shiegra (shiegra) wrote in no_true_pair, @ 2010-08-06 12:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! 2010 eight characters challenge, author: shiegra, crossover: dark angel/gunnerkrigg court, pairing: antimony/max |
Batten Down the Hatches (Gunnerkrigg Court/Dark Angel)
Title: Batten Down the Hatches
Author/Artist: shiegra
Fandom: Dark Angel/Gunnerkrigg Court
Pairing/characters: Max Guevara, Antimony Carver
Rating: pg13
Prompt/challenge you're answering: Trapped in a dangerous situation, Antimony Carver sees a side of Max Guevara that Antimony Carver never knew existed
The pills were scattered across the floor, white and sharp against the weathered floorboards, the darkened wood. There was a dull thump; Annie forgot subtlety and bumped the door open with her shoulder, rushing inside. Reynardine clung to her hair with tenacious paws.
Max, crammed into the corner between bed and wall, twitched and shuddered like electricity was running through her body, looking up at Annie with dull eyes. Her skin and hair were soaked with sweat. "M-my h-hands w-won't hold the p-pills," she stammered, the words coming through her teeth with difficulty.
Annie went to her knees on the floor, scooping at the little white pills. She darted glances at Max as she worked, horrified and alarmed, wondering what to do, what you could say. "They're nearly -- " she began.
She thought Max nodded, jerkily. "I'm sorry," she whispered miserably. "It's worse than usual."
"D-do you want -- water? Milk? Something -- " Annie was on her knees, hands hanging in front of her and feeling foolishly. Max shook her head.
"No," she croaked. "Dry."
Annie walked closer on her knees, hearing the floorboards creak, the moonlight seeping in through the window and giving everything surreal, soft shadows. She dumped the majority of the pills on the crumpled coverlet and then cupped Max's head to steady her, sliding the pills in her left palm to her mouth.
Max swallowed them, trembling against her touch. Her hair was damp and tangled. The night pressed in, breathing danger, all the hairs on the back of Annie's neck standing up. Pressed against her neck, Reynardine growled softly.
Max's head lifted and her eyes went strange, pupils sharp. "They're coming." She sounded drunk, slurred, but steadily."I can feel them."
"Reynardine?" Annie asked, clenching her hands into fists. Max twitched, surprised, and it was a sharp enough movement that Annie looked down and realized her fingers were still worked through dark curls. Guilt bit, a bizarrely sharp emotion for a mistake so mundane compared to what else they faced, and she released her hastily.
Reynardine was silent for a long, cold moment. At last he said, "set the fires, and we'll hold the walls."
Max nodded, still shaking, her face grim in the ashen light. "One way or another."