*-*-*-*-*-*Slightly Evil Magnus Universe*-*-*-*-*-*
Chapter 3-
Painful Truths And A Fresh Start
Chapter Complete!Raphael opens up a bit, and Simon shares how exactly he ended up settling in what is basically the Supernatural capital of the world.
*~********~*~********~* Raphael-Raphael-Raphael-Raphael-Raphael *~********~*~********~*"So wait; I'm older than you?"
Raphael gave a sharp, surprised laugh, shaking his head,
"Umm...no...Did they sneak alcohol into your food? I'm 148, you are 26. It's subtle but there's a slight difference there...otherwise known as an entire extra digit."
Simon grinned, shaking his head, mischievously quirking his eyebrow, turning all the way to face him, gesturing animatedly,
"Uh uh...no...You've been ALIVE for 148 years, but you were bitten when you were 23...which is when you stopped aging...which means you are 23 and I am3 years older than you." he finished triumphantly, eyes sparkling playfully,
Raphael burst out laughing,
Oh mi Dios, eres ridícula, that is NOT how it works…that is not how any of this works."
Simon scoffed,
"Oh it SO is! You just don't want to admit it!"
"It is not! How would you think that?" he laughed, shaking his head at the sheer ridiculousness of the discussion,
"Because that's how it works! I mean, okay, so, if someone was bitten when they were, like, a teenager- regardless as to how many actual years they were alive after that- physically they'd still be a teenager. Maybe a really smart, strong, worldly one or whatever, but they'd still be a teenager.
They still wouldn't be able to go to a bar or whatever else… which come to think of it would really suck…
Also regardless of what year or century or whatever else they were born in anyone over the age of, like, twenty hitting on them would totally need to be on some kind of watch list and set off all kinds of creep alarms." He paused for a moment, quirking his eyebrow challengingly, smirking,
"Go ahead, tell me I'm wrong."
"Uh…that…um…that's not…w…" Raphael trailed off, grasping for an argument,
Damn it…
He glared faintly,
Simon absolutely beamed, bouncing excitedly, giving a bright near giggle, which made it really hard for Raphael to maintain the glare,
"That's completely different." He argued weakly
Simon laughed, shaking his head,
"No it is not!"
Raphael nodded, moving a bit closer, turning to face him as well, propping his elbow up on the back of the couch,
"Yes it is! That is special, specific circumstances. Of course if a being physically is an adolescent that would be a factor. However in general that is not the case-
And I mean even in human society intergenerational relationships are not all that uncommon. It is not overly unusual to see someone in their twenties dating someone in their thirties or even older- depending on the age gap it can seem rather unorthodox, but in general it is usually accepted…and that's just concerning humans.
With immortals it's far more complicated than that, trying to apply the same constructs does not really work. I mean, if you have a human barely twenty dating another human four or five decades older than them it seems creepy as hell and there is almost certainly something untoward going on there…
But with immortals it is simply not the same thing. So long as whoever is involved is an adult- in every capacity- then the actual number of years is irrelevant.
I am an adult, so therefore it is not a factor."
Simon nodded,
"Yes, yes you are, I totally agree."
Ha! Got him, th-
"You are an adult…an adult that is still physically three years younger than me." He finished with a smirk
Raphael groaned
"No I'm n-"
"Yes you are. Face it dude, I totally got you."
Raphael rolled his eyes, trying to fight off a smile,
The guy was just so damn cute, bright, and enthusiastic and this playful, smirking, challenging thing was worryingly appealing,
Still…he wasn't just gonna give up,
Even if he kinda thought Simon actually DID have him on this one
He tilted his head
"Okay sabelotodo, then how does your little theory apply to actual born immortals, like Magnus? He looks thirty tops, and that's a stretch…he wasn't bitten or changed, they just reach a certain point and kind of stop, generally sometime around their mid twenties or so-
How does that factor in?" he smirked, quirking his eyebrow,
Simon leaned closer, giving a slight laugh,
"Okay, well first off, I don't know what 'zapato' means but by your tone I'm guessing it's an insult, so same to you, but that's totally different anyways."
Raphael snickered, shaking his head, quirking his brow,
"Umm…no… and wow you most definitely did not lie about having trouble with pronunciation-
There's a slight difference between 'zapato' and 'sabelotodo'
I did not call you a shoe; I called you a smartass."
Simon laughed, giving a slight shrug,
"Well…at least it was an actual word in the right language, that's better than usual, I'm counting it as a win. And it IS different. Like you said, they stop randomly or gradually or whatever, with vampires you know exactly when…I mean you can pinpoint it to the year, day, hour, everything…
That's totally different than just gradually stopping aging…
By the way, just out of curiosity, exactly how old is Magnus? I'd guess a couple centuries just from what I've heard- well, what Kevin has heard and relayed to me as obviously no one was telling me about the High Warlock of Brooklyn.
I have to admit it was kind of unbelievably cool meeting you guys…both of you. I mean one of the main reasons we chose Brooklyn was because it was so well protected- most of which is because of you two…" he trailed off, blushing faintly, giving a kind of sheepish smile that gave Raphael that odd, breathless giddy feeling again,
"Honestly, it took near everything I had not to act like a giddy, dorky fanboy when I met Magnus- or at the scene…
Oh my god! It was just so cool! I've never seen anything like it, I mean I've known magics and Fae's and warlocks and all that before but, dude, none of them even hold a candle to Magnus. It was SO hard to keep Alec's attention and not just stand around gawking like an idiot."
