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 Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:42 am
The next time Percy opened his eyes, it was in the Springs. It couldn’t have been very long, because the water around him was still red. The new water would cycle through and wash everything out in time, but it took a couple minutes.
Immediately, he looked around for Devyn who, naturally, hadn’t left his side.
Tears quickly filled his eyes as he turned to him, despite the pain of moving, and put his hands on Devyn’s face so he could press a desperate kiss to his lips. He’d powered down at some point and the necklace pulsed once more against his chest where it belonged. Just like how Devyn belonged in his arms.
Other than Devyn, which was of course the most important thing to notice upon waking, he realized they were in one of the enclosed, private pools in the Springs. One that he liked to use. One they’d used many times before.
Percy kissed Devyn again. And again. He kissed his cheeks, his nose, his eyes-- anywhere he could reach, before settling more heavily against him for a moment as he embraced him with his face pressed against his neck.
“I love you,” he choked on a sob, his voice scratchy and weak. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of this. Thank you for saving me.”
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:54 am
“Perce,” Alastor said softly, only now a bit more aware of how much damage he’d done to his throat. Percy wasn’t awake to tell him not to gulp down spring water before they bloodied it. “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. I was in the area. I heard something was going on, I couldn’t just not stop in.”
He’d powered down briefly when they first arrived here, and then back again immediately. He’d nearly depleted more strength than he had and his body had been kind enough to keep this information from him until they were safe in the Springs. He was soaking up what energy he could, and though he held Percy close to him he had the haphazard contents of his subspace pocket spilled out around the edge of the Springs like he’d been looking for something.
He had all sorts of things to keep him going in emergencies, and he just wanted to make sure he had everything ready if needed.
His stitches were undone and some of the sap he’d smeared over himself had hardened and agitated the skin, but he wasn’t bleeding as much as he could have been. He had a few cuts and scrapes, more bruises than anything else. He hadn’t prioritized himself; he wasn’t going to bleed out. He was a little light headed, but that could have just been the warmth of the springs, or the relief of having Percy in his arms.
Alastor had been tending to him first, carefully peeling off his clothes so he could see what Percy needed treated. He didn’t want him to be stuck in bloodied garments.
He’d scrubbed Princess’ fang clean and had it resting by the side of the water, in clear view and easy reach.
“Don’t move too much, Love of my Lives. You’re safe, but I can see that you’re hurt. I want you to take it easy, if you can. And if there’s anything you need, let me know. I have medicine to ease the pain, I’ve already pulled it out. And snacks, in case you missed lunch.”
As he held Percy, he scooped a handful of water and brought it to his hair to rinse out some of the dried blood.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:04 pm
Percy was quiet while Devyn spoke, while he scooped water into his hair to rinse the blood out.
His heart hurt, but for more reasons than everything that just happened.
His wrists were raw and bloodied from being tied. Half of his face felt like it was bruising. He could still taste blood in his mouth, likely from cutting his cheek. It hurt to move and breathe, but he was certain if he looked under the water he would be able to see the various cuts and bruises. He would have to have someone make sure his ribs healed properly.
Percy could also see that Devyn was hurting. He could hear the hoarseness in his voice.
Gently, Percy used the edge of the pool to push himself back. He tried not to make any pained expressions as he did so, but couldn’t quite manage it.
“Where are you hurt?” he insisted, looking Devyn in the eye.
He knew lies when he heard them. He knew he’d told Devyn it was okay if he lied, but sometimes he really, really wished he wouldn’t. He was in the area -- as if Percy didn’t keep track of Devyn’s schedule. As if he didn’t help plan it out. He knew Devyn was trying to lighten the blow of things. He knew he was trying to protect him.
While Percy loved him for that, he also hated feeling like he couldn’t be trusted to handle the truth.
“I’m not a child…” he said quietly, biting his lip so hard he almost drew blood. “You used to come to me anytime you were--”
Percy stopped himself and lowered his eyes again. Was it worth causing Devyn more stress? He knew that Devyn keeping things from him was as much to protect himself as it was to protect Percy. That didn’t mean Percy had to like it.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:13 pm
“Percy.”
Alastor took Percy’s hand and drew it to his lips, where he kissed the back gently.
“Come back to me, don’t go so far away. You’re supposed to be taking it easy.”
