Tin Man Drabble requests 11.0

[surranndie]

Let's get this party started! Also, help me get back to the best part of our lovely fandom - Glitch and Cain. I love other pairings like crazy (duh...), so if anyone has a burning desire for other (slash) pairings, I'll definitely fill those requests.

But - really. Glitch/Cain. *sage nod*

Comments

[kseda.livejournal.com]

I give in to your demand. Glitch/Cain. Um. The Shadowplay cover by the Killers. I'M SORRY. Have lyrics?

EDIT: Or unicorns! UUUUUNICORNS! *cackles and runs*

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Rubbing his hands together to ward off the biting chill, Cain sighed a white cloud into the night. The air was bitter cold and the stillness of it let the stench of car exhaust hang in the streets, unmoving. His collar was stiff, turned up in a feeble attempt to keep his neck from aching.

Cain shifted his gaze between the other three corners surrounding the intersection, his view only rarely interrupted by a passing vehicle or wagon. The streets were empty of pedestrians, the early sunset of winter driving people into the warmth of home or into the dark, musty depths of the nightclub scene earlier than ever.

Just give me ten minutes, I promise I'll be right back, Glitch had said over his shoulder, hurrying off to complete an unknown yet apparently vitally important mission. Cain had pushed his pocket watch into Glitch's hand at the last moment, a tangible reminder that Cain would be waiting.

But minutes ticked past, the frosty dryness of the air making Cain cough and swallow often. The silence was too unfamiliar; he was used to constant sound. Even before Glitch and his unending chatter, there was the Loop; before that, there was Jeb and Adora. Always, sounds around him and the vacant city streets were thick without those sounds he had come to find comfort in.

Ducking into an abandoned building's entryway, leaving the door open a crack because the windows had been boarded up, Cain took shelter in the faint, rhythmic dripping and far-away creaking of the structure settling. He listened, waited, hoping to see a glimpse of movement outside that would tell him Glitch had returned.

He fell against the frame, back slipping down the unexpectedly slick, painted surface until he reached the floor. The door caught between his bent knees. body angled half-in and half-out of the hiding place. A rush of sounds, smelling of gun metal and leather, horses creeping past as their riders searched for the rebel captain.

But when he opened his eyes, the streets were again empty. The Longcoats were in his mind, his own death just a dream from the past. He hadn't been found, his family had been safe. His men had survived, that time. Let them go by, his worn fingernails digging into his palm as he had watched from a collapsed barn, watched as the headcase the Longcoats had tortured in front of him lay slumped on the ground. Frozen in place, unable to breath, unwilling to give up his mens' position to see if the body splayed out in the open had any life left in it.

Cain choked on the memory, cheeks cold and wet. He swiftly brushed his sleeve over his face, erasing the evidence, when he finally heard familiar approaching footsteps from across the street. Glitch was returning from his spontaneous errand. Even from here, Cain could see the grin Glitch wore as he dashed across the intersection to meet Cain.

[andrealyn]

How about some Glitch/Cain, Cain having been one of the Advisors back in the day. Glitch finding that out.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

"Where did you get this?" Glitch turned the dull, worn metal insignia over in his palm, still warm from Cain's pants pocket. After the first few times something of Cain's had ended up in the wash due to forgetting to empty his pockets, Glitch had made a habit of going through all of their laundry before sending it down to the housekeeping staff.

Cain glanced over, squinting at the thing in Glitch's hand. "What is it?"

"I don't know, but it's sort of familiar," Glitch's lips bunched up in concentration. "It's...no, that's not it..."

"Here, let me see," Cain straightened from his bent position over the bed where he had been changing the sheets. He held out his hand to catch the item as Glitch tossed it gently. Rubbing his thumb over the faded words, he blinked in recognition. "It's...where did you find this?"

"Inside coat pocket, lower left side," Glitch's hands stroked through the air as he reenacted his discovery with swift fingers and unfocused eyes. "Do you remember where you got it?"

"I...yeah," Cain nodded faintly. "It's from a long time ago, even before I worked on Mystic Man's security detail. I worked for the...well, the Queen, I suppose."

Glitch shot him a disbelieving look. "Are you serious? Then why didn't you say something before? You had to have recognized me from day one, if you really did work for the House of Gale." He paused, a flicker of hurt crossing his face before he turned away to fuss with the loaded laundry basket. "Unless...well, you were pretty rude to me, even being a headcase. Maybe you had known me before. Perhaps we hadn't gotten along..."

