Not While I\'m Around

[DoTheLimbo]

Blake glanced over at the crawling Dee. Grabbing onto a fork as well, he walked over to block the other. He held his tiny body as tall as he could as if attempting to become bigger. Blake held the fork in one hand, the knife in the other. His glare was fixed on Dubhdara watching the other’s every move now. He breathed in as Dubhdara glanced towards Galen. Blake smirked a bit, before teasing, “Oh, he’s not going to help you.”

He couldn’t help but feel a bit proud at Dubhdara’s shock. Galen, on the other hand, kept his gaze firmly on the ground now. He glanced over at Dee, noticing the blood. The doctor in him made him shift to move but then he decided to stay there. He decided that he just rather listen to Blake. In Galen’s thought, this was now Blake’s show and he wasn’t going to get in the way of it unless it got too out of hand. Though Galen also knew that he wouldn’t be much help even if he did try and stop Blake. The man knew perfectly well that Blake would have no remorse in stabbing him.

Blake’s pale blue eyes squinted as Dubhdara threatened him. At first he didn’t say anything and he relaxed his body. Letting his hands fall beside him, he took a deep breath. At first it seemed like the boy had given up, until the hand holding the knife suddenly raised and threw the utensil right at Dubhdara’s shoulder. While the knife flew towards the lord, Blake used the distraction to run up and kick Dubhdara in the stomach. Keeping his foot up on the lord’s abs, his sore legs not enough to do any damage against the man, he grabbed at the other’s wrist. Pulling with all his might, he forced the lord’s hand his way no matter what. His eyes flickered up at Dubhdara, glaring at the man as he quickly stabbed his own fork in the other’s hand. As soon as that was complete, he couldn’t help but let his guard down as his legs throbbed with pain at the previous movement he had done. It was apparently too soon for the boy to run like that after the hunting trip.

[w0rmy]

Lord Dubhdara had not expected this. Oh no, it wasn’t the fact that his son had fucked Galen but rather, he was being threatened by a fourteen year old!  Okay, yes, he was very angry that Dee had slept with the very man he had sex with only a week ago. It just wasn’t right. Galen has had sex with both Pencawrs! That thought just dawned upon Dubhdara and it horrified in the man. Galen has had sex with both Dee and Dubhdara! Oh Talon, spare me!

Dee was attempting to crawl away again. His hand was bleeding, even though it was slow the pace was steady. It would be best if got wrapped in a bandage. When pressure was applied to the wound, Dee let out a little whimper and glanced at Galen. Why was he just sitting there? Why didn’t he restrain Dubhdara? The boy whimpered and gingerly touched his face. It was beginning to swell and without a doubt, the skin will grow black in only a few hours.

Meanwhile, Dubhdara was fuming with rage. It felt like someone had dropped acid down his throat and it was bubbling wildly in his belly. When he saw Blake relax, he let his guard down. Dubhdara had thought that the boy had given up, realising it was futile to attack a full grown man. That however, was not the case. What happened next felt like a blur, like time being pushed forward… it was a strange sensation. The lord cried out in pain upon feeling the metal teeth pierce his skin. “Argh!!” Dubhdara grabbed his hand, staring at the fork impaled within his flesh. “Y-you!”

Dubhdara lunged forward and took advantage of Blake\'s pain. He pushed the boy down the ground and sat on his belly. “Who has the advantage now? Eh? Eh?” Dubhdara smirked and prodded Blake\'s chest. The man grimaced upon pulling the fork out his hand and pointed it to other\'s neck. “Should I tear this pretty little neck?”  

Dee was watching the situation with horror. He knew his father would kill! He knew he would! Those taunts were not empty! “Doctor Galen!” He gasped. However, these words could barely be heard... never the less, Dee hoped desperately Galen had heard.

[DoTheLimbo]

Galen glanced over at Dee for a moment. His fearful expression softened and he smiled sadly at the other boy before looking back at the table. He picked up a fork and started to play around with a carrot on his plate. Galen was sure that Dee wouldn’t die from blood loss so he let Dubhdara’ discipline stay in place. After all, perhaps Dee actually deserved it, Galen was unsure as to that but he wouldn’t be surprised if this was a repeated offense for Dee. It was a sad matter, but one which had to be addressed by Dee’s family not by Galen.

