Fic: , Break me down, Build me Up19/? (Danny/Victor, Steve, R)
Title: Break me down, Build me up
Author: heffermonkey
Characters & Pairing: Danny Williams, Victor Hesse, OCs, eventual Danny/Victor
Rating: R
Summary: Kidnapped by Victor Hesse, Danny is slowly deconstructed. Resistant at first, Danny falls under Victor's possessive control, renouncing anything to do with his former life. But is all hope lost?
Spoilers: None
Chapters: One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | eleven | twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen |Nineteen | Twenty | Twenty One | Twenty Two
previously -
McGarett's trail will have gone cold by the time any one realises something has gone wrong with his investigation. I doubt he'd have confirmed with anyone of his location until he determined you were here, but he'll have some kind of failsafe in place in case anything does happen to him."
Danny nodded having already thought of this. "We should leave tomorrow."
"Already have people working on it," Victor assured him, "Don't worry Daniel. By this time tomorrow we'll be back home."
~
It was strange seeing from this perspective, Danny thought to himself. He was in a room of monitors, reminding him of a security station. It had taken him sometime just to take in the presence of the man sitting at the desk, wearing a headset, eyes on the monitors, fingers on buttons. He'd brought the live images of Steve up on the main screen for Victor when they'd entered the small room. Victor eyed Steve and exchanged a few word in a low voice with the controller and Danny let his eyes drift over the other monitors. He shifted uncomfortably when he saw his own room, as it would be viewed through the screen on his wall. He looked at the controller again, evidently he was, 'the voice' in the screen. The one who gave him his orders, should he need them. Theirs was a rare communication now.
They'd made a quick retreat from the summer house the day after McGarett's capture, spent a few days on the road, on the water, eventually arriving at the mansion. The further they travelled, the closer to the mansion, secluded and hidden away, the safer Danny felt. The rest of the week Victor had been busy, Danny had gotten back into routine as per Victor's orders and things had gotten back to normal, except for the presence of Steve. Danny knew he wouldn't co-operate easily, that it was going to take longer than a few days for Victor to gain whatever information he was after.
Danny hadn't been in the 'screen' room before, but Victor had brought him along, for reasons unknown to Danny. The controller had given him a brief glance before he and Victor had fallen into discussion, Danny edging away to give them privacy. He looked over the other monitors, most of them security overlooking the house, surrounding land, a few rooms inside. He watched Huggy and Mo having a conversation in a hall as they walked along it. Danny gave a half smile and wondered what they were talking about, those two rarely seemed to utter a word.
Danny gave a start and whipped round like he'd been shot, staring at the screen for a moment. Victor caught his sudden unease and reached out, hand resting onto his neck. Though it was muffled, coming through the speakers of the screen, the music still sent shivers of nervous energy through Danny. It had been a long time since he'd been subjected to it but it still set him on edge. He stared at the screen, Steve was in a room Danny was unfamiliar with, dark and dingy and completely void of any comfort. He was standing, arms stretched up and held by a heavy chain hanging from the ceiling. Danny grimaced again and felt the reassuring touch of Victor, let his senses hone in on that, letting it calm him.
Danny wondered how long Steve was going to fight before he gave up.
~
Danny didn't quite understand why Victor had ordered him to Steve's room. When he'd asked why, Victor had just stared at him until Danny had apologised for questioning his actions.
"I want to be sure he's worth it," Victor eventually said.
Danny still didn't understand but he went any way, Huggy letting him into the room. Steve was weaker now, exhausted and it reminded Danny of how he'd been, in the begining when he'd resisted Victor's help.
"Danno?" Steve croaked from his corner where he'd curled up, trying for a position of comfort. It didn't seem to be working but he didn't shift, just stared through the dimness with bloodshot eyes.
Danno felt a stab of anger at the use of the name but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure what Victor's motive was for sending him in here - was it a test? To assure himself of Danny and his actions, where his trust lay.
"Danny," Steve said again, shifting, pain etching the lines of his face as he moved. "What did they do to you?"
"Victor says you're starting to co-operate," Danny said, ignoring the urge to hold his friend, ease away his suffering.
