welcome to the Manor

@darkmanor

darkiplier rp blog

331 posts

greetings and welcome to a dark rp blog run by @catheldral

here are some headcannons used:

-he goes by dark and/or damien

-he/they

-his powers include manipulating physics, passing in and out of dimensions. he has domain in and over the Void and the Upside Down

-he doesn’t experience time linearly. could be in his corruption arc. could be after his redemption arc. who knows.

-exists mostly in the Manor, which behaves in a rather non Euclidean way. The Manor is all that is left of his own dimension. come bother him there. or don’t. after all, life is yours to choose.

[sporadic responses]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo isn't actually conscious to hear Dark's reassurance, having passed out when Dark had paused to glance at the knife.

[dark sits by enzo’s side, tucked into his bed, watching over him as he sleeps. there is warmth from the burning fireplace in the room that has not been there before]

[he is put in mind of the first time enzo has entered the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely moves as he sleeps, the only indicator that he's alive being the soft breaths that join the crackling of the fireplace. This isn't the first time he's ended up recovering from an injury in the manor.

[dark checks on enzo periodically throughout the night, careful with his powers, reluctant to touch enzo with his eternally cold hands. he does not let enzo cross over into any zone of endangerment with his life force]

[his own fierce protectiveness of enzo intrigues him]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

After nearly 14 hours, Enzo wakes up, eyes just barely opening as he shifts from his previous position in bed. He doesn't seem to realise where he is yet, nor will he for a while.

"Dark?" he mutters quietly, trying to gauge if he's real or not.

[dark appears by enzo’s side, settling close to him. the fire burns throughout the night, kept alive by dark, now casting him into slight shadow]

“I’m here, darling.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo gives him a fond smile, reaching over to hold his hand. He's glad that Dark's there — wherever he is feels much safer now.

"Thank you." he says softly

[dark hesitates an imperceptible moment before returning the hold on enzo’s hand. he only smiles in response to enzo’s thanks; he has no need of it, but he will allow enzo to express his gratitude]

“How are you feeling, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo's tempted try to drag Dark into his arms, though he's still recovering; that would take a lot of energy and would probably result in him being unable to do anything else. But he does want Dark closer to him.

"A little better, thanks darlin'."

“You can stay here,” [dark offers, almost absently tracing circles onto the back of enzo’s hand with his thumb] “As long as you require to heal, darling.”

[he holds back the curiosity to ask enzo about the cause of his injury, deciding against the timing]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo nods in acknowledgement, smile growing ever so slightly. "Thank you."

He takes a moment to simply enjoy the silence and the comfort that Dark's actions provide, before gently tugging at his hand, urging him to move closer.

[dark hesitates, still concerned about enzo’s well being, but ultimately decides to indulge enzo, shifting closer to him, even leaning over to give enzo another gentle kiss]

(Slash) @murderinthemaking

[for once in a long time, dark is distracted. he has not noticed the movements in the background, has not noticed another presence in the room, and in consequence turns to face his adversary late, and too lazy to employ any countermeasures]

[they both watch as the knife impales itself right into his chest]

murdersinthemaking

It’s another hired hit, cheap enough that he only has to kill the guy. Following him into an office building, and easily pinning him to the wall and pushing the knife between his ribs. Not close enough to the heart, but it should at least pierce through the lungs.

Stepping back from his victim, Murdock sits back in a chair, watching him bleed out. “Sorry about all of this. Must be an inconvenience.”

[dark simply glances down at the wound in his chest, and the rapidly staining shirt over it. he has quite forgotten how much one bleeds from an open wound, and is vaguely intrigued be the reminder]

[he is also interested to note, on pressing a hand to the stain and examining it thoughtfully, that he bleeds red. he realises he has been half expecting a different outcome]

[he turns to murdock, and, as his eyes go dark, he smiles]

“Just a little.”

murdersinthemaking

The lack of a scream is unnerving, and the smile is something he tries to ignore. His victim hasn’t even faltered, just watching the blood pour from the wound. There’s not even an attempt to stop the bleeding, so Murdock tries to relax.

“A sense of humour? Don’t usually get that with a dying man. Thanks for the change up. No hard feelings? It’s just business.”

[dark’s interest is caught by the indication that he is a paid job. he does not think he has been in that reality long enough to be noticed by anyone, let alone marked a target. he is less concerned than irritated, now having to track down a new troublemaker]

[but that, he thinks, will have to be found through murdock]

“Alas, little one –”

[his image flickers like a broken screen, clearly unnatural, and when he straightens again the front of dark’s suit is clean and impeccable again, without any sign of an attack. what is more, murdock’s knife, which he’s used to stab him, is in dark’s hand]

“ –you did try to kill me.”

murdersinthemaking

His back was turned for a few seconds, checking to make sure that no one had followed them. At the sound of something moving, and the lack of knife in his hand, Murdock turns in shock. Trying to convince himself it’s just another episode, and he’s seeing things again.

“Now..fuck it never gets this bad. You’re on the ground still, my knife is probably still in your chest..”

“I’m afraid not, little one,” [says dark, approaching murdock. he does not bother suppressing a little smile, wondering what reactions he can pull out of murdock, wondering how he will figure out the way murdock works…]

[in his excitement he loosens hold on his physical form, duplicate images of him flickering in sporadic bursts]

murdersinthemaking

While it’s annoying Dark has his knife, Murdock has another five strapped to his body. Pulling one out from his thigh to defend himself with. A little bit of panic hits him when he notices the lack of blood or a wound. All that means is that he’ll have to work a bit harder.

“I’m not little. I’m 6’2”. Look, I know you’re upset, but if you can cover the other half of the fee..we can forget about this.” Taking a shaky breath, he tries to ignore the splitting form.

[dark does not falter in his steps as he approaches murdock, showing no acknowledgement of the new knife murdock has pulled out. he ignores as well murdock’s protests]

“And what of your… client?”

murdersinthemaking

“What of him? He hired a hitman, what’s he going to do when I don’t kill you, call the cops?” As Dark steps towards him, he keeps trying to see where the wound was. There had been a distortion of sorts around him, but nothing he can say that could’ve taken away the bleeding.

“Look, do you really want to mess with me? I’m a serial killer.”

[dark allows him an amused smile. a condescending acknowledgment of a child’s tricks]

[he stops right in front of murdock, completely disregarding the weapon in his hand, looming over him with an ominous air]

“I want to meet him. Your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“That’s all? Alright, your funeral I suppose. But don’t get a fucking step closer. Give me my knife, and we can be on our way. How does that sound?” While he does his best to sound genuine, Murdock is ready to bolt out of there in a heartbeat. Besides, what harm could Dark actually do?

“That’s one of my favourite knives. I’d like it on the ground, so I can pick it up and take you to my contractor.”

[dark does not believe murdock either way, jumpy little fawn that he is. he also does not believe that murdock is aware of the gravity of his situation. he will need little encouragement to remind murdock of that]

“I think that I’ll be keeping this. You will have it back after I’ve had a word with your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“Oh fuck you, you little bastard! That knife is more important than you’ll ever be! I’ll take you to him now, but I’ll be carrying you in a god damn body bag.” Spinning his knife a few more times, Murdock moves to pin Dark to the nearest wall. Knife ready to start slicing over whatever flesh he can find.

“Ready to fucking die you little shit!”

[dark is done humouring murdock. he has murdock shoved up against the wall before the human can register the change, his entire body paralysed, pinned in place by invisible forces he will not be able to see. the knife in murdock’s hand will be rendered useless and obsolete]

[the tip of his adversary’s knife in dark’s hand tips murdock’s head up to meet his own eyes, which are now entirely black. the very air in the room seems to change, dark and ominous]

“I think,” [says dark thoughtfully, almost to himself] “that it’s time you know your place, little fawn.”

murdersinthemaking

“Hey-“ Murdocks voice disappears as he’s shoved against the wall, almost growling as he finds himself unable to move despite nothing physically keeping him there. As the knife is placed against his neck, he tries to spit at Dark. Finding his mouth suddenly dry, he bares his teeth instead.

“I know my place, at the top of the food chain. Whatever you’re fucking doing, I’m going to find out.”

[dark only continues to smile at murdock lashing out like the cornered animal that he is]

[except that the knife digs in a little harder, and the temperature in the room seems to plummet]

“Such proud words, little fawn… truthfully, I am content to leave you where you claim you are, if you give me what I want. Your antics do not bother me.”

murdersinthemaking

“You just want to meet the contractor? Done and dusted. I hate doing hit work anyways, I’m only in that for the money. I prefer my personal work, and I don’t think you fit my usual.”

Shivering in the cold, Murdock swallows hard. The blade barely a centimetre away from slicing into his jugular. “That all you want?”

“Yes.” [but dark doesn’t move, simply stares at murdock silently, contemplatively, for a moment]

[dark retracts the knife, and lifts the pressure holding murdock down. he even turns and walks away, setting the knife down on a tabletop]

“Go on. And remember: I will know if you are out of line.”

murdersinthemaking

As soon as he’s released, Murdock makes a beeline to try and grab his knife. “I’m meant to be meeting him in twenty minutes for lunch and for proof. Don’t know why he wanted you dead, just know he paid well enough.”

Rubbing the small mark on his neck, he looks over Dark in slight confusion. He knows that there’s moment where he doesn’t register reality, but some of that had to be real.

[dark merely watches murdock, seeming to be entertained by his mannerisms. almost as though he is aware of murdock’s thoughts, and find them amusing]

“Take the lead. I’ll be watching.”

murdersinthemaking

“Alright. Fine. Don’t try anything, or I’m finishing the contract.” He marches out of the office at a quick pace, silently hoping that he loses Dark on the way through the building. The restaurant he was supposed to meet at is only a short walk, and he keeps checking over his shoulder for a sign of him following.

“Fucking ‘easy’ kill…easy my ass..”

[dark does not follow him out of the office, watching murdock march out. however, murdock is always able to catch a glimpse of him among the crowd whenever he looks over his shoulders. to enforce his point, dark sends murdock a message]

[his voice, in murdock’s head:] “Don’t worry, little fawn. I’m here.”

murdersinthemaking

Just outside the restaurant, he hears the voice in his head. That’s something very new, not like his other delusions. Slowly turning to try and spot Dark in the crowds, he whispers. “What are you?”

Before turning into the restaurant, taking a seat in the far corner. The contractor should be here soon, and all he can do is wait.

“Not human, clearly.”

[dark can see how skittish he has made murdock, and is so far pleased. he has decided not to show himself in the entirety of their meeting, simply mark his target and find him later. he will have to decide what to do with murdock first]

murdersinthemaking

Ignoring the voice of Dark in his head, Murdock tries to get through the meeting. Taking one of his rings as proof of Dark being killed. Even going so far as to make a quick cut on his finger to coat it in blood. The contractor leaves, now Murdock sits alone in the restaurant, quietly picking at his food

[dark drops into the seat the contractor just evacuated, across murdock. he notes the blood on murdock’s hand, and his distracted appearance. mostly for his own amusement, he tells murdock,]

“He doesn’t believe you, you know.”

murdersinthemaking

Murdock blinks a few times, trying to register how Dark just started to exist in that chair. Wiping the blood off of his hand, he tries not to appear so horrified.

“He does. I’m sure of it. What do you want now? You saw him, know who wanted you dead. Surely you have some haunting to do?”

[dark is watching murdock with that peculiar gaze again. he wonders what he might do with murdock. he liked the little human. Perhaps even enough to have an interest in his meddlings]

“And what will you do when your contractor turns on you, I wonder,” [says dark thoughtfully, playing with the idea] “Perhaps I will let him kill you before I kill him.”

murdersinthemaking

“Like it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll handle him fine, and beat you to your kill. So unfortunate for you.” Taking another bite of his pasta, he grins his usual devilish grin. A gold tooth that’s cracking apart shown in his smile.

“Anything worthwhile?”

