Title: Unfamiliar
Author: Surreal
Characters/Pairings: Glitch/Cain, Raw/Jeb
Summary: Getting to know familiar strangers after the Eclipse.



Pushing through the thick, acrid smoke and past bodies of fallen Longcoats and rebels alike, Cain kept a sharp eye out for a face that was familiar and painfully new at the same time. In the aftermath of the ground skirmishes, a few haphazard medical triage tents had been set up right at the base of the damaged Tower. An occasional burst of gunfire echoed from the hills beyond the area as the Resistance tracked down the last pockets of the fleeing Witch's army.

The thin, comfortingly strong hand wrapped around his wrist grounded him and he was silently thankful for its presence. Not caring what anyone thought as he and Glitch weaved in and out of the tents. Until a shout from behind them had Cain turning, stumbling as Glitch struggled not to run him over. A battered pair of young men were making their way slowly toward them where they had stopped at the edge of a battered canopy. "Jeb," he breathed, his chest constricting as he took in his son's condition.

Glitch moved first, his firm grip on Cain's arm not breaking as they hurried to meet the injured men. Half-carrying his son was the man Jeb had introduced as Peter, his second in command, the same man who had been chained to the log with them in the Realm of the Unwanted. Glitch moved to Peter's side while Cain took up his son's other arm, wincing when his fingers brushed the bloodied sleeve. "Come on, there's a few medics already helping the injured," Glitch told them, leading the way under the tent cover.

Together, the four men found an empty space on the floor and immediately claimed it, guiding Jeb to the ground. Cain knelt at his son's side, shaking fingers touching Jeb's chin, raising his young face slightly. He looked at Glitch and his expression must have spoken for him because Glitch nodded sharply. "I'll go find someone." Not waiting for an answer, he hurried off again.

Peter reached across and touched Cain's arm lightly, drawing his attention. "It's not as bad as it looks," he assured Cain. "Only one deep wound from a bullet, on his upper arm. Tied it off with his scarf, so he hasn't lost as much blood as he could have. The rest is mostly deep gashes, mostly on his arms."

Cain nodded absently, not taking his eyes off Jeb's dirt-streaked face. "Son? You with us?"

Jeb tilted his head back, a sliver of color showing through barely opened eyes. "Father?"

"Yeah, you're all right now," Cain gave a breathy chuckle, rubbing his hand over Jeb's forearm until it finally just grasped the smaller hand. "Glitch went to get someone to help."

"'Kay," Jeb nodded faintly, licking his dry lips.

It was then Glitch came tumbling back to their place on the ground and an unexpected form cast a shadow over Jeb. Cain looked up and gave a deep sigh of relief when it was Raw that filled his vision. "Oh, thank the gods," he patted Raw's shoulder hard. Standing to give Raw space to work, Cain moved around to crouch next to Glitch. "Nice work finding Raw," he said with a grin, mirroring Glitch's earlier actions and wrapping his fingers around Glitch's wrist.

Glitch ducked his head, a small but proud smile curving his lips. "He was helping out the other healers and Viewers we released from the cells earlier. When I told him who was hurt, he nearly ran me over in his rush to come help Jeb."

"He's a good man," Cain murmured, watching as Raw's gentle, soothing touch gave Jeb relief.

"I figure we can take Jeb into the Tower after the worst of it is healed," Glitch told him. "Though by the looks of it, we might be in for a fight if we try to separate them," he said with a knowing grin.

Cain couldn't help but smile himself when Raw's big hand came up and brushed the long, pale curls from Jeb's forehead, making Jeb smile tiredly, even barely conscious. Raw turned to Cain, a mixture of questioning and longing on his expressive face. "Jeb rest inside?"

"Yeah, that's what we were thinking," Cain nodded, standing and wincing as his legs protested their previous position. "Peter? You're okay?"

"Of course, Jeb was the only one dumb enough to jump out and get himself shot," Peter answered with a rueful shake of his head. He stood, looking around at the others laying injured in the tent. "I'm going to stay here and see what I can do to help out, though by the looks of it the Viewers are doing a heck of a job."

Glitch smiled as he, too, took in the scene. Where only a short time before it had seemed distressingly hopeless, an sense of determination and satisfaction had settled over the clearing air.

Raw tucked his arms under Jeb's limp body, settling him comfortably against his chest. Jeb didn't protest the motion, instead letting his head rest on Raw's shoulder. He raised his eyebrows at Cain and Glitch in a silent question.

"Right, follow us," Cain jerked his head in the direction of the Tower. His wrist was again firmly gripped by Glitch and he was beginning to find it wonderfully familiar. He started to lead the way, turning back only once to look at his son cradled in Raw's arms, a sight that both frightened him and sent a surge of warmth through his heart.

His wrist was tugged and he glanced at Glitch, who just gave him an insufferable grin. "You can give Raw the Talk later. For now, let him and Jeb have some time to themselves. See what happens."

