Writerverse - Do the Shuffle (I got carried away...)
So, you know how they said up to 5 songs? Hah. Hahahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh, you don't know my love for this sort of challenge? Well, I did... 11 of these so far (yes, I said so far). I'll pick my favorite 5 later. I'm going to post all of the ones I do here, though. ;) So here's the first 11...
Title: Happy Father's Day
Your Song: Catharsis by Die Verbannten Kinder Evas
Word Count: 111
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Seize the Day)
Pairings (if any): Savin/Mari
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Child death
Summary: Mari wishes Savin a happy Father's Day.
“Happy Father’s Day,” Mari whispered, wrapping her arms around Savin’s shoulders as she hugged him over the back of his chair.
Father’s Day. Savin winced, wishing his chest wouldn’t feel so heavy as he returned Mari’s embrace as best he could. Father’s Day. He could have been a father. Could have had a little baby girl. A girl named Danni. “Thank you,” he breathed, finding it difficult to speak through the emotion closing up his throat.
Mari’s arms just tightened around him, the squeeze both comforting and unnerving at the same time.
They had lost a daughter. They had lost a child. And they would never get her back.
Title: Now Legal
Your Song: Crazy Train by Ozzy Ozbourne
Word Count: 140
Rating: PG
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Seize the Day)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Implied racism of sorts
Summary: The NB Laws are finally overturned.
Ryin stared at the newspaper in front of him, his eyes growing wide.
NATURAL BORNS NOW LEGAL CITIZENS.
He was a legal citizen.
The NBEA would be formally dissolved, no longer hunting Natural Borns like himself. A Natural Born Relation Committee would be developed, handled by several trusted politicians within Emperor Casio’s inner circle.
He was free. He didn’t have to run anymore. Jazz didn’t have to run anymore. They were citizens. Legally protected by the Empire, just like everyone else. He could step outside of this little compound his uncle had set aside for him. Could walk freely down the street.
Or well, he could -- in theory. The Empire might have granted him legal citizenship, but the inhabitants of that Empire? He knew may never accept him.
He was okay with that.
Title: Thanks
Your Song: The Longest Time by Billy Joel
Word Count: 160
Rating: PG
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Seize the Day)
Pairings (if any): Hinted Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): None!
Summary: Savin feels something he really shouldn't for the young blonde man.
Savin managed a smile, tipping back his glass. “You know, I never thanked you,” he murmured, leaning in close to Jazz.
“Thanked me for what?” Jazz asked, grinning from ear to ear as he took a sip of his beer. His cheeks were flushed, his blue eyes sparkling in the low light of the bar.
Savin felt his heart skip a beat, his own face burning in a way that hadn’t happened for years, not even with Mari. “For asking me to come out tonight,” he said quietly, still leaning in close, even as he looked away. “I -- I really needed to get out of the house.”
“You’re welcome!” Jazz chirped, draping an arm over Savin’s shoulders. “Ryin told me what happened,” he continued, his voice dropping low. Sadness laced his voice, too. “I just -- I wanted to see you smile, y’know? You seem like such an awesome guy, and --” He cut himself off, blushing. “Never mind.”
Title: He Knows
Your Song: In the Presence of Enemies (Part 1) by Dream Theater
Word Count: 287
Rating: PG
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Hints towards abuse
Summary: Much to Savin's chagrin, Mitchel knows more than he probably should.
“Where’s Callahan, Bates?”
Savin tensed, his shoulders aching as he stood in front of the Council. He knew this question was inevitable. Knew that he would have to answer it, at some point. The pit in his stomach kept swallowing everything whole, including his words. Still, Savin cleared his throat and tapped the table idly with his fingers. “He’s missing,” he answered.
A distinct hush fell over the Council room. An Emperor? Missing? Mitchel, as always, appeared unaffected by the news. He remained as he was, face impassive and hands folding together neatly on top of the table. “Missing? Surely you must be joking, Emperor Bates?”
