Chapter Text
Jake wasn't expecting a welcome party or anything, but the silence of their home is deafening. The only noise is the hum of electricity. It's so quiet, in fact, that he can hear his own heart beating. His body feels like lead, and his mind is still reeling from the events of the past few hours.
They simply walked into Indie's quarters and you'd think she'd at least give him a tour. Maybe they'd have a cute little chat. But no, she just walks in and plops down on the couch with a huff, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. Jake stands awkwardly in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do or say.
Her space is some interesting mini-penthouse, tall ceilings, with a spacious living area, a dining area and an open kitchen with sleek counters, an island bar, and appliances that look like they were pulled right out of some futuristic movie.
There is a hallway with a few doors that he guesses leads to bedrooms.
"I'm gonna get some stuff done," Indie mutters. "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable."
Jake nods. "Thank you."
He stands there for a minute, before deciding to take a seat on the couch next to her. For that, she looks at him like he's a bug on her shoe and rises to her feet like he's offended her.
The witch stands, shaking her head as she walks away, and then she's leaning over the countertop, and staring at something in her tablet. She begins typing furiously, as if she's working on a complicated task.
"Don't you dare try to escape," she warns. "I will hunt you down. Don't even think about it."
Jake blinks. "I wouldn't. I swear."
He doesn't even know where he would go if he did escape. He's pretty sure that they would find him and bring him back.
What irks him is how the sweetness and tenderness she'd showed, that he'd worked for at much expense...their rapport has evaporated like smoke, leaving the hard, cold shell that she uses to guard herself. Jake sits quietly, trying not to disturb her. Is this the right thing to do?
She was so nice earlier...and now she's being distant and cold again. It makes him feel so confused and frustrated.
Jake tries to recall the origin of that change and it was when they'd crossed the threshold of her doors and she had seemingly successfully acquired her objective.
But Jake can tell she is upset. It's all in her face. She doesn't want him here, but she's trying to be polite. And that's worse.
He feels like a burden. What did he do wrong? She flipped so quickly, and it's all because of him. He has to figure out how to make this right. He has to fix it.
It's now even worse with the way she's pushed away he tablet and is now hunched over the countertop, pressing her fingers into her temples. The frustration seems to be building with every passing moment. He has to say something, but he doesn't know what to say.
"What's wrong?"
Indie doesn't answer. The only response he gets is her hands flying to granite, squeezing and scratching, the force of the impact making the entire structure rattle.
She's angry. At him. She must be.
Indie finally turns to him, and her eyes are wild and filled with rage.
"Nothing," she snaps. "Just leave me alone."
Jake swallows hard. "Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine."
She turns away from him again, and he feels like she's hiding something from him. She's gritting her teeth and glaring at nothing, her body tense and rigid.
"Are you sure?" Jake presses. "You seem upset."
Indie shakes her head. "No, I'm not. I'm just tired."
That's a lie. She's lying to him. Why would she lie to him? He didn't do anything wrong.
He's just trying to be helpful. She's treating him like an inconvenience. Why is she acting like this?
Jake sighs. "I can't tell if you're lying or not, but you seem...upset."
Indie glares at him. "Well, I'm not. Drop it."
Indie walks toward a room which he assumes is her bedroom. This is probably stupid, but he follows her. He doesn't know what else to do. He's pretty sure she's mad at him, and he has to find a way to fix it.
"Bella," Jake whispers.
Bella's not facing him anymore, sitting on the edge of her bed instead, her posture stiff and guarded, like she might erupt at any second. Jake sits beside her.
"Talk to me. Please," Jake pleads.
She just makes a sound of annoyance.
"Why did I even bring you here? Why did I bother?" She sighs with aggravation.
The tears come immediately.
Jake lets out a ragged sob and collapses against her. Indie jumps up in shock. She pushes him away.
"What the actual...? Don't cry, oh my god."
She's so annoyed. This is all his fault. He's the problem. It's always his fault. This is why she hates him.
