With DramaticalBlue, Continued

[powerofvoice]

powerofvoice: [He's quiet, but was that new? A lot of his answers took more thought. Maybe conversation in general did. By the time he had accepted Desire as part of himself, by the time he started to have conversations with him, it had been a while since what he'd said had mattered. It would be too easy to just lapse into silence.

He would have without Desire.]

They'll know you. They realize how different I was then, how different I am now. [He doesn't add that it was the 'back then' that had most likely drew their interest. That would sound like it was placing blame on a man that had no blame in this.]


dramaticalblue: Yeah. I know.

[ Desire sighs again. There'd definitely be no helping that. Their captors if anyone, would immediately know who he is. He wonders what their reaction will be. Will they be angry that they've lost their compliant Aoba, or will they be excited to break him all over again? Maybe the latter, seeing as it had been him who had caught their interest in the first place. Either way, none of the options are appealing in the least. ]

Maybe it'll caught 'em off-guard.

Comments

[powerofvoice]

[What wasn't to enjoy? Maybe they could figure out they had two Aoba's. One that still fought and spit and gave them a challenge, another that was too beaten to do anything but take what was given. No doubt Desire had gotten their attention, but Reason had somehow kept it. Now that he was too beaten to go out, Virus and Trip got both.

They were getting rewarded for their sadism.]

At least they're never together for it. So, it's just one and their Allmate. [Which, admittedly, the Allmate did shift it quiet a bit.]

[dramaticalblue]

[ The Allmates just adds another level of fucked up to the whole thing, in Desire's opinion. Allmates are supposed to be companions that help you with everything from accessing the internet to fighting in Rhyme, and here there captors were using them for sexual torment and intimidation. Desire feels sick just thinking about it. ]

Yeah... but that's bad enough.

[powerofvoice]

[They were deranged, there was no doubt. Nothing seemed off limits and just when Aoba thinks he's seen the worst, something else happened to let him know he wasn't even close.]

But, if you're gonna try to get out, that's easier than taking them both on. Our body... it can't do it yet.

[dramaticalblue]

Yeah, you're right. [ He smiles a little, glad to hear something that sounds vaguely positive from his other. Nuzzling against Aoba's hair, he sighs a little. ] Man, I wonder how long we've been here...

[powerofvoice]

I dunno. [Time was hard to tell in here. It was just the two of them, anything they wanted to think of, and the darkness. Sometimes, it seemed like an instant meant hours, sometimes it took longer.]

You wanna go out and check, don't you?

[dramaticalblue]

Well... sayin' that I want to would be an overstatement, but... yeah, maybe I should. [ After all, either of their captors could return at any moment now. ]

[powerofvoice]

Yeah. [Want probably had little to do with it.

He rose up, forcing himself not to change his mind. Still, was this really right?] If it's too much, I'll be here.

[dramaticalblue]

[ Desire stands when his other does, managing to give him a brave smile. ] Yeah, I know. [ He leans close and grasps Reason's face in both hands before pressing a kiss to his forehead. ] Promise me you'll rest while I'm away, okay?

[powerofvoice]

[His hands came up to rest against both of his partner's wrists, holding it there for a moment.]

Yeah, I promise. I won't watch, but I'm gonna be ready.

[dramaticalblue]

Good. [ He gives another kiss, this time to Aoba's cheek, before letting go of him. He then fires off a grin that's as confident as he can manage, wanting to give off a brave impression to his other before leaving. ] I'll see ya soon. Try not to worry too much. [ With that his form begins to slowly fade away as he takes control of their body and wakes up in their unfortunate reality. ]

[powerofvoice]

[He watches the form, one similar to his own, fade away. Now, it was his turn to wait.

Were they out there? He sits down, planning to wait, to rest. Would they notice the difference? Everything he seemed to do was 'cute' or 'wonderful' or 'fun' so it was sometimes easy to think they weren't even paying attention.

It was easy to think until they made sure he knew differently.

Waiting was hard.]

sorry bout the novel haha, don't feel obligated to match the length, I just wanted to set things up!

[dramaticalblue]

[ It takes a while. Several weeks, maybe months - Desire can't tell for sure. The torture that's been inflicted on him during that time has been worse than he could have imagined, but it had just made him all the more insistent on getting them out of their living hell. Virus and Trip had been quite surprired to see him, but as suspected - had recognized him right away. Trip especially had been pretty excited about the prospect of having a new toy to break, and the new scars littering their body had proven as much.

He had eventually been forced to at least pretend to give in, if only so that they wouldn't believe him able to try and escape. They'd finally stopped restraining him before leaving the house, but they still left their Allmates with him. That was just fine for Desire because his escape plan involved them. He'd studied the Allmates closely while in captivity - not as afraid of them as Reason had been, and eventually come up with an idea. One thing he'd noticed was that the Allmates were fitted with some sort of ability to lock and unlock doors - far more convenient than keys, but also something he could potentionally exploit. He'd had no clue if it would work, but... it seemed the only thing he could do instead of just sitting around, waiting and hoping that one of Aoba's friends would come to their rescue. While he'd been making pretty regular "visits" to his other to regain some strength he hadn't let him in on his plans, just in case it wouldn't work.

