiver, "Jackson, my office, please."
It was several seconds before the door opened, and an extremely tall, broad man entered, rubbing a hand over his closely shaven skull, "Sir?"
Frowning faintly, Kane shook his head at the cavalier approach, gesturing vaguely towards Dorien, "Take him to holding, until we're ready for him."
"Got it." The man gave a terse nod, grabbing Dorien, his fingers curving into Dorien's bicep, "Let's go, Freak."
After that, it was back to the elevator, and a short trip one level down - a level that had not been visible from the upper levels. At the chime, the doors opened to a dank, dark hallway and urging Dorien forward, the man, Jackson reached to remove the cuffs with a key at his side, gesturing him to keep moving. Down the hallway, past several doors, he paused at one at the end and reaching for the keyring, he slid it into a lock, before inputting several numbers into a keypad beside it. At the sound of a click, he turned the key and the door slid opened, "In you go, Freak."
The door closed behind him, and footsteps receded back down the hallway. In the small room were three small, metal frame cots, and little else. From one of the cots, Aster rose, voice a trepidatious whisper, "Dorien…?"
Dorien said nothing, even as the dread in his chest grew stronger with each word that came out of Kane's mouth. This was bad. This was so bad. No questions about how his powers worked either, so either the man already knew or just didn't care. He wasn't sure which one chilled him more.
He went with Jackson without complaint, simply taking note of every measure taken to keep him in and which way he was made to walk. He wasn't sure when he'd get the chance, if he would ever get the chance, but he had to try. He had to take note, in the case he did have a window of time to get out of here. To get
Aster out of here. He rubbed his wrists after the cuffs were removed, but kept walking. His heart sank a little at seeing the key and the code being used to open the door. That...would be difficult.
As the door slid shut behind him, Dorien sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. Then he froze. "Aster?" he asked, as if almost in disbelief.
"Oh my God, no…" Sinking back down, Aster covered her mouth with her hands, shaking her head. They'd got him. They'd got him, and now he would… "Dorien. You… you cannot give them a damn thing! You can't. I… I can't let you do this…"
"And I can't let them hurt you, if i can do something to prevent it," Dorien replied. He didn't feel like there was a choice, not really. It was terrible and the lives he'd be ruining, the lives he'd be part of taking… Those would haunt him for forever and a day. He'd known for a while, though, that he was willing to do terrible things for the sake of people he cared about.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice cracking as he stepped closer to Aster. "I'm so sorry. I-" he cut himself off with a curse, feeling something warm and wet slide down his cheeks. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I'm sorry you're here because of me. I just…" He reached out once he stood in front of her, cradling her face in his hands as he briefly rested his forehead against hers. "I'm just glad you're okay."
He moved closer and Aster took in the tears, feeling her chest tighten. "Don't…" She whispered, cupping her hands over his, "Please… please don't apologize. God, Dorien. This… this is not your fault." Shifting, her eyes opened and she looked up at him, "They… they didn't get her? Tell me they didn't get her, Dorien. Jamie? God… There wasn't enough time… I told her to run. To hide, but there wasn't enough time…"
Dorien made a noise in his throat, something that sounded like a strangled sob, before sinking to his knees before her. It felt like his fault. He knew why he shouldn't get too close to people, had known ever since he'd been recruited by Alastor Grey. He would only drag them into trouble, because his powers made him a target. He'd thought Aster was safe, when she ended up in the same boat as him, yet here they both were.
His breath caught in his throat. She'd warned Jamie. "That's why…" he said, the reason why Jamie hadn't come home clicking into place. He shook his head. "They only showed me you, and she's not here." More tears threatened to spill, though for entirely different reasons. This was the second time Aster had sacrificed for his sister. "Thank you…"
"Don't thank me…" She sighed, "Didn't stop them from dragging you into it, anyway… Damn them." Dropping her head, she stared at her hands, the knuckles of one were bruised and swollen from where she'd got a lucky hit on one of the bastards, "What do we do?"
