Roman x Caspian x Lennox x Xander

Years of dealing with sketchy individuals banging on the front door had made Xander a notoriously light sleeper. The second Roman's knuckles made contact with the wood, Xander's eyes flickered open and he was met with the wonderful sight of Lennox sleeping soundly across from him. Even sitting halfway upright in the chair, she looked as comfortable as could be. He, on the other hand, felt an awful ache in his neck as he sat up and stretched. Getting her to sleep in the bed needed to happen sooner rather than later, before he ended up crippled from sleeping in a ball.

Making sure not to wake her, Xander rose from the chair and shrugged on his jacket before he made his way out of the bedroom. He rubbed his eyes groggily as he approached the front door and made sure all of the locks were still secured before he peered through the peephole. There was never a boring day in the world Xander lived in. People were always finding their way to the house- most of the time they were friendly customers, or desperate addicts, or even the occasional enemy. Most of these characters were never a major cause for alarm, but on the rarest occasions he was faced with the true villains- nobility.

Xander took in the sight of the royal blue uniform that the man was wearing and it was a dead giveaway as to who he was dealing with. Raevaryn. Turning away from the door, his footsteps could be heard retreating as he darted back down the hall. He spared only a quick glance into his bedroom to make sure Lennox was still asleep before continuing up a flight of stairs that led to his mother's quarters. He pushed his way into the expansive bedroom for the first time since her passing, but there was no time to reminisce. He reached the window that looked out over the front of the house and yanked it open before climbing out onto the rooftop. From there, he inched his way to the edge of the overhang that covered the porch and peered down at the intruders. One was visible on the front lawn, while the man he saw at the door was hidden from sight beneath him.

"Get off of my property before I blow you to bits, nobility scum!" he yelled down at them, crouching at the edge of the roof. "This entire house is fortified and rigged with traps. I suggest you back away slowly and kindly fuck off." It was a bluff, for the most part. There weren't any traps, per se, but the house was extremely secure and locked up from top to bottom. It would take some true brute force or trickery if they wanted to get their hands on him.

It was incredibly bad luck that they had showed up with Lennox present. He suddenly regretted leaving the bunker, but the real question was what they wanted with him. Maybe they'd heard of his mother's passing and were coming to finish him off. Or, he'd been spotted rescuing Bo and they were not so pleased with his trespassing on castle grounds. Either way, they were severely underestimating him by the looks of it, as the man on the front lawn simply waved up at him and had the audacity to smile.

Pissed off at his casual attitude, Xander yanked one of the roof shingles loose and chucked it at Caspian.

---

Caspian wasn't entirely sure what to expect from their outing, but he definitely hadn't anticipated dressing up as a Raevaryn official. He looked at himself in the mirror as Roman finished getting ready, adjusting the collar of the uniform and smoothing down the front of it. It felt strange to wear something other than worn farm clothes and it undoubtedly looked out of place on him, but he wasn't modest enough to deny that he looked pretty damn good. Not to mention Roman, who somehow managed to look even more attractive suited up with his hair pushed back. Caspian could get used to this.

He avoided asking the numerous questions building in his mind as they left the castle and set out on the road to who knows where. It was obvious Roman was used to doing things on his own, and didn't bother to fill him in with any details other than the fact that they were pursuing juvenile delinquents. Already, Caspian's heart was bleeding for their case. He wasn't sure what the fullest extent of the law entailed, but he couldn't imagine the kids deserved to be severely punished for the actions of adults and whatever criminal world they were involved in.

During the trek, it became obvious that people were treating them strangely. Caspian had never been one to stand out in a crowd before, and having all eyes on him made his skin prickle with discomfort. Not to mention the fact that Roman held his hand the whole way, drawing a whole different kind of attention toward them. He didn't relax until the city was behind them and they reached the open expanse of countryside. He knew the area pretty well and it seemed like their destination laid somewhere between his farm and Raevaryn's castle.

As they approached the estate, Caspian's curiosity peaked and he took in the property as a whole, noting that there was not a single animal to be found. He remained on the front lawn and watched Roman continue on up the front porch to knock on the door. The morning air was still and quiet as the seconds passed and Caspian pushed his hands into his pockets, his stance casual as he awaited whatever was about to unfold.

