(davin)

[jamesthorn]

 The night James is taken, it's raining. Thundering spring showers despite the lingering snow still hanging around town. But it's enough distraction that he doesn't see the looming figure roaming around the corner of his house as he hurriedly tries to get his key into the lock and inside to dry off and warm himself. It's dark, late, when he's making his way home from a day of meetings with his family's lawyers. For once, he's come home optimistic, hopeful that negotiations are coming to an end. That all his father's remaining holdings will be amicably split between his siblings and himself while the company will be left in responsible hands. 

 

So he doesn't expect the attack. He doesn't expect to need the weapon he's left in his bedroom since the day he took leave from the police department. Perhaps that was naive of him especially after finding out from Davin that someone, something was out to get him. Whatever the case, the witch blindsides him hitting him over the head with a hard blunt object that sends a shooting pain down his entire skull and spine. It knocks him unconscious, and the witch has gotten what they came for tonight...revenge. 

 

He wakes up strapped to a flat cement table, hands and feet tied down making it impossible to move. His mouth is bound so he can't even scream for help. Though he wonders if it would do any good. He's somewhere dark. Somewhere he can hear the lapping of waves in the distance, and he hopes that whoever did this was dumb enough to keep him in town. He'll have a chance that way. 

 

Because he has to believe his family, his siblings, someone will come looking for him. 

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[jamesthorn]

The gunfire rings out in the small room, echoing in his head, as everything happens in slow-motion. He shouts trying to tell Davin to duck before the gun goes off but it's a useless effort. James is hit in the shoulder, right beneath his collarbone, before all the words make it out. It literally freezes him, then his legs buckle as he's crumpling onto the floor in pain and shock.

He's breathing hard in panic because he's never been shot before and his body is screaming with pain. His heart is racing, and the gunshot wound throbs with blood. He manages to gather his wits enough to use his other hand to cover the pooling blood trying to manage the bleeding. His hand is smeared thickly with red, so much that he's shaking a little at the sight.

Then Davin is there, and James just tries to concentrate on what he's saying which is hard to do without the way his mind is reeling. He grunts with effort trying to lean up a little. "Check..." He breathes hard making an effort to speak. "See if the bullet came out....Davin....you gotta stop the bleeding."

In his head he is running through procedures. They are probably far outside of town. Who knows when the ambulance will make it. James knows he's bleeding too much, but he doesn't say that. He swallows closing his eyes for a second. "I'm glad you're here..."

[davin]

There are tears in Davin's eyes and blood on his eyes, and he bites back a sob as he clutches James to his chest. He allows himself that one moment of panic and then takes a breath and steadies himself. Edan is chittering worriedly and sniffing at James, ears pinned back against his head.

James' last words are what really snap Davin out of his panic and he shakes his head, looking into James' eyes. "Hey, stop it with that shit. Do not start sayin' goodbye, or I'll kick your ass."

He sits James up and holds his hand over the wound, fingers glowing blue. "I'm gonna-- this is gonna hurt but I'm gonna take the bullet out, okay? Edan, go out t'the car and kit me kit, aye? Hurry."

The fox yips and tears up the basement stairs in a burst of speed, and Davin turns his attention back to James. He's already pale from blood loss, and Davin leans in to kiss his clammy forehead. "Hey, I know ya don't like 'em, but you've got a witch on your side, aye? I'm gonna fix ya up right as rain."

He keeps staring at James' face and suddenly calls on the bullet, drawing it out in the same path it went in. Davin knows that it has to hurt, but he's still relieved when the flattened slug lands in Davin's palm. James' blood is so warm, and Davin hates the feeling of it on his hands.

"Sorry, babe. Edan's gonna bring me some potions and I'm gonna fix ya right up, okay?" Davin says again, rocking James a little as he waits. "You're gonna walk right outta here."

[jamesthorn]

James' throat is thick but even swallowing takes an effort as his breath turns shallow and wheezy. He could die right here, today, his life finished, but he doesn't care when Davin says what he does. Everything is terrible in that moment, hearing Davin say James hates witches. Even when he has come to rescue him, as he's trying to save his life, as he's ripping the bullet from his flesh. The pain of the gunshot is nothing to the cut of the words. Maybe there's a kernel of truth to it, but mostly he knows it's not true. It's what he's supposed to think, yes, that's true. Because he's a Thornton, and his family has a reputation.

