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Beck is a dead man.
He isn’t yet. But he will be.
The sick bastard is walking around full of glee right now. And really? Honestly? It’s pissing them off. The man should have died a year ago. But no. He escaped.
Not today. Today Beck dies. It's only a matter of time.
Everett sat by themselves in the dark in this makeshift dining area that was set up in a warehouse. Bodies knocked out and restrained by the shadows. It’s an easy tell of who attacked here. If you were to hold up a picture from Project Blackout’s previous crime scenes, you would say it’s a spitting image, except for the lack of blood coating nearly every surface.
Yes, the persona “died” during the Wilson Valley Massacre. But if there was ever a day for Blackout to make one last appearance, one man to make them come back from the dead? Today’s the day, and Beck’s that man.
Codename Void doesn’t kill, as you can tell from the lack of blood everywhere. Blackout does. And Beck is a dead man walking. ‘No kill’ order be damned.
“Reese and Nathan were kidnapped. I’m taking care of the entire operation. You can either help by getting those two out or you stay the fuck out of my way.” They had told Ethan, it was only fair seeing how Reese was his husband and he very much cares for the boy Reese sees as family. But he’s also a cop, who works with Nate’s dad. And no doubt the cops will be coming to arrest all the unconscious goons. But only after Blackout and Beck had their little…chat.
Ethan had said to give him 5 minutes to suit up and then they’d go.
Notice how they conveniently didn’t tell him that Beck would be there. That’s because if Ethan knew, Everett would be VERY benched, and not allowed anywhere near this warehouse. Because Beck would probably not leave the warehouse alive. And he’s not.
Everett had met Beck once before, back when Beck was running his own black market operation, and that was as Blackout, when they were accompanying one Forrest Wilson. He had placed an order for animals and organs and needed his guard dog to ensure nothing bad happened to himself. And well. I guess it’s not human trafficking and experimentation if they’re not human anymore. And Wilson was fine testing his products on them because hey, legally he can say they weren’t tested on animals because they were human before. Everett always felt bad for them, but was unable to do anything about it. They can’t say anything that wasn’t said before, Wilson was a twisted fuck. Good riddance. May he not rest in peace.
Beck was a horrible man back then too, still is. But his last victim before his own operation went up in flames literally was Nathan. Beck kidnapped, tortured, and transformed Nathan. Beck traumatized Nathan. Their best friend, the guy they were totally crushing hard on. Yes Everett would kill for this boy.
Back when Everett had told Nathan of their semi-omniscience was when they had promised him that they wouldn’t just know things about him. That for people they care about they make a point to not do that, however, should he ever be in danger, they would know and come running. They didn’t expect to learn the Nate and Beck connection that day, but in setting up the “danger alarm” the name Douglas Beck was basically screamed at them, which prompted the question “What did Beck do to you?” and Everett could easily recognize the look in his eye at the mention of his name. It’s the same look they get when someone says Wilson anywhere near them. The anger, the hurt, the fear of the man who ruined your life and hurt you in ways you’ll never fully come back from. The only difference is Wilson’s face was crushed into unrecognizable mush under industrial shelving, so Everett can at least sleep at night semi-peacefully. Nathan can’t, as Beck apparently survived the fire Nate accidentally caused.
(Actually, the whole Beck reveal had Everett put so many pieces together and confirm the dragon thing. They probably know a lot more than Nathan would like or want them to, but unfortunately, Everett has met Beck before and is familiar with his whole schtick. Sorry Nate.)
Nathan’s remaining eye does this thing when he’s any bit panicked or anxious, his Iris turns a more glowing golden-orange and his pupil turns draconic, against his will. He doesn’t know it, and with how panicked he can get, it’s just one thing he hasn’t noticed he does yet. Not to mention Nathan’s self loathing and dysphoria, so everyone’s made it a point to not tell him that he’s been doing it this whole time until he’s more comfortable just being himself again.
Nathan’s eye hasn’t changed back from dragon since learning Beck’s alive. Everyone’s pretty sure he hasn’t been sleeping either.
And just when Everett puts their guard down the slightest bit, he gets kidnapped. Granted, Reese was the target, Nathan was just with him and taken too. But Beck was there and “We’ll get to have fun together again” was said.
