What Not to Do (Kallisti)

[Nox]

Twenty-two not too old to fall in love for the first time. His childhood hadn't been like others. He had no friends, no home. No place that was his. It wasn't normal. He wasn't normal. So yeah he was learning for the first time in his miserable life that love hurt. She made a good point -- about all of it. Pity party. That's what it was. He felt bad. Broken. And it didn't matter to anyone but him. Why should it? But it still hurt.

Nox tied off the weaves he was holding. No one but the girls would notice and they knew he was getting tired. He grabbed Ori's arm as she departed his space. And promptly let go hoping she'd stay of her own volition. "I'm sorry she grabbed you. I know the feeling. I should be dead Ori. Should have a bullet through the head multiple times over. Once for being a god, and now because of the fucking horde." He lifted the mechanical arm and rubbed at the seam where flesh met plastoid whatever the fuck. "You aren't the only one who has uninvited guests shredding your soul. I have enough memory of what they did to me. It gives me nightmares. I can't imagine..." He sighed. "I don't pretend we are friends, or even that you give a fuck about me. But you are part of Kallisti and Kallisti gave me the first fucking home I've ever really had, so like it or not I fucking care about you. I care about all of them."

He took a few steps closer to Ori and touched her elbow gently. "I'm not hiding from the Atharim, Ori. But I am not prepared to take them on right this second. As frivolous as this might all look it's hard work. You know this. My life is in shambles. And it's all my fault. I never said it was otherwise. They come at me here, they will regret it. They come at them, at you, I'll kill every fucking one of them who tries. I need time to prepare for whatever war they bring. I'm just asking for the night. I'll take you to every fucking Atharim safe house I know and you can lay waste to it. I don't care. But I need to keep our family safe. That's my job, Ori. And I will do it until you tell me to get the fuck out."

He made no more preamble but he ran his thumb along her elbow "Please stay. You can chew me up and spit me out later for showing you weakness and kindness. I was looking for pity. And that's too much like my father. So thank you." He stayed where he was, the slight touch on her elbow, she could leave or go, but he returned to the job at hand. He still felt broken and he still needed to talk to Raffe, but it could wait till he came back. He wasn't going anywhere anymore. This was his home too. And they'd deal with the fallout of whatever happened. But right now he had a show to finish.