A scowl carved itself into his expression. He did know the rules, and at one time he'd believed in them. That healing without help was a mark of strength. That if you couldn't come back from it then you didn't deserve to. But then he'd gotten to know a grown up Remus. Little by little his resolve had eroded. Each time Remus was injured, each time he was hurt like this, it gnawed at his belief. Because he hated seeing him suffer. He wanted to protect him, to help him. Even if that meant breaking the rules to ensure he survived. He'd do it time and time again he realised. But he couldn't tell him that. So he said nothing. Just scowled at him instead.
The urge to wrap his arm around Remus as he slumped against him burned but he resisted. The other man seemed more likely to scold him for it right now than allow himself to take the comfort from it that was meant. He just stayed very still so not to disturb him. When he spoke again his words created a warmth in him. It was the knowledge that he cared for him. Even if it wasn't in the way he would wish. He was about to reply but was interrupted by the sound of the roof door opening.
--
Erebus had forgotten what it was like to have other peoples voices in his head. He'd found them filtering in while he was sat by the lake with Amaia. It had startled him at first. Even caused a flash of panic. But the longer it went on, the more apparent it became that they didn't know he was there. That they weren't aware the link had been reopened. Only Remus could do that, could switch it back on. So he was left wondering if it had been done on purpose or was a slip up thanks to his current state.
He'd also forgotten just how unfiltered chat they engaged in. Soon he'd a good picture of what had happened and where they all were. And that Remus had ordered them to return to their base. He also knew exactly where he'd find Remus. A plan started to formulate.
Not long after, he found himself back at the hospital, climbing the stairs up to the roof. He gave himself one beat to paused before he opened the door, not quite believing he was about to do this.
As he stepped out onto the roof he wasn't surprised to find Thalric with him. He practically ignored him, his gaze falling on Remus. "You look like shit,"
At the scowl he received, Remus almost laughed out loud. Because it was so Thalric. To just moodily sit there scowling like an angry toddler. A peek of a dimple appeared as Remus poked him on the forehead. "You're going to give yourself wrinkles if you keep carrying on like that." He told him, a touch of affection in his voice.
He fell silent then, just thinking of the reality of their situation. "What did you think would happen?" He wondered aloud. Because he didn't understand Thalric's motives anymore. They had been so clear at first. Thalric was one of Morpheus' favored elite. Gifted to Remus as a sort of bodyguard or spy. He could have been either.
Remus had never been physically strong. He couldn't take the same amount of damage any of the rest of them could. So having Thalric close, meant Remus could focus on what he did best. Strategize. Give orders. Send power boosts. And if required fling a spell of two.
He staggered over to the railing and gazed down at the street below. He took a breath. "Thalric." His voice was soft as he spoke. "Our time is up."
He would have said more if the door hadn't opened. Remus went very still. Because surely, he was hallucinating. But, the image of Erebus remained. Standing there, staring at him. Opening his mouth. That damned mouth. Which was always the problem.
Remus forced himself to sink into a relaxed stature. He jerked his chin toward the railing. "You're a little late. There's a line." Then he squinted a bit. Taking in Erebus. "But you've no room to talk. You look like you've been through the ringer. Almost like... hmm...I wonder."
The poke to forehead came as a surprise, as did the note of affection in Remus's words. A smile almost started to tug at his lips. Almost. As it was his scowl softened a fraction. At the question though if deepened into a frown. He could be honest. With just the two of them there it was the safest time to be. And his nerves from almost loosing the younger vampire were still just frayed enough that the words were coming out of his mouth before he could stop them. "I wasn't thinking. All I knew is that you were likely dying and I couldn't let it happen," He couldn't pinpoint the moment. The moment where protecting Remus had gone from the things he'd been instructed to do, to his whole reason for being.
At the appearance of Erebus of all people, he felt like growling again. But he took his cue from Remus and stayed where he was. Yet every muscle had gone on alert. Ready to step in or attack should the other vampire try anything.