Playing around with the carrot, he only glanced up to look at Blake and Dubhdara before looking back down. Blake would have to face whatever consequences he had just brought upon himself. After all, the son had made it quite clear that he’d rather if Galen stay put.  He watched the carrot as he heard the cries and clattering of whatever piece of furniture came into contact with the chaos.

Blake’s joy at having succeeded in his action was short-lived, but he made the most of it snapping, “Now how does that feel?” He paid dearly for saying that instead of taking the moment to move out of the way. As he was pushed down to the ground, Blake’s back hit the ground with a loud thud. He coughed, the wind knocked out of him. His legs went to curl up to his chest but before the could, Dubhdara had already pinned him down. The weight of the man on his already heaving chest made tears spring to Blake’s eyes. He squirmed underneath the other, his abdominal throbbing with a sore familiar pain. Panting for air, he glared through his tears.  His gaze flickered down to the fork near his neck before he glared back up at Dubhdara.

By this time, Galen had stood up. He glanced over at Dee who was gasping. Galen looked back over to his son and Dubhdara. He walked over rather quickly, his posture demure however, “Dubhdara.” The doctor placed his hand on the lord’s shoulder. While, the action seemed peaceful enough, Galen did give the man’s shoulder a strong squeeze, “I don’t want to perform my research on my own son. And while he does deserve to learn the consequences of his words, let’s not get too carried away.”  Blake’s face scrunched up at his father’s words. Taking a deep breath, he used quite a bit of effort to spit at the man ontop of him, “Fuck you.” He said, his words breathy.

[w0rmy]

Dee mouth parted in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Galen just sat there, playing with his food. He didn’t seem to mind that his son and Dubhdara were fighting. Dee muttered darkly and propped himself against the wall. His hand was still bleeding and probably would continue to bleed if he didn’t wrap it… he looked around but found nothing. Even if he did find something, would he have the strength to get it?  

Meanwhile, Dubhdara poked Blake’s neck with the fork. Not hard enough to pierce skin but enough to hurt. He enjoyed seeing the boy cry. It made him feel better. It made him feel in control.  Dubhdara was about to make another taunt till he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. It was Galen! Even Dee was surprised with Galen, even if the movements had been civil. Dee would have preferred it if the doctor was more direct… but alas, that was foolish wishing. Upon hearing hear Galen’s words, Dubhdara had dropped the fork besides Blake’s head. He had actually considered getting off Blake! And would have if it weren’t for the spitting.

Dubhdara wrapped his hand easily around Blake’s little neck. He lent close, wiping away the spit on his face. “You’re going to fucking regret that.” He squeezed his hand. Dubhdara wanted to see that cute little face go red and hopefully more crying too. “I’m not going to kill you, oh no. I don’t want to get in trouble for manslaughter. I just want to make you suffer, okay? Though, I… my fingers might get carried away. Who knows?”  Dee groaned. “What was that, Dee?” Dubhdara tore his eyes to look at his son. His failure of a son.

[DoTheLimbo]

Galen kept his hand on Dubhdara’s shoulder until the other leaned in. He sighed at his son’s action. Well, it wasn’t to say he hadn’t tried. Galen clicked his tongue making a tsking noise. He stayed near the two however, just in case he had to pull Dubhdara away. His eyes flickered over to Dee for a moment before looking back at Blake.

Blake couldn’t stand his father looking down at him like that. He wished that at this time he was all grown-up so they could be on equal playing field. Blake was sure if that was the case he wouldn’t be on the ground. He continued to squirm under Dubhdara. The small victory of the fork being dropped was quickly replaced with a hand around his neck. He shook his head at first, his curls flipping about before bringing a leg up to kick at Dubhdara’s back. His tears were a mixture of pain and frustration as Dubhdara squeezed. His pouty lips opened, trying to get in as much air as he could through the restriction on his neck. Blake’s cheeks had turned a bright red already. He brought his arms up, the only part of his body that did not throb with pain and grasped Dubhdara’s wrist. Scratching away the other’s skin, his fingernails went for the kill. If he was going to die, he was going to make sure to take as much of Dubhdara’s flesh with him. He brought a hand up as far as he could, grasping at Dubhdara’s arm. Digging his long nails deep, he slide them down against the flesh. Despite the position he was in, Blake had no intention of giving up or trying to be nice.

