We Are Bulletproof

I suppose it IS good news.
I think we have a meeting with that
person
I told you about a while back.

Of course.

I have some news for you when I get there.

What could be more important than you?

Supers...? Why would he fight our own kind?

Never mind. You already explained that.

I'll be there and if he comes near you, he'll have to answer to me...

Ah, he's the one who fought with him, is that it?

*ALARMED*

*reads the rest*

I'm not busy. I'll be right there.
Why is Josh not staying with him?

"Curses aren't always predictable," Susumu began but he didn't like the way the pair of bulldogs were staring him down. Did they really think Susumu had cursed Alva on purpose? That had been an accident and he had tried making reparations ever since he realized what he did. Had he not? He didn't appreciate the suspicion being cast upon him, as if he were the very thing that he hunted and wanted to eradicate.

"I never had any intentions of harming Alva or any of you. The memory spell was meant to protect Alva from my enemies."

"Memory spell?" The cousin asked, not sounding convinced. "Or memory curse?"

Susumu still didn't like the accusation in his tone or his eyes. But he met the cousin's heated gaze. It wasn't like he owed these ones any explanation and they were wasting valuable time that could be spent on actually helping Alva before it was too late. So instead of avoiding the subject, he might as well tackle it head on.

"Curse," he said finally, to which the cousin looked both vindicated and livid at the very idea, but Susumu raised his hand to stop him or his lady friend from interjecting. "But that's because of the nature of my magic. I didn't choose to be talented with curses. It's just how I was born. But that's not the important part right now. The important part is that somebody has essentially taken all of my curses and reversed them... or removed them altogether, actually. And the only type of supernatural I know of that can touch another's magic and manipulate it would be the Ancients.'

It didn't matter whether the cousin wanted it or not--Alva reached out and took hold of Susumu's hand and he could feel the warmth. No longer did he feel the overly hot fever burning through Alva. Whatever curse had overtaken his own at least wasn't killing him. Susumu wouldn't know much more else until he found out who did it and what their intentions were but...

The cousin still looked suspicious as he closed the door behind him, the tension in the air so thick that he could have choked on it. Gently squeezing Alva's slim fingers, Susumu nodded toward the couch.

"I trust we can sit?" he asked, trying to be as civil and polite as possible for Alva's sake. "And talk about this?" He agreed with Alva, clearly. They had to talk before they started jumping down each others' throats.

"...I guess," said the cousin as he continued to eye him with suspicion. Still, he took a seat and gave enough room for the others to take a seat with him. Susumu chose to take the chair rather than the couch.

"I think we can all agree we just want to help Alva... right?"

All he wanted was to protect that which mattered to him. What started as an accident ended up in this tangled web of complicated emotions, ever more complicated by the curse itself. Then there was the boyfriend that became the ex and the friends. Susumu was aware of his standing with Alva's family and friends so he fully expected something to happen when he arrived, especially since this was the home of one of them. Still, he tried to smile in a friendly manner as the door opened, fully prepared to apologize and explain--when the door started to slam shut in his face. Immediately, Susumu tried to slide his foot in the way--ouch--and then he tried to slide in and open the door.

"I was invited--" he tried to explain but there was a commotion, shouting from the back of the apartment. Susumu saw the cousin and then he saw Alva. Relief flooded through his system... which also meant he was unceremoniously shoved out into the hall and the door was slammed firmly shut in his face. He even heard the sound of a lock being put into place. Susumu looked around down the hall, as if expecting somebody to be following him. For all he knew... A shiver ran down his spine. He lifted his hand to try knocking when he heard the lock sliding out of place and the door reopened.

This time it was the cousin. He didn't look happy to see him but he still held the door open for him while saying stiffly, "Come in."

Susumu nodded his thanks and entered, well aware of all the hostility turned his way. Still, he had eyes only for Alva once his gaze dropped to him.

"Alva," he said, voice also flooded with relief. Immediately he moved toward him but the cousin held onto his shoulder.

"Hold it. We're letting you in but you have a lot of explaining to do."

I'll be there soon.

I love you.

Of course. I'm not going to show up to your cousin's house and not talk to them.

I'm not the one you need to talk to.

I don't care about that. You are my main concern.
Take your bath. I'll be there soon.

I've been worried but now I know you're safe, I feel like I can breathe again, if that helps.
Just don't go running off without saying anything. Stay where you are until I get there.

I'm fine.
Why do you ask?