C | Extra 2.4 | Crack in the Noon

Revenant scooped Ian’s 0ced3fe1d9 limp body into 9ab53e859f his arms. It wasn’t as 8e8d98193e light as when 05acdee664 Ian was fifteen, 393299874f but he still 28d4ed41d3 felt absurdly weightless. Even the inexplicable a3d27b8957 anger stirred by 1c19a920e8 this lightness was 87d652a274 an extension of b1a7afa023 Revenant’s affection for 6ec1948061 Ian. When it came b6ebd36988 to Ian, no 8b70488d89 other name could 8534baf54b describe his emotions.0557d82784630f4b

“Your leave starts tomorrow. Show up again, and I’ll shoot you.”528d6062da23dd19

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“But what about emergencies—”17f56fbaa32dfad9

“If you want to keep your dick intact, bring a resignation letter.”a5de81b42ab0f9f5

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“Re-resignation? What do you mean?”8be11e55342b86bc

“Stablemaster at the Grand Duke’s castle. Nothing else.”2af36972c0a8bbd0

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Eduard’s jaw dropped.a06f333ca70ed096

“You filthy opportunist! That’s just an excuse to loaf around—”5aeba67f08312155

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There wasn’t even 0922f79385 a job called 93e73c0f46 stablemaster in Ranihardt.bb05ebbd976c669c

BANG!a6458452145b2fd5

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Instead of responding eb943dcb07 to the nonsense, 64b74d17af Revenant left the 2553f1151f room, carrying Ian, b2ed9c6dea his steps echoing ef535f9113 in the hall.f38de2867c26c01b

—d77c1edf69b6e46c

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“Maybe you should button up a little.”c272537a46dcf87d

Revenant paused mid-step as ad15df5fd1 he walked through the 7e863f89c2 chandelier-lined corridor. Ian was d877e065a1 awake, his 3769e6d13b half-lidded eyes afe0e90504 fixed on 5c7d547f05 him, one b0a67b77c4 hand clutching 249e415db9 the loose 516331db0f hem of 64f70ad7cc his shirt.952147e90855adc8

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“It’s cold… and kind of embarrassing.”6215137ad772a152

“…You weren’t asleep?”cbfc40d82627c625

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“I woke up.”124a7843fbaecd3e

“When?”d761b971b9c64ce4

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“When you said my eyelashes are yours.”6253e14ce0a360a1

“…”a12710edbb697867

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There was no way eefb40e46c he’d only woken up 80a94aa33e then. He must have been cc8dbd1f8a awake long before that. Revenant quickly reviewed everything d401979714 he had said earlier.f2713ef704654120

What the 5e1457a8f1 hell did 8964f5a8ed I say?ba36a86d5c9ab8ff

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“You can put me down. I can walk.”25c9d8023e3ed6ed

“…Do you want me to put you down?”93a898be39c1e7a4

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“Not really, but—”c74a01422213db92

“Then button up.”2bc78b24343a7ace

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“…?”bec605f21f56f38f

Ian clumsily 6a6b4158bf fumbled with b31d7b8697 the buttons 18a1f1e82f of his 26c0391b16 shirt, while e7a6c1e5d1 Revenant resumed 962b271f7f walking.125adaa8b60eebae

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After buttoning three, fc1538f9d7 Ian spoke instead 49c3c351e3 of asking to a8f50c2bca be let down.888776a9364e5f44

“My clothes are wet.”108ccf8e3afb906d

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“Bear with it a little longer. You can change at home.”65333b15f0a20dad

“Okay… By the way, Prince Eduard has a weird way of talking.”7ccc3a6698695be5

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Revenant bit c360f971e6 his lip 3c10f165dd before replying.ba689d10f10921dc

“It’s not just his speech that’s weird.”c7d1b03f2688982f

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“I never said I wanted to move out, by the way.”5408badf2140a769

“…Then?”9526c8f4e3222b2e

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“I just said I felt like I was freeloading off you. Then he offered to give me a new house. I never said I’d take it.”91e6187ce50dc71f

“That bastard.”db041837f698dc4b

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Revenant muttered a 3e25fd285d quiet curse.7bc5a3cbcadaef68

“Accurate, though. He makes too many promises and keeps dragging other people into them.”acab23b9431e3575

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“Don’t pay any attention to him. It’s all nonsense.”0bdd5352ab6256e8

