[ Ahhh, that feels so good. Touching his neck shouldn't do it for him and yet it does. This is why things have been so distracting this week. But Hank gives him a smile—gosh, Gavin is sweet.
But whatever, they can do this. Hank has Gavin's back. ]
Yeah, you got this.
[ Hank steps out of the car. Time to face the Kamski. ]
[ Whenever these two idiots want to actually use their words... Gavin nods again and finally climbs out of the car.
He shoves his hands in his jacket pockets and takes another deep breath. Closes his eyes. The pressure between his eyes gets a little better. And off he stalks to the front door, ringing the doorbell.
He's barely thought about what he's going to say. What do you say to your twin brother you haven't seen in about sixteen years? The wait is making him more anxious.
But finally, Chloe answers the door with a sweet smile. ]
Hello, Ezra. Have you come to see Elijah?
[ Gavin feels like the wind's been knocked out of him for a second. She looks exactly the same... He's struck with a sudden sense of guilt; when he and Eli fought last, he'd said some pretty horrible things about her. ]
Yeah, uh. Sorry for not calling ahead. Is uh, is he... available?
[ Elijah literally shows up from behind the door because he knows you were there the whole time and he so enjoys unnerving people. ]
To what do I owe this extremely rare visit? I hope it's not another investigation. As you can see, I'm not dressed.
[ He is dressed. Surprisingly. He's wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and glasses. It's clearly his day off, but not so much that he's walking around naked. Hank rolls his eyes but keeps his mouth shut. ]
[ Now, Gavin knew he was there. And it's not even the werewolf thing. His eyes widen a little when he sees Eli again, after all this time. Like looking in a mirror, like finally finding the matching puzzle piece.
He thought he'd be nervous or awkward but it doesn't happen. Gavin reaches up to rub under his nose. ]
No, it's about how you haven't sent me a birthday card in years dipshit.
[ Elijah at least has the decency to smile when his brother makes such an obvious jab. ]
Would you expect me to send you two?
[ Right, as if Elijah Kamski would be so inconvenienced by a birthday card. At least this seems to be going well, as far as Hank can tell. Kamski's eyes light up as his gaze travels between them. ]
Hold on a moment... I'd heard you were injured, but did you get more handsome since I last saw you?
I need a backlog of the sixteen you missed, that's why I'm here.
[ Jokes!! Okay, this is going well... if Eli can joke, that's a very good thing. He crosses the threshold and walks on into his home like he owns the place, like any true little brother.
He turns to Eli and juts a finger in his chest. ]
Yeah, your little rearrangement of my face got fixed recently. It's part of why I'm here... [ Buffering. ] Wait, how did you know I got hurt?
At all times? Didn't know you cared enough to stalk me. [ A snort. ] So you're that error I have to clear out of the surveillance files sometimes, huh?
[ ...yeah he looks at the DPD's firewall sometimes. Uh, sorry Hank? Gavin shakes his head and reaches up to rub in between his eyes. That weird pressure is back. ]
Look, as fun as it is to talk shit that's not why I came. Just... some shit happened and I— [ He drops his hands, putting them back in his pockets. He looks down at their feet, then back up to meet his eyes.]
I almost died, Eli. And I just wanted to see you again.
You may have changed your name, but I'm still your older brother.
[ By like five minutes, we know. But Elijah recognizes the gesture and the tension in Ezra's face. Something serious, then. Or stressful. It's not what Elijah expected, considering there was no hospitalization but... ]
I was afraid of that.
[ Eli does that thing where he locks up a bit. He had lost almost a full day to the sudden panic attack, the sensation that something was deeply wrong with his brother. It had gone away, sure enough, but he couldn't quite shake it.
He isn't moving closer but he isn't moving away, either. He doesn't really know where he stands with Ezra and he doesn't want to push. ]
Yeah, you are. [ Said actually almost affectionately, for once.
He notices him lock up, and that's neither good nor bad. It's a response, at least. It takes a lot to get to him historically. Gavin— Ezra— moves a little closer to him and reaches a hand out to lightly hold onto his wrist, curling two fingers around it. ]
Hank and I were on a red ice bust and I got shot. A lot. And then... [ He trails off, eyes widening a little. How the fuck does he explain this? He turns to look at Hank for guidance. ]
[ Well, Ezra isn't denying the family thing, that's unexpected. It's a little hard to focus through the memory of the pain and the thought of his baby brother being hurt, but the touch helps. Elijah finds himself reaching back.
