Lost Witch

Lex was undoubtedly a private person, one who had always internalised and dealt with her struggles alone as opposed to sharing the weight. It was second nature at this point but Kai had been one of the very few she confided in with complete certainty. When he asked her about her hesitations she nodded, “It wouldn’t be the first time he’s tried something like that and I’m so tired of his games, Kai. There’s always a catch. Always something brewing. In some fucked up way - I understand why he does the things he does. When you live as long as he has… life can be incredibly mundane. I’ve said for a long time that boredom is our species downfall. It leads to destruction, greed, callousness and in most cases ends in our demise.” She explained with a sigh running a hand through her rarely dishevelled auburn locks. “Jeremy is finally content. I couldn’t bare to see that taken away from him.” The redhead finished softly. 

Crystal hues lifted at the offer, “If you think there’s something you could do that would bring me some peace of mind? I’d be eternally grateful. I’m sure Jeremy would appreciate it too. He’d never admit it, far too polite. I’m sure he hates having an overbearing older sister.” She joked a little smiling some. 

Returning with their drinks, Lex handed over the glass smiling softly at her dearest friend. Kai was a creature of habit in the drink department, much like herself. “Alright, well for starters - I claimed someone. His name’s Levi, not sure if you guys have met before.” Her lip quivered with the fondness she held for the shifter. “He’s a good man. Very easy on the eyes.”

-

Kai nodded as he listened to Lexi explain more about how her species inevitably fell prey to the endlessness of time. He could understand it perfectly, how someone could become bored and thus destructive to the world around them, after all when you had nothing but time to fill, it seemed so easy to fill it with anything possible, even the bad. “I can understand how frustrating that must be Lex, never knowing what he plans to do.” Kai sympathised. He wished he could do more for his friend, help her fix the problem that was her sire. 

Kai gave it some thought before turning to one of his grimoire in order to look over a few different spells that might help before he settled on something. “It’s not much, but I could amplify the link between you and Jeremy, perhaps it would give you more of an early warning if something happened to him?” Kai offered, it was all he could do at such short notice. 

When Lex explained she’d claimed someone, Kai looked surprised, but he was pleased for his friend. He knew Lexi never did anything without being 100% sure about it so the claim wasn’t something she’d done on a whim. “No I’ve not had the pleasure, I’m happy for you Lex. We should all have dinner sometime.”

“Oh I plan on havin’ more than just a taste. I love ya more than anythin’..but I don’t intend to share. The dessert, or ya” Ciaran teased, letting out a low groan as he pressed his body closer to Kai’s. Being completely on their own, away from any prying ears or eyes, had the wolf admittedly feeling more than a little amorous. And he had a feeling Kai wouldn’t mind having dinner just a little later than they had planned.. Wasn’t that the point of vacation anyway, being spontaneous? “I am..  Absolutely starvin’..” He muttered, backing the witch up against the nearest wall in response. His hands were already starting to wander, running over Kai’s sides before slipping under his shirt to feel the warmth and smoothness of his skin. “Ya actually gonna tell me ya wanna go right this second? When I’m doin’ some of my best work here?” Ciaran teased, nipping and kissing his way down the others neck as he pressed their groins tighter together.

“I’ve survived this long without him, I’m sure I’ll manage to get by.” The vampire said addressing her Sire’s recent absence with a wry smile as she held the witch close. There was a hesitancy then. “..In truth, I’m more worried for my brother. I discovered that Keir and him got along rather well. I haven’t- said anything to Jeremy yet. I’m not quite sure where to begin.” It still left a bitter taste on her tongue. Keir had saved him, cleaned up her mess time and time again. The shame and guilt knotted in her gut as she reluctantly thought back to that time. The Marlow siblings had come leaps and bounds in mending their relationship since reuniting but one thing would always remain. Lex began to doubt that she would ever be capable of forgiving herself for what she had inflicted upon her own blood. Pulled from those harrowing thoughts she looked to the witch and his teasing’s with a light chuckle, “I could think of a few. But I highly doubt they’ll come knocking any time soon if they have some sense to them.” She joked playfully rolling her eyes. A certain Djinn perhaps? “Thank you, love. I appreciate it.” Lex said then softly as they parted. 

At his question a soft smile traced the outline of her lips, “I’ve been good. Busy, incredibly busy. Mostly trying to keep my head down and nose out of trouble.” The redhead smirked. “I have so much to tell you. But first can I get you anything? A drink perhaps, whilst you work your mojo?” 

