Tin Man Drabble requests 4.0

[surranndie]

"Annex" is finally posted and now it's time for some short, mindless madness. Though knowing me, it'll morph into uncontrollable things, as usual.

Who can play: Glitch, Ambrose, Cain, Raw, in almost any combination including threesomes. Post your requests and we'll see what happens.

Comments

[lovemyfaceoff.livejournal.com]

Glitch and Cain discovering Other Side Romance novels.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Wyatt twisted uncomfortably on the bed, certain it had gained a new and torturous bump since last night. He sighed, choosing to ignore it for now by scooting closer to Glitch's side of the bed and draping himself over the other man.

He was soon dislodged by a bony elbow into his chest and a disgruntled huff from his bed partner. Cain grumbled and rolled over. Wincing as the previously discovered bump made itself known into his kidneys, he slid out from under the warm covers and stuck his hand under the thin mattress. He was extremely confused to have his hand run into the sharp, hard edges of something.

Glancing across the bed to the sleeping Glitch with suspicion, Cain stuck his arm deeper and pulled out what apparently was a secret library. Several hardcover books fell to the floor with a loud thunk, narrowly missing his bare toes. "The hell..."

Glitch woke with a snort, frowning across the empty patch of bed. "Who's there?"

"It's just me, sweetheart," Cain answered off-handedly, picking up one of the books that had landed next to his foot. "You been stashing these books under here for a reason?" He asked with a frown, holding up a well worn sample featuring an almost obscene picture of a scantily clad woman and a nearly naked man. "Something you want to tell me?"

"Oh!" Glitch sat up hurriedly, slithering across to hang his head over the edge of the bed, eyeing the stack. "I found those in Ambrose's private library today, aren't they just fantastic?"

"In what way?" Wyatt asked incredulously. "They're trashy romance novels, Glitch. I find it hard to believe a man of your social status would read these willingly."

"What? Oh, no," Glitch shook his head, making his wild hair twitch. "The thing is they aren't from the O.Z. They talk about very interesting places and technology that we don't have here; I think I must have slipped across to the Other Side to get them. You know, I rather suspect that some of my inventions were based on things I saw over there."

Cain grunted as he sat on the edge of the bed next to Glitch, who was still sprawled across it sideways. "So, of all the choices you had to get inspiration from you chose seedy sex books?"

"Well, as I'm sure you're aware, I was also a lonely person," Glitch rolled over and huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and tangling the sheets around his hands and arms.

Wyatt leaned down and gave Glitch a consoling, if upside down, kiss. "I hope you don't think you need these anymore," he said softly, setting the book down with the others on the floor. "Unless you were reading them for...other kinds of inspiration?"

Glitch grinned up at him and hooked his hand behind Cain's neck, pulling him down for another awkward kiss. "Books are great," he answered enigmatically.

[avari-maethor.livejournal.com]

Glitch/Cain
A necklace given to a friend as a child and only recently discovering that one of them was that friend.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Cain picked up Glitch's tattered coat from the floor where it had been dropped, forgotten in Glitch's haste to be the first to claim the shower after their long trip.

Shaking his head at the pathetic piece of cloth, Wyatt shook out the dust and was not surprised when an odd collection of small things scattered to the floor, falling from the depths of the jacket.

Folding it carefully and setting it on a nearby chair, Cain knelt down and picked up the bits of shell, beads, rusted metal nuts and bolts, and a filthy length of string. He was drawn to the last item, as it was knotted into a circle and had a muddy clump of something attached to the side opposite where it was tied. It was a necklace, obviously old and well-loved.

Sitting on the edge of Glitch's bed, he fingered the charm hanging from it with a frown. He brushed his fingers carefully over its surface, revealing faded blue and white paint. When all the dirt was cleared away, he was stunned to recognize the shape. It was a badge, a childish rendering of a Tin Man's badge made of crudely carved wood.

What struck him was the familiar handwriting scrolled down the center spokes of the badge, the name "Ambrose" written in black ink.