[dark doubts murdock, or anyone, for that matter, will be finding their contractor again in a short while. dark thinks he might even leave the human’s body in his reality, not bothering with its state]

“Hopefully for you, we won’t be meeting again.”

[unlikely, is what he doesn’t say]

murdersinthemaking

“We best not. I’d hate to actually have to kill you. You seem too pesky a challenge.” Murdock pushes his plate to the side, trying to avoid the eyes of anyone in the restaurant. There’s not money to cover dinner in his pocket, so it’ll have to be a mad dash to the door.

“Any reason for following me or do you just need a hobby?”

“You did try to kill me, little one,” [says dark quietly, though without any real heat. nothing in his posture speaks of threat or aggression, but his eyes are, as usual, naturally unnerving to the average person; the only possible sign of his being supernatural] “I know when you’re scared. When you work so hard to survive in your bleak conditions.”

[a smile now]

“I can still change that.”

murdersinthemaking

“I try to kill a lot of people. I usually succeed in most, so congratulations on being an outlier.” A rock has found its way to comfortably rest in his stomach, shifting as he tries to break eye contact with Dark. Whatever he is, it’s plainly not human. Perhaps Murdock could run, never get caught by the beast.

“There’s nothing you can do for me. I have my life, and it doesn’t matter.”

[dark does not comment on that, but the look he gives murdock conveys enough: he doubts either of them believe in what murdock has claimed]

“You’re thinking of running.” [dark speaks as though making simple observation of obvious fact; there is little taunt in his words] “You would not be the first to try to run from me, to hide from me.”

[he is tempted to let murdock try, if only to find amusement in proving his actions futile]

“I find all of them, in the end.”

murdersinthemaking

Face draining of blood, he grips tightly onto the cutlery. A terrible weapon, but necessary in case Dark decides to lunge for him. While the crowd in the streets could protect him for a bit, eventually it would clear out entirely.

“I can think, and I believe I deserve my thoughts uninterrupted. Some privacy, maybe human decency?”

“I have given you your decency — more than you deserve, especially after you tried to kill me. I doubt that was very decent of you.”

[dark barely glimpses murdock’s fingers curling around his perceived weapon]

“Perhaps I should have killed you for that.”

murdersinthemaking

“I have decency when I kill. I aimed for a stab to the heart, and you would’ve died within minutes. Some bastards take four or five to kill. Really, it was mercy. And it’s not like I wanted to, but I was going to be paid decent money. Thanks to you, I’m short of three grand.”

Tapping the fork against the table, Murdock looks over his shoulder. Hopefully he won’t be called for the bill.

“All the money in the world wouldn’t make a difference to your penury if you were dead,” [dark reminds murdock pleasantly, a hint of threat underlying. he’d so far not made mention of murdock’s obvious jitteriness in the diner]

“I’m sure you value your life as much as any riches.”

[the offer comes with a knowing look that seems to pierce through murdock, lay him bare, with all his weakness revealed]

“I can give you security. I can give you your life. Or I can take both away.”

murdersinthemaking

“I value it more, but you need money for a decent life. I’d like to afford an exterminator for my house so I can live without the fear of dying of some rat borne disease.” Letting out a huff, Murdock needs to keep up his apperance. Collected entirely, even as his knee begins to shake under the table. Surely, this is all madness. A beast of some sorts his mind created out of guilt. Someone who could never die, and followed him wherever; a perfect nightmare.

“So what is it then? This so called security you can offer to me. Is it just a weapon to help me fend you off with, or is it something more?”

[dark smiles, inwardly bemused. here is someone who has already created and casted him as role of the omnipotent monster; a prey who built and crawled into his own cage]

[he does not correct murdock]

“Whatever invincibility you desire to walk among sheep,” [comes the cryptic answer] “A dangerous way you do choose to feed yourself. I can give you protection. I can provide the luck that you will need. I can even” [he is curious about murdock’s response] “save you from death.”

(Slash) @murderinthemaking

[for once in a long time, dark is distracted. he has not noticed the movements in the background, has not noticed another presence in the room, and in consequence turns to face his adversary late, and too lazy to employ any countermeasures]

[they both watch as the knife impales itself right into his chest]

murdersinthemaking

It’s another hired hit, cheap enough that he only has to kill the guy. Following him into an office building, and easily pinning him to the wall and pushing the knife between his ribs. Not close enough to the heart, but it should at least pierce through the lungs.

Stepping back from his victim, Murdock sits back in a chair, watching him bleed out. “Sorry about all of this. Must be an inconvenience.”

[dark simply glances down at the wound in his chest, and the rapidly staining shirt over it. he has quite forgotten how much one bleeds from an open wound, and is vaguely intrigued be the reminder]

[he is also interested to note, on pressing a hand to the stain and examining it thoughtfully, that he bleeds red. he realises he has been half expecting a different outcome]

[he turns to murdock, and, as his eyes go dark, he smiles]

“Just a little.”

murdersinthemaking

The lack of a scream is unnerving, and the smile is something he tries to ignore. His victim hasn’t even faltered, just watching the blood pour from the wound. There’s not even an attempt to stop the bleeding, so Murdock tries to relax.

“A sense of humour? Don’t usually get that with a dying man. Thanks for the change up. No hard feelings? It’s just business.”

[dark’s interest is caught by the indication that he is a paid job. he does not think he has been in that reality long enough to be noticed by anyone, let alone marked a target. he is less concerned than irritated, now having to track down a new troublemaker]

[but that, he thinks, will have to be found through murdock]

“Alas, little one –”

[his image flickers like a broken screen, clearly unnatural, and when he straightens again the front of dark’s suit is clean and impeccable again, without any sign of an attack. what is more, murdock’s knife, which he’s used to stab him, is in dark’s hand]

“ –you did try to kill me.”

murdersinthemaking

His back was turned for a few seconds, checking to make sure that no one had followed them. At the sound of something moving, and the lack of knife in his hand, Murdock turns in shock. Trying to convince himself it’s just another episode, and he’s seeing things again.

“Now..fuck it never gets this bad. You’re on the ground still, my knife is probably still in your chest..”

“I’m afraid not, little one,” [says dark, approaching murdock. he does not bother suppressing a little smile, wondering what reactions he can pull out of murdock, wondering how he will figure out the way murdock works…]

[in his excitement he loosens hold on his physical form, duplicate images of him flickering in sporadic bursts]

murdersinthemaking

While it’s annoying Dark has his knife, Murdock has another five strapped to his body. Pulling one out from his thigh to defend himself with. A little bit of panic hits him when he notices the lack of blood or a wound. All that means is that he’ll have to work a bit harder.

“I’m not little. I’m 6’2”. Look, I know you’re upset, but if you can cover the other half of the fee..we can forget about this.” Taking a shaky breath, he tries to ignore the splitting form.

[dark does not falter in his steps as he approaches murdock, showing no acknowledgement of the new knife murdock has pulled out. he ignores as well murdock’s protests]

“And what of your… client?”

murdersinthemaking

“What of him? He hired a hitman, what’s he going to do when I don’t kill you, call the cops?” As Dark steps towards him, he keeps trying to see where the wound was. There had been a distortion of sorts around him, but nothing he can say that could’ve taken away the bleeding.

“Look, do you really want to mess with me? I’m a serial killer.”

[dark allows him an amused smile. a condescending acknowledgment of a child’s tricks]

[he stops right in front of murdock, completely disregarding the weapon in his hand, looming over him with an ominous air]

“I want to meet him. Your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“That’s all? Alright, your funeral I suppose. But don’t get a fucking step closer. Give me my knife, and we can be on our way. How does that sound?” While he does his best to sound genuine, Murdock is ready to bolt out of there in a heartbeat. Besides, what harm could Dark actually do?

“That’s one of my favourite knives. I’d like it on the ground, so I can pick it up and take you to my contractor.”

[dark does not believe murdock either way, jumpy little fawn that he is. he also does not believe that murdock is aware of the gravity of his situation. he will need little encouragement to remind murdock of that]

“I think that I’ll be keeping this. You will have it back after I’ve had a word with your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“Oh fuck you, you little bastard! That knife is more important than you’ll ever be! I’ll take you to him now, but I’ll be carrying you in a god damn body bag.” Spinning his knife a few more times, Murdock moves to pin Dark to the nearest wall. Knife ready to start slicing over whatever flesh he can find.

“Ready to fucking die you little shit!”

[dark is done humouring murdock. he has murdock shoved up against the wall before the human can register the change, his entire body paralysed, pinned in place by invisible forces he will not be able to see. the knife in murdock’s hand will be rendered useless and obsolete]

[the tip of his adversary’s knife in dark’s hand tips murdock’s head up to meet his own eyes, which are now entirely black. the very air in the room seems to change, dark and ominous]

“I think,” [says dark thoughtfully, almost to himself] “that it’s time you know your place, little fawn.”

murdersinthemaking

“Hey-“ Murdocks voice disappears as he’s shoved against the wall, almost growling as he finds himself unable to move despite nothing physically keeping him there. As the knife is placed against his neck, he tries to spit at Dark. Finding his mouth suddenly dry, he bares his teeth instead.

“I know my place, at the top of the food chain. Whatever you’re fucking doing, I’m going to find out.”

[dark only continues to smile at murdock lashing out like the cornered animal that he is]

[except that the knife digs in a little harder, and the temperature in the room seems to plummet]

“Such proud words, little fawn… truthfully, I am content to leave you where you claim you are, if you give me what I want. Your antics do not bother me.”

murdersinthemaking

“You just want to meet the contractor? Done and dusted. I hate doing hit work anyways, I’m only in that for the money. I prefer my personal work, and I don’t think you fit my usual.”

Shivering in the cold, Murdock swallows hard. The blade barely a centimetre away from slicing into his jugular. “That all you want?”

“Yes.” [but dark doesn’t move, simply stares at murdock silently, contemplatively, for a moment]

[dark retracts the knife, and lifts the pressure holding murdock down. he even turns and walks away, setting the knife down on a tabletop]

“Go on. And remember: I will know if you are out of line.”

murdersinthemaking

As soon as he’s released, Murdock makes a beeline to try and grab his knife. “I’m meant to be meeting him in twenty minutes for lunch and for proof. Don’t know why he wanted you dead, just know he paid well enough.”

Rubbing the small mark on his neck, he looks over Dark in slight confusion. He knows that there’s moment where he doesn’t register reality, but some of that had to be real.

[dark merely watches murdock, seeming to be entertained by his mannerisms. almost as though he is aware of murdock’s thoughts, and find them amusing]

“Take the lead. I’ll be watching.”

murdersinthemaking

“Alright. Fine. Don’t try anything, or I’m finishing the contract.” He marches out of the office at a quick pace, silently hoping that he loses Dark on the way through the building. The restaurant he was supposed to meet at is only a short walk, and he keeps checking over his shoulder for a sign of him following.

“Fucking ‘easy’ kill…easy my ass..”

[dark does not follow him out of the office, watching murdock march out. however, murdock is always able to catch a glimpse of him among the crowd whenever he looks over his shoulders. to enforce his point, dark sends murdock a message]

[his voice, in murdock’s head:] “Don’t worry, little fawn. I’m here.”

murdersinthemaking

Just outside the restaurant, he hears the voice in his head. That’s something very new, not like his other delusions. Slowly turning to try and spot Dark in the crowds, he whispers. “What are you?”

Before turning into the restaurant, taking a seat in the far corner. The contractor should be here soon, and all he can do is wait.

“Not human, clearly.”

[dark can see how skittish he has made murdock, and is so far pleased. he has decided not to show himself in the entirety of their meeting, simply mark his target and find him later. he will have to decide what to do with murdock first]

murdersinthemaking

Ignoring the voice of Dark in his head, Murdock tries to get through the meeting. Taking one of his rings as proof of Dark being killed. Even going so far as to make a quick cut on his finger to coat it in blood. The contractor leaves, now Murdock sits alone in the restaurant, quietly picking at his food

[dark drops into the seat the contractor just evacuated, across murdock. he notes the blood on murdock’s hand, and his distracted appearance. mostly for his own amusement, he tells murdock,]

“He doesn’t believe you, you know.”

murdersinthemaking

Murdock blinks a few times, trying to register how Dark just started to exist in that chair. Wiping the blood off of his hand, he tries not to appear so horrified.

