donotlick | spooky scary

[ It's definitely weird, watching his brother go from from wolfy to totally not wolfy just like that. But Elijah's got bigger concerns right now, like making sure his little brother is okay, so he steps up closer and kneels down so he's at eye-level with him. ]

What if I'd hurt you, you idiot? What if I...?

[ Speaking of hurting people, that sure does remind him that he killed a bunch of monsters last night, and that he was kidnapped and turned and they'd technically killed him, just not all the way. Elijah takes a shaky, deep breath. He doesn't need to breathe anymore. He doesn't need anything, except for blood. ]

What have I done...

[ Yep, he's shaking all over now, pulling himself close to Ezra for a hug while he has a nervous breakdown. Just like the old days, eh? ]

But you didn't. I can bounce back from this now, remember? It's fine. I'd rather you feel better than go crazy with hunger.

[ He gathers Eli close, finally moving his hand from his neck that's already mostly healed. Ezra tugs him close, resting a hand in his hair and rubbing at his back with the other one. ]

Ssh, you haven't done anything wrong. They did this to you and you made them pay. I'm proud of you.

Stupid. [ He mutters between sobs. It's fine! He'll be fine after he lets it out. ] You can't hurt yourself for me, I'm supposed to take care of you.

[ But he's hugging back tightly and crying while everything comes back to him. He'd known vampires were real—werewolves were, so why not? But if he had to stay by his brother's side, it would have been nice to do it some way that didn't involve dying.

So he shakes and cries and holds Ezra close. With his new senses he can smell him to an almost ridiculous degree, feel and hear his heartbeat in his chest with startling clarity. He needs to memorize him again—this part of himself that's both inside and outside of him. At least doing that helps calm him down. It only takes a few more minutes for him to come back to himself and consider that there's actually a future after this. Being a vampire doesn't mean he's dead. ]

I'm... I'm not sure how I did that, for the record. Much as I'd like to take credit for it, aren't freshly-turned vampires usually just thralls?

[ He's still Elijah Kamski, he covered all his bases when he did his research. ]

[ Ezra snickers a little at that. ] Crybaby. I usually end up taking care of you, remember?

[ It's been so long since he's seen his brother really cry, he almost can't remember it. His heart hurts for him but it might be a shared pain. A shared grief. But he remembers what this feels like, having to mourn the self and the life you lost in an instant. He's here for you, Eli. He loves you.

He snuffles at his neck before he pulls away, a Werewolf Thing. Check on his pack, his family. He's different but he's still Eli. Twin, brother, part of his soul. Giddy at how much stronger they'll be together like this.

He snorts and shrugs. He's still a little groggy, but the bite marks on his neck have already started to fade into nothingness. (He wonders if Hank felt all of that. At least Eli didn't bite him over his mark.) ]

I mean, you're already part of a pack. And you've got a link to me and I'm the mate of the only alpha in the city. Maybe it gave you en edge? You already belonged to us.

I never cry.

[ He says, drying his tears on his sleeves. The Werewolf Things were already strange enough, having to get used to that again is going to chafe a bit. But of course, Ezra will always be there for him, no matter what state he's in. He knows that. Even this, new smells and senses, are just new ways of feeling the same thing.

Hank totally felt something for the record. He was pretty close to intervening for a bit there, but he knows Gavin can take care of himself. Elijah blinks, wondering if that new smell is the fact that Ezra is a werewolf or a beta or if it's just some leftover from Hank. He's going to need time to figure this all out. But he has plenty of time now. ]

That's possible. My connection to you is stronger than anything. Their mistake, choosing our pack as their first target.

[ Gavin snorts but doesn't harp on it. He shifts and sits up, rolling his back with a few pops. Going in and out of wolfy mode always involves having to set a few bones and muscles back in place. ]

It's be stupid regardless, messing with us. [ He leans forward and reaches for one of Eli's hands. ] You don't have to talk about it now if you don't want... but I want to know what happened. That coven had been leaving bodies out in the open all month. I just never thought they were going to go after you.

[ He frowns. ] I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you.

[ Yeah, that's not normal. And it's not normal that Elijah is somehow distinctly aware of every muscle and bone that resets itself. Amplified hearing sure is a thing.

He doesn't really want to talk about it, but if he can't share things with Ezra, then who? He can tell he's worried, and like he said—they are a pack. They stick together. Even Hank had come to his rescue. ]

I'm a grown adult, Ezra. You can't be expected to check on me 24/7.

[ Elijah takes Ezra's hand and tries his best to sound confident. He doesn't feel it, but he's always been good at putting on a strong face. ]

But they... Chloe and I were taking a walk. It was closer to sunset, and—how is Chloe? [ The severity to his time skyrockets. Chloe has been injured, how could he forget?! ] Did you... she was in pieces, but I think... she should be able to recover, right?

