All I need [Rhys]

[vasilia abigail fortescue]

March 30, 2026
rhys alexander greyback

Vasilia's heart ached. She'd just left the hospital. Her father had been admitted a few days before but today they'd finally gotten the diagnosis. The disease that had plagued him for the past year... had finally reached his heart. Ever since the diagnosis they'd known it was terminal. There was no treatment, it would eventually kill him. But now... Today had confirmed that "eventually" was actually now. And this knowledge had almost broken Vasilia right there at the hospital. Somehow she'd managed to keep it together though. Upon leaving the hospital she'd felt lost and broken, so she'd texted Rhys four words. "Can I come over." She knew this time of month was especially rough for him, and he got very agitated and frustrated. Basically, the days leading up to the full moon made Rhys extremely cranky. But she just needed to be around him. Thankfully, he'd responded back pretty quickly, agreeing. So, she headed to his flat.

Somehow she still managed to keep it together as she drove her motorcycle. The wind on her face almost seeming to help keep the tears away. She even kept it together as she climbed the stairs and knocked on his door. But when Rhys opened the door? Her composure finally seemed to break. The tears starts to fall, streaking down her cheeks and she stepped forward to hug him and bury her face in his chest. She didn't say why she was crying, or what had happened. No, she just needed someone to hold her.

[rhys alexander greyback]

Your heart’s a bird
without the wings to fly

March 30, 2026
vasilia abigail fortescue

Rhys opened the door. His hair was still slightly damp from the quick shower head taken to help him out of the groggy state he’d been. The full moon was soon and that typically meant days of solitude with whiskey as his only company. The second he had laid eyes on her, she seemed to break. But he’d seen the look in her eyes and her expression, like that bright star that she was had gone out. The usual sparkle in her eyes was gone, and she almost reminded him of his usual gloomy demeanor. Immediate, she buried her face into his chest, and his arms went around her. There was a look of concern and sympathy on his face as he let one around her so they could both step back from the doorway and he could close the door with the other. A tiny but if easy wandless magic ensured he didn’t have to go very far.

He’d been indulging in his usual ritual of sleeping and drinking as his mood took a turn and his body betrayed him. Vasilia’s text had arrived right after a phone call with a wrong number, so he’d been mostly awake. The shower had helped, and his nap had sobered him up, but what had really put him on alert, and now he felt one hundred percent awake, was what he had seen when he opened that door. ”Hey—i’m here.” Rhys reassured her, pulling her close to her. Just seeing her in that state his stomach did a strange flip as he felt pained that she was hurting about something. “What’s going on?” He asked softly. She never pushed him to talk unless he was ready to, he could do the same. So this could just hold her for now.

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[vasilia abigail fortescue]

March 30, 2026
rhys alexander greyback

Vasilia knew she hadn't said too much about her father's health to Rhys. He knew her father was sick, and that it was terminal, but past that? Not much. It just never came up and she didn't want to be a downer by bringing the subject up, it'd never felt appropriate. Perhaps Rhys and Ilija had discussed it in more detail, but she doubted it. Ilija was a private person and he'd only just recently started to open up about his struggles and pains.

Rhys didn't question her actions immediately, instead just holding her and she was very grateful. Because that was what she wanted right now. Just to feel something secure right now. She didn't notice him moving so they were in the flat, or hear the door close. She just hugged him tightly and cried, because that seemed to bet he only thing she could muster doing right now. Finally though, Rhys spoke, reassuring her that he was there and she nodded stiffly against his chest. After a few more silent moments though he asked the most logical question. What was going on. She didn't want to answer that, because saying it aloud would just make it more real. But she also knew that she couldn't not say anything either, as showing up on his doorstep to cry wasn't exactly normal.

She didn't pull away from him, but she did shift just enough that he'd be able to hear her muffled words. "He... He's in the hospital. They're only..... giving him a few days." There was only one person in her life that would be in the hospital...

[rhys alexander greyback]

Your heart’s a bird
without the wings to fly

March 30, 2026
vasilia abigail fortescue

A sinking feeling entered his chest. It wasn’t hard to figure out who Vasilia was talking about, and really it hadn’t been something they had discussed at any length. Rhys hadn’t wanted to pry or bring up a topic that was hardly a happy one for her. All he could do instead of answer for the moment was let out a soft sigh and hold her tighter. There was a pain Rhys felt because he loved Vas that when she felt the pain, he felt it as well, but also it reminded him of the void in his own life created when his mother had been killed. That wasn’t something he’d discussed with Vasilia either, and even his siblings didn’t know the gruesome details. Only Sienna and Maria knew that Rhys had been there when it happened. His sisters only knew that Fenrir had done it.

