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 Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:01 pm
(takes place after The Gauntlet)
Thankfully, the magical mirror that had decided to spit them back out into reality had been kind enough to shove them out only a few blocks away from his lonely little Queen Anne styled house. God only knew what his damn cat had done to the inside of it, had he been managed to get locked in there. s**t.
There were more important things to worry about, though, at the present time. The fact he was being escorted down the sidewalk in his underwear happened to be a prominent one, but with the pain and exhaustion he was currently experiencing, Robert Banks really couldn’t give two less of a s**t whether or not a potential client saw him in such disarray. He’d worry about collateral damage tomorrow - right now, his main focus was making it into the house and off of the feet that were still trailing behind small patches of blood on the sidewalk.
His saving grace didn’t come in the form of a cab or of a good Samaritan who spotted him from across the street. No, his rescuer, if he could even be called one, came in the appearance of a very tired, banged up looking Russian who seemed to be struggling almost as much as he was to make it towards the house.
God, what was the world coming to?
Eventually, the house came into sight and he grunted as he steered the younger man in its direction, as if the sorry sonofabitch hadn’t spent hours in there repairing broken things before. Hell, he might have another job lined up for him, depending on whatever chaos Bob had managed to cause in his absence. Already he could see shattered glass on the grass to the side - another goddamn broken window? ******** hell.
He didn’t have his keys on him, so he was forced to stoop down and pull up the generic looking welcome mat, fishing out the spare key with a grunt.
“Guess you’ll just learn all of my secrets today, Kavinsky.”
It took him far too long to try to jostle the key into its hole, his hand shaking as he wearily attempted to focus. Finally the door opened and they were met with the darkness of a house that had been untouched for… well, he wasn’t sure how long, at that point. Glancing behind him, he shrugged and waited for the Russian to enter before closing the door.
“You need to use the phone to call anyone, let them know where you’re at?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:03 pm
His body ached and moving was slow going for the most part, but Kavinsky had to be grateful that unlike his companion he was wearing shoes. Had he not been so utterly drained then he might have hoisted Banks onto his back and carried him as thanks for dragging him along when they were running from a crumbling platform like Indiana Jones ran from the bolder he stupidly triggered time and time.
Kavinsky had not missed the fact that Banks’s feet were bleeding and there was a part of him that was sympathetic. (He blamed it on the exhaustion.)
When they reached the house he wearily looked at it, barely paying attention to the way Banks’ rifled beneath the welcome mat until he said something. “Figures you’d hide it somewhere ******** stupid.” It came out as a wheeze and considerably less bite than he intended. “‘Secret’ yeah right,” he laughed, the sound more like a heh kind of laugh than a joyous once.
He thought about leaving now that he’d seen the man who’d made some dumb ******** decision to stay by him as hell broke loose around them. It would be easy enough to clean up back home, to check in on Ellis and let the man know he was okay. <********, his anxiety was probably through the roof but --
It wasn’t like K didn’t vamp for days at a time when something set him off and they had been in the middle of some small, stupid spat.
“No.” The word was a curt as it ever was at the offer. Silver eyes glanced over, dropping to the man’s feet. “Sit down and get off your ******** feet. I’ll grab your medkit.” With that, he’d stomped off to retrieve it like he knew his way around the house.
Which, he did considering how often Banks had been calling him over recently.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:05 pm
The lightswitch was found and Rob opened his mouth to argue with the direct order that had come from a more or less kid, but the angry, white haired Russian was already en route for the box, which had blessedly been restocked after Rob’s last battle with a broken drinking glass.
He did, however, start making his way towards the kitchen in an act of defiance. He could at least grab something to wash himself up with, if the stubborn a** currently upstairs was going to insist on finding the bandages. His trail was cut short halfway when he was turning the corner by the couch and spotted something red on the carpet.
s**t.
Lifting up his foot, he winced, then glanced back. Sure enough, more trails of red patterned the beige carpet in the soft indentations his feet had left in their wake. Crap, was blood easy to get out of carpet fibers? Was he going to have to call the steamers again and spend more money?
