we are the shadows screaming take us now | Connor

[tarquin finley ellis]

It had been a few days or so -- Quinn keeping track of time was really asking too much -- since he'd left Connor in his bed and walked out. He'd fallen into an easy enough pattern since then; immersing himself into martial arts practice pretty much full time. It keeps him busy for the most part, though there are certainly other things he's been doing in between those times. Avoiding Connor has been a habit at all costs for those first few days. He'd been too soft, too unable to deal with the onslaught of everything. This was better.

Currently, he was relaxing in the coffee shop at one of the back tables with his feet up, coffee cup in hand. He'd worn the shoes this time instead of the boots, and even without the assortment of clothing Quinn was a bit of a sight. A bruise over his face across the bridge of his nose and over one cheek and another at his jaw. There was a bite mark over his neck and skin torn at his collarbone, some bruising over his arms and some that could be seen through the bits of torn fabric covering his legs. But Quinn was looking as calm as ever, smug even as his gaze drifted lazily around.

clothes

[connor crayze sykes]

Blue eyes blinked, circled with dark marks that screamed of lack of rest. Jayden had agued with him when he had collapsed the night before. Connor had given up on trying long before. But no word from Quinn had him alone again nobody to try and care for him. Except the morphone from Perseus, Connor had had nothing else really. But after collapsing, he had been punished for refusing treatment, a dark bruise now beneath his jaw.

Strapped down and force fed, he'd spent most the night sick over the toilet. All Connor wanted was quiet and coffee. He didn't notice Quinn at first, ordering a coffee and stumbling towards a tablen. Then he saw him. Eyes took in the other male, hiw roughed uo he was, and Connor's gaze darkened. But he did his best not to judge. He hadn't been able to give Quinn and answer, so confused and hurt.

[tarquin finley ellis]

It didn't take very long for Quinn's eyes to snap towards Connor when he felt the gaze upon him. He noted the way that blue gaze darkened, and Quinn tilted his head at the male and set the coffee cup down. He took his time settling his feet back on the ground and getting up; taking the last drink of coffee before walking over to flick the cup in the trash. Then he was moving towards Connor in long, easy strides. He all but circles the male, his eyes sweeping up and down Connor and settling on the bruise at the male's jaw.

Not that Connor looked very healthy otherwise, of course. Keeping himself upright for a bit, at least. "You look like hell. Whose been hitting you?" It was a question, but the tone more demanded an answer rather then asking for one. Whatever it was now, Quinn still did not like the idea of people messing with Connor. He was quite willing to dish out some damage to someone for it, even. Not everything can be shaken, and Quinn would enjoy some of that kind of violence. He was half inclined to sign up and volenteer to fight against the others for tests. Why not?

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor teetered on unsteadily feet a moment before he sat heavily, trembling hands reaching desperately for his coffee. He didn't raise his head, sipping the drink like a famished dog. "The s-s-staff." He slurred softly. He knew he shouldn't have tried picking fights with them. He was too weak, had been on the cellar floor with the first blow.

The words towards Quinn came with ease, and he hoped maybe they could at least manage friends, caring about each other but notin love. Still that wasn't Connor's focus. Just the coffee and staying awake and careful of his surroundings.

[tarquin finley ellis]

He watched with an even expression as Connor sat down and reached for the coffee and sipped it. The reply made him grit his teeth. Of course. The staff. "Why? Wouldn't eat or something?" He settled into the chair next to Connor, observing the male with unenthused eyes. Quinn honestly didn't know why they even bothered with Connor at this point. Was there much of a reason? The male wasn't the only one with wings, so it couldn't be the mutation they gave much of a shit about, right? Which reminded him that it might be interesting to hunt the other one down sometime....

Anyway, not important right now. "And what's the point of staying up when it looks like you could collapse at any time? Do you have somewhere you need to be today?" He peered at Connor with an upraised eyebrow. Quinn was holding himself back from so many words, but it wasn't so hard this time. He was just going with it and attempting to treat Connor like nothing more then an object right now. It was working so far, which was good. No need to deal with any of the other shit if he could avoid it.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor nodded. "A-and 'cos I h-hid before testing.." He coughed huskily, taking unother unsteady swallow of coffee. He shrugged at the next comment. "I j-just...can't sleep..." He hurt too terribly, tossed and turned at night. Even with sleep he was exhausted.
Wary blue eys searched Quinn's face quietly before he looked away again. Wings ruffled before he pulled them closer. He wasn't sure what else to say, didn't need Quinn worrying over how they treated him.

[tarquin finley ellis]

He rolled his eyes at the words. Hid before testing. As if that was going to stop anything. Eventually you were going to be found and still tested on. Much better to just get it over with and out of there as soon as possible. And Connor couldn't sleep. Seeing the look, Quinn just eyed the male back. "Is it maybe because you're sleeping alone? Cause that can be fixed if it helps." He pointed out evenly, just watching Connor thoughtfully.

