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Certainties and uncertainties.
Certainty: Avid is soaked.
He knows that the feeling is the last thing he should be focused on right now. He knows, okay? And yeah, Avid takes enough baths that he usually doesn’t mind being wet, but the gross river water is different. He’s drenched and shivering even though he’s dead — for now! Not forever! Hopefully! — and he feels yucky.
Certainty: Pyro and Scott are cornering Legundo. They both started talking to Avid after scaring the humans away from the tomb.
Uncertainty: Why would they talk to Avid after everything? Avid had been sure they both wanted him dead. Do they not? Weird.
Then Doc had come back for him.
Uncertainty: Why? It’s just as distracting as the wet hair clinging to Avid’s face. Why had Legs come back for him? It doesn’t make any sense.
Avid shouts after them. He’s good at yelling, but does his voice carry? Scott and Pyro should’ve heard him, but they keep chasing after Legs.
He doesn’t want them to hurt Legs. Legs wants to help, he’s trying, and that’s different! It’s good! And Pyro and Scott are trying to hurt him!
Not even trying, actually, as Scott gets another scratch on Legs. There’s bleeding, and it fills Avid’s nose intoxicatingly. The certain stench of warm food surrounds Legs.
Legs, who is just as soaked from the river as Avid. Who has his sword on him, but it’s not enough. Who is a very vulnerable human and not the vampire he claimed to be.
Scott’s on Legs without any signs of deviating from his target, but Pyro pivots to block Avid’s way forward.
Avid tries to project because Scott keeps hitting Legs. “Just leave him alone! He doesn’t- He doesn’t want any-!”
Pyro interrupts, getting in Avid’s face. “Do what your calling tells you to do! Sink your fangs into-”
At nearly the same time, Avid spills out, “It doesn’t tell me to-”
But before either of them can finish their sentences, Scott lands the killing blow.
And as the life leaves Legundo, Avid feels… something.
Oh, he’s felt it once before. Just after he was turned, there was a sensation. A pulling. Like a compass. And he’d been kinda busy at the time, so he brushed it off and had only realized later that it was Drift. Because she’d been turned.
And now that little compass needle in his brain is pointing him right to Legs.
“You did it!” Avid yelps. He stumbles as he finally reaches Scott and Legs, Pyro drifting behind him. But at least no one’s fighting anymore. “Doc!”
Legs is on the ground, staring up at Scott, noncomprehending. The deep, deadly scratches from Scott’s strikes are healing all on their own. All he lets out is a quiet but absolute, “No.”
Scott wipes his claws on Pyro’s jacket once Pyro reaches his side. “Well, that’s something. I didn’t really want any new recruits, but this is still useful with how much of a bother you’ve been. Let’s see how long you keep your do no harm up now.”
“You turned him!” Avid gasps. He bounds forward and stands between Scott and Legs.
Scott is uncompromising. “Yes, well, he swung at us. I was defending myself.” That’s not true, Avid saw- “And I was already going to tell you this, Avid, but I’ll include the good doctor too. We’re offering until, hm, nighttime to pick where your alliances lay. Let us know at the castle at that time.”
“Make the right choice. Both of you,” Pyro says in a low voice. Avid can’t read their expression, but Pyro seems stuck between staring at Doc and looking anywhere else. “It goes so much quicker. I told you vampirism is inevitable.”
Scott examines his claws before licking at the leftover blood primly. “Exactly. This brings back good memories, doesn’t it, Pyro? Welcoming someone new while they’re literally wet behind their ears? I’m sure you could tell the doctor how much easier this could’ve been.”
Pyro is nearly as still as Legs. “Of course I could, Sire.”
Was Elle afraid like Pyro? Is that why she…
No, no. Just… just stop. Bad. Bad thoughts.
Scott waves a hand. “Later, though. Once they reach their conclusion. We have other matters to attend to.”
“Pyro,” Avid says, not totally sure why. He just… doesn’t want to watch Scott talk like that to Pyro.
Pyro stares at Avid with contempt and doesn’t respond.
Legs still hasn’t moved.
“We’ll see you at the castle soon.” Scott’s claws flex in a way that’s so easily read as a threat but still gives him plausible deniability. “Come along, Pyro.”
The two castle vampires are gone before Avid can blink.
Avid hesitates for an embarrassing amount of time before he drops to the ground, facing Legs. “Doc? Doc, oh, oh, are you okay?”
With a glazed eye, Legs is staring at the fatal wounds sealing themselves shut on his torso. The chest hair visible through the hole in his clothes is dripping with blood. He makes a weird sound, like he’s being choked. He mouths the word no again and again.
“Doc- Doc, come on…” Avid hovers his hands over Legs. “Oh. Uh oh, uh oh…”
Legs isn’t responding and Avid’s getting worked up and Avid doesn’t know what to do. Elle would know what to do. Elle should be here, she should be here, he needs her, why isn’t she here!?
Avid jostles Legs’s arm, brushing against thick and sweaty hair. “Legs?”
A full body flinch. Legs shoves Avid away from him roughly and crawls backwards, his breathing unnatural. An ugly growl emits from him.
Avid lets out a squawk and mirrors the backwards shuffle, fingers twitching for something to keep himself safe but like an idiot he doesn’t have his stake but no no no god no he can’t do that again it’s different from Elle, vampires are different from what Elle became, he’s not going to hurt him they’re the same now don’t don’t-
“Doc.” Avid’s teeth chatter, the fangs catching. “Doc?”
Snarling. Terror twisted into something so familiar it hurts. Hands flex, not yet claws, but instincts have them react first. New fangs flash and they are deadly.
“Legs, Legs, please,” Avid whimpers. His hands are up in surrender. He tries to look as small as possible. “Don’t- You don’t have to- You can- The town needs you!”
A shiver. Legs pants in a weird halted way, as if his body has realized it shouldn’t be breathing before his brain can. His eye seems to focus on Avid for the first time, and he swallows.
“Avid… Avid,” he croaks, smaller than Avid’s ever heard him sound before. “You… You’re wet.”
It’s so unrelated that Avid’s fingers stop itching. “Um. Yeah? You are too.”
“Your… hair is wet,” Legs clarifies slowly. “You went… under? Are… you alright?”
Avid sits up. “Yeah… Yeah, I am, I mean, I was trying to get to you, and I had to swim to… to try and help you. I- I told them to leave you alone. Oh, Doc, y-you came back? Why would you do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Legs asks hollowly. His throat bobs. “Avid, I… I’m…”
Avid wants to do good. “Uh, are you okay? I asked earlier, but you were kind of out of it.”
“I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine,” Legs repeats mechanically. Seemingly unconsciously, Legs’s tongue runs over his altered teeth. “I’m… hungry.”
“Yeah. It does that.” Now, the hunger was constant. At least before, Avid’s neck only made him that kind of hungry when he was incapacitated. Eugh, it’d be so easy to lose control now. “You’re a vampire.”
“It- I… I’m sorry, Avid. I didn’t mean to scare you. I need a moment to… control myself.”
