Now Playing: Nicolas Algeo - The Meaning of Family
Soundtrack: Closer to the moon by Anya Nami
What it is?;
The meaning of family;
The meaning of boundless love?;
Is it the blood that ties us?;
Or the memories;
We forged across our path together?
62 years ago.
Algeo's Mansion.
6:15 p.m.
A bleak day, with dark clouds filling up the sky, the scent of rain in the air and winds strong enough to shake up even the strongest of people. That is the weather on the day Nicolas Algeo chose to tell his family about himself. There's nothing more terrifying than being open about his own insecurities and fears.
Most would see his emotions right now and assume the Algeo family is scary, or that they even beat up their children, but no, they don't.
However.
The patriarch is almost 2000 years old. His difference in age to his children is absurd, and even if he constantly tells his children he will accept anything they wish to be, there are limits.
Accepting a son that wishes to do ballet? Sure, he still likes guns, women and plays cards with the old men every Thursday night. Accepting a son that wishes to rough his hands opening his own business with no help from his rich family? Damn, that's enough to warrant a week-long celebration. Accepting a child that only sleeps yet still aces every single test they take? They're an angel. Or perhaps accepting a son that changes jobs all the time, never finding their calling? Sure, he's properly married and competent in everything he does.
Now, what has Nicolas done to be accepted?
He was a good soldier, exceptional even. But the war broke him, so much so that he was unable to control his violent urges afterwards. Directing his excess energy towards sex and business. Dirty business. What would his father say? His hero? What would his mother say? His safe haven? If they found out he was out there, giving money to people that didn't have means to pay him back, extorting them for their profitable organs with exorbitant interests, or influencing young women abandoned by society to do sex work? Even further, building casinos and using tactics to drown people into addiction?
Damn, Nicolas has just started his own drug lab under one of the pubs he owns.
Half of the police force is on his payroll.
By all means of the word, he is human trash.
So what has a man that still stinks of blood to fear?
''I'll be here'', and there it was, words that shook his entire core. A voice that made him feel alive again, a touch that made him shiver with anticipation and care he never received before.
If Nicolas was human trash, Azrael Sofer is human scum, and they were perfect for each other.
Wearing a black leather jacket, jeans, a white shirt, boots and dark sunglasses, anyone seeing Azrael would immediately assume he was up to no good, but compared to Nicolas, he was just a gambler playboy. His azure eyes and white hair contrasting perfectly with his warm brown skin, he was, in his own words 'sin incarnate'.
No one would ever imagine he was just a few days ago, on his knees, begging Nicolas to stay with him, even going as far as saying that Nicolas could brand him with hot iron, his name on his forehead like cattle. There was no need to go that far, of course.
But that was enough for Nicolas to understand how loved he was.
They've been together for 38 years already, for both of them that were more used to casual relationships, that was almost a lifetime, even if they're both more than 400 years of age.
Going back to the situation at hand, Nicolas is shaking like a leaf, terrified of his family. Simply because he's going to come out as gay.
He always knew he was different from his older brother as a child, and during the war, everything became even clearer, as he lost his virginity to one of the soldiers. After he left the military though, he entered a life of debauchery, trying to drown his sorrows of the war and the fear inside his heart that kept telling him that if his parents found out, they would hate him.
Why? Why can't he feel comfortable with those that he loves so deeply?
''I want to go back home'', Nicolas states as they cross the Algeo mansion's garden, he tries to turn back, but Azrael holds him in place.
''Love, you cannot run forever''.
''They're going to hate me'', he says, shaking even more.
Hours ago he was skinning a traitor alive.
''Even if they do, I'll still be here'', Azrael whispers, placing a kiss on Nicolas' forehead, making him sigh.
''Fine…'', he complies, he knows he's only running in circles, the later he postpones this, the more he'll suffer when they find out.
Inside the Algeo mansion is lively, a stark contrast to the weather outside, everyone was already at the dining room, smiling and laughing as they await for Nicolas to arrive.
