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If I was your Vampire('s Mid-Morning Snack)
Topic Started: Feb 27 2018, 11:59 PM (647 Views)
Gene Hunt
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*It happens in a flash. One second Gene's walking down the road, Sam's bloodbags hidden in the crate he's carrying, and the next moment he's falling, the pavement rushing up to meet his face.

Things had been going well. Really well. He and Sam had strengthened their bond to a point where they both felt unbreakable. Sam was coping with his 'condition', Gene was feeling at ease with it, work was going well and Morgan hadn't shown up again. Things were good.

But of course that couldn't last. When he woke his head was pounding. Morgan's face filled his swimming vision, pale face seemingly glowing in the darkness. The vampire looks him up and down, moustache twitching with pleasure.

"Good. Ship him out to Hyde - their blood donor dried up last week. Hunt here should last a good while seeing as he just refuses to die. Luckily that particular talent should come in useful in this instance."

Morgan pauses, ignoring Gene and speaking only to his servants stood either side of his cargo.

"Keep an eye on Tyler. With this one gone, he should snap within a week."

Filled with horror, Gene barely has time to think before he's knocked out again. There isn't even time to shout to Sam down the link - to warn him. But with the bond still firmly in place, he knows Sam will at least be aware of the danger he's in. All he can hope is that Sam stays strong. This is meant to drive Sam insane. To make him kill. All he can do is trust that Sam's stronger than that. That he's taught Sam enough that he'll be able to withstand any bloodlust that takes him. That he's shown Sam a way of living that can keep both himself and others safe.

That moment - that moment before the vampire's fist hits his temple - that's the moment Gene will hold in his head. The last moment he's relatively free. Because every moment after that is an absolute living hell.

'Blood donor' is a bullshit term. He's seen this before - he knows what's coming. So it's no surprise when he's forced onto a dirty table in the middle of a dark, damp room, strapped down and his shirt sleeves ripped off. No surprise, but still one of the most terrifying moments of his life. Unable to see in the dark, he feels hands pressing against his jugular, his inner thigh, any place where there's a good amount of access to blood vessels. it doesn't take long for them to make their minds up, apparently. Whether his furious and desperate insults had any effect on that he'll never know. But the sharp stabs to his inner arms make it plain that they've found their suitable 'donor sites'. Cannulas are inserted without care, and a few agonising stitches applied - just to make sure Gene won't tear them out.

And then it's a case of waiting. Handcuffed and locked inside a pitch black room for hours on end, one filthy mattress to lie on. A couple of times a day he's roughly dragged from his prison, tied to a chair, a table, anything that can support his weight. The lines are inserted - thin plastic tubes with taps at the ends to stop the blood from wasting - and feeding time begins. Watching his blood pour from the taps makes Gene feel nauseated. He throws up a few times at the start, much to their displeasure. But the worst thing is the feeling that accompanies it. Pain, yes - but that's nothing compared to the feeling of his body starting to shut down. The spots that fly in front of his eyes, the biting cold that takes him over. The fatigue. The sensation of his warmth being sucked from his veins, diverted into the mouths of laughing monsters.

More than once he thinks he's going to have a heart attack. Whenever they go too far, his heart beats hard and fast. His insides start to ache. And he knows that, once he's recovered.... this'll all start again. As soon as he starts to feel something resembling human again.... The lines'll be in, the process of shutting his body down will repeat.

Days turn into weeks. He loses count after two. The lack of blood and the energy his body has to expend in order to replenish his supply... he can barely keep his eyes open even when he's resting. While they drink, he's been hearing them talking over the rushing and roaring in his ears. A hunter, they say. A famous hunter. And now look at him. A mere condiment to be used up and the bottle discarded once empty.

Once he stops registering the days, Gene feels himself giving up. His body carries on, desperately trying to repair. But it's struggling. They leave him attached to an IV with fluids almost permanently now, trying to stop him dying of dehydration before he can eventually die of blood loss, unplugging it only when it's feeding time again. And by this point, his exhausted brain can't maintain the bond any more. It's still there... But Gene can't hear anything or feel anything through it. It's nothing but static. He clings to it, letting the soft fuzzy sound carry him through until the next time he's pulled upright.

He just hopes Sam's okay.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Sitting on the floor doesn’t sound very comfy, but it’s far better than the alternative.*

I’ll do an Olympic pool dive if I have to. Just need to get this grime off of me. S’like I can smell the place on me.

*It’s true... it may be psychological, but he feels like he can smell the blood on him. The smoke clinging to his ragged clothes. The mildew from the stained mattress. It feels as though if he closes his eyes the smell of it all still has him in its grip.*
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Sam Tyler
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*It's not just Gene who has that impression. To Sam's augmented sense of smell, the scent of where Gene was held is overwhelming as well. Blood first and foremost, smoke, illness, neglect... And some kind of horrible, twisted hospital smell, something that bring to mind the cruel faces of the vampires Sam had seen milling around Gene... The face of the one who'd handed Sam the glass.......

Sam forcefully suppresses that memory - he can only hope Gene didn't get any of that... Of course Sam is going to tell him what happened at some point, but now now; not when all of it is still too fresh.*

Alright then. Let me help you...

*As Sam speaks, he already reaches down to unbutton what's left of Gene's shirt. The colour is nearly indeterminate at this point... Sam works efficiently, but slowly enough for Gene to be able to either stop him or help along, should he want to.*
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Gene Hunt
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*It’s clear that Sam can experience Gene’s memories of all of this - he catches a glimpse of Sam’s own thoughts, the image of vampires milling around in the leisure room... milling around....him? It’s unclear... but that’s what it looks like. So Sam saw him before finding him in that room? And there’s something else there too... something Sam doesn’t want him to see...

But before he can properly address it, Sam is unbuttoning the remainder of his shirt, distracting him from his thoughts. Not wanting Sam to have to do everything and still wanting to maintain some sense of control, Gene tries to help. He moves his shoulders to let Sam pull the ruined sleeves over his arms without him having to bend them too much.

