Aftermath

[Enrique]

Marta's friend went back downstairs. He didn't blame her - there wasn't much for her up here. Marta would probably be following soon. Ricky could tell she was tired - likely more so emotionally than physically. It had been a busy day for her. She seemed to be acclimating to it all very well though. Marta asked a few questions. Ricky understood the concept of puppy piles, and Marta was actually okay with them, even if she wasn't always physical with people. Even that was changing - she was becoming more affectionate. But the whole wolf thing helped with the puppy pile thing.

"You gonna be here for awhile," Marta asked him.

"I'll be here for a bit - at least until my clothes are done," he said.

Marta nodded sleepily, "Okay - if I don't see you before you leave - goodnight." Ricky gave her another side hug as she headed back downstairs with the infant in her care. Where did she learn how to take care of an infant?

Ricky turned back to the other two. Cade was picking a day to meet with Nox again. It might be a good idea. Ricky didn't add anything, but if Cade decided to leave, he would bid him farewell. Most likely he would be here for a little longer before heading out.

[Marta]

Marta headed downstairs with Lily. She understood why Sterling didn't want to stay up there.  She didn't really want to stay with the adults either, but wanted to say goodbye to Ricky.  She didn't know if she'd be able to stay awake long.  She was just emotionally exhausted. She found Sterling again and leaned against her in a hug. "Sorry - I've been a very absent friend today," she gave Sterling a small smile. "And I think I need to lay down for a bit.  It's been a very emotional day for me."

She rested her head briefly on Sterling's shoulder, a sign that she was glad to see her today before she headed to Liv and told her she was taking Lily into Nox's room and was gonna rest in there too.  Mostly she just wanted Liv to know where Lily was.  If anyone wanted to join in thy were welcome to.  Marta then entered Nox's room followed by Splash.

The only other person in the room was Liam and Marta gave him a nod, acknowledging he was there.  She moved quietly as Splash found an unobtrusive corner to lay down in.  Marta climbed on the bed carefully, mindful of the infant she carried.  She gave Lily a kiss on the forehead and set her down on Nox's chest as Hayden had instructed.  Lily seemed to naturally lay there, as if it was just as comfortable for her as it was for her father.  Marta then leaned down, whispering in Nox's ear. "Thank you."

Marta lay down on the bed giving space between her and Nox.  She made sure that she didn't block Liam's sight.  It seemed like he wanted to keep an eye on Nox.  As exhausted as she was she didn't fall asleep right away, her mind was running at a million miles an hour.  She kept her eyes on Lily, at least knowing that if Lily needed something, she would be here to take care of it.  Briefly Marta wondered if it was her fault that Nox had gotten hurt.  If she hadn't smelled blood...she pushed the thought away.  She hadn't done anything wrong.  In time, Marta would fall asleep, but for now, sleep alluded her.

[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.

[Marta]

Nox woke up relatively quickly. Marta hadn’t meant to wake him, but he seemed okay. Liam came and fussed over him a bit, his scent betraying his crush on Nox. Marta had a feeling Nox knew about it. When Nox invited her closer, she did, resting her head on his shoulder. It was a mark of trust. She was really picky about who she touched and who touched her. Especially with adults - a mark of her trauma.

Ara came in quickly too and launched herself at Nox, yet still maintaining care with Lily around. It was very adorable. Marta caught that she said he smelled different and Marta wondered at that. Was it like her sense of smell or different. He did still have that muted numb smell from before. She wasn’t sure what to make of that still.

It took awhile before Nox’s words to her actually meant something in her brain before she spoke. Marta had just known what to do with Lily - it was still strange to her, but she tried to explain it. Words just came out of her tired brain without filter.  ”I just knew what to do - just sort of…did what felt right. She’s precious and special,” she reached out and touched Lily’s back, a hand brushing Nox’s fingers before she pulled away. ”You trusted me and that saved me.” she wasn’t sure if that made sense. ”Trusted me even though I got you hurt.” she didn’t cry and she knew it wasn’t her fault, but the words just came out.

[Nox]

Nox frowned. He tried to get up on his elbows to look at Marta but that was a bit too much effort with Ara and Lily piled on top of him the way they were. Not that he was complaining, but he'd have liked to look at Marta when he said what he needed to say. "You did not get me hurt. I asked. I went. I made the decision. I waltzed in without my power and I made a choice to take on the dreyken without it. It was not your fault. It was totally mine." Nox said with very little emotion in his voice, though he felt like there should be more.

"Where's the earbud, Liam?" Nox asked when he realized the soft hum of the song Ashton had made was not there.

The bed shifted, and Liam leaned over Ara and handed Nox the earbud. "We took it out so you could sleep."

Nox tucked Marta in closer, careful with the new arm, but it was definitely far easier to control the strength than the previous one. Less accidents he hoped but he'd have time later to try that. "I'm glad I helped you, but you saved yourself Marta. I gave you the opportunity, but you did the work. Not me."

[Marta]

Marta felt herself being pulled closer to Nox. She was fine with it. She trusted Nox wasn’t going to hurt her. It was also a shift from what she had been used to. So many people she trusted now. Nox confirmed what she had known. She hadn’t done anything wrong. ”I know…my psychologist says that I need to work on not blaming myself when things go wrong. I’m working on it - sometimes I just need to be reassured,” she said. ”Im glad you’re okay though. Very glad.”

Marta didn’t know if he was mad or annoyed about her saying it was her fault. She could tell with his numb smell. It made it hard for her to react. It had been a long time since she had someone she couldn’t read. It was a little nerve wracking for her. She cared about Nox and would even go so far as to say she loved him - not in the romantic sense, but as family. She hoped he wasn’t mad.

Marta chuckled a little when he said he hadn’t save her - he’d only helped. Sometimes he and Ricky were so alike - always diminishing their good deeds. Marta had gone through therapy and had been working on her problems. But without Nox’s simple act, she would have still been feeling the pull of the wolf. It wasn’t something she could have gotten out of on her own. Maybe he didn’t understand that - she’d tell him sometime, but sensed now wasn’t the time to do so. She had very few spoons left and Nox probably didn’t have many either.

”The wolf is still,” she said, her voice quiet and filled with amazement. She was close enough for Nox to hear her whisper. It still amazed her how much she felt at peace. ”Still I thank you for your help.”

Marta reached out to Lily, still asleep, and touched her hand. ”If I can ever help with her - let me know. I will. She’s…special.” she smiled then and placed a hand on Ara. ”This one too. So much energy in this one.”