Getting Attention

[Nox]

Raffe left, he didn't go far. But still his comforting touch was gone and Nox did his best not to whimper with the internal fight. It was as much a physical struggle as a mental one. The hoard wanted control. They had to go. And with the thought, they fought harder.

Raffe was next to him again and Nox listened to the words, fought with the words inside his head. Raffe could channel. The Atharim knew. But the Atharim could also channel. Nox thought about those things - not the undying darkness inside. Nox took a page out of his yoga book and concentrated on his breathing. Slow and steady, in through the nose, out through the mouth. He focused on Raffe's breathing next to him, he calmed with each breath. Raffe was so close, he could still smell him on his own skin, but with him that close Nox turned his head slightly and captured his lips gently. The darkness inside wanted more - it hungered for more, but Nox fought to keep it slow and simple and let Raffe's touch calm him.

"I'm sorry." Nox said as he pulled away only so he could whisper in the quiet of the basement. "I felt it. You did. We'll make sure you never feel what I felt. Or what that Atharim will feel in a few weeks."

Nox cracked a weak smile and licked his lips. "I hope I live up to whatever you see that's worth saving. But thank you."

The smell of food trickled down the stairs, probably done so on purpose - who could resist the smell of a hot steak? "Are you hungry?" Nox's own stomach rumbled its complaint. Between the emotions and the darkness hovering just under his skin. "Or do I need to explain first?" Nox wasn't looking forward to that, but he knew there was something in order. His mind was fragmented after the plane crash, fragmented before, and now there was a warring consciousness. Nox was pretty sure he was going to need therapy after all this shit.