He opened his arms expectantly, almost pleadingly. “You can’t put me back together if you’re falling apart. Soak in the water with me, let me see where you’re most hurt. You can help me figure out where I’m hurt. I wasn’t paying much attention, I just wanted to be here. I’ve got a cut on my arm,” he said, but only because it was bleeding and he could see it. “And I pulled some stitches. But I don’t want you trying to use your magic or anything to heal me right now, Perce. I love you, come here and kiss me. I can see you biting your lip. You’ve been hurt enough, don’t make me see anymore.”
He rubbed his thumb over the back of Percy’s hand and took a step forward to be closer.
“I’m sure Dr. Eld and Lucien are getting supplies ready, they’re both worried about us. If you want to help patch me up, you can. But we’ll both be better off in the Springs until then.”
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:16 pm
“Dr. Eld is here? And Lucien?” he stared at Devyn in surprise, but then again, he couldn’t remember much between waking up to Devyn being there and going to the Springs. It was as though things were slowly catching up to him.
“Sessrumnir is safe?” he then asked. He could only assume Devyn’s presence meant it was, but with Madison and Lucien there--
“Marius and Celyn, they’re okay?” His head was spinning again, but he stopped biting his lip, and when Devyn stepped closer, Percy of course moved back to rest against him. He wanted to hear his heart beat, to feel his warmth. To know he was real.
Percy wasn’t upset with Devyn. How could he be? He’d done something likely impossible to reach him. He was sorely tempted to place his hand over the wound on Devyn’s arm, but Devyn had clearly learned to read his mind over the years. Just as Percy had learned to read Devyn’s. Or at least read between what was being shared and omitted.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:19 pm
“Yes, they’re here,” Devyn answered patiently, once more scooping water to pour through Percy’s hair. “And Serge. He’s got his soldiers making sure everything is safe, they’re cleaning things up. Sessrumnir is safe. Marius and Celyn are at the Hall, with Lukas I think. Oh, I have Princess, too. Her fang, at least.”
He held Percy close as he spoke, and he kept his voice gentle to keep him calm. He was tired, but his pulse was steady and stable.
Occasionally, he dipped his arm in the water to wash away the blood. It wasn’t as bad as it had been so he wasn’t too worried about Percy seeing it now. Especially with his uniform refreshed, he looked much better than he felt.
“And the boy you were with, he’s alive. They said he’d been stabbed but the wound had healed. Did you have something to do with that? Sessrumnir’s lights were acting oddly but it brought me right to you.”
It was easier to talk to Percy, to try and reassure him that everything–everyone was okay. Everyone that he knew about, at least. Better to give him the good news than let him worry about what condition Devyn was in, anyway. Especially when Devyn himself didn’t really even know beyond ‘alive’ and ‘okay’.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:40 pm
Percy let out a sigh of relief when Devyn pointed out Princess’s fang. He wanted to call her out immediately and make sure she was okay, but he could kind of sense that she was okay to rest for a little while. He would have to snuggle her later.
And finding out that the boy who had been stabbed was alive was a relief as well, although there was only feigned surprise in Percy’s voice.
“Oh, that’s good, I’m glad. I don’t know him, personally. They just found him and threatened to kill him if I didn’t do what they wanted,” Percy explained, then suddenly changed his mind about calling Princess out. He made an attempt to reach around Devyn for the fang on the edge of the pool.
“You’re still in your uniform. You’re not cold, are you? I hope Lukas doesn’t mind watching them. And good thing Serge got here, but I feel bad for him having to always come and clean up my messes.”
He knew he was rambling a little, despite the weakness in his voice, eyes focused on the fang instead of looking up at Devyn for the moment. There was plenty to talk about, depending on what got Devyn’s attention.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:44 pm
“Mmhmm,” Alastor answered instinctively. Percy didn’t sound surprised about the boy like Lucien and Dr. Eld had, so obviously he knew more than he was sharing. Devyn humored him for a moment. “Serge is going to check in with us after he gets things cleared up, so you’ll have time to see him. He’s glad you’re okay. Don’t feel bad. We’re all just glad you’re safe.”
They couldn’t have predicted this. It showed then where some weaknesses were, where they could fortify. Hopefully Sessrumnir hadn’t faced many losses in the process.
“I’m sure Lukas can handle the boys. Marius is very capable, he was looking after Celyn. And we’ll do what we can to make sure he’s not stuck here with us for long. I’m glad they’re okay.”
