Beta read by: markofthemoros and DragonRiderSayomi (aka KageroAssassin - Tumblr)

Consultant: untranquilizing - Tumblr

Ok, so I apologize for this one being a bit on the shorter side, but I was afraid of dragging it out. XD


forgotmylogin: HNNG, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm so excited to try writing for other fandoms, even if they make me a bit nervous at first. XD But, It's always reassuring when previous readers come back for the newer stuff. ;w;


'Don't worry'?

What the hell was he supposed to do then? He tried to protest, but only a small groan made its way out. The closer Abram got, the faster his heart raced. It wasn't until the man was a few inches away that he came to realize the syringe was empty. Leon closed his eyes and held his breath as the sting returned to the crook of his arm this time.

It were as though he were in a bubble. Sound was thick and sight was inconsistent. Like a dream. For a minute, he debated with himself if he actually was reality or not. The persistent pain he was struggling with, however, was enough to convince him against the theory, regardless of how much he wished to believe it.

"Just need a couple samples…" Abram muttered, mostly to himself as he began filling a second tube. As the needle was removed, it dragged a hiss out with it.

Leon watched through murky haze as the man held the second sample between nimble fingers. Blackened liquid swirled in its glass container, thick and dark. That couldn't have been his blood, it wasn't natural. But...he did watch it come out of his arm… Maybe it was a trick of the mind; he wasn't thinking straight, after all. And yet, everything else appeared relatively normal.

Without saying another word to the younger man, Abram pulled his chair over and took a seat at the counter, pulling a microscope over. His back now to Leon, the latter could only hear the occasional hum and grumble as he scrawled away. The brunet's brows knit as he tried to lift his head, never getting it higher than an inch.

"What s'it?" he slurred, wincing when his own voice shot spikes through his skull.

"Nothing," the other replied without missing a beat.

Leon opened his mouth to demand what the hell was going on, but whatever words he had planned, burned and disintegrated on the back of his tongue. They left a bitter flavor behind. Abram continued to mumble to himself, his writing becoming hectic - almost panicked. Before he could try to ask again, the man snapped to his feet, nearly knocking his chair over in the process before letting out a frustrated growl and running a shaking hand through thin hair.

Despite the haze, the man held a stiff posture. The tension was pulsating from his form. Any sense of security Leon held onto was repelled as the older man stepped closer and began to undo his bindings.

"How are you feeling, Kennedy?" he questioned between pressed teeth.

Leon knit his brows as the question swirled in his head for a solid couple of seconds. Instead of any coherent words, he replied with a pained whimper as he was shifted, forced to sit up. Everything lurched to the side, but after a couple blinks, he discovered he was still upright. He blinked a few more times, causing bursts of colors in his vision. Leon turned his head towards the other, damp strands of hair swinging into his face, and forced out a weak, "W-What's going'on?"

He took a deep breath to combat the rising nausea as he waited for a response.

There was hesitation before the hold on him tightened and Abram appeared to mimic his deliberate inhale. "Progress, that's what's happening," he muttered slowly - unblinking as he avoided eye contact. "But, we're going to have to move you somewhere else...for better observation." Carefully, his grip on the younger man lightened and his features softened, professionally kind smile back in place.

"You're in safe hands."

As much as he didn't want to trust this man, and as many reasons he was presented with not to, Leon simply nodded. Why he did, he didn't know. His mind was muddled and judgment shot to Hell and back leaving little choice. An arm slinked around his waist, helping him to his feet. Instantly, a tingling sensation slithered down Leon's spine and through his limbs, sapping what little strength was left.

Surprisingly fast, Abram reacted in time to keep him on his feet. His free hand was on Leon's chest, pressing firmly. "Work with me, Kennedy, I can't carry you." The younger man was just in time to catch that blank gaze flicker towards his arm, towards the hand shaped bruise that still stung. "If you cannot at least do some of the work, I'll have to get Rodion to assist. But, as you've noticed, he can be quite rough, and I'd rather my patients not be harmed."

An unsolicited snort escaped from the brunet.

