middlefinger | IC Inbox for Penance

( A few months, yes. )

For a long time, she was the girl in that cult.

( And by the time she'd returned, the damage was already done. )

With you by her side, she has a fighting chance. Being there for her, that is no small thing.

She was. Also named Eve.

(seemingly just a coincidence, but weird all the same.)

She's my sister -- I owe her that much. (and pragmatically)

And we know how dangerous she can be if she falls under the wrong influence.

No relation.

( He says it with a hard edge, but also with a deadpanning air.

He might argue she doesn't owe her anything, not from where her actions led, but she was taken as a small child, assimilated, and brainwashed. Wynonna should feel a concern for her, a responsibility. For Wynonna, it has always been family first. )

Do you think you've taken her under your wing because of the influences around us? ( More than anything? ) She spent years away from you.

I think that's part of it. (in many ways, willa has been closed off from the world at large whether it was in bobo's treehouse or in the cult. she needs guidance -- who else would be willing to give it to her?)

I also...I already lost her twice, you know? I don't want to a third time. Not if I can help it. I guess it's selfish in a way because it's for me as much as it is for her.

Just because something is selfish, it does not mean it's the wrong thing to do.

( This is the exact opposite. )

I know that. I also know how it feels to feel like a lost cause...in spite of what she's done, she's my sister. She seems receptive to my support, even if she doesn't seem to know what to do about it.

(and maybe in the end history will repeat itself, but maybe, just maybe, it won't. still, it's hard to talk about, and feeling rather vulnerable herself which is why she steps in, wrapping her arms around him in a full embrace finally.)

You were never a lost cause.

( despite his biting words implying the contrary. )

I am sorry for the words we exchanged on your porch. It was as much about me as it was about the sheriff.

I'm sorry for what I said too. I don't think you're busted up inside.

(and she's beginning to think she isn't either.)

But, we are the same, Wynonna.

( Maybe they come from a legacy they aren't proud of. But, that doesn't mean they can't do the good they need to. Is this nearing territory he would've said had he had the chance?

He brings his left hand up, to brush a lock of hair out of Wynonna's face, that ring gleaming from the angled firelight. )

We are. That I've always known.

(there are things she should say, and he's so close, it would be easy to kiss him right now....but then she sees the gleam of his ring and thinks better of it. until they know what lucifer expects of the marriages now....she doesn't want to get him in trouble. she's trying not to be that selfish.)

( he sees it, too, always sees it with the movement of his wrist and he forces himself to step back. some are married to other people. multiple people. but, he does not feel nearly as confident in bringing that up with her. selfishly, he too, wants to kiss her, wants to tell her what he's thinking. but, she's not there, not that he knows of. and they have these other concerns. nicole. willa. ray. )

I sired Ray. And now I am human. I don't know how that works. ( A second passes. ) I also sired Mercedes. If there were anybody made for being a vampire...

( He says it proudly, letting Wynonna that the glibness is intentional. Mercedes asked/it was necessary. )

(there's a pang as he pulls back, but she understands, as much as she wishes she doesn't. she's been selfish with other people who are married, not caring what the consequences might be, but she can't be with him -- she can't endanger him for her desires, strong as they are. nor does she want to ruin the understanding they've finally come back to together. and there are other concerns. it's not just about them. (when does it get to be about them?))

Sounds like something you'll need to talk to Ray about. (she doesn't know how it works either. there is a small grin at the second part though.)

Guess her pretending to be one at the Glory Hole was good practice.

( it is more about her consequences, or ray's, than his. but they would have each other's interests and safety in mind. )

I will when I return. He was not yet awake.

( wynonna is his first visit. with a few messages exchanged beforehand, but ray is sleeping soundly. )

For when we needed it. She took to it like a fish to water, outside of losing her feminist credentials.

( Calling him sire by instinct. )

(she hopes when lucifer recovers that he won't hold them to these marriages anymore. maybe she should say that out loud. she doesn't though. )

Good for her. Beyond her being a vampire and you being human now....is there anything else I need to know in the future?

( neither does he, because turning ray, in any capacity, has bound ray to him forever. unless, being turned human undid that connection. and he is his former sire.

still, he feels the responsibility. )

Eve did not return. The Ghost River Triangle is saved. Cleo's plans are foiled. ( He pauses, pursing his lips. ) Would you like to keep a secret?

(he may be connected to ray forever now, but as waverly will remind wynonna later, no matter what happens, wynonna and doc will be connected forever too, through their daughter.

despite popular belief, wynonna can keep a secret when she needs to, she kept the truth about michelle gibson for years.)

Sure. What is it?

( there is never a time that is not on his mind. )

Just before I awoke, Waverly asked me to be her best man. You are standing up for Nicole. Apparently, you're best friends.

I knew the best friends part. She called me it when we were trying to get back to the Garden.

(they never got the chance to talk about that, considering how raw things were when they got that last batch of memories. but a smile spreads across her lips.)

They're getting married?

They got engaged when we came in from the porch. Nicole reproposed a month later.

( They made it official. )

They're getting married. That day. It is probably only a matter of time before one of them asks for the others' hand here. I am keeping it to myself. There is no need for that pressure.

And I wouldn't want to steal that moment from them. (especially waverly. her little sister deserves all the happiness in the world, after all.)

We will both be there should it happen here.

( For Waverly. For Nicole. )

Of course. I'd have to be dead to miss it.

Hell could arrange that, but let's not put that out there.

( since. it's totally possible. )

Being there, feeling different, knowing I could be there for Alice and then... being here again. It reminds me of Lucifer's bargain. He is rebuilding Penance, not looking for a way out, it does not sound like.

Then we'll have to find a way out on our own. For us. For Alice.

(was he planning on trying to find alice? should she tell him she knows where their daughter is.)

Did you want to visit her?

( ... )

The thought had crossed my mind, but, the day was about the weddin.

you're a sweet shot of kerosene

you're a sweet shot of kerosene

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you're a sweet shot of kerosene

you're a sweet shot of kerosene

you're a sweet shot of kerosene

you're a sweet shot of kerosene