#faceofamonster

Only a few days out to sea was all it took for Cam to start getting antsy in his secret hideaway. A rarely used storage room in the ship provided excellent cover, and a few shifted barrels meant Cam had a hidden place to sleep and squirrel away whatever food he could swipe from the kitchen. Yes, a few of the crew were suddenly missing pillows and a blanket, but Cam kept his thievery to a minimum so he didn't draw attention to himself. It was easy enough to avoid the crew when all he had to do was slip through an opening he'd created in the floor or the wall, and the rest was keeping to the shadows. He'd listened to more than a few of his father's 'private meetings' while hiding in the rafters of his office, so doing the same in this ship was easy.

Unfortunately, hiding for this long was Cam's problem. He was an extrovert- he loved people, he loved talking, and he especially loved sunlight, all of which were unavailable while hiding in the darkest parts of a vessel this size. The closest he came to fresh air was the kitchen, further up the ship, and even that was at night when there was no sunlight to be found. On top of that, he had no idea how long this ship planned to be at sea. The uncertainty made the silence all the more maddening, but then he considered the alternative. The silence, as much as the consistent creaking and groaning of a ship could be silent, wasn't so bad when the other choice meant he was in chains in some rich bastard's basement. Some solitude might be exactly what he needed to formulate a plan, or so he told himself, and he pulled the blanket tighter around him.

-----

Adrik didn't often wander this deep into the ship, but the particular barrel the cook asked for weighed quite a bit, and having supernatural strength meant he was one of the go-tos for such a job. He didn't mind, it gave him a break from the usual chores of the ship, and he liked the silence that came with the storage rooms. Any outside noise, the activity of the crew members or sounds of the sea, were all blocked out when you came this far down, and it was a good place to relax when Adrik needed it.

The werebear quickly found the room he needed, and it took only a minute of searching to find the barrel. As he placed his hands on the unit in question, he froze as a bright green flick of something long and prehensile flashed around the edge of a nearby container. At first he thought it might have been a trick of the magically flickering lights, until it swayed lazily back into view a moment later. It was definitely a tail, the shape of which he couldn't place. Adrik watched a series of mirrored appendages – they almost looked like long, dark green scales – flex along the tip.

Curiously, Adrik peered over the first line of barrels, and he was startled to find a man fast asleep among the supplies. How this man had evaded the crew up until now, Adrik had no clue, but even more curious was the rest of the stowaway's appearance. On top of a bright green tail, long, black horns arched back from the corners of his forehead, and twisted away from his head towards the ends. His hair was about shoulder length and tucked loosely back into a pony tail, and upon closer inspection Adrik realized it was two different tones of green, split down the center. The ends of his fingers looked as if they were stained black, and his nails curled into dark claws.

The longer Adrik stared, the more oddities Adrik noticed. The tattered clothes of a noble were the last thing he would expect. Yet, the vest the man wore, though damaged and smudged with dirt, bore intricate designs stitched in gold thread. His blouse, if it didn't have a tear in the arm stained with blood, would have been of high quality, along this his mud-covered trousers and knee-high riding boots. This man had been in some sort of tussle, and Adrik could make a few, though speculative, guesses as to what might make a creature like him desperate enough to stow away on a ship.

What an odd one. Adrik thought to himself as he watched the man sleep, and he wondered just how long the wound on his arm had been left to fester. It'd probably need some cleaning....

It was about this time another of the crew came looking for Adrik, having been sent by the cook when Adrik didn't return in a timely manner. He wasn't known to dawdle, so he knew someone would be sent after him if he waited long enough. As soon as the door opened behind him, Adrik turned, and he placed a hand over the crew mate's mouth to silence her.

“Shhh,” Adrik whispered as he held a finger to his lips, and the young woman's eyes widened in surprise. “We have a stowaway,” Adrik gestured vaguely behind him. “Tell the captain that I will be up with him shortly.” The woman seemed confused but she nodded, and Adrik turned back to the man in question as she left the room.

Another moment of contemplation, and Adrik grabbed a length of rope off a hook on the wall. Then he reached behind the barrels, grabbed the man by the scruff of the neck, and hauled him up an onto the top of a nearby crate.

