After being rather unceremoniously kicked out of Emberi Djinn hadn't stuck around. Mostly because he was bored of the stuffy atmosphere and needed a good drink anyway. It was only the next day that he would hear of the chaos that had ensued. He hadn't even known Killian had been in attendance. Eriu though he knew to be and had worried a bit about her health, then as he thought about it he knew she could take care of herself. She was a fae after all. Their kind was often sorely underestimated. The Fallen City Ruins were one of his favorite haunts. Underground brawls could be found there at least once a week and the night prior Djinn had been one of the combatants. He hadn't really needed the coin but being able to release his pent up frustration by kicking the shit out of someone was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

His tongue pressed against one of the teeth that had been knocked loose by a bunch he hadn't expected. But it would be fine in a few days. Just as his broken open knuckles would heal. It had been lovely really. Just to let it all go and lose himself in the moment. But after collecting his coin he had remained for no reason other than he had nowhere to go. Certainly not into Cendra. Word was the king was angry at anyone not a human, but again, just rumors.

His mind was drifting as he walked, paying little attention to his path. Maybe tonight he would sleep in the tower of that abandoned cathedral. That was always fun. He was still a fae after all and even if he couldn't fly he had a fondness for heights. He looked up at the sound of some rather grumpily spoken words a retort rising easily on his tongue. He didn't even recognize the voice, it was so out of tune with what he normally heard from his feline. "Depends on what you're offering." He replied cooley. His pale blue eyes eventually adjusting to the darkness enough to make out the familiar features of Killian. A smile started but died before it even touched his face. Killian had looked at him and practically purred his name but then tore his eyes away as if Djinn was some guilty party.

What the fuck?

"Don't seem so happy to see me." He said cooley with one eyebrow cocked. Strange, he was acting so strange. Just what had he managed to fuck up this time to make someone else upset with him? But regardless of his less than friendly greeting Djinn stepped over to a nearby pillar. A remnant of some old building. Crossing one leg over the other he leaned back and straightened his coat before crossing his arms over his chest.

"Something is bothering you." He said needlessly. It was pretty obvious but he wanted Killian to know he was aware. "Wanna let me in on it or am I playing twenty questions?" He reached up to gingerly brush his thumb over an angry pink and purple bruise on his cheekbone. At least he could take a punch, even if he didn't heal as readily as a werebeast. But his analytical eye quickly picked up on the way Killian moved. Almost gingerly, as if something were tender or hurt. "....what happened to you?" His voice was slightly sharper now. Not simply asking but also demanding. He didn't like the idea of someone getting their hands on Killian but it was a fact of life. Even now that he was free Djinn couldn't really see the feline settling down with any one person.

But if someone had hurt him...they just might need a visit.

Djinn would have normally enjoyed the teasing, even reciprocated. But he wasn't a fool and was very away that this was some sort of distraction. A tactic to turn him away from what was really happening. The explanation that eventually came was surprising. Very surprising and he didn't even know what to comment on first. He blinked and pushed himself away from the pillar to walk closer to Killian. Holding up one hand as if to tell him to slow down that he was trying to keep up.

"Wait wait wait...you attacked the princess? At the ball?" He was repeating him but it was just so...insane. What had Killian even been doing at the ball? Well...trying to kill a princess apparently. He lifted his shirt then and Djinn stepped in even closer to see the angry red scar. His fingers reaching out of their own invocation to touch but he stopped himself before they could touch skin. Curling his bloodied knuckles so that his hand fell back to his side. A lopsided grin came to his face and he shook his head. "Good thing you have nine lives."

He didn't feel like joking. He was honestly pissed that someone had hurt his feline. Human princess be damned. But he didn't want to let it show any more than it already had. Djinn forced his normal easy going smirk onto his face, his thumb rising to roll over the mottled bruising of his cheek. "Nah I think you win this one cat, some of us don't heal as quickly as your kind. That would have probably killed me." A forced laugh, forced joviality to cover his seething.

Djinn's brows rose when Killian repeated that it was the human princess he had been speaking about. "I wasn't aware you had friends in such high places." He commented, his voice light although he felt uneasy. He disliked royalty just in name. Killian didn't seem amused by his comment but Djinn didn't follow up on it. Killian was certainly in a sour mood today. Still mourning his friend perhaps. Or maybe it was because of the chaos at the ball. Either way he didn't know how to handle a grumpy Killian. The man was always so easy going and friendly that this side of him felt foreign.