He didn’t want to power down, he knew he’d lose a lot of energy if he did. Percy would worry if Devyn was too elusive so he figured he’d be better off with honesty. “I’m not cold, but I’m stronger like this. Now that the adrenaline’s worn off a bit I need an extra boost. I’m fine but I’ll relax more when I can make sure they didn’t hurt you too badly. You can give me a check up when I’m done with yours.”
He hated the bruises and welts and scrapes plastered over Percy’s pale skin. He wanted to kiss them, as if gentle touches could brush them away.
Percy wasn’t looking at him, he was examining the fang. Maybe he was worried about Princess or maybe he was hiding something. Devyn wouldn’t know unless he asked, so he gently cupped his cheek. “Tell me how that boy survived, won’t you? So I stop worrying. Answer me that and then I’ll answer something for you. Please. And tell me where you’re hurt, if you need treatment. I want to get you out of the rest of these clothes, and then we’ll worry about me.”
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:07 pm
Percy was chewing on his lip again. He didn’t want Devyn to worry. He had nothing to worry about! It wasn’t even that big of a deal! He was standing and was going to get better. The young student who’d gotten caught up in all of this didn’t have a chance. It wasn’t fair. Of course Percy had to do something.
“Sessrumnir just transferred some energy,” he mumbled as he let his face be turned when Devyn cupped his cheek, but he didn’t look up at him while he was speaking. “Kind of like a blood transfusion,” he forced himself to shrug.
It might mean he had to take a while longer to recover, but it was worth it if it meant saving the boy’s life. Or at least giving him a fighting chance. He didn’t yet know what the consequences of his actions would be, but since the Springs didn’t feel like they were doing much in terms of healing, and at least just keeping everything numb, he suspected he might have hindered his own recovery.
He would worry about it once he was done worrying about Devyn.
He was relieved to hear about the others, though. Lukas taking care of Marius and Celyn was good, and knowing Serge and Dr. Eld were around was a relief. He was surprised to hear that Lucien was there. He hadn’t seen the Mauvian for nearly a year.
Percy also nodded with understanding when Devyn explained being powered up and in the pool.
“My ribs are pretty sore. They might be bruised,” he admitted quietly. He didn’t want Devyn to worry. “Got a few papercuts. Cut the inside of my mouth.” Although that was probably the least he had to worry about with how his face was already starting to bruise.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:15 pm
Alastor clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Paper cuts, on my poor Percy? Well, I know a few things about that, I can help take care of you. We’ll get some ice to help with that swelling. Maybe we both could benefit from some. I’ll be sore for a while, we’ll have to soak in my bath, too.”
He cupped Percy’s chin in his hand and gently titled it upward. “Are you hiding from me? You don’t have to. You did everything right. I’m proud of you, and I’m glad to see you, Percy. I wish it were under better circumstances.” He didn’t want to talk about how far this might have set either of them back. He wasn’t going to fill his head with problems right now.
“Are your ribs bruised or broken? I admit, I’m used to feeling a bit more refreshed after soaking in your Springs but maybe I’ve just pushed myself harder than I thought. If it takes longer to heal, that’s fine. You’re alive, I’m alive. The boy’s alive. I didn’t know Sessrumnir could do that. What will it take to restore its energy?”
Percy and his Wonder were connected. Alastor didn’t know what that might mean for him so he added, “And yours?”
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:20 pm
Percy couldn’t deny Devyn when he tilted his chin up. He couldn’t deny Devyn anything. Whatever he wanted that Percy was able to give, he would have, without question. Maybe a little resistance, like not looking at Devyn in the eye when he first put his hand on his cheek, but he didn’t pull away, nor did he want to.
“I’m not sure,” he answered honestly about his ribs, although he made a face and sighed. “More likely broken. But they might not be.” He hadn’t had a chance to assess his wounds. He was too worried about everything. About what this meant.
Devyn might not want to fill his head with problems, but it was at the forefront of Percy’s mind. How could he not think about what all of this cost them, when he’d been actively trying to figure out ways to help Devyn complete his missions faster? When he was desperately trying to find a way to be with him for more than these horribly brief moments?
“I don’t know what it will take,” he admitted as well, holding up his hands so he could see the damage done to his wrists. They didn’t look like they’d healed any. The cut across his arm was still bleeding as well, when normally it would have at least closed.
