Done for a "monologue" flash prompt on discord. Hollow Ground is on the receiving end of an angry monologue from Tegan Retribution. Post canon, having agreed to work together. HG's pov, 907 words.
The door to my office opens with a bang, slamming against the wall as Retribution storms through it. I can't help the flinch — and the flare of annoyance, that veneer is mahogany — but just because he's lost his temper doesn't mean I need to lose mine. At least he's out of the armor, he wants a talk, not fight. Jake stands in front of me protectively anyway.
"To what do I owe the pleas-"
"I told you Charge was off limits!" Retribution growls, stepping up as close as Jake will allow. He might as well not even be in the room for how much attention Retribution pays him.
"Relax, he's fine." I put on my most sympathetic smile. Retribution is overreacting.
"You had him shot!" He yells loud enough that his voice cracks. There's an unsettling fury in those familiar gray eyes that I don't like.
"And I told you to keep him out of the way. Besides, he'll live." I keep my voice calm and businesslike. "Honestly you should be thanking me, he's been far too much of a distrac-"
Blinding white- hot pain bursts against my jaw and the world shifts sideways. Am I falling? A rough hand grabs the lapel of my suit jacket and keeps me from tumbling onto the floor. I blink a few times to reorient myself from the shock.
But its not Retribution who hit me.
"Jake, what the hell…" My lips feel numb and its not just the pain.
"I didn't-" The look in Jake's eyes is panicked, mirroring my own. "I didn't do this." Jake's fist is still raised, trembling slightly. His eyes flicker to Retribution, still as a statue.
Jake pulls his fist back further and I scramble for the one holding my jacket, seeking skin contact, pressing my fingers into his hand.
"Jake you don't need to hit me again, you don't want-"
His fist collides with my nose with a sickening crack. This time I fall, dizzy with pain, the concrete floor stinging my palms. The coppery, wet tang of blood, my blood, brings me back to agonizing clarity.
I look up at Jake, ashen faced, eyes wide with fear but still rooted to the spot — a marionette strung up by invisible strings.
Retribution walks towards me, slowly and I scramble backwards, fuck dignity. There is a gun in my desk, maybe I could…no the thought is absurd, I'd never make it in time.
"We have a truce!" Let him remember our deal, appeal to reason, good business if nothing else. Maybe I can stall him long enough for Jake to break free of whatever hold Retribution has on him.
"No, what we have is a failure of understanding." Retribution crouches down in front of me, eye level, obliterating his rare height advantage. His voice is low and cold, in control, in stark contrast from his outburst just moments ago. " We had a truce because I needed your money and your resources and for a time I thought that meant I needed you. But I don't."
"You're so sure?" I'm proud of how steady my voice is.
"Yes. You've grown lazy, complacent. You thought yourself so far above me that the one condition I put on our agreement was negligible. But what you failed to understand is that with my powers there is no one in this entire fucking city I cannot touch." A smile tugs at Retribution's lips that makes my stomach plummet. "Just take your little boy toy over here." He gestures at Jake but his eyes never leave mine. "Does he know you need physical touch to manipulate him? Because I don't have that…limitation."
"Oh fuck you!" Jake spits. His entire body trembles, trying to move, trying to shift.
"Be quiet and sit down." Retribution says calmly and to my horror Jake obeys. The command wasn't for a chair so we're all on the floor now, if someone were to walk in on us I swear I'd burst out laughing even though I'm half afraid I might die today.
"So what do you want?" I pinch my nose and tilt my head backwards. Its agonizing but there's no point left in fighting it, Retribution holds all the cards now. All that's left is the payout.
"On the surface, nothing has to change." Retribution stands, straitening his suit as he does so. "But if you ever go back on a deal or come after me and mine again…I will burn you so thoroughly your name won't even be a memory."
I can hear someones laugh and it takes me a moment to recognize its my own. Maybe its the pain, maybe its the first time in a long time I've felt…I don't even know how I feel. Scared? Humiliated? Angry? Relieved?
"As far as threats go, that's a good one. But you're an idiot." I know its not wise but I don't have to take this laying down, even if I am technically still on the floor. I don't have to wait for fate or his weathervane mood, I can cut the deal here and now. "You should just kill me while you have the chance."
Retribution hesitates, hand on the door handle. Is he considering it? It's the smart play, we both know it. instead he only shrugs.
"It'd be a shame to make Noe cry, I actually like her." Retribution closes the door with a soft click.
