Abandonment and Exile

Snatcher stood guard outside of the cabin they were staying in. They had run into one of Remus’ old friends, he didn’t remember her name, it wasn’t important. They decided to stay with her and her family. He physically cannot stay in there knowing one of his kids is out there being treated like who knows what while he is stuck here, livid. 

Scabior had been trying to figure out where Tom could be holding Regulus, and they hit locations daily but Tom Riddle was not an easy man to find and it pissed Snatcher off the more time that passed. Regulus had been gone for a week now. He can’t stand the girls family either, the parents seem nice enough but her sister is stuck up and hates having company, specifically supernatural company. 

Snatcher wants to rip her apart. He’s had a lot of anger this past week, and Fenrir had given up on fighting him on it. Remus was devastated, as much as he tried to avoid it, Sirius was ignoring his emotions, and Scabior was just as angry as Snatcher. They hadn’t been able to do anything yet. 

Snatcher also just hates Rome. He knows Remus’ father is here and that he’s a piece of shit so it takes everything in his will power to not burn the world down. 
He huffed again for the eighteenth time in the past hour. The pack was planning who knows what inside, he just wanted to get moving again.

"I said FUCK OFF" Moony yelled back into the house, pretty much just storming past Snatcher now, not even looking at him.
Who ever he had been fighting with, it had to have been heavy. Not that that was anything new, Moony was butting heads with everyone at the moment. Everyone

Snatcher looked at Moony’s back before deciding to follow him. They were both pissed off, so why not? 
“Who was it this time?” Snatcher asked, expecting a fight. 

"That's none of your Business so if you could leave me the fuck alone that could be great, thank you very much" Moony growled, not even slowing down while Snatcher followed him.
Maybe, deep down, he wanted a fight. Wanted Snatcher to get angry at him, yell at him, maybe even get physical.

But it wasn't Snatcher he was angry at, the least of all it was Snatcher. Mostly the others collectively holding him back.
He was convinced that Lyall had something to do with it. The stamp, the weirdly convenient placement of what ever lair they had in Rome?

Everyone else just told him that it was unlikely and not something to persue without concrete evidence, a suicide mission.
But Snatcher was the most likely to get angry, to lash out. Was it self destructive? Absolutely. But it would help, he felt like it would help.

“You’re right, it’s none of my fucking business. But I’m making it my business.” Snatcher responded, having easily caught up with Moony. He put his hand on Moony’s shoulder and turned him around aggressively. 
“Who. Was. It?” He growled. “I don’t know the shit that they are spouting anyway, I just know how you and Scabior are stressed out about it. So tell me, brat.” 

Moony pushed Snatcher away. Hard. There were mere Millimeters between the next tree and Snatcher's head. "I said leave. me. alone." he growled, in no place to make demands, realistically.
Snatcher shoved Moony back. He was craving a fight, and it appeared that Moony was too. 
“Don’t push me, brat.” He growled again.

"I will do what I like" Moony growled This was the stupidest idea, but he craved that fight. He knew he would loose, no matter what, but that was the entire reason.
Snatcher barked a laugh, 
“Right. I know you want a fight right now. kid. Hell so do I. You wanna go take it out?” He snarled.

Moony tried not to be obvious about how startled he was by Snatcher calling him out like it. It made him feel like a child that was caught causing mischief. Instead he nodded, because that was exactly what he needed right now. It was a horrible, a really really stupid idea.

Snatcher raised his eyebrows in challenge. 
This is a terrible idea. Fenrir unhelpfully added. 
Yeah, no shit. Snatcher replied and ignored anything else Fenrir tried to say. 

“Alright,” He nodded. “Let’s go then, brat. I hope you got stronger since the last time we did this.” 
He walked ahead of Moony, turning his back on him. If Moony decided attack him right there he was prepared. 
Moony followed him. 

Not a single fiber in his body wanted to win this fight, he had half a mind to give himself over to Snatcher like that, but that would have been too obvious. Instead, he would put up a fight, not a good one, but one he could justify as being tired or worn out. Let Snatcher win. Get a few bruises and scratches.

Snatcher entered a clearing between the trees and turned back around, cracked his neck and shoulders, and stretched. 
“Come on, cupcake. Come at me.”
The nickname alone was enough to make Moony attack Snatcher.

Snatcher immediately caught Moony who had jumped at him, and throws him off to the ground. He pins him there, and growls. 
“Try again, bunny.” he laughed.