He was surprised when a second floor window was flung open and teen aged boy stepped out onto the roof. The kid looked like the picture perfect hoodlum- shaggy curls that nearly fell into his eyes, dark baggy clothes, and a snarky wit to match. An amused smile reached his lips and he lifted a hand to wave at the boy. Apparently, the gesture was not taken kindly. Caspian side stepped the chunk of roof as it was lobbed at him, watching it land with a thud in the dirt beside him.

"Be careful," he called, appearing more concerned that the boy would fall of the roof than he was about getting knocked out with a brick. He looked to Roman, waiting to see how he would take control of the situation. 

Xander couldn't believe that this intruder had the audacity to be talking shit about his deceased mother right in front of him. The man practically reeked of pretentiousness and didn't even seem to register Xander as human. If he wanted feral, then that's what he would get.

"What makes you think I want to talk to a couple of entitled assholes? You blue suits are nothing but trouble!" he yelled back, seething over the fact that the two men had disrupted his time with Lennox on top of everything else.

Almost on cue, he heard the front door swing open and watched as Lennox hurried out the door and collided with the stranger. It took him several seconds to register what was going on, shocked that Lennox had so recklessly left the house in the middle of this confrontation, as though she was desperate to get away...from him? All of his questions vanished when he witnessed her collapse to the ground. His careful sense of self preservation and evasive tactics were thrown out the window as he prepared to give himself up in order to rescue her.

Instead of going back in through the window, Xander gripped the edge of the roof and swung down, dangling for a second before he wrapped his legs around one of the pillars that lined the wrap around porch and used it to shimmie down to the ground. He made an impressively nimble landing on the front porch and took off at a sprint in their direction, approaching just as Lennox began to retch. He didn't care that Roman was already backing away from her- he was going to make sure the man got the message.

"Get away from her, you creep!" he yelled, throwing his entire body weight at Roman while he was distracted looking for back up. Although he managed to shove the much larger man back a few steps, the impact was like colliding with a rock. He grunted and stumbled back, instantly reminded of Brogan- his mostly absentee father figure- when he stood face to face with Roman for a few short seconds.

Instead of continuing his assault, he scrambled back to Lennox's side and crouched beside her, gathering her up in his arms. He laced their fingers together and squeezed, looking her over with obvious concern. Her eyes weren't focusing on him and she didn't look right at all, but he had confidence that their connection would bring her back to him.
Besides, he didn't have time to panic. It was his job to be her rock.

"I'm here, Lennox. It's okay." His voice was gentle, but his eyes were deadly as they flickered back toward the two men lingering by the front steps. His free hand slowly reached into his jacket and equipped a pocket knife in preparation for the event that they decided to try to separate him from Lennox.

---

Caspian didn't offer his agreement when Roman complained about the kids to him. In fact, he went to far as to regard him with a disapproving look when he flung what could only be taken as insults out into the air for the boy to hear. His expression melted into a full blown eye roll when Roman insisted that he step back. He was starting to wonder just how pathetic Roman thought he was.

However, he didn't have long to mull over his feelings before things truly erupted into chaos. Caspian couldn't remember the last time he'd been involved in such a drama, if ever. As someone who generally avoided conflict, he found himself at a loss for how to step in as a series of unfortunate events unfolded. He watched Roman fumble over the young girl, and immediately became concerned when she fell into some sort of fit. Things were quickly aiming for worst case scenario.

"Roman, give her space," he began to suggest, but was too late when he realized that Xander had descended from the roof like a monkey from hell and was charging like an enraged bull. He finally set into motion, coming in for back up just as the kid ricocheted off of Roman's body. He instantly reached out and grabbed Roman by the arm, pulling him back a step in case he got any ideas about engaging Xander in a fight.

"They're scared," he murmured, his grip on Roman's bicep becoming gentle as he tried to be the calm in the midst of the storm. He then turned his attention to the two teenagers, wondering if the girl was in need of medical attention. The sight of the two of them huddled together and comforting one another resulted in an unpleasant yank of his heart strings. No matter what the two were involved in, he felt bad for acting as a threat to their livelihood. He could understand wanting space and freedom and the right to not have strangers knocking on your door, but he wasn't about to voice that to Roman.

"Can we help?" he offered assistance, but made no move to approach them. Unfortunately, his attempt was met with a death glare from Xander as he made it very clear that he didn't trust them. 