“He does. I’m sure of it. What do you want now? You saw him, know who wanted you dead. Surely you have some haunting to do?”

[dark is watching murdock with that peculiar gaze again. he wonders what he might do with murdock. he liked the little human. Perhaps even enough to have an interest in his meddlings]

“And what will you do when your contractor turns on you, I wonder,” [says dark thoughtfully, playing with the idea] “Perhaps I will let him kill you before I kill him.”

murdersinthemaking

“Like it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll handle him fine, and beat you to your kill. So unfortunate for you.” Taking another bite of his pasta, he grins his usual devilish grin. A gold tooth that’s cracking apart shown in his smile.

“Anything worthwhile?”

[dark doubts murdock, or anyone, for that matter, will be finding their contractor again in a short while. dark thinks he might even leave the human’s body in his reality, not bothering with its state]

“Hopefully for you, we won’t be meeting again.”

[unlikely, is what he doesn’t say]

murdersinthemaking

“We best not. I’d hate to actually have to kill you. You seem too pesky a challenge.” Murdock pushes his plate to the side, trying to avoid the eyes of anyone in the restaurant. There’s not money to cover dinner in his pocket, so it’ll have to be a mad dash to the door.

“Any reason for following me or do you just need a hobby?”

“You did try to kill me, little one,” [says dark quietly, though without any real heat. nothing in his posture speaks of threat or aggression, but his eyes are, as usual, naturally unnerving to the average person; the only possible sign of his being supernatural] “I know when you’re scared. When you work so hard to survive in your bleak conditions.”

[a smile now]

“I can still change that.”

murdersinthemaking

“I try to kill a lot of people. I usually succeed in most, so congratulations on being an outlier.” A rock has found its way to comfortably rest in his stomach, shifting as he tries to break eye contact with Dark. Whatever he is, it’s plainly not human. Perhaps Murdock could run, never get caught by the beast.

“There’s nothing you can do for me. I have my life, and it doesn’t matter.”

[dark does not comment on that, but the look he gives murdock conveys enough: he doubts either of them believe in what murdock has claimed]

“You’re thinking of running.” [dark speaks as though making simple observation of obvious fact; there is little taunt in his words] “You would not be the first to try to run from me, to hide from me.”

[he is tempted to let murdock try, if only to find amusement in proving his actions futile]

“I find all of them, in the end.”

murdersinthemaking

Face draining of blood, he grips tightly onto the cutlery. A terrible weapon, but necessary in case Dark decides to lunge for him. While the crowd in the streets could protect him for a bit, eventually it would clear out entirely.

“I can think, and I believe I deserve my thoughts uninterrupted. Some privacy, maybe human decency?”

“I have given you your decency — more than you deserve, especially after you tried to kill me. I doubt that was very decent of you.”

[dark barely glimpses murdock’s fingers curling around his perceived weapon]

“Perhaps I should have killed you for that.”

murdersinthemaking

“I have decency when I kill. I aimed for a stab to the heart, and you would’ve died within minutes. Some bastards take four or five to kill. Really, it was mercy. And it’s not like I wanted to, but I was going to be paid decent money. Thanks to you, I’m short of three grand.”

Tapping the fork against the table, Murdock looks over his shoulder. Hopefully he won’t be called for the bill.

“All the money in the world wouldn’t make a difference to your penury if you were dead,” [dark reminds murdock pleasantly, a hint of threat underlying. he’d so far not made mention of murdock’s obvious jitteriness in the diner]

“I’m sure you value your life as much as any riches.”

[the offer comes with a knowing look that seems to pierce through murdock, lay him bare, with all his weakness revealed]

“I can give you security. I can give you your life. Or I can take both away.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo isn't actually conscious to hear Dark's reassurance, having passed out when Dark had paused to glance at the knife.

[dark sits by enzo’s side, tucked into his bed, watching over him as he sleeps. there is warmth from the burning fireplace in the room that has not been there before]

[he is put in mind of the first time enzo has entered the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely moves as he sleeps, the only indicator that he's alive being the soft breaths that join the crackling of the fireplace. This isn't the first time he's ended up recovering from an injury in the manor.

[dark checks on enzo periodically throughout the night, careful with his powers, reluctant to touch enzo with his eternally cold hands. he does not let enzo cross over into any zone of endangerment with his life force]

[his own fierce protectiveness of enzo intrigues him]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

After nearly 14 hours, Enzo wakes up, eyes just barely opening as he shifts from his previous position in bed. He doesn't seem to realise where he is yet, nor will he for a while.

"Dark?" he mutters quietly, trying to gauge if he's real or not.

[dark appears by enzo’s side, settling close to him. the fire burns throughout the night, kept alive by dark, now casting him into slight shadow]

“I’m here, darling.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo gives him a fond smile, reaching over to hold his hand. He's glad that Dark's there — wherever he is feels much safer now.

"Thank you." he says softly

[dark hesitates an imperceptible moment before returning the hold on enzo’s hand. he only smiles in response to enzo’s thanks; he has no need of it, but he will allow enzo to express his gratitude]

“How are you feeling, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo's tempted try to drag Dark into his arms, though he's still recovering; that would take a lot of energy and would probably result in him being unable to do anything else. But he does want Dark closer to him.

"A little better, thanks darlin'."

“You can stay here,” [dark offers, almost absently tracing circles onto the back of enzo’s hand with his thumb] “As long as you require to heal, darling.”

[he holds back the curiosity to ask enzo about the cause of his injury, deciding against the timing]

(Slash) @murderinthemaking

[for once in a long time, dark is distracted. he has not noticed the movements in the background, has not noticed another presence in the room, and in consequence turns to face his adversary late, and too lazy to employ any countermeasures]

[they both watch as the knife impales itself right into his chest]

murdersinthemaking

It’s another hired hit, cheap enough that he only has to kill the guy. Following him into an office building, and easily pinning him to the wall and pushing the knife between his ribs. Not close enough to the heart, but it should at least pierce through the lungs.

Stepping back from his victim, Murdock sits back in a chair, watching him bleed out. “Sorry about all of this. Must be an inconvenience.”

[dark simply glances down at the wound in his chest, and the rapidly staining shirt over it. he has quite forgotten how much one bleeds from an open wound, and is vaguely intrigued be the reminder]

[he is also interested to note, on pressing a hand to the stain and examining it thoughtfully, that he bleeds red. he realises he has been half expecting a different outcome]

[he turns to murdock, and, as his eyes go dark, he smiles]

“Just a little.”

murdersinthemaking

The lack of a scream is unnerving, and the smile is something he tries to ignore. His victim hasn’t even faltered, just watching the blood pour from the wound. There’s not even an attempt to stop the bleeding, so Murdock tries to relax.

“A sense of humour? Don’t usually get that with a dying man. Thanks for the change up. No hard feelings? It’s just business.”

[dark’s interest is caught by the indication that he is a paid job. he does not think he has been in that reality long enough to be noticed by anyone, let alone marked a target. he is less concerned than irritated, now having to track down a new troublemaker]

[but that, he thinks, will have to be found through murdock]

“Alas, little one –”

[his image flickers like a broken screen, clearly unnatural, and when he straightens again the front of dark’s suit is clean and impeccable again, without any sign of an attack. what is more, murdock’s knife, which he’s used to stab him, is in dark’s hand]

“ –you did try to kill me.”

murdersinthemaking

His back was turned for a few seconds, checking to make sure that no one had followed them. At the sound of something moving, and the lack of knife in his hand, Murdock turns in shock. Trying to convince himself it’s just another episode, and he’s seeing things again.

“Now..fuck it never gets this bad. You’re on the ground still, my knife is probably still in your chest..”

“I’m afraid not, little one,” [says dark, approaching murdock. he does not bother suppressing a little smile, wondering what reactions he can pull out of murdock, wondering how he will figure out the way murdock works…]

[in his excitement he loosens hold on his physical form, duplicate images of him flickering in sporadic bursts]

murdersinthemaking

While it’s annoying Dark has his knife, Murdock has another five strapped to his body. Pulling one out from his thigh to defend himself with. A little bit of panic hits him when he notices the lack of blood or a wound. All that means is that he’ll have to work a bit harder.

“I’m not little. I’m 6’2”. Look, I know you’re upset, but if you can cover the other half of the fee..we can forget about this.” Taking a shaky breath, he tries to ignore the splitting form.

[dark does not falter in his steps as he approaches murdock, showing no acknowledgement of the new knife murdock has pulled out. he ignores as well murdock’s protests]

“And what of your… client?”

murdersinthemaking

“What of him? He hired a hitman, what’s he going to do when I don’t kill you, call the cops?” As Dark steps towards him, he keeps trying to see where the wound was. There had been a distortion of sorts around him, but nothing he can say that could’ve taken away the bleeding.

“Look, do you really want to mess with me? I’m a serial killer.”

[dark allows him an amused smile. a condescending acknowledgment of a child’s tricks]

[he stops right in front of murdock, completely disregarding the weapon in his hand, looming over him with an ominous air]

“I want to meet him. Your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“That’s all? Alright, your funeral I suppose. But don’t get a fucking step closer. Give me my knife, and we can be on our way. How does that sound?” While he does his best to sound genuine, Murdock is ready to bolt out of there in a heartbeat. Besides, what harm could Dark actually do?

“That’s one of my favourite knives. I’d like it on the ground, so I can pick it up and take you to my contractor.”

[dark does not believe murdock either way, jumpy little fawn that he is. he also does not believe that murdock is aware of the gravity of his situation. he will need little encouragement to remind murdock of that]

“I think that I’ll be keeping this. You will have it back after I’ve had a word with your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“Oh fuck you, you little bastard! That knife is more important than you’ll ever be! I’ll take you to him now, but I’ll be carrying you in a god damn body bag.” Spinning his knife a few more times, Murdock moves to pin Dark to the nearest wall. Knife ready to start slicing over whatever flesh he can find.

“Ready to fucking die you little shit!”

[dark is done humouring murdock. he has murdock shoved up against the wall before the human can register the change, his entire body paralysed, pinned in place by invisible forces he will not be able to see. the knife in murdock’s hand will be rendered useless and obsolete]

[the tip of his adversary’s knife in dark’s hand tips murdock’s head up to meet his own eyes, which are now entirely black. the very air in the room seems to change, dark and ominous]

“I think,” [says dark thoughtfully, almost to himself] “that it’s time you know your place, little fawn.”

murdersinthemaking

“Hey-“ Murdocks voice disappears as he’s shoved against the wall, almost growling as he finds himself unable to move despite nothing physically keeping him there. As the knife is placed against his neck, he tries to spit at Dark. Finding his mouth suddenly dry, he bares his teeth instead.

“I know my place, at the top of the food chain. Whatever you’re fucking doing, I’m going to find out.”

[dark only continues to smile at murdock lashing out like the cornered animal that he is]

[except that the knife digs in a little harder, and the temperature in the room seems to plummet]

“Such proud words, little fawn… truthfully, I am content to leave you where you claim you are, if you give me what I want. Your antics do not bother me.”

murdersinthemaking

“You just want to meet the contractor? Done and dusted. I hate doing hit work anyways, I’m only in that for the money. I prefer my personal work, and I don’t think you fit my usual.”

Shivering in the cold, Murdock swallows hard. The blade barely a centimetre away from slicing into his jugular. “That all you want?”

