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[He won't die. He tries to tell himself that again and again: he won't die. He won't die, it will be all right. He won't die. He's immortal and he won't die.

But he can't fight them off, and the truth is he will die, he will and it will hurt, and as he closes his eyes he readies for the pain—

—until it doesn't happen. For there is a man, no, a monster, a monster brutally, cruelly killing, a monster viciously attacking. A monster hurting his own side.

A monster protecting him.

Wide-eyed, breathless, Dorian can't answer for a moment, can't even breathe as he looks at Hyde. Hyde, the first to take Dorian's life. Hyde who had wrapped his fingers around Dorian's neck and shattered him out of boredom.]

I . . .

[Dorian covers a hand with his mouth, but he nods, wanting to assure, he's safe. Hyde saved him.]

[He offers up a hand as he steps closer, not too fast so he won't startle the boy.]

Good, I'm glad. I think it would be best if we went somewhere else. Will you allow me to take you somewhere away from the battle?

[His hand is tentative, uncertain. But he reaches out, and he does take hold. And slowly, his palm lowers from his mouth.]

Yes.

[So quiet, in all the din. This monster comes before him, and he feels he has been saved by a knight.]

Please.

[Giving that hand a small squeeze to reassure, Hyde bends to place a kiss upon Dorian's fingers, apparently happy to play the part of the knight. He lingers moment longer to trace Dorian's cheek to his jaw.]

This way.

[Finally, starting off running, he leads Dorian away, always keeping a hold on the boy in some way or another, even if he needs to fight or push at all. It's really as if he's stealing a painting in war, which of course, isn't so far off. He can't just set it down, even if it leaves only one hand available. Weaving through the battle, Hyde brings Dorian to the forest and slows to allow him a chance to catch his breath.]

You might wait out the battle at the Station, or the clinic.

[Such a knight is absurd, and Dorian still flushes at the gesture, becomes still in trepidation, in anticipation. In that moment, his world becomes Edward Hyde, and it feels so much safer and kinder than the battlefield around them.

Then they run. Dorian would stay close to Hyde if their hands were not bound, but that link of contact is a grounding chain as they race. When Hyde fights, Dorian draws close, and when they must dodge, he draws even nearer. He nearly collapses when they reach the forest, falling forward onto himself. Each breath comes with pain, with the staggering of tears.

When he can breathe again, he raises his head. He thinks about safety, but he doesn't know what to do. To desert? Hasn't he already, by the hands of some enemy soldier?]

You'll go back to the fight?

[He stands perfectly still, no heavy breath, no desire to sit, only watching, with what seems must be as little effort as possible. There's a pause, a moment of reflection as he regards Dorian from the corner of his eye, thoughtful and yet still predatory. Come to heel, but still a wild beast.]

No, I think that I shall stay with you, if you will allow it. This is where my loyalties and interests rest.

[Berserker is something more than Dorian. He can fight this battle. Dorian is sure he must enjoy it, must love the bloodshed and carnage. He can release those basest of instincts, the most violent and censured of all human habits, and do so on everyone.

But he doesn't. Dorian presses a hand to his collarbone, bracing himself. His breathing comes down.

His eyes don't leave Hyde's profile.]

But only if I allow it, you say.

Of course: I swore to be your own knight, did I not?

[His lips ease into a softer curve, but those red eyes remain sharp, always wrong for more than just their shade.]

Much as he might advise against it, a knight would not remain in his Lord's presence if bid to leave.

You don't believe in that sort of thing.

[Dorian has to point it out. Dorian has to remind himself in telling Hyde. Jekyll may believe in the knight's code, but Hyde doesn't, Hyde believes in himself and in his own interests. That is what he is.]

You'd only listen to me because you wanted to. That's what 'Edward Hyde' means, isn't it?

Ah.

[For no more than an instant Hyde makes some attempt not to allow himself to grin, for those lips to curl instead and bare his teeth. But Dorian's right, doing exactly what desires and impulses tell him to is precisely what he is. So of course he allows that desire to take over.]

You have me there. Yes, it's exactly so, I would listen because I wished to. Because I desire a more lasting relationship between us - because I hold a particular interest in you.

[That's right. Hyde has never been dishonest about it, has he? No doubt he lies if it suits him, but he has told the truth about this since that evening at the Rook. He is kind to Dorian. He does as Dorian wishes. When Dorian asks to speak with Jekyll, he gives Jekyll back his body.

He looks at that monstrous grin and something seizes him, he shakes his head—] Then go back to the fight, Edward! Go back to where you belong.