''I'm home'', he says, the words taste like metal.
His glass eye itches, a bad feeling inside his chest and his stomach churns. Azrael's warm hand on his back isn't enough to calm him down anymore. Everything is spinning, it would be easier to tell his righteous father that he is a crime lord than telling him he's gay.
''Calm down, I'm not going to go anywhere, breathe'', Azrael whispers in his ear, brushing his hand on Nicolas' back attempting to help the man calm down.
''How are you Nicolas?'' The first one to speak is Elara, her tone is sweet and she looks stunning as usual, how the rugged Zacharie managed to snatch her is a mystery. He attempts to smile towards her, but he fails. ''Who's your friend?'' Her words sting, he knows she means no harm, but it still hurts to hear.
The words leave his mouth as if they're filled with needles, bleeding their way through: ''Everyone, this is Azrael Sofer'', he says simply and quietly, his demeanor makes his other brothers frown.
Well, except Milo, he was sleeping with his head down on the table.
''Nice to meet you'', Azrael smiles, taking off his sunglasses, his expression is filled with mischievousness, even if he is being sincere.
Zacharie looks at Nicolas with an expression as if asking if the man was being scammed by a con man. A soft blush takes over Nicolas' face, avoiding the questioning gaze of his older brother. His personality is completely different from usual, and anyone in the room can tell, most assuming that is due to Azrael's presence, not helping the man's first impression in the family.
With his heart beating frantically, they take a seat, chatting normally - or at least as normally as possible - and having dinner, the room is filled with laughs and warmth. It'll all be ruined the moment I speak, Nicolas thinks, his chest filling with guilt.
Yesterday he cut off a man's finger for not paying his debt in time.
Azrael rests his hand on top of Nicolas' underneath the table, brushing his thumb in circles on the man's palm, reassuring him.
The moment Margaret places the dessert in front of them, sitting down as well, Nicolas takes a deep breath.
''I would like to say something'', he grabs the attention of everyone present.
''Of course'', his mother smiles, her kind smile is imitated by the six year old Mael that has taken imitating others as his new game.
Mael's red eyes meet with Nicolas', a sigh leaving the man's lips.
''Could Mael leave? I don't think it's proper for him to hear'', deep down he feels as if he's saying that whatever he's about to say is something grave or horrifying. Perhaps he might feel like that, denying his own heart in fear.
''You're not disgusting'', Azrael whispers, as if it's clear in Nicolas' face what he's thinking.
Funny how no one would say he wears his emotions on his sleeve, quite on the contrary. By most he's a cruel, ruthless man unable to feel any emotion whatsoever.
''I do not think it's necessary for him to leave'', Azrael then says, ''Nicolas' is just sensitive about the topic'', his words are followed by a squeeze on Nicolas' hand.
A touch of reassurance, that even if everything falls apart, he still has him, an anchor, a home to go back to.
Even though, to Nicolas, as a true child of the Algeo bloodline, his family means the world.
Especially his father.
Silent like a statue, staring at Nicolas with those warm orange eyes, is Axel Algeo. By anyone's definition, Axel Algeo is the textbook definition of what most imagine when they say 'masculine men', brown wavy short hair, a thick beard and incredible buff muscles, he's 193cm tall, with rare orange eyes that shine bright even in the darkest of rooms, his veins pop out when he flexes as if taunting those who think they can take him on.
As if that wasn't enough, the man was one of the first vampires to ever exist, nearing 2000 years of age, yet not looking a day past 40.
And by being extremely old, the man was also… homophobic.
No, to be fair, he was fairly accepting of those different from himself, as long as they weren't near his inner circle.
Comments threw around as a joke, insults that hurt more than actual wounds threw around carelessly.
''What is it? Just spill'', Mael says, his hands are dirty with paint while his mouth is smudged with the chocolate from the desert.
''Just be quick'', Milo whispers, yawning right after, playing with his own dessert that was the only different one due to his allergies.