The other Council members nodded in agreement, all turning towards him to guidance. Him, the man who could so willing assault his own husband. The thought made his knees go weak and his stomach turn. Breathing in deeply, Savin pushed his glasses back up his nose in an effort to calm his stomach. To distract himself.
“I’m not,” he said finally, voice thick and full of gravel. “I haven’t seen Jazz since last night.”
He didn’t want to admit that they fought. Didn’t want to admit that he hoped with all of his heart that Jazz would never come back.
“What are we going to do?” Kevin asked, leaning in over the table. The rest of the Council seemed to follow his lead -- all of them aside from Mitchel.
“Clearly, we report the Emperor missing,” Mitchel snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Right, Bates?” he asked, meeting Savin’s eyes for the first time that meeting.
Savin felt his own widen as Mitchel’s eyes burned into his, the accusations barely hidden behind Mitchel’s usual mask of tight control.
Mitchel knew.
Title: Don't Wanna Talk (To You Anymore)
Your Song: Blood on the Ground by Incubus
Word Count: 242
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Allusions to abuse and anger issues
Summary: "Something inside me has said more than twice/that breathing less air beats breathing you at all."
Savin glared at Mitchel, trying to keep his emotions in check. He couldn’t let Mitchel get under his skin. Not now. Not while they were alone. Not when he had so little control. Not when --
“So Callahan’s missing, hm?” Mitchel asked, leaning back in his seat at the Council Room table. He flipped through some paperwork he had before him, as if he were trying to hide that fake little smirk of his. The same smirk Savin ached to slap off his face.
“Yes,” Savin answered, keeping his answers as short as possible.
“Interesting,” Mitchel hummed, flicking his eyes over the edge of his work. He lowered the papers slowly, that smirk disappearing for a moment. “So what transpired after you found Callahan and I in the hall, Bates? Clearly, Callahan’s disappearance and your -- reaction to us last night are connected.”
Savin sucked in his lips for a moment, grinding his teeth together as he gathered up his things. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he muttered, standing up from his own seat. He needed to leave. Needed to get out of here. Needed to ignore the way his chest felt tight, the way his vision was beginning to recede.
Mitchel knew, he reminded himself. Mitchel already knew. Had to have known. Jazz would have run to that bastard first. So he needed to keep quiet.
For as long as he could be, anyway.
Title: Adjustments
Your Song: In the Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Word Count: 146
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Thoughts back to past abuse
Summary: Mitchel makes an unexpected visit
Jazz sighed, relaxing into the soft bed Ravi had provided for him. A room. Entirely to himself. For whatever reason, that felt like such a luxury now, after four years of sharing a living space with someone else.
And it wasn’t like he wasn’t sharing one now. After all, he was just a guest here. He couldn’t stay. He’d have to go back to the Empire at some point. Would have to go back to being Emperor. But right now -- right now, he wanted to feel safe. Taken care of.
“Callahan?”
Jazz sat up quickly, turning his head towards the door. “Mitchel -- what the hell are you --?”
“I simply wanted to ensure that you were adjusting well enough to your new...surroundings,” Mitchel said quietly, remaining by the open door. “May I...?” He gestured towards the bed, causing Jazz to nod his head.
Title: Where Do I Start?
Your Song: Tuesday's Gone (Demo) by Lynryd Skynrd
Word Count: 278
Rating: PGish
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Mentions of past Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Allusions to abuse
Summary: Savin finally starts getting the help he desperately needs.
Savin chewed on the end of his pen before rolling it between his fingers. Weeks. It had been weeks. Jazz had been gone for weeks, no sign of him coming back. And why would he want to? With the way Savin had treated him -- how he probably would have continued to treat him...
He didn’t want to think about that. His first therapy session would be in a few minutes. Scheduling had been such a huge pain in the ass -- and finding one he could trust? Even harder. He was the Emperor, after all. Privacy didn’t come easy to him.
The last thing he needed was for this to get out to the media. For the media to know what he did to Jazz, in the first place. But he needed to keep running the Empire. Needed to find a way to get those bullshit emotions of his in check, so he’d never hurt another person like that again.
