Family Problems Part 9
Rhage: *Walking with my Mary as we make our way down to the clinic to see my son, Leethall. I look at her expression. I can tell she is very nervous. After my talk with him, I just hope he doesn't blame her. She is the most kind and compassionate female I have ever known.* Are you ready Mary? *As we make our way to the door that separates us from our son.* @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: *I hear his question and yet I’m not sure. Am I ready? This is huge. I mean … this male … will technically be my step son? I wonder if he’s older than me? I shake my head laughing out loud. Of all the things to be worried about.
He may hate the fact that I’m human if anything. There was still prejudice out there … although why it didn’t make sense since Wrath was the very last purebred on earth. I wonder if he really was … Regardless, most family lines were slightly “diluted” of human blood … but still. I was just a human mated to a Warrior no less. Taking a deep breath and straightening my shoulder back.*
Ready as I’ll ever be. @Leethall_SASBDB
Leethall: Leethall was pacing around the hospital room he was still being trapped in, dragging an IV around with him. The room was still trashed and several of the machines had deep dents from his fists and feet making a literal impact on them. Thoughts were swirling around in his head as the minutes passed by and it annoyed him. He wanted to get away. Just leave and never return if he had his way. Forget that any of this ever happened. But it was unlikely he could do that. Now knowing for sure who his father was, the Brotherhood was unlikely to just let him leave and be on his own. Annoying as that was, he’d have to run with it for the time being at least until he could find some way to get out and return to his own safehouse, and then maybe even further away from Caldwell. He let out a sigh and plopped back down on the gurney. He was still somewhat sweaty from his workout and the clothing he was wearing sagged on his body. Clearly the Brothers were bigger than he was, contributing to the reasons Leethall rather wouldn’t want to get into a fight with them. He didn’t have that much of a deathwish. @Rhage_SASBDB
Rhage: *Standing at the door with my Mary hand in hand, I bring her hand to my lips and kiss them tenderly as I reach for the door and turn the knob and open it up to get the full view of Leethall laying on his gurney. I look around the room and see the disaster he's made of his room. The look on his face made me start to second guess bringing Mary down here to this mess. I look at him sternly.*
What have you done Leethall? Why destroy the equipment, for one, that is not yours? Two, Vishous is going to have a conniption with it, let alone Manny.
*Looking over at Mary and seeing her expression about the mess he’s made. I’m kinda nervous about her meeting him.* Are you alright my Mary? @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: *Cleary Leethall was pissed about something. A mess, like the room in front of me, was nothing I haven’t seen before when the Brothers get angry or upset. I remembered the billiards room a few years back where @FathersofWrath went on a rampage until Lassiter blew a blow dart to sedate him when he found that Beth had moved to #SafePlace.*
I’m fine. *Turning to Leethall. Are you alright?* I asked, knowing he must be feeling pain, whether it was physical or mental … that was yet to be determined.* @Leethall_SASBDB
Leethall: Hearing the knob turn, Leethall looked towards the door, already letting a growl out. He already knew whoever had come to see him, was not one he wanted to see. Then again, while he was at the Brotherhood hideout, that was more or less a guarantee. Seeing his biological father stepped in, didn’t surprise the young male. What did surprise was the fact his maternal motherfucker, pun intended, had brought someone with him. A female he seemed to deem very closely. It had to be his mate, it just had to be. Hearing Rhage tell him off for working the machines like you did in the old days wasn’t exactly helping on his already rotten mood. Firth they cooped him up like an animal, stuffed his biological father and his bonding bullshit in his face and now they were getting sensitive about him acting out?! Hell. Fucking. No.
“I’ll take whatever punishment they find adequate, hoping it’ll be kicking me out or slitting my throat”, he said, though now the female was in the room, he let his growling die out. He looked towards the female and cocked his head, confused at her worried words.
“Please … don’t concern yourself with me. It’s a waste of energy I’m sure you need to deal with him”, he said nodding towards Rhage. “Besides, whatever happens to me beyond right now, I’ll handle it, one way or another.” @Rhage_SASBDB
Rhage: *Listening to everything that Leethall had just said to Mary, I growl and tell him.* You can be respectful and stop acting like a spoiled young. Yes, you were dealt a shit hand in life but you can just suck it up and act like a young male and be respectful. *I stare down at him like a father would.* I apologize, Mary. He should act more appropriate. You don’t need this from a adult that is acting like a spoiled young. *I turn around to guide her out.* @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: *Knowing that this is new to everyone, I pulled from Rhage’s embrace and turned to his son.*
Look, none of us had any idea you existed. Least of all Rhage. He’s been dealing with guilt over me for months. Of all things to learn now, at this moment … that he has a son? It’s truly a blessing.
