Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are property of JK Rowling. No money was made writing this fiction.
Summary: An accident brings Severus home to Echo earlier than anticipated.
Warnings: Tissue Warning, Explicit Descriptions Of Injuries, Discrimination,
Author’s Note: We are quite serious, parts of this may very well warrant tissues. Yes, we've harmed the Wolffes....but we promise, they are all better now. Please don't hunt us down.
Max pulled Allie down and kissed her softly. "Thank you , Pet. I'm sorry I yelled. You did good." He turned to Severus. "Are you certain? I suppose we can draw it off him the same way I was going to use for Damon. It will hurt worse because it is more focused but if you are certain he can't do wandless then maybe we shouldn't test him at all. We got three samples. Damon's going to be a little more difficult to draw because he is unconscious but I have a theory about that as well. Can your head and hair take it, Sev?"
Severus nodded and stood up. "What exactly do you need me to do?" he asked as he finished off his sandwich and waited for Max. "Just irritate him?"
"Yeah basically." Max took a long sip of his tea. "With Wizards the magic bleeds off the person with their emotions. He's going to have to be pretty angry, Sev, since he can't hold a wand and focus like Grant can." He tipped Allie off his lap.
"Grant's will be easy because I'll take it off him while he floats the feather. It'll hurt a bit more because it's coming off his focus with the wand and not naturally flowing off his body. Damon can't do that, not in his present state anyway. He's going to be mad anyway cause I am going to stick him but we need a good pure emotion and I think anger is his strongest one; we have lots of evidence of it." Max eyed his friend. "Think you can get him worked up?"
Severus chuckled. "You'll get him off of me, right?" he asked. "Oh I can piss the man off to no end. Are you ready?"
Max took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's do it. Grant will get all upset if he sees what we are about to do to him but it's the only way I know how to go about it and not set Damon back too much. A pissy Indian is not something I want to deal with right now."
"You'll have to wait until I get my sample and then I can release you. We are going to tell him what we are doing because I know he can hear us. We need pure magic not anything wild. I'm not going to tell him we're going to make him angry just to focus on you, alright?"
"Alright Max, you want me to make him as angry as I can, I got it. I really hope Grant stays asleep through this," the dark wizard said as he followed Max into the bedroom. "Allie's staying out here, right? I don't want her to get hurt."
"Yes. Let's hope he stays asleep. I am going to ward the room just in case. Grant can get as angry as he wants but if he doesn't get some rest then I'll admit his ass back to the hospital for exhaustion. He knows better than that." He waved his wand at the door casting a few charms to prevent anyone from entering.
"You hear that, Old Man. Your Boy's not doing as he was told and running himself ragged. I sent him to bed so you are going to have to deal with me and Sev for a little while. Grant gave us the okay to stick you to test you alright?" Max moved around to the arm that was free of the I. V. "I need a bit of blood and some magic, Damon. If however you choose to open your eyes and tell me to stop then we could prevent this all together."
When nothing happened, Max shook his head.
He set up the tourniquet and drew the tubes he needed. Then nodded to Severus."
Severus took a deep breath and began to say some things designed to irritated Damon. "I've contacted the nursing home across town Da, they have openings for both you and Grant. Since you aren't opening your eyes and Grant is making himself sick taking care of you, you've left me no other choice," he glanced up at Max when he first started feeling the brush of magic against his skin. "I contacted a real estate agent about putting the farm and bar up for sale so Grant doesn't have to bother with it..."
Severus stopped and added a kicker. "You know Damon, Grant is still young enough that I might be able to find someone that would want him, he still of an age to bear children. I know that guy we met last year in Sturgis was quite enamoured of him."
Damon narrowed his eyes as he listened to Max and Severus. They were up to something. He flinched when Max stuck him and pouted; he hated needles. He could tolerate them but didn't like it. Sev's voice penetrated the light fog of pain and his blood boiled. Why hadn't they been keeping an eye on Grant? Dammit they knew his Injun was stubborn. He gasped. How was this his fault? He hadn't downed the cycle on purpose. It was that damned drunk. Grant had told him all about the accident. How dare Severus say things like that about him! His fingers began to clinch into fists.
Damon wanted to hit something. Where was Grant? He would take care of them since he couldn't. Shock washed over his body as Sev's last statement sank in. He growled.
