Love of a Captive

The next morning, Malachi slipped out of bed before Adrian awoke, wincing only slightly as his tender body was forced into action. Scribbling a quick note, he let Adrian know that he was going out to buy food and supplies alone, because Adrian was far too conspicuous in this country, and was not welcome.

It took him a solid three hours to find everything that he needed, as he was unfamiliar with the town they were in, but some careful questions soon took care of his shopping list, and he headed back to the inn, his purchases carried carefully in his arms. It wouldn’t do to spill the food, after all.

Entering the inn, Malachi gratefully accepted the aid of one of the inn’s hired help in carrying his packages, leaving him with just one bag of his own to carry. He directed the servants to leave the bags outside of the door, as he was fully capable of bringing them inside by himself. To their credit, they didn’t ask a word, but did as they had been directed, which left Malachi feeling relieved. Questions were hardly welcomed right now.

Knocking on the door, Malachi called through to Adrian, and again the man opened the door almost instantly. Malachi smiled up at him, noting that he was still rumpled and agitated. “You were waiting for me, hm?” he asked, teasing the blonde a little bit.

Adrian just scowled at him and reached down to pick up two of the bags. Malachi carried in his one, and set to packing what they’d need when they left, while Adrian brought in the rest of his purchases. Knowing that they’d be leaving again later that day, Malachi hadn’t bothered to purchase a whole lot, buying only water and those foods that would keep for several days. He had also bought some clothing for them both to wear, hoping that it might help them to blend in a little better.

After a quick meal, they redistributed Malachi’s purchases and checked out of the inn. As they had the night before, Malachi handled the transaction while Adrian waited outside, his head covered again. They turned down a random street and headed out. They’d try to purchase or borrow a vehicle on their way through the town. Fortunately, being a high ranking soldier had paid rather well among the Nazi party, so they had the money needed to buy what they needed.

After some quick inquiries, Malachi and Adrian had the name of a shop clerk that would sell them a vehicle…for a price. Adrian requested that Malachi stand outside, and went in alone. Thirty minutes later he came out and led Malachi into the back yard, where there were around two dozen trucks, most of them looking like they’d break the instant you sat in them.

Adrian led Malachi unerringly to one of the trucks, and the younger man realized that this was probably a treasure in the midst of all this rubble. It was banged up, but its integrity was still fully intact, and it was made of sturdy materials. Malachi looked askance at Adrian and asked neutrally, “What did you have to threaten him with?”

Adrian just chuckled. “Oh, not much. Just seeing me was enough to scare him, although his hatred for me is quite obvious. He’s a Gypsy, if the clothing he was wearing was any indication.” Malachi sighed; of course the one person in town who could sell them a vehicle was one of the Nazi’s targets. He supposed that he was lucky the man could be intimidated, rather than throwing Adrian out on his ear.

Traveling went much faster now that they had a vehicle with a full tank of gasoline again. Adrian had grabbed some of the canisters of gasoline that sat outside the back door of the store. Of course, he had grabbed a few extra, so that they wouldn’t have to stop as soon. Malachi almost felt bad for the store owner, until Adrian told him just how much he had paid the man for the vehicle, despite the threat. He was lucky Adrian hadn’t just knocked him unconscious and taken the truck anyhow.

Malachi stared out the window, hardening his resolve. Just a little bit further, and they’d both be free. Adrian didn’t try and talk to him, aware of his mood but not sure why. Malachi turned his head and smiled up at Adrian, who was watching him carefully, one eye on the road. “It’s okay, Adrian. Promise,” he murmured, then leaned over and laid his head on Adrian’s shoulder, closing his eyes. “Wake me when it’s my turn to drive,” he mumbled sleepily.

Adrian chuckled quietly, and fingers combed briefly through his hair. “Can you even drive yet?” he replied playfully. Malachi just mumbled a sleepy reply and drifted off. Adrian would wake him when they stopped for the night.

~*~

Night was starting to fall when Adrian shifted his arm, waking Malachi. With a wince, the older man stretched out his arm and rubbed it, and Malachi realized that it must have fallen asleep under his weight. Blushing, he distracted himself by looking around the truck to see where they were.