"Stopped them from dragging Jamie into it, though," Dorien answered, shaking his head. "What we have to, I guess. We do what they want until...until we can get out of here. And we are. We're getting out of here." He had to believe that. He had to believe that at some point, there would be an opening that, even if it wasn't perfect, would give them just enough to free themselves.
"There's that good old Fish optimism." She breathed, as she shook her head again, "Don't… don't think I'm gettin' out, though. I uh… I get the impression the big guy upstairs ain't too fond of me." The tip of her tongue prodded the split in her lip, as she frowned, "I don't want you to do this, Dorien. Whatever it is they have in mind for you. I… I don't want you to do it. Not for me."
"If God doesn't like you, then he can take up the problem with me," Dorien joked before shaking his head. "I said 'we', and I mean it. We're both getting out of here. Might be a while...but we're getting out." He tilted his head at her, his expression hard to read. "I don't exactly want to do it either, but who else would I do it for?" He paused. "Besides Jamie. That's probably a given."
"...I meant the creepy military guy, Fish. Please don't try to take on him
and God? I'm worried enough…" Her hand dropped to his arm, tentatively, before gripping it, "I wanted to warn you… I tried, but… but they were fast. I just thought if I could get you a message… you could get away with Jamie. Get somewhere safe…"
"I can take 'em. I'll tell them both to put up their dukes. Neither of them will know what to do with me," Dorien chuckled, though it faded as reality once again began to set in. He shook his head. "It's alright. You did your best. And thank you, for at least making sure Jamie wasn't dragged into this, too."
"You're my family, Dorien. You… Jamie. You… you think I'd let anybody hurt you?" Shaking her head, her hand fell to her side again, eyes burning, "I tried, anyway…"
Dorien smiled at her at hearing that she considered them family. "Hey, Aster," he said softly, trying not to smile, "did you just brother-zone me?"
He shook his head at her, pulling her into a hug. "That's what matters, Aster. You tried, and that makes all the difference to me. It's not your fault. It's not your fault at all."
"Hell no, Fish. A stud like you?" She gave a soft, weary laugh and her arms folded around him, as she squeezed her eyes shut against the tears forming, "I'm scared. I am so damn scared. If… if anything happens to you…"
Dorien laughed, though it was a little weaker than it might've been on another day. He moved, sitting on the cot next to her to pull her further into his arms. He rubbed slow, soothing circles on her back. "I'm scared too. But we're going to be okay. We'll be okay."
"But…" breathing in, she curled into his side, shaking her head, "But just in case I'm not… I… I'm glad you're here, Dorien. Nobody I'd rather spend it with, you know? The… The end."
He rested his head against hers, having no intention of letting go of her anytime soon.
"Me too, Aster. Me too."
"Dor…?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, fingers tightening where they'd curled into his shirt, "Promise me something?"
"Sure. Anything," he answered, falling mostly still as she spoke.
"...Don't let them break you…" swallowing, she pulled away, so she could meet his eyes, "They're gonna try. Don't… don't let them. They don't deserve you."
"I'll do my best. Promise," he assured, eyes flicking to meet hers as she started to pull away, "just so long as you do the same."
"Me?" With a dry smile, Aster shook her head, "You know me well enough to know, Dorien… I don't break easy." Breathing out, she reached apprehensively for his hand, "Sometimes I… I'm too damn stubborn."
"That's not a bad thing," he assured, feeling her reach for his hand. He tentatively curled his own fingers around her hand. "Trust me. It's not a bad thing at all."
"It is when… when I get in my own way." With her free hand, she wiped her cheeks dry, sniffing back the emotion, "There's… there's a lot I never said. A lot I should've… and if I don't make it out of here…"
"I should've known the only thing that could stop you was you," Dorien joked lightly, voice soft. He then shook his head. "You don't have to say it now. Save it. We're getting out of here."
"Dorien." Looking up at him, she shook her head, "Y...you have to know the possibilities are slim. What… what I'm saying is… what if I don't get a chance? What if…"
"I know. I also know that even if the chance is small, it's still a chance," Dorien answered. "And if...I'm wrong, and it looks like we're coming to a point of no return, then you can tell me. But only then. It gets awkward when you know the secrets people tell when they think they're dying." He gave her a sheepish smile.
