— loyalty

+

Gina was confused at first, wondering where the apology was coming from, until it dawned on her. It pained her that Xavier felt he had to apologize for how things turned out at the party. “Hey, it wasn’t anything that you had control over,” she calmly placed a hand atop one of his. “It’s fine,” it really wasn’t, but she will have to work through her own demons at another time. “I’ll be okay, eventually.” Now she would rather have her attention focused on anyone but her for the moment. Besides, she had more important things to deal with; Xavier, and making sure that he pulled through this ordeal. “Great, I’ll be right back.” Gina got off the bed and headed to the kitchen where she fetched a few blood bags for him.  

Upon her return, she offered him a tentative smile as she held blood bags in one hand and a glass already filled with blood in the other. They were both fans of drinking their beverage of necessity in ornate glasses as if it were the finest of wines. “Here you go,” she handed him the glass and set the extra bags onto the nightstand in case he wanted more, then she sat down.

Of all people, Xavier didn’t deserve to be haunted by whatever horrors he saw. “And before, what you said about me finding you like…” she trailed off, not exactly certain how to broach the topic. Gina dropped her gaze for a moment, before looking at him again. “You were doing what you felt you had to do in that mindset. I can’t blame you for that, it’ll be unreasonable for me to,” if anything she understood because she was in a similar predicament of having her mind messed with. “I’m sure whatever you were experiencing felt real enough to have you wanting to escape, because it was that way for me too…sort of.” Gina sighed. “I was fighting Aalina, I didn’t exactly want a reprieve. I just wanted her gone, forever.” Xavier knew the truth about Aalina’s fate. Sometimes Gina felt as though she made a huge mistake allowing Aalina to remain ‘alive’ and tonight that voice in her head was extra loud. “Under the potion I thought that I was finally getting rid of her. I could have sworn she was actually there at one point.” The vampire raised a hand to run it through her hair then remembered she’d put it up into a messy bun. Sighing, she let her hand fall back into her lap as she  thought about the fear in the other person’s eyes when Ilana pulled her out of the trance. “Am I really any better than Aalina if all I want is her dead?”

***

She was right, it wasn’t something he had control over, but it didn’t change how he felt. Xavier knew it wasn’t fine, but he did believe, hope, she’ll eventually be okay. He offered a half attempt nod before she went off to get blood bags. He pressed the nail of his thumb against the side of his index finger to prevent himself from getting lost in his thoughts. It was a temporary fix until Gina came back. 

Xavier was reluctant at first, but he gave his thanks before retrieving the glass of blood. He didn’t realize how hungry he was until the glass of blood was in front of him. The veins under his eyes turning dark, the hunger he felt brought back memories of what occurred prior that led to him waking up in his bed. The grip around the glass tightened, almost enough to break it. Hearing her voice, which didn’t match the memories reoccurring in his head, was enough to break him out of the trance he was in. It took him a moment to put himself together, taking a few deep breaths before nodding his head. He felt a bit of relief when she said she didn’t blame him for his actions. At least one of them didn’t. “A lot more than just escape,” he let out a weak, bitter, chuckle. He looked down at the glass of blood, the veins under his eyes turning dark once again before he started drinking. A mix of satisfaction and disgust went through him as he feeds. If he had the choice, he would through the glass away. But he knew he was not strong enough to ignore his cravings, and he’d rather choose to feed than to lose his autonomy, again ( from his hallucination ), and feed because he has no control. 

Xavier licked his lips before letting out a sigh. He felt nauseous, not from the lack of blood but the feeling he has unknowingly associated it with. He drank enough to keep him sustainable enough to hold a conversation with Gina. After all, they were talking about Aalina. It would be best for him to be as strong as he can be than weak. He could see how frustrated she was as she talked about Aalina. He didn’t expect her to question herself at the end. “From what I’ve heard about Aalina,” he started as he placed his hands over hers, “You’re not even comparable to her. Considering the damage that she has caused, your reasoning for wanting her gone is justifiable. Everything she has done isn’t even close enough to be considered justifiable,” maybe he was biased but he wasn’t going to admit that.

