Chapter Text
Clinging onto the side of a train was a very dangerous thing to do. Anyone within their right mind would see the exhausting task ahead of them and just cough up the ticket fare. Fortunately for Legundo, he was incredibly drunk.
Liquid courage couldn't be a more fitting name as he kept a rosy hand grip on the window ledges. Greenery flew past and every shudder and bump from the steam bullet he stood on sent a jolt of excitement through his gushing veins.
This was highly illegal, he thought as giddy air swept past his ears. He could get into serious trouble for evading the fare. It was more likely he'd get swiped by a branch and killed or at least seriously injured. If caught, he could be sent to prison.
He could be discharged from the army.
Bubbling laughter swelled through Legundo's throat at that thought. All the more reason to continue his plan. The reality of what he had committed in his years of service could be enough to sober him if Legundo hadn't spent months downing whatever alcohol he could get his hands on explicitly to numb the pain. Superiors had whispered around him that he may even be in line for an Iron Cross. If Legundo continued to cause harm, he was sure to be honoured with ceremony and pomp.
The plastered man scoffed. A medal. What the hell was wrong with them.
The urge to throw his uniform from his bag was strong. Really, Legundo would have to bitterly thank faith if it even stayed attatched to the flimsy railing he tied it to. But he knew that even bloodied clothes could make good pillow fodder. If Legundo called himself wasteful, it would be confusing why he sent out so many desperately ill soldiers to be a shield for those who remained fit.
Feet stumbling, Legundo gripped the walls harder. A light shone in the distance, alerting the doctor that they must be nearby the next station. Thank goodness, he might hop off here at Oakhurst to wait for the next train. His hands stung.
When the train began to halt, Legundo frowned as he realised he was on the wrong side of the track to reach the platform effectively. Another train was fast approaching and though Legundo envied a fast death, he was too drawn to the adrenaline to let go just yet.
The train pulled in alongside Legundos, the doctor sucking in a breath as if that would increase his chances of not being clipped. Thankfully due to the darkness the opposite carriage had completely drawn blinds. That would have been awkward to explain.
Legundo allowed his eyes to close, soaking in the stillness of it all. He had hoped to sneak inside at some point but maneuvering the wall had proven futile in his current state. He could sense the other train already moving off, clearly not taking many passengers. He wondered what was taking his own train so long to depart. Although judging by the sound of moving gravel, maybe there was a wild ferret in the tracks.
THUNK
The carriage wall shuddered beside Legs. His eyes shot open, believing someone had just tried to shoot at him. What he saw instead was a masked figure in a brown, tattered cloak, heaving as if they had just slammed into the wall beside him. Legundo had barely any time to comprehend what was going on before the train started slowly pulling away.
The figures eyes shot up.
"LOUIS!!!"
At the man's desperate cry Legundo turned to his right just in time to see a second masked figure sprinting towards the train. The figure next to him jolted, clearly suprised by the movement, his arm outstretched to meet his companions. Legundo watched the scene as if it were slow motion, his drunken haze obscuring his reaction time. There was no way they would reach other in time but Legundo was closer - !
Without thinking Legundo grabbed the man's arm as an anchor point and allowed himself to fall. A yelp tore from the man's lips but Legundo paid no mind. He was directly above the others head, then slightly to the left, then he didn't let him deviate anymore as he grabbed his hands.
Legundos head swung to the side as he commanded "PULL US UP!"
Legundo blacked out the probably very cool scene of being pulled up by the stranger on the train and yanking the stranger on the tracks along with him. What he registered was a thud as the trio collided with each other. The doctor heaved and opened his eyes to find himself face to face with the very bewildered expression of the man he had just pulled up. He held a hand to steady himself, finding it immediately brushing the others waist due to the proximity. Legundo retracted sharply, so much infact he elbowed the man behind him, also unaware how close they were. He turned his head to apologise only to see him starring at his companion. Although when he turned his head towards the others equally hungry expression, he realised they were not looking at each other with wild eyes. They were looking at - and subsequently trapping - him.
"My goodness." Was all the first man breathed, hoarse and probably unwell. "We made it."
"We did." The second agreed, equally out of breath yet with an eloquent flaire. Now that they had left his gaze, Legundo could smell the chemistry a mile away. Not that he was that far -
"Please excuse me." Legundo cleared his throat and attempted to sound professional despite the alcohol still buzzing through his flushed skin. "I understand the benefits of sharing warmth but I think I am a wall between you."
