A rainstorm was an extremely rare occurrence in the dark elves' realm. It took just the right amount of magic to swirl and the fog had to have just the right amount of spark in it. Tonight, the rain coming down in the caves seemed like it was going to go down in record books.

Lucky for Ghost and Ricky, their toddler was in bed. Otherwise, she'd probably be freaked out. In her short little life, she'd never seen anything quite like it. As for her much, much older parents, they were reminiscing to the last time they'd actually seen water fall from the sky. Looking back on the memories brought back some old lustful emotions.

Ghost rested on his love's lap, lips interlocked while his hands were around the back of Ricky's neck. His husband ran his hands along his wife's curves, moaning into their kiss. Having a little kid around made it hard for them to get any action anymore. They were relishing in every minute of it.

The vixen bit down on Ricky's lower lip, pulling back slowly. His fangs drew a little blood, which was like syrup in his mouth.

"God, you're so fucking hot." Ricky growled. He squeezed his big ass, "I want to fuck you until you can't walk."

"We should probably move to the bedroom, then." He grinned as he played with the top button of his dominant's shirt. Ghost leaned forward and nipped at his neck a few times. When a knock sounded at the door, he sighed, letting his head fall on Ricky's shoulder, "Goddamn it."

"Never a break." He replied, "I'll get it, Baby."

Reluctantly, Ghost got off his lap to let him get up. It looked like their fun was going to have to wait another few weeks for when they're able to get some free time. The knock at the door managed to bring Ryan out of his bedroom. A little embarrassment flushed Ghost's face to realize they weren't the only ones awake like he'd thought.

Ricky opened the door cautiously. They'd never had trouble in their neighborhood, but this late at night nothing good ever happens. He was relieved to see it was Kuza. The vampire was soaked by the rain. His hair was flatted by all the water in it and his black eye makeup was run down his cheeks. With his arms around his chest and by the look on his face, Ricky knew this something bad happened.

"Get in here," Ghost said as he saw Kuza from the couch. He stood up and waved him inside, speaking motherly, "You're going to get sick out in that rain."

He shook a heavy sigh as he stepped inside, sopping wet. Whatever was wrong with him, he'd only managed to hold himself up until that moment. Kuza slowly lowered to his knees and crumbled down on the ground. It was then they realized his makeup hadn't been smeared by the rain, but rather his tears.

Ghost knelt down beside him as he started to cry again. He rubbed his back gently, "Shh, it's okay. Honey, what's wrong? Where's Croc?" Ghost glanced up at Ricky, "Go get him a towel or a blanket or something, please."

His back shook with each sob, "Th-That's the p-problem..."

He rested himself against the back of the couch and pulled Kuza into his arms, "What happened?"

Ricky returned from the back of the house, giving Kuza a towel for his wet hair. He reached out with shaky hands and took it from him. Ryan snatched a blanket from the chair in the corner of the living room. He draped it over their trembling friend. Kuza sat up some, squeezing the ends of his hair with the towel.

"I'm sorry..." He murmured, "It's just..." He shook a sigh, "So hard to... think about. He doesn't always get treated great around here." Kuza sniffled as he continued, "H-He got in a fight at the market today. No big deal, it's happened before... Guess something thought... Thought it was a big deal." The memory of an hour before began to rush back, "S-Someone came to the door... They... They pushed their way i-in, they..."

"It's okay, Sweetie," Ghost calmed him, "Shhh."

"They took him. Th-They cuffed him and tranquilized him an-and... They said, they said he was too dangerous an-and had to be p-put away..."

"They sent him to prison?" Ryan asked.

He shook his head, "Th-They," He sat forward, digging through his pockets, "They gave me this."

Somehow the card hadn't been too soaked from the rain. Hands trembling, he gave it to Ryan. All he could do was sigh when he saw the name on it. "Great. So, you just want to force me to go there, then?"

Kuza rubbed his eye, confused, "Huh?"

"Not you," He replied, "The universe." Ryan handed the card to Ricky so he could see, "That's where Felix's long lost love is being kept too. I was going to take a trip there for him, since he can't go. Guess I've got another reason to go."

"You're going to go to a fucking asylum? Alone?" Ricky snit.

