Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "spoogle!!"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

Henry Claus Ceredig ([info]philosophos) wrote in [info]nevermore_logs,
@ 2024-11-17 23:31:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:aderyn ceredig, armaan khatri, avery duffield, henry claus, iestyn ceredig

WHO: Avery Duffield, Henry and Add Ceredig, bits of Armaan and Iestyn
WHEN: Same time as this
WHERE: Avery's place
WHAT: Henry telling the bestie Armaan is Armaannapped
WARNINGS: A NAPPING



Henry was so glad for Addy's hand in his as he knocked at Avery's door. They had raced over as soon as Patrick had left the house, heavy with the news that Armaan had been taken. Iestyn had had to work - it was too late to find a replacement really - so Addy had volunteered, with the full knowledge she was going to text Iestyn an ongoing commentary of what was going on and he would reply when he could.

Henry didn't know how Avery was going to take this. Armaan had said things between himself and Avery weren't great for the past week or so, because he was moving out. But now the man was in possible mortal peril. And Avery wasn't good with emotions at the best of times. So Henry gripped Addy's hand, and he waited with her, his guts roiling with worry.


(Post a new comment)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-17 11:02 am UTC (link)
Avery arrived home late from work and dropped his bag on the armchair Armaan used to sit in. It wasn't going to be needed by him any time soon anyway. With a sigh, he went into his room to switch work shirt for loose tee, much preferring the soft cotton on his skin and glad to be able to relax at last. Work days were long but he was trying to earn as much money as he could and keep a buffer between himself and the street if he couldn't find a new flatmate in time.

He went back into the kitchen and grabbed a can of Coke out of the fridge, then stood there staring at the shelves waiting for inspiration to strike. He wasn't super hungry because he'd been snacking on vending machine food all afternoon, but he probably should eat something.

The knock came while he was still deciding, so he shut the fridge and grabbed a hoodie, pulling it on as he went to the door and looked through the peephole. Henry? What was he doing here?

Avery opened the door and looked at Henry with a frown, and then at Addy with him. "Uh, hi?"

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-17 11:07 am UTC (link)
Henry was frowning too, and he said, "hey, Avery. Can we come in? It's- We have some not great news-"

"It's about Armaan," Addy said, since she thought Avery should know. He might just say he didn't care otherwise. "And you should sit down."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-17 11:31 am UTC (link)
Avery gestured for them to enter, and grabbed his bag off the armchair. Turns out it was needed after all. "What's happened?" he asked, almost wanting to stay standing just out of perverse stubbornness, but he sat down once his guests were sitting too.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-17 11:35 am UTC (link)
Henry sat beside Addy and he chewed on his lips for a moment. "Armaan was taken," he said gently, trying to navigate the news awkwardly. "He was leaving work and he was grabbed- He's being held for ransom."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-17 11:49 am UTC (link)
Avery stared at him for a minute, the heels of his hands pressing against his thighs. "The fuck are you talking about?" he said after a stretch of silence. "Held by who? Ransomed to who? His mom can't afford to pay any money."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-17 11:54 am UTC (link)
"We don't know who by," Henry shook his head. He was a little taken aback by the aggressive reaction. "Just that they're trying to get money out of the station he works for. Millions of dollars."

Addy added, "he prayed for help. To Uncle Patrick." Patrick, who was of course, Lyra's father. "We were with him. I don't know if a small local news station has that kind of money either, to be honest."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-17 12:14 pm UTC (link)
Well, it wasn't god-related, there was that at least. Avery shifted uncomfortably, frowning down at his hands. "There's a parent company that owns them," he said. "The CEO made a multi-million dollar bonus last year. Someone will have money." He felt awkward with the two of them watching him, but he was worried at this news. Was there anyone at work who might know something? Maybe he should call someone and ask around. "How long ago was this?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-17 12:18 pm UTC (link)
"Well he prayed to Patrick about-" Henry checked his watch, "maybe an hour ago? Maybe it would be on the news you think? We could see if it's being reported?" Henry didn't know if it would be public knowledge or not, actually.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-17 12:30 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah, I'll just-" Avery got up and grabbed his laptop, bringing it back and pulling up the main page of the tv station. "How did this even happen?" he asked, half rhetorically. "Why Armaan? He hasn't done anything to deserve it."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-18 04:01 am UTC (link)
Henry watched Avery as he opened up his laptop, and he was reminded of an argument they had once had. Avery had said Henry wore his emotions proudly and Avery couldn't ever be like that. Avery had assumed that Henry's family had been close and he had been safe to explore things like that, instead of being the family black sheep, and just literally having feelings so big he couldn't hide them. Avery hid his own for safety, Henry was sure of it. The man had learned early on that being vulnerable was only going to leave him open to attack.