"I'm sorry!" he cries, his voice hoarse. "I didn't mean to make you upset, please! Please don't hate me!"
Indie groans, rubbing her temples again. She grits her teeth harder and huffs, trying to keep her composure.
"GODDAMNIT!" she yells.
The witch puts her hands in her hair and shakes, before pacing around the room in frustration.
She's furious. He's messed everything up. She's going to throw him out of her place or hurt him.
"Oh-Oh no," Jake stammers. "I'm sorry."
The witch's breaths grow shallow, panicked. Her mind begins to race. She wonders what she did wrong, how she screwed up and ruined another man's life again. She feels the panic build, his panic mirroring hers as his tears pour out of his eyes. He thinks she's going to hurt him.
She doesn't want to hurt him. She doesn't. But...he should be afraid. After everything she's done, who could blame him. He's shaking like a leaf, falling apart before her, and she doesn't want that. This is the opposite of what she wanted.
She's the one who ruined everything. Her fist finds a wall with force, a loud thud resounds. It doesn't matter anymore. She has to admit it.
She cares about Jake. And yet, all she ever does is hurt people.
"STOP FREAKING OUT!" she roars. "Please."
Jake jolts. He cowers and grips onto her sleeve, just as she clings to her life by a thin thread.
"Please don't hate me," Jake sobs. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Please. Please...please."
This only spurs on her panic even further. They are no longer her own thoughts. The more he reacts, the more she's overcome by his anxiety. If only she was smart enough to realize this sooner, he might not be panicking right now. Why did she ruin him?
"Stop," the witch growls, trying to remain steady, "Don't look at me like that. Shut up. Stop. Shut your mouth."
"Please, Bella," he mutters. "You're scaring me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Something breaks in her. Something changes. Her terror crashes and burns. Rage roars into the heavens.
"I WOULD NEVER HURT YOU, BEN!" Indie shouts, unbalanced, and without thinking.
That stops both of them. His weeping quiets. Her blood boils. Because he's not Ben. They are not the same.
Indie tries to retreat. There's a brief pivot, the full intention to stride out of the room and...where exactly? She can't leave this place. She can't...what does it matter? No one has seen this side of her, never heard her break down like this.
The witch is now just sliding down the wall, her hands ripping at her hair in frustration. She's sobbing like a child as she trembles with fear, embarrassment, anger, resentment, and a hundred more emotions that she can't name.
"I'm sorry," she sobs. "I know I'm not a good person, but I'll try...I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
She continues crying, pulling her hair tighter. The air is filled with the scent of her powers. It's crackling and sizzling. It's broken. Electric currents tear through her body and through the air like serpents, zapping, curling, crushing and ruining.
Jake watches, paralyzed. When her frazzled eyes meet his, frozen in anticipation, frozen in indecision, the intensity in the room peaks.
One half wants to flee, the other needs to stay, out of obligation or courtesy or to help his partner somehow.
"Who is Ben?" he says, his voice tremulous.
Her mouth snaps open like and all that comes out is a hysterical shriek of misery, so raw and human it wracks his body. It fills him with horror.
She's a strong-willed force of nature, despite her fears and concerns. Then this happens. She breaks down in front of him, losing her composure. She goes from a proud woman to an inconsolable mess. In one moment, Jake's worst fears are confirmed and worst of all, because he's the cause. Because he's responsible for making her feel this way. He tries not to flinch. He waits, his eyes never leaving hers.
Indie clutches her head, unable to escape the horror that's coursing through her, that it won't stop. That pain that will just keep washing over her in waves, and she can't do anything to escape it. She doesn't have the wherewithal to push Jake away again when he kneels beside her, pulling her into an embrace, his warm, delicate aroma invading her senses.
"Shh," he whispers, stroking her hair, holding her tight. "You're okay."
"You're not him," she gasps, trying to untangle herself. "Get away. Don't. Let me go."
"It's okay."
