Back to Index.

Disclaimer: Weiss and Schwarz do not belong to me. I'm borrowing them for my and (I hope) my readers' amusement only and have no intention of trying to make money off of them in any way, shape or form.

Author: The RCK
Website: http://www.therck.org

Pairing: Omi/Schuldig
Rating: NC-17
Note: Written for the Weiss Kreuz Anonymous Kink Meme. This is a tiny fragment of a huge AU that will never be written completely because, while I find the story interesting and the character arcs plausible (given my AU elements), I don't want to let it have that much space in my brain. The characters aren't people I want to live with for long enough to tell their whole story. I may occasionally write small snippets of this when I'm stuck on other things, but I'm unlikely ever to write more than fragments.
Prompt: Omi (or Mamoru)/Brad and Schuldig; D/s, please. Omi can be substituted for Nagi.
Warnings: Rape, bondage, slavery, unbeta'd/rough draft, vicious sociopaths being vicious sociopaths, AU, permanently incomplete
Summary: Schuldig should have realized that Omi was a repressed sadist. It probably wouldn't have made any difference, but he should have realized.
Posted: 26 April 2008

Further notes on this AU can be found here.

Thanks to those who tried to beta this for me. It's not your fault that this one is nasty squicky. Thanks for being willing to look.

All mistakes and infelicities here are mine.


Occlusion

After the pain was done, after the games were over, Omi always asked the question. Schuldig thought that was the worst part. All he had to do was to say yes, and it would all be over. Omi'd do it quickly, cleanly, and the whole thing would be over. No more pain. No more dread. It wouldn't be gentle. Omi was never gentle unless for psychological effect. All I have to do is say, 'yes.'

Every time, before he pulled away, before he left the room, Omi would ask in just the barest whisper of thought, //Schuldig, do you want to die?// He didn't want to hear a yes. He didn't crave a no. The question and its answer were the one bit of utter honesty between them. They weren't about punishment or vengeance or how useful Schuldig could make himself.

Schuldig sometimes wished he could say yes, but he couldn't. He wanted to live. He dreaded the next time Omi became angry or bored or horny or... anything that could be eased by fucking Schuldig, by hurting Schuldig, by humiliating Schuldig, but he wanted to live. Rosenkreus had taught him not to expect better, and though he had hoped for better, it had also taught him to want to survive.

He'd thought more than once about finding other toys-- victims really-- for Omi. Dividing Omi's energy and attention could only improve Schuldig's situation. The problem was that-- at least for everyone in the universe who wasn't Schuldig-- Omi had ethics. He divided the world into categories-- people he cared about, people he didn't care about but would protect, people he didn't care about and would kill, people he hated and would kill, and people he would hurt without compunction. He wouldn't pick up a casual victim in a bar, brutalize, rape and abandon him or her. He might consent to a one night stand-- purely consensual-- but he kept his sadism reined in, carefully not hurting those individuals more than they wished for.

And sometimes he lets them fuck me. No. One night stands not a good idea. The only person Schuldig could think of who might be, in Omi's mind, a companion to Schuldig was Crawford. And... No. The thought of sharing living quarters with Crawford brought acid into Schuldig's throat. Much as I'd like to see him naked, on his knees, praying that this time wouldn't hurt as bad-- No.

But it has to be someone who doesn't deserve better. Someone who wants to stay alive, given the choice. Someone who appeals to Omi as useful, as attractive. Schuldig let his head rest on his knees. The posture hurt his wrists and shoulders, but the change to a different hurt came as a relief. Omi'd left him kneeling with his arms cuffed behind his back at the wrist and connected to a bolt in the floor by a short tether. Schuldig could move enough to lie down or to sit cross-legged, but he wasn't sure enough of his ability to get back into position before Omi returned. Punishments for breaking posture generally involved more painful positions, longer duration and harsher bondage. And sometimes-- if he's feeling playful-- with drugs as an added bonus. At least this isn't so bad. No clamps, plugs, sharp objects--