Grumbling to himself, the lawyer abandoned his trek towards the kitchen and instead made his way to the couch, doing his best to awkwardly hop his way towards the furniture in an attempts to minimize the blood smears along the way. Tattered shirt was removed along the way and cast aside, yet another expense he’d have to replace for no good reason. He couldn’t exactly bring it back to the store, citing mirror issues for all the rips and shreds it had received from the rocks and stones that had fallen. The tie was equally as poor off - ugh.
What he really needed right now was a long, hot shower… but standing up on his torn up feet sounded about as appealing as falling in a mirror all over again.
Falling back down onto the couch, he let out a wince as the bruised shoulder made contact with the cushion of the couch’s backing. Man, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this shitty.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:05 pm
Kavinsky’s return was quick and he watched, halfway down the stairs, as Banks headed towards the kitchen instead of a seat and when he saw the realization blossom across the lawyers face, silver eyes narrowed. Serves you right, he thought smugly. A stair creaked when he set his weight upon it, announcing his arrival into the living room once he started walking.
In no time at all he had crossed the room to the couch where Banks lay.
“Feet up,” he barked, pointing at the armrest that he then chose to kneel beside. The first aid kit was set down on the floor, latches popped open and the Russian’s attention was on the contents. Thick fingers shifted boxes and supplies until he found the bottle of rubbing alcohol and gauze.
Off went the cap and the gauze was placed over the mouth of the bottle, which was then tilted until the center was nice and damp.
“This will hurt.” But that was a given. Still, a warning felt needed before he began picking out glass and rocks from Banks’ foot and moved onto the cleaning process.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:06 pm
Hazel eyes cut over to the broad form of the bossy Kavinsky, begrudgingly doing as he was told. Everything hurt - legs, arms, head. He wasn’t sure if there even was a place that hadn’t been hit by falling rocks, at this point.
As his legs lifted up, feet slowly propped themselves on the arm of the couch. He absentmindedly studied the bruising on his shin that had started to form - a rather nasty looking purple color, from what he could tell. Arms weren’t spared from the ugly looking colors, either.
Looks like a destiny with long-sleeved shirts both in and out of work, for a while.
Calloused fingers grabbed his foot and the moment the alcohol drenched swab touched the pad of his foot, Robert Banks nearly shot straight up on the couch as he let out the most unmanly of whines.
“Jesus, do you have to be so rough??”
His shoulders hunched up and his fingers dug into the fabric of his couch as fragments slowly were picked away at his feet. “Ow, ow - owwww, h-hey, take it easy, will you?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:06 pm
To his credit, Kavinsky was being gentle. The problem was that the alcohol was going to sting no matter what and the pain level wouldn’t decrease no matter what he did if he was being thorough.
“I am,” he hissed gruffly, silver eyes flicking up to meet hazel. “Stop moving, you’re making it worse.” He grunted, taking a dry piece of gauze and dabbing after the areas he had cleaned. From there he moved to bandage the wounds, wrinkling his nose as he realized that there was no way Rob could move about without causing more pain.
Feet injuries were the worst because it was nearly impossible to stay off them long enough to heal.
“Stay off your feet as much as possible.” He wasn’t a doctor but this struck him as common sense. Besides, he and Ellis had gotten pretty good at taking care of injuries that didn’t require medical attention on their own. It was cheaper that way and neither of them had insurance.
When you were poor you made due with what you could.
“Do you want ice for your bruises?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:07 pm
It didn't seem to matter to Rob whether or not the teenager actually had any medical experience or background. His frown twisted into a deeper scowl as he whined, “Do you realize what I do for a living? I need my feet for court. For standing up and greeting clients! For….for everything! What am I supposed to do, get a maid?”
Slowly but surely, Robert had to acknowledge to himself that although he could continue to act snappy, the younger man had nothing to do with his personal woes and had clearly been trying to help him.
Ugh.
“Yeah, if you don't mind.” Which translated into the closest thing to a yes, please as Rob could manage for the moment.
Hazel eyes scanned the teen, taking inventory of the numerous injuries plaguing the other man - the other man who was clearly putting his needs ahead of his own.
Rob wasn't sure what to make of that.