Avid’s quick to reassure him. “It- It’s okay, Doc. You’re doing fine at it so far! It’s okay! You’re okay, I’m okay, everything’s okay!”
Legs keeps trying to breathe, to pant, but he just can’t anymore. “I didn’t want this to happen.”
“I- yeah, I’m really sorry.” Avid carries on, “Scott shouldn’t have- Just- Yeah, you’re a vampire, b-but you told me that it’s fine to be one! S-So listen to yourself, because we have a lot going on right now, okay? Like how Scott basically said we have to join them at the castle by the end of the day otherwise bad things will happen?”
Legs seems to steel himself. “You’re right. That’s more important. I… I’m sorry you had to see me so out of sorts.”
“You- You’re okay.”
Okay… he seems calmer. Avid scooches closer to Legs, gingerly putting his hands on Legs’s knee. The readjustment makes Avid all too aware of the absence of holy water on his belt.
Avid grimaces. “I-I’m sorry, Legs. I’m sorry. You got turned because you came back for me.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I’d do it again,” Legs argues. Idly, he brushes a wet strand of hair away from Avid’s face. “Let’s… Let’s not lose focus.”
Wingflaps. Avid and Legs’s heads jolt towards the noise in tandem.
Oh, good, it’s just Apo. She switches into her humanoid form and races up to Avid and Legs.
She puts her hands over her mouth and gags. “Oh, god. Legs. Oh no. They turned you, too?”
“I’m alright, Apo,” Legs reassures. “Don’t worry about me.”
Apo drops next to them and stares at Avid, struggling. “Who hurt Legs?”
Something in Avid answers, “Scott. It- It was Scott.” He hopes he doesn’t sound like he’s lying. He’s not, but he’s too used to it. Ugh, why does he keep lying all the time? He’s not even good at it!
Apo’s expression hardens into rage. “That fucking- Of course it was Scott. Oh my god.” They huff. “Listen. Vampires can sense when there’s a new one, so we have to be careful.”
“Oh, shoot. Yeah,” Avid whispers, glancing around. He has a bad feeling, but he can’t pin it down.
“We don’t have to worry about Pyro. He was chasing me with Scott,” Legs explains. “Ren, Martyn, Avid, and I encountered Pyro in a crypt, and he along with Scott went after us. Martyn and Ren got away, but Scott cut me down.”
Discomfort obvious, Apo grazes one of Doc’s hands with her own. “God. I’m so sorry. He… He really turned you. After everything, he still turned you and Drift. I only got turned by Scott so none of them would turn anyone else!”
“It’s not your fault,” Legs states. “Apo, look at me. This is not your fault.”
“Y-Yeah. Scott just… does whatever he wants, I think,” Avid agrees. He draws himself closer to Apo and Legs.
Rustling. All three of them tense, and it takes a second for Avid to pin down the new person.
Their hair, eyes, and shawl are new, but the dress underneath is the same. It’s Cleo. They take in the scene quickly and barely react.
“I see. So it happened,” Cleo utters. Her unidentifiable look at Doc shifts to scorn when she turns to Avid and Apo. “Which one of you turned him, then?”
Avid wilts under her glare. “Huh?”
“What?” Apo balks. “Neither of us!”
“Really? After how poorly you’ve both been handling yourselves, I think it’s a more than fair assumption,” Cleo argues.
Apo’s incredulous. “Weren’t you the one telling me we should turn him just a couple weeks ago?”
Cleo’s tone is curt. “That’s not relevant. I’m asking what happened now.”
“It was Scott,” Legs confirms.
“Scott?” Cleo repeats.
“Yes. Still think he hasn’t done anything?” Legs asks, something snide in his voice that Avid’s used to but Cleo might not be. He then pauses and retracts, “I’m sorry, Cleo. That came out wrong. I’m still… rattled.”
Cleo looks at Legs differently than they do Avid and Apo. “...You’re okay, Doc. So it was Scott.”
“If it had to be anyone, he is the one I feel generates the least risk,” Legs says slowly. “He is the… primary.”
“Right. That’s good, at least,” Cleo agrees. “We talked about this.”
Avid chimes in, “Yeah… Him and Pyro chased Doc down. And then he told me and Doc that we had to come to the castle and say what side we’re on tonight!”
“What? That’s bullshit,” Apo huffs. “Making you come there? That’s basically asking to get ambushed.”
Avid squirms. “Right? But I think they might just kill us if we don’t come or if we do come and say we’re not with them… and I don’t even know if the town’s safe.”
“Oh, you’re not safe in town, I’ll make sure of that,” Cleo bites in a low voice.
“Cleo!” Doc reprimands. Maybe Cleo hadn’t meant for him to hear, but Doc has a vampire’s ears now. “That’s uncalled for. Now is not the time to antagonize each other.”
Rising to her feet, Apo joins in Avid’s defense for some reason. “Cleo, what the hell? You were the one who told me earlier that you were gonna eat so many humans in town, and now you’re throwing your baggage on me and Avid.”
“Huh? That’s not nice,” Avid adds, standing shakily.
“You decided to talk to me in front of the castle!” Cleo snaps under her breath.
Apo huffs. “So? You said you’d eat people! That you’d played me! How was I supposed to take that?”
Cleo’s claws trace across her arms. “Watch what you say! Do you even think about who could overhear you? If you’d only-”
“Would you all-” Legs’s strained voice cuts like a knife. “-please. Just… Please. Get your heads on straight. What are you accomplishing here?” He’s gritting his teeth.
Thankfully, the weight of what’s happened to Doc seems to kill anyone’s interest in arguing further. He just looks so miserable. Avid feels sick.
Similarly affected, Apo grimaces. “Sorry, Doc. I shouldn’t stay, anyway. I told Owen I’d find out who was turned, so I have to report back. But that does mean he shouldn’t show up.”
“There’s no guarantee,” Cleo whispers, still sounding cross but less accusatory.
“Well, the weird pull towards Doc ran out, so we should be fine now, right?” Avid asks. He hadn’t been keeping track of the mental compass needle, but he definitely feels its absence now.
“If Owen, Shelby, or Drift are here, I have nothing to hide. Any- ack!” Legs breaks off with wide eyes and a hand flying to his stomach. He bends forward.
The three surrounding him crouch down at varying speeds.
“Doc?” Avid tilts his head.
“What’s wrong?” Apo asks.
Legs shudders. He shakes his head. “I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to react.”
“React to what?” Cleo questions.
Legs’s eyes blink quickly. Is he… oh wow, he’s fighting off tears. Avid has never seen Legs cry, and he never thought he would. “Sorry. I… It’s just hunger pangs. I’m alright.”
“Yep. You’d need to feed now. It’s been the right amount of time,” Cleo explains, something quieter in her voice. “You’re okay, Doc. It’s normal.”
“Normal. Right. Take this,” Apo says, holding out a bottle of crimson. Avid licks his teeth at the sight of it.
Legundo gingerly reaches for the blood. He holds it like a loaded gun, but his fingers still pounce on the cork. As he downs the thing, there’s a… Avid can only call it a whine from him, but the sound is smothered quickly. His body shivers as he drops the empty bottle, and Avid can’t tell if it’s in relief or disgust. Maybe there’s not really a difference here. Huh.
