in the shadows

『✦』 Gene definitely couldn’t say it was too unexpected,            given their current position and just the way they            had looked at each other. The touch of Vylad’s lips            to his own was pleasant, and his skin flushed a scarlet            hue. He really didn’t see this coming, he never thought            about it, and he couldn’t believe how fast it was all            happening. He rested his hands on Vylad’s shoulders            and closed his eyes, almost forgetting to kiss back.

           Though he tried to keep his cool, he felt really flustered.            This was all still sinking in and he was finding it difficult            to keep his composure, his face just getting warmer and            warmer. His mind was racing a hundred miles per hour.            He had experienced these things before, but had forgotten            what it felt like.

While Gene had perhaps experienced these things before, Vylad definitely hadn’t; he really hadn’t had much opportunity to have many social interactions in his life, much less romantic in nature. To say his own face was red was an understatement and he closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to look at the other.

It didn’t last very long, though it felt like an eternity, before he pulled away, seemingly disgusted with himself and also fearing a bit that Gene might be upset with the action. He didn’t know what he was doing or feeling and it had been an impulse, something he couldn’t control, and now he just wanted to go hide in his room.

『✦』 Gene still looked discontented at this, but just            decided to take his word for it. Why did he even            care about what Vylad thought? When he searched            for an answer, he found nothing but answers he            wasn’t okay with. Or at least, unsure of. He didn’t            even know his opinion on Vylad, and here he was,            demanding answers from him like Vylad even owed            him anything. He felt a little bad.

           To be honest, when Vylad said ‘friends’, he didn’t            even really know what the other meant by that. He            hadn’t had anyone but Sasha that he’d consider a            friend in a long time, and even that was an uneven fit.             He visibly frowned. “Friends.” He guessed that might            be the right term for it, but he didn’t understand why            he felt disappointed. He didn’t know if he wanted            something more or something less, either option            left him with this strange feeling, which frustrated            him.

           “This doesn’t feel right.”

No, it really didn’t really feel right and Vylad would like to just pass that off as the fact they had been enemies for years before this and now being on friendly terms was strange, but that didn’t seem like a proper reason either.

The entire situation felt heavy and awkward, a nagging feeling in the back of Vylad’s mind telling him to not reply or try to find a way out as quickly as possible, but seeing as they were the only two there, that wouldn’t be so easy to accomplish.

He didn't really want to think about it because he wasn't sure of his own feelings, but now Gene was pressuring him and he had to come up with some semblance of a reply.

'Ah.' He paused and glanced away, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in this situation. 'I do forgive you I wouldn't just say that and I wouldn't turn on you. I'm not that kind of person.'

He wasn't the type of person Gene and the Shadow lord had so desperately wanted him to be and he couldn't be malicious, even when Gene threw scalding comments his way sometimes. 'I don't know. I'd like to think we're friends.'

『✦』  “That’s surprising.” He commented, adjusting his             position as he was beginning to slump. He really             didn’t get involved much with political stuff unless             he had to when he was the head guard of Oboros,             it didn’t interest him, but he would’ve figured that             at least one of the Ro’meave kids would have             been married off. He started to think about Pauline             a little, but quickly dispersed the thoughts and             remained attentive to what Vylad was saying.

            The more Vylad mentioned Lord Aphmau, the more             curious he became about her. Sure, he knew of her,             but he had only ever really recognized her as a threat.             He knew that she was kind, but that was honestly it.             “What’s Lord Aphmau like?” Maybe if he knew more             about her, he’d feel at least okay enough to go to             Phoenix Drop. Because right now a lot of danger flags             were raised around that village, for him anyway.

What was she like? He felt like he knew the woman intimately after all this time, but he had only seen her a few times in all the 20 or so years and she had only actually known him for the past year.

‘Well. She’s a bit older than me, I believe. She’s strong and she knows how to lead a village.’ He pondered for a moment and readjusted how he was sitting. ‘I was keeping an eye on Phoenix Drop so long ago because my brother was there. I didn’t expect for her to come in and take over the way she did, but it worked out, I suppose.’

“『✦』 Gene looked bewildered at this. How old was Dante             now? He had no idea, but either way this was             shocking to him. Kids were nightmares. How does             his little brother put up with THAT. A confused look             was plastered on his face, and he shook his head             briefly. “That’s… I don’t even know how to put it.             I feel like I should be happy for him or something,             but I’m just shocked.”

            He thought about this for a few more moments.             “Maybe. I definitely can’t say I’m not curious. It’s just             such a strange feeling… I guess I’ve never really             thought about how I’d feel if Dante had kids one day,             or anything like that.” He ran a hand through his hair.             “Wow. Nephews, huh.” Then he had a question. “Do             you have nephews? Surely one of your brothers had to             have married at this point.”

‘They haven’t actually, no.’ He paused for a moment, thinking back to the children who were now adults he had only seen a few times since his arrival in the Overworld and the infant the lord was now caring for. 

‘But my oldest brother is in a relationship with Lord Aphmau and they have 3 adopted children together. 2 older boys and a baby girl. I’d like to consider them my family.’ At least he had a chance to be there for Lilith now, though as he reflected, he realized he really hadn’t been there for anyone in quite some time since Gene had come to live there.

『✦』 Gene wasn’t so sure about Vylad’s re-assuring            words. Maybe it was just him being paranoid, but            he was sure that his status as a shadow knight            wouldn’t be exactly glossed over. But he couldn’t            be sure, and he only really had Vylad’s word to            trust at this point. Which felt strange to say. He            still didn’t know how he felt about the other man.            “Maybe you’re right.” Doubt edged his words.

