Lean on Me (As I Lean on You) ||@hypnoticallycaucasian||
It'd been quite a few months, some chaos since moving into the new home. Nai had heard of Badou at Sonare when the others returned, and had stressed over his return. He'd gotten him gifts and mothered him for a week before he got the feeling he needed to back off.
Another dozen books on therapy tactics and he finally had a plan. It was quite simple, as it was just Badou.
He found him outside, setting first a bag of Chinese takeout in his lap before claiming the other chair with his own goodie bag. Out on the patio looking over their vibrant garden. From his own bag, he set a bottle of high quality whiskey, then claimed his own honey chicken to start himself off.
"At least eat a bit before you take the first swig." It's almost playful as he cracks open the clear container. "When you're ready to speak, I am here to listen." with this, he took the first bite, cementing their evening in this oddly cozy setting.
Gone was the smudge of blonde at the temple facing the other, his skin a touch ashen compared to the last time he'd dared to present himself in the home. His eyes, just a touch more haunted. Despite the small things, he seemed at peace, or at the very least, content.
Waystone Tavern. An ancient dusty place, the same bar Astarion and Roberto met in. It was light, airy and felt both old yet modern in regards to the architecture of the whole city.
During this season they held a special. 'Toasted Perlbery Rum'. Something new to hopefully wake him up from the strange mental fracture he's been in. Unlikely, but he could hope.
Tucked in the corner near the back exit, the wolf sat hunched over the drink, his cross firmly against the wall beside him, feeling empty without it. He used it as a reminder more than a weapon. A reminder he's strong, that he can't just bowl around people anymore. That if Livio or Vash or even Zazie showed up, they'd all be as frail as the rest of the humans around him.
Always a monster. Always a weapon.
Xuanyu.. He's different. He's always been human, was always frail and squishy, Legato too. They were safe, his mind didn't forget their frail nature.
Still, his hands were stained red. He knows they weren't, know he'd washed it off. But still he saw red, still he saw blue grow dull, watched the body fizzle into ash and light, taken to the tower nearby to revive. Had met those blue whilst playing his violin, trying to remember delicate was needed, just as it was with the instrument.
They'd parted ways. All he needed was to see blue again and it was enough. Had told him he finally understood why he always ran, that it was to protect others, never himself.
He barely remembers how they parted after that, everything a mangled blur chased away by the next spiced sip. He hated keeping himself distant, but until he figured his shit out, it was better this way. Sure, he was being no better than Vash, but there's a difference. He killed Vash. If it wasn't for the weird magic of this place bringing him back, that would have been the end of it. Even Roberto seemed horrified when he told him.
Yet another parental figure he disappointed.
"Damnit, blondie." He groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. I just started to get my head on straight.
There is wonder in their eyes as they dive into the sea of masks, colorful and in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. While the anonymity might frighten or bring unease, they found themselves quite the opposite. There was freedom in a place where everyone was on the same playing field, and the exciting mystery that the masquerade presents spurs them to choose someone among the crowd.
"Hello...!!" Their voice squeaks out - its a little sudden and loud, and noticing that, they soften their voice.
"Why did you choose that mask?" They ask. "And where? Do you know what it's made of?"
As they speak, their eyes wander about, taking note of the detail work. Would this be a clue to the person behind the mask, or would it lead them astray?
On the beach, Jody seems to be in a bit of a mood and takes it out on Andy and Fawn, berating Andy for decisions after becoming a vampire and the text command event. Dougal arrives and he and Andy talk things out.
Fawn: Fawn had found Anderson moping in the Quad and dragged him down the beach with them, the young vampire was beyond depressing to see and they wanted to loosen him up a bit, maybe take him out to have a real down. Ordering two beers they tossed one at the vampire ordering him to drink.
Jody (Cherry) joined the chat 3 days ago
Fawn: (Hello)
Jody: Jody arrived a few minutes later, getting himself a sangria, a twist on his usual glass of red wine. They were on the beach after all. He sat next to Fawn, giving them a sweet, not too showy kiss, but turned their attention to Andy, not having seen him for a while, but hearing plenty. "How are you adjusting, Andy?"
Jody: (Hello!! )
Andyy: Anderson rolled his eyes grabbing the beer, shooting the Professor a glare, though he did need a drink and to stop moping around all the time, he shrugged when Jody joined them." You know haven't killed anyone so I guess okay."
Fawn: (How are you?)
