Tin Man fanfic: Reversal
Title: Reversal
Author: Surreal
Characters/Pairings: Glitch/Cain
Rating: PG
Word count: ~1450
Disclaimer: The characters and settings belong to L. Frank Baum and the creative minds behind Tin Man. I do not claim to own anything.
Summary: What if Glitch stayed upstairs with Cain at the Northern Island and is the one to end up on the water while Cain is still left upstairs with his horse-shaped bruise?
~^~
Cain woke with a start, gasping at the pain pulsing through his chest. With a grimace, he reached a shaking hand up to feel for the wound he knew was there. Had to be there; Zero had shot him.
The memory flashed in a haze of distorted blue fog. One of Zero’s men had held him, pushing him forward in time for their commander to pull the trigger and sent Cain to the floor, agony screaming through his body as the bullet hit its mark.
When his fingers found only torn cloth and something hard, he drew a steadying breath. He groaned as he sat up, reaching into his coat and pulling out the small, carved horse he had placed there. Imbedded in its side was a flattened bullet, the silver metal shining in the light streaming from the broken window.
Broken window. Shining silver metal.
“Glitch...” Cain whispered, his eyes scanning the room around him. Finding only a torn piece of a tattered brown coat, evidence of a struggle.
Pushing to his feet with an effort, Cain jammed the horse back into his pocket and staggered to the window, looking down through the falling snow to see a jagged hole broken into the icy surface of the lake.
Cain picked up his gun and hat quickly and raced down the staircase, ignoring the tightness in his chest and chalking it up to what he knew was a horse-shaped bruise. As he passed through the vast main hallway he realized for the first time that the others - DG, Raw, Azkadelllia, Zero and his men, even the damn mobats - they were all gone.
The door creaked loudly as he pulled it open and he was once again walking through the blinding flurry. He stumbled his way through the fresh powder toward the dark shape of the hole in the ice, only noticing another dark shape as he got closer. It was barely visible, almost completely buried in the new snow.
He knelt next to the body, his freezing hand reaching tentatively to brush away some of the white to reveal stiff spikes of hair and a frozen zipper. “Oh, Glitch,” he breathed, the warmth of his air turning into a cloud in front of his face.
Pressing his fingers close to Glitch’s throat, he felt for signs of life. Frustrated when he couldn’t feel anything through his own numb skin, he stuck a couple of his fingers in his mouth to warm them up then tried again. He barely detected a faint, slow beat and released a deep sigh of relief.
Glancing back to the icy palace, he realized that even if he found the materials to start a fire, it would take too long to warm one of the cavernous rooms to do any good. The best choice was to go back to where they left the wagon; the small living space had exactly what he needed to save Glitch.
Working quickly to uncover his friend, he had a brief, guilty moment of gratitude that the man had been living off the land for long enough that his body had little weight to it. The soaked clothes were heavy enough by themselves. Hauling the rigid limbs into place and grunting as he got to his feet with Glitch draped across his shoulders, Cain set out into the wilderness with the weight of the Queen’s advisor on his back.
~^~
A violent shiver ran through Glitch’s body, forcing him from the delirious dream world of Longcoats and Princesses. He tugged at the layers of fabric covering him, still half-asleep.
The jarring sound of a door opening made him jump, eyes flying open to see a tall, handsome man climbing into the small space with his arms full of wood. “Hey, ‘bout time you decided to join me,” the man said with an odd smirk, stepping over Glitch’s legs on his way to the small fireplace.
Glitch swallowed, wincing at the dryness in this throat. “Do I know you?”
“Good morning to you too, sweetheart,” his companion snorted, tossing his hat aside and beginning to shove small logs into the dying fire.
Synapses flickered in time with the flame’s sparks and Glitch’s eyes went wide. “Cain! You’re alive!” He frowned thoughtfully. “Hey, I’m alive, too!”
