Title: Prisoners of War

Fandom: Final Fantasy: Record Keeper

Rating: M

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/General

Summary: The Tactics realm is considered the bloodiest and violent realm out of the rest. Drusus and Keme learned that quickly when they were captured and taken as prisoners of war. Bondage, blood, non-consensual groping, language. Monk x Thief slash. OCs.

Pairings: Monk x Thief slash

A/N: Just an idea that had been floating around in my mind for a while now. I always see the Tactics realm as extremely dangerous, and from what I played of the PS1 game for a bit, it appears to be a war like Fire Emblem. Note that I hardly played Tactics, so feel free to correct me for any wrong info!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone in Final Fantasy: Record Keeper. Drusus, Keme, Taika, Veles, Aric, and Than are all mine.

ENJOY!

Prisoners of War

Chapter 1: Captured

The moment the team entered the Tactics realm, things had quickly gone downhill. Tyro was knocked out in one skirmish, Taika was Silenced by a Black Mage, and Veles was severely injured taking a hit for Tyro. Dr. Mog was right: the Tactics realm was dangerous, with enemies hiding in every corner and wall. Nowhere was safe to stop and rest.

If only they had listened to Dr. Mog and trained a bit more before entering...

Things grew much worse in about five minutes. When Veles attempted to heal Taika, Knights, Thieves, and Black Mages suddenly appeared, surrounding the team. Drusus and Keme had to defend their two mage comrades until they were back on their feet.

However, the opposing side grew tenfold in numbers, and the team had to retreat from the realm lest they were killed. Veles managed to pick up Tyro and pushed through the crowd of foes, with Taika right by his side. Drusus and Keme were right behind them, killing any enemies who got in their way and to clear a path.

But when Drusus kicked a Thief out of the way, Veles and the others were gone from his and Keme's sight.

He and his husband were all alone to fend for themselves, with only their weapons and each other.

The Monk had never been any more frightened, as indicated by how tightly he held Keme's hand as they fled to a nearby town. The Thief could only hear his love muttering along the lines of "Dammit dammit dammit…" He refused to let his hand go, as if he would lose Keme the moment his grip slightly loosened.

Keme couldn't blame him. Normally he would berate Drusus for being overprotective, but he too was frightened. He ran behind Drusus, his fingers squeezing around the Monk's wrist. He could hear his heart racing—whether from the strenuous running or the intense fear, he doesn't know. He just hoped that they would escape alive and unscathed.

But from the yells and screams behind them, he doubted that they would leave without a fight.

Drusus ran around the corner of an alleyway, his back pressed against the stone wall, his hand still gripping Keme's as he tried not to gasp for breath. Keme's heart didn't slow even though he was no longer running. His breathing hitched, as if afraid that he would give them away if he even took a breath. His hand also remained with his husband's.

Tap tap tap tap tap.

The unmistakable sound of metal boots hitting the dirt ground reach their ears, and the two stayed still and stiff. Sweat beaded down Keme's face, as Drusus tightened his grip on Keme's hand as he clenched his jaw.

The footsteps grew louder.

And louder.

Around five shadows passed through the alleyway before more footsteps were heard again. Then…

Nothing.

Drusus didn't dare to sigh in relief. Keme didn't dare to peek from behind the wall. To them, any action they take could spell doom for them.

It felt like an eternity to them as they kept their ears opened, their eyes peeled for any bloodthirsty soldiers.

Still nothing. No yells, no footsteps. There was nothing but silence in the air.

Drusus' hand holding his love's slacked slightly before he attempted to peek behind the wall. Keme, however, was still unsure whether it was safe to look.

"Wait," Keme whispered, his hand tightening around Drusus' wrist. Drusus faced his Thief, his features still written with fear and tension. "They could be waiting for us."

"I know," Drusus agreed, voice low. "But we can't hide forever here. We need to leave as soon as possible."