[ravery]

Slowing his horse to a stop by the stables, Julius stretched absently, making a face as the base of his spine complained about the trip over. How a spine was able to complain without a mouth, he didn\'t know but well, there you had it. Allowing one of the nearby stable-hands to lead his horse away, the knight turned his attention back to the task at hand, frowning slightly as he looked up at the Pencawr manor.Whilst he knew he probably should have sent word first before arriving, this business with Dee and his less than chaste behaviour with Doctor Galen had left Julius feeling rather unsettled. In a vaguely homicidal sort of way.

He wasn\'t all that sure if Dee had been exaggerating when he spoke about his father too- his squire didn\'t seem to get on with Lord Dubdhara in the slightest- but then again, he supposed it could always just be the boy\'s age talking. And besides, who else would know Dee better than his own father? From what Julius had gathered, Dee\'s mother had been dead for some time now and as unfortunate as that was, it had left the knight in a rather awkward situation with regards to finding someone who knew how to deal with the squire. Lord Dubdhara really was his last resort.

Heading up the stairs to knock on the door, Julius fidgeted with the buttons on his doublet as he waited till one of the servants opened the door.  Faced with a blandly pretty maid, the knight was half-way through introducing himself when he heard raised voices coming from deeper inside the manor. Why, one of those voices sounded like Dee\'s! He\'d known the squire had requested leave, but he\'d never even thought that the boy would willingly spend time at his father\'s, especially given the amount of energy Dee spent venting about the man. Without really thinking of social niceties, or the consequences of ignoring said social niceties, he pushed past the maid gently despite her protests, heading towards the direction of the yells and pushing open a set of rather impressive doors before stopping dead at the scene in front of him. There was a man that looked alarmingly like Dee sitting on a rather young boy, Doctor Galen leaning over said man, and... Dee. Oh, Gods.

“What in the King\'s name is going on here?”

[w0rmy]

Dubhdara squeezed Blake’s neck again. He struck his thumbs into Blake’s neck, pressing a little harder this time. “Bet you regret being so rude to be.” He whispered, his eyes glinting maliciously. “Ahh!” Dubhdara ripped his hands away to his chest. He had not expected the little vermin to dig his nails into him like that. The wound on his hand from the previous impaling had now been irritated further. The blood flow had increased quite alarmingly. “Fucking brat!” The man was about to continue squeezing the neck till a loud voice disturbed him.

“Who are you!” Dubhdara  twisting his body so he was able to look at the stranger in the eye. Meanwhile, Dee was shocked to see Julius. Out of all people to show up, this was the least expected. Not that is was unwelcome. In fact, the boy was more than overjoyed to see. Now that his knight was in the vicinity, he felt a whole lot safer. That everything would now be okay because Julius was here. “J-Julius.” Dee whimpered, a new wave of tears falling from is eyes. “J-Julius” He repeated and now attempted to crawl over to the knight.

Dubhdara eyed Julius with great dislike. Was this another fuck buddy of Dee’s? Not that he cared. But the fact that a stranger had entered his home? And without his permission? Well, that just ticked the man off! “Who are you?” Dubhdara repeated, his voice trembling with rage. “How dare you enter my manor without my permission? And how come the maids let you in.” The lord looked down at Blake, wondering whether or not if it would be wise to get off. Who knew what the boy would do next! Probably send another utensil through his flesh.

[DoTheLimbo]

Blake coughed the second Dubhdara moved his hand away. He tilted his head to the side, a small amount of blood tricking from the inside of his mouth. The boy had bitten the inside of cheek in the process of attacking Dubhdara and blood was now flowing from the wound quite freely. He took a deep breath as Dubhdara twisted around. Squirming, he didn’t even both to look at whoever entered the room. The boy brought his knee up trying to jab Dubhdara in the ribs. His fingers went in to scratch once more, this time catching the lord’s back. Blake was not about to give Dubhdara any leisure time to talk to new guests.

