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/Shruikan's human appearances.
Warnings: Slash/Shōnen-ai – meaning mild guy x guy action. Swearing or strong language. A hint of Torture – a character or two will get smacked or beaten around a bit, but not much. Hurt/Injuries – a character or two will get hurt. Character Death – Genuine (Paolini's) Character this time. Gore and Blood – while it's not a crime scene this time, there will be some "mess". If any of this disturbs you, click on the "back" button. I won't tolerate any flames.
A/N I have added an important note at the end of this chapter. Don't worry, it's not a bad thing, but I would really like you all to read it. It will make you understand a certain character more. And, as always, a huge thanks to all of my readers and reviewers! Not to mention everyone who has put this story on their favourite/alert.
And last but not least, a huge thanks to my beta dragonrider713! What would I do without you, hon? ;)
RED HAZE
Part Seven; Zenith
(11.26 PM - Monday 16th of June. Inside Galbatorix's HQ in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
The first thing Murtagh saw upon entering the room was Eragon. The brunet had been turned to face him. There was an angry bruise forming on his cheek and a thin cut along his throat that was bleeding ever so slightly. There was also a small cut on his bottom lip. But what hit Murtagh most was the look of pain on his face.
"Release him." Murtagh said coldly, taking pleasure in hearing his voice travel across the room without having to yell.
"I'm so glad that you could join us, Murtagh." Galbatorix said as if Murtagh hadn't spoken.
Murtagh sneered. He gripped the glasses that had been covering his eyes and threw them onto the floor. The man hadn't changed in eleven years. It was as if time had stood still. And it seemed like Galbatorix's trusty bodyguard Shruikan Darc hadn't changed either. He looked as dead as always.
"I don't think you heard me. I said, release him!" Murtagh repeated icily.
"Who?" Galbatorix smirked. "Eragon's here on his own free will."
"Bullshit." Murtagh growled and slowly began to walk closer to the trio. "You kidnapped him, you disgusting mother-fucker."
The hazel eyed man allowed himself to enjoy the sight of Shruikan becoming angry. He remembered well how the man reacted to his boss being disrespected. But Shruikan was unable to attack him now. That was, until Durza stepped forward to take his place, of course. Murtagh knew he had to be inside the room somewhere, hiding in the shadows like he was prone to do. Durza had gotten his last name for a reason.
Galbatorix just continued to smirk.
"Murtagh, get back! It's a trap!!"
Murtagh had to force himself to not pull out the gun he had hidden in the back lining of his jeans. He needed a small element of surprise, and the knife he had hidden inside his jacket wouldn't be enough. But the sight of Shruikan towering over Eragon, holding a deadly blade harshly against his neck, was almost enough to break him.
"Don't worry about me, kiddo. I know what I'm doing." Murtagh told Eragon calmly, though inside he was raging.
If he had the chance, he was taking Shruikan down first. A suicide mission perhaps, but he would gladly take it.
"I see that the years in the force haven't taught you a lot." Galbatorix said tauntingly.
"They have taught me a hell of a lot more than you'll ever know." The dark haired brunet growled. "Now, let Eragon go."
"Why should I? We're having so much... fun." Galbatorix leered.
"If you lay as much as a hand on him, you sick fuck, then I swear I'll rip you to pieces with my bare hands."
Before Murtagh could even blink, Shruikan had released Eragon from his hold and had started to run towards him. Murtagh narrowed his eyes as Durza suddenly jumped out and held Eragon back in the same way as Shruikan had. A fresh blast of anger coursed through him as the brunet let out a cry of pain. If Eragon left with a broken arm, there was going to be hell to pay.
Murtagh was just able to duck out of the way as Shruikan swung a fist at him. The man was going to be impossible to stop now. The hazel eyed man tried not to think about his odds against Shruikan. So far, no one had gotten out of a fight with him alive.
Murtagh crouched to avoid another flying fist and checked that his gun was still in place on his way down. He ripped it out of its place and stuffed it into its holder in his belt. He couldn't afford to lose it, element of surprise be damned.
He was vaguely aware of a yell or two from Eragon during their fight. He was sure even Durza tried to talk Galbatorix into ending it. If Galbatorix ordered it, he knew Shruikan would stop in a heartbeat. Murtagh also knew that Galbatorix wouldn't stop his bodyguard. He was enjoying the fight too much to do that.
A sharp cry from Eragon made him lose his concentration for just a second. That was all it took. Shruikan was instantly there and punched him almost clear across the room. Murtagh spat out the blood in his mouth and dried away the residue with the back of his hand. He glared over at the three behind Shruikan's towering form. There was another knife against Eragon's neck now, courtesy of Galbatorix himself. Murtagh knew what that meant. He wasn't just fighting for himself anymore.