Jody: (Good! Better. House is relatively quiet. Big fight happened earlier this afternoon so unlikely to flare up again LOL Peanut is a precious bean asleep in my blanket. I'll post a pic in discord 💗 )
Jody: "That's more than okay, Andy. I'm proud of you." Jody spoke sincerely, looking sympathetic. He sipped at his drink, leaning against Fawn. He hadn't been making time for them lately and seemed tired... pretty much all of the time.
Fawn: Fawn grinned when Jody joined them, before turning to Anderson. " It is a big thing, you know. You should stop beating yourself up about it all the time." Fawn didn't see Anderson often but the knew through Eli that he was turned and the issues he had, but they got better.
Fawn: ( That's good.)
Andyy: Anderson felt like he was having an intervention with his parents seating across from them. He sipped his drink shrugging again. " It easier not to kill someone when you spend all your time alone and away from them.
Jody: "Maybe..." Jody shrugged, "Is that your plan for the summer? Just hole up in Dougal's house and avoid all your friends? Starving yourself won't be good for you either." It was almost challenging. A lot more careless in tone than Jody normally was.
Andyy: " Honestly haven't thought that far ahead, it seems to be working well for right now, so why not stick with it. I've been staying with Wade. And I'm not starving myself, I have blood at home, it just isn't fresh." He hated it. He wanted to leave the Island for the summer, but he hadn't seen Dougal in a few months.
Fawn: Fawn noticed Jody's tone but didn't comment on it, just shooting his a worried look. " Wade hasn't taken you hunting? He should at least do that, I am more than happy to go with you guys, if you need help with control, which you both do."
Jody: "Why are you at Wade's?" Jody said quickly, curious but obviously a little disapproving of the idea. Not that he blamed Wade, he hadn't spoken to him either, when he knew he should have.
Andyy: " I got into a small, to really important.. well, I broke up with Dougal when all the texting commands happened a few months back, I went to Wade's and haven't seen him since." It wasn't like he was avoiding him, he just went home when he wasn't there.
Jody: "Someone demanded you break up with Dougal and you just decided to stick with it?" Jody spoke incredulously. He shook his head, "Shit, Andy, if Dougal decided to not take you back now, I wouldn't blame him."
Fawn: " Jody." They said shaking their head at him. " That's rude." Though they were thinking the same thing they wouldn't have said it to Anderson, he was going through enough to have that on top of everything.
Andyy: Anderson glared at Jody. " I had a lot of other things to deal with than seeing him, and he had plenty of time to come see me, he knew I was forced against my will to do it, he knows I'm staying with Wade. If he doesn't want to take me back, then fine."
Jody: Jody looked away, only slightly rolling his eyes at Fawn for saying so. He took another gulp of his drink, looking to Andy, "He's your boyfriend, he's the one you're supposed to go to with problems like-- well, anything. So if he's not the first person you want to run to when stuff like this happens, then maybe you should be rethinking your relationship." Jody rattled off like it was some kind of challenge towards himself. He liked Dougal and the way Andy was acting maybe the elder vampire did deserve better.
Andyy: " I did ask you for relationship advice, Jody. But thanks." He said sarcastically, finishing off his beer. " I'm sure I'm not the first person in the world, wishing to deal with their problems on their own." He did love Dougal, of course, he did, but he wanted to be alone. " And technically he isn't my boyfriend anymore." He added.
Fawn: " Are you alright, Jody?" They asked now opening staring at him. They were unsure what he wrong with him, though it had been a while since they seen him, though they didn't blame him since they had been busy as well.
Jody: "So you've decided then. Even though he knows the text wasn't really from you, you decided 'Might as well'? That's not just running away from your problems, Andy. That's creating all new ones. Great job dealing with being a vampire by running away from someone who's struggled probably harder than most with it." Jody scoffed and turned to Fawn, disbelieving that /he/ was under scrutiny. "Andy's throwing his relationship away and you're worried about /me/? Yes, Fawn, /I'm fine./"
Andyy: " Well when you are murdered and wake up in a shallow grave, you can have an opinion, until then you can keep your opinions to yourself." He said standing up. " A relationship works both ways, if he doesn't care enough to try to help me, then why should I care about when I have enough of my plate as is. I'm going to go get a stronger drink." He said before walking away.
Fawn: " Anderson is an adult and is going through a lot, you are the one acting unlike yourself, so of course I am asking if you are alright, you are my boyfriend, I am entitled to be a bit worried about you." They snapped.
