Gilmore’s reaction was immediate. His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp edge Vax rarely saw. His dark eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched, though his voice remained steady. "Drake?" he repeated, the name dripping with disdain. "What does that snake want this time?"
Vax looked away, his jaw tightening as he struggled to find the right words. He had never been good at asking for help, even when he needed it most. But with Gilmore—especially with Gilmore—it felt even harder. The man had always been so open, so willing to give, and Vax had always been the one who took, who needed, but rarely asked.
Vax looked up at him, his breath catching in his chest. The sincerity in Gilmore’s eyes, the unwavering support he offered, was almost too much to bear. It made Vax feel exposed in a way that few others could, and he wasn’t sure how to respond. He wasn’t used to this kind of vulnerability, especially with someone like Gilmore—someone who had always seen through his walls, even when Vax tried to hide behind them.
Content Set to Go Live: Oct 1, 2024 on Ao3
Vax seeks out Gilmore’s help, knowing that the job Drake proposed is too dangerous to face alone. As Vax struggles with the weight of guilt and vulnerability, Gilmore offers more than just supplies, showing Vax that he doesn’t have to face the storm ahead by himself.
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"I’ll make sure to repay you for all this," Vax said quietly, though his voice was tight with a mixture of uncertainty and something else—something deeper. He avoided Gilmore’s gaze as he continued, his fingers idly tracing the edge of the counter. "I’ll find a way to make it worth your while." Gilmore paused, his hand hovering over the last vial he had picked up. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and the air between them seemed to thicken with the weight of Vax’s words. When he finally looked up, there was a softness in his eyes, but also a hint of disappointment. "Vax," Gilmore said quietly, his voice carrying a note of something unspoken. He set the vial down gently, then turned to face Vax fully. "I don’t want you to pay me back for this. Not like that." Vax’s throat tightened. He hadn’t meant for the offer to sound transactional, but now that the words were out there, it felt as though he had laid bare a part of himself he didn’t know how to take back. He lowered his head, feeling the guilt settle even more heavily in his chest. "I didn’t mean—"
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As the danger mounts, will Vax accept Gilmore’s help and the depth of their connection, or will his guilt and fear drive them apart?
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