A battle cry made him shift his attention over to Shruikan. The bulky man was charging towards him again. Murtagh crouched to steady his balance and waited for the other to arrive. If Shruikan wanted to fight, then he was going to have to come to him to get it.
As Murtagh crouched, ducked and parried Shruikan's blows and kicks, he silently thanked Tornac for making him take martial arts classes, or he wouldn't have stood a chance against Shruikan at all. But while he could land in a blow or two, he wasn't doing much or any damage. The other man could throw Murtagh across the room or break every bone in
his body if he wasn't careful, but there was little Murtagh could do other than to parry. That was, if he continued to play fair.
The hazel eyed man smirked and waited for the opportune moment. He needed to be careful if he didn't want to be taken down while he took the other down. Murtagh chanced a quick look to see where their fight had taken them. They were too far away from the others. He needed to be more aggressive.
Murtagh felt another blow hit him and allowed himself to fall to the floor. There he caught himself by his forearms and pushed back up, kicking Shruikan forcefully in the chest. Shruikan stumbled back a few steps. Murtagh took advantage of his confusion to push the stronger man even further back. He couldn't allow another blow to hit him; even Shruikan wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.
They had managed to fight their way closer to the unmoving trio. Murtagh could feel his strength fading away. He needed to act fast. He would have wanted to be closer to them, but it would have to do.
Just then Shruikan bent his upper body down, his punch going for Murtagh's heart-region. Dodging away from an attack that would either have incapacitated or killed him, Murtagh jumped around Shruikan's body. He ripped out the gun from its holder and slammed it hard against the back of Shruikan's head. The older man stumbled and started to fall. Murtagh finished his blow by slamming his hand in the back of the black haired man's neck. Shruikan fell to the floor unconscious.
Murtagh stared down at the man as he tried to ease his breathing. When he was sure Shruikan was out cold, he turned around and pointed his weapon at the two other men.
"Come on, I dare you." He growled at them.
Durza was staring in shock at the body behind Murtagh, but Murtagh didn't care about him. His focus was on Galbatorix. The man was looking at him calmly, though Murtagh could see a slight unease in his eyes. Murtagh smirked.
"I won't tell you again. Let. Eragon. Go."
Galbatorix narrowed his eyes.
"Would you really risk Eragon's life by threatening me?"
Murtagh felt his smirk widen. Finally Galbatorix wasn't playing any games. The hazel eyed man stepped forward, his gun pointed at the bald man as he walked.
"Would you risk your life by not listening to me?" Murtagh countered.
The knife was pressed harder against Eragon's neck. Murtagh snarled and stopped in his place. He was twenty feet away from them now.
"Throw away your weapon, or I'll slit his throat." Galbatorix said coldly.
"And throw away ten years of looking for the one who got away? Another eleven years of looking for him? I don't think you will." Murtagh said and sneered.
Galbatorix pulled Eragon out of Durza's hold and gripped the brunet's arm tightly. The knife was moved to press against the unmarked part of the brunet's neck. Eragon continued to stare hopelessly at Murtagh, but the other man refused to meet his eyes. Murtagh knew that if he did, his act would be revealed.
"You will let us go, or I will kill the boy."
Murtagh's sneer deepened. Galbatorix slowly began to move towards where Murtagh knew there was a secondary exit. But he wouldn't let himself be tricked that easily. The dark haired man turned to his right and fired a shot at the man that had been trying to sneak up on him. Galbatorix turned around at Durza's yell of pain. The knife and sweetly smelling cloth fell from his grasp.
"I won't fall for that trick again." He growled at the bald man before turning his gaze to Durza.
The red haired man was holding onto his rapidly bleeding shoulder.
"An eye for an eye, bastard." Murtagh sneered. "And you said I wouldn't be able to kill you. Think again, asshole."
With that said Murtagh fired a shot and hit the red haired man between his eyes. Murtagh watched him sink completely to the floor and into a pool of his own blood and brains. The hazel eyed man spat on the dead man and turned back to Galbatorix.
"One last chance. Let Eragon go."
Galbatorix didn't hesitate in releasing his hold on the brunet and running out of the hidden door. Murtagh ran forward and was just able to catch Eragon before he fell to the floor.
"Are you alright, kiddo?" He whispered.
"You're nuts, you know that?" Eragon whispered back.
"I might have heard such rumours, yes." Murtagh joked softly.
"You... you could have -"
Eragon started to cough harshly and was unable to finish his sentence. Murtagh cursed loudly and ripped off a piece of his t-shirt. He bound it around Eragon's throat to stop the blood flow. Galbatorix had meant business after all.
