Argh! So long! I'm sorry, I really am. But, we have an eventful chapter! Kinda sorta, but stuff happens, so I hope you enjoy it! At least it's long, right?

Chapter 8

Darias shifted from sleep to awareness in an instant, remaining frozen on his back. A small weight was settled against his side, hot in the cold room. It had taken him hours to fall asleep, listening to Farfarello's lazy breathing from the nest and thinking of Taran. As he opened his eyes, the white blond head tilted and the single eye stared into his.

"Good morning, Farfarello." A fluid shift and the boy straddled his hips, pinning the older man down. Silver flashed between thin fingers but Darias noted that it wasn't cutting. 'I wonder if it's just a habit now?'

Instead of a response, lust flashed over the instructor's senses and he blinked. 'Where did that come from?' Thin hips moved over his, the skinny ass pressing against his groin. 'Did Farfarello do that?' The burn of lust flashed again, fast and hard and Darias hid a grin.

It must be. The blond must be trying to use a basic urge against him. It was kind of cute. For an empath with poor shields, sex was a shield and bargaining tool for protection. Darias had survived the years before he met Taran by using his body as payment for borrowed shields. No inexperienced child could beat him by using sex. But this kind of game might be a bit dangerous against Farfarello. "No."

Pale, eerie eyes narrowed when his efforts yielded no results and the blond shifted again, twisting the feeling until it vibrated with a tinge of rage as well. "No, Farfarello."

"Yes." Darias gritted his teeth and shifted only to have the blade that had been twirling harmlessly rest against his throat. "Yes, yes."

Enough. The brunet pushed hard, forcing lust back at the thin body. Not the same as when the boy tried to use it, but the experienced feeling of passion and satisfaction from sweating and pleasure. He took advantage of the stiffening of the form on top of him and rolled them, crashing to the floor with the smaller body under his.

A thin arm twisted up until it touched the base of the blond's skull, the second hand pinned beneath a hard knee. "No. When your partner says no, what do you say?"

High pitched giggling turned to cackling as strong legs kicked and the slender back arched. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!" Darias slammed the laughing face into the concrete.

"No. You say okay and let go." Laughter continued and he pounded the boy's head against the floor until it stopped. "What do you say when your partner says no?"

A choked word from against the bloody floor and the boy went silent. "I'm letting go. Get up and retrieve your towel. We're going for a shower."

Darias slid backwards carefully, keeping his grip until the last moment but the younger man didn't move. He turned his back and made the cot up nicely, tucking the edges in. Dragging of cloth on concrete and a soft cough came from behind but he didn't turn until he was finished. Farfarello was staring at him from the other side of the room, blood trailing his face from a cut on his forehead and what was likely a broken nose. "No shower."

"You are not a child, speak properly. And yes, we are going for a shower. You stink." Yellow glared but the boy made no move to either fight or go along with the plan. "Farfarello, get your towel please."

"Can't." A dark brow rose in question and thin lips parted in a smile, revealing a split lip. "I tore it up." Darias closed his eyes and shook his head in defeat. "Guilt was mad because I tore his too."

The older man kept his eyes closed to hide the surprise. Volunteered information was a treasure and might mean the boy was starting to like him a little. Or at least not hate him. "Fine. I'll get you a new one. Come here, please." Slow weaving strides made their way over and firm arms were held up so the brunet could remove weapons. "Is that all of them?"

No answer but he couldn't find any more, even when he slid his hands down the white pants and over firm legs and buttocks. "Alright, you know how to do this. I'm going to call Taran and he'll bring the cuffs." No response again and Darias looked up to see the pale eye closed. He forced it open to check for a concussion but the blond looked fine. Taran.

Yeah. An immediate answer made the younger partner smile.

We're going for a shower. Can you bring us a chess set when you come? And first meal, please. The mutter of acknowledgement was quiet and grumbly but Darias flickered at him, tapping his partner's shields until he laughed. Thank you.

"You're welcome." Darias squeaked as the door opened unexpectedly and Taran stepped in, cuffs in hand. A guard slipped in behind him with a tray that he set carefully on the cot and backed out. "Go ahead, eat quick."

With a glare, the blond darted away from his inspector and grabbed a bun to stuff in his mouth while he opened containers. Taran, I need you to do a scan. He's been displaying signs of empathy. Darias leaned up to kiss his lover softly. "Thank you for the food. No luck getting the room warmed up?"

