A/N: chapter 10! Whoo! And 7 reviews! Double whoo! Thanks to all who reviewed, and all who may review in the future. As is typical, I don't own anything but the plot and a few OC's. Both are the product of my mind. I'm not making any cash off this. I may wish I was, but I'm sadly not. I still like writing it though.
DG spent hours the next day preparing them all to hit the clubs. She first helped out Blake, straightening out his clinging t-shirt and jeans, brushing his long copper hair into a loose ponytail. Cain had himself under control, not adding anything other than the shirt, pants and shoes. Glitch however, was getting into the act, letting DG line his eyes with heavy black eyeliner, and brush his hair so the curls, while still a bit on the messy side, looked better, framing his thin face. She even talked him into painting his nails black, saying it went along with the outfit.
Cain was having a tiny bit of trouble keeping his gaze off Glitch. If he'd thought his outfit was hot before, when he was all done up and his hair brushed, it was near nosebleed worthy now. He surreptitiously checked that he wasn't bleeding from his nose before forcibly turning his attention to DG, who was taking charge.
"Is everyone ready?" she asked, adjusting her sparkly dark blue tank top, which gave a good view of her flat stomach before her ripped up jeans riding low on her hips. "Yeah, I think so Deege," Blake nodded excitedly. "Are you going to be ok for the night Raw?" Glitch asked his friend, concerned. "Raw will be fine. I have food, TV, books," the viewer waved him off. "Alright. See you later Raw," DG lead them out the front door.
Cain watched Glitch walking confidently along, yet again swaying slightly to his own music. He couldn't help a little twinge of worry about how his zipper head was going to deal with being in a club once more, after the time he'd been forced to work in one when he first had half his brain removed.
"Hey Glitch?" "Yeah Wyatt?" "Are you…ok with us all going to a club?" Glitch glanced up at Wyatt, and saw how his pretty blue eyes swam with concern. "Of course I am. I'm really excited, I love dancing," he said, shrugging. Wyatt still looked worried. "Wyatt, just because I've had some bad experiences with something doesn't mean I stop loving it. Look at you," Glitch grinned at him, his eyes lit up in the dark with mischievous laughter. Wyatt sighed, unable to stay worried in the face of Glitch's wide-eyed optimism. Then, "Hey! Bad experiences? With me? Glitch what're you talking about?!" Glitch twirled away, laughing, leaving Cain to chase after him.
A line of people wound its way down the semi-crumbling sidewalk, and The Realm had just barely opened. "Must be really popular then," DG observed cynically. "I'd say so. Can we go in now?" Glitch asked, fighting the urge to rush down into the line of people. Cain noticed this, and caught a hold of the back of Glitch's belt to keep him still. "Down head case," he chuckled. Glitch batted his hands away, scowling slightly at him. "I'm not a dog Wyatt." "Oh yeah?" Cain snagged Glitch's belt again. "Heel." He kept Glitch by his side as they walked down the hill to the club, much to Glitch's annoyance.
He forgot all annoyance at the ex-Tin Man as they joined the line. They were bathed in the red light of the sign over head, and his body thrummed in time to the deep bass beat of the music inside. It was enough to almost make him forget the reason they were there; as if he could get lost in the music and all the bad things that were happening would go away.
Cain watched how Glitch's face lit up with enchantment as he took in the club. The look on his face was like Christmas had come early and he'd gotten everything he'd asked for. All just over some music and flashing lights. It was endearingly funny really. They moved through the line as it shuffled closer to the door. He was afraid the 'bouncer' as DG called him would recognize them, that the Witch would have told them to be on guard. Luckily, the bouncer was a few apples short of a bushel and wasn't paying attention. They got in with no problem.
At once sound and lights assaulted the small group. It was like the bass took control of their heartbeats and wouldn't let them breath properly. They had to either embrace it or be swept away. Glitch naturally threw himself headlong into it, letting himself move to the beat. "C'mon Wyatt," he tugged on Cain's arm. "No, I'll just sit," Cain backed up, only to find himself nearly pressed against Blake's chest. "No, Cain, you're gonna come out on the dance floor with us all," Blake said. "Alright, alright," Cain let Glitch take his hand and lead him out to the dance floor.