Now here the man was, his best friend in grave danger, and Avery trying to deal with the fallout while being scared of showing emotion.

Fuck.

Henry swallowed roughly and he shook his head, "no, he doesn't deserve it at all. He's one of the best," Henry said softly. "It's probably random. Someone found out about that CEO getting a bonus or whatever, and they just decided to grab someone from the station. I hate that it was Armaan." He would hate if it was anyone, of course. But this made it personal.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-18 09:45 am UTC (link)
Avery clenched his jaw. Was it worse or better that this was just some violent humans instead of immortals throwing their weight around? He frowned at the screen, waiting for something of use to show up, but it didn't.

Yes, he was angry that Armaan had abandoned him for his new and fabulous life, but it didn't mean that he'd wished any harm on Armaan. He didn't want this for him. And deep down, he suddenly was worried that the worst might happen and they will have parted on difficult terms and Avery would have to go the rest of his life never having apologised and made things right between them.

"This is bullshit," he muttered, leaning back in his chair. "There's nothing. What now?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-18 09:49 am UTC (link)
"Well we're not leaving you here on your own," Henry said, and Addy jumped up.

"I'll make something to drink. Coffees or teas?" She waited until Avery told her what he wanted, even though she knew her way around their kitchen, thanks to Girls Nights with Lyra.

"Now we wait. Which sucks. Patrick can hear him though, and they'll find him. I can see if David can text us through any updates," he said, shooting a text off to his father in law. All the saints were like...always in contact, right? So surely Dewi would know what Patrick knew...

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-18 10:34 am UTC (link)
Avery's knee was jiggling up and down, betraying his anxiety. He gulped the coffee Addy made alongside the Coke he'd had open already, unable to keep completely still as they waited. He texted Freddie: You better be finding him, but he didn't get a reply.

Whatever Patrick told David, he relayed on to Addy, although information was spare for what felt like an age. Just that they were searching, and slowly getting closer. A great help to Avery and his nerves.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-18 10:38 am UTC (link)
It felt like hours - and it may well have been - that they sat waiting and trying to make small talk that ended up just being awkward. Finally, Henry got a text and he blinked and passed it over to Avery. "Michael says to go to that link? Something about a livestream? Are they livestreaming a rescue?!" At least that was what Henry hoped, though he had no idea of the horror they were about to witness.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-18 10:59 am UTC (link)
Avery doubted anyone would livestream a rescue, especially someone old like Freddie or Patrick, but he followed the link anyway. A moment later, his stomach sank through the seat. This was definitely not a rescue they were witnessing. "What the fuck," he breathed, looking at the image of Armaan tied up and blindfolded in his chair. The weird robot distortion on the voice was talking about deadlines and money, but it was hard to fully focus on all the words when Armaan was so vulnerable and so alone.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-18 11:13 am UTC (link)
"We will not be ignored. You have made your choice by not meeting our deadline. This is what happens when our demands are not taken seriously." the tinny robotic voice from the livestream said. A moment later, Armaan was stabbed deeply in the stomach, and Henry gasped.

"holy shit, did you fucking stab me!?" Armaan's voice panicked.

"They say if you receive a wound like this, you never take the knife out. Because the knife is what is stopping you from bleeding out," the voice said, and then the knife was removed from Armaan's guts. "I'd say you have about a half an hour. An hour tops, before you bleed out."

Addy had a hand clasped over her mouth in horror and Henry felt his guts roil. He honestly felt like he was going to be sick.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 01:20 am UTC (link)
Avery's mouth went dry and all his words left him, and his blood rushed in his head. He couldn't look away, it was too terrible, and felt unreal, like watching a movie. The three of them sat like statues in horrified silence.

This wasn't right. This wasn't fair! What could he do to save this? Should he try and contact somebody- Apollo? His father? Someone with power and money who could fix this, but neither of which he was currently on speaking terms with. Would either of them oblige him in the short time he had? That Armaan had?

Armaan was panting in shock on the screen, the blood oozing out of him, and in his distress Avery burst out, "Why isn't anybody doing something!?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 02:05 am UTC (link)
Henry shot off a text to Michael to ask much the same question because this was awful and surely- Surely they could just burst in there- The answer he got back was both hopeful and frustrating. "Michael says they're close. Not there yet but close-"

Addy, for her part, was texting her brother. Because watching someone she knew Henry cared about be harmed was too close for comfort for her. And she knew Iestyn had been forced to watch Henry be hurt too. Just like this, over a live video call. She told Iestyn Armaan was bleeding out in front of them.