"Hardring wouldn't approve it, claims the cold keeps him inactive." A snort showed the taller man's feelings for the verdict. Are you sure? He's been blank so far in everything. Empathy's kind of a delicate talent, isn't it?

Not really, sensitive but not delicate. He was trying to use it against me this morning. Taran nodded shortly and focused on his target. He stiffened immediately and gripped Darias' hand until the smaller man flinched. "What?"

"Fuck." Farfarello looked up and grinned at them. He was a terrifying sight with blood drying on his face and hair and too much knowledge in his eye. Where did it come from? I've been in his head a dozen times and not seen even a hint of it. He's not only failed every test but down right flat-lined them. He continued to stare at the boy eating on the cot. "What the fuck are you?"

Thin fingers were licked clean and started to rub red streaks from the crooked nose. "God's assassin. I will hunt Him and His faithful fools until the ends of the Earth and back." No passion, only stated facts and Darias squeezed Taran's hand. "Guilt says I must be clean when he returns to me. Take me to wash."

"Use proper manners when you speak to us." The younger brunet stepped forward and planted his hands on his hips. "You may ask things of us but you are not to deliver orders." The two young men stared at each other while Farfarello sorted out his options. Taran, what did you find?

Not much. Empathy, definitely, but it's slippery. I couldn't get a grasp of how strong he is. Taran's head tilted. He's talking to JD910 now. Maybe I can –ugh. Darias turned at the mental grunt but was waved back to watching the blond. Tagged me, nothing major.

"Farfarello." The clear eye focused on Darias. "Would you like to come for a shower with me?" Taran hissed but was waved to be quiet.

Yellow wandered away to trace designs on the wall and back, trailing over the entire room before fixing on his hands. "Yes, please."

Darias just smiled and took the cuffs from Taran's belt. "Let's go." Thin wrists were cuffed behind the white shirt, metal tight enough to dig into pale skin. "It's not far."

"Yes." The instructor cleared his throat encouragingly. "Yes, sir."

"Thank you. I think you've earned an extra meal today. Is there anything you'd like?" Thin shoulders moved in a lazy circle. "Alright, come along." Taran, can you follow us? Watch out for his feet. The empath paused and glanced at his partner. "When did Schuldig wake up?"

"This morning. He calls to me." A lopsided grin and Farfarello leaned against Darias, rubbing his cheek against the wider chest like a cat. "His pulse beats in my mouth, I starve until he comes to feed me again."

Around two this morning. I'm letting him stay in the medical ward for another day or so. Darias jerked his head in a short nod and took the choker collar to slip around the blond's neck. I'll grab a game board while you're in the shower and let the kitchens know we need an extra meal.

"Thank you, Taran. When did you last check on the other boys? They have level tests this week." Darias took a step towards the door, then another before he halted, lead taut between him and the blond who was leaning away from it. "Farfarello, come."

The oldest man gave the smallest a shove, sending the boy stumbling forward for balance. "I checked this morning. Emily and Zip are watching them today. Their team is almost ready, so they have some extra time between sets." So try to play nicely when you see Emily next, hmm?

Bite me. "That sounds good. Farfarello, come!" A firm jerk on the chain dug metal into pale skin, leaving red marks when the pressure eased back for a second. Long white hair shook in a flurry as the youngest took a step backwards. Darias took a deep breath and counted mentally to ten. "Farfarello." He waited until the young man stopped fighting and just stood quietly. "What is the problem? You want to shower, don't you? Wouldn't you like to be clean when Schuldig comes back?"

'Please let him behave.' Darias tried to stifle the sigh and held his patience fast. 'Just wait it out, he'll answer.' As much as he was starting to like the boy, it was incredibly frustrating to have that yellow gaze travel over him as if he were transparent.

"Yes." Unfocused amber trailed the walls before settling on Taran. "I'm hungry."

Taran snorted and crossed his arms. "You just ate." Like he would care if the brat was hungry.

"You may have another meal when we get back but now it is time to have a shower." The older brunet watched his partner smile and cajole, thinking that his patience must be infinite. His sweet Darias, always too gentle.

And perfectly willing to be vicious as was about to be demonstrated. The younger brunet coiled the lead around his hand slowly, lining the links up carefully. White hair shook again and tugged backwards. In an instant, the boy was choking, gasping for air from his stomach where the hard yank on his collar had sent him sprawling. "Get up."

