RS/Debt Collection

[thegentlemanthug]

After Matthew sweats out his addiction, life returns to what passes for normal in the Drake-Judge household. Matthew signs Susan's papers, and they both agree not to politely ignore anything Reid may have to say about her.

But still something is bothering his lover, whether it's his pained leg or the lingering shadow of the drugs. Bennet does all he can to soothe his lover's frazzled nerves, with his clumsy words and the warmth of his body, but he will not be consoled.

Still, they are content, he thinks, and he's looking forward to returning home from a long day, walking Whitechapel by night without care.

Until a shadow falls across his path.

"It's time we took what's owed."

Something heavy strikes him on the head and Bennet falls to the ground, and knows no more.

Comments

[thirstforvice]

"Never been to the desert," Matthew points out, hand warm on Bennet's cheek.

"'s what they gave you, made you hallucinate."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet blinks up at him, perplexed.

"Mattie?"

[thirstforvice]

"Alive as I've ever been," Matthew grins to hide his fear.

"Your guardian angel, as always."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet tries to reach him, but his arm falls limp at his side.

"How...did I...?"

[thirstforvice]

"'s my fault," Matthew talks to him in a soothing whisper.

"They did this to hurt me. But we're stronger than them, aren't we Benny?"

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet only nods dumbly, coughing as he does so.

"Who...?"

[thirstforvice]

"Later," Matthew shakes his head. He will explain everything when he is less worried about his lover's immediate health.

"I need to work out what they gave you."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet shakes his head.

"Don't know. 'Twas bitter."

[thirstforvice]

The glass Bennet drank from is still intact, and back at the shop Matthew knows he could analyse the contents to work out what his lover has been given.

But he cannot do that and keep his full attention on the man in his arms.

"Reid," he calls out for the Inspector. "I need you to take Drake to the London. To Treves. No-one else. He needs to be cared for while I work out the antidote to whatever he's been given."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet grips Matthew's sleeve.

"You going?"

[thirstforvice]

"Not for long," Matthew promises, fingers brushing Bennet's damp hair from his face.

"Just so I can get you the medicine you need."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet nods, before falling silent, still disorientated and unsure of what's real.

[thirstforvice]

Reluctantly, Matthew lets Reid take Bennet from him, helping him to his feet.

"Treves," he repeats his order. "And make sure he's being watched carefully until I get there."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet sways on his feet, despite Reid's hold.

"Am I dying?"

[thirstforvice]

"Not on my watch," Matthew promises, before ushering them both away. Picking up the offending cup, he joins Reid's men in leaving the building and making their way back to Leman Street.

It's still dark, but Matthew wastes no time in turning on the lights and getting to work in his dead room, taking the residue from the glass and subjecting it to every scientific test he knows until he finds out just what his lover had been given.

Belladonna.

He has heard no news from the London, and he takes that as a good sign. Still, he gets to making the appropriate antidote, thinking it can do Bennet no harm even if he has no need of it. When he leaves for the London with the vial in hand, dawn is fast lightening the sky.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet sleeps uneasily, haunted by the Goddess and the long reckoning of his failures. He wants his lover to hold him, but instead he feels nothing but wretched.

"Mattie..." he murmurs, over and over, hoping for an answer.

[thirstforvice]

At the London, Matthew is guided to a private room, where Treves is keeping watch as per his request. He thanks his friend with a smile before taking over his vigil, offering up the remedy to his lover's lips.

"Drink this," he encourages. "Please?"

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet peers blearily up at his lover.

"You takin' me to the boat?"

[thirstforvice]

"Not takin' you anywhere, sweetheart," Matthew promises, forcing the liquid past Bennet's lips.

"You're stayin' here. Best place for you."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Set has found me," Bennet mumbles, after he's swallowed it down. "She's takin' me to 'siris."

[thirstforvice]

"No one's found you 'cept me, darlin'," Matthew continues to soothe as he pulls up a chair, taking Bennet's hand in his.

"And you don't have to go anywhere but home. When you're ready."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet quietens for a few moments, reassured by his lover's voice if not his words.

"Did I...did I kill them all?"

[thirstforvice]

Matthew sighs, rubs at his tired eyes and squeezes Bennet's hand tighter in his own.

"You're... they gave you something, Ben. Made you see things. Whatever you thought happened... it ain't true."

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet considers this, then nods, defeated.

"Can we go home?" he asks, like a plaintive child.

[thirstforvice]

"In the morning," Matthew promises. He'd very much like his lover to be under the roof of the London for just one night. Just in case.