bakerstreet | Run away with me

[Mizi was gone, Sua was dead, and Till knew he was next, because he had no more fight in him for this shit, he wouldn't lose the last person he loves to this wretched fucking competition. Sure, he and Ivan had trouble seeing eye to eye on the best days, sometimes the man confused the fuck out of him, but he still.. Ivan is important to him. Losing him wasn't an option.

So, if that meant trying to run, trying to flee, or die trying? Fuck it. Fuck all of it, he had the couple precious things he cared about with him and was looking at Ivan like he was dumb for saying that.]

We stay and definitely die or run and possibly die. Which sounds like it has at least a slim fucking chance at... freedom, being alive?

[He pauses and looks down, kicking one of his feet against the ground.]

Look, I won't go without you... It's either together or not at all.

I wouldn't let you die.

[It was the truth. If they stayed, he would do everything in his power to throw and see Till survive him. If they are running to avoid the situation facing them, it only changes things slightly. The most important thing to Ivan was Till making it through everything. As long as he survived, the gamble meant nothing to him.

The only thing about it was he knew he was more knowledgeable about what they might face and how to get around them. In a backhanded way, he had to thank Till for that. For all the instances the smaller man ended up bound and locked up, Ivan had to spend time learning how to get out of and bypass every one of them.]

We'll go together. I know generally what direction we should go to encounter the rebels. If you'd rather go somewhere where no one is willing to root through the trash to find gems, then I know that hopeless place even better.

[Either way, it was the getting there that was going to be annoying and seeing how long it would take for people to stop looking for them.]

[Urak might never stop looking for Till, not after all the money and time and work he invested in his best chance to win. The segyein had his fingers in a lot of pies and dangerous dealings, so even if they went to the hopeless place that Ivan knows best, he feels like... somehow Urak would still find him and probably kill Ivan for the trouble.

The thought sits heavy and uncomfortable in his stomach. He can't lose Ivan. For all the ways the man would make him want to strangle him, he can't lose Ivan. He... he loves him. In what way he's not sure, but... he knows that Ivan is important to him and he can't... his heart can't take anymore.]

I'll follow you wherever you go... staying in the city at all worries me, you know that bastard has eyes all over the place. I just...

[He sighs and steps closer to Ivan, worried that they could be overheard or something.]

Any path outside the city is where they'll look first, maybe... we hide where you think they won't look? Then head out when they start to search inwards? Or do we just fucking go for it? Maybe once word gets out we ran the other humans will look for us?

We'll head to the rebels first, then. We'll be sold out for money all the faster if we head to The Slums. That will be a worse comes to worst option.

[The rebels were a little harder to locate, but he was fairly certain he could find their trail if they were given enough time to look. That would be the issue.

Reaching out to take hold of Till's hand, he decided they'd figure it out on the way. There were a few objectives they'd have to accomplish on the way in order to keep themselves safe.]

We'll need to get weapons, but I'm not willing to detour too much to get any. We will just have to be careful until then.

[His head turned, looking forward as they started to move. Maybe if they go like they know what they're doing, they won't be interrupted on their way to the corridor.]

Don't let go of me.

[Till swallows thickly and nods. He would hate others to sell them out, that would be worse by far... to be betrayed by fellow humans.

Then his hand is in Ivan's and for a long moment, he starts at their joined hands as he follows, because it feels like that night all over again. The fear of leaving Mizi behind, the fear of leaving everything he knew, the fear of so much unknown before them that drove him back to the garden. This time... he won't let go.

Even as Ivan says it, he's shifting to twine their fingers between each other, securing the hold of their hands more firmly, so it's harder to let go.

Or to be torn apart.]

I won't... not again.

[With that he follows, trying to rein in how he feels nervous, to hide his heart on his sleeve for once. They needed to slip out in the first place if they were going to get anywhere at all.

He does feel bad that he just sprung this on Ivan, not allowing the man time to get anything he might want to keep, unlike Till who had a small bag over his shoulder that had his recorder... some pencils he got as a gift, band-aids. Sentimental things... Also, all things Ivan stole at one time or another. Asshole.]

Just... you do the talking.

[There was nothing Ivan would bring even if it was warned. Much like that impulsive night when they were children, Ivan was confident. His life began in the slums with nothing. Returning to nothing after years of comfort wasn't going to be difficult.

