Disclaimer: I don't own Tin Man, even though I wish I did.
"What do you mean, I can't go out in the city? I'll go wherever I want to go!" DG's eyes flared to an even brighter blue than usual. Her sister and Glitch, who were occupying the loveseat against the far wall, recognized it and knew the younger princess wouldn't give up until she had her way.
"There's been rumors for weeks of a group in the city that supported the Witch, you know that." Cain's stubborn expression matched DG's, and his voice held a steely undertone that proved he wouldn't back down one bit. "I can't let you go into the city until the police catch all of its members. They already assassinated Lord Becklie for being the first to reaffirm fealty to the Gales."
Azkadellia rubbed her forehead, wishing the pressure of her fingers would alleviate her headache. Glitch saw what she was doing and patted her other hand sympathetically, sending a lopsided smile in her direction.
"But I have a truckload of guards to protect me! That's their job. They already scare the pants off anyone who tries to come near me, so I'll be fine."
"If this group wants you dead, they won't stop because your guards glared at them," Cain deadpanned. "They'll try to find a way around your guards, and I don't want to risk seeing if they succeed."
"You want me to stay cooped up in the castle, don't you?" DG accused, stepping closer and stabbing a finger in his direction. "You haven't let me outside the palace in more than a month."
Cain snorted. "Don't flatter yourself, princess. I don't have any plans other than your safety. If you want to wander in the city while it's still unsafe, you're gonna have to remove me from your security."
For the time since they'd started arguing, DG's face became blank. "Fine," she said shortly. "Maybe I will."
She turned and left the room. Only Glitch and Azkadellia saw the brief look of betrayal on Cain's face before he, too, left.
*****
DG stretched out further on her bed, trying to see if she could reach the foot of it when fully extended. She felt bad about what had happened a few hours earlier, so she'd been doing all matter of things to take her mind off her guilt. So far, nothing worked for more than fifteen minutes.
Cain sure knew how to push her buttons, she reflected, spinning so her head was at the foot of the bed. But it wasn't her fault she wanted to get out of the palace, was it? The only sunshine she'd had in weeks was from the interior courtyard. No small square of flowerbeds and hedges could make up for wandering around outside.
Yes, it was entirely normal to resist staying indoors for such a long period of time. DG had been raised on a farm in wide-open Kansas, so here she felt confined and constricted. If they were at Finaqua or one of the other, more rural palaces, she might be able to explore the maze or the grounds. Here at the Central City palace, all she had were stone passageways that let in no natural light. Still, it didn't justify what she'd said—
Damn! DG punched her pillow, frustrated. There she was, back to feeling guilty. No way she would ever be able to sleep like this…
DG checked the clock on her bedside table. Was fifteen minutes to midnight too late to see someone? Probably, but she needed to fix this tonight if possible.
Sighing, she heaved herself off her bed and began searching for her sneakers.
*****
DG rocked back and forth on her heels in front of Cain's door, waiting for a response to her knock. To be honest, she had no idea what she wanted to say, just that she wanted to leave with things all right between her and Cain.
The door flew open, possible due to being kicked, revealing Cain. He was squinting at the light from the hall and had his shirt in one hand. Well, that's not gonna help any.
"Whatever this is, soldier, it better be good," he mumbled dazedly. Then he blinked and looked at who was at the door. "Sorry, princess, didn't see you there. I thought it was one of the guards."
"No, it's just me again," DG said quietly. "Can we talk?"
Cain responded by stepping back so she could enter, his head tilting slightly as it would if he was wearing his hat. DG slipped in and took a seat on one of the couches in the small sitting room.
"Listen, I'm sorry I came this late—"
"Don't worry yourself about it. Did you get the paperwork together?"
DG blinked, not following his meaning. "Excuse me?"
"The paperwork for my removal as head of your security," Cain clarified. "I'll sign it and be on my way by morning, assuming you picked a good replacement."
"No! I'm not replacing you," DG said fiercely. "I'd never replace you. I was mad when I said it, and I didn't mean it."
"Oh. Well, then." Cain shrugged into his shirt. "What did you come here for this late, kid?"
DG took a deep breath as she tried to gather her thoughts, relieved to hear the nickname. "I came to say I'm really sorry. I'm sorry I got mad and I'm sorry I yelled at you and I'm sorry I said—"
"Slow down, DG," Cain ordered, looking mildly alarmed. He took a seat next to her on the couch. "Apology accepted if you breathe."
She did so, but he kept a wary eye on her like he had to convince himself she wasn't about to go off on another rant. Finally, Cain asked, "So that's all you came to tell me?"
DG stood up abruptly. "Yes, it is! Sorry if you don't think it's important enough to interrupt your precious beauty rest, but I didn't want to leave it 'til morning because then I'd never be able to admit I was wrong!"
"Relax, kid." Cain stood and pulled her towards him. DG rested her head on his chest and clutched his still-unbuttoned shirt with both hands. "I didn't mean it like that, okay? I just figured this might be a good time for you to get some things off our chest. You've been awfully quiet lately."
"Have I? I guess that's fairly normal, though, considering I turned into a princess two months ago." DG forced a smile, knowing she might start crying from stress if she didn't. "It's hard to remember after fifteen years on the Other Side. Though I don't think Mom was stuffing suitors down my throat when I was here before."
Cain winced at her phrasing. "Those boys are a security nightmare. They're making my job ten times harder when I have to sort through who to help you avoid."
DG laughed, and unlike her smile it was genuine. " Yeah, you've been a real knight in shining armor there, saving me from the big nasty monsters," she teased. Then she paused, as if considering something. "Scratch the armor, actually."
"Why's that?" Cain asked, amused. At least she seemed to be feeling better.
"Well, armor would probably feel too much like a tin suit to you, so…" She trailed off.
Cain's arms unconsciously tightened around DG a little, bringing her closer. "Thanks for thinking of that. Wouldn't want to get stuck in there again."
"You won't." He looked at her, surprised, and she met his gaze straight on. "It's over, remember? You don't have to worry about Zero coming around to put you back in the suit."
Cain sighed. "I know. It's hard to remember it's over sometimes."
"Well, it is over. You even got your heart back, from the sound of things." DG smiled at him, placing her hand over the area where his heart now beat.
"Yeah," he murmured thickly, resting his head on top of hers. "Yeah, I guess I did."
*****
Hey, thanks for reading! This is my first posted Tin Man fanfic, so I'd love some feedback. Anyway, this was supposed to be a oneshot with this as the only chapter, but Cain HAD to go and say something that my muse found interesting, so this is gonna be a few chapters when it's done. Next bit coming soon…
~ange
