It went smoothly. Somehow, miraculously, they got through the mountain range okay and over the human border. Rave climbed into the back seat as soon as they were in the clear and let Rylan take his place- he was the only other one that could pass for human. Malachi continued to drive, guided by Rave, who was now sitting next to Dimitri in the back.

Finally, Rave told him to pull over.

Malachi looked up at the two-story home they were in front of. It was… decrepit. Not quite falling apart, but it had clearly been abandoned for a while. The yard was overgrown, a shutter was crooked, and there were no lights on.

“They aren’t here.”

Rave sighed. “Across the street and two down. The one with the floodlights on. I didn’t think it was a good idea to stop in front of it.”

“Oh.”

They all turned as one to peer at the house Rave indicated. It was obvious. It wasn’t the only house lit on the street, but it was the only one lit enough to see the yard and house as easily as if it was day.

“Wow. That’s not going to be easy to sneak up on.”

“Probably the point,” Rave said. “Those didn’t used to be there.”

“So he’s there?”

“Probably.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Leo demanded sharply. “Let’s go!”

“Leo, we need a plan.”

“Malachi,” Rylan said. “I love you and I know you think we need to be careful, but there’s six of us and one of him.”

“And if Ezra’s there by choice?”

Silence reigned. This was the one thing that they hadn’t discussed. Malachi didn’t want Ezra to stay with Rick if he was being abused, and while they could make him leave, it wouldn’t help anything. Not in the short term or long term.

“He’s not there by choice,” Holly insisted, crossing his arms over his chest. “No way.”

“We don’t know that!”

“I do,” Holly said quietly.

“How?”

Holly shrugged. “He wouldn’t. He’s… better than this.”

Leo nodded emphatically.

“Can we go now?” Dimitri asked softly.

Malachi sighed and nodded. “Fine. Are we just going through the front door?”

Rave shrugged. “There’s a gate into their backyard behind my mom’s house. It’s the purple house.”

Leo let out a little giggle-snort. “That’s a very purple house.”

“Yeah, it’s my mom’s favorite color.”

“Let’s go then,” Dimitri said. He reached forward, around Leo’s shoulder and popped open the door deliberately.

Leo hurried out and the rest of the men followed. “Does your mom know we’re coming?”

Rave nodded. “She’s a bit slap-happy with calling the cops. Even if we were just going to be next door, she should probably know.”

“Okay, we go through that way then. Around the back,” Rylan said.

Rave nodded and they headed towards the house.

--

Ezra waited until he heard Rick’s footsteps retreat before he forced himself to sit up. His stomach and chest screamed out at the movement but he forced himself to keep moving, sliding his legs to the end of the bed and lurching to his feet.

He hunched over and had to hang onto the wall to stay on his feet. A small piteous groan, muffled by his arm, leaked out despite his best efforts.

He clamped his lips shut and straightened up laboriously. Rick wouldn’t be gone long, or at least he hadn’t left Ezra alone for long yet. Ezra just hoped he hadn’t just gone to the bathroom. Spurred on by the thought, he took a step and then another. It got easier. It was just bruises, albeit a lot of them.

He got to the door without having to catch himself on the wall again and put his ear to it. Silence met his ear for a good minute and then a cough. Well fuck. Rick hadn’t actually left the house, just the room. He tiptoed away from the door. The window then. He had been hoping to avoid having to climb over the high ledge. And if he remembered right, he would be stepping right onto a rose bush. Not exactly ideal with bare feet, but he didn’t exactly have a whole slew of choices.

He made his way back across the room and shoved the new, bright, not hideous curtains back to reveal… Security bars. He groaned and let his head thump against the glass. Well that ruined that plan. He doubted Rick had left a screwdriver lying around in the room.

He went back to the door and pushed it open with no preamble. This door creaked if pushed slowly. It opened with only a soft whoosh.

He winced at the sound anyways and peeked out the door. All clear. Rick was in the kitchen then. He really didn’t have much time. Rick’s idea of cooking was limited to boiling pasta and then throwing jarred sauce on it.