Erebus slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers, putting on the well practiced air of nonchalance. He stayed where he was though, just a few steps from the door. "Ah, yes I saw," he glanced towards the edge of the roof, knowing what was below that Remus was referring to. "You lot always could make enemies impressively quickly," his gaze fell back on the other vampire. Ordinarily the jab would have made him bristle but he was still numb enough that it didn't even make a dent. "You mean the party? It was rather a shit show wasn't it....thanks to you. You know if you missed me you could have just called,"
Remus expression turned puzzled at his answer. âThalricâŚâ he started to say, wanting to correct him. That he hadnât been dying. He would have been just fine. Or even if not. Thalric would have. Morpheus would have reassigned him. But that didnât seem like the right thing to say. Not with the look on the older vampireâs face. The tone in his voice. He was afraid. Afraid for him.
Then the truth of the situation didnât matter any more. Maybe it never had. Remus pressed his lips together tightly. Trying to fight the instinct to comfort Thalric. Because what he wanted to do wasnât as important as what he needed to do. But stillâŚit hurt. In many ways.
âDo you rememberâŚâ he asked feeling far away now. âWhen Morpheus gave you to me? Because he knew you were loyal to him. Above anything else.â He moved forward then, bringing his hands up to Thalricâs face. âYou canât do this. You canât give him means to doubt that loyalty. Even for me.â He paused then. Hiding behind his bangs. âThatâs what I should tell you.â He caught the older vampire behind the head and pulled him in closer to him. Their foreheads touched. âLoyalty be damned. But Iâd risk death for you. Every time.â
âMmm⌠us. Yes.â Remus replied. âHow easily you forget. You were once us too.â His lips formed a line as his amusement drifted away. âThe party was meant to be a retrieval effort. Nothing more. The casualties? That would be on your maker. As is most things. If he ever bothered to take responsibility for anything.â
Remus moved to where he stood beside Thalric, placing a hand on the giant vampireâs arm. He could feel the stiffness in his body. âYou are very brave to come here.â He said as he continued to move forward towards Erebus. âAfter what youâve done. After you ran like the little bottom feeder you are.â He let that be all he said aloud. Watching Erebus with a mixture of emotions. âI should have known though. You always did prefer the Dubois brothers company. Pity you wonât get to keep them.â
He searched the younger mans face at the cut off sentence. It had likely been a reprimand for what he'd said. Many of his seethe would view it was too soft. Caring wasn't something they were supposed to do. He'd been good at that once upon a time. Then he'd been assigned to Remus and slowly that had started to change.
Thalric frowned again when he continued. He remembered the day vividly. Knew too that Remus was likely right, that he shouldn't give Morpheus reason to doubt his loyalty. The consequences for both of them would be bad. The doubt wouldn't be unfounded though. His loyalty had shifted after all. He stilled completely when he said that's what he should say. Though he let Remus pull him in. His eyes closing as their foreheads touched. Something sparked in him at the words that followed. They felt like his own. His hand strayed to Remus's waist. Unwise, but he couldn't help it. "I would risk everything, death, torture. For you I would always risk it all," there was more he could say. More he wanted to. Centuries of never talking so openly or honestly held his tongue.
--
Erebus let out a bitter sounding laugh. The accusation of easily forgetting seemed unreasonably funny given recent developments. Not that Remus was to know that though. He cut of the laugh, sure that if he let it continue much longer he wouldn't be able to stop. "I was," he conceded, "but I made my choice to leave, to stop being a part of it," It felt important to say it as much for his own sake as that of the other vampire.
If he'd needed to breath he was sure he'd have stopped at the last of what Remus said. The implication in it. They didn't have Gage either. As it was his outside facade didn't alter, didn't give away his surprise. For a moment he looked out over the skyline, giving his mind a moment to settle again. "Don't you ever get tried of all this?" he questioned, sounding as weary as he looked. "The staking claims, the turf scuffles, the violence? Looking at the world and seeing nothing but enemies and prey?" shaking his head he looked back to Remus.
"Maybe I'm brave. Maybe I'm just a stupid, selfish bottom feeder like you see me. I doesn't much matter what I am," he said with a sigh. "Coming to this city, attacking at the High Warlocks party - it was a mistake Remus. And that's not a threat, it's a warning. If you keep following his orders, being his lap dog, the powers of this city will hold you just as responsible as him,"
