#alternate view

“Almost there, sugar.” A voice murmured through the chaos. Clint. He longed for him, he was safe with Clint. He knew it in his soul.

In some of his dreams, Clint’s wolf had been there protecting him. He treasured those few dreams where the wolf had found him. Though the wolf had always been out of reach, it’s presence allowed him to rest. He’d wanted to cling to it and make sure it couldn’t leave him. He had begged brokenly to join it, to just stop.

His heart stuttered in his chest, drowning out the rumble of Clint’s voice.

The car rocked and Kristy’s power was ripped away as his body was thrown against the seat, knocking what little air he had from his chest.

Hands clutched at him in the darkness and he was able to choke out a mewl as more pain engulfed him, tearing him to pieces as he was lifted out of the vehicle. ....Help.....

His body rocked, the blanket rough against his skin as he was carried. Everything moved too quickly, confusion eating at him. Hot air blew against his face, against his lacerated feet, before the cool dampness of a cellar stole the warmth. Fervent howling grated at his sensitive ears, rousing him further. Echoing against metal and stone. Nonono..... she’d promised.... they were going to Evan's... right?? He wrestled with his heavy eyes, unable to make out his ominous surroundings.

He remembered the pits his captor had controlled. They’d thrown him in with creatures too hungry or ravaged to think. Beings that tore his body to pieces, beings that fed on his mind, or played crueler games. The sickeningly green power pushing life back into him and stitching him back together inch by inch, piece by piece. No... let him die.... please let him die..don’t take him back there... Nico wanted to beg, betrayal overwhelming him. He twitched in his loose restraints, suppressing the urge to fight. To hide.

Cold metal pressed against his back, through the fragile warmth created by the blanket encasing him. The cold metal was inescapable, feeding the chill of fever eating his bones. Like the metal cage... please no.... let him out....

A new voice joined Clint’s baritone, igniting a low fear. The voices rumbled above him, anger and fear lashing against him, making him shudder with terror. Strong hands pulling at his arms, restraining him. Murmured voices floated through the darkness around him, grief in the cadence, the voices familiar.

They took him back......But Clint had promised.

He pulled weakly against the hands, shuddering. Clint. Please. Warm hands gripped his face and he shook his head. Please. Please no more.

“It’s okay, Sugar. It’s okay.... shhhh...”

Clint... His presence sparked against his. Almost drowning out the sharp prick at his neck. Something seeped into his veins, burning cold like ice water. Nico twitched into Clint’s hand, leaning against it.

“It’s okay, Darlin’, you’ll feel much better soon.” Please stay. Please. Make it stop. He’ll try harder. Be better.

The pain didn’t stop. He bit his cheek, trying in vain to stifle his sobs. Pets are quiet, let them do what they want. Fingers and rough cloth pushed against his skin, scraping at the weeping wounds. Nico sobbed, unable to control it as fingers maliciously pushed at his shoulders, pain ricocheted through him as they pulled against the damaged ligaments.

Blood roared in his ears until a new pain ignited in his flank. Nico gasped weakly, fear of that particular mutilation breaking him. “‘Lease....nnn...nnn...” Be good.... promise.... please... Clint please come back......Hands pushed against his hips and he screamed, the world searing his vision before winking out. “M’orry.....’lease.... be’ood....s’op....’lease...” He struggled to stifle his begging as a voice shushed him, the smaller pains continuing, easier to bear. Try harder....be better.... please....not again…..

He grunted in surprise as fire invaded his veins, replacing the ice that had been flowing into him like a river. It oozed like lava through him, thawing the ice in his bones. It was too much.

—-

Clint clawed at the seat Evan had pressed him back into, focusing on the way his nails whittled at the soft wood. The sharp pain of the needle in his arm. They were his only distractions.

The smell of blood and infection hung heavy in the air and he could hear Brian heaving behind his clenched lips. He kept his gaze focused on the dribble of blood drying on his arm from where he’d pulled the original needle. The blood was thick in the dark hair.