Who would work? He wrenched his thoughts to a safer subject. Experience had taught him not to allow his thoughts to go down that path. If he did, all of those things would hurt more the next time Omi chose them. He needs emotional engagement, something he can't detach from. Hell, he detached from Farfarello enough to let someone else kill him. Bang. Some nameless Kritiker flunky bags the Berserker. He just doesn't give a damn about anybody. Except Weiss. Manx. Crawford. But not Nagi. Thank god for that much. Lots of dead people. He avoids emotional entanglements. I can't help approving even if it does suck for me.

I wonder what the rest of Weiss is doing now...? We should look into it. To make sure they're as safe as Omi hopes, of course. He spent the next little while fantasizing about scenarios that would lead to various other members of Weiss joining him as Omi's dogs and about what Omi might do to them-- or let Schuldig do to them-- once they were there. If only I could reach my dick...

Schuldig tried to persuade his dick to soften as he sensed Omi's decision to come downstairs. He was supposed to have hours more work! He checked his posture to make sure that, hard-on aside, he was as Omi had left him.

The tumblers in the lock clicked. There was a slick, retinal imaging lock, too, but Omi had realized early that Schuldig responded to the sound of a lock opening.

Plus, Nagi can't open a mechanical lock without being close enough that Omi'd notice him. Schuldig swallowed hard, trying not to think about the fact that Nagi would abandon Crawford and break Schuldig loose in about thirty minutes if Schuldig just asked. There are good reasons not to. But, as the door opened, he couldn't remember any of them.

Omi walked into the room and studied Schuldig's posture and naked body. He shook his head. "Enjoying yourself?" He came closer, until Schuldig could only see his shoes and pants. He tangled his fingers in Schuldig's hair then pulled hard to tilt Schuldig's face upward. "What were you thinking about?"

"About doing unto Crawford as you do unto me." Schuldig knew better than to lie blatantly to Omi-- Omi would just pull out the truth drugs-- but he wasn't going to admit to the thoughts that had occupied most of his time that afternoon. It's not a lie even. I did think about it.

Omi laughed. "The idea of fucking Crawford gets you that hot?" He leaned down and kissed Schuldig, biting his lower lip then pushing his tongue inside. //It's unlikely, you know. Not that I wouldn't indulge you, but I'd need a way to block the precognition, one that wouldn't set off his precognition before I deployed it. Do you want Naoe, too?// The last question carried genuine curiosity.

//Estet had to have something... and no. You know that, even if Crawford doesn't.// Schuldig closed his eyes. Fucking an enslaved Nagi was one of the few things Omi could demand of Schuldig that Schuldig really wouldn't-- Couldn't. --do.

Omi pulled back and laughed. The echo in his mind was deeply feral, and Schuldig shuddered. //We're going hunting tonight, Puppy. Hunting something that might help.// Omi traced a finger along Schuldig's jaw. //If you're helpful, I might let you play a little, and you'll be on the bed tonight. If not...//

Schuldig cringed, trying to get distance from the images and impulses that went with 'if not...' Not being able to block Omi's thoughts unless Omi wanted him to, not being able to disentangle them from his own, meant that he couldn't escape. That's why I don't call Nagi. I don't know what killing Omi would do to me, and Omi always knows where I am. He whimpered.

//We have a few hours yet.// Omi smiled, in no way offering reassurance. He squatted next to Schuldig and flicked his fingers hard against Schuldig's dick. "I didn't expect that." He pinched the foreskin. "Get rid of it."

Schuldig swallowed hard and nodded. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on ignoring Omi's intentions and arousal. Things that don't relate to sex... or to pain... We are so fucked up. Focus. Takatori Reiji in a miniskirt. Masafumi and Tot... He never got Nagi through her, did he? No. I'd have found out, and I'd have killed the fucker. Except that's why Crawford would make sure I didn't find out.