He pushes his head into her neck and softly rubs her arm with one hand and her back with the other. Her trembling continues.
His hands stroke down the nape of her neck, soothing her. Her breathing starts to settle.
"Everything will be fine," Jake whispers.
Her cheeks flush from the proximity, her heart beating so loudly he must be able to hear it.
"No, it won't," she sniffs. "There's nothing you can say, no spell. This isn't a temporary fix. This will just get worse. What I've done is permanent. This is permanent, and...they're closer than ever to Nicky. This couldn't be more complicated, or dangerous, and I can't change that. I can't change the past. I can't change that I've imprisoned an innocent."
"You're not alone," Jake says, and his voice is almost in her ear. "I don't know what you're going through. But I want to help. Tell me what to do."
She breathes in. "I am alone. Because I'm wicked as they come. Because I'll always have to fight alone. Because I have to, Jake."
"But you have me now."
"And what can you do to help?"
"What do you need me to do?"
"I told you what I was going to do...get you a separate place to live away from my family, and even then you'll be watched closely by some of my officers."
He nods. "I'll do whatever you need me to do. It's not right to ask me that, not when I can't understand how lonely and scared you are..."
"I'm supposed to be lonely. My life is supposed to be difficult. That's not a burden I was asking you to bear, and that's just the way things are. I'll die alone."
"But can't you see how much better things will be, as long as we're together?" Jake offers. "Don't say that! There will always be a loneliness that goes without saying, but the reason why you're sad is because you chose not to have anyone by your side. You're refusing to accept any form of support from others, and I just-I don't want you to be lonely, okay?!"
"I'm a monster!" she screams. "A witch. What part of that do you not understand?"
"That doesn't mean you're alone, Bella," Jake challenges. "I'm here. I'm with you."
"What if something terrible happens? Huh? You can stop acting now. Ok? You don't have to pretend to like me. The worst is over."
"Who says I was pretending?"
"I can handle myself. And don't get any ideas in your pretty little head, my mom is already up our throats. She already doesn't like you...so we're better off staying apart."
Jake holds her so she can't run, hoping it's ok.
"Just give me a chance," Jake pleads. "You still think about him, the love of your life, but can't you see that your time with Ben only hurt you? His loss wasn't your fault, but continuing to care for a man like that is."
She bites her lip. She stares. "What kind of man was he, then?"
"If what I heard from everyone is true, he wasn't a good guy. A rebel, I assume? Right?"
"How do you know what he was?"
"So, he was a rebel. I guessed it."
Her pulse spikes. She doesn't answer. So he gets it right.
Jake smiles encouragingly. "It's not your fault he ended up dead. If he was a rebel, you were always going to end up opposing each other. I promise I'll follow the rules. I won't misbehave. I'm a quick learner, I promise. I'll make you laugh and, we'll be happy, ok?"
In truth, he's trying to ingratiate himself with her, before her mother sees through his little act and kills him. Kills them both, no less.
"You don't know anything," she snarls, glaring at him.
She stares off, into some indistinct space of her own, and frowns as she recalls her memories.
"Bella, please. Just tell me about him."
A strange look comes over her face. His words hurt.
"Don't. Just...Don't talk. Don't call me by that name. He called me that, too. I wish everyone would stop fucking torturing me."
Jake's eyes go wide. He freezes, shocked. How is he hurting her with his words? What did he say? How is he the evil one, when she's so clearly conflicted and making very little sense?
"Why are you so against me? We're so young, and we still have a chance to have an amazing life together."
She glances up, meeting his gaze, and takes a deep breath. She clenches her hands into fists.
"God, you're cruel," she seethes. "Where have you been?"
"I-I don't understand," Jake whispers, his breath caught in his throat. "I'm here now."
"Damn you, Jake!" Indie shouts. "Where have you been? Where were you when I needed you?"
Her voice is a knife that makes him bleed.