Jody: (sorry the kid had to get ready for a bath)
Andyy: ( it's all good)
Jody: Jody sighed, clearly angry but held his tongue as Andy walked away. He turned to Fawn, "He's not acting like an adult. Could've fooled me."
Fawn: " He never acts like an adult, doesn't mean you have to act like a child as well. He's going through a lot, you do the same thing when you are going through something, or have you forgotten?"
Jody: "I do the same what?" Jody turned to fully look at Fawn, eye brow raised, "/I/ act like a child? I have never fucking run away from you or threatened to end our relationship because I was 'going through some shit'. And I certainly wouldn't end it over some stupid fucking event the Island pulled." Jody was properly angry now and took a large gulp of his drink. He didn't get like this, normally, he certainly didn't swear even when he was angry.
Fawn: Fawn scoffed, " That is exactly what you did. When you attacked Elijah. I'm pretty sure that is your whole personality. When things get too hard you just push people away. I never said it was childish because I know you were going through a lot, so you could give Anderson the same courtesy and be a good friend, but no you are being an asshole."
Jody: "My--" Jody balked, looking indignant at first before his look softened and he seemed genuinely hurt, "My whole personality." Jody chewed on his lip, and spoke lower, but no less irritated. "I took /a break/ with you over hurting Elijah because I didn't want you to feel like you had to /choose/ between us. Because Elijah needed you then. I didn't."
Fawn: Fawn had to look away from Jody's hurt look, it was a horrible thing to say and they regretted the moment it left their mouth, but they were too upset to apologize. " You took a break and in the end I had to make a choice because of it. You were upset with yourself and you broke my heart because you had things and plans you wanted to do. I'm sure if we didn't end up on the beach on accident you wouldn't have told me."
Jody: "Are you finished telling me what I would have done? What were my fucking 'plans', Fawn? I was trying to figure out how to stop something that awful from happening again. I was trying not to use, not to drink myself to death every night because I could have very well raped Elijah if he hadn't hit me in the fucking face. I'm not going through all this again." Jody stood up, finishing off his drink and tossing the fruit and ice towards the ocean for the seagulls. "Talk to me when you decide you want to trust me again. Clearly you don't. I'm not entirely sure you ever did."
Fawn: Fawn sighed running their fingers through their hair. " Jody wait." They stood grabbing his arm. " Please... I am not sure what you did was wrong, just that Anderson is doing the same thing, god he almost killed Elijah, twice, I was there when he broke down, terrified of what he could do, so yeah he is behaving poorly but because a lot is going on, which is what you did. I didn't like it, but I still supported you. And I chose you, but we haven't talked so you don't know about anything going on in my life." They took a deep breath. " I don't want to fight with you."
Jody: Jody jerked his arm away from Fawn, but after mentioning not having spoken in a bit and not knowing what was happening with Fawn, Jody's jaw unclenched. He ordered a whisky sour from the tiki bar and moved to sit at the bar instead of in the sand. "So..." Jody licked his lips, looking reluctantly apologetic. "What's going on with you?"
Andyy: Andy made his way back toward them when he noticed they were clearly in the middle of something. Grabbing his drink he moved farther away from them, giving them their time to talk.
Fawn: Fawn watched him closer, ignoring Andy as he stay away from them, keeping their eyes on Jody. They took a seat next to him, ordering a drink for themselves. " Elijah had to make me pick between the two of you... I picked you. I didn't want to hurt him, but I didn't want to lie to him. So I told him I love you. We fought I was horrible to him, god I treated him so horribly. I begged him to reconsider, he said he would, and been avoiding me since, which I don't blame him."
Dougal (Malon) joined the chat 2 days ago
Dougal: ((where are you peeps))
Andyy: (Heyyyy, they are on the beach. Andy sitting in the sand, the other two at the tiki bar)
Dougal: ((okayyyyy))
Jody: "Is he still living with you?" Jody asked a bit more quietly and more concerned. More like himself. He looked at his drink and took a sip. "I've tried talking to him, but... I know I can't push too hard."
Jody: ((Sorry kinda distracted with Critical Role))
Dougal: Dougal hasnt been out of his house in a while ever since that event with the text commands. He and Andy havent talked since thinking they needed some space and plus he wanted Andy to spend time with his sire to build that bond that will eventually grow. Thinking the beach was a good idea he walks on the sand wearing shorts and polo shirt with a chair in one arm and a book in another. Seeing a small fire afar he heads towards it finding his boyfriend and two other people. Happy to see Andy again he walks up to him. "Mind if I join you good sir?"
