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.

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[notyourrookie]

Wash doesn't notice it. He's been surrounded by it since he was brought here. He leans heavily against York as they make it towards the door and then out into the hallway.

[depthlesslock]

The assassin's waiting for them at the door, guarding the hall. The smell isn't quite so strong here, but it still feels like it's clinging in his lungs. The assassin glances at him, then at Wash, nods and starts leading the way back the way they came.

[notyourrookie]

He hesitates at the door, staring around for a moment in confusion. He doesn't remember where he is, or where they're supposed to be going. He doesn't remember much from outside the base right now. All he can do is hold on and let himself be guided. Because that's his purpose isn't it? To obey.

[depthlesslock]

Thank the Gods the assassin seems to know where she's going because between keeping up with her and keeping Wash upright, York has lost track. The hallways seem to stretch on and on and the smell of smoke is beginning to twist in the air, but finally there's light up ahead and then they're at the door, still and quiet while the assassin checks that the coast is clear.

[notyourrookie]

Wash moves like he's in a trance, letting York guide him wherever he wants at the moment with no resistance. He seems dazed, not paying any attention to anything around him; something that would have been unthinkable the last time York saw him. Even when they reach the door, with all the clamour of the fighting going on outside, he doesn't react.

[depthlesslock]

It's wrong, it's so wrong him being like this. York is now pretty sure that they were brainwashing him. How long will it last? Will they be able to break it sooner, given it looks like he was being actively injected with something?

He forces the thoughts out. They have to get out of the compound alive first. The assassin gives the signal and they hurry across the yard, keeping close to the wall.

[notyourrookie]

He doesn't respond at all to what's going on around him. His mind is still too occupied with days and days of retraining, everything tangling together in his head until he can't think straight. Can't really think at all except to do what he's told.

He still moves silently though, that physical conditioning staying with him even now.

[depthlesslock]

They meet some opposition on the way. The assassin takes care of most of it, but sometimes York has to let go of Wash and help. Each time, he's terrified that he'll turn back and Wash will be gone, but so far he's still there.

Progress is slow, but they're gradually, gradually getting closer to the wall.

[notyourrookie]

He doesn't have that sort of independent thought right now. It's hard enough to just keep moving when all he wants is to sleep. He can't even imagine not obeying right now. He can hear the sounds around them, see people dying, but he doesn't react to any of it. When they reach the wall though, he presses against it, muscle memory prompting him to hide.

[depthlesslock]

They move carefully along the wall, trying to avoid too much attention. York is grateful that Wash seems to understand that they're trying to stay hidden, though he wonders what that says about what's been done to him.

Finally they reach the breach in the wall and slip through. They're not safe yet, but at least they're out of the base.

[notyourrookie]

The first sign of emotion he shows is when they reach the break in the wall. He takes a step back, suddenly panicked. He isn't supposed to be here. He hasn't been told he can leave. But at the same time, the man who came for him had told him he should obey. He reaches up, gripping his head, fingernails digging into his scalp and twisting his hair. He shook his head. "I can't. I can't.:

[depthlesslock]

The sudden change in attitude from Wash startles York, but he quickly recovers and turns to him. 'You can,' he says, 'It's okay, you can. You're allowed out.'

[notyourrookie]

"I'm not allowed. I have to stay here until they take me back. I have to... to prove myself." Because he's been so disobedient. He's failed so badly and he's just lucky that they even think him worth salvaging.

[depthlesslock]

York runs his hand through his hair, half tempted to just grab Wash and run, but he'd fight, maybe alert others to their position. He can't risk it. But what can he do?

The assassin steps forward. 'By coming with us, you will be proving yourself,' she says. 'We are taking you back.'

[notyourrookie]

Wash blinks at him, frowning slightly. His thoughts are sluggish and there's something niggling at him. He knows something is wrong, but he doesn't know what. He looks at the woman. She seems familiar, even if just in her bearing and the way she moves. Slowly he nods. "Yes sir. I'm sorry."

[depthlesslock]

York frowns and wants to protest, but even without the assassin's warning glance, he knows not to. Later. They can start reversing this later.

'Accepted,' he assassin continues. 'Let's keep moving.'

[notyourrookie]

Wash falls silent again, gaze lowered in shame. He should never have questioned his masters. Disobedience could only ever end in suffering.

He follows after them without further protest, staying close and utterly silent.

[depthlesslock]

They keep moving. York can't even comfort him. Having to keep up this semi-charade is ridiculously hard when he wants nothing more than to gather his lover up in his arms and keep him warm and safe.

Hopefully the others will be out soon. They have a pre-arranged meeting point, and it's a way away.

[notyourrookie]

The trek takes them well away from the compound, and through the trees. It's lucky the assassin is with them because otherwise it would be impossible to find their way. It also makes it very difficult for them to be followed.

Despite everything Wash moves silently along with them, his earlier shakiness gone. But he doesn't say a word the entire time, doesn't even look up except to make sure he's going the right way.

[depthlesslock]

They can't make ground fast enough. Even when they're so far away that the base is just smoke carried above the trees, York feels like they're too close. Unsafe. He's keeping an eye on Wash and almost wishes he would react in some way. This... blankness is more unnerving than anything he'd anticipated.

[notyourrookie]

Eventually they make it to the clearing where they're reconvening. There are guards posted, and probably more going unseen, but they wave them through. It isn't really a camp. They didn't want anything so permanent. But there are other people there, watchful and wary.

[depthlesslock]

Once they make it, York relaxes a little. They'll be better defended here, though they can't stay long. Delta is here somewhere and he prays the others will make it back okay.

[notyourrookie]

Wash stops dead when York does, and then stands there, shivering in the cold. He isn't wearing more than a thin and coarse tunic and leggings, definitely none of the clothes he'd worn while serving the Prince.

[depthlesslock]

Right. Clothes. Clothes are important. York takes off his cloak and wraps it around Wash's shoulders, then follows the assassin so they can get him a warmer outfit.

[notyourrookie]

Wash blinks at him for a moment, a dull glaze to his eyes. But he reaches up to pull the cloak more tightly around himself anyway.When York follows the assassin, Wash goes with him. He'd been told to follow.