Indie sobs. "When I needed you the most, where were you? Where were you when I was innocent, new, and left exposed? I didn't know anything. I just took her lessons, didn't I?"
"Please, please," he whispers, panicking, horrified by this role-reversal. "Please. I just got here, I didn't mean to run away from you."
"How dare you," Indie growls, her voice quiet. "Why the fuck did you have to disappear, before I could keep you? If this is so- And now, look at me. How fucking dare you come to me now when I am this. What was the point?"
She's taken aback by her own word-vomit. Unaware of her strength, she draws away from him.
Jake blinks. "I..."
"I did everything wrong because I was lonely, and now you're saying I should just put it all down, and start over? With you?"
"I-I never knew," Jake tries. "I'm sorry. It must have been...a hard road. I understand you're mourning, your life has changed a lot."
"I'm the only one who mourns the man he was!" Indie cackles, looking at him condescendingly. "No one else here is crying about Ben. No, no, it's...Because, like you said, he wasn't a good guy! He was-ugh! Sanctimonious. Holier-than-thou... He didn't-"
She is clawing her own skin, feeling unhinged and alien to her own words.
"You heard that. Right? People wanted him dead, and I hear the whispers every time I walk. He was a killer. A mercenary. The last man in my life, and, no one ever really cared...It hurts. Because it had to end the way it did."
"Was it an accident? Him dying, I mean."
"I don't want to fucking talk about this anymore," she says, her voice low and weary.
Jake nods, staring at her intently. She almost wants to get lost in those eyes. In his youthful appearance and sweet visage. As though he could save her. What a useless fantasy.
"I wasn't even supposed to tell you this much. Everything I feel is my fault."
"I'll listen as long as you need," Jake promises.
"You can sleep on the couch, I don't give a fuck," Indie mutters. "It's too late, I couldn't..."
"Can't I help you feel better, Bella?"
It just slips. Her name, the very thing she hates. Though when it comes from his mouth, with his honey and his lilac and rose, she wishes it didn't. Something about the way he says it strikes her like a blow.
"Even if...Nothing, no. You cannot. Just-"
His hand brushes her cheek before he kisses her so gently that all of her willpower dissipates, and he wraps his arms around her again. He's here, and he wants her, and he needs her. That's it.
His lips graze over hers. He's desperate. He's starving. He's been alone and scared, and now, there is finally someone who is there for him. Her. This strange, murderous creature that holds him in her claws. If he's already walking on eggshells, might as well commit. He commits to the kiss. She's warm and soft. She responds immediately.
His tongue dips into her mouth, and she groans. Her hair cascades over his fingers, and her body is tightening around him, taking him in. This kiss is slow and lingering, like they have all the time in the world. Like there's nothing to fear. Maybe there isn't. She gasps when his teeth scrape her bottom lip. She melts. He tastes like safety, and her insides feel like mush. His body tenses as the arousal grows. She has been dreaming about this moment. She's known since the day she kidnapped him, she wanted to see how pretty he was under her. She needs to take control of this situation now.
Part of her feels a certain guilt at the way she's captured and registered a human being and another part likes the control she has in this moment. That she could own and hold him.
Jake is desperate to make himself more desirable. To leave no question in the minds of people who are suspicious about the both of them.
He gives a pleading whimper as she pulls away.
"Bella, what are you doing?"
She doesn't answer his question. "Please."
She's scared, and she doesn't quite understand why, but right now she wants nothing more than for him to come closer. Which means she needs to let him go.
"What are you afraid of?" he asks softly.
"I-I don't know."
The next moments are quiet as she hands him bedclothes, two sizes too big for him. He disappears into the bathroom to shower and returns, still unsure. They are both aware this isn't healthy but unsure of what other possibility there is.
Her gaze slips down the V of the towel he wears, right to the spot where water beads cling to his smooth skin and his collarbones gleam in the dim light. Her heart races, and she inhales sharply. He makes a soft noise. He steps forward, then stops. She clenches her fists to hide the shaking.