[The smile sobers, falls into a frown as he turns to Dorian properly with that command. He said that he would listen, and he doesn't intend to contradict himself. Yes Hyde lies if it suits him, if it causes some amusement, he has done that to Dorian after all, but he will maintain that he isn't inherently a liar like Jekyll. But he also said he would do what he desires. And as it turns out, it isn't to listen. Slowly the smile creeps back.]

But is that where I belong? I belong wherever I wish, and where I wish to be now seems to be with you.

[Unease creeps over him, seeing that smile. Dorian didn't truly want Hyde to leave. But neither did Dorian want Hyde to stay. And now that he isn't listening—]

You could slaughter and kill all you like there. You could murder anyone, everyone, in any way that pleased you. You'd be lauded for it. You'd be praised.

[Hyde's voice softens, smile easing again, perhaps for Dorian's sake, perhaps for some wistfulness for the idea of violence.]

And naturally I should very much enjoy it. Still, if the basis of your decision lies in which you think I would prefer...then your assessment is wrong.

[It is like watching mercury slip and slide. Dorian frowns, unsure of Hyde, and moves a step towards him.]

You'd prefer to look after a helpless, weak boy.

I know that you are not at all helpless or weak. You only require some motivation. I would prefer what is here. What I respect, rather than what I would grind under heel.

[Dorian takes another step, his brow furrowed more. He doesn't know if he likes what Hyde is saying, if he believes it. If it is too terrible a thing to be true.

If it is a wonderful thing.]

You would grind me under your heel if you wanted to. You wouldn't hesitate.

Are we not already past that? Yes, if I wanted to, I would do anything at all to anyone at all. However, the fact remains that I no longer have any such wish with you.

[It's his turn to take a step, and to reach out again, this time to brush against Dorian's neck. And to carefully wrap his fingers around it.]

Oh, there are things I desire of you, things I could take if I chose, which is such a temptation.

[Hyde leans in closer, only to take his hand away.]

But I choose not to, for even if you are immortal, you are not something to be used up. Or treated entirely selfishly.

[For violence, sex, or anything else.]

[Still as prey, and quiet. His eyes widen to stare into that deep, deep red, and he breathes deeper, flushes, remembering. Remembering what happened the last time Hyde put his hand around his throat. The pain that followed.

The kiss.

Hyde lowers his hand, and Dorian covers his mouth with his palm.

He doesn't understand Edward Hyde. He thinks he understands Henry, he feels he must. For all that happened, he has a sense for that goodness, the love. But Hyde—]

[Very quietly, Dorian tells the truth.] You confuse me, Edward Hyde. I feel like I should understand you very easily, as the simplest of mathematical problems set on the most direct rules.

But I can't—my mind can't understand. You remain the simple line of infinity, clear and defined and beyond my comprehension. I can't grasp you.

No one can truly and fully understand the human mind, much less heart or soul. Even oneself. But is that incomprehensibility not what draws us to others? Without it we would all be terribly boring. We should understand just enough to pique our interest for more. The chase is always more thrilling than the catch.

As much as I pride myself upon a certain transparency, I would hate to be so boring. Certainly with my situation in particular, how could it be so - even 'we' cannot truly know how much of one is within the other.

[There's a truth for him in return. As much as Hyde likes to remind that he is what Jekyll denies, it's rare to admit it can go both ways, or that he might exaggerate Jekyll's desires.]

[With that candour, Dorian eases a little bit. It reminds him of Hyde's own admission: that he may be willful, cruel, demanding. But his interest in Dorian is something that will cause him to be—good? to Dorian?

To afford him kindnesses.]

I wondered sometimes—sometimes if it isn't everything. [He rushes over the words, scared he'll be scolded—] If you're everything that Henry represses, but he's everything that you do. So that you're both there, but clamped down, both in fact and in essence.

Perhaps in a sense. However it is not that I deny those qualities, it's only that I so rarely have use for them. Any man has the potential to be anything at all, it all falls upon circumstance.

What I am is as you said, an utter lack of denial. I am equally capable of kindness as I am cruelty, rare though it may be.

[What can he do but shrug.]

Why should it be the default, and not something earned? Would it not be more meaningful that way?

[It is difficult to find the words for argument.

And slowly, he nods, accepting Edward's perspective.]

It is more meaningful. I . . . it means a lot, the kindness you've shown me.

I'm glad you understand. It means a great deal that you would give any forgiveness for my transgression against you - I certainly wouldn't wish to be a thing of horror for you, or else an enemy.

[He pauses, regarding Dorian and his expression.]

Only why then do you look to be so upset? I hope I'm no longer a horror.

You aren't!

[Dorian flusters to exclaim it. Then he stops. He steps forward.

Lightly, he touches Edward's arm. As if he is afraid to do so.]

But I still . . . remember it. Perfectly. [His eyes turn up to Hyde, and they are wide and glassy.] I remember every detail of it. I can't forget.

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