after making this post about Abolish's name, and thinking about other name headcanons, I remembered @jackdaw-sprite pitching Legs' first name being Louis and then this scene happened.
I'm definitely not slowly building out a post-oakhurst extended story of Legs joining the Organisation after Abolish stops him from sacrificing himself............
*.*
It had been a long, exhausting process. They'd been sitting in that quiet office for hours — him, Abolish, and an agent who had been introduced but Legundo couldn't remember his name — slowly working their way through the official statements.
Legs was used to paperwork. Between the military and medical training, he had filled out more than his fair share. This wasn't all that different from giving a report to a superior officer after a military campaign, but the familiarity brought no comfort. He was glad Abolish was there at least, a steadying presence at his side, as he had to recount the last two months in painful detail. He'd handed over his recordings and his journal at the same time Abolish had handed over the cure books.
He was wrung out, drained emotionally but not physically. He'd accepted the bottles of crimson he'd been handed when they had arrived at the manor, and had listened while Abolish explained his options.
"If nothing else," Abolish had said, "we'd appreciate having your version of events on file."
—//'I want you to stay' //—\\'I won't leave you like he left me'\\—
They both had ignored the emotions passing back and forth across the connection neither of them knew how to control.
Legundo agreed to give a report.
.
After the two or three hours of questions and retellings, Abolish finally sat back in his seat.
"I think that covers everything," he said, sounding as tired as Legundo felt. The other agent, who had been taking dutiful notes the entire time gave them both a nod.
"Very well," the man said, shuffling the pile of papers before him. He slid the stack over to Abolish, who began to slowly page through them, eyes skimming over the writing.
Once he reached the last page, he picked up the pen. Legundo had assumed he was just putting his signature at the bottom, but it looked like he was writing an entire statement. He frowned a little as Abolish gave a weary sigh and pushed the stack over to him next.
Legs didn't bother flicking through the pages. He'd already relived the events of the last two months too many times, and he trusted Abolish would have picked up any egregious errors. He'd have to read what Abolish wrote at the end, though, in case there was some specific statement was expected to write.
He was surprised when there was simply a place at the end for him to write his name, and below the heading of 'Statement given by:' was Abolish's neat handwriting.
Abolish Thy Fear And Be Free Of Regret Veylocke, written out painstakingly.
Legs blinked once. He hadn't questioned Abolish's name, had assumed it to be like his own, an epithet with a frustrating and/or confusing story behind it, that had been used so frequently it was easier than giving his own name. He supposed he was far off.
He glanced at Abolish out the corner of his eye. His fledgling was staring blankly at the wall across the room, and he could feel the waves of exhaustion and boredom rolling down the bond. But then Abolish seemed to sense his gaze, and flicked his eyes over to meet Legs'. There was a little flush of embarrassment, and Legs wasn't sure if it his his or Abolish's he was feeling. He dragged his gaze back down to the page, and pressed the pen to the blank spot below Abolish's name.
He got as far as writing Dr. before he paused.
Paused too long, obviously, because he earned himself an awkward cough from the waiting agent.
He hadn't told anyone. Not even Owen. Especially not Owen. Not after—
He swallowed and pressed the pen down again.
Dr. Louis Gunderson, he wrote, and didn't let his hand shake.
He pushed the papers back over to the agent, who collected them and gave them a wordless nod that Legs recognised as a dismissal. He and Abolish rose at the same time, and walked out the office silently.
It was a few steps down the hall that Legs felt Abolish glancing at him sideways, curiously.
"I thought it would at least be your surname," Abolish said, and while his voice was it's usual neutral tone, Legs felt the hint of amusement beneath it.
"It's… a very long story," he said, letting his weariness paint his words. Abolish just gave a little hum, that Legs knew was fond. He bit the inside of his cheek to take his mind off the feeling.
They walked a few more meters in companionable silence, before he couldn't help himself.
"Not as long as your name, though," he muttered under his breath. Abolish let out an actual chuckle.
"My father was going through a phase, apparently. My mother indulged him," he said. And then he slowed, as the air between them shifted.
"It was supposed to keep me safe," Abolish said quietly. "A kind of promise."