"Can I sleep with you?" he whispers.
Her face turns red. She stutters out a long inhale and exhale. "W-What the fuck? This whole arrangement is going to be me not taking advantage of you. Why would you-"
"I meant sleep... sleep. Curl up here beside you."
She couldn't be more embarrassed. His laugh is adorable. After a few moments, Jake shifts closer. "Please? Your bed looks warm, and soft."
"Y-Yes," she mutters.
"I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable."
"Good," she says firmly, finally finding her voice. "Nothing can happen between us."
"Why not? We could comfort each other. There's a little part of me, too, that just wants to hold someone for the night," he says. "No one would have to know."
"Oh, no. That's what gets people killed around here, it isn't worth it."
That fact that this was an obvious choice before he gets ready for bed leads her to believe lust has little to do with it.
"Please," he pleads. "I won't tell anyone."
"No."
Jake deflates, his shoulders sagging and head dropping as his hair sticks to his forehead and the water drips onto his face, "Bella, please. That's what I'm here for, right? I'm here for you, you said so yourself. Let me take care of you. I've learned how. I'll make you feel better."
"No. Nope, nuh-uh, absolutely not. And that's final."
She's getting emotional. A little pathetic, how quickly she takes the bait. But he's making sense. She's making the mistake of projecting.
"Please, Bella," he begs, giving her an apologetic look. "I just don't want you to have to be alone anymore. No one else can take that pain from you. We could figure out a way to make this work, and what's the harm in trying?"
She melts under his gaze, her resistance failing. Then, she remembers what she did, and what might happen to him, and her strength returns.
"I can't," she insists. "Not ever. I'm sorry because of what happened. Don't...if it weren't for me, you'd still be safe. You'd have a real life. That's gone. I took that from Ben, too. He was a special person. Someone I deeply cared for. No one was supposed to be that close. And he got away."
"But now, you're stuck with me."
"I'm so sorry, Jake for everything. I didn't know. It wasn't me."
"I'm...going to need help getting what you're saying, but it seems like something traumatic happened. Some bad things that got out of control?"
"Ben was the first person I failed!" the witch bellows. "I-I-I killed him. I could have saved him, but I was too late and I'm too late with you and -and you're-!"
This seems like a useless spiral that's going nowhere. Yet, it's the truth. But also, an attempt at self-harm, trying to avoid the inevitable. So he stalls.
"Bella," Jake breathes, cradling her face in his palms, "Look at me."
She's thrown off by his sudden forcefulness, but she allows it. He does not waver.
"I'm not Ben," Jake continues firmly. "Let him rest. And me, let me live. Also, Nicky is safe now, right?"
"Yes," Indie admits. "He is, because of what we did."
"And you will continue to keep him safe, since you're his protector. You did do a brave and beautiful thing, saving your brother. You should be proud."
Tears run down her cheeks as he wipes them away, and now his voice is soft.
"There's nothing to worry about. Lee and Kay won't find him. Frankly, I think you should give yourself more credit."
That, at last, gives her pause. She shudders. He's seen her break, bare and bleeding her feelings, and hasn't been afraid.
"Yes, I-You are right," she whispers. "Nicky's safe. No one is messing with him. Not the regime. Not even the rebels. I...I even took care of his smoking and drinking problems. I do what's best for him."
It just pours out of her, like she's giving him a gift, by trusting him with her truth.
"That's how I always think, you see," she admits. "That's the only way I can continue. Nicky is the only person who's ever really known me, even the bad parts. He hates me now, but I don't blame him. I'm going to fix this. I need you. I need you here. Alive, with me."
"Then, sleep with me tonight. Let me hold you," Jake insists. "Nothing will happen, I promise."
Bella closes her eyes and whispers it like a mantra.
"Nicky is safe. And that's the only thing that matters. He's the only thing that matters."