I know. But— [ He frowns. ] Maybe there were clues that I missed. Maybe there was something I could have noticed if we knew any goddamn thing about the fuckin' monster mash underworld.

[ He squeezes Eli's hand again when he starts to get concerned. ] Hey, ssh. She's fine. Connor found her and he's helping her get fixed up, she's going to be fine. Nothing can take Chloe out, you know that.

They were biding their time. They hid their tracks and wanted me to get to you and Hank.

[ Which makes him snort. To think that some monsters would want the head of CyberLife for reasons besides his incredible amount of money.

He squeezes back, relieved. ]

Good. She's my greatest creation. I knew she'd be alright.

[ No, he didn't. ]

[ Ezra sneers. ] I'm still going to go over all the evidence just to make sure.

[ It's pretty funny, since it turned out alright. Relatively. He guesses vampires wouldn't really care about human concerns and human money. ]

Yeah. [ He smiles a little. ] And Connor's sweet on her anyway, he wants her safe as much as we do.

[ He squeezes Eli's hand and rubs at his neck, scraping off some bits of dried blood. ] Okay, I think I've recovered enough. [ He uses the wall to stand up, sliding his back up the wall. He doesn't feel dizzy or light headed or anything, so that's a good sign.

Phew. ] You can stay with us as long as you need to, okay?

They said as much, Ezra. They wanted to turn me, then use me to kill you. Don't blame yourself.

[ Elijah reaches over and lays a hand on his shoulder, using him for leverage to stand up. ]

Connor will take good care of her, I'm sure.

[ Elijah takes his own stock of Ezra's health, listening in for his heartbeat and sniffing him for any leftover signs of distress. Damn, werewolves heal fast. ]

Thank you, Ezra. I appreciate that... though I'm not sure what I'll do with my time, to be perfectly honest.

[ Like, he can totally start trying to invent solutions to his problems, but he can't do that without his home chemistry lab so... ]

Fuckers got what they deserved.

[ He inspects Eli in return. His heart is beating at a more 'normal' rate and there's a healthier flush to his skin. The eyes are definitely going to take some getting used to, but he looks nearly the same. His... feeling is different. His werewolf hind brain always flagged him as 'human, pack' and now it's 'vampire, pack' and it's taking some getting used to. ]

Take it from me, there's gonna be weird shit you didn't expect to bother you the first few days. I'd rather you be here in case you need another blood juice box until you get settled into a routine.

[ A pause. ] You'll probably need a big floppy hat and some sunscreen, at least. [ He grins. ]

I would have preferred not to kill anyone. Even if they did deserve it.

[ Elijah makes a face. He's never been one to dirty his hands. Not directly, anyway. Now he's a vampire though, he'll likely have to adjust to being, well... a monster. But he never thought of his brother a anything other than his brother, so it shouldn't take too difficult to adjust. He may not have a mate, but he does have his twin brother.

Instinctually, he knows things are different. Perhaps being around his brother won't be a problem, he seems to have a good amount of control around him, but that's only because his brother is safe. He'd no sooner attack him than he'd attack himself. But if he's hungry and accidentally hurts someone, it'll be quite the blow to his image. Not that being a vampire would help.

He's sure he can invent something to make this better—he's created life, this won't be a problem. But in order to make it work, he'll have to accept the fact that he probably can't go outside anymore. And while his fangs aren't poking his lips anymore, he remembers what it felt like, to sink his fangs into his brother... ]

Yes, long sleeves and hats, I'll finally look like a hipster.

[ He may be due for another panic attack, but he's trying his best. ]

[ His expression softens at that. For all of his brother's... dramatics, he forgets his hands have never been dirty. Gavin shot a few people on the job while Elijah was in his gilded CyberLife cage. Of course this is hard for him. ]

Unfortunately it seems like it kind of comes with it. [ He walks closer to him, putting his hands on his forearms. He can sense he's getting a little worked up again, mix of little brother and pack instincts. ]

Let me look after you for once, Ellie. I'll protect you and make sure you don't have to hurt anyone. [ His hands move up to cup his face and he grins a little. ] I got a head start on you with this shit, for once. [ And then he smooshes your face, Eli, with a snort. ]

Yes, couldn't leave you to have all the fun.

[ Yeah, no, Eli doesn't think killing and attacking people is fun. He's great at sounding detached but he's a big weenie at heart.

At least Ezra's touch helps. Ezra is here—he's not alone. He couldn't do this alone. ]

You know it's hard for me, Ezzie.

