Prince AU AU (so meta O_O )

[notyourrookie]

The Charon base is a maze of rooms, designed to be confusing for those who didn't know the layout. Where the main training centres for the young assassins were rigidly ordered, this place was designed to confuse, to keep people off-balance. It was smaller than the main compound, with corridors that twisted and branched and filled with cells; the place where Charon kept prisoners, and, more importantly, those trainees and assets too defiant to obey, but too skilled and useful to simply be disposed of.

He doesn't know how long he's been there. Could be days. Could be months. The days have long since blended into each other, an unending foggy blur. They have him strapped down again. They usually do, not given any chance to escape even at night, even though... why... why would he escape? He belongs with Charon. He belongs to Charon and...

The chair is metal and hard and cold, wrists strapped down to the arms, straps holding him down, even around his neck. There's a needle in his arm, and some liquid slowly running through him that glows with the tinge of magic. Doesn't know what it is. It isn't his place to ask. Just to obey.

They keep asking him things, the masked figures who run things. Never sees their faces. They ask questions, they tell him what he needs to know, what he needs to think, and it's becoming easier day by day, to believe it. They're correcting him, fixing him. Making him how he should be.

Comments

[depthlesslock]

Too long. It's been far too long since Wash went missing. The first night, they had been worried, but thought maybe he was preferring to take a night for himself, they all did that now and then. But when he wasn't see at all the next day, or the day after, or the day after...

Delta had to talk York out of storming Charon then and there while North held him back. It would be suicide, not to mention dangerous for the kingdom as a whole for one of their monarchs to make such a move against the powerful company. If they wanted their lover back, they had to play this carefully.

"Carefully" had taken far too long for York's liking, or any of the others'. They were all twitchy, none of them slept well. They had claimed a long hunting trip and tracked down where they were keeping Wash. There was no way they could get in alone so, with great care, they tracked down a group of assassins who firmly believed in honor and were horrified enough by Charon's doings that it didn't take much to persuade them to help with the attack.

Now, finally, they were by the walls, Delta back at camp, the rest disguised amongst the assassins. They waited for the signal, then Sigma set the wall on fire.

[notyourrookie]

The wall burns slowly at first, but it quickly grows to a raging blaze fed by Sigma's energy. The guards start rushing to combat it, leaving only a skeleton crew guarding the entrances. Easy to pick off for the assassins York has hired.

But that still leaves them with having to find Wash, and the compound is a maze, full of tiny rooms and with no idea where Wash actually is.

[depthlesslock]

They have to split up. They don't want to, but there's no way they can cover enough ground as a group. They stay in pairs and hurry through the compound. The assassins are eager to free anyone they can, but they're also baring in mind the description of Wash. At least York hopes they are.

They run into a few adversaries, but most are dealing with the fire or else a little panicked by it and taken out. York tries not to let desperation get to him, he's no good to Wash or anyone dead.

[notyourrookie]

Deep inside the compound, the person in the room with Wash ups the dose of whatever they're giving him and roughly gags him so he can't cry out, before leaving the room to find out what is happening. It's obvious now that it's more than a fire and every hand is needed to repel the attack.

The conflict gets harder as they travel further into the compound, with the guards better trained because of the more dangerous prisoners.

[depthlesslock]

York ducks as his assassin partner throws a knife at the Charon fighter behind him. It sticks in his throat and he goes down choking. York grits his teeth and steps over the dying man with a nod of thanks to his companion. He's limping slightly from a gash in his leg, but it's not too deep, he's fine.

They head deeper into the base, marking corridors with a stick of chalk because the assassin came prepared and knows what she's doing. They finally reach a row of cells and, armed with his full lock-pick kit and magic, York starts opening them all.

[notyourrookie]

These cells are a little different to the ones closer to the entrance. Those had been designed to hold prisoners. They'd been bare but recognisable. These ones however... The first cell that York opens is empty, but there's a chair against the wall, straps attached to the metal frame, and some unfamiliar equipment on a table against one wall.

[depthlesslock]

That doesn't look good. While the assassin guards the door, York slips into the room for a quick look around. What do they do here? Is this what they're doing to Wash? He hurries out again and they move on to the next door. They need to find Wash quickly.

[notyourrookie]

The next few cells are empty, although there's signs of recent occupation; blood on the straps of the chairs and a sickly sweet scent in the air.

The next room however is more heavily locked, and through the rate in the door there's a flicker of movement.

