He stood in front of Easton's cell opening the gate with a key toggled on his waist. He swung the cell door open. Easton looked up out of surprise. "Nick? Really?" He didn't sound surprised if anything it was almost expected. He was just angry and tired." Nick didn't respond instead pushed ABrose into the cell before closing it. and locking it.
"Your trial will be-"
Easton growled from the way he treated Abrose. "In an hour I know. I was the captain of the guard you know." He glared at Nick watching him walk away. "Hey, are you okay? Did he hurt you? I swear if he laid even one finger on him I'm gonna rip his throat out with my teeth." A low growl came from the back of his throat once the blood started to drip from his forehead.
Abrise stubbled inside the cell but eventually made it to Easton's side, breathing a sigh of relief at seeing him alive and seemingly unharmed, save for the blood on his head from where he assumed they had hit him unconscious. He glanced between the males, worried that they'd indeed start a fight but Nick turned away before anything could happen. He swallowed thickly, an hour. He's only have an hour left before he'd be sentenced to death, or worse. He shook the thought out of his mind and gently pressed a hand to Easton's face. "No, no he didn't. But let's focus on you for a bit, yeah?" He knelt down on the ground, tugging Easron down with him and gently brushing aside his hair to have a better look at the wound. He silently thanks the Spirits that it wasn't so deep. Tearing off a piece of his shirt, he balled it up and gently pressed it to wound until the bleeding slowed. "Some first, technically second, first date huh?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine I just…." he looked up to Abrose with a small laugh. "Yeah, I know it seems like all our dates are always ruined huh. When we get out of here we can have a third first date. How does that sound?" Easton leaned into his touch. "It's nothing I'm just glad he didn't hurt you. If he hurt you, I would've gone crazy. He couldn't move his hand as they were chained to the wall. He tugged at the wanting to reach other and touch Abrose's face, but he couldn't. He leaned his head down into Abrose's shoulder. He felt like he could rest there forever. Even if he did by the time he woke up it would be time for their trial. "I'm sorry I got you into this it shouldn't have happened like this." He mumbled.
Abrose lightly stroked through Easton's hair, scooting close to him "Don't be sorry, my dear. I'll be alright, no matter what happens." He murmured reassuringly, gently cupping Easton's cheek and tilting his head up. "Just stay awake with me, okay?" He softly pleased, pressing soft kisses to Easton's features. "I would never have regretted having tonight with you." He murmured, offering a small smile despite their situation. "After the trial they'll let you go right?" He took a glance over at the door in worry as they time together shortened
"I don't regret any second I spent with you." Easton smiled loving the feeling of Abrose being there with him. "The circumstances aren't good but if I didn't have you I don't know how long I would last down here." he chuckled softly. He closed his eyes again. "I…I do not know my love. To them, I have committed a great crime. To us, it seems like nothing. I don't know what they'll do to me, but I can promise you, I won't let them hurt you in any way. If they even dare to ruin the most handsome face in the world I won't hesitate. The only problem is how to get out of these chains. They block my stretch and all my heightened senses. So right now I'm just a regular human…" Easton tilted his head up managing to place a kiss on Abrose's cheek. "How about we take this time to get to know each other better. A way to pass time." He suggested.
"The same goes for you. If they dare hurt you, I won't let them. I-i don't know how but I won't let them." He promised, looking up at the chains that bound Easton to the wall. He could feel the chain's power as well, diminishing his own abilities and making him feel sick. Despite that he smiled defiantly and gently nuzzled Easton's cheek. "Human huh? And here I thought you'd despise being one of us a bit more, sweet love." He chuckled lightly and tilted his head curiously, glad for even a single chance to be distracted. "Alright, what do you want to know?" He asked softly, pressing a kiss to his lips for a moment
He closed his eyes for a second, letting the kiss sink in before trying to catch Abrose's lips before they left his. "You're cute when you threaten people," he smirked. "I do just not you." he thought for a moment of his questions. "How about…have you ever taken a day off of work before the time we went out drinking together." He smiled thinking about the memory, but it soon fades to black, not being able to remember most of that night. "Oh and what's your favorite word." They seemed like silly questions to ask, but he didn't want to think about the situation they were in right now. He would remember these answers later for future purposes.