“I have more if you need,” Cleo adds. The other bottle is barely in their hand before Legs snatches it ravenously and knocks it back like a professional. Yeesh, remind Avid to never have a drinking contest with Legs.
…Not that either of them could even drink alcohol anymore. Blood tasted like good wine, but it wouldn’t get them drunk.
Doc is rigid. Avid doubts he even notices the tears at the corners of his eyes. If any excess blood got around his mouth, it blends with his own drying human blood.
The ridiculousness of Avid’s circumstances almost makes him laugh in front of everyone. He’s a vampire, he’s with three other vampires, and one of them just drank a lot of blood. Talk about what would’ve been Avid’s worst nightmare just a little while ago.
…But wait, they’re not just vampires. They’re Apo and Legs and Cleo. Nobody’s attacking each other, nobody’s talking about draining humans. They’re all just crowded close and… trying to be normal. Even Cleo, who definitely hates Avid, is too busy helping Doc to threaten Avid.
Avid doesn’t feel safe… but safer around vampires than he thought he’d ever be. Definitely safer than he’d nearly felt with Scott and Pyro earlier. Huh.
“...You good?” Apo eventually checks.
It takes a while for Doc to work up an answer. “I’m fine,” he says slowly. “Thank you. All of you.”
Cleo’s tone is careful. “You’re not gonna hurt anyone, Doc.”
“I won’t,” Legs agrees. “Do no harm. I made an oath.”
Well, he was mumbling about almost breaking that oath when Avid basically did nothing wrong, just teased him a bit, but okay. Whatever.
“We’re gonna keep everyone safe,” Apo swears. “That won’t change.”
She says it with such certainty that Avid shivers. When Apo says it, it almost sounds inescapable.
It’s enough for Avid to add, “Yeah, Legs. It’s okay.”
Cleo looks like the sound of Avid’s addition is enough for her to do something that Doc’s vow wouldn’t like, but Apo speaks up before she can follow through.
“Listen, I should really go. I’ll try to talk to you later, Doc. Stay safe.” Apo just glances at Cleo. “Cleo, just- I don’t know. Try following your own advice.”
Legs seems to steer Cleo away from snapping while Avid gets Apo’s attention a distance away from them. Partially to talk to her, but mostly to avoid Cleo.
Avid squirms. “Um… Apo, if you see Drift, c-can you tell her that Scott’s no good? That he hurt Legs?”
Apo blinks. “Yeah. You’re… worried about her?”
Drift. His roommate. She hadn’t believed him at first, either, but she’d let him be afraid, keep all his garlic in Merp Manor without complaining. She makes him feel safer. She said she’d always stay by his side.
She’s brave, even if she doesn’t think so. She always knows what to say to people. She looks at them and wonders why they act the way they do. It’s something Avid needs.
Of course he’s worried about her.
“Mhm…” Avid wrings his hands. “I… Scott got into my head so easily. And I trust Drift, but if Scott starts talking to her, I’m worried she’ll feel that same pull that I did.”
Disdain for Scott very obvious, Apo huffs. “Don’t worry. I'll try to steer her away from the castle. It sucks over there.”
“Oh… Sorry,” Avid replies. “While you’re doing your thing… don’t… Scott’s…” Avid can’t find the words.
Apo’s shoulders drop. “Hey, I’ll be fine, Avid. I know better than to let Scott get to me. I can handle him.”
Curling in his stomach. “And I’m sorry I didn’t stand with you the other day. I- I was scared.”
“I get it,” Apo mumbles. “Don’t be scared.”
Avid bounces on his heels before rushing forward and throwing his arms around Apo. They’re surprised, but they hug him back swiftly. Strong but careful arms. Like Elle.
“You’re wet,” Apo notes.
Avid laughs a little. “Yeah. Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Honestly, Avid was planning on this being a quick thing that Apo wouldn’t reciprocate. Just a little gesture. But… it felt good stretched out like this.
“Apo? Be okay? Please?” Avid says into Apo’s capelet.
“I will. You stay safe. And stick with Legs,” Apo orders.
“Mhm.”
“Okay.” Apo pulls away. “Good luck,” they bid vaguely to the group.
Doc managed to stand to talk to Cleo, and they’re holding a book between them. At Apo’s words, Doc’s head snaps up.
“Apo,” he calls. “Wait. You have to see this.”
“Doc,” Cleo counters.
“You can’t expect me to send them away with no warning,” Legs insists.
“Warning?” Apo heads closer and peers at the book.
Avid lingers behind. He’s dreading getting closer to Cleo.
“It’s our notes for the cure. Understand?” Legs says quickly.
A wild succession of emotions proceeds on Apo’s face. She bites her tongue. “Fine. Thanks, Doc.”
Legs puts a hand on her arm. “Take care of yourself.”
“Mm.” Apo squeezes their eyes shut before leaping away.
“Are you sure that was the right call?” Cleo asks.
“Yes,” Legs answers without missing a beat. “They should know what to expect.”
“Fine.” Cleo sighs. “Alright. Remember what I told you. I should check on the castle to see how they’re dealing with this.”
Legs looks hesitant to let Cleo go there, but his shoulders drop. “If you’re sure. Avid and I will head back to town.”
Oh. Oh, oh, oh. Avid and I. Avid… really likes the sound of that. Like he and Legs are a team. Like Legs trusts him. Like as long as Avid’s with him, Legs won’t let anybody hurt Avid. It’s a nice thought.
Cleo prepares to turn into a bat – ew – with plenty of time to shoot Avid a death glare. They do spare one last look at Legs. “I’ll see you later.”
Looking troubled, Legs bids, “Be careful.” Avid gives a half hearted wave.
Then, Cleo’s gone. It’s just Avid and Legs.
Pulling his wet hair out of his face, Avid heads back over to Legs. “Uh… So what was all that about?”
Legs angles the book towards Avid.
In it, rough handwriting reads, I had to throw Apo to the wolves to get their trust, they know about the cure, stockpile all the holy water you can.
“Oh. So Cleo-”
“We’re exchanging notes,” Legs says carefully.
Poor Apo. She’s so brave, and Cleo didn’t let her be a double agent at all. But now she knew about Cleo spilling the beans, so she could get out of there, right?
Apo’s tough. But Elle had been tough.
Avid’s skin prickles.
Legs notices. “They’ll be safe, Avid. You have to trust them.”
“I do trust them.” And if they weren’t gonna be safe, it’ll be one more thing to link them to Elle. “S-So Cleo talked to you?”
Legs dips his head. “She gave me some pointers about… what I am now.”
“That’s good.” Avid shifts around. “Cleo definitely hates me.”
Legs sighs. “For once your assumption that someone hates you is not unfounded. I’m sorry.”
“I mean… I didn’t stand with the town vampires, so I know why.”
“She shouldn’t have threatened your safety in town. Though rest assured, you are safe in town. Pearl wouldn’t let Cleo do that to you.”