And Hank? Well, this is a family issue, clearly. He's not gonna get involved here. ]
And...? I pulled up the patient records for every hospital in Detroit and Windsor. You look fine. Start making sense, Ezra.
[ He did die and maybe that's why their connection has seemingly come back stronger than ever. And that's why this is so hard to tell him.
He works his mouth and no words come out so he falls back on what they did when they were boys, when they wanted to be private. Suddenly, he answers in Polish and it's easier to say: ]
Not exactly that but... Hank saved me. He's— He's a werewolf and he bit me to save me. [ His heart is racing like he's run a marathon. And Ezra's eyes glow amber, as if to prove it. ]
[ Well, Hank is officially out of this conversation. He sees Gavin's eyes flash and that's as much as he can figure out. He doesn't speak Polish. But Kamski does.
Kamski, who is looking at Ezra like he's... well, like he just told him he was a werewolf. It's true they'd been told stories as children, and the way he had felt when Gavin was hurt was... well, Elijah had looked up every possible reason and science did not have a single explanation for it. Was this the explanation? Hadn't he randomly had a craving for red meat just the other day? ]
How...? [ He's responding in Polish too, of course. This conversation is only for them. Elijah looks over at Hank, then back to Ezra. ] You're joking, right? Is this a joke? I know I haven't called but this is cruel even for you.
[ Ezra swallows, letting himself look vulnerable. He hasn't in front of Eli since they were children, truly, and he knows it's the only way he can get him to believe what he's saying.
He squeezes his wrist gently. ]
I'm the most serious I've ever been, Eli. I wouldn't make fun of you like this. [ He inspects his face, eyes glowing brighter. Maybe it's his senses, or the fact that they're touching. ] You felt it, didn't you? When it happened to me...
[ Not so much in words or voices, but a feeling. ]
[ Yeah, okay, that's... It's strange, seeing his brother like he used to be. Truly now, because his face is even back to normal, except for the glowing eyes thing. While Elijah wouldn't put it past him to come up with some kind of contact lens to do that, it wouldn't make sense to drag Hank Anderson with him if that was the case. And it doesn't make sense that Elijah can feel something. And the fact that Ezra knows... He looks so familiar it hurts. Deep down, Elijah knows he isn't lying. ]
I... [ Elijah looks down and back at Chloe. She nods, a neutral but familiar smile on her face. He's vulnerable now too. Hank better look away. ] Yes, I. I knew something had to be wrong. That you had been hurt, I thought... I thought I felt you die, Ezra. I can't explain it.
[ Ezra steps a little closer, purposely standing so most of Eli's face and body language is hidden from the other people in the room. Suddenly protective again, who would have thought? It does hurt, his chest aching for him. ]
I'm sorry. [ It's all he can think to say at first. ] That you had to feel it too, I never would have wanted that.
[ He swallows thickly, feeling a lump form in his throat he has to talk around. ] It's different but I'm still me. I'm... okay with this, if it means you don't have to be alone. Hank's helped me a lot.
[ Hank hears his name but doesn't get much else. That's fine. They're having a moment and he certainly won't intrude. Elijah Kamski having Real Emotions will just have to a secret he takes to his grave.
As for Eli, well, he can barely express how good it feels to have his brother so close and to hear the concern in his voice. He hadn't realized how much he's missed it. He thought he'd lost it forever. It had hurt so much... ]
I don't understand. [ There might be tears threatening to make their way down his face but he wouldn't dare acknowledge them. The great Elijah Kamski? Crying? Not knowing how things work? It was as frustrating then as it is now. Frustration, after all, is much easier than sadness. ] Tell me what happened. All of it. Please.
[ Ah... there it is. Eli doesn't like not understanding something, hates it the most of all. Ezra steps closer and moves his free hand to rest on his brother's neck, right over where his own bite scar resides.
Oh no, he's going to cry too if he keeps looking at him like that. ]
You always said my biggest flaw was how I never looked before I leaped, right? Hank was going to get shot and I... I don't know. I just jumped in front of him. Half second still thought he had to go home to his son that night.
[ It's hard to remember with Eli right in front of him. He works his jaw around, taking a hoarse breath. ] He just... asked me if I wanted to live. And I did, so I could see you again. That was why I said yes. Then he bit me and... well. Here I am.
[ Ah, a tear escapes. ] But I'm sorry that we're too different now. I'm sorry.
