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Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 5, 2011 13:37:11 GMT -5
Eric didn't want to argue with Sean, but if confronting him would help clear up the dark cloud that seemed to be hanging over the table, then he would do it. He didn't like being kept in the dark, and it had never occurred to him before that they were doing that to Ellen. Before, it had been mostly benign... but there was a war going on. Families like theirs--a blood traitor married to a muggle with two mixed children who also worked for the ministry--were particularly at risk. Eric needed to know what was going on, and he needed to be able to tell Ellen. If they were going to need to go into hiding, they needed to know. Keeping secrets right now was a bad idea.
And yet, as he looked at Sean, Eric wasn't even sure that whatever was bothering him had anything to do with the war itself. He seemed particularly defensive, as though he were under attack. That hadn't been Eric's intention, but he knew instinctively that Sean wouldn't react that way unless it was something personal that was bothering him. Whatever it was, Eric wanted to help, and it was beyond frustrating that Sean wouldn't let him.
"Yes, they do say that," Eric acknowledged lightly. "But is it really? How can we fight what we don't know? If there's something going on, we should know about it... that's the only way we can do anything about it."
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Post by Sean Leviner on Mar 6, 2011 3:40:10 GMT -5
Sean eyed his father, knowing fully well that this wasn't about his mother at all. For whatever reason, Eric decided he wanted to get inside Sean's head. Well, that wasn't going to happen.
There were a couple ways he could play this. Straight up telling them what was going on was out of the question, so Sean chose to play dumb and call his father's bluff.
He shrugged. "Then go ahead... tell her everything. But I couldn't bear to break her heart like that."
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Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 6, 2011 23:20:33 GMT -5
Eric narrowed his eyes at Sean. He supposed he had known instinctively that Sean wasn't just going to come right out with whatever was troubling him, just because he asked him to. But it was frustrating, this little game that they were playing. Now he'd essentially backed himself into a corner, having threatened to tell Ellen everything, when that wasn't really what he was trying to say at all. And everyone at the table knew that, including Sean.
He shot an apologetic look at Ellen. He'd dragged her into this, and although he really did think that she needed to know exactly what was going on in regards to the war, this was not at all how he wanted to tell her about it. He wasn't even entirely sure where to begin. He opened his mouth... then abruptly turned back to Sean.
"Dammit, Sean, you know that's not what I'm talking about. Something is bothering you and we just want to help you, but we can't if you won't tell us what it is. Is it something to do with a case? Or is it a personal issue? Just talk to us. Talk to me."
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Post by Sean Leviner on Mar 7, 2011 14:02:13 GMT -5
There was a brief moment where Sean felt a little... well, smug. He'd called his father's bluff and won. But then he asked himself what good that did, and he was right back to square one. It had been nearly a decade since his visions started, and they only just now wanted to know what was wrong? Where were they when he was a kid dealing with this, with only his brother to help? He was bitter, but he knew this wasn't entirely their fault, either. He just didn't know what to do other than lash out.
But then, the familiar throb of a headache kicked in, and Sean nealy panicked, though only inwardly. Outwardly, he was quiet and calm as ever. Not here... he couldn't have a vision here. He shot a desperate look at Dan before looking at his father. "Look... I'm fine. I don't need help. I just... need some air. Ezcuse me."
He hoped he would be lucky enoough to get outside alone.
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 8, 2011 16:13:37 GMT -5
One of the reasons why Daniel never mentioned anything to their father, other than the fact that Sean didn't want him saying anything, was that their father was always gone. It was up to Daniel to take care of things and well, Sean's ability appeared when their father had been gone on a mission. There was no way that he was going to mention it and add more to whatever was already going on.
Daniel knew that this was not really going to go over well with their father. Especially with the way things were going at the moment. The look Daniel shared with Sean for an instant, Daniel knew exactly what was going on. Sean was having another vision and he wanted to jump up and make sure things were okay, but he knew that would cause all sorts of attention.
He looked to their father just as Sean got up to go outside. Daniel knew that Sean needed a moment, and he cast his father a glance that said let him go for a moment.
