Corvo/Jamie

[ravenswrath]

Corvo had warned Jamie that they would end up in a fight. He was going back to the exact moment of his death and waking there. "Be prepared for a guard on the right," he had told Jamie, because he needed him to take care of the one with the crossbow so he could get Emily.

So when they arrive back in Dunwall, the storm pounding overhead and the lightning flashing, it's at the top of the lighthouse. Out on the balcony is Havelock, his arms around Emily, and Corvo doesn't think about anything else. He runs, his heart pounding in his chest, the rain beating on his face like a thousand stinging bees. He Blinks forward, nothing but ferocity in his face, and grabs Emily from the pretender, the so-called Loyalist. In doing so, he falls and Emily pulls close to him, her small weight trembling against his chest. Corvo doesn't watch Havelock's demise and he shields Emily from it, as well. He just holds her there in the rain until her small voice gently floats up to him.

"Corvo? Are all the bad men dead?" she wonders and, when she feels him nod, she sighs. "Good," she adds. "Because I would have had them all killed anyway."

And Corvo begins to weep silently, the tears mixing with the filthy rain from the storm above. He had failed her, and now he sees how. He has to make this right. He kneels down, his hands on her shoulders, and just looks at her. It had been seven months since he saw her last, each day stretching longer than the other. But she doesn't look at him now.

She looks over his shoulder and points. "Corvo, who's that?"

Comments

[lost_first]

Jamie'd been just behind him and while he can't blink, he can move very very fast. And while he can't fly, he can fall very very slow. One arm looped in the grappling hook, he gets his arm around Havelock and activates the token around his neck, waiting until they'll be falling on solid ground before he lets go.

They won't land easy, but Jamie's legs don't break and Havelock is unconscious but not dead. It's a win for everyone. Jamie will take just a moment to shake off before peering up and waving to Corvo. No shouting since he's not sure how many people are alive here, but... mission accomplished.

[ravenswrath]

It's perfect. Just like they said. Just like they planned. Everything perfect and - fuck.

"Jamie," he answers gruffly, knowing that won't answer the question, but they don't have time for it. He waves down to him and grabs hold of Emily, Blinking down to the rocks, to the edge of the sea.

"I didn't think he would fall that fast," he tells him, letting out a breath as he keeps Emily close to him. His heart is pounding through his chest and all he wants to do is yank Jamie close and celebrate properly but -

There is a lot more at stake than that.

"All his bad thoughts made him fall faster," Emily mutters, though she's only peering at him from behind Corvo's back.

[lost_first]

Havelock isn't light, but Jamie's had to haul men before. He'll pull him up into a fireman's carry as he turns to smile at Corvo and Emily. His eyes are alight with the same joy Corvo's feeling.

But he'll offer a dip of his head to Emily.

"Afternoon, your imperial majesty," he offers up with a bright smile. Then he's looking to Corvo. "Richter tell you where we'll find her?"

[ravenswrath]

"I'm right here," Emily mutters, tossing her hair as she glares at the man being carried. Then her eyes flick upwards, towards where she almost fell and Corvo squeezes her hand.

"Not you, princess," he grumbles a little, but he gives Jamie a nod. "Back - near the castle. Can you carry him that far?"

[lost_first]

"I've done worse," he says with a quick nod. It won't be pleasant and he'll have some thoughts on the man's diet afterwards, but he can do it. Emily will get another dip of his head.

"My apologies for the manners, princess, s'my first time being among royalty proper.

"Though I'll be glad if we start going sooner than later."

[ravenswrath]

Corvo starts walking, picking his way through the rocks and simply hoisting Emily up to princess carry her across as they move into the city proper. The streets are so familiar, the traps laid and destroyed by Corvo himself.

He occasionally looks over his shoulder, but he knows this place. He knows what's on this street. The guards are all dead and devoured. "Mind the rats," he tells Jamie, but it's entirely unnecessary. This was part of their briefing. The rats will eat them.

He occasionally pushes the rats away with his Outsider-given powers, which seem so much more potent here and now with his influence back. He knows that he's watching, too. Strange that he hasn't revealed himself, though Corvo is convinced the Admiral had to outsmart him somehow. Unless they're the same creature, as he thought all along.

The castle is up ahead, rising atop a great hill from the river. The clouds are clearing, the sun isn't peeking out yet, but maybe it will show its face before she does. But they don't get to the castle because there is a group of men gathering at the docks beside a small ship.

"Drop him," he tells Jamie, setting Emily down. "She's there."