"Fucking hell Danny," Steve groaned angrily, trying to get to his feet but unable to. Instead he stumbled to his knees and breathed in sharply. "There's only so much fucking torture a person can take."
"Co-operation is good Steven, you're learning," Danny explained to him.
"Is that right?" Steve said bitterly, grimacing as he looked up at Danny again. "Guess I've been going about this all wrong then haven't I? What the fuck's he done to you Danny?"
Danny pushed aside the wave of anger - took a breath a to remain calm. He doubted Victor would be happy if he lost his temper.
"Nothing - they've done nothing to me. You'll see, you just need to give it a chance - co-operate and you won't be punished anymore."
Steve grunted and shifted again -Danny could see he was fighting the hurt and losing.
"You're in pain," he pointed out before drawing close, carefully. Steve wasn't in any shape to put up much of a fight but Danny wasn't taking any chances. He held out his hands innocently, trying to convey to Steve he was sincere. "Let me help you."
He watched confusion cross over Steve's features, mixing with the pain, the tiredness. He shook his head, "No Danno," he said exhausted, helpless.
Danny ignored him, reaching out and touching him gently, small minor touches, nothing more than comfort.
"Fuck no, no, no, no," Steve shuddered, but Danny could feel him easing under his touch.
"Steven - you're in pain?" Danny asked, Steve had to understand, if he wanted help he had to ask for it. Mercy here wasn't just given, it had to be earned, with small gestures of surrender and acceptance.
"They fucking tortured me Danny," Steve spat before he closed his eyes, his body giving an involuntary shudder. When he spoke again his voice was cracked, broken. "Couldn't take any more."
"If you'd told them what they needed to know from the start you wouldn't be in this mess now would you?" Danny admonished, he could only sympathise to a point. He knew Steve was stubborn but that was his weakness, his failing and Danny wasn't going to celebrate it. "Any way it's over."
"Yeah, over for now," Steve sighed.
Danny lifted his hand and rested it against Steve's face, Steve was becoming more pliant, too weak to resist, giving in to the comfort.
"Fuck Danno, I don't understand. You're working for Hesse now?" Steve asked, not opening his eyes but not pulling away.
"There's more to it than that," Danny said. He knew it would take time for Steve to understand, longer than this conversation would allow them. "He's helped me Steve."
"What's he done to you?" Steve opened his eyes and stared right at Danny, desperate to understand. "Is this you're way of punishing us? We searched for months Danny. It was like you'd fallen off the face of the earth. Hesse went to ground, we had nothing to go on. Couldn't give up on you though - even when the governor threatened to shut us down, put the unit into someone elses hands. Everyone else gave up - Rachel even had a memorial service for you. Fuck, Gracie thinks your dead Danny. Don't you care about that? Don't you miss her."
Danny shook his head - if he was honest he couldn't remember the last time he'd thought about Grace, about his former life. Once they'd been his world but Victor had shown him a better way.
"It's better this way," Danny assured him. "For every one. You'll understand in time."
"What if I don't want to Danno," Steve turned angry again, Danny could feel his anger tensing up his body, despite the pain he was in. "I'm not weak like you - Hesse got to you but tell him he should fucking kill me now because I'm not going to be like you. I'm not some weak shit who gave in."
Danny cracked a smile - he'd resisted at first, even now he still had moments where he questioned Victor. But Victor knew how to bring him into line. Steve didn't understand the beauty of that structure, of how, through the submission, so much weight was lifted, the chaos became calm.
"I didn't give in Steven," Danny told him. "And I'm not weak. Now, do you want to wallow in your pain, feeling sorry for yourself and getting angry at me and everyone else for it? Or do you want help yourself?"
Steve just stared at him and Danny watched a look pass over his eyes, something like defeat. Then the shutters of defiance set in place again and Steve pulled away from him, despite the pain and exhaustion.
"Leave me alone Danny, I don't want your help."
Danny gave him a soft look, feeling a wave of pity for the man but he gave a shrug and stood. Steve would see, eventually, but he had to learn at his own pace.
"Very well, maybe I'll see you later," Danny said turning away. "Remember Steven, only you can help yourself. You decide when you want this to end."