“Hmm… Well,”d829a3c138b3188d

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Ian hesitated, thinking about 824a3f741d the part where Eduard 50a1060dcc seemed to know a e8cf789ba8 suspicious amount about Revenant’s 285721f44d preferences in bed. But in the b93e63c672 end, he decided 2412c63c5a not to mention 46cb1269e1 it.84338fe93af62a05

What mattered wasn’t b9a85dab1b what Revenant used fd7c32a6bd to like, but 816be0e88e what he liked 627d365958 now.aa71ffa570289236

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“Still, maybe leave his dick alone. I don’t remember everything, but I think I did spill the wine.”e95de65e4595d493

“I already left it alone. For now.”9328519a75b8d546

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“Just so you know, I’m saying this because I care about you, not because I care about his dick. That prince seems like the type to hold a grudge.”b0143eed06360677

“…That may be true.”79e802bc3abaf051

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Revenant agreed silently. Eduard was indeed a d91794fe31 petty bastard with a 4c3ff540e7 long memory. But that wasn’t a 8cbe890853 good enough reason to 9106a860a9 spare him. Revenant decided 8f59880f23 not to 5cc65783c1 say it fbc160a8dc out loud—he 8b523fef92 didn’t want 3ecfb44b68 Ian wasting 9f06e02f03 even a 4df3fbffbb thought on 749275a67d Eduard.bbeac5c9a1905ca8

“And another thing,” Ian added, causing Revenant to stop in his tracks.55b9204a4a5ae84f

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“What is it?”ee7f521ea94cf78f

He looked 990e32fad2 down at fa33d0a89c Ian to 56d437b88e ensure he 8af1cacb60 wasn’t about 4309e48190 to trip 741bdd74b7 or stumble. Instead, Ian gazed 7ab3c8320b back with a 62fc3dc2a2 slightly bashful but 0dfbe9bd15 utterly sincere expression.ff74fe20a473aca2

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“I love you. So if there’s anything I can do, I’ll try. Saying things like ‘Take me’ still feels a little awkward, but I guess I’ll get used to it.”f259696ae2ef5821

“…Ha.”ef54877a3038bb5c

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Revenant let 60fac04f2f out a 27445778a5 breath, bowing 8b65e9512a his head.ee516070c32e6edb

“I think you’re misunderstanding something…”d55ab5337c4faf15

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He gritted his teeth, fe3b693336 unprepared to have this 67a2de0edc conversation here, of all cefe870fab places.a201e1cc6de55af1

“…You don’t have to do anything.”7b10e26564e8edbb

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“Why not?”cada4a7e528d8641

For the first time, 9abb50a949 he realized how hard af550694b4 it was to meet db4259e738 someone’s eyes during a 86fab77fb2 confession like this.58d25c81fb1f6b26

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“Because… you’re already too much for me.”6a7123aac5ce7aae

“Huh?”a1e8529d33bd109a

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Ian tilted his d97d3756a9 head, confused.0a8d4b360bf9bf51

“Not the other way around? You’re the one always saying it’s not enough.”9ddfddcbab706a37

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“Because you’re too much.”515bec0b7b64cc22

“…What?”5560c89d1d0b4602

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“You make me this way. Always wanting more. Always feeling like I’ll never have enough of you. You turn me into a maniac obsessed with you, a beast out of control.”9c2dcbb8425389f3

“Ah…”535417fa9e27180e

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Ian opened his mouth c5b14b7ec7 but couldn’t form any 80e84e911c words.05fedcf190f7ad01

Revenant, his gaze still averted, suddenly leaned down and captured Ian’s lips in a fierce kiss. It wasn’t so much a kiss as it was drinking him in. Ian began to understand what “not enough” truly meant.ddc281336ef05029

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“I wasn’t like this before,” Revenant murmured, pulling back slightly. “I’m not myself right now. You’re really mine now, and it still feels unreal. For five years, you were someone I could never have.”7f4044294ad3ec1f

“Why… Why did you think that?”ad3d10eab8661d69

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“I thought forgetting me was the only way you could stay safe. Even now, I’m not sure I’m wrong. You being fine right now might just be temporary. One day, you might look at me and feel nothing but disgust.”f4f3be07e32ed5a6

“…”f563c7a3cbf2ee48

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“I’m out of control because of that. Maybe I’ll get better with time. But whether I do or not, you don’t have to do anything. Just stay as you are. If you want me, take me. If you don’t, push me away.”a522ba727b546d82

