#muse: abschaum/aaron

[childrenfromthecrypt]

@birdhouse-in-thesoul

He’d loved Lilly since they were much younger, when first he had been found by the home as a teenager. They’d taken him in, not quite a servant, not quite a member of the family, but always close to their beautiful daughter. Abschaum and Lilly had learned together, dreamed together… dreamed of a future where his olive skin tone (in reality not much darker than hers) and crooked back were not things that stood in the way of them truly being together.

Yet the day didn’t come. Lilly had been courted by a young man, someone getting close to her. He had money and status and a name… all the things Ab did not— he hadn’t been able to even say much of his father to these people; when he said he was dead, they’d assumed dead and gone, and so kept him. A jealousy boiled in his gut as he considered that soon, any chance of proving himself worthy of the girl he loved was waning. “It if true?” Abschaum asked as he walked into Lilly’s rooms. His voice was harder than it normally was, trying to keep back his emotions on the matter. “Did that boy mane you an offer of marriage? It’s been the gossip of the morning, but I need to hear it from you.” He looked her in the eyes, eyes still soft under his hard expression. “Did he truly propose to you?”

[childrenfromthecrypt]

❛❛ don’t….scare me like that! ;;❃❜❜ from Hunter

“Well, how do you want me to scare you?” Ab asked, closing the old leather-bound book he was reading from. Spellwork could wait because something about what he’d been doing had the younger boy distressed. “What’s up? What was it that scared you specifically? Scaring you really wasn’t my intention, Hunter, I promise.”

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“Well, this couldn’t possibly get any stranger” - Carlos to Aaron

😈😏

“As much as I hope you’re right, I think it could get stranger. So… tell me now if they’re anyone who looks exactly. like him running around,” Ab began, pointing over to Vyr, who was currently struggling at opening a locked window, either to jump out of or simply get a breath of fresh air; that was anyone’s guess. Ab found himself digging his nails into the heel of his hand, willing himself to wake up from certainly some strange dream where he saw himself mirrored. To no avail. “They’re… they’re calling me Aaron. I’ll also answer to Abschaum or Ab,” he said nervously, figuring he needed to address the issue at hand, even if a large part of him wanted to run away.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

Hey Ab, do you watch porn? If so, what's your most watched category?

"I have sometimes? Not a lot or anything, but if I'm pent up it helps me at least get into a headspace where I can take care of the situation at hand, so to speak," Ab admitted, feeling a little bit embarrassed to admit it. "And I don't, like, keep track of what I watch, so I can't say for sure.... I kinda like the casting ones? Honestly it gets weird when they try to tell stories, sometimes. Plus, there's something interesting in remembering people do that for a job?" He shrugged.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

What do you think of your new adopted dads?

Have you learned the art of beer pong from Lardo yet?

What do you think of Tanya’s husband? ((I just really need to know what these boys think of lucas I’m sorry))

The boys played Rock Paper Scissors to see who answers first. Ab lost, so he had to step forward.

"They're... nice. They haven't tried to kill us yet, which is more than we were honestly expecting. They've been so good to us about so much, even a lot of thing we throughly don't get."

Vyr piped up, "even the fact that they introduced us to Tanya. And Bitty. He's a sweet guy, and between him and the new dads... things are getting better. Honestly I had no idea that more than one meal a day was normal. ...nor did I know that Southern men will give you second helpings of everything if you say you didn't eat the day before."

Ab seemed surprised by the next question before answering. "No... I didn't know there was an art to it."

"Don't you just throw it like a skee ball and hope for the best?"

"But Mr. Carter... uh, Lucas... he seems like a good person. Sort of a lot, but not bad."

"He sometimes helps when we're overwhelmed like Uncle Shitty," Vyr continued, like he was still trying to wrap his mind around the man's name. "He makes sure we're okay and will let us smoke if we're safe about it. I think he gets it, not in a way where he asks about it, but just kinda lets us be and treats us like normal teens"

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“Really? Feels easy to understand her, but maybe it was more Kitt not understanding him.” Something to think about. People always said cats were good judges of character, but he wasn’t sure if he bought that. All the same, he did enjoy them, even if he wondered if cats were truly good judges if Kitt loved him so much. At Kent reaching out and giving him a shirt, Ab paused, surprised to see it was his size. Why did that surprise him? They’d taken him and Vyr shopping for clothes soon after the adoption became official. Biting at his lip, Ab stepped into his room for a moment to change into the shirt Kent gave him, putting his hooding back on over it. After that, he steeped back our. “…I’m ready when you are, then.”

“Hey Ab, since Alexei and Vyr are at the rink you wanna head to the animal shelter? They need some help socializing the new cats and getting them used to people.” The parallels between the shelter cats and his adopted son were not lost on Kent but he wouldn’t point it out.