“Grab some for both of us and take a seat, Kavinsky.” The brunette was doing his best to use his authoritative voice, “Then we can get you patched up and sent back home to your girlfriend or whoever the heck is waiting on you back at home.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:07 pm
“S’not my ******** problem.” He snapped right back, expression twisting into a glare as he had a stare off with the lawyer. “You act so ******** smart, I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” Kavinsky did not stop the sneer from taking up his expression or bleeding into his voice.
He nearly threw everything down and stomped off instead. <******** Banks for being an ungrateful d**k about how K was tending to his wounds. ******** him for acting superior just because he had a fancy job that afforded him luxuries. Just---
“Пошёл на.”
Kavinsky had already rocked back onto the balls of his feet and was standing, failing to hide the wince as his muscles and bruise ached in protest. “Lose the ******** attitude or you can deal with this s**t on your own.” The muscles in his arms twitched when hands became fists and the hardness of his expression implied that he wasn’t ******** around.
There wasn’t anything for him to gain if he stuck around. He wasn’t getting paid, he wasn’t Rob’s ******** buddy who might get laid if he was ‘sweet’ enough, this wasn’t a job. He stuck around because he was trying to be nice and look where it ******** got him.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:08 pm
He received a glare in return as hazel eyes narrowed at the Russian’s comment tossed in his direction. He didn’t know what any of it meant, but if it was coming out of an angry Kavinsky - it wasn’t anything good.
Rob was getting close to telling him to ******** off, then, if he was so much trouble… when he recalled the help the other man had given him, both in the mirror world and as he’d limped his way out of it. Sure, the room full of reflections hadn’t been anything more than aggravating, but as soon as the floor had given way and the real terrifying adventure had begun, they’d stuck together as if they actually were chummy with one another.
“Look,” he almost barked through gritted teeth, his words softening as he seemed to be struggling with the words, “I appreciate...everything. Like, that whole obstacle course from hell s**t - the patch up. I don’t even know how to begin to explain this crap to my office, but…”
One hand brushed through his hair as he sighed. “I wouldn’t be around you hadn’t stuck around, alright? I get that. And. Y’know. Thanks. Seriously.”
Shaking his head, he tried his best to act nonchalantly (and failing). The wince hadn’t gone unnoticed, instantly making Rob feel like the spoiled child in the situation - and nobody let him feel bad like that.
“Here, I’ll get the damn ice - you sit down, you need it for your own problems,” feet fell over the edge of the couch and Rob pushed off, stubborn and determined to make his way to the kitchen. The only thing he did manage to make was a stumble,wounded feet screaming out in pain as he quickly lost his balance and came tumbling forward.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:09 pm
He had expected more of a fight. Kavinsky had braced himself for the snark to be slapped across his face and for himself to storm out of the house, or be told to leave. Flashes of the last argument with Isaiah passing across his thoughts reminded him that outside of Ellis, no one cared to deal with him for long.
His mouth had opened, some harsh rebuttal on his tongue that immediate jumped ship in the wake of a long winded apology that avoided actually apologizing.
He hadn’t expected it and it showed in the way he swayed in place. His jaw was clenched tightly together and silver eyes narrowed like he expected this to be some sort joke.
Banks kept going and he found his jaw loosening and fists uncurling.
It proved to be just in time because Banks had stupidly gotten up and ******** fell. With a sigh he stepped into the man’s space and kept him from toppling over. One second of hesitation later and Kavinsky was scooping up Banks like he was a new bride. “Don’t be an idiot, you can’t walk.”
Irritation was evident but he was carrying the man towards the stairs. “You’re going to bed.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:10 pm
He fully expected that his face would get a personal, one on one view of his own carpet fibers when strong hands suddenly had him propped up. The support came as a surprise, but nothing prepared him for when he was lifted into the air. Scooped off from his footing, it was a bewildering, weightless experience that had both arms flailing out dramatically, as if Rob fully expected to be released at any moment.
“What the fu-”
Eyes wide, his close and personal experience was now happening - but not with his carpet. Face now inches away from his own, the scent of the younger man's sweat was far more apparent, mingled with the faint whiff of his fading deodorant. Cologne? No, Kavinsky didn't seem to be the type to wear cologne. Then again, Kavinsky also didn't seem the type to be plucking up grown men as if they were infants. Rob himself had barely been able to cross the threshold with his ex, but here was this burly Russian who was treating him like a fussy woman, complete with ordering him to bed???
