(no subject)

[experiencepoints]

Who: Everyone messed up by the dragon plot, and visitors
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Blue Fish's clinic!
When: All throughout the Solrius dragon plot and through the space flight to the next destination.

[So several RPG characters, a dragon, and two messianic figures walk into a planet.

Everything is suffering and tears, there's a lot of dead people, there's no punchline. But, hey, for the survivors, the Blue Fish's clinic is treating wounds and generally being a decent place to rest and recover and pray you don't see a dragon again. And for those who weren't involved, there's enough people bedridden here that there may just be someone you want to visit.]

Comments

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[stefanged]

Sure.

[He turns towards her closet, holding the door open for her before they go inside. It's not a huge space by any means, but it's quiet enough for him to feel comfortable with the truth - and in turn, with what had been bothering him about fighting Sorey and Mikleo.

Once he's seated, he fidgets a little before saying:] I haven't exactly been honest with you this whole time, and uh - I know you deserve better. You're `aa'aila.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly leans forward and takes his hand to reassure him.]

What is it?

[stefanged]

[He squeezes her hand, focusing on that action as if it's a matter of life or death.]

I'm not exactly human. Nor have I been one for a long time now.

[dancingmd]

[Her chest constricts as her mind races through the possibilities, none of which are supernatural. Energy beings, sapient parasites, androids - these are her points of reference. Still, she returns his hand squeeze. Even if she's a little alarmed, she trusts him.]

What do you mean?

[stefanged]

I mean, I'm a vampire.

[There's no easy way to admit it. Stefan must've told too many people at this point, and honestly, he's expecting the Winchester brothers to show up on his doorstep at some point - but he can't not tell Beverly at this point.]

That's why everyone else looked like hell while I came out looking... well, mostly like me.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly sits up straighter and takes a deep breath at that revelation - but she never lets go of his hand. She's surprised, it's true, and alarmed, but that doesn't change her love for him.]

For how long?

[He said he used to be human so....]

[stefanged]

A hundred and fifty four years.

[In other words, he's been a vampire long before he arrived on the Fleet, and he'll continue to be one until he finds a cure. He notes that sharp breath, which might be why he's squeezing onto her hand tighter than usual.]

I'm sorry, I - I should've said something sooner.

[dancingmd]

Oh.

[It comes out as a long sigh. That requires a readjustment in her thinking - here she thought he was so young, and he's nearly as old as Daneel.]

I understand why you didn't. [She drops her gaze.] Especially after what happened with Sascha.

[stefanged]

Yeah, that's... a lot of why I didn't.

[Honestly, Stefan doesn't feel as old as Daneel. He's stuck between teenagerdom and young adulthood, never quite reaching it no matter how much he wants to.]

That idiot didn't exactly give me hope for the vampire population here.

[dancingmd]

[Frankly, she's relieved to hear him say that... she doesn't want to have to argue with someone else about Sascha.]

There was one other vampire here that I know of, but she thankfully wasn't a thing like him. [With her free hand, she cups his cheek.] And I hope you know that my feelings towards Sascha have no bearing on how I feel about you.

[stefanged]

[She? Stefan furrows his brow, because as far as he was aware, there were only three: him, Sascha, and Eithan.]

You promise? [His voice is quiet and small, like he's a kid instead of the centuries-old vampire he really is.] Because I wouldn't blame you for thinking that I'm anything like him.

[dancingmd]

I promise.

[Her voice is soft and sure and then she gives him a gentle kiss on the forehead.]

I know you're not and I trust you. This doesn't change that.

[stefanged]

[Just like that, his shoulders sag with relief as he lets out a low, soft breath. It's over. No more pretending, no more awkward "avoiding the subject," no more excuses for why he has to leave the blood drive early...

His vision's getting blurry as he grips onto her hand.] Thank you.

[Before he can think twice, he wraps his arms around her, careful to use only human-level strength as he rests his head on her shoulder. There's no tension, no strength here. For once, he's shed every ounce of his armor.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly welcomes him without hesitation, stroking his hair as she holds him close.]

I'm just sorry you didn't feel like you could come to me sooner.

[stefanged]

No, don't be.

[His voice's still soft, but he's loosening his grip on her ever-so-slightly.] I just... I didn't want you to think I was anything like him.

[dancingmd]

[Fiercely:]

Never!

[stefanged]

Thank God.

[He laughs, warmly and genuinely as he pulls away from her long enough to return that forehead kiss.]

Because no matter what? You're still my aunt.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly smiles, gently teasing.]

Even though you're about a hundred years older than me?

[stefanged]

Like I'd let something as silly as age define us.

Unless, ah, you want me to stop calling you that?

[dancingmd]

No, of course not. I rather like it.

[stefanged]

Good. 'Cause sometimes, I still feel like I'm 24.

[dancingmd]

Do you wish you could grow older then?

[stefanged]

All the time. [He peers at her curiously.] I know it sounds strange, but you miss out on so much by staying like this forever.

[dancingmd]

[She shakes her head.]

It doesn't sound strange at all. When I was 24 I became pregnant with Wesley and that changes... everything.

[stefanged]

I can imagine. [He's thought a lot about being a father.] I mean, technically, I could adopt, but then...

Then there's gonna be a point where my hypothetical kid's gonna outgrow me.