“Yes.” [but dark doesn’t move, simply stares at murdock silently, contemplatively, for a moment]

[dark retracts the knife, and lifts the pressure holding murdock down. he even turns and walks away, setting the knife down on a tabletop]

“Go on. And remember: I will know if you are out of line.”

murdersinthemaking

As soon as he’s released, Murdock makes a beeline to try and grab his knife. “I’m meant to be meeting him in twenty minutes for lunch and for proof. Don’t know why he wanted you dead, just know he paid well enough.”

Rubbing the small mark on his neck, he looks over Dark in slight confusion. He knows that there’s moment where he doesn’t register reality, but some of that had to be real.

[dark merely watches murdock, seeming to be entertained by his mannerisms. almost as though he is aware of murdock’s thoughts, and find them amusing]

“Take the lead. I’ll be watching.”

murdersinthemaking

“Alright. Fine. Don’t try anything, or I’m finishing the contract.” He marches out of the office at a quick pace, silently hoping that he loses Dark on the way through the building. The restaurant he was supposed to meet at is only a short walk, and he keeps checking over his shoulder for a sign of him following.

“Fucking ‘easy’ kill…easy my ass..”

[dark does not follow him out of the office, watching murdock march out. however, murdock is always able to catch a glimpse of him among the crowd whenever he looks over his shoulders. to enforce his point, dark sends murdock a message]

[his voice, in murdock’s head:] “Don’t worry, little fawn. I’m here.”

murdersinthemaking

Just outside the restaurant, he hears the voice in his head. That’s something very new, not like his other delusions. Slowly turning to try and spot Dark in the crowds, he whispers. “What are you?”

Before turning into the restaurant, taking a seat in the far corner. The contractor should be here soon, and all he can do is wait.

“Not human, clearly.”

[dark can see how skittish he has made murdock, and is so far pleased. he has decided not to show himself in the entirety of their meeting, simply mark his target and find him later. he will have to decide what to do with murdock first]

murdersinthemaking

Ignoring the voice of Dark in his head, Murdock tries to get through the meeting. Taking one of his rings as proof of Dark being killed. Even going so far as to make a quick cut on his finger to coat it in blood. The contractor leaves, now Murdock sits alone in the restaurant, quietly picking at his food

[dark drops into the seat the contractor just evacuated, across murdock. he notes the blood on murdock’s hand, and his distracted appearance. mostly for his own amusement, he tells murdock,]

“He doesn’t believe you, you know.”

murdersinthemaking

Murdock blinks a few times, trying to register how Dark just started to exist in that chair. Wiping the blood off of his hand, he tries not to appear so horrified.

“He does. I’m sure of it. What do you want now? You saw him, know who wanted you dead. Surely you have some haunting to do?”

[dark is watching murdock with that peculiar gaze again. he wonders what he might do with murdock. he liked the little human. Perhaps even enough to have an interest in his meddlings]

“And what will you do when your contractor turns on you, I wonder,” [says dark thoughtfully, playing with the idea] “Perhaps I will let him kill you before I kill him.”

murdersinthemaking

“Like it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll handle him fine, and beat you to your kill. So unfortunate for you.” Taking another bite of his pasta, he grins his usual devilish grin. A gold tooth that’s cracking apart shown in his smile.

“Anything worthwhile?”

[dark doubts murdock, or anyone, for that matter, will be finding their contractor again in a short while. dark thinks he might even leave the human’s body in his reality, not bothering with its state]

“Hopefully for you, we won’t be meeting again.”

[unlikely, is what he doesn’t say]

murdersinthemaking

“We best not. I’d hate to actually have to kill you. You seem too pesky a challenge.” Murdock pushes his plate to the side, trying to avoid the eyes of anyone in the restaurant. There’s not money to cover dinner in his pocket, so it’ll have to be a mad dash to the door.

“Any reason for following me or do you just need a hobby?”

“You did try to kill me, little one,” [says dark quietly, though without any real heat. nothing in his posture speaks of threat or aggression, but his eyes are, as usual, naturally unnerving to the average person; the only possible sign of his being supernatural] “I know when you’re scared. When you work so hard to survive in your bleak conditions.”

[a smile now]

“I can still change that.”

murdersinthemaking

“I try to kill a lot of people. I usually succeed in most, so congratulations on being an outlier.” A rock has found its way to comfortably rest in his stomach, shifting as he tries to break eye contact with Dark. Whatever he is, it’s plainly not human. Perhaps Murdock could run, never get caught by the beast.

“There’s nothing you can do for me. I have my life, and it doesn’t matter.”

[dark does not comment on that, but the look he gives murdock conveys enough: he doubts either of them believe in what murdock has claimed]

“You’re thinking of running.” [dark speaks as though making simple observation of obvious fact; there is little taunt in his words] “You would not be the first to try to run from me, to hide from me.”

[he is tempted to let murdock try, if only to find amusement in proving his actions futile]

“I find all of them, in the end.”

murdersinthemaking

Face draining of blood, he grips tightly onto the cutlery. A terrible weapon, but necessary in case Dark decides to lunge for him. While the crowd in the streets could protect him for a bit, eventually it would clear out entirely.

“I can think, and I believe I deserve my thoughts uninterrupted. Some privacy, maybe human decency?”

“I have given you your decency — more than you deserve, especially after you tried to kill me. I doubt that was very decent of you.”

[dark barely glimpses murdock’s fingers curling around his perceived weapon]

“Perhaps I should have killed you for that.”

(Slash) @murderinthemaking

[for once in a long time, dark is distracted. he has not noticed the movements in the background, has not noticed another presence in the room, and in consequence turns to face his adversary late, and too lazy to employ any countermeasures]

[they both watch as the knife impales itself right into his chest]

murdersinthemaking

It’s another hired hit, cheap enough that he only has to kill the guy. Following him into an office building, and easily pinning him to the wall and pushing the knife between his ribs. Not close enough to the heart, but it should at least pierce through the lungs.

Stepping back from his victim, Murdock sits back in a chair, watching him bleed out. “Sorry about all of this. Must be an inconvenience.”

[dark simply glances down at the wound in his chest, and the rapidly staining shirt over it. he has quite forgotten how much one bleeds from an open wound, and is vaguely intrigued be the reminder]

[he is also interested to note, on pressing a hand to the stain and examining it thoughtfully, that he bleeds red. he realises he has been half expecting a different outcome]

[he turns to murdock, and, as his eyes go dark, he smiles]

“Just a little.”

murdersinthemaking

The lack of a scream is unnerving, and the smile is something he tries to ignore. His victim hasn’t even faltered, just watching the blood pour from the wound. There’s not even an attempt to stop the bleeding, so Murdock tries to relax.

“A sense of humour? Don’t usually get that with a dying man. Thanks for the change up. No hard feelings? It’s just business.”

[dark’s interest is caught by the indication that he is a paid job. he does not think he has been in that reality long enough to be noticed by anyone, let alone marked a target. he is less concerned than irritated, now having to track down a new troublemaker]

[but that, he thinks, will have to be found through murdock]

“Alas, little one –”

[his image flickers like a broken screen, clearly unnatural, and when he straightens again the front of dark’s suit is clean and impeccable again, without any sign of an attack. what is more, murdock’s knife, which he’s used to stab him, is in dark’s hand]

“ –you did try to kill me.”

murdersinthemaking

His back was turned for a few seconds, checking to make sure that no one had followed them. At the sound of something moving, and the lack of knife in his hand, Murdock turns in shock. Trying to convince himself it’s just another episode, and he’s seeing things again.

“Now..fuck it never gets this bad. You’re on the ground still, my knife is probably still in your chest..”

“I’m afraid not, little one,” [says dark, approaching murdock. he does not bother suppressing a little smile, wondering what reactions he can pull out of murdock, wondering how he will figure out the way murdock works…]

[in his excitement he loosens hold on his physical form, duplicate images of him flickering in sporadic bursts]

murdersinthemaking

While it’s annoying Dark has his knife, Murdock has another five strapped to his body. Pulling one out from his thigh to defend himself with. A little bit of panic hits him when he notices the lack of blood or a wound. All that means is that he’ll have to work a bit harder.

“I’m not little. I’m 6’2”. Look, I know you’re upset, but if you can cover the other half of the fee..we can forget about this.” Taking a shaky breath, he tries to ignore the splitting form.

[dark does not falter in his steps as he approaches murdock, showing no acknowledgement of the new knife murdock has pulled out. he ignores as well murdock’s protests]

“And what of your… client?”

murdersinthemaking

“What of him? He hired a hitman, what’s he going to do when I don’t kill you, call the cops?” As Dark steps towards him, he keeps trying to see where the wound was. There had been a distortion of sorts around him, but nothing he can say that could’ve taken away the bleeding.

“Look, do you really want to mess with me? I’m a serial killer.”

[dark allows him an amused smile. a condescending acknowledgment of a child’s tricks]

[he stops right in front of murdock, completely disregarding the weapon in his hand, looming over him with an ominous air]

“I want to meet him. Your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“That’s all? Alright, your funeral I suppose. But don’t get a fucking step closer. Give me my knife, and we can be on our way. How does that sound?” While he does his best to sound genuine, Murdock is ready to bolt out of there in a heartbeat. Besides, what harm could Dark actually do?

“That’s one of my favourite knives. I’d like it on the ground, so I can pick it up and take you to my contractor.”

[dark does not believe murdock either way, jumpy little fawn that he is. he also does not believe that murdock is aware of the gravity of his situation. he will need little encouragement to remind murdock of that]

“I think that I’ll be keeping this. You will have it back after I’ve had a word with your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“Oh fuck you, you little bastard! That knife is more important than you’ll ever be! I’ll take you to him now, but I’ll be carrying you in a god damn body bag.” Spinning his knife a few more times, Murdock moves to pin Dark to the nearest wall. Knife ready to start slicing over whatever flesh he can find.

“Ready to fucking die you little shit!”

[dark is done humouring murdock. he has murdock shoved up against the wall before the human can register the change, his entire body paralysed, pinned in place by invisible forces he will not be able to see. the knife in murdock’s hand will be rendered useless and obsolete]

[the tip of his adversary’s knife in dark’s hand tips murdock’s head up to meet his own eyes, which are now entirely black. the very air in the room seems to change, dark and ominous]

“I think,” [says dark thoughtfully, almost to himself] “that it’s time you know your place, little fawn.”

murdersinthemaking

“Hey-“ Murdocks voice disappears as he’s shoved against the wall, almost growling as he finds himself unable to move despite nothing physically keeping him there. As the knife is placed against his neck, he tries to spit at Dark. Finding his mouth suddenly dry, he bares his teeth instead.

“I know my place, at the top of the food chain. Whatever you’re fucking doing, I’m going to find out.”

[dark only continues to smile at murdock lashing out like the cornered animal that he is]

[except that the knife digs in a little harder, and the temperature in the room seems to plummet]

“Such proud words, little fawn… truthfully, I am content to leave you where you claim you are, if you give me what I want. Your antics do not bother me.”

murdersinthemaking

“You just want to meet the contractor? Done and dusted. I hate doing hit work anyways, I’m only in that for the money. I prefer my personal work, and I don’t think you fit my usual.”

Shivering in the cold, Murdock swallows hard. The blade barely a centimetre away from slicing into his jugular. “That all you want?”

“Yes.” [but dark doesn’t move, simply stares at murdock silently, contemplatively, for a moment]

[dark retracts the knife, and lifts the pressure holding murdock down. he even turns and walks away, setting the knife down on a tabletop]

“Go on. And remember: I will know if you are out of line.”

murdersinthemaking

As soon as he’s released, Murdock makes a beeline to try and grab his knife. “I’m meant to be meeting him in twenty minutes for lunch and for proof. Don’t know why he wanted you dead, just know he paid well enough.”

Rubbing the small mark on his neck, he looks over Dark in slight confusion. He knows that there’s moment where he doesn’t register reality, but some of that had to be real.