Just beyond her palace walls is the sanctuary she had built for her baby brother. The villa is her family's haven. The grounds are beautiful, featuring a small grove of trees surrounding a garden filled with flowers and greenery. If she wanted to visit, she could, but giving Nicky space is what she'll tolerate for now. It's secret for a reason, and the eldest sister does respect his privacy and freedom.
That's exactly what it is. He's completely free there. Free from anyone telling him what he is and isn't supposed to be or do. No expectations for him to follow orders, to fight, or lie, or kill. He's no one's slave or toy or plaything. Just free.
VALENTIN VILLA: 0100 HOURS
"I'd prefer to have my hands free," he chuckles.
"Oh?" she challenges, licking a trail up his neck. "Would you, Nicolas? Why's that?" the woman pauses, smiling against his skin. "Can't we have some more fun..."
"I need a-"
He tries to speak and struggles. His lips are silenced by hers, in a desperate, greedy kiss. Their bodies pressed together, and all he could think about was how tight she was holding his wrists, how their legs were tangled, and the warmth of their skin so close.
This is what it feels like to belong somewhere, even if it's false, even if this is a twisted dream. But it's not an act of romance, worship, or desire; every kiss is harsher, aggressive, and demanding in response to his desire, resistance, and lack of compliance with her commands.
Eventually, she lets his wrists go. When a trail of saliva parts them and he slips free, his fingers find their purchase on her arms and gently coax her to look him in the eyes.
"I need a cigarette," Nicky laughs. "Did you get the ones I asked for?"
"Aww," the female laments. "You know they're not healthy for you. I thought I made that clear, baby."
"Isn't it a ritual after..." he winks. "Come on. I'm a grown man. A smoke is okay. I've been a good boy, haven't I?"
Another pout finds its way on her face, but she can't resist the doe-eyed look in his eyes or his bottom lip jutting out.
"Yeah, whatever, I guess I shouldn't hold you back from happiness," the woman concedes.
"Yesss," he cheers.
"They're in the top drawer, baby," the woman says.
The boy grabs his glasses from the nightstand first, fixing them over his nose and blinking.
His body is not something he wants; it exists as it is, thanks to the choices and selfishness of people like her. Those tendencies have paid off for him today, which is why he'll allow her to spoil him. Nicky grabs the pretty red box, and it's a perfect recreation of the ones he and Brandon shared at the best of kickbacks.
Except the world no longer belongs to them.
"My favorite," Nicky drawls as he crawls back onto the bed beside the woman. He lights the stick, the end glowing orange once she provides a spark from her fingers. "Cheers. Have one. It's not like they can do anything to you. I only share these with my favorite friends and my favorite girls, you know? "
"Am I your favorite?" She has the nerve to sound shocked. "You're my favorite too, sweet Nicky."
"Look, they make me feel incredible," he coos, ignoring her statement. "I love the flavor on the way down, and the way the smoke rises in the air..."
She grabs another one from the pack. The spark that lights it is blue, and it's nowhere near as powerful as the purple kind his sister flaunts viciously. But that's something he'll never see again, unless he wanted to risk being killed. This is his new reality, and he's made his peace with it.
"Hmm, they really do smell like plum," she wonders.
"Mao Zedong's choice," Nicky agrees. "I've made it my own. Very chic of me. Like a cultured prince. Don't you think?"
"Oh, you are a prince, alright," the woman retorts with a smirk. "But not quite a cultured one."
"Aww, harsh." Nicky blows a cloud of smoke toward her face, mocking her pout. "I was so glad to share them with you..."
"Thanks, beautiful. So you only smoke with your favorites, you say? "
He nods. This is what the witches have turned him into. He's really just saying what they want to hear.
"Why am I your favorite, baby?" she asks.
Nicky clears his throat, answering between puffs. "Because you are special. You're so creative and beautiful. The day I met you, I thought... You can be whoever you want and do whatever you want because you have a whole life ahead of you. You deserve it. And yeah, you give me a lot of things and good feelings that no one else can, but it's not only about the fun. It's not even about the cigarettes, either... "
"You don't need to cry," she giggles.