But he doesn't really believe it. Not anymore. Probably not for awhile. And it's because of Davin. He's just been too stubborn to admit it. He should have admitted that he doesn't care about any of it. He should've been smart enough to admit that when Davin came back, but even then he just stayed silent. And now he could die and Davin wouldn't know how much James really cares.

He is shaking from the trauma his body has suffered from the bullet wound, from the loss of blood, but with effort he reaches out for Davin, looking blearily up at him. It feels like the worst most cliche moment but he really can't hold it in. "Listen to me, I'm sorry. It was my fault what happened with us..." He has to pause to take in air, his breath rapid and shaky, a mixture of nerves and fear and exhaustion. "I'm sorry. I pushed you away and I shouldn't have. I don't care what you are, okay? I just...I love you. I don't want you to be different. I love you now."

When he finishes he squeezes Davin's fingers, but his hands, his entire body is shaking. His body is already cold like he's sitting in a meat closet, and even if he wanted to he doesn't think he could move. It's getting harder to concentrate on Davin's face, his eyes blurry and heavy. Until eventually he closes them again knowing he is losing consciousness.

[davin]

Davin is pressing his hand to the wound, doing his best to keep the blood inside. He's murmuring in Gaelic, soft spells and prayers that don't seem to do any good, but his gaze snaps up to James' face when he starts to speak. His words make Davin's chest tighten and then all the air leaves his lungs. He's wanted to hear those words for so long, for James to just accept him as he is, and he can't believe that it's happening now.

"I love you too, James," he gasps out, eyes widening as James' eyes close. "Hey, no, no. James! Stay with me, okay? Ya can't leave me."

Edan comes bounding down the steps with a small brown leather satchel clutched in his jaws, and Davin heaves out a sob as it's set at his feet. Edan chirps and presses himself against Davin's side with a whine, and Davin rips open the bag to find his bottle of healing potion. His eyes are glowing blue, fingertips sparking, and he unscrews the cap before tearing open James' shirt and pouring the entire contents onto the bullet wound.

"There we go, come on James." Davin presses his hands over the wound, watching as the liquid glows a bright purple, and he says the spell to activate it even further. Davin can feel James' skin knitting back together under his fingers and he lets out a shuddering breath as he looks back at James' face again.

"C'mon Jamesy," he pleads. "Wake up, James. Please."

[jamesthorn]

For a moment everything is good, just overwhelming happiness. He hears what Davin says. Before he drifts away, he hears Davin say it back. He loves him, and he wishes he could say more, that he didn't feel so close to the darkness threatening to take over. Was he going to die now? After everything? Buy maybe it wouldn't be so horrible. The last thing will be this moment with Davin.

He doesn't actually get a choice. Blackness envelopes him, taking him under into a void for a few minutes. While Davin works desperately to pull him back to life, literally stitch him back together, for James, there's nothing. Just suspension. Between life and death. Miraculously though he is yanked back to the surface and Davin's voice calls at him, urging him to wake up. Wake up now. It sounds far away like James is listening through a door.

Softly he opens his eyes, unconvinced he actually is. That this isn't some weird after-death dream. "Davin?" he croaks out still feeling like, well, like he just got shot.

[davin]

Davin lifts his bloody hands away from James' chest to see that the wound is almost fully closed, but James himself is still pale and unnaturally still. Davin holds his breath, heart suspended somewhere in his belly, and waits.

Finally James opens his eyes and Davin lets out a relieved gasp, laughing in pure jubilation when James says his name. "Aye, ya gave me a scare. Welcome back."

He pulls another vial out of the bag and uncorks it, cradling the back of James' neck with one hand while bringing the bottle to his lips. "Here babe, drink this. Make sure everything's healed from the inside out."

[jamesthorn]

James allows Davin to help him drink the rest of the potion, savoring the warm feeling as it goes down his throat. Eventually he glances down at himself seeing the red mess covering his shirt and his hands, and Davin's covered in his blood too. The bullet hole may be closed, but for a minute there it was very real.