"Don't speak, alright? Help is on its way." Murtagh murmured softly before speaking a little louder to someone he had forgotten had been with him all along. "And I could use some medical help down here."
"You're lucky we were able to track your movements down there at all, Morann. You truly are suicidal."
"Don't tell me that's news to you, sir?" He said and smirked.
"Sadly, no. The help is nearly there." Ajihad said before cutting off their contact.
Murtagh sighed and looked back at the brunet in his arms.
"Just hold on, Eragon. We're getting out of here in no time. It's over."
--RED.HAZE--
(11.21 AM - Thursday 19th of June. Inside Elva's Memorial Hospital in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Eragon woke up feeling a bit disoriented. For a moment he wasn't even sure where he was. He rubbed his eyes and slowly felt the world around him come into focus.
"You're awake!"
Eragon, who had been trying to sit up, found himself pushed back down and hugged within an inch of his life. He could recognize that hug anywhere.
"Saphira, mind letting me go so that I can breathe?"
The blonde let go almost immediately and sat down on the chair beside the bed. Eragon looked up and saw three more familiar faces enter the room. Thorn nodded in acknowledgement while Arya and Axel sent him nearly identical relieved smiles.
"Finally up and about, eh?" Axel said in a semi-teasing voice.
"What do you mean, finally?" Eragon asked and absently massaged the back of his neck.
"Be careful!" Arya nearly shouted. "You have bandages all around your neck, Eragon."
The brunet stilled his hand. He felt around his neck more firmly and was surprised to find that Arya was right.
"How did that happen?" Eragon asked quietly.
"... You don't remember?" Saphira asked, her voice instantly taking on a worried tone.
"The doctor didn't say anything about head-trauma." Thorn commented.
"I'll go get him now!" Saphira said and practically leaped out of her chair.
"Oy, wait a minute!" Eragon exclaimed. "I'm fine. I remember, as much as I don't want to, I remember."
The four inside the room all came with a sigh of relief.
"I just, I don't remember them being put on. Hell, I don't remember coming here at all!"
"When we found you, you were unconscious." Thorn said in his deep voice. "You've been asleep for nearly two days. The doctors worked on you while you were unconscious."
"... Worked on me? Why does that make me nervous?" Eragon piped up softly.
"They just dressed your wounds, Eragon." Saphira said softly while taking one of his hands in hers. "You only had a couple of bruises."
"Compared to someone else, yeah." Axel said and snorted.
That comment made Eragon remember. He hadn't been alone in Galbatorix's HQ.
"Where's Murtagh?" He asked softly.
Thorn winced. Axel suddenly became interested in staring out of the window while Arya busied herself with checking his medical plate. Saphira just continued to stare into his eyes.
"Murtagh has been released from the hospital." Thorn answered after a short pause. "He forced them to release him, of course."
"The dude has to wear his sling for a couple of weeks, no sneaking off either, and he's got a couple of bruises. And just what does he do? He frigging threatens his way out of the hospital." Axel said before pausing. "I gotta learn how to do that."
Eragon watched as Axel was slapped in the back of his head, courtesy of his sister.
"Shut it, Axel." Arya said as she shook her head. "Murtagh's down at the station right now, if he knows what's best for him. I'm sure he'll visit once he has the time."
Somehow Eragon couldn't find it in him to believe that statement. There was something in the way Thorn was looking the other way.
"They're just going to keep you here a day or two for observation." Saphira was saying, but Eragon wasn't really paying attention.
Thorn was staring out of the window now, a frown on his usually emotionless face. Even Axel had gotten over the awkwardness and was looking at him again. There was something up with the redhead that Eragon couldn't ignore. Like there was something Thorn wasn't telling them... something he wasn't telling him. Eragon's heart clenched as he wondered if he really would see Murtagh again.
--RED.HAZE--
(05.14 PM - Friday 27th of June. Outside the local cemetery in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
The rain was falling softly around him. It had been pouring an hour ago, but as soon as he had gotten closer to the gates, it seemed like the rain had taken pity on him and started to gradually lessen. Not that it bothered Murtagh much. His boots prevented his feet from getting wet and his jacket kept his frame dry. He had only pulled up the hood because he wasn't in the mood to feel the drops slide from his hair, down his neck and eventually down his spine. He had gotten enough chills there to last for a lifetime.
Murtagh stuffed his hands even further into the pocket of his coat. He had been starting in the same spot for what seemed like ages. It felt like he hadn't gone through those gates for a decade, and it had been a while since the last time. But something had made him get up and go outside that afternoon. He had watched an old woman walk in and out of the cemetery while he had been standing there. He knew there was a younger couple inside right now. Murtagh shook his head and pushed the gate open. It creaked as he moved it.
