regency au } { of reawakening and returning home

[arsion]

Liam: [and it will take a day and a half before Liam blinks awake in bed, his body feeling heavy and useless as he tries to sit up. He doesn't recognize where he is, and the light coming in through the windows hurts his eyes and gives him a headache. Parrish isn't in the room at the moment, but his scent lingers to his right where a chair is.]

Lizzie: [apologies in advance for this one's lack of a bedside manner, but all of the Hales that would have likely preferred to be available are resting, so you get this blond instead, and she leans over and sees him stir] Oh good. You're awake.

Liam: I feel like I woke up from the dead. [looks at her] You're one of Lady Hope's friends, right?

Lizzie: Yep. I'm Lizzie, Josie's sister. [that usually helps provide context. She gets up and leans into squint at him] Can you tell me your name?

Liam: Liam. Just, Liam. Well, Sir Liam. At least I hope I'm still a knight. [looks at her] It wasn't a dream, was it?

Lizzie: Depends on your dream. Were you frolicking joyously through a field of beautiful wildflowers?

Liam: [gives a sad laugh] God, I wish.

Lizzie: [winces sympathetically] Do you know where you are?

Liam: [thinks] France. I think. Maybe near where Hope's family lives?

Lizzie: [nods] You're in it, actually. The Abattoir, that is. [she shifts to sit on the edge of the bed next to him] Now's the part where I have to ask you if you remember what happened. [which it seems as though he does, but she's got to ask it anyway]

Liam: [he swallows, then nods] It was like I was trapped in a cage again, only able to look out and watch, but couldn't do anything.

Lizzie: That's unfortunate. [a beat] For you. I'm sure it'll make things easier on everyone else.

Liam: I'm sure. [thinks] Did I... he... is Lord Hale dead?

Lizzie: Not when we left. He was in bad shape, but he was on the mend.

Liam: [and he lets out a sigh of relief] Ben and Isaac?

Lizzie: Ben had a couple deep scrapes, but he's fine. Isaac's wounds were mostly superficial.

Liam: [nods, looking at his hands] And why am I still alive?

Lizzie: Lydia used her freaky banshee powers to push La Bete out of your body. And then Kate stabbed the ghost with the secret weapon. It was all pretty cool. [she tips her head to the side] It definitely was touch and go for you for a minute, though. You've been out a while.

Liam: How long?

Lizzie: Almost two days?

Liam: Oh. [and he's quiet for a bit, not sure what else to say.]

Lizzie: [that's okay, Lizzie can talk enough for everyone] I'm sure Lord Parrish will be in to see you soon. He's been very worried about you.

Liam: He has? [because Liam didn't know if Parrish would put Liam over the Hales' safety anymore]

Lizzie: You're surprised? You're like his best friend. [which who knows if that's actually true, but that's how his behavior's read]

Liam: I also put hurt the Hales. Last time that happened, I was sent away.

Lizzie: You were possessed. That's not your fault.

Liam: I just wish I remembered how.

Lizzie: One of the Dread Doctors was the knight who trained you. [because he must have missed that part of the conversation]

Liam: Sir Jacob? [nope, he had no idea]

Lizzie: Yeah. He's dead now.

Liam: [just nods, still trying to wrap his brain around it] I never knew. I don't remember him ever doing anything to harm me.

Lizzie: They had access to a memory erasing mud pit. I wouldn't be surprised if they found a way to weaponize that. Or just did it the old fashioned way with trauma.

Liam: [gives a sad laugh] Yeah, I'm used to that. I just wish I knew what I did to deserve all this.

Lizzie: You didn't do anything. [not that she's sure he'll believe her, but it needs to be said] Just because people get hurt doesn't mean they deserve it. Sometimes it just means they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and met the wrong people.

Liam: [looks at her] I'm sure you heard that I was a kid when Parrish met me at their lab. I don't have any memory of a life or people outside of the lab before him. Ever. For all I know, I was born there.

Lizzie: You weren't. [a beat] I mean, we don't know where or anything but a banshee talked to some ghosts and they say you're an Argent so ... there's that?

Liam: Wait... an Argent? That can't be right.

Lizzie: That's what the Ladies Argent claim, but the ghost doesn't have any reason to lie, so. [she shrugs] That's something you have lots of time to figure out now that you're not possessed or dead.

Liam: I guess.. [he's still not sure he believes it] The town I... he destroyed. There was an Argent there. I think he called her Nadine.

