AI-less Whumptober Day 4: Hiding An Injury

AI-less Whumptober Day 4: Hiding an injury

Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug

Summary: Adrien goes to school after being injured in an Akuma attack.

Being a hero was dangerous. Ladybug and Cat Noir knew that well. But no matter what Ladybug's lucky charm would reverse the damage done.

Unless she lost it. Adrian stood in the boys bathroom, his side bleeding. He was unsure of what to do. He should have just gone home but the school day had only just begun when the akuma attack happened. It was around noon now.

The boy grabbed a bunch of toilet paper and stuffed it on his side. He grabbed bandages he kept on his backpack just in case and wrapped them around the wound. He grabbed his jacket and was thankful he had grabbed the black on that morning.

Adrian stumbled back towards his class. The hall was busy at class change. He stayed close to the wall and tried to walk straight.

What would happen if the knew? What could he do if the found out? Nothing. Cat Noir knew that if anyone found out that he was Cat Noir, he would lose himself.

It hurt. The gash was still bleeding. It was sore to the touch. Sore was an understatement.

It didn't take long for people to stair. He leaned into the wall and felt like sitting down and sobbing. Adrian wanted to scream. But, if he did, if he told them he was in pain, he wouldn't be able to be free.

Gabriel would lock him in the house forever. He couldn't be isolated like that again. That would hurt more then the wound in his side.

As soon as he entered the room he did his best to get to his seat quickly and at least mostly normally. All he needed was for someone to figure out his secret identity.

"Hey Adrian!" Nino said enthusiastically.

"Hey." The hero did his best to match his energy but couldn't.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired." He rested one of his arms on the desk and laid his head down. After that he grabbed his side with the other hand and kept pressing on it. He just needed to make it until the end of the school day. Once he was home he could figure out how to fix it.

"Hey Adrian, why are you holding your side?" Rose asked.

"Oh, I'm just cold." He wasn't exactly lieing to her. He was cold.

"Dude, it's like really warm in here." Kim, who was walking to his set, called Adrian's bluff.

"I'm just cold okay." He put his head back down.

"Is your hand red?" Alya inspected.

"No, it's fine" Adrian said, his head still on the table. Why wouldn't they just leave him alone? Why did they have to make it so hard to hide that he was hurt?

"If you say so." Alya knew she would be watching him carefully.

Halfway through class Adrian started to feel worse. He felt nauseated and weak. He raised his hand and asked to use the restroom. Ms. Bustier said that he could and Adrian stood up to leave the room.

He could feel his legs growing weaker as he walked to the door.

"Are you alright?" Ms. Bustier asked.

"I'm, fine. Thank you." He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. The world felt like it was fading. He couldn't show it any more than he had already. He wouldn't lose everything just because he couldn't hide an injury.

As soon as the door closed the class looked at each other to see if everyone else was sceptical.

In the hall Adrien stumbled to the floor. He laid there for a moment before getting up and using the wall to get around. He pushed all his body weight on the wall and prayed it would be enough to get him back to the gym lockers.

Once there he sat against the wall and took his jacket off. The kid sighed as he realized he bleed though the bandages. Placing the jacket on his side, he wondered how much of class he could skip.

"So, should someone check on him." Nathaniel asked.

"I'll go" Nino volunteered almost immediately.

"Marinette, why don't you go since your class representative?" Alya asked.

"I'm his best bud, I've got it."

"Nino, if you don't mind, please go check on him."

Nino left the room and walked towards the bathroom. Nearing the lockers he saw a red substance on the ground and looked towards the door. There was blood on the handle.

A sense of unease fell over Nino. "What the fuck?" He whispered. He walked to the door and opened it.

Adrian heard the door handle and panicked. Where did he go? How did he hide? He crawled over to a place behind a locker and held in a sob when the door opened. "Adrien?" Nino called out.

Cat Noir placed a hand over his mouth. He could taste the salt from the blood. It surprised him.

"Adrian? Man? I'm concerned. If you're here please just tell me."

No matter how hard Adrien could try, the tears would come anyway.

"Adrian?" Nino turned to face him. "Oh fuck."

"Nino, please don't get anyone."

"Why not?" Nino raised his voice.

"Please. I can't really explain."

"Are you okay? Like are you in danger?" The man walked over and kneeled down to Adrian.

"I'm fine, just in, pain."

"Come here."

Adrian complied. Nino grabbed his side and kept pressure on his side. "Help!" He screamed.

"No please. They can't know." The hero whispered.

"Can't know what?"

"That I'm hurt."

"Why?" Nino called out for help again.

"My identity."

"Identity?"

Nino didn't know? "Fuck" Adrian whispered.

"You're-" Nino was cut off as someone came into the locker room.

The teacher called 122 as she helped Nino get him to the front of the school.

What was he going to do now? Maybe he could just say that the akuma attack had caused it. He wasn't lying, just not telling the whole truth. It didn't really matter now. Everyone knew that he was hurt. The one thing he was avoiding.

Now he'd just have to hope that no one knew that he was Cat Noir. He didn't think anyone had seen the wound he had received. That may just be his savior. As he heard the sirens from the ambulance he blacked out. Maybe he shouldn't have waited so long.

Whumptober Day 6: Mind Control/Forced to Hurt Someone Else

Fandom: The Dragon Prince

Warning: Violents

Summary: Callum gets possessed by Aarovose on the worst day, his aunt's wedding.

  Callum knew there was a reason he told Rayla to kill him if Aaravos took control of him again. He knew that if it were to happen, someone would get hurt. So it should be him.

    He thought he would be safe at his aunt's wedding. It was a beautiful outdoor venue and the weather was perfect. Callum was so happy for Amaya and he was so excited to see her happy. The day was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life.

    Ezren and Zym spread flowers down the aisle. Rayla sat next to Callum. "I'm sorry I'm late" she whispered.

    "It's okay" he responded. He pulled a tiny hand held mirror out of his pocket so that she should finish her hair.

    "You're the best." She tied two braids together and put them in a bun. She gave his a thumbs up when she was done.

    Katolis's wedding march started to play. Soren had learned to play piano while Corvus played the Violin. They sounded good together.

    Amaya appeared in the doorway and everyone stood. Gren walked with her. He was so excited when she asked him to walk her down the aisle. Her dress was white with blue accents. It was long but not overly flowy. She had a crimson orchard in her hair.

    Ezren was sitting with Callum and Rayla now. Zym was by the king and so was Bait. Amaya got to the altar and smiled. She looked so excited.

    As a Janai appeared a Xadian wedding march was played, orchestrated by a few of her friends. Her dress was in traditional sunfire elf tradition, consisting of mostly reds and oranges. It was floor length and had a black flower lace.

    She arrived at the altar, smiling. Gren already looked like he was going to cry. The ceremony started. Rayla awkwardly handed the hand held mirror back to Callum as the vows finished.

    He took the mirror, face up and looked down at it so he could put it in his pocket. He didn't trust himself not to drop it while trying to put it away.

    A familiar face appeared in the mirror and Callum tried to shove it away. The Startouch elf just had to make his presence known.

    "Does anyone object to this marriage?" The priest asked.

    "I do." Callum could think straight anymore. He watched his body stand and watched the horror on his aunt Amaya's face as she watched him be the only person to object.

    It wasn't Callum's voice that spoke, just his mouth. But how could she know that? Rayla stood quickly, as did Ezren. Soren jumped out of his seat. Corvus, confused, stood with him.

    "Aaravos" Rayla grimaced.

    Amaya looked at her wife then at Gren. 'What's going on?' She signed. 

    "I don't think that's Callum." Gren looked back at the scene in front of them.

    Callum's body moved from where it stood and into the aisle. He smiled as he raised a hand up to fight. "Fulminis." Aaravos detected the attack at the altar.

    As lightning shot from his fingers, Amaya grabbed Janai and got them both out of the way. Gren moved off to the side and went to make sure that both brides were alright.

    Callum couldn't stop himself from being used as a tool for the awful man. He tried as hard as he could. It felt so surreal. He was conscious of everything that he was doing but couldn't stop it. He could do nothing but watch as his body and his magic tore apart the people he loved.

    All he could do was try to fight and hope Rayla remembered what they talked about. The mage knew he would rather die right here, right now, then be a danger to the people he loved.

    "Callum!" Ezren yelled, "come on, fight it! You can beat him!"

    Aaravos pulled the puppet strings. He brought Callum's body closer to his brother and grabbed him by the neck. He pulled him up and threw him to the ground. The little boy staggered standing up.

    'No' Callum thought. 'This can't be  happening.'

    Soren grabbed his sword from his side and drew it. He hated the thought that he may have to hurt Callum but he knew that if it came down to it, he'd rather it be that way.

    Everyone was confused. "What's happening to him?" Gren translated for Amaya.

    "He's possessed!" Rayla answered.

    "By?!" Janai asked as she went to grab her and Amaya's swords. Two had been made; a sunforge blade for Amaya and a blade carefully crafted by the king's most trusted swordsmiths. Gren started to help people get away from the venue. It was the best thing he could do since he carried no weapon.

    "Aaravos! He's a Startouch elf!" Janai's blood ran cold. She already knew what it was like to lose people to him, she didn't want Amaya to as well.

    "Callum!" Callum could hear Soren call out for him but he couldn't answer. He tried but all it seemed he could do was try. Was it ever going to be enough? Trying?

    Soren handed Corvus his sword quickly. He tried to run up to Callum but Rayla stopped him. "Whatever you're going to do, don't."

    He pulled away from her anyway and went up to Aaravos. Curious, the Startouch elf let it slide. Soren grabbed the shoulders of the boy and looked into his eyes. "You're one of the strongest people I've ever met, if anyone can stop him it's you, Callum. I believe in yo-" Aaravos had heard enough.

    He grabbed Soren's neck harshly. "It's sweet, what you're trying to do" he chuckled. "It's too bad really, you won't survive long enough to see if it works."

    From behind Amaya grabbed Callum and tried to pull him off of the knight. At the same time Rayla pulled Soren away. Scratches were left on the man's neck.

    No one wanted to hurt Callum. It felt wrong, not going to fight the threat but the threat was, well in Callum's body. At the moment all they wanted was to get him free of Aaravos's control. They knew he was hurting.

    The elf struggled against Amaya. He kicked at her and scratched her. His heal cought part of her dress and the end ripped some. Swinging his leg around the general's he tripped her. It took them both down but from there he got away from her.

    Angry at her for stopping him from killing the useless golden boy, he stomped on her knee. "Let's see if that slows you down." Janai came over to her. She raised her sword towards Aaravos, wishing that hurting him didn't mean hurting Callum.

    She struck quickly. Aaravos moved back, only taking a slash to the arm. He chuckled, "Fulminis." The lightning course through her body and she fell to the ground. Amaya checked on Janai and as he went to kill the two Corvus stepped in.

    Aaravos walked to Corvus. The tracker held Soren's sword tight, frightened by the thought of what he may have to do.

    "I'll take that." The elf went to kick Corvus but he moved. He attempted to fight him, to grab the sword so he could do some real damage; but the man was able to keep it away from him.

    So when Rayla came up behind him, he decided that her weapon was good enough. She didn't expect him to grab it out of her hands.

    Callum always had a pretty smile. Today, it was creepy, almost crazy. He took the knife and faced Corvus again. He stabbed him in the side.

    Corvus cried out in pain. As the knife was pulled from his body he fell to the ground. Soren, who had been informing Gren of what was going on, rushed to his side. "It's alright, it's okay" he whispered.

    The tears falling from Callum's eyes became more frequent. He had to stop him. Corvus was important to him, he couldn't just let Aaravos kill him. He had to do something.

    Soren's words hurt. He knew the two were close but it only hit him now just how close they were. The knight had pulled him into his lap. He ran his hands over his head and tried to keep him calm. His other hand put pressure on the wound.

    Rayla grabbed Callum. She pulled him away from the two and got ready to fight. Aaravos didn't mind having to wait. He attacked Rayla, paying no attention to the danger that his vessel might be in. He pushed her away and slammed him foot into her stomach. She cried out and slipped on a flower.

    Bait tried to reach Callum. He approached him and shown a bright yellow. Aaravos kicked him off to the side.

    Ezren ran up to Bait. He was joined by Zym. He made sure he was okay. As Aaravos walked towards Rayla, he stepeed in. He looked fearless as he stood in front of his brother's body.  "Callum! I know you're there!"

    He held Rayla 's knife and stepped closer to Ezren. As his arm rose to take the boy's life, Callum collapsed. His brother caught him and placed him on the ground.

    He had finally broken free of Aaravos's control. After what felt like an eternity he sat up and looked around. Corvus had been stabbed, Janai shocked, Amaya had a broken leg, Ezren looked like he was in pain, Bait was still laying on the ground, Soren's neck looked awful, and Rayla was just now getting up. What had he done?

    The king opened his arms, inviting Callum to hug him. The mage leaned into his brother and started crying harder then before. He apologized over and over and Ezren kept trying to tell him it wasn't his fault

    Gren returned with a doctor. He looked at the sight in front of him. "Oh boy" he whispered. At least no one was dead.

    This would be a wedding to remember.

Whumptober Day 5: "You better pray I don't get up this time around"/pinned down

Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug

Summary: Cat Noir faces Monarch alone one violent night.

Warning: Violence.

  Cat Noir couldn't stand Monarch. No matter what he wanted, putting everyone though so much pain and  torture was non-excuseable. Fighting the villain personally was a rare occurrence.

    The fight was harder than normal. Ladybug was nowhere to be seen. The sky was pitch black, the moon hidden behind the clouds. Even she knew that this fight would be too much for her.

    Monarch was desperate. He hadn't cared if he killed the heroes but today he went in knowing this was the day he would risk everything.

    It felt like his prayers had been answered when only one hero emerged to take hugs down.

    Adrien had had a bad feeling the entire day. As soon as he woke up, he knew something was going to happen. There was a pit in his stomach as he went through his classes and when he left school he chose his words carefully when he said goodbye.

    They met at the Eiffel Tower. Monarch was ready for a fight and Cat Noir knew it. Before he knew it he had been slammed into the legs of the tower. He stood up and grabbed his poll from where it rested.

    The villain ran at his, "where is your partner?"

    "Wouldn't you like to know!" He swung his poll. It was met with a sword. Cat Noir pushed the sword back and stepped forward, attempting to hit Monarch. He hit his back, pushing him under the tower.

    As time went on, both hero and villain grew tired. Cat Noir was slammed into the ground. He could feel his bones and muscles growing tired.

    Monarch grabbed Adrien and forced him into a nearby lamp post. The post fell to the ground, Cat Noir didn't. The villain held him harshly and kneed him in the stomach. He cried out on pain.

    Then he was back against the Eiffel Tower legs. The ground has become a place he had grown accustomed to. Monarch walked over as Cat Noir tried to stand. He stomped on his hand, breaking it in multiple places.

    Adrian pulled it back and stood as quickly as he could. As soon as he stood he was thrown back onto the ground. His vision was blurry. All he could taste was salt. The damage done to his body made him regret waking up that morning. He wondered where Ladybug was, hoping she would show up and save him.

    The hero spit blood out of his mouth. His lip was split in multiple places and his face had multiple cuts, both from the ground and from being hit repeatedly by Monarch.

    "This can all end if you would just give me your miraculous." Monarch walked closer to Cat Noir.

    "If you want my miraculous-" Adrian used his poll to stand. He stumbled and swayed as he stood. "You better pray I don't get up this time around." He stuttered his words.

    Adrien knew that he would die for this if he had to. His life for the safety of others seemed like a fair price to pay.

    Gabriel looked at the child in front of him. He stood, ready to die. And Monarch was ready to kill him. He had been in his way for too long.

    "Cataclysm" Adrien spoke carefully. He pushed one foot in front of the other.

    "Resistance." Cat Noir touched Monarch's chest. Cataclysm deactivated and he was still standing. He grabbed the boy's wrist and tossed him back. He grabbed the fallen lamp post and struck him in the ribs.

    The poll stayed on top of him. Cat Noir was pinned. He struggled and as he opened his mouth to activate his power, Monarch forced the poll down. He screamed as his age of his ribs broke under the pressure. "I guess my prayer was answered."

    A foot rested on Adrian's right hand. No matter what he couldn't get out from underneath Monarch. He cried in pain and frustration. Was this really it? Did he lose? The lap post continued to press against him, making his injuries worse. Even if he did leave with his miraculous, he'd have to give it up anyway. His injuries were too severe to not be treated.

    Adrian tied to remove his hand for under the enemy's foot. Nothing. Everything hurt. Monarch kneeled down and replaced his foot with his hand. He looked at the child maliciously. "Goodbye Cat Noir." Then the world went black.

Part two: here when posted

AI-less Whumptober Day 1: Disowned by family (Alt Prompt 7)

Fandom: The Dragon Prince

Summary: What if Soren's meeting with Claudia, Viren, Terry, and The Being went differently.

  Soren loved his family. He had always loved his family. Even after his mother left, even after his father had told him to kill the princes, and even after Claudia blamed him for walking away.

    He loved them.

    Now he was facing them again; tied to the ground by vines. Claudia's hair was half white now. Viren looked the same as before. I looked like he hadn't aged a day. An elf boy stood with them as well as a terrifying butterfly looking elf child.

    There was silence. The only noise was the breeze running though the trees. "Soren" Viren spoke.

    "Dad?" Alarms sounded in Soren's head. This was wrong. Viren was supposed to be dead.

    "I don't have a son."

    Terry looked at Viren, shocked.

    Soren froze. He looked over at Claudia who looked away. So this is what it feels like, being disowned by your family.

    The guard had known, deep down, that this was going to happen. He knew that when he didn't return to Katolis with the news that the princes were dead, Viren would be angry. He knew nothing would be the same and after a while he realized nothing should be the same.

    Claudia turning away hurt more. She had been through everything with him. She had saved his life; in more ways then one.

    "Oh. Well then I don't have a father." Hurt laced every word. Soren felt so helpless to the situation. It felt like he was back at the beginning. Like he was that scared eighteen year old kid following every order from Viren.

    Soren tried to fight the vines. He felt them dig into his skin, the same way Viren's words and Claudia's cold gaze did.

    The dark mage walked over to Soren. "Leave him here."

    "What?" Terry asked. "Isn't that going to kill him?"

    "He's an enemy guard, why should I care?"

    "Wow, okay" Soren mumbled.

    Viren started walking. He left Soren behind. He walked away like he always did. That's when Soren really understood he had no blood family anymore.

    Claudia followed. That's what she always did, follow Viren. Then The Being ran after them. Terry stayed. He loosened the vines, "I'm sorry." Then he walked away.

    Soren fought through the vines until he got out. He looked towards where the others had gone. It was time to find his family, his real family.

@ailesswhumptober

Whumptober Day 8: "I'v Got a Soul but I'm Not a Soldier."

Fandom: Star Wars The Clone Wars

Summary: Obi-wan is tired of being a soldier.

  Obi-wan was supposed to be a Jedi not a soldier. Sure he was sarcastic but he was also gentle and kindhearted. The death, the destruction, was a lot.

    He was raised to be peaceful. Being a Jedi wasn't always always pleasant but he never saw himself being a general in a galactic war.

    It hurt every part of him. His soul ached for some sense of control over the lives that seemed to escape his grasp while on the field. He wasn't supposed to lead people to their deaths. He was supposed to help lead them far away from the grim reaper until they were old.

    But where was Obi-wan? Leading men into a battle, knowing that some wouldn't survive. It was fine when it was his life but his men's? He felt a little bit of himself die every time one of them died. 

   The battle ended in a Republic victory. The cost of the fight was higher than he thought. The Jedi walked into his corders on the Negotiator. He set his lightsaber down on the table and sunk onto the floor. He put his hands on his thighs and rested his head in his lap.

    The door opened and Cody walked in. "Obi-wan?" He forgot his formalities.

    "Oh" Obi-wan looked up, "yes." He stood up.

    "Are you okay? I was knocking and didn't get an answer so I came in."

    "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you. What do you need?"

    "Our next mission came in, Sir."

    Obi-wan sighed. His breath shook. "Okay. Leave the copy on the table."

    Cody put it down. He looked back at the Jedi and turned around to leave. He wanted to help but it's hard to help someone when they won't let you.

    "I can't do this" Obi-wan whispered, a cry threatening to push though.

    "What sir?" Cody turned around again.

    'I- i'v never been a soldier. Leading like this, is harder than I thought." He stood and started to pace.

    Cody walked over. "I think you're doing good sir."

    "No, I don't think you understand." He started to raise his voice. "I'm supposed to be a protector of peace but not like this! I'm not meant for this! I'm not made for this like you! I can't-!" He looked up from the floor then started to stumble over his words. "No, not like that." He put his head in his hands. "I'm not meant to be a soldier."

    "It's, fine." Cody knew that Obi-wan meant no harm. "Look" he grabbed him and got him to stop pacing. "You're doing what you're supposed to do and you're good at it. The cost of peace isn't pretty but it's a price that's worth paying."

    Obi-wan met his eyes and looked at the hands that gripped his shoulders. He looked back into Cody's eyes and simply leaned forward.

    The clone was surprised but wrapped his hands around the other. He held him for a moment, waiting to see what was going to happen.

    Then Obi-wan broke away. "I'm sorry commander. You, you can go."

    Cody had seen this too many times. "I don't have to. I can stay."

    "That might be nice." Obi-wan gestured to the bed. He went over to the table and grabbed the tablet with the mission information.

    "How about you take a break from that."

    Obi-wan walked over to the bed. He sat down and again motioned for Cody to sit. "I really should."

    "Alright but I'm going over it with you."

    The Jedi smiled softly, "if you must."

    Cody sat down next to Obi-wan. He knew this wasn't something he should do, sit on a bed with a general. But he also knew that he needed the company.

    Obi-wan looked over at the commander. "Thank you, Cody."

    Cody nodded. "Of course, Obi-wan."

AI-less Whumptober Day 6: "It Should Have Been Me."

Fandom: The Dragon Prince

Warning: Character Death

Summary: Runaan goes on a job. A young girl gets caught in the crossfire.

  Ethari did have a good feeling when Runaan left for him next job. He had put Rayla to bed and had made a cup of tea. He sat on a chair in the living room for most of the night. As the sky started to lighten, he started to pace.

    It was almost morning when Runaan returned home. Ethari was on his fourth cup of tea, using the same tea leaves, when the door opened. He was going to greet him, but the elf had already made his way to the room.

    The assassin slammed his bow down onto the ground. He quietly yelled in frustration and started to walk around the room. He jumped when he saw Eathari.

    "Are you okay?" Ethari walked over to him.

    Runaan opened his mouth to speak but couldn't. He instead collapsed onto his lover's arms. He cried into his shoulder.

    All Ethari could do was hold him. He hoped Rayla would wake up late. All any of them needed was to add her into the equation.

    "It should have been me."

    "What?" His voice shook as he spoke.

    "It should have been me. I should be the one we have to bury!"

    "Runaan, please don't talk like that. What happened?"

    He didn't answer. Instead he muttered the words again.

    "Runaan, talk to me." Ethari was trying not to cry. Sure, Runaan had come back to him hurt and unstable, but this was new.

    The assassin pulled back, out of the craftsmen's comforting arms. He looked at his own and apologized. "I forgot about the-" his voice broke.

    "Darling it's just clothes. Please, let me take a look at you. Are you hurt?"

    "It's- not, mine."

    "It's going to be okay. Let's get you cleaned up." Ethari stood and offered a hand out. When Runaan didn't move the craftsmen informed him that he'll be right back.

    He brought back a damp rag. "Here, give me your hands." He took Runaan's shaky hands and gently scrubbed them. The man was still trembling and tears were still falling from his eyes.

    Ethari wanted to take away his pain. He looked into his eyes and softly asked, "what happened love?"

    "There was this, this young girl. You get them Rayla."

    Ethari's heart sunk. That's why Runaan was so distressed.

    "She had" he paused "She came out of nowhere. I didn't, have time. The leader had aimed at me. He missed and" the words became sobs again as Runaan tried to explain. "I should have been me."

    "It's going to be okay." Light had begun to fill the room. It wouldn't be long before Rayla would wake up. "Breathe. Let's go to our room okay?"

    Runaan just grabbed him. He wrapped his arms around him tightly and didn't move. A door creeped open. Ethari listened to the footsteps as he tried to calm his husband. He didn't want Rayla to see Runaan like this, for both of their sakes.

    The footsteps got quieter and the door closed gently.

    Slowly, Runaan recovered. He laid on Ethari's chest, asleep. The man sat against the couch, trying to figure out how he was going to get circulation back in his leg.

    Rayla decided it should be okay to come out of her room. She shut her door silently and walked the hallway without revealing she was there. She came into the living room and looked at the two of them.

    Ethari had his head on the couch, even though it was uncomfortable. His arms were around his lover and Runaan's were around him. "Is everything okay?"

    "It will be."

    "What happened? Is he okay?"

    Ethari paused. "He, just had a rough night."

    "How rough because he was crying pretty hard earlier."

    "Very. He'll be okay. He might be off for a while but it'll be okay."

    "Okay. Are you okay? You look tired."

    "Yeah, I'm okay."

    Rayla seemed satisfied with that answer. She walked into the kitchen and returned with breakfast and a hot tea with just the right amount of sugar for Ethari. He smiled as she entered the room. "Thank you Rayla."

    She just smiled and handed the cup to him. "Can you bring me a damp cloth?" He asked.

    "Yeah" she whispered. After moment she came back to the room and handed it to him. "Here."

    "Thank you." He took bits of Runaan's hair into his hands and gently pressed the cloth against it to get buts of dried blood out of it.

    Rayla sat down near him with her legs crossed, "he'll be okay."

    "I know. Are you okay? This can be a lot to deal with."

    "Yeah I'm okay."

    "Okay."

    The room filled with silence. Eventually Rayla fell asleep and Ethari was alone again. What could he do about this? Nothing he could say or do would ever convince Runaan that it wasn't his fault. So he just had to be there, be a shoulder to lean on, be a chest to sleep on, and be arms that he could feel safe and loved in.

    Ethari took a deep breath then took a sip of his tea. He had a long way to go and the road would not make it easy. But no matter what, he would make sure Runaan made it through the rocks and breyers. Even if it meant holding his hand and walking through it with him.