Healing isn't always easy | Eden

How did Eden so effortlessly just solve all of the problems in his head? His jaw was trembling as he looked at the soft light woven sweater that Eden had been wearing. It smelled of his cologne. It made him relax. But it wasn't the shirt he felt safe in. However he pulled it over his head, just to cover up, even pulling out at the fabric a bit to loosen the fibers. He had tears in his eyes, pulling at the sleeves to cover his hands and fingers, letting himself be absorbed by Eden's smell.
The vampyre returned, the promise of his shirt getting cleaned made him nod. He felt like he wasn't sure what to say. He was just so grateful to have someone like Eden in his life and that he could always rely on him. "I wish I could come with you home," he admitted, not sure why he felt so sad all of a sudden. The day had been so good. They had made up and made love, and best of all Romeo had felt so normal. It had been the best day in a long time. "Or that the day was longer .. Either would be good," he admitted, scoffing as he felt a little silly just wishing for that. He reached up, touching the ring around his neck, looking at it as it meant so much to him. "I really felt good today .. Like really good .. Like myself."

Hopefully soon. He felt like it was always that same goal and yet he felt so drained that it felt so far away. Hearing Eden admit to it as well felt reassuring though also a bit heartbreaking at the same time. He felt the hand touch his, feeling the comfort it brought him as he returned the gesture by giving the vampyre's hand a soft squeeze. Just to let him know how much he appreciated this. "Next time .. We should probably go on a normal date," he scoffed, because that might not have left him so tired and drained. Leaning his head against Eden's shoulder, he just sat there for a while, holding his hand, looking at his fingers.
"I might fall asleep in the car on the way back," he admitted with a small sigh. He was already fighting to keep his eyes open. It wasn't easy for a lycan to stay awake when he didn't get the amount of calories that was normal. "I just .. I want to hold you hand all the way back even if I do fall asleep," he admitted, looking down to their hands. It was a comforting feeling. It was intimate in a way he missed, and he had probably taken something so simple for granted for far too long now.

It was almost as soon as they got into the car, Romeo drifted off as the soft lull of the car's engine made his body relax. Being with Eden meant everything to him right now, and it was safe to say that he felt their hands touching the whole way back even in his sleep. Even as they arrived he was sleeping, not really fighting back as he was being carried, however he did whimper as Eden went away. His hands reaching for him, sobbing softly until the vampyre crawled into the bed with him. He pressed his face into the vampyre's chest, engulfing himself in his scent and his cold was so welcome.
A nurse stopped by a few times just to check on them, but he couldn't really get himself to tell Eden that visiting hours were over. He had seen the young lycan struggle with sleep, and seeing how calm he was right now was a good thing. He just sent Eden a polite smile before moving on with his nightly checkup.
It wasn't before the next day that Romeo finally woke up, gasping softly as he felt so disoriented. "E-Eden," he cried out in a small sob. Had he gone home? Oh no, it was the next day. His eyes welled up, pulling his legs up as he started to sob into his knees. He had slept it away. He hadn't gotten to kiss him goodbye and he felt terrible now.

His body reacted badly to being apart from Eden. He knew that because he did often wake up just longing for the vampyre's arms to be around him. And it seemed today his prayers were answered. His body relaxing into the embrace, he wrapped his arms around his fiancé, pressing his face into the nape of his neck. "Don't go away," he pleaded, sobbing softly as that was clearly one of the nightmares he usually had. Waking up in a dream, hugging Eden and then waking up another time alone had to be the worst thing in the world. "Don't leave me," such a genuine plea that showed just how hurt he was being away from the man he loved.
He just had to cry a little, get the hurt emotions out before he seemed to gather himself a little. He eventually just sat there, his arms locked around the vampyre as he sniffled against his shoulder. "I thought you had left," he muttered. He hated saying it, but he knew the rules of the facility and how some of the nurses commanded them with an iron fist.

Romeo's logical mind knew that Eden couldn't stay here all day. And yet his illogical side was questioning why he couldn't do it anyways. He was so lonely here. He missed him less during the day because he was being kept busy, but morning and evening were the worst times. Being alone scared him in a way it hadn't really done before. Perhaps because being left alone with his terrible thoughts was what led him to be here.
"Kiss me," he muttered, needing juat to taste his lips. Of course there was so much more he wanted, but a kiss was simple and wouldn't attract too much attention. He was still sore from yesterday, and it was such a clear sign that his healing wasn't as good just yet. "Please, Eden, please," he would beg if he had to.

He whimpered softly as Eden pressed his lips to his own. The clash of the hot and the cold making his lips sting jn the best way possible. All he asked for was a kiss, as frankly he didn't really have the energy for much else. Their lips were separated as a small knock on the door announced company. "Good morning," a sweet nurse greeted them, walking over to open up the window and let in some fresh air. "I would wrap that up before the others notice you had a guest sleeping over," she said to them kindly, not rushing them, but this wasn't something that was good for morale for the other patients.
Romeo looked at Eden with fluid eyes, wanting to take him in as he was right now, caressing his cheeks, touching his hair. "I love you," he muttered, stealing another kiss before he knew Eden had to go. As soon as the vampyre was out he just broke down crying again. He hated it had to be this suddenly, that they he had slept so much that he had lost the precious time he had with Eden. It was so limited. The nurse went to comfort him but he would have it, telling her to leave him alone. And she did, leaving the heartbroken and lonely lycan in his room.