Farfarello didn't move and a booted foot slammed into his side. "Get up!" The lead was still firm between them, just enough leeway for the smaller form to rise. Instead, a lean leg slashed out and was blocked immediately before being slammed down with a crack. "Enough. On your feet. You have five seconds to get to your feet and follow." A quiet snarl and the blond lay still, completely limp.

"One." Darias took a step backwards. "Two." Taran moved around the bundle on the floor to stand beside his partner. "Three."

He's not kidding, you know. He's much nicer than I am but he will take away your extra meal. The taller man leaned on his smaller partner and grinned at the glare that was directed from under white hair.

"Four." Still no movement and Darias shook his head. "Alright. Fi" Halfway through the last number, he paused as the blond started to wiggle up to his knees and rolled to his feet slowly. "Good. Come along."

One uneven step, then another as Farfarello followed slowly, weaving slightly. Taran kept an eye on him, frowning a bit as he watched the usually fluid movements jerk and drag almost painfully along. Dar, what's wrong with him?

Don't know, started right after he was communicating with Schuldig. Darias almost stopped at the regular shower but decided after all this effort it would be a shame not to use the better one. And it was only a few more feet down the hall and around the corner. "Here we go. A nice hot shower will feel good."

"No." Little heels dug into the floor and the blond snarled at his leader. "No."

'What now?' Taran reached back to lift the resisting body and was snapped at. "You little brat, stop it."

Gold stared at the door while the slender body shuffled backwards to the end of the metal leash. "No. Guilt said not that one."

The taller brunet growled and made as if to grab again but was held back by a thin hand on his arm. "Is Schuldig with you? Can he speak to me?"

White hair rolled back, falling almost to the middle of the skinny back before snapping forward fixing Darias with a clear, watchful gaze. "If you take him in there, you'll die." A shiver ran over the empath's back and he tilted his head to encourage the telepath speaking through the blond. "I have him for now but if you taunt him with the blood of his victims, he will kill you." A sharp, bitter smirk. "I will not save you as I did this morning."

Taran, get someone in to check on Schuldig. No immediate response from his partner. Now! Have them check his shoulder and any other obvious injuries. While his older lover contacted the medical ward, Darias took a step towards Farfarello's still body. "Schuldig, if I ask questions, will you answer them truthfully?"

"Maybe." That vaguely flirtatious tone in Farfarello's low voice felt like spiders crawling over pale skin. "Try me." The pink tongue slid over pale, bitten lips, frighteningly sensual combined with the soft pants of air around each word.

"Are you taking energy from Farfarello?"

"Yes." A glance at Taran received a brief nod. "If you don't believe me, why ask?"

"I believe you." An eyebrow arched. "Did you meddle with his metabolism?" Thin lips tilted in a sly smile but the blond looked away, staring at the ceiling. How's he doing? "Can you pick up thoughts and/or feelings from inanimate objects?"

"No."

Taran spoke in Darias' mind at the same time. Almost healed, the shoulder is mobile and his back is just about done. They're restraining him now, though he hasn't shown any signs of aggression yet.

"And I won't. I wish to be returned to Farfarello's side." Both trainers stared at the blond form. "Do not take him to that room." White jerked and when the amber eye opened again, it was definitely Farfarello who stared out at them, a tiny smile on his lips.

"We'll use this one. There will be enough room for us both I think." Darias opened the smaller room and hustled his charge inside before they had an issue in the hallway.

I'll bring the other one around when you're done. The younger partner smiled and nodded before nudging his lover to the entrance.

Shutting the door in Taran's face, he bargained. "Farfarello, promise not to harm me in any way and I will release you."

White tipped as the boy thought, tapping his foot casually. "Ok. No harm will come to you by my hands until we return to my room." He grinned suddenly, startling the older empath. "I won't even try to escape your hold on me."

'Damn, didn't think of that.' Darias smiled back and dipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve the key and unclipped the cuffs. They left thin red mars on pale skin that he rubbed gently for a second. Even if they didn't hurt, it was for the best that the younger empath get used to having his hands on him.

Farfarello stood still for a few moments then started to fidget, running his fingers over the smooth tile and investigating the slightly rougher grout. It was so different from the rough walls and floor of his cell where the only smoothness to be found was the icy cold metal door. The shower he usually shared with Guilt was made of the same stuff, rough and difficult for the older boy to touch. He looked around to see Darias stripping and fooling with the taps to adjust the temperature.