Max stared at Severus. "I said piss him off not put your life on the line. Goddamn man." He shook his head. "Keep going. He levelled out; you shocked him or something. Make him mad again."
Max's voice came through his haze. They wanted mad, Damon could do that. Just let that pompous limey bastard say one more thing about Grant. Son or not, nobody touched his Grant.
Severus took a deep breath, closed his eyes and leaned down to whisper in Damon's ear. "You know, I might fancy a go with him myself. He's always looked like proper little slut. I bet he can ride a cock like he's born to it."
That did it. Damon saw red. He had always been a bit jealous of how well Severus and Grant had gotten along after their first initial meeting. The boy had always gone to Grant for most things. He surged forward and reached out to get Sev.
Damon's fist wrapped around the long dark hair and he pulled, hard, jerking the other man to him. He grunted and held on, moving his mouth as if he were trying to talk. Magic rolled off of him as if he were trying to show Severus he was stronger.
Max stood, stunned as Damon held onto Severus. He couldn't believe the things the other man had said.
Severus lay there, his head trapped against Damon's chest as he waited for Max to begin collecting. The red head stayed standing as if in shock and Severus reached out and swatted him. "Come on Max," he growled before he continued antagonizing Damon.
"You know, we just might pass him around, let everyone have a turn with him," he gasped out, his hair twisted around the older man's fist. It felt like someone was trying to scalp him. He saw Max motion to him to keep going and he did. "I wonder how loud Grant will scream when I fuck him Damon, do you think he'll bleed?" he ground out, trying not to yelp as his head was pinned down tighter. Please Merlin, he thought, let Max hurry and get what he needs.
Max choked and stepped forward. He began to scrap the probe around Damon's body, peeling off the layers of the aura. "That's enough. Shut up, Sev. Don't make him reach out for me, not while I am doing this." He sat the stick of magic in a container on the dress and took down the wards. "Allie come get this beaker, hurry!"
He moved around to Sev and hissed. "Sev, I may have to cut his hand out of your hair." He reached across and rubbed Damon's forehead. "Damon, calm down. No one's going to touch Grant. He's sleeping upstairs, I promise. I won't let Sev do those things, alright." He tried to pry the older man's fingers from Sev's hair. "Damn, I can't get him loose. Search for him, Damon. Search the house for him. He's safe, I promise."
Damon heard Max as well and grabbed his shirt. NOBODY touched his Injun. They had wanted mad and now they got it. Motherfuckers going to piss him off and expect him to calm down immediately. No way in hell was that happening. He growled again.
A guttural growl came from Damon and the magic swelled in the room again. Max froze as he was nearly pulled across the old Dom. "Fuck, Sev. I don't think he needs the transfer. What do you think?"
"Come on, Damon open your eyes," Severus begged. "You know I'd never let anyone hurt Grant or touch him myself. I had to get you angry." His head was being twisted at a cruel angle and he had a suspicion that it was close to the breaking point. Allie stuck her head in the room for an instant and then ran for Grant. "Calm down Damon, wake up and kick my arse."
Grant stumbled into the room half awake and immediately went to Damon. "Baby, I'm here," he said softly, his lips pressed to his husband's ear. "You're hurting the boys, let them go Damon. I'm right here." The small submissive ran his hand over the hand Damon had twisting Sev's head back and stroked his fingers gently. "Hold my hand Master, your boy needs you." He whispered, hoping he was reaching the stubborn man. He didn't know what had been said or done in the room, but he'd worry about it later. First things first, keep his husband from breaking Severus' neck.
Grant pressed his cheek to Damon's and felt his tears wetting both their cheeks. He needed his husband back. "Let him go baby, if you want to pull hair, pull mine, okay?"
"Graaannt." Damon growled hoarsely around the ng tube. "Minnne." Damon pushed Sev and Max away from him with his fists and a blast of magic. He opened his eyes and looked up at his Injun. He pulled the feeding tube out of his mouth and his other hand wrapped itself around Grant's braid and tugged it. "Don't you dare sell this fucking farm. If you go near anyone else I'll kick you ass all the way back to the res." His voice died out and he glared at the sub, trying to catch his breath to speak again.
