#cadenevans

I’m back! You guys remember that I do the writing thing, yes? It’s been a hot minute since I posted writing and I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more of you now! *waves nervously* Right, look, I know I said fluff but that will come later. And I know no one actually knows anything about Thomas, but he’s in this scene and this scene is necessary for the fluff. So, enjoy!

Caden backed up towards the center of the arena, keeping Thomas close. Sixteen infected stumbled from the shadows, their eyes not yet adjusted to the glare of the midday sun. He cast a quick glance towards the crowd, his eyes locking on Montgomery, a wicked grin twisted across the man’s face. 

There’d be no escaping the infected, Caden had seen it attempted before and he’d never been stupid enough nor desperate enough to try it himself. But this time things were different. He had Thomas, pressed against his back terrified of the monsters he thought he’d never have to face.

Weighing up his options, Caden turned his back on the infected for the few seconds he knew he had, and gripped Thomas’s wrist holding his focus. “Whatever happens, don’t run.” Thomas opened his mouth to protest, his gaze flicking between the infected and Caden. “They’ll chase you if you do. Just stay behind me, okay?”

Not waiting for Thomas to answer, Caden unsheathed the single blade he had been allowed to defend himself with and turned coming face to face with the first infected, its bloodshot eyes trained on them both. Barely pausing to think, Caden lunged forward, driving the blade through the base of its neck. Blood poured from the wound as he wrenched the blade free, to slash at the next. 

He lost count of the bodies dropping at his feet, the blood soaking through his clothes no longer worrying him. He thrust the blade through the chest of an approaching infected as nails dug into his shoulder. Caden whirled around, pulling the knife free as he went, and, in one swift movement, buried the blade in their abdomen. Warm blood spilled over Caden's hand. At the strangled gasp of his name, Caden’s head shot up. 

Thomas lowered a shaking hand towards his stomach, barely grazing the leather handle of the blade stuck in his gut before his knees buckled and he fell. Caden grabbed hold of Thomas, knees striking the ground hard but he barely registered the pain, instead focusing on Thomas, cradling him close, remaining infected forgotten. Blood spread rapidly, soaking Thomas’s shirt. Caden gripped his shaking hand in an attempt to prevent Thomas pulling the knife out. 

“Caden, I-” Thomas’s breath caught in his throat, his brows pinched in pain. 

“You’re okay. You’re gonna be fine, they’ll – they’ll help. They have to …” Caden adjusted his grip on Thomas, pulling him closer. “I’m sorry,” Caden said, his voice cracking. “I’m sorry.”

Thomas’s hand went slack in his own. One last whisper of air pushed past his lips and his chest stilled.

“Thomas?” Caden shook Thomas’s shoulders and his head fell to the side. “No.” He brought his hand up and touched Thomas’s cheek lightly, tears burning the edges of his eyes. “Open your eyes, Thomas,” he begged.

Caden dropped his hand and buried his head in Thomas’s motionless chest, sobs wracking his own body.  “Please, don’t leave me here.”

Tagged by @riftversus @chaos-reign @ratracechronicler and @nightskywriter (?)

I’ll tag you all back, as well as @forlornraven @katywritesbooks and @reeseweston (your boy is fine!)

Caden crashed into Nate, dragging him to the ground. Concealed behind the dying shrubs, Caden clapped a hand over Nates mouth and breathed as quietly as he could, “Not a sound.”

Look! I wrote more for Caden!

Shuffling from the hall drew Caden's attention away from the two fresh corpses at his feet. Wiping the blood from his knife on one of their jackets he concealed it once more and stood. “You know, it's dangerous to sneak up on someone with a weapon,” he said, not bothering to turn around.

“I'm not afraid of your blade, Caden.”

Caden turned to face Sevrin but he'd already moved from the door, inspecting the carnage. He stopped at the newest additions and grimaced. Caden knew what Sevrin was going to say, he'd said it hundreds of times over the last year. Perhaps he should have shown some form of restraint.