While Glitch was talking, Cain had wandered over and his fingers grazed the soft stubble that lined the edge of Glitch's jaw. Glitch looked up, mouth still open but the flow of words had ceased. "You're jumping to a lot of conclusions there," Cain smiled gently and kissed Glitch's open mouth softly. "We didn't know each other and I honestly didn't recognize you on that first day, with your hair grown out and your clothes so much darker than before. I was so focused on getting to Zero, I pretty much just looked past the two of you. Until we got to the Northern Island and found that painting."

Glitch swallowed, taking a slow breath. "I figured you started being nicer to me because I saved your life."

"That, too," Cain acknowledged. "But I also recognized who you were, what you meant to the kingdom. Where you were meant to be."

Flushed with pleasure, Glitch gave a shy smile. "So," he pointed to the badge in Cain's hand. "What, exactly, did you do for Her Majesty?"

Cain chuckled and shook his head. "If you can believe it, I was an Advisor. Security and recruitment for the Tin Men. That's how I ended up with the Mystic Man - I'm sure you know he himself was a member of your court."

Glitch gave a healthy laugh and slid his hand around Cain's waist, pulling him close. "Now, I know you're telling the truth - who else but the biggest Boy Scout in all the O.Z. could possibly advise the Queen in matters of security?"

[trjessie579.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE to see some Cain/Glitch based off the lyrics of "Your Wildest Dreams" by Moody Blues.

Lyrics

Ever since I first heard this song it's been begging to be the basis for a fanfic somehow. :D

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Staring up into the pale sky, there was nothing to break the monotony of the view. The air was cold and crisp, painfully so as it hit all the way down to his stomach when he breathed in too deeply.

His head hurt.

Not that this was anything unusual. But the sharp, bright edge everything had to it was. Considering all he could see was a long expanse of almost white atmosphere.

Then there were eyes, surrounded by shadowed brows and red cheeks, wide lips moving and no sound coming out. Glitch squinted at the intruder, blocking his view. He swept an arm in a feeble attempt to push away the annoyance. It wouldn't move so he shifted his gaze, trying to figure out what was so damn important.

Eyes, bright and blue and clear like the sky should have been. The sky had moved, finding a better place to exist and it was in Cain's face. That thought made Glitch chuckle, but it only made Cain frown.

Glitch lifted his hand, unable to control his fingers but managing to brush them down the side of Cain's throat. The skin was cold and muscles tense. Glitch wondered what was making Cain so upset. Cain had always been so calm, confident and reassuring.

The ground was wet, Glitch noted with a corner of his wandering mind. Wet blades of green and yellow grass tickled his ear and he sighed, turning his head away from that, too. He was tired, wanted to close his eyes and sleep but Cain was there. His voice were starting to fade into existence but he wasn't talking, not like Glitch expected to hear. The sound coming from Cain's mouth was melodic, soft and rolling and comforting. Lulling Glitch into a dull dream-like state.

Cain's palm was sharp and it hurt when it met Glitch's cheek. Glitch grumbled and peeled his eyes open again. "What? I said I liked your singing," he said through numb lips, even though he didn't actually remember telling Cain that before.

"Stay awake," Cain ordered him harshly, counterpoint to the gentle hand now cupping the back of Glitch's head. "You hit your head pretty hard on the way down, DG went to get help. But you can't fall asleep."

Glitch rolled his eyes then swallowed hard, suddenly nauseous from the motion. "I don't want to be outside anymore."

"I know, sweetheart," Cain's voice was heartbreakingly fragile and Glitch looked up again, seeing the sky reflecting back at him.

"Take me home?"

[annehiro.livejournal.com]

Ambrose/Vy Sor







Please?

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

"Don't do this," Ambrose said again, his voice growing rougher with each plea. "It won't work and you know it better than anyone."

Vy-Sor's grip on his mentor's arm was more gentle than it appeared. He stopped just outside the surgical theatre's plain, unremarkable doors. Turning to the guards, he gave a pointed order. "Leave us."

Despite his youth, the officers knew better than to hesitate when given a direct order from this man.

Alone with Ambrose, Vy-Sor shifted to stand in front of the man who had trained him from childhood. One hand, of its own volition, drifted up and touched Ambrose's jaw, lifting the pale face he knew better than his own. Every sharp curve, smooth line and dark eyelash was perfect.

"How can you do this to me?" Ambrose finally asked, voice breaking on the last word.