Much to his surprise and delight, it had worked. Despite being machines, Scrap had worked on them. Not in the conventional way it would've worked on a human, but he'd been able to give commands to them that they would follow as though he was their master. He'd experimented a little to make sure it wouldn't backfire on him until he'd finally set the plan in motion.

As soon as he was sure that Trip and Virus were out of the house and wouldn't be coming back for a while he'd ordered the Allmates to unlock the doors for him. As he was naked and still with that chain-collar around his neck that Trip liked so much, he'd taken a quick look around the house to see if they'd kept his things after kidnapping him. In a closet he'd eventually found his clothes, his bag and his Coil. He'd hoped to find Ren as well, but no such luck. He hoped that his Allmate was safe back in Midorijima, at least, and that Trip and Virus hadn't destroyed him or something.

Once dressed he'd left the house. His Coil had seemed unharmed, but it was out of batteries and he hadn't felt he had the time to look for a charger so for now it wouldn't be of much use to him.

The house was located somewhere on the countryside, in the middle of nowhere, and he was pretty damn sure this was not Japan. He may have never been to mainland Japan, but he doubted that their captors would've been so stupid as to keep him that close to Midorijima. No, this had to be another country.

He'd stolen some food and water from the house before leaving, and he was definitely glad he had when he realised that getting to a city or something would take a while. His weakened body wouldn't be able to handle a lot of walking without any kind of nourishment.

It had taken hours until he finally arrived in a medium-sized city and it was starting to get dark by then. The weather was relatively warm, at least, but he was absolutely exhausted. None of the people he saw looked Japanese and none of the street signs were in a language he understood.

After finding an Internet café where he was able to borrow a charger for his Coil (with the help of some hand gestures and broken English from both himself and the man at the desk) he could finally get in contact with people back home. His inbox was shock full of messages and missed calls, most of them from Koujaku and Granny, but he saw a few from Noiz, Mizuki, Haga-san and Yoshie, as well as a couple of unlisted ones (Clear? Mink? He didn't know, didn't have the time to read them to find out).

He'd called Granny first. Told her he didn't know where the hell he was and sending her a couple of pictures of street signs in case she'd be able to tell by the language. Eventually, with some help from Noiz of all people, he'd found he was in Germany. Apparently that was where Noiz was originally from, and he spoke the language fluently. It hadn't been difficult then, for Noiz to call on Aoba's behalf and order plane tickets back to Midorijima, and soon he'd been on a plane back home.

He hadn't contacted Reason during any of this, too caught up in the whole ordeal and also not wanting to give him false hope in case he was recaptured. He doesn't feel safe enough to relax until the plan had lifted from the ground and that's when he finally sinks back into their mind again to greet Reason with a smile. ]

Guess what? We're on our way home.

no need to apologize! Good set up!

[powerofvoice]

[He's had time to heal. Hidden inside of his own mind, the things that were done to him didn't fade, but they no longer seemed able to make him jump at the slightest sound. At first, even having Desire come back had startled him. What if Virus and Trip found a way inside? That seemed crazy, he knew as much, but they really had done their best to assure that he knew no place was safe.

The guilt was hard. He understood now what Desire had gone through, having to be the one in here, waiting, watching as their body was abused. It was frustrating, the disconnect somehow making it seem like you should have the power to do something.

He never did.

But he was sure to greet Desire every time he came back. He could be the smile, the strong arms to hold him if he needed it, even if he kept being stubborn about being the protection instead. Let him; that wasn't going to change Aoba's actions.

He was gone longer this time. Normally, it was harder to tell time, but with the time it took to run, to call, to get everything secure, Aoba could tell something was up; he wasn't hopeful. What were they doing? What was changing? Were they being killed? Was Desire okay?

The look of relief on his face even before Desire speaks says it all: Thank God.

But once he does speak, Aoba can just blink at him, as if he too were speaking in German. They were what? It was too much to accept, too much to comprehend.]

What...?

[dramaticalblue]

[ Desire walks up close to Reason and embraces him closely, gently squeezing him. He feels happier than he has in a good long while. ]

Yeah. I got us out. We're going home, Aoba.

[powerofvoice]

[Slowly, shaky hands came up to embrace him. Was he hearing him right? Was this some kind of dream?]

We're going home? [As it begins to sink in, that hold tightens.] We're really gonna go home?

