Chapter Twenty-Four

Confrontations

TW: Non-graphic mention of male slash, talk of alcohol use

They sat outside time and reality, locked within a world of their own making, one fueled by the desperation and destruction around them. They had brought themselves here, to this place of isolation, though they had been set upon the grim path by those far stronger than they. As flames chased the fall chill from the chimney and through the shadows hugging the walls, they stared at one another.

Their eyes met, twin orbs filled with the hard-won knowledge. Agony and anger clashed as their gaze broke, the air between them thick with words unspoken. Even the stoked fire within its deep hearth and the lit sconces could do nothing to fight the ice which wrapped around them like a cocoon. Betrayal met sorrow as words, hissed ever so softly, rent the air.

"What have you done?"

A head hung from weight of action slowly lifted with renowned strength. Shad met Link's gaze once more. "What does it look like?" he questioned just as softly.

The young scholar had met his lover, the Queen and her Guardian for dinner, as was their routine. Both had laughed merrily at the pup's antics. Zelda had informed them, with the haughtiest of tones to have ever crossed her lips, that his name was Garo and he was not to be harmed. They had assured her the mutt was much too cute and lovable to inspire anything but adoration.

They hadn't spoken any further on the pup after the meal, though the angry glint hidden deep within the Hero's eyes had told the researcher his lover was hiding something. It was forgotten as they returned to their chambers, away from the prying eyes of servants, stewards and others who called the vast fortress home. Where the fluttering motions, as discreet as a pantry mouse, and smoldering glances had been hidden within the voyeuristic halls, the click of the chamber door unleashed a fury of emotion.

Momentarily sated, they had laid upon the sofa the archeologist now sat on, musing over their seemingly old ages and how quickly their fun had ended. With their eyes upon the fire that now mocked him, they had fallen into easy conversation, both before and after their separate showers. It wasn't until nearly an hour passed their admittance into the private sanctuary that the tension had begun. He had known, with every passing second, that it would happen.

"Are you thirsty?" the Hero had murmured. He had nodded, looking into the sky blue eyes and knowing the other man didn't yet know.

Had it truly been moments before? His arms were wrapped protectively around his stomach as he stared at the other male, watching the same fire which had warmed them dance wildly in his eyes. Swallowing, he stood.

"I know what it looks like," Link snarled in a deadly whisper. "I'm not asking what it looks like, I'm asking what you've done."

"I removed it." The utterance fell between them and landed like the gold key upon their carpet under their feet. It seemed to echo through the suite, and though each word was barely spoken, their ears rung from them.

"Why?"

Harsh and direct, never missing a beat. Shad flinched as the words struck him only to continue their descent into his breaking heart. He lifted his head once more, refusing to back down. The sword which he now faced was not the one in their bedroom but rather the honed blade of a quick mind. Now was not a battle of physical weapons but rather of will.

"You know why."

The roar which tore itself from the destined Hero's chest was like nothing he had ever heard. Instinctively, he took a step back. Fear pooled in his stomach and crept through his veins, clenching around his heart and mind like snakes.

"Where is it?"

Link stared upon the man he had trusted above all others but two. He shook as his nails dug into his clammy palms, heedless to the blood seeping through his knuckles. The fear within his lover's eyes stroked his rage further. What reason did he have to be scared? He knew the truth of who he was, had helped create the man he cowered before.

Because he knew he had crossed the line, came the quiet, silky whisper from deep within his mind. With a disgusted sigh, he turned back to the tantalus. The empty shelves mocked him as his frame shook harder. His eyes fell closed in defense, an attempt to change what had already been done.

As his fingers dug into the thick, polished wood, he paid no mind to the shiver that radiated from the back of his hand. Pain raced from his fingertips as he pressed them harder into the giving surface, the darkness around him blinding him from the truth. He kept his eyes shut as his thoughts grew louder.

A bitter laugh tore from his throat. "I must be going mad," he said in a harsh whisper. The knowledge that his thoughts had begun taking on a female voice—not his sister's voice as the connection was closed—made hysterical giggles well within him.

Shad watched, hugging himself, unsure of what to say or do. The primal part of his mind screamed at him to run, to get away from the man before him. He swallowed and shook his head, pushing the instinct away. He had done this, or at the very least, contributed greatly. Yet even if he had not, he would not run. The man before him was no monster, merely lost to his own demons and those of others.

Without warning, the giggles spilled free as they had threatened to do. Link spun around, startling the other male and uncaring as he took another step back. He pushed his thoughts away, including the one which sounded feminine. Insane or not, he really didn't want to listen. They were wrong anyway.

"You should've talked to me first."

"You have a problem."

A sneer twisted his mocking smile, turning it deadly. Shad felt his skin crawl as he stared into the stormy eyes of the man he thought he had known.

"I do, do I?"

"Yes."

He closed the distance between them with the speed of the wolf he was. His vision shifted, becoming stronger, and with it, his other senses. The world became sharper, more defined as subtle smells became nearly overpowering. For just a moment, he felt his facade slip as the pain, the anger, broke free.

"I do not have a problem," he whispered in the trembling man's ear.

Shad began to protest. The words formed in his head as his throat made the first sound. And yet, before the syllable was even complete, he fell silent. This was not how to convince Link. It was not how they had admitted the truth years past and certainly would not work now.

"I...I couldn't stand it anymore," he whispered. His heart pounded in time with their labored breaths. "I couldn't stand looking at it every day, knowing that..."

"That you couldn't have any."

"Yes."

Link pulled away and searched his lover's eyes. He looked deep, seeking for a single sign of deceit. All he found was sorrowful truth, a sadness which came from being within touching distance of temptation. Ambrosia had been within the other man's grasp and yet he had remained sober. His scowl became a smile as he nuzzled the cold, tear-streaked cheek.

"I understand." He wrapped his arms around the smaller man and closed his eyes. Inhaling his scent, he allowed the wolf to retreat as calmness overtook him. His thirst faded as silence descend with his soul. For now, he had what he needed. As long as Shad was all right, nothing else mattered.

[-]

[-]

AN: *shudder* Please review.

Songs:
New Divide by Linkin Park

A Beautiful Lie by 30 Seconds to Mars

End of Me by Apolayptica

Not Strong Enough by Apolayptica

Take Me Away by Avril Lavigne

I Will Not Bow by Breaking Benjamin

Dance with the Devil by Breaking Benjamin

Topless by Breaking Benjamin

Your Betrayal by Bullet for My Valentine

Pretty on the Outside by Bullet for my Valentine

What I Want by Daughtry

Perfect Insanity by Disturbed

Monster by Skillet

I'll end the list here...I more specific list in mind, but I've forgotten it.