Lizzie: You'll have to ask Lydia.

Liam: Who's Lydia?

Parrish: [and this will be about the time he returns, stopping at the doorway in shock to see Liam awake] Liam?

Liam: [and he'll look over, then nod] Yeah, it's me.

Lizzie: Lydia's the banshee. She's a friend of Lady Argent's. [and gets up to slide out of Parrish's way] And I'm going to let you two catch up.

Parrish: Thank you. [and when she is going, they're going to talk until Liam's energy fades and he'll fall back asleep. Parrish will leave then and go in search of Kate]

Kate: [is returning from spending time in town with Marcel, he catches her as she makes her way into the entryway of the Abattoir] Any word?

Parrish: He woke up, though he's already back asleep. [licks his lips] He remembers everything that happened, but he had no idea that Lord Hennsington and Sir Jacob were the dread doctors.

Kate: [nods] Well, that's a mixed bag, but I'm sure it will make his wife feel better.

Parrish: He mentioned wanting to talk to you the next time he wakes up. Lady Saltzman mentioned that he is an Argent.

Kate: I don't have any answers for him, but I can try. I'll go sit with him after I clean up.

Parrish: Thank you. I'm going to write a letter to Malia and Laura, updating them on Liam's health and memories.

Kate: [nods] Hope or one of the witches will get it to them faster.

Parrish: That's what I was thinking. Thank you.

Kate: [nods, and she will leave him to that and go take a shift with Liam]

Liam: [and in another hour or so, he will wake up with a start, having dreamt that he was back trapped inside of his own body]

Kate: [reaches forward to rest a hand on his arm] It's alright. It was just a dream.

Liam: [trying to slow his breathing down] I was trapped again. I couldn't stop him.

Kate: You've been through a lot. It's going to take time to process. But La Bete is gone.

Liam: [nods, eventually he'll believe it] He remembered you.

Kate: Me?

Liam: I think. He knew you were an Argent. He mentioned something that happened thirty years ago? He ranted a lot to himself... or to me.

Kate: [nods] Marcel, Danielle, Peter and I prevented the last attempt he made at emerging.

Liam: That must be why he went after Peter first.

Kate: Maybe. But we didn't have a full encounter with him last time, just the Doctors.

Liam: [shrugs] Then I don't know. Maybe he was told it at some point. He was just so angry, all the time.

Kate: He was murdered by his own sister. Speaking from personal experience, it makes you quite livid.

Liam: And you're decedents from her.

Kate: We are. She married an Argent and founded our family. We built everything we have on his death. I'm not surprised he was interested in revenge.

Liam: In the town he destroyed, there was an Argent living there. She looked to be about your age, but looked more like Lady Allison.

Kate: Really? [she leans back in her seat as she considers] Most of the lines I'm aware of were further north, near Paris. I didn't know there was one still in Orleans.

Liam: She said her name was Nadine.

Kate: Nadine. [she frowns, before shaking her head] I can go and see if they left anything behind. Maybe there are answers there we haven't uncovered.

Liam: Lady Saltzman said I should talk with Lady Lydia, the banshee?

Kate: [nods slowly] She never gave the name of the spirit she spoke to. She might have more information.

Liam: But the spirit was who said I was an Argent.

Kate: That's what I was told.

Liam: But no one really knows.

Kate: From what I understand, we needed your true born name in order to eject Sebastien from your body. Since using Argent worked, then it must be true, but I don't know if we'll ever be able to know more than that.

Liam: Alright. [nope, still confused.] Maybe Lady Lydia could help me talk to the spirit.

Kate: It's worth asking. I'm sure she would be willing to try.

Liam: I just want to know why me.

Kate: That, I don't think anyone can answer for you in a way that's satisfying.

Liam: What am I going to tell Malia?

Kate: [deep breath] You reassure her that everything between you was real. That you chose her, not him. And ... the rest you can figure out.

Liam: Okay. [and he goes to rub the back of his neck, then whimpers] There's something on my neck that hurts.

Kate: [moves to sit on the bed, getting closer so she can look] Let me see.

Liam: [and he'll turn. When Kate goes to lift his hair, there's a big bruise with what looks like a scar of a ring around a much smaller scar where a large needle would have gone in. It's not healing at all in the normal werewolf way]

Kate: Were you injected with something?

Liam: Not that I remember. Or while I wasn't in control.

