Chapter 94: The Way Things Change

Chapter 94: The Way Things Change
Vlad finally got Seth to stop asking about the unknown girl.

Suppressing the urge to ask if he knew her, Seth pretended to listen to what Vlad was saying about Xavier.

It wasn’t on purpose; Seth was just that shocked to hear Vlad mention any kind of romantic relationship at all. He’d been hoping for a sister-in-law for a long time, but all of his brothers were useless in the department of commitment, unfortunately.

Maybe Vlad would be the one to bring them the first Legion bride! And a little baby!

Seth giggled, beaming with joy.

Vlad blinked, hand paused mid-air as his words died off. “What the hell was that?”

Seth’s smile vanished, and he straightened, looking as serious and bureaucratic as he could. “What?”

“That giggle,” Vlad said, lowering his hand. “I’m over here, trying to explain this to you. Trying to find emotions that don’t even exist inside of me, and you’re over there giggling?”

Chastised, Seth looked ashamed and nervously smoothed the hair at his temples. “Sorry, I was—”

“Imagining my goddamn wedding, probably.”

He grinned. “How did you know?”

“Seth.”

“Okay, I’m sorry! X, right? We were talking about Xavier. You said he doesn’t deserve to be suspended? See! I’m listening.”

Vlad blinked tiredly at him, his expression flat. “Respectfully, brother, how did you manage to find and raise six kids when you’re this quick to jump to conclusions?”

“Us being connected by fate made it very easy,” Seth sighed. “Why do you think Xavier should be reinstated?”

“Like I said while you were fantasizing about becoming an uncle,” Vlad bitterly muttered, further annoyed to see Seth smile at the imagery. “I was telling you that X needs to get back to work. We need him, and he’s losing his mind doing nothing but training.”

“So, in translation, you feel bad that he’s being punished for disrespecting the King of Cassius when it was you he was fighting for.”

Vlad said nothing, squirming uncomfortably in his chair.

“Have you two discussed it?” Seth asked. “How did you find out?”

“I overheard him telling Aurelia about it the day she collapsed. I thought he was lying to gain her sympathy and lure her to his bed.”

“A method he’s used before.”

“I accused him of lying. We argued.”

“Oh, no.”

“Then, earlier today, Zen told me it was true.”

Seth sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “Okay. So, that’s why you were sitting in icy silence when I came in?”

Vlad silently nodded.

“And you want me to revoke the rest of Xavier’s suspension? Because you feel bad?”

After a short while, Vlad nodded again.

Seth leaned closer. “Vlad. Why don’t you tell X that? Why can’t you two just talk?”

“It’s not that easy.”

“For heaven’s sake, it’s been decades. How much longer will you go on this way? Do you realize that there was a time when anyone who was looking for you had to find X first? Anyone who tried to get to you had to go through X? There was a time when you two killed for each other.”

Vlad sighed, closing his eyes. “Things change, brother.”

“But why? I’ve been asking, so why won’t you tell me?”

“It’s petty. And childish. That’s why.”

“I was the mediator through years of Ethan and Zen competing over who had a better body and even throwing punches because of it. Throwing punches, burning each other’s belongings, and heaven knows what else. So, please, I’d love for you to do something childish for once.”

Vlad silently turned away, looking into the clean hearth.

Seth cautiously reached out, touching his shoulder. He always had to be careful. Of all his brothers, Vlad had been the one to react like a stray cat to anything Seth did. Touching him was never an option.

These days, it was easier, so Seth let his hand linger on his shoulder. “Vlad. I’ve said this before, but… whatever it is, I’ll understand. I promise.”

“I’m not sure.”

“I am. So, tell me. Why aren’t you two as close as you used to be?”

Vlad ran a hand through his hair, preparing himself to unpack the mess. “Because… X is just… too much, Seth. Spending time with him wasn’t enough. He wants me to tell him everything in my head, all my feelings, my pain, my issues. I can hardly understand the things in my head myself, but he expects me to explain them to him. I don’t have the energy to do that.”

“Well…” Seth winced. “Just tell him the basics.”

“The way I survive is by absorbing and suppressing, brother. You know that. I just wanted him to accept it, instead of trying to force me to rely on him. We've been close for centuries, but I guess, the entire time, he was waiting for me to open up to him. So that he could heroically comfort me and prove what a good brother he is by ridding me of my darkness."

“Vlad—”

“He… he wanted me to take him to where the fire happened.”

Seth was listening closely, a frown on his face. “To Evandale? Well, it's probably because you go there so often. And you always come back sad. So, he wanted to understand you better.”

“I guess so. But I refused, and he concluded that I didn’t care about him as much as he did about me. He thought our friendship, our brotherhood, was one-sided. And, because I was so silent, I couldn’t tell him… that he was wrong.”

“Tell him now.”

“Oh, please.” Vlad stood, straightening his clothes. “Get him back to work, Seth. Please.”

“I’m not finished.” Seth pressed his lips into a stern line, the disciplinary look entering his eye. “Vlad.”

“I’m sorry, but I answered your questions, and it took more emotion than I have the energy to deal with. I need to take a shower, brother.”

With a curt nod, Vlad stalked to the door and was gone.

Seth sighed and leaned back into the armchair.
Shaking his head, he thought it over. The matter was deep but also rather silly.

How could two people fight over loving and being loved too hard?

Seth had no clue. So, he just sat there in the silence, processing his conversation with Vlad.

Cutting through his thoughts, a muffled ringing sound could be heard. Seth dug the phone out of his pocket and answered the call.

“Yes, Damon.”

“Where are you?”

“Vlad’s.”

“Did you permit Syre to travel? He’s left for God knows where.”

Seth frowned, glancing around cluelessly. “Uh, sure. I gave him permission. Xavier’s coming back to work, so Syre’s workload will be taken care of. Have you seen X, by the way?”

“Xavier?” Damon chuckled. “The same X here before me engaged in a fiery debate with Viktor?”

Seth weakened, eyes falling closed in exasperation. “What is he debating the King on now?”

“The absurdity of Viktor’s list,” Damon answered, laughing. “Oh, I love X! He’s hilarious. Do you need him now?”

“I need him now. Please get him away from the King before he gets us all thrown in the dungeons. Send him to the camp. We need to talk.”