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crack_van2009-07-13 11:05 am
hafital.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2009-07-13 11:05 am
Entry tags:
Gods Above and Below, by amberleewriter (PG)
Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Darius, Marcus Constantine, Gen
Length: about 3700 words
Author on LJ: none
Author Website: Amberleewriter on HL Fiction
Why this must be read: How often are you going to run into a story featuring Darius and Marcus Constantine? The answer is not often, and too bad because they are in my opinion two of the more compelling minor characters from Highlander: The Series. These two characters never met in canon, but it seems likely that they did know each other in one context or another. In just a few words this story shows us the start of a complex and redemptive friendship.
Reanimation was a nasty business and, had he any say in the matter, Marcus Constantine would have been more than happy to pay the ferryman his coin and never again make the return journey to the living. Pain was his predominate state -- every nerve in his body seemed alight with it -- and his sharp gasp for air was followed swiftly by a groan and a need to retch. The air was foul. When he attempted to move and test his limbs, he found himself restricted. Opening his eyes was little help. The world was shrouded in darkness black as pitch.
Into this void came the assault of an Immortal aura. Marcus, still disoriented, did his best to suppress a rising feeling of panic. He had no sword and no way to wield one. He jerked and struggled to free himself to no avail.
"Marcus?"
He went still. Even if he had felt able to respond past his thickened tongue, Marcus would not have done so for Darius' presence was no comfort.
"Marcus? Do you hear me?"
Darius grunted and Marcus found that his position began to shift. Soon he was able to move an arm. The weight on his chest disappeared, though it did little to improve his sight. He tensed, coiled for fight or flight, and waited.
"Can you move?" Darius' voice was a harsh whisper.
Marcus responded with action. His hands shot forward and wrapped around Darius' throat. Metal struck stone with a clatter and Marcus felt a certain satisfaction as Darius struggled in his grasp. Finally, he could kill the man and leave this barbaric and backward place behind.
Or so he thought.
Darius clawed at the hands round his neck. He managed to wheeze only a single word, but it was enough.
"Holy..."
Marcus let him go.
For a time the only sound was that of Darius' labored breathing. Marcus shifted and moved to rise, his hands meeting cold flesh not his own as he searched for leverage. The world had begun to settle into understandable shapes and patterns despite the dark.
He was in a tomb.
Gods Above and Below
Pairing: Darius, Marcus Constantine, Gen
Length: about 3700 words
Author on LJ: none
Author Website: Amberleewriter on HL Fiction
Why this must be read: How often are you going to run into a story featuring Darius and Marcus Constantine? The answer is not often, and too bad because they are in my opinion two of the more compelling minor characters from Highlander: The Series. These two characters never met in canon, but it seems likely that they did know each other in one context or another. In just a few words this story shows us the start of a complex and redemptive friendship.
Reanimation was a nasty business and, had he any say in the matter, Marcus Constantine would have been more than happy to pay the ferryman his coin and never again make the return journey to the living. Pain was his predominate state -- every nerve in his body seemed alight with it -- and his sharp gasp for air was followed swiftly by a groan and a need to retch. The air was foul. When he attempted to move and test his limbs, he found himself restricted. Opening his eyes was little help. The world was shrouded in darkness black as pitch.
Into this void came the assault of an Immortal aura. Marcus, still disoriented, did his best to suppress a rising feeling of panic. He had no sword and no way to wield one. He jerked and struggled to free himself to no avail.
"Marcus?"
He went still. Even if he had felt able to respond past his thickened tongue, Marcus would not have done so for Darius' presence was no comfort.
"Marcus? Do you hear me?"
Darius grunted and Marcus found that his position began to shift. Soon he was able to move an arm. The weight on his chest disappeared, though it did little to improve his sight. He tensed, coiled for fight or flight, and waited.
"Can you move?" Darius' voice was a harsh whisper.
Marcus responded with action. His hands shot forward and wrapped around Darius' throat. Metal struck stone with a clatter and Marcus felt a certain satisfaction as Darius struggled in his grasp. Finally, he could kill the man and leave this barbaric and backward place behind.
Or so he thought.
Darius clawed at the hands round his neck. He managed to wheeze only a single word, but it was enough.
"Holy..."
Marcus let him go.
For a time the only sound was that of Darius' labored breathing. Marcus shifted and moved to rise, his hands meeting cold flesh not his own as he searched for leverage. The world had begun to settle into understandable shapes and patterns despite the dark.
He was in a tomb.
Gods Above and Below