“You didn’t stop in a town?” he asked, curious. Adrian didn’t answer, hopping out of the truck and moving around to the back to get the bedding. Malachi wondered at his mood, but shrugged it off, stepping out of the truck and getting out the food they’d need for dinner. It was probably safe enough for a fire, he mused. At least soup would be better than rations.

When he got to the campsite, Adrian was standing there with his hands on his hips, glaring at him. The bedding was lying in a heap at his feet, and Malachi slowed his approach, eyeing Adrian warily. “What’s wrong?” he asked softly, treading carefully in the face of Adrian’s anger.

“What, exactly, were you planning on doing?” Adrian demanded, his words coming out in a low growl. Malachi stared at him in confusion. With a growl, Adrian pulled out a pistol from behind his back, and Malachi felt the blood drain out of his face as Adrian pointed it at him. “Did you drag me all the way out here just to kill me? Because if that’s the case, then I’m going back home to Germany. I’d rather die a soldier than a coward,” he hissed.

Malachi shook his head. “Not for you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. He had hoped that Adrian wouldn’t be curious enough to see what he had purchased that morning. He should have known better. But right now, he realized, he had better explain, because Adrian looked ready to fly off the handle.

“What did you say?” Adrian growled, moving closer, until the gun was pressed into Malachi’s chest. “What were you planning? You must know by now that it’s not going to work. And to think that I had thought better of you than this,” he rebuked.

Malachi flushed at the chastisement, but his eyes flashed in defiance as he replied, his voice steady, “It’s not for you. You’re free of Germany, and soon you’ll be free of me as well.” When Adrian just stared down at him, cobalt eyes clouded in confusion, Malachi sighed, reaching out for the safety of the gun and clicking it off. Adrian jerked, but Malachi gripped his wrist, holding him in place.

“I told you, didn’t I? That I would not live with this shame? That I would be free if it killed me?” he murmured, his words flowing smoothly now, his heart and mind finally calm. “I meant it quite literally. At first, I was going to take your life as well, so that you could not return and find more victims. But a war is coming, and there will be no more victims, not at your hands. But I love you, I really do, and I can’t strengthen my resolve enough to include you.”

Adrian snarled, “Then what was last night? A goodbye?!” he demanded furiously. When Malachi didn’t reply, he murmured, “It was, wasn’t it?” All of the anger left Adrian suddenly, and he slumped, moving his finger away from the trigger. “You truly meant to take your own life because of what I allowed to be done to you. Rather than hate me, as you should, you still love me, and so you will take your own life instead.” There was wonder and a bitter pain in Adrian’s voice as he spoke.

Malachi nearly cried at the self-loathing he heard in Adrian’s tone. “It doesn’t matter,” he tried to reassure Adrian, pushing his wrist down, lowering the gun at the same time, so that it pointed harmlessly to the ground. “If that hadn’t happened, something else would have. I could have just as easily suffered in a concentration camp. At the very least, I had you. And you love me, don’t you?” he asked, aware of the wonder in his own voice. After all, this was the first time that it had occurred to him that Adrian must really, truly love him.

“Yes, I love you, dammit!” Adrian snapped, his hand tightening around the pistol. “And I won’t let you kill yourself and leave me behind! If you’re going to die, I’m damn well not going to be around to see it,” he hissed, the anger back again.

Malachi tilted his head back and laughed, the sound wild and relieved. Adrian meant it, he really did. He loved Malachi.

He was ready to confess to Adrian, to tell him that he loved him, too, more than anything, but the smile left his face as tears fell from those cobalt eyes. “And because I love you, I’d give you anything. Even your freedom,” he whispered, raising the gun once more.

Malachi’s eyes widened as Adrian turned the pistol and held it against his temple. His eyes were open and steady, no hesitation in them as he murmured, “I love you so much, I’d die for you.”

Malachi leapt forward as a single shot rang out. Startled birds screeched through the air as a lone male voice howled, though there was nobody there to hear his cries.

A/N: Well? Well? Is he dead? Isn’t he? Hahaha! You’re not gonna find out, either! This is the end of this story. Hope you all enjoyed the read (providing you made it past chapter 5)!