It could have been made by anyone but he knew, without a doubt, that he had made it. It was a curse and a blessing of spending so many annuals locked in an iron suit; all his life's memories remained fresh and clear, as he was unable to create new ones while imprisoned.

**

As a child, he and his father, a Sergeant in the Tin Man ranks, had visited the royal palace in Central City when his father was to receive a commendation. Cain had been eight annuals at the time and had been bored quickly with the stuffy proceedings.

Wandering over, he sat next to a boy a bit younger than him, a boy dressed in fine clothes and impeccably groomed. "Who are you?" Wyatt asked the boy.

Back stiff and chin held high, the boy answered primly, "Ambrose. My mother is a royal advisor."

"I'm Wyatt," Cain answered, kicking his feet against the tall chair's legs. "I'm gonna be a Tin Man like my father."

Ambrose looked at him curiously. "My mother says it's dangerous being a Tin Man."

"It is, but I'm not scared," Wyatt told him proudly.

"I'm not scared of anything," Ambrose countered stiffly. "I could be a Tin Man if I wanted to."

Wyatt grinned at the younger boy and reached into his pocket, fishing out the wooden badge he had carved the night before. "Do you have a pen?"

Ambrose frowned curiously, but stuck his hand into his own inside pocket. "Of course I do. It's important to always be ready to write down observations."

Taking the pen from Ambrose, Wyatt scratched his new friend's name into the soft wood. After filling in the scratches with the black ink, he nodded at his handywork and gave the pen back to Ambrose. "Here," he said, handing the inscribed badge to the other boy. "If you think you can be as brave as a Tin Man, you need to have one of these."

The younger boy opened his hand, letting Wyatt set the carving into his small hand. "Thank you, Wyatt," Ambrose smiled at him. He reached into another pocket and tugged out a bit of string, threading it though one of the carved holes and tying the ends together. Looping it over his head, he tucked the gift under his shirt. "I promise to keep it safe."

**

"What'd you find there, Tin Man?" Glitch's voice shook Cain out of his memories. Looking up, he saw the briefest hint of the little boy in the grown man now approaching him. He wondered if he should answer. He doubted Glitch remembered the origins of the badge; on the other hand, Ambrose and Glitch had made sure to hold onto the token all these annuals. Even if Glitch didn't remember where it had come from, he obviously felt that it was important enough to keep.

Cain stood up, placing the necklace carefully on top of Glitch's folded coat. "I'll tell you later. Let's go see if they found the kitchen yet."

[andrealyn]

Glitch (or Ambrose)/Cain, discovering Glitch has a daughter about Jeb's age

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

It took days to clean up the destroyed remains of Ambrose's lab. Shredded books, scorched notes and broken furniture were swept up and sifted through by both Cain and Glitch for anything worth salvaging.

A small, broken picture frame caught Cain's attention and he bent down to carefully pick up the fragile picture from within its cage of glass shards and wooden frame slivers. The smiling face of a little girl, with dark hair and deep brown eyes, looked back at him.

Standing up and holding it out to Glitch, he asked, "You know who this is?"

Glitch took the offered paper, brow crinkled in confusion. "I - no, I'm afraid not. She's cute, though," he smiled and gave a little head tilt as he studied the frozen face. "Perhaps Locasta would remember."

"Maybe," Cain replied, picking up his broom again to get back to work, only to have it pulled from his grasp again.

"I don't think this can wait," Glitch said softly, oddly focused. "Come on."

They found the Queen in her expansive office, picking up the shattered bits of a previous reign. Her daughters were with her, floating around the room with trash bags and brooms.

"Pardon the intrusion, Majesty, but Cain found something curious in my lab," Glitch announced as he strode across the room. He held up the picture for Locasta to see. "Do you know who this girl is?"

Gasping sharply, the Queen dropped the handful of papers she had gathered. "Oh, by the gods, Ambrose," she whispered harshly, staring at her former advisor. "Tell me you remember your own daughter."