He was surprised by Killian's step forward, the fingers that outstretched to touch the flesh just beneath his marbled flesh. He blinked with surprise but hurriedly replaced that look with a smirk. "Aye, but I won. That's what matters right?" He didn't pull away when Killian's hand fell to his side but he didn't reciprocate the movement either. Even though he wanted to. He was getting way too attached to Killian...it shouldn't so hard to brush him off and move on like he always did with the people who fell into his bed. He disliked that needy feeling. It couldn't end well even if pursued. Djinn wasn't kind...he did kind acts. Wore a big smile on his face. But also wiped out entire families in the darkness of night. Leaving not even the youngest of them to spread the tale of what he had done. Perhaps that was why he felt so keenly about helping street children. A penance.

His heart quickened when Killian leaned in, his body straining toward him even as Djinn steadfastly held still. His breath shook, just for a moment. A ragged inhale that revealed the effect the feline had on him. And then he clamped down on it, quick. Forcing a smirk and turning his face away with a scoff. "I would hardly make a good feline." Hiding another side of himself. If Killian only knew just how close he was to the truth. But his smirk didn't falter even as a hand fell on his other hip. Finally a question came that was easier to answer. He decided to take control of the situation...even if that meant getting his hands on the very tempting man before him. His hands rose to cradle each side of Killian's face, blooded knuckles wrinkling and shedding small flecks of dried blood with the movement.

"Brawling. Fights are handled here once or twice a week. A good way to earn coin if you can take a punch and give one back." He tilted his head almost menacingly. "Not all of us can survive on our good looks." He teased. He had been ready to turn this situation around but now he hesitated. With Killian acting like he was in pain he was unsure what he could even do to the man without hurting him. And...he didn't want that. His hands fell down to Killian's shoulders then away completely, half afraid to touch him. "But...the princess? You must have been paid well from her then. How scandalous."

Djinn hesitated to answer Killian. That one question could have so many answers, answers he wasn't sure he wanted to give. His nub of a wing twitched painfully in warning, it was enough to make him stiffen for a moment as the signals for pain shot up his spine. "...Just be careful." He said slowly and exhaled. He had told Killian much more than he should have last time. He had no intention of telling him even more. But royals, nobles, they couldn't be trusted. They would as soon trample a commoner as step around them. He knew this from experience.

And then Killian was moving closer, nearly shattering the thin hold on control Djinn had. ”I have had a rough life.” Djinn turned his blue eyes back to Killian on that note, the hardness in his icy orbs softening. "I know." And he wanted to save him from it, from all the pain. But by being around Djinn he was just as likely to get into more trouble. At least Killian was free now. He just had to keep his head low until they forgot about him. And then he must have said something wrong...or was it right. He needed to push Killian away, that was the point of not letting himself get lost in him. But it was difficult. He felt a weakness for the feline that he hadn't for anyone else.

Ah..so that was how he offended him. The words continued and Djinn felt the sting of guilt. "Killian..." He began but stopped himself. Forgive me. He swallowed the words he wanted to say and instead rubbed his arm, the distance between them felt like miles. He looked away from Killian, looking anywhere but at the feline until he said something about a commander. It could be the commander of any of the forces but he only knew of one that had been at the ball. And indeed kicked his ass out rather quickly. "The immortal commander?" He inquired but then sighed and shook his head. He couldn't let himself get caught up in some revenge scheme. He would get the commander back, he just needed to think on it a little more. Especially since he was the one who had hurt his Killian. No, not his Killian. Just Killian.

He sighed and scratched the back of his head, obviously bothered by something. He moved forward suddenly, without warning. One hand moving to the back of Killian's neck and the other to his hip to pull Killian against him. He should have been more careful with him. Gentle, given that Killian was already practically whimpering in pain. But he wasn't. The movement was quick, forceful. And Djinn was crushing his lips against the other man's without waiting for a response. He broke away from the kiss after a moment but didn't relinquish his hold on him. "Its not mandatory any more Killian. I was an ass." His thumb roll just beneath the bottom of Killian's shirt. Skirting over the tan skin beneath. "Are you enjoying it then? Your choices?" He leaned in to nibble the man's ear. Giving into temptation entirely. Djinn tried hard not to be selfish, to drag Killian down with him. But he was weak.

