We met at the disco

[Jack Ripley]

"Sorry," he said to Brayden, and maybe he was a little sorry. But he needed a little of the drink, too, all right? Just a little. One drink wasn't going to do anything. (It wasn't going to do anything--he doubted it would even help.) Thankfully, Brayden only cleared his throat at him and didn't give him a Look. Hey, he knew what he did. That's why he handed the bottle off to Brayden immediately afterward!

"That's one way of putting it," Jack said with amusement. Food could be a comfort; it wasn't the same as alcohol but they were probably all way past due for something in their stomachs at this point. Jack made himself comfortable as Brayden sat down again, drawing close and gently strumming the length of Brayden's arm with his fingertips.

Niall sighed and rested his head back like a teenager that was hearing a lecture he'd heard a thousand times. Only, nobody was lecturing him. "Honestly? Not... really?" He was still looking up, at the ceiling, like it could give him the right answers. "I don't want powers. I was raised a hunter... my lover is a hunter... I mean, he's talking about retiring but it's the only skill set he has--not that he's not skilled at other things, but what's he supposed to do if he stops hunting?" He lifted his head and propped his chin in one hand, looking tipsy, it was true, but also contemplative. "And t'be quite honest with you? Turning into a bunny just freaked me the fuck out. Yeah... It was so strange and kinda scary. I couldn't talk or type or communicate with Kenny at all. It was a feckin' nightmare..."

[Brayden Smith]

"...just cause you're raised one way doesn't mean you have to be that way forever," mumbled Raphael. It had been a little while since he'd last spoken that he surprised Bray, who looked over to see him with a half-frown darkening his brow.

"He's right," Bray nodded. "Being raised a hunter doesn't mean you have to be one until you die. People change jobs all the time, this isn't so different. Besides, learning to control your abilities means you won't have to suddenly change in and out when you least expect it."

He lightly touched Jack's hand as it slipped by on its way up (and then down) his arm. Speaking of practicing and controlling abilities... They hadn't even had a chance to help Jack realize his own powers yet. The futuresight was incredibly important, as was his apparent ability to conjure up visions of other lifetimes. Bray didn't even know the extent of his magic, or what else he was capable of. All of that got shuffled under the onslaught of drama and things happening.

"Maybe you can learn with Niall too, Jack. I mean, learn to harness and control your powers. It might help keep Keith out, if you can learn to strengthen the magical barriers in your mind by learning to use magic."

[Niall Gallagher]

"What's got you so down, lil buddy?" Niall asked Raphael, who looked all sullen now for some reason. A second ago, he was grinning like an idiot! What, was it the thing he said about hunting? Niall swung his legs back over the chair so that he could sit cross-legged, yoga-style.

Brayden was a nice enough fella but he was so idealistic.

"Do you want to know how I made money to support myself when I left home?" He gestured with both hands starting from his shoulders and sweeping down his body with a flourish. "Never was clean enough for a proper job... Couldn't even get past interviews in any case. I know Kenny's not like me... even if he's not hunting, he's clever and strong and resourceful."

He stopped there, though. Ken was all those things. He was his favorite person in the whole wide world and if it weren't for him, Niall would still be trying to find ways to numb everything, kill himself, and just stop suffering. And he wished that he had something to offer up to him, more than just his body and his clingy affection and his constant need for his praise and approval. Ken put up with a lot from Niall and he knew it. A lot of the time, he took it for granted, too.

But this whole... taking the glamor thing off concerned him. Like, what if he wasn't himself? What if they literally glamored him into a whole different person. Good lord, he could be ugly. And what if Ken was disgusted by the magic in him? They didn't really talk about it before they came to see the seer. And it turned out that Rhys knew more about him than she did. Pooka, he said.

Nobody pressed him for details, for which he was grateful. Jack only said, "B's right, Niall. We could learn together. I'm new to this, too, so you won't be in it alone."

Niall looked at him, and at Brayden and at Raphael, too.

"Maaaaybe," he said finally. "But I'm talking to Kenny about this first."

[Brayden Smith]

"I'm sure he won't object if it means keeping you safe. It's dangerous to have a glamor that you don't control, and powers that you don't know the extent of. But I agree that you shouldn't make a decision like this without some thought, and without talking to your partner." Bray glanced at Jack with a kind of dawning realization just beginning to hit him. Surrounded by couples with problems like these--Raphael's inability to express his feelings and have them be reciprocated the way he wanted, Niall's uncertainty regarding his lover's opinion of him being a fairy--maybe their relationship was blessed by comparison.

It was only ever the circumstances surrounding their relationship that posed certain problems. People wanted to separate them; people were after them, putting their lives in danger. But between Jack and Bray, there was no discord and no friction. Anything they disagreed on was talked over and a compromise was always found that bridged both of their viewpoints and desires. They were in perfect sync in a way that the others weren't.