Kate: Hmm. It's not healing the way it should.

Liam: That's not good.

Kate: Have you tried using any of your abilities?

Liam: No. I'm too tired to.

Kate: Can you show me your eyes? [it shouldn't take too much energy and they should be careful that they didn't ... cure his lycanthropy]

Liam: [well, he'll try, but nothing happens. Because they kinda did, but not in the way they think]

Kate: [.... welp. she tries to keep that off her face.] It's likely from the exhaustion. I'm sure it will heal soon.

Liam: Yeah, ok. [he is recovering from being possessed by a psychopath after all] Maybe getting something to eat might help. I don't remember the last time I really ate anything.

Kate: I'll have something sent up from the kitchen.

Liam: Thanks. [he rubs his head again, just to feel the shape] I guess we really are family now, huh?

Kate: [she snorts] I suppose we are. Get some rest. [and with that she will do as she promised and have food sent up, before going to find Parrish again] We may have a small problem.

Parrish: [is just finishing his letter and he will look over at her] Is it too much to ask for us to go problem free for a few days?

Kate: Liam's wolf abilities aren't working. He's not healing and he can't show me his eyes.

Parrish: ... What? How does that happen?

Kate: I don't know. Perhaps it's his body readjusting?

Parrish: Probably. I could ask one of the wolves to check him over, one who knows him well like Isaac or Ben.

Kate: [nods] It would be good. I didn't alert him to anything being wrong because I didn't want him to panic. It's possible it could return, and he doesn't need the stress.

Parrish: No, that was the right thing to do. He's already dealing with a lot.

Kate: Make sure the boys are aware if you send them. He wants to know what Lydia knows about the spirit she spoke with, so I'm going to find her.

Parrish: I will, but I'll probably wait until later. Put some distance between your conversation and theirs.

Kate: [nods] If they can't figure it out, maybe the witches will.

Parrish: Hm. Maybe I'll send Ben and Hope then.

Kate: [nods] Is there anything else that needs my attention?

Parrish: No. I think that once Liam's up to it, we could head home.

Kate: [nods] I agree. I'll make sure we're ready when it's time.

Parrish: Thank you, for being here for him.

Kate: [nods] I'm sorry Peter and I didn't finish the job all those years ago. Maybe we wouldn't be here.

Parrish: Maybe. But something tells me that life would be a lot different for all of us if you had, and maybe not in a good way for some.

Kate: [shrugs] Guess we'll never know. [and with that she will head off to find Lydia to send her to see Liam]

Liam: [and he's tried to eat, but after a few mouthfuls, he isn't hungry any longer. But he's very thirsty and drinks two goblets of water back to back]

Lydia: [knocks lightly on the door frame] Feeling better?

Liam: Somewhat. I'm still tired, and I'm not really hungry like I thought I'd be.

Lydia: Sometimes it takes time for an appetite to come back.

Liam: I guess. [sits up a bit] Thank you, for everything you did to help save me.

Lydia: I was happy to help. I was told you wanted to see me?

Liam: Yeah. Lady Saltzman said you spoke with a spirit that told you I was an Argent.

Lydia: [nods as she moves to sit in the nearby chair] I did.

Liam: Did they say anything else about me?

Lydia: [shakes her head] Just that you were "of silver" and that it would help you survive.

Liam: Is it... would it be... could maybe we talk to them? I'm sure it doesn't work that way, but if they knew that, they could tell me how this happened to me?

Lydia: Spirits speak in riddles. I can't promise they'll have anything of value, or that we will understand.

Liam: I've spent my whole life not knowing who I really was or why the doctors had me. If I could find out, it's worth trying.

Lydia: [nods, and she leans back in the seat, tuning out of the room and trying to reach out for the spirit she met before, trying to see if she's still there]

Nadine: [yep, she's there, watching over them both]

Lydia: [tips her head to the side] She's here. What do you want to ask her?

Liam: How does she know I was an Argent?

Nadine: [sighs] He is of my blood, the blood we share tells all.

Lydia: She's also an Argent. [a beat] How directly is he of your blood?

Nadine: [looks at Liam fondly] Were he a girl, I would have kept him as my own. But that is not the way of my family.

Lydia: [eyes widen] She's your mother.

Liam: [blinks] My mother? I have a mother?

Lydia: She said that if you were a girl she would have kept you, but that's not her family's way.

Liam: [that... doesn't sound right. Kate has brothers, after all.]