On the other hand, feeling Till lace their fingers together, brought his thoughts to a crashing halt. A quick look was given back to Till and then down to their hands before he looked forward with a blank look, putting all of his effort into not showing how much faster his heart started beating.

No. They were just escaping. It was nothing more than that.

Pulling Till along, he made his way down corridors and along pathways, walking with an air of confidence in his gait. He just needed to look like he knew he what he was doing for this leg of everything. The looks they received were few, and Ivan was glad for it. Ivan usually took care to investigate the places he was going to be, but he didn't actually think it was going to come in handy until Till approached him.

Everything was going fine until an alarm scared the shit out of him, Ivan's hand gripping Till's tightly and pulling him close behind him like he expected to be hunted down... until he actually saw the alert was over intruders, not escapees.]

... What a poor time for someone to try to break into the building.

[Fuck, he almost jumps out of his skin when the alarm blares and Till thinks that some how Urak has already figured this out or something. It's easy enough for Ivan to pull him close and behind, his own grip on the other man's hand tightening.

Till was looking behind them to notice the alert until Ivan says something. That makes his brows pinch and his eyes go wide... was it the resistance? Were they coming to save them like they had Mizi? Part of him doubts it, but... He looks at Ivan, his more blank expression and knows that this was something they both didn't anticipate.]

Do you think it's them? Shit... we're never going to get out if they're locking down the place because of the intruders.

[They were due to go up on stage in a bit, it was such a last minute decision on his part to run, but he can't lose Ivan - someone he loves, his friend - this was the last of Till's fighting spirit, if this failed, he--...

He steps closer, practically pressed to Ivan's back, trying to not look around wildly when someone could see them. Voice low, he speaks for Ivan only, so close to his ear.]

Even if we hide, they're gonna find us eventually... We probably should make a break for it. Because if it is them, they're probably banking on us fucking performing as a distraction and I'm not going on that stage.

It's going to create more panic if we don't move fast...

[There were two sides to this, Ivan realizes. If they're caught, they can blame it on the rebels and whatever plan they have coming in here. As long as the excuse saved Till, he couldn't care less how many other lives it destroyed. The hope, as small as it was, that it wouldn't come to that, but the factors against them kept stacking.]

We have no choice. It seems we're in opposition to the Rebels, even if they might have Mizi.

[Ivan agreed with making a break for it, reaching back to touch his free hand to Till's side. He didn't linger long, pulling Till along as Ivan broke out into a faster gait once he started talking again.

It was possible that Mizi was with the rebels. She was listed missing and not dead, but the more he had to think about it as he raced down the wide corridor, he wondered if Till would try to detour to her instead. Should the other try, Ivan wouldn't fight it. The same as he couldn't fight the bubbling bitterness in the back of his throat.

He could ignore it for now. Getting out was more important.]

[The mention of Mizi... he didn't really consider she might be with the rebels here. Maybe they were coming for them? It's possible if Mizi is involved, she's too kind hearted to leave them to die, but the timing is bad and there's no way to really know without taking risks with all of their lives.

Besides, like Ivan said, the rebels might not be here to help them just because they have Mizi.

He moves fast with Ivan, having to trot almost to keep up with the taller man's longer gait, but he does keep up without much trouble. They move fast, through doors and around corners as alarms continue to blare.

Then he sees it, out of the corner of his eye... Pink. He almost trips to stop in his tracks, his hold on Ivan pulling him to a stop with him as he looks down another corridor and sees... pink hair. It's short, but the height is right... he would know her anywhere.]

Mizi... Shit, she really is here.

[He doesn't let go of Ivan's hand, but he watches her disappear around a corner, following another woman with long brown hair... Something struck him as familiar about her but he can't place it.]

[Ivan stopped immediately when Till pulls him. A glance is given back and then in the direction Till was looking. It was only the tail end of her running past, but he knew who it was. Who else would stop Till in their tracks like that? There was another person running with her, and vague recognition flared in the back of his mind.

He didn't care much about the others who came in and out of Anakt Garden, but some of them were 'special pets', much like Luka. Hyuna was one such genius, but any details about her vanished from his memory. The part that mattered was they just watched the two women run by during the chaos.

The bitter bile in his throat bubbled again, but he ignored it. His attention was for Till instead, looking over his shoulder to the man, who looked hopelessly in the direction his angel vanished.

He just said they were his enemies, and yet.]