Feeling a wave of affection towards Jack, he lightly kissed Jack's cheek. As ever, it was difficult to keep his eyes off of Jack. Even in a crowded room with everyone being distracting in their own way, Bray's gaze kept wanting to drift over to him, catching the shape of his handsome profile, the glint of light in his hair or off the frame of his glasses. Jack still made his heart skip a beat when he smiled.

If only they didn't have all of this to deal with. Was Bray neglecting Jack by looking after everyone else? Jack was surely used to a certain amount of attention--physically but emotionally, too. Bray didn't want to overlook that just because he felt the need to help everyone else. He caught Jack's hand and held it, lacing their fingers together. Maybe when things settled down a little more, he could slip away with Jack. Or maybe he could slip off and see if he could find something to lift Jack's spirits and to remind him that Bray hadn't forgotten about him.

"Speaking of your partner... Ken, was it? Where is he? Shouldn't he be back by now?"

[Niall Gallagher]

"Really?" He didn't know it was dangerous but he guessed if somebody could put it on then they could take it off. Maybe they already did. But no, that maybe was why all the detectors didn't like him. Did that mean he wasn't so magic after all? That couldn't be it, either. That Rhys brother of his said his mother was a pooka (which honestly sounded like an insult now in his head--your mother's a pooka!) and that did explain the rabbit form. But he didn't think he wanted that kind of power, to be a rabbit.

It wasn't very exciting. But then, he supposed, that meant he didn't have to deal with anything overly powerful. Still, he would rather talk to Ken before doing anything crazy. He could only imagine if he came back to... some ugly pooka creature and decided nah, he would rather kill him... Which was kinda crazy to think because this was Ken, like the same guy who held his hand secretly when they were kids. Ken was Mr. Serious but he was... also kinda serious about caring about Niall.

And aww, weren't they cute? Jack and Brayden, Brayden and Jack. Niall might have been jealous that they were so free and open about their feelings but... Okay, he was a little jealous of it. But Ken was not a show and tell kind of person and never had been.

Niall looked down at his nails. Maybe he should try something less gothy next time. He kinda liked the idea of stripes. He liked stripes. He frowned. What was the question again?

"Kenny?" He dropped his hand into his lap. "Yeah... it might take a while. I know this town is small but I live in the shitty part of town. Guess that's why he wants to move." That and the neighbors. "Why? Do you think I should ring him up? Something might be holding him up..."

[Brayden Smith]

Bray frowned as he glanced out of the window. It took maybe half an hour to drive from one end of town to another, and even then, unless Ken was moving their entire apartment over to the Sunrise... But he didn't want to unduly raise the alarm, in case something actually was holding Ken up like bad traffic, or waiting too long for a taxi.

"Do you think he's really going to stop hunting?" He turned back to Niall, feeling anxious about the idea of a hunter in their midst. On the one hand, he wanted Ken to be safe—for Niall's sake. On the other hand, he wanted everyone else to be safe, too, and to be assured that no one would try to pull a gun on them for simply being themselves.

"I'm sorry, I-I don't mean to be rude but... I hope you can understand my concerns about him. We're all..." He glanced around, at Jack and Raphael, back to Niall. "We're all in danger where hunters are concerned."

[Niall Gallagher]

"What?" Niall knew he had his own questions concerning that but to hear it coming from somebody else sort of riled him up a bit. And Brayden backtracked but... Niall didn't like it. He frowned. Ken grew up same way as Niall did but Ken wasn't switched at birth with some poor human kid. That was kind of a trip, wasn't it? Thinking that he was the black sheep of a family that was never his to begin with?

So why did it still hurt a whole lot when he thought about Lorcan? And how come he still felt a hole in his heart where his family's love ought to be? Just because they weren't his, didn't mean it didn't still hurt. His whole life, they were the family he knew. And there was no telling if his real family loved him any more than they did. Actually, evidence suggested the opposite. They switched him away for somebody else!

"He's going to stop," he said still frowning. "He wouldn't kill me. And if he's not going to kill me, then he's not going to kill the rest of you. He didn't kill my friends! And he knew they weren't human, before I even knew I wasn't human!" Never mind that Ken never explicitly said he wouldn't hurt them... (Or that they were Niall's friends.)

"He said he was going to retire from hunting." He was still frowning. Quickly, he pointed out Raphael. "He was alone with him and he didn't hurt him!"