Djinn had ruined it and tried to fix it in the wrong way. Killian didn't understand just how wrong he was. He tried to ignore it. Ignore all the questions that Killian already knew the answer to. Ignore those words that demeaned the feline to some used up scrap of a person. He really didn't see what he was. What he was to Djinn. He allowed himself to be tugged toward the feline. His hands falling against the pillar on each side of his body. He hadn't spoken. He couldn't he knew if he did that he would shatter the distance that he had stretched between then, unintentionally or not. It was needed. He couldn't get attached...but he already was. His heart rate was picking up. His body reacting to Killian even as his mind rebelled. This was wrong...it was only happening because Killian felt like this was all he was worth. "Dammnit!" He snarled and suddenly pushed himself away. His fingers raking angrily through his dark hair and a shaky sigh pushed past his lips.

Why didn't he just do what he wanted to and forget about Killian's feelings? Why couldn't he? "Killian your not just some...some worker." His fingers rubbed over his palm where his lance could appear if he wanted. Fingers slipping over the slight groove that had been etched there from many years. "You are...anything but stained." He shook his head and a humorless laugh tore past his lips. "I've been trying to throw up this wall between us all night but you just make it so damn hard." He heaved a sigh and stepped back closer to Killian. His hand falling to snatch Killian's hand where the tattoo lay. "This, this doesn't mean shit Killian. All it means is that some jerk decided to take advantage of you. And that assholes like me capitalized on it." He fell silent then. Still holding Killian's wrist he let his thumb roll over the inked flesh then brought it to his lips. He pressed gently and closed his eyes, his shoulders sinking under the weight of it all. The weight of everything he dare not say.

"It kills me. Every time I hear about someone who had their hands on you. When I would see you so beaten up by a fool who didn't care who you were. Just what he could have." He pulled back then, swallowing hard and feeling a twist in his gut. His fingers uncurling from Killian's wrist. "I won't put my hands on you again, Killian. I never meant to make you think of yourself like that....its the last thing I wanted." His brows lowered over his blue eyes but not in anger, he felt as if he were crumbling.

He went so long without a connection like this. Even if it was one he didn't accept. Just knowing that he had hurt Killian like it...it was pretty fitting. Nothing he touched could remain untainted. "I'm sorry Killian." He said softly, his voice pained. He took a step back and twisted on his heel. Walking away. Forcing himself to. Because that was what he should do. Because it was what was best for Killian.

Walking away from Killian was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He had to force each step. His blue eyes locked on the dark ruins ahead of him. But then suddenly his shoulder was being snatched, out of instinct he threw that arm up to break the connection. Stumbling back a step and glaring at Killian as words poured from his mouth. Killian stepped in again and Djinn didn’t expect the shove, not from Killian. He reactively shoved back. His lips set into a thin line. His jaw clenched, the muscle pulling taunt until it ticked beneath his skin. He was fighting to hold back his words. Just letting the cat run out of steam.

He had seen many things he said. And Killian didn’t doubt it, not at all. But there was a difference in being the victim and being the aggressor. He just couldn’t see that. Why couldn’t he get it through his thick skull? When he drifted into Djinn’s feelings the man’s body went even more rigid than before. ”You don’t know anything.” He snapped through clenched teeth. His hands balled into fists at his sides. But then he dropped a word that lit a fire under Djinn. ”I don’t pity you. You should know me better than that if you want to say I have all these fucking feelings for you. PITY is a disgusting emotion that I would never feel for someone I c-“ He stopped short, his teeth snapping together with a defined click.

To just have been telling Killian he didn’t care he had nearly said just that. Djinn ran a hand through his hair and pushed a shaky breath between his lips. His tall lean form hunched as he tried to keep from saying more. Saying something they would both regret. He was staring down at the ground until he noticed the sway in Killian’s movements. His eyes flicked up worriedly. He was hit then with words that took his breath. ”You may not need me but I need you..” Djinn’s eyes widened with shock and fear but before he could even formulate what to say Killian was holding his head, wincing with pain and swearing. He stumbled away. Sweating. Djinn should have followed but he was still rooted to where he stood. Watching Killian dip and sway until he eventually fell.

And still he didn’t move. Djinn’s breaths came fast and quick. He felt trapped. Panicked. And so he just stared. Stared at the unconscious form of the man he had let himself get attached to. Who needed him. He could leave. That thought settled in his mind almost immediately. He could run, it wasn’t as if Killian would track him down. He could disappear from Mir entirely. Killian just didn’t understand. He couldn’t. This darkness inside him that thrives on tearing life away from others. Hidden beneath a charismatic care free façade. The blood…there had been so much blood. He could still smell it on his hands on occasion. It had been his first taste beyond the war. His first time discovering that he actually enjoyed watching someones life fade from their eyes. Watching their body seem to grow exponentially smaller as their soul escaped them to leave behind just a husk.