Fawn: " He is, or I assume he is, I try not to spend a lot of time there, I want him to have his space, I don't want to scare him, or upset him, but I don't see him. I know he is going to class, and you know hanging out with friends, but other than that, I don't know. "
Jody: "You need to talk to him. You can't be mad at me for avoidance when you're here doing the same thing. I don't need you to 'pick me' Fawn. Elijah needs you to believe him about what happened and that you're not... abandoning him for me." Jody sighed. He glanced at his silver bracelet. "I don't think he believes this will work. But it has. I don't know how to prove that too him. I can't make him feel any better about what happened. But you can."
Andyy: Anderson wanted to let Jody and Fawn work out whatever they were going through and had no problem sitting alone on the beach, he just slightly when he heard someone speak so close to him. He moved to his feet when he noticed who was standing before him. " Dougal... hi. Yes, yes, of course." He said. " Please." He said softly.
Dougal: "Good to see you Andy." He smiled at his boyfriend before pulling the chair out and putting it down on the sand. "How have you been? I hope your doing well with Wade."
Fawn: " I know I need to talk to him, but he asked for space and I am giving it to him. I know you don't need me to pick you, but I did. It was either never speak to you again or never speak to him again. He knows I didn't want to pick, he knows I care about him, but I can't love him the way he wants me to. He wants to turn so we can be together, and I had to tell him the true."
Andyy: Dougal was in front of him, and Andy didn't know what to say or do, he missed him, god he missed him more than he thought possible, but he felt like a shit boyfriend, Jody was right he could have gone home, Dougal could help him with his issues, but he was selfish and stayed away. " You aren't upset with me?" He asked instead.
Jody: "Jesus. He doesn't." Jody couldn't believe what he was hearing and knew he should talk more seriously with Elijah again. He sighed heavily and reached over with his free hand not holding his drink, taking Fawn's. "I'm sorry..."
Dougal: "What your going through is a lot and sometimes being by yourself helps of figuring things out. Plus I know Wade was there to help you in whatever way Wade does." He chuckles as he kicks his shoes off and sits on the chair patting the open spot in front of him. "Sit with me."
Fawn: " It's my fault, I shouldn't have led him on, thinking something could come from that. I did at one point, but then we started dating and I should have make it clear to him then, but I didn't." They felt bad for Elijah, they did love him, they just weren't in love with him. They squeezed Jody's hand shaking their head. " I'm sorry, I said some mean things, which I didn't mean."
Andyy: Andy knew he didn't deserve Dougal, he was too good of a person, he was wonderful, and deserve someone who wasn't a complete mess all the time. " I'm sorry that I didn't say anything, I wanted to, just things been horrible to me, which shouldn't have been an excuse."
Jody: "Maybe we should all have a dinner date... Or something." Jody shrugged, clearly not confidant with the choice but wanting to do something.
Dougal: "Andy its okay, I understand that your powers and new body is really fucking with you and you havent been able to control. I want to train you and get you better at it and I know Wade will help too." He was a bit hurt but he could never stay mad at Andy, he was still a young boy and now being a new vampire he is struggling with a lot of more things.
Jody: (I gtg :< but I'm gonna post the archive I have so far so you guys can add to it )
Andyy: " It's not okay, I don't treat you well, and I know that and I want to be a better boyfriend, because I do love you so much, Dougal." He said. He might have been struggling with everything, but he needed to pull himself together. " I want to train with you, I wanted you to be the one to turn me and I know you wanted to be the one to turn me."
Dougal: "That is true I did want to turn you when the time was right. I thought turning you would be a poetic way of a 'proposal' to declare my love for you but its okay I can still be your sire in other ways." Dougal looks at Andy with his blue eyes and a small sad smile. "Knowing you will live for eternity is reassuring but the way you were turned breaks my heart. I wanted you to enjoy your life as a human and live it before giving it up."
Andyy: God, Dougal was too much, too perfect. " I'm sorry I ruined things. I'm going to be okay, though, I wanted to wait live more, but if I still get to be with you either way, then I don't care." He said. " I-I I was afraid you wouldn't want to be with me now that I'm not human." He hated that he felt that way, but it has been the worst feeling, it was one of the reason he avoided him for so long.