The boy's eyes sparkle with happy tears that well up, and he sniffs.
"You're perfect, and you don't deserve what they're putting you through. You might not have told me yet, but I can feel it. You give me so much. I can feel it," he concludes. "I just...I love you. And that's why I know...you're my favorite, and I'm the only person for you. So please, can't we... "
Their lips collide in a fierce kiss and her face is wet with his tears and it tastes like blackberry and cherries.
"I've wanted to," she purrs. "God, have I wanted to...I love you, too."
Wanted. That's the key word. Did they ever get a choice? Their union would be brief, because he's just that awesome, as usual, but unlike the rest...this is, solemn. No word defines it more aptly. She's smiling and so is he, but inside, he is cursing himself.
At some point between the deep kisses, teasing tongues, heated moans, and blissful gasps, he cries. She thinks it's from satisfaction. He is absolutely crumbling inside. She thinks it's her special talents. Actually, she did nothing.
She grabs him. He wraps his hands around her waist. There's an exchange. At least he will know peace for a brief while, caught in a spell. When he's free from her touch, he finds a headache and winces as he props himself up.
Nicky sighs. Their trysts are becoming more frequent, and honestly, he wants to slap the shit out of her when her hand caresses his bare back. Her irritating fingers are making the scratches that are already red and inflamed sting even more. His body feels weak and exhausted, like always, and it scares him. He can't contain the shudder.
"Does it hurt?" she coos. "I can get you some blacktho-"
"No," he growls, a little too firmly.
"Where are you going, little one?" she asks.
"Away," Nicky grumbles. "I'm here. Where we are is the same thing to me. Doesn't matter."
"I know you've been upset lately, Nicky," she says. "I'll make you happier."
"How do you want to do that?" he scoffs.
His tone is sharp, venomous and it makes her bite her lip and rub her eyes, annoyed. After a breath, she runs a few fingers through his tousled hair and bites her own lip.
"Wait," the girl pleads. "Are you still upset about-"
"How could you be so stupid?"
"Oh, calm down..." she tuts.
Nicky almost sinks his fist into the wall when she places a hand on his chest. Almost, if she wouldn't send another dose of that paralyzing shiitake that gets him reeling, should he refuse her.
"He was hers," Nicky spits. "Her fucking guy. She's unstable. What were you thinking, Syd? If you make an enemy out of my sister, you're already well and truly fucked. But then you make an enemy out of Josie and my mother. Christ in heaven, I know you're a General, but-"
"I was thinking of us," General Lin says, pouting. "It's a little late to have reservations about it now. What have you heard?"
"Ben can't say anything," Nicky scowls. "He won't remember or be able to-"
Lin rolls her eyes. "Then, what is all this raving and ranting about?"
"What if he recovers?" Nicky asks, crossing his arms. "A faculty or two, and he tells them what El said. Lee will have something. El's a woman on a mission now. If she wants to bring your head on a spike in front of the entire universe, there is literally nothing she wouldn't do to get it. Expect a domino-"
"We'll say he's inadmissible, we'll say it's nonsense, we'll say whatever the fuck we want," Lin groans. "I think we can outmaneuver Lee and Kay. Those bitches can eat a di-"
"And my mother?" Nicky scolds. "If you keep provoking her, this could blow back ugly. Don't doubt dirty tricks. My sisters are fucking crazy. And then...today, at pretty boy inspection, everyone wanted a piece, Syd. What will you do then?"
General Lin snickers. "I'll go to war with all of them if I have to," she declares.
Nicky blanches. "What?"
"They can all go fuck themselves."
"Take this seriously and listen," Nicky hisses. "People die over Lee's obsession with El, you know that. But if I'm in the mix, all bets are off. Anyone threatens my sisters, and that's a slow death. On a chair. No questions. El is chill now, but that's a ticking clock if the wind shifts."
