Work Text:
The site of Delano’s thick white fur rushing past sent a dip through Poppy’s stomach. They had come for her, they had found her. Despite everything Alastir and Jansen had done to keep her hidden, they had found her.
Jerking her head to the side, Poppy strained to track Delano’s movements. She cried out around the gag in her mouth as the bonds across her torso tightened. Tears pricked her eyes as she ran her tongue along the thick cotton in her mouth. Again and again she tried to find purchase to push it out. The heavy thrumming of her blood in her ears dimmed the sounds of battle erupting around her. She had to get it out.
The bonds further constricted as she squirmed against them. A tight pressure in her chest grew as she tried to fight the frantic panic growing. Poppy could feel warm wet trickles of blood slide down her torso as the barbs cut into her skin. They had come for her. Casteel had come for her, and she needed to find him. To see that he was really ok.
More wolven streamed past her, ripping into the Ascended and those in the Descenters masks indiscriminately. Her head swam as she tried to arch her back against the bonds. The remains of the drugs left her feeling slightly dizzy as she tried to search for Casteel.
Strong hands gently grabbed her cheeks, stopping her movements. Poppy flinched at the touch before seeing Kieran’s pale eyes above her. He drew his hands back at her flinch, concern flickering through his eyes.
“Poppy,” he softly said as his gaze searched hers. She tried to reach for Kieran then, her arms strained against the barbed bones as a muffled cry pressed against the gag. “Easy, don’t move,” he cautioned as he pulled the gag from her mouth.
With a shuddering exhale, Poppy cried out his name, her face crumpling as a sob worked its way from her throat.
“It’s alright,” he said, “How badly hurt are you?” Kieran tentatively touched her face again, wiping tears and grime away. His features were strained as tried to sooth her.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, as she felt more and more tears stream down her cheeks. Kieran’s eyes sharpened as he watched her, clear disbelief in his eyes. His face tightens as his lip curled angrily.
“That’s a gross understatement Poppy,” he stated as his hands moved to the bonds across her torso. He cursed under in breath as he took in the bindings and the thick barbs. “Fucking deity bones,” he snarled as gripped the first row. “Hold as still as he can.”
Tension strained along his arms as he worked to snap the bones. “Watch the barbs!” Poppy warned weakly he pulled harder against them. She cried out sharply as they tightened under his grip.
“I’m sorry,” Kieran growled as he strained,” I’ll be a quick as I can. I’m sorry Poppy.” Poppy squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, as the pain gripped her. Her ragged breaths were loud in her ears as the first row of bindings gave way.
Her head swam as row after row was torn away. Kieran’s soft words of comfort drifted through her, her head pounding from the remaining drugs in her system. Opening her eyes, Poppy turning to look for Casteel. Even through the haze of the pain and sedatives, she knew she had to find him.
He was before her in an instant. His sword slicing in deep gashes through the Ascended surrounding them. Casteel was here. Even from where she lay, Poppy could see the tightness in his jaw and face. Even without her abilities she could feel his rage pulsing around him.
Casteel pulled his sword free and his eyes locked with hers. Hard amber eyes glinted as he stared at her. Poppy felt something crack deep within her chest as she took him in. He had come for her, and he was ok.
Everything quieted around her as she stared and stared into his eyes. Only when she felt the last of the bonds cracking did she pull her gaze away to look at Kieran. Kieran stood by her feet as he threw the remaining bindings to the stone floor, anger rolled off of him as he took in her injuries.
For a moment nothing happened. Then, I’m a sudden rush Poppy’s back bowed as she felt her powers return to her. The hum filling each vein and line of her body as a her eyes squeeze tightly and a scream ripped from her throat. Kieran hands gripped her shoulders as he tried to hold her still. “Poppy!” He cried, as he held her tighter. As soon as the rush of power overwhelmed her, it eased as it settled back into her skin. Ragged pants pulled from her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath.
Another set of hands were on her, touching her hair and her face. “Look at me Poppy,” Casteel’s voice demanded close to her ear. His voice was harsh and abrupt as he gripped her chin.
Pain speared through her temples as she forced her eyes open, echos of pain sent her limbs shuddering. Casteel’s eyes blazed into hers as he slowly stroked her hair from her face. Poppy felt Kieran’s hands loosen as he took one of her hands in his. The firm grip grounded her as she reached for Casteel with her other hand. Her fingers trembled as she lightly touched his cheek. Anguish bracketed his mouth as she slowly cupped his face.
“I’m here,” Casteel breathed, his hands never leaving her skin. Shudders rolled through her as she gazed at him, her hand squeezing tightly into Kieran’s. Poppy could feel her lip quivering as she tried to fight her tears. Despite the pain still seizing her, she surged upwards towards Casteel. He held her tightly, his hand cupping the back of her head as she pressed her face into his neck. The lush spice of him filled her nose as a warm hand touched her back. Kieran, still holding her hand, folded his body around her and Casteel. They surrounded her, squeezing her tightly between them. In that moment Poppy felt that the warm press of their bodies was the only thing holding her fractured pieces together. They had come for her, and no matter what happened next, in the middle of the battle surging around them, that’s all that mattered.