[Brayden Smith]

Bray could clearly see that his questions and comments had offended Niall but... someone had to bring it up. He hadn't met Ken in person so he didn't know what sort of man he was. Bray was usually not a bad judge of character but he still had to see someone and speak to them first before he knew that they posed no danger. Still, he felt badly for how strongly Niall reacted, and perhaps under similar scrutiny even Bray would have felt a sliver of indignation, if someone accused Jack of being...

A murderer.

That was essentially what he accused Ken of, yes. But it was also the truth. He sat silently and let Niall have his say, giving him the chance to convince them that Ken was safe to join them. Bray wanted nothing more than to believe him, that was the truth. He really, really hoped that Niall hadn't misjudged Ken's character.

"It's true Prince Bee," Raphael piped up eagerly. "Ken was very nice to me earlier! I think we can trust him. I trust him!"

Bray smiled. He wasn't completely convinced but if both of them were vouching for Ken, then it was good enough for now. Until he could speak to him in person. Plus Marge had seen him and if she didn't raise any alarms, maybe he was being overly cautious (and he did have a habit of doing that).

[Niall Gallagher]

"See?" Niall nodded to himself, satisfied that at least one other person in the room also had faith in Ken. He wouldn't go around killing a bunch of supers now that Niall was one! And--and anyway, he had to see with his eyes wide open now, that they weren't all bad. Nobody could kill somebody with a face like Raphael's! He was like... a little bunny himself!

"He already knows where we live," Jack said, sounding somewhat dubious. "If he wants to take us out, he knows where to find us." But he put an arm around Brayden and smiled as he nuzzled him. "I don't think he can take us, though."

The way he said it, it was like they had a secret weapon or something. Niall didn't know what to think about it but Ken was a good hunter. If he really wanted them dead... But he didn't! He didn't want them dead! And he did not appreciate them all making him question Ken like this! He crossed his arms like an affronted toddler.

"He's not going to kill anybody!"

[Brayden Smith]

"Not against a whole prince," Bray murmured teasingly to Jack as he leaned into the affectionate gesture. It was hard to feel properly alarmed and worried for their safety when Jack was acting so cute. And while Bray wasn't an exhibitionist and didn't go in for overly mushy displays of affection, it still felt so very nice to be loved and appreciated.

But now Niall was looking like a proper storm cloud, with his arms crossed and his brows drawn into a frown. "I'm sorry. Please don't be upset. I only want what's best for all of us."

"Prince Bee's just looking out for us! But I think Ken was super nice and he's also really handsome!" Raphael leaned forward with a secret little smile at Niall. "He's probably out looking for a present for you, Prince Niall! Like... like maybe macarons or... you know something yummy"

Bray's smile was amused. Looked like Raphael was hungry... And not long after someone knocked on the door, at which Bray got to his feet. "That must be the food. I'll get it." Raphael let out a low cheer while he walked over to open the door. And stared at the tall blond-haired man looking at him with a Severe Expression... and a large bruise all down one side of his face.

"Is Niall here?"

"Uh. Y-yes. He's—he's inside but—"

The man strode in toting a large bag in one hand. He was limping ever so slightly, Bray noticed, favoring his left side.

[Niall Gallagher]

"Correction, B... Two whole princes," Jack said softly. And it looked like they were in a whole other world together. The way they looked at each other... Hard to maintain storm cloud status, honestly. But he also didn't like where they were going with the whole Ken thing.

If it came down to it, Niall couldn't choose anybody else. Ken was all he had; everybody else was just icing. Without Ken... he was just a suicidal hedonist with no real reason to live. Sort of floating, like little dandelion fluffs on the wind. No direction, just buffeted wherever the wind pushed him until eventually he disappeared. But to Raphael's well meaning words, Niall laughed.

"Oh, he's not the present giving type..." Ken was a minimalist. Things didn't show love. Only actions did. Still, it was a nice thought, even if it totally wasn't Ken. Drawing his knees up almost like a protective shield, Niall chewed on his thumbnail and waited while Brayden got up to get their food. He was seriously hungry, so he couldn't wait to pig out on all the tasty Thai grub--but alas! T'was not meant to be--because instead of a delivery food person at the door, it was Ken.

"Kenny!" Niall immediately scrambled up to his feet, so hasty that he nearly tripped himself. It was immediately obvious something happened; Ken didn't leave limping and bruised. "What happened?"

[Kenneth Branagh]

If he thought that it would be as simple as going home and retrieving his detectors, he was sorely mistaken. And now he was very sore all over, after cornering that dark-haired woman who had followed them here and confronting her. She had tailed him home; he surprised her by doubling back and trapped her in a part of the building.

And she didn't take that well.

She came at him with such ferocity that he was momentarily overwhelmed. On top of combat skills, she had a sort of magic that Ken hadn't encountered much in the past. Fallen magic. He assumed she was part of that whole pack out to reclaim the King's children, as Raphael had indicated during their brief chat in the bedroom of the other flat.

