Title: Solace
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Sexual situations
Summary: Victor and Logan drop in on two sisters during WW2
Author's Notes: This story is separate from my Victor and Logan series. Possibly more to come. (But I make no guarantees!)



He doesn’t know how long they’ve been running. Just that it’s been awhile since he’s eaten and he’s in desperate need of a shave, not that it’s ever bothered him before. They’re somewhere in Russia now, far away from the dead bodies, Victor’s mistakes. Seems like he’s making them more and more.

The snow is falling faster now, whirling around them. He’s not usually cold, but in the biting Russian wind he finds himself shivering just a little. They need to stop moving from place to place so quickly, need to rest. He’s sure the U.S. Army won’t be looking for them in this hellish place.

“Victor,” he says, lips almost frozen together, “We need to stop, find a place to stay for the night.”

Victor points to a little log cabin up ahead, barely visible through the snow. There’s a light on inside and a small plume of smoke rising from the chimney. Warmth and probably food, he can’t wait to get inside. But then he thinks of the people, ones that Victor will probably kill and his stomach clenches. He doesn’t want to kill anyone else. Not for a very long time.

He chases after his brother, claws ready. Victor flings open the door with ease, the heavy wood slamming into the side of the house with a bang and Logan’s right behind him.

There are two girls sitting at the table, their eyes wide and frightened. The dark haired one grabs a knife and holds it out in front of her defensively, her eyes blazing.

She spits Russian at them, the only word he understands is “Nazi”.

Victor is smiling now, amused at the girl’s bravado.

“We’re not Germans,” he says, “We’re American.”

Canadian actually, but Logan’s not about to argue technicalities. The girl lowers the knife slowly as she eyes their tattered uniforms, apprehension on her face.

“You will not hurt us?” she asks uncertainly and Victor chuckles.

“Now why would I want to hurt a pretty little thing like you?” he asks, smiling, and Logan rolls his eyes.

He’s seen it all before, but he’s still not sure how his brother does it. He looks like a monster, but he can charm the pants off anyone. Or in this case, the skirt. It seems to be working as the girl hesitantly sets the knife down on the table and gestures for them to sit.

“You want food?” she asks.

“Yes, thank you,” Logan replies, relieved that no one will be dying tonight.

At least not yet.

The food is simple and sparse and Logan hadn’t realized how hungry he was until it was set in front of him. The girl hands them their plates like a good little hostess as her younger sister eyes them warily, only picking at the food on her plate. She’s more interested in staring at Victor’s long nails than filling her belly.

Victor pulls the older girl onto his lap as she hands him his food and she smiles shyly, her cheeks turning red.

“This is a fine feast you’ve cooked for us,” he says, “You know you’d make an excellent wife.”

“Are you offering?” she asks and Victor laughs, a sound that usually means trouble.

But Logan’s not too concerned at the moment as his brother seems to be enjoying himself. There won’t be any blood tonight. No mess for him to have to clean up, no memories for him to try and block out. The monster has been tamed for now, content to make eyes at the pretty girl instead of slashing her throat out.

“No, I don’t think we’ll be staying that long. But…you don’t have to be married to have fun…”

“Victor…”

Logan shoots him a warning look as the younger sister shifts uncomfortably, her eyes fixed on the table in front of her. Victor just flashes his fangs as he strokes the young girl’s side. Predator, holding his prey.

“Relax Jimmy," he says, “I’m behaving myself, aren’t I?”

“You don’t even know her name,” Logan says flatly as Victor snorts.

“Anna,” the girl replies, staring Logan down, “My name is Anna.”

“And how old are you, Anna?” he asks.

“Sixteen.”

Logan glares at Victor again, as if that’s ever stopped him before.

“Sixteen? Where are your parents?”

“They died,” the younger one says, voice so quiet Logan can barely hear her, “They were killed.”

“It’s just us now,” Anna says.

“How sad,” Victor muses, but his face betrays his words.

He looks like a hungry shark that’s just smelled blood. And Logan hates to see that look in his eyes. He’s all too familiar with the chaos that comes after it.

“Anna,” he pipes up, “We’re going to need a place to sleep. Maybe you and your sister could make us up some beds while we finish our meal.”

“Yes, of course,” she replies and she slides off Victor’s lap, motioning for her sister to follow her.