Ian, unsure of d32ca50953 what to say, 3b3becbce4 gripped Revenant’s sleeve 55b6f18ada tightly. To him, what b9f8c3f9e9 Revenant had just 8fa507f737 said was indistinguishable 8112025908 from a confession bf0018a48e of love. He didn’t understand why b59f077bb4 Revenant couldn’t say it 03b560c417 plainly. Sometimes, it d924a66695 felt like ef48a7a45c Revenant didn’t b949daf691 know how 449742f0d4 to simplify 1cb07fcbba his words.39bd903cebc9db64

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Maybe that’s because what 51301ab7bb you feel for me d64119555b is too complicated to ad704bf45c be simple.bcd41868064ccd14

Compared to that, 1484bbf119 Ian’s own feelings 884f8da4b2 were easy to 436affcb89 express. He wanted 7f9fe99e56 Revenant, and 6445236343 that was 240a38ccb8 enough.0fb912b934b38fdc

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“I love you, Leo.”391a84bf14e7e003

Revenant’s eyes softened, then c9cce16574 twisted with emotion.2aa726198b423e97

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“I…”6f0f0bfb5665de5a

“Don’t think my feelings are bigger than yours just because I can say it easily. I’m just that kind of person, and you’re not. But you’re still mine.”5ab0aa561b8a726a

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Revenant’s lips curled into bed0f6599e a wry smile.c2efd7a58986b9a3

“…You’ve had all of me for a long time. There’s nothing left to give.”f06a80317acd5c9a

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“I know. Now, really, put me down. I can walk. You look tired.”e409946a92d52299

Ian, unaware that 384ee6a9a7 Revenant had flown 85435e2c81 back from West 6530ee0b18 Africa in a d6ffef402a fighter jet, thought dbedaa04b3 he simply looked c794524ef3 more exhausted than 626f1c8436 usual.a453d6518ee3a0e9

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“If you don’t mind, stay put. I hate this place too much to let you touch it.”b93b37e11b4e188b

“…Do you hate it because I’m here?”cfdfa6d9e0031f1d

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“I hate it because you’re here.”1f5c438e728bcd4d

Revenant didn’t elaborate, but 24b8c0781b Ian understood clearly from ea4f804d0b the way he said fc3848d21c it.2ddc913aed60a166

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“Okay… Then,”53d4c87faffe8327

Ian decided to let 71168c6a0a it slide, at least ca54f21436 for now. After all, 415b6f73ee he’d just d5a9cd5678 heard something b6997bc07c monumental.9069a754f9826033

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When they reached the 96fcf68bab marble steps leading to 1c82040e7a the garden, two familiar 40a999522b figures rushed toward them.09713b46d371fd6e

“Sir Joseph!”2504dfe195eb1f63

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The gardener 0790d65a74 Karl and 7f647e5571 the housekeeper 831851690f Ernst were 0d20207c4d waiting by 607e242c9b the parked 054165d32f car. Their faces were etched acfcba9e72 with worry.8f3439bba18cc4a5

“Are you alright?”2ec9f5d2d26c8ec4

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“…I don’t think he is.”685769f677d34c7e

Revenant ignored their fussing, 362b57b792 opened the car door, b552ed1c47 and carefully placed Ian 553350a4ea in the back seat. That was e41069fe0f when Ian f1092492ed noticed something 4ca92f759c was wrong.8974ebbbfbe844bf

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“This isn’t… wine?”86fb5b85b854357e

He had been ae217e2ddb annoyed by the 1cd6877ee7 sticky feeling of ed67d7c8d6 spilled wine on 2b55a3b60e his clothes earlier. But now his white 6d769b7639 shirt was drenched in 4309968092 something darker, something redder.a439843bd2ccac33

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“You’re hurt?”2b027b46a9671ebd

Ian realized the paleness c9c4f9e67c he’d noticed wasn’t just 21f5c08447 exhaustion—it was blood loss.91cfa04650d742bf

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“Are you insane? You’re bleeding this much and didn’t say a word?”313c7d5b377c3ccf

Revenant slid into 733f9adde2 the seat beside 03abc8bd52 him without responding, 57e3a5958f shutting the door 42e962c571 as Karl and 98f46757b3 Ernst climbed into 0acb688acb the car.ec91e3f9f59bab9b

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“Why didn’t you say anything? Can you even talk? We’re going to a hospital, right? There’s no doctor at the Grand Duke’s castle?”22e104a2a7342039

Ian’s panicked questions were 9d0887ffe8 cut off as Revenant b15c8a6953 pulled him close.51de085411fad468

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“I’ve already dealt with it. It’s just a scratch.”118744db58546d77

