Once again, this is my version of @whatwashernameagain‘s fic, which features my characters!
Her fic is a Sanders Sides Detective AU! Find it here: Keep Him Safe
Warnings for this chapter: A little phsycial violence (just a smidge), self-deprecating thoughts, and a small suicide thought.
Chapter One
Chapter Three
Chapter Two (AO3 Link)
"WHAT?! You can't do this to me!" The man tried to stop the other, only to be shoved to the ground. He whimpered, nursing his bruised wrist gently. "Please don't leave me..."
The other man turned, a look of absolute disgust on his face. "You're pathetic, you know that? I can't believe I wasted two years on you..." He pulled off the silver band that was wrapped around his finger, tossing it at the sobbing mess. Without another word, he picked up his suitcase and left, slamming the door behind him.
Redmond continued to sob on the floor. What had he done wrong? He did everything he could to make his fiance ex-fiance happy. He came whenever he was called, did whatever he was told. But he still wasn't happy... Eventually, the ginger haired male stood, trembling. He had work soon and had to cover up the bruises, though he didn't know how bad they were yet.
That was two days ago. Redmond stood outside of his apartment building, staring dumbfounded at the owner. He had been kicked out for not paying rent? But that's ridiculous! He just gave the money to his ex last week to pay rent and-
Oh... His anger rose a little at the realization he had been stolen from, but at least he had his coffee shop. He could work there and sleep in the back.
He couldn't believe it. His luck was so rotten that he just lost his business too? What had he done to the universe to deserve this? That man stared numbly at the check in his hands while he waited in line at the bank. It seemed that all he was worth was $1, 473. He deposited it and headed outside. For the first time that day he felt tears welling up and spilling over, as if floodgates had been opened.
Ragged breaths shook him to his core, but he managed to keep walking. He just had to find a bus stop. He could do this...
A light tap shook him out of his thoughts, face covered in fresh tears. He found himself looking at a large man, at least a foot taller than him. The man had black hair that had been shaved on the sides, tan skin, and intense amber eyes looking at him in worry. Redmond wrapped his arms around himself, embarrassed. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to get in your way," he muttered quietly.
The stranger smiled, concerned etched across his features. "Are you okay, sir? You nearly walked into traffic." The man's statement made his head shoot up, and sure enough, he had been about to walk out into the road. I wish he hadn't stopped me, Red thought wistfully. A shake made him remember the man. "Sir? Are you okay?"
No. "Of course, just a bit tired!" The smile was forced, and the stranger immediately frowned.
"What happened?"
Damn. He was very observant. He sighed heavily. "MyfiancebrokeupwithmeandwenttoEuropeandstolemoneysoIgotkickedoutofmyarpartmentandnowI'mhomelesswithnoincome." The words came out on their own, tumbling over each other and mashing together. A sob broke out, threatening to make his knees give out.
So weak. So so weak... Pathetic. Useless. Just kill yourse-
Suddenly, he was falling. Or, at least, he thought he was. All he knew is that he felt dizzy and was no longer standing. He didn't know where he was. What was going on? His mind was reeling so much that he was only vaguely aware of being put into a car. The piling stress was too much, and he slowly passed out.
He woke up to muffled voices, and then a squeal. Opening his eyes revealed a man looming over him, grinning wide. He had circular glasses that seemed to take up half of his face, and- GOOD GOD HIS HAIR! Redmond sat up in shock, taking in the man's wild mess of midnight blue hair. "W-who are you?" he squeaked, slapping his hand over his mouth right after. How mortifying...
The man chuckled. "My name is Detective Knowles, and that over there is my husband, Nicholas." The detective jabbed a finger behind him to reveal the same stranger from earlier. Red opened his mouth to reply but Knowles charged forward. "My first name is Dexter though, so don't worry about being formal! You're not in trouble. But you are terrifyingly malnourished. When was the last time you ate? What's your name? Is there anyone we need to contact for you?" The questions continued, with no time to be answered, before he had a plate shoved in his hands by the overly excited detective. "We made you food but you didn't wake up for awhile so it's a bit cold!"