Nadine: The way leads to returning back to nature where we all descend from. He never was to live, but God, or Lucifer, had another plan.

Lydia: [it doesn't take her long to connect those dots, and she turns on the ghost with a sharp look] You realize you authored your own destruction, don't you? That is how the Doctors got him. [sorry Liam, you're only getting half a conversation right now]

Nadine: Only in hindsight does one truly see.

Liam: How did the Doctors get me?

Lydia: Convenient, isn't it? [deep sigh, before turning back to Liam] She left you for dead. And they must have seized an opportunity to resurrect the Argents greatest enemy with a child from the Argent line.

Liam: What? All because I was a boy?

Nadine: I can see his story, one without me. They fed him rainwater as a babe, water long stored out of mud, to turn him the way our enemy was made. Neither born nor bit, one meant only to be for him.

Lydia: [oh. ooooooh.] You were unconventionally made. The same way La Bete was.

Liam: Of course I was. [and he rubs at his eyes] I've heard enough, I think.

Nadine: The danger is gone, yet he enters a new life. The silver in him will give him strength.

Lydia: If he has strength to gain from silver, it won't be from you. [but she pulls back and lets that be the last word. She turns to Liam with a frown] I have ... a concern, though. With you being unconventionally made.

Liam: What's that?

Lydia: What I did to expel La Bete from your body, is also said to be a cure for lycanthropy.

Liam: [give him a minute with that, Lydia, because that's not something he thought was even possible] Lady Kate just thinks I'm not healing because of how traumatic this was on my body. But you're saying... I might not be a werewolf anymore?

Lydia: [she shrugs] It's hard to say. But it is an unexpected complication.

Liam: ... I've never not been a wolf. I'm not sure how to take that.

Lydia: We don't know for sure. I just felt that you should be warned, and let us know if you feel anything ... strange.

Liam: Beyond feeling exhausted and run over by a stampede of horses?

Lydia: Other than that, yes.

Liam: I will let you know. [because he's going to be feeling very strange soon because of the change]

Lydia: [nods] If we have cured you ... perhaps this is a gift. If you do become a werewolf again, this time it will be your choice.

Liam: [just nods, but he's got that glazed look of someone with information overload]

Lydia: [nods and gets up] Get some rest. None of these are going to have quick solutions.

Liam: Just need time and patience. [sighs, and slides down back into the bed, his mostly untouched food left on the bedside table] Thank you, Lady Lydia. I may not like the answers, but I have them now.

Lydia: [nods] I'm sorry I couldn't give you more. [but with that she will leave him to rest and return to the rest of the house]

Liam: [and he's going to not get any werewolf powers back, which makes Liam depressed, but in two more days he wants to go home]

Kate: [and they will do just that, saying their thanks and goodbyes to the Mikaelsons and beginning the trek back to Hale manor]

Liam: [and he'll end up riding in the carriage since he doesn't have the stamina to ride like he used to]

Laura: [and when they arrive, Laura will be waiting for them at the door. Malia will have received Parrish's letter, but she's up with the children and figures Liam will be heading for their rooms anyway]

Parrish: [he jumps off his horse first, going to meet his wife after a long period away]

Isaac: [and he will go to the carriage and help both Lady Argents out]

Liam: [and he'll be last out of the carriage, a thick cloak around him to keep him warm in the northern lands]

Laura: [smiles, relieved to have him back in one piece] Welcome home.

Kate: [and Allison both accept Isaac's help, and after a brief nod to Laura will go in search of her husband]

Parrish: I missed you. [he gives her a quick kiss] How are the kids?

Laura: Well enough. Amelia's been worried, and Grayson is on his way home. They'll both be happy to see you.

Parrish: I'll be just as happy.

Parrish: [watching them walk in, then lowers his voice] He still hasn't gotten his gifts back. It's looking more and more like in removing La Bete, it also removed his wolf.

Laura: [nods as they go inside] Well, it doesn't have to stay that way if he doesn't want it to.

Parrish: I think he's still in shock about it. He's never had to be human.

Laura: [nods] There have been a lot of shocks, recently. We'll see how things go.

Parrish: You'll probably want to check in with him later.

Laura: I will. [and she takes his hand to lead him inside, back to their own private rooms] How are you doing with all of this?

Parrish: I've never felt so helpless. I couldn't do anything to help them save him. It was all magic banshees and things I've never really witnessed before.

