crucio (crucio) wrote in cwf,
@ 2010-04-26 23:53:00

open to quillan
Kellen was a fighter, but he wasn't doing well. The only thing really keeping him going was the fact that he had to see his son again, he just had to. Kieran needed him. He had no mother, and while he had the pack, Kellen knew his son well enough to know that Kieran needed him. He was all ready worried sick about his son, having felt the panic and despair from his son easily. They were connected more than an average son and father were, and Kellen knew that Kieran was special like Wendell had suggested. He just wanted to get back to his son more than anything else in the world. In between shifts, which were restless and he couldn't move, he just tried to sleep. He would ask about Kieran every day, though, obviously more worried about his son than himself.

At the moment he'd dozed off. He was grimey, dirty and disgusting, and he wanted a shower. He felt like he was sick with something because he wasn't getting enough food, and his body was literally stealing nutrients from itself. He looked haggerd, and broken as he laid on the little bed, curled up and completely silent. He was strong, and strong minded. He wouldn't speak to anyone but Quillan because Quillan was the one person he felt like he could convince to help him.

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impotentwaffle
2010-04-30 05:35 pm UTC (link)

With anyone else, Quillan would have immediately and fiercly defended Rex. But with Kellen, it just felt different. He was so--well, something that Quillan couldn't define just yet. They'd followed the wolf for awhile, learning his routines, and the way the man interacted with his son was lovely and sweet. Quillan hated thinking about it because it made him feel sick inside.

"Rex said they were attacked by wolves." The hunter knew what kind of people they were, but no one had told Quillan about it expressly. He didn't know that Oliver was a serial killer and Harris was his accomplice. "We're helping them. They'd captured one--and--and--that's what you're smelling." His voice faultered.

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crucio
2010-04-30 10:56 pm UTC (link)

Kellen swallowed hard and closed his eyes again as he lifted a hand to rub at the bridge of his nose. He wet his lips and cleared his throat.

"They did take a wolf, his name is Robin, and he's part of my pack. He's not even eighteen, yet, I don't think." He wasn't particularly close to Robin, but he was still pack, and even if Kellen didn't know a lot about him he was protective of the kid. "They raped him, you know. Tortured him, starved him, and Hunter found him. Robin wasn't the first. Well, he was the first of our kind. But they've done that to boys probably younger than him for a while now, Hunter said... The house smelled like death. And..." he paused, and let his hand dropped as he looked over at Quillan. "They've killed lots of human boys. Trust me."

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-01 12:47 am UTC (link)

His instincts had told him that there was something deeply wrong with the two men in their company. But Rex had chastised him for harping on it. Pulling back from the bars, Quillan stood up, picking up the plate as he did so that he could set it on the counter.

"You'd say anything to get me to distrust Rex." He was fighting the urge to believe the wolf because deep down he knew he was right. And if Kellen was right, then what did that make Quillan? It made him a monster when before he thought he was a hero. It was a difficult change in thinking to make. "Stop it. They didn't do those things to anyone. Rex wouldn't work with that kind of person." What Quillan was underestimating was Rex's obsession with finding a way to kill the Cold Water pack. Hunter was his great white whale of sorts.

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	crucio 2010-05-01 02:53 am UTC (link)
	Kellen watched Quillan closely, reading the man's body language. He took in a deep breath and swallowed hard before he scooted closer to the bars so that he could curl his hands aroun them. "I know you know I'm right," he said after a moment with a frown. "I know what they did to Robin. He's just a kid. Rex isn't who you think he is." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

impotentwaffle
2010-05-01 05:23 am UTC (link)

"I hardly know you," he said quietly. He'd known Rex far longer. But he felt connected to Kellen, and his gut told him to go with that feeling. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to make the headache go away.

"You weren't there. What your kind did to my parents and my brother--you're not human." It was a mantra that he had to say to himself to keep his own reality sane.

