Chapter Text
The endless fog crawls in lazy swirls across the ever-shifting landscape. A solitary man walks without falter, without pause. He stares ahead, quiet determination in his eyes.
“Have to find… have to go back…” he mutters with a wandering gaze as though what he searches for will materialize within the eternal fog.
“Is that the wish of the broken?” a voice rings out all around.
The man stops. A flower of bone and meat blooms before him.
“Is that your wish Ethan Winters?”
“Rose has always been my wish” he answers.
“Take what is our’s and reclaim the glory of your past” the flower pulses.
Ethan reaches out for the flower. Then the pain is all he knows.
———————
Ethan gasps with a start, sitting up and instantly regretting as pain blossoms through every fiber of his being. He rubs at his eyes, they feel dry as though he has been asleep for a week straight.
Every gesture sends piercing pain through his head. He massages his forehead in a futile attempt to dispel that pulsing ache.
With a sigh, Ethan forces his eyes to open despite the light making the pain worse. He blinks in rapid succession to force his vision to focus and clear.
The stone pedestal is the first thing that fills Ethan’s view. It is undamaged despite everything around it being reduced to gray dust. Where the village once stood there is nothing but a crater.
He attempts to stand up on unbalanced legs. His stomach lurches with a sick feeling, the ground shifts. Ethan falls back to his knees. His stomach twists and the dry heaves. He does not know when the last time he ate was. The empty pit in his gut tells him that it has been days or maybe weeks.
He swallows back the complaints of his battered body and tries to get up again. The meat flower pulses.
Ethan crinkles his nose. “What is going on…” He lifts a hand to wipe away dirt from his brow and freezes. He slowly turns his right hand that has gone through so much abuse. The veins seem set to break out from under his skin, thick and black. On top of the skin are tendrils, twisting and pulsing. Ethan chokes. He rubs his thumb over the white tendrils, pushing them away, trying to rip them out.
It doesn’t work.
His left hand is still missing the fingers the Lycan had eaten. The Mycete cannot replace what it does not have.
“No, no.” his eyes follow the source of the tendrils that are coming from the flower.
“What are you.” He takes two steps towards the pedestal. “What did you do to me?” Ethan leans against the stone. He grabs the tendrils, pulling at them with force.
“I would not do that Ethan Winters, it will be your death.” A voice rings out all around. He turns much too fast for his battered body and falls back to his knees, grabbing at his skull, biting back a whimper.
“We are all that keeps you alive Ethan Winters.”
Every word sends the pain to a new level. “Stop, please, stop” he sobs.
“Pathetic, such a weak being takes what is rightfully mine” another voice goads.
“Miranda…?” Ethan gasps, “You’re dead”, his breath hitches, tears start to spill.
“None of us are truly dead here” Miranda’s laughter sends dark spots through his blurry vision.
“Rose…” he mutters, pushing away Miranda’s presence in his mind. “I have to find her.” Ethan forces himself back to his feet.
The flower of meat is about the size of a small ball. Ethan picks it up.
“What are you doing?!” The thing shrieks in his mind.
“We are…” Ethan looks to the mountains, now mostly free of snow. “We are going for a walk.” he ignores that his body would rather rest and takes a step.
“NO!” the voice shrieks “You need to plant us, you need to plant the body!” it demands.
“Like Hell.” Ethan shakes his head. “We went through too much…” he sucks in a breath. “... for me to bring you back, no, I will not allow your kind to spread again”
“Then you will die, and we will create another host more willing to serve.”
Ethan feels the tendrils start to withdraw.
“Perhaps Mother Miranda?” it laughs.
Color drains out of Ethan’s face. “How far can you go?” The memory of the home he built with Mia flashes through his mind. That will be a safe space until he can figure everything out.
“Far, but not alone, need to spread” its voice is monotone. “Mass is required”
Ethan narrows his eyes… “I have to feed you?” he brushes his free hand through his hair which seems to have grown longer.
It does not answer, it does not have to.
“Fuck” Ethan stumbles back, leaning against the stone pedestal, he almost drops the mass of mold. “I can’t let you spread…” he mutters. “What do you even eat?” he brings up the flower to his face.
“Bag” it states.
Ethan feels his headache get worse. “You eat bags?” he feels the brief smile at the corner of his mouth.
“No, crystals” It rasps in his mind.
The mycete around his arm tightens. He looks down at the offending tendril, it points behind him. “Bag” it repeats. The flower in his palm starts to move along the tendril up his arm and to the shoulder under his clothes.
“... That's a briefcase…” he mutters under an exasperated breath. Ethan takes a deep breath. His head hurts and he just wants to rest. The gravel crunches underfoot as he circles around the pedestal.
The suitcase is as heavy as ever as he pulls it up by the handle. It resists as he pushes it open. The leather is dry and cracked, old.
The guns are rusted and useless. Ethan furrows his brow. “How long… have I been gone…?” he whispers. The mycete stays silent.
The crystal bodies of the lords are still held in their soft velvet bags. Heisenberg's heart still beats with unfaltering determination to survive.
“Eat, revive” the Mycete stretches from where it curls around Ethan’s hand.
“Revive…?” Ethan looks down at the twisting flesh than to the crystal bodies. “No, no way, no, no” his voice cracks as he takes several steps back. “After everything, I will never let… no, no, I would rather die… I would rather…” Ethan shakes his head. His vision blurs as panic closes around his heart, his lungs heave and he can’t catch his breath.
He falls to his knees. “Why is it always us… why…” he mutters, looking down at his battered hands.
“They must return for all to live, for all to survive.” The Mycete wraps tighter around his wrist as it tries to stretch towards the crystals.
“Fuck you!” he barks, tears spill down the corners of his eyes. He thought he could live, that he could see Rose again. That he could get the life that was taken from him back. “Dammit…”
He shakes his head. “I won’t let you…” he pushes to his feet, taking another breath of the fresh air.
“We all have a part, we all have a life and a future” the Mycete’s voice rings through his aching head.
“Just shut up!” Ethan raises his voice, spooking some nearby animal that was scavenging in the crater behind a bush.
Images flash through his mind. The wild disjointed memories that are not his own make him double over once again, falling into the dirt. His knees getting scrapped, blood staining his battered pants.
The images focus and become more prominent. The pain building with every subsequent memory.
The image of a young woman with neat black curls. She is holding an old-fashioned microphone in her clean manicured hands. The room is dimly lit with patrons watching the stage on which she stands.
Another stabbing pain. The memory fades and a new one takes its place.
The same woman but now in her forties, he recognizes her as Alcina Dimitrescu. The woman in the castle. She is strapped to a medical table, a grin on her face. Miranda stands over her with a scalpel.
The memory shifts with another sharp flash of pain.
The scene is bright. The grass waves in a light breeze. Ethan sees a child holding an adult's hand, a bright smile on his face. His brown hair falling in tight curls. Two older boys are sitting near him, playing with something Ethan can’t see.
The memory shifts.
The same boy with the curls, his eyes missing any of the joy or any desire to live. He is only a few years older, face covered in raw wounds. Ethan’s eyes wander down to the chain around the child's ankle. He wants to reach out and free the boy. Miranda enters the room. The boy tries to pull back, to run away. The chain stops him. She holds a Cadou jar in her arms.
The pain is the worst Ethan has ever felt in his life as this vision snaps with the screaming of a child.
The view of a large family bowing over an image of Miranda.
The pain of a Cadou digging into young flesh.
The embrace of death over and over.
The quiet child watching her entire family die one by one.
The pain she feels, the pain he feels, the pain they all feel within the mycete, colliding, breaking.
“ENOUGH!” Ethan screams. “What the fuck do you want from me, from us!?” He cries, wiping away tears. His fingers come way red with blood.
“Sustenance, The Lords, Return, Grow,” it answers in disjointed words. “We want to leave”
“No, no...” he cries then trails off. He knows there is no choice. If it is not him then it will be someone else.
“Bring back the children, they will be young.” The Mycete speaks, sending another image through his mind. The memory of Rose coming back from the darkness, from sludge. “You can see her. You can make a better life for all the forgotten children” its voice shifts to be kinder, the voice of a parent
Ethan brushes his hair back. “Children… I can’t…” he shakes his head. His heart feels like it is beating in his throat. His stomach twists, if it was not empty already, it would soon be.
“There is no choice Ethan Winters. We are hungry” The last line is a growl, filled with threat.
He knows that if he hesitates any longer, he will not control this body for much longer.
Ethan knows what he has to do without the Mycete telling him. He reaches for Angie. The fucked up creepy doll’s head is cracked where he stabbed it with scissors. He found that odd as it was Donna who he happened to have attacked. The familiar pang of guilt breaks through his mind. “Not my fault… did it for Rose” he mutters. The feelings are not his own yet they are. Memories of Donna as a child flash in his mind. How much her family loved her and how much she loved them. How their deaths broke her.
He turns back and places the doll on the pedestal. The Mycete starts to consume it with its thin tendril until the entire doll is covered in a thin meaty membrane.
“How long will it take?” He leans against the stone.
“Patience” is all it says.
The Mycete around the doll grows in size, pulsing, black veins full of blood and mold much like Ethan’s own.
The pain gets worse with every beat of the Mycete. All Ethan can do is take deep breaths and ride it out.
He wonders if he made the right choice.
He blinks and when he opens his eyes, he is not sure how long he was standing there. When he looks up, the sun is starting to sink towards late day. Ethan must have fallen asleep, or maybe passed out. Everything feels strange. The Mycete pulses once, twice. It starts to split open on the third pulsing beat. Black sludge oozes from the opening, dropping to the ground with loud plops.
Another pulse of the cacoon and it splits all the way, blooming open like a flower.
In the middle of this flesh flower is a shifting bundle of dark fabric. Ethan recognizes the clothing for the dress and the veil that Donna had died in, within that odd house.
He swallows, reaching out his hand. He licks his lips with hesitation. Ethan is not sure he is ready to see what he brought back. A shiver goes through his entire body. He squeezes his fist open and shut to get some sembelance of control.
The bundle shifts again.
He swallows his trepidation and pulls back the veil.
The child is no more than six years old if not younger. She stares up at him with one unobscured eye. The other is covered by her bangs. She looks scared.
Ethan holds out his hands, palms up. “I won’t hurt you” he moves closer to her. She bunches the clothes tighter around her little body.
“Where is Beau, what did you do to Beau” She starts to cry.
Ethan furrows his brow. “Beau?”
“Sister, dead, not part of us” The Mycete flashes several images of memory through his mind.
“I’m sorry I do not know where your sister is.” He kneels to be at eye level with her. He feels his trepidation melting away. This child is just afraid and consumed by grief.
“Who...” She asks “...are you?” between sobs.
“My name is Ethan. What about you?” He tries to smile.
“Donna…” she sniffles.
“That's a …” Ethan swallows to keep his voice from cracking. “That’s a pretty name.” He holds out his hand. “We should get going.”
She looks down at it, at the tendrils on his right hand then back at Ethan. The fear back in her eyes, tears threatening to spill again. She clutches her hands tighter around something. The dress shifts with a rustle of fabric.
“Right, sorry” he hides his right hand behind his back.
“What are you holding?”
She looks down at the folds of the dress gathered in her lap, obscuring her small hands. “Angie” she whispers
Ethan digs his thumb into his palm behind his back to suppress a shiver at the mention of the creepy doll.
“Oh yeah, can I see?” the smile on his face falters despite his best efforts.
Donna hesitates before lifting Angie from the dress, holding her out. “My papa gave her to me.” She looks around, her little brow furrows. “Where is momma… she promised she would bring Papa back” she sniffles.
Ethan’s smile drops as memories flash through his mind. Miranda’s memories.
‘They need me more than they do’, her voice sharp, trying to worm its way past his determination to stay in control. ‘You will not last forever Ethan Winters. The children and the powers you hold will be mine again.”
“Shut up, shut up. They are better off without you”
Donna squeals in fear at his outburst, she tries to back up. Her little leg gets stuck on the folds of the dress and she starts to topple.
Ethan jumps to his feet out of reflex from months of watching Rose. He catches little Donna before she falls to the ground.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry” the child keeps repeating.
“Hey, it's alright. I wasn’t yelling at you.” He sets her back down on the pedestal.
She looks up at him. “Momma would yell at us...a lot” she furrows her little brow. Donna looks at Angie, brushing the doll's hair. “Are you Mother…?” her demeanor changes, it sends another shiver down Ethan’s spine.
“No, no I’m not” he swallows, clearing his throat. Ethan is not sure what he has become so the statement feels false. Is he any better than Miranda? He is using these children just as she did after all. He tries to shake off the doubt.
“You feel like Mother.” Donna stares into his eyes.
“Let’s figure out your dress, we have a long way to go.” Ethan decides to switch the subject. It is not a can of worms he is looking forward to open at this time.
Donna shrugs. Her demeanor shifting to be more relaxed, more to what Ethan expects a six-year-old to be like. He breathes a sigh of relief.
“Okay, let's..." he bites his lip. “How many layers did she wear?” he mutters. “Can you stand up Donna?” he offers his hand.
Donna shifts Angie into her other hand, taking Ethan’s hand, pushing up to her feet, almost tripping over the fabric yet again. Her grip tight on Ethan’s thumb to keep her balance.
“Maybe just the skirt…” Ethan mutters. “Do you mind if I hold Angie”
Donna holds the doll tighter to her chest.
“Okay, okay, that's fine” he nods. Ethan scratches at his neck. “How about we take off that heavy top first.” He reaches for the top button.
Donna shifts Angie until she is holding the doll against her side with one hand.
Ethan opens several buttons with his left hand as his right is still scaring the child. She flicks her eyes to the tendrils every few seconds. The Mycete credit has stopped its restless shifting.
Donna shivers as the evening air cuts through her thin frame.
“Here, hold the jacket” he waits until she lets go of his right thumb and holds the jacket instead.
Ethan unbuttons the rest of it. Underneath is a dress that engulfs her little body, held by two wider straps. He starts to pull the skirt up, bunching it in his hands until he sees the child's feet.
“How do I do this…” he sighs. “Okay, wait don’t move” He waits until she nods.
Ethan looks in the briefcase. He knows he had grabbed scissors somewhere. He checks the flaps until he feels their cool metal.
“Okay, let us get to making this dress more comfortable.” he nods. “Just don’t move okay little Donna?” he smiles.
She nods. Then her eyes focus on the scissors in his hand. And she screams. The loud piercing scream of pure terror, harsh in the quiet air of the crater.
Ethan drops his scissors as he remembers just what he used those things for. The color drains out of his face for the second time that day.
Donna clutches Angie close, sinking in the fold of the dress. She is shaking, her teeth chatter.
“I… I’m sorry” he swallows. Ethan does not feel guilty about killing any of the lords but he does not want to hurt the child. It was not her fault. She does not remember so he can’t allow himself to blame her. He kicks the scissors away so she does not see them.
She peaks past the collar of her dress.
Ethan struggles to keep a soft smile on his face. She seems to buy it.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I'll have to carry you.” He pulls his sweatshirt sleeve down to cover the mycete.
She clutches Angie even tighter.
Ethan tries not to look into the doll’s much too realistic eyes.
“We need to find some shelter before night falls, get some food” He looks up at the sky. Donna follows his gaze.
“I want my…” she trails off, looking down at her doll. She swallows back tears before murmuring a quiet Okay.
“Okay, here we go.” He gestures for little Donna to wrap her arms around his neck. She transfers Angie to her right hand and wraps her left around Ethan’s neck.
He bends his knees to lift her. His right arm with the mycete under her knees and the other supporting her back. She lets Angie sit in her lap.
It is not a comfortable position for him but he figures it is the best she is going to let him. He looks down at the briefcase. Realizing his dilemma. If the Mycete will want to eat again. They will need the crystal bodies within the suitcase.
“ill have to carry you with one hand.” He shifts Donna to his left side, supporting her with ease. He bends down to pick up the suitcase, sighing at the familiar weight.
“Where are we going?” Donna asks, her little fist balled in his battered sweatshirt.
He wonders for a moment if Mia would have kept the jacket he wrapped Rose in when he gave his life for her future.
"Home" he answers, after a pause. He is not sure if he has anything to call home anymore.
Ethan’s steps are heavy as he begins the long journey of leaving the crater where the forsaken village once stood.
Chapter Text
Ethan falters, feet stumbling in the dirt. He does not know how long they had walked. The light of the sun is starting to fade.
He stops. “I need to...” He coughs, his throat too dry to even manage that short message.
Donna shifts, blinking her brown eyes. She must have fallen asleep.
Ethan takes a few steps to a nearby fallen tree. He sets her down.
“We are almost there,” he says for his benefit more than hers. Ethan is not sure how long he can keep going without food and water. The last time he ate must have been days ago. He thinks of the dinner Mia had prepared for him before all this started and his mouth waters. He swallows it back and pushes the memory of Mia away. His throat tightens, and his eyes start to water.
‘Hungry’ The voice of the Mycete cuts through his thoughts with the same pang of sharp pain.
Ethan sighs and sets down the briefcase. His hands shake. The doubts are still fresh on his mind.
“Hungry” The Mycete repeats.
The lock of the briefcase clicks open under his thumb. The beating of Heisenberg’s heart is no longer muffled by leather. It sounds like a quiet beckoning whisper. Ethan pushes it away. He does not want to know what that man is like a child, at least not yet. Instead, he reaches for Moreau’s.
“Youngest” The Mycete informs him. It wastes no time wrapping tendrils around the offered crystal. Its tendrils tighten enough around his wrist to hurt. Ethan is glad he is sitting.
It encompasses the corpse, growing and pulsing. Ethan closes the briefcase,
he does not lose himself in that pain. He is ready for it now.
He watches in fascination as it seems to build the body under the thin membrane. It reminds him of the ultrasound pictures he saw of Rose.
While he was not sure how long it took for the Mycete to reconstruct Donna. It took no longer than thirty minutes before it started to split.
The child in the mass of meat was no older than three or four. He is naked, the tattered pants very much useless for his small frame.
“Momma…?” he opens his eyes. The start of a tail curved around his knee. “Momma!” he clings to Ethan’s pant leg. There is the start of blisters on the child's back.
“I’m not…” he starts. The bewildered and scared expression on the kid's face stops him. Donna moves of the log towards Moreau.
They stare at each other with wide eyes.
Moreau reaches for Angie. This scares Donna and she hides behind Ethan. The puppet's hand scratches the young boy on the cheek.
It all moves too quickly for Ethan to react, tired as he is. He snaps out of it when the child starts crying.
Ethan takes off his hoodie. “There, there.” He picks up the child who goes willingly. He lets him stand on the log.
“She doesn’t want to be my friend,” he says between sobs. His Speech with that particular drawl to it even at that age, much less deep.
“How about I’ll be your friend.” Ethan smiles. Donna is still clinging to him, content to stay quiet, wrapped in her too-large dress to hide from Moreau.
“Momma be my friend?” he is surprised. “Momma never wanted to be my friend.” he swallows back a sob.
Ethan nods. “Let’s get you dressed first.”
Moreau pouts. “Are we going to play?” he asks. “Now that momma is friend. Have to play” he nods.
“Maybe later. Lifts your hands” Ethan instructs and Moreau does so even as it looks like he is going to cry again. “It’s a promise. Once we reach home, we can play. Okay?” He says as he pulls the black hoodie over the child's body.
Moreau is grinning from ear to ear. Ethan helps get his little fists through the hoodie's sleeves, bunching them up.
“Promise’s have to be kept.” Moreau nods, with a childhood determination and certainty.
Donna peaks out from her dress. She tugs on his shirt. “Can I… play to…?” she whispers so quietly that Ethan can barely make it out.
“Yes, of course.” he looks down at her with the same soft smile. He is starting to mean it. “As soon as we reach somewhere safe”
Donna seems to have calmed down. She steps out to peak up at Moreau.
Ethan scratches at his chin. The stubble is rough. He looks up at the sky. Glad that it seems to be spring and not the deep of winter.
It would be much harder to get where he was going otherwise. He glances back down at the kids. The dilemma of how he is going to carry both long enough to get to his destination becomes apparent.
Neither wear shoes, so it is not like they could walk the distance. Even if they did, they are so young that walking the distance is not realistic.
Moreau reaches for Angie again. Donna does not back up this time. She lets him brush his small pudgy fingers through the doll's dirty hair.
Donna makes her move in a clunky way.
Moreau laughs with joy. “How did ya do that?!” he feels the doll. “Momma is it alive!?” He pulls on Ethan’s shirt.
Ethan smiles. “No…” he starts to say but then he is not so sure. Donna makes the doll move again, thankfully it is not speaking yet. He is not ready for that doll to judge him with its high-pitched voice.
He decides that it is better to cut in before that happens.
“So…” he grins. “Which one of you wants to ride on my back?” He rolls his shoulders.
“Me, Me!” Moreau jumps up and down.
Donna pouts, squeezing Angie to her chest.
“How about Moreau rides for a bit, then you can after.” Ethan lifts the smaller child over his shoulder until he settles around his neck. “Hold on now” He looks up at the kid. Moreau nods, digging his fingers into Ethan’s hair.
“Your turn,” he pats his knee. Donna shifts Angie to her side, placing on little hand on Ethan’s knee. He helps her climb up to his lap before lifting her as he stands up. Ethan makes sure to take the briefcase.
“I’m the tallest now!” Moreau exclaims with a giggle.
“That you are” Ethan nods, holding him by one leg with his right arm to make sure the kid doesn't fall. Moreau is much less scared of the Mycete flower than Donna.
Their combined weight is not as much as he expected. Walking does not prove as much a challenge.
Ethan focuses on taking even steps regardless. The rhythm of his steps even. He would hate to stumble again and fall along with the kids. The last thing he wants is to hurt them. They have enough to handle without getting injured.
Chapter Text
The sun has set by the time they reach a familiar road near the house. The darkness feels calm, peaceful. Ethan feels safe enough in the darkness to stop and take a short rest. He can make out more features than he should in the night. Every tree, bush, and rock clear along the side of the asphalt.
“Just around this corner”, he mutters as quietly as he can.
The children are asleep, their soft breaths the only thing breaking the quiet night air. Ethan isn’t sure he is breathing, sometimes his chest just fails to rise unless he thinks of it. Each step sends pain up his tired legs. There is a damp feeling that gives him the impression that his feet are raw enough to bleed. He wonders how many miles he had walked just to reach this point. His stomach grumbles and twists in on itself. His throat is dry as sandpaper. Ethan doubts that he would be able to talk had he tried.
There are no cars on the road out here. It was the reason they moved this far out. He is starting to regret it now. The sight of civilization is what he needs. Yet Ethan knows that nobody can know that he is alive, or that the kids are alive. It would be too dangerous.
The house is neatly nestled with its white fence, and white walls in a thicket of trees, just at the end of the road. Close enough to the town, yet far enough to get lost. It would be safe, it would have to be.
He forces his legs to move despite every muscle protesting with sharp aches.
The gravel crunches underfoot as he turns into the driveway, sucking in a breath as he sees the hill. His knees shake but he pushes on with the last reserves of strength in his broken body.
He slumps against the door frame. The door is broken still. It looks like nobody has been here since that night. The dinner table is on its side, broken, bullet holes cover every wall, glass crunches underfoot.
Ethan swallows back tears. He can’t lose it now. He got so far, he just can’t. He takes a deep breath and goes into the living room that is mostly unharmed. The television is gone and some of the drawers have been searched through but it is not so bad. He wonders why Mia never stepped foot back here, maybe the memories were too much. She was never one to cling to the past.