Kai nodded as he listened to Lexi explain, always willing to give her an ear when she needed some advice or even just someone to speak to and not offer any kind of comment. That was what best friends were for after all. “Are you worried he might try something? Manipulate him perhaps simply to get a reaction from you?” Kai asked. He knew it wasn’t the first time Keir had done such a thing, although he hardly knew the full details, but he would try and do something for his best friend. Being a witch he was privy to many types of magics that could help, a little oracle work here and there to keep tabs on Keir’s whereabouts seemed simple enough. “You know I’ll always do anything to help.” Kai promised with a smile before he set to work gathering what he would need in order to revoke his own spellwork. “Busy is always good.” He smiled, nodding at the offer of a drink, knowing she would get him his usual, he was predictable that way. “My ears are open, this spell could take some time to prepare so chatter away my dear friend.”

Ciaran smiled as Ghost was released, reaching hand out for the familiar to sniff. The aloof wolf had quickly grown on him and he had to admit he was pretty damn glad to see him. Plus, it was always a joy to see Kai use his magic. And, he freely admitted, pretty damn sexy. “Well make sure ya save room for dessert. Dunno about ya but I ain’t leavin’ without a piece of genuine Italian tiramisu” He grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Ciaran knew they had plenty of time for that and more, already feeling the more relaxed pace of the lovely city. Enough so that he stopped Kai before the other could leave their room, pulling the slightly taller man to him and running his fingers through those sandy curls before capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. “Eh…almost” He murmured against his lips with a chuckle, suddenly not in as much of a hurry to leave the privacy of those four walls.

“It would be a crime to come all the way here and not have even just a taste.” Kai chuckled in agreement, tiramisu one of his favourite desserts of all time. He was surprised when he was stopped in his tracks and tugged back, but smiled at the other chuckling at the feeling of fingers running through his curls. Kai had recently cut his hair back a little more from the longer look he’d had and even shaved his beard though he often let both grow back in. “I thought you were hungry?” The witch smiled into their kiss, returning it as his arms wrapped around Ciaran’s shoulders, holding him close as they enjoyed one another’s company. 

Lips curled into a grin as those teasing words fell upon her ears, “Oh, I’m very well aware of that. I am a rather difficult woman to refuse after all.” Lex quipped playfully, her blue orbs dancing softly over her dearest friends handsome features. Listening intently to his words a soft smile pulled at the corners of her lips, “Well, aren’t we all a little fickle from time to time? I know I’m a culprit for it.” She smirked a little then. 

As she was prompted by Kai’s question she sighed a little her gaze lowering, “Keir left… and I wondered if you could use your extraordinary talents to remove the protection charm? He won’t return. I’m fairly certain of it.” She explained evenly as a hidden unusual pang of desertion weighed heavy on her chest as she vocalised the words aloud. Lex was well accustomed to people coming and going from her life as an immortal being and yet… those that she had a deep connection with always left their mark. To no longer feel her sires stoic presence nearby was disorientating to say the least. 

Kai was a little surprised to hear that Lexi’s sire had decided to leave the island, but then what she’d told him of the man he was an illusive creature that didn’t seem the type to stick to any one place too long. Kai almost envied that sense of freedom. “How are you handling it? I know you two weren’t close but...the uncertainty must weigh on you?” He asked gently, wrapping her up into a warm embrace to give comfort and solace if she needed it. At the request to remove the protection charms he’d placed on her home, Kai nodded with an easy smile. “Of course, unless there’s anyone else you’re looking to banish from your home?” He teased with a chuckle, eventually pulling back from their embrace so he could gather what he would need for the reversal spell. “How have you been Lex? Keir’s departure aside?”

“Eh ya probably right on that. Don’t sound all that comfortable when ya put it that way” He agreed with a laugh, glad that he had drawn a chuckle out of Kai. That was a good sign, one he hoped followed them through their trip. Running his hands up and down Kai’s arms, he arched his head up to nip at the witch’s jaw, letting out a hum of both amusement and curiosity. “Like Hermione’s beaded bag? May have watched Harry Potter with Qhuinn the other night” He admitted sheepishly.

When his Kai gave the green light, Ciaran gave the dogs one last pat, assuring them that their auntie would be along shortly. Then it was off to the airport. Their flight was long but uneventful, and after what seemed like a hundred years, they were finally lugging their suitcases into the hotel. “So what first? Food? I’m bloody starved” He announced, though that was hardly earth shattering news.

“Never thought I’d see the day when they all got you into that nerd stuff.” Kai chuckled smiling at the nip to his jaw. It amused him that Ciaran had been persuaded to watch those kinds of movies, having figured they just weren’t the wolf’s thing. While the trip was slow for the witch, far more used to simply portaling wherever he needed to go, it made a change to his usual routine of things and meant he got to reserve his magic. 

As soon as they were safely sequestered into their hotel room, away from prying eyes, Kai released the magic that held Ghost in his eye, the white wolf joining them in their room. “Food sounds like a good plan, after that boring flight I feel like I could eat my weight in local appetisers.” The witch chuckled. With another quick little spell, Kai changed Ghost’s shape to something small and easily able to follow them. As much as he would have left the wolf in the room alone, he didn’t want any hotel staff to spot him. The small wagtail bird was the perfect thing. “Ready?”