She had a gun the whole time. If she'd used it and Davin hadn't been here to heal him he would have died. He should have died frankly.

Still a bit shaken he manages to scoot up some. He knows when the authorities finally show up they will ask a bunch of questions, and they will have to explain about everything that happened. But all of that seems less important. "You saved me. You do that a lot," he says reaching out for Davin's cheek. He nearly just died but he feels lighter somehow. "No wonder I'm in love with you."

[davin]

"Of course I saved ya. What else am I gonna do?" Davin asks, letting out a wet chuckle as James cups his cheek. His heart stutters at the words and Davin's expression goes a bit more serious. He wants to believe it so, so badly. But-- "Ya don't have t'say it 'cause I saved your life, James."

He swallows hard and turns to press a kiss to James' palm, shutting his eyes tight as they well up with a fresh set of tears.

[jamesthorn]

"I'm not," James says with an air of confidence in his tone. These past few weeks with Davin have often left him confused and even upset, but all of the turmoil has disappeared. He knows what he is saying is true, and it's been true. There's no doubt in his mind. Davin kisses his hand, and James doesn't let go of his face. He needs Davin to believe him.

"I know everything was a mess before between us. But more than anything I want to be with you Davin. I love you. I'll say it as many times as you want to hear." He's afraid after everything he put Davin through he might not want this anymore. Maybe he just wants to move on, but they love each other. That has to mean something, right? Gently pulling Davin towards him for a tight hug he also presses his lips to his cheek, savoring the feeling of being close, and most importantly alive and safe again.

"I've never felt this way about anyone else," he says.

[davin]

"I-- I love you too," Davin breathes out, blinking when James pulls him in close. He sags in James' arms, twisting his shirt up in his fingers. "But nothing's changed. I'm still a witch an' I can't change that. Not even for you."

He pulls back just enough to look at James, eyes shining with tears. "I'm maybe even more of a witch than I was before, an' I can't-- I can't do this again if you're jus' gonna decide ya can't deal with it."

[jamesthorn]

James runs his fingers along Davin's face, seeing the glassy look in his eyes, regretting the time they lost and the confusion remaining between them. He blames himself for not seeing just how little all of his worry and maybe even fear matters. What matters is how much he cares about Davin, how much they care about each other.

"I promise," he says after a moment. "I just...after everything...not just what happened today. I realized what's important to me. I realized what makes me happiest. And it's not being a cop or following in my father's footsteps, it's you. I was happy with you. And I'm asking for another chance."

Considering his track record with Davin he isn't sure he deserves another chance. He's had plenty. "No matter what I just need you to know I don't want you to change, okay?"

[davin]

"Okay, yes, ya dumb idiot," Davin says fondly, leaning in to give him him a kiss. He smiles into it and pulls back with a sniffle. There's joy surging through him, and Edan bounces around them letting out happy yips. "I'll give ya another chance, but we gotta get out of here first."

He turns to look at the witch still laying unconscious on the ground. "What are we gonna do about her, aye? Call some cops in the know about witches?"

[jamesthorn]

His heart soars when Davin kisses him, and he is overwhelmed with a flood of emotion - relief and happiness and love. This is all he's wanted for so long, and he's finally smart enough to fight for it. He wants to be with Davin and nothing is going to change his mind now.

When Davin points out the witch, James remembers how much danger they were in just minutes ago, and he manages to pull himself together long enough for them to head back out to Davin's vehicle where they call for the police and an ambulance. The medic on call is baffled by the sight of their bloodied clothes even though neither of them are injured enough to require a trip to the hospital. James still feels the effects of his blood loss and there's a heavy tightness in his ahoulder where the bullet hit him. After an hour of questioning - it helps that James was reported missing and he knows most of the officers so his story is credible - they are allowed to leave.

They end up at Davin's place. It close, and by then James just wants to be somewhere comfortable and safe. He is obscenely dirty from being locked away for so long, and on the drive his brain keeps focusing on the moment where the bullet hot him. He's thinking about how close he was to dying, how scared he was. "I think I need a shower," James says coming back to himself. He doesn't have fresh clothes but it suddenly seems very important they get all this blood off.

