Nyx and Bond

[just_hex]

They'd come to the stadium, Hex ready for a fight. Guards with guns stopped them, but after a bit of conversation and some chatter on the radio, they were let inside and then escorted to an area where a vicious looking woman assigned them a space and took all the information of what skills they could offer the group.

Hex was welcome and put to work in the med center immediately. Nyx was assigned kitchen duty since he could purify water. After a week they fell into the routine of life here and it wasn't bad. The people were kind, the soldiers less so. But there was peace and community.

It was safe.

Hex had been approached by several people asking about Nyx. He was terribly protective. He also knew what value Nyx had and sometimes he would trade the nymph. An hour. A night. And they never wanted for anything.

And then, one morning before the med center or the kitchen, there was a knock on their door. Hex answered and a soldier delivered him a note. He read it, then looked at Nyx.

"It's an invitation," he said.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx was getting ready, sitting with a tiny mirror they'd gotten in a trade and styling his hair. The nymph could be a bit shallow, and though they mostly traded for what they needed, he occasionally asked to include things he wanted. A nice mirror, a good brush... A new tunic or dress.

"An invitation where?" he asked, perking up at the possibility of going somewhere nice.

[just_hex]

"To go talk to Bond. The one in charge. It doesn't say why, it just has both our names on it," he replied, bringing the note over to him to see.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx tilted his head, studying the invite.

"Maybe he wants to give us a nicer home? What should I wear?" he asked, getting to his feet and grinning as he kissed Hex's cheek.

Everything seemed better than ever here. They had everything they could hope for- Including one another.

[just_hex]

"Maybe," he said warily. He'd never liked getting called before command, and he'd heard Bond wasn't one to be questioned. It made him nervous.

"Maybe he makes time for all the new people..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'll wear my good tunic then," Nyx decided, kissing Hex again, then moving to his 'closet', which was a rack someone had pinched from a shop.

"Vincent was hoping for an hour with me later, I told him he's to speak with my keeper though," he added with a warm smile. "If you think that's okay, you ought to ask him for boots. I heard he found a few oairs while on patrol the other week, and he wears the same size as you."

[just_hex]

"New boots would be nice," he nodded, looking down at his feet. Then he looked at Nyx.

"Just an hour?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"That's what he said," Nyx shrugged, pulling on his tunic and a pair of sandals.

[just_hex]

"Do you want to?" Hex asked.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Victor is fine, he never asks for anything odd," Nyx shrugged. "And I'd like to know you have good shoes," he admitted.

[just_hex]

Hex considered that. Then he nodded.

"Alright," he said. "Then when he finds the balls to ask me, I'll allow it," he said.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx nodded, wandering over and offering Hex his hand.

"Should we go see what this Bond fellow wants?"

[just_hex]

"Yeah. I think I look alright, yeah?"

His clothes were clean and he'd shaved. He looked respectable enough. Good enough to meet the commander.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I think you look devastatingly handsome as always," Nyx purred, giving Hex's hand a squeeze.

It wasn't a long walk, nowhere truly was in the arena, though it was a shockingly large space really. Big enough to host what had become a small town.

[just_hex]

Hex was happy to hold his hand as they made their way toward the room they were supposed to meet in. A couple soldiers were just leaving the room.

Inside, the table was set with a feast. Olives, salami, noodles with tomato sauce, and bread. Freshly baked bread.

Bond sat, waiting.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "Please, sit."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx looked at the spread and was instantly just a little envious of the opulence of it all. He glanced at Hex, then took a seat.

The bread smelled like heaven, and he couldn't stop looking at it.

[just_hex]

"I'm sure you're aware that the two if you are the newest additions," he said.

"I make it a point to know everyone under my protection."

Hex sat and nodded. Being spoken to by a superior officer had him back in service, it seemed. His posture straight, he treated Bond with respect.

And Bond clearly recognized it for what it was.

"You're a combat medic..." Bond prompted.

"Yes, sir," Hex nodded. "Army, five years. I served in Afghanistan. And I was a nurse at London General when I came home."

Bond asked him other questions and virtually ignored Nyx- except to notice the hunger. He purposely carried on their chat, slowly serving himself first. Then Hex. Then Nyx.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx thanked him quietly, and though he wanted to eat it all in an instant, forced himself to eat slowly, glancing between the men as they spoke.

He didn't interrupt, mostly because he had nothing to contribute, but also because he understood his place here. Men like Bond expected you not to speak unless spoken to.

[just_hex]

Hex and Bond had a pleasant conversation as the meal slowly vanished. They each told old war stories, takes old enough to recall with humor.

Bond was enjoying the last of the salami when he turned the conversation.