"Give me a gun, I'll end it," Steve spat back, but Danny could hear the cracks as well as see them, before he added with a low growl. "And fucking stop calling me 'Steven'."
Steve was putting up a front of strength but underneath, he was ready to crumble. Victor would just have to keep applying the pressure until Steve gave in. Danny didn't look back as he left the room, but knew it wouldn't be the last time he saw Steve again.
This was only the beginning.
~
Victor wasn't so convinced, though he allowed Danny to argue his case.
"He'll learn Victor, he's on the edge already. I saw it in his face, he can't resist much longer and then he'll start to understand," Danny implored as they ate a late supper.
Victor sat back and sighed, shooting Danny a look of slight annoyance, like the subject of Steve was wearing thin.
"I'm just not sure I care Daniel." He replied with a shrug, giving Danny a softer glance. "You have to understand, what with my history with McGarrett, my dealings with him in the past. It doesn't exactly inspire me to take him under my care."
Danny felt a flash of anger and settled back in his chair with a huff, dropping his napkin down on his plate with something of an irritated flourish. "Why'd you bother with me then?" he asked sulkily, before he could stop the words or consider their impact.
The atmosphere seemed to tense and he forced himself to look at Victor who was giving him a steely stare.
"Sorry," Danny said meekly.
"I'm starting to wonder if keeping Steven around is having a negative effect on you," Victor said cold and dissapointed. "You seem obsessed with him and your behaviour is decidely lacking as of late. A problem of my own making perhaps, after all I've kept him around because you asked me to."
"I am sorry Victor," Danny leaned forward, subdued enough by Victor's tone, the accusation behind it. "I just - you've done this for me, I thought maybe, maybe it was a better way. You're right, I've been the one pushing for you to keep him around, but all the responsibility is on you as well. That isn't fair."
"I fear in dealing with him, I've neglected you." Victor was softer now, leaned in to rest his hand over Danny's gently.
"No, you haven't," Danny looked up and shook his head vigorously. He wouldn't let Victor feel like he'd been failing him. Any failure or weakness was on Danny's part, he'd let himself get caught up in Steve, in the idea of him finding the same - enlightment - he had. He'd let himself get carried away, allowed his weaknesses to fester inside because of it. "I just wanted him to understand. He doesn't yet Victor, he mocks me and you. But he's so close to understanding."
"He isn't like you Daniel," Victor explained to him gently. "He's programmed already differently from most people. A man trained to resist, breaking through his defences is difficult. I'm afraid you're seeing something that isn't really there."
"Or maybe he just needs to be worked on a little more," Danny argued, lightly.
"You do know it would be different with him Daniel," Victor gave his fingers a squeeze. "I'm not sure, even if I was successful in helping him, what I would do with him. It wouldn't be the same as our relationship."
"I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you'd find something to do with him," Danny smiled. "Don't you like the idea of the challenge?"
"Like your not a challenge enough?" Victor teased back gently. "I'll never be able to fully trust him Daniel, he'll be a constant fret and will need a very - firm - hand."
"Of which you have two," Danny laughed, soft and low. "I don't doubt you're ability to bring him under control."
"I'm not sure you'll like some of my methods," Victor said in thought.
"Not for me to question," Danny shrugged.
"Even though you will," Victor pointed out.
Danny dropped his gaze and felt a slight burn on his cheeks at being called out on that. He had a tendency to forget himself at times, it wasn't for him to question Victor's actions. He still needed to curb his tongue in certain moments.
"I still wonder at your reasons Daniel," Victor sighed. "I imagine if this was any one else, you wouldn't give a fuck as to what I'd have done with them."
Danny nodded, partly ashamed but knowing it was useless to hide the truth. He did care more than he probably would have about anyone else in the same situation. "I do care Victor, you already know that. It's just, important to me, that he understands even part of this, of what you're doing for me. I need him to acknowledge who you are, from my point of view. He'll never understand unless he experiences it. Even just a small part of it. It's working Victor, you just need to be patient."
Victor laughed at that and gave Danny's fingers a squeeze again, sinking back into his chair. "Maybe I do need to be a little more patient, with him at least. With you, well as I said, I've been neglectful. That will have to be rectified."