She was furious, slamming every door she passed through, probably ruining the hinges as they weren't built for a vampyre temper tantrum. Eventually she had slammed so many things that she had sat herself down on the floor of the living room, practically crying as she was so angry. The pinkish red streaks on her cheeks were a testament to her cries at least. Nothing with this trial was going as smoothly as she had wanted it. And she felt so guilty for hurting Judah like this. He would barely even touch her! She was frustrated about everything, so much so that she wasn't even sure where to begin.
Well the first problem was their father, Eden, whom seemingly tried to sneak his way around this case as if he had any chance of winning in court at all. Of course the old fool wouldn't even try to settle out of court as their demands were not some that he even wanted to accommodate; Or that was at least the nice version that she and Judah had been told by her lawyer. What a useless prick! They were paying him, and he was doing practically nothing! In regards to anger she probably look very much like her mother when she was like this. That mania almost consuming her along with the anger that only added fuel to the fire.
The second problem was this Josette Parish. Judah had tried to weasel his way in, but that little bitch was apparently well protected. There had been no luck on that front, and frankly Avila didn't feel like she could handle waiting much longer. She wanted justice for what her and Judah had had to endure because of their illegitimacy. They wanted to be able to be recognized and perhaps even praised by the Parish family for once. Let them see what prime examples of blood purity they truly were.
The last trouble on her mind was that of her brother's reluctance to intimacy. Now, Avila had never wanted to stray from her brother as her lover. In fact she hadn't been with anyone but him, simply because she couldn't find attraction in anyone but him. She felt safe with him, in a way that she couldn't just go out and find on the streets. No, this was years of bonding that was mingled into their relationship. But a woman did have needs. Of course she had tried to take care of it herself, but it wasn't the same. Besides she couldn't push herself over the edge and get the needed release she was hoping for.
So now she sat here on their living room floor, crying and furious about the circumstances that she was in. Of course she knew she was to blame for much of it, but she was too self absorbed to even recognize that.

Avila tried to dry her eyes as Judah came home. She knew how guilty he felt, but it was her who was supposed to feel that way. If it hadn't been for her, then he wouldn't have had to go through that. She loved him. And she had ruined what they had, hadn't she? Looking at the letter she got up, ripping it apart in pure anger and tossing it aside. She went to the window, grabbing onto the sill, her fingers digging into the wood as it made a crackling sound. "I'm sick and tired of this bureaucracy," she hissed, shaking her head as she looked out at their garden. She was shaking with fury bubbling up and filling the blood in her veins. Turning around she took a few deep breaths as she looked at Judah.
Walking to him, she knelt down on her knees, taking his hand that she pressed her forehead to. "I've hurt you .. I've broken our promise and I feel so ashamed of my actions," she whispered, though she knew he would be able to hear every word she spoke. Sniffling she held onto his hand, pleading for forgiveness as she cried softly, "All I wanted to do was help us .. But I've failed not only you but mother as well," she sobbed. What should they do now? Nothing seemed to work! Nothing at all seemed to stick to that sleaze ball of a father they had been so unfortunate to spring from.

Judah was right, of course he was, but she longed for his tender touch and he still seemed so reluctant to touch her even now. Would he ever lay a hand on her again? Would she ever get to see him smile? She looked at her brother, pulling him down on his knees in front of her, cupping his face and removing his tears gently. "Nobody makes my brother cry like this," she whispered, almost as if it was a threat to anyone who dared to. She let her thumbs caress his cheekbones that were so finely crafted. His sharp features and recognizable eyes was always so welcome to her. That was when she had a thought.
"He hurt my love," she said, her eyes focusing more as she clearly had an idea. "He hurt my love and I will hurt his." She was cunning and cruel when she had to, and right now there was no doubt about it. She had to punish their father for what he had done. What he had put them through. "My brother, my darling, the one nearest my heart," she spoke in gentle tones, leaning in to nuzzle their noses together, wanting to feel his breath against her skin. She missed him so and it was clear in her longing gestures. "I cannot take your pain away .. But I can bring you the revenge we deserve; The revenge our beloved mother would've wanted for not only her but us as well." Avila let her lips run over her brother's, their cold skin rubbing together and yet she never felt the cold from him. They were the same temperature after all.
"Our mother didn't die to that vile man to have him live out happy days with a disgraceful lycan," she said, kissing him gently, not doing anything that would make him feel bad. She just wanted to comfort him. Be gentle to his hurt soul.