Ethan continues through the house towards the stairs. Donna stirs in his arms as he climbs the creaking stairs. He turns the light on, swearing when it refuses to respond. He hopes the kids aren’t too afraid of the dark.
When he reaches the bedroom he used to share with Mia his knees are ready to buckle. He sets Donna down on the bed. She yawns, stretching.
Ethan then sets Moreau down, making sure to not wake him.
The briefcase clatters to the floor. He feels his legs buckle, his knees scrape on the hardwood.
Donna squeals in surprise.
“I’m okay,” he reassures. “Just need to rest” he leans against the bed. His chest rising in a comforting way of breathing, of living. Ethan is afraid that he is dead, and all this is just some messed-up scenario within the mycete.
“It is not” the mycete answers. It does not make him anymore convinced.
Ethan sighs. “I need to get you kids in some better clothes.” he forces his body to move away from the comfort of the bed. “Probably give you two a bath…” he mutters as he gets to his feet.
Moreau starts to stir, his little tail flicking back and forth. “Bath time…?” he slurs, still groggy with sleep. His tail taps on the soft covers of the bed.
“Angie can’t take baths.” there is a clear pout in her voice. Ethan does not glance back. “Oh yeah? How does Angie get clean then?”
Donna falls quiet.
He opens the second drawer where they keep Rose’s clothes. Mia used to like shopping so they range from a few months to a several-year-old child. It always made Ethan smile about how she would plan for the future. He takes a deep breath. Those were better times.
Ethan moves aside the baby clothes to reach the bottom where some of the bigger outfits are. They mostly range in pink, whites, and tans. Avoiding the white all together he picks up a soft dress that would fit Donna as a shirt and a skirt. For Moreau, he picks out tan overalls plus the only darker shirt he could find, purple with a large yellow flower in the middle. He also grabs some socks and underwear. The latter Ethan had made sure to buy. He was not sure when kids needed underwear from diapers so he bought several packs. Mia would not stop laughing for a week after.
He walks back over to the bed and lays out the clothes on the bed in neat piles.
Moreau has fallen back asleep, curled up in Ethan’s hoodie. It is to be expected, he is still young.
Donna is still pouting, muttering something under her breath.
Ethan kneels to face the doll. “Why doesn’t Angie like baths?” he smiles. It comes more naturally. It is a wonder what one can get used to.
“She likes baths, she just can’t take them” Donna states as if that is the most obvious thing.
“What about Donna, can she take a bath?” Ethan tilts his head to look up at Donna.
“Not without Angie.” She hugs the doll to her chest again.
Ethan resists the urge to sigh.
“What if Angie is nearby, I’m sure she won't mind sitting near the bath with you?”
Donna brushes a little hand through the bangs covering her right eye, in thought. He sees the blistered flesh underneath for a moment. He decides not to focus on it right now. She doesn’t need that.
“Does that sound good?” he nudges Angie.
Donna nods.
“Okay, good, that’s good,” Ethan mutters more to himself than the child. “Will you be okay watching over your brother while I get the bath ready?”
She nods again.
Ethan stands up, patting her head. She laughs a little.
He walks around the large king-sized bed. They bought such a large one because neither wanted to be too far from Rose, so sometimes she would be between them while Mia read and Ethan was on his computer.
“Pathetic, dwelling on something you never deserved, dwelling on a lie.” Miranda’s voice cuts through the memory with a laugh. Her voice almost sounds like Mia’s. Ethan grinds his teeth and doesn’t falter as he goes out into the hall and stalks towards the bathroom. The light does not work. He reaches under the sink, cobwebs covering the pipes. He scrunches his nose as he reaches deeper in. After the Baker house and the village, Ethan would think he was used to webs. He shakes the sticky strings off and takes hold of what he was looking for.
The Mycete moves its tendril from his palm as his fist closes around plastic.
Ethan mutters a quiet curse as he bumps his head on the edge of the sink. He places the battery-powered lantern down, flicking the switch. It does not turn on.
With another curse, he taps it twice on the base. It flickers to life grudgingly, bathing the bathroom with fluorescent bright light.
He looks in the mirror. The breath catches in his throat and he has to bite down a scream. The image in the mirror is him. It is him but he has no face beyond a large red eye staring out. He closes his eyes. “No, no…” he opens his eyes again and he looks normal beyond a few scars.
Ethan looks away with a relieved breath but the image does not leave his thoughts. What could it mean? He looks back up.
“Shit.” he flinches back. “Miranda” he growls.
“You will become what you fear” She laughs. Ethan swings his fist, stopping inches away from the glass. The thought of scaring the kids making him falter.
“Would it not be easier to give that power to someone who knows how to use it, to someone who can bring a better world?” Her wings rustle in the mirror image. She reaches out for Ethan. “Do you not want to be human, do you not want everything to end.
“Momma! No!”
Moreau’s voice from the bedroom.
Ethan is glad to look away from Miranda. Glad to ignore her worming question.
“I wanna go home!” he screams. It echoes across the quiet house.
Ethan half runs, half stumbles back to the master bedroom. “What’s wrong?”
“Momma wants us to go home!” Moreau shouts, little fists bunched in the sweatshirt.
“Where is home?” Ethan sits down on the bed.
Moreau furrows his brow, pouting. “I … I … church!” he nods with childhood determination.
Donna turns, sitting up more. “Are we going to church?” For the first time since she woke up, she lets go of Angie, wrapping her hands around her waist in a makeshift hug. “Mother Miranda… always said…” she shakes her head.
“Is that mom?” Moreau tilts his head with confusion.
“I don’t… know” Donna mutters, taking Angie in her lap again.
Ethan forces the panic at the thought of these kids having their memories of Miranda. “No, no. She is not.” he keeps his voice firm. “And we are not going to church, this is your home, with me,” He says before he can think about it too much. There is a pang of regret, does he want to claim these kids as his own when he has Rose. Does he have the right to do so? He swallows. This attachment is the memories in the Mycete. How much of it is truly his own will. Ethan feels his thoughts start to spiral.
“Are you our new mommy?” Moreau asks. His eyes are shiny with hope.
“Can he even be a mommy?” Donna looks at Moreau. “I thought mommies had to have kids already before they could take more?” she frowns.
“I… “ Ethan starts, what can he say to them? He did take Miranda’s place, so to their knowledge, he would be their mother. “No--” he stops as he notices tears build in both the children's eyes. “How about this,” he sighs “You two can call me whatever you want.”
Moreau glows, bouncing a little on the bed. “Momma Ethan!”
Donna giggles.
Ethan can’t help but smile. The doubts and fears are not something he can ignore, but the sight of their smiles. The fact that they can just be children for the first time in their lives is not something for Ethan to doubt.
“Hungry” The mycete cuts through his thoughts.
“Again?” he groans.
Donna and Moreau freeze, their smiles disappearing.
“Sorry, sorry, didn’t mean to” Ethan is quick to reassure them. “Here how about you kids play with Rose’s toys.” he points at the chest they have in a corner. “While I get the bath ready, or try to” If the water works better than the electricity, he thinks to himself.
“Toys!” Moreau scramble falls off the bed, making Ethan’s heart jump in his chest.
“I’m fine!” the boy announces as he scampers to the chest.
Ethan helps Donna and Angie off the bed. The dress is still much too big for here. “Can you change by yourself honey?” he passes her the clothes. She nods.
“Now if you need anything, just give me a shout and I will be right here.” he smiles, getting up.
Moreau slides the chest open and jumps in, digging through the soft toys. Ethan chuckles, watching him for a moment before going out into the hall.
The light from the bathroom gives it a sinister glow, the scenic picture Mia so loved looks twisted and warped in their frames.
Ethan stumbles. It reminds him of the Baker House. He slumps against the wall. “It’s fine, forget, just forget.” he bites his lips, focusing to calm his breathing.
“You will never forget” a young girl's voice giggles.
“Eveline…Shit…” he lets out a rough breath through his nose. “I am not bringing you back,” he states, firm.
She laughs. “As if I would want to be flesh among you nasty adults again.”
Ethan rolls his eyes. Yet her statement makes him feel better. He knows that the E-Series still exists somewhere but at least it is not here.
The phone rings as if on cue to further remind him of that hell house. Ethan furrows his brow. He doesn’t remember their house having a phone, not to mention the power is off.
It rings again despite his confusion. He can tell the sound is coming from downstairs. Ethan glances back into the bedroom to see that the kids are still playing and safe.
He trails his hand over the railings, taking the steps down slowly. They creak under his weight. The phone continues for longer than it should.
Ethan steps past the debris of the table, the empty bullet casings. He makes sure not to dwell on any of it. The outside air is warm, the sun is starting to rise over the trees. The swing in the yard creaks in the soft wind. He looks around the grass just starting to turn from being yellow and dry to a vibrant green.
The phone rings, and he turns his head.
“Ethan Winters!” a loud booming joyous voice. “It is a pleasure to see you alive!” The click of a horse's hooves followed by the rattle of a caravan.
“Duke?” Ethan blinks, not believing his eyes. “How…what?” he approaches the caravan.
“I was just passing by, though you and the kids would need some help” he laughs.
Ethan brushes his hair back. “You make as much sense as always.”
The Duke laughs. “I go where there is business, there is nothing odd about that.”
“Yeah, but unless you have a way to turn on the electricity… not sure you can help.” Ethan scratches at his stubble again. He really needs to shave.
“I think that is the least of your problems Mr. Winters. You look worse for wear.” he pulls a cigar out of his pocket.
Ethan laughs. “Yeah, yeah…”
“Well I'm sure I can help out, and I am looking forward to meeting the little ones” he gestures towards the house.
“I don’t know…” he shakes his head. He isn’t sure the kids are ready to meet anyone. Not yet.
“Feed us” The Mycete demands. Ethan flinches at the sharp pain. “Yeah, yeah, okay. Wait here.” he nods.
The Duke waves him off.
Ethan walks back into the house, not taking as much care as he did the first two times. Glass crunches underfoot. He needs to clean that up before letting the kids wander around.
He climbs up the stairs two at a time. The Mycete’s need for food pushing him forward on aching feet.
The two kids look up as he enters. Moreau and Donna have taken out all the toys and laid them out in a circle. Angie is in the middle. It looks like the stuffed animals are conducting some ceremony, Donna is wearing the clothes Ethan set out. Moreau is still content in the large hoodie, his tail peeking out from underneath.
“Hey guys, getting along okay?”
“Momma!” Moreau gets to his feet, grabbing the closest toy. “Look, look. This one is just like me.”
Ethan focuses on the plush mermaid. He forces a smile even as he remembers the form this child once took. “Yeah, yeah it is.” Ethan pats the plush.
“Do you want to meet my friend?” he looks at Donna then back at Moreau.
“Friend?” Moreau tilts his head.
“Yeah, he is going to look after you while I do something” He takes Moreau’s hand, holding out his other for Donna. She picks up Angie from the circle of plushies, before running over to take it.
“Does he have more toys!?” Moreau pulls on Ethan’s hand, excited to get downstairs.
“You can ask him, I’m sure he would have something.” Ethan lets the kid pull him while also making sure Donna is keeping up.
Moreau stops at the top of the stairs, hesitation on his brow.
“Climb on” Ethan kneels, looking at the older child. Donna gives him Angie as she does so. Holding it sends a shiver down his spine, He pushes the trepidation away. The fact that she would even let him hold it is progress. Ethan does not want to ruin that little bit of trust that she has given him. He places Angie in her right hand, she settles it in her lap.
“Okay, your turn Moreau” The child scrambles up quickly. Very excited about the idea of more toys.
Ethan stands up slowly, making sure he does not lose his balance. How many times has he gone up and down the stairs so far? It is a surprise his body has not refused to move.
Moreau plays with his long hair the entire way to the door leading outside. Donna is content to just sit and watch, sometimes shifting Angie to glance around with her.
She flinches against the sun shining through the trees.
“Ah, the young Lords! How precious!” The Duke exclaims. He has put the table back up. It has a large crack down one side but is mostly whole. Ethan had thought it was worse.
“Come, come.” he waves them forward.
Ethan moves closer. The smell of freshly cooked food makes his stomach rumble. He puts Moreau down on the first chair, Rose’s old high chair. Then places down Donna on the plush chair. She would be too small to reach the table but the Duke has stacked several pillows, Ethan does not remember being in the house on the chair.
The kids stare at the food but make no move to reach for it.
“Thank’s for this.” Ethan leans against the table. “I'll pay you back later.” He reaches for clean plates, putting one in front of Donna. She mutters a quiet thank you.
“It is nothing Ethan Winters, it is my pleasure to help such cute little children.” The Duke reaches to punch Moreau on the cheek. The toddler laughs with glee. “I got these little ones, I am sure the voice in your mind is getting very insistent.”
“How did you…?” Ethan sighs. The Duke just smiles. “Fine, I won’t be too long.” He feels the protective instincts make him hesitate. He does not want to leave the children alone. Yet he trusts the Duke.
The Mycete screams, beyond words, just need. “Okay, okay” Ethan mutters, “Look after them please.”
“Leave it to me, I will guard them with my life, I promise.” he wiggles his large fingers to hurry Ethan along.
Ethan sighs and climbs back up the stairs. The briefcase is still in the bedroom where it had dropped. He moves slowly across the hall. The last two crystals. The ones he has the most doubts about. Does he truly want the responsibility of raising the lord considered the most powerful?
He swallows, turning into the bedroom. The piercing scream of the Mycete does not leave him any choice, he knows this. He feels Miranda just at the edge of his mind, fighting to take it all again.
Ethan sits down with his legs crossed in front of the briefcase. The leather creaks as it opens. His heart beats loudly in his chest, any moment from bursting out.
“No... I … don’t think.” he shakes his head. He looks at the tendril. “What if I just pull you off. What if I kill you, what if I find another way… to get rid of you,” he mutters.
The pain gets worse with the thoughts. Ethan’s vision blurs and he feels his consciousness be ripped away from his body. The Mycete reminds him that it has his life in its palm.
Notes:
I am aware the Winters' house has no bath but for fanfic purposes i find that silly, The kids get a bath! If they manage to get to it one day. Ethan is just trying so hard to give them a bath but the Mycete says denied xd.
Chapter Text
The void is all around him. A dark crooked forest with eyes staring from the depths. Hands reaching towards him, wanting what he has. He pushes them away and they recoil.
There is one shape more solid than the others, with familiar hair.
“Mia?” Ethan’s voice cracks. The shape wears the same clothes she did on that night when everything went wrong. He remembers when she bought them in the local store. It was one of their first shopping trips after they had settled in.
She turns around at his call.
Her face… its face is fluctuating medley. As though it is unsure what she looks like, of who she is. Ethan thinks he recognizes the face of Miranda, of Zoe, many others he could not name. It makes him sick.
“Why are you doing this!?” He screams. The fog parts.
The distorted creature opens its mouth, a black void where nothing can exist.
“You took everything.” Its voice echoes, quiet and loud all at the same time. There is nothing human, nothing familiar in it.
“You killed my daughter!” he stalks over to it, hesitating as he sees Mia’s face.
“Not us, Miranda, we do not hurt, we just give.” it intones. “We gave you life, gave you a future you had lost, we returned your daughter as she was, not as Miranda wished.”
Ethan takes a step back as it takes a step forward.
“Yet you wish to take it all, ungrateful to our gifts.” it shakes its head.
“I did not ask for any of this, not at the cost of bringing back all the people that terrorized my family!” he looks down, gathering willpower to stand determined against the Mycete broken image. The anger and fear that he pushed down since waking up coming to the surface. “You took everything from me! And now! Now you are saying this existence is a gift? Being some broken toy for the schemes of some freaky mold?” Ethan shakes his head. “What do you want!? I at least deserve this. I have gone along with enough!”
It looks down and up at him with its flickering shape, that looks less familiar with every passing minute.
The silence stretches. Ethan tries to gather his thoughts. He needs answers but how does he even begin to get them from this thing.
“Tell me why you are doing this?!” he begs, a desperate line to his voice. It feels wrong to be so far gone that he has to beg.
“It will help your daughter.” It answers.
“What?” Ethan narrows his eyes.
“Like you are of us, she is of us, like all the children who died within us are of us.” The distorted voice sends shivers down his spine at what it means.
“No, why… This was over…” Ethan digs his nails into his skull to keep from shaking.
“If you do not do what we ask, your daughter will waste away and come back to the mold.” It crosses its arm behind its back.
“My daughter will…” he sucks in a breath. He looks down at his hands, battered and broken. Ethan digs his thumb into the wound still not healed on his left arm. The pain helps anchor him.
“You knew this reality, this is why your returned Ethan Winters, for your daughter.” The foggy forest around them seems to shrink. “I know you understand, so wake, and do what we require” There is a snapping sound as the scenery around them breaks like a mirror.
Ethan opens his eyes with a startled gasp, reality bringing it back with the harsh light of the sun. He clutches a blanket in his hand. Someone must have put him on the bed.
He sits up with a groan, eyes dry, crusted.
“Ah, it seems your papa is awake.” The Duke cuts through Ethan’s fear. He is sitting on the floor in the corner of the room near Rose’s crib. Moreau and Donna are sitting by him, doodling in picture books with crayons. Snack plates stacked on a small foldable table.
Moreau scrunches his face. “Papa…?” he shakes his head. “I don’t have a papa.”
“He means momma, Sal” she points with Angie, getting better at controlling the doll.
The Duke chuckles.
Ethan gets off the bed. The Mycete tightens around his wrist to remind him it's there. He wonders for a moment how The Duke managed to get up the stairs and into the room with his girth. It is a mystery but not one he cares to solve. There is not much that makes sense about the man, so he does not dwell on it.
“Did you have a good talk?” The Duke looks at him with a knowing glance. Ethan flinches, annoyance pulsing through his mind. He pushes it down. There is something he has to do.
“Please… watch the… kids” He mutters with heavy pauses.
“Say no more.” The Duke nods. “These little ones are in good hands.” he reaches for Moreau, as he is closest, ruffling his hair.
“Noooo!” he squeals, laughing.
Ethan smiles. “Thank you.” he turns away from them. The briefcase lies closed in the far corner of the room. He strides over. It seems heavier than it was.
None of this sits right with him. How does he know the Mycete is not lying to him. How does he know it is not just Miranda trying to trick him.
He stumbles out into the hall. The bathroom door is still open and the cheap camping lamp is still bathing the hall with eerie yellow light.
Ethan almost trips when the floor switches from wood to the smooth tiles of the bathroom. He makes sure to close the door. The briefcase falls on the tile with a loud thump against the bathtub. Its leather creaks as he opens it. Ethan sits down on the toilet lid. The crystal heart is cold under his touch. The mycete tendrils close around it with immediate urgency.
The heart starts to glow. It pulses under his hand with a rhythmic tune, like a half-forgotten melody from the past.
Ethan tightens the remaining fingers of his left hand around his elbow in support as the now-familiar pain takes his breath away. The Mycete cuts off the light from the heart with a hungry fever, devouring it faster than it has any before it.
Fear is tight in his chest. Fear that he will get used to being driven by the Mycete. He is afraid that he will allow himself to be consumed by the power the thing offers, that there will be no limit to how far he will go now that he has said yes.
"Still alive, still strong. Delicious" The Mycete hums.
This is all for Rose, but what if he ends up hurting her instead of saving her. What if he forgets his humanity just as Miranda had. What if he becomes nothing but a monster to be killed. His thoughts start to spiral.
Heat builds in his entire body, his stomach twists, and grumbles in the complaint.
“If you are so afraid, then give it to me, you pathetic man.” Miranda doubles her determination to fight, to win, to take back what she believes is hers.
“You will never have it.” Ethan groans.
The tendrils have finished making the cacoon and the pain fades as fast as it came. The bulging bloated bloody mess grows large. Ethan picks it up and puts it in the bathtub to keep the mess contained.
The door creaks open. Ethan snaps his eyes up. Donna stumbles in holding a bundle of clothing with precarious balance, Angie in her other arm.
“Young Heisenberg will need something to wear!” The Duke shouts from the bedroom.
“Thank you, Donna” Ethan moves to pull the shower curtain shut before she sees the mass of meat. It is not something the child needs to see. He takes the clothes, simple tan overalls, and a green shirt. He puts them on his lap.
Donna nods with a smile. She runs back to the bedroom, excited to get back to playing. The door creaks shut. Ethan can’t get up to close it all the way.
He leans back against the toilet, closing his eyes. There is no specific time at how long it will take for this child to grow.
***
Ethan must have dozed off while waiting, the clock on his wrist reads an hour later. He scrunches his brow, trying to figure out what had woken him. The dream that had fogged his mind dispels as the same sound stirs him. It is a quiet whimper, terrified and pained.
Ethan jumps to his feet.
The child’s hand is all he sees peeking out behind the shower curtain. It rustles, clattering on the rod as he pulls the plastic back.
The boy’s hazel eyes are wide, wild. Fresh barely healed scars cover his small face. He screams, a loud piercing sound, filled with young rage and incoherent words in a language Ethan vaguely recognizes but can't place.
The child half slips half tumbles in a scramble to get out of the bath. His little fists lash out at Ethan and he falls back, eyes wild with anger and fear. The clothes, Heisenberg's old clothes are too large for him and he stumbles.
Ethan catches him. “Woah there”
“Let me go!” He shrieks. “Take me back!” He switches to English.
“Turned too old” The Mycete intones, as though that is helpful.
“Hey, hey, stop.” Ethan stops the small fists from punching. “Look at me.”
Tears spill down the child’s cheeks, eyes wide and confused “You… aren’t mother... but…” he pushes Ethan away, curling the trenchcoat around his small body. “Do you work for that bitch?” he growls, pushing away the fear to replace it with anger. That must have been how he survived.
“No.” Ethan sits back. “I killed her” he decides to add, it is the news the child needs to hear.
Karl snaps his head up. “Dead?” he laughs, a harsh laugh. “She’s dead” He slumps in the bath, eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion floods his little body.
“Let’s get you dressed.” Ethan keeps his voice low, gentle. He picks up the clothes Donna had given him, they had fallen in the scuffle.
Heisenberg scrunches his nose at the remains of the Mycete around him. Ethan holds out a hand to help him out. The boy ignores it, choosing to scamper out himself, slipping a few times. He takes the clothes, ripping them out of Ethan’s grip.
“I’ll leave you to get cleaned up.” Ethan stands up. “Call if you need anything.”
Heisenberg looks up at him with something akin to surprise before it is replaced by distrust.
Ethan moves around the child, steps out of the bathroom, and closes the door.
He rubs at his temple, the headache is showing no sign of dissipating. Ethan walks back to the bedroom. The Duke is nowhere to be seen.
Donna and Moreau are in bed, fast asleep, Angie between them. Ethan does not enter the bedroom as to not disturb them. They all had a long day.
There is a sound coming from downstairs, from what feels like the tv. Ethan walks back up the hall and down the stairs with quiet steps.
The Duke is sitting by the tv, flicking through the local channels. The cable is no doubt long dead.
“Ah, so how did it go?” He turns it off.
Ethan flicks the light switch, breathing a sigh of relief when the bulb flickers to light. “How did you manage that” He gestures at the tv. The living room is clean, almost sparkling.
“I have my secrets.” The Duke laughs, patting his chest pocket.
Ethan rolls his eyes.
“It was a pleasure spending time with you and the young lords.” The Duke gets to his feet with an example of strength that makes the entire house creak. He keeps his head down as to not hit the ceiling. “I have other business, so I will have to bid you farewell.”
“Thanks” Ethan nods. He brushes his hand over the couch as he walks the Duke to the door. It is busted enough that the large man has no problem getting out. That will have to be fixed.