Raphael chuckled, giving a slight nod, shrugging,
"Yeah, I can understand that- think I reacted the same way when I first met him- and I couldn't even see all that, this was just to the general...'Magnus-ing'. It really is something else.
Hell, I've known him 125 years and I still am kind of blown away by some of the things he can do-
Like the spell on the apartment, or well…any spell in general…
I swear, it's a total spectacle, you could charge admission. I sometimes wonder how much of it is actually necessary and how much is just the Magnus 'dramatics'.
The one he used to find out about Raj-the guy being manipulated by the demon? It involved like two languages, sparks, smoke, a column of midnight blue fire and some crazy slideshow complete with being able to feel the emotions of those involved."
Simon shook his head in amazement eyes wide,
"Dude…that is SO cool…"
He paused tilting his head curiously, glancing around before looking back at Raphael,
"What Spell on the apartment?"
Raphael nodded, settling closer, gesturing over to the windows that encompassed most of the far wall,
"Do you see anything unusual about the windows?"
Simon looked over, scanning for whatever would stand out, before quirking his eyebrow, glancing back at Raphael
"You don't have any blinds or curtains…" he tilted his head in confusion
"I…but…you're a vampire…how?"
Raphael shrugged,
"Magnus.
We bought the building about five years ago; it was a kind of gift for the entire clan to commemorate a kind of second chance. He put a spell over the entire building. It looks totally normal from the outside, just seems like normal, tempered glass, but it blocks all of the UV rays in the sunlight allowing us to move around the building at all hours of the day without you know, bursting into flames.
Thanks to him we have something that every other vampire can only imagine."
Simon blinked a few times, shaking his head faintly
"h…I don't…w…"
Raphael chuckled, nodding faintly
"Yes, that was our reaction, too. I think the entire first month the entire clan just set by the windows looking out at the city in the daylight."
He gave a slight whistle, eyes wide,
"Dude…that is just insane." He paused a minute, something else seemingly occurring to him,
"A second chance for what?" he almost seemed to startle, shaking his head,
"Oh, umm…sorry I keep asking questions i-it's just, like I said, Kevin is the only Supernatural that I've ever really been able to talk to about, well any of this and, don't get me wrong I love him and he's awesome and without the guy I'd be totally lost, but like he doesn't really know much about Vampires and Magic and all of that and, it's just so fascinating actually talking to someone who like, really knows this stuff,
Sorry…if it gets too much just let me know, I'll drop it, I know I can be a lot sometimes."
Raphael smiled, shaking his head faintly, settling a bit closer, giving him a slight shrug, and careless wave.
"It is no problem Simon, I can't even imagine how frustrating it must be seeing all of this, knowing all of it but having to pretend you don't, knowing that if you slip up it could very well cost you your life. Having to do that for over half your life…I…honestly I do not know how you did it."
Simon blushed faintly, brushing his hair back, scooting in a bit more, shrugging slightly,
"Yeah, honestly I don't know how I made it this long either. I mean, really it'd be hard for anyone but oh my god, I am like, flat out the worst person for this! I talk nonstop, I ramble and stumble and even I can't keep track of everything I'm saying…
And then there's the fact that I am a TOTAL nerd and, really I'm actually completely good with that but, dude- you don't even know. All my life I've been totally obsessed with sci-fi, fantasy, comics, and all of that- literally for as long as I can remember…
Then one summer my entire world turns on its head and I start to see things that are like right out of all of that. People with magic and powers and shapeshifters, and vampires and like every other amazing, fantastical thing I could imagine,
My life turned into like a nonstop comic-con…
Only I couldn't even acknowledge it! Cause if I did all the cool, amazing, unbelievable people I saw would think that I was a threat, I was after them, would run away and try to find someone who would be able to kill me…
It's like a hell specially designed for nerds."
Raphael gave a slight surprised laugh, immediately feeling guilty,
"S-sorry, I d-"
Simon shook his head, waving it off,
"No it is funny…in a kinda odd, twisted way…and I'm gonna tell you I will end up getting on your nerves about it, I know myself well enough to know that.
Honestly whenever that happens, let me know I'll back off, cause, really you are only the second supernatural I've ever got to talk to about this and like I said I love Kev, but he mainly knows about Shifters, what different Supernaturals are and…well, that's about it.
I mean he doesn't know about Magic, or vampires, or that Demon realm thing, or those demon/lizard/dogs or like, any of that stuff.
Like seriously he's the same age as me, he knows what his family has taught him but…with you…
Just…wow…
I mean you have been living as a supernatural for one and a quarter centuries; you have thrived as one. Your best friend is like, literally one of the most powerful beings in the supernatural world…
Y-you know about all of it; magic, and demons and creatures and more than I can ever even begin to imagine…you not only know it like from books or lessons or whatever, you have lived it…
You have no idea how unbelievable that is to me. So, like I said, I'm probably gonna ask a million questions and I don't know how to shut up and I get WAY too excited about things and it's gonna get on your nerves so I'll say sorry in advance cause I know it's a lot to deal with.
