Travelling heavy

      “Seriously? That’s your plan?” asked Jean skeptically, looking at the open suitcase lying on his bed. Jeremy’s ‘great’ plan sounded absurd, in his opinion.       “It’s the only one I have at the moment,” said Jeremy. “Besides, we can make it fun.” He grinned mischievously, gesturing to the small collection of rope and toys.       “Fun,” Jean repeated, eyeing the whole set warily. The dildo gag looked particularly menacing. “For whom exactly?” he glared at the other man.       Jeremy laughed and smoothed the wrinkles that appeared on the vampire’s forehead with his finger. Then he planted a kiss there. “It’ll be quick, I promise,” said Jeremy, earnest. His arms circled Jean’s torso, bringing the two men’s bodies closer to each other. In this proximity, the tantalizing smell of Jeremy invaded Jean's nose. His mouth watered and his fangs came out, but he reigned in his desire. This was not the time.       Jean put some distance between him and Jeremy, so that he wouldn’t lose his mind. “I’m more concerned about the fact that you plan to sneak out of the Nest.” The vampire was still doubtful about the whole idea.       Jeremy smiled. “Don’t worry about it.” He gestured to the suitcase. “Now hop in. We don’t have much time. The party will end soon.”       Jean groaned but obediently did as Jeremy said. Soon, he was enclosed in the suitcase, bound and gagged. They didn’t need to worry about the lack of oxygen because Jean didn’t need to breathe, and it came in handy sometimes. His holes were all plugged up “to take his mind off worrying”, as Jeremy had put it. It helped a little bit, but not entirely.       Jean gave a surprised yelp when he felt the suitcase rolling. He settled down in the new position and thought about the upcoming night, hoping it’d calm his nerves.

xxx

      Excitement built in Jeremy’s chest when he saw the Nest’s exit. He nearly ran the remaining length of the corridor, but he kept himself in check. The noise of the rolling suitcase could attract some unwanted attention. Even though the corridor seemed empty, Jeremy didn’t want to risk it. Trouble was the last thing they needed.       “What do you have here?” A voice startled Jeremy so much that he nearly jumped out of his skin. He came to a sudden stop and focused on the figure standing in the way of the exit door.       Nathaniel was leaning against a wall, toying with a switchblade in his hand. How had managed to sneak up on him, Jeremy didn’t know. The Raven was still in his suit, just like Jeremy. Nathaniel was looking at him with raised eyebrows. His relaxed stance didn’t fool Jeremy - the Raven’s aura screamed danger, and Jeremy really didn’t want to earn a blade to his gut. It was just his luck that he ran into one of Jean’s brothers here, and to add to his misery - the one carrying on the Butcher’s legacy proudly. Obviously, it wasn't common knowledge, but Jean had told him enough about Nathaniel to make Jeremy wary of the man.       “Oh, this?” Jeremy asked, trying to sound nonchalant. A bead of sweat rolled down his neck. He gave the suitcase a quick glance. “Just taking things to the bus.”       Nathaniel hummed and kept opening and closing the switchblade. Jeremy couldn’t help but stare at the motion, transfixed with the way Nathaniel’s rings glinted in the low light with every movement of his fingers.       The Raven finally closed the switchblade and sauntered over. The blade disappearance didn’t ease off Jeremy’s nerves. He watched as Nathaniel considered the blue suitcase in front of him, his head slightly tilted sideways.       “It’s quite big for such a short trip,” Nathaniel said. His tone indicated that he wanted an explanation.       Jeremy laughed nervously. “Well, I take a few outfits with me, so that I have some spare clothes for emergencies.” His lie sounded weak, but he couldn’t focus enough to make up something else on the spot.       Nathaniel considered Jeremy for a few seconds. “The party is still in a full swing, though.” Suspicion was clear in the Raven’s voice now.       Jeremy cursed in his thoughts. He really should have put more thought to his plan. Time had been of essence, though, so he didn’t really get a chance, and he was paying for this.       A forced smile stretched on Jeremy’s face. “I got tired, so I asked Coach if I could leave for our bus early.” He prayed that Nathaniel would stop his questions at that.       Nathaniel looked intensely at Jeremy’s face for what felt like ages, then backed off. Apparently, Jeremy’s pleas were answered. Jeremy took the suitcase’s handle and started walking again but stopped at once when he felt a hand on his chest. Nathaniel’s smile was predatory. “Do take care of him, Knox.” He locked gazes with Jeremy.       Dread overtook Jeremy’s body. He tried to say something but no sound could escape his closed throat. How did Nathaniel know? The Raven’s smile only widened. “You’re not subtle, you know,” Nathaniel said. Suddenly his hand fisted in Jeremy’s shirt and pulled him closer to the other man. “If I hear even a hint that Jean is displeased with you, I’ll skin you alive. Got it?” The smile hadn’t left Nathaniel’s face. His eyes flashed to a different color, but in a blink they were back to the piercing blue.       Jeremy gulped and nodded frantically. He knew it wasn’t an empty threat, and even though he had no plans of actually hurting Jean, Nathaniel’s words made him even more cautious. Besides, Nathaniel had just shown him that he wasn’t entirely human as everyone thought. Jeremy didn’t think his mind could possibly make up something like this.       His compliance must have been enough for Nathaniel because he let go of the shirt. He smoothed down the wrinkles that appeared on the material, then patted Jeremy’s chest. The Trojans’ captain flushed at the attention.       “Do bring him back to us tomorrow morning,” said Nathaniel. “Otherwise Riko will be pissy.” He smirked when he saw the blush still covering Jeremy’s face. “I’ll see you around, sunshine boy.” With that, the Raven left in the party’s direction, the clacking of his dress shoes echoing in the dark corridor. This time a different blade danced between his ringed fingers. How many blades Nathaniel carried on him, Jeremy didn’t want to know.       The Trojans’ captain took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. That was a close call, but fortunately, it didn’t end in a disaster. He walked towards the exit, his precious cargo safe in the suitcase.