So I'm alive! And yes, I still completely intend to continue and finish this trilogy series. I just got lost on the road of life, fell over the railing into the void ocean (called depression), and eventually swam my way back to give you guys the beginning of this lovely story. Yes, I have thought about my other stories in case you were wondering and, no, my muse absolutely did not want to work on them (the utter bitch) but I will get back to them eventually.

Now, as for this story, it's probably gonna be gory and only gets worse. Now, I'm still teetering between how I'm going to end this and, honestly, I might end up with two endings or... I could even do some omake's with the darker options. Hm. Still deciding. Now let's give some happy juice to our boys followed by a heaping pile of angst. Sound good? Cool.

There were waves pounding the shore, echoing and loud. Comforting.

A murmur of laughs resounded in the background. Warm.

The ottoman was hard but softer than anything he'd ever known. Home.

Sam frowned at the sleeping teen on the couch. Time had dragged on, it had been over a week now and there was still no sign of his waking. They could all feel the thirst starting to gnaw on the bond between them but Daniel himself showed no signs of even shifting. It was very disconcerting and it didn't help that the worry the pack felt was almost multiplied by ten times by the time it got to him. Dwayne was near frothing in anxiety, David - normally strong, sure, and steady- was wavering between murderous rage and brooding distress, Marko had gone practically silent which was terrifying by itself, Paul was constantly high again and dangerously close to hurting himself with overdose, and Michael was frantically trying to run interference and cause distractions to try to make things better.

Sam was practically drowning in their powerful emotions. So instead he chose to sit himself by the void that was Daniel. Except he wasn't truly a void. There was something there. A niggling feeling that he'd tried digging for but it would only slip between his fingers like grains of sand. Which was honestly entirely frustrating considering he was one of three with the closest bond to the boy now and his only talent as a vampire was parsing out emotions. It worked better the closer he was to them but he could pick up on people outside of his pack. Supposedly, according to Sanguini, that was a miracle for their subspecies of Vamp.

The Unholy, as they were classified in the magical world, didn't get gifts per se. They all had the same talents, just some were better than others; like David who was considered a master of the mind arts or Marko who had a nose so sensitive he could actually be hired for Hunts (and wow, that was a whole nother revelation they got after involving themselves in the actual politicking back in the U.S. when they had first found the magical world). No, the gifted ones were another form of muggle Vamp -which had been a surprise how many subspecies of vampires there were -Unholy, Fae, Shark, Lich, and Cursed- so he was a bit of an outlier but it helped his brothers and sire deal with strangers and weeding out their true intentions so he didn't complain about it too often. He was only lucky that the instinctual hunt mentality usually drowned out his prey's terror.

Still as much as his gift, or curse depending on the situation honestly, of empathy had helped them immensely, it was not helping now. With the state his new brother was in he couldn't exactly go digging either. Or… maybe he could? Nobody had tried it for fear they would make things worse but Sam was the best qualified for this!

Yes, that was a great idea! And if this succeeded he could rub it in Paul's face that his leftover humanity had come in handy again. That blonde wingnut could be so annoying with his teasing sometimes. You'd think the older vamp would eventually stop stealing his comics but, of course not. Idiot! As if Sam could ever lose to that gorgeous moron… Wait. Nope. Thought was wiped from his mind.

Back on track! He needed to summon David for permission. And probably Dwayne too so the Native American didn't try for payback in case anything went wrong. Going after Paul and Marko and Michael was one thing. Dwayne was quite another. He didn't need that sadism after his awesome hide thank you very much.

Uh, guys! I think I have an idea but... um. We might need to discuss it before I try it.

Sounds promising, Michael snarked immediately.

Marko snorted but quickly followed with, Sorry shortstack, we're out on the hunt right now to track down some more vită. Sanguini requested specific stock.

David and Paul are further out, but I'll come back right now, Dwayne pitched in. Sam could feel the tiny sputtering of hope still blanketed in misery and anxiety.

Gotta ask David too, Sam grumbled. It was a pretty great idea. It was just unfortunate he didn't think of it earlier when the guys were still hanging around like panicking hens. It was probably their own panic muddling his thoughts. Damn bird brains.

You're not very quiet you know, Marko snickered.

Wasn't trying to be, you pigeon obsessed chicken!

He got a few snorts for that one. Good. If they could still laugh then maybe some of their spark would come back and they could all quit drowning him in woe.

WRONG.

He screams but his voice is only sucked away. He cries but his tears are turned to ice on his cheeks freezing his smile into place.

He hated hated hated hated-

His friends were the best!