“I made sure to fill the pantry and the fridge for you and your family.” He hoists himself onto the wagon. “I have taken the liberty to take some of your lei, I’m sure you do not mind.”
Ethan shakes his head. He will never need that much currency as he collected in the village.
“Good luck to you, Ethan Winters.” he salutes and starts to nudge the horse to turn around.
Ethan watches until he is out of sight going down the road.
The stairs creak from the hall. He turns around. Heisenberg looks out from under a weathered leather hat as he enters the living room. His signature glasses hanging on a string around his neck with the dog tags and the scale. He must have found it in the briefcase.
The overalls fit him perfectly.
“You want to eat something?” Ethan moves around the table.
Heisenberg hesitates. Suspicious.
“What’s your favorite food, Karl?” He sits down at one of the chairs, still facing the boy.
“Don’t call me that.” he snaps.
“What do you want to be called?” Ethan waves as a question.
Heisenberg narrows his eyes, studying the battered man in front of him. “Heisen.” his voice is clipped.
“How does some grill cheese sound?” Ethan stands up. Heisen takes a step back. He walks into the kitchen. Heisen trails after him.
“What is that…?”
Ethan chuckles. “It is very good.” He opens the fridge. It is filled to the brim with food. He scans it until he sees some cheese and butter.
He grabs it.
“Why are you doing this.” Heisen crosses his arms, curiosity overshadowing his suspicion.
“Doing what?” Ethan sets down the cheese and searches for some bread.
Heisen twists his lips.
“Making lunch?” he glances at the kid after he finds the bread in one cupboard.
“Being so nice.” he huffs.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Ethan takes out a pan and sets it on the stove.
Heisen opens his mouth, then closes it. He does this several times.
“Heisen.” Ethan sighs. He sits down at the kitchen table while waiting for the pan to heat.
The kid looks up at him across the island.
“I do not know what Miranda did to you, I do not know what you remember” he keeps his eyes focused on the child.
Heisenberg bites his lip, little fangs poking out. “I don't… know.” he swallows “I don’t remember. There is something” he swallows again. “Why don’t I remember? What did you do to us.”
Ethan thinks carefully. The wrong answer could panic the kid. Neither of them needs that.
He pulls up his sleeve to show the Mycete.
Heisen growls. “Mother” He shrinks back.
“This is something we call the Mega-Mycete.” he stretches his arm out. The tendrils shift.
Heisen gets on one of the high chairs, looking up, asking for permission to touch it.
Ethan nods.
The tendrils flinch back at the child’s touch. Then they curl around his thumb.
“That’s fucked up.” he crunches his nose.
“Language” Ethan chides out of habit, fixing Heisenberg with a glare.
The child scoffs. They will have to work on that over time.
The pan hisses and crackles as it gets hot enough.
“What does it do?” Heisen asks as Ethan pulls back.
“Keeps us alive. It is a deal I made, you kids for my daughter.” he regrets what he said as soon as it leaves his mouth.
“So you are using us,” Heisenberg smirks. That makes more sense than anything anybody could say
“No, it's…” Ethan sighs. “I need you kids, more than you need me” he swallows. “It’s… I…” he scratches at his neck.
Heisen relaxes. He knows where he stands now. “So, you got some grub?” he looks at the stove. No longer interested in explanations.
“Uh, yeah, yeah.” Ethan stands up. He sighs, releasing a long breath through his nose until he is somewhat light-headed.
He cuts several slices of bread from the hearty loaf, slathering them with the soft butter out of the container.
“What do I call you?” Heisen must have jumped down and circled to approach Ethan. He stares at the slices of bread with pure hunger.
“Careful off the stove.” Ethan gives him a piece of bread.
Heisen nibbles on it, cautious.
The butter sizzles as he places the slices in the pan. followed by the cheese and another piece of bread.
“What do you want to drink, Milk, juice?” he keeps an eye on the sandwiches.
“Just like that?” he speaks with his mouth full, some crumbs fall on the floor.
“What do you mean?” he looks at the kid.
“Mother never fed us the more expensive stuff. We had to take it from the villagers.” he shrugs.
The hate for Miranda grows deeper in Ethan’s heart, and it gets easier to resist her constant drivel in the back of his consciousness.
“In this house, you can have anything, anytime you want.” he points at the fridge. “Go pick something out.”
Heisen is uncertain.
“It’s alright. Go get something.” he waves again.
Heisenberg moves with slow steps towards the fridge. He keeps glancing at Ethan as though he is waiting for the man to lash out and stop him.
Ethan turns his attention to the sandwiches, taking out a spatula, flipping them.
The fridge hisses open after several minutes. The rattling of bottles. Several moments later, Heisen returns with a glass juice bottle, sipping with careful slurps.
“Let me see that for a minute” Ethan reaches for the bottle.
Heisen clutches it closer, that same look of distrust flashing in his gaze. Tension in every muscle of his young, thin body.
“It would be better in a plastic glass.” He reaches up to the cupboard, taking one out. “I can pour it for you”
“I got it” He lifts the glass bottle, pouring some of the juice into the glass. At first, everything is fine, then the kid's hand trembles, and some of it spills on the counter.
Heisen’s face goes pale. He freezes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t”
Ethan snatches the bottle before it can fall and spill more, or worse shatter. He sets it on the counter
“It’s fine, no big deal.” Ethan takes out the sandwiches and sets them on a plate. He turns off the heat “Get the towels, right there in the top drawer” he gestures.
Heisen brow furrows farther with confusion. “You really aren’t Mother,” he mutters, reaching where Ethan directed. The sound of tearing paper fills the room.
“Let’s get this cleaned up then eat our food.” He takes some paper towels from the roll. Heisen is not having much luck wiping away the juice, he keeps looking at Ethan, deep in thought.
“There we go” he nods, throwing the towel in the sink for now. He can clean later. “Come on, the sandwiches are going to get cold” He hands the plastic glass to Heisen, feeling better that he won't have to deal with broken glass and an injured kid.
Heisenberg reaches for the sandwich. He flinches back just before he takes it, looking at Ethan.
“Sit down first, then dig in.” he nods.
Heisen scrambles onto one of the bar chairs. Grabbing one of the bottom sandwiches. “Ow hot.” he drops it.
Ethan turns back to grab a plate, placing it in front of Heisen. “Take your time to eat, don't burn your tongue.”
“How many can I eat?” He picks up the sandwich again, moving it from one hand to the other in an attempt to cool it.
“As many as you want, but don’t get sick” Ethan takes a sandwich of his own, biting into it. His stomach twists. He can barely keep it down.
Heisenberg is too busy chomping down on the grilled cheese with pure pleasure, forgetting that anything exists beyond the food.
Ethan watches the child enjoy himself with a gentle smile. So different from the man that was taunting him just a short time ago. This isn’t so bad.
Heisen falters on the third grilled cheese. It is half-eaten.
“Don’t force yourself” Ethan takes away the large plate that has two sandwiches left.
“Father always said I should never waste food.” he forces another bite.
“It’s bad to force yourself to eat more than you can.” Ethan takes the kid's smaller plate before Heisen can take another mouthful. The boy looks relieved. He yawns.
“There is an extra bed in the room upstairs, you should rest” Ethan stands up, taking the two plates, putting them by the sink.
“My bed…I get a bed?” his eyes are wide.
“It’s just upstairs. It probably needs new blankets though.” Ethan waves. “We might still have some clean ones in the upstairs closet.”
Heisen does not hear the last part. He takes off up the stairs.
Ethan chuckles and follows after him.
The boy is standing by the door to the bedroom. “Who are they?” he asks, loud.
“Keep your voice down, they are sleeping.” Ethan puts a hand at the small of his back. “The study is just back by the stairs.” he guides Heisen around.
“Who are they though?”
“That’s Donna and little Moreau, they are your siblings.” Ethan turns on the light in the study.
“I don’t have a sister, ew” he scrunches his face in disgust.
“I can introduce you three tomorrow, for now, get some rest.” He lets the kid look around as he goes to one of the drawers, taking out clean but somewhat dusty blankets.
Heisenberg yawns again. He feels the bed. “Wow, It’s so soft.” He climbs on it, gets to his feet. The bed creaks as he starts to bounce on it. Dust goes everywhere.
“Hey now, don’t jump on the bed” Ethan coughs, waving away the dust.
Heisen stops with a pout on his lips. He wants to jump more.
“There is too much dust,” Ethan explains. “Get down for a minute.”
The boy does as he is told. Ethan carefully takes off the covers and blankets, placing them on the floor. “Here, help me out.” he throws the clean fitted blanket over the mattress. Heisenberg takes one edge and fulls it tight. Together they manage to get the new covers on in no time.
“Good job” Ethan smiles.
Heisen blinks. “It’s just stupid chores. You’re weird” the kid rolls his eyes. There is a blush on his cheeks though, it must have been a long time ago since someone praised him for help.
“I will be downstairs if you need me” Ethan straightens as he pats down the duvet.
“Really, I can really stay here?” he looks around in disbelief.
“Yeah, get some rest. If you need the bathroom, I'm going to leave a nightlight on in the hall. The door is open so you can find it. ” Ethan nods. “I am here if you need anything, just call, no matter what.”
He knows that he will have to reassure the kids many times as they spend together. Heisen is still concerned and suspicious but he is not going to question it. It feels nice to relax and not be afraid for once.
Ethan closes the door as the kid settles on the bed.
He goes back to the bedroom. Satisfied that the other two kids are still resting, he takes some clean clothes, then goes towards the bathroom. He clicks the door shut but does not lock it.
The meat the tendril made has dissolved as though it was never there beyond a thin pink film in the bath. Ethan turns on the water.
He will take a shower, get cleaned up. Then get some sleep himself. There is no doubt that tomorrow will bring more excitement. He has to be awake and aware. The warm water on his hand does a lot to ease the tension in every muscle of his body. Ethan lets his mind wander. He hopes that he will do right by the children despite the situation.
He takes off the several layers of clothes before stepping into the shower. Watching as the swirls of dirt, blood, and sweat get washed down the drain.
Everything that happened hits him in its entirety for the first time that day and he lets it wash over him. Tears spill down his cheeks, the guilt, the regret, the pain. How again he has no choice but to fight for even a slither of happiness. He sinks to his knees under the warm water stream, shaking. “It will be okay, we will be okay” his voice trembles. The mantra does not convince him. Ethan lets his emotions wash over his mind.
He does not know how long he cries there, long enough for the water to run cold.
When he gets out, he is shivering.
He puts on the pajamas, soft against his battered skin. It makes him feel better.
By the time he reaches the bedroom again, all he can do is collapse on the bed by the kids and fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.
Chapter Text
“Pathetic” The judgemental voice he is growing used to reverberates through the void
“What do you want Miranda?” he turns to see her sitting with a regal air on a piece of rubble, staring down at him. The fog of the void is painted with a dull pulsing red.
“What makes you so special Ethan Winters?” She uses her large wings to jump off the height. “Why do you deserve to live again?” her voice is filled with its usual venom.
Ethan rolls his eyes, “This again?” an exasperated sigh leaves his lips. “Fuck off already Miranda”
“You do not get happiness at the expanse of my child!” she strides toward him, claws out. Her shapeshifting to that monstrous form built on anger. The red-eye almost burning into his soul. “You—-“
“Your child?!” he cuts her off. “I have been living with the fucked up memories of what you did to your so-called children!” he shakes his head. “You don’t fucking deserve them.” he laughs bitterly. “Anyone is better off without you.” He faces her head-on.
“You took everything I built!! This is mine!” she spreads her wings, her voice a hoarse scream. The halo between the wings glows brightly.
Ethan laughs again. “I took everything?” he shakes his head. “You are delusional and this is why you will never achieve your goals, not as long as I’m alive!” he growls.
“That body belongs to me!” She grabs for him. Ethan blocks on habit but no hit comes. Her claws collide with a barrier. “Give it back to me, give it back!” She demands, a sneer on her face. “I will take everything from you!” she starts to circle, like a predator hunting prey.
“You already did.” Ethan’s voice is hollow. He does not falter. “It’s my turn” he takes a step towards her. She backs up. He feels his body distort and break. There is no doubt in his mind that he looks no better than she does in that mutated form. He doesn’t care.
“I will keep everyone safe, from you, from the Mycete,” he growls. “From anyone who tries to hurt my children.” He falters now. His children, not only Rose but the others as well. He sucks in a breath. Ethan is still not sure if he has a right to raise them, not after everything he did, not after everything they did.
Miranda takes her chance. “Watch yourself Ethan Winters. One Mistake…” She moves closer, he manages to stand his ground against her pressure. “... I will return and I will take this existence from you.” she laughs, her words echo as her body dissipates.
He closes his eyes.
When he opens them again, he is back in the house, back in the real solid world. If that is how he is going to dream every time, maybe he should forgo that experience.
Ethan looks around. The children are nowhere to be seen. The familiar panic is tight in his chest. He jumps off the bed. It is light outside.
“How long was I asleep…?” he mumbles.
“Long enough for us to hunger.” The Mycete intones.
“Where are the kids?” he stumbles out of the bedroom.
The Mycete just demands to be fed again. He brushes it away.
“Donna, Heisen?” he calls out.
There is laughter from somewhere downstairs.
Ethan turns, taking the steps two at a time. The living room is dark, only the lantern from the bathroom is on the table. He still doesn’t see anybody. He continues into the dining room. The door is back on its hinges. Ethan narrows his eyes at that but turns his attention to the table. He can figure that mystery out later.
Moreau is in his high chair, nibbling on a piece of bread. He has some juice in a plastic sippy cup.
“MommA!” he reaches his stubby fingers up.
Ethan smiles “How are you doing kid?” He ruffles the boy's hair. Moreau giggles, and takes another bite of bread. “Where are your sister and brother?”
The boy points into the kitchen.
Ethan walks past him, looking around the island. Donna is sitting on one of the high chairs. Angie on the counter, her little doll legs dangling over the edge. The coloring book and crayons are scattered all over the place.
She looks up, the side of her face that was covered with hair is now tied with a dark green bandana, a make-shift eyepatch. The edge of a scar is visible.
“Drawing anything fun?” He looks over her shoulder. She is coloring a unicorn with intense concentration to staying within the lines. There is a bowl of fruits cut up in a haphazard messy way. Heisenberg must have done that for her.
Donna nods.
“Have you seen Heisen?” He takes a bite of the apple. The food still does not go down right, but it makes him refreshed.
“He said he was going to get cleaned up.” She points at the general directions of the stairs.
“You going to be okay, while I go check on him?”
She nods, going back to her drawing.
Ethan goes through the other door in the kitchen going around and to the stairs. The house is silent. It is nice but worrying when one child is unaccounted for.
The bathroom door is closed, tight. Ethan knocks. “Heisen? You doing okay?”
There is a shuffle of clothes but no answer. “Coming in” He announces in a low voice. The worry twisting his stomach into knots.
Heisen is sitting on the edge of the sink. He is staring into the mirror, little hand tracing scars over his cheek and nose. One of them is bleeding.
Ethan reaches for the light switch then stops. He can see in the dark, and no doubt the child is the same.
“What’s wrong?” he moves closer, speaking at an even lower volume.
The kid's eyes go wide as he stares into the mirror.
Ethan looks down in the sink where blood stains the white porcelain. There is also blood on the child's hands. He must have scratched the scab off from the scar.
“Let’s get some ointment for that.” Ethan reaches out to open the mirror cabinet.
“Don’t touch me!” Heisenberg screams. “You lied, you lied!” he screeches. “You're her! You are the one who did this!” he points at the mirror with a shaking hand.
Ethan follows his gaze. In the mirror instead of seeing his face or the blank faceless image, he sees Miranda. She is smirking down on Heisenberg with a smug grin. Ethan swallows, he shifts to block the view of the mirror, which gets him closer to Heisenberg.
“No!” The child jumps down from the sink.
Ethan feels a sharp pain in his cheek. The sound of a mirror shattering. He turns back to see a dull thin blade embedded in the mirror. The glass, in a merciful display, stays in the frame. Miranda’s image is gone.
Great, he can use his powers. Is the first thought that passes through Ethan’s mind. Then he makes a note to cover any and all mirrors.
“Power’s will surface at age of implantation of Cadou.” The Mycete informs him. “Lord Heisenberg was the youngest next to Lord Moreau”
Ethan lifts his hands. “Sorry” He knows that's all he can do. The child needs to heal on his own time.
The child’s face is pale, scared. He is fighting to keep from crying. His small body shivering. The overly large hat crooked on his head.
Ethan gets off the sink, crouching to face the kid.
“What are you going to do to us?” Heisen mutters his voice cracks as he stifles another sob determined to break through, nose twitching. He looks up with dark eyes.
“Nothing” Ethan sighs. “It really all depends on you.” he swallows. “What do you want to do?”
Heisen is taken back. He looks up from the brim of his hat. “Up to me…?” his eyes narrow as though he is expecting the soft words to be a trap.
“You don’t have to decide now.” Ethan sits down on the floor, crossing his legs. His knees were starting to hurt from crouching. “I was thinking of going out into town to get some supplies, ” he continues to talk. “Clean clothes, toothbrushes. Whatever you guys want.”
“Clothes?” Heisen balls his small fist in the green shirt under the overalls.
“Yeah, can’t exactly have all of you keep wearing Rose’s or Mia’s old clothes.” he shrugs. “Or the same outfit all the time,” he adds with a wave at Heisen.
Heisen’s frown deepens. “Why, why do you care?” He asks that same question.
“We are all in this together, I am just here to help.” Ethan knows his words won't convince the child now if they didn't before. It does not hurt to say it though.
“How are you her, and not her? Where is she? Are you a bad adult working for her?” Heisen crosses his arms, standing to his full eight-year-old height. As though he is trying to intimidate answers out of Ethan.
“No, I am not.” Ethan annunciates, putting all his effort in keeping an even voice. Her voice still tries to worm past his defenses. He ignores it. “I know you have no reason to trust me.” Ethan starts. “You sure shouldn’t trust the Mycete.” he flicks the restless tendrils at his wrist. “But know that she is gone. She will never hurt you again. I will stake my life on that. The Mycete will be her prison for all time.”
Heisen lifts his hand to the scabbed bleeding scar on his face, tracing it. It is clear he does not believe.
Ethan starts to say something. Before he can, his vision blurs.
The feel of a memory. He blinks and he is thrown into unfamiliar surroundings. Ethan looks down at his hands, they are pale and thin. He realizes they are not his, that he is looking through Miranda’s eyes.
Heisen sits on the metal table. His eyes are empty, soulless. His young face is covered in scars, still jagged and bleeding.
“Almost perfect, such a shame” Miranda’s voice coming out of what he knows as his throat, as her throat in the vision. “Such a strong body” she drags her hand over Heisen’s cheek, grimacing at the blood. “Yet such a weak mind.” she shakes her head. “So close.” she snaps her fingers “Get him out of here, give him the house in the far-field.” Someone scrambles from the side and picks up the child. She has already forgotten him, going to her notes.
Ethan blinks, forcing the vision to dissolve. “That bitch.” he growls.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Heisen has calmed down. “You just stopped talking and started staring into space.”
“Watch your language Heisen. You don’t have to be crude to get your point across.” He chides.
“Why can you swear and I....You’re bleeding, ew” Heisen scrunches his nose.
Ethan lifts his hand to his forehead, a thin line of blood trickles down the middle. He wipes it away. “We both are now, lets get this blood cleaned up” he sighs. “Don’t look while I cover the mirror.” Ethan stands up.
Heisen sits back on the bathtub’s edge, looking away. Ethan grabs clean towels and reaches up to close the mirror. His face flickers between nothing and Miranda’s calculating expression. The sigh of relief as he hides the last of the reflective surface lifts a weight from his mind. Miranda’s voice seems quieter now that he can’t see her. He opens the cabinet. The neat role of bandages, the trusty ointment that has cleaned many wounds, some bandaids tucked in a corner. He takes all of them out, putting them on the edge of the sink.
“Here, sit up on the sink again.” Ethan taps an open space.
Heisen hesitates, looking between the mirror and Ethan. He lets the kid take his time, opening the ointment instead.
“Ah… shit…” He hisses as the ointment stings at his forehead.
“I still think it's dumb you can swear and I can't.” Heisen scoffs. He climbs onto the sink, the muscle’s on his thin arms strain with the effort of lifting his body. Ethan wants to help him but knows that the kid is too proud for that.
“I’m an old man” he chuckles, “Don’t go by my example.” He puts more ointment on his cheek where he remembers the blade slicing him.
Heisen rolls his eyes. Ethan wonders the wound on his head came from. It has stopped bleeding and just left a thin scar stopping at the tip of his nose. The blade had only sliced his cheek, this whole situation is odd. He wipes away the rest of the blood, placing a bandaid on his cheek. He also bandages his forehead with quick practiced gestures.
“Okay, your turn. Hold out your hand” Ethan turns, holding the ointment out.
Heisenberg hesitates, his little hand shakes for a brief moment. Ethan is careful not to touch the kid. “Don’t get it in your eyes.”
Heisen sniffs at it, nose crinkling.
“I can do it if you want” Ethan taps the ointment so some plops out in Heisen's open palm.
“I got it” He pouts, sniffing the chemical again before slathering it on his nose. “Fu—dge“ he cuts himself off.
Ethan holds out a bandaid. Heisen looks at it in confusion. “What is that?” he crinkles his nose.
“It’s a bandaid, to make sure it doesn’t get infected.” he taps over the patch.
Heisen is unsure as he puts the bandaid over his cut. “This feels like sh—“
Ethan gives him a pointed glare.
He grumbles under his breath, scratching at where it sticks.
“Don’t do that.” Ethan chides. “It will start bleeding again.”
Heisen crosses his arms, scrunching his nose with discomfort.
“Yeah, yeah” Ethan puts away all the supplies. “Let's go downstairs.” He opens the door. Heisenberg jumps down from the sink. He pouts as he exits the bathroom, scratching just around the bandaid with annoyance.
He sighs, the plaster will no doubt come off as soon as Ethan turns his back.
Heisen runs down the stairs.
“Hey, don't run in the house!” Ethan calls after the kid in a half-hearted voice. He walks down the steps slowly. There is a crash followed by Moreau’s wails. Ethan takes the steps two at a time.
“Mommma!” the kids cries. “Took... juice!” he says between sobs.
“Only babies drink from sippy cups!” Heisen teases.
“That's mean! You’re a meanie. I gave him that!” Donna moves around the chair, speaking through Angie, trying to grab the cup. Heisen sticks his tongue out, a grin on his face.
“Heisenberg” Ethan takes the cup, giving it back to Moreau “I know you are upset, but you can't take it out on your siblings.” He lifts Moreau out of the chair, bouncing him to help him calm down. The four-year-old sips on his juice but sobs still shake his tiny body.
Heisen crosses his arms. “That's dumb. They aren't my siblings. Mother killed my real family.”
Donna starts to cry. “I want Beau!” she whimpers “I want my real mommy and daddy back!” She cries with her own voice, hugging Angie tighter.
“Me too!” Moreau cries, tears starting again.
“Oh so what, my parents are dead too, you don't see me crying!” Heisen scoffs
“Karl Heisenberg! That is enough, go sit in the kitchen” Ethan barks. The color drains out of Heisen’s face. He works his jaw but obeys.
“Shh, there there.” Ethan bounces Moreau while reaching for Donna. "I know emotions are high right now, and know it is okay to cry.”
“I'm sorry mommy” Donna sniffles. “Why is he so mean all of a sudden.” He glances in the kitchen where Heisen is pouting with arms crossed.