Schuldig felt Omi's hand on his now flaccid dick. "Stay that way." Omi's hand was gone. "Keep your eyes closed." Footsteps moved toward the cupboard where Omi stored his toys.

He knows what he's after, but he's not letting me see. Schuldig tried not to think about the options even as his mind listed the contents of the cupboards. A minute or so later, as Omi enclosed Schuldig's dick and balls in a cloth lined metal mesh bag, Schuldig thought, That's not so bad.

//Open your eyes.// Omi rocked back on his heels. "Now, tell me what you want to do to Crawford. In detail." He smiled. "If it's hot enough, I may let you stop talking for long enough to suck me off." //And if it's not hot enough, I'll start my entertainment with your ideas and continue from there.//

Schuldig looked past Omi at the wall. Stupid me. He shifted his weight, trying to ease his ankles. He won't hurt me too badly. Not with a mission tonight. He'll want me at my best or near it. He drew in a shaky breath. "Crawford values control," he said. "He's used to knowing what's coming next. The first thing to do is to take that from him. It's not hard."

//No?// Omi twisted one of Schuldig's nipples. His facial expression and body language announced boredom, but his mental interest was sharp, like a hook keeping Schuldig focused on the subject. //How is that done?//

//With the right drugs.// Schuldig's memory offered three different drug cocktails that would crush precognition temporarily. Two of them were even safe for prolonged use. He pushed the information into Omi's head and watched Omi's eyes glaze over with pleasure at having a new weapon. "Drug him." Schuldig licked his lips. "The stuff you used on me would be good. Nausea and vertigo. Add in noise and flashing lights, and he'll be in hell before he even sees me." He tilted his head to one side. "But I want him to know it's me. I won't hurt him then-- maybe, just maybe I'll give him a gentle fuck, something to anchor him, to make him think it won't be too bad. He'll be going crazy because he's used to knowing." He could say anything now because Omi wasn't really listening. As long as Schuldig kept talking and it related to Crawford, Omi wouldn't mind if it wasn't arousing. Just for a minute or two. Then he'll be back.

Omi rubbed his hand over his crotch.

Schuldig hissed as he realized that Omi was already hard. He wants Crawford. I didn't... really expect that. "Maybe add in hallucinogens after that so that he's not really sure that it was me." He rocked up on his knees, arching his back as the tether pulled him back. His dick wanted to expand, and his throat felt tight. "Then-- Then it depends on him, on what scares him more. I'd be in his mind, so I'd know--" He tried to catch Omi's eye and grinned. "So we'd know. I'm not sure whether I'd rather start with playing with him, with clamps and weights and cutting and dildos and--" //Please take this thing off me! Please?//

Omi struck Schuldig across the belly, forcing him back to his knees. //You should be grateful that I didn't use the one with spikes.// The blow didn't carry more than a fraction of Omi's strength, so Schuldig took it as a sign of approval. He twisted and rubbed against the bits of Omi that he could reach.

"I'd enjoy figging with him or maybe something more than ginger, something that would make him cry.  I want to see him with the snot and tears running down his face. I'd be careful. I wouldn't want to hurt him too badly. I wouldn't want to wait while he healed or do anything too... permanent." Schuldig smiled, letting the nastiest edge of his anger at Crawford show. "After all, if we break him properly, he could be useful."

Omi unhooked the tether connecting Schuldig's wrists to the floor. He held the tether in one hand and massaged Schuldig's shoulder with the other. "And what would you do if you didn't play with him immediately?"

Schuldig laughed. "I'd watch two or three strangers take turns fucking him, maybe playing with him, too, but maybe not. I'd keep up a monologue in his head the whole time, critiquing his performance. I'd punish him when he didn't do well enough. I'd probably do that even if I played with him first. The strangers would be worse than me or you, even if they didn't torture him, even if we did. He may not think we're his equals, but we're still on the radar."

