Gaining Strength [Part 19]
Aug. 12th, 2020 12:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
esp_dragonv2Fandom: Noblesse
Summary: Frankenstein needs to gain strength to protect humanity; the werewolves might hold the key to that.
Notes: Frankenstein decides werewolves are the bigger threat AU.
Rating: G
Genre: General
Word count: 1,345
Total word count: 40,295
Status: Complete
Frankenstein exhaled, rolling his shoulders after he hung his tunic over a branch. He hadn't sparred since his fight with Maduke weeks ago, but he did feel more like he'd used to. Better than he used to.
"You ready?" Muzaka said, grinning as he rested a hand on his hip.
Frankenstein smiled back, transforming, his arms and cheeks tingling as fur spread over them. Energy coursed through him, ready to be used. It was strange feeling the extra pressure against his teeth as his incisors grew; he hadn't noticed that last time, but he'd been distracted with everything else.
Muzaka's grin sharpened and he dashed forward, transforming fully in one step, adding an even bigger burst of speed.
...He was going to be in trouble with this spar, but Frankenstein didn't care as he jumped out the way, grinning just as fiercely. He wanted to see what both of them could do.
* * *
Frankenstein grunted when his back hit the tree, but before he could do anything, Muzaka was there, claws brushing his jaw, Muzaka's aura pinning him there.
Frankenstein breathed a chuckle as he relaxed, letting go of his transformation. He hadn't expected a win, but the spar had gone far better than he thought.
"You've gotten a lot better," Muzaka rumbled, leaning in so close their breaths intermingled as they panted.
While Frankenstein concentrated on getting his breath back, Muzaka brushing a bead of sweat away with the side of a claw. It was a nice feeling of safety, to know even one twitch of Muzaka's fingers could tear out his throat, but also know that Muzaka had enough control to not do it.
He could put his life in Muzaka's hands and know it was safe.
"I'll need to figure out a way to get faster," Frankenstein mused as Muzaka let go of him. He'd managed to score a few hits, but none had been able to cut Muzaka's tendons. Muzaka knew about that tactic now and was protecting himself against them.
"You'll get faster," Muzaka said, grinning at him. "At this rate, you'll be Lord in no time! If Dorant doesn't get there first, heh."
Frankenstein blinked at him. "Why would I want to be Lord?" He'd never mentioned any desire to rule over the werewolves, only for them to stop attacking humans.
Muzaka tilted his head, his brow furrowed. "We pretty much rooted out all the traitors weeks ago - that's why you came here, so why else would you stay?"
...Hm, that was a question, wasn't it?
* * *
Frankenstein couldn't concentrate on his notes, the question continuing to circle his mind. Why did he continue to stay? Muzaka was aware of what had been happening now, and almost all of the werewolves who wanted to rule humans had been found.
He wasn't needed here anymore.
He could have left weeks ago, even before he'd fully healed. Instead, he'd built his lab up in Muzaka's home and never left.
He could have went back to the human world and continued his research there.
And achieve what? He wasn't welcome at the Union and would be hunted once he reached the human lands again. He could roam, treating illnesses and injuries in villages as he passed. He could protect villages from outside threats, like vampires, but...
He had done far more here to protect humans than when he was amongst them.
He'd gained far more here, not just in terms of research but...companions as well. He enjoyed his time here and he wasn't sought out only to solve someone else's problems for them. The werewolves wanted to see him, and wanted him to improve.
He enjoyed his time here. That was the crux of it, wasn't it?
Hm. Not quite. There was something...
Frankenstein lifted his head at the sound of Muzaka's front door opening.
"Finished for the day?" Frankenstein said, smiling as he set his pen down. He wasn't going to manage to writing anything else down anyway.
Muzaka grimaced, running a hand down his face. "The meetings went on for far too long. But it's done for now." He sighed, throwing himself down onto a chair. "Until tomorrow, urgh.
"Anyway," Muzaka said, shaking his head, "what're you workin' on now?"
"Thinking."
"Yeah?"
Muzaka was watching him intently, interested in what he was doing, like he always was.
"I'm surprised you didn't seem to care that I was trying to take your title?" Though, Muzaka also supported Dorant doing the same.
"Why would I? You're getting stronger and if you're in change, they'd be in good hands." Muzaka shrugged.
"But strength doesn't automatically mean someone is a good leader," Frankenstein said, frowning.
"Doesn't hafta mean physical strength, and you've proven that," Muzaka said, grinning as he leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. "Strength comes in different forms."
It does, doesn't it. Hm.
"Is that all you're thinkin' about?"
Frankenstein looked at him wryly. "Was that too small a topic for you?"
Muzaka chuckled, grinning back. "I know you - you don't just think about one thing at a time."
True. Frankenstein hummed, turning his thoughts over in his head. "You never asked me to move out after I recovered, especially when I started taking over part of your home with my lab. Why?" And he was asking this while seated at his lab, hah...