[dark merely watches murdock, seeming to be entertained by his mannerisms. almost as though he is aware of murdock’s thoughts, and find them amusing]

“Take the lead. I’ll be watching.”

murdersinthemaking

“Alright. Fine. Don’t try anything, or I’m finishing the contract.” He marches out of the office at a quick pace, silently hoping that he loses Dark on the way through the building. The restaurant he was supposed to meet at is only a short walk, and he keeps checking over his shoulder for a sign of him following.

“Fucking ‘easy’ kill…easy my ass..”

[dark does not follow him out of the office, watching murdock march out. however, murdock is always able to catch a glimpse of him among the crowd whenever he looks over his shoulders. to enforce his point, dark sends murdock a message]

[his voice, in murdock’s head:] “Don’t worry, little fawn. I’m here.”

murdersinthemaking

Just outside the restaurant, he hears the voice in his head. That’s something very new, not like his other delusions. Slowly turning to try and spot Dark in the crowds, he whispers. “What are you?”

Before turning into the restaurant, taking a seat in the far corner. The contractor should be here soon, and all he can do is wait.

“Not human, clearly.”

[dark can see how skittish he has made murdock, and is so far pleased. he has decided not to show himself in the entirety of their meeting, simply mark his target and find him later. he will have to decide what to do with murdock first]

murdersinthemaking

Ignoring the voice of Dark in his head, Murdock tries to get through the meeting. Taking one of his rings as proof of Dark being killed. Even going so far as to make a quick cut on his finger to coat it in blood. The contractor leaves, now Murdock sits alone in the restaurant, quietly picking at his food

[dark drops into the seat the contractor just evacuated, across murdock. he notes the blood on murdock’s hand, and his distracted appearance. mostly for his own amusement, he tells murdock,]

“He doesn’t believe you, you know.”

murdersinthemaking

Murdock blinks a few times, trying to register how Dark just started to exist in that chair. Wiping the blood off of his hand, he tries not to appear so horrified.

“He does. I’m sure of it. What do you want now? You saw him, know who wanted you dead. Surely you have some haunting to do?”

[dark is watching murdock with that peculiar gaze again. he wonders what he might do with murdock. he liked the little human. Perhaps even enough to have an interest in his meddlings]

“And what will you do when your contractor turns on you, I wonder,” [says dark thoughtfully, playing with the idea] “Perhaps I will let him kill you before I kill him.”

murdersinthemaking

“Like it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll handle him fine, and beat you to your kill. So unfortunate for you.” Taking another bite of his pasta, he grins his usual devilish grin. A gold tooth that’s cracking apart shown in his smile.

“Anything worthwhile?”

[dark doubts murdock, or anyone, for that matter, will be finding their contractor again in a short while. dark thinks he might even leave the human’s body in his reality, not bothering with its state]

“Hopefully for you, we won’t be meeting again.”

[unlikely, is what he doesn’t say]

murdersinthemaking

“We best not. I’d hate to actually have to kill you. You seem too pesky a challenge.” Murdock pushes his plate to the side, trying to avoid the eyes of anyone in the restaurant. There’s not money to cover dinner in his pocket, so it’ll have to be a mad dash to the door.

“Any reason for following me or do you just need a hobby?”

“You did try to kill me, little one,” [says dark quietly, though without any real heat. nothing in his posture speaks of threat or aggression, but his eyes are, as usual, naturally unnerving to the average person; the only possible sign of his being supernatural] “I know when you’re scared. When you work so hard to survive in your bleak conditions.”

[a smile now]

“I can still change that.”

murdersinthemaking

“I try to kill a lot of people. I usually succeed in most, so congratulations on being an outlier.” A rock has found its way to comfortably rest in his stomach, shifting as he tries to break eye contact with Dark. Whatever he is, it’s plainly not human. Perhaps Murdock could run, never get caught by the beast.

“There’s nothing you can do for me. I have my life, and it doesn’t matter.”

[dark does not comment on that, but the look he gives murdock conveys enough: he doubts either of them believe in what murdock has claimed]

“You’re thinking of running.” [dark speaks as though making simple observation of obvious fact; there is little taunt in his words] “You would not be the first to try to run from me, to hide from me.”

[he is tempted to let murdock try, if only to find amusement in proving his actions futile]

“I find all of them, in the end.”

(Slash) @murderinthemaking

[for once in a long time, dark is distracted. he has not noticed the movements in the background, has not noticed another presence in the room, and in consequence turns to face his adversary late, and too lazy to employ any countermeasures]

[they both watch as the knife impales itself right into his chest]

murdersinthemaking

It’s another hired hit, cheap enough that he only has to kill the guy. Following him into an office building, and easily pinning him to the wall and pushing the knife between his ribs. Not close enough to the heart, but it should at least pierce through the lungs.

Stepping back from his victim, Murdock sits back in a chair, watching him bleed out. “Sorry about all of this. Must be an inconvenience.”

[dark simply glances down at the wound in his chest, and the rapidly staining shirt over it. he has quite forgotten how much one bleeds from an open wound, and is vaguely intrigued be the reminder]

[he is also interested to note, on pressing a hand to the stain and examining it thoughtfully, that he bleeds red. he realises he has been half expecting a different outcome]

[he turns to murdock, and, as his eyes go dark, he smiles]

“Just a little.”

murdersinthemaking

The lack of a scream is unnerving, and the smile is something he tries to ignore. His victim hasn’t even faltered, just watching the blood pour from the wound. There’s not even an attempt to stop the bleeding, so Murdock tries to relax.

“A sense of humour? Don’t usually get that with a dying man. Thanks for the change up. No hard feelings? It’s just business.”

[dark’s interest is caught by the indication that he is a paid job. he does not think he has been in that reality long enough to be noticed by anyone, let alone marked a target. he is less concerned than irritated, now having to track down a new troublemaker]

[but that, he thinks, will have to be found through murdock]

“Alas, little one –”

[his image flickers like a broken screen, clearly unnatural, and when he straightens again the front of dark’s suit is clean and impeccable again, without any sign of an attack. what is more, murdock’s knife, which he’s used to stab him, is in dark’s hand]

“ –you did try to kill me.”

murdersinthemaking

His back was turned for a few seconds, checking to make sure that no one had followed them. At the sound of something moving, and the lack of knife in his hand, Murdock turns in shock. Trying to convince himself it’s just another episode, and he’s seeing things again.

“Now..fuck it never gets this bad. You’re on the ground still, my knife is probably still in your chest..”

“I’m afraid not, little one,” [says dark, approaching murdock. he does not bother suppressing a little smile, wondering what reactions he can pull out of murdock, wondering how he will figure out the way murdock works…]

[in his excitement he loosens hold on his physical form, duplicate images of him flickering in sporadic bursts]

murdersinthemaking

While it’s annoying Dark has his knife, Murdock has another five strapped to his body. Pulling one out from his thigh to defend himself with. A little bit of panic hits him when he notices the lack of blood or a wound. All that means is that he’ll have to work a bit harder.

“I’m not little. I’m 6’2”. Look, I know you’re upset, but if you can cover the other half of the fee..we can forget about this.” Taking a shaky breath, he tries to ignore the splitting form.

[dark does not falter in his steps as he approaches murdock, showing no acknowledgement of the new knife murdock has pulled out. he ignores as well murdock’s protests]

“And what of your… client?”

murdersinthemaking

“What of him? He hired a hitman, what’s he going to do when I don’t kill you, call the cops?” As Dark steps towards him, he keeps trying to see where the wound was. There had been a distortion of sorts around him, but nothing he can say that could’ve taken away the bleeding.

“Look, do you really want to mess with me? I’m a serial killer.”

[dark allows him an amused smile. a condescending acknowledgment of a child’s tricks]

[he stops right in front of murdock, completely disregarding the weapon in his hand, looming over him with an ominous air]

“I want to meet him. Your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“That’s all? Alright, your funeral I suppose. But don’t get a fucking step closer. Give me my knife, and we can be on our way. How does that sound?” While he does his best to sound genuine, Murdock is ready to bolt out of there in a heartbeat. Besides, what harm could Dark actually do?

“That’s one of my favourite knives. I’d like it on the ground, so I can pick it up and take you to my contractor.”

[dark does not believe murdock either way, jumpy little fawn that he is. he also does not believe that murdock is aware of the gravity of his situation. he will need little encouragement to remind murdock of that]

“I think that I’ll be keeping this. You will have it back after I’ve had a word with your client.”

murdersinthemaking

“Oh fuck you, you little bastard! That knife is more important than you’ll ever be! I’ll take you to him now, but I’ll be carrying you in a god damn body bag.” Spinning his knife a few more times, Murdock moves to pin Dark to the nearest wall. Knife ready to start slicing over whatever flesh he can find.

“Ready to fucking die you little shit!”

[dark is done humouring murdock. he has murdock shoved up against the wall before the human can register the change, his entire body paralysed, pinned in place by invisible forces he will not be able to see. the knife in murdock’s hand will be rendered useless and obsolete]

[the tip of his adversary’s knife in dark’s hand tips murdock’s head up to meet his own eyes, which are now entirely black. the very air in the room seems to change, dark and ominous]

“I think,” [says dark thoughtfully, almost to himself] “that it’s time you know your place, little fawn.”

murdersinthemaking

“Hey-“ Murdocks voice disappears as he’s shoved against the wall, almost growling as he finds himself unable to move despite nothing physically keeping him there. As the knife is placed against his neck, he tries to spit at Dark. Finding his mouth suddenly dry, he bares his teeth instead.

“I know my place, at the top of the food chain. Whatever you’re fucking doing, I’m going to find out.”

[dark only continues to smile at murdock lashing out like the cornered animal that he is]

[except that the knife digs in a little harder, and the temperature in the room seems to plummet]

“Such proud words, little fawn… truthfully, I am content to leave you where you claim you are, if you give me what I want. Your antics do not bother me.”

murdersinthemaking

“You just want to meet the contractor? Done and dusted. I hate doing hit work anyways, I’m only in that for the money. I prefer my personal work, and I don’t think you fit my usual.”

Shivering in the cold, Murdock swallows hard. The blade barely a centimetre away from slicing into his jugular. “That all you want?”

“Yes.” [but dark doesn’t move, simply stares at murdock silently, contemplatively, for a moment]

[dark retracts the knife, and lifts the pressure holding murdock down. he even turns and walks away, setting the knife down on a tabletop]

“Go on. And remember: I will know if you are out of line.”

murdersinthemaking

As soon as he’s released, Murdock makes a beeline to try and grab his knife. “I’m meant to be meeting him in twenty minutes for lunch and for proof. Don’t know why he wanted you dead, just know he paid well enough.”

Rubbing the small mark on his neck, he looks over Dark in slight confusion. He knows that there’s moment where he doesn’t register reality, but some of that had to be real.

[dark merely watches murdock, seeming to be entertained by his mannerisms. almost as though he is aware of murdock’s thoughts, and find them amusing]

“Take the lead. I’ll be watching.”

murdersinthemaking

“Alright. Fine. Don’t try anything, or I’m finishing the contract.” He marches out of the office at a quick pace, silently hoping that he loses Dark on the way through the building. The restaurant he was supposed to meet at is only a short walk, and he keeps checking over his shoulder for a sign of him following.

“Fucking ‘easy’ kill…easy my ass..”

[dark does not follow him out of the office, watching murdock march out. however, murdock is always able to catch a glimpse of him among the crowd whenever he looks over his shoulders. to enforce his point, dark sends murdock a message]

[his voice, in murdock’s head:] “Don’t worry, little fawn. I’m here.”

murdersinthemaking

Just outside the restaurant, he hears the voice in his head. That’s something very new, not like his other delusions. Slowly turning to try and spot Dark in the crowds, he whispers. “What are you?”

Before turning into the restaurant, taking a seat in the far corner. The contractor should be here soon, and all he can do is wait.

“Not human, clearly.”