As far as the staff, Quinn was going to keep an eye on the bruises Connor ended up with, and probably have a little 'chat' with whichever ones were doing it. And by chat, he meant threats and or violence. If anyone was going to smack Connor around, Quinn wanted it to be himself, not the staff. It was something to look into, and it would give him more to do when he was bored. Whatever worked.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor shrugged. "M-maybe.." Probably. He always slept better with somebody else. The last person had been the coroners daughter and brother. He had gotten to used to shaing a bed again. Fingers curled back around his cup, uncertain about what Quinn had said. And yet possession was something Connor was naive enough to fall for over and overagain. He ran a hand through his hair slowly, clearing his throat.

[tarquin finley ellis]

He gave a little nod to the words, thinking that over. It wasn't too big of a problem to deal with, making sure Connor didn't sleep alone. Quinn's mind was working that over. It could also keep others from sneaking into the male's bed too, if that was thought to be a problem. Quinn's eyes narrowed a little as he glanced over at Connor. Was that an issue? The hair on the back of his neck prickled in an uncomfortable manner. Better not be.

He reached over to stroke the feathers of Connor's nearest wing. "Well I'll tumble into bed with you tonight and see if that makes a difference." Came the words. It wasn't asking, but a point blank 'this is what's going to happen' sort of thing. That way Quinn could test his own feelings on the matter of being that close to Connor and keeping himself from acting foolish. Quinn wasn't going to let his feelings get involved again if he could help it. That wasn't how he needed this to be.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor swallowed, but just nodded. He didn't dare argue that. He slowly began to finish his coffee, stomach growling, begging. He rubbed at his nose, chewing on his lip ring carefully. He touched at his aching jaw. It was the only visible bruise, his stomach nastily bruised as well. But he wouldn't admit that to Quinn, didn't dare.

"S-so...how're you..?" He breathed huskily, coughing. He cleared his throat, trembling fingers playing over his empty coffee cup.

[tarquin finley ellis]

Quinn watched Connor nod and finish the coffee, content with the plans made for the night. He wasn't worried at all about Connor seeing the extent of his bruises, but then Quinn was happy enough to have his, where he knew the male was only hurt getting his. Which is why he wanted to give a few of the staff responsible an attitude adjustment. That would have to come later if all this beating on Connor continued. For now he would just overlook it.

The sound of Connor's stomach growling made Quinn give the male a look, but he didn't say anything about it. The look was enough, because there was no point in really arguing over the food thing just now. He supposed that the staff would keep him alive as long as they could, and that would have to be enough. At the question, Quinn huffed. "Surviving. It's all a bunch of us have left, so..." He shrugged, unbothered. "And you? Not doing anything I'd disapprove of, are you?" He asked, watching Connor carefully for a reaction.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor hesitated at the question, then shrugged. He didn't need to know about Perseus, how he'd been staying in his room the past few days before he had been pulled away from testing.
He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "J-just the u-usual," He stammered quietly.

He shifted his weight, scratching at his arm. And drugs. While hidden away in the hospital he had managed to get his hands on some drugs and needles.

[tarquin finley ellis]

It would probably be a bad thing for Quinn to know those things. Couldn't tell what he would do with the information at this point, but it probably wasn't going to be good. As far as Quinn was concerned, Connor had the chance to choose a more easy-going Quinn on that sort of thing. Now it wasn't that easy, and Quinn was going to stick to being possessive as ever. If that meant chasing away other people, then so be it.

Yet Connor's body language seemed to scream nervous, and that had Quinn watching him even as the words passed the male's lips. Yes, the male was acting quite put on the spot, which meant Quinn was going to have to watch much more closely. "The usual? And what would that be?" He pressed a little more, edging his chair closer and sliding his fingers up Connor's inner thigh. "Is anyone touching you in such a way that'll make me want to snap their wrist?" The tone was more dangerous now, eyes sharp as they settled on Connor's face.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor drew in a breath at the touch up his leg, and shook his head. "N-no.." He insisted. Lying usually came second nature though. "I-I just-...drugs." He shrugged. Blue eyes looked up at Quinn submissively, waiting to see his reaction. Quinn couldn't exactly be a hypocrite about it. He licked his lips, realizing exactly how bad he was shaking.

What they had force fed him hadn't been enough, and not all of it had stayed down anyway. He spowly pushed himself to his feet to go throw his cup away, but didn't make it two feet before he was on his knees.

[tarquin finley ellis]

He watched like a hawk at this point, and when the words came, he relaxed a little. Drugs. Of course. Quinn didn't like it, but that he could deal with. "Alright then. Don't do anything stupid with them." He said, settling back in his chair to regard Connor as the male was shaking. Quinn had to wonder at the source of the shaking, but he put it out of his mind for now. And by stupid when speaking of the drugs, he was obviously referring to overdose. Never knew when Connor would get that bright idea.

Quinn stayed put as Connor got up, idly looking around for a moment before the male was on his knees. With a sigh, Quinn pushed away from the table and moved to lift Connor to his feet. He grabbed the cup as well, his lips a thin line. "Are you going to be sick?" He asked, eyeing the trash can to figure out the distance from here to there to see if he could get the male over to it in time or not.