Ethan pushes into the motel room, still shaking from the haunting sounds of a handsaw. He held tighter to his torso but it didn't stop the whimper that escaped his throat, announcing his arrival.
"Hey where did you go to I-" Danny is halfway out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel when he sees his boyfriend shivering in a ripped open shirt. "What the Hell happened to you?!" Danny demands before taking Ethan in his arms and leading him to the bed, ignoring Ethan's weak protests of 'I'm okay'. Danny wraps his arms around Ethan's shoulders and after a moment of rigidity Ethan melts into Danny's arms with a soft sigh. They stay like this for what seems like days until Ethan breaks the silence.
"Thank you," it comes out nearly inaudable but Danny nods and kisses the space between Ethan's neck and shoulder where his head rests.
"Anything, I just-I'm scared; I've never seen you like this before. What happened and why did you leave?" Danny moves an arm to turn Ethan's face until they are making eye contact with each other. "Does it have something to do with Isaac, again? I thought I heard Stiles outside, did they do something to you?" Danny is nearly at a yell by the last question and Ethan shakes his head hoping to calm the fiery man beside him down.
"Danny I-I need you to know, the reason this happened, the reason why I left...I'm a monster." Ethan speaks before he can process what he is saying; too tired and traumatized to hide the truth.
"What are you talking about?"
"Someone saved my life a long time ago and I've been repaying him ever since. I've had to do horrible, unspeakable things. I'm so sorry, I should probably lea-"
"Stop." Danny's voice is unnaturally hard and the way his grip tightens on Ethan's shoulder is unnerving. "You say this man saved your life, well doctors saved mine and I don't owe them anything. Why does it have to be this way for you? I can see the pain in your eyes, Ethan, behind that confident facade you hold every day. You are no monster and seeing you in pain hurts both of us." Danny's voice cracks a little at the end and tears begin to well in his eyes. Ethan moves his head closer to his lover's until their noses are touching.
"I love you and I don't want you to worry, but it's not that simple." Ethan's words are a mere warm whisper.
"Well a word of advice, from one survivor to another, uncomplicate it; please, for both of us, just let it go." Danny stares Ethan down, waiting for some sort of give. Ethan closes the few centimeters between their lips and embraces Danny in a passionate kiss. Though Ethan is far from free with Ducalion and Aiden keeping his fate chained to misery but tonight, in this motel room miles away from civilization, he will not be under their control.