Even through the raw, unfiltered nerve that was their bond, Legundo could feel the way Abolish was trying to keep the emotion at bay. He reached across slowly, and placed a hand on his fledgling's shoulder.
"They loved you," he said softly. Abolish nodded, not making eye contact.
There were so many more things to say, but neither of them were ready. Legs gave Abolish's shoulder a squeeze, released him, and they continued down the hall once more.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
As voted for, here’s Legs and Abolish being Normal and Reasonable after Morcant’s arrival.
*.*
Abolish's sock had a hole in it. He could feel it under the ball of his foot, the fibres snapped and frayed and rubbing against his skin. He'd have to darn it when he got back to town. If someone had a darning needle, that was. He had been supplied for a two week mission. They'd been trapped in Oakhurst for over a month. Suppressing a groan of frustration, Abolish wriggled his toes and continued on to the next tomb.
He was most of the way to his destination when he sensed it, a presence behind him, shadowed and nearly silent. Subtly, he let his hand rest near his dagger.
"It's just me, Abolish," Legs said from the treeline. Abolish paused, and didn't think about the way he felt something in him relax at the sound of the Doc's voice. Legundo emerged slowly, shoulders drawn tight. He had blood on his fingertips, but was carrying a large satchel that Abolish could see was full of bottles and wrapped meat. Hunting, then. Abolish had the luxury of being able to ration his supplies. Legundo would not have that option, not with a newly turned fledgling to care for.
"All good, Doc?" Abolish asked casually, taking advantage of having an extra set of eyes — well, eye technically — to take a moment to properly adjust his sock. He kept Legs in his periphery as he rested his foot on a nearby fallen tree and began to unlace his boot.
"Where's your grandfather?"
Abolish could tell Legs was trying to keep the venom out of his voice, but he wasn't doing a very good job.
"In town. Sausage wanted an interview." Abolish didn't love the idea of leaving Morcant with Sausage unsupervised, but he liked the idea of being there for that conversation even less, so he had excused himself to go do another round of book hunting.
"He's dangerous, Abolish."
"Sausage?"
Okay, maybe Abolish had been spending a bit too much time trying to get under Scott's skin, because he knew that wasn't a helpful technique when dealing with Legundo. The monotone boredom might have captivated the Doctor's ex-husband, but it just infuriated the man himself.
"Abolish." Legundo growled it, dark and angry, but he did not advance. Abolish — to his own immense frustration — felt himself swallow. He felt no fear. There was no danger, no threat he couldn't easily handle. He felt something in the face of Legundo's rage, and had to make the conscious decision not to.
His boot was halfway unlaced. It felt like he could feel every damaged wool thread against the skin of his sole. He focused on that, and continued his task.
"Morcant's an Elder Vampire, I am well aware that he is dangerous," Abolish said, trying not to sound frustrated. He'd had this conversation before, on and off. With other agents, with vampires, with well meaning strangers. He was not a fool. He knew that, especially from the outside, his relationship with Morcant was… non-traditional.
By legal definition, Morcant was his guardian. Paperwork had been required to move Abolish from the orphanage to Thornvale Manor.
In practice, it was more complicated. They played the roles of father and son, or grandfather and grandson, depending on what age Morcant appeared. Morcant was technically Abolish's boss, his immediate supervisor, and there was certainly some kind of conflict of interest there, but no one had ever made a fuss about it.
Mostly, Abolish just thought of Morcant as his mentor, because there was no word that actually captured what he was, but that was the closest so it was what Abolish used.
"How long have you known him?" Legundo asked. It was a leading question, one that Abolish knew Legs wasn't going to like the answer to.
"I've worked for him for ten years," he said, diplomatically.
"Ten—?" Legs' gaze flicked over Abolish's face. The anger in his expression had been replaced by a flash of guilt and concern. "How old are you, Abolish?"
"I'm twenty six," he said flatly. Legundo's anger returned.
"He put a weapon in your hand at sixteen?" he snapped.
"I demanded a weapon at thirteen," Abolish replied, reaching into his finally unlaced boot to twist the fabric of his sock. "Morcant made me wait a year. I was put in the field at sixteen, after I completed my training."