+

Max scrunched up his face at his brother’s logic. Quite frankly, he wanted to complain a little while longer and not face the reality of the situation. Max got comfortable, his arms crossed behind his had. If people thought he’d stop Xavier from dragging him around the retreat like this, then they had a rude awakening coming. “I hope you’re dragging me through a portal to head home, or to Mom so I can yell at her for taking away my phone.” The way he felt betrayed by Gina’s actions was clear on his face as she seized all his gadgets he’d brought along. “I’m a grown man, I don’t want to play games. I’d like to go back home and finish making my robotic suit. I’m so close to finishing!” If Serena hadn’t been all cute and convincing he’d be at home with all his creature comforts.  

***

Or to mom. That made Xavier laugh. He already knew who he meant when he said that. He could imagine the conversation between the two, it will not go in Max’s favor at all. He used his speed to drag Max along, allowing all the dirt to get on his back. “Wouldn’t working on your robotic suit be considered a game too?” He teased after coming to a stop. “You can finish when the retreat is over,” he pointed out, “you can also try talking to Gina, but I can tell you how that conversation will go.” He didn’t want to be a buzzkill, but that’s exactly what he’s doing. “As fun as it would be for you to finish your robotic suit, it could be just as fun as being at this retreat. You, Nyah, and William can have your little competition going on to make it more fun.”

⸸

Leo purses his lips at the repeated words, and mirrors Xavier’s expression. “No, I was planning to drink the lighter fluid just for the rush of it. It’s not like I’m gonna die from it.” He deadpans but only for a pretending as though he failed to stifle his childish cackle. “Of course it’s for a smoke. What else?” He continues to laugh, shaking his head. “You never know, Xavi, it’s that sort of recklessness that causes wildfire. You can’t be too careful.” He says as though he gives a damn about forest fire. He shrugs as in ‘oh, well’ and shoves the packet back into his pocket. “I doubt Logan would let me go home early, or anybody else for that matter if you’re looking for a way out.” He points out, wearing his typical thin smile. 

***

“Okay, okay,” yeah he was caught off by him asking if he was looking for a smoke area that he gave a not-so-great answer. So the sarcasm he got was earned. “A lighter can be used for many things, but I will not indulge in that,” he responded. “It’s a possibility, I can’t argue that. But that’s something that would take time, and considering how many are starting to wander around. Someone will catch on, hopefully,” he mused. Xavier let out a chuckle before nodding his head, “I figured that much,” he sighed, “I let myself get talked into coming here without knowing there was no way to get back home on my own.” He’ll remember to bring this up to Gina later. He assumed someone could use magic to leave, but he didn’t want to think about the consequences that could follow. “If someone was to find a way out, I feel like that opportunity would quickly disappear.”

+

“Oh I’m sure they would, but that’s not happening,” Gina immediately shut down any idea of her gracing the makeshift stage. “Besides, I think that you’re the one that really belongs up there.” Gina purposely let her gaze drop to his top, then up to the flower crown. “You have gained an even larger fanbase thanks to your team’s fashion choices.” Gina smirked, she had been trying not to make any comments, but he brought this upon himself. "And if they can get you into this fun outfit, I can get you on that stage,” she confidently retorted. “So, what songs are you going to sing? You should do at least three.”

***

“You’re robbing the people of the opportunity of a lifetime,” he pointed out as he raised an eyebrow. Xavier squinted his eyes as she spoke, watching her eyes drop to his outfit and back to him. He could tell a comment about his outfit was going to come up. “You were waiting to say that, weren’t you?” He shook his head before laughing. “Ah, that is where you are wrong. You and my team convinced me to do one thing, but I won’t let it happen again,” he told her in a matter-of-fact tone. “I am singing nothing, but you,” he started before he looked over at her. What a great time to use their inside joke, “you’ll sing at least four songs for the crowd,” he said looking into her eyes as if he was compelling her.