Cain barely managed to reach Glitch as his legs suddenly refused to support him. Glitch stared at the picture in his hand, dazed, as Cain and DG knelt on either side of where he was sitting on the floor amid the debris. "Daughter? No, no, that can't be possible," Glitch mumbled under his breath, not really addressing anyone. "I can't have forgotten having a child."

Locasta crouched down next to her best friend, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry to have told you so abruptly," she said softly. "It was a shock to see that picture. I'm afraid I'm guilty of forgetting all about her; after...well, I've not seen nor heard from her in all these annuals."

"Do you think she's still out there?" Glitch asked in a tremulous voice, finally looking up.

"I suppose it's possible," she gave him a sad smile. "We'll start the search immediately."

Glitch nodded, looking terribly lost. He leaned against Cain's warm, familiar bulk, resting his head against a strong shoulder. "Will you help me? She must be nearly twenty annuals by now, I have no idea where to even begin."

Cain pulled his friend close, resting his chin on top of the zipper. His hand smoothed over Glitch's back while he thought of his own awkward reunion with his son. He and Jeb at least had clear memories of each other. Glitch was hoping to find a daughter he had absolutely no memory of. Cain could not imagine what would happen should they find her.

But he knew they had to try. It was something Glitch needed, another piece of his lost past that had to be put back in place. Exchanging a look with the Queen, Cain promised, "Of course I'll help you."


**
- "Locasta" was the name given to the Good Witch of the North, who I'm assuming is the same as the Queen, by Baum in his stage version.

[truthwritaslies.livejournal.com]

Ambrose/Glitch,

the line "they bring a whole new definition to narcissism."

and they each have their own body.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Rather than make a potentially deadly attempt at rejoining the two parts of Glitch's brain into his zippered skull, the Queen's alchemists insisted that it would be much easier to simply build a new body for what Glitch referred to as the Tank Brain.

No one besides the alchemists were quite sure how that was the more simple option, but they decided that going along with it would be best. Everyone was still secretly afraid of the alchemists, anyway.

There was no danger of not being able to tell the two men apart.

The body the scientists had created was based on Ambrose and did look a lot like Glitch. Except for the hair.

However, Ambrose was everything that Glitch was not. He was literally his other half; all the psychological characteristics that Glitch had lost were suddenly found again in Ambrose. Glitch was outspoken and easy going; Ambrose was shy, soft-spoken and intense. The first was curious about what he barely understood while the second understood everything and was often bored by it.

Glitch craved touch; Ambrose loved to touch.

No one was quite certain when it happened. And no one was spared an accidental glimpse of perfectly symmetrical affection.

DG had her chance when she went in search of something resembling batteries. Upon entering the wide open door to Ambrose and Glitch's lab, her eyes went wide at the unashamed display she walked in on. Without a word, she turned on her heels and all but ran back the way she came, closing the door behind her.

In the hall, she scrubbed her palms against her eyes as if to erase the image burned there. The image of Ambrose on his knees and Glitch with his head thrown back, lips parted and face flushed.

Cain walked by casually, smirking at the princess knowingly. "They bring a whole new definition to narcissism, don't they?"

"You too?" DG squinted at him with one eye, the other still covered by one fist.

"Map library. I was looking for a sextant."

"Guess they were too," DG quipped with a shudder.

[invderlava.livejournal.com]

Ambrose/Cain/Glitch, and a sandwich. ♥

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Cain grumbled disappointedly when Ambrose crawled out of bed, leaving only Glitch to keep him warm. And Glitch had very cold feet.

"Where're you going?" Cain pouted, pulling the covers up over Glitch's shoulder and pulling the still sleeping man close.

"I want a sandwich," Ambrose announced as he pulled on the formerly discarded pajama pants and the robe he snagged from where it was hanging at the end of the bed. "Sex always makes me hungry."

Wyatt squinted at him. "Glitch doesn't have that problem."

"Well, I'm not Glitch, now, am I?" Ambrose tugged at the belt savagely. "He falls asleep, I get hungry."

"All right, you've made your point. Go, get your sandwich," Cain sighed then rolled over to face his other lover. "I'll just stay here with Glitch." To prove his point, he wrapped his arms around Glitch and held him tight. Not unlike a small child with a stuffed bear.