He straightened, and regarded the Doctor carefully.
"You…" Legundo breathed, a pained expression crossing his features.
"I understand that you have a… complicated relationship with him," Abolish said, turning his attention back to relaxing his boot, "but this is my life, Doc. I know what I'm doing."
The air was heavy around them, but Abolish felt no need to break the silence. He methodically retied his laces, noting the way the leather of his boots creaked quietly. He'd have to condition them, the last thing he needed was for the leather to crack.
"You never mentioned him," Legundo said eventually, as Abolish rolled his pant leg back down.
"He never mentioned you," Abolish said. "What he was to you, at least. Not until he got here."
"Of course he didn't," Legs said with a bitter laugh. Abolish hummed in agreement.
"It likely wouldn't have changed anything, if I knew, but…" Abolish said, and paused, as they made eye contact. Again, that something buzzed under his skin, and he swallowed against it.
"It would have been nice to know," he settled on. Legs' expression was guarded, and Abolish couldn't quite read what was behind it.
"I don't think we were supposed to actually cross paths," Abolish continued. "I was only supposed to monitor you from a distance. We weren't supposed to… interact."
There was a long, drawn out silence. Countless things unspoken. Things better left unspoken, by Abolish's reckoning.
He waited, as Legundo seemed to cycle through a variety of emotions. Guilt, anger, something like sadness. The expressions flicked across his face, smoother than it had been when they had arrived. Abolish should have put it together, the connection, when human blood had smoothed out the signs of age in Legundo's features. He'd been juggling too much — new fledglings, the townsfolk's suspicions and stupid decisions, Legs and Scott, Legs and Owen, Scott and Owen, him and Scott. Little details had slipped through the cracks.
He had spent what he believed were his final moments watching Owen drown an entire town in blood. He had burned believing he would never see his husband again.
There were many things that could bring Oakhurst to a standstill. A storm that knocked out the roads. A fire in the woods. A strange animal wandering too close to town. Some new problem that would inevitably become everyone's problem by morning.
Owen and Legundo arguing over a blanket was not one of them. It should not have been, anyway.
Louis had been sitting quietly in the living room when the argument started. He hadn't even been paying attention at first. Owen and Legundo were always bickering about something. They were both opinionated, both stubborn, and, unfortunately, both very comfortable telling each other exactly what they thought.
Usually, it was harmless.
Usually.
"I had it first." Legundo's voice came from the other side of the room.
Louis glanced up from his book. Owen was standing beside the sofa, holding one end of a thick wool blanket. Legundo was holding the other.
Louis stared at them. "You cannot be serious."
"He took it," Legundo said.
"I did not take it."
"You walked over and pulled it off me."
"Because you were hogging it."
"I was using it."
"You were using half of it."
"Because you were using the other half."
Owen gave the blanket another tug. Legundo didn't let go.
Louis slowly lowered his book. "It is a blanket." Neither of them looked at him.
"I got it first," Legundo repeated.
"And I was cold."
"So am I."
"You're a doctor. Figure it out."
Legundo's eyebrows lifted. "I'm a doctor, Owen. Not a wizard."
"You could have gotten another blanket."
"So could you."
"This one is warmer."
"They're the same blanket."
"It's mine."
Legundo went very still. Louis immediately recognized that look. Owen had done it deliberately.
"Owen," Louis warned.
"What?"
"You know exactly what you're doing."
"I want the blanket."
Legundo calmly stared at him. Then, with deliberate patience, he said, "You know, for someone who claims to be very good at reading people, you are remarkably bad at understanding the concept of sharing."
Owen's eyes narrowed. "Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything."
"You are."
"I'm holding a blanket."
"You're being smug."
"I'm not being smug."
"You have your smug face."
"I have one face."
"You have several."
Legundo looked at Louis. "Does he have several?"
Louis considered it. "Unfortunately."
"Thank you."
"You're both insufferable."
Owen pulled the blanket again. Legundo pulled back. The blanket stretched between them.
"This is ridiculous," Legundo said.
"Then let go."
"No."
"Then stop complaining."
"No."