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crucio
2010-05-01 06:03 am UTC (link)

"Look at what your kind does to eachother every single day. Just because some humans are awful, and do terrible things, that doesn't mean that all of them should be hunted or condemned," Kellen said softly as he closed his eyes and struggled not to get too emotional. "I'm not those wolves, my pack isn't either. We've never hurt anyone like that and we never will. Humans do terrible things to eachother every day. Should I hold you accountable for every single one of them and what they choose to do?"

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-01 07:58 am UTC (link)

"Human's don't have the same sorts of advantages that wolves do!" He was actually pacing back and forth now, arms wrapped so tightly around his own waist that he felt like he could force an implosion on himself. I should call for Rex, he thought to himself. If Rex was there with him, he wouldn't be feeling so confused right now.

But Rex was not there and Quillan was starting to be faced with the reality of his previous actions. "I've killed people. I've killed your kind." It was the first time he really admitted to them being people at all.

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crucio
2010-05-01 08:08 am UTC (link)

"That may be true, but some have advantages over others. You're obviously stronger than others like you. Smarter. Some are faster," Kellen pointed out.

He was reaching a break through, and he could feel it. He felt a lot of things when it came to Quillan, though it confused him.

"You didn't know any better. You didn't understand. You were hurt and upset, you were just doing what you thought was right. But things are different now. You watched me for a while, didn't you? What did I ever do that was so terrible, Quillan? Rex wants to kill my son. What did he do that was so terrible? He's just a boy."

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-01 03:48 pm UTC (link)

Putting his head in his hands, Quillan felt so overwhelmed that he could barely breathe. Kellen's words brought up memories of watching him with Kieran. This was all wrong. "I can't--" he shook his head and turned and went upstairs, fleeing instead of dealing with this.

He was gone for a long time. The basement teemed with the abrupt emptiness he'd left behind. Quillan was upstairs, avoiding Oliver who was home, but locked in his room doing god knew what. When Quillan finally made up his mind, he knew he had to act fast. He grabbed a bag and stuffed some clothes in it. It was the rashest of decisions, but Quillan couldn't stand the feelings of betrayal that he was finally admitting. Rex was not who he thought he was and it was like losing a father and gaining a mortal enemy all at once.

With his bag slung over his shoulder, he slipped quietly downstairs with the key to Kellen's cage. "Can you walk? I'm letting you go and I'm leaving. Maybe Rex will come after me first if he realizes that I'm gone as well. That should give you a head start." Quillan didn't think the wolf would want them to go together.

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crucio
2010-05-01 05:20 pm UTC (link)

When Quillan took off up the stairs, Kellen let out a heavy sigh of defeat and slung back away from the bars to curl up on the bed. He closed his eyes and a few tears slipped down his cheeks, but he made no noise. He wiped them away and turned to lay face down, pressing his face in against the dirty mattress. He was starting to feel as if he'd never get through to Quillan in time, and he'd die in a cage. It was the worst of thoughts. And someone needed to warn Hunter.

When he heard the door, and Quillan's voice, he sat up slowly but looked a little stunned at the man's words. He blinked and furrowed his brow before he nodded his head.

"I can - I can try," he mumbled softly. "I don't... I don't think I'll get very far. I can't go home like this, Kieran can't see me like this."

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-01 05:53 pm UTC (link)

Quillan felt like this was the last decision he'd ever make. Rex would kill him for this and he knew that he was no match for the hunter. Rex was an excellent tracker, but Quillan also knew some of his weaknesses. Like right now, he knew that when the man came home, he wouldn't believe what had happened and he would wait for some miraculous explanation to come to him. That would buy them time.

"I'll take you to a hotel. Someplace you can get cleaned up. Maybe we can call someone from your pack from there." Quillan cringed. Not only was he setting Kellen free, he was going to help him warn the Coldwater pack? He'd taken one step off the cliff and now he was tumbling end over end into the abyss. He slipped into the cage and tried to help Kellen get to his feet.