So simply. Beck is a dead man. And is about to walk through the door.
The door opened to reveal the unspectacular guy in all his glory, laughing to himself. Grin slowly morphing to confusion at the lack of light, the glow from outside the room coming through the door only illuminating the teenager sitting alone on a table, “What the fuck are you doing here kid?”
Everett narrowed their eyes, “Douglas Beck, I’ve been waiting. Tell me, how did you manage to escape that fire?”
Beck bristled, “None of your business, whatever your selling, I ain’t buying. So scram before I have to get the big guy involved.”
Everett started picking at their nails, “The big guy? You mean the guy sitting nice and unconscious? Yeah no. I don’t think he’s coming for you. Or anyone for that matter.”
Beck started feeling along the wall for the lightswitch, “The hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you messed with someone under my protection and there’s hell to pay.”
Beck snorted and found the switch, “Yeah, uh huh. I’m so threatened.”
The room illuminated dozens upon dozens of people restrained and sticking out of the walls, floor and ceiling in ways you’ve only witnessed in nightmares. A handful of them wriggling, having woken up from being knocked out, realizing they’re powerless and trapped. Screaming into the Otherside, silent in the Mainside, Everett wanted nothing to interrupt this moment.
Douglas’ eyes widened as he took in his environment and then zeroed in on the enby sitting lazily observing him. A hand of mock concern coming to rest on their chest, “Remember me yet?”
Beck pointed and shook his hand in their general direction, eyes never leaving Everett as he stepped over bodies to walk closer, “You’re that… that lil soldier that stupid rich guy owned. You…you’re dead!”
A shrug, “I pulled a stunt like you did apparently.”
Beck started raising his voice, “This is total bullshit! I never touched your boss or anything of his! And I don’t do orders anymore!”
Beck startled as Everett warped off the table and appeared next to him, shadow limb wrapping around his shoulders, “Ah. You misunderstand me. I do not belong to Motherfucking Forrest Goddamn Wilson, may he rot in hell. Not anymore. I belong to my-fuckin-self. I earned some freedom, which is more than I can say about your demoted ass.”
“Then what the fuck BlackOut? What are you even here for?”
Everett smiled wide, “I already told you. But sure, yeah, let me spell it out for you, you dumb bitch. You die today.”
They signed the last 3 words just to emphasize their point before shoving Beck to the ground, him scooting himself back to put as much distance between him and them as possible, “Oh fuck you.”
“Ew. No.”
He froze, just like they planned, “YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!”
“What? You’re a twisted fuck who gets off to transforming people and organ harvesting and I’m supposed to assume you won’t stoop so low as to also be a pedo? Really? I don’t believe you for a second.”
Everett shrugged as a shadow limb wrapped around his waist and flung him across the room, him landing on his side on a table. The momentum caused it to flip and him to roll off of it and onto his back, ending up right under Everett’s boot, who warped over to pin him right when he landed. Two shadow arms wrapped around his forearms and dug into his fragile flesh drawing blood, “I’d ask what you want in your obituary but quite frankly, nobody alive cares about you enough to even read it.”
Beck looked over and noticed a pocket knife sticking out of a boot near him, with a burst of energy he shook a shadow hand off his arm and reached to grab it. He rolled back, knife aimed to stab at their ankle but Everett vanished, he quickly took note of his surroundings to try to locate the assassin, to no avail.
CRASH
The sound of a lightbulb being smashed and the room getting dimmer prompted him into action once more. He rolled onto his stomach and crawled his way over limbs to get under a table, a flailing human arm grabbing him seemingly begging for help. He stabbed it with his knife, the hand quickly retreating and he made it under to catch his breath and figure out what to do.
CRASH
Another light gone, the darkness growing.
THUD
A table was grabbed and thrown with enough force to break it on impact. Fuck this fucked up game of cat and mouse! Beck didn’t realize how hard he was trembling until he looked at his hands.
Everett continued nonchalantly walking around, tossing tables to try to find where their target went, “It would save on funeral costs I suppose. Good for you since all your cash went up in flames.”