Owen stared at him. Legundo stared back. Louis watched the two men he loved engage in what was rapidly becoming the stupidest battle he had witnessed in years. Then Owen smiled. It was a terrible sign.
"Fine."
He let go. Legundo nearly fell backward.
"Owen!"
The vampire immediately walked away, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Louis closed his eyes. "Why?"
Owen looked over his shoulder. "He said he wanted the blanket."
"He was holding it."
"Not anymore."
Legundo stared after him in disbelief. "You are unbelievable."
Owen shrugged. "Thank you."
Ten minutes later, Louis found Owen in the kitchen. The vampire was standing beside the counter, arms folded, looking deeply offended.
Louis leaned against the doorway. "You know you're being ridiculous."
Owen didn't look at him. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"The blanket."
"He started it."
Louis sighed. "Of course he did."
"He did."
"And you did absolutely nothing to escalate it."
"No."
"Owen."
"He was being smug."
"You pulled a blanket out from underneath him."
"He wasn't using all of it."
"He was using it."
"He had his feet outside." Louis stared. Owen looked back. "It was cold."
"You two are unbelievable."
Owen's expression softened almost immediately. Then he stepped closer. "You think I'm wrong."
Louis blinked. "What?"
"You think he's right."
"I think you're both being idiots."
Owen frowned. "That's basically taking his side."
"It really isn't." Owen looked away. For a moment, he was quiet. Then, much softer, "He always gets the warm things."
Louis sighed. There it was. "You could have just said you were cold."
"I did."
"You said, 'give me that.'"
"That means I'm cold."
"To you, maybe."
Owen's shoulders slumped. Louis couldn't help smiling. For all his temper, for all the ways Owen could be terrifying when he wanted to be, he could also be remarkably easy to soothe.
Louis reached out and pulled him into a hug. Owen immediately leaned into it. There was no hesitation. His arms wrapped around Louis's waist, and he rested his forehead against Louis's shoulder.
"He was mean to me," Owen muttered.
Louis nearly laughed. "You started a fight over a blanket."
"He was mean."
"How?"
"He said I couldn't share."
"You can't."
Owen tightened his arms around him. "You're supposed to comfort me."
"I am comforting you."
"You're judging me."
"I can do both."
Owen grumbled into his shoulder. Louis rubbed his back.
"You're very cold."
"I know."
"Come sit by the fire."
"Will you come with me?"
"Of course."
Owen finally relaxed. "Thank you."
Louis kissed the top of his head. "You're welcome."
Legundo found Louis fifteen minutes later. He walked into the living room, saw Owen wasn't there, and immediately looked relieved.
Then he spotted Louis. "Louis."
Louis sighed. "Yes?"
"Can I talk to you?"
"Of course."
Legundo walked over and leaned against the table. There was something deeply amusing about how quickly the calm doctor had gone from annoyed to wounded.
"He pulled the blanket away from me."
"I know."
"And then he let go."
"I know."
"And I nearly fell."
"I know."
Legundo looked at him.
"He's horrible."
Louis smiled. "He is."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Legundo was quiet for a moment. Then he frowned. "But you know what actually bothers me?"
Louis waited.
"He knew I was cold."
Ah. There it was.
Louis softened. "You wanted him to notice."
Legundo nodded. "I'm always the one making sure everyone's comfortable. I get the blankets. I make the tea. I check if Owen has eaten. I make sure you're warm."
"I know."
"And sometimes I just want someone else to notice."
Louis reached for him. Legundo stepped into the embrace immediately. He wrapped his arms around Louis and sighed.
"You're supposed to tell me I'm right."
"You are right."
"Thank you."
"But you're also stubborn."
"I know."
"And you absolutely could have gotten another blanket."
"I know."
"And you deliberately kept holding onto that one because you knew it would annoy him."
Legundo was quiet. "...Maybe." Louis laughed softly. "He deserved it."
"You two are children."
Legundo rested his chin on Louis's shoulder. "He's worse."
"I heard that."
Both Louis and Legundo froze. Owen was standing in the doorway.
Legundo slowly looked over. "You were listening?"
"I came to get Louis."
"Why?"
"Because he's mine."