[dramaticalblue]

[ Feeling his other's shaky hands around him makes his heart ache, but it's not an entirely bad feeling. It's starting to sink in for Desire too. They're really getting home. He was able to safe Aoba, protect him like he'd been unable to before. He just wishes he'd been able to do so sooner. ]

Uh-huh. I talked to Granny and Koujaku. They've really missed you. [ He presses his lips to the top of Aoba's hair. ] We're on a plane right now. You can take control back whenever you want, but it'll be a while before we're back in Midorijima. They took us all the way to fuckin' Europe.

[powerofvoice]

[And then those arms are holding him as tightly as his form could muster. Home! He was going home! It was finally over!

He tries to take in details, but that one word repeats in his head. Granny, Koujaku, all of them will be there.

They'd been in Europe? That wasn't even remotely close to home. No wonder no one would find them.

There would be a lot of questions. He knew his body was horrible shape by now. Had there been a doctor? Were people asking questions? He didn't want to answer questions, he just wanted to be home.]

Thank you. [Tighter, because somehow, the impossible had happened.] Thank you.

[dramaticalblue]

[ Desire had considered seeking medical help when he'd first arrived in the city, but he hadn't wanted to stay longer than necessary. That, and he'd been paranoid about Virus and Trip somehow finding him (as by then, they must have noticed that he was gone) as well as being asked intrusive questions. It was better this way. Granny had been a nurse, after all. She could care for them. ]

You don't have to thank me. I told you I'd get us out, right?

[ He smiles again, more than a little happy about the fact that he'd been able to keep his promises because he hadn't even been half as sure that he'd be able to as he sounded. ]

[powerofvoice]

[He's not sure he could let Granny check him everywhere he should be checked. He's not sure he can let anybody near what needs to be checked. He wants to have a solitary shower and then never take his clothes off again.]

No, I do. [It still feels surreal; if he didn't trust Desire so completely, he would have questioned it.] I won't shove you back just because we're out. We're both going home.

[dramaticalblue]

I know. [ Still, it makes him happy to hear Reason say it and he embraces him even closer. ]

Shit's gonna be hard to deal with, and I'll help you with anything you need that you might not be comfortable doin' on your own, okay?

[ It'll be difficult for him too, but... he's not been abused as much or for as long as his other so he knows it'll be easier for him to get them the help they need. That and the fact that he's fully comitted to continue protecting and helping Aoba for as long as needed. ]

[powerofvoice]

[He doesn't want to let go. Part of it is celebration, part of it is affection, and maybe another part of it was the fact they shared a tortured past, a bond that went even further than sharing a body.

Past. It was past now, not life.]

I'll handle it. [He could. Desire had given him time to heal mentally while taking the abuse. Now, it was Aoba's turn to let him rest.] You did all of this, so I can take it from here.

[He still couldn't believe it.] Virus and Trip? Are they...?

[dramaticalblue]

[ Desire doesn't want to let go either and so he doesn't. If their awful ordeal has brought anything positive with it it's that they've now got a bond stronger than they've had in years, and Desire cant help but to be grateful for that at least. ]

If you're sure... Don't be afraid to ask me for help if y'need it though. I wanna help you with all of this.

[ The question has him shrugging his shoulders. ] I dunno. They weren't in the house when I left, but they gotta know that we're gone by now. They cant do shit about it now though.

[powerofvoice]

[His hands curl into fists behind his back. He doesn't want to say it, doesn't want to bring it down, so he'll keep his doubts to himself. But, Virus and Trip wouldn't just let them go, not after they knew the truth.

He'd worry about that later. For now, he'd enjoy being free.]

It's gonna be so good to be home. I wonder how Ren's doing? Did you find him too?

[dramaticalblue]

[ Desire isn't stupid. He knows that Trip and Virus will likely try to get to them again, but he wants to stay optimistic now. Besides, when they get back they'll have Koujaku, Granny and everyone else watching out for them. If Virus and Trip wants to get to them, they'll have to go through Aoba's security net first.

The question about Ren makes him deflate a little. He'd been too caught up with getting them out of there to really ask Granny or anyone else about Ren, and he feels a bit guilty for it now. Reason would definitely not have forgotten about that, but while Desire cares a great deal about the Allmate (it had technically been him who'd found him all those years ago after all), his priority hadn't been towards him just then. Ren would understand, though, he's sure. ]

Sorry, I forgot to ask Granny about him, but 'm sure he's fine.

[powerofvoice]

[Aoba knows they have to be. Eventually, they would also have to be realistic; they'd have to be checked, they'd have to deal with people again, they'd have to worry about the two psychos after them. But, they deserved the break.

Besides, before, he'd been pretty optimistic himself. He'd probably never be the same Aoba, but he could at least enjoy his freedom here with Desire.]

Yeah, probably. [He smiles, relaxing the hold into something more normal before pulling back, keeping his arms on the other's body still.]

We're going home. [He couldn't help the smile that threatened to split his cheeks.] We're gonna have a shower and a bed. They'll be Granny's home cooking; Koujaku's probably going to say something stupid when we get back too.