Cam woke with a start as the world tilted, and he felt himself being moved by a force he had no chance of stopping. He grunted as his chest hit wood, and he fruitlessly struggled to free his hands from the vice grip pinning them to his back.

“H-hey!” he cried out as rope replaced the grip on his wrists. By the time the world stopped spinning and he finally had his bearings, the rope had made it's way around his forearms, trapping them against his sides. “S-stop– no! I– I can explain-!” he squirmed, but he stopped as the rope suddenly tightened, almost painfully, around his wrists.

“We do not take kindly to stowaways,” Adrik rumbled, putting on an act as best his stoicism would allow. Compared to most pirate ships, this was arguably the one most likely to be lenient with stowaways, depending on the circumstance, but intimidation was all a part of the information gathering process. Thankfully, this man couldn't see the amused smirk on Adrik's lips from where he was bent over the crate, and Adrik intended to keep it that way. With an easy pull he grabbed the rope at the center of Cam's back and lifted, and Cam yelped in surprise as he suddenly found himself hoisted into the air. While Cam was rather slippery, his kicking legs and flailing tail forced Adrik to make a concerted effort to keep Cam suspended at his side, Adrik's grip remained firm. He walked Cam up to the top of the ship, maintaining silence despite Cam's occasional plea, and he stopped just in front of the door to the captain's cabin.

If this had been any other situation, Cam would have basked in his reunion with fresh air and sunlight. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by an intense dread that increased with each ascending step.

It was over. He'd been caught. Pirates like money, right? It'd be easy enough for them just to sell him off to Hannigan – and that disgusting bastard was likely to pay a pretty penny if they turned him in. Or, they might just sell him off to whoever wanted him. Even if the buyer didn't know what Cam was, he looked odd enough that by appearance alone he'd be interesting to a collector. He could try to escape once they were close enough to land – but if Hannigan or another trader got to him before that....

By the time they came to a stop, Cam's entire visage had visibly drooped, and it was then Adrik took note of the young man's ears. They were shaped almost like that of a donkey, only these protruded from the sides of his head instead of the top. A small small layer of black fur coated the outside, and based on their downward angle it looked as if Cam had lost some of the fight he had when Adrik first woke him up. He no longer wiggled against Adrik's grip, and his tail hung limply between his legs.

Then Adrik knocked, and, as if summoned by the sound, a sudden spark returned to Cam.  He stiffened in his bonds and steeled himself for whatever would happen next. Even if he was caught, and becoming a pretty piece in some sicko's collection was his inescapable fate, he could go down fighting. Cam wouldn't make selling him easy, that much he promised himself.

Cam writhed against his bonds one last time as he was hauled into the room, and he only caught a glimpse of a garishly decorated red and gold rug before he was dropped unceremoniously into a plush red couch.

For a moment Cam looked past the man in front him, presumably the captain, because he was distracted by the...almost gaudily opulent decorations of gold and red that covered the entire room. If it didn't all work... somehow– Cam would call it ridiculously out of place. It took another moment for Cam to peel his vibrant green eyes away from intricate gold furnishings, and through a few loose strands of green hair he finally focused a sharp glare on the captain.

His glare faltered.

Shit. He was hot. Really hot, and Cam made no attempt to hide the way his eyes traveled down the line of the v-in the captain's dark shirt, down to his navel. It wasn't his fault, who wore shirts where the neck dipped so low?! Cam's own shirt was partially opened, stopped only by the edges of his vest, but he'd never worn something that obscene. Unless it was in bed. It didn't help that the man was also covered in tattoos, and that made Cam want to use seeing the hidden parts as an excuse to get the captain undressed.

Before Cam could stop himself, he gave the captain a full once-over. His ears perked up, his tail flicked playfully behind him, and his next words followed like a reflex.

@leatherandsoil

The meeting had been pure chance… but if you believed in divine entities, Benny supposed it could’ve seemed like more.  He hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Typhon Ilios since before the war.  Before the bombs.  Not that they'd exactly been friends back then.  More like casual acquaintances that occasionally traveled in similar circles.  Supernatural circles.  The dragon had always felt too frivolous - too shallow for his own tastes, so he’d mostly steered clear.  Though he’d be lying if he didn’t admit to wondering what the dragon’s blood tasted like.