On the screen Armaan was bent forward, breathing heavily, and his natty grey suit was rapidly staining dark red.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 03:09 am UTC (link)
"Who is allowing this!?" Avery got up, pacing back and forth for something to do with himself, keeping his eyes on the screen.

Henry's phone buzzed.

Henry, don't watch it

I'm serious, do not watch it, you do not need that in your head

Please love, just don't

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 03:16 am UTC (link)
Henry groaned and he texted Iestyn back, I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help. I feel so powerless. But he did as Iestyn asked. He stared at his phone or at Avery, and not at the screen. He could still hear it though. And Armaan started speaking again.

"I don't know why you're doing this. But you- You have to tell my mom-" Armaan started to say to his captors, "-and my sisters-" his voice broke, "my brother too, they'll be okay."

Even Addy knew the 'brother' Armaan was talking about was Avery. She looked up at him as he paced and she jumped up to put her hand on his arm to see if he would accept it, because this was fucking awful.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 03:58 am UTC (link)
Avery bent over, feeling like he was about to be sick. All that coffee wasn't sitting right with him now. "Oh god," he moaned, "I can't watch this... fuck. Fuck!" He straightened up, running his hands back through his hair, continuing to watch, because he couldn't not. He was not gonna cry, that would be dumb, and unfair, and shitty, and he just was not going to. He wasn't going to hug Addy or anything either, but he didn't shove her away, just moved half a step out of reach.

I know, and it sucks, it's the worst, Iestyn messaged back. I'm so sorry this is happening. You need to look after yourself too ❤️

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 04:05 am UTC (link)
Of all of them, Iestyn would know how the images stuck with a person. How being behind a phone, and so many miles away made you feel sick and powerless and panicked, with nowhere to put those feelings. I'm not watching, Henry assured his husband. But I'm staying with Avery. I don't know if they're going to get there in time.

Armaan was still speaking, a flood of panicked words coming out of his mouth, "c- can I c- Can I call m- my boss? Mm. I could maybe- I could get them to- Money. Please. Lemme try. Don't let me die." Armaan clearly couldn't hear the phone ring, though he did shut up when the tinny voice of who seemed to be Armaan's manager came through the phone, begging for more time.

"Why can't they just PAY IT!?" Addy shrieked at the live stream. "He doesn't HAVE TIME! You FUCKS!" If Avery didn't want comfort that was fair, but if she wasn't comforting someone, she was going to get fucking mad that this was happening over money. "I'll give them everything I have if they fucking stop this!" But she didn't have twenty million. Nowhere near it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 04:43 am UTC (link)
Avery balled up his fists, anxious and frustrated. He had to try something. Should he call his dad? The thought made him feel sick but if Armaan- if the worst happened, and he hadn't done all he could, what kind of friend- of brother did that make him?

Picking up his phone, he scrolled through to find his father's number, and he had to really take some deep breaths because his hands were shaking with nerves. Addy was shouting and Henry was sitting with his hands over his face, and Avery felt overstimulated and freaked out, and fuck, the phone was ringing and his father's voice answered, and Avery's voice shrivelled up in his throat as he stared at the video of his best friend bleeding out in a horrible place all alone. Time seemed to stretch like it was going on forever.

"I need- I need money," he stuttered, stepping back from the others, half turning away from them but still able to see the screen. "Please Dad. I need help."

"Avery? I don't hear from you in almost three years, and you call asking for money?" His father's voice sounded exactly the same, and old emotions boiled to the surface, but this was for Armaan.

"No, I- It's not for me. It's for Armaan. I need to save his life. It's an emergency." That's the only reason. The ONLY reason I'm calling.

There was a pause, and the sound of a door closing. "Well... how much are we talking?"

"It's a ransom. They want twenty mil." Say it fast, like pulling off a band-aid.

A longer pause. "Excuse me? How much? Avery, be reasonable."

"That's what they said. I'll- I'll pay you back somehow."

"How on God's green earth are you ever going to be able to pay off a debt of twenty million dollars?"

Avery's stomach was flopping over itself and he felt like he wanted rip off his skin and escape this agony. "I don't have time for this, he's dying, Dad-"

And then all of a sudden, the video blazed white, there were several loud bangs, and the feed was cut. Avery dropped the hand holding the phone and jumped forward, as if he could grab it and pull it back. "NO! What happened!? Armaan!!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 04:51 am UTC (link)
Henry knew Avery's relationship with his family wasn't good, so his head snapped up when he heard Avery talking to his father of all people. In the background, Armaan was still talking, but Henry was trying not to listen. He heard Armaan beg for his life, and he turned a little green.