Murtagh walked down the path without really caring where he was walking. He passed the couple and continued down, going to the right when he came to a fork in the road. As he came to the slightly older part of the cemetery, he slowed down. Dark hair, wet from when he hadn't bothered to brush it away, hung into his eyes. Finally he came to a stop.
The grave in front of him was dark with age and rain. It was slightly green on the bottom from not being really tended to. But the flowers beneath it were blooming and had been tended to carefully. Murtagh crouched down and picked away the little weed that had grown forward since his last visit. Then he straightened up and pushed his hood back.
"Hello again, mom." He whispered. "I'm sorry it has been a while since my last visit. Work has kept me busy."
The upper name on the headstone was just a simple first name, Serena. Murtagh had never found out his mother's last name. He suspected she had been kidnapped at an early age, and that her file was somewhere in the database. But he couldn't know which database to search, so he had quickly lost hope. Under the name was her birth date and death date. As he had never known his mother, he had been surprised to have been taken to her grave by Tornac as a teenager. Tornac had paid for her burial and had given her a headstone. Murtagh had never been able to pay Tornac back for doing that for him. The man had even arranged for an inscription below her name. Beloved mother. You will be dearly missed.
The hazel eyed man stared at that inscription for a while. He had asked Tornac about it once, before he had been killed. Tornac had told him that, had Serena been given the opportunity, she would have proven how good of a mother she would have been.
Murtagh shook his head and looked on the name written below hers. While he had some money from his father, and what he earned himself, he didn't have enough to bury his father somewhere else. For that was just what he had done, buried his father beside his mother. Under her inscription was another. Morzan Teytor. He had gotten his father's birth date and death date put on as well, but nothing more. It was more than the bastard deserved.
"I..." Murtagh sighed. "I just wanted you to know that we've caught him. We finally caught him, mom. Galbatorix is finally going away."
Murtagh stared down at the ground before he managed to gather the courage to look at the headstone again. It was almost as if looking at it meant that he was looking at his mother and that he really talking to her.
"But it doesn't change anything." He paused. "I can't let anyone get close to me, not again. I don't know how you'd react, had you been alive, but this is the way I feel."
Murtagh clenched his jaw and continued to stare down at the stone. His thoughts were taking a life of their own, wandering away from him. And, as his thoughts had been doing lately, they were centred on Eragon.
Just thinking his name made Murtagh wince. Eragon had been on his mind almost 24/7, and yet he hadn't visited him. He had heard from Thorn that he had been released the day after he had woken up. The cut around his throat was also healing nicely. Murtagh really hoped it wouldn't leave a scar. Just thinking about a scar marring that milky flesh made him want to break into the prison and kill Shruikan himself, and maybe Galbatorix too while he was at it. They had harmed his Eragon; it was only fair that he harmed them too!
The dark haired man groaned and fisted a hand through his hair. There he went again, calling Eragon something he wasn't! And never would be either. Eragon wasn't his and would never be, not if there was something Murtagh could do about it.
Suddenly his pocket began to vibrate. Murtagh sighed and fished out the phone in his pocket just as the song started to pick up.
"Yeah?"
"Where the hell are you?" A very masculine voice growled over the line.
Murtagh smirked to himself. He could recognize that voice anywhere.
"I'm chatting with the dead." Murtagh replied nonchalantly.
"Oh, so you find the dead more interesting to talk to than the living? Like your shrink?" Murtagh could practically hear the glare in Thorn's voice. "You've coincidentally missed all your appointments since you got back."
"I don't need to see the police shrink just because I was involved in a shooting. I've experienced worse." The hazel eyed man drawled.
"It's not a question of do or don't, it's the policy! It's a wonder you haven't been given the slip already." Thorn said and sighed.
"You're awfully chatty today." Murtagh remarked.
"I'm the only one you aren't ignoring. You're forcing me to be." Thorn growled.
"Thorn -"
"And why the hell are you ignoring the kid?! What the fuck has he done, huh?" Thorn interrupted.
Murtagh had to pause. It had been a while since he had heard his friend swear. Thorn usually just stared someone to the ground. He didn't have to swear to appear angry or mad. He didn't doubt that Thorn was seriously pissed off, and he knew that it was his fault.
"It's better off this way." Murtagh replied in a murmur.
"... What?! You're going to ignore him until he walks out of your life? Murtagh, you selfish prick!"
"That was uncalled for." Murtagh growled back.
"Hardly." Thorn replied. "Do you realise what you're doing? You're hurting him!"
"Better now than later." The darker brunet said and scowled at the graves around him. "I'm not right for him, Thorn."
Murtagh tried to ignore the bitter taste the words left in his mouth.