Omi pushed Schuldig forward.

Schuldig turned his head so that his cheek rather than his nose came to rest on the hard wood floor. He's still playing, nothing harsh yet. That could have been much worse. He waited, silently, assuming that Omi had something in mind. Something hard pushed at Schuldig's anus. He knew it wasn't Omi's dick. There's no way he do that yet. That still left a frightening number of possibilities.

"We haven't used this one before." A hard push took the thing past Schuldig's body's resistance. "It's porous, with a central tube and a pump. I can use it to deliver, well, anything really, as long as it's a gel or a liquid." Omi wiggled the butt plug then pulled it out a little before shoving it home again. "Maybe we should test a few things out. Just in case we ever get our hands on Crawford." //Serendipity. I just happened to pull this one out. We won't have time for the fullest... enjoyment today. That will take weeks. This is a good way to administer drugs, anything absorbed through the mucous membranes. No visible marks.//

Schuldig shuddered. Omi's desire to be able to take Schuldig out in public had saved him from certain types of abuse at certain points in time. The clarity with which bruises showed on Schuldig's skin pleased Omi sometimes but was an inconvenience at others. An inconvenience for which he blames me.

"This will burn a little."

Schuldig set his teeth. He didn't want to risk biting his lips or his tongue. When the pain hit, he twisted, trying to pull away from it, from Omi, until the tether brought him up short. He shook then whined, letting the pain out as sound.

Omi grabbed Schuldig by the hair and pulled him back up to his knees. "Keep talking," he said. "I'm getting bored."

Schuldig couldn't think. He could tell that Omi was still aroused, was becoming more aroused, but he couldn't string words together. He panted. Tears ran down his face.

//Puppy, talk to me.//

Does he sound... worried? Schuldig whimpered. "I-- I would-- He--" He dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands. "There are... drugs that... make him..." //You can make him have visions. Uncontrollable visions. He hates those drugs. Desperately.//

Omi ground his body against Schuldig's ass. //Perfect.// He uncuffed Schuldig's wrists, letting his arms fall to his sides. "Tell me."

"I'd..." //I'd make him keep his mouth open and his ass available all the time. Keep himself clean. I wouldn't shave him. I'd wax him. I'd take his glasses. He's nearly blind without them. Take that sight, too.// Schuldig's dick hurt, wanting to expand again in spite of the pain in his ass. He'd learned, after all, to find pleasure in spite of pain when Omi was present. "Please..." The tremors from the pain were enough that he'd have fallen if Omi hadn't held him up.

Omi pinched Schuldig's nipples. "I'd make him your whipping boy. Not for everything. I wouldn't want you misbehaving just to get him punished." He bit Schuldig's neck. //You're not feeling anything except your ass, are you? Try this-- Think about doing this to Crawford. Maybe an hour a day. Maybe three hours every week. Maybe just when you've pleased me. You do manage that, don't you?//

//I'm sorry.// Schuldig tried to make the words sound abject rather than tortured and was sure he failed miserably. He'll enjoy tortured even more than abject. We both know that abject is just me saying, 'Of course it's my fault. Everything's my fault. Please don't hurt me.' He let wistfulness into his mental voice. //Do you really think you could? He'd rather die.//

//That depends on what we find tonight. And on Naoe. If Naoe chooses to protect Crawford...//

//Nagi likes me better than he likes Crawford, and he's not protecting me. That's sure as hell not because he's scared of you.// Schuldig flinched when he realized what he'd said and how he'd said it.

