Please don’t let go
CW: whump of a minor (implied), captivity
Kell was exhausted and the pain in his hand a sharp throbbing. The boy couldn’t be older than 15 and he seemed to never stop talking. He drowned Kell in information while giving him a tour of the area. He had a nice voice. Soft and still a bit high, still a bit child-like. An excited staccato flying over his skin, over his head, flying like a bird towards freedom. It reminded him of something, but he couldn’t quite pin it down. He only knew that it gave him a bittersweet calmness. He liked it. He wanted to keep it as long as he could.
Kell was still listening to his voice of freedom, when something stained the light-hearted melody. Something like envy or loathing. Or maybe a mixture of both. He blinked confused and concentrated on his words rather than on his voice.
“… and in the upper floor are the rooms for Oryn’s privileged songbirds.”
Kell followed his gaze and saw the window of the room Oryn had given to him. It was years ago since Kell had have a room all for himself, but he would have given it up in a heartbeat to just know his family save and sound.
“What do you mean by songbirds?”, Kell interrupted.
“Oh, sorry. Sometimes I forget to explain these kind of things. Oryn gives all his favourite singers bird names.” He counted off his fingers, talking so fast, Kell nearly didn’t comprehend what he was saying. “There are Blackbird, Robin, Trasher and Linnet. They are the main attractions for shows and they live in the upper floor and they all have a room all by themselves. I even heard they have their own bathroom. Bathtub and everything concluded. Meanwhile we must share a room up to ten people. Don’t trust them. They are traitors and spies. They will eavesdrop on you and rat you out if you even blink wrong. Especially Robin. Don’t even talk to her.”
His eyes suddenly got a haunted look and Kell wondered what had happened to him. How did Jinn end up here? He was so young. He shouldn’t be in a place like this. Where was his family? Were they still looking for their son?
Was Kell’s family still looking for Kell?
Jinn stopped as he looked back at Kell. But he must have misinterpreted the shock on his face, because when he continued, he was starting to comfort Kell. “Don’t worry. Most Tharlian at the theatre are good and loyal people.” He took Kell’s forearm in both hands like it was nothing. His touch sent sparks exploding through Kell’s body, tingling over his skin. Kell couldn’t remember when he had been touched last without the ambition to rule over him. Kell hold his breath as if that could extend the moment. Please don’t let go. Please don’t let go of me. Jinn’s eyes were full of calm reassurance. “They will help you. We watch out for each other. We would rather die than to betray our people.”
Kell’s eyes began to water. He hadn’t realized how lonely he was. Every Tharlian he had met in the General’s camp had died soon after. Most of them had loathed him.
He knew there had been others like him. Other captives, forced to serve the Varsennan, but he had never actually met them.
“Kell, are you okay?”, Jinn sounded worried and confused.
“Better than I have been in a very long time.”
Jinn’s forehead furrowed at his words but before either ot them could say something, there was as voice behind them.
“I see, you brought Kell back to me, Jinn”, Oryn said sickly sweet.
Jinn let go of Kell, as if he had burned his fingers. He spun around. “I showed Kell the grounds”, he said quiet and softly. His carefreeness and upbeat has suddenly died like a candle in a blizzard and made space for wariness. He wasn’t all naïve faith. Kell could see it in his eyes. He had seen bad and chosen hope. Kell knew he would do anything to protect the young Tharlian.
“Very well. You can go now.” Oryn made a dismissive gesture with his hand, as if to brush him away.
Jinn parted so quickly he nearly fell over his own feet.
Oryn laughed. “He is so skittish.”
Kell didn’t answer. He could still feel the warm touch lingering on his skin.
“I knew you would like him.”
Kell stared at him while comprehension dripped into his mind. “You did that on purpose!”
“Oh, darling. Nothing I ever do is without purpose”, Oryn said. “Just wait until he gets back to the others, and they will tell him you are the newest bird in my nest. Oh, he will be so crushed!”
“Why?”, Kell said tuneless.
“Think about it and tell me what you come up with”, Oryn answered. “Now be a good boy and go inside. You are still not well enough to run around the whole day. You need to rest.”
Kell looked away and bit his tongue so he wouldn't speak his mind. It would take a lot of time to understand this place.
