Prompt: ShanksBenn, sea change, requested by Arzani92
Based on the French Revolution
His hands tied behind his back, Benn held his head high as he was ushered to the execution platform, despite the booing of the crowd when they saw him. The guillotine was standing ready, shimmering in the sunlight. If anything, Benn thought, this was a nice last day. At least it didn't rain.
He had stopped walking to look at the sky once more, but was impatiently pushed forward with the back of the bayonet of the soldier walking behind him. The new regime wasn't fond of the old aristocrats, even if Benn had always fought for the rights of the people. He chuckled darkly when he realised that he could have enjoyed his life over the backs of the people, like his pears had done, and it wouldn't have made a difference. He would have been executed as well; perhaps the only difference would have been he would be dead by now, instead of walking towards it.
Once he was standing on the platform, he turned towards the crowd that had gathered to witness his death. The people yelled insults and obscenities at him, but Benn tuned them out. Since the revolution had started, he had been yelled at and spat at more times than he cared to count. He had been captured and thrown in jail, along with the rats and scum.
At least he could die knowing he was safe. Shanks had escaped somehow, keeping a low profile, and, hopefully, had made it across the border now. Benn closed his eyes as he was pushed down on his knees in front of the guillotine. Shanks was the person who least deserved to die in such a manner. The guillotine was so effective that the revolutionaries had decided just to kill anyone of the aristocracy, which was how Benn ended up here. They didn't care he had tried to make their lives better, that Shanks had done the same. They were the symbol of the old regime, so they had to die.
Benn was offered a blindfold, but he shook his head. His death would be swiftly anyway, so he'd rather enjoyed the look of the blue sky as long as he could.
Taking a deep breath, he placed his head underneath the guillotine.
A flash of red appeared in the corner of eye, and Benn pulled his head back before the soldier behind him could chain him in. He wouldn't…
A figure appeared on the platform, knocking down the first soldier before he could act. A shadow covered the figure's features, but his red hair was unmistakable. Benn couldn't help but smile. He had really hoped Shanks had long since escaped, but he should have known he would attempt a silly rescue mission like this.
Two more men joined on the platform, and Benn was happy to recognise Yasopp and Roo.
The soldier behind him tried to push Benn's head underneath the guillotine, trying to finish what they started, but Shanks pulled a revolver before he could, cutting the rope holding the enormous blade up with one shot. It fell down with a clang, and Benn winced at the thought that his head could have been under there. Feeling a trembling bayonet pocking in his back, Benn had to smile. Those revolutionaries weren't so tough when they plans were foiled. He rose to his feet, kicking the bayonet out of the soldier's hand. The soldier looked at him with fear in his eyes, despite the fact that Benn's hands were still tied behind his back, and Benn realised how young he looked. The revolutionaries had probably forced him to do this. Benn couldn't hurt him, not when he looked so frightened like that.
Yasopp and Roo made quick work of the remaining soldiers, but the crowd had recovered from the shock and tried to climb on to the stage as well. They wouldn't let any aristocrats escape, and their bloodlust was nowhere near quenched.
"Retreat!" Shanks yelled over the noise, and Benn was quick to follow the others when they made a run for it. Horses were standing ready, and Benn didn't complain when he was placed none too gently on the back of one by Roo. There was no time to undo his chains, so he would ride with someone. Shanks mounted behind Benn and dug his heels in the flanks of the horse. The animal immediately started to run. Yasopp and Roo followed on their own mounts close behind them.
Benn closed his eyes as he leaned back against Shanks and enjoyed the smell of him. He should have been dead by now, but of course Shanks wouldn't allow something like that. He didn't care if Benn had made his peace with his fate. Shanks was selfish like that. And Benn was glad he was. Never holding him again didn't seem like an option anymore.
"You didn't think I would leave you there, did you?" Shanks asked as if reading Benn's mind.
Benn smiled as he leaned back against him. "I'd hoped you would be in safety by now. But no, I didn't actually think you would."
Shanks remained silent for a while as they rode on, leaving the city far behind them. "You know," he finally said softly, "I've always said it was time for a sea change in this country. But this isn't what I meant."
Benn looked up, and saw the pain and hurt in Shanks' eyes for a moment. He wished he could hold him now, but that would have to wait. "This is not your doing. The blood is on their hands, not yours. We'll come back and then we'll help rebuild this country, without any bloodshed. And we can, if we stick together."
Shanks smiled and spurred on his horse. "Yeah, together we can make a change."