There was no point in him attempting to make a s’more, yet here he was doing just that. He made three s’mores, one for William and Nyah. The third was for either Gina or Max, whichever one he bumped into first. But neither was to be find, instead he ran into Rosemary. “Hey, Rosemary,” he called out “do you want this extra s’more? ” Xavier could always make more if he finds Max or Gina later on. That all depends on if they want any. In all honesty, he wanted to be able to say he socialized while at this event. He’s giving a lot more energy into this weekend retreat than he originally planned to.

DATE: May 21st, 2021 TIME: 10:36 AM LOCATION: Camp grounds

Leo excuses himself from the group after the breakfast, slipping away without drawing much attention to himself. As much as he is excited for the weekend– for the first time in years, his siblings are all in the city and now he gets to spend the next few days camping and playing games, yay for him– his instinct is to check out the retreat site and learn the lay of the land. Away from the rest of the world, no communication device on them, the whole setting is a big fucking security risk in his head… He wishes Logan hadn’t made him turn in his second phone, but he will have to make do with what he has. At least they didn’t notice the weapons he sneaked in. Nothing crazy, just a little insurance. Hearing a footstep, he shifts the gear from scheming to socialization. “Hiya, looking for a smoke area too?” Leo asks, fishing out a pack of cigarettes. He leaves the lighter in his pocket, however. “I don’t wanna set the whole place on fire, but there’s no sign here. Must mean it’s a free game, right?” He shrugs, “actually, you got a light? I seem to have forgotten mine.”

@darkesthourstarters​

***

Going to this retreat was not something Xavier was dreaming about. If it was up to him, he wouldn’t even be here. But he can never really say no to Gina. No matter how many times he tries, she’s persistent. According to her, if she had to be there then so did he. And all the ‘you need to be social’ lectures. Now here he was, looking around the place. From what he’s gathered, this is something the hunters did every year. He wonders what made them want to open it up to all supernatural this year. The last gathering was a disaster, to say the least. To ease his mind, he wanted to check the surroundings. He wanted to make sure nothing bad could happen like before. “For a smoke? ” He stopped in his tracks to raise an eyebrow. “It would take a lot more than a cigarette to set this place on fire. But, no I don’t have a lighter,” he told the man, “there’s no signs against smoking, but what can they do? Send you back home? ”

Who: OPEN @darkesthourstarters​

When: Day Two - Bonfire

With day one wrapped up, and the bonfire and its accompanying merriment well underway she bit into a s’more. The classic bonfire treat was something that she hadn’t had in ages. Many years ago another version of herself thrived in nature. This remote location would have been a dream for a younger version of Gina. Instead of dwelling on regrets and what could have been scenarios, Gina looked to her companion hoping to stir up some bonfire entertainment. “I volunteer you as tribute to kick off the karaoke,” she challenged.

***

Of all the ways the day could have gone, he did not expect to be in a mesh purple crop top with purple flower crowns. His group said he will be considered fashion forward, but this was not fashion to him. What he wears on a normal basis is what he’d argued to be fashion forward. He was waiting for Gina to make comments on his attire. But what she said was not something he was expecting. “You will not get me to do karaoke,” he warned with a shake of his head. “Nope, you already dragged me here. And besides, out of two of us - I bet more would want to see you do karaoke.”

where: camp grounds

who: OPEN @darkesthourstarters​

when: day one: morning hours 

Reality set in when the portals brought them to the camp grounds. It was surely lovely, but Max had his mind consumed with other things at the moment  The loss of his device for the weekend took forefront. “Did they really just take away out phones? Is this high school?” He felt like he had heard rumours of the stringent measures in passing conversation leading up to the event, which obviously went in one ear and came out the other. “I don’t know if I can do this,” Max sighed, for what felt like the hundredth time. “No one said anything about taking away our phones,” he whined. A whole weekend without the device was going to be torture. “Just leave me here let me wither away into nothingness.” In true Max fashion, the vampire collapsed to the ground and laid there just aimlessly staring up at the sky. 