I know growing up without a dad must have been hard. Hell. Growing up in your world is hard. I may be only human … but what I have learned during my illnesses is life's too short. Even for a vampire.
*I was grasping at straws I knew. But this situation is what Rhage needed. We both knew I couldn’t have children but he could still have a legacy.* @Leethall_SASBDB
Leethall: Leethall braced himself as he was told off, expecting nothing less at the point. He arched a brow when the female chimed in with more, stating things straight out of a fortune cookie. He turned his head and looked to her, his face as cold as ever.
“I’m way past the whole abandonment in terms of myself. Dealt with that a long time ago. It’s what happened with my mahmen, I’ll never forgive him for. Sure, he assisted her in her needing but knowing now he’s the rumoured ladies man within the Brotherhood ... How can anyone expect me to trivialize her pain and suffering, just because he wants to be a father now? Forget that she cried in her sleep when she dreamed of him and forget the shame put on her by society?“
He got up from the gurney and walked to Mary, nodding to her and keeping a distance so Rhage would know he had no intention of hurting her. “I don’t care what happens to me, not in the slightest. I don’t hate him because he wasn’t there for me. I hate him because of the pain he caused my mahmen.”
He looked up at Rhage. “So by all means, leave. And of the two of us, you’re the spoiled one, expecting me to be all sunshine and rainbows because you want to bond.” @Rhage_SASBDB
Rhage: *Looking at Leethall as he speaks to my Mary.* Ok, that’s enough of your disrespect to my Shellen. *I walk over to Leethall pull his IV out and tape it up. There now you’ll just need to meet with V to see how much work it’ll cost to work all this damage off. Vishous was keeping you long enough so we could talk and you can meet my Mary.
*Running my hand though my hair not knowing what else I can say to him.* I did NOT abandon you mahmen. I tried to find her but they would not let me because I joined the Brotherhood. What else could I do?! I could NOT find her. What can I do to help you with this? I want a relationship with my son. I’m sorry I cannot help that. My past is my past I’m no longer a ladies man as you put it.
The ladies man was to help control my curse. *Turning away from him, I lifted my wife beater showing him the tattoo on my back making him aware with the dragon moving on my back looking at Leethall as I cover him back up.* So I will leave you alone to take all this in. *Looking over at Mary.* Unless you have something else you want to say Leelan. @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: *I could see his disbelief and doubt in his face and remembered my reaction.*
Actually, why don’t you go and start a bath? *I turned to my hellren. Wanting to speak to Leethall alone … just for a few more minutes. I could see the anxiousness in his face leaving me alone with a male but I could see his reasoning with all the different scenarios and came to the same conclusion as I did. He needed to show his son that he trusted him … with me. Especially as a human … he could kill me in a hundreds of different ways and in an instant before I could even cry out for help. This would be monumental leaving me alone with him knowing his animosity was only growing.*
Please, baby. I’ll only be a few minutes. Go. *He exhaled in a long breath and was resigned and nodded. He took my head into his large hands and looked into my eyes, I could see the unease in his cerulean blue eyes darkened with worry. He came towards me so sweetly and kissed me and immediately turned and exited the room as if trying to fortify himself against so many different scenarios. As the door close, I turned back to Leetall and started to right the room a bit as I gathered my thoughts and began elaborate on his story.*
About two centuries ago … Rhage pissed off the Scribe Virgin, so she cursed him. Gave him two hundred years of hell. Anytime he gets too worked up, the beast would emerge. Pain can set it off. Anger. Physical frustration … hence the sordid nickname. If he didn’t regulate his energy or moods … You have to understand the beast didn’t seem to know friend from foe and one of his biggest fears was hurting on of his Brothers.
*I stacked the gauze bandages back on the rolling cart and I braced myself to tell him my background as well. Breathing in through the pain of remembering that dark time, I braced myself by looking at the lamp light above in the ceiling to gather my thoughts and then continued organizing the supplies back into new places on the counter for V and Manny to re-organize later when they came back.*
I won’t bore you with all the details about me … but I was thirty-one when the cancer came back. You would think battling cancer the first time was enough of a trial … but a second time? What's worse? I remembered what it was like to watch my own mother pass away with muscular dystrophy. So with my family history, the leukemia coming back and haunting my life /again/ has a way to evaluating your life and at first I could only lash out and tell Rhage that it was better for me to go at this alone. I mean can you imagine? Watching someone you love wither away when you can do absolutely nothing?