Dougal: "Why would you say that? Human, vampire, werewolf, it doesnt matter who or what you are Andy." He moves closer to the boy and cups his cheek kissing his forehead softly. "You are still you and that is who I love. That dork of a boy who dances with me in the kitchen and cuddles with me at night. The boy who gave me another chance at love when I thought I could never get it again. WE all make mistakes and we have to deal with the consequences but I will never ever leave you."
Andyy: Andy was beyond relieved to hear him say that, he launched himself into Dougal's arm, hugging him tightly. " I hated the last few months away from you, I missed you every day. I'm sorry for thinking the worst in you when you have never been anything but understanding and amazing. You are too amazing, and too good for me, but I am beyond lucky that you love me despite how horrible I've been."
Dougal: "Ive done horrible things too Andy Im not an angel either. Ive hurt people and broken hearts too. But as long as you are honest with me I will accept your apologies."
Dougal: He hugs the boy back kissing the top of his head, though the familiar warmth is gone the love was still there.
Andyy: " I will always be honest with you, I promise. I don't want to lose you ever." He said, enjoying being in Dougal's arms, it was his favorite place in the world, he felt beyond safe like nothing could hurt him, and everything will be okay. " I hate being away from you, I am going to come home."
Dougal: "Im glad Pumpkin has been missing you so much. I had been having her sleep with me and cuddling with me while you were gone. Alec misses you too."
Andyy: " I've missed them both so much, I am going to have to make it up to all three of you for being away for so long.
Dougal: "Then how about you spend time in the house with us. You can still go out with your friends but spend more time with me. And train extra hard as well and listening to my advice." He chuckles poking the boy's nose with a brighter smile.
Andyy: He nodded, he wanted to stay home more. He didn't want to go out and drink or hang out with his friends. " I would love nothing more than spend more time at home, and I will listen to your advice." He smiled, playfully nipping at his finger.
Dougal: Dougal chuckles and slides the finger into the mouth feeling the fangs and how sharp they were. "So what blood have you tasted since you were gone? Just human or have you tried other kinds?"
Andyy: " I haven't tried anything besides human, I did have some from this one human, he was a virgin so he tasted a lot better than the other ones, but I've been mostly eating blood bags, I don't want to accidentally hurt someone."
Dougal: "Thats good at least, ya virgin blood is super sweet just like fae's. But Im glad your drinking out of bags at least." He smiles kisses his boyfriend on the lips softly.
Andyy: " It was very good." So good he had to be pulled off of the boy. " I don't love the bags, but it is easier than hurting someone, I try to take some with me wherever I go, just encase something happens."
Dougal: "Good idea at least until you can control your hunger. But we can work on that together." He strokes Andy's hair with a smile and kisses him once more missing the boy's touch and lips.
Andyy: He nodded, " Okay, I look forward to working on it with you, Wade has been helpful, but I want to be with you." He said kissing him back. He missed kissing him, it was his favorite thing.
Andyy: (I sadly have to go to bed,)
Dougal: (okay ill make a thread for them. good night!)
“That’s nice of you to say.” Jody leaned forward, kissing Ava in bed. His mouth trailed from her lips to her chin and down her neck and breasts. His hands moved, pulling her closer, wrapping around her waist, holding her back as he kissed between her breasts.
He didn’t think much of his looks, and he never really thought of himself as handsome. Meanwhile, Ava was stunningly gorgeous. The fact that she was interested in him at all was astonishing, that she was kind and generous and still, as far as Jody knew, was romantically unattached was a criminal offense as far as he was concerned.
“ Get over here, big boy. Show me what you’re packing. “
“You know, Margeaux, you look so innocent.”
Jody chuckled, ridding himself of his boxers before joining her in his bed. He kept his teeshirt on, as he always did, naked otherwise. He put her face in his hands, kissing her lips, still smiling.
[text] Jace: I hope you meant it. I'm ready.. just take care of her.
[text] Of course I meant it. I always have. I hope things are going better for you. I know how hard all of this has been for you. I'm always here for you if you need me.
[text] Thank you for trusting me. I know Layla hasn't exactly had a perfect stay here but I want things to be better for all of us.
[Text] Hey darling! How are you? Long time no see. Do you think you can make some time for a dinner? :) T.
[text] Oh absolutely! I was just thinking of you. I'll show you why when we meet up... tonight? I'm sorry I haven't reached out sooner things have just gotten busy and a little exhausting over here. Nothing to worry over, but I don't look *great* haha. Where do you want to go?
