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“He's coming.” Vessel said casually when all of them were just lounging about on a rare day off. II and III immediately looked up excited but IV was confused.
“Sleep?” IV asked. Three pairs of eyes looked at him before scanning each other with nervous glances.
“Erm… Fore.” III finally muttered. IV’s eyes widened. Sure he knew there was a guitarist before him who left but no one really spoke about it. There were hushed whispers about him when the other three thought IV was asleep but they never once made IV feel like he was unloved or unwanted.
“He’s coming back?” IV stuttered. Vessel nodded nonchalantly. “Oh thats cool.” IV had always been scared of Fore. He knew that the vessel was still alive and off doing his own thing but there was always that fear in the back of his head that the former guitarist would return and Sleep wouldn't want him anymore.
“IV its going to be ok.” II tried to assure him but the current guitarist shook his head.
“I know. I’m fine.” He gave them an unconvincing smile before dashing from the room. He closed himself in the bedroom and flopped on his bed. He felt the love that radiated from his mates when it came to Fore. Hell, even he had fallen in love with him through their stories. But now faced with the reality of actually meeting their fifth mate terrified him.
He laid there on his bed and thought about what the former guitarist would look like. He had never seen Fore before so he was going in blind. He had watched plenty of clips of the guitarist and how he interacted with the other band members but there was still that doubt in the back of his mind that told him he would never measure up.
“IV! He’s here!” He heard III call. He didn't realize the guitarist was going to be here so quickly. He groaned as he forced himself to sit up. He went to the door and walked into the hall where he could see the front door. The other three were already standing there and Vessel was moving to open the door. He made sure to stay back. This was their mate and he didn't feel like he had the right to invade this moment.
“Hey.” Vessel whispered. IV couldn't see the person in the doorway yet.
“I-Am I allowed back?”
“Of course. We missed you so much.” III exclaimed. Vessel stepped to the side and blue eyes met green. The vessel in the door was taller than him only slightly but he definitely had more muscle too. Fight or flight kicked in hard for IV but he couldn't find the ability to move as Fore moved over to him quickly. Arms wrapped around his shoulders and he found himself being pulled into the other vessels chest. He wrapped his arms around Fore’s waist and clung to him.
“I’m glad it was you.” The former guitarist murmured. Those 5 words made IV break down sobbing and cling to Fore tighter. “Thank you for being there for them when I couldn't.” IV peaked over Fore’s shoulder to see the other three watching them with a soft fondness.
“You don't hate me?” IV whispered.
“No! Of course not. I knew they would need to replace me in the band. I knew and I knew that things were going to be tense when I returned but I could never hate you.” IV didn't know how to respond but the shock was evident.
“Go. Say hi to the others. We’ll get a chance to get to know each other later.” Fore nodded and moved back over to the other three. Vessel hugged him first and the other two followed, gushing about everything Fore had missed while he was away. None of them noticed that their current guitarist didn't follow when they all moved into the lounge or that he snuck down the hall back to the bedroom.
“Hey, where’s IV?” Fore asked. He tried reaching down the bond to locate him but found his link cut off, making his eyes go wide. He sat up and looked at the others who seemed unbothered. “Why aren't you freaking out?!” He exclaimed.
“Its his gift.” II shrugged. “When he doesn't want to be found he can go invisible. Sort of. We are use to it so we can still feel him. He’ll come out when he's ready.”
“I’m going to find him.” Before anyone could say another word, Fore was gone. “IV? Are you in here?” The former guitarist called, walking into the bedroom. He felt a little pulse of IV’s energy and hummed. “Ok, can I sit in here with you?” When there was no protest he sat down on the bed that smelled the most of IV. “I know you are still anxious but I’m not here to replace you. I promise.”
They prefer you
Fore blinked at the thought that came across his mind. That was one thing he never got used to when he was with the band before.
“I can assure you, they don't. They love us both equally. While we were sitting out there talking they wouldn't stop gushing about you. They love us both. Equally.” Fore waited for some other form of communication but heard nothing for a few minutes. Eventually he heard a shuffle from beneath him and a small body worm his way out from under the bed. IV sat on the bed next to him and leaned into his shoulder.
“I’m sorry.” The smaller vessel murmured. “They never told me what happened. I didn't feel like it was my place to ask.”
“I wasn't in the right headspace at the time. I couldn't give my all to our mates or Sleep. I didn't feel like I belonged. So I made the decision to leave. You are part of us, so this is something you deserve to know.” Fore shrugged.
“Are you better? Are you going to stay?” IV couldn't deny that he was hopeful. After years of loving and pining after this vessel, he didn't want to let him go.
“No, Im not better. Not 100%. But I’m not leaving either. I was so alone for the last few years and I don't want to do that again. I would rather be here. Be with my mates instead of trying to fight for survival on my own.” Silence fell over them yet again but III burst into the room breaking up the two guitarists.
“You two better not be fucking without us.” III teased them. Fore and IV turned bright red at that and looked away from each other.
“IV. Did you seriously think we would forget you? That just because Fore is back, you don't matter anymore?” IV felt shame fill him at the ridiculous notion. Never once had Vessel, II or III make him feel that way especially when talking about Fore. They made sure he always felt wanted and loved.
“It was a stupid thought. I’m sorry.” II knelt down in front of him and took his hands.
“IV, we love you. You are part of us. Yeah, we love Fore. But you two are not the same. Everyone of us brings something to this relationship and makes it better. You are our partner. Not someone we will forget about ever.” IV pulled II into his arms and started crying.
“I’m sorry for being stupid.” He mumbled.
“Sleep would not have brought us all together without reason.” Vessel reminded him. “Let us all get some sleep. We have a ritual tomorrow.”
“Mind if I share the bed with you?” IV looked up at Fore and nodded.
“Yeah-yeah! Thats fine.” All of them settled down and it wasn't long before the others were asleep. IV tried as hard as he could to sleep but the presence of the warm person next to him made that impossible.
“IV, I can feel your anxiety spiking.” The current guitarist’s breathing hitched as the other rolled to face him.
“Its just been us for so long. So its just strange. I guess.”
“IV, I love you ok? Just like I love the others. I am willing to take this as slowly as you need. Ok?” IV let out a deep breath and nodded.
“Thank you.” He whispered. Fore opened his arms and IV dove into them, nuzzling into the warm chest. He finally started drifting off slightly when lips on his forehead stirred him a little. “For the record, I love you too Fore. Part of me always has.” He didn't miss the happiness that tweaked the bond as they were both pulled under the darkness of sleep.