Leaning forward, she dropped her head to his shoulder, "He's… he's not like anyone I've ever come up against, Fish. This guy? He's a whole other level of terrifying." Shivering, she gave his hand a squeeze, "We might be out of our league…"
"I know," he said softly in agreement. Despite his initial comparison to Grey, this man was nothing like him in all the worst ways. He gently brushed his thumb over the back of her hand. "We've been in over our heads before. We just keep treading water." Keep treading water, and hope that whatever Kane threw at them wouldn't fling them further into the deep end.
Straightening, she nodded, "Legs are gettin' a little tired. Hell, if I'm not ready to leave the pool, already. When do we get a break, Dorien? When do we get some peace and quiet? God… I feel like… Every time I think for just second, maybe things aren't so bad… Something happens to make them worse." She'd said it before, but now it seemed more apparent than ever. She felt cursed… Like she was never meant to be happy. And now she was dragging him down, too… "I hate this. I hate everything about this…"
"We're getting a little wrinkly," he added, contributing a little further to the metaphor. He then sighed. "I don't know. Soon, I hope. Soon." He sighed, glad one hand was anchored by Aster's own as the other rubbed the back of his neck. God, he hoped they got a break soon. He didn't imagine it would come for a while though, no matter what he wished. "I hate it too."
"So, let's leave." She said, with a small, dry smirk, "Who the hell says we can't right? Aside from the scary psychopath and his creepy army. And the locked door. And the fact that I have no idea where the hell we even are." Reaching up, she gingerly prodded the bruise near her temple, "...Knocked me out pretty good when they brought me in. Guess they didn't like that I wasn't coming quietly."
"Time to hop out of the kiddie pool," Dorien chuckled. "Those are plenty of obstacles, but…" he seemed to pause and consider what she said. "I came pretty quietly, so I saw the way they took me. If I were pressed, I could probably get us out of here. So that's one thing we can tackle when we get there."
"Look at that… We're already one step ahead." It was a pipe dream. She knew it as well as he undoubtedly did. They would never get free that easily. They would never have
let him see the route if they thought escape was feasible. But she needed to stay together… she needed to hold on to that small, miniscule edge of optimism… Or she was going to shake apart.
"...Maybe when… when all this is over, we should get out of the damn city. I'm starting to think it's no good, you know?"
"One bit down," Dorien agreed, leaving out the 'a lot more to go' part. One part at a time, though. They'd have to figure it out one part at a time. He huffed a laugh. "Far, far away from this city. Not sure where, but somewhere nice that isn't here."
"I don't think we'd make it in the woods… We're not cabin people." Running her fingers through her hair, she frowned, "Damn… We're not really anything but city people, are we? Guess it gives us something to learn while we're stuck here." But somehow she had her doubts that they'd have much time to study up on rustic living…
Wrapping her arms around herself, she frowned suddenly, her eyes shifting to the door, "...One more thing I need you to promise me, Dorien."
"Too many bugs, too few ice cream places," Dorien agreed with a nod. "I guess we aren't. I don't know. I was thinking somewhere on the water. Could still be a city, too, so we don't have to go too far out of our comfort zone." His brow furrowed as her demeanor shifted a little and she wrapped her arms around herself. "What's that?"
"Just… just promise me if… if it comes down to you getting out without me… for any reason, you won't sacrifice that to be a noble jackass…" Meeting his eyes, she shrugged, "Jamie needs you, Dorien."
Dorien looked torn, silent for a long while before he spoke. "I can't promise that, Aster. You should know me. I gotta be the noble jackass. The donkey in shining armor," he said. "Yes, Jamie needs me, but...I'm starting to think that I need
you." Maybe it was a little sappy, but it was true. They'd been at each other's sides for years, and if he could, he had no intention of letting that go. Of letting Aster go.