Galen started when he heard someone new enter the room. His eyes widened as he saw who it was. The knight from the markets. It was the last person he would have expected. He glanced down at his squirming son, who just wouldn’t give up fighting, before glancing over at Dee who was starting to crawl towards the knight. The doctor put a hand to his head. It was all such a rush. Feeling nauseous, Galen stumbled to a nearby chair and sat down. As he leaned over in the chair, his age showed as he answered Dubhdara, “That’s Dee’s knight, Brodwick.” He was a tad surprised that Dubhdara didn’t know Dee’s own knight. Galen hoped that Julius would turn his attention to Dubhdara and not him. It was a selfish thought, but a true one nonetheless.

Blake continued to squirm underneath Dubhdara, now trying to pinch out chunks of flesh from Dubhdara. Clothing got in the way of this manuever however, so Blake went back to scratching. He was in fighting mode and wasn’t about to stop any time soon.

[ravery]

There was blood, an alarmingly large amount of blood, and Julius had no idea who it belonged to. The red-headed man straddling the boy was cursing up a storm, and with good reason too- the boy he\'d had pinned under him was scratching and clawing like a cat gone mad, leaving bright red streaks down the man\'s arms and back. Vaguely, Julius realized there was a few physical similarities between the pinned boy and Doctor Galen, but his attention was quickly drawn back to his squire as his name was called.

Dee was... fuck. Without really thinking, Julius headed over to the boy, trying to ignore the sharp taste of bile rising in his throat at the state that his squire was in. Dee had what looked to be the beginnings of a black eye, and his hand looked like it had been stabbed with something. Judging from the puncture marks, and from the state of the table behind him, it had probably been with cutlery. The fact that someone was actually capable of doing that to the boy made Julius want to throw up, but he shoved it down as best he could, instead concentrating on helping Dee up. He\'d never really seen the boy this scared before. He intended to never see him that way again. Wrapping an arm around the boy\'s shoulders,  he glared at both Doctor Galen and the man still straddling the other boy, barely able to contain his anger at the fact that they\'d raise a hand against children. He wanted desperately to pull the red-headed man off the other boy, but that would mean having to let Dee go.

Blinking as it suddenly registered that the man pinning the other boy down must be Dee\'s father, Julius stopped, something in his stomach twisting violently. He hadn\'t thought- not in a million years- that Dee had really been telling the truth about Lord Dubdhara. Talon help him, where were the King\'s Guard when you needed them?

Narrowing his eyes, Julius tightened his hold on Dee\'s doublet gently, trying to decide if it would be worth drawing his sword. There was something deeply, deeply wrong with the thought that these two men would visit such violence against those under their care. “What the hell are you doing, Galen?” he asked the doctor, doing his best to keep from just railing at the man, “Get up and help that boy! You\'re a doctor, Talon damn it!”

[w0rmy]

In response to Julius’s arms, he wrapped his own around the other’s waist. His grip was tight, perhaps even painfully so but who could blame him? Even though Dee felt safe, he still continued to tremble rather violently. His breathing was rapid and the only thing he could think about was keeping a tight hold onto his knight. Not only Dee was in pain, he felt a twinge of embarrassment. He did not like crying, especially when people where about. The last time he had shed tears… was a long time ago. In fact, Dee couldn’t even remember, not that he would want to. If possible, he clutched tighter to Julius’s shirt and buried his face into the broad shoulders.

Meanwhile, Dubhdara was in a complete rage. There were deep gashes all over his arm, it wouldn’t take long for the whole thing to be red! He couldn’t believe that a little boy like this could lash out like this. It was almost as if he was a wild animal caught in a trap, desperately trying to get away. Dubhdara couldn’t take the pain any longer and ripped his arms away from Blake’s neck. “Fucking… little brat.” He slapped Blake’s face. Hard. He did it again. Just as hard as the previous.