It was on the tip of Danny's tongue to question what Victor meant by that, but he didn't. He knew he'd find out soon enough.,
Author: heffermonkey
Characters & Pairing: Danny Williams, Victor Hesse, OCs, eventual Danny/Victor
Rating: R
Summary: Kidnapped by Victor Hesse, Danny is slowly deconstructed. Resistant at first, Danny falls under Victor's possessive control, renouncing anything to do with his former life. But is all hope lost?
Spoilers: None
Chapters: One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | eleven | twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen |Nineteen | Twenty | Twenty One | Twenty Two
previously -
McGarett's trail will have gone cold by the time any one realises something has gone wrong with his investigation. I doubt he'd have confirmed with anyone of his location until he determined you were here, but he'll have some kind of failsafe in place in case anything does happen to him."
Danny nodded having already thought of this. "We should leave tomorrow."
"Already have people working on it," Victor assured him, "Don't worry Daniel. By this time tomorrow we'll be back home."
~
It was strange seeing from this perspective, Danny thought to himself. He was in a room of monitors, reminding him of a security station. It had taken him sometime just to take in the presence of the man sitting at the desk, wearing a headset, eyes on the monitors, fingers on buttons. He'd brought the live images of Steve up on the main screen for Victor when they'd entered the small room. Victor eyed Steve and exchanged a few word in a low voice with the controller and Danny let his eyes drift over the other monitors. He shifted uncomfortably when he saw his own room, as it would be viewed through the screen on his wall. He looked at the controller again, evidently he was, 'the voice' in the screen. The one who gave him his orders, should he need them. Theirs was a rare communication now.
They'd made a quick retreat from the summer house the day after McGarett's capture, spent a few days on the road, on the water, eventually arriving at the mansion. The further they travelled, the closer to the mansion, secluded and hidden away, the safer Danny felt. The rest of the week Victor had been busy, Danny had gotten back into routine as per Victor's orders and things had gotten back to normal, except for the presence of Steve. Danny knew he wouldn't co-operate easily, that it was going to take longer than a few days for Victor to gain whatever information he was after.
Danny hadn't been in the 'screen' room before, but Victor had brought him along, for reasons unknown to Danny. The controller had given him a brief glance before he and Victor had fallen into discussion, Danny edging away to give them privacy. He looked over the other monitors, most of them security overlooking the house, surrounding land, a few rooms inside. He watched Huggy and Mo having a conversation in a hall as they walked along it. Danny gave a half smile and wondered what they were talking about, those two rarely seemed to utter a word.
Danny gave a start and whipped round like he'd been shot, staring at the screen for a moment. Victor caught his sudden unease and reached out, hand resting onto his neck. Though it was muffled, coming through the speakers of the screen, the music still sent shivers of nervous energy through Danny. It had been a long time since he'd been subjected to it but it still set him on edge. He stared at the screen, Steve was in a room Danny was unfamiliar with, dark and dingy and completely void of any comfort. He was standing, arms stretched up and held by a heavy chain hanging from the ceiling. Danny grimaced again and felt the reassuring touch of Victor, let his senses hone in on that, letting it calm him.
Danny wondered how long Steve was going to fight before he gave up.
~
Danny didn't quite understand why Victor had ordered him to Steve's room. When he'd asked why, Victor had just stared at him until Danny had apologised for questioning his actions.
"I want to be sure he's worth it," Victor eventually said.
Danny still didn't understand but he went any way, Huggy letting him into the room. Steve was weaker now, exhausted and it reminded Danny of how he'd been, in the begining when he'd resisted Victor's help.
"Danno?" Steve croaked from his corner where he'd curled up, trying for a position of comfort. It didn't seem to be working but he didn't shift, just stared through the dimness with bloodshot eyes.
Danno felt a stab of anger at the use of the name but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure what Victor's motive was for sending him in here - was it a test? To assure himself of Danny and his actions, where his trust lay.
"Danny," Steve said again, shifting, pain etching the lines of his face as he moved. "What did they do to you?"
"Victor says you're starting to co-operate," Danny said, ignoring the urge to hold his friend, ease away his suffering.
"Fucking hell Danny," Steve groaned angrily, trying to get to his feet but unable to. Instead he stumbled to his knees and breathed in sharply. "There's only so much fucking torture a person can take."