Nicolas takes a deep breath.
He's shaking even more now.
Tears formed in his eyes.
When was the last time he cried? 400 years ago?
His heart is so loud he can feel it beating, the sound reverberating inside his head.
And his stomach? He's about to put out everything he ate.
Azrael frowns, he can see right through Nicolas' stoic expression, the pain, the fear.
''L-'', he stops himself. ''Nicolas, you don't need to-'', he's about to say they can go home, that Nicolas doesn't need to force himself, that if it's going to make him this sick, it isn't worth it.
''The truth is…'' he swallows, feeling nauseated, he can't look at their faces, his eyes fixated on Azrael's hand, trying to focus on the man's veins and beautiful black nails. ''Azrael isn't just a friend'', a tear falls. ''He's my boyfriend. I'm gay''. He speaks so fast he isn't sure they understood a word he said.
Silence.
Oh, they understood alright.
Azrael's hand clenches tightly onto Nicolas', while his other hand forces the man's head down. Nicolas doesn't fight his boyfriend's hand, even if he could do so with ease. If Azrael is stopping him from looking at his family, then it all went just as wrong as it could.
He can feel it, the coldness emanating from Azrael's touch, the shaking on his hands, as if he was holding in to protect Nicolas.
It all makes him cry even more.
He feels hated and loved.
Despised and cherished.
A rustling sound can be heard, and after a few more moments of silence, a powerful voice that makes his entire being shake, speaks.
''Nicolas, you shouldn't joke with things like that'', his father's voice hurts, his words make his heart bleed.
''I'm not joking'', he answers softly, glad for Azrael's hand on his head, stopping him from seeing the disappointment he's able to hear in his father's voice.
''You're probably confused, this man clearly influenced you somehow'', Zacharie's voice manages to hurt even more than their father's, the clear disgust. Nicolas wants to get up and run, but he can't, he can't get himself to move.
''Shut up'', Azrael speaks, his touch is freezing, but Nicolas doesn't care, he will gladly lose a finger if that is the proof of how much he is loved. The pain of his frozen hand is much milder compared to the words leaving his family's mouths.
''Calm down, especially you Zach, can't you see how much he's suffering?'' The one to speak is Elara, of course it is, she was always way too good for the Algeo family and too kind for her own good.
''Elara, how can I calm down when he's clearly being manipulated?'' Zacharie says, frustrated. Nicolas can hear another rustling sound followed by a thud.
''Young master, it's okay, you're just sick'', Margaret's words make him open his eyes in shock, as if it was even possible to feel even more sick, he does.
''Enough, we're leaving'', Azrael says, pulling Nicolas' up, sinking his head on his cold chest. ''I don't fucking care if you're all his family, you're a bunch of sick fuckers, how can you say these things to him? Do you even know how much it took for him to say those words? Or even how much pain you're putting him through?'' Azrael is shaking, he's clearly shaken by all of this, a reflection of his own trauma with his past that is still left unresolved.
Nicolas takes a deep breath, the shaky touch of his lover snaps him off his own pained heart.
He pushes Azrael off with ease, turning to see his family.
His mother and Milo were nowhere to be seen, his mother probably felt nauseated by what he said, while his younger brother, well, he probably didn't care enough to stay, preferring to go to his own bed than being in this nosy environment, and that is better than berating Nicolas, for sure.
Mael is looking directly at Nicolas, his eyes say so much, clear fear and empathy. Those eyes make Nicolas feel even sicker. Is he scared of what it was said or of Nicolas himself? Either way, it still hurts like hell to be on the receiving end of.
Elara's eyes show nothing but sympathy, she was always kind, so there was nothing else he expected from the woman that chased after a man that preferred to be in his office working than mingling with others.
But Zacharie's and his father's eyes.,.
Disgust.
Anger.
Fear.
Horror.
There wasn't a single sign of empathy or love.