Alexandrea’s nimble fingers toyed with the edges of the letter that had been left in her sires absence. His departure from the island was sudden but expected and yet the relief she sought out was short-lived by the words that adorned the pages. Lex was accustomed to the mans deceitful ways and no amount of good willed words were going to win him back into her good graces. Their relationship had never been simple and she would often wonder if there would ever come a day where they would see eye to eye. It was inevitable that they would cross paths again but whether it was orchestrated or simply by fate was left to be seen. It felt rather fitting to ask the help of her dearest trusted friend to take down the wards he had put up around her home. The uncertainty no longer lingered in her life. The threat was gone, at least for now. Following Keir’s last written request she set the pages of his letter alight, watching as his words curled and turned to ash. 

Tossing the remnants of the burning paper into a bowl, her expression lifted hearing Kai approach the steps of her front porch. “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” The vampiress teased softly turning her head and getting up from her seat. Moving towards the tall witch she pulled his lithe frame into a warm embrace. “Thanks for coming over, sweetheart.” She whispered as she parted at an arms length away from him so she could get a real good look at him. “You look good. Ciar been taking good care of you?” Lexi smiled warmly as her cool thumb gently caressed over his cheek.  

@lvstwxtch​ 

There were only a finite number of people in Kai’s life that he would come when called and Lexi was perhaps top of his list. She had been his best friend for so many years, it was only natural to go to her when she needed something and he never asked for anything in return. Approaching the familiar cabin, he smiled upon seeing her, happily returning the embrace she pulled him into. 

“You know I find it very difficult to say no to you.” He teased with a warm chuckle, brushing a wayward strand of fiery hair from her face. “He does his best but I’m a fickle creature not so easily looked after.” Kai shrugged one shoulder. He knew he was difficult these days and Ciaran a saint for putting up with him . But Kai was working through a lot of things mentally that no one but himself could really help him with. It wasn’t hard to catch the smell of recently burnt paper, being a witch, Kai was no stranger to burning things. “So what did you need?”

Anderson nodded, if there was anything he knew, it was that it was impossible to change the past and he had to stop dwelling on it. “ I get it, we can’t change the past, so I plan to make the future different, better. Though it doesn’t change the hurt and pain you, or anyone feels.”

Kai nodded, if that was what Andy intended to do, then who was he to tell him otherwise? But the witch wouldn’t believe just words alone, he was an actions speak louder kind of man. “No, it doesn’t. But the pain isn’t everything, or at least I’m trying not to let it be.” He replied. 

Ciaran sighed softly to himself as he watched Kai. Something seemed to be bothering the other again. Or maybe it had never stopped, as Kai just seemed to have a case of resting brooding face. Even before they had lost Clay. He hoped that the time away would help them both relax, as well as maybe allowing his boyfriend to feel comfortable enough to tell him what was troubling him. Being away from prying eyes and ears should do them both wonders, really.

The wolf continued to watch, blinking a bit in amazement at what Kai was doing with Ghost. “Ya never seem to amaze me darlin’, that was quite the trick. Think ya could teach it to me one day? Sure as fuck would make packin’ a lot easier” Ciaran teased, finally approaching the slightly taller male. Taking the others face in his hands, he placed a gentle kiss to his lips. “Everythin’ is set now. Let’s get the fuck outta here”

“It only works with a familiar, you don’t want to be putting luggage in your eye Ciaran.” Kai chuckled, blinking for a moment as his vision adjusted to the limited colour vision of a wolf mixed with his own. It was a little straining but it would only be needed for so long. “There is a bag extension charm that I could have applied to our belongings, but I just prefer to see you work.” The witch smirked playfully. He was trying to be in a better mood for Ciaran, knowing he’d been different for a long time. Some of it couldn’t be changed, it just who Kai was now, but he was also still the man he’d always been. 

He smiled softly at the kiss before nodding when they were both ready. “Lets’ go.” He agreed. While it was Kai’s knee-jerk reaction to simply create a portal for them to travel through, he refrained, knowing they were trying the whole civilian thing for this trip. 

“ I know I don’t have a obligation to be your friend, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be your friend, I have always enjoyed talking to you and being your friend.” He said firmly, he knew he had been a bad friend, and that he barely knew the person in front of him anymore, but he still wanted to try. “ I am sorry for your loss, Kai.”

Kai would have argued that their friendship hadn’t meant much considering they’d gone so long without a word to one another, that things had happened to both of them that were significant changes and yet neither were aware of anything being different, but he let the comment slide. “You can’t change the past.” The witch replied plainly as he took a sip of his drink, just trying to shut out the painful memories of his lost and the hollow feeling in his chest. 

