The Rook and the Raven (Jacob Frye x Male OC)

Part 11

Jacob kicked a mound of snow as he walked across the rooftops, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Maybe Evie was right, maybe he was being too rash, maybe Dorian was sat on the train wondering where everyone had gone. He was about to head back, until he heard in the distance the most awful crying noise. Narrowing his eyes, he turned around. As the crying came closer, and became louder, he started to recognise it.
"Oliver?" He questioned under his breath. Sure enough, clumsily gliding and scrambling to land properly, came the raven, his black feathers contrasting against the white snow. Jacob rushed forward to grab the raven before he slipped off the roof tiles, holding him up with both hands as he continued screaming and wriggling under Jacobs grip.
"Hey, hey, slow down mate, what's got your feathers in twist? You shouldn't be flying, why aren't you with Henry?" He attempted to bring the bird closer to his chest, like he'd seen Dorian do many times to calm him down, but the flailing, outstretched talons changed his mind. He knelt down and released the raven onto a ledge and watched as he bounced around, still screaming. Jacob sighed, lowering his head. There was no way he could get an explanation from this.
"Go on then, show me the problem." He pushed himself up as the raven skittered back the way he came, gliding between the rooftops and looking over his shoulder once he landed to make sure Jacob was coming. Jacob aimed his rope launcher next to the raven and followed him, and the path was becoming somewhat familiar, towards a Rook stronghold. As the green banners came into view, he saw a few lamps were illuminating the main building, where many of the rooks lived. Oliver skidded to a stop by the front door, waiting for Jacob to arrive. Jacob pushed the door open and walked inside, greeted by the smell of smoke and grateful for the wave of warmth the source provided; he hadn't realised just how cold he'd been. Henry was sat by the fire, staring into the flames, too tired to focus, blood staining his white and gold robes. As Jacob pulled his hood down, Oliver walked over and tugged on Henry's trouser leg, gently croaking to get the mans attention. Henry's attention went from the raven to Jacob, who slowly approached, waving a hand at Henry's ruined clothes.
"What happened to you?" Jacob asked, perching himself on the edge of a nearby stool.
"We found Mr Moore." Henry replied in an exhausted tone, and Jacobs heart dropped through the floorboards, worry spreading across his face. Henry noticed the other mans reaction, and smirked to himself. "Don't worry, Mr Moore is fine, he's upstairs resting. Your sisters with him right now."
Jacob nodded and pushed himself off the stool and towards the stairs. Once at the top, he gently pushed one of the doors open, the light from the hallway flooding into the room.
"Oi! Piss off I'm tryin' to sleep here!" Came an angry voice from inside the darkened room, followed by various other tired moans and grunts. Jacob apologised quickly to his Rooks before closing the door again.
"Jacob, in here."
His ears perked up as he heard his sisters soft voice coming from further down the hallway. As he entered the small room furthest away, he stopped breathing for a brief moment. Dorian lay on his back, eyes closed and his hair falling across his face, that was tilted to the side. He almost looked dead, if it weren't for his chest softly rising up and down, which Jacob was beyond thankful for. His torn shirts and jumpers were folded neatly on a table, as if they were waiting to be worn again, while his coat and scarf hung behind the door. Evie sat on a wooden chair next to Dorian, watching him as he slept. Jacob moved so he was standing next to his sister, still watching the assassin sleep.
"How did you know I was out there?" Jacob asked, finally breaking the silence.
"I recognised your footsteps." Evie replied simply, a small smile appearing on her face. "Mr Green and I found him just after we separated, looks like it was a gunshot wound."
Jacob furrowed his brow, looking down. "Do we know who it was?" he asked. Evie shook her head.
"Dorian hasn't woken up yet, thankfully his wound isn't too serious, but he's going to have one nasty cold."
Jacob found a stool under the table and dragged it out, sitting next to his sister and resting his chin on his hand. Evie smirked to herself as she caught a glimpse of Jacob, who raised an eyebrow in return.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, its just you look like father right now, you know, the way he'd always lean on his leading hand."