When the guy walked into the waiting room, he offered Savin and apologetic smile. “Mr. Gates?” he asked. “If you’d step this way, please?”
Savin had to laugh at the fake name, unable to hold it back as he stood up from his seat. The others waiting in the room with him hadn’t recognized him -- he guessed his glasses and having his hair down helped. Even his therapist seemed slightly at a loss as he directed Savin towards his office.
“So what brings you here today, Emperor Bates?” the man asked quietly, settling into a large armchair across from a small love-seat.
Savin snorted. Where the hell was he going to start?
Title: Take Me Back
Your Song: Passage by Matthew Cook
Word Count: 85
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Implied Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Mentions of blood and very heavy bruising.
Summary: Savin sees Jazz for the first time in half a year, and it isn't pretty.
Savin couldn’t believe it.
Jazz -- his Jazz -- beaten bloody, his nose obviously broken, dark purple and black rims around his eyes. “What the hell happened to you?” he breathed, his eyes filling with tears.
Jazz swallowed thickly, clearing his throat as he avoided Savin’s eyes -- avoided his tentative touch. He moved slowly, as if any action caused him great pain. And judging just from the damage Savin could see, Jazz probably was. “Just -- fucking take me back.”
Title: Relief
Your Song: Collide by Howie Day
Word Count: 189
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A, previous Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Mentions of past violence and sexual abuse
Summary: Savin wants to assess Jazz's injuries in the privacy of their old home together.
“Why -- why are you doing this?” Jazz gasped out as Savin helped him onto their -- Savin’s couch.
Savin frowned to himself, careful of Jazz’s injuries as he helped his ex remove his shirt. “I know you don’t want to go to the hospital,” he whispered, his eyes meeting Jazz’s briefly. They were filled with concern and something else. “If you don’t want me to assess your injuries, we can go to the ER -- I’d make sure they were discreet.”
Jazz felt his chest tighten even worse, making it difficult for him to breathe at the thought. “N-No, you do it,” he said, hissing in pain as Savin’s hands lightly pressed against his skin.
He tried not to think about how those hands had once hurt him. How they had touched him last time they had seen each other. Savin moved quickly, continuing to frown as he touched when he had to, whispering questions about what hurt and what didn’t.
When Savin straightened his back and left the room, no doubt to look for some gauze or ace bandages, Jazz breathed a sigh of relief.
Title: Why He Left
Your Song: Our Fortress is Burning -- II - Bloodbirds by Agalloch
Word Count: 166
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Jazz/Ravi
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Implied violence/talk of assassinations
Summary: Ravi almost wishes he had turned down this job, but he knows that he can't.
Ravi checked the scope, adjusting his rifle for final time. The Emperors would be walking out on stage in just a few moments.
His mouth had gone dry hours ago, when Mitch handed him the photographs and gave him his orders. Assassinations were part of the job. Part of the reality of what he did for the Resistance.
But he knew who he was fighting against, now. Knew what they were like. Or well, knew what one of them was like. Blue had grown on him so much, the past few months. They had grown so attached to one another.
But Blue had to go back. Blue had to do his job. Had to run the Empire he once left behind, leaving Ravi behind. All to return to the same husband that had sent him running, in the first place.
And when Blue finally walked out to the podium, his face swollen and bruised, Ravi could see why Blue left, in the first place.
Title: Beautiful, Isn't It?
Your Song: Finding Beauty by Craig Armstrong
Word Count: 112
Rating: R
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Kinda none, but kiiinda Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Death, blood
Summary: All it takes is one unlucky shot to ruin everything.
Savin’s heart stopped.
Jazz’s eyes were wide -- wider than he had ever seen them before the younger man collapsed to the floor, clutching a hand to his chest -- to his heart. Savin had no time to react, no time to respond as Mitchel came towards him, the gun still in hand.
Despite that, Savin knelt down beside his husband. Ignored the blood that soaked through Jazz’s clothes and onto Savin’s hands as he began to try and assess the wound. Jazz’s eyes fluttered closed, and he tried to speak, but Savin didn’t want him to.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Mitchel asked, approaching them slowly. “You’ll die together. How quaint.”