Whenever it gets to that point seriously, just let me know and I'll give it a rest, and really just thank you so much, the fact that I am actually getting to sit here and talk to you, really talk to you about all of this, not having to lie or hide or any of it, I really never thought that would happen, never even imagined it." he finally trailed off, slightly breathless, cheeks flushed, eyes bright and sparkling, nearly bouncing with energy
It was unbelievably charming,
Raphael gave a faint chuckle, shaking his head, scooting a bit closer, stretching his arm out along the back of the couch,
"If it happens I will let you know lindo, but I really don't see that happening. As I said I cannot imagine how you have kept this to yourself for so long. If you ask something that seems too personal or what have you I might not answer, but other than that it is more than okay." He shifted, giving a faint shrug,
"So, back to what brought this up, what I meant about the building signifying a second chance. I don't know how much you know about the issues we had, but it was a lot…truthfully the entire clan came very close to being wiped out, and for good reason.
The only thing that stopped it was me taking over, promising to get it back in line and Mag's not so veiled threat that a pissed off High Warlock was a hell of a lot more dangerous than a rouge Vampire clan."
Simon shook his head faintly,
"Dude…I did not know all that. Kev just heard that there were some problems with the clan and that they were really dangerous but…
Wow…
What happened? I umm…I mean…o-only if you don't mind telling me of course…not tha-"
Raphael waved him off, giving him a slight smile,
"Well, generally I am rather guarded, but seeing as I pretty much forced you to tell me every last detail of the biggest secret of your life, I suppose I owe you a bit of openness."
Simon shook his head faintly
"You really don't. It's okay if you don't want to tell me, I understand, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or anything."
Raphael smiled,
"I really don't think that would be much of a problem with you.
So, before me the leader of the Brooklyn clan was Camille Belcourt…" he paused, shaking his head, rolling his eyes faintly,
"An ex of Magnus's. We never really got a long, there was a lot of drama after their relationship…and during it…
I actually threw a party when they broke up; I knew there'd be issues being in her clan but, well, Vampires do not do well without a clan, and when Magnus and I decided to move here it was the only option.
Anyways, Camille kind of went off the deep end. She began preying on humans, actively hunting them, all but throwing out the accords. A few of the clan, those closest to her begin to do the same, feeling that they were above humanity, that as they were stronger and faster they were entitled to prey on them.
That is unacceptable. Breaking The accords- the agreements between the different factions; Magics, shifters, Fae, Lesser Demons, and so on that ensure peace between Supernaturals and humans alike, is a serious crime, and with good reason. They are why we are all able to live peacefully in a civilized society among humans, rather than warring, hunting and rampaging…
It is why Supernaturals have been able to stay hidden for so long, why you don't have panic in the streets or most every human totally losing their minds from the knowledge of the supernatural.
From time to time you get rouge vamps here and there, smaller clans sometime's go rouge- and really five or six rouge vamps is of little consequence- easily dealt with.
However the Brooklyn clan was one of the largest in the country, at the time we had close to sixty members.
That is another story entirely.
Her actions were discovered and the entire clan was called up in front of the council on charges of disobeying the accords, thought to be a threat to both humanity and the continued existence of Supernaturals everywhere.
Had we been deemed a big enough threat the entire clan would have either been put to death or exhaled to one of the realms cut off from the human world, like Calon tywyll- so basically death either way.
It was actually quite close…I was able to show that only a handful of the members were part of this, that most of us didn't even know it was going on, and I assured them that I would do whatever I had to to set things right and get the entire clan back in line.
That still was not enough for some members; the council consists of twenty, some of the most powerful members of the different factions-
Magnus has actually been asked repeatedly to join but…well…
He's Magnus;
'Joining' isn't really his thing.
Plus if he's part of the council he can't use his 'The rules don't apply when you're older than them' logic.
In any case in something like this the decision must be unanimous and there were quite a few that flat out thought we were too dangerous.
Magnus had came with me to help with our defense, he really did try to let me handle it, and I did as much as I could but it just wasn't enough to convince them all that we could do it.
Finally, after I'd exhausted all my arguments-and I could see that it was really not looking good for us- they began to stand to leave the room for their deliberation.
Only then Mag's did some fancy, flickering, unnervingly powerful, I'm not really sure what, and everything just changed. Shimmering images of terrifying creatures, monsters, and demons appearing, glimpses of fights, of slashing claws and gnashing fangs, a huge dizzying jumbled mess of every horror and nightmare vision you could imagine, but more than images, you could hear them, smell them, hear hearts beating and shrieks, feel their breath.
He snapped his fingers and just as suddenly as they appeared they were gone, it was just the two of us and the council standing in an empty room.
The head of the council asked why he did that; Manus smirked, shrugging,
He said those were just a few of the things that he has faced over the past eight centuries, some of which they'd never seen, never heard of, never even imagined. He reminded them of all the times they have called on him to deal with an issue, all the times he's been the only one who could…
Reminded them that for all the knowledge they had on him none of them truly knew all of his abilities, or what he was capable of if pushed far enough.
He told them I was his family, and the clan was mine. If they tried to carry out their sentence they would have to go through him.
Then he snapped his fingers and the rest of the clan appeared back, no discernible time had passed, the clan didn't even know we'd left." Raphael paused, shaking his head, giving a slight chuckle,
"They had their answer in less than an hour. A kind of probation, with mandatory inspections to be sure we were moving in the right direction.
It was by far the best we could have possibly hoped for. Still it required a lot of work, and a lot of very difficult decisions on my part. Camille had more followers than I had originally thought, and there were other's that- while not to that extent- were engaged in other things that could bring the clan once more under fire.