Eventually Ken overpowered her and got away, but not without sustaining some injuries. He hastened into the apartment and swept up everything of use or value there, and then hurried out, constantly looking over his shoulder to see if the woman was following him. She didn't get away scot-free, either; he did his fair share of damage. It worried him, though, that she now knew where they were staying.

The entire way back he debated moving away. Maybe they could find another hiding place... But realistically he knew that she would only follow them there, too. He didn't want to be caught alone with Niall, with no other support. The other hunters wouldn't be of any help to him, either; he couldn't risk exposing Niall to them, not at this juncture. So he decided that staying was their best and perhaps only course of action. With the others being fae and Marge being a seer, there was some protection for them.

Ken walked in and lightly set the bag down, so that he could free his arms to receive Niall. "I'm fine," he said tiredly as he held Niall close for a long moment. "It's nothing. Don't worry. I got everything we need." Reluctantly disengaging, he looked up at the others. The startled-looking man at the door, Raphael, the other man on the couch with waving black hair and hazel eyes.

"...your other brother?"

[Niall Gallagher]

Niall practically threw himself into Ken's arms, clinging tightly to him, like if he let him go, he was going to disappear again. See? He was here. He was here and he didn't care what anybody else was thinking right now. However Ken sustained his injuries, it was for the best reasons, nothing shady, nothing hunter related!

"I wasn't worried about the crap!" Niall said. Like he cared if Ken was able to get all the items in the world. All he cared was that he came back in one piece. And he was a little worse for the wear but he was in one piece. Niall hovered close even when Ken eased back, half afraid Ken was going to move off without him. Just in case, Niall grasped onto the front of Ken's coat just to make damn sure he didn't walk too far off from him.

"Huh?" Niall followed Ken's gaze to Jack. Oh, here they went again. Every time they ran into one of his blood brothers, Niall felt a small prickling of worry that they would somehow manage to turn Ken's eyes away from him.

"Yeah, that's Jack." Niall reached out to cup Ken's face in his hands, mindful of the nasty bruise all on one side of his face. "Baby... what happened? You're not fine. Look at you."

[Kenneth Branagh]

Their similarity was startling, although perhaps not as much as Niall with Rhys. But it couldn't be missed; they were brothers all right. Ken's gaze lingered on Jack for a moment, assessing him, then it moved back to the man by the door who was just now closing it. Again, Ken assessed him, found nothing outwardly suspicious, and his attention returned to Niall.

This was probably the most worried he'd seen Niall in a long while. Generally it was Ken being the worried one, constantly telling Niall off for being too careless. Now Niall wouldn't let go of him, like he thought Ken would burst into a puff of smoke and vanish on him again. (Not bloody likely—Ken's only mission in life was to stay with Niall.) 

"I'm fine." His tone was firm, though lacking its usual severity. And his gaze softened briefly as he leaned forward to kiss Niall, to silence his fears, despite the presence of others in the room. Having that close call with the woman reminded him of how precious their moments were together. Sometimes it was okay to break protocol, to show his affection in a more public setting. "They're only bruises, they'll heal. Now I have to set up the detectors." He tried to loosen Niall's grasp on his coat while the doorbell rang again.

"Oh that's the delivery guy!" Brayden opened the door to receive a large amount of takeout boxes from a weedy looking teenager who goggled at the sight of Ken, all beat up and standing there glaring at him. He was quick to leave afterwards, clutching some bills that Brayden passed to him.

"Let's eat, everyone! Ken, we ordered some Thai food. Help yourself."

Ken merely nodded, but was going for his bag and unpacking the equipment that he needed to keep them all safe from both hunters and other creatures.

[Niall Gallagher]

What a surprise! Ken actually kissed him in public! Well, not public, as such. But in front of others. He must really be feeling bad. Niall half frowned, concerned.

"But... it looks so nasty, Kenny..." Niall tried to continue clinging to Kenny but Ken managed to free himself in order to get about setting up detectors. Frowning, Niall looked at the familiar equipment. "Aren't they just going to keep going off around all of this magic?"

Not much time to say anything more--the doorbell rang yet again and this time it was actually the long-awaited food. Niall's stomach rumbled noisily, reminding him of how little he'd had to eat that day. To be fair, when he was on a bender, he could go literal days without food but... This wasn't anything like those days. Since Ken came back into his life, he'd been pretty good about eating normally scheduled meals. Mostly because Ken scheduled them.

Niall wanted to join the others as they began taking food out and passing it around but Ken was still unpacking items of protection and detectors. Setting his hand over Ken's to stop him for a moment, Niall asked quietly, "Kenny... what really happened? Is somebody after you? Us?"