Oh. The one person Cleo would listen to no matter what, maybe. “You think? Pearl… she said she doesn’t hate me, so… so that might actually work.”
Pearl’s a cool monster hunter. She’d been nicer to Avid than a lot of the town at first. She was reassuring and clever and maybe it was enough for Avid to get a little bit of acceptance, something only Elle had ever really-
Oh. More bad thoughts.
…Is he just going to see Elle in everyone now? Would it ever stop? Does he want it to stop?
Legs puts a hand on Avid’s shoulder. “I’ll keep talking to Cleo. I won’t let them make an enemy out of you, Avid. I know myself how… unproductive that is,” he notes before huffing in amusement.
Avid giggles. “Yeah, thanks…”
Legs continues, “Cleo’s trying to keep everything together. With how she’s recently letting that slip into aggression, I’m worried about her.”
Avid snorts. “Maybe worry about yourself for now, big guy.”
Man, Doc is seriously a mess. He’s soaked from the river, just like Avid. The front of his robes and shirt were sliced through by Scott’s claws, leaving his torso and face splattered with blood.
It’s… human blood, still. Even though Legs is a vampire now. Honestly, the smell of it is super distracting. Avid’s so hungry. He needs a treat. Maybe Legs would let Avid lick the blood up…
…Okay, no. He definitely wouldn’t.
Disregarding that judgement, Avid’s tongue darts out. Okay, he should probably help with the blood in a way that won’t lead to Doc rethink his recent drive to protect Avid. Avid stands on his tip-toes and uses his wet sleeve to wipe Doc’s face before he can react.
“There! There’s that handsome face.” Avid smiles.
Legs blinks, seemingly struggling to process the gesture and comment. “Oh. You don’t have to… Thank you..?”
Avid brushes past it. “Okay, now what are we gonna do?”
Legs shakes his head as if to clear it. “Right. I meant it about heading back to town. I can… get new clothes there.”
“Yeah. Yeah, good idea.” Avid bounces and takes Legs’s hand to tug him forward. “Let’s go!”
As they start walking, Avid doesn’t release Doc’s hand. If Avid lets go, his hands will start shaking. Surprisingly, Doc doesn’t take his hand away.
Legs hums. “I… don’t know why I was expecting your hand to be cold. I should’ve guessed we’d be the same temperature now.”
“Huh. Yeah, I didn’t think about that.” Avid giggles nervously. “You’re really a vampire now, huh?”
“…Evidentially. But I meant what I said in the town meeting the other day. It’s not what we are, it’s where we are.”
“Right, right. And just a little while ago you never believed me about this kinda stuff. Am I allowed to say I told you so?”
“No. But I’m sorry about how things started between us, Avid. I shouldn’t have been so dismissive of you. What you went through with your best friend-“ The humor drains from Avid in an instant. “-certainly affected your behavior. I should’ve recognized that you needed help sooner.”
If Avid’s handhold falters, Legs doesn’t comment on it. Avid gets out, “I’m sorry, too. I took it too far. I… I didn’t mean to.”
It’s not the first time they’ve apologized to each other, and it probably won’t be the last.
“It’s good for you to recognize that. And we have an opportunity now to make things right,” Legs states.
“I just feel so bad. And neither of us can make holy water anymore. It’s just Pearl. Ugh, we’re both useless to the town.”
“You’re not useless,” Legs insists. “You’re still yourself. That’s all we can ask of you.”
Avid tilts his head. Shoot, that wasn’t a nice thing to say about Doc, was it? But Doc didn’t push back on that, just the part about Avid. “I… Sorry. Yeah. You’re not useless either.”
“Well, what you said about being the guinea pig applies to me as well, now, so there’s merit there,” Legs says flippantly. “We have our knowledge if not our abilities. We can still help the town as much as we’re able.”
The thought of the future makes Avid grimace. “Oh. What are we gonna do about the castle?”
Legs sighs. “Where’s your head at right now?”
“Um…” Uh oh, Avid doesn’t want to sound bad here. “Conflicted?”
“Okay. How so?”
“Well… I didn’t think the castle would ever want me, but Scott and Pyro offered me a seat. So it’s… weird? To know they might actually accept me? Not just tolerate me, like the town.”
“Avid, that’s not a fair assessment.”
“Huh?”
Legs sighs. “For starters, neither side is a monolith. I doubt Owen would be keen on you joining the castle, for instance. And beyond that, the castle’s acceptance is based on something many of the members did not ask to become. Even you only became a vampire to avoid something you considered worse. That’s hardly camaraderie.”
“Oh…” Sure. Yeah. No one except Elle’s really accepted Avid before. Why would the castle be any different?
Ugh, he wanted it to be different, though. He wanted the town to be different.
Legs continues, “And I doubt most of the town would say they tolerate you. Think of Abolish, Pearl, and Sausage earlier. None of them criticized your status as a vampire. Sausage only cared that you lied. I… sincerely apologize if earlier poor treatment affected how you view the town. We can’t change the past, but things are different now.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Scott and Pyro even talked to me.”
A pause. “Is that what happened after we separated?”
Avid nods. “They… I don’t know, Doc, once they scared you guys off, they just started asking about the cure. Like if we’d start going after Shelby to cure me.”
“Of course we’re not. We don’t know everything yet, let alone enough to act like we decide who lives and dies.”
“Right, right.” Avid swallows. “Sorry, just, the cure thing is complicated.”
Legs laughs without amusement. “You’re telling me. It’s bad enough having to constantly clarify that I’d never give someone the cure if they didn’t want it. We’re searching for the cure so those who want it have the option.”
“Geez, yeah.” The option. That would be… good. And it’s less of a risk for Shelby.
“Did Scott and Pyro say anything else to you?”
“Um… I started talking about vampire powers. When you caught up to me, Scott said ‘Legundo’s gonna die now.’” Avid stumbles a little as they walk. “You… I just can’t understand. You came back for me.”
“Of course I did.”
“But why?”
A confused look. “Because I care about you? You’re my neighbor. I wasn’t about to let Scott or… Pyro hurt you.”
“But you got hurt! And I couldn’t even help you! I dropped my only holy water in the river!” Avid is too aware of how wrong his breathing is. “I failed you. Just like I failed all the others.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Legs sounds tired. Of Avid? Hopefully not.
Avid presses forward. “I can’t help it! I-I feel terrible, Doc. I’m sorry.”
“Avid,” Legs intones in that special annoyance he seems to reserve only for Avid. “It helps nothing to keep putting yourself down. I don’t blame you. Scott made his choice, and now the consequences are my responsibility.”
“Ugh. Scott. He almost got to me, you know? I felt this… pull towards him.”
Legs’s stance is firm. It’s reassuring. “He holds himself with an authority that is hard to shake. I understand, Avid. But he is not your friend, and he does not control you.”
“Yeah… You’re right.” Avid blinks away gross bloody tears. “Legs, seriously, are you doing okay?”
“No, of course not. But I need to be.” It’s a familiar exchange. “I do… appreciate your help, though. Thank you.”
