Michael took a long breath from the cigarette, holding the smoke in his mouth for a moment before blowing it out. He knew that smoking was an incredibly unhealthy coping mechanism, but he didn’t want to open up to the kids. He didn’t want to burden them with his thoughts.
I’m the adult, I should have my shit under control by now…
Mary watched Gus for a wile after he had finished talking, jus to make him squirm. Finally she stood up and walked to Michael's room, sticking her head in the door, she asked "Can I take the kid to the store to get some ribs?" She tried to ignore the smoke, but, seeing as the smell was very strong, that was kind of hard.
Gus grew unsettled at the sight of Mary's stare, then debated feeling her blood, shifting her bones, showing her not to do that to him again… but stopped himself before the thoughts could get too far. They simply looked down, pulling their knees to their chest as they watched Mary walk into the other room. He could distantly feel Michael's blood, pounding under his skin, Nervousness. Gus only curled more, thinking what Michael could be nervous about
Michael jumped a little when Mary opened the door, but hoped she didn’t see.
“Yeah, just be back before sundown… you know they monitor the city more closely after dark….”
He turned back around, continuing to smoke. His stress was starting to decline, but it was still very prominent. Michael couldn’t remember the last time he wasn’t nervous.
Gus got up from the couch, the fear of unknowing was killing him. He tentatively made his way to Michael's doorway, peeking in just barely, enough to assess what was happening. The sad song of cigarette smoke hung heavy in the air, slowly drifting out of the window into the cold afternoon, making the feel of Michael's blood a tainted color. Gus grimaced, then attempted to sneak back away unnoticed
Michael felt as if he was being watched, but ignored it. He figured he was just being paranoid. He took another draw from the cigarette, tapping the ashes against the windowsill as he stood there, lost in his thoughts. He really wanted to be a good father figure to these kids, but… he knew how much they’d been through. It was perfectly understandable for them not to trust him, and he didn’t hold it against them. He always blamed it on himself though. I should’ve done this and I shouldn’t have said that were constant words in his head.
"Thanks." Mary said and left. As soon as she was out the door, she coughed a few times to clear the smoke from her lungs, then jumped as she met Gus. She shook off the surprise and smiled. "Come on," She said, "we're going to the store." She walked to the living room, grabbed one of the bills off the table, and waited for him to get ready.
Gus really didn't want to go. Out there was cold, out there was hurt, out there was people. Here felt… some remnant of safe that she wished so badly he could cling to. But, they needed to know everything about the location, everything about this… girl, so sacrificing some time to be exposed and vulnerable would have to do.
He attempted to smooth his unruly, tangled mess of hair, then slipped on a pair of sunglasses he had gotten a few years before. It wasnt normal to have eyes the color of blood. They knew you werent normal. The glasses were normal. They nodded gently once they assumed they were some definition of the word "ready."
Michael extinguished the cigarette on the windowsill, flicking the butt into the trash can. He sat back down at his desk and began drawing again. He wasn’t sure what he was drawing, but it helped.
(Ayo Arya)
(sorry.)
Mary watched as Gus got ready, She threw him a coat and a hat, and put a coat on herself. "Here, is gets colder as the sun goes down." She said as she walked out the front door. It was cold, it being the end of fall and the beginning of winter and all. The kid amused her and for some reason she could't figure him out, and that irritated her. 'You should just kill him.' Her other personality Kate said 'It would make things so much simpler.' Mary ignored this, because altho it was tempting, Michael seemed really attached to this guy. And she couldn't take this way from him. That and she had already used the one kill she allowed herself per week.
Gus graciously slipped on the coat, the house was a bit drafty for his taste. He tried not to roll his eyes at the whole 'its cold when the sun goes down' statement in an attempt to not provoke the girl. He was afraid of her. True, he was afraid of most everyone, but she was especially more terrifying. They again suppressed the need to feel the blood running through her veins and followed Mary out the door, shivering slightly at the brisk air.
Michael got up from his desk, deciding to put his favorite coping mechanism into use; cooking. The empanadas had been devoured, so it wouldn’t be too much food if he made something else. He walked downstairs and entered the kitchen, washing his hands and gathering the supplies and ingredients. He opened a scrapbook on the counter and flipped to a page marked “Apple Pie, from Mr. and Mrs. Johnston”. He began to bake.
