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Legundo sat at a picnic styled table in the campus courtyard. A pleasant breeze ran through the area as his eyes scanned the sparse groupings of students. He and Owen had made plans to study together over at the library soon, so he was just waiting on the other to show. Legundo generally preferred to study on his own, but he knew that having someone else there helped Owen focus. He was happy to help his friend.
As he was turned to one side, a voice spoke into his other ear. "Lonely?" The voice questioned with a mischievous tone. Legundo jumped, having to readjust his glasses after. Scott Goldsmith. He always had a penchant for showing up suddenly, and he seemed to especially get a kick out of startling him when he did so.
"Scott." He breathed out in reply as he looked up. Scott stood beside him with a smile and gave a little wave in return. Legundo blinked at him before recomposing himself. "No, I was just waiting on my friend. We're meeting here to head to the library together."
Scott whirled around to sit on the opposite side of the table. "A friend? You've not mentioned them to me yet." He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.
Scott Goldsmith was… an eccentric man. For one, he always seemed to dress the part of a vampire, with dramatic red and back outfits. Not to mention the snow white hair and realistic looking fangs. Were they real? Legundo had heard of some kind of cosmetic surgery along those lines. If it were just his appearance, he may have dismissed Scott as an overenthusiastic fan of the fictional creatures. No, that led to how he acted. He seemed convinced of actually being an immortal vampire.
As if that wasn't enough, he was very adamant about having met Legundo before. A "past life" version of him in fact. From the way Scott talked it was clear they were close, very close. Of course, Legundo didn't believe any of this. It was clear to him that Scott was someone experiencing severe delusions for one reason or another. Thankfully, he didn't seem to be a danger to the people around him. He was certainly not trying to sink those fangs into anyone. In addition, he'd been largely respectful of Legundo anytime they talked.
To put it simply, he was concerned for Scott. He reasoned that it was better to not push him away, if only to make sure he was alright. Of course, that wasn't everything. He did genuinely enjoy the time they spent together in spite of his oddities. They ran into each other often, though it was always Scott to spot him first. Upon hearing about this, Owen had reacted with suspicion. He thought Scott was following him around, but Legundo knew it had more likely just been coincidence.
Scott looked amused, his grin growing as he teased. "I know I'm gorgeous, but that's no reason to stare." He didn't mind the attention at all.
Legundo pulled himself out from his own thoughts. He had been staring. "Uh- right, sorry. I guess I haven't really had a reason to mention him." He said as he dropped his gaze away from Scott. It was a little embarrassing to bring him up given the fact that he'd detailed most meetings he'd had with Scott to Owen. Eager to change topics, he continued. "How have you been?"
Scott quickly launched into dramatics, telling a story about his friend Shelby and her horrible betrayal the night before. They had gone out as a group, but she'd decided to go back early into the night. He moved quickly past the fact that she'd left to go spend time with her girlfriend, focusing more on how she'd abandoned him. The story got a laugh out of Legundo and conversation flowed easily from there. Everything considered, he could certainly call Scott charming.
"Hold on." Legundo had stopped him a short time after. He looked past Scott as he called out. "Owen, over here!"
Something in Scott's face tensed. That had to be a coincidence, right? Owen was a common name, it wasn't impossible. He couldn't claim to know how Legundo was back, but he had assumed such an opportunity wouldn't be available to vampires. He heard footsteps approaching, and there was momentary relief. They were more even than Owen's had ever been. Scott suspected it'd been the remnant of some limp he'd had as a human. But, as the short man with curly brown hair walked past him toward Legundo, his concern was proven correct. Owen was back.
Once he was at Legundo's side, he raised an eyebrow at Scott before addressing his friend. "Who's your new buddy?"
Scott forced a smile. He had plenty of practice controlling his emotions just so, but there was a rage he hadn't felt for a long time. "Scott Goldsmith." The words slithered out of his mouth. "It's a pleasure."
Of course, the introduction wasn't necessary. Owen could've recognized the man from miles away. He'd never met Scott, but he was a very distinct man from description alone. "Owen." He replied with a nod before giving Legundo a look. Silently asking what Scott was doing here.
Legundo responded with a slight shrug. He just showed up?
Owen narrowed his eyes. Another one of your "coincidences"? As if. There's something up here.
Legundo looked away. Owen rolled his eyes as he sat down directly beside him.
Scott looked between then, trying to deduce whatever exchange just happened. His eyes then stopped on Owen. It was unmistakable. The two were close, very close. The anger in him grew as he wondered where Owen found the audacity to kill his love, only to come back and be his best friend in the next life. It took a lot of self-control to not rip the other man to shreds that very moment. Sure, he knew that this was unfair to some degree. Legundo clearly had no memories of his past, meaning Owen was likely the same. However, he couldn't get that thought to stick. People didn't truly change. He had to be playing some kind of angle. He could play nice, for now. "So, Legs says you two are good friends?"
Owen regarded him with suspicion, never one for hiding how he felt. "Yeah…" Clearly rejecting any prying for more details.
Legundo stopped a deep sigh, he regretted letting these two meet. "Actually, we'd first met studying in a library. Well, trying to." A smile appeared on his face as he recalled the day. He'd hoped he could diffuse some of the awkwardness
Owen scoffed, knowing where this story was going.
"I wasn't able to focus, someone's angry grumbling kept distracting me."
"I wasn't grumbling." He lightly elbowed Legundo.
"Really? What were you doing then?"