Time Away | C&K

Ciaran did one last check to make sure he had everything, giving his suitcase a hard shove and zipping it closed. He was a light enough packer but he hoped to have time to take Kai to Ireland. And winter in the motherland called for heavier jackets, even for a wolf. “Ya ready to go spend some time with your cousin Remus? Eh? Don’t go givin’ Auntie Qhuinn a hard time though ya hear me?” He chuckled at the dogs, who were looking up at him with that knowing expression of a pet who knew their owner was about to leave. “And don’t ya be lookin’ at me like that either, how the fuck to ya even know?” Giving two pairs of floppy ears an affectionate fondle, he looped his old leather jacket over his shoulder and trundled his suitcase down the stairs. 

“Ya ready yet darlin’? We ain’t takin’ a trip around the world here ya know” Ciaran called to Kai teasingly, as he made sure he had everything set out that Qhuinn would need for the pups. 

@lvstwxtch​

Time away was something Kai really needed. The island was suffocating, stifling and he truthfully was only sticking around for a handful of reasons these days. Getting out from under its oppressive thumb was what the witch really needed to feel better, at least he hoped. There was a part of him that thought if he left, he’d never come back, so that thought itched in the back of his mind but he kept it to himself. 

With his bags packed, Kai looked at Ghost, stroking his fingers through the wolf’s fur lovingly before he enchanted his familiar, the white wolf seemed to break apart into smoke or white fog before collecting into the witch’s left eye, turning it the same blood red of Ghost’s original eyes. It was a way to keep his familiar with him, without having to explain why a wolf was following them, simple magic. “Ready when you are.” Kai replied, eager to be gone from the island and to perhaps spend some time away with just Ciaran where the two of them could focus on each other for a while. 

“ It isn’t fine, it’s a horrible thing to do. I am truly sorry.” He hated leaning people behind, he didn’t like when he happened to him and he doesn’t want to be the cause of it for other people. “ I will be a better friend, which means you will sadly be seeing me a lot more.” He teased. “ What things happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Kai listened, his expression almost unreadable as Andy spoke. He wasn’t the same person the other had known, far from it really. The glamour of magic hid his face from the bloodstained tears that now permanently ran down his cheeks, hiding what had happened to him. “Everyone gets busy, you don’t have any obligation to be my friend Andy.” Kai said as he looked at the other, letting him walk away if he wanted to. When asked what had happened to him, Kai’s eyes turned away, back towards the bar. “I lost people and I changed.”

Andy had tend to get so caught up in his own life and forget about his friends. He should have kept in better touch with Kai, with everyone. “ It has been a while, and I am sorry about that. I tend to forget things and be selfish.” He said. “ I hope you have been well?”

Kai shrugged, it wasn’t as if he’d tried very hard to keep in contact with many people. The witch was far more of a recluse these days, only really interacting with his familiar and his best friend. But a lot had happened to him. “It’s fine, you don’t need to apologise to me.” He replied. “Fine, things have happened but things happen to everyone here.”

Truthfully, Amabella did not like the establishment. It was below her tastes and too much resembling a homely pub from the European continent. However, this was where the master she was currently playing nice for and manipulating her took her. Perhaps it was not entirely her choice, however it was still free items she was receiving, attention, and of course time away from her humiliating cells. Amabella leaned into the master, coyly running her fingers across his arm in such a teasing manner. How he melted before her! The wine in front of her was cheaper than she would have liked, but it would do for now. However, she wished to add to it. “Do you know how happy it would make me to have blood in my drink?” She leaned closer and kissed at his chin so charmingly. “So very happy.” She purred and giggled. 

Kai hadn’t really been listening to the master and his slave while they seemed to sit close to him at the bar. He didn’t really care one way or the other, what they were doing so long as it didn’t bother him. But when he heard her mention blood, the witch frowned. “They don’t serve that here, take it to exotic tastes.” He told them both. 

Kai chuckled, amused at his phone before he replied with a quick text back.

Anderson arrived at Dark Moon, only to realized that he had his days wrong and was due to work the following evening. Shrugging he decided to have a drink instead when he saw someone he hadn’t spoken to in forever. “ Kai, hello. It has been a long time.” He said, taking a seat next to him at the bar.

“Andy.” Kai replied when the other took the seat beside him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen the other, nor spoken to him. A lot of that was probably on the witch, he’d been through quite a lot, long absences and now even more so. When Artemis called he had to answer. “It has been. Are you well?”

Ava wanted to get out, so she had made her way to Dark Moon, and headed inside. She bit her lip, as she made her way inside, she spotted an empty seat, and she made her way over to Kai. “Do you mind some company?” she asked, cocking her head to the side slightly.

Kai glanced up when Ava joined him before shaking his head, gesturing to the empty seat beside him. “Not at all.” He told her, not so aloof as to be averse to someone sitting with him, he could even engage in conversation although Kai knew most probably thought he couldn’t.