Idiot. [ Of course he did. Of course Ezra's stupid brain wanted him to save someone who didn't need saving. What did Elijah care about what happened to Hank Anderson? There's a reason Ezra's always been the nicer one. Elijah would have left him to die. Even knowing now that he's some kind of monster, he wouldn't have cared. He would choose his brother over anyone else, always. What kind of idiot would do something so stupid?
His brother, of course. His brother who is a good person. Who is sporting a bitemark on his neck and is apparently a werewolf now and okay that's very strange and Elijah isn't sure if he believes all of that but he knows Ezra was dead and now he isn't. He felt him come back. Ezra came back for him.
Eli looks him straight in the eyes. He wants to be the cool older brother, even if Ezra had always been there for him. He knows they're the same, even with this. No amount of changing his name or his birthdate or his face could ever change that. Ezra is alright. As long as he's alive, he will always be Elijah's twin. ]
You think I care about what you are, when it means you aren't dead?
[ He smiles. He's still crying, but. It's fine. ]
You're a Kamski, Ezra. You really should know better than to apologize.
[ That gets a wet, hoarse little laugh out of him. He turns his head to wipe his eyes on his sleeve, sniffing. ]
Guess I forgot. I've been away for too long.
[ And then he fully closes their distance, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and pulling him in for a tight hug. When was the last time they hugged? Probably right before Eli started CyberLife, before everything just got worse and worse.
But there's no one to force a wedge between them now. Ezra buries his face in the crook of Eli's neck, taking a deep breath. Yes, this is right. This is what he needed. He has Hank and he needed his brother too. Pack and family. His twin, his other half. It's as if his wolf instincts know that they were the same mass of cells, once upon a time. Singing for the parts that were separated from him. ]
I'll apologize one more time though. [ Muffled, into his shirt. ] I'm sorry for acting like I was ashamed to be your brother.
[ Elijah holds back just as tightly. Maybe he isn't a werewolf and he doesn't have extra-sharp sense or anything like that, but he knows his brother. Even if it feels different, even if it's been more than twenty years since they were actually this close, Ezra is his brother and he is a part of him that had been missing for so long. He'd almost thought he'd be better off without him, but the pain from his death showed him that he was wrong.
He needs this. He needs to close his eyes and hold his brother. He needs to actually listen and feel his heart against his chest. He is alive. He is safe. Even without Eli's protection. ]
If we're apologizing then I suppose... [ He chokes back a few more tears. He's fine! Hank is over there, looking very intently at the tea Chloe offered him. ] I apologize for never reaching out to you. Pretending I was fine without you.
[ Sorry Hank, at least you can't really understand what they're saying... even though the body language explains it all.
They're just not mean to be separate, as evidenced by how dysfunctional they've been apart. It seems easier now; he doesn't even understand why he was so mad anymore. They're adults, without their parents pressures and expectations on them. Gran would be so happy.
It's a comfort to feel Eli's heart thudding against his own, calming. Proof he's alive, they're both alive. Ezra chokes a little himself, huffing a hoarse little laugh. ]
I was the same way. It's fine, we're fine now. I'm not mad anymore.
[ Hank is good. He said he'd be there for Gavin, so he is. And he's glad he was right about things going well -- brothers are supposed to be like that. Close.
Eli and Ezra had always been close. Elijah continues holding him, steady and strong even if his brother is stronger. Who cares? He'd felt so broken before, but he got used to it. Now that the feeling is gone it's... hard to believe he'd ever lived with that kind of wound festering in him. ]
I know I haven't made it easy... but neither am I. I'm not angry with you.
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But whatever, they can do this. Hank has Gavin's back. ]
Yeah, you got this.
[ Hank steps out of the car. Time to face the Kamski. ]
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He shoves his hands in his jacket pockets and takes another deep breath. Closes his eyes. The pressure between his eyes gets a little better. And off he stalks to the front door, ringing the doorbell.
He's barely thought about what he's going to say. What do you say to your twin brother you haven't seen in about sixteen years? The wait is making him more anxious.
But finally, Chloe answers the door with a sweet smile. ]
Hello, Ezra. Have you come to see Elijah?
[ Gavin feels like the wind's been knocked out of him for a second. She looks exactly the same... He's struck with a sudden sense of guilt; when he and Eli fought last, he'd said some pretty horrible things about her. ]
Yeah, uh. Sorry for not calling ahead. Is uh, is he... available?
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[ Elijah literally shows up from behind the door because he knows you were there the whole time and he so enjoys unnerving people. ]
To what do I owe this extremely rare visit? I hope it's not another investigation. As you can see, I'm not dressed.