“It's Thomas, Sev.”

“I know, but did you have to take their fingers?”

BTB Caden:

Shouting echoed through the mansion, making it all the way to the kitchen where Caden sat watching Marion cook Master’s dinner. At the disturbance, Marion rolled his eyes at Caden, grinning all the while. 

“You best keep out from under Master,” Marion said, waving his knife in Caden’s general direction as he spoke.

“I’m too fast for Master.” To prove his point, Caden stretched across the table and snatched up a potato before Marion could swat his hand away.

The shouting grew louder. Caden looked up at the low ceiling, his confidence wavering slightly. Whether the source of Master Montgomery’s anger was because of Caden or not had always been irrelevant. Caden was Master’s favourite when it came to punishment and even now, safe in the kitchens, he could all but feel the sting of Philip’s whip on his back.

Marion pulled a plate from below the table and filled it with food. “Your parents aren’t here to protect you anymore, child.” He moved around the table, carefully placing the food in front of Caden. “And I’d rather not hear you scream again.”Caden hung his head, staring at the food, his appetite gone. “Do you think they’re still alive, Marion? My parents.”

Marion sighed, wrapping his arm around Caden’s shoulders. “The Glitch is an unforgiving place. No one returns. Pray they died quickly.” He ruffled Caden’s hair and moved back to his work. Caden picked at the food in front of him, keeping one ear on the shouting above them and one ear on the conversation around the kitchen. 

A servant girl burst through the door, startling everyone in the kitchens. Caden had seen her a few times around the house, she always had her arms full of sheets or clothes, it was odd to see her without them. Her eyes locked on Marion. “Master Montgomery,” she wheezed. “Someone tried to poison him.”

BTB Paxton:

Paxton ran a hand along the polished wood of his ship. Something that used to bring him such comfort now felt so cold. The crew had gone to the tavern and, though they asked their captain to join them, he chose to stay behind. Being alone used to be something Paxton enjoyed. Growing up in the castle there’d never been a moments peace and when he ventured onto the water for the first time, the wind in his hair, the smell of the sea filling his nose, he felt at home.

On the odd occasion, his father would join Pax and sailing became some type of bonding activity between the king and his youngest son. His father had died long ago, and Pax had avoided going home as much as possible since. Rowan had summoned him three times in the last year and each summons went ignored. Pax knew what he wanted and he didn’t want to think about it, so he explored the water. The one place Rowan would never follow him. 

Sometimes Pax wondered if marrying the King of Ferryn would be such a bad idea. At least he wouldn’t be lonely. But his betrothed was not a kind man. People even seemed to be questioning his sudden ascent to the throne. He and Paxton had been due to wed not long after Pax’s eighteenth birthday. Pax had refused and ran, finding a good crew and taking a ship from the royal yard. He doubted his brothers would let him slip away so easily a second time.

The commotion approaching the ship drew Pax from his thoughts. Half his crew stumbled down the road, the other half no doubt still wreaking havoc on the local tavern. Pax sighed and slipped unseen down the stairs to his quarters. Sleep would be scarce with the crew so rowdy, but sleep was not his priority. He had a course to plan.

Next: 

Look, a thing. A thing I threw together. Faces for the babies! Caden, Thomas, and Nathaniel

Yes, you can!! (I’m so sorry this took me an eternity to write up for you!!)

Caden Fluff!!! Look I promised, now I’m delivering! I guess I gotta make up for That Scene, yes? If you haven’t read it, you can find it here

Tag List: @reeseweston @forlornraven @ofvisitorsthefairest @cirianne @indecentpause @lady-redshield-writes @reining-in-the-fire-writing (as always let me know to be added or removed)

Caden hovered in the door listening to the melody Nathaniel coaxed from the piano. He could have stood there forever, content to get lost in the music. But, as beautiful as it was, he couldn’t let it continue, fearing the sound might attract unwanted company. He moved further into the room just as the clouds shifted and the space was bathed in silver light from the moon. Caden cleared his throat and the music faded. 