"Hmm, I like how your little nose scrunches when you worry," the woman giggles, brushing away his fears with a dismissive wave. "They can write this in the history books you so love...the War for Nicky's Ass."
Undeterred and bold as ever, Nicky slaps the smiling woman in the face as hard as possible. She barely flinches, just smirking as she pounces.
Her iron grip twists his arm until she pins him to the mattress, her jet-black hair draping over his face. He writhes underneath her with all his might, but her lips crash on him again before he can get loose.
"Mmf, let me go!" he yells. "Syd, no! Let me go."
"And if I don't?" she smirks, putting more weight into her arms to keep him pinned. "Your family is full of snakes, sweet Nicolas. Benedict won't talk. And if he tries, I'll kill him. Him, Lee and Kay.... your sisters, your bitch mother, the whole damned set. Until you and I are the only people left in this universe. Anything to impress you. They couldn't imagine how important you are to me. Besides, I like it when you fight. It makes for... the best of everything."
Nicky squirms under her, his eyes widening.
"I can take them all, trust me. Now, who loves your smart mouth, your only means of protection, huh, baby?"
Forcing another kiss, Lin relaxes her grip, and Nicky shifts his hips, lifting her body off of his momentarily. When her lips travel to his throat, her palm rubs up his bare thigh...his fists are still clenched.
"I care about El more than you could ever imagine," Nicky snaps. "They all deserve each other, for all I care...but really...I've learned not to doubt or cross El because the longer this goes, the worse she feels. And when it's about me...Syd, you don't understand, I promise. It doesn't matter. Never play a revenge game with her, unless you are very, very, prepared to win."
Despite his clear rage and efforts to breathe, his heart jumping like mad, she wraps her fingers around his throat and her hips roughly push back down, digging between his legs, refusing to budge.
"You are mine," she breathes. "You have come so far from that angry, hungry little boy I found. You've been given everything. More than anyone else. You came to me, remember?"
"I did, didn't I?" Nicky whimpers.
"Think about what you've gained. A stable life, pretty clothes, fancy parties, dancing, drinking, smoking. Once they let me have you all for myself, it will be better. What makes her better than me, beautiful Nicky? Say it."
"She's family," Nicky protests. "She's never going to let-"
"I can grant you both more power and make you far more valuable than you've ever imagined," Lin continues. "I'm going to make sure of that. No more slinking around pretending, and no more weakness. That's why I'm not afraid of Lee and Kay. Or anyone else. You belong to me. You're my obsession. Mine, do you understand, little prince? This is the purpose for which you're alive."
"What did I say about controlling that temper, Syd?"
Nicky sighs. With a sigh of acceptance, his fingers trace her collarbone until they move up to her face and brush the hair from her cheek. Then, his thumb caresses her lips. Finally, his hand grasps her shoulder, and he pulls her down into an eager kiss.
The younger man is melodies for her once more. Slowly, he stops his arguing and yields. After, he comes undone and, beneath her weight, allows himself the illusion of wanting her more than he really does.
It's okay. As soon as she slips away, he'll be allowed a reprieve to collect himself, and the mask will return. Nicky doesn't plan to die here, in her presence, or anyone else's. He will make his move.
So much is swirling within his head right now. So many thoughts and many permutations, formulae, plans, strategies. But one must understand the cost of being with him. One day, maybe Lin will.
He smirks as he thinks about the day his best friend is going to sneak into this place, the compound walls forsaken, and how he's going to crush Lin's skull like an egg, unleashing her blood upon the floors of the house that held him captive.
As long as his sisters and mother don't find out first. That's unpredictable, most likely ending in El playing with Lin's internal organs.
It’s all for the greater good, eventually. Hopefully. This is entirely his specialty, the world’s stability weighing on his little act. Nicky fancies himself a better actor than El’s little friend.
He’ll always make the technopath think they share something when he despises her. It truly makes his skin crawl.
Any way that it goes, he'll be satisfied once the technopath is dead.