Everett stepped near the table he was hiding under and Beck seized his opportunity to attack first. He charged out, knife raised, aiming for their face, when suddenly he felt as if he were trying to run through molasses. Everett smiled and stepped to the side as he carved a huge gash into one of his coworker’s legs. Everything went back to normal and Everett crossed their arms unimpressed, “Woooow. For a surgeon your accuracy and precision are pretty shit. You didn’t even cut into the right body.”
Douglas aimed a punch, and Everett gracefully dodged, another punch, another dodge, “I’d suggest revoking your license but, ooh, they already did that didn’t they?”
Oh fuck this, it’d take nothing short of a miracle to land a hit, his best bet is retreat to hopefully live another day. Beck turned tail and ran but failed to notice the shadows wrapping around his ankles, leaving his face to hit the ground with a sickening crunch. Everett’s smile turned predatory, “Going somewhere?”
Douglas’s feet kept slipping out from under him as he attempted to scramble away. Once he got his footing and took off again, a quick glance behind him showed BlackOut gone. He slowed down minimally in confusion, which was enough time for Everett to time their landing perfectly. They dropped down from the ceiling and landed on his back before flinging the both of them to the ground. Both fumbling and rolling around wrestling, just trying to gain the upper hand. Unsurprisingly Everett ended up pinning him underneath them as they continuously landed blow after blow, punch after punch, slash after slash with all 6 of their arms, blood coating their hands and splattering over their face. Each attack fueled by pure rage. When they finally took a moment to catch their breath, they used 2 shadow arms to drag Douglas to his feet by the front of his shirt, “I can do this all day old man.”
“EVERETT DONT!”
Son of a bitch.
Everett’s head whips towards the door and immediately lets go of Beck.
Fuck you Ethan. Why didn’t you listen to them.
Stupid fucking brothers and their stupid fucking making sure you don’t make life choices that you’ll regret in the future.
Goddamn it.
The momentary distraction was all Beck needed to grab Everett and hold his knife to their neck, “Don’t come closer!”
An animalistic growl came from the teen who followed after Ethan, smoke pouring out his nose and mouth, “G-get the hell away from them!”
Douglas snapped his head towards Nathan, the latter flinching as if struck and growl getting cut of with a whimper. Everett saw red and screamed at Ethan, “I thought I told you to get him out!“
Reese was last to run in the door swearing under his breath as he hopped around trying to avoid stepping on any people, “He was doing that until he found out Doug was here!”
Beck held Everett tighter, “SHUT UP! I’ll fucking slit their throat!”
Well now this was just getting annoying, Everett rolled their eyes, “No you won’t.”
“Yes I-“
They cut him off, “I’m sorry, I got carried away playing.”
Everett felt the blade get pressed closer, just enough to break skin, “Stop fucking talking! I’m the one in control here!”
“‘Cause that’s what I wanted you to think, you fucking moron.”
Unbeknownst to everyone, while Beck was pulling his little stunt, Everett’s shadow detached from their body and made it’s way over to him. It got a secure hold on his right thigh and calf and kicked his knee in backwards with a loud SNAP.
Douglas let go with a scream of agony, dropping the knife. Everett caught it before it could hit the ground, quickly stabbed it into his opposite arm, kicked him to the ground, and moved to stand over him, “Tell me Douglas, are you ready to face the wrath of an angry god?”
Douglas started crawling backwards the best he could, continuing to accidentally put weight on his broken leg, “S-STAY BACK! AGH!! DON’T YOU FUCKING TOUCH ME!”
Everett raised an eyebrow as they stalked forward, “Haven’t you learned I don’t need to touch you to end you?”
Beck’s good leg sank into his own shadow before trapping him in place, it causing him to fall in an awkward position, his right arm succumbing to the same fate as his leg, “Don’t! Don’t kill me! I’ll give you anything you want!”
Everett giggled. “Begging will do you no good~”
Douglas squirmed, “Leave me alone! Go away!!”
They came to a stop, standing right behind him, Beck unable to look behind to see what they’re doing. They knelt down, grabbed him by the hair and chin, leaned forward, and forced his head to turn to the side just too far to be comfortable, “I don’t think so. I think, what you took from him, I’ll take double.”
