Fic: Watcher in the Woods (PG, Mag7:ATF/X-Men Movie Crossover Fic)
Title: Watcher in the Woods
Series: Voltage
Author: Sparrow
Fandom: Magnificent Seven: ATF and X-Men Movie
Characters: JD Dunne, Vin Tanner and Ezra Standish
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent Seven or X-Men in any way, shape or form. Any original characters, I do own.
Spoilers: Basic understanding of the Magnificent Seven ATF universe created by MOG and X-Men Movie ‘Verse. Previous stories here.
Summary: Sequel to Coming to Terms. Broken out of prison, Ezra wonders with Vin what happens now.
Author’s Note: I just wanted to say thank you to strangevisitor7 for the wonderful beta! And this one was really interesting to write, because I was showing the repercussions of how it affected the others because of what happened to JD.
Twelve feet by eight feet: that’s how large the isolation room was. Ezra Standish sat in the middle of the small room, carefully balancing the final card on the top of the house of cards he'd built to pass the time; it was a familiar practice to him.
Caught little over a year ago, he sacrificed himself so the others could get away. Eight months ago he was tossed into isolation and the cards were the only comfort allowed him.
He scratched at the bread that had been growing since he'd been thrown in isolation eight months ago after the riot he'd been accused of starting. As much as he protested his innocence, they didn’t listen or seem to care.
Swiping a hand out, he watched the cards collapsed into a chaotic pile.
Huffing out angrily, Ezra let his head thud against the wall of his small prison cell. He didn’t know how the others were doing or what was going on. He'd been vaguely aware of a commotion about six months ago. Ezra had a small hope that it was the others trying to break him free.
But he had no way of knowing in his current situation.
Getting to his knees, Ezra leaned forward and started to pick up the cards strewn across the floor. Hair fell into his face and he blew angrily upwards to push the bangs out of his eyes.
Cards collected, Ezra sat back against the wall, legs crossed and began shuffling again.
“And the name of the game is...” Ezra said, but was distracted when the lights started to flicker.
Frowning, the lights sputtered and then went out.
Ezra was immediately on his feet, cards forgotten on the floor, eyes straining to see anything in the pitch dark of his cell Into the dark a being of pure light appeared.
“Ezra?”
Ezra stared at the being and realized that it was JD; white hair and eyes glowing. JD's hand held a small orb that illuminated the room.
“JD?” Ezra asked in disbelief.
JD held out his other hand. “We’re getting out of here.”
Grabbing the hand, Ezra felt himself pulled in close to JD’s body and then nothing.
~~~
Ezra opened his eyes and found himself in the forest with the enticing smell of a something cooking over an open flame.. Turning toward the smells, relief flooded through him when he saw Vin poking the fire with a stick.
“Hey sleepin’ beauty,” Vin smiled at Ezra, noticing the man was awake. “You look like shit.”
Slowly sitting up, Ezra winced as he felt like his whole body was feeling like pins and needles. “I assure you Mr. Tanner, looking like this was not of my own doing.” Glancing around the camp area, he noticed a figure curled up into a ball in a sleeping bag.
“What happened?”
“JD’s little teleportin’ trick knocked you out when you two escaped from the prison,” Vin said. “When you landed in the clearing you collapsed.”
Ezra raised an eyebrow. “I collapsed? I don’t remember.”
Vin shrugged. “Not surprised.”
Looking away and letting his eyes fall on JD, Ezra whispered, “Is JD alright?”
Vin nodded. “Yeah, he wore himself out gettin’ you out. Didn’t help that he hasn’t been sleeping well the past few days.” Sighing, Vin rotated the stick that had the meat on it so the other side cooked. “The hotel rooms felt too small to him, so I figured it’d be best to camp outdoors for a bit. Figured it wouldn’t hurt you as well.”
Ezra felt the weight of Vin’s stare. “The sentiment is appreciated, Vin.” He’d never admit it out loud, but being outdoors felt like heaven to Ezra right now. He’d be in isolation for a very lonely eight months.
Shrugging, Vin tossed another couple of sticks into the fire. “It’s no problem, Ezra.”
Looking at the youngest of their current group, Ezra wondered how the young man got free. “How is he here, Vin? How did he break free? His hair and eyes glow white now, what did those government bastards do to him?” A hard edge had entered Ezra’s voice as he asked question after question.
Vin held up a hand to quiet Ezra down. “You’ll wake ‘im, Ez.He brought us here, no idea yet. He ain't barely shared much of his time in the government's care.” The last two words were spat out like Vin has something nasty in his mouth.
"But how did he ..."
“Eat up, Ez," Vin interrupted. "When he’s feelin’ more rested, you can ask.”
“Very well,” Ezra sighed reluctantly. “Is the mystery meat on the stick ready?”
“Jus’ about,” Vin drawled. Gingerly he touched the meat and then hissed when he burnt his fingers. Placing them in his mouth, to dull the sting, Vin grinned. “Meat’s ready.”
Taking the stick that Vin held out to him, Ezra gently blew on the meat and carefully bit into it. It was hot and juicy, and after prison food, it tasted like the most wonderful thing in the world. .
Vin bit into to his own meat and then stopped to chuckle as he watched Ezra moaning with delight over the simple fare. “You want a moment alone with that? Or do you enjoy havin’ an audience?”
Mouth full of meat, Ezra took the childish route and stuck out his tongue at Vin.
Soon the dinner was done. Ezra settled back against a fallen log next to Vin. Both of them keeping an eye out in the woods and eye on JD.
“Any word from the others?” Ezra asked quietly.
“We’ll be meeting up with them in a couple of weeks.”
“Mmm and JD, is he ready to meet with them?”
“I don’t know, Ezra,” Vin said honestly. “Somethin’ JD is gonna have t’judge for himself. Sometimes he acts alright, but other times...he worries me somethin’ fierce.”
“After imprisonment for so long, I’m not sure how anyone would be alright,” Ezra drawled.
Vin bumped his shoulder against Ezra’s. “And you?”
Giving one of his trademark smirks, Ezra brushed his too long hair back. “Me? I’m always alright, Vin.”
Frowning, Vin let it go for now.
Looking at both of them, Vin couldn’t help wonder what he was going to do. JD was still haunted by the experiments and things he was made to do. Ezra might deny it but he had to be affected by the enforced isolation and the horrors he'd faced in there.
Sighing, Vin decided they’d take one step at a time. And the next step was to get Ezra and JD a haircut and shave.
An owl hooted in the dark and Vin felt a weight against his shoulder. Ezra had fallen asleep on him. Wrapping his arm around his friend, Vin kept watch.
He’d keep them safe in any way possible.
THE END.