But then that thought returns, nagging at him. And Gene can’t help asking. At least it’ll distract him from being so physically useless...*

What, uh... what was that y’remembered before?
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam goes with Gene's motions, letting the shirt drop to the floor afterwards. But Gene's question makes him pause momentarily, gaze downcast. Of course he would have seen that... Shit.

Sam takes a breath, then slowly continues in his movements, kneeling down and beginning to slide down the zip on Gene's trousers.*

... I had to pretend I was one of them. They showed me around.

*Sam glances up at Gene, the pain of what he saw flashing through*

You were... There.

*He doesn't want to say more. Gene will know what Sam means by that.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene goes cold, all attention drawn away from Sam's hands undressing him.

Sam saw him... Sam saw him hooked up? Sam was there and he never been sensed him... He must have been barely conscious by that point...

Somehow, the knowledge that Sam never saw him in that state was a comfort to Gene. But now... Sam saw him being used. Saw him at their mercy. Saw him horrendously weak. And though none of it is his fault, Gene can't help but feel embarrassed in response.

He swallows, voice thin when he replies.*

... What happened...?
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Sam Tyler
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*This time, Sam anticipates the question - but Gene's emotions that go with it still catch him off guard. Sam grits his teeth, closing his eyes in an effort to control what's feeding back through the bond. Now isn't the time for that particular revelation.

The red in Sam's eyes becoming a little bit brighter, moren intense, he says as he looks up*

... Nothing. It was just... You were part of the furniture for them. And I... I couldn't break cover. Not yet.

*It's not a lie.

However, Sam knows he can't just leave it at that, not when Gene is beginning to spiral again. So he reaches up, cradling Gene's cheek in his palm. Letting him know that he's proud, so proud of Gene... For enduring all of that... And that there is no reason for him to be embarrassed.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Jesus... Sam's message gets through clearly - he's proud of Gene. Proud of him for staying alive through it all. But he can't help feeling embarrassed and ashamed. It's going to take a while to get over that feeling. Maybe it'll never go.

Gene closes his eyes and angles his cheek into Sam's palm.*

So you 'ad to wait... For them to put me back in me kennel?

*God, that must have been hard. So hard.*
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam flinches at Gene's choice of words. The kennel - that sounds as if Gene himself started to think of himself as nothing more than... A dog, or, or cattle... And God, for a moment, there's rage within him - rage over what was done to his partner, the kind of possibly irreparable damage that was inflicted on him.

But it dies down quickly - Gene doesn't need this kind of energy from Sam right now, even though it's hard to contain. Something within Sam soothes him, makes him focus on the task at hand. On Gene's question.

Sam nods. Then, his voice quiet, he says*

Had to wait til most of them were out hunting.

*Even as he speaks, Sam keeps his palm where it is. He needs to continue to let Gene know that he's here now, that Sam is going to help him in whatever way he possibly can... That he's going to help Gene get over this.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene senses Sam's rage, and he's grateful for it. He's too tired to be feeling the anger himself, so the fact that Sam feels rage on his behalf is somehow validating.

And then there's that sense of support that Sam's actively pushing through the bond. It helps more than Sam can know.

He smiles sadly, trying to remember.*

Had no idea you were even there.
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Sam Tyler
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*Gene's sad smile... It makes Sam's chest ache.

Quietly, he responds*

I know.

*He'd tried to feel Gene, tried to let him know... But nothing went through.*

You must've been too out of it. I don't blame you.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene nods. That was a hard session. He'd been floating in and out of it for a while. It's always hard by the end... But this time, the last time... He'd barely moved after being dumped back in his prison. He has no idea how long he'd have survived had Sam not found him.*

M'just glad you haven't lost your picky pain determination.
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Sam Tyler
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*Through the bond, Sam gets a share of Gene's train of thought... And it makes him feel ill. If Gene wasn't sure he would've survived... Christ...

Sam's face falls; now that the thought is planted in his head, he can't get rid of it, and it threatens to undo his composure. For Gene's sake Sam's been strong, supportive, reassuring... But he's nowhere near recovered from the last few weeks yet.

He manages to just nod in response, Gene's gratitude welcome, but... It's not enough, suddenly. Not enough to pull Sam out of a spiral of his own. His hand is still on Gene's cheek, but his grip weakens as his gaze drops down to Gene's lap.

He should have been faster... He should have found Gene earlier...!*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene blinks as Sam's hand loosens on his cheek, Sam's thoughts stinging his heart.

Sam shouldn't feel sorry for this. He saved him. That's all Gene could ever have asked.

Arms sore and weak, Gene makes himself raise his right hand. Shakily, he nudges Sam's chin up until Sam has to look at him again.*

'Ey. Look where we are.

*struggling to keep his arm up, Gene lowers it again.*

You got me here. Into this shitty little bathroom. Alive.

Considering I thought I'd never see daylight again, that's bloody sodding good.
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Sam Tyler
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*Gene's fingers on his chin are enough to make Sam look up, the touch causing his skin to tingle. And through it, Gene's gratitude, his love, and something that feels like forgiveness to Sam, flows over to him full force, beginning to wash away those residues of black despair. Suddenly his eyes are burning, and all Sam manages in response is a quick, shaky smile.

God, Gene is right. He needs to concentrate on the here and now. They're going to fix this... All of it.

Sam catches Gene's hand in his own and presses a kiss to the back of it - a silent thank you.

Then he gently places it back in Gene's lap, his fingers stroking across it before he lets go. Finally, he continues to undress Gene, though his posture is more relaxed now. They have a long way to go, of course... But Gene's words helped more than Sam could say.

Gene's flies are undone quickly, and Sam begins to pull down his trousers, trusting that Gene will want to lever himself up with his own strength.*
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Gene Hunt
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*glad that he's eases Sam's worry somewhat, Gene pushes himself up enough for Sam to be able to pull his trousers down. It's undignified and awkward, but at the moment Gene needs to feel clean more than anything else.

Allowing Sam to keep doing what he's doing, Gene nods at the shower.*

Odd scenario for our first steamy shower together, eh.
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam gives a small huff as he pulls off Gene's trousers, dropping them in the corner as well. The fact that Gene is up for jokes like this at all is an immense relief in itself, and even though Sam's guilt is still luring somewhere in the back of his kind... It's eased off somewhat. Even now, even in his state, Gene manages to be a rock for Sam to hold onto...