“I'm not in the mood for another fight,” Nathaniel said, barely turning his head towards Caden. He dropped his hands to his lap, tapping a silent rhythm against his knee.

Caden hesitated. He took a deep, calming breath and closed the gap between them. Without a word, Nathaniel slid across the bench making room on the once polished wood. Caden accepted his invitation and sat, resting his fingers lightly on the keys.

Nathaniel watched his movements with unnerving intensity. “Do you play?”

“No, I’ve only seen one of these before. Mas – Montgomery, he had a – well, you know.” He pushed lightly on the keys, making no sound. “I used to listen to you. It always seemed so enchanting, even when it was just a simple tune.”

“I could teach you if you'd like?” Nathaniel shifted, turning his body towards Caden, their knees brushing under the piano.

Caden laughed. It was harsher than he'd meant but Nathaniel appeared not to notice. Clearing his throat, he muttered, “I think it's a little late for that.”

Despite the darkness, Caden saw the smile tugging at the edge of Nathaniel’s lips. It was barely a ghost of a smile, though no less infectious, and he couldn’t help but return the gesture. 

“It’s never too late. Look.” With confidence Caden envied, Nate caught his left hand and positioned it on the keys. Placing his own over Caden’s he pressed each finger, filling the room with music again.

It was a broken version of the melody he’d heard moments ago, but Caden couldn’t focus on that. Instead, his eyes fixed on Nate. He was different like this. In the city they’d played pretend, a happy couple for the masses to see. In the Glitch they were constantly on guard, danger ever present. But here, in the relative safety of an abandoned house, the tension in Nate’s shoulders had eased.

“How’s your hand?” Caden slid his hand from beneath Nate’s, running his thumb gently over the bruise already spreading on Nate’s knuckles.

Nate shrugged. “How’s your face?” He pulled his hand back, examining the bruise. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you.”

“I should be the one apologising. You were right, I let my emotions cloud my judgment.”

The clouds shifted again, and moonlight streamed through the windows in front of them. The silver light illuminating Nate just enough for Caden to see Nate’s eyes linger on his forearm. The black ink of the tattoo begged to be spoken of, yet Caden never could find the right words.

“I’m sorry I pushed you into this,” Nate said, his voice soft.

Caden ran his thumb over the ink, still not entirely used to its presence. “You couldn’t push me into anything, Nathaniel. I chose this.” I chose you, he wanted to add but stopped when he saw Nate shaking his head.

“Marriage was my idea. You made it clear you didn’t want to, but I pushed. I should have tried harder, I should have-”

“Should have bought me?” Caden reached across the minute gap between them, taking Nate’s hands in his own. “Montgomery would have bled you dry.”

“But this, what we’re doing … two people who aren’t in love shouldn’t be married.”

Nate tugged his hand free, turning away. Caden’s empty hand hung in the air a moment longer before dropping to the bench. “Does that really matter?”

“Yes.” Nate stood abruptly, moving to stand by the windows, his back to Caden. “Maybe not to you, but most people find it ideal when the person they like reciprocates on some level.”

Caden froze, his eyes wide and lingering on Nate. He’d thought maybe – despite the messed-up circumstances of their partnership – the two of them could be friends. The idea of loving anyone again, of making himself that vulnerable?  

Caden followed Nate, slower than he would have liked, but he was aware the situation called for a gentler approach. He wasn’t sure how he felt, he only knew he felt something. If it was something more, and he ruined it now he’d never forgive himself. 

Stopping in front of Nate, Caden brought a hand up under Nate’s chin, drawing his attention away from the overgrown scenery. He paused. He’d never noticed how dark Nate’s eyes were before and he’d have been content to stay, frozen, like that for the rest of eternity. But his mind had other ideas. Moving before he could stop himself, Caden lowered his lips to Nate’s, brushing ever so gently against them before Nathaniel wound his arms around Caden’s neck, pulling him closer.