"But we're in no shape to fight," Keme pointed out, gesturing to the bruises and cuts they had endured in the previous skirmishes. "If we take the risk—"

"I know there are risks involved, Keme," Drusus interrupted. "But we have no choice but to take them. If we don't, both of us will get killed."

He glanced behind the corner, his eyes scanning for any ambushers or killers.

Thankfully, there were none. But that didn't ease his tension at all.

"We're safe for now," Drusus confirmed, voice still low despite that he and Keme were the only ones here.

"What are we gonna do?" Keme asked, glancing around the filthy alleyway. From the piled up trash, the rats scurrying around, and the broken doors, it, along with the town, were abandoned for possibly years.

"We make a break for it," Drusus said simply.

Keme's glance returned to his love, as he felt Drusus releasing his hand.

The sheer feeling of not holding his lover made his fear grow stronger.

"How?" Keme questioned. "If we just run without even looking, we're goners."

"Then one of us need to scout ahead."

Keme stared at Drusus, as if he had lost his mind. Though, by all means, he technically did. Being separated, even for a few seconds, would mean that one of them would get killed.

"Are you nuts?!" he gasped.

"We have no choice, Keme," Drusus said, his teeth gritting. He wasn't fond of the idea either, but it was the only way to escape from this violent realm alive. "There's no other option."

Keme gulped, now realizing that either they risk it, or both would get killed. "Then I'll go ahead." He volunteered, about to take a step before Drusus blocked his way with his arm.

"No." Was Drusus' swift and harsh reply. His normally calm eyes were filled with fear and concern, the mere thought of letting his husband scout the area by himself frightened him. He couldn't risk his husband like that.

"But—" Keme attempted to argue, that he was a better option for the job, but Drusus gripped his shoulders. He stared down at his lover's blue eyes, Drusus' own brown eyes full of seriousness and sternness. Keme knew that look all too well—he wouldn't budge on a decision no matter how much one tried to convince him.

"I'm not letting you do it, Keme," Drusus growled, his grip tighter by the minute. "If anything were to happen to you, I'll never forgive myself."

"I can't let you do it either, Drusus." Keme insisted. Drusus flinched—when Keme called him by his full name instead of his nickname, he knew that the Thief was emotional and serious. "I lost you once, I'm not losing you again!"

Drusus shook his head. There was no time to argue—they had to get out of here or both were done for. "Keme…" he spoke, releasing his hold before his hand reached out for Keme's. Unlike a few minutes ago, his hold was more tender—loving, even. His fingers brushed against Keme's soft skin before he continued, "Have faith in me. I'm strong enough to handle it. I understand your fear, but you have to trust me."

Keme said nothing, as if registering his husband's words. When Drusus embraced him, Keme knew that he had no choice but to trust him.

He nodded. "All right… just… promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise, love." Drusus' hot breath touching the skin of his neck made Keme smile. He was so glad that Drusus was still alive, especially after Keme found him and rescued him so long ago.

He wished he would hold him longer, but knowing the situation at hand, he reluctantly released Drusus. Drusus nodded before he turned to leave.

But he was stopped by Keme's voice saying, "Wait."

Drusus glanced at him, only for Keme to peck him on the lips. Even though it was quick, Drusus yearned for it to be longer.

"Good luck kiss for you." Keme chuckled.

Drusus smiled slightly; despite the intense situation, Keme still kept his humor. "Thank you, love," Drusus thanked him, before he turned towards the outside of the alleyway.

Keme watched Drusus leave, his eyes never leaving him lest Drusus would get killed. He didn't even look away even though the Monk was out of sight.

He waited, praying in his mind that Drusus was okay, despite being out in the open.

Those ten minutes were agonizing to the Thief. He kept his eyes on the path his husband had left on, his mouth dry and sweat dripping down his face. His fingers were knotted in his green tunic as he waited for Drusus to return.

His mind didn't ease since he had left. What if Drusus was killed and his body was dumped somewhere? What if he was captured and taken prisoner, and it was too late to rescue him? What if—

No, Keme thought, pushing away the terrible scenarios in his head. Drusus is a strong guy. He wouldn't even go down without a fight.