"Wyatt, you can't just stand there all stiffly like that," Glitch gyrated in front of Cain. "I can if I want. I'd rather be sitting down anyway," Cain had to nearly yell to make sure Glitch heard him. "Why can't you loosen up, like Blake and DG," Glitch giggled, glancing at the princess, who was pressed close to her prince, dipping low as they danced. "You cannot seriously expect me to dance like that," Cain gave him a look. "Well, maybe not like that, but seriously, dance, that's what we're here for." Glitch wouldn't let Cain just stand there, and grabbed his shoulders, making him move in time to the music.
"There you go Wyatt," DG called, watching as Glitch somehow got the blonde to start dancing. She suspected the inventor used his puppy eyes. That was the only way she could see Cain deciding to dance. He would never admit it, but he was wrapped around Glitch's finger, and was also a sucker for the big brown puppy eyes paired with trembling lower lip.
Glitch pressed himself up against Cain, pleasantly surprised when his lover anchored his hands on his slim waist, sliding down his leather-encased hips. The inventor was having the best time, and it wasn't just being able to temporarily throw away all his propriety, his manners, things that he had to have a care about in the Palace. It wasn't wrapping himself around Wyatt, their hips shifting together in time to the music, though that was rather nice. No, it was that no one gave them an odd, unfriendly look as they danced. No one called them freaks. No one cared, and it was the best feeling in the world for Glitch right then.
How much time passed none of them was certain of. But eventually, DG beckoned them to a booth against the wall, where they could catch their breaths and keep an eye on the people around. "That was awesome. Nice dancing there Wyatt," DG swiped her hand across her forehead. "Yeah? Well, had a good partner," Cain nodded at Glitch, who blushed, sitting next to him. "That was really, really fun," Glitch panted. "I'm actually kinda thirsty. Anyone else?" Cain, Blake, and DG were also parched. "C'mon then Wyatt. We'll get the drinks," Glitch stood, and Cain followed, wanting to keep an eye on his scatter-brained sweetheart more than just because Glitch told him to. Honest.
Cain watched, mildly amazed as Glitch handled getting the drinks with no problems whatsoever. As he said, it was just like in the OZ. The drinks were even similar enough that he knew what to order. Glitch wound his way through the crowds, a drink in each hand. Cain trailed after him, enjoying the back view Glitch so readily offered. In fact, he figured that it was how Glitch must feel, walking behind him. Until a large calloused hand blocked his view with a resounding slap.
Glitch stiffened, clenching his jaw as the unfamiliar hand smacked his ass. He could ignore it, it didn't hurt that bad. He'd had enough of it in the clubs in the OZ. It was something he'd learned to live with. Unfortunately, Cain didn't agree with that. Calmly, without saying a word, the ex-Tin Man set the drinks down. Glitch sat down, and sipped his drink, wincing as he heard the growled out threats and the meaty thuds and whimpering. Cain returned to his seat and calmly took a swig of his drink.
"What the hell was that?" DG asked, eyes widening at the faint bruises spreading across Cain's knuckles. "Well, I was enjoying the back view of Glitch, when some bastard decided to smack his ass. Uninvited I might add. So I had to teach him some manners. The hard way," Cain smirked. "Nice Wyatt. Very nice," Blake grinned. "I was planning on just ignoring it you know," Glitch leaned his head on Cain's shoulder. "But then he would've tried it again, and gotten even more obnoxious. This way, he knows to leave well enough alone, and that if he tries it again, I'll beat him into an even bloodier pulp than I just did." Glitch just rolled his eyes, though was secretly pleased that Wyatt was looking out for him, and took offense that someone would dare lay a hand on him.