It was always someone who deserved it. In his eyes at least. But that didn’t make the job any less enjoyable. He stared down at Killian and then his vision doubled. Blood splashing across the man’s back, his face. He blinked and it was gone again. He was shaking now. Because he knew exactly what he was capable of and yet Killian still thought him the victim in some fashion. As if he had been forced to do the things he had done. His lips slowly pulled up into a grin and he was moving. One foot in front of the other. Closer. Closer. Until he was rolling the were onto his back and slipping an arm beneath his neck and knees. He grunted softly under the dead weight of him then began to walk. His arms swaying softly as he moved. Not a word spoken as his mind whirled and spun.

Eventually he reached the remnants of what had been an old building of some sort. It still had three walls and most of its roof although it leaned perilously. Djinn crouched a bit to fit his tall frame inside and gently lay Killian in the corner. It was cold… he hadn’t really noticed until his fingers brushed over the head of Killian’s hand. His own digits cold in contrast. He stared down at him, laying on the cold earth and for the second time he removed his sacred long coat for him. Rolling his shoulders back his slipped it off and lay it over the unconscious man like a blanket. He started to reposition the straps that held his wings then stopped. Silently he untied them and let them fall in a pile near his companion. His two remaining wings fluttered out like a bird that had been caged far too long. The other side twitching painfully as it tried to mirror the movement.

In silence Djinn gathered supplies for a small fire. It was only once it was lit and crackling hungrily that he allowed himself to sit down against one of the walls so that he was staring at Killian. Watching the occasional flutter of his eyelids. The pursing of his lips. He didn’t assume to be able to help him. But Killian was a were. He was likely to survive. After several minutes he looked away and over to the flames. Rolling one thumb over his bottom lip he spoke words out loud that he couldn’t risk when Killian was conscious.

”….I need you too.”

He didn’t know when the feline would awaken but until he did Djinn was content just to watch the flames eat away at the wood he had gathered. His blue eyes moved upward at the flicker of movement. Catching the soft movements of someone as they began to swim back to consciousness. He didn’t speak first, just watched in silence. He truly didn’t know what to even say. So many things had been said and so many things were left unsaid that saying anything at all was risking setting off another bomb. A mine field of emotions he wasn’t ready to deal with.

”Sorry…. Djinn.” He stared at Killian for a moment before his normal façade was thrown on. A smirk coming to his pale face, it fit like a damn glove. ”Think nothing of it.” He said light heartedly. Aiming to nip this conversation in the bud before it blossomed into something more serious. ”I’ll keep those types of comments to myself from now on.” The smirk on his face twitched, the corner of his lips turning down but he fought to keep it there. ”That would be for the best.” Because if you knew the truth you would avoid me completely.

His blue eyes lingered on Killian until the silence began to weigh on him. He looked back down at the fire then. The fingers of one hand gingerly brushing over his swollen cheek. The good thing about it though was that the next time he went in it would look like someone had already beat the hell out of him. The odds would be tipped and he could take a bigger purse.

”Are you okay?” The question caught him off guard. How often had he been asked something like that? It felt…strange. He didn’t really know how to reply except with charm and false words. ”Of course.” He said simply. At the mention of his wings Djinn stiffened but only slightly, casting a glance over his shoulder as if surprised to still see them there. ”I don’t normally show them off.” He commented dryly. ”But…I felt like it tonight.”

He didn’t explain his words and instead looked down at the ground that he dug the heel of his boot into. Twisting it slowly back and forth. If there was something worse than the tension between them earlier it was this awkward feeling that settled over them now. A nervous air that anything could happen. ”...are you alright?” He didn’t look up when he spoke but just dug his heel in deeper. ”You went down pretty hard.”

He was still looking down when he spoke again. His voice having a bit different octave now, a bit lower. ”I have been trying to protect you from me. You were right.” Several beats of silence before he continued. ”But it wasn’t because I don’t think you can handle it.” He swallowed hard and looked up at Killian then. His blue eyes boring into the man’s hazel ones over the flickering flames. ”It’s because I’m afraid you will hate what you see if I let you in.”