"Here, this should be good. Want to try?" That cool stare was making the older man nervous but he hid it by stepping under the water and letting it slick his hair back. "Come on, there isn't much time." They wouldn't be able to keep the others locked out for long.

The boy's head tilted as if he were listening to an unseen song and he slipped his blood streaked clothing off and into a pile. Darias motioned him over and carefully finger combed blood from pale hair. "Wash up." He was quite impressed that the blond was behaving himself so well. The occasion was taken advantage of to inspect the greasy scalp for cuts or infections. He tried to remove the patch but was snarled at, his hands shaken away; no matter. The condition of the eye wasn't that important.

Soap refused to foam in the heavy mass and Darias took over, washing the boy's hair four times before it felt a bit clean. "One more." Fidgeting had started and apparently there was something interesting on the far wall, as the younger man kept trying to get away to look at it. "Hold still for just another minute."

Exactly sixty seconds later, his captive was gone to inspect a little crack and pick chips of tile from the broken area. The brunet just shook his head and washed up, turning the water up a few notches for a minute to relax his back. After sleeping on a cot for the first time in at least two decades, he had realized he really wasn't that young anymore and now he felt like an old man. A rather depressing thought in the end and he stood under the spray considering it.

When he looked up, Farfarello had vanished. "Farfarello?" No answer, not that he really expected one. "Farfarello come here." A shuffle from around the corner made his heart beat faster. It was supposed to be blocked off there, that section of the showers being remodeled after a telekinetic had a fit. He stepped forward and turned to see the blond perched on top of the piles of brick, playing with what looked to be a screwdriver or hammer.

It was impossible to tell from the angle but fear attacked, shredding newly relaxed nerves. "Farfarello, come here and leave that alone." Somehow, the boy had slipped through the barricade to the work area but there was no way Darias would be able to follow.

"You should not tempt me so." A quiet smile as the younger empath dropped his toy and hopped down. He wriggled under a pile of wood to bend over backwards and slip through the bars of the temporary wall. He angled his shoulders to get by and hauled himself out with only his arms, bucking his hips to get them over the bar. When he was through, he leaned against Darias' side and slid angular hands over the pale stomach, tracing slender muscle. "Guilt says it would be foolish to kill you." The pink tongue darted out to lick the brunet's neck. "Though I believe you would be delicious."

'Oh God, how did he get so big?' The sharp curve of the delicate nose tucked into behind the older man's ear, white hair moving in a damp mess against the soft cheek. Strong hands moved to rest on top of the thinner ones, holding them in place. "You said you wouldn't run away."

"I am still here." The younger man pulled away abruptly and wandered under the still running water, rinsing away the last of the soap and dust. "I am finished." He turned to stare expectantly at Darias.

The brunet licked his lips and walked past to retrieve the towels. 'He is maturing so quickly.' Far too quickly for a boy of fourteen. The thin shoulders were widening, the smooth lines of a child curving into those of a well built man; it hadn't bothered him earlier before he stepped back and looked. As long as he didn't look, Darias could think of him as a dangerous child. Deadly, vicious, terrifying, but still a child.

The skinny form before him was no child.

Clean clothes slid easily to cover pale skin and the metal bracelets clipped into place. It was a quick walk back to the cell, the blond following quietly at the end of his lead. When they arrived, Darias opened the door to find a hot meal waiting as well as a chess board. Once Farfarello was released, he dug into the plastic containers happily while Darias set up the game and cleared a spot for them to sit on the floor.

He waited patiently, letting the younger man roam and investigate the newly bleached floors and the rearranged nest. After a few minutes of wriggling around and fixing his blankets in an unimaginable pattern, Farfarello crawled along the floor to prod at the king piece on Darias' side of the board. "Sit. We're going to play a game now. It's a strategy game, about thinking ahead and anticipating your opponent."

Each move was explained carefully while the pieces were moved around randomly. "Farfarello, are you listening?" A big, innocent eye blinked at him. "Well, put them where they belong and try." Once they were lines up properly, Darias lifted his knight and made the first move.

The younger man's movements were random for the most part but he seemed to enjoy capturing pieces greatly, knocking them down and playing with them at the side of the board. They bounced around, were stacked and knocked over, clicking softly against each other as Darias took his time making his moves. Finally, eh captured the black king and declared the game over.

Movement ceased from the captured pawns area and yellow shifted to look at him, then examine the board. "No."