Title: Working Together
Your Song: A Fair Judgement by Opeth
Word Count: 345
Rating: R
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Past Jazz/Savin, Jazz/Mitchel
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Mentions of death
Summary: Savin asks for help from the least likely person.
Mitchel’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, his head bowed and his hands clasped between his knees. “You wish to work with me?” he gasped, shaking his head. “Do you even hear yourself, Emperor?”
Savin frowned, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose before crossing his arms over his chest. He looked at Mitchel through the bars of his cell, trying to keep his expression as neutral as possible. “I want what’s best for our Empire,” he said quietly, keeping his voice as earnest as possible.
“Somehow, I think asking a known Resistance member what may be best for your ‘Empire’ would be considered a misguided decision at best, Emperor,” Mitchel said, keeping his eyes to the floor. “There is no need to come to the Resistance for help.”
“I am simply asking what it is that the Resistance really wants,” Savin said, trying to keep the biting edge from his voice. “If they want what’s best for the Empire, maybe I should try and listen to them.”
“Perhaps,” Mitchel said, standing up from his cot. He groaned in pain, putting a hand to his shoulder. “But don’t you need time to mourn?”
The question was spat out just as Mitchel lifted his eyes to Savin’s, glaring at him. Savin flinched, ignoring the tears that wanted to well up in his eyes. “The Empire is in danger of collapse,” he murmured, tightening his arms over his chest. “He’d have wanted me to stop that from happening, first.”
Mitchel snorted, walking over to the bars. He, too, crossed his arms over his chest, mirroring Savin’s body language exactly. “They want democracy. They want to dethrone you. They want the war with Hooba to end, and for the Empire to stop pushing its boundaries outward,” he said. “Now, since you have your answers, I wish to be left alone.”
Savin nodded, pursing his lips together. He made to leave, but stopped, sparing one backward glance at Mitchel. “You loved him, too, didn’t you?”
Mitchel didn’t answer. Not that Savin had expected one.
Title: Happy Father's Day
Your Song: Catharsis by Die Verbannten Kinder Evas
Word Count: 111
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Seize the Day)
Pairings (if any): Savin/Mari
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Child death
Summary: Mari wishes Savin a happy Father's Day.
“Happy Father’s Day,” Mari whispered, wrapping her arms around Savin’s shoulders as she hugged him over the back of his chair.
Father’s Day. Savin winced, wishing his chest wouldn’t feel so heavy as he returned Mari’s embrace as best he could. Father’s Day. He could have been a father. Could have had a little baby girl. A girl named Danni. “Thank you,” he breathed, finding it difficult to speak through the emotion closing up his throat.
Mari’s arms just tightened around him, the squeeze both comforting and unnerving at the same time.
They had lost a daughter. They had lost a child. And they would never get her back.
Title: Now Legal
Your Song: Crazy Train by Ozzy Ozbourne
Word Count: 140
Rating: PG
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Seize the Day)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Implied racism of sorts
Summary: The NB Laws are finally overturned.
Ryin stared at the newspaper in front of him, his eyes growing wide.
NATURAL BORNS NOW LEGAL CITIZENS.
He was a legal citizen.
The NBEA would be formally dissolved, no longer hunting Natural Borns like himself. A Natural Born Relation Committee would be developed, handled by several trusted politicians within Emperor Casio’s inner circle.
He was free. He didn’t have to run anymore. Jazz didn’t have to run anymore. They were citizens. Legally protected by the Empire, just like everyone else. He could step outside of this little compound his uncle had set aside for him. Could walk freely down the street.
Or well, he could -- in theory. The Empire might have granted him legal citizenship, but the inhabitants of that Empire? He knew may never accept him.
He was okay with that.
Title: Thanks
Your Song: The Longest Time by Billy Joel
Word Count: 160
Rating: PG
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Seize the Day)
Pairings (if any): Hinted Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): None!