Omi laughed. //No. He isn't protecting you because you choose to stay. If you wanted to leave, you'd be gone. In spite of Crawford, in spite of spells.// He let Schuldig collapse forward. //Do you think I'd chase you, or are you afraid I wouldn't?//

Schuldig flattened himself to the floor, gasping, and refused to answer. He wasn't really sure what he could say. Say something else. Change the subject. No. Not a change... //Nagi can't leave Crawford, and I won't go back to the son of a bitch. You're better than Crawford. More honest.// He heard the sound of Omi's zipper. Was it enough? Is he satisfied or will he--

 "I find your fantasy hot as hell," Omi announced. "Get over here and ease the problem." //Can't or won't?//

Trust him to multitask. Schuldig crawled in a semicircle so that he was facing Omi. His arms and shoulders protested as he pushed himself up. //Can't. There're layers of telepathic compulsions making him obey Crawford. I've chipped away at them, but if Crawford thinks they're going to fail, he'll kill Nagi. Under the circumstances, I can't do more than give him latitude.// He dropped his jaw, opened his lips and waited.

Omi liked taking the last step himself. He stepped closer and pushed his dick into Schuldig's mouth.

Schuldig used his tongue and lips to tease Omi's dick before taking it deep in his throat. As he felt Omi's attention shift to his own body, Schuldig allowed himself to feel relief. I still hurt like hell, but I'm not hurt. Pain not damage. He pushed back the questions he wanted to ask. He wouldn't answer anyway, and... Nagi can defend himself against Omi. At least, I'm better at this now. I know what he likes, what he doesn't, what he expects. Damn Crawford for sending me after Haberland. Damn Estet for wanting a telepath to incubate demons. Damn Omi for being there. Damn me for not being stronger. Damn that sorcerer for whatever the hell he did to us.

Omi smacked the side of Schuldig's head. "Teeth."

Schuldig put his full attention back on the blow job and didn't let it wander again until after Omi'd tucked his dick back into his pants. //I'll do just about anything if you'll get me Crawford.//

Omi's grin had sharp edges. //You'll do anything for me anyway.// He laid a hand on Schuldig's head for a few seconds then stroked his hair. //But I'll get him for you, Puppy. Eventually.//

Schuldig closed his eyes. The pain in his ass hadn't abated much, but he felt it less. He bowed his head, wishing he were allowed to show affection to his master.

********'

Schuldig knelt by Omi's chair, staring at the unconscious, carefully bound form of Brad Crawford lying on the floor in front of them. I didn't think it could really be done. He looked up to meet Nagi's eyes.

Nagi offered Schuldig a thin smile before turning his attention to Omi. "Delivered as promised." Crawford's body shifted a little as Nagi prodded it telekinetically. "I gave him a sedative, but apart from that, he shouldn't even be bruised."

"As promised," Omi agreed, "and the payment will be as promised."

Schuldig tensed. Payment? //Nagi, what did you ask him for? He's fucking dangerous, and you needed to get rid of Crawford anyway.// He tried to look into Nagi's thoughts but found himself rebuffed by unexpectedly strong shields. I should never have taught him that.

Nagi smiled again. "Good. If you need me again, you can reach me through the usual channels, and we'll negotiate." //Nothing you need to worry about. We're still figuring out if we can work together at all. Shared history being what it is. Don't worry. I won't sell myself-- or you. I just also have no reason to slam any doors yet.// He looked down at Crawford. "And let me know if he gives you any trouble. I have scores to settle, too." He glanced at Schuldig. "I'm just deferring to a greater claim."

"Would you like a drink before you go?" Omi stood up. //Should I ask him if he wants to fuck you, Puppy?// His fingers tangled in Schuldig's hair for just a second. //I think he might. Maybe not this time but some time. He'd be kinder than me.//

Schuldig felt his eyes widen. //Is that what you want?//

Omi patted Schuldig's head. //This one's not about me. It might make an alliance between us more likely. It might also make him more likely to ask if he wants to play with Crawford. But... it's up to you.//

Schuldig flinched, and his breath came a little faster.

Nagi looked from Omi to Schuldig and back again, his expression opaque. He seemed to be waiting for something.

Calm. Calm. It's not like he's never given me choices before. Yes, but-- Not about things like this! What kind of tea I want. How I want to kill a target. Which toy he'll use first. Schuldig started to tremble.