Owen looked away, grumbling something under his breath in response.
Legundo chuckled. "You weren't grumbling. But for some reason, I couldn't focus. Then I found you struggling over some notes." He loved their comfortable back and forths. He really couldn't imagine a life without Owen at this point. Oh. He regretted that thought immediately for how it sounded. He continued on, not wanting to dwell on the selfish feeling. "And I asked if you needed help."
Scott had gone uncharacteristically quiet during this. He still couldn't figure Owen out, but Legundo… that was another story. He'd learned to read the doctor very well in their time together, and this Legundo shared many of his same mannerisms. He was genuinely comfortable around Owen. One of the differences between this life and the past, this one was far quicker to let down his walls. Or maybe that was just for Owen. He started to feel nervous. Nervous? Scott Goldsmith didn't get nervous. Angry, maybe. Not nervous.
"To which I told you to mind your own damn business." Owen retorted.
Scott tore his eyes away from the chatty duo. An image flashed in his mind. A memory. Returning to their home, he found Doctor Legundo on the ground, horrifically limp. Viciously torn through with countless claw marks adorning his body. Owen stood over Legundo, covered in his blood. There had been a time when such gore would've made him sick. A barely lived mortal life. One long discarded. But in that moment, he had felt the same sickness creep through his chest. From Owen's state it was obvious Legundo had barely been able to put up a fight. A small voice creeped into Scott's mind reminding him that's if he even tried to fight. Owen did not look shocked to see him. He looked… content. Ready for what came next. Doctor Legundo and Owen soon shared the same pool of blood.
Legundo's smile grew slightly. "Sure, but I got you to open—"
The rush of emotion grew to a roar, one Scott couldn't handle. "Right!" He interrupted loudly. It all went quiet, both the roar of emotions and their discussion.
They both turned to look at him in confusion. "Is everything alright?" Legundo asked.
Scott didn't respond, instead getting up and rushing to their side of the table. "I need to talk to you, now." His eyes flicked over to Owen with a dangerous look. "In private." He began immediately ushering Legundo to stand.
"What's wrong with you?" Owen questioned bluntly.
Fighting instinct that told him to bare his fangs, Scott tilted his head to look down on the other. "Is it so wrong to want to talk to a friend?"
Legundo put his hands up in surrender as he stood. "Both of you, stop." He looked over to Owen. "It's fine, I'll just be a few minutes then when I get back we can go to the library like we planned."
Owen didn't look convinced, still he glared daggers at Scott.
"Relax," Scott hissed out. "I'm not going to hurt him." Then pulling Legundo away before either of the two could question what he meant by that.
Once they were out of earshot, in an area with some semblance of privacy, Legundo stopped. "Scott, are you alright?" His voice was full of incredibly genuine concern.
Scott stared at Legundo's eyes. A sad expression passed over his own face. If this was his own Legundo this would've been the part he would cling on to his doctor. Hold him so tightly that no threat would dream of stealing him away. But this wasn't his old Legundo. No, this one wasn't someone he could do that with. They simply weren't that close. God, this one was so much more fragile too. Scott would hurt him if he held him like that. He felt helpless, like no matter what he did he was going to have to lose him again. That was truly terrifying. What if he didn't come back this time?
Legundo gently put a hand on Scott's shoulder. The touch grounded him enough to realize his eyes had been welling with tears. Crying was certainly rare for him, but not unheard of. An unwanted repercussion of his time with that damn doctor. He'd let himself become so pathetic over the man.
"Are you okay?" Legundo questioned again, his voice soft.
Scott blinked. Right. This Legundo was still in front of him, unharmed. Owen wasn't even a vampire in this life. He closed his eyes a moment to compose himself before he looked at him again. A pain ached through his fangs as he saw the concern in his eyes. He wanted to be done with all of this. To just be able to turn him and sweep him away. Far from their past. Far from anything that could hurt him. He will turn him. One day. He'd resolved to that after the first time they reunited. He'd respected the doctor's wishes to remain human because nothing told him how painful it'd be to lose him. He just couldn't do it now. Legundo would hate him for the rest of his unending life. He almost preferred that hatred to whatever he could call what they had now. At least that was a familiar dynamic for the two.
Scott gently grabbed the wrist of the hand on his shoulder as if to remove it, but didn't let go. He held it between them. Almost holding his hand, almost. "I'm fine, but…" Please. "You can't trust Owen."
Legundo tilted his head in response. Scott thought it made him look like a confused puppy. "Scott- he's alright. I've known him for a while. I don't know where this is coming from, but he's a good person. I'm sorry he was rude to you." Owen never had been known for his tact, often both his best and worst quality. "He would never hurt me."
Frustration built in Scott. His other hand grabbed on to that same wrist, grip tightening. "I don't care if he's been nice to you." There's desperation in his voice. "I don't care how he's gotten into your head. I don't care. It doesn't matter, Doc. I'm just- I can't lose you. Please, I can't lose you again." His eyes frantically searched Legundo's for some sort of reaction.
Legundo held his gaze for a long moment. He carefully considered the words. When he finally landed on a feeling, it was pity. He looked away from the other. His voice was quiet and lacked confidence as he spoke. "Scott. I'm not yours to lose…"
He didn't look back, didn't see Scott's expression. Things hung in the air even longer before Scott gingerly let go of Legundo's wrist.
"I'm sorry, I need to get back to Owen." He said simply before walking away.
Despite that, he didn't feel much like studying anymore.