Though the witches had done the best that they could to heal most of the damage done to Tristan’s body from Athos’ torture, nothing could be done to heal the damage in his head save for time. Tristan spent quite a lot of time convincing himself that he was fine. In fact for the most part he’d been calm, collected, focused on getting his body back in working order. He went to classes, began studying again, and in the evenings he went to the gym and boxed until his lungs hurt. The internal damage was back together, his ribcage, his damaged lungs, all of it. But his exterior was something entirely different. It was something that had to heal on it’s own, and Tristan had insisted. He wanted to bear the scars and bruises. He wanted people to know what he had to go through to survive. Unfortunately, it also left Athos’ name burned across his chest. But he’d take care of that...after he murdered the demon. Returning back from the gym, Tristan dropped his boxing gloves on the ground outside of the door and shut it quietly behind him. He wasn’t sure if Blaine or Kurt were around or not, but the room was quiet, and he could only assume that meant they were out. The room was dark, and as he made his way into the bathroom and switched on the shower head, he swallowed hard and brushed his hair from his face. Tugging off his shirt, he disposed of the sweat-soaked tee on the floor and leaned against the counter, staring at his reflection, eyeing the damage to his body. Not a square inch of his torso wasn’t black, blue, yellow, green, or covered in angry red scars that’d finally been scabbed over. But as his eyes fell on the name burned into his abdomen, his fingers curled around the counter and he squeezed his eyes shut, looking away. He could hear it...hear that damn demon laughing at him...mocking him. Calling him a coward. Chaining him up and laying him a puddle of blood between the dead watcher and slayer he’d failed to help. Tristan clenched his hands so tight he could hear the porcelain groaning beneath his fingertips, consumed by the sound of that fucking creature, feeling the ice pick driving into his hip, the acid across his chest, the knife digging into him, being healed and tortured all over again, his face under water. Tristan’s eyes flew open and he stared into the reflection in the mirror, only it wasn’t his face. It was the face of that demon. Letting out a tremendous scream of rage, he drove his fist into the glass, which instantaneously shattered and came apart in shards all over the counter and floor. Cursing under his breath, the memory dissipating as his hand throbbed with pain, he stuck his hand under the sink and turned on the faucet, try to stem the blood oozing from his knuckles.
GENERAL NOTES → After Sue and her forces of good at the Hyperion kidnap Demon!Gage, Demon!Blaine lures the newly ensouled Human!Gage to the Lima Bean by threatening the lives of the coffee shop occupants, in hopes to take Gage back to McKinley where he feels he rightfully belongs. [Part of the Through the Looking Glass event.]
BLAINE ANDERSON:
The news that Gage had got his soul back did nothing but anger Blaine. It was a fairly intelligent move on the Hyperion's end, he'd give them that, but he wasn't going to allow them to keep his lover that way. If it had been anyone else from McKinley, he would've been amused at their attempt, would probably have humoured them until he received orders to do otherwise, but because this was Gage, he was in no mood for playing games and wasting time for fun. But to get Gage back to Schuester to have his soul removed once more he would need a way of getting him to meet up with him. Now that Gage had his soul - Blaine wrinkled his nose at the thought - he would be much more compassionate, and what better was of attracting him than using that against him? Entering the Lima Bean - Blaine wouldn't have cared for the name in his current mood had it not been vital information for his plan - the demon took out his phone, turning around to take a photo of himself wearing a charming grin, humans chit-chatting in the background, oblivious to the danger in their presence. Lowering his phone, he attached the photo to a text message reading: 'Hi there, my love. You should probably come to the Lima Bean as soon as possible. There seems to be a significant number of people in need or your assistance, and you wouldn't want them to suffer, would you?'
GAGE GILBERT:
Gage stood there -- as if entranced -- crystalline hues staring at the door handle of the Lima Bean, trying to muster the courage to go inside and face Blaine for the first time since he'd been ensouled, his heart beating vigorously. If he decided against it, to turn around, and flee while he still had the chance, a handful of innocent people would die at the hands of the demon, and now that he was able to see things clearly -- the way Sue Sylvester intended -- his soul restoration leading him on the path of redemption, he wouldn't -- no -- couldn't allow himself to do that. Reminding himself that Ky -- as undependable as his magic proved to be recently, but his only source of back up -- was nearby if things were to go awry, he put on a brave face, a confident demeanor, and charged into the coffee shop, "I'm here," he announced, approaching the table in which Blaine sat, swallowing the lump that developed in his throat at the realization that he was only a foot or so away from a creature capable of terrible things -- things he used to love indulging in only twenty four hours ago -- but he just so happened to love more than life itself, "Nobody has to die," his voice softened, trying not to draw the attention of those that surrounded them, drinking their beverages and talking among themselves, no need to cause an uproar -- yet, at least -- "What --" Fuck. Don't choke. Not now, Gage Kelly Gilbert. "--What do you want? This," he gestured from the demon to himself multiple times, in attempt to drive his point home, "Is -- is not. It's just -- not." Gage knew what he meant, knew that he and Blaine were no longer, not while they were on separate sides of the fence, and having no intentions of going back to McKinley.