He shrugged, "It can't be that bad. Nothing in Vanaheim is bad. Mike can't live without Croc, and honestly, I don't think Felix is doing too well going this long without his girl."

"You... You'd do that for me? For us?" Kuza muttered.

Despite how things ended up, he knew no one in the family had completely accepted Croc. Angelo was the only one who could look past his species and just see him for who he was. With their angel gone, they had no one to ever convince the others of second chances. Kuza was thankful, of course, but still beyond shocked that Ryan of all people stepped up to the plate. He wasn't exactly known for being love's advocate.

"Our family's been fucked up enough as is and I'm sick of it. I'm not letting anyone fuck it up anymore." He strongly stated, "I'll get him back for you. I promise."

Kuza stood up, still wobbling a bit. He almost fell into Ryan in attempts to hug him. Ryan never really was one to like psychical contact like that. For once, it seemed to warm his heart. Maybe he was finally coming around to it. Losing half the people you care about can do that to you. The way Kuza grasped onto him desperately, he'd come to understand just how important it'd be the take this trip.

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Ricky asked.

"None of the others can afford to take off work and you two have a baby to take care of. I have no other choice, but I think it's for the best anyways. Emerson told me a little about the warden and I think it'd be best if I had a little one on one with him."

"How long do you think it'll take?" Kuza replied.

"I don't know. I hope not long, but nothing ever goes how I want it to. When's your next house payment due?"

He thought for a moment, still pulling on his hair nervously, "He just paid it a few days ago... So, not for about a month. He's got enough in savings for me to get by for one payment but not two. I... I'm gonna have to find work. I don't know if I... Can... No one's going to want to hire me."

"We would." Ghost softly said.

"Yeah, you can come work at the gallery. We could use a security guard there. If nothing else, we'll loan you some money." Ricky added.

He forced a small grin, "Thank you, guys."

"That's what family is for." Ghost replied, "It's getting late. I'll make up the couch for you."

"He can have my room while I'm gone if he needs it. I don't think it's healthy for him to be in their house all alone." Ryan said.

He was probably right. The past has proven that despite what a rough relationship the two may share, Kuza couldn't live without Croc. At least, this time, he knew he was alive. That didn't go as far as he'd liked to have hoped that it did. Ghost went upstairs and got an extra set of sheets. He returned to the living room to make the couch for their troubled friend.

While his wife was busy getting their guest a bed, Ricky went to the kitchen and warmed up some leftovers from dinner. After being out in that rain, he could use some warmth. Kuza sat down and picked at the food he was offered. It was hard to have an appetite after bawling his eyes out all night. There was a feeling in the back of his throat that wanted to reject food. Forget even trying to get him to drink blood.

Ryan headed back to his room for a rather sleepless night. He did sleep in the small ass room under the stairs. It was his own choice though. Aside from the fact that he couldn't keep up on the house payment of his previous residence, he was sick of being alone in that house. Walking past Vinny's room and seeing it empty killed him initially, but at the time he didn't realize how bad it could get.

When the day came that every fucking room was soulless, it broke him. All of Vinny's old things were left in his room, and the same could be said for Chris and Angelo's room. It wasn't too soon after that Kuza and Croc's room became empty, and Ryan-Ashley and Balz's room followed. He didn't know which was worse; A room with no furniture, or a room filled with reminders of the dead.

He was minimalist. Having a small space under the steps was enough. Originally Ghost and Ricky had offered him to share a room with Felix, but he figured it was hard enough on the kid that he had to share it was a baby crib. This was perfectly fine. What truly mattered to him were the few pictures he had from the good old days, and those didn't take up much room. He'd placed them all along the walls.

Ryan laid back on his bed and locked his fingers together behind his head. His eyes trailed along the photos on the wall until he reached one towards the top. The picture must've been twenty five years old at this point. It portrayed him, Vinny, and Chris at one of the many parties they used to frequent, before the war of course.

"I won't let things go to shit again, guys. I promise."

He reached up and pulled the cord attached to the light. The room went dark, allowing him to get enough sleep before he'd go on his first journey outside of his realm since Chris and Angelo's death. That thought alone made it terrifying, but like he'd said earlier, bad shit doesn't happen in Vanaheim. It's a place of peace. Even Heaven has a few fallen, though.