Do you want to follow? This is probably our last chance.

[His attention snaps to Ivan and for a second he feels as torn as he did that night so many years ago, when he let go of Ivan's hand and ran back. The guilt of that night still eats him alive, that Ivan turned back too, that Till condemned them both back to this life because he was scared that night, but...

This was his chance to save Ivan.

He could run after Mizi, maybe he should, but as he looks into those dark eyes again, all consuming and breathtaking as they are... he knows his mind is already made up. Mizi, for whatever reason, came back here by her own choice, who fucking knows why, but it's time he makes a choice for himself. For this man who will probably follow him into the fire again.]

Come on, I made us lose time..

[Still holding onto Ivan's hand, he continues the direction they were going instead of down the corridor towards Mizi.

This time, he chooses Ivan.]

[Till didn't choose the option Ivan thought he would, and it showed in how he allowed himself to be dragged along, stumbling slightly at the beginning. Was he truly attempting to choose him in this instance? Last time, there were no stakes. Ivan wanted to give Till something no one else could offer. This time lives were at stake.

Till's life was at stake.

After a few moments, Ivan stopped, freezing in place with his gaze still off in the direction that the two women ran. Truly, he couldn't care less what happened to himself, but Till...]

No.

[His voice almost didn't feel like his own, choking out and tumbling out of his mouth under the blare of the alarm. He wanted Till to himself. He wanted to protect him and make sure he found freedom, but this was too selfish.

His gaze moved to Till. Reaching his free hand up to catch his shoulder and attempt to let go it his hand and shove him in the direction of the other corridor.]

Go. If they found a way in, they know a way out. They wouldn't do this without an exit route.

I'll follow you soon.

[It's Till's turn to look shocked and hurt when Ivan is trying to shove him back towards Mizi, trying to let go of his hand. Which, he doesn't allow the asshole to do - instead, holding on to the other man's hand painfully tight. It doesn't matter that it probably hurts because, right now, he hurts and that's enough to make it turn into anger. Enough to make him want to lash out and yell, but he keeps that locked up tight, it wasn't the time for explosive emotions.

Stepping back into Ivan's space, he gets right in his face and practically snaps his teeth at the man.]

Fuck you, I don't give a shit if they have a way out, right now they're going in. And Mizi, she--...

[He hesitates, because he loves her, he does, but this isn't about her at the moment, it can't be. This was about getting him and Ivan out alive. If they meet up with her later, then so be it, but she made her choice and so has he.

Swallowing down that hesitation, he reaches forward with his free hand to grab the back of Ivan's neck and bring him closer in.]

She decided to come in here knowing the risks that she might not make it back out.

[It would be a lie to say he doesn't want to help, to protect her, but they would be in the way, a liability, easier to spot... No, his mind is made up.]

I'm not taking that risk with us. I told you, it's together or not at all, I'm not letting go this time.

[Ivan winced at the hold on his hand, looking down at Till with a weak glare. It did hurt, but it was also so painfully grounding. Ivan still stood by the thought that Till should go the way he knew the man always did, but with the way he got into his face, it was difficult to make himself push him away again.]

I--[He sighed, pausing as Till went on] She?

[Till hesitated. No matter how much he wanted to make a point, not even he could continue on, could he? No matter what he said or acted like. When the time came to show it between them, it was difficult to look away from Mizi.

Still, it was so attractive how he got into his face and snapped at him. Ivan would lean down and kill him right on those pressed tight lips if he didn't think he'd get punched for it.]

You'll be depressed and upset if something more happens to her, like you have been.

[When Till finished with that, Ivan falls quiet, looking Till in the eyes. He was resolute in this, Ivan could see. Yet Ivan could equally see the possibility of Till regretting this, and he couldn't tell if it was genuine observation, or that bitterness reminding him that he was not as important as she was.

That hand on the back of his neck was so difficult to ignore, and the genuine feel of his hand against him. Wanting his genuine attention... for his anger, but attention was attention.

Unable to resist anymore. Ivan's free hand rested on Till's shoulder, bobbing his head down for the fastest, lightly kiss to the other's lips that he could safely muster.

And just like that, he leaned out and turned to continue down the corridor there were going down. Till was right. They lost time, but now they knew where everyone's focus truly was for the moment. Now they just had to outrun the realization that they were missing.]