The second man laughed with a light breeze, unlike the wind whipping around them as the train gained speed.
"Gosh I am rude." He smiled gently. "I have to thank you for helping me up."
"Oh." The other responded before Legundo could. The second man gave the first a look as if to nudge him to which he mumbled. "Yes. Thank you for your quick reflexes."
"Anything to help another pair of stowaways." Legundo responded. Maybe his response would be more reserved if he was sober. "Although my reflexes are not very quick uhm. I am pretty hammered."
As if proving his point Legundo stumbled back into Owen who let out an indignant "Excuse me - " but was swiftly interjected by the softer talker of the pair.
"I can see that." He giggled. "Say Owen, do you think he could be our servant?"
Oh so that was his name - wait *what*?
"What the hell are you talking about, lo - Louis?" Owen spluttered, just as baffled as Legundo was.
"I think you have the wrong end of the rod." Legundo nodded in agreement, his words slurring slightly. "I've served my time serving. Infact I'm serving a great purpose currently running from serving."
Legundos bewildering repetitions didn't phase Louis. Instead he just continued to speak.
"We have disguises as upper class men." He explained and it was only then that he realised Owen had failed to grab Louis because he was weilding a huge bag in the other hand. "Do you have anything in that bag which would look servent like?"
"What mine? Louis we didn't pack - "
"I have a soldiers uniform." Legundo blurted, instantly understanding what Louis meant. "That's it."
"Wonderful." Louis beamed. "Then you can be a solider escorting us due to murder plots."
Legundo couldn't help but chuckle at that. He was in no state to even pretend to use his military rank for some kind of authority, let alone to even fictionally protect two others. But at the look of dead seriousness on Louis' face, he caved.
"That's very kind of you." Legundo attempted to look sincere despite the fact that he really didn't want to put his uniform back on.
"Louis you can't be serious!" Owen protested. "We just met him!"
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be on this train." Louis replied sternly.
"You can litterely-" Owen stopped himself before he could spill something he shouldn't. Instead he bit his tongue and scowled. "Fine. But if he makes one bad move - "
"I can follow orders." Legundo stated plainly. Maybe a little too vaguely to not accidentally imply something else but he was too drunk to care.
"Let's hope you can, soldier." Owen mumbled before starting to maneuver across the wall of the train.
"It's coal that way, the door is here." Legundo called. The situation was sobering him up a little. Dammit. He'd have to hope he could get a few more down him soon to maintain that pleasant hum. Being just tipsy was awful.
Louis carfully led the way until he reached the carriage links. He positioned himself in between the two shaking carriages and steadied himself. Legundo felt nudging behind him as Owen passed him a ruffled collar.
"Don't look at him." Owen warned. Legundo blinked. Surely they weren't just getting changed in the open cold like this?
"You have my word." Legundo responded regardless, not wanting to upset his new, antsy companion.
"You worry too much." Louis giggled from behind the carriage edge as he took the collar. Legundo wondered how on earth he was balancing like that on the moving train.
The air was filled with the rattle of the train and the rustle of clothes as more items were passed between Legundo. He would have much preffered being in Owen's position rather than playing middle man while under a watchful eye. Who even were these people? They clearly weren't nobles or of any kind of upper class judging by the fact that they had a disguise.
"Your turn, solider." Louis's voice called, helping Legundo to the intersection. "Or what should we call you?"
"Legs is fine." Legundo responded, taking in Louis' grand yet slightly flamboyant clothing. "My full name is really Legundo but eh. Too formal."
"Legundo in public, Legs in private. I see." Louis smiled.
Legundo felt more at ease with Louis than the very hostile Owen. Although he was bewildered why it was important that Louis remained covered but Legundo could get changed with company. Perhaps they were method acting their new dynamic going forward.
The cold bites hard as Legundo stripped from his travelling clothes, grimacing at the way the bloodstained woolen cloth clung to him all too familiarly. He wasn't sure what excuse he could give to explain why a personal escort would be stained in this way. Maybe he got into a fight?
When Legundo turned to swap places with Owen he found he had somehow already changed his clothes. Odd. Albeit Owen's were not as grand as Louis'. Legundo severely doubted he would pass as upper class.
