Slightly less monstrous boys: prequel

[lamia]

{ wolf meets vamp }
💮 su-jin 💮 silvio 💮

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[typhlotic]

"A little. I have some leftovers of a stew I made but you can make whatever you want. Though I don't have much. I was supposed to get supplies and hunt today." And they could tell how well that went given the fact that Su-jin was here now.

"There's probably...something though."

[lamia]

"Leftover stew is good. I wan warm that up for you. And..." he began looking around, but didn't yet start opening cupboards. "Do you have any bread?" Because bread and stew go together!

[typhlotic]

"It's probably stale but yeah." He could smell it wasn't moldy at least. So it was fine to eat. But stale? Definitely. Still, that wouldn't be so bad when dipped in stew. "You can open whatever you need to, by the way."

[lamia]

"I'll toast it," he countered. Stale bread still made good toast.

With Silvio's permission, Su-jin started hunting around the kitchen: a pot to reheat the stew, a pan to warm up the bread, something for Silvio to drink.

"I'll put everything back when I'm done." Just where he found it to make things easier for Silvio to find when he needed them in the future.

[typhlotic]

"Thanks."

Listening to the sounds of someone else in his territory was surprisingly soothing. Closing his eyes again, he rested his arm on the back of the couch so he could use it as a pillow while he listened to the sounds. Just typical kitchen noises but they were done by someone who wasn't him. It made all the difference.

One looking at him would think he was asleep but he was anything but that. He just hadn't realized how much he'd missed having another person around like this.

[lamia]

"It's no problem."

It isn't long before the scent of the stew came wafting from the kitchen and a little sizzle could be heard from the oil in the pan Su-jin was using to crisp the bread. Once everything is done, he spoons out the stew into a bowl which he then sets on a place with the toasty bread. A glass of water and he's wandering back out to the living area to serve the meal to Silvio.

"Here you go. Are you feeling any better at all?"

[typhlotic]

Hearing Su-jin coming over with the food, the wolf perked up again and lifted his head before turning to face the table in front of the couch the right away. It smelled good and he realized he was actually hungry. Taking the bread, he enjoyed the crunch as he broke it to dip it into the stew before having a bite of it.

"Yeah. I think the drugs are finally kicking in. I usually have to take enough to over dose a human so that's not surprising." He nodded to the food he was eating. "...seriously, thanks for this. It's just been me for ten years now. I appreciate this."

[lamia]

"Mm," he hummed in acknowledgment. It made sense. They weren't human, after all. A normal human dose of medicine or poison just wouldn't work.

"I'm just happy I could do something to help." Yes, he's a caretaker at heart. Being able to help someone gives him a sense of purpose.

[typhlotic]

"I've only ever known pack life. It's been...a lot to adjust to."

To put it mildly. Losing his entire family and his sight in one day? It had been a harsh thing to survive. He nodded over to the altar.

"That's them. My pack. What I have left of them anyway."

[lamia]

Su-jin's gaze drifted in the direction of the altar. It was a sweet tribute to them. He realized they've only just met but...

"Tell me about them," he offered gently.

[typhlotic]

"They were really good people. They preferred to think of themselves as guardians of the forest. Protectors of those who wandered through it. I was little when they found me but they never treated me as just some human. To them I was family."

He kept eating while he spoke, like if he didn't then he would fall apart. He needed to keep doing this to keep himself together.

"My alpha was a tough man but he was always the one who would let me sleep in his bed when I was scared at night. And his mate was a tiny woman who was gentle and sweet but tough when she needed to be. They ran everything well. Everyone knew their place and no one ever had to question what they had to do or where they needed to be. It was safe. You felt wanted and protected and loved at all times."

[lamia]

"They sound wonderful," he mused softly. It must be difficult to be without them, but that went without saying. Su-jin thought Silvio honored them by carrying on, even if it was on his own. That also didn't need to be said. What would the opinion of a stranger who'd never known them matter?

But hearing this reinforced Su-jin's desire to check up on Silvio in a few days, to make sure he had someone around after the full moon. Even if he didn't need or want help, Su-jin could at least keep him company while he convalesced.

[typhlotic]

Finishing with the food, he got up and went to light the candles. Eleven in total. One for each of his fallen packmates who had been there for him his entire life. He stood there a moment, not able to see it but knowing that they were honored.

"They were good people who didn't deserve what was done to him. None of them," he murmured softly.