"You taught me too well, Master Ambrose," Vy-Sor answered simply. "You always made certain that I understood the vital importance of loyalty to my charge. Her Majesty earned your loyalty and Azkadellia has earned mine, through all these annuals."

Ambrose shifted, turning away in disgust. "She is not the Azkadellia we knew. She's not the same girl I have known since birth, nor is she the girl you were raised to take care of."

"That may be, sir, but she is still my charge," Vy-Sor said with a graceful nod. "I may not agree with her actions but it is my duty to remain loyal to her, regardless of her choices."

"Then you have condemned us all with your loyalty," Ambrose spat, arms crossing over his chest. "You've killed me."

Vy-Sor glanced down the hall, ensuring their solitude. His voice dropped to a whisper. "You'll survive," he said, fingers stroking Ambrose's jaw. "I'll make sure of it."

"I might survive this but I won't live," Ambrose looked sick. "I'll be a prisoner, no better than a common criminal."

"You've got to trust me," Vy-Sor said urgently, even as they both heard muffled footsteps on the other side of the door. "I've made some arrangements...you will survive, you will live. Please, believe me. I wouldn't...I'd never..."

Ambrose glared. "You are," he snarled.

Just before the door opened, Vy-Sor leaned forward and stole a hard, passionless kiss. "I could never see you murdered. I love you too much. You will survive. I've made sure of it."

[oddsbobs.livejournal.com]

Glitch and Cain have to have a Talk with DG. About what, you decide.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

"What's going on?" DG's tone was calm, slow and suspicious. She watched as Cain took just one step away from the door he had just closed, effectively trapping her (along with Cain and Glitch) in the study.

Glitch cleared his throat, nervous and fussing with the sleeve of his shirt. He buttoned and unbuttoned the closure at the wrist, over and over. "We...that us, as your advisors...well, that's not exactly right, either..."

"Glitch, you're terrible at this," Cain butted in. "Listen, Princess. It's come to our attention that what you've been doing is completely unacceptable for a woman in your position. The gossip is getting out of hand and pretty soon it's going to get out of the palace. This behavior has got to stop."

DG's eyes went wide and she sat heavily on a convenient armchair. "This is an intervention," she accused.

"I...suppose, if that's what you'd called it where you came from," Cain frowned in confusion. "The point is, as your temporary handlers, it's our job to make you aware of things you're doing that could damage your image as a prominent member of the royal family. That said...this," he waved his hand vaguely in her general direction, "has got to stop. Now."

"What, exactly, is it that's got to stop?" DG sounded honestly confused.

Glitch gave a nervous chuckle and stood, attempting to defuse the tension before it got out of hand. Put DG and Cain in a room together and eventually, the claws came out. Usually Cain's; the man was simply too easily frustrated (as witnessed the first day he met Ambrose and drew a gun on him because he couldn't think fast enough).

"Glitch?"

Startled, Glitch blinked rapidly. "What? Oh, right. I was going to say something, wasn't I?" He gave a breathy laugh. "It's...well, it's your choice of...and the way they..."

"Oh, for the gods' sake," Cain bellowed, making the other two jump. "It's your damn boots, DG," he pointed at the offending articles of clothing. "They're huge and black and they leave prints all over when you come in from outside and they squeak during meetings. Also? They don't go with anything you wear. They've got to go."

DG's mouth twitched and for a few uncertain breaths, Cain and Glitch were certain that they had made the Princess cry.

Then she snickered, totally unladylike. "That's...that's it?" she very nearly howled with mirth. "My BOOTS?"

"Well, yes," Glitch gawped and pointed. "They're truly horrible."

It took several more minutes before DG could catch her breath long enough to get a word out. She finally wiped her eyes, a couple of chuckles escaping as she calmed herself. "This has been the most bizarre intervention I could imagine. I'm getting fashion advise from a cop and my childhood science teacher."

"So? You'll find more appropriate footware then?"

"No. But thank you for your concern."

[iaim2msbehave.livejournal.com]

Ok, i'm going to try and bring back the Ambrose/Cain/Glitch because those are really fun. Maybe how it all started...? :)

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

The soft, warm stream of familiar conversation drew Ambrose from his lonely contemplations, pulling him unerringly from the garden path. He sidled up to a thick, smooth tree trunk and leaned one shoulder against it, unobserved in his observations.

Cain had his back to a low stone wall, a long blade of grass sticking out from between his pale lips. He had the air of someone who wasn't listening to a word his companion said but Ambrose knew better. Glitch may tend to ramble on about the most inane things, but Cain always heard and remembered every detail. Ambrose understood Cain's intent; one never knew when Glitch would let slip, unexpectedly, a tiny but significant detail about his life. Things a dedicated lover would want to know about his mate.