So Sam goes with it, trying his best to lighten the mood a little more.*

We can do it properly once we're home, if you want.

*He gets up to his feet then and begins to undress as well - he'll have to get in there with Gene, of course... Support him, wash him, if his partner lacks the strength...

It's with some relief that Sam begins to drop the denim jacket, the t-shirt and finally the jeans in the corner. The get-up had felt awkward to begin with, and now that that part of his mission is over, he'd rather not be reminded of why he had to dress up in the first place...*
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Gene Hunt
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*Now there's a thought. The idea of doing that for real feels almost impossible. After feeling like he was going to die in a grungy prison, simple pleasures like that feel so far away.

But he doesn't say this. Sam's worried enough. Instead, Gene watches Sam pull his clothes off, and it's only then that he really gets a good view of Sam's new attire. He raises a tired eyebrow, a small smile on his lips.*

... Interesting fashion sense you've gotten while I've been away.
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Sam Tyler
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*Even though Gene doesn't say anything, Sam senses something is off... But then, it'll be off for a while yet. He's going to look after his partner and make sure to ground him in reality and a (relatively) normal life again.

If he could, though, he would blush slightly at Gene's comment. It's Gene's little smile that keeps Sam from turning away in embarrassement; instead, he gives a little sheepish smirk of his own.*

It's a disguise, you numpty. *then, murmuring* I don't even like denim.

*He hesitates, before reaching down to pull off his kecks as well. Then he reaches out a hand to Gene.*

C'mon then.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene smirks at Sam's comment, grateful for the moment of distraction. Because then it's time to get up again, and to finally get into his first shower in weeks.

With his arms still painful, Gene tentatively reaches out to take Sam's hand. His elbows are still bandaged, but he assumes they'll come off afterwards...*

Don't s'pose I really need these any more...
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam of course moves in immediately, placing a hand on Gene's back as well to help lever him up without too much trouble. For a moment, it seems to Sam as though the ordeal of the last few weeks has made Gene actually shrink slightly... But it must be just because he's slightly hunched over with weakness. Yes, that must be it.

As Gene's attention shifts to his arms, so does Sam's, and he nods.*

Yeah, let's deal with that after... The superficial stuff's closed up by now.

*As he speaks, Sam nods down - Gene is still in his underwear... He'll probably want to get out of that himself. Bond or no bond, this is about re-establishing independence and boundaries.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene follows Sam's gaze down to his underwear, not understanding for a minute, but then he gets it.

Oh.

He should be embarrassed about shedding his boxers in front of Sam like this, no romance whatsoever... But he's too tired to care. So he unceremoniously pushes down on the waistband, his lost weight allowing them to drop to the floor easily.

And with a sigh, *

Right, let's get this over with so you can dump me back in bed.
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Sam Tyler
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Mhm.

*As soon as Gene is out of his underwear (and trying not to think too hard about how much weight he's lost), Sam leads him over to the shower, almost as though they're about to step onto the dance floor.

Both of them in the small stall is a bit of a cramped situation, but they'll manage. At least this way, Gene will be able to lean on Sam as much as he needs and wants. Sam reaches up to grab the shower head off its mount, but then he hesitates to turn on the water. He won't be able to feel whether or not the water is too hot or too cold...

After a moment's hesitation, and still taking most of Gene's weight with one arm, he points the shower head down towards the floor, slightly away from their bodies, while inclining his head to the tap.*

It's all yours.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene leans on Sam as he's helped into the shower. It's cramped, but actually that isn't really a problem. In the small space there's little chance of him falling, and even if he does, Sam will grab him.*

Alright, lessee...

*with a wince, Gene leans in and turns the tap on, water spluttering from the shower head for a moment before the stream finally gets going. And after a tweak of the temperature gauge the water is running just on the hot side of warm. Luckily Gene's recovered enough that he doesn't feel the bone-chilling cold of blood loss any more, but warmth itself feels like something to be cherished now. Like a sensation he's been deprived of for so long, any taste of it he can get is like some kind of luxury. *

Not gonna cook you, is it?
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam just gives a small, almost rueful smile.*

No.

*He doesn't feel the temperature of the water - it's neither hot nor cold to him. What he does feel is the heat of Gene's skin against him, slowly warming the core of ice that's a constant part of him now. It's a heat that goes deeper than skin and bones, acting like balm on the mental wounds their separation caused him. And knowing that the water now running down his skin is making Gene feel better as well... That knowledge is an antidote in its own right.

Making sure to keep a steady hold on Gene - just in case - Sam begins to raise the shower head again, letting the water cascade down their bodies. He's itching to just take the lead again and wash Gene... But he probably wouldn't appreciate that so much at the moment. So Sam reaches all the way up and fixes the shower head back into its mount.

It's hardly the most romantic setting for this, but something about the rivulets of water running down their faces begins to make the world fall away. For Sam, there's just Gene now, pressed against him so closely and intimately.

There's no soap, so he begins to gently rub Gene's skin with his bare hands, a strange feeling of reverence rising within him.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene leans against Sam heavily as he feels the water start to run over his skin. He's almost sure that if he opened his eyes he'd see clean white paths carved through the dirt on his chest as the water washes it away. It's exhausting, standing up. Now that he's had some proper sleep it's easy to feel overconfident in his abilities - but he's still a wreck and he has to remember that. His body has endured three long weeks of abuse and it'll take far more than a few hours sleep to repair it.

So he leans against Sam, eyes closed and knees weak as he loses himself in Sam's cleansing touches and the warmth of the water all over him.*
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Sam Tyler
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*The silence between them is comfortable as Sam continues to wash Gene as best as he can. It's a good amount of grime that's being washed away, particularly from Gene's hair - Sam makes sure to massage the sensitive skin there carefully, gently threading his fingers through knotted strands. However, the water also reveals how well Sam's regenerative abilities have worked already. Gene is still unnaturally pale, his veins standing out far too much, but... The bruises seem a bit less angry, the lines of pain in his face a little less sharp.