We now have just over thirty members, but every one of them I know I can trust with my life, or the lives of those I care about.
We bought the building five years ago, when the probation was finally lifted, when we were truly cleared." He stopped, glancing over at Simon,
He was staring, eyes wide as saucers, mouth slightly open, totally frozen,
Raphael tilted his head, leaning in a bit, somewhat concerned,
"Simon, are you okay?"
He finally seemed to snap out of whatever that was almost startling, flailing animatedly
"Dude! Oh my god! T-that is like…I-oh my god, that is insane…h…dude…that's just…I don't even know what to say to that, except remind me never to piss Magnus off…I mean, not that I didn't already know that but…
Really…
Wow…" he shook his head in amazement, giving Raphael a slightly starstruck look
"You are incredible."
Raphael shook his head, shrugging faintly,
"Magnus was the one who saved us. He kind of tends to do that…I really wasn't lying when I said I wouldn't be standing here without him.
He has saved my life so many times; but then he kind of feels like since he couldn't the first t…" he trailed off…this wasn't really something he talked about, but…Simon seemed like something else,
He took a deep breath, moving a bit closer.
Simon seemed to sense it, shifting closer, reaching up, resting his hand on his, squeezing gently,
He sighed, turning his hand, catching his hand, idly playing with his fingers,
"So…I…I said when I first met him I was amazed too…and I couldn't even see all of that…"
Simon tilted is head, slipping a bit closer,
"Y-you met him before you turned?" he asked softly,
Raphael nodded, glancing back up,
"Yes, I met him about a week before I died."
Simon's breath caught, he squeezed his hand gently, thumb lightly running over his knuckle
"I'm sorry."
Raphael gave a slight huff of a not quite laugh, glancing up at him,
"I was too…but I try to think it was for the best. I didn't want this, w-would never have chose it…but…
I do not know. In all honesty I did not fit then…" he scoffed, shaking his head,
"Though to be fair I don't really now either-
But in a small, very religious, conservative, machismo obsessed town in 1890's Mexico an asexual with homoromantic inclinations is like a…
Well…
I do not think there's much that would compare to that."
Simon huffed out a slight laugh nodding faintly, settling closer; Raphael gave a faint smile back, shrugging, settling in as well, beginning to tell the hardest story of his not quite life.
*~********~*~********~* Simon-Simon-Simon-Simon-Simon *~********~*~********~*"A-and the next thing I remember is waking up, realizing I was underground…that I was buried, trying to scream, gasp for air… t-to dig myself out." he trailed off, voice nearly a whisper, wrapping his arms around himself.
Simon shook his head faintly, totally at a loss as to what to say. Hesitantly he scooted in closer, slipping his arm around the other man. Raphael froze for a moment, Simon began to pull away, worrying he'd overstepped, but instead Raphael turned into it, slipping his arm around the other man pulling him closer. Simon's breath shuttered, he reached up, wrapping his other arm around him, hugging him tightly, running his hand soothingly over Raphael's back.
Damn…
H-he…okay…so he knew what a vampire was, that they died, came back, but…
Damn…
He couldn't imagine the horror of that, the panic, confusion, the sheer terror of being buried alive.
Simon fought down a shiver, hugging him a bit tighter before pulling back faintly shaking his head once more,
"I am SO sorry." He said softly, at a loss for anything else,
Raphael shrugged faintly,
"I-It was a long time ago…I don't think about it much anymore." He whispered,
Simon shook his head, meeting his eyes,
"I really shouldn't have brought it up-"
Raphael gave him a faint almost smile, shaking his head, meeting his eyes,
"You didn't…I did. It's okay…it was horrible at the time and painful and terrifying, b-but it is what has to happen. It is how every Vampire's second life begins.
It is the only way we can come back."
Simon shook his head,
"Man…Buffy SO got that wrong." He blurted out, before realizing he actually said that out loud, blushing brightly, sheepishly covering his eyes,
Oh my god, he is such an idiot
Raphael's eyes widened in surprise, he burst out laughing, shaking his head,
"Umm…y-yes…yes they did. That part doesn't really make it into pop culture too terribly often."
Simon blushed more, giving a slight shrug,
"I'm s-"
Raphael shook his head, rolling his eyes faintly
"Stop apologizing lindo, it is more than okay. I do not believe I have ever actually laughed while telling my tragic return to life story…it is a nice change of pace. More than appreciated."
Simon laughed, giving a slight shrug,
"Hey, if that's the case than you totally chose the right person to tell; awkwardly blurting out ridiculous, oddball, thoroughly out of place things is totally my go to move…well, not so much 'go to' as that implies I actually have some kind of control over it and it's not just my mouth running faster than my brain can keep up but it is totally my thing."
Raphael chuckled, smiling softly,
"You are completely ridiculous."
Simon nodded
"Yeah, I know, I'm kinda good with it though…well not so much 'good with it' as 'have long since given up on trying to change it cause it's a total lost cause' but it's fine…If anything I like who I am."
Raphael nodded, smiling gently, eyes surprisingly warm,
"Yeah, I do too."
