“N-No.” I managed to stutter, twisting my head around in the attempt to actually see and comprehend where I was or where I was going. I couldn’t quite seem to keep control of my limbs though, and I felt the man just yank me closer to him, slinging his arm almost casually around my shoulder and leaning my head onto his chest as he started to walk us towards the exit. I didn’t want to go with him though! Or at least… I think I didn’t want to go with him.

It was all terribly confusing and I felt like even walking was too much of a chore, my eyes having trouble focusing on one thing and the booming music just making my head begin to ache.

I think I remember a voice, it sounded like Josh, or maybe it was someone else? Then there was another voice, I think it was Myrick, the bouncer from the door that always happened to be here. The man who was currently in the process of hauling me out the door squeezed me tighter, and I only felt a little panic rise within me but it was still too fuzzy for me to really notice or fully comprehend anything.

I felt like… Maybe I would pass out? I already felt undeniably sleepy and I saw no reason as to why I couldn’t just hit the floor and sleep right now.

I vaguely remember some shouting before I was jostled around roughly; the arms that were forcefully holding me against a foul-smelling chest being suddenly removed only for me to be picked up and held to another firm chest before my knees got a chance to buckle and I hit the floor. I didn’t think I had the ability to stand by myself at the moment.

Opposed to the former, this new chest on the other hand felt strangely familiar, like I had been held against it before. And I wasted no time in struggling against it as my vision swam in and out of comprehension. I could feel myself slipping away, the flashing lights dimming in and out of sight as my eyelids fluttered as if they couldn’t decide whether to leave themselves up or down.

“Killian!”

I could hear a muffled voice, perhaps it was far away? But then the chest I was leaning against rumbled every time a smooth - although a bit choked from what seemed to be concern - voice broke through the haze.

“Killian can you hear me?!”

I mustered up the last of my strength and managed to pull my head out of the crook of familiar chest’s neck, letting my head loll backward so I could see his face.

The last thing I can remember before I passed out was silvery-blue eyes filled with concern as the arms around me clenched protectively. I smiled drunkenly before I sloppily managed to give a soft pat to my rescuers’ shoulder. I knew who this was now, and I let my eyes fall shut with a strange peace filling my chest as I felt the last of my consciousness dwindle away.

Edric.