Sam moves slowly, cleaning Gene as thoroughly as he can. Around ten minutes later, he switches off the water, brushing a strand of hair out of Gene's face before pressing a kiss to his forehead. They're both sopping wet now, but while Sam isn't bothered, he knows that Gene is probably going to get cold very soon...

So, with a whispered "give me a second", he extracts himself from the cabin, quickly making his way out of the bathroom. A moment later, he's back with a towel he brought from Gene's house. He immediately wraps it around Gene, rubbing it over his hair before pressing it against his shoulders and chest.*

There y'go...
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene almost falls asleep again as Sam rubs has fingers through his hair, the water almost turning brown at their feet. And when Sam finally turns the water off, Gene finds himself blinking wetly, snapping back to reality. God, he's tired... And as Sam leaves to fetch the towel, Gene leans against the wall, slightly concerned he's going to slip down it completely.

But quickly Sam is back, wrapping a towel around him and drying his hair off lightly. And God, it feels good. Just.... Being clean. Feeling just that little bit more normal. And now even with the lack of soap, he can breathe in without the cloying smell of that Place reminding him...

Overwhelmed suddenly, Gene stutters.*

Ch-cheers.

*And now, he needs to sit down. To get back to the bed. He doesn't say it, but through the bond he's sure Sam'll realise.*
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Sam Tyler
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*It's amazing just how much it helps Sam to be able to look after his partner like this. Within the last 10 minutes, his anxiety and guilt have all but drained away, replaced by what's coming through the bond: Gene's gratitude, his relief to be where he is now... The knowledge that he's genuinely helping, making things better, is the best medicine Sam could ask for after these last few weeks.

He smiles softly in response, carefully rubbing the towel up and down Gene's arms, then pulling it down to wrap it around his torso. He wants to sit down... And who's Sam to keep him from getting what he wants. The only thing he needs to do is get them both dry before they get back into bed.

Keeping a steady, gentle grip on Gene, Sam leads him out of the bathroom and towards a small rickety chair that's stood next to the bed. Sam is still wet and naked, but he couldn't care less - he's completely focused on his partner right now. Gene needs to be dry, warm and comfortable first.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene lets out a slow sigh of fatigue as he lowers himself into the chair, exhausted but clean. And God, he never thought he'd feel like this again. The cold is already starting to bite at his wet skin, but the relief he feels otherwise is worth it.*

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Sam Tyler
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*Gene's relief is almost enough to make Sam glow a little. He did well - he made his partner feel better. The affection and love welling up inside him flow back to Gene through the bond, hopefully doing their part to keep him warm, at least from the inside.

Now it's time to get rid of the bandages. The water has already loosened the tape, so peeling it all off is easy. And once he's dropped the fabric to the floor, Sam leans in to inspect Gene's arms, his touch light as a feather. And... It does look better, he thinks. The holes have definitely closed up - they're slightly scabbed over, but Sam knows that soon, even that will be gone. It's a huge relief.

The bruises, however, still look painful... This will take longer to heal. But they've got time. Sam is in no hurry to get anywhere.

Sam quickly finishes towelling Gene off, leaving it draped over his shoulders for another few moments while he gets up to fetch fresh underwear and a set of warm, comfortable pajamas for his partner. He places the bundle in his lap, but asks quietly*

Want me to do this for you?
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene closes his eyes and leans back as Sam tends to his arms. Even though the holes will have closed up, he doesn't want to see yet. The bruises are the last visual reminder of what happened, and he can't look just yet. Not until they've faded some more.

The temptation is there to do the full set of pyjamas himself - but bending his arms is a no-go still.

Trying to sound confident, Gene opens his eyes and looks down at the pile in his lap.*

Me arms feel as rigid as the editors of Just Jugs on Foto Friday. Y'might have to sort the shirt out, but the rest I can do.
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam nods - he expected as much. He picks up the shirt, inwardly congratulating himself for having chosen a long-sleeved button-up model, and shakes it out before quickly undoing the buttons. Then he gets up on his feet, spreading the shirt out behind Gene's back and holding out one sleeve to make it as easy for his partner as possible to slide into it.*
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Gene Hunt
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*holding his arms at the right angle, Gene's able to slide his arms into the sleeves without too much discomfort. Then it's pretty easy to get his underwear and bottoms on while sitting down, his arms able to stay pretty unbent. He wobbles a bit as he lifts himself up to slide and them all the way, but soon he's done and ready.

Another slow exhale. *

You'd make a damn fine nurse. The uniform'd suit you and all.
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Sam Tyler
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*While Gene finishes getting dressed, Sam picks up the towel to dry himself off as well, his hair sticking up every which way afterwards. He's about to start rummaging for his own comfortable clothes when Gene's comment makes him look up and over his shoulder, eyebrows raised.*

I'm prancing around like this and you want me to put on clothes? I must be doing something wrong.

*It's not that Sam is particularly in the mood for banter, but... They both need it now, don't they. A little bit of normality in the aftermath of Gene's ordeal.*
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*Gene can't help smiling a little at that. Before all this, if they were at home? Things would be so different. Sam naked like this, Gene would have pounced. But now he's too tired to even move.*

S'not like I'm not enjoying the view! Just a shame I can barely summon the energy to blink, let alone get me todger up.
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*Sam smiles back at Gene, not quite able to muster a cheeky glint. Despite how much better things already are, Gene's fatigue is still very much present, affecting Sam through the bond. He may be the healthy one right now, but his partner's desire to just lie down again is almost overpowering.

And who is he to resist an urge like that?

Sam slides into his clothes fairly quickly and returns to Gene's side.*

There's gonna be enough time for that later.

*This time, as he places his arm behind Gene's back, Sam gently lifts him up to his feet. He can tell how tired Gene is... He won't make him move more than necessary. And as they move towards the bed, Sam is confident that Gene's going to let him know how exactly he wants to lie down... *
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*Gene exudes gratitude as Sam helps him up. He's at his limits now, and just getting into bed sounds fantastic. His arms are still stiff and too painful to bend, so lying on his side doesn't seem doable... Lying on his back it'll have to be.*

Yeah... We'll have to stick it on the calendar.
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Mhm.