Legundo blinked. "He's ours."
Owen paused. "...Yes."
Louis looked between them. "Are we done?"
"No," Owen said.
"Yes," Legundo said.
They looked at each other.
Louis sighed. "Wonderful."
Owen walked over. He reached for Louis first, pulling him out of Legundo's arms. Legundo immediately complained.
"Hey."
"I was here first."
"You left."
"I came back."
"You stole him."
"He's not an object."
"Then stop pulling him away."
Louis found himself caught between them, Owen's arms around his waist and Legundo's around his shoulders.
"This is exactly how this started."
Neither answered. Louis looked down. The blanket had followed Owen into the room. He was still holding it.
"You brought the blanket."
Owen looked at it. "...Yes."
Legundo stared. "You took it with you?"
"I was cold."
"You have an entire bedroom full of blankets."
"This one is warmer."
"It's the same blanket."
Owen shrugged. Legundo looked at Louis.
"Tell him."
Louis stared at both of them. Then, very deliberately, he took the blanket from Owen and wrapped it around himself. Both men stared. Louis smiled.
"If either of you starts another argument over this thing, neither of you gets it."
There was silence. Owen looked at Legundo. Legundo looked at Owen. Then Legundo sighed.
"Fine."
Owen nodded. "Fine."
Louis raised an eyebrow. "That was suspiciously easy."
"We're tired," Legundo said.
"I'm still cold," Owen added.
Louis sighed and opened the blanket. "Come here, then."
They did. Immediately. Owen settled against one side of him, Legundo against the other. The blanket barely covered all three of them. Owen pulled it higher. Legundo tucked the edge around Louis's shoulder.
Louis looked down at the two men practically attached to him. "Happy?"
"Yes," Owen murmured.
"Very," Legundo agreed.
A moment passed. Then Owen quietly said, "You know, Legundo—"
"No."
"I didn't even say anything."
"I know you." Owen smiled.
Louis groaned. "Don't."
Owen's smile widened. "I was only going to say that your side is colder."
Legundo's eyes narrowed. "You're unbelievable."
"You're the one sitting on the edge."
"Because you pushed me."
"I did not."
"You did."
Louis closed his eyes. "Boys... please."
They both went quiet.
A few seconds later, Legundo whispered, "I'm still cold."
Owen shifted closer. "Come here."Â
Legundo hesitated. Then moved closer until his shoulder pressed against Owen's. Owen pulled the blanket over him without another word.
Legundo smiled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Louis looked between them. "Are you two capable of solving anything without me?"
"No," Owen said.
"Probably not," Legundo admitted.
Louis laughed quietly. He tucked himself more comfortably between them.Â
There were things in the world none of them could control. There were secrets they couldn't tell the people of Oakhurst. There were dangers outside their door, things waiting in the dark, and a whole world that would never understand the strange little life they'd built together.
But here, in the warmth of their home, those things didn't matter. He wouldn't trade it for anything.
"Love you both," Louis murmured.
Owen tightened his arms around him. "Love you too."
Legundo smiled against his shoulder. "Love you."
Louis closed his eyes. Three people. Two blankets, eventually. One very stupid argument. And, somehow, against everything else in the world, they were still together.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Thirteen people arrive at the ruins of Oakhurst to find a self-professed monster hunter named Elle Hoffman already camped out there. She's been here for a week, hunting vampires or searching for a lost friend depending on who asks. In the woods people find scraps of torn clothing, dead animals, and empty vials. Some swear they've seen someone out there, a stranger not from town who doesn't turn when they call. Doctor Legundo knows its all hogwash of course, simply frightened people in an unfamiliar place.
This is the project I was actively working on at the beginning of June. I had an idea for an AU, but didn't want to start fanfic wip #7 so I decided to draw a few of the scenes from the au instead. I recently felt re-motivated to finish the last couple drawings. There are three more parts I'm going to post related to this au. I'm tagging it #labrat au
More about the story below!
Avid went with Elle to Oakhurst and was the one who got bit, so by the time everyone else arrives in Oakhurst, Avid is feral and Elle's trying to find/trap them. For the first week or so, Avid is basically a cryptid that most people don't think really exists.