Grant's eyes opened in shock and stared into the clear blue eyes of his husband. "I'd never sell our home and you know no one else will ever touch me. I'm yours, old man," he whispered as he leaned down to kiss the corner of Damon's mouth. "Welcome back my husband, I've missed you terribly." He wept quietly, his face buried in the crook of his husband's neck. Suddenly whatever the two boys had been up to didn't seem important at all.
Severus lay on the floor, tears in his eyes at hearing Damon's voice. Now he knew he needed to let the older man know he'd not meant anything he'd said. Slowly, he got to his feet and offered a hand to Max. He went to the other side of Damon's bed and looked down. "Sir, what I said...it was only to make you angry so we could get a sample of your magic. You should know that I would never do anything to harm my family," he said softly as he gave the other man's hand a squeeze and started to stroke Grant's dark head, but thought better of it and drew his hand away.
Damon turned his head and growled at Severus. He wrapped his arms around the crying sub and pulled Grant into the bed with him. “Stay back.” He mouthed at the younger man. He cut his eyes down to Max. “You too.”
Severus backed away from the couple and stood next to Max, taking a glance at the red head as if to ask what to do now. He was afraid that he'd done irreparable damage to his relationship with the man.
Grant pressed himself as close as he could to Damon and wrapped his arms around his chest. "You came back to me, I knew you would," he whispered as he wiped at his eyes. "Sir, Max should probably look you over." His hands twisted in the pyjama top he'd dressed his husband in that morning, clinging to him afraid to let go. "I love you so much," he said between tears and laid his head on his man's chest.
Damon held tightly to Grant and eyed the Healer and his son. He rubbed Grant’s hair and played with his braid trying to decide on what to do. Deep inside he knew Severus would never hurt him or Grant but the protective instinct was so long ingrained that it came to the surface immediately. He kissed the top of Grant’s head and grunted. His throat hurt as well as the rest of his body. He didn’t really understand what they had done to him.
Max cautiously approached the bed. “Sir, do you want me to check you over?”
Damon grunted again and held Grant tighter. He patted the younger man’s back.
Grant reached over to the bedside table and picked up his bottle of water, moving back to let Damon sip at the straw he had stuck in the bottle. "Just sip it and wet your mouth," he instructed gently as he pulled the water away after a few sips. "You can have more in a moment." He looked into Damon's face and saw the confusion in his eyes. "You've been away for almost a week baby, did the boys shock you into waking up?" He asked gently as he looked up at Max and then back at where Severus was standing by the door. "Take a moment and focus Damon, the boys will leave the room for a few minutes." He waved his hand at Max and Sev, both obediently exiting and giving the couple privacy.
Damon opened his mouth and tried to speak but it came out as a squeak. He snapped his mouth shut and pointed at the door. "Sev." He whispered.
Severus heard the whisper and came back to stick his head in the room. "Yes?" he asked softly, standing just inside the bedroom and looking at the couple. "What can I get for you?"
Damon narrowed his eyes and pointed at Sev. He grunted. "Him. Tell him." He pointed to Grant.
Severus swallowed hard and looked at the smaller man who was looking back at him curiously. "I said some awful things, Grant. Things that I never meant and would never do to either of you. Max needed Damon agitated so he could draw a sample of his magic and I did what I thought was needed to anger him."
"What did you say?" Grant asked as a frown passed over his face and he looked back at his husband.
"I told him I was going to place you both in a facility, sell the house, the bar..." here Severus stopped and looked at a spot on the wall over Grant's head. He didn't want to say it, but he wouldn't run from it either. "I goaded him into thinking I'd give you to someone else for their pleasure as well as use you for my own." He gave a sharp shake of his head and swallowed again. "I don't regret doing what I did since Damon is back with us, but I want you both to know that I'd never do anything of the nature I said."
"Merlin Severus, no wonder he's shook up, talking all that trash to him," Grant said with a snort, he looked down at his husband and stroked his face.
Damon leaned into Grant's hand and closed his eyes. He sighed and waved at Severus. "Max." His voice gave out again and he pointed to his throat. He opened his eyes and searched Grant's face. He raised an eyebrow and looked to Sev again.
"I'll get him," Severus said and left the room. Grant held the straw back to his husband's lips and encouraged him to drink again slowly.