"A little late to say that, don't you think?" Thorn said and Murtagh didn't have to picture his sneer; it was clear in his voice. "That's something you tell someone before they completely fall for you, you ass wipe."
"What's with the name-calling?!" Murtagh asked in a half-yell.
"For once in your life Murtagh, you're going to sit back and listen." Thorn practically snarled. "You saved that kid's life; you later became a part of it. You just don't write yourself out of someone's life without there being consequences. Bad consequences. Eragon does not deserve to be broken just because you're scared to let anyone get close."
"You are supposed to be on my side in this." Murtagh hissed.
"No, I'm supposed to be your voice of reason! Clearly yours has been bound, gagged and stuffed away somewhere." Thorn sighed angrily over the line. "So, tell me... what's wrong about this one, huh?"
"Nothing's wrong with him!" The hazel eyed man snarled before he could stop himself. "And that's what's wrong!"
"... Let me guess. You don't want to taint him?"
"You know me better than anyone. I have a price on my head practically everywhere I go, thanks to my dear father and his gang."
"So you're protecting him?" Thorn said and snorted.
"Yes." Murtagh said seriously. "There will always be someone after me. I am not going to put him in danger like that."
Murtagh could hear his friend mutter curses under his breath.
"You don't realise what you're doing, do you? You don't just fall out of love. You should know that." The redhead stated.
"Should I?" Murtagh said and smirked. "How can you even be sure I know what love is?"
"Here we go again. You are the king of hopeless." Thorn said in a clearly annoyed tone. "You know what it is, and you know how love works. That is why you're standing over your mother's grave, confessing to the only person you believe to ever have loved you."
Murtagh snuck a glance down at the headstone before tearing his eyes away from it.
"You are so goddamn predictable." Thorn sighed. "Listen, Eragon is going to be there in about five minutes. You are going to listen to him, and you are going to listen well. And you better have a better explanation than that 'work held you up' to give him."
Murtagh was too busy swearing loudly under his breath to really care what his friend was saying.
"That kid might just be the best thing that could ever happen to you. Don't you fucking throw that away."
Before Murtagh could respond the line went dead. He glared down at the phone in his hand before sliding it back into his coat pocket. He glared down at the headstone one last time before turning to leave. He had to hurry if he was going to get away before Eragon got there.
"... Murtagh?"
Murtagh swore.
--RED.HAZE--
(05.42 PM - Friday 27th of June. Inside the local cemetery in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Eragon had felt a chill run down his spine when he had entered the cemetery. He wondered why Arya had sent him there of all places. How could she think that he would find Murtagh there?
He crossed his arms over his chest and continued to walk down the path. What had Arya said again? Down the path and then to the right? Well, he hoped that was it as he walked down the right path in the fork. He kept his eyes on the ground, but every once in a while he would look up, to make sure he hadn't walked past Murtagh already. Eragon
was starting to wonder if he had walked wrong when he saw someone familiar turn and start to walk towards him.
"... Murtagh?"
Eragon was surprised when he thought he heard the other swear softly.
"Rider." Murtagh greeted.
Eragon forced down the urge to bite his fingernails. The awkward silence stretched on around them.
"How've you been?" The hazel eyed man unemotionally.
Eragon hid his chin in the upper-lip of his turtleneck. He refused go outside without covering his neck. He didn't care that it was summer; he wasn't going to share his healing wounds with the world. They were still too pink for his liking. The doctor had even said that there was a chance there would be some mild scarring.
"Um, fine." Eragon replied softly. "There won't be any permanent damage according to the doc."
Murtagh's eyes flickered over to his neck before they settled on staring over his shoulder again. Eragon couldn't help but to notice how Murtagh had yet to look him in the eyes.
"Apart from there." Eragon whispered and looked away.
Eragon was startled when he heard Murtagh suddenly move forward. The gravel crunched underneath his shoes with each step he took.
"I'm sorry."
The brunet raised his gaze. Murtagh was closer now, but still out of reach.
"It's alright. I had a knife to my neck for almost an hour. I'd be surprised if there wasn't going to be any scarring." Eragon said meekly.
Murtagh's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Besides..." Eragon paused. "If you were going to be sorry, it should be because you've been ignoring me."
Eragon flinched and waited for an angry outburst. When only silence greeted him, he dared to look back up. Murtagh's face was as emotionless as always, but there was something lurking in his eyes. Before Eragon could begin to interpret what the emotions were they were gone.
"You're right. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Murtagh said and raked a hand through his hair. "You of all people deserve an explanation."
Eragon frowned. He wasn't sure he liked where the conversation was going.
"Rider, it's best if you and I part ways here." Murtagh said gravely.
"... What?"
