Chapter Text
It was quite a risky decision, one that would have great rewards if it wasn’t for the one problem, the subject. Santana was a Pillarman that the Speedwagon Foundation had stumbled upon roughly two years ago, then he was taken by the Nazis stationed in Mexico, then relocated back to the foundation’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Quite a long trip just for this one being.
Perhaps the travelling would’ve been more pleasant if the Pillarman wasn’t entrapped in stone the entire time. Santana was still encased today, but rather than be under his usual UV rays where he had rested for those years, he was being brought to a new room. Foundation employees, all accompanied by a Hamon user from the temple, pushed a cart that the rock sat upon down the hall with a sense of urgency.
The lights within the hallway were UVs, a precautionary measure put in place to prevent any chance of Santana emerging. Each door opened as the main group approached with caution, every section of the hall they entered the gate behind them closed and another opened. This continued on and on, before the door opened to a large room.
It was incredibly spacious, the walls covered in a soft padding that made climbing easy, a small bed in the corner and some things to keep whoever occupied the room entertained. The walls towered up high, continuing past the window that looked down into the room below.
“What made you interested in advancing the research on the Pillarman, Mr. Speedwagon?” The scientist asked as he hovered at the window, glancing back at the older man who had just finished his approach to also gaze through it.
Speedwagon hummed for a moment and tapped his fingers against his cane as he thought. “When I was held captive back in Mexico, Joseph had made a rather interesting point about Santana. That perhaps he’d be far more peaceful if his awakening wasn’t done through violence.”
The scientist raised an eyebrow as he looked at the other incredulously. “Joseph suggested that?”
A light chuckle escaped Speedwagon’s mouth as he nodded, “I understand Joseph can be a little... dull, at times, but he is a very bright young man overall.”
“I see,” the scientist responded with a nod before coughing into his fist, bringing Speedwagon’s attention to the paper on the clipboard in hand.
“Oh, sorry,” Speedwagon uttered as he took it from him.
The paper was full of all the details about the room, the measures that were in place to prevent Santana’s escape, things he had requested upon signing for this project, and finally, a bit of a worrisome note.
“Tom- how come it says that the window isn’t fully tested yet?” Speedwagon pointed to the text, looking over at the scientist with a bothered expression.
Tom tensed, before looking away, saying, “Well, with the time we had we could only go so far. Based on what we’ve done, it should be able to withstand anything the Pillarmen throw up here. Anything past that is... a risk. But we do have an emergency back up if that were to happen!”
“Slow down- would he be able to hear us here?” Speedwagon asked, looking down at the paper as he continued to read. “You never sound checked the room?!”
“As I said! We could only go so far! And so what if he can hear us? He wouldn’t be able to reach us.” Tom retorted as he tore the clipboard from Speedwagon’s hands, holding it tightly at his side.
“Yes he would, the walls are climbable, as per my request.” Speedwagon said, his worries not being quelled the further this went on.
Tom pinched the bridge of his nose, he took a deep breath, and placed a hand on Speedwagon’s shoulder. “Look, it may not be perfect for now. If this peaceful approach works out like we hope, there won’t be a breakout to be scared about, and I can personally guarantee you that no harm will come to any employee, volunteer or civilian from his project. Now do you have any other questions, or can we wake him already?”
Speedwagon took a deep breath and sighed, “I suppose you’re right, Tom. Sorry for my inquiries.” His eyes darted away from Tom and back to the employees carefully taking Santana off the buggy they had brought him in on.
“Do you think I was right to do this? He’s still imprisoned, but I suppose it’s better than being stone, isn’t it?” Speedwagon asked, rubbing his hands together nervously as he observed the room.
Tom clicked his tongue, looking up at Speedwagon., “I assure you it’s better than what the Germans did to him. He can request entertainment, yadda yadda,” he spoke with a hand wave. “Of course, there may be some resistance, but I’m sure he’ll adapt with time. After all, this is a once and a lifetime opportunity to be researching further on his species as a whole.”
Speedwagon nodded after a moment of hesitation. “I understand. Wait until everyone's out of the room and then we’ll begin to feed him the blood.”