With shaky hands, Nicolas cleans the tears that still fall from his eyes. ''I believe you'll regret this one day'', his words are just as shaky as his hands, he can't bring himself to look his father in the eyes. ''I am not sick. Azrael did not influence me. I always were and always will be gay'', he takes a deep breath, trying to force himself to stand tall. ''Denying that is denying my whole existence''.
''Nicolas! Stop this nonsense!'' His father slams his hand on the table, making Mael start to cry.
Levi, who was silent until now, gets up from his chair, grabbing the crying 6 year-old. ''I don't care who you love or what you do, just… think carefully if this is how you want to live the rest of your days as''. He leaves the room as he consoles the crying child.
''Brother, you…'' Ezekiel also finally speaks, he's clearly shaking. ''Why? When?'' He asks, his eyes red from the tears he's holding back. Nicolas' heart clenches.
''Since I was born?'' He answers with a pained smile amidst his own tears.
''No…'' Ezekiel whispers, shaking his head, bringing his trembling hands towards his face to hide his tears, crying in silence.
''Leave'', his father says again. ''I was always lenient with you because you were traumatized, but Nicolas, this is crossing a line''.
''What line?'' Nicolas yells with frustration, it's the first time he ever yelled back at his father. ''Being myself? Why is everyone allowed to be themselves but me?''
''You're just confused!'' His father yells back.
''I'm not!'' Nicolas says, his vision becoming blurry due to the non-stop tears. ''I think I would know if I were confused after 100 years of taking up my ass'', he says with sarcasm, clearly using vulgar words to make his father feel worse.
''You just haven't met the right girl yet, look at your brother, he found someone, you'll too'', Margaret says, she looks disturbed, as if Nicolas had just admitted to killing the pope.
''Sure, I can't even get hard for a girl'', Nicolas answers, his words becoming more and more crude the angrier he gets.
He's feeling a mix of sadness, anger and despair. Losing his family, falling out with his dear brother, disappointing his father, disgusting his mother, this was why it took him 490 years to tell his parents this. That's why he was scared.
''Enough, just leave, and don't come back until you've given up this nonsense'', his father says.
''Sure, I'll leave'', Nicolas says, standing straight, grabbing Azrael's cold hand. ''I admired you so much father, yet today, you've become nothing but a senile old man to me''.
That's the last thing he remembers, the rest of the day was a blur, he remembers the stench of blood, the warm whispers of Azrael's comforting, but nothing was able to soothe his pained heart.
43 years ago.
Daylight Pub.
9 p.m.
''...The three cargos arrived safely at Daisy City's harbor, the police that were at the scene were ours'', the annoying voice of Aran Wenless makes Nicolas Algeo's head ring, most days he wouldn't have such a negative reaction to his right hand man speaking, but today of all days…
''Fine, just make sure what happened last time doesn't happen again'', Nicolas says, sighing and closing his eyes, his headache becoming worse. ''Or it'll be your hand I'll be cutting next''.
Aran nods, leaving the room without another word, aware of Nicolas' bad mood.
And the source of such mood soon enters his office.
''How are you doing, brother?''
It's almost funny to see the dark neon lights on Zacharie's skin, how his red tired eyes do not match the background, his overgrown beard a clear sign of his habit of seclusion to work and his scrawny appearance only solidifying it even more.
It's been a few years since Nicolas last saw Zacharie at their parents' house. Their last meeting leaves such a stain on Nicolas' mental health that simply thinking about it makes the man's head and heart throb in pain.
Although he was thrown out by his father, chastised by some of his brothers, there were others like Milo and Mael, that just a few days later contacted him to say they still love him. Although Mael was still a child, he was more mature than others, even visiting Nicolas' in secret before he entered the Academy years later. And Milo, well, all he texted was: 'Love you either way', and 'Can you receive a package for me at your house? It's a new pillow set'.