[DoTheLimbo]

Galen glanced over towards Julius as he heard his name called out. His expression was conflicted with emotion. He glanced towards Blake and Dubhdara. It had been Blake’s fault, however, that this whole incident broke out and the son wanted to be independent. After all, he had threatened his own father to stay sit. Galen was respecting Blake’s wishes by not intervening. If he was to stop Dubhdara, Blake may get a false notion that every time he started a fight someone would be there to save him. It was a notion that Galen hoped would leave Blake’s thoughts after tonight because there wasn’t always going to be a knight that walked in. At the same time, Galen also felt as if Blake deserved it a little bit. Having been raised in company where beatings were common among family members, the situation didn’t look as terrible as it probably did to someone who was raised where abuse was wrong such as Julius. However, it was getting to the point where there would be a lot of clean-up.

He shook his head at Julius. Not only did he have various reasons of why he shouldn’t help in his thoughts, but needless to say he wasn’t about to listen to the rude knight. He opened his mouth, speaking up, “That boy,” He addressed Julius, “told me to stay put. I am merely doing what he said, himself.”

Blake gasped, focused on the man that was still sitting on top of him. The voices around him sounded like rushing water and his vision blurred for a moment before sharpening back. His stomach throbbed with pain and his legs were falling asleep. The boy was starting to lose what strength, but he made the most of it. Attempting to get in another scratch, he missed as Dubhdara’s palm connected with his already bruised cheek. The slap had stunned him, his arm falling beside his body. He coughed, blood splattering onto the floor from his mouth. Blake tried to regain his senses quickly enough to defend himself but the next slap came too soon and he merely smacked his face against the ground.

[ravery]

Wincing a little at Dee\'s grip on his waist, Julius adjusted his hold on the him, doing his best to ignore the slow, sick twisting feeling in his stomach at the feel of the boy shuddering against his side. He was so damn close to ripping one of Lord Dubhdara\'s arms and beating Galen\'s head in with the soggy end, but the logistics were proving... difficult. Keeping a tight hold on Dee, Julius blinked at the look on Galen\'s face, rather surprised to find a hint of regret there, before growling slightly as the man answered him. “Are you insane?” he demanded, fists clenching. “You\'re really just going to let some bastard do that?”

Well. Clearly he was.

Snarling softly at the resounding slaps Lord Dubhdara was raining down on the boy under him, Julius shook his head, having absolutely no idea why Galen was just sitting there. Adjusting his hold on Dee in the effort to keep him well out of the way of his father, the knight reached over, grabbing the lord by the back of his doublet to try and wrench the man off. He was still reeling a little after the realization that Dee\'s father really was just as crazy as the boy had always made him out to be, but there was no way he was going to allow the man to beat a child senseless like that, even if Galen refused to do anything to help.

[w0rmy]

Dee eyes widened slightly upon feeling slowly Julius moving towards his father. He didn’t want to be near Dubhdara, not now. Or possibly, ever. And the trembling, once again if possible, increased. One would think he was being sent to death! His breath had turned into short and harsh gasps, occasionally a sob slipped in. It was quite obvious, even to the oblivious, that the boy was terrified.

Dubhdara on the other hand, continued to slap Blake’s face. “Respect.” Smack! “Your.” Smack! “Elders!” As the man was about the deliver the last slap, his movements however, were disturbed by a sudden tugging. As he was pulled off the boy, a snarling sound rumbled deep within his chest! The lord was behaving like a wild animal. He attempted to finish the slap but the knight was too strong. Dubhdara growled again, glaring up at Julius. He had never seen this man before in his life but guessed it to be his son’s knight. Dubhdara had never bothered to meet the man, he believed he was far too important. So in instead, the lord got someone else to see to it. “Please refrain from touching me…” What was his name? Galen had said it previously. “…Brodwick.”  Dubhdara’s voice was surprisingly polite despite the chaotic situation.

[DoTheLimbo]

Galen looked over at Julius. He felt a tad bit relieved when the other pulled Dubhdara off his son. Looking away, he picked up the only goblet that hadn’t been knocked over or thrown and took a sip of water. He watched the scene unfold as he sipped his water trying to get rid of the dizziness in his mind.

Blake stopped moving as the slaps continued one after another. He was too stunned to move, his body listless underneath Dubhdara’s body now. After the last slap, Blake wasn’t sure if it had stopped. There was pounding in his ears and his eyes had long since closed in fear. His eyes fluttered open to check if another slap was coming. When he felt Dubhdara get pulled off him, Blake laid there for just a second before quickly rolling away.