“Great idea to have a blood drive for this, sir.” Tom commented with a laugh as he hit another scientist on the back. “Get them to hurry up down there.”
A frown formed as he shook his head. “We’ll try and use as little as possible to wake him, we need to have some left over to feed him over the upcoming month.”
Tom nodded as he approached the window, observing the employees below.
There were only three of them down there, two employees and one Hamon user. One employee pulled a small hose off the wall of the last section of the corridor, then brought it over to the other employee.
Everything had to be perfect, or else those three would likely lose their lives.
The employee took the hose and carefully placed it onto the ground Santana laid on. The plan was to let blood trickle out around him, and let Santana absorb it through that. The issue they couldn’t solve was how to shut off the hose afterwards. It would be a waste, but they’d have to let the doors destroy it once Santana awakens. After all, they weren’t certain if the Pillarman would lash out or not after he’s freed. The three inside made sure the hose was placed correctly before making their way back into room one. They then turned the hose on, allowing the blood to trickle through to the Pillarman.
Once the blood reached the end of the hose, the door to the second room opened. The three swiftly rushed into it, then it slammed shut, keeping them safe for when he would awake.
Speedwagon observed the stone man with intent, tightly holding onto his cane as he tried to remain calm despite his worry. This was the only chance they had to make progress studying the Pillarman. Tom, on the other hand, stared with a sense of excitement. A grin formed across the other’s face as he watched the blood be absorbed into the stone. Both of their hearts were pounding for different reasons, this was a moment for the books no matter the outcome.
The room was silent as the stone began to chip off the man, absorbing more and more of the blood he was fed. Everyone watched with caution, waiting for the first move to happen. Tom held a pen in his hand, prepared to jot down notes as soon as possible.
It was a tense moment, the wait felt unbearable, before something moved. Something slithering from the rock.
“Isn’t that the snake we had given him earlier?” One of the scientists asked, looking up at Tom and Speedwagon from his chair.
Speedwagon stared in bewilderment., “He didn’t kill it…”
“He didn’t?!” Tom exclaimed, almost completely pressed up against the glass as he watched the serpent make its way away from Santana.
“This is a good sign, Tom-“ Speedwagon quickly said, “If he hadn't killed the snake, wouldn’t that be a sign of altruism?"
“Altruism? It’s a bold statement of course! We must ask him when the time comes why he had kept that snake alive. Would you reckon he could turn the snake into a vampire with his own blood? Perhaps we picked a serpent he wasn’t interested in eat-“
“Slow down!” Speedwagon interrupted, waving his hand at Tom as he tried his best to stop his ranting. He always found it to be so grating when Tom tried to constantly explain everything. “We won’t know for certain until after we create a bond with Santana.”
Tom raised an eyebrow before he laughed, shaking his head as he did so. “Of course! A bond, yes.”
The two shared another glance, before returning their gaze to the stone. It was perfect timing, as if Santana knew they had just focused their attention onto him again.
Emerging from the stone, Santana began to stand up, cautiously sprawling himself out to help him readjust to the new setting. His hands remained on the ground as he tried to prop up his legs, before slipping down onto his stomach.
Speedwagon gasped, tightening his grip on his cane out of worry for the other. “Not again-“ he uttered out before looking over at Tom who let out a sheepish laugh.
“I thought he was supposed to be intelligent,” he commented. Tapping the pen on the paper as he wrote down another note.
“He is, the last time somebody mocked him for falling over upon awakening he consumed them.” Speedwagon defended the Pillarman, something he never thought he’d really do.
Tom’s eyes widened for a moment as he coughed into his hand. “Well! Let’s hope he can’t hear us then.”
The two returned their focus onto the Pillarman who finally managed to get onto his feet. Santana looked around the room with curiosity, seeming more bewildered than anything else. He stood in place as he looked down to the floor, seeing the snake slither near his feet.
The observatory room was silent, waiting for Santana to make a proper move, one to decide whether or not all of this was worth it.
The redhead leaned down, holding his hand out for the serpent, allowing it to slither up his arm and onto his shoulders. It was a fascinating exchange, the two seemed content with this. Santana raised his hand up, lightly petting the snake’s head with his finger.