"It's best if you just forget about me. I'm bad news. You don't want to get on any more wanted-lists than you already are. You will if you continue to be my friend." The dark haired man continued.
"You aren't making any sense!" Eragon exclaimed.
"My father was a really well-known and well-hated man. There are people who are after me because they want a chance to execute their revenge on him somehow." Murtagh paused and gritted his teeth together. "I can't have you put yourself in danger like that."
"What about Thorn?! Arya?? Everyone on your team!?" The brunet nearly screamed.
"They can take care of themselves. And they're in the force; they're already a target somehow. I can't do that to you, Rider." Murtagh said throatily. "Don't make me."
"Murtagh, I don't -"
"Eragon, just listen!" Murtagh yelled. "You can't talk me out of this. I'm not asking you to understand my reasons, just do me this one favour. Forget me. It's better for the both of us."
Eragon could feel his throat become dry. His eyes were starting to prickle and itch. He couldn't understand what was happening. Well, he understood what Murtagh was saying, but he didn't understand why he was saying it! Couldn't he see how impossible it would be for Eragon to forget about him?!
"I can't just forget about you like that!" Eragon said and blinked to keep the tears at bay.
"Alright. Then don't come to see me anymore."
Murtagh finally met his eyes. Eragon saw a flash of pain in them before Murtagh suddenly was gone. Eragon turned around and saw him walking briskly down the path towards the entrance. The brunet shook his head before taking off after him. He jumped around the older man and threw out his arms. Murtagh halted before him. There was a pained look on his face. It was begging him not to do this. But Eragon wasn't going to let Murtagh go just like that.
"What's going on?" Eragon whispered. "Where did the guy I got to know run off to?"
"That guy made a mistake." Murtagh said tensely. "We should never have gotten so close. It nearly got us both killed. I won't let that happen again. I'm sorry."
"Saying that you're sorry won't help any! You're still trying to leave me behind." Eragon said and cursed himself mentally when he heard his voice waver.
"It's better off this way, Rider."
"BULLSHIT!" Eragon screamed. "How is making us both hurt doing that?!"
"I will without a doubt hurt you in the future, Rider. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did that." Murtagh said thickly.
Eragon cursed himself when he felt a tear force itself out of his eye.
"It's human nature to hurt one another." The brown eyed teenager said swallowed. "But you don't see the rest of us running, do you?"
"It's human nature to be a fool too." Murtagh countered. "Rider, let me pass."
Eragon shook his head stubbornly.
"Not until you tell me why you're doing this."
"I already told you!" Murtagh exclaimed. "Eragon, I care for you. I care for you a lot. That's why I can't let you be close to me. You will end up hurt."
"More than you're hurting me right now?" Eragon half-snapped in answer.
"It might get you killed." Murtagh stressed.
Eragon just continued to glare up at him.
"How... how can you claim to care for someone and hurt them all in one sentence?" Eragon whispered.
"It's my speciality." Murtagh said with a sad grin.
Eragon bit his lip. Slowly he lowered his arms. Murtagh took a step forward. Before he could get any further, Eragon leaned up and kissed him. Murtagh stiffened. The brunet laid his arms around the other's neck and pressed closer.
He was about to pull back when he felt two hands grip his waist and pull him closer. The lips beneath his moved and seemed to almost suck him even closer. Eragon didn't hesitate to open his mouth when a tongue asked for entrance. He tightened his grip around Murtagh's neck and returned the kiss with equal force. He could almost taste the bittersweet future it was promising. This is all you shall get, but no more. Eragon clenched his eyes even more closed and tried to forget the reality outside of their little world.
Finally, but at the same time all too soon, Murtagh pulled away. Eragon didn't want to let go, but found his arms practically boneless when Murtagh pulled them away from his neck. The dark haired male then cupped his face and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
"I'm sorry."
Eragon looked down when Murtagh stepped around him and continued to walk away.
--RED.HAZE--
(09.24 AM - Tuesday 8th of July. Inside the Police Department in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Murtagh tried very hard not to scowl at the case file in front of him. Lately he had found himself unwilling and downright unenthusiastic to work. Not even a homicide case could rile him up.
Murtagh sighed and put down the file in his hand. It was a typical case that would normally have made his blood boil to find whoever was responsible and slowly kill them himself. Nowadays he just stared down at the crime scene photos and robotically notated what he found.
"Yo, I was looking for Murtagh. Is he around?"
The hazel eyed man rested his chin on his folded fingers and raised an eyebrow at his visitor.
"I thought your graduation was today, Elve?" Murtagh commented dryly.
Axel grinned as he leaned onto the doorframe.
"Someone sure has their days confused!" He said and laughed. "It's Tuesday. My graduation is on Thursday, man."