*Not missing a beat, Sam keeps moving, albeit slowly and gently. He reaches out with one hand to throw back the blanket, then sits down on the bed first, guiding Gene to join him. Next, Sam scoots up until his back is resting against the headboard, taking the same position as last night.

This is when he reaches his hands out again, inviting Gene to join him. The extra bodily contact will help and accelerate his partner's physical recovery... Plus, it's the most comfortable position Sam can think of.*
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*Following Sam's lead, Gene follows him onto the bed. Making sure not to take too much weight on his arms, Gene slides onto the mattress and tries to manoeuvre himself so that his back makes contact with Sam's front. It's the perfect position, his arms coming to rest comfortably along Sam's legs, propped up and unbent.*

I know I've shed a pound, but I'm not squashing you, yeah?
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*Again, Sam huffs a small laugh as he pulls Gene close, protectively wrapping his arms around his partner's midriff. Gene's hair is still wet, but Sam doesn't mind at all. It feels... Nice. Almost like a reminder that Gene is indeed real and alive.*

No. You're light as a feather.

*Sam disentangles one of his arms then, but not for long - he reaches towards the nightstand and picks up the glass of water again, bringing it around and holding it up to Gene's chest.*

Wanna try again?
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*Gene almost laughs at that. Light as a feather? He's never heard that one before. Sam's only ever complained of him being too heavy to push out of bed.

He blinks at the cup suddenly in front of his face, a sinking feeling in his stomach. He should. He should try it. If he doesn't, he's going to be in even more trouble. And right now he feels better than he has done in three weeks. Exhausted, yes - but not in pain or off his head from bloodloss...

He really doesn't want dehydration to send him into a hospital.

Hesitantly, Gene licks his lips.*

.... If I choke... You'll give me back a slap?
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*Gene's inner struggle is palpable, even moreso through the bond. But this time, Sam is prepared for it. The half hour spent on actively taking care of Gene, cleaning him and providing physical comfort, have helped Sam as well: he's much calmer, much better equipped for the onslaught of insecurity and conflict within his partner.

So, his voice gentle, he responds*

You won't choke. Just take it nice and easy.

*But should it come to that, of course Sam will be there to help Gene, no question about it.*
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*Gene takes a deep breath. He really doesn't want to, but... He's clean, he's warm, he's safe... And Sam did all that. So if Sam thinks he'll be okay, he has to try. Going into hospital isn't an option at this point.*

Okay... Hit me.

*Gene feels the worry rise even as he says it. But he'll push through. Sam's going to have to hold the glass up to his lips, unfortunately - his arms are still too stiff to bend that far.*
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*Sam presses a quick kiss to the top of Gene's head.*

Good man.

*Though Gene's worry pools in the pit of Sam's stomach like cold water, Sam holds against it. He knows it's going to be alright... And it's something Gene has to do if he wants to recover quickly. Sam's healing abilities are enough to stop his partner from deteriorating, but he'll have to rehydrate himself.

Sam raises the glass carefully, nudging the rim of it up against Gene's lips, before slowly tipping the glass. Hopefully this will be slow enough for Gene...*
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*Holding his breath, Gene parts his lips and lets some water in. He holds it in his mouth for a moment, psyching himself up...

And then he swallows, the motion strangely alien to him.

The water seems to burn as it travels down his parched throat, setting off tingles and itches that he can't scratch. Tears spring to his eyes as he tries to keep it down, tries not to spit it all over himself.*
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*Gene's tension would be palpable even without their bond. Sam readjust himself slightly while Gene psyches himself up, knowing he needs to get ready in case... Anything happens. It's painful to watch, to feel - Gene shouldn't be like this, it should never have come to this...!

But there's nothing he can do about that now. He needs to concentrate on helping Gene right here, right now.

Sam swallows along with Gene, can't help but to, but then Gene's panic spikes through him. He's still holding the glass, but Sam's other hand comes up to firmly rest against his partner's chest, and he shifts again as if to completely envelop Gene.

He murmurs, hardly even thinking about the words coming out of his mouth*

You're alright love, you're alright... It'll pass, you're doing great... Just relax, you're okay, it'll be fine...
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*Gene's throat convulses and his chest jerks as he fights against the urge to spew up the small amount of water he's taken in - but with Sam's soothing and his own determination he slowly begins to adjust. A minute later he's calm, but breathing somewhat heavily and with tear tracks down his cheeks.

God, it can't be like that again... He's human, he's meant to be able to drink for gods sake...!*
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*Sam stays completely focused on Gene through the whole ordeal, doing his best to be an anchor, something for his partner to cling to...

And now he's lying back against him, utterly exhausted, filled with dread... And Sam knows that Gene's face is wet with tears, even though he can't see it.

Trying hard not to let helplessness overpower him, Sam nuzzles his nose into Gene's damp hair, quietly responding to the thoughts he's sensing through the bond*

... It'll get better... I'm sure it will.
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*Gene grunts in response. It'll get better, he knows Sam's right. But the newly ingrained fear isnt going to go away.*

Haven't even tried eating yet.
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There's gonna be time enough for that.

*Sam's lips find their way down to Gene's neck, placing soft kisses to his skin, before he adds*

One step at a time.
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*Gene grunts again, exhausted but not willing to agree with Sam just yet. It's too much to tackle all at once. For now he just needs to concentrate on his breathing. On trying to shed the tense stiffness from his limbs.

Eyes closed, Gene sighs. It's so much to cope with.... *
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*Sensing just how difficult all of this is for Gene - and who could blame him? - Sam lapses into silence as well, concentrating on providing what comfort and security he can give to his partner. It's going to be a long and rocky road ahead of them... But for now, they're here. One step at a time, just as he said. Sam will be the last one to rush Gene into things he doesn't yet feel ready to tackle (although that thought in itself - Gene being hesitant and too scared to do something - is painful).