"I like your company," Muzaka said, his gaze drifting.
It was that straightforward, huh.
"Like me enough to consider me a sparring partner?" Frankenstein said lightly, smiling.
"Yeah."
Frankenstein stared at him.
Oh.
He really needed to start researching werewolf social cues. Frankenstein exhaled, picking his words with care. "You'd...never said anything?" Or had he just missed all the hints?
Damn. What had Garda said about sparring partners? Frankenstein racked his brain for the information. Someone who helped to push you to improve in fights? ...Which Muzaka had admitted when they'd first started sparring together.
Someone who you could spar daily, or not spar with and just spend time with.
There had been days when Muzaka hadn't even sparred with him, merely talking with him or listening to him as he worked.
And Frankenstein knew Muzaka didn't like socialising too much after a day full of meeting other werewolves, and yet Muzaka still sought him out to spend time with him.
...He was an idiot for missing all those signs and not putting together what it meant.
Muzaka shrugged, looking out the window. "I'm the Lord; if I say something, people take it as an order, so I don't say what I want that often anymore."
Frankenstein arched an eyebrow, amused. "You're not my Lord however."
Muzaka smiled softly back. "Yeah."
Frankenstein exhaled. "I'm apparently very slow with understanding werewolf actions," he admitted, "so I'm going to need you to tell me things very plainly, even if your actions seem clear to you." He paused, musing. "I'll do the same." Since Muzaka wouldn't know about human cues either.
Muzaka nodded. "All right."
"Starting with what you want," Frankenstein said.
And himself? He enjoyed Muzaka's company, both when they sparred and when they weren't. Muzaka had pushed him to improve and even just his presence was enough to lighten Frankenstein's mood.
If he left for the human lands, it was doubtful he would ever see Muzaka again and...he didn't want that. Frankenstein had looked forward to the next time Muzaka appeared, even if it had involved being dragged away from his work.
Muzaka stilled, staring at him. "...All right." He didn't say anything for a few seconds, opening his lips and then pursing them again.
Hm, Muzaka really wasn't used to saying what he wanted.
"I'd...like us to be sparring partners," Muzaka said, watching him.
Frankenstein smiled. "And I as well." Hopefully that was the right response.
Frankenstein didn't see Muzaka move. He was lifted up and enveloped in a tight hug, Muzaka rumbling deep in his chest.
Frankenstein closed his eyes and returned his hug, feeling Muzaka's warmth.
Yes, this was why he'd stayed.
FIN
Thanks for reading! :)
Summary: Frankenstein needs to gain strength to protect humanity; the werewolves might hold the key to that.
Notes: Frankenstein decides werewolves are the bigger threat AU.
Rating: G
Genre: General
Word count: 1,345
Total word count: 40,295
Status: Complete
Frankenstein exhaled, rolling his shoulders after he hung his tunic over a branch. He hadn't sparred since his fight with Maduke weeks ago, but he did feel more like he'd used to. Better than he used to.
"You ready?" Muzaka said, grinning as he rested a hand on his hip.
Frankenstein smiled back, transforming, his arms and cheeks tingling as fur spread over them. Energy coursed through him, ready to be used. It was strange feeling the extra pressure against his teeth as his incisors grew; he hadn't noticed that last time, but he'd been distracted with everything else.
Muzaka's grin sharpened and he dashed forward, transforming fully in one step, adding an even bigger burst of speed.
...He was going to be in trouble with this spar, but Frankenstein didn't care as he jumped out the way, grinning just as fiercely. He wanted to see what both of them could do.
Frankenstein grunted when his back hit the tree, but before he could do anything, Muzaka was there, claws brushing his jaw, Muzaka's aura pinning him there.
Frankenstein breathed a chuckle as he relaxed, letting go of his transformation. He hadn't expected a win, but the spar had gone far better than he thought.
"You've gotten a lot better," Muzaka rumbled, leaning in so close their breaths intermingled as they panted.
While Frankenstein concentrated on getting his breath back, Muzaka brushing a bead of sweat away with the side of a claw. It was a nice feeling of safety, to know even one twitch of Muzaka's fingers could tear out his throat, but also know that Muzaka had enough control to not do it.
He could put his life in Muzaka's hands and know it was safe.
"I'll need to figure out a way to get faster," Frankenstein mused as Muzaka let go of him. He'd managed to score a few hits, but none had been able to cut Muzaka's tendons. Muzaka knew about that tactic now and was protecting himself against them.
"You'll get faster," Muzaka said, grinning at him. "At this rate, you'll be Lord in no time! If Dorant doesn't get there first, heh."
Frankenstein blinked at him. "Why would I want to be Lord?" He'd never mentioned any desire to rule over the werewolves, only for them to stop attacking humans.
Muzaka tilted his head, his brow furrowed. "We pretty much rooted out all the traitors weeks ago - that's why you came here, so why else would you stay?"
