ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
-CHAPTER TWENTY SIX-
BETA: Hannah
INFO: www. livejournal. com /users /draycious
Raven sighed contently in his blanket a couple of hours later. Dracula had looked through his memories and they had sorted them out together. He had never felt as calm and content as he did now. He was finally at peace with himself, no nerves or tension were left in his body. Finally! The point where they had actually been analysing his memories had been extremely hard on him and he didn't like talking about it. It was over now and he saw no reason to bring it up again, ever.
Dracula had put him to sleep by holding him and rocking him gently in the aftermath where he had actually cried. It had been too many emotions to deal with at the same time and he couldn't handle it as well as he used to. So he let it all out, to get it out of his system. He knew that Dracula had taken good care of Blade and he knew he would heal up nicely. He was still pissed at Blade but now the worst was over, he actually felt a bit overcome, and he didn't understand Blades attitude to him that he had had recently. He also didn't understand what the real problem was. In his opinion it was Blade who had gone nuts and not him. He hoped he would get closure soon.
He stretched and rolled over to his back. He met Dracula's watchful eyes.
"Hi," he said tiredly.
"Hello son, how are you?" Dracula asked and kissed his forehead.
"I'm fine now," he said honestly and Dracula nodded. He knew he would be, he was just making sure. Raven sat up and looked around him with sleepy eyes.
"Where is everybody" he asked curiously. He couldn't see anyone nor hear any sounds at all.
"I think I've scared them away," said Dracula with a satisfied smile. Raven raised his eyebrow in question.
"I threw them out and locked the door and used silencing spells to ensure your sleep would be undisturbed if you really must know," Dracula admitted reluctantly. Raven laughed. Dracula was so funny with his dry comment sometimes. It reminded him a lot of his father Severus. They both cared a great deal about him, but neither liked to admit they fussed over him.
"Where's Blade then?" he asked.
"He is with his father. He should be alright now, he's probably resting like you."
"Well I've rested enough" Raven said and tried to get out of the bed but Dracula stopped him with a gesture.
"Not yet," he said gently. "First I need to check your mind. I need to make sure that I didn't break any of your occlumency shields," he explained and Raven nodded. He could see the sense in that. Dracula used his own kind of magic to perform something similar to legilimency(sp?) on him. After a few attacks Dracula was satisfied with his results, or rather lack there of.
"Very good Raven," he said and Raven appreciated the simple praise. "You're still keeping it up. I like that." Raven flashed a smile at the vampire.
"You know what? I really am good," he said agreeably with a self satisfied smirk. Dracula snorted.
"Sure child," he replied.
Raven was finally allowed to get out of the bed. He took a quick shower while Dracula waited for him in the bedroom. He came out dressed only in a towel and dropped it in front of Dracula without any sort of embarrassment. Dracula didn't seem to mind, he took it in a natural stride just like Raven did. Raven dressed quickly and dried his hair sloppily. He had never been much for styling or anything. He simply let things be the way they were.
"Ready?" Dracula asked and Raven nodded. It was time to face the music. Dracula opened the door and they stepped out. Raven was surprised to see that everyone in the house accept for Blade and his father sat on the floor in the corridor waiting for them.
"Raven," Severus said and hugged him, then he pulled back and looked him over to make sure he was fine while the others tried to grab him and do the same. Remus who didn't yet know that he could now days stand touching without panicking began to fend everyone off like the protective werewolf he was.
"I'm fine, really" he told everyone. He then looked at Dracula pleadingly and Dracula took over the situation and formed it like he wanted it to be. He managed to get everyone downstairs and seated. He then proceeded to tell them what he had been doing with Raven but he didn't mention why he had decided to do it in the first place. That was very personal for Raven and even though most of the people were family and everyone was friends Dracula still felt that it was something that Raven should tell everyone only when he wished for them to know. It wasn't important anymore anyways, they had taken away any suicidal tendencies that Raven might have had. Instead Dracula told everyone that Raven could now touch anyone without any problems if he chose to do so. Everyone cheered for that and then a hug party broke loose and Raven found himself pulled into more arms than he ever had been in during his entire life. Still the thought of Blade nagged into his mind. How would they both react when they next saw each other? He decided to go and find out.