“I didn’t know Sessrumnir could do it either.” But he had to try. “Maybe I’ll just need to rest and recover,” he said, hopeful.
As for the question Devyn promised he’d answer him…?
Percy looked up at him. He took Devyn’s hand and held it to his lips. He knew there were tears threatening to form as he asked. But he already knew the answer.
“We’ll never truly have the chance to be together again, will we?”
After Villefort, everything changed. The damage was done, and Devyn had so much to fix. Percy was stuck waiting, working on his own, trying to figure out ways to make things easier for Devyn.
But they would never be able to wake up and go about their day like they used to, before Villefort.
They would never be able to stop by with lunch to just chat before going back to their own duties. They would never be able to have spontaneous vacations or celebrations or adventures. Instead it was rushing to help each other if one was hurt, and then spending time while they recovered, sure, but as soon as they were better it was back to work.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:37 pm
It wasn’t the question Devyn had expected, and there was an undeniable, immediate shift on his face. He’d looked calm and put together before. Steady. A little tired, but nothing some rest couldn’t cure.
Now, he looked surprised. A little hurt, but not by Percy. He had expected a question about how he’d gotten here, what plans he’d canceled, where he was hurt. Not that.
Devyn collected himself quickly and leaned forward to rest his forehead against Percy’s.
Of course he had those thoughts. He had the doubt. He felt like a stone someone was constantly chipping away at. He felt the cracks in his foundation, felt like little pieces of him were being broken off and crushed.
He didn’t tell Percy. He was just going to keep pushing until they had a break through.
Percy had been the one that wanted to save Marius, too. If he’d been brought to justice, if they weren’t trying to protect him, this would have been so much easier. Much of this was Marius’ fault. Devyn was trying very hard not to blame him, especially when he was just a young man in desperate circumstances. It wasn’t his fault.
He didn’t want Percy to blame himself for being compassionate, but even without him saying it he knew he was talking about Villefort. Things has been so much easier before then, and they hadn’t slowed down since.
“Hey, no, no. Don’t say that, Perce. It’s not like that.”
He held him close and peppered the top of his head with kisses.
“Things are going to get better. This isn’t forever. And I know things are hard right now, but—“
But they had been hard, constantly. Devyn had to work nonstop to undo what Marius had done. He hadn’t gotten a break since even before Villefort and he’d been run ragged—and Percy had, too.
“But they’re going to get better, Percy. I promise. Things might not be the same as before but nothing is going to keep me from you. If this isn’t working for you, we’ll figure something else out.”
He didn’t know how. It felt like they were already doing everything they could. He didn’t know how he could do more, but he would. He didn’t want to see Percy like this, he didn’t want him to hurt like this.
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:46 pm
Percy knew it was his fault. Devyn didn’t have to tell him or try to make him feel better about it. It was because he wanted to give Marius another chance at life, another opportunity to live in a world that didn’t want him dead and didn’t need to make him so desperate for change that he resorted to horrible things to accomplish his goals.
He deserved justice. All of Villefort did.
But Percy knew the exact moment everything changed, and it was his fault. It had been his decision. Even before they discovered it was Marius pulling the strings.
“I shouldn’t have asked you to do as you were told,” he choked on the words and squeezed his eyes shut as tears spilled onto his cheeks anyway.
Things would get better, Devyn promised. When…? When they were old and gray? When they’d missed most of their lives together because they were trying to fix something that Percy had broken?
What would they figure out? They were doing everything they could. Nothing was good enough.
“That first night when I finally got to see you,” he explained further between breaths, knowing that Devyn must have known he was talking about Villefort during a time when he wasn't himself.
“I was told to tell you to listen and follow orders because you were resisting, but knew you’d listen to me. I’m sorry, Devyn. I was afraid of what the curse would do to you. I knew you could probably break free if I asked you, but I didn’t know at what cost. I betrayed you when I told you to comply with the orders you were given. I put my fears about your wellbeing over your integrity. I’m so, so sorry,” he sobbed.
It was a weight that had clearly been carried with him since that night. Even with his full confession, he didn’t think the weight would ever truly be lifted.
That was the turning point. If he’d asked Devyn to ignore the orders and break the curse at all costs…? Would it have hurt Devyn so badly that he wouldn’t have ever been the same? Or would he have broken free and they would have resolved everything a different way? A way that would let them be together instead of this shell of what they had before?