If they're all following her, we can use that to get to an exit while the focus is elsewhere. Before we make it outside, we'll have to do something about our appearance. We're too famous to just walk out.

Yeah, maybe I will be, but fuck you, I made my choice and that's you.

[Besides, he would be just as fucked up over losing Ivan, at least this was Mizi's choice and he could respect that. Losing Ivan on stage? Losing him now while they're running? That's just asking for him to feel unending guilt that will plague him as intensely as that meteoric night still does.

No, he won't lose Ivan.

Then... Ivan is kissing him? It's faint and quick and Till blushes hotly for it, unable to muster any kind of reaction to that kiss before it's over and Ivan is walking down the hall with him trailing after, still holding the man's hand. Though not as painfully as before....

While Ivan isn't looking, he reaches up to touch his lips, almost missing what the other man says.]

Oh... uh, we're pretty close to the costume department. Y-yeah, especially you. [Ivan was the one with his face plastered in ads everywhere.] Also, you'll need a mask or something, your fang is a dead giveaway.

Costuming...

[That's right, it was down this way. If the alarm was going off, Luka should be in a different part of the building by now. He hoped. He couldn't really be still getting ready for his round, could he? The lack of any sound other than the alarm, be they segyein or human, were missing from the hall, making Ivan think it was safe to cross, pulling Till with him with quick glances down intersecting paths.]

Was Luka already in holding? Do you think he's back here?

[It was quite mumbling, but loud enough for Till to hear him as he stopped close to the door, pausing to see if he could hear anything moving around inside. It was easier to focus on listening and how to get in and our fast instead of Till helpfully pointing out how Ivan's last few months of work has put his face everywhere. He was on billboards, commercials that played between all sorts of programs, interviews, music spots. It was going to be hard to escape himself.

Luckily, Ivan's been trying to escape himself his whole life.]

I think it's clear...

Fucker is probably where he could watch us, pick apart the winner so he can rip him apart on stage.

[Urak made him watch so much of the 49th because of Luka, analyze and prepare, he knows the guy's tricks, saw what he did to Mizi too. Urak made him watch that quite a few times too... Doesn't matter, Luka was somewhere else, surely. Where he can observe and plot.

Whatever, they quietly push into the room and it seems clear, still they move in quietly, looking around before Till lets go of Ivan's hand to move to a rack of clothing and stars to look through it.]

You can get away without a wig, your hair color is common and your haircut is all the rage, but you'll need something to cover your mouth... I need a wig. Not many people sporting my hair.

[He hesitates. Looks over at Ivan...]

Ah fuck... don't laugh.

[When the people after them will be looking for two boys? What better way to get them off their trail then one of them being a girl... With that, he pulls out a cute pink sweater dress and starts to undress to put it on.]

[Looking through the clothes slowed down, a thought occurred to him. The more that he thought about it, the more he stopped pulling this out to put in to instead look at Till in thought.

...It was hard to focus on his stupid thought when he watched Till pull out a pink sweater to put on. Was he also going to put on a skirt? That was an obstacle in this escape that he didn't anticipate.]

Is he your type?

[Ivan paused, turning to pick out a hat with ridiculous gold accessories on it to put on his head and pull out a black face mask. Till was speaking as if Ivan was awkward or a dime a dozen, but even little details could stand out to a 'fan'.

The pause also was for what he expected to be a 'what the fuck are you talking about' but Till, so he pressed on as if he actually did respond that way.]

Luka. Is he the sort of guy you're into? Are you a fan of The Prince?

[Well, Ivan got one thing right.]

What the fuck are you talking about?

[He's got his shirt off and the pink sweater on, it falls off one shoulder and while long, it doesn't quite cover enough for Till to feel comfortable not wearing something else. If he was going to pull off being a girl, then he needed to look like one at a glance, so he was browsing for a skirt.

Wait. What the fuck did Ivan just say? He looks over at the guy like he's grown a second head or something ridiculous.]

You're fucking joking right now, right? You didn't just ask me if I'm into that dead eyed twat, right? Because even you can't be that stupid.

[Well, he can't lie and say Luka isn't very attractive, but ugh no.

Instead he pulls out a cute black pleated skirt and shucks off his pants with little concern as he pulls on the mid thigh lengthed garment. Luckily, Till has always been pretty lacking in body hair and what he does have almost is invisible to the eye so he skips stockings and goes for boots.]

