This has spoilers for tocs 2 end game

[reanbeanmachine]

[Crow's wounds required immediate treatment, and while he was in the care of Heimdallr's hospital something went... Wrong. Word got out somehow who he was, leader of that terrorist group, the sniper whose bullet set off the war. Some bribes, some shady dealings, and before the intelligence agency or RMP could react, he was home from his room.

Luckily for Crow by the time he's kidnapped he's in stable condition, and his captors want him to recover, so he's been transported carefully. Where he finds himself though, well that's hard to say when he wakes up chained to a bed in a featureless room with no windows, and a drain on the floor. At least his bandages are fresh.]

Comments

[awakenerd]

[That's horrifying and enraging on so many levels and the way he's holding Crow's hand too tightly tells a lot.

He doesn't know what to say, so unless Crow stops him he's dragging him into that hug.

It hurts so much, what Crow's been through, that he didn't stop it, that Crow sees himself with so little value. It makes Rean furious and sad and twisted up. But even still he's at least glad he knows a bit more what he's dealing with. He doesn't know if it'll help him make any less mistakes, but at least Crow trusts him, and that's important.]

Thank you, for telling me. But I have to disagree with you on that last part. You're so strong it's kind of painful you know? I'm not going to let you go again, I promised and I mean it. I'll make sure none of them can touch you ever again.

[filetofish]

...Thank you...

[He spent the morning insisting that he can take care of himself, but he was a lot more honest when he first arrived, wanting to be held and protected.

He's worked up enough right now not to try to be tough. He flinches at the hug, but he also almost immediately lifts his hands to cling to the back of Rean's shirt. It's so warm... The comfort is overwhelming, so Crow ends up shoving his face against Rean's shoulder and crying so hard it's full on baby wailing.]

[awakenerd]

[He pets Crow's back, holding him as tightly as he dares.]

It's okay to be a mess, you know. I really... Don't think of you less for it. I want to be able to do anything to make you happier, so if there's things you need you just have to tell me and I'll try.

[He hates hearing Crow cry the same way anyone would hate having someone they love cry, but it's a relief too. He wants Crow to get it out at least some, to feel safe with Rean.]

[filetofish]

I'm-- I'm just so pissed off...

[He's angry almost as much as he's sad and scared. He's upset beyond what anyone should be able to deal with and it's kind of a miracle he's even vaguely functioning. Crying on Rean is embarrassing, but it does help, so he won't complain.]

I hate him so much! How long is he gonna keep fucking with me?!

[At this point he's been pissed off at Osborne for half his life. The more he tries to act on it the more entangled he gets, and the more he ends up used and hurt.]

Even now I feel like I'm just a way for him to get at you.

[awakenerd]

[There's guilt there at Crow's words, because after all that man is connected to Rean. And even if it's totally illogical to feel any responsibility for what his father does, that won't stop Rean from feeling it. And feeling furious about it.]

I think pissed off is the mildest thing anyone could expect. He's... really crossed a lot of lines, with what he's done to you.

[filetofish]

Mm... I'm most afraid of what he's going to do to you.

[Did they ever really intend to get Crow to fight for them? He can't help but wonder. Maybe the whole point was to leave him too messed up to be in the way. Like this... or should have been easy to assume he'd go straight to Rean as soon as they let him off the leash.]

[awakenerd]

I'll be okay. It's not like they're going to hurt me like this.

[So being a shady assassin might hurt him other ways but at least he'll be functional.]

Besides, how could I let anything happen if I know you're worrying about me?

[He's trying to tease a little, even while keeping his arms around Crow.]

[filetofish]

That's true.

[Joking is good! Crow wishes he could joke everything away entirely, honestly. But that's not going to happen so he'll settle for sounding weakly grumpy against Rean's shoulder.]

If you get hurt I'll kick both our asses.

[awakenerd]

I guess I'll have to be careful then.

[He's rubbing his palm over Crow's back gently, pulling him in closer, or scooting closer himself, just trying to be close.]

[filetofish]

Mmm... I'll try to be patient.

[Y'know, waiting. When Rean's gone. Which he assumes he'll be doing right here, alone, freaking out into the void.]