Mary walked to her car and started it. She then looked back to Gus and motioned for him to hurry up. "Come on, do you what to get bacon or not?" She asked. 'you could have human bacon' Kate said into her mind. She (Kate) was always very active right after having, and losing, control. 'What? No, that's gross.' Mary argued silently. 'you've already had your weekly time. Go hide in your cavern and leave me alone.' Mary slid into the driver's seat and watched Gus. The guy had a look in his eye that seemed like he was fending off the temptation of something. And Mary was a little concerned what that temptation was. But then again, she didn't know the guy, maybe he was just uncomfortable with the new house.
Gus begrudgingly pulled the jacket closer around him, then slowly got into the car. He hated cars. He hadn't been in a car for years. It's fine, we're just going to the store. He tried to tell himself, but the nagging feeling of fear, the repressed memories that awoke him at night pestered his brain. He lowered his eyes, glaring at Mary as he stopped her blood, making the girl's body stiff and pained.
"No. We're walking."
Mary gasped as her blood stoped moving. 'please?' Kate asked, already half free and in control. 'yes, but do not kill him.' Mary closed her eyes and retreated into the back of her mind. When she opened her eyes again, they had darkened to a deep brown, and Kate was in control. "You…don't…have…permission…to…do…that." She stepped out of the car and slowly moved toward the boy. Her body was in deep pain, and she could feel her muscles closing up from the lack of oxygen. As she got closer to the kid, Kate locked eyes with his and held their gaze, refusing to be weekend by such a small child. She reached out toward Gus's throat with her right hand, her head was spinning, and black dots played in her vision. Kate clenched her left fist, a small dagger appearing in her grasp. But the pain in her head was to much, she dropped the dagger, fell to her knees, and screamed in pain. Clutching her head in her hands while she struggled to stay awake.
Gus started to panic. He was only supposed to stop her, not kill her! He released his grip, curling up in the seat as tears flooded his eyes. They watched as the woman slowly started to recuperate, covering their face in their hands as they started to cry.
"I'm so sorry… I just… can we not drive?"
Kate blinked several times and took many deep breaths, bringing oxygen back to her brain. 'oh, crud. he's crying…um, this is all you Mary.' Kate thought as she retreated into the back of their mind. Mary looked up to Gus, and pated him on the shoulder, trying to stop the crying. "Hey, it's ok, we can walk."
Gus took shallow breaths, still trying to cut the connection he had to Mary's blood. He nodded slightly, shakily getting out of the car as he defensively folded his arms. "Sorry…" He said weakly. His red eyes seemed to glow slightly as his untamed hair rustled in the coarse wind. "I didn't mean to."
Michael heard Kate’s scream and dropped his whisk, ceasing his baking and running out the door. He rushed over to the two, trying to discern what had happened. He noticed Gus’ distress, and made a beeline towards him. He knew a PTSD attack when he saw one. He opened his arms to embrace the panicking teen, but stopped himself. He didn’t know what Gus’ reaction to physical contact would be, and he was scared of making him uncomfortable.
“….would a hug help?”
Gus kept his gaze on the ground, biting his lip as more tears welled his blood-colored eyes. At the sight of michael, the boy stepped back, worried about what might happen.
"I-I-I dont know"
Michael was aware of Gus’ power, and knew that if they used it, even unintentionally, it could have serious consequences for his health. He already smoked; his body wasn’t exactly in the best condition as is. But he had a deep, overwhelming urge to help this kid. He wanted to be the person he wished he had.
He stepped forward, pulling Gus into a gentle, yet firm hug. He was incredibly scared, but not of Gus; he was afraid he would only make the kid feel worse. He kept holding him, hoping that the physical touch would help to distract him from his memories and ground him to the present. Michael was used to having to adjust his words and actions to fit even the slightest change in mood, and that habit had persisted. He wanted to help Gus. He wanted to help.
“It’s alright, kid….it’s gonna be okay…..”
Gus tried to pull away, worried that he might hurt the one person who had shown him affection in a long time, but eventually sank into the hug. He sniffed, attempting to hold back the tears as he slowly put his own arms around michael.
"I'm sorry…" He rasped. "I think I'm just going to stay inside."
Michael nodded, letting go of Gus.
“It’s okay, I understand what you’re feeling….I’ve felt it many times….you can hang out in the spare bedroom to calm down a little…..or you could help me make some pie, if you’d rather not be alone…”