“Sure are, despite your best efforts to ditch me,” Cain cast a sideways look at the other man, that same oddly affectionate half-smile gracing his smooth features. “How’re you feeling? Warm enough?”
Glitch squirmed under his thick blankets and smiled. “Shockingly, yes. Although...” he trailed off, a confused look crossing his expressive face as he reached down to scratch his hip. His jaw dropped in horror and he frantically pulled the blankets around his chin, face flaming. “Why am I naked?”
“Your clothes were soaked and half-frozen from the lake water,” Cain shrugged. “Had to get you warmed back up.” A strangely discomfited pause had him looking down at the fire as he poked it with a thin stick. “I....uh, it’s usually easier to warm up if I put you with your head closer to the fire but...you know, with the...” he waved a hand toward his own head, grimacing.
Reaching up to touch his cold zipper, Glitch understood. “The metal does tend to get hot,” he muttered uncomfortably. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Clearing his throat, Glitch couldn’t meet Cain’s eye. “You didn’t...um, with the whole no clothes thing...I mean...what do I mean?”
“Don’t worry, I was a total gentleman,” Cain joked and nearly missed the flinch the other man gave. “Glitch, I swear you can trust me. All I did was take off your clothes and cover you up with all the blankets I could find.” He didn’t want to explore what Glitch thought might have happened while unconscious.
“I’m sorry, I do trust you,” Glitch shifted and tugged a corner up over his shoulder securely. “I just...don’t like to be touched. When I can’t...when I’m not in control.”
Cain frowned at that. “When you can’t fight back?” he finished the hanging sentence. “Gods, what happened to you, Glitch?”
“Nothing,” Glitch shook his head quickly, then winced. “Nothing I remember, at least,” he added with a mirthless chuckle. “Just a feeling.”
“Hand to heart, I promise I would never do something without your permission,” Cain smiled, hoping to break his friend’s dark mood. Dwelling on the unknown was doing them no good.
Glitch snorted, rolling onto his side and pulling his legs up toward his chest. “You know, Cain, men like you are becoming a rare breed these days, exhibiting symptoms of what the psychiatric community likes to call Boy Scout Syndrome...”
“How is it you can’t remember your own name but you can come up with these completely out-there theories?” Cain settled down on the floor, leaning against Glitch’s bent legs.
“The mysteries of brain theft,” Glitch sighed and stared into the renewed fire, content to soak in the warmth of the other man’s body. “Just so you know, I wouldn’t have any problem with you touching me so long as I know about it.”
Cain gaped at him.
“Wait...that didn’t come out right,” Glitch blushed and closed his eyes. “Sorry, it’s...words. They’re not my friend sometimes.”
Reaching back to lay a tentative hand on Glitch’s shoulder, Cain spoke softly. “Even if it wasn’t what you meant, I just want you to know that I wouldn’t have a problem with it either.”
Glitch shuddered despite the warmth. “I really hope you mean that the way I hope you mean that,” he opened his eyes and met Cain’s steady gaze.
“Is it sad that I understood that?” Cain grinned, squeezing Glitch’s shoulder once before heaving a deep sigh. “You know, zipperhead, as much as I’m enjoying this, we’re going to have to get going now that I know you’re all right. Azkadellia must have taken DG with her; the whole island was empty when I woke up. Probably took Raw, too, unless he’s dead or just ran away.”
“You’re far too bitter for a man your age,” Glitch snapped.
“Someone’s got to take your wide-eyed optimism down a notch,” Cain smirked. “Come on, your clothes must be dry by now, if a bit stiff.”
“Wonderful, just what I wanted, a massive rash from chaffing,” Glitch grumbled but obediently sat up, careful to keep the blankets covering every bit of his skin. “Do you mind?”
“I’ve seen it all,” replied Cain, eyebrow raised, as he pulled Glitch’s clothes down from where he had hung them. He was rewarded with an angry glare. “Fine, I’ll wait up front.”