Summary: Savin feels something he really shouldn't for the young blonde man.
Savin managed a smile, tipping back his glass. “You know, I never thanked you,” he murmured, leaning in close to Jazz.
“Thanked me for what?” Jazz asked, grinning from ear to ear as he took a sip of his beer. His cheeks were flushed, his blue eyes sparkling in the low light of the bar.
Savin felt his heart skip a beat, his own face burning in a way that hadn’t happened for years, not even with Mari. “For asking me to come out tonight,” he said quietly, still leaning in close, even as he looked away. “I -- I really needed to get out of the house.”
“You’re welcome!” Jazz chirped, draping an arm over Savin’s shoulders. “Ryin told me what happened,” he continued, his voice dropping low. Sadness laced his voice, too. “I just -- I wanted to see you smile, y’know? You seem like such an awesome guy, and --” He cut himself off, blushing. “Never mind.”
Title: He Knows
Your Song: In the Presence of Enemies (Part 1) by Dream Theater
Word Count: 287
Rating: PG
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Hints towards abuse
Summary: Much to Savin's chagrin, Mitchel knows more than he probably should.
“Where’s Callahan, Bates?”
Savin tensed, his shoulders aching as he stood in front of the Council. He knew this question was inevitable. Knew that he would have to answer it, at some point. The pit in his stomach kept swallowing everything whole, including his words. Still, Savin cleared his throat and tapped the table idly with his fingers. “He’s missing,” he answered.
A distinct hush fell over the Council room. An Emperor? Missing? Mitchel, as always, appeared unaffected by the news. He remained as he was, face impassive and hands folding together neatly on top of the table. “Missing? Surely you must be joking, Emperor Bates?”
The other Council members nodded in agreement, all turning towards him to guidance. Him, the man who could so willing assault his own husband. The thought made his knees go weak and his stomach turn. Breathing in deeply, Savin pushed his glasses back up his nose in an effort to calm his stomach. To distract himself.
“I’m not,” he said finally, voice thick and full of gravel. “I haven’t seen Jazz since last night.”
He didn’t want to admit that they fought. Didn’t want to admit that he hoped with all of his heart that Jazz would never come back.
“What are we going to do?” Kevin asked, leaning in over the table. The rest of the Council seemed to follow his lead -- all of them aside from Mitchel.
“Clearly, we report the Emperor missing,” Mitchel snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Right, Bates?” he asked, meeting Savin’s eyes for the first time that meeting.
Savin felt his own widen as Mitchel’s eyes burned into his, the accusations barely hidden behind Mitchel’s usual mask of tight control.
Mitchel knew.
Title: Don't Wanna Talk (To You Anymore)
Your Song: Blood on the Ground by Incubus
Word Count: 242
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Allusions to abuse and anger issues
Summary: "Something inside me has said more than twice/that breathing less air beats breathing you at all."
Savin glared at Mitchel, trying to keep his emotions in check. He couldn’t let Mitchel get under his skin. Not now. Not while they were alone. Not when he had so little control. Not when --
“So Callahan’s missing, hm?” Mitchel asked, leaning back in his seat at the Council Room table. He flipped through some paperwork he had before him, as if he were trying to hide that fake little smirk of his. The same smirk Savin ached to slap off his face.
“Yes,” Savin answered, keeping his answers as short as possible.
“Interesting,” Mitchel hummed, flicking his eyes over the edge of his work. He lowered the papers slowly, that smirk disappearing for a moment. “So what transpired after you found Callahan and I in the hall, Bates? Clearly, Callahan’s disappearance and your -- reaction to us last night are connected.”
Savin sucked in his lips for a moment, grinding his teeth together as he gathered up his things. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he muttered, standing up from his own seat. He needed to leave. Needed to get out of here. Needed to ignore the way his chest felt tight, the way his vision was beginning to recede.
Mitchel knew, he reminded himself. Mitchel already knew. Had to have known. Jazz would have run to that bastard first. So he needed to keep quiet.
For as long as he could be, anyway.