"Max will make you feel better, alright?" Grant whispered as Damon spat the straw back out and laid his head back down on the pillow. "Are you hurting?"
Max knocked on the door frame and cautiously entered the room. “Damon, you calmed down now? Grant, if you don’t mind read him the part I circled near the bottom.” He handed Grant the Healing Times magazine and approached the bed.
Damon growled at him but looked at Grant. He laid back on the pillow and nodded. He closed his eyes and pointed to his throat.
Max waved his wand over the older man and the vitals spilled out. "When you ripped out the tube you irritated the oesophagus and the larynx. I can give you a Soothing Potion but you'll have to keep your voice low and I prefer you didn't use it at all for a while. Nod if you understand me."
Damon did as asked and then turned to Grant. He opened his eyes and blinked at him.
Grant took the journal, scanned down the page and began reading aloud. "...the studies of Healer Manuel Santos have shown conclusively that a transfusion of thaumaturgical energies from a matched donor can indeed stimulate the consciousness level of comatose and catatonic patients. The process of sampling an individual's energy for compatibility is relatively easy for the donor, however for the patient it can cause undo stress. Strong emotions are provoked in an individual so as to allow the Healer opportunity to scrape the upper level of energy present. If a Healer is attempting this procedure, bear in mind that anger is one of the strongest emotions that can be provoked and it is quite possible to gain a good sample in this manner..." Grant looked at Damon to see if he had any questions. He Accio-ed a pen and paper and gave it to Damon so he would not try to talk.
"Do you understand what the boys did?"
Max handed Damon a bright blue potion and Damon wrinkled his nose. "Take it. It isn't near as bad as the Bruise Salve Sev created for you.
Damon frowned at Grant. He nodded and then scribbled on the paper. He swallowed the potion and shook his head. Where's Severus? Get him in here.
Grant went into the living room and found Severus sitting in one of the armchairs staring at the wall. "Severus," he said softly as he gave his shoulder a squeeze, "Damon is asking for you." The younger man looked up at Grant and nodded once before he got to his feet and made his way into the bedroom, stopping just inside the door.
"Hello Damon," he said and looked into the older Dom's eyes.
Damon crooked his fingers and patted the bed. He scribbled on the paper crossing out the previous lines first.
Don't do it again. I'll kick your ass. Thank you.
Severus sat down on the edge of the bed and took the paper, reading it and nodding. "Never Damon, but don't ever put me in that position again. I'm glad you are awake," he said and then leaned down to hug the older man. "Thank Merlin you are awake, I've been so worried about Grant."
Damon wrapped his arms around Severus and pulled the other man close. He stroked the long dark hair and gently rubbed the base of his skull. He raised his eyebrows at Grant and pointed a long finger at him. He tugged on Severus to crawl in the bed with him and then scrawled on the paper.
What did he do now?
Grant rolled his eyes, he knew that look, he sat down in the chair and waited. Severus settled next to where Damon was sitting up against the headboard.
"He's not been eating or sleeping right. Getting him to do anything to get him away from your side was nearly impossible. I had to take him off of the floor where he'd intended to sleep to be close to you. Maybe now he'll settle back down," Severus said with a grin to Grant, who only shook his head and sighed.
Damon blinked and narrowed his eyes at Grant. He pointed at him and then patted his other side. He grabbed the paper and began writing.
You are in trouble now. I can't believe you acted like that. I take a rest for a few days and the whole fucking place falls apart. What have you got to say for yourself? He frowned at Grant and held out the paper.
Grant sat down on Damon's other side and took the paper, reading it slowly, his face blushing. Severus glanced at the words and quietly excused himself to let the couple have some time.
"I was so afraid Damon, so afraid you'd never come back..." Grant began and wiped at his eyes. "I'm sorry."
Damon wrapped his arms around Grant and nuzzled him. "Always be here for you." He whispered softly. "Not my time. To ornery to die."
Max followed after Severus and sat down on the couch. "He'll need to start some physical therapy soon for his hips. I can recommend somebody." He ran his hand over Severus head and handed him a vial of potion when he flinched. "You sticking around for that?"
Severus looked up at Max. "Do you think I'd be intruding if I did stay for a few more days to make sure Grant is taking care of himself as well?" he asked and looked down at the phial in his hand. "What is this?"