It was… a bit weird? Vyr and Ab had never really been separated before. Even if they were, it a floor apart in the house, not miles away. Of course, Ab was aware they needed to learn to be independent of each other, but it was taking some getting used to after 17 years. Glancing up at his adoptive father, his brow furrowed, but he nodded slightly. “Yeah that sounds… nice. I-I’ve liked being around Kitt. She’s so sweet.” He smiled softly, thinking about the cat owned by his new dads. Maybe there’s be nice cats at the shelter too. Animals were easier to understand than people, after all. They were usually kinder too.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

"I know they don't want us to be together, Lilly, but I could give you a good life one day. If I go back home, I can once again see what my father would give me. The old home could be worked upon, and we could live there, together, as I've always said we could," he said, almost bargaining with her to chance her mind. Ab didn't want to stay here; his only reason for staying was to be with Lilly, and if she was not by his side, he would want to be in the home of his childhood... the home he promise to share with her one day. Did she, like so many, truly believe it all a fantasy of children, a fantasy of an abandoned orphan? It was a pain to his heart to think that she too did not believe him.

Abschaum did not want to scare her or be angry with her, but he was feeling jealous, feeling angry at the man who threatened to take her away. "He doesn't know you the same way I do, you must know that," he told her, looking at her all the while even as she avoided his gaze. "He can't love you the way I love you... the way I'll always love you."

@birdhouse-in-thesoul

He’d loved Lilly since they were much younger, when first he had been found by the home as a teenager. They’d taken him in, not quite a servant, not quite a member of the family, but always close to their beautiful daughter. Abschaum and Lilly had learned together, dreamed together… dreamed of a future where his olive skin tone (in reality not much darker than hers) and crooked back were not things that stood in the way of them truly being together.

Yet the day didn’t come. Lilly had been courted by a young man, someone getting close to her. He had money and status and a name… all the things Ab did not— he hadn’t been able to even say much of his father to these people; when he said he was dead, they’d assumed dead and gone, and so kept him. A jealousy boiled in his gut as he considered that soon, any chance of proving himself worthy of the girl he loved was waning. “It if true?” Abschaum asked as he walked into Lilly’s rooms. His voice was harder than it normally was, trying to keep back his emotions on the matter. “Did that boy mane you an offer of marriage? It’s been the gossip of the morning, but I need to hear it from you.” He looked her in the eyes, eyes still soft under his hard expression. “Did he truly propose to you?”

[childrenfromthecrypt]

Ab noticed how hard it was for Hunter to let his body relax. That was something they’d need to work on. Meditation and mindfulness were definitely something he’d need to direct him to look into. Not that he himself wasn’t weird and skittish, but he at least was able to relax enough to allow energy to transfer. (Yes, it’d been difficult when first learning with his father. There was a fear of being wrong, a tightness in his spine and in his soul that blocked off some complete transfer. However, once he was working on his own, transferring his energy to the world around him, it became worlds easier to sink into a long, spiritual conversation with the earth). “That’s okay. It’s okay. It’s hard when you don’t really know what to expect. It’s a hard feeling to describe because it’s something everyone relates to their body differently. It’s tingly, but what you associate that with depends on your life. We can try again, but please let me know if it gets to be too much, Hunter. It’s not good to force yourself,” he said seriously, taking ahold of the younger boy’s hand again and reinstating the transfer of energy, a slower, steadier stream this time.

❛❛ don’t….scare me like that! ;;❃❜❜ from Hunter

“Well, how do you want me to scare you?” Ab asked, closing the old leather-bound book he was reading from. Spellwork could wait because something about what he’d been doing had the younger boy distressed. “What’s up? What was it that scared you specifically? Scaring you really wasn’t my intention, Hunter, I promise.”

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“I mean, you would’ve have known unless you or someone else was snooping through me and Vyr’s files. And I doubt that happened because Vyr’s still freely walking around and not about to be kept in solitary for a few days.” He’d let that one go, pick it up if need be, if Carlos ended up prodding as to why they would need to be in a solitary situation, meaning somewhere on their record they were either a danger to others or to themself. “ I don’t think our father would’ve ever been considered typical though, especially in that regard. ...I won’t say much else, lest you think I’m crazy.”

Ab winced a little when he saw the battle sign, a truly wicked looking bruise that even in his rudimentary knowledge he knew would never go away. He scratched at his arms, overtop the layers of his jacket, now consciously aware of... something. Or multiple somethings. “She in jail now?” He hoped the answer was yet, but something in him doubted it was. ...well, if he was being honest with himself, he hoped the answer was that she was dead. Apparently, though, laser focused karma for one’s misdeeds weren’t as common as the boy had been led to believe.