Dwayne mulled over the plan Sam had laid out for him as he ran his fingers through Daniel's rough hair. It was unfortunate that the malnutrition from his childhood had continued and practically killed his hair. It was much softer now than when they'd first picked him up in that hotel room, half turning having done wonders for his body, but he wasn't quite completely there yet.

"So, what happens if you dive through the bond and get stuck. We have no idea what state his mind is in and you've never attempted anything like this before."

Their youngest looking member pursed his lips. "Better than the nothing we're doing right now."

Dwayne frowned. "Sam. You've never been into someone else's mind. Not like David has-"

"You're right!" And there was a fire in those blue eyes, burning even brighter than before. "You're right. I haven't been but David has! I can't believe I didn't even think of that. I might be able to track down that slippery feeling if David acts as my anchor, you know? So I don't get swept up in that vast nothing? That sounds great, right?"

The taller vampire had to take a moment to drink in his younger brother's features. They were hopeful and still much too young looking -considering he was turned at fourteen that wasn't surprising but still- for his liking. He and Sam had never been as close as the others. He'd been much too focused on finding Daniel so he'd let the bonds of their two newest fall to the wayside. His brother looked so earnest though and if he poked the bond a little he could the overwhelming need to help, to fix things, to please the pack. Dwayne sighed.

He felt like an asshole.

"Alright, Sammy," the kids blue eyes brightened even further at the old nickname that no one but Mike used. "When David gets back we can discuss the particulars."

He shoved a wave of reassurance over the bond and Sam practically sparkled in joy.

The soft drone of a story.

Cooing, soft feathers.

Thick smoke.

Familiar.

David chewed lightly on the filter of his cigarette as he thought over his childe's idea. It was one he'd already played with himself but with no response to any previous prodding, he decided trying to find Daniel in his own head would be too dangerous. But Sam swore he could feel something. If David could hold them both through the process, Daniel could be found. It was very tempting.

David knew he was a possessive bastard; always had been even as a human. What he wanted, he got and he hoarded it viciously. His boys were part of that, even Daniel as lost as he was. So, yes, the idea was very very tempting. The unknown aspect of it was terrifying, though. He'd never gone that deep into a psyche ever since the first time he'd experimented as a newborn and drove his meal insane. Max had warned him from that path, told him he could get stuck if he were in there when the person broke. It'd happened a vampire his maker had known before. The thought of being trapped like that had pushed him to become the 'master' of the mind arts that he was considered today. And now here he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. To push the limits or lose the brother they'd been tracking for ten long fucking years.

"Shit," he grumbled as he chomped too hard on the cancer stick between his teeth and ripped it. He wasn't addicted per se, but it was a soothing habit he'd picked up sometime in the 20's and David hadn't exactly realized how much he'd gotten used to it until they became guests in Sanguini's haunt. Fucking politics were ridiculous and his pack had lucked out finding one of the rare tolerant Lich's. The rest were just aggrandizing pompous racial dickwads that needed to pull their heads from their asses. There was a pretty solid hierarchy in magical America and yea, there were some flaws but at least they weren't blatant with their superiority complexes. It was starting to grind his gears in very unpleasant ways, especially now since they'd technically achieved the task they came here to do. Unfortunately, the longer Daniel was out, the closer the vultures swooped.

Sanguini had warned him that his childe was special. Special enough to throw the Lich court into disorder because they weren't supposed to have magic. Lich's lost their magic upon turning. Sure, the magic gave them boosters and sometimes gifts if they specialized in something while they were alive, but they lost the rest of it. But not Daniel. The whole pack could clearly feel the thrum of the boy's magic in the back of their heads and it was an almost palpable sugary taste when anyone walked into the guest quarters. So now, not only did he have those roasted chicken members and wizarding jesus on his ass, he also had the European courts clamoring to see his childe.

Sometimes, he wished Max was still alive so he could take care of all this bullshit. David had a silver tongue and he could wade through politicians if he needed to but he didn't thrive on it like the old roman vampire did. Fuck, his maker had been terrifying when he was bored enough to involve himself in any government functions; whole towns eating out of the palms of his hands and lovingly offering themselves on platters. It was just unfortunate that Max had settled on the idea of 'family' so obsessively in the recent century almost killing his entire coven multiple times in the process. It was a risk with older vampires. They either lost their marbles entirely or became so focused on something it became their downfall. An unfortunate tick of the muggle subclasses of vamps. They didn't have magic to bolster their minds when they turned and slowly lost it over the centuries.

Dammit he missed his maker! They might have been snubbing him for his stupid ideas but he'd taken care of the Lost Boys, took them in when they were wandering through the fog of life…

David let out a sharp breath from his nose when he felt Dwayne tug at him questioningly. He was letting himself get worked up again. This was becoming a much more common occurrence and it was dangerous;he was dangerous when he lost his head.

