The Protector

Victor was trembling.

Standing at Umbra’s door, Victor was doing all he could not to have a heart attack.

I've gotta do this, Victor told himself, It's never gonna get any better unless we talk.

Straining to clear his mind, Victor shoved open the door. Memories grasped at his consciousness, but Victor forced them down.

Umbra sat up immediately, blinking his remaining eye to wake himself up. “Victor?” he croaked.

Victor struggled to speak, choking and gagging as he fought with his vocal cords. Finally, after nearly dry heaving onto the floor, Victor produced: “Hi.”

Umbra's expression became gentle. “Hello, dear.”

Victor swallowed, the awkwardness between them making the room’s atmosphere thick. He wasn't sure what to say next.

Umbra clumsily continued the conversation. “Are you okay?”

Hesitantly, Victor shook his head, avoiding Umbra's eyes.

Umbra let out a deep sigh, patting the side of the bed. “Come here, Victor. I've missed you.”

Slowly, Victor sat down, hunching his shoulders. “I've been a mess,” Victor whispered, “This is the first time I've been able to speak in a couple weeks.”

Umbra wrapped his arms around Victor, rubbing his back as Victor began to sniffle and cry. He sat in silence, rocking Victor gently and brushing his fingers through his hair.

“You cut your hair,” Umbra suddenly stated, blinking.

“Yeah, um,” Victor shrunk away, unsure of what to counter Umbra's observation with, “Is that good?” The naked skin on his neck burned.

“I like it,” Umbra said with a grin, winking, “You look adorable with short hair.”

Shakily, Victor returned his grin. If Umbra liked it, his new haircut couldn't be that bad.

Umbra turned his head, growing somber. “Victor, I'm sorry if I was too hard on you back there. I just want to protect you.”

Victor let his eyes travel upwards, taking in the extent of Umbra's injuries. Umbra had been on death's door, and it was all his fault.

“It shoulda been me,” Victor rasped, his voice barely audible.

“What?”

“I said, it shoulda been me! I was the one Asher was looking for, not you!” Victor shouted, fat tears running down his cheeks.

Umbra gasped, his eyes going wide. “Victor Nathaniel,” he breathed, grabbing Victor by the shoulders, “Don't you dare ever say that again. He would have killed you.”

“But-”

“Victor!” Umbra snapped, his cheeks flushed, “You couldn't have survived what he put me through. You couldn't handle the blood loss.”

“We could have fought together, dad. I wanted to help you.” Victor was trembling, fury and fear coursing through his veins.

Umbra instinctively touched his lower back, and Victor felt the tattoo on his stomach tingle. “Victor, I am your familiar. I cannot allow you to get hurt.”

“But you can get hurt? You can throw away your life? How do you think that makes me feel?”

Umbra gritted his teeth. “I am supposed to die for you, Victor!”

“I don't want you to die for me!” Victor screamed, grabbing Umbra's arm and digging his blunt nails into his flesh, “I don't want you to die! I want you to live for me, not let yourself get killed for my sake!”

Victor swore he saw tears filling Umbra's eyes. Umbra quivered under Victor’s grip. “Victor…” his voice cracked, “Victor, you are so much more important than me, you're my master-”

“Stop that! Stop saying that!” Victor barked, “I hate it when you say that!”

“But it's true!” Umbra screamed back, sweat on his brow.

Victor fought for control of his emotions. Umbra had never yelled at him like that- and neither had Victor.

“I don't care what they taught you when you were training, dad. You're important to me. You're not just a slave to me, you're my father! I love you!” Victor sniffled, bumping his head against Umbra's scarred chest, “I didn't know what to do when you had gotten hurt. I don't want you doing that again, please…”

Umbra laid a hand on Victor's back, and Victor saw tears running down his face. “Victor, I…I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I was hurting you. I just wanted to keep you safe!” Umbra covered his face, breaking down into harsh sobbing.

Victor had never seen Umbra so emotional. Umbra was his father- invincible, all-knowing, and most certainly not despondent. Seeing such a powerful man in his rawest form was shocking, and his heart twisted in sympathy pains.

“You are protecting me, dad. It's been five years and I'm still okay.” Victor smiled, squeezing Umbra’s hand. “Maybe, from here on, we can do it together?”

Umbra smiled, wiping off his face. “We're both wrecks,” he muttered, falling back onto the bed, dragging Victor with him. Victor relaxed against his side, letting his eyes droop. It felt nice to curl up with him again.

“At least we're not alone, right?” Victor offered meekly.

Umbra sighed, letting out pent up emotion and breath. “You feel skinnier than usual, Victor. Have you been eating?”

Victor squeaked, taken off guard by Umbra's sudden change of topic. “Um, I, uh, haven't really…”

“It's okay. I haven't either.” Umbra rested his hands on his chest, staring up at the ceiling. “How about we call it a night, and in the morning, I make us a special breakfast? Just you and me, breakfast in bed.”

“That sounds nice,” Victor murmured, yawning.

Umbra softly purred as Victor felt himself lured into sleep, the steady vibration in his chest like a lullaby. Victor knew they stil had a long way to go before everything was back to normal, but this was a step in the right direction. For once, his mind was soothed.

Everything was going to be okay.

Author's Note- final main story chapter. epilogue next.

in a opinion, this was the other big conflict. sure, theres a creepy cult going on, but the big thing for me was the characterization with umbra and victor and repairing their strained relationship. obviously the myth arc is important, but this was meaningful too. i like exploring how, realistically, a 'familiar' would really work.

and, before the epilogue is posted next: i apologize wholeheartedly. please do not yell at me.

next book will also be posted