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 Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:42 am
"I would only ask that you meet him," Nataniel assured softly as he nosed up the column of December's throat to plant a light kiss beneath his ear. His arms curled around the smaller man's waist, legs tangled against December's, and sheets kicked low around their feet. There was absolutely no way Nataniel could ever justify sleeping as late as December did or staying in bed until eleven in the morning, even after his worst nights. As someone who wasn't an impatient man, he had intended to let his snowy-haired companion rouse himself in his own time, but... Nataniel was restless.
He'd left much earlier in the morning, per his norm. He'd come home sweaty, taken a shower, ate his breakfast, texted his address to the number scrawled on a slip of paper given to him by a certain dog boy and... waited.
Nataniel was capable of entertaining himself certainly. There was a brief two-week interim between his summer classes ending and the fall semester starting, so even though he didn't have school work to attend to, he could busy himself with caring for his pet chinchilla, folding laundry, or playing a handful of quick Overwatch matches on his computer. But when December still hadn't woken and there was to be another guest in his home in the very near future, Nataniel had decided he'd waited long enough.
He'd slunk back into his bed, carded fingers through soft, white hair and leaned in to murmur quiet encouragement to the sleeping, oblivious idiot curled up on his mattress.
Even after all dog-boy's warnings, Nataniel had never told December he'd met with another agent, never mentioned that they'd had a conversation about December, that threatened December, himself, never implied that when his fingers slid down the splotchy purple bruises over December's throat that Nataniel was thinking about what he ought to do about it... Until now, anyway, a scant few seconds after rousing the young man enough that he might have some decent comprehension of the situation.
"This is preferable, is it not?" Nat asked quietly as he skated a hand slowly up and back down December's back. "At least I will be here with you."
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:53 am
"Mm..." Most times, December could awaken at the drop of a hat. The slightest of sounds would stir him awake in panic and fear, anticipating a fist to hit him or hands to pin him down. That feeling never seemed to come around when he found himself at Nataniel's place.
It was so comfortable and warm, Nataniel's touches gentle and comforting, that he could sleep forever. And often times he did just that. It wasn't hard for him to simply fall asleep, cozied up by the man's side and sleeping until someone finally prodded him awake. He honestly couldn't remember if he had ever been woken up so sweetly.
No matter how sweet it was, it hardly prepared him for the news that someone was coming. Someone Nat talked to about him. Another agent.
Panic replaced absolutely everything he had felt up until that moment.
"W-why would you....?" The hand that rubbed his back did nothing to steel his nerves, or push back the fear that caused his heart to race. "What did I do...? Why would you talk to them! They can hurt you and..... And if they are stronger than me, I can't protect you from them... Nat, you told them where you lived! We can't be here... Something... What if something bad happens?! What if they tried to steal your starseed?! Why would you talk to them...?"
He was crying, it happened so fast that he didn't even realize it until he gave a soft sob, fingers gripping tight against Nat's shirt. "... He's going to turn me into my general.... I won't ever get to see you again... Why...? Did I mess up...?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:47 am
Winter had arrived at the address. He had been waiting to see if he'd get a message on the burner phone he kept, an essential when you didn't want to mix business with questionable conferences with civilians. In the meantime, he had asked about the officer but they hadn't been around in the past few days. Where they busy or simply hiding after Nat had warned them? Either way, if the man decided to run, he'd find him.
The text was curt and to the point and he responded in much the same way. At the time and date, he was dropped off and walked the way to the apartment. Since being a Negaverse officer strutting the streets was dumb, he came as the unassuming human guise. He was sure Nat might have questions as Winter never brought up who else he was.
With a knock on the door, he waited, hands in his zip-hoodie's pockets and looking up and down the hallway lazily.
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Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:13 am
He felt the waking tension as it crawled through December's frame. Nataniel would be lying if he said this was exactly what he'd anticipated. He'd expected curiosity at best, perhaps some anxiety since the information had been sprung upon December so suddenly, but outright fear so obvious that even someone with Nataniel's limited perception of emotions could pick up? It seemed...
Unnecessary.
"There were few alternatives," he answered dismissively, looping a finger through the snowy locks at the back of December's neck and giving a firm tug to drag the younger man's focus back to his face. "You do not have the ability to protect me from anything. That much is obvious when the marks on you indicate you can't even protect yourself." He rolled his shoulders. Considering his friend's nearly-chaotic emotional state and dismal lack of intelligence, Nat doubted information would assuage the worst of his worries, as it would for Nat, himself, if their roles were reversed.