[I warmed his heart to hear Till say what he expected. Of course, he knew Till best, for all that actually meant, since so much of what the man did was still a mystery to him. He was physically watching Till dress up in the strangest way. There was something about seeing the sweater fall of his shoulder and all the bare leg that Till was showing that made him want to do something Till wouldn't appreciate.]

Doesn't everyone like him? And you know so much about him.

[And then there was Ivan who didn't even pay Luka enough attention to know if he really was a 'dead eyed twat'. That didn't sound like an attractive quality.]

Then... you aren't into guys at all.

[Finding boots in his size takes a second but he's able to find some knee highs that fit well enough to pull on. No heel too so it he needs to run he can. Still, it's better than those slippery silver shoes they had him in just a moment ago.

He gives Ivan another look like he's stupid.

Ah Till, you're probably playing right into his hand.]

Since I don't like Luka I must obviously not be into guys? What are you fucking stupid? There are more guys than just him you know.

[Taking his previous clothes, he bundles them up and hides them more over in the men's wear section. Try to make it less obvious that he's in women's wear.]

I like distinctive eyes and unique features. Luka is the blandest piece of bread.

[He moves to the wigs, looking them over. It takes an effort not to go for the pink one for how it makes him think of Mizi.]

Eyes like his aren't common. Is the sleepy gold really not attractive?

[Ivan was removing his jacket and taking off his shirt, going to put something on that looked a little less 'expensive and eyecatching'. The less someone looks at him, the better. Pulling on a simple black shirt and jacket.]

What do you think is distinct?

[He could see the wigs and the color options, and looked away. If he went with pink, that would be fine, but he'd really wonder if Till would be okay with Ivan having to be so close and touching 'Mizi'.

As fast as the thought occurred to him, a second of one of acknowledging that there was no reason to care about what Ivan himself was doing. It had been ages since Till complained about how close Ivan was to Mizi.]

His are dead.

[Black wig made him think of Sua, which was unsettling, and the blonde made him think of Luka now. He didn't want the purple one because that would be too eye catching in it's uniqueness, so... he went for one that was a dark brown with blue highlights. It would look good enough, he's not about to get picky about this shit.

Getting his hair down and a wig on without the professionals was hard enough, so he doesn't really think about what he says to answer Ivan's question. He just answers.]

Mizi's hair, your snaggletooth.

[Still doesn't really think about it even after he says it. He even continues to explain his preferences without provocation, as he works to secure the wig in place.]

And I mean like... Mizi's eyes are yellow but sometimes they look green, like they shift and change color. And yours are intensely black, but there's a red to them that draws attention.

[He finally gets it to look good and secured, looking himself in the mirror as he adjusts the skirt and sweater a little self consciously and styles the hair to cover up his brand more. It's good he picked a long one.]

Okay, don't laugh, do I look feminine enough at a glance at least? [He turns around for Ivan.]

[Ivan was finishing exchanging his shoes for boots that he tied up when he stood and turned to look at how Till turned out. The words that Till said, however, hit him in that same moment. What was the point in bringing up his looks? Yet every time he mentioned them like it was something to admire made him feel... strange. Like his stomach was being sucked out through a tube.

Putting those thoughts away for the time being, Ivan walks over to Till, gently grabbing his chin with his hand and tilting his head up so he could properly look at him this way.

The first thing he noticed was that he didn't feel any differently for Till seeing him like this more or less than any other time.

The second thing he noticed was that Till didn't go with the Mizi aesthetic. The look wasn't the Till he knew, but it still gave him those thoughts that he usually kept to himself.]

You do. It should be enough to fool any pursuers we run into.

[Remembering how he was holding him, Ivan drops his hand and stands back.]

[Till has a strange relationship with being manhandled. While he hates it, something about Ivan doing it makes heat gather low in his belly. So he doesn't pull away, instead letting the man get a way with it when no one else could or would.

When he's let go, he rubs his chin before reaching up to take off the hat Ivan has on and ruffling his hair. pushing it to part on the right instead of the usual left. It made the man look drastically different. Then puts the hat back on, adjusting it to help hold the new style in place. He then pulls and messes up the niceness of Ivan's shirt collar to make it look more casual and less... nice.

Finally he nods.]

You look good. Okay, I'm your girl, so hold me like one, okay?

[He's seen people hold each other when walking around. They might not have many words or much understanding of what love is, but... he gets that that's something.]

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