otherways - Knights of the Holy Order - Part III

[i_vanquish_evil]

He's not sure how long they've been in Rome, but it's been a while. His sleep patterns have become more irregular and the length of time he actually sleeps gets shorter and shorter. Lately it's been around four or five hours a night.

He's not going anywhere, he just gets up in the middle of the night or early in the morning and pours over the paperwork he has yet to pass on to anyone else. He walks around the labs and the rooms and the offices and the practice arenas all day - checking on things, looking in on research, keeping watch. His trust in the people doing the work has grown, but something still nags at him about the place. There is something he can sense that he doesn't want there, but he can't quite figure out what it is.

It's starting to irritate him - a lot.

Comments

[i-read.livejournal.com]

"We're going back to the bar," he says at once, tugging on Michael's arm.

[i_vanquish_evil]

"Pardon?" he asks, not being moved by the tugging - yet.

He's gazing rather intently at a door that's been locked since they've been back in Rome. A door he hasn't seen need to open...


...until now.

"You have a key for that?" He points to the door.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

He looks at the door.

"Not at the moment, but I know where to get it," he answers quickly. "That, however, is not the point. We're going back. No bloody arguments."

[i_vanquish_evil]

"I wasn't arguing. I just want to know what's on the other side of that door before we go."

For once, he's not growling, just speaking.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

"And right now, I'm saying that going is more important and for once while we're here, you're going to listen to me or Heaven help me, I'll go on my own."

[i_vanquish_evil]

"Only if you tell me what's on the other side of that door. I know you know - so just tell me. Then we can go."

[i-read.livejournal.com]

He looks at Michael for a moment before, snarling himself, he lets go and starts walking.

[i_vanquish_evil]

He frowns.

"What's wrong?"

He looks at the door, then at Stephen and he follows. "Stephen?"

When Stephen snarls at things, it makes him nervous.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

"What part," he starts, his voice tight and high, "of, 'we're going now, no delays, come with me or I'm going without you?' did you have trouble comprehending? I don't think I actually used a word with more than two syllables."

[i_vanquish_evil]

"Nothing, but the fact that you're avoiding my question is making me want to know the answer even more. Something's in there and if it's something you don't want me to know about, you already know that will only make me more determined to find out."

He folds his arms lightly across his chest. "Once sentence that answers my question and I'll go. That's all I'm asking."

He's even keeping his temper even - not something he's typically known for, especially given that he's back on his 'monster hunter' sleeping schedule.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

Stephen just looks at him, looks at him, before shaking his head mournfully and turning around to continue walking off.

That kind of answer... that kind of thinking...

Just fucking COME. That's all I'M asking! he thinks to himself.

This whole mess had been driving him insane for months, too much too soon done too clumsily by someone too damaged still to be doing it. But no, Luc knew what he was doing, of course.

Of course.

He was just fucking Raziel. Still just the fucking hanger on who didn't understand.

He's practically shaking with rage.

No, he needed this, but he didn't need it right now and Luc needed it too, enough, he hoped. Enough.

[i_vanquish_evil]

Luc doesn't know shit. He only thinks he knows what he's doing. He has a goal, but he has a problem - he doesn't actually know how to reach it. So he's pedalling as fast as he can, just trying to get somewhere.

"Stephen," he calls after him, still following, just several steps behind, "I don't want to make deals, I just want an answer to my question."

He's not being stubborn for the sake of it, not this time; he doesn't like not knowing. He doesn't like secrets. He's lived with so many for so long, he hates them.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

He looks back, yes, snarling.

"You don't want to make deals, but you'll come with me if I tell you the answer, eh? That's called a deal, asshole!"

And he continues stomping off.

[i_vanquish_evil]

He said he didn't want to make deals, not that he wouldn't do it.

He stops walking and sighs heavily. All he wants is information and nothing makes him desire information more than someone trying to keep it from him.

He's not pouting - Lucifer doesn't pout.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

Stephen doesn't notice, at least not with his eyes. He's well aware of what Luc's doing. He just doesn't care right now.

He's busy stomping off to their door to Milliways. Luc can come or not as he pleases.

[i_vanquish_evil]

"I thought you were supposed to be helping me?"

[i-read.livejournal.com]

He almost spins but he stops himself at the last second.

"And I thought you were supposed to listen to me? I also figured that cheap shots weren't allowed as a part of things."

[i_vanquish_evil]

"I do listen to you. And I'm not making a cheap shot. You're supposed to help me. I want to know what is in that room. It would seem I have three options - find a key, break the door down or ask you. I chose to ask you, under the impression that you would tell me - as that's what you do. Obviously, I was mistaken."

Another sigh.

"You want me to take a break, but I have something I want to finish before I go. This was it. I don't leave things half-finished."

[i-read.livejournal.com]

"It was a cheap shot, Luc," he answers, and his voice is harsh. "And I am supposed to help you, but I can only help you so much as you'll let me and you've ignored the most important help I tried to give you. As for knowing what's in that room, maybe you might take the hint and realize that if I'm not telling you, it's for a reason and I know what I'm about, you ruddy idiot!"

He's almost there.

[i_vanquish_evil]

He arches an eyebrow. "When has giving hints ever worked on me?"

"If you want me to know something - just tell me."

He's certain they've had this coversation before and it makes him crazy that they have to have it again. He is glad there's no one else in the corridor. He doesn't like to argue with an audience - not when the argument's with Stephen.

And now - he's not being stubborn, not really. Now he's more aggravated than anything. He wants to go to Milliways - to see his friends and they'd already be there had Stephen given him a straight answer to his question.

[i-read.livejournal.com]

He's at the door.

"Oh, fuck off, Michael. Yes. Michael. Acting more like him than yourself right now and I'm not staying for it."

He shakes his head, opens the door, and stomps through.

[i_vanquish_evil]

He steps up and catches Stephen's arm, not to pull him back, but to stop him momentarily.

"What's gotten into you?"

[i-read.livejournal.com]

He stamps Michael's foot and yanks his arm away.

"Sense. Or maybe it's just caught up with me. Either way, nothing that's had anything to do with you lately. Not that you'll fucking listen!"

And he heads into the bar with a snarl.

[i_vanquish_evil]

"I always listen-ow - " He's sent just enough off-balance to end up on the bar side of the door - not that h's actually noticed this yet.