[lost_first]

Jamie's close to wanting to drop him anyway by the time they get there, and he'll do exactly as much as it takes not to split his head open on the cobbles and nothing more to get him down off his shoulder. He'll shake off the weight a little, roll his shoulder since it'd started to stiffen, and look to Corvo.


"Next move's yours, flickerbird."

[ravenswrath]

He puts his hands on Emily's shoulders and then kneels down. "Your mother is there," he says and he squeezes her shoulders when he feels her tense.

"She had to pretend. It was to keep her safe. It was to keep them from killing you, too. But she's missed you terribly and - "

He lets her go and she runs, off towards the docks while he waits with his arms crossed. Emily's shoes, snap loose from use and wear and tear, nearly fly off her feet as she pushes her way through the retinue of men dressed in sharp navy to get to the tall woman with dark hair who has never cried in her life but sobs when she sees her daughter.

Corvo looks to Jamie and shakes his head. "I can't do this," he mutters, afraid for the first time.

[lost_first]

Jamie looks to Corvo with a very wry smile.

"I knew she was a formidable woman, but I didn't think her on par with death itself, lad, and you've conquered that already."

He looks to Corvo and holds out a hand.

"Let's set this bone quick, lad. The longer you wait, the worse it'll be."

[ravenswrath]

"Better not call me that or you'll get some funny looks," he tells him, but his heart and his mind, as always, are set at ease by Jamie's confidence. He wants to take his hand, to get comfort from him that way, but he doesn't. He can't.

Instead, he walks, taking the path down to where Jessamine and the rest of the men are waiting. They draw their swords when they see Jamie, but Corvo waves a hand.

"Empress," he says, giving her a quick bow and she places a gentle hand on his cheek.

"Corvo. I knew you'd succeed. No one else would, but - what happened to my city?"

"Corvo made sure all the bad guys died." Emily pipes up and Corvo looks away.

"There's more to tell you," he answers instead. "Once you're safe inside. We've brought Havelock, Jamie and I, who has - helped me." He gestures to the man behind him and several of the men race back down where the two men had stood, where Havelock's body lies.

[lost_first]

Jamie doesn't mind that Corvo doesn't take his hand and he doesn't mind walking behind him. He'll offer a dip of his head, lower, to Jessamine. And he'll keep his mouth shut other than a murmur of

"...Empress."

Before his eyes go to Emily. Corvo has to do the work with Jessamine but he'll make sure Emily is fine.

[ravenswrath]

"Jamie," she repeats, looking between the two men. "I don't know how you ended up in this mess, but if you had anything to do with keeping Emily safe, then I owe you everything."

Corvo looks to Emily. "Walk with Jamie. He'll keep you safe. Empress, with me?" Emily nods and quick falls in line with Jamie. She doesn't know him, but Corvo does, and she does anything Corvo asks.

The gaggle of men who had accompanied Jessamine, made up of actual loyal advisors, of soldiers, of guardsmen, of people who have pledged their lives and more to the Empress, stay tight around them as they walk the winding road up the hill as Corvo had done so many months ago.

As they walk, he tells Jessamine an impossible story. While his words are quiet, unable to be made out, he shows her the mark on his hand, left by the Outsider. He shows her the palm of his hands, where he carries the echoes of blood of all the men he slaughtered for her. He shows her the mask that he wears on his belt and gestures up to the stars, where he had been. Where they had been.

And by the time they reach the towering palace, stark gray and sharp angles, she finally looks back at Jamie and then again at Corvo. "Is it true, Jamie the pirate?" she wonders as Emily looks up to Jamie in wonder. "Is what he says true?"

[lost_first]

He'll teach Emily one of the many games that he's made up for children over the years and of course, she'll be good at it within a turn or two. By the time they return, Emily has won her first round and Jamie is congratulating her. He'll finish with that before he turns to her mother before offering a steady nod.

"All of it." He glances at Corvo. "I'll affirm every word."

[ravenswrath]

Jessamine nods once, solemn, and reaches out a hand for Emily to take. The little girl is overwhelmed, afraid, but having the distractions and the panic out of her system will bring on a meltdown soon enough. Corvo can feel it. "Take her to bed with you, Empress. We'll stand watch."

Things will be different in the morning. Work will happen in the morning. Tonight is for reunions, and the most important one is between the mother and her child. Jessamine nods grateful and they walk inside while Corvo lets out a breath. "We have to organize out here," he tells Jamie and then searches his face, waiting to see how he is.

[lost_first]

Jamie looks back, a little wry.

"Of course. We came to work, Corvo. Just tell me what you need me to do?"

