Simon was new. He wasn't used to sleeping during the day yet. Raphael knew this. He also knew what the others thought of his playing. But he didn't have the heart - almost, literally - to tell Simon to stop.
It was always hard to become what they were. No longer being able to see the sunlight. Not trusting yourself to be around your own family and friends. Raphael knew what it felt like. He'd gone through the pain, the suffering. And now Simon was one of them. He was as much a part of this family as the others were. Even if he didn't accept it yet.
Some days, his songs would be loud and uncharacteristic, driving the clan mad. But other days, his songs would be soft and soothing. As much as Raphael hated to admit it, those days, he would be lulled to sleep by the fledgling's soft voice and slow strumming.
On rare occasions, Raphael would be surprised when Simon chose to be bilingual during his early morning music sessions. He would stay up all morning just to hear the younger vampire belt out a rhythmic song while singing in Spanish. It reminded Raphael of home and his family. It brought him despair and warmth all at the same time.
One day, when the feisty Fairchild girl was over, they stored themselves inside the room and talked to one another in soft voices, emotions running high and time running out. When she left hours later, Raphael couldn't help but smirk in the early morning hours when Simon began singing a song about loving his best friend and being lucky about it. And as much as it amused him, it also sent a pang through his undead heart.
It took one whole month before Simon made an appearance on his own. His clothes were rumpled and his hair was messy, but he was making an effort. The others didn't hide their surprise. Simon tried and failed to conceal his smile when the room went absolutely quiet around him. He pushed his finger against his nose, the place where his glasses used to be, a nervous gesture he hadn't gotten rid of.
After that, Simon became more like his former mundane self and less like the deadness inside of him. Raphael was pleased when the fledgling willingly asked for his training sessions back. They trained for hours, sweat dripping down their backs and hair curling on their foreheads.
It seemed as though the fledgling was practicing on his own time, surprising Raphael with his newfound confidence. However, his surprise was considerably peaked one early morning.
The sun hadn't even casted a shadow. Birds didn't chirp, and there was no light strumming from a guitar. Instead, there was a pencil. It was writing away, pausing to erase, before scribbling again. The fledgling created his own songs, sure, but what happened next had Raphael speechless.
"Raphael," it was a whisper, sounding oh so loud in the quiet expanse of the night. "Raphael, this is for you."
And that's when he started playing. It took a few moments to tune the instrument and then it was slow, barely there. But then his voice rang out, beautiful and clear.
When the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale
I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
At the curtain's call
It's the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out
At the mess you made
Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
They say it's what you make
I say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul
I need to let you go
Your eyes, they shine so bright
I wanna save that light
I can't escape this now
Unless you show me how
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
His voice faded into a whisper, bloody tears hanging dangerously from his eyes. He knew Raphael could hear. Hell, the whole clan could. But he didn't care. He was done caring about things that honestly didn't matter.
Simon wrote the song for Raphael. And that was that. If someone had a problem, they could take it up with him if they wanted, but Simon wouldn't give a damn. What's done is done. And no matter what, he wouldn't take it back. He couldn't.
They didn't talk about it when it hit nightfall. Simon didn't make an appearance. Raphael wasn't even sure he could hear the fledgling in his room. But what could he do? He didn't even know what he was feeling. He didn't even know what the song meant.
Simon didn't show up for an entire week. Stan literally had to shove blood bags under his door so he wouldn't starve. Raphael couldn't help but feel worry coil in the pit of his stomach. Simon was part of the clan now, part of the family. If something was wrong, Raphael should know. If not as a leader, than as a friend at least.
It took another whole week before Raphael heard the telltale strumming of an acoustic guitar travel throughout the hotel. It wasn't early, and it certainly wasn't morning. But it was quiet. And it remained quiet until a voice could be heard.
It was soft and gentle and so Simon. The song he played wasn't as emotional as the one he did for Raphael, but it was no less breathtaking. It was another original piece, carrying through the hotel and bringing a strange warmth to the others.
Because even if Simon didn't play in the morning anymore. Even if Simon didn't accept life as a vampire in their clan. He was family now. And he was theirs. And he was Raphael's.
demons
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