Everett looked Beck in the eyes, and what he saw was not Everett’s face, it was similar but sightless, an ethereal being larger than the warehouse itself, a glowing metal crown adorned where their eyes should be. They were stunning and blinding, “I want the last thing you see to be my face burned into your memory.”
Douglas tried to beg for help from the other men, “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU? HELP ME! HELP! DON’T JUST STAND THERE. GET THAT MONSTER AWAY FROM ME!!”
Everett ripped a portion of his shadow away and molded it around his eyes so he would see nothing but darkness the rest of his short miserable existence.
They shoved Beck’s head away from them, the man shaking in pure terror. Everett looked over and noticed Nathan staring at him. He started taking a few uneasy steps closer to them, when Douglas jerked back, choking out a sob, and Nathan froze in place. Everett’s eyes softened. “He’s restrained and blinded. He can’t touch you anymore.”
He continued walking closer standing next to Everett, holding his hand out, “Meta?”
Everett took it immediately, and looked at him. He looked afraid, terrified even, but not of them. (Never of them.) He was afraid of what’s to come.
Doesn’t he realize they’re doing this for him? That if anyone deserves the privilege of sleeping safe at night, it’s him? They don’t deserve the peace of mind they got when their tormentor died, but Nathan does. It’s not like they wanted him here to see this.
Maybe…maybe this is not their choice to make.
Everett glances over at the invisible audience of one watching from the corner, waiting. She’s not observing in judgement or anger or unkind. Just patience.
Everett spoke softly, “Do you want him dead?”
Ethan didn’t take his eyes of the spot their invisible audience stood, sensing something there, “Everett you can’t, if you kill someone you will be taken away.”
Everett waved him off, “I’m not talking to you. And I don’t care.”
Ethan started yelling, as Reese put a hand on his shoulder “You should-“
They hissed out, “You don’t know what it’s like. You don’t get to talk. Nate?”
Nathan looked down at Beck, “How likely is it he’d escape out of p-prison? Find me again?”
“Barely to none. Considering I refuse to release him, his arm and leg will have to be amputated. His remaining leg is stabbed and he’s permanently blinded. I’d say he’s dealing with a fate worse than death, but if you want him dead, I will kill him.”
Reese calmly started asking, “Why would you-“
“Peace of mind.” Nathan replied.
Everett nodded, “I’m blessed with it. The question is do you want it too?”
Nathan took a deep breath, “I…think I can have peace of mind, without him dead.”
Everett took his other hand, “Are you sure?”
“He won’t be able to get anywhere near me again right?”
“I wont let him.”
“T-then yeah. I’m sure.”
“Very well”
Everett looked over as their invisible audience moved on. See you later. Beck would meet their friend one day, it’s inevitable, but it appears today is not that day.
Nathan’s hands started shaking, “oh my god. Oh my god.”
Everett looked over at Ethan and Reese, “You’ll be able to remove everyone from restraint with ease to take them to custody. Everyone but Beck but you knew that. I’m taking Nathan home.”
Ethan started to protest, “You can’t just leave a crime scene.”
Reese shook his head, “Jason can ask questions at home when we’re done. Look at him, the adrenaline is wearing off. Go. Take care of him. We’ll meet you there soon.”
Everett nodded and warped them both to Ethan & Reese’s apartment. Nathan fell to his knees starting to breathe faster and Everett joined him on the floor. They ended up in the living room.
Everett held his hands tighter, “How are you feeling?”
Nathan shook his head, “Like none of this is real.”
They both whipped their heads towards the lightswitch when the ceiling lights suddenly turned on, Nathan flinching and letting out a yelp as it was on his blind side. A Plague Doctor of shadow stared back and signed, “Bloody hell, what happened to you two?”
Everett deadpanned, “Douglas Beck happened. Help?”
“What do I need to do?”
“Get my phone and Reese’s tablet and let us watch you check and double check all the locks?”
The shadow nodded, vanished, then reappeared with the aforementioned electronics, handing the tablet over to Nathan, “Thanks, Spec”
“Of course.”
It’s a routine that they have whenever Ev & Nate are in a house by themselves specifically because of the trauma Beck caused, and it differs from house to house, but the pattern for the Clarke apartment is as follows: front door, kitchen window, office window, guest room window, back door, then master bedroom window. You then repeat the pattern because there’s always the possibility you missed something the first time. You visually see the door or window locked, you unlock it, then relock it, and try to open it to ensure that it’s locked.