"...there are times I wish I had spent more studying botany," Glitch was saying, scrutinizing a small yellow flower with intense interest. "Although it is entirely possible that I did, but Ambrose ended up with all of that knowledge. Then again, it doesn't quite work that way; we both have parts of the whole...he just has a better grasp on those parts. Anyway, if I had, I would have been far more capable of surviving in the wilderness. As it was, I seem to have the impression that I drifted from one town to the next, being taken in by understanding folks."

Cain grunted. "You know, you do have a way of finding out what kinds of things you do have knowledge about."

"Oh? What's that?" Glitch's head came up as if emerging from a distant dream.

Ambrose felt Cain's eyes on him and he flushed, embarrassed to have been caught eavesdropping. He stepped forward shyly, looking down at Glitch. "All you have to do is ask," he said, crouching down and touching the back of Glitch's hand. It felt just like his own, sending a spark of fascination through him. Ambrose wondered of Cain felt the same when he touched Glitch.

That thought brought back the loneliness of his earlier wanderings. He hoped it didn't show on his face but he had never been able to hide anything from his twin.

Glitch smiled at him and for the first time, Ambrose realized it was the very same smile Glitch reserved for Cain. The one that betrayed Glitch's tenderness and affection. It was a shock to see it aimed at him.

Casting a glance at Cain, finding a matching expression of those emotions on the other man's face, Ambrose felt his cheeks burning hot again. He ducked his head. "How did you know?"

"Because you're still part of me," Glitch told him gently. "And every part of me is in love with Wyatt."

"It's not that simple," Ambrose countered, shaking his head. "It can't be."

Cain shifted closer and Ambrose felt sturdy, secure fingers lifting his chin. "All you had to do was ask," he said, leaning in to kiss Ambrose as if they had done this a thousand times.

Which, Ambrose realized with a start, they had.

[truthwritaslies.livejournal.com]

what would Glitch do for a Klondike Bar? (or) A story based on the song Something by The Beatles Ambrose/Cain

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

"What's that?"

Cain grunted and the grip he had on his snack tightened possessively. "It's mine, that's what it is. Get your own, they're in the kitchen."

"Well, aren't you Mr. Selfish," Glitch's determination was only hightened by the way Cain tensed. Glitch inched closer, the wooden chair legs scraping across the dining room floor. "I was just wondering what it was," he added innocently.

"Uh huh," Cain gave a disbelieving nod, scooting his own chair further away. "It's just ice cream dipped in chocolate. DG ordered them specially from the bakery down the street."

Glitch gave a fascinated sound, though he clearly wasn't interested in what Cain was saying so much as what he was hording in his greedy hand. Thinking quick, Glitch poured himself out of his chair and slithered around to the Cain's back, arms draped over the hunched shoulders.

Positive that Glitch had suddenly grown several new appendages, Cain did his best to keep track of where all the hands were going. One had managed to undo one button in the center of Cain's chest, long fingers creeping inside to stroke the bare skin over Cain's ribs.

Another hand was resting lightly over Cain's groin and it was clear that this was not the time or place for this kind of attention. Cain cleared his throat, wondering when he had closed his eyes. He felt warm, vanilla scented breath on his neck and before he could process that, cold lips pressed against his pulse point.

Cain sat up quickly, looking down at his hand to see that a significant portion of his ice cream was missing. "You!"

Glitch grinned, giving Cain a sticky kiss on the lips. "It's such a long walk to the kitchen."

[eleanor-ariail.livejournal.com]

Can I have Ambrose/Glitch (the pairing, not the person) dealing with Glitch's first broken bone?

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

The armload of papers Ambrose had been carrying nearly found a new life as carpet for the Palace entry hall when he spotted his other half being led in the front door by Cain.

Ambrose most certainly did not like the way Glitch was hunched over, cradling his left arm while Wyatt, somehow managing to look both soothing and frantic at the same time, guided Glitch around the corner toward the staff doctor's small, cozy clinic.

"What did you DO to him?" Ambrose bellowed, just barely rescuing his work from its fate and setting the stack of paper down on a convenient table before hurrying to catch up to the other two.

"Just a little accident on the motorcycle," Cain answered.

"Motorcycle?!" Ambrose questioned sharply, jaw twitching. "What in all the realms were the two of you doing with a motorcycle?"

"Modifications," Glitch replied shortly, not raising his head.