Time became meaningless in that moment. All Caden could focus on was the weight of Nate’s arms on his shoulders, the warmth of his breath, and the softness of his lips. Nathaniel’s lips.

Caden stopped. His heart clenched painfully in his chest. 

Pulling away from Nathaniel’s hold, he backed up towards the piano, putting distance between them again.

“Caden?” Nathaniel frowned, taking a tentative step forward. Caden moved back two.

“I – I’m sorry. I can’t.” He strode towards the door.

“Because of Thomas?” Nathaniel’s words hit him harder than any infected ever had. He heard Nathaniel moving behind him and attempted to track him across the room. “You’re allowed to let yourself feel again, you know.”

Caden shook his head, turning around he stumbled into the doorframe. Nathaniel was closer than he’d thought, barely a foot between them. Caden steadied his shaking hands against the decaying wood and whispered. “No.”

“No?”

“Just, no.”

“Caden –” Nathaniel reached for him, slower this time. Caden allowed Nathaniel to rest a gentle hand against his cheek. 

He leaned into the touch, wrapping his fingers around Nathaniel’s wrist holding him there. “Imagine you lost the one person who – who taught you to be human again, who taught you what it meant to truly feel for another person.”

“You can have that again. It isn’t something reserved for one person.”

I know no one knows much about these babies but here, I wrote a thing! This is prompt 29: I told you this would happen. Requested by @reeseweston and it’s 1/4 hence the use of a separate post rather than responding to the ask (at least for now) Prompt List.

Thomas shoved Caden into the nearest chair and began rummaging through drawers for medical supplies. “I told you this would happen.”

Caden pulled his shirt off, careful to avoid the blood on his face and arm. He’d made Thomas angry enough, he didn’t want to add the expense of a new shirt to the list. “What was I supposed to do? Let it go?”

“Yes!”

“He insulted you.”

“That’s no reason to start a fight.”

“It’s every reason. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I let people talk shit about you?”

“An alive one.” Thomas handed Caden a glass full of cloudy white liquid. A painkiller. On their way home, Thomas had insisted on stitching up a particularly nasty gash on Caden's bicep. Caden had thought he was kidding, knowing his aversion to the wretched things, but the familiar stink of the liquid in his hand said otherwise. He took the opportunity to ditch the drink, placing it under his chair when Thomas turned around.

Thomas turned back to Caden, and added, “The City Patrol is already hunting you down because of this.” He put his hand over the house crest branded on Caden’s chest. “Don’t give them another reason to take you away.”

He went to move his hand. The spark in his eye Caden loved so much was gone, replaced by a sadness that should never have been there in the first place. Caden curled his fingers around Thomas’ wrist, stopping him. “I’m sorry.”

“It was reckless. This isn’t the Glitch. You can’t solve everything with a fight. You risk your own safety because of a silly little comment and I … I – stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” Caden couldn’t help the corners of his mouth twitching up into a smile.

“Like you're a kid from Limbus and I'm a piece of candy.” He folded his arms across his chest.

Caden wrapped an arm around Thomas’ waist, drawing him in close. “I am a kid from Limbus, and you're as sweet as,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Thomas’ cheek. 

Colour instantly blossomed across Thomas’ cheeks and he fought off the smile threatening to overtake his frown. “I’m still mad at you.”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

Thomas unfurled his arms, resting his elbows on Caden’s shoulders, wounds temporarily forgotten. “I don’t see how.”

Caden looked up into Thomas’ eyes and, without hesitating, said, “Marry me.”

Thomas threw his head back, laughter shaking his whole body. “Ask me when you're not high on medicine …” he trailed off spotting the full glass next to Caden. His gaze snapped back to Caden’s, eyes sparkling once again.