As Xander waited for Lennox to come back to him, he was quick to weigh his options. First, his eyes drifted toward the front door which was left ajar and practically begging for him to run inside and lock himself in. Unfortunately, there was no way both he and Lennox would make it before the two men had a chance to stop them. Moving on, his eyes trailed back to the strangers who were muttering to each other. His eyes narrowed, returning Roman's suspicious look as the man continued to eye Lennox. It dawned on him that they could possibly be here for Lennox, which made him all the more paranoid. He'd rather have his house raided from top to bottom then allow them to steal Lennox away. Finally, he glanced down at Lennox to find that her eyes had refocused and she, too, was staring at who he could only assume was the ring leader.

It was then that the insignia on Roman's jacket caught his eye. Well, well, well- now he knew who he was dealing with. Xander might have been something of a delinquent, but there were some serious perks when it came to being the adopted son of a drug lord. One of those perks was knowledge- and he happened to have a heaping amount of it that pertained to the Royals. After all, being successful in the criminal world involved being smart and meticulous, and his mother had passed on a great deal to him. The real question was: what did the King's Advisor want with him?

Xander tightened his grip on Lennox as she curled into him, but did not expect her whispered revelation. Red hot anger began to boil within him, all of it directed at Roman. He didn't know what this man wanted with him and his friends, but he was messing with the wrong kid. And if he even got so much as an inkling that this pretentious creep had something to do with his mother's death...he would pay.

Offering Lennox a stiff nod, he gave her hand one last squeeze before standing up and stepping protectively in front of her to block Roman's prying eyes. Surprising even himself, he didn't feel the urge to attack the two. Rather, he was quite aware that such a fight would end in the ass kicking of a life time, and he was still recovering from the last time he'd been beaten to a pulp. Instead, he regarded Roman with a mocking look and heard him out, not appearing even the slightest bit intimidated.

Xander chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest, "I think you're in over your head," he replied, "You're going to need more than a couple of hands if you want to clear my product out," he mused, giving the both of them a once over. Talk about straight laced. They didn't even know what they were looking for, and they were sorely mistaken if they thought that the house was the only place that contained their supply. "If you were smart, you'd be asking for my help. After all, I'm not really in charge of things," he smirked knowingly, loving the fact that he held a treasure trove of information over their heads.

"Anyway, I've heard your warning, now you listen to mine," he stepped forward fearlessly, his jaw clenching with barely contained violence, "If you ever lay a hand on one of my friends again, I will kill you," he threatened, staring directly into Roman's eyes to let him know that he knew all about his little kidnapping escapade.

---

Caspian wasn't fazed by Roman's disapproval. After all, he was there to help, and the only way he knew how to do that was by keeping the peace. He felt some relief when Roman relaxed by his side, but he had a strong feeling that the two big personalities in the room were going to clash eventually. Releasing Roman's arm, his eyes trailed back to the two teens as the girl seemed to be revived from whatever trance she was in in a matter of moments.

He tilted his head curiously toward Roman as he spoke, offering a nod in agreement, "Isn't she sick?" he recalled what little detail he'd been provided, though it wasn't exactly apparent what kind of illness the girl was plagued with. He watched the way both Lennox and Xander targeted Roman with unnerving looks, and felt a prickle of unease wrack his body. Something was going on, but he couldn't quite place it. There seemed to be...recognition between the three of them, but it didn't make sense to Caspian.

He glanced sideways at Roman, wondering just how much the man was capable of keeping secret from him. Even if he was refusing to open up about all the details, it was only a matter of time before things were revealed to Caspian before Roman was ready to explain them. He was about to question him when Xander rejoined the conversation and left a disturbing threat hanging in the air between them. It was instantly apparent to him that there were glaring similarities between Roman and Xander- ones that he was sure Roman would vehemently deny. But it was clear to Caspian that Xander was following a similar path of self destructive behavior that had created the damaged man he'd grown to know. 

"Enough," he spoke on impulse, not liking the threat that had been directed at Roman. Unsure how his companion was about to react, he shifted his attention to the girl who was left sitting alone on the floor, "Clearly she's not feeling well. Lennox, was it? Would you like to go inside? Perhaps we can all discuss this matter over tea," he emphasized, his gaze flitting over each individual before landing pointedly on Roman. There was a strong chance he was about to be completely disregarded, but he was making sure that Roman knew he disapproved before anything ridiculous happened.

If there was one thing Xander was notorious for, it was the fact that he did not respond well to authority. A person needed to acquire his utmost respect in order for him to cooperate; otherwise, he was bound to rebel until his last breath. The only person he truly and thoroughly respected was his deceased mother and, although she had spoiled him greatly, he had listened to her and obeyed when it mattered. Unfortunately for Roman, the extensive and descriptive threats only served to add to his pent up emotional trauma until he felt like he was about to explode from the pure hatred this man was managing to instill in him.

