Title: And If I Die Young
Author: xxxwicked
Rating: PG
Prompt: 16-20
Word Count: 5 x 100
Summary: All he knew was he felt safe here with Yassen by his side.
Characters/Pairings: Alex Rider, Yassen Gregorovich
Warning/Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: I own a lot of things. Alex Rider isn't one of them /3
Notes: I encourage you all to join the comms in LJ :) This was for the alexrider100 community over there and I hope I inspire you guys to join!
#16 Breathe
As they climbed up the stairs, Alex felt lighter and lighter. Like he could breathe again and let go of whatever he was holding on to. Then the door was opened, their way to release, his freedom. As the cold, Russian wind blew on his face, he breathed in a lungful of air. Before he could relish it, they started running again until they reached somewhere – he didn't really care where. Then he bent on the snow and cried, breath misting, the salty tears stinging the cuts on his face. Yassen always did remind him to just let go sometimes.
#17 Match
In the suspiciously convenient cabin in the middle of the jungle, Yassen produced a small box and lit a scraggly match. He touched it lightly to the candle wick, setting the room aglow. They locked eyes and the world seemed to stop, at least for Alex. Then, Yassen started fixing unidentifiable things around the small, cramped room. Alex felt useless, but he relished his short-lived half-solitude. Here they were in the middle of nowhere but, in the end, he didn't mind. The friend and the son, colleagues, partners, friends. For him, it was the most dysfunctional and perfectly made match.
#18 Ring
The moon was a perfect ring of light, casting an almost surreal glow to the trees and foliage they were passing by. They've been walking for ages, The sun went down a long time ago. Alex could have sworn they passed that tree five times, and some of the boulders looked familiar. Alex stepped on a flat patch of a grass.
"We're just going in a circle. You're lost, I'm sure."
Yassen ignored him.
"I bet we're making a crop ring, like a huge S.O.S. sign."
No answer. It was like sweet silence.
"So, you think the ring's big enough?"
#19 Safe
Finally, they reached what Alex assumed is the safe house. He was tired, dirty and his legs felt like lead. Daylight was starting to show, signaling the start of morning. It set everything on fire, casting a yellow-orange tinge to their surroundings. His companion dragged him inside and sat him down – the Russian could man-handle him for all he cared. Yassen opened an inconspicuous safe and took out the first-aid kit. His mind barely even processed the bandages being wrapped, his legs carrying him to the bed. All he knew was he felt safe here with Yassen by his side.
#20 Birthday
It took him a few seconds to register what Yassen said. It took him a few more seconds to actually respond.
"Oh, uh… Thank you."
Yassen just smiled lightly at him.
"You didn't forget, did you, Alex?"
The boy – a man as of today, legally speaking – scoffed. "Of course not."
Okay, maybe he did, but who could blame him? They just walked God knows how long and he's been imprisoned underground since weeks before. Now they're stuck in the middle of a jungle.
It may not have been the best, but it was still a happy, unforgettable birthday for Alex.
Writing this is not as easy as it looks, especially if you do them in order… I don't think I'll be writing any more of these connected drabbles any time soon. Proud that they're all exactly 100 words though :)
Random title. Listening to Sam Tsui's remake of "If I Die Young" by Band Perry. Reminded me of my friend. Reviews are loved and appreciated :)