Speedwagon smiled softly as he watched the exchange. “It seems like he has a friend in there,” he stated somewhat hopefully. He glanced back at Tom for a moment who seemed uninterested in his comment. Defeated, Speedwagon looked back at Santana, only to see the other staring back directly at him. A yelp left his mouth, “Can he hear me?”
“Quiet-! If he can, we better keep our mouths shut!” Tom snapped, looking at Santana with intrigue and fear.
Santana remained focused on Speedwagon, crouching down as he let the snake return to the floor, refusing to break his gaze on the old man. Once he stood up again, he finally spoke. “Speed...wagon.”
“Oh!-“ Speedwagon tensed, looking at Tom hoping for some reassurance or advice only to receive a motion to respond to the Pillarman. “Where’s the- we’re not even sure if he hears us or just sees us-“
Santana hummed for a moment, watching Speedwagon break his gaze with him. Finally taking a step forward towards the wall the window rested on.
Tom scoffed, watching Speedwagon pace around anxiously, clearly not taking the man’s worry with much enthusiasm. “I said to continue talking to him if you couldn’t tell, not pace around.”
“I understand that, but I have no idea if he can hear us! What if he can’t? It would be rude-“
“It’s ruder to spend all your time bumbling about!” Tom shouted before he rolled his eyes and looked back at the room. Whatever smugness he had faded in that moment. Santana was no longer visible on the other side of the window.
“I apologize, but I do not want to agitate Santana any more than he probably is!” Speedwagon snapped before noticing Tom’s sudden worry. He stopped talking as he returned to the man’s side. “Where did he go-“
Tom anxiously tapped his pen., “He can’t get out- we’re sure of that! He must be in a blind spot-“
“Wouldn’t that be directly beneath us?” Speedwagon inquired, taking another step closer as he tried to see if he could spot Santana.
“Yes- well that and the wall up to here! He could be right around the window and we wouldn’t know!” Tom answered, trying his best to hide his fear.
The two fell silent, waiting to hear or see something, anything, to quell their worries. There wasn’t anything happening.
“Perhaps he’s hiding from us.” Speedwagon suggested as he looked back at Tom. Putting his hand against the glass to hold himself up. “I’m sure he-“
“MR. SPEEDWAGON!” Tom yelled, quickly lunging forward as he saw Santana appear at the glass. It was too quick for Tom to stop, watching in what seemed to be slow motion as Santana broke through the glass and grabbed Speedwagon’s hand.
Santana had grabbed Speedwagon, pulling him through the glass and into his arms as he fell back down to the ground, landing perfectly on his feet with the old man clinging tightly to the other’s arm.
“OH GOD!” Tom yelled as he leaned out the broken class, “OH GOD MR. SPEEDWAGON! I’LL GET HELP! DON’T LET HIM HURT YOU! OH GOD!” Tom panicked, retreating back inside and bringing his hand to his mouth, seeing the other scientists stare in horror at the scene.
Santana looked down at Speedwagon, noting that the other still hadn’t opened his eyes nor loosened his grip on him. “You can let go.”
Speedwagon hesitantly opened his eyes, looking up at the Pillarman for a moment before letting go and rushing away from him. Looking up at the now broken window then back at Santana. The way his heart was beating, it was a miracle he hadn’t gone into cardiac arrest. “Are you going to eat me?-“
“Eat..? You?” Santana questioned as he tilted his head, confused by Speedwagon’s question. He shook his head, “I don’t want to.”
“T-Then why did you-“
“Company,” Santana uttered, but seemed unsatisfied with his own answer. “You.. made this for me.. right?”
There wasn’t any more room to distance himself from Santana, standing against the wall. “Somewhat-“ Speedwagon yelped as he watched Santana walk towards him, closing his eyes and bracing himself for a gruesome outcome.
Santana stopped once he was close enough, grabbing Speedwagon’s head as he gently moved it around. “The scars are still there.”