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Post by Ellen Leviner on Mar 8, 2011 18:24:03 GMT -5
But Daniel didn't shoot that look at Ellen, and she was the one in danger of following Sean. Did he need air because he just didn't want to talk, or was he not feeling well? Either way, Ellen was determined to be there for him. That was her baby, one of them, anyway, and what kind of a mother wouldn't ache to go to their child and comfort them?
But she caught the exchange between her eldest and her husband, and she fought to stay where she was. It was hard, but she remained there. Her hold on her husband's hand was tight.
"Daniel... you know what's going on." It was an observation, certainly not a question, and she sighed. "Tell me honestly if you're both all right. Both of you."
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 8, 2011 22:12:45 GMT -5
Of course Daniel was going to get asked the questions. He didn't want to lie to his parents. Daniel let out a sigh. He would answer a few questions just to make some sort of satisfaction occur and then he would go check on his brother.
Daniel's eyes went to his mother. Naturally he knew what was going on, and he knew his parents knew it. "We're both under a lot of stress," he began. "We're just trying to deal with it all. I just think Sean is having a little bit more stress, but after the cases we're working on right now are over, things should calm down for a little bit." What he just said wasn't a lie. It was the truth. More than likely things would calm down for maybe a day, or maybe a week, then the boys would be right back at what they did best.
"Sean just needs some space I think. The sooner the cases are done, the better. That's all."
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Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 8, 2011 23:38:34 GMT -5
Eric wanted to go after him, too. To him, it looked like Sean was trying to run away from his problems, rather than face them. He had taught the boys, better than that, hadn't he? But maybe it was his fault. He hadn't been around a lot when Sean was growing up. He had been around longer for Daniel, so they naturally were closer. But that didn't mean that he loved Sean any less. If anything, he might even love him more because he hadn't been there all along to show it. Couldn't Sean see that he was trying to help him?
It was only that look from Dan that kept him from chasing after Sean. He let out a sigh of frustration and took a sip from his glass of wine, trying to calm himself.
"That excuse isn't going to cut it anymore, Dan," he said bluntly, leveling a look at his eldest son. "There's something troubling him, and it has nothing to do with a case. I may not have been around as much when he was growing up, but I know my son. I know both of you, and you can't just say that it's a case and it'll get better. This is personal. And if he won't let us help him, I hope you're doing everything you can to help him."
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 9, 2011 0:52:26 GMT -5
Obviously there wasn't any use for hiding something from their parents, but Daniel promised Sean that he wouldn't say what exactly was going on and he was going to keep that promise. Daniel was iffy about telling anyone else. After all, who knew what would happen if the wrong people found out about it? Or even their coworkers? Sean then wouldn't be able to rest, ever.
He looked at his father before running a hand over his face. "I know, I know," he replied. "Just give him some space. Things are a little rough, but everything will work itself out." Daniel hoped that he was right, and not fooling himself. He would attempt to push Sean a little in the direction of the girl from the hospital. Daniel knew that Sean seemed a little happier after his lunch date, and he wanted Sean to actually become the family man and settle down eventually. Daniel didn't think of himself ever settling down. After all, evil never slept. He would continue on with his job for as long as he could, even as long as his hair started to turn white. Sean, on the other hand, Daniel wanted him to possibly find someone to make him happy and sort of chase everything away for him. Someone who could push him back.
"After he's had a little air, he'll be okay. There is a lot of stress going on." It was a good thing that Daniel did happen to slip a few headache potions in his pocket. After all, he was having sleep deprivation headaches, but Sean needed it more than he did at the moment. "I'll go check on him after he's had a moment to cool down."
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Post by Ellen Leviner on Mar 9, 2011 12:54:16 GMT -5
"Eric, stop. Don't put that kind of pressure on Daniel." She said nothing more, but it was clear That she didn't want to add to Daniel's stress. It wasn't his job to protect Sean, even though she knew he did. It was their job to help Sean.