[davin]

Davin is so relieved to be away from all off the activity. He answers all of the questions, gives all the statements, and then finally drives James home. They get into the apartment and Edan runs off to curl up in his bed and give Davin and James some time alone. He doesn't really know what to say, but then James speaks first.

"Aye, right. Of course," Davin says, nodding and leading James to the bathroom. "Everything's in the same place. I'll find ya somethin' t'wear. Oh, an' food! I'll order ya some food. Ya must be starvin'."

Davin stands there in the bathroom door, looking at James with bright eyes, and he leans in to give him a soft kiss. "Shower, food, an' then we talk?"

[jamesthorn]

After Davin leaves him James undresses pulling away the red-stained garments and tossing them in a pile. If someone where to see him just then they would be amazed to see him upright. He's amazed himself, honestly, about how Davin was able to heal him. He's afraid to think what would have happened if Davin hadn't come searching for him. Would he be dead?

He steps into the shower letting the water hit him, turning the temperature as high as it will go as he tries to wash away all signs of what happened. It's disorienting to be some place so familiar after being trapped for days in that cabin. But he feels better knowing Davin's here at least. He takes a long shower, letting time slip away. It feels like ages since he had a shower and he indulges in the clean feeling for longer than normal, washing his hair and the blood away.

Once he's dry and changed into the clothes ledt for him he wanders into the living room to find Davin. "Thanks for the clothes," he says going over to him. He wants to be close, for many reasons. Coming up to him he smiles a little. "I feel much better now. Don't think I've ever been so happy to take a shower."

[davin]

James is in the shower for a long time, but that doesn't surprise Davin. He's been through a lot, and he's sure that James is using the time to decompress just as much as he's using it to get the blood and grime off of his skin.

Davin takes the time to wash his own hands and arms in the kitchen sink and then change into a t-shirt and sweats before leaving some clothes out for James. He orders food and then straightens up a bit, moving nervously about the small apartment.

When James finally emerges, Davin is pleased to see how much better he looks. He chuckles softly at the gratitude and comes over to take James' hand. "Don't thank me too much. Those are your clothes."

He smiles at him sheepishly, cheeks turning pink. "I kinda stole them from ya. Good thing you're not a cop anymore, aye?"

[jamesthorn]

"I knew this shirt looked familiar," James teases with a soft smile. He doesn't care about the clothes. It actually makes him feel less weird about the stray items of Davin that ended up at his house, and he's been too sad to give back or toss out. Even though it was hard he didn't want to be rid of every little reminder yet.

He squeezes Davin's hand when he takes it pulling him closer. "It's a very good thing I'm not a cop anymore," he agrees as he kisses Davin on the mouth enough. They should probably talk about this, but he can't help himself for that very brief moment. He knows Davin said he loves him back and he kissed him earlier, but are they together again? Like before?

Leaning away just a touch he looks at Davin. "Is that okay?" he asks then. "That I kissed you."

[davin]

Davin's eyes widen just a bit as James leans in, but he kisses him back. He even tries to follow when James pulls away, and then blushes and opens his eyes. He missed this so much, but at James' question he bites his lip and takes James' hand to lead him over to the sofa.

"Come sit," he says, pulling James down next to him. He's quiet for a moment while he gathers his thoughts, and then he looks up at James with an earnest expression. "It's okay, Jamesy. I just-- I wanna know that you're sure. Now that you have a chance to calm down and really think about it, are ya sure?"

He looks around the room, from the ancient spell book open on the coffee table to his familiar's fluffy tail peeking out from his cubby hole and back at James again. "'Cause I'm a witch, James. I'm always gonna be a witch. It's in my blood an' as much as I care about ya, an' I really do, I have t'be true to myself."

He takes both of James' hands in his own and looks at him with a resolute expression on his face. "If ya want t'be with me, ya have to be with all of me. Ya don't get t'pick and choose."

[jamesthorn]

Davin's right. James has calmed down from the emotional high he was on earlier, and now he's clear-headed. And still all he can think about is how stupid he was for denying his true feelings. He loves Davin, and he can't take the words back and he truly doesn't want to either. He finally feels like he understands the turmoil he's been in for the past few months. Quitting his job and his father dying and everything else, he knows now why he felt so lost.

