... father and son? Kinda?

[stardustg2ma288]

[At least there's one person Chimera can talk to: Prism, his newest fledgling. Somehow, the mild-mannered lighting tech seems to have adapted much better to his change than Atem or even Yuu. Maybe he just needs Prism's easygoing presence right now... or maybe he wants to get laid to get his mind off everything. Either way, Chimera slips quietly into the club, hoping to talk to his fledgling without running into anyone else.]

Comments

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

...I was wondering when I'd see you again.

[stardustg2ma288]

I figured you might need your space for a while. How are you?

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

Aa... I'm alright.

[stardustg2ma288]

You... adapted okay? I guess being a Mara in a place like this isn't so bad.

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

Quite normal.

[stardustg2ma288]

[... maybe Prism is a little TOO quiet. Chimera shifts his weight nervously, lowering his gaze to the floor.]

... I... guess I'm just lonely. But I can go if I'm bothering you.

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

...you're not bothering me. Come to the back. We can talk there.

[stardustg2ma288]

[Chimera nods, walking with Prism to the back of the club. His shoulders are noticeably slumped, his demeanor quiet.]

**... I missed you.**

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[Prism sits down on the sofa in the back room, crossing one leg over the other]

You've been busy?

[He reaches over to the side table and pours them both a glass of hard liquor, offering a glass to Chimera]

/...I thought about you/ [He smiles a bit, turning his glass in his hand]

[stardustg2ma288]

[Chimera sits beside him, accepting the drink but not taking a sip just yet. He cradles the glass in both hands, resting them on his lap and staring down at the rich liquid.]

**Stressed. Atem... he's just... not adapting well to being Mara. We're either fighting or avoiding each other, and I don't know what to do. So I came here to see you.**

[He finally takes a couple of sips, relishing the burn of alcohol in his throat. He only wishes it still affected him the way it did when he was human.]

**I guess I wanted to make sure you didn't hate me, too.**

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[Prism smiles with understanding as he listens]

/I could never hate you./

[And he speaks the truth. It's not in his nature.]

[stardustg2ma288]

[Chimera looks over at his twin, his quiet-natured fledgling, and leans onto Prism's shoulder with a tired sigh.]

**I'm so tired... you're the only one that still wants me close, and I don't know if I can sleep alone anymore.**

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[He sets his glass on the end table then run a hands through Chimera's hair affectionately]

You're welcome here. [He rests his head against Chimera's] /I'll accept you as you are./

[stardustg2ma288]

.... [Yeah, that's your sire crying on your shoulder, Prism. Not sobbing, just silent tears.]

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[The hand continues its soothing caress]

[stardustg2ma288]

**... can I just... stay here with you for a while? I don't have anything to go back to right now....**

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

Of course you can.

Do you want me to prepare a room for you?

[stardustg2ma288]

**... oh... I....**

[Suddenly he's drooping even more, the sadness pouring off him.]

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[He was not expecting that sort of reaction, but then it dawns on him and he bites his lip]

...or you can sleep in my room? The bed is a king size.

[stardustg2ma288]

**... it's okay... I don't want to impose, I just....**

[He feels horrible for putting Prism on the spot like that, but he's incredibly lonely. He's gotten used to sleeping next to someone else, and the past few months of sleeping alone on and off haven't been good for him.]

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

/It's alright. I'd be happy to have you./

[He extends his hand toward Chimera in welcome with a small smile]

[stardustg2ma288]

[Chimera reaches out but hesitates before taking Prism's hand.]

**... I'm going to end up cuddling you all night if I do... if you don't want that....**

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles, squeezing Chimera's hand reassuringly]

/It's been years since I've been "cuddled". I remember the feeling to be warm and comforting though, so if that's what you want, I'll oblige./

[stardustg2ma288]

[Miracle of miracles... a faint smile on Chimera's face!]

**Cuddling for our kind is a little different. We'll probably end up with our tails tangled together. And I usually fold a wing over my lovers....**

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[Is that relief on Prism's face? It just might be. Have a sweet smile]

Whatever you want.

[stardustg2ma288]

**Only if it's what you want, too.**

[Just the idea of cuddling with Prism is enough to lighten his heart a little. Phoenix are social creatures... and so are Yuseis.]

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

/Yes./

[And with that he leads Chimera to his room for what will be a very peaceful night for them both]

[stardustg2ma288]

[Peaceful at least for most of it. But there are bad dreams now and then... Crow punching him and then telling him to go, Mara Atem savaging him and laughing, little Yuu having his wings torn off. Your sire has a tormented heart, Prism. Is it any wonder he's not a happy person?]

[raveryuusei.livejournal.com]

[Later that night Prism bolts up into a sitting position shivering and disturbed. What horrible nightmares. Is this what Chimera has been suffering from for so long? It's unimaginable.

He lays back down, cuddling Chimera's head against his chest in an attempt to calm his tormented mind. What more can he do?]

[stardustg2ma288]

[Every nightmare leaves him shivering in Prism's arms, but at least between those bouts of bad dreams, Chimera's sleep is deep and peaceful. Once, his lashes grow wet with tears, but that dream is obscured and shadowy, with only impressions of dark emotions.

Something is haunting him.]