Cain gave a token scowl but wisely kept silent as he and Glitch led the way back to the Tower.

**

End.

On to "Perceptible"
andrealyn: (tin: to see your face)

From: [personal profile] andrealyn


Mmm, I really like this 'verse and would LOVE to see it expanded, if only for more Jeb/Raw! Excellent and awesome!

From: [identity profile] surranndie.livejournal.com


Heh! I hadn't thought to expand it, but I suppose those two could use some more screen time. :D Thank you!!

From: [identity profile] lionille.livejournal.com


Jeb/Raw! eeeee! Lovely!
I LOVE how competently Glitch handles going for help, and that Cain trusts him to do so....how he goes out alone for help and finds THE perfect person. And the whole thing with Glitch continually leading him around by the wrist was so touching.

From: [identity profile] surranndie.livejournal.com


Aww, thanks! *hugs* It's your fault, making Jeb all interesting and sexified. I've always tried to keep Glitch in character that way - he survived so long on his own, obviously he's competent and capable. It frustrates me when people think of him as helpless or needy. I'm glad you liked it!!

From: [identity profile] pennies-4-eyes.livejournal.com


oh wow! That has to be the best Cain I have ever seen represented in a fic. The paternal qualities could not be beat!!!

He was SUCH a dad in this. I *heart* you!

From: [identity profile] surranndie.livejournal.com


Awww *blushes*. It's so sweet of you to say that! There is so much more to explore with this 'verse, to dig deep behind the reasons Jeb and Raw might have connected like that, how Cain's going to deal with his son being an adult, etc, etc.

Thanks so much!!!!

From: [identity profile] avari-maethor.livejournal.com


I read this last night but then got called away before I could comment. But here I am leaving one now! ^_^

I think you are working on a secret mission to open my eyes to other pairings. First telling me about [livejournal.com profile] lionille's story and now this.

I think this Raw/Jeb pairing is genius. It gave me the same warm tingley's that Glitch/Cain first gave me when Tin Man aired. What inspired you to take that pairing on? I'm really curious to know if in the span of this story if Jeb and Raw had met before, like before Raw was in the runner's cacoon?

From: [identity profile] surranndie.livejournal.com


Ooooh, that's a fascinating thought! I hadn't really given it much consideration, where the pairing came from. After this came out the way it did (unexpectedly!), I got to thinking about the future of this 'verse. Most prominent right now is the feeling that Raw is picking up something from Jeb that is drawing him to Jeb - that Jeb had to grow up too fast, that he is cold and angry, that he needs someone (not his father) to help him heal, while at the same time making sure Wyatt isn't loaded with guilt over circumstances he couldn't control. At the same time, Jeb is very comfortable with Raw, he's drawn toward Raw because Raw is basically a clean slate to him - someone Jeb has no history with and that he sees as being an innocent in every sense of the word. That's very appealing after all the dirt and deception that a life in the Resistance necessitates.

It's become quite a tangled mess and a very fragile character exploration. :D

From: [identity profile] avari-maethor.livejournal.com


Well I'm sure, if anyone, you can sort it all out. I know I'll be looking forward to whatever you write! ^_^

From: [identity profile] archon-mentha.livejournal.com


This is an interesting pairing - I think in other circumstances it wouldn't work - or it seems like something that shouldn't - but this really does. It's a great balance!

From: [identity profile] surranndie.livejournal.com


Aww, thanks! It is odd, especially as it seems so sudden and out of nowhere. I'm hoping to sort out the whole thing and work through it in future stories. Thanks for giving it a try!! :D

From: [identity profile] ciara--mist.livejournal.com


This is adorable! Glitch and Cain attached in the after math. Cain worried about Jeb and Glitch there for him. Raw is adorable protective, just like Cain over Glitch!! *wuvs*

and yes, yes this is me sleeping. If your fics weren't so damn irresistible!

I blame you.

Granted it's not a bad blame, but still...lol Now that I've started a new series, I really shouldn't have at the moment, I'm going to bed...I mean it this time! I swear... ;D

From: [identity profile] surranndie.livejournal.com


Hehhehe!! You are so cute with your addiction! Really, though, that's so wonderfully flattering! :D

AND YAY! You've started the 'Perceptible' 'verse!!! \o/ I have to admit, that 'verse is my current obsession. *am currently writing yet ANOTHER long story within it, though this one is mpreg...*

*tacklehugs* It's so fun to follow you around as you read these stories!! :D Thank you again, you're totally making my week!!!

From: [identity profile] ciara--mist.livejournal.com


lmao! funny you should say that, cause you're totally making my week!! and it's been a very crappy one and you've made a lot of it all better! :D

And at least I'm entertaining with the comments...*contemplates putting random quotes in comments as well...* lol
.

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