1422. Hurt & Comfort Meme

[memep0ster]

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Ben Lockwood | werewolf OC | slave AU | OTA

[werewolf_hacker]

[Ben sprawls, half-conscious and naked, in an alley. A wolfsbane net is draped across his chest and abdomen, leaving welts across the startling scarred tattoo over his heart. His left hand looks as if someone stomped on it with a view to turning 27 bones into 54--or more--and the werewolf brand on the back of it is bruised and swollen almost beyond recognition. A slice down his right forearm, to the bone, marks where his assailants removed the tracking chip. Whoever attacked him left the electric collar and cuffs, however.

He's got two claws through his hand, broken off, like he had clenched his fist and then popped them before it got stepped on. Once broken off, the wolfsbane wouldn't affect them, so there they are.

He breathes in shallow gasps. God, but he hates damn wolfsbane...]

{{OOC: 'verse info here. Any strangers (or old friends) tagging, assume it's in the first 'verse after Maria has died.}}

[inwhichwar]

[Maria, naturally, has been looking for him almost since the moment he went missing. Cold fury and fear war within her, and she's down to combing alleys in desperation . . .]

[werewolf_hacker]

[They stepped on the tracking chip after they tore it out of his arm. Laughing about how his Mistress would never find him now, and he'd die here, slowly.

They stripped the ring from his broken finger before they left.

But he's not far from home, he's never far from home anymore. Nonetheless, he hopes Maria hurries.

He's cold.]

[inwhichwar]

[Oh, she's hurrying, all right, as much as she can, and she barely pauses when she peers into the alley and sees . . .]

Ben!

[She rushes to his side, heedless of what a bad idea kneeling is as she drops down beside him.]

Oh, liebling . . .

[werewolf_hacker]

Maria... [He coughs, and broken ribs stab him.] Knew. Knew you'd come for me. [The wolfsbane hasn't had a chance to root yet, thank Dad.] Tried to. To Change. Get away.

They've done this before. Knew exactly what to do. Even with the collar not working. [His right tibia is broker'n shit too, maybe in more than one place.] Sorry about the mess...

[inwhichwar]

Shh. Don't be ridiculous, Volchok.

[She's already working on pulling the wolfsbane away, gently as she can, trying to make it quick while still trying not to hurt him more than absolutely necessary.]

Oh, your poor hand . . .

[werewolf_hacker]

[He makes a noise down in his throat.] They took. Took my ring. Our ring. Said I didn't have a right. Like it was any of their business, the bastards. [As the wolfsbane comes away, he huffs out a relieved breath. It didn't have time to dump too many toxins into his system, and he can move as soon as it's off. He rolls laboriously onto his side with a pained grunt and rests his head in her lap.]

I hate being cold.

[inwhichwar]

I know, sweetheart.

[Maria slips out of her jacket and tucks it around his shoulders, stroking his hair for a moment before reaching carefully for his shattered hand.]

Oh, those bastards, they are going to regret very much the moment they laid eyes on you . . .

[werewolf_hacker]

I still remember what they smell like. Can't wait to see the expression on their faces. When they realize. Just how much. They fucked up.

Just need to heal up first. [He reaches for the broken-off claws and pulls them out, wincing as he does.] Thought I could stop them taking the ring if I did that--clenched my fist and put my claws through it.

Turns out, not so much. Guess I'll know for next time.

[inwhichwar]

[Maria flinches subtly at the notion of "next time" and takes his hand in both of hers, feeling very gingerly for the breaks with her thumbs.]

Ach, this is a bad business, Ben, we should get you back home so I can put it back together and get it immobilized. It would not do for it to knit wrong.

[werewolf_hacker]

[He nods, trying hard not to flinch away from her hands.] I would dearly love to go home.

I don't want anyone else touching me, though. [A sigh and a grimace.] Not sure how we arrange that. They made sure I wouldn't walk on either two legs or four.

[inwhichwar]

[Maria bends over him and kisses his temple, just holding his hand now as gently as she possibly can.]

How about you rest for a little while, first, and meanwhile I will call some friends of mine to come and get us. People I know will not hurt you.

[werewolf_hacker]

[He closes his eyes and nods.] All right. [He'll just lie here and bask in her love, is what he'll do. A shiver of horror judders through him.] God, what if they'd taken me. [He really wants a backup tracking chip now.]

[inwhichwar]

[Maria makes a gentle, calming noise and caresses him with one hand while she fishes her phone out with the other.]

I would have found you. I always will find you, my heart.

[werewolf_hacker]

I know you will. [He turns his face into her leg and inhales the scent of Mate and home.] If your friends would bring a blanket or two, that'd be ace. [A grimace.] Not sure I'm dressing myself under my own power anytime soon. Assholes did a number on me.

[inwhichwar]

I will see to it. Just rest, Volchok, I will take care of everything.

[She keeps right on petting him while she dials up one of her numerous 'friends' and exchanges pleasantries before moving into the delicate task of cashing in a favor. ]