Years later, Ezekiel was also another that came to him, crying profusely, begging for his forgiveness. Apologizing for any time he said something that harmed Nicolas, saying he was ignorant, it was hard to not accept his apology considering he was his precious younger brother.
Levi never apologized, but that was to be expected, he did, however, send Nicolas a distribution partnership contract for his company, that was probably the closest he would get of an apology from him.
His parents never contacted him.
And Zacharie, well, it seems it took him almost 20 years.
''Well, I feel like shit'', Nicolas says, putting his legs up onto his table, staring at his older brother who looks even more pathetic as the days go by.
He used to respect Zacharie, but that was before he threw away his well-established career to work at that damp old Blood Bank and started secluding himself even more to study and work. How his wife manages him is beyond impressive.
''My head is pounding like crazy, and my homophobic brother came to my clearly gay pub'', Nicolas points towards the glass of his office, where the pub's lively crowd is. Daylight is one of his first businesses, before an invitation only gay club, now is an openly gay pub that gathers vampires from all adjacent cities near Iris City.
''Nicolas, I came to apologize. I can't erase my words or the harm they brought you, but I realized my mistake''. Zacharie ignores Nicolas' words, he is standing near the door, his solemn eyes make it hard for the man to joke around, the sincerity in his tone was always hard to deal with, after all, how can Nicolas scream at someone that is being openly sincere towards him? Especially when that someone is his only older brother.
Someone that took care of him since he was a child and even got his back at a cruel battlefield during a war he was way too young to partake in.
They had their differences, and they dealt with the traumas of the war in completely opposite ways. However, there's no denying that his words hurt more than their father's.
Because one he expected, the other he didn't.
''So you're saying you accept that I'm gay now? Do you understand me now?'' Nicolas' eyes are dark, he is skeptical.
''I cannot say I completely understand it'', Zacharie says, shaking his head. ''But I am trying'', he sighs. ''My realization was more on the fact that I denied your existence when I said those words, more than the ingrained prejudice I have''.
''So you're still homophobic, but you just love me too much?'' Nicolas laughs, patting his pants, trying to hide his nervousness.
He wants to be accepted.
Even if he pretends to have come to accept his family's decision to let him go.
After all, in the Algeo family, their blood ties mean everything.
''I plan to marry Azrael'', Nicolas says, watching as Zacharie's eyes twitch, yet he doesn't say a word, his eyes remaining calmly resting on Nicolas.
''I hope you come to forgive me enough to invite me to such a joyous occasion'', Zacharie's answer makes Nicolas laugh even more.
''So, how about you, me, Azrael and Elara, go on a double date?'' He takes his legs off the table, leaning forward, his eyes show nothing but hostility.
But his brother remains firm. ''Sure, even if I can accept you like men…'' Zacharie pauses before continuing. ''He still looks like bad news''.
''Well, he changed a lot after he quit his job'', Nicolas shrugs.
''What? You're supporting him?''
''Yup, he looks sexy doing housework, what could I do besides give him a car, a limitless card, a building and my heart?'' Nicolas' answer is to taunt Zacharie, although it is the truth.
''He's using you''.
''Dear brother, we've been together for 57 years, if all he wanted was my money, he would be in a ditch somewhere, not at my house cooking for me''.
''What is 57 years for us that live centuries?''
''That is more than Mael's age, are you going to argue that Mael means less due to his young age?''
A frown appears on Zacharie's face as he realizes there's no use in arguing with Nicolas. He will only lose, and not only that, he's risking making a mistake when he came here to fix their relationship.
''Nicolas, you're my younger brother, for 200 years it was just us, we fought together, we grew together, I love you deeply, although I basked in my ignorance, telling myself I was right in my rotten thoughts, there wasn't a single moment my love for you diminished. And now, after so much self-reflection, I realize I only caused you harm these past years, ignoring your will, ignoring your individuality, your love. I was wrong, Nicolas, you're free to love whoever you'd like, and regardless of your questionable choices, I will keep loving you as my baby brother''.