Ambrose thought it was adorable. But he was hungry. "I'll be right back. Don't start anything without me."

"No promises," Glitch's voice was muffled but clearly smug.

[candacestls.livejournal.com]

Ambrose or Glitch/Cain, How about a little broom closet sex :-)

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Cain had no idea that a little search for a feather duster could turn into something so dirty.

He found what he was looking for in an unnecessarily deep broom closet down the hall from his new office. As he reached up to grab the duster, the door suddenly closed and the light went off.

Before he could feel his way back to the entrance he was pinned against the wall and kissed breathless. The familiarity of the body under his grasping hands eased his mind; this was not a random attack by a desperate housemaid. It was just Glitch.

Resting his hands on Glitch's shoulders, he relaxed into the desperate kisses, dropping his jaw and welcoming a deeper intrusion.

Glitch pulled back to catch a breath, leaning his warm forehead against Cain's so that the very end of his zipper pressed a cold impression into the other man's skin. "Turn around," Glitch ordered frantically, pulling and pushing at Wyatt.

After that, Cain couldn't recall the exact order of events. All he knew was he was harder than hell and his pants were around his ankles. Feet were kicked apart and slick fingers opened him up. He pushed back, his head falling forward with an uncontrolled thud against the wall. Hands braced and fingers struggling to find purchase in the flat surface.

Glitch's other hand stroked over his erection and down lower, cupping him and squeezing in just the right places. Cain was hardly aware of the moment Glitch pushed into him, his breath catching at the invasion. He dropped a hand back to grip Glitch's leg, stilling the other man for a moment. Then Cain brought his hand back to the wall and arched his back, giving Glitch permission to go for it.

It was a fast, hard, almost feral coupling and it was all Cain could do to stay on his feet. Legs trembled as his stomach tightened, the first indication of approaching release. Cain turned his head, captured Glitch's mouth and his moans got higher and quicker. One hand joined Glitch's between his legs and together they worked him into cresting completion.

Glitch followed him with a long, slow and impossibly deep finish, moaning into Cain's throat.

Sucking in breaths like drowning men, they both slid in an ungainly heap to the floor, clinging to each other for support. Cain knew he would never be able to go back to cleaning now; not when just thinking about cleaning tools would make him blush from now on.

[ameonna1.livejournal.com]

Oh, oh, can I sneak one in?

Cain/Ambrose/Glitch

Aaand the prompt is 'Homework'

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

"I'm tired," Glitch sprawled in his chair, letting his head fall against the top of the backrest.

Ambrose sighed and rested his chin in his palm. "We're almost done," he tried to sound encouraging but he too was tired of the daily ritual. "You know as well as I do that if you want to retrain your mind, you have to do your homework. Now, who is this?" He held up the next in the stack of photographic flash cards they went through every day.

Tilting his head just enough to see the picture, Glitch grimaced. "Emily."

"Glitch," Ambrose prompted with a warning tone.

"Fine. Emily Fairfield. She's the nurse in charge of poking people with sharp things."

"Close enough," replied Ambrose. He looked up with Cain entered their shared room, giving the Tin Man a weary smile. "Just in time, Wyatt. Your turn; I need a break." He stood and made his way toward the bathroom.

Glitch sank even lower in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest with a scowl. "How come I don't get a break?"

"Because this is your homework and because you won't do it on your own, we share the lovely task of helping you with it," Cain reminded him, replacing Ambrose in the seat across from Glitch at the small table. "How're you doing today, sweetheart?" He asked gently, noting how tired and restless Glitch looked.

"I'm fine," Glitch gave him a tiny, sweet smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I really do appreciate you guys and your flash cards."

Cain understood why Glitch was reluctant to continue with the training. It was a constant reminder of everything Glitch had lost, the simple ability to place a name with a face, something the rest of them took for granted.

Setting the rest of the cards down and standing, Wyatt made his way around the table. He offered his hand, which Glitch took. Pulling Glitch to his feet, Cain led him over to the open balcony.