Grant scooted down in the bed until his head was resting on Damon's stomach and one arm curled loosely over his hips. "I just couldn't leave you alone," he whispered.
"It's a Pain Relieving Potion and I think it would be a good idea if you did stick around they need someone to look after them for a bit longer. Damon's going to want to get up and he's not stable enough to do so and both need to rejuvenate as well. " Max gestured at the bottle. "Take it. Don't make me force it down your throat. It will help with the fatigue from the magic draw too."
Damon tugged on Grant's braid. "I knew you were here." He petted his sub's head. "'M not worth you wearing yourself out over. Then where would we be. My mom would be here taking care of both of us."
Grant chuckled and snuggled closer to his husband. "My arteries are just now starting to reopen," he groused good naturedly, turning his head to press a kiss to Damon's stomach.
Severus just uncorked the phial and swallowed the contents without argument. "I'll need to contact Hogwarts and make the arrangements. How long do you think it will be before he's back on his feet?"
Damon yawned and pulled Grant up to him. "She made you grease bombs and you didn't even save some for me. That's it, you are grounded."
Max shrugged. "Typical therapy for something like this is usually several weeks and it's heading into November now. He's got to learn how to walk again basically. Were you planning on coming here for Christmas again? He might be up walking around normally by then. I don't think he'll need a cane or anything. He's stubborn and will want to get back on his cycle soon."
Grant laughed lightly and turned to look up into Damon's face. "Grounded huh? Sentenced to the bed?" he asked with a smirk before pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Severus nodded and noticed the floo connection was crackling, not wanting to disturb Grant, he knelt down on the hearth rug and received a shock when Albus Dumbledore appeared before him. "Headmaster....hello," he said startled and then regained his composure. "I trust you are well?"
Damon nodded. "Yes, rest with me, Grant." He puckered his lips and waited to feel Grant's mouth on his once again.
Dumbledore eyed his Potions Master. "Fine, fine, Severus. How are you this evening, is it there? How is Dr. Wolffe's patient?"
"It is late afternoon, yes Headmaster," he answered cautiously. "Dr. Wolffe's patient is awake but is in need of physical assistance and rehabilitation now." He kept his face carefully schooled to not betray his emotions when inside he was frantic to stay with Grant and Damon.
Dumbledore smiled. "That is wonderful news. I am ever so glad that he woke. But I am afraid I do have some rather disturbing news for you." He twisted his beard but the smile never left his ancient face.
Severus cocked his head and looked at his benefactor. "What is it Headmaster? Has something happened at the school?" He wasn't quite sure to make of Dumbledore's behaviour.
Albus cleared his throat. "I was contacted earlier this evening by a Ms. Allison Bellaman. It seems your great-grandmother is deathly ill and they are recalling all of the children because it seems she has requested it. The governors have granted you an early release to your Christmas hols to be with your family." He smiled again and stroked his beard once more. "I do hope everything will be settled and I wish Dr. Wolffe’s patient all the best of luck. See you in January, Severus." The Floo connection went out and Max snorted trying to keep his laughter in.
Allie sauntered into the living room with glasses of tea and plates of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and biscuits. She sat the dishes on the coffee table and smirked. "Severus, that's no way to talk about Mourning Dove, I swear I think that woman will out live us all."
She bent and kissed Max on the cheek. "I'm going to see if Grant wants to eat. Can Damon have real food yet?"
Max hooked an arm around Allie's waist and shook his head. "I knew nothing about this." He smirked. "Grant can come out here with us. Damon can have some broth to start out with. I don't want to traumatize his throat or stomach any. If he keeps that down, he can have some mashed potatoes later."
Severus got to his feet and embraced Allie, pulling her close. "Thank you so much, love," he whispered as he squeezed her tight. He looked to Max and winked. "She's a keeper Max, you are doing right by marrying her, she'll keep you out of trouble." He looked down at the food and shook his head. "You know Grant isn't going to come out of there, I'll take him a plate if you'll fix Damon's broth." He filled a plate with what he thought Grant would eat, adding extra potatoes, knowing Damon would have his way.