''For someone that rarely speaks much you sure just threw a whole speech at me'', Nicolas answers, swallowing the tears. He can't cry again. Not in front of his older brother, never again.
''You're worth it''.
Nicolas laughs, trying to stop himself from being emotional. ''You know, Ezekiel kneeled while crying begging for my forgiveness'', he exaggerates a bit.
''I cannot ruin these pants or Elara will skin me alive'', Zacharie smiles weakly.
''Well, I don't wish to make sis mad so…'' Nicolas says, leaning back. ''You should leave before more people see you here, they might think you're cheating'', he jokes.
Zacharie shakes his head. ''It's ok if you never forgive me, Nicolas. I'll keep trying to earn it.''
Current days.
Iris City Center.
3 p.m.
"So how did it go?" Nicolas asks the moment he answers the phone, he sits at a bench near the sidewalk, just moments before he was taking his afternoon run and even took a few minutes to speak with Mael on the phone, being interrupted by the call he was waiting for.
Earlier Azrael went to the adoption center by himself, they were in talks with a few pregnant vampire women, in order to adopt their babies, however, all choose different parents for their children…
It was hard to understand why they were being denied. But it was, unfortunately, quite clear.
So their last option was the adoption agency. I already told everyone, will I need to tell them no one allowed us to adopt because we're… two fathers? Nicolas thinks, slightly anxious. He hasn't felt like this since he came out to his family.
On the other side, Azrael sighs. "Love, you should come here…", his voice is low and he sounds worried, Nicolas' legs shake a little as he gets up from the bench, pacing around as he waits for his boyfriend's next words: ''I can't do this alone'', he finally says.
Nicolas nods. ''I'll be there in a few minutes'', he turns off the phone and starts running again, he could call Aran to get the car, but that would take too long, in 15 minutes, he arrives at the adoption center, his whole body screaming, his forehead dripping in so much sweat that his already short red hair is also drenched. A deep breath to calm his heart later, he opens the door of the building.
The place is filled with cute children's decor, as the building shares the place with a small orphanage, it makes sense that there are even a few small children playing around. It doesn't take long for him to spot Azrael standing in a corner near the reception.
A smile creeps on Nicolas' face, just seeing Azrael is enough to put his heart at ease, and remind him that no matter what goes wrong, he'll always have him. Their love that remained unshakable for 100 years, their bond that only strengthened and their loyalty to each other that surpasses even the loyalty he has for his own family.
He walks slowly towards the other, whose azure eyes shift from his phone to Nicolas, a smile on his lips the moment their eyes meet. ''Love, you're here!'' Azrael takes Nicolas' hands on his, placing a soft kiss on it. ''Let's go in'', he says softly as he leads the way inside towards a small office.
Inside, an elderly woman seemed to be already waiting for them. She looks at them kindly but pitifully, making Nicolas' blood run cold, as he and Azrael take a seat in the chairs in front of her.
''You're…'', she looks down at the papers on her hand. ''Mister Nicolas Algeo, correct?'' She asks with a soft sigh.
''Yes'', Nicolas nods.
''As I previously advised Mister Sofer, the adoption of a newborn is a very strenuous process, babies are the most requested after all'', she looks slightly sad as she says that. ''And although we don't have any actual requirements to what constitutes a proper family'', she says looking down. ''Most families on the waiting list for newborns are…''.
Nicolas' hands tremble, Azrael holds it tightly.
''Normal?'' Azrael is the one to ask, his eyes are cold making the woman flinch.
She shakes her head. ''That's not what I mean'', she sighs. ''Listen, I know you're probably two proper men, with a great family like the Algeos, anyone would be crazy to not wish to be part of it'', she continues. ''However, this process is harder when you cannot prove that the environment you live in is proper for a child''.
''Proper?'' Nicolas asks in a mumble.
