inkandichxr

[inkandichxr]

DAMIANO DAVID | Angel - Live from Joshua Tree

[inkandichxr]

Toby was right. Dimitri would shut him down so fast. Yes, his differences were unusual and probably connected to their father's time in captivity in ways they may never understand but the things that made up who Toby was didn't have to be wrong. Maybe it was something he could someday find better help navigating but there was no chance in hell Dimitri was going to tell his brother he was made up of anything wrong.

"If it were me? Dad. But I don't have the same kind of relationship with Moros and Cate as you probably do. Who do you feel most comfortable talking to? I'll be there with you if you need me to be, too, okay?"

Toby wanted to argue that the fact he had such unusual issues for what they were was, in some ways, wrong, since as far as he could tell, nobody else in their family had ever had even remotely similar problems, but he figured his brother would shut down any further disagreement.

"Okay," he nodded, glad that Dimitri would have his back, even if the thought of telling anyone else stressed him out.

"Who do you think I should tell first? Dad, or someone else?"

[inkandichxr]

"Is it possible to remember everything exactly as it was?" Felix wasn't sure exactly what had concerned Dimitri but it wasn't as though he'd remembered everything either. The bigger things, yes. The closer they were to him the brighter the memory but even then he was missing pieces that didn't even have anything to do with Hypnos. Felix blamed time for that.

A sad look crossed his face as he simply nodded, not needing the other to rehash the horrible things he had endured.

"He didn't want to tell me, our sweet boy, but I think he might have split at the seams had he tried to keep it to himself much longer. Everything he knew just came spilling out of him, how he was worried about you. About both of us."

For a moment Felix's brows came together, a curious look on his face.

"Do you think what happened to you not only took pieces from you but took pieces of you? Like my memories?"

Hypnos nodded, appreciating the returned sentiment, even if he probably wouldn't act on it in at least the foreseeable future.

Of course, he understood that the moment he made Felix part of the family, it meant he inevitably would eventually only have that, since anyone from Felix's former life as a mortal had long since passed away, and Hypnos would never be so cruel as to take that away from him.

"Fragments... Mostly of the boys, just like you, though Dimitri has concerns that I lost some of that too," Hypnos replied, looking regretful about that. "I've lost other pieces too, as best I can tell, though I'm not sure if that is directly related to us or an unforeseen side effect exacerbated by..."

He paused, seeming a little distressed at whatever it was he was alluding to.

"I don't know if our son has told you what happened to me," he murmured, chewing his lip. "After us, I mean."

[inkandichxr]

"Seriously?" That would explain why he felt so weak. He'd not connected it to the blood loss because the adrenaline from before had created a disconnect. Beyond that, he'd just never been hurt like this. "You've never met Dimitri. Worrying is his job." He figured that's where Izzy got it from. There was so little of himself reflected in that kid but he often saw glimpses of the people he loved and cared about and figured his dreams had constructed the boy from those pieces. "When I try to sleep I just get slammed with flashbacks." The confusion was less than it had been in the beginning but it wasn't any easier to deal with. "Lucky me, then. Found a guy with some sewing skills who wasn't busy."

"Enough blood that I'm considering a transfusion." It wasn't like he didn't have a decent match on hand, not when several of Silas's aunts and uncles had donated blood for situations like this. "I can imagine he's quite worried about you." It was also the consent Dario needed to hear and once he was certain Silas was settled and not going to try to leave, he would make the call to Dimitri. "You're a dream kid that's not getting enough sleep. It's going to be worse for you than it is most people. And, nah, I was doing some charting is all."

[inkandichxr]

"Ahh, you're one of those." Not that Lindy had any issue with shifters it was just easier to hide from the ones who couldn't smell it on her. Lux had once told her that people's thoughts gave them away as well but he was in and out of heads all the time so it didn't surprise her that was something he might pick up on. The average non-human though? Nah. "Fair enough. It's to the point enough that I believe you." Genesis wasn't wrong either. Sometimes stabbing someone just felt good. "You a biter? Like, if I sign up for this I'm not gonna get a chunk taken out of me, am I?"