Moony struggled, growling at Snatcher. What the hell kind of nickname was Bunny? He hated it, it was humiliating, mocking. It just made him even more aware of how weak Snatcher saw him.
Snatcher laughed cruelly, 

“Didn’t like that, did you? Do something about it, bunny.” he spat out. 
Snatcher let go and backed off, letting Moony come at him again. “Or do you give up already? I thought you wanted a fight, this is just pathetic.” 

Moony growled, getting up again and attacking Snatcher. He was mostly using his anger to fight, not his instinct.
Snatcher evaded Moony’s attack with ease. “You’re not even trying, it’s disappointing.” He said seriously, maybe they were both going too far. 

"How would you know? Maybe I'm just going easy on you" Just as Snatcher could provoke Moony. Moony knew how to provoke Snatcher.
Snatcher growled at that and circled Moony, “If you are going easy on me pup,” he spat out like it was an insult, “Then I hope you have to gods on your side for what I’m about to do to you.” 

Moony was getting ready for a fight, when he suddenly felt a hand grab him and pull him away. 
Snatcher had the same thing happen to him, only that he pretty much got thrown against a tree.
It was Scabior, pissed off. "Office. Now." he hissed.

Moony immediatly shut up, following Scabior. In the office, Scabior stood behind his desk, glaring at them for a long time before even speaking up.
“What did you think? Or wait, you didn't, obviously. We have so much to handle, one of you getting hurt is nothing we need. This recklessness is getting on my nerves."

Scabior again just looked at them. "I swear to the Gods, if you two do not stop behaving like children I am going to strip you bare and tie you to a tree to let the crows have their way with you out in the ice cold. Maybe then you learn your lesson” He was not playing any games.

Snatcher looked at the side of the office and didn't make eye contact with Scabior. He winced at Scabior’s words. Scabior had actually done that to Snatcher before they were mated and he rather did not want a repeat of that, though it was years ago. It was cold and crows are mean. 

Snatcher looked over at Moony and shook his head, the message clear. Do not say a word. he yelled with his eyes and a slight shake of the head. Moony actually shut up and Scabior dismissed them. Moony was already pulling back, wanting Remus to take over, when he heard Scabior's voice

"No. Moony, you stay here. Talk to Fenrir. Remus has done nothing wrong, let him rest"
Fenrir took control again as soon as Snatcher lessened his grip on their body. 

“It’s good to be back.” He let out with a heavy sigh. He was exhausted from everything. “I missed you,” He said to Scabior and turned towards Moony. 
“Hey kiddo.”
Moony...actually wasn't speaking.

Scabior sighed "Get him to calm down...or something, yes pup? I'm not angry at you, you did nothing. Only...exhausted. Frustrated."
“I know,” Fenrir started to Scabior. “Me too. We’re going to get him back, he’s just very well hidden. It’s taxing to everyone. Just don’t forget to sleep, dragul meu.” 

Fenrir then turned back to Moony and grabbed his hands. 
“Hey kiddo, I need you back here.”
Moony groaned, displeased, hating this so much. Why talk with Fenrir? Yes sure he was angry but...he was angry most of the time.

“Seems that you’re just straight up ignoring me, and that’s fine. I’m going to talk anyway. I get that you are angry, I am too. So is most everyone in this house. We don’t know if Regulus is alive or dead. We’re betting on him being alive, but we don’t know for sure. That in and of itself is scary."

Fenrir moved his hands to his shoulders
"You don’t know what to do, so you lash out at others. Don’t forget that Scabior and I are here for you. We are going to find him. If you really want to hit something, we can train. But I am not going to let you self destruct anymore.”

"Can we...go outside?" This was the first idea Moony had that was not self destructive. Just...go outside...sit down...in the forest... He was so exhausted, so lost, so lonely.
Fenrir let out a breath, “Yes, of course we can. Just me, or Scabior too?” he asked.

Moony shook his head "You. Just...only you" he was still talking quietly. Fenrir felt...safe. 
Fenrir nodded, “Of course we can,” and he gently pulled Moony towards the direction of the door. 
“We’ll be back, dragul meu. It won’t turn into a fight again.” he said, promising it to Scabior.

Outside, Moony sat down somewhere, just...sitting. Needing the grounding feeling of the earth.
Fenrir didn’t speak and stood to watch Moony sit down before he decided to sit down beside him. He still won’t say a word, Moony didn’t seem to want to talk. The air felt crisp since the sun was setting. Another day passed without Regulus here and safe. 

Moony kept glancing at Fenrir, then looking away hoping he hadn't see. It felt safe to relax around Fenrir. Almost like you would around...a father...knowing you were protected. However Moony didn't even know what he wanted. There was this...itch... under his skin and it almost drove him wild. First he thought it was anger but now he was almost sure that it was not.