The younger one seems all too eager to leave, casting one last look upon their unwelcome guests before disappearing into the other room with Anna. Logan leans forward across the table, his meal forgotten as he tries to reason with Victor.

“Don’t,” he whispers, “Don’t do this to that poor girl.”

“Do what?” Victor asks, slurping up a mouthful of soup, “I’m not going to hurt her. I can play nice with others.”

“She’s a child, Victor.”

“Doesn’t look like a child to me. Didn’t feel like one either. Besides, you saw how she was with me. She wants it.”

“Dammit, Victor, can’t you for once just act like a decent human being?”

Victor’s eyes are cold as he sets down his spoon and stares back at his brother.

“I’m not a human being,” he grits, “And neither are you. Or have you forgotten about those little claws of yours?”

“Bed is ready,” Anna’s voice interrupts any comeback that Logan might have had, “You and your friend can sleep in my parents’ room. Jelena and I will stay in other room.”

“Thank you,” Logan says, forcing a smile.

“Goodnight,” Anna replies and she shuts the door to the other room.

Logan looks over at Victor as he hears the distinct scrape of a metal lock sliding into place.

“She locked it,” he says pointedly.

“You know that won’t keep me out,” Victor replies, quickly adding, “I’m kidding, Jimmy, put the claws away.”

“Just stay away from them, Victor,” Logan warns as his brother gets up from the table.

“I guess I’ll just head to bed then,” Victor smirks, “Hope you don’t mind if I have a little fun on my own. Gotta relieve the tension after all.”

Logan sighs as he puts his head in his hands.

“I’ll be out here,” he says and Victor laughs.

***

Logan awakes slowly, his face peeling off the table. He figures he must have been really tired to fall asleep in his chair. He rubs his forehead as he groans, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. That’s when he hears it. The girl, crying out in pain.

Oh God Victor, what have you done now?

He rushes to the bedroom, claws pushing apart his knuckles and springing from his skin. Victor’s in the bed, on top of Anna, and with a roar, Logan grabs him by the shoulders and pulls him off her. She screams as Logan pushes his brother up against the wall, claws at his throat.

“I told you to stay away from her,” he growls.

“I did,” Victor protests, “She came to see me! Look at the door, it’s still closed. And the other one has it locked. She came in here to see me!”

Logan’s suddenly aware of an annoying poke at his back. He turns his head slightly to see Anna hitting him with her fist, the bed sheet pulled up around her like a makeshift dress. He can see the door to the other room now too, still shut, no claw marks or broken frame.

“Let him go!” Anna is yelling, hitting Logan over and over, “He was not hurting me!”

Logan’s claws retract as he loosens his grip on Victor. He turns to Anna and grabs her arm, stopping her useless assault.

“You stupid girl,” he says, eyes blazing, “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

She struggles to pull her arm back, but it’s no use. He’s stronger than any man and she’s just a little girl.

“Temper, Logan,” Victor admonishes, “We’re not animals after all.”

Logan lets go of the girl with a snarl as he turns back to Victor.

“I’m leaving,” he says, “If you want to come with me, then get your clothes and get going.”

Victor only sneers at him as he walks around his brother to the girl, his possession. He puts his arm around her, his massive frame overbearing next to her tiny one.

“I think I’ll stay for awhile,” he replies, “But don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you later.”

Logan stares at Anna, looking for some kind of sign, but her face remains a blank slate. She doesn’t move away from Victor’s touch, instead she seems to lean into him, like an orphaned puppy looking for affection.

This is wrong for so many reasons, but he doesn’t know what else he can do. He doesn’t want to fight Victor and the girl doesn’t seem to want his help. But he can’t just sit there and watch his brother destroy other people’s lives.

“You stay away from the other one,” he warns, “You don’t touch her.”

“Yes sir,” Victor replies mockingly.

His arm is curled around Anna’s waist, claws drumming against her side. He’ll hold onto his property as long as he can.

Logan doesn’t say another word as he turns to leave, walking back out into the wind and snow. Walking away from Victor.

He doesn’t know if he can keep on doing this. Always being the one to hold his brother back, always ready to defuse a situation, always the voice of reason. He’s so tired. Tired of fighting in wars and fighting with Victor and wandering across different lands without a purpose.

He wants to stop running, but Victor won’t let him.

And he doesn’t think he can live with himself if he lets the monster run free.