“T-This is completely unnecessary, you realize,” he managed to sputter, ears and cheeks growing bright red as the stairs creaked beneath their combined weight. His extended hand smacked the wall and he automatically drew it in without a second thought and before he realized it, his hand was wrapping over the other man's shoulder. Fingers extended out and he raised it slightly, unsure of what to do. Finally, his tense form finally relaxed, slumping as he silently gave up. After all, squirming would only end with them both tumbling down the stairs.
God, this was humiliating.
“I'm not some kind of helpless woman, Kavinsky,” he added, grumbling softly.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:10 pm
Even in his bruised and battered state, Kavinsky was still a strong burly thing of a teenager. His frame was muscular at the least and he had spend enough time picking fights in juvie to know how to grin and bear the aching of his body after a beating.
“Hush.” It was more of a command than a request as Kavinsky was already ascending the stairs.
Fingers dig into the body parts he was holding as if it say hold still. His footsteps were heavy, clear evidence of the exhaustion that tried to overtake him. Being tired was nothing new, it was his constant state of being for the most part. Aching was a constant in his life as well, he could handle it.
Robert Banks was a pampered thing of a man who might as well been a fussy woman as he protested.
“You could have fooled me,” he barked, hints of a chuckle following as he reached the last few stairs. “You can’t walk, stop acting like you’re capable of things you’re not. It’s annoying.” The door to the man’s bedroom was pushed open with some difficulty and Banks was deposited on the bed with less care than he had been carried.
“Sleep.” He instructed, turning to take his leave.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:10 pm
He was unceremoniously dropped on top of the bed, a strangled, unmanly noise escaping as his a** made contact with the soft bedding. His head lifted up from the pillow as weight rested on his elbows.
“Wait, you're just….”
Frowning, he stared at the backside of the worn out looking teenager. After everything they'd just gone through together, he was just going to… leave? Wasn't there supposed to be some silent camaraderie between them now? Or at least the opportunity to sit down together and laugh at how absolutely ridiculous the adventure had been? To laugh as a means of coping with the fact they almost died together?
And he was just...dismissing him like that?
It shouldn't have bothered Rob. K was an a*****e, he never pretended to be anything other than the normal, disgruntled being he always was. So why was it bugging him this much??
Swallowing, his eyebrows pressed together as he Robert Banks, attorney at law, sulked like a child.
“Aren't you going to get us ice?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:12 pm
At the stuttered, broken question Kavinsky halted, glancing over his shoulder as one hand wrapped around the doorknob.
“Just what Banks?” He growled, still clearly annoyed. The lawyer had a tendency to beat around the bush and the teenager was the type of man who got right to the point. Unlike pants less on the bed, he didn’t have the luxury of time wasting.
Once the man spit it out, he was met with a cold silver stare. K’s lips were parted slightly and it was obvious that he was exhaling through his mouth, pushing the air upward and across his nose. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll get you your ******** ice.”
Giving his companion no time to respond he had turned on his heel and stomped out of the room. Each step down the stairs creaked with his heavy footsteps and the slamming of drawers could be heard as he was clearly rummaging around for a ziplock bag before the creak and groan of the ice maker eclipsed everything else.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:13 pm
He should have let him leave. ********.
What was he doing?
Both hands flew up to his face as he fell back onto the bed, head hitting the surface of his pillow as he drew fingers across his tired, aching features. He could already tell from feeling that his hair was an absolute mess, that there were various cuts and bruises threatening to begin swelling under his eyes and across one cheek.
K didn't look like he was faring much better with his appearance, save for the fact he could still walk on both feet fairly easily in comparison to the lawyer. He probably felt like s**t, he probably didn't need to be tending to a stranger. But here he was, making second trips even, for a man he'd always seemed more annoyed by than anything else.
What in the hell was going on?
He listened, helpless to change his mind, as the sound of someone rummaging through his kitchen echoed from the hallway and down the stairs.
“I hope you got some for you,” he called out, mind scrambling on what to say when the giant Russian finally made his return to Robert’s bedroom.
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