"Co-operation is good Steven, you're learning," Danny explained to him.
"Is that right?" Steve said bitterly, grimacing as he looked up at Danny again. "Guess I've been going about this all wrong then haven't I? What the fuck's he done to you Danny?"
Danny pushed aside the wave of anger - took a breath a to remain calm. He doubted Victor would be happy if he lost his temper.
"Nothing - they've done nothing to me. You'll see, you just need to give it a chance - co-operate and you won't be punished anymore."
Steve grunted and shifted again -Danny could see he was fighting the hurt and losing.
"You're in pain," he pointed out before drawing close, carefully. Steve wasn't in any shape to put up much of a fight but Danny wasn't taking any chances. He held out his hands innocently, trying to convey to Steve he was sincere. "Let me help you."
He watched confusion cross over Steve's features, mixing with the pain, the tiredness. He shook his head, "No Danno," he said exhausted, helpless.
Danny ignored him, reaching out and touching him gently, small minor touches, nothing more than comfort.
"Fuck no, no, no, no," Steve shuddered, but Danny could feel him easing under his touch.
"Steven - you're in pain?" Danny asked, Steve had to understand, if he wanted help he had to ask for it. Mercy here wasn't just given, it had to be earned, with small gestures of surrender and acceptance.
"They fucking tortured me Danny," Steve spat before he closed his eyes, his body giving an involuntary shudder. When he spoke again his voice was cracked, broken. "Couldn't take any more."
"If you'd told them what they needed to know from the start you wouldn't be in this mess now would you?" Danny admonished, he could only sympathise to a point. He knew Steve was stubborn but that was his weakness, his failing and Danny wasn't going to celebrate it. "Any way it's over."
"Yeah, over for now," Steve sighed.
Danny lifted his hand and rested it against Steve's face, Steve was becoming more pliant, too weak to resist, giving in to the comfort.
"Fuck Danno, I don't understand. You're working for Hesse now?" Steve asked, not opening his eyes but not pulling away.
"There's more to it than that," Danny said. He knew it would take time for Steve to understand, longer than this conversation would allow them. "He's helped me Steve."
"What's he done to you?" Steve opened his eyes and stared right at Danny, desperate to understand. "Is this you're way of punishing us? We searched for months Danny. It was like you'd fallen off the face of the earth. Hesse went to ground, we had nothing to go on. Couldn't give up on you though - even when the governor threatened to shut us down, put the unit into someone elses hands. Everyone else gave up - Rachel even had a memorial service for you. Fuck, Gracie thinks your dead Danny. Don't you care about that? Don't you miss her."
Danny shook his head - if he was honest he couldn't remember the last time he'd thought about Grace, about his former life. Once they'd been his world but Victor had shown him a better way.
"It's better this way," Danny assured him. "For every one. You'll understand in time."
"What if I don't want to Danno," Steve turned angry again, Danny could feel his anger tensing up his body, despite the pain he was in. "I'm not weak like you - Hesse got to you but tell him he should fucking kill me now because I'm not going to be like you. I'm not some weak shit who gave in."
Danny cracked a smile - he'd resisted at first, even now he still had moments where he questioned Victor. But Victor knew how to bring him into line. Steve didn't understand the beauty of that structure, of how, through the submission, so much weight was lifted, the chaos became calm.
"I didn't give in Steven," Danny told him. "And I'm not weak. Now, do you want to wallow in your pain, feeling sorry for yourself and getting angry at me and everyone else for it? Or do you want help yourself?"
Steve just stared at him and Danny watched a look pass over his eyes, something like defeat. Then the shutters of defiance set in place again and Steve pulled away from him, despite the pain and exhaustion.
"Leave me alone Danny, I don't want your help."
Danny gave him a soft look, feeling a wave of pity for the man but he gave a shrug and stood. Steve would see, eventually, but he had to learn at his own pace.
"Very well, maybe I'll see you later," Danny said turning away. "Remember Steven, only you can help yourself. You decide when you want this to end."
"Give me a gun, I'll end it," Steve spat back, but Danny could hear the cracks as well as see them, before he added with a low growl. "And fucking stop calling me 'Steven'."
