#(also remember what i said about fox's name being some dumb placeholder thing that ended up sticking? yeah.)

[secondsonaym]

"Nonsense." The Fox growled with a shake of his head. "I--"

It was then that Beryl stirred, coughing loudly. Flecks of dark ooze shot from her mouth and onto both the Fox's hand and the floor. Where they touched his skin, he felt an icy chill.

"Easy," He mumbled, putting a warning hand to her as she tried to sit up in his arms. "Try not to move."

"Remember what happened last time." Lapis chided, though Beryl wasn't looking in her direction.

"Sorry." Beryl mumbled, reaching up to weakly rub away the residue around her mouth and eyes. "I panicked, I didn't have any other options-"

"You're not in trouble." Lapis insisted. "We're just glad you're safe."

Beryl grimaced, but didn't try to say otherwise.

"Let's get you to bed." the Fox said, starting to walk to one of the cavernous hallways, but stopped when Beryl gripped the front of his shirt tightly.

"Don't leave me, dad." She said, starting to curl up into a ball.

Ah. Right. He supposed it wasn't exactly appropriate to just slide by what had happened without any sort of acknowledgement. Beryl had been panicked to the point of using her powers, after all, fearing he was in danger.

In some faint, relieving way, it was endearing. It was so similar to how she had been as a toddler, clinging to him or Lapis at all hours. Granted, the circumstances causing it weren't very nice, but...

It was also a bit discomforting, knowing she was more worried about him than herself--she had been the one to exert herself, and take a bite from that snake, after all.

"I'm perfectly fine, dear." He managed, reaching to rub her back all the same. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You are not." Lapis signed with a disappointed frown. "How many times am I going to have to tell you? You need rest, too."

"I can still move, can't I?" He growled back, ignoring the incessant ache in his ribs that begged to differ. In truth, he had been moving about in spite of the pain, but nobody had to know that.

"Ichigo."

That name, plain and clear, made him stiffen. She only ever used it to get his attention, to emphasize when she was serious, and it worked every time. It was his name, after all.

"You don't need to keep up the strong act." Lapis said, letting out a sigh through her nose. "Go take a nap with Beryl, please. Everything will be fine for a few hours."

He stood there for a moment, staring at her with a hard expression. He knew she was right. He knew arguing wasn't going to do anything. But he couldn't just sit and do nothing. As if he'd trust those old fools to handle the matter of the bishops and the Red Crown!

But... He also wouldn't be able to do much if his injuries got worse. Not to mention, Beryl needed him right now.

"Fine." He said, avoiding Lapis' eyes. "Fine, I'll go rest."

"Thank you, dear." Lapis signed, her expression relaxing.

The Fox leaned down and gently nuzzled her face, and she briefly stroked his chin in return.

He then made his way down a hall, off in the direction of the chamber they called their sitting room.

Much like everywhere else in the cave system, it was cluttered with various bones and trinkets that Lapis had accumulated over the years. Many large crystals were piled in the corners, emitting a gentle blue glow that bathed the room in a calming light.

With a loud exhale, he dropped down onto the layer of cushions that covered the floor, though was careful not to jostle Beryl too much.

He didn't need to get into any specific position to get comfortable--He could sleep pretty much anywhere, really. So he merely laid there on his back while Beryl shifted, settling for snaking under his arm to drape herself over his chest.

As much as he hated to admit it, he was actually pretty tired. All the energy from his earlier anger had left, and he hadn't had time to properly rest after first returning home.

So as he lay there, Beryl already snoring, he found his eyes steadily growing heavier and heavier.

And soon enough, he was asleep as well.