"But, if not much choice is given…" Abram went on, voice stiffening. The corner of his mouth twitched when Leon began to straighten up, grunting with the effort. "I promise, once all this is over, and my research is complete, it will have been worth it."

'For who?' Leon thought bitterly, forcing the lump in his throat down. He held his breath when they started moving, biting down as the first few steps jarred his head and relit embers in his muscles. He bowed his head, sucking in a sharp breath between his teeth and solely depended on Abram for the lead. He dragged his feet, breathing in and out in time with his steps. The previously quelled flames were surging back to life with every pound of his heart. It beat faster as the pain worsened, adding fuel to the fire.

'Shit, shit shit,' he repeated in his head, breathing bordering on hyperventilation. He leaned harder against the elder, slouching into him until he was hefted back up, jostled from his near fainting. His head snapped up and a small cry of pain escaped thanks to the onslaught of fluorescent lights. Leon raised a free hand to his face and he turned it to the side, towards the shoulder he leaned on.

"We're almost there," Abram assured, sounding somewhat breathless himself. Not surprising seeing as he was almost hauling the other. "You should be much more comfortable in your new quarters, the lights are...more gentle. The temperature can be...easily adjusted." He cleared his throat and straightened up himself, yanking Leon up with him. A questionable sound left the agent's throat with the sudden movement.

"My apologies."

Leon remained quiet, he kept his lips tightly pressed together as the two of them walked and eventually came to a stop. Face still buried in the crisp, white material, he let out a relieved exhale as the burning in his limbs started to temporarily dull.

"Here we are," he announced, carefully removing one of his hands from the younger man. Leon eyed him, watching as Abram's hand reached into his coat and pulled out his key card before gliding it over the scanner. With a beep, the door slid open. "I'm going to be staying in here for closer monitorization. It has everything I need, aside from a few items, so there are no concerns should things take another unexpected turn." He guided Leon to the single bed in the far corner and let him drop heavily onto it. "I'll return shortly."

If stares could burn, there would be a singed hole straight through Abram's back as he made his leave. The millisecond he was alone, the brunet's shoulders relaxed and a torrent of exhaustion assaulted him. Leon drew in shakily and brought both hands to his forehead. There they combed through sodden locks, fingers gripping when they reached the back and pulled snuggly on his scalp.

This couldn't be happening…

He opened one eye and took a quick, weary glance around. As expected, this room appeared cleaner, more taken care of. And, to his instant dismay, metal - smooth metal - walls. A frustrated sigh echoed and he leaned his head back, dropping his hands to his sides. He's never felt more drained in his life; his eyes burned and limbs begged for proper rest.

Every weighted exhale bounced back towards him after being forced out by the invisible hand pressing down on his chest. He blinked hard and struggled to get his eyes back open. Despite his body's desire, he couldn't allow himself to be dragged into the world of slumber. Teeth digging into his bottom lip, he slipped one arm under him and painstakingly pushed himself up, or, managed to prop himself up on his elbows. As small of a feat as that was, it left him fighting for breath.

It took far too long for it to finally even out. For a few moments, he teased the idea of sitting the rest of the way up, and even standing. But those thoughts fled at the beep and the sliding of the door. Leon cut his eyes over as Abram strolled back in, with a small cart pulled behind him.

"What's all that?" Leon near croaked.

The other hummed as he pulled it the rest of the way in, rolling it next to the far counter. As the cart rolled into a halt, the hairs on the back of Leon's neck stood at the telltale clinks of glass tapping together "Just...some supplies that might come in handy. Can't be too prepared," he shrugged, grabbing something off the counter. "Make yourself comfortable, Kennedy. I just need you to take it easy while I check a few things." His voice dimmed as he spoke, trailed off as he stepped closer with what appeared to be a thermometer in his grasp.

Leon half sat there, unwilling to move from his position as the man worked around him: taking his temperature, checking his pupils and pulse. All the while scribbling down notes in between. Abram flicked his eyes from his chart to catch the younger man glaring back at him.

"I suggest you try and get some rest."

Leon slowly opened his mouth, just now realizing how dry it was, "M'not that tired."