“He got a little scared, but that does not make it okay to take it out on you” Ethan takes her hand. She holds Angie tight with her other.
She looks at Heisenberg again. “Did he mean it?” His sobs slowly fading. Moreau still hiccups but is slowly calming down with the rhythmic bounce and Ethan’s soothing voice.
“I'm sure he didn't, he just needs some time.” Ethan nods.
“Can I help?” Donna’s eyes are filled with childhood sincerity.
“I'm sure you can, but right now he needs some space.” Ethan leads her to the living room from the dining. “How about you guys doodle some more and look at the books for a little while.” he smiles, setting Moreau down.
“No mommy! No leave!” the child clings, his little tail thumps on the floor.
“I will be in the kitchen, I have to talk to your brother.” He pats Moreau’s dark curls
“Sal! Sal! You wanna see what Mister Duke showed me” Donna says as Angie, taking the remote. Moreau’s attention is immediately absorbed in the tv. Ethan lingers a few more moments to make sure they were okay before heading to the kitchen.
Heisen is still pouting. He turns his back as soon as Ethan enters.
“Do you want to tell me what that was?” Ethan sits down, keeping his voice even. Heisen scrunches his shoulders in a no.
“Did Moreau do something to you while I was upstairs?” Ethan presses.
Heisenberg scoffs. “He’s only fucking four as if he could” he shakes his head.
“Then why, are you still upset and scared—-“
“I'm not scared of anything!” he snaps turning around. “It’s… They trust you! But you are only using us and, and… they are just so stupid!’ he lets the turmoil burst out, standing up on the bar of the chair, digging his nails in the island's marble.
“... And you wanted to give them a reason to be afraid?” Ethan tilts his head.
“No, I … Tch” Heisen deflates. “So what if I did?” he rolls his shoulders.
“Because they are only children, and so are you” Ethan gestures. “None of you deserve to be afraid,”
“I'm not a kid” Heisen crosses his arms, looking at the tiled kitchen wall above the stove as though it holds all the answers.
“You may act like an adult, because you had to, but maybe let them just be kids?” Ethan nods behind him towards the tv.
Heisen follows the gesture. The tension in his body seems to fade. “Whatever” he rolls his eyes.
“You are going to apologize” Ethan stands up
“What, no dam way,” he growls.
“Yes, you are. Then we will all watch tv and have dinner” He leans against the counter for support.
“So I can’t eat if I don't say sorry?” he narrows his eyes.
“You can, nobody goes hungry here but you will not watch tv with us, and after eating your dinner alone, you will go straight to your room,” Ethan says, firm
Heisen scoffs again. “That’s your idea of punishment?” he laughs, but it's weak. Ethan can tell he is interested in the television.
He doesn’t say anything, just waits. Heisenberg lets his gaze flicker between Ethan and the television.
“Fine! Okay, fine! I will say sorry” he grumbles, jumping down from the chair. Ethan nods, waving towards the living room.
Heisen shuffles with no enthusiasm towards the coffee table.
“What do you want?” Angie demands, Donna moves between Heisen and Moreau.
“Move out of the way you freaky doll” He growls.
Ethan clears his throat.
“Sorry,” Heisen mutters. “Can I… sit with you” he puts his hands in the pockets of his overalls, looking away from Donna.
“I forgive you!’ Moreau chimes in. The youngest lord scrambles to his feet and takes Heisenberg by the hand. Donna steps aside. “Look!” he drags him down to the papers. “I drew fish, you wanna draw?" he pushes the crayons towards Heisenberg. DOnna continues to watch Heisen with suspicious, narrowed eyes.
He swallows and takes the pencil, starting to draw.
“Wow! You make pretty” Moreau exclaims over the gear Heisen doodles quickly. Donna sits down by the coffee table to get a better look, eye wide with wonder. “Can you draw a kitty?” She asks.
Heisen nods. Before long the two kids start asking him requests, giving praise to make the young lord blush despite himself.
Ethan joins them, sitting down on the couch. The situation seems to be well in hand.
x.x.x
The rest of the evening goes in the same peaceful atmosphere. As the night gets late he makes them some mac and cheese. Moreau falls asleep on top of Ethan after dinner.
“Okay it's time for bed, Donna” Ethan stands up. She takes his offered hand. Heisen doesn't pay attention, absorbed into the cartoon about robots. “Heisen, you can stay awake until nine, but then I expect you upstairs.”
The boy waves in the affirmative, not interested in looking away from his show.
“Can you read me a story, Mommy?” Donna asks in her quiet voice.
“Yes of course,” Ethan says with a soft smile. The stairs don't creak for once as they reach the top landing with their slow walk.
In the bedroom Ethan tucks in the two kids, pulling blankets tight, then picks a random book off the shelf, something about lost sheep finding their way home to those that care about them. Donna falls asleep at the second sentence but he keeps reading.
About half an hour later, he hears Heisen’s soft feet trudge past the door to his room. Ethan smiles. This is not so bad, he always wanted a big family and now he has the chance to have it even if it is not what he expected. If only Rose was here.
He falls asleep with an uncertain smile on his lips.
Notes:
Some super cute art of the kid lords Here!
Chapter Text
“Alpha. We are approaching the landing zone.” One of the squad shouts over the whir of the plane.
Chris nods. The crater where the village stood five years ago has started to heal. Young trees and bushes cover the deep valley between the mountains. The constant reminder of what he had lost. He hoped they would never come back here.
“If you keep pouting it will stay like that” Mia’s soft laugh, a hand on his shoulder breaks him away from dwelling on the past.
She is dressed from head to toe in tactical gear. She is so far from the housewife role she enjoyed with Ethan after she retired from the bioweapon scene. This is more normal to Chris than her pretending to be a civilian.
It is a good look on Mia. The soft smile hints at acceptance with the barest hints of sadness. She got over Ethan’s death faster than Chris did. They don’t talk about it.
“Let’s just get this over with.” He grumbles, moving from the window towards the back of the plane. Mia doesn’t follow.
It lands with a thud a moment later.
The back door moves too slow for Chris’s liking.
Mia walks out before it is open all the way, jumping down into the dust. She goes with a singular determination that means she saw something.
“Dammit” Chris swears as he follows her down. “Stop being reckless!”
“It looks like the Mycete was here!” she points at a pedestal. Mia picks up some of the fleshy globs of the mold with gloved fingers.
“Mia!” Chris catches up.
“Stop fretting, it’s just some dead mold.” she takes out a vial and pushes the mold inside.
“Is it back?” he looks around, hand on his gun.
“Looks like it” Mia tucks away the sample. “Such a resilient specimen if we ever find a way to harvest it without the side effects…” She trails off, her eyes glow with the potential of discovery.
Chris’ glower deepens. “Where is the core? We need to get it destroyed before it can spread” He keeps scanning the horizon. “Is it in the caves?”
Mia shrugs. “Could be, but I doubt it.” She takes out an instrument. “See that trail, it has the same signature as the mold.” she starts to follow it. “I’m sure he went that way.”
“He?” Chris turns around, studying her with narrowed eyes.
Mia points behind her. “The rusted guns on the ground are Ethan’s, I’m sure of it.”
Chris lets his gun drop to his side, taking two quick steps towards the pedestal. He crouches down, taking a small pistol out of the pile. He recognizes the one he took from Ethan just before the battle with the metal bastard.
Ethan always had a habit of carving a number at the bottom of any gun he uses.
Chris clenches his fist to keep his hands from shaking.
“Hey, you’re alright.” A statement. Mia’s hand on his shoulder. He almost believes her.
“We will have to kill him… if he is back and not…” he trails off.
“We made progress with the cure. It does not have to come to that.” She is confident, always so sure.
“I hope you are right, I am tired of death.” he sighs, standing up. Mia takes his hand.
“I will not watch Ethan die again, no matter what.” Mia states. There is no doubt in her voice.
He knows she means it. Yet they might not have a choice. They can’t let the Mycete survive a moment longer, regardless of whose face it wears.
Chris squeezes her hand before letting go in favor of the gun hanging at his side. He tucks away Ethan’s rusted one in his vest. She pats his side and walks forward to follow the path of the mold.
x-x-x
Ethan sits on the wooden floor of the study. The kids are downstairs with Heisenberg in charge of looking after them. He has very much taken to the role of big brother. It brings a smile to Ethan’s lips. They are good kids.
He looks at the last crystal in thought. She was turned the oldest, all the way at the age of forty-four.
“She will be a child, like the rest.” The Mycete repeats for the third time in the hour.
Ethan does not believe it. How could she return as a child when she was not anywhere near that forsaken village then.
“Genetic memory stored, she will be young to not use her powers,” it repeats.
Ethan scoffs. Heisenberg came back with his powers. Moreau’s back gets worse every day.
The Mycete is pulsing with aggravation. “We need the fourth lord, Ethan Winters, then we will not hunger!”
He sighs. How much will she even remember, there is too little guarantee.
“Stop being a fucking loser and bring our Mother back!” a familiar petulant voice cuts off the mycete’s need.
Ethan jumps, caught off guard by one of the daughters. “Shit, you three.” he shakes his head “Will she want them back? I have them…” he groans.
“Yes.” The mycete growls. “You are running low on time, we are tired of resistance when we are so close.” The tendrils snake across the floor towards the deceased Lady Alcina Dimitrescu. Ethan does not stop them. The first tendril touches the crystal.
Disjointed memories of the lady, of the daughters flood his mind. Her entire life flashing before his eyes.
How happy she was to receive the Mycete from him… from Miranda. How happy she was to hold her daughters in her arms as they began to wake.
How she held Rose gently above a crib, a smile on her face as she rocked the baby.
Ethan’s breath catches in his throat. “Rose…” he mutters.
The vision of his beautiful child snaps.
How she enjoyed the feel of claws slicing through Ethan’s wrist. The memory of how his blood tasted on her lips.
“Enough!” he pushes the memories of the mycete and the daughter's force on his mind away.
The pain is intense. Just when he thought he was used to it, that he could handle it, it flares and there is no hope in staying conscious.
x-x-x
“You think he’s dead?” someone laughs.
“Shut up you freaky dolL!” Heisen’s high-pitched voice.
“Momma is dead?” Moreau starts to wail.
“Oh be quiet, if you use your eyes then you would know the stupid man-thing is breathing.” a girl scoffs.
“Well maybe you should—“ Heisen starts to yell.
“Kids, quiet, just for a minute,” Ethan mutters. His head feels like it is splitting apart as he moves to sit up.
“Momma!” Moreau shrieks with a cut-off cry and barrels into Ethan, knocking the wind out of his battered lungs.
“Not for long if you keep doing that!” Angie clambers on top of Ethan, next to Moreau. Great, how long has he been out for the doll to start talking and walking on its own?
He sits up, balancing Moreau. The doll jumps down with a yelp. His forehead is bleeding again, he can feel his hair stick to wet bandages.
He scans the room. Heisenberg is standing with his arms crossed, pouting up at a teenage girl, no older than sixteen. She still wears her signature white dress, cut down to fit her with sloppy stitching. She looks at Ethan with disdain. Yet now and then there is a flicker of concern, something is bothering her.
“How are you feeling?” Ethan asks as he gets to his feet.
“How is she feeling!? You almost died for this big bit—“ Heisen cuts himself off at the glare from Ethan. “She has been acting all high and mighty. I was here first!” he balls his fists.
Alcina rolls her eyes. “Oh please child, as if you could be in charge, you spilled that disgusting concoction on my dress!” She stands up to her full height.
“It’s chocolate milk! If you stopped being so stuck up maybe you would like it!” Heisenberg does not falter as she towers over him.
“Okay, okay” Ethan groans, “Kids, lets… let's calm down for a minute,” he repeats
Heisen crosses his arms. Alcina scoffs. “I am afraid you have no say over me, you broken man.” she rolls her eyes.
“Moreau, hold on okay.” Ethan shifts him in his arms. Alcina is almost as tall as him, her hair just at his chin. He has no doubts she will only get taller.
“You will release me at once from this dead-end town!” She crosses her arms. The demand is made less threatening by her attempt at intimidation. She is only a child even if she tries to act older.
“See! She—-“ Heisen starts, pointing an accusing finger.
“Oh shut up.” She flicks him in the forehead with a long manicured finger.
Ethan shields Moreau just in case, he is moving too slow and groggy to react to their bickering and it could get ugly.
“That's it!” Heisen snaps, he holds out his hand, various metal things start floating.
“This… Enough!” Ethan snaps his fingers. The walls of the house shudder, the earth shakes. Alcina freezes. The metal drops to the floor, it rings as it hits the wood. The mycete tendrils spread over the floor and move up the walls in response to Ethan's flash of anger. Moreau hides his face in the folds of the hoodie. He is trembling.
Donna, who Ethan had not seen until now, squeals as a tendril gets close. She grabs Angie before running over to Heisenberg, her little fists hooking into the older child's shirt. He loops a protective arm around her.
Alcina laughs after getting her bearings. “So you are not completely useless.”
Ethan takes a deep breath. The mycete’s powers subside. He pats the youngest lord's back. “What did you mean by release you?”
“She went into town.” Heisen supplies. He scans Ethan carefully for any other signs of power.
“I tried to leave, I am late for something..." she falters. "Not to mention mother will be awfully angry I am not home.” She shifts her weight, bare feet on wood.
He needs to get all of them some shoes.
“Nobody but one can leave where our tendrils stretch. Only the strongest can leave. “ the voice of the mycete rings out.
“We can’t leave you idiot” Heisen gestures with his hands.
“It’s…” Ethan clears his throat. “Heisen is right.” He sets Moreau down on the bed. The child clings to his pant leg. Donna peaks out from behind Heisen.
“The Mycete…” Ethan pulls up his sleeve “This thing, will not let us leave.”
“Do you want a ransom, my family has gold, if I could just send them a letter.” she doesn't buy it, scrunching her nose at the mycete
“Oh as if throwing money at every fucking problem has worked for you so far!” Heisen shakes his head, distaste in his eyes. Ethan now understands that the child has a problem with her money, not the girl.
“No, no. It’s more complicated than that. What year do you think this is?” Ethan waves around the bedroom.
“Well I… your gadgets are strange but…” she looks at the room. “This ridiculous, I would have you know I am the heiress to the great House Dimitrescu, and you will stop with whatever magics you inflict upon me” She clicks her tongue, brushing her long neat curls back under her hat.
Ethan is at a loss. She has no memory of Miranda or the village, unlike the others. How can he begin to explain?
Heisen throws his hand up. “This is stupid, I’m out of here, come on Donna.” he takes the younger girl's hand. She nods.
“I'm coming too!” Moreau scrambles off the bed, edging around Alcina with a worried look. “Is that okay mommy?” He hesitates, looking back. Ethan nods.
“Stop lingering!” Heisen barks and takes his hand. Moreau pouts as he is pulled out of the room.
The silence stretches as Ethan waits for them to go out of the hall. “I am not the one keeping you here, Whatever you remember, the world has changed, there is much——“ He only speaks when he hears the creak of the stairs.
“The fool child who calls himself Heisenberg has told me your delusional fairytale of some village, of this Mother Miranda. It is just the words of a madman. Maybe the kids believe it but I won’t, so whatever you are doing, it will stop immediately” She releases a huff of air.
Ethan scratches at his stubble. “I think, the only way is to show you.” he stands up. The briefcase is still in its corner. He walks over, opening it with the usual sound of leather. Alcina watches him with suspicion and curiosity. The leather journal is weathered but still readable. He hands it to her.
Alcina lifts an eyebrow, forcing the old notebook open.
The very first pages contain drawings Ethan had done of the Lady Dimitrescu, of the family when he had a moment to breathe in that village.
She runs her hand over the dress, comparing the folds in the picture. Her fingers trace the lines of her face. “This is some trick!” She pushes the journal into Ethan’s chest. As soon as they touch, there is a familiar snap as reality breaks and becomes muddled with the powers of the mycete.
“Mother Miranda, do you think I should go through with this?” The young lady Dimitrescu sits in a church pew, looking up at the stained glass. “I was told that you would bring great power to my lineage if I become part of your family.” she looks down at her hands. “Father said it would bring our line great power and wealth but…” she sighs. “I always wanted to sing on stage, but Mother says I would have to give that dream up if I join now.” she swallows. “It is either this or marriage to that horrid lord. Not much of a choice.” she scoffs with a roll of her eyes.
“This is preposterous!” Alcina, the real one exclaims. “I was never such a sniveling child.” She crosses her arms tighter, doubt on her face.
“I will never marry that man, and I will never give in to the wishes of others.” the vision of Alcina shakes her head, staring up with defiance at the image of Miranda. The church doors open and a smiling girl in a servant's dress waits. The memory of Alcina turns at the sound. The features of both young women soften.
“I was never one for being obedient” she smirks. “This life is not for me” She strides across the room, taking the servant girl's hand. The church door closes with a loud thud that shakes the old building.
The memory shimmers. The ever-shifting shape of the mycete stands before them. “You need to remember why you chose your fate Alcina Dimitrescu, remember who you are.” The mycete stands in front of the stained glass. The image of Miranda behind it slowly becomes distorted.
“You!” Alcina recoils, annoyance on her features.
Ethan looks between them, choosing to stay silent. This is her past to live through and experience.
“You always return to us.” It intones. “Nothing has changed, this is the destiny of your family since eons before and will be for eons past.” It gestures. “You will bring our purpose to its end.”
Ethan narrows his eyes. What do you mean? He tries to say but no sound escapes his lips. Alcina does not notice him. She stares straight ahead.
“Power, the power. I came back to take my power.” she looks down at her hand and her claws extend. “I came back to save myself from the accursed sickness.” She sucks in a breath. “Why do I remember that but not the rest, why…” She trails off. “What do you want?”
“Ethan Winters holds the power, he is the one who is chosen to nurture you and children like you.” it nods towards him. Alcina’s eyes fix on Ethan, nose crinkled in disgust.
“I will not serve this man!.” she growls, her claws extend more.
“Hey, hey, wait. Let’s not say it that way.” he holds up his hands. “I am only here for my daughter, I have no intention to make you ‘serve’ me” he clears his throat, unnerved. “Nor am I your Father, or Mother or whatever” he is quick to add.
“That what are you planing.” her eyes narrow.
Ethan brushes his hair back. “We are all just trying to survive aren't we?” he rolls his shoulders, looking at the Mycete. How much it attempts to look like Mia, shatters his heart every time. “I just want to protect my daughter… and maybe you kids as well.” he sighs. “Is that something you have a problem with?” he looks at her.
She puts her hands on her hips, tilting her head to examine Ethan. “You did something, and when I remember what it is, I trust I will.”
Ethan sighs. He can’t ask for more. When they all remember the past, he has no doubt they will try to kill him. He isn’t sure if he will be able to stop them. Not after seeing them as children.
The vision snaps. Alcina gasps in surprise. She glares at Ethan as though he has personally offended her. Which maybe he did.
“I’m worried about the others,” he says after a beat when it becomes clear that all she plans to do is stare daggers at him.
It is very quiet downstairs which does not bode well. “Join us when you wish, perhaps wear a better fitting outfit.” He points at the closet.
“As if I would wear the clothing of peasants.” Alcina rolls her eyes. She clutches the dress skirt in her fists. There is a defensive air around her.
“Suit yourself.” Ethan leaves the room.
After a moment, he hears her footsteps follow him down the stairs.
“Momma!” Moreau exclaims as soon as he sees Ethan, getting up on his pudgy feet, unbalanced as he stands on the coffee table. He is still wearing the hoodie. It must be filthy by this point. That won’t do.
“Heisen?” Ethan looks around.
“Yes sir” he jumps up from the table, the response automatic, he was whispering something to Donna.
“How long have I been out?” he asks
“Three whole days!” Angie gestures with her doll hands under DOnna’s command.
Fuck. He thinks. “Are you guys hungry?”
“Big Ali made food” Moreau explains.
Heisenberg laughs.
“How many times do I have to say it small one, it is Alcina.” She sits down on the arm of the couch. “You will not refer to my size again, it is rude to speak to a lady with such words.” she chides
“Alc…ina” Moreau crinkles his nose. “too hard.” he shrugs.
“As if anyone your size could be a lady.” Heisen laughs at his jab.
“Heisen, enough.” Ethan sighs, “I am going to get Moreau cleaned up.” he waves the youngest lord closer. “Don’t kill each other.” he waves picking up Moreau.
“As if I would spare precious effort on such a pathetic opponent.” She grins, her claws extend. So much for no powers.
“Shut up! I can take you!” Heisen squares up.
Ethan takes a deep breath, forcing his mind to stay calm. “Listen—-“ before he can finish the thought, an explosion sounds in the distance, the entire house shakes. “Dammit.” He curses.
“The sky is falling!” Angie yelps. She stumbles over to Donna.
“No! I like the sky!” Moreau hides in the folds of Ethan’s shirt.
Alcina and Heisen move closer. They nod at each other, a temporary truce formed in the wake of something more dangerous.
“Heisen, take Donna.” Ethan waves the young girl towards the boy. Heisen takes her hand, pulling the scared girl close. She clings to his overalls, her knuckles white and fears raw in her good eye.
“Alcina watch after Moreau” Ethan passes the young lord into her arms. Moreau doesn’t fight it. “Stay inside, I will see what the noise was.” Ethan feels the mycete stir, building a protective shell around the house in response to his need to protect.
Ethan smells smoke as soon as he steps outside.
Notes:
Fair warning, Mia is not a good person in this, neither is Chris tbf but he is much more willing to try xd.
Chapter Text
Mia stares down into the quiet familiar street, now empty. The example of a ghost town. Scattered old newspapers are flying in the wind. The sound of birds and nothing else.
All those years ago she had chosen this town with Chris to protect her family. The town she chose to build with Ethan. Perhaps that was a mistake, they all knew how close Miranda was but somehow they figured that it was too close to her backyard for her to notice. Sometimes the best hiding place is right under the nose of your enemy. This proved false.
In the distance, where their old house used to be are tendrils of black mold stretching into the sky. They had used the explosive to lure it out of hiding, and to all their collective disappointment it had worked.
The sound of gravel crunching behind her. Chris walks up to her side. “The men are ready, we will go on your word.” He glances over the perimeter one more time. Things never go according to plan when the mold is involved.
“Do you think it’s him? We saw him, but why would he not say anything, why would he hide here.” She keeps her mask on her face, not allowing even a slither of emotion to the surface. They have all lost too much for such frivolities.
“Not anymore” Chris sighs. He had a slither of hope that Ethan had returned to him but of course, it was too good to be true. He should learn that hope never comes true.
“Yeah” Mia nods, she adjusts the gun over her chest. “Let’s destroy that fucker who dares to use my husband's face.”
Chris gives the command to attack. More explosions cause the town to shake as the towers of Mycete get obliterated. They are small things, half-formed but as great a threat as always.
x-x-x
Ethan feels the mycete scream with unearthly pain. The sun is bright overhead. The smell of smoke and the flickers of fire are everywhere. Helicopter blades drown out all sound. It is chaos.
There is a shape moving through the smoke.
“Chris?” Ethan gasps, something akin to relief washes over his mind. The bullet that hits him in the shoulder cuts those feelings short. “What are you doing?” Ethan takes a step back, lifting his arms in a feeble attempt to protect himself. Another shot cuts through his palm and drives itself into his chest. It doesn’t hurt as much as he thought it would.
Chris’ hand close around Ethan’s collar. “Why him!?” he growls.
Ethan does not get the chance to respond as he is pushed to the ground. The muzzle of the gun is cold against his cheek. The solid rubber and metal of a boot pressing on his stomach keep him pinned.