"H-hold on... Why are you being so nice to me?" It was shocking to be fussed over by two strangers, although he didn't really mind.
It was Nicholas who spoke next. His voice was deeper than his husband's, but carried just as much concern. "Well, for one, almost walked into traffic, passed out from dehydration, and besides, Dex here is a sucker for helping people out. I wasn't able to argue with him. But we had an extra room that he-" he cleared his throat after receiving a glare from Dexter, "we wouldn't mind you using," he finished. While he had been explaining, Redmond finally got a good look at the two. Nicholas looked like he was over six feet, and muscle to go with it, but not too much to make him look frightening. Dexter seemed shorter than his partner. He could be described as a teddy bear. He was a little thick, but no doubt had muscle hidden underneath the pudgy looking exterior.
One thing was clear, however. Detective Knowles was the wife.
A chuckle slipped out at the conclusion, which caused the detective to grin. "What do you say? Would you want to stay here? I know I'm rather intimidating but that shouldn't influence your decision! I promise I'm almost as harmless as a worm."
Deciding to humor the man, the ginger nodded seriously. "You are incredibly intimidating, but I suppose I won't let that influence my choice." Behind his husband, Nicholas snickered. "Alright, I've made up my mind. I'll stay here." Internally, he was grateful, but he couldn't help but wonder what cruel fate was waiting for him. Terrible luck, then all of a sudden, two strangers offer him a place to stay? He wouldn't get comfortable. He had to be ready for when disaster struck this time...
The first thing Oliver Frey did when he walked into the office was smack his fist lightly on Roman Prince's head. His morning wasn't going smoothly, and he had been carried- CARRIED!- to work by his partner. And then Dexter's husband called him for an emergency, so now Oliver wasn't in the greatest mood, considering Dexter was his translator for those who didn't know sign language.
"OW! What was that for, Red Alert?" the detective dramatically cried out, earning himself another smack on the top of his head. Roman's partner, Logan Sanders looked up slowly, appearing slightly annoyed at the interruption, but with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
Roman looked pleadingly at Logan, and the other sighed, glancing at the angry man in front of them. "What did he do this time, Pip?"
Angry gestures flew, Oliver's glasses sliding down his nose slightly. "This idiot is poisoning the minds of my partner and my son! I mean, I don't mind Danny that much, but I was just carried to work over Dexter's shoulder so I wouldn't hurt my pretty little feet! Blasphemy, I tell you!"
"Well, I'm afraid my idiot partner was just being himself, so it's their fault for acting like him." Logan's tone was light. The redhead wasn't sure if he had a soft spot for Oliver as well, or if he was just making fun of Roman, but all he managed was a huff and a scowl at very fanciful detective.
Turning heel, he said, "Well he's a royal pain in my ass," which caused Logan to smirk. The mute detective found satisfaction in the fact, however, that Logan refused to tell his partner what he had said.
He sighed, opening his box of blueberry pancakes and digging in, smacking his lips every once and awhile. Rose made the best pancakes. Rose...
It was Oliver's fault she started to go by her middle name. When his wife had died, he couldn't even hear her name without freezing and going into a panic attack. And sadly, his sister's name sounded just like her name. He didn't mind talking about his wife nowadays, but everyone avoided the topic like it was the plague, so they didn't realize he could handle it now. Danny was the only he could talk to about her. His seven year old son was a lot more intelligent than people thought. He even looked after his own father to make sure he's living right. Even after Oliver had come out of his depression bubble, Danny continued.
He opened his phone. On screen was a picture of his wife and their year old son, a couple months before her passing. The quiet man smiled. He missed her, sure, but he had moved on. He knew she'd be mad at him for taking this long, but her death had crushed him.
A text popped up on his screen.
Dexter: Ur on ur own today. New rmmate.
Oliver: For the love of Zeus, please use proper English.
Dexter: Nahhhhhh. Luv u. B safe.
Oliver sighed, standing up and stretching. There had been a series of break-ins on the other side of town, and the two of them had been looking into it. They had found a lead, one of which would have to be followed up on by the detective who couldn't speak.
He hoped he wouldn't have to talk to anyone today.