***

Xavier knew this would be the type of reaction Max would have about not having his phone. One would think someone had stolen candy from a child. “Oh come on, you lived before smartphones were made and you were perfectly fine. Imagine what past you would think if he saw you now,” he wasn’t sure if that would’ve kicked Max out of his funk. Throughout the years there was always something that Max couldn’t let go of. Xavier watched as he collapsed, he shook his head before laughing. “It’s good to disconnect from your phone every once in a while. There’s going to be a bunch of games for you to play,” he told him as he walked over. He knows Max is not going to budge, so in Xavier true fashion, he grabbed Max’s legs and started dragging him.

🚓

Maddox sometimes forgot how old Xavier was but that didn’t matter to him. Forty years was a long time to not share something with someone. He himself had exposed himself to Mirana and he had literally nearly tried to attack Lorelai so there was that. But the vampire didn’t understand much about relationships with siblings seeing as it was just him and his father all his life, but he could imagine the pain Xavier felt about everything. “I’m sorry man, I don’t know much about having a sibling and everything but I get the reason behind being angry. Being lied to for years is never fun.” Maddox shrugged and placed a hand on the other’s shoulder. “Well let me help you clean up and we can go somewhere that isn’t this apartment. As much as I like this apartment and you,” he added taking a sip of his own glass. “If you want to talk to you’re brother you know I totally support that, but the world is still a good place to be out in, well I mean it’s mostly good anyways.”

***

Xavier offered an appreciative smile at Maddox’s words and hand placement on his shoulder. “Not an ideal situation but we’ll get past it,” right? They always do, so he shouldn’t be Ro worried. But he knows they will have to have a serious conversation. Xavier chuckled before nodding his head, “deal,” he used the distraction of thinking where they could go to finish his glass. “I’ll talk to him, I just don’t know when. Ideally, it would be beneficial for both of us if I was in a better headspace,” it would only make things worse if he was to talk to his brother when he knew he wasn’t ready. Plus, as childish as it seems, he feels like the only way for Max to take this seriously was for there to be no communication between the two. “Depending on who with, and the time and place, the world can be an amazing place. A lot has changed, it seems like a tug of war,” they take two steps forward and one step back. The generation that he is in now is a lot more advanced compared to when he was human, but they were still lacking in certain areas.

🚑

Brycen didn’t know that man well enough to judge him and he was always looking for help or advice in any situation. It was something he had always looked for since his father never really approved of him or his lifestyle. The running was a bad thing though especially when his head was so confused about everything. “If you’re suggesting therapy then I mean that sounds like a good idea, but I doubt a therapist is going to want to here about my tragic life story,” the wolf sighed a little bit, “But I mean I probably shouldn’t be running when I can’t focus on anything.”

***

Xavier understood what he was saying. He felt the same way when it came to talking about his life, but he knew that thinking wasn’t going to help him. “They would be the ones best qualified to actually hear someone’s life story and help with any type of trauma,” or anything else. He was good at giving advice, but he was never good at following it through for himself. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t thinking about it though. “The best alternative for that is to run on a treadmill. You’ll have to be careful not to hurt yourself, especially if you put the speed faster than what you normally do. But it’s one way to still run without running into someone,” he suggested. He knows it would feel different, especially when you stop using the treadmill and get off. The feeling afterward is weird, but it is a good alternative for now. 

+

“Of course you’re leaving home, but it’s your destination that’s not exactly out in the world,” Max challenged. “You leave here and then head to Imani’s and hideout there. How is that being social?” Max bases his observation on the one instance where he came to the penthouse to see Xavier, but he wasn’t home. Even then he thought his brother was making progress, until he found out where he was. “Heading out to Imani’s isn’t exactly what I’d call getting back out into the wor–,” “Anyway, that is not what we are here for,” she interjected before Max got carried away. “Aren’t we Max?” Gina shot him a look. “Ah, yes! My bad,” he eagerly rubs his hands together as he begins. “So, brother dearest, for once I’m not here because I did something bad,” he proudly noted, his chest puffing up a bit to match. Gina rolled her eyes, she told Max to try and be smooth with his delivery, and so far he can’t even do that. ”I just had the most interesting visit at my office,” he stood up and paced. “At first, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” words like impossible, crazy, wild came to mind. “Now I understand how you felt that night of the Potion Party. Well not entirely, but at least seeing people that you know don’t belong in this time period.” “Rambling Max,” she warned. “I had to set the scene,” he retorted. “I can’t just blurt out that they’re here!”  