“Haven't we had enough, why use his face!?” Chris demands he hesitates. There is raw pain in his eyes. “Have we lost enough?!” he growls. He squeezes down on the gun trigger, hand steady from years of training.
“No! Don’t hurt him!” Heisen’s voice.
The gun flicks up in Chris’ hands. The shot rings out. Chris groans in pain, clutching his bicep, blood spilling out as he stumbles back. "How?" He gasps from the sudden pain.
Ethan scrambles to his feet. “Chris, listen, it’s me.”
“Shut up!” he growls. “You are nothing but a bioweapon like all the rest.” he tries to get his gun. The straps holding onto his body snap and it goes flying.
Chris takes another gun and fires a series of quick shots towards Ethan. They stop in thin air and drop to the ground.
Chris curses, getting his knife.
Ethan blocks. “Chris, please. This doesn’t have to happen.” He tries to meet the man’s eyes. There is pain, anger, exhaustion so deep that no amount of rest will cure it.
“This won’t end until I stop it.” he pushes down more.
Ethan falters.
“I can’t hold him!” Heisen shouts.
Ethan glances back to see the boy stand outside, bare feet digging into the gravel, hands outstretched as he tries to keep Chris back.
“I’ll be fine, kid! Just get somewhere safe” Ethan calls back, letting his attention wander for a moment. It proves to be a mistake. Chris sinks the knife into where Ethan’s heart once was. The mycete shrieks. *Kill him, kill him* it chatters.
“Dammiit, I won’t let you take my kid again Chris” he mumbles. The Mycete’s rage fogs his mind. He can’t give into it.
“Kid?” Chris stumbles back, looking back. “Ethan?” He hesitates. “No, it’s some trick… he’s dead.”
Ethan laughs, “Yeah… I think I am…” he shakes his head. “Dead or not, I will not stand by again.” He straightens, lifting his hands. “I am sorry Chris, but I won’t let you hurt us anymore.” he takes a deep breath, letting the cold calm settle over his very being.
“Ethan…?” another voice cuts through it like a knife.
“Mia?” Ethan blinks, his eyes scanning the road before the house.
She smiles, that same dazzling smile he fell in love with. He chokes. “Why are you here?” he blinks “Why are the two of you here, Where is Rose?” he feels panic rise in his chest. “Why aren’t you with her!?” He presses a knuckle to his forehead as the headache from earlier returns tenfold.
“I… I asked you to protect her, to protect them!” he turns on Chris. “I asked you to keep my family out of this life!” He is a moment from screaming. “She was supposed to be safe, away from this life… why…?” This is all too much.
Chris lowers his gun. “It is you…Ethan, how can this be possible.”
“Rose is okay.” Mia holds her hands out in a peaceful gesture. “Are you Ethan? What do you plan to do here?” she gestures at him, at Heisen.
“I just… wanted to see you again, I wanted to see both of you again” he deflates. The power he had gathered drains out of him.
“She is using you!” Several voices within the Mycete warn him. He ignores them.
“Come on, let’s get you home.” She puts a hand on his shoulder.
“Home?” he looks back at Heisen. The boy is still determined, standing in front of the door. Alcina is behind him. The two younger lords clutching at her skirts.
Ethan shivers at her touch as she trails her fingers down to take his hand. He feels at peace being near her but something is wrong. There is something that screams danger, that she is dangerous. He ignores it.
Mia nods at Chris as they pass.
He picks up his radio. “Situation diffused, move in. Round up and neutralize all bioweapons” he orders.
Ethan stops his complacent shuffling. “Neutralize…?” he looks back at the children. “No…”
Moreau starts to cry as Chris grabs for Heisenberg. The kid dodges out of the way, yanking the metal knife with his power. It's clear Heisenberg won’t last long as the boy is already faltering. The other members of Chris's squad approach the house. Ethan had not noticed them.
“No!” Ethan breaks out of Mia’s soft grip. He reaches a handout. The mycete reacts. The vines around the house slink down and over the door in a solid protective curtain. The remaining vines form a barrier between Heisenberg and Chris. Ethan feels faint. “We used too much body mass, need to rest.” The Mycete whisper is barely audible, it is weak.
Chris swears. “Stand down” he points the gun at Ethan. He glances over his shoulder to see Mia do the same. The gun in her hands held with confident comfort.
“Are you two serious!?” Ethan shakes his head. “They are only children!” He stumbles forward, breath escaping his mouth in heavy huffs.
“Let us help, give us control,” The Mycete asks. “You are too young to control our power, to save them.”
“Ethan stop” Chris aims the gun. One stray tendril of the Mycete starts to creep around his ankle. He takes a deep breath and presses the trigger. The bullet flies true and hits him square in the head, where the bandages cover the strange wound. Chris was always a good shot.
Ethan hopes the children do not see this. He hopes Heisen is sitting behind the barrier and not looking out on the chaos. He lets go of the last slithers of control he had in keeping the Mycete in check, holding Miranda in check.
There is sharp laughter that rings out. Ethan realizes he is the one laughing.
“It’s been so long since we were given such delicious freedom.” The creature straightens its body.
x-x-x
Chris reloads his gun, letting loose several more bullets. They stop just shy of Ethan’s body and fall to the ground. “This body is weak, fragile.” The Mycete stretches. The sharp cracking of bones, the sound of tearing flesh.
“Shit, shit” Chris swears as his weapons do nothing. “Get the laser ready,” He barks the order into his radio. Ethan or the creature that he thought was the man starts to deform. Its mouth is too wide as it rips at the edges, teeth too sharp. The black shirt it wore starts to rip, its spine elongate. Wings that are dark as night, wings that resemble Miranda’s, eight ebony limbs grow and spread.
“Laser is ready” the radio crackles.
“Ethan” Mia’s voice gets the creature's attention. She lowers her gun. The creature snaps its eyes towards her. “Your power is nothing here” it laughs. “We will protect our children, there will be no more loss” it growls. “Perhaps I am not Ethan, I am not the man you care for, but I am not Miranda nor the Mycete. I am someone who will protect his daughter and any who need my help” He looks down at Mia.
“This is not the way.” She moves closer, putting her hand on the deformed body shifting under her touch, trying to decide on a form.
“Mia, get away from it.” Chris barks. “We can end this now!”
She looks at him. “I know this is Ethan.” She nods. “It will not hurt to listen to him.” she brushes her hand over the thick muscle that is a mixture of mold and skin. “Trust me, Chris.”
Chris sucks in a breath. The creature looks down at him. Its eyes are familiar. He can’t deny that but this is just some trick. It has to be.
“He’s… it’s nothing more than a parasite…” he falters.
“Have you not hurt us enough Chris?” The creature tilts its head. “You did save us in the broken house. We are grateful but we cannot allow more pain, we can’t” It’s words a low grumble in its chest. Chris cuts the tendrils wrapping themselves around him with a knife. “There is no way I will ever…” he swallows, narrowing his eyes.
The Mycete looks him up and down. ‘The man will listen to you now Ethan Winters, he is afraid.’ It gives back control. Ethan feels his body go back to its more or a less human form. Chris jumps back pointing his gun up. Mia takes Ethan’s hand, her expression unreadable.
“That won’t work Chris.” Ethan steps forward, he pushes the gun away. “Have we not had enough fighting, perhaps it is time we all talk.” he sighs.
“We” Chris is cautious.
“The Mycete, it wants to talk.” Ethan nods.
“This is exciting, we can’t let this chance slip by.” Mia chimes in.
Chris sighs and lowers his gun. “There will be rules, we can’t let you go around freely, I still don’t know who or what you are.”
Mia grins, she takes Ethan by both his hands. “Ethan, why is the Mycete here, what is it telling you? Who put it here? What is its purpose? Is it Alien or is it made on the Earth? How does it keep genetic and thought memory within it?” She fires off several questions.
He opens his mouth, then closes it. Strange memories of Mia in a lab coat. Eveline in a tank. Miranda’s laughter. Something he should know yet not understand.
He pushes her away. “I have to check on the kids.”
“Ethan…” Mia furrows her brow.
“Not so fast” Chris stops him with a hand on his chest. “Maybe Mia trust’s you but I don’t and whatever those things are, they need to be tested."
“They are scared, Chris. If they see you or your squad...” Ethan crinkles his nose as he waves around the surroundings. “They will attack out of fear and I will protect them” he growls in a threat pushing Chris away. The man lets him go.
“Set up a perimeter, keep the laser armed.” Chris orders.
Ethan rolls his eyes. He steps over the mold barrier.
He does not see Heisenberg at first, the mycete had made a protective nest of sorts. It dissolves at Ethan’s touch. “Hey, it’s okay.”
The boy is clutching the knife in his small fists, his eyes wide. He lashes out at Ethan. The knife slices through the skin that closes almost as soon as the knife finishes its cut.
“Ethan?” his voice cracks. “Yeah, it’s safe.”
Heisen drops the knife. “What the fuck was that!? Who are they?!” he yells. He is shaking.
“It was a misunderstanding, They won’t hurt you.” Ethan nods.
“That man shot you! Then.. then…” he stutters. “You turned into that… das... Wesen!” he gestures. He strings a few more sentences in a language Ethan recognizes as german.
“Sorry, didn’t want you to see that.” Ethan rubs at his neck, sheepish. “Did you get hurt?”
Heisen looks down. “No” he scratches at his elbow. “Why… didn’t you get hurt?”
Ethan thinks for a moment. “I suppose I wanted to protect you kids so I couldn’t let myself stay hurt” He smiles.
Heisen works his jaw as though trying to chew through what Ethan said. He lifts his eyes. He jumps for the knife. “Why isn’t he dead!?”
Ethan follows Heisen’s gaze to see Chris, holding his gun. “Oh for fucks sake” he swears. “What the fuck are you doing Chris?!” he growls, standing up.
“I will not let you or the bioweapons out of my sight.” He stares Ethan down.
“You need to stop this” Ethan sighs, he runs his hand over the cool metal of the gun before Chris can stop him. The mycete covers it in a wave and it dissolves, dropping away to nothing more than sludge. “None of you men will bring guns near this house ever again.”
“Ethan, that’s not going—-“
“Shut up” he cuts Chris off. “Come on Heisen.” he takes the kid's hand. He is sticking close, making sure to keep Ethan between himself and the stranger.
The door made by the Mycete dissolves at his touch just as the nest did moments before.
“Alcina? Donna?” he calls.
“They are in the pantry thing!” Heisen runs ahead of him.
“Chris, don’t even think about coming in” Ethan throws a glance back, threat in his gaze. Chris opens his mouth to argue.
“Do what he says, we aren’t going to get anywhere if you don’t.” Mia taps him on the shoulder. She has changed her clothes in the time she was gone into something more civilian, any sign of tactical gear or weapons gone. It puts Ethan at ease, now she looks more like the woman he knew.
“May I come in?” She looks into the house over Chris’ shoulder. “Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
Ethan steps aside to let her enter. Miranda’s laughter cuts through his mind again. “Your downfall will be in trusting her”
“Mia, please Stay in the living room” Ethan walks to the kitchen.
“Yeah, yeah sure..” Mia shrugs. She is looking at the old pictures of Rose they have scattered around. “This brings back memories, simpler times.”
Ethan hears her mutter to herself. He sighs. Those simpler times are long gone. It is something none of them will ever have again. It was wishful to think they could all those years ago.
He turns his attention to the kitchen. The pantry door is half-open, swinging on its hinges. Ethan can make out low whispers mixed in with quiet sobs.
“How are they?” He turns the corner.
Donna is once again clinging to Heisenberg. They are talking in a language Ethan identifies as Romanian. Angie fidgets in her grip.
“Sal fell asleep,” Alcina mutters. “Cried himself out.” She is holding the young lord, his tail curled around her wrist.
“Everyone okay, physically?” Ethan holds his hands out. Alcina gives him Moreau. The child grumbles but doesn't wake.
“Donna’s okay.” Heisenberg supplies. “It will take her a while to talk English again though” he turns back to her. She nods.
“This is nothing we have not done before” Alcina flicks her hair back.
Ethan lets out a breath. “You shouldn’t have to,” he whispers. Alcina rolls her eyes. “The world is not so simple Mr. Winters.” she stands up to her full height. “On that note, I have had enough of this cramped space. I trust it is safe outside?” She asks before Ethan can reply to her statement.
“We’re fine.” Heisen answers in response to the gaze Ethan gives them. He nods.
“Yes, as safe as it can be right now.” he follows her out “I have wanted to introduce you to someone.”
Mia is going through her collection of tapes. “I should have come back here earlier.” She holds up a disk “I was looking for this!” One of the mixtapes they had made in college.
Ethan can’t help but chuckle. Her ability to ignore what is going on was always on another level.
Alcina is not amused, caution in her every movement as she gets closer.
“Ah, hello. You must be one of the bioweapon children my husband took under his wing.” She smiles, holding out a hand.
Alcina looks down, brow furrowed. She looks at Ethan.
“This is Mia. She uh…” He gestures, unsure what to say. Mia’s intentions aren’t clear and the flashes of memory bother him more than they should.
“I am a researcher with the BSAA, just here to make sure you aren't a danger.” She shrugs. “Nothing personal but I will need to run some tests.”
“Mia!” Ethan chides. “You are not running experiments on—-“
“Oh calm down, I did not say experiments, just some tests.” she lets her hand drop as Alcina has no intention of shaking it. “We don’t know what effect mold resurrection has on them.” he waves. “You refused the tests five years ago but you don’t have a choice now.”
“It is bold of you to assume that I or that child Heisenberg will allow doctors near any of us.” Alcina shakes her head.
“Yes, there will be no tests.” Ethan feels a shudder go through his body.
“Okay, okay. No need to go all moldy on me. Ill go get Chris.”. she rolls her eyes.
Ethan watches her go outside before turning back to Alcina.
“We can kill them, would that not be easier?” She looks out. “There are only mortal men.”
“No, no killing. That is the only rule here, we will not kill unless absolutely necessary” Ethan keeps her gaze. He moves from one foot to another.
“Boooring” Heisenberg comes out of the pantry. “They attacked first and I bet I could take them!” He grins, there is a slither of doubt and fear in his voice despite his brave face. “Donna and Moreau fells asleep” he adds as an afterthought.
“You could barely take me when I only had a knife kid.” Chris chooses that moment to come in.
Heisen jumps, scrambling closer to Alcina, a moment from hiding in her skirts. She lets him.
“Well, you took me by surprise, yeah!” The young lord clears his throat.
“Yeah sure I did kid.” he glowers down on the boy.
“Chris! You are not helping!” Ethan smacks him on the shoulder. He thankfully has stripped all of his weapons and tactical gear. Yet if Ethan knows anything about Chris there is no doubt some hidden somewhere just in case.
“I am not here to help Ethan. This is still a stupid and dangerous idea” he fixes his old friend with a glare. “Why did you bring back these things?” He waves at Alcina.
“Oh, I have had enough.” Alcina takes a step towards Chris, pulling herself to her full height. She is only an inch shorter than him. “I am not a thing you foolish man.” She growls, her claws elongate. “I could kill you without another thought and yet you think you can stand in my presence” she scoffs. “If I did not have to protect the young ones earlier, none of your pathetic attempts—-“
Heisenberg looks between them. He is excited.
Ethan steps between the two. “Enough, The day has been too long already.” He pushes Chris back, “We are going to eat.” he forces Chris towards the kitchen. “Then you people are going to get the kids some clothes.”
“This is not the time for a shopping trip!” Chris complains but does not resist.
“Oh no, if you think I will live for another day without new clothes or makeup!” Alcina trails after them.
“As if any of that’s going to help you look any better.” Heisen runs ahead of her to take a chair before she does.
“You little—“ She grabs for his shirt collar. Heisen sticks his tongue out as she misses.
Ethan sits down with a sigh. Chris leans against the counter. “When did you come back?” he glances at the arguing kids with an odd expression.
“About a week, I think” Ethan looks at his wrist out of habit but there is nothing there to tell him the date or time.
“And it’s been like this the entire time?” He asks, studying Ethan.
Alcina picks up a cloth, about to smack Heisen. One tendril of the mycete stops her. Ethan shakes his head when they look at him.
“Tch” She clicks her tongue.
“What are we eating?” Heisen sits back on the chair, crossing his legs to balance, precarious enough for Ethan to worry.
“What do—“ Ethan starts.
“I’ll make something.” Chris pushes away from the counter. “You need rest Ethan”
“I am not eating anything your filthy muscled hand's touch, sir.” Alcina lifts her chin in defiance.
“Yeah, no, I don’t think that's a good idea.” Ethan tries to get up but his body refuses to move. He feels his consciousness slipping. That transformation took a lot more out of him than he thought and as the adrenaline drains out of his tired muscles.
“I’ll make something!” Heisenberg jumps. The fridge door opens with a clang.
“Oh no, you don't! The last time you almost burned the house down.” Alcina stops him by sticking out her foot of the chair. He trips, scrambles to his feet, turning on her with a growl.
“You—!” Heisen cuts off his complaints with a yelp. “Don’t touch me!” he lashes out at Chris’ hand on his shoulder. Ethan did not notice the man circle around. His mindset is on rest instead of the situation in front of him. Even after all these years and everything Chris did, Ethan still trusts him.
“Hmph, afraid of a little touch, pathetic.” Alcina jabs.
“Shut up, no I’m not!” Heisen stares up at her. He struggles to keep tears back, his nostrils flaring.
“Enough Fighting!” Chris orders.
"You don't get to order us around!" Heisen balls his fists.
"I did not spend my life on my own to listen to the orders of anyone." Alcina rolls her eyes.
“Don’t hurt them…” Ethan mumbles. He tries to get up and manages with trembling legs.
“Ethan, you need to rest” Chris reaches over the counter to help. It is too late as Ethan stumbles and trips over his own feet. His head connects with the counter in a sharp crack. The world goes dark.
Notes:
Posting this chapter early o/
We have about 3 or so chapters left I think. My brain decided to rewrite some of this so it might go longer then I planned which should be fun. Then when it’s done I do have plans for Part 2 XD!
Chapter Text
Light. Bright blinding light shining above him from a fluorescent light. Ethan sits up. He is in a tent, iv’s pumping fluids into his arm, another seems to be taking blood out of his arm. He rips them out.
“Where… Chris? Mia?” He looks around. The tent is a familiar setup. Ethan has been in and out of such tents many times while he was training with Chris.
“Ah, awesome! You’re finally awake. It was touch and go for a while.” Someone enters the tent from behind the cot.
“Emily? Where am I?” He groans as he gets up. The aching and pain in his body have gone down enough for it to be negligent.
“Just outside the house, we had to set up an emergency treatment tent.” She gives him some clothes. He looks down to see that he is wearing a hospital gown and nothing else. “I think the mycete flower used too much power, it looked all wilted.” she points at the vines that have receded. They seem to have sunk into his skin. It is becoming a part of him with each passing day. He pushes that fear from his mind. Ethan is afraid of the change he went through. He knows that he would never hurt Mia or Chris, or at least he hopes. Yet the mycete might not have made that distinction.
“We would not” It supplies. Which does not ease his worries.
“Why did I change?” He sinks back into his mind. The mycete does not pretend to be Mia. It stands before him in that deformed state. Ethan looks away.
“Do not be afraid of this form.” it intones. “This is the power you hold, the power we give you.”
Ethan looks back at it. The creature has an elongated spine, dark skin. One of its arms has sharp knife-like claws while the other one is barely long enough, so it has a lopsided stance as it stands on all fours. As the minutes pass, its skin seems to be melting and shifting. It has a look of oil shining on the pavement long after a car has left. The rainbow shimmer somehow draws him in and makes him sick at the same time. “I don’t…”
“Earth to Ethan, hellloo,” Emily claps. “Maybe we should get you back to bed.”
Ethan blinks, coming back to the waking world. “Yeah, sorry”
Emily narrows her eyes before shrugging. “The kids went to the park, Chris said you should meet them there when you’re ready.” She turns her attention to one of the screens, sitting back down on a chair.
“Park?” Ethan blinks. He did not think the BSAA or the Hound Squad, or whatever they are now, ever let any of them far from the house.
“Yeah. The girl stayed behind, but the young ones went to play as they were getting restless.” Emily points out the door. “She’s in the garden.”
Ethan looks out.
“If you feel sick, come back here.” She glances at him. “Oh yeah, and Mia said she had something to figure out but she should be back this evening.”
“Thanks, Emily.” Ethan nods as he steps out into the gravel path. The tent is set up in the grass just outside the house, nestled next to the trees. He wonders if Mia is with Rose right now. “Will I ever be able to see her again?” he sighs looking up at the sky.
“What's that?” Emily calls from the tent.
“Nothing, it's nothing” he calls back. Ethan clutches the clothes in his pale scarred hands until his knuckles turn white. The chill of the early morning cuts through him. Ethan shivers. He expected being discovered to go down worse but somehow everything feels peaceful despite the nagging fear at the back of his mind.
The kind of peace that can only be followed by bad news. Ethan has made the mistake of getting complacent three years ago. He won't do that again.
The yard is quiet as he walks up to the house. The door that was broken, cracked, and did a horrible job in keeping the cold air out is gone. In its place is a metal well-barricaded door that nothing will ever break down. The lock on it is broken. Ethan makes a note to ask about it.
It complains in a creak of new metal as he opens it. The entire house seems to be sparkling. Mia must have cleaned. They used to do major house cleaning together, they never got far as they would always keep distracted. He smiles. It feels a long time since he has smiled, awhile since he meant it.
He throws the clothes on the couch. Emily did mention that everyone but Alcina was out. So he can take his time. Ethan puts on the soft tan and worn cargo pants. It feels good to wear something clean at last. He was not sure the clothes the Mycete returned him in were real.
The shirt of simple black feels much better than the hospital gown. Ethan still feels dirty, like he needs to take a several-hour shower to ever feel clean again. Yet there is no time for that.
He wants to check on Alcina first. Then the kids. He does not want to leave them with Chris or Mia for longer than necessary. He is sure Mia wouldn’t do anything, at least he hopes she wouldn’t. The memories from the mycete that is just within his reach tell him a different story. He does not want to reach for them. Ethan does not want to see what The Mycete is trying to tell him about Mia. He had suspicions about the Baker house but they moved past it, they had to move past it when Mia got pregnant. They had a child and the past, the traumas, whatever Mia was hiding didn’t matter anymore.
Ethan was fine with it, maybe he didn’t want to face it. Yet now the Mycete calls for him to know the truth. The mold creature seems to be obsessed with everyone knowing the truth if they want to or not.
He drapes the hospital gown over the couch's back. “Alright, okay” he brushes his hands over the clean clothes, enjoying the sensation. “The garden, right?” He moves back towards the back door by the stairs. It is the quickest way to the garden. The little path of neat cobble splits off the main path into a path of neat rosemary bushes they had planted around when they decided on Rose’s name.
They smell nice as he walks past them.
“Ah, Mister Winters.” Alcina looks up at his approach. “I have just taken the time to clean this abysmal garden.” She gestures around. Alcina is wearing a clean white dress that looks more modern but still has that victorian style. She also wears shoes now, which is a weight of Ethan’s mind. They are somewhere between heels and sneakers, no laces but functional enough to be comfortable.
“You settling in okay?” He kneels by some of the spring flowers where she is pulling weeds. Her knees are stained with green from the grass. She does not seem bothered. The hat, that is much too big for her is resting by her side.
“As well as one could be when trapped in an empty town with no semblance of civilization” She goes back to digging in the dirt.
“Yeah, I suppose.” Ethan looks up at the clear morning sky. “Need anything?” he looks over at her.