Fenrir sighed, “What’s wrong, pup?” 
Moony looked uncomfortable and like he was fighting himself on something in his head. 
"Dunno" he sighed "It just...feels uncomfortable...but like...as if it is deep set in my core"

Fenrir gasped, smiling softly “
Ohhhhh I know what’s going on,” 
“Moony, bonds can be completed on both sides. Since you are also territorial, you’re probably wanting to mark me too. That’s perfectly okay, you’re like my son. I trust you. Does that feel right?” he asked, tilting his head a little, no judgement in his eyes.

Moony thought about it for a second and yes, yes it felt absolutely right. So he nodded, albeit a little hesitant. Fenrir nodded and rolled up one of his sleeves. “Go ahead.” 
Moony just stared for a moment, thinking about it, but his head was basically rushing with thoughts even worse than normally and all he could think about was to bite Fenrir so he did.

The taste of blood on his tongue was foreign, it tasted so weird...so strange...nothing he would ever get used to. He keeps his teeth in Fenrir's arm for a few seconds, knowing he wanted there to be a scar, some kind of visible proof.

After a few seconds, he pulled back, looking at Fenrir with his head tilted a little, curious, his mind floating a bit but not as uncontrollable as last time.
“Thank you, Moony. You did a good job.” Fenrir said,messing with Moony's hair just a bit.

Moony nodded, still kind of...processing, but he was smiling.
“You wanna go back inside now, kiddo?” He asked. 
"Mhm" Moony nodded, much calmer, much more comfortable in his own skin

As they came back in, everyone was kind of talking above each other. Scabior looked up when they entered. "Fenrir we know where Tom is hiding and-" He stopped when he saw the blood that was coloring Fenrir's sleeve where he had pulled it over the bite.
“I’ll tell you later,” Fenrir said at Scabior’s look. “It wasn’t a fight. Now, where is this bastard?” He asked.

"The castle, apparently he is working closely with the king"
Moony froze and Remus pushed forward.
"Did you just say- my father is part of why Regulus got kidnapped?!"

Fenrir swore under his breath at that information being revealed. 
“It won’t be easy then, but they’re both going to pay.” Fenrir said with absolution. 
Everyone started talking over each other again but Remus’ old friend spoke up. Her hair was very ginger, she had a lot of freckles, she was short and plump, and her eyes were shockingly green. 

“Shut it!” She yelled. “We aren’t going to get anywhere if we talk over each other. I work in the palace, and Remus knows parts of it like the back of his hand since he literally lived there. Let’s make a plan instead of yelling at each other like babies.” 

Sirius stayed quiet in this whole endeavor, but his eyes were watching everyone. James had his hand on Sirius’ shoulder. Remus raised an eyebrow and smiled. That was the Lily he knew.

The plan wasn't actually too hard to execute. Scabior and Laslow would go get Regulus, Remus and Fenrir would take care of Lyall - what ever that meant.
The rest would stand guard or be backup.

They were going to storm the castle tomorrow so everyone ate quietly. No one could bring it in them to laugh, though Lily and Marlene had attempted to. The two of them had become very fast friends. Then everyone went to do their own thing and prepare or rest in anyway they could. 

Fenrir was exhausted but he knew that Scabior was having a very rough time. Scabior had gotten attached to Regulus in the past few months, so he knew that Scabior also needed an outlet that he had not indulged himself with yet. Scabior really took the wheel on this whole thing. 

Fenrir brushed Scabior’s hair over his shoulder and nudged him.
“We should rest, dragul meu. You haven’t in a while.” 
To Fenrir, Scabior looked just about ready to break down. He had been easily angered the past days and he felt guilty about it.

"I know, pup. If will when we get Regulus back. We all will. For now it's more important to keep everyone here sane. Including you." He really just couldn't let the control go, at all. He had such a hard time doing that.

Fenrir sighed at Scabior’s stubbornness but didn’t fight him on it. If Scabior didn’t want to sleep, Fenrir couldn’t make him. So instead he looked over at Remus and smiled sadly. Regulus’ absence was felt greatly between the three of them and Sirius. Sirius had run with James for the night, but Fenrir didn’t want to leave Remus by himself either. 

Remus was more moving his food back and forth than he was eating, really. He simply couldn't bring himself to eat at all.
“You should eat, Remus. Stop playing with your food. You need your strength for tomorrow.” Fenrir was starting to sound like a mother hen again. 