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	crucio 2010-05-02 02:28 am UTC (link)
	Kellen had a hard time getting to his feet because the cage was so small and cramped that he hadn't really gotten to work his legs much. They were weak, but he managed with Kellen's help and leaned against the other man. "Thank you," he said softly, tears all ready forming in his eyes all over again. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

impotentwaffle
2010-05-02 04:50 am UTC (link)

Feeling the weakness and malaise that clung to Kellen stoked Quillan's guilt. He made sure to support the wolf as best he could and helped him walk out. The stairs were going to be another issue entirely and Quillan figured that simply carrying Kellen up them would be faster. Time was of the essence for them.

He bent down and scooped his hand underneath the backs of Kellen's knees and hoisted him up rather easily. The man was slight to begin with, and he'd lost weight quickly because of his wolf metabolism and lack of food. Hiking up the stairs, he made a quiet 'shh' to indicate that someone was still in the house and could hear them. With the bag over his shoulder, he made his way out of the house and into the garage where he loaded Kellen into the car Rex kept for small errands that didn't require room to haul anything.

"You should rest; I'll get us where we need to go. Should we stay in a hotel near Coldwater, or go farther than that?" He didn't know how long Kellen wanted to wait to see his son, or his pack.

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crucio
2010-05-02 04:59 am UTC (link)

When Quillan picked him up, Kellen was a little surprised, but the other man was warm and he just leaned into him and held on. Kellen usually always ran hot, but the lack of food had left him feeling colder than usual. He pressed his face down against Quillan's shoulder and swallowed hard, keeping quiet until they were out and into the car. He leaned back and opened his eyes before he turned his head to look over at the other man.

"Rex will probably look for us in Coldwater, won't he? Seattle's big, it's probably best for now."

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-02 06:31 pm UTC (link)

Quillan agreed. Rex would assume that Kellen would run for his pack. Kellen was right and Quillan set his sights on Seattle. Perhaps with the cash in his pockets, they coud get lost in the urban landscape. His adrenaline was kicking in and as he pulled out of the garage, he took one last look at his old life and then headed toward the unknown.

The drive wasn't so long, and Quillan found a small outoftheway hotel. He helped Kellen inside and set him on one of the beds before locking the door. It wasn't like a lock would keep Rex out, but it made Quillan feel better. He leaned against the door and tried to take some deep breaths.

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crucio
2010-05-02 11:10 pm UTC (link)

Kellen had passed out during the ride, and he only came to when he felt himself being put down on the bed. He sat up, quiet noises of discomfort escaping him from the wounds Oliver and Harris had inflicted on him, and from the way his bones ached from malnutrition. He let out a few labored breaths as he settled against the headboard, and he gazed over at Quillan.

"I need... A bath, please? Can you help me?" he asked softly.

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-03 01:43 am UTC (link)

It was a perfectly logical request, but it made Quillan uncomfortable. He'd seen the man naked before doing various tasks, or observing Rex. But now they weren't hunter and captor anymore. They were on the run together.

"Of course," he said with a little hesitation as he stood up. "I'll--um--I'll go draw the bath." He stood up and disappeared into the little bathroom. The sound of water running filled the small hotel room. Not long after, Quillan came back out so that he could stand next to Kellen. "Do you want me to help you undress? Um--here would probably be best, then I can help you to the tub." He tried to be official about it.

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crucio
2010-05-03 02:16 am UTC (link)

Kellen could tell that Quillan felt a little uncomfortable, but really? He didn't care. He was filthy, and he desperately wanted to get himself cleaned up so that he could feel sane again.

"I'm sure I can manage," Kellen said as he scooted to the edge of the bed.

He had no shoes or socks on, so he didn't have to worry about that. The pants would probably be all right, but the shirt? That was going to be a problem. His limbs ached, especially his arms.

"I might need help with the shirt," he said quietly as he looked up at Quillan. "I'm sorry."

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-03 02:37 am UTC (link)

Quillan sighed. "Don't apologize. It's my fault you're like this." If he'd seen the truth sooner, then he could have set Kellen free before he'd gotten so bad. "I saw a Burger King on the way into the hotel. I can be there and back in a few minutes. After your bath, I'll go get some food." He was sure that would help Kellen recover more quickly.