And although he doesn't say anything, Sam's message is clear - if Gene wants to sleep a bit more, replenish some of that energy, Sam will be there to protect him and make sure he's alright.*
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*frustrated and tired, Gene keeps his eyes closed and allows himself to slowly drift off again. Even doing small things is tiring now, and it's going to be a while until he's fully back to normal.

But sleep is different this time too. Without the continued blood loss, Gene can't help himself waking up at every tiny noise from outside. Every little creak of the walls, every car driving past outside, every clang of the pipes. He wakes with a start, freezing and tensing up until he drifts back off. *
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*Sam lets Gene sleep, as much as Gene's mind will allow him. And it's agonising, realising this - that even with their bond, there's only so much Sam can do. The trauma is too fresh, runs too deep. So even though he shushes Gene back to sleep every single time he startles awake, he knows it'll happen again.

The hours pass slowly, but focused on Gene as he is, Sam doesn't notice. The light slowly shifts outside the murky window, but he remains exactly where he is, cradling Gene from behind, providing all the comfort he can give him.

It's only later in the day that Sam, without even quite realising it, slips into a bit of a trance, eyes closed as his head rests against Gene's.*
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*The constant waking takes its toll, and eventually he's so exhausted that the does drop into a proper, deep sleep. But even that isn't free of trouble.

Gene's mind begins to work, the sounds that previously woke him beginning to manifest in a different way. The cars outside become the roaring in his ears as his blood is drained... The clanging pipes become clanking glasses as vampires raise red filled tankards up in a toast. The creaks become the soundtrack the ropes, securing him in place. Outside sounds of drunken passers-by become laughs and taunts...

He's back there. IV lines in place, arms bound outwards, his body fighting to stay alive as more and more of his blood is let from him...

But despite how horrific this all is... It's familiar. It's Gene's life now. So instead of thrashing in his sleep or yelling, Gene just tenses. His breathing comes quicker, jaw clenched.... But that's the only outward sign that his mind is working away.*
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*It's testament to how much Sam's been affected by all this over the last few weeks as well that he doesn't immediately realise what's going on. The bond, now firmly back in place, feeds Gene's nightmare back to Sam, slowly and quietly inserting it into his subconscious. Sam is Gene in that moment, his back against firm, unrelenting wood, ropes biting into his skin just like the IV is biting into him...

Figures standing over him, laughing, taunting cruelly...

... And all the while, his blood... Being sucked from him...

....

... Wait... Wait, his blood?

That... That can't be right... He's not...

Sam isn't...

Sam flinches, violently pulled out of his trance, but he remains disoriented for another few moments, eyes wide. There's a fast, steady thumping within him, but then he realises it's not his own heart that's working overtime - it's Gene's. Gene, who has gone rigid in his arms, breathing laboured, skin clammy... Mind caught in this horror... But what's even worse is the acceptance Sam senses through the bond. Gene's resigned himself to this...!

Finally Sam snaps to it. He shifts, winding his arm around Gene's back to support him while Sam leans over him, pressing his free hand against Gene's cheek. His voice isn't quite steady as he speaks*

G-Gene - Gene, wake up. You have to wake up. It's not real. I saved you. It's not real anymore. Please, Gene, come back to me... Gene...!
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*Gene's only response is to screw his eyes shut even tighter, trying to block the hands grabbing him out of his sight. He's too deep in this for Sam's voice alone to pull him out of it. It's a lived experience he's right back in the middle of.*
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*Oh God... Gene's mental images are so strong, it's costing Sam a lot not to get sucked into the illusion. He keeps his hands where they are, thumbs stroking over Gene's skin.

But it isn't enough, just his voice and touch isn"t enough...! So Sam leans in and presses his lips against Gene's forehead in a soft kiss - that was what seemed to shake Gene out of it as well, back at the vampires' hide-out... He needs to make Gene really feel that this is different, that it's just a dream...!

Following his intuition and overwhelming need to get Gene out of this, Sam closes his eyes and concentrates, breathing a shaky breath. Concentrate on where they are, sending that image to Gene through the bond... Letting him know, it's over, Sam rescued him, they're far away from that place... Anything, anything to stop Gene's suffering...!*
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*Through the haze, Gene starts to feel something else apart from the familiar torture. Something reaching out for him. Communicating.

Something.... Safe...

He blinks his tired eyes open, the scene in front of him shimmering like a mirage. Another image overlays the vampires hideout. A dingy hotel wall...

He shakes his head, convinced he's just lost too much blood. It's not like he hasn't hallucinated before.

But then he feels it. Something more real. A sense that he's safe.... But he isn't! He isn't safe!

Outside of the dream, Gene twitches. Murmurs unintelligibly. His fingers move, hand dragging across his chest until he's scratching at the inside of his other arm and the healing hole in his skin that sits there.*
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*Sam is so invested in projecting reality to Gene that he misses the movement of his hand until it's too late. There's a blunt, uncomfortable sensation in the crook of his arm, and when Sam looks down, he realises what's happening.*

N-no, Gene, don't... Don't do that...!

*Sam reaches down, grasping Gene's hand and gently pulling it up to place a kiss to the back of it.*

Look, it's real, Gene... You're not back there anymore, you just need to open your eyes...!

*Desperate now, Sam casts his mind back to just a couple of hours ago - showing Gene the hotel room alone might not be enough, but maybe the memory of their shower together will do the trick...! So Sam concentrates on that, recalls the wonderful feeling of water running down their skins, how Gene had leaned against him heavily, warmth returning to him slowly... How Sam had taken such care to clean him as best as he could, running his fingers through Gene's hair and massaging the sensitive skin on top of his head...*
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*Through the laughing and the sounds of his own blood being poured, Gene slowly begins to hear another sound. Water...

... But there's no water here...?

Then a flash of warmth, soothing wetness washing over him.

Sam.

And without warning, Gene's sucked from his dream like he's being warped through a black hole. He jerks awake with a gasp, sitting up violently, body ripping away from Sam. The dark is suffocating, the air too stale.

Caught between the two places, Gene raises his hands and buries them in his hair in an attempt to ground himself.*
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*Even though he should be, Sam isn't ready for how suddenly Gene rears up, his own eyes wide, reeling from the sudden change in sensations feeding through the bond.

