NaNo - 2008
If there was one thing Toris hated more than losing, it was being defeated. Utterly and completely defeated-stomped into the ground without a hope of getting up again to fight back. Despite his naïve expression and the fact that he had to constantly protect Felix, he worked hard to protect what he cared for. And together, for they always were together, they were a force to be reckoned with.
That was until a larger force came along.
When faced against Ivan, Toris found himself suffering the worst defeat imaginable. It hurt. He hurt. There was nothing he wanted more than to just crawl away and go back home to recover. But that wasn’t possible now.
Ivan’s grip was hard and painful against his upper arm. “Get up,” he ordered in his calm voice that sent chills through anyone’s spine. “I will be taking you with me.”
Toris winced, struggling to pull his arm free. “Let go of me! I don’t want to go with you!”
“But I want you,” he replied with a cold smile. “And my wants are more powerful than your wants.” The grip tightened and he heaved the trembling young man to his feet. “So you will be coming with me.”
“Felix! Felix, please wake up!” Toris continued to struggle against the hard grip. For a moment, he broke free and tried to dash back to the side of his still companion. But his legs trembled beneath him and he only fell to his knees. He isn’t moving. Is he dead? Oh God oh God please let him get up. Toris let out a strangled cry as an iron hand clamped on the back of his neck.
“Now, now… I thought I told you that you were mine.” Ivan hoisted him back to his feet.
“Let me go! Felix-please get up!” Toris’ hands tried to pull away the fingers from the back of his neck.
A long, slow chuckle came from the figure on the ground. The young man fidgeted, then pushed himself up enough so that he could flop over onto his back. He chuckled again, the sound turning into a strained giggle.
Toris let out a breath and gave a shaky smile. “You’re okay…” He forgot about the hand that was trying to drag him away and relaxed. Felix is okay… But then Ivan pulled him back a few paces and reality came crashing back down onto him. “F-Felix!” He stretched out one hand towards his companion. Why aren’t you doing anything?!
Felix giggled again and tilted his head back far enough so he could see the two. “Your face is like… so funny right now, Toris.” He tried to laugh, but it broke off in a fit of coughs. “I so like… can’t take you seriously when you make a face like that.”
Toris hesitated, failing to find an appropriate response. “M-my face?” He struggled against Ivan’s hands. “The man who defeated us is taking me away and the only thing you can think about is how my face looks?!” He was trying so hard to hold back the tears. Don’t cry. Don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry!
“Well, it’s not like I can do anything.” Felix managed to sit up, suppressing the wince as he did so. Instead, he plastered on his characteristic stupid, taunting grin.
“You can’t do anything?!” He was furious now. He pulled and fought against Ivan’s hands, but they only gripped harder and pulled him closer against the strange man. “What about trying to help me?! I thought we were partners, Felix!”
The young man on the ground shrugged, winced, and smirked. “So not worth the effort.” His bright eyes were focused on Ivan as he said this.
Toris went limp, eyes wide. “I can’t believe you… You bastard, I can’t believe you!” He made a lunge for Felix, but strong arms wrapped around his chest and pulled him back. Toris flailed, not caring any more what happened to him as he tried to break free. “I can’t believe you!”
“I think this good-bye was long enough,” Ivan said cheerfully, successfully restraining the young man’s movements with a tight grip. “Come along now, Toris.”
Felix dropped back onto the ground, humming tunelessly to himself as the tall man began to drag the protesting figure away.
“Won’t you even look at me?” Toris shouted, his voice raw and his throat burning from the suppressed tears. “You bastard, after all I’ve done for you and you won’t even look at me!” Even if it’s that stupid smile of yours I want you to look at me. Look sad for me-at least try to look sad that I’m being forced away from you! He fell limp once again, and just let Ivan support his weight as they walked away.
It took a long time for Toris’ feet to actually start working on their own again. And even then, they dragged against the ground and only Ivan’s grip on his arm was keeping him upright. The tears fell freely down his cheeks and he cried softly as he walked.
“Such a nice friend you have,” Ivan said wistfully, breaking the silence between them.
“Who is?” he muttered, wiping his eyes with the back of one hand. No use, it just made his face dirtier.
“The one that was left behind. He must have cared for you a lot.”
“Oh, I’m sure he did.” Toris was feeling spiteful, an emotion he wasn’t used to. It hurt to think this away about Felix, but it was only fair. “He didn’t even try to help me.”
Ivan arched an eyebrow and looked down at the small figure he was supporting. “You couldn’t tell? He knew that if he tried anything, I would have just hurt you even more.”
Toris stumbled, looking up sharply at the man. Ivan’s placid smile and cheerful tone as he said that line made his stomach lurch. “Felix-?”
“Felix, hmm?” Ivan looked back in front of them, studying the horizon absently. “Maybe in a few months I’ll just have to take him as well.”
Toris concentrated on the path under their feet. He straightened his posture, shaking off the arm around him as he stood on his own. “Don’t you dare touch him,” he said.
The man didn’t reply, only smiled and squeezed Toris’ arm until he thought it was going to break under the pressure.
But he didn’t cry out. Instead, he vowed to protect stupid Felix just as he always had. Because it’s what friends are for.