[Yep, his hands fly up quickly, putting a sound proofing charm over the room (17). He offers him a sympathetic look, before pulling out his phone and sending a text.
"It's not personal, Ez. Really. It's just that the opportunity was too good to pass up."
[Elton knows that they likely aren't completely above board - it's the Colony. "The Gauntlet is getting real rough out there, man. I'll take whatever protection I can get."
He's already lost enough to this little bloodbath. People he can't get back. It's not about principles at this point, it's about survival. He's going to ensure he comes out on the winning side.
His phone dings in response, and he sends the person he's talking to a picture of the conference room door.]
I was coming in myself, on my own terms. They didn't need to recruit -- You loved me. Right?
( Why would you do this? Yes, they were younger, but they were together for a long time. Maybe because it's what was expected between their families. Maybe it's because they had magic in common. )
["Well, you were taking too long. And they came to everyone, Ez. There's a heavy price out on your head. Immediate elevation to the Inner Circle if we bring you in."
And the thing is Elton did love him. Years ago, when they were both so much younger and Elton, at least, had a more idealized view of the world.
"I didn't really have a lot of options left."
But with that, the door to the conference room opens, and Ezra's husband is on the other side. He's holding the door open for a direct path into home base, and David meets his husband's eyes and there's regret in it, for pulling Ezra into this. For forcing him to get his hands dirty when in the end they may not win.
He doesn't know if there's any cards left to play, and it shows in his eyes. Then glances over and sees Elton, and ... of course. Of course it would have to be something too personal for Ezra to ignore.
You should've read the fine print. How you elevate.
( But, he is not going to do the heavy lifting here. If Elton wants to be the sacrificial lamb, who is he to stop him. Now, this counts one more person he needs to try and save. Or, kill. Right now, he's leaning to kill. )
I can't move. And Elton here's reaching for the brass ring.
[About Elton. Not about him not being able to move. David glances to Elton, not a lot of love left for Ezra's ex who's opting to stab him in the back.]
Are you going to carry him in or what?
[Elton rolls his eyes, before gently retrigging those pressure points, and Ezra will feel all of those tense muscles relax, Elton catching him under one arm to keep him from falling forward and hurting himself. "Better?"]
[Resigned isn't the only thing in David's expressions. There are dark circles under his eyes and his skin is sallow. He doesn't look well, and he's been with his parents longer than most, other than Sierra.
Sierra's a bit luckier. She and Jaqueline had been able to lean on each other, after a point. But no matter how hard it had been, David had been glad that Ezra wasn't there to suffer with him.
But that was only going to hold out for so long, wasn't it?
He steps back, leaving the doorway open for both men to pass through.]
After you.
[And as the two men pass through, David closes the door behind them as they head into the belly of the beast.]
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everyonelives2025-07-26 07:05 pm
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"It's not personal, Ez. Really. It's just that the opportunity was too good to pass up."
no subject
no subject
He's already lost enough to this little bloodbath. People he can't get back. It's not about principles at this point, it's about survival. He's going to ensure he comes out on the winning side.
His phone dings in response, and he sends the person he's talking to a picture of the conference room door.]
no subject
( Why would you do this? Yes, they were younger, but they were together for a long time. Maybe because it's what was expected between their families. Maybe it's because they had magic in common. )
Did they come to you?
no subject
And the thing is Elton did love him. Years ago, when they were both so much younger and Elton, at least, had a more idealized view of the world.
"I didn't really have a lot of options left."
But with that, the door to the conference room opens, and Ezra's husband is on the other side. He's holding the door open for a direct path into home base, and David meets his husband's eyes and there's regret in it, for pulling Ezra into this. For forcing him to get his hands dirty when in the end they may not win.
He doesn't know if there's any cards left to play, and it shows in his eyes. Then glances over and sees Elton, and ... of course. Of course it would have to be something too personal for Ezra to ignore.
He swallows hard and straightens.]
Someone call for a ride?
no subject
( But, he is not going to do the heavy lifting here. If Elton wants to be the sacrificial lamb, who is he to stop him. Now, this counts one more person he needs to try and save. Or, kill. Right now, he's leaning to kill. )
I can't move. And Elton here's reaching for the brass ring.
no subject
[About Elton. Not about him not being able to move. David glances to Elton, not a lot of love left for Ezra's ex who's opting to stab him in the back.]
Are you going to carry him in or what?
[Elton rolls his eyes, before gently retrigging those pressure points, and Ezra will feel all of those tense muscles relax, Elton catching him under one arm to keep him from falling forward and hurting himself. "Better?"]
no subject
( The room is spelled and Ezra only looks like he's feeling a little weak and getting help from his ex-boyfriend.
He pushes through the muscle atrophy, one step at a time. He's too weak to push, to fight, as resigned as his husband looks. )
🎀
Sierra's a bit luckier. She and Jaqueline had been able to lean on each other, after a point. But no matter how hard it had been, David had been glad that Ezra wasn't there to suffer with him.
But that was only going to hold out for so long, wasn't it?
He steps back, leaving the doorway open for both men to pass through.]
After you.
[And as the two men pass through, David closes the door behind them as they head into the belly of the beast.]