Ambrose silently fumed, keeping his lecture about safety and responsibility to himself for the time being. There were times he felt like he was dealing with a pair of teenagers with those two.

Upon entering the doctor's domain, the stout, pleasant woman, who preferred to be simply called Amelia, stood and clucked her tongue. "Master Glitch, you can't seem to get enough of my company. What have you done to yourself this time?" She gestured the group over to an empty bed, patting the top. "Have a seat, dear."

Glitch grimaced as he hopped up on the tall bed with the help of a great number of hands. He twisted around and pulled his legs up, letting the doctor and Ambrose support him as he leaned back to rest against the raised pillows. "Ow."

Amelia gave his shoulder a brisk rub as she snagged a rolling table with her foot, dragging it over. She adjusted it quickly to bed height, covering it with a soft, thick towel. "Let's just have a look, then." Carefully taking Glitch's swollen, bruised arm in her trained hands, she began her examination.

Unsure what to do with himself, Ambrose exchanged a look with Cain that screamed this discussion isn't over, then pulled a chair up to the opposite side of bed. He automatically took Glitch's right hand in his own, thumb massaging the cold palm. "Can you give him something for the pain?"

"Of course," Amelia gave him an easy smile, her fingers gentle on Glitch's arm. "I just needed to check the amount of damage to his arm first. It looks like a simple break." She turned to Cain. "Can you go to the kitchen and bring back a small towel full of ice? The swelling has to come down before I can get this into a proper cast."

"Sure," Cain nodded quickly, making a quick escape.

"Now, let's just get you comfortable, then I'll get to work on setting the bones and putting on a temporary splint, just until the swelling is under control." Amelia tracked down a vial and syringe with practiced ease, administering the injection near Glitch's elbow efficiently. "There we are, that'll just take a few minutes to start working. Now, are you hurt anywhere else or did you arm take the brunt of your little adventure?"

Glitch gave her a sheepish grin, though his face remained pale and tight with pain. "Just some bruises, I'm sure. I never knew a broken bone could hurt so much."

"You've never broken anything before?" Amelia looked surprised, running her fingers down Glitch's arm while testing the progress of the painkiller.

It was Ambrose who answered. "No, we haven't."

"Huh," she smiled. "Well, then, congratulations on your first plaster cast experience. Ambrose, I expect you to keep Glitch here out of trouble while his arm is healing. Don't let him stick anything sharp under the cast, no matter how much he whines about it itching."

Ambrose's eyes went wide and he looked down at Glitch, his grip tightening slightly. "I'm more worried about him giving me a concussion with it in the middle of the night. He's a bit of a flailer."

Patting Ambrose's arm in sympathy, Amelia chuckled.

"Excuse me! I'm right here!"

"You just rest, dear," Amelia gave Ambrose a knowing wink. "Mr. Cain will be back with your ice any moment. Then you can watch Master Ambrose here give him what promises to be a very entertaining talk about the proper care of one's other half."

Ok, I'm being MADLY specific, sorry

[madame-fifi.livejournal.com]

Ever noticed how Raw seems to always go over to stand by Glitch if they stop and he's not already right by him, smiles at him and touches him a lot? Me thinks the veiwer has a crush.
I would DIE OF LOVE if you wrote something on what Raw might feel for Glitch/how he sees him but also how he knows Cain has deep down hidden, unrealised lustyness love for the Headcase - you can end the pairing how ever way you want (but not Cain/Glitch/Raw, never been a massive fan of that threesome)

OR

Glitche's illigitimate daughter (from before all the bad stuff, older then DG but a little younger then Az) turns up to support his re-brainment. She expresses to Cain her dislike of him (for whatever reason), non-established relationship between Cain and Glitch. Maybe not all is as peachy keen as she makes it seem with her. Cain lays down the law in regards to his feelings and how he can do what he wants, etc. Other then that you can do ANYTHING you want with the plot, idea, relationship and all that jazz. Aaaand, if you're feeling up to it/have the time, maybe daughter gets some style of lovin' from one of the other chars.

Sorry, but these two ideas have been knocking around my brain for a while but I have neither the working computer nor the time to write a bunch of new fics (I wont fic on a uni comp)
Thanks and once everything is hunkydory on the tech front you can request the heck out of me for whatever you want =3

Re: Ok, I'm being MADLY specific, sorry

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Every time Glitch opened his mouth to share whatever was floating around his half-a-mind, Cain's body would tense up as if preparing for a fight. Everyone of them could see it, the way Cain's jaw would clench and his fist would drift ever closer to the handle of his revolver.