Still, it was at least courteous to try. "Besides, I had met this one before I even knew about you, so it isn't as though he is a complete stranger..." It probably didn't merit mentioning that he'd never learned dog-boy's name, and both times they'd come face-to-face had involved someone having their energy drained...
There came a knock, and Nataniel's gaze flicked toward the apartment door, then back.
"Enough," he murmured firmly, drawing a hand up the side of December's neck and smoothing a thumb across his cheek to wipe his tears away. "No one has hurt you, and the faster you get ahold of yourself, they less likely they will be to try." Nat slipped from the bed and rose to his feet, flicking fingers down the front of his shirt to straighten the fabric as he moved toward the door. "Get dressed. Something presentable, please." None of the holey, tattered things from December's old wardrobe.
When he opened the door, he expected to see dog-boy. Though he had seen December power up and down and was aware that there were two sides to the same person, he had never wondered what dog-boy's other side might be. No one he knew, surely. Why would it be?
An uneasy prickle skated up the length of his spine, coalescing in the taste of acid at the back of his throat. He recognized the boy at his door, from just the vaguest memories of one night at the club. "Winter," Nataniel hissed softly, as close to a greeting as he could bring himself.
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Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:57 am
The tug to his hair did what it was meant to, redirecting December's shaken focus back onto Nataniel's eyes. It was a harsh truth to be told, but even he wasn't so naive to doubt anything that was being said.
He was weak and he couldn't protect anyone. Not himself, not Nataniel, not even some random civilian who may be attacked. In all the times he met a youma on the field, it was always Fettelite being rescued.
Maybe this person was here to make him tougher, not to simply punish him... The way Nataniel spoke seemed to point at that...
When was the last time someone comforted him...? That simple action of a finger against his cheek settled his heart just enough to earn a weak nod. "... I will try..."
Once alone again, he rubbed his eyes multiple times, patting his cheeks to somehow fix that anxiety and fear in the few minutes he had until he would be called out again. Clothing was easy, being presentable was easy.
Throwing away that fear and being sturdy enough to not panic the moment he saw whoever was coming... He wasn't sure if he could, but he could try... The hesitation was still there, and he couldn't bring himself to leave the bedroom, figuring it would be best to just wait to be called. Any extra second he could have to steel himself would be for the better.
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Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:20 am
The hissing tone had him smiling back. "You remembered my name. I'd be flattered but I don't think you actually care."
He held up his phone. "Got your message. I guess now is as good as a time as any to mention that I'm Leuitenant Wolframite." He said this casually before glancing past Nat and into the room behind him. He could see the other member.
"Can I come in? I have a limited amount of time to be like this and time is wasting."
He waited and for the longest time, Nat didn't move. It was to the point Winter was about to ask again before the taller man moved aside.
Not about to push it, he walked in and stood in the middle of the room. "Where is he?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 1:42 pm
He'd known. The thought rang so loudly in Nataniel's mind that it drowned out everything else. Winter- or dog-boy or whatever his name was- had known it was him when they met at the bar. Nat stared at the boy in his doorway, eyes darkening and lips slowly settling into more of a snarl. He'd known afterwards, too. The second time Nat met him as Wolframite, and Nat had been oblivious to the knowledge that the two were the same person. One he had to coerce into making deals with him, practically begged as far as Nat's standards were concerned. And one he'd ******** dog-boy had had the audacity to act as though Nataniel were asking for something impossible, when he asked for someone to help stupid December.
It would be all he could think about. Some cross between knowing what he'd done to this boy and frustration at how nonchalant Winter was about showing up in his house. ...But it was ridiculous to be offended. Despite the acrid taste on his tongue and roiling upset in his gut, Nataniel understood why the information had been kept from him. A civilian wasn't to know their identities, right? It was still obnoxiously upsetting. He hated knowing people he slept with. He shouldn't know any of his flings. He didn't want to.
But there was little to do about it now. Nataniel shut the door behind Winter and locked it, shutting his eyes as he faced the closed door and drawing in a steadying breath. It... was fine. There was no need for these sensations. They were unnecessary. He turned on his heel and flicked a beckoning hand over his shoulder for Winter to join him before moving back toward his bedroom. "Not trying to go back to sleep, I hope," Nat answered Winter's question of where December might be loud enough for his voice to carry.
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Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:33 am
December was half a moment away from crawling back into that bed of Nat's... If he were to sleep again, then he could hide, and pretend that none of this was happening.
As if he were a mind reader, Nataniel's words cut through his mind and poor Dessy near jumped out his skin, scrambling for the door that he had closed almost entirely before. Had he had ears and a tail, they'd been flat against his head and right between his legs as he peeked out of the door and into the living room.