Glitch leaned against the sturdy stone rail, sighing happily when Cain embraced him from behind, covering him like a warm blanket. After a few silent moments, Cain shifted just a bit to the side and Glitch glanced back to see Ambrose joining them. Ambrose pressed up against Glitch's other side, one arm wrapping around Cain's shoulders at the same time.

Together, they stared out at the expanse of land around them. Glitch leaned into the warmth of his two companions, smiling at his good fortune.

Down below, someone led a pair of horses to the large grass field to graze. Glitch pointed and cheerfully announced, "Hey, there's James Hardent, he's the stable master."

Behind Glitch's head, Ambrose and Wyatt exchanged a delighted grin. Their work was not for nothing after all.

[redbird57.livejournal.com]

Cain/Glitch

Prompt: Grapes

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Wyatt waited at the edge of the orchard for Glitch to reemerge. It was nearly dusk, the suns having started to dip below the horizon and the light was fading fast. But Glitch had insisted on visiting this corner of the property, said it couldn't wait.

Soon enough, the overgrown vines parted and Glitch stumbled out from the dark depths. His arms were full of deep purple clusters of fruit and he sported a wide, victorious grin. Sticking out of his impossibly tangled hair were small leaves and bits of wood. "Look, I told you this was the right season," he bounded over to where Cain waited, a handful of grapes dangling from one hand.

"What are you going to do with all those?" Cain asked, turning to follow the determined advisor back to the mansion.

"Eat them, of course," Glitch informed him happily. "What else?"

"You've got enough there to make a whole bottle of wine," pointed out Wyatt.

Glitch looked down at his haul and pursed his lips. "I suppose, but who has the time?"

Chuckling lightly, Cain slung an arm around Glitch's shoulders and steered him down the dark path. "Good point. How about you head up to the room and I'll go see what I can sneak out of the wine cellar."

That earned him a quick peck on the lips and the delightful view of Glitch's backside as he bounced ahead.

[nuavarion.livejournal.com]

Cain helping Ambrose (or Glitch) after finding him in the throws of a nightmare... 'help' can be anything.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Wyatt was woken by a cold, sharp gust of wind blowing the covers partially off of him. He tugged them back up sleepily, settling back into his pillow for half a second until he realized something was wrong with this. They had left no windows or doors open the night before.

He reached across the bed to wake Glitch and ask him about it, but his hand came up empty.

Suddenly, painfully awake and heart pounding somewhere near his throat, he threw the blankets aside and stumbled to his feet. Instinctually, he crossed the room in a few long strides and crossed the threshold of the balcony door. To his left he spotted the solitary figure and he rushed forward, praying he reached it in time.

Cain's arm curled tightly around Glitch's middle just as the advisor began to tip forward and they both tumbled back to the freezing stone floor. Glitch struggled against him, frantic limbs reaching for the posts lining the rail.

"Glitch, stop it, it's me," Wyatt held the writhing body as close as he could, using his legs to restrain the kicking ones in front of him. He grabbed Glitch's hands with his own, managing to lean over the thin shoulder and get a glimpse of the pale face. Glitch's eyes were closed. Cain knew he was dreaming, something that had happened more frequently as the memories slowly resurfaced.

"No, I won't...burned them all...." Glitch's words were barely coherent but Wyatt had his suspicions about the nightmare. What hit him hardest was why Glitch had come out here, had nearly jumped from the building. He wondered if this was not merely a nightmare but the reliving of a dark memory.

Cain flipped them so that Glitch was on his back and Wyatt was laying on him, holding him down with his body. Hating himself, Cain reached up and slapped Glitch, hard, to pull him from the dream.

The man under him shook violently, his eyes shot open and he looked up wildly at Cain. "What - do I know you?" he panted, his hand flying up automatically to check his zipper.

"Glitch, sweetheart, you scared the living hell out of me," Wyatt gasped, leaning his head against Glitch's shoulder.

Cain felt trembling arms wrap around him and a soft cheek press against the side of his head. "Did I do something terrible?" Glitch asked hesitantly.