BLAINE ANDERSON:
When the human announced his arrival, Blaine tilted his head, the charming smile returning. He hadn't doubted that Gage would show for a second, but it was still amusing that humans were so predictable, so set in their ways. The grin soon disappeared, however, the demon narrowing his eyes and leaning forwards slightly, resting his head in his hand. How foolish of Gage to think that the demon would allow something like this to get between them, that he would allow Sue to take one of their best demons and make him weak. "It is," Blaine replied simply, lips curling into a smile, though this time there was frustration behind it instead . No games. "It very much is. And I'm certain that you know what I want." He hummed, reaching forward to take hold of his partner's hand. To anyone else, they would simply look like lovers spending time together, but Blaine was making it clear that he wasn't going to let Gage be so... human, to let him put whatever feelings he had get in the way. "You know how I get when I don't get what I want, honey. In fact, as I recall, you used to love those moments when I throw my little temper-tantrums. Do you think you'd find it as amusing now?"
GAGE GILBERT:
How long had it been? How long since Gage Gilbert had felt anything other than rage and the passion for the kill? This ache in his heart -- longing, sadness, guilt, grief; he had no idea what any of it was anymore -- it was all so foreign; so unfamiliar. Time had meant nothing when he was immortal and, apparently, neither did emotions. He'd been unaware of how little he felt until Sue had taken it upon herself to free him from the life of a demon, to show him how to save lives instead of taking them. When Blaine took a hold of Gage's hand, the hunter practically tore it away from the demon, proceeding to clutch it to his chest, as if the very touch had caused him physical pain. Gage couldn't touch Blaine -- couldn't have Blaine touch him -- couldn't have any reason to be tempted to go back to his old ways, although he was certain that was expected of him now that he'd allowed the monster to lure him here for what he was sure was that very reason, "You're not getting what you want, Blaine. Not this time. Even if you throw one of your signature temper-tantrums. No matter how much the demon I used to be loved them." Oh, and God, did he. He was often awe-struck, watching in sheer adoration as his partner in life -- his partner in crime -- went on a rampage that often ended in death and destruction, "That's not who I am anymore. That's not who I'll ever be again." Hearing himself say those words aloud, he cringed, knowing how easy it was to trigger a drastic -- deadly, even -- reaction from a demon like the one sitting across from him if you weren't careful with what you said, "But -- but that doesn't mean we can't bring you to Sue, to have her cure you like she did me, and we can be together, doing the right thing."
BLAINE ANDERSON:
When the human pulled his hand away, the demon's eyes blacked out completely, narrowing as he glared at Gage, as though giving him some kind of a warning. And for him to then deny Blaine of what he wanted, and act as though he couldn't take it if needed? It sparked a rage inside of the demon that wouldn't easily be put out. "I always get what I want," he hissed, drawing his hand back and placing it under his chin. "You should know that by now, my love. You should also know that I'm more than capable of slaughtering every last person in here, if I please. Be careful what you say, Gage. You might be safe from my wrath, but these people are not, and their blood would be on your hands." It was unlikely that he would resort to that, as entertaining as it would be. If need be, he would take Gage back to McKinley kicking and screaming. "Oh, honey. If you think that I'm going to go to the Hyperion, you're sorely mistaken. I don't need to be cured." Once again, he reached forwards, pressing a single finger under Gage's chin, narrowing his eyes as though daring him to pull away again. "Don't you feel guilty about betraying your true love? Because that's what you've done. We were made for this, and you've thrown it all away for weakness."
GAGE GILBERT:
Blaine Anderson was a ticking time bomb in dire need of defusing -- one in which Gage Gilbert needed to tend to cautiously, as the countless of lives around them depended on it. If he wasn't careful and the wrong wire was cut -- or, rather, which button he pressed where the demon was concerned -- the results would be catastrophic -- no stopping the impending explosion that would mark the Lima Bean as ground zero, a gruesome murder scene that would forever haunt the innocent town of Lima. Thankfully, the hunter was able to resist the urge to scoff in disbelief, certain that -- regardless of what the demon said -- he wasn't safe, "This is between you and I, and I would like to keep it that way, please." Letting his eyelids flutter closed, fighting back the tears that threatened to gloss his azure orbs if he hadn't, Gage inhaled a deep breath, desperately trying to keep his composure. This was a demon -- and based on what he'd known of him in their time together, Blaine would find a perverse joy in Gage's displays of weakness -- and that was something he refused to allow, "Love -- right," Gilbert began, opening his eyes to look into Anderson's, stomach churning at the very sight of how emotionless they appeared to be, "Do you feel that, with your lack of soul, you're capable of feeling love?" Gage knew Blaine was incapable of feeling such an emotion; but maybe, just maybe, if the demon thought he legitimately loved the hunter, he could turn the tables, and become the manipulator instead of the manipulated, giving him the upper hand, "Do you love me?"