Abrise shook his head. "Besides when I got sick or Mel forced me to ever once in a while, no never volunterily I'd I could help it. He replied shrugging slightly. "I like my job. It's a lot but I never really wanted to be away from it so long." He glanced up, a light blush crossing his features as he remembered snippets of their shared drunken night together. He tilted his head at the second question. "My favorite word?" He echoed, bunching his lips to the side for a moment as he thought about it. He breath a laugh and smiled softly "extraordinary." He replied. "Mama used to say it all the time. Especially when me and my sister were around."
"My favorite word-well actually it's to but-my favorite is sea anemone. It's very fun to say. So when you do have free time what do you do? Also, If you had the chance or the opportunity would you move out of the country? Whether it was for someone offered you a well-paying job doing someone you love or going with me…" He said the last part quietly. He always got shy when he was asked certain questions like this. They were hard to answer and sometimes the answer was very hard to receive.
Abrose gave a soft laugh and nodded his agreement. "You're right, that is a fun word to say." He shifted slightly and went back to pressing the piece of clothing to Easton's brow. "I don't really do much if I have free time. Mostly just walk around and hang out with Mel."he sighed softly, now finding how sad that sounded, but what could he do when he technically wasn't even supposed to be alive? "Out of the country?" He echoed, blinking in surprise. Would he be able to leave? Of course not in the situation they're in now but maybe after if he had the chance, would he be willing to leave his family home? He looked up at Easton and immediately knew the answer. There was nothing keeping him here, even if this was where he grew up. "Yes," he whispered. "With you, I'd go anywhere."
Easton felt butterflies fly around in his stomach when he said those words. It was like his heart flipped the switch that said go fast as he felt his cheek beginning to heat up. "You would really?"Easton's voice was soft and shy almost. "You're not joking right like you're not just saying this because we both might die in 10 minutes?" Easton let out a breathy laugh. "I really don't deserve you, you know that right?" Easton went to reach Abrose to embrace him but only heard the sounds of the chains linking him to the wall. "How about when we get out of here we go somewhere far away and have our first date there. No interruptions, no confusion, no rules, and no one telling us what we can and can't be. Just us…" he asked. Easton no longer had hope in his eyes, but determination.
Abrose nodded his head and gave a smile, the best he could do as his heart broke again. He couldn't bring himself to shatter Easton's dream, especially since he too wanted that dream to come true. "No my love, I'm not joking. I'd love nothing more than to run away with you where no one knows our name, where we can be ourselves without having to look over out shoulder all the time." He rested his head against Easton's shoulder, raising his hand so it was lightly ready on Easton's cheek just so that they could have some contacted, despite being in chains. "No interruptions, no rules, and just us? Sounds good to me." He mused, pressing a kiss to Easton's cheek.
Nick came back banging on the cell. "This is sad. Get up time for trials." He groaned unlocking the cell. Nick unhooked the chains from the wall pulling Easton up. He pulled Abrose up after escorting them out of the cell.
"Don't touch him," he growled like a wolf ready to kill.
"Quit your growling puppy, I wouldn't lay a hand on him the queen will do that for me." Nick scoffed.
Easton looked over to Abrose obviously worried and concerned by what would happen in the next few minutes. "I'm sorry" he mouthed.
A ride looked up as Nick entered the room, heart leaping to his throat. Surly it hadn't been an hour. Or maybe it was never supposed to be an hour. He sucked in a steadying break and hauled himself up. He glanced over his shoulder as Nick got Easton out of his chains, glad that at least he's be free soon enough. He shook his head slightly as they were brought through the corridors to the throne room, whispering 'its not your fault' to Easton as they entered the throne room.
The queen sat at her throne, a sword casually resting against her throne. Only a prop, Abrose knew she didn't need any weapon to kill. She only needed to shift into some terrible beast to end his life. She grinned as the two were brought firth, leaning her head on a delicate hand. "I've been waiting quite a while for this." She purred.
"Have you your Majesty?" Easton questioned as he straighten his back and stood tall. "I've been waiting for this too." He slightly moved in front of Abrose, so he would have enough room to shield him if he needed to. Nick on the other hand had dropped the chains and gone off the stand on the sides. He had bowed, feeling proud that he had brought in Easton and Abrose. "I'm guessing you're going to kill us correctly. What is the point of a trial if your bias is clear your Majesty? You want us dead." His voice was angry, but soft at the same time.