"What would you ask for a night with your nymph?" Bond asked.

Hex had not considered a man like Bond would proposition him, yet he wasn't terribly surprised. He only wished they'd thought to think of a price in advance. And for a whole night...

"What would you offer?" Hex asked instead. "He's the best you'll ever meet."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx seemed a little surprised, but it was impossible to know how genuine he was being. He was a trained actor after all, faking it came naturally.

He did sit up a little straighter now though, posing just a bit as he cleared his plate.

He didn't want to tell Hex what to ask for, but he hoped his keeper might ask for something they might not get otherwise. A larger bed, or a plush duvet...

[just_hex]

Hex was of a very similar mind, and he looked at Nyx as if he were appraising him.

Before Bond could offer, Hex said, "I think he's worth a bed. I heard some people here have real beds."

Bond laughed at that.

"A bed would be as many times as I like in a month," the commander countered.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx pounced, speaking up for the first time.

"Every other week, on a set night of my keeper's choosing, but not only are we given a bed, but we get..."

He hesitated, aware that they could ask for something good, but unsure what it should be.

"A slightly larger house as well."

It was a big ask, but he felt it was a big offer.

[just_hex]

Bond looked directly at Nyx for the first time.

"And I can do whatever I like," he said.

Hex looked at Nyx. Then at Bond.

"You can't hurt him," he said sharply.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx held the man's gaze a beat, head tilting as his magic reached for him, trying to sense his desire. It caused part of the glamour to slip away, revealing his real eyes.

"No permanent damage," he corrected, glancing at Hex.

[just_hex]

Bond's vision was dark and strict, but not overly violent. Certainly no permanent damage.

And he nodded.

"Nothing that won't heal. Your kind heal so easily," Bond said.

He looked at Hex, unnerved by Nyx's eyes.

"There are three Sundays left in the month. I want him in my room at sundown. He can leave at sunrise. And I can do anything I want. And for that, you can have a suite. With a bed."

Hex nodded so Bond couldn't ask for more.

"Agreed!" he exclaimed. "Agreed. Agreed?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Eyes returning to 'normal', Nyx nodded and ate his last slice of bread.

A suite. Their own suite. He couldn't think of anything more exciting.

[just_hex]

"Agreed, then," he nodded. He wore a predatory smile as he reached down and produced a plate of fresh biscuits for desert.

He offered it to Nyx, first, as a gesture of friendship.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx perked up at the offer of sweets, taking one and chewing slowly.

Bliss. He could get used to this.

[just_hex]

Hex took one as well and relaxed in his seat.

"Thank you for having us, sir," he said. He was nervous about Bond having Nyx for the night, but only because he could see a brutality in the commander he'd seen before.

"One day there will be too many people here for me to enjoy these one-on-ones," Bond replied. "And a good meal is always a good idea."

They carried on a bit more before Bond excused them.

"I'll see you Sunday. Sundown. Don't be late," he told Nyx.

When the door closed behind them, Hex smiled and pumped his fist.

"A bed! And a bigger room! Like we're fancy," he beamed.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx made a positively gleeful sound, pulling Hex in for a hug and stealing a quick kiss.

"We've really got it made here," he beamed. "Clever you, bringing us here," he added with a warm smile.

[just_hex]

Hex caught hold of his arms.

"Make sure he likes you," he said. "We can probably get anything we want."

And Bond might be more inclined to keep Nyx safe. Just in case anything happened to Hex, he reasoned.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oi, I'm good at what I do," Nyx tutted. "He's gonna adore me, alright?"

[just_hex]

"I know, I know," he soothed. "I just mean...if we're clever, proper clever but not greedy, he could make everything easy, yeah?" Hex explained.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I hate when you explain things to me like I'm a child," Nyx huffed. "I know the game, alright?:I'm going to make our lives here plush. You'll see."

[just_hex]

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to," he said.

"I've been around men like Bond. Dont...don't underestimate how dangerous he is."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I can handle it," Nyx promised. "Come on, let's go home and start packing. This is exciting, yes?" he added with a grin.

[just_hex]

Hex couldn't deny he was buzzing with anticipation.

"Yeah. Yeah, we can get ready. He won't make us wait..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx smiled, kissing his cheek and tugging him back home.

He couldn't pretend he wasn't feeling anxious as Sunday crept up on them. Not because he was worried about what Bond wanted from him- But because he needed to be at his best. He needed to impress the man, to make sure he and Hex were cared for and kept safe. He knew Bond took men out on missions, and Nyx was determined to make sure Hex was never one of them. His Hex, his keeper, he needed to be safe at home, with him.