BLAINE ANDERSON:
With a deep, dramatic sigh, Blaine sat back and crossed his legs at the knees, tapping the tips of his fingers on his own cheek impatiently. “Would you now?” he questioned, sounding unconvinced. “You see, for a moment then, I wondered whether you wanted me to kill all of these people. With your denying me of what I want, I mean. It’s a reasonable conclusion to jump to, considering our past, hm?” Though he still didn’t sound the slightest bit amused, especially when his partner started to go off on a tangent about feelings, of all things. Whether or not Blaine was capable of loving Gage was an insignificant detail - not important when the endgame was to have the human’s soul removed again - but he certainly felt something strong towards Gage. Who was to say it wasn’t love? “To-may-to, to-mah-to,” he declared with a simple wave of his hand, sitting back and letting his eyes turn back to their golden color, his gaze meeting the human’s. “The point is, I want you, and if you don’t give me what I want, blood will be spilled. I’d have thought I’d told you that enough times by now, my love.” With a hum, he added, “Although, it’s going to happen either way, whether you choose to come with me or not. One way is just significantly less messy and I’d really rather not get blood on this bowtie. But of course, it’s up to you."
GAGE GILBERT:
Gage's suspicions -- formed the very moment he'd received the text that lured him to his current location, putting him in his current predicament, even -- were confirmed with each and every word spoken on behalf of Blaine. This, the entire spectacle, was the demon's way of beguiling him out of the safety of the Hyperion and the soul that Sue had blessed him with. It took Anderson's clear refusal to express his love -- a painful reconfirmation that demons were incapable of true emotion -- to give the human the courage to do what he needed to do. Digging deep into his subconscious, Gage accessed the various memories of the demon he'd been over twenty four hours ago for the knowledge necessary to pull this off without arousing too much suspicion. Bile rose up the back of his throat with the sudden assault of violent imagery, yet he kept himself as calm as he could, features shifting into a mask of indifference. "You want me?" Gage inquired, offering Blaine a slight quirk to his lips, a hint of a smirk as he began to close the distance between them. His hand rose, fingertips caressing Blaine's cheek before capturing his ex-boyfriend's jaw in a firm grip, angling his head to capture his lips in a heated kiss. Providing the appropriate passion and the all-too-familiar growl, the hunter bit down on the demon's bottom lip, tugging almost too roughly to be considered playful to add that spark of pleasurable pain. Even as the Lima Bean's fire alarms began to blare and the scent of smoke filled his nostrils while the innocents surrounding them began to flee, Gage let the kiss between them linger until he was certain that it was safe for him to make his retreat. "I want you --" he began, a smile forming under the press of Blaine's lips, but as quickly as it appeared it faded, voice shifting from desperate to venomous in mere seconds, "--to go to hell."
While Gilbert had expertly distracted Anderson, Ky was given the opportunity and cue to act -- having been guided to cause a distraction were Gage to appear, at any time, to be in far too much danger of being slaughtered or tempted to return to his old ways, positive that it was the kiss that undoubtedly caused the witch to act -- his free hand slipping into the pocket of his leather jacket. His fingers wrapped around one of three glass vials of holy water, grasping it firmly before bringing it down upon the demon's head with enough force to cause the glass to shatter, tearing into his own flesh in the process. Ignoring the sharp -- yet oddly satisfying -- pain that flared through the tender palm of his hand, the hunter jumped back to recreate a safe distance between them, a cautionary measure to prevent being struck in a moment of demonic rage. He took a moment, though brief, to gaze upon his former lover with a sense of resigned sadness before turning and running, determined to escape among the last of the Lima Bean occupants.
BLAINE ANDERSON:
The kiss caught Blaine off guard; as much as he'd wanted this threat to be quick and efficient, he hadn't expected it to work so soon. That didn't stop him from kissing back in exactly the way it had always been between them, when they'd both been demons. It calmed him - if only temporarily - yet also made his want for Gage to lose his soul again grow, but the calmness didn't last for very long. Even though the kiss continued, Blaine was very much aware of his escaping victims, and the alarms and smoke were a little difficult to miss, and Gage didn't even need to finish his sentence for the demon to have realized that it was his doing, that the kiss had been a trick. How foolish of Gage to believe that he could get away with that, especially since he knew Blaine so well, and how foolish of Blaine to have believed it. The anger grew tenfold, his eyes blacking out to charcoal, though before he could act, he was hissing in pain, the liquid burning his skin and distracting him from his partner and victims. Of course Gage had come with holy water. He recovered with enough time to finish watching Gage leave the Lima Bean, his fists clenched at his sides. Oh, how the human was going to regret that.
GAGE: The mornings I wake up with you in my arms are, hands down, the best mornings, ever.
GAGE: Y' know, even if I might've attempted to keep you from going to classes by wrapping my arms around you as tight as I possibly could. #thestruggle
GAGE: No, literally, you had to struggle to get free and it was adorable.
GAGE: Anyways, I know you're in dreaded Math class (we both know that's my favorite class to interrupt), but I wanted you to know that I miss you and I love you.
