[TVK - time for a rescue.]

[kindofademon]

A few citizens of Prospero had been missing for a while, long enough that death wasn't likely. One of them was Issei.

So, how frantic is your search, Lancer?

Comments

[croibhristeoir]

Damn frantic. Enough so that someone was going to be shanked for this.

Sleep? Fuck sleep, he was busy looking for his palebro bff designated healer friend.

[kindofademon]

Your search has taken you to the dungeon, if only because you've checked every other inch of the city. It's cold, it's creepy, and if you listen just right in certain spots, you can hear piteous whimpering.

But that could totally be a trick of the wind.

[croibhristeoir]

Oh, for fuck's sake.

Welp, better get to work cutting a path through every Shadow unfortunate enough to look at him funny.

[kindofademon]

There's the sound of humming as Lancer gets deep into the dungeon, that leads him in the direction of a table full of vile instruments of likely death and torture. Singing a soft and cheery tune as he cleans blood off of one, Ryuunosuke glances over at Lancer as he arrives. "Oh. Hey."

[croibhristeoir]

Well, really Ryuunosuke. I assume you saw this coming.

'This' being 'Diarmuid grabbing your shirt collar and introducing your head to the nearest wall'. And he might be snarling, which is a thing very not like Diarmuid to usually do. In case you forgot.

"Where are they? Where is he? Answer me or I swear on my name you will beg for me to end your suffering before the night is through!"

[kindofademon]

Ryuunosuke grinned a little, although yeah, that hurt. "Promises, promises~ And you know that answer's gonna depend. I mean, some of them are dead after I had too much fun."

[croibhristeoir]

Sorry, Ryuunosuke, the wall didn't hear your head's introduction. You should meet each other again a little more forcefully this time.

"Answers. Now."

[kindofademon]

Hey wall, how you doing.

"How kinky is this suffering we're talking about?"

[croibhristeoir]

"Ryuunosuke, answer me, damn it!"

[kindofademon]

"Because I really need to see if this is worth my while or not. You could at least give a guy a hint."

[croibhristeoir]

Enjoy that lance to the shoulder. Even though we all know you probably did.

"I won't ask again."

[kindofademon]

"Hm~ Which one are you white-knighting anyway?"

[croibhristeoir]

"Would you rather I killed you quickly? I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy it if I took your head before you realized what was happening."

[kindofademon]

"Oh, so I get to die slower if I tell you? Okay, awesome. They're a level below here aaand to the right."

[croibhristeoir]

How did he know that would work, you kinky son of a bitch.

Ryuunosuke would get a lance to the chest almost as an afterthought before Diarmuid took off running again.

[unknownrival]

Ow.

Ryuunosuke had spoken truly: the few captives who remained alive were in a small room empty of anything but them and the bodies of the captives who weren't so lucky.

Issei had been fortunate so far, but he didn't know how long he would remain that way. He flinched as Diarmuid entered, eyes shut tightly. He didn't want to see.

[croibhristeoir]

Diarmuid wished he could say he'd expected differently. Of course he hadn't, not considering who they were dealing with. It struck him that he'd never really gotten used to the smell of blood; on some level it still sickened him after all this time.

"...I'm so sorry I'm late."

That was really all he could manage to say.

[unknownrival]

Issei's eyes shot open and he stared dumbly.

"...N...Niisan...?"

[croibhristeoir]

"Of course." A small smile. "...I hope you didn't doubt that I'd show up."

[unknownrival]

"I... Maybe a little..."

Tearing up.

[croibhristeoir]

"...I'm sorry."

He knelt down and lightly wrapped his arms around Issei's shoulders, pulling him in close.

"Please forgive me, I'd not meant to keep you waiting."

[unknownrival]

There was nothing Issei could do but sob in his brother's arms and let out the tears he'd been holding back.

[croibhristeoir]

"It's alright. I swear to you, you're safe now. I won't allow anyone to ever dare attempt to hurt you again."

Diarmuid smiled awkwardly in an attempt to reassure him, running a light hand through his hair.

[unknownrival]

"I trust you. I really do trust you..."

Issei sniffled, the tears slowing down a little.

[croibhristeoir]

"It's alright now, brother. I promise you, you're safe."

[unknownrival]

"...thank you. C-Can we go home?"

[croibhristeoir]

"Anything you like. Can you stand?"

[unknownrival]

A bit slowly and still holding onto Lancer, Issei got to his feet.

[croibhristeoir]

That's okay, he wouldn't be letting go anytime soon.

"Are you hurt at all?"

[unknownrival]

"Nothing that will kill me any time soon."

Ryuunosuke couldn't get rid of all his toys at once.

[croibhristeoir]

"Come on. Let's get out of here."

[unknownrival]

Staying close to Lancer's side, Issei followed him out of the dungeon.

[croibhristeoir]

"...I was worried about you, you know."

[unknownrival]

"Were you?"

[croibhristeoir]

"Of course. I thought...I was looking everywhere for you, and I was starting to think...that perhaps I wouldn't find you."

[unknownrival]

"I could never just leave you, dear brother..."

[croibhristeoir]

Issei, just shut up and have a hug.

[unknownrival]

Oh, okay, that works. Hug.

[croibhristeoir]

"...don't scare me like that again, understood?"

[unknownrival]

"Never. I will never leave your side."

[croibhristeoir]

"...let's go home, alright? I'm sure you must be exhausted."

[unknownrival]

"I could really use a good night's rest."

[croibhristeoir]

"You're more than welcome to stay with me tonight, if you'd like to."

[unknownrival]

"I would love to, Niisan."

[croibhristeoir]

"Excellent. Let's go, then."

[unknownrival]

Cling.