Chapter Text
Kurt’s footsteps echoed through the church as he walked towards the alter where Anne- Britt, Magnus and Nyberg were standing. Uniformed officers were securing the scene as he walked past. The forensics team was just removing the body of the priest. He had been found beaten around the head by the cleaning lady when she started work that evening. The team looked up when Kurt reached them.
Nyberg was the first to speak. “Looks fairly simple, from the position the body was found in he was kneeling when he was struck from behind with this” Nyberg held up a forensic bag with a large brass candle stick. “He was probably praying. It looks like the killer hit him three times with some considerable force. I’ll be able to confirm all of this when I get back to the lab”
Kurt nodded before turning to the others. “And the woman who found him?”
It was Magnus who answered “Berta Gronberg. We haven’t been able to ask her any questions yet, she was pretty out of it. She was taken to the hospital earlier to be treated for shock”
“Why would anyone want to kill a priest?” asked and Anne-Britt.
“Well that’s for us to find out. Anne- Britt I want you to try and get something out of Ms Gronberg, anything that may help us.”
Anne- Britt nodded and began to walk off.
“Magnus I want you to look into the victim, any records, recent phone calls, anything that’s worth knowing about our priest I want to know. Start with the church visitor book”
As Magnus opened his mouth to speak- the loud, unmistakable sound of a shot rang through the building. Instantly Kurt pulled out his gun looking around him. The officers had thrown themselves to the floor as soon as they heard the gunfire. Suddenly, a sound of a second shot filled the room. Kurt saw Anne-Britt flat against a pillar, eyes wide looking just passed him. Kurt spun round just in time to catch Magnus as he slumped forward into Kurt’s arms. Dropping his gun Kurt Lowered Magnus to floor.
In a daze Kurt rested Magnus’ head on his shoulder and looked down at his long body looking for the cause of Magnus’s collapse. When his eyes landed on Magnus’ side Kurt felt his heart stop. The young detective’s formally pristine, white shirt was quickly turning a deep red from the bullet wound.
Shaking, Kurt put his hand over the injury and pressed trying to stem the blood flow. Kurt looked at his lover’s face and swallowed. Magnus was staring up at him eyes wide, shocked and watery. His whole body was shaking, Kurt could feel the tremors running through the slender frame. Trying to calm him, Kurt placed his other hand gently on Magnus check, stoking the soft skin.
Magnus swallowed “Kurt…”
“Shhh, I’ve got you, I’m here. Magnus, I’m here, it’s going to be alright”
Feeling the steady flow of blood through his fingers Kurt had never been so scared. Oh god, he felt so helpless. The precious blood was covering his fingers taking Magnus’ strength- his life- and there was nothing Kurt could do to stop it.
Kurt could feel people all around him. Could hear Anne-Britt’s voice giving orders but he couldn’t focus on any of it. He felt like he was in a bubble. Nothing was important, nothing apart from Magnus’s beautiful eyes staring back at him, his solid weight in his arms. He had to keep him solid, had to stop him from slipping away.
“Kurt, it hurts. Oh god it hurts” Magnus sounded so weak, so quiet. Nothing like his usual self, he was scared and it shattered Kurt’s heart.
Uncaring of all the others in the room Kurt bend his head down until his forehead was resting against the other mans’.
“It’s alright, it’s all going to be alright”
Magnus’ breath starting hitching and there were tears in his eyes. “It hurts Kurt. I don’t… I don’t know.”
“Sshhh, please love, please don’t speak
“No… I need… to… to... say…I… love you”
“You can tell me you love me later, right now you need to stop speaking, just breathe, please love”
Kurt stared at his lovers face, always pale Magnus now looked stark white. His eyes were closed and his forehead wrinkled as he concentrated through the pain.
Kurt tightened his hold on Magnus, drawing a soft moan from the injured man. The blood was still spilling and Kurt couldn’t stop the sob that escaped.
Vaguely he was aware of movement beside him. Looking up through bleary eyes – he didn’t even realise he was crying- Kurt saw Anne-Britt kneeling next to him. Nyberg was kneeling beside her looking at Kurt as though he had never seen him before. Kurt didn’t care.
Anne-Britt was speaking “An ambulance is on the way, they’ll be here soon”
Kurt nodded resting his cheek on the top Magnus’ head. He could hear him making small noises of pain. Ignoring the other two Kurt turned his attention back to Magnus trying to comfort him.
“I’m here, I know it hurts, I know love. I’m here, I love you, I love you, I love you” Kurt didn’t stop whispering this mantra even after he felt Magnus’s body relax into unconsciousness. Lost in the feel of his lovers shallow but steady breathing Kurt missed the look Anne-Britt and Nyberg shared.
