Of Blackjack and stepping up

chapter 3

(Tw: this chapter contains heavy mentions of hospitals, very heavily csa (not graphic), syringes, mentions of blood, and also questionable treatment of people (not activly commited but yk). Theres also a romantic bit but I doubt anyone here needs that)

Porter arrives at seven. Alex has made dinner already.
"Hello. I hope this doesn't bother you."
"It doesn't. I had no plans anyways. Come inside."

Alex has sorted his small apartment. It looks nice and less cramped than usual. Porter sits down on the chair Alex holds out for him. He smiles. "So, I wanted to get to know Katherine Johnson's notoriously often married third child a bit better. I can also tell you about my own life if you'd rather have that."

"I guess I can tell you what you want to know."
"Who is Alex Johnson? Sophie told me little more than a vague phantom. Which was of course fascinating."

"I feel like the real person under that name is pretty disappointing. My first name is Alexander but everyone calls me Alex. I work as a barista and housekeeper. I am 20 and I do not have any sort of degree."

"I don't really feel like that but I understand. Do you mind if I get rid of old syringes and blood bags?"

"No. May I ask why you have them?"

"You heard of blood overproductions? Pretty bothersome stuff. I spent all of my childhood and most of my teen years in hospitals and home schooled because I have one."

Alex nods, mentally taking notes.

"It was quite bothersome. Especially because… my doctor…. You know, a child and a sick teen are pretty defenseless?" He awkwardly laughs, pretty clearly expressing what happened.

"I am well aware of that fact better than you'd think, I can assure you, I have seen… similar things to what you are referencing. Really similar." Alex pats his shoulder as a try to show solidarity. "I believe I know what you went through. Would you like an easing memory or to share what happened?"

Porter nods. "Both please."

Alex removes his gloves, revealing a rather average hand, if scarred and hardened. He places it on Porter's cheek and looks for a pleasant memory in his own mind. He eventually settles on a calm sunset he remembers watching. He ignores his own situation back then, focusing only on the sunset and not where he was and how bad that place is. Only the pretty sunset.

The magic being used lets his hands glow lightly, as it is not a big memory being transferred.

Porter has eventually calmed. "I am good."

Alex pulls his hand away and the shreds of vulnerability shown are back hidden behind those giant walls. "Please tell me about your life then."

Porter started "So, I told you about the hospital? There I met the by far most perfect person I know. Her name is Emily, her mom worked as a nurse and she was allowed to play with the sick kids like me. She is perfectly healthy, well, at least not deathly ill. She was always a kind person. However the hospital was really bad, so when I was 16, I just made a run for it. Packed up some stuff and ran. Of course I keept contact with Emily but not with anyone else. I quickly got into… instreasting circles. Which is how I met Mori. They were friends with the great vampire I got involved with. They really looked up to him. He wasn't… fond of humans. Well, I am not a human but you know how vampires are?"

Alex nods. He is familiar with vampires, the blood suckers mainly beeing known for beeing elitist pricks at best. At worst, some were Kats friends. It makes a lot of anger bubble up again.

Mori seems to not fall in either category though. They at least from Porter's explanation seem to not fit. They don't even present the part mostly. They seem to be uniquely Mori.

"But away from me. Was that your ability just then?"

"If you mean the memory, yes. I believe it's called Memory sharing?"

"I heard of it. But I never saw it like this. I very rarely had abilities used on me. The most was watching Mori or getting Sophie's dust on me and feeling whatever comes out."

Alex nods. "I don't really like them being used on me. The few I had felt really painful."

"Might the person who did have disliked you?"

Alex feels a sharp pain. Does his own mother dislike him? Knowing her, he was unsure.

"I cannot tell her feelings for me."

"I understand. My own is a form of healing ironically. The patient who can heal several physical injuries if he is close enough with the person. Tho the only two people I have ever been close enough with are Emily and Mori. Not that those relationships are similar! While Mori is very much attractive and an amazing partner, I view them as too young to date. Also by now they are like a younger sibling I need to watch out for. Sophie is unfortunately not their first partner. They had a few boyfriends and I wasn't fond of any."

"I mean, I assume they are happy with Phie. She is at least. Also the thing about fairies only making dust when happy."

"Mori is very much. I can arrange a meeting for you two! They for sure would love to meet their future brother in law!"

"Isn't Mori like 19? Is that not a tad young to marry?"

"I mean they just date."

"I am confused."

"Ohhh! I will explain the joke! I made a joke that they will marry in the future, however they are not engaged."

"Thank you."

He makes Porter dinner.
"You can take this home, I am not hungry today." Alex says.

Porter smiles. "I believe I like the real Alex much more than the myth."

"Thank you. Goodbye, Porter."

"Bye!"

Seconds later Alex gets a call. Its from Bast.

"Alex, let me preface this by saying you must keep beeing in that weird little group but…"

"But?"

"Natsu and I decided it would be safer and better for us to not be with them. We feel like we need to make sure we are safe instead of helping take down Kat."

Alex feels the anger nearly burn him from the inside. "Seriously?"

"Yes, we consider it a me…"

He hangs up the phone. While he feels bad for it, he knows a few unkind words would otherwise spill out. He doesn't want to hear another word. He understands it somewhat but it makes him angry. He doesn't understand how people can do that.

He believes the safety of everyone that could have the misfortune of getting under Katherine is worth this risk. He doesn't care how badly he could get hurt. Bones heal. Dead people can't just live again. And he must make sure no unnecessary dangers happen to anyone else. He can't be saved anymore from her so he must save everyone else.

He will help them. No matter what it takes. He must help.

(I hope you enjoyed. If you have any questions ask them

Also if anyone wants to know:
Porter is bi and amiamorous, Emily is the same however their relationship isnt poly.)