"I haven't seen anything of interest, have you?" DG asked, finishing her drink. "Nope," Blake shook his head, his ponytail swishing back and forth. "Ditto," Glitch added, while murmured "No." "Then I think we should head back. We've been out for hours. We can come back in a few days, or scope it out during the day. We've still got some time left," she got to her feet and slid out of the booth. The three men followed, each more than a little dejected at the lack of clues.
Glitch leaned sleepily against Cain, yawning widely. Despite waves of exhaustion crashing in on him, he was still thinking and planning. He wished there was something he could do to help, someway he could find clues. But every time he tried to formulate any manner of plan, his thoughts drifted back to the club and the dancing, of the music twining around him and Wyatt, binding them together, of Wyatt's breath warm on the back of his neck. It was like he was drugged, and stumbled back to DG's house in a fog, unable to think clearly. Cain was forced to carry him up to bed, unconcerned, chalking Glitch's tiredness to over excitement from the club.
What was odd was that he felt perfectly fine the next morning. He could think clearly, and didn't feel at all tired. He couldn't recall if he dreamt or not though, which wasn't particularly strange in and of itself. He couldn't always remember his dreams, so none of them worried. The other three though had only felt a tenth of what Glitch had, only slightly tired, and not feeling as though they were walking in a thick haze.
"So, what do we do now?" Blake asked, gulping down half his coffee. "I don't really know Blakey. I'm at a loss. The Realm was the only lead we found. And last night was a dud," DG slumped at the kitchen table. "Couldn't find anything?" Raw asked softly. "Nope. We did have fun though," Glitch grinned cheekily at the others. "Yeah, some of us had a little too much fun, and had to be dragged up to their beds," Cain arched an eyebrow at Glitch, who had the good grace to look sheepish.
"True, we did have a bit of fun, but still, that isn't exactly why we're here Glitch," DG reprimanded gently. "I know, but it was like I couldn't help myself. It was almost like nothing else mattered but the dancing and the music and the lights," Glitch sighed dreamily. Cain frowned at that. "Maybe, if we go a next time, you should stay here sweetheart," he suggested. "What?! Why?" "I don't like how just being there totally threw you off like that. It smacks of something bad." "That's not fair Wyatt. I was just enjoying myself," Glitch sulked. "Yeah, and you said yourself, it was like you forgot why we're here." "Oh fine! I'll stay here next time, and sit in my lab like a good little inventor," Glitch snapped and stalked outside.
Silence filled the kitchen after the echoes of Glitch slamming the door had faded. Cain rubbed his temples, sighing. He felt bad, he hated making Glitch upset like that. But he was only looking out for him, really. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked. "Wyatt, I have no idea. I know you want Glitch to be safe, and you don't want anything to happen to him, but in all honesty, you gotta let him breath. It's not good to hover over him like you're doing," DG said gently. Cain let his head drop, "I do know that. But, I guess ever since the whole thing with Zero way back, I've been over protective. We've argued a lot more than before recently, haven't we?" "Just a bit," Blake answered. "Let me tell you, it's not been much fun." "Sorry," Cain muttered. "Don't apologize to us. Apologize to Glitch," Raw advised. "He's not far outside."
Cain took the advice and wandered outside. He didn't immediately see Glitch. It seemed like the yard was empty. Until he spotted a pair of long skinny legs dangling out of the big tree a few paces off.
"Glitch," he called up. "What? Am I not allowed to sit out and enjoy the day without an armed escort now?" Glitch asked icily. Cain winced, knowing he deserved that one. "You're allowed to pretty much do whatever you want sweetheart. I just wanted to apologize." "Is that so?" Glitch glanced down, not quite glaring but not giving Cain a friendly look either. "It is," Cain said. "And who says I want to accept your apology cowboy?" Said cowboy grinned wickedly, and tugged on the inventor's pants leg with a sharp jerk. With a startled yelp, Glitch fell out of the tree into Cain's waiting arms.
"That was a dirty trick Wyatt," Glitch crossed his arms, pouting. "Seems like it was, yeah," Cain leaned back against the tree, keeping them hidden by the broad trunk from anyone inside who might want to spy. "Yes, and another thing, I've now got bits of bark and lichen in my hair, and my shirt, and even my pants," Glitch nearly started a rant, until Cain cut him off by capturing his lips in a heated kiss, by far the most effective way of shutting him up.