“No peeking.”
~^~
End
Author: Surreal
Characters/Pairings: Glitch/Cain
Rating: PG
Word count: ~1450
Disclaimer: The characters and settings belong to L. Frank Baum and the creative minds behind Tin Man. I do not claim to own anything.
Summary: What if Glitch stayed upstairs with Cain at the Northern Island and is the one to end up on the water while Cain is still left upstairs with his horse-shaped bruise?
~^~
Cain woke with a start, gasping at the pain pulsing through his chest. With a grimace, he reached a shaking hand up to feel for the wound he knew was there. Had to be there; Zero had shot him.
The memory flashed in a haze of distorted blue fog. One of Zero’s men had held him, pushing him forward in time for their commander to pull the trigger and sent Cain to the floor, agony screaming through his body as the bullet hit its mark.
When his fingers found only torn cloth and something hard, he drew a steadying breath. He groaned as he sat up, reaching into his coat and pulling out the small, carved horse he had placed there. Imbedded in its side was a flattened bullet, the silver metal shining in the light streaming from the broken window.
Broken window. Shining silver metal.
“Glitch...” Cain whispered, his eyes scanning the room around him. Finding only a torn piece of a tattered brown coat, evidence of a struggle.
Pushing to his feet with an effort, Cain jammed the horse back into his pocket and staggered to the window, looking down through the falling snow to see a jagged hole broken into the icy surface of the lake.
Cain picked up his gun and hat quickly and raced down the staircase, ignoring the tightness in his chest and chalking it up to what he knew was a horse-shaped bruise. As he passed through the vast main hallway he realized for the first time that the others - DG, Raw, Azkadelllia, Zero and his men, even the damn mobats - they were all gone.
The door creaked loudly as he pulled it open and he was once again walking through the blinding flurry. He stumbled his way through the fresh powder toward the dark shape of the hole in the ice, only noticing another dark shape as he got closer. It was barely visible, almost completely buried in the new snow.
He knelt next to the body, his freezing hand reaching tentatively to brush away some of the white to reveal stiff spikes of hair and a frozen zipper. “Oh, Glitch,” he breathed, the warmth of his air turning into a cloud in front of his face.
Pressing his fingers close to Glitch’s throat, he felt for signs of life. Frustrated when he couldn’t feel anything through his own numb skin, he stuck a couple of his fingers in his mouth to warm them up then tried again. He barely detected a faint, slow beat and released a deep sigh of relief.
Glancing back to the icy palace, he realized that even if he found the materials to start a fire, it would take too long to warm one of the cavernous rooms to do any good. The best choice was to go back to where they left the wagon; the small living space had exactly what he needed to save Glitch.
Working quickly to uncover his friend, he had a brief, guilty moment of gratitude that the man had been living off the land for long enough that his body had little weight to it. The soaked clothes were heavy enough by themselves. Hauling the rigid limbs into place and grunting as he got to his feet with Glitch draped across his shoulders, Cain set out into the wilderness with the weight of the Queen’s advisor on his back.
~^~
A violent shiver ran through Glitch’s body, forcing him from the delirious dream world of Longcoats and Princesses. He tugged at the layers of fabric covering him, still half-asleep.
The jarring sound of a door opening made him jump, eyes flying open to see a tall, handsome man climbing into the small space with his arms full of wood. “Hey, ‘bout time you decided to join me,” the man said with an odd smirk, stepping over Glitch’s legs on his way to the small fireplace.
Glitch swallowed, wincing at the dryness in this throat. “Do I know you?”
“Good morning to you too, sweetheart,” his companion snorted, tossing his hat aside and beginning to shove small logs into the dying fire.
Synapses flickered in time with the flame’s sparks and Glitch’s eyes went wide. “Cain! You’re alive!” He frowned thoughtfully. “Hey, I’m alive, too!”