“Y-Yeah, of course.” Avid’s feeling icky, so he grins. “H-Hey, at least it’ll be really easy for you to pretend to be a vampire now!”
Silence from Doc – enough for Avid to get nervous – before Doc barks in laughter. His normally straight posture bends. He puts a hand to his mouth.
“That-” Legs gets out through the tittering. “That’s terrible, Avid!”
Avid grins and laughs with him. “I know! I know, but it made you laugh, right?”
Legs looks at Avid with such unexpected positivity that Avid flinches. “I guess so,” Legs says warmly.
Oh. Oh, wow.
Avid basks in the warmth. “W-Well don’t worry, Doc. Honestly, there’s some neat stuff I didn’t expect, so it won’t be all bad, okay? Like the night vision!”
Legs dips his head. “There’s solidarity, at least. We really do make up half the town now, don’t we?”
We. We. Doc is like Avid now. Avid’s chest would flutter more if he was alive. “Gosh, yeah. That’s so weird.”
“Most of the others in town know about you, too. Would you want to tell Ren and Martyn?" Legs asks evenly.
Avid cringes. “Oh. I… I don’t know. Could I?”
“You saw how they interacted with me on our journey,” Legs notes. “I won’t force you, but they’re the only ones not in the know.”
A high pitched laugh breaks from Avid. “Guess my whole plan kinda blew up in my face, huh?”
Legs huffs in amusement. “That’s how things tend to go, Avid. The important thing is recovering from it and trying to not make the same mistakes.”
“Yeah…”
“We’re not alone. We have our neighbors, our friends back in town. So that’s where we’re heading. We’re almost there.”
Yeah, they really are. And the sun’s been drying both of them up, at least. They weren’t turned enough yet for the sun to hurt.
…But what if they did turn more? If they got stronger?
Avid’s grip on Legs’s hand tightens, keeping his eyes on the ground. “Mhm. Yep.”
A hint of hesitation. “...Avid, if there’s-”
“Do you need to eat?” Avid blurts. “I- I have food. So.”
Legs is smart enough to catch the misdirect, but he doesn’t call Avid out. Why? Why has he been so weirdly patient lately? “I wouldn’t want to put that off, so if you’re willing to share…”
“Okay, great!” One handed, Avid sifts through his supplies. “Um, I have meat, and I- Oh, well I had bottles full, but I drank both of them…”
“It’s fine.”
Avid passes some beef over. “I’m sorry, the bottles were honestly good. The meat’s a bit fleshy to get through.”
Legs quickly swallows the meat down without looking like he’s really tasting any of it.
Avid watches Doc’s throat clench. “Not a fan?” Avid asks.
“I’m… I was a vegetarian.”
“Oh,” Avid raises his chin. “Yeah. Shoot. That sucks.”
Legs shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s just fuel. I’m not going to let myself lose control by refusing to eat. If this is what’s become of me, it is up to me to keep others safe.”
Avid swallows. “I- Yeah. It… I get what you mean.”
“I’m sorry if my… initial feeding frightened you. I won’t repeat that behavior. Have you eaten enough, Avid?”
“Oh. I-I’ll eat now.” No point in getting Doc mad at him for not eating if he’s that worked up about keeping control.
The meat is weird. It tastes good, but it feels so chunky. The bottle had been cleaner. Avid wants another bottle. He wants more blood. He’s so hungry.
Wait, wait, stop. Don’t think like that. Bad! Just… He has to hold on. If Doc’s gonna try, Avid can keep trying.
Just keep going.
Avid grimaces as the food goes down. “Mm. It’s gross.”
“Just get it done to keep your head on straight. To not become a danger.”
Yikes. That twists something in Avid’s gut.
“I like it too much,” Avid blurts. Ack! He shouldn’t have said that!
But “...I know the feeling,” is all Legs says in response.
Huh? He’s not disgusted? No, weirder, he says he understands? Why?
Before Avid knows it, and before he can voice his confusion, the town is in view.
Avid blinks. “Wow, we got here fast.”
“Yes. It would've been faster if we flew, but I know you want to avoid that,” Legs notes as they cross the threshold.
“Oh. Thanks?”
The town isn’t totally abandoned, thankfully.
“Oh, hi Abolish!” Avid waves.
“Avid,” Abolish greets. His eyes flick to Legs, and his even gaze readjusts. “You good, Doc?”
“I’m fine,” Doc answers. Avid snorts, but Doc ignores that and continues, “We had an encounter with Scott and Pyro that ended poorly.”
“Oh, yeah. Martyn mentioned that,” Abolish notes. He’s staring at Legs strangely, as if he’s working through a mental puzzle.
“He made it back? What about Ren?” Doc asks.
Abolish dips his head. “Him too. I think they went to Ren’s house or maybe the tavern.”
Legs sighs in relief. “Good. That’s… We’ll have to check in with them later.”
The plural usage reminds Avid that they’re still holding hands. He hopes the blood he just fed on doesn’t run right to his face in embarrassment.
“Actually, could we go to your house? There’s something I want you to check,” Abolish states. “Avid can come too.”
“Of course,” Doc answers.
“Ooh, yeah,” Avid agrees, being tugged along behind Legs. Abolish is really smart. Whatever it is, it’s probably important.
As they enter the house, Avid startles from the lack of an invitation needed. Do vampires not need permission from other vampires? Good to know.
Avid catches the glance from Legs and guesses he figured out the same thing.
The motion through the door gets Legs’s attention, as he looks at his and Avid’s entwined hands. “Oh, sorry Avid, I didn’t realize. Your hand must be stiff by now.”
He lets go, and Avid has to bite his tongue so he doesn’t whine. Legs’s hand wasn’t warm, but he misses it already. But Avid just assures, “You’re good, don’t worry. Didn’t want to lose track of you in the woods. Buddy system!”
Legs’s lip quirks upwards. “Yes, yes, of course.”
“So,” Abolish interjects. “I’ve been writing out notes and stuff, right? And I thought you two would be a good pair to bounce stuff off of.”
Abolish passes over a shimmering tome. Legs takes it, with Avid leaning over his shoulder.
The title reads The Absolution 3/3.
Avid’s chin gets smacked when Legs jolts.
“Owie!” Avid squeaks.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Avid,” Legs frets. “Are you alright?”
Avid’s smiling, nodding his head because a smacked chin is nothing compared to the third cure book in Legs’s hands. “I’m so okay. Holy moly, I’m beyond okay.” He pokes the spine of the book.
Legs shifts between concern for Avid and abject relief at the tome. “Right. Right, I’m sorry about that. Keep going, Abolish.”
Abolish keeps talking filler. “Yeah, so I’ve been trying to come up with solutions, you know?”
“Understandable,” Legs says with hardly restrained joy. “Considering we have an incomplete look at the real solution so far. Only two pieces.”
“Yeah, only two! Geez!” Avid adds.
Legs elbows him lightly.
Avid throws up his hands. “Okay, okay! S-So you’ve just been writing stuff out?”
Abolish picks the lies back up. Thank god. Avid doesn’t know why he keeps trying to lie when he’s so bad at it. “Yep. I thought we’re all on the same page here about where to move forward, so I thought you should both look at it.”