"Davin," he finally says after a few seconds giving a soft chuckle shaking his head a little. He reaches for his shirt lifting the hem enough to reveal his shoulder. "I don't think I'll ever be able to forget you're a witch. What you did was amazing." There's a small but distinguishable scar the size of a penny, like welted over skin, just below his collar where the bullet had hit him. He noticed it earlier when he was getting dressed. Releasing his shirt he sighs a little knowing why Davin is telling him this.

"I know what you are Davin, and I know before I was stupid. But I'm sure." He takes Davin's hands again looking at him, focusing on his eyes. "I want this. I want you."

[davin]

James pulls his shirt aside and Davin gasps, reaching up to rest his fingertips gently just below the scar. His eyes well up with tears all over again, heart clenching in his chest when he realizes just how close he came to losing James forever. He leans in and presses a kiss to the scar, lips training up across James' throat and jaw until he can kiss him on the mouth.

"I want you too, James," Davin assures him, sniffling a but and cupping James' cheek as he looks at him. "God, I missed ya so much."

[jamesthorn]

James lifts his hands up to Davin's face, holding him along his jaw, letting this feeling wash over him. He's missed Davin too, so much, and now they are together. There's more he wants to say, but he doesn't know where to start and he can still feel the whisper of Davin's mouth along his neck and lips.

"I know, me too," he utters back to him just before he brings their mouths together once again. This time he doesn't stop instead he pulls Davin closer to him getting lost in their kiss.

[davin]

Davin whimpers into the kiss, letting the sensation wash over him. His eyes close as he focuses on James' mouth, the press of his fingertips against Davin's jaw. He lets out a whimper and very nearly gives into the urge to crawl straight into James' lap, but he manages to pull away with a breathless chuckle.

"Slow down, big guy," Davin teases, sliding his fingers up into James' hair and smiling at him. "Ya need your rest. There's a big bed back there that missed ya very much."

[jamesthorn]

James closes his eyes when Davin pulls away, laughing at the slight ribbing, but eventually he knows he'll have to crash at some point. He gives Davin a small kiss on the cheek then nods gently. "I could probably sleep," he admits to him. Davin mentioned dinner early and he is rather hungry now that he thinks about it. But at the thought of sleeping in a bed again, he is elated as it seems like ages since he's slept anywhere comfortable. All he had in the cabin were restless nights.

"As long as you're coming?" he offers beginning to stand up and reach out for Davin's hand. "I figure I'll sleep much better with you around to keep me safe." There's hardly any chance of someone else showing up to kill him but if they do he has a witch around to protect him.

[davin]

"Aye, I could use a nap too, but we're still waitin' on food," Davin assures him, kissing him once more before getting off of the sofa. "Just rest your cute butt there. I need t'redo my wards for my own piece of mind."

He nods and then goes around the apartment to check his sigils, quietly reciting Gaelic spells under his breath to restrengthen them. He's only done for a few moments before someone knocks on the door, and Davin grabs his wallet before going to open it. He steps outside so that the delivery person won't hit the invisible barrier in the doorway, and pays before bringing the food back in and taking it into the kitchen.

"Okay, I bribed the girl at Quill t'bring me some food from there, since I assume pizza wouldn't be the best on your stomach right now." Davin opens up a container of chicken soup and places it on a tray along with a turkey sandwich and some water before bringing it out to the living room. "Ya wanna eat out here or in bed?"

[jamesthorn]

James closes his eyes leaning his head back against the sofa cushion, letting the sounds of Davin moving about the apartment surround him. He hasn't been this comfortable in what feels like years, before the kidnapping, before everything, perhaps since the last time he was here and he was happy. It's such a relief to know that he doesn't have to leave, that Davin wants him here too.

When Davin comes back carrying to-go containers, he opens his eyes smiling sleepily. The smell of the food wafts up to him, causing his stomach to grumble pointedly. With a smile he stands up to head into the bedroom.

"Bedroom. I haven't been in a bed in days," he says. Bed sounds nearly as good as the food Davin has. Wrapping his arms around Davin he gives him a hug as they head into the next room. "I'm glad that I'm here."