He raised his chin in defiance the closer Roman got, refusing to back down or submit to the control freak who'd intruded upon his peace. This was his house, his land, and he reported to no one. His loyalty didn't lie with any country or royal family- his only allegiance was to his family, and now that the most important person in his life had been ripped from him, he was building a new family. Since mystery still surrounded his mother's death, Roman had quickly become the main target of his resentment for messing with Bo and now infiltrating his life. To Xander, Roman was everything wrong with the world. He hated him.

Xander remained absolutely rooted in place, his stance mirroring Roman's intensity. Although the older man loomed over him with the threat of size and expertise, Xander was prepared to fight back with everything he had. Even if he were to get beaten into submission, it was better than surrendering and handing over his freedom. He barely registered Lennox's tug on his pants, far too hyper focused on his new enemy to listen to reason. His face twisted into a scowl as he prepared to respond to Roman, but what could he say? He knew what he was getting himself into, but his pride refused to let him surrender. He was considering spitting in the nobleman's face to spur the inevitable fight into action when Lennox suddenly appeared in between them.

The unexpected action stunned him into silence. His mouth fell open, but no words came out. It was the definition of emotional whiplash as he was faced with the ultimate conflict of either continuing the confrontation with Roman or allowing Lennox's intrusion divert the situation altogether. The strenuous silence was broken by Lennox as she whispered what sounded like a random name, and Xander was not at all prepared for what happened next.

He started to reach for Lennox to pull her away when she was suddenly stolen away from him. His fingers grasped at air and he stared in horror as Roman locked her in place like a snake constricting his prey. He started forward, prepared to pull her back, when the gleam of the knife froze him in place. Just like that, all of the fight drained out of him as though a plug had been pulled and the emotions rushed out of him all at once. Pride meant absolutely nothing as he was faced with the possibility of losing the new most important person in his life.

Wide, dark eyes followed the knife as it pressed into her soft skin and drew a distinct trickle of blood. After all of Roman's terrifying promises, this was the first to cause fear to truly seep into his heart and threaten to suffocate him. "Please," he choked out, "Please don't. I'll do whatever you want," he conceded with utter defeat, "Please don't hurt her," he begged. Without even thinking about it, Xander felt his knees grow weak and allowed gravity to pull him to the ground where he landed with a thud in a show of surrender, hands raised in the air.

---

Caspian was beginning to wonder if he was in over his head as he watched Roman zero in on the unruly boy and berate him with a serious of threats that would've made Caspian piss himself if he were on the receiving end of it. To his surprise, Xander appeared relatively unfazed, which only confirmed his suspicions that the teen had a questionable upbringing, to say the least. The well articulated barrage was enough to put Caspian in his place and he watched from the sidelines as Roman did things his way. After all, he wasn't completely averse to the way his partner was handling things- it was obvious the kid could use a reality check- but it seemed a little over the top and he was prepared to insert himself if things did happen to become violent.

It wasn't until the girl joined the fray that Caspian prepared himself to get involved. He stepped forward and stilled once more as the tension escalated and threatened to break the peace at the slightest wrong move. He didn't like the way that Roman redirected his attention toward the innocent bystander, and Caspian was starting to understand his companion enough to know when his emotions were getting out of control.

He swallowed nervously, his eyes flickering toward Xander to make sure the boy wasn't about to make any stupid moves, knowing first hand that triggering Roman was never a good idea. Unfortunately, Caspian's anticipation was directed at the wrong person. Soren. The familiar name, though spoken in a whisper, reached Caspian's ears and the recognition was instant. It was the name Roman screamed out into the abyss, the name that had culminated in a breakthrough just the night before, the name that belonged to Roman's former self.

Caspian knew that the utterance of the word was the finally straw. The trigger had been pulled and whatever happened next was not going to be pretty. Caspian's gaze snapped back toward Roman, but it was already too late. He had the girl locked in his arms and subdued in a matter of seconds, with a knife pressed to her delicate neck. Caspian felt his heart stutter with fear- fear for the girl, and fear for Roman. It was horrific to see the man he loved in such a state- totally out of control and desperate to get it back. This couldn't happen. He wouldn't allow it to happen.

