Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or anything associated with the Inheritance Series.
Claimer: I, SussieKitten, own this plot and the story. Borrow or steal my plot, my original characters (Axel) or story and I will report you. I also own my version of Saphira/Thorn's human appearances.
Warnings: Slash/Shōnen-ai – meaning mild guy x guy action. Swearing or strong language. Implied Torture. Mention of past Character Death. If any of this disturbs you, click on the "back" button. I won't tolerate any flames.
A/N Thank you to everyone who reviewed and to everyone that put this story on their alert and/or favourite! The first part of the chapter in italics is a dream. There is, as always, a vocabulary at the end of each chapter.
A little title explanation: here I mean "x-out" as in crossed (x'ed) out or crossed over.
And last but not least, a huge thanks to my beta dragonrider713! She has helped me out in more ways than I can even begin to describe. Thank you girl!
RED HAZE
Part Four; X-out
(01.21 AM - Friday 9th of May. Inside the safe-house in the outskirts of Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Pain, there was so much pain. Why? Why him? Why wouldn't they leave him alone?!
"No, please don't! Let me go!"
"You aren't going anywhere, my boy."
Panic rose inside of him. He could barely breathe. But still he screamed.
"Let me go!! You bastards, LET ME GO!"
"I think we ought to wash your mouth."
He started to hyperventilate. Why wasn't anyone coming? Someone had to have heard his screams!
"No! NO! Let go of me!! DAD!"
Please, please save me. Don't let them do this to me again. Please dad!
"Your dad isn't coming for you, pet. He never has and he never will."
He screamed.
Murtagh woke up gasping for breath. He placed his left forearm over his eyes and started to take calming breaths. Slowly he could feel his heart go back to its normal rhythm.
It had been years since his last nightmare. And now he had had two in a row. It sickened him to know that just seeing Durza again had caused him to remember his previously blocked past and stir up old nightmares. Murtagh pushed himself up with his right arm, blocking out the pain that shot up his arm as he did so. He flung on the first shirt he could find and grabbed the bottle of pills prescribed to him by his doctor. Then he quietly walked out of the room and into the living room and kitchen.
He filled a glass with water and swallowed two pills in turn. He then pushed the glass away and covered his eyes with his palm. Forgotten memories were resurfacing all too easily.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Murtagh looked up. He was surprised to see a nervous looking Eragon standing in the doorway. Inwardly he had to admit the pictures he had seen of him didn't do him justice. Eragon was good looking, in a cute and innocent kind of way. He would bet that Eragon would look horribly cute when he was mad. His brown hair was mussed up from sleep, but his eyes were as alive as ever. Murtagh figured he was about a head and a half taller than the other. The type that Galbatorix favoured, Murtagh concluded discontentedly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Murtagh replied finally. "You can come in if you want to."
As Eragon stepped in he saw that he was dressed in an oversized tee and loose pants. Murtagh suddenly felt a little naked when he remembered he hadn't even buttoned up his shirt.
"Couldn't sleep?" Murtagh asked as he began to make himself more decent.
The pills hadn't set in quite yet Murtagh realised when pain started to throb in his upper arm. He clenched his teeth together to keep himself from making a sound.
"Too much has happened during the past couple of days." Eragon murmured as he sat down. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to sleep."
Fuck it, Murtagh thought as he let the shirt stay open. He would just have to go around half naked. The pain wasn't worth it.
"If you keep telling yourself that, it'll come true." The hazel eyed man said. "You need to stop trying to quiet your thoughts and forcing yourself to fall asleep. Just let it come to you."
Eragon nodded absentmindedly. Murtagh found another glass, filled it and handed it over to the younger male. Eragon took it with a smile of gratitude.
"Is there something particular on your mind?" Murtagh asked as he sat down beside the other.
Eragon frowned.
"I just... I keep thinking why me? What's so special about me?"
Well, let's just say Eragon is of sentimental value to Galbatorix. Just like – Murtagh forced the memory away. He sighed and took another look at Eragon.
He could see the classical traits Galbatorix looked for in his pets. But what he couldn't understand was the so called 'sentimental value' Durza had referred to. As far as he knew, Eragon had never met or even heard of Galbatorix before the murders had begun. His findings from two nights ago came back to haunt him.