Legs flips through the pages while Abolish rattles on, giving Avid time to read with him.
What’s written is beyond promising. It’s euphoria. It’s a real solution, an incantation that’s voluntary. The miracle cure that Cleo and Apo were convinced was just a vague promise.
“Yes, it’s been difficult to get a real overview of things,” Doc says between tracing the words of the incantation. “And we can always add more.”
In a different book, Doc writes, We need to get somewhere out of town and make copies of this. He passes this one to Abolish, who nods.
“Avid, you’re the one with alchemical experience, so I’m glad you’re sitting in for this,” Legs adds.
Avid’s grinning like an idiot, hanging off Legs’s arm. “Oh, for sure! I mean, I was kinda self taught, but we were working on this sort of thing, so yeah! I can help!”
He can be good. He can be useful. Needed. Indisposable.
Avid came to Oakhurst to do good. And they’re telling him he can still do good.
We has always been him and Elle. They were trying to find a cure. That’s why she’d gotten hurt, gotten turned into something that Avid isn’t even sure what it was.
Sure, the cure had been intended for Avid, but… but it didn’t have to be only for Avid. Especially if Shelby’s life was still in the mix. Ugh, he’d been too focused on himself ever since he got here. Didn’t he want to protect these people, even if they didn’t listen to him? He should help. For Elle’s sake.
Avid could make her proud, right? He could? After everything that’s happened?
Soon, the saving grace is back in Abolish’s hands.
“Yeah, so, just wanted your two cents.” Abolish waves a hand on his way out.
“Of course. Thank you, Abolish.” Doc nods, a startling amount of excitement radiating off of him.
Oh, well. Not like Avid can say much. He’s bouncing. Shelby needs to hear this! The cure is voluntary, and they have the last piece!
With Abolish gone, Doc and Avid are on their own again. When Doc faces Avid, it’s with positive hope. It’s infectious.
Avid giggles. “That- Wow, that Abolish, huh?”
“He’s invaluable. Glad we could get those notes cleared up.” Legs turns to rifle through his things. “I suppose I should get changed. I don’t want anyone fretting over me.”
Avid cringes at the poor state of Doc’s clothes. “Yeah. Yikes.”
Legs strips the robes and his shirt and oh my god his chest-
Look. Emotions are always running high for Avid, right? And with news of the cure, Avid’s in a really good mood. So he may or may not be excited by the sight of Legs’s bountiful chest hair and – to be blunt – huge pecs. Maybe just a little bit. Yeah.
So, okay, maybe Legs is kind of a looker. And there were some pretty people in Oakhurst that matched Avid’s usual type, but Avid can’t say he’s never been into bears. And Legs had this authority about him that’s kind of maybe really appealing… especially with how lost Avid’s been lately…
At least Avid’s reluctance to drink too much blood means there’s not enough in his system for him to blush as deeply as he normally would. Um. Hopefully.
Thank goodness Doc seems oblivious to Avid’s inner musings. It doesn’t help when he grazes his chest with a hand — oh, he’s focused on the new scars from his turning. The sight is immediately sobering.
They’re violent things. Sealed up, but Scott’s claws had cut deep into Legs’s flesh.
“Eugh,” Avid mumbles. “That looks like it hurt.”
“Mm. It healed, but it scarred. Is that unusual?” Legs asks.
“Um… I’m not sure. I think the turning wound sticks around at least.” Avid twists around and pulls up his clothes to show off the scratches on his back. “See? Shelby tried to make it quick.”
“I see. Well, what’s another scar?”
When Avid turns back around, Legs is buttoning up a new shirt. Aw. Bye, boobs.
Legs sighs. “Thankfully, I have a spare set of robes. I still want to repair the old ones, but that will have to wait.” He dons the mentioned new robes, needing no assistance in tying them.
“Yeah. You’re really prepared, huh?”
“Well, I was planning on staying here for some time.” Legs glances at Avid in a way that asks if the same is true for Avid.
“I… I ran right here after, um… You know.” Avid scratches the bandages at his neck. “So… You’re lucky.”
Sympathy, but it doesn’t feel bad to see it on Doc’s face for some reason. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Really the only thing I had time to grab was Elle’s hunting stuff,” Avid says quickly.
Legs’s voice is quieter. “...Oh. Your best friend, I presume?”
Avid didn’t even realize he said her name. It’s… weird. Everyone here should know her name, because she should be here. “Um. Yeah.”
“You have my condolences.”
“Um. Thanks.” Crawling inside him. Avid scratches until his fingers get between layers of cloth. “Shoot, I don’t need to wear these anymore, do I? It’s… It’s gone.”
“It’s up to you.”
Avid rocks on his heels before unwrapping the bandages. Thankfully, Doc’s house has a spot for discarded medical stuff.
His neck hits the open air. Wow. That’s… different. He feels exposed, but… it’s not bad.
Legs is clearly trying not to stare at the scar. “Sorry,” he sighs. “Just… I’m sorry I didn’t make time for you.”
“It- You were busy. The cure’s more important,” Avid argues weakly.
“No, Avid. If you needed help, you should’ve received it. My priority is keeping you safe.”
Legs probably means a more general you, since he’s the town doctor and all, but Avid can’t help the shudder at the sentiment. “Oh.”
Legs’s stare is piercing. “Is there anything I can do for you to make you feel safer now?”
Avid hesitates. He doesn’t want to admit it, what he’s still considering, but Legs caught him off guard, so he whispers, “Tell me there’s no way I can join the castle.”
A sigh. “I highly advise against joining the castle.” A flat look that asks Avid to continue.
Okay. Okay, he’s doing this. Fine. Avid mumbles, “I- I just can’t stop thinking that if we just give them what they want, they won’t hurt us. S-Scott and Owen won’t hurt us.”
“Do you really believe that? After how Pyro’s been acting?”
Avid flinches. “I… no. Scott manipulated Pyro. I don’t trust that place. But… I think a part of me wants to believe it.”
Legs frowns deeper. “Think, Avid, Scott’s trying to enlist us through physical threats of violence. Is that really someone you want to ally yourself with? Someone you want Drift to ally herself with?”
Avid swallows. “No.”
“Exactly. So we’re not playing his game. We’re not his recruits,” Legs spits the word.
“But what if it’s safer? I don’t wanna die!” Avid insists.
Legs grips Avid’s arms. “I won’t let that happen. He’s trying to present himself as this insurmountable threat, but he is one man. An overconfident, controlling, and manipulative man. We can’t fold to him, Avid. I’m here to help as many as I can, and I said earlier that I believe our goals are aligned,” he says pointedly.
Avid nods frantically. “Okay, okay! I get it!”
Legs scrutinizes him before letting him go. “I won’t make your decisions for you. I trust you, Avid,” he says carefully.
“I- yeah? I trust you too? You’re right, okay?”
There’s a stretch of silence. Eventually, Doc glances at the position of the sun outside.