His instincts kicked into overdrive as he locked eyes with Roman. Despite the horror he felt over the situation, he refused to show it to the man who needed him most in that moment. Instead, he regarded Roman with absolute calm, like he was dealing with an terrified animal that had been backed into a corner. Everything slowed down and came into focus as he registered the pleading look in Roman's eyes and knew that the man needed his help.

Without hesitation, Caspian moved forward carefully and stepped in front of Xander, facing Roman directly and never breaking eye contact. He didn't even look at Lennox, afraid that even the slightest shift would result in catastrophe. Slowly, he reached a hand up and brushed his fingers over the back of Roman's hand, getting a sense for the death grip he had on the knife. "It's okay," he whispered, offering Roman the tiniest of nods to let him know that he didn't need to fix this- Caspian would. His fingers curled around Roman's hand and squeezed gently until he felt his grip on the knife loosen enough that he could slip it away. Exhaling with relief, he then used the same maneuver with the arm that was locked around Lennox, giving Roman time to comply and release her on his own terms. As soon as the girl was free, Caspian pulled her into a protective embrace and ushered her several yards away until there was enough distance between them that he could breathe.

"You're okay," he murmured, looking down at Lennox to inspect her, all the while maintaining a strange air of composure that made no sense in the midst of the current atmosphere. He used the collar of Lennox's shirt to wipe the small trickle of blood from her neck, his fingers brushing her skin gently as he did so. There was no time to question what had happened, but he couldn't help but meet her gaze briefly with curiosity, wanting to understand where she had pulled the forsaken name from.

---

Everything moved in slow motion for Xander the moment he surrendered. He'd seen situations like this play out, and it always ended in a slit throat. Blood would spurt in every direction, and people would be launched into chaos with vengeance on their minds. He'd never felt so helpless in his life, but all he could do was wait. He met Lennox's eyes in the midst of it and knew that he wouldn't be able to move on if he lost her. He would die with her, and that would be that.

Except, the horrific scene he had in mind never happened. Stunned, he watched as Caspian took control of the situation with a few calm looks, gentle touches, and whispered words. It didn't make any sense to him, but then Lennox was suddenly pried from Roman's grasp and it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that Lennox was safe. Scrambling to his feet, he rushed to Lennox's side and enveloped her in a tight embrace, "I'm sorry."

---

Once Lennox was back in Xander's arms, Caspian turned slowly to face Roman. Instead of disappointment or fear, his eyes were simply filled with deep sadness. He hated seeing Roman like this and, despite his success in quelling the situation, he felt entirely helpless. He moved slowly away from the teens and approached Roman tentatively, unsure where his current mental state was at. Pausing several feet away, he extended a hand in offering, "Come here," he insisted, though the request came out more like a plea. He couldn't bare it if Roman ran or closed himself off. As far as Caspian was concerned, the situation was still rectifiable. They needed to work together- all four of them- if they wanted to come to a solution. First and foremost, they needed a leader, and Roman needed to be that leader. It was a choice that had to be made, and Caspian was only there to offer unwavering support.

Xander's arms tightened like a protective cocoon around Lennox, holding her up when her legs were no longer able to do so. He tucked her face against his chest and braced himself as the tears began to flow. In that heart wrenching moment, he knew he had failed. He had put Lennox in danger and failed to protect her when it mattered most. The invincibility he had felt in his youth suddenly vanished, replaced by the one true stark, but simple fact of life- no one was invincible. It was so easy to live with no regard for his own safety, but now that he had someone to defend and take care of, the responsibility felt insurmountable.

Stinging tears threatened to spill from his own eyes, but he resisted them through gritted teeth. He had to be strong for Lennox, and he had to face the man that had all but made it his mission to ruin Xander's life. Slowly, his eyes traveled back toward Roman, filled with undeniable resentment. The strangers appeared to be caught up in a state of limbo, unsure how to proceed. It gave Xander the time he needed to think, but every path led to an unfortunate dead end. They couldn't run with Lennox in this state. They couldn't fight. They couldn't even take refuge in the house- not forever, anyway. The only option was to cooperate, but his trust in Roman had been diminished to almost nothing.

Feeling his shirt grow damp from Lennox's tears finally spurred him into motion. He needed to put distance between her and the maniac who had threatened her life, if only for a moment. Using his body as a shield between Lennox and the two men, he guided her slowly toward the front door that had been left ajar. His eyes flickered between the intruders, but he gave no indication that he was trying to run or fight. Instead, he stepped through the threshold into the house and left the door open, continuing to lead Lennox into the dining room.