But he catches himself quickly, scrabbling up and after Gene, immediately pulling him in and hugging him close. Sam buries his nose in Gene's hair, rocking him gently. Words won't come; Sam knows he should be trying to put Gene at ease in any way he can, but his throat is too tight, the lingering images too disturbing. This is what Gene had to go through for three weeks, and there was nothing Sam could do...!

Sam squeezes his eyes shut and presses a kiss to Gene's hair, hoping that the bond and his embrace will be enough to substitute for his lack of words.*
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*Sam's communication through the bond does help, the emotion feeding through there enough to make Gene start to believe - yes, he really is out. He's far away from that place.

But his chest feels tight. His lungs don't want to open...!

Heart hammering like a jackhammer, Gene gasps.*

Need to... G-get out...!
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*The hammering of Gene's heart feels like a gun salvo to Sam, shooting through him. Normally he finds the sensation calming, but now all it does is fuel his own anxiety. Shit, he needs to calm down... He needs to pull himself together for both their sakes...!

Sam takes a breath and pulls back slightly, but doesn't let go of Gene.*

We can't, love... Not yet. Gene, look at me... Breathe...

*And he reaches up to gently grasp Gene's chin and tilt it up, encouraging Gene to lift his gaze. Sam needs to ground him in the here and now...!*
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*Gene does his best to look at Sam, their eyes meeting after a moment - but though the bond is strong, it can't fully take away Gene's panic, not right now.

He can hardly breathe.

Gene grabs hold of Sam's arm, his grip impossibly strong for someone so physically weakened.*

Can't... Stop it... Shit...! Need air, S-Sam.
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*It's not working... The bond isn't enough. The realisation hits Sam like a sledgehammer, almost physically winding him. He stares back at Gene, momentarily completely stunned and out of his depth, the grip on his arm strong and so hot it feels like it's burning - Gene's panic must be the cause of that.

Then, Sam's eyes turn red, his expression shifting from completely helpless to quietly determined.*

Alright, up you get.

*And without waiting for a response, he slides his arm round Gene's back and helps him up and off the bed.*

The window. C'mon.
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*Gene continues to gasp as Sam's eyes turn red, the arm behind him strong and supportive...

But then Gene turns his gaze upwards. To the red eyes baring down on him.

Red eyes.

His reaction is instant and involuntary. Before he can even begin to control his own limbs, Gene is shoving himself away, scrabbling with what little energy he has to put as much distance between himself and the vampire as possible, even if it means he's going to fall backwards off the bed.*
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*Normally, even this kind of fast motion wouldn't be a problem for Sam, especially with his vampire senses at the forefront. He easily would have been able to grab Gene and stop him from toppling off the bed.

But as Gene pushes himself away, his sudden fear drives what feels like a shard of ice through Sam's chest, leaving him winded and wide-eyed as he kneels on the bed. What... what was...?!

Then, Sam realises... and is expression changes from shock to utter mortification. Oh god, how could he... he just wanted to help, but he should've realised...!! His eyes flicker, the red going out like a light. And Gene is on the floor now...*

Oh Jesus, G-Gene--!

*He's off the bed and by Gene's side within the blink of an eye, but Sam's voice isn't steady, and his hand is shaking as he timidly reaches out. The bond still feels like it's been whip-lashed, Gene's fear grating on Sam's mind like a migraine. Sam is too afraid of spooking Gene again to touch him, but he still tries to at least settle the bond again, to smooth the harsh edges with reassurance...

But it's hard, especially with his vampiric side recoiling, the mortification running deep. Sam should have known something like this would happen, should have controlled himself better... this time, it's his fault alone that Gene has been hurt....!*
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*Breathing hard and fast, heart beating like it's about to break, Gene presses his back into the corner of the room, hands loosely and shakily held up as though ready to fight off an attack. To stop them from taking him back...!

But then he sees Sam's face again. The red eyes are gone. His face creases in confusion, the adrenaline not quite allowing him to process that Sam's vampire is hiding. That Sam is just himself now.*
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*Sam swallows hard as he takes in Gene's posture - ready to defend himself, futile as it might be... Sudden sadness, coupled with guilt, twists like a knife in his gut. This isn't how Gene should be... This never should have happened...!

Sam's voice is quiet and rough as he says*

I-it's just me, Gene... There's no one else. Just you and me.

*He's still just hovering by Gene's side, hand outstretched but not making contact just yet... He needs to make sure that Gene is back in the here and now before he does anything like that...*
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*Gene blinks, spots flying in front of his eyes now. He hears Sam, but the panic is making his brain sluggish despite the surge in adrenaline. He needs air, fresh cold air... But he can't bring himself to move from the corner... The vampire might still be there...

But he has to trust Sam...

Breathing too fast, Gene nods shakily. It's just him and Sam. The vampire is gone, it's just Sam... *
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*Jesus, Gene's panic is almost overwhelming... It's lucky that Sam doesn't need to breathe anymore, otherwise he'd be hyperventilating along with his partner. But what he's getting through the bond still manages to twist his stomach, his hand shaking as he finally places it on Gene's shoulder.

He thinks the vampire is gone... Which is true, but... No, Sam can't allow himself to think about it. The fact that Gene is now scared of what Sam is and can't change.

Forcing his voice to remain calm and quiet, Sam says*

Okay, I'll pick you up... We're just going over to the window.

*And he's already sliding one arm around Gene's back, the other underneath his knees, scooping him up like a child and fiercely hoping that Gene won't panic further...*
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*Gene can't help his jerky breaths as Sam scoops him up. It still feels strange, Sam being able to pick him up like this - it shouldn't be possible. But somehow he's up, cradled in strong arms as Sam moves him towards the window. The flash of red eyes still feels embedded in the back of his eyes, but Gene knows he has to try and focus. The eyes are gone. He's safe. Sam's here.*
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*Through the bond, Sam catches another visual glimpse at Gene's fear - those red eyes... It causes a sharp sting somewhere at the back of his mind.

But he has to ignore it, he has to...