That day, he’d been sitting in a dingy, makeshift bar somewhere up north.  Most people just called it the Badlands, but he was pretty sure whatever was left of Yellowstone National Park was nearby.  He wasn’t here for any particular reason.  Just a guy between jobs looking for some rest and relaxation.  That was when Ty had walked through the door.  At first the vampire did a double take, convinced he was imagining things, but when the red-head grinned and swaggered up to him, there was no question.

Piercing blue eyes looked him over and the grin widened a fraction, before the dragon sat down across from him.

“I think you’re the first familiar face I’ve seen in almost a century.”

His voice was low, almost a purr, and held that seductive tease Benny remembered so well.

The vampire snorted.  “Guess that’s what you get for makin’ your nest all tha way up here, chief.  Pretty sure most a’ your lot headed for Europe when things started ta go sideways.”

Ty’s nose crinkled in disdain.  “Too much of a hassle.  Besides, Vault-Tec was incredibly amenable when I propositioned them for an underground mansion.”

Benny couldn’t help the low whistle.  “Your own vault, huh?  Can’t say that surprises me…”

“Would you like to see it?”

The words were said in such a hushed rush that the vampire wasn’t quite sure he’d heard right?  “Come again?”

Ty rolled his eyes as if having to explain pained him.  “I don’t come out often, but I was… bored.  Restless.”

Underneath the table where they sat, Benny felt the dragon deliberately run his foot up the vampire’s leg.  He arched a singular brow.  “Didn’t think I was your type.”  Not that he wasn’t interested, but he wanted to know more about where he stood. 

“You’re not, really,” came the dragon’s playful, but honest reply.  “But humans are so fragile.  I have to be careful.  Not that I don’t enjoy a challenge, but sometimes…”

“Sometimes it’s nice when things are easy.”  Benny finished the thought, understanding all too well.

Ty’s eyes met his.  “No strings, just some company…”  He looked Benny over again.  “And when you’re ready to leave, possibly a proposition?”

Proposition?  Now he was even more intrigued.  Plus, he liked that the dragon wasn’t assuming his stay would be indefinite.  Pushing back his chair, the vampire stood and nodded towards the exit.  “Lead the way.”

~///~

The time with Ty was… surprisingly freeing.  There weren’t any expectations.  Just good food, a clean place to sleep, and sex whenever they were both in the mood.  He was almost able to forget what the world was like out there.  Almost.  And for awhile Benny wasn’t sure if he’d ever want to leave.  But eventually the day came when he began to itch for more.  It seemed like Ty knew it before he did.  The dragon had prepared a pack for him filled with supplies and provisions.  “Are you ready to hear my proposition?”  Simple as that.  No beating around the bush with this guy, it seemed.

“Lay it on me, chief.”

The dragon revealed an elaborate plan to ‘liberate’ artwork from any galleries still standing around the US.  “I want to rescue and preserve whatever I can…”

“An’ add it to the lovely collection you’ve got going here,” Benny teased.

Typhon pretended to pout.  “It’s true that I benefit from this, too.  But let’s be honest here.  Very few people care or even remember the significance of these pieces.  I don’t want them for profit, I want to save them... to remember.  I can’t think of anyone better to help me do that.  Or who understands why it’s important.”

The vampire considered.  It wasn’t as if he had anything better to do.  And in a way, it was a noble sort of endeavor.  Plus, Ty was right - he got it.  Just because their world was gone didn’t mean they had to let it be erased entirely.  “Alright, tell me where you want me to start.”

~///~

That had been over a decade ago, and Benny had hit places all across the US.  Hell, he’d even gone into Canada and Mexico a time or two.  Some of the jobs were easy, some were a bust.  And some were like the one he was dealing with now - a pain in his ass.  The Kimbell Art Museum in what had once been Fort Worth, Texas was swarming with ghouls.  Far too many for him to handle on his own.  He’d radioed Ty for permission to seek out some local help, and after getting the go-ahead, Benny had started searching.  

Eventually, he’d been directed to a business that was located inside the remains of Love Field.  The former airport was now both a settlement and a base for the local ‘law,’ a group that called themselves the Texas Rangers.  It was impressive, really.  He hadn’t been down this way in at least 50 years and the growth was… almost hopeful.