The house was quiet, filled only by the sound of their footsteps and Lennox's sobs. Xander felt the pressure mounting on him as he led them down the hallway toward the room where he had shared so many meals with his mother. He wished she was here to give him the advice he so desperately needed. But even though she was gone, her voice still echoed in his mind as he recalled the various moments frozen in time in this very hallway.

"You aren't ready. You haven't learned to think before you act."

"I've seen too many men allow pride to become their weakness. There is strength in humility, son. Trust me."

"It's my job to protect you, Xander!"

The last one was so vivid that it caused a few stray tears to finally escape him, carving distinct paths down his cheeks. He pulled Lennox toward the expansive dining room table and sat her at the head of it in a large, leather dining chair. Kneeling in front of her, he took her hands in his and gazed up at her worriedly.

"I'm so sorry, Lennox. I'm going to fix this," he promised. His eyes flashed toward the hallway, but the men had yet to follow, "They came for me, okay? I won't let them hurt you." Even though there was conviction in his voice, the tiny cut on her neck was proof that his actions so far had been unsuccessful. Now, though, the fear of losing Lennox had tamed him, and he was prepared to adjust his approach to the situation accordingly. However, the unfortunate reality was that their fate was in the hands of someone who appeared to be emotionally unhinged.

"Do not step in again." This time, Xander's voice had taken on a commanding tone, one that felt strange coming from him, but necessary, "No matter what. Promise me."

---

Caspian's open armed approach to Roman quickly faltered when he was forced to accept that Roman incapable of moving past the incident. His outstretched hand recoiled to his side and balled into a fist. He was shocked. Shocked that a simple name had forced Roman into such deep turmoil that he saw no other way out. Shocked that Roman thought he would stand aside as he finished the girl off. Shocked at how angry he was at Roman for not trying harder to better himself.

His head began to shake slowly back and forth, stunned into silence over what had unfolded. Caspian knew he had been right- he was in over his head. Roman was unwilling to compromise, not even for him. Successfully deescalating the situation meant nothing if Roman was only going to proceed and complete the kill, one way or another. The overwhelming urge to walk away made Caspian turn his head toward the yard. He could step off the front porch and be free of the tension. And yet, that wasn't an option. He knew in his heart that he would protect that girl with his life, because it was the right thing to do.

Movement caught his eye and he turned to watch as Xander led Lennox past him and into the house. His body stiffened and he waited until they had safely passed through the doorway before placing his body in front of the entrance as a physical barrier. His eyes locked with Roman and the message was clear; he would have to go through Caspian first.

"You're wrong," he broke the silence, "The choice is yours. You are in control of the situation. If you choose to harm them, you are responsible." His tone was cold and unforgiving. If Roman refused to respond to his gentleness, then he would have to force him to see the truth, "I would think very hard about your next move, Roman."

He allowed silence to follow, giving time for the words to settle in as he considered how he was going to handle himself if Roman did decide to follow through with it. Their gazes were locked in an unspoken battle, and a nagging memory was forcing its way to the surface. It was the day they had met. The day both of their lives had been flipped upside down, all because Roman had panicked when his mind tricks had failed.

"Make her tell you," the words escaped him before he even had a chance to think about the consequences, "Isn't that what you specialize in? Compliance. Intel. Persuasion. Find out what she knows, and why she knows it." Normally, he would be opposed to using a gift like Roman's in such a manipulative manner, but it was the lesser of two evils, and one that Caspian was willing to accept. "If they refuse to comply, make them. You have the opportunity to maintain order, so take it."

Caspian waited with baited breath, watching the varied emotions flit across Roman's face as he considered the alternatives. He had yet to witness Roman's gift in action, and he felt the nerves begin to creep up on him as he wondered just how powerful his manipulation tactics were. Caspian wasn't naive enough to believe that such an ability was used for the greater good; when it came down to it, it was a deeply disturbing advantage to have control over one's mind and actions. Despite his misgivings, he watched in relief as the tension that froze Roman in place seemed to melt away altogether, freeing him to accept that his fate- and the fate of the girl- was not yet decided.

Nevertheless, he couldn't help but tense up as Roman moved toward him, still locked in a protective state and willing to defend the children against all odds. He wanted so badly to have complete faith in Roman, but the scene he had just witnessed made it difficult. He didn't relax until Roman reached for his hands and effectively sucked the distrust out of him through the simple physical contact. The touch alone was enough to reassure him that Roman was trying, and Caspian had to accept that there were things beyond his understanding happening within his partner's head. He pointedly lowered his gaze, rightfully avoiding the kiss that he felt coming. Accepting Roman's affection would only serve to cloud his judgement, and he couldn't afford that when lives were at stake.

