Crocodile Tears [15/?]
Title: Crocodile Tears [15/?]
Rating: R
Fandom: Bandom [Elliot Minor/Empires/Suns]
Pairing(s): So far, Tom Conrad/ Mikey Russell
Summary: Murder and abduction is never easy, but the Princes in the Tower case is turning out to be something else entirely. Alex Davies wasn't expecting this after the Bernstein case.
Genre: AU/Angst
Warnings: swearing, violence, murder, character death, child abuse, domestic abuse
Notes: [1015 words]
“Cup of tea?” Alex hovered uneasily in the door way. The younger man looked up, and it was then that Alex realised he was crying. Silently, but crying all the same. “What’s up? Stupid question.” He hurriedly added when Teddy looked at him incredulously.
“When Edward couldn’t sleep.” The man said eventually. “When he couldn’t sleep, he used to want me to sing to him, and, I, I never did.”
“Tell me about the Wars of the Roses. Wakefield? What’s that?” The older changed the subject.
“The Battle of Wakefield. Richard, Duke of York, he died there. He tried to claim the throne, and they had this battle and he died and so did his seventeen year old son.” Teddy recited promptly, almost as though it was a relief to focus on something else.
“Who was he fighting against?” Alex sat down next to him.
“Henry the...” The father trailed off.
“Mr Hetherton? Teddy?” The policeman looked at him quizzically, biting his lip. Teddy had been under a lot of stress recently.
“Richard of York gave battle in vain - at Wakefield.” Alex gave Teddy a blank look, and the younger man huffed. “Richard III - Richard of Gloucester - was accused of killing pretty much everyone. But Richard of York gave battle in vain to Henry VI, who Richard of Gloucester killed at Wakefield Tower.”
“Where’s that?” Alex still felt out of the loop - a common occurrence when dealing with Teddy, he’d discovered. “Because I thought you said-”
“Wakefield Tower is in London, it’s part of the Tower of London.” The younger man mumbled. “Henry VI was supposed to have been murdered there by a blunt instrument to the back of the head.” Alex didn’t understand the look on his face at first, and then he remembered - oh.
“Do you think she chose that way on purpose?” He asked softly, resting a hand on top of Teddy’s tentatively.
“I think it was probably just a quick and easy way of getting rid of him.” Teddy said bluntly. “I don’t know why she did it - Edward was always her favourite.”
“I’m really sorry.” The policeman bit his lip. “I am. I know we’re always saying that, but... I really am.”
“I don’t need your sympathy.” The younger man tilted his head, his eyes steely. “I’m coming with you.” He jerked his hand away.
“Strictly speaking, you’re still a suspect. Ergo, you...” Alex trailed off as the man stood up, squaring off to him.
“This woman made my life hell for three years. She has my son, she killed my child. She is doing this to destroy me. I am coming with you.” He stepped forward. Alex realised belatedly that Teddy was taller than him - and looked slightly psychotic. “You won’t be able to get Dickon back without me - I know Rebecca.”
“Mikey’s not going to like this.” Alex murmured.
“Mikey can suck my cock.” The suspect challenged.
“Given half the chance, he probably would.” Tom’s voice entered the conversation. “He’d jump at it.”
“He wants to come with.” The younger man sighed.
“Unheard of, against protocol.” The blonde American folded his arms. “Not even Mikey’s-”
“He comes with.” The Chief Constable interrupted. “Rebecca’s smart; she wants him. Either way, he comes with. If only to shut him up, or use him as bait for that psycho bitch.”
“Delightful.” Teddy remarked. “When do we leave?”
“Ten minutes. Take a shower.” The oldest man threw a roll of clothing at him, before leaving.
“He really is a charming man, isn’t he?” Teddy murmured.
-
“I’m coming.” Tom folded his arms and jutted out his jaw obstinately.
“I should just open it for everyone.” His husband muttered, walking past him to retrieve his gun. He checked there was no ammunition in it and pointed it at the wall, before pulling the trigger. He made a murmur of approval and began to load up. “Free coach trip to a murder crime scene!”
“I want to finish this case properly.” The blonde picked up another gun. “This is my last case here. I’ve applied for a transfer.”
Mikey froze, his back seizing up. He closed his eyes. “That was not the right time to tell me.”
“I wanted you to know where you stand.” Tom shoved his gun into his holster. “I’ve filed for dissolution.”
“Shit.” The Chief Constable covered his eyes with the hand not holding a gun. “Fuck’s sake, Tom! Not now, ok? Not now.”
“Are you going to bury your head in the sand then?” The younger man jeered.
“I was scared.” Mikey turned away. “I was scared when we first got together, because-”
“Because of the fucking age gap?” The blonde shook his head. “You had nothing to worry about with that. Try worrying about your problems staying faithful and respecting your marriage vows - although I shouldn’t have been surprised, you did cheat on your wife with me.”
The gun dropped from Mikey’s hand. He opened his mouth to talk, but shook his head, before bending down to pick it up and walking away. “You still have your key.” He said brusquely. “I’m going out tonight, after the case. You can pick up your stuff without me being there, I’m sure.”
“I can get Sean to help me, yes.” Tom gave him a crisp nod.
“I-” Mikey hovered in the doorway, not looking back. “I’m sorry, Tom. I’m sorry.”
“Too late.” The blonde barged past him, knocking his shoulder harder than he needed to. “Too fucking late, Mikey.” He wanted to stop, to scream at Mikey to make him realise how much of an idiot both of them had been, to scream until he stopped hurting, until something had been made from this mess. His throat was hoarse with holding it in, his chest tight and bruised.
“Still.” Mikey inclined his head, before walking away, hand on his gun. “We leave in five minutes.” Tom watched him go silently, realising belatedly he was shaking. He kicked at the wall and gave a groan of pain, but he wouldn’t cry. He pressed his lips together and shook his head.