Murtagh rolled his eyes and looked away.
"Looks like someone did an all-nighter too." Axel said as he stepped into the office. "Does the Captain know? Never mind, he would have fried your ass by now if he did."
Murtagh sighed again and tried to straighten out his shirt. It was true that he had spent the night at the office again, and it wasn't the first time. Somehow, even though work now seemed boring, he couldn't find the energy to leave the office. There was a locker room with a shower at disposal, something he had put to good use during the last couple of days. However, he had had to go back for a change of clothes a time or two. But the trip gave him time to clear his head, something he didn't mind at all. He probably needed it.
"Your point, Elve?"
"My point being, why the fuck aren't you coming in late these days? One would think you'd be eager to stay in bed, maybe using up a few of your sick days." The blond said and wriggled his eyebrows.
Murtagh stood up and began to tuck in his shirt. He ignored the sudden dizziness and buckled his belt in place. He didn't bother to fix the folded up sleeves.
"Why would I be doing that?" He asked and made sure not to look at Axel as he did so.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe 'cause you should be too busy screwing someone to get in before the rest of the crew?"
Murtagh allowed himself to pinch the bridge of his nose in obvious annoyance.
"If that's all you came to ask me, feel free to leave." He drawled. "I'm not answering that question."
"Woah, hold it dude!" Axel exclaimed. "You aren't screwing Eragon?"
Murtagh winced. It was the first time someone had said that name in his presence. And it hurt.
"None of your business." The hazel eyed man snapped.
"That's a no." Axel said and frowned. "Now, why wouldn't you be?"
"Axel, quit poking your nose into things that aren't your business! Fuck, you're almost as bad as Therr." Murtagh said and cursed under his breath.
Maybe he should start to go home, at least to sleep. The room was spinning a bit.
"Low blow, man." Axel said with a small pout. "I'm just looking out for ya."
"Thanks, but seriously... don't." Murtagh said and started to massage his temples. "I can look after myself."
"Clearly." Axel said sarcastically. "But seriously, why aren't you seeing Eragon?"
"Because I'm not!" Murtagh snapped. "Leave me the fuck alone, Elve."
"Don't tell me you're in denial or something." The green eyed man said and closed the door so they wouldn't be overheard.
"Give me a break." The dark haired man snorted. "I've known I was bisexual for years."
"Alrighty, so not in denial. Goodie." Axel leaned onto the wall and crossed his arms. "Then what? Don't tell me you're trying to protect the kid or something."
Murtagh gritted his teeth. He hated to lie. He found it much better to either not answer or avoid the question.
"You are? Fucking Lord above."
Murtagh slammed his fist onto his desk. He had put up with Axel so far, but enough was enough.
"Drop it, Axel." He hissed. "It's none of your goddamn business."
"Eragon's my mate. That makes it my business. I think I have the right to know why Saphira keeps calling me to ask if I know what's wrong. I thought he was moody because you were fucking him too hard." The blond intern said with a shrug. "Well, even I can be wrong."
"Get out." Murtagh growled. "Don't make me throw you out."
"Come on, Morann. Tell me what's going on." Axel said, sounding surprisingly mature for once.
"No. If you want to know, go and gossip with Thorn like a good little girl." Murtagh hissed and marched out of the office.
"You could be throwing away the best thing to ever have happened to you!" Axel yelled after him.
Murtagh just flipped him off over his shoulder. His head was killing him, he was going home.
"Oh, Murtagh!"
What the fuck did someone want with him now? Murtagh muttered curses to every God he knew and turned around.
"What's this? Bring-Your-Spouse-To-Work Day?"
Murtagh watched in satisfaction as Thorn's cheeks were dusted a soft pink for a split second. Beside him, Saphira was blushing a little more red and permanent. Arya and Nasuada simply rolled their eyes and continued to talk in hushed voices as they ventured deeper into the station.
"What crawled up your ass and died?" Thorn asked.
That was another thing that had changed. Thorn was obviously displeased with his choice and chose to show that irritation by cursing Murtagh whenever he could. Murtagh silently winced.
"Axel's being a bitch again." Murtagh replied simply.
"I can imagine that he at least has a good reason." Thorn said and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Down boys." Saphira said sternly. "I'm here for a reason, Murtagh. What happened between you and Eragon?"
"Nothing." He replied. "I'm sure he'll be fine in a week or two."
"Doubtfully. I have never seen him this depressed before." The blonde girl said and bit her lip. "What's going on?"
"Like I said, nothing is going on."
Saphira opened her mouth, but closed it a second later. Murtagh recognized the look of understanding in her eyes.
"Oh." She murmured. "So that's why he's..."