"Shh." Omi bent down to Schuldig's level. //It's all right, Puppy. I'll ask him, and it'll be up to him. I shouldn't have started with something so hard...// He rubbed Schuldig's back. "I think my puppy needs whiskey," he announced.

"Ah." Nagi sounded like he understood.

Schuldig didn't see Nagi move. But then, he wouldn't have to. The alcohol burned going down, and that gave him something to focus on. He tried to look at Omi's mind only to find it closed against him. That wasn't new. Omi had secrets. I just don't know what he wants. I usually know what he wants.

Omi patted Schuldig on the back again then stood up. "When you're a little steadier, put Crawford in the room we prepared for him." //He'll stay out for at least another two hours. If you want him to wake to hallucinations, either of the red tagged vials will achieve that. Just leave the empty for me so that I know. I'll go down later. Strip him. I don't want him hiding any weapons.// He was silent for a moment then added, "Naoe-san and I will be in the library if you feel up to returning, but you should lie down if you're feeling unsteady."

I just had whiskey on an empty stomach. Of course, I'm going to feel 'unsteady.' Somehow the sarcasm grounded Schuldig better than Omi's words. Something... changed. When? What? How did I miss it? He looked over at Nagi, wanting to ask if he understood, but he couldn't quite bring himself to. He's free now. I'm...  He gave his head the slightest of shakes. "I understand." //He won't break his word to you, Nagi. He doesn't break it to me, and he has a higher opinion of you than of me.//

//Would you like me to work with him? It would mean... seeing me like... this more often. Would that bother you?// Nagi sounded a little uncertain.

Schuldig kept his laughter mental. Omi might not approve, and he wasn't entirely sure that he could keep from hysteria if he laughed aloud.  I have more control of my mind than of my body. //I went through Rosencreus. Who sees me doing what doesn't matter.// It was only a little lie. It's not like he's ever judged me. //I want you to be happy.//

Nagi made a small, half strangled sound that Schuldig couldn't interpret. Then Nagi and Omi were gone, closing the door behind them.

"Right." Schuldig muttered. He used Omi's chair to stand then leaned on it for a moment to let the light headedness pass. He studied Crawford. "I was worth a hell of a lot more than one murder, you bastard." He spat on the floor. "That for your alliances and grand schemes. Not that he won't rule the world if he wants, but you won't be ruling anything." He bent and wiped up the spit with the edge of his shirt. Just so Omi doesn't notice. He lifted Crawford in a fireman's carry. "We're not sharing a room," he informed the deadweight. My former master. Hard to believe. "He didn't even suggest it."

He stripped Crawford by cutting his clothes off then injected the contents of one of the red vials into his arm. "Enjoy." He grinned and whistled as he locked the door. Some of his cheer vanished. Now what? He considered his steadiness. I don't know what he wants. Maybe there's no right answer, just an excuse to punish me for choosing wrong. No. He wouldn't do that. Would he? No. He doesn't do that. Crawford did sometimes to see if we could find another answer, but Omi doesn't. Yet. He sighed. //Nagi?//

//Yes?// Nagi sounded irritated. //Is Crawford giving you any trouble?//

Schuldig poked a little deeper into Nagi's thoughts to be sure that the irritation wasn't aimed at him. //No. He's still out. I just... Are you talking secrets?//

//That depends on what you mean by secrets. Tsukiyono mentioned that you haven't eaten yet today. You should.//

//Is that what he wants?//

Nagi sighed. //Is that what you want?//

Schuldig's hands clenched. He took a deep breath. What I want doesn't matter. He just couldn't say that to Nagi. He's free now. I'm not. He turned and headed back up the stairs. At the top, he stopped and leaned against the wall, letting his forehead press into the cool surface. I'm not drunk. Am I? How long since I had hard liquor? More than a taste, I mean. It was before Omi, wasn't it? What is he doing?