Another sigh from Legs. “I don’t want to crowd you. If you’d rather talk to Drift or someone else, or even just be alone-“
The thought chills Avid’s dead heart. “No! No, don’t leave me! Legs, Doc-“ he lurches forward and grabs Legs’s hand. “I- I want you to stay with me. Please? Please, just until it’s too late to join the castle? I don’t… I don’t trust myself to not mess things up.”
Unless Avid’s imagining it, Legs’s expression softens. “Of course. We’re in this together.”
His assuredness is radiant. A guiding light.
Gosh, and he’s the one that got killed today.
Agh, so do something! What would Elle do? What would Drift do?
Avid throws his arms around Legundo’s bulk. “Thanks, Doc. A-And I’m so sorry. I’m sorry he killed you.”
With hesitance, Legs returns the embrace. His arms are strong. “I’m okay.”
“You died. That’s not normal.” Avid tucks his face into Doc’s sternum. The hug would probably be warmer if either of them were alive.
A sigh. “No, but I’ll keep going. People need my help. I can’t afford to lose face.”
“I’ll help you, okay? I said I would, so I will. We’re gonna save the town.” Avid hopes his voice doesn’t shake.
The big arms around Avid are a fraction tighter.
And if Avid feels Legs tremble against him, he won’t tell. He’s not a snitch.
-
---
-
Dear Shelby,
I have good news! The cure’s totally voluntary, and the town won’t be going after you!
I’m staying in town to try to fix what I messed up. Thanks for the advice. Stay safe. And thank you for what you did for me. You saved my life.
Also, your fanfiction was really good!
“There. Good?” Avid asks.
Legundo isn’t sure why Avid wanted him to read the message while he wrote it. Are Legundo’s continued assurances that he trusts Avid not enough for the message to sink in?
…No. With Avid, they certainly aren’t.
Not that Legundo is opposed to having a look at Avid’s message to Shelby. If Avid wants his approval, Legundo will grant it.
“Good,” Legundo confirms.
Legundo would not call it lying when he says he trusts Avid, but Avid is incredibly impulsive and… volatile. As his opinion of Avid’s character develops past the initial unfairness, those two traits remain constant.
Oakhurst can not afford any members losing faith with the situation growing increasingly dire, and Avid had a tendency to expect the worst possible outcome. It’s a hopelessness that Legundo wants to put an end to.
Additionally, Shelby’s message on the previous page – he’s skipping past her… creative writing – about humans having the potential to be friends is reassuring. Perhaps there is hope for peace, despite Scott and… Owen’s best efforts.
Avid bounces on his heels and returns the book to the tree’s hiding place.
“Okay, okay,” Avid exhales. “That’s done.”
“Ready for what’s next?” Legundo asks, tilting his head towards the setting sun.
Avid squirms. “No.”
Legundo laughs. “I appreciate the honesty.”
The two face the bridge of the castle. There is a figure on the other end.
Fingers graze Legundo’s elbow, threading through his arm hair. Legundo quirks an eyebrow at Avid.
Avid, who’s decidedly looking at nowhere important.
“I’m right here,” Legundo says carefully. “We’re here to help.”
The unsure fingers turn into a full hand gripping Legundo’s arm. Avid squeezes his eyes shut and nods. “Yep. Yep, okay. It’ll be fine.”
With that, the two of them begin the far too hazardous cross along the bridge.
As they walk, Legundo feels a sharp pang in his stomach.
Thankfully, he manages to quell his reaction this time. Legundo will not dwell on the hunger. He will eat enough to keep his head above water, enough to be stronger for the town if need be, but he refuses to let this become an indulgence. He will not enjoy feeding. Not in the way Scott clearly does.
Scott did this to Legundo. The noble’s carelessness, his flagrant disregard for others’ autonomy, personhood, and lives has now been irreversibly demonstrated on Legundo. It’s obvious and repugnant.
He cornered Legundo, he singled him out and chased him down and kept raking his claws through Legundo’s flesh and there was so much blood-
Calm down. There’s no point in mourning Legundo’s mortality. What’s done is done. But Legundo will not let this mistake be repeated. He’ll see to it.
…He’s starving.
No. He isn’t. He knows starvation, and this is not it. The eternal feeling of emptiness can try to trick him, but Legundo knows logically that he has consumed enough.
It doesn’t feel quite like a human’s hunger. The stomach doesn’t make a sound. There’s just an insatiable gaping maw inside of him, demanding more and more blood.
That is a hunger Legundo once knew intimately, even though it has now manifested differently. He thought he had escaped it. What a fool he is.
…The blood tasted good. He wants more, he wants to eat, he wants to sink his teeth into flesh-
Do no harm.
Legundo is disgusting. He is a vile thing. Vampirism did not change this, it just made it more obvious to others.
And Legundo hates to see his patients stare at him with worry, with barely hidden revulsion. He is not their concern. He is no one’s concern but his own.
Protect the body. Protect the town. Protect as many as you can.
Regardless of what he has become, he is still useful. Loathsome man that he is, he can still choose for himself how to act.
He can still help. Then he will find a way to circumvent the eternity that Scott has forced him into. Maybe through the newly completed cure, maybe through other means. The world will eventually be free of him, once it no longer requires his services.
Lose the leg. Save the life.
Alright. Legundo is in control.
When they reach the other side of the bridge, their envoy is Pyro. As Legundo and Avid approach, Pyro’s expression is unreadable. Or… conflicted, rather. Too many competing emotions for Legundo to parse out.
“Woah, nice place,” Avid comments. The castle is quickly rising into its former… Legundo wouldn’t say glory. Opulence, maybe.
“Thank you. Decided to pay it a visit?” Pyro opens, a dramatic lift in their voice far removed from the bright eyed student that Legundo had spent the first day in Oakhurst with.
“I try to keep my appointments,” Legundo replies.
“Yeah, you and Scott told us to come say what was up, so we are,” Avid chimes in.
“And have you made your decision?” Pyro’s head twists with unmistakable contempt for Avid.
Legundo answers at once. “Yes. My place is in Oakhurst.”
Silence from Avid until Legundo nudges him, at which he jolts. “Oh! Uh, yeah! M-Me too!”
“You don’t sound so sure,” Pyro notes.
“I-I am sure,” Avid says uncertainly. “Look, I came here to do good, okay? And the castle is just terrorizing people. You guys seem so sure of yourselves, but I don’t want to hurt anyone. And Scott turned Doc! He didn’t want this! S-So, no, I’m staying in town.”
Tension unwinds from Legundo’s shoulders. Good. Perhaps his trust in Avid isn’t unfounded.
Pyro’s claws are at his sides. “Is that so? Both of you, then? Just like the others, rejecting your rightful place in the family?”
“You know, when you say it like that, it doesn’t sound like a nice family,” Avid mumbles.
“I don’t know why you’re offering us a place anyway,” Legundo adds. “I’ve made my goals of finding a cure for those who want it beyond apparent. That won’t change now that I’m my own patient.”
Legundo wonders if wishful thinking makes him see a crack in Pyro’s expression, but it’s gone before he can confirm anything. “Believe me, I have my reservations. But if Sire wills it, I have no issue with more additions to the brood.”