Laura: [she nods] I can imagine. Though it seems as though everything worked out as best it could.

- - - - -

Peter: [he's on the mend, in his library reading since his grandkids wear him out faster right now]

Kate: [comes around the corner and smiles when she sees him] You seem like you're doing better.

Peter: [sees her and smiles] The outside is mostly healed. However, Deaton insists I continue resting for another week. I just can't be in our rooms all day anymore.

Kate: I don't blame you. [she moves to settle into a chair next to him with a heavy sigh] How's Malia doing?

Peter: [ sighs] She's worried about how long La Bete was in Liam and what it means for their relationship. She's been winding herself up, and I'm not sure how their reunion will go. [puts his book down] How is the boy?

Kate: Well, he's gotten some answers about where he came from, but not all of them are easy. [a pause] And it seems whatever we did to remove La Bete took his lycanthropy with it.

Peter: [blinks] He's human now?

Kate: [nods] Apparently he was made a wolf the same way La Bete was - with water from the pawprint of a wolf. So the cure we used cured him as well.

Peter: Huh. So they felt that making a host like how he was would make the possession take. Any idea on how long it was in him?

Kate: [shakes her head] Though apparently Sebastien remembered me from thirty years ago, so he must have been in a different host then.

Peter: A different host. It would have definitely been before Liam was born, so it is possible. That or he had spies with impressive drawing skills.

Kate: Either way, he's gone for good now. The world is better off.

Peter: That shall make my daughter relieved as well. But does this now mean you can relax now?

Kate: [she gives him a wry smile] Well, I am currently lacking an old family problem to monitor. Unless Daniel decides to rear his head again.

Peter: Let us pray not.

Kate: But I suppose it does mean that I can relax. Perhaps we should take Liam and Malia back to the summer castle. Give them some time to ... recalibrate while there are babysitters on hand.

Peter: That's a wonderful idea. Give them space both from what happened and from others who will hover over Liam. [aka Parrish]

Kate: [nods] Not right away, of course, as Parrish may object, but once things settle some.

Peter: My insides may object as well. I should be back to normal in another few days though.

Kate: Good. Hopefully having everyone home will help that as well.

Peter: Having you back will help greatly. [and he will reach over to take her hand]

Kate: [smiles as she gives it a squeeze] Marcel says hello, by the way. And that he's apparently still insulted about not being invited to the wedding.

Peter: [and he laughs, wincing in the process as he holds his ribs] Of course he would be.

Kate: I think he believes he's owed some kind of credit.

Peter: If he would ever leave Orleans, he could come visit us at the summer castle.

Kate: I could write him, see what he says. I'm sure he has a capable lieutenant he can put in charge.

Peter: If he doesn't, I would worry. Unless he's waiting for Hope to do so.

Kate: [shakes her head] Hope is going to be growing into the werewolf side, when she inherits her mother's alpha abilities. He needs a vampire to manage the vampire court.

Peter: Ah, that's right.

Kate: I'm sure he would be more than happy to host us as well. Perhaps the next time we visit Allison and Isaac.

Peter: Yes, and a time before Ben and Hope's marriage. That way he will know he is the focus of the visit to the area.

Kate: [nods] It will be nice, to reminsce some. Not that we saw each other much after the Dread Doctors. Victoria didn't approve. [which is fair. also they hated each other more then]

Peter: No, she didn't. Even though we were already antagonistic to one another, she felt threatened by you.

Kate: I never understood why. I know my reputation wasn't the most sterling, but you wouldn't have strayed from her even on my best day.

Peter: we know that, but maybe she saw what we could have been... what we now are.

Kate: Maybe. But in my opinion, idle theories shouldn't mean more than your trust in that person.

Peter: She may have also heard that you and I were the first couple planned for the treaty, but your father wanted the alpha bloodline which is why it became Daniel and Laura.

Kate: Ah. [that may have some merit, but it still wasn't love, not really. but she knows that human emotions aren't rational things] Still, I couldn't help but think she must have been turning in her grave when we decided it was going to be us after all.

Peter: I believe the phrase would be "over her dead body." [he gives a sad smile, because he still loves his first wife] But I also think she would have wanted me to move on, and that if it was anyone, it was someone she knew that would be good for me.

Kate: I'm sure she would. [a beat] I know you miss her.