"It's impossible to know what someone like Galbatorix is thinking." Murtagh heard himself saying. "He might have just seen you once and decided..."
Eragon turned to face him, a panicked look in his eyes. Murtagh mentally slapped himself. The kid was terrified out of his mind, and he had been about to tell him just what Galbatorix might want to do with him? He truly was an idiot.
"I wasn't going to say kill, Rider." Murtagh soothed. "If he's contacting you, then there's something else he wants."
"Like what?!" Eragon asked in a slightly panicked voice.
"Calm down, now. He might have mistaken you for someone else, and thinks you can lead him to someone he's looking for."
Murtagh saw that he hadn't fooled the brunet the slightest. But like hell he was telling him what Galbatorix actually did to his pets!
"I'm not stupid. I know you're lying to me." The brown eyed teen said.
"Rider, I'm... that is the most likely scenario." Murtagh pushed on, refusing to say what he actually believed.
"That is a helluva nicer scenario than the ones I've been imagining!!" Eragon exclaimed.
"Shh." Murtagh said softly. "We don't want to wake the others."
Eragon just looked away and down at his clenched hands.
"Listen, it'll only freak you out if you continue to imagine what Galbatorix wants with you. I suggest you stop thinking about it before you scare yourself to death."
Eragon just frowned.
"Galbatorix is a sadistic mother-fucker; I won't lie to you about that. He only thinks about himself and no one else. It troubles me as much as anyone here to know that he's after you." Murtagh paused. "But you really need to stop thinking about him. That's what he aims for; to scare his targets so much they won't even fight back when he picks them up. Don't let him get to you."
"You know an awful lot about him for being a cop." The brunet mumbled.
Murtagh snorted.
"Half of the crimes in the country can be linked back to Galbatorix somehow. The thing is that the police don't know his hideouts, what he looks like and who half or so of his crew is. He's one hard fucker to catch." The hazel eyed man said gravely.
Eragon bit his lip. His hands clenched into even tighter fists. Suddenly he looked up, a question in his eyes.
"... You said that the police didn't know. Does that mean that someone does?" He asked softly. "That... that you might?"
Murtagh broke their eye-contact. Damn, the kid was observant.
"I know as much as the next guy." Murtagh said emotionlessly.
"I get it, you don't trust me." Eragon sighed. "I just hope you don't feel guilty if you know something that the others don't."
Murtagh felt Eragon get up and walk away. He kept staring out of the window until he was sure Eragon had left the room. Then he stalked into his room, emptied the bag he had put all his case-files in onto his bed, and sat down to work. There was no way he was going back asleep now.
--RED.HAZE--
(01.41 PM - Friday 9th of May. Inside the safe-house in the outskirts of Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Eragon couldn't stop thinking about the night-time meeting he had had with Murtagh. Especially since he hadn't seen him since. Arya and Axel had both knocked on his door, but no answer or movements had been detected. Eragon had suddenly begun to feel guilty, a feeling that hadn't left him since.
When the phone in the living room made a loud ring, Eragon was not the only one that jumped. Saphira shook her head and turned back to the magazine in her hands. Axel dried up the drink he had spilled and begun to pour another glass.
"Yes?"
Eragon couldn't keep his eyes away from Arya as she spoke into the cordless phone.
"I don't know, sir. He hasn't been out of his room since yesterday." Arya said sombrely.
She paced as she obviously waited for an answer.
"Actually sir, I don't think it's your decision that's keeping him in his cave." The black haired woman said and leaned onto the back of the couch. "... Yes, sir, one sec. Has anyone seen Murtagh since yesterday?"
This was directed to the others in the room. Axel shook his head as he continued to stuff his mouth with something Eragon hoped was edible. Saphira made a soft negative sound. Arya turned her gaze in Eragon's direction.
"Last night, around half past one." Eragon admitted quietly.
"Rider saw him late last night." Arya reported back. "Yes, I'll ask him... Eragon, did you two talk about anything in particular?"
Axel had stopped eating. He was looking at Eragon like he had never seen him before. Saphira was looking a little worried.
"We talked a bit about Galbatorix. I might have upset him a bit." The brunet murmured softly.