Murtagh crossed his arms and fixed his gaze over her shoulder. He continued to ignore the glare Thorn was directing at him.
"Why?" Saphira asked a second later. "I thought the attraction was mutual."
"Oh, it is." Thorn drawled. "But Murtagh's being his jackass self and wants to protect Eragon from future harm by pushing him away."
Murtagh allowed himself to sneer at his best friend. Beside Thorn, Saphira opened her mouth in shock.
"What?! Are you telling me that my best friend is hurting for no reason!?"
"I'm trying to spare him from future harm. People close to me get hurt." Murtagh stressed.
"I seem fine, don't I? Your best friend, without a single scratch on him." Thorn said and raised an eyebrow. "Or am I the exception that confirms the rule?"
"Thorn -" Murtagh growled.
"Shush it, the both of you!" Saphira snapped. "You Morann, you have some serious explaining to do."
Murtagh clenched his jaw and stomped back to his office. The two others followed him. Murtagh allowed them to enter first before closing the door firmly behind him. He started to talk before Saphira even had the chance to open her mouth.
"You don't understand, Saphira. People die because of me. I'm not letting him take that risk." He said.
"There's always a risk when it comes to love." She countered.
"Not this kind of risk!" Murtagh hissed. "I can't, Saphira. I'd kill myself if anything happened to Eragon because of me."
The blue eyed female paused. She looked down for a second before looking back up with a new flame alight in her eyes.
"If you're thinking about saying 'would you throw away the best thing that could ever have happened to you', save it. I've heard the speech a dozen times, and it's not going to change my mind." Murtagh said firmly. "I can't do it. I won't."
"Did you ever stop to think what you're doing to Eragon by doing this?" She asked hoarsely.
Beside her Thorn laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I hate myself every day for hurting him like that." Murtagh said thickly, and was proud of himself when his voice didn't shake or waver. "But I'd rather have him hurt and alive than with me for even a second and then dead."
"Murtagh -"
Murtagh just sent Saphira a look. He allowed himself to open his gates for a short second, long enough for her and Thorn to see his inner turmoil. He put his gates back up again quickly, smirking wryly to cover his inner hurt.
"I'm sorry, I really am. But I just can't."
Murtagh looked away and slowly got out of the room. He shut the door and continued to walk away. This time no one stopped him.
A/N Before I get any flames or bad comments regarding Murtagh's behaviour, I'll explain what's going on in his head.
Murtagh is seriously fucked up, worse than I've ever written him. His father didn't give him any attention, let alone affection, and the only emotions he's still used to are pain and fear. Those he can deal with. He has gradually come out of his shell and has learned to feel more positive emotions. But Tornac, the person who taught him to feel, the first person he allowed himself to care for, was killed because of him. While Murtagh will admit that he loves Thorn, it's strictly as a friend. Arya he loves as an annoying but dear friend. There is no one else he's really close to. So when he starts to feel something for Eragon, he pushes the feelings away. But with those feelings come a protectiveness that he cannot hide. That protectiveness is the reason he marches in alone to save Eragon.
After the whole ordeal with Galbatorix is over, he sits back and allows himself to think. When he realises he's falling for Eragon, he freaks. Murtagh is too scared to let anyone get that close. He believes that people who get that close, people he allows himself to love that deeply, will be taken away from him. It is a fact that he has more enemies than he has friends. And since Eragon somehow has managed to worm himself into Murtagh's heart, he sees it as his mission to keep Eragon safe. He can't let anyone else he loves get killed. Therefore he's determined to push Eragon away and out of his life. Murtagh would rather have Eragon stay alive and hate him than for him to be alive and be in danger of getting killed.
Of course Murtagh's being irrational, and might not seem to care who he's hurting by being like this, but it's the only thing he believes is right. He'd rather hurt Eragon and hurt himself in the process than to risk loving him and then losing him.
You don't have to understand Murtagh's way of thinking, but this is how it is. He may look and sound like a complete bastard, but inside he's just scared and needs a smack in the back of his head and good talk-to. But don't forget that he's also been emotionally scarred from being raped in his childhood. He doesn't really know how to be intimate with someone, how to love someone. Sure, it may not sound hard, but to Murtagh there is no tougher challenge than to be with someone in a way that's not meant hurt himself or others.
Also, the vote is still ongoing people! a) if you want me to post before I leave, b) if you'd rather wait for me to come back home with a stable internet connection. I'll let you know the results in the last chapter, which I'll post sometime next week.
But the end is near now, only one more part to go. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, despite the angstiness. Leave me a little review before you go and make my day!
I know you may already know some of the words, but I'm adding them all just in case.
Police Speak:
HQ – short for Head Quarters
The slip – short for the pink slip you receive when you get fired