I’m not telling you this to feel sorry for me or anything. What I wanted to explain is that your father … stood by me anyway. Even though he knew I would not live but a few months … he stayed. And then … your father went to the Scribe Virgin and in exchange for saving my life … he would have to suffer the rest of his life with the beast and my memories would be taken from me. I was supposed to live a normal human life without him but he would remember everything. Yin and yang, she said to him. His life, metaphorically, for mine. For a bonded male? You understand.
But when she came to me and offered me life … instead the Scribe Virgin granted us a miracle after learning that I could not bear children due to the ravages the chemotherapy. I came home all excited that I was cured, but when I found Rhage he was naked and kneeling in a trance on some kind of black slab. He had white binds around his neck and wrists and blood, so much blood was seeping into the carpet. He looked as if he aged decades since the few days prior.
*I shook my head of the images of those days and after tidying a bit the room was a good as it could be without someone taking the damaged equipment out and repairing the walls. I started to pile what I could in the countertops as I continued.*
Anyways, what I’m trying to say is … don’t judge a book by its cover … not even the reviews. Learn for yourself what kind of male your father is … if he tried to find your mahmen, take it from me. He tried. Everyone … deserves the benefit of a doubt, especially him. I made the same mistake once, turning away from him when I thought it was best and I was wrong. Give him a chance. *I finally took a deep breath and turned to face him to see if I could read his reactions.* @Leethall_SASBDB
Leethall: Leethall arched a brow when Rhage revealed his back to him, his tattoo moving on its own accord. “Cursed? So that’s why you’re nicknamed The Beast?”, he asked, though he was not surprised at the lack of response he got.
He was surprised when the female asked to be left alone with him, and even more surprised at the fact Rhage listened to her and left them alone. He plopped back down on the gurney and watched her as she spoke and cleaned up after him.
“That’s quite the story, but he did right by you, and mourned you as a male of worth should”, he said and crossed his arms. “I’ll give him that much credit, and he seems to be treating you as a female should be treated, so again, I cannot fault him for that”, he said and rubbed his forehead. “Fucking hell, female. For a human, you have an ability to push buttons without setting off tempers. Frustrating as fuck”, he said and looked to Mary. “And very admirable. I think I get why he bonded with you”.
He stood up and looked to Mary, a serious look on his face. “Tell me something. How does the Brotherhood view females these days? How highly prioritized are the females bonded with Brothers?”, he asked with his brows furrowed. @Rhage_SASBDB
Rhage: *I couldn’t believe I just left her with that kid. I fly up the stairs and straight to our suite, I paced the floor fast back and forth. If I walk faster I would probably burn a hole in the floor.
What was I thinking? What is she thinking? If that kid says or does one thing to her I would have to ... could I? Could I hurt my own blood? My Mary has a way with people. She may be human but she can put a tongue lashing with the best of them.
What would I do if he never forgives me? I was there with his mahmen I should have never left her. But the Brotherhood needed me. Just like my father before me. I sit on our bed and drop my head in my hands and heart aches for the pain of Leethall’s mahmen and for my Mary. @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: The Brotherhood is something I never experienced before if I’m being honest. I was an only child with an ailing mother. But ever since I’ve been here, they’re like over protective big Brothers.
*I thought about the first time I saw the Beast when I went back to my cottage and lessers appeared out of nowhere. The bright flash of light and then a ginormous purple dragon appeared as if out of thin air. I recalled how Vishous and Zsadist both tried to coax me to their sides or draw its attention towards them so I would be of danger, but I knew it was Rhage inside the Beast. Then hearing the silent crickets as they stood around us gobsmacked when the Beast laid down so I could pet him like a dog.*
They would give their life to one another and protect what they deem as family. The females of the house are revered if I had to describe it. In regards to bonded Brothers … there is nothing more dangerous. Well, unless your a pregnant female. I remember Layla one time … I really thought she might have almost could have clawed at Phury had he not stepped back in time.
*I chuckled as I remember those moments. I loved my family. I really did.* I would stake my life … Rhage would have gone back for your mahmen. He would have taken care of her. I know it in my heart. He’s a worthy male. @Leethall_SASBDB
Leethall: Leethall listened and nodded as Mary spoke, unable to really dismiss anything she was saying. He observed her as she spoke, listening to her heart-rate and looking to her face, concluding she was being not only truthful, but speaking from the heart. He almost collapsed onto the gurney and placed a hand on his forehead, massaging his temples a bit. The mix of personal memories with what she truly believed was odd to him, but in a way that reminded him of his mahmen. She had always spoken like that as well.