“Um, excuse you? I’d be a great addition. I-If I wanted to join, which I don’t,” Avid flounders.
“You splashed me with holy water,” Pyro hisses. “Both of you did, actually.”
Legundo lets annoyance slip into his voice. “You attacked Ren. Unprompted, when we were all just talking. I want to help you, Pyro, I want to trust you, but you need to stop behaving this way.”
“I’m following my calling,” Pyro insists.
Avid scoffs. “See, this is why I pushed you out of a tree.”
“Avid,” Legundo warns, warily listening to Pyro growl.
“Fine, fine!” Avid huffs. “I’m sorry about that, Pyro, okay? I shouldn’t have done that! I just made you more mad! And you don’t need that with what Scott’s been doing to you! I’m sorry!”
The aggression falters at the mention of Legundo and Pyro’s mutual enactor of their undeath. Pyro squares his shoulders. “Scott has given me a gift.”
Avid rolls his eyes. “Oh, sure. Yeah, happy birthday, pal. You’re dead now. How generous.”
“Pyro, I understand,” Legundo stresses. “Scott did this to me, too. It’s exactly the reason I will protect others from him. That includes you.”
“He got you too. You’ll see. You’ll hear him. You can’t escape him,” Pyro says breathlessly.
Legundo’s voice feels tight. “No. I will not bend to him. I have no desire to stake my loyalty with a man who sees us all, human or vampire, as nothing more than pawns.”
Pyro shakes their head. “You’ll see. You’ll know how the gift changes you. Now that it’s yours.”
“You know, I don’t think being a vampire changed you as much as Scott changed you,” Avid observes. He says it casually, but Pyro flinches.
Legundo builds off of that. “If I feel any differently, it is simply an exaggerated version of who I was. Heightened emotions are no justification to see others as a meal.” Legundo’s too-sharp nails dig into his palm. “I was a monster far before Scott forced this on me. A monster for what I did, not for what I am.”
Pyro’s perplexed. “Then you should have no qualms about giving into your nature.”
“I refuse to be that man again,” Legundo states firmly.
There’s a stretch of silence.
“So that’s it then. You’ve made your choice,” Pyro says with a gravity that makes a once buried part of Legundo itch for the sword at his hip. Pyro cocks their head too quickly for it to be anything other than a signal.
Bats. Invisibility that comes undone. Hidden members, all staring down at Legundo and Avid.
Pyro flashes his fangs. “The family will see you off, then.”
Relief mixed with worry when there’s only three other faces perching around the castle. No Drift or Apo or Cleo. Hopefully, they’re all safe in town or at least with someone they trust.
Shelby looks uncertain, Scott amused, and Owen…
Legundo can’t take his eyes off Owen. The seething fury in Owen’s eyes freezes Legundo in place.
Irritation slides next to the hunger in Legundo’s stomach. Isn’t this what Owen wanted? For Legundo to be given this “gift”? Or, what, did he see Legundo as his prize? One that Scott had stolen?
Owen’s bite mark smarts.
Legundo wants to help Owen. Of course he does. But if Owen’s threatening vampires that side with the town, then Legundo’s priority is getting Avid out of here. Avid is in danger.
…Maybe not from Shelby, but if a fight breaks out and she’s not going to help, Legundo just hopes she stays out of the way.
Not that he will let it get that far.
Scott’s claws flex nonchalantly. Pyro bares his fangs. Owen rises to his full height, framed by the rising crimson moon. Shelby watches with wide eyes.
Right. Legundo and Avid are weak. They’re outnumbered, cornered, and beyond vulnerable. They need to go now.
Legundo grabs Avid’s shirt collar. “Avid, do you trust me?”
Bewildered, Avid looks between Legundo and the castle vampires. “Uh? Yyyyyyes?”
“Good enough.”
And Legundo drags Avid with him off the cliffside.
Air rushes around him. The shift into another form isn’t exactly natural, but it comes easily. It’s the drive to bend into whatever is needed of him, to change himself. He can hardly hear Avid’s frantic “woah!”s over the sounds of Legundo’s bones reconstituting themselves, the accompanying squeaks from the swarm that springs from his essence.
When Legundo becomes a bat, Avid’s shirt collar ends up in his back claws. Between the vampiric strength and Avid’s general status as barely more than skin and bones, Legundo can just carry him.
…But only just. They dip in the air over the moat, and although some instinct is compensating for Legundo’s limbs being reconstructed and completely foreign to him, it is still an adjustment.
Avid’s screaming.
Legundo uses his altered vocal folds to bark, “If you can transform, I’d appreciate it!”
There’s a small gap between yelps before Avid’s weight disappears from under Legundo. He briefly panics, but there’s another bout of squeaking, and he cranes his neck to find a smaller grayish bat flapping haphazardly under him.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh, woah!” Avid manages to keep himself in the air. “We’re so high up! Wow!”
“Are you alright?” Legundo checks.
“Yeah! Yeah, oh my gosh, this is so much fun!” Avid cackles. The change in attitude is slightly concerning, but at least Avid isn’t afraid of the ability anymore. This wouldn’t be the last time it would come in handy. Of that, Legundo is certain.
Avid actually flies a little ahead and twists around, clearly enjoying himself. His chest faces Legundo. Ah, there’s Avid’s “experimental” piercing that Martyn brought up.
…Why just one of his nipples? Nevermind, Legundo will not question Avid. That will only give him a headache.
The journey back to town is far quicker through the air. Avid stumbles a little on the landing, but as he transforms back, his fall is slowed. He ends in an awkward run and spreads his arms wide to steady himself.
Legundo almost joins him in human form, but Avid faces him and holds out his hands. “Wait, wait! Doc, come here.”
Hesitantly, Legundo accepts the perch. “What is it? Is everything okay?”
Avid smirks. “Yeah, you’re just so darn cute. Little thing,” he coos, and boops Legundo’s snout.
Not a fan. Legundo revokes his transformation then and there, causing both of them to end up on the ground.
“Hey! Not nice!” Avid protests, unfortunately crushed under Legundo.
Disentangling them and rising quickly, Legundo helps Avid back up. “I’m sorry, but you had that coming.”
Thankfully, Avid giggles. Legundo’s surprised that he’s glad to hear the sound for once. Maybe things really were improving between them.
“Okay, okay, you can have that one.” Avid brushes himself off. “Wow! I… I actually liked flying! I thought it would be gross!”
“Things don’t always turn out the way you expect,” Legundo says simply. “We need to use the tools at our disposal to protect the town.”
Avid nods swiftly. “Mhm! We’re staying. We… We’re staying.”
“For Oakhurst,” Legundo agrees.
With a nervous grin, Avid stares up at Legundo with… he’s reluctant to call it awe, but that’s what he sees. Provably, Legundo does not deserve that adoration, that respect. But if Avid has deemed Legundo finally trustworthy, Legundo will not let that trust go to waste.
Protect the body. Protect the town. Do no harm.
With a lifeless exhale, Legundo leads Avid back into town to continue their work.