Steve was putting up a front of strength but underneath, he was ready to crumble. Victor would just have to keep applying the pressure until Steve gave in. Danny didn't look back as he left the room, but knew it wouldn't be the last time he saw Steve again.
This was only the beginning.
~
Victor wasn't so convinced, though he allowed Danny to argue his case.
"He'll learn Victor, he's on the edge already. I saw it in his face, he can't resist much longer and then he'll start to understand," Danny implored as they ate a late supper.
Victor sat back and sighed, shooting Danny a look of slight annoyance, like the subject of Steve was wearing thin.
"I'm just not sure I care Daniel." He replied with a shrug, giving Danny a softer glance. "You have to understand, what with my history with McGarrett, my dealings with him in the past. It doesn't exactly inspire me to take him under my care."
Danny felt a flash of anger and settled back in his chair with a huff, dropping his napkin down on his plate with something of an irritated flourish. "Why'd you bother with me then?" he asked sulkily, before he could stop the words or consider their impact.
The atmosphere seemed to tense and he forced himself to look at Victor who was giving him a steely stare.
"Sorry," Danny said meekly.
"I'm starting to wonder if keeping Steven around is having a negative effect on you," Victor said cold and dissapointed. "You seem obsessed with him and your behaviour is decidely lacking as of late. A problem of my own making perhaps, after all I've kept him around because you asked me to."
"I am sorry Victor," Danny leaned forward, subdued enough by Victor's tone, the accusation behind it. "I just - you've done this for me, I thought maybe, maybe it was a better way. You're right, I've been the one pushing for you to keep him around, but all the responsibility is on you as well. That isn't fair."
"I fear in dealing with him, I've neglected you." Victor was softer now, leaned in to rest his hand over Danny's gently.
"No, you haven't," Danny looked up and shook his head vigorously. He wouldn't let Victor feel like he'd been failing him. Any failure or weakness was on Danny's part, he'd let himself get caught up in Steve, in the idea of him finding the same - enlightment - he had. He'd let himself get carried away, allowed his weaknesses to fester inside because of it. "I just wanted him to understand. He doesn't yet Victor, he mocks me and you. But he's so close to understanding."
"He isn't like you Daniel," Victor explained to him gently. "He's programmed already differently from most people. A man trained to resist, breaking through his defences is difficult. I'm afraid you're seeing something that isn't really there."
"Or maybe he just needs to be worked on a little more," Danny argued, lightly.
"You do know it would be different with him Daniel," Victor gave his fingers a squeeze. "I'm not sure, even if I was successful in helping him, what I would do with him. It wouldn't be the same as our relationship."
"I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you'd find something to do with him," Danny smiled. "Don't you like the idea of the challenge?"
"Like your not a challenge enough?" Victor teased back gently. "I'll never be able to fully trust him Daniel, he'll be a constant fret and will need a very - firm - hand."
"Of which you have two," Danny laughed, soft and low. "I don't doubt you're ability to bring him under control."
"I'm not sure you'll like some of my methods," Victor said in thought.
"Not for me to question," Danny shrugged.
"Even though you will," Victor pointed out.
Danny dropped his gaze and felt a slight burn on his cheeks at being called out on that. He had a tendency to forget himself at times, it wasn't for him to question Victor's actions. He still needed to curb his tongue in certain moments.
"I still wonder at your reasons Daniel," Victor sighed. "I imagine if this was any one else, you wouldn't give a fuck as to what I'd have done with them."
Danny nodded, partly ashamed but knowing it was useless to hide the truth. He did care more than he probably would have about anyone else in the same situation. "I do care Victor, you already know that. It's just, important to me, that he understands even part of this, of what you're doing for me. I need him to acknowledge who you are, from my point of view. He'll never understand unless he experiences it. Even just a small part of it. It's working Victor, you just need to be patient."
Victor laughed at that and gave Danny's fingers a squeeze again, sinking back into his chair. "Maybe I do need to be a little more patient, with him at least. With you, well as I said, I've been neglectful. That will have to be rectified."
It was on the tip of Danny's tongue to question what Victor meant by that, but he didn't. He knew he'd find out soon enough.,