Notes: Written for avari_maethor's prompt on the twislash_100 drabble meme.
Title: in this cruel reality with no place for me
Fandom: Twilight series
Pairing: Marcus/Seth
Prompt: Aro does something bad
Words: 262 words
Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series, it is the property of Stephanie Meyer. I'm just following my muses wherever they might take me.
. in this cruel reality with no place for me .
The first thing that tells him that something is wrong is the scent of blood.
Not just anyone blood – it's Seth's
It's that which sets an extra flame burning in Marcus' chest. Something is wrong and Seth is hurt and he shouldn't be because he should be safe.
When he finds Seth, he's curled up in a tight ball on the couch in their sitting room. There's a bandage wrapped around his neck that wasn't there before and his eyes look tired and dead. He flinches away from Marcus when he reaches out to him.
"Don't. Please." His voice sounds so broken.
Marcus' heart cracks. He doesn't know what to do, what's happened. The words are stuck in his throat.
So he simply sits there, on the floor, waiting.
Eventually, Seth uncurls from his tight little ball and slowly drags himself to the floor and slides his arms around Marcus' waist. He's trembling when Marcus pulls him tightly into his embrace.
"I'm sorry."
Marcus kisses his temple.
"I couldn't stop him."
For a split-second, Marcus is confused, then the scent of blood, the faint scent of Aro registers and his hold tightens even more. He feels an anger he's never known burn intensely inside of him and it's just Seth's vulnerable state that keeps him from going to rip Aro's tongue out.
"Don't." Marcus eventually manages to find his voice, but it's rough. He feels Seth flinch again.
"This is not your fault."
Seth relaxes a little, but he's still trembling.
It will be a long time before he's himself again.
FIN.