Blinking, eyes stinging sharply, Aster shook her head again, defiantly, "You… damn it, Dorien. You can't just… You can never just…" pinching the bridge of her nose, she looked up again, eyes welling, now, "I don't have to think… I know I need you. And if anything happened to you cause of me? Don't you understand how that would wreck me?"
He gave her a sad sort of smile. "I can imagine," he answered. He could imagine it very well. He knew that if anything happened to Jamie, he would fall apart. He knew how it felt like something was ripping open his chest to crush his heart when he saw that picture of her at his front door. He knew how it felt when suddenly, it was like his parents didn't exist to the world even though he remembered them so clearly, and he had to leave them behind. "It why we have to get out of here together. If I get a chance to get out of here, I'm taking you out with me. You're not getting rid of me that easy, Flower Girl."
"Stubborn…" She whispered, reaching up to brush her cheeks dry, grimacing slightly at the bruises, "Fine. We get out together… Got no intention of getting rid of you, Fish. Never would… Why would I go and throw away the only damn thing in my life worth anything?"
Dorien laughed shakily. "Hey, don't do that. I've already cried six times today," he warned, wiping at the bottom of his own eyes despite himself. "Good, that's settled. We're getting out of here, and we're going together."
"Big baby…" She breathed, reaching out to dry his cheeks, "You better quit bein' so emotional over me, Fish. Gonna make all the ladies jealous."
"Yep, that's me. Big baby Dorien," he snorted, eyes closing briefly as he felt her fingers brush away the wet streaks on his face. "What other ladies? I've only got two main ladies in my life, and the other one will call me a baby too."
"Two, huh? Jamie and…?" With a smirk, she looked him over, "Steppin' out on me, Fish? I'm hurt…"
"Absolutely. I met a lovely lady named Gertrude online, and she's definitely not a 57 year old convicted axe murderer with a neckbeard on the Internet. We're eloping in Vegas is two days," Dorien answered, rolling his eyes. "It's you, Flower Girl. You and Jamie."
"Damn, Fish. I gotta tell ya… this is awkward but… I think maybe Gertrude's catfishing ya…" Hearing his confirmation, she breathed, nodding, "Me, huh? And what'd I do to earn that place of honor?"
"No! Not Gertrude!" Dorien exclaimed, feigning surprise and horror before snorting. "You exist? You've sacrificed for my sister, not once but twice now. You've stuck with me these past few years. You're my best friend in the world. I don't know how long this list of reasons goes, but we might be here a while, Aster. Also, hey, surprise. I like you as a person."
"Aw damn…" looking him over, Aster shook her head, "They must've grabbed the wrong Dorien… Cause the Fish I've known these last few years… he doesn't go telling lies like that. I've been nothin' but trouble and you know it."
"Nope, I'm the original dumbass," Dorien grinned, arms spread wide. "You're not
just trouble, and even if you were, I'd still like you that way. Even when you steal my candy."
"Woah. Don't get it twisted, Fish. I didn't steal your candy. I stole your jacket. And then the candy became mine by proxy." A brow lifted as she studied him, and despite the light, easy energy of her words, she could feel something shifting…
In all likelihood, they weren't going to escape… and this could be the last good conversation they ever had…
"That damn jacket is the best thing that ever happened to me, you know."
"So I've been told," Dorien laughed, sniffing a little in the aftermath of crying when he'd first come in. He paused at hearing the second bit, an intrigued look crossing over his face. "How's that?"
"...Hell, Dor… You always were the most oblivious guy I know." Shaking her head, she rubbed her arms, wishing more than anything she had that jacket now, "You didn't flinch when I asked for it. You just… you handed it over, and you never complained when I didn't give it back. Not really. And that was the first time in my life, really, I came across someone who was genuinely good… I wasn't scared to let you in. Then… then I was. Cause… cause I wanted to, more than anything. And that… that's not something I knew how to process. Still don't…"
"I'd say I try, but I really don't," he grinned sheepishly. "And I did kind of have my chance to get it back, the first night. I missed it, so it was forfeit." He fell silent as she continued, listening as she explained. He sat still a little while longer before slowly shrugging off the jacket he'd grabbed before he left with Asher. He then gently placed it over her shoulders. "I know it's not
the jacket, but I figure it'll work for now. For what it's worth, though, Aster, I'm glad you let me in. Because that? That's one of the best things that happened to me."