"Just about the case, sir... Sir, we'll fix it. There's nothing serious going on." Arya said, her frown steadily deepening. "You don't have to send out Marron, we can handle it."
Eragon buried his head in his hands. He had fucked up this time, he just knew it.
"Sir!" Arya protested loudly. "Sir, I... damn, he hung up on me."
Axel let out a soft whistle.
"What the fuck did ya really talk about, Eragon?" He asked.
"What I just said! But I know he became upset. He got this far-away look in his eyes and he looked a little pissed. I'm sorry." Eragon apologised softly. "Should I go and check on him?"
"Hmm, maybe you should." Saphira said, speaking for the first time in ages. "He might resurface then."
Arya looked a little sceptical.
"It might, and it might not. But you should try, Eragon. For some reason, I think he'll at least listen to you."
Eragon nodded. He zipped up his jacket, though he wasn't really feeling cold, and walked out of the room. The walk down the hall seemed almost endless. He felt his pulse speed up when he finally found himself outside of the room Murtagh occupied. He raised his hand and knocked.
"Morann?" He called when there was no answer. "It's Eragon."
Silence greeted him. Eragon bit his lip and tried the doorknob. His eyes widened when it gave away. He peeked into the dark room, not yet daring to enter.
"Morann? Are you in here?"
"Come in and close the door."
Eragon jumped in fright. He reluctantly stepped inside and even slower closed the door behind him. The room was bathed in darkness, only a slight slit in the curtains was lightening the room up. The brunet could see a figure laying on one of the beds. The other one looked to be covered with... something.
"What is it?" Murtagh asked, not even bothering to sit up.
"Your boss asked us to check on you. I think Marron's coming to make sure you're okay as well."
"Damnit." Murtagh cursed. "People need to learn that I don't do social. Just because I lock myself in doesn't mean something's wrong."
Eragon gulped.
"But there is, isn't it? Something wrong I mean. I royally fucked up last night, and I know it." The brunet said quietly.
Murtagh let out a long and loud sigh.
"I'm fine, kiddo. You have no reason to freak out. I just needed some me-time." The other man said slightly huskily.
"You know, I hope to God that Marron knows what's wrong, because you sure as hell won't tell anyone else!" Eragon exclaimed. "People worry about you too, you know."
Murtagh sighed again and sat up. He lit the lamp beside him. Eragon had to narrow his eyes at the sudden brightness.
"I know." The dark haired man murmured. "Rider, sit down for a bit."
Eragon frowned. He moved to sit down on the other bed, but was stopped.
"Ah, you might not want to sit there. Especially if you keep looking down like you're so prone to do. Come here, I won't bite."
Eragon felt a soft blush enter his face. He moved over and sat down beside Murtagh, making sure to keep a little distance between them.
"Listen to me for a second. Thorn knows all the shit I've been through from day one. He knows why I know what I know; why the boss has me in this place when I just as well could have been put to desk-work." Murtagh cut himself off. "Fuck, he might even know me a little too well. But right now talking to him might be the last thing I need."
"I can ask Arya if she can try to keep him from coming." Eragon murmured softly.
"It's no use. Thorn would come even if there was a hurricane in his way." Murtagh sighed.
"Do you want me to get Arya then?"
"Why?" Murtagh asked.
"You wanted someone to talk to, didn't you?" Eragon asked slowly.
"She isn't the one I want to talk to right now. He's in the room with me already." The taller male said with a half-smirk.
Eragon felt another blush strain his cheeks.
"But I'm not sure now is the time." Murtagh said with another half-smirk.
"Now is a good time as any." Eragon blurted out. "For me anyway. I can, uh, come back later if you want to."
Murtagh chuckled.
"Now is fine. But Rider, if you want me to stop or don't want to hear more of what I'm telling, just let me know. I won't force you to listen to something you don't want to."
Eragon nodded. He pushed himself to sit with his legs under him on the bed. Murtagh grinned slightly as he turned to face the other.
"Galbatorix and his gang have been around for the past thirty years. They have been causing havoc since day one. Before it was just a kidnapping here and there, a random murder or two. Galbatorix is more prominent in the drug business actually. But once these murders started there was no doubt about it. And as you correctly guessed last night, I know a bit more than your everyday Joe about Galbatorix and how he operates." Murtagh smiled grimly. "That's because I was raised in the midst of the Forsworn."