Blake hit the leg of the chair that his father was sitting in. Stopping, he laid face down  before his stomach curled in. He violently lurched, a massive amount of blood for how tiny Blake was, which he had been holding in his mouth from the slaps spilled out onto the floor. Blake’s face turned deathly pale as he stared at the puddle of blood beneath him. While the blood was from the wound in his inner cheek, the boy didn’t know if it was that or if it was coming from his internal organs. Needless to say, it scared Blake. He glanced up at his father, his eyes wide and still filled with tears.

Galen looked down at his son before sighing. The large amount of blood also surprised him and sent a shiver of shock through him. Once Blake looked up at him with teary eyes, Galen suddenly moved with a quickness that he hadn’t shown before. Going to his knees, he grabbed the other’s bruised face. The doctor forced Blake to open his mouth. Blake was too stunned and frightened to resist against the action. He sticked his finger in the mouth and gave a sigh of relief when it felt against the deep gash in Blake’s cheek. Galen was very relieved to know that the blood was probably not internal but instead from Blake’s mouth. He reached up and grabbed the goblet he had been drinking from. Helping Blake sit up against the chair, he gave the weak boy the water. Blake, understanding his father’s motions, took a sip of water. The boy’s body shook with pain and emotion as he tried to get over the shock of what just happened.

The doctor stood up, his clothes now splattered in blood, and walked over to the knight and Dubhdara. His gray eyes flickered between the two. He really wanted the two to fight, maybe take each other out. Galen shook his head at the thought. He looked down at Dee. He walked around Dubhdara and Julius and kneeled next to Dee instead. “Dee,” He spoke in a soft voice, “Dee, come here let me look at your wounds.”

[ravery]

There was a split-second of relief that came with the younger boy rolling away, before it was replaced with a nauseating alarm, Julius\'s eyes widening as Galen grabbed the boy\'s face. He had no idea why the doctor was sticking his finger\'s in the boy\'s mouth, or why the child was even letting him do so, but there was a strange sense of familiarity between the two that matched their physical similarity. It appeared that Galen and the boy knew each other well enough, and watching as the doctor helped him into a chair, Julius realized that Galen didn\'t intend to harm the child. It was a relief, at the very least.

Turning his attention back to Lord Dubhdara, Julius blinked as the man snarled, his red hair and crazed eyes reminding the knight suddenly of a caged beast. On reflex, he tightened his hold on Dee, putting himself between the squire and the squire\'s father. There was no way he was letting Dee anywhere near the man, especially after witnessing such outright brutality, and the small, broken sounds the boy was making against his side were turning Julius\'s gut into ice. If it weren\'t for the fact that the squire had a tight grip on  his shirt, Julius would have all but launched himself at the Dee\'s  father. The sheer audacity of the other man to feign politeness when his hands and clothes were covered with the blood of boys who weren\'t even men yet made Julius\'s stomach turn. “Keep back, y\'crazy bastard,” he growled, voice sharp as it was back when he was still serving at the borders, “the boy is your son! Why the hell would you do that to your own child?”

Blinking as Galen moved from where he had been sitting to walk over towards them, Julius bristled, mouth pulling into a snarl as the doctor knelt down in front of Dee. The knight adjusted his hold on his squire, tightening his grip on the Dee\'s doublet and squaring his shoulders, meeting Galen\'s grey eyes with his own. The other man looked almost strangely calm, the softness of his voice contrasting sharply with his blood-splattered clothes. He was obviously not quite right in the head. He had also obviously not taken Julius\'s prior threat seriously at all.

“Same goes for you, Galen. Don\'t you dare touch him.” said Julius, ignoring just how ugly his voice sounded. He glanced back up at where the auburn haired boy was sitting before looking back at Galen, trying to determine how he\'d possibly be able to get both Dee and the other child out of the manor. He was well aware of the fact that while Dee was still technically under his custody, he had no idea who the other boy was and so had no real ability to remove him from the situation, but damn it, he was certainly going to try.

“Hey, Curly.” he said to the auburn haired boy, keeping his eyes on both Galen and Dubdhara in case they made any move to grab at Dee, “Come on, let\'s get you out of here.”