I Warned You - Tumblr Posts
No. 3: SET UP FOR FAILURE
Fingerprints | Wrongfully Arrested | "I warned you.”
Hi, here is my contribution no.3 for Whumptober !
A bit of context : Helios is a delusional, tyrannical and powerful demigod who seeks to build a family by “adopting” (i.e. kidnapping) people. Justine is one of the people he’s trying to adopt. She’s a 14 years-old teenager.
If you have any questions, I'd obviously be more than happy to answer! Also, English isn't my first language, so i apologize for any mistake. Check the tags for TW and enjoy !
Justine is beginning to think she's good at controlling her reactions. Or maybe she really is getting used to the situation, which is a more unpleasant thought than she can tolerate at the moment.
However, she can't repress herself when the officer who's supposed to bring back a translator invites Helios into his office.
She's never been one to scream when she's in the grip of strong emotion, but everyone has their exceptions, and she throws herself out of her seat to slam against the wall, screaming in panic when the demigod immediately moves towards her, hand outstretched.
-No, no! NO!
The officer studies the scene with a relaxed air, watching as the tall, intimidating man grabs the handcuffed teenager by the arm and pulls her towards him with harsh words in another language. The girl sobs and tries to wriggle free, but the adult's strength is far superior and he shakes her a little, his voice sharp, until she gives up and bows her head, trembling all over.
Helios turns away to exchange sentences she doesn't understand with the officer, a member of the militia, supposed to protect and serve the citizens, supposed to hide her and help her join her father. The mage keeps a painful grip on her upper arm, holding her so close to him that she almost has her nose in the light tunic he's wearing.
The officer approaches and unlocks the handcuffs with a chuckle in response to what Helios tells him. Both men's tones are relaxed, even if Justine detects a hint of tension in the mage's. He tightens his grip as soon as the cuffs drop and she bites her lip to keep from letting out a sound of pain.
He's going to punish her. He's going to kill her. No one cares. The militiaman has seen her reaction to the demigod's entrance. It's not the reaction of a runaway child, but that of a girl terrified for her life. He sends her back to her nightmare without the slightest hint of guilt. How much were they paid to ignore their duty ?
Helios turns to her :
-If you behave even a little less than perfectly on the way home, I'll kill everyone involved and make you regret it. Is that clear ?
It takes her a moment to find the words, long enough for him to press his fingers into her flesh, causing her to yelp in pain.
-Is that clear ?
-Yes ! Yes ! I'm sorry ! the girl adds hastily, desperate to find the answer that will make him release the pressure.
His grip loosens as a fresh wave of tears wells up in her eyes.
Instead, he takes her hand and slips the militiaman a few more coins before leaving.
Justine keeps her eyes lowered to her feet until they reaches the carriage, crossing the building without attracting more than a glance from soldiers too busy to notice her distress, unless they actively choose to ignore her.
Helios pulls her up beside him, not in front of him. He still doesn't loosen his grip on her hand either, though it's more cautious than the one on his arm. She doesn't dare try to free herself, afraid of the outburst of violence this might provoke.
The first few minutes of the trip are spent in stony silence. Justine is unable to completely stop her hiccups, let alone the uncontrollable trembling that runs through her. Her quiet cries are the only sound in the cabin.
Then Helios lets out a long sigh and slumps back against the seat. He stays like that for a minute, then turns to consider the absolutely terrified child beside him. Her scruffy hair hides her face, and he leans over to clear it a little. Justine lets out a loud sob at the touch. Her eyes are closed and she tenses in anticipation of a violent gesture.
He doesn't hit her, just looks at her intently.
-I warned you.
She cowers a little.
-I told you I trusted you to behave. I told you that you didn't stand a chance and that you'd be punished if you tried to run away.
-I'm sorry, murmurs the child, almost too low for his superior hearing to pick it up.
Oh, Justine's a smart kid. Unlike some, she rarely hesitates to tell him what he wants to hear to ensure her safety. Unfortunately, he's no fool. She also doesn’t hesitate to try to flee when the opportunity presents itself, and now she has to face the consequences. Learning that their actions have consequences and setting limits is essential in the development of a well-balanced child and in their relationship with the people who take care of them.
-If you must know, the arresting officer didn't even recognize you until he got his hands on you. Normally, they don't bother bringing a thief to the barracks for such a small amount of food, so it's lucky he remembered your face.
She got captured for stolen food ? Is she going back to that hellhole because she couldn't get that potato galette quietly enough ?
The idea nearly sends her into a fit of hysterical laughter, which immediately dies in her throat as Helios leans towards her.
-Every member of the militia knows what you look like. They all know who to contact if you end up in one of their barracks.
The demigod is an imposing, menacing presence hovering over her.
-You never had a chance to escape, a velvet voice breathes softly in her ear.
-I've told you this before, but it seems you learn better from practice than from theory.
Helios straightens up so abruptly that the movement makes her flinch again. The grip on her hand tightens briefly.
-Well, I guess you weren't ready for this level of freedom. It looks like we'll have to give up the outdoors for a while. And of course, probably some extra homework, since you're so full of energy.
And Justine should be relieved that these are her only punishments (if she doesn't count the throbbing pain in her upper arm, which is already starting to bruise), but it's not just access to the outdoors that she's lost. All the fragile freedom she'd gained by dint of obedience has just vanished in the space of a failed test. Almost two months of delicate construction crumbled before her eyes.
-Clearly, the trust between us is more fragile than I thought, comments Helios. A little closeness can only do us good.
His thumb has begun to gently rub Justine's palm in what could be a comforting gesture.
-I can't wait.
The First Call|M|661 Words
Read on AO3
Fandom: 9-1-1
Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Christopher Diaz & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Christopher Diaz & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Christopher Diaz (9-1-1 TV)
Characters: Eddie Diaz, Evan "Buck" Buckley, Original Characters
Tags: Whumptober 2024, "I warned you.", Kidnapped Christopher Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Streetfighter Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Phone Calls & Telephones, Hurt/Comfort, Mentioned Christopher Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Worried Eddie Diaz, Eddie Diaz Needs a Hug (9-1-1 TV), Angry Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley Takes Care of Eddie Diaz, Pre-Relationship Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Alternate Universe
Summary: The man who has Chris calls Eddie.
Whumptober 2024 Day 3: "I warned you."
Notes: Part 6 of the Kidnapped Chris AU, which is being posted out of order.