Bracing his elbows on either side of Glitch's head, Cain released a sharp breath and lifted his face up to kiss the other man, reassuring them both. "No, it's not your fault. We'll talk about it in the morning." He managed to stand on unsteady legs, pulling Glitch to his feet. Getting them both inside and sitting Glitch down on the side of the bed, Cain went back over to the open doors. He pushed them closed and dragged a heavy trunk over in front of them. Tomorrow, he would request a set of locks.

[avari-maethor.livejournal.com]

May I request a continuation of "When Wonderland Shatters"? You seriously cannot leave that prompt alone, to much of a good thing going with what you wrote :D

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't worry - it won't be left alone! I've got a big story planned for it. But since you're all impatient, I'm gonna be evil and write a tiny teaser. Bwhahahhahaa!

**

Before he could shout a warning, Cain saw the dark shape cut across the foyer at impossible speed, straight for Glitch. His legs refused to move, feet frozen in place and all he could do was watch.

Glitch doubled over with a sharp cry, the attack short but brutal. He was thrown from his feet into the cold, hard marble of the central pillar, sliding down and curling up as the black cloud shot away again, disappearing into the high ceiling.

Cain's legs finally responded and he staggered over to the fallen man, his knees hitting the floor painfully. Shouting for help, knowing that at least Raw would hear him for all the intensity of his emotion, Wyatt's hands began to work as if on their own. One wrapped over the closest shoulder and the other pressed hard against Glitch's chest, searching for life in the still body.

**

[lionille.livejournal.com]

These were all so incredible! I loved all of them but my absolute favorite was Cain saying "They bring a whole new definition to narcissism, don't they?" What a stunning mental picture – Glitch and Ambrose with their “perfectly symmetrical affection.” Mercy!
Am in time for a request? Ambrose/Cain and chocolates wrapped in crinkly purple tinfoil? Please?

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

You're always in time, my dear!

**

The first night Ambrose was feeling well enough to join the rest of the family for dinner, he was pleasantly surprised to find a perfectly round chocolate truffle waiting for him at his table setting. The shiny purple foil caught the light and he smiled at the effect, reaching out to touch the very tips of his fingers to the crinkled twists on the sides.

"Who is this from?" he asked, but was answered by shrugs and kind smiles. He settled into his favorite chair, the one they'd salvaged from a side closet, and pondered the gift.

Every evening when he came to dinner, whether he was the first or last to arrive, there was always a piece of chocolate waiting for him in that same purple tinfoil. Chocolate covered cherries, almond clusters, caramel filled, mint-flavored. They all amused him greatly but the mystery of who was leaving them confounded him.

Three weeks after the first appearance of the chocolate presents, he decided to sneak down to the dining room early and watch covertly from the kitchen. Cracking the door open just enough to keep an eye out while staying out of the way of the staff, he waited for nearly half an hour before his secret giver showed their face.

Wyatt sprinted across the room and reaching into his pocket, pulled out a familiar purple piece of foil and laid it with care next to Ambrose's soup spoon.

"Wyatt Cain, I should have known it was you," Ambrose flung open the door and made his presence known.

Jumping guiltily, Cain cleared his throat. His face was flushed and he couldn't meet Ambrose's eye. "I - you..."

Ambrose smiled as he reached Cain. "Thank you, Wyatt, it's a very kind gesture. But may I ask why?"

Looking around the room to make sure they were alone, Cain crossed his arms and stared at the floor. "I couldn't...before. When you were Glitch. It didn't feel right, like I'd be taking advantage. But now that you're yourself again..."

"I've always been myself, Cain," Ambrose corrected him gently. "I've known since before the surgery how you felt, I was just waiting for you to do something about it. But honestly, you're going far too slow for my tastes."

Cain raised his head defiantly. "I was expecting you to figure it out sooner, super genius."

"Hello, brain surgery?" Ambrose pointed at his head. "Besides, it's not as if you were leaving easily identifiable calling cards for me to figure out."