//I'm coming,// he told Omi.

//Very well.//

There wasn't enough to the response for Schuldig to guess whether or not he'd made the right decision. He knocked at the partly open library door and waited.

"Come." Omi's voice sounded a little muffled, and when Schuldig stepped inside, he saw why-- Omi held a washcloth wrapped bag of ice to his jaw. He sat behind his desk, relaxed, as if nothing in the world were wrong.

Nagi sat in one of the overstuffed chairs. Schuldig read his posture and expression to mean that, whatever had happened, Nagi, too, wasn't worried.

Schuldig crossed the room to kneel beside Omi's chair. If they'd been alone, he'd have waited to see if Omi wanted him to crawl, but Omi had indicated in the past that he preferred not to flaunt Schuldig's status in front of outsiders. Nagi's not an outsider, and he knows, but if Omi wanted the usual, I wouldn't be wearing clothes. Of course, if the guest had been anybody but Nagi, Schuldig wouldn't have knelt. He would have stood, waiting for instructions, or sat. //What happened? Why didn't you call me?// he asked Omi privately. I should have noticed when it happened. Which means... He didn't want me to?

Omi squeezed Schuldig's shoulder. "Naoe-san and I had a bit of a discussion," he said mildly. "We've resolved the matter now."

Schuldig looked over at Nagi who nodded once, sharply.

"He should eat."

"Yes," Omi agreed. "Perhaps we should adjourn to the kitchen?"

Schuldig tensed then relaxed as he realized that the question wasn't addressed to him. He wasn't being asked to play whatever odd game the other two men were engaged in. Yet. He took a deep breath and leaned a little against Omi's leg.

Nagi stood, and so did Omi. Schuldig stayed where he was, waiting.

Omi snapped his fingers.

Schuldig rose as gracefully as he could with the alcohol skewing his balance. Nagi's telekinesis steadied him as he swayed, but Nagi didn't turn to look at him. Schuldig walked a careful three paces behind Omi as they crossed the house.

When they entered the kitchen, Schuldig started to kneel again, but Omi said, "Planning conference," and pointed at the table. Schuldig ducked his head and sat in a chair.

Schuldig took a deep breath and tried to balance himself. Professional not personal. Pretend Nagi's just business. He's never seen anything to think I'm anything but Omi's coworker, bodyguard or whatever the hell the cover is today. Omi never asked-- He bit a knuckle. //He brought in the Western furniture after he... brought me home,// he told Nagi, feeling the need to make small talk. //I think having me kneel while he was didn't work.//

Omi broke two eggs into a bowl, whisked a fork through them and stuck them in the microwave. "Tea?"

"Please." Nagi nodded. //Remodeling also got rid of the traces of the Takatoris, didn't it? Schuldig...// Nagi hesitated, and his shields leaked worry for Schuldig and memories of seeing Crawford sell Schuldig to Omi. //You do have a choice. Always.//

Schuldig didn't bother to answer Omi's question. He could tell that it hadn't been for him. He'd be getting tea with his scrambled eggs and whatever other food Omi thought he needed. //I wouldn't have gone with Crawford then even if he'd wanted me. He knew. He always knew. He used to warn me that I'd be Bombay's dog someday. As I am.// As you've seen. Repeatedly.

While the microwave was running, Omi rummaged in the refrigerator to find other food. "I need your expertise." He hesitated.

Schuldig wasn't sure Nagi'd recognize it as hesitation. He doesn't know Omi as well as I do. He waited.

Omi cleared his throat. "If Estet--" He waved as hand as if dismissing argument. "--or what passes for Estet these days-- caught Crawford, what would they do?"

"Break his shields," Schuldig said immediately. "Probably with torture as an aid."

"Cripple him physically," Nagi said. "His hands or his legs most likely. Or maybe his eyes."