"I want to go to him," she murmured to no one in particular. She hated the thought of him dealing with whatever this was on his own. "I wish you'd just tell us, Daniel. But You wont because you don't want to break Sean's trust."
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 9, 2011 13:21:58 GMT -5
His eyes moved from his father to his mother. Daniel was always taking care of Sean. It was just one of those things that he did without word. Sean was his little brother, and really the only best friend he ever had.
Ellen was right about him not wanting to break Sean's trust. For just a moment, Daniel let himself sigh and the real tiredness showed on his face before he put his 'face' right back up for his mother. "Just give him time mum," he said. "Like I said we're figuring things out as they go. There's just a lot of stuff going on every time we turn around so it does cause a lot of stress. He'll be okay."
He knew that more than likely had he been completely alone with his father, his father would have started questioning him like no other. Daniel had a feeling that something like that was going to happen before he left tonight.
"I'll go check on him," Daniel said after a moment's silence.
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Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 9, 2011 16:16:09 GMT -5
But Daniel had already taken that burden on himself when he agreed to keep Sean's secret from them. He knew what it was, and he was running interference for him. But Eric didn't think he was doing Sean any favors by helping him keep this secret. Keeping it quiet wasn't helping Sean feel any better.... clearly it was weighing on him.
For all Eric knew, this was something that had been going on for a while, and he was only just noticing it because he'd been home a lot more. If so, that was his fault for not being there for his family. But he wished the boys could understand that just because he hadn't been there all along didn't mean that he didn't care and didn't want to help.
He gave Ellen another apologetic smile. This dinner was for her, really, and he had to go stirring things up even though he knew Sean wasn't going to just come out with whatever was bothering him. Sean had never been that easy to talk to... when pushed, he either shut down or he pushed back. It was probably only Ellen's presence that kept him from pushing back this time.
"I'm sorry, honey," he said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "Dan, go find him and ask him to come back. We'll change the subject. For now."
As he said these last words, Eric fixed his eyes on his eldest son, sending him a silent but unmistakeable reminder that this was not over. Daniel was right if he believed Eric planned on cornering him later tonight.
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Post by Sean Leviner on Mar 12, 2011 18:19:51 GMT -5
Sean was sitting on the porch with his eyes closed, his head throbbing. There had to be a way to stop the headaches. There were plenty of Seers that didn't have this reaction to a vision. He was at a loss, though, and thinking right now just hurt.
He knew Daniel was inside being interrogated, and he felt bad, leaving his brother alone to deal with it. He knew if he waited another minute or so, Dan would come out, probably with a headache potion in hand.
He sighed, pushing himself to his feet and ignoring the wave of nausea that hit him. Slowly, he made his way back inside, just in time to hear his father tell Daniel to come find him. "Don't bother. I'm here. A little tensed up, though. Anyone have a headache potion handy?" He smiled at his mother. "I'm afraid your muggle pills just don't work fast enough."
For a moment, he wanted to break down and tell them everything... but he couldn't seem to make himself. He eased his body back into his chair, but didn't even try to pretend to eat.
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 12, 2011 20:23:02 GMT -5
Before Daniel could step away from his seat, Sean had reappeared. He wanted to ask his brother what he saw, but now was not the time for any questions of that sort. Reaching into his pocket, Daniel pulled out a headache potion and handed it to his brother before retaking his seat. He gave a look to Sean that said that he needed to attempt to eat. Daniel hadn't been as much as he used to (which was quite a lot), but he still made it appear that he had an appetite. He had to be the strongest out of the family. He was the oldest son, which meant to Daniel that it was his job to hold his family together. Every day, Daniel weighed what was going on, but he continued on his day as if he were okay. He burdened himself with a little more than he should, but Daniel never said a word.
He picked up his fork and looked at his plate. "I'm looking forward to having left overs sent," he said trying to make things light once again.
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Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 18, 2011 22:57:05 GMT -5
Oh, there were so many questions Eric wanted to ask. It didn't escape his notice that Daniel apparently carried headache potion with him all the time. Did he always have it? Was it for him, or Sean? Or both? Did Sean often have headaches? Or was it just when he was confronted, like Eric had just done? Daniel certainly didn't seem surprised that Sean had a headache.