He stepped out and shut the door behind him. He went as quickly as he could down the hall and to the entryway, just until he was out of view from the kitchen. No windows in here… the bedroom then. It had the largest window in the house, easily large enough for him to slip through, the only one not in the kitchen big enough for him to do so.

That meant going through the hall again, but the front door was out of the question. The kitchen had a perfect view of the front yard and the way the light seeped through every curtain, it was well lit.

He peeked around the corner but Rick was still in the kitchen.

He took a deep breath and then hobbled up the hall towards the kitchen. He would have to go through the open living room to get to the bedroom. There was only the one archway between the living room and kitchen and if he got lucky, Rick’s back would be turned.

It was. He hauled himself past the doorway, as fast as he could make his battered body move without groaning or collapsing. He slowed as soon as he was past and edged towards the bedroom while clinging to the wall. He made it and stepped into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it with a relieved sigh.

“Ezra.”

The growl was all the warning he got before he was slammed against the door, a body that was still muscled but going softer with age pressed against his.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

--

 

As they got closer to the house, more of the men’s attention went to the white house next to Rave’s mom’s. It was a nice house. There wasn’t really any other way to describe it. It was well kept, with a fresh coat of paint, and there was nothing wrong with it, but it was bland. It wasn’t overly large, but it looked like something on a brochure, with a well-manicured garden, and neutral colored curtains dampening the light pouring out of most of the windows. It even had a white picket fence.

“Jeez, Ezra lived here?”

Rave smiled tightly. “Yep. And he was super domestic too. He cooked and cleaned and was basically a housewife.”

“And he was happy like that?”

“No. I noticed something was wrong even as a kid. He was miserable.”

“Seriously?”
 

“Oh, yeah. Like almost all the time. You gotta remember, I only remember the times when it was really bad, a few years after the divorce. When it was on and off again and Ezra was moving in and out. He had pretty much moved out completely by the time I was eight.”

“Why the fuck does he keep going back?”

Rave shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Because he’s a moron,” Holly spoke up. “And a romantic. He believes in the one true love for life thing and thinks Rick is his. Because he’s a moron,” he repeated.

Leo sighed and knocked on the white door of the purple house. A moment later it opened on a young woman who smiled brightly at them. “Come in, come in!” she said happily, pink hair a riot of curls around her face. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.”

Rylan stepped forward. “Thanks. Rave didn’t tell us his sister was going to be here.” He caught her hand and bowed politely over it, just barely brushing his lips over her knuckles.

She giggled. “You flatterer. I’m his mother, not his sister. I suppose I had him a bit young. Well, a bit young for the fae. “

She tugged Rave forward and hugged him to her chest. He patted her shoulder, turned too awkwardly to hug her.

“So, the backyard’s right through here,” she said as she led them through the house to the backdoor. Rave can show you the gate and you are all welcome to come back through this way, but Rave isn’t going with you.”

“Mom!”

“Ravonn Elliot McIntyre, you are not going to get mixed up in this! You are going to stay here!”

“Mom…”

“She’s right,” Rylan said gently. “You should stay here. Call the cops if things go badly.”

“But only if they go really badly.”

Rave shot Malachi a reproachful look. “I do know what’s going on. Fine, I’ll stay, but go, now.”
They didn’t have to be told twice. They trooped through the primarily lavender and pale yellow house and out to the back.

This side of the fence was heavy with trees and bushes, flowers climbing up the fence between the two houses. Past the fence, in Rick’s yard, there was nothing. Just grass and more floodlights.

Rylan snorted. “Fucking bright.”

“But check it out. All the curtains are closed on this side of the house,” Holly put in.

 

“No one’s watching this side.”

“Oh, fucking excellent. First good thing that’s happened.”

Leo snorted. “Okay, now let’s go.”

-

Ezra gaped up at Rick. “But- but, you’re in the kitchen,” he stuttered.
Rick glared at him. “Obviously not.”