“Things won’t get better,” he finally said when he had enough air in his lungs around the heavy sobs. “It’ll always be like this. If not Alastor, then something with Sessrumnir. I don’t want to do this without you. I don’t want you abandoning your work every time I need help, only to give you twice as much to do to catch back up. I’m sorry, I tried to handle this on my own. If I had Princess-- if I was stronger--”
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:51 pm
“Percy,” Devyn interrupted. “Please. You’re being so hard on yourself. You didn’t betray me. I’ve never thought that. I’ve never blamed you.”
How could he? He always thought that Percy brought out the best in him.
He hated what happened. He hates Marius, he hated Villefort. Except, not really. He hated that he hadn’t gotten the chance to do things his way, he hated that Percy had to go through so much. He hated that the people of Villefort had suffered. He hated that it took so long to help them. He hated that the more he’d gotten to know Marius, the harder it was to blame him.
Devyn was mad with a rage he had nowhere to put. And maybe, one day, it would drive him mad.
But not today. He wrapped both arms around Percy and rubbed his back.
“You made a hard decision. But I wouldn’t have asked you to do anything else. You made the right choice. You took care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself, like you always do. You did everything right. Everything. You made hard decisions for us—and you saved a lot of people. More than I would have on my own. And I know there’s still good coming out of those decisions.”
Villefort was thriving, and Marius. Trade had improved. His world was healing. Things weren’t all good, but he tried to bury that. He tried to see the good in it, and not the helplessness that came from some ancient artifact puppeting his body and stealing his free will. He hated that he’d worked so hard to distance himself from the murderer he’d been in precious lives and had that snatched away from him.
In all lives he was a monster, one way or the other. He’d killed today without much thought. He’d do it again. The will to stop himself had faded. What was the point?
He could just—
No.
No, he’d said things would change for the better and he meant it. This was another bump in the road.
“You’re so strong, Percy. In ways you never give yourself credit. I’ll be strong in the ways you can’t be, and you’ll be strong in the ways I can’t be. It’s why we make such a good team. It’s why I’ll drop anything, everything, when you need me. Because I need you. And you’re right—there’s always going to be something going on, on Alastor or Sessrumnir. And it’s our jobs to fix them, and we will. Because there’s nothing we can’t do. I didn’t get a choice to be a Senshi, but Sessrumnir chose you, Perce. You have to know how important you are. You have to know how special you are. You did such a good job today. And in Villefort. I made the decision to come here. I chose to be with you. Serge was here at about the same time I was. Don’t blame yourself for any of this. I wanted to be with you. And I’m going to be on bed rest, Dr. Eld said so. And you will, too. So no matter what we’ll get a little time together now.” It wasn’t ideal, but it was something to start with. “We can figure something out. Something that works better for us, okay?”
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 2:00 pm
Of course Devyn would tell him he did everything right. Devyn didn’t want him to be upset. He fed him pretty lies and sweet words of encouragement. Percy knew Devyn wanted to protect him. He knew he loved him and cared about him and didn’t want to stress him out.
But sometimes Percy just wanted to know so he could prepare himself better. So he could make informed decisions and not wonder if Devyn was actually bleeding out under that magically fixed uniform he was wearing.
Sure, Percy might have made a hard decision, but they were now both suffering for it. He could have figured other things out if he’d done things differently. How did they know he couldn’t have saved even more if he made a different decision?
Maybe there was good coming out of his decisions, but he and Devyn were suffering for it. He never got to see his husband anymore. He never got to just relax and be happy. It was selfish, he knew. It was cruel to think that he deserved that when so many others were suffering.
He didn’t want Devyn turning into something he didn’t want to become. But Percy told Devyn to kill. He told Devyn to listen to his orders and do everything he was told, knowing-- knowing that people would die by Devyn’s hand.
“I don’t want to be a Knight any more,” he sobbed in a moment of distress. At that very moment, all he wanted was to be with his husband. He wanted to be by his side and comfort him when he was having a bad day, and help him on his journey to Alastor’s recovery. “I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to--”
He knew it was the equivalent to having a tantrum, and only something he’d ever say to Devyn in private. Whether he really meant what he said or if he was just desperate to be with Devyn… the Wonder itself didn’t seem to take offense. For now, all Percy wanted to do was cry, because whatever was better for them would never last. And he knew Devyn knew it as well.
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