Simon flailed slightly, blushing,
"Wow…thank you that's really gr-wait. What do you mean? That you like who I am or like who you are? Oh! uh, Not that you shouldn't-I just, I mean you totally should like who you are cause you're really amazing and like the coolest person I've ever met, but if you meant it like you like who I am then umm…t-that's really good…too…" he trailed off blushing brighter, cut off by Raphael's barely contained laughter,
He started to pull away, embarrassed, but Raphael caught his hand, tugging him back, shaking his head apologetically,
"Sorry lindo, I did not mean to laugh- and it wasn't about what you were saying…just… Oh mi Dios, eres tan adorable cuando estás nervioso." He chuckled again,
Simon blushed, settling a bit closer,
"Okay…umm…you saw how bad I am at pronunciation, and I have no clue what most of those words mean, except oh my god, but one of them was adorable, so unless that has a vastly different meaning in Spanish I'm guessing that's a good thing, so thank you."
Raphael smiled, nodding faintly,
"It doesn't, and yes it was good…and your question before, the first one. I like who you are as well; you are sweet and kind, and funny- not always intentionally but still-, you are brave, and selfless and compassionate.
I am pretty sure you are one of the best people I have ever met."
Simon swallowed, blinking in shock
"Umm…t-that..umm…wow." he trailed off, blushing brightly,
Raphael shook his head in amazement,
"I…I don't mean to keep coming back to it, but it just seems totally unreal that you are a Gwir-Dyst." He sighed, settling even closer, reaching up, gently brushing a lock of Simon's hair back, tucking it behind his ear,
Simon's breath stuttered faintly, automatically leaning into the touch,
"Umm…t.." he paused, clearing his throat, trying to get his voice to work right, giving a faint nod,
"Yeah…I know…usually I have a hard time believing it myself. It's just a part of me…something I have no say in, no control of…
Most of the time I try to just ignore it, try to forget just how horrible Gwir-dyst's are…try to forget that supernatural's aren't just overreacting or being overly cautious when they panic at the mere mention of the word.
It's not like with Raj; they're not misinformed or being manipulated or whatever into irrationally fearing something that is different." he sighed, shaking his head, taking a shuttering breath, looking back up, meeting Raphael's eyes,
"I've been able to see the Supernatural since I was eleven…I've met werewolves, demons, goblins…I've probably met near every creature that has ever featured in human nightmares.
But the worst monsters I have ever encountered are the ones that are just like me…particularly the ones in my own family."
Raphael swallowed, a flicker of recognition flitting behind his impossibly dark eyes, slipping his arm protectively around Simon's shoulders, tugging him a bit closer,
"Y…you said a big part of the reason you and Kevin chose Brooklyn was because it was so well protected."
Simon nodded,
"Yeah… It's kinda a risk, living in what is essentially the supernatural capital of the world. I mean if a Supernatural figures out what I am I will almost certainly be killed, I know that…but I will take that any day over the possibility of another Gwir-dyst finding me.
A supernatural Might kill me, but with most I'd have a slight chance of explaining…the chance is nearly non-existent, but it IS there…
If a Gwir-dyst finds me, I will be killed, there's no two ways about it."
Raphael shook his head,
"Well m-"
Simon cut him off, shaking his head quickly,
"No, you don't understand. I don't mean they'll kill me cause their violent and that's what they do…
I mean so far as the Gwir-dyst population is concerned I am worse than any supernatural in the world today; I am an abomination, a mistake, a blight to their very existence. Killing me would bring a Gwir-dyst more credit, recognition, power and respect than the death of, literally any supernatural."
Raphael blinked, tilting his head in confusion,
"What…h…what do you mean? I…is it just because you choose not to hunt us?"
Simon shrugged, giving a slightly aggravated flip of his hand,
"Partly…that really does not sit right with a lot of them, but it's mainly because when I was sixteen I turned in two of the most prolific Gwir-Dyst's in recent history to the human police, giving them enough evidence to put them away for life for dozens of crimes, attacks and murders…as well as open investigations into over a hundred other Gwir-Dyst's and numerous clubs and associations used for fronts for them throughout the country and further."
Raphael's eyes widened in shock, shaking his head faintly,
"W-wait…when you were…six…so…" he shook his head again, scooting a bit closer,
"The Reckoning of the Hunters? That…that was you?"
Simon blinked,
"I didn't know it had like an actual name type thing…but umm…yeah...
H-how much do you know about it?"
Raphael shrugged, still looking slightly amazed
"Umm…not…not a lot. The records of what started it were sealed, and I know it wasn't just sealed politically; it's magically sealed so the Gwir-Dyst's couldn't go after the human. All we knew is that a human found out about the hunters…they didn't know about the supernatural, just thought the people were murderers, they took all the information they could get on the couple to the police and it just snowballed, leading to the largest blow to the Gwir-dyst community on record…
B-but…there's more to it, yes?"
Simon swallowed nervously, giving a nearly imperceptible nod,
"Y-yeah…there's a lot more. It wasn't a human that found out, that turned them in, it was another Gwir-dyst…
And they weren't just any Gwir-dyst.
They were my parents."