He broke off their kiss and she felt that stinging hurt in her chest again. He didn't even seem to want her lips anymore. Their father was tearing them apart right in front of her. Her brother complained of the pain and she hushed him softly, "I've been too naïve," she admitted. No, they had relied on outside forces for far too long now. It was time she put herself in the game and took the lessons their mother had taught her. "I'll crush him, make him suffer for eternity if it brings you happiness," she couldn't bear to see him like this. He had never been one to cry much, but she knew that when he did cry it was serious. "You only have to do one thing .. And I promise you this time it will work in our favor .. Mother taught me well," she whispered before telling him the plan she had cooked up.
Judah was to pick up Romeo from the facility he was staying at and bring him to a private location. Somewhere where they wouldn't be disturbed or easily discovered. "I'll have all the paperwork ready, and we'll lure him out with that filthy lycan as bait," she said, oh she knew how to be cruel that was for sure. Her lips twisting up in a smile that showed that she meant what she was saying. "The rest I'll have to keep a secret for you for now, but everything will be disclosed in due time, my darling," she promised him, hoping he hadn't lost faith in her just yet.

Avila hoped that he would get to heal from this. He said he trusted her and she nodded softly, leaning in to press their foreheads together. "Once all of this is settled .. We'll go travel again .. We'll rediscover our love and go to all the places we love," she wanted to remind him of how devoted she truly was to his happiness. Nothing to deter her from seeking out his life being good. She had messed it up, but now she was done letting herself get played. She was her mother's daughter, and she would have to find that part of herself for this.
She made sure that Judah had all the information he needed about the lycan's whereabouts along with where they could meet out in secret. She would handle informing their father through a mysterious message written in a text from a strange number. Of course he could be smart enough to put two and two together, which wouldn't surprise her, but she also wasn't hesitating this time. Their father needed to suffer for what he had done. And she had the perfect plan.

Romeo had looked forward to seeing Eden again, but the vampyre had been busy. He was finally cleared to go out for a weekend, and he basically just waited for his love to confirm the dates. He felt so giddy. Sure, they might not get married this weekend, but what about the next? Or the one after that? Clutching his ring in his palm he looked down at it. He used it as a motivator. Once he could fit it properly then he could feel normal, right? That was at least the rule in his head.
So when he was called for, being picked up by a Mr. Parish he didn't even question it. Signing himself out, almost running out to the parking lot. He didn't recognize the car, but the driver seemed friendly enough. He explained that he was there to drive him to Eden, that he was some distant relative of his? Romeo wasn't sure he trusted that, though the eyes you really couldn't deny. He felt like he had met him before, but he couldn't recall where. His memory was still foggy in some places, and that perhaps made him for an easy target.

What happened next he wasn't sure of. Maybe there had been something in the drink he had been given? Or maybe he had fallen asleep? No it couldn't be it. His head was pounding and he could hear something drip in the distance. Had he been dreaming again?
Opening his eyes he found it hard to breathe, feeling how his mouth had been shut by a strip of thick metal tape, his arms locked securely and when he tried to move it burnt his skin, making him scream under the tape. It was silver string. Quite clever. His hazel eyes moved around, trying to figure out what was going on. Was it his grandfather again? Perhaps his mother? He couldn't see anything in the dark for a while before he saw a figure sitting a bit away in a chair, reading a book. He tried calling for them for help, but the figure ignored him calmly.

This was easier than Avila had thought, so she wasn't taking any risks. Sure, the silver restraints might've been a bit overkill, but she knew lycans were strong even if they were weakened. Not only that but they couldn't be trusted with their temper running wild. She had greeted Judah, kissing his cheek and thanking him for what he had done. He could decide if he wanted to stick around as she knew he wasn't too much of a fan of the things Avila had been taught by their mother.
Regardless, she had tied up the lycan, muzzling him as well as he was essentially just an animal in her eyes. As the lycan slowly came to, she was sitting a bit away, reading a book and humming to herself as she could read just perfectly in the dark. She looked terribly much like her mother, well except for the hair, and she kept her eyes on the page as he called out for her through the tape. Sighing she slammed her book shut, getting up from his chair she walked over, sitting down in front of him. "I really don't get the appeal of your lycan stench," she said in an almost tender voice, moving some hair away from the lycan's eyes. Romeo. Such a fitting name, she thought, because Romeo died in the end. "Don't worry, I have contacted your cruel lover," she said, before getting up, seeing Romeo struggle made her chuckle, "unless you want to risk cutting off your hands and feet I suggest you lay still," she warned him. Silver could burn through flesh and bone of a lycan if it was moved too much.
She moved over, looking at her selection of toys to use. She had her methods. She knew of every torture device known, and specialized in a few things that might be fun to play around with. Judah was the brawn, she was the brain; One body and soul that could only unite in their love. "He's my father, you know, that damned Eden Parish," she scoffed, clearly disappointed in that fact, "and would you like to guess who my mother is?" Now that was a topic she was proud of. She grabbed a small tool, moving over to kneel down in front of the lycan, tilting her head as he looked up at her. "Loralei Mary Parish," she said in a fond voice, dragging the small hooked knife over the lycan's warm skin.
He looked so scrawny. Her father was really a freak that liked them young and easy to break, huh? Maybe that was why their mother had fled his grasp. Maybe that was why when Eden had killed her he had chosen such a wicked lover to replace her. "You have pretty eyes," she muttered, placing the hook against his eye socket. It would take no strength at all to pop it out and make him eat it. But she refrained. No, Eden should witness this.