Eragon felt his eyes widen. It was hard to believe, if not impossible. How could someone like Murtagh have grown up in such an environment and come out on the good side?
"I can see that you're sceptical." Murtagh said with a wry smirk. "I would have been too if someone had told me the same. But it's the truth unfortunately. My father was the right hand of Galbatorix. Durza took his place when Morzan, my father that is, was killed a few years back. I'm just sorry he wasn't killed before."
Eragon couldn't keep his eyes away from the grim face that Murtagh had sprouted. It was serious, sad and angry all at once.
"I know every crook and cranny in Galbatorix's filthy business. I have even provided the police with a sketch of what he looks like, the names and faces of his most trusted people and crew. But people like Galbatorix are impossible to find. They change their headquarters more often than some people change their socks. The only HQ I could locate was burned down not a week after I ran away." Murtagh sighed. "It never stops bugging me that there wasn't more I could do to catch the sick bastard."
"You did what you could." Eragon said softly. "How old were you?"
"I was thirteen when Morzan was killed. I ran off the very next day." The hazel eyed man replied emotionlessly.
"Did... did he ever try to locate you again?" The brunet asked in a whisper.
Murtagh sighed.
"The first thing that happened afterwards was that the man who helped me escape adopted me. Tornac was his name. He was killed by the Forsworn when I was fifteen. But by then I had already gotten to know Ajihad, the Captain, pretty well. He helped me change my name and helped me move to another city. I only came back after I graduated the Police Academy. Tornac was an officer himself, he was the reason I became one." Murtagh sighed. "They tried to find me so hard that they killed the only man who ever looked after me. When he didn't give away my location, they brutally slaughtered him. I had to ID the body. I emptied my stomach immediately when I saw him."
"How do you know they won't do the same with my family?" Eragon asked in a pained voice.
"Because I was special to him. I was the son of his right hand man. He had hoped I would take my father's place once I became old enough. Had I stayed there until I became eighteen, he would have forced me to." The dark haired man said gravely.
"I'm sorry." Eragon whispered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm over most of it." Murtagh said with a forced smile. "With Galbatorix, you can't let him get to you. If he does, then he's won. And I refuse to let that bastard win."
"... What about your mother?" Eragon asked quietly. "You don't have to tell me, but -"
"No, it's okay." Murtagh sighed. "She was one of... of Galbatorix's whores. She died while giving birth to me."
"I'm sorry."
"Thanks." Murtagh murmured. "But what good does it do? I never knew her. The loss was easy to overcome."
"Compared to other losses, right?" Eragon piped up.
Murtagh paused. He looked deeply into Eragon eyes. Eragon found that he couldn't look away, no matter what he did.
"Right." Murtagh replied finally. "Why do I get the feeling you know what I'm talking about?"
Eragon finally managed to look away. He frowned down at the bedding as he thought.
"Because I do." He murmured after a short pause.
Murtagh ruffled a caring hand through Eragon's hair.
"One day you'll get over it too. You'll still miss them, it will still hurt when you think about it, but you'll be able to move on." The dark haired man murmured soothingly.
Eragon just nodded in answer.
"You better get out there before they think I'm having my way with you."
Eragon, who had been about to get up, promptly stopped mid-motion to blush a brighter red than he had ever done.
"You were expecting the 'before they think I've killed you' comment, weren't you?" Murtagh chuckled.
Eragon nodded dumbly. Murtagh just continued to chuckle.
"Send Thorn this way when you see him." The hazel eyed man said as Eragon walked out of the room.
"Alright." Eragon said and closed the door behind him.
He looked up and right into three eager faces. He didn't even bother to ask them what they were doing there. The brunet simply smacked the back of Axel's head, ducked away from Arya's grasp and walked past Saphira's knowing grin.
"Think whatever you want, perverts. Nothing happened." He muttered and stalked back into the living room.
He was going to keep the promise he made to Murtagh, but after that he was barricading himself in his room. So what if he shared it with Axel, he was locking him out too! No, not too, he was especially locking him out. Damned pervert.