[dark can see how skittish he has made murdock, and is so far pleased. he has decided not to show himself in the entirety of their meeting, simply mark his target and find him later. he will have to decide what to do with murdock first]

murdersinthemaking

Ignoring the voice of Dark in his head, Murdock tries to get through the meeting. Taking one of his rings as proof of Dark being killed. Even going so far as to make a quick cut on his finger to coat it in blood. The contractor leaves, now Murdock sits alone in the restaurant, quietly picking at his food

[dark drops into the seat the contractor just evacuated, across murdock. he notes the blood on murdock’s hand, and his distracted appearance. mostly for his own amusement, he tells murdock,]

“He doesn’t believe you, you know.”

murdersinthemaking

Murdock blinks a few times, trying to register how Dark just started to exist in that chair. Wiping the blood off of his hand, he tries not to appear so horrified.

“He does. I’m sure of it. What do you want now? You saw him, know who wanted you dead. Surely you have some haunting to do?”

[dark is watching murdock with that peculiar gaze again. he wonders what he might do with murdock. he liked the little human. Perhaps even enough to have an interest in his meddlings]

“And what will you do when your contractor turns on you, I wonder,” [says dark thoughtfully, playing with the idea] “Perhaps I will let him kill you before I kill him.”

murdersinthemaking

“Like it wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll handle him fine, and beat you to your kill. So unfortunate for you.” Taking another bite of his pasta, he grins his usual devilish grin. A gold tooth that’s cracking apart shown in his smile.

“Anything worthwhile?”

[dark doubts murdock, or anyone, for that matter, will be finding their contractor again in a short while. dark thinks he might even leave the human’s body in his reality, not bothering with its state]

“Hopefully for you, we won’t be meeting again.”

[unlikely, is what he doesn’t say]

murdersinthemaking

“We best not. I’d hate to actually have to kill you. You seem too pesky a challenge.” Murdock pushes his plate to the side, trying to avoid the eyes of anyone in the restaurant. There’s not money to cover dinner in his pocket, so it’ll have to be a mad dash to the door.

“Any reason for following me or do you just need a hobby?”

“You did try to kill me, little one,” [says dark quietly, though without any real heat. nothing in his posture speaks of threat or aggression, but his eyes are, as usual, naturally unnerving to the average person; the only possible sign of his being supernatural] “I know when you’re scared. When you work so hard to survive in your bleak conditions.”

[a smile now]

“I can still change that.”

What are you?!

[dark knows he is there before they even hear him speak. even so, they take their time reigning their temper in, allowing their split images to realign, for them to return to a more corporal state, before turning to fully face the newcomer]

[he straightens his suit and adjusts his tie, tilting his head in curiosity as he steps towards eric. the splattered remains of the dead creature behind him does not leave any stain on him. eric will be able to see that it is clearly not an animal that is likely from his own world, massive and dark-ichored that it is]

“Be careful what you ask for, little one.”

[he finds himself in an amusing mood. dark will play his game]

panickedsalesman-archived

Eric is frozen to the spot like a deer in headlights. Something horrifying had just been in front of him, probably worse still that he watched someone..something kill it. When he steps closer, Eric cowers away, still unable to move.

“Wa-wait…wh-what do you mean? Wh-what..what are you going to d-do?” No matter how badly he wants to, he almost feels too terrified to move

[dark stops in front of eric, close, and leans down with a slight tilt of his head, observing the delightful specimen in front of him. vaguely he thinks that eric might be spooked by the intensity and alienness of his glare. eric reeks of that lovely fear that plagues his kind, one which he is most acquainted with]

[dark almost wants to extinguish his life force there and then. almost. fear looks wonderful on eric]

[a small smile creeps onto his face as he asks,]

“Are you afraid of death, little one?”

panickedsalesman-archived

“I-I’ve..I’ve died a lot..survived it a-all too..” So badly he wants to be brave, be worthy of something. Slowly, he steps back away, ready to run. He can survive this, he has to.

Heart pounding out of his chest, Eric is sure he’s going to be sick the longer he looks at Dark and the monster behind him.

[eric will not know the implications of his words, but dark laughs inwardly at his little self assurance. if only eric knew]

[dark knows he will let eric go when he tries to run; he will not deny himself the amusement of watching eric run, of watching the gears of his fight or flight instinct steer him ahead. he has seen much of them in his time, but eric seems to captivate him anew]

[after all, he will not deny himself a good chase either, although, he doubts it will be a long one]

“Such perseverance… you will be perfect, my dear.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Wh-what for?” Swallowing hard, Eric tries to figure where he is anymore. He’d been walking home from work, because Derek had taken his car. The noises he’d heard had frightened him, and he’d peaked around to see the beast being killed.

Stepping back a few more times, he tries to find the fastest place he can go to and hide. Maybe he can hide, go back home safely

[dark only smiles. for such an abrupt and unexpected intruder, eric is proving far more fascinating than dark has initially believed]

“Go on, little one.” [dark’s voice is soft, and curious] “Run.”

panickedsalesman-archived

He knows it’s going to be bad, and all he can think of his moving. Running out into the now dark street, trying to stay out of the light. Reaching into his bag for something to defend himself with, only finding a lacrosse ball he uses for his stretches.

Darting down another alley, he throws the ball farther down it before ducking behind a trash can. Panting heavily as he looks around

[there is neither sound nor movement down the dark alley, but after a painful minute that seems to last a lifetime, eric’s lacrosse ball is rolling across the ground, straight back towards him. it taps into his shoe and stops]

[above him, a streetlight blows]

panickedsalesman-archived

As he feels the ball hit his foot again, he gives up on hiding. He’s already been found, hasn’t he? As quietly as he can, he stands up, and tries to run where he thought the exit to the alley way was.

“Pl-please..please do-don’t hurt me..” he whispers, putting his hands on the wall, trying to find his way out of the dark

[the dead end wall comes up before eric, mercilessly solid and immovable beneath his fingers: he’s walked right into the wrong end of the alley]

[behind him, light flares up. the light fixture has been restored; or rather, an illusion of it has been put into the scene, but it illuminates dark nonetheless, standing right at the open end of the alley. he is well aware that he has essentially boxed eric in; caught him in a trap like prey]

[dark lets his silence hang as he waits for eric to acknowledge his presence. already, he is enjoying eric’s reactions]

panickedsalesman-archived

Panicked, he turns around to face Dark. Completely trapped within the alley. The only exit is the one blocked by him, so he comes up with a rash decision. He knows he’s strong, and decides to try and barrel through Dark.

Running towards him, he keeps his head down as he runs. For just the tiniest chance he can push through him and run back into the street

[eric has barely reached dark when dark catches him effortlessly and has eric shoved and pinned against the alley wall. his little prey will not even have the reflexes to register such sudden change. his hand finds eric throat, tipping his head back to look into his eyes]

[he looms over eric, his own eyes now hungry voids, amused, delighted by the little act eric has displayed]

“There now… Aren’t you a flighty one?”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Le-let go of me!” Struggling against the wall, he almost whimpers when he’s forced to look up into Darks eyes. Almost soulless, and definitely not human. Swallowing hard under his hand, Eric tries anything to escape. Kicking out his legs to try and knock him over.

Breathing is a little difficult with the hand just pressing against it, and his breaths become panicked gasps for air

[eric’s persistence and preservation impress dark, and for a moment he simply watches as eric struggles against him, barely feeling his desperate attempts at freedom]

[he does not, however, want eric to pass out and the fun to end, so he opts to release his throat and hold eric down with a tangled hand in his hair instead]

“Be still now, little one… although, you are not unused to death, are you?”

panickedsalesman-archived

Panting for air, he tries to escape in the few seconds that Dark lets go of his throat. Fruitless, when he’s pinned to the wall with his hair. Yelling out as it stings his scalp. “I-I..Yo-you’re not going to ki-kill me…”

Lying to himself is what brings him comfort right now, as he still tries to get out of Darks hold. Pushing him away with his hands, trying to hit him in anyway

[eric will soon find himself immobile, frozen to the spot, with his arms falling back to his sides as his ability to move is stolen by dark, who chuckles softly at eric’s faltering declaration]

“No? Then perhaps you will not have to worry if I…”

[his hand begins to creep back around eric’s neck, his eyes not leaving eric’s]

[it’s been a while since he’s had contact with a human. he wonders if he will keep this one]

panickedsalesman-archived

Mind racing, he tries to move. Desperately trying to escape, but his body feels like it’s made of lead. So heavy, and almost tiring just by thinking of moving. All he can do is swallow in fear, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Please! Pl-please! I-I’ll do whatever yo-you want! Please do-don’t hurt me!” Glasses fogging up for tears, he’s glad that he can’t see too much anymore

“Now, now...”

[dark traces him thumb under eric’s glasses, the better to smear his tears to the side of his face. there is a moment, where he paused, fingertip poised precariously close to eric’s eye, as though thinking if he will...]

[but then his fingers are under eric’s chin, tipping his trembling face back to look at him]

“Do you promise?” [he is pleased to have trapped this one so easily. he wonders if eric is clear headed and clever enough to save himself in time]

panickedsalesman-archived

Whimpering, Eric tries to avoid looking at the finger just poking at his socket. So easily it could dig in and twist, leaving him like his brother Merrick. There’s a little relief when the hand leaves l, but it forces him to look into Darks eyes.

“Please, I-I’ll do what you wa-want..ju-just please..do-don’t hu-hurt me..” He’s offering himself, and prays that Dark just wants him to cook

“Whatever I want?”

[dark smiles softly in amusement, which did nothing to dampen the intensity of the gaze he has caught eric in]

“And if I want your soul, little one, will you give it to me?”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Wa-wait no! No, I-I ca-can’t ju-just give..give you t-that. Do-don’t know ho-how to…do-don’t want to…” Squeezing his eyes shut, Eric does whatever he can to avoid his gaze. If he can escape those empty eyes, it feels like he can escape his fate.

“Pl-please, an-anything else! I uh..I uh…”

[dark tsks disapprovingly, though his is enjoying himself far to much to be much serious]

“Such lies, little one…”

[he trails off, letting the deliberately ominous silence stretch, before saying, as though he’s been thinking it through,]

“I can let you go…”

panickedsalesman-archived

Still trying to pull against his hold, Eric refuses to open his eyes again. If anything happens, he’d rather not watch the gore. “No! Pl-please, I’m n-not! Please….” Sobbing out, his frozen body trembles in place.

At the mention of being let go, he opens one eye. “Wh-what..what do you wa-want me to do?”

[dark simply smiles]

“You’ll owe me.”

[his eyes darken, a genuine sliver of heat he lets slip through. his tone is just as soft, but now there seems to be something that lurks in the undertone]

“And I’ll remember you… Eric.”

panickedsalesman-archived

Swallowing hard, he still tries to kick Dark. Not wanting to owe a favour of any sort to a being like that. With no avail, he slumps against the wall in exhaustion.

“Ho-how do you..you know me? Wh-why did you go and-after me,”

“Did I now? After you walked in yourself?”

[dark tilts his head, watching patiently as eric works himself to exhaustion. he can tell the little thing doesn’t want to be tied to him. he will be amused when eric caves in, forcefully or not]

“I can kill you now if you’re so adverse to prolonging your life,” [muses dark offhandedly, as though either choice matters little] “It bears no consequence to me.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Yo-you could’ve ju-just left me!” Blood drains from his face, blinking hard as he forces himself to stay conscious. Almost at the point of passing out, wasting energy on trying to escape whatever is keeping him still.

“Wa-wait no! Pl-please..pl-please..I do-don’t want to die ag-again…please..”

[dark only continues to smile]

“You know what to do, Eric.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“No! N-no I don’t! Wh-what do you wa-want from me? I..I don’t understand plea-please!” Writhing in the hold against the wall, Eric keeps trying to move in anyway. Vision swimming as he tries to look around.

“He-help! Please! He-help!”