“Christ female … “, he said and heaved a long deep sigh. “Once I’m no longer in forced care, I’ll need a drink or 50 to process all this”, he said and shook his head. “Look … based on what you said, I’ll work with him on … well fuck if I know what to work on … but it’ll take time and if you would not mind … Could you be there? I’d rather not send him back to you with a fat lip or a black eye,” he said with a smirk. “Now … I think you should head back to him before he gets too worried. I’m sure as a bonded male, he hates you being alone with me, knowing my disdain for him, not that I would ever drag a female into shit like this.” @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: *I nodded.* I know life was tough for you and your mahmen, you’ll find that you will not be alone. We have a big family and you’re family now … and not because of your blood alone. The females of the family wouldn't have it any other way. It’s hard to say no to the household’s females when we get our mind on something.
*I smile and wave again to Leethall and leave him to his thoughts and disaster. I’m pretty sure V and Manny will understand. I went through the PT Suite, through the classroom door and into the underground hallway to the main house. Once, I arrive, I briefly looked into the kitchen to see if my hellren was binge eating. Not finding him, I went up the stairs to our mated chambers and hope he was alright and not making his own destructive disaster to match his son.* @Rhage_SASBDB
Rhage: *Pacing the floor trying not to pull my hair out, worrying about my Mary. I know as a male of worth he would not hurt a female and he is a male of worth. Just he is so blinded by hate right now and it kills me that the hate is toward me. Will he ever understand that I tried. I tried to find his mahmen?
Running my hand through my hair, where is my Mary? I didn’t know she’d be gone this long. As I make my way to our door I ask myself. Should I go back down there? As I open the door. There she is my lovely Leelan. I take her in my arms and hold her tight.* Are you ok? How did it go? What did he say? *I release her an and wipe my hand down my face.* I’m sorry I know I’m throwing all these questions to you at once. I was just worried. *I take her over to the chase lounge, and pull her into my lap and kiss her temple.* How are you Leelan? @MaryLuce_BDB
Mary: *As he hugs me in his arms I can feel his anxiety as his body shakes. I don’t even think he was aware of it and before I could even answer his first question, he had me in his lap. I laugh to myself when I forget how easily it is for him to move me around like I’m a tiny doll. Endearing and sweet. I place my hand over his chest to calm him as I found out in the past works well in situations where he gets agitated.*
I’m fine. It went fine. He said a lot of things. Again I’m fine. *Answering all his questions in short reply. I thought briefly about what I should say … though technically Leethall and I were not in patient/client privilege setting … I felt the need to keep his words private between the two us and prayed he get to tell his father himself.*
You have nothing to worry about, he’s a great kid. Who’s older than me. *I laugh at the fact that he’s actually a few hundred years older. I wonder if this is finally my normal.* Anyways, I think you should just slow down and have him come to you. He’s out of sorts right now. I mean think about it. If you just found your dad after all this time … and with everything that he had to deal with growing up? He just needs time to adjust and get used to the idea. Being here at the Manse is hard enough … I think the knowledge that you exist just compounded it times like ten.
*I leaned my head against his shoulder and breathed in his scent and relaxed.* I’m glad you found him. You son. You have family. *Something I couldn’t give you. I hope my voice hadn’t sounded as broken as it did in my head.* @Rhage_SASBDB
Rhage: *Kissing her again and holding her face.* I’ve always had family. You, Leelan, you are my family too. *Kissing her again and holding her close to my chest so she can hear my steady heart beat.* @Leethall_SASBDB
Leethall: Leethall fell back onto the gurney and stared up at the ceiling, as he had done many times before. So clean it white, it was almost blinding. Bit like how Mary’s aura was to him, not that he could actually see that sort of shit. But she emitted that sort of white calming energy that he had only really ever heard of, but never experienced. At least until today. He would definitely need her around if he was to ever try and have some sort of relationship with his father.
Leethal tasted the word, as he mouthed it silently. Father … Fuck, this was not only unexpected but a load of shit on his shoulders. Not appreciated, fuck you very much. Though, maybe it wasn’t that bad a thing? If anything, as long as he was allowed to leave alive, and some sort of visitation could be set up … Right, no reason to make this even weirder than it had to be! For now he’d just have to sort of go with the flow, soak his brain in alcohol and then deal with all of this. At least for now, he had promised Mary he’d give the father-song thing a try. If things didn’t work out, he’d hopefully be able to just walk away with at least some limbs attached and partially functioning.