Title: Adjustments
Your Song: In the Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Word Count: 146
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Thoughts back to past abuse
Summary: Mitchel makes an unexpected visit
Jazz sighed, relaxing into the soft bed Ravi had provided for him. A room. Entirely to himself. For whatever reason, that felt like such a luxury now, after four years of sharing a living space with someone else.
And it wasn’t like he wasn’t sharing one now. After all, he was just a guest here. He couldn’t stay. He’d have to go back to the Empire at some point. Would have to go back to being Emperor. But right now -- right now, he wanted to feel safe. Taken care of.
“Callahan?”
Jazz sat up quickly, turning his head towards the door. “Mitchel -- what the hell are you --?”
“I simply wanted to ensure that you were adjusting well enough to your new...surroundings,” Mitchel said quietly, remaining by the open door. “May I...?” He gestured towards the bed, causing Jazz to nod his head.
Title: Where Do I Start?
Your Song: Tuesday's Gone (Demo) by Lynryd Skynrd
Word Count: 278
Rating: PGish
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Mentions of past Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Allusions to abuse
Summary: Savin finally starts getting the help he desperately needs.
Savin chewed on the end of his pen before rolling it between his fingers. Weeks. It had been weeks. Jazz had been gone for weeks, no sign of him coming back. And why would he want to? With the way Savin had treated him -- how he probably would have continued to treat him...
He didn’t want to think about that. His first therapy session would be in a few minutes. Scheduling had been such a huge pain in the ass -- and finding one he could trust? Even harder. He was the Emperor, after all. Privacy didn’t come easy to him.
The last thing he needed was for this to get out to the media. For the media to know what he did to Jazz, in the first place. But he needed to keep running the Empire. Needed to find a way to get those bullshit emotions of his in check, so he’d never hurt another person like that again.
When the guy walked into the waiting room, he offered Savin and apologetic smile. “Mr. Gates?” he asked. “If you’d step this way, please?”
Savin had to laugh at the fake name, unable to hold it back as he stood up from his seat. The others waiting in the room with him hadn’t recognized him -- he guessed his glasses and having his hair down helped. Even his therapist seemed slightly at a loss as he directed Savin towards his office.
“So what brings you here today, Emperor Bates?” the man asked quietly, settling into a large armchair across from a small love-seat.
Savin snorted. Where the hell was he going to start?
Title: Take Me Back
Your Song: Passage by Matthew Cook
Word Count: 85
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Implied Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Mentions of blood and very heavy bruising.
Summary: Savin sees Jazz for the first time in half a year, and it isn't pretty.
Savin couldn’t believe it.
Jazz -- his Jazz -- beaten bloody, his nose obviously broken, dark purple and black rims around his eyes. “What the hell happened to you?” he breathed, his eyes filling with tears.
Jazz swallowed thickly, clearing his throat as he avoided Savin’s eyes -- avoided his tentative touch. He moved slowly, as if any action caused him great pain. And judging just from the damage Savin could see, Jazz probably was. “Just -- fucking take me back.”
Title: Relief
Your Song: Collide by Howie Day
Word Count: 189
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): N/A, previous Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Mentions of past violence and sexual abuse
Summary: Savin wants to assess Jazz's injuries in the privacy of their old home together.
“Why -- why are you doing this?” Jazz gasped out as Savin helped him onto their -- Savin’s couch.
Savin frowned to himself, careful of Jazz’s injuries as he helped his ex remove his shirt. “I know you don’t want to go to the hospital,” he whispered, his eyes meeting Jazz’s briefly. They were filled with concern and something else. “If you don’t want me to assess your injuries, we can go to the ER -- I’d make sure they were discreet.”
Jazz felt his chest tighten even worse, making it difficult for him to breathe at the thought. “N-No, you do it,” he said, hissing in pain as Savin’s hands lightly pressed against his skin.
He tried not to think about how those hands had once hurt him. How they had touched him last time they had seen each other. Savin moved quickly, continuing to frown as he touched when he had to, whispering questions about what hurt and what didn’t.
