Cloud no. 9
1) All fills for prompts of the earlier prompt posts go in the post the prompt was posted in. No re-posting or splitting up prompts and fills.
2) Self-prompt when you post unprompted fic. (This means posting what the fill is about in a first comment, like a real prompt, and commenting on that with your fill.)
3) Try not to get too srs business. ( Read more... )
"I-I heard about Peter and George..." Nick hesitantly backed away, eyeing the key the other man was still brandishing. "God, Alastair, you look awful. Wh-what happened?"
"Nothing!" Alastair shouted, standing defensively in the doorway. "Nothing, okay? So leave me the fuck alone!" His head dropped suddenly and a sob escaped his lungs. Nick could see the tear-tracks on his tired face. "Are you deaf? I said fuck off!"
Slowly, Nick raised his hands to Alastair's trembling shoulders and guided him back into the hall. Once they were both inside, he shut the door behind them and leant against it, terrified of whatever he'd let himself in for. "Come on," he whispered. "Let's get something to eat. You don't need to talk."
Together they moved through to the kitchen, Nick's right hand sliding down to take hold of Alastair's. The older man's fingers totally enveloped him, making Nick feel more safe than scared. "Look," he smiled, sitting Alastair down and going for the breadbin, "I'll get us some toast. Hang on a moment."
With an admiring glance back at the man huddled by the kitchen table, Nick sighed and pushed two slices of bread into the toaster before opening the cupboards in search of jam. He found the whole thing surprisingly nice - it was reassuring to find that the figure who'd been haunting his dreams for almost a week lived like anyone else, in a house with carpets and a toaster. Besides, for reasons Nick couldn't fathom, he liked being a part of the cosy domestic scene. He could get used to making lunch for Alastair.
As soon as that thought presented itself, Nick squashed it right back. He couldn't allow himself to get involved. But then, what was he doing here if not to get involved?
"There you go," said Nick gently, setting down two plates of toast with jam. Just as he went to turn and sit down, a hand shot out and siezed his collar, making him yelp in alarm as Alastair pulled him close.
"What are you doing here?" Alastair growled. As much as Nick writhed, he would not let go. "You left. You left for that posh cunt..."
Grey-blue eyes grew wide. "No," breathed Nick, "that's not me. I'm not Peter." He tentatively stroked Alastair's hair back from his face, planting a kiss on the other man's forehead. "It's me. It's Nick. And I'm still here."
"Nick." Alastair deflated visibly and released the younger man. "Clegg, yeah, okay. I remember. The one who started all this." He glanced up. "You do look like my one, though."
Nick dropped into a chair and stared numbly at his toast. He'd never been told he looked a thing like Mandelson; their reptilian charm and boy-band good looks couldn't be less alike. And as for 'the one who started all this'... Nick wanted to hide his head in his hands. He knew it wasn't true, that their problems had been going on far longer than he could imagine -even George had been obsessed with Peter for years before Nick got involved. But the remark still stung.
"Okay," muttered Nick, though he himself was rattled with nerves. He could hardly believe he'd get involved when he knew how dangerous it all was, but mostly he was stunned that being at suck close quarters with Alastair once again had stirred some kind of emotion inside him. It had been there all along, but now this... whatever it was, this attraction he'd tried to deny... was threatening to overwhelm him.
"Okay," he repeated. "I know I shouldn't talk about this, but I take it you know that Peter's gone to meet George."
"Mmm." Alastair stirred angrily.
Nodding, Nick went on, "When I arrived you looked a bit like you were going to find them and hurt them. Or kill yourself. Or both." He frowned. "So, first of all, I'd really like it if you didn't."
Glancing wryly at him, Alastair nodded. "I think I can refrain for a few hours."
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