--RED.HAZE--
(09.17 PM - Monday 19th of May. Inside the safe-house in the outskirts of Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Murtagh was once again in his room, peering for the umpteenth time into the case and victims' files. No matter how hard or how long he looked, there was no connection between Eragon and Galbatorix. None! And it didn't make sense.
Murtagh flung the file in his hand onto the vacant bed. It flipped open and presented him with a picture of a more carefree Eragon than he had seen during their stay. That Eragon had disappeared, though signs of him could be detected occasionally. Murtagh sneered when he found that those signs were steadily becoming fewer.
He had never hated anyone as much as he did that moment. Even if he had hated his father practically since birth, at least that bastard was dead. Galbatorix was still alive and kicking, something Murtagh itched to fix. But he knew he couldn't, and that made the
anger boil inside of him. Galbatorix was breaking Eragon down mentally, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
"Murtagh, I can hear you sulking in there. Can I come in?"
The dark haired brunet sighed. He gathered the files together and put them in a semi-neat stack by the bed's headboard. In answer he let out a grunt. The door was opened.
"Ah, I should have guessed. You never quit working, do you?" Arya asked and rolled her eyes.
"We can't afford to waste time on this case." Murtagh replied.
"You're on the borderline of obsessive with this case, Murtagh." Arya said and plumped down beside him. "What's bothering you?"
"Beside the fact that we've been unable to catch the old bastard yet?"
Arya sighed.
"You're overworking yourself." The black haired woman murmured. "You're worrying us. Yes, Axel included."
Murtagh rolled his eyes. He worked out a kink in his neck instead of answering.
"Even if you've completely closed up on me, I'm glad there's at least someone else you're talking to." Arya said and smiled to herself. "Even you can't bottle things up inside without blowing up eventually."
"Yeah, I know." Murtagh murmured as he kept his gaze locked on the wall in front of him.
"I actually wondered for a minute why you chose him." She laughed. "But then it came to me. Even girls can be a bit blind sometimes."
"What?" The hazel eyed man asked and finally looked at the female seated beside him.
"You might not realise it yet, but somewhere during the weeks we've been here you've come to really like him." Arya smirked, a new light glimmering in her eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Murtagh said and frowned.
He could admit that he wasn't always good at reading emotions, especially those close to him. Despite that he had taken a class of behaviour psychology at the Police Academy, he was often at a loss when it came to his friends. His classes helped him analyse the bad guys but when it came to someone like Arya, he had to trust his gut to understand what she was thinking. It was like his mind blocked out what he had learned.
"I'm talking about the fact that you won't take a bullet for just anyone. Usually you yell at the targets to duck or at least take them down with you. But Eragon is special, isn't he?" The green eyed woman smirked.
"Of course. It's not everyone that can capture Galbatorix's attention."
Arya shook her head.
"Men. You're always so damn oblivious." She said and stood up.
"That's only because you women never can talk so men understand them." Murtagh countered.
"Had it only been that simple." Arya said and crocked an eyebrow. "For being the top at your class of the Academy, you sure are clueless about yourself and your own feelings."
With that she gave him a slight nod before leaving the room. Murtagh frowned after her. Arya had never been more of a mystery to him than at that second.
Why was she talking about his feelings all of a sudden? They had other things they needed to focus on! He could admit that he had put himself a bit to the side during the last two weeks. Every new emotion he had felt he had put away to analyse later. But if they were to take down Galbatorix, he needed to come clean with himself. While Galbatorix was heartless enough to give the devil a run for his money, he was far too good at reading people. There was a reason people followed him; he knew which buttons to push.
Murtagh forced himself to stop thinking about that man and to look away from the files beside him. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down. He sat down Indian style and allowed his arms to rest on his knees. It was a technique that Tornac had showed him once. As a young teenager it had taken him several times to find that calm place inside of him, let alone stay there. He smirked softly when he remembered how he had been once. He forced that image away before other memories would surface as well.
When he wanted to find out the identity of new emotions, he always used already existing people in his life and measured the new emotions against old ones. He knew there had to be other ways, but it was the only way he knew. Growing up with the Forsworn had taught him to feel pain, fear, and to hate with all his heart. Hadn't Tornac rescued him, he knew he would have ended up just like his father.