“S-Scars?” Speedwagon stuttered out, too scared to say anything with the Pillarman having his hands on him. “Which ones-“
“The ones at your head and neck.” Santana commented and pointed to his own neck. He couldn’t help but stare at Speedwagon, keeping his grip firm but gentle. Using his other hand he brushed against Speedwagon’s facial scar briefly before retreating it once he heard the old man whimper in fear. “You’re afraid.”
Speedwagon was shaking, nodding in response. Feeling the other finally let go of him, he heard the other whine quietly before seeing Santana take a step back. “Oh dear- I do hope Tom is alright?” He mumbled, looking carefully between the window and Santana again.
“Tom is fine, he’s very loud.” Santana answered, “He’s rude, why do you let him be rude?”
“Let him be rude-? That’s just how Tom is, I'm afraid. So caught up in his own research I don’t think he cares much for people.”
“He tried to pull you back,” Santana continued, “but now he’s gone off to find Hamon warriors..”
Speedwagon was hesitant, he was amazed how calm Santana was around him, despite it seeming obvious he was the one keeping him captured. “I’m afraid so..”
“I want you to stay here,” Santana declared before he reached for Speedwagon’s arm and dragged him towards the bed the foundation had placed for the Pillarman.
“What!” Speedwagon gasped out, too afraid to resist the other’s guidance to the mattress. “Why-? Why would I be-“
“They had you.. tied up last time.” Santana made a motion with his hands as he tried to mimic the straitjacket.
Speedwagon’s eyes widened for a moment before he shook his head, “No no! We’re at my labs! Not theirs, they wouldn’t tie me up here!” He responded. He honestly felt a bit flustered about Santana’s concern considering how long ago it had been since the last time they had met.
Santana frowned before he looked at the ground, seeing the snake again. “You gave me her.. as a gift.”
“Oh- I mean I-“ Speedwagon was at a loss for words, did Santana believe that the snake was a gift? It made him feel bad about keeping him under that UV light for so long. “Do you like her?”
“She is polite,” Santana said, picking up the serpent to give Speedwagon a closer look. “She did not bother me during my rest, but I knew she was there.”
Speedwagon tried his best to force a smile, nodding as he watched him tenderly pet the snake. “That’s.. good!”
A hum left his mouth as Santana’s gaze remained fixed on Speedwagon. He brought his hands to the other’s face, holding it gently as he analyzed the wrinkles and scars more attentively.
Speedwagon couldn’t help but let out a whimper as he held his face again. Although Santana had shown no signs of being violent with him, the fear still remained that it was going to change at any second. “Y-You’re… well you’re very.. gentle with me..” he mumbled out before Santana rubbed his thumb against a particular wrinkle.
“You’re older than before,” Santana stated, a small frown forming on his face. Refusing to take his hands away from the other, he simply just stayed like that as he thought to himself. “How long has it been?”
“Two-? About two years since.. you turned to stone again,” Speedwagon responded, he was trying his best to be calm with his answers not wanting to startle or anger the Pillarman with his choice of words or tone.
Santana blinked, before he finally let go on the other, still remaining relatively close despite that. “Where are they?”
Speedwagon tensed as he let out a nervous laugh before he covered his mouth for a moment. Hoping Santana wasn’t mad, he couldn’t tell what was going on in his head. “Where is- who?”
“Lord Kars, E-“ Santana began before he swiftly turned around, the gate to his room had opened with two Hamon warriors making their way in. He quickly grabbed Speedwagon, holding him close as he watched the two approach cautiously.
The first spoke, “Give us Mr. Speedwagon and we’ll leave you be.” He took a deep breath before he took a fighting stance. “If you won’t cooperate we aren’t afraid to take him forcefully.”
“I assure you Santana hasn’t caused any harm to me! He’s been relatively peaceful and- AH!-“ Speedwagon yelped, looking at his shoulder that had now melded into Santana’s chest. “What are you doing!?”
“He’s consuming Mr Speedwagon!” The second yelled, unsure how to handle it without harming Speedwagon in the process.
The two warriors exchanged a glance before jumping at the sound of Tom’s voice.
“WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING!? GET MR SPEEDWAGON!” Tom yelled, partially leaning out of the window as he looked at the two below,
“We can’t! We’d hurt him if we did!”