I'm on my way back, he muttered shoving the ruined cigarette behind his ear. And we've got some work to do.

David was possessive and he wasn't about to let one of his boys, his childe now even if he was sharing with Dwayne, suffer more than they had too.

He danced the tune he was given, spinning around and around like a boneless marionette.

His magic screamed and screamed, howling behind the lattice of its cage.

At least he knew what was expected of him, though.

Michael frowned as Sam gently took Daniel's head into his lap. He remembered the little kid on the ottoman that had folded his clothes for him. He'd been young and Michael hadn't liked the implications. Now he was much older and Michael still didn't like the happenings surrounding the boy. David and Sam were going to do something, probably, incredibly stupid just to see if they could wake him up. Not that he didn't want his newest brother awake and laughing with them, but it was putting two others at risk.

The brunette chewed on his lip as David settled behind Sam, body practically draping over their smallest member so he could settle his hands over Sam's on Daniel's temples.

Chillax Mikey, Marko drawled.

Like you're any better, he shot back half heartedly still focusing on the three settled on the couch.

At least I'm not projecting hard enough to give Sam a headache. We gotta send support, bro.

He knew that. He knew that. But it was still so hard. Sammy was his brother in life and undeath and he was putting himself at risk. Michael was supposed to be the one putting himself in harm's way, well… as much harm as this might cause anyway. They weren't sure what the consequences would be. He might have felt a little better if Sanguini were here. Not that he trusted the older vamp but at least he had a certain specialty to do with bonds. He'd probably be able to help out more than any of the rest of them could. Possibly.

Urgh! The unknown aspect was killing him! He wasn't stupid but the more academic pursuits were definitely not his forte. Give him something he could accomplish with his hands and it would all be peachy keen, not this waiting bullshit.

If there were ever a time he wished for his weights back now would be it. Not that it would do much for his physique. He was already one of the most physically strong -sometimes Dwayne beat him out, they were pretty tied on spars at the moment- and life as an undead left you pretty unchanged. You got what you got basically, though some skills like mesmers and illusions could be worked on. David was practically a beast when it came to the mind arts and he'd had the natural talent. Mike didn't have that (he actually sucked, though, he could smash through barriers with some effort), he only had muscles like the jock he pretty much had always been. Still, his weights had been a comfort, something to take his mind off of troubles that he had no way to fix.

I need to go out. I can't sit here doing nothing.

Dwayne glanced at him and nodded. Find Paul, would you? Make sure he's not draining our host's resources.

He nodded and shuffled around the couch trying to stop staring. Marko kicked his ankle from his spot on the floor, flat on his back. Fucking gremlin. He shot his curly haired brother a weak glare before walking out of the room in search of Paul who had decided to wander instead of being useless in the guest room. Maybe Michael should have done that too? It certainly wouldn't have harmed him any. Probably would have been better for his fraying sanity and quelling the protective urge bubbling beneath his skin.

It only took a few minutes to actually track down Paul, who ended up being in the foyer; a large chamber of smoothly cut stone with several hallways leading every which way. The blonde rocker was sprawled across one of the luxurious white couches staring at the roughly hewn ceiling, shoes on the floor and feet bopping to a beat only the other could hear.

"Paul."

Blue eyes glanced at him in acknowledgment before returning to the ceiling. The brunette frowned up at it wondering what his brother found so fascinating. He wasn't high, thankfully, Michael would have smelled it if he were, and Paul hadn't been truly high for almost five years now until just recently and that was more self destructive behavior than true enjoyment like before. He still sold what he could make, keeping the cash flow incoming from druggies, but he never went on trips like he used too.

Not that many of the boys were anything like they used to be. They tried but it was hard to keep the levity and carefree attitude when they had to learn to slog through the higher echelons instead of just protecting their territory. And, ugh, poor Santa Carla was probably infested by now. They'd have one hell of a fight when they got back but at least then Michael could be of more use.

Why you always gotta be useful, Mikey? You and Sammy both feel that urge…

He frowned in contemplation. That was a good question. Yea, it was nice if you had a use but you didn't particularly need one. If you were pack, you were pack. It's just… his induction had come at the cost of David's sire and coming into a world where there were vampires older than the bible and with so many useful skills. Sometimes he felt… envious, perhaps?

Dunno. Know I'm here to stay but… And Sammy, he's always been like that. A fixer. Maybe… some human trauma still lingering.

Thoughts of his dad popped up and despite the dissonance to the emotions in the memories he could still see how he'd been the protector.

Paul turned his head to stare at him. "You feel inadequate."

