William Holloway

I'm a devil in disguise

A million thoughts seemed to exist within the Dark Hunter's mind all at the same time. Each one as powerful as the last, each fighting their way to the surface. It was odd, then, to feel his sanity so fractured. That once sharp mind splintering and fraying. It took every bit of William's willpower to focus on the situation at hand. Of Sebastian. Sebastian... the man had always been a hurricane of a force within the Duke's world. To England and the ruckus that the pair, along with John, would cause while still toeing those societal norms that kept their high born father's pleased. To those private, stolen moments when his father was away that William would need... lessons... in how to court. Sebastian trying to save William on that fateful night. Sebastian's ghost haunting him for nearly two hundred years. Sebastian... risen from the dead and in front of him in that alleyway in Sacrosanct, of all places. Sebastian... the person they'd known Will would have done anything for. Sebastian... who thought that Will had broken his promise and left him. God, what had Sebastian thought of him in all this time? Had he thought he'd left him willingly? That the Hunter had abandoned his childhood friend? That thought pained the Duke. How many people had he loved that he'd abandoned? Sebastian. Vhalla. His mother. His father. Georgiana. How many people had wondered what had happened to him? How many people had he disappointed?

William rose to his feet then, those very words escaping his mouth tried so desperately to explain the situation. To explain that his absence had been against his own Will. The words came out fractured and broken, that trembling in his own hands worsening as he so struggled with the notion that he hadn't wanted to leave, that he would have never willingly broken his promise to Sebastian. The words that escaped him felt like nonsense as he struggled to explain that they'd caught him. They, the mythical they that always came after him. That would never stop coming. They would never leave him alone or allow him the peaceful life that he wanted. His power was dangerous, they had told him. They only wanted to help him control it. So he could be a better hunter. So he could work for them. So they could control him and send him on any mission they so chose as their personal assassin. But that wasn't the world that William wanted. Sure, a few years ago he would have been happy to slaughter any vampire that came across his path if only for the fact that he had never caught up to the little girl who had destroyed his life. But now... now he really just wanted to stay close by Sebastian's side for as long as the vampire would have him. But that was impossible... wasn't it?

William flinched involuntarily as Sebastian's hands reached for him. What a contrast the two men were. Sebastian as steady as he'd always been and William a shaky mess. But his presence was much needed for the Hunter, as though he could finally breathe again after being underwater. Those long fingertips curled around Sebastian's, the man forcing his gaze up to meet the other man's gaze. That reassurance that he so hoped he would be back, that he hoped he wouldn't be dragged off again, was meant with the saddened words that left Sebastian's lips. "I'll... I'll do everything I can to stay here." William corrected, his fingers squeezing his once more. "But I..." The boy never finished his sentence, his attention held entirely on his best friend and the way he so delicately lifted up the hunter's thin wrist, Will seeming to notice for the first time the frail state of his own body. Those thick circles of bruises around his wrists were rubbed raw and nearly bleeding in places, the blood that coated his own skin and clothes, the way his body seemed too tired to hold itself up fully. That small simper was all he could manage as he delivered that tease, but his smile only grew at the sound of Sebastian's laughter. God, how he'd spent so much time thinking he'd never hear that sound again. "Maybe after I sleep and eat, then?" He teased gently.

William was relieved by the notion of taking that shower and fresh clothing and simply the presence of the other man near him. How he longed to keep Sebastian near as much as possible. After all, he'd always felt secure near the other boy. And with guards stationed outside, how could he possibly be in danger here? They were both safe here. Or at least, until Sebastian mentioned that he intended to make calls on the Duke's behalf. William's protests came out in the same shaky voice he'd struggled with since he arrived in front of his best friend, yet he was relieved that Sebastian stood at attention to hear his words. William struggled then, forcing any dark thought of what might happen to his friend should he try to intervene with the Hunter's Council firmly away, the man entirely unaware of the true power his friend had gained in his absence. How his mind struggled with the things that they could do to him. The Hunter had had years of captivity with his brain torturing him of the things they were doing to Sebastian. His guards had never had to tell him anything they might have done to the vampire, Will's own mind had done the work for them.

Somehow, the man managed to compose himself, insisting once more on the shower that he was sure would steady his thoughts. Or at least, allow him to get the blood off of himself so that he was able to not torture his companion with his presence. William didn't hesitate to follow Sebastian down the familiar hallways. In fact, William kept his stride so Sebastian was never more than a few feet from him, the man keen on keeping his friend close. His attention remained so tuned in on the vampire that he hardly noticed the differences in the home, at least not until he was led into Sebastian's own bedroom. It wasn't the first time he'd been in the room, but Will had anticipated being led to one of the guest rooms, perhaps even the one that he had occupied as his own quarters. But he didn't question him on it, instead choosing to be thankful that Sebastian also seemed to want to keep him equally as close as Will wanted to be to him. The pristine bathroom was certainly the nicest place he'd been in the past several years. William was sure that given his dirty state he didn't belong there. How quickly William had become accustomed to the cell.

"Okay," The man said, his voice oddly timid for the Duke. He entered the room slowly, watching Sebastian disappear to fetch something for William to wear. For a moment, the Englishman's heart seemed to pound and that panic nearly propelled him out of the bathroom and into Sebastian's arms. But no, he reminded himself, he needed to shower. Slowly, William pulled the door shut, wincing at the noise that the door made as it latched shut. That alone sent a new wave of panic through the Hunter, and quickly he turned the knob to make sure that the door would open again. It did, of course. Sebastian was not cruel enough to lock him away. Still, William pushed the door open a few inches, deciding that that was the best way to make his pounding heart slow down. The man undressed then, his clothes nearly falling apart as he pulled them from his frame and deposited the bloody rags at his feet. But he hardly paid attention to that. It was his reflection that startled him. Where he'd always been slender, yet slightly muscular, it was nothing compared to the way he looked now. His skin was pale, his ribs clearly visible and littered with dark bruises and cuts. His face was scruffy, dark hair fell into his eyes, which had dark circles under them. Even his face was more gaunt than he remembered. It was a wonder Sebastian had recognized him at all.

The Duke forced his gaze away from the mirror, adjusting himself instead to turn the faucet on as he stepped inside the shower. He didn't jump as the initial blast of cold water hit him - what showers they'd allowed him to have in captivity had been ice cold - nor did he react at first to the increasing heat of the water. He rested his forehead against the cool marble of the shower wall, allowing the water to stream down his back. He stood there for several moments before he finally pulled back, busying himself with washing the blood off his body. He was hardly surprised when he washed his hair and the water turned a rusty brown from the dried blood. It took what seemed like forever for the man to get clean. The water was nearly cold again by the time he turned it off, but the sensation of being clean certainly made the Duke feel more like himself. William reached out of the shower, he felt his cheeks flame. "Erm, Sebastian?" He called out, hoping his companion was close. "I... erm. I need a towel."