Kurt had lost track of time so was startled when a hand squeezed his shoulder. Looking up Nyberg was there looking at Kurt in an almost gentle way.
“Kurt, come on the paramedics are here let them do their job.” Gently but firmly Nyberg pulled Kurt away from Magnus as the paramedic lowed the injured man on the floor and started checking his vital.
“Come on Kurt”
Kurt felt himself get led away by Nyberg towards where Anne-Britt was standing with another paramedic.
Her voice was soft when she asked “Are you hurt Kurt? Is any of that yours?”
Kurt looked at her uncomprehendingly as she gestured towards him. Looking down he saw that his own shirt was covered in blood. His hands too. His hands were covered in blood, Magnus’ blood.
“Oh God” Kurt whispered. He felt weak. His knees, suddenly unable to hold his weight, buckled and he fell. Luckily Nyberg was there and helped him to a nearby seat.
“Kurt, is any of that blood yours?” Anne-Britt was insistent now. “Kurt! We need to know if you are hurt”
“No” Kurt mumbled. “No, it’s not mine. It’s his” Kurt looked at Anne-Britt, the only one who knew about them, the only one who would understand. “It’s his blood. Oh god” Kurt sobbed, he couldn’t hold it in anymore, he was shaking.
“Oh Kurt” Anne-Britt dropped down and wrapped her arms around him. He could feel her rubbing his back, running her hands through his hair.
“They’re taking him to hospital, come on, we’ll follow them in the car. They’ll want to check you out too.” With the help of his colleagues Kurt ended up in the car on his way to the hospital. Nyberg was driving while Anne-Britt sat with him in the back holding his hand and squeezing it occasionally. Kurt was grateful, he thought it might be the only thing keeping him from breaking down entirely.
Once they got to the hospital they ended up being escorted to a private waiting room. After a few minutes they were joined by a doctor.
“Are you with detective Martinson?”
Kurt looked up. “Is he alright, can I see him?”
“Detective Martinson is in surgery right now. He’s lost a lot of blood and it looks like the bullet might have hit his liver.”
Anne-Britt put his arms around Kurt’s shoulder. The doctor continued.
“Getting shot in the liver is serious, although not as serious as the stomach would be. Strange as it sounds it could be worse. The liver is one of the hardiest organs and has the ability to regenerate to a certain extent. As soon as we hear more we will inform you.”
Kurt nodded, unable to speak. Anne-Britt spoke for him. “Thank you doctor”
The doctor looked back at Kurt “Someone will be with you in a minute, just to check you over” He gave Kurt a little smile and left.
A little over half an hour later Kurt was back in the waiting room where the other were still sat. His hands were clean of blood and he’d been given a spare shirt.
“You don’t have to stay” Kurt murmured slumping onto the nearest seat.
“Kurt, of course we’re staying, it’s Magnus” Kurt glanced over at Anne-Britt and nodded. Nyberg was unusually quiet so Kurt looked at him and raised his eyebrows enquiringly.
Nyberg hesitated “You and Martinson…?”
“Are together yes”
“Together?”
“As in we live together, sleep together. We have sex” Kurt’s voice broke, “We… I… love him.” He needed to calm down, needed to stay calm and strong for Magnus. He would want that. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to...” He gestured vaguely at himself.
They had told Lisa about their relationship about a month ago both agreeing that she had the right to know, especially since Anne-Britt had worked it out. Lisa was understandably shocked and a little bit sceptical but didn’t say much other than to say she would be watching carefully and wouldn’t hesitate to step in if their relationship got in the way of the job.
Now Nyberg knew as well. Kurt didn’t know how he would take it. Would he be shocked? Disgusted? Would he judge them? Kurt didn’t know, didn’t want to look up and see the expression oh Nyberg’s face. He just wanted to see Magnus, hold him tightly in his arms and press his nose against his hair so he could smell that delicious apple shampoo he uses. The familiar smell of Magnus that never failed to send Kurt to sleep at night. Kurt tried to imagine never smelling that again, never waking up with Magnus pressed up against him, their legs entangled. Magnus was like an octopus when he slept, all lankly limbs wrapped around Kurt, holding him tight making him feel secure and needed.
Nyberg’s voice interrupted Kurt from his thoughts.
“You know… Magnus is stronger than he looks. He’ll survive this. He’ll be back in the office arguing with you and entertaining the rest of us before you know it.”
Kurt nodded and glanced up to see Nyberg smiling at him. Gratefully and rather shakily Kurt gave a small smile back. Looking at his colleagues, (friends?) Kurt sat back for a long, uncomfortable wait.