Nikolas held Connor, trying to reassure the older ghoul in spite of his own shock and horror at the day's events.

"You're you, and I still love you."

"Am I, though? I don't even recognize myself!" Connor replied bitterly, clinging to him, trying to ignore the feel of his newly coarsened skin.

He stared in quiet horror at his hands...the stubby fingered hands of an Irishman, rough and masculine, so unlike the slim, dextrous hands that the Mother blessed him with via the blood. The blessing which Alexis had stripped from him, refusing him the bath with the rest of the family.

Niko cuddled him closer. He had no idea what to do, or if anything could be done. Newly blessed himself, he had only the barest understanding of the facts of his new life with the Galloi, having had to go on a diplomatic visit representing his household merely days after becoming a part of it.

He did know that no matter what, he loved Connor, and somehow they'd find a way through this.

Author's Notes: Setting is NWoD, owned by White Wolf. Connor and Alexis are OCs, property of my GM who is once again letting me play with them a bit. Nikolas is my OC.