***

Xavier should have expected Max to challenge him. Maybe he was right, but did it not still technically count? He is still being social, which is better than hiding out alone. But besides that, he has been doing more than before. Max knows about him going over to Imani’s place from the one time he tried to come over and he wasn’t there. He felt like a child trying to justify to himself that Max was wrong. “Sure, I visited a few times. But who says that’s where I’m going now? ” he raised an eyebrow, “I did go out to answer the lovely ads you put out. That was enough socializing for a few days.” Now, he was getting ready to head to work. While working from home helped him out to get himself together, it was time for him to go back in. 

Xavier watched the interaction between the two. The cut-off and change of topic was something he was hoping wouldn’t happen. It just proved his hope for this being another lecture was wrong. He’ll give credit that Max hasn’t blurted out what he wanted to say yet, but it was hard to watch him struggle. Especially when he just wanted to know why they were there, and what they wanted to share, so they could just work on it. He was always good at fixing things for others rather than for himself. What Max said caused him to tilt his head. Xavier can tell he was proud of his own statement, but he wasn’t sure how much he believed it. Why else would they be there if it wasn’t because of that? Unless it’s work-related, but they would’ve cut to the chase by now. If it was something he did that was good he would’ve also just blurted it out to Xavier. 

His weight shifted from one leg to the other as he watched Max pace back and forth. He slid his hands into his pocket as he was trying to follow along on what his brother was saying. Now he understands what he was feeling the night of the potion party? What was he trying to get at? His wording was throwing him off, especially when he said seeing someone who didn’t belong in this time period. Did he not see Aalina? He furrowed his eyebrows at what happened next, he took a few steps closer, “What do you mean they’re here? ” If this was about Aalina he would’ve just said that at this point. Serena would be here too since it would be a whole family meeting type thing. And, out of all of them - he was the only one that did not see Aalina. Was he talking about his kids? “Are you talking about my kids? You said this was a hallucination. They died decades ago, what’s going on? ”

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

“Oh, it’s no biggie, man. I only remember things like 30% of the time.” He laughs broadly. He is only half-serious, of course. He remember things at least 60% of the time. Eliot maneuvers around the tight space, making room for Xavier to examine the showerhead. He would have apologized for the mess but, well, he is not really sorry nor is he embarrassed. He is just trying to get the clothes out of the way because he doesn’t want to deal with wet clothes. He hands over a plastic bag which has a new piece for showerhead– he bought it but didn’t know how to install it, or if it’s the right piece for that matter. “Mm, the water pressure’s not too bad. I just can’t use the sink or flush with the shower running? You just gotta let the brown water run for about 10 seconds first. And then I think the temperature goes from hot to cold every 30 seconds, but it doesn’t bother me that much.” He doesn’t mind the water being too hot or too cold with no in-between, as long as he can wash himself. Hot or cold never did bother him. He supposes his skin is just that thick. “What I can’t deal with is the water dripping? I’m hopin’ that’d get fixed with the new head.” 

***

“What happens when you try?” He asked as he continued to examine the shower, “it becomes clear after 10 seconds? Or not really? For the change in temperature - there can be a few reasons for it. The pressure-balancing valve could be messed up, the shower cartridge might need to be changed, the water heater could be affecting and so on,” just to list a few. It could be a dangerous situation for him, especially if the water temperature gets too hot. Could he try to fix it all? Yeah, if Eliot wanted him to. The water turning brown causes any harm, as many say. But putting a filter in the sink and having a shower head with a filter would prevent the water from being brown. “The new shower head should be enough to fix the dripping as long as what’s causing it to drip is the rubber O-ring,” it’s a bit of a different story if the leaking wasn’t because of the rubber O-ring at the end of the showerhead. Xavier took the plastic bag and looked at the showerhead. He switched the bag from one hand to the other as he rolled up his sleeves. Taking out the shower head and putting a new one will pretty quickly, he just have to turn off the water in the apartment first, “where is the water main in this apartment? ”

who: Max Richardson, Gina Kaplan, William Queen, Xavier Richardson @xavierich​ 

where: Richtech Inc. 