"You should go first, Soldier." Owen stated plainly.
"Probably yes." Legundo agreed. He tried the handle to the carriage door before rapping his knuckles against the wood. A young woman opened the door cautiously.
"Hello?" The girl spoke curiously, one hand fidgeting with her dress.
"Hello, miss." Legundo replied, trying his absolute hardest not to slur his words. "May we come in please? We had an altercation and nearly missed our train. My..."
Legundo trailed off. What would he call someone he was serving for protection? Masters? No that felt weird. Legundo was only used to military ranks he forgot how everyday people would talk.
"My sires are weary and wish to rest." Legundo settled on.
"Of course!" The women opened the door fully. "Woah a solider! Thank you for your service!"
"Uhm." Legundo shifted uncomfortably as he helped Louis in graciously. That's what guards do right? They landed on a breif moment of eye contact before Legundo realised he had not responded to the women's gratitude. "Pleasure."
"Are you room 2?" The women questioned further, clearly intrigued by the trio as Owen closed the door behind him. "I was wondering why it was empty. I've been meeting everyone on this train."
"How friendly." Louis commented. On the surface it was a nice tone but the way Owen shifted around alerted Legundo that it was said under tension.
"Of course you have the key, right?"
Legundo wavered slightly. Who was this women, a ticket collector? She didn't seem like it.
"Yes. Somewhere." Legundo replied with absolutely non convincing confidence. "Thank you. You should rest too, miss. It is late."
"No rest for the wicked!" The women spoke cheerfully and Owen definitely looked like he felt targeted by that. "Goodnight!"
As soon as she left Legundo appeared to look in his pockets for the key.
"Anybody got a needle?" He whispered in a hushed tone.
"Here." Louis whispered back, letting his hair fall as he handed Legundo a delicate hair pin.
"Thank you." Legundo picked the lock open with ease and slipped inside, the other two following behind closely. When the door shut Legundo breathed a sigh of relief. "We should count ourselves lucky it was empty."
"It - Yes." Owen seemed to agree suspiciously.
"Well then, any bunk preferences?" Louis clasped his hands with a smile.
"That won't be nessesery." Owen mumbled. "Our solider here is getting off on the next stop."
"Wha - I will have you known I was planning to cling to the side of this train for a lot longer!" Legundo protested.
"You're drunk, you would have passed pit and fallen off eventually." Owen stated plainly. "You've helped us with the hard part, now that we are on you can go."
"Owen-" Louis warned but the alcohol in Legundo's system gave him a push of confidence as he strode up to Owen.
"You said our solider." Legundo attempted to argue. "It would look mighty suspicious if I suddenly disappeared."
"We don't actually need your protection." Owen spat. "We would have made it just fine - "
"I didn't want to use it against you but without me Louis would have been left behind." Legundo crossed his arms.
"It's true." Louis added.
"Fine." Owen growled. "When's your stop?"
"Until termination."
"OH COME ON - "
"Look here, Owen." Legundo cleared his throat. "My assessment of the situation is that we are all running from something and intend to stay on this train as long as possible. You're not meant to be here as much as I am."
"But with the way it has ended up." Legundo grinned with satisfaction. "You two are my sires. Therefore I have to do everything in my power to protect you, weather you like it or not."
Something clicked in Owen's brain in that last speech. Legundo didn't know what to make of the hungry gaze returning. Was this the hill he really wanted to die on?
"Okay fine." Owen conceded. "Because you helped Louis, you can stay."
"Thank you." Legundo responded with gratitude. "So which bunk would you like?"
"The bottom." Owen decided easily, balancing himself on it.
"Louis?" Legundo turned to the other.
"I'll take the single." Louis responded with a smirk.
"Louis!" Owen protested.
"Top bunks make me queasy." Louis giggled as if there was some kind of inside joke. "You don't mind the top, do you Legs?"
"I wouldn't if I wasn't plastered." Legundo pointed out.
"So soldier can have the single-"
"You two can swap." Louis beamed brightly.
Legundos thanks was drowned out from Owen groaning. What was the big deal? It's not like they were sharing an actual bed.
"Alright I'll swap on one condition." Owen turned to the doctor with a smirk as Legundo led his unsteady legs to the bed. "What are you running from, Soldier?"
Legundo needed another drink.