Her Majesty feigned a hurt expression, gracefully standing from her chair and Cong to stand at the top of the dias. "Honestly Captain, when will you learn to listen then speak? Especially when I've done nothing wrong." She shook her head as if disappointed in a child and watched carefully as her Captain came to stand in front of Abrose. "How very interesting." She murmured thoughtfully, "and here I thought you were the one in control. I do believe you're exact words were 'wrapped around my finger' but it seems to be the other way around." She mused, laughing to herself. "I should have known with the numerous questionable lovers you had, you'd inevitablely end up falling for the witch." She shrugged and waved to a nearby guard. "What good would it be fulfilling my own desires, I already know the witch is a danger. But I need to convince the people as well, else how would they see their Queen if she just went around killing silly little humans rumored to have magic?" She took a vile from the offered tray from the guard and motioned to Abrose. "Nicolas if you'd be a dear and prong our guest forwards."
Easton's eyebrows furrowed out of frustration. He wanted to be the one to tell Abrose about his past affairs but instead, she had said bluntly. "As you wish." Nick said doing exactly as he was told.
"You're sick you know that." Easton seemed to struggle when Nick fulfilled his duty. "I can't believe I used to think like you. I hope your kingdom rots in the deepest parts of hell and your crimes against every citizen will be known across the world." Easton's nose was stretched up like he smelled something bad his body weight 60/40 in aggressive position. He would spit on the queen if he could. His eyes would keep flickering back to Abrose to make sure he was okay. "Besides how are you going to convince the entire country which is mostly made of people like Abrose to kill him. You must have a pretty good plan if you want to do that." he smirked.
The queen roamed back to her throne as Abrose was brought forwards. "Don't you understand captain? That is exactly how u cane to power. I instil fear near and far. I know exactly where to cause the most harm to make the biggest impact, ensuring that o one else dare come after me. If you don't think I'm.right, take a look at our little conundrum here. I've got your little toy, now you're willing to do just about anything to get him back. You wouldn't dare do something that would get you pretty pet hurt." Her eyes glittered with victory as she swirled the vile in her hand, watching as the sickly blue liquid swished around. "Oh I don't need to convince anyone." She smirked right back and gripped Abrose's hair hard enough to release a Yelp of pain from him, long enough for her to force the liquid down his throat and swallow it entirely. "He'll do that all on his own. All I have to do is be the fair and reasonable queen my price assume I am and deal with the criminal as follows by the jurisdiction they give him." She stood and nodded for Nick and another fellow guard to bring Easton and Abrose along. She crossed the room to another set of doors, these leading into a sort of court room, now filled with Fae-kimd, all waiting, ready and hungry for the blood of a witch.
For once Nick hesitated but soon carried out the orders. Easton on the other hand had no response. He growled biting at her hand that was attached to Abrose's hair before they started moving. "What the fuck did you give him?" his voice was definitely angry and more so got even louder than it was before. His growl could almost shake the ground. He looked back at Nick with pleading eyes, but he kept pulling forwards. Easton's face showed a scared expression not for him but for Abrose. He never got this far with all of the dirty work, this is new to him. Nick please do something… he begged in his head.
She glanced over her shoulder unsymmetrically as she climbed to an erected wooden platform above the crowd of fae nobles. A stage for the queen to showcase her latest entertainment, for Abrose, an executioners platform. He begrudgingly followed after, not having a choice as he was yanked up by Nick, already feeling as his mind swimming with whatever he was forced to swallow. The only face he could really focus on was Easton's. He tried to say something like run or go but his tongue became heavy with the words. Finally, through his drunken state he recognized the liquid he'd consumed. Valerium. A specific root mixed with various other components in order to create some sort of truth serum. While in reality it only forced the brain to focus on a single thought, it had a habit of forcing the truest of thoughts as well, the guilty feeling mixed with lying having always caused a naseating effect on those tested. He barely had register what the Queen was babbling on about to her loyal puppets until she turned her gaze to him and slowly knelt in front of him. He barely registered surprise when she took his hands in hers, almost as if wanting to offer him comfort for what she was about to make him do. He took as deep a breath as he could mister and let himself be inerrigated, already feeling the defeat in his bones as his own abilities tried to push the serum out of blood, just as it did with the alcohol.
"Abrose, what is your last name?" He heard we ask.
"Nightingale." He breathed, a memory of his mother and his sister flashing in his mind. He barely registered the tears as he continued to ask every single horribly invading question she asked with the most amount of honesty.
Easton whipped his head over to Abrose, giving him a look of confusion. "No…" Easton knew that truth serums were possible but he never used one nor did he have a reason for it. He was just the one bring them in. "Nick! Stop this!" Easton's head still hurt and the chains blocking his abilities were not helping. he struggled against Nick hoping maybe he could break free. Just maybe…Everything was so overwhelming and he just couldn't handle it. Not right now. "Don't do this Abrose, Look at me…" he whispered. "Fight it. Please…" he begged. If there was even one hint of Abrose that was an actual crime in his memories somewhere it would come to light and he wanted anything other than that happening.
