Victor Brannigan (sciomachy) wrote in nevermore_logs, @ 2013-01-05 05:57:00 |
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Entry tags: | michael, victor brannigan |
WHO: Victor Brannigan and Michael
WHAT: Nightmares and angels
WHEN: Saturday night
WHERE: Victor's house
WARNINGS: Nightmare guns, but nothing too bad. Some language
The gun was pressing into his neck and Victor could feel his pounding pulse pushing his skin up against the cold metal. Thump thump thump thump. His own heartbeat was loud in his ears.
Behind Victor cowered every one he loved. Kat, Aoife, Aislinn and Rose were clinging to each other in horror. His in-laws were cradling the dead bodies of his parents, their eyes squeezed shut as they cried. Sarah lay dead on the floor beside him, and Victor couldn't even grieve for her because he had to protect everyone else. There was no way out of the room they were locked in, save through the man with the gun.
He could do it. He could sacrifice himself for their safety.
Even with the gun pressed against him, he leaned forward to shove the gunman hard. The man stumbled, but it wasn't enough. Victor fell to the side and then he watched in horror as the armed man turned the gun on all he had left-
He jerked awake too hard and for a moment Victor felt like he had been shot all over again. He grunted in pain and his hand flew to protect the wound from his dream attacker.
"Oh fuck," Victor hissed before squeezing his eyes shut again. He didn't want to be alone right now. Not after seeing everyone he loved gunned down, even when he knew it was a dream.
He hardly realised he was doing it until he was uttering the words under his breath. Victor's Catholicism was long lapsed and he had considered himself an agnostic until recently. It turned out that praying was something that came back to you when you needed it. Victor was distraught and in a frantic moment of panic and weakness, he called out for his friend Michael.
Now that Victor knew who he was, Michael didn't have to hide any more. He popped in to Victor's bedroom as soon as he was called, causing Victor to let out a tiny yelp of shock. "My apologies, Victor. I thought you wanted me to come."
Victor just stared at his partner in shock and disbelief for a moment before he finally whispered, "Fff- I think a part of me still thought it was all a lie until...just now." He took a deep breath and then, painfully, pulled himself up into a sitting position on the bed. He switched on his lamp before turning to face Michael again. "I can't- I can't fucking believe I was sitting beside you in that car the entire time and you- Jesus Christ, Michael. ...sorry." Victor rubbed at his eyes and he sighed. "I had a bad dream."
It had been over a week since they had spoken at the hospital and it was little surprise Victor's ire was coming out. Michael just stood eerily still, as he usually did, listening to everything Victor said. When the man had finished, Michael nodded. "I understand your anger at my deception. Did you call me to reassure you in the wake of your night terror, or to yell at me?"
"I don't want to yell at you," Victor said with a groan. "I panicked and it just- happened. So you hear when people call for you? I mean...obviously. That's just weird. It's weird, Michael. You're weird."
Michael stared for a moment and then he smiled lightly. "You are not alone in your opinion," and he went to sit on the edge of Victor's bed. "I heard you, yes. And I will always come if you ask me to. Do you wish to speak about your dream?"
Victor swallowed and then he shrugged. "Run of the mill post captivity dream, I think. Just freaked me out." He licked his lips and then gave his partner an assessing glance. "Why are you here?"
"Because you called."
"No," Victor waved his hand around. "I mean on Earth. Why do you have a human job? Why do you even bother with us?"
"Because I love you," Michael said easily. "All of you. And I am here because you all believe in me. I have a job to do. Don't ever think you're not important, Victor, because you are."
That just brought an uncomfortable smile to Victor's face. "I don't know if- How are we supposed to remain friends now that I know this?" Victor asked, his voice a little pleading.
"I have utmost confidence you will follow that generously-sized heart of yours," Michael said, patting Victor's shoulder. "Should I go make you a warm beverage?"
It took about ten seconds for a small smile to break out on Victor's face. Sure, his partner was an archangel and that was weird. But the Michael in front of him was the Michael he had always known, just more honest. And maybe that wasn't worse, maybe that was better even if it was terrifying at the same time. "Thank you for coming," Victor finally said. "I just...it was a horrible dream. I don't feel like being alone. I'm not keeping you from anything?"
"No. And you are never alone, Victor." Michael moved towards the door and then he turned back. "...I mean because I am just a prayer away, not in the sense that you have an immortal stalker. I am going to go make you some tea."
Victor's expression was nonplussed as Michael walked away from him.