''I apologize, but that's how things work'', she becomes red with embarrassment. ''You could always choose to adopt a child instead of a baby or a toddler'', she says, grabbing a folder behind her. ''We have quite a lot of lovely children that are in dire need of a family, the older they get the hardest it is for them to be adopted, so process is… quicker.''
Azrael's grip on Nicolas' hand gets tighter and colder. But this situation is different from 62 years ago, the woman in front of him isn't family, and although she is their last option in Iris City, they can always go farther away to find their child, there's no real rush.
''With all due respect Ma'am'', actually no respect, but I'll try to be respectful at least, he thinks, his eyes becoming colder just like his partner's. ''But what about me and Azrael that says we're not suited to be parents of a baby?''
''Mister Algeo, it's protocol to allow families that can sane all the children's needs to have priority in adoption, especially of babies or smaller children''. It's clear she's embarrassed, worried and doesn't truly wish to say those words. Is it because she doesn't believe the so-called protocol or because she knows of the Algeos' prestige?
Even so, no prestige is great enough to prevent the prejudices that come with Nicolas' own love life. Funny how who I love is more important than the fact I could burn this place to the ground if I so wish to and suffer absolutely no consequence, he thinks, starting to become hot-headed, I could beat her face on the table until she stops breathing, kidnap a child and no one would get on my way, yet we wanted to do things right. Ha, a crime ring leader trying to follow the law, why did we even try? This is a waste of time.
Nicolas gets up. ''I've heard enough'', he tries to walk away but Azrael hands him down, the man's eyes are still on the woman.
''At least have the decency to tell the truth'', Azrael says. ''Say it, that you think we're improper because we're gay, because we don't follow the way you believe family should be'', he says, his hands are cold like ice, and Nicolas can see his other hand clutching his pants, freezing it. ''That would be more honorable''.
''Mister Sofer… As I said, if you choose to adopt an older child, it would be easier'', she says firmly. ''I am not against you, but I am not the only one signing the adoptions, I'm simply helping you to achieve your goal to start your own family.''
''We need to think'', Nicolas says, calming down due to Azrael's own lost temper, pulling the man up with ease and proceeding to pull him out of the office as well, not sparing another word towards the woman. ''Are you ok?'' He stops, turning to look at Azrael who looks both angry and dejected, his azure eyes shining with disappointment for what just transpired, perhaps he thought that Nicolas would be able to change the woman's mind, that the name of an Algeo would be enough.
It should have been enough.
Perhaps they think the prosperity of the Algeos ended when their Patriarch died.
Nicolas places his hands on the side of Azrael's face, making the man look at him. ''Azrael, we went through the worst things, we will find our child, no matter how long it takes and how many places we need to visit, we will find them''.
Azrael nods, sighing. He places a soft kiss on Nicolas' lips. ''I'm sorry I lost my cool, Love''.
He smiles, kissing Azrael on his cheeks, ''As long as we have each other, we can do it all''.
They turn to walk away, but stop before even taking a step as they're met with a small girl in the middle of the hallway.
She looks to be around three or four, her height barely reaches Nicolas' waist, her eyes are of a light tone of lilac, her hair is black like the darkest of nights, cut irregularly as if the child had played with scissors herself.
''Are you looking for a child?'' She asks, her voice is clear, and although she's young, she speaks in a way that makes her feel more mature.
''Yes'', Azrael is the one who answers, holding Nicolas' hand. ''Are you lost?''
The girl shakes her head. ''Did you guys find your child?'' She asks, looking directly into their eyes. The two men shake their heads, confused. ''Then…''
But before the girl can even finish her sentence, the woman barges out of the office. ''Beatrice! What are you doing here?'' Her voice is loud and her face is red with anger. ''You know you're not allowed in here''. She grabs the girl by her ear, trying to drag her way.
''Wait'', Azrael says, stepping up, grabbing the woman's arm. ''What are you doing? Why are you hurting this child?''
''I'm sorry Mister Sofer, but this child isn't supposed to be here''.
''Why?'' Nicolas asks.