But only Raw knew the truth.

For the first couple of days, Raw was confused and intrigued by the rush of affection that washed over him when Glitch spoke of soup or how he missed having a pillow. Raw would glance at Glitch out of the corner of his eye, noting to himself that the odd, skinny man with the flowing jacket that had seen better days was attractive. Very much so, actually. With pale skin, fascinating hair and a smile that would make his nose wrinkle in the most adorable way.

So, Raw assumed he was developing a bit of an infatuation with the headcased man.

And perhaps he was, but then he started to gather a wider collection of feelings from the whole group. It was then that Raw discovered the feelings were not all his own, but were in fact being transmitted rather loudly by Wyatt Cain.

The outward anger was countered by the true nature of Cain's view of Glitch. So, while Cain would tense and snap, it was Raw who was on the receiving end of the (exasperated) adoration Cain was experiencing. It was Raw who would drift into Glitch's gravity well and who would sooth Glitch's occasionally hurt feelings.

When Raw had a moment alone with Cain after everything settled down and the suns were once again shining, he gripped Cain's shoulders in his hands tightly. "Stop being an ass," he commanded deeply. "You love Glitch. Tell him."

Cain frowned and tried to back away, but he was caught by Raw's firm hold. "What are you talking about?"

Raw smacked Cain upside the head with his palm. "Raw feel what Cain feel. For days."

"I - oh," Cain gave up his cold front and his shoulders slumped. "What am I supposed to say?"

"Go find Glitch. He feels same."

Cain's face lit up and he adjusted his hat. "You're a good man, Raw."

I'll be watching you

[avari-maethor.livejournal.com]

Glitch has a stalker and Cain isn't to happy about that. What will our dear Tin Man do?

Re: I'll be watching you

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Weaving in and out of the colorful booths that made up the first New Reign street fair to grace Central City's unusually crowded streets, Cain was becoming more and more aware of the set of eyes constantly tracking them as he and Glitch shopped.

They weren't looking for anything in particular; rather, Glitch simply found the luxury of being able to spend a carefree afternoon, as well as a pocketful of back pay, mingling with the folks of the city.

The hat Glitch had chosen to wear for their excursion had helped them remain at ease as well.

Cain took hold of Glitch's arm and pulled him behind a thick curtain that surrounded a sculpter's display area. Peeking through a thin break between the drapes, Cain kept a wary eye on the man that had been following them. "Glitch, have you noticed that guy with the black coat? He's been right at our backs all day."

Glitch gave a sharp intake of breath, ducking his own head under Cain's chin to get a glimpse through the narrow opening. "Are you sure? Maybe it's just someone who has the same taste in mechanical things as us...and by that, I mean me, since you have been absolutely no help."

"Well, I'm sorry that I can't tell a...a contraption from an apparatus," Cain huffed.

"I'm fairly certain those two words are synonyms," Glitch pointed out off-handedly. "Besides, who would follow us?"

"How should I know? The city's bound to be full of madmen just waiting for an opportunity to kidnap the Queen's right hand man and hold you for random."

Glitch snorted. "I'd hoped your paranoia would have diminished slightly now that things are running smoothly with the new government. Seems I'm very wrong about that, Mr. Suspicious."

In liu of answering, Cain instead leaped out from their hiding place and in a matter of seconds, was sitting on the back of their stalker, one of the man's arms twisted up behind him and face down on the street.

"Did you think we wouldn't notice you following us?" Cain snarled rather smugly.

"You don't understand," the man's muffled voice responded. "I'm one of the Queen's guards, she asked me to keep an eye on Master Ambrose while he was out in public."

Cain opened his mouth to refute this claim, in rather impressive fashion, when he was interrupted by Glitch. "OH! Reginald! I should have recognized that," Glitch waved his hand vaguely in the air. "...hairstyle of yours. I'm terribly sorry about Wyatt, he's an especially protective man. Let him up already, Cain!"

With a reluctant grumble, recognizing that he was creating a scene in a public place, Cain stood and help his captive stand. "Yeah, sorry," he mumbled, not sounding at all apologetic.

Reginald sighed and brushed himself off. "Can we just forget this ever happened and you go on pretending you didn't see me? I'm supposed to be undetectable."

"Of course!" Glitch grinned and snagged Cain's arm. "I think I spotted a vendor with some fantastic examples of Black Mountains clockworks..."