            The lack of words felt uncomfortable, and he             still felt tense around Vylad for a majority of the             time. He supposed that he couldn’t really ask             for complete ease, it had only been just a bit ago             that he apologized for the past 15 years or so.             He couldn’t help but get lost in his own thoughts             to reflect about his actions, unusual for him.             Even though Vylad had forgiven him, he knew that             the scars left by what he had done would always             be there.

            He almost didn’t hear what Vylad said, but it             snatched him right out of his thoughts. “He-,             sorry, what?”

Finally, something actually drew a proper reaction. It was so amusing he almost wanted to laugh at the other’s expression in response to his comment.

‘Yes, there’s two boys.’ He had only shared a few words with Dante in all his time on the island, it hadn’t really come up, so he didn’t know the names of the children and it seemed Gene hadn’t known of their existence.

He also had nephews, he had to remember, but they were grown men now and likely didn’t consider him to actually be their uncle as it wasn’t by blood and he had been absent for years. Still, he felt something there for them, even if they hadn’t spoken a word to him. 

‘Even in its prime, it wasn’t that successful. From what I understood, the previous lord had no idea how to run a village.’ That was in stories he had long since forgotten, perhaps a little fresher in his older brother’s mind as the elder had now become the younger, but he knew that it was all in good hands now.

He ran his fingers along the tattered spine of the book on his lap, anxiously chewing his bottom lip at the latter’s ending comment. ‘I really don’t think the punishment would be that harsh, if there was one. Aphmau is a compassionate lord.’

And Gene had never done anything directly to her, had he? Well, sans knocking the woman out so many years ago when she had started unraveling Phoenix Drop’s past, but she wouldn’t know that nor have to.

‘There’s no cruel people there. And it’s not as if I would make you do it alone; I’ll still be here.’ It felt silly acting as though he was the older man’s parent, but the reaction, should it come, would surely be worse if he didn’t accompany Gene into town. At least they felt some sympathy for him and would perhaps be a little less distrusting if he vouched for his...friend.

A crack of lightning outside the window caused the shadow knight to buck off the couch by an inch, startled by the too-close sound that had likely struck a tree not far from the cottage. Despite all his healing he had done, which was a remarkable amount, loud noises didn’t sit well with him and he wasn’t sure if they ever would.

Fingers tightening in the blanket draped halfway off the cushion of the sofa, he pulled it over his lap and leaned forward to sit the book on the coffee table. Once more they fell into a lapse of awkward silence; personal questions felt too imposing and out of place for their relationship and yet, what was their relationship? Nothing felt appropriate or safe.

He wanted to ask if Gene was happy here, though that was a stupid question he no doubt knew the answer to, but then again, the elder shadow knight didn’t seem entirely too upset living here at this point either. They had become comfortable with each other, domestic even, in a strange way he wasn’t sure he wanted to acknowledge.

『✦』` `of course.` ` even though he knew what vylad            was typically doing in the morning, he still asked.            he couldn’t help but smile even more at the man,            he could say that he had grown somewhat…fond            of him but that was definitely an understatement.            ` `as well as i can, anyway.` `            he complied, and sat down next to vylad. he            leaned back, propping himself up with his arms.            he enjoyed basking in the sunlight. he would’ve            complained that it wasn’t hot enough, but he knew            that the temperature wouldn’t get too high for a while.            ` `how about you? looks like you’ve been awake for            a while now.` `

‘I was a bit tense. I thought I would come out here and do something productive.’ Now that he had settled in a fairly regular sleeping routine, it gave way to having bouts of restlessness that kept him up til odd hours. 

Thankfully there was no one around in the immediate vicinity to disturb with his early morning excursions. Well, besides Gene.

Hands dirty, he sat down the basket and shifted over to sit beside Gene. He would have never thought he would grow so close with the other shadow knight, not after all they had been through, but he couldn’t stop himself. They had become quite good companions.

     his lip curled back into a snarl, the sight of the rope coming into his view. the words given to him by vylad did nothing but add to his unease, the mere thought of being prisoner sending an erratic tremor throughout his body. he was no idiot. they were going to ‘interrogate’ him, and execute him in the most painful way possible. he deserved no less.

     a second, and the snarl is released, a sigh taking its place. this was the fate he was to be met with. ‘ hurry it up then. ‘

‘Get up.’

Holding the loose bit of rope that hung between Gene’s hand, he pulled, urging the weak man to stand up and walk with him. It was a fair distance from his cabin in the woods, but Gene would just have to make do.

Walking alongside him, he glanced over his shoulder.

     this. this was unfortunate, and entirely the opposite of what he had hoped. the shaking, the silence, he had hoped that in some way he’d end up dead. gene blinked, the motion slow and deliberate, a closing his eyes in the slim hope that the words were a mere jest, and that vylad wa actually going to finish him off. 

it was too much to hope however, a frown forming. “ what are going to do me then?”

Well, that he wasn’t quite sure of. He paused, just for a moment before he slipped back into the annoyed expression. He reached for his belt, uncoiling a strand of dirty rope from it.

'You’re coming with me.' Gene was weak and struggling would prove fruitless if he did because Vylad was in far better health than he had ever been in the Nether. Kneeling down, he snatched the man’s thin wrists and began winding the rope around them tightly.