Sticks And Stones

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He's never wrong.

He never allows himself to be wrong.

But it's staring him right in the face.

A lapse in judgment.

An error.

The few strips of gauze he's pulled from the drawer just aren't going to be enough to fix this mess.

The blood soaked wad currently in his hand is hurled in the direction of the sink.

Comments

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Is he taking his anger and frustration out on the only available candidate? Probably. Watching Selina wither has affected him in a way unimaginable.

"No."

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"I make a good scapegoat, I'm used to it." Is he reading Bruce's mind? No, but he's very good at reading motivation and he's been happy to do it to others.

"I've been where she is mate, you're not gettin' me t'leave."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

His eyes burn. So does his stomach. The old wound has been causing him no end of trouble lately. "Tell me you have something to offer her."

Is he looking for hope in the wrong places? Right now, he'll take whatever he can get.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

For the first time ever Bruce has managed to rob John of a snappy come back. There is a moment of hope that her husband would let him save her his way even though he knows in the end Selina wouldn't let him.

"Not that'll save her. Nothin' she'd agree to any road." There's no expression on John's face.

"But what would you do to save her mate?"

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

His features harden. Placing himself at Constantine's mercy isn't a particularly pleasing thought. There are few avenues though he wouldn't explore if it meant the life of his wife.

He waits.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Pretty much nothin' I won't do for her. There's ways t'stop it, I was dyin' of lung cancer a long ways back an here I am still today." Oh no, Bruce has to answer before he'll try to come up with details.

"What'll you give of you t'save her?"

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He wants to drive a bargain? Fine. "Whatever it takes," he grinds out.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Could take a lot. Could make her hate you after, could make her leave you even if you did save her." He's testing the grounds to see how much he really wants to give.

"Or you can take her pain an let her die when the time comes."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

His grip on the coat tightens. "She doesn't die," he snarls.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

Blue eyes that are puffy from the long trip and the echoed pain he still feels from Selina bore into Bruce's.

"Then you die. Take her fate."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He doesn't allow himself the time to deliberate. The decision is made instantaneously, without doubt or remorse. "Deal."

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Deal it is then." It'll take some setting up but it can be done.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Now get the hell out."

Another push. This time in the direction of the exit. Permitting him access to Selina is out of the question.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

He makes a tsking sound at Bruce.

"No deal prat, I need to be near her to tie you to her. You get your time t'think about it now but I need in before she dies or it won't happen."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He's just soul his soul to the devil to save her life. Why then does he find it impossible to grant him the audience? It takes every ounce of willpower to remove himself from Constantine's path.

"Screw up and you'll never make it to the emergency room in time."

No, it's not an idle threat.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"I screw up, you won't have to kill me I'll already be dead." He doesn't look at the man as he goes past to see the woman he's loved in his own way since they've met.

"I'll be back t'complete the transfer."