That's because you underestimate me. The words rang loud and clear in his mind, but he was unable to voice them to Roman. Despite all the turbulence in their relationship, this incident was the first time that he felt genuinely upset with Roman, and he couldn't push past the disappointment just yet. Not until Roman promised that he would not harm them. With an air of uncertainty still hanging between them, Caspian allowed himself to be pulled into the house and down the hallway.

While Roman seemed rather disinterested in the opulent home that they had just invited themselves into, Caspian took in the surroundings and tried to imagine the kind of lifestyle that resulted in such an odd display of wealth. Much of the decor and valuables that lined the hall appeared to be an assortment of gifts and collections with no particular theme other than being unique. It was far different from his cozy farmhouse, or even Roman's austere penthouse, and gave some insight as to why the boy was bursting with self importance- even when faced with an opponent like Roman.

Caspian slipped his hand out of Roman's grasp as they entered the dining room, and focused his attention on the teens at the far end of the dining table. He felt guilty about the fear glistening in their eyes, and worked hard to maintain a calm demeanor in order to put them at ease, even though he was just as on edge as everyone else in the room.

A small stretch of silence followed Roman's demand and Caspian cleared his throat in an attempt to shift the mood, "Let's sit," he suggested, stepping forward to pull out the chair at the head of the table, gesturing pointedly for Roman to take it. He pulled out the seat to Roman's right and settled into it before facing the two, "My name is Caspian, and this is Roman," he started out fresh with introductions, not seeming to care if anyone in the room appreciated his levity or not. If anything, it soothed his own nerves. "Xander, could you please sit so that Roman can ask Lennox a few questions?" he asked, rephrasing Roman's request in a more humanizing manner.

---

Xander stared back at Lennox as he waited for her agreement, studying the depths of her eyes as they swirled with emotions. He would've gotten lost in the intensity of their connection if not for the thud of approaching footsteps from down the hall. Giving Lennox's hand one last reassuring squeeze, he rose and stood defensively in front of her as the two men entered the room. His hostility from before had morphed into caution as he tried to anticipate their next move. At this point, he wasn't entirely sure how he was going to get out of this situation without giving up some major aspect of his life. It was unnerving to be at the mercy of strangers, but he silently promised himself that he would avoid doing anything rash- for Lennox's sake.

His eyes hardened in response to Roman's command and he maintained his unwavering defense in front of Lennox, though there was uncertainty in his eyes this time. He didn't know what the right move was, but all of his instincts insisted that he shielded Lennox from the man who had threatened her life. An uncomfortable silence spanned across the room until it was shattered by the other man's awkward attempt at quelling the tension. His eyes flashed toward Caspian with skepticism. The odd man reminded him of a tutor his mother had hired for him as a kid; the man had the patience of a saint and had stuck around far longer than the rest, despite the torture Xander had undoubtedly put him through. The experience had gifted him with a lesson that wasn't at all related to the normal curriculum: not everyone went through life angry at the world. 

With a brief glance back at Lennox, Xander sighed and finally relented. He gripped the back of the chair to the left of Lennox and slid it out, his eyes locking with Roman's as he took a seat. He remained perched on the edge of the chair and leaned halfway in front of Lennox, prepared to intercede at a moment's notice.

"What do you want with her? She's not involved," he insisted, speaking in an even tone for the first time since their encounter began. Still under the impression that they were here to raid his house for drugs, he couldn't understand the preoccupation with Lennox. He wouldn't allow himself to jump to the possibility that they were after her for her ability- not when they had only just discovered it. There was no way these men knew more than they did. So what did they want?

Caspian settled passively into his seat, satisfied that things seemed to be going smoothly. Roman was stationed at the head of the table and Xander had obliged his request, albeit reluctantly. Now that everyone was settled around the dining table, he was confident that things could proceed peacefully. Roman could retrieve the answers he so desperately needed, and the teens would remain unharmed. Easy.