[ravenswrath]

Whatever the Admiral had to do to make this right meant that there was a lot of planning Corvo was not a part of in this reality. People appear seemingly out of nowhere, guards from the shadows and supporters disguised as servants.

Corvo takes three seconds to panic, to falter, to inwardly patch himself together and continue shoving down all of the feelings he had upon seeing Jessamine again. He can't afford to let them impede the work, but he now knows better than to not acknowledge that at all. He lets them live quietly in his chest, a storm that he will allow to burst later, when he's prepared.

Three seconds is all he needs, and then there's work. He sends Jamie to scout with a group of former overseers and find any remaining guards to apprehend. Once the streets are cleared, Corvo watches as the propaganda machine runs with advisors in a council room. Ultimately, it's decided that Jessamine's return to life isn't announced, but Emily's coronation is planned.

Corvo doesn't question that decision.

He stays outside Jessamine's bedroom while he waits on Jamie's return. The sun is nearly up but Corvo won't settle, can't until they can all speak. But that storm in his chest breaks open while he sits and he buries his face in his hands.

[lost_first]

Jamie returns and it's times like this he wishes that his footsteps had a bit more sound to them. As it is, he walks up to Corvo with his head in his hands and he'll speak before he touches.

"What's this now, flickerbird?" he asks, keeping his voice low. His daughter, alive. His lady, alive. There's nothing to fret about, no.

[ravenswrath]

He doesn't raise his head.

"I am feeling my feelings like I am supposed to so that I do not murder the next person who walks by," he grumps, his voice muffled by the heels of his palms.

"I am - overwhelmed and I finally have nothing to do but sit and wait."

A few maids walk past and enter the room. He can hear Emily chatting softly, but Jamie and Corvo aren't called in just yet.

[lost_first]

"Aye," he agrees as he settles down beside him, "but at least now you're not doing it on your own."

[ravenswrath]

"No."

And he does reach down to take his hand in the empty hallway. "I am happy that you are here."

The peace doesn't last long.

The doors open and one of the maids stares over at them. "Jessamine would like to see you, Lord Protector."

Corvo pushes himself up as Emily walks out and addresses Jamie. Her eyes are puffy red, cheeks both flushed and pale, but there's a smile on her face.

"And you are to escort me to breakfast and then return here," she commands him and then adds in a whisper "And we can take the long way so you can show me the game again."

[lost_first]

He nods solemnly and holds out his hand for Emily. He will, of course, teach her the game again. And perhaps one of the other versions of it that are a little harder, since she's such a champion already. She learns that one just as quickly, though it takes her part of the way through the start of breakfast to get a win, and that is when Jamie allows himself to leave and wish her a good meal (much to the nursemaid's relief) before he heads back to the room. He'll wait outside until he hears a lull in the conversation before knocking.

[ravenswrath]

Corvo is the one who opens the door, and if there had been any doubt about the nature of their situation, it doesn't show on his face. He scowls, as normal, but there's a lightness in his face, in his eyes, in his entire stance.

Jessamine stands near the window, looking out over the city. Dunwall is in ruins, in mourning, but the sun came up on a new reign, a new day, a new beginning.

Jessamine is the first to speak as she turns to approach him.

"Don't be afraid, Jamie. I can never repay you for what you've done for my daughter and for Corvo." Cirvo shuts the door, looking down and away at what he knows is coming.

"And I hold - no ill will for what's transpired - oh for fuck's sake, Corvo, you were the one who told me," she snaps playfully when she sees his face. She's had time to think, to process, and while she's not quite sure how the pieces will fall, she is not a jealous woman. She and Corvo and Emily are a family, but she's never been the sort to be jealous. She's secure in Corvo's love for her. She wants to know if the same goes for Jamie.

"I know you two are in love. I see it in your faces. What do you have to say, Jamie? Is he simply smitten with you because you are the handsome rugged pirate he could never be?"

[lost_first]

"I say it's a good thing you feel that way," he says with a wry twist of his lips, "as it's not something I'd apologize for. Or ever regret."

He tips his chin towards Corvo, whatever's on his face, because it matters about as much to Jamie as Jessamine.

"I don't know if he's told you what I've lived or where I came from. I doubt he's told you his part in saving me from my own vengeance."

He'll step up then and after a deep breath, closed eyes, he's going to kneel down in front of Jessamine.

"All I have to say is that if you'll have me, my blades are yours. To defend your daughter, your lover, and yourself. And if you won't, I'll still bless all three of you all my days and depart in peace."