"Who else gives you a hard time about the fact that purple is your favorite color? Or that you seem to survive on nothing but chocolate some days?" Wyatt pointed out smugly.

"Good point. Come on, we have a lot to talk about."

**

[rottenlullaby.livejournal.com]

Oh is there time for me? (and, I need to go leave a comment on annex I think I forgot, I was hungover while reading it. :x)

Ambrose (or Glitch)/Cain

Hangovers. :)

Of course!

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Cain's morning started off with the sounds of vomiting greeting him from the bathroom. His own headache wasn't bad, considering the amount of whiskey the two of them had managed to down the night before.

He reluctantly crawled out of bed, his feet tangling in the messed up sheet and he barely stayed standing. Foregoing clothes as unnecessary, he scrubbed his hand over his face and grimaced at the chalky feel of his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth.

Ambrose was hunched miserably over the porcelian bowl, his head resting on its cool surface.

"Feel better, sweetheart?" Cain asked as he turned the cold water on in the sink, splashing his face to wash away the cobweb feeling.

"I hate you," Ambrose groaned, reaching up blindly for the flush handle.

"You're a big boy, you could have stopped any time," pointed out the man still on his feet after a night of drinking.

Ambrose rolled his head to the side to give a one-eyed glare to his companion. "You realize that was the first time I've had alcohol since I got my brain back? I think the part that gets hangovers must have been in the tank all those years."

Wyatt chuckled. "Not sure it works that way."

"No, I don't suppose so," Ambrose sighed. "I don't think I ever drank when I was headcased. Not many people are cruel enough to give booze to someone in my condition."

Sitting on the floor next to Ambrose, Cain draped his arms over bent knees. "But now that you've got your brain back, you're free to destroy it in any way you want."

"Shut up and help me get a shower."

[aisarete.livejournal.com]

Ambrose/Raw friendship
Prompt: Connections

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

While clearing out the debris and assorted odd and ends laying about the depths of the dark Tower, a dust covered, heavy wooden case was recovered from a cluttered alcove on the prison level.

There was nothing unusual about this occurrence, as quite a number of personal effects of those held captive had been found. It was the owner's name carefully carved in the side of the box that made the workers who found it deliver the item immediately to the royal home.

Ambrose was passing through the front entrance hall when the case was delivered and he accepted it himself when he saw what it was.

He took it to his own room, setting it carefully on the bed and reaching for the phone he kept on one of the small tables nearby.

As he waited for the resident viewer to answer his call, he traced his fingers over the deeply engraved letters in the wood, reading the name "RAW" with the sensitive tips. Soon enough, Raw was informed of the newly delivered property and was on his way.

Raw knocked before entering, his eyes unerringly drawn to the familiar box. He met Ambrose's eye for only the briefest of moments. Ambrose smiled and waved a hand to indicate that Raw should join him on the bed.

With the case between them, Raw reached out and touched it reverently. "Where?"

"In the Tower," Ambrose answered. "Is it what I think it is?"

Nodding slowly, Raw slid his hand over the simple but powerful locking mechanism. It clicked obediently at his fleeting touch and the lid popped open, revealing the contents.

Ambrose gasped softly, a bright, intrigued smile breaking out at the sight. "It is! It's an apothecary set! I've never seen one myself, not one belonging to a real healer. This is fantastic," he grinned up at Raw.

The viewer returned his smile and ran his hands over the smooth clay bottles, still intact with their medicines and mixes. Glass and metal tools were tucked into padded cloth pockets, safe and secure after all this time. He reached across and took Ambrose's hand in his own, touching their joined fingers to one of the inset bowls filled with impossibly supple leaves. "Ajali. Will keep nightmares away."

"It's just like you to make this about me," Ambrose teased him gently, touched at Raw's subtlety. He squeezed the fingers linked with his own. "Thank you for showing me this part of your past."

Raw shook his head, untangling his fingers and grasping Ambrose' shoulder. "Not past. Connecting old and new. Ambrose help renew set?"

"Of course I'll help you update it," Ambrose assured him earnestly. "I'd be honored."