what: a family reunion 

Nyah followed Max’s assistant as they guided her to her Uncle’s office. Regardless of the nerves that were basically eating away at her Nyah couldn’t help but appreciate Max’s company. It really was everything he’d dreamed of and more as a kid.  “You really did it, huh? Big nerd.” Instead of the traditional hello, she announced her presence with ribbing. At the sound of a very familiar voice Max’s head shot up from the documents he was looking over on his desk. Meanwhile, Gina frowned when she turned to see who stunned Max into silence; she simply must get their technique. 

“You’re not our three o’clock,” she stated the obvious. They were awaiting a new investor, and Max had requested her presence for the meeting. Gina doubted that this young woman was not who they were waiting on. 

“This is impossible…” he spoke for the first time since the young woman appeared.

“No, it’s really me,” Nyah offered Max a tentative smile. “I know this doesn’t make any sense, but let me explain, I need your help.” 

“Max what’s goi–?” Before Gina could finish posing her question, Max told her to run before he used his speed to zoom out of the room. “Excuse me, please make yourself comfortable, we’ll be right back,” she gave Nyah an apologetic smile before she followed him, sans vampiric ability. Only after she was safely out of view did she use her enhanced speed to catch up with Max. 

Gina stopped him before he could get any further. “What the hell was that? How could you reveal yourself to someone just like that?” The vampire seriously considered if Max had lost it.  

“She’s not real,” he started anxiously pacing. “That had to have been a ghost or something.” He pauses mid-strike looking to Gina for clarity with his chaotic thoughts. “Ghosts are a thing right?” 

“What are you talking about? That girl is very much a real live person,” to say she is confused would be a grave understatement. “Max, you’re not making any sense. How do you know her?”

“That’s Nyah, you know, our Nyah,” Max tapped his chest with his hand for emphasis. 

The tone of Gina’s chuckle was coloured with disbelief. “There is no way that she’s Xavi’s daughter. It must be a relative or something. Now come on,” Gina took his hand in hers, beginning to all but drag him back to his office. “We are going back in there before she runs off to tell the world that you’re the Flash.” When they returned to the office, Nyah was not alone, William who had been distracted finally joined his sister. Max and Gina cancelled their meeting and listened to everything that Nyah and William had to share. The conversation proved Gina wrong, and Max right. They were his niece and nephew. William in particular was named after him, and instead of greeting the young man as such, Max has taken to calling him son. Serena was always adopting people left and right, so it might just be his time to get in on the action. It also didn’t help that in the short time they interacted, Max realized that William was so much like him despite him leaving their home when William was still a toddler. 

Flash forward two hours later where  the four of them (Gina, Nyah, Max and William) arrived at Xavier’s penthouse. Gina understood why Nyah and William came to Max first, as the support would definitely be needed. However, they couldn’t have chosen a more ill-suited person for breaking news like this to Xavier. The guy has just begun to pick up the pieces  following his ordeal at the party over a month ago. Plus, Max is the furthest thing from being tactful. Therefore, she elected herself to go along in order to guide them through this reunion of sorts.

“Wait out here,” the Vampire told Nyah and William, then she turned to Max. “You, let’s go,” he nodded in response. Gina let herself and Max into Xavier’s penthouse as she was accustomed to doing. “Xav! You here?” Gina didn’t even know why she bothered asking because they had exchanged messages prior to arriving so they didn’t waste any time. Normally whenever she shows up with Max in tow it either meant that he screwed up and needed her as protection from Xavier’s reaction. For once, this visit would have nothing like that attached to it. “When you get a moment we’re out here,” Gina called out as she and Max settled in the den.  