Looking up at he handed over the jacket, Aster shook her head and sliding her arms through, she caught his hand, "...It was never about the jacket, Fish. I mean… don't get me wrong, I kept it cause it's cute as hell on me, but… but it was never the jacket."
Dorien's gaze flicked back up to her face as she caught his hand, and he stilled. He chuckled, "It does look good on you." He then took a breath, shaking his head. "I know. It was what it represented to you. Part of why I could never really ask for it back. That, and it really does look good on you."
"Damn straight it does…" Her smile softened, and shifting closer, she allowed her fingers to twist through his, a warmth creeping into her cheeks that had very little to do with the jacket he'd given her, "...What it represents. That's… that's a good way to put it."
He chuckled softly. He threaded his fingers through hers, once again gently sliding his thumb over the back of her hand. "It must be the artist in me that thought of it that way," he said.
Watching the motion of his thumb across her hand, Aster nodded, before looking up again, "You always were the articulate one… You…. you ever ask yourself, Fish, what life might look like, if we'd met some other time? If… if we'd met before all this mess? I know what ifs are useless… but sometimes, I can't help but wonder..."
"I do try," Dorien smiled. "Sometimes, I do. I hope that we might have saved each other some pain, if we had. That things would be different, would be better. The thing is...I don't think things would have been the same if we'd met another time. The things we've done...wouldn't have meant what the did if we met some other time. So, in a way, I'm kind of glad that we met when we did. So that this is the way things worked out. Obviously this cell and Kane can go suck it, but the stuff between us? Yeah, I'm glad this worked out the way it did."
A brow rose, and with a small, teasing smile, she studied his expression, watched for the changes she knew and loved, "...Stuff between us, hm?"
The implications seemed to hit him as she repeated his words back to him. His eyes widened before he laughed nervously, flicking his eyes away. It felt a bit like his face was burning again. "Our relationship. Um, how close we are and everything," he said. He almost continued, but he caught sight of that teasing smile and he knew what he had to say would only lead her further into teasing him.
But the smile shifted as he continued, and her grip tightened gently on his, eyes definitively focused on his, unmoving, unrelenting and uncharacteristically sober, "...How close we are? You sister-zoning me, again, Dorien?"
His eyes flicked back to hers as her grip tightened, and he swore his heart did a flip in his chest. He then laughed as she asked if he was sister-zoning her. "No, not even remotely. I do consider you family, though, Aster," he answered.
"Oh?" Looking up, her smile twitched ever so slightly higher, "So what… Like… a cousin, or aunt… Hell. Not like your mom, right? Don't make this weird, Dorien."
He couldn't help but laugh harder, shaking his head as he buried his face in one hand. He sat like that, shoulders shaking, before he managed to recover just enough. "You are the one who made it weird, Aster," he wheezed in protest. "I don't think I've got a name for it, honestly. Just that we belong together."
The laughter echoed softly from her, as she nodded along with him, "Yeah. I know. Sorry… I definitely just did that…" But as he went on, her expression softened and imperceptibly, she shifted closer again, "...Labels are for supermarkets, anyway. Won't get an argument from me, Fish… But I've known that for years. Just… just been waiting for you to catch up."
"Calling you 'Mom' is the absolute worst thing I can think to call you. I'm giving myself the heebie jeebies, now," Dorien said, making a face as he shook his head. "That's a good one. 'Labels are for supermarkets.'" He then looked over at her again, unable to stop the smile creeping back onto his lips. "Wow, okay, time to make me feel slow. I think I've known it...maybe a year. Several months, for sure. Or, well, that's how long I know that I knew that. I think I might've known it for a lot longer, though."