"Scents are harder to mask." If Genesis couldn't smell it on her, she would have thought the other human, but that wasn't the point here. "I just want to feel pain. Doesn't take a lot of subtlety to get that when so many people are just looking for permission to stab someone else."

[inkandichxr]

Hearing Keos describe it made it sound even more like the perfect evening. He just wanted to unwind and be with the other. Another night he'd make plans to take him out, treat him the way he deserved to be treated in public (not that Kade ever offered him anything but the best). "You were warned. Now you're gonna have to put it on silent and feel the torture all night," he teased.

"Hmm." He tilted his head down to push lips along Keos' neck, considering his options. "I've been doing so good with you here. Asked you to come all this way so I could be with you but since I'm almost done maybe you should go back to the hotel. I should be right behind you but it would give you enough time to relax for a minute. Sound good to you?"

"I do not like it, Kade. I love it." Keos fell back in his chair with a hearty laugh, smiling from ear to ear. Kade never failed to bring out the best side of him. "That sounds perfect, babe. We could take a hot bath, have something playing on the TV... see how long it takes for the water to get cold." He squeezed Kade's hand, rolling his eyes as his phone began to vibrate. "I guess you were right. The comments are going crazy.

"Do you want me head back early and get the room ready for us?" He said, "Or do you want me to stay here until you're done? Whatever you prefer, Kade: just happy to spend time with you."

[inkandichxr]

"It was a lot of blood..." Silas had never considered mortality and what it would mean to be hurt in any significant way. Even his time asleep wasn't something he categorized the same way his father did. It wasn't death, it was simply a reprieve. Still, he didn't plan to do anything about it. He'd thrown the first punch and he knew what his cousin was capable of. "Considering how I've been handling things lately he probably thinks I'm bleeding out somewhere so I guess it would be smart to call him." He wasn't aiming to make anyone worry about him any more than he was sure they already did. "Makes it hard to think straight," he admitted. There was no point in dodging truths anymore. He'd made enough of a mess. "Thank you for patching me up, Dario. I'm sure you were busy and I just burst in."

"I don't thinki that's true. If you were human, this probably would have killed you." That was not a fair trade for throwing a punch as far as Dario was concerned. "He might know you're injured, but I don't think he'd know where you are and what condition you're in," he pointed out as he made sure Silas was secure for transport. "Lack of sleep probably isn't helping your impulse control."

[inkandichxr]

DAMIANO DAVID | Interview with Mythical Kitchen

[inkandichxr]

“Guess it’s what I deserve.” Silas had been the one to fall for Chance provoking him, he’d thrown the first punch and gave his cousin a reason to defend himself. He eased himself into the wheelchair with Dario’s help and hoped like hell the healing would kick in soon and he wouldn’t have to stay here long. “Chances are, by now, Pops already knows. But you can call him if you want. There’s nobody else.” Except the kids but he was still hoping he would get a chance to explain and apologize before they made their own assumptions. “Won’t catch me arguing with you on that one. Knock my ass out. Not like I’ve slept much since I started remembering shit anyway.”

With the stitches done and bandaged Silas allowed his body to relax. The stitches pulled tight at his skin but he was numb enough that it didn’t matter that much in the moment. Dario’s look was enough to keep Silas from arguing and instead had him shrinking back in his chair. He was glad he’d chosen to come here despite himself. It was one of the better choices he’d made. “Lyri will tell my dad,” he groaned. “I don’t know what to do. Do I just rest or do I call Abi and Izzy and explain?”

[inkandichxr]

With the stitches done and bandaged Silas allowed his body to relax. The stitches pulled tight at his skin but he was numb enough that it didn’t matter that much in the moment. Dario’s look was enough to keep Silas from arguing and instead had him shrinking back in his chair. He was glad he’d chosen to come here despite himself. It was one of the better choices he’d made. “Lyri will tell my dad,” he groaned. “I don’t know what to do. Do I just rest or do I call Abi and Izzy and explain?”