“Who’s in the kitchen?”

“Where the fuck were you going?!”

Ezra flinched. “Nowhere,” he said softly. Or he wasn’t going anywhere now.

Rick scowled at him and grasped both his shoulders, shaking him hard.

Ezra winced when Rick let him go; shoving his shoulders back up against the door.

“That hurt.”

“Yeah? Fucking shit, I’ll show you-“

“Rick! I’m already injured. I was just… uh…”

Rick snorted. “Can’t even think of an excuse, can you? You were going to leave again, go fuck some random guy!”

“No!”

“What, then you were gonna go fuck the one night stand you married?!”

Ezra flinched and didn’t reply.

“Jesus E, I try every day and you go off and get remarried.”

Ezra squeezed his eyes shut, reminding himself about all Rick had done. It was easier than it had used to be, to dissociate the man in front of him with all those warm smiles from so long ago. The loving kisses. Remembering those just made it too easy to remember a too-hard kiss being pressed to a bruise or rough fingers digging into his arm, causing pain.

“You hurt me,” he whispered.

Rick snorted. “You hurt me.”

“Over and over again. I can’t live like that again, Rick.”

“You don’t have to, baby. Stay here. With me. We’ll get married again, we can go back to the way things were.”

“No, we can’t.”

Rick frowned. “Yes, we can,” he insisted. “Just come back.”

“No,” Ezra said, already hunching into himself, preparing to be hit. He wrapped his arms around his torso and ducked his head. “I’m scared of you, Rick. You hit me, kick me, kidnap me. I can’t do it anymore, Rick. Never again.”

The first slap was gentle, just a sharp sting along his cheek that barely turned his head. Rick couldn’t do better from this angle.

“Don’t be a bitch, E.”

Ezra scowled at him, straightening up. “I’m not being a bitch,” he said, as slowly and clearly as he could. “I can’t do it anymore. I can’t deal with being your dirty little whore in bed and your perfect gentleman in public. I don’t want to be hit for making a mistake or for complaining. I don’t like hospitals. I don’t want to spend time in them because you can’t fucking handle your temper.”

The slap was harder this time, whipping his head around. Blood welled up in his mouth; Rick had reopened where the inside of his cheek had split when he had first been taken.

He spat out the blood on the floor and Rick growled at him. He always had been pissed when Ezra made a mess of anything.

“What did you say?” Rick hissed, voice soft and steady.

Ezra laughed, a little hysterically. “That always was your way of warning me. ‘Take it back or I’ll fuck you up.’” He laughed again. “You heard me. Go fuck yourself.”

Rick slammed him against the door, handling him like a rag doll. Ezra shielded his head with his arms as best he could as Rick rained blows on him. One caught his squarely in the solar plexus and he doubled over, wheezing. But he had enough practice that his arms stayed steadily where they were; protecting his head and neck.

A kick to his shins brought him to his knees as he desperately wheezed, trying to catch his breath.

Rick caught his head with his fist, knocking him to the ground. Ezra curled into the fetal position, shielding his vital parts as best he could.

The blows slowed and then stopped. “You were saying?” Rick hissed. ‘Last chance.’

Ezra heard the words implied in Rick’s tone as clearly as if he had spoken them aloud. But he was tired. He couldn’t do it anymore. “Go to hell,” he whispered.

“What?”

Ezra cleared his throat. Rick may very well not have heard that. He spat out another mouthful of blood and took several gasping lungful’s of air. Rick waited, fidgeting an increasing amount.

When Ezra finally felt capable, he cleared his throat a second time. “Go to hell!” he shouted.

A blow to his lower back made him gasp and uncurl painfully as his body bowed. It just left his stomach open and Ezra was quickly unable to breathe again.

--


Leo jumped as a shout reached them very clearly. “Go to hell!”

“That’s Ezra,” breathed Holly. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.” He shoved Malachi forward, towards the gate and herded him that way. Leo followed as closely as he could, tripping on his heels. Rave unsnapped the gate and held it open silently. There was a sudden sense of urgency to their movements that hadn’t been there before.