[ He is dressed. Surprisingly. He's wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and glasses. It's clearly his day off, but not so much that he's walking around naked. Hank rolls his eyes but keeps his mouth shut. ]
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He thought he'd be nervous or awkward but it doesn't happen. Gavin reaches up to rub under his nose. ]
No, it's about how you haven't sent me a birthday card in years dipshit.
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Would you expect me to send you two?
[ Right, as if Elijah Kamski would be so inconvenienced by a birthday card. At least this seems to be going well, as far as Hank can tell. Kamski's eyes light up as his gaze travels between them. ]
Hold on a moment... I'd heard you were injured, but did you get more handsome since I last saw you?
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[ Jokes!! Okay, this is going well... if Eli can joke, that's a very good thing. He crosses the threshold and walks on into his home like he owns the place, like any true little brother.
He turns to Eli and juts a finger in his chest. ]
Yeah, your little rearrangement of my face got fixed recently. It's part of why I'm here... [ Buffering. ] Wait, how did you know I got hurt?
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Though he does let them in. Hank follows shortly after. ]
If that's all then I could have Chloe draft them for you right now.
[ He scoffs, like that's really all. Because of course it is. He doesn't care!! ]
Please. You think I don't have you monitored at all times? The DPD's firewalls are a joke. No offense, Lieutenant.
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Gavin raises a brow at that, looking skeptical. ]
At all times? Didn't know you cared enough to stalk me. [ A snort. ] So you're that error I have to clear out of the surveillance files sometimes, huh?
[ ...yeah he looks at the DPD's firewall sometimes. Uh, sorry Hank? Gavin shakes his head and reaches up to rub in between his eyes. That weird pressure is back. ]
Look, as fun as it is to talk shit that's not why I came. Just... some shit happened and I— [ He drops his hands, putting them back in his pockets. He looks down at their feet, then back up to meet his eyes.]
I almost died, Eli. And I just wanted to see you again.
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[ By like five minutes, we know. But Elijah recognizes the gesture and the tension in Ezra's face. Something serious, then. Or stressful. It's not what Elijah expected, considering there was no hospitalization but... ]
I was afraid of that.
[ Eli does that thing where he locks up a bit. He had lost almost a full day to the sudden panic attack, the sensation that something was deeply wrong with his brother. It had gone away, sure enough, but he couldn't quite shake it.
He isn't moving closer but he isn't moving away, either. He doesn't really know where he stands with Ezra and he doesn't want to push. ]
What happened? You look alright now.
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He notices him lock up, and that's neither good nor bad. It's a response, at least. It takes a lot to get to him historically. Gavin— Ezra— moves a little closer to him and reaches a hand out to lightly hold onto his wrist, curling two fingers around it. ]
Hank and I were on a red ice bust and I got shot. A lot. And then... [ He trails off, eyes widening a little. How the fuck does he explain this? He turns to look at Hank for guidance. ]
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And Hank? Well, this is a family issue, clearly. He's not gonna get involved here. ]
And...? I pulled up the patient records for every hospital in Detroit and Windsor. You look fine. Start making sense, Ezra.
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That's the thing, it's not gonna make sense at first. But I'm not bullshitting you, okay? It...
[ He goes to his collar, pulling down his shirt a little and exposing the Clearly A Bite on his neck and part of his shoulder. ]
Remember those stories babcia would tell us that we thought were just stories?
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What on earth is he thinking? There's no way. ]
Yes, I remember. You aren't seriously trying to tell me that you made some magic deal and that's why you aren't dead.
[ Because yeah, Eli definitely felt Ezra die. He just doesn't want to say it or believe it. ]
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He works his mouth and no words come out so he falls back on what they did when they were boys, when they wanted to be private. Suddenly, he answers in Polish and it's easier to say: ]
Not exactly that but... Hank saved me. He's— He's a werewolf and he bit me to save me. [ His heart is racing like he's run a marathon. And Ezra's eyes glow amber, as if to prove it. ]
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Kamski, who is looking at Ezra like he's... well, like he just told him he was a werewolf. It's true they'd been told stories as children, and the way he had felt when Gavin was hurt was... well, Elijah had looked up every possible reason and science did not have a single explanation for it. Was this the explanation? Hadn't he randomly had a craving for red meat just the other day? ]
How...? [ He's responding in Polish too, of course. This conversation is only for them. Elijah looks over at Hank, then back to Ezra. ] You're joking, right? Is this a joke? I know I haven't called but this is cruel even for you.