Then Legs gets attacked by Avid and seriously injures them trying to defend himself. Legs realizes that vampires are real and if he brings them back to town, that monster hunter Elle will kill them. So he hides Avid in a secret lab where he starts trying to create a cure for vampirism.
Maybe a friendship with Owen and Legundo was all that Louis deserved. Maybe, if he repeated it often enough, he would eventually learn to be content with that. Even if some selfish, foolish part of him wanted more.
Louis had never been particularly good at wanting things. It was easier not to. Wanting meant disappointment. Wanting meant vulnerability, and vulnerability was dangerous when one had spent centuries learning how to keep everyone at arm's length.
So he had become very good at being alone.
The people of Oakhurst knew him as their mayor, though "knew" was perhaps a generous word. Louis rarely appeared in public unless there was something important enough to demand his presence. He attended council meetings, signed documents, settled disputes, and occasionally appeared at town celebrations with the practiced smile of a man who belonged among them.
Then he disappeared again. No one questioned it too much. Louis was polite. Kind. Generous when he could afford to be. And, most importantly, he never gave them a reason to suspect what he really was.
A vampire.
He had learned long ago that people were remarkably accepting of monsters so long as the monsters were careful enough to look human.
Oakhurst did not know that their mayor had red eyes. They did not know that his long white hair fell over skin that had never known warmth. They did not know that the hands signing their permits were cold enough to make people shiver.
And Louis intended to keep it that way. Until Owen.
Owen had arrived in Oakhurst looking like someone who had already been chased out of every other place he'd ever called home. He was ill. That much was obvious. His hands shook sometimes. He tired easily. His skin was an unhealthy shade of pale beneath its natural tan, and there were days when he could barely get out of bed.
People stared. They whispered. Some offered pity. Others offered nothing at all.
Louis offered him tea. That had been the beginning.
"You don't have to keep doing that," Owen had muttered one afternoon.
Louis looked up from the paperwork on his desk. "Doing what?"
"Acting like I'm not sick."
Louis had frowned. "I've never said you weren't."
Owen's eyes narrowed. "Most people don't even want to touch me."
Louis glanced at the hand Owen had been staring at. Then, without thinking much of it, he reached across the desk and took it. Owen froze.
Louis's fingers were cold. Not pleasantly cool. Not the sort of chill one might expect from someone who had been sitting in an unheated room.
Cold.
Owen looked down at their hands. Then back at Louis. Louis simply continued speaking as though nothing unusual had happened.
"You have a condition. That doesn't make you unpleasant."
Owen stared at him for several seconds. Then he laughed. It was quiet and disbelieving.
"You're strange."
"I've been told."
And somehow, that was enough. They became friends. Then very quickly, they became something closer than that.
Owen began appearing at Louis's office without invitation. He would sit in one of the armchairs and complain about the town, the weather, the food, the people, and occasionally Louis himself.
Louis found that he didn't mind. He found that he liked it. He liked Owen's company in a way he hadn't allowed himself to like anyone's company in a very long time.
Eventually, Louis told him the truth. He expected fear. Owen only stared at him for a moment before saying,
"So that's why you're always cold."
Louis blinked. "That's your first question?"
"Well, I already know you're weird."
Louis laughed. He offered Owen immortality after that. Not because he wanted to trap him. Not because he wanted someone to belong to him. Because he couldn't stand the thought of losing the first person who had ever looked at him and seen something other than a monster.
Owen accepted. And for a while, Louis thought that perhaps he had finally found something permanent.
Then Legundo arrived. Legundo was irritating. Louis decided this within the first five minutes of meeting him.
He was a doctor, which explained the white surgical apron, the lenses with their golden frames perched over his right eye, and the general air of someone who had made it his life's mission to tell other people what they were doing wrong.
His buzz-cut brown hair was perpetually untidy. A short beard framed his face, and a scar ran from the top right of his forehead, cutting diagonally down until it disappeared just beneath his left eye.
His green eyes were sharp. Too sharp. And he asked too many questions.
"So you're Owen's friend?"
Louis smiled politely. "I am."
Legundo's gaze lingered on him for a moment before flicking toward Owen, then back again. "Huh."