"Dios…" Raphael breathed,
He nodded,
"Yeah…" he paused, taking a deep breath, Raphael shifted him slightly, settling him against his side, lightly trailing his hand over his back,
Simon took a shuttering breath, cuddling a bit closer, resting his head on Raphael's shoulder,
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to…" he offered, voice barely a breath,
Simon shook his head faintly against his shoulder,
"N-no…it's okay, I want to." He took another deep, steadying breath, beginning,
"So, by the time I got to high school I pretty much had a handle on the whole 'gwir-dyst in disguise' thing. I kept it from everyone except for Kevin. The kids at school thought I was just a normal, kinda awkward human- I think my natural clumsiness and blathering actually helped me hide it-
I talked so much no one could imagine I could actually keep a secret, and Gwir-Dyst's are supposed to be quick, serious, and agile…
I have the ability to actually trip while standing still. No one thought I was anything other than human…including my parents.
L-like I said, I'd never really got along with them too well…my entire life I thought they were racist, homophobic bigots…then when I was eleven my world turned upside down and I realized they WERE all of those things only so much worse.
They didn't really pay too much attention to what I was doing or who I was hanging around with, always caught up in something else, they just kind of let me go on my own. I never introduced them to any of my friends- even before that- a lot of my friends were different, different races or religions or seemed more 'touchy feely' then what was 'normal'. I couldn't stand the thought of them saying or doing something that would hurt their feelings…
I thank god every day I listened to my instincts on that, because it terrifies me to think what they'd of done to someone like Kev, or Tyler, or Drake, or any of the others.
A-anyways…
With Kevin's help I made it through middle school, adjusted to the fact that I could see all these amazing things about people and slowly I started to fall into a rhythm. It did bother me that so many of my friends- if they really knew what I was would be terrified…I wanted to tell them, to explain, but Kev always talked me out of it…
I-I kind of thought maybe he was just being overly cautious…that maybe it was like with humans, you know?
Maybe they've just heard so much about the absolute worst of these 'Gwir-dyst' and were just scared because they only ever hear of the bad ones.
I actually came really close to telling a couple people, but anytime I'd get close I'd remember how terrified Kev looked when he first found out.
H-how he flinched away from me as if I was going to strike or attack him.
I never wanted to see that…to have someone look at me like that.
I never even thought about telling my parents I could see the Supernatural's. I didn't know how much of the whole 'Gwir-dyst' thing was part of how they acted and how much of it was just, you know, normal homophobia and bigotry.
I think I'd on some level knew I wasn't totally straight before I even knew I was a gwir-dyst, I knew a lot of the things they'd say would probably apply to me just as much as any stranger…or more so.
Kevin had heard somewhere that being a Gwir-dyst is tied to a specific gene or something and sometimes it skipped, so by the time high school rolled around I'd already figured I'd just play clueless about the whole 'Gwir-dyst' thing …figured if I didn't bring it up they'd never know that I knew, just assume it skipped me, probably write it off as nothing and it would all just pass." He trailed off, shaking his head faintly,
Raphael reached up, lightly running his fingers through his hair, Simon sighed, leaning into the touch,
"I take it that is not what happened?" he asked softly,
He scoffed bitterly, shaking his head
"No…it's not.
It was the weekend after my sixteenth birthday. I was in my room trying to figure out what I wanted to wear that night. Kevin and a bunch of our friends were having a kind of thing for me at the arcade, then there was this big party at Drakes, his birthday was actually just two days after mine - after the whole him thinking I was hitting on his boyfriend we actually became pretty good friends, me and Tyler too- though Drake would always tease me about trying to steal his boyfriend, and Tyler would always joke that I was just checking out his 'tail', totally oblivious to the fact that that was kind of closer to the truth than he realized.
Anyways, I was getting ready when my parents came into my room…it was kind of odd, like I said we didn't really talk a lot, they got more closed off the longer it went with me never bringing up the Supernatural thing. They'd ask me from time to time leading questions- about if anything's been different, but I just played it off like I thought they were talking about puberty and they'd just let it go.
But this was different- they started with the questions again, and I played it off like usual, but they didn't let it go…seemed to get agitated, but I just kept playing dumb, trying to wave them off, saying I had forgot a book over at my lab partners house and had to go get it.
They didn't buy it, kept getting more and more agitated, finally they told me to come with them that they needed to show me something.
I…I knew there was something wrong but I didn't know what to do. Kevin had told me about how humans react to the supernatural, I'd assumed if I never brought it up, that they thought I didn't have the Gwir-dyst gene or whatever that they'd just ignore it…I mean…I never thought they'd actually bring it up knowing how dangerous it is to a normal humans psyche…
I…I guess I was wrong…o-or maybe they thought the gene was just dormant and needed a shock or…I really don't know what…
I don't think they actually cared if the knowledge broke me…
They wanted me to be what they were…if I wasn't born one they got it in their heads they could just make me one." He paused swallowing,
Raphael gave a quiet gasp,
Simon took a deep breath continuing,
"S-so…our house was always kinda odd looking to me…not all of it, most of it seemed really normal, but the basement always seemed really off…it wasn't even half the length of the first floor…I'd asked about it once, they'd said someone had walled up part of it, making a bomb shelter sometime in the sixties…
Which seemed weird, cause there was no door.
Well, it turned out there was, it was just hidden behind an old book case shoved into the corner and had a kind of number lock.
They took me down stairs, put in the code to unlock the door…
T-they…god…the room was filled with things, souvenirs, trophies of all the 'monsters' they'd killed.
Tails, horns, claws, teeth…there were weapons, dozens of them. There was an entire box of ID's and personal effects, and pictures of a lot of the victims.
I knew some of them- not personally…just as people I'd seen around town that I had thought moved.