[ But he smirks, letting Ezra be a gross baby brother and smush his face like the little brat he is. I mean, he has to swat him away because that's what big brothers do, but he's much calmer just from that. And now that they're close enough, Eli can be a little shit of his own and mess with Ezra. By pinching him on the neck, right over his mark, and smirking.

Oh, Hank is definitely going to punch him when they get out of here. ]

I look forward to your guidance.

[ Gavin snickers when his hands are swatted away. Good, at least he can still act like the world's most put upon older brother. ]

I know. But you can do it. You're a dweeb but you're strong, vampire shit or not. [ Look at him being all nice.

But that's quickly cut off when he reaches over and pinches his mark. Gavin actually yelps and almost jumps six feet in the air, cheeks turning a cherry red instantly. It's his turn to swat at Eli's hand. ]

No touching there! [ Sorry Hank... He clears his throat and shakes his head. ] You're such a shit, after I've been all nice to you. [ He's teasing, obviously. ] You up for heading back upstairs now?

My, that was certainly a strong reaction.

[ Eli grins like a cat who caught the canary, taking the compliment but naturally hiding it under his sneer. Look, he's a scientist, he's wanted to see what would happen for months now. ]

Consider my curiosity sated. [ He chuckles, raising his hands in surrender. Truth is he's a little scared, but he has to hope he won't hurt them. He doesn't know his own strength, but... ] I'm willing to try. I suppose you and Hank have nothing to fear from me.

[ That makes him blush all over again. ]

Ugh! You're such a fucking creep sometimes. Why do you care? You could have asked, dipshit.

[ Harrumph, harrumph, back to his usual self. He reaches up and pinches the tip of Eli's nose in retaliation. ]

Yeah. This really is the safest place for you to be right now. Hank's even stronger than I am, so. If something goes wrong we can handle it. [ And then without even really thinking about it, he takes Eli's hand and starts to lead him back upstairs. ]

Some things are best experienced first-hand.

[ Yeah, Hank's gonna greet Eli by grabbing him by the neck, if he's lucky. But it'll be worth it. Elijah swats Ezra away again, but doesn't pull away when he grabs his hand. Hank is strong. Stronger than all of them. He's their alpha, after all. It's comforting to know he's there. In a weird way, Elijah supposes, he has him to thank and to blame for all of this. It'll be different, seeing him now, with how much Elijah's senses have changed and in the last 24 hours.

Finally, Elijah speaks, maybe a bit more serious than intended. ]

I trust you. And Hank.

[ Eyeroll.

He stops walking up the stairs when Eli speaks again, turning around. He's a step ahead of him so he's a little taller than him (for once) and he leans in and gives him a one armed hug. ]

I trust you too. It's all gonna work out. [ He pulls away and rests their foreheads together for a moment. ] I know I don't have to say it but I don't think of you any less or any differently, after all this. Just like you didn't with me.

[ Elijah nods, closing his eyes as Ezra holds him. It's nice. Even the wet dog smell is kind of endearing once you get used to it. ]

I know. I'm sure the differences will become apparent with time, but they won't matter to you at all, will they?

[ That's what being twins is all about. ]

Yup. Now c'mon, you dweeb.

[ He says that but then his stomach gurgles with hunger. Oh. Werewolf metabolism plus getting like half of his blood sucked out makes you hungry, it seems. He blushes again and keeps stomping up the stairs. ]

And I'll go make dinner, I guess.

[ Elijah chuckles. It's too bad he can't enjoy Ezra's cooking anymore, but he'll survive. Plus it's way more fun to just tease his little brother. ]

Your husband might be able to help with that. Isn't that the whole point of having one?

[ Yeah, it's called cheating because of their bond but don't worry, Gavin, Hank has dinner covered. ]

[ Gavin grunts. ] We take turns cooking. You think I just lounge around and force Hank to do everything?

[ We all aren't lazy like you, Eli. Once they're upstairs the smell of dinner hits him and he smiles, even though his stomach gurgles again. Ugh. That's the one thing that's never gotten any better as time goes on. He just burns so much energy Existing. ]

Hank? Eli's settled for now.

[ Eli scoffs. That's not what he'd do if he got married but then he's a very lazy person who created androids to do his chores, so there is that. He hangs back and stays fairly close as they make their way inside. Already Hank and Ezra's house smells entirely different than he's used to. It's a bit overwhelming, so you'll have to forgive Elijah for standing a little stiff. ]

Yeah? Good. Had me worried for a bit there.

[ Like, you know, in the last five minutes and when he was drinking from Gavin. Hank had felt that somehow. In a weird way. Plus now that Kamski is actually here, it's doubly odd—he smells just like Gavin. It's kind of weirding him out, though he's at least distracted by finishing up dinner, so that helps. ]

Figured you'd be starving once you made it out of there. I've got mashed potatoes on the stove—steaks are almost ready.

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