“Not at this moment. Mr. Redfield has been helpful even with all his complaining. That man never stops with his silent glares.” she rolls her eyes.
Ethan chuckles.”Yeah, yeah. That’s about sums Chris up.” He stands up. “I am going to walk to the nearby park if you are alright.”
“I would like my own room.” She looks up. “It has been… a challenge…” she gestures with a gloved hand “... sharing a room with little Donna.” she gets up, crossing her arms. It looks like she got taller. “She is a nice child but the doll is… something else.” she scrunches her face.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Ethan takes a step away.
“Thank you, Mr. Winters.” she nods, turning her attention back to the weeds on another side.
Ethan walks through the rest of the garden. It is worse for wear in the five years they haven't looked after it. Alcina has made some progress though with the limited tools she had, it is impressive. He makes another mental note to get her some gardening tools and more plants.
The garden gate creaks as it opens. The rust stains his hands.
Ethan thinks back as he walks. The park was part of the reason why they moved here.
x-x-x
“Come on Ethan!” Mia calls from downstairs. “Stop going through boxes and let's go!” Impatience is clear in her voice.
“Yeah, yeah!” he closes the box of office supplies. “I'll be right there!” They had been trying to unpack their things all week without much success. Ethan groans as he gets up. He is starting the remote job Chris got him in a few days but the office is nowhere ready.
“Ethan!” Mia calls again. “I don’t have all day!” she shouts.
“We do have all day…” he mutters, walking out into the hall. Mia has also been getting ready to work for the BSAA as a researcher. Ethan does not know the details, it has been classified but she does not start for another month.
He takes the stairs two at a time.
“Ready?” Mia looks up, her arms crossed over her growing belly. She just started showing and it puts a smile on his lips every time he sees her.
“Ready as I can be. You said you wanted to check out that park?” He helps her put a coat on. Winter is almost here and there is a chill in the air.
“Yeah, school is out and I wanted to meet some of the local moms.” She wraps her scarf tighter.
“Alright” He nods. Mia opens the door. The yard is not beyond the door. The memory shifts and shatters. Miranda is standing there, the darkness of the void all around.
Ethan falters in the gravel. The memory becomes reality. He is standing in his house.
“What’s wrong?” Mia looks at him, concern on her face.
Miranda laughs a harsh sound. She moves closer. Her clawed hand runs over Mia’s cheek. The vision of his wife freezes as though someone pressed pause on a video. “She was always so beautiful, so excitable.” She chuckles. “Married life doesn’t suit her.” she looks up at Ethan.
“Why are you here?! I… how did you… take control?” He tries to force his limbs to move.
“I knew her before she met your sorry existence.” Miranda circles. “She belonged to me only eight short years ago” the touch of her claws is gentle as she tilts Mia’s chin up.
“Don’t…” Ethan groans, grinding his teeth as everything is an effort. The pressure of her power getting stronger by the minute. “... touch her.” He takes a step.
“We made Eveline together, spend countless hours trying to bring my daughter back to this life.” She continues, unbothered by Ethan’s resistance. “Then you took everything from me.” She turns with a flutter of wings. “One hundred years of work! All gone, destroyed by one pathetic man who is not even reached half a century! Undone by a child!” She lashes out.
“I won’t…” he growls. “I don’t give a shit!” he lets his body distort and deform with the power the mycete showed him. Miranda falters under his will. He holds her back. “Enough with you, I will throw you so far into the recess of the Mycete that—“
“That won’t be possible” The Mycete informs Ethan.
“ I don’t care. I will find a way” Ethan digs his feet, his claws into the wood. They leave deep gouges. “ I always find a way.”
“Her body, The ancient one has her body. You can revive her with no power, just a human.” The Mycete shimmers and takes form between them.
Miranda laughs. “Yes little man, bring me back, give me a body so I can ruin you.”
Ethan shakes his head. He keeps searching the mind paths of the Mycete to find a place for Miranda, far enough as to not bother him at least for some time. The tendrils spread under his feet and stretch out into the void, pulsing with the heartbeat of a living thing. “There is never a situation where…”
“Two strong consciousness fighting will rip this body apart before too long.” The Mycete’s shifting shape turns to look at Ethan, its eyes less human than ever before, only a vague shadow creature. “I trust you have noticed Ethan Winters, the cracks in your skin are spreading, you are drying out.” it nods. “You will meet the end you did in the village.” It gestures. Miranda is forced back, her body dissolves with a cut of angry scream. The scenery shifts to show the time just before he pressed the detonator. His body crumbling into pieces. The vision pauses.
“This wasn’t part of the deal!” Ethan turns on the shade, slicing through the shadow. It laughs.
“You are an amusing man, Ethan Winters but our patience is running its course. We no longer need you” It crosses its arms behind its back. “We have managed to plant a seed where it will never be found. So we can wait, we have time to find a more … cooperative host. Someone who will bring our goals closer to fruition.”
“Then how does my body breaking affect you!? Why the fuck do you need Miranda alive?” He narrows his eyes.
It laughs. “That is not your concern, just live your life. Ethan Winters” the mycete waves its hand. The vision starts to dissolve. “Think about returning Miranda to her existence. We have told the ancient one, he will be in touch.” It nods. “Goodbye, Ethan Winters.”
“Wait, don’t! Whose the ancient one!?” He tries to hold on to the void between the waking and dreaming world but it is useless. The real world comes flooding back.
“Why isn’t he answering?” a young voice “Is he dead again?”
Ethan blinks his eyes to see Donna’s doll sitting on his chest.
“He wasn’t dead, you idiot!” Heisenberg pushes her off. Ethan catches the doll before it falls to the gravel, setting her down carefully.
“Hey Ethan, we should stop meeting like this.” Chris holds out a hand. “You good?” He is carrying Donna. Angie scrambles up the man to sit in her lap.
Ethan nods. “Yeah. its—“
“Momma!” Moreau barrels into Ethan. “Look Heisy! Momma is back!” He points up at Ethan as he clutches onto his pant leg.
Heisenberg rolls his eyes. “No, I didn’t notice, my eyes don’t work.” he flicks his nose as though to make a point.
“You guys had fun?” Ethan takes Chris’ offered hand, getting up. He brushes the dust off his pants.
“We went on the swings!” Moreau reaches up to take his hand. The boy is wearing blue jeans with a blank shirt tucked in. He is wearing sandals.
“Oh yeah? What about you Heisenberg? What did you do?” Ethan picks up Moreau. Chris falls into step with him as they start to walk.
The boy shrugs. “Stuff” He puts his hands in his overall pockets, they rattle with the clink of metal.
“He went looking for scraps in the woods.” Chris waves.
“Scrap? Why is there scrap in the park?” Ethan thinks back, he does remember a small wooded area that was neatly maintained.
“Most moved out of this town and the surrounding area. The cover was a chemical plant explosion.” Chris shrugs.
Heisenberg getting bored with their slow pace and conversation runs ahead towards a tree that caught his attention up ahead.
“I see, makes sense. So we have the town to ourselves?” Ethan examines Chris. The man looks tired.
“Some of my men are here, whoever Mia needed for her research. Everyone is in the know to look after these…” he hesitates “...kids”
Ethan nods. There was no way that people wouldn’t watch them. “What are you going to do now Chris?” He keeps his attention on his old friend. Donna is looking at what Heisenberg is doing in the distance. He has started climbing the tree without much luck. Angie clambers back down Chris’ height and starts to run towards the tree.
“There is nothing to do Ethan” Chris keeps his full attention on the boy much the same as the girl in his arms. “I…” he sighs. “...have been fighting this all my life.” he shakes his head looking back at Ethan. “More than twenty years of one crisis after another and…”
“You’re tired” Ethan supplies. Chris nods.
“I would rather the current threat to my sanity be someone I know. I trust you” He shifts his weight.
Ethan smiles.
“Momma?” Moreau tugs on Ethan’s hair with his pudgy hand. “I wanna go to!” he points. Angie and Heisenberg are arguing under the tree. Chris turns to head towards them. Donna is giggling in his arms as she watches the chaos she probably caused.
“Alright, let’s see what they are doing.” Ethan follows Chris.
“Help me up you stupid—“
“Shut up doll! This is my tree! Get another!” Heisen calls down from a solid branch above her.
“Donna, do you want a boost?” Chris looks at the girl. Angie turns to look at him. Donna nods.
“Hey! No!” Heisenberg runs across the branch, keeping precarious balance. “I was here first!” He glowers down past the sunglasses. His sneakers are by the root of the tree.
“Share” Chris helps Donna to the lower branch.
“Why should I! They can’t even climb on by themselves!” his voice gets louder. “Mother always said we need to find our own—-“
“Heisen, she isn’t here” Ethan sets Moreau down by Angie.
“I know but—“
“Don’t be mean” Donna reaches up to climb up to where Heisen is. Her hair falls to the side to reveal her eyepatch, a pretty thing with some embroidered flowers. He opens his mouth to say something then closes it as she pats him on the cheek. “Fine” he helps her up all the way.
“Why this tree?” Donna looks around. Her blue dress draping over her sneakers.
Ethan wonders if it was Mia or Chris who bought them outfits. Probably Chris as they are more practical than cute.
Heisenberg reaches up into the leaves. “Apples” he snaps the fruit down from where it was hiding and hands it to Donna. Her eyes glow.
“Wipe it off on your dress” Chris leans against the tree trunk. Donna listens before biting into it. She giggles. Heisen rolls his eyes and gets another apple. “For Sal” he throws it at Ethan. He catches with a tendril of the mycete before he realizes. Chris shoots him a suspicious glare but says nothing. The kids don’t react. Heisenberg sits down on the branch, looking out over the park, lost in thought. Donna is focusing on her apple.
Ethan takes the apple in his hand. “Have a knife?”
“No, Ethan, of course, I don’t” Chris lifts an eyebrow. He reaches into his jacket.
“Right, right. Stupid question, when have I known you not to have a knife?” Ethan chuckles as he takes it.
“Can I go up?” Moreau looks at his siblings.
“It’s too dangerous, How about…” Ethan looks around.
“You can climb on me kid.” Chris kneels, offering his hand. Moreau bounces, scrambling over.
Angie just sits in the grass now that Donna has her attention on the apple and keeping her balance in the tree she can't control the doll. Multitasking is still outside of her abilities.
“Why do they call you Momma?” Chris takes hold of a branch and lets Moreau sit on his shoulder.
“Not… really sure.” Ethan shrugs. He starts to peel the apple.
“Cause he’s momma!” Moreau points at Ethan.
“That’s not a reason.” Heisenberg blinks, zoning back in, he shifts his weight on the branch.
“Yeah, it is!” Moreau sticks his tongue out.
“Yeah, Mr. Ethan is Momma because he is. The plant man said so.” She points at the mycete flower on his wrist.
“You can hear it?” Ethan pulls his sleeve up to where it had fallen back on his left hand where he holds the apple.
“Duh, and it would never fu...dging shut up when you were out.” Heisen grimaces.
“What do we call Mr. Chris?” Donna tilts her head, her black hair falling in waves.
“Chris is just fine” He takes the apple Ethan was pealing and hands it up to the smallest child. Moreau sinks his little fangs into the large apple barely fitting in his hands.
“Is he going to stay with us?” Donna stands up on the branch, leaning on Heisenberg's shoulder.
“For now, until you guys settle in” Chris answers.
“Why?” Heisen’s eyes narrow with thought.
“We went over this” Chris shifts his weight. “We are not doing it again.” He leaves no room for argument.
“Can we call him daddy?” Moreau looks up from his food. Chris catches the apple before it falls as it slips out of the kid's grip.
“Well… that's up to Ethan” Chris smirks.
“Seriously” Heisenberg scrunches his nose. “I thought the Mia lady was whatever...” he waves.
“Auntie!” Moreau supplies as though that makes sense. He reaches for the apple Chris is holding, the man moves it out of his reach.
“That’s not…” Ethan blinks, shaking his head.
“She’s Ethan’s wife so she would be Mom, you idiot.” Heisen starts to walk back up the branch.
“No! Ethan made, so he Mommy!” Moreau pouts. “She doesn't like us” he tilts his nose up.
“I… Chris, this started with you” Ethan runs a hand through his hair.
Donna, abandoned by Heisen’s support sits back down on the branch. Chris turns more so he can offer his other hand so she can keep her balance.
“I think they can call us whatever they want. It’s no big deal.” He makes sure Moreau still has his balance where he sits on his shoulder. “Hold on kid.” He tosses the half-eaten apple to have his hands free.
“True, but I don’t think Mia will be happy to—“ Ethan starts.
“She’ll get over it.” Chris rolls his eyes.
“What if…” Moreau thinks as he clutches his sticky fingers in Chris’ short hair. “Papa! Papa Mia!” he giggles. Donna joins him.
“Oh for fu—“ Heisenberg grumbles something under his breath in german, too quiet to make it out. He starts walking towards the house.
Chris laughs, really laughs. “Papa Mia, that's better than the alternative” he chuckles, setting Donna down on the ground.
Ethan rolls his eyes. “Let’s go home” He starts walking after Heisenberg. Chris carries both kids. Donna gives her apple to Moreau. Angie stirs from where she was sitting and clambers up Chris to sit on his other shoulder.
They walk back in general silence. Moreau points out things he sees between bites. Heisen looks back every few moments to make sure they are still following. He is still nervous about being alone.
Ethan smiles. Things are calming down. Now he just has to handle Miranda, then everything is okay. He hopes.
Notes:
I realised while playing RE8 again, Ethan’s house also doesn’t have two doors but it does in this fic cause i said so XD. It is just more convenient this way.
Also, Alcina says that gardening is an intimidation game. Each kid has one of the Wolf Hound squad watching them if Chris isn’t around. So Alcina believes that if she does nothing or ‘menial tasks’ that are below her, she’ll make them complacent and can mess with them XD.
Chapter Text
The TV plays in the background, inaudible chatter coming from the speakers.
“Heisen! It’s time to eat dinner.” Chris shouts. Ethan had offered to go upstairs to get the kid just a minute before but Chris had decided that was too much effort.
“Okay!” Heisen shouts back.
“What are you cooking anyway?” Ethan tries to look past Chris.
“Spaghetti” he waves. “Some meatballs, normal shit.” He rolls his eyes. “No offense, but if I have one more ‘traditional’ Romanian meal or whatever from either of you, I'll lose it.” he shakes his head.
Ethan chuckles.
The sound of a key rattling in its lock. The heavy metal door creaks. “I’m back!” Mia announces.
Ethan is on his feet, going out of the kitchen into the living room. Mia smiles. She is wearing a windproof coat.
“Look who I brought” she puts her hand behind her. “Come on honey”
His eyes go wide.
“Hey did you get—- Mia what the f—?” Chris comes in. He drops the cloth he was holding.
“Hi,” the young girl with blond curls waves. She clings to Mia, looking at Ethan with suspicion. “He looks weird.” She nods as she takes him in.
“Rosemary…?” Ethan forgets how to breathe. “I…”
“Mia!” Chris repeats. “We agreed that it was too early!”
“She was getting bored with the babysitter.” Mia shrugs. “besides, Ethan deserves to see his daughter.” she takes Rose’s coat off.
The stairs creak with the thudding of feet and laughter floats down. Heisenberg and Moreau freeze as they enter the living room and see the scene.
“Ah!” Moreau gasps, he stumbles back. “The Black God, no, no, no” he mutters. “Heisen, it’s, it’s…”
“I know” Heisen takes his hand. “Go back upstairs.”
Rose looks at the two children. Moreau whimpers, he starts to cry.
This snaps Ethan out of his stunned state.
“This was a bad idea” he mutters
Chris meets her eyes with disapproval. They stare at each other. Mia determined not to give an inch. They may have been co-parenting Rose but that does not mean Chris can intimidate her.
“Dad?” Rose looks at Chris. “Who are they?”
Heisenberg is slowly inching up up the stairs with Moreau, never taking his eyes of Rose. “Be quiet, Sal” he hisses to the crying toddler.
Ethan sucks in a breath through his teeth. “Rosemary…” He reaches out.
“At last” The Mycete laughs with need. The tendrils start to peel off his skin. The flower blooms. Ethan’s eyes widen. “Get her out of here!” he flinches back away, stepping to the side so he does not see Rose. Ethan feels his body start to distort.
“Ethan? What’s wrong?” Chris turns.
“The Mycete, it’s…” Ethan groans. It feels like the tendrils are ripping through every single nerve in his body. He clasps the flower with his broken hand. The three fingers barely doing enough to hold it down. “It wants her, I don’t think I can...ngh” he doubles over, leaning against Chris.
“Mia!” Chris glances behind him.
“I got her” Mia calls, her voice sounds far away. “We can try again next time” She does not sound concerned.
“No!” The Mycete screams. It recedes into Ethan’s skin. “She will be ours!”
Ethan slumps. Chris catches him and picks him up with two strong arms. “What was that!?”
“It lied…” he slurs. “but...but it will never have Rose” he lets his eyes flutter shut.
Chris sighs, taking several large steps around the table towards the couch, setting his friend down. “Can’t we go one day without this shit,” he grumbles.
“Heisen?” He straightens to check on the boys. The kids are sitting on the stairs. Heisenberg has a protective hand around Moreau as the smaller child clings to him.
“Why did you bring that thing here!?” He glowers. “I thought you said we would be safe and then- you bring that thing-!” Heisen shakes his head. Moreau hides his face in the crook of the older boy's elbow, snot running down his chin.
Chris step around the couch to face them. He leans against the backboard. “Rose is Ethan’s daughter,” He says, crossing his arms.
“Momma’s daughter….?” the bubble of a sob builds in Moreau’s throat. “Momma doesn’t need us!” he starts to wail, a scream of ancient deeps, strong enough to shake the house.
“Sal, hey, don’t use your powers in the house.” Heisen flicks his eyes away from Chris.
“What is all this racket!?” Alcina calls from upstairs.
“I won’t…” Ethan pushes up, waking at the cry.
“Ethan, don't move, you're still-.” Chris tries to push him down.
“I need to be here for… them” He brushes the concerned hand away.
“Moreau...Sal” Ethan gets up, throwing one leg over the couch back. Chris supports him in the effort.
“Yes, Rose is my daughter.” His feet hit the floor with a soft thud. “That does not mean I am going to replace you or leave you.” He tries to ignore the mycete’s restless twisting.
“She’s what it wants. There is no need for us. ” Alcina looks down from the stairs. She trades a glance with Heisen, as though that gives her all the answers for what happened.
Ethan sighs, of course, it does.
“Do you three want to tell me what bothered you about her?” Chris lets concern break through his anger at Mia.
Heisen and Alcina look at each other once again. They don't answer.
“Help me sit.” Ethan cuts through the tension. Chris shifts his weight to help him to the stairs. Heisenberg moves over closer to the railing, away from Ethan.
“You Promise?’ Moreau crawls onto Ethan's lap before Heisenberg can stop him.
“Yes.” He nods, ruffling Moreau’s hair. “Now, what did you call Rose?”
Heisen twists his hands, biting his lip. “The Dark God, the one…” he trails off. “I know she’s dangerous… I” he swallows.
“They don’t remember.” Alcina takes a few steps down. Donna is at her side, clutching the fabric of her skirt. Alcina leans against the railing. “Those in the village were told that one day a god from the depths will be brought back in the body of mother’s child.” she shrugs. "That's why we were made" She digs her claws into the wood of the railing, giving away her fear despite her calm mask.
“Eva” Chris nods. “That makes sense. Since the ceremony brought her back, It would explain her powers,” he mumbles more to himself than anyone.
Ethan looks up, the sharp movement sends pain ricocheting through his body. He chooses to ignore it. “Powers?”
“That’s why…. we wanted to bring her here Ethan.” Chris sinks to the floor, legs crossed. “She has started doing things we can’t explain a few months ago.”
Ethan leans back, with a huff. All that to keep his daughter safe, to keep her from this life and yet it was all for nothing.
“Alcina, would she kills us? I…” Heisen bunches his brows as the memories escape him. Moreau shivers he nuzzles closer to Ethan.
“No,” Chris answers before she can.
“Why would Rose...?” Ethan tilts his head to meet Heisen’s gaze. The boy is looking up and down, nervous.
“It’s… I don’t know” Heisen shrugs his shoulders.
“Mother…” Alcina twists her lips with disgust at the word. “Eva was the one who she wanted to return. So our existence... would no longer be necessary." she swallows. "Mother never kept anything useless around."
“It was a selfish goal” The Mycete growls to Ethan. Heisen jumps. Moreau whimpers.
“You hear it?” Ethan pats Moreau’s back. Their reaction could only mean that they heard the sharp voice.
Chris narrows his eyes, confused. “Hear what?”
“Only when it wishes for us to hear its words” Alcina waves her manicured hand. Donna peaks out from her skirts to nod.
“The mold, uh” Ethan flicks the flower, it shrinks back. “It can speak to me and anyone infected, I guess” he shrugs.
“Anyone with the Cadou.” Heisen taps his heart where his parasite is located.
‘That’s ...okay” Chris nods. He looks between the children, a thought forming. “Can it control them… nevermind.” he trails off at the glare Ethan gives him.
“Is Rose, Eva?” Donna peaks out. “Is she in charge?”
“No” Ethan and Chris snap in one voice.
She squeals and hides back in the skirts. “There, there” Alcina reassures her.
“Sorry Donna” Ethan sighs. “Let’s… change the subject.” He gets up on unbalanced legs, supporting Moreau.
“Ethan!” Chris uncrosses his legs so he can scramble up. “We have to figure—“
“No, not right now. They had enough.” Ethan shakes his head.
“This is about Rose! If she’s in danger from—“
“I said no!” His shape flickers.
Chris glares. “Eth—“
“Later.” he shifts his weight, transferring Moreau to a more comfortable hold. “You kids want ice cream?” He holds out his hand. Donna peaks out at the mention of ice cream. She looks up at Alcina.
“Go on little one, it’s okay.” the oldest girl nods. Donna hesitates for a single moment then runs over to take Ethan’s hand. He wonders for a moment where Angie is.
“What? We're going to ignore everything just like that?” Heisen picks at the shoelaces on his sneakers.
“For now.” Ethan nods. Heisenberg crinkles his nose. He isn’t satisfied with anything that went down. “We can talk later, but I think the others had enough. Yeah?” He takes two steps down. Chris moves out of the way.
Heisen thinks.
“Oh drop it, stop trying to be all big grown-up Karl” Alcina rolls her eyes. She nudges him as she walks down the stairs.
“I said dont call me that!” He jumps off the step, trips on the carpet, barely catching his balance. He flinches away from Chris' attempt to help.
“Hmmph, as if a brat like you is worthy of the Heisenberg name.” Her steps fade into the kitchen.
“As if you’re any better!” He sticks out his tongue before disappearing around the corner. Their bickering goes the entire way to the kitchen. The sound of the fridge door opening then closing.
“Hey! Don’t just get yourself some!” Heisen complains.
"I didn't you foolish child, this is for dinner!" she scoffs.
Chris shakes his head. “Shit, I don’t think I turned off the stove.” He starts towards the kitchen. He stops at the arch. “We will talk about this later Ethan.”
Ethan does not answer. Chris disappears after the oldest lords.
Moreau yawns, his eyes start to flutter shut.
“Go join your siblings, Donna” Ethan nods after Chris. Her little hand tightens on his. “It’s okay. I’m just going to put Moreau to bed, then I will be right down”
She blinks several times, the way she does when she considers what she wants to do.
“Donna, come oN! We can’t have ice cream until we eat dinner!” Heisen calls.
She stops hesitating and let's go off Ethan. She walks down the hall without another glance.