“Well, this couldn’t possibly get any stranger” - Carlos to Aaron

😈😏

“As much as I hope you’re right, I think it could get stranger. So… tell me now if they’re anyone who looks exactly. like him running around,” Ab began, pointing over to Vyr, who was currently struggling at opening a locked window, either to jump out of or simply get a breath of fresh air; that was anyone’s guess. Ab found himself digging his nails into the heel of his hand, willing himself to wake up from certainly some strange dream where he saw himself mirrored. To no avail. “They’re… they’re calling me Aaron. I’ll also answer to Abschaum or Ab,” he said nervously, figuring he needed to address the issue at hand, even if a large part of him wanted to run away.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

Ab sighed. “Best not to tell Vyrodok about your mom, then. He’s a fan of karmic justice. We got a lot of stories of that growing up from out Dad, and while I’ve kinda moved on from that, he hasn’t. ...think it has to do with him finding out who his biological dad is. Deadbeat, apparently, but also got some serious comeuppance for some actual crimes. Executioner that got executed, if memory serves.” It did. It was hard to forget Niles Talbott, nor looking and seeing those feature, that smile, that rage in his own brother. “I'll tell him to tone down the dead dad jokes, okay?”

He himself wasn’t entirely sure how to react to the conflict. He thought he understood where it was coming from, but he still couldn’t comprehend how there wasn’t at least some relief. “I mean, not all those things does a good parent make. ...but I get it. I think some people take stuff like this personally even when it’s not them, and that isn’t always the best. Sometimes you gotta work shit out for yourself, even if it’s not the way they want it. I’m sorta numb to death though, so I might not be the best person to ask.”

“Well, this couldn’t possibly get any stranger” - Carlos to Aaron

😈😏

“As much as I hope you’re right, I think it could get stranger. So… tell me now if they’re anyone who looks exactly. like him running around,” Ab began, pointing over to Vyr, who was currently struggling at opening a locked window, either to jump out of or simply get a breath of fresh air; that was anyone’s guess. Ab found himself digging his nails into the heel of his hand, willing himself to wake up from certainly some strange dream where he saw himself mirrored. To no avail. “They’re… they’re calling me Aaron. I’ll also answer to Abschaum or Ab,” he said nervously, figuring he needed to address the issue at hand, even if a large part of him wanted to run away.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“It’s not really my story to tell, so I don’t think I’d just tell him like that. I just don’t want him saying anything that will offend you. He’s kind of... a lot, and I know most people don’t like him. ...but also he doesn’t like most people,” he shrugged, eyes fixed on the boy in front of him, so much like himself in many ways. Biting his lip, he tried to think of what to say next. What was there to say that they hadn’t already covered? Abschaum couldn’t in good conscience offer condolences, after all. “I think you’re more gracious than a lot more people in your situation would be. I’ve not met many people with as level a head as yours. Not that I’ve really met many people. I was kinda a shut in before my dad died. He really didn’t like us going out, and I wouldn’t have wanted to much anyways. I fucked up my spine when I was young, and I think it caused some nerve damage. So on top of our dad being overprotective, I had chronic pain to deal with.”

“Well, this couldn’t possibly get any stranger” - Carlos to Aaron

😈😏

“As much as I hope you’re right, I think it could get stranger. So… tell me now if they’re anyone who looks exactly. like him running around,” Ab began, pointing over to Vyr, who was currently struggling at opening a locked window, either to jump out of or simply get a breath of fresh air; that was anyone’s guess. Ab found himself digging his nails into the heel of his hand, willing himself to wake up from certainly some strange dream where he saw himself mirrored. To no avail. “They’re… they’re calling me Aaron. I’ll also answer to Abschaum or Ab,” he said nervously, figuring he needed to address the issue at hand, even if a large part of him wanted to run away.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“I think it works different here. I mean, who knows, maybe that kind of magic does exist there but… seems a lot more wand-waving-y than what I do. I mostly do rituals, except for a few party tricks. The trickiest thing I can do without like having to sit down with spell components is levitation, and levitating people usually knocks the wind out of me for a bit,” he explained, not sure if that was the answer Hunter needed or wanted. The older boy patted the seat next to him, beckoning him over to sit. “I could teach you if you want. My dad started teaching me when I was about ten. But don’t say yes because of me. Or anyone else. Only do it if you really want to.”

❛❛ don’t….scare me like that! ;;❃❜❜ from Hunter

“Well, how do you want me to scare you?” Ab asked, closing the old leather-bound book he was reading from. Spellwork could wait because something about what he’d been doing had the younger boy distressed. “What’s up? What was it that scared you specifically? Scaring you really wasn’t my intention, Hunter, I promise.”