Glitch finally pulled away when oxygen was becoming an issue, and cuddled up against Cain's chest, panting. "You're playing very, very dirty Wyatt. Not the best way to get someone to accept an apology." "And what would be the best way, since you seem to have all the answers?" Cain smirked down at Glitch. "Carrying me inside and getting me a dish of strawberries, cherries and apples with chocolate sauce." "Not asking for much are you?" Cain muttered, going inside anyway. "Hey, I've seen all that in the fridge thing. Besides, I'll take your apology then," Glitch said sweetly. "You are definitely something else head case, that's all I can say."
Even though they had made up, and the argument was over, Glitch still thought of how he could help out his friends. DG was right in that the only lead they had was The Realm. If he could just get there once more, preferably on his own, maybe he could find out some information. He had plenty of experience working places like that. And he would prove to Wyatt that he knew what he was doing, and had no problems being there. All he had to do was plan on when he would go. Oh, and not tell any of them.
The OZ. More specifically, the Palace in the library: "Sooooo…Wren," Wes leaned over the princess's book suddenly, startling her. "Wes! Sweet Gayle, don't do that," she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Sorry. But I was just wondering if you'd made up your mind about sneaking off to the Other Side?" Wes pulled up a chair.
Wren idly twirled her braid in her hands. "I don't know Wes, I still think we could get into a lot of trouble for this," she said nervously. "Yeah, and what if our parents and Raw are in trouble now, and we could help them?" her boyfriend countered with. It was a surprisingly good point. "Oh alright. But if we get into huge trouble, I'm blaming you," she sighed.
"What're you blaming him for?" Victoria and Kalm stood behind the pair. Both ducked their heads and looked up at them, trying not to appear guilty. "N-nothing," Wes stammered. Kalm raised his eyebrows, looking disbelieving. "Oh really?" "Really," Wren added. "You two, I think we've known you long enough to know when you're lying. Plus we heard your conversation," 'Toria grinned. The guilty couple gulped. "You did?" Wes gasped. "Yeah. When do we leave?"
Wren and Wes gaped. "You want to come too?" "Of course. Besides, we know what you're up to. And it's a rather good plan. It would be a shame if it went to waste because the Queen and Lord Ahamo found out," Kalm suggested breezily. "Oh…they're good," Wren said, awestruck. "Fine, you can come along. But we all share in the blame if we get caught," Wes warned. "Whatever you say Wes," Wren waved his warning off. "So when are we doing this?" Kalm and Victoria sat across from Wes and Wren so they could whisper and plan. "Well, how sure are you of being able to do this Wren?" Wes asked. "I've been practicing being able to summon travel storms with Auntie Az for quite some time now. I think I can do it," Wren said a tad smugly. "So, what do you guys think of tomorrow night? We can pack the essentials tonight and leave," Wes suggested. The other three agreed readily. "Just be ready to go. I'll come get you when both moons are at the highest."
Back on the Other Side, approximately a week after the first night at the club: If Glitch knew what the academy awards were or what an Emmy was, he would have given himself one for his performance during the week that followed their first visit to the club. It had been difficult to not betray his plan, especially around Raw, who could sense anything. But he'd done it. The time to sneak out had come.
A sliver of moonlight fell over Wyatt, sleeping soundly curled up on his side. Glitch bit his lip nervously. He felt a little guilty about sneaking out without telling any of them, particularly Wyatt. But he had to; he had to prove to them what he was capable of. He changed silently into his club clothes, carefully lining his eyes like DG had showed him. And just as silently, he crept out of the room and down the stairs, taking care to make sure they didn't creak. The door shushed closed, barely making a sound.
Glitch spared the house one more glance before he ran down the hill to The Realm.
A/N: sorry it was so short, but that just felt like the end of this chapter. I had a lot of trouble getting this chapter right. The next one will be long, I swear.