Saturday 1 June: Brotherly hugs Who: The Brothers Lestrange What: After Rodolphus quite literally put his life on the line, the two brothers have something of a personable moment. Where: The Terrace When: Saturday 1 June Warnings: References to but no descriptions of torture
“Okay.” The word came in an exhale as he finally let go of Rabastan. He he was thirty-two years old, a man in many rights, and so desperately clinging to his brother. And yet, all he had wanted since he got him was to hold his brother in his arms, to be reassured of his continued tangible existence. Maybe more so now that they had clinically gone through the ordeal again. “I’m okay. And I fully expect to be at least ceremonial back to normal by Monday.”
Rodolphus leaned back, taking a moment to fully appreciate the state of his younger brother. While he went into this aware of the risks, he had forgotten to fully account for the other members of his family. “Remember, this is what we wanted.”
"This is not wanted," Rabbit countered, quick and vehement, but he did take the point. He understood better than many how far you could leverage a little sacrifice, but that didn't do anything to dull the vicious twist of his rage that anyone would dare lay his brother low. (If the circumstances were even slightly different, he might have let Bellatrix talk him into vengeful indiscretion, rather than talking her out of same.)
He left a hand lingering on Rodolphus's shoulder, and forwent a thorough inspection (the Malfoys had the serious business covered) in favour of a good look at his face, and his eyes.
“Well, if we are going to be pedantic, no, this is not the cleanest outcome, but the goal is met.” Arlo had the fake cup. Edward all but delivered it to him. As long as they could keep their wits now, the triad would tear themselves apart. “Besides, you can’t lay claim to all the questionable situations and dangerous ideas.”
"I've had more practice." Though truth was, Rabbit wasn't sure how well he'd have held up to the sort of wringing Rodolphus had been put through. Facing things head-on was never his preferred approach. "You're--" But he stopped the rest; Rodolphus had said he was okay, or would be. No value in belabouring the point. "You are taking it easy today," he said instead. "No orders, no plans, no getting things done. Just rest."
He chuckled, the rumble in his chest causing him to wince, but a welcome feeling. “I don’t think Bellatrix will allow me anything more vigorous. Well not too much more.” There was something to be said about the thrill of almost dying. However, Rodolphus planned to live to a long age, and if not that, then at least ensure his family would be well placed in the world. “How is she? Is her wrath deterred for the moment? And hopefully yours as well?”
Rabbit's mouth twisted, wry and amused. "Deterred might be a stretch. Her wrath is banked like a fire for the night, but there's going to be a flare up. It's just a matter of when and how and who gets burned." It wasn't so troubling a notion; part of Bellatrix's charm--or so Rabbit had always assumed--was the intricacies of management, and his brother seemed to enjoy it. Took all sorts. "And I never indulge in anything that requires as much effort as wrath." His smile there was thin and mocking, as much of himself as anything else.
“I’ll have to wrangle her a distraction.” Their little rat friend was due for a visit as he had yet to pay out the sort of things that made him useful. And Rodolphus did so like watching Bellatrix work. “I have no doubt with the proper motivation you could be both terrible and great. Perhaps even rise to the occasion.” Sore and tired as he might be, it felt nice to just sit and tease Rabastan.
Rabbit laughed--which felt good, to genuinely laugh after being tied up in various sorts of knots ever since his phone had gone off in the small hours. "Get bent, old man," he declared cheerfully. "I'm happy down here where I can kneecap people." And be easily ignored, he didn't add. Though all that said... "Should I still be working on the other things we've discussed? Or do we want to give this time to settle?"
“I think we should proceed as if we intend to continue,” he paused, ”for a long, long time.” This was all about the long game. Yes with more immediate risk, but big moves now would hopefully pay dividends later. “If anything some of those ventures might even further provoke our esteemed commanders. I’m not sure it means much, but I would advise you to take some small caution in any actions now.”
"I'm the soul of caution," Rabbit declared blithely, though in this case he was actually double-checking everything. That was part of what had taken so long. "Now I'm back on nights at work, we can get some things done, though it's anyone's guess when we'll see results. Good things come to little boys who are patient, I'm told." Rabbit gave Rodolphus a sidelong smile. They both had their strengths and weaknesses when it came to patience.
Rodolphus laughed, shaking off the last dregs of that horrible memory from earlier. Arlo would certainly get what was coming to him and more. “Well said.” He nodded. Content now even just for a moment. The rest of the world paused for just a breath. “I feel as though my biggest regret in this moment is my lack of drink.” That would be more trouble than it was worth.
"Don't blame you for wanting one, but let's keep to one sort of poison just for today." Rabbit gave his brother another long look, perhaps still checking for lingering signs, perhaps just reassuring himself that his brother was better than he had been. He smiled--the one without smirking edges, the one few people got to see--and suggested instead, "Tea?"