As they drew closer to the house, the sound of flesh hitting flesh reached them. Holly paled and sprinted to the back door. It was locked, but the wooden door proved to be an inconsequential obstacle against his fire. Flames danced around the lock and the entire handle fell. He shoved open the now swinging door and went through.

Malachi swore and lengthened his stride to follow, the rest of the men following. Holly sprinted through the house, going towards the sickening screams. A man got in his way, and he tried to shove past, but the man grabbed him.

Malachi turned the corner Holly had rocketed around a moment before. He saw Holly twisting around in an oversized man’s grasp. The air was heating up ominously.

Malachi punched the guy in his face, making him drop Holly and fall backwards. His hands fumbled at his suit jacket, going for the lump under his arm. A gun.

Malachi tackled him as Holly ran ahead again, slamming his way through another day. The door slammed into something. It was Ezra. Holly swore. He couldn’t get the door open around Ezra’s prone body.

But when Holly appeared, Rick had moved away, sliding a hand through his hair and straightening his clothes, trying to look like he hadn’t just been beating his ex-boyfriend. But there was blood on his hands and spattered clothes, and now streaked through his hair.

It took a moment, but recognition flashed through Rick’s eyes. “You!”

Holly glared back.

“Move!” Rylan demanded from behind him.

Holly moved out of the way quickly and opened his mouth to warn Rylan, but he opened the door too quickly, making Ezra grunt as the door hit his side.

Dimitri came forward and silently pushed Rylan out of the way. He hooked one hand on the side of the door and one on top and physically ripped it off its hinges. He set it aside and stepped inside the room. He ignored Rick completely and knelt beside Ezra’s prone body.

Rick stepped forward, glaring, but Rylan shoved into the doorway, past Dimitri and stood in his way. He crossed his arms over his chest and glowered. “Don’t even think about it,” he snarled.

Rick charged anyways, swinging his fist at Rylan. He caught it and yanked it, spinning Rick around and twisting both his arms behind his back.

Dimitri slid his arms under Ezra’s knees and shoulders and picked him up effortlessly.

He turned and carried him out of the room and through the house. Malachi had the larger man, the bodyguard, in a hold similar to the one Rylan had on Rick. Dimitri walked past him and found his way to the front door. Holly hurried ahead to open it for him and then opened the car door when they reached the SUV. Leo trailed behind.

Dimitri settled him gently in the back seat. “We need a hospital,” he said softly.

Ezra turned his head toward him, groaning. “I’m fine.” His voice was raspy and pain-filled. He coughed and groaned again.

“You’re going to a hospital.”

Ezra shook his head and started struggling upright.

Dimitri pushed him back down.

“Seriously,” Ezra said. “It’s just…” he groaned again. “Bruises. Nothing’s broken.” He tried to struggle upright again, but Dimitri pushed him down again.

“Stay,” he demanded.

Ezra scowled at him. “Seriously. It’ll look suspicious if I’m laying down. There’s no need to get pulled over on the way back.”

Dimitri opened his mouth to argue but Rylan and Malachi came charging out the front door. They got into the car, Malachi pushing Leo towards the driver seat. His eye was reddened and swollen. Dimitri sighed and allowed Ezra  to sit up, but he climbed into the seat beside him and wrapped a strong arm around him. “Are you sure you don’t need a hospital?” he murmured.

Ezra nodded and tucked his head into the crook of Dimitri’s neck. He was silent as the rest of the men piled in the car and almost silent as they headed out, just murmuring soft affirmatives when asked if he was okay. It wasn’t until they were across the border, back safe in Bordertown, that he went limp, no longer rigidly tense. He started crying, very very softly into Dimitri’s shirt. The other men fell silent quickly.