Jacob frowned and dropped his arm to rest on his legs with the other, keeping his eyes fixed to the sleeping man in front of him, wanting desperately to brush his hair out of his eyes and to wrap him in his arms
"I'd better get back to the train, Henry's probably falling asleep down there." Evie said, pushing herself out of her seat . She hadn't even reached the door and Jacob had already moved into her seat, grinning at her as he propped his feet up on the stool he was previously on. Evie shook her head as she she closed the door behind her. Listening closely, he waited until he could no longer hear her footsteps, before reaching down and slipping his fingers around Dorian's, rubbing his thumb in circles against the back of his hand.
"I was so worried about you, love. I never say it, but you mean a lot to me, and a lot of the time all that playful flirting between us, I wish was real." Jacob spoke softly as if Dorian was listening, but he appeared to still be asleep. "Feels good to finally say that out loud, even if you are asleep. Glad you're alright, don't know what I'd do without you if I'm honest."
"Probably something stupid."
Jacob jolted up, kicking his stool over in surprise. Dorian's eyes were still closed, but he had clearly been awake and listening. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking heavily several times before settling on Jacob.
"I- I- I thought you were still asleep-" Jacob stuttered, trying to regain his composure. "How much did you hear?"
Dorian groaned as he attempted to sit up, but hissed in pain and collapsed back down on the bed. Jacob quickly moved himself onto the edge of the bed so he could support Dorian, holding him by the elbows and letting him lean against his chest, holding an arm delicately around his waist to keep him supported. Dorian relaxed in Jacobs safe hold, feeling the other mans stubble scratching against his neck sent shivers up his spine.
"Been listening since Evie left, so all of it, love." Dorian replied, teasing Jacob with the pet name. He traced a finger over the back of Jacobs hand as he sighed and buried his face into Dorian's hair, hiding as he blushed furiously.
"I feel like a bit of a tit." He finally said, drawing away from Dorian's hair. Dorian smirked, still tracing a finger on Jacobs hand.
"Why? Because the rough and tough London assassin and gang leader was caught confessing his feelings?" Dorian softly teased, now winding his fingers in with Jacobs.
"Thanks love." Jacob huffed, resting his head back on Dorian's shoulder. Dorian chuckled, then gasped in pain once again. "Think you better lie down again." Jacob suggested, and Dorian nodded in agreement, allowing Jacob to slowly lie him back down on the bed again. Jacob moved back to the chair next to the bed, reaching a hand over and pushing the black strands of hair out of his grey eyes. Dorian closed his eyes and smiled softly under Jacobs touch.
"You need some more rest." Jacob drew his hand away from the others hair, and pushing himself up. "I'll head off, let you get some peace."
Dorian opened his eyes and watched as Jacob stood up to leave. He was just about to close the door until Dorian called after him.
"Please stay."
Jacob froze in place. He turned back round to face Dorian, who lay there staring at him. Jacob stepped back into the room and shut the door, making sure to bolt it so none of his Rooks would walk in on him sleeping next to a man. After removing everything but his trousers, he carefully climbed over so he was behind Dorian, shifting himself so he was in a lying down version of how they were sat previously. Dorian wove their fingers together and Jacob rubbed soft circles with his thumb on the backs of his hands. Jacob had almost fallen asleep until Dorian spoke.
"Where did you leave Oliver?"
"Shit, last I saw he was with Greenie downstairs." Jacob shrugged. "He's either downstairs or with Greenie and my sister."
"God help whoever's stuck with him." Dorian grumbled, falling back asleep. Thinking of the raven, it reminded Jacob of something he had forgotten to ask.
"Dorian?"
"Yes Jacob?"
"Were you by any chance, using your gift with Oliver, to get help earlier?"
"Yes."
Jacob bit his lip. "Did you happen to see... uhh..."
"I did Jacob."
"Bugger."
"Goodnight wanker."