His fingers worked on the buttons, and he only slipped up a couple of times, fumbling with the fabric before it fell away from Kellen's body. Dipping down to put his shoulder under Kellen's arm, he aided him to his feet and toward the bathroom. The water was nice and warm and Quillan had even prepared a washcloth with soap, lathered and waiting.

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crucio
2010-05-03 02:42 am UTC (link)

Kellen slipped out of his pants carefully, and he had on nothing underneath. Rex really hadn't bothered with anything like that, and why would he? Frankly, Kellen was surprised the man had even given him anything at all to wear.

It was difficult to stay sitting up while Quillan worked the shirt off of him, and once the man was helping him to the bathroom, Kellen was all ready exhausted. He wasn't use to feeling so... lethargic. He leaned against Quillan the whole way and he let the man help him ease into the tub. The hot water felt so good that Kellen's eyes welled up and he had to shove down the urge to cry.

"Is there a place you can stop and get clean clothes?" he asked, glancing up at Quillan tiredly. "I'm sorry if I'm asking for too much, I just..." He didn't know what else to say so he just lowered his gaze and swallowed hard. "You should get rid of your cell phone, he might be able to track with it. Break the sim card. Check the car for any sort of tracking device."

It just seemed the way Rex might roll. He was a very smart man.

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-03 03:41 am UTC (link)

Quillan had considered the tracking device in the car, but he had assured himself that he'd know if one was in there. But Kellen had a good point. He should check because obviously Rex didn't tell him everything. He offered a nod at Kellen's suggestions and resolved to follow them.

Kneeling down next to the tub, he saw that the man was struggling with something and Quillan swallowed hard. "I'm so sorry I did this to you. I should have seen these things without you having to point them out to me." He dipped the washcloth in the water and pressed it to Kellen's back, cleaning away some of the grime.

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	crucio 2010-05-03 03:52 am UTC (link)
	"It's not easy to understand what my kind is, and I can see why some would be afraid," Kellen said quietly as he closed his eyes and hugged his knees to his chest so that Quillan could clean him up. The water burned his wounds some, but they'd heal now that he'd be fed properly. "At least you see now. I'm very thankful for that, and I'm very grateful to you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

impotentwaffle
2010-05-03 06:42 pm UTC (link)

Quillan didn't feel right about accepting Kellen's gratitude, so he was quiet about it. At the moment, he was just doing his best to make up for what he'd done not only to Kellen, but to wolf-kind and mostly, his brother.

Tilting the man's head back, he scooped water over his hair and started to wash it gently. He'd bever given anyone a bath before, but it wasn't so difficult. Rinsing all of the soap away, he leaned back so Kellen could linger in the warm water for a bit. The man looked so much better without blood and grime on him.

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crucio
2010-05-03 11:10 pm UTC (link)

The water was absolutely filthy, but it still felt good. He'd never been the type to grow a full beard, but the past weeks had brought a nice scruffy shadow on to his face. He was quiet as Quillan cleaned him up, and he could all ready tell that after he ate he was going to sleep for a while, but he would need to shift at some point. He wasn't going to bring that up just yet, though. He didn't want to do anything to push Quillan into an uncomfortable level just yet.

"You're not the first hunter who's changed their mind, you know," he said softly after a moment. "There was a hunter who was going to kill one of my pack mates, Emmett. But he ended up falling for Emmett instead, after spending time with him."

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impotentwaffle
2010-05-04 02:14 am UTC (link)

"Falling for him? Like--he fell in love with him?" That made Quillan raise his eyebrows. If Kellen had presented that story to him a week or two ago, Quillan would have shook his head and not believed him. But sitting there in the bathroom with him, Quillan could see how that other hunter had developed feelings for this Emmett person. If he was anything like Kellen, anyway.

After a few moments, he reached forward and pulled the plug from the tub so that all of the filth washed down the drain. It felt good to watch it sink away, as if some of Kellen's injury could go with it. Handing him a towel, Quillan waited to see if he needed help out of the tub. "Are you feeling any better?"