Abrose continued to answer the Queen's questions as the room grew deathly quiet, save for Easton's please. In his state, Abrose could barely hear Easton, let alone respond. Everytime he turned his head or tilted it in his direction, the queen would demand his full attention by digging her nails into his hands. He shuddered violently before returning his gaze back to the Queen's, staring emotionless into her eyes as he finally question slipped from her lips. "And finally, Abrose Nightingale, what unearthly, demonic powers do you possess?"
At this, Abrose tilted his head "demonic?" He whispered, a small, almost angelic smile crossed his features. "Abilities yes, but they are not demonic." He laughed softly, almost a sweet sound if it weren't for the situation.
The queen let out a low growl, "accidentally" digging her nails deep enough into Abrose's hands that they drew blood. "What abilities do you possess." She repeated slowly. Abrose flinched, tears streaming down his cheeks, the deepest parts if him knowing this was all wrong.
"The knowledge of any plant." He muttered.
"And?" The queen pressed.
Abrise's features twisted into agoney as he tried to shove down the answer.
"Don't fight it Abrose, it'll only hurt more." The queen warned, seemingly kind but he could hear the malicious undertone
He inhaled sharply, back arching in pain. "And how to use then to kill anyone." He gritted out "including fae-kind."
Easton fell silent. "What…" Easton took a step back. "No…he can't mean that…" The room as well fell silent. Even Nick backed up some. He knew that what he could do with those plants was beyond his knowledge, but never like this. Easton shut his mouth as soon as he went to open it. He couldn't find the word to make this situation any better. There was no fixing this. Abrose had just exposed himself in front of every Fae.
Nick gulped slightly. He didn't know whether or not to do something or leave everything as it was. At this rate, they both would die. He didn't want his best friend since he's known since birth to die because of something his heart can't control. He took a big gasp before saying, "Why does that matter? If he really wanted to kill us he would've done it already correct. We wouldn't be standing here right now having this exchange if he wanted to kill us. If he wanted to kill the Queen, could he? Maybe that's the real question you should be asking. If he could I'm pretty sure I would be serving him not you, your Majesty."
Easton listened to his words with a smile. "Thank you." he mouthed.
Gasps rang out through the hall the moment Abrose confessed followed by murmurs. The queen smiled and slowly let go of Abrose's hands, his blood staining the tips of her nails. The moment she let him go, Abrose collapsed on his side, shaking violently as his body was finally able to fight the serum without resistance from the queen. Her majesty turned to her onlookers, her features contorted in pain. "As you can see, my dear people, we have a witch among us. As much as it pains me to say this, especially about someone who's seemingly helped those humans and fae alike beneath our ranks, I must protect everyone. While there is no absolute proof that this witch has hurt or killed anyone, how, I ask, can I, as your Queen, can I allow for someone who has openly confessed to have the ability to kill our kind roam freely?" He glared around, daring anyone to apose her. No one in the crowd dared, but Nick's voice rang out in the halls. The Queen slowly turned, teeth bared as she gave her second in command. "And tell me, how do you know he hasn't yet?" She inquiries. "Seems to me he already has, considering hems twisted the mind of my Captain, making him fall in love with him and now apparently convincing my second to appose me." She whipped back to her people and pointed an accusing hand at Abrose. "Will we really let this continue? Let this witch terrorize us? Instill fear within us and our children?" She asked desperately, trying her best to ignore Nick's taunts and the murmurs that arise in the crowd agreeing with him
"As I seem to recall your majesty he controls plants and nature and things that grow from the ground. The last time I checked, I was a human being who out of my mother's…well you know the rest. He said it himself, his powers are not demonic, simply plant-based, and nothing more. While your at it ask him if he has ever used this power and if so why and we'll see who the real which is. There are plenty of plants that could kill you. I figure he could enhance that killing power into something stronger, like any magic-user. But of course, if you don't want to listen to me ask him yourself. How does he kill fae-kind when he can control minds. I'm the only one who could even remotely hear thoughts. So how would a plant user play mind games?" Nick dropped the chains letting Easton bend down to Abrose.
"Hey…can you hear me?" Easton said quietly not wanting to interrupt Nick's very sassy speech about how the Queen should give the people more information.
