Aftermath

[Nox]

Nox was drained. He'd been healed before -- several times and it was always different. But the damage was always different, but this time he was utterly drained he fell into a dreamless sleep that even the nightmares that lived up stairs didn't penetrate the darkness.

Time became irrelevant until a soft weight pressed on his chest and he stirred. The bed shifted and someone had joined him, but it wasn't one of the kids they piled on top of him and pressed as close as possible -- with the exception of Liam who Nox noticed was always just a little bit less than the others. His crush pulling him away from the physical contact. Nox cracked his eyes open and he shifted his good hand over the top of Lily who was now curled up against his chest like she belonged there.

Marta lay next to him and he grinned. "Thanks for taking such good care of her." He whispered.

Movement in the chair next to drew his attention to the side. Liam was watching. And as soon as Nox spoke he was standing on his feet. "You good?" He fussed over the blankets and the pillows.

"I'm good. Relax, I'm just tired. Probably need to eat."

"Hayden's upstairs, he can make something. I'll go tell him."

"I can do it myself."

Liam shook his head. "No you rest. I got it." Liam didn't take no for an answer and pushed Nox's shoulder into the bed as he tried to get up. Nox didn't protest too much as he lay back down and curled up with Lily and Marta. "It's okay if you want to be closer."

As if the words cued the littlest of the bunch, Arabella launched into the room at full speed and climbed up in the bed, careful of Lily but she piled on to the top of the bed and draped her arm over Nox's throat and pressed her face into the crook of his neck. "You smell different." But it didn't stop her from nuzzling closer and closing her eyes. It wouldn't be long before the other two were lying next to him -- and then no telling who else might join them.