There was a split second where Silas considered refusing but the fact that he was even there in the first place made him rethink what he’d been about to say. “You’re the professional,” he sighed, hating to admit it. Chance had gotten into his head, most certainly, but all he’d done was echo back thoughts Silas already had. “Think she’ll tell Abi before I get a chance? I’d really like to apologize to my kids myself.”

[inkandichxr]

There was a split second where Silas considered refusing but the fact that he was even there in the first place made him rethink what he’d been about to say. “You’re the professional,” he sighed, hating to admit it. Chance had gotten into his head, most certainly, but all he’d done was echo back thoughts Silas already had. “Think she’ll tell Abi before I get a chance? I’d really like to apologize to my kids myself.”

The numbing was starting to kick in and Silas was beyond thankful for it. His entire body hurt at this point and part of him just wanted to lie down and pass out. “You’re right,” he agreed, admitting his faults. “I just want my kids to know I love them and I care about them and I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to show that in a non-destructive way.” Maybe it wasn’t the time for any kind of therapy session but this was the reason he wound up in this mess to begin with. “I know, I know. But my family is known for talking. Chance doesn’t seem to be the gossipy type. Guess I was wrong though ‘cause he read me to filth.”

[inkandichxr]

The numbing was starting to kick in and Silas was beyond thankful for it. His entire body hurt at this point and part of him just wanted to lie down and pass out. “You’re right,” he agreed, admitting his faults. “I just want my kids to know I love them and I care about them and I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to show that in a non-destructive way.” Maybe it wasn’t the time for any kind of therapy session but this was the reason he wound up in this mess to begin with. “I know, I know. But my family is known for talking. Chance doesn’t seem to be the gossipy type. Guess I was wrong though ‘cause he read me to filth.”

"I know. I can't protect him from that even though I want to." He couldn't protect his kids from a lot of things and he certainly didn't want to become something someone else felt they needed protection from either. "I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I just wasn't." He was being an idiot, that's all there was to it. "Yeah, no. Izzy wasn't home, he rarely is these days. Abi hasn't spoken to me in awhile. My dad just got engaged, Felix is trying to help my brother adjust to having a home for the first time ever... I was alone. And I was being stupid."

[inkandichxr]

Lux just smiled, that smirk of Callum's endearing enough. He could still see the high in the other's eyes, dancing just behind the shy expression.

"Follow me." Just to make sure he didn't lose him in the crowd, Lux grabbed for his hand, tugging him through the masses until he found an exit. He pushed out into the cool night air, welcoming it after the the heat from everyone being so close together and all the dancing he'd done made him sweaty. With his free hand he dipped into his pocket, retrieving a device that he slipped over his ear first before attaching it to his head. A flick of his fingers through his hair and he disguised the processor with ease, turning his attention back to Callum.

"So I don't have to keep reading your lips," he explained out loud. It was easier this way and sometimes projecting his own thoughts for a long time as he had been doing got exhausting.

"Shop isn't too far from here. You okay to walk?"

"Sorry," Callum acknowledged, a lopsided and terribly shy smirk still tugging at the corner of his mouth, a small giggle slipping from between his lips.

It was a relief, honestly.

Particularly as there had been enough times in Callum's life where being honest about himself had put him in dangerous situations that had gotten him hurt, and it made him a little more cautious about who he let close enough to see him that vulnerable anymore.

"Sure," he agreed, liking the sound of getting out of the hot, crowded club all of a sudden.

"Think I could use a little fresh air anyway."

[inkandichxr]

Reed was glad Izzy's silly question was enough to break whatever tension they had caused, or at least offer some reprieve from it. He knew if he were the one backed into a corner being asked questions about his past he'd probably respond poorly as well. Not that he wouldn't have answered, much like Callum, but there was certainly a line somewhere. He just hoped he and Izzy hadn't crossed it.

The laughter had Izzy blushing but smiling at the same time. He couldn't help it! He had to do research if he wanted answers and right now that wasn't something he could experience first hand.

"My boyfriend is part wolf. Is that like... a thing?"

"With a lot of trauma," Reed reminded but it only earned him a middle finger from Izzy who obviously knew Dre better.

"I don't want to pretend if I don't enjoy it. But I want to enjoy it. I mean, if that ever is a thing that happens."

"They're taking things very slow," Reed explained.

"It's important to do research on things you don't understand and it would be stupid of me not to ask an expert. You understand, right? It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

"Nothin' good has ever come from trying," Callum acknowledged, giving a valid reason why he'd be so reluctant to do so, as if the fact his past was painful already wasn't reason enough on its own.

Izzy's question came out of left field, though, and had the wolf breaking into a laugh of both surprise and amusement. Especially as it seemed Izzy was trying to get a consensus as a whole from the various people he thought might be able to answer his question.

"Depends who's givin' them, I suppose," Callum answered, considering the inquiry for a moment in terms of his personal preferences.

"If it's someone I'm into, yeah, it feels pretty good, though I might be a little bit biased with being a wolf. If it's someone I'm not into and they're just paying me for my time, I'll pretend so they don't get weird about it, but honestly, those times it doesn't really do anything for me."

[inkandichxr]

"I know. I can't protect him from that even though I want to." He couldn't protect his kids from a lot of things and he certainly didn't want to become something someone else felt they needed protection from either. "I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I just wasn't." He was being an idiot, that's all there was to it. "Yeah, no. Izzy wasn't home, he rarely is these days. Abi hasn't spoken to me in awhile. My dad just got engaged, Felix is trying to help my brother adjust to having a home for the first time ever... I was alone. And I was being stupid."

"Well, yeah, even if she wasn't flirting with getting murdered, she's still mortal. There's really nothing that's going to change that." Mortals died; it was just a fact of life and nature. Hell, even Dario wasn't really immortal. He might not die of natural causes like cancer or age, but he could and, likely would, still die at some point. "Pretty sure even I've been telling you from the start that open dialogue with your kids is about the only thing that's going to get you anywhere at this point." He was trying to give the numbing agent a chance to kick in, but the bleeding was concerning enough that he wasn't sure he could wait all that long. "I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you didn't talk to anyone else about this brilliant plan to confront the serial killer about a girl he practically raised?"

[inkandichxr]

"I'm realizing that now but she's still going to hurt him eventually. Only I'm beginning to see that I can't protect him from that. Just like my parents couldn't protect me from what happened between me and Kat or keep me from leaving Abi..." If Silas had only just stopped to really think he could have avoided this entirely and approached his true concerns with Izzy in a much healthier way. "I thought figuring out if there was really a problem before talking to Izzy was a better idea than just talking to my son. I was wrong." He tried not to flinch away from Dario but it hurt so much he was having trouble. "I thought Chance would just tell it to me straight. I offended him, he knew what to say to set me off... like I said, I deserved it." Crossing an arm over his face, Silas sank his teeth into the skin to distract himself from the real pain.

"Her sex life and her friendships are two very different things, and take it from someone who grew up with an overprotective mom, all that would do is drive a deeper wedge between you and Izzy." It had been part of what had set Dario off to find his dad in his teens, but he and his mother had reconciled later in life. "Were you trying to see how close you could actually come to dying?" He knew he wasn't supposed to judge, but that seemed foolish, even for Silas. "This is going to sting," he warned before be set about numbing the area so he could begin to stitch him up.

[inkandichxr]

"Izzy doesn't talk to me but I've seen him upset about her and the danger she seeks. I didn't know if she would involve him, if I should step in..." Silas squeezed his eyes shut as Dario cleaned his wound. He was really feeling it now, all that rage and adrenaline from before fading away. "Might have." He chanced a glance over at the other before realizing it was fruitless to lie. "No, I definitely did. And he laid out exactly why I'm a bad father, that my kids will never love me... so I punched him. Or I tried."

The cambion snorted at that as he grabbed some saline to flush out the area before he started to really examine the damage. The gouges were deep with ragged lines and, if Dario was a betting man, he'd put money on Keres claws. "Why in the world would you think Genny's a danger to anyone but herself? I feel like I'm going to regret asking this, but did you insinuate she was dangerous to Chance?" He had seen first hand how protective that man was when it came to Genesis and he also knew better than to ask too many questions where Chance was concerned.