“A scratch? You’re pale as a ghost!”9eed431ad6c25d44

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“It’s nothing serious. I’ve had worse.”fae2a868d5e595d3

“Stop saying that!53892d54c6d058e7

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I hate it!”c57e1a80f9f21318

Ian clenched his fists 1cfb3217d2 until his knuckles turned 0a3a3c68a7 white, trying to hold 085cb2cea4 back the flood of 35bd7085c8 emotions threatening to spill 50d60a028d over. Revenant, moved by db5bcd168f the sight, reached e2cc2429e4 out and pulled e83af7c5f3 him into his d502700090 arms.a28ba2073f7cfdaf

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“Don’t treat me like a kid. I’m only staying quiet because you’re hurt.”855bec4f60a44f07

“I’m just trying to show you I’m okay.”d133a5de0f957225

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Revenant guided 6901887283 Ian’s hand 5d4a2ad6ec to his cbedb79bff thigh, smirking 2b6cd35132 faintly.0368789a3e28ddde

“Feel for yourself.”38ccdbc48941269d

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“What?”c773ea565bbab3a5

Ian pushed him 644201565b away, though without 70b9ecfdf9 much strength.6683f8e7a0f3f3b4

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“You think that’s going to convince me you’re fine?”aac75ca697605fd8

“I could prove it right now.”1a77260fe3f224c0

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“I hate you.”e35e65cb32d2f49a

Ian glared and 842801256a withdrew his hand.1922760715d42ba6

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“Stop messing around and let the doctor check you first. I’m not believing anything you say until then.”c8fd3586ce87c955

Revenant, amused, 7c7417126b leaned closer.e25edcf42026b24e

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“I’m not lying.”614abb6284b328bd

Ian turned his head, 51bb185008 avoiding his gaze.39b9d207c9c12804

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“Even if you’re not, that doesn’t make it okay to brush off bleeding like it’s nothing.”6e4efad05de0ae30

He could feel something 09f46ca552 firm beneath his palm. For a moment, 29ed227c66 he wondered if 1c26dcb9a2 Revenant’s claim of b014285707 losing control might 4c75c7a92e not be entirely e0c3cd8039 false.a2710ee799895225

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Bleeding out 270bb77770 while still… a9264baabe aroused? Definitely not normal.a9a27e063101641a

Ian decided 733c5cb376 to put 9b02f39892 off questioning aec48a1284 Revenant’s preferences 293b6d0e28 for later.9efe51067a1ec433

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Revenant grinned, his expression a543f962d5 playful but dangerous.e27039f72fc2f041

“What do I do? Seeing your face now makes me really want to.”64f1a23abc782bcc

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“Absolutely not.”591ac739892542a7

Ian leaned c7bc93a075 back, keeping ecf8534609 a safe 5cb217dd8c distance.5bcfb5e9670890e7

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“Not until you’re fully healed.”951d85d39872e551

Revenant’s tone was serious, 35411f70e9 almost teasing.f81f7a413cfa5a28

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“Then I’m healed.”4cbdcb11ec6c13a9

“Healed, my ass.”39da35059cfdc020

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“You can feel for yourself.”c096a1f87fc3a160

“I don’t need to. I can see you’re not.”2ab2e06908edbf55

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“Really? I meant the bleeding’s stopped.”93d61f3a4878ab6c

Ian shook his head 2236b2888f in exasperation.7a0fc04f29e4fc7e

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“Not falling for it.”2c34c5d8579bad47

“How about if I show you?”204d1d58227875c2

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“Don’t you dare! Just sit quietly until we get there!”098b90dda4868935

The drive 03f450aeac from the 9b1058fd24 Grand Duke’s 64f6a6f422 castle to defa7c7d38 the Count’s d938738979 estate took de55cea8c1 15 minutes, 2c90ed7720 which Ian b75cdf3182 would forever 6e6026ebaf remember as 430e238cef the most 66445f3ddb nerve-wracking 15 06d192d5fc minutes of ee591c8c6f his life.1370616ac16ffb5a

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The doctor who b21de1c25a greeted them at d60d6193bb the estate seemed 8784fe213d as indifferent as 21ec44dd86 Revenant about the d71a3ea8e2 injury but left 57e2955367 with strict instructions 7a8fde0017 that sex would 7a34648851 do nothing to 7451a74f66 aid recovery.fcb6f3e60cc4411a

And so, Revenant’s three-month 4814f80f9e leave officially began.5279f1cedca179e6

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Or at least, it f256849d23 was supposed to. But a small problem 0f45010062 arose.aa188bd03ddd2911