... Whoever this person was, they were alot less scary than he had imagined. His general was a huge man, powerful and intimidating and this one... Well, he was shorter than December and maybe a little more slim. How strange!
Curiosity beat out fear with each step he took out of the bedroom, ending when he stood just a little bit behind Nataniel. Even if that fear was subsiding just a wee little bit, he was still nervous.
"I... Um... H-hello..."
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Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:05 am
He smiled plesantly as if he was invited over for a consultation about some interior design options instead of navigating the messy situation of Negaverse hierarchy and pacts. The place was cozy, quant, and he gave a few little turned to glance around here and there. He had no recollections of homes. Couldn't ever remember where he grew up or where he had lived, and for that he was always mildly interested in things like this.
At Nat’s call, Winter found it a bit insulting the other couldn't muster up the gravity of the situation enough to stay awake. Still, the call had rustled the mouse from it's hole they arrived to slink up behind Nat. The inner youma in him disected the body language.
Apprehensive. Nervous. Desire to be protected by Nat. So they didn't feel strong enough to fight Winter or confront him.
"Good of you to join us. I'm Lieutenant Wolframite. Glamoured, I'd be called Winter. Nice to meet you." He said, and offered his hand in an attempt at a hand shake and to get December to step forward away from his guard.
"Can we sit and talk? We need to hash out a few things and I have yet to hear what you two think about this decision and what you know. I also want to know about your expectations. You can also ask me anything at any point."
He glanced to find a place to sit.
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Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 1:18 pm
This was, truly, a great heap of effort for Nataniel to go through just for someone he'd met on the internet. That December was in his home was already a stretch from what Nat would've considered plausible even just a month ago. Forget allowing anyone to spend the night. And now... Winter was only scarcely more than a stranger, and Nat had invited him in as well, for the benefit of someone else. It was a lot of hoops to jump through for something that felt as though it should be much easier to resolve.
There were many reasons for him to be annoyed.
But December peeked from the room at Nat's call, and he tried to keep himself focused on the goal he'd set. It was irrational to allow an unnecessary degree of harm to come to December when it threatened the stability and comfort of the... begrudging bond they'd come to share. The boy had quite literally climbed from his bed, so to call it anything less than that was complete basic nonsense. And since Nataniel lacked the ability to hold his own against anyone here, it could only be that he relied on someone else.
It was near impossible to rely too heavily and with too much faith on anyone without proper incentive. He eyed Winter skeptically. Nataniel still didn't know what exactly an incentive entailed for this man, despite the argument over it in their last meeting.
Nataniel turned his head as December approached his back and dipped to brush his lips quickly across his cheek and mutter in his ear, "Don't stutter."
He moved back toward the living room. Even though it was slightly more risk in that it was an open invitation for his roommate to come upon them, seating was limited in his bedroom, and the room was significantly smaller, at that. Here at least, everyone should have enough space, enough distance between them, to feel more comfortable.
"You know what I know," Nataniel answered as he took up a seat in a chair at the corner of the room, extending a hand to December in silent demand that the other join him. "And I haven't told December anything about our meeting, only that I assumed you would be here, since I asked you to be."
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 11:28 am
There were no reassurances from Nat, only the order to not stutter.
"Lieutenant Fettelite... It's nice to meet you. " So it was a Lieutenant before him... At least that took a little bit of the tension away. They were the same rank... Chambersite came to mind, as did Fafnir. Both of them had been low ranked 'soldiers' who had been kind to him before... As was Tetra, when he was tied to chairs and beaten back over in Witzend. As terrifying as the Negaverse was, there were kind people..
Maybe there was a little hope that this Wolframite would be kind too.
"You can call me December. It's funny, I think, both our names are cold..." The name made him smile just a little, and when he shook the offered hand, he kept his grip firm. Whip after whip of a spoon across the back of his hand taught him to lose the weak grip back when May was still alive.
Slowly, there was a little confidence that came back to him, but he was still obedient and letting Nat take charge, sitting beside him in the living room.
"I don't really know much of anything of the situation... Just something about you being able to help, but help with what, I'm not too sure... I thought I was doing well, doing exactly what my General told me to do... I don't think there's any need for punishment, right...?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 11:58 am
"It's the name I adopted when I was recorrupted. It was winter when I youmafied and I do not remember my names previously. I was a general in the past. I have about 8 years of experience in the Negaverse." He said this simply but with an air of someone tired as he went to take a seat.
"So I will say I can gauge what is tolerated and isn't. If we were in the old days, things would be a lot more dire for your situation. Things have more room these days. Less blood on the marble and a lot more talking." He said as he leaned back. "Less people thrown through windows." He said with a amused smile.