The queen let out a deep growl, eyes shifting from a deep green to an Amber. "Tell me, how you could stand knowing that this human has the potential to kill you without any consequence. How you can stand by defending him when could easily poison your meal." She snapped, teeth sharp and pointed. She half turned towards Abrose, still curled in on himself. "I should have gone out myself and ended you all those years ago. Then I could have saved you from this." She shook her head and turned back to her people, glad to at least see some who seemed to agree with her. "Tell me, people of Bellaluna. Are we going to allow this witch to continue with its life only to put ours at risk? Or will some of you side with the captain and the second? Pathetic as it may be."
Ambrose recoiled as a sharp pain shot down his spine, forcing himself not to vomit right then and there. He warrily glanced up at Easton, vision distorted with tears and from the serum. He tried to respond, a mixture of incoherent muttering and moans of pain the only sound he could muster. He shook his head and curled up into a tighter ball, not even wanting to look at anything anymore. When would they just kill him?
"But isn't Easton still alive and Abrose had cooked for him tonight?" He was hoping to stall long enough that Abrose and Easton could attempt to getaway. Easton watched Abrose wish he could reach out the chain was too restricting. He gave a deep growl that seemed to make the floor shake as he watched the one he loved struggle in pain alone. Nick had fallen silent when the chains broke. "What the…"
Easton had taken Abrose in his arms, holding the other closer to his body. "You're okay…shhh…I'm here…" he reached down and broke the other's chains as well. Easton kisses his hand giving a soft smile. "You're okay…just focus on me. Focus on my voice. Rest now okay?"
Nick could hear his thoughts loud and clear, he wasn't angry nor sad, but worried. He wanted Abrose to be okay. "Tell me my fellow fae, does he seem like a threat right now. Do either of them look like they could tear this village apart and kill all of you. What would they gain from that? They're just like you, no? Have there been sightings of a human running around killing fae-kind? Not that I've seen. If anything I would call you the witch, your Majesty." He watch out of the corner of his eyes as Easton picked up Abrose carry him in his arms. He wasn't listening to what he said he just wanted to get out of here.
The Queen was seething, her teeth barred as she pinned Nick with a stare, ignoring the fact that Easton had managed to slip by to her prisoner. That was until she heard the sound of metal being torn apart, the sound annoyingly high pitched to their sensitive fae ears. She flicked her gaze between the two, knowing that if she declared death before a trial, her people would rebel. But she had been waiting years to finally wipe out the Nightingale lineage. While a minor neucance compared to those across seas, the family has always been consistent in producing offspring with strangely powerful abilities. While Abrose seemingly didn't show anything lethal to her or her people, she didn't want to take that risk. She breathed out steadily through her nose and addressed the crowd.
Meanwhile, Abrose tried his very best not to pass out. He could sense movement around him but he didn't really know what was going on. His gaze landed on a blurry version of Easton, determined to keep his face in veiw. His hand twitched at his side, almost as if to reach out to him but his limbs would move in the right way. He wimoered slightly at being moved but was glad to be in Easton's arms. He tested his head against his chest, finally letting himself slip into unconsciousness.
Easton kept silent for a few seconds kissing the boy's forehead. "I think I know why you want to kill him so badly…" he said quietly and calmly not wanted to wake Abrose. "You're scared aren't you. He can kill you if he wanted. That reality scares you. You think you are invincible because you have royal blood. Abrose can break that standard in an instant. Instead of handling the situation and telling him to leave you simply cower behind your monarchy and your queenship to do what you please. Nothing about this is justified or justice and you know that. So, tell us what personal vendetta do you have against someone who wouldn't hurt a fly?" His heart was beating out of his chest from fear, confidence, worry, and anger building up.
The queen narrowed her eyes at Easton "justified? She breathed, hands clenching at her sides as she turned her anger onto Easton. "Oh, no dear, I'm not scared if dying. But far too much pain has been caused by this family." She growled, sing down at Abrose. "My personal vendetta?" He laughed softly and rolled her eyes, ignoring the crowd behind her. "Let's just say I made a little promise to his father long ago that I'd destroy his family, one by one, until the Nightingale was gone." She flicked her gaze upon towards Easton. "Their family has a tendency to break hearts. You've seen that first hand, haven't you captain? Or did your mystery date in red not devastating leave you alone that night some time ago?" She asked, tilting her head. "And tell me, how do you know he won't break your heart again? Or even kill you? You'd be willing to take that risk for him?"