"...Think… think if we get outta here…" Biting her lip, flinching slightly at the split, she shook her head, "You think
when we get outta here, you can finally man up and do something about it, Dorien? I've been pretty damn patient… but hell, a girl's gotta make a move, eventually."
"Wait. Wait…" Dorien paused. "Are we on the same page here? Because this feels a lot like a romantic confession, and so help me if it's not but I thought it was, I'm going to have a crisis on this floor."
Looking up at him, fighting a laugh, Aster gave a small, brief nod, "...No crisis necessary, Dorien. Though how you manage to still be such a nerd… in all this. It astounds me…"
"Hey, leave my nerdness alone, because you're the one that likes it," Dorien protested, though his words seemed to hit him a moment later. "Holy shit, you like me. Holy
shit. Yeah I might still need that floor crisis, because did you just say you
knew for years?" He blinked. "I'm an idiot. Oh my god, I'm an idiot. I didn't think that you...Yes. Yes, when we get out of here, I am absolutely doing something about that. Though I am not opposed to you making moves." He sounded borderline giddy, as if fighting disbelief.
Watching it click was a little more entertaining than Aster expected, and her smile widened as she shook her head, "...You're definitely an idiot. But it uh… it's a bit more than 'I like you', Fish." A sigh escaped, her eyes shifting, looking at their intertwined fingers, "...You remember that night… after Alastor went all chop happy on my first mission? And you let me stay over? I think it started then. I've just… I've been afraid. Scared of… of feeling that way. Of what it means. Of… of letting myself go. I didn't mean for it to take quite this long, but… but I was hoping you'd catch up. Eventually…"
"Really?" he breathed. "That long ago?" Dorien felt a little like his world had turned upside down, in what was the best possible way. "I don't think I've known quite that long. I actually...well, I figured it out maybe a year ago, that I liked you, but I didn't think that you liked me back." He rubbed his free hand over his face. "There's a reason I wear glasses, because I'm apparently very blind. Sorry, that I took so long." He gently squeezed her hand. "I hope I'm worth the wait, because I promise, Flower Girl, you've got nothing to be scared of in me." He didn't plan on ever letting her go at this point.
"You think I stuck around with Alastor cause I liked the job benefits, Fish?" With her free hand, she gingerly reached to brush the edge of his jaw, shaking her head, "...You're worth it. Of course you're worth it. And I'm sorry I never told you. I'm sorry I didn't make it clearer… I know I don't need to be scared. Only thing that scares me now is the idea that… that I may never get a chance to make something out of this." Looking up, meeting his eyes, she smiled, "But hell, if I don't have something to live for, now…"
"The apartment was pretty nice," he laughed airily, before his breath caught at her hand on his jaw. "It's alright. You've got nothing to be sorry for." He was about to say something else, before he shook his head. "Except maybe telling me to
leave you behind, without telling me this. Rude," he teased before sobering up. "We're getting out of here. Together," he added, putting a touch of emphasis on the last word, because now it meant something entirely different. "In the meantime…" he gently held the side of her face with one hand, careful of the bruises, leaning in just a little closer, "Can I…?" God, he wanted to kiss her.
"Oof. The apartment? Really…" Her smile was brief, fading into something softer as he continued, and with a coy chuckle, she shook her head, "Be fair. I tried to tell you, and you told me to wait…" He shifted, hands cupping her face, and heart giving a delicate throb, she met his eyes, her own burning softly with tears. That he would think to ask…
None of this should've been possible. None of this should've been happening, and yet here they were… Captive. Not to Kane… but to a moment. Slowly, she gave a nod.
"Apartments are very attractive, Aster. I wouldn't blame you if that's what made you stay," Dorien snickered. "Yeah, because I didn't realize confessions were on the menu, Aster." He slid his other hand from hers to once again cradle her face after she nodded. Then he pressed a kiss, soft and sweet, to her lips.
Her eyes closed, and she met him halfway, her fingers curling to the base of his neck as she pulled herself closer, pulling away only when oxygen became a necessary factor, and even then, only to rest her forehead to his, "...Damn it all…. Can we just… escape right now? I could kick that frickin' door down, if I gave it a hard enough try."