He shifts Moreau again. “I want ice cream…” he mumbles but it's slurred. He sucks on his thumb. His tail is held by his belt. It waves back and forth in languid circles.
“You can have all the ice cream you want tomorrow” Ethan starts his ascent to the bedrooms.
“Promi…” he trails off.
“I promise,” Ethan repeats. He does not plan to break any of his promises to these kids.
Moreau is asleep by the time they reach the top of the stairs. Ethan sets him down in the study where the boys have been sleeping. Heisen likes to sleep on the floor. So there is just a nest of blankets and pillows in the corner. Moreau moves between sleeping with Ethan or cuddling with Heisen on any given night.
“Sleep tight” Ethan whispers as he tucks the blankets around the kid. Moreau grabs them in his small hand as he curls up.
x-x-x
Chris sets the last plate in front of Alcina. She scrunches her nose at the spaghetti and meatballs. Though at this point she knows that complaining about the ‘peasant food’ won't mean she is going to get anything else.
Heisenberg doesn’t care what it is as long as it's food. He starts digging in immediately, a lot of the sauce ending up on his clothes. He will need a shower after this.
It took Chris several hours to teach the kid how to properly use a fork. Heisen still hates it and if nobody is looking he uses his hands.
Donna doesn’t like the sauce. She just nibbles on plain noodles, also using her hands. The forks they have are too big for her, and if she is holding Angie, it is almost impossible. Chris found that if not allowed to eat with her hands, she just won't eat.
He sets down another plate for himself.
“Enjoying dinner?” Ethan returns, sitting down on the free chair, not going for a plate. He doesn’t eat human food anymore.
Alcina scrunches her nose. “I would not call this dinner, Mr. Winters” she cuts a meatball into four, taking a small piece with her fork.
“Spaghetti. It’s a staple” Chris waves with his fork.
“It’s meat, of course, it’s dinner!” Heisen says through a full mouth.
“Ugh disgusting, do learn to chew” She shakes her head with disapproval.
Heisen opens his mouth, chewing loud and obnoxious.
“I’m going to be sick” Alcina drops her knife and fork with a huff.
“Donna isn’t bothered, right?” he looks to his side.
“Nope,” Donna mimics his chewing. Alcina groans with an exaggerated roll of her eyes.
“Okay, okay. That’s enough” Ethan cuts in. “Eat with your mouth closed and don’t talk with your mouth full.” He reaches for some napkins at the side of a table, passing them to each kid. Alcina already has one at her side. She dabs at her mouth.
“Want another serving?” Chris points at Heisen’s plate. The kid picks it up and starts to lick up the sauce, nodding at the same time.
“Help yourself,” Chris says. Heisen jumps down from the chair, going towards the medium pot near the stove. There is a little chair by the counter so he can stand on it and reach.
“Leave room for dessert” Ethan watches him scoop a mountain of pasta onto his plate and at least five more meatballs.
“As if the bottomless pit that is this child’s stomach could ever be filled” Alcina scoffs.
“Shut up, I’m still growing.” He sticks his tongue as he goes back to the counter. Ethan sets the full plate up so Heisen can climb back on the tall chair.
“Hah, sure you are” she grimaces at him with a taunting smile.
“Just because you’re a giant co—“
“Heisen,” Ethan warns.
“She started it! Yell at her!” he points. Alcina grows smug. “And I can finish it.” she tilts her chin up.
“Alcina, don’t antagonize him. Clean up your plate if you are full.” Ethan taps the marble off the counter.
“Clean? As if I would ever do simple chores.” She rolls her eyes again.
“That wasn’t a choice. Go.” Chris orders. They stare at each other.
“Fine” Alcina deflates first. Heisenberg laughs and sticks his tongue out at her. She does the same. Donna giggles as the arguing continues above her head. Her plate is mostly clean but she is playing with a meatball. Ethan ignores the urge to tell her to cut it out. She is too skittish for that right now.
The silence stretches outside the running of water and clatter of dishes as Alcina washes them.
“I should call Mia,” Chris says as he finishes his food. He takes out his phone without waiting for an answer.
“Do it in the other room” Ethan nods towards the living room.
“I'll be outside.” Chris starts to dial. He gets up to walk out. Alcina takes his plate with a grumble in another language.
“Done!” Heisenberg finishes his food, pushing the plate away. Alcina makes a face at him as she takes his dish. “IF you weren’t so useless, you could wash your dishes.”
“What? Just watch. I’ll do it myself!” He pulls his dish back, trying to yank it from her grip.
Ethan stops him. “No, you won’t. Alcina, enough with the teasing.”
She huffs, releasing a breath that puffs her cheeks. “As you say. Mr. Winters” She emphasizes his name, turning back to the sink with the plate.
Chris’ voice is low, coming from the dining room. He is agitated. Ethan resists the urge to listen in. The door closes with a bang of metal that makes the kids jump.
“Everybody full?” He looks at each of them. Heisen yawns.
“Can we have ice cream now?” Donna pushes her plate away. The one meatball is still on the plate. Alcina takes it. Ethan looks at the clock on the stove, it’s almost eight. He probably has to set a bedtime for them. He glances at the metal door. Chris’ voice is muffled. It sounds angry.
“Sure, sure” Ethan stands up. “Which flavor do you want?” He opens the fridge behind him. “There is vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.”
“I’ll handle it.” Alcina is at his side. “Go talk to that man, he is getting much too loud.” She waves a manicured hand.
Chris's voice is almost clear through the windows and getting louder. “Yeah, yeah. That’s a good idea.” Ethan sighs. “Just don’t fight, okay” He nods at Heisen.
“If she doesn’t start anything!” Heisen turns the chair, crossing his arms.
“Be quiet child, the adults are talking” She flips him off.
“Alcina!” Ethan shakes his head. “Go sit down.” He waves her off towards the counter. She doesn’t budge.
“Mia, you can’t fucking do that! Listen to me!” Chris’ voice gets louder.
“I don’t think you can afford to wait, Mr. Winters.” she looks past him to the window. Chris paces outside.
“It seems like it” he sighs. “Heisen, Alcina. Promise you two won’t argue, I can only handle one…” he trails off.
“They won’t” Donna nods, sure of herself. “I’ll watch them.” her eyes shine.
“You watch us? As if.” Heisen scoffs.
“One more word out of anyone, and nobody is getting ice cream” Ethan takes a long deep breath, there is a wave of rolling anger in his chest. Heisen deflates. Donna pouts. Alcina rolls her eyes.
There are so many things going on. Inside Miranda fights to crawl out of the hole he pushed her in. Eveline cuts in with random sentences, not any that make sense. The kid’s looking at him with expectation. Chris’ muffled curses. He has to handle this. He sucks in another breath. The worry for Rose, how he almost let the thing that brought him back. The panic starts to rise to the surface, the mycete squirms. Ethan tries to suck in another breath, he can’t afford a panic attack right now. He has to keep it together.
“Are you okay, Momma?” Donna asks. Ethan doesn’t answer.
Chris’ voice cuts off. The metal door slams shut, shaking the house. “Are you three giving Ethan a hard time?” Chris’ footsteps are heavy on the wooden floor. There is a clear line of disapproval in his words. Heisen sinks back. Alcina’s heels click as she goes back to sit by the counter on one of the bar stools.
“Hey there, relax” Chris’ hand is on his back. “Go sit down, Ethan” he orders.
“I’m fine” He clears his throat.
Chris pulls him closer. “Look outside” he whispers. Ethan follows his gaze.
“Is that…?” he mutters. Chris nods. Outside the window is a squirming tendril of mold crawling up the house. The protective shell forming around the house.
The kids are quiet. They stare out and wait. Tension is clear in their small bodies.
“I’m sorry, I …. we…” Ethan tries to find the words.
“We are all going to let Ethan get some sleep. Get some ice cream and keep it quiet” Chris looks between Alcina and Heisen until they nod. They know not to say anything. “Okay good.” He turns his attention back to Ethan, the expression on the man’s face reminds him of shock. It is a look Chris knows too well.
“Here, this way” He guides Ethan to the hall.
“I’m okay, it’s fine” he mutters again but they are empty words.
“Of course you are” Chris nods. The stairs are too small for both of them to make it up. Still, Chris manages to guide Ethan upstairs to the bedroom.
“Chris?” Ethan mumbles as he sinks to the soft sheets.
“Yeah?” he settles on the bed. The silk rustles, the bed creaks under his weight.
Ethan leans in to rest against his shoulder. “I’m sorry” he closes his eyes.
“For what?” Chris asks. He knows the answer, it is part of what he was arguing with Mia about.
“I put Rose in danger… again” he keeps his eyes closed. His voice is barely audible. “I scared them.” he sighs. “This thing and Miranda…” he lifts his wrist to show the tendrils, just dark shifting lines under his skin, only the flower is still poking out. “I can’t control her.” he twists his arm, lifting it towards the ceiling. Chris shifts his position so they lie back on the empty bed.
“It was too early for Mia to bring Rose here” Chris takes the hand in the air, pulling it down. His fingers brushing over the plant veins. They are cold to the touch.
“It will always be too early.” Ethan curves his fingers through Chris’. “The Mycete wants me to free Miranda, it said we can't fight over this body forever.” he lets his eyes close. “It will break apart”
“Then do it.” Chris does not hesitate.
“What?” Ethan sits up, quick. It makes him faint, the room spins.
“We can handle Miranda.” He pulls Ethan back down on the bed, hugging him around the shoulder. “The BSAA has the resources we need.” He brushes Ethan’s soft hair. The man shivers at the touch.
“I thought… you went rogue” Ethan mutters, his eyes start to flicker closed. He is tired. It feels safe in Chris’ arms, the gentle rhythm of his breathing, the beating of his heart are like a lullaby he knows in his soul.
“A lot changed since…” he trails off.
“Yeah, I guess it has.” he swallows. “Are you sure?” he forces his eyes open. “About Miranda. I don’t—“
“Rest, Ethan” Chris cuts him off. “It can wait.”
Ethan opens his mouth to complain.
“No, go to sleep” he orders. Ethan nuzzles against Chris’ larger form. He closes his eyes and lets his mind slip away into the strange void, as far as he can go away from the voices that always pulse through his mind.
“I won’t let anyone take you from me again”
Ethan hears Chris mutter through the haze. He does not hear anything else, just feels the rhythmic gentle touch through his hair.
Chapter 10
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“And you say I have bad ideas” Mia jots down notes in her journal before setting down the pen. She is wearing a lab coat embroidered with her name.
“There isn’t a choice.” Chris keeps his eyes trained on the woman on the table between them. Her blonde hair shining in the light.
“Is there ever?” Mia stands up. “Miranda though, really? Hasn’t she done enough to get between us?” She looks up.
Chris does not meet her eyes.
“I can wake her now. Are you staying?” She looks down at the chart.
“No,” Chris shakes his head.
“That’s for the best” Mia nods. “Is Ethan still out?” she looks out at the door. They had repurposed a house to be a makeshift lab.
“Yes. He will find out. The Mycete will tell him, Mia, you should do it first.” Chris narrows his eyes.
“No, no I don’t think it will.” She shakes her head. Mia knows the mycete well enough to know its motivations.
“You still should Mia. I’ll him if you don’t” he stares her down.
He looks away when she meets his gaze. “You won’t”
Chris sighs. He’ hasn’t told Ethan since they met and he knows that he won’t even now. She’s right, she always is.
“Miranda is waking” Mia states. “If you are leaving, do it now” she steps back.
Chris says nothing. The door slams behind him with a creak of wood.
Mia checks the restraints for one last time. Ethan had said she would not have any power available to her but the Mycete had lied before. Today is no different, so they have taken all precautions. There is an armed guard outside and all the kids are on the other side of town. Mia thinks the guard is overkill. As if Miranda would ever do anything to her. They were friends once. They even had the same goal, maybe still do.
Miranda takes her first deep breath. Her eyes open. She sits up, as dignified as always. She tests the shackles. Nothing happens, they hold.
“Mia Winters” She chuckles. “Have your allegiances change so much?” The shackles rattle as she tries to work the leather straps free.
“Maybe. My goals haven't changed.” She sits back down. Miranda keeps her gaze, searching for any crack in the woman she knows.
“Have they not?” Miranda keeps her shoulders up, back straight, despite being dressed in only a gown with ugly blue dots. She always hated blue, or any color, in general, that was not black or gold.
“I help people, I helped you.” Mia doesn’t falter.
“Helped me! Ha!” Miranda scoffs. “Your husband took everything from me, everything we worked for the last one hundred years!” She shakes her head. “We could be everything, we could have had more.” Miranda looks away, biting her lip.
“You always wanted more. It was never enough.” Mia spins the chair back and forth, it squeaks on the plastic-covered wood.
“I just wanted my daughter! How is that too much?!” The shackles rattle as she pushes forward, lashing out.
“You had your daughter!” Mia lashes out right back. They stare at each other, their faces inches apart. “I made Eveline for you! We could have used that clone of your daughter for the ceremony.” She scrunches her features in annoyance. “You were the one who ruined all that work!”
Miranda sits back. “It was not good enough, it was going too slow” she shakes her head,
“Nobody was good enough for you.” Mia scoffs. “Not even me” She sighs. “You did this in the end.”
“So, you working for the BSAA now, at least that hasn’t changed.” Miranda changes the subject. “You will never get away from The Connections, or Umbrella”
“I run it now, with Chris” Mia circles around the bed. She picks up a needle.
Miranda laughs. “I see that lost puppy still follows you around.” she grins. “How does he sleep at night knowing the bioterrorism atrocities you—- ouch” she hisses as Mia drives the needle into her arm at the vein.
“We don’t commit ‘atrocities.’” The blood fills the syringe. “Three years ago, Chris had destroyed the last of the BSAA that had gone rogue under your influence.” Mia pulls out the syringe.
“And you smelled blood in the water.” Miranda looks at where blood trickles down her arm.
“He asked me, I was going to rebuild the connections after the last fuck up” She shrugs. “Rose needed protection so I said yes.” Mia empties the syringe into a nearby vial.
“What do you plan to do now, with me?” Miranda stretches out, she draws her legs up. They hadn’t shackled them. All the tests have come back negative for any sign of the mycete. The woman is human, very human. It feels odd to see her be reduced to mortal life after they had spent so much time together.
“Nothing. Once the last tests come back negative, we don’t care what you do” Mia throws the syringe out.
Miranda scoffs. “I sense them you know.”
Mia turns her attention to the woman. “Who?” She narrows her eyes.
“The children, those I had chose. I sense their power, all clustered, afraid” There is a hunger in her eyes.
“Power is all you care about. Eva was never part of it.” Mia shakes her head.
“Of course. I wasn’t.” a young voice from behind the curtain.
Miranda snaps her head to face it. “Is that…?”
“It’s me, mommy” the child’s voice is dipped in sarcasm.
“Eveline.” Mia takes a few steps to pull the curtain. Eveline doubles over in laughter at the expression on Miranda’s face.
“The last of the girls we created” Mia explains to Miranda. “I told you not to come in here” She turns back to Eveline
The girl shrugs. “I was bored. Nobody wanted to talk to me, and you said if I got bored enough to cause ‘trouble’” she grimaces at the word. “ I should find you” she waves.
“Are you sure it’s not because you wanted to see her?” Mia points over her shoulder.
Miranda ignores them. While Mia’s back is turned she tries to free her binds.
“Noope” Eveline drags out, her little black shoes dangling over the edge of the table. It is a lie, the only reason she is here is to see the one who created her.
“Let’s go find everyone else, it is almost time for lunch” Mia helps Eveline down, keeping a hand at the small of her back.
“Mia,” Miranda calls. “Watch your back. I promised that husband if your’s that this isn’t over” she glowers down under her neat eyelashes. Frazzled blonde hair in her eyes, so different from her usual composed neat presence. Somehow that image makes Mia feels sad. So much has changed in all those years. She once looked up to who Miranda was, her success, her drive. It is still there in her eyes but they are overshadowed by fear of being such a fragile human.
“If you do anything to Ethan, I am not the only one you will have to worry about that.” She looks back with one eye. Eveline laughs. They leave the house. The sun shines brightly overhead.
“So, what do you want to do today Eveline?” Mia looks around the town. It is still quiet as a ghost town yet cars idle in the distance. Chris had made steps to make this town a base for them, in the coming days it will be filled with researches and staff of the BSAA.
Mia smiles. They can finally have a life without hiding as civilians. It is refreshing.
Eveline stays quiet. She takes Mia’s hand and starts to pull to some destination. Mia lets her. They go down the gravel pathway.
x-x-x
“How is he, Emily?” Chris opens the flap over the open house door. Emily looks up. “Well enough, I suppose” she shrugs. “Mia knows more than I do and she said he just has to sleep it off.” She gets up. “You taking this watch, Captain?”
Chris nods.
“Good, I have some martinis that are much more exciting than babysitting your boyfriend” She pats his shoulder with a smirk. He grunts with a roll of his eyes. The flap falls back with her departure. Chris closes the door.
“Hey Ethan” Chris pulls up a chair. He looks down at his old friend. Ethan is pale, almost skinny enough to be malnourished, cheeks sunken. There is a scar on his forehead that continues to get worse every day. They had narrowed it down to being part of the transformation the mold is making him go through.
Ethan shifts. He breathes out, a stuttered breath like his lungs aren't sure that he can breathe.
Chris takes his hand. “Why can I never help…?” he mutters, barely audible. “Always waiting, running from one situation to another but never making it in time. I…” he swallows, looks around to make sure nobody is around. “I have to go soon, there is…I can stay but… ” he shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter, I just… I’m sorry”
Ethan squeezes his hand. “He’s here....” eyes flutter open, squinting against the bright floodlights around the room.
Chris jumps. “Ethan! He?”
“Have to go, meet him.” He mutters. Ethan’s eyes are glazed, empty.
“Stop.” Chris keeps one hand on the man’s chest.
“We have to go.” He meets Chris’ concerned gaze. Ethan’s eyes change color from their familiar and beautiful to an unnerving gold with flakes of silver. The power of the mycete pulses through his body.
Chris is thrown back. He groans when his back connects with the wall.
Ethan, whatever is controlling him, stands up.
“Dammit” Chris reaches for his radio. “Mia, we have a situation, get over here!” His reply comes back as a garbled affirmative cut of by Eveline’s shout of excitement.
“Ethan. Shit.” Chris jumps to his feet from the floor. He takes Ethan by the wrist. It does nothing. He does not stop, the example of strength unnerving Chris. Not many are stronger than him. Ethan’s arm twists with the strain in a way that would break it. Chris releases him to fall back on the hardwood plastic-covered floor.
Ethan stops at the grunt of pain. His eyes flicker between awareness and emptiness. He doubles over, his spine twists and pokes out of skin through his plain white shirt in a disturbing way. Chris grimaces. Ethan sucks a breath, standing tall. The shifting of his body stops.
“Almost broke my arm there.” He smiles as if nothing happened. Chris takes his outstretched hand.
“What was that?” Chris keeps his eyes narrowed. Ethan’s palm feels cold, lifeless. The mycete tendrils shift and squirm like magots under his skin. If Chris did not spend a lifetime dealing with mold creatures he would probably be disgusted.
“The Mycete isn’t patient.” He shrugs. “Sorry, were you hurt?”
“This can’t happen again.” Chris fixes him with a glare. “What if it’s Mia or one of the kids Ethan!?”
“I know” He falters, the deep sadness that is always just at the back of Ethan’s eyes comes to the surface. He looks away. “I know” he repeats.
Chris decides not to push. He knows Ethan would never hurt anyone but whatever the Mycete is, it did just throw him against a wall. “Who’s here?” he clicks the radio.
“Someone it calls the ancient one?” Ethan shrugs. “Let’s go see”
An alarm starts to blare across the camp. The door slams open. “Captain—“ They cut off as Ethan focuses on him.
“What is it, Elba?” Chris pulls Ethan back, just in case. He does not like how the man is acting.
“Uh, yeah…” he looks Ethan up and down with suspicion and concern.
“Elba,” Chris repeats.
“Yes. One of the BW's from the old village is at the border,” he looks back outside.
Ethan chuckles. “This doesn’t need all this chaos” He moves out past Elba. The singular drive guiding him forward.
“Ethan wait!” Chris follows. Elba moves out of the way with a roll of his eyes. He has gotten used to Chris’ relationship drama over the years.
They go down the gravel path until it hits the pavement. The click of horses hooves echoes through the empty town.
The Duke’s carriage rattles. Chris sighs. He had set up a barricade all around the town, one that would make it impossible for cars to pass, let alone a horse and carriage.
“Ethan Winters” He claps with a jolly chuckle. “You have settled quite well in the last month.” His eyes twinkle with knowledge. “I suppose that is thanks to your friend… Chris Redfield, was it?”
Chris nods. He is no longer unnerved by everyone knowing his name. He has put a lot of people into the Mycellian Record when he was young before he took a solid code name. They all know who he is.
Ethan is quiet. He is staring, his eyes are that strange gold again.
The Duke’s smile drops for a brief moment. “Ah, I am not talking to the young man.” he sighs. “You do never get tired of this old friend.”
The creature laughs. “Humanity is always a well of entertainment, as you well know” it tilts Ethan’s features.
Chris bunches his fists. He does not interrupt. Whatever is going on here will lead to information they all need. He signals, he sees his team in the corners of his. They start to circle the clearing, getting into position. If things turn sour, they have to be ready.
“Then, we should get to business” The Duke reaches down for one of the many books neatly tucked over his caravan.
“Same as always.” The Mycete nods.
“I sense Lady Miranda’s presence. How did you manage without her crystal?” He opens the book and inside is a neat crystal eye in a hidden opening.
“We had enough, time was of the essence” The Mycete reaches its hand out. “We will take the eye.”
The Duke closes the book, hiding the eye.
The creature licks its lips. Hunger raw in its eyes, in Ethan’s eyes. “The usual payment will be delivered.” it pushes its hand out farther, expectant.
“There will need to be more” The Duke shifts his weight. “I have been patient with the tasks you have requested, with making sure your goals succeed, with little as a way of payment my old friend.” The smile is a threat.
The Mycete growls. “We will return another, within the clearing” it nods.
The Duke thinks for a moment. They stare at each other. There is tension as power builds.
Chris bunches his hands in his pockets, one closed around his knife. The pressure of those strange powers puts him on edge as it always does ever since that mansion. Something is familiar about The Duke. Chris has encountered many strange non-human merchants around the epicenters of activity but nothing could ever explain them. They never possed a threat but they are still tracked.
The tension breaks when the Duke opens the book takes the eye between two ringed fingers and holds it out to the mycete.
It takes it with greed, using Ethan’s body to swallow it down. “Hundred years of latent power, delicious” It grins, the smile too wide for the human features. “Ethan Winters has questions.” It closes its eyes. When they open again, it is the normal blue eyes gaze, clear and awake.
“Fuck” Ethan wipes away sweat, brushing his hair back. “That was not fun.” he stretches.
The Duke laughs. “I assume not.”
Chris moves closer.
“I’m fine,” Ethan says before he can even ask. He takes Chris’ hand, forcing the fist open and lacing the remaining fingers with a squeeze. He looks back at the Duke. “You promised us answers. So speak. What does the Mycete want.”
The Duke smirks. “It wants many things, in your case, it needed a way out” He reaches for a cigar.
“That’s not—“ Chris starts, Ethan shakes his head. “Let me Chris”
Chris narrows his eyes. He deflates, letting Ethan take the lead.
“What does it want with Rose?” He tries again. The Duke will only answer if he finds the right question but there is so much they don’t know.