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“I appreciate that. Not many people like to listen to me ramble about magic. For a lot of people, it’s just me saying nonsense,” he smiled, happy for the bit of connection that this offered. Besides his brother, Ab didn’t have many people. The one most important to him was dead, killed by his own father. And maybe something in him feared something else in the world would take Hunter. But maybe he could keep him safe… as he was told he could take the other boy’s hand, he did. “I’m going to send some of my energy to you. You should feel it through your arm. Then I want you to try and send it back to me, okay? Remember to stay loose. Meditative, relaxed. You’re not the one with rigor mortis.” Okay, that was definitely parroting from when he was taught… but brushing that off as he could, he sent a small, gentle stream of energy into the other boy’s hand, trickling down his arm.

❛❛ don’t….scare me like that! ;;❃❜❜ from Hunter

“Well, how do you want me to scare you?” Ab asked, closing the old leather-bound book he was reading from. Spellwork could wait because something about what he’d been doing had the younger boy distressed. “What’s up? What was it that scared you specifically? Scaring you really wasn’t my intention, Hunter, I promise.”

[childrenfromthecrypt]

“I can see where that would be something she’d need to get used to.” Ab decided not to say exactly that it had taken him and his brother time to gets used to the same thing. Alexei and Kent were not what they were expecting when the social workers said they were getting adopted. Their new dads were nice but... it took time to even trust them, let alone look at them as parents. He smiled some as Kent explained to him how everything was going to work, still a but surprised by how much his feelings were being put into consideration. Following to the car he kept his hand on the inside handle for a moment as they were driving off, though his grip was slowly loosening. “Thanks. I appreciate that. ...I’ll see how I feel. Might be nice to be there for a while and see what it’s like first.”

“Hey Ab, since Alexei and Vyr are at the rink you wanna head to the animal shelter? They need some help socializing the new cats and getting them used to people.” The parallels between the shelter cats and his adopted son were not lost on Kent but he wouldn’t point it out.

It was… a bit weird? Vyr and Ab had never really been separated before. Even if they were, it a floor apart in the house, not miles away. Of course, Ab was aware they needed to learn to be independent of each other, but it was taking some getting used to after 17 years. Glancing up at his adoptive father, his brow furrowed, but he nodded slightly. “Yeah that sounds… nice. I-I’ve liked being around Kitt. She’s so sweet.” He smiled softly, thinking about the cat owned by his new dads. Maybe there’s be nice cats at the shelter too. Animals were easier to understand than people, after all. They were usually kinder too.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

Abschaum gave a huff of laughter. “I mean we’re mostly here because our dad’s dead. Like very, not getting up, dead,” he replied, feeling the need to specify just how dead dead was. All things considered... “But, I mean, people have been saying a lot of things, and I’m not quite sure what to believe anymore.” Looking at his mirror image, he sighed. “That’s awful about your mother, though. I can’t imagine...”

“Well, this couldn’t possibly get any stranger” - Carlos to Aaron

😈😏

“As much as I hope you’re right, I think it could get stranger. So… tell me now if they’re anyone who looks exactly. like him running around,” Ab began, pointing over to Vyr, who was currently struggling at opening a locked window, either to jump out of or simply get a breath of fresh air; that was anyone’s guess. Ab found himself digging his nails into the heel of his hand, willing himself to wake up from certainly some strange dream where he saw himself mirrored. To no avail. “They’re… they’re calling me Aaron. I’ll also answer to Abschaum or Ab,” he said nervously, figuring he needed to address the issue at hand, even if a large part of him wanted to run away.

[childrenfromthecrypt]

His shock and curiosity was palpable, and it was sort of awesome to feel. Intoxicating. Somehow, Ab knew that he hadn’t really been allowed to be taught like this or have a moment to act his age. And that made his heart go out to him. Never mind how similar he was; instead of empathy coming from the same position, he was taking on the almost mature role of a caregiver. “I don’t mind. I can tell you’re interested, and I like that. Let’s me know I’m not just rambling on for no reason,” he laughed. He let Hunter work through what he was feeling, not interjecting until he says he wanted to learn for himself. “Okay. Before I get into any sort of technical stuff, I just want to sit a moment. Close your eyes and think about your body. The energy flowing through it. That energy can be magic. You just need to learn how to direct it.” Abschaum reached out but stopped short of grabbing the other boy’s hand. “May I take your hand? I want to show you what the flow should feel like.”

❛❛ don’t….scare me like that! ;;❃❜❜ from Hunter

“Well, how do you want me to scare you?” Ab asked, closing the old leather-bound book he was reading from. Spellwork could wait because something about what he’d been doing had the younger boy distressed. “What’s up? What was it that scared you specifically? Scaring you really wasn’t my intention, Hunter, I promise.”