Allie went back into the kitchen and warmed a can of broth, bringing it to Severus in a mug. "Here you go, try to get Grant to eat, he's lost a little weight."
Severus nodded and carried both mug and plate back to the bedroom where he found Damon taking his time in devouring Grant's mouth. "Ahem...alright, that's enough you two, I've brought food and you both need to eat," he laughed and set everything on the bedside table before leaving.
Damon grunted and pulled reluctantly away from his husband. "Food." He whispered softly. He turned to Grant and his blue eyes sparkled mischievously. "Mmmm feed me Grant."
Severus looked back over his shoulder. "The broth is yours, Damon," he laughed.
Grant handed Damon the mug of warm broth and began to pick at his own plate. "Would you like me to thin some of the potatoes down for you?" he asked as divided his potatoes and looked at his husband.
Damon smiled, weakly. "What would you tell your patient, Dr. Wolffe?" He asked softly frowning at the broth and his son's retreating back. He knew what Grant was going to say and he really would drink the broth but he had to give his boy a chance. Grant needed the whole meal and as much as he wanted it and he knew it wasn't wise to put the food in his stomach now not if someone had sent the broth for him. He wouldn't take away anything from his mate. "Eat up, Pet. I want you to eat everything Severus brought you." He sipped his broth and sighed the heat felt good on his throat.
"To drink the broth and possibly some very thinned potatoes in a little while," Grant replied as he smiled at Damon. "I'll eat until I'm full baby." He picked up his fork and began to tear apart the drumstick on his plate, dipping each piece in gravy before putting it in his mouth.
Damon sipped his broth again and set it to the side. "Who's here? What happens now?" He tried to shift in the bed and groaned. His legs felt like dead weight. "Get me out of this bed Grant, please. Feels like I have been here a month." He laid back on the pillow and then sighed. "Finish eating first, baby, then I want to get up."
Grant nodded and began to fill him in. "Max, Allie, and Severus are here. Sev's been helping me out with things," he said as he began to eat faster. "You are going to need physical therapy for a few weeks, maybe a month. I tried to keep you limbered up, but there's only so much I could do."
Grant took a long drink of his water and smiled. "I'll be done in a moment and have the boys come in to take you to the living room. I don't want you to try to walk yet, okay?"
Damon pressed a hand to Grant's arm. "Slow down and eat, don't inhale it. Call the boys in here now and we can eat together in the living room if you wish. The game should be starting any minute now." He sighed and closed his eyes. "You're the doc, Grant." He squeezed his husband's arm and relaxed in the bed.
Grant chuckled and put his plate on the small table. "You and your game, old man. I'll get the boys," he said with a smile and leaned down to kiss Damon once more before leaving the room. He poked his head into the living room and motioned to Severus and Max.
"He wants to come out here to be with us all and watch his game, could you two bring him in?" he asked as he looked up at the two younger men. "I don't think I can manage him."
"Sure Grant, I don't mind at all," Severus said as he entered the bedroom.
Max followed and looked down at the old Dom. "Feeling better, Damon?" He unhooked the I. V. but left the heparin lock in him just in case. "We'll talk rehabilitation during the commercials and I don't want you wearing yourself out by trying to do to much."
He eyed his best friend. "Severus is going to stay and help out around her so Grant I want you to take it easy as well. Healers orders."
Max bent and slid a hand under Damon's back and his knee. "Arm around my neck, Sir. Ready Sev? Get under him the same way."
Damon did as told. "Some. I'll think about it." He tugged lightly on the auburn and dark hairs of his boys. "Talley Ho, boys I don't want to miss the opening commentary."
Grant looked at Severus as they settled Damon onto the sofa. "Aren't you going back at the end of the week?" he asked as he refilled Damon's broth and sat down next to him. He didn't pay any attention to the television as it was turned on, just kept chatting with Severus about the news Dumbledore had given him and congratulating Allie for her smart thinking. Soon the television was a dull roar and he looked at his husband.
"Are you deaf? Turn that noise down." He reached for the remote.
Damon smacked Grant's hand. "Don't touch my remote and shut the fuck up. The damn game is on." He leaned over and kissed the other man and turned back to the game, ignoring the others and getting ready to cheer on his team. "Fucking Dennis Miller, what the hell does he know about football?" He growled out and sipped his mug of broth.