past and present.
DATE: 16.02.2020 MUSE: AKIO ‘NIBS’ IZUMI WITH: MARCH HARE ( @terrvrs )
( tw: kidnapping , blood , injury , torture )
it's been a lovely day- so much that the shifter can't stop smiling from one ear to another as he sits on the bench, waiting for march, looking through the bag of candies they bought. it's a perfect date- anything he could have wanted and more. and where his boyfriend pressed kisses; his nose and his lips- they tingle, bringing a flush to his cheeks at the memory. he wants to kiss him again, and again- feeling giddy at the prospect. after everything at the party- it feels like things are looking up again, lost boys in one piece, healthy and happy- march by his side — nibs feels truly content, smiling to himself as he sits.
a few minutes pass- and from the corner of his eyes, when he sees a figure approaching him, the first thing he thinks is that it's march, bringing them drinks. however, it's someone else instead, a stranger, looking out of breath, panicked- meeting nibs' eyes as if searching for him. the sight is enough for him to stand up, the bag of candies discarded on the bench, eyebrows furrowed. "sir, what's- what's wrong?" one hand goes to the man's shoulder to comfort, and he can't be much older, in his early thirties the oldest. but what he speaks next is enough to send a shiver down nibs' spine.
"it's — it's march- you're his friend, right? something- something happened, and he needs you- can you come with me? it's urgent-" the man utters out, looking around, as if hiding from something- and nibs' eyes widen, heart beating faster in his chest. there isn't even a second of doubt before he nods. "what's wrong? is he okay?" and before he can ask more, the man grabs him by the wrist, pulling him along. worry is stark in the shifter’s mind, adrenaline in rising his veins as he follows the stranger, desperate for answers.
he's taken through odd streets before it grows quieter, the man's steps being to slow down, yet seemingly, there is no one in sight. "where is he?" nibs lets out, and when the man turns to face him, the expression on his face is completely gone, replaced by a grin that sends a shiver down nibs' spine. "w-what?" is all he can let out before a hand grabs him from behind, covering his nose and mouth with a wet cloth. at first, he attempts to struggle, but soon enough, everything turns to black. the last thing he sees is the stranger grinning, walking towards him- and then, nothing.
—
as nibs slowly wakes up, his ears ring, an odd headache pulsing at his temples. he feels as if he's underwater, his surroundings blurry and grey. it all starts to become clearer as he blinks. the next thing the shifter notices is that he is bound to a chair, ropes tight around his wrists at the back of it, digging into his skin. his legs seem to be bound as well as he tries to move, finding himself unable to. and that realization is enough for panic to seep in, adrenaline kicking back as he looks around, finding himself in an empty room, trying to squirm out of his restraints.
soon enough, it's clear that it's in vain, and he hears footsteps approaching from afar, making the breath hitch in his throat. where is he? what the hell just happened? all he can remember is the festival, and march, the candy stand — and it all blurs into nothing, headache worsening as he tries to remember. before he can think more, the door opens, and a man enters his line of sight, bringing more memories in his wake. march. the man said march was in trouble- where is he now? is he safe?
"it- it's you- where's march- what did you —" nibs tries, but it's cut short. the man suddenly backhands him, making his head snap to side, a gasp leaving his lips. the left side of his face throbs with pain, and where the ring scratched the skin, he feels a trickle of blood falling down to his chin. "be quiet." the man utters, and when nibs finds the courage to look up again, he sees satisfaction on the man's face, amplifying the fear in his chest. not just for him, but for his lover as well- if he's in another room, if he's alright — but he stops himself from asking, waiting for the man to talk.
"the name is february. does that ring a bell?" he begins, and nibs can only stare a second too long, slowly shaking his head. apparently, that only seems to anger the man further, a huff of breath leaving his lips. he edges closer, fingers nearing his chin- and while nibs awaits a second hit, it doesn't come. instead, the man's face nears his own, eyes meeting his. while one is black, the other is discolored, perhaps even sightless. when february continues, the man's breath tickles nibs’ face, and he wishes he could move away.
"it makes sense he wouldn't talk about me- leaving me behind to rot. why would he mention that? ... it was always a competition, and march- your perfect little marchie-" the affectionate nickname is spat out, making nibs flinch, shaking in the man's hold. "it was always him who won — and isn't that unfair? how he became the favourite while january is now six feet underground- and i was- i was left for dead. thought to be useless." the hold on his face tightens, nails digging into his skin- pulling a wince out of him- and it's gone a moment later, the man standing up, humorless laugh falling from his lips.
it's scarier than the smug expression on his face- the sudden shift of emotions, and when two other men enter the room and stand by the door, he attempts to sit up, not knowing what to expect. when his gaze is back to february, however, the man looks at him with an odd expression on his face, seemingly shifted from anger to- curiosity? satisfaction again? it's hard to pinpoint, and when nibs attempts to speak next- his words are rushed. "i don't- i don't understand- wh- where's —"
without regard for what the younger just said, the man begins to walk towards him again, steps slow. then, there is a hand in nibs’ hair, tangling in the red strands, snapping his head back. "odd... so very odd." as if he didn't hear any of his questions, february continues, his other hand trailing lines down the shifter's face, eyes trailing over his features. "he picked you? and for what? is he so foolish to hope his past wouldn't come back? every little thing he has done- does he pretend they don't exist?"
the silence goes on a while longer; it's uncomfortable, feeling the man's fingers on his face, the way his own neck is stretched back— and suddenly it's gone again, as if the man came into a realization on his own, by the way the grin has returned to his face. "it doesn't matter now- does it? i have you- and i'm going to make him regret everything he did to me." and just like that, as if a switch has been turned, the man's hand curls into a fist, then it strikes down. pain explodes on one side of his face, and when the chair tips and falls to the side, nibs’ head collides with the floor, temple hitting the cold surface, blinding pain taking over his mind.
when nibs snaps back to reality, he can barely focus, breaths labored, one eye shut from the force of the punch from before. from the corner of his eye, he sees the man coming towards him, and seconds later, he's kicked in the stomach, unable to breathe as he screams, shaking his head- trying to will the pain away. blood bubbles from his mouth as it drips to the floor, and idly, he knows he has to hold on- but it's been a long time since he felt pain like this, taking over his entire frame, making him writhe on the ground.
it's followed by a few more kicks, and there is nothing he can do but take it, trying to hold on. time takes an odd quality- and suddenly, it all stops- and he manages to open one eye to look up, to find the man grinning down at him. "that should be enough for now- ready for a picture, pretty boy?" the next thing he knows is that there are hands on him and he's upright again. unable to hold his head up, it rests against his chest. his face is a mess of bruises and blood, and the shirt he picked up carefully for their date is now stained dark.
there is a hand in his hair again, making him look up, a camera shutter clicking a few times. it's a moment too late that he realizes they are going to send it to march, and it's that thought that makes him squirm again, wrists rubbed raw against the ropes. "no- no—" his voice is coarse as he speaks, shaking his head, looking up at the man. "don't- don't hurt him- marchie- i can't- i don't —" february hushes him, one hand under his chin, and when nibs meets his eyes, he's scared to see excitement there.
"we'll see how it goes when your marchie turns up. i can't wait to see him again." and with that, the man leaves the room, leaving nibs all alone. now, all nibs can think about is march, and he repeats to himself like a mantra that his lover will be alright- he'll come and save him and they'll go home — safe, together. it's the only sliver of hope nibs holds onto, and a while later, the pain all over his body lulls him into an uncomfortable sleep.