He took deep breaths and allowed the conversation that had just happened to run though his mind. So Arya believed he felt something towards Eragon? He dug deeper. He trusted him obviously, or he wouldn't have told Eragon about his past that easily. But he trusted him on a level that he couldn't quite explain. He had known Arya and Nasuada for years and he had still not come clean with them. Murtagh dug deeper still. He empathized with Eragon, knowing what it was like to have someone like that after you. He felt comfortable around him, for the same reasons that he allowed himself so easily to let Eragon into his life. Hell, it had taken him longer to let Thorn in!
Murtagh felt his eyes open in shock. Had it really? He had known Eragon for only a few weeks, and already he had gotten closer to him than Thorn had done when they had first met. And the strange protectiveness he felt for the brunet... where did that come from? Why did he feel so much lighter around Eragon, like all his sins were washed away?
Murtagh frowned. He had never felt like that for anyone else. He hadn't even known he was capable of those emotions until Eragon had showed up. He uncrossed his legs and let them fall over the edge of the bed. He needed to find out what was going on, or Galbatorix would have another advantage over him.
--RED.HAZE--
(08.37 AM - Saturday 31st of May. Inside the safe-house in the outskirts of Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Eragon was a little surprised there wasn't anyone up when he stepped into the kitchen. He didn't count Axel, who was doing his rounds outside of the house to check if someone
was lurking about, into that equation. As far as he could tell he was the only one truly awake.
Eragon fished out his MP3-player from his pants-pocket and put one of the plugs into his ear. Then he sat down and continued to read the book he had been reading on and off since they had first come to the house. Even though the plot was exciting he found himself unable to really concentrate on what was happening. Saphira had recommended it to him, saying that she herself had been unable to put it down. Eragon knew that to be true; he had seen her read it. It was amazing she had understood a word of what she had read, judging by the speed she had read the book at.
The brunet shook his head. There he went again, his thought straying away from what he was trying to do. At least they had strayed towards a good place unlike the other times he had allowed his thoughts to wander.
"Ah, up already, Rider?"
Eragon looked up and was fully expecting to see Axel in the doorway. Instead his eyes met a pair of hazel orbs he knew he would never forget.
"Morning, Murtagh." Eragon greeted.
"Same to you." Murtagh said and made his way to the kitchen.
Eragon had to tell himself to look away from Murtagh. The other had forgotten again to button up his shirt. If he forgot to do such a simple thing, one could wonder what else he forgot to put on.
Eragon blushed and forced himself to focus his attention on the book he was trying to read.
"Axel is doing his rounds, I hope?" Murtagh asked as he sipped his coffee.
"Yeah, if he hasn't fallen asleep again." Eragon said with a half-smirk.
Murtagh rolled his eyes.
"That wouldn't surprise me." The hazel eyed man said deadpanned.
"Uh, Murtagh... haven't you forgotten something?" Eragon commented softly.
The other male placed down his cup and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Like what?" He asked and had to stifle a yawn midway through his question.
"Your shirt?" The brunet said sheepishly.
Murtagh looked down and laughed. He gathered the fabric together and started to dress himself when a frown entered his face.
"Ah, seems like that wasn't the only thing I forgot." Murtagh said and shook his head.
Eragon felt his eyes widen when Murtagh shouldered off the shirt and pulled out a long strip of cloth out of his pocket. The brunet watched as Murtagh began to slowly struggle to put on the cloth around his arm.
"Do you... need any help?"
Murtagh looked up. A half-smile entered his face.
"Sure."
Eragon beat himself up mentally for suggesting such a thing. As if he would be able to tie a better knot than Murtagh with the shaking his hands had taken it upon themselves to do around him.
He walked up to the other and took the cloth from his hand. Then Eragon started to tie it around Murtagh's arm. Up close Eragon could see the place where the bullet had entered the flesh. He could see that the wound had finally healed. It looked bright pink and tight where the scar had taken form. Eragon was glad when the wound was shielded from his eyes as he continued to tie the bandage.
"Tighter." Murtagh said huskily.
Eragon gulped quietly and did as asked. He tried not to focus his gaze on the muscular arm and upper torso right in front of him. But it was hard, and his cheeks felt like they were aflame.
"There. Does that feel alright?" Eragon asked and took a step back.