He fixated on his own blood, burning the sight into his memory. Clint fought the urge to stare at Nico. When he looked up, he could see the way Nico’s skin didn’t fit together right, revealing the muscle underneath. It made sick anger boil in his belly. This should never have happened.

Nico’s scream had nearly undone him, his wolf going feral as it had tried to claw its way to the surface. Evan had never had to use his power on him before; he was both resentful and grateful. Without the order, he would have torn the man to shreds.

There was a tremulous exhale from the table and Clint tensed, debating on whether to look. A low moan forced his head up, heart clenching. Evan had rolled Nico to his side, Brian’s hands supporting his lax frame. Horror suffused him, without the blanket to shield him he could see the scars and wounds that covered Nico’s back.

Tears instantly blurred his vision and he pressed his fist against his mouth to stifle a grunt of horror. Fuck. I’m sorry, Baby. I’m sorry. Clint had felt as if something was wrong for months, unable to get ahold of the shy man. Night terrors had plagued him, furthering his fears. He had shrugged it off. He should have listened. His wolf had been telling him something was wrong and he hadn’t listened.

Tears fell down his cheeks and he scrubbed at them roughly, careful not to dislodge the needle collecting his blood. It was the only thing he could do now. He felt dizzy as Evan came to collect the third bag, swaying when the man tapped his shoulder in reassurance.

A cold pressure pulled at his heart and his wolf startled, instantly making him alert. A desolate howl pulled at him, ringing eerily through his head. He shuddered, whining as the bleak sound made his bones shudder. Nico.

Evan spoke to him but he didn’t comprehend as he stumbled from his seat to Nico's side. Clint fumbled at Nico gently, carding a hand through wet hair. He stroked a thick thumb against Nico’s limp knuckles, pressing a kiss to the bruised flesh.

Hi Baby, it’s okay. I’m right here....

Clint could feel his mouth moving as he stroked Nico’s hair. He focused on the feeling deep in his chest, burying his nose in the damp locks. Got you now, Darlin’...

—

His soul howled. Nico could feel his body shuddering, besieged by the onslaught. The fire helped shield him from the torment. He felt a resounding thump in his chest, igniting his soul like a bonfire.

Nico heard the pop of a wood fire and jumped, eyes fluttering. What? Light sparked in his vision before disappearing. Something laved against his face, rough and cold. A deep whine rumbling against his soul, pushing at him. A comforting warmth settled against his heart, before nudging against his cheek. The sensation was strange but comfortingly familiar.

He knew this.

He knew this like he knew himself. Like he’d been waiting for it, longing for it. There was a high whine in his ear, impossible to ignore. Nico wanted to acknowledge it. A foreign reassurance settled him, pushing shattered pieces of himself back together. Something warm chuffed against his face, heaving panting breaths onto his cheek before licking at his eyes.

Emotions that weren’t his battered against his consciousness and fear made him fight against it, unwilling to leave the warmth he’d found. He felt safe. He could almost smell the smoke from the fire, the cigarette he and Clint had shared. When was that? There was another sharp nudge against his face before a growling whine startled him.

The weight resettled against him and at the same time he felt the push of emotion on his consciousness. He didn’t fight this time, allowing it to flow through the cracks in his psyche, in his heart. Nico could feel the magic in the presence and a small fear thrummed before the presence backed away easily, waiting patiently.

The patience was unsettling. When was the last time he had been met with that? The being nudged against his fingers, slathering them with cold fluid. What?

His eyes opened slowly, a soft blue light illuminating his surroundings. Where-? A blue campfire crackled in front of him. There was a chuff of air against his fingers, and a warm weight resettled against his hip. He tensed, expecting pain. The weight was soothing, bringing tears of relief to his eyes. It didn’t hurt.

Warm yellow eyes met his.

Tears scorched his eyes at the sight and recognition surged through him. Clint? There was a happy whine as the wolf inched his way up his chest. A tail thumped against his leg, making the large body wiggle. He didn’t question the sight of the large animal, sobs of relief shaking him.