Taking a deep breath to reassure himself, his gaze flickered back and forth between Roman and Lennox as he waited for the questioning to begin. Having never witnessed Roman's talent in action, he had no idea what to expect and the anticipation gnawed at him until Roman finally spoke one simple command. His eyes shot to Lennox and he watched in astonishment as she instantly fell under Roman's spell. It was in that moment that Caspian realized just how lucky he was to be immune to Roman's ability. The memory was crystal clear in his mind; the moment Roman had voiced his command, attempting to exert control over him, and ultimately failed. It had been the catalyst of their relationship and everything that followed was only because he had resisted. Watching Roman now take complete control over the girl with the utterance of a single word caused a ripple of unease over what could have been.

He listened to the series of questions unfold, unsure of what exactly Roman was seeking. The mention of whispers caught his attention immediately. Another ability perhaps? That made three of them. He wondered if Xander was hiding something as well...

Caspian was so distracted by his own train of thought that he nearly missed the next answer- one that caused his heart to sink into his stomach. At first, he thought that Lennox might be referring to him, since Roman had, in fact, locked him in a room. But as reality sunk in and he was faced with a revelation he did not want to hear, Caspian closed his eyes. He could feel Roman's gaze burning into the side of his face, but he couldn't bring himself to look at the man. Caspian had been infinitely patient, but Roman's secrets were becoming insurmountable. And this time, he had the distinct feeling that this was a recent occurrence.

"Dammit, Roman, just finish," he snapped, slamming his palm down on the table. The outburst was extremely unlike him, but he couldn't stand to listen to Roman beg for his forgiveness in the middle of this. They could only deal with one problem at a time, and right now the focus was on the girl trapped in a hypnotic state at the end of the table.

---

Xander took Lennox's hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze before he focused his attention on Roman. His eyes were narrowed as he prepared himself to interject whatever line of questioning the creep had in mind. Lennox had no obligation to provide any answers; not until the men gave them some kind of explanation for this uncalled for interrogation.

The simple command caught him off guard and he opened his mouth to question it when he felt Lennox's hand go limp in his. He whipped around to watch in horror as Lennox succumbed to the man's influence, fainting and then reanimating moments later. He swallowed roughly, his throat feeling impossibly dry as he realized what this meant.

Manipulator. Mind reader. Hypnotist. Puppeteer. He'd heard stories of the type, many of which thrived in the criminal underworld. Those that could manipulate the mind were a dangerous breed, and the weight of the situation suddenly bore down on Xander until he could barely breath. He'd just promised Lennox that he would protect her, and now she'd been stripped of her autonomy in an instant. The guilt was tremendous, but it was nothing compared to the newfound rage that fueled him.

Xander turned rigidly to face Roman as the questions and answers were exchanged rapidly between him and Lennox He heard nothing; the words were completely drowned out by the sound of his own heartbeat thudding in his ears. Screw cooperation. This fool had crossed the line. He watched as the two men became distracted and Roman turned to face Caspian, giving Xander an opportunity that he wasn't about to squander. Releasing Lennox's hand, he launched out of his seat and sprinted toward them, slipping a knife from his belt. Caspian was a mere obstacle in his way, but he calculated that he could dodge the man by sliding over the corner of the table and plunging the knife into the heart of the true enemy; Roman. He closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds and lunged across the table, but he never reached his destination.

An arm had hooked across his abdomen, catching him before he could accomplish the maneuver he'd envisioned. He'd been so focused on enacting revenge on Roman that he hadn't even anticipated the fact that Caspian would actually intercede. He'd perceived the man as a non threat, but he was beginning to reevaluate this conclusion as he was thrown onto his back. The wind was briefly knocked out of him, but that didn't stop him from fighting back as the man attempted to pin his arms. With the knife clutched tightly in his hand, he lashed out at Caspian while he still had the chance, managing to embed the end of the blade in Caspian's shoulder.

---

Caspian acted on pure instinct. The moment he registered that Xander was making an attempt on Roman's life, he had no choice but to react. It didn't matter that Roman could undoubtedly handle himself; he had the opportunity to protect Roman and he took it without hesitation. Despite Roman's insistence that he was helpless, Caspian's arm managed to stop Xander like a brick wall. He might've been severely lacking in combat experience, but he was in peak physical condition from working the fields every day for years and the adrenaline gave him the boost he needed to wrestle Xander to the floor. He scrambled to pin the boy down as he fought back, and finally managed to grab hold of his wrists and lock them against the floor. It wasn't until he noticed that Xander eyes were fixated on his shoulder that he spared a glance. The second he laid eyes on the knife that had been planted into his shoulder, a searing pain erupted. He'd most definitely never been stabbed before and he stared in a state of mild shock as blood appeared and began to spread, staining his clothes with red.