He remembered Drusus' words, as if his Monk had said them just now.

"Have faith in me. I'm strong enough to handle it. I understand your fear, but you have to trust me."

Well, yes! He does have faith in his partner. It was just that the thought of letting him scout ahead alone where enemies were hiding everywhere didn't eased his anxiety.

Keme gulped, shaking his head to remove all the horrifying thoughts in his mind. His eyes remained glued to the road, his heart pounding as he battled with his thoughts.

He didn't hear footsteps coming towards him. He didn't even sense the presence behind him until a large hand suddenly grabbed his body.

"Wha—"

His cry of surprise was then muffled by a wet cloth slapped on his nose and mouth. He took a whiff by surprise, smelling the sweet scent from the cloth.

He immediately recognized it. As sweet as the smell was, he knew he couldn't inhale it.

He held his breath as he twisted against his assailant's arm, his free hand tugging at the one keeping the cloth on his face. However, the man's hold was strong, as he tightened his grab that was around Keme's waist.

Keme grunted, turning his head in an attempt to force the cloth away from his face, but it was no use. His lungs screamed for the need of air, but he knew he couldn't breathe the chloroform in.

If he could just hold on… until Drusus came back—

"Stop squirming," the man's voice—low, deep and menacing—growled in his ear. "Just make it easier for you and us."

Us?!

His fears were confirmed: one of their pursuers had found him, they were going to capture him for torture and most likely execution.

His struggles intensified, his mind begging—no, pleading—that Drusus would return as soon as possible. If he does come, he would save Keme and both would escape alive and free from all the dangers the Tactics realm had.

Unfortunately, his need for air was stronger than his want for freedom. His lungs couldn't take it anymore, and out of instinct, Keme took a deep breath.

That was all it took to knock him unconscious, as his body fell limp in his soon-to-be-captor's arms.

"Good boy…" the captor—a Knight—whispered as he smirked at his unconscious prey. He slowly placed the Thief on the muddy ground before pulling out yards of rope from his belt. With a sinister grin, he began working on his prisoner.

He took Keme's arms and placed them behind his back, before binding the knocked-out Thief's wrists together tightly. Using a longer coil of rope, he then lifted his body up to loop the rope around his chest, tying it off with a firm knot. Now with the Thief's arms secured to his sides, the Knight began patting his body in search of weapons.

He found two—a knife and a dagger, both he didn't recognized, from Keme's pockets. However, he discarded them to the side before he pulled out even more rope.

"Boss?" a male voice called. The Knight turned to see two of his comrades, a male Black Mage and a female Thief, peeking from behind the other wall. The Black Mage squinted, as if trying to see what his friend was doing. "You found anything yet?"

The Knight nodded before he turned his focus back on Keme. "Yeah, a rat hiding from us. I have no clue where he's from. His clothing doesn't look like the ones from around here."

The Black Mage cocked a brow before he and the Thief investigated. Upon seeing their new captive, they both smirked.

"So he's a Thief, eh?" the Thief giggled. "Just like me. And he's cute, to boot!"

"Don't get your hopes up," the Knight reminded her. "Our commander wants the prisoners of war alive until he orders their executions." As he said that, he bound Keme's legs and feet together, with rope above and below his knees.

"But we can still torture him, right?" the Thief snickered. "I won't kill him. I'll have some 'fun' with him though."

Both of her companions rolled their eyes as the Knight pulled out a dirty, white cloth. Grabbing Keme's head and forcing his mouth opened, he shoved the rag between his teeth before tying it around his head. Even if he woke up now, Keme wouldn't even move or scream from the tight ropes and gag.

"Y'know," the female Thief giggled. "He looks cute tied up like a pig."

"Patience is a virtue, my friend," the Knight sighed. "I understand your… ways… but we can't harm him until we bring him to our hideout."

"Not even touching?"

"No. Our commander would behead you if you disobey his ord—"

"KEME?!"