Tom laughed, seeming confused, “What do you mean!? He- SANTANA’S EATING HIM! RETREAT!”
“Tom! I don’t think he’s eating me, I just think he’s scared!” Speedwagon yelled back, tensing a bit as he melded more into Santana, feeling the other hold the half of him that remained outside. “He’s melded with me but I don’t feel any pain!-“
Santana grumbled quietly, tightly clinging to Speedwagon as he watched the two warriors exchange looks with Tom and themselves. It felt nice to have Speedwagon so close to him, melded into him, he was warm. He liked that warmth, it was something he hadn’t felt for a long time.
A loud groan left Tom’s mouth, “Do you want me to get you or not?! How about I call it off and leave you in there with him!?”
“Tom! If we attack we could possibly trap Mr. Speedwagon inside him!”
Speedwagon whimpered as he tried to figure out what to say, he didn’t want to be stuck here but a part of him felt bad leaving Santana. “Santana will let me leave when he’s ready! Right?” He asked, trying his best to look at the Pillarmen’s face.
Santana stared down at Speedwagon as he squeezed him gently before he nodded. He wasn’t sure what the urgency to get Speedwagon out was, he believed he had made it clear he wasn’t going to harm the man.
“See!” Speedwagon yelped as he glanced at the window as he heard a loud bang from the room. Tom wasn’t there for a moment before he returned.
“Fine then! We’ll do it like this! You two retreat back, remain on standby in case Santana gets violent!” Tom ordered before he looked over at his papers before he sighed, “Be aware, Mr Speedwagon, I’ll be continuing my studies while you’re down there.”
“Of course!- I have no intention of stopping that!” Speedwagon responded as he watched the two Hamon users making their way out of the room. He somewhat regretted telling Tom to call them off, but it wasn’t worth the risk of Santana lashing out.
Once the doors closed, leaving Santana and Speedwagon alone in the room. Speedwagon was hoping Santana would let him out soon, it wasn’t uncomfortable but it was certainly bizarre to be inside the being like that.
“Do you meld with people like this often?” Speedwagon nervously asked, moving his free hand to the other’s wrist.
Santana looked down, raising an eyebrow before he shook his head. It didn’t look like he had any intention of letting Speedwagon go yet, but it didn’t seem like the old man was bothered to be there.
Speedwagon hummed before he squeaked, feeling Santana roll onto the bed with Speedwagon still melded to him. “I-I hope it's comfortable! I tried to get you something nice!”
“Warm.” Santana uttered as he moved his hand up to Speedwagon’s head, holding him.
Was Santana always this clingy? Speedwagon wasn’t sure, he knew Santana enjoyed contact just based on that first encounter but he never expected this. He tried to stop being so tense, it would be easier to calm down and lay there if he wasn’t so tense and worried.
“Is he going to bed already!?” Tom yelled from the window, causing both of the two to jump from his voice.
“I suppose so, Tom!” Speedwagon responded. He was taken by surprise, feeling Santana pull him out of his body.
The Pillarman readjusted his hold on the man before he rolled onto his side with Speedwagon still in his arms. He grumbled quietly as he heard Tom talking to other scientists above, how could one man’s voice be so grating? How could there be two others who could equally rival how annoying this voice was.
Speedwagon had never been held this close to somebody’s chest before. His face was red, and honestly he was thankful when Tom turned the light around the bed off. Just leaving some lights on around the window to scare Santana off some escaping. Speedwagon could’ve never guessed how clingy and touchy the other would be with him, but he wasn’t complaining. He hadn’t received this much attention for quite a long time.
Santana wasn’t sure why he wanted Speedwagon so close, he wasn’t even intending to sleep, he just wanted to lie down with Speedwagon. He wanted to ask the other more, to continue their conversation from before.
Neither of them knew how to handle this, and neither of them minded the situation they were in.
Speedwagon couldn’t help but doze off in Santana’s arms, listening to the others slow and shallow breathing and the extra weight on him was what really made it perfect. He hadn’t felt this comforted sleeping before, he had almost completely forgotten why he was scared in the first place.