Well. This ended fast. Thanks for the reviews and everything, guys!
"Wuya." He would be civil to the witch for now, despite the fact that she had betrayed him for Hannibal.
She whirled around in surprise, having been too caught up in her scheming to hear his approach. "Chase," she breathed. "what are you doing here?"
"Where is she?"
Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly, and she pretended to busy herself with organizing the dust-coated books and scrolls that lay in front of her. "Who?" She asked, feigning ignorance.
"Don't you dare," he growled. "tell me where she is, witch, or I will happily feed you to my cats."
Wuya shuddered, knowing from his tone that was by no means an empty threat. She acted brave, however, now aware that she held valuable information. Wuya turned, smirking at the dragon. "Why should I help y-"
Chase had lunged across the room faster than human eyes could track, and now held the other Heylin power by the throat, her bare feet dangling inches above the ground. His eyes glowed red, and despite being mostly human, the green scales of his alternate form covered his skin. He was merely seconds away from a full transformation. "You are trying play games with me, witch. Do not ever think yourself capable of that. I would sooner rip out your insides and find her myself than cater to your whims!"
Wuya nodded as best as she was able while being choked, eyes rolled back into her head.
He dropped her to the floor, staring down in disdain as she struggled to catch her breath, coughing and wheezing. When she was able, Wuya stood, albeit shakily, glaring at the man she had once worked for, hating her lack of power.
"Fine," she snapped, "I'll tell you."
"You're late," Chase was unsurprised when not only had the figure in the dark cloak known it was him without having to turn around, but had been expecting his visit.
"I apologize, Dame," He said. "you are not an easy person to find."
She at last turned around to face the everlord, embracing him warmly. "It is good to see you again, old friend." Her fact had been painted to have the appearance of a skull, and her eyes were, as always, stitched closed. This was Dame, the seventh immortal and perhaps the most powerful, as well.
If anyone had been watching so far, they would have been surprised to see that Chase had actually hugged her back. "I need to make a deal," he told her. "a... friend of mine... recently had his life cut short."
She looked at him with a pitying expression. "I am truly sorry, my friend, but I cannot exempt even you from the rules."
"Do you think I was unaware of this before I came here?" He half-snarled. "I am willing to pay the price. A life for a life. I accept the terms."
"You are certain this is what you want? You have sacrificed much to avoid death." Behind her closed lids, Dame's eyes flickered restlessly. As an immortal, she held power over life and death, and although her sight had been taken from her, she had no need of her eyes. She saw everything around her for what it was. "This friend of yours... he means much to you. He is not like the other lover's you have taken in your time."
"This one is special," he admitted after only a moment's hesitation, voice lowering to a whisper. "I have made my decision."
He took the hand that was offered to him and stood firm even as pain ripped through his body.
"Jack," something prodded him in the side.
He groaned. He really didn't want to wake up. His insides seemed to be trying to kill him from the inside out, and his /neck... god, he felt like he'd /died or something.
"Jack." Another jab, more insistent this time. "Spicer, if you aren't awake in the next second I will pour this on your head, and I assure you, the sensation will not be pleasant."
"'M awake 'llready..." he slurred, refusing to open his eyes.
He felt the mattress dip from the sudden pressure of Chase sitting down, and a cool hand brushed his hair out of his face. "You have a fever," the dragon informed. "How are you feeling?"
"Like shit."
Chase chuckled under his breath. Jack was alive. Even though he was still weak and sickly, he was breathing again, and it was fantastic.
"What happened? I went to get some scrap metal or something, 'nd now I'm here again?" He sat up, leaning back against the pillows and headboard. He saw what appeared to be dried blood on the sheets and pillows and even the floor, but in his state he barely registered the sight, red eyes focused dimly on Chase, who was actually smiling at him, looking both overjoyed and depressed at the same time.
"You were in an accident, but you're fine now." He neglected to mention that not only had Jack died in that accident, but Chase had willingly given up his immortality (along with the draconian form and pent-up rage) simply to get him back. For good reason, though. Once the goth got over his initial guilt, Chase would never hear the end of it.
"Drink." He commanded, and Jack grinned. That sounded much more like the bitchy overlord he knew and loved.
The albino downed the contents of the mug, a steaming tea that almost instantly soothed the pain, spreading a warm feeling from his stomach and into his fingertips. "Thanks," he grinned. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Chase."
To his surprise, Jack found himself enveloped in a hug. Despite their status as a married couple, Chase rarely, if ever, showed affection. It was different, but Jack found he didn't mind in the least.
"Nor I you, Spicer."
The genius, being, well, a genius, would soon figure out that Chase was no longer immortal, as the man would no longer consume his Lao Mang Lóng soup (he could still drink it, but it would no longer have the desired results, not to mention tasted aweful). In all honesty, it would be a weight off of his chest. He would no longer need to worry that Chase would leave him as he aged, something he had tried hard not to think about.
Death was a frightening thing to both of them. But they would face it one day.
Together.
Okay, okay, so I cheated. Shhhhh... it's happy. I soooooo would have killed off Chase at the end if I hadn't already marked it as romance...
I hate the ending, though. So sappy, ugh.