A Place to Call Home | 家に帰る場所 | Nicolas Brown

| four |

'italics' - sign language

| Before |

'Let's go find Master Wallace.'

Nicolas observed the way your hands moved to form words before he nodded stiffly and walked out of the room where the soldiers were situated as he led you out, grabbing your hand with little hesitance when you smile lowly to yourself in triumph. Perhaps he was determined to learn so that he could speak to you without using his voice as he knew that you were aware of the fact that he wasn't fond of speaking. Perhaps he just wanted to do something for himself that could benefit those around him; specifically you - you liked it.

You walked out and through the halls with your head hanging low due to past experiences because you knew that you couldn't look another man in the eye unless they were speaking to you. Even then, they would still get disgusted and spit on you - after calling you a monster. Even without the mercenaries though, the maids were just as terrible as their words were laced with a sinister tone.

'Outside.' Nic slowed down to look through a window and signed to you. You followed his line of sight and watched the back of Wallace as he stood idly by the gate. Nodding, you felt Nic grab your hand again to lead you before a booming voice startled you causing Nic to whip his head around in surprise when he felt you jump, "Oi Tags!"

The thumping of the black combat boots and the echoing of his voice, you knew it was one of the Commanders subordinates and your blood had run cold. Nicolas saw the man storming towards the both of you from over your head when your eyes were trained to the ground. His grip tightened a little but he only straightened up to face a superior of his, of yours.

You, on the other hand, were terrified and it showed easily, the fact that your breathing had turned so heavy and how the hair that formed a curtain around your face trembled, you knew he could see it and to lessen the foreshadowing punishment, you were forced to face him.

"What the hell was that, huh? Some secret code? You better speak up Tag!"

His growls were directed to you while Nicolas never ceased eye contact, only placing his body a little in front of you on your side. It was noticeable and you wanted to rush into the next door and hide when the mercenary cocked a brow and raised a fist. Nicolas was blown to the side from the impact, his back slamming into the window seal before his slip down with an 'oomf' while a scream almost ripped through your throat but you had to remind yourself to suppress it, "Bloody Tags.."

He turned to you now, Nic watching from the floor with a grimace on his face when you looked up at this man clothed in camouflage with a black singlet that showed off his built form while a menacing grin took over his face, he neared you in one step, crouching over to speak, "So? What the hell was that I saw, huh?"

"S-Sign l-l-language, sir."

The grin on his face grew as he heard your trembling voice and he took a step back, "Sign language? Hah! You better not let the Commander find out, or better yet, you guys should be careful that no one tells him."

Fear swirled within you, a deep dread for what this particular soldier might've been implying towards a twelve-year-old girl. He took a glance at Nic who was still on the floor and he sneered before getting closer to you again, this time, his breath touching at the skin of your ear when you shivered with a feeling of wanting to run and cry at the same time.

"Maybe you should come with me," His voice turned dark and hoarse, "Do everything I say and you can continue your shitty little sign language, as long as it isn't done outside where people can see you, fucking idiots." You had to comply. You had to, as much as you begged him silently with water finally emerging from your eye lids with small hiccups coming up your throat. The sadistic soldier only took your silence as a sign of approval when he grabbed your upper arm in a really tight grip, dragging you away when Nicolas got up to follow you just as the soldier heard him and turned around, "Hey! Get out of here!"

He stopped but he looked into your eyes with fear and longing, you couldn't look him in the eye, you were too terrified of what you would see hence why you allowed the soldier to shove Nicolas again when he landed roughly on the ground while you got dragged to the mercenary's bedroom.

| Now |

"Eh? A party? I don't know.."

Worick took a glance at Nic as he stood by the door in Big Mama's office. His brow was raised and Nic only shrugged his shoulders as if to say that he didn't mind what Worick chose. Big Mama's saw the interaction with her brows raised high while a tiny smirk grew upon her bright, red lips, "You boys act as if you have a choice?" She leaned back in her chair, the bags of celebrer and medication remaining in front of her, "I said inviting, yes, but I'm afraid you don't have a choice. Corsica is wary of Nicolas - and the other Twilights, of course, as the party will consist of the Four Fathers together, so you both should make an appearance. Dress nicely, the party is in two days."

"Alright, alright, we'll go. We'll be back the day after tomorrow so you can fill us in then, alright? We have other jobs to do now."

The elder woman nods approvingly while Worick stands, stretching shamelessly when Nic opens the door beside him to leave, "Very well Handymen."

Down the stairs, Nic walked by Worick when the letter glances at all the ladies on the first floor. Some of them held men in their arms as they guided them to some rooms while others only stood by the sides of the building waiting for some clients. Most of them lit up at the sight of Worick when he smiled back at them, welcoming a couple when a blonde and a brunette hugged Worick into them while giggling, "Worick! Why don't you stay here a while!?"

They whined and Nic kept walking to leave the building, waiting as Worick dismissed the prostitutes, "Don't worry ladies! I'll be back in a couple of days! Alex, let's go!" He chuckled when the frowns turned to cheers and bid them multiple farewells before departing into the dark alleyways to head back to their apartment as Alex; who had been waiting in a cushioned seat downstairs the entire time, followed as well.

Nic found himself with one hand on his sword that stayed on his waist while the other hand rubbed itself over his right pec. Worick caught the action but he didn't say anything at first, he didn't want to unintentionally make his partner upset, "You had another dream? About her?"

He had been walking but he also turned his torso to face the Asian male, signing and speaking at the same time. Nic's face seemed to fall while his palm rested above his heart, a tattoo, the tattoo being covered by a piece of cloth that meant more to him than anything, 'I did.'