"I see…" Abram muttered under his breath, jotting a couple more things down. "Well, if you happen to be any time soon, you're free to do so." With that, he turned his back to Leon and strolled to the counter.

The younger man couldn't see what he was doing, but he occasionally grabbed a vial or two from the cart as he flipped through his papers, reading and taking notes. This went on for a good while, possibly hours. His eyes burned more as time passed, as did his arms until he finally gave in and allowed himself to fall back against the mattress. Against his will, however, his eyelids fell shut and refused to move.

Hours rolled by, and still, he lay there, nothing but the sounds of his breathing and a pen scratching bouncing in his head. It was loud, like it was gnawing right through his eardrums and into his brain. As ridiculous as it was, he wanted to scratch it, could feel an itch starting to develop. His fingers twitched with the need as the sensation slithered towards his spine. A chill wracked through him and caused an involuntary gasp. His right hand instinctively reached for the back of his neck, which felt oddly warm to the touch.

"Is everything alright?"

Leon jerked, the voice coming from much closer than he expected.

"Fine!" he replied sharply, eyes snapping open to find the other leaning over him. Another shudder ran through him, and Leon knew that one wasn't from whatever was plaguing him. "I-I'm...fine." He swallowed thickly, almost choking when his throat complained about the action.

"Would you like some water?"

Reluctantly, and to his shame, Leon nodded curtly. He couldn't deny it, the dryness was almost intolerable and every breath only made it that much worse.

"What about something to eat? It has been a while."

Leon didn't respond, but the slight paling of his features and scrunching of his features was answer enough. "Right, in that case, I'll be back in about twenty minutes. Again, I urge you to try and sleep if you are able." Still, the younger man was silent, seemingly too focused on something else while Abram, again, made his way out.

For a couple minutes, Leon lay there, feeling every beat of his heart tremble through his body. Then, with a deep breath, he lifted his head enough to see the counter: the microscope, the papers and the vials spread across it. All of them were filled with either blood or a dark substance he couldn't identify. Whatever it was, he was sure he could make out..movement. It was subtle, but there was definitely life. His stomach turned at the sight of it and hoped to whatever higher being there may have been that that wasn't inside of him.

He shook his head, ridding himself of those thoughts. His eyes darted back to the papers, the chart Abram has been glued to this entire time. Giving the door another glance, Leon took in a strained breath and held it as he once again braced himself. Ignoring his discomfort, trying to shove the pleading cries of his muscles to the back of his mind, he used what strength he could muster to finally work his way into a fully sitting position.

Instant regret.

His ears rang slightly, head swam as he fought off the sudden dizziness. There wasn't time for this, he already wasted so much of it. So, clenching his jaw, and keeping one hand pressed firmly against the wall, Leon forced himself to his feet. And, for about a minute, he had to stand there, head tilted down as he waited impatiently for the intense light-headedness to pass. Keeping his head down, he inched along, shuffling his feet and sliding his hand along the wall. Luckily, it was only a few feet away, though there was a minor fear that it may have been a few too many.

'This is nothing,' he reminded himself as he straightened himself up. With some forced motivation, and a temporary burst of energy, Leon pushed away from the wall and took a few wide steps towards the counter. The moment his foot hit the floor, he stumbled forward, both hands flew to grip the metal edge. Breaths were huffed out. His knuckles began to whiten with his hold.

Realizing all of his weight was held up by the surface, he risked pulling one hand away to drag the chair closer and instantly dropped into it. Sighing in relief, he rolled to the side and practically snatched the clipboard.

The pages flipped down, and his eyes quickly scanned the scrawls. He had to squint to get the words to focus, but even then, they weren't making any sense. They seemed to dance around on the page, warp in the nonexistent heat. The only thing he could instantly make out was his own name at the top.

His eyes wandered around the first page as it wavered in and out of focus. '...mild distress...Another administration will be given...also signs of irritability.' The back of his mind buzzed with confusion, trying as it might to piece these random snippets together. Leon tightly closed his eyes and pressed his free hand against them, trying to will them to focus for just one damn minute. He just needed enough info to know exactly what the hell was insi-

"Kennedy?"


Next chapter will be up soon enough~ I have through 7 written!