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"Why didn't you tell me Russell was a Hybrid?"
Virgil looked up from his desk, his pen stopping mid-word. His confused, amber gaze met Fate's fiery gaze. The door slammed shut behind her as she closed it angrily, the wood rattling with an echo. If he wasn't used to her antics, Virgil would've instinctively reached for a weapon to defend himself.
Wait, what did she say?
"What? Russell isn't a hybrid," Virgil chuckled, setting his pen down on its stand. He gathered his papers up, tapping them into a neat pile against the wooden desk. "If you're concerned his wooden arm used to be like... I don't know, a tiger's paw or something; I assure you it was a normal arm! Haha!"
Fate stormed forward, unperturbed, slamming her palms against his desk. "I know he's a hybrid - I saw the evidence! He was injured - blood pouring down his side - due to a drunk bandit waving around a knife. He asked me to help patch the wound on his hip. I saw the scars, Virge!"
Virgil paused his anxious shuffling of papers, searching Fate's expression for something; she wasn't sure what. Thankfully, the staff had decided to give them privacy. God forbid someone overheard Fate's shouting. Rumours can spread much easier without the yelling.
"Russell's injured?" Virgil asked. Fate's angry face morphed to surprise, then annoyance.
"Why are ya changin' the subject!?" She growled, stepping closer.
Virgil held up his hands placatingly, "Sweetheart, listen--"
CRACK!
Virgil's head turned sharply to the right. His nose went up in a blaze of pain. Looking back, Fate panted in front of him, fist still clenched in the air. Ready to swing again. Virgil brought a hand up to his nose, dabbing at the small trail of blood dripping onto his lip.
"You knew he was a hybrid, but you didn't tell me! Why!?" Fate roared, body shaking with barely held-back rage.
"It wasn't my business to share, Swe- Fate," Virgil muttered, correcting himself. He lifted a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping away the remaining blood from his nose. Thankfully, it didn't feel broken, but he would check with Russell once all this was over. "I haven't told Russell about your parents, so I didn't tell you about his past."
Fate's clenched teeth turned into a deep frown.
"It was only fair of me to do, Fate." Virgil rounded his desk, keeping his eyes on the bandit and his hands visible. "Your past and Russell's past are not mine to share. Please tell me you stayed to listen to his reasoning for not telling you. Right?"
Fate paused. Her gaze wavered to the side and away from his knowing eyes. It provided all the information Virgil Holloway needed.
This town was going to turn his hair grey. He just knew it.
Virgil sighed. A deep, weary, bone-tired noise. "Okay. We're going to see him now, even if he doesn't want to accept your apology - which you are going to do. It's the thought that counts, after all, Fay."
Virgil pulled his suit jacket from the coat rack by the door. As he pulled it on, he swung the door to his office open with a flourish. He didn't bother waiting to see if Fate would follow, strolling through the town hall offices with purpose.
She didn't follow.
Why should she? She wasn't going to apologise to Russ. He lied to her. He hid his hybrid status. He knew the same fear she felt against racist humans who-
Oh, fuck it.
Fate Pechman followed behind him.
Virgil pushed open the doctor's office door; the bell chimed above the door, feeling like Fate's death sentence. Despite the deafening emptiness of the waiting room, she couldn't help but be on edge. The main desk was void of Markus' cheerful welcome and his scribbling pen, always in his grasp.
Fate stood by the door, watching Virgil walk further into the building. He knocked on both doors, peaking into the patient areas for signs of life.
Nothing.
"Hmm," Virgil hummed, confused. "I would say maybe he's not in, but that's not like him. Not if he can help it."
She didn't know the full story about that issue. A tiny voice (deep in her subconscious) suggested it had something to do with the scars. She stomped it down. Forcefully.
"Then let's leave," Fate argued, rolling her eyes. "If he ain't 'ere, then I might as well go home."
Virgil's retort quickly died under the sound of rapidly approaching barks.
The sound of nailed paws against wood pattered from upstairs, quickly descending towards them with purpose. Once Caleb reached the bottom, he crouched low - as low as a Great Dane physically could - and let out a deep growl.
"Woah!" Virgil held up his hands in mock surrender. Caleb stopped barking but stayed on high alert. "We're not here to hurt your boy, Caleb. It's okay."
The mayor slowly got down on one knee, lifting his hand towards Caleb. The service dog squished his face into Virgil's hand, his tail beginning to thump against the floor. As Virgil petted him on his head and down his harnessed back, Caleb rose to his full height.
His deep brown eyes never ceased to watch Fate, though.
"Even his dog doesn't want me here anymore, Holloway," She sighed, crossing her arms.
"Nonsense!" Virgil chuckled, still petting the Great Dane. "Caleb is like this with everyone. When taking care of a wary guy like Russell, he acts accordingly towards people in his territory. Don't you, buddy!"
Fate huffed, her foot tapping up a storm on the floorboards. Virgil ignored her displeasure, petting Caleb with more fervour. He even began to make stupid kissy noises.
"Virge."
Virgil let out a deep laugh, surrendering to her irritation. He stood up with a couple of clicks in his knees - much to his displeasure. "Fine, fine. I'll stop." He turned to Caleb, putting on an exaggerated voice. "Caleb! Where's Russel? Find him! Find Russell!"
Caleb barked at that, taking off up the stairs with the same tapping of claws. Virgil laughed at the dog's enthusiasm for commands. The mayor and Fate followed the Great Dane up the stairs to the only room above. He sat by the door with a happy smile, tail wagging fiercely.
No lanterns were lit, the sunset barely giving off enough light to provide safe movement. Virgil tried the door handle; it didn't budge.