Either way, it wasn’t a pain he would have wanted anyone to feel. But, it never entirely left you alone, and you learned to live with it. And it certainly wasn’t anything he wanted Vas to feel. ”Vas—I’m so sorry.” For now, he could ignore his own aches and pains and depressing thoughts—as difficult as that was. There wasn’t anything to be done with such a situation. He couldn’t go and fix what was wrong with her father to spare her this heartache she was feeling now and what was to come. But she also wasn’t asking anything of him, and Rhys wasn’t that blind to not have noticed how she gave him his space near the full moon. Vas wouldn’t have come over if it wasn’t more important. But it was also later in the day, and knowing her, she had likely literally been on her feet all day (no matter how much he tried to get on her case about her schedule).

She needed to rest. Her brain was probably going a million miles per hour trying to process what was happening with her father and the many things she balanced in her life. Rhys pulled back only slightly, so he could look down and speak. ”Why don’t you lay down for a bit? I know you’ve been on your feet all day. I’ll be right there with you.” His voice was soft. Rhys didn’t like seeing her in pain like this.

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[vasilia abigail fortescue]

March 30, 2026
rhys alexander greyback

Rhys didn't speak immediately but the way he tightened his arms around her reassured Vasilia that he'd understood and knew what she meant. It felt so stupid, for her to be so upset now when she'd been able to hold it together earlier. But maybe that was just how Vasilia was around Rhys. Around her family she tried so hard to keep up appearances be strong. She tried to shoulder everything and make it look easy so no one else had to. But around Rhys? He saw through that. She still remembered that night when he'd joined her at a pub. She'd been at her lowest and drunk, and she'd divulged quite a few of her insecurities to him. He knew how hard she tried to carry the burdens of her family on her shoulders and how hard she tried to hold it together. So... she couldn't keep up that act with him.

It made her feel selfish coming to Rhys though. Despite their relationship she didn't want to bother people with her troubles. Rhys already had so much going on in his life, she didn't want to worry him with this grief she was feeling. And yet, here she was. Because as horribly selfish as it sounded she needed him right now.

Vasilia swallowed hard, as if she could swallow the tears and grief. She wanted to tell him it was okay, that she'd be okay, but the words wouldn't come. Rhys pulled back a little, and she took the moment to unwrap her arms from around him so that she could wipe some of the tears from her cheeks, hoping they'd stop falling. When he spoke... she wanted to protest. She looked up at him, with the intent to try and say those words that had refused to come a few moments before... but they still caught in her through. She couldn't lie to him and tell him it was fine, that she was fine. Because she wasn't. She felt like such a bother, showing up at his place like this when he was no doubt preoccupied with the upcoming full moon. But meeting his eyes she could see the concern and care. It deflated any protests she might have had. "If you don't mind...." she started, softly agreeing. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a bother or anything..." She wiped a few more of the fresh tears from her eyes. Going home right now.... would just remind her of her father. Her flat was above his shop, after all. She'd rather not be surrounded by things that reminded her of her dying father right now. It'd just make her grief worse.

[rhys alexander greyback]

Your heart’s a bird
without the wings to fly

March 30, 2026
vasilia abigail fortescue

Rhys realized he’d never explained much about what had happened when he was a boy to Vas. How he had been turned, and his mother had died so soon after one another. That he might empathize with what she was feeling or would feel, but even if it was the right time to bring it up, he still hesitated. She’d never looked at him with pity before, and he didn’t want her to start now. Plus, she’d come to him when she usually left him alone because he felt at his worst, and she wasn’t one to easily ask for help. ”Stop apologizing.” Rhys said softly that there wasn't a need as far as he was concerned. The positive for him was that she would be close to him, which always helped him feel calm.

Really it was the first time he really had to be there for her. She did so much to help him—as had been pointed out to him, but he did notice as well. And the last thing he needed was Ilija getting on his case for not appreciating the wonderful human being that was his little sister. She wiped her tears away as if to hide them from him. When it came to the people he loved, such as Vas or his family and friends, Rhys would do what he needed to help them. But in this case, there wasn’t anything he could fix. Much like he couldn’t do anything to help Ilija after Hannah died or help his siblings when Elias was killed. That helpless feeling was heavy and empty at the same time, and Rhys hated it.

Rhys kissed her forehead softly and led her into his room. He figured she was probably exhausted from her day and working, let alone dealing with all these emotions she was processing. In a way, it reminded Rhys why he had spent so much time closed off. The less you felt, the less it all hurt in the end. ”C’mon.” At least this way, he could hold her, and she wouldn't be alone, or worse—throw herself into work until she collapsed again. If she wanted to talk, he could talk, or he could listen, and seeing her in pain was enough to let him forget his own.

