Bit shorter of a chapter, but hope you still
ENJOY!
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A soft breeze blew through the windows of the safe house. Ianto sighed and readjusted the camera angle. He always hated the busy work involved with a recon. His blades wanted blood and he wanted to go home. He felt peace by his master's side and he felt comfort in her arms. No matter how many corrupt regimes or drug cartels he took down; it was like 3 popped up in their place. How many was this now? He'd lost count long ago. At least he was trusted well enough now to do these missions alone.
He became good at the dispatches, clever and sneaky. He'd always been that; even at a young age. When picking a pocket or two had been a way to survive. It had gotten him noticed and eventually recruited. Ra's was as good as a second father to him. He was a mere boy going into the League. Now he was Al Malak al-Maut. The angel of death. Ra's al Ghul's right hand man. If Lisa was to be believed; the next in line for the tittle.
Named not only for his skill; whether by his blade or not. If he was involved; in any way, your death was imminent. Most days he took pride in the name. He'd been trained well. Very few had treated the name like a stigma. Like he was a freak for carrying it. They had learned their lessons well. He smiled to himself; like giving the playground bully a beat down, simple.
In an eye blink he drew and shucked the bowie knife into a picture on the wall. The bug, caught perfectly in the middle; on the tip of the blade, struggled and died. Ianto sighed in relief, he was sick of that little buzzing bastard. He set the camera down and walked over to retrieve the knife. He was bored, maybe a drink at the local Canteen would help.
He was dressed like the local militia. Sandy colored fatigues; accentuating his slim figure as he traipsed down the street. Ianto didn't like it, but he knew how to blend in and quite often it meant treating the women he encountered; like he owned them. A girl around his age was nestled under his arm. His hand possessively around her waist as he enjoyed his beer. He was waiting; he knew this was his mark's hangout. She was playing with his hair and despite himself he was enjoying it. Just what he needed; a chance to unwind.
Suddenly she was ripped from his arms and his beer was knocked out of his hand. Ianto's look darkened as the girl was thrown to the floor and told to clean up the mess. Standing before him was a brute of a man; sneering, arms crossed, and not the man he knew to be the leader. "Down Burckowitz…" A decidedly male voice chuckled. The bald goon stepped aside to reveal the young man's true mark.
He never knew the man's name. He never needed to. Somehow he managed to keep his glower as the obvious leader pontificated. Ianto couldn't say how many times he'd heard the same claims. Make this better; do that better, can't beat me, why not join me. It was beginning to bore him. In the end they all would die; begging for their life, their mother, or his mercy.
That last one was his favorite.
He'd yawn; he'd roll his eyes if he could. Man this guy could talk. Finally a break in the speech and he arched an eyebrow. Suddenly was being led out of the Canteen and into a Humvee. Would someone please explain how he was in the bar, enjoying a nice cold one. Next thing he knows he's headed to an obvious 'dumping ground' without having even said a word?
~TLA~
Blood dripped from his blades; smeared like war paint over his face.
A week of recon; wasted because he went for a drink. The captives; still bound, cowered against the side of the long empty building. He'd release them later. Burckowitz was trying to crawl away as Ianto stalked closer. Surely the beast of a man was now wondering himself; where this day had all gone wrong.
Ianto stopped and scanned the skyline. Another drug cartel gone before sundown. Earlier than he'd expected to move; but when the opportunity was there, just begging. Who was he; not to take it? He'd killed his mark first; the man barely had time to scream as Ianto plunged the knife into his back. The blade slipping through the seat like it was butter. The rest of them had been too stunned to move for a moment. Ianto taking full advantage of their shock.
One blink and they'd arrived; another blink he sprang free. Moving before the other men had even left their seats. Some warriors were noisy when they killed. Grunting; growling, and angry. Like the world had done them wrong. Ianto was silent; moving like a ballet dancer or an acrobat. He hadn't spoken a word all day and he still didn't. He supposed it creep-ed them out. Someone they couldn't bargain with. Someone they couldn't dissuade. He was death and he was coming for them. No ifs ands or buts about the fact. Burckowitz had pissed himself in fear. Ianto's nose barely twitched as he drew his weapon along the man's throat.
Pleading; they were always pleading.
TLATLATLATLATLATLATLATLATLATLATLA
She was waiting for him on the other line of the sat phone when he called. Crowing at the success of 'their' latest mission. Like she'd even really done much of anything. He'd killed; he'd spilled blood. Ianto had no qualms about doing so, but the way she was almost excited about it, didn't sit right.
He sighed; Ra's had warned him. The older man had never approved of the relationship. The fact hadn't stopped Ianto and Ra's had never said more about it. She'd been so different then; she'd changed. Almost right in front of his eyes, but he refused to see it. She'd become friends with Nyssa and ever since, she'd become someone else. Colder, driven and ruthless; seeing him as a way to the top. No longer seeing him as someone to love.
There was just enough of his Lisa left to keep him, but it was becoming hard to find. Still; he loved her, apparently he loved her enough to stay. He really should know better.
His next mission however, was about to test everything he thought he knew.
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Luv Y'as