"Welp! Looks like we can't enter. You tried, Holloway," Fate crossed her arms, sneering at Caleb nudging her thigh.
From his inside suit pocket, Virgil brought out - with a little too much flourishment for Fate's sake - a large key. Pressing it into the lock, it clicked open. He was slow to open the door; Fate could assume he didn't want to spook the doctor inside.
Whatever state he was in.
It was not like she cared. Russell betrayed her trust.
Fate peeked over his shoulder, noticing the room was in the same dim light as every other room. A single lantern burned faintly in one corner, opposite to where two figures sat facing each other on the floor. Markus, Russell's secretary and scribe, stopped speaking, turning to look at them with confusion. Caleb squeezed through their legs, moving to sit by the pair.
Markus crouched on the carpeted floor, his shirt slightly creased and missing his jacket. Russell sat in a ball opposite him, head pressed into his knees and a green jacket draped over his shoulders. Shoulders that shook with every breath. Every hitch. Every gasp.
"Mr Holloway." Markus didn't seem surprised at the sight of the mayor, giving him a polite nod before his eyes fell on the woman behind him, "I'm not too sure now is a good time. Russ is feeling a little- Uh- He's feeling unwell at the moment, you see."
Unwell had to be the biggest of understatements. Fate could see the man was one strong breeze away from passing out.
"Don't worry, I've been informed by my compatriot here what happened." Virgil's voice stayed the same low volume as his. He took his shoes off by the door before padding across the dark carpet. "Could you give us a little time to resolve this misunderstanding? Maybe close up the clinic and give us thirty?"
Markus' gaze shifted from Virgil's to Fate's and then Russell's lowered head. With a weak and slightly wobbly smile, he murmured something into the doctor's ear. He nodded weakly, letting the taller man press a kiss against his temple.
Virgil helped him to stand up slowly, clearly reluctant to leave his side. He gave Markus a solid pat on the shoulder and a grateful smile. Markus walked past him and out the door, sliding past Fate.
"Ms Pechman," He nodded, eyes slightly suspicious, but leaving the three alone nonetheless.
Clearly, he knew about all this.
"Oh, my boy." Virgil's voice sounded so full of pain that Fate could feel her stomach drop with guilt. "I feel like everyone grieved for your losses except for the man who actually lost it all. You let everyone express their regret and anguish, yet the man who should've expressed them all from the start was you."
Fate stepped into the room, removing her shoes and leaving them outside. With a deep hesitation, she unclipped her holsters and placed them by the door, out of Russell's view.
Little things.
"I know what I've lost. I don't need more reminders," Russell croaked, lifting his head to watch Virgil sit down with a tired gaze. The bags under his eyes seemed more prominent; his eyes were red-rimmed and glassy with tears. Caleb lay beside him, letting his wooden hand find its usual place against his back.
Fate sat down beside the oldest male quietly.
"Fate's come to apologise for leaving you without a word, Son... If you'll accept it, of course." Virgil tilted his head towards Fate. Russell's green eyes met her turquoise for only a moment before darting to the floor.
"Look. I am sorry, okay? I truly am, but you have to understand how I felt, Russ." Fate growled, hands tightening into fists, "For so long, I've fought for this town to be safe and equal for everyone. I started trustin' you. Finally, there was another human who didn't treat us like monsters or walking game for trophies!"
Russell curled up tighter at those words while Virgil remained quiet. Fate breathed in slowly, letting go of the tension in her body.
"Yet, you lied to me. You told me you lost your arm to bandits. Yes, I understand your wariness for me and my weapons, but I could've helped find who did this to you! Don't you want to punish whoever took your w-"
"Don't!!" Russell yelled, voice rough from lack of use. "Those bandits took my arm! That is all you need to know. Nothing about hunting down people or getting revenge or- Or--"
Virgil shuffled away from the wall to rest against the bed frame. He was quick to put his arm around Russell, keeping it high on his back and only applying pressure against the side of his arm.
"I'm sorry I did not tell you. I am, but you must realise how hard this topic is for me! The only people who know about my hybrid status are Mr Holloway, Liam, Markus and... Now you. I would very much like to keep it that way." Russell moved to press into Virgil's side, tears dripping down his cheeks like slow waves.
Fate honed in on the hesitance. The poignant pause.
"Someone else knows, don't they?" Fate asked, watching both of the men's faces turn guilty.
"Russell also lived with Mr Crawford during his time at Venompeaks." Fate could've stormed out of the room at Virgil's words. Russell might have said that bandits took his arm (and most definitely his wings), but Fate didn't have to be a genius to guess that Manuel Crawford was to blame.
"We can have strong words with Mr Crawford another time, Love. For now, though, come rest with us," Virgil smiled bitterly. Fate looked towards the mayor and...
Oh.
Mr Holloway held out his left arm, meeting Fate's gaze with no judgement or pity. His eyes held only care and affection, something it appeared the two young adults lacked.
Fate took a shaky breath, slowly moving to sit against the bed as well. Virgil placed his arm around her with such gentleness she thought she would cry alongside Russell.
"I promise to tell you the tale of- Of m-my wings another time, Fay," Russell whispered. "W-When I'm strong enough to tell anyone other than Mr Holloway. I just- I just fear any violence that would come from h-humans... And any prejudice that would come from h-hybrids who think I'm... Who think I'm lucky to look h-human now."
His gaze finally met hers without looking away. Watery. Pained.
"I w-will tell you, Fay, I s-s-swear..."
Fate nodded.
"Whenever you're ready." Fate closed her eyes, resting her head against Virgil's shoulder.
"Yes, whenever you're ready, son," Virgil agreed, no one's voice raising louder than a whisper.