He wanted to start grilling them again, but the look on Sean's face stopped him. He wasn't ready to be grilled, and another fight... well, Sean might just walk out and not come back. He didn't want to harass his son.... he just wanted to help him. Even if he didn't want help. So Eric would wait and talk to Daniel later. Daniel was always easier to talk to.
"At the risk of sounding like your mother, I hope you boys are getting enough to eat," Eric said lightly. "I forget, do either of you even know how to cook?"
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Post by Sean Leviner on Mar 22, 2011 15:24:28 GMT -5
Sean was quiet for a moment, almost laughing at the way the conversation was suddenly so tame and.... domestic.
He glanced up to see Ellen looking at him, and he sighed. Ignoring his father's question, he kept his eyes on his mother. "You're not going to let this go." It wasn't a question. He knew as soon as Eric got him alone, he'd push for the answers.
"All right, I'll tell you." His gaze shifted to Eric, then to Daniel.
"What's the point anymore, Dan?"
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Post by Ellen Leviner on Mar 23, 2011 0:25:59 GMT -5
Ellen understood her son on a deeper level, and while Sean's eyes darted around the room, hers stayed locked on him. He was frustrated, and his exhaustion was the only thing making him give in.
And she understood that he would still hold back if she was around. "Sean," she said, getting his attention back to her. "I know... I'll go. We can always finish dinner later. Your father can do that magic thing that keeps it warm."
It was really hard for her to walk away, but if he was willing to talk, she wanted him to be willing to say everything. And knowing she would worry, would keep him quiet.
She leaned over to Eric and kissed his cheek. "Go easy on him. And tell me the important parts."
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Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 23, 2011 0:44:49 GMT -5
Nothing could have surprised Eric more than Sean's sudden decision to tell him what was bothering him. And that, more than anything else, told him just how badly this problem was haunting Sean. Whatever it was, he couldn't fight it anymore, couldn't deal with it alone, and he needed help.
Strangely, in that moment, Eric didn't even care anymore what it was. He might have been absent a lot when the boys were growing up and he might not have been quite as close to Sean as he was to Daniel, but Eric loved both of his boys fiercely. And whatever was bothering Sean, Eric wanted to crush it, to beat it into submission, so that his son could breathe again.
He gave Ellen's hand a squeeze as she left the room, trying to silently reassure her that whatever this was, he would fix it. If it could be fixed.
When she left, Eric stood up and walked over to Sean's side of the table, kneeling down next to him. "All right. Tell me what it is. I just want to help."
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Post by Sean Leviner on Mar 23, 2011 1:09:27 GMT -5
Sean nodded at his mother, sighing and wishing that his mother didn't know him so well. He didn't want to be alone with his father, ready to be interrogated within an inch of what remained of his sanity. But there were many things he wouldn't say with her there, and they both knew that.
When she left, it seemed like his father was next to him instantly, and Sean shook his head. "Just stop, Dad.... there's nothing you can do. You can't help. Dan and I have been looking into this for years... since I was nine, really. And there are no answers. So just listen, okay? But you can't help me."
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Post by Daniel Leviner on Mar 23, 2011 16:04:39 GMT -5
Daniel cracked a smile when his father asked about the cooking situation, but his smile faded as he looked to Sean. No smart comment escaped him. The look on Sean's face said what he was about to do. When Daniel had given Sean the headache potion earlier, he had half expected his father to question him, but their father had seen Sean's expression too.
He watched their mother leave the room and then slouched down in his chair. In answer to Sean's question, he shrugged his shoulders. Their father was going to have to find out one way or another. Daniel still felt iffy about telling anyone about Sean's ability, even though it was their father. He didn't want too many people to know.
Daniel let out a sigh and ran a hand down his face and let the tiredness show on his face again. His mother wasn't in here and he knew their father could see through just about everything. He looked to Sean and then gave his father a slight apologetic look. Maybe they should have mentioned something sooner, but then again their father used to be gone all the time.
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