[ravenswrath]

She immediately kneels down in front of him. "I am not the Empress any longer. Emily is. The people need a fresh start. They need someone to believe in, not someone who they can't trust to be alive or dead. They have mourned me, so now I am just Jessamine Kaldwin, formerly dead Empress turned advisor to Empress Emily. And in this room, in this place, you are not a servant to me. You are family." She laughs musically, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what that will look like or what our places might be, but fate has brought the three of us together for a reason. Shall we find out together, Jamie?"

Corvo folds his arms across his chest.

"She also wants to name you Lord Protector. Take my place," he adds, feeling his heart pounding loudly in his chest, his throat, his face.

[lost_first]

He looks to Corvo, and then to Jessamine as he considers what he wants to say.

He knew of the plan to proceed with Emily as Empress. He'd heard as well as Corvo. And while he knows in his heart and in his head that Emily is a vastly different child, there's pieces of this, of a child ruler, of working for one, that grate up against ancient wounds. His hand rubs his opposite wrist for a moment as he picks his words and not just because of his own skin.

"I'd like to find out, aye."

A glance at Corvo.

"What would you be, then?"

[ravenswrath]

"Spymaster," is his answer as he watches him pick at his wrist. He can guess those thoughts, but he knows this isn't the same. Emily is still malleable, though her core is good and light. He wouldn't have anyone else influence her except the bravest and truest man he knows.

"To prevent this from happening again."

And to be directly responsible for cleaning up his own mess.

Jessamine nods. "It was Corvo who nominated you for the role," she tells him.

"You must tell me more about you now, Jamie. He saved you? You were right that he said nothing of the sort."

[lost_first]

It's not just fear. It's also the desire for Emily to grow up without such pressures. To not have to worry about her life, to grow without the weight around her neck and on her back. If this is how it will be, he's going to do everything in his power to take every pound he can from her. Protecting isn't just about knives and poison.

He'll nod to her question, though.

"I'd been captive to a wicked creature for longer than either of you have lived. The rage of that nearly ate me alive before" he looks to Jessamine and lets a bit of a smile crease his lip, "before our flickerbird gave me a place to let it breathe and stood by my side as no one had managed in all that time. He'll pretend he did nothing, but I'll say again that neither of us would be here if Corvo hadn't done his fair share for me as well."

[ravenswrath]

Corvo watches the line of her mouth trace 'our flickerbird' with reverence and amusement both, and heat swells in his cheeks as he stares out the window and pretends not to listen.

"That sounds like Corvo," she says, guiding Jamie to a fine table. "Is this something you want, Jamie? To be here, in this world? We have our problems, but I cannot guarantee a life of adventure. Not like what Corvo has told me."

[lost_first]

That earns her a very tired laugh.

"I have had my share of adventure and then some, Jessamine," since she is not Empress, he will use her name, "and any group of people have problems, the more of them the more to be had. What I want is a family and to grow old beside those I love. Can you offer me that, lass?"

[ravenswrath]

Jessamine puts a hand on his and laughs, the musical sound seeming to break the tension in the air.

"Oh, I like him, Corvo. He's more charming than you."

She turns to look over her shoulder and catches Corvo staring. He quickly clears his throat and looks away, back to the window. Jessamine gives Jamie a knowing look.

"Emily's coronation will be tomorrow. The world will not know I have returned. It will be a solemn day, but - this home, this place, is where our Emily can be herself. That is all I ask. That she be allowed to be a child. You two will be her closest advisors aside from me. She will need you with her. You have a family here, Jamie."

She almost doesn't notice when Corvo joins them ubtil his hand rests on each of their shoulders.

[lost_first]

Corvo will feel it when Jamie relaxes: the mention of Emily getting to be herself. Of her being allowed to be a child. Jamie will nod to the last.

"I would have fought for her if you hadn't insisted," he says honestly.

Then he looks between Corvo and Jessamine.

"I'll protect her, life and heart. I'll teach her what I know about keeping boys and men in line. And if I have a family, then there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

[ravenswrath]

"Good," she says, her hand on Jamie's and then Corvo's before she stands and plants a gentle kiss on Corvo's cheek.

"I'm going to join Emily for the meal. We have to plan. Join us when you're ready," she tells them both.

[lost_first]

"Aye, Jessa," he says cheerfully. "Have a good meal."

There's a glance at Corvo. He's assuming they have work?

[ravenswrath]

The easy nickname gets a bright smile, then she shuts the door and leaves them alone.

Corvo meets Jamie's eyes and shakes his head, leaning down to kiss him deeply for the first time since they arrived.