They started to explain everything, telling me of these monsters that infested the world, that we were supposed to wipe them out- telling me don't be fooled the pictures weren't of people-even if they looked normal they weren't people- they were monsters. They said I should be able to see them…said even normal humans can get to where they could see the creatures-
Said that until I could they'd just tell me who wasn't really human…that they'd just take me along on hunts with them until I got to seeing them…
T-they said they had one planned for that night…
That there was a huge gathering of the monsters…i-it would be too many to actually kill with weapons, but most of the creatures are vulnerable to fire…
They'd just set the place on fire and pick off whatever tried to get out.
Said it was the easiest way when it was a large group- but not nearly as 'fun'… assuring me that a few of them would get out as there were actual demons in attendance and that kind was immune to fire." he swallowed, even now a decade later remember how sick he felt at this
Raphael ran his hand up his back again, tugging him a bit closer
"It w-"
Simon nodded,
"It was Drakes party they were targeting…I- I recognized the address…I didn't know what to do, but I couldn't let that happen, I couldn't.
I…I pretended like I didn't really believe them…got as much information as I possibly could, asked about everything…I c-convinced them that I agreed…that I wanted to help…got all the details I could for the plans for the night, told them I had to pick up my history book from a guy at school…I remembered him saying he was going to the party and he was expecting me to stop by to get it-
I told them if I didn't show up after I'd already told him I was coming by it might seem kind of suspicious. They agreed, said they had to pick up some things for tonight as well and let me go; I agreed to meet them out by the property at 9…
I grabbed a couple of the things from the room, small easily missed things- a few of the ID's and a Celtic knot necklace that I remembered seeing on a girl in a missing poster.
I left the house and went straight to the police station. It was a pretty small station; there were only four Supernaturals at the station- a Lion like shifter, a troll, and two Lesser demons.
I purposefully didn't go to them…I didn't want to chance them going after my parents alone…I didn't want them getting a shot at anyone else.
I went up to the desk sergeant and told them I had information on murders, that these people were planning an attack and it was going to happen tonight…
He didn't really believe me but I told him I had proof- I gave him the necklace and the ID's…a search turned up that they had been missing…he called the chief, I told him everything- well what I could- I said My parents were insane, they'd convinced themselves they were monster hunters and all of these people were actually monsters…
I told them about the basement and told them of the planned attack on the party. Thankfully they believed me, they begin to mobilize, organized a sting…I actually wore a wire, went to meet with them, got them to lay out everything…had a full confession of the plan, and more information on some of the other cases.
Just as they begin to move for the property the cops moved in, arrested them.
I went right up to the officers in charge, two humans and one of the demons- it actually turned out he was Drake's uncle, Caden.
I thanked them, shook their hand…when I shook Caden's hand I looked back over at them. I wanted them to know that I did see them, that I knew what was going on…
That I had known the entire time.
I looked Caden right in the eye and told him they were the worst monsters I could ever imagine, far worse than any of the 'monsters, creatures or demons' they had told me about. I kind of think Caden may have realized, but he never asked.
I gave them the code to the door- I'd saw it when my dad had put it in- told them I would cooperate in any way they needed, gave them every name I'd ever heard them mention…I…at that point I don't think I even really cared what happened with me, I just wanted my friends to be safe, I wanted these monsters off the streets, where they couldn't hurt anyone anymore.
That was more important than anything.
I don't regret it…I never have, not even once." He trailed off, giving a faint shrug,
Raphael shook his head, tugging him a bit closer, again carding his fingers through Simon's hair, just sitting in silence for a moment, taking it all in.
"What happened after that?" he finally asked softly,
Simon shrugged slightly,
"I ended up staying with Kevin and his family for my last year of high school- they knew me and had always known I had problems at home, it wasn't exactly a secret the Lewis's were bigots. The Teagan's were always kind and supportive, even after the trial, after they knew what my parents were they didn't treat me any different…I always wished I was part of that family…I am now, in all but name…
They actually wanted to adopt me, but I told them it wouldn't be a good idea. I was worried if they did that it would somehow get back to my parents or some other Gwir-dysts…that it would put them at risk and I really couldn't handle that.
I petitioned to become an emancipated minor and won because, well...the only family I had was a couple of murderers who were convinced the world was overrun with monsters. The records of the trial were sealed, and Kevin had heard that they were actually enchanted so there was no way anyone could get into them. Still I was always worried that somehow they'd find me.
They never told me about any of it, but I know Officer Caden came by a few times, telling Mr. Teagan about reports of Gwir-dyst's in the area, or when they got word of someone looking into the case…
It happened a few times…probably more times than I knew as I know he'd come by when we were in school so as not to worry me.
I spent my entire senior year terrified they'd come after me…come after them.
As soon as we graduated me and Kevin moved out of town, I'd told him he didn't have to come with me- I really just felt like being around me was a danger- that it would put him in danger- but he insisted, said I needed a supernatural in so I could keep in the loop, so I'd actually be able to know if there was a threat or a sighting of a Gwir-dyst.
We decided on Brooklyn because there is not a Gwir-dyst brave enough to set foot in the city with one of the largest population of Supernaturals on record, much less the territory of THE Magnus Bane. We both really wanted to help people and decided to go to academy and then a couple years ago I took the detective's exam…and…well…
Here we are.
Kevin has just always been the helpful kind and me, well…honestly I just thought maybe I could do some good…help people-all people- protect them…
I just want to make a difference…a positive one.