"I didn't even know you knew words like that."

"Fuck off."

There was silence and Michael turned to stare up at the ceiling as he sat himself down in front of the couch. His head dropped backwards leaning on Paul's stomach as his brother hummed a small ditty to himself, his feet bobbing against the cushions.

It was nice.

"You know, Mikey… I wasn't sure about bringing you and Sam in. It was Max's idea to get at your mom. He'd tried it before with others too. Multiple times. The last one, I got pulled into a territory war when Max went after a marked human. I wasn't even supposed to be there but I'd gotten into another fight with my family and I was just wandering. Ended up catching Max's attention when I, still high on some weed, managed to take out two of the opposing vamps. They got some good hits on me too. Was almost dead when Max forced his wrist in my mouth. A gift for helping he'd said."

Michael blinked at the story. He knew Max had been rather obsessed over the family thing but this was the first he'd heard about anything other than his own induction. Marko always avoided that topic like the plague, Paul was normally too high or too busy, Dwayne had just silently stared at him, and David… he hadn't even thought to ask. They'd all been so focused on Daniel for a decade, as well, it had just never come up.

"I ended up going home and eating my mother and sister on accident. I was so high strung after the fight, wasn't really processing anything besides the hunger and the music on the record player. The boys came and picked me up within the hour and we were fleeing to Santa Carla before the rival pack dusted us. They hounded us all the way to the state line where we almost got roasted because the sun was coming out… I never really got on with my mother. She was a proper lady, widowed, and I was always an odd duck. Took to drugs like they were candy too which pissed her off. And my sister, well, I think I loved her but nothing like you did Sam while you were still human. So it was easy to transition. The loss bled away easy.

But I didn't have any natural talent to focus on like Marko's nose and Davie's head games. I thought Dwayne was more like me but he was strong and smart. So I was alone even though I wasn't. They were there for me but I didn't really let them in for another five or six years when I found out that drugs could bring in money. We didn't have to rely on Max that way. We could be more independent-"

"Paul, where you going with this?"

The rocker snorted. "Impatient, Mikey. But I guess I wanna say I can sort of relate. It took me a while to find my niche, you know? And that was when we weren't so focused on hunting something. We haven't had a chance to really settle and it's been eating at you and the squirt."

Michael hummed. "You know, you're a lot more insightful than I thought you could be."

Paul laughed loudly, his sides bouncing against Michael's head. "I'm sort of the underdog, don't ya know? Everyone thinks it's Marko cause he's so short and cute but when you really look at the group who's the last one you focus on?"

Immediately, Paul came to mind. The bastard was right, the other three were much more striking in their own special ways. It made him wince to think about.

"Nah, don't be like that," Paul laughed again. "I'm only the underdog from outside. I think you're focusing on how we can see you, man. Not on how we actually see you. You're pack. You're always going to be pack. It doesn't matter how useful you are -but let me say as a frontline fighter you're damn good- you aren't going anywhere. We belong to you just as much as you belong to us."

Something in his chest loosened just hearing those words. Baby blues closed in something close to contentment as Michael just focused on the contact he had with his packmate. Even with all that hairspray the blonde still managed to be insightful.

Oi. I take offence. My hair is naturally this amazing.

There was a vague snort followed by Marko's disbelief. If a flame even touches a single hair on your head the whole thing will ignite. Then we'll have roast Paul at Sunday dinner.

That startled Michael into a laugh. How's everything going over there?

David and Sam had been radio silence for a while now actually.

Still kicking it. The triad have yet to move a muscle and Dwayne's Intensity has ratcheted up several levels. Hey, Mikey. One of us. It means something so don't go get stupid ideas in your head. We already had to deal with that before and Paul was such an ass about it.

Oh, sit and spin you little rotter!

Depends what I'm sitting on~!

Michael huffed at their bickering, a pleased smile pulling at the corner of his lips. Ok so, maybe his thoughts were getting a little maudlin. Didn't mean he still wasn't worried about both of his little brothers. Except now he had other stuff he could focus on too, like annoying Paul and Marko and trying to dig Marko's backstory out of the trash where it still belonged.

It was warm going down his throat. It curled in his chest and he could feel an immediate connection.

He had family.

AN: So, what do you think so far?

We're seeing a bit more of the politics and some worldbuilding that we didn't get into last time. This is going to be a lot more heavily focused on the boys this time around too which I'm sure ya'll are going to get a kick out of. I did also have a landslide of votes for Harry to choose the bloody hallway because you want to see them reunited so yay... Harry will be Daniel again! Though, that's going to come with it's own issues mwehehehehe...

Any critiques? Comments? Even your one word encouragements give me life and happiness.