"I- I can't" Remus actually sounded devastated. "I would eat otherwise..." It sounded almost like he felt the need to justify himself.
Fenrir panicked, “Woah, woah, kid. You don’t have to explain yourself. It’s okay, you don’t have to eat it.” 

"Oh...okay" he was an absolute mess. Remus just wanted Regulus back and thinking about having to face his father...a part of him wanted to...but he was also so afraid.
“We’re going to get Regulus back and your father is going to feel the rage of 10,000 suns, I promise you that. Do you want to stay with us for tonight?” Fenrir asked.

Remus finally looked up, looking between Scabior and Fenrir, unsure at first, but then he nodded.
"Yes I-please" he mumbled, the idea of staying with them making him feel much safer.
Fenrir sighed, “I doubt any of us are going to get much sleep tonight anyways.” 

Scabior nodded, agreeing "And before you loose your mind, you can gladly stay with us"
Remus seemed to grateful at that, relaxing a little.
Fenrir smiled at that, “So what should we do to occupy ourselves?”

Remus slowly shrugged, unsure. "Can we...can we go over the plan again? Seeing my father...that idea scares me"
Fenrir looked over at Scabior and then back to Remus. “Of course we can! Lily is going to show you and I to where Lyall is, while we creep around the guards. Scabior, Laslow, and   

Sirius are going to go find Regulus, and then we’re going to reconvene with everyone else that was standing guard as backup after we have found Regulus and your bastard of a father is punished however we will do that.”  He said that last sentence with a sadistic look in his eye. 
“Anything else you want to add, Scabior?” He asked.

Scabior shook his head "You got it all, pup" He sat with his head on Fenrir's should, resting at least a bit like that.
Fenrir smiled down at Scabior and rested his head on Scabior’s. 
“Any questions for you?” He asked Remus.

Remus shook his head. It was clear, yet it was simply scary. But then something crossed his mind.
"I...I do, actually. What...what if it goes wrong? If one of us gets taken?"
Fenrir sobered up at that. “If it goes wrong, we will do anything to fix it. If someone gets taken, we’ll go find them again.”

Remus nodded, not entirely convinced, but also not wanting to push it.
Scabior raised his head "Pup, you still wanted to tell me about-" he gestured to the bloody sleeve of Fenrir's shirt.

Fenrir startled at that, he had been ignoring the sting in his arm from Moony’s bond mark and had forgotten to tell Scabior about it from the hectic planning that had happened a couple hours ago. 
“Oh, right! Turns out Moony was very irritable because he needed to close the bond to me too. They’re both just as territorial as me. I wear this mark with pride.” He said, nodding at Remus.

Remus felt his cheek flush at that, but it was absolutely true. Moony and him both were like that, it just turned out Moony actually had had the guts to do it. Scabior chuckled, a little amused, and smiled, finally. "This is the only time other than with us, isn't it?" He more stated than asked while looking at the mark to make sure it wasn't going to get infected.

Fenrir smiled fondly at Scabior’s words, remembering the night they bonded with each other. 
“Yes, yes it is.” 
Scabior nodded "Should have seen that coming, you never trusted someone like you did with Remus and Moony" he seemed approving, almost happy.

“Yes, they’re important to me. I love everyone in the pack, but Moony and Remus are like the sons I never had.” Fenrir said, kissing Scabior’s forehead. He had almost forgotten that Remus was even in the room with them, but not in a bad way. Scabior was captivating. 

Remus was actually enjoying to just exist alongside Scabior and Fenrir. For once, he felt safe and he could just let his mind get peaceful. 
It still felt unusual being referred to like that by Fenrir, but it was nice. In a way, Moony and Remus certainly felt like Fenrir was their father, even Scabior at this point.

Scabior nodded "I know, I understand that. I might have started to feel like this with Regukus, or maybe I just feel responsible after all that has happened with Tom. Like I failed to keep him safe when I did not even know him yet"
“Scabior, you couldn’t have failed him. You didn’t know. You and Tom haven’t talked in literal centuries, there’s no way to have known what he was and is planning.” 

"Scabior? How old are you?" Remus asked now that the word centuries had been said.
He looked up and chuckled "Oh I am quite old, but Fenrir is, too. A vampire's mate is automatically tied to the vampire's life. So if I die, he dies. But as long as I am alive...well...he can live comfortably."

Fenrir barked a laugh, “That almost sounded ominous, love. But it’s true, if a vampire mates with a non vampire they can live just as long as their vampire mate.” When Scabior wasn’t looking Fenrir winked at Remus. 
Remus chuckled a little, then went back to listening to Fenrir and Scabior talk. Even if he wasn't able to sleep, he still dozed off slightly, just enough to get a little rest.