Once they're at the window, Sam sets Gene down, though he keeps a strong grip on him to stop him from sliding down to the floor. With his other hand, he pushed apart the curtains and wrenches open the window. The room immediately feels with cool air - dusk is falling, the sky is going dark, and there's quite a stiff breeze... Hopefully this will help...!*

Alright, now breathe with me - in...

*And Sam takes a breath he doesn't need - this is for Gene, he has to breathe for Gene...*

Hold... And out.

*He let's out a deliberate breath, then repeats the whole thing. It doesn't matter that it'll take Gene a while to find back into the rhythm... Sam will keep doing it until it helps. Until Gene calms down.*
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*Gene clings to Sam as he's lowered into a standing position, leaning against him heavily. His lungs won't work - as soon as he tries to inhale they freeze up...

But when Sam opens the window and that cool breeze hits his face, something loosens in his chest. The faint outline of his stale prison he can see whenever he opens his eyes starts to fade. The unmoving, warm air was too much of a reminder... But this... This feels like freedom. The outdoors.

And through the bond, Gene feels it. The slow, steady rhythm of Sam breathing. In. Out. In. Out. And though it's stuttery at first, Gene slowly manages to get some air in. Following Sam's pattern, Gene's gasps become slow, quivering breaths.*
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*Sam feels the difference through the bond from the moment he opens he window, but he keeps going regardless - this is helping, he's helping, so he has to keep it up. He falls silent, concentrating solely on the bond and on the sound of Gene's stuttering breathing, waiting for it to become more regular again...

... and there... they're almost in sync now. Sam's eyes are on Gene, although he doesn't even need that visual link... the bond is much more reliable. It tells Sam to simply wait, to let Gene break the silence whenever he is ready to. Tells him to give Gene the time he needs to recover from this.*
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*Gene keeps going for a few moments longer gathering himself and waiting for the spots to stop swimming in front of his eyes. And finally, after what feels like an hour, Gene closes his eyes and sags against Sam with a shakey huff.

He can breathe again. His lungs feel raw and weak, but he can breathe.

Through the bond he knows Sam will feel the prickle of humiliation at the base of his stomach - what even was that...? It was uncontrollable panic, but... Jesus...

Shame and regret well up inside Gene - he's safe, he's okay, and yet his bloody imagination got the better of him and he worked himself up like a child!

Under his breath, Gene mumbles.*

S-sorry... Dunno what got into me.
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*As Gene sags against him, Sam adjusts his grip to pull his partner into a hug, nuzzling his nose against Gene's cheek. Those feelings that are coming through the bond... Sam wants to tell Gene not to apologise, never to apologise for this. He couldn't help it. It wasn't his fault.

Equally quietly, his voice soft, he says*

Not your fault.

*And Sam is sorry too - sorry for letting his vampiric side take charge at such a wrong moment... That small part of him recoils again at the thought, sadness and regret winding it up tight. But Sam doesn't say anything, and he hopes that Gene won't notice...*
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*Gene does notice... But he's too exhausted to say anything. He'll have to deal with it when he's more lucid.

He sighs, dropping his head.*

Don't have any whisky in that travel bag, do you.
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*The things that go unspoken between them settle heavy in Sam's mind... But at the same time, too much is going on right now, the both of them too hurt to deal with all of that. They have to take it one step at a time...

So Sam just gives Gene a rueful smile.*

Not on an empty stomach.

*He pulls Gene closer, lightly kissing his cheek. He feels the need to apologise... For what happened to Gene, for not getting there sooner, for what they've both had to go through...

God, what a mess. He'd calmed down a bit after rescuing Gene, but Sam realises now that he's still hurt in his own way - it feels like his soul has fractured, almost, and needs to be patched up very carefully.

But Gene takes priority.

They stay in the motel for another two days, then switch to a different location, just to be sure - a little further out, halfway between Macclesfield and Stoke-on-Trent. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks to the bond, Gene's physical recovery progresses well. The needle marks disappear after a day or so, his muscles steadily regaining their strength. Sam doesn't move from his side apart from picking up groceries and fresh clothes for the both of them. The constant contact is much needed and provides the glue Sam needs to put himself back together.

The day after Gene manages to both eat and drink a healthy amount of water and food, they drive back to Manchester. Sam has been in touch with CID, fully exploiting the fact that these are the 70s, and thus he's able to get away with being rather vague about how he managed to find Gene and why they've been in hiding. The others are just glad that they'll be having their Guv back.

Upon their return, Sam is surprised to find Gene's house intact. He'd expected the vampires to have turned it inside out in an attempt to find him... But everything looks untouched.

Huh.

And in the ensuing 24 hours, nothing happens.

It's calm and quiet.

Too quiet.

Sam doesn't trust the peace. He knows the vampire network by now. He knows that Morgan must have been made aware that he and Gene are back.

So why are they being left alone?

It must be a trap. They just be preparing something even bigger, even worse.

Sam can't stand it. With every hour that passes, a deep-seated feeling of protectiveness grows stronger and stronger, becoming overwhelming and starting to overshadow any other rational thought. He needs to protect Gene. He needs to protect Gene. He needs to protect Gene.

But he also can't let Gene know how much this is unsettling him. So he does something he hasn't attempted before: Sam pushes all of that back in a herculean effort, all the way back to where his vampiric part resides. And that part obliges, takes all those feelings, and hides them away.

And it works. None of it filters through to the bond, apart from the odd jittering. Gene has no idea what Sam is planning.

Two days after their return, in the middle of the night, Sam presses his lips against his sleeping partner's forehead in a gentle kiss, before he slips out of their shared bed and into the darkness, quiet as a shadow. There's a stake in the inner pocket of his jacket, well concealed, but apart from that, he's unarmed.

Morgan hasn't tried to make contact with them. No vampires have come close to him. And yet, Sam knows - if he goes to a certain place, Morgan will meet him.

So, running quietly and fast through the night, Sam makes his way to the graveyard where this whole nightmare began.

And tonight he'll end it, one way or another. With, or without a stake. Whatever he has to do to make it happen... It'll be for Gene.*
Edited by Sam Tyler, Jul 6 2018, 12:10 PM.
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