When Savin straightened his back and left the room, no doubt to look for some gauze or ace bandages, Jazz breathed a sigh of relief.
Title: Why He Left
Your Song: Our Fortress is Burning -- II - Bloodbirds by Agalloch
Word Count: 166
Rating: PG-13
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Jazz/Ravi
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Implied violence/talk of assassinations
Summary: Ravi almost wishes he had turned down this job, but he knows that he can't.
Ravi checked the scope, adjusting his rifle for final time. The Emperors would be walking out on stage in just a few moments.
His mouth had gone dry hours ago, when Mitch handed him the photographs and gave him his orders. Assassinations were part of the job. Part of the reality of what he did for the Resistance.
But he knew who he was fighting against, now. Knew what they were like. Or well, knew what one of them was like. Blue had grown on him so much, the past few months. They had grown so attached to one another.
But Blue had to go back. Blue had to do his job. Had to run the Empire he once left behind, leaving Ravi behind. All to return to the same husband that had sent him running, in the first place.
And when Blue finally walked out to the podium, his face swollen and bruised, Ravi could see why Blue left, in the first place.
Title: Beautiful, Isn't It?
Your Song: Finding Beauty by Craig Armstrong
Word Count: 112
Rating: R
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Kinda none, but kiiinda Jazz/Savin
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Death, blood
Summary: All it takes is one unlucky shot to ruin everything.
Savin’s heart stopped.
Jazz’s eyes were wide -- wider than he had ever seen them before the younger man collapsed to the floor, clutching a hand to his chest -- to his heart. Savin had no time to react, no time to respond as Mitchel came towards him, the gun still in hand.
Despite that, Savin knelt down beside his husband. Ignored the blood that soaked through Jazz’s clothes and onto Savin’s hands as he began to try and assess the wound. Jazz’s eyes fluttered closed, and he tried to speak, but Savin didn’t want him to.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Mitchel asked, approaching them slowly. “You’ll die together. How quaint.”
Title: Working Together
Your Song: A Fair Judgement by Opeth
Word Count: 345
Rating: R
Fandom or Original: Tomorrow Trilogy (Gray Morning)
Pairings (if any): Past Jazz/Savin, Jazz/Mitchel
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/etc): Mentions of death
Summary: Savin asks for help from the least likely person.
Mitchel’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, his head bowed and his hands clasped between his knees. “You wish to work with me?” he gasped, shaking his head. “Do you even hear yourself, Emperor?”
Savin frowned, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose before crossing his arms over his chest. He looked at Mitchel through the bars of his cell, trying to keep his expression as neutral as possible. “I want what’s best for our Empire,” he said quietly, keeping his voice as earnest as possible.
“Somehow, I think asking a known Resistance member what may be best for your ‘Empire’ would be considered a misguided decision at best, Emperor,” Mitchel said, keeping his eyes to the floor. “There is no need to come to the Resistance for help.”
“I am simply asking what it is that the Resistance really wants,” Savin said, trying to keep the biting edge from his voice. “If they want what’s best for the Empire, maybe I should try and listen to them.”
“Perhaps,” Mitchel said, standing up from his cot. He groaned in pain, putting a hand to his shoulder. “But don’t you need time to mourn?”
The question was spat out just as Mitchel lifted his eyes to Savin’s, glaring at him. Savin flinched, ignoring the tears that wanted to well up in his eyes. “The Empire is in danger of collapse,” he murmured, tightening his arms over his chest. “He’d have wanted me to stop that from happening, first.”
Mitchel snorted, walking over to the bars. He, too, crossed his arms over his chest, mirroring Savin’s body language exactly. “They want democracy. They want to dethrone you. They want the war with Hooba to end, and for the Empire to stop pushing its boundaries outward,” he said. “Now, since you have your answers, I wish to be left alone.”
Savin nodded, pursing his lips together. He made to leave, but stopped, sparing one backward glance at Mitchel. “You loved him, too, didn’t you?”
Mitchel didn’t answer. Not that Savin had expected one.