...Hm, that was a question, wasn't it?
Frankenstein couldn't concentrate on his notes, the question continuing to circle his mind. Why did he continue to stay? Muzaka was aware of what had been happening now, and almost all of the werewolves who wanted to rule humans had been found.
He wasn't needed here anymore.
He could have left weeks ago, even before he'd fully healed. Instead, he'd built his lab up in Muzaka's home and never left.
He could have went back to the human world and continued his research there.
And achieve what? He wasn't welcome at the Union and would be hunted once he reached the human lands again. He could roam, treating illnesses and injuries in villages as he passed. He could protect villages from outside threats, like vampires, but...
He had done far more here to protect humans than when he was amongst them.
He'd gained far more here, not just in terms of research but...companions as well. He enjoyed his time here and he wasn't sought out only to solve someone else's problems for them. The werewolves wanted to see him, and wanted him to improve.
He enjoyed his time here. That was the crux of it, wasn't it?
Hm. Not quite. There was something...
Frankenstein lifted his head at the sound of Muzaka's front door opening.
"Finished for the day?" Frankenstein said, smiling as he set his pen down. He wasn't going to manage to writing anything else down anyway.
Muzaka grimaced, running a hand down his face. "The meetings went on for far too long. But it's done for now." He sighed, throwing himself down onto a chair. "Until tomorrow, urgh.
"Anyway," Muzaka said, shaking his head, "what're you workin' on now?"
"Thinking."
"Yeah?"
Muzaka was watching him intently, interested in what he was doing, like he always was.
"I'm surprised you didn't seem to care that I was trying to take your title?" Though, Muzaka also supported Dorant doing the same.
"Why would I? You're getting stronger and if you're in change, they'd be in good hands." Muzaka shrugged.
"But strength doesn't automatically mean someone is a good leader," Frankenstein said, frowning.
"Doesn't hafta mean physical strength, and you've proven that," Muzaka said, grinning as he leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. "Strength comes in different forms."
It does, doesn't it. Hm.
"Is that all you're thinkin' about?"
Frankenstein looked at him wryly. "Was that too small a topic for you?"
Muzaka chuckled, grinning back. "I know you - you don't just think about one thing at a time."
True. Frankenstein hummed, turning his thoughts over in his head. "You never asked me to move out after I recovered, especially when I started taking over part of your home with my lab. Why?" And he was asking this while seated at his lab, hah...
"I like your company," Muzaka said, his gaze drifting.
It was that straightforward, huh.
"Like me enough to consider me a sparring partner?" Frankenstein said lightly, smiling.
"Yeah."
Frankenstein stared at him.
Oh.
He really needed to start researching werewolf social cues. Frankenstein exhaled, picking his words with care. "You'd...never said anything?" Or had he just missed all the hints?
Damn. What had Garda said about sparring partners? Frankenstein racked his brain for the information. Someone who helped to push you to improve in fights? ...Which Muzaka had admitted when they'd first started sparring together.
Someone who you could spar daily, or not spar with and just spend time with.
There had been days when Muzaka hadn't even sparred with him, merely talking with him or listening to him as he worked.
And Frankenstein knew Muzaka didn't like socialising too much after a day full of meeting other werewolves, and yet Muzaka still sought him out to spend time with him.
...He was an idiot for missing all those signs and not putting together what it meant.
Muzaka shrugged, looking out the window. "I'm the Lord; if I say something, people take it as an order, so I don't say what I want that often anymore."
Frankenstein arched an eyebrow, amused. "You're not my Lord however."
Muzaka smiled softly back. "Yeah."
Frankenstein exhaled. "I'm apparently very slow with understanding werewolf actions," he admitted, "so I'm going to need you to tell me things very plainly, even if your actions seem clear to you." He paused, musing. "I'll do the same." Since Muzaka wouldn't know about human cues either.
Muzaka nodded. "All right."
"Starting with what you want," Frankenstein said.
And himself? He enjoyed Muzaka's company, both when they sparred and when they weren't. Muzaka had pushed him to improve and even just his presence was enough to lighten Frankenstein's mood.
If he left for the human lands, it was doubtful he would ever see Muzaka again and...he didn't want that. Frankenstein had looked forward to the next time Muzaka appeared, even if it had involved being dragged away from his work.
Muzaka stilled, staring at him. "...All right." He didn't say anything for a few seconds, opening his lips and then pursing them again.
Hm, Muzaka really wasn't used to saying what he wanted.
"I'd...like us to be sparring partners," Muzaka said, watching him.
Frankenstein smiled. "And I as well." Hopefully that was the right response.
Frankenstein didn't see Muzaka move. He was lifted up and enveloped in a tight hug, Muzaka rumbling deep in his chest.
Frankenstein closed his eyes and returned his hug, feeling Muzaka's warmth.
Yes, this was why he'd stayed.
Thanks for reading! :)