Chapter Text
“I’m done.” Noel didn’t shout it like he had everything else during the past hour they’d been fighting, but somehow this seemed to get through to Kayne more than anything else.
The god’s face froze, except for perhaps the eyes losing some of the amusement they always had when he riled Noel up. “What?”
“I’m done. I’m tired of this Kayne. Get out I don’t want to see you again.”
Noel should have ended it ages ago. He had no idea why he’d ever let the god stay in his life in the first place. He blamed it on being a mess after the events at the Order. Arthur and John were God knew where. The Butcher’s head had fucking exploded. And this entity, who had all the answers, had healed him and refused to leave him alone. Some things about their relationship were a blur. Many things, actually. For some godforsaken reason Noel had kept things going. But he just didn’t have the energy to do that anymore.
“Oh,” Kayne’s face fell into an expression of mock concern. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t be foolish.”
“I’m not…just get out, Kayne. All we do is fight, and I just can’t do this anymore.”
“But, darling,” Kayne said in a sickeningly sweet voice, “if I leave, who will keep the wolf from the door? Or should I say the King?” His voice dropped to a whisper on the last word
Noel’s throat clenched, but the mention only made him certain he was making the right decision. That Kayne would use that to try to manipulate into staying with him. “I got away from him once I-“
Kayne burst out in that wild, insane laugh he had. “Are you sure about that?” Then at Noel’s perplexed look. “Oh, sweetheart. No one leaves the Dreamlands without the King’s permission. No one.”
“But-“
“Arthur got out because John cut a deal. I can come and go as I please because good ol’ Hastur’s an ant compared to me. You…” Kayne let his eyes rover over Noel’s form, his gaze devoid of affection. Like a shark surveying its prey. “Well, you’re good in the sack, sweetheart. Stubborn, too. Not many people last 10 years as Hastur’s plaything. But you’re utterly powerless.”
Noel’s could feel his knees buckle slightly and only just managed to keep himself from collapsing. “Lorick-“
“Pfft!” Kayne tsked. “You think that frog has the power to hide things from the king? Even John, a piece of the King himself couldn’t do that! No, you got out because the King let you.”
“W-why…why…” His mouth was dry. His breaths were coming in rapid, short bursts.
“Why would he let you go?” Kayne shrugged. “You can ask him when he shows up. Because that’s what he’ll do the moment he realizes you don’t have my protection. He’s been very angry these past few months.”
Suddenly, Kayne’s form changed, and in his place-
It wasn’t real. Noel knew it wasn’t real. But the sight of the yellow-robed figure towering over him made him jerk back, falling on the floor.
“I DON’T LIKE SHARING MY TOYS!”
Jesus fucking Christ, that voice! Noel could feel the bile rising in his throat.
Then the King was gone, and Kayne was back, leering down at him. “That’s what he says. But he knows better than to challenge me seriously. But the moment I’m gone.” Kayne shrugged. “He won’t have any reason to hold back. I imagine he’s awfully bored. Can’t get at John and Artie. Yellow’s always busy with Larson. He'd appreciate your company…” Then a tender look into Kayne’s eyes, and if Noel hadn’t known him better, Noel would have felt comforted. “Of course, if you were good for me, I would never let him hurt you.” He extended a hand as if to help Noel up.
Feeling sick, Noel reached out his own trembling hand to take it.