"As I have heard. You need protection and help. To know what the Negaverse and it's long history is about and how it operates. I can do that. If need be, I have no hesitation to take out an obstacle. I have done it plenty of times. I also can serve well in protecting you." He set his palms in his lap as he stared directly at Fettelite. " I also have a item enginered by the Mauvians to take damage from others. It should help in normalizing your civilian life a bit more by having to look a little less banged up from a fight. I have the luxury of not needing to worry about that as I live in the Negaverse."
His eyes then moved to Nat. "I am also here because your friend has a few names under his belt and has been talking around. You have also disclosed a lot of information to him that you really shouldn't have done. Usually it wouldn't be so bad if you were capable of protecting yourself and him from the kind of attention and danger that brings, but his fearlessness is going to cause issues. He is a liability."
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 2:19 pm
He had to keep from rolling his eyes at December's mentioning of the shared similarities between his and Winter's names. Nataniel had remembered thinking for each of them that no decent parent would choose such an absurd title for their son. ...But then he supposed neither had. He doubted the 'decentness' of any of December's family, and Winter had apparently named himself. Nat stood by the thought.
The restlessness he'd expected to abate at dog-boy's arrival still persisted, growing progressively into something closer to outright agitation. He'd been a general. But wasn't, anymore, due to circumstances Nat expected were unfavorable. Now he wasn't any better off than December.
Eight years of experience or not, why would Nat possibly think someone with the same rank as Fettelite be suitable to care for him?
Perhaps he'd assumed, since just due to unlikely happenstance Nataniel had seen dog-boy more than once, that that meant he was out more, doing more, better prepared for whatever they were in. More familiar with it. And maybe he was, but a needle of doubt threaded its way through Nataniel, that dog boy would be the best choice for looking after December. It stabbed deeper at the mention of 'blood on the marble,' exactly what Nat had argued made this group weaker. A lack of tolerance for people fighting for their cause. The mindset that every individual could be treated and trained the same.
Dog boy was no different. Inflexible, unreasonable, mindless sociopaths.
He did roll his eyes at the mention of a special item that siphoned damage from someone else. For what purpose. Absolutely ridiculous for an agent suited to battle to take damage and make himself worse off in a fight, when he should be the one dealing the hits and should remain in a state to do so.
"You are the only one I have spoken to, so do not imply that I go discussing December's life with everyone I meet. I chose you because I have seen and felt you work, and I expected someone with your propensity for being around and about would make you valuable in looking after him where I am unable to do so, but I am starting to doubt that decision."
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 3:13 pm
While they both had cold names, Winter definitely came off as the colder one.
"Eight years... And you're a Lieutenant now... But what happened? Did you get in trouble?" December couldn't help but ask outloud, covering his mouth as he realized it was an insult to say such things. "I'm sure all that time you um... You've gotten alot of what you said, alot more um... Knowledge of how our organization works!"
He looked over to Nat, noticing the irritation, the eyerolls... Slowly they were getting closer, but not so close that December could know exactly what was going through his mind. No need to wait long though...
"I.. Well, I was told by my General that I'd be punished for what I did... And I was. Over and over, and I understand why. I'd do anything to protect Nataniel, and my General knows.... I don't lie to him. I promise, I'm not causing any problems, and when I do, I get punished... And I pay my General the way he asks. So... I don't need any protection.... I really, really appreciate what you're trying to do but, I promise, it's all taken care of."
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 3:50 pm
"Disagreements with our tentative allies, the Dark Moon Court. I wanted them dead. The Queen already knows my history and allowed my return. I spoke to her directly on the matter." He explained in order to allieviate any concerns that it wasn't just any nobody of a general that let him return. "As I said, I had spent a good deal of time in the Negaverse."
"Being promoted is something I don't see as not happening. This isn't my first rodeo." He said. "Ranking is earned. It's a permission to be allowed more power as to not waste the resources out into an officer. But it isn't everything in a fight."
"I have been here since near the beginning when the Negaverse's branch in Destiny City. Before the Queen came into power. Before even the Rift was open. So yes, I know a great deal." He said, crossing his arms.
"You spoke to Mali. I have suspicious you spoke to others. I know that senshi by the way. And why would you doubt I wouldn't be around. I'm being serious. If I'm doing this, it would be 100% a responsibility I'd take to the fullest. I don't half-a**." He said with a grit of his teeth. "If you want to say what you are concerned about, then say it."
He then turned back to December. "What do you mean you pay your General? And how is he punishing you? Who is your superior?' He asked, suspicious. What officer paid their superior? It sounded shady as hell. It was one thing to punish an officer when they stepped out of line but paying? What kinda punk was this person.
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