Murtagh flexed the arm, wincing slightly when he did certain movements.
"Perfect. Thanks." He said and sent the brunet a wink.
Eragon just smiled back.
"You couldn't help me button up the shirt too? It's usually a killer for me to finish the last buttons." Murtagh asked as a sheepish smile entered his face.
The brunet gulped again. He nodded and helped Murtagh get the shirt back on. Then he started to button it in silence.
"Why don't you just wear t-shirts instead? Less buttons." Eragon said with a slight grin.
"Because those hurt like hell to get on." Murtagh replied. "I'm only willing to do that when I have no other choice. Though, I have to admit that t-shirts would be far more comfortable right now."
"Ah." Eragon murmured and looked back down at his working hands.
He left the first two buttons open, just like he had seen Murtagh do himself. Then he stepped back again and nodded.
"Thanks." Murtagh said again and let a hand slip into one of his pockets.
"No problem." Eragon breathed and walked back to the couch.
He sat down and breathed out in relief. The less time he spent that close to Murtagh the better. Eragon wasn't sure if it was a good idea for him to be feeling what he was for Murtagh at that moment. There was far too much going on.
He picked up his book but didn't have the strength to start reading again. He felt his eyes widen when Murtagh took a step forward and opened his mouth to speak.
"Morning." Axel yawned loudly as he stumbled inside of the room. "Coffee, where is my precious baby?"
Eragon didn't know why, but he felt himself breathe out a sigh of relief.
"I might have drunk the last of it. Sorry."
Axel gave a loud moan of despair and fell onto the back of the couch dry-sobbing.
"I can make some more. Pull yourself together, Axel." Murtagh said and rolled his eyes. "You are far too weird before you've had your coffee."
Eragon couldn't help but to agree.
--RED.HAZE--
(02.34 AM - Friday 13th of June. Unknown location)
"We've found them."
Vicious laughter.
"Good. Now bring him to me."
"With pleasure."
A/N Yes, I know I'm evil. XD And I couldn't help but to notice the date I ended the chapter on. Lol. And I also noticed this was sort of a cliff hanger. But hey, the Eragon x Murtagh interaction in this should weight up for that! Lol.
The next chapter should be out within a week. I know many of you are unhappy with this, but the reason I say this is because I need to give myself some time to work on the sequel. I want to be able to post it as quickly as possible after I post the last chapter of Red Haze. I can promise to have the chapter out sometime between Monday and Thursday. But Monday is the soonest I can and want to update.
Also, a lot of you have pointed out that my Axel seems a lot like Axel from Kingdom Hearts II. I'll admit that he was a huge inspiration when I created my own character, and he might still be in the back of my mind, but my Axel is a different character than KH Axel. My Axel is:
a) Blond. b) Recently he has sported a Mohawk (almost like KH Demxy has his hair, but not quite) whereas KH Axel has more strange porcupine like spikes on his head. (don't deny it, you know it's true! lol) Before Axel used to have spikes, but they weren't nearly as long and pointed as KH Axel's. c) He can be a lot more mature than KH Axel (at least, to me he seems like that). d) I know some writers make KH Axel a little perverted, but there are no real facts of that (to my knowledge) in the game. My Axel is perverted, end of story. e) I know I named him Axel, and while the KH games inspired that name, I named him Axel because I really liked the name. I liked it even more after getting to know people are named it here in my own country! This was before I even knew of the KH games.
So, while KH Axel was a huge inspiration, my Axel is not just a blond version of him sneaked into the Eragon fandom. Axel is a completely different character, and my way to put some humour into stories that usually turn out very dark or angst filled. Not that any of you have accused me of putting KH Axel in this story, but I thought I'd clear up any confusion there might have been on this matter. I hope I didn't bore anyone with this rambling. :sheepish:
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. And that's it, I guess. Don't forget to leave me a little review before you go! I treasure each and every one I get!
I know you may already know some of the words, but I'm adding them all just in case.
Police Speak:
Safe-house – what the name implies; a house where people who are suspected to be a target is taken for protection. Very few knows the location of these houses and who's in them
Everyday Joe – the man on the street, a random face in the crowd
HQ – short for Head Quarters
I.D. – short for Identify