I didn’t take Benny long to find the place.  Lucky Star Agency.  A sign over the door was emblazoned with a star nestled inside a four-leaf clover and a smaller sign had a handwritten phrase, “We Do What They Can’t.”  Cocky.  Benny found himself smiling against his will.  This certainly sounded like the place to be.  Hopefully this job wouldn’t turn out to be the one that proved un-doable.

As soon as the little one had left Finn, he wanted to reach out and touch Ty’s mind. He looked to the Big Dragon, it was a mind that was always close to his own and he knew just by instinct that he could touch it no matter where he was. But that just wouldn’t do right now. Vibrating with excitement Chirp had made a short jump to a secluded place and bounced in happy circles, then took off and winked out just barely a wingspan above the ground. 

When he arrived at his friend, and began zipping about in the warm air above his head. Chirp huffed, his mouth opened in what was his draconic equivalent of a smile. He didn’t need to take a breath! He could breathe just fine and did not need it for communicating! Finally, after being coaxed, he touched down but his wings kept flapping so that his front paws barely made contact with the flooring.  Finn, Finn, Finn. He repeated himself once more and darted in a circle.

It was so hard to make himself be calm, Typhon wasn’t calm either! Chirp was excited, but Typhon was.... The dragonling slowed his circling and sat. His tail stretched out along the floor behind him, the tip of it twitching and his neck stretched out, snout pointing up at his friend. The stillness only lasted a second and he leaped up onto the open space, then up to the back of the sofa. He pressed his head against his friend and hummed, trying to be comforting. 

Stelios lugged his tools and chemicals into the service elevator and pushed the button for the top floor.  The owner of this building, one Ty Chrysos, was a regular of his; cleaning and maintenance every week for two months with no signs of stopping.  He’d never seen the guy, but that wasn’t unheard of. Unusual, but not unknown. Stelios whistled between his teeth as the elevator doors opened and he stepped out onto the roof.  Really, it was pretty much a giant greenhouse-all covered over with glass and lots of plants. Lots of plants.  Which was probably the big reason for the weekly maintenance.  Clean out the debris.  Change out the filters, check that it was all in working order.  Shock the water and then be done for the day.      

He was just finishing up, bent over scrubbing out his shock bucket when he heard the elevator open. He turned his head to look, but thanks to the angle all he could see was plants and maybe legs. 

“Evening!” he called. “If you’re figuring on a swim I’m afraid you’ll have to wait.  I just shocked the water and it won’t be safe until tomorrow.” 

Okay, so. Perhaps sleeping with Ty had not been his best idea ever. It possibly was going to… complicate things. Or perhaps it would get it out of Ty’s system and he would leave him alone finally. The dragon had been after him since they’d met, maybe now that he’d gotten what he wanted, he would focus on work and not on Jack.

Although, if he were honest, it kind of bothered him, too, thinking that it could mean so little to Ty that he would be happy enough to just drop it now that he got what he wanted. But he had to focus on why he was there in the first place. He had a job to do and developing feelings for Ty would just make his job that much harder.

Well, developing more feelings than he already had.

He was an idiot.

He wasn’t sure what to expect as he came up to Ty’s room, running a hand through his hair anxiously. All he could hope was that the dragon wouldn’t gloat. By the time the elevator door opened, he had decided that he was just going to focus on work and nothing else. Maybe if he could keep their interaction professional it would actually work out for the better? That thought in mind, he stepped into his informant’s room, glancing around for him, a frown still etched on his lips.

@faceofamonster @majorjpitcairn

After an entire day staring at a computer screen, lunch outside was definitely something the doctor ordered. Ben was halfway through a burger and fries, John had his ... whatever, and the agreement was to not speak about work matters at all. So having a sidewalk-side table, they were attempting small-talk around bites of food.

@faceofamonster

What did it take to kill a dragon?

Apparently, a lot less than he had thought.

Some part of him had always thought of Ty as invincible, thedragon immortal and impervious to damage. But with half of his heart in Jack’schest, the dragon had one very powerful weakness. A mortal vulnerability.

They held the cop down. Bloodied, bruised and still it tookfour of them to hold him. Blades ripped through leathery wings, blood as hot asacid dripping, hissing, to the ground. It ran down the half-changed dragon’sface and chest, making him look even more pale than normal. Deep crimson eyeswere locked on Jack’s.