***

We? Xavier has gotten used to how Gina and Max let themselves into his apartment. For the most part, he can get a vibe of what is going to happen based on if and how they announce themselves when they come in. Gina asking if he was there, even though they had text prior, made his eyebrows furrow. Her telling him they’ll wait out there instead of taking it upon themselves to look for him in the penthouse. Something had to be up. He was getting some type of news, maybe if he’s lucky it won’t be that bad. He fixed his hair a bit and then button up his shirt before leaving his bedroom and heading out to the den. He tried to get a read on them before saying anything. He adjusted his sleeve cuffs as he hummed. At this point they can assume he already can tell something is up. “Well, what do I owe for this little gathering,” he raised an eyebrow, “this can’t be another lecture about being more social,” he adjusted the sleeve cuffs on his other hand, “I have been leaving the penthouse,” which is true. He has been more social than before. A part of him hopes this is a lecture rather than news about something he has to fix. 

🚓

Maddox didn’t know what it was like to have siblings, he was an only child. Well at least he thinks he is anyways, his mother was never around growing up because she wasn’t ready for that commitment so for all he knew someone could be running around and actually be related to him without him actually knowing. “What even happened between you two again?” he asked. He had a brief idea of what happened but since the potion party his mind had been a bit blurry other then what happened between him and Lorelai. “Just because I think you should leave this apartment, as wonderful as it is, doesn’t mean we can’t have our fun still,” the brunette let a grin form on his face. “I just think you could use the air, I know we’re like vampires and all that crap but air is good for you once and a while.”

***

“He lied to me for the past forty years,” well it was more than that. But he couldn’t share the details of that. “He never told me he got married and in the past several years when I started to get suspicious brushed it off with lies until they revealed it at the potion party,” he shrugged his shoulders. There was no point in him playing it off as it was not bad when it’s obvious it was, yet here he is. “I guess it put things into perspective for me,” he knows it did. He may make it seem like it’s just the lying about the wedding, but it was more than that. It’s all the little things between lying about how he was turned and the potion party. He always put Max first, which was his choice. He acknowledged that. Maybe even overcompensate for losing his children and wife after turning. He did expect Max to make Xavier his first choice. No one would expect that from their son ( he raised Max - he considers him both his younger brother and first child ). But becoming aware of it affected him more than he thought. Did Max think of him at all in certain situations? It made him realize that he should start putting himself first. Max is old enough to not have or need Xavier to clean/fix anything up. Xavier offered a grin back as he ran his thumb across the glass in his hands, “I hear you.” He couldn’t say Maddox is wrong. He took a sip of the blood in his glass, taking a moment before returning his attention on Maddox, “I have to clean up first,” referring to the fact that he has let his hair grow out, “—- but I do want to step out and not be confined in this apartment.”

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

His showerhead broke like 5 days ago, a predicament which he as always adapted to. He used a small bucket to just get water and poured it over his head. But then began the leaking, the incessant drip, drip, drip which drove both him and Boris crazy. He tried to plug it with plastic bags but it didn’t work, so… Eliot looked for a plumber (because the super wasn’t going to fix his showerhead, obviously) which is how he called this Xavier guy who can fix anything according to the ad… Now he was at the door. “Hey, man, thanks for comin’ in.” He lets Xavier into his dingy as hell, barely legal under the building regulation tiny one-room apartment. Boris gives a pointed stare at the guy, but soon goes back to his nap. “It’s actually my shower– ” he laughs, kicking away his dirty clothes on the floor, and shows Xavier to the bathroom. Compact is the general theme of this building. “The head literally fell on me while I was in the shower and, well, I couldn’t figure it out myself. Plumbing is not really in my wheelhouse…” He explains, again picking up some dirty clothes and throwing them in the already-full hamper. 

***

Right, right, the showerhead. He must’ve been thinking of someone else that has texted him, “My bad, I should’ve made sure I had the right information.” Xavier took a step in as he looked around, there was no way this tiny apartment was legal. He was sure the landlord had found some loophole around this. He is one to always keep his things organized and put away, while others don’t. In this situation, he doesn’t really care for the mess, but he is worried about the condition of this small apartment. He followed Eliot as he talked about the shower head and what happened - it wasn’t a long walk. Just like how Max was extremely good at technology, Xavier is good at all types of constructions. From the looks of it, this seemed like an easy fix, “Is there any issue with the water pressure? ” that could make it a bit more tricky.