Once the routine is done, they sit in silence for a moment. Everett takes the tablet, locks it and asks, “You think you’ll be ok with Spec helping you for a minute? I have to go wash off the blood.”
Nathan nods, “Y-yeah. I’ll be fine. Meet back in here?”
“Mmhmm.”
Spec helps Nate to his feet and guides him to the guest room. Everett grabs spare clothes from their shadow and makes their way to the bathroom to wash off. Memories of doing this years ago after missions and tasks start to try to worm their way forward as they scrub the dried blood from their face and hands. They have to take a moment to just breathe, remind themself they’re not there anymore.
…Okay so maybe neither one of them are doing great mentally after this situation.
They finish washing up and put their sweats and tshirt on. They take a moment then turn away from the mirror to greet Death face to face.
She smiles, “gotta say. That was a major improvement from the last time you were that angry. Only a couple people died!”
Everett narrows their eyes, “I didn’t kill anyone.”
The reaper tilts her head, “I didn’t say you did. They were suicides. Something, something, a better fate than dealing with BlackOut.”
Everett crossed their arms, “hmm”
“That isn’t me blaming you either by the way, I’m not sure how clear that came across.”
Everett nodded and Grim continued on, “Also you’re a better person than me in that regard, like, Levi got tortured and the only thing that kept me from slaughtering the guy was Levi who would not let go of me long enough to follow through with my plan.” She laughed, “oh well. Still put an order out and Other Father & Brother Dearest had their fun.”
“Uh huh”
Grim rambled on “All this to say, you’re a good kid and so is he. I wouldn’t have been able to back down like you did. Don’t beat yourself up over this. I don’t know…I’m trying to comfort you a little bit. Trying to say I don’t think you messed up and that guy had it coming…Sorry, uh-“
Everett gave a small smile, “Grim, thanks.”
Grim blinked, “Oh! No prob! Well I, uh, y’know. Places to go and people to reap. ‘The squad who shall not be named’ send their love and regards. Later dude.”
Everett shook their head and chuckled while heading back to the living room. Nathan was sitting on the couch, leg bouncing anxiously while waiting for them to return.
They made sure their steps were loud enough so Nate knew they were walking behind him and leaned on the arm of the couch, “So, any complaints about cuddling on the couch while we wait for them to get back?”
Nathan blinked, “Are you sure?”
Everett raises an eyebrow, “He asks as if we’ve never cuddled on the couch before.”
He shook his head, “That’s not what I mean. It’s just that we end up falling asleep and-“
“Oh! Well I’m hoping you’ll finally get some sleep, but I won’t be sleeping until Ethan & Reese get home. Don’t you worry, couch is in a central location so I’ll be keeping watch, and you can rest assured that if anyone gets inside I will not hesitate to cut a bitch.”
Nathan laughed silently, “Alright. But can we just go check everything one last time?”
Everett nodded, “Of course we can, dragon boy.”
They both follow the pattern one last time, checking the locks before settling back in the living room. Everett takes a look at Nathan and smiles when they notice his eye is no longer draconic, it’s back to normal. Nathan shifts from side to side, “What?”
Everett flops back on the couch and holds their arms out, “Nothing. It’s sleep time.”
Nathan chuckles as he lays down on top of them, head pillowed on their shoulder, blind side towards them. They tangle their legs together and Everett places one hand in his hair and the other hand on his back, and he nuzzles closer. The shadow limbs also come out and entrap him in a many-armed hug and Nathan just melts.
Everett looks over at Spec who has grabbed the remote and turned on the tv. They put it on some medical drama, no doubt to watch and complain at all the inaccuracies.
They’re absentmindedly running their fingers through his hair when they can feel a sort of rumbling coming from his chest.
…
Oh my god.
Nathan’s purring. …Nathan can purr.
…
Nathan can purr and it’s really fucking cute.
…
Jesus Christ get yourself together Everett McCoy.
It doesn’t take long before the purring slowly tapers off.
Nathan’s finally asleep. And it looks like he’s sleeping peacefully.
That’s good.
He deserves it.