“Thank you,” Ezra murmured against Dimitri’s skin, loud enough for everyone in the car to hear just barely. Again and again he repeated it, the two words becoming a chant. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

--

Dimitri picked him up and carried him out of the car and to the door. It opened before Leo could even touch the handle and Gio let them in, anxiously trailing behind. “Is he okay?” he asked softly.

“’M fine,” Ezra said. “Just tired and bruised.”

Rylan snorted. “I’m calling Ginger.”

“It’s, like, five in the morning.”

“I’m calling Ginger,” Rylan insisted. “Go rest. Not on the first floor.” He disappeared out of Ezra’s line of sight.

“Are you okay with being put in my room?” Dimitri asked softly. “Or one of ours. If not we have couches upstairs. Some of them are-“

“Your room is fine,” Ezra said gently.

Dimitri nodded and carried him up the stairs. Giovanni opened the door for them and Dimitri set Ezra down on the big bed.

Ezra looked around the elegant room vacantly. “Nice curtains,” he said softly.

Dimitri kissed his cheek. “Would you mind company for the night?” he asked softly.

Ezra clutched his hand and tugged it towards him. “Please. Whoever wants to. I- I would appreciate it.”

Dimitri nodded and climbed in next to him, and then wiggled partially underneath him so Ezra was resting against his chest. Ezra reached down to grab his hand and tug it to his chest.

Holly pressed against them, resting one hand on the curve of Ezra’s hip.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he muttered.

Ezra nodded mutely, a lump stuck in his throat. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Holly stroked his cheek and tucked his head against his shoulder.

Leo wrapped an arm around Giovanni and tugged them both to the edge of the bed. “We’re staying too.”

Giovanni looked up at him, surprised, and moved to stand, but Leo pulled him close again. “Stay,” he whispered softly.

“But…” Giovanni’s eyes darted to Ezra.

Ezra quickly nodded. “Stay,” he said. He smiled self-depreciatingly. “I could use… more company.”

Giovanni only hesitated a moment longer before nodding. He crawled across the bed and leaned against Holly. Holly’s lips curved into a smile against Ezra’s shoulder.

Leo giggled and pressed himself to Giovanni’s back. He reached over and grabbed Ezra’s free hand, squeezing gently.

Ezra squeezed back.

Rylan came in, trailing by Malachi. “Ginger’s not answering. Probably asleep. Are you positive you’re okay?”

Ezra nodded. His ribs were cracked, he could feel that, but nothing was going to change in a few hours. “I think I still have painkillers in my- the guest room. I would appreciate them.”

“Shit. Yeah, of course.”

Rylan disappeared again, leaving Malachi hovering uncertainly in the doorway. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Ezra nodded, feeling uncomfortable for a moment before he forced his brain to shut down again. He was safe. He was curled up with warm bodies that weren’t going to hurt him.

Rylan came back with the little orange bottle and a glass of water and handed it over.

Ezra sat up slowly, quickly aided by Dimitri propping him up. The ribs were going to be a bitch to deal with.

He took both and took one of the pills, washing it down with water. He drained the rest of the glass, realizing belatedly that he was parched. The water helped and he handed the empty glass back to Rylan. “Thanks,” he murmured.

Rylan set it on the bedside table and thumped Malachi’s shoulder solidly. “C’mon big guy. We should get some sleep.”

Ezra has a pathetically strong urge to call out to them, to beg them to stay but he squashes it. They weren’t his… they weren’t his anything.

“We’ll be next door if you need anything. Just yell.” He flipped the light off for them and closed the door behind him.

Dimitri wrapped an arm around him and held him securely. “Are you really okay? Do you need anything?” he whispered in his ear.

Ezra shuddered and cuddled back. “No. No I’m good. I just…” he sighed and grabbed Dimitri’s hand. “I just need a hug.”

Dimitri wrapped his arms around him as fully as their positions allowed and Holly carefully wound himself around him as well. He pressed feather light kisses along his shoulder and bicep.

Ezra closed his eyes and tried to enjoy it. As the vicodin kicked in, it got easier to just let go. He drifted into a troubled sleep surrounded by the men.