''She's…'', the woman sighs, still grabbing tightly on the child's ear as the child struggles to escape the woman's clutches. ''A defective''.
The two men flinch with her words. ''Defective?'' They ask at the same time, but before the woman speaks again the child manages to escape, running towards Nicolas and grabbing the rim of his shirt.
''Please, sir, take me home with you'', the child begs. ''I promise I'll be good, I won't even ask for much, just a bed to sleep on is more than enough! I can clean, and I can do anything, you can keep me in a corner and forget about me! I don't need food or love, I'll be a good girl! I promise!''.
''Beatrice! Stop bothering people!'' The woman attempts to grab the child again, but Nicolas gets in her way.
''You shouldn't hurt children'', he says. ''Not even thugs harm children''.
''Listen, Mister Algeo, I understand your frustration, but this child is a demon, don't you see the mark on her hand?'' As she points out he looks down at the child's hand, filled with marks of burning cigarettes, his eyes open in distress and his whole body runs cold. ''She kept being sent back due to being defective''.
Azrael grabs the woman, his eyes completely out of it. ''Stop calling her defective!'' He yells, of course he does, such words are a remembrance of his own childhood.
''What is a vampire that can't consume blood other than defective?'' The woman yells back. ''This child will die soon, so stop trying to get in my way just because you're upset for being denied!''
''It's not her fault!'' Azrael yells back,grabbing the woman by her collar and slamming her body against the wall, Nicolas covers the eyes of the child while attentively watching his man. He's so sexy when he's angry, he thinks with a smile. He wants to join, slam that woman's head on the wall, watch her blood spatter beautifully, but he can't, not in front of the child. ''What the hell is wrong with these adults that can't even behave?'' Azrael asks, his face near the woman's, his grip so tight that no matter how much the woman struggles she can't get out of his grasp, her clothes slowly freezing. ''A child that is ill needs care, a child who's scared needs love and a child who's lost needs guidance, not violence and blame!''
''She's cursed, stop trying to say it's our fault, we tried to save her, but she kept coming back with blood on her hands!'' The woman yells again, the girl flinches under Nicolas' hand, he grabs the child with his other hand, patting her back, just like he used to do with Eryx when he cried as a kid. ''She's nothing more than a defective vampire, you don't even know what you're talking about. Just because you're both not normal as well…'' She can't finish her phrase before Azrael pulls the gun that was inside his jacket and points to her head.
''Now you shut up?'' He smiles coldly. ''We're taking her'', he claims, not needing to look at Nicolas to know the man agrees, after all, they're that much in sync to know what decisions they agree in even without verbal agreement.
Nicolas can feel the girl's tears on his hand.
''You can't adopt her, she's not up for adoption'', the woman says calmly, trying to avoid getting shot.
''Why not?''
''Because she's not registered'', her words make Azrael hesitate, clear in his eyes what's going through his head.
That, just like him, this girl is so unwanted that no one even bothered to register her birth, not even the orphanage itself where she's supposed to be cared for. Three seconds, that's how long it takes for Azrael's brain to finish its thought, and right after he pulls the trigger, the woman sliding down the wall, a trail of her blood on the wall.
Nicolas sighs, grabbing the girl. ''Listen, I'll take you away, covering your eyes, don't be scared, we won't hurt you''.
''Where will you take me?'' The girl asks amidst her sobs.
''To our home, where you'll be safe.'' Nicolas answers, still unsure, they were there to adopt a baby, in the middle they were angry and disappointed, to in the end adopt a child who was never even properly registered as alive in the first place.
Well, adopt is a strong word, as they're definitely not going through the usual procedures.
''Will you be my family?'' The girl asks, making Nicolas' flinch.
Azrael walks towards them, placing his bloody hand on Nicolas' shoulder and the other hand on the girl's head. ''If you'll be ours'', he says with a weak smile, leaning on Nicolas' shoulder, as he sighs, burnt out.