[ Can't be true, right? No way. ]
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He squeezes his wrist gently. ]
I'm the most serious I've ever been, Eli. I wouldn't make fun of you like this. [ He inspects his face, eyes glowing brighter. Maybe it's his senses, or the fact that they're touching. ] You felt it, didn't you? When it happened to me...
[ Not so much in words or voices, but a feeling. ]
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I... [ Elijah looks down and back at Chloe. She nods, a neutral but familiar smile on her face. He's vulnerable now too. Hank better look away. ] Yes, I. I knew something had to be wrong. That you had been hurt, I thought... I thought I felt you die, Ezra. I can't explain it.
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I'm sorry. [ It's all he can think to say at first. ] That you had to feel it too, I never would have wanted that.
[ He swallows thickly, feeling a lump form in his throat he has to talk around. ] It's different but I'm still me. I'm... okay with this, if it means you don't have to be alone. Hank's helped me a lot.
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As for Eli, well, he can barely express how good it feels to have his brother so close and to hear the concern in his voice. He hadn't realized how much he's missed it. He thought he'd lost it forever. It had hurt so much... ]
I don't understand. [ There might be tears threatening to make their way down his face but he wouldn't dare acknowledge them. The great Elijah Kamski? Crying? Not knowing how things work? It was as frustrating then as it is now. Frustration, after all, is much easier than sadness. ] Tell me what happened. All of it. Please.
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Oh no, he's going to cry too if he keeps looking at him like that. ]
You always said my biggest flaw was how I never looked before I leaped, right? Hank was going to get shot and I... I don't know. I just jumped in front of him. Half second still thought he had to go home to his son that night.
[ It's hard to remember with Eli right in front of him. He works his jaw around, taking a hoarse breath. ] He just... asked me if I wanted to live. And I did, so I could see you again. That was why I said yes. Then he bit me and... well. Here I am.
[ Ah, a tear escapes. ] But I'm sorry that we're too different now. I'm sorry.
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His brother, of course. His brother who is a good person. Who is sporting a bitemark on his neck and is apparently a werewolf now and okay that's very strange and Elijah isn't sure if he believes all of that but he knows Ezra was dead and now he isn't. He felt him come back. Ezra came back for him.
Eli looks him straight in the eyes. He wants to be the cool older brother, even if Ezra had always been there for him. He knows they're the same, even with this. No amount of changing his name or his birthdate or his face could ever change that. Ezra is alright. As long as he's alive, he will always be Elijah's twin. ]
You think I care about what you are, when it means you aren't dead?
[ He smiles. He's still crying, but. It's fine. ]
You're a Kamski, Ezra. You really should know better than to apologize.
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Guess I forgot. I've been away for too long.
[ And then he fully closes their distance, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and pulling him in for a tight hug. When was the last time they hugged? Probably right before Eli started CyberLife, before everything just got worse and worse.
But there's no one to force a wedge between them now. Ezra buries his face in the crook of Eli's neck, taking a deep breath. Yes, this is right. This is what he needed. He has Hank and he needed his brother too. Pack and family. His twin, his other half. It's as if his wolf instincts know that they were the same mass of cells, once upon a time. Singing for the parts that were separated from him. ]
I'll apologize one more time though. [ Muffled, into his shirt. ] I'm sorry for acting like I was ashamed to be your brother.
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He needs this. He needs to close his eyes and hold his brother. He needs to actually listen and feel his heart against his chest. He is alive. He is safe. Even without Eli's protection. ]
If we're apologizing then I suppose... [ He chokes back a few more tears. He's fine! Hank is over there, looking very intently at the tea Chloe offered him. ] I apologize for never reaching out to you. Pretending I was fine without you.
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They're just not mean to be separate, as evidenced by how dysfunctional they've been apart. It seems easier now; he doesn't even understand why he was so mad anymore. They're adults, without their parents pressures and expectations on them. Gran would be so happy.
It's a comfort to feel Eli's heart thudding against his own, calming. Proof he's alive, they're both alive. Ezra chokes a little himself, huffing a hoarse little laugh. ]
I was the same way. It's fine, we're fine now. I'm not mad anymore.
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Eli and Ezra had always been close. Elijah continues holding him, steady and strong even if his brother is stronger. Who cares? He'd felt so broken before, but he got used to it. Now that the feeling is gone it's... hard to believe he'd ever lived with that kind of wound festering in him. ]
I know I haven't made it easy... but neither am I. I'm not angry with you.
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