Peter: I do. I see more of her in Malia every day. I wish she was here so that Malia would have had that kind of help with the babies. [looks at Peter] But I'm happy we made this choice, because I love you just as much as I did her.

Kate: [and that does make her smile because he's the one man who's word she knows she can trust on that. Not just because they're empathically bound together but because his actions show it] This has worked out rather well for both of us.

Peter: it has, and for our families as well. [minus Daniel and Gerard]

Kate: [they earned what they got] More than you may realize. [and here's that other bit of news] Liam may also possibly be an Argent.

Peter: Oh? How did that happen?

Kate: A ghost told Lydia Martin and for now the information seems to have panned out to be correct. [she hesitates] I can't say for sure but there is a line of the Argent family who takes the idea of women leadership to ... extremes.

Peter: Do I want to know how extreme?

Kate: Male children were abandoned at birth, as they couldn't be trusted to obey the code. Which, when it came to my father proved very true.

Peter: And that would be how the Doctors got him.

Kate: [she nods] Unfortunately.

Peter: [and he just chuckles and shakes his head] So it seems my daughter and I have similar tastes.

Kate: [laughs] I don't know about that. I think Liam and I are quite different, despite our blood.

Peter: Very, but you both can put up with us and all our intricacies.

Kate: I suppose we see you as worth the effort.

Peter: We appreciate it. [he shifts and groans a bit] I think it's time I take a short walk to stretch my legs. Care to join me?

Kate: I would love to. [and she'll rise to her feet, pulling gently on his hand as she does]

Peter: [and they can take a slow walk from the library and along the halls until they reach their rooms]

Kate: [and she will sigh as she does] I could probably use the chance to wash the road off me.

Peter: You do that. I may lay in bed for a bit as you do.

Kate: [nods as she leans in to kiss him softly] Rest well.

Peter: I shall. Feel free to join me if you wish to nap once dry.

Kate: That sounds lovely. [she will probably take him up on that. but with that she'll disappear into the bathroom to clean up]

- - - - -

Liam: [and he's not sure where he should go, especially after everything that happened here. He sees where the wall by the wolf cages is still in repair, and it gives him quick flashbacks to his fight with Peter, rooting him to his spot]

Allison: [reaches over and places a hand on his shoulder gently] Let's go inside.

Liam: [nods, and he'll just walk with her inside, shaking himself out of those thoughts.]

Allison: [follows with him, starting to shed her cloak] Buildings and people mend, Liam. I'm sure no one here holds it against you.

Liam: I know, but it won't stop me from seeing it all over again. [he'll shed his cloak as well, wearing a simple winter outfit under it to keep him warm inside]

Allison: [nods] Why don't you go find your wife?

Liam: I should. I just hope she'll forgive me.

Allison: I'm sure she will. [squeezes his shoulder again gently, before taking Isaac and heading towards their guest rooms to give Liam some room to talk to his wife]

Liam: [he can't find his wife by scent anymore, nor by heartbeat, so he'll just climb the stairs to their chambers and stand outside their great room for entertaining. He takes a deep breath, then hopes that his wife will come find him] Malia, I'm home.

Malia: [the children have just gone down for a nap when she hears his voice, and she takes a deep breath. she knows enough to know that things worked out the best that it could, but she still doesn't know what to do in this situation. But she does get to her feet and make her way into the common space, hanging back in the doorway] Hello.

Liam: [and he'll look up at her, trying to remember conversations that he had with others about how to handle this.] I, I um... I remember it all. He was never with you or the children. It was always me.

Malia: [nods slowly, because that is a relief, but there's also something different about the Liam that came back that she can't quite put her finger on] What's wrong with you? [it's said in Malia's blunt way, but hopefully he knows her well enough at this point to know that she doesn't ask that to be cruel or out of anger]

Liam: [he does, but it's still something he's dealing with] I'm human. My wolf disappeared when they took him out of me. They think it's because of how I was made. I... I'm sorry.

Malia: [well that's ... very concerning and it shows on her face. she also feels a bit regretful about her word choice after that] It's not ... you don't have to apologize. I didn't mean that there's something wrong with being human it's just ... [it feels wrong] It will take some getting used to.

Liam: That's what I've been told... about getting used to it. I've never been human before.

Malia: You don't have to be. I'm sure Laura will give you the bite if you ask.

Liam: I know. But we won't know what it'll do to me, after all this. So it's something to think about.

Malia: [nods] Are you alright, otherwise?