Before anyone could react, a figure had roundhouse kicked the Thief to the wall. She cried out in pain as her body hit the stony wall, her head nearly colliding with it.

Drusus landed on his heels, his features mixed with both panic and guilt. That one time—that one damn time—he left his husband alone, only for his beloved to be captured. It was all his fault that he put Keme in danger.

And when his gaze met his lover's helpless form, he snapped.

"Let him go!" Drusus roared, rushing towards the Knight who hovered over Keme.

Before he could get two steps in, his limbs suddenly stopped working. His eyes widened as he strained his neck to look around him, only to realize that he couldn't move his head either.

His sharp ears picked up on muttering from beside him, as if one was chanting a spell.

He put two and two together.

A Stop spell…

As his Black Mage partner had his hands up, muttering the incantation, the Knight chuckled as he pulled out the wet cloth. Digging into his pocket, he took a bottle labeled "chloroform" before he popped the lid open.

Drusus could only watch as the Knight poured the chloroform into the rag. Even though his mind screamed at his body to move and to fight back, the Stop spell kept him in place.

The Knight emptied the contents of the bottle, shaking it so he could get the excess out. He glanced up at Drusus and smirked before throwing the bottle away.

Drusus returned it with a glare. "Do what you want with me," Drusus growled, his eyes glued to the wet rag soaked with the chemical. "Let my husband go! Take me instead if you need a captive!"

The Knight let out a dark chuckle as he lifted the cloth up to Drusus' face, as if taunting him. "Now why would we do that?" he countered. "Having two prisoners would double our pay."

Before Drusus could say anything—possibly threaten him with harm—the sweet-smelling cloth was pressed on his face. He gasped, his eyes widened as he renewed his struggles. He growled and glared, trying to move his head away and break free from the spell.

However, there was no way out—no way to break free or to escape. To Drusus, they were doomed from the start.

As his vision began to fade and his body refusing to listen to his mind's commands, he glanced at his husband's bound and gagged form.

His only thought before slipping into an unwanted deep sleep was:

Keme… forgive me…

Darkness took him. When he fell limp, the Black Mage snapped his fingers. The Stop spell was turned off and Drusus' body fell to the ground with a thud. Seeing how the impact from the fall didn't even awaken him confirmed that he was unconscious.

"So, another rat, huh?" the Knight mused as he pulled out more rope—something he brought in case such a situation like this happened.

The female Thief groaned in pain as she rubbed her head. Despite the intense pain, she managed to stand up from the ground, her hands on the wall for support. "That damn Monk could've killed me!" she exclaimed.

"We'll get you to a White Mage soon," the Knight sighed, not even looking at his injured friend. "For now, let's load up our cargo."

Drusus was bound in a similar fashion—wrists behind his back, rope looped around his chest, keeping his arms pinned to his sides, his legs and feet tied together. The only difference was the extra loops of rope around his chest, most likely as a precaution. Another cloth was wedged between his teeth, with both ends of the cloth tied behind his head.

It only took a minute before a carriage pulled up to the alleyway the five were in. The Knight slung Drusus over his shoulder like a sack, as he turned to the Black Mage, "Tie their wrists together in case they wake up along the way."

With a nod, the Black Mage picked up Keme as the two loaded them up from the back of the carriage.

Once they tied their already bound wrists together, the Knight closed the doors, locking it.

"Our pay is going to skyrocket," he commented, a grin on his face.

"So the cute little Thief married a hunk like him? He must be lucky," the female Thief giggled. "Too bad he'll be mine instead."

She was rewarded with a glare from the Knight, and snickering from the Black Mage.

"Keep your damn hormones in check, woman," the Knight chided. "Gods, pretty soon your… sultry ways… could get you killed!"

"And? At least I die after having my way with them."

The Knight decided to not argue any further about this. Rolling his eyes, he turned towards the carriage. "We'll talk to our commander before we do anything with them. For now, keep it together."

"Sweet."

With their prisoners of war in tow, the three rode off from the abandoned town, their mission accomplished.