“So much noise…”

[dark sighs, speaking more to himself than eric, looking down at eric almost in disappointment]

“There’s no one to help you,” [says dark, with a little smile] “No one can hear you, little one.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“I-I don’t want to d-die! I-I think I’m allowed to fu-fucking fight back! I..I wa-want to go home..” He keeps trying to move his head, trying to smash it against Darks to stun him. No matter what he does, he’s pinned to the wall, completely paralyzed

“Wh-what a-are you go-going to do?”

“I’m going to let you go,” [says dark, bemused, in a tone so genuine and truthful sounding] “and you’re going to live… if that’s what you want Eric.”

[dark even withdraws his hand and retreats a step, to give eric a deceptive sense of safety]

“I promise.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Th-thank you..thank you! I..thank you..” Still trying to move out of the invisible force surrounding him, he’s trying to look relieved. Like he won’t be hurt. “Ca-can you..can you release that uh..th-that thing keeping me here?”

Fighting hard against the force, Eric is looking around the alley for anyone to help him.

“Quid pro quo, Eric,” [dark reminds him, still smiling, the only other being in the mercilessly empty street] “Your continued existence, for a debt. All you have to do is promise, and I’ll let you go.”

panickedsalesman-archived

Swallowing thickly, he still eyes the street desperately for anyone else to come and help him. It’s completely silent. “Wh-what..what do to-you want the-then?”

“Whatever I think you can offer.” [is the cryptic answer] “You will simply owe me, Eric.”

[dark speaks more frankly now in their entire conversation. this is the most sincere he has sounded, having no intention nor need to deceive eric]

panickedsalesman-archived

“Ok..ju-just please..do-don’t hurt my da-dad.” Pulling his handkerchief out, Eric tries to breathe normally. Heart pounding in his chest, and trembling like a leaf.

“Do yo-you want food? I-I uh..I ca-can cook! I-I cou-could cook for you..”

[dark doesn’t show the smile he feels, at successfully trapping eric into his agreement. he will be pleased with his catch]

[the smile that he does show eric is once again milder, more amused]

“Your soul is food to me, Eric,” [says dark, more teasing than anything truthful with his statement] “if you’re offering.”

panickedsalesman-archived

He goes pale, probably looking like a corpse with how clammy he’s become. Trying to pace back and forth, but his legs feel too weak. Leaning against the wall as his hand tremble.

“No! N-no please, please…I uh..anything el-else..”

[dark only laughs softly, finally releasing the force holding eric pinned in place and stepping away. he does not need to restrain eric any longer. he already has eric trapped, more than he can be, with his promise]

“No more choices, Eric. They’re mine now.” [dark’s smile is not malicious or taunting, but it speaks of its own horrors] “Your life is no longer yours to choose... but, I will be careful with it.”

panickedsalesman-archived

Finally free to move again, he’s pacing around the alley. Pulling out his handkerchief, trying to breathe in the familiar smell to steady himself. Unsure of what he’s signed himself up for. “Wh-what do you want? I..I ca-can’t give you an—anything!”

Wouldn’t his father be a better target? Eric just works in a few positions, but Derek has control of the money. Wouldn’t that be better?

“You do not have to worry, Eric,” [says dark, with a misleadingly comforting smile] “You will have your uses.”

[in his words hang a promise that will follow eric for time to come, until they meet again]

“As long as you behave, you will have nothing to fear.”

🔪

[he is annoyed]

"Why don't you show yourself, little one?"

#who’s this little one #(*narrows eyes* is that u under there mlem)

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo isn't actually conscious to hear Dark's reassurance, having passed out when Dark had paused to glance at the knife.

[dark sits by enzo’s side, tucked into his bed, watching over him as he sleeps. there is warmth from the burning fireplace in the room that has not been there before]

[he is put in mind of the first time enzo has entered the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely moves as he sleeps, the only indicator that he's alive being the soft breaths that join the crackling of the fireplace. This isn't the first time he's ended up recovering from an injury in the manor.

[dark checks on enzo periodically throughout the night, careful with his powers, reluctant to touch enzo with his eternally cold hands. he does not let enzo cross over into any zone of endangerment with his life force]

[his own fierce protectiveness of enzo intrigues him]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

After nearly 14 hours, Enzo wakes up, eyes just barely opening as he shifts from his previous position in bed. He doesn't seem to realise where he is yet, nor will he for a while.

"Dark?" he mutters quietly, trying to gauge if he's real or not.

[dark appears by enzo’s side, settling close to him. the fire burns throughout the night, kept alive by dark, now casting him into slight shadow]

“I’m here, darling.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo gives him a fond smile, reaching over to hold his hand. He's glad that Dark's there — wherever he is feels much safer now.

"Thank you." he says softly

[dark hesitates an imperceptible moment before returning the hold on enzo’s hand. he only smiles in response to enzo’s thanks; he has no need of it, but he will allow enzo to express his gratitude]

“How are you feeling, darling?”

Send me 🔪 to stab my muse.

#play with the little ones #(because he deserves it and i think it wld be funny)

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo isn't actually conscious to hear Dark's reassurance, having passed out when Dark had paused to glance at the knife.

[dark sits by enzo’s side, tucked into his bed, watching over him as he sleeps. there is warmth from the burning fireplace in the room that has not been there before]

[he is put in mind of the first time enzo has entered the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely moves as he sleeps, the only indicator that he's alive being the soft breaths that join the crackling of the fireplace. This isn't the first time he's ended up recovering from an injury in the manor.

[dark checks on enzo periodically throughout the night, careful with his powers, reluctant to touch enzo with his eternally cold hands. he does not let enzo cross over into any zone of endangerment with his life force]

[his own fierce protectiveness of enzo intrigues him]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

After nearly 14 hours, Enzo wakes up, eyes just barely opening as he shifts from his previous position in bed. He doesn't seem to realise where he is yet, nor will he for a while.

"Dark?" he mutters quietly, trying to gauge if he's real or not.

[dark appears by enzo’s side, settling close to him. the fire burns throughout the night, kept alive by dark, now casting him into slight shadow]

“I’m here, darling.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo isn't actually conscious to hear Dark's reassurance, having passed out when Dark had paused to glance at the knife.

[dark sits by enzo’s side, tucked into his bed, watching over him as he sleeps. there is warmth from the burning fireplace in the room that has not been there before]

[he is put in mind of the first time enzo has entered the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely moves as he sleeps, the only indicator that he's alive being the soft breaths that join the crackling of the fireplace. This isn't the first time he's ended up recovering from an injury in the manor.

[dark checks on enzo periodically throughout the night, careful with his powers, reluctant to touch enzo with his eternally cold hands. he does not let enzo cross over into any zone of endangerment with his life force]

[his own fierce protectiveness of enzo intrigues him]

What are you?!

[dark knows he is there before they even hear him speak. even so, they take their time reigning their temper in, allowing their split images to realign, for them to return to a more corporal state, before turning to fully face the newcomer]

[he straightens his suit and adjusts his tie, tilting his head in curiosity as he steps towards eric. the splattered remains of the dead creature behind him does not leave any stain on him. eric will be able to see that it is clearly not an animal that is likely from his own world, massive and dark-ichored that it is]

“Be careful what you ask for, little one.”

[he finds himself in an amusing mood. dark will play his game]

panickedsalesman-archived

Eric is frozen to the spot like a deer in headlights. Something horrifying had just been in front of him, probably worse still that he watched someone..something kill it. When he steps closer, Eric cowers away, still unable to move.

“Wa-wait…wh-what do you mean? Wh-what..what are you going to d-do?” No matter how badly he wants to, he almost feels too terrified to move

[dark stops in front of eric, close, and leans down with a slight tilt of his head, observing the delightful specimen in front of him. vaguely he thinks that eric might be spooked by the intensity and alienness of his glare. eric reeks of that lovely fear that plagues his kind, one which he is most acquainted with]

[dark almost wants to extinguish his life force there and then. almost. fear looks wonderful on eric]

[a small smile creeps onto his face as he asks,]

“Are you afraid of death, little one?”

panickedsalesman-archived

“I-I’ve..I’ve died a lot..survived it a-all too..” So badly he wants to be brave, be worthy of something. Slowly, he steps back away, ready to run. He can survive this, he has to.

Heart pounding out of his chest, Eric is sure he’s going to be sick the longer he looks at Dark and the monster behind him.

[eric will not know the implications of his words, but dark laughs inwardly at his little self assurance. if only eric knew]

[dark knows he will let eric go when he tries to run; he will not deny himself the amusement of watching eric run, of watching the gears of his fight or flight instinct steer him ahead. he has seen much of them in his time, but eric seems to captivate him anew]

[after all, he will not deny himself a good chase either, although, he doubts it will be a long one]

“Such perseverance… you will be perfect, my dear.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Wh-what for?” Swallowing hard, Eric tries to figure where he is anymore. He’d been walking home from work, because Derek had taken his car. The noises he’d heard had frightened him, and he’d peaked around to see the beast being killed.

Stepping back a few more times, he tries to find the fastest place he can go to and hide. Maybe he can hide, go back home safely

[dark only smiles. for such an abrupt and unexpected intruder, eric is proving far more fascinating than dark has initially believed]

“Go on, little one.” [dark’s voice is soft, and curious] “Run.”

panickedsalesman-archived

He knows it’s going to be bad, and all he can think of his moving. Running out into the now dark street, trying to stay out of the light. Reaching into his bag for something to defend himself with, only finding a lacrosse ball he uses for his stretches.

Darting down another alley, he throws the ball farther down it before ducking behind a trash can. Panting heavily as he looks around

[there is neither sound nor movement down the dark alley, but after a painful minute that seems to last a lifetime, eric’s lacrosse ball is rolling across the ground, straight back towards him. it taps into his shoe and stops]

[above him, a streetlight blows]

panickedsalesman-archived

As he feels the ball hit his foot again, he gives up on hiding. He’s already been found, hasn’t he? As quietly as he can, he stands up, and tries to run where he thought the exit to the alley way was.

“Pl-please..please do-don’t hurt me..” he whispers, putting his hands on the wall, trying to find his way out of the dark

[the dead end wall comes up before eric, mercilessly solid and immovable beneath his fingers: he’s walked right into the wrong end of the alley]

[behind him, light flares up. the light fixture has been restored; or rather, an illusion of it has been put into the scene, but it illuminates dark nonetheless, standing right at the open end of the alley. he is well aware that he has essentially boxed eric in; caught him in a trap like prey]

[dark lets his silence hang as he waits for eric to acknowledge his presence. already, he is enjoying eric’s reactions]

panickedsalesman-archived

Panicked, he turns around to face Dark. Completely trapped within the alley. The only exit is the one blocked by him, so he comes up with a rash decision. He knows he’s strong, and decides to try and barrel through Dark.

Running towards him, he keeps his head down as he runs. For just the tiniest chance he can push through him and run back into the street

[eric has barely reached dark when dark catches him effortlessly and has eric shoved and pinned against the alley wall. his little prey will not even have the reflexes to register such sudden change. his hand finds eric throat, tipping his head back to look into his eyes]

[he looms over eric, his own eyes now hungry voids, amused, delighted by the little act eric has displayed]

“There now… Aren’t you a flighty one?”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Le-let go of me!” Struggling against the wall, he almost whimpers when he’s forced to look up into Darks eyes. Almost soulless, and definitely not human. Swallowing hard under his hand, Eric tries anything to escape. Kicking out his legs to try and knock him over.