Liam: Not really. I'm healing from something on the back of my head, everything feels dulled, and I'm exhausted but I can't sleep more than three hours before a nightmare jars me back awake.

Malia: Standard turn of events after everything goes horribly wrong. [she pauses] A hot bath might help with any soreness.

Liam: I might fall asleep in it and drown. [it's a hint of a smile, but he's trying to be himself]

Malia: Then maybe sleeping in your own bed will help.

Liam: I hope so. I should at least let the children know I've returned.

Malia: They're taking a nap. You can see them when you wake.

Liam: Oh, okay. [shivers a bit] I guess I'll go sleep then. [he wants to have her in bed to snuggle with, but he doesn't know what her plans are]

Malia: [nods and she's not ready for that yet. they need to talk a bit more] I should go check on my father. I'll come see you later.

Liam: I'll try and see him later. Tell him I'm sorry... for everything.

Malia: [nods] I will. [and since she knows he's likely with Kate, she will go hang out in the gardens and clear her head, and will circle back around to him later]

Liam: [and he'll enter the room, and first works to build up the fire to warm up the room. He'll give himself a quick washcloth bath on his face and arms, then go and find a comfortable sleeping clothes. Once he's ready, he'll climb into bed, burrowing into the blankets and pillows like a nest before trying to get some sleep.]

Malia: [yeah, she doesn't know what to do with any of this, but she's at least relieved that her marriage is real. She's not good with the comforting.]

Liam: [that's fine. He's never really had anyone dote over him in his life, so he isn't missing it]

Malia: [she will come back when the children are awake, and will check on Liam before heading in]

Liam: [your husband is passed out under all the blankets, Malia's pillow all but pressed into his nose so he could catch her scent]

Malia: [nods as she returns to the boys] Not now. We need to let him sleep. But I'm sure he'll be happy to see you when he wakes.

Jacob: We could snuggle him?

Malia: [ pauses and considers, but maybe it would be okay. with supervision] Sure. If you like.

Jacob: [looks at Victor] Let's go. [and the boys will clamor into the bed and start to dig until they find their father, then go to poke him]

Liam: [he actually knows this behavior and he smiles with his eyes closed] Malia, we've got gremlins in the bed again.

Malia: It's an infestation. I'm afraid we'll never be rid of them.

Liam: I guess we'll need to release the tickle worms [and he'll grab one child and start tickling them]

Victor: Noooooo Daddy let me go your hands are coooold.

Malia: The gremlins have brought it on themselves. There's nothing else we can do.

Jacob: [and sorry Victor, he's escaping while he still can]

Malia: [smart boy, learn from your brother's mistakes]

Liam: [but he tires quickly and just pulls Victor to his chest] I missed you and your brother.. but you more.

Victor: we missed you too. Are you better now?

Malia: For the most part.

Jacob:]leaning into Malia] and you don't have to travel again for awhile, right?

Liam: [pushes the blankets back] I think I'm going to be staying here for the foreseeable future.

Malia: [reaches down and brushes her hand through his hair] We'll all get plenty of time together.

Victor: Good.

Jacob: Maybe you can teach us how to swordfight?

Malia: You're too little for swordfighting.

Jacob: We can just use sticks?

Victor: Please Mama?

Malia: You will learn one day, but you're not tall enough right now.

Liam: Your mother's right, boys. I will teach you one day when you're old enough.

Jacob & Victor: [pouting]

Malia: Don't pout, it's not never. It's just not right now.

Liam: until then, we can keep working on your reading in the library with stories and warm milk.

Malia: And I'm sure the cook is preparing something delicious for dessert now that everyone is home.

Liam: Maybe the cinnamon apple tarts your mom likes.

Victor: I like them too

Malia: Why don't you take your brother and go find out?

Victor: [leaps out of the bed and grabs Jacob's hand] Let's go!

Liam: [and the kids will run off and he will stretch] They don't know what happened?

Malia: They're three and six. What was I supposed to tell them?

Liam: I don't know. I'm just glad they didn't see me like that.

Malia: So am I. They wouldn't have understood. I still barely understand.

Liam: I only know what I've been told on how he got into me. I think it has something to do with this scar on my head. [he got it the day before everything went down, but everything was crazy so no one noticed]

Malia: [nods] Maybe. I think anyone who can actually answer that is dead.

Liam: Good. [as the exhaustion fades, depression and anger fight to fill its place.] I hope they rot in the worst levels of Hell.

