A/N: Here's a couple of short bits I wanted to write last night, but I ran out of time…

The sweet lull of music drew Sol to the temporary border between the Hunt and the Seelie. He gazed over at the Seelie side, shaking his head slightly as he listened, his gaze scanning the clearing. It was good to keep an eye on them. Seeing a familiar figure approaching, he narrowed his eyes slightly as he focused on them.

Clae's bow and quiver filled with arrows were over his shoulder, ready for the fight. His demeanour seemed casual however, as he adjusted his gloves, before running a hand through his hair. Sol scanned him for a moment, before returning his gaze to the clearing. Clae still looked mostly the same since Sol had known him in the Seelie, as if not much had changed. "Trust the Seelie to delight in music during wartime," Sol remarked, a hint of contempt in his voice, if one strained enough to hear.

Clae gave a light laugh, letting his hand fall back to his side. "Ah Sol, don't tell me you miss it. You know the Seelie wouldn't take you back again. Besides, there is nothing wrong with some music to keep the faeries calm and collected."

Raising his chin proudly, there was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. "I'm content where I am. I won't ever need the Seelie to take me back."

"Let's hope you're right," Clae replied, looking amused. "I wouldn't want any lingering regret. After all, it must be hard going from keeping company with sophistication to… savages."

Sol ignored his words pointedly, raising a hand to slowly adjust the feather in his hair. He still used the one from Kesse's wings, for he hadn't yet found a better one, and he still liked the thought that he'd 'won' it. "Don't expect the Hunt to assist the Seelie in any matters or battles after this," he commented, carefully. "If you want to follow up at the Unseelie's base, you will do it alone. The Hunt will be going back to being impartial in matters after this. We just want to be left alone, without the Seelie meddling in our matters."

Clae inclined his head, although it wasn't in agreeance, but more a fake kind of politeness. "We are aware. Although I can't help but think that it may be hard for the Queen to leave the Hunt alone, especially with her interest in a particular Hunt faerie."

Sol glanced at him subtly, although he didn't give him the satisfaction of asking what he meant by that. Besides, Clae would not answer anyway - it was something Sol would have to find out himself. "The sooner the battle happens, the better. I could do with a fight," Sol said instead, his hand resting against the hilt of his sword. "Do stay safe." He did not particularly mean that of course. But while he would not admit it, he did miss such word battles and twisted meanings of the Seelie. There were few at the Hunt who were a match for him.

Once again, Clae inclined his head as Sol turned away. "You too. Although I'm sure there is nothing to worry about."

Sol merely gave a slight smirk in return. Clae would undoubtedly be out of trouble, away from the front lines. With the archers, perhaps. He was more a messenger than a fighter, while Sol knew he himself was skilled at the latter. Assured in his own abilities, Sol started away, heading deeper into the Hunt territory to continue his jobs.

He found however, that the music of the Seelie followed him long after he left.

A loud knocking at the door drew Jai from his sleep. There was voices as well, shouting something, although they were muffled, and he couldn't quite make them out. The knock sounded again, and Jai sat up quickly, reaching for his glasses beside his bed, his hand stumbling in his nervousness. Finally reaching them, his fingers curled around them, and he put them on properly so that he'd be able to read the time on the clock beside them. Three am? No wonder he was still half asleep, as they'd only just gotten back from their shift not that long ago.

His gaze went to Finn who still lay beside him. He curled his legs up, looking frightened. "What do I do, Jai?" he asked, a slight quiver to his voice. "They-… they want money and I don't have it."

"Finn," he started, keeping his tone and expression calm and even. It wouldn't help to snap or take his anger out on him, even if he was frustrated. "How did they get this address?"

"I don't know…. They must've followed me back here, or somethin,'" Finn stammered, putting his hands over his ears when they knocked again. "I swear I didn't tell them about here."

Jai hesitated, wondering what to do. If he answered the door, they'd likely be attacked or worse, for he didn't know what kind of people they were. Anything could happen in the Towns, and no one would bat an eye. Especially in parts like these. If he didn't answer, then perhaps they'd knock the door down anyway. Regardless, avoiding answering seemed like the safest option for now – perhaps they could pretend they weren't home or something like that – but he supposed he should be ready, just in case. Moving as if to get up, Finn reached out to grab his arm, to stop him.

"Don't leave. Please Jai, don't listen to them. Don't leave me. Please." Jai sighed as he glanced back at Finn's expression, the shadows from the faint light dancing across his face. He looked younger and more vulnerable than usual.

Jai became still again, and Finn moved closer to him, his dark hair tickling his arm. They would just have to wait it out and hope that the Downworlders at the door would leave them be for now. If not, then… his hand reached out to pick up a book from his bedside table. It wasn't much of a weapon, but he didn't keep anything else, and a good whack from a heavy book could still do a little damage. Resting it in his lap, he kept one hand over it to keep it balanced, his other grazing Finn's side lightly, for he still hadn't let go of his arm.

"They'll go away," he murmured, straining to hear if the voices were still there. "Just go back to sleep." He could not hear the voices anymore, and he held on to a shred of hope that they were gone for now.

He'd wondered many times how he could protect Finn from his own recklessness. His obsession with gambling was putting him in many dangerous situations, and Jai was at a loss of how to make him grasp common sense. For now, he would deal with it quietly, he decided, trying to form a plan in his mind.

"I'll get the money, Jai. I'll get them to leave us alone," Finn mumbled, his breath warm on Jai's skin, and Jai closed his eyes for a moment. He wished he could believe that, but he knew it wouldn't happen. Finn was in too deep to get himself out so easily. No, he would deal with it for now. He resolved to stay back and talk to Nyx the next day about getting some of his pay early. They might be left alone if Jai stepped in to manage it, paying them off steadily, as often as he could.

Jai didn't respond, staring out of the doorway. He doubted he'd get back to sleep, his heartbeat still quick and loud in his ears. He'd prefer to keep watch anyway, to make sure their throats weren't slit in their sleep.

Blinking tiredly, he brushed some hair away from Finn's forehead. "Just go back to sleep," he repeated. He couldn't help but feel the prick of relief that they had left, the apartment once again silent, save for Finn's slow breaths.

He stayed in that position for a long time, until the sun rose again, the book still clutched in his free hand.