Cain rolled his eyes and allowed himself to be led away. Though he felt slightly better for having taken down at least one person. His day was already looking more productive.

[puffballzeri.livejournal.com]

Consentual (gasp), post-series (double gasp) Zero/Ambrose. Bonus points if Cain has to deal with it in someway.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

When they pried the door open, Ambrose was ready this time. He held his ground and caught the falling figure in his arms, slowly lowering him to the ground.

Zero was weak and dazed, gasping as though he had had been running for days rather than standing stationary for weeks. His hand somehow found Ambrose's arm, his grip surprisingly desperate. "Thank you," he sighed heavily, the words simply riding the tide of his breath.

But Ambrose wasn't listening. He had to make sure the man in his grasp was who he thought he was. Sliding his fingers under the collar of Zero's shirt, Ambrose pulled the back of the sweatstained cloth away from pale skin and found it to be a blank canvas. The mark of the Witch was no longer there; it must have disappeared the same way Azkadellia's had in the days following the eclipse.

With a violent start, Ambrose realized that this was Zero, the real one, his Zero. "By the stars," he uttered in a hushed tone, wrapping his arm firmly around the shivering figure. "I've got you."

"Are you...Ambrose?" Zero whispered brokenly, raising his head so he could see Ambrose's face. "How?"

"Same way that you're you," Ambrose gave a self-conscious half-smile. "After we killed the Sorceress, all of the darkness that kept us prisoner started to lift. The alchemists under her control were able to restore my memories, though the actual tissue wasn't viable. Everyone she took hostage or damaged is graduallly regaining their former selves again."

Zero was quiet for a long moment, studying Ambrose and his own hands and the glaring man looming over them. At that, he paused and frowned. "Cain?"

"Same as always," Cain replied abruptly. "I couldn't let Ambrose come out here alone. Somehow, I found it hard to believe that you would be back to your old self again, just like that."

"I...I'm sorry," Zero's hands shook and he gracelessly slid backwards until he was sitting on his own. Though he noted that Ambrose's hands remained warm, welcome spots on his back and arm. "I can never tell you how sorry I am for what I've done to you."

Cain shook his head, stepping back once. "I don't need your apologies. But so you know, I'm rather fond of Ambrose here. If you hurt him, I won't give you time to defend yourself. Is that clear?"

Zero could only give a slow nod, unsure what Cain was talking about until he turned to face Ambrose again. And found Ambrose looking back at him the way he used to, all those annuals ago. The way Ambrose would catch his eye across the wide table while the Queen discussed important matters that they both should have been listening to.

Rather than dwell on the time they had lost, Zero drew a breath and did something he never had the courage to before. He pressed his lips to Ambrose's small, delicate mouth and closed his eyes when his kiss was returned.

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

The evening dragged on, an endless stream of finely attired women, royals and ridiculously rich alike. Cain had lost track of how many dance partners he had over the last few hours. But one thing he did know, with growing sadness, was that for every single one of those songs, Ambrose had remained far outside of the dance floor.

It bothered him that no one had seemed interested in Ambrose. Cain sometimes thought he was the only one to still see hints of Glitch inside of Ambrose, just below the surface in the form of a crooked smile or a quick, amused glance now and again. All most of the others could see was a shy, withdrawn, serious and anxious man.

So it was not a difficult decision that lead Cain across the wooden floor straight to Ambrose. He waited until Ambrose looked up from where he was staring at his feet as he leaned against the wall. Cain offered his hand in anticipation of the next slow song. "May I have this dance, Ambrose?"

Ambrose froze, his expression a flurry of confusion and disbelief. "Me?"

"Yeah, you," Cain smiled, shaking his hand a bit impatiently. "Come on, my arm's getting tired."

Glancing around as if to see if anyone was watching, as if expecting to be the butt of a joke, Ambrose slowly stood and took Cain's hand in his own.

Cain noticed right off that Ambrose's hands were cold. He had the overwhelming urge to fix that. Pulling Ambrose close, Cain dropped his hands to Ambrose's waist. "You lead."

"Why?"

"It's your turn."

"No, I mean, why did you ask me to dance? You've no shortage of partners tonight," Ambrose ducked his head, taking the lead unconsciously.

Cain sighed softly, relaxing into the rhythm. "You told me once that I made you feel 'just like the ladies at the dance did,' like you blend right in with the wallpaper," Cain answered quietly, close to Ambrose's ear. "I just...wanted you to know that you don't. Not to me."

Ambrose stiffened. "I said that?"

"You did."