A quiet laugh escaped Louis before he could stop it.
Owen's head snapped toward him. "Don't encourage him."
"I didn't say anything."
"You laughed."
Louis pressed his lips together, though the smile was still there.
Legundo smiled smugly. That was the second thing Louis disliked about him. The first was how quickly he had made himself comfortable. Somehow, the doctor became a constant presence in their lives.
He treated Owen when he was sick. He argued with him when he refused to rest. He insulted him when he was being particularly difficult. And Owen, despite insisting that Legundo was unbearable, kept coming back.
"You know," Louis said one evening, glancing between them, "you could simply stop visiting."
Legundo didn't look up from his book. "I could."
Owen, sprawled across the sofa with one arm thrown over his eyes, snorted. "You won't."
A pause. "I won't."
Louis smiled. "You've grown fond of him."
"I tolerate him."
"Mm."
Legundo finally lowered his book enough to look at him. "What?"
"Nothing."
Louis's smile only widened. "You brought him dinner yesterday."
Legundo's expression remained perfectly neutral. "He forgets to eat."
"And you remembered exactly what he likes."
"He complains when I don't."
Owen lifted his arm just enough to peer at them. "I do not."
"You complained for twenty minutes."
"It was a valid complaint."
"You called my cooking a crime against humanity."
"It was."
Louis laughed softly.
Legundo pointedly returned his attention to his book. "You two are insufferable."
"And yet," Louis said, "you keep coming back."
"I have patients here."
"You finished your work hours ago."
Silence.
Owen slowly sat up, looking far too pleased with himself. "He's got you there."
Legundo gave him a flat look. "No one asked you."
"They didn't have to."
Louis watched the exchange with barely concealed amusement.
Legundo sighed and closed his book. "Fine. Perhaps I don't mind being here."
Owen grinned. "See? Fond."
"Don't push it."
Louis tilted his head. "Are you two talking about me?"
"No," Owen said immediately.
"Yes," Louis said at the same time.
Legundo stared at them. "I hate both of you."
Owen smiled. "No, you don't."
Legundo looked between the two of them, sighed, and opened his book again.
"Unfortunately."
And that was how it always was. The three of them. Owen and Legundo arguing over something completely insignificant while Louis sat between them, listening to their voices fill the room.
Sometimes Owen would lean against his shoulder.
Sometimes Legundo would fall asleep in the armchair.
Sometimes Louis would look around the room and realize that he was happy.
That was the dangerous part.
He was happy.
Because somewhere along the way, the three of them had become something like a family. And Louis wanted more. He hated himself for it.
He wanted Owen's hand in his. He wanted Legundo's head resting against his shoulder. He wanted to wake up and find both of them still there. He wanted to be allowed to love them without having to wonder whether he was crossing some invisible line.
But he couldn't say that. He wouldn't. Because friendship was safe. Friendship did not demand anything. Friendship did not risk destroying what they already had.
So Louis learned to swallow the words.
Maybe friendship was enough.
Maybe it had to be.
Outside, the moon hung over Oakhurst, silver light spilling across the rooftops. Inside, the three of them remained together.Â
Owen eventually fell asleep on the sofa. Legundo arrived sometime after midnight, complained that Owen had stolen his blanket, and proceeded to sit beside him anyway. Louis watched them both.
His heart ached. But it wasn't an entirely unpleasant ache.
Maybe friendship was all he deserved.
Maybe someday he would believe that.
For now, though, Owen was asleep beside him, Legundo was quietly reading in the armchair, and the house was filled with the small, ordinary sounds of people who had chosen to stay.
Louis leaned back in his chair.
Perhaps that was enough.
Perhaps wanting more didn't mean he had to take it.
And perhaps, for tonight, he could simply be grateful.Â
What Does Not Kill You Gives You Endless Nightmares
"I need people I can rely on," Legundo said quietly. "People whose choices I can account for."
Apokuna's jaw tightened. "So that's what this is."
"Something like that."
This side story takes place before the events of chapter 12 of Nobody Has To Understand.
Word Count: 5,348
Beware of the tags, please! Hope you enjoy!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
