beserker’s wasn’t always his go to, in fact he rarely had time for anything like that when lan was around. but lan wasn’t around, and he hadn’t been for weeks, and the only communication he’d had was a text that he’d assumed was sent to fenn as well that said he was away and would return soon. it wasn’t enough, and he was on edge and he was fucking anxious; all that nervous energy had to go somewhere.
the first night, he’d tried the slaughter ring. his opponents were all supernatural, and he was down and out within a second. they didn’t have humans there to fight him, it was a ring for the supernaturals. so beserkers was suggested for him. it didn’t have its own ring for fighting, but it was easy enough to start one in there and manage to fucking feel something. it was why kaiden did it, to feel something with lan gone.
fenn wasn’t something he concerned himself with; sure, he would check in on him when he got back in the early hours of the morning, make sure that he was in bed, even put an extra fucking blanket on him if he looked cold. he let the blonde have the bed, choosing the sofa for himself most nights. usually he had an injury that needed icing anyway, another bruise or scar to add to the collection.
that night he thought about staying in, about making an effort with fenn but he just had too much anxious energy and anger inside of him; he was worried about lan, in fact kai was getting fucking homicidal at the prospect of knowing nothing about where lan was or how he was. he wondered if fenn knew, and was hiding something from him. no, he had to stay busy. he had to go out and start a fucking fight. get his ass handed to him for a solid minute before beating the other off him; it’s how it almost always went.
kaiden walked into the bar, choosing to get himself a drink before starting in on the chaos for the evening. it made it feel better, if you were lightly buzzed. then a fight broke out and he could’ve sworn he saw familiar blond hair getting knocked around. then he heard it, his voice. had he fucking followed him? what a fucking idiot. he shoved his way through the crowd, and by the time he got there fenn was on the floor unable to move by the looks of it; blood already adorning his face. “hey!” kaiden shouted, shoving the towering, meaty man as hard as he could. “pick a fight with someone your own fucking size, and next time tell your girl not to dress like a fucking twat wrapped up in a condom and maybe the beer won’t make her look better.” he snarled, wasting no time in punching the other as hard as he could. kai heard a crack, likely the mans nose at the very least. he didn’t stop at one punch though, he punched and punched until the man was down and the twat of a girl was begging him to stop.
at least that had completed his ambitions for the night, yet he had hoped to be there longer, and he didn’t envision himself looking after fenn either. still, he crouched, concern a completely unfamiliar expression on his features and yet it was still there. offering his hand out kaiden asked, “can you get up or do you need me to carry you?” still, a smirk started to form on his lips. “you may have a broken nose, but fuck fenn, that was actually a little bit impressive. you’ve got a mouth on you, and quick thinking with that bottle.” a pause as he helped the other loyalist up, “let’s go home. i’ll clean you up, and make sure your nose is in the right place so it doesn’t heal ugly. pinch the bridge, don’t lean back or the blood will pool just… pinch the bridge as we walk.”
he started to lead them out of beserkers, pushing his way through the crowd and once they were outside under the light he got a good look at the other. “definitely broken.” he murmured, looking over fenn again for any other injuries. “why were you following me?”
*
The second he heard Kaiden’s voice, screaming expletives, as per usual, Fenn felt some of the tension and adrenaline begin to fade as he struggled to push himself up to sitting position. (And wasn’t that interesting. Something to examine later, perhaps.)
The fight was over before it really started, in all honesty. Kaiden, while typically a giant dumbass, was good at one thing: fucking other people up. Even people twice his size. It was almost... enjoyable, to watch. Like observing an artist paint a mural or a baker knead dough for a special creation. In his element, Kaiden looked competent. Fiercely awake and aware and... Christ. Fenn wanted that. Wanted to feel anything other than useless, day in and day out. With Lan gone, he was adrift.
But, fist fighting was definitely not going to be his new outlet, that was for sure. By the time Kaiden had made his way over, Fenn had made it to his knees and was contemplating claiming temporary insanity for his uncharacteristic behavior tonight. But all Kaiden did was bend down and ask if he needed help, of all things.
Fenn scoffed. Then winced.
“M’fine.” He mumbled, grimacing as he climbed to his feet, batting Kaiden’s hands away. Steeling himself, he pinched the bridge of his nose as instructed and tried to hold back the automatic tears that sprang to his eyes. “I know how to do it,” he fussed.
Fenn followed Kaiden out of the bar on autopilot, one hand on his nose and the other cupping his ribs. Now that the rest of the endorphins were fading, he was finding it difficult to breathe. His side hurt. But hell if he was he going to admit it to Kaiden. Not after the other man had seemed almost... proud of him, earlier.
“I-...” He stuttered, trying to come up for a good reason why he had followed Kaiden to this hell hole in the first place. The only thing he could come up with was his earlier excuse: temporary insanity. “I don’t know, alright? I don’t know. I just couldn’t sit there, alone in that depressing, silent house for one more night. I had to do something and since Lan has decided to play the world’s longest game of quiet mouse, you were my only choice. Okay?”