"Yes, Farfarello. You weren't paying attention and you lost." A long-fingered hand hovered over the board for a second before moving pieces back into a position from almost a dozen moves before. Darias' breath whispered in at the show of memory.

The younger man didn't seem to notice, busy tapping pieces on the head as he shuffled them around restlessly. Finally, he made his choice and looked up, nearly wriggling as his competitive nature took over. It may have been a more quiet version of his favorite kill or die fight but it was still a competition.

The game was replayed with the same result and was reset a few moves for the blond to reconsider his choices. As soon as the third game was complete, Darias took the board and packed the pieces away. "No more." A pawn was claimed and vanished ito the soft folds of the loose white clothing. "Farfarello."

White floated out behind the running form as it darted for the nest. "Ask for it properly or give it back." The blanket quivered and a yellow eye peered out from the bundle. "Farfarello, ask or hand it over. It is not yours unless I give it to you."

"If I take it, it belongs to me." Darias' arms folded over his chest and he arched a brow. Either the pawn would become a missile or he would have to go after it. "Give it to me."

"No." The older empath's hand flashed as he struck the small plastic piece out of the air and blocked the charge with his other arm. Silver scrapped against his skin, slicing the pale line of his arm open to bleed freely.

A long leg swept up to slam into a thin forearm beside the pale head. Long fingers tried to wrap around the ankle but it was pulled back too quickly. The straight forward rush sent both bodies crashing to the ground, the older unable to dodge on one foot and the smaller riding the thicker waist. They stared at each other until the blond looked around, checking his surroundings before grabbing the bleeding arm and leaning in to lick flowing red.

Darias stiffened against the rush of adrenalin and pleasure that flooded over him. Another lick and he flinched as the quick little tongue slid into the wound, opening it further. "Farfarello." Brilliant amber nearly glowed at him, staring down from its position above his hand. Rough lips skimmed over jerking skin an instant before strong teeth nipped the base of the wide-spread palm. "Stop!"

Quiet chuckles turned to soft laughter, gaining in volume as the sound became more and more disjointed. Abruptly, it halted and the long hair snapped forward. "Didn't I say I wouldn't save you again?" Pale hands released their grip on the older man's neck and the slender body rolled back on its heels to stand.

Dar? I've got JD910. There was a pause while Taran spoke to the guard. What's going on?

Nothing of consequence. The empath struggled to his feet, cradling his arm against his body. I'll get the door.

"No need." Heavy metal swung open with a scrape and Taran motioned the guard to place Schuldig on the cot. The redhead had short hair again, cut nearly to his scalp, and was wrapped in a thin sheet. He lay without moving, a limp bundle as the blond form watched from the other side of the room. "Darias, come on."

It was tempting to stay and chaperone them but his arm throbbed and he could see Schuldig's control wavering as Farfarello's hands started to twitch. The younger trainer let his partner wrap an arm around his waist and leaned into the familiar warmth and scent. As soon as you are bandaged up, I'm going to beat you until you can't move for a week, got that?

"Hmm." It felt good to be off his feet, even if it meant being tossed over his partner's shoulder. Pain was dulling as shock set in and the smaller brunet was starting to feel positively giddy. Though, being upside down might have had something to do with that. Even the potential for a beating at Taran's hands, and he would too, wasn't enough to disturb him. Did you find out who was using the shower before us?

Wheat took Frin for a walk this morning and they stopped to have a real shower. There was a hint of grin and Taran patted his partner's ass. You how Frin hates things like sponge baths.

Darias smiled into the broad back and wrapped his arms around the trim waist, tickling one-handedly. As much as you hate this?

The door clicked behind them, closing off Taran's soft swearing. Farfarello's eye opened slowly and he wandered over to lean over the cot. "Guilt." A long finger prodded the redhead's shoulder, looking for a response.

"Hey, Far." A sleepy smile and the older teen rolled to face his partner, leaving enough room for him to climb on the narrow bed. "Did you have fun while I was gone?"

"Why didn't you let me kill him?" Breath ghosted hotly over pale cheeks and Schuldig closed his eyes to hear the low voice again. Lower than when he'd left and he now fit directly under the slightly pointed chin instead of staring into the scarred face.

'Have to fix his metabolism again.' He nuzzled the firm chest against his cheek. "We need them to get out of here. They'll pave the road to our freedom and we'll flood it with their blood."

Farfarello was quiet for a few minutes then rolled to his feet and carried his thin partner back to their nest. "Yes. I will wait for the moment."