“Your darling daughter, How is she by the way?” he redirects the question.
“Fine, she’s fine. Why is it after her?” he narrows his eyes, trying to read the large man in front of him.
“The same reason Lady Miranda was, perhaps you can ask her.” He smiles, lighting his cigar.
“This is getting us nowhere.” Chris hisses at his side.
Ethan bites his lip in thought. What were Miranda’s goals? There was something called the black god, that's what the kids called Rose.
“What is the Black God?” His eyes flicker between blue and silver gold at the words. The Duke laughs, deep and rumbling sounds that shake his entire body.
“Duke!” the sound of a sharp young voice rings out in the air. Chris snaps his attention away from Ethan. A small black shape runs past him in a blur.
“Young Eveline! What a pleasure!” He extinguishes his cigar, placing it back by its box.
She climbs up his carriage to sit on his stomach. “Hey, old man. Got any chocolates?” It is less a question more a demand.
“What did I say about sweets Eveline” Mia’s voice from behind them.
“No sweets until dinner,” Eveline rolls her eyes, she scrambles back down to run back to Mia, taking her hand again.
Ethan blinks. He looks away from the Duke. Ethan does not let his mind register Eveline's existence outside or inside his mind. She shouldn't be here.
“Mia Winters! Looks like the whole family is here, how wonderful” He claps.
“Duke, long time no purchase” She winks.
“Indeed” he starts to reach for more supplies on his wagon.
“You two know each other?” Ethan narrows his eyes. He was about to step towards Mia but the doubt surfaces again. Without Miranda’s voice, it somehow feels raw.
“Of course they do, dummy Ethan” Eveline sticks out her tongue. Mia doesn’t answer, she doesn't even look at Ethan. Instead, she reaches for the box The Duke hands her. Coins clink together, as she pays.
“How long will we lie…?” Chris sighs with a shake of his head. He lets go of Ethan’s hand. He lets go in a moment when Ethan needs his support.
“Dammit,” Ethan swears. “Can we just get some answers, any answers? Are either of you worried about Rose!? About what I did?” He looks between Mia and Chris. “Why does something always happen when we are just about to find some slither of truth!?” he grumbles. “What is the Black God!?” He asks again, his voice is harsh.
“Oh, they haven’t told you. Such a shame” The Duke taps the ashes of his cigar. Mia keeps her gaze away from them.
“There is nothing to tell” she shrugs, handing the box to Eveline. The young clone bounces with glee. Inside the box are chocolates.
“Nothing to tell!?” Ethan takes a step towards her. “You have Eveline clinging to your hip!” he looks over the child. She sticks her tongue again before looking back down to her chocolates, eyes shining with desire. “You are wearing body armor under that lab coat and you work for the BSAA!” he gestures. “Nothing to talk about really?”
The horse snorts, the carriage rattles. “Don’t take another step!” Ethan growls and points as the Duke chooses that moment to move away.
“Do not threaten me young one.” The duke chuckles. “There is nothing you can do even with the power you think you have.” The doors of the carriage start to closes. “While it has been a pleasure watching your family, it is time for me to go” He makes it clear that he has nothing else to say.
The Mycete laughs. “You will never receive your answers Ethan Winters.” It goads.
“Wait, I need” He reaches out. “Why is Eveline here? Chris?”
“It’s a long story.” he shuts the question down as Chris always does.
“Ethan look at me” Mia’s hands on his cheeks. “Stop freaking out. Rose is fine, we are all fine”
“That’s not the issue!” He pushes her away. “What happened in the last five years, how did Rose get powers. Is she—-“ his voice cracks. “You promised, he promised” Ethan turns to gestures at Chris “That she would never be in this life. Yet both of you do what, collect bioweapons?” he waves at Eveline. “How is this nothing!” He manages to keep his anger in check, but it is still there. He feels his skin twist at the edges, as though trying to break open.
The child rolls her eyes. “This pathetic scared man killed my younger sister, hah, as if” She tucks away her chocolates in the pocket of her dress.
Mia takes a step closer, she tries to reach for him. Ethan doesn’t let her, he moves back until he can't. The familiar warmth of Chris’ body behind him.
“Whatever you know, you have to tell him, Mia.” Chris meets her eyes. She looks up. Some unspoken message passes between them.
“Tell me what?” Ethan wishes he was holding something to grip for balance and to direct the building anger. Did it get worse? Was Miranda not the reason for that twisting put in his chest? Flashes of memory, unclear and broken.
“Eveline, go find someone to play with.” She nods at the small child. Eveline looks excited at the prospect of being left alone.
“Mia!?” he demands. “Why are you ignoring me? What did I…?”
Chris takes his hand. Ethan squeezes his nails into soft flesh, no doubt drawing blood.
“Do not bother the little lords” Mia adds. Eveline pouts. Mia glares at her with her best mom look.
“Fine, be boring” the girl runs off in a random direction. Her black shoes click on the pavement.
“The Black God.” Mia shakes her head. “It is a legend we… Miranda started.” Her eyes flick from Chris to Ethan. Then to the carriage that is pulling away, the rattle of wheels. “We should sit down” She points at a bench farther down the sidewalk by the next house. Mia starts to walk without waiting for a response.
“Ethan—“
“Save it, Chris.” Ethan has no patience left. He does not let go of the man’s hand. It makes him feel comfortable, better.
Chris nods. “I'll be here when you find what you need. Always.” he tightens his fingers around Ethan's hand.
They follow Mia. The bench is cold to the touch. She sits down, crossing her legs, eyes fixed on the road.
“The black god was a way for us to…” Mia swallows, releasing a breath. “Is the truth something you want?” She looks at him now, her brown eyes unreadable as always. She shifts her position, her feet hit the grass, palms folded over her lap.
“Just tell him, Mia, haven't we gone like this long enough.” Chris leans back to look at her. He barely fits on the bench next to them. He takes Ethan’s hand with his left before draping his right over the back of the bench.
She hesitates. Chris sighs a vibration that Ethan feels in his palm. He keeps his gaze focused on his wife. She does not falter, the edges of her mouth tremble in a barely noticeable way. He knows whatever she has to say, she doesn't want to.
“Ethan, it was before we met in college. I was… well doing other things.” she redirects.
“Oh goddammit, Mia,” Chris swears.
“It’s the past Chris!” she snaps her well-constructed mask snaps.
“Just tell me about Rose, Mia.” Ethan’s voice is quiet, tired. “Just tell me if she is in danger. It’s all I want.” he looks down, a deep sadness of centuries that the Mycete has given him. “Why does the Mycete want her?” he closes his eyes for a moment. Mia’s past, whatever she is hiding will surface when she is ready. Though if she never told him after Duvley, why would she start now? He can’t let it bother him.
“That is not something I know.” Mia looks away. “I know that she got both Eveline’s and Miranda’s powers. She has the entire network under her control.” She rolls her shoulders.
“We think that’s why the Mycete reacted as it did when it saw her” Chris continues.
“So I can never see...?” Ethan’s voice cracks, he trails off, the bubble of a sob builds in his throat and he stifles it. Mia’s expression softens. Chris holds him closer.
“For now.” Mia nods. “We will find a way to fix this.” She moves closer until their knees touch.
“Fix me.” Ethan looks up at the clear sky, it does not match his twisting emotions.
“No just—-“ Chris’ grip tightens on his shoulder.
“Yes, or at least make sure you can stay stable without slowly transforming.” Mia reaches up with her neat clipped plain nails. Ethan can't help but lean into the touch as she traces the slowly forming scar on his forehead. He feels the skin split and cracks even now. He hasn't looked in a mirror and does not look forward to doing so.
Chris massages Ethan’s shoulder, he glares at Mia, jaw working in a scowl.
“What do I have to do?” He straightens, just the hint of a goal, of knowing what to do, makes him feel better. There is nothing worse than having nothing to go towards.
“More tests, if I could get the lords samples—-
“No.” Ethan stands up, brisk, on reflex. “Sorry” he deflates.
“No, that's my fault. I shouldn’t have mentioned it” Mia gets up, there is a gap between them. The distance feels too much. The silence, an uncomfortable air settles.
Chris’ radio crackles to life. “Come in, Alpha. There is a situation”
“What now?” he asks with something akin to relief.
“I let it slip that the—-“
Chris clears his throat.
“Right, that *Winters* had woken up to the youngest kid, and well we were by the lake and just well, you should come to see this yourself. Umber out.”
Ethan is on his feet before the man even finishes. He senses the children in the distance, his children.
Mia and Chris linger.
“Do you think we should keep lying?” Chris twists his lips. They had this talk often in the five years they were together but it was always with Ethan not being around when they thought he was dead. It was different then but it feels like they have been hiding it for so long.
“We aren’t lying. He doesn’t need to know all of it Chris, what would it do to him, especially now?” she looks after Ethan’s retreating back. He is limping slightly, his shoulders are hunched with the weight of a world she can’t understand.
“What will it do to him if a memory within the record surfaces and he finds out that way?” Chris crosses his arms, the bench creaks under his weight.
“I… don’t know” Mia bites her lip.
Chris gets to his full height with a tired groan. He brushes Mia’s hair back from her face. It is getting frazzled, black bags under her eyes. They all had a long week. “I just hope, he can handle it, whatever happens.
Mia nods. She leans into his strong touch around her waist. “I’m just worried, Chris. It’s been eight years but no matter what we do, nothing is getting better. We were so close, then Ethan returned.” she sighs. “I love him but the reports all over the world of Mycete that has been sleeping for decades is starting to stir, more bioweapons surfacing.” she leans her head against his chest. “I want to stay here but we can’t for much longer."
“One of us can stay,” Chris mutters.
“Yes, you can” she chuckles. “I have to go.” She lets sadness break to the surface. She continues to watch Ethan. “Eveline has to go.” she shakes her head. “It feels like I and Ethan will never be together for more than brief moments.”
“We will figure it out, we will find a way for all three of us to be together” Chris runs his hands over her back. She shivers. She doesn’t believe his words, the hope has long left her in the eight years since everything went downhill.
Chris is getting tired of repeating the same doubts that twist in his gut. They all are.
Notes:
It was about Time to give Mia some attention huhu. I had fun writing the way they act around each other.
Also Eveline 2.0 being a little shit is extra fun xd.
Chapter 11
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The pond at the edge of town is a small thing. It has several small fish shooting about in frantic panic. Ripples spread out from the center, water splashes over the edge.
“Sal! Get out of the water!” Heisen shouts, his little fists balled against his side. “Aren’t you going to do anything! You’re big!” Heisen points out at the pond.
“He can swim, this is why we are here Heisenberg” Alcina flicks her wrist as though tapping an imaginary cigarette, she is sitting back on a stump draped over with a blanket. Donna is sitting next to her, talking to Angie with hushed sentences. She wears a dark blue sundress.
“That’s not the point! Sal, come on!” He shifts his weight at the edge of the pond.
Moreau laughs, he dives under the water.
“I wanna swim! I wanna swim!” Angie jumps down. She runs over to Heisenberg.
“You can’t swim you, idiot!” He pulls her back.
“Neither can you!” Her old doll joints creak as she struggles.
Moreau surfaces at the edge of the pond where they are. His little hand, webbed, reaches out for Heisen’s ankle. The eight-year-old does not have a chance to react as Sal pulls him down into the water.
“What the fuck!” he flails, fighting to the surface, panic subsiding as his feet hit the gravel bottom... Moreau swims away with a laugh.
“That’s it!” Heisen spreads his arms out. “I can too play that game.” The sound of creaking metal rings across the town from somewhere in the forest.
“Hey, you little rascals!” Wilson calls, pushing away from the tree not far off. He extinguishes the cigarette on the bark. “What did Chris say about using your powers while Winters isn’t here?” he stalks to the grassy edge. He pulls the closest kids out of the water.
“He started it!” Heisen points, brow furrowed in concentration.
“He’s four.” Wilson fires back. “Now cut the shit, I'm not your babysitter.”
Alcina laughs. “That is the childish thing you should expect from the brat.” She waves her manicured hands in a dismissive gesture. Heisen’s nose twitches, his little fangs poke out past flared lips. The sounds of metal grinding get louder. Something starts to rise from the edge of the pond. It looks like an old car. Moreau swims over to examine it.
“What did I say,” Wilson smacks him on the back of the head. The metal car drops back with a splash of water. The wave pushes Moreau back in the water to the edge of the bank.
“I was just going to use it as a platform to get back at him!” he huffs.
“You’re bleeding kid.” Wilson pulls out a tissue from one of his many pockets. He kneels to dab at the nosebleed.
Heisen puffs his cheeks out.
“Tilt your head back until this stops and stop overusing your powers.” He chides. “Redfield will be pissed again that you got dirty”
Heisen grumbles. He keeps the tissue pressed to his face.
“I see you’re getting along with the little gremlins.” a woman laughs.
“Berkhoff. Shift change?” He gets up, brushing away the grass stains on his knees.
“Yeah, Ethan woke up, so he should be taking over soon.”
“Finally. All that man does is sleep since we met him” Wilson shakes his head.
“Sleep and go on murder sprees” Emily chuckles. “There is a new mission on the board for you if you want to get out of town for a while.” She waves. Elba nods with relief, anything to get away from kid duty. He looks as the youngest gets closer to the bank where Heisen is once again.
“Momma is going to be mad at you!” Moreau giggles as climbs up, his skin has an odd gray sheen to it, gills pulse on his throat for a moment before receding.
“Shut up!” Heisen pushes him back into the water. The smaller child's hand slips of the embankment, a particular sharp branch slicing soft graying skin.
“Shit, Sal!” Heisen crouches to stare in the water, hands griping the grass as he peers into the water. Angie screams, running back towards where Donna jumps down from her perch.
“What did you do now, you fool?” Alcina is at her feet, pushing Heisenberg aside. She reaches her long arms into the water where Moreau was. “Come on little one, grab on” Her brow is furrowed with concern.
“So much for getting away from babysitting duty” Elba sighs.
“I got it, you call Chris.” Emily’s shoes sink into the grass. “What’s wrong?” She steps between Alcina and Heisenberg. The smaller kid is staring at the blood in the water, it's red stark in the greenish water. His eyes are wide, fixed on the water. Alcina sits back on her haunches, the grass stains her dress. “I think Sal is hurt, he won’t come out of the pond” there is a line of concern in her voice.
“Salvatore, it’s Emily.” She calls, scanning the pond. If they lost a kid on their watch it's going to cause Ethan to go into another meltdown, and Chris will be pissed. “Come on out, it’s time to go home”
Something ripples in the middle of the pond. It starts to bubble.
“What the fuck!” Elba swears. “Come in Alpha, There is a situation”
The pond continues to bubble and out of it rises a creature with a lot of eyes, about the size of a small car. It screams, a musical yet broken.
“Get back kids.” Emily pulls out her gun.
“Sal!” Heisen blinks, his eyes focus. “Is he okay?”
“Does he look okay!? Open your eyes, you—-“ Alcina stops as she sees the fear in Heisen’s eyes. “Come here, he’ll be fine” She pulls him close. “Let's stay out of the way, Donna stay where you are. .” Alcina holds Heisens hand.
Emily watches them retreat to the log. Donna is hiding behind a large piece of wood. Her doll is standing in front of her like a protective shield. Alcina steps over with ease then helps Heisen over.
“Get over here.” Elba waves them over.
Emily turns her attention back to the pond. The young mutated lord is moving up towards the clearing. His shrieking sobs echo through the town and beyond to the mountains.
“Calm down kid.” Emily trains her gun on him. “I don’t want to hurt you” She takes steps back as he moves slowly in shambling steps, webbed fingers leaving puddles of water as he pushes up. Moreau keeps his eyes focused on Heisen in the distance. Elba moving them away.
“Thaat huurrt…” the young lord slurs through his distorted form.
“We can’t just leave them!” Heisen resists. Elba picks him up. “Let me go! She’ll hurt him.”
“It’s just tranq’s boy, he’ll be fine.”
Alcina is holding Donna up in one arm, Angie sitting on her shoulder. She looks back at Moreau with concern.
“Fine! Fine? You old fucks are all the same.” he punches at the man’s shoulder. "I have to—!”
“Heisenberg, stop hitting Elba. He’s just trying to help.” Ethan taps the kid's shoulder, the last slither of the Mycete solidify into his human form. He did not notice the change but something told him it happened as soon as he left Mia’s sight. It is a much faster way to travel.
“Fuck, where did you— nope don’t want to know. Take your brats, I am out of here.” He hands Heisen over.
“Stop treating me like a bag of potatoes!” The kid grumbles. He still clings to Ethan’s shoulder, as though it is the only way he can keep his stubborn composure.
“Tell me what happened?” Ethan turns towards Emily. She is still walking backward, finger pressing down on the trigger. “Berkhoff, hold off for a minute.” He calls. She glances at him, the tension in her shoulders relaxes, she points her gun up.
Heisen swallows, he shifts in Ethan’s arms to look at Moreau. “I… The idiot slipped and he sliced his hand on a branch.” he points. “Then he just freaked out.”
“Liar!” Donna glares at Heisen.
“Heisenberg pushes Moreau into the pond because he got spooked at being grabbed.” Alcina rolls her eyes.
“And I’m the liar? He shouldn’t have grabbed me” he glares right back, his little fists bunch Ethan’s shirt.
“Enough,” he cuts them off. “Alcina, Donna. Wait here.” He nods at them. “Heisen, we are going to go say sorry to Moreau, alright?”
“But, I didn’t—“ Heisen’ doesn’t meet Ethan’s eyes.
“No excuses. You know what you did.” He nods at Moreau. The child has stopped. He is staring at Ethan, a low whining whimper.
“You got this?” Emily asks as she gets close enough. Ethan nods. “Yes, Chris should be just behind me. Tell him everything is fine.”
“Hey, Sal. Where did you get hurt?” Ethan stretches out his free arm, supporting Heisen with the other. The older boy shivers, Ethan moves to keep his body between them. Moreau growls.
“Momma…?” his voice is garbled. The flower mouth opens and inside is the young boy. He looks worse than he did, his mutation progressing farther. The Mycete stays oddly silent, unconcerned for its lies being proven false. Moreau having his powers so advanced means that the others will also be able to do it.
“I’m here” he pat’s Moreau’s shoulder.
“Ethan?” Heisen’s voice is quiet. “Why is he like this?.” he mutters. Moreau growls.
“You remember what I turned into when Chris found us?” Ethan keeps his gentle pats on the youngest child's slimy skin. It is an effort to keep the tension down in his body. Moreau looks too much like the mutated man that tormented him. The boy's body shivers, as though he is having trouble keeping that shape.
Heisenberg nods. Moreau flicks his eyes towards the eight-year-old and growls, a deep sound that vibrates in the boy's chest, much older, a threat.
“Shhh, it’s alright.” he soothes the child. “We are just going to talk.” Ethan kneels “Let’s sit.”
“Momma… hurt…” Moreau mumbles. The ground shakes as he half sits, half plops his large girth on the grass.
“Oh? Where does it hurt?” He sits down. Heisen sits in his lap, he is too scared and guilty to act like he doesn't need support.
Moreau lifts one of his arms out of the mass on his torso, a large gash is bleeding with a strange black ooze. “He… hurt…me” he manages to get out, pointing another accusing hand at Heisenberg.
“And he is sorry, right Heisen?” Ethan looks down, nudging the boy.
“Why did you grab me” He crosses his arms, the stubborn spirit not letting him stand down despite the fear. The words sound weak, none of that usual anger.
“Heisen, is that really what you wanted to say?” Ethan keeps his voice quiet. He’s isn’t sure because it is because he wants to keep the two kids calm or that he does not have the energy to use any other voice.
Heisen twists, glancing at Moreau then away.
“Momma, can I eat….him?” Moreau’s flower opens, teeth shining in the light of the day.
“No, you can’t—“
“I’m sorry, Sal” Heisen reaches his hand out. Ethan watches, ready to snatch Heisen back in case Moreau makes a move to bite.
“Why… hurt?” he closes his mouth, taking a half step closer. Heisen shivers, grimacing as slime coats his hand from the younger boy's skin.
“You grabbed me, it felt weird!” He crosses his arms, tucking his palms under his armpits.
“Sorry…” Moreau mumbles.
“Let’s get back to human form, you know how to do that?” Ethan smiles the corners of his mouth twitch. He does not feel like smiling.
Moreau sways back and forth. “No…” his flowering mouth opens to reveal the child inside. “Momma… scared.” he whimpers.
“Heisen, go back to Alcina” Ethan nudges him. Heisen does not make a move. “I have to help Moreau change now, you can stay if you want but it won't be pretty.”
“It’s my fault.” He is barely audible. “I want to help”
“Okay, just stay back, your clothes don’t need to get filthier.” Ethan shifts his weight. Heisen gets off with a simple nod, he starts wiping off the slime left on his hands in the grass.
“So, Sal. What's your favorite…” Ethan trails off. The way he got back to himself after the Mycete took over was with the first time he saw Rose. Her small body barely fitting in his arms. The way she made a bubbly sound. “What makes you happy?” Ethan settles on that, it should be simple enough for the four-year-old.
Moreau tilts his large head and his body follows until he almost topples. He catches his balance with his large tail, it smacks on the ground, causing it to shake.
“Cookies” he drags the word out with effort.
“Okay, how about I’ll make you a whole plate of your favorite cookies when we get back to the house if you change back.” Ethan tilts his head, spreading his hands to demonstrate just how many cookies they will make.
“With whip cream.” Heisen adds “And Ice Cream”
“Woah, Woah, getting carried away, there. You sure you kids can handle that much sugar.” Chris taps Ethan’s shoulder to announce he’s there. “Something came up with Mia on the way” he whispers low. “She couldn’t join us.”
Ethan swallows, he lets that information sink down into the constant pit in his stomach. There is something more important to focus on.
“Daaad?” Moreau’s entire body quivers, it grows.
“Get back.” Ethan is at his feet. Heisen scampers to Chris, hiding behind the large man.
Moreau’s body continues to swell and quiver.
Ethan flicks his hand to be at its full length, distorting. The Mycete reacts, the barrier of tendrils forms within seconds around them. It is not a moment too soon as Moreau’s form snaps like a balloon filled with too much water. The ichor goes everywhere. In the middle of what's left off the body is the youngest lord. He stumbles to his feet, hunched, his back has gotten worse, little tendrils of the cadou wave in the air, drool dribbles at the corner of his mouth. It takes a moment for the creature in his back to shrink back for the child to straighten. All that’s left of his clothes is the swim trunks with little dolphins on them. “Momma!” Two new little eyes blink on his shoulder as the kid focuses on Ethan. “Cookies, dada? cookies?” he runs over to them just as the barrier collapses with another wave from Ethan.
“Oh I see how it is, you promise them cookies, and I'm the one who gets to make them?” Chris picks up Moreau as he runs over.
“Chris cooks better,” Heisen adds injury to insult. Ethan laughs. “They have spoken, doomed to cook forever” He takes Heisen’s hand. “Where’s Alcina?” he looks around for the first time.
“Went back with Emily to the house. Donna was getting scared.” Chris carefully steps around the ichor. “I think we should rethink letting the kids go out to the water next time” he scrunches his nose at the entire pond and field covered with the noxious slime.
“Yeah, yeah. That’s a good idea.” Ethan chuckles. He picks Heisen up, the child does not complain or grimace as he usually does. He is just as disgusted by the scene around him as the adults.
Notes:
This was a shorter chapter then usual, the next one should be the usual 3.5k words length XD. As we get closer to the end of this fic. I take questions and requests @mierian on tumblr (https://mierian.tumblr.com). Feel free to hit me up :3