[lamia]

"What happened to the hunters?" If they were still around and active in the area, Silvio might still be in danger!

[typhlotic]

"I don't know. I know they hunted me for about a week after but I hid in a cave until I couldn't smell them anymore. Then I found this cabin and healed up before going to bury my pack and gathering things for the altar. I've been here since."

He knew he should want revenge but he didn't. There'd be no point to it. It wouldn't bring them back, wouldn't make him feel better. Better to live than to possibly die on a suicide mission.

[lamia]

It said a lot to Su-jin about Silvio's heart that he hadn't gone after them. He hadn't made it his life's work to find them and destroy them for what they took from him. A soft smile touched Su-jin's face and he moved to join Silvio by the altar to pay respect.

Ten years on his own, he's sure the wolf has taken his precautions to avoid such monstrous people in the future. Or, at least, defend against them. "You're a credit to them," he offered softly.

[typhlotic]

"Sometimes it doesn't feel that way," he confessed with a soft sigh, adjusting something that he realized didn't sound right because it had fallen over. With it fixed, he ran his fingers through his hair. "But I try for them anyway."

It was the least that he could do for being the only one left. "I continue their legacy by helping those that get lost in the woods. It's what they would have wanted because it's what we've always done. People call us the Guardians. Though I guess now it's just one."

Silvio turned to Su-jin. "When you're ready follow my scent out of the trees. If you do that you'll bet back to civilization in no time. You have my word."

[lamia]

"I'll come back after the moon," he promised. "With supplies, so you can rest." Though Su-jin was submissive by nature, his tone didn't leave room for argument. Well, Silvio could argue if he wanted, but it wouldn't do any good.

"Will you be alright until then?"

[typhlotic]

"I'm over a hundred years old now. It's not my first full moon." But he gave the man a smile to let him know he meant it. The moon was still going to be rough but he'd figure this out somehow just like he always did.

There was silver downstairs for a reason.

"Thanks for everything."

[lamia]

"Think nothing of it," he assured with a wave of his hand. Once Su-jin was sure Silvio was finished eating, he cleared away the dishes, washing and tidying up after him. Only once everything was back in its place did Su-jin say goodbye and take his leave. He was grateful for the trail Silvio left for him, as he wouldn't have been able to find his way out easily with his sense of smell alone.

As promised, after the last day of the full moon, Su-jin made a supply run in town and went to visit his new friend. He wasn't sure what to expect other than a weakened wolf. When he arrived, he brought fresh groceries, some fresh clothes, another bottle of medicine, and, of course, himself.

[typhlotic]

The house was eerily quiet when Su-jin got there. It didn't look like anyone had touched any part of it that whole time. But he'd also smell the distant scent of burnt flesh which would lead him downstairs.

And that was where Silvio was. He'd found the strength to unchain himself but that was it. Apparently he'd fallen halfway across the room trying to get to the stairs. His wrists, ankles, and neck were blackened from where the silver had touched him the longest and there were horrifying red burns from the chains when they'd made contact with him in his struggles. All easy to see because he was fully naked.

Smelling someone was there, he flinched away with a growl to defend himself until he remembered that scent through the haze of exhaustion and pain he was in. "...Su...jin?"

[lamia]

"That's right," he assured in a soft tone. "It's Su-jin." He'd left the supplies upstairs before venturing into the cellar. Once there, he could smell the burned flesh before he saw it. Oh, he understood easily what the wounds were from, but they still horrified him.

"I said I'd be back. Can I come closer?"

[typhlotic]

"Yes."

He went to try to get up with a pained groan but immediately fell back down panting for air. Silver was never the best option for a wolf but it was the only thing strong enough to keep him in when he didn't have a pack. A feral pack was far less likely to hurt nearby creatures than a lone wolf who was scared, after all.

[lamia]

He doesn't want to do anything to startle or upset Silvio. But he wants to help. He just has to be careful how he does it. Drawing nearer, Su-jin crouched beside Silvio. He could see the wounds more clearly and they tugged at his heart. He knew this was how Silvio kept himself and others safe, but it was still a grotesque sight to behold.

"Can I help you up?"

[typhlotic]

"Yes."

He gave up trying to get himself up on his own and opted to let Su-jin help him. There was no point in being so prideful that he couldn't accept help when he needed it. Without Su-jin he would have been down here all day just trying to get to the stairs. Not to mention the next couple of days where he'd be healing slowly due to what caused the wounds in the first place.

"Help me...get...upstairs..."