After he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, he opened his eyes again. "I kind of want to see you give it a whirl, though I think you should maybe not, in case you break something that's yours and not the door's." He shook his head. "We'll find a moment, and we'll get out of here."
Laughing softly, she shook her head, "...I mean… Adrenaline can accomplish a whole hell of a lot. But I'm pretty sure that door is solid iron." At his reassurance, she nodded, thumb gracing the side of his cheek, brushing it softly, "...Yeah, we will. Cause hell if I'm gonna let them win when I finally got you to kiss me."
"Yeah, maybe don't try to kick down the door," Dorien laughed in return. His head tilted slightly, pressing into her touch, as he looked at her with a face full of affection. "Good to know my kisses are excellent motivation, because you are certainly mine," he stated with a grin.
"Hm…" Shaking her head, she rolled her arms around his shoulders, hugging tightly to him, "Not just that motivating me, Fish. Not by a long shot…"
"Oh? And what's the rest?" he asked. He buried his face in his hair, taking a breath to just enjoy this moment for however long it lasted, as he pulled her close.
"...Everything, Fish. Everything that comes with being with you…" She closed her eyes, letting his arms snake comfortably around her, "I just… I need to get out. To get a chance. I don't want this to be all we get. It's not fair."
"We'll get out of here. We're going to. Because I want everything that comes with being with you, too," he said softly.
"...What I said… about leaving me behind if you have to? I know you didn't promise… but just in case you have any ideas…" Shifting back, she looked up at him, smiling dryly, "That deal's officially off the table, now."
Dorien chuckled, "I wouldn't dream of taking it in the first place." He hadn't surfaced from where he'd stuck his face in Aster's hair just yet, trying to take as long as possible before reality set back in. At some point, he'd be ruining lives again. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this.
"That… is because you are incredibly stubborn…" She murmured, turning just slightly to rest her forehead to his cheek, "And were never very good at doing what's best for you…"
"I don't know, I think this turned out pretty well, all things considered," Dorien chuckled. "I guess we're both stubborn then, huh?"
"You have no idea.." She mused softly, sitting up to brush her fingertips along the edge of his jaw, giving his chin a nudge, "We'll need to be smart, Dorien. About everything. You… you'll have to do what he wants, at least make it look like you are… until…. Until we can find a way out of this mess."
"I think I'd like to, though," he murmured, pulling away just enough to look at her. "I know. We have to play the game, until we can get out of it," he said. The idea of doing what Kane demanded made his stomach twist into knots all over again, but he had to. He was going to. He would do whatever it took to get them out of there to see another day out of Kane's grasp.
"...This… this is gonna be worse, Fish. Worse than anything Alastor ever had you do. It's gonna fall on us… and if… if we can't find a way around it? If we can't find some way to make it look good?" She didn't need to tell him what was going to happen, "Promise you'll be careful? That… that you won't do anything… anything dumb? You know what I mean..."
Dorien nodded. He knew, despite wishing he didn't. This was entirely different, and he honestly felt a little out of his depth. The thing was...it was the same thing in theory. Find the target so they can be dealt with. He could work with it, simply because it was that. He'd hate it, but he could work with it. "I'm not going to outright punch him, if that's what you mean."
"...Good." Cupping his cheek, she met his eyes with a soberness that spoke depths to her concern, "Cause I think he'd do a hell of a lot worse than break some fingers, Dorien." She didn't think she needed to mention that he'd likely do it to her, first…
"I know," he nodded again. "I'm going to do my best to avoid that." To avoid letting that happen to her. "There'd be at least an arm involved," he added, a little of that dark humor of Aster's that had rubbed off on him over the years slipping through. He shook his head. "I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen."
Hand sliding to the back of his neck, she pulled herself close, forehead to his, eyes falling closed, "...And I'm gonna make sure… he doesn't have an excuse to hurt you, either, Dorien. I promise…"