The Teagan's actually ended up moving out of Lawrence about two years after our graduation, moved to Vallejo California, near Kevin's aunt Lesya and his cousins. They missed the smaller rural town but there's a much larger supernatural population in Vallejo and it's far safer, they even have a high warlock- it's not Magnus but it's something, and it's protection. And they have more family there- Auntie Lesya was overjoyed, she'd been trying to get them to move for years- she never thought it was safe living out there like that.
They never said anything- not even to Kevin- but I think there had to be something that happened…they'd lived in that town for decades, then they moved almost overnight. I really hate that they had to move but both me and Kevin sleep a lot better knowing they have more security there, and family close by." He sighed, shaking his head faintly
"They'd of been a lot better off not taking me in, I hate that I caused them so many problems, but I really am eternally grateful they did…because I really don't think I'd of made it these last ten years without them."
Raphael nodded faintly,
"They sound like wonderful people…I am glad you had them."
Simon nodded, glancing over, giving him a soft smile,
"And I'm glad you have your clan...that you have people you trust…I t-…oh wow…" he trailed off, looking over towards the window,
Raphael glanced over as well, surprised to see the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, the sky changing from the deep blue to a rich violet and shimmering pink and orange.
He blinked glancing over at the clock on the mantle, shocked to see it was nearly seven…
"Oh man, is that clock right?" Simon asked startling faintly, reaching over, checking his phone, giving a faint groan, rubbing at his eyes,
"Ah man…I had my phone on silent again…I keep forgetting if I put it down face first it mutes it. Kev tried to call three times…and texted twice. I really should get going…he'd going to be worried." He said apologetically, shifting, stretching,
Raphael nodded, moving as well,
"Yeah… and I really should get some sleep. You have today off, don't you? that's what Luke said when you called in and told him about Alec?"
Simon tilted his head
"How did y…oh right, vampire…"
Raphael chuckled, standing up, reaching down, tugging Simon up
Simon laughed, blushing faintly,
"I could've got up myself…besides you're the one who was attacked by a demon and a pack of devil/lizard/dogs…if anything I should be helping you up."
Raphael shrugged faintly, making his way towards the door, keeping a light hold on his hand,
"I'm fine…much better since I ate and I'll be totally back to normal once I get some sleep. I figured I'd walk you to the door. I am sorry I had to feed with you here, I know it makes most kind of squeamish…but I really could not wait."
Simon rolled his eyes, waving him off,
"Dude, why would you think you should apologize for having a meal in your own home?
Also you drank what looked like a glass of wine; meanwhile I nearly knocked over an entire container of sweet and sour rice and flung a piece of chicken and broccoli clear across the room in my attempt to use chopsticks, before you took them away and insisted I just use the fork…
If anyone should apologize for their eating habits it's me."
Raphael chuckled, smiling in amusement,
"No need to apologize lindo, I actually had a really wonderful night."
Simon nodded,
"I did too…I…" he trailed off, leaning against the door, knowing he needed to go but wanting to put it off just a bit longer,
"S-so…um…I-thank you for all your help on the case…and for agreeing to keep my secret…you really have no idea how much it means to me."
Raphael shrugged, leaning against the door beside him,
"It is okay Simon…I am sorry you have to keep it a secret…hopefully having someone else to talk about it with will help…and if there's anything else you need-w-umm…you have my number…you are more than welcome to call."
Simon blinked, truly touched,
"I-um…I…I'll definitely take you up on that." he swallowed, squeezing his hand one more time, before beginning to let go, reaching for the doorknob,
Raphael's hand tightened slightly, tugging him back,
"Um…h-hey…Simon?" he started almost sounding nervous,
Simon tilted his head,
"Yeah?"
Raphael shrugged faintly,
"Remember how I said I'd been thinking of asking you out?"
Simon swallowed nervously, giving a slight nod,
"Y-yeah…"
Raphael reached up with his free hand, brushing a bit of Simon's hair back, tucking it behind his ear, hand trailing down, lingering on his cheek,
"So, um…how's Saturday?"
*~********~*~********~* _End Of Chapter Notes_ *~********~*~********~*Oh mi Dios, eres ridícula= Oh my God, you are ridiculous
Oh mi Dios, eres tan adorable cuando estás nervioso= Oh my god, you are so adorable when you are flustered
Lindo= cute (I used this for a nickname in my last series I think it'll fit here too)
Okay so, I KNOW I said I'd do a flashback of Raphael's turning but…dude, his first meeting with Magnus and all of that would be a story in and of itself.
I have it all planned out, but it's way too much for just half a chapter…rather than cramming it in here and rushing through it we're gonna go back to it when Magnus finds out about Simon,(I'd say spoiler, but you knew it had to happen sometime) and that Raphael has been lying to him all this time-
It'll cover the very first time he met Magnus, all the way up to after the gwir-dyst confrontation…it will be a bit of a wait but I swear it'll be worth it, Okay?
Kay…
Anyways, what did you think of Simon's revelation?
How about them basically cuddling on the couch?
I know it'd be a bit soon but at the same time they've spent the entire night talking and sharing their deepest, darkest secrets- things that they haven't really talked about with anyone…
I think that's enough for bring them close enough for this.
*-*-*-*-*-*Slightly Evil Magnus Universe*-*-*-*-*-*
* 41 *