Malia: I agree. [she crosses her arms in front of her chest] And they're sure that La Bete is gone?

Liam: I don't hear or feel him in my head anymore. I passed out when Lady Lydia did a banshee scream at him.... me... us, I guess? I passed out, but I've been told that the scream pushed his essence out of me and when it went to attack them, Lady Kate had a special weapon that destroyed that essence. The witches checked me over and didn't feel any of that magic or his power in me anymore.

Malia: [nods] Good. That's good.

Liam: Lady Lydia also learned from spirits about who I come from.

Malia: Did she?

Liam: [nods] The spirit claimed to be my mother. She said I was "of silver". Lady Kate said that it was an old way of referring to someone in the Argent family line.

Malia: [blinks] So ... you're an Argent?

Liam: It seems to be so. Lady Kate is going to look into it for me. But the spirit said that since I was a boy, she abandoned me somewhere and expected me to die, but the Dread Doctors found me instead.

Malia: [makes a face] They abandoned you because you were a boy? That's not ... usually how things work.

Liam: I know, but it explains why I don't remember a life outside of the cage in my childhood. They've had me literally since the day I was born.

Malia: I'm sorry. That that is the story you found.

Liam: The spirit also says I was made to drink water that came from a werewolf paw. That's how I became a wolf. It explains why I've always been a wolf as far back as I remember. But that's also why the think I'm human now - since I wasn't made the normal way, that curing me of the possession also cured me of being a werewolf. Which is why having Laura bite me may not work.

Malia: Oh. [a beat] Can you live with not being one?

Liam: I think so. I mean, Lord Stilinski, Lady Elena, and both Lady Argents are still forces to be reckoned with. I can be human and protect our family. But can you live with me being one?

Malia: I don't care. I just don't want you to resent it.

Liam: I don't. Honestly, knowing now how and why I was made a wolf... I think I'd prefer to try and be human, since that is how I was born.

Malia: [nods] Alright. Then you stay human. [and honestly it feels some like some pressure is coming off, from a mating perspective, even though they have been waiting for that anyway]

Liam: I know you may not trust me right now, and I don't blame you. There's a part of me that doesn't trust myself either, but I think that is part of me needing to deal with moving past this. If you would rather I sleep in another room until you feel more comfortable, I will do so.

Malia: [is quiet because she doesn't know. she doesn't want to kick him out of his own room, but she isn't sure what to think of any of this] I don't know.

Liam: I'm sorry this has happened. I swore to you I would never break your trust again. [yeah, that's him hating on himself right now]

Malia: It's not as though you made this choice. [that's what makes this difficult] Honestly my largest concern was that you were never you in the first place.

Liam: It's something I worried about too. But from how I felt... I think this happened a day or two before Ben returned with Lady Hope and her pack with Jonathan in tow. Remember I had gone to town to get some new paints for the children, and returned hours later with none and having a headache? That headache never went away, and then while we sat at the table talking to Jonathan, I heard this high-pitched whining and made it so much worse and I felt that pain morph into a voice. I think that is when it happened.

Malia: [nods slowly] That makes sense. I thought when we heard that your knight was involved that perhaps it happened before you ever returned to the manor.

Liam: I thought about that. But another of the doctors was the man who taught me to gamble - Lord Hensington. I think it was more to be able to keep me within reach, instead of safe behind the manor walls. Maybe even grooming me so that my body would be in shape to survive the process. They're dead, so I won't know. I just know that what I felt the day before he took over, I've never felt that kind of pressure in my head. I still do, but it's related to this injury to my head, and not him. [he rubs at the back of his head gently]

Malia: You should rest then. You're going to need to be more careful. You won't heal as quickly.

Liam: I should also eat. I haven't felt hungry since I woke up from everything. All I want to do is sleep, but I need to eat and drink on a schedule now since I don't have a healing factor.

Malia: [nods] I'll have something sent up from the kitchens.

Liam: Thank you. [and he settles back a bit into the bed] And if I need to change rooms...

Malia: I will let you know. [but she's more likely to let him recover in his own bed and sleep elsewhere]

Liam: [he will miss her, but understands 100%] Okay. I love you, Malia. That's one thing that will never change.

Malia: [she offers him a small smile in return, because her feelings are a jumbled mess and that feels safer. but with that she will head down to the kitchen and have food sent up to him, before gathering the boys and trying to keep them occupied until bedtime]