Breathing is a little difficult with the hand just pressing against it, and his breaths become panicked gasps for air

[eric’s persistence and preservation impress dark, and for a moment he simply watches as eric struggles against him, barely feeling his desperate attempts at freedom]

[he does not, however, want eric to pass out and the fun to end, so he opts to release his throat and hold eric down with a tangled hand in his hair instead]

“Be still now, little one… although, you are not unused to death, are you?”

panickedsalesman-archived

Panting for air, he tries to escape in the few seconds that Dark lets go of his throat. Fruitless, when he’s pinned to the wall with his hair. Yelling out as it stings his scalp. “I-I..Yo-you’re not going to ki-kill me…”

Lying to himself is what brings him comfort right now, as he still tries to get out of Darks hold. Pushing him away with his hands, trying to hit him in anyway

[eric will soon find himself immobile, frozen to the spot, with his arms falling back to his sides as his ability to move is stolen by dark, who chuckles softly at eric’s faltering declaration]

“No? Then perhaps you will not have to worry if I…”

[his hand begins to creep back around eric’s neck, his eyes not leaving eric’s]

[it’s been a while since he’s had contact with a human. he wonders if he will keep this one]

panickedsalesman-archived

Mind racing, he tries to move. Desperately trying to escape, but his body feels like it’s made of lead. So heavy, and almost tiring just by thinking of moving. All he can do is swallow in fear, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Please! Pl-please! I-I’ll do whatever yo-you want! Please do-don’t hurt me!” Glasses fogging up for tears, he’s glad that he can’t see too much anymore

“Now, now...”

[dark traces him thumb under eric’s glasses, the better to smear his tears to the side of his face. there is a moment, where he paused, fingertip poised precariously close to eric’s eye, as though thinking if he will...]

[but then his fingers are under eric’s chin, tipping his trembling face back to look at him]

“Do you promise?” [he is pleased to have trapped this one so easily. he wonders if eric is clear headed and clever enough to save himself in time]

panickedsalesman-archived

Whimpering, Eric tries to avoid looking at the finger just poking at his socket. So easily it could dig in and twist, leaving him like his brother Merrick. There’s a little relief when the hand leaves l, but it forces him to look into Darks eyes.

“Please, I-I’ll do what you wa-want..ju-just please..do-don’t hu-hurt me..” He’s offering himself, and prays that Dark just wants him to cook

“Whatever I want?”

[dark smiles softly in amusement, which did nothing to dampen the intensity of the gaze he has caught eric in]

“And if I want your soul, little one, will you give it to me?”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Wa-wait no! No, I-I ca-can’t ju-just give..give you t-that. Do-don’t know ho-how to…do-don’t want to…” Squeezing his eyes shut, Eric does whatever he can to avoid his gaze. If he can escape those empty eyes, it feels like he can escape his fate.

“Pl-please, an-anything else! I uh..I uh…”

[dark tsks disapprovingly, though his is enjoying himself far to much to be much serious]

“Such lies, little one…”

[he trails off, letting the deliberately ominous silence stretch, before saying, as though he’s been thinking it through,]

“I can let you go…”

panickedsalesman-archived

Still trying to pull against his hold, Eric refuses to open his eyes again. If anything happens, he’d rather not watch the gore. “No! Pl-please, I’m n-not! Please….” Sobbing out, his frozen body trembles in place.

At the mention of being let go, he opens one eye. “Wh-what..what do you wa-want me to do?”

[dark simply smiles]

“You’ll owe me.”

[his eyes darken, a genuine sliver of heat he lets slip through. his tone is just as soft, but now there seems to be something that lurks in the undertone]

“And I’ll remember you… Eric.”

panickedsalesman-archived

Swallowing hard, he still tries to kick Dark. Not wanting to owe a favour of any sort to a being like that. With no avail, he slumps against the wall in exhaustion.

“Ho-how do you..you know me? Wh-why did you go and-after me,”

“Did I now? After you walked in yourself?”

[dark tilts his head, watching patiently as eric works himself to exhaustion. he can tell the little thing doesn’t want to be tied to him. he will be amused when eric caves in, forcefully or not]

“I can kill you now if you’re so adverse to prolonging your life,” [muses dark offhandedly, as though either choice matters little] “It bears no consequence to me.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Yo-you could’ve ju-just left me!” Blood drains from his face, blinking hard as he forces himself to stay conscious. Almost at the point of passing out, wasting energy on trying to escape whatever is keeping him still.

“Wa-wait no! Pl-please..pl-please..I do-don’t want to die ag-again…please..”

[dark only continues to smile]

“You know what to do, Eric.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“No! N-no I don’t! Wh-what do you wa-want from me? I..I don’t understand plea-please!” Writhing in the hold against the wall, Eric keeps trying to move in anyway. Vision swimming as he tries to look around.

“He-help! Please! He-help!”

“So much noise…”

[dark sighs, speaking more to himself than eric, looking down at eric almost in disappointment]

“There’s no one to help you,” [says dark, with a little smile] “No one can hear you, little one.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“I-I don’t want to d-die! I-I think I’m allowed to fu-fucking fight back! I..I wa-want to go home..” He keeps trying to move his head, trying to smash it against Darks to stun him. No matter what he does, he’s pinned to the wall, completely paralyzed

“Wh-what a-are you go-going to do?”

“I’m going to let you go,” [says dark, bemused, in a tone so genuine and truthful sounding] “and you’re going to live… if that’s what you want Eric.”

[dark even withdraws his hand and retreats a step, to give eric a deceptive sense of safety]

“I promise.”

panickedsalesman-archived

“Th-thank you..thank you! I..thank you..” Still trying to move out of the invisible force surrounding him, he’s trying to look relieved. Like he won’t be hurt. “Ca-can you..can you release that uh..th-that thing keeping me here?”

Fighting hard against the force, Eric is looking around the alley for anyone to help him.

“Quid pro quo, Eric,” [dark reminds him, still smiling, the only other being in the mercilessly empty street] “Your continued existence, for a debt. All you have to do is promise, and I’ll let you go.”

panickedsalesman-archived

Swallowing thickly, he still eyes the street desperately for anyone else to come and help him. It’s completely silent. “Wh-what..what do to-you want the-then?”

“Whatever I think you can offer.” [is the cryptic answer] “You will simply owe me, Eric.”

[dark speaks more frankly now in their entire conversation. this is the most sincere he has sounded, having no intention nor need to deceive eric]

panickedsalesman-archived

“Ok..ju-just please..do-don’t hurt my da-dad.” Pulling his handkerchief out, Eric tries to breathe normally. Heart pounding in his chest, and trembling like a leaf.

“Do yo-you want food? I-I uh..I ca-can cook! I-I cou-could cook for you..”

[dark doesn’t show the smile he feels, at successfully trapping eric into his agreement. he will be pleased with his catch]

[the smile that he does show eric is once again milder, more amused]

“Your soul is food to me, Eric,” [says dark, more teasing than anything truthful with his statement] “if you’re offering.”

panickedsalesman-archived

He goes pale, probably looking like a corpse with how clammy he’s become. Trying to pace back and forth, but his legs feel too weak. Leaning against the wall as his hand tremble.

“No! N-no please, please…I uh..anything el-else..”

[dark only laughs softly, finally releasing the force holding eric pinned in place and stepping away. he does not need to restrain eric any longer. he already has eric trapped, more than he can be, with his promise]

“No more choices, Eric. They’re mine now.” [dark’s smile is not malicious or taunting, but it speaks of its own horrors] “Your life is no longer yours to choose... but, I will be careful with it.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo isn't actually conscious to hear Dark's reassurance, having passed out when Dark had paused to glance at the knife.

[dark sits by enzo’s side, tucked into his bed, watching over him as he sleeps. there is warmth from the burning fireplace in the room that has not been there before]

[he is put in mind of the first time enzo has entered the manor]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"are you okay?”

- @darkmanor

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine."

He does sound okay, but there is a knife lodged into his thigh. He doesn't seem to have noticed it yet, his leg pretty much entirely numb past a certain point. He can feel the blood though.

[dark lowers himself in front of enzo slowly, taking in his appearance. he is no longer as worried about enzo as he has once been, having nursed enzo back to health frequently in the time he has gotten used to enzo’s lifestyle. however, his tone is still careful as he asked,]

“Do you not feel any pain right now?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo shakes his head, now mildly confused. He decides to look down at his leg, his eyebrows raising as he simply hums in acknowledgement of the wound. A little over half the blade is stuck in his leg and it's uncomfortable to move.

"Nope, can't feel a thing."

[dark gives enzo his reserved soft smile, seeking to put enzo in an easy mood, although he doubts enzo will be prone to panic in his disoriented state]

“Do you want me to take it out?” [dark’s conversational tone is disproportionate to what he says, aware of the probability that he is coming off unreal to enzo]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

The amount of blood he's lost actually starts to effect Enzo now, a wave of dizziness hitting him all at once and he has to blink a few times to see somewhat straight again.

He slowly shakes his head. "No." Taking it out would make it worse.

[dark watches enzo, fondly and carefully]

“You can’t leave it in forever, darling,” [dark continues to talk to enzo rather casually, though not without a fond smile]

“We could stop the bleeding after I take it out. That would not make it worse.”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo thinks about the suggestion for a moment, glancing between his blood-soaked thigh and Dark. Then he nods.

"Careful, please."

[dark places a small kiss to enzo’s forehead] “Of course, darling.”

[dark is ready for any sudden jolt of reaction from enzo when he closes a hand around the knife hilt and removes it in a quick movement. his free hand presses over the now open wound, effectively preventing any further serious blood loss]

“Do you want to bandage it?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo barely flinches as Dark pulls the knife out, the only thing eliciting any reaction from him being the speed at which it's removed.

He nods at the question, feeling like that'd probably be the most reasonable thing to do.

[dark places the knife to the side carefully, intending to collect it afterwards, intending to hunt down its owners]

[for the moment, he simply retrieves bandages, and set to tend enzo’s wound. he is reluctant to use his powers to heal enzo, still afraid of the eventual consequences. still, dark ensures that enzo feels minimal pain from his wound]

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

By the time Dark comes back with the bandages, Enzo's already falling asleep, or more so near passing out, though the lack of pain makes him look almost peaceful.

[dark catches sight of enzo’s glazed expression, and his concern is expressed in the slight pause in his actions. he is not sure if enzo ought to be loosing consciousness, but he is certain to ensure enzo will not be in danger from his wounds]

“Darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

"Hm?" Enzo just barely opens his eyes to glance at Dark, though his gaze ends up drifting down to his leg again, just checking how much blood he's actually lost. Needless to say that he's lost a lot, though at least he isn't losing anymore. He should probably have stitches to be fair but he'll do them himself later.

“Talk to me, darling.”

[dark runs a scan over enzo, taking in his temperature and colour. he rests a hand to the side of enzo’s cheek, gauging his colour]

[he catches sight of the knife he has lain aside for the time being, but returns his attention to enzo]

“Are you feeling alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

He nods slowly, his eyes closing once more. He's pale, very pale, almost concerningly pale. He's also colder than usual, his heartbeat considerably slower than usual as well.

"..'m fine... drowsy.." he mumbles, barely finding the strength to open his eyes again.

[dark runs his thumb absentmindedly on enzo’s cheek, contemplating taking enzo back to the manor, where he can keep an eye on enzo. he does not want to let enzo out of sight. he will always be able to watch over enzo in the manor. he will be able to ensure enzo’s life force does not fade]

“I’m going to take you home, darling. You will get to rest there, alright?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo simply nods again, almost entirely unconscious now, forcing himself to stay awake just a little longer. He leans against Dark's hand.

"Cold.." He's not sure if he's commenting on his own current state or Dark's usual one.

[dark lets enzo nuzzle into his hand for a moment before withdrawing, noting enzo’s statement]

[but he doesn’t stay away for long, simply repositioning to shift his arm around and under enzo, holding him close, before rising to his feet, enzo resting securely in his arms]

“Are you cold, darling?”

paperbackpieces-makemewhole

Enzo just about registers that he's been moved, slumping against Dark when he picks him up. It takes him a moment to even register the question but when he does, his head barely moves as he nods.

"Mhm."

[dark picks up enzo’s answer]

[on the verge of stepping through to the manor, dark pauses, with a glance back at the discarded knife. it vanishes from sight, to be collected to his own inventory safekeep]

“You’re going to be safe, darling,” [whispers dark reassuringly, as he steps through his dimensional shortcut to enzo’s room in the manor]

welcome to the Manor @darkmanor - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag