#now that i think about it—a Sasha temple chapter might be the PERFECT thing for Sasha and Strength’s arcs. ohgod | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

haro-whumps · 4 years ago

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Group Whumpees 14: Headway

CW: slavery, multiple whumpees, aftermath of abuse, property destruction, migraine, actually a pretty fluffy chapter all things considered

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Masterlist

Nyla was… conflicted.

But it didn’t do her any good to be conflicted, so she put on her smile, fastened her shoes, and got to work.

Master had been very generous the day before, giving them a truly absurd amount of time to just sit and relax--threat of ghosts notwithstanding. But now it was time for her to resume her routine, as much of it as she still had.

And, since they’d been preoccupied with ghosts, or non-ghosts, or whatever it was Greyson had seen and Master Galo had dealt with, that meant Master Galo’s “crash course on queerness” needed to happen this afternoon. Which, hm, well, it was rather unreasonable to be nervous about it, right? Master was kind, and the last gathering had been a net positive. Maybe it was just because it was something to look forward to, and Nyla was nervous about things to look forward to.

Also there was that dumpster out front and Nyla wasn’t sure what it was for (perhaps another volley with the art pieces?), but she would deal with that when Master ordered her to.

She was passing by the front door when it opened and her heart leapt into her throat. She whirled, stepping back, but a familiarly massive outline stepped in and she relaxed, smile turning a little less forced.

“Welcome home, Master,” she greeted, kneeling as she took his extended hand and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. He was damp with sweat and smelled like cut grass and warm air. “Did you enjoy your volunteer service?”

“Yeah; it’s gorgeous out. Partly cloudy and kinda hot, perfect early summer day.” Master Galo pushed his wet hair away from his face, Nyla watching the way his arms flexed and moved and observing her own lack of fear response.

Don’t think about it.

“I’m starving though; any idea when lunch is?”

“Apologies, Master, but it won’t be ready for another half-hour yet,” Nyla said, knowing Sasha had only just gotten it in the oven. Her smile tugged at the corners of her eyes, face tight.

“Sweet! Enough time for a shower then,” Master Galo said with a bright smile, loosening some of Nyla’s nerves.

Nyla gave a short bow, hands clasped in the folds of her apron skirt, and took a deep breath as she rose back up, watching Master Galo’s back as he climbed the steps two at a time. Alright then. (He really did have a nice back) Alright then.

Do your job, Nyla, focus.

It’d be easier if she had anything to focus on. She almost wished Master Galo would host something, bring over guests or Guests of his own. Something Nyla could be active for, something that would require planning and management and preparation.

But it wasn’t her place. Master Galo would do as Master Galo pleased and she would facilitate where she could and be good and patient and pleasant and useless if Master wanted her to be because it was fine, it was fine.

“You were right,” Nyla said, voice quiet and weirdly flat for her. Evan looked up at her inquisitively, a winter boot balanced on his good thigh and a polishing rag in hand. “We’re entirely out of things to do.”

Evan snorted. “Told you.” He waved the boot good-naturedly, though smug as a cat,” I mean, c’mon Nyla, it’s barely even summer.”

“I’m bored--I’m, stir-crazy,” she whispered, ridiculously daring but if she didn’t complain to somebody she was probably going to explode.

“I think Greyson is the only one who isn’t--or, well, I mean, there was that whole thing yesterday…” Evan trailed off, and Nyla chanced a small, barely-audible groan.

“What am I supposed to do?” she lamented, and Evan carefully scooted himself sideways, making room for her on the boot bench.

“Come sit and be bored with me. I’m always down to complain about things, and hearing you go at it is pretty new.” He patted next to him, and Nyla glowered at the clean, unassuming wood before plopping down next to him. She huffed, lifting up the hem of her dress and pulling a loose threat taut so she could snap it.

“I just wish he would give us tasks. I wish we’d had the… talk, this morning.”

“Yeah.” Evan handed her the matching boot to his own and she diligently started polishing, feeling instant relief at having something to do with her hands. “Waiting for it… sucks.”

Nyla felt a strange little curl of emotion in her and nudged him with her elbow. “Well, you would know better than I.”

“Hey!” Evan gasped, looking at her in honest shock before laughing, open mouthed and still surprised, and Nyla smiled. “So now little miss perfect is going to scorekeep?”

“Little Miss Perfect, I like the sound of that.”

“We should bore you shitless more often,” Evan said, leaning forward with playful curiosity dancing across his features.

“Don’t get used to this,” Nyla said, turning up her nose and deliberately sitting with pristine posture. “I’m just having a psychotic break real quick and then I’ll be back to normal.”

Evan laughed, and she smiled, a pang of pain shooting behind her eyes as she did but she was having a nice time, so she smothered any wince before she made it. “Well I better take advantage of it while I can, then.”

The sound of the water shutting off had both their heads snapping upwards, despite the fact that neither of them could see through the ceiling, and Nyla’s perfect smile was back in place, tension in her temples. “...It seems you may have to wait,” Nyla stated, setting down the boot and brushing out her apron, gathering herself. She quickly finger combed her hair, smoothed down her apron once again, and Evan caught her around the wrist.

“You okay?” he asked. Ah, she’d fiddled too much.

“Just nervous, I suppose. Nothing that won’t be resolved after lunch.”

Evan nodded slowly, letting her go, and she changed her perfect slave smile to her “don’t worry the family, I’m fine” smile. Like usual, he seemed to buy it, and Nyla slipped her perfect smile back in place with a whirl of skirts and went to serve Master Galo lunch.

He’d demanded that Grey ‘take it easy’ yet again, and Nyla decided, rather selfishly, that that meant she would take his duties as butler from him that day. But then, was it truly selfish, when Sasha would just as likely faint if she was asked to, and Evan couldn’t walk on that leg of his? Lilah was able to do it, sure, but old habits die hard and Nyla couldn’t help but want to keep their littlest as far away from their owner as often as possible. Even though this one was kind.

Then the five of them were crowded together on a couch, Master Galo standing with his laptop hooked up to the TV in front of them. Nyla subtly covered Sasha’s hand with her own, where it gripped her sleeve, and Lilah leaned against Greyson with her legs hooked over Evan’s good one.

“Alright, so, queer shit 101,” Master Galo said with a bright smile to the group, hands propped on his hips. “I am going to attempt to keep things basic while still covering the bases, but please ask questions if you have them. In the great words of someone older than me, I don’t know what you don’t know. And I also don’t know what misconceptions you might have, though given Auntie Bethany, I can make some more or less solid guesses. So, without further ado.”

Master Galo hit a key on his keyboard and the slide changed, “Queer! Our first term, the word used for the entire community of people who are neither cis nor straight. In recent years people who wish to gatekeep, meaning to exclude people from our community, have voiced backlash against the word ‘queer’ as being ‘too-inclusive’ and have recruited well-intentioned but ultimately inexperienced youths to cycle their rhetoric. That is bullshit. Queer is our word, it is a good word, just because ignorant and hateful people are bigoted against us does not mean it isn’t our word, and it’s an all-inclusive label for anyone and everyone who finds their home among us.”

Lilah tentatively leaned forward, hand extended, and Master Galo pointed to her with arched eyebrows. It wasn’t as threatening as Nyla might have once considered it. “What’s ‘cis,’ sir?”

“That is on my next slide, I promise. For right this current moment, just know that queer is the big main umbrella word for everyone. It covers all the bases, all your base are belong to us.” Lilah nodded as Master Galo chuckled at his own joke. Nyla didn’t get the reference, but she recognized that he’d made one.

“Cool, so, you will see many squares with lots of stripes throughout this presentation. You don’t have to memorize anything, I just think they spruce up the slides, but for reference this one is the queer flag. You may or may not be familiar with the rainbow flag, that one’s a little different, we’ll get to that.”

Master Galo flipped slides. “Transgender!” he announced happily, a blue, pink, and white flag on the TV behind him. “You have seen this flag on various articles of clothing and buttons I own. And stickers. In general I have this flag around a lot, but! That is because, I am trans. You know this,” he said, making a broad gesture towards their group.

“The word ‘transgender’ effectively means ‘anyone who isn’t cis,’ and yes I will explain. So! Say there is a little baby, and the midwife or doctor lifts the little newborn body up to examine, and says ‘she’s a girl!’ Now, say, years down the road, that person thinks of herself and says ‘yeah sure I’m a girl.’ That is what’s called ‘cisgender,’ when the gender you were assigned at birth matches up with your own sense of self. Now, say that same baby grows up, but says ‘actually, I’m not a girl.’ That would make that person transgender.

“I am what’s called ‘binary trans;’ I was assigned female at birth, grew up, discovered I was actually a dude, and here we are. Thus, I am called a transman. The same thing happens for transwomen, but in the opposite direction. Transmen are men, transwomen are women, but some people are neither a guy or a girl. They are what is called,” Master Galo switched the slide.

“Nonbinary!” Nyla squinted, tentatively raising her hand, which Evan and Lilah were also doing. “Okay wow, lots of questions, Nyla?”

“I… apologize, sir, but I’m not sure I understand. They’re not a man or a woman?”

“Correct.”

Nyla shared a quick, anxious glance with the rest of her family.

“Okay, don’t worry,” Master Galo said, holding up his hands with a small chuckle, “I will explain. First, Evan and Lilah, was that your question too? Yeah, figured as much, okay. So, I have found the easiest way to visualize nonbinary genders is like this: Say men are blue, and women are red. Or pink, but that’s just a light shade of red, so, anyway, color theory is not today’s presentation. Back on track! If you’re imagining gender like a color wheel, that means some people are gonna be purple, right?”

Nyla nodded slowly. Okay, that made sense. A combination of traits both male and female.

“But, on that same vein, not all other colors are purple. Sometimes colors are green, or yellow, or orange. Men and women do make up the majority of the human population, but not all of it. There’s lot of ways to have a gender, and none of them are wrong.” Lilah raised her hand again and Master Galo pointed.

“How does that--I mean, if you have a vagina or a penis, shouldn’t that be, I mean, hard? To…”

“Okay, okay, good point. Very good point Lilah, I jumped the gun a little. Backing up a bit!”

Master Galo clapped his hands lightly, no force or noise to the motion, and Nyla had the brief thought that the gesture made him look somewhat teacherly. Which made sense, given… everything happening, but there was something distinctive and pleasant about that thought. Hm.

She wasn’t gonna worry about that. Focus.

“So, biological sex and a person’s gender are two seperate things. Often, they go hand in hand. That’s where cis people come from. However, while biological sex is, y’know, biological, gender is a social construct. Which means, it has more to do with perception and sense of self, and nothing to do with your actual physical body. So, since this is the 100 level course, I could frame it as, gender’s in your head and sex is in your genitals, make sense?”

Another round of slow, wary nods.

“It’s technically a little more complicated than that, but we’re not gonna get into that today.”

Evan raised his hand again, and Master Galo pointed at him with a smile.

“So… Sir, do you, have a dick?”

Master Galo’s lips instantly folded in and he raised a hand to cover his mouth, his shoulders shaking a little, and Nyla felt a spike of anxiety, crown of her head feeling taut. But it was laughter, a wheezing chuckle escaping her master when he said, “Uhm.”

He took a deep breath, “So, no. I do not. I don’t really want or need bottom surgery and am comfortable with my genitals the way they are. Bottom surgery is not a necessary component of transitioning, and some people, like myself, don’t have it done. However,” Master Galo continued with a rush of air, “it is generally considered extremely rude to ask a trans person about their genital structure unless you have the explicit intention of sleeping with them. I am aware you meant nothing by it!” Master Galo rushed, hands held up as Evan began to flounder. “You weren’t intentionally being rude, it’s chill. Just, for future reference, if you ever meet another trans person, that’s on the list of questions you don’t ask.”

Master Galo cleared his throat, looking a little red, but in good humor about it. He turned back to his screen with a, “Now, Lilah, you bring up an interesting point.” Master Galo flipped forward a few slides, to a screen with a yellow square that had a purple circle in the middle of it.

“Intersex! Sex, like gender, is not actually straightforward. There are many ways to be intersex, ranging from genital structure to chromosomes to secondary sex characteristics. But ultimately sex, like gender, is on a spectrum. Just because the majority of people fall easily into little categories of, urg, ‘biologically male’ or ‘biologically female,’ which for the record are not phrases you should… use, but since this is an intro to queer shit I’m making this as understandable as I can. Anyway.” Master Galo seemed to gather his thoughts. “Right! People fall into one category or the other most of the time, but not all of the time! And the ‘not all of the time’ people are intersex. Some intersex people do not feel that their biology automatically makes them queer, and do not percieve themselves to be part of the queer community. Others take comfort and community among us, so it’s always up to the person.

“Anyway, flipping back a few slides, nonbinary! This is the umbrella term for everyone who does not fall completely into ‘100% a man’ or ‘100% a woman.’ There are many ways to be nonbinary, but for the record, many nonbinary people prefer to be referred to with they/them pronouns. Not all! But, like how men use he/him, or women use she/her, many nonbinary people are referred to with a singular ‘they.’ I am aware my aunt may have had grammar-based arguments complaining about nonbinary people and gender neutral language, but I promise the singular ‘they’ predates my aunt by multiple centuries.

“Genderqueer,” Master Galo said with another slide, “This one goes hand in hand with nonbinary. Effectively, it means ‘neither fully masculine nor fully feminine,’ and is, as the word ‘queer’ might suggest, an inclusive, broad term for people who don’t have a particularly hard line definition for their gender.

“Genderfluid, meaning that a person will shift between genders depending on the day. So like, some days this person would wake up and say ‘I’m a girl today,’ and other days ‘I’m a boy,’ and maybe some days they wouldn’t feel like either of those at all. Again, this varies from person to person, but the general idea is that they flow between genders.

“Agender, meaning they have no gender at all.”

Again, Nyla, Lilah, and Evan’s hands rose. Nyla was surprised to see that even Greyson’s hand lifted, if only a little, on that. Master Galo smiled with a huff, but Nyla didn’t feel threatened. “Let’s go with Greyson, yeah?”

“How would someone simply not have a gender, sir?”

“So, if we’re imagining genders as like a color wheel, agender would be like, white, blank. No color. No gender. People ask them ‘are you a guy or a girl’ and their answer is a flat out ‘no.’”

Nyla was struggling with that. Nyla was struggling with that one pretty hard. Her brain felt tight. She got the concept, but…

“Master?”

“Yes Nyla?”

“Would it be alright if we understood in theory but not in practice?”

“Yeah, this can be hard for people to wrap their heads around, mostly I just want to introduce you to the concepts. That’s perfectly reasonable Nyla.”

Nyla dipped her head in thanks, her family nodding as well. Master Galo flipped the slide.

“Neutrois. Hand in hand with agender, if we’re using the color thing then, like. If agender is white, then neutrois would be black. People who are neutrois might describe their gender as ‘null’ or ‘void’ and other descriptors of the like. Again, I just want to introduce you to the concept, you don’t need to be able to conceptualize it perfectly.

“Okay last one under the trans umbrella,” Master Galo said, “Bigender. Someone who is multiple genders simultaneously. So, for simplicity’s sake, you could say someone who is both a man and a woman at the same time.” Master Galo smiled at them. “There are many other genders people have, but again with this being the introductory course, I just wanted to hit the big ones. Any gender questions?”

Nyla tentatively raised her hand. Master Galo smiled at her, and his expression took the edge off her anxiety.

“So, we know you, had surgery on your chest, sir,” Nyla said, hoping she wasn’t being rude by bringing it up, “do nonbinary people also engage in,” she floundered, not sure what the word for it was, but she wasn’t going to ‘um’ or stutter (even if he’d said it was okay, she could do better, and she would).

“Some do,” Master Galo mercifully cut her off. “Some people are fine looking the way they do, or use cosmetics to accentuate certain features, and some receive surgeries. It all depends on personal comfort. And also sometimes to alter others’ perceptions, I knew someone who had no real issue with their chest but other people would assume they were a girl because of it and surgery was affirming and helpful with other people’s way of viewing them, which in turn lowered their discomfort.”

“And, sir?” Master nodded. “If a person’s name is, very feminine or masculine?”

“Most of us change our names!” he said brightly, “Like how I picked Galo for myself. Many nonbinary people will also change their names to something a little more ‘neutral.’ Again, not all though.”

Evan raised his hand that time. “You picked your own name, sir?”

“Yup! When I started to transition I changed my name. I should show you all the movie it came from sometime; it’s real fun you might enjoy it.”

“Sir?”

“Yeah, bud?”

“What was your name before Galo, sir?” Evan asked. Master Galo made an unidentifiable noise, but Nyla didn’t think that it was good. Her spine lengthened and her hand left Sasha’s on her arm to clench neatly in her lap.

“Sooo, you don’t get to know that,” Master Galo said, ducking his head with a slow gesture of his open palm towards Evan. “The name I had before Galo is what is called a ‘deadname,’ the name a trans person was assigned at birth that has since been put to rest. Again, I know you are being curious and I would definitely like to encourage you to continue asking questions, but, that’s another one of those questions you should not ask anyone who is not me. Asking for someone’s deadname is considered rude, and referring to someone by their deadname is extremely rude and actively malicious.”

“Sir, I wasn’t--”

“Easy, Evan, I know,” Master Galo said with a patient smile. “It’s good that you ask me these questions, and not someone else, because you’re learning, and I know you don’t mean any harm. But, in sum, the name I had before is not relevant, and it is not something to be shared. Any other questions at the moment? We’ve had good ones.”

A brief bout of silence, and Master Galo flipped the screen to the only flag Nyla did recognize.

“Onto sexual orientations! Sexualities, they’re called. You will probably recognize the gay flag, this is another one of those umbrella terms meaning ‘anyone who isn’t straight’ while also having the capacity to mean ‘someone who is exclusively attracted to their own gender.’ It is a term meant for everyone in the community, much the same way queer is. Yes, Evan?”

“Are you gay?”

“No, actually, I’m pretty much straight. I’m aware that men can be attractive but don’t really feel attraction to them.” Master Galo cocked his head. “You worded that kind of intensely there, you alright buddy?”

Evan was already stiff, and Nyla recognized the way his mouth twitched when he was biting down a snarl. “I’m fine.”

The lack of an honorific made the family tense, eyes on Evan because he was, like a moth to flame, doing something stupid again, but Master Galo either ignored it or didn’t notice.

“Cool. So, along with ‘queer community’ and ‘gay community,’ you may or may not have heard the phrase ‘LGBT.’ This stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, and is sort of the most widely-in-use acronym for the queer community.

“Lesbians! What would the world do without them,” Master Galo said, flipping to a slide with lots of pinks and oranges. “Nowadays, lesbian is the word for women who are exclusively interested in other women, but historically it was used to describe any queer woman at all, back before bisexual really entered into people’s vocabularies. For the record: nonbinary people can be and often are lesbians. Anyone who has literally any ties to femininity and is attracted, more or less exclusively, to women and people with ties to femininity, counts as a lesbian.

“Bisexual! People who are attracted to 1. their own gender and 2. other genders. Sometimes it’s phrased as ‘attraction to men and women,’ which, for the record, is a fine way for you to conceptualize it here in the introductory course, but I want to be clear that bisexuality does and always has included nonbinary peeps.” Master Galo smiled. “Bixesual is a perfectly good and normal thing to be; there’s nothing wrong with it,” he said, and if Nyla had to guess she’d say he was deliberately not looking directly at any of them in particular.

“Pansexual! Hand in hand with bisexuality, pansexual people are attracted to others regardless of their gender. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two, but for some people the differences between sexualities are important. For some people, not so much, and they identify as bi and pan simultaneously. Again, we fall back on the ‘it all depends on the person’ idea. I will state that pansexuals are not attracted to everyone, they’re just attracted to every gender. Just because someone is of a certain gender doesn’t mean others won’t still find them ugly.

“Asexual! The umbrella term for people who don’t really feel attraction to other people, no matter the gender. We love respect cherish and support asexual people,” Master Galo said, oddly firm on that one. Lilah raised her hand.

“So, they just, don’t? Anybody? Sir?”

“Yeah, so, like, a straight man would only feel attraction towards women, and no attraction to men. A gay man would feel attraction to men, and no attraction to women. A bisexual man would feel attraction to men and women. And an asexual man would not feel attraction to either.”

Lilah nodded. “Okay, thank you sir.”

“However, ace--asexual--is an umbrella term. There are multiple ways to be asexual.”

Nyla frowned minutely, but then her smile was back in place. She wasn’t really sure how there could be multiple ways to not feel attraction to someone.

“There’s the spectrum of sex-positive, sex-neutral, and sex-repulsed asexuals. Sex-positive asexuals enjoy sex, the action, they just don’t think anybody’s hot. The activity is fun, but no one they look at hits that ‘oh hot I wanna have sex with them’ vibe. Sex-neutral asexuals don’t find anyone attractive, and don’t have any particularly strong feelings towards sex. It’s on par to like, going for a jog or having dinner together. Sort of a bland ‘whatever’ feeling. Sex-repulsed asexuals don’t find anyone attractive and do not, under any circumstances, want to have sex with anyone, ever. All of these are good and well! There’s no ‘wrong’ way to be asexual.”

“Next up we have grey-ace. 99% of the time, they don’t find anyone attractive, but every once in a blue moon they’ll see a person and go ‘oh hot.’ They are still asexual, they just have occassional feelings of attraction to seemingly random people. Or maybe they have a highly specific type! Again, depends on the person.”

“Last up for the ace umbrella, demisexual. Demisexual people are capable of feeling physical attraction, but only after a strong, meaningful, romantic bond has been formed. This is different than waiting in a relationship until you’re close. The person does not feel attraction, at all, until a committed bond has been formed.” Master Galo paused, letting them turn that over in their heads, but when no one asked any questions he flipped the slide once more.

“And wrapping up our crash-course on queer terminology, aromantic. Aromantic is similar to asexuality in all aspects, except that instead of talking about physical attraction, it’s about romance. Some people just do not feel the inclination to form romantic bonds with others. They still might, depending on the person, just like an asexual person still might engage in sexual activity, but the attraction isn’t there. They don’t see people and go ‘I’d like to see if this could work out as a romantic relationship’ they’re just in it for friends. Grey-romantic and demiromantic people are, again, much the same, but with romance, feeling that 99% or only gaining the capacity for a romantic relationship after a strong, meaningful, committed bond of friendship has been formed.”

Master Galo took a big breath. “Any questions?” he asked with a proud smile.

Nyla honestly felt like she had too much information rattling around in her brain to even begin formulating a question, but Evan raised his hand.

“I don’t mean to be rude, sir,” Evan said, sounding like he was struggling not to grit his teeth.

“I know. Go ahead.”

“So, since you’re a transman, and you’re straight, then you’re only attracted to women..?”

“Yep!”

“And then, if a woman is attracted to you..?” Evan trailed off.

“That would still be considered ‘straight’ attraction, yep. The woman in question might be straight, or bi, or pan, or maybe ace! It’s all up to her. But her attraction to me would be ‘opposite-sex attraction’ yeah.”

“Was that rude sir?”

“No, no, you’re good, bud. And now you know!”

“Thank you sir.”

“Of course! I’m glad you’re asking questions. Anyone else?”

Another beat of silence.

“Alright, cool, good talk team. To wrap it all up, there are all sorts of ways people can experience gender and attraction, and none of them are wrong. Everything I talked about today is good, natural, and worthy of respect. Go ahead and let me know if you ever have questions in the future, I’m perfectly willing to talk about it.”

He took in a deep breath.

“The queer community has long faced oppression on a global scale. However, many cultures saw queerness as natural and didn’t much question it until, ah, interlopers became involved, and rerouted the course of history. But regardless of acceptance or ostricization, all cultures have their own queer histories, their own words and perceptions.

“In recent years, and I mean really recent, queer people have started making great strides in changing legislation and public opinion of us towards the positive, though we still face a number of obstacles. You have probably noted that I am not fond of police. This is in no small part due to the fact that I am transgender. And then of course people like my aunt and various religious institutions will also condemn myself and my peers, due to malicious misconceptions or just straight up bigotry.

“So I understand why you all may… struggle, with this information, for a bit. But I assure you, nothing is as bad as my aunt made it out to be, and if you ever want to know more I’m happy to talk with you about it.” Master Galo beamed and propped his hands on his hips. “Which about wraps this up.”

The doorbell rang. Everyone, including Master Galo, tensed.

“I think I’ll answer that,” he said. “Uh, dismissed? No, wait, wait here, we’ve got a group project I wanna work on this afternoon.”

Nyla was not in a habit of thanking god for much of anything, but she thanked god for that. Finally, a task.

Master Galo made a pleased noise and a bit of chatter Nyla could identify as friendly, there was the sound of something heavy hitting the floor, then the door swinging closed.

She was on her feet and smiling when he returned, leaning his big arm on the doorway and looking happy. “Sweet, so, the stuff we ordered has started to arrive, which leads me to another thing I wanted to talk about!”

Master Galo rounded back in front of the couch where he’d been, clapping his hands together and smiling. Nyla tentatively sat back down. ‘So! I would first like to establish that I am not suggesting you break up your current sleeping arrangement. However, you’re not gonna be able to fit all the stuff you collectively ordered into that one room without it turning into a nightmare, so I’ve thought about it and it’s my idea that you all should have rooms that are your own space. Not to sleep in, obviously, just rooms that you can use to store your stuff and you can decorate them to your own interests and you’ll have a private area you can go to if you need alone time. Sound good?” Master Galo asked, looking to Nyla, to Lilah, scanning over the group.

“You are quite generous, Master,” Nyla said, but no, no, that wasn’t quite right, for him. “Thank you,” she tried again, simpler, far too rude for Mistress, but for Master…

He smiled at her, pat her on the head far too briefly, and said, “You’re welcome. Let’s go check out what arrived, yeah?”

All of Nyla’s dresses, the skirts and top Sasha had ordered from that company, and a couple of Lilah’s things were in the first two boxes, and Evan’s t-shirts and jeans were in the third. “Sorry Greyson, looks like your stuff isn’t here yet.”

Greyson nodded, outwardly impassive, and given that it had barely been his idea to order anything at all that made sense. Nyla and the others followed Master Galo to the basement, their Master helping Evan down and hastening the process, and showed them the rooms he’d selected for them. Nyla hesitantly stepped into “hers.”

It felt wrong. She’d cleaned and examined this room countless times before, but now, standing inside it felt incorrect.

The bed had been folded up into a couch, which was standard for the beds housed in the series of apartments in the basement. The sitting area and kitchenette that existed in the middle of these rooms were indicative that these were for long-term guests, not, not slaves. The closet, filled with more hangars than she remembered, the dresser, the small desk, they were for people, not Nyla.

Except, apparently, they were for Nyla now.

“Oh, shoot, that lock is totally broken,” Master Galo’s voice came from elsewhere in the apartments, “Here, go for this room, then, sorry I totally hadn’t noticed that earlier.”

A broken lock? It was something Nyla had failed to notice, too. Her heart rate accelerated and her head felt tight; Mistress would cane her for missing something so obvious, but she deliberately swallowed and took a deep breath. Master Galo was not Mistress. She couldn’t keep expecting him to act like her.

He was so much kinder. Gentle, and careful, with a sweet voice and warm hands that only ever touched her--

Nyla yanked a hangar off the closet’s bar with far too much force, utterly graceless, and it caused all the other hangars to clatter together and make a right ruckus. Her heart picked back up again, because she was clumsy, noisy, a fumbling little blushing nuisance! She unfolded her first dress and willed herself to remember that making noise was okay, it was allowed now, she could make noise and still be perfect, no one was mad at her, no one was going to come hurt her.

And where was her smile!?

She really was falling to pieces, she thought to herself, pulling another hangar off the rod properly and fitting another dress onto it. Smiling. She was smiling, she was grateful for this unexpected and unasked for privilege (weren’t they supposed to ask for things? Why was this happening unprompted?!), she was graceful and perfect and, fine. She was fine. Her temples felt tight, but she was smiling and composed and fine.

It really was satisfying to see her dresses hung up all neatly, though. When her skirts and sweaters and undershirts arrived, she’d be able to finish filling the closet, and it would look so neat and it would be hers and it was selfish, to be so vain and materialistic, but maybe since Master Galo had ordered it, that meant it was okay?

She rubbed at her right eye and stroked her hand down the material of the first dress, admiring the ruffles around the neckline and the neat, black stripes of the sewn-in green vest. She would get to wear that. She would get to wear all of them, with their pretty patterns and their pleated skirts and their ruffles and lace and bows.

It felt far too pretty for the likes of her.

She wished she knew how to properly show her Master gratitude.

She wanted, she--wanted. She didn’t want to be caned or cut or bleed or cry, but she wanted to do something, something physical, something to show just how much she appreciated everything he was doing for them, to make him happy, like he’d made her happy.

But what did a slave have to give, except her body and her service? He’d already made it clear that he didn’t want either of those, aside from her now mind-numbing chores, and that was hardly something to make him happy. More of just an expected base behavior out of her, out of all of them.

She didn’t know his favorite foods; Greyson never reported any particular signs of delight no matter what Sasha tried, at least nothing that stood out from his regular compliments. She didn’t have any way to engage with his hobbies. She couldn’t kneel at his feet and beg him to hurt her with her lips on his shoe. His base state of friendly and cheery made it impossible to tell what he liked best. The only real, solid thing she knew he liked was when they asked him for things, and it was the receiving of things that Nyla wanted to express gratitude for!

It was the weirdest, strangest, most unfamiliar form of frustration she’d ever felt. Maybe--maybe it wouldn’t count as Attending him if she offered a massage? Greyson was better at it than her, and she hadn’t had much practice in the last decade and a half aside from occasionally working a knot out of Sasha’s shoulder or soothing the nerves out of Evan or Lilah. But she’d been trained properly, and she could quickly skim an internet article sometime to refresh herself.

Oh but if Master Galo figured out she was trying to Attend him, even just a little, he might get mad, and she wouldn’t be able to handle that. She would just have to be extra-perfect for him. Sit and not kneel, smile, be unobtrusive but able to fulfil his every whim or need, maybe ask him for things? But what else could she possibly want that he hadn’t already given her?

She brushed down her apron and left “her room,” walking primly to the family bedroom and pulling out all the clothes from her drawer, which were smaller in number now that her other dress had been sliced open. She went ahead and grabbed Evan’s clothes too, and Master Galo was in the sitting area in the middle of “their rooms” when she walked back. She nodded to him, and he smiled at her before tilting his head and gesturing at the clothes in her arms.

“What’s that?”

“My clothes, as well as Evan’s, sir, from the shared dresser.”

“Oh, good memory,” he praised before returning to his phone, and she couldn’t help but flush faintly under his casual approval. She went into “Evan’s room” and found him sitting on the couch, elbow on his good knee and hands pressed together in front of his face. He looked mad.

“Are you alright?” she asked quietly, so faint ideally their Master would be unable to hear. He looked up at her, dark eyes glinting with what she just knew meant trouble, and hauled himself up onto his crutches. He made as though to walk past her, and Nyla turned in confused alarm, which morphed into full alarm when he closed the door.

“Evan! Master Galo is--”

“Right there, yeah I know,” Evan said, voice mercifully quiet even though he flipped the lock. Nyla could scream if she wasn’t rooted to the spot in shock. Evan took the clothes that were his and gave her a brief “thanks” before he threw them on the floor.

“Evan,” Nyla hissed in bubbling horror, staring at the rumpled fabric.

“Hey, it’s ‘my’ room, right?” Evan sneered as he sat back down with a heavy thump, wincing when he jostled his wound. “Which means I can make a mess of it if I want, right?!”

“Evan, these rooms are gifts--”

“That we didn’t fucking ask for. We’re supposed to ask, right?”

“He told us, it’s because we don’t have space in the main room for the things we did ask for!” Nyla hissed, “And keep your voice down!” She didn’t mention that she’d been having the same doubts. She was trembling, clutching her clothes to her chest. “I--I need to go. I need to finish putting my things away.”

She stepped away from him, needing to pause at the door to summon her smile, to suppress her wild shivers, to take a deep breath and gather herself, and when she flipped the lock she heard Evan call after her, “I’m sorry.”

She turned back again, carefully crafted smile slipping, and Evan had his face in his hand, the other clutching the edge of the cushion. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m just--sorry. I’m sorry Nyla.” He ran his fingers back into his hair and gripped, hard, pulling at his roots. “I’m sorry.”

Her shoulders dropped, chest squeezing, and she swaned over to him, dropping to her knees in front of him. He startled, letting go of his hair, and she reached up her free hand to cup his face. He closed his eyes as she leaned up and kissed his cheek, and nuzzled his face against hers as he pet a hand down her hair.

“Just try to work through whatever this is before you leave the room, okay?” she asked softly, trying to be gentle with him, to not get scared and frustrated like she normally felt when he got like this. Master Galo wouldn’t hurt him like Mistress did; she didn’t need to be scared, didn’t need to be frustrated with Evan because he had more time now. “Master Galo’s in the sitting area.”

“Yeah,” Evan answered her, finger combing his bangs to the side. “Yeah. Sorry. I will.”

She kissed his forehead as she stood, and was able to summon her smile much easier this time. She rubbed at her right eye, brushed down her skirt, and went back to “her room” to finish hanging up her clothes and arranging her underthings in the drawers.

When she finished, she skimmed her fingers over the dustless wood of the dresser. “Her” dresser. Pink with floral designs, old fashioned and expensive, an ‘antique’ that was as good as new. It was… surreal. She left the room, crossed to her Master, and slipped to her knees, then rump, to sit next to his feet. Her hands folded neatly in her lap, and she blinked away the weird feeling in her eye.

“Thank you, Master,” she said again, wishing she could say it better, express it better.

“Yeah, you’re welcome,” he said gently, leaning forward in his seat and petting his fingers through her hair. She allowed herself to tilt her head, eyes slipping closed, and she savored the touch. His knee was right there, it would be all too easy for her to lean in and lay her head against it. But no, no, she was better than that. He hadn’t expressed a desire for her to submit to him in that way and she was going to be perfect for him.

“Master,” she started, reminding herself that he liked questions, that technically all times were good times and she couldn’t pester him with too many, “is there a way you would like to be thanked? I am grateful, and want to show it to you properly.”

“No, Nyla, you don’t need to,” he said gently, and he sounded almost sad. “Just saying ‘thank you’ is enough.”

She tried not to feel disappointed. At the very least, she wouldn’t show it. “As you like, sir.”

The others joined them, Sasha sitting as close to Nyla as she dared, Greyson kneeling at Master Galo’s other side, Lilah sitting on the couch in a way that made them all panic slightly but reaped no consequences. When Evan joined them, a noticeable stretch of time later, Master Galo made no comment on his late appearance, only smiled and put his phone away.

“Great, you’re all here. So, about the project I mentioned. You may have noticed the dumpster out front. I would like everyone to please work together and move all of my aunt’s canes, chains, whips, restraints, muzzles, cages, knives, and the like into the dumpster. Anything she used with the purpose of hurting or humiliating you, I would like to see go. I’ve got a power drill and I’m gonna work on her, uh, dungeon, and rip up those D rings in the den and music room, but just, like. Anything you can think of. Anything used with the purpose of you guys’ pain. Get rid of it, please.”

Someday, Nyla would stop being surprised by all of Master Galo’s many surprises.

Even so, an order was an order, and like many of Master Galo’s commands she found this one easy enough to obey. Nyla rose with all her grace, curtsied, and walked a direct path up two flights of stairs to the fireplace in Mistress’s boudoir.

Mistress had never used the fire pokers on Nyla. Lilah, sure, Evan, occasionally, but Nyla had kept herself perfect, too perfect to burn. But the fear, the ever present knowledge that she could burn, at any moment, at her Mistress’s slightest whim, the moment she stopped being flawlessly, untouchably perfect, had kept her tense as a coiled wire. She stopped by the main floor’s fireplace and grabbed those pokers too, one set in each fist, and all too gleefully hoisted them into the dumpster out front.

She diligently visited every fireplace in the house, after that, removing everything that could and would have burned her, had she not kept herself perfectly poised on her self-made pedestal. Evan was in Mistress’s room, Lilah the den, Sasha the music room. Greyson, Nyla wasn’t sure where he’d gone, but wasn’t going to get bent out of shape over it. She rubbed her right eye, then temple, and returned to the basement.

Master Galo’s power drill was loud, making her wince and the space behind her eyes sting, but she entered the Punishment Room regardless. He’d collected a small pile near the door: the shackles he’d removed from their anchors in the wall, the thin mats Nyla was pretty sure were intended for yoga that had served as sleeping pallets to the two cells, the oil and wax sconces and dishes that had hung from the walls and ceiling. The wooden horse. All of the tools, the whips and floggers and knives. Nyla gathered up an armful, and Master Galo paused in his drilling to smile at her.

“Hey, thanks.”

“Of course, Master. Do you require any other assistance?”

“No, I think I’m good. Dismantling my evil aunt’s evil shit is kinda cathartic, really.”

Nyla bowed, and trotted back up the steps with her load of chains and whips and manacles. It was satisfying to hear them clatter down into the dumpster. She felt weird. Good?? Strange.

“Oh, are you hauling stuff for Master Galo?” Evan asked. Nyla nodded with an affirming noise. “Great, so he’ll stay down there. Lilah, hand me that cane, Grey, don’t throw that in yet.”

Nyla looked and saw that Greyson had brought the dog cages up from the utility room. Greyson cocked his head at Evan, but set them down on the drive. Evan, crutch under one arm and heavy, metal cane in his dominant hand, proceeded to beat the shit out of the cages.

The family mostly just stood there, and watched, as he reduced the cages to little more than messy heaps of broken wire. He was panting, hard, by the end of it, and tossed the cane into the dumpster.

“Did you reopen your--” Lilah asked, cut off by Evan’s, “I’m fine.”

“Okay, it just looks like you might’ve ripped a stitch out, from all’a that.”

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t have done any differently,” Evan said, laughing a little and pulling Lilah in for a hug. “Fuck, that felt really good. You guys should try that.”

“I think th-that’s a y-you thing,” Sasha remarked, and Nyla chuckled. Then giggled. She rubbed at her eye, and headed back inside to grab another armload from the basement. She got the wooden horse up under her arm and shimmy-stepped her way up, the thing large and cumbersome but she couldn’t wait to get it out of the house. Greyson helped her lift it into the dumpster, and Nyla grabbed a third round.

It was on her way back down to grab a fourth armful that the pain struck her, right as her foot came down on the top step. She recognized it instantly for what it was. Ordinary pain was, in a rather hard to describe manner, very different from migraine pain. It was impossible to confuse the two.

A migraine. She was having a migraine. Oh of course, her head had felt tight all day! And her eye, that was her aura, oh, she was so stupid! How could she not have seen this coming?

Oh, god, the pain was settling in fast this time, too. It never set in all at once, but the speed was less gradual than usual, right then. She whimpered. The basement would be no good. Master Galo was using power tools down there, right across the hall from the family bedroom. Her normal migraine spot, under her nice, dark, quiet bed, wouldn’t work this time.

Think, she had a limited amount of time before the pain got bad. Where should she go? The butterfly room? That was nice and dark, no windows, but would it be quiet? She naturally gravitated towards the idea of a bathroom, where the tile would feel cool against her forehead and she could turn off the lights. Upstairs, probably, she went upstairs, hoping to escape the noise of things landing in the dumpster and her family moving and talking around her. Near the back of the house, not the front, not near the driveway. The bathroom off the lilac bedroom? She went straight for it, closing her right eye since she couldn’t really see all that well out of it.

God, it hurt so bad. She closed the door, plunging the bathroom into merciful blackness. It was quiet, just what she needed, her family and Master would be busy for a while yet, they wouldn’t need to come looking for her. She could just stay where she was, curled up against the bathroom floor, in the dark, in the silence.

God, god it hurt.

And she knew it was only going to get worse.

Galo had the bars unscrewed and the dungeon stripped down to nothing more than walls, the floor, and an archaic looking chandelier that he did not have the electrical expertise to deal with. He needed someone with, like, training to deal with that.

Nyla hadn’t come back for a while yet.

Which, okay, it was a big house and she probably had plenty of grudges to act out against inanimate objects, but it was weird that Nyla of all people would start helping haul away the stuff he piled up and then stop midway through. It wasn’t like her.

And when Galo’s brain told him to worry, he was starting to come to terms with the fact that it was usually right. Did it count as anxiety when it was true?

He hauled up a load after scanning the basement, and finding no one there. He got rid of the evil library books as he paced through the first floor, as well as the armchair from the den. He found Greyson and Evan, but no Nyla. Hrm. He asked if Greyson would please take care of the D rings in the den and Evan volunteered himself, which, whatever worked. Upstairs he ran into Sasha in the music room, and he pried up the D rings like he said he would since she didn’t exactly seem like the type for power tools, and was glad to hand the task over to Lilah when she gravitated towards him, leaving the drill in her capable hands.

But where was Nyla?

It was ridiculous to think that she’d been kidnapped by Barbra but Galo couldn’t help but jump to that conclusion. He stalked through the second floor, trying not to be visibly distressed lest he upset the other slaves, but running out of places to look. He opened the door of a guest bathroom, if only for the reason that it was closed, and his eyes widened with horror to see his girl lying in the fetal position on the floor.

“Nyla!” he shouted, rushing forward and dropping to his knees. She flinched, worse than he’d ever seen her jump, and curled in tighter, a muted scream passing her lips, and Galo’s panic bubbled over.

“Nyla, Nyla what’s wrong, what happened?!”

“Please!” she begged, sounding so small. “Please, please no, migraine, Master, please stop!”

Oh--oh. Oh, and his yelling would only have made it worse.

“Shit, I’m so sorry,” he whispered, guilt consuming him as he bent and caught sight of her silent tears. “What do you need, what helps?”

Galo didn’t know anything about migraines, other than “head hurt.” He knew they were awful, horrible things, and Nyla deserved to never ever have one. But he didn’t know--would medicine help? Was this one of those things that nothing helped, and she’d just have to wait it out? How long did they last? An hour? Should he touch her?

“Painkillers. Dark. Quiet. W--” she choked on a sob, high and pained and Galo’s heart broke into a thousand pieces. “Water, please, cold.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll go get painkillers and a glass of ice water? Do you--is the bathroom good? Is this a good place for you to be?”

“My bed,” she whined, hands over her eyes and body trembling faintly.

“Okay,” Galo said, mindful of each word, keeping his voice as quiet as possible. “Can--can you walk? Should I carry you? Should I touch you at all?”

“Just, don’t rattle me, please, don’t--hit my head, please, Master--”

“Never,” Galo breathed, and his heart broke all over again, to know that she still feared him so much, that Nyla had so little trust that she thought he would ever hurt her, much less when she was like this. “Never, Nyla, please, please believe that. I will never hit you.”

Nyla’s breath hitched, a little gaspy inhale, and then she slowly reached one hand out, and gripped Galo by the pant leg. Galo froze, standing on the edge of a brand new precipice, and tried to make his brain work, tried to think fast for once in his goddamn life, but his brain continued its sloth impression and he couldn’t process what this meant, though he felt its importance.

“Help me,” she begged, though it felt more like an admission than a plea.

“Please, I don’t want the others to see me like this; I hate it when they see me like this,” she continued, and that felt closer to normal.

“Okay, okay, I can’t promise we’ll be able to avoid them but I’ll try my best. I’m going to pick you up now, alright?”

“Okay,” she whispered, barely moving her lips, but he understood why she wouldn’t want to nod her head, right then. Carefully, he gathered her up in his arms and stood. She curled in immediately, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, and he felt like he was holding the most breakable, easily-shattered entity in the universe. He felt a surge of protectiveness, a bone-deep need to take care of her, to make it better in any way he could.

When they passed by the music room, its door open and Lilah inside with the drill, Nyla whimpered and pressed her hands hard against her ears. She wasn’t just pressing her face into his shoulder at that point, it was like she was actively trying to burrow into him, curled up so tight and stiff against him he felt she might shatter. He moved away from there as fast as he could, wanting to spare her everything he was able to. He tried to keep his gait smooth as he walked, slow on the stairs, and he actually did manage to avoid running into any of the others slaves.

He settled her down onto the cool sheets of her bed, wishing the slaves had softer pillows and wondering if he could get them any without them freaking out about it, and settled a palm between her shoulderblades.

“I’m gonna get that glass of water and those painkillers. Do you need anything else?”

“The blinds,” Nyla gasped softly, and Galo shut the blinds of the tiny skylight tightly, angled up so practically no light filtered in at all. He moved quickly, giving Greyson a probably-unconvincing smile as he passed him, but Nyla had asked that the others not know, so Galo wasn’t going to say anything. When he returned, he helped her sit up and handed her the medicine and the cup. The cool water seemed to help.

Galo knelt by the bedside, elbows and forearms laid out in front of him on the mattress and his chin on the sheets. He stared worriedly at Nyla’s face, and wasn’t even thinking when he reached out and stroked a hand over her hair.

Realizing halfway through what he’d done, he snatched his hand back with a quietly hissed, “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to touch your head.”

“T--” Nyla swallowed, “Touch is fine, Master. Just, no… patting, or, percussion. Touch feels, good sir.”

“Yeah?” Galo whispered, no more than a breath. “Would you like me to stay with you?” he asked quietly, stroking a gentle palm down from the back of her head to mid-spine.

“...Yes,” she admitted tremulously. “But--they last a while, Master.”

“Shhh,” Galo hushed, “I’ll stay. The others are busy and they’ll be fine, just focus on you for a little while, shh.”

Galo pet gently at Nyla’s hair, her shoulders, her back, needing to reposition a couple different times as certain parts of his body got tired or sore or lost blood flow. By the end of the first hour, Galo’s anxious concern had burned itself out, and the mild worry that remained was going to bat pretty hard with his boredom. By the end of the second hour, he’d fallen into a light doze and had been there for a while, his hand covering Nyla’s much smaller one, his thumb stroking very, very slowly over the skin on the back of her hand. He was fully asleep by hour three, Nyla’s fingers curled around his tighter than she’d ever dared before, so what a shame that he was asleep for it.

His impromptu nap came to an abrupt end when Nyla shifted, eyes flicking open but otherwise staying exactly where he was. Oh his neck was gonna have a SERIOUS crick in it.

“Nyla?” he asked softly, “Do you need anything?”

She shook her head slowly, and he perked up to see her voluntarily moving it. “It’s mostly gone now, Master.” She sat up very, very slowly, rubbing at her neck, and Galo mirrored her from his spot on the floor.

“Okay, that’s good,” Galo said, still speaking quietly, “Is it like, a fade-out kind of thing?”

“Yes sir,” she said, slowly stretching out her legs and wincing a little.

“How’re you feeling?”

“Sore, sir. And hungry, and--exhausted.”

She sounded tired. Galo was pretty sure he’d never heard her sound quite this tired. Carefully, watching her face for any sign of a negative reaction, he reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“I’ll get you something to eat, yeah?” he offered softly. “You can stay here and rest.”

Nyla shook her head again.

“I can get up, sir. I don’t want to trouble you and the others will have noticed our absence and I need to walk out the stiffness and eating here would get crumbs in the bed, Master.”

Well, Galo could only really argue with one of those, but doubted Nyla would buy that she wasn’t causing him any trouble anyway. He stood, his own body protesting the movement, and stretched his arms up high above his head.

“Thank you.”

Galo glanced down, letting his arms drop, and smiled kindly when Nyla didn’t continue.

“Of course, Nyla, I’m here for you if you ever need me.” Then, because Galo was allergic to Emotional Moments, “Sooo, are we telling your friends we got abducted by aliens for the last,” he glanced at the time, “three and a half hours, or?”

Nyla giggled weakly, which, ten points to Gryffindor!

“I don’t mind them knowing, sir. It’s just when I have the migraine that I…”

“Okay, that makes sense,” Galo said. Not wanting to be seen while vulnerable.

So what does that mean that she let me? he thought with a flip in his stomach, but pushed the thought from his head.

Sasha seemed anxious when they entered the kitchen, but interestingly enough that anxiety did not seem to spike when she caught sight of Galo. Though that might have been because she simultaneously caught sight of Nyla, who was, as near as Galo could tell, Sasha’s main comfort in life. Best friend? Were they best friends? They might be best friends.

Galo wished he knew more about the lives of the people he Literally Lived With.

“Migraine,” Nyla said with a tight smile, by way of explanation, “Master Galo helped me.”

That did successfully key Sasha up, and Galo smiled, lips pressed thin. He should leave. His presence was an intrusion and would only make them feel like they couldn’t talk freely.

“I’ll leave you to it, then?” Galo offered, moving away from Nyla and sliding his hands into his pockets. Open. Nonthreatening. He knew when he wasn’t wanted.

“You don’t have to, Master.” Or maybe he didn’t. “I’m sure you’re hungry too, sir.”

Nyla sounded uncharacteristically nervous, but that also made sense. She was vulnerable, at the moment, fresh off a migraine and not at her absolute best.

So why was she asking him to stay, then? He wished he knew what she was thinking.

“Yeah?” he asked, searching her face and then Sasha’s, who seemed more shocked than anything. “Okay, cool. We can eat together.”

It was stiff.

Which, yeah, expected. Nyla apparently got peanut butter cravings post-migraine, which, huh! Who knew people got cravings after demon headaches, not Galo!

Sasha did not like that Galo was there. Galo did not fault her for that one bit. Nyla was coming down off a migraine and Galo was preventing Sasha from fussing over her, and Sasha really only seemed to know what to do about him in the mornings because they’d had their nice routine and Galo really didn’t hang out in the kitchen beyond that. He should, like, dedicate some time to Sasha. Lock himself in the bathroom and let her sniff him through the door, he thought with a private chuckle to himself.

He now understood why Lilah had asked for extra kitchen stools, since there was quite literally only the one. Galo had the closest thing to an argument that he’d had, with Nyla, firmly insisting that she be the one to seat herself, then awkwardly stooped over the counter with all his bulk and height.

“Ahaha,” Galo ‘laughed’ self-consciously with a rub to the back of his head. Maybe he should’a sat after all. “Sorry, don’t mean to loom imposingly. Really, I can just… head out.”

Sasha looked away, lips thin, but Nyla’s eyes remained on him.

“You, are not all that imposing. Sir.”

Galo blinked, and was peripherally aware that Sasha was now also looking at Nyla like she’d spouted a second head. Nyla was flushed, and staring at Galo’s shoulder rather than his face, but swallowed and continued.

“When you first arrived, the size of you was frightening, sir,” she said, her voice quiet but Galo was far too enraptured to have missed even a single word. “But you kept Barbara from stealing me, and rescued Evan, and yesterday you gave Greyson both comfort and lenience.”

Nyla reached out her hand and placed it, very delicately, on top of Galo’s on the counter, Galo’s eyes tracking the movement in a fashion that might be described as gobsmacked.

“You have always been kind to us, Master. Stay.”

“Oh,” he said, as something important clicked in place.

#whump #slavery #slave whump #gw #nyla #galo #greyson #evan #sasha #lilah #migraines #aftermath of torture #multiple whumpees #mine #writing #my friend and her husband both get migraines and let me pick them for research purposes #i'm so sick of looking at this #*flings it into the void of tumblr* take it

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yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy · 5 years ago

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Magic and Miracles and BEYOND Chapter 10

I know, I know, nothing for months then 3 chapters in a row. But hey, this is the final portion of the pre done chapter. And yes, in case you haven’t noticed, I totally cast Lucas Hood from Banshee as Cor. BECAUSE THE SIMILARITIES. And I can totally see Gladio in a cop uniform and having those baristas fawn over him and mentally flirt with the idea of getting arrested if it meant that Gladio would be the arresting officer. And while I’m not a tea person- @the-immortal-marshal is and she said that that brand of tea and that flavor of tea is a proper English tea and would be Ada’s all time fav. And yes a Cane Corso is if Ferrari designed a dog to protect you. I have been planning that detail for months and so in the picture of the two brendle Cane Corsos- Kona is on the left (Kona coffee) and Kahlua is on the right because it looks like a white russian which is Kahlua and milk and that silver Cane Corse is Sasha. And obviously this russet brown dog is Baxter, bless his heart for doing all he could to protect his mama.

So without further adieu, here’s chapter 10. AO3

Chapter 10

Sylva didn’t have Ada moved to just any hospital room, but had her moved to the VIP rooms of the hospital that were on the upper floors that had the best views, the ones that looked like hotel suites that had every comfort imaginable along with an actual bed for Cor to sleep in too with actual super plush bedding, with super comfortable mattresses and the meals would be gourmet and had their own kitchen down the hall along with a mini kitchenette in the room and even the hospital gowns were beautiful and made from super soft peached cotton and were just as comfortable as any nightgown. Also the toiletries were designer and name brand and had things beyond the shampoo, conditioner and soap, but really good day and night face moisturizers and lotions and toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouthwash and body wash, even body scrubs, hair dryers, brushes, hair ties and the like. Even the waiting rooms on this floor were spectacular with it’s own private baristas in their little coffee nook and a free snack bar along with high end oriental teas in silk triangle tea bags. And Ada had two dedicated nurses who would not be waiting on any other patient other than her during their shifts.

The next morning Ravus came into work and saw Clarus walking in with Gladio, both of them in uniform and both looking particularly rough, like neither of them had gotten any sleep which was the same boat he and everyone else found themselves in last night. Well, except for Tredd, Tredd had been in his element yesterday. Asshole, but he was the perfect guy for the job yesterday.

“What’s the status?” Ravus asked curiously.

“Um,” Gladio said before he came over and bent over to talk with Ravus face to face.

“Ada is um...she’s having a miscarriage.” Gladio informed Ravus who’s eyes went wide.

“Oh my God.” Ravus breathed in shock. “Uh, let me park, and I’ll meet you in there,” Ravus offered before he parked in his spot two levels above and took the elevator down to the floor Ada was staying on, which was coincidentally the same floor he and Lunafreya had been born on, just a few rooms down actually and they found Crowe and Libertus already there since Ada had called Crowe first thing that morning and Crowe and Libertus had booked it coming in to see her.

“What are you doing here Beavus?” Crowe tried to act casual but it was no use before Ravus just enveloped her in a hug and hugged her tight and let her cry into his chest, not caring in the least if it messed up his suit up or not.

“I work here remember? How is she holding up?” Ravus asked and Crowe shook her head no.

“She’s not. God I want to hit Cor so bad right now.” Crowe admitted. “He promised me he would protect her and keep her out of his work.” Crowe cried.

“He underestimated his ‘work’.” Ravus replied sadly as tears pricked his own eyes.

“He swore to me that he would keep her out of harm’s way!” Crowe bawled before Cor came out of the room to talk with Clarus as Libertus tugged on Crowe’s shirt to get her attention.

“You asshole!” Crowe yelled once she pulled away from Ravus and charged Cor before Ravus and Libertus had to hold her back.

“You swore to me you’d keep her safe! You promised me you were going to protect her with your life! Instead she almost lost hers and she just miscarried you bastard!” Crowe screamed as Ravus and Libertus both had to fight to keep her from all out wailing on Cor, picking her up off the floor from behind and still having to deal with her trying to kick at him being mindful of her own pregnant belly.

“I know! I’m sorry! I did all I could! Believe me! You think I want her here? Do you think I ever wanted this?! I never wanted her to get involved, I never wanted her anywhere near this, it got personal and I’m sorry! I swear I’ll get the bastard!” Cor roared back with Clarus keeping a steady hand on his chest as angry tears escaped them both.

“Lower your voices,” Clarus warned.

“Where is he?!” Luche roared as he rounded the corner.

“Oh fucking hell.” Ravus groaned and looked to Crowe and Libertus to see which one of them contacted Luche and they both looked away guiltily before Ravus let go of Crowe so Libertus could hold her back on his own to get between Luche and Cor.

“Slow down, slow down,” Ravus warned Luche still a good 20 feet from Cor who was already in fight mode as was Luche and Ravus got Luche to stop and put both of his hands on Luche’s chest and used his own body weight to keep Luche from advancing any further.

“You motherfucker!” Luche accused Cor angrily as he could only point as he looked past Ravus at Cor who looked back angrily and had his fists balled up at his sides as his own rage seethed. Oh he was .2 seconds away from really handing this jackass his own ass. “This is all your fault!” Luche roared angrily.

“Lu?!” Ada called out when she recognized Luche’s voice. Fuck she wanted to see him. She had wanted to see him since last night. And at sound of Ada’s voice it prompted a complete change in Luche and he started pushing past Ravus with all his might.

“I’m here!” Luche called back before he realized no matter how much he wanted to hand Cor his ass, he wanted to see Ada more.

“Whoa, whoa,” Cor said as he tried to get in the door to keep Luche from getting to Ada.

“Cor let me see him! Let him in!” Ada cried and Cor turned to look at her in outrage. She is going through a miscarriage of their baby and she wanted to see him of all people?!

Luche grinned victoriously and still bumped Cor’s shoulder hard when Luche moved past him in lieu of actually hitting Cor. Then the smile fell and he came and threw all propriety out the window when he sat next to her on the bed and gathered her into his arms and hugged her tight and felt some relief when she hugged him back just as tight as Crowe, Libertus and Ravus took up the door frame to look in before Ada looked up and shooed them away before Crowe took the hint and shut the door to give them some privacy as the three of them stood guard at the door to keep Cor from going in.

“I’m so sorry Baby,” Luche finally offered as he started to cry too as Ada had a new wave of tears stream down her face as she cried into him and felt better and worse at the same time when she felt the kind of comfort she had been craving having him hold her again.

“You’ll have to forgive Crowe and Libertus, they both texted me the news and I couldn’t...I couldn’t stay away.” Luche explained.

“I’m glad you’re here, thanks Lu.” Ada said and smiled despite everything. God he smelled so good too, another new cologne but still...so Luche. God she had missed him so much and she had only seen him the day before but with everything that happened, that felt like forever ago.

Luche could smell the blood on her and it made him sick to his stomach. God he would have given anything to never have her go through something like this. God he wanted to ask a million questions but he also doubted she would be up to answering any of them. So he did the sensible thing and kept his mouth shut but stayed holding her as tight as he dared, he forgot how good it felt to simply hold her. God he had missed her so much. He wanted to tell her everything but knew it wasn’t the right time for that either. This was about her, not him. And right now, she was hurting, in every way and he needed to try to make this better and bearable for her.

“Is there anything I can do Baby?” Luche asked, taking a risk calling her that, but she technically started it by calling him ‘Lu’.

“Please don’t fight Cor. He did all he could, he really did. He saved my life.” Ada pleaded and Luche swallowed down his angry argument that if it hadn’t been for Cor, her life wouldn’t have been in need of saving to begin with.

“Please?” Ada added and Luche knew that if he was going to show her how much he had grown up, this was how he could start and Ada felt all the tension begin to leave him and Luche finally caved.

“Fine, but if he starts shit, I’m gonna finish it.” Luche warned.

“Ok, that’s fair.” Ada agreed. “Just, keep holding me,” Ada requested as she realized she really didn’t want him to let her go so Luche did just as she asked and held her as tight as he dared and smiled sadly when he felt her completely relax again. And even a little bit longer than that, she nodded off to sleep and part of his heart leaped for joy that he could still get her to do that, and that she still felt comfortable enough with him to fall asleep in his arms, he remembered the first time that ever happened to him and it made him feel...so amazing that she was comfortable enough to fall asleep in his embrace, she still felt that way obviously. He kissed her temple sweetly, letting his lips linger on her skin for just a moment, savoring it before he started to let go of her and have her lay down in bed to get more rest. She needed it. He wanted to stay with her, have her fall asleep and wake up to him too but his common sense said that he was probably already overstepping his bounds enough, he didn’t need to push it. Well, anymore than he already had been.

He tucked her in and made sure she was perfectly comfortable before kissing her forehead and cheek again, mindful of her injuries. Just needing to get the last of that in until...he didn’t know if he would ever get the chance to ever do that again.

“I love you so much Ada.” Luche whispered as he gently pressed his forehead to hers before he pulled away and wiped his eyes and tried to force his emotions back under control before he left the room and saw his friends leaning on either side of the door when he left. Clarus and Cor thankfully nowhere in sight but Gladio was still sitting in the chair next to door.

“She’s asleep.” Luche informed them when they all looked at him questioningly.

“Ok, come on, let’s go to my office.” Ravus invited to everyone.

“I’ll stay here with her, you guys go,” Crowe suggested to Luche and Libertus before she went back into the room to sit with Ada.

“I told my dad I’d stay here and keep watch.” Gladio excused them before Ravus, Luche and Libertus nodded in agreement with that before they left, Ravus turning around to mouth and gesture to text him to which Gladio nodded solemnly in agreement before they walked back to the elevators before going up to the level where Ravus’ office was. Ravus walked past his mother’s office and saw her working before he got his friends into his office before he went back to his mother.

“Luche found out, Crowe and Libertus told him this morning.” Ravus reported.

“And how did that go?” Sylva asked as she continued to do all she could for Ada within her system.

“Well they didn’t kill each other or kick each other’s asses thanks to us holding them back.” Ravus shrugged as Sylva hummed in response as a look of resignation crossed her face.

“She’s going to need therapy, miscarriage alone can wreak havoc on your psyche but being taken captive, and getting beaten, I can only imagine the trauma she must be experiencing. Luche will need you today.” Sylva insisted as Ravus nodded in understanding as she upgraded Ravus and Luche’s status within the system.

“There, you and Luche both have your God Codes.” Sylva informed her son as he walked around pulled up a chair and saw for himself that she had Ravus copy and then showed him how to bring them up and how to arrange things and the different programs available to make sure everything would be taken care of as well as showed Ravus how Ada already had VIP status so that the nurses and doctors would take extra good care of her and how there were already two dedicated nurses on Ada that did nothing but cater to her for their shifts and showed the rest of the teams of nurses Sylva put onto Ada so that she had round the clock care and make sure all medicines, especially pain medicines would be approved and covered not only by insurance but by the hospital as well, and arranged for visits from the staff psychologists and psychiatrists and made sure various programs would cover all the therapy and made sure to send notes to mention that it would be covered and that there would be no out of pocket expense for Cor or Ada.

“There, I think this is all we can do on our end. Hopefully she’ll take us up on the offer for the therapy at least.” Sylva blew out a breath once she finished.

“Thank you Mom,” Ravus thanked her and hugged her from his spot next to her.

“How is Luche doing?” Sylva asked.

“He...took it better than I thought he would. The moment he heard Ada’s voice he went from fight mode to comfort mode in less than a blink of an eye.” Ravus answered with half cocked grin. “Actually, could you uh, could you tell him or can I tell him what we just did, I know he’ll worry.” Ravus requested thoughtfully.

“Absolutely, just remember Cor is hurting just as much as Ada is, he lost his baby last night too. Both of you should take the day or next couple of days off if you want or need to, and if he needs an outlet you can take him to our house. I’ll understand if he’ll want to drink himself into a stupor, nearly losing a woman you love is difficult, also if he needs support and or therapy, we’ll be there for him and provide that too.” Sylva invited warmly.

“How long have you known? About Hazel being Witchhazel? About Gil taking Ada, you reacted as if you had been expecting this all along, you had the blueprints to the sheriff’s office and the US Marshal’s office in your desk and you knew exactly how to break both strongholds. How did you know all that was going to happen or more importantly- how long did you know all of that?” Ravus asked.

“Do you swear on Selena’s life that you will never repeat this to anyone? Not even Selena and especially not to Luche?” Sylva put to him.

“I swear.” Ravus vowed.

“Since the beginning of summer, when Cor got close to Gil and Gil sent a message to Cor, Hazel had to deliver it, she came to me for help right after and that’s when I knew what would happen, pieces fell into place like dominoes and I knew what was going to come and all the probable outcomes bloomed in front of my eyes and I knew I had to come up with a contingency plan to save everyone’s lives. Tredd suspected Ada was pregnant on the first day of the first cruise and came to me, one look at her and I knew but I swore him to secrecy and if and when we get asked, I will only admit that Tredd had a hunch but I couldn’t be sure so I played it safe in making sure Luche and Ada wouldn’t have sex at all just in case and I’ll leave it at that, but it was so that there would be no question as to who’s baby was lost last night, that’s why I hired Tredd to be a cock block on the cruises because as much as Luche is hurting right now, I knew he would break completely if he had any doubt at all that it wasn’t his baby that died last night too, that’s why I had to protect him the way I did and with as emotional as he is, that’s why I kept Crowe, Libertus and Luche in the dark because I couldn’t trust any of them to keep their heads through all of this and they would emotionally react and fuck everything up although after this experience, they’ll be much more level headed and I’ll be able to trust them with much more. I also knew Cor wouldn’t stop unless he was made to stop and I did what I did to keep Hazel and Titus from fighting against Cor and Clarus and the entire police force and Marshal service because Hazel knows there are moles in both, and those moles will the be the ones to make sure we all get away with this and the investigation on what happened last night- never leads to us, that was the deal I made with Gilgamesh myself shortly after he took Ada.” Sylva revealed.

“You made a deal with Gilgamesh?!” Ravus balked.

“Sweetie, I had to, otherwise Ada would have died, hell all of us would have been killed because all of us would have been caught in the crossfire, I owed him because it was his order to kill Ardyn and Andrew Izunia and it was Charlotte who killed them both so I let them borrow my plane to get them a clean getaway and my pilots deleted all the flight data so now there is no record of Gilgamesh ever using my plane and I deleted all the flight data in the chopper so now there’s no trails to anything and Selena along with the girls were very creative in making sure our alibis stick and are water tight if they’re ever needed and we’re all lawyered up. So now all of this is over for everyone except Cor and Ada and Luche of course, now that Gilgamesh is out of the country, we’re all going to try to go on with our lives and live in peace. I couldn’t have this family tear itself apart like that. That’s why I had to play both sides and got my hands as dirty as they are, all of us walked away with our lives despite our loyalties clashing. Granted we had to go about it outside of the law but we’ll be ok. However I can tell you that Cor, in his quest for vengeance and revenge will completely abandon Ada and that’s how Luche will get her back. They’ll be back together before Crowe and Libertus get married in a month and chances are she’ll be pregnant not long after that and their own wedding will be right before Crowe and Libertus leave and will already start to show by then.” Sylva predicted. “And I know you’re mad at me for not telling you all this sooner but I had to be sure you wouldn’t blow it either.” Sylva urged as Ravus nodded in understanding.

“You’re going to have to teach me your ways Mother.” Ravus gently teased which caused Sylva to huff a laugh.

“Oh I will, Tredd is already chomping at the bit to be taught too and I wouldn’t have gotten half as far without him and I know you think he’s an asshole but his loyalties are to us and this family because this family is his family now and you don’t have to worry about him ever turning on us, he’s practically another brother to you and another son to me because I see his potential and I'm nurturing it rather than dismissing it like everyone else does and he’ll be fine and hopefully neither of you will have to use these skills.” Sylva offered before Ravus grabbed his notes and went back into his office with his mom where Luche had grabbed the bottle of brandy and was all out chugging it.

“Ok, hey, before you get shit faced, I need to tell you something and I need you to pay attention.” Sylva urged as she got the bottle out of Luche’s hand and handed it to Ravus to put away before she held Luche's face in her hands.

“Luche, listen to me, it’s going to be ok. I know you’re hurting. But please keep in mind what’s important, and what’s important is Ada. This is the card to a cane corso breeder, they have two dogs for you that have been going through all kinds of training all summer. A cane corso is if Ferrari and Lamborghini designed a guard dog, they’re amazing and you’ll love them. Write them a check from this checkbook. I know you’ll want to crap a brick when you hear how much these dogs are but again, these have been trained to protect Ada with their lives just like Baxter, who’s ok by the way, he’s with Luna right now. The girls were able to save him. Also, you need to give Cor some slack.”

“But he…!” Luche tried to argue before Sylva silenced him with a finger to his lips before she held his face again.

“I know, I know, he put her life in danger, he put all of our lives in danger all summer but Honey, he’s paying for it right now, he lost his baby last night, he almost lost the love of his life too just like you did. But you are going to do what Cor can’t. Cor’s going to lose himself in vengeance and You. Will. Not. Do. That. Your entire focus will be on Ada and her recovery and making sure she never feels alone or abandoned again. I will have a bag of books for you to start reading today, you’ll read them, study them and use the knowledge you find in them. You will be Ada’s rock and I promise you, she’ll be with you before the wedding. Don’t worry about getting justice for Ada because you never will but what you can do is get her safe, get her secure and keep her that way the rest of her life. Your job in life is taking care of her. Do your job. But you can’t do that if you’re shit faced.” Sylva urged before she explained the God Code and gave him his and showed him on Ravus’ computer how she was already taking care of things and how Luche could keep track of everything in his own computer as Luche visibly relaxed and calmed down.

“Oh thank God! I was about to go crawling into her office to beg for that.” Luche admitted once he saw everything.

“Well no need, it’s all taken care of.” Ravus reassured him before Luche got up again and walked to Sylva’s office with her as he thanked her for everything as she got the books together for him to read from her own bookshelf in her office.

“You’re welcome, and Luche, may I suggest you should get some therapy too in dealing with this. It’s ok for you to get some comfort and support in all this too.” Sylva gently suggested as she hugged him just as tightly, kicking into ‘mom mode’ herself.

“I was about to come in here on my hands and knees and beg for your help.” Luche admitted and Sylva snorted a laugh.

“Sorry, that’s not funny, but clearly, no need but that’s a wonderful and moving thought.” Sylva grinned proudly. “Although if you had, I would have done just as much to help her as I’ve already done and believe me, I have done all I can do. Now, may I suggest, just take the rest of the day off, take the next few days off, you can stay here and hang out in Ravus’ office if you want or you can come to my home and crash there too but what I would suggest is you see Ada one more time then you go get the dogs and bring them home and get things ready for Ada to move in with you sooner than later, take Ravus with you to get the dogs ok? You’re not alone, we’re all here for you. And give yourself time to process this, give Ada and Cor time to process this too. I know we all have our misgivings about the situation, as horrible as it is. But it’s important to look at the big picture and look outside our own personal pain ok? I know you don’t want to hear that but you need to hear it ok?” Sylva admonished gently, keeping her tone gentle and soft but still firm.

“Ok, thanks Mom.” Luche thanked her.

“You’re welcome Sweetheart, now, I got work to do, just take it easy ok?” Sylva said as she finally let go of him and Luche nodded in agreement and sniffled still before Sylva handed him a tissue.

“It’ll be ok, she’ll be taken care of to the best of our ability, I promise Sweetheart.” Sylva reminded him before he nodded again and left and rejoined Ravus and Libertus in Ravus’ office.

Meanwhile when Luche, Ravus and Libertus left Gladio shot a text to Cor.

‘Knucklehead left, said she fell asleep, Crowe’s with her in the room now and Crowe confirmed she’s out. Beavus, Knucklehead and Lib left, Crowe is still here tho.' Gladio texted Cor. Even though Gladio felt Cor was the one who was the knucklehead. Gladio had spent most of his life idolizing Cor and now that all this had gone down and watching the way Luche had behaved all summer, he felt Ada should have never left Luche, she was better off with him and he couldn’t fault her for wanting Luche and even he could see that Cor was losing her because Cor had blown it. Cor knew better, when Cor admitted he had known for months that Gil had his sights on Ada, he was ready to kick Cor’s ass. He was so grateful that Sylva had seen all this ahead of time and had a plan and was able to get everyone to work together on their own side rather than against each other, he was grateful Regis did too. The way it worked out was the best case scenario. Hopefully it would be the one time in his career that he’d be dirty but it was for Ada. He knew that if it had been Pashmina, he would have gone full Punisher and tried to burn the city to the ground. But fuck all if he and Pashmina hadn’t gotten the best sex ever last night when they got home from the hospital, why he personally didn’t get more than a couple of hours of sleep last night. He was so proud of her for pushing through her squeamishness with blood and working on Baxter and working on alibis with Selena when she was done, hell all of the girls had worked on alibis. She was a bad bitch in the best way. He loved her so so so much. Hell even Yasmine had been awesome, helping Pelna with all the computer systems and making sure all the cameras were shut off so that none of it got recorded while also manning a special drone to keep an eye on things at the same time. They worked together as a great team too. He was happy they were together. Even Nyx and Luna were great and Stella and Tredd were in their damn elements last night. Tredd was a damn natural and took to this like a fish to water. He was so surprised Hazel was WitchHazel. But he was so grateful he didn’t have to face off against her. He was super impressed Coach was as amazing as he was and he understood that Coach would be loyal to Hazel and he could only hope and pray they stayed together because they were all one big family and this family handled it’s business last night and this family took care of itself. He was so proud to be in this family and at the center was the biggest badass of them all, Sylva, she was the glue holding everything together and he wanted to kiss her when she revealed how she actually had plans in place just in case any of this shit had ever happened to any of them, she was the epitome of Mama Bear and she took care of her cubs and was ready and willing to do whatever it took to protect them. Heaven forbid anything ever happen to her because they were all screwed otherwise.

‘We’ll be right there, got to grab some coffee, text me any changes.’ Cor answered, having been on and off staring at his phone since Clarus suggested they go get some coffee from the cafe down the hallway to distract Cor from barging into the room and making a fool of himself.

“God I wanna punt that asshole to the moon.” Cor growled as they stood in line to get some coffee as Cor looked at the tea selection and tried to think of what Ada would like to drink as Clarus just rolled his eyes and shook his head. Clarus was a patient man but Cor was reaching even his limits.

“But you did the right thing by not doing that, you know Ada. She wouldn’t want you fighting, not when she’s going through so much already.” Clarus reminded him and Cor just grumbled his curses under his breath and crossed his arms over his chest and squeezed his phone tight to make sure he didn’t miss any vibrating from getting messages.

“Hi, can I get two of the largest coffees you have with four shots of espresso each, chocolate syrup and caramel syrup in both.” Clarus ordered first from the Barista who happily took the order down.

“Name?” She asked.

“Clarus on the first and Gladio on the second.” Clarus answered.

“Ok,” She nodded as she wrote down his name on the cup and handed the cups over to the next barista at her station.

“How much will that be?” Clarus asked.

“Oh it’s free, if you’re seeing a patient on this floor, as their guests your refreshments are free, all I need is the room number.” She replied.

“Oh it’s 8245.” Clarus offered before she nodded and punched that into the system as he still put a fiver into the tip jar.

“And what can I get for you?” She asked Cor sweetly.

“The largest coffee you have and probably eight shots of espresso and I can add my own cream and sugar right?” Cor asked and she nodded. “And can I get one of...can you just get me two cups of hot water and then one or two packets of every kind of tea you have?” Cor asked.

“Absolutely,” She immediately agreed. “Name?” She requested.

“Cor.” Cor answered and she wrote that down too and passed the cup over.

“Room number?” She asked.

“Same number, 8245.” He answered as she punched that in. “Leonis? Cor Leonis?” She asked once she saw the name under the room number listed as the caretaker.

“Yup.” Cor nodded.

“You’re listed as the caretaker for the patient in 8245 so if you need anything at all, you can call room service and all your meals and snacks will be provided for you free of charge and of course anything we can provide for you here too.” She informed him sweetly.

“Thank you,” Cor nodded in understanding as he gave he a polite smile before she got to work getting his things together.

“Can I get that chocolate muffin?” Cor added as he looked at the display of pastires and snacks in the case again and realized he hadn’t eaten anything since last night and wanted to inhale it on the spot.

“Of course, anything else catching your eye this morning?” She asked as got him his chocolate – chocolate chip muffin which was practically a cupcake without frosting and put it into the bag for him before he shook his head no and she simply nodded in understanding before she handed it over to him before he walked over to Clarus at the end of the bar where there were condiments while they were waiting for their coffees to be made, Cor not waiting anymore before taking the muffin out of the bag and started to eat it, not caring that he was taking almost inhumanly large bites because it was a big muffin. His cheeks expanded as far as they could and he took some comfort in the delicious taste and not noticing or caring that he was getting chocolate crumbs everywhere. Clarus gave him a wary if not a bit amused look and went ahead and got Cor a couple of napkins and just handed them to him.

“You have a little something, well, everywhere,” Clarus muttered as he gestured to all of Cor’s face and chest. Cor just shrugged and continued chewing as it gave him a break from thinking and helped him process more. God he wanted to kick Luche’s ass, he wanted to kick Gilgamesh’s ass, hell he wanted Gilgamesh DEAD. He wanted to dismantle his empire brick by brick and beat Gilgamesh to death with those damned bricks, then maybe, if he had time and energy, go after Luche. Who did that asshole think he was? Just marched all up in there and rushed to Ada’s side like he was the most important person in the world? Asshole. How did Ada want him?! How did his Ada want her ex at a time like that? She should have been furious with Crowe and Libertus for telling him, he had no right and no business knowing their business like that. He wondered how pissed Ada would be if he did actually kick Luche’s ass? She’d get over it eventually, right? God he needed to make this right, he needed to FIX THIS. He needed JUSTICE, he couldn’t believe he had knocked her up either, he was going to be a dad...as terrified as that thought made him feel, he would have given anything to just redo the last 24 hours. Go back in time, he wished he had taken Ada out of town, hell, put her on a plane and sent her away to go visit her parents, out of harm’s way the moment she had gotten back. And his heart tormented him with guilt when his brain supplied him with the what if scenario of Ada figuring out she was expecting and surprising him with the news. How happy they would have been, how he would have properly proposed to her and married her. Keep her home, keep her safe. He would have given anything for that future...

“Mr. Leonis.” The second barista called out when his coffee was done along with his cups of hot water for tea that had all been put into a drink carrier, all the teabags put into an empty cup.

He put the rest of his half eaten muffin back in the bag and grabbed the carrier before joining Clarus at the condiment counter and put cream and sugar into his coffee as Clarus put creamer into his and Gladio’s coffees before passing the creamer to Cor to put in his own coffee before they went back to the room.

“Is she awake yet?” Cor asked Gladio who nodded but licked his lips when he saw his dad carrying coffee with his name on it and reached out for it and took it from his dad before drinking it gratefully.

“Yeah, she ordered breakfast and it came like 5 minutes later, service is insanely good up here.” Gladio informed him and Cor blew out a breath of relief, good she was eating.

“Good, go to the counter down there and get some breakfast too.” Clarus urged before Gladio nodded and obeyed his father’s direction.

Cor knocked softly before coming into the room to see Ada and Crowe talking quietly as Ada picked at her food a little while Crowe downed her own meal that had brought with Ada’s meal.

“I got you some tea Love, I got all the different kinds they had.” Cor informed Ada before setting the cups on the table.

“Were you hungry Love? When I called to order breakfast they asked for my order and asked for my ‘caregiver’s order’ and any guest meals as well.” Ada explained as she sifted through the different tea flavors and making a face when they didn’t have any she really liked, so she settled for the black pearl tea.

“So I’m eating the guest meal just so you know.” Crowe informed Cor through her own bulging cheeks, she was after all eating for two. Which only made this loss more poignant. Crowe and Ada would have been expecting babies at the same time.

“I got a muffin at the snack bar down the hallway, I’m good.” Cor waived off as he sat down and put his half eaten muffin and coffee on the other bedside table.

“You doing ok?” Cor asked Ada curiously, just itching to ask her about what happened between her and Luche. God it was like pouring salt in an open wound. And the way Crowe was looking at him with subtle aggression was only frying his nerves worse.

Ada waited until Crowe finished eating before asking for some privacy with Cor who she could see Cor barely able to maintain his composure.

“Yeah I gotta go find Lib anyway, see what shenanigans he’s up to.” Crowe excused herself and got up to leave before there was another knock on the door and Cor just wanted to scream. He just wanted to be alone with Ada for two god damn fucking minutes before Crowe left and three doctors and a nurse came in.

“Hi Miss Ardens, I’m Dr. Gentiana, a psychiatrist here at Miracles, how are you feeling today?” Gentiana asked warmly as she came in and shook Ada’s hand before shaking Cor’s before the others introduced themselves as well. Dr. Ramuh and Dr. Shiva.

“And please be honest with your answer.” Gentiana clarified when Ada took a deep breath and hesitated in answering.

“I feel like shit, I hurt all over and in every way.” Ada answered as her shoulders sagged.

“From the notes in your file I can completely understand that and you have every right to feel that way and you shouldn’t be afraid to admit it.” Dr. Gentiana gently assured her.

“Thanks,” Ada offered a small smile, enjoying the validation.

“Well the reason my associates and I are here is we understand you’ve gone through some really traumatic experiences recently and I would like to ask if you were comfortable sharing those or did you need or want more time to process everything? Because you need and should be taken care of not just physically but as a whole, especially psychologically.” Gentiana specified kindly.

“Well...” Ada began before her eyes flooded with hot painful tears again as she grabbed the tissues then poured out everything that had happened as the doctors took notes and offered commendation and encouragement as Cor scooted closer and grabbed her hand and cried too as he wallowed in his guilt and remorse and really liked it that Dr. Gentiana engaged them both and listened attentively to him and Ada since Dr. Gentiana had been his phsychiatrist for a few years now.

An hour later when Ada had finished pouring her heavy heart again, but this time she felt a bit lighter about it and a tiny bit more at peace about it too.

“Well you’ve done an excellent job being open and honest with us and I applaud your strength, both of your strengths, this isn’t easy stuff to talk about and both of you did a really good job. And thank you for trusting us with this information and trusting us with your feelings. Now you’re being offered to be in a couple of different aftercare programs where our services will be free of charge to both of you and I highly recommend taking full advantage of the opportunity. Here’s my card, are you comfortable with us coming again tomorrow? Or even later today?” Dr. Gentiana invited as she put her card on Ada’s table and slid it to her before handing Cor her business card again as well before her associates did the same.

Ada nodded yes and Cor found himself nodding along too.

Meanwhile back in Ravus’ office, Ravus and Libertus listened patiently as Luche poured his own heart out after Libertus had given Luche the full story and all the nitty gritty details from Ada’s point of view as Ravus was surprisingly very, very quiet about everything else and Luche had wanted to punch something and settled for punching Ravus throw pillows he kept on the couch in his office and screaming into them before all out breaking down crying while Ravus sat on one side while Libertus sat on the other, both of them putting their arms around Luche’s shoulders and consoling him.

“Why didn’t I fight harder for her? Why did I ever let her go? None of this would have happened if I hadn’t let her go.” Luche sobbed as the three of them emptied the tissue box Ravus kept on the coffee table in his office.

“And why was she ok starting a family with him and not with me?” Luche asked rhetorically and Ravus and Libertus could only shrug.

“God Crowe and her would have been pregnant at the same time! They would have had a double baby shower, Ada would have been such a good mom.” Luche sobbed.

“She would be, she still can be.” Ravus tried to comfort. “And maybe this will open her eyes and make her see that she isn’t better off with him, there’s still hope.” Ravus tried to console.

“You’re right.” Luche realized. “It felt so fucking good to hold her again. I can’t, I can’t give up now. I gotta get her back. I don’t know how, but I gotta, maybe if I can show her and prove to her that I’ve changed, that she’s better off with me, she’d be a hell of a lot safer with me, that the most dangerous thing around her would be kitchen knives. I can take care of her now. I can take care of her better than he can.” Luche professed and Ravus grinned mischievously when he got an idea.

“Well, what helped me win Selena was small, but powerful and thoughtful gifts and gestures. She’s British, British love tea, what’s her favorite kind of tea?” Ravus asked thoughtfully.

“Irish Breakfast.” Luche answered and Ravus’ grin grew.

“Yeah I doubt Miracles stocks that, come on, go into my bathroom, get cleaned up, we’re going tea shopping.” Ravus suggested before Luche did as he was told and went into his bathroom.

“Text Crowe, we’ll need the best friend scoop.” Ravus directed Libertus who agreed and texted Crowe only moments before she came into the room herself.

“Nice office Beavus, where’s Luche?” Crowe asked.

“In the bathroom getting cleaned up. I would like to ask the biggest of all favors.” Ravus began and walked towards Crowe bravely.

“And that is?” Crowe asked as she crossed her arms and popped her hip.

“Luche wants to get back with Ada and we would like to ask for your help. Seeing as how Ada would be much...safer with him. Do you think there’s a chance she might want him too?” Ravus asked carefully and his heart soared when Crowe’s grin grew mischievous.

“So let’s say I agree with you and I may be in the possession of the knowledge that Luche has a pretty big chance since I agree with you that she’s better off coming back to him and would be happier with him too, what would this ‘favor’ entail?” Crowe asked.

“Doing exactly what you just did by telling us that and perhaps answer some questions like what’s her favorite...anything and everything?” Ravus returned with an equally mischievous, scheming smile.

“Please Crowe?” Luche asked once he reappeared from the bathroom, still looking like he had cried his eyes out but was at least a little bit better put together.

“Hell fucking yeah I’m in,” Crowe agreed before going and hugging Luche.

“You did so good Luche, so so good, you were perfect with her, you didn’t barrage her with any questions or make her feel guilty or anything, you just provided comfort by just holding her and that’s all she wanted and needed from you.” Crowe revealed as Luche breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her back tightly.

“Now come on, I have a feeling we’re about to make a shopping trip.” Crowe invited with a gleam in her eye. “Beavus, you drive, you have the biggest and nicest car.” Crowe commanded and Ravus chuckled and grabbed his car keys.

Ada had given Crowe permission to tell only their closest friends that she was in the hospital as Selena, Luna and Nyx came, Baxter and flowers in tow since their alibi was that Sylva had called them in to take care of Baxter as did Pashmina, Yasmine and Stella and Ada was so, so happy Baxter was alive and relatively well. So Luche when he, Ravus, Libertus and Crowe returned with goodies and flowers galore were able to blend in with the rest of them. But Cor however kept a suspicious eye on them all, even though he did appreciate their condolences.

“I got you a few things.” Luche muttered as he handed her a tin of her absolute favorite tea. A beautiful turquoise tin from Fortnum and Mason, Irish Breakfast flavor complete with a special tea ball and spoon and a proper set of tea cups and a small teapot and matching set of tea cups and an English style scone and fairy cake, also in her favorite flavors. Luche tried not to smile too smugly when Ada gasped and fawned over them and Crowe happily dumped out the tea she had been sipping on and got fresh hot water from a little electronic tea kettle to make a fresh pot of tea for Ada so she could enjoy it immediately. And Cor tried and failed not to get enraged at the fact that Luche seemed already all to eager to try to get on the best terms possible with Ada. His baby died in less than 24 hours and already this asshole was showing off with going overboard with stuff. God he just wanted to deck him. But Cor had promised Ada he wouldn’t start anything with him. But he was all to eager for Luche to just go ahead and say something even mildly offensive and he would gladly beat his ass. The only comforting thought Cor could come up with is it would take less than two seconds to draw his gun and shoot him in the head and do so fast enough that Luche wouldn’t even have a chance to react. But no, Ada had been traumatized enough. He couldn’t do that to her, not right now….in front of her...probably….not. Plus there were too many witnesses and all her friends were on the edge of hating him and he felt like he could feel their resentment roll off of them in waves.

“And we got you an assortment just in case you wanted to try something different.” Ravus shrugged when he produced a big box that had a nice assortment of even more tins of tea in it.

“Aw, you guys are so sweet, thank you.” Ada graciously thanked them before getting another round of hugs from everyone as Baxter wagged his tail on her lap, Baxter being so happy to see her even though he was bandaged up too before Sylva and Regis appeared as well.

“My goodness, give her room to breathe guys,” Sylva lightly and gently teased when she knocked on the open door.

“Hi Mum,” Ada laughed.

“Oh bless your soul for calling me that Dearest, how are you feeling?” Sylva asked as she put the flowers on the window sill along with all the others and sat down on the bed with her as the other girls scooted away to give her room.

“So sorry to hear about your loss,” Regis offered Cor before he noticed how Cor was barely hanging onto his cool with the room so full of people.

“Why don’t we get some air.” Regis suggested to Cor and Ada nodded her encouragement and permission to Cor who was hesitant but then was all too happy to get up and out of there before he cracked or snapped or both.

“Guys, could you also please give us a moment?” Sylva requested to rest of them before they took the hint and got out of there.

“Oh my that’s a lot of tea,” Sylva noted, breaking the ice before they both blew out a breath.

“It’s overwhelming to have so many visitors isn’t it?” Sylva guessed and Ada huffed a laugh.

“Yeah,” Ada agreed.

“I remember when I had my miscarriages, they were particularly rough and I didn’t want to see anyone but Victor. To see anyone else felt like burning my shortest fuse to turn me into an angry vengeful fireball.” Sylva explained in a joking manner as she made a face and got Ada to laugh.

“But you’re doing really well Sweetie, but remember, it’s ok to tell them to take a hike and just give you some space and some time. You’re healing from a lot of wounds, the deepest ones are always unseen. Please don’t push yourself beyond your limits.” Sylva offered sagely as Ada nodded along.

“Now, I have done everything I can possibly do on my end to make sure your stay here is as pleasant and comfortable as it can be while also being mindful to Cor’s loss too. So besides just your copay from his insurance, you should not be getting any medical bills and if you do, tell me and I’ll take care of those too.” Sylva informed her.

“Oh you didn’t have to Mum,” Ada shook her head and Sylva softly shushed her.

“Oh hush, I wanted to, you’ll have to forgive the boys and Cor, Cor called me last night and I made sure that once you were brought here you’d be taken care of to the best of our ability, and when they all told me the very basic overview as to what happened, I’ve been working all morning to make sure you stay taken care of, plus as CEO, I have codes and protocols that get stuff done immediately. Luna jokingly calls them my ‘God Codes’. So since you’re family, I was only all too happy to use them especially for you. Now don’t feel rushed getting out of here either, it’s a big hospital with plenty of room. You stay as long as you need to ok?” Sylva offered.

“Boys? Does Noctis and Ignis know too?” Ada asked.

“No. Sorry, I meant Ravus and Luche, Luche came to me first thing this morning, only moments after he found out himself, practically came into my office on his hands and knees begging for my intervention, which by that point, I already had and obviously I would never make anyone do that because that’s just ridiculous. Luche didn’t have his own codes yet and Ravus’ codes will fall a bit short for a little while yet. But it got done.” Sylva explained and tried not to grin when Ada’s face softened and she relaxed at hearing that Luche had done that.

“Well, let me give you my number here at the office so you can call my office directly from your room. If you need or want anything, and I mean that, anything at all. Even if you just want to talk or whatever, please do not hesitate to call me.” Sylva invited as she wrote down her number on the dry erase board at the bottom, in large enough print that Ada could easily see it and dial it before getting her own business card out and writing every number she had for herself on it and on the back and handed it to Ada. “Do you want another hug?” Sylva asked when she saw how moved Ada was to all this and Ada nodded and Sylva sat back down and hugged her as tight as she dared and rubbed soothing circles into Ada’s back as Ada broke down and cried again before rocking her the way any mother would and spoke the softest sweetest words of comfort to her.

“How many miscarriages did you have?” Ada asked.

“Three, one before I had Ravus and two after I had Lunafreya before I had my tubes tied. I had the hardest time carrying both of them. Ravus was born at 32 weeks and that was only because I was on strict bed rest in this very hospital for most of the pregnancy, only a few rooms away from this room. Lunafreya only made it to 31 weeks on bed rest, because my body sucks and I had to have C-Sections for both of them because of all the complications. And Lunafreya, she was the surprise because I thought Victor had pulled out and apparently, he didn’t pull out in time. They lived in incubators for the first few months of their lives and were touch and go several times and it was absolute torture. Surprise miscarriages are sometimes worse because then you mourn all the what ifs and you start mourning all the joy and the possibilities you would normally would have felt had you known. But you should know that it’s ok to do all of that, mourn all of it. Don’t push yourself to get over it, your friends will start to move on quicker than you do and you’ll feel left behind and that they all stopped caring about you and please don’t start to believe those feelings, because those feelings that they stopped caring won’t be true. And some of them may say some really well intention-ed but horrible things and you’ll want to scream and rip your hair out and it’s perfectly ok to scream and throw temper tantrums because that’s part of the process. And if you find yourself drawing away from everyone, especially Crowe because she is expecting herself and it may get too painful to have just another reminder of what you almost had yourself and that’s ok. She’ll do her best to understand and she’ll get over it. And sooner than you realize you’re going to wake up and not want to immediately scream and cry and then you’ll have a whole day where you won’t cry. You’ll want to but you won’t and it’ll followed by more days that you do cry, anywhere from a single or a few tears to buckets of tears. And then you’ll have a day where you see a baby and go ‘at least someone else was able to carry them’ and not want to die inside. And then another day you’ll be happy to see a baby or a pregnant woman and not feel jealous or cheated. And maybe, if you want to have more kids someday, you will and then you’ll wake up one day and realize that you’re passed this. And- or- you can go to the end of the spectrum I’m at and try to adopt everyone, every kid you come into contact with. Not that you’re a kid anymore mind you. But anyone in that age group or younger. I know it hurts and please, understand that you’re not alone, and I don’t mean your friends and family. Also keep in mind Cor lost just as much as you did and believe me, he will beat himself up over this for years to come. And he’ll have good days and bad days himself.” Sylva guessed and Ada nodded in confirmation.

“He’ll take longer to process this and come to terms with it. Give him time and patience and the benefit of the doubt. Don’t lose each other in this grief. Try to pull each other through but you both have to put in work, if you find you’re the only one doing the work, you should reevaluate things ok?” Sylva advised gently even though she feared that Cor would lose himself in work and be more determined than ever to hunt Gilgamesh down and wouldn’t stop until he did and he would leave Ada alone in her grief by being preoccupied with his job. She deserved someone who would be present with her. Not distracted, not angry, not vengeful which is what hopefully Luche would be.

“Thanks Mum,” Ada whispered in thanks as she buried her face into Sylva’s chest.

“Have you called your parents yet?” Sylva asked thoughtfully.

“No, I don’t want to worry them, I don’t want them to ask how it happened and I don’t want to keep telling this story over and over again.” Ada pulled away and shook her head.

“Ok, that’s perfectly ok, you don’t have to tell anyone else what has happened either, except perhaps a therapist, which I highly recommend but you don’t have to. Don’t let me push that please.” Sylva requested.

“Actually three of them came earlier, Dr. Gentiana and I forget the other two.” Ada admitted.

“Dr. Gentiana is Lunafreya’s therapist as well as the rest of our family’s therapist, don’t tell anyone I told you that, that’s a HIPPA violation but whatever, anyway, she is absolutely wonderful. She has helped some people through some really... just awful... well to be perfectly frank, some fucked up shit.” Sylva stated plainly that got Ada to snicker a laugh and helped her stop crying. “But she specializes in helping people who have lived through some really traumatic experiences. Women especially. She usually doesn’t take on new patients, but as a favor to me I had her make an exception and if you like her, she’s the one I would recommend the most. In fact she had me stop recommending her because she got flooded with referrals from me.” Sylva explained.

“That’s where I’ve seen her card! In Luna’s wallet!” Ada realized as she had been racking her brain thinking she had seen Dr. Gentiana’s business card before.

“And feel free to ask Lunafreya about her too, I’m sure she’ll say the same things I am.” Sylva suggested.

“So who got you the tea?” Sylva asked as she noticed the tin on her table matched the ones in the box along with the tea set and the electronic teapot.

“Oh Luche got me all this one and a proper scone and a fairy cake, bless his soul, and then Beavus, Lib and Crowe got me the rest.” Ada explained as she pointed and gestured to everything.

“Is this your favorite tea?” Sylva asked as she reached for it and picked it up to look at it thoughtfully.

“Yeah,” Ada confirmed with a nod.

“Like this brand and this flavor?” Sylva asked curiously.

“Mmhm, I’m surprised Luche even remembered. I can’t get Cor to remember that, all he can recall is that I like tea period.” Ada muttered before she dug into her scone and practically moaned when all the flavors hit her taste buds just the way they were supposed to as she enjoyed the perfect texture.

“Well that was incredibly thoughtful of him to remember a detail like that.” Sylva praised. “Can I smell it?” Sylva asked and Ada nodded adamantly before Sylva popped the lid and took a deep breath in.

“OOOOoooooohhhh,” Sylva ‘oohed’ appreciatively. “That smells downright heavenly.” Sylva praised.

“Do you mind if I get a picture of it so I can make sure my house has it for when you come to visit Dearest?” Sylva asked thoughtfully.

“Go for it,” Ada invited and Sylva snapped a picture of it with her phone.

“You know, you’ll learn this when you go to therapy but Luche has either knowingly but I’m guessing unknowingly helped you quite a bit by providing this, this is called ‘Distress Tolerance’. Small joys like this, food, smells, tastes, anything sensory that you find enjoyable, help you endure and tolerate distress.” Sylva revealed as she put it back in place.

“Yeah?” Ada asked, her heart melting a little more.

“Yep,” Sylva confirmed. “Well that’s my Mum talk, thank you for suffering through it as well as you did Dear.” Sylva thanked Ada.

“I needed it, I didn’t realize how much I needed a Mum until you came in.” Ada admitted.

“Oh bless you Sweetheart. And I will happily be your Mum from now on ok? If you want me in Mum mode, good luck trying to get me out of it.” Sylva warned teasingly which got them both to laugh.

“Ok, do you want everyone back in here or just Cor or is there anyone else you really want to see? Do you want more rest?” Sylva asked thoughtfully and rubbed Ada’s arms before taking her hands within her own and holding them gently, rubbing the back of Ada’s hands with her thumbs comfortingly.

“Just Cor, I know he’s overwhelmed right now, he’s not used to all the people.” Ada answered. “I don’t want to be rude but..”

“Hey, don’t worry about that, throw the fear of being rude out the window. You and your recovery come first. I’ll happily go into Mum mode and tell them to take a hike. ‘They can bite my shiny metal ass’.” Sylva quoted Futurama and Ada erupted into laughter.

“Victory is mine!” Sylva said in her best Stewie impression and Ada laughed even harder.

“My kids hate it when I quote their shows, embarrasses the crap out of them, probably why I love to do it so much. The best part is quoting it wrong and watching them die a little on the inside, I won’t lie, gives me life.” Sylva giggled. “Ok Sweetheart, let me get out of your hair,” Sylva suggested before leaning forward and hugging Ada tightly again and kissed her cheek sweetly before she pet Baxter affectionately and got up and took her leave as she mentally made a note to make sure that the room would be equipped to handle Baxter staying with Ada.

“Guys, we should probably call it a day, she’s pretty exhausted in every respect.” Sylva gently but firmly told them before seeing Cor down the hall talking with Regis still.

“Say your goodbyes quickly and quietly. And then get the hell out.” Sylva sarcastically quipped which got them all to snicker a laugh.

“Except you two, I would like to have a word.” Sylva clarified seriously as she pointed her index and middle fingers to Ravus and Luche who were standing side by side before walking towards Cor to offer her own condolences while the rest of them just popped in and said their quick goodbyes.

“Regis and Luna said you used your ‘God Code’?” Cor asked with an amused but appreciative smile.

“Yes, I put them in before we left last night.” Sylva admitted.

“Thank you so much.” Cor graciously thanked her. “I didn’t even realize you could do that.” Cor admitted.

“I hope you don’t mind I slipped into “mum mode” with her since she could use a mother’s comfort for the time being. And I told her about my own multiple experiences with this kind of loss which I think helped quite a bit. Hearing from someone who has already gone through it and come out the other side.” Sylva offered.

“Oh I didn’t...thank you, I don’t know what to say or how to say it and you know me, I’m not..great with words.” Cor admitted lowly as he felt himself grow embarrassed with how fragmented he was being. He hadn’t slept well last night either.

“I’m just gonna hug you.” Sylva tried to warn him before standing up on her tip toes and hugged him tightly and smiled sadly when he hugged her back just as tight. Seeing as how she was kind of a big sister to him or perhaps an aunt.

“Sweetheart, you just lost your baby, a baby you didn’t know you had to loose. It’s hard. I know first hand how hard it is. It’s ok to mourn, you need to mourn, mourn the loss of the life, the loss of the joy you normally would have felt in finding out she was expecting and mourning how your lives are and could have been forever changed and mourning the ‘what if’s’ too. Don’t ever think you’re being weak by mourning and going through all the stages of grief at your pace, not anyone else’s. Just take care of yourself and take care of Ada. Don’t let the doctors or nurses rush you out of here, when you and Ada are ready to go home, you’ll know and she’ll tell you and I’ll make sure Baxter can stay here with her and don’t worry, I’ll get food and dishes and things delivered shortly. Hopefully. But don’t rush yourselves either. Be patient and be kind to each other, and be understanding, that’s all you should do. And please know that you’re not alone, I know that’s all you want to be is alone and her friends aren’t leaving her but her friends are her family right now Cor, and for better or worse you need to be her friend and her family. Make sure she doesn’t feel alone and don’t get quiet because you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. Make your presence known and felt. Stay with her mentally, not just physically. Very few things are worse than being with someone knowing their head is a million miles away.” Sylva cautioned gently even though she knew Cor would completely ignore all of this but it was important that Regis witness her giving that advice as she rubbed soothing circles into his back too and Cor nodded his agreement and understanding at that.

“Will do,” Cor croaked as he fought to keep himself from crying before looking past her to see Ravus and Luche hanging out down the hall but further away from the room.

“Who’s left down there?” Sylva asked.

“Just Beavus and Knucklehead.” Cor chuckled.

“Well I asked them to stay behind because we have work to do, I’ll take them with me when I go.” Sylva explained as she let go of him and returned to standing on her own feet. “And don’t read too much into well intention-ed gifts, they’re meant as ‘Distress Tolerance’ which is a form of therapy that you’ll learn about hopefully when you go and get some because both of you could use it.” Sylva reminded him. “Just ask him or Lunafreya, Ravus won’t want to talk about it, he never does.” Sylva gestured to Regis. “Also, I put my direct phone line number in Ada’s room, both of you are free to use it, if you want or need anything, anything at all, it’ll ring my office directly and she has a card with every phone number I have, I suggest putting all numbers into your phones and don’t hesitate to call ok? We’re here for you. As much as you want us to be.” Sylva reminded him sweetly.

“Thank you,” Cor thanked her again.

“You’re welcome, take it easy the rest of the day and the rest of the week, tell anyone else who wants to come and visit, to either send a text or wait until you’re up to having more visitors and to ultimately, take a hike.” Sylva advised with a grin.

“Will do, now go take a hike.” Cor teased and Sylva barked a laugh.

“Ha! Ok, I’m going I’m going.” Sylva laughed. “I’ll see you at home soon Dearest.” Sylva bid to Regis before turning and walking away and nodding to Luche and Ravus to follow her before they obediently took that cue and followed behind her and turned and went to the elevators.

“You know, I used to think she was bossy, now I just understand, she’s just The Boss.” Cor muttered under his breath to Regis who was smiling so proudly at his wife’s back.

“Yeah, it’s a tough job and she’s tougher than the job so it works out.” Regis shrugged before giving his friend one last hug before he promised to keep in touch and offered to help every way he could and offered to go to Cor’s house to get him some clothes to change into so Cor could get a shower and Cor immediately gave Regis his house keys to do just that and Regis promised to be back as soon as he could.

Meanwhile in the elevator.

“Luche, does the term ‘Distress Tolerance’ mean anything to you yet? Did you look at those books I gave you?” Sylva asked while she kept her back to her boys but could see in the reflection how Ravus and Luche looked a little worriedly at each other.

“No...not really.” Luche honestly admitted.

“Huh, well Distress Tolerance is when you are going through something that you find distressing and you distract yourself from said distress via sensory engaging distractions, like eating or drinking for example, either you should provide this for yourself or someone could provide this for you.” Sylva listed off casually.

“Like say for instance, your favorite tea, a tea set and a proper English scone.” Sylva gave an example and finally gave Luche a grin over her shoulder before the elevator dinged and the doors opened to the floor where their offices were.

“Right about now though, you should get those dogs.” Sylva urged them before Ravus and Luche looked at each other and nodded in agreement before Ravus took Luche with him to the dog breeder in question.

“Can I help you?” The woman answered as she came to the door.

“Hi, my name is Ravus Nox Fleuret and this is…” Ravus began to introduce. “Oh you must be Luche Lazarus!” She realized with a bright smile as she opened the door fully.

“My name is Zara Kisska, I’ve been expecting you all week. Sylva said you’d be by this morning.” She said as she shook their hands then invited them into the house before she led them through to the back yard where a group of dogs were playing.

“Kona! Kahlua!” Zara called before two brendle cane corsos came bounding up happily as the other dogs stopped and looked up and stared curiously at them before they walked over to them too.

“Sit,” she commanded and they all sat down immediately before she had Luche and Ravus meet them as Luche just fell in love with Kona and Kahlua as did Ravus. “Now Kona is a male and Kahlua is a female and both of them have been spayed and neutered and all of them have all their shots…” Zara began to explain as she told Luche more about the dogs as the others smelled them curiously too.

“You wouldn’t by any chance have a…” Ravus began before Zara smiled smugly.

“This is Sasha.” Zara introduced as the silver gray cane corso licked his hands. “Your Mom said you might want one too and requested I keep Sasha back for you.” Zara grinned as Ravus fell in love with Sasha as Sasha fell in love with him too.

“Obviously they’re all great with other dogs, great with other animals, I have three cats and a few parakeets and they’re all great with them. You’ll want to feed them a really, really good dog food…” She continued as she showed them what she fed the dogs and made suggestions about toys and treats and how much time to spend with them and to obviously socialize them with their friends and their pets and what their personalities were like and what she had been training them with and what commands she used and what tone of voice she used when she did it and demonstrated those commands for them before she asked for 5k per dog since they were all show quality dogs and had pedigrees and papers and extra obedience training which Ravus and Luche gladly paid and got their papers and their vet records before Luche and Ravus got their leashes and walked away with their new dogs and had them get in the back of Ravus’ car before he drove them to the pet store to get everything they would need for the dogs before driving Luche back to the hospital so he could get his car and take his own new dogs and all their stuff home. He spent the rest of the night getting them settled in his house and made sure they knew where to go potty at and where their food was at and that they felt right at home as Ravus did the same to Sasha as Selena fell in love with Sasha too from their apartment right next door.

#Magic and Miracles and Beyond #Magic and Miracles and Beyond Chapter 10

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