Reaching Out
Title: Reaching Out Fandom: Discworld Rating: Gen Word Count: 721 Summary: His outstretched hand was met with another slow blink, then a groan. A/N: By this year’s 25th of May, I have finally read Night Watch, so have a fic for a little post-battle headcanon I have of Vetinari and Vimes meeting for the first time. <3 This goes along with a sketch I made for it, which you can find here. ❤
AO3
One of the late Sergeant Keel's men was still lying at the far end of the street, folded up in a way that suggested that someone had given him a right smack to his forehead knocked him out cold. Havelock glanced at him briefly and paused when he saw the young man stir.
Putting his blades back carefully, he walked over. The lilac he had held between his teeth until now – now somewhat limp and stained with some blood splatters – he took into his hand. As he walked down the street, he wondered if Madam already knew. She probably did, having had her finger on the pulse of the city ever since she had moved to Ankh-Morpork.
He considered what had happened. He had failed.
This was a new (and entirely unpleasant) experience for Havelock. He decided then that the only way forward was by moving on (and learning from the mistakes that had been made that day).
As he arrived at the other end of the street, he saw that he had been right- there was quite a big red bruise on the young man's forehead. One of Ms. Goodbody’s finest, Havelock added in thought as he looked at him. The Watch didn't use them, although he was sure it was only a matter of time for them to catch on.
No, this was the weapon of a man surprised, who had to act quick. The Unmentionables had been the chasers at first, they were not surprised- until Keel charged, at last.
Now, Keel, however?
The man had been somewhat of a riddle to Havelock, who usually took pride in being quick and accurate at reading people. But if there was something that had been clear as day even so, it was that he had been fiercely protective of his men.
Keel, he might have wanted that kid out of the way, out of harm's way.
A groan made Havelock lean back and straighten his already straightened back ever so slightly.
“Where-”
A confused blink.
“Am I- ?“
“You are quite alive, Lance-Constable. The same can't be said of everyone else... unfortunately.”
His outstretched hand was met with another slow blink, then a groan. A hand came to the other man's forehead.
“Gods, this hurts.”
But just as Havelock started to feel a stirring of impatience, the other hand reached out and held onto his, allowed him pull the short, lanky man to his sandaled feet.
A startle went through the Lance-Constable, even as he was still swaying and trying to keep his footing.
“You- you're an-”
“I'm here inofficially.”
The other man's gaze suddenly dropped as he spotted a hint of purple at the assassin's side.
The lilac.
Havelock was holding onto it more tightly than was wise. Some petals had started to fall off already. He had noticed, of course, but felt unable to unclench his hand right then. He would deal with this later.
“You should go join your comrades, Lance-Constable.”
He turned to go; Madame was surely waiting already. And here he was talking to an easily blindsided young watchman, who really way lucky to have survived this day. Why did Keel save this kid?
He took another step when- “Wait! What- what is your name?”
The man surely must've realized how incredibly stupid it was to ask that, given only assassins out to get you would possibly give you their name in advance, like a business card you didn't even ask for in the first place.
And yet, seeing both fear and determination written clearly all over his face, Havelock made a decision.
“Havelock Vetinari.”
The kid barely hesitated before pointing to himself. “Sam Vimes.”
“Pleasure, I'm certain,” Vetinari said. His gaze rested on Sam Vimes for a moment before it briefly flicked up to the rooftops, considering the what path to take. Quite some time had passed already since Madame had sent him to save Keel. It really was time to report back to her.
“I’m afraid I have to leave now, so do not let me detain you.”
Sam looked like he had many more questions he wanted to ask, but a spell of dizziness made him see stars for a moment. By the time his sight returned, the young assassin was already disappearing between two houses, making a beeline for the rooftops.