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[vasilia abigail fortescue]

March 30, 2026
rhys alexander greyback

Vasilia really didn't want to be a bother. Didn't want to come across as weak and needy. Because her whole life she'd been trying to prove she was neither of those things. And it made her feel terrible to burden Rhys with her current emotional state. She didn't really even know what it was she felt like she needed, or wanted. She just... didn't want to be alone. She also didn't want someone to try to fix it and make her feel better. Her father was dying. No if's or buts about it. There wasn't any fixing this or making her feel better about the circumstances. The only benefit was.... that at least her father wouldn't be in so much pain anymore. That though though only seemed to start up the water works again and tears kept staining her cheeks with renewed vigor. She just mutely nodded as he told her to stop apologizing, swallowing hard as if it might help stop the tears but the act was in vain.

She silently followed him to his room, still trying in vain to wipe the tears that kept falling in hopes that she'd manage to finally stop crying. But it seemed she just had far too much pent up emotion. She'd been holding all of it back for so long that she couldn't stop the flood gates once they were open. She already knew that she was probably going to have a massive migraine from all the tears later. And yet even that didn't stop her crying. Once in his room she sat on the edge of the bed, closing her eyes and swallowing hard. "It's... it's progressive cardiac squamatosis..." she finally said softly. Her father's condition. She'd never told him before now. It was a magical ailment that made your muscle tissue (and eventually your heart) grow scales, slowly losing their flexibility until you lost all use. It was why it was a terminal disease. Because once it reached your heart... Well... your heart would literally turn to scales and stop beating. It was a truly cruel way to die, slowly losing your mobility and stamina. The further it spread the harder it would be to do even the simplest task of breathing. All you could do for those afflicted was try to make them as comfortable as possible, hoping to ease at least some of the pain they were experiencing.

Vasilia couldn't help but feel even more helpless as she finally shared the ailment that was afflicting her father. Because there'd been nothing she could do to help. She wasn't a witch, so she couldn't use any of the spells that had helped ease some of his pain or brew the potions that would hopefully help slow the progression of the disease. So she'd tried to shoulder the responsibility of everything. But she hadn't been able to do it. What little she could have done to help.... she'd failed. All she'd ended up doing was added to her father's burdens as he lay in his death bed. The tears were really starting to fall now and Vas wasn't trying to brush them away. There were simply too many tears to try and stop. "I... I just.... w-wish I could.. have done s-something. I-If I... I'd tried harder... maybe... m-maybe..." she didn't finished the sentence. She knew it was destructive to think that way. She knew it wasn't her fault, the current events had been inevitable. But she couldn't help that horrible doubt at the back of her mind that made her wonder if things would have been at least a little easier for her father if she'd just simply tried harder to handle everything....

[rhys alexander greyback]

Your heart’s a bird
without the wings to fly

March 30, 2026
vasilia abigail fortescue

There was a stubbornness to her. It helped with her insane drive to try to do so many things at once to help her family and others. Rhys remembered the look on her face when he so quickly responded that it didn’t matter to him that she was a squib, and he’d said it because it was the truth. He supposed he’d always been so focused on living in a world where his last name made him a target for all the wrong reasons that he never imagined what any other alternative would have been like. Was it these things about themselves that drove them to push so hard but also push away? Rhys couldn’t stop the tears from running down her face, and he couldn’t stop the pain she was feeling or would feel. As Vas sat on the edge of his bed, he paused a moment as she explained further, and it registered.

While Rhys never considered healing as a profession or anything of the like for himself, he’d heard of this particular one before. One picked up a thing or two, spending so much time at St. Mungo’s for werewolf and Cursebreaker related injuries. A slow death. Things like this made him grateful his own mother hadn’t had to suffer long when she died. Rhys sat down next to her and noted she was trying so hard not to cry, but it was futile. Putting his arm around her, he gently brought her to him. It pained him that he could take no action except just hold her, but maybe that was enough. Really, he didn’t have a ton of experience with things like this or this magnitude except for the last few years. He could hardly comfort his siblings when Elias died as he was a mess himself, he did what he could when Renfri was injured, and Ilija hadn’t let anyone help him.

”You did everything you could.” And by everything he meant everything. ”This isn’t your fault.” Rhys tried to reassure her. He recalled their conversation in the pub months ago, and she’d admitted she’d worked herself to the brink of exhaustion. It was a feeling Rhys knew well, and in the end, it hadn’t helped him at all, and it wouldn’t help her to do the same. He sighed quietly as he gently ran his hand over her hair. Death felt so senseless, especially in times like this. People got sick, or they were attacked, and for why? Why? Plus, Rhys was fully aware she was feeling bad for bothering him so close to the full moon, so he had to reassure her on that front as well. ”You can stay as long as you need.” He spoke in a gentle tone, or at least as much as he was capable. She didn’t need to worry about him.