Armaan on one side, begging for them to save him, "please- don- My family- They won't- Please- I don't want to die", and Avery on the other, begging his father for the means to do just that. To save Armaan's life. It was excruciating and he was so pleased when Addy came to wrap her arms around his shoulders. He wasn't watching when the screen flashed, but Addy had been-

And then she was whooping in Henry's ear. "It was Patrick!" she screamed, jumping up to go to Avery again, "I saw Patrick!" That blinding flash- Oh she knew the light of a saint's halo well enough. And Patrick's was the brightest of them. She had seen him for a split second before the screen had blazed white, and then the feed had cut. Sure, the gunshots were a worry, but Patrick was there! "They found him, Avery! They found him!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 05:24 am UTC (link)
Avery's knees nearly gave way beneath him. They found Armaan. He was going to live. Oh shit.

After a long moment, he finally registered the voice saying his name from the phone, and lift it back up to his ear. "He's fine. He's safe. I don't need this anymore," he said in a daze, and hung up. "I'm gonna- I-" He let out a breath, and turned on his heel to go and lock himself in the bathroom, just to give himself some breathing room, and also in case he was going to puke, because it felt like a real risk right at this moment.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 05:30 am UTC (link)
Henry honestly felt like he was going to puke too, but he concentrated on messaging Iestyn instead so he didn't. They found him, Iestyn. Addy saw Patrick on the livefeed. We don't know any specifics yet, but they found him.

As soon as he pressed send, a message came through from Patrick. "Avery, he's okay!" he yelled, so Avery could hear him in the bathroom. "The ambulance is there! They're going to take him to a hospital. Patrick will tell us where, and we can meet them there if you want!" Henry was going either way.

The relief was palpable and as soon as he finished yelling the update to Avery, Henry burst into tears. His friend was going to be okay. He was so relieved when Addy pulled him into her arms and started rocking him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 10:22 am UTC (link)
Oh thank all the gods. I'm so relieved! I can go on without stressing out now, Iestyn messaged back. Are you ok??


Avery heard what Henry said and turned on the tap, running the cold water over his skin as a way of distracting sensations from his adrenaline and away from his core. He needed to calm down and it was so hard, he was so overwhelmed, but the cold helped.

His phone buzzed a minute later, and he looked down at the screen. Freddie. Sorry for the delayed reply. Things have been hectic. Armaan will be alright, and we are enroute to hospital where he will have surgery. I'll tell him you asked after him, I know he will be happy to hear it.

His father had not tried to call him back at all. He didn't know how he felt about that. Dimly he wondered if he'd made a mistake, but it was too late for that now. He splashed his face with cold water, dried himself off, and exited the bathroom to see Henry and Addy together. Awkward.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 10:27 am UTC (link)
Henry sniffed and sat up when he heard Avery exit the bathroom. He sniffed and wiped at his eyes, "sorry," he said, feeling snotty and ridiculous. But he had been so scared. "Sorry, I-" His phone buzzed and Henry glanced down at it to see messages from his husband and from Patrick.

"Right, I know what hospital they're going to," he said, before replying quickly to Iestyn. Having a wee relieved sob. We're headed to the hospital now. "Will you join us, Avery? We can see him."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 10:45 am UTC (link)
Avery didn't respond to Henry's emotion, allowing him to pull himself together without disparagement. Avery knew he didn't feel great either. It was just awkward, that was all.

"Yes, okay," he said in reply, looking around for his hoodie, feeling a little dazed. Yes, he would go, he needed to see Armaan for himself, and make sure he was alive, and apologise for how much of a child he'd been.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 10:49 am UTC (link)
Henry rose off the sofa, and he sort of fixed his clothes, straightening himself up. He took Addy's hand in his own, and offered Avery a tight smile as they got ready to leave. "Should we bring him anything? Clothes, or- God, I don't even know."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 11:02 am UTC (link)
"Most of his stuff is at Freddie's," Avery said, looking around towards Armaan's room. "I don't know what he'll want." After a moment of deliberation, he shook his head. He didn't know what to grab and he couldn't think clearly enough to make himself figure it out. "Freddie will have- Freddie will know what he needs."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]philosophos
2024-11-19 11:07 am UTC (link)
Henry nodded then, accepting that, "okay, let's get out of here," he said, shooing Addy out the door. As they closed the apartment door behind them, Henry leaned a little closer to Avery and he said softly, "I'm so glad he's going to be okay."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]phantomtruth
2024-11-19 11:13 am UTC (link)
"Yeah. Me too." Avery nodded, and then reached out and clasped Henry's upper arm for a moment, giving it a light squeeze before he let go and headed down the stairs after Addy, missing whatever expression Henry might have had on his face as they headed out.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs