Quietly Screaming

A smile stretched across his face as he heard the other man walk through the apartment, seemingly unaffected by the newest animal.  Or it had gone unnoticed, and when they were toe to toe, the latter was obvious.  He did feel some guilt that he hadn’t accomplished what he’d been setting out to, especially now that he felt a renewed sense of purpose.  And the look in his soulmate’s eyes, the mix of exasperation and exhaustion didn’t do anything to ease those feelings of guilt.  “Where’d you find bagged blood?” he raised an eyebrow before looking down at the cat.  “In my defense, I was going to hunt.  That’s what I set out to do initially.  But I got a little distracted and, well, this is Clark.”

Alexi stared down at the little cat for another moment before moving into the little kitchen. He put the bags of blood in the fridge except for one he left out to warm up. Dumping the contents into a glass after getting it to the right temperature. “I have my ways darling. I knew you would get distracted. You aren’t very good at remembering to eat but luckily you have me to remind you.” He moved back into the room and took a seat on the couch holding the glass out so Preston could take it. “He’s cute.” He said it almost like a question as he reached out to pet the little black cat. “Drink up. I don’t want you wasting away on me. After that you can give me a kiss to make up for the new family member you brought home. Naturally I’m not upset about it so long as Luther likes him I don’t see the problem with you having a kitten.”

Preston should have been out hunting or, at least, trying to hunt. His blood supply had run out a couple of days before and he was starting to get what humans would deem “hangry.” He never even liked the term “hunting,” anyway. It made him feel like, well, a monster. And that was when he’d come across the pet store. He hadn’t even realized that there was a store of the sort on the island, but he found himself pushing through the doors and standing in front of pens and kennels and cages. One animal in particular stood out to him, a smallish black cat that was sitting attentively in front of the glass of his pen. After the shopkeeper came over and spoke to him about the animal, and Preston was armed to the teeth with everything he’d need to care for it, he headed for home.

Alexi wasn’t at the apartment when he got back, which he was sort of grateful for. It’d give him time to settle everything in and figure out how to explain himself.  He’d introduced Luther to the new addition first, pleased when the dog seemed interested but not threatened by the other animal. The cat seemed disinterested at best, which was to be expected. After the two animals were acquainted, he set the litter box up and put a scratching post in the living room. He’d just settled down on the couch with Clark curled up in his lap when he heard the doorknob turn.

@clawsandleaves​

Alexi had gone out knowing he had to feed. He had noticed over the short time he had spent reunited with Preston that the man did not tend to take care of himself very well when it came to that. He had put it in his mind to take Preston with him to feed that night but when he had returned to collect his soulmate he hadn’t been there. He had had to settle with some bags of blood that he could warm up for Preston that night if he hadn’t managed to feed himself. He had no desire to return to the outside world after going back to the room. He had done his best to avoid most of the people on the island though he had to admit that some of them were working their way into his heart. 

As he walked down the hallway towards his room he looked in his wallet for the key to the door. The card was always in the same place but it was still always the last place that he looked. A quick slide of the card and it was back in his wallet before he opened the door to the room. His eyes scanning instantly to find his soulmate. He saw him sitting on the couch and didn’t pay much attention after that. “I’ve brought you some bagged blood. I can warm it up for you since I don’t think you’ve eaten in a few days.” He commented as he made his way to stand in front of the man. His eyes going straight to the ball of fur lying on his lap. “Who do we have here? What have you been up to tonight?”

“Hi, Luther,” Preston said, his voice rising in pitch a little bit as the dog made his way over to him.  Luther’s energetic presence had a calming effect on him as he pet the little creature.  It was good to know that his soulmate seemed to like animals as well.  There was still a lot that the two of them would have to overcome before the exact level of trust he had all those years ago would be regained, but this seemed like a common ground and a starting point to rebuilding.  “Yeah,” he nodded enthusiastically.  “I really like animals.  They’re good companions and all they expect in return is food and affection.  That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me.”

“I’ve always tried to have a dog with me for the past few centuries. I find them to be calming and good company. You know how much I dislike the company of people but after....after you I hated being alone too.” He could never bring himself to let another person in but his animals never wanted anything from him that he couldn’t give and that was why he almost always had to have one. “Are you tired? Or did you want to do something tonight?” He hated going out to mingle with the public but he would drag himself from the room if that’s what Preston wanted. He would do just about anything to get back into his good graces.

     nic took less than have a moment to compose himself, he usually wasn’t this off kilter. the man should have prepared for this moment seeing as it was the entire reason he was on this island. part of him thought it was some sick joke that he didn’t actually have a soulmate and that once he would arrive he’d be the punchline, have a few laughs, then be on his way home. with the man standing before him that wasn’t the case, his eyes involuntarily left rowan’s face to give him a once over, the other certainly was attractive, which didn’t help the nerves that continued to bubble up in his gut. meeting rowan’s eyes once more a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips in order to bring himself back to his own baseline. ‘ if you don’t have anywhere pressing to be i wouldn’t mind you staying for as long as you like. i’d never put you out on your tail like that, ’ he gave a teasing smile once noticing the blush that spread over rowan’s face, nic certainly didn’t want the man to feel uncomfortable at all. ‘ it’s up to you, ’ he offered walking through the threshold, while turning his head over his shoulder to see if the man was going to enter back into the room or be on his way. 

Rowan instantly felt better when he was invited to stay. Dominic must not be too put off by him if he wanted him to stay. He moved to follow the other male into the room taking a seat on the couch before speaking again. “I’ll stay then. I was really nervous to come here and meet you but once I got here I found out that I was even more nervous that you wouldn’t show up so I’m glad you did.” He admitted in a rush stumbling over his words just a bit. “I’m an elf by the way I hope that’s okay.” He wasn’t sure what Nic was or what his thoughts on elves were but he wanted to get that out in the open right away. He didn’t recall a species that was generally against elves but he thought it possible since there were so many different kinds of people out there. “You’re like incredibly handsome by the way. I mean I normally don’t act this nervous around people.....okay that’s not strictly true. I’m a nervous person generally but you just you make me just a little more nervous. In a good way not like a bad way or anything.”

There was a feeling similar to nostalgia and relief that hit him when he heard the pet name, and some part of him relaxed.  He listened intently to the other’s explanation, trying to think what he would do if their situations were reversed.  It would be a hard thing to do, to watch someone you love age and die.  Alexi had only done everything he could to ensure that they had the best chance to be together.  “Again, you couldn’t have known,” he answered, quietly.  His brown eyes locked on the other man’s features, silently re-memorizing them.  “I’ve missed you, too.  Even though I didn’t realize it.”   Long fingers sought out the soft fur of the dog that had served as a barrier between them.  “Who’s this?”

Hearing that he had been missed as well made Alexi feel some sense of peace. He had thought that things wouldn’t go this well between them but it seemed that they might truly get a second chance to be together. He knew there were things to get past and work through but he felt hope and that was something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Luther stirred as the hand was placed on his fur and the dog instantly moved closer to the hand that was petting him. He had always been a friendly dog and Alexi liked that about him. “This is Luther. He’s been my companion for a couple years now. He seems to like you.” He was happy that they were getting along. “Do you like him?”

“Uff!” was the first sound out of Allie’s mouth as she stumbled back. Her first instinct was to immediately start laughing, her defense mechanism when she felt even the slightest bit embarrassed. “I’m fine! Promise,” she managed between chuckles. “Honestly I’m even surprised I didn’t actually eat it right now.” She admitted given how, without fail, she always fell in a new place. “You seem to be a bit distracted though, you okay?” Allie questioned peering at him curiously.

“Oh yeah I’m fine. I’m just happy I didn’t take you down when I ran into you.” He responded with a shy smile as he tried to get over his embarrassment. The girl seemed really nice and that made him feel better. He was happy she seemed so understanding about it. “I guess I need to learn how to pay attention. I’m pretty clumsy in general so you would think I would have learned by now. I’m Rowan by the way. Nice to meet you even though I almost knocked you over.”

It trembled throughout her body, the sense of knowing. Every atom that created her was screaming for her to move. Though, there was a part of her that ignored it. When his frame collided with hers, she gently let out a squeak. Persephone saw this incident coming, but she was not prepared for the force in impact. “I’m okay. I think the more important thing is if you’re okay?” The smile on her face soft, her head tilting to the side a bit like a curious puppy. “There is no need to apologize, though my forgiveness is here if you really need it.” The petite woman stated with a small nod of her head. “You seem to be in a rush. May I ask where you were heading with such urgency?”

Rowan was happy for the forgiveness offered by the girl he had to admit that part of him truly did feel as if he needed it. He wanted to make good first impressions on the people at the island but he was starting off on the wrong foot. “Thank you. Honestly I wasn’t rushing to anywhere in particular. I was rushing out of my room because well if I didn’t hurry and leave it then I wouldn’t leave. I’ve been acting like a hermit and I just wanted to force myself to stop.” He was embarrassed to admit it but it was nothing but the truth. He had been here almost a week and hadn’t even left his room. He was just so shy but the rushing part made him feel like he wouldn’t back down from meeting people. “I’m Rowan it’s nice to meet you.” 

Preston had been staring at the wall on the opposite side of the room, a million thoughts racing through his head.  He’d be so prepared to stay angry at the other man for the rest of eternity, if that’s what he was presented with.  But being angry for that long seemed to imply a good amount of distance and a quantifiable amount of guilt on the other’s part.  It really wasn’t Alexi’s fault.  And now that the two of them were face to face, with the information they’d been presented with, Preston didn’t know if he could realistically stay mad at him.  “You couldn’t have known,” he said finally, multiple meanings lumped in to one sentence.  Slowly, as if any fast movement would scare either one of them off, he relaxed and sat down on the edge of the bed.  There was another lengthy pause before he spoke again.  “I ran because I was scared.  Hurt, yes, but scared that even though I was horrified, I didn’t ultimately feel guilty for killing them.”

This wasn’t the reaction he had thought he would get from the other man. He had thought it more likely that he would try to kill him than to calmly sit on the bed with him. How odd and yet the actions weren’t displeasing to Alexi. He didn’t think he would ever have a chance with him again and yet here they were and he couldn’t help but think that it was possible. That just maybe they could get back together. “Sweetheart.” The old pet name quick to come back to his lips even after all these years. “I am sorry I turned you without your permission but honestly what did you expect me to do? I couldn’t just stand back and watch you grow older and die. That couldn’t be an option for you when I’m stuck in this state.” He would have turned him at some point anyway the timing may have been unfortunate but it would have happened at some point anyway. “I am sorry about what happened to your family too. I didn’t know anything like that would happen.” He had meant to keep him with him permanently after turning him but somehow those plans had fallen through. “I’ve missed you.” He could bend just a bit if it would please his soulmate.

     nic gave a slight nod of his head as the man assured him that he was alright in acknowledgement of his words. his head tilted to the side ever so slightly in concentration as he followed the words flowing from the other man. looking up to notice where he had ended up seeing as he himself hadn’t been paying attention either. his eyes widened a bit as realization hit him in the gut as this was his room as well. nic hesitated for a moment trying to sort through his own thoughts that seemed to move a mile a minute. usually he was much more eloquent in his speech, but realizing who the man before him was, nerves began to pull at him. ‘ oh, rowan, ’ he repeated the name mostly to himself quietly before continuing, ‘ this is - i’m dominic, or nic. this is my room as well. ’ he didn’t know what else to say in this moment as he had been avoiding thinking about it even as he arrived on the island. ‘ it’s, it’s nice to meet you too. you going somewhere ? ’ he internally scolded himself for the question seeing as it seemed obvious since he’d been walking in the opposite direction, but his brain had gone blank.

Rowan was speechless when Dominic said it was his room also. He knew that had to mean they were soulmates and his nervousness went up about twenty notches. He was completely shocked but at the same time he couldn’t say he was disappointed. He thought Dominic was incredibly handsome and he didn’t seem like he was mean at all. That had been one of Rowan’s greatest fears that he would end up with someone who wouldn’t be kind to him. A nervous smile had him fumbling to open the door. “I um I was just going to go out and look around but since you’re here we could stay in for awhile.” A blush had turned his face and neck a bright red as he moved into the room to allow space for Nic to enter as well. “Or would you want some time to yourself? I mean I totally get it if you do. It’s up to you.” He tried another awkward smile hating himself for not speaking more eloquently. 

HER DAILY JOG,   caroline liked to keep in shape.    and the scenery made for an enjoyable one.   that and she wished to know her environment well.    footsteps quickening and a brief glance at the band on her arm to change her song and the two are colliding. 

THANKFUL FOR HER QUICK FOOTING   she straightens.   dark gaze gives a nod of understanding, huffing and pausing her music.     she catches her breath as beads of sweat line her forehead.    “ i wasn’t either, ”   she muses, offering a smile in apology.     “ yeah. are you? the weather is calling for a light rain shower, so i was trying to get to some cover while it passes. ”   * 

Rowan could see that she had been in the middle of a run and he wondered about why she would be doing it inside but he supposed her comment about the rain made sense. It had said they would get some but he would have loved to go out in the rain. It was one of the reasons why he had come out of his room in the first place. He wanted to go take a walk in the light mist of the rain and just clear his head. “I’m fine thank you. I guess we should both pay more attention.” He joked with a small smile. “I’m Rowan nice to meet you.”

    skepticism riddled nic’s mind, if his mother hadn’t hounded him to accept the invitation he wouldn’t have. he was fine and happy on his own right ? why fix what wasn’t broken ? though still he found himself on the island, the island that held his so called soulmate. nerves flowed through every fiber of his being even if he’d deny it, nic felt a familiar sense of pressure starting to pile on his shoulders after just stepping foot on the island. after a while of talking himself down from all the negative emotions he was experiencing, he took a deep breath and decided perhaps it was time to meet this mystery soulmate. the brunet brushed a hand through his hair as he made his way in the direction of where he hoped the other would be. distracted by his own thoughts of what he was going to say, the figure that appeared in his path made him stumble slightly. ‘ oh yeah, it’s fine. i should have been paying more attention too. zoning out is a bad habit i happen to possess, ’ a nervous laugh slipping from him in order to conceal his slight embarrassment. ‘ are you alright ? ’

Rowan allowed his back to rest back against the door of his room after assuring himself that the other man was alright. He certainly didn’t want to start his time out here by hurting someone. A quick smile and a nod of his head had him assuring him that he was fine. “I’m always walking around with my head in the clouds or at least that’s what my mom always tells me. I should learn to pay more attention I just always get so easily distracted. I’m Rowan it’s really nice to meet you. Is your room around here? This one is mine.” He pointed to the door number of the room behind him. He was rambling on without really taking any time to breathe but he always did that when he was nervous. Meeting new people never failed to put him on edge. It wasn’t that he was afraid to meet them he just always came off as being so awkward. 

In the short span of time that he was processing the information he was being given, there were a range of emotions that welled up in him.  Never before had he been overcome with the desire to ram someone through with a stake and simultaneously overcome with the desire to kiss him.  He only briefly registered the dog that his soulmate was hanging on to, and then his mind was back on the fact that the man that he’d loved at one time, the man who changed him without his permission and he felt so betrayed by was not only sitting in front of him, but literally his other half.  It made more sense to him than he wanted it to, and it made him furious.  “What were you expecting?” was the only thing he could say, flinging out his arms and letting them fall back down to his sides.  “What was I expecting?”  He pressed his back against the wall, using it for support and as a reminder to keep himself under control.

Alexi had made it a point to not get close to anyone after their time together. He had spent his life keeping everyone at arms length and now here he was. Regret for everything that had happened between them was strong in him but what had he been expected to do? How could he not change him? He had been so in love with him he hadn’t even thought before doing it. It had felt like the natural thing to do. He didn’t want to lose him and now he didn’t want to be around him. Alexi had been doing so well at shutting everything down and he knew he wouldn’t be able to now. It was enough to make him furious with himself for coming here. “I don’t know what to say to you.” This had to be a mistake. He should just leave. He could leave and nothing would have to change. “I wouldn’t have come if I had known it would be you. I wouldn’t have done that to you again.” He wouldn't have forced his presence on him again. He would have left him alone if he had had the choice.

Whenever he got the letter inviting him to the island, Preston almost ignored it. The idea of having a soulmate piqued his curiosity, but he felt like being on his own was what he deserved, even after all this time.  Eventually the curiosity got the best of him and he found himself on the island, checking in and making his way to the room he and his soulmate (who he’d been told had already checked in) had been given.  When he made it to his room, he opened the door and stepped inside.  The living room and kitchen were spacious and bright, and he knew it was a figment of his imagination, but his eyes almost hurt.  That was when he heard the voice from the other room he crossed and walked through the door.  “Hi,” he responded before he saw the man lying on the bed.  When he did, he could have sworn his breath had been knocked out of him.  He thought he’d never see him again, but here he was, looking exactly like he did the last time he saw him.  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Preston said, breathlessly.

Alexi had never been a patient person but in the time it took the other male to walk through the space into bedroom he had the wild idea of making a run for it. He had a sense of unease and upon seeing who had entered the room he knew he had made a mistake in not running away. Luthor had jumped off the bed to greet the new person but a quick whistle from Alexi had the dog jumping back up on the bed and laying down beside him. He allowed his hands to sink into the fur of his current companion in an effort to calm and center himself. He didn’t know what to say. He had made a mistake all those years ago with him and yet he couldn’t honestly say that he was sorry for it. He hadn’t wanted to lose him and yet he had lost him anyway only to have him turn back up all these years later. It was odd and a bit uncomfortable. He had never thought he would see him again. “Oh. Umm. Wow. Okay. This is not what I expected.”

@prestonharper​