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[vasilia abigail fortescue]

March 30, 2026
rhys alexander greyback

Rhys sat beside her on the bed and put and arm around her. He didn't respond immediately, but his comforting embrace was enough. Vasilia knew that, while she was good with people she wasn't good at sharing her own deeper thoughts and feelings. Despite always wanting to help others she never actually went out of her way to get help from others... Or even let them know she needed help. Rhys was different though. He'd already seen her at her lowest. Not only that he made her feel safe. So he didn't need words to make her feel comforted. It didn't make the situation better, but at least she didn't feel alone. Vasilia leaned against him, moving her arms around his waist and turning her head into his shoulder.

When Rhys did speak they were words of reassurance, that this wasn't her fault and she'd done everything she could. She swallowed hard, as if to swallow the the emotions. She wanted to believe that. She'd tried, she'd really tried. But it hadn't changed anything. She still couldn't help but wish she couldn't have done more. As if that would have made some sort of difference, despising knowing deep down it wouldn't have. She nodded against his shoulder, silently reassured by his words despite her own slight disbelief. Then, he spoke again, and though it hadn't been a fear she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She hadn't wanted to go home yet. It was why she'd come here. To get away from the place that reminded her of current events. She leaned back a little so she could raise her head and try to wipe the tear from her eyes again, this time having a bit more success as the tears were finally starting to slow just a little. "Rhys - I.. I'm sorry I-" she paused, realizing how stupid it was to apologize again when he'd already chastised her for it once. "Thanks... I... I really appreciate it." she finally finished.

[rhys alexander greyback]

Your heart’s a bird
without the wings to fly

March 30, 2026
vasilia abigail fortescue

Rhys remembered the conversation they’d had at the pub months ago. Before all the feelings and all of this and he’d still sat down with her. Had he known then that this was the woman who he’d fall so hard for without even knowing? It wasn’t a question that Rhys could answer or even try to figure out, and it wasn’t as if he wouldn’t have sat down with any of his other close friends if they’d seemed as down as she had looked. They’d been friends then and then closer friends. She’d made her way into that circle that few ever did, but then she’d kept going. Now she was in pain again, but worse than that time—Rhys could feel it alongside whatever feelings this triggered for him.

At least she didn’t push him away, she had never done that, and he thanked Merlin for that. Being physically close to her was important, but it was also his way of showing that he was there because he tended to fumble with his words and the message he wanted to convey. When she hugged him, he took the opportunity to bring her closer. Because he was taller and bigger than her, he could sort of bear hug her. There was that pause and hesitation in her voice when he offered his place for her to stay, and he knew why. The full moon was two days away, and it was the best time for him, but it wasn’t about that. It wasn’t even about having her nearby so Rhys could watch over her, but more so she could have some space to herself that wasn’t work.

”Of course, love.” Rhys kissed her forehead and brought her close to him again. It was a little bit selfish of him to want her close by because it helped him in the end as well, but he also knew that she would go work if given a chance, and he’d be back there dragging her out of the cellar again amongst all those crates and dust bunnies. A question came to mind, and he paused before he asked—making sure he wanted to ask it. It had come up before, so it was likely in her mind as well. Obviously, she had gone to see him, but that wasn’t the same as a conversation. ”Did you get a chance to talk to him?” Vasilia always felt that pressure to do well, which had to stem from somewhere. And Rhys knew what it was like to carry the things that were unsaid.

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[vasilia abigail fortescue]

March 30, 2026
rhys alexander greyback

Vasilia felt like she was being unfair to Rhys right now. Turning to him when he himself was dealing with the full moon already. When he had so much to worry about in his life. She didn't want to make him have to worry about her or her problems right now. It made her feel horribly selfish. Hell, even being here instead of with her family made her feel horribly selfish. Because it felt like she wasn't supporting them as they handled this grief as well. It also felt selfish that she wasn't at the pub, where her staff would no doubt appreciate extra help. Basically, no matter what, Vas just didn't feel like there was any right decision right now. And yet Rhys didn't seem to mind. She could feel it in the way he wrapped his arms around her. But... it helped her as well. She'd never been one to understand how you might be comforted by another's presence but she felt it now.

She nodded just a little at his question. He wasn't really... conversing well, but they'd been able to talk some. It also helped that htey'd been expecting this day sooner or later. So it wasn't an unexpected situation where you had to try and tie up all the loose ends while you had the chance. They'd been preparing for this... in their own way.

But just because you were prepared for it didn't mean you were ready.

(End </3)