[depthlesslock]

With every room and the signs of struggle and torture, York is getting more frantic. When he reaches the heavily locked room, it takes him a moment to focus enough to get his magic working. The assassin puts a hand on his shoulder to help steady him and after a few deep breaths, he reaches for the lock.

His magic flows through his fingers, feeling it out, the mechanisms and tricks, and he reaches for his kit, selecting the necessary tools and following the magic to pick the lock carefully until the door finally swings open.

[notyourrookie]

The door finally opens releasing more of that sickly sweet smell and the sound of heavy breathing.

Wash doesn't look up when the door opens. It's questionable if he even notices it. His wrists are bloody from the restraints, and his eyes are glassy and distant. There are bruises on his arms; signs of how many times he's been through this, and the tube attached is still pumping that odd liquid into him.

[depthlesslock]

Both York and the assassin recoil from the smell, covering their noses and mouths and trying not to cough. The reason for the scent's strength quickly becomes clear. The room is still in use.

York barely manages to stop himself rushing to his lover. This could be a trap. He makes his way cautiously over, nausea and anger growing in him at the sight of the state Wash is in. What are they doing to him?!

As soon as he gets there, he brushes his hands soothingly down Wash's arm, then takes the needle out. Is this the brainwashing Wash had mentioned do long ago? He dreads to think and starts on the restraints, quietly murmuring reassurances to him.

[notyourrookie]

He flinches at the touch, trying to pull back even though he's held down and unable to move. He makes a soft noise when the needle is removed, but other than that, he doesn't respond, still obviously confused and under the effects of whatever drug had been given to him.

[depthlesslock]

York stops his murmurings, as much as he longs to comfort and reassure him. But if he has been brainwashed, that won't help. It may even turn him on him.

So he grits his teeth and finishes getting the restraints off, then reaches up and takes the gag out of his mouth, dropping it unceremoniously on the floor.

[notyourrookie]

Even when the gag is taken off, he doesn't respond, although his breathing eases out slowly. That's the only change, otherwise his stare is still blank and hollow and unfocused.

[depthlesslock]

York swallows and takes a moment to stay himself. This must be reversible. Their can get him out of this, they have to.

'Wash? Can you get up? We have to leave.'

[notyourrookie]

He frowns slightly at the question, mouthing the words back as if he doesn't quite understand them. Leave? He isn't supposed to leave. "S'pposed to stay," he says, voice a bare whisper.

[depthlesslock]

'Not anymore,' he says. How is he supposed to do this? Pretend to be part of Charon? 'The base is on fire, we have to go.'

[notyourrookie]

Wash gives a soft whimper at the harsh tone of his voice., but shakes his head. This is a test. It has to be. Test his loyalty. "No. I can't."

[depthlesslock]

His heart aches to hear him, but they're running out of time. Eventually the fire will be put out and everyone will come swarming back. Also the smell of this room is making him feel sick and dizzy.

'Orders from the leaders,' he tries. 'Everyone is to leave.'

[notyourrookie]

Wash seems not to hear him for a long time, just staring at him as if trying to place him. There's something that isn't quite recognition in his eyes. But finally he gives a short nod, even if he doesn't make any attempt to get up.

[depthlesslock]

The lack of recognition in his eyes, the fact that he hadn't immediately jumped in relief at York's appearance, it's all making his heart sink a more and more. But they'll get through this, and Wash nodding is the first step.

'Okay. You need to get up.'

[notyourrookie]

He gives a dull nod and then slowly pushes himself to his feet, swaying unsteadily and staring at the floor. He's lost weight since being here, and he's spent several days restrained in this one room this time.

[depthlesslock]

York can barely keep the horror from his expression as his gaze rakes over his lover. He looks pale and thin, the bruises and grazes standing out agonizingly against his skin.

'Come on,' he says, struggling to keep his voice steady. 'We have to be quick. Can... Can you walk?'

[notyourrookie]

Even if he wasn't able to walk, he'd still try right now if he's ordered. Doesn't have the energy or the will to resist, with the drug still coursing in his veins.

"Yes sir," he says softly.

[depthlesslock]

That... that is just wrong. Wash had called him "sire" or "your highness" a couple of times right at the beginning and a few times since then in jest or because other people were around. But sir? It's all York can do to not correct him. Once they're out, then they can start undoing this.

'Good. Come with me then.' He starts heading back to the door, keeping an eye on Wash.