"Well, then," Ambrose cleared his throat and tried to hide his blush. "You're doing a wonderful job. Thank you."

Cain brushed a kiss against Ambrose's ear. "The pleasure is all mine."

[lionille.livejournal.com]

*dashes in at the last second with a nacho casserole*
Could I please request:
Glitch's zipper gets stuck (bit of hair maybe?) Panic ensues, Tin Man to the rescue.
Thank you. :)

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Cain was rudely awakened by someone violently shaking his hip. He groaned, rolling over onto his back and blinking blearily into the darkness. "Glitch? Gods, what time is it?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Glitch's voice was high and tight, right on the edge of frantic. "Help."

That brought Cain into full alertness and he sat up, hands already checking Glitch over for signs of injury. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Where?"

Glitch's hand brushed over Cain's arm in the dark, cold and clammy and trembling. "My head - I woke up and the...my zipper was open again. I was trying to fix it but I wasn't really awake and something's wrong and it's stuck and - "

"All right, just take it easy," Cain drew a calming breath and reached for the light. They both winced at the sudden brightness until their eyes adjusted. "Let me see."

Glitch obediently ducked his head and Cain had to swallow the rising freak out at that. Not (only) the sight of the inside of Glitch's head being offered, but the unreserved trust Glitch had in him. Glitch didn't let anyone near his head, not even doctors. Especially not doctors. But here he was, asking Cain to help him with his zipper. It was sobering.

Careful fingers inspected the metal teeth and jammed pull in the dim light until Cain figured out what was causing the problem. "Okay, hold still. I need to move the pull back and forth a few times to get the hair free that's caught. Are you going to be all right with that?"

Glitch's answer was to scoot closer and nod, though Cain could see fingers gripping the pillow turn white.

"If I hurt you, you just let me know, got it?"

"Just...I trust you. Just do it, please."

Cain's heartbeat quickened at the soft plea and he got to work. He winced in sympathy at the pained hisses Glitch gave but after a few moments of deft labor, Cain got Glitch's hair and zipper back in their proper orientation. He finished his task by closing Glitch's zipper himself, very slowly. His hands lingered on the back of Glitch's head and he pressed a kiss to the closed metal. "All done, sweetheart. You okay?"

Glitch rubbed his hands over his face before he raised his head, eyes red but smiling appreciatively. He nodded and returned Cain's kiss with one of his own, this time on the lips. "Thank you."

"No need, that's my job," Cain gave Glitch's arm a brisk rub and nudged him. "Back to sleep with you. It's still dark outside."

[witchywanda666.livejournal.com]

Uh, since I haven't been around to chill with you guys and tackle glomp you, and I miss this stuff so much... *deep breath* Either Cain or Glitch goes away for quite a long while for some urgent reason. Maybe a few months, half an annual, whatever. And when they come back... their significant other welcomes them back with.. Oh, you know where this is going, Surr. ;) Make it yummy. <3

[surranndie.livejournal.com]

Cain had missed this, more than he could ever say. The way Glitch's body formed to his own, every piece fitting together perfectly. Sliding home with out of practice familiarity, never forgotten, simply under-used.

Let his head drop forward until his forehead, dripping with sweat, almost touched the pillow. Fingers holding onto the smooth, clean, silky sheets that he had put in place, anticipating Glitch's return. Let Glitch's hands guide his legs, dragging his knees even further apart where they deeply dented the bed under them.

No hint of a rhythm, not even close, not so soon. Cain knew this would last, this time. Not like that first, frantic, half-clothed frenzy that took the edge off their mutual, pent-up need. Knew Glitch would take him, reclaim him, in good time. Until then, they eased into their places. Slick, hot, tight and hard in all the best places.

Glitch's hands on his hips, steadying him. Pushing in until they couldn't possibly get any closer together and pushing deeper still. Cain couldn't breathe, it was more than he had felt in months. Glitch's lips between his shoulder blades. Hot, moist breath between kisses.

Hands sliding up his sides until they reached his arms, then sliding still. Down his arms, palms smoothing the pale hair on the way down until Glitch's hands covered Cain's own. Covered and tangled and weaving together, gripping tight.

Cain felt the back of his neck graced with nipping, biting kisses. He moaned without meaning to, pushing back. Unhurried, with no driving intent. A simple reaction and an unconscious motion.

"Let me," Glitch's voice was deep in his hair and Cain could never deny him. Cain closed his eyes and let the rhythm take him, let Glitch take him. Welcomed Glitch home with his body and with everything he had.