"They'd only take his eyes if they had extra telepaths." Schuldig couldn't lose sight of the fact that Omi only had one. "After that, they'd keep him drugged so that he couldn't control the visions. I don't think they'd trust him to seek visions. He could skew them, too much, even without shields."

Omi put the scrambled eggs on the table in front of Schuldig. "He's a present for you." //Just as I promised, Puppy.// "I don't need him, but he could be useful." //He could make the games I'm playing with Kritiker and the Magi much more interesting.//

Schuldig poked at the eggs.

"Eat." Nagi shook salt onto the eggs without touching the shaker physically.

"I just thought that he'd be more..." Omi shrugged. "Estet has got to be one of his nightmares."

Just like it was one of mine. Now Schuldig really didn't want to eat. Omi's better than Estet and better than being an incubator for demons. Much. He  picked up the bowl and chopsticks anyway.

//If you just want to play with him and then kill him, that's one thing.// Omi started slicing a peach. //If you want him around for a long time, you-- or we, if you prefer-- have to break him.//

The problem with being a telepath is that putting food in my mouth doesn't buy me any time. Still, Schuldig waited until he was done chewing to say anything. "I'm trying to remember--" He looked at Nagi. "Is there any reason we'd want not to hurt him?"

Nagi gave a single shoulder shrug. "Estet?" He didn't sound convinced.

Schuldig shook his head. "Not for us." //He'd have sold all of us back to them if the price was right.// He looked at Omi's hands. "We break him." He had to set down his chopsticks because his hands were shaking. "I... I'm not sure I can not kill him. My..." He shook his head. My self-control is nothing to brag about. He looked at the floor.

Omi put the sliced peach on the table. He squeezed Schuldig's shoulder. "Is it worthwhile to make him think Estet has him?"

Nagi shook his head minutely. "Not if you're planning to 'rescue' him. If he ever saw through it, he'd take any chance he could get to screw you over. Not for capturing him-- For giving him even a little hope."

That's personal experience, isn't it? Schuldig didn't even need to look at Nagi's thoughts to know that much. After all, that's what he did to you. "Estet's approach is still... efficient. If he's physically weak enough, I can break his shields, and if I do it once, I can do it again. I just have to set a few commands." Never mind that I haven't done anything like it in years. "I can't break his shields and... work on his body at the same time. Not for long enough, anyway." He put his hands in his lap. "Well, it would work eventually, but it might take weeks." Or even months. //We have to get him to the point where he can't even choose to die,// he told Omi.

Omi picked up Schuldig's chopsticks and scooped egg into Schuldig's mouth. "You need to eat." //Maybe you could play with him a bit and then break him. If you play for a week or four, it's nothing. Would that please you?//

Schuldig didn't answer immediately. Instead, he asked Nagi, //What do you think?// He knew he sounded a bit plaintive.

//I brought him here for you, Schuldig, not for Tsukiyono. I don't care what happens to him.//

//Nagi... Did Crawford... hurt you? Physically, I mean? Did he... Did he fuck you? Did he give you to anyone else?// Schuldig had never wanted to ask before.

Nagi's shields tightened, and his face went blank. He looked away.

//I'll play with him for a little while,// Schuldig told Omi. //It'll be personal. I'll tell him I'm protecting him from you by doing it. You can show up and terrorize him from time to time. When I'm bored, we'll tell him you got impatient and demanded it.//

Omi laughed without much humor. He ran a hand over Schuldig's hair. "I can play Bad Guy." //He deserves it, Puppy. He does.//

"Let him hallucinate for now. Tomorrow's soon enough-- No. Visions first. Uncontrollable visions for a day or three." Schuldig managed a thin smile. "He might see something he can use against us, but I doubt it. If the odds are against us fucking this up, he's going to see himself crawling and happy to be allowed to." He reached out and took a slice of peach.

Omi and Nagi regarded him with creepily similar expressions of pleased pride.

Back to Index.
Further notes on this AU can be found here.
Comments.