“Sure are, despite your best efforts to ditch me,” Cain cast a sideways look at the other man, that same oddly affectionate half-smile gracing his smooth features. “How’re you feeling? Warm enough?”
Glitch squirmed under his thick blankets and smiled. “Shockingly, yes. Although...” he trailed off, a confused look crossing his expressive face as he reached down to scratch his hip. His jaw dropped in horror and he frantically pulled the blankets around his chin, face flaming. “Why am I naked?”
“Your clothes were soaked and half-frozen from the lake water,” Cain shrugged. “Had to get you warmed back up.” A strangely discomfited pause had him looking down at the fire as he poked it with a thin stick. “I....uh, it’s usually easier to warm up if I put you with your head closer to the fire but...you know, with the...” he waved a hand toward his own head, grimacing.
Reaching up to touch his cold zipper, Glitch understood. “The metal does tend to get hot,” he muttered uncomfortably. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Clearing his throat, Glitch couldn’t meet Cain’s eye. “You didn’t...um, with the whole no clothes thing...I mean...what do I mean?”
“Don’t worry, I was a total gentleman,” Cain joked and nearly missed the flinch the other man gave. “Glitch, I swear you can trust me. All I did was take off your clothes and cover you up with all the blankets I could find.” He didn’t want to explore what Glitch thought might have happened while unconscious.
“I’m sorry, I do trust you,” Glitch shifted and tugged a corner up over his shoulder securely. “I just...don’t like to be touched. When I can’t...when I’m not in control.”
Cain frowned at that. “When you can’t fight back?” he finished the hanging sentence. “Gods, what happened to you, Glitch?”
“Nothing,” Glitch shook his head quickly, then winced. “Nothing I remember, at least,” he added with a mirthless chuckle. “Just a feeling.”
“Hand to heart, I promise I would never do something without your permission,” Cain smiled, hoping to break his friend’s dark mood. Dwelling on the unknown was doing them no good.
Glitch snorted, rolling onto his side and pulling his legs up toward his chest. “You know, Cain, men like you are becoming a rare breed these days, exhibiting symptoms of what the psychiatric community likes to call Boy Scout Syndrome...”
“How is it you can’t remember your own name but you can come up with these completely out-there theories?” Cain settled down on the floor, leaning against Glitch’s bent legs.
“The mysteries of brain theft,” Glitch sighed and stared into the renewed fire, content to soak in the warmth of the other man’s body. “Just so you know, I wouldn’t have any problem with you touching me so long as I know about it.”
Cain gaped at him.
“Wait...that didn’t come out right,” Glitch blushed and closed his eyes. “Sorry, it’s...words. They’re not my friend sometimes.”
Reaching back to lay a tentative hand on Glitch’s shoulder, Cain spoke softly. “Even if it wasn’t what you meant, I just want you to know that I wouldn’t have a problem with it either.”
Glitch shuddered despite the warmth. “I really hope you mean that the way I hope you mean that,” he opened his eyes and met Cain’s steady gaze.
“Is it sad that I understood that?” Cain grinned, squeezing Glitch’s shoulder once before heaving a deep sigh. “You know, zipperhead, as much as I’m enjoying this, we’re going to have to get going now that I know you’re all right. Azkadellia must have taken DG with her; the whole island was empty when I woke up. Probably took Raw, too, unless he’s dead or just ran away.”
“You’re far too bitter for a man your age,” Glitch snapped.
“Someone’s got to take your wide-eyed optimism down a notch,” Cain smirked. “Come on, your clothes must be dry by now, if a bit stiff.”
“Wonderful, just what I wanted, a massive rash from chaffing,” Glitch grumbled but obediently sat up, careful to keep the blankets covering every bit of his skin. “Do you mind?”
